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Crucifixion Scenes Described

Crucifixion Scenes Described

The Earlier Crucifixions

Castledermot, North Cross, Co. Kildare, crucifixion

South-Eastern Group

Castledermot, Co. Kildare

North Cross, 

East face, Head

Jesus stands erect with his head up.  Only his forearms are extended.  His eyes appear to be open.  He has short hair and no beard.  He is clothed in a robe that reaches below the knees and his feet are separated with his toes pointing toward the right.  Above his head is a design that could represent a halo.  There is no indication of attachment to a cross and no sign of nails in hands or feet.

Below Jesus’ arms Stephaton offers sour wine on a pole on the left and Longinus stabs Jesus with a spear on the right.  Above Jesus’ arms, on each side, is the figure of an angel.  They appear to be in flight and approach Jesus’ head.


Castledermot, South Cross, Co. Kildare, crucifixion

Castledermot, Co. Kildare

South Cross,

West face, Head

Jesus stands erect with his head up.  Only his forearms extend outward.  It is not possible to see if his eyes are open or not.  He appears to have short hair and to be beardless.  His garment is a long robe that reaches nearly to his feet.  His feet are separated but may be bound.  There is no indication of an attachment to a cross and no nails are visible.  

In the area below his arm on the left is the figure of Longinus, stabbing Jesus with a spear.  On the right Stephaton offers sour wine on a pole.  Some sort of vessel for the wine is partly visible.  Above each arm an angel flies toward Jesus’ head.

Graiguenamanagh North Cross, Co. Kilkenny, east face, crucifixion

Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny

North Cross

East face, Head

Jesus stands erect, with his head up and his eyes open.  His arms are outstretched.  If hair is depicted, it is short and Jesus is beardless.  He is dressed in a long robe that reaches to his feet.  His feet are apart.  There is no indication of how he is attached to a cross and no nails are visible.

Below Jesus’ arms are Stephaton and Longinus, but they appear without their pole and spear making it impossible to discern which is which.  Above Jesus’ head are two figures that probably represent angels.

Moone Cross, Co. Kildare, crucifixion

Moone, Co. Kildare

West face, base 2

Jesus stands upright with his head up.  It is unclear whether his eyes are open or not.  His arms are outstretched and he is clothed in a long robe that reaches to his ankles.  If he has hair it is short and he appears to be beardless.  Harbison has identified a halo above his head, though this is not immediately identifiable.  There are no nails visible and no indication of how he is attached to a cross.

On the left, under Jesus’ arm Longinus stabs Jesus with his spear.  On the right Stephaton offers sour wine on a pole, on the end of which is some sort of vessel.

Newtown, Co. Carlow

West face, center of head

Photo from Harbison 1992, Vol. 2, Fig. 525

Jesus is shown upright with head up and arms extended.  His eyes are not visible.  His hair is short and he does not appear to have a beard.  Jesus’ feet are not visible and it is difficult to discern what type of clothing he might be depicted as wearing.  There is no indication of nails that might attach Jesus to a cross.

Below his arms Stephaton and Longinus appear but it is impossible to discern which is which.  Above each arm is an angel. 

Saint Mullins Cross, Co. Carlow, east face, crucifixion

St. Mullins, Co. Carlow

East Face

center of head

This panel depicts Jesus as standing erect with head up and arms outstretched.  It is possible his eyes are open.  He has short hair that curls down and is beardless.  His feet are apart.  He is wearing a long robe that reaches below his knees.  No nails are visible and there is no depiction of how Jesus might be attached to a cross.

The figures below Jesus’ arms may be partial depictions of Stephaton and Longinus or they could possibly represent Sol and Luna (the Sun and Moon)  The small figures above each arm probably represent angels.

Ullard, Co. Kilkenny 

East face, center of Head

Photograph from OPW signpost at the site.

This image has Jesus standing upright with head up and arms outstretched, the arm on the left dropping lower than that on the right.  His eyes appear to be open and he is depicted with short hair and no beard.  He is wearing a long robe that extends below the knees.  His feet are apart.  Nails are not visible and so there is no indication of how Jesus is attached to a cross.

On the left, below his arm, Longinus stabs Jesus with a spear or sword.  On the right Stephaton offers sour wine on a pole.  Above each arm there is an angel, that on the left extending along Jesus’ arm.

Northern Group

Arboe Cross, Co. Tyrone, crucifixion

Arboe, Co. Tyrone

West face, Head 

Jesus stands erect with his head up and his arms stretched out.  If he had hair it was short and there is no beard indicated.  Jesus is wearing a long robe that comes to below his knees.  His legs are apart but appear to be bound.  The toes point outward.  In its present condition there is no indication of nails that might attach Jesus to a cross.  

