killamery high cross

St. Goban Find is reputed to have been the founder of the original monastery here. Not far from the modern ruined church stands the fine High Cross which has been dated to the 9th century. Both cross and base are richly ornamented with a variety of geometric motifs. The west face of the cross has a stag-hunting scene, a chariot-procession and panels possibly representing the Lord Sanctifying the Seventh Day, and Adam and Eve after expulsion from Paradise. The east face is largely decorated with serpents and marigolds. At the end of the north arm of the cross are four scenes arranged in a square, probably illustrating the life of St. John the Baptist, while the south arm has Noah's Ark. On the west side of the expanded butt of the cross is an inscription doubtfully read as OR DO MAELSECHNAILL ( a prayer of Maelsechnaill) - perhaps the High King (846-862). the cross had a capstone which was used locally as a cure for headaches!.