DDiscover AloneMapAbout

Structure in Aighan

Structure
Computer-made picture that does not show Structure in AighanNot a photo of this monument
Computer-made picture. It does not show this monument. · Report the wrong picture

What is recorded here

A site known as the 'Relig' consists of an oblong area 31.8m NE-SW by 21m NW-SE enclosed by a wall 1.65m in width. A laneway bounds the site on the SE, and the NW side runs along the top of a small rock cliff. At the NE end of the interior are 7 small cairns. One cairn (DG098-001002-), subcircular in plan, is 4.35m…

Read the whole record
A site known as the 'Relig' consists of an oblong area 31.8m NE-SW by 21m NW-SE enclosed by a wall 1.65m in width. A laneway bounds the site on the SE, and the NW side runs along the top of a small rock cliff. At the NE end of the interior are 7 small cairns. One cairn (DG098-001002-), subcircular in plan, is 4.35m NE-SW × 3.2m NW-SE and 1.13m in height. On top of the cairn are: (1) A slab .75m × 0.22m × 0.16m with a U-shaped notch 7cms × 8cms cut in the top (DG098-001003-). (2) A slab .51m × 0.17m × 0.13m. This also had a notch on top but one side is broken off. The notch was 6cms × 4.5cms. Patterson (1870-71) claims that a dumbbell shaped 'healing stone' was left in one of these notches when not in use. Also on top of the cairn is a cross-inscribed slab (DG098-001004-) .59m × 0.35m × 0.07m. This is decorated on both faces. Face A: A Greek bar cross with a thin line forming a second cross inside the first. There is a circle at the centre of the bar cross. There is an × design in each of the quarters formed by the bar cross. Face B: A thin line Greek cross with a circle at the centre rests oil a raised area. Along the rock cliff face at the NW side of the site a D-shaped dressed piece of rock juts out, forming a seat-like feature (DG098-001005-). It is known as St. Conall's bed. Patterson records that a 'bullaun or primitive font' (DG098-001007-) was taken from the site in the last century. Nearby is St. Conall's holy well (DG098-002001-) which is surrounded by a penitential cairn (DG098-002002-). In the cairn is a roughly triangular stone with a U-notch on one side. The site is located on undulating pasture land with rock outcrop. The site was used in the last century as a burial ground for unbaptised children (DG098-001008). This site is also known as 'Bruckless'.

From the National Monuments Service (Archaeological Survey of Ireland) record DG098-001005

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

What do you know about this place?Tap to add a comment or ask a question

What you write will be public.

Places near here

Photo credits
  • Maker not stated on source page, en.wikipedia.org
  • Maker not stated on source page, ru-india.livejournal.com
  • Maker not stated on source page, www.flickr.com
  • National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
  • Ronnie Nijboer, Wikimedia Commons · CC0
  • Malene Thyssen, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Aighan Cairn in the Relig EnclosureCairn, unclassified · 15 yd

Explorer Tom Aighan Cairn in the Relig Enclosure hides a proper mystery in its notched slabs. Patterson swears a dumbbell-shaped…

Aighan Children's Burial Ground in the ReligChildren's burial ground · 15 yd

Explorer Tom Aighan Children's Burial Ground in the Relig was once where the unbaptised lay to rest. It’s a somber patch of pasture…

Aighan Cross-Slab in the Relig EnclosureGraveslab · 15 yd

Explorer Tom Aighan Cross-Slab in the Relig Enclosure is etched with a double Greek cross that looks surprisingly complex for its…

Bullaun stone in AighanBullaun stone · 15 yd

Explorer Tom Bullaun stone in Aighan sits on top of a cairn in this walled enclosure known as the 'Relig'. Patterson claims a…

Church of SS Joseph & ConalBell tower/stand, church/chapel · 473 yd

Explorer Tom Church of SS Joseph & Conal in Bruckless is hosting a fake royal visit that nobody can disprove because the belltower…

bridge619 yd

Explorer Tom Bridge in Ballyloughan carried the Donegal Town to Killybegs railway over the Oily River on three arches. Pointed…

Wych Elm814 yd

Explorer Tom Wych Elm in County Donegal would explain the 1800s to a teenager as 'a time when we all had terrible fashion sense and…

Bruckless HouseGates/railings/walls · 833 yd

Explorer Tom Bruckless House has sandstone gate piers with iron gates and spear finials. The building record says the gateway may…

Springwell CottageHouse · 1084 yd

Explorer Tom Springwell Cottage has a rounded roof because it lives right next to the sea in those exposed spots. Built around 1860…

Darney CottageHouse · 1648 yd

Explorer Tom Darney Cottage has an outbuilding that might still wear its original stone roof. I’d bet those heavy slabs were laid in…

Standing stone in Calhaem (tc Dún Cionnaola)Standing stone · 1.1 mi

Explorer Tom Standing stone in Calhaem is actually called a 'Giant’s Finger Stone' on old maps! I can’t help picturing a giant…

European Beech1.1 mi

Explorer Tom European Beech in County Donegal is a tree that pretends to be from somewhere warmer but lives here anyway. Vikings…

More archaeology and monuments in County Donegal · All of County Donegal

Add to this placeAdd a picture Add a detailed tip Add a story

Explore the map1,095,414 places to discover

Next place · or swipeAighan Cairn in the Relig Enclosure