Ecclesiastical enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

Clonleigh graveyard (DG071-002005-) is believed to be the site of an early ecclesiastical settlement founded in the 6th century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 377). The graveyard contains fragmentary sections of the N and S walls of a church (DG071-002002-) 6.8m wide internally. Built of rubble, the N wall is 6.1m long by 4.15m high by .93m thick; the lower courses, 1.1m high, of the interior central section are set out .27m from the wall face. W of this is a blocked-up opening with segmental rear-arch, probably a window. No visible trace of this opening survives on the exterior; the masonry indicates that this area was refaced. The S wall, 4.75m long by 4.5m high by 1.2m thick, contains an opposing blocked-up window with segment-headed rear-arch. The splayed ingoings are partially blocked by a bricked-in memorial; traces of wicker centering survive on the rear-arch soffit. This S wall forms part of the graveyard boundary. A sub-rectangular projection of the graveyard wall some 9.7m to the E might have been associated with the church. No visible trace of the E or W gables remains. Recent work at the graveyard by Donegal County Council (after the completion of the survey) has revealed three fragments of medieval carved mouldings (DG071-002003-) partially buried in the soil. In addition a recumbent slab (DG071-002004-), 1.68m × 0.38m at top, .32m at bottom, has been revealed. Near the wider end of the slab is a deeply carved Maltese cross .32m × 0.32m with a raised boss 9 cms in diameter at the centre. The slab, which is also still partially buried, and the mouldings are located on the E side of the graveyard in the general area of the ruined church. The site is located on a low drumlin-like hill surrounded by level marshy (now much reclaimed) land in the flood plain near the junction of the Rivers Deele and Foyle.

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