Stonemasonry was very important in Early Christian Ireland. Gifted stonemason monks carved what we call high crosses. A high cross is a free-standing stone cross, usually with elaborate carvings showing biblical scenes, for example of Adam and Eve or the Crucifi xion. Most people at the time could not read or write, so these scenes helped to teach Bible stories. Complex Celtic patterns surrounded these.
• Two of the most beautiful high crosses in Ireland are the Cross of the Scriptures in Clonmacnoise, Co. Offaly (late tenth century), and Muiredach’s Cross in Monasterboice, Co. Louth (mid-ninth to early tenth century).
COLLABORATE: Work together to come up with any examples of metalwork, manuscripts or high crosses from your local area.
CHECKPOINT!
1. Name three types of art produced by Irish monks. 2. What materials were used in the scriptorium? 3. Name two examples of metalwork from Early Christian Ireland. 4. Describe the kinds of decoration used on metalwork pieces. 5. Explain the term high cross. 6. Why did monks carve scenes from the Bible on high crosses?
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I can describe the different types of art produced by monks in Early Christian Ireland.
TIME TO GO BACK I CAN MOVE FORWARD
Muiredach’s cross in Monasterboice
Early Christian Irish art
WORKING WITH THE EVIDENCE! —————————————
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Study this photograph of the Cathach of St Columba’s Shrine (the cover that protects the Cathach manuscript). It was used as a protector by the O’Donnell clan when going into battle – ‘an Cathach’ means ‘the battler’.
1. What type of source is this shrine?
2. When is the Cathach believed to date from? Can you remember without checking?
3. Describe what you can see on the shrine.
4. The manuscript has been damaged and is incomplete. Name a disadvantage/limitation of this for a historian.
5. Why did monks produce decorated manuscripts and metalwork such as this shrine? 42
