Association of Celtic Students

The landscape of Ireland is dotted with numerous reminders of the country’s medieval history. The finest examples of the skilled craftsmanship of medieval Irish artists are the high crosses created between the eighth and tenth centuries, associated with ecclesiastical sites of particular importance at the time, and displaying an extensive repertoire of finely carved decoration on stone. These iconic monuments are a familiar sight across the Irish landscape, marking the importance of ancient sites from the early Middle Ages to present times. Designed to showcase intricate carvings featuring decorative motifs and figural scenes from Scripture, the high crosses of Ireland have been the subject of extensive study. The richness of the high crosses’ iconographic motifs reflects the extent of the religious and cultural training of artists and patrons in early medieval Ireland. Market Cross, Kells, Co. Meath. Photograph taken by the author. In early Ireland, the creation of any art object ...