Derry Churches, Cloughey Road, Derry, Portaferry, Co Down

The ruins of two small churches, likely of possible 9th-century construction, stand parallel to each other on a small rise approximately one and a half miles northeast of Portaferry, County Down. These structures are now in state care as monuments. The northern church is larger, measuring approximately 12 meters by 5.5 meters, while the southern church is smaller, measuring around 6.5 meters by 4 meters. More of the southern church's structure remains, including a significant portion of its east gable and side walls. The southern church was built with neat flat rubble, while the northern church is characterized by larger, more irregular boulders. Both structures were originally bonded with clay, with traces of lime found around window openings in the southern church; they have been recently re-bonded with mortar. A small opening, roughly 1 meter above ground level, is visible in the remaining gable of the southern church, with evidence suggesting similar openings in the remnants of the east gable of the northern church. The northern church exhibits evidence of an entrance in its south elevation, while the southern church retains the remains of a doorway in its west gable. The entire complex is surrounded by a low rubble wall. Several small, roughly 30cm square, holes, likely for ‘beam’ supports, are visible in the walls of the southern church. The southern church also features remnants of projecting ‘antae’ at both gables.

While a precise dating hasn't been confirmed, historical evidence suggests a possible construction date in the 9th century. Traditionally, the southern church was associated with the celebration of the feast of St. Cumain on May 29th. Archaeological excavations in 1962 revealed that the churches were built atop an early Christian burial site, with the remains of an earlier church found underneath the southern church. The site was apparently still in use in the early 14th century; the Church of Derry was valued at £1 6s 8d in the Papal taxation of 1306.