A Timeless Symbol of Celtic Ireland.

Throughout Ireland and Scotland, the Celts crafted these magnificent symbols in stone. Celtic Crosses predate Christianity and were first used by the pagans to worship the Sun. In pagan times the circle of the cross represented the Sun, being the centre of their lives. It was not until the 4th century AD when it was introduced by the first Christian Emperor Constantine, that the Celtic Cross was used to represent Christ's victory.

During the great conversion of many pagans to Christianity, Christian philosophers adapted the Celtic Cross, and taught the meaning of the circle to represent Christ, the centre of Christianity.

This handmade sterling silver Celtic Cross is double sided and two dimensional.

It measures 22.7mm wide and 33mm high. It ships on a 22" belcher chain.

It is hallmarked at the Assay Office in Dublin. Your sign of quality Irish jewelry.

A distinctive sterling silver Celtic Cross

Dotted around Ireland, the celtic cross comes in many styles and sizes,

from ornate ones to plain ones, from small to very big crosses. Skillfuly crafted in Dublin this small sterling silver celtic cross is symbolic of the many crosses found on the island.

Measures 16.6mm wide and 23.9mm tall(approx 1/2" x 7/8"), hallmarked and assayed in Dublin, Ireland.  

- - - - - Ideal Gift for someone making their First Communion.- - - - -

A distinctive sterling silver Celtic Cross.

Dotted around Ireland, the celtic cross comes in many styles and sizes,

from ornate ones to plain ones, from small to very big crosses. Skillfuly crafted in Dublin this medium sterling silver celtic cross is symbolic of the many crosses found on the island. Enjoy this piece of classic Irish jewelry.

Cross measures.(approx 3/4" x 1")

Hallmarked and assayed in Dublin, Ireland.

This would make a nice communion gift.

A distinctive sterling silver Celtic Cross.

Dotted around Ireland, the celtic cross comes in many styles and sizes,

from ornate ones to plain ones, from small to very big crosses. Skillfuly crafted in Dublin this large sterling silver celtic cross is symbolic of the many crosses found on the island.

Cross measures 21.4mm wide and 30.6mm tall.(approx 7/8' x 1.1/2")

Hallmarked and assayed in Dublin, Ireland.

This would make a nice confirmation gift.

Step back in Time

In 1868 two farmers found a horde of treasure in a field in Ardagh, Co. Limerick. Included in the horde was a Chalice meticiously decorated with many precious stones, it stands with pride in the National Museum, Ireland. It is the Ardagh Chalice, believed to be from the 8th century it is the finest piece of early century Irish jewelry found.

Drawn by the Shield decoration of the Chalice's rim, the Celtic Warrior jewelry collection was created. The finest piece of the Collection is this Sterling Silver Warrior Cross. Gift this to one of your Irish friends.

Hallmarked in Ireland, you'll love this beautiful Cross. It measures approx  3/4" by 1.1/8" tall. Ships with an 18 or 22" chain.

The Cross of Scriptures

Clonmacnoise,Co Offaly was a center of classical and religious learning. Known as the city of the seven churches, it was founded by St Ciaran in 580AD.

The Cross of Scriptures which stands approx 45 metres tall is one of the most elaborate and intricate celtic crosses there. It features both Scriptural and Contemporary scenes as well as animals and birds. 

Handcrafted in Dublin of sterling silver, this fine Celtic Cross is an authentic copy back and front of the east and west face of the original cross. It would make an excellent Irish gift for communions, confirmations or graduations. It is an unmatched piece of Irish jewelry and it measures 37 x 16mm (1 3/8 x 5/8" approx). It includes an 18" chain.

Hallmarked in Ireland.

The city of seven churches, Clonmacnoise, was founded by St Ciaran in 548AD and lasted a thousand years. Today it is a quiet ruined abbey, but at its full flowering it was a bustling important centre, a university city on a major Irish highway- the River Shannon.

Clonmacnoise was a centre of classical and religious learning, of art, calligraphy, design, and of gold and silver craftsmanship. Kuno Meyer, the German Scholar who was professor of Irish at the University of Liverpool at the turn of this century. wrote of this period that'Ireland drew upon herself the attention of the whole world as the great seminary of Christian and classical learning'. 

Clonmacnoise grew and prospered and by 800 AD a Gaelic poet was writing:

Ailill the king is vanished,

Vanished Croghan's fort,

Kins to Clonmacnoise now,

Come to pay their court little places taken,

First by twos and threes,

are like Rome reborn,

Peopled sanctuaries.

