324 



Mr. PETRIE'S Inquiry into the Origin and 



mental stones, and, like the triquetra, may possibly be symbolic of the Trinity. 

 As an example of this ornament, in its most usual and simple design, I annex 

 an outline of the tombstone of Flannchadh, who was probably the abbot of 

 Clonmacnoise of that name, whose death is recorded in the Chronicon Scoto- 

 rum, at the year 1003, and in the Annals of Ulster and of the Four Masters, 

 at the year 1002. The entry of his death in the latter annals is as follows : 



" A. D. 1002. planochdo Ua Ruaione, coriiapba Ciapam, mic an r-paoip [o'ecc]. t)o 

 Chopca TTloccha a cenel." 



" A. D. 1002. Flannchadh Ua Ruaidhne, com'harba of Ciaran, son of the Artifex [died]. He 

 was of the race of Corca Mogha." 



The inscription reads : 



"01J01C DO 

 "A PRAYER FOR FLANNCHADH." 



As an example of the more complicated figure of this design, I annex an 

 illustration of the tombstone of the celebrated Suibhne Mac Maelhumai, one of 

 the three Irishmen who visited Alfred the Great in the year 891, and whose 

 death is recorded in the Saxon Chronicle and by Florence of Worcester, at 

 the year 892, by Caradoc of Llancarvon at the year 889; and, in the Irish 

 Annals, by the Four Masters at the year 887, in the Chronicon Scotorum and 

 the Annals of Innisfallen at 890, and in the Annals of Ulster at the year 890 or 

 891, the entry in which I here give, as presenting the name nearly letter for 

 letter the same as inscribed on the stone : 



"A. D. 890, al. 891. Suibne ITIac TTlaele humai ancopica, ec pcpiba opcimup Cluana mac 

 Noip oopmiuic." 



