Ahenny

Probably the earliest group of ringed high crosses, the Ossory group includes these two fine high crosses at Ahenny in Co Tipperary. Found at the monastic site of Kilclispeen these crosses imitate the earlier wooden crosses which were encased with a metal binding, the stone bosses imitate the studs that would have covered the rivets, these held the metal and wooden crosses together. Dr Francoise Hardy dated the crosses to the 8th century based on parallel designs in metalwork. Harbison has suggested a date of not much earlier than mid 9th century based on the human interlace panel in the middle of the west shaft of the north cross. The sandstone crosses are skillfully carved with intricate geometrical designs. The plain base of a third cross also remains on site. About three kilometres from here, just over the border in Kilkieran graveyard, county Kilkenny, are four more crosses belonging to the Ossary group. Two of those crosses are similar in style to the crosses at Ahenny.

East face

At the top of the image below left, we can see the human interlace panel, mentioned above. It bears four humans with interlaced limbs. The four heads are in each corner of the panel. At the top of the east shaft, shown below right, is a zoomorphic design with spirals terminating into birds heads. The bottom panels on both of these sides feature superbly carved fret patterns.

West shaft detail

East shaft detail

North cross, west side base

North cross, south side base

The figure sculpture on both crosses appears only on the base and without the best lighting conditions it's very difficult to make out. The detail of the north cross base, south side, pictured below right, shows David bringing the defeated Goliath to Jerusalem. Harribison suggests the figure sculpture on the west side of the base may represent Christ's Mission to the Apostles (Matthew xviii, 28-30).

The South Cross

Both crosses are made out of sandstone and best viewed around mid-day during the summer, when the high relief of the sculpture is shown at its best. The south cross, east face pictured left below, stands at 3.90 metres high.

Situated: In Ahenny, County Tipperary. From Carrick-on-Suir take the R 697 North, after 5 kilometres take a left at Scrogh Bridge then take the next right. Two kilometres down this road there is a church on your right, the crosses are in a field immediately to the right of the church.

Group: Western Ossory

Google Map:

Discovery . Map: 75 S 4127 2916. Last Visit: Aug 2020.

Longitude: 7° 23' 36" W

Latitude: 52° 24' 45" N