Structure, Binnion, Co. Donegal
On the southwestern slope of Binnion Hill in County Donegal sits Killoran Burial Ground, a fascinating early Christian site that offers a glimpse into Ireland's medieval past.
Structure, Binnion, Co. Donegal
This subcircular enclosure, measuring 18 metres east to west and 15 metres north to south, is defined by a low earthen bank that has weathered centuries of Atlantic storms. The site occupies a relatively flat platform with commanding views along the coastline, though the surrounding terrain is notably rough and rocky.
Within the enclosure, several significant features tell the story of this ancient burial ground. A cross-inscribed stone stands alongside what appears to be a broken cross and a smaller stone cross, all testament to the site’s religious significance. The remains of a rectangular foundation, oriented east to west and measuring approximately 5.5 by 4 metres, likely mark where a small church or oratory once stood. This collection of monuments within the protective earthen bank suggests the site served as an important local religious centre during the early medieval period.
Just west of the main enclosure, positioned at the edge of a rock platform, archaeologists have identified two additional foundations; one appears circular whilst another rectangular structure lies to its north. Further northeast, traces of two more possible foundations hint at a more extensive settlement than first meets the eye. These outlying structures may have served as domestic buildings, workshops, or cells for religious inhabitants, painting a picture of a small but active religious community that once called this windswept hillside home.