Cross

At the base of a gate pier where a plaque (TS061-165----) from the base of the wayside cross memorial has been inserted. An octagonal carved stone (dims 0.41m x 0.38m; D 0.27m), which appears to be a cross base for a wayside cross. It has a socket on the upper surface, which only partially survives as the stone has surface fracturing, but appears to have been octagonal. The underside is roughly dressed. The stone, which narrows towards the top, is carved with convex and concave mouldings. According to local tradition the cross and plaque were originally located on the top of Mayfield Hill, also known locally as Anthony's Hill (Morrisey 1994, 204). It had been erected there by Lady Margaret O'Brien to mark the place where her husband's funeral cortege rested overnight on its journey from Ballycahill to Fethard (ibid.). According to Morrisey (1994, 204) 'the monument consisted of a 2 ft. [0.6m] square stone surmounted by a cross, with the inscription 'raised out', not carved. After some years it collapsed into the nearby quarry. The cross or head was broken off'. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011