| Durrow - Holy Well | Durrow - Cross Slabs - Cross |
This has to be the best kept secret of Christianity in Ireland! So much is always said about the crosses at Monasterboice (County Louth) and Clonmacnoise - Crosses (County Offaly) (although these are fine) and so little is said about this one. It is superb!
The state of preservation is wonderful - each scene is still beautifully defined. This probably has something to do with it being on a private estate and under the cover of some enormous and ancient trees.
My favourites panels are the wrestling figures (north face) and Eve giving Adam the apple (south face). Both the east and west faces of the head are wonderful.
The cross ia quite a tall one at just under 4m tall. The head of a second cross was removed from here to the National Museum.
The first impressions I had of this cross (and the slabs) were not wrong. It is a lovely cross.
All Sites Visited On 16th November 2003 « Previous Site Next Site »
From Kilbeggan follow the N52 south to Tullamore. 2km after crossing the Offaly county border you will see a sign on the left hand side of the road pointing towards some huge gates on the right. Park here and walk down the long driveway. You will see a church. Walk around the wall surrounding this and you will find the cross on the far side.
To get to the well walk along the path just before the church. You will see a small copse 150m from the path. The well is in this copse.
A Random Selection of Nearby Monuments
Galloon (Co. Fermanagh) | Lorum (Co. Carlow) | Castlekieran (Co. Meath) |
Ullard (Co. Kilkenny) | Killary (Co. Meath) | Carrowmore (Co. Donegal) |