Cross

National Monument No. 81. Shaft of high cross which was found in the wall of St. Ciarans church (OF005-013001-) in 1955 (Hicks 1980, 6). The shaft of the cross (H 0.59m; Wth 0.33m; D 0.16m) is decorated with interlaced beasts in Hiberno-Romanesque style (Edwards 1984, 57-62). Now on display in the Clonmacnoise Interpretative Centre. Described by Harbison (1992 vol. 1, 56) as following 'A fragment of the upper part of the shaft of a sandstone cross which Liam de Paor found in 1955, buried in the wall of St. Ciaran's church (OF005-013001-). It is 59cm high, 33cm wide and 17cm deep. It has a roll moulding on the edges, with a smaller rib-moulding beside it. EAST SIDE A vertical panel of interlace. SOUTH FACE Two upright lions with interlocking jaws facing one another. WEST SIDE A panel of interlaced Stafford knots. NORTH FACE The north face is covered with interlace'. 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

The high cross shaft in Clonmacnoise was built in the 9th or 10th century and is associated with the monastic site of St. Ciarán. It is decorated with interlaced patterns typical of early Irish high crosses and reflects the artistic and religious significance of Clonmacnoise as an important medieval ecclesiastical centre.