Though formed entirely by natural forces, the stone’s upright posture gives it the unmistakable appearance of a standing stone, one of those ancient markers that dot the Irish countryside. What transforms this geological feature into something more significant is the small cross carved into its southwest face near the base; a simple design with T-bars at the top and bottom, though time has worn the crossarms to near invisibility.

The site holds more than just this single carved stone. To the west, in what was once good agricultural land, a holy well drew pilgrims and locals alike, though it has since been filled in and lost to modern use. The pairing of carved cross and holy well suggests this area held religious significance, possibly serving as a local place of worship or healing in centuries past.

Adding to the site’s intrigue is another boulder nearby, this one an erratic left behind by ancient glacial movements. Measuring 2 metres by 1.33 metres and 60 centimetres high, it bears a carefully carved rock basin, or bullaun stone; a circular depression 25 centimetres across and 15 centimetres deep. These basins, found throughout Ireland, were traditionally used for grinding grain or herbs, though many became associated with healing rituals and folk remedies. The concentration of these features at Leac Chonaill paints a picture of a landscape where natural formations were adapted for both practical and spiritual purposes, creating a modest but meaningful sacred site in the Donegal countryside.