Clonca Church & Cross

Clonca Church & Cross is one of the most important and popular historical sites in Inishowen. The 17th century church ruin at Clonca is believed to have been built on the foundation of an earlier church associated with a monastic site founded by St Morialagh in the 6th century. The monastery was one of the most important foundations in the development of Christianity on Inishowen. It's proximity to Carrowmore and another monastic site founded by St Boudan in Culdaff made this area a great seat of skill and learning. Only two high crosses remain - an upright tall cross and the head of another cross lying prostrate with a large base next to it.

Standing inside the church are two carved grave slabs. Although the stone on the left, see below, is quite modern in comparison to the early grave slab, it is never the less, a very interesting slab. An inscription in Lombardic lettering reads ' magnvsma corristin iaeotkiseo' translated as MAGNUS MACORRISTIN OF THE ISLES... MacGorristan is believed to have been a scotsman and there are several stories as to how this grave slab ended up at Clonca in Donegal. The beautifully carved slab bears a shinty stick and ball. Shinty is a game, very similar to hurling, played in Scotland.

Address
Clonca, Inishowen, Ireland

Established
6th century AD