Cloncha: Culdaff
Situated just below the Hill of Deen, Cloncha is the site of one
of the most important foundations in the development of Christianity
in Inishowen. It was a significant centre from the sixth century
onwards, favoured by bishops as a final resting place..
The glory of Cloncha is surely the striking high cross in the field
just beside the church standing four metres tall.
Only one cross now stands upright, another lies only martially
complete, but fallen, in the same field. Carved in the distinctive
manner of hybrid art produced by the Christian Celt the carvings
are both beautiful and intriguing.
Inside the church (the older church was replaced by the planter's
church in the 17th century) are some beautiful carved stones. One
a gravestone from a later date displays a great deal of artistry
in the carving on a local limestone.
Cloncha was the centre for conversion of a large part
of Inishowen. The original monastery was much larger (some stones
and crosses must have been destroyed, other are now held in the
National Museum). It's influence was great and the fact that Carrowmore
and another foundation at Culdaff were so near, would have made
this area a great seat of skill and learning.
Cloncha is approximately 3 km from the village of
Culdaff, off the Culdaff-Moville Road.
Approximately 1.5 km along this road, on the left.
There is easy access to Cloncha and it is well signposted.
Taken from A Journey through its Past - Neil McGrory
- - - - - - - - - -
St. Buadan's Cross
Apart from three figurative panels, this cross is
entirely covered in abstract ornament - well carved interlacing,
fret patterns and one unusual panel of spirals with animal head
terminals. One of the figurative panels can be clearly identified
as the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. This wonderful composition
shows Jesus in profile with a caricaturish face, sitting on a high
backed chair and holding up the five loaves on a circular platter.
Below this the two fishes have been carefully placed to fill the
remaining space within the panel.
On one of the arms of the cross is carved a small
figure with hands stretched upwards in an attitude of prayer. A
similar figure is inscribed on one of the cross slabs from the Early
Christian site at Conwal, near Letterkenny.
The third figurative panel contains two figures sitting
side by side. There arms may be crossed and interlinked or they
may be holding two crossed staffs. It has been suggested that these
represent St. Paul and St. Anthony in the desert and that the two
animals above them with almost human faces, are the lions that dug
St. Paul's grave. To complete the symmetrical design of this panel,
the carver has filled the free spaces beside the lions' head with
the spiral heads of two croziers.
Taken from Donegal History & Society
Moville Library
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