Graveyard and Stone Crosses

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Churchyard in Gallon Island beautifully set on elevated site overlooking Galloon Lough and to the NW of Gallon Bridge (HB12/02/109). It contains many early 18thC stone memorials and two sculptured stone crosses, all facing E. It is accessed by four stone steps enclosed by a dwarf wall which rise to a pair square-in-section gate piers supporting a wrought-iron gate. Gate piers are cement line rendered with pyramidal caps and cross finial (that to left is gone).

Two stone crosses - one to the W and other at the E end of the churchyard. Both consist of a base and shaft; their heads are gone and the sculpture is much weathered.

That to the E is slightly more sheltered and its markings are a little clearer. It is 1.61m high and its carvings include the Last Judgement, Jacob wrestling with the Angel to the N face; Moses, Aaron and Hur, the sacrifice of Isaac on the E face; St Paul and St Anthony receiveing bread from the raven, the baptism of Christ, the adoration of the Magi to the W face and a Celtic knot design to the S face.

That to the W is 1.83m high and its carvings include the Fall, Daniel in the Lions Den, the Temptation of St Anthony on the E face; Noahs Ark?, Sacrifice of Isaac and three children in the Fiery Furnace to the W face; Zoomorphic figures, an animal head and a Celtic knot design with an inscribed prayer to S face.

Many of the stone memorials are low circular stones with skull and cross bones, and coffin carved into their W face.

Historical information

Possibly late 10th century in date.

Primary sources:
1. EHS Sites & Monuments Record, Ferm 261:31.

Secondary sources:
1. Alistair Rowan “North West Ulster” , p.302 (Harmondsworth, 1979).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A beautifully set churchyard set on elevated site overlooking Galloon Lough. It contains many early 18thC stone memorials and two sculptured stone crosses to either end of the churchyard, both of which are Scheduled Monuments (Ferm 261:31).