Clones High Cross

The town of Clones owes its origins to an ancient church founded here by St Tighearnach who reputed to have been baptised by St Brigid at Kildare. Apparently St Tighearnach (d. 550) was granted these lands by a swineherd. Clones was the principal ecclesiastical site in the ancient territory of Dartraighe. In 836 many churches in the region, including Clones, were raided by the Vikings. In 850 a man by the name of Cairell, who was the son of a local king, was killed in front of the door of the oratory of Tighearnach at Clones. In 1010 Flaitbhertach Ua Cethenen, described as ‘a distinguished bishop’ was mortally wounded by the men of the neighbouring territory of Breifne, and afterwards died in his own church at Clones. The remains at Clones consist of a round tower, a 12th century sarcophagus, a decorated high cross known as the Market Cross in the Diamond and St Peter and Paul’s church. The cross has stood in its present form for several centuries at its present location in the Diamond, the old market square of the town. In fact, this cross comprises the head and shaft of two different high crosses. The north face of the cross is decorated with biblical depictions of the Adoration of the Magi, the wedding feast of Cana and the multiplication of loaves and fishes. On the cross head is the Crucifixion. On the south face the scenes include the Adam and Eve under the arching apple tree, the sacrifice of Isaac and Daniel in the Lion’s Den. On the head of the cross Daniel in the Lion’s Den is depicted again, a further indication that the cross and shaft belong originally to two different crosses. The cross belongs to a small group of crosses found elsewhere in Ulster, namely at Armagh as well as Arboe and Donaghmore, Co. Tyrone. Please note that many of these monuments may be on private land and may not be publicly accessible. When setting out to visit monuments please ensure that you wear appropriate footwear and clothing. Access to monuments without Visitor Services may be across uneven ground which may not be suitable for everyone and, in particular, wheelchair users.