Irish High Crosses

East face

Ullard

Standing about 4 metres tall at the rear of the church is a badly weathered High Cross. This granite cross consists of three fragments joined together. The remaining sections of the shaft are joined together by a modern piece of concrete. The East face, pictured left, is so badly weathered that you need good light conditions to view the iconography.

The East side of the base, shown below had interlace and spirals carved in a number of panels, two panels were the width of the base with three smaller panels below them. The remaining section of the shaft is joined to the head by a modern piece of concrete. At the bottom of the shaft are six of the apostles, presumably the other apostles were carved on the missing section. The top of the shaft has a panel with Adam and Eve representing the fall of man.

The imperforate head of the East face, shown right has a crucifixion scene carved at the centre, this cross is part of the Barrow Valley group of crosses and the similarities can be clearly seen in the carving and design of the panels around the centre of the head. To the left is David playing his Harp, and to the right is the sacrifice of Isaac, The panel at the top of the head is open to interpretation, there have been a number of suggestions, Cain slaying Abel, Massacre of the innocents and St Paul and Anthony are a few. See Castledermot and Graiguenamanagh for comparison.

Situated: From Graiguenamanagh take the R705 north for about 5 kilometres, then take a right turn sign-posted Ullard Church. The church is approx 1 kilometre down this road on your left. Walk around the right hand side of the church and you will see the cross at the back of the ball ally built onto the church.

Group: Barrow Valley.

Google Map.

Discovery Map: S 724 481. Last Visit: Jun 2005.

Nearest High Crosses featured on this website.

Graiguenamanagh: 4.5Kilometres SSW.

Kilree: 24 Kilometres WSW.

Ahenny: 36 Kilometres WSW.

Kilkieran: 37 Kilometres SW.

Killamery: 37 Kilometres WSW.

Photos: Jim Dempsey.

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