Old Ray Church, Ray, Raymunterdoney, Co Donegal
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Notes:
According to local tradition, the first church at Ray was founded by St. Fíonán in the sixth century.
A church survived there until the seventeenth century, when it was destroyed by a platoon of Cromwellian soldiers under the command of Captain Cunningham.
The soldiers burst open the door during mass one Sunday morning and slaughtered the congregation.
This came to be known as Marfach Raithe (The Massacre
of Ray). The dead are buried within two hundred metres of the church at a place
called Lag na gCnámh (Resting Place of the Bones).
The church continued to be used by the Church of Ireland until the early 19th
century. Many members of the Olphert family (local landlords) are buried there.
(extract from Arasain Bhalor website)
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