Cross in Dysert

Situated on a shelf on top of cliffs overlooking Ardmore Bay to the N. St Declan’s Well (WA040-011001-) has a masonry superstructure and is just 20m W of Dysert church (WA040-011001-). It has two openings and is surmounted by two (originally three) crosses, all late medieval in character. The S cross that is missing was illustrated by Westropp (1903, 377, 5) as a shield-shaped piece wider than it was tall with a crudely executed figure. Westropp, T. J. (1903) Notes on the antiquities of Ardmore. JRSAI, 33, 353-80. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 20 October, 2011

The high cross at Dysert was likely erected in the 9th or 10th century, associated with the early Christian site of Dysert Church, which is dedicated to St Declan. The cross is significant as part of a cluster of important early monastic and pilgrimage sites in south-west Ireland.