Burial ground, Na Goirt Ghearra, Co. Donegal

Burial ground, Na Goirt Ghearra, Co. Donegal

On a rocky promontory that juts southward into the Atlantic, the abandoned graveyard of Na Goirt Ghearra stands as a quiet testament to centuries of coastal life in County Donegal.

Burial ground, Na Goirt Ghearra, Co. Donegal

The burial ground occupies the summit of this natural outcrop, measuring roughly 25 metres from north to south and 14 metres east to west. Surrounded by a traditional drystone wall that has weathered countless storms, the site commands dramatic views across the sea, with steep drops on the eastern and western sides whilst gentler slopes lead down to the north and south.

The graveyard itself tells the story of a 19th century community through its collection of headstones, now weathered by salt spray and Atlantic gales. These markers, carved when the site was still in active use, bear witness to the families who once lived in this remote corner of Ireland. The drystone wall enclosing the burial ground represents the kind of traditional construction method that has been used across Ireland for generations; built without mortar, these walls rely on careful stone selection and placement to create structures that can withstand the harsh coastal elements.



Today, this disused cemetery serves as both an archaeological site and a poignant reminder of the communities that once thrived along Donegal’s rugged coastline. Its position on the promontory, whilst offering spectacular views, also speaks to the practical and spiritual considerations of those who chose this spot for their final resting place; elevated above the surrounding landscape, yet still connected to the sea that likely sustained many of those buried here.

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Na Goirt Ghearra, Co. Donegal
54.97481999, -8.4974509
54.97481999,-8.4974509
Na Goirt Ghearra 
Burial Grounds 

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