The cross was constructed by locals in the early 1930's to celebrate the Eucharistic Congress of Dublin in 1932. This was one of the largest eucharistic congresses held in the 20th century and an estimated quarter of the population of the island attended the last event - a mass in Dublin's Phoenix Park. It was a big deal. In Clonmany, material for the cross was transported by horse and cart as far as possible and then by hand up the remainder of the mountain. It was a true community effort,