CALDRAGH CEMETERY
Boa Island, County Fermanagh

Boa Island was named after the Celtic goddess of war, Badhbha. She sometimes took the form of a wolf, but most often as a Carrion Crow. She is depicted sitting on the shoulder of the dead body of the sculpture of Cúchulainn, which is located in the GPO in Dublin (General Post Office).

The main feature of Boa Island is the Caldragh Cemetery near Pettigo. Little is known about this cemetery, but it's been dated to the early Irish Christian period (400-800AD). Tucked in an enclosure of trees, this cemetery contains little more than stone markers for those buried here.

What makes this graveyard remarkable are two hand carved anthropomorphic stone statues called the Boa Island Figure and the Lustymore Island Figure.

The Boa Island Figure

This figure measures 73cm (29in) in height and 45cm (18in) in width on the broader of the two sides, and its 30cm (12in) depth encompasses both sides. This figure is the larger of the two statues and is bilateral, two-sided. Each side of the figure includes a face, crossed arms and torso with a belt. When this figure was discovered it was badly damaged. The lower half of

this figure had become separated long ago and only recently discovered when it was placed beside the upper half. Visitors often place coins upon it to mark their tribute, and to donate to the upkeep of the cemetery.

The Boa Island Figure is regarded as the most enigmatic and remarkable stone figure in Ireland. It's often called a Janus figure because it resembles the Roman two-headed deity Janus, though this carving is not of Janus. But like Janus, this figure has one face looking forward and the other backwards; one male, one female. Given the name of the island, this figure could very well be that of Badhbha.

The Boa Island Figure has been compared to another two-faced figure from Holzgerlingen, Germany and the Tandragee Idol, which is in a collection in St. Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh City. These comparisons suggest that the figure dates from around the British Iron Age. However, similar figures on White Island, located on the opposite side of Lough Erne, are from the early Christian period.

The Lustymore Island Figure

This figure measures 70cm (27.5in) in height and slightly narrower than the Boa Island Figure.

Lady Hunt from Alberta Canada owned Lustymore Island and Lustybeg Islands in the early 20th century. Glenvar House was located on Lustymore Island, and when it accidentally burned down, Lady Hunt moved to Germany. The Lustymore Island Figure was discovered in 1939 and moved onto Boa Island and placed beside the very similar Boa Island Figure.

The Lustymore Figure is actually older than the Boa Island Figure. And it's generally accepted that both of these stones are of the likeness of Pagan deities.

The reasons behind the creation of these figures are unknown, as are their creation dates. It's quite possible that they were part of another pre-Christian religious site, or may have been part of a Christian society that still practiced Pagan beliefs alongside their Christian ones.

Local authorities recognize that this is a site of major importance and have erected a fabric canopy over the figures to help protect them from the rain. It's hoped that the county will eventually put a bit more money into the site and erect a proper facility to preserve the figures.

~ Free attraction
~ Parking available, but note that the site is beside a farm entrance and there is no formal car park here. Park in front of the cemetery gate.
~ Limited accessibility, uneven surfaces. This is a disused and overgrown cemetery.