Geograph - photograph every grid square

Looking north from the edge of the square - These early Christian figures were found at various times from the early 19th century

There has been extensive speculation on what the figures actually mean. Some theories suggest that they illustrate an episode in the life of Saint Patrick, while others have identified a link with the stone and wooden carvings left by the Iron Age. The style of the carving may have roots in the pagan past but there is no doubt that the figures are Christian and carried biblical messages. All stare fixedly forward. The eyes are usually round and prominent. They have small mouths, hands and feet. Five of the finished figures are wearing a long linen tunic (léine) with a long front seam. The sockets in the tops and the rough stumps of some of the figures suggest that they supported something on their heads, for example timber posts. Perhaps they were used in an elaborate preaching pulpit or as other elements inside a church. The figures were clearly of little interest to the builders of the Romanesque church, who used them simply as building stones. Since then these carvings have been mounted on to the wall so that they can be viewed and enjoyed for many years to come.

There are additional stones located at Calrdagh graveyard on Boa Island - see H0861 : Two-headed stone, Caldragh, Boa Island and H0861 : Janus figures, Caldragh Graveyard