Moore Monument In Churchyard North Of Tower Of Church Of St Nicholas

The Moore Monument, located in the churchyard north of the tower of the Church of St Nicholas, is a Celtic cross erected in 1906 and made of Ballinasloe limestone. It stands 5.5 meters high on a large battered base. The monument is dedicated to the poet Thomas Moore, who lived from 1779 to 1852. The front of the cross features Gaelic lettering that reads, "Thomas Moore Born 28 May 1779 Died 25 February 1852," along with an inscription of his famous lines: "Dear harp of my country, in darkness I found thee The cold chain of silence had hung o'er thee long When proudly, my own island harp, I unbound thee And gave all thy chords to light, freedom and song." On the rear of the monument, there is an inscription that states, "The poet of all circles, and the idol of his own" attributed to Byron.