Cross — High cross in Clonmacnoise

National Monument No. 81. Depicted on the first edition of the OS 6-inch map but not on subsequent OS 6-inch maps. Known as the South Cross which is located to the W of Temple Doolin (OF005-010----) of possible ninth century date with main emphasis on abstract decoration with some scriptural iconography (Edwards 1984, 57-62) such as the Crucifixion on the W face. (O' Donovan 1856-7, 448; Westropp 1907, 296; Macalister 1910, 27; Harbison 1970, 203; Hicks 1980, 26-31). Described by Harbison (1992, vol. 1, 54-6) as following: 'The South Cross stands close to the south-west corner of Temple Doolin (OF005-010----). Carved in sandstone, it is 2.9m high, and measures 1.16m across the arms. The bottom of the shaft is about 46cm wide and 29cm deep. It stands on a base 85cm high, and measuring 1.18m by 85cm at ground level. The base consists of a large lower panel and two smaller upper panels seperated by rope-mouldings. The shaft of the cross has its edges formed by a roll moulding decorated with an incised herring-bone motif, and the head has no cylinders. Some of the panels are framed by rope-mouldings. The cross has a much-weathered roof-shaped cap. EAST FACE Base Lowest panel : Horsemen. - At least five horsemen, and possibly a lion, proceed towards the left, but the worn condition of the panel makes identification of the details difficult. Middle panel : Interlace. Top panel : Too worn to identify, but probably interlace. Shaft Plinth : A 'fluid' or debased fret pattern. E 1 : 'Inhabited vine-scroll'. - A vine-scroll pattern inhabited by birds and quadrupeds. E 2 : Raised bosses with interlace ornament, joined together by trumpet-patterns. Head Against a background of fret patterns, five bosses with interlace decoration stand out in relief. The central boss is the largest, and it and the one above it have the interlace arranged in such a way as to have a sunken area in the shape of a cross in the centre. Ring : The ring bears animal ornament like that on the ring of the nearby Cross of the Scriptures, consisting of interlace and animal interlace - the latter best preserved on the bottom right-hand segment. SOUTH SIDE Base Lower panel Left : ADAM AND EVE. - This panel is very much worn, but not so badly as to prevent us from discerning on it the figures of Adam and Eve beneath the tree, which seems to spread a branch over the head and down the back of the two figures. The serpent seems to turn towards the figure on the right who may, therefore, probably be identified as Eve. Right : (?) THE SACRIFICE OF ISAAC. - Just to the right of the centre of the lower panel there are the legs of a fgure, possibly bending towards the right, with a small figure possibly above its back. At the right of the panel there are the legs of another figure. Although the panel is very worn, the composition would best fit an interpretation as THE SACRIFICE OF ISAAC, with Isaac on the left with the angel above him, while Abraham would then be on the right. However, in most other instances of this scene on the Irish crosses, Isaac is usually on the right. Middle panel : Much worn, but apparently bearing interlace forming circular patterns. Upper panel : Much worn, but apparently with upright knots of interlace. Shaft Plinth : A panel of interlace. S 1 : Four bosses, one above the other, interlinked with low-relief spiral patterns. S 2 : Interlace. Head Underside of ring : The underside of the ring is slightly bevelled with a raised vertical rib in the centre, to the left of which is a panel of fretwork pattern, while to the right there is a panel of interlace. End of arm : The end of the arm has two linked interlaces of disparate size, framed together by a raised hatched moulding. Top of ring : The top of the ring is slightly bevelled. A raised rib divides it into two panels, that on the left having an interlace, while there is a fretwork pattern in the panel on the right. Top of shaft : A panel of fretwork. WEST FACE Base Lowest panel : The lowest panel is divided into three upright sections, separated by a raised rib. The central panels has bossed decoration, while the two which flank it bear interlace forming circular devices. Middle panel : The middle panel shows a hunting scene with a man on the extreme right with a stick, who chases birds and quadrupeds (led by a deer) towards the left. Upper panel : Decoration unclear. Shaft Plinth : No decoration is now visible on the plinth. W 1 : An interlace, possibly of animal type, forming four spiral devices. W 2 : A panel of interlace forming nine circular devices. W 3 : THE CRUCIFIXION. - An upright panel, not framed by raised mouldings as on the other panels, shows Christ against the background of a cross with very slightly concave arms. He wears a long robe to just below the knees. It is not clear whether Christ's arms are clothed. His body seems to be somewhat curved, as the angle of his bound legs does not correspnd to that of the face, which is slightly off-centre. Benath Christ's arms we find the two half-kneeling figures of Stephaton on the left offering vinegar in a vessel just beneath and to the left of Christ's chin, and Longinus on the right piercing the side of Christ with his lance, which he holds with his left hand. His right hand seems, uniquely, to hold a shield against the lower part of Christ's garment. Two streams of blood spout out from Christ's left side onto the face of Longinus who, according to tradition, was thereby healed of his blindness. Above the arms of the cross there is one figure on the left with its back to Christ, probably representing the Moon (or perhaps Ocean), and another on the right, probably facing Christ, which is likely to represent the Sun (or perhaps Earth). Both figures would appear to have their knees up in front of them. Christ's face has been damaged by weathering, and what might seem like eye-holes are probably secondary. Head Five bosses with interlace decoration stand out in relief against a background of pelta-shaped patterns. The central boss is slightly larger than the others. Ring : The ring has raised mouldings at the edges, but the decoration between them is not clear. NORTH SIDE Base Lower panel : This panel is divided into two halves, in both of which the decoration is so worn that it is no longer identifiable. Middle panel : Four squares of cross-shaped fretwork. Upper panel : Interlace forming five spiral-like devices. Shaft Plinth : The plinth bears two pairs of pelta-shaped forms, one on top of the other, and back to back. N 1 : A panel of animal interlace similar to that on the ring of the Cross of the Scriptures. N 2 : A panel of interlace fo four interlinked forms of roughly circular shape. Head Underside of ring. - The underside of the ring is slightly bevelled, with a raised rib seperating panels of fretwork on the right and interlace on the left, with a rope-moulding on the outer side of each. End of arm. - Interlace in an almost square panel framed by a raised, hatched rope-moulding. Upper side of ring : The upper side of the ring is divided into two panels by a raised rib. The panel on the right bears an interlace. Top of shaft : An 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