Historic Designs

Historic Designs from Kildare – ROUGH DRAFT

Presented here are a number of historic designs taken from artifacts found in County Kildare and ranging in date from the Neolithic to the 19th century.

Designs that could be added:

Castledermot high crosses fretwork and spiral work (9-10c)
Old Kilcullen knotwork (9-10c)
Muligmast Stone (Iron Age?)
Moone high cross panels (9-10c)
Furness Rock Art (Neolithic)
Prosperous crozier ? (12 c?)


Line Impressed Tiles – 13-14th Century

Line impressed tiles date from the 13th to early 14th century and have been found at a number of church sites that were redeveloped after the Norman invasion, including Kildare Cathedral, St David’s Church, Naas, and…

These tiles have numerous patterns and were usually glazed with a single colour. They have also been found at the two Dublin Cathedral sites as well as various major ecclesiastical sites in Dublin and the Leinster region.

The patter here is L…. and was found at Naas and Kildare.

Above: Individual tile with outline pattern

Presented here are a number of historic designs taken from artifacts found in County Kildare and ranging in date from the Neolithic to the 19th century.


Monster – 9-10th Century

Six-headed creature from Moone High Cross

Monster – 9-10th Century

This six-headed creature comes from the east face of the base on Moone’s high cross.


Line Impressed Tiles – 13-14th Century

Line impressed tiles date from the 13th to early 14th century and have been found at a number of church sites that were redeveloped after the Norman invasion, including Kildare Cathedral, St David’s Church, Naas, and…

These tiles have numerous patterns but have also been found at the two Dublin Cathedral sites as well as various major ecclesiastical sites in Leinster.

Above: Individual tile with outline pattern


Fretwork from metal clasp – 8-9th Century

This design comes from a metal clasp, possibly from a book cover, discovered during an excavation of an enclosure adjacent to the River Liffey at Castlesize, Sallins, Naas, Co. Kildare.

These tiles have numerous patterns but have also been found at the two Dublin Cathedral sites as well as various major ecclesiastical sites in Leinster.

Above: Individual pattern