Tory Island / Toraigh

Old Graveyard / An tSean Reilig

West Town is the main settlement on Tory Island, immediately to the west of the pier there is an old graveyard, which is traditionally believed to be the site of an early monastery founded here by St Colmcille in the 6th century. A stone altar is located against the west side of a modern wall, that encloses the old graveyard. Placed on top of the altar are a number of antiquities that were discovered during various clean ups and excavations around the site. One of them is the beautiful cross slab, pictured below. Another irregular-shaped slab lying on top of the altar reminded me of the cross slabs on Caher Island. One or two small boulders, similar to cursing stones are also present on the altar. One of these stones is inscribed with a cross, others are similar to bullaun stones. Toward the front of the altar is a large rectangular block with a socket, which may have been a base for a stone cross.