| Kilkieran High Crosses | |
|---|---|
| Native name Irish: Ardchrosa Chill Chiaráin | |
 West cross | |
| Type | High crosses |
| Location | Castletown, Skough, County Kilkenny, Ireland |
| Coordinates | 52°23′52″N7°22′51″W / 52.397809°N 7.380761°W |
| Area | Lingaun Valley |
| Built | 9th century AD |
| Official name | Kilkieran High Crosses |
| Reference no. | 79 |
  Location of Kilkieran High Crosses in Ireland | |
Kilkieran High Crosses are a group of high crosses which form a National Monument in County Kilkenny, Ireland. [1]
Kilkieran High Crosses are located on the grounds of the former monastery, about 2 km (1.2 mi) south of Ahenny.
Kilkieran was formerly a monastery dedicated to Ciarán of Saighir. [2] The high crosses at Kilkieran were erected in the 9th century, and form part of the West Ossory group, including the Killamery High Cross, Ahenny and Kilree. Local legend claims that the tall North Cross was once destroyed in an act of iconoclasm, but was painstakingly reconstructed in the mid-19th century by blind local stonemason Paddy Laurence, who had lost his sight while working on the Palace of Westminster in London.
The crosses are made of sandstone; there are three of them and the fragments of a fourth. [3]
The west (decorated) cross is 3.55 metres (11.6 ft) high with a conical cap and is similar to those at Ahenny. Carvings include eight horsemen, chrysanthemums, Celtic interlace and a mitre-like crown. [4]
The North (Tall) Cross is 3.5 metres (11 ft) tall and is unusually shaped: tall and slender, with short arms and no ring and a circular base, with hatched mouldings on the west face. [5]
The Plain (East) Cross is 2.8 metres (9.2 ft) tall and undecorated, except for mouldings and a central boss that mimic metalwork, and a heavy mitre-like crown. [6] [7]
A phallic-shaped standing stone is near the wall, near St. Ciarán's holy well, which is near a bullaun and a holy water font. [8] [9]
A high cross or standing cross is a free-standing Christian cross made of stone and often richly decorated. There was a unique Early Medieval tradition in Ireland and Britain of raising large sculpted stone crosses, usually outdoors. These probably developed from earlier traditions using wood, perhaps with metalwork attachments, and earlier pagan Celtic memorial stones; the Pictish stones of Scotland may also have influenced the form. The earliest surviving examples seem to come from the territory of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria, which had been converted to Christianity by Irish missionaries; it remains unclear whether the form first developed in Ireland or Britain.
Killamery is a village in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It was the site of a famous monastery under the abbacy of St. Gobban, who died 639 and was buried in the hallowed grounds of St.Fintan of Clonenagh's Abbey, County Laois.
Saint Gobhan has long been linked with the parish of Seagoe – recorded for instance as Teach dho-Ghobha – in County Armagh, Ireland.
Ahenny is a small village and townland in County Tipperary, Ireland. It is notable for its ancient Irish high crosses. Close to the village is the early Christian foundation of Kilclispeen monastery and in the adjoining graveyard stand two celebrated Irish High Crosses: the Ahenny High Crosses.
St. Mark's Cross is a high cross and National Monument located in Blessington, County Wicklow, Ireland.
Ullard Church is a medieval church and National Monument in County Kilkenny, Ireland.
Grangefertagh is a former abbey located in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is today a National Monument.
Killamery Cross is a 9th-century high cross and National Monument in Killamery, County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is located in the north of Killamery graveyard.
St. Francis Abbey, also called Kilkenny Grey Friary, is a medieval Franciscan abbey and National Monument located in Kilkenny City, Ireland.
Kilree is a former Christian monastery and National Monument located in County Kilkenny, Ireland.
The Seven Monuments is an embanked stone circle and National Monument located in County Galway, Ireland.
Breeny More Stone Circle is an axial stone circle and National Monument located in County Cork, Ireland.
St. Manchan's Oratory, also called An Teampall Geal is a medieval oratory and National Monument in County Kerry, Ireland.
Maughanasilly Stone Row is a stone row and National Monument located in County Cork, Ireland.
Church Island is a medieval Christian monastery and National Monument located in Valentia Harbour, Ireland.
Maumanorig or Kilcolman is the site of the remains of a medieval Christian monastery and National Monument located on the Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry, Ireland.
Kilbennen or Kilbannon is a medieval ecclesiastical site and National Monument located in County Galway, Ireland.
Carrowcrom Wedge Tomb is a wedge-shaped gallery grave and National Monument located in County Mayo, Ireland.
Dísert Óengusa is a medieval hermitage and National Monument located in County Limerick, Ireland.
St. Declan's Monastery, containing the remains of Ardmore Cathedral, is a former monastery and National Monument located in County Waterford, Ireland.