Tau Cross / Cross Inneenboy

Tau Cross, also known as Cross Inneenboy, translates to ‘the cross of the daughter of Baoth’. Tau Cross originally stood on Roughan Hill but is now in the Clare Heritage Museum. A replica of the cross now stands on Roughan Hill. This T-shaped cross was carved from one piece of limestone, with a height of 0.43m and width across the arms of 0.69m. In its original setting the Tau Cross was orientated NE-SW and set into a larger rock outcrop. The T-shape, similar to a crozier, are found in many places in the locale, including a grave slab, and on two high crosses. These similarities in decoration and location have led experts to believe that the Tau Cross was part of an ancient pilgrimage route, acting as a Romanesque boundary marker, in North Clare.

The shaft of Tau Cross has three chamfered edges. Both arms of the cross have carved heads facing upwards, with three raised transverse ribs placed between them. Both heads are identical, with hoods and long straight necks, and looking at each other. Each arm has the typical slight rise above the horizontal and curved underneath, in the Tau style.

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