This is a very nice and very early high cross. It was moved from Bealin to it's current location on top of a lovely little hillock some time ago. It was first erected by a bishop at Clonmacnoise who died in 813ce and so the cross is dated at 800.
It is covered in classical Celtic knot patterns, both geometrical and zoomorphic (although the latter are hard to spot). There is also supposed to be a hunting scene on it, but that is not at all apparent.
The ring is broken and the general state of repair is not too good, but it is still quite beautiful. Its definitely worth a visit and definitely a good source for your next arm band tattoo.
A Random Selection of Nearby Monuments
Drumcliff (Co. Sligo) | Old Kilcullen (Co. Kildare) | Inishcealtra (Co. Clare) |
St. Patrick's Cross (Co. Tipperary) | Cloone (Co. Leitrim) | Durrow (Co. Offaly) |