Raymoghy Old Church close to Manorcunningham. The site of this medieval parish church continued to be in use up until 1792 when a new church was built at Manorcunningham.
A new research project ‘Condition Survey of Historic Graveyards in the Guardianship of Donegal County Council’ commissioned by Donegal County Council and undertaken by John Cronin & Associates is currently underway in the county. With 50 historic graveyards in the care of Donegal County Council, this condition survey along with a programme of research will inform the on-going management of these heritage sites, most of which are protected under the National Monuments Acts (1934-2004).
Building on existing information, the research project will include:
recording the condition and maintenance of the archaeological and built heritage of each of the 50 historic graveyards;
compiling a base map and photographic record of the graveyards; and
liaising with local history and historical groups.
One of the project aims is to collate information from the public and local historical groups. Over a period of many years there has been considerable interest by local community groups throughout the county who have undertaken research, written site specific conservation plans and carried out remedial repairs to various structures. We are keen to hear from such groups about the extent of any works carried out to date.
St. Mura’s Church, Fahan. The early ecclesiastical church was in use up until 1820 when the present church was constructed.
Information garnered from the general public not involved with community groups is also important. Whether visiting as tourists or locals on the ground, this can often highlight issues such as vandalism or rapid deterioration of the fabric of any boundary walls, structures or graves. Aside from the physical condition of these heritage assets we also welcome contributions from the public relating to any folklore associated with the sites, structures or graves.
John Cronin & Associates are based in County Donegal and will continue to undertake fieldwork in the coming weeks. They would be very grateful to receive any information, photographs, maps or advice that you can provide on any of the 50 historic graveyards under the guardianship of Donegal County Council as listed below. You can contact them by phone (074 – 936 1090) or by e-mail ([email protected]). In addition, a Facebook page has been set up where information, photographs and other images can be shared with the project team, this can be found here.
The study has been commissioned by Donegal County Council and The Heritage Council as part of the implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan.
List of Historic Graveyards in guardianship of Donegal County Council
Name |
Townland |
Carn, Pettigo/Templecarngold |
Carn (Pettigoe ED) |
Finner |
Finner |
Killaghtee |
Beaugreen Glebe |
Killymard/Eddrim |
Eddrim Glebe |
Old Abbey, Donegal |
Glebe (Donegal ED) |
St. Naul’s, Inver |
Inver Glebe |
St. Catherine’s, Killybegs |
Glebe (Killybegs ED) |
Teightunney |
Cloghore (Carrickboy ED) |
Cloonbeg |
Clonbeg Glebe |
Clooney |
Clooney (Maas ED) |
Doe Castle |
Castledoe |
Inishkeel Island |
Inishkeel |
Kilcashel |
Kilcashel |
Kilkenny |
Kilkenny |
Kilrain |
Kilrean Upper |
Kilteasney/Kiltiernan |
Ardvally |
Kiltooris |
Kiltooris |
Magheragallan |
Magheragallan |
Old Graveyard, Dunfanaghy |
Kill (Dunfanaghy ED) |
Ray |
Ray (Crossroads ED) |
Templecrone |
Termon |
Tullaghbegley/Ballintemple |
Ballintemple |
Balleighan |
Balleeghan (Manorcunningham ED) |
Cloncha |
Clonca |
Cooley |
Cooly |
Drumhaggart |
Drumhaggart |
Glebe, Burt |
Castlecooley |
Grange |
Grange (Burt ED) |
Inch Graveyard, Strahack |
TBC |
Lag (Protestant Portion) |
Lag |
Ray/Ramoghey |
Ramoghy |
St. Mura’s, Fahan |
Glebe (Fahan Ed) |
Straid |
Straid (Straid ED) |
Three Trees |
Three Trees |
Aghanunshin |
Kiltoy |
Clontallagh/Mevagh |
Clontallagh |
Conwal |
Conwal |
Gartan |
Churchtown (Gartan ED) |
Kilmacrennan |
Kilmacrenan |
Killydonnell |
Killydonnell |
Killygarvan |
Killygarvan Lower |
Leck |
Drumnahough/Oldtown |
Old Abbey, Rathmullan |
Rathmullan & Ballyboe |
Ramelton (Tullyaughnish) |
Ramelton |
Templedouglas |
Templedouglas |
Tully |
Tully More (Ballyarr ED) |
Ballybogan/Churchtown |
Churchtown (Clonleigh South ED) |
Churchminister/Kilmonaster |
Kilmonaster Lower |
Clonleigh |
Edenmore (Clonleigh North ED) |
St. Johnston |
St. Johnstown |