Crosses

Tully Cross

This cross dates from the twelfth or thirteenth century. The cross is narrow and features an ecclesiastic holding a staff, it is not known for definite whether the figure is meant to be male or female. There is a possibility that the figure could be St.Brigid. Sadly the cross is badly weathered so it is not possible to know for certain.

Tully Cross

Tully Cross

This cross dates from the twelfth or thirteenth century. The cross is narrow and features an ecclesiastic holding a staff, it is not known for definite whether the figure is meant to be male or female. There is a possibility that the figure could be St.Brigid. Sadly the cross is badly weathered so it is not possible to know for certain.

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Tully has two crosses. The first one is a tall narrow cross dating from the twelfth or thirteenth century. The east face shows an ecclesiastic holding a staff, although there has been some debate over the sex. Many believe it to be St.Brigid, thereby strengthening the associations to the saint. Others believe the form is male. The west face bears the inscription of a human mask. The cross has been
badly weathered and so it is now difficult to make out the details.

Unfortunately this is one of the ways in which old monuments and crosses can be degraded. Over the years the climate can have a huge impact on the appearance of monuments. This is due in large part weathering, they are exposed to the elements, and, over the years, the inscriptions become difficult to read and parts of the monuments can even wear away.

Tully High Cross

This cross dates from the tenth century and features traces of decoration. The top of the cross is carved into a roof shape similar to the shape used in church roofing in early times.

Tully High Cross

Tully High Cross

This cross dates from the tenth century and features traces of decoration. The top of the cross is carved into a roof shape similar to the shape used in church roofing in early times.

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On a more positive note, the other cross at Tully also faced an external threat when the road beside it was being lowered. In this case human intervention saved the cross. James Grehan left the cross at its original level with a wall covering the ground beneath the cross. This cross dates from the tenth century. The rings on the high cross are significant and couples getting married often joined their hands through the rings.