Emlagh High Cross

Emlagh was an early ecclesiastical site, founded by St Brocaidh of Imleach in the 5^th century. In 757AD the death of the monastery’s abbot, Dumhgnasach, is recorded. The construction of a road in 1837 cut straight through the site’s graveyard and church. The base of a cross, 0.3m in height, is almost buried in the road’s north bank. Other fragments of crosses from the graveyard are set-up on a plinth in a nearby field, believed to have been the site of the church.

These fragments are believed to have been part of at least two high crosses. The fragments include a cross-base with only the upper surface visible, 0.65m by 0.45m. The head of a granite cross with spandrels and central boss on each face, 0.45m in height and 0.65m wide. The granite cross fragment of two panels of interlace in relief on the south face and spiral on the north face, 0.95m tall. A limestone cross-fragment with interlace relief on east and west face, 0.45m tall. A limestone cross-fragment with interlace relief on the east face and incisions on the other sides, 0.95m tall. The final cross-fragment has very weathered interlace, 0.8m tall, and is supported by the first cross fragment described above.

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