Overview
Nestled a few kilometres south of Dublin on the former N9 route, the tiny village of Moone in County Kildare blends everyday Irish life with a striking medieval legacy. With a handful of residents, a national school, a shop, a community centre and the welcoming Moone High Cross Inn, the settlement exudes quiet hospitality. Its headline attraction is the Moone High Cross – an 8th‑century granite monument that rises 5.33 m (17.5 ft) above the ruined walls of a 13th‑century Franciscan abbey, protected today by a sleek glass roof.
History / Background
The place‑name Maen Colmcille (“Colmcille’s property”) hints at the site’s early Christian roots. Tradition attributes the original monastic foundation to St Palladius in the 5th century, with a later dedication to St Columcille in the 6th century. By the early 1300s the Franciscans had rebuilt the church, but the Reformation left the abbey in ruin.
The high cross itself dates from the 8th century, a golden age for Irish stone carving. It was hidden beneath the graveyard until 1835, when two sections were uncovered during work on the site. The then‑Duke of Leinster, Charles FitzGerald, arranged their re‑erection. A third segment was found in 1893 and added, giving the cross its full height of 5.33 m, making it the second‑tallest high cross in Ireland (the tallest being the West Cross at Monasterboice, 5.5 m). The cross is composed of three granite blocks – base, shaft and head – and is notable for its flat, geometric style.
The shaft bears a rich programme of biblical scenes – Daniel in the lions’ den, the three children in the fiery furnace, the miracle of the loaves and fishes, Abraham’s near‑sacrifice of Isaac – alongside pre‑Christian motifs such as a spiral sun and a lozenge. The base uniquely depicts the twelve apostles beneath a crucifixion tableau, turning the cross into a visual sermon for a largely illiterate medieval community.
Local folklore adds intrigue: legend claims that Saint Patrick once visited Moone, was poorly received, and cursed the settlement so that no native would become a king or bishop. Whether myth or memory, the tale deepens the site’s mystique.
The Kildare Monastic Trail
Moone High Cross is a featured stop on the self‑guided Kildare Monastic Trail, a route that links the county’s round towers, high crosses and medieval monasteries. Visitors can pick up a trail leaflet (available at local tourist offices) and follow the marked waypoints, making Moone an easy addition to a day exploring Kildare’s ecclesiastical heritage.
What to See & Do
- Moone High Cross – At 5.33 m tall it is Ireland’s second‑tallest high cross. A description board explains each carved panel, allowing visitors to trace stories from both the Old and New Testaments.
- Abbey Ruins – Walk among the stone‑walled enclosure and foundation outlines of the medieval abbey. The modest wooden door set in the wall offers a tangible sense of stepping back in time.
- Other Cross Fragments – Within the enclosure a second, incomplete high cross is displayed in sections, illustrating the earlier wealth of stonework on the site.
- St Columcille Well – A historic holy well, once a popular pilgrimage destination until the early 20th century, lies a short walk from the abbey grounds.
- Village Charm – Stroll through Moone’s quiet streets, pop into the local shop, or enjoy a meal at the Moone High Cross Inn, which sits just a short walk from the monument.
- Scenic Walks – The surrounding fields and the nearby River Greese provide pleasant routes for a reflective walk after exploring the historic core.
Practical Details
- Access: The site is a short, well‑signposted walk from the centre of Moone. Parking is very limited – space for only two to three cars – near the Moone High Cross Inn.
- Opening: The high cross and abbey enclosure are open year‑round with no fixed opening times; the protective glass roof allows viewing in all weather conditions.
- Facilities: Information boards on‑site give detailed explanations of the carvings. Restrooms are available at the inn.
- Guide Book: A small guidebook can be purchased at Wall’s Mini Mart in the village.
- Getting there: Moone lies on the former N9 corridor, easily reachable by car from Dublin (approximately 45 km south). Public transport options include local bus services to Kildare town, with a brief taxi ride to the village.
- GPS: N 52.97879, W 6.82468.
- Website: The official Heritage Ireland page for the site is active – https://heritageireland.ie/unguided-sites/moone-high-cross/.
- Nearby attractions: Consider pairing a visit to Moone with a trip to the historic town of Kildare, the Irish National Stud, the scenic Wicklow Mountains, or the nearby Great Connell Priory – another impressive medieval ruin with a high cross.
Moone offers a rare combination of living village life, evocative monastic ruins, and one of Ireland’s most impressive high crosses – a destination that invites both contemplation and discovery.