Cross

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Sited adjacent to a small stream, on the S. side of Clooney Road and approximately 20 metres in from the roadside hedge and at the eastern extremity of a steeply sloping lea field. The cross is fenced off from the field by a metal post and wire fence forming a small enclosure around it. On the E side there is some recent housing.

A schist stone cross, much eroded, about 900mm high and 600mm across. It has a shaft approximately 350 x 150 which has rebated arris on north face and the rebate tapers. The rebate is returned on the underside of the stumpy crossheads which are very much eroded on the topside. The upper part of the shaft above the crosshead is practically worn away and appears as a stump or bump. Apart from the rebate referred to there does not appear to be any other marking.

Historical information

Referred to in the Ordnance Survey Memoirs as “only cross known in neighbourhood is lying in an inverted position at the bottom of a ditch on the Cross hill. Its present site is not that on which it originally stood. It is now three quarters of a statute mile from the church yard and in a westerly direction”.
The cross is located 1900 metres in a straight line west from the old church.

Reference:

Ordnance Survey Memoirs Vol. 36
SMR Ref: LDY SH.28, 15A:1

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Although it is suggested that the present location is not the original site of this cross it certainly has the appearance of great age and is at least of medieval if not earlier origin.