Stephaton appears on the right, under Jesus’ arm, offering sour wine on a pole, while Longinus is on the right stabbing Jesus with his spear.  There is an angel on each side of Jesus’ head.

Armagh Cross, Co. Armagh, crucifixion

Armagh, Co. Armagh

East face, Head

Jesus stands upright with arms outstretched.  It is not possible to determine any features of his head, whether his eyes are open or closed, how his hair is depicted or whether he has a beard.  Jesus is attired in a long robe that reaches below his knees.  His feet are apart and the toes point outward.  There is no indication of nails.

Stephaton appears to be depicted on the left, though his usual pole is not in evidence.  Longinus on the right pierces Jesus’ side.  "An angel on each side of Jesus’ seem to support Jesus’ head. 

 

Co Donegal Cardonagh, east side, crucifixion

Carndonagh, Co. Donegal

East side 2

Photo to right from Harbison, 1992, Vol. 2, Fig. 88

This carving of the crucifixion is located on the shaft of the cross.  The figure of Jesus stands erect with short arms outreaching.  He appears to have open eyes.  No hair or beard are in evidence, but there may be a halo or hood on his head.  Jesus is attired in a tunic that comes to below the knees.  His feet are apart and his toes point toward the left.  There is no indication of nails.  

There is a human figure below each of Jesus’ arms.  Each may be seen to have a bird on its head and Harbison has suggested these figures, because of the birds, may represent the theives rather than Stephaton and Longinus.  (Harbison, 1992, Vol. 1, p. 32)  Above each arm is a smaller figure with tunics that reach to the knees.  These may be taken for angels.

Clones Cross, Co. Monaghan, crucifixion

Clones, Co. Monaghan 

NW face

center of head

This image is badly deteriorated but it is evident that Jesus is depicted in an upright position with head up.  No details of his body are still visible, so it is impossible to determine whether his eyes are open or closed, what kind of hair he has, or if he has a beard.  Likewise, it is impossible to clearly determine how he is clothed, though the impression is that he wears a long tunic.  His feet, though unclear, seem to be together.  There is no indication of nails.

Stephaton is on the left and Longinus is on the right.  There is an angel above each of Jesus’ arms.

Donaghmore Cross, Co. Down, crucifixion

Donaghmore, Co. Down

West face

Center of head 

The carving on this panel is difficult to discern.  Relying on a description offered by Harbison Jesus stands erect with head up and hands outstretched.  Harbison offers no description of Jesus except to say that he is clothed in a long tunic, whose sleeves may end at the elbow.  There is no suggestion of nails in the image.(Harbison 1992, Vol. 1, p. 63)

Donaghmore Cross, Co. Tyrone, crucifixion

Stephaton and Longinus are present though without attributes it is unclear which side each occupies.  At the ends of Jesus’ arms there are figures that may represent Ocean and Earth or the Virgin Mary and St. John.  On each sider of Jesus’ head there is an angel.  (Harbison 1992, Vol. 1, p. 63)

Donaghmore, Co. Tyrone

East face

center of Head

On this panel, Jesus is depicted as upright with his head up and his arms extended outward.  There is no indication of facial features.  Jesus is covered with a long tunic that comes to below the knees.

Stephaton holds up a pole with sour wine on the left while Longinus pierces Jesus’ side with a spear on the right.  On each side of Jesus’ head there is an angel.

Downpatrick, Co. Down

Downpatrick Cross, Co. Down, crucifixion

East face

Head

There are few details in this carving.  Jesus has his head up and his arms outstretched.  It is impossible to say if his eyes are open or closed or how is hair is depicted.  It seems likely that he does not have a beard.  He is clothed in a long tunic that reaches below the knees.  His feet are not clearly visible.

The figures of Stephaton and Longinus are present but cannot be distinguished.   There may be an angel above each arm, though this is not clear.

Drumcliff Cross, Co. Sligo, crucifixion

Drumcliff, Co. Sligo

West Face

center of Head

Jesus is depicted with his head up and his arms reaching out.  There is no clear indication of his hands.  His eyes and hair are not clearly visible though it is likely that his hair is depicted as short.  There is no indication of a beard.  Jesus feet are depicted with heels together and the toes pointing outward on each side.  With hands apparently missing there is no indication of nails, but Jesus can be seen to stand on a suppedaneum or small platform.  

Stephaton offers sour wine on the left while Longinus holds his lance on the right.  There is no indication of angels in this image.

 Galloon, Co. Fermanagh

Head fragment

West Face

Photo from Harbison, 1992

Vol. 2, Fig. 299

On this panel Jesus is depicted with his head up, his arms outstretched and his feet apart.  It is not possible to determine any details except that he is dressed in a tunic that comes to his knees.  

