The eastern boundary follows a natural defensive line, formed by a wall and stream, whilst the remaining perimeter consists of a grassed-over drystone wall that has weathered centuries of Atlantic winds. The site code DG064-018001 might seem clinical, but it represents a tangible link to Ireland’s early Christian heritage, when small religious communities sought out remote locations for contemplation and worship.

Within this ancient boundary, the landscape tells a story of organised religious life. Low internal walls divide the space into distinct areas, suggesting different zones for prayer, work, and daily living. The southwestern sector preserves the foundations of two subcircular structures; the southern building appears to have had its entrance facing south-southeast, whilst its northern neighbour opened to the northeast. These orientations weren’t random; they likely reflected practical considerations about prevailing winds, sunlight, and the movement of people within the enclosure.

The setting itself speaks to why this location was chosen for religious purposes. The undulating pasture is punctuated by natural rock outcrops that would have provided both building materials and dramatic focal points for meditation. Martin’s Lough lies close by to the south-southeast, offering a reliable water source and perhaps serving ritual purposes, as water held deep spiritual significance in both pagan and Christian Irish traditions. Today, sheep graze where monks once prayed, but the bones of this ecclesiastical settlement remain clearly visible in the landscape, documented by the Archaeological Survey of County Donegal in 1983 and continuing to intrigue visitors who seek out Ireland’s hidden historical gems.