High Cross of Ahenny Pendant & Necklace

Ahenny is a peculiar location featuring two ancient Celtic crosses in a cemetery. Two striking Celtic crosses stand out and differ somewhat from the many other crosses found on old monastic sites around the nation because no explanation for their placement can be found in the Annals or any other documents.

The locals are aware of its purpose and that there were once three crosses in Ahenny. Someone attempted to ship one of them, allegedly the most beautiful, out of the nation, but was unsuccessful because it was either lost in Waterford Harbor off Passage East or further out to sea. The three crosses, according to the locals, represented the resting places of seven early Irish Church bishops. Again, there is no record of this, but it was undoubtedly common for seven holy men to gather to form a community of prayer.

However, it would be rare if the crosses served as a memorial for their final resting place because Irish High Crosses celebrated living people or sizable, thriving monastic communities, not graveyards.

Many academics believe that the Ahenny crosses were carved quite recently, possibly in the eighth century. Although the cross’s faces lack any engravings of scripture, they are extremely well adorned. Five bosses that protrude outward from the cross’s center, similar to those on St. Martin’s cross in Iona, prompt us to consider the historical significance of Ahenny once more. There are intricate spiral, interface, and fret designs all over the cross’s head and shaft.

In his scholarly book High Crosses of Ireland, Dr. Peter Harbison is moved to poetry as he explains how the head of the west face is covered in a single panel of finely designed coiled spirals, much like a spider’s web. A high relief rope molding surrounds the cross’ faces and ring, enhancing its unusual design. We wonder what the cross looked like when it was first built because the remainder of the artwork is in low relief. and many would agree that it had to be colored since only then could the amazing work of the sculptor be seen and appreciated in its entirety.

• Double-sided replica cross.
• Unisex, crafted for men and women.
• Height: 1.26 inches.
• Width: 0.63 inches.
• Weight: 11g silver and  g gold.
• Handmade and hallmarked in Ireland.
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