On his left is the figure of Stephaton, offering sour wine.  On his right is the damaged figure of Longinus who pierces Jesus’ side.  An angel appears on each side of Jesus’ head.

Galloon, Co. Fermanagh

Lost head fragment

West face

Photo from Harbison, 1992

Vol. 2, Fig. 301

This cross-head fragment disappeared some time after 1966.  The carving is rudimentary but it is possible to see Jesus with his head up but tilted to the right.  It is possible that Jesus is clothed in a short tunic or loincloth and has his feet apart.

It is just possible to see the figure of Stephaton on the left and that being the case it can be assumed that Longinus is on the right.  No other details are visible.

Kells Unfinished Cross, Co. Meath, crucifixion

Kells, Co. Meath

Unfinished Cross

East Face, center of Head

The figure of Jesus is unusually tall and stands upright with head held high and arms reaching out.  It is impossible to determine whether his eyes are open or not.  His hair appears to be short and he has no beard.  Jesus is clothed in a tunic that comes to below his knees.  His feet are apart with his toes pointing outward.

The figure of Stephaton stands on his left and offers sour wine on a pole.  On the right Longinus holds a spear that points toward Jesus’ armpit.  An angel can be identified on each side of Jesus’ head. 

Killesher, Co. Fermanagh

Face 1

Photo from Harbison, 1992

Vol. 1, Fig. 431

On this cross fragment Jesus stands alone.  His head is up and it is possible to imagine that his eyes are open.  His arms are outstretched but his hands are not visible.  There is no indication of hair or a beard.  He seems to be clothed in a tight-fitting garment.  His legs are apart  but his feet have been broken off.

The area below each arm, where we might expect to see Stephaton and Longinus is filled with a triangular figure.  Above Jesus’ head, where we might expect an angel, there is a large boss with decoration that may form a square or a cross.

Tynan Well Cross, Co. Armagh, crucifixion

Tynan, Co. Armagh 

Well Cross

West face, Head

Photo from Harbison, 1992

Vol. 1, Fig. 640

In the very worn center of the head is possible to make out the figure of Jesus with his head up and his arms stretched straight out.  It is not possible to determine how Jesus is clothed or the position of his feet.

There is a figure on each side of Jesus, under his arms.  While there are no attributes, it can be presumed these represent Stephaton and Longinus.  On each side of Jesus head there appears to be an angel.

Central Group

Balsitric Cross-head, Co. Meath, crucifixion

Balsitric, Co. Meath 

Head

Located in National Museum

Dublin

On this cross fragment the basic outline of Jesus’ body is visible.  His head appears to be up and his arms are stretched out sloping downward.  It is difficult to be certain about his clothing.  Harbison suggests he is clothed to above the knees, presumably in a tunic.  (Harbison 1992, p. 25)  Jesus’ feet are apart and it is possible the toes on the right point outward.

Castlebernard or Kinnitty Cross, Co. Offaly, crucifixion

It is clear that Stephaton and Longinus are not present in this scene.  Whether there may have been angels beside Jesus’ head is not clear.

Castlebernard or Kinnitty, Co. Offaly

South face, Head

Jesus is depicted here with his head upright and there is an impression that his eyes were open.  His arms are extended and his feet are apart and appear to be bound.  If he had hair it was short and he does not have a beard.  Jesus is clothed in what appears to be a tight fitting garment.  No nails are visible.

Stephaton is on the left in this image with his pole offering sour wine.  Longinus is represented by only his head and arm.  There may have been angels beside Jesus’ head but part of this area of the panel has been damaged and filled in with cement.

Clonmacnois Scripture Cross, Co. Offaly, crucifixion

Clonmacnois, Co. Offaly

Cross of the Scriptures

West face, center of Head 

In the center of the cross-head Jesus appears with his head upright.  It is impossible to know if his eyes were open or closed.  He appears to have a cap of some sort on his head, or this could represent his hair.  He is beardless.  It is difficult to discern how Jesus is clothed.  His attire may be a close fitting garment or, as Harbison suggests, a short trouser type garment.  (Harbison 1992, p. 52)  His feet are apart with toes pointing outward and he stands on a suppedaneum.  His arms are outstretched and a nail appears in the palm of each hand.

On the left, below Jesus’ arm Stephaton offers sour wine on a pole.  On the right Longinus holds his spear and pierces Jesus’ body.  Above Jesus’ head there is the figure of an angel.

Colp Cross-head, Co. Louth, crucifixion

Colp, Co. Louth

West face, head

On this cross the body of Jesus can be understood to hang from the main cross itself.  The head of Jesus is up but no details can be discerned.  Jesus’s arms slope upward a bit suggesting that he is actually hanging on a cross.  The clothing Jesus wears may be a short tunic, falling above the knees.  His feet are apart.

