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............... Carndonagh ............... |
Carndonagh, the heart of Inishowen, is
situated 2 miles from Trawbreaga Bay. It has always been an important
ecclesiastical site; its importance dates from Patrician times
(5th century) and it has probably a bishopric. The town is dominated
by the Church of the Sacred Heart, built in 1945 with some fine
statuary by Albert power, RHA, the famous sculptor. Against the
church wall may be seen a well carved lintel stone. In the churchyard
there is also a cross-pillar known as the Marigold Stone because
on the west side there is a seven rayed star inside a circle which
has been regarded as a marigold. The church bell is believed to
have come off the 'Trinidad Valencera', the Spanish armada ship
wrecked in Kinagoe Bay in 1588. The chief glory of the town is
the famous Donagh or St Patrick's Cross. It has been dated to
the 7th century which would make it one of the very early Christian
crosses outside mainland Europe. The cross is 11 ft. 6 inches
in height and is regarded as one of the finest examples in Ireland
of low relief carving reianing from ancient times. A few feet
from the cross are two pillar stones each carved on all sides.
Just outside the town on the Ballyliffin road you may enjoy a
forest walk and picnic in one of Ireland's few remaining natural
woods, with its oakwood, birch, rowan, hazel, willow and holly |
