Castlekeeran

Ogham Stone

Situated in a farmers field in County Meath, the site of the monastery at Castlekeeran is some what neglected. The monastery was founded here by Saint Ciaran, who died around 770 AD. The monastery was raided by the Vikings in 949 and later burned by Dermot Macmurrough.The Ogham Stone is situated in Keim Churchyard. The stone was found by someone digging a grave in the cemetery, it has been placed on a ledge, against the wall of the old church in what is an inverted position.The inscription reads 'COVAGNI MAQI MUCOI LUGUNI'

 

High Crosses

There are three high crosses here and the base of another. The crosses are badly weathered and bear little decoration. Also present is an early christian grave slab resting against the side of the old church. The crosses are known as termon or boundary crosses, the west cross and the north cross are pictured right. The south cross and the grave slab are pictured below. The fourth cross lies close by in a river next to the monastery. The story behind this cross is that St Columba was caught red-handed by St Ciaran taking the cross to his monastery at Kells so he quickly dumped the cross in the river.

Situated: About three miles north of Kells on the N3 is Carnaross, take a left here for Crossakeel (signposted) at the next crossroads go left then take a right turn for Crossakeel, keep left here, immediately after is another left turn, signposted Castlekeeran Crosses. You then come to a yellow farm house, There is a gate with a sign marked High Crosses go through this and another gate, across a field you will see the old graveyard.

Discovery Map 42: N 6899 7731. Last visit Sept 2006.

Longitude: 6° 57' 15" W

Latitude: 53° 44' 27" N

Google Map.

Photos: Jim Dempsey.

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