I went looking for this little cross a while ago and had passed it twice before finally finding it. Tucked away on the side of a small country road just outside Ballymore Eustace in Co. Kildare. Its about half a mile away from the old Coughlanstown churchyard, but as usual I had run out of time and needed to be heading home, with just enough time to grab a few shots of this interesting little cross. It is actually enclosed with wooden fencing which made getting shots quite difficult, but I presume the fencing was erected to protect the cross from traffic.
There is not a whole lot known about the cross, which is quite basic in design. Carved from granite at a height of 1.33 meters, the shaft measures .36 meters with the arms at .73 meters. It honestly looks like an early Christian cross. But who knows. The National Monuments Service website claims that it may have possibly been erected on a cross base in the nearby graveyard. But then how the hell did it end up half a mile down the road? One local tradition gives an alternative explanation for its current location. The story goes, that the cross was being transported from Tipperkevin to Coughlanstown when the cart on which it was being transported broke and the cross fell off. Apparently the cross was too heavy to lift, so it remained in its current location on the side of the road. Either way it is a rather unusual little find. I would love to know more about it or how old it is. If anyone can help, I would love to hear from you.
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Ed Mooney Photography 
I wonder if there is a grave under it…
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I cant say, according to the local story it would seem not, but then again, who knows 🙂
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Ed, I would like to know your process a little more. Do you usually read about the area first, and then go look for things? Thanks in advance! 😉
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Hi Helen,
Normally I will research a site before visiting. The National Monuments website is a good starting point if it is pre 1700. Then the library, scouring through old books or sometimes you might find interesting stuff on the Google machine, although I always like to confirm anything I find online, just to be safe.
My favorite way to get info on a site is to speak with locals, they have a vast knowledge that you just cant get anywhere else. It does not always happen that way but when it does you end up with some rather interesting stories.
Once in a while I will come across a site that I know nothing about, so I shoot it and research later, I always mark these on my GPS so I can find the town land in which it was, this makes identifying it later much simpler.
Hope this answers your question? 🙂
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Very unusual design whateever the period.
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Looks to be a rough early christian design 🙂
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What a quirky little find! How intriguing!
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I thought so, nice to see it protected aswell 🙂
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Ed, you continually open our eyes to the wonders of our past. I’m nagging, but there should be a book—–or even a series of postcards.
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Thanks Hugh, all in good time mate. If its any conciliation I did a piece for an irish photography magazine. You can download it here, http://www.dublin-photography-school.com/DPS_Snapshot_Magazine_-_free_online_irish_photography_magazine_.html
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It looks good, however it got there! Interesting that even if it did fall off a cart, someone decided to erect it. It looks very crudely shaped. Are there masonry marks or chisel marks visible? Could it possibly be a stone that is simply this shape? Whatever it is, I love it!
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Thank you, any sign of masonry marks would have been well eroded by the weather. To me it looks like the basic cross designs from early christian times, glad you liked it 🙂
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Reblogged this on Art History Ramblings.
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Can’t help with the mystery, but I do love the local legend of it.
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A really lovely little find, Ed! I like the folk tale that goes with it. It seems that stones and crosses had a very strong power over horses and carts (and the people who drove them!)
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Thanks Jo, so it had nothing to do with a bottle of whiskey then, 😱
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Haha, you might have hit on the answer to them all, Ed!
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I like its simplicity. And it’s chubby. I like that, too.
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🙂
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As always, your photos are great and the commentary interesting. You are the King Of Irish Photography! 🙂
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Thanks Daniel, you are too kind, glad you liked it 🙂
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No problem! Your photos are vacations… I can visit Ireland without moving, and see it through another’s eyes. It is like some perfect sci fi experience!
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🙂
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there’s something very friendly and welcoming, especially in the third photo.
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That is a good point. the cross seems to be in its own little grotto: a little spiritual treasure waiting for anyone who seeks its comfort. 🙂
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Glad you liked it Cheryl 🙂
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HI Ed – nice article on this cross – I have been researching my own familky roots in Ballymore Eustace – Elverstown in fact . I passed the cross recently on my way to coughlanstown church – graveyard to investigate a piece of info about my families lost burial plot – would you believe I discovered the plot and a headstone dating back to the 18oo’s with a very clear inscription relating to my great great great grandparents and their daughter. The history of this area goes way back and the Eustace family seemed to have been very prominent . Indeed there is a small baptismal font in the old church dating to the 1400’s and mentioning Eustace Portlester. My family grave is just outside this near the outside wall. interested in any further info myself Rgds John R
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