Mayo -
19
Knappaghmanagh
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Site/Artefact
Knappaghmanagh
Type
Early Ecclesiastical Site
Site
Number
SMR Mayo 088 058
National Grid
Reference
099180 East
280540 North
Map (
1:50000)
Ordnance Survey Ireland,
Discovery Series
31
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Early Cross Slab at
Knappaghmanagh (Photo: Christiaan
Corlett)
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Description
The consecrated ground around early
churches was enclosed by a circular wall of earth
and stone, many do not survive. However, at
Knappaghmanagh, meaning the hilly land of the
monks, there is a fine large oval enclosure of
earth and stone containing a children's burial
ground and an altar (Morahan, 2001). Scattered
around the circular children's burial area are
rough low uninscribed grave markers. However, on
one triangular slab an equal-armed cross enclosed
by a double circle is carved. The interesting thing
about this cross is the geometrically carved human
figure which may represent Christ but not perhaps
the Crucifixion. This unusual early Christian cross
slab has on the bottom left side an incised Greek
cross enclosed by a diamond (Corlett, 2000).
Excavation Details
Not Available
Access/Ownership
Private
References
- Corlett, C. 2001 Antiquities of West Mayo,
Wordwell, Wicklow, p.45, 52, 132
- Morahan, L. 2001 Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo
archaeology, landscape and people, Croagh
Patrick Archaeological Committee, Mayo, p. 126,
131, 154
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Other Mayo Sites and
Artefacts
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