Drumhome Graveyard

Drumhome Old Church (DG103-002001-): Described in 1622 as in need of repair and wanting only a roof (Royal Commission, 214) the church was either repaired or possibly rebuilt and continued in use until 1795 when a new church was erected at Ballintra (Lewis I, 1837, 516; Maguire I, 1920, 383). Built of quarried-blocks and rubble with small pinnings, only the ivy-covered W gable with remnants of a bellcote, survive. The N and S corners and adjoining faces have been replaced in modern times, presumably to prevent collapse. The gable is 8.3m long externally and 1.2m thick. A ragged ivy-covered opening in the upper section of the gable may indicate a window. In the N corner of the graveyard (DG103-002003-) is a low grass covered grave-mound at either end of which is a dressed fragment (DG103-002002-). On the S is a weathered block with late medieval moulding of alternate right angles and cavettos; possibly from a door. On the N is a window jamb fragment; probably of similar date. These undoubtedly came from the parish church. The Church is located in a still-used rectangular graveyard which seems formerly to have been larger in extent. The site is the location of an early ecclesiastical settlement (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 35). Excavations undertaken in 2013 uncovered evidence of a large oval-shaped enclosure and stone huts (Irish Times, 29th August 2013). The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983), no. 1598. Attached image: DG103-002003-_01 Date of upload: 4 September 2013