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Monasterboice
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Monasterboice, or Mainister Bhuithe was founded by St Buite before his death in AD520. It was an important
centre of spirituality and learning for centuries until the Cistercians arrived in nearby Mellifont in
1142. The Vikings also occupied it for a time until they were attacked by Domhnall, King of Tara, in
968. The two churches which can be seen today date from the 15th Century. The Round Tower seems to have
been the treasury as well as the belfry since records show that it was burned in 1097 along with the
books and treasures of the monastery.
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Monasterboice's great monuments are it's High Crosses, which may have been used to tell stories from
the bible to a congregation. This picture shows the West Cross, located close to the Round Tower. It
dates from the early 10th Century. On the East face of it's cross-head is a depiction of the Second Coming
of Christ, whilst the opposite side shows the Crucifixtion. Other bible scenes can be identified on the
base of the cross.
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This is the Cross of Muiredach, which gets it's name from an inscription on the base of the shaft which
says it was erected by a man called Muiredach, who has not yet been identified. Once again many bible
scenes are clearly depicted. On the base are hunters, animals, interlacing and fretwork.
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The Round Tower seems to have been the treasury as well as the belfry since records show that it was
burned in 1097 along with the books and treasures of the monastery. Round Towers are quite common in
Ireland, this one being very well preserved apart from it's roof. They were also used as a place to hide
during Viking Raids, when the people would take food, water and their possessions into the tower and
remain there until the raiders went away. The entrances to the towers were built high up in the walls,
the occupants entered using a ladder, then drew the ladder into the tower and barricaded the door.
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The drawing to the right is an artist's reconstruction of what Monasterboice may have looked like soon
after the High Crosses were erected in the 9th or 10th Century.
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