Graveyard

The National Monuments Service's description

The church ruins of Templecrone (DG048-008001-) are located in the centre of a rectangular shaped graveyard (DG048-008003-) measuring 35m NE-SW by 21m NW-SE and is enclosed by a stone wall of 18th century date (DG048-008003-) that is entered via a flight of stone steps located at the W end of the N wall of the graveyard. According to a recent conservation report there is evidence of human burial within the field outside the walls immediately to the SW (Dedalus 2010, 14). The memorials inside the graveyard mainly date from the 18th and 19th centuries, the majority of the early 19th century headstones are reused roofing slates of Bangor blue slate which are very fragile due to their thin nature (Dedalus 2010, 20). These 18th century roofing slates from north Wales may have come from the roof of the ruined church (DG048-008001-) or may have come from some other building in the region. 34m WSW of the graveyard wall is a turas or pilgrimage station (DG048-008002-) where dedicatory offerings are left. 150m W of the church is a holy well known as Tobercrone (DG048-007----) which is part of the turas. It consists of an opening in the rock 0.4m wide. The well is now dry but some offerings lie beside it. A second well known as Toberfinan (DG048-006----) which was also part of the turas is located 220m W of Tobercrone holy well. The Turas consisted of a visit to the holy wells (DG048-007----) and to the holy stone (DG048-008002-) at Templecrone on the 7th of July which is the feastday of St Chróine, the patron saint of Templecrone church (DG048-008001-). Located 20m to the W of the church (DG048-008001-) and graveyard (DG048-008003-) are the grass covered wall footings of a possible rectangular building (DG048-008004-) of unknown date.

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.

Dedalus Architecture (2010) Teampaill Chróine, Termon, Dungloe, Co. Donegal. Unpublished Conservation Report.

Compiled by Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload / revision : 01 November 2011