As part of the work undertaken to prepare the Cross of Cong to travel to the Museum of Country Life at Turlough Park, it was examined by experts in the National Museum’s conservation department. As a result of their on-going work, significant new discoveries about the Cross have been made.
Evidence of several previous investigations has been found, most recently in the 1960s.
Rather than being made of sheet bronze, it is now known that it was made of sheets of brass and cast brass.
The wooden cross that is the core of the Cross of Cong is made of oak; it is fractured just below the crossing of the two members and this is what causes the structural weakness in the Cross of Cong.
Most significantly, when the rock crystal and its mount at the centre of the cross were removed, another cross was found incised on the oak core of the Cross of Cong – of a type now called the cross of Lorraine – and which is a symbol of the True Cross. This was carved at the time of the making of the cross.
There are indications that there was an earlier circular container underneath the rock crystal, and that this may have contained the fragment of the True Cross.
The Cross of Cong has not yet yielded up all its secrets. Further study and research will undoubtedly reveal more.
The Cross of Cong is now on display in all its exquisite beauty – and its majesty – at Turlough Park.
