Exact location of famous Offaly Cross is revealed

THE exact location of the famous Banagher Pillar / Cross has been revealed this week by a local history enthusiast.
The Banagher Pillar / Cross was carved over a thousand years ago, possibly in the eighth century, and was rediscovered in the early ecclesiastical site in Banagher around 1850.
The Cross was on display in the "Words on the Wave" exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, which ran for several weeks until last Monday. The exhibition had been extended due to popular demand and focused on the connections between early medieval Ireland and Europe.
Local historian Kieran Keenaghan told the Tribune that the position where the Banagher Cross stood four centuries ago, and perhaps longer, is marked on four early 17th century maps. He also said we have enough information about the Cross to be able to make a replica.
This remarkable artifact, with its detailed carvings and rich symbolism, tells the story of connections between art, belief, and society during Ireland's Golden Age.
“For the first time,” commented Kieran, “we can now say exactly where this famous cross was located. Four early 17th century maps show the cross at the junction of the Banagher/Birr road and St Rynagh's road (also called Cluain Rynagh), that is immediately adjacent to St Paul's Church in contemporary Banagher. The townland of Feeghs is shown on two maps which absolutely confirms its location.”
The journey of a bishop, like Bishop Marcus and his nephew Moéngal’s journey from Ireland to St. Gallen in Switzerland is shown on the cross' shaft. The sandstone carving shows a deer whose foot is caught in a trap, possibly symbolising Christ. Below this are four figures caught by their hair in a whirl of interlace in a similar way to the back-to-back figures on an Irish manuscript fragment from St. Gallen. The sides of the cross are decorated with C-shaped spirals, like those on the Gospel of St. John at St. Gallen. Banagher was a church site linked to St. Ríoghnach, who was said to be the sister of St. Finnian of Clonard or Movilla. Finnian, who was possibly of British origin, was associated with the earliest penitential, a book on a system of forgiveness by God for sins, which was also copied at St. Gallen.

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