(translation Frank O'Connor 'Kings,Lords and Common". New York 1959)

It was around this time that the Cross of the Scriptures was carved and erected. It has elaborate carvings both of Scriptural and contemporary scenes as well as animals and birds. One panel on the East face shows an ecclesiastic and a warrior with a sword and between them and a staff with leaves or flowers. It is intriguing to think that htis may depict St Ciaran's staff, and the panel may be showing ' a swearing on the staff' a custom which is known to have existed but the details of which are lost.

The Last Judgment is shown at the centre on the East face and on the West face, the Crucifixion. There is a lovely touch at the bottom of the West shaft where there is a panel showing Our Lord's body in the tomb. Two snoozing soldiers are sitting on the tomb while Our Lord's mouth a small bird breaths life - a symbol of his imminent resurrection.    

"The Cross of Muirdeach in Monesterboice Co Louth"

One of the most beautiful Celtic Crosses still standing, the main scripture on the circular head on the West side is an elaborate Crucifixition scene. The East face depicts the Last judgement. Believed to be built around 900 AD.

Handcrafted in Dublin of sterling silver, this piece of Celtic Cross jewelry is an authentic copy back and front of the east and west face of the original cross.

The cross measures 27 x 12mm. It is shipped on an 18".  It is hallmarked in Ireland.

The Cross of Muiredach at Monasterboice in Co. Louth is one of the most beautiful of the Irish High Crosses still standing. At the base of the West side can still be seen the inscription in Irish "OR DO MUIREDACH LASNDERNAD IN CHROS" which when translated reads "A prayer for Muiredach, for whom this cross was made". Most scholars think that this applied to Muiredach, son of Domhaill, an abbot of Monasterboice who died about AD922.

The main sculpture on the circular head on the west face is an elaborate Crucifixion scene while on the eastern face there is an even more interesting and elaborate Last Judgement. The face of the shaft on the west side shows incidents in the Life of our Lord, incidents from the Old Testament, stories from the lives of the Saints and symbolic figures. However, the scenes on our High crosses are not confined to biblical and religious subjects only and there are scenes on the Muiredach Cross that are open to different interpretations. The scenes on the shaft of the cross are read from the bottom up. These are said to represent Christ seized in the Garden; The Incredulity of Thomas is said to be thrusting his hand into Our Lord's side; and Christ seated between Peter and Paul, giving the keys to the one and The Book of the Gospel to the other.

Henry Morris suggested a more colorful interpretation the bottom panel depicts two Viking soldiers roughly seizing a central figure the Celtic Abbot. In the panel above the same two "Vikings" are shown wearing ecclesiastical robes, while the central figure, clean shaven and with a coronal tonsure as before, has his hand raised in a blessing. In the top panel all three ecclesiastics have Viking moustaches, and thye hold the Keys and the Book of Gospels. This is the story of the encounter of the Abbot with the viking invaders; their conversion in time to Christianity and acceptance as monks at Monasterboice, and finally a time when a Viking becomes the Abbot of the monastery.

"The Cross of Muirdeach in Monesterboice Co Louth"

One of the most beautiful Celtic Crosses still standing, the main scripture on the circular head on the West side is an elaborate Crucifixition scene. The East face depicts the Last judgement. Believed to be built around 900 AD.

Handcrafted in Dublin of sterling silver, this piece of Celtic Cross jewelry is an authentic copy back and front of the east and west face of the original cross.

The cross measures 1.75" x .75" It is shipped on an 18".  It is hallmarked in Ireland.

The Cross of Muiredach at Monasterboice in Co. Louth is one of the most beautiful of the Irish High Crosses still standing. At the base of the West side can still be seen the inscription in Irish "OR DO MUIREDACH LASNDERNAD IN CHROS" which when translated reads "A prayer for Muiredach, for whom this cross was made". Most scholars think that this applied to Muiredach, son of Domhaill, an abbot of Monasterboice who died about AD922.

The main sculpture on the circular head on the west face is an elaborate Crucifixion scene while on the eastern face there is an even more interesting and elaborate Last Judgement. The face of the shaft on the west side shows incidents in the Life of our Lord, incidents from the Old Testament, stories from the lives of the Saints and symbolic figures. However, the scenes on our High crosses are not confined to biblical and religious subjects only and there are scenes on the Muiredach Cross that are open to different interpretations. The scenes on the shaft of the cross are read from the bottom up. These are said to represent Christ seized in the Garden; The Incredulity of Thomas is said to be thrusting his hand into Our Lord's side; and Christ seated between Peter and Paul, giving the keys to the one and The Book of the Gospel to the other.

