Structure, Templemoyle, Co. Donegal

Structure, Templemoyle, Co. Donegal

In the quiet countryside of County Donegal lies Templemoyle, an intriguing ecclesiastical complex that reveals layers of religious history through its varied archaeological features.

Structure, Templemoyle, Co. Donegal

The site centres around a modern rectangular graveyard measuring 22 metres north to south and 20.5 metres east to west, but it’s the surrounding structures that hint at its ancient sacred significance. Just north of the cemetery, visitors will find a smaller sub-rectangular enclosure, roughly 12 by 10.4 metres, surrounded by a stone wall standing about a metre high with what appears to be an entrance on its southern side.

The most distinctive feature of the complex is a curious D-shaped mound positioned east of the stone enclosure. Rising up to 1.5 metres high and spanning 8 metres in diameter, this earthen and stone structure has its flat edge facing eastward. Attached to its western side sits a small circular stone foundation, just 2.2 metres across, whilst a modest stone cross stands within the enclosure’s interior. These physical remains tell only part of the story; historical records indicate that the site once boasted a holy well and a dallan, or pillar stone, dedicated to St. Adomnán, though sadly both have since been destroyed.

The archaeological survey that documented these features in 1983 provides a fascinating glimpse into how religious sites evolved in rural Ireland, with newer burial grounds built alongside much older sacred structures. The dedication to St. Adomnán, a 7th-century abbot of Iona with strong connections to Donegal, suggests the site may have early medieval origins, making it a significant piece of the county’s ecclesiastical heritage even if many of its original features have been lost to time.

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Templemoyle, Co. Donegal
55.28675385, -7.21175653
55.28675385,-7.21175653
Templemoyle 
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