The Nethercross, Finglas, Dublin

 The Nethercross, Finglas, Dublin

The County of Dublin is a Patchwork Quilt of villages. 

Look a little closer or dig a little deeper and you will find the evidence of village life from medieval, Viking, early Christian, Celtic and even prehistoric settlement dotted about the County.

Indeed places such as Ballyfermot, Finglas, Blackrock, Blanchardstown and Ballymun were once not huge and sprawling suburbs housing a growing population but were instead a myriad of small interconnected settlements, villages and ecclesiastical sites.

Small reminders of the past and various artefacts and antiquities are visual clues as to previous settlement and land usage throughout the County. 

Often these reminders are right in front of us and we have become so accustomed to our modern environment that we don't even see them as we pass by.

The Church of Saint Canice and the Nethercross in Finglas are one such reminder.

The Nethercross is located in the medieval Church ruins of Saint Canice in Finglas where it's believed the Saint founded a Monastery which preceded the present Church ruins located on the site.

 

The High Cross originally stood at a place nearby called Watery Lane but was buried in 1649 to save it from destruction by Cromwellian troops who had arrived in Ireland. 

It remained buried and forgotten for 160 years until a Reverend Robert Walsh determined to find it.

 

He thankfully succeeded and the High Cross is on public display in the Church Graveyard.

The name of the Cross originates from the terms Uppercross and Nethercross (Lowercross). 

These were two Baronies. Nethercross included Finglas, Ballymun and several other civil parishes in north County Dublin.

The High Cross is a large ringed imperforate granite Cross. A Cross in relief is carved onto one face and there are also spiral designs carved onto it. 

While not as elaborately carved as some other Crosses it is nonetheless quite beautiful in its understated simplicity.

It is believed that the original Abbey of Saint Canice here at Finglas was attacked several times by Vikings and had succumbed by the 9th or 10th century to ruination.

In 2004 the grave of a high status Viking woman was uncovered in Finglas village. 

A wooden box, Brooches and an antler comb were among some of the items found at the burial site. 

These are on display at the archaeological museum in Dublin.

There are several interesting family vaults and gravestones in the graveyard at Saint Canice's Church.

The Church ruin, High Cross and graveyard are kept locked. Access can be gained through calling at a nearby Cottage and asking the Keyholder for the key. 

Library Ireland - Finglas

Holinshed revisited - Old Saint Canice's Church

Saint Canice Conservation - Dublin City Council

There is a contemporary Celtic Cross memorial to Brigadier Dick McKee, an IRA volunteer who was murdered in Dublin Castle in 1920 in tit for tat reprisal for the assassinations of British agents on Bloody Sunday in Dublin, 1920.

Keep the wheels turning.