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
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Armoy, Co Antrim
St Mullin’s, Co Carlow
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Drumcliff, Co Clare
Dysert O’Dea, Co Clare
Cloyne, Co Cork
Kinneigh, Co Cork
Tory Island, Co Donegal
Drumbo, Co Down
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Kilmacduagh, Co Galway
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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
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