County: Kildare Site name: St Colmcille’s Church, Rathmore
Sites and Monuments Record No.: KI020-09(06) Licence number: 08E0681
Author: Martin E. Byrne
Site type: Cross (medieval)
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 695912m, N 719522m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.217440, -6.563876
The existence of a previously unidentified cross base within the existing cemetery to the south of Rathmore Church of Ireland Church was noted during works associated with damp-proofing the southern and eastern sides of the structure in 2008 (Excavations 2008, no. 683). It was speculated by members of the congregation that the cross base might be associated with an earthfast cross, extending to a height of 0.74m, located immediately to the south of the church. The cross base is of granite and measures 0.47m x 0.33m (north–south x east–west) and 170mm high above ground surface level; it incorporates a slot measuring 0.27m x 0.19m (at top), 0.52m in depth, with slightly rounded corners and tapering to a base of 0.1m x 0.8m.
After consultation with the National Monuments Service, it was agreed that limited excavation at the cross could be undertaken to determine whether it might be associated with the cross base, with the ultimate possibility of re-erecting the cross in the base. Such investigations indicated that the cross, which is granite and with vestigial arms (max. extent tip to tip 0.36m), has a maximum length of 1.64m and is squared with rounded corners in section (max. 0.33m x 0.31m), tapering to a blunted base.
No. 370. Cross at St Colmcille’s Church, Rathmore.
Comparisons between the dimensions of the cross and the cross base indicate that they are not related and the cross will be re-erected at its present location.
Byrne Mullins & Associates, 7 Cnoc Na Greine Square, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare
