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Stone head in Churchtown (clonleigh South Ed)

Stone head

What is recorded here

Kill a man in Churchtown, the head remembers. That is why the stone face sits on the gate, not buried with the rest. Rain has stolen its mouth and sharpened its eyes into slots, but it still watches the living leave. The dead do not need much room when they have time to want revenge.
A small rectangular disused graveyard (DG079-009001-) consisting of an overgrown mound with no discernible structures. Cemented onto the top of the N gatepost into the graveyard is a stone which seems to be the weathered remains of a carved stone head. It is .3m high and 0.25m x .25m. It is extremely defaced but the suggestions of two eyes and a nose can be seen. It is possible that this is another example of the type of head recorded in the Raphoe area by Rynne (1972, 86-88). 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

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.

What survives
Recorded monument

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