Conwal Cemetery

3 kilometres south west of Letterkenny, on the road to Glenties, is Conwall Cemetery. It contains the remains of an ancient church and many graves of great antiquity, including that of Godfrey O'Donnell, Chieftain of Tir Chonaill, and also Redmond O'Hanlon, the famous Raparee and his 7 sons. Also to be found are two unusual pillars decorated with fret and spiral patterns. The crosses take the form of a swastika and a double knot - this dates back to the 7th century. Near the eastern side is a holy well frequented by pilgrims on the Sundays of the summer months.

The sign reads:

'Conwal Early Ecclesiastical Site
This is the site of an early ecclesiastical settlement which may be as old as the 7th century when St Flachitus(?) was Abbot. The existing church remains are medieval but associated with them is a holy well and a number of cross-inscribed slabs now erected on a stone plinth, including one said to be the burial slab of Godfrey O'Donnell who died in 1253.'

 
Two of the cross slabs that are lying on top of the plinth

An example of the crosses found in Conwal Cemetery

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