Historic Drumcliffe High Cross in Solid Gold - Recreation Collection

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This handcrafted Celtic Cross pendant is a detailed double-sided replica of the historic Celtic Cross at Drumcliffe in County Sligo, a monastic site traditionally associated with St. Columba.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Height: 4.3 cm (1.69 inches)
• Width: 1.7 cm (0.67 inches)
• Weight: approx. 10.2 g
• Double-sided replica of the original Drumcliffe Cross
• Handmade in Ireland
• Hallmarked in Ireland

Carefully handcrafted in sterling silver or gold, this pendant reproduces details from the original High Cross at Drumcliffe. The historic stone cross is richly decorated with biblical scenes, symbolic designs and striking animal figures.

Solid gold is made to order, please allow three weeks for making.

History of the Drumcliffe Celtic Cross

“Beloved to my heart also in the West, Drumcliffe, at Culcinne’s Strand.”

These lines come from a poem attributed to St. Columcille, also known as St. Columba, who is traditionally associated with the foundation of the monastery at Drumcliffe.

Columcille was born in Donegal into a royal family and studied in both bardic and monastic schools. Following his ordination, he travelled throughout Ireland and became associated with the foundation of several important monastic settlements, including Derry, Durrow and Kells.

One of the best-known traditions surrounding Columcille concerns a copy he made of a psalter belonging to St. Finnian of Movilla. A dispute arose over ownership of the copy, and the High King, Diarmait, is traditionally said to have ruled: “To every cow its calf, to every book its copy.”

Another dispute followed when a man who had sought Columcille’s protection was killed despite claiming sanctuary. Columcille called upon his kinsmen for support, contributing to the conflict traditionally associated with the Battle of Cúl Dreimhne.

According to later tradition, Columcille felt remorse for the bloodshed. Whether his subsequent departure was the result of formal exile or a self-imposed act of penance is uncertain, but he eventually left Ireland for Scotland.

There he founded the famous monastery of Iona, which became one of the most important religious centres associated with his life and remained his home until his death.

St. Columba and Drumcliffe

Columcille later made an important return journey to Ireland for the Convention of Druim Cett. Tradition also associates him with visits to other Irish monastic centres, including Clonmacnoise.

Drumcliffe, near the foot of Benbulben in County Sligo, became closely connected with the Columban tradition. Columcille is said to have left his bishop’s crozier there as a sign of his affection for the settlement.

The magnificent High Cross that was later erected at Drumcliffe reflects the importance of the monastic site and its long association with the followers and family of Columcille.

The original cross is particularly notable for its carved biblical scenes, symbolic decoration and extraordinary animal figures, some of which project prominently from the stone.

Drumcliffe is also known as the burial place of Irish poet W. B. Yeats. His grave lies nearby and bears the epitaph he chose for himself: “Cast a cold eye / On life, on death. / Horseman, pass by!”

This double-sided pendant brings together the distinctive artwork of the Drumcliffe High Cross with the history of St. Columba and one of Ireland’s most significant early Christian traditions.