Above the village of Slane, the first Easter fire was lit by St. Patrick in 433
AD to symbolize the arrival of Christianity to Ireland. A monastery was built on
the Hill of Slane in the 6th century, but little is known about it. The ruins
atop the hill today are what remain of a Franciscan friary and college, having
been ravaged in turn by Vikings, Normans and Cromwell’s troops. This cross
design was developed and inspired by a cross at the present day ruins. The
shamrocks, of course, are a symbol of Ireland and seem to represent “everything
Irish”. The heart and rays streaming from it represent Christ, the Light of the
World. The small bosses of spirals represent spiritual growth. Along the sides
of the shaft we have added a well-known Irish blessing. “May your blessings
outnumber the shamrocks.”
