Castlekeeran
North and South Crosses
There are three high crosses present at the early monastery of Diseart Chiaran in Castlekeeran townland, plus the base of a fourth cross. Also present is an early christian graveslab, resting against the side of the old church and an ogham stone. The badly weathered crosses bear no figure sculpture and minimum decoration, all three crosses have roll mouldings. The crosses are known as termon or boundary crosses. The 2.62 metre high north cross, pictured below left, is ringed and stands on a pyramidal shaped base, there is interlace on the ends of each arm and on the east face of the ring. The 2.97 high south cross is the tallest of the three and has a boss in the centre of the head. The boss, an end panel and part of the ring are decorated with interlace. It also has a pyramidal base with roll mouldings.
North Cross, West face
South Cross, East face
North Cross, ring detail
South Cross, end interlace
West Cross and Base
The west cross, pictured below left, stands 2.08 metres high and apart from the excellent roll moulding it bears no decoration. The south arm and part of the ring have completley broken off. One of several stories about the fourth cross is that St Columba was caught red-handed by St Ciaran taking the cross to his monastery at Kells so he quickly dumped the cross in the nearby river. The base of this cross was later moved to its present position inside the ruined church.
West Cross, East face
Cross base and Cross slab
Ogham stone and Cross slab
There are two more interesting antiquities at Castlekeeran, a cross slab and an ogham stone. The sandstone slab, pictured below right, features a cross with expanded terminals, sadly the lower part of the slab is missing.
Ogham Stone
Cross Slab
Situated: At Carnaross head for Crossakeel, at the next crossroads turn left, then take a right turn for Crossakeel, immediately take a left turn, signposted Castlekeeran crosses. At a farm house, there is a gate with a sign marked high crosses.
Discovery Map 42: N690 772. Last visit Sept 2022.
Longitude: 7° 31' 10" W
Latitude: 53° 19' 33" N
Photos: Jim Dempsey and José Gutierrez.
Nearest high crosses or christian sites.
Kells: 5 Kilometres ESE.
Fore: 19 Kilometres WSW.
Killary: 20 Kilometres ENE.
Mellifont Abbey: 32 Kilometres E.
Monasterboice: 36 Kilometres E.
Duleek: 44 Kilometres SE.