Museum’s latest booklet is on crosses and towers

Museum’s latest booklet is on crosses and towers

3 December 2014

A NEW guide to Downpatrick’s high crosses and round towers reveals the stories behind these symbols of early Irish Christian heritage.

The high crosses of Downpatrick, Kilbroney, Donaghmore and Dromore, and the round towers of Maghera, Drumbo and Nendrum, may be familiar sights to locals — but it is thought few understand their true significance.

Now their artistry, history and symbolism, dating back more than 1000 years, are the subject of the new book launched this week by Down County Museum.

Well known archaeologist Peter Harbison, worked closely with the museum to plan a circular tour of these important monuments in Down. He has also drawn on the assistance of geologist Ian Meighan to provide information about the stones from which the crosses and towers were made.

High crosses were set up from the late eighth century to the early 10th century and Down has two of the earliest high crosses in Ireland — 

one located at Kilbroney and the other, the St. Patrick’s Cross, now in three pieces inside the entrance of Down Cathedral.

As part of major development work at Down Museum, the museum is preparing to exhibit the newly conserved Downpatrick High Cross in a new extension, and encourage more tourists to explore the area’s rich Christian heritage.

The guide also points to several later ure crosses carved with figural scenes in County Down, mainly based on biblical subjects, such as those at Donaghmore and Downpatrick.

Round towers are explained as important church centres from the 10th to the 12th centuries, called bell-towers. It is thought these were also built to secure important church treasures and to attract pilgrims.

Down Council chairman Billy Walker welcomed the publication of the guide, which is the latest addition to Down County Museum’s ‘Down Survey Series’.

“Each year the museum launches a new book in a bid to bring its collections and local heritage to a wider audience and we are delighted to add ‘The High Crosses and Round Towers of County Down: a Field Guide’ to that expanding collection,’ he said.

“Peter Harbison has managed to create for us a guide which is not only scholarly and insightful, but also easy to read and captivating for anyone who has a curiosity about their surroundings.”

South Down MP, Margaret Ritchie, also welcomed the publication. “Peter is renowned for his in-depth knowledge of high crosses 

and round towers after many years studying these monuments and we are fortunate that he has now turned his attention to County Down,” she said.

“The new publication will bring his knowledge and evident enthusiasm to a wider audience and I hope that it will send lots of people out to explore the history that is on their doorsteps.”

‘The High Crosses and Round Towers of County Down, a Field Guide’, by Peter Harbison, is now on sale in Down County Museum shop, at the museum entrance, priced £5. Contact the museum on 028 4461 5218 for more information.