Church

The National Monuments Service's description

At about the mid point on the S side of Tory Island is a settlement called West Town clustered around a small bay. This settlement includes within it and close to it the remains of the early ecclesiastical complex on the island (National Monument number 24). The available literature seems to refer to several structures and monuments no longer visible. In particular the Civil Survey of 1654-56 (Simington 1937, 114) refers to 'five churches almost ruined' only one of which seems to survive. Literary references to Tory appear to begin in the 7th century and continue throughout the early and later medieval period indicating its ecclesiastical nature (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 46).

SW of West Town is the only remains of an early church on the island. Known as the Church of the Morsheisear or of the seven, it consists of a small rectangular foundation of rough blocks, irregularly built. Its long axis is roughly WNW-ESE. Internally it varies from 3.8m to 3.4m in width. The walls vary from .9m to .7m in thickness. The W gable survives 2.3m above its present interior ground level. At the E end is a stone-built altar on which are a number of small portable stone objects. Placed just outside the church to the N is a small square basin-stone 0.45m x 0.35m high. It has a depression, 0.35m x 0.2m and 0.04m deep. The church has been conserved by the Office of Public Works.

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 this instance the entry (no. 1620) has been revised and updated.

Revised by: Paul Walsh

Date of upload: 13 March 2013