Henry Morris suggested a more colorful interpretation the bottom panel depicts two Viking soldiers roughly seizing a central figure the Celtic Abbot. In the panel above the same two "Vikings" are shown wearing ecclesiastical robes, while the central figure, clean shaven and with a coronal tonsure as before, has his hand raised in a blessing. In the top panel all three ecclesiastics have Viking moustaches, and thye hold the Keys and the Book of Gospels. This is the story of the encounter of the Abbot with the viking invaders; their conversion in time to Christianity and acceptance as monks at Monasterboice, and finally a time when a Viking becomes the Abbot of the monastery.

The Cross of Kells

The Cross of St Patrick and St Columba is an authentic copy of the  front and back faces of the original High Cross in Kells, Co Meath. The scenes depicted in the panels are from the Old and New Testaments. All these Celtic High crosses are beautiful to see in person, if you can't do that, do the next best thing and wear an exact replica of the cross.

Handcrafted in Dublin of sterling silver. This unique Irish Cross measures 40 x 22mm(approx 1 1/2 x 3/4") and includes an 18" chain. It is shipped with a small booklet about the Irish High Crosses.

Hallmarked in Ireland.

The Cross stands in Kells, Co.Meath. Columba founded a monastic settlement in Iona, an island off the coast of Scotland in 561. It was plundered repeatedly by Vikings and in 806 the surviving monks moved to Kells. It was here that Ireland's best collection of High Crosses was assembled. The Cross of kells, like the other local crosses, is weatherworn but it is still possible to discern its great beauty and unusual features.

The scenes depicted in the panels of the cross are from the Old and New Testaments. 

The Cross of Cashel

This is a joyous piece of Celtic cross jewelry, It was originally erected in Cashel in 1895 to celebrate the silver jubilee of Thomas Croke, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly from 1875 to 1902.

The Cross of Cashel is a celebratory cross. The front face has three panels, the bottom one mentions Cormac of Cashel, the one above St Albe of Emly and the top panels features Celtic style designs. The reverse of the cross has Celtic designswith interlace, spirals and zoomorphic patterns in the Celtic Art tradition. 

This cross has been faithfully replicated by skilled jewelers in Ireland. It measures 33 x 14mm(1 3/8 x 1/2"approx) and ships with an 18' chain.

Hallmarked in Ireland, the sign of quality Irish jewelry.

"The Cross of Durrow"

The High Cross of Ireland Collection features the Cross of Durrow in Co Offaly. It is from the 10th century and typically shows scenes from the Old and New Testaments. The main scene is of the crucifixition with soldiers at the tomb at the foot of the cross. The reverse (East face)shows the triumph of Christ- Christ in judgement. 

Handcrafted in Dublin of sterling silver, the cross is an authentic copy back and front of the east and west face of the original cross. It would make an excellent Irish gift for communion, confirmation or graduations. It is shipped with an 18" chain. and measures 39 x 19mm(1 1/2 x 3/4" approx).  

Hallmarked in Ireland.

'Before he passed into Britian he built a noble monastary in Ireland which, from the great numbers of oaks is... called dermach, the field of oaks'. That is how an early writer described the founding of the monastary at Durrow by St Columba - also know as St Columcille.

Durrow is almost at the centre of Ireland. Only a few fragments remain of the buildings that were erected during and after the lifetime of St Columba who died in 597 AD. One beautiful Celtic Cross remains, the cross now known as the Cross of Durrow.

At the base of this cross is a barley legible inscription which reads 'Pray for Dubtach who erected this cross' Dubtach was the head of the Columban order between 927 and 938 AD. The cross, in white sandstone, is very sensitively carved. The West face of the cross has the scene of the Crucifixion. The scenes below probably represent incidents in the Passion. At the foot of the cross there are soldiers at the tomb. The East face shows the triumph of Christ - Christ in Judgment. Nearby is David with a harp or lyre. His psalms were recited almost continously in the monasteries so he was a very revered figure. On this face there is also a representation of the sacrifices of Isaac and at the bottom three figures with angels. Is this the Trinity, or the Holy Family? It may indeed be both. There are many beautiful panels of varying interlace design. This was a most important cross, a sign of the importance of Durrow. We get a further glimpse of the importance of the monastary of Durrow in the Long Room of the Library of Trinity College, Dublin. Many visitors go to see the Book of Kells with its magnificant designs and lettering. Not so many know about the Book of Durrow, a copy of the Gospels made almost a thousand years earlier that is also on display in the Long Room. It is a smaller carefully planned volume. There are 'carpet' pages of design facing the opening pages of the Gospels, beautiful initial capital letters at the beginning of each Gospel and a full page symbol for each of the Four Evangelists. 

Finely crafted Ahenny High Cross.

