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Kilkieran High Crosses facts for kids

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Kilkieran High Crosses
Native name
Irish: Ardchrosa Chill Chiaráin
Kilkieran Cross.JPG
West cross
Type High crosses
Location Castletown, Skough, County Kilkenny, Ireland
Area Lingaun Valley
Built 9th century AD
Official name: Kilkieran High Crosses
Reference no. 79
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Kilkieran High Crosses are a group of high crosses which form a National Monument in County Kilkenny, Ireland.

Location

Kilkieran High Crosses are located on the grounds of the former monastery, about 2 km (1.2 mi) south of Ahenny.

History

Kilkieran was formerly a monastery dedicated to Ciarán of Saighir. The high crosses at Kilkieran were erected in the 9th century, and form part of the West Ossory group, including the Killamery High Cross, Ahenny and Kilree. Local legend claims that the tall North Cross was once destroyed in an act of iconoclasm, but was painstakingly reconstructed in the mid-19th century by blind local stonemason Paddy Laurence, who had lost his sight while working on the Palace of Westminster in London.

Crosses

The crosses are made of sandstone; there are three of them and the fragments of a fourth.

West Cross

The west (decorated) cross is 3.55 metres (11.6 ft) high with a conical cap and is similar to those at Ahenny. Carvings include eight horsemen, chrysanthemums, Celtic interlace and a mitre-like crown.

North Cross

The North (Tall) Cross is 3.5 metres (11 ft) tall and is unusually shaped: tall and slender, with short arms and no ring and a circular base, with hatched mouldings on the west face.

Plain Cross

The Plain (East) Cross is 2.8 metres (9.2 ft) tall and undecorated, except for mouldings and a central boss that mimic metalwork, and a heavy mitre-like crown.

Other artefacts

Holy Water Font, Kilkieran High Crosses, Co. Kilkenny.
The holy water font was locally held to cure headaches.

A standing stone is near the wall, near St. Ciarán's holy well, which is near a bullaun and a holy water font.

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