High Crosses - CURIOUS IRELAND

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

Castledermot, County Kildare c.9th-c.18th centuries

emmet2023-08-02T15:11:28+00:00

The site of the earliest known Irish Parliament Castledermot has many claims to fame. This was once one of the most important ecclesiastical centers in Ireland and you can still see many fine [...]

Castledermot, County Kildare c.9th-c.18th centuriesemmet2023-08-02T15:11:28+00:00

St. Bridget’s Cathedral, Kildare Town. County Kildare c.13th-19th centuries

emmet2024-03-09T20:04:15+00:00

Ireland's greatest female saint St Brigid is one of Ireland's three Patron Saints, along with St Patrick and St Colmcille. She, like St Patrick, was born into slavery in Dundalk in the year [...]

St. Bridget’s Cathedral, Kildare Town. County Kildare c.13th-19th centuries emmet2024-03-09T20:04:15+00:00

Skellig Michael. County Kerry c.6th-c.13th centuries

emmet2024-03-11T19:17:26+00:00

Amazing World Heritage Site & Luke Skywalkers Kerry getaway Skellig Michael Island is one of Ireland's 3 World Heritage Sites. It is located can be found 13 km off the Kerry coastline. It [...]

Skellig Michael. County Kerry c.6th-c.13th centuriesemmet2024-03-11T19:17:26+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

The Rathmichael Cross, Rathmichael. County Dublin c.12th

emmet2023-08-02T15:08:14+00:00

One of the 4 Fassaroe Crosses The Rathmichael Cross is one of 4 distinct-looking crosses that are collectively known as the Fassaroe Crosses. They are generally wheel-shaped with a depiction of the crucifixion [...]

The Rathmichael Cross, Rathmichael. County Dublin c.12themmet2023-08-02T15:08:14+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

The Rock of Cashel, Cashel. County Tipperary c.10th-14th centuries

emmet2023-06-25T09:30:54+00:00

The largest collection of medieval architecture in Ireland The Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland's most striking monuments. It was previously known as St Patrick’s Rock as it was reputed to be [...]

The Rock of Cashel, Cashel. County Tipperary c.10th-14th centuriesemmet2023-06-25T09:30:54+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

emmet2024-02-17T16:36:05+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 emmet2024-02-17T16:36:05+00:00

Clonmacnoise, Shannonbridge. County Offaly c.6th-c.12th century AD

emmet2023-08-02T15:06:17+00:00

Once one of the most important places of learning in Europe The monastery of Clonmacnoise was founded by St Ciarán in 546 AD. Ciaran was a young preacher who convinced the local king [...]

Clonmacnoise, Shannonbridge. County Offaly c.6th-c.12th century ADemmet2023-08-02T15:06:17+00:00

St Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny City 1285

emmet2023-10-07T10:24:48+00:00

The second longest cathedral in Ireland This was the location of a 6th-century monastery founded by St Canice Cathedral was built between 1202 and 1285 and is the second-longest and one of the [...]

St Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny City 1285 emmet2023-10-07T10:24:48+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

Cloncha Church & High Cross, Culdaff. County Donegal c.10th AD

emmet2023-08-02T15:07:16+00:00

A hidden carved emblem of the GAA & an elegant High Cross The Cloncha Cross dates back to the 10th century AD and stands over 12 feet high. Its beautiful carvings are a hybrid [...]

Cloncha Church & High Cross, Culdaff. County Donegal c.10th ADemmet2023-08-02T15:07:16+00:00

Kilgobbin Church & High Cross, Stepaside. County Dublin 1707

emmet2024-03-10T20:16:21+00:00

Viking gravestones & Bellarmine pottery Kilgobbin Church was built in 1707 on an ancient pre-Norman site where a wooden church would have stood. This is reputedly the first church to be built after [...]

Kilgobbin Church & High Cross, Stepaside. County Dublin 1707emmet2024-03-10T20:16:21+00:00

Monasterboice Round Tower, Monasterboice. County Louth c.10th century

emmet2023-08-02T15:13:32+00:00

Once the tallest round tower in Ireland Monasterboice Round Tower dates to the 10th century and currently stands 92 feet high. It may however have stood 108 feet high making it the tallest [...]

Monasterboice Round Tower, Monasterboice. County Louth c.10th centuryemmet2023-08-02T15:13:32+00:00

Thomastown Church & High Cross, Thomastown. County Kilkenny c.4th-19th centuries

emmet2023-08-02T15:07:40+00:00

A church layered in 1500 years of history Thomastown was founded in the 13th century by Thomas FitzAnthony on an earlier settlement called Grennan. FitzAthony was granted these lands by the great Norman [...]

Thomastown Church & High Cross, Thomastown. County Kilkenny c.4th-19th centuriesemmet2023-08-02T15:07:40+00:00

Kilgobbin Cross, Stepaside. County Dublin c.10th

emmet2023-08-02T15:08:36+00:00

A 1000-year-old High Cross found 200 years ago This cross can be found near the old Kilgobbin Church in Stepaside village. It stands over 8 feet tall and can be estimated to be [...]

Kilgobbin Cross, Stepaside. County Dublin c.10themmet2023-08-02T15:08:36+00:00

Glendalough, County Wicklow. c.9th-12th centuries

emmet2024-03-11T19:10:31+00:00

Ireland's most famous monastic site Glendalough is Ireland's most famous and beautiful monastic site. It can be found deep in the Wicklow Mountains in a glaciated valley containing 2 lakes. The 'monastic city' [...]

Glendalough, County Wicklow. c.9th-12th centuriesemmet2024-03-11T19:10:31+00:00