The earliest known High Cross in Ireland is the Carndonagh cross, dating from the mid 7th century, which was part of a hermitage in the North West of County Donegal.  However the most magnificent of all irish High Crosses are the early 10th century Scripture Crosses, which were created at the stone carving workshop situated in the monastic settlement of Clonmacnoise, Co.Offlay.  The panels of these crosses - crafted during a time of great spiritual reform and ascetism - contain highly detailed carvings of biblical scenes.  This facilitated easy comprehension, for at that time the majority of the the people were illiterate.  It was for this reason that the Scripture Crosses have been called 'Sermons in Stone'. The rest of the pictures on this page are some beautiful mountain shots I took the one on the far right is a close-up of the mountain in the middle.