Never been climbing in Ireland last time I went to southern ireland we did all the 3000ers in a week which was good BUT I remember walking down under that Howling ridge and thinking it looked wonderfull.
Then I found a book called Munsters Mountains by Denis Lynch its got loads of really good looking stuff in it and always wanted to go back someday.
Did not know about the cross or the reasons for erecting it or cutting it down but it seems a shame cos it looks(ed) stunning.