Cross

National Monument No. 81. Portion of a high cross described by Hicks as the West shaft (Hicks 1980, 6-15). Now on display in the Clonmacnoise Interpretative Centre. Described by Harbison (1992 vol. 1, 56-7) as following; 'a 'pillar' which could originally have formed part of a cross, although there is no trace of a mortise or tenon to suggest that another fragmet stood on top of it. As one face is undecorated, it may have been designed to be placed up against a wall. The pillar was broken near the bottom about twenty years ago. There is a rounded moulding at the edges, and the panels of decoration are framed by a raised moulding. It is 92cm high, 37cm wide and 19cm thick. EAST SIDE A badly-damaged panel of interlace. SOUTH FACE A single panel of four sections. On the bottom there is a lion walking towards the right, and with a backward turning head biting its own tail. Above it is a horseman, facing left. The third section has a lion, with foliate tail, prancing towards the right but turning its head backwards and biting the right front leg of a lion above it, which forms the fourth part of the panel. The lion has a florid tail like the one below it, and faces right at the top of the panel. WEST SIDE A panel of damaged interlace. NORTH FACE Undecorated'. 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 in Clonmacnoise was built in the 9th or 10th century by a monastic community, likely associated with the important early Christian site of Clonmacnoise. It is carved in the Insular style and is significant as an example of the rich artistic and religious heritage of medieval Ireland.