Moone High Cross
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County Kildare, Ireland
| Moone High Cross | |
|---|---|
| Native name Ardchros Maoin (Irish) | |
 The high cross in 1989 | |
| Type | High cross |
| Location | Abbey of Moone (ruined), Moone, County Kildare, Ireland |
| Coordinates | 52°58′45″N 6°49′31″W / 52.9793°N 6.8252°W |
| Height | 5.3 metres (17 ft)[1] |
| Built | 8th century AD[1] |
  Location of Moone High Cross in Ireland | |
| Official name | Moone High Cross |
Moone High Cross (Irish: Ardchros Maoin) is a high cross and national monument reputedly dating from the eighth century located in Moone, County Kildare, Ireland.[1] At 17.5 feet high (including the base) it is the second tallest high cross in Ireland, and also one of the best preserved of its kind.[2][3]
Moone High Cross is located within the ruins of the early monastic site of Moone Abbey, believed to have been founded by St. Palladius in the 5th century and dedicated to St Colmcille in the 6th century.[1] The abbey lies on the banks of the River Greese in the village of Moone, County Kildare. Fragments of other high crosses are also present within the grounds of the abbey.[2]
The high cross lay undiscovered until 1835, when two sections of it were unearthed whilst works were being carried out in the graveyard of the ruined abbey.[3] The then-Duke of Leinster, Charles FitzGerald, arranged for the re-erection of the cross as the sections were so well-preserved. Sixty years later, in 1893, the middle section was found and added to the cross revealing its true height.[2]
The high cross is featured on the 'Kildare Monastic Trail', a self-guided tour designed to facilitate discovery of County Kildare's round towers, high crosses and monasteries.[4] A roof exists over the cross to protect it from erosion.[5]