Ahenny High Crosses

These high crosses from Ahenny form part of a group of high crosses identified within the medieval kingdom of Ossory. Other areas with high crosses are Kilkieran, Tibberaghny, Killamery and Kilree – collectively known as the Ossory Group. In early medieval Ireland, the Kingdom of Ossory was a powerful buffer state between the Laigin to the north and Eoghanacht to the west.

The Kingdom of Ossory was home to the Osraige people ruled by the Dál Birn, from the 1^st century to the 12^th century Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland. Gilla Patráic mac Donnchada, was king of Osraige from 976 to 996, and his descendants went by the name of Mac Giolla Phádraig of Ossory (Son of the Devotee of St Patrick) better known as Fitzpatrick. Bernard Fitzpatrick, 2^nd Baron of Castletown and Upper Ossory, and husband to Clare St. Leger of Doneraile Court Cork, was known, until his death, in 1937 as Mac Giolla Phádraig.

The two Ahenny high crosses are found in the monastic site of Kilclispen, 7km from Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary and date to the 8^th century. Both high crosses replaced earlier wooden versions. The first high cross, known as the north cross, is found on an east facing slope within the Kilclispen graveyard. This high cross, made of sandstone, measures 3.65m in height and has a conical capstone, thought to represent a bishop’s mitre. Visible intricate designs decorate the entire high cross. Starting at the steeped base, all four sides are adorned. A procession with a chariot is seen on the north side; a headless body on top of a horse with birds attacking the corpse and a man to the rear carrying a head is seen on the south side, also interpreted as David bring a defeated Goliath to Jerusalem; Adam naming animals is depicted on the east side, and seven cloaked figures carrying staffs on the west side is thought to depict a mission of the apostles. Its symbolism and craftsmanship lends a fascinating insight to early Irish Christianity.

The second high cross, known as the south cross measures 3.35m in height and its design is that of a ringed high cross with a low conical capstone. Again, carved out of sandstone and is highly decorated all over. The base is intricately carved on all four sides with each side divided in two by a cross relief. On the north side a hunting scene is depicted; on the south side this hunting scene continues with a person falling; on the east face it is interpreted that Daniel is in the lion’s den; on the west there is a carving but is now too worn to be deciphered.

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This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014