Cross - Market cross

The National Monuments Service's description

At the intersection of Green Street and Upper Bridge Street, running N-S, with West Street and Mill Street, running E-W. Kennedy (1990, 294) notes that there were two market days per week in Callan, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, which were authorised by a royal charter granted in the year 1568 by Queen Elizabeth I. The cross is indicated on an estate map by Thomas Stuish dating to 1681 (Farrelly et al. 1993, 62; National Archives M2841). According to Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 296), the market cross was still standing towards the end of the 18th century. He quotes the author of a 'Tour in Ireland in 1779', who described the cross as having, 'a square glass lanthorn that gives light in the night to travellers that come from the four cardinal points of the compass' (ibid.). The date of its removal and its present location are unknown.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 17 May 2022

References

Carrigan, Rev. W. 1905 (Reprint 1981) The history and antiquities of the diocese of Ossory, 4 vols. Kilkenny. Roberts Books and Wellbrook Press.

Farrelly, J., O'Reilly, B., and Loughran, A. 1993 Urban archaeological survey - county Kilkenny (2 vols.). Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.

Kennedy, J. 1990 Callan - a corporate town 1700-1800. In W. Nolan, K. Whelan (eds.), Kilkenny: history and society, 289-304. Dublin. Geography Publications.