Cross - High cross

The National Monuments Service's description

On a gentle N-facing slope in a small wooded area surrounded by marsh and rough meadow, in the Glen of Aherlow at the foot of the Galty mountains. In the S sector of an ecclesiastical enclosure (TS074-010----) known as St. Berrihert's Kyle and incorporated in an oval stone enclosure, stepped internally, built by the OPW in 1946 (Ó hÉailidhe 1967, 102). This high cross is located in the E sector, on the base of the wall. The larger of two cross-heads (dims. Wth 1m; H 0.86m; T 0.16m), of red sandstone, is part of a High Cross. The upper arm on one side is decorated with a scene showing a man holding up his arms which are being grabbed by a figure on either side, one holding an knife (Ó hÉailidhe 1967, 107-8), possibly depicting the Arrest of Christ (Harbison 1970, 219). The left arm depicts two figures wrestling, while on the right arm there are two figures, one appears to be hitting the other with a knife/sword (Ó hÉailidhe 1967, 107-8). The centre of the cross-head is decorated with a marigold motif encircled by interlace and a key-pattern (ibid.). The other side of the cross-head is quite worn and decorated with central concentric circles and faint suggestion of interlace on the arms (ibid.).

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 26 August 2011

References

Ó hÉailidhe, P. 1967 The crosses and slabs at St. Berrihert's Kyle in the Glen of Aherlow. In E. Rynne (ed.), North Munster Studies, 102-126. Limerick. The Thomond Archaeology Society.