Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland . l positions of these crosses have been main-tained, so far as possible; all are inside the church. There is onenatural pillar stone standing at the east end, outside ; and near to itis a large rude natural slab with a square central piercing, that mayhave been used as the base for a High Cross of wood or stone. Thereare no recent burials inside or outside the church. Some evidenceof ancient burial was observed outside to the south and east, butthis was more noticeable inside. A small well-cut slab of Scrabosandstone of the twelfth centur
Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland . l positions of these crosses have been main-tained, so far as possible; all are inside the church. There is onenatural pillar stone standing at the east end, outside ; and near to itis a large rude natural slab with a square central piercing, that mayhave been used as the base for a High Cross of wood or stone. Thereare no recent burials inside or outside the church. Some evidenceof ancient burial was observed outside to the south and east, butthis was more noticeable inside. A small well-cut slab of Scrabosandstone of the twelfth century pattern was found loose amongstthe fallen masonry. Upon it, in a sunk circle, is a fine fleur-de-liscross with shaft and a sword. This has been permanently set atthe north side of the altar. It is interesting, as it proves anunbroken sequence in the sacred use of the place from the sixthcentury until the twelfth ; and the large iron key brings it down toPlantation times. The site itself had never quite lost its sanctity, Plate XIV J [To face page 128. ARDTOLE CHURCH NOTES ON CHURCHES IN LEGALE 129 as prayers were said there, within living memory, now freely renewedsince the preserving work has been completed. In this regard anold man gave me the following story one day (26 Sept. 1915) asI was assisting at the work. I took down his words at the time asfollows :— When he was a wee boy, Daniel Macllhone of the Rocks,was sitting up one Christmas Eve with a foaling mare, whenhe thought he would go to Teampull Maol and say his prayers onthe Blessed Morning. When he got there he saw a priest in whitevestments with two attending clerks also in white, and the priestsaid the Christmas Mass ; and that was the last Mass said at StTassachs church at Raholp. When Daniel returned to the farmerall was well with the mare and the foal, and he did not go to Mass atSaul as usual, for he said he had heard Mass already at old he died, 25 or 30 years ago, Daniel Macllhone always said
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