by Cathal McGuigan

A local comedian has expressed his disappointment that a historical site in Dungiven has “been left to nature.”

On a visit to Dungiven Priory at the weekend, Jake O’Kane commented on being unable to read headstones in a graveyard due to restrictions on lichen being removed.

“Visited O'Cahan homeland today to show family Priory Graveyard in Dungiven,” he wrote on Facebook.

“Sad to see it's been left to nature. Headstones now covered in lichen yet sign warns not to clean it off. I was able to read them 10rys ago, not now.”

A sign at Dungiven Priory Graveyard warns people that they “must not attempt to expose or clean any carved stones, gravestones or other such monuments” in the graveyard without permission from the Department of Communities.

The Historic Monuments and Archaeological Objects (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 states that these measures are taken to prohibit or regulate “any act or thing which would tend to injure or disfigure the monument or its amenities or to disturb the public in their enjoyment of it.”

The Order states that the Department can ban people from accessing the site if they believe they may cause damage. Anyone found to have breached the conditions listed at the site could also face a fine of up to £1,000. A person found to have intending to damage a monument knowing it is protected could also face a prison sentence.

The Priory area has been used as a site for religious buildings for centuries. A medieval Augustinian Priory was built in the 12^th century and a gothic Chancel was added to the church the following century. A tower house was built at the site in the 15^th century, while the property was confiscated in 1603 & a manor house & bawn built in the grounds.

A report from a survey carried out by the Department of the Environment in 2000 at the graveyard states that it is “of great historical and social importance because of its pre- mediaeval, mediaeval and plantation significance.”

“The memorials noted are worthy of conservation for their social history and age and illustrates the cross community habits of funeral rites irrespective of other differences,” it reads.

“Burial probably took place in this graveyard since a monastic settlement was established. After 1600 both Protestants and Catholics continued to be buried here. “

The report gives some insight into several grave memorials which were decipherable at the time. It describes a “flat grave or table slab on 2 supports in stone” in memory of Patrick McCloskey who died in 1779 and John McCloskey, who died in 1797.

“On the slabs are carved symbols of cross, book, ball and possible a chalice. If a chalice it would indicate that one of the interred was a priest if not both,” the report reads.

The report also comments on memorials to John Money, who died in 1774 and Henry Haslett who died in 1861 at the age of 19. It concludes by saying that the graveyard “has a pleasing and secluded setting overlooking Benedy Glen and the River Roe.”

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