Located near Culdaff, Co. Donegal, the monastery at Clonca was one of the most influential centres for the conversion to Christianity in Inishowen from the 6th century onwards. Little remains today from this period apart from two crosses, St. Bodan’s Cross and another partial Cross lying nearby and often overlooked.

St. Bodan’s Cross dating from the 10th century stands 4 metres tall. It is carved in the distinctive manner of hybrid art produced by the Christian Celtic tradition and the carvings are both beautiful and intriguing. Apart from three figurative panels, the Cross is entirely covered in abstract ornament - well carved interlacing fret patterns and one unusual panel of spirals with animal head terminals.
The figurative panel in the centre of the west face contains two figures sitting side by side. It has been suggested that these represent St. Paul and St. Anthony in the desert and that the two animals above them are the lions that dug St. Paul's grave.

For our version of the St. Bodan’s Cross we have taken inspiration from the west face of the Cross. Unfortunately the Cross is incomplete. The missing arms have been replaced with plain concrete in the 1980’s. Rather than leaving these blank we have extrapolated from the remaining pattern and where none was available for the top arm we have transposed the panel identified as the Miracle of the Loaves from the east face of the cross.

Our St. Bodan’s Cross pendant is available in one size only – 43mm high not including ring, in 18ct yellow or white gold, (platinum on request).