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Origin and history

The cross Fitzgerald is an Irish-inspired Celtic cross located in the cemetery of Boismoreau in Vannes, Morbihan. It was carved in the 19th century to adorn the tomb of Gerald Fitzgerald Lentaigne de Tallagh, a 16-year-old Irishman who died in 1867 during his studies at Saint-François-Xavier High School. Its architectural style, marked by straight arms and a pinacle, evokes Irish funeral traditions.

Originally placed near the Cathedral of Vannes, the cross was finally transferred to its current location in the cemetery. It bears the inscription "Pray for Gerald's soul", recalling its commemorative function. The cross is built of limestone, a material typical of the funeral monuments of the era, and its design includes an openwork disc surrounding the ends of the arms.

Ranked a historic monument since 21 May 1937, the cross Fitzgerald bears witness to the cultural exchanges between Brittany and Ireland in the 19th century. Its history is linked to that of foreign students in France, especially in religious institutions such as the Lycée Saint-François-Xavier. Today, it remains a remarkable example of the Franco-Irish funeral heritage in the region of valveais.

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