crosses historical ireland

The most important of these is a cross which on one side has interlacing forming a cross and a crucifixion scene above three figures, while on the other side is more interlacing.

Beside the cross are two small pillars, one with a man (Goliath?) with sword and shield, a bird, David and his harp and a curvilinear motif; while the other stone has on it a number of figures, one with a bell and a staff. The cross has been dated to the 18th century but at least some of the carving on the sma...

The cross marks the site of a monastery founded by St. Canice, a disciple of St. Finian of Clonard.

Possibly of 9th century date, it is a granite cross set in a square base. The cross bore figures which are no longer recognisable, and the ring of the cross is not pierced.
The nearby church is of little interest....

From the old monastery there remain a small undecorated T-shaped cross which is 7 feet high, a Round Tower - 57 feet high, built of rounded beach stones and with a round-headed doorway, as well as scanty remains of two churches....

In the garden of Castle Bernard, nearly a mile east of Kinnitty, is a High Cross with a David scene and the Crucifixion on the east face, and Adam and Eve, intertwined birds, interlacing and other geometric motifs on the west face. Important inscriptions at the bottom of both faces of the shaft indicate that the cross was erected by Colman for Maelsechnaill, High King of Ireland from 846 to 862. The south wall of the courtyard behind the castle formed part of a 15th century church, of which so...

St. Patrick placed St. Cianan over the first church here in the 5th century. St. Cianan, who is credited with the building of the first stone church in Ireland, died in 489 and his body was said to have been preserved without decay. The monastery was plundered at least 10 times between 830 and 1149. The bodies of King Brian Boru and the other heroes slain at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014 rested here for a night before being brought to Armagh for burial. Duleek became the centre of a diocese...

St. Colmcille founded a monastery here in the 6th century; records testify to its existence up till 1101. The present church is modern, but to the east of the church there is a cross-slab which has been dated to the 7th-9th century.

On one face it has two figures surrounding a cross composed of interlaced bands and on the other face is a cross of similar design. On the north side is the only Greek inscription known from Early Christian Ireland; in translation, it reads 'Glory and ho...

A small granite cross, allegedly brought here from elsewhere. It has an unpierced ring at the top, with a representation of the Crucifixion on one side and two worn human heads on the other. Its date is uncertain, but it is probably 15th/16th 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....

The main item of interest is a stone cross having the features of a Celtic cross inscribed on one face of its imperforate ring, while the other face bears a boss. The cross may never have been finished. Built into the interior north wall of the dilapidated medieval church close by is the replica of a medieval effigy of an apparently male figure whose head, made of a different material and now lost, was sunk into its surface; it may have represented the local saint rather than having been a tom...

A granite Cross, semi-celtic in style, St. Kevin's Cross stands between the Priest's House and Cathedral. Its position, central to the east wall of the ancient cemetery, suggests it may have been a boundary cross. It dates to the late sixth or early seventh century. An old custom surrounds the Cross, and it is said that anyone who succeeds in encircling their arms around the shaft will have their wish granted....