The staff at the academy was unaware of this however, so he simply walked in, asked to see the cross, and when everyone’s back was turned, ran out of the building with it tucked under his clothes! The Gaelic inscriptions ask for prayers for Turlach O’ Connor, King of Eirinn, for two church dignitaries of the family of O’ Duffy and for the Irish artist who created the cross, Maoiliosa O’ Echan. The ostensive equalities of count and proportion of measures, however, do not extend inwards along the arms, nor upwards from the cross's centre. Later when Christianity was introduced to the country, monasteries were set up all over the island as centres of learning for monks, priests, and anyone willing to dedicate their life to religion. Prendergast, revealed on his deathbed that he had been keeping it hidden in his belongings for decades. On his appointment as parish priest of Cong he travelled to Dublin and at The Royal Irish Academy asked to see the Bacall Bui. As we reflect on the custom jewelry we've been asked to. This is "Moments in History - Cross of Cong" by Boys Town on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them. It was made in 1123 AD to encase a fragment of the True Cross that was brought to Ireland and displayed in different places. ca. Almost every inch of the cross is covered with gold filigree and strap work, combining Celtic, Viking and Romanesque imagery and designs. Location. One of them, a professor at Trinity College named James MacCullagh, used his own money to purchase the cross from Prendergast’s successor. Such a significant donation from a man purporting to be the High King – even though he wasn’t – couldn’t help but swing the churches’ alliances over to him, especially when the Pope himself had sent a fragment of the true cross to him thereby endorsing him as a highly influential ruler. The Cross of Cong was presented to the Royal Irish Academy in 1839 by James MacCullough. A highlight of craftsmanship from a time when Ireland was run by Kings, and religious artefacts were prized and revered. His successor Fr Pat Lavelle was appointed in 1869, he was a well known Fenian sympathiser and a rebel within the religious order. You can find more info here on The National Museum of Ireland, they may be able to provide an answer – https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/Collections-Research/Irish-Antiquities-Division-Collections/Collections-List-(1)/Early-Medieval/The-Cross-of-Cong. The cross was guarded by the Augustinians of Cong and was placed on the altar only on very special occasions. MAYO. Not that I am aware of, just that it is described as the heads of beasts. You can read some testimonials from our customers here. Fearless of repercussions he condemned the then leader of the Catholic Church, Cardinal Cullen and delivered many orations in favour of the patriotic cause. It was presented to Father Flanagan upon his final visit to his home country in 1946 by Peter Doyle, the Lord Mayor of Dublin. Made to enshrine a relic of Christ’s Cross in the early twelfth century under the patronage of the high king Turlough O’Connor, it was one of the most important reliquaries in medieval Ireland. Dean Waldron was the successor and on taking over the Abbot’s house he found several treasures hidden within. The cross may be described as made of wood sheeted with cast bronze panels of animal motifs, and sheet-silver embellished with … The Cross of Cong from Shannon, Ireland. A mix of early Celtic style decoration and Viking styles of the 11th and 12th century, the Cross of Cong is just one of the treasures at the National Museum of Archaeology in Dublin. Cross of Cong Sterling silver Cross set with cubic zirconia and a single Connemara marble stone in the centre. It was made in 1123 to encase a fragment of the True Cross. Cong Abbey was suppressed sometime after 1542 and later fell into ruins. 1123 (creation) Preview. Over the following centuries the abbey was attacked more than once, first by the Norman knight William de Burgh, and later by Henry VIII, who suppressed the abbey in 1542 and instigated its slow decline. All Rights Reserved. Another inscription also states that ‘in this cross is preserved the cross on which the founder of the world suffered’. MAYO. 1. About the Cong Cross : When a relic of the True Cross arrived in Ireland in 1123 the Cross of Cong was created to enshrine it. By patronising the church in this way, he could expect support from the church for his political ambitions 1. It is oak covered in plates of gilt-bronze, and is highly decorated in interlacing animals and serpents. It was made by order of Turlogh O'Conor, king of Connaught, for the church of Tuam, then governed by Archbishop Muredach O'Duffy. He snatched the cross and returned it to its rightful place, Cong. The cross is so-called because it was kept in the Augustinian Friary at Cong, county Mayo, for centuries. Despite his efforts, some antiquarians had come to know of its existence. The Cross of Cong which now lies in the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin was discovered in Cong around 1929. © 2019 Mayo Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. To make it not only magnificent, but important and revered as well, Tairrdelbach made his cross a reliquary – a container for a relic – by placing in it a piece of the purported ‘true cross’, the wooden cross used to crucify Jesus. 2020 has been a challenging year. Discover Cong Journey to the pretty village of Cong in County Mayo, where the 1952 Oscar-winning movie, The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, was filmed. His son Ruaidri was Ireland’s last High King, and spent the last 15 years of his life in the abbey. While on the surface this may seem like just an elaborate gift and a cementing of an alliance, many historians believe that it was in fact more than that. Restoration began in 1855, although the buildings laid empty and ruined forevermore. The Cross is called the “Bacall Bui” (yellow crozier) and it was commissioned by the king, Turlach O’ Connor and was made in Roscommon in 1123. Can be set with a choice of Cubic Zirconia stones or Connemara Marble as pictured. Lavelle, successfully stole the cross from the Academy. But the cross would have been lost to history had it not been for the keen eye of an Omaha priest. It was meant to invoke awe. Artist. Luckily, the cross survived the ordeal largely intact. The Cross of Cong is 76cm high, but in procession it was held even higher on a staff or pole. Celtic Cross 36mm on 45 cms. After his death, the cross was bought … Description This is the first detailed study of the Cross of Cong, one of Ireland’s great national treasures. He then inscribed his name and title on it, adding ‘High King of Ireland’ for good measure, and handed it over to Tuam. 38s Donegal annals, however, distinctly state that Ruodri Ua Concobair, Kingof Connaught and of all Ireland, both the Irish and English, died among the can-ons at Cong, after exemplary penance, victorious over the world and the devil. CROSS OF CONG segment of the arms and each of the outer two segments of the lower element also being equal. He gave it to the Royal Irish Academy, who gave it pride of place in the National Museum of Ireland (when they built it 60 years later, that is). The Cross is called the “Bacall Bui” (yellow crozier) and it was commissioned by the king, Turlach O’ Connor and was made in Roscommon in 1123. Hi Edward, apologies for the delay in getting back to you. The exhibition shows the unique treasures of early medieval Ireland, exploring their connections with both the pagan past and the wider Christian culture of the time. 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