On the plaque:

Market Cross

This 9th century high cross, the cross of the gate of the Kells monastery, is one of five high crosses still surviving in Kells. The cross of the gate, currently at or near its original site, was a termon cross and signified that a fugitive could claim sanctuary once inside the boundary of the monastic area.

The carved faces of the high crosses depict scenes from the Old and New Testament and were used primarily for the religious instruction of the faithful. These scenes may originally have been coloured.

The damage to the cross is attributed to the 17th century army of Oliver Cromwell. The inscription on the base of the cross - This cross was erected at the charge of Robert Balfe of Callierstown, being sovereign of the corporation of Kells, anno domini 1688 - indicates the date of the cross's repair.

Local belief has it that the cross was also used for hanging Croppies after the 1798 rebellion.