Kilblaney Old Burial Ground — Carrowhugh

'Kilblaney Burial Ground' (DG022-002005-) consists of a subrectangular enclosure c. 25m E-W and c. 15m N-S defined on three sides by a wall and on the fourth by a cliff edge. Near the centre of the graveyard are three walls each c. 1m wide forming a rectangle, 4m N-S and. 5m E-W internally, open to the W end. This is said to be the remains of a 'church' (DG022-002001-) or small drystone enclosure. In the NE quadrant of this structure is a low rectangle of stones known as an 'altar' which may be a possible leacht (DG022-002007-). On the W side of the 'altar' is a cross- inscribed slab (DG022-002002-), .85m × 0.26m to .33m. On the W face of the slab is carved a plain Latin cross. Beside this slab and lying on top of the 'altar' there was a quern-stone that has since been moved to the maritime museum in Greencastle. Just N of the entrance on the W side of the graveyard is a small, stone cross (DG022-002004-) supported by one half of a stone socket. There are many grave markers in the enclosure which is situated on a cliff edge overlooking the entrance to Lough Foyle. According to the local landowner a second slab decorated with scrollwork located to the N of the possible church was removed from the site in recent times and its current location is unknown. On the 1834 edition of the Ordnance Survey 6-inch map the monument is oultined as a sub-circular enclosure annotated as 'Old Burial Ground' with no church building indicated. On the revised 25 inch OS 6-inch map dating from 1900 the shape of the burial ground has enlarged and was then depcicated as a long rectangular shaped graveyard. 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