Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeChurch
- Date or period mentioned16th century
- Condition (as surveyed)Ruined
What to look for
- Graveyard
Picked out from the Archaeological Survey description below.
Can you visit?
- No source says it is open to the public.Most monuments in Ireland stand on private farmland.
- Ask the landowner before crossing fields, close gates, leave the stones as you find them.Visiting responsibly
History and description
Kilbarron Church (DG103-055): The ruins of a simple 15th or 16th century rectangular church, 10.3m by 4.9m internally, are built of squared boulder rubble with ashlar quoins. The E gable is 2.4m high and preserves no evidence of a window.
Full archaeological record 271 words
Kilbarron Church (DG103-055): The ruins of a simple 15th or 16th century rectangular church, 10.3m by 4.9m internally, are built of squared boulder rubble with ashlar quoins. The E gable is 2.4m high and preserves no evidence of a window. The N and S walls stand to a height of c. 3m. About midway along the latter is a pointed doorway; the jambs are rebuilt. The splayed ingoings are lintelled and bond holes remain for a supporting wooden beam; the E ingoing preserves a small socket for a latch. There is a similar doorway with draw-bar socket at the E end of the N wall. The W gable survives to full height; some coping is in situ on the N. The upper section of the gable is lit by a narrow rectangular window with wide splay. The five corresponding joist holes in the N and S walls must have supported a gallery, access to which was probably from the NW corner along the gable. A collapsed altar lies at the foot of the E gable. Spalled masonry on the interior face of the W gable, the adjoining sections of N and S walls, and the SE corner of the church, was caused by fire in these areas. Abutting the N wall of the church are the remains of a structure, c. 8.8m by 5.9m internally, for the most part represented only by lines of stone, now much ruined and overgrown; possibly a priest's residence. The church is surrounded by a featureless disused graveyard (DG103-055001-) which is believed to be the location of an early ecclesiastical site. (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 388)
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated · Updated 22 September 2008. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
The church is surrounded by a featureless disused graveyard (DG103-055001-) which is believed to be the location of an early ecclesiastical site.
More ancient churches nearby

Drumhome Old Church
Church · Mullanacross · Donegal · 7.7 km away

Inver Old Church
Church · Inver Glebe · Donegal · 13 km away

Killybegs Friary
Church · Glebe (Killybegs Ed) · Donegal · 17 km away

Old St. Carthach's Church in Kilcar
Church · Cill Charthaigh · Donegal · 26 km away
Cloonlougher Church
Church · Cloonlogher · Leitrim · 29 km away
National MonumentInishmurray Island Early Medieval Ecclesiastical Site
Church · Inishmurray · Sligo · 30 km away
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Around Kilbarron Church
Other heritage nearby
- Catsby CaveCave · 3.4 km
- Assaroe FallsWaterfall · 4.3 km
- Tullaghan CrossHigh cross · 9.6 km
- Tetunny WellHoly well · 10.0 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 36 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 9 standing stonesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 7 megalithic tombsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 6 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 promontory fortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 cavesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 abbey or friaryArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 waterfallArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Ballyshannon Cycle Hub Loop 1Road Cycling Trail · 38.2 km · nearest point 0.1 km
- Creevy Coastal WalkWalking Trail · 3.7 km · nearest point 1.6 km
- Ballyshannon Cycle Hub Loop 2Road Cycling Trail · 35.6 km · nearest point 4.3 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- RossnowlaghBeaches · 2.4 km · Excellent Quality (2025)
- BundoranBeaches · 6.4 km · Excellent Quality (2025)
- St Johns Point LighthouseHistoric stays · 15 km
Other attractions nearby
- The Water WheelsMuseums and Attraction · 3.4 km
- Campview FarmNature and Wildlife · 4.2 km
- Ballyshannon and District MuseumMuseums and Attraction · 4.2 km
- Lough Melvin and River Drowes - Drowes EstuaryNature and Wildlife · 5.1 km
What's on nearby
- Allingham Arts Festival 20262026-11-05 · 4.2 km
- Allingham Arts Festival 20262026-11-06 · 4.2 km
- Allingham Arts Festival 20262026-11-07 · 4.2 km
Excavations nearby
- 04E0096 Camp 1, County DonegalRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 4.5 km
- 04E0011 Coolcholly 1, County DonegalRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 4.5 km


