Clones

St Tighernach's tomb shrine

On our latest trip to Donegal we decided to travel via Clones so as to take in a visit to the stone sarcophagus in Clones. This stone tomb shrine is believed to be a copy of a wood and metal reliquary, that may have contained the relics of St Tighernach. This particular style of tomb shrine is known in the northern half of Ireland as "A Mortuary House". There are further examples at Banagher, County Derry and Saul, County Down. The shrine is carved from a single stone and is believed to mark the burial place of the saint. On the south side is a weathered carving of a bishop (St Tighernach ?) and there is a finial above each gable.

There are various other types of tomb shrines in Ireland. The tent shaped slab shrines at Temple Cronan, County Clare and St Erc's Tomb shrine in County Meath being one style and the small oratories such as Temple Ciarán in Clonmacnoise being another type.

From the South East

Situated: Very easy. Heading into Clones on the N54 from Butlersbridge keep watch for the round tower on your right. When you see the tower turn right down Abbey Street. Park here and walk through a gate into the Graveyard.

Discovery Map 27, 28a: H 501 257. Last visit Sept 2010.

Longitude: 7° 13' 57" W

Latitude: 54° 10' 39" N

Google Map.

Photos: Jim Dempsey and Deb Snelson.