Hiberno-Romanesque

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Hiberno-Romanesque. Style of ecclesiastical buildings in Ireland from C10 to C12 characterized by very simple rectangular buildings, tall detached circular towers with conical roofs, semicircular-headed openings, and the usual array of Romanesque ornament, with such structures as Celtic crosses sumptuously carved (e.g. Monasterboice, Co. Louth (C9 or C10)). Some of the most outstanding buildings are those at Devenish, Co. Fermanagh (C10–C12), and Cormac's Chapel, Cashel, Co. Tipperary (1127–34). The style was resurrected in C19 as part of the Celtic Revival, its most common manifestations being carved high crosses in cemeteries, used as memorials, and numerous churches, including many erected in C20. Aspects of Hiberno-Romanesque and Celtic design played a part in the evolution of Art Nouveau, and were associated with the Arts-and-Crafts movement. It is also called Hiberno-Saxon as there were similarities between aspects of Irish and Anglo-Saxon decoration.

Bibliography

A. Champneys (1910);
M. Craig (1982);
Lewis & and Darley (1986);
Petrie (1845);
Stokes (1878)

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