Tuesday 28 September 2010

Irish High Crosses: The Cross with the Cats


Dear Parishioners,

It's time to close the Competition to name the Irish High Cross with the cats on it. You may remember that there was an exhibition in the National Museum (Collins Barracks) over the summer (it may still be on!), featuring replicas of various Irish High Crosses. Above is a photo of the Cross in question, reproduced here by kind permission of The Irish Catholic and photographer Lucia Ribagarda.

The Cross is Muiredach's Cross, Monasterboice, Co. Louth. This dates from the 9/10th century. The person pointing out the cats here is Dr Peter Harbison, the well known scholar and archaeologist. On the panel above the cats, you can make out the Taking of Christ in the Garden. As I say, it made for a very nice trip for me early this summer.

I'm sure you have some interesting stories to tell about your trips, about, say, visiting some church abroad. If you have, please feel free to tell us about them here. Or you can mail me at donalpmcmahon@gmail.com.

Donal (McMahon)