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nument indeed. The top of this cross is an archeological puzzle, for it is 
impossible to say whether it is now perfect or not. So far, it is complete 
and unbroken, and sufficiently suggestive of a cross, but in reality it is 
not one—inasmuch as the upper arm is wanting—if, however, we 
suppose this added to it, we get a cross radiating from a circle of the 
same type as the first of the Tullagh crosses; it may, therefore, be of 
equal antiquity with it. The head of the Kildare cross is morticed into 
the shaft in a similar manner to that from Inis-Mac-Saint in Lough 
Erne. 
Fig. 7. We have here a sketch of the ancient cross at the village of 
Finglas, in the county of Dublin. Like that of St. Doulough’s, it has 
undergone much mutilation, and has been injudiciously restored. The 
head is formed out of a single block of granite, and its squared plinth 
is of the same kind of stone. The top of this cross is so far perfect, though 
time has nearly obliterated the various plaits, scrolls, and other orna- 
mentations with which it was decorated. 
In this relic we have the cross radiating from the circle, but this 
distinctive feature is brought out merely by carving. The form of that 
portion of the cross which is e2thin the circle is distinctly Graeco-Irish, the 
arms being sufficiently broad to allow at their intersection of the intro- 
duction of a flat circular boss, the portions of the cross extending be- 
yond the circle are ornamented with various kinds of interlaced scroll- 
work. The greater part of the original shaft is wanting, and its place 
supplied by a small squared block of granite, thus making it too short, 
and quite out of proportion to the rest of the work. The original 
square plinth, which is ornamented round the edges by a simple in- 
cised line, yet remains, but it has been perched on a mass of masonry, 
which gives it an unnecessary height. 
I believe we may attribute this cross to the tenth century. 
Figs. 8 and 9. These drawings represent two views of the large 
. eross at Roscrea, in the county of Tipperary, said to be the cross of 
St. Cronan, or, at least, it is dedicated to that saint ; and, without doubt, 
it must have been one of the most imposing ornaments of its class in 
Ireland. Its type is that of a cross radiating from a circle; but the out- 
lines of both have been so skilfully and artistically modified that nothing 
further is left for the most critical taste to require. The block of red 
sandstone out of which it has been carved must originally have mea- 
sured over 5 feet 6 inches square; and as a portion of the shaft is yet 
remaining close at hand, and of equally large proportions, we may sup- 
pose that, including the plinth in which it stood, it must have measured 
fully 20 feet in height. 
On one side of the cross, and carved in the highest relief, is a full- 
length figure, supposed to represent St. Cronan. The head is appa- 
rently bare; the face smooth and youthful-looking; the arms are bent 
across the chest, the right hand above the left, and both grasp a pasto- 
ral staff, or cambutta, of the early Irish form, accurately resembling 
those formed of bronze, of which we possess several in our Museum. 
Owing to the weathering of the stonc, the costume of this effigy cannot 
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