You’ll drive through a tunnel of tree branches to reach the exquisite carved cross at Durrow. It’s been moved inside the old church to protect it from the elements and informational plaques have been installed to help decipher the series of Bible stories carved into the stone.
The original monastery on the site was built in the 6th Century by St Columba, and it was home to the Book of Durrow, a notable Illuminated manuscript crafted in the style of the Book of Kells.
Stories carved in the stone include Adam and Eve, David and Lions, the Flight from Egypt, Cane and Able, and many more.
Many 9th and 10th Century carved stone slabs have also been moved into the church, and a path along the front of the church leads north to a holy well with a stone marked with the date AD550.
- Megalithic Ireland: http://www.megalithicireland.com/High%20Cross%20Durrow.htm
- Visit Offaly: https://www.visitoffaly.ie/Things-to-do/Culture-Heritage/Monastic-Offaly/Durrow-High-Cross-and-Early-Christian-Monastic-Site/
Written by Corey Taratuta
Corey hosts the Irish Fireside podcast and blog which has been named Best Blog of the Diaspora by the Irish Web Awards. His work has appeared on Google Field Trip, www.Lonely Planet.com, National Public Radio, www.WanderingEducators.com, www.BritMums.com, www.DiscoveryWorld.org, and elsewhere. His web community has been named finalist for the People’s Choice Podcast Awards and Irish Blog Awards, and his Irish travel program has ranked in the iTunes Top 50 Travel Podcasts. Corey’s Tips | Website
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