Drumcliffe Cross XP54

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.

'Beloved to my heart also in the West Drumcliffe, at Culcinne's strand'

This line is from a poem attributed to St Columcille (or St. Columba as he is also known) the founded of the monastery at Drumcliffe. He was born in Donegal, a member of a royal family. He studied at bardic and monastic schools and after his ordination he travelled Ireland and founded several monastic settlements, including Derry, near his own birthplace Durrow and Kells.

On one of his journeys he made a hurried copy of the Book of Psalters belonding to St. Finnian of Moville. A dispute arose about the owenership of the copy and the High King of Ireland Diarmuid gave the famous judgement 'to every cow its calf, to every book its copy'. Shortly after this event a fugitive from King Diarmuidsought sanctuary with Columcille, Diarmuid's men pursed him and violating the law of sanctuary, killed him. Columcille responded with anger and called on his royal kinsman for support. There followed a bloody battle at Cuil-Drienne at which the king was defeated.

Columcille was overcome with remorse. He felt that his copyright argument with the High King had provoked Diarmuid to violate the sanctuary leading to the battle. It is unclear whether he was sent into exile by a Synod or whether exile was a self-imposed penance - in any event Columcille left for Scotland where he founded more well-known monastic settlements. Columcille made one famous return journey to Ireland to the Council of Druim Ceat in County Meath. He visited Clonmacnoise and on his journey up the West Coast of Cligo he founded the monastic settlement of Drumcliffe not far from the scene of the fateful battle. He is said to have left the bishop's crozer there as a sign of his love.

The magnificent cross erected there later is a tribute to the family of Columcille who were patrons of the Church for generations. The cross has fantastic animals in full relief as well as Scriptural scenes. The grave of the poet William Butler Yeats is nearby. It is marked by a stone which bears his epitaph 'Cast a cold eye on life, on death, Horseman pass by'.

Sterling silver pendant and chain made in Ireland.

Pendant comes with a 22" chain.

Drumcliffe Cross XP54