Dynamic theologies: The Ruthwell Cross from an Irish perspective

Ó Carragáin, Éamonn

Dynamic theologies: The Ruthwell Cross from an Irish perspective

Files

Éamonn Ó Carragáin Dynamic Theologies 2021.mp4(340.21 MB)

Lecture

Date

2021-04

Authors

Ó Carragáin, Éamonn

Abstract

The 2021 Jennifer O’Reilly Memorial Lecture, delivered in April 2021, shows how Jennifer O’Reilly has helped us understand the Irish figural high crosses at Ahenny, Moone, Kells and Monasterboice, and the Northumbrian crosses at Ruthwell and Bewcastle. All these crosses are best read sunwise (Old Irish dessel, following one’s right hand). They are ‘dynamic’, revealing their meanings in interaction with the daily and seasonal course of the sun. The lecture develops Jennifer O’Reilly’s insight that the twin images of the Tree of Life on the narrow sides of the Ruthwell Cross are central to the monument. The English runic verse titulus for each image of the Tree of Life provides the perspective from which the images of the broad side sunwise (dessel) to it can be understood, and strong motivation to react to them.

Keywords

Ruthwell , Bewcastle , The Dream of the Rood , Moone , Kells , Monasterboice , Ahenny , High crosses , Anglo-Saxon studies , Early medieval Ireland

Citation

Ó Carragáin, É. (2021) 'Dynamic theologies: the Ruthwell Cross from an Irish perspective’, Recording of the Jennifer O’Reilly Memorial Lecture, April 2021.