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Kells High Crosses of Ireland

The monastery at Kells possibly was first founded in 804 by monks from St. Colmcille's foundation at Iona who were fleeing from the Viking invasions and seeking a safer place for their treasures. The monastery was raided by the Vikings in 919, 950 and 969. “The Book of Kells”, probably the greatest treasure of the monastery, is presently in the Trinity College, Dublin. It had been written here in the early 9th century, and was stolen in 1007 from the western sacristy of the church but was found two and a half months later without its gold shrine and covered by a sod. The monastery was raided many times by the Irish during the 11th century. It was burned in 1111 and again in 1156. Kells was also an erstwhile prominent Norman fortification, however no remains Norman times can be found though remnants of the old monastery exist.

Round Tower and a number of High Crosses are found in the churchyard on the top of the hill here. The round Tower, possibly dating back to mid 11th Century, is about 100 feet high and has five windows at the top, though the original conical cap has long vanished. The doorway had heads carved on it, but these have almost entirely weathered away. The round Tower is the South Cross dedicated to Saints Patrick and Columba, possibly erected in the 9th century. On the base are interlacings, animals including a deer, and a chariot procession. On the east face are Adam and Eve, and Cain and Abel, then the Three Children in the Firey Furnace, and above that Daniel in the Lion's Den.

On the left arm is the sacrifice of Isaac, on the right SS Paul and Anthony in the desert, while on top is David with his harp, and the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. On the west side is the Crucifixion, and above that Christ in Judgement. On the end of the arm on the south side David can be seen killing the lion, while on the end of the north arm he kills the bear. The cross is also decorated with a number of ornamental panels, particularly interlacing, and a vine scroll where animals and birds can be seen. About 20 yards to the north-west is probably the stump of a very fine and tall cross. Scenes identifiable on the east face include The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan, The Marriage Feast at Cana, the Washing of the Christ child, the Three Wise Men before Herod and above, the Entry of Christ into Jerusalem. On the west face can be seen Adam and Eve, a representation of Noah's Ark. Both the narrow sides have various geometrically decorated panels.



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