Looked at from the air the graveyard is fairly circular in shape, which is often an indication of pre-Christian antiquity.

There was a Celtic Christian monastic community at nearby Kinneigh which is believed to have been founded by St Colman between 617 and 619 CE.

Desertserges was a half day's walk away from Kinneigh through the scrub and woods that grew in this area at that time, and across the river Bandon.

[citation needed] Prior to the 12th century, Desertserges was one of seven parishes which comprised a diocese of Kinneigh.

[citation needed] In A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, published by Samuel Lewis in 1837, Desertserges is described as containing 6,629 inhabitants.