Kilmorgan Church and Burial Ground

The common belief is that Kilmorgan was founded by or dedicated to a St. Murchu/Murchon recorded in the 17th-century Martyrology of Donegal as being a descendant of Conall Cremthainne, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, and having a feast day on June 12.

Murchu looks to be on a non-regal line four generations below king Áed Sláine[1], making him active around late seventh to early eighth centuries.

However, indexes added during later years on this Martyrology claim that Kilmorgan is dedicated to another St Murchan or Murchu, Mac Ua Maichtene.

The same expert also pointed out numerous features that give evidence of early monasitc settlements such as burial grounds and holy-wells.

A leading medieval expert Edel Breathneach declares that early missionaries chose sites close to existing cult centres.

In it the writer refers to Mounds of earth nearby Kilmorgan which covered graves containing urns and bones which they believe signifies an ancient battle site.

This area could qualify as pre-Christian cult centre attracting a missionary intervention to take place nearby, eventually leading to a monastic settlement and church.

[10] A small church measuring about 20 by 7 metres, all that remains is the pitched eastern gable and parts of the north and south walls which join this side.

It tells that the church in Kilmorgan was originally built in Cloonamahon but it moved to Lough Cronan (now Corran) in Drumfin and then again to its current resting site.

Here the legend says the Graveyard began in Cloonamahon before eventually reappearing in Kilmorgan, in this version the intermediary stops are Killough and Newpark townland instead of Lough Cronan.