Cross in Cruach Na Cara

Associated with the ecclesiastical remains at the SE end of Cruach na Cara/St Macdara’s Island. Kinehan (1869, 554-5, fig. 3) recorded a cross, which he described had ‘four holes through and through the stone’; one in each canton. His illustration showed that it was broken in four pieces. However, he did not indicate exactly where it was located on the island. It is possible that this cross may be the same one recorded by Bigger (1896, 110), who noted that, ‘four portions of the head lie upon the altar, having been previously taken from the adjacent wall’. According to Bigger (ibid.), when put together the pieces ‘form a very fine cross, only one little piece being absent’. Again a clear indication of the location of the fragments is not given and they were not located on inspection in August 1984. It is possible that Kinehan and Bigger are referring to two different crosses. Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 6 June 2018