Killamery High Cross
Killamery Cross is a 9th-century high cross and National Monument in Killamery, County Kilkenny, Ireland.[1] It is located in the north of Killamery graveyard.[2]
Killamery High Cross | |
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Native name Irish: Ardchros Chill Lamraí | |
The Maelsechnaill Cross The Snake-Dragon Cross | |
Type | High cross |
Location | Killamery, County Kilkenny, Ireland |
Coordinates | 52.475437°N 7.446012°W |
Area | Anner Valley |
Height | 3.65 metres (12.0 ft) |
Built | 9th century AD |
Official name | Killamery Cross |
Reference no. | 75 |
Location of Killamery High Cross in Ireland |
History
A monastery was established at Killamery by St Gobhan, a disciple of Saint Fursey, in AD 632. The Killamery High cross is part of the western Ossory group of crosses, used as a model for many of the small high crosses sold across the world as an Irish symbol.[3]
Locals formerly touched the cross's capstone to cure headaches.[4][5]
Description
The cross stands 3.65 metres (12.0 ft) high. It is richly sculptured on the shaft with marigold flowers carved on it. There is a boss in the middle of the wheel-head that is surrounded by interlacing snakes and, above the boss, an open-mouthed dragon, giving it the name of the Snake-Dragon Cross.
The western face has a sun swastika at the centre and also depicts Adam and Eve, a stag hunt and a chariot procession.[2][6] On top of the cross is a gabled cap-stone. Noah and John the Baptist are depicted. On the base an inscription reads OR DO MAELSECHNAILL, "a prayer for Máel Sechnaill", who was high king of Ireland in 846–862.
References
- "Killamery, Co. Kilkenny".
- "Killamery high cross - Nigel Borrington".
- Hourihane, Colum (1 January 2001). "From Ireland Coming: Irish Art from the Early Christian to the Late Gothic Period and Its European Context". Princeton University Press – via Google Books.
- Richardson, Hilary; Scarry, John (1 January 1990). "An introduction to Irish high crosses". Mercier Press – via Google Books.
- Monk, Michael A.; Sheehan, John (1 January 1998). "Early Medieval Munster: Archaeology, History and Society". Cork University Press – via Google Books.
- "Killamery High Cross".
- Map, The Megalithic Portal and Megalith. "Killamery High Cross".
- "Killamery High Cross - Tulllahought Tidy Towns".
- "Killamery High Cross".
- 2012, PIP. "KILLAMERY HIGH CROSS/ANTIQUITIES OF IRELAND.COM".CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)