Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeCross - High cross
- StatusNational Monument
What to look for
- Carved scenes
Picked out from the Archaeological Survey description below.
Visiting
- National Monument in State care, listed by the National Monuments Service as a monument to visit.NMS Monuments to Visit · official page
- May be on private land and not open to the publicNational Monuments Service advice
- Wear suitable footwear and clothingNational Monuments Service advice
- Uneven ground: not suitable for everyone, especially wheelchair usersNational Monuments Service advice
Opening times and fees change: check with the operator before you go.
About Clones High Cross
- 12th centuryThe remains at Clones consist of a round tower, a 12th century sarcophagus, a decorated…
Its history
- The town of Clones owes its origins to an ancient church founded here by St Tighearnach who reputed to have been baptised by St Brigid at Kildare.
- Apparently St Tighearnach (d. 550) was granted these lands by a swineherd.
- In 836 many churches in the region, including Clones, were raided by the Vikings.
- In 850 a man by the name of Cairell, who was the son of a local king, was killed in front of the door of the oratory of Tighearnach at Clones.
- In 1010 Flaitbhertach Ua Cethenen, described as ‘a distinguished bishop’ was mortally wounded by the men of the neighbouring territory of Breifne, and afterwards died in his own church at Clones.
- The remains at Clones consist of a round tower, a 12th century sarcophagus, a decorated high cross known as the Market Cross in the Diamond and St Peter and Paul’s church.
What you'll see
- Clones was the principal ecclesiastical site in the ancient territory of Dartraighe.
- The cross has stood in its present form for several centuries at its present location in the Diamond, the old market square of the town.
- In fact, this cross comprises the head and shaft of two different high crosses.
- The north face of the cross is decorated with biblical depictions of the Adoration of the Magi, the wedding feast of Cana and the multiplication of loaves and fishes.
- On the cross head is the Crucifixion.
- On the south face the scenes include the Adam and Eve under the arching apple tree, the sacrifice of Isaac and Daniel in the Lion’s Den.
- On the head of the cross Daniel in the Lion’s Den is depicted again, a further indication that the cross and shaft belong originally to two different crosses.
- The cross belongs to a small group of crosses found elsewhere in Ulster, namely at Armagh as well as Arboe and Donaghmore, Co. Tyrone.
Text: National Monuments Service, Monuments to Visit (CC BY 4.0). Sentences grouped by topic by ErinSites; the wording is unchanged.
History and description
Full archaeological record 100 words
Situated in the Diamond, original location is believed to have been close to the round tower (MO011-010002-). Composed of two separate parts which didn't originally belong together. Depictions of Adam and Eve and the Sacrifice of Isaac and Daniel in the Den of Lions on W face while E face displays illustrations of the Adoration of the Magi, the Marriage Feast of Cana, the Multiplication of the Loves and Fishes and the Crucifixion. The two sides are decorated with geometric designs and bosses. (Harbison 1992, 45-7; Nos 48/49; figs 126-7)
This is a National Monument in state ownership: No. 112
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Updated 14 April 2011. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
Situated in the Diamond, original location is believed to have been close to the round tower (MO011-010002-).
Visitors' notes
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Around Clones High Cross
Other heritage nearby
- Abbey Church, ClonesAncient church · 0.2 km
- Clones Round Tower and SarcophagusRound tower · 0.2 km
- Church of the calvesAncient church · 4.8 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 40 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 6 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 standing stonesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 castleArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 round towerArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 monastic siteArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Deer Park LoopWalking Trail · 5.5 km · nearest point 14 km
- Temple LoopWalking Trail · 5.7 km · nearest point 14 km
- Fairfield LoopWalking Trail · 2.3 km · nearest point 14 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- Gortnawinney LakeBeaches · 2.8 km
- Halton's River (Dromore Lake System)Beaches · 14 km
- Hilton ParkHistoric stays · 4.0 km
- Triumphal Arch LodgeHistoric stays · 21 km
Other attractions nearby
- Clones MarinaNature and Wildlife · 0.5 km
What's on nearby
- Monaghan Christmas Street Food Festival 20262026-11-21 · 19 km · free