The Berford Cross was erected by William Moore, a wealthy landowner from Downstown, in memory of his wife Thomasina Berford who died on December 17, 1635. It is referred to in Dean Cogan’s 19th century History of the Diocese of Meath. There is an old Irish cross in the graveyard and another in the town has the following Pray for the soul of Thomasina Berford wife unto William Moore of Downstown, who died December 17th 1635.The cross stood along the Downstown road until road improvements were being carried out between 1740-1760. It was moved to Duleek churchyard with the intention of being placed over a named grave. However, the caretaker recommended that this request be turned down and the cross was eventually placed at the rear of the Courthouse where it became overgrown with weeds. In 1867 it was moved to the west gable of the Catholic Church where it remained until 1961 when Fr Cuffe identified it as the cross referred to by Dean Cogan, a century earlier. In 1981 it was moved to its present site at the east end of the village of Duleek at Mill Hill. So ends a journey that started 350 years ago and embraces erection, neglect, loss, oblivion and eventual rediscovery.
