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Carndonagh
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Carndonagh, the hub of Inishowen, is a
compact thriving town 2 miles from the head of Trawbreaga Bay. It has
always been an important ecclesiastical site; its importance dates from
Patrician times (5th century) and it was probably a bishopric. |
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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. The Church
of Ireland church stands a short distance away on the site of the church
founded by St. Patrick. The west entrance of this is a re-used 15th
century door. 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.
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The chief glory of the town is the
famous Donagh or St. Partick's Cross. It has been dated to the
7th century which would make it one of the very early Christian
crosses outside mainland Europe. |
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The cross is 11ft. 6 inches in height and
is regarded as one of the finest examples in Ireland of low relief
carving remaining 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. This fine stand of old oakwood is classified as an area of
regional importance. |
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