Graveyard

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A large graveyard which forms the enclosure to the Priory ruins at Dungiven.

An undulating grassy area of about 0.5 hectares with the Priory ruins towards the S W end. The graveyard has many grave memorials, a few of which were decipherable are listed below :

flat grave or table slab on 2 supports in stone
commemorating Patrick McCloskey d. 6/7/1779
John McCloskey d. 1797
On the slabs are carved symbols of cross, book, ball and possible a chalice.
If a chalice it would indicate that one of the interred was a priest if not both.

An upright stone slab with chamfered and shaped top.
Commemorating John Money d. 24/5/1774
Stone seems to be a hard sandstone and the earlier lettering is well done, neatly inscribed in lower case.
The later lettering is smaller and of the early 19th cent.

A prominent memorial of rectangular vertical stone with pitched top and below a recessed narrow band circumscribing the stone.
The material would appear to be a greenish limestone. The lettering neatly cut but not artistic. The vertical stone rests on a moulded base or pedestal made up of separate pieces whereas the top vertical stone is of one piece and commemorates Henry Haslett d. 1861 age 19 years.

The graveyard has a pleasing and secluded
setting overlooking Benady Glen and the River Roe. It is easily accessed along Priory Lane.

Historical information

Burial probably took place in this graveyard since a monastic settlement was established. After 1600 both protestants and catholics continued to be buried here. No 17th cent memorials were identified but several of the late 18th cent. The O.S. Memoirs refers to the graveyard memorials and draws attention to a 17th cent. one “This stone is made for McCloskey Mor McCloskey, 1672”.

SMR No. Ldy 31.15

References

Primary Sources
O.S. Memoirs of Ireland, Parishes of Co Londonderry IV 1824, 1833-5 p. 58

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed
Not listed

Evaluation

The graveyard is of great historical and social importance because of its pre- mediaeval, mediaeval and plantation significance. The memorials noted are worthy of conservation for their social history and age and illustrates the cross community habits of funeral rites irrespective of other differences.