Roscrea Cross

This striking cross is from Roscrea, which is one of Ireland's oldest and most historic towns.  The monk St. Cronan founded a monastic settlement here in the 6th century.  The west facade of the 12th century St. Cronan's Abbey still stands beside the Dublin-Limerick road.  Roascrea also has a 60ft high round tower and the Roscrea Castle, a 13th century Anglo-Norman fortress.  To the south of Rosecrea the gap of Devilsbit Mountain, according to folklore, was created when in a fit of anger the Devil bit out a chuck.  The taste was not to his liking so he spat it out.  The chunk landed 22 miles away, where it formed the Rock of Cashel.  The dominant design on this cross is the spiral; representing the continuous cycle of expansion and contraction of energies found in nature and in the quest for spiritual growth.

Co. Tipperary, Ireland

Dimensions: 14 x 5