Donagh Cross

This monument number records the present location of a high cross, which is a National Monument in state ownership (no. 271). The high cross, and the two stone sculptures (DG011-035010-; DG011-035011-) associated with it, were moved to this location to protect them from erosion. The original location of these monuments, indicated as ‘Cross’ on the 183 and 1903 OS 6-inch maps, is recorded under the numbers: DG011-035005-; DG011-035007-; DG011-035008-. The following description is 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): The Carndonagh complex (National Monument number 271) is the site of one of the main early ecclesiastical centres in Donegal. It consists of a modern graveyard (DG011-035007-) surrounding the 18th century Church of Ireland church. At the NE corner of the graveyard but outside it on the roadside is a group of carved stones consisting of a cross (DG011-035009-) flanked on each side by a stele, one to the N (DG011-035010-) and the other to the S (DG011-035011-). This group originally stood c. 20m NE on the opposite side of the road. The cross which is c. 2.5m high, c. 0.6m wide at the shaft, c. 1.1m wide at the arms and 0.15m thick, is decorated on both sides. On the E face the top of the cross is dominated by an interlaced cross formed from two bands 'plaited in the centre and interlaced as triquetras at the extremities. The lower limb is slightly lengthened by an extra twist of the inner band. The upper quarters contain separate triquetras, and the lower birds arranged around centres as triskelias' (Crawford 1980, 29). Beneath the cross is a human figure with outstretched arms. To either side of his head is a simple angel-like figure. On either side of his body beneath his arms is a human figure, small bird-like figures occurring above their heads. At the bottom of the cross is a panel containing the profiles of three human figures facing towards the left. The W face of the cross is covered by a double-edged broad-band interlace. This side has suffered badly from erosion. There is a small hole at the centre of the cross. On the S edge of the cross and following its contours over and under the arm are four human figures connected to a face at the top by means of an interlace design. To the N and S of the cross are two small pillar stones (Stone sculptures DG011-035010-; DG011-035011-). Each is c. 0.8m high and c. 0.3m square. Each face of both stones is decorated. N stone (DG011-035010-): S face, a double pelta design; E face, a human figure with a small shield and a sword; N face, a fish and bird motif; W face, a figure playing a harp. S stone (DG011-035011-): N face; an animal-headed figure with 'two discs and a hammer' (Henry 1965,130); E face, an ecclesiastical figure with crossed arms holding a bell and a book with a crozier horizontally beneath; W face, a face near the top of the pillar; S face, a human head emerging from a fish's mouth. The two pillar stones and the cross are situated on a modern plinth which incorporates a flat-topped boulder 1.5m × 1.3m. The cross is set in a rectangular socket in this boulder. The following description of the High Cross is taken from, P. Harbison (2002) The High Crosses of Ireland: An Iconographical and Photographic Survey, 3 vols., Habelt, Bonn, vol. 1. 32-33: 'The cross, situated beside the road leading southwards from the town and just outside the wall of the Church of Ireland churchyard, was formerly set up on the opposite side of the road, and presumably belonged to an early monastery probably centered within the area of the present churchyard. It is 2.53m high, 1.10m across the arms, and the shaft has a maximum width of 68cm and a thickness of 19cm. It is not divided up into panels, but there are roll mouldings at the edges. EAST FACE: Shaft E1 : (?) THE THREE HOLY WOMEN COMING TO THE TOMB (Doherty-(?) Saints Patrick, Columcille and Bridget). Three figures turned towards the left are shown in long garments. As they are beneath THE CRUCIFIXION, it seems reasonable to interpret these figures as THE THREE HOLY WOMEN COMING TO THE TOMB. E2 : THE CRUCIFIXION - (Crawford, Henry [1933] and Stevenson - The Crucifixion; Henry [1965]-Christ in Glory). Christ, robed to the knees, has his legs turned to the left. Above his stumpy outstretched arms, two figures-clothed to the knees-stand facing the round and haloed (or hooded?) face of Christ. Of the two similarly-clad figures facing Christ beneath his arms, that on the right has a small horizontal bird above its head. The object above the head of the left-hand figure cannot be made out satisfactorily, though it does somewhat resemble a bird facing upwards. While the stance of the two figures could suggest Stephaton and Longinus, though lacking their normal attributes, comparison with THE CRUCIFIXION on the manuscript of St. Paul's Epistles in Wurzburg, where birds peck at the bad thief and angels accompany the good thief, suggest that the two lower figures at Carndonagh may represent the thieves. The figures above Christ's arms could-on the analogy of the bronze Crucifixion plaque from St. John's near Athlone-be taken to represent angels. HEAD: The head of the cross is occupied by an interlaced cross of two broad strands with pointed terminals. At the junction of arms and shaft there are, below, three birds with curved beaks meeting at a point, and, above a three-pointed interlace or triquetra. There is a small boss in the interlace on the arms and the upper limb of the cross. SOUTH SIDE: The south-side has four unidentified long-robed figures placed one above the other on the shaft, with their hands apparently joined in front of them. At least the three uppermost figures are likely to represent women, as breasts would appear to be shown. Under the arms there is a cross-shaped interlace with bosses in the triangular-shaped arms. Above it, on the end of the arms, there is a simple two-strand interlace, and there is a further small figure on the top part of the shaft. WEST FACE:The whole of the west face is covered with a wide-ribboned interlace having a wide central band flanked on each side by a narrower band. NORTH SIDE: The north side is undecorated. Attached images: DG011-035009-_01 High cross -E face- flanked by two stones sculptures (DG011-035010-; DG011-035011-) DG011-035009-_02 Stone sculpture (DG011-035011-) –E face DG011-035009-_03 Stone sculpture (DG011-035011-) –W face DG011-035009-_04 High cross -E face Date of revised upload: 8 February 2018