The Monuments of Glencolumbkille, Ireland

People have been farming Glencolumbkille (which translates as the Valley of Colm Cille, also known as Saint Columba) on the west coast of County Donegal in Ireland for over 5000 years. Over that time they’ve left their mark on the landscape and the structures they’ve erected.

This Cross Pillar in the village of Striad is over 6 feet tall and was probably carved 1200-1300 years ago

In the foreground is another decorated cross pillar, which has broken in half at some point (the top is on the left)

Colmcille’s Well, surrounded by a large stone cairn

View south across part of Glencolumbkille. A number of enclosures and cairns are visible on the hill in the foreground.

In front of St Columba’s church, Sue crouches beside Straid Court Tomb, a burial mound dating to about 3000 BC.

Cloghanmore Court Tomb at sunset

This post was inspired by the themes Relic (from Donncha of the Daily Post) and Decoration (from Ailsa of Where’s My Backpack?).

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