Holy Crosses on Mount Hillary

The 1950th anniversary of Christ’s birth was designated a “Holy Year” by Pope Pius 12th and world wide commemorations of this anniversary took place. A favourite method of commemorating the event was the erection of holy crosses.

Wooden Cross

The rudimentary wooden cross erected in 1950. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Sheehan, Gortmore.

A committee in the Glantane Church area organised the erection of a rudimentary wooden cross, made from railway sleepers, on the eastern summit of Mount Hillary which is in Mount Hillary townland in the parish. The associated photo is of very poor quality but is the best available. This was just a temporary arrangement until a more elaborate cross could be organised.

Limestone Cross

The committee decided to replace this temporary wooden cross with a more appropriate sculptured limestone cross before the year ended and a fund raising drive then commenced, with a considerable donation from Lombardstown Co-Op Creamery. An 8ft tall carved limestone Cross was commissioned from Holland’s Monumental Works in Kilbrin.

The Limestone Cross which replaced the Wooden Cross. This was erected in December 1950. Included in the photo is Nora O’Riordan & Michael Duggan. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Sheehan, Gortmore.

Preparatory work included the construction of a concrete plinth and the laying of an electric cable from Calnan’s farmyard to the site. Rural electrification had not yet arrived in the area and Lombardstown Co Op came to the rescue by supplying a petrol engine and a dynamo to generate current. This cross duly arrived and was ferried to the mountain top in Owen O Sullivan’s (Curraghbower) tractor where it was erected beside Danny Morey’s castle on 21st December 1950.

The cross was unveiled and blessed on Sunday 24th December in the presence of a large crowd from all over the parish. The cross was illuminated during the Christmas season for a number of years thereafter. The committee cut temporary poles to carry the cable overground to the cross from the farmyard and the Calnan family supplied petrol and started the generator each night for a number of years afterwards during the Christmas season. The cross was also illuminated during the Marian Year 1954. The photo of this cross shows Nora O Riordan and Michael Duggan perched on it and an inscription Holy Year 1950 is discernible on the plinth.

Teak Wooden Cross

Sometime in the 1970’s the cross collapsed and broke into numerous pieces, a lightening strike has been suggested for the damage. This was replaced by a teak one which lasted until 1990 when decay had set in and this had to be replaced also.

Stainless Steel Cross

The teak cross was replaced by a stainless steel version which was fabricated in the sugar factory workshop under the watchful eye of Paddy Dineen from Drommahane. Once more, Owen O Sullivan provided the transport and a JCB was also used to ferry concrete to the site and to dig out a five feet deep hole to anchor the cross which stands about 20 feet above ground level. This cross is still standing and is on private property which should be respected.

The stainless steel cross which was erected in 1990. Included in this photo is Donie O’Sullivan. Photo courtesy of Jerry O’Keeffe.

Locals erected solar lights on this cross which, over time, stopped working. This cross is visible from much of the parish. The village of Lombardstown is clearly visible to the left of the cross and, in the distance the Galtee mountains stand out. Donie O Sullivan is standing near the cross. There are magnificent views, on a clear day, from the top of the mountain.