Monasterboice Monastic Site


Map Reference: O043821 (3043, 2821)

The monastery at Monasterboice was reputedly founded by St Buite who died in 521. The remains include two churches, a Round Tower, three High Crosses and a sundial.



The best preserved structure is the South Cross. This is also known as Muiredach's Cross because of an inscripton on the base. A date of 922 has been accepted for this cross because of the death of the abbot Muiredach Mac Domhnail at that date. The cross is 5.5m high and is richly decorated with Biblical scenes including the Fall of Man and Cain & Abel. The style of decoration and some of the subjects, particularly the non-biblical motifs, suggests that the designer of this cross may have been responsible for the Market Cross, Kells, the Durrow Abbey cross and the Cross of the Scriptures, Clonmacnois.



A short distance to the NW is the South Church, a simple rectangular 15th century building. The North Church is a similar building and lies a further short distance to the NW. Just outside the S wall of this church is the West Cross. This is about 7m high. This has similar carving to the South Cross but is is less well preserved. The lower part of the shaft, in particular, has been badly damaged.



Close to the W gable of the North Church is the Round Tower. The top is damaged but the tower stands to about 30.5m. It has a Romanesque doorway on the E side about 2m above the present ground level. The doorway is framed by two slightly raised parallel bands. It was burned in 1097 with its library and treasures.



Near the eastern boundary of the graveyard, within a railed enclosure, is the North Cross. This is the upper portion of a ring-headed cross with a Crucifixion on the W side and an interlaced roundel on the E side. Beside it is a pillar stone with a medieval sundial.









More Photos of Monasterboice Monastic Site


For details of other Round Towers click on the links below

Antrim, Co Antrim Armoy, Co Antrim St Mullin’s, Co Carlow Drumlane, Co Cavan Drumcliff, Co Clare Dysert O’Dea, Co Clare Cloyne, Co Cork Kinneigh, Co Cork Tory Island, Co Donegal Drumbo, Co Down Maghera, Co Down Nendrum, Co Down Lusk, Co Dublin Swords, Co Dublin Devenish, Co Fermanagh Kilbennan, Co Galway Kilmacduagh, Co Galway Roscam, Co Galway Aghadoe, Co Kerry Ratoo, Co Kerry Castledermott, Co Kildare Kildare, Co Kildare Kilcullen, Co Kildare Oughterard, Co Kildare Taghadoe, Co Kildare Aghaviller, Co Kilkenny Grangefertagh, Co Kilkenny Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny Kilree, Co Kilkenny Tullaherin, Co Kilkenny Timahoe, Co Laois Kilmallock, Co Limerick Dromiskin, Co Louth Aghagower, Co Mayo Balla, Co Mayo Killala, Co Mayo Meelick, Co Mayo Turlough, Co Mayo Donaghmore, Co Meath Kells, Co Meath Clones, Co Monaghan Clonmacnois, Co Offaly Boyle, Co Roscommon Oran, Co Roscommon Drumcliffe, Co Sligo Cashel, Co Tipperary Roscrea, Co Tipperary Ardmore, Co Waterford Glendalough, Co Wicklow

For details of other Figured High Crosses click on the links below

Dysert O’Dea, Co Clare Kilfenora, Co Clare Killaloe, Co Clare Camus, Co Derry Carndonagh, Co Donegal Donaghmore, Co Down Boho, Co Fermanagh Galloon, Co Fermanagh Tuam, Co Galway Castledermott, Co Kildare Moone, Co Kildare Kilkeeran, Co Kilkenny Killamery, Co Kilkenny Kilree, Co Kilkenny Termonfeckin, Co Louth Duleek, Co Meath Kells, Co Meath Kells Market Cross, Co Meath Killary, Co Meath Clones, Co Monaghan Clonmacnois, Co Offaly Durrow, Co Offaly Drumcliffe, Co Sligo Ahenny, Co Tipperary Arboe, Co Tyrone Donaghmore, Co Tyrone



Return to County Louth List
Return to Gazetteer