crosses historical ireland

The various surviving parts of a 9th or 10th century granite High Cross from the monastery founded by St. Colman in the 6th or 7th century were re-erected by the Dromore Historical Society in the Cathedral grounds beside the bridge over the River Lagan in 1887. The base has an unusual 'cushioned' form, and into it fits a part of the shaft which bears sunken panels with fretwork designs (some badly worn) framed by interlace panels. The upper part of the shaft is modern, and it bears the head of...

It is noteworthy, not simply for its early Irish High Crosses, but for the manner of a masterpiece of restoration. The major beauty, the great High Cross, had been smashed and spread over the ground in an outrage of iconocilasm but the remnants were collected, chip by chip, splinter by splinter, and restored to today's stature by a blind man....

The Churches:
The modern road runs through the area comprising the old monastery founded by the King of Leinster for St. Meadhog in the 6th century, and which was plundered by the Vikings in 930. In 1152 the ill-starred Dermot MacMurrough Kavanagh founded an Abbey, but it was burned down two years later. He rebuilt it in 1160 and handed it over to the Augustinians. Portions of this church still survive; they are the ruins furthermost from the road and can be recognised by the cha...

Three 16th and early 17th century wayside crosses erected in a grove just outside the village of Killucan. The first has an inscription 'This stone was for Tir: McKin : and Alson Plunkett his wife in the year 1531'. Those commemorated, Tirlogh McKenny and his wife, died in a coaching accident (it happened even then!). The cross originally stood beside the Dublin - Athlone road. The second cross says 'Arthur Darcy et K. Fitzgerald me feri na Dni 1604. The rest of the Latin inscription is from...

Just outside Glaslough is Donagh Graveyard, where there is the ruin of an early Christian church and an impressive High Cross. A 12th century bronze crucifix from Donagh is used as a processional cross in Monaghan Cathedral. The name Donagh is though to have derived from the traditional practice of St Patrick of only turning the sod of a new church on a Sunday (Domhnach in Irish)....

Durrow High Cross Durrow High Cross belonged to a monastery founded by St. Columba in 553, made possible by the generosity of Aedh, son of the local Prince Brendan. The monastery was plundered and burned a number of times. There is no trace left of the Monastery, but in the churchyard is a holy well and a High Cross - a 9th century relic which shows on one face: the rising of Christ, the sacrifice of Isaac and Christ with David and his harp and Christ with David killing a lion on the right. Th...

These are situated outside Carrick-on-Suir. There are two very fine High Crosses along with the base of a third situated in a graveyard beside the roadway. The designs on the crosses have been compared to designs in the Book of Cells and on the Tara Brooch. This comparison has meant that some scholars date these crosses very early, to the eight century....

Resting in a rectangular base, this is a squat granite cross with its ring unpierced. There is a large protruding boss at the intersection of the arms. The cross was divided into panels which possibly bore interlacing. It is the last remaining of three crosses which stood on the site....

Erected by people of Clonmel to honour the "Holy Year" 1950. Stations of the Cross added in 1953. Oratory erected in 1963. The Cross and Shrine is maintained by a committee drawn from the people of the Old Bridge and Scrouthea area of Clonmel. Mass is celebrated each August Bank Holiday Monday at 11 am at which thousands of people attended....

A tall granite cross in a square base.
The south part of the ring and arm are missing, but a simple representation of the Crucifixion may be seen on both faces (12th Century)....