1.9 Cloch na Aonaigh

Cloch na Aonaigh, Glencolmcille, Ireland. © Julia Gillen

9. Cloch na Aonaigh

The Stone of the Gathering - Cloch na Aonaigh - is nearly 2 metres tall and faces pilgrims as they arrive across the valley floor. The stone is carved on both sides with circular and linear patterns.

After circling the stone three times, pilgrims stand with their back to it and renounce the world, the flesh and the Devil.

It is said that people looking through the stone can see heaven. There is also a story in Gleann Cholm Cille that young couples used to get engaged here - standing on either side of the stone and linking their fingers through the hole at the top.

 
 
   
  • Kilmory Knap Chapel carved graveslabs

    1.1 Straid Court Tomb

    This is the ruined remains of a burial tomb dating from about 3,000BC. It was made and used by farmers who lived in Gleann Cholm Cille. It is pre-Christian but has been incorporated into the Turas Cholmcille pilgrimage trail around the glen.

  • Kilmory Knap Chapel carved graveslabs

    1.2 Cross Pillar

    This cross is almost 2 meters tall and is decorated with carved designs on both sides. It is a Christian monument probably made around 700-800AD.

  • Kilmory Knap Chapel carved graveslabs

    1.3 Garvecross Cairn

    Áit na nGlún - The Place of the Knees - is a cairn. To the side there is a flat stone slab with a round stone on top. After circling the cairn, pilgrims pass this smaller stone around their bodies as they pray.

  • Kilmory Knap Chapel carved graveslabs

    1.4 Cross Pillar, Beefan

    Mullach na Croise - Height of the Cross - is a stone pillar carved with the feint outline of a cross. It stands in the centre of a cairn. The cairn and cross are found within the remains of a circular enclosure.

  • Kilmory Knap Chapel carved graveslabs

    1.5 Colmcille's Chapel, Beefan

    According to local tradition, this is the site of Colmcille’s chapel in Gleann Cholm Cille where the saint prayed and worked on illuminated manuscripts. There are also three stone slabs with Christian carvings.

  • Kilmory Knap Chapel carved graveslabs

    1.6 Colmcille’s Chair

    Legend has it that this is where Colmcille sat to rest, looking down at the valley below him. Some claim that a wish made here will come true.

  • Kilmory Knap Chapel carved graveslabs

    1.7 Colmcille’s Well

    Tobar Colm Cille - Colmcille’s Well - is surrounded by a large stone cairn.

  • Kilmory Knap Chapel carved graveslabs

    1.8 Colmcille’s Garden

    Garraí an Turais - the turas field - is also known as Colmcille’s Garden. The area contains a set of three upright stones, two of which are carved with a simple cross. Each stone is surrounded by a cairn and all are enclosed by a stone wall.

  • Kilmory Knap Chapel carved graveslabs

    1.9 Cloch an Aonaigh

    The Stone of the Gathering - Cloch na Aonaigh - is nearly 2 meters tall and faces pilgrims as they arrive across the valley floor. The stone is carved on both sides with circular and linear patterns.

  • Kilmory Knap Chapel carved graveslabs

    1.10 An Fhothair

    This turas station is a cairn with an upright stone slab standing at its centre. The cairn lies in the middle of field. The stone faces east/west and there are views down to the Church of Ireland church.

  • Kilmory Knap Chapel carved graveslabs

    1.11 An Droim Rua

    Turas station 11 is an upright stone in a cairn. The stations at this point of the turas are near each other on either side of the road. It may be that the current road follows the line of an ancient pilgrimage route.

  • Kilmory Knap Chapel carved graveslabs

    1.12 Baile na nDeamhan

    This stone is decorated on both sides with interlocking patterns. The Baile na nDeamhan - village of the demons - is where Colmcille is said to have been attacked by demons.

  • Kilmory Knap Chapel carved graveslabs

    1.13 An Gaineamh

    This stone stands right beside the road. The original was damaged and a fibreglass replica made from the original pieces. It is carved only on one side and faces east/west.

  • Kilmory Knap Chapel carved graveslabs

    1.14 An Caiseal

    This is a tall pillar carved with two circular patterns. Like many of the Christian cross slabs in Gleann Cholm Cille, this may date from the late 7th to 9th century.

  • Kilmory Knap Chapel carved graveslabs

    1.15 An tSráid

    This cross slab is now in two parts with the upper part sitting on the ground to the left of the lower part. It is carved with three complex patterns, linked by a vertical line.