Castlekeeran
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. Also present at the site is the Ogham Stone, pictured below right.
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 will come to a yellow farm house, There is a gate with a sign marked High Crosses go through this and another gate, across the field you will see the old graveyard.
Discovery Map 42: N690 772. Last visit Sept 2006.
Photos: Jim Dempsey.
Nearest high crosses or christian sites.
Kells: 5 Kilometres ESE.
Fore: 19 Kilometres WSW.
Killary: 20 Kilometres ENE.
Mellifont Abbey: 32 Kilometres E.
Monasterboice: 36 Kilometres E.