England

Monasterboice
Mellifont Abbey

Newgrange
Duleek

By the Sea
Ardgillan Demesne

A High Cross at Monasterboice

What is a High Cross?

At its simplest, the high cross is a standing cross with a circle. At its most complex, it involves a stepped base, a shingled roof or an elaborate capstone, carved pictorial scenes, and other ornaments. A ringed cross silhouetted against the sky has come to characterize Ireland, hence the ringed cross is often called an "Irish cross." However, the ringed cross motif is shared with other Celtic nations such as Scotland, so the ringed cross may more properly be termed the "Celtic cross."

These photos are from our day trip out from Dublin. We visited several locations to the North of Dublin, about an hours drive.

Monasterboice: Monasterboice County Louth, The Monastery which was founded by Saint Buite, who died in 521 AD, contains two of the finest High Crosses in Ireland, both of these Crosses are made of sandstone and date to around the 9th century. The site also has a round tower, which is in excellent condition.

Monasterboice - The Cross of Muiredach: West face is pictured, gets its name from an inscription at the base of the west face, saying it was erected by Muiredach. The cross is around 5.2 meters high. The theme of the cross is Christ the King, Lord of the Earth.

Monasterboice - The Tall Cross: The Tall Cross or West Cross, The tallest high cross in Ireland, stands about 7 meters high. This cross is unusual in that the crucifixion scene, on the west face has a fully clothed figure of Christ. Because of its size this cross has more iconography than any other cross in Ireland.

Mellifont Abbey: We are a community of monks of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance, sometimes called Trappists. The first Mellifont Abbey was founded in 1142 by St. Malachy, bishop of Armagh and St. Bernard of Clairvaux and flourished until its closure in 1539. With the return of monks to New Mellifont in 1938 monastic life was once again established in the area.

The Cistercians - Mellifont Abbey belongs to the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance. It is the only Order in the Church where men and women form one united Order, electing one Abbot General and one General Council. The Order was established in France in 1098 by a group of Benedictine monks who desired to live St. Benedict’s Rule as literally as possible. The Cistercian way of life is based on community living. Cistercian monks seek God and follow Christ under a rule and an abbot in a stable community of brotherly love. It is a life of sharing, caring and service where all strive to be of one heart and mind. By supporting one another and sharing one another’s burdens they fulfill the law of Christ, participating in his sufferings in the hope of entering the kingdom of heaven.

Newgrange: The Megalithic Passage Tomb at Newgrange was built about 3200 BC. The kidney shaped mound covers an area of over one acre and is surrounded by 97 kerbstones, some of which are richly decorated with megalithic art. The 19 metre long inner passage leads to a cruciform chamber with a corbelled roof. It is estimated that the construction of the Passage Tomb at Newgrange would have taken a work force of 300 at least 20 years.

The passage and chamber of Newgrange are illuminated by the winter solstice sunrise. A shaft of sunlight shines through the roof box over the entrance and penetrates the passage to light up the chamber. The dramatic event lasts for 17 minutes at dawn from the 19th to the 23rd of December.

Duleek: Duleek is a village in County Meath, Ireland. Duleek takes is name from the Irish word daimh liag, meaning house of stones and referring to an early stone-built church, St Cianan’s Church, the ruins of which are still visible in Duleek today.

By the Sea: Views of the Irish Sea, a lighthouse and some windmills.

Ardgillan Demesne: The name Ardgillan is derived from the Irish "Árd Choill" meaning "High Wood". Ardgillan is a large country house with castellated embellishments built by the Rev. Robert Taylor in 1738. It stands on the elevated coastline commanding magnificent views of the Irish Sea. The house consists of two stories over basement, which extend under the south lawns.

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