Eleven centuries before the Hibernian High Cross was dedicated in Portland, OR, the original Cross of the Scriptures went up at Clonmacnoise, Ireland. And it never came down. CROSS TALK is a series of articles to come about the local Irish High Cross and the connections to Irish history and culture. This is Column One: How and why and who built it.

The Hibernian High Cross at the Oregon Potato Famine Memorial inspired the President of George Fox College to commission a second High Cross sandstone replica by the late artist Brendan McGloin. The Cross is expected in late 2026 or early 2027.

San Francisco seems to be on track to fund and build the San Francisco Irish Great Famine Memorial Plaza. The location is in the northwest corner of the City and will initially be a plaza overlooking the 17th hole (par 3) of the Lincoln Park Golf Course looking out on the Golden Gate Bridge.