Both Stephaton and Longinus appear but without their typical attributes it is impossible to know which is which.  There do not appear to be any angels in this scene.

Drumcullin Cross, Co. Offaly, crucifixion

Drumcullin, Co. Offaly 

Cross-head

Westface, center

This scene shows Jesus with his head up and his arms extended and sloped slightly downward.  Jesus may have short hair and no beard in this depiction.  Harbison suggests that he is clothed in a rope-like garment.  (Harbison 1992, p. 75)  No nails are visible.

Stephaton appears to be on the left of Jesus while Longinus appears to be on the right.  There is a boss out from Jesus hand on the left and such a boss probably also decorated the cross on the right.  These could represent Sol and Luna (sun and moon) or they could represent human heads, perhaps the two theives.  Either option is pure speculation.

Duleek North Cross, Co. Louth, crucifixion

Duleek, Co. Louth 

North Cross

West face, center of Head

Jesus’ head is tilted slightly to the right.  He seems to have short hair and no beard.  It is impossible to determine whether his eyes are open.  His arms angle downward and his hands are large.  He appears to be clothed in a tight-fitting garment.  No nails are visible in his hands.

Stephaton is on the left with his pole, offering sour wine to Jesus.  On the right Longinus holds his spear and stabs Jesus’ armpit.  There is no indication of angels around Jesus’ head.

Duleek South Cross, Co. Louth, crucifixion

 Duleek, Co. Louth

South Cross

West face, head

The image on the South Cross is not as clear as that on the North Cross at Duleek.  Jesus has his head up but there is no indication of hair or beard.  His arms are angled downward a bit.  He appears to be clothed in a tight-fitting garment.  His feet are apart but bound.  There are no nails visible in his hands.

Stephaton is on the left with his pole and Longinus on the right.  There is an angel on each side of Jesus’ head.

Durrow, Co. Offaly

Durrow Cross, Co. Offaly, crucifixion

West face

Center of Head

This well preserved image shows no cross behind Jesus.  His head is up but his eyes are not visible.  He appears to have short hair that extends slightly on either side of his head.  Or this could represent a cap or even be connected to the bird above Jesus’ head.  There is no beard.  He is clothed in a tight-fitting garment.  His arms are outstretched and his hands large.  His feet are slightly apart and the toes point outward.  The feet are tied together.  No nails are present.

Longinus, with his spear, is on the right and Stephaton on the left.  At the end of Stephaton’s pole there appears to be a sponge or vessel.  There are no angels in this depiction. 

Durrow, Co. Offaly

Cross HeadDurrow cross-head, Co. Offaly, crucifixion

West Face

Located in National Museum, Dublin

(photo from Harbison, 1992, Vol. 2, Fig. 260)

On this crucifixion panel it is possible to imagine Jesus on the main cross.  His head is up and while it is impossible to be certain, his eyes seem to be open.  His hands are outstretched.  There is no hair or beard visible though it is probable that short hair is intended.  Jesus is clothed in a tight-fitting garment.  No nails are visible in the hands.  The feet do not appear due to a break, but the legs are apart and it is reasonable to assume the feet are also.

Longinus and Stephaton are probably indicated by bosses or heads below Jesus’ arms.  Their usual attributes are not present.  A bird above Jesus head appears to fly upward toward the left.

Kells Market Cross, Co. Meath, crucifixion

Kells, Co. Meath

Market Cross

North Face

Center of Head

Jesus does not appear to be hanging on a cross.  His head is erect but it is unclear whether his eyes are open or not.  No hair or beard appear.  Harbison has suggested that there may be a crown of thorns on his head.  (Harbison, 1992, p. 107)  He is clothed in a tight-fitting garment.  His hands are stretched out and slope downward.  His feet are apart but tied.  No nails are visible.

Longinus is on the right and Stephaton on the left, each with their attributes.  At the end of Stephaton’s pole there appears to be a sponge or vessel with the sour wine.  Behind Longinus and Stephaton are two bosses that may represent Sol and Luna (sun and moon).  Below Jesus’ feet is a crouching figure, facing right and holding an object.  This figure may represent Tellus (water).   

Kells, Co. Meath

Patrick and Columba Cross

West side 2

Photo from Harbison, 1992

Vol. 3, Fig. 898

The crucifixion scene in this case appears on the shaft of the cross.  There is no indication of a cross behind Jesus.  His head is up but his eyes are not visible.  He may be depicted with short hair.  What could appear to be a beard is actually the sponge or vessel offered by Stephaton.  Jesus is clothed in a tunic that is composed of rope-like windings that reach to the knee.  No nails are apparent.  Jesus’ feet are together and bound.  

