Clonca Church & Cross, Inishowen, Ireland

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.

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Religious sites in Ireland

User Reviews

Jennifer Speers (14 months ago)
17th century Church. My kids were more fascinated with it having no roof than the age of the building. Too young I suppose to understand how incredible that is. A good stop. Easy walk to the site. Worth dropping in if you are in the area!

John Bashford (19 months ago)
Beautiful location near Culdaff with a 17th century ruined church and a high cross. The high cross is 3.95 metres high and dates back to the 10th or 11th century. There are some nice stone carvings inside the church.

Melanie Dougherty (2 years ago)
Clonca is such a peaceful and interesting place to visit. Don't forget to go on down the field to see the remains of another cross.

Frank Murphy (3 years ago)
What can you say about this little gem? Well tended site with several remarkable features including a spectacular medieval grave slab affixed to the church wall. One high cross remains upright in the adjoining field, another is sadly in pieces. Church buildings date from the 17th century. Limited parking on road outside.

Rónán Gallagher (5 years ago)
One of the most important medieval sites in Ireland.

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