What is recorded here

An Caiseal in Glencolumbkille valley is a 1.11m cross-inscribed pillar-slab surrounded by a subcircular cairn 3.8m across. Its NE face carries a central stem joining a quartered circle above to a roundel below, like a larger version of the motif at Straid. The rocky valley floor, poor land and state guardianship suggest the pillar marked a boundary, a memory or a warning long before roads passed beside it.

A cross-inscribed pillar-slab (DG080-020002-) 1.11m in height. The decoration is on the NE face (.18m wide). It consists of a central stem connecting a quartered-circle motif on top to a roundel motif on the bottom. This seems to be a larger version of the motif on one of the cross-slabs in the enclosure at Straid (DG080-013008-). The slab is surrounded by a subcircular cairn (DG080-020001-) 3.8m in diameter and 0.65m high. It is located in poor rocky land on the floor of Glencolumbkille valley. This is a National Monument (No. 139 (2)) in state guardianship. The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Date of upload: 22 September 2008

This cross-inscribed pillar is likely of early medieval Christian origin, dating to between the 7th and 10th centuries AD. The design may represent a stylised cross, possibly used as a marker for a burial site, a waystation, or a place of spiritual significance in a local Christian landscape.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.