Irish High Crosses
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Clonmacnoise The Monastery at Clonmacnoise, Co Offaly, was founded in the 6th century by St Ciaran, one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland who studied under St. Finian at the famous Clonard Abbey. The strategic location of the monastery at a crossroads between the major east-west land route through the bogs of central Ireland and the River Shannon, helped it become a major centre of religion, learning, craftsmanship and trade by the 9th century. Many famous manuscripts were written here, including the Book of Dun Cow written in the 12th century. Amongst the many remains at Clonmacnois are two complete High Crosses plus the remains of another. The most famous, the Cross of the Scriptures, also known as King Flann's Cross, is the centre-piece of the new interpretive centre. The crosses were moved from their original positions in 1991 into the new centre and superb replicas were placed outside in the original positions. Pictured right is the west face of the Cross of the Scriptures. Shown from the bottom panel up: Soldiers guarding the tomb of Christ, the arrest of Christ, Flagellation and in the centre of the ring the Crucifixion. This cross is decorated with figure sculpture on all four sides.
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Cross of the Scriptures |
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East Face Original |
The Cross of the Scriptures was mentioned twice in the annals of the Four Masters, first in 957 and later in 1060. At the centre of the East face is the Last Judgement, and at the top of the East shaft is a panel showing Christ with Peter and Paul. On the base are three riders facing left and two chariots facing right. Below this panel are two more panels bearing iconography that are still open to interpretation. At the bottom of the shaft is an inscription that has now become almost impossible to see: OR DO COLMAN DORRO .....CROSSA AR RIG FL.ND, A prayer for Colman who had the cross erected on King Flann.
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The South Cross (original pictured right) is believed to be a transitional cross. Although very similar to the Ahenny ornamental crosses, it bears a crucifixion scene on the west side of the shaft, marking a transition to the scriptural crosses. This cross has many raised bosses and is also similar to the crosses at Iona in Scotland.
There are a large number of cross slabs on display in the visitor centre a few of which are shown above and several more are shown below.
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The South Cross |
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North Cross |
Pictured left is the west face of the North Cross. This face is covered with interlacing. The North and South face bear figure sculpture. The actual cross can be seen in the interpretive centre.
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CLMAC/013 inscription=OROIT AR THURCAIN LASAN DERNAD IN CHROSSA |
CLMAC/108 inscription=OROIT DO ODRAN HAU EOLAIS |
CLMAC/142 inscription=OROIT DO MAELMHÍCHÍL |
CLMAC/253 inscription=OROIT DO THU ATHAL SAER |
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Situated: In County Offaly, On theEastern banks of the river Shannon 11.5 kilometres South of Athlone. Group: Midlands. Discovery OS. Map: 47 N 009 307. Last Visit: June 2004. |
Nearest High Crosses featured on this website Bealin: 15 Kilometres NE. Tihilly: 30 Kilometres East. Durrow: 31 Kilometres East.. Kinnitty: 32 Kilometres SE..
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