Cross

Outside the N doorway of the fortified parish church of Dunsany (ME037-019----) is the surviving fragment of the shaft of a cross (dims 0.23m x 0.14m; H 0. 47m) with chamfered edges. Each side has a figure in false relief representing St Peter (W), St Andrew (N), St James of Compostella (E), and St. John (S). A date of c. 1480 has been suggested (King 1984, 98-9). It is described by King as: Close to the N wall of the medieval church in the grounds of Dunsany Castle. Set on a concrete shaft 1959. Material: Limestone. H 0.48m; Wth 0.22m; D 0.15m. A shaft fragment, rectangular in section with chamfered edges, decorated I false relief. Each face has a figure set in an ogee-headed niche above which are floral and architectural designs. The shaft edges have a trellis pattern on three sides and four marigolds on the N-W bevel. No inscriptions. W: St. Peter with a large out-turned key. His tunic, like that of the other figures, is pleated. Above is an ivy-leaf design. E: St James of Compostella wearing a pilgrim's hat and carrying a staff. A bird-inhabited fruiting vine above. N: St Andrew with a large saltire cross under a two-stage pattern of pierce perpendicular tracery. S: St John, clean-shaven, holding the poisoned goblet, and a book (?). Above is a stiff laurel-leaf design. A date c. 1480 is suggested. Date of upload: 10 March, 2015

The cross fragment in the churchyard of Dunsany was likely built in the 13th or 14th century and is associated with the Romanesque or early Gothic style; its survival reflects the historical and artistic heritage of the region.