Cross

Traditionally referred to as 'St Patrick's Cross'. Housed in the vaulted undercroft of the college of the Vicars Choral (TS061-025005-) where it was moved in 1981 from its former position, now occupied by a replica, c. 10m N of this building and c. 10m SW of the W angle of the S transept of the cathedral (TS061-025003-). An excavation at this location revealed that this is not the original position of the high cross (Lynch 1983, 15-16). Stalley (1985, 8-10) suggests that this 12th century cross is likely to have stood a distance of approx. 10m in front of the N portal of the Romanesque chapel (TS061-025001-) and had to be moved when the 13th-century cathedral was erected. The cross (H 2.42m) was hewn from a single piece of sandstone and is decorated on the W face with a depiction of Christ crucified while the E face displays a panel of interlaced beasts. It is unusual in that the arms of the cross were supported on stone uprights, one on either side, of which only one survives. The base (dims. 1.45m x 1.15m; H 1.22m) into which the cross is tenonned was also decorated . Although it is badly eroded, a rectangular panel with irregular interlace and two bird-like creatures at the top is discernible on the E face, a Greek cross within a pattern of T-shapes, L-shapes and squares on the S face and a pattern of approx. 16 concentric circles is visible on the N side with an animal at the centre, interpreted by Harbison (1998, 107-111) as a Minotaur at the centre of a labyrinth (Leask 1951, 14-18; Harbison 1992, 34-5). There is no discernible decoration on the W face, this may be due to erosion. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011

The cross at St. Patrick's Rock is traditionally associated with St. Patrick and is believed to date from the early medieval period, though its exact builder and dedication remain uncertain. It is of high cross style and holds significance as a relic linked to Ireland's patron saint.