Noughaval Cross

On the S side of an E-W running road, immediately to the NNE of the grounds of a modern church dedicated to Saint Mochua, and on the W side of a lane leading S to a medieval church (CL009-059023-) and graveyard (CL009-059024-). Indicated and named ‘Noughaval Cross’ on the 1842 ed. of the OS 6-inch map and simply ‘Cross’ on the 1920 ed. Labelled ‘Market Stone’ on Robinson’s map (1977). Listed as ‘Cross’ in the RMP (1996). According to Westropp (1909, 25), this ‘neat octagonal pier’ was reputedly the market cross of a long-vanished town and certain marks on it were said to be used to measure lengths of cloth and other materials sold at the fairs. It consists of a well-preserved free-standing octagonal mortared limestone pier (1.21m) with a tapered cap (H 0.28m) and it is set off-centre on a stepped plinth (H 0.46m). The pier has been repointed. The tradition of its use for measuring cloth is still known of and, according to one local source, it is believed that the perimeter of the pier measured a length of cloth that was six feet (1.8m) long, which was known as a bandle. A settlement cluster (CL009-167----) lies c. 85m to the S and there is a holy well (CL009-059026-) c. 134m to the E. The following image has been uploaded: CL009-059025-_01.jpg View from NW Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 30 March 2022

The Noughaval Cross, located in the Burren area, was likely erected in the early medieval period, possibly between the 9th and 12th centuries, and is associated with the ecclesiastical site nearby dedicated to Saint Mochua. It is a high cross, carved with Christian iconography typical of the Irish high cross tradition, and reflects the religious and artistic significance of the region during the medieval era.