What is recorded here

Inishkeel Island Church Graveyard holds two medieval churches, a broken high cross and several cross slabs inside a modern stone wall on the east side of the island. The island sits about 500m offshore in sheltered water and can be reached on foot when the tide is low. That simple fact makes the place feel like a threshold: a graveyard preserved not behind glass but behind seawater, visible only when the ocean steps back.

A modern subrectangular stone-walled graveyard encloses two medieval churches, St Mary’s (DG064-003002-) and St. Connell’s (DG064-003006-), a fragment of a high cross (DG064-003008-), four cross slabs (DG064-003004-; DG064-003005-; DG064-0030009-; DG064-003010-) and a graveslab (DG064-003007-). Another cross-slab (DG064-003003-) is now missing. This complex of monuments, a National Monument in state ownership (No. 658), is located on the E side of Inishkeel Island in good pasture land. This small island which lies in a sheltered spot c. 500m offshore is accessible on foot at low tide. 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). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Date of upload: 22 September 2008

Medieval Christian burial site associated with early ecclesiastical structures; significant for its high cross fragment and cross slabs indicating a long tradition of monastic or parish activity in the region.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.