A Smaller Social History of Ancient Ireland

By P W Joyce

1906

ART

4. Stone-Carving.

Artistic stone-carving is chiefly exhibited in the great stone crosses, of which about fifty-five still remain in various parts of Ireland. Their dates extend over a period from the tenth to the thirteenth century, inclusive. All are ornamented with the Opus Hibernicum, already described. Most of the high crosses contain groups of figures representing various subjects of sacred history, such as the Crucifixion, the fall of man, Noah in the ark, the sacrifice of Isaac, the fight of David and Goliath, the arrest of our Lord, Eve presenting the apple to Adam, the journey to Egypt, etc.

END OF CHAPTER XII.