The Scully Cross
Commissioned by Vincent Scully, it was executed by Messrs Early and Powells of Camden Street, this
Celtic cross was described as a magnificent work of art covered in emblematic designed created by
skilled craftsmen. It was considered as tasteful, graceful and symmetrical. It was made of four
pieces of Portland stone and was close to twenty-five feet in height. It was the largest cross that they
had made to date by about 6 feet. The Cross went on show at their stoneyard at Grantham Place in
July 1870 and thousands visited. The Cross weighed three and a half tons was raised into place
surmounting the monument on St Patrick’s Rock on the Rock of Cashel on Monday 8 Aug 1870 making
it fifty feet and six inches. The outer diameter of the outer ring or halo was six feet and the inner
diameter was four feet eight. Each block was so heavy that the horses could not pull them up the hill
and local men had to tie ropes to the cart and help to drag it up the hill.
On the front of the cross in prominent bold relief there was a life size representation of the crucifixion
beneath a dove with ears of wheat and a vine branch surrounded by the Four Evangelists, symbolism
taken from the Book of Revelations, they are depicted by four winged creatures: man, lion, calf and
eagle. Below the figure were three panels representing St Patrick in stages of his life and each was 3
and a half feet. The first was Patrick as a captive of King Nial, the second was as a shepherd
surrounded by his flock and the third was as a bishop baptising Ængus, King of Munster whose
sandalled foot is pierced by the Crosier of St Patrick. In the background stands Benignus holding St
Patrick’s Bell.
On the back of the cross was a representation of the Judgement Day. The Redeemer appears as a
judge of mankind, the blessed and the cursed separating before him to either to enjoy or suffer. Below
this the Angel of the Resurrection watches over the yet unjudged with a winged angle blows two
trumpets. Higher up on the cross is the Devine Hand and in small panels the cardinal virtues are
symbolised: Faith by the lamb and the cross, Hope by and anchor and the rising sun, Charity by a heart
trans pierced. The back of the shaft was divided into three panels like the front. The top and bottom
panels contained intricate Celtic interlacing. The middle panel contained the initials of Vincent and
Susanna Scully formed in swords denoting valour and serpents typifying prudence surrounded by
shamrocks. The sides of the cross are also sculptured and each side of the shaft was made up of three
panels. The top and bottom panels of each side were covered in Celtic tracery, the central panel on one
side was a depiction of Conor Mac Cullinan, King-Archbishop of Cashel with mitres crown, sword and
crozier of Cashel. The corresponding panel on the other side was of St Patrick in his declining years
driving the serpents out of Ireland.
Each side of the plinth of the cross was also decorated. A representation of Denys Scully composing the
‘History of the Penal Laws, the death of Catherine his wife, a depiction of a dream where six members of
the Scully family gaze in amazement as the finished cross, and the family coat of arms and motto’ In hoc
signo Vincent’.
The Vault underneath contained the following transcription.
Commissioned by Vincent Scully, it was executed by Messrs Early and Powells of Camden Street, this
Celtic cross was described as a magnificent work of art covered in emblematic designed created by
skilled craftsmen. It was considered as tasteful, graceful and symmetrical. It was made of four
pieces of Portland stone and was close to twenty-five feet in height. It was the largest cross that they
had made to date by about 6 feet. The Cross went on show at their stoneyard at Grantham Place in
July 1870 and thousands visited. The Cross weighed three and a half tons was raised into place
surmounting the monument on St Patrick’s Rock on the Rock of Cashel on Monday 8 Aug 1870 making
it fifty feet and six inches. The outer diameter of the outer ring or halo was six feet and the inner
diameter was four feet eight. Each block was so heavy that the horses could not pull them up the hill
and local men had to tie ropes to the cart and help to drag it up the hill.
On the front of the cross in prominent bold relief there was a life size representation of the crucifixion
beneath a dove with ears of wheat and a vine branch surrounded by the Four Evangelists, symbolism
taken from the Book of Revelations, they are depicted by four winged creatures: man, lion, calf and
eagle. Below the figure were three panels representing St Patrick in stages of his life and each was 3
and a half feet. The first was Patrick as a captive of King Nial, the second was as a shepherd
surrounded by his flock and the third was as a bishop baptising Ængus, King of Munster whose
sandalled foot is pierced by the Crosier of St Patrick. In the background stands Benignus holding St
Patrick’s Bell.
On the back of the cross was a representation of the Judgement Day. The Redeemer appears as a
judge of mankind, the blessed and the cursed separating before him to either to enjoy or suffer. Below
this the Angel of the Resurrection watches over the yet unjudged with a winged angle blows two
trumpets. Higher up on the cross is the Devine Hand and in small panels the cardinal virtues are
symbolised: Faith by the lamb and the cross, Hope by and anchor and the rising sun, Charity by a heart
trans pierced. The back of the shaft was divided into three panels like the front. The top and bottom
panels contained intricate Celtic interlacing. The middle panel contained the initials of Vincent and
Susanna Scully formed in swords denoting valour and serpents typifying prudence surrounded by
shamrocks. The sides of the cross are also sculptured and each side of the shaft was made up of three
panels. The top and bottom panels of each side were covered in Celtic tracery, the central panel on one
side was a depiction of Conor Mac Cullinan, King-Archbishop of Cashel with mitres crown, sword and
crozier of Cashel. The corresponding panel on the other side was of St Patrick in his declining years
driving the serpents out of Ireland.
Each side of the plinth of the cross was also decorated. A representation of Denys Scully composing the
‘History of the Penal Laws, the death of Catherine his wife, a depiction of a dream where six members of
the Scully family gaze in amazement as the finished cross, and the family coat of arms and motto’ In hoc
signo Vincent’.
The Vault underneath contained the following transcription.
In Memoriam
Patria Praeclari
Dionysn Scully – O’Scolaidhe
Necnon Matria Amatae
Caterine Scully ortu Eyre
Hoc Sepulchrum Statuit
MD MDCCCLXVII
Juxta jacent de Gente
O’Scolaidhe
Jacobus Nat 12 Aprilis 1571 mort 16 Augusti 1648
Thadeus Nat 26 Dec 1603 mort 14 Jan 1679
Jeremias Nat 18 Sep 1645 mort 2 Junii 1710
Thadeur Nat 8 Aufusti 1674 mort 27 Julii 1755
Rogerus Nat 17 Novemb 1713 mort 8 Martii 1783
Jacobus Nat 1 Novemb 1737 mort 11 Fe 1816
Dionysius Nat 4 Mar 1773 mort 25 October 1830
Patria Praeclari
Dionysn Scully – O’Scolaidhe
Necnon Matria Amatae
Caterine Scully ortu Eyre
Hoc Sepulchrum Statuit
MD MDCCCLXVII
Juxta jacent de Gente
O’Scolaidhe
Jacobus Nat 12 Aprilis 1571 mort 16 Augusti 1648
Thadeus Nat 26 Dec 1603 mort 14 Jan 1679
Jeremias Nat 18 Sep 1645 mort 2 Junii 1710
Thadeur Nat 8 Aufusti 1674 mort 27 Julii 1755
Rogerus Nat 17 Novemb 1713 mort 8 Martii 1783
Jacobus Nat 1 Novemb 1737 mort 11 Fe 1816
Dionysius Nat 4 Mar 1773 mort 25 October 1830
The head of the cross was sheared off when it was struck by lightning in 1976, the rubble left strewn on the
ground around the vault where it fell.
© June Bow & Karen Poff – December 2021