Cross

Fragment of shaft of late-medieval cross situated outside Parochial house in Rhode and said to have come from Coolcor (OF004-011004-) (Comerford 1883, 324). Rectangular shaped shaft (H 0.95m, W 0.25m x 0.2m) with crucifixion on front, Blessed Virgin and child at back, St Patrick on one side and St Francis with inscription below on other. Portion of late medieval wayside cross (H 1m; T 0.4m) located in the front garden of the parochial house in Rhode Village. According to the priest this cross came from the monastic site of Coolcor (OF004-011----) which is now destroyed. The cross is described by Comerford (1883, 324) as having four sculpted figures in relief one on each face. These figures according to Comerford are (1) the Crucifixion; (2):the blessed Virgin; (3) a Bishop (maybe St Patrick); (4) a monk (maybe St Francis). Below one of the Bishops there is an inscription in relief written in English which reads 'Blessed are the weak in Spirit'. According to the local priest there was a hole on top of the shaft of the cross with a metal spike attached, this was probably the method for attaching another piece onto the cross. This cross appears to belong to the 16th/17th-century. Cross referenced with OF004-011004-. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

A local church or high cross; wider significance not recorded.