Overview
St Mark’s Cross rises from the south wall of Burgage Cemetery in the charming town of Blessington, County Wicklow. Carved from a single block of blue‑grey granite, the cross reaches an impressive height and dominates the modest cemetery setting. Its stark silhouette against the Wicklow sky makes it a striking landmark for anyone wandering the river‑lined landscape west of the River Liffey.
History
The cross dates back to the 12th century, when it originally stood beside a small church and a holy well in the settlement of Burgage More. In the 19th century it was commonly called Saint Baoithin’s Cross, reflecting an earlier dedication. The creation of the Poulaphouca Reservoir in the 1940s flooded the original site. To save the monument, heritage authorities lifted the granite shaft and re‑erected it within Burgage Cemetery, where it remains today as a National Monument.
Height & Symbolism
According to County Wicklow Tourism, the cross stands 4.2 m (about 13 ft) high. Its unpierced ring and the single decorative boss on each face carry symbolic meaning: the boss represents Christ at the centre of the universe, while the surrounding sun‑disc motif alludes to the cosmos. The cross’s long, unadorned arms and the clean ring set it apart from the more heavily carved Celtic crosses found elsewhere in Ireland.
What to See & Do
Visitors are drawn to several distinctive features of St Mark’s Cross. Unlike the majority of Celtic crosses, it possesses an unpierced ring, giving the arms a clean, uninterrupted profile. The arms themselves are unusually long, extending well beyond the central shaft and creating a sense of graceful proportion. Both faces of the cross are crowned with a decorative boss at the centre, a subtle yet elegant detail that hints at the skilled craftsmanship of medieval stone‑masons.
At the base, a weathered inscription—partially legible as “1400”—offers a tantalising clue to later medieval activity at the site. The carving is believed to be in old Irish, adding an aura of mystery that encourages close inspection. Those familiar with the region’s early Christian heritage will recognise a visual kinship with the nearby St Kevin’s Cross at Glendalough, another single‑piece granite monument, though St Mark’s Cross is set in a far more intimate, rural context.
A short walk east of the cemetery leads to the townland of Ballintubber, where a massive broken high cross stands as a silent counterpart to St Mark’s. The juxtaposition of the two stones provides a broader perspective on the spread of monastic settlements across the Wicklow countryside.
Practical Information
St Mark’s Cross is freely accessible to the public and can be visited at any time of day; there is no admission fee and no formal opening hours. The cross is situated directly against the south wall of Burgage Cemetery, which is open year‑round. Visitors arriving by car can park in the small lay‑by off the main road into Blessington, and a short, well‑maintained footpath leads straight to the monument. The site is wheelchair‑friendly, with level ground surrounding the cross, though the cemetery’s historic gravestones may require careful navigation.
GPS coordinates: 53.162007 N, 6.540285 W.
For those planning a broader itinerary, Blessington offers a range of cafés and shops within walking distance, making it easy to combine a cultural stop at St Mark’s Cross with a leisurely lunch by the River Liffey. The cross’s proximity to the reservoir also provides opportunities for scenic walks along the water’s edge.
Nearby Attractions
- Blessington and its Lakes – The town’s lakeside promenade and the Poulaphouca Reservoir are ideal for a relaxed stroll or a picnic.
- St Kevin’s Cross, Glendalough – A short drive north brings you to the famous monastic site of Glendalough, where another single‑piece granite high cross can be admired.
- Ballintubber High Cross – The broken high cross in Ballintubber offers a contrasting, larger‑scale example of Wicklow’s stone‑carving tradition.
St Mark’s Cross stands as a resilient witness to centuries of change, from medieval devotion to modern conservation. Its unique design and storied relocation make it a compelling stop for anyone exploring the historic heart of County Wicklow.