kells high crosses

The round Tower is about 100 feet high, and has five windows at the top, though the original conical cap is missing. The doorway had heads carved on it, but these have almost entirely weathered away. The tower must date from before 1076, for in that year Murchadh Mac Flainn, who was claiming the High Kingship of Ireland, was murdered in the tower. Near the round Tower is the South Cross dedicated to Saints Patrick and Columba, which was possibly erected in the 9th century.

On the base are interlacings, animals including a deer, and a chariot procession. On the east face are Adam and Eve, and Cain and Abel, then the Three Children in the Firey Furnace, and above that Daniel in the Lion's Den; on the left arm is the sacrifice of Isaac, on the right SS Paul and Anthony in the desert, while on top is David with his harp, and the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. on the west side is the Crucifixion, and above that Christ in Judgement. On the end of the arm on the end of the arm on the south side David can be seen killing the lion, while on the end of the north arm he kills the bear(?). The cross is also decorated with a number of ornamental panels, particularly interlacing, and a vine scroll in which animals and birds prance about. About 20 yards to the north-west is the sturdy stump of what must have been a very fine and tall cross. Macalister claimed that he saw on the base an inscription OROIT DO ARTGAL - A prayer for Artgal. Scenes identifiable on the east face include The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan (the flowing together of two rivers), The Marriage Feast at Cana, the Washing of the Christ child, the Three Wise Men before Herod and above, the Entry of Christ into Jerusalem.

On the west face can be seen Adam and Eve, a representation of Noah's Ark and scenes representing and return of the Israelites to the promised land. Both the narrow sides have various geometrically decorated panels. Beside the modern church is an unfinished Cross with a Crucifixion on one face. It is interesting as it shows the various stages involved in the carving of these High Crosses. To the north of the modern church is the tower of a medieval church, into which various fragments and grave-slabs have been inserted. Beside the tower is the rounded base of another High Cross. In the organ-loft of the modern church is a display of photographs of items associated with the ancient monastery, such as enlargements of the Book of Kells etc.

The Market Cross:
This cross now stands at the crossing of two streets in the town, but it is not certain that this was its original position. The base shows horsemen, a battle scene and various animals. On the east face can be seen Christ in the Tomb guarded by soldiers, David(?), Adam and Eve, and Cain and Abel; in the centre of the head is Daniel in the Lions' Den, while on the left arm is the Sacrifice of Isaac. On the west face is an inscription saying that Robert (Ba)lfe erected the cross in 1688; above it are panels illustrating the public life of Christ, including the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes; in the centre of the head is the Crucifixion. Few of the panels on the narrow sides can be identified satisfactorily.

St Columb's House
This is an ancient oratory with steep stone roof. The present entrance is modern; the vaulted room it leads to was originally divided into two levels, the present ground floor acting as a basement, and the original church proper was entered by a door (now blocked up) in the west wall, and was about 6 or 7 feet above present floor level. Above the vault is a small chamber (reachable by a ladder) which also served the purpose of preventing the roof from collapsing. The oldest part of the building may have been constructed in the early 9th century, perhaps to house the relics of St. Colmcille, but the roof may have been built some centuries later.