The Cross of Cong, for the High King of Ireland

[@richsw]

The recent series of videos from Ireland have been especially interesting, and this one is no exception. The commentary, images and video production are exceptional.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Thank you for your generous note. It means a lot to us.

[@scoon2117]

I would love to be a floating eyeball through history and watch as that was crafted. Its a masterpiece.

[@maple1255]

Fascinating history of this precious Cross for the High King of Ireland

[@Robin-yf6yl]

I grew up near Cong and I had never heard of this object… what a wonderful video

[@m-bronte]

wow, that cross is a masterpiece!

[@evillyn7895]

I envy both your knowledge and your travels, thankyousoverymuch for this.

[@barrymoore4470]

Fascinating presentation of an object previously unknown to me. The wealth of detail and information preserved on the cross is exceptional, and quite apart from its historical value, the object is truly a thing of beauty.

[@noahkidd3359]

This is super cool. Thanks!!

[@Sasha0927]

The filigree is stunning and I love the detail of the animal having differently-colored eyes.

[@Paulco67]

Superb presentation, as always. Thanks

[@danielomalley4394]

This magnificent work of art is at the National Museum, Dublin. Along with the even more impressive St Patrick’s bell shrine and the Ardagh chalice. I was able to examine these ancient treasures mere inches away in simple glass cases. Ireland has the greatest collection of ancient gold north of the Alps

[@smarthistory-art-history]

We have videos on both objects and more. see for example: smarthistory.org/the-ardagh-chalice/

[@random22026]

4:30 and 4:42 and 4:45 Why are duplicates of the animal heads (holding the cross at its base) seen here in miniature, along these inscriptions? It appears that this motif was repeated, except only empty gaps remain in some places. Were they meant to be heraldic? (Assuming that the missing gaps were all tiny animalistic figureheads...) Interesting that the larger heads had different coloured eyes (blue, and green)! Fascinating video, thank you!

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Good eye. I loved the tiny detailed animal heads. And yes, they seem to have broken off in some places. I can't speak with any certainty to their purpose beyond the decorative.

[@artytomparis]

and yet the fragment is gone? How does the crystal and it's mount remain intact if that was removed?

[@smarthistory-art-history]

A lot can happen in 900 years.

[@artytomparis]

@@smarthistory-art-history Could it still be in there but shifted to the corner of the crystal?

[@josephmessner5312]

Wunderbar !

[@Tekmirion]

Thank you for your information! Very valuable to my research on ancient peoples! Keep up the good work but keep an open mind about monotheism... it is not what is seems!

[@LOLERXP]

Even Ireland was Rome? What's next, Iceland?

[@gerardjagroo]

After Rome fell it's like almost every European kingdom was falling over itself to claim itself as the new Rome. Meanwhile across the Adriatic the genuine sucessors of the Romans were fighting for survival.

[@Icu-h6g]

The blood of jesus is inclosed in it

[@MrSullismom]

No, the belief is that the relic is a fragment of the cross upon which Christ died.

[@stevenaguilera9202]

Wtf it looks EXACTLY like the cross that permits vampires to walk in sunlight in John Carpenters VAMPIRES !!!!

[@Tekmirion]

Movies always get inspired and use symbols or part of myths of ancient peoples without the correct way of the ancients were using it. They just use it as is even if they knew the actual meaning or way to use it just cause it inspired most of them or liked it.

[@RenzoColameoIrlanda]

Infact who wrote Dracula was Irish... 🙂

[@MrSullismom]

@@RenzoColameoIrlanda yes, Bram Stoker, an Irishman, wrote Dracula and Mary Shelley, an Irishwoman, wrote Frankenstein.