ardboe cross

This big old cross is an interesting piece of history. Handy if you spot it on your way through but there's not much else there so I wouldn't recommend going out of your way for it

The once beautiful graveyard beside the Ardboe Cross has been vandalized by the introduction of very modern memorial stones, in some cases apparently replacing the truly beautifully weathered and ancient memorials which have stood there for centuries. Plastic encased battery operated or solar powered eternal flames on more recent graves are truly tasteless, horrible, cheap disgusting and utterly unsympathetic to the graciousness of this lovely place. Can someone please take control and return some dignity to this place.Who oversees the care and conservation of this site ? They should be thoroughly ashamed of the vandalism which has been tolerated on this site. My previous post here has apparently been edited out. What does that tell you ?

A wonderful and magical place to bist. One of the oldest crosses in Ireland. Located overlooking the lough and beside a graveyard with the famous pin tree. Also if you can visit in August go to the lammas fair.

If you are interested in high crosses, you will not want to miss this artefact of history. Although the 22 panels are quite worn, the information about the cross, helps you to identify the different panels. The one draw back was the terrible swarms of mosquitoes that made it impossible to stay for long. I suppose this was due to the close proximity of Lough Neagh. The ruins of the Abbey and graveyard would have been very interesting to explore, but again the plague of flies prohibited this. Still, don't be put off just take OFF! :-)

Beautiful example of a high cross and the ancient buildings have an interesting array of ancient and modern graves.

Right on the western shore of Lough Neagh, the largest lough in the British Isles, Ardboe Abbey is situated in a very peaceful and beautiful spot. At the entrance to the graveyard stands the third highest cross in Ireland and the tallest in Northern Ireland. As are other ancient sites, this one is in a remote area that can be difficult for the inexperienced to locate, but can be found on the website http://www.megalithicireland.com/ where directions and coordinates are available. Definitely worth the time for a visit if one is ever in the neighborhood.

There is also a small ruin of a chuch. Head toward the town of Ardbow. Sometimes it gets a little tricky to dfind the way - but any road in the area called "Ardboe" will most likely lead you there as well. When I visited it was wet, and there were mosquitos (be advised and if you have bug spray - bring it with you). The cross and setting were great.

This High Cross is located in the village of Ardboe,County Tyrone, about 11 miles from Cookstown, but because the signage is bad [or non existant] be prepared to take several wrong turns before you find it. However, if you do locate it, I'm sure you'll be glad that you stuck with it. It's a national monument and the first, and tallest, High Cross built in Ulster. Standing about twenty feet high, it's quite impressive, but needs preservation. My friend remarked that maybe they should put a roof over it, to protect it from the elements, like the St. Patrick's Cross in Carndonagh, Co. Donegal. "Ard Boe" means "hill of the cow", and it comes from the legend that the monastry was built from the milk of a magic cow out of Lough Neagh. When we visited it was lashing rain, so I'd advise to go on a better day, as It's quite beautiful. So being the intrepid explorers that we are, we decided to go to the "Torpedo Platform", which is listed by the N.Ireland Tourist board as "things to do nearby", but trust me, It doesn't exist!!! We got some funny looks from the locals!!!

The Ardboe high cross is located at the entrance of a ruined monastery, next to Lough Neagh. This tallest cross of northern Ireland is relatively well preserved. The location far away from a village in a remote corner of county Tyrone, and the picturesque views over Lough Neagh give the area a certain feeling of tranquility. During our visit however, the image of peacefullnes was brutely disturbed by the sound of distant gunshots. Worth a short visit when you are in the area.

History right there for you to read and experience. Lovely views over the lough if you get the weather and usually very peaceful and quiet.