The Penal Cross – a significant historical monument in north Monaghan

Image owned by JJ Sherlock.

Following the announcement of €6,000 of CLÁR funding to improve access to the Penal Cross, the significance of the historic amenity site is explained here. The Penal Cross was unveiled at 5pm on Sunday 25th September 1938 to the memory of a priest shot while saying open air Mass in penal days in the dawn of a Christmas Day. The date was never settled, and the name of the priest is disputed, but tradition assigns the name of Fr McKenna to the martyr. The historic event of 1938 took place in the wild and desolate part of the mountain near where the parishes of Tydavnet, Errigal Truagh and Donagh meet. The cross is of Celtic design and created from Carlow limestone, and was accompanied in early years by a remnant of a large sandstone boulder which was claimed to be used for an altar where the priest celebrated Mass. The site is known locally as “Leac an t-sagairt”, the priest’s stone, and Denis Carolan-Rushe recorded the story in the history of County Monaghan that “There was a priest named MacKenna who in the Penal days used to look after the spiritual wants of the people of Slieve Beagh and parts of Truagh. The government officials were constantly on the look out for him, but always failed to catch him owing to the faithful guardianship of his people. However, information was brought to Monaghan that on a certain morning he was to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice, before daybreak, on a Druidical Stone in Brouughen-shee-Bragan. A party of soldiers were dispatched early in the night and having proceeded through the townland of Eshcloughfin they came to a place where they caught sight of the light of the two candles on the Mass Rock. The officer in charge of the raiding party knew that there were always scouts on the “look out” for surprises from soldiers hunters; and to prevent the priest being warned in time to escape he halted his party a considerable distance from the place where the people were assembled for the “outlawed” Mass. Then he chose a particularly good marksman, told him to approach within gunshot, cover one of the lights, and fire when it was darkened by the priest passing before it“……..And the rest is part of the history and lore of our area…..

The idea of erecting a memorial cross came from Fr Victor Marron from Donagh, and he got assistance from Mr Shane Leslie and others from the area to piece together the commemorative stone boulder altar.

The unveiling day attracted thousands of pilgrims coming from all routes and cross bog paths of the area, with the addition of 3 local bands, St Patrick’s Temperance Band, Donagh; the Dava band, and Killylough AOH band with a banner depicting a priest celebrating Mass on the mountainside with sentries on guard. Mr Shane Leslie was also present. The unveiling ceremony and blessing of the structure was undertaken by Rev T.F. Loughnane from the Redemptorist Order.

In the scenic area of the Penal Cross, there is a superb view. To the west can be seen Cavan and Fermanagh, northwards the eye is drawn to the Sperrin Mountains, and to the east the towers of Armagh cathedral, the spire of Dungannon, and the dwellings of Aughnacloy. Looking south east is the area of Caledon and Glaslough, with Slieve Gullion on the horizon.

The community appreciates the promise of funding for the access project, the most easily recognisable and important piece of our tourism potential, and an amazing landmark in this desolate but beautiful area of North Monaghan.

Photo by JJ Sherlock