Carndonagh Donagh Church Gothic Doorway

The Carndonagh complex (National Monument number 271) is the site of one of the main early ecclesiastical centres in Donegal. It consists of a modern graveyard (DG011-035007-) surrounding the 18th century Church of Ireland church. The W entrance of the church consists of a reused 15th-century door with pointed head (DG011-035002-). The jambs are stop-chamfered with a central right-angled groove, suggestive of two orders. Each of the tapering stops of the chamfered hood-mould terminates in a small moulded band, now defaced, from which a double vine leaf and single vine bunch enrichment springs. The door has been heightened by the insertion, in the jambs, of two dressed blocks below the hood-mould stops, and two others below the chamfer stops. To the S of this doorway and lying against the church wall is a small carved stone (DG011-035003-). On the face of this is a central wheeled cross, three or four figures on the left and interlacing on the right. It is, presumably, a lintel from an earlier church (DG011-035001-). 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/revision: 20 August 2012