Clonca was one of the most important sites for the learning and diffusion of Christianity in North Donegal.
An early monastery was founded at this site by St. Boudan in the 6th century.
The present church dates from the 17th century, at the era of the plantations. It replaced an older church from which some fragments were re-used, like the lintel above the west doorway.
The structure is very simple, a single nave church, with a large east (95°) window and two windows in each side wall. On the apex of the east gable is a stone cross, a thing that I have seen in very few other churches.
The inner wall have some traces of the original plaster.
In the corner between the north and east walls there are two grave slabs clamped verically against the wall. One of them is magnificently carved and is of Magnus MacOrristin, probably a Scotsman from the Hebrides.
Not far from the church is the tall Clonca Cross.
We came here for the first time on May 6th, 2002.
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