Religious

The Ballinrobe cross is found in County May. Ballinrobe is near Lough Mask, a lake, which s wide enough to produce choppy waves in rough weather. Nearby is the ruins of Inishmanina Abbey, a 13th century Augustinian house, originally founded by St. Connan in the 6th century. Also nearby is Cong Abbey which was founded in about 1120 by Turlough O’Connor, High King of Ireland, on the site of a 6th century church associated with St. Feichin. Cross is 10″ x 5″.

Carved into the face of the cross is an Irish harp and scores of shamrocks. Both have become famous symbols of Ireland. The harp figures into many of the old Irish myths. The shamrock is from a legend about St. Patrick that says he used a shamrock with its three leaves to explain the Trinity, the triple nature of God. Cross is 14″x 6″.