Bealin

This beautifully decorated cross was originally found at Bealin and moved to its present location on a small hillock in Twyford Demesne, Co Westmeath. Standing at around 2 metres high, the East face pictured right bears a lion at the bottom and a scroll of interlaced creatures with bird like heads running up the shaft and a celtic knot pattern at the centre of the head. On the North face is a hunting scene showing a horseman with a spear and above him a dog biting a deer's leg. There is an inscription at the bottom of the West face dating the cross to around 800 AD, the inscription reads 'Pray for Tuathgall who caused this cross to be made' It is thought the cross may have originally been taken from Clonmacnois and indeed an Abbot of Clonmacnois named Tuathgall died in 810 AD.

Above is shown the celtic knotwork at the centre of the head on the East face. I will visit this cross again in the near future and hope the weather will be more favourable so I can improve the photos.

East Face