The Market Cross
Once Located in the centre of town, now repositioned in front of the New Heritage Centre, Headford Place, this 9th century termon high cross marked the ecclesiastical boundary of the monastic city of Kells. Any fugitive could claim sanctuary once inside the boundary of the monastic city. The shaft, nearly 9ft high, is divided into four compartments, in which scenes of the scriptures are depicted. The width across the arms is 5ft 4 in, again depicting scenes from the scriptures. Local history records that the top of the cross was damaged during the Cromwellian wars of 1640 and it lay prostrate until re-erected in 1688 by the Sovereign of the Town Corporation Robert Balfe. History also records that it was used as a gallows after the 1798 rebellion.