Cross

The National Monuments Service's description

Associated with the ecclesiastical remains on Cruach na Cara/St Macdara’s Island. In Bigger's (1896, 110-11) account of the island, he notes the presence of a number of high cross fragments . At least three separate crosses appear to be present: (a, GA076-022018-) 'several portions of [a ringed] cross...found upon the altar [see GA076-020006- to the south of the church]... Its height is 78 inches [1.98m] by 10 inches [0.25m] across the shaft'; (b, GA076-020024-) 'The head of another fine cross in two pieces...in the fence close to the church; it has been a fine Celtic cross having a circle with openings and arms. Its greatest breadth is 28.5 inches [0.72m], and its height 21 inches [0.53m]'; (c, GA076-020025-) 'Fragments of other crosses... some of them beautifully carved with rich opus hibernicum'. No visible surface trace of any of these crosses were found, though the socket/base (GA076-020016-) of a cross noted by Kinahan (1868b, 90) and Bigger (1896, 109) near the leacht (see GA076-020010-) to the NE of the church (GA076-020001-) still survives. (Harbison 1992, vol. 1, 164; vol. 2, figs. 551-3)

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. I - West Galway'. Compiled by Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Updated by: Olive Alcock

Date of revised upload: 6 June 2018

References

Harbison, P. 1992 The high crosses of Ireland: an iconographical and photographic survey, 3 vols. Dublin. Royal Irish Academy. Bonn. Dr. Rudolf Habelt GMBH.

Bigger, F.J. 1896 Cruach Mac Dara, off the coast of Connamara: with a notice of its church, crosses, and antiquities. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 26, 101-12.