Crossmore

Located on moorland overlooking northerly cliffs on Inishmurray. Indicated on the 1837 and 1912 OS 6-inch maps, where it is named ‘Crossmore’ (Leachta Croise Móire or Cros Mhór, ‘Great Cross’). The leacht is a roughly built pile of drystone rubble measuring 2 m (east/west) by 1.8 m by 0.55 m high. Many of the stones are laid flat, as if once laid in even courses, but the whole effect now is uneven and even a little unstable. The leacht stands within a drystone enclosure (SL001-009003-). The roughly coursed stonework, but absence of peripheral rubble, suggests the monument has been intermittently rebuilt. 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: 23 January 2018

Linked to Saint Muire, the well or site at Crossmore is traditionally associated with healing and pilgrimage, particularly for ailments of the eyes and general health. The name 'Croise Móire' suggests a cross erected in her honour, reflecting early Christian devotional practices on the island.