Interlaced Celtic spirals and patterns, the signifying ring shape and art engraved in to the stone. Celtic crosses are both majestic and beautiful. There are so many to choose from across Ireland. Here are the best three places in Ireland to see Celtic Crosses...

Clonmacnoise, County Offaly
The wonderful Cross of the Scriptures is the best known symbol from Clonmachoise which is the most important monastic site in Ireland. The County Offaly site is an early-Christian site, which was founded by Saint Ciaran back in the 6th century. The magnificent site on the banks of the River Shannon includes seven churches dating from the 10th to 13th centuries, the ruins of a cathedral, two round towers and the most extensive collection of Early Christian grave slabs in the West of Europe.  

Cross of the Scriptures, Clonmachoise

The Scripture Cross was carved by Abbot Colman to honor King Flann and depicts biblical scenes. Having a High Cross was a sign of wealth for a monastery. Despite the fact that Clonmacnoise was plundered many times during its history, it is very significant that the Cross has survived.

Monasterboice, County Louth
Along with the Cross of the Scriptures at Clonmacnoise, the High Crosses at Monasterboice are said to be one of the most important in all of Ireland. Muiredach’s High Cross is set within the ruins of this historic religious site in Monasterboice in County Louth. There are biblical scenes set in to the sandstone from both the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Muiredach’s High Cross, Monasterboice

There is another High Cross at Monasterboice, known as the Tall Cross or West Cross. It is 6.5m high and is said to be the tallest Celtic High Cross to survive. There are representations from the story of the Crucifixion on this cross. There is another, third cross at the site but it is not seen to be as significant.

West Cross, Monasterboice

Graignamanagh, County Kilkenny
In the graveyard at the famous Cistercian Duiske Abbey in County Kilkenny two of Ireland’s oldest granite high crosses sit since the 8th century. It is not widely known that they actually pre-date the Abbey as they are said to have been brought from sites near Duiske. The Abbey was founded in 1207 and the crosses then date back well before that. The North Cross is the more important one. It's arms do not extend through the ring, which demonstrates its age. It is similar to other crosses from the Barrow Valley. The South Cross is similar and has a crucifixion on the west face.  

This selection of crosses are outstanding and they have survived many periods of Irish history. There are also spectacular High Crosses dotted around Ireland at Kilkieran, County Tipperary; Ahenny, County Tipperary; Ardboe, County Tyrone and Drumcliffe, County Sligo, where the poet W.B. Yeats is buried. Which are your top sites?