The most striking feature is perhaps the curious carved stone head cemented atop the north gatepost; a weathered face barely 30cm tall, with faint suggestions of eyes and nose still visible despite centuries of erosion. This peculiar guardian may be related to similar carved heads documented in the nearby Raphoe area, though its exact origins remain mysterious.

Archaeological testing carried out in 2007 revealed that this unassuming site holds far greater significance than its current appearance suggests. When trenches were excavated to the southeast of the enclosed graveyard, archaeologists uncovered both loose and articulated human remains within grave cuts, extending across an area of at least 30 by 20 metres. These burials appear to be part of a much older cemetery associated with a church foundation dating back to at least the late 16th century. Historical records support this interpretation; Mercator’s 1620 map of Ireland marks a site known as ‘Sanctuary’ east of Castlefinn, whilst medieval texts refer to a ‘Tech na Comairce’ or ‘house of sanctuary’ in the area. Archbishop Colton’s documented visitation here in 1397 pushes the ecclesiastical use of the site back even further.

The poor preservation of the bones suggests these remains predate the 18th century headstones visible in the current enclosed cemetery, which local records indicate was in use until the 1830s. During the same archaeological investigation, excavators also discovered evidence of prehistoric activity; a burnt spread of fire-shattered stone and charcoal typical of fulachta fiadh (ancient cooking sites) was found near the River Finn. Together, these discoveries paint a picture of a location that has drawn human activity for millennia, from Bronze Age cooking pits to medieval sanctuaries to relatively modern burials, all layered beneath an innocuous patch of overgrown ground.