High Crosses - CURIOUS IRELAND

Celtic High Crosses developed in 2 stages between 700 to 900 AD and then again between 1000 to 1150 AD. They were erected on church boundaries and monastic sites and can be based chronologically into 4 groups based on decoration. They were funded by local chiefs, would have been originally painted in bright colors, and have been described as our most enduring legacy of a Christian past to medieval European art.

Durrow Cross, Durrow. County Offaly c.7th century AD

emmet2023-06-28T08:04:10+00:00

One of Ireland's finest High Crosses St Columcille founded 26 monasteries before he reached the age of 25. Durrow was one of the first and was also regarded as one of the most [...]

Durrow Cross, Durrow. County Offaly c.7th century AD emmet2023-06-28T08:04:10+00:00

Dromodonnell Stone Cross, Castlewellan. County Down c.10th replica

emmet2023-06-28T08:04:29+00:00

A perfect replica of a 10th-century cross The Dromodonnell Stone Cross in Castlewellan is a modern replica of a 10th-century cross that once stood in the Drumgooland graveyard until the late 1700s. It [...]

Dromodonnell Stone Cross, Castlewellan. County Down c.10th replicaemmet2023-06-28T08:04:29+00:00

The Athcarne Cross, Balrath. County Meath 1675

emmet2023-08-02T15:08:05+00:00

One of Ireland's most unique crosses This cross was erected circa 1675 as a memorial to Sir Luke Bathe and his wife, Dame Cecilia Dowdall, who lived in the nearby Athcarne Castle. This [...]

The Athcarne Cross, Balrath. County Meath 1675emmet2023-08-02T15:08:05+00:00

St Mura’s Cross, Fahan. County Donegal c.7th or 8th century AD

emmet2023-06-28T08:05:01+00:00

One of Ireland's earliest decorated High Crosses St Mura’s Cross is located in the ancient monastic site at Fahan, County Donegal. This is a rare 'slab' type cross that is generally believed to be [...]

St Mura’s Cross, Fahan. County Donegal c.7th or 8th century ADemmet2023-06-28T08:05:01+00:00

Muiredach’s High Cross, Monasterboice. County Louth c.10th century

emmet2023-06-28T08:05:21+00:00

Regarded as Ireland's finest High Cross Muiredach's High Cross stands 18 feet tall and is so named because of an inscription on its base that reads 'a prayer for Muiredach by whom this [...]

Muiredach’s High Cross, Monasterboice. County Louth c.10th centuryemmet2023-06-28T08:05:21+00:00

The Market Cross, Kells. County Meath 10th century

emmet2025-03-19T18:50:02+00:00

A cross once used for hanging rebels Kells is one of the oldest continuously settled towns in Ireland and has produced many rich historical artifacts. The most famous of these is the world-famous [...]

The Market Cross, Kells. County Meath 10th century emmet2025-03-19T18:50:02+00:00

The Moone High Cross, Moone. County Kildare c.10th century

emmet2024-03-11T19:12:39+00:00

One of Ireland's finest High Crosses This was originally the site of an early Christian monastery reputedly founded by St Colmcille in the 6th century AD. The name 'Moone' actually translates from ‘Maen [...]

The Moone High Cross, Moone. County Kildare c.10th centuryemmet2024-03-11T19:12:39+00:00

The Cooley Cross, Moville. County Donegal c.9th AD

emmet2024-03-11T19:37:29+00:00

A Christian High Cross with a Pagan past The Cooley Cross is located just outside the perimeter walls of an ancient graveyard near Moville. This is an early example of a High Cross [...]

The Cooley Cross, Moville. County Donegal c.9th AD emmet2024-03-11T19:37:29+00:00

The Carrowmore High Crosses, Gleneely. County Donegal 7th & 9th AD

emmet2023-05-04T21:11:25+00:00

Two of Ireland's earliest High Crosses The 2 Carrowmore High Crosses are the most primitive-looking of the 6 located on Inishowen. The Carrowmore West Cross has short arms and no carvings and may [...]

The Carrowmore High Crosses, Gleneely. County Donegal 7th & 9th ADemmet2023-05-04T21:11:25+00:00

Carndonagh Cross, Carndonagh. County Donegal c.8th century AD

emmet2023-05-04T21:09:40+00:00

One of Ireland's most significant early High Crosses This cross is one of the earliest and most important High Crosses in Ireland. The highly ornate 'Celtic Crosses' that we all know from Irish [...]

Carndonagh Cross, Carndonagh. County Donegal c.8th century ADemmet2023-05-04T21:09:40+00:00