Irish High Crosses
Latest Update 19th March 2008
Kiltuck Cross
Google Map added.
| High Crosses or Celtic Crosses as they are also known, are found throughout Ireland on old monastic sites. These High Crosses are along with the Book of Kells and the Book of Durrow, Irelands biggest contribution to Western European Art of the middle ages. Some were probably used as meeting points for religious ceremonies and others were used to mark boundaries. The earliest crosses in Ireland were made of wood and metal and probably much smaller than the great stone monuments we see today. It was generally accepted that the Western Ossory group of High Crosses were amongst the earliest examples of stone crosses to be found in Ireland, because their design imitates the wood and metal crosses before them, but a recent study of them suggests they may not be 8th century but possibly mid 9th century. These crosses are found within a few miles of each other at Kilkieran, Kilree, Killamery and the finest examples at Ahenny. The majority of sciptural crosses are also believed to have been erected around the 9th century and there are several local groupings, the North Leinster group includes, Kells, Monasterboice and Duleek, the Midlands group includes, Clonmacnois and Durrow and another distinct group of Granite High crosses are those of the Barrow valley including Castledermot, Graiguenamanagh, Moone and Ullard. |
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I have included some early ecclesiastical sites amongst the megalithic pages featuring Cross Slabs, Cross Pillars, Clochauns, Bullaun Stones and Stone Oratories. Pictured right is Gallarus stone oratory in County Kerry.
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