Cross

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on relatively high ground immediately N of a modern field wall c. 120m W of Templecronan church (CL010-021002-). The shaft of a limestone cross lies in two pieces, one on either side of a cross base. The E stone (L 1.47m; Wth 0.35-0.39m; T 0.2m) is slightly larger in all its dimensions (W stone: L 1.09m; Wth 0.36-0.37m; T 0.13m) and both pieces have significant natural vertical striations. Both pieces taper slightly and the ends are broken. The cross base is a roughly squared boulder (c. 0.92m E-W; 0.95m N-S) widening towards the base with a rectangular socket (Wth 0.42m; L 0.32m; D 0.21m) which held the shaft, and the possible weathered traces of carving to the front. Described in the OS Letters (O’Flanagan 1928, vol. 1, 36) as the pedestal and shaft of a cross of considerable height, this may have marked the termon of the monastery. Also mentioned (ibid.) are other crosses known to mark the limits of the termon but which by then were destroyed. The townland in which the remains lie is itself named ‘Termon’. According to Swinfen (1992,130) the cross was seen standing in 1893.

The following images have been uploaded:
CL010-021004-_01.jpg Cross base from N.
CL010-021004-_01.jpg Larger cross-shaft from N.
CL010-021004-_01.jpg Smaller cross-shaft from N.
CL010-021004-_01.jpg Cross base and broken cross shafts from N.

Revised by: Mary Tunney

Date of revision: 13 February 2019

References

Swinfen, A. 1992 Forgotten stones: Ancient church sites of the Burren and environs. Dublin. Lilliput Press.

O'Flanagan, Rev. M. (Compiler) 1928 Letters containing information relative to the antiquities of the county of Clare collected during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1839. Typescript in 3 vols. Bray.