St. Patrick began to convert the Celts to Christianity in 432 A.D. and soon many monasteries were set up throughout the country. St. Finian founded a famous monastery at Clonard in the Kingdom of Leighlin. This granite cross is a sign that a small monastery was set up here. Often these ancient Christian monasteries were built on important pagan sites. This would explain why the cross and the pillar stone are beside each other.

The cross is made of granite, a very weather resistant stone. It would have to be as it is here for about 1,500 years. There is a cross-in-circle on the front of the cross. Imagine what this place looked like when the monks put up this little cross all those years ago. Maybe there was a little church where the church now stands and a few little huts for the monks to live in.