In Ireland, the high cross is the most impressive of all Irish monuments. The origins of this cross can be traced to Roman times, where such free standing monuments were commonly used to commemorate battle victories. However, it was not until the 4th century AD., with the introduction of the cult of the cross by the first Christian Roman Emperor Constantine that the cross was used to represent Christ's victory. In Ireland the magnificently carved high cross, whilst thought to have a protective influence, also served as an assembly point for monastic religious ceremonies. The earliest known high cross is the Carandonagh cross, dating from the mid 7th century, which was part of a hermitage in the north-west of County Donegal. However the most magnificent of all Irish Celtic Crosses are the early 10th century scriptured crosses which were created at the stone carving workshop situated in the monastic settlements of Clonmacnoise, Co. Offaly. The panels of these crosses crafted during a time of great spiritual reform and ascetism contained highly detailed carvings of biblical scenes. This facilitied easy comprehension for at the time the majority of the people were illiterate. It was for that reason that the scripture crosses have been called “sermons in stone”.

Key Irish Celtic Crosses, (that are in our Celtic cross jewelry collection)

Duleek Celtic Cross (Co. Meath) - Circa 800AD
This is small sandstone cross of 1.8 meters in height. It is part of a group known as "transitional crosses" These were monuments that were carved before the scripture crosses and after the purely decorative crosses. Therefore one face is carved in a network of spirals and interlacing, whilst the other contains scripture panels.

Clonmacnoise Celtic Cross (Co. Offaly) - Circa 900AD
This is called the cross of the scriptures or King Flann's cross. It is carved from one block of hard buff colored millstone. One of the most beautiful crosses still surviving, it stands 3.9 meters in height and contains panels which illustrate the life of St. Patrick.

Carandonagh Celtic Cross (Co. Donegal) - Circa 650AD
Named after St. Patrick this cross is the oldest free standing high cross, and was once part of an isolated hermitage. Ringless and lightly carved from red sandstone it stands 2.5 meters in height.

Moone Celtic Cross (Co. Kildare) - Circa 850AD
Erected on the site of an early Columban monastery. This is a unique, tall, slender cross of granite. Its height is 5.3 meters. Its base is carved in the shape of two truncated pyramids, which along with its usual dimensions, implies the use of the mathematics for Christian symbols in its proportions.

Source : TJH