Bealin High Cross, County Westmeath

Bealin High Cross

I came across a sign recently while cycling pointing to Baylin High Cross. 

The High Cross in question is better known as Bealin High Cross and is located in the townland of Twyford.

It dates to circa 800 C.E. and was probably commissioned by an Abbot from the ecclesiastical site of Clonmacnoise.

The High Cross is mentioned to have been moved to its present location sometime in the 1700's from an area close by near a Holy Well however it is also mooted as originating at Clonmacnoise and again as originating in an ancient graveyard.

This means that the true origins of the Bealin High Cross remain for the moment a mystery.

The Cross has some wonderful carvings depicting animals, hunting scenes, a mounted horseman and deer and dogs however it is slightly weather worn.

There is also interlaced knotwork and geometric patterns carved onto it. The "Celtic" style upper ring is  badly damaged but this doesn't detract from its overall appearance too much. 

 

The photographs shown here cannot do it justice as it was possibly one of the worst days for trying to take pictures with mist and murkiness all around.

I have read that an inscription on the Cross in Irish reads - A prayer for Tuathgail (Tuathgal) who had this Cross made.

 

On the day I visited it was wet, misty and damp and combined with my lack of glasses I couldn't see much and didn't see this inscription for myself.

I find it staggering that artifacts and antiquities such as this 1200 year old High Cross are dotted about the countryside.

These exquisite Crosses are believed to originally have been brightly painted and many may have been used for instruction or teaching about the various scenes often depicted on them. 

This would chiefly apply to the more elaborate Crosses which have multiple biblical scenes depicted I presume.

A hundred yards up a slight hill and crossing a barbed wire fence will bring you quickly to the site of the Cross. It is well worth a visit if like me you find Irish High Crosses interesting.

Coordinates here:

53.43530876753858 - 7.8449833751170575

Sketch of the Bealin High Cross Carvings by H.S. Crawford.

Keep the wheels turning.