Crossatemple

Located close to an eroding shoreline cliff edge, at the SE end of the enclosure (SL001-002002-) which surrounds Templenaman church (SL001-002001-) and graveyard (SL001-002007-). This leacht is named ‘Crossatemple’ on the 1837 and 1912 OS 6-inch maps. It is a well-made rectilinear cairn of flat slabs and small rubble, measuring 2.4 m north/south by 1.6 m east/west and 0.8 m high. It is surmounted by an ornate cross slab (SL001-003002-) and also by several beach rolled cobbles, possibly ‘cursing stones’ (these are not decorated). Several small unmarked grave stones (sandstone slabs) cluster about the foot of the leacht on the south and east and some flat slabs lying within the turf on the south side may be a remnant of paving. This is a National Monument (no. 117) in state ownership. The above description is derived from the results of a survey of the archaeological monuments on Inishmurray undertaken in 1997-1999 and published in: Jerry O’Sullivan and Tomás Ó Carragáin 2008 Inishmurrary. Monks and pilgrims in an Atlantic landscape. Volume 1: Archaeological Survey and Excavations 1997-2000. Cork. The Collins Press. Date of upload: 16 January 2018

This site is associated with Saint Manchan, a 7th-century Irish monk and hermit, and is linked to traditions of healing and pilgrimage. The name "Crossatemple" suggests a historical connection to a small monastic or ecclesiastical structure, possibly used for prayer or ritual, near the cliff edge.