Base of Cross — Inishcaltra OR Holy Island

A wheeled high cross, the upper portion of which is mounted on the S wall of the nave of St. Caimin’s church (CL029-009011-) on Inis Cealtra, 7.82m from the E end. The shaft is mounted on a cross-base 5m W of the round tower (CL029-009010-). Described by Macalister (1916-17, 150) as ‘a large elaborate cross (H 6ft 3in [1.9m], arms 2ft 7.5in [0.8m] across, T 6in [0.15m]) broken into many pieces, restored with cement and fastened to the wall of the church… The cross has five bosses, one in each arm and one in the middle and these were decorated with basketwork… The background, confined within the heavy frame that surrounds the edge of the face, is covered with a minute interlacing pattern. On the dexter side … the arm end bears a representation of Adam and Eve. On the sinister side is a key pattern; there was a figured panel on the arm-end on this side also, but it is broken, and only about half remains. The surviving part seems to bear a figure walking, holding a long staff, but the intention of the sculptor can no longer be recovered’. The shaft, which at that stage was with the top in the church, bore a plait. The base (H 1m) is oval in plan (1m x 0.5m) with its sides curved in outline and tapering to 0.55m at the top. Macalister (ibid., 147) described the socket as 1ft 2in by 9in (0.35m x 0.22m) with a depth of 9in (0.22m) and estimated that no cross on the island would fit it. The shaft of the cross was mounted on the base by the OPW at a later date. De Paor (2013, 44) states that the cross may be dated with some confidence to the ninth century. Iniscealtra is a national monument in state care, no. 5. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 29 September 2015