Cross

Fragment of a possible high cross that originally came from Clonmacnoise but is now housed in the National Museum of Ireland. Described by Harbison (1992 vol. 1, 57) as following: 'In the National Museum in Dublin there are some fitting sandstone fragments from Clonmacnois (Inv. No. 1929: 1494-6). The top of the upper fragment is so damaged that it is difficult to know whether it formed part of a pillar or cross. Together, the fragments measure about 90vm in height, and they are 35cm wide and 18cm thick. Their edges have been damaged, and the panels are framed by a raised moulding. There is a large tenon at the bottom, but no trace of a mortise hole on top. Only one face is decorated, suggesting that it may have originally stood against a wall. MAIN FACE Three deeply-carved pelta motifs one above the other and rising from a double raised moulding below. At each end they roll into a three-coil spiral terminating in pierced lobes. There is a 'drop' appended to the centre of the pelta, which is formed of two facing trumpet-ends, above which there is a three-pointed interlace. LEFT SIDE A panel of interlace. RIGHT SIDE A vertical panel divided into three sections. In the centre there is an interlace. Above and below it there are two sunken crosses surrounded by a stepped raised moulding, outside which there is a further stepped moulding with a square in the outer corners'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

The high cross fragment from Clonmacnoise was likely built in the 9th or 10th century by monastic craftsmen associated with the important early Christian site of Clonmacnoise. It is stylistically consistent with other high crosses from the region, often decorated with Christian iconography and inscriptions, and reflects the spiritual and artistic significance of Clonmacnoise as a major ecclesiastical center in medieval Ireland.