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<< Our Photo Pages >> Irton Cross - Ancient Cross in England in Cumbria

Submitted by Thorgrim on Saturday, 27 March 2004  Page Views: 10841

Early Medieval (Dark Age)Site Name: Irton Cross
Country: England County: Cumbria Type: Ancient Cross
Nearest Town: Egremont  Nearest Village: Drigg
Map Ref: NY0916000455  Landranger Map Number: 89
Latitude: 54.391440N  Longitude: 3.400489W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
5 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
4 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
5 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
5

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Anne T visited on 24th Oct 2014 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 5 Ancient cross shaft, head and base, St Paul’s, Irto, Cumbria: This cross, apart from the Gosforth Cross, is perhaps the most complete of all those we saw during our day in this part of Cumbria. From the Ordnance Survey map, we weren’t sure if we could drive most of the way, or if we needed to walk some distance along a footpath, but with a school and a church marked in close proximity, we decided to drive as far as we could. From Gosforth, we drove down the A595 through Holmrook, then took a left hand turn onto a minor road, past Gubbergill. A left hand turn is signposted towards ‘church’ and we drove down a single lane road past what had been a school, then through the narrow stone gates to the church, where after a couple of hundred yards, the lane widens out into a reasonably large car park. As we came closer to the church, there were surprisingly spectacular views over Lake District, which loomed impressively gray and large in the near distance. St. Paul’s church is surprisingly large for its remote location, and obviously well used. We found this complete cross shaft, head and base in the churchyard south of the church rising high above us. Dating from the first half of the 9th century, the head is edged by fine double roll mouldings. I was fascinated by the head of the cross, which on its west face has a cabled circle enclosing five pellets arranged in a cruciform pattern. The cross shaft, head and base are referenced as Irton 01. The ASCorpus notes told me that Irton 02, a 10th century cross head, is actually at Muncaster in the churchyard of St. Michael’s and All Angels, cemented onto a plinth in front of Muncaster 01.

Irton Cross
Irton Cross submitted by Thorgrim : In the churchyard at Irton is the ancient Irton Cross, which stands 10 feet high and was erected in the early 9th Century, before the Viking invasions. Pevsner declares that this is one of the most important crosses in Cumbria, and unlike the one at Gosforth, bears no figures either human or animal. It contains vine scrolls and rosettes of Irish origin. (Vote or comment on this photo)
In the churchyard at Irton is the ancient Irton Cross, which stands 10 feet high and was erected in the early 9th Century, before the Viking invasions.

Pevsner declares that this is one of the most important crosses in Cumbria, and unlike the one at Gosforth, bears no figures either human or animal. It contains vine scrolls and rosettes of Irish origin.

This cross is also scheduled as Historic England List ID 1012642 and included in the entry for the Church of St Paul in Pastscape Monument No. 8707. Pastscape describes the cross as being Anglian, re-sandstone, probably 10th century in date, over 3m high and in excellent condition.

The Corpus of Anglo Saxon Stone Sculpture also includes an entry for this cross, recorded as Irton 01. The Corpus entry includes a detailed description and discussion, dating the cross to the first half of the ninth century from the style of the carvings.

The Journal of Antiquities also includes a page for this cross - see their entry for Irton High Cross, Eskdale, Cumbria. The Journal also includes a list of reference sources and a list of related websites for more information.
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Irton Cross
Irton Cross submitted by LivingRocks : Late evening silhouette of Irton Cross. (4 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Irton Cross
Irton Cross submitted by durhamnature : Old drawing from "ancient crosses and lychgates" via archive.org (Vote or comment on this photo)

Irton Cross
Irton Cross submitted by Sunny100 : A detailed illustration (by myself) of the Irton Cross, dating from the late 9th to early 10th century. Standing at 10 feet tall, it is made of sandstone, and has intricate decorative work including interlacing and knotwork. Sadly, the runic inscription on the W side has faded due to weathering. (2 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Irton Cross
Irton Cross submitted by Antonine : Side of cross head, 2011 (Vote or comment on this photo)

Irton Cross
Irton Cross submitted by Antonine : Carving on cross shaft, 2011

Irton Cross
Irton Cross submitted by Antonine

Irton Cross
Irton Cross submitted by Antonine

Irton Cross
Irton Cross submitted by Antonine : Detail of carving on side of cross shaft, 2011

Irton Cross
Irton Cross submitted by Antonine : Photo taken in 2011

Irton Cross
Irton Cross submitted by Antonine

Irton Cross
Irton Cross submitted by Antonine : The cross is 10ft high and is carved from red sandstone. Photo taken in 2011

Irton Cross
Irton Cross submitted by Antonine : The Celtic Cross is thought to date from the 9th century. It is decorated with patterns found in the Book of Kells.

Irton Cross
Irton Cross submitted by Anne T : Close up of the east face of the cross head at St. Paul's Irton. Note the projecting boss in the centre. This face is more worn than the others.

Irton Cross
Irton Cross submitted by Anne T : Close up of the west face of the cross head at St. Paul's Irton. Note the cabled circle with five pellets arranged in cruciform pattern. This cross dates from the first half of the 9th century, and is referenced 'Irton 01' on the ASCorpus catalogue.

Irton Cross
Irton Cross submitted by Anne T : The cross shaft, head and base of 'Irton 01' at St. Paul's, Irton. It was the largest, most complete of the ancient crosses we saw during our visit to Cumbria today.

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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 3.7km NNW 327° Gosforth Cross* Ancient Cross (NY07230357)
 3.7km ENE 66° Irton Pike Ring Cairn Ring Cairn (NY1261601907)
 3.9km NNW 329° Gosforth Holy Well* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (NY07190383)
 4.1km SSE 161° St Michaels Church, Muncaster Castle* Ancient Cross (SD10399656)
 4.5km S 183° Roman Bath House, Ravenglass, Cumbria* Ancient Village or Settlement (SD0882795927)
 4.7km NW 313° Gretigate B Stone Circle (NY058037)
 4.7km NW 313° Gretigate C Stone Circle (NY058037)
 4.7km NW 311° Gretigate A Stone Circle (NY057036)
 4.9km SW 221° Drigg sand dunes* Ancient Mine, Quarry or other Industry (SD059968)
 5.4km S 170° Waberthwaite Cross* Ancient Cross (SD10039510)
 5.6km S 191° Glannoventa* Ancient Village or Settlement (SD0895)
 6.1km WNW 287° Grey Croft* Stone Circle (NY03340238)
 6.2km SE 138° Barnscar Settlement, Birkby Fell* Ancient Village or Settlement (SD132958)
 7.1km NNW 342° Birrel Sike Ancient Village or Settlement (NY071073)
 7.2km ESE 115° Devoke Water and Water Crag* Ring Cairn (SD1563397273)
 7.6km N 4° Sampson's Bratfull* Long Barrow (NY098080)
 7.8km N 6° Stockdale Moor* Cairn (NY101082)
 7.8km SE 146° Whitrow Beck* Stone Circle (SD13429387)
 8.2km NNE 24° Mecklin Park Cairn (NY126079)
 8.3km ENE 75° White Moss SW* Stone Circle (NY17250239)
 8.3km ENE 73° Low Longrigg SW* Stone Circle (NY172027)
 8.3km ENE 75° White Moss NE* Stone Circle (NY17300241)
 8.4km ENE 73° Low Longrigg NE* Stone Circle (NY172028)
 8.4km ENE 76° Brat's Hill* Stone Circle (NY17370234)
 8.5km NNW 346° Thornholme farm* Ancient Village or Settlement (NY0727008760)
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