Longinus and Stephaton appear on the right and left respectively.  Their attributes are present.  Above Jesus’ forearms there is a figure on each side.  That on the left faces Jesus while that on the right faces away and holds an object.  Harbison notes that these two figures could represent either Sol and Luna or Tellus and Gaia.  (Harbison, 1992, p. 110)  Above Jesus’ head there is a bird that appears to be an eagle. 

Monasterboice Muiredach's Cross, Co. Louth, crucifixion

Monasterboice, Co. Louth

Muiredach’s Cross

West face

Center of head

In this crucifixion scene there is no sense of a cross behind Jesus.  His head is upright but features such as eyes, hair and beard are not visible.  Jesus’ arms are outstretched, his hands are large and each has a nail indicated.  He is clothed in what Harbison suggests are short trousers but which could also be understood as a tight fitting garment.  (Harbison, 1992, p. 145)  Jesus’ feet touch at the heels and the toes angle downward and outward and are tied.

There are a multitude of figures around Jesus.  Longinus and Stephaton appear with their attributes, Longinus on the right and Stephaton on the left.  Stephaton seems to have a sponge or vessel on the end of his pole.  At the level of Jesus’ knees and in front of Longinus and Stephaton there is a boss on each side.  These probably represent Sol and Luna.  Above Jesus’ arms there is an angel on each side of his head supporting him.  Behind Longinus there is a figure that kneels with its back to Jesus and may hold a child.  Harbison identifies this figure as Gaia, a personification of earth.  Behind Stephaton there is a figure that seems to sit with knees up.  Harbison identifies this figure as Tellus, a personification of water.  (Harbison, 1992, p. 145)

Monasterboice Tall Cross, Co. Louth, crucifixion

Monasterboice, Co. Louth

Tall Cross

West Face

Center of Head

This depiction of the crucifixion does not seem to have a cross behind Jesus.  His head is up with chin tilted upward and head back toward the left.  His eyes are not visible but he appears to have curly hair.  It is not clear whether there is a beard.  Jesus is clothed in a garment that has a rope-like appearance on his chest and arms and becomes a tight trouser-like garment on his lower body.  His feet are slightly apart and are bound.  Nails are present in both hands and feet.

Longinus is on the right with his spear and Stephaton on the left with his pole.  There appears to be a sponge or vessel on the end of the pole.  There are no angels in this depiction of the crucifixion.  Behind Longinus and Stephaton and beneath the hands of Jesus are bosses that may represent Sol and Luna.

Monasterboice, Co. Louth

Monasterboice North Cross, Co. Louth, crucifixion

North Cross

West Face

Center of Head

In this simplified version of the crucifixion Jesus has his head up and his arms dropping down diagonally.  It is impossible to determine whether his eyes are open or closed.  He appears to have either hair that extends outward from his head on each side or to wear a cap as on the Durrow Cross.  Jesus is clothed in a tight fitting garment.  His heels are together while his toes point outward.  There are no nails visible.

The only additional figures that are present are Stephaton on the left with his pole and Longinus on the right with his spear.  No sponge or vessel is visible on Stephaton’s pole.

Monasterboice Cross head-fragment, Co. Louth, crucifixion

Monasterboice, Co. Louth

Head Fragment

Side 1

Photo from Harbison, 1992

Vol. 2, Fig. 504

Located in National Museum, Dublin

On this head fragment Jesus has his head upright.  His eyes are not visible and there is no indication of hair or beard.  His arms are outstretched with the arm on the right slightly raised and that on the left slightly down.  His clothing is non-descript as the lower portion of the body is no longer present.  

In the panel above Jesus’ head there is a pair of legs.  Whether this was part of the crucifixion scene is questionable as there is a frame of moulding around the figure of Jesus.

Termonfeckin Cross, Co. Louth, crucifixion

Termonfechin, Co. Louth 

East Face

Center of Head

Because Jesus’ arms extend into the arms of the cross, he appears to be on the main cross.  His head is up and his eyes appear to be open.  He has either short or no hair and no beard.His arms are long and his hands large.  He is clothed in a tight fitting garment and has his feet apart with toes pointing outward.  His legs may be tied.  It is possible that he stands on a suppedaneum.

Tihilly Cross, Co. Offaly, crucifixion

Stephaton is on the left with his pole and Longinus on the right with his spear.  Above Jesus Head there appears to be an angel with wings spread.

Tihilly, Co. Offaly

West Face, Head

On this broken and worn cross-head Jesus’ head is upright and he appears with short or no hair and no beard.  His eyes are not visible.  His arms slant downward due in part to the shape of the cross-head.  Jesus wears a close fitting garment.  His feet are not visible.  No nails are visible.

