Cross - High cross

The National Monuments Service's description

This cross has been described by King (2005, 22-3) as follows: ‘The second early medieval cross is located upside down in the centre of the graveyard. It is also carved from sandstone and stands 47cm above present ground level, with a further 15cm (minimum) below ground, and has a width of 26cm by 14cm. Two small rectangular holes in the north face provide the clues to the fate of this early medieval monument. These glazing bar holes indicate that the piece was reused as a window jamb probably in the later medieval church. The original edge roll mouldings, an iconic feature of so many early medieval crosses, can still be seen on the almost intact south-east angle; sections of the framed panels are still recognisable on the south, east and north sides, but the west face has been completely cut back and the north-east roll moulding removed to allow the shaft to serve its secondary function as a window jamb. In its current post-medieval life it marks an otherwise unidentified grave.' A note added to the image accompanying the article records that the cross shaft was lifted as the article was going to press and that the shaft is almost 1m in height and was decorated. 'The fragmentary figures have not been identified but the combination of figures and interlace without frames is reminiscent of the carving on the Broken cross at Kells.' (ibid., 2007, 47-9)

See attached screenshots of 3D model of high cross created by Digital Heritage Age under the direction of Gary Dempsey and Orla Peach Power. Photogrammetric 3D model can be accessed at the following website: https://skfb.ly/6ssNq

Compiled by: Paul Walsh

Date of upload: 2 September 2013

References

King, H. A. 2007 Nobber: an important early medieval ecclesiastical site. Ríocht na Mídhe, 18, 39-66

King, H.A. 2005 Nobber's early medieval treasures revealed. Archaeology Ireland 19, No. 3, 21-4.