I can't imagine why I missed out this site when I first entered my days visits, but I'll rectify that now. I visited here after Ballaghmore (County Laois). The site is now reached along a narrow lane through a plantation, which suddenly opens up to reveal this eye-pleasing site.
The spot used to be an island in the middle of some bog and, if the evidence from Corlea Ancient Trackway (County Longford) is taken into account, this site was probably sacred long before the Christians settled here in the 7th century. The land has since been drained and so now the church and cross appear to sit on a raised hillock in the centre of a large field.
The cross is a mish-mosh of bits, both modern and old. The broken 12th century head is set on a modern post that is set into an earlier base. The head has a heavy relief crucifixion on it and one side of the base has a very eroded scene - said to be a hunting scene.
The church has a nice Romanesque doorway and chancel arch. Both of these are in good condition.
All Sites Visited On 22nd February 2004 « Previous Site Next Site »
A Random Selection of Nearby Monuments
Skerry (Co. Antrim) | Aghowle Lower (Co. Wicklow) | Glendalough Cathedral (Co. Wicklow) |
Kilbunny (Co. Waterford) | Clonenagh (Co. Laois) | Forenaghts Great (Co. Kildare) |