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The ring initially served to strengthen the head and the arms of the High Cross, but it soon became a decorative feature as well.

The High Crosses were status symbols, either for a monastery or for a sponsor or patron.

The early 8th century crosses had only geometric motifs, but from the 9th and 10th century, biblical scenes were carved on the crosses. There were no crosses after the 12th century.

Amongst the most famous are:

• Muiredach's Cross and West Cross at Monasterboice, County Louth)
• Saint Tola's High Cross
  • An 11th century cross at Dysert O'Dea Castle showing Christ and a bishop carved in high relief on the east and west sides
• Ahenny High Cross
• Ardboe Cross
  • A 10th century cross near Cookstown, eroded, showing 22 panels with scenes from the Old and New Testaments.
• Cross of the Scriptures, Clonmacnoise
  • The original 9th century cross is housed in a museum, but a copy stands on the original site.
• North Cross, Clonmacnoise
• South Cross, Clonmacnoise
• St. Kevin's Cross, Glendalough
  • A 12th century cross, well preserved, made of granite.
• South Cross, KellsKells ( Irish: Ceannanas Mor meaning "Great Chief Abode") is a town in County Meath in Ireland. The town has a rich historic past: the Abbey of Kells, with its round tower, is associated with St Columba and with the Book of Kells now kept at Trinity Colle, County MeathMeath An Mh in Irish) is a county in the Republic of Ireland, the county is often informally called The Royal County''. Area: 2342 km² (904 square miles). The de facto county town is Navan, where the county hall is located, although Trim has a historical
  • The South Cross is the best preserved of several 9th century crosses.
• Doorty Cross, KilfenoraKilfenora is a small village in county Clare in the Republic of Ireland just south of The Burren area. Kilfenora Cathedral which is mostly in ruins, dated from the 12th century with 3 high crosses in its yard amongst them the Doorty Cross in front of the, County ClareCounty Clare An Clar in Irish) is in the Irish province of Munster. It is located on the west coast of Ireland, northwest of the River Shannon and bordering Lough Derg. Area: 3,147 km² (1,215 square miles). Its capital is the town of Ennis. County Clare s.
  • Has a bishopA bishop is an ordained person who holds a specific position of authority in any of a number of Christian churches. Bishops in the New Testament The bishop's role is typically called the " episcopacy", because the word "bishop" is derived ultimately from and two other clerics carved on it.
• Three crosses at KilkieranKilkieran ( Irish: Cill Chiarain is a village in County Galway, Republic of Ireland, located in the west of the county, along the west coast of Ireland. The R340 road along the coast from Galway city passes through Kilkieran. There is also a Kilkieran in, County TipperaryCounty Tipperary Tiobraid Arainn in Irish) is a county in the Republic of Ireland, in the province of Munster. Area: 4,303 km² (1,661 square miles). Tipperary is known for its horse breeding (Coolmore Stud is the largest thoroughbred breeding operation in
  • Plain Cross (unadorned), West Cross (with much ornamentation), Long Shaft Cross (has a long shaft with decoration).

• Tottenham High CrossTottenham High Cross was erected in Tottenham sometime between 1600- 1609 on the site of an earlier Christian cross. Often mistakenly thought to be an Eleanor cross. Monuments., Tottenham, London