A local county councillor has congratulated a local community group following the completion of restoration works to St Mura’s Church last week.
Cllr Jack Murray said the site was of “huge historical significance” with works to restore the 7th Century St Mura’s Cross ongoing.
St Mura’s Cross is an ancient and unique carved cross-slab in Fahan, County Donegal but it was in danger of being completely eroded and the church gable next to it was crumbling.
The patron saint of the Cineál Eoghain including the Uí Neill who were among the High Kings of Ireland, St Mura died in 645 at the age of 94.
The cross was erected in his memory and is now one of the oldest in Ireland and is the only one to bear an inscription of The Gloria written in ancient Greek.
The gable wall dates back to 1608 but contains stones from the original monastery of St Mura.
Proceeds from several events have be donated to the Save St Mura’s Cross Fahan project, which is dedicated to the conservation of the site of St Mura’s early Christian monastery, particularly the 7th-century cross.
Speaking to Donegal Daily, Cllr Jack Murray said: Delighted to be in Fahan for the celebration of the completion of the restoration works at St Mura’s Church, with ongoing works to restore the 7th Century St Mura’s Cross.
As a site of huge historical significance, it’s brilliant to see such a positive initiative here.
“Fair play to everybody involved in making it happen.”
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