In a remote spot by the River Shannon the monastery Clonmacnois, was founded in
545 AD by St. Ciaran, on a fertile meadow surrounded by a bob. The name means
“the meadow of the son of Nos”. It could be reached only by river along a ridge
known as the Pilgrims’ Road. Clonmacnois lay at a crossroads of medieval routes,
linking all parts of Ireland. Known for its scholarship and piety, as well as a
sculpture workshop, it thrived from the 7th to the 12th century. The monastery
once had four high crosses; only two are intact today. The South Cross is
thought to date from the 8th century and so it would be the oldest at
Clonmacnois. It is 9 feet high and made of the three pieces of sandstone with
hatched molding. It marks a transition from the Ahenny crosses to the crosses
with biblical scenes, and has links with Iona in the adoption of raised bosses.
The vine in the bottom panel of the cross is inhabited with birds and animals,
is the Celtic version of the Tree of Life. The Tree of Life evoked life,
longevity, spiritual growth, rebirth and a ongoing search for spiritual
fulfillment.
