Structure, Binnion, Co. Donegal
On the southwest slope of Binnion Hill in County Donegal sits Killoran Burial Ground, a fascinating early Christian site that offers glimpses into Ireland's medieval past.
Structure, Binnion, Co. Donegal
The main feature is a subcircular earthen enclosure, measuring roughly 18 metres east to west and 15 metres north to south, defined by a low bank that has weathered centuries of Atlantic winds. Within this protective boundary, archaeologists have identified several significant monuments: a cross-inscribed stone, what appears to be a broken cross, a small stone cross, and the traces of a rectangular foundation measuring approximately 5.5 by 4 metres, oriented along an east-west axis as was typical for early Christian structures.
Just west of the main enclosure, positioned dramatically at the edge of a rock platform, stand two additional foundations; one appears circular in plan whilst another rectangular structure lies to its north. Further archaeological remains dot the landscape, with two more possible foundations visible to the northeast. The entire complex occupies a relatively flat platform amidst otherwise rough and rocky terrain, commanding impressive views along the Donegal coastline.
The site represents a type of enclosed ecclesiastical settlement common in early medieval Ireland, where religious communities established themselves in relatively isolated locations. The presence of multiple crosses and building foundations suggests this was once a thriving religious centre, possibly housing a small monastic community or serving as a local burial ground for centuries. Today, these subtle earthworks and stone monuments provide tangible connections to the religious landscape that shaped medieval Donegal, preserved in this windswept corner of the county.