Ahenny is an unusual place, a graveyard with two ancient and striking Celtic Crosses. The crosses differ from most ancient monastic crosses in that there is nothing in the annals to explain why they are there.

You will be pleased they are there as this is a beautifully sculputured cross with spirals and bosses. Faithfully recreated by skilled craftsmen in Dublin this piece of Irish High Cross jewelry is available in sterling silver.

The measurements of the cross are 32 x 16mm(1 1/4 x 5/8" approx). It ships with an 18" chain.

According to local legend there were once three crosses in Ahenny, but that the most beautiful was stolen  and lost at sea. Local legend also has it that the crosses marked the burial place of seven bishops of the early Irish Church. This in itself would be unusual as Irish High Crosses do not typify living persons and were situated in thriving monastic communities not burial sites.

Scholars believe that the Ahenny crosses were carved at an early date, perhaps in the 8th century. Our cross is a reproduction of the North Ahenny Cross. 

The faces have no scriptural carvings  but are most beautifully decorated. At the centre of the cross are five projecting bosses, reminding us of St martin's Cross in Iona, and indicating the importance of Ahenny in the past. The head and the shaft of the cross are covered in elaborate spiral, interface and fret designs. Dr Peter Harbison in his scholarly work "High Crosses of Ireland" describes the head of the West face as covered like a spider's web with a single panel of intricately composed coiled spirals. The faces and ring of the cross are surrounded by a high relief rope molding adding. The rest of the decoration is in low relief suggesting that the cross must have been origianlly been colored. It is only through coloration that the impressive detailed work of the sculptor could have been fully appreciated.

The High Cross of Duleek

This cross is a miniature work of art and is an authentic copy back and front of the east and west face of the Duleek Cross. Duleek is the site of the first recorded stone church built in Ireland. It's cross is unusual in that one face, the east face is covered in Celtic curvilinear and geometric designs. The west face has a crucifixion in it's centre.

This cross of the High Cross jewelry collection is handcrafted in sterling silver and hallmarked in Ireland. It measures 39 x19mm(1 1/2 x 3/4" approx) and ships with an 18" chain. 

Give this cross to someone as an unique Irish Gift.

The town of Duleek comes from the Irish 'Daimh liag' a house of stones. The centre grew and flourished for mor ethan 700 years and aerial photographs of the town show how the ecclestical boundaries still impose themselves on the street plan today.

Duleek became as important as Armagh, Clonard or Clonmacnoise and included hospitals, almhouse and sanctuaries. It was a resting place for the bodies of Brian Boru and his son in law where they lay in state on their way to burial in Armagh in 1014 after the Battle of Clontarf. Later an Augustian priory was set up there by the O'Kelly family. When the Norman Hugh De Lacy built himself a castle nearby he granted the Church of St Ciaran to the Augustinians of Gloucestershire in 1180. Ironically the Normans had themselves pillaged the Priory a few years earlier.

The unusual feature of the High Cross is that one face, the East face, is completely covered in Celtic curvilinear and geometric designs. At the bottom on the West face there is a scene with three figures which may be the Holy Family or it may be the presentation of Our Lord in the Temple. Above are two panels each with two figures facing, one with hands clasped, one with hands raised, at the centre is a Crucifixion scene and at the top of the cross a scene from the story of the monsatery. The story tells how St Adamnon visited the tomb of St Ciaran where his body lay undisturbed. St Adamnon broke the rule and touched the body whereupon his eye was struck out. Later he fasted as a penance and his eye was miraculously restored.

The top panel shows the Restoration. On the East face there appears to be a symbolic vine, while the centre shows a design with seven bosses. Early Irish artists constructed everything with meaning and exactitude. They adopted the designs of the Celts and developed a new symbolic language using design and the symbolism of numbers to convey the Christian message. 

The Carndonagh Cross

Originally Carndonagh was a bishopric, thought to have been established by St Patrick himself. Because this cross does not have the ring that we all associate with Celtic Crosses it was thought it must have been erected in the 7th or 78th centuries - a forerunner to the ringed cross. now scholars consider the carvings to be made in the 9th or 10th century.

The High Cross jewelry collection are exact replicas of the original and are handcrafted by skilled jewelers in Ireland. These crosses would make great Irish gifts for any occasion.

The cross is made of sterling silver and measures 30 x 11mm(1 1/4 x 3/8" approx.) and ships with an 18"chain.

Its intricate interlace patterns are similar to the decoration found in the pages of a late 10th century Irish psalter. The figure on the shaft of the West face is thought to represent either the Crucifixion or Christ inglory with his arms raised in blessing. in the early Church the cross was a sign of victory over sin and death so it could represent both!Below the figure of Christ there are figures of three unidentified ecclesiastics.