Carrowmore (Donegal)
The complex of Carrowmore ( Irish An Cheathrú Mhór ) near Clonmany in County Donegal in Ireland has been identified as the early monastic "Both Chonais". It is located between Carndonagh and Moville . Carrowmore is a series of monuments divided by a street that originally formed a unit. The square has two high crosses .
The West Cross
The west cross lies in a rectangular enclosure and is 3.33 m high, with very short arms and without carving. These oldest Irish crosses ( cross-slabs ) still lack the ring that first appeared in the cross of Ahenny (8th century).
The Ostkreuz
The 2.87 m high and 1.31 m wide Ostkreuz dates from the 10th century. While the outlines of the cross are not as clean as the West Cross, it is striking because of the carvings on the west side. They are described by iconographers as depicting "Christ in glory". Christ, whose arms are hidden by a long robe, is flanked on both sides by little angels who seem to be whispering in his ear. This is the most primitive in style and finish of the six crosses on Inishowen (see Carndonagh and Fahen ). Nearby is a boulder with a porthole and a small cross.
Access to the enclosure is defined by two stone posts about 1.5 m apart. The enclosure is divided by a rampart near the north end. Near the department is a flat boulder with a rectangular recess, perhaps the base for another cross and a plate with two transverse channels. Near the road there is a plate with an incision that looks like a sword next to a circle.
Legend
Both Chonais are said to have been founded by Dareaca's husband, a sister of St. Patrick's .
Web links
Coordinates: 55 ° 15 ′ 21.9 ″ N , 7 ° 11 ′ 17.1 ″ W.