One side is longer than the other, a small asymmetry that sets it apart from the more carefully balanced high crosses that tend to attract attention elsewhere in the country. Plain granite, no decorative carving, no figured panels; just the stone itself, measuring 1.75 metres in height, 0.8 metres in width, and 0.3 metres in thickness.

The cross is recorded in an anonymous 1914 publication, which noted both its dimensions and its lopsided proportions. Beyond that documentary reference, the notes are spare. What is clear is that it sits within a graveyard associated with St. John's, in a part of Clondalkin that has accumulated layers of early medieval and later Christian activity over many centuries. Clondalkin itself is known for its round tower, one of the better-preserved examples in Leinster, and the presence of a granite cross in the adjacent graveyard fits a pattern of early ecclesiastical sites where multiple stone monuments survive in close proximity, each representing a different period or purpose.

St. John's graveyard is the place to head for, with the cross located in the north-east quadrant. The site reference is DU017-041012-, useful if you are cross-referencing with the Archaeological Survey of Ireland database. The cross is not elaborate enough to draw crowds, which means it can be examined at close quarters without difficulty. A 3D model has been made available online at skfb.ly/oJ9DX, which allows the asymmetry of the arms to be appreciated from angles that are harder to achieve in person. For those who prefer to see the stone itself, the granite surface and the slight imbalance of the crossarms are most readable in low, raking light.