Cross - High cross

The National Monuments Service's description

Housed in the vaulted undercroft of the college of the Vicars Choral (TS061-025005-). Portion of a high cross base was uncovered by the OPW in 1991 during the removal of an 18th-century wall linking the NE angle of Cormac's chapel (TS061-025001-) and the chancel of the Cathedral (TS061-025003-). The sandstone fragment (dims. Wth 0.73m; H 0.38m; D 0.12m) appears to have been split from the original base leaving a rough, hollow face. An original external face survives intact, the vertical sides of which incline upwards at slightly different angles. It contains a rectangular panel of interlinked spiral circles with a possible figure at the right-hand it and is framed by a rounded moulding. The two side faces, though badly damaged and incomplete, have evidence of decoration, one side bearing an interlace pattern while that on the other side is indiscernible. Harbison (1993. 1-20) has argued on stylistic and historical evidence for a 9th-century date for this cross base. (Harbison 1993, 1-20).

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 05 August 2014

References

Harbison, P. 1993 A high cross base from the Rock of Cashel and a historical reconsideration of the 'Ahenny Group' of crosses. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 93c, 1-20.