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...

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...

The heads of two High Crosses have been mounted on modern shafts in a hill-top graveyard. Neither bears figure sculpture, but one bears a decorated boss at the centre of one face and encircled bossed ornament on the other....

Standing in the pretty village of Tynan is a High Cross which, like so many of its kind in Ulster, consists of two fragments, originally separate, mounted on top of one another. The head-fragment, with a prominent boss at its centre, was cleverly restored in the 19th century. The lower fragment bears a panel of Adam and Eve on one face and what is possibly a representation of David among the Israelites on the other....

Celtic Heritage, Holy places, ancient rituals, old myths and legends, early Celtic Church. Tours and lectures with recognized scholars on Celtic Heritage, myths and stories with the storytellers Niall de Burca or Liz Weir....

The cross was originally found at Bealin but it has been removed to its present site in Twyford Demesne. On the east face are three animals above one another with bird-like heads, and a lion at the bottom. On the north face is a horseman with a staff, and above him a dog bites a deer's leg. There are also interlacing and geometric patterns on the cross. On the bottom of the west side there is an inscription to the effect that the cross was erected by one Tuathgail. The cross may date from a...

Four Km from Athlone on the Mountemple road, you can see the Twyford Cross, of 10th century origin; it was discovered in a local log in the last century and is now erected on top of a prominent hill. Nearby, on the remains of Moydrum Estate, is an almost perfect early 19th century ice-house, the forerunner of our present day domestic refrigerator....

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....

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....

Granite, the type of stone which predominates in the valley doesn't lend itself well to ornamentation, it being much too hard. Consequently, the intricate designs and exquisite carvings which are to be found on memorials elsewhere (notably Clonmacnoise) are less notable in Glendalough. Nevertheless, the abundance of memorials which have been discovered are of great antiquity. Found both within the various churches and along the roadsides, many are commemorative rather than sepulchral. Apart...