The Desert O’dea High Cross is a twelfth-century High Cross with beautiful carvings known as the cross of Manawla or Banola. You may read more at dysertcastle.com The cross is located in the middle of a cow pasture. A local I met at the spot told me that the cross has been moved several times however he didn’t share the story. The cross towered over me, the carvings are most impressive, and the setting perfect. I can’t imagine it in any other location. 

Making my way along the pasture walls to the cross, scanning the herd of cows to see if any were quickly approaching me, I think of how common it is for ancient ruins to be embedded in the Irish’s everyday life. That is not something I am accustomed to seeing. I am still amazed at each discovery. Along the pasture wall, two trees stand out from the rest of the landscape stretching upwards and outwards towards the light. Each tree noble, majestic and powerful, one living and one ghost-like. I find the striking contrast very insightful. Just as the past and present are in harmony here, I feel both the physical and spiritual realms to be seamless. The veil is very thin. The two trees, standing together with a message to me that there is no here or there, the separation is only an illusion. We are all together merely on different parts of our journey. The subtle whispers of those who are near may be heard once we come into harmony with our soul, silence our mind and move past our comfortable illusions. We simply must remember how to listen.

~ Sheri Bentley