Clonca Church and High Cross

Built on an earlier ecclesiastical site founded by Colum Cill of Donegal, Clonca Church now sits within the confines of a modern graveyard, with Clonca High Cross situated nearby.

The Church, which was part of a monastery founded by St. Buodan, was built within the 17^th century, and was in use until 1827. It contains a grave-slab that was erected by Magnus MacOrristin, likely a Scotsman, which has a sword and hurley-stick etched on it. The Church is situated near a roadway by the bog, which likely led to Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery in Co. Sligo.

There are two High Crosses close to the Church, one that is almost completely intact (it has been restored), and another that is now mostly prostrate, with the head detached. The standing cross is almost 4m in height, with the west facing side consisting of 3 panels: the top and bottom panels both contain an interlace pattern, while the centre panel contains a depiction of two kneeling animals and, below them, two seated figures, which some have suggested could be Saints Paul and Anthony in the desert.

The east facing side of the cross is divided into 4 panels: the two bottom panels contain abstract patterns, the third panel has an interlace design, while the top panel has a scene that likely depicts the story of ‘the loaves and the fishes’.

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This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014