ONE of Ireland’s most important early Christian crosses is in danger of being lost forever if urgent action is not taken to prevent the increasing erosion of the artefact.
St Mura’s Cross at Fahan graveyard between Derry and Buncrana in Co Donegal dates back 1,400 years and is believed to be the precursor for the later traditional stone crosses of the early Christian church in Ireland.
The huge decorated cross is also unique in that it is the only such symbol in Ireland bearing an inscription written in early Greek with the words of the creed inscribed on one side.
However, campaigners fear the priceless artefact could be lost to future generations if action is not taken to save the cross from erosion by acid rain and other environmental pressures.
A meeting will be held next Wednesday to launch a campaign to raise the €15,000 needed for the first phase of work to save the cross.
Colm Toland of the Fahan Heritage Group said the first phase of the operation would involve making the ruined gable of a 17th century church which overshadows the cross safe.
“Cracks have appeared on the wall and if we don’t stabilise that it could fall. If it does, it will fall on the cross and it will be destroyed forever,” he said.
The graveyard at Fahan dates back to pre-Christian times as well as being final resting place of a number of interesting historical figures from more recent times. Among those buried there are a Royal Naval midshipman named Horatio Nelson, who may be a cousin of Lord Nelson of the Battle of Trafalgar.
Nelson was just 17 years old when he took ill. It is said that when his ship, HMS Endymion arrived in Lough Swilly, he was brought ashore but died and was buried in St Mura’s churchyard.
The picturesque cemetery is also the final resting place of Agnes Jones who trained under the mother of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale. Nightingale said of Jones: “She overworked as others underwork. I looked upon hers as one of the most valuable lives in England.”
The site is steeped in history and was the location of a monastery founded by St Mura, a direct descendent of Niall Noígíallach (Niall of the Nine Hostages), the chieftain famed for bringing St Patrick to Ireland as a slave.
Mr Toland said that after securing the wall of the church, archaeologists would be brought in to find ways of saving St Mura’s cross.
“One thing we might have to consider is moving the cross to an indoor location and replacing it with a replica outside. That way we could protect if from whatever environmental or pollution influences which are eroding it,” he said.
Mr Toland said campaigners hoped to raise the necessary funds through a www.fundit.ie website. A public meeting to launch the campaign will be held at the nearby Railway Tavern in Fahan on Wednesday at 8pm.
