Cross in Newtown (baker)

Associated with the medieval church of Newtown Earley (KK027-012001-) and uncovered during a clean-up of graveyard in 1985-7 (KK027-012009-) (Harte 1987, 408-17). Currently lying within the church. A three-armed cross (surviving upper portion of head and shaft H 0.75m; Wth 0.50m; lower portion of shaft H 0.7m) with fleur-de-lys terminals and a hollow lozenge at the centre of the cross-head. The top fleur-de-lys is missing and the cross-shaft is broken horizontally across the shaft. It has a mason’s mark of a flower. (Harte 1987, 415-16, no. 27). Reference: Harte, R. 1987 Tombstones at Newtown Earley. Old Kilkenny Review 39, 408-17. See attached photograph: KK027-012003-_01 Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 April 2023

The cross in Newtown (baker) is a three-armed high cross, likely dating to the 9th or 10th century, associated with the medieval church of Newtown Earley. Its style suggests early Christian Irish influence, and it is significant as a rare surviving example of a high cross in this region, possibly linked to the spread of Christianity in the area.