Ireland's great contribution to European sculpture

The historic ruins of Monasterboice are of an early Christian settlement in County Louth in Ireland, north of Drogheda. It was founded in the late fifth century by St. Buite who died around 521, and was an important center of religion and learning until the founding of nearby Mellifont Abbey in 1142.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The site houses two churches built in the 14th century or later and an earlier round tower, but it is most famous for its 10th century high crosses.

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The round tower is about 35-meters tall, and is in very good condition, although it is not possible to go inside. The passage of time has laid down layers of earth so now the doorway is almost at ground level. The monastery was burned in 1097.

The 5.5-metre Muiredach's High Cross, also known as the South Cross, is regarded as the finest high cross in the whole of Ireland as well as the most beautiful specimen of Celtic stonework now in existence. The crosses at Monasterboice have also  been called Ireland's greatest contribution to European sculpture.

The cross is named for the abbot, Muiredach mac Domhnaill, who died in 923 and features biblical carvings of both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. The North and West crosses are also fine examples of this kind of structure, but these have suffered much more from the effects of the weather.

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