Archaeology 360: St. Patrick's High Cross, Carndonagh, Co Donegal

First there were cross slabs (slabs of stone with crosses carved on them, like at Fahan Mura) and eventually there were the great High Crosses (like at Kells, Co. Meath). But … somewhere between the two lies St Patrick’s Cross at Carndonagh, Co. Donegal. Although art historians still argue over the dating of the sequence, it is generally thought that the cross at Carndonagh dates to the middle of the 7th century. The eastern face is decorated with ribbon interlace. The upper portion of the western face is filled with a Greek cross, in similar ribbon interlace while the lower stem bears a depiction of Christ in low relief. Flanking the cross are two pillar stones decorated with human figures. The pillar to the south of the cross had a carving of a figure with a bell that might be a bishop or pilgrim. Another face of the same stone bears an unusual figure, apparently bearing a fine set of horns. The northern pillar has depictions of a warrior (with shield) and King David (with harp). [Megalithic Ireland]

 


I’ve compiled the tour into a consecutive YouTube playlist [here], or you can access each video clip individually here:

 

Part I: East Face of the cross [1:11]

Part II: South side of the cross [1:03]

Part III: West Face of the cross [1:06]

Part IV: North side of the cross [1:07]

 

You can view this 360-degree video on an ordinary browser or on the dedicated YouTube app for your smartphone. However, for best results we recommend the more immersive experience that comes with an Oculus/Google Cardboard headset. Please feel free to Like and Share the video and Subscribe to the Archaeology 360 channel. If you’re feeling peculiarly generous and wish to help purchase snacks to sustain the Chapples Minor in the field, please drop something in the Tip Jar on this page.
Location: Gort Glebe, Carndonagh, Co. Donegal, Ireland

Comments

  1. Finola FinlayFebruary 26, 2023 at 7:04 PM

    Hi Robert - all I'm getting is a static view. I am obviously doing something wrong?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Robert M ChappleMarch 14, 2023 at 5:37 PM

      If you're watching on a desktop browser, you have to put the cursor on the screen, click to 'grab' and then move the view around.

      Delete

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