Clonca High Cross

This high cross, which is a National Monument in state ownership (No. 25) is recorded by the Donegal Survey as follows: ‘In the field W of the graveyard is the stem and part of one arm of a restored, decorated, stone cross carved from a single slab. It is 3.95m high, the shaft is .4m wide and the arms c. 0.9m wide. The cross is .2m thick. The W face of the shaft is divided into three panels. The top and bottom panel consist of two types of double-band interlace inside a frame. The central panel is divided into two parts: on top are two affronted kneeling animals with wedge-shaped faces. Above the back of each animal is what appears to be the head of a volute crozier. The bottom section has two seated figures with hands folded in front of them. The bottom part of a circle can be seen at the top of the shaft, which is carried through on the surviving right arm of the cross, only recently replaced after being missing for some time. There are other interlace and geometric designs on the arm. The left arm and top of the cross are missing but an outline restoration has been made. The surviving arm shows a slight convexity to the W. This is carried through on the restoration. The E face of the shaft is divided into four panels. The bottom panel consists of two spirals one on top of the other. These begin at their centres with triangular knots and end with opposed and adjoining zoomorphic designs reminiscent of contemporary metalwork. Gaps between the spiral ends are filled with interlace designs. The second panel from the bottom is covered with an irregular fret-pattern. The third panel consists of a double-banded interlace. The top panel, which is slightly incomplete at the top shows a figure seated on a chair. He is holding up a circular 'plate' on which are five small 'buns' arranged in the form of a cross. Beneath this, and pointing towards the figure's legs, is a small fish and on top a larger fish. The scene possibly depicts the miracle of 'the loaves and the fishes'. The surviving arm on the left side is almost fully taken up by a small figure in an 'orans' position. The left part of a circle can be seen beside this figure. This, presumably, would have been carried through on the missing parts.’ (Lacy et al. 1983, 255-56, no. 1539). The following description is taken from: P. Harbison (2002) The High Crosses of Ireland: An Iconographical and Photographic Survey, 3 vols., Habelt, Bonn, vol. 1. 44. East Cross - 'St. Buadan's Cross' 'The East Cross stands to a height of about 5m, and the shaft is 42cm wide and 22cm thick. The sole surviving arm was replaced in position when the remainder of the head was reconstructed in concrete around 1980. There are roll mouldings at the corners, and the panels without figure sculpture are framed by a raised rib. The narrow sides are undecorated. EAST FACE E1 : Two animals, with tails coiling into triangular interlace top and bottom, and which by-pass one another at the centre of the panel. The head of the animals, seen from above, have squared snouts and ear-lappets, and the front paws project forwards beside the head. Two of the spaces in the panel have been filled with a triangular interlace. E2 : A decorative fretwork pattern. E3 : A loose and jerky two-strand interlace. E4 : (?) THE MULTIPLICATION OF THE LOAVES AND THE FISHES - (Crawford, Granger and Weir - (?) Saints Paul and Anthony receiving the bread; Killanin and Duignan, Rowan - The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes). A figure in profile on the left is seated on a high-backed chair with decorative top. He holds up a disc representing a basket or tray containing five circular loaves, beneath which there are two fish. The two fish would strongly favour the interpretation as THE MULTIPLICATION OF THE LOAVES AND FISHES first suggested by Killanin and Duignan. Arm : An ORANS figure. - Beside the fragment of a circle at the centre of the head, there is an unidentified figure raising its hands in the ORANS attitude. WEST FACE The bottom of the shaft is undecorated. W1 : A two-strand interlace. W2 : SAINTS PAUL AND ANTHONY IN THE DESERT - (Rowan - St. Paul and St. Anthony in the desert). Two figures sit frontally side-by-side beneath a hood-moulding and with their hands folded. Above them, two lion-like creatures with somewhat human heads cross their front paws while the head of a volute crozier appears above the backs of each of them. The two figures are presumably Saints Paul and Anthony, to whom the croziers belonged, and the lions are those who came to assist St. Anthony in digging a grave for St. Paul. W3 : A panel of two-strand interlace. At the very top of the shaft there is part of a circle which is continued on the head, as seen on the surviving arm fragment, where it encloses a two strand interlace. There is a debased fret pattern on the arms itself.' Attached images: DG012-002006-_01.JPG High cross –W face DG012-002006-_02.JPG High cross –E face DG012-002006-_03.JPG High cross –detail of W face: repaired upper section DG012-002006-_04.JPG High cross –detail of W face: Paired animals; two seated figures DG012-002006-_05.JPG High cross –detail of E face: 'orans’ figure DG012-002006-_06.JPG High cross –detail of E face: seated figure Compiled by Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 15 December 2015