Base of Cross — Churchland

Founded by St. Kieran the elder in the fifth century (ITA Survey 1943). A truncated pyramidal base (1.05m by 0.9m by 0.8m) of a high cross with rectangular socket (0.3m by 0.5m by 0.43m) located to the S of the priory with smaller pyramidal shaped base (OF039-003010-) beside larger cross base described by Gilling (1937, 294-5) with biblical scenes on E face that have been interpreted by Roe (1949, 51). A 3D model of the high cross can be downloaded from Offaly County Council website at www.offaly.ie/eng/Services/Heritage/Archaeology/3D_Surveying_of_Archaeological_Monuments/ Described by Harbison (1992, vol. 1, 166-7) as following: 'To the west of the church on the old monastic site of Seir Kieran is a sandstone base which was dug out of the gorund in 1937. It is 75cm high, and measures 1.05m by 94cm at ground level. Above the bottom rectangular panel it has two steps, the upper one of which is undecorated on all sides. The lower panel is framed by a roll or rope moulding. EAST FACE Bottom Panel The bottom panel has a number of biblical scenes which are not seperated, but which are generally arranged in two registers. Lower register Left: A winged griffin with its head looking backwards. Centre : THE THREE CHILDREN IN THE FIERY FURNACE - The three children are huddled together in the centre of the bottom part of the panel, protected by the angel which spreads its wings out over them. Of the three figures to the left (taken by Henry and Weir to belong to a scene of [?] CAIN SLAYING ABEL), two can - by analogy with the similar representation on panel E3 of the Cross of Saints Patrick and Columba at Kells - be seen to be soldiers, one blowing a horn and the other presumably carrying faggots on the end of a stick to add fuel to the fire. The figure furthermost to the left - not present at Kells - seems to be urging the two soldiers forward in front of him, and may represent Nebuchadnezzar. Right of Centre : ADAM AND EVE. - Adam and Eve can be seen beneath the arching branches of the tree which fall to the ground immediately behind them. Right : Unidentified figure. - There would seem to be a figure to the right of ADAM AND EVE, and possibly holding a stick. Upper Register Left : (?) A David scene (possibly [?] DAVID WITH THE HEAD OF GOLIATH). A seated figure on the left is approached by a figure on the right holding out something. The panel culd possibly represent DAVID WITH THE HEAD OF GOLIATH, or on the analogy of panel S3 at Castlebernard not far away - THE SUMMONING OF DAVID. Centre: THE SACRIFICE OF ISAAC. - Abraham stands on the left, holding up a sword in his right hand behind his head. His left hand appears to hold the hair of Isaac, who is bent over the altar, probably holding an axe and possibly a bundle of wood. The ram can be seen above his head. Right : Two horses (?) that on the left being apparently winged, that on the right seeming to have a human leg in its mouth. There is a bird perched on the rump of the winged horse, and there would also appear to be something (a rider? Or a head?) on the back of the right-hand horse. Step : The lower face has a row of upright interlace patterns. SOUTH FACE Bottom panel : Three faint panels of interlace seperated by vertical raised mouldings. Lower step: (?) A procession of animals. WEST FACE Only a small panel of interlace survives on the lower step of this face, which is badly damaged. NORTH FACE Bottom panel : This seems to be divided into a lower and an upper register. Lower register: Possibly a number of figures (?) - all badly eroded. Upper register : The partially damaged right-hand side whould appear to be occupied by three of four horsemen riding towards the left, where they face five figures with staffs, who may reel backwards from them. Lower step: Interlace'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 23 May 2011