Bealin

This beautifully decorated cross was originally found at Bealin and moved to its present location on a small hillock in Twyford Demesne, Co Westmeath. Standing at around 2 metres high, the east face bears a lion at the bottom and a scroll of interlaced creatures with bird like heads running up the shaft and a celtic knot pattern at the centre of the head. On the north face is a hunting scene showing a horseman with a spear and above him a dog biting a deer's leg. The pictures below show the west and south faces.

There is an inscription at the bottom of the west face dating the cross to around 800 AD, the inscription reads 'Pray for Tuathgall who caused this cross to be made' It is thought the cross may have originally been taken from Clonmacnois and indeed an Abbot of Clonmacnois named Tuathgall died in 810 AD.

West Face

West face detail

West face detail

Situated: On a small hillock at Twyford Demense, County Westmeath. About 6 kilometres north east of Athlone.

Group: Midlands.

Discovery Map: 47 N 1030 4284. Last Visit: July 2024.

Longitude: 7° 50' 42" W

Latitude: 53° 26' 8" N

Google Map.

Nearest High Crosses featured on this website

Clonmacnois: 15 Kilometres SW.

Tihilly: 24 Kilometres SE

Durrow: 25 Kilometres SE

Kinnitty: 48 Kilometres SSE.

Lorrha: 55 Kilometres SSW.

Photos: Jose Gutierrez.