Ecclesiastical enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

A modern graveyard wall (DG065-010003-) encloses a subcircular space c. 30m to 35m in diameter. This seems to follow the line of an older enclosure (DG065-010002-), although there is no further evidence of this now. The circular line is broken on the N side by the extension of the graveyard and the building of a modern church. At the centre of the subcircular graveyard are the ruins of Lettermacaward Old Church. Described in 1622 as a small chapel (Royal Commission, 212) it had fallen into ruins by the middle of the 17th century (Simington 1937, 82), and was not repaired, The new church was built beside it c. 1788 (Leslie 1940, 105). The remains of the small church, 5.6m x 9.15m internally, are built of split stone, rubble and mortar. The E gable survives to a height of 2.4m and has a wide central window with splayed ingoings; the jambs and head have fallen away. There is a similar, partially blocked-up smaller window at the E end of the S wall, the round-headed rear-arch survives. The flat-headed doorway to the W is missing its wooden lintel; it has splayed ingoings. The windows and door retain indications of timber frames. The W gable, 2.6m high, is featureless as is the N wall which survives to a height of 1.4m. The round-headed rear-arch, the wide opening of the E window, 1.15m and the evidence for wooden frames would suggest a late date for this church, possibly late medieval or early 17th century.

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