Fixed to the northeast end of the church are two ancient grave slabs that have weathered centuries of Irish history. These stone markers offer a tangible connection to the people who once worshipped and were laid to rest in this sacred space.

The first of these slabs measures 1.75 metres in length and tapers from 0.45 metres to 0.3 metres in width, displaying the characteristic coffin-like shape commonly found in medieval graveslabs throughout Ireland. Rather than bearing elaborate carvings or inscriptions that might tell us more about the person beneath, this particular stone features only a simple, thin incised frame running around its edge. This minimalist decoration was documented by Lacy and colleagues in their 1983 survey of the area, where they catalogued it as number 1539.

The unadorned nature of this graveslab raises interesting questions about medieval burial customs in rural Donegal. Whilst wealthier patrons could afford elaborate stone carvings depicting religious symbols, family crests, or lengthy inscriptions, this simpler stone suggests it may have marked the grave of someone of more modest means; perhaps a local farmer or craftsperson who was nonetheless important enough to their community to warrant a permanent stone memorial. The slab’s preservation and placement within the church walls ensures that this anonymous individual’s marker continues to be part of Clonca’s enduring historical landscape.