THE Monasterboice crosses will feature in a new RTE series of Secrets of the Stones according to presenter and historian Rob Vance.

And he has termed the person responsible for the works of art on the monuments as 'a genius, a Michaelangelo of the Dark Ages'.

He now feels that the time has come to move many of Ireland's ancient crosses, due to the atmospheric conditions that now prevail.

'I'm afraid many of the High Crosses will have to be moved for their own safety and for atmospheric shelter, but where to?

'There are maybe 200 still around, and that's a lot of stone to shift.

' The Moone and Kilfenora crosses have been partially covered by high glass roofs, so perhaps the OPW might do something similar for Monasterboice.

'I think it's agreed that the crosses at Monasterboice are astonishing works of art, probably the finest being produced in Europe at that time.

' The carver was a genius, but we're not sure of his identity.

'In my opinion, he was perhaps a Christian Hiberno-Norse called Tuathal, but not everybody will agree.

'It's likely he carved the Cross of the Scriptures at Clonmacnois because the craftsmanship and some subject matter are identical'.

In the forthcoming RTE series, Secrets of the Stones he hopes to shed new light on a number of things in this area, featuring Tara, Newgrange and Knowth and have some new ideas as to what went on and why.