Why this matters
A local fairy fort (ringfort/rath); wider significance not recorded.
Overview
Cooly Early Ecclesiastical Site and Graveyard is recorded as Ecclesiastical enclosure in Donegal. The early ecclesiastical site here consists of a sub-rectangular shaped graveyard inside of which are a number of earlier features. The monastery 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
Who made it and when
The saved account records: In 1167 the annals recorded that ‘Muircheartach, son of Ladhmaun Ua Duibhdhiorma, lord of Fordruim [Fordrum], pillar of the magnificence of all the north of Ireland, was treacherously slain by Donnchadh Ua Duibhdhirma, and by all the people of Bredach, in the middle of Magh-bile (Moville/Cooly)’ (AFM, 1163).
How it was made and used
The saved account records: Possible traces of a second outer bank were identified in the field to the NE of the church and graveyard, this outer arc follows the line of the inner enclosure and probably represents the remains of the outer enclosing element of the monastic enclosure or precinct boundary.
What was found
The saved account records: A second monastery can be found at Moville in Co. Down which is associated with St Finnen and it is not clear in some of the annalistic references which Moville is referred to.
What remains
The saved account records: Inside the graveyard are the remains of two churches (DG021-008002-/003-) and a mortuary house (DG021-008004-) or tomb-shrine known as the 'Skull House'.
Why it mattered
Cooly Early Ecclesiastical Site and Graveyard matters because a belief or tradition is tied to this exact place and forms part of its local memory. The source records: The first church at Cooly appears to have been know as 'Domnach Bili’ [church of the ancient/sacred tree] which was according to local tradition associated with St Patrick in the 5th-century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 399). The tradition is kept as a recorded belief; it is not silently turned into literal fact.
History checked 15 August 2026 against the named sources below.
Add the human story, a picture, a first-hand message or a missing place.
Earn 5 points after the picture is checked and accepted.
Add a pictureAdd its storyTalk or ask a questionAdd a new placeThe monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.
Conversation about this place
Questions and messages sit beneath the source record. They are checked before appearing.
No questions or messages yet.
Ask a question or join the conversation