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 | |
|---|---|
| Native name Ardchros Chill Lamraí (Irish) | |
| The Maelsechnaill Cross The Snake-Dragon Cross | |
 | |
| Type | High cross |
| Location | Killamery, County Kilkenny, Ireland |
| Coordinates | 52°28′32″N 7°26′46″W / 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
editA 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
editThe 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.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed]
Other artefacts
editThere is also a cross-slab of an earlier date the inscription OROIT AR ANMAIN N-AEDAIN, "Pray for the soul of Áedáin". Two bullaun stones can also be seen. There is also a holy well, St Goban's Well.[7][8][9] [10]
References
edit- ^ "Killamery, Co. Kilkenny".
- ^ a b "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. ISBN 9780691088259 – via Google Books.
- ^ Richardson, Hilary; Scarry, John (1 January 1990). An introduction to Irish high crosses. Mercier Press. ISBN 9780853429548 – via Google Books.
- ^ Monk, Michael A.; Sheehan, John (1 January 1998). Early Medieval Munster: Archaeology, History and Society. Cork University Press. ISBN 9781859181072 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Killamery High Cross".
- ^ "Killamery High Cross". megalithic.co.uk.
- ^ "Killamery High Cross - Tulllahought Tidy Towns".
- ^ "Killamery High Cross".
- ^ "Killamery High Cross". megalithicireland.com.