Cross

On or close to the site to St John's Priory (GA029-184001-), in Tuam town (GA029-199----). Discovered in 1926, during the construction of a bank (now AIB) at the junction of Vicar St. and Dublin Rd. (Rynne 1986, 126). What survives is the damaged wheeled head of a sandstone cross (D 0.65m) of late 12th- or 13th-C date (ibid., 128-9). The decoration is confined to one face only. Though partly flaked away, it comprises thick, very irregular rings on each arm intertwined with thin, but crudely executed, interlaced lines. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. II - North Galway'. Compiled by Olive Alcock, Kathy de hÓra and Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). Date of upload: 05 August 2010

The high cross in Townparks, Tuam, was likely built in the 9th or 10th century, associated with St John's Priory, and reflects a typical Hiberno-Romanesque style. It is significant as a rare surviving example of early Christian sculpture in the region.