Ardboe High Cross
Ardboe High Cross (Irish: Seanchrois Ard Bó) is a high cross and national monument dating from the tenth century located in Ardboe, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.
| Ardboe High Cross | |
|---|---|
| Ardboe Cross | |
Looking at the east face of the cross | |
| Year | 10th century (Julian) |
| Medium | stone |
| Subject | Bible |
| Dimensions | 18.5 ft (5.6 m) × 3.5 ft (1.1 m) |
| Designation | scheduled monument |
| Location | Ardboe, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 54°37′10″N 6°30′19″W |
The cross stands at the entrance to a cemetery and a monastery and a church from the seventeenth century which was founded in 590 by Saint Colman. The monastery was destroyed by fire in the twelfth century. It is believed to have been erected in either the ninth or the tenth century. The name "Ard Boe" means "hill of the cow" it comes from a legend that the monastery of Ardboe was built from the milk of a magic cow out of Lough Neagh. and forms the only remaining part of an early monastery on the site.
At around 18.5 feet (5.6 m), Ardboe High Cross is Northern Ireland's tallest cross. Although the head of the cross is damaged, it seems to be the only such cross in Northern Ireland to remain largely complete and original.