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. The tomb is now used as the starting...

This cross is almost 2 metres tall and is decorated with carved designs on both sides. It is a Christian monument probably made around 700-800AD. The east-facing side is decorated with rectilinear panels, each one with a rectangular boss in the centre. The west side has four patterns on it....

3. Áit na nGlún 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.  

4. Mullach na Croise Mullach na Croise - Height of the Cross - is a stone pillar carved with the faint outline of a cross. It stands in the centre of a cairn. Both the cairn and cross lie within the remains of a circular enclosure. Pilgrims following the turas walk round...

© Julia Gillen 5. Beefan Colmcille's Chapel 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. Nearby there are three stone slabs with Christian carvings. It is said that Colmcille came to Gleann Cholm Cille...

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. There is some debate locally about how the stations on the turas in Gleann Cholm Cille should be numbered....

© Mindie Burgoyne 7. Tobar Colm Cille Tobar Colm Cille - Colmcille’s Well - is surrounded by a large stone cairn. Pilgrims pick up three stones as they walk up the hill and each time they circle the cairn, they throw stone onto it. Pilgrims also drink from the well and often...

8. Garraí an Turais 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. Pilgrims...

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...

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 beyond. Pilgrims circle the stone three times as they...

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.  

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.© Julia Gillen Manus O’Donnell’s Life of Colum Cille is the source of legends linking Colmcille with this area. Written...

13. An Gaineamh This stone stands right beside the road. The original was damaged and this fibreglass replica was made based on the original pieces. It is only carved on one side and faces east/west. The carved side of the stone faces pilgrims as they head west along the road....

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.  

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. This station is now the last on the turas although traditionally pilgrims...