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 This
lovely cross, known as the Cross of St. Patrick, is found in Carndonagh
in the north of Donegal. Originally Carndonagh was a bishopric,
said to have been established by St. Patrick himself.
Because
this cross does not have the ring that we all associate with Celtic
crosses it was thought that it must have been erected in the 7th
or 8th centuries - a forerunner of the ringed cross. Now, however,
when scholars consider the quality of the carving they believe that
the cross was made in the 9th or 10th century.Its intricate interlace
patterns are similar to the decoration found in the pages of a late
10th century psalter which came from Ireland. The figure on the
shaft of the west face is said to represent the Crucifixion: by
others to represent Christ in glory with his arms raised in blessing.
In the early Church the cross was a sign of victory over sin and
death so, following the ideas of still another scholar, maybe we
should say it represents both! Below the figure of Christ there
are three figures of ecclesiastics and at present it is not clear
who they may be.
Celtic
High Cross of Carndonagh / St. Patrick Purchasing Options
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