Cross

The cross is first recorded in 1714 (McKenna 1920, 1, 80-3) and it is described as ‘Market Cross’ in italic lettering on the 1834 edition of the OS 6-inch map at the centre of the Diamond where it had stood with the stocks beside it. Around 1875 the Rossmore Memorial, a neo-gothic memorial fountain, was erected in its stead and the Market cross was discarded. This caused great controversy at the time, when Nationalists rescued it and re-erected in the small square known as the Shambles and now called Old Cross Square. By the time Nationalists had a majority on the council in 1898 the heat had gone out of the issue, and the cross remains in Old Cross Square (McKenna 1920 1, 80-3). It is depicted on the 1907 edition of the OS 6-inch map as being in the centre of the square but this location must have caused traffic problems and it is now at the N side of the square. However, in setting up the cross here the head was attached upside down so that it no longer functions as a sun-dial (McMahon and Walsh 1982, 16). Six limestone steps lead to the rectangular base (dims 0.56m x 0.56m; H 0.446m) which supports a tapering limestone shaft (dims at base 0.44m x 0.43m; H 1.72m) with chamfered edges and curved stops. The head is a polygonal stone with four hemispherical hollows on different facets, each of which was originally aligned on a cardinal point. A gnomen or pointer would cast a shadow on lines in a particular cup depending on the time of day and season of the year. Even the N-facing cup provided readings on long summer’s evenings. (ibid.) See the attached image taken from the E Date of revised upload: 14 December 2017 Compiled by: Michael Moore