While difficult to discern, Harbison noted that Stephaton is on the left with his pole and Longinus on the right with his spear.  (Harbison, 1992, p. 172)  Above Jesus’ head there is a figure that could be an angel or a bird.

The Later Crucifixions

 Addergoole, Co. Galway

Head fragment

West face

Photo from Harbison, 1992, Vol. 2, Fig. 4

On this unfinished cross-head the image of Jesus appears in crude form.  The head is up but tilted to the left.  The arms reach out into the arms of the cross, giving the impression Jesus is attached to the main cross.  He appears to wear a long tunic but no other details are present.

No other figures appear with Jesus on this cross.

Cashel Cross, Co. Tipperary, crucifixion

Cashel, Co. Tipperary 

West Face

The figure of Jesus fills the entire west face of the cross.  Because of this the impression is clear that Jesus was attached to the cross.  The head is badly worn or broken but the head was presumably up.  There is no indication of whether Jesus’ eyes were open, whether he had hair or a beard.  He is clothed in a long tunic that may cover his feet.  As the hands and feet are not clearly visible there is no way to know if nails were depicted.  Jesus stands on a “T” shaped suppedaneum.

No other figures appear in this depiction.



Dysert O'Dea Cross, Co. Clare, crucifixion

Dysert O’Dea, Co. Clare

East Face

Upper Fragment

Because Jesus’ arms stretch to the ends of the cross beam of the cross, the impression is clear that Jesus is attached to the cross.  His head was placed on the cross in the nineteenth century and may or may not be original.  As it is presented his head is up and his eyes open.  His hair is short or non-existent and he has no beard.  He is clothed in a long tunic that is belted and has pleats below the belt.  His feet are apart.  He either stands on a suppedaneum or his feet are tied.  There is no indication of nails.  It is possible that there is a crouching animal or a crown above Jesus’ head.

Glendalough Market Cross, Co. Wicklow, crucifixion

No other figures appear in this depiction.

Glendalough, Co. Wicklow

Market Cross

East Face, Head

Jesus appears to be nailed to the main cross.  His hands stretch out to the ends of the arms.  His head is up but tilted to the left.  His facial figures are not clear but he seems to wear a crown.  No beard is evident.  Jesus is clothed in a loin cloth.  His feet are together and appear to have nails in them though is is unclear if there are nails in the hands.  

There are no other figures on the cross around Jesus.


Graiguenamanagh South Cross, Co. Kilkenny, crucifixion

Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny

South Cross

East face, Head 

The South Cross is unusual in that there appears to be a crucifixion scene on each face of the head of the cross. This image of the crucifixion is not clear.  Jesus’ head is up but there are no details visible.  His arms are outstretched and reach to the ends of the arms, suggesting that he is nailed to the main cross.  Jesus is clothed in a loin cloth and his feet appear to be apart.  No nails are visible.

While they are very vague, Harbison identifies figures on each side of Jesus, beneath his arms.  He suggests they may represent either Stephaton and Longinus or Mary the mother of Jesus and St. John.  As no attributes are visible it is impossible to clearly identify these images one way or the other.  (Harbison, 1992, p. 97)

Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny

South Cross 

West Face, Head

Photo from Harbison, 1992, 

Vol. 2, Fig. 316

The South Cross is unusual in that there appears to be a crucifixion scene on each face of the head of the cross.  Like the image on the east face there is little detail visible.  Jesus’ head appears to be up but details of his face and head are not clear.  His arms are stretched out and he is clothed in a short tunic.  His legs are apart.  No nails are visible.

As with the east face, there are figures on each side of Jesus, under his arms.  They could be identified as either Stephaton and Longinus or the Virgin Mary and John.  As no attributes are visible no clear suggestion is possible.  There may also be an angel on each side of Jesus’ head.

Inishcealtra, Co. Clare

Head Fragment

Located now in National Museum, Dublin

Photo from Harbison, 1992

Vol. 2, Fig. 322

This fragment offers only the head of Jesus.  His head is tilted to the left and his eyes appear to be closed.  His hair is short and he has a beard.  No clothing is visible.  The head has been dated to the 12th century and is carved with considerable detail.

Kilfenora Doorty Cross, Co. Clare, crucifixion

Kilfenora, Co. Clare 

Doorty Cross

West face, Head

The crucifixion image on the Doorty Cross is badly worn.  Jesus is shown with head up and arms outstretched.  Because the cross-head is compact it can appear that Jesus is attached to the main cross.  No facial details are visible but Jesus has short hair or none at all and no beard.  His clothing is a tunic but difficult to describe as his legs are not visible.  No nails are visible.

