Local tradition maintains that this 3.21 metre tall plain cross with slightly expanded arms was discovered on the foreshore of Donegal Bay after being exposed by a storm, writes Martin Branagan.

It is believed that the cross belonged to a monastic settlement near the seashore, although testing was done in the area no additional archeological evidence of a monastery in this vicinity was found.

This cross was erected as a market cross by Major Thomas Dickson on a small hillock in Tullaghan village in 1778.

Major Dickson’s reputed reason for erecting the cross was to attract attention to the market in Tullaghan which was in competition with the more popular Ballyshannon market.

Set in a sandstone base, the cross currently leans significantly to the west.

There are numerous megalithic sites close to this location.

Martin Branagan is a co-founder of LeitrimExperience.ie and is passionate about promoting Leitrim as a tourist destination. Under the LoveLeitrim banner, Martin is touring the county in search of its hidden gems.

A Dubliner by birth and Leitrim resident by choice, Martin can be contacted on +353 (0)86 173 8417 for all advertising queries.

Before leaving the site be sure to visit our Gallery