Kill Old Church Graveyard — near Dunfanaghy

Clondahorky Old Church (DG015-017-): Described in 1622 as 'newly re-edified and well repaired' (Royal Commission, 215), the church continued in use until a new one was built at Ballymore in 1752 (Rowan 1979, 123). This early 17th century ruined church is located in the N quadrant of a rectangular graveyard (approx. dims. 50m E-W x 25m N-S). Excavation Number : 94E026 A late medieval church (DG015-017-) and graveyard is located south of Dunfanaghy in the townland of Kill. It is described in the Archaeological Survey of County Donegal, (Lacy B., et al, Donegal 1983, 336). A proposed new dwelling was to be located due north-west of it. When the site was initially visited by the author no surface archaeological remains were apparent. Pre-development archaeological testing was undertaken on March 5. Eight trial trenches were excavated using a small mechanical digger. Due to a concentration of rock outcrop on the southern side of the site, it sloped from south to north. The eight trial trenches were excavated down to the natural boulder clay and/or bedrock. Trenches 1,2,4 and 8 were located near the church. Trench 3 was located in the area of the proposed septic tank and associated sewer pipe line. Trench 5 and the northern end of Trench 4 were located on the site of the proposed dwelling. Trenches 6 and 7 were situated across the new proposed access road to the house. Trench 1 This measured 23.4m long north-south and was 1.5m wide. At the northern end of the trench the natural rock was protruding through the surface in places. Generally, a 0.2m thick layer comprising the sod and the topsoil overlay the bedrock at the southern end of the trench. Downslope at the northern end of the trench the topsoil was up to 0.3m thick and overlay the natural orange boulder clay and bedrock. Trench 2 This was 23.4m long north-south and 1.5m wide. The stratigraphy within the trench was similar to that of Trench 1. Trench 3 This was 23.4m long east-west. In the area of the proposed septic tank at the eastern end of the trench it was 3m wide. Here a 0.3m thick layer of topsoil overlay a grey natural clay and bedrock. At the western end of the trench a 0.3m thick layer of peaty topsoil overlay a grey natural clay and the bedrock. Trench 4 This was 34m long north-south and 1.5m wide. The stratigraphy within the southern end of the trench was similar to that of Trenches 1 and 2. At the northern end of the trench a 0.5m thick layer of peaty topsoil overlay the orange boulder clay and bedrock. Trench 5 This was perpendicular to Trench 4. It measured 12.6m east-west and was 2m wide. The stratigraphy within the eastern end of the trench was similar to that in the northern end of Trench 4 but at the western end of the trench the peaty topsoil was only 0.3m thick. Trench 6 This was 25m long and 1.5m wide. The topsoil which directly overlay the orange boulder clay and the bedrock varied in thickness from 0.3m to 0.1m as one went from south to north in the trench. Trench 7 This was 13.6m long and 1.5m wide. At the southern end of the trench a 0.2m layer of topsoil overlay the bedrock while in the remainder of the trench the topsoil was only 0.1m thick. Trench 8 This was excavated perpendicular to the west of Trench 4. It was 25m long and 1.5m wide. The stratigraphy within the trench consisted of a thin layer of topsoil (0.1m - 0.15m thick) which directly overlay the bedrock. No archaeological remains, deposits or small finds were recovered from any of the trial trenches. Gerry Walsh, Road Design, Mayo Co. Council, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. The proposed development site (NGR 202300/ 436700), a single dwelling and garage, was located close to a church site, DG015–017----. It was tested by Eoin Halpin of Archaeological Development Services Ltd under licence No. 06E1154 by means of four machine-excavated trenches prior to development, as the boundary of the proposed development was c. 60m north-west of the monument. A previous phase of testing was carried out immediately adjacent to this site in 1994, but no features of an archaeological nature turned up in any of the eight trenches excavated across the site. Along the western edge of the site there was a north–south-running pathway. Immediately to the east of this there was a stone ridge, which was largely overgrown with moss and grass. This is probably the result of stone being removed to create the pathway and then being deposited here. Nothing of archaeological significance was uncovered (Bennett 2010, 78). 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. Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 18 November 2011