Church

The National Monuments Service's description

Kilmacrenan Old Church: Built post 1622 (Royal Commission, 216), the church was in use and repaired during the 18th century (Leslie 1940, 99), and the surviving tower is probably an addition of that date. It was abandoned when the present church was built in 1840-6 (Rowan 1979, 335) and was demolished in 1845 (Fagan Bk. 7, 27-8). The 'relief of a mitred head' (Pococke 1752, 53; O'Flanagan 1927, 65) noted as being over the door of the church and in existence c. 1920 (Maguire 1920, 160) was probably originally removed from the ruins of the Franciscan friary (DG045-010001-) some 100m to the NE. The fragmentary remains of the church, c. 15.50m by c. 5.30m internally with walls c. 1m thick, are obscured by vegetation and collapse. Only the lower courses of the N, S and E walls and lower section of the W gable survive. An ivy-covered harled, three storey tower (ground floor converted into burial vault) abuts the centre of this gable; the bonding indicates that it is a later addition.

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