Monasterboice Parish
Monasterboice Round Tower And Cemetery.
Monasterboice is one of Irelands earliest and best known religious sites. The monastery came into existence in the sixth centaury but little is known of it’s founder, St. Buite who died in 521 ad. It was an important centre of learning & remained in existence until 1122 ad. It is known for the remains of the Monastic settlement of St. Buite. These remains consist of an old graveyard, two churches, three sculptured high crosses, two early grave slabs, a round tower & a sundial or Mass clock.
Churches
The two Churches are now ruined and were composed of sandstone. The South Church is the older of the two and it still has the remains of the chancel arch.
The smaller Church ( North Church) is situated beside the Round Tower and unlike the other church it has no trace of the chancel.
The two early Grave slabs can also be found there. One lies near the north wall of the North Church ( closest to the Round Tower) and is inscribed ’OR DO RUARCAN’ ( a prayer for Ruarcan). The other Grave slap has carving that resembles that of a cross with a triangular end. It is propped against the small wall of the North Church.
Muirdeachs
Round Tower
The most conspicuous remaining artefact of this Monastic settlement is that of the Round Tower, now capless but still standing at over 90 feet high. The Tower was burned in 1097 ad, destroying the Monastic library and other treasures; however it is in excellent condition.
The doorway and angle-headed window of the tower are composed of sandstone, while the tower itself is made of slate. The tower is still equipped with floors and ladders, but while there is a concrete and metal stairway to the door, the iron grille fitted to the doorway is locked and there is no longer public access to the interior.
Monasterboice Round Tower
High Crosses
Muirdeachs Cross ( South Cross) - This cross gets it’s name after an abbot whose name is inscribed on the base. It is the most spectacularly ornamented of the crosses. It is ornately carved with scenes from the life of Christ and from Bible stories e.g. A wonderful carving of heads with snakes intertwining under one of the arms and fanciful beasts, interlace, spirals and other designs.
The Tall cross ( West Cross) - This appropriately named cross is the tallest high cross in Ireland, standing at around 7m and dates back to the 9th century. Although it has suffered from weathering and not all of it’s panels are identifiable, there are still some scenes which are. On the west face an unusual depiction of the crucifixion is carved with Christ’s head at a sideways angle as if dead and wearing oddly flowing garments. Bound feet are clearly shown as are nail holes in his hands and feet. In the centre of the east face is a highly unusual depiction of Christ in Glory.
The North Cross - This cross is in another corner of the Graveyard, partly obscured by trees and sometimes missed by visitors. It is the plainest of the crosses here, appearing incomplete. It has nicely rounded edges and a rolled sort of moulding and on it’s east face, a lovely medallion composed of bosses and swirls. The western face of the crosshead is a very simple representation of the crucifixion of Christ.
Tall West Cross
The Popes Cross
On 16th October 1978 Cardinal Karol Kojtyla of Krakow, Poland was elected the 264th Pope of the Catholic Church and took the name of John Paul 11.
On 29th & 30th September and 1st October 1979, Pope John Paul 11 visited Ireland. It was the 3rd Pilgrimage of his Pontificate. Pope John Paul 11 flew into the Phoenix Park in Dublin where hundreds of thousands were gathered for the Papal Mass. In his first words to the Irish people when he had kissed the tarmac at Dublin Airport, the 59 year old pope declared that he was happy to walk in the footsteps of St. Patrick as the successor of St. Peter.
From the Phoenix Park the pope flew by helicopter to Killineer on the
Monasterboice Parish boarder, where his visit was keenly awaited as it
had been flagged in advance as an appeal to the IRA to give up it’s
violence. It was because of two of the IRA’s most appalling actions a
month earlier that the Pope had to cancel a planned trip to Armagh. This
change for security reasons followed the murder of Lord Louis
Mountbatten and members of his family at Mullaghmore Co.Sligo, where his
fishing boat was blown up and also the killing of 18 British Soldiers
near Warrenpoint Co.Down by landmines on the same day, August 27th.
A crowd estimated at 250,000 many from Norther Ireland heard the Pope appeal to the Men and Women of violence to end it;
“On my knees I beg you, to turn away from the paths of violence and to return to the ways of Peace…. Those who resort to violence always claim that only violence brings about change. You must know there is a Political, Peaceful way to Justice.”
Many locals from the Parish of Monasterboice as well as the surrounding Parishes worked as unpaid stewards at the event. The Gardai and Army provided security.
The Pope drove among the crowds in the special ‘Popemobile’ to give people a better chance to see him. From Killineer, the Pope flew back to Dublin where he had little time to rest before continuing his packed schedual.
The Pope ended his Irish visit at Shannon where he flew out from, there Presidant Hillary told the Pope that “In the hearts of the people of Ireland, your memory will remain forever bright.”
To comemorate the visit of Pope John Paul 11 to Killineer, a cross was erected by the Diocese, close to the field that he spoke from.
On April 2nd 2005 Pope John Paul 11 died. Crowds of mourners gathered at the Popes Cross to remember and pray for him. Candles were lit, flowers were laid and a vigil was held in his honour.
