ray church and cross

The 16th century church presumably stands on the site of an Early Christian monastery. It has four large round-headed windows in the south was and an undecorated pointed doorway. Inside is a quernstone. Placed standing inside the church is an unfinished High Cross, 21 feet long. It is said to have been carved in the hills to the south and was intended for the monastery on Tory Island.

However, when it was being transported, legend says that it began to rain and St. Colmcille realized that he had forgotten his prayer-book. He promised the cross to whichever of his disciples would go back and get his book for him. Fionan, founder of the church, went back and found the book being kept dry by a crow spreading its wings over it. When Fionan brought the book to St. Colmcille he claimed his prize but not without some protestations from Colmcille.

A pilgrimage used to be held here on the first Monday in May until it was stopped because it had become too rowdy!