This magnificent Celtic Cross measures 2” from the top of the ornate bale to the bottom of the pendant and is 1/4” across. This wonderfully detailed piece depicts the “eastern side” of the Doorty cross.
This magnificent Celtic Cross measures 2” from the top of the ornate bale to the bottom of the pendant and is 1/4” across. This wonderfully detailed piece depicts the “eastern side” of the Doorty cross.
Don’t forget to add one of our sterling silver chains to your shopping cart to complete this beautiful piece.
This design was taken from a twelfth-century high cross at Kilenora, County Clare, Ireland The Doorty Cross is one of the best preserved and well known limestone high crosses from the period.
THE DOORTY CROSS, re-assembled from broken fragments, stands near the western end of the cathedral. On the western face is the image of a robed Christ above the figure of someone riding a donkey. The eastern face is of more interest, as it shows St. Peter blessing two smaller arm-linked figures; one with an Irish-type crozier is supposed to be a bishop, while the second, holding a tau or T-shaped crozier, may be an abbot. The whole, according to tradition, is a representation of St. Peter or of the church blessing Kilfenora's change from monastic to diocesan status. This would date the cross to 1152, as it seems fairly clear that it commemorates the setting up of the diocese of Kilfenora in that year.
Kilfenora is situated in the Burren region of County Clare. St Fachtna founded a monastery there during the sixth century. The present Cathedral was built between 1189 and 1200. There were originally seven crosses in Kilfenora and it was known as the city of the crosses, in 1821 one of its finest crosses was removed to Killaloe, of the remaining six crosses three are complete, these include the most famous of all, the Doorty Cross and also the West Cross.
