Set into the ground beneath a table tomb, this rectangular stone base once supported a standing cross, likely dating back centuries to when such monuments marked important religious sites throughout Ireland. The weathered stone, measuring roughly 35cm by 16cm at its widest exposed points, features distinctive splayed sides that taper elegantly from its base.

What makes this particular monument fascinating is the precisely cut socket carved into its upper surface; a straight-sided, flat-bottomed hollow measuring 17cm by 12cm and reaching 8cm deep into the stone. This socket would have held the shaft of the cross firmly in place, and its careful construction speaks to the skill of medieval stonemasons who created these enduring markers of faith. The base’s placement beneath a later table tomb suggests the site has maintained its sacred significance through multiple periods of use and renovation.

While the cross itself has long since disappeared, this sturdy base remains as evidence of Cill Charthaigh’s medieval heritage. Cross bases like this one are found throughout Ireland, serving as archaeological breadcrumbs that help historians piece together the development of early Christian communities. The monument was documented by Jane O’Shaughnessy in April 2018 as part of ongoing efforts to catalogue and preserve Ireland’s rich archaeological heritage, ensuring these often overlooked fragments of the past aren’t lost to time.