Kilgobbin Cross facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kilgobbin Cross |
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| Native name Irish: Ardchros Chill Ghobáin |
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| Type | High cross |
| Location | Kilgobbin Lane, Stepaside, Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown, Ireland |
| Height | 2.5 metres (8.2 ft) |
| Built | 10th century |
| Official name: Kilgobbin | |
| Reference no. | 226 |
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Kilgobbin Cross is a very old and important stone cross located in Stepaside, a town in County Dublin, Ireland. It's known as a high cross, which is a special type of Christian cross, often found in Ireland and Great Britain. This cross is also a National Monument, meaning it's protected by the government because of its historical value.
Where to Find Kilgobbin Cross
Kilgobbin Cross stands on Kilgobbin Lane in Stepaside. It is about 450 meters (or 492 yards) northwest of the main town center of Stepaside.
The Story of Kilgobbin Cross
The area where the cross is found is called Kilgobbin. This name comes from the Irish words "Cill Ghobáin," which means "church of Goban." There were many saints named Goban in Ireland, so it's a bit tricky to know exactly which one the name refers to.
Experts believe the cross was made in the 10th century AD. This is because of how Jesus is shown on the cross, wearing a long cloak. The cross was once buried in the local graveyard. It was found again around the year 1800.
What Kilgobbin Cross Looks Like
This impressive cross is made from granite, a very hard stone. It stands about 2.4 meters (or 7.9 feet) tall. It is a type of Celtic cross, which is famous for its ring around the cross arms. One side of the cross is broken off.
On the east side of the cross, there is a carving that shows the Crucifixion of Jesus. This is the scene where Jesus was nailed to a cross. What's special about this carving is that Jesus is wearing a long robe.
Another interesting feature is a bullaun stone set into the base of the cross. A bullaun stone is a rock with a bowl-shaped hollow. These were often used in ancient times for grinding or other purposes.
