monasterboice high crosses

Peter and St. Paul, the Crucifixion and the Ascension, with the Resurrection on the south arm. On the north side are a second mocking scene on the end of the arm, and SS Paul and Anthony breaking bread above it, as well as the Hand of God (under the arm of the cross) and interlacing motifs, while on the south face there is Pilate washing his hands, interlacing and vinescroll motifs. On the base are hunters, animals, interlacing and fretwork. Not far away is the Tall Cross, on which the following panels may be tentatively identified; East face - David kills the Lion, the Sacrifice of Isaac, Moses smiting water from the rock, David with the head of Goliath; Samson topples the temple; Elijah ascends to heaven, the Three Children in the Fiery Furnace and, on the head, David with the Armies of Israel; West face - soldiers guarding the tomb of Christ, The Baptism of Christ, the Mocking of Christ, The Kiss of Judas and the Crucifixion. The nearby Round Tower was burned in 1097 when it contained the monastic library and other treasures. In the graveyard there are also tow medieval churches. Other items of interest include a fragmentary High Cross near the north-east corner of the graveyard with a Crucifixion scene on one face; a sundial and a grave-slab with the inscription 'A prayer for Ruarcan'