Cross - High cross

The National Monuments Service's description

This cross-inscribed ogham stone was 'discovered in 1916, built into the wall surrounding the cathedral [at Killaloe (CL045-033006-)] enclosure: now set up on a supporting stone inside the building' (0.89 x 0.46 x 0.2m converted from Macalister 1945, 58-9, no. 54). 'A runic inscription is inscribed on the face reading [TH]URGRIM RISTI [KR]US THINA 'Thorgrim raised this cross' and is accompanied by a damaged scholastic Ogham inscribed on the side reading BENDACHT ... TOROQR ... which can be restored with reasonable certainty as BENDACHT FOR TOROQRIM 'a blessing on T[horgrim]' (McManus 1991, 130). McManus dates this inscription to the period after the seventh century on the grounds that the oghams are scholastic. According to Harbison (1992, fig. 402) this may be part of the shaft of a high cross. A 3D model of this stone can be viewed at: CL045-033010- Killaloe Ogham - Runic Stone - Download Free 3D model by Clare3d (@Clare3d) [18fc84a] (sketchfab.com) [accessed 13 December 2022]. It is evident that the higher portion has been broken off. The back of the stone bears an unusual carving possibly of a crucifixion scene with portion of a second panel remaining above. Thorgrím Furcap came to Killaloe in the winter of 1102/1103 when he accompanied Magnús Barelegs, King of Norway who arrived in Killaloe in 1102 (Griffin 2019, 238-9).

Revised by: Mary Tunney

Date of revision: 13 December 2022

References

Macalister, R.A.S. 1945 Corpus inscriptionum insularum celticarum. Dublin. Stationery Office.

McManus, D. 1991 A guide to ogam. Maynooth: Monographs 4. Maynooth. An Sagart.