At its heart lies an 18th century Church of Ireland building, surrounded by a modern graveyard that continues to serve the local community. What makes this site particularly fascinating for history enthusiasts is how it weaves together centuries of religious architecture, with elements dating from medieval times through to the Georgian period.

The church’s western entrance offers a remarkable glimpse into 15th century craftsmanship, featuring a reused medieval doorway with a distinctive pointed arch. The stonework reveals intricate details that speak to the skill of medieval masons; stop-chamfered jambs with a central right-angled groove suggest the door originally had two architectural orders. The hood-moulding above displays delicate vine leaf and grape bunch decorations sprouting from small moulded bands, though time has sadly worn away some of these finer details. Later modifications are evident where dressed stone blocks were inserted to raise the doorway’s height, a practical adaptation that shows how successive generations adapted these sacred spaces to their needs.

Perhaps the most intriguing artefact at Carndonagh is a small carved stone resting against the church’s southern wall, believed to be a lintel from an even earlier church on the site. Its weathered surface bears a wheeled cross at the centre, flanked by three or four carved figures on one side and intricate interlacing patterns on the other. This fragment offers tantalising evidence of the site’s deep religious roots, suggesting that Christian worship has taken place here for well over a millennium, with each generation leaving its architectural mark whilst incorporating elements from those who came before.