Penal Mass station

The National Monuments Service's description

A subcircular, flat-topped mound, up to 3m in height and 45m N-S by 38m E-W, in use as a graveyard (DG025-042001-). A flat slab, almost obscured by vegetation lies beside the steps leading to the elevated top of the graveyard. The 'altar' (DG025-042002-) marked on the 2nd and 3rd editions of the OS 6-inch maps are not visible now. Described in the early 1980's as 'The OS 6-inch map records an 'Altar' in Tullaghobegly graveyard. Two small rectangles are marked on the 6-inch map in the NE of the graveyard. These are two steps at right angles to each other . The SW corner of one joins the NE corner of the other. In the angle to the SE formed by the junction of the two steps is a flat rectangular space measuring c. 2m by 1m. There is nothing here now which could be described as an altar nor is there local knowledge of one. The Altar which the maps suggests was here might have been a penal altar but it is more likely to have been one on which coffins were placed before the burial' (Donegal Survey Fieldnotes).
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