Ardboe High Cross
Ardboe High Cross is an ancient high cross standing by the site where once there was a monastery in Ardboe in Tyrone.
The cross stands at the entrance to a cemetery and a monastery and a church from the seventeenth century which was founded in 590 by Saint Colman. The monastery was destroyed by fire in the twelfth century. It is believed to have been erected in either the ninth or the tenth century. The name "Ard Boe" means "hill of the cow", which comes from a legend that the monastery of Ardboe was built from the milk of a magic cow out of Lough Neagh.[1][2] and forms the only remaining part of an early monastery on the site.[3]
At around 18½ feet, Ardboe High Cross is Ulster's tallest cross.[4] Although the head of the cross is damaged, it seems to be the only such cross in Northern Ireland to remain largely complete and original.[3]
Contents
History of the cross
Around 590 AD, St Colman founded an abbey or monastery at Ardboe, on an elevated site overlooking Lough Neagh.
Description and identification
This cross is about 18½ feet high and 3½ feet wide. It has twenty-two panels depicting Old and New Testament scenes.
East side
The east face of the cross depicts the Old Testament scenes in particular which deals with Adam and Eve, the Sacrifice of Isaac, Daniel in the lions' den and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the furnace. Two scenes are from the Book of Genesis. The east face of the head of the cross depicts scenes: Christ’s Second Coming and the Last Judgement.
South side
The south side represents Cain murdering Abel, David (or Samson) and the lion, the fight of David and Goliath and the Desert Saints Paul of Thebes and Anthony the Great, fed by the raven.
North side
The north side portrays the early life of Christ, including in his baptism at the bottom.
West side
The west face describes the Adoration of the Magi, the Miracle at Cana, the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes and Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. The west face of the head of the cross is carved with scenes from the Passion of Christ and the Crucifixion.
Outside links
References
- ↑ "Ardboe High Cross". Triskelle. http://www.triskelle.eu/attractions/ardboehighcross.php?index=100.040.008.090.015. Retrieved 2007-11-29.
- ↑ "Ardboe Old Cross". Discover Northern Ireland. http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/product.aspx?ProductID=3544. Retrieved 2007-11-29.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 O'Neill, B (ed) (2002). Irish Cathedrals, Churches and Abbeys. London: Caxton Editions. p. 63.
- ↑ "Irish High Crosses - Ardboe". Megalithic Ireland. http://www.megalithicireland.com/High%20Cross%20Ardboe.htm. Retrieved 2007-11-29.
