Cross in Dysert

Situated on a shelf on top of cliffs overlooking Ardmore Bay to the N. St Declan’s Well (WA040-011001-) has a masonry superstructure and is just 20m W of Dysert church (WA040-011001-). It has two openings and is surmounted by two (originally three) crosses, all late medieval in character. The S cross that is missing was illustrated by Westropp (1903, 377, 5) as a shield-shaped piece wider than it was tall with a crudely executed figure. Westropp, T. J. (1903) Notes on the antiquities of Ardmore. JRSAI, 33, 353-80. Compiled by: Michael Moore

The high cross at Dysert was likely erected in the 9th or 10th century by a monastic community associated with St Declan, and is situated near Dysert church and St Declan’s Well. It is of early Christian style and holds significance as a religious and territorial marker in a historically important ecclesiastical site.