Irish Headstones

One of the most well-known emblems of Irish culture, the Celtic cross, is a prominent feature in our Irish-styled gravestones category. Celtic crosses in a variety of shapes and sizes can be adapted to different headstone designs as displayed in our samples below. In particular, Celtic headstone designs can be engraved to any of our memorials to help complement your preferred tombstone. Additionally, ceramic photos for headstones and a wide range of memorial plaques for graves are also available to enhance your gravestone.

On each of our Irish headstones, we have incorporated short Gaelic Verses which can be engraved to our headstones or personalized Irish memorial gifts. Additionally, an exclusive collection of short Gaelic epitaphs for Irish headstone inscriptions are available to help you choose a fitting headstone epitaph for your loved one’s gravestone. To receive a price for any of our Irish-styled gravestones please complete our headstone prices contact form at the bottom of this page or call a member of our staff for more information.

Standing grandly above all others this Celtic cross is traditionally described as a “High Cross” – the oldest and original Celtic cross design. Based on the earliest High Cross structure, these Irish headstones are hand-carved with Celtic lacing, including an outer roped feature on the main cross-section. The initials “IHS”, an arrangement of letters representing the name of Jesus Christ are also skillfully hand-carved in the center circle of the cross. Additionally, the dye which supports the cross is recessed on three sides allowing for many additional inscriptions to be engraved in the future. Made from blue limestone this Celtic High Cross embodies the real spirit of ancient Celtic Christianity.

Contemporary forms of the above High Cross first became popular Irish headstones in mid-nineteenth-century Dublin. In light of this, the Celtic cross revival quickly spread to the rest of Ireland and today this iconic symbol still remains one of the most sought-after traditional Irish gravestones. By and large modern-day Celtic cross headstones display carved interlace with traditional Celtic Knots on the main shaft. In a similar fashion, the center of the cross usually has “IHS” or an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ engraved.

Compared to the High cross contemporary Celtic cross monuments are usually smaller in height. For this reason, Celtic cross gravestones have become increasingly popular especially due to cemetery restrictions on the height of their memorials. With this in mind, all Celtic cross heights are displayed below their respective images.

As displayed below, hand-carved Celtic crosses and intricate Celtic headstone designs can now be adapted to many of our contemporary headstones. In particular, the Boyne and Erne headstone designs are cut and polished around the interlaced Celtic cross itself. By the same token, the characteristic beauty of each Celtic cross defines the outer shape of our Irish headstones. Ultimately, the style of our modern Celtic cross gravestones gives them a timeless appeal that transcends the bounds of religion, race, and territory.

Unlike Irish headstones from previous generations, the majority of gravestones are now personalized to each individual’s requirements. Memorials depicting Irish emblems elegantly combine our ancient heritage with a twist of modern-day stone masonry. For instance, one of Ireland’s most famous emblems – the harp, plays a prominent role in many new Irish gravestone designs. In a similar fashion, traditional gravestone crosses with their hand-carved lacing elegantly adorn our Irish tombstones. Together with a time-honored rustic headstone look or a modern-day polished finish, our Irish gravestone designs will ultimately continue your loved one’s legacy for many future generations to admire.

Sometimes locating the right words to commemorate a loved one can be difficult. particularly when your sentiments will be engraved in stone. Without reservation, Gaelic verses for Irish headstones are hard to find, especially Christian-themed verses or bible quotes. When choosing an Irish headstone inscription it’s important to remember the following points:

Select each Gaelic verse to see its English meaning.