Cross of Duleek XP56

Welcome to the Celtic High Cross Collection by Ogham. Each cross is a miniature work of art and is an authentic copy back and front of the east and west side of the original cross.

Each Celtic Cross is handcrafted in our workshop by our master Goldsmiths who have taken great care to reproduce the detail and originality of these ancient monuments.

Each cross is hall marked by the Company of Goldsmiths in Dublin Castle, an independent stage appointed body that authenticates the precious metal content of each piece. Together with the maker's mark this is your guarantee of premium quality.

A little book, included with each cross, will provide you with the background history and folklore associated with each of the Crosses.

Duleek was an important ecclesiastical center in the early Christian centuries and its Cross is unusual and very interesting. It was founded by St. Ciaran (or Kennean) who was himself baptised by St.Patrick in 472 AD. Here he built the first stone church recorded in Ireland. The name of the town comes from the Irish 'daimh liag', a house of stones. The center grew and flourished for more than 700 years and aerial photographs of the town show how the esslesiastical boundaries still impose themselves on the street plan today.

Duleek became as important as Armagh, Clonard or Clonmacnoise and included hospitals, almshouses and sanctuaries. It was a resting place for the bodies of Brian Boru and his son-in law where they lay in state on their way to burial in Armagh in 1014 after the Battle of Clontarf. Later an Augustinian priory was set up there by the O'Kelly family. When the Norma, Hugh de Lacy built himself a castle nearby he granted the Church of St. Ciaran to the Augustinians of Gloucestershire in 1180. Ironically, the Normans had themselves pillaged the Priory a few years earlier.

The unusual feature of the High Cross is that one face, the East face, is completely covered in Celtic curvilinear and geometric designs. At the bottom on the West face there is a scene with three figures which may be the Holy Family of it may be the presentation of our Lord in the Temple. Above are two panels each with two figures facing, with one hands clasped, one with hands raised, at the center is a Crucifixion scene and at the top of the cross a scene from the story of the monastery. The story tells how St. Adamnon visited the tomb of St. Ciaran where his body lay undisturbed. St. Adamnon broke the rule and touched the body whereupon his eye was struck ou. Later as he fasted as a penance and his eye was miraculously restored.

The top panel shows the Restoration. On the East face there appears to be a symbolic vine, while the center shows a design with seven bosses. Early Irish artists constructed everything with 'meaning and exactitude' (Hilary Richardson, 1984). They adopted the designs of the Celts and developed a new symbolic language using design and the symbolism of numbers to convey the Christian message.

Sterling silver pendant and chain.

Made in Ireland

Pendant comes with a 22" chain.

Cross of Duleek XP56