The famous cross of Clonmacnoise, to which Ware refers in the above passage, was erected about the year 920; and though two centuries ago its inscription was deemed illegible, the illustrious Petrie has deciphered it in our own times. The first part of the inscription is: "A prayer for Flann, son of Maelsechlainn"; and the second part is: "A prayer for Colman who made this cross over the King Flann". (Petrie, _Round Towers_, pag. 268.) This ancient cross is, moreover, richly ornamented with relievos and ornamental net-work: "The sculptures on its west side", says Petrie, "relate to the history of the original foundation of Clonmacnoise by St. Kieran; while the sculptures on the other sides represent the principal events in the life of our Saviour, as recorded in the Scripture; and hence the cross was subsequently known by the appellation of _Cros na Screaptra_, _i.e._, the Cross of the Scriptures, under which name it is noticed in the Annals of Tighernach at the year 1060". Amongst the sacred subjects thus sculptured on this venerable cross we may mention, the Crucifixion--the Blessed Virgin bearing the Divine Infant in her arms--and the adoration by the Magi. Dr. O'Hnygyn died in 1538, and had for his successor Richard Hogan, who, after presiding for fourteen years in the See of Killaloe, was translated to Clonmacnoise on the 17th July, 1539: he, however, died the same year, and as Ware informs us, "within a few days after his translation". Another bishop was appointed without delay, and on the 15th December, 1539, Dr. Florence O'Gerawan or Kirwan was proclaimed in consistory as successor to St. Kieran. He held this See about fourteen years, and died soon after the accession of Queen Mary. The death of the good prelate was probably hastened by the sad ruin which fell upon his cathedral before the close of 1552. In the spirit of Vandalism to which the noblest monuments of our ancient faith became a prey at this period, the English garrison of Athlone plundered and pillaged the venerable church of Clonmacnoise--an event, the memory of which is still as vividly preserved in local tradition, as though it were only an occurrence of yesterday. It is thus recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters under the year 1552: "Clonmacnoise was plundered and devastated by the English (Galls) of Athlone, and the large bells were carried from the round tower. There was not left, moreover, a bell, small or large, an image or an altar, or a book, or a gem, or even glass in the window, from the walls of the church out, which was not carried off. Lamentable was this deed, the plundering of the city of Kieran, the holy patron".