Cross in Donagh

In 1911 the head of the 17th century Donagh cross was unearthed inside the ruins of the ‘Old Church’ (MO007-007001-) and was then set into a concrete base in the NW quadrant of the graveyard (MO007-007004-) (Bigger 1916-17, 6). It consists of a solid-ringed cross (H 1.4m; span 0.9m; T 0.1m) with sunken quadrants on both faces and a tapering shaft (dims at base 0.43m x 0.25m). The W face is undecorated, but the E face has a crucifixion carved in false relief surrounded by a sunburst motif running around the ring of the cross. A legend, now covered in lichen and illegible, has been carved along the shaft. The figure ‘6’ can be seen at the top of the shaft just below the feet of Christ and may be related to the date that the cross was originally erected, which was either 1606 or 1636. The carving style of the figure ‘6’ is very similar to other 17th century representations of the figure in the graveyard. The probable base (MO007-007002-) of the Donagh Cross is located in the SE quadrant of the graveyard and is known locally as the ‘Wart Well’. Traditionally, the Donagh cross is thought to have been found in a bog and buried in Donagh graveyard for safe keeping, and also that it may have been the old market cross of the old Glaslough village, which was in the townland of Tullyree. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revised upload: 8 November 2016

The Donagh cross, likely built in the 17th century, was erected within the ruins of an old church and later repositioned in the graveyard; its style and dedication are not specified, but it reflects the tradition of high crosses in Ireland, often associated with Christian worship and community identity.