The spaces above and below Jesus’ arms are filled with the figures of birds.  No other figures appear in the scene. 

Kilfenora West Cross, Co. Clare, crucifixion

Kilfenora, Co. Clare

West Cross

East Face, Head

Jesus is alone on the head of the cross with his head up and his arms reaching to the ends of the cross beam.  His facial features are not clear but the impression is that his eyes are open.  He has short hair or none at all and has no beard.  He is clothed in a tunic that comes to below the knees.  His feet are together and he appears to stand on a suppedaneum.  No nails are in evidence.

No other figures appear in this carving.

Kilgobbin, Co. Dublin

East Face, Head

Photo from Harbison, 1992

Vol. 2, Fig. 381

This image of the crucifixion is badly worn so that details are few.  Jesus’ head is up but his eyes, hair and beard are not in evidence.  He appears to be clothed in a long tunic.  His feet appear to be apart.  The right arm of the cross is missing.

There do not appear to be any other figures in the panel with Jesus, though this is not certain due to the deterioration of the stone. 

Killaloe, Co. Clare

Cross from Kilfenora

Photo from Harbison, 1992

Vol. 2, Fig. 399

Jesus is seen with his head up and his eyes open.  He has short hair or none at all and no beard.  He is clothed in a long tunic that comes below the knees.   His hands reach the ends of the arms of the cross so that he can be seen as hanging on the head of the cross.  His hands are detailed enough that his fingers can be seen on each hand.  There is, however, no sign of nails.  His feet are apart.

While no other figures appear, the decoration around Jesus is interesting.  Above both arms and below the arm on the left there is interlace.  The patterns vary.  Under his arm on the right is a whorl that emerges in animal heads.

Killaloe, Co. Clare

Cross shaft

Photo from Harbison, 1992

Vol. 2, Fig. 402

This very crude carving has been identified as Jesus crucified.  The posture of the figure strongly suggests this interpretation.  Jesus’ head is up but other features of the head are not visible.  The arms are outstretched.  The clothing is non-descript, possibly a short tunic.  The feet are apart and face toward the left.

It is possible that there is an angel depicted above each of Jesus’ arms.

Killeany, Co. Galway

North Face

Photo from Harbison, 1992

Vol. 2, Fig. 423

The illustration to the right suggests what the center of the cross may have looked like.  What we have in the upper shaft fragment is the top of a head.  This means that there is no information about the head, whether the eyes are open or closed, whether Jesus has hair or a beard.  In the same way, it is uncertain how his arms are depicted.  At the top of the lower shaft fragment, above a panel of interlace, we have two feet and the flared hem of a long tunic.  The feet are apart.  It is this lower fragment that leads to the assumption that the figure represented is Jesus crucified.

There are no other figures visible in the small bits of the scene that are preserved.

Killeany, Co. Galway

Head from Teaglach Einne

Face 2

Photo from Harbison 1992

Vol. 2, Fig. 427b

In this crucifixion scene we have Jesus with head raised and eyes apparently open.  He has short hair, if any, and no apparent beard.  His arms are stretched out and where the hand has been preserved on the right the fingers are visible.  Jesus wears a long tunic with sleeves.  His feet are not preserved on the fragment.  No nails are obvious though there is an indentation in the palm on the right that could represent a nail.

Both Stephaton with his pole and Longinus with his spear are present.  Stephaton on the left is close in under Jesus’ arm.  Longinus’ body extends into the arm of the cross and his head is directly below Jesus hand.

Monaincha Cross, Co. Tipperary, crucifixion

Monaincha, Co. Tipperary

West face, Head

Jesus is alone in this version of the crucifixion.  His body fills the head with his outstretched arms reaching to the apparent ends of the cross-head.  His head is up but no details are visible.  His arms angle upward as would befit one crucified and hanging from the cross.  He is clothed in a long tunic.  His feet are not clearly visible.  No nails are obvious, but neither of his hands is visible.


Roscrea, Co. Tipperary 

West face, HeadRoscrea Cross, Co. Tipperary, crucifixion

The crucified Jesus fills the head of the cross making it appear he is attached to the actual cross.  His head is upright and Harbison suggests that he has hair that reaches his shoulders and probably a beard.  (Harbison, 1992, p. 163)  His eyes cannot be clearly seen.  His arms stretch out straight from his body.  The left arm is original while the right arm is a modern replacement.  He is clothed in a long tunic, the hem of which is not visible.  This means his feet are also not visible.

There are no other figures accompanying Jesus on the cross-head.


