Towns and
Villages
Moone and Timolin
Moone and Timolin are closely located villages
just off the N9 south of Kilcullen.
Moone is one of the oldest inhabited areas in Kildare, with
evidence of settlement going back 6000 years. In the sixth
century, St. Colmcille founded a monastery here. In the
Martyrology of Donegal and the book of Kismore the location is
called "Maen Colum Cille" or property of Colmcille.
Moone was Christianised by the Roman bishop Palladius so when St
Patrick planned to visit the town from Glenealy the residents of
Moone laid traps for him, considering him to be heretic. Patrick
was warned however and he skirted the town. As he passed he
blessed the woman who warned him, Brigitta, and cursed Moone
saying no more men born there would ever become King or Bishop and
there never has been a bishop from Moone…yet!
Moone High Cross:
The Irish high crosses were originally brightly painted, as one
expert has observed 'giving a general effect like that of a
manuscript illustration'. The crosses did not mark burial places,
but were intended as an embellishment or boundaries for a
monastery, as a protection or as a visual aid to religious
instruction.
Over 5 metres high, it has beautifully stylised and naïve figures.
The decoration of the cross of Moone, like that of other related
crosses, follows the form of prayer popular at the time, combining
thoughts of the Old Testament with events from the New Testament.
Thus on the north side of the cross, the temptation of St Anthony
in the desert is depicted with suitable frightening monsters, and
with another hermit, Paul, being fed by a bird from heaven.
A simple crucifixion is shown above a panel filled with the
geometric figures of the apostles while, on the south side, the
Old Testament is represented by the children in the furnace, and
the New by the flight to Egypt and the miracle of the loaves and
the fishes. Adam and Eve, the sacrifice of Isaac, and the lion's
den and Daniel are on the east side. The shaft, beneath a figure
of Christ crucified, is a series of square panels containing
animals and ornaments. In all, this is perhaps the most
outstanding ancient monument in the country, and it is in the care
of the County Council.
Excellent fishing can be enjoyed on the nearby River Griese.
The show rooms of the Irish Pewter Mill at Timolin are open April
to October, 9.30 to 4.30, Mon - Fri. November - March by
appointment.
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