Kilkieran High Cross
Kilkieran is a beautiful place to visit at any time and the fact that there are actually three
High Crosses here along with numerous other objects of interest is really just an added bonus.
The area is also called Castletown townland and it's quite picturesque and surrounded by pleasant green countryside and small rolling hills in Kilkenny.
The name is derived from combining the Irish word for Church, Cill, with Kieran to arrive at Kilkieran, although which Kieran seems to be anyones guess as I can find no definitive answer to this.
Was it named after Ciarán of Clonmacnoise,
Ciarán of Saighir, or a completely different Ciarán altogether (Kieran), who knows?
There is no church standing there now however the ruins of a stone church were converted into a mausoleum which fell into disrepair
but has now been tidied up and consists of a small rectangular slab surrounded by what remains of the walls.
The site is very well maintained and while there I had a nice chat with a local man who was pulling Ivy off the walls of the enclosure.
There is a very unusual High Cross here which is one of the few in Ireland that doesn't have a "Celtic Cross" type ring that are generally associated with most of these Crosses.
It is a tall slim Cross with notches carved into the shaft and it's quite beautiful in its setting.
Of the other two High Crosses, one is an undecorated Cross while another has a depiction of eight horsemen on its base and is richly decorated with carvings.
There is also the decorated shaft of a fourth High Cross here but its carvings are badly weathered and hard to make out.
The Kilkieran High Crosses are believed to date from the 8th or 9th Century.
These High Crosses belong to the "Ossory Group" of Crosses, Ossory being once an ancient Irish Kingdom.
Two of the High Crosses have caps which are interpreted by some to represent Mitres, a type of hat worn by Bishops.
A peculiar and interesting little Standing Stone is located near the undecorated Cross and there are a variety of Millstones and Bullaun Stones at Kilkieran which were unearthed in the general area and placed here.
Saint Kierans Well is also located here and there is a large Bullaun or Font beside it. Its waters are reputedly a curative for headaches or pains of the head.
In a corner near the entrance is a modern post stone marked "Strangers Corner" which I found to be a touching marker for those who rest here unknown but not unremembered.
It struck me as a poignant reminder of just how fortunate we often are and sometimes take this for granted.
There is probably more local history associated with Strangers Corner but I haven't any more information on this.
I reached Kilkieran when the weather was overcast and misty so my photographs don't properly represent the beauty of the area.
The collection of varied Bullaun Stones held my attention and curiosity for a while and overall I really enjoyed my trip to this tranquil and secluded site which was wonderful to vist.
A collection of Bullaun Stones at Kilkieran.
Signage board at Kilkieran.
The undecorated High Cross at Kilkieran.
Pictured below is the small Standing Stone at Kilkieran.
A marker to remember those who are interred at Kilkieran but were unknown, possibly travellers on the road or paupers.
Coordinates Here :
52°23'53.8"N 7°22'44.9"W
52.398288 - 7.379141
Sites nearby to visit
Killamery High Cross Here :
Ahenny High Cross Here :
Kilree Round Tower and High Cross Here :
Kells Priory Here :
Possible Road Trip in Ossory, pictured below :
