National Monument No. 313. A monastery was founded at Durrow reputedly by Colum Cille [of the church] who died in 597 and whose feastday is celebrated on the 9th of June (Ó Riain 2011, 213-14). Colum Cille whose original name may have been Criomthann was descended from a branch of the Ceinéal Conaill of Donegal (ibid., 211). He established a monastery at Iona in Scotland and is the earliest known founder of a church outside of Ireland (ibid., 212). Over sixty churches claim to have been founded by Colum Cille many of which have no historical documentation to support their claim (ibid., 213). Until recently the Durrow high cross stood in the W quadrant of Durrow graveyard (OF009-005009-) a short distance to the W of the W gable of the C of I church (OF009-005013-) as depicted on all editions of the OS six-inch maps. The high cross has been moved from this location and is now housed inside the C of I church which has been recently conserved by the OPW. A 3D model of the high cross can be downloaded from Offaly County Council website at www.offaly.ie/eng/Services/Heritage/Archaeology/3D_Surveying_of_Archaeological_Monuments/
115816,OF01569,HICR,OF036-028003-,OFFALY,KNOCKBARRON,R141478,618066,706116,53.105309099999999,-7.730203710000000,Cross – High cross,Not indicated,Not indicated,https://heritagedata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0c9eb9575b544081b0d296436d8f60f8&query=18a4b61b268-layer-9%2CSMRS%2COF036-028003-,The circular shaped base (Wth 0.9m; H 0.5m) of the high cross which may have been an earlier millstone and is located in the W quadrant of the graveyard (OF036-028002-) a few metres to W of the W gable of Drumcullen church (OF036-028001-). The shaft of the limestone cross is now missing and the head of the ringed cross is decorated with the crucifixion on one face and with a triskele design with interlace on the opposite face. The cross-head has been recently removed from the graveyard (OF036-028002-) by Offaly County Council for safety concerns and is now on public display inside Rath R. C. Church (OF031-072—-).

Monument Type: Cross – High cross

View on Historic Environment Viewer