Armagh

Market Cross

At least five crosses are mentioned in the Annals at Armagh. Standing in the north aisle of St Patrick's, Church of Ireland, Cathedral is a fragment of a high cross head and the composite shaft of a high cross. The east face of the head, pictured below, bears a crucifixion scene, Longinus and Stephaton can clearly be seen on either side of Christ, Stephaton's spear pierces Christ's left side and on each side of his head is an angel. The crucifixion scene on the west face of Muirdach's Cross at Monasterboice is a superb, less weathered, example of this scene. Unfortunately we were unable to photograph the west face as the head has been placed too near the wall. The scene on this face is unidentified but it may, also like Monasterboice, bear a depiction The Last Judgement. The south arm has a depiction of one of the two thieves with a soldier on either side of him. The north arm probably bore the second crucified thief. It is highly likely that this cross head belongs to the shaft on display in the Cathedral.

Situated: In St Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral, Cathedral Close, Armagh.

Group: Ulster

Google Map:

Discoverer 19. Map: H 8742 4516. Last Visit: July 2025.

Longitude: 6° 39' 22.5" W

Latitude: 54° 20' 52.5" N

Photos: José Gutiérrez.