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tion claimed, I understand, for this monolith by the highest authority), 
this relic will be regarded with considerable interest, from the probabi- 
lity of its being the veritable crowning stone of the ancient Kings of 
Leinster, and the singular carving which appears on it in high relief. 
If this be St. Adamnan’s cross, it is a work of the early part of the 
eighth century, as that celebrated ecclesiastic died in the year 704. 
_. The next cross is of fully equal interest with that just described. It 
stands in the N.E. corner of the graveyard of the old church which 
crowns the summit of the Hill of Skreen, adjoining Tara Hill on the 
east. Without doubt, it is a work of great antiquity ; most probably of 
the age of St. Columbkille, who selected this hill as the site for a reli- 
gious house, and whose Well is yet pointed out on the spot. If this be 
his cross (and I see no reason to doubt it), it is a work of the close of the 
sixth century, St. Columb having died A.D. 597, and the figure of the 
Crucifixion, which is rudely carved on it in high relief, is the oldest 
sculptured representation of that event in Ireland, if not in Britain. 
The cross is formed of coarsely crystallized, dove-coloured limestone, and 
appears to have been brought from the neighbourhood of Ardbraccan, 
where a similar limestone is yet quarried. 
The next two illustrations represent a singularly grand monolith, 
ealled ‘‘ the giant’s headstone.” It is near Clonmel, on the side of the 
mountain in the county of Waterford, and stands at present fully nine 
feet above the ground. Without doubt, it is a pagan monument, Chris- 
tianized, if I may so express it; and I should say that the crosses sculp- 
tured on it are of the ninth or tenth century type; the larger one is 
especially characteristic of that period. 
The next cross stands opposite the west gable of the old church of 
Slaty, in the Queen’s County, near Carlow, and is also of the tenth cen- 
tury type. It is formed of granite, and is 8 feet 6 inches in height. 
The next drawing represents a flag-stone from the interior of the 
old church (but not the oldest church) from Inchagoil Island, in Lough 
Corrib. By comparing it with the tombstones from Clonmacnoise, de- 
scribed and figured by Dr. Petrie, we may safely assign it to a period 
between the close of the ninth and beginning of the twelfth century. 
To the same period I assign the incised cross on the upright flag- 
stone from the graveyard of the old church in Church Island in Lough 
Currane, at Waterville, county of Kerry—(Fig. 7)—the carvings on 
both being of the Greco-Zrish pattern. 
The next two illustrations are of sculptured tombstones; and though 
of the earlier types of this kind of decoration, they are not, I think, quite 
as ancient as those preceding. 
Fig. 8 is from the graveyard of Baptistgrange old church, near 
Thorny Bridge, county of Tipperary. 
Fig. 9. From Castletown church, county of Meath. 
Figs. 10, 11. These are two views of the same stone, the incised 
eross being of the twelfth century type. It is unique, however, in hay- 
ing the central circular portion at the intersection of the arms cut out 
B. I. A. PROC.—VOL, VII. 2P 
