The site appears on both the second and third editions of the Ordnance Survey 6-inch maps, though today visitors would be hard pressed to identify it as anything more than a natural feature of the landscape without prior knowledge of its ecclesiastical past.

Like many of Ireland’s rural church sites, Kilcarbery has been reclaimed by nature over the centuries. The random scattering of stones that once formed walls and foundations now blend seamlessly into the surrounding countryside, creating an archaeological puzzle that speaks to the transient nature of even our most sacred structures. The location near the river would have been deliberately chosen, as early Irish churches were often situated near water sources for both practical and spiritual reasons.

The site forms part of County Donegal’s rich tapestry of medieval and early modern religious heritage, documented in the Archaeological Survey of County Donegal from 1983. This comprehensive survey, which catalogues field antiquities from the Mesolithic period through to the 17th century, serves as an invaluable record of sites like Kilcarbery that might otherwise be forgotten entirely as physical traces continue to erode with each passing season.