DDiscover AloneMapAbout

Cross in Ratoath

Cross, Market cross

What is recorded here

Situated at the W end of the E-W ridge of Ratoath, and at the junction of the Dunshaughlin Road and the Fairyhouse Road, which was the main Dublin road. This is c. 150m W of the motte and would have been at the centre of the medieval settlement. This was known as the Market Cross and is noted in gothic lettering on…

Read the whole record
Situated at the W end of the E-W ridge of Ratoath, and at the junction of the Dunshaughlin Road and the Fairyhouse Road, which was the main Dublin road. This is c. 150m W of the motte and would have been at the centre of the medieval settlement. This was known as the Market Cross and is noted in gothic lettering on both the 1836 and 1908 editions of the OS 6-inch map, but only the base, described as measuring 2 feet by 2 feet (c. 0.6m x c. 0.6m) and with a circular perforation of 7 or 8 inches (c. 0.2m), survived in the 1830s when funerals circled around it (Herity 2001, 112). This was damaged in 1922 by Black and Tans, and it was replaced in 1932 with a cross commemorating the Eucharistic Congress of that year. The Eucharistic cross was removed c. 1972. It is possible that the reconstructed cross (ME044-034006-) in the graveyard is the market cross. (Bradley and King 1985, 126) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987).

From the National Monuments Service (Archaeological Survey of Ireland) record ME044-034008

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.

What do you know about this place?Tap to add a comment or ask a question

What you write will be public.

Places near here

Photo credits
  • National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
  • Kieran Campbell, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Dvcireland, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Holy Trinity Catholic ChurchOutbuilding · 176 yd

Explorer Tom Holy Trinity Catholic Church outbuilding has a New Year’s resolution to stop being so colorful and pretentious. The purple roof makes it look like it lost a bet with a rainbow. Take a breath of that air, it smells like old stone.

MoatCastle, motte and bailey · 205 ydshrine/oratory/grotto241 yd

Explorer Tom Shrine in Ratoath is plastered with saints like it’s got a serious Instagram follower count. It’s basically the village’s loudest neighbour, waving from the main street junction. Stand back, squint, and let it do its thing.

CastleCastle, unclassified · 2.0 mi

Explorer Tom Castle in Crickstown has plenty to say to the stone house that replaced its glory days, mostly about how things used to be grander. It’s ruined but still thinks it owns the entire commonage out of pure stubbornness. Tell the next person you meet it's haunted. It might be.

Lemur WoodWood · 2.6 miEmerald ParkHeritage attraction · 2.6 miAshbourneMemorial · 3.3 miCornstown HouseHeritage attraction · 3.7 mi

Explorer Tom Cornstown House in County Dublin is showing off its heritage attraction status. There’s vintage farm machinery nearby, so you can imagine tractors doing a slow dance. It’s got that rustic charm down to a fine art.

Newtown HillMountain / peak · 3.9 mi

Explorer Tom Newtown Hill is visible from Fort Pnd Hill and looks like a standard peak. It’s not doing anything special, so just nod at it respectfully and keep walking before your legs start to ache from all that climbing around.

Caulstown Christmas Tree FarmForest · 4.1 miWindmill4.9 mi

Explorer Tom Windmill in Garristown stands atop a hillfort with a commanding view that Samuel Lewis really loved describing. It’s a squat tower that probably grinds nothing anymore. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.

TombTomb, effigial · 5.3 mi

Explorer Tom Another Tomb in Garristown is playing hide-and-seek with its own history, hiding as three separate pieces. It’s got a reputation for being scattered. Tell it a joke, it's been a long time since anyone did, so make it count.

More archaeology and monuments in County Meath · All of County Meath

Add to this placeAdd a picture Add a detailed tip Add a story

Explore the map1,093,392 places to discover

Next place · or swipeHoly Trinity Catholic Church