St. Mark's Cross facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Mark's Cross |
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| Native name Irish: Ardchros Naomh Marcas |
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| St Baoithin's Cross | |
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| Type | High cross |
| Location | Burgage More, Blessington, County Wicklow, Ireland |
| Area | Liffey Valley |
| Height | 4.2 metres (14 ft) |
| Built | 12th century AD |
| Official name: St. Mark's Cross | |
| Reference no. | 280 |
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St. Mark's Cross is a very old and important stone cross in Blessington, County Wicklow, Ireland. It's known as a high cross because it's tall and often has carvings. This cross is also a National Monument, which means it's a special historical site protected by the country. It helps us learn about Ireland's past.
Contents
Where is St. Mark's Cross?
St. Mark's Cross is currently found at the south wall of Burgage cemetery in Blessington. It is about 600 m (660 yd) west of the River Liffey.
The Story of St. Mark's Cross
When Was the Cross Built?
St. Mark's Cross was first put up in the 12th century. This was a very long time ago, around the 1100s! It was placed next to a church and a holy well in an area called Burgage More. A holy well is a natural spring or well that people believed had special powers or was connected to a saint.
Moving the Cross
In the 1800s, people also called this cross Saint Baoithin's Cross. The original spot where the cross stood was later covered by water. This happened when the Poulaphouca Reservoir was created. A reservoir is a large artificial lake used to store water, often for drinking or power. Because of this, the cross had to be moved to its current home in Burgage cemetery to keep it safe.
What Does St. Mark's Cross Look Like?
Materials and Size
This impressive cross is made from a blue-grey stone called granite. It stands very tall, reaching about 4.3 metres (14 ft) high. That's taller than a regular basketball hoop!
Unique Features
Most Celtic crosses have a ring with holes in it, but St. Mark's Cross has an unpierced ring. This means the ring around the center of the cross is solid, without any gaps. It also has unusually long arms compared to other crosses.
Decorations and Markings
In the very center of both sides of the cross, there is a decorative boss. A boss is a raised, round decoration. At the bottom of the cross, there is an inscription, which is a carving of words or numbers. However, it is very old and weathered, meaning it has been worn away by time and weather, making it hard to read clearly.
