Cross — High cross (present location) in Rathmount

Head of high cross (OF036-028003-) originally located in W quadrant of Drumcullen graveyard (OF036-028002-). The shaft of the cross is missing while the circular-shaped base of the cross can still be seen standing in the W quadrant of the graveyard a few metres W of the W gable of the medieval church ruins (OF036-028001-). The cross-head was removed from Drumcullen graveyard by Offaly County Council for safety reasons and placed on public display inside Rath R. C. Church on the 14th of December 2015. The cross was described by Harbison (1992, vol. 1, 75) as a 'cross-head with one arm still remaining lies close to an old church (OF036-028001-). Close by is what would appear to be an ancient mill-stone, which may have served as a base for the cross at some time. The cross-head is 96 cm high, and only 40cm broad now, but originally it would have measured about 60cm across the arms. It is 18cm thick. The directions (east/west) given below are notional. East Face: In the centre there is a circular raised moulding enclosing spiral decoration emanating from a central circle. There is interlace decoration in the limbs of the cross. The ring, with roll moulding at the edges, has interlace decoration. South Face: The underside of the ring has a vertical roll moulding in the centre, while the end of the arm has a panel of interlace. West Face: Centre; The Crucifixion - Christ is shown with outstretched arms, and wearing a rope-like garment. Stephaton is probably on the left and Longinus on the right. There is a hemispherical boss (Sol, the sun, or a worn human head?) at the end of Christ's arm. The other arm has been broken away. Above Christ's head there would seem to be a spiral motif. The surviving arc of the ring is similar to that on the east face, though the mouldings are higher.' To see a 3D model of this high-cross, visit; https://skfb.ly/oxSDO 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. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 4 January 2016