Ireland's Historic Monuments

IRELAND'S HISTORIC MONUMENTS

The Irish landscape is dotted with artefacts and monuments of the past, haunting relics shrouded in the mists and mystery of romance. What secrets are contained within the stone walls and mounds, that have survived the ravages of time? If stones could talk, what stories they would tell; stories of greatness as well as suffering; stories of glorious victories and humiliating defeats; stories of life and death, revealing the history of our country against a backdrop of limestone and granite, forged by the builders and artisans of bygone days.

What are the huge prehistoric stones of Newgrange, with their compelling carved motifs, trying to tell us about ancient Brugh na Boinne, the burial place of the kings of Tara? What supernatural powers were possessed by the mysterious stone heads, the most important religious symbols of the Celts? What was the daily schedule of work and prayer in the Early Christian monasteries, and what exquisite masterpieces in stone, metal, and illuminated manuscript were fashioned within their walls? The absence of conclusive answers to such questions deepens the magical aura of mystery and romance surrounding ancient monuments.

When stones talk, and we allow ourselves a flight of fancy to the dark and misty days of the Druids and Vikings, we return much the richer from the journey through time, better able to cope with the reality of the present, which will be tomorrow's past.

TRANSFER OF RELICS

This Painting is transposed from the 9th., century limestone carving on the base of a "High Cross" in Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland. It portrays the transfer of relics from the Columban Monastery in Kells (Ceanannus Mor) to the Hill of Ward for the annual week-long athletic competitions and match-making. The motif of the horses and chariot has been a recurring theme in Greek, Roman and Early Christian stone sculpture. The dynamic design with its flowing lines distinguishes it from most of the stone sculpture of the early Christian period , which was mainly concerned with functional space filling and presenting srories from the old and new testament.

The lower panel is typical of the interlaced patterns found in illuminated manuscript, metal and stone sculpture from the Early Christian period. The circles and fishes symbolize the universal wisdom bestowed on Fionn Mac Cumhaill when he tasted the salmon of knowledge.