Derry Churches
Encyclopedia
Derry Churches are the remains of two small ruined churches near Portaferry
, County Down
, Northern Ireland
, on the Ards Peninsula
. The churches are 1.5 miles (2.4km) north-east of Portaferry, east of the A2 road
to Cloghy
(on the Tullymally Road), at grid ref: J613 524. Both churches are made of shale slabs bonded with clay and date from the 10th to 12th centuries.
religious activity on the site, associated with Saint Cummain, and there was a chapel there in 1306.
to the east and west, a west door and east and south windows. Clay was originally used to bind the stone and there are holes in the walls for timbers or scaffolding poles. Some medieval alterations to the door and the east window used mortar. A 10th or 11th century date is possible, although other sources have suggested a 12th century date.
The north church is larger, again built using clay rather than mortar, with a south door, an east window and possibly a tower on the west end. A small early cross-carved stone is set in this church. This church is unlikely to be earlier than the 12th century. There is also a grave-slab featuring a simple Latin cross formed by two lines of three parallel grooves.
occupation and a cemetery of stone built graves under the churches. Under the south church was an earlier building of stone and timber (drystone walling reinforced by timber uprights, possibly in two phases), perhaps another church. Conservation included straightening a leaning wall of the south church and replacing the original clay bonding. The cemetery found underlying the churches, contained burials of men, women and children, not just adult males as might be expected from a monastic community.
Portaferry
Portaferry is a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland, at the southern end of the Ards Peninsula, near the Narrows at the entrance to Strangford Lough. It had a population of 2,467 people in the 2001 Census. It has an aquarium and is well-known for the annual Galway Hookers Regatta. It hosts...
, County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, on the Ards Peninsula
Ards Peninsula
The Ards Peninsula is a peninsula in County Down, Northern Ireland which separates Strangford Lough from the North Channel of the Irish Sea, on Ireland's northeast coast. A number of towns and villages are located on the peninsula, such as the seaside town of Donaghadee, with the surrounding area...
. The churches are 1.5 miles (2.4km) north-east of Portaferry, east of the A2 road
A2 road (Northern Ireland)
The A2 is a major road in Northern Ireland, a large section of which is often called the Antrim Coast Road because it follows the scenic coastline of County Antrim....
to Cloghy
Cloghy
Cloghy or Cloughy is a small village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland, on the east coast of the Ards Peninsula. It had a population of 752 people in the 2001 Census. It lies within the Borough of Ards.-Places of interest:...
(on the Tullymally Road), at grid ref: J613 524. Both churches are made of shale slabs bonded with clay and date from the 10th to 12th centuries.
History
There is written evidence of pre-NormanNormans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
religious activity on the site, associated with Saint Cummain, and there was a chapel there in 1306.
Features
The south church is smaller and earlier, has antaeAnta
An anta is an architectural term describing the posts or pillars on either side of a doorway or entrance of a Greek temple - the slightly projecting piers which terminate the walls of the naos.In contrast to pillars, they are directly connected with the walls of a temple...
to the east and west, a west door and east and south windows. Clay was originally used to bind the stone and there are holes in the walls for timbers or scaffolding poles. Some medieval alterations to the door and the east window used mortar. A 10th or 11th century date is possible, although other sources have suggested a 12th century date.
The north church is larger, again built using clay rather than mortar, with a south door, an east window and possibly a tower on the west end. A small early cross-carved stone is set in this church. This church is unlikely to be earlier than the 12th century. There is also a grave-slab featuring a simple Latin cross formed by two lines of three parallel grooves.
Excavations
Excavations in 1962 indicated Early ChristianEarly Christianity
Early Christianity is generally considered as Christianity before 325. The New Testament's Book of Acts and Epistle to the Galatians records that the first Christian community was centered in Jerusalem and its leaders included James, Peter and John....
occupation and a cemetery of stone built graves under the churches. Under the south church was an earlier building of stone and timber (drystone walling reinforced by timber uprights, possibly in two phases), perhaps another church. Conservation included straightening a leaning wall of the south church and replacing the original clay bonding. The cemetery found underlying the churches, contained burials of men, women and children, not just adult males as might be expected from a monastic community.