What is recorded here

St. Mura’s cross-slab stands beside the ruined church in Fahan, where people worshipped from at least 1622 until a new church appeared in 1820. The graveyard bends the road like a living memory of an older enclosure, while a small wheeled-cross slab and a pierced wall stone preserve the site’s quieter ceremonial life. Near the shore of Lough Swilly, St. Mura’s holy well still gives the place a damp, sacred edge.

The early ecclesiastical site of Fahan consists of a modern graveyard, at a bend in the road. It is possible that this bend may reflect something of an earlier enclosure. Inside the graveyard (DG038-013004-) is part of a ruined church. Fahan old Church (DG038-013001-): In 1622, the parish church was 'well and sufficiently repaired' (Royal Commission, 191) and it continued in use until the new church was built in 1820 (Rowan 1979, 289). SE of the church is St. Mura's cross-slab (DG038-013002-). On the outside wall of the graveyard on the S side of the entrance is a small slab (DG038-013003-) .41mx .32m. On this is a carved wheeled cross. This stone is very similar to another found near Clonca (DG012-002009-). On the other side of the entrance is a stone (DG038-013007-) .66m × 0.5m built into the wall. Through this is bored a hole 14.5 cms in diameter. The site of Fahan is situated in a valley at the foot of Collan Hill and Carrick Hill close to the shore of Lough Swilly. About 350m NW of the churchyard and close to the shore is a holy well (DG038-012-) dedicated to St. Mura (Ó Muirgheasa No. 89). (Crawford 1980, 29; Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 36; Macalister 1949, 118 20, No. 951; Spence 1910-11, 17-31) (see also DG004-005001-) (Crawford 1980, 29; Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 36; Macalister 1949, 118 20, No. 951; Spence 1910-11, 17-31) (see also DG004-005001-) 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

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