Why this matters
Medieval Christian burial site; dates to the early medieval period. Its location near Lough Foyle suggests potential links to monastic or ecclesiastical activity in a strategically important area.
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The early ecclesiastical site here consists of a sub-rectangular shaped graveyard inside of which are a number of earlier features. The site is located on excellent land sloping to Lough Foyle to the E and is traditionally claimed to have been founded by St. Patrick (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 399; Lacy et. al. 1983, 261). To the W outside the entrance to the graveyard (DG021-008001-) is a tall, plain, ringed high-cross (DG021-008005-). Inside the graveyard are the remains of two churches (DG021-008002-/003-) and a mortuary house or tomb shrine (DG021-008004-). One of the churches served as a medieval parish church (Leslie 1937, 265).
Slightly sunken medieval graveslab with incised shaft partly visible after graveyard clean-up scheme (c. 2010) which is located a few metres to the NE of the Mortuary House known locally as the Skull House (DG021-008004-) in Cooly graveyard (DG021-008001-). Not listed in the Archaeological Survey of Donegal (Lacy et. al 1983, 261).
Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien
Date of revised upload: 24 February 2015
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