Ballyconnell House was built around 1763 by the Olpherts, a family of Dutch landowners. It is set in a wooded park of around 500 acres. Wybrants Olphert bought the property from Captain Henry Harte who was granted lands in Cloughaneely for his loyalty to the Crown during the Ulster Plantation. In 1921 the house was […]
Continue ReadingDroichead na nDeor – Bridge of Tears
Local people who were emigrating to the U.K., America and Australia would walk out this road on their way to the shipping port in Derry. Family and friends would accompany them out as far as this bridge. Here they would say their farewells. After passing through the gap most would never return. The bridge is […]
Continue ReadingReilig Thulach Bheaglaíoch – Tullaghobegley Graveyard
Tullaghobegley graveyard is said to be the oldest Christian burial ground of its size, in Northwest Donegal. The first church on this site is believed to have been established in the sixth century by Saint Begley. The graveyard served the parishes of Cloughaneelyand Gweedore. Funerals from Gweedore came on a fifteen-mile route across the mountains. […]
Continue ReadingCros Ráithe – Ray Cross
This extraordinary 5.5m high cross stands inside the ruins of Ray Church. It was found broken in the graveyard, then rebuilt and erected inside the church walls for protection. Because the cross has no decorations or carvings, it’s not possible to date it but it is very similar to the late 8th century St John’s […]
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