Carndonagh, Co. Donegal

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Carndonagh (Irish: Carn Domhnach) is a town near Malin Head - the most northerly tip of Ireland - 3km (2 miles) from the head of Trawbreaga Bay on the Inishowen peninsula in County Donegal.

Carndonagh is laid out around an attractively landscaped central square and is the main market town on the peninsula and is the site of the Donagh Cross, which belonged to an early Christian monastery founded by St. Patrick for Bishop Mac Cairthen, brother of the bishop of Clogher.

The chief glory of the town is the famous Donagh or St Patrick's Cross. It has been dated to the 7th century which would make it one of the very early Christian crosses outside mainland Europe. The cross is 11 ft. 6 inches in height and is regarded as one of the finest examples in Ireland of low relief carving reianing 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.