 Temple Brecan, Co. Galway

North Cross

East 4

Photos from Harbison

1992, Vol. 2, Fig. 568

The illustration to the right is the clearest way to see what is represented in the fragments of the North Cross.  On the upper fragment, at the bottom, Jesus’ head is visible.  His head is up and his eyes open.  He has a brush of hair that appears to stand upright on his head.  He has no beard.  His clothing appears to be a tight fitting garment.  His legs are apart and his feet not clear.  As the arms of Jesus are missing it is impossible to characterize them or know if nails were intended in his hands.  They do not appear to be present in his feet.

A figure is present on each side of Jesus.  They can be presumed to represent Stephaton and Longinus, but without their attributes.  This identification is speculative.

Temple Brecan, Co. Galway

South Cross

Photo from Harbison, 1992

Vol. 2, Fig. 576

Identification tentative

On the shaft of this cross fragment there is a diamond shape divided into four smaller diamonds.  In the lower diamond there is a human figure.  Because the arm on the right is extended this has been tentatively identified as a crucifixion scene.  Details are lacking but the head of the figure appears to be up.  What appear to be the legs are bowed and the feet seem to come together.  

No other figures are present in this image.

Temple Brecan, Co. Galway

West Cross, 3

Photos from Harbison, 1992 Vol. 2, Figs 578, 579 right image. 

The illustration to the right gives a much better idea of what is on the cross as a whole.  On an upper fragment the top of Jesus’ head is visible.  His head is up and his eyes appear to be open.  On other fragments we can see that his arms reach out, but no hands are visible.  The legs of Jesus are visible on the lower fragment, see the photo to the left.  He appears to be clothed in a tight fitting garment and his legs are apart.

On each side of Jesus legs there is a human figure.  Because no attributes are present these figures can be interpreted as Stephaton and Longinus or as the Virgin Mary and St. John.


Tory Island, Co.  Donegal 

Tower Cross

Shaft and Face

Tory Island Tower Cross, Co. Donegal, crucifixionTory Island Tower Cross, Co. Donegal, crucifixion showing legs of Jesus

For the fragment to the left the image has been reversed as it was placed in the socket of a round stone upside down.  Harbison suggests this depicts the lower portion of a person, probably Jesus.  “The figure is dressed in a long robe from which two feet seem to emerge.”  (Harbison, 1992, p. 173)

The upper fragment, to the right, is from the head of the cross.  The head of Jesus reaches to the top of the fragment as it now is, but clearly into the upper arm of the cross.  The head is up and Jesus appears to have hair that falls down at least to his ears.  He does not have a beard.  While his arms are missing there is an indication of an armpit on the right.  Given the size of the figure it is reasonable to assume the arms stretched out into the arms of the cross, perhaps to near the end of each arm.  The upper body is clothed in a tunic.

There are no other figures visible on this depiction of the crucifixion.

Tuam, Co. Galway

Market Cross

South face, Head

Photo from Harbison, 1992

Vol. 2, Fig. 612

Even though the figure of Jesus fills the head of the cross, there is also the indication of a cross behind the figure of Jesus.  Jesus head is tilted slightly to the left and he appears to wear a crown on his head.  Nails are not apparent in his hands and his body is foreshortened by damage to the cross.  Jesus wears a loin cloth.

Above Jesus’ head there are two figures that may or may not be related to the crucifixion.  If they are, they may represent angels or birds.

Bibliography

Chrysostom, Saint John, “Apologist”, Margaret A. Schatkin and Paul W. Harkins translators, The Catholic University of America Press, Washington, D.C.1983.

Chrysostom, Saint John, Discourses Against Judaizing Christians, Paul W. Harkins translator, The Catholic University of America Press, Washington, D.C., 1977

Gougaud, Dom Louis and Armstrong, E.C.R., The Earliest Irish Representations of the Crucifixion, The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries, No. 2 (Dec. 31, 1920), pp. 128-139.

Harbison, Peter; "The High Crosses of Ireland:  An Iconographical and Photographic Survey", Dr. Rudolf Habelt GMBH, Bonn, 1992.  Volume 1:  Text, Volume 2:  Photographic Survey; Volume 3:  Illustrations of Comparative Iconography.

New Revised Standard Version of the Bible

Origen, Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Books 1-5, Thomas P. Check translator, The Catholic University of America Press, Washington, D.C., 2001

Purdy, A.C., “The Apostle Paul” The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, Abingdon Press, Nashville, 1962, pp. 695-696.

Sampley, J. Paul, The Second Letter to the Corinthians, The New Interpreter’s Bible, Vol. XI, Abingdon Press, Nashville, 2002, p. 92

Wright, N.T., The Letter to the Romans, The New Interpreter’s Bible, Vol. X, Abingdon Press, Nashville, 2002.  pp. 468-478.

 Barney McLaughlin 2012