The secrets of the Kilross stone

IN August 2018, Kilross farmer Edmund Brennan and his son Ross were carrying out some routine land clearance works. On lifting a partially buried large granite block they noticed some unusual and striking carvings on it. They promptly called local historian Seamus McCormack who identified it as likely to be a carved medieval sculpture. Authorities were contacted and it was recorded by the National Monuments Service.

The discovery of this unusual sculpture has prompted a lot of speculation and debate amongst local historians, archaeologists and the wider community about its origins, links and function.

The sculpture has a unique form with a hollow or socket on the upper surface and may have functioned as a base for a wooden high cross. Although difficult to prove if this was the case, it would mark it as a unique and highly significant sculpture in the evolution from Early Christian inscribed cross slabs to elaborately decorated high crosses. Pat O’Brien has written a very thorough article on possible parallels for it in the 2018 volume of the Sligo Field Club Journal.

Sligo Heritage Officer Siobhan Ryan and Tamlyn MacHugh of Fadó Archaeology and Sligo Community Archaeology Project 2020 advised Ballintogher Community Development around possible funding sources to carry out further research. This led to a successful award of funding from the National Monuments Service to the group from the Community Monuments Fund 2021. This award was used to commission a detailed geophysical survey of the surrounding landscape, a condition survey on the sculpture itself, a detailed background study and suggested actions around long-term access and conservation.

All actions to be refined and implemented subject to funding, consultation and agreement with a wide variety of stakeholders. A talk will be held on Tuesday next at 8pm in Ballintogher Community Centre.

Seamus McCormack will talk about the discovery and local background. Pat O’Brien will discuss his research and findings. Angela Wallace of Sligo Community Archaeology Project 2022 will present findings from the landscape and conservation plan.

All are very welcome, it is hoped that this talk will help facilitate more community discussion and local contributions around the future research, longterm access, maintenance and interpretation around this monument and likely associated elements within Kilross graveyard and surrounding landscape.

This event has been organised by the ‘Sligo Community Archaeology Project’ an initiative of Sligo Heritage Forum and is an action of the County Sligo Heritage Plan. The

The Kilross Carved Stone.

project is a partnership between Sligo County Council and The Heritage Council. The project is supported by the Heritage Council under the County Heritage Plan Funding 2022.

For 2022, the Sligo Community Archaeology

Project is being delivered by Angela Wallace and Nick Fitch of Atlantic Archaeology on behalf of the Heritage Office, Sligo County Council.

Any queries please contact Angela Wallace at sligocap@gmail.com or on 087 2681076

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