Sculptors in the northwest have completed a 3.6m sandstone high cross, inspired by the 10th century Drumcliffe High Cross, that will be transported to George Fox University in Oregon.
Renowned sculptor Brendan McGloin was commissioned to produce the high cross.
He died before it was completed in April 2025.
Fellow sculptors Jackie McKenna, Séamus Dunbar and Martha Quinn have completed the project at Mr McGloin's workshop in north Leitrim.
Later this morning, George Fox University President Robin Baker will travel to Kinlough, Co Leitrim, to view the sandstone high cross before it is shipped to the US.
In a blog post last year, George Fox University, which is named after the founder of the Quaker movement, said Mr McGloin alternated between chemotherapy and working on the piece.
"He is a true craftsman from the old world. Very few people are capable of carving these intricate images out of raw stone," the university post said.
One of Mr McGloin’s best known works was a replica of the Clonmacnoise Cross of the Scripture which was commissioned by the Ancient Order of Hibernians for a famine memorial in Portland in Oregon.
"He did an absolute fantastic job of it, that cross was the cause for the current commission," Mr Dunbar said.
Both Mr Dunbar and Ms McKenna taught Mr McGloin sculpting in Manorhamilton some decades ago.
Mr Dunbar said: "We put his feet on a path and he took off.
"He showed a particular interest in Celtic work and old carvings, that defined some of the early part of his career.
"Brendan suffered from cancer. He kept bouncing back. He had a great zest for life.
"He really loved surfing. He loved the sea and drew great energy from it."
He described the project, which they have been working on for a year, as "a parting gift from Brendan McGloin".
He said Mr McGloin, who was known nationally, was a great representative abroad of the tradition of stone carving and "not as well-known as he ought to have been."
The High Cross, which he started, is based on the proportions of the Drumcliffe Cross, near a 6th Century monastic close to the foot of Benbulbin.
Mr Dunbar said the cross includes scenes from the Old Testament, the life of Christ, the resurrection, and the crucifixion, as well as Celtic interlacing and ornamentation.
George Fox University was happy to have Mr Dunbar and Ms McKenna continue the partially completed commission after Mr McGloin died.
"It was great of his wife to allow us to take on his work and finish it. We really appreciate support of his family in this as well," Mr Dunbar said.
"Brendan was married and had his four lovely children. Our loss to us is nothing compared to their loss," he added.
The sculptors examined Mr McGloin’s plans and consulted his siblings Francis and Geraldine, a fellow artist, before completing the project.
Mr Dunbar said: "Our other partner, Martha Quinn, would’ve known Brendan too.
"It was a privilege to work with Jackie, Martha, Francis and Geraldine in his workshop in Kinlough.
"His last big commission has been brought to completion."
The High Cross will be transported to the US this summer.
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