Plaque, Tynan Cross

Image: © Kenneth Allen Taken: 7 Nov 2007

The following text is included in the description, "Tynan was the site of an important Early Christian church or monastery, traditionally founded by Saint Vindic, whose festival day was August 29th. Very little more is known about the early history of the site, which was probably centred on the hilltop occupied by the present Church of Ireland. Tynan is listed as a parish in the 1306 papal taxation, suggesting that the early monastery was succeeded by a medieval parish church. Despite its obscure early history, there is plenty of evidence to show both early activity and craftsmanship here, including parts of at least four high crosses. Most obvious and striking is the Village Cross, actually made of parts of at least two and possibly three crosses, with the head and upper shaft of one set on the lower shaft and perhaps base of a second. It has been moved at least twice within the village and repaired, possibly at the same time as the first documented move in the 1840s. The lower shaft is decorated with rectangular panels on all four faces. Best preserved is the eastern panel depicting the fall, with Adam and Eve standing below a tree, complete with serpent coiled around the trunk. The western panel shows a central full-length figure surrounded by other figures or heads, but interpretation is uncertain. Possibilities include the second coming, the last judgement and David, King of Israel. The panel on the North has a double strand interface, and both the north and south sides of the upper shaft have decorated rectangular panels. The imposing cross-head is much repaired and the top member one of the arms and three of the ring-segments are replacements. It is of open-ring form and is decorated with striking circular bosses, which project far beyond the rest of the face. A second cross base and a decorated fragment from the ring of the cross head have been built into the churchyard wall nearby. There is also a fragment of decorated mounding which may have come from the medieval parish church. The strange hollowed stone set on the gatepost is an unusual kind of 17th century sundial. A similar example can be seen in Monaghan town. An 1884 drawing shows that it was once set on top of the Village Cross. Tynan Abbey demesne (private) contains three more high crosses. The Terrace Cross was moved from the village, apparently some time after 1835. The Island and Well crosses were brought from Glenarb, around 1.5km to the north-west, a little earlier."

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