• 18 April 2014

Replica High Cross in place at Down Cathedral

An exact replica of the iconic Downpatrick High Cross, weighing about one tonne, will sit in front of Down Cathedral in time for Easter.

The Dean, The Very Revd Henry Hull, was joined by members of the Cathedral Chapter and local clergy as he rededicated the cross on 16 April. 

The replica was made by the Kilkeel–based stone specialist S. McConnell & Sons, using computer technology to make a copy of the original.

Mourne granite was blasted from Thomas Mountain overlooking Newcastle and the raw pieces were cut twice before being shaped by machine. It was a time–consuming process, about 150 hours for the head of the cross alone, which was then finished by hand (below right).

The head of the cross shows the Crucifixion of Christ, flanked by the spear–bearer, sponge–bearer and the two thieves, who were given their own names in Irish in the 8th century.

The interlace on the side is made up of intertwined snakes, symbols of resurrection as they slough their skin and are reborn.

On 4 December 2013, 1100–year–old original was moved from Down Cathedral to the nearby Down County Museum. 

In a 16–month project the intricately patterned Mourne granite cross, carved around AD 900 as a ‘prayer in stone’, is being carefully restored to become the centrepiece of a forthcoming important new Museum extension. 

Background

Carving the cross
Carving the cross
The cross is of historical, cultural and religious significance. Its first location is believed to have been the early medieval monastery on the Hill of Down.

Following the Reformation, the High Cross was taken down and was used as Downpatrick’s market cross. It was damaged in a busy town centre location before being dismantled and its parts dispersed around the town.

In the 1890s, the parts were gathered together by Francis Joseph Bigger and reconstructed outside Down Cathedral, with the help of subscriptions from donors.

The Church of Ireland has given its permission for the long term loan and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency has given consent for the Cross to be moved. It is funding the removal and conservation and the replication of the Cross.

Other key funders are Down District Council, the East Border Region and the European Union’s INTERREG IVA Cross Border Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.