Survey Data
Reg No
22105091
Rating
National
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical
Original Use
Monument
In Use As
Monument
Date
1865 - 1875
Coordinates
207525, 140970
Date Recorded
09/10/2006
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Memorial to Scully family, erected 1870, comprising partly collapsed sandstone ringed cross standing over plinth containing mausoleum, with second, limestone, mausoleum of c.1880 to same family, standing adjacent to south. Cross plinth of rock-faced stone having entrance in west face, with inscribed lettering 'Ó Scolaidhe' and having carved stone frieze between base and bottom of cross, with Celtic Revival motifs and interlace. Shallow splayed base to cross proper, with steeper, flared section above, stonework assembled to give clinker effect, having square-plan section above again, with inscribed plaques, having Latin inscription to band above. Cross itself is Early Christian style with figure sculpture to base and rope moulding to corners of shaft and interlace and other motifs to panels. Top part of cross, including ring lies on ground to east of cross, having figure and abstract sculpture. Freestanding mausoleum has pitched roof of heavy slabs with cut limestone coping to front, rendered rubble side and rear walls and rock-faced west façade, latter with shouldered entrance having inscribed plaque set into chamfered recess above.
Appraisal
This immense high cross represents a significant artistic achievement. Its location is very fitting for its function as a memorial atop Saint Patrick's Rock at Cashel. It is one of the most striking monuments on the Rock, being visible clearly from the town. The cross has very finely executed sandstone work, with accomplished figure sculpture and interlace. The accompanying freestanding mausoleum forms a group with the cross and its limestone construction contrasts with that of the cross. The ringed top of the cross was sheared off by lightning in 1976.