Celtic Cross History
Irish Heritage
Celtic Cross History
Ireland's golden age of art, learning and faith
Ireland's Golden Age
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Continental Europe fell into a period of decline referred to as the Dark Ages. During this period, Ireland experienced a golden age of learning and art. The Seventh Century saw a flowering of art, learning and missionary endeavour throughout the Island, giving rise to the phrase "the land of saints and scholars".
From the ninth to twelfth centuries, under the patronage of wealthy monasteries and powerful Celtic kings, Irish craftsmen produced some of Europe's finest early medieval art created in manuscripts, and artefacts in precious metals of gold, silver and stone.
The influence of Ireland's prehistoric pagan art, Hiberno-Norse motifs, Anglo Saxon art and European influences combined to create a unique insular art style — one of the most remarkable artistic traditions in European history.
Ireland's Celtic Cross
The Celtic Crosses or High Crosses as they are commonly known, represent the high point of this art form, and are to be found in monastic settlements throughout Ireland. The elaborate motifs and scenes executed in stone on the High Crosses reflect not only the skill of the stonemasons but also highlight the transfer of artistic concepts between the crafts of stone, metal and manuscript illumination of the period.
As free standing sculptures, Irish high crosses dominated the architecture of Ireland's main church settlements. Please explore some of Ireland's most famous Celtic Crosses below.
Famous Celtic Crosses of Ireland
Celtic High Cross of Moone
At Moone in Co. Kildare, is the site of the early Columban foundation. The cross of Moone was lost for centuries, buried and in pieces. The capstone of the cross is still missing.
Read more →Celtic High Cross of Muiredach
The Celtic Cross of Muiredach at Monasterboice in Co. Louth is one of the most beautiful of the Irish High Crosses still standing. Most scholars date it to Muiredach, son of Domhaill, an abbot who died about AD922.
Read more →Celtic High Cross of Clonmacnoise
The city of the seven churches, Clonmacnoise, was founded in 548 AD and lasted a thousand years. The Cross of Scriptures is decorated with the Last Supper, The Crucifixion and the Guarding of the Tomb.
Read more →Celtic High Cross of Ardboe
The finest of the Scripture Crosses are those which tell the Bible story in a series of detailed panels. The fullest series of scenes is on the tall cross at Ardboe in Tyrone, on the west shore of Lough Neagh.
Read more →Celtic High Cross of Drumcliffe
Founded by St. Columcille, who was born in Donegal and founded several monastic settlements including Derry, Durrow and Kells. The monastery at Drumcliffe bears his name to this day.
Read more →Celtic High Cross of Durrow
Founded by St. Columba — also known as St Columcille — the monastery at Durrow takes its name from the great numbers of oaks in the area. The cross remains one of Ireland's finest.
Read more →Celtic High Cross of Duleek
Duleek was an important ecclesiastical centre founded by St. Ciaran who was baptised by St. Patrick in 472 AD. Here he built the first stone church recorded in Ireland.
Read more →Celtic High Cross of Carndonagh
This lovely cross, known as the Cross of St. Patrick, is found in Carndonagh in the north of Donegal. Originally a bishopric said to have been established by St. Patrick himself.
Read more →Celtic High Cross of Ahenny
Ahenny is an unusual place — a graveyard with two ancient Celtic crosses, striking and subtly different from many crosses seen on ancient monastic sites up and down the country.
Read more →Celtic High Cross of Kells
The Cross of St. Patrick and St. Columba at Kells is an authentic copy of the original cross. Columba founded a monastic settlement in Iona in 561, later moving to Kells after Viking raids.
Read more →Celtic High Cross of Iona
Iona is a small island off the Isle of Mull in western Scotland, known as a Holy Isle from time immemorial. In the sixth century St. Columba went there from Ireland and founded a monastic settlement.
Read more →Celtic High Cross of Cashel
This modern Celtic cross was originally erected by the citizens of Cashel in 1895 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of Thomas Croke, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly from 1875 to 1902.
Read more →Browse Celtic Cross Necklaces | View Replica Celtic Crosses