Athcarne Cross facts for kids
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Cros Áth Carn
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 Location in Ireland
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| Alternative name | Gaulstown Cross White Cross |
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| Location | Gaulstown, Duleek, County Meath, Ireland |
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| Region | Nanny Valley | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 53°37′39″N 6°26′58″W / 53.627492°N 6.449501°W | ||||||||||
| Type | Wayside cross | ||||||||||
| Height | 3.11 m (10.2 ft) | ||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||
| Builder | Cecilia Bathe | ||||||||||
| Material | sandstone | ||||||||||
| Founded | c. 1675 | ||||||||||
| Site notes | |||||||||||
| Public access | yes | ||||||||||
| Designation |
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Athcarne Cross, also known as Gaulstown Cross or the White Cross, is an old stone cross in County Meath, Ireland. It is a special type of monument called a wayside cross. This means it was built along a road or path a long time ago. Today, it is protected as a National Monument of Ireland.
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Where is Athcarne Cross?
This historic cross stands in County Meath, Ireland. You can find it near the start of the Nanny River. The cross is about 3.6 kilometers (2.2 miles) southwest of a town called Duleek.
The Story Behind the Cross
The Athcarne Cross was put up around the year 1675. A woman named Dame Cecilia Bathe had it built. She wanted it to be a special memory for herself and her husband, Sir Luke Bathe.
For some time, the cross was actually part of a cottage wall. But in 1935, it was carefully moved and protected. It became a National Monument. It is named Athcarne Cross after the nearby Athcarne Castle.
What Does the Cross Look Like?
The Athcarne Cross is made of sandstone. It has detailed carvings on both its front and back sides.
East Side Carvings
On the east side of the cross, you can see a carving of the Crucifixion of Jesus. Jesus's arms are shown high above his head. This style is similar to a "crux simplex." His feet are resting on a skull and crossbones.
West Side Carvings
On the west side, there is a carving of the Madonna and Child. This shows Mary with baby Jesus. You can also see the family symbols of the Bathe and Dowdall families. The Arma Christi are also carved here. These are symbols of the tools used during Jesus's crucifixion.
Top of the Cross
The very top part, or head, of the cross has carvings of angels. These are similar to angels found on other old wayside crosses. There is also a small Maltese cross carved into the stone.
