Cross

The National Monuments Service's description

According to Fitzgerald (1912-4, 262-4), a cross (KD032-030001-) stood, ‘… on the summit of high ground in a square unenclosed plot, measuring about 50 yards [c. 46m] each way, which is never tilled like the rest of the field. This plot is probably the site of a long-forgotten burial-ground , skulls and bones have been turned up close by.’ According to local tradition, it was the burial place of victims of the battle of Kilrush (1642), but the ‘unenclosed plot’ could not be identified in 1959 (SMR file). Aerial photographic evidence indicates that the cross stands in the S quadrant of a small circular enclosure (approx. diam. 37m) which lies in N quadrant of a larger ecclesiastical enclosure (KD032-030003-) the cropmarks of which are clearly visible on Digital Globe aerial photographs. The small circular enclosure may represent the enclosing element of a small burial ground (KD032-030001-). The linear cropmark of a possible roadway running E-W into the outer enclosure is visible at NW quadrant. A plain granite cross-shaft (H1.9m; L 0.3m; Wth 0.2m) with an unpierced circular head (diam. 0.5m) and non-projecting arms (Wth of arm 0.5m).

See attached image of Google Earth photographs taken 28/06/2018 which shows cropmark of the two circular enclosures based on information supplied by Anthony Murphy

Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 19 February 2019

References

FitzGerald, Lord W. 1912-14, Narraghmore and the Barons of Norragh. Journal of the Kildare Archaeological Society 7, 242-72.