Cooey na Gall Monument, Dungiven Priory, Priory Lane, Dungiven, Londonderry, BT47 4PF

A stone tomb niche placed against the S wall of the chancel of the ruins of a former Augustinian Priory. The tomb, well preserved, consists of a table memorial with a recumbent figure on top lying flat on its back and dressed in the manner of a warrior chieftain complete with sword. Feet and lower limbs are together with the soles of the feet against a raised block. Arms more or less by the sides but one crosses the body to grasp the sword, which has a decorative handle and is in its scabbard. The full length dress to the knees is of some pleated fashion with shoulder protection. The head has protective gear. Around the edge of the flat top table a running bead or nail head moulding. Below the table top a blank arcading of 6 cusped panels bound by a raised moulding. The corners are decorated with engaged shafts with banding. Within each panel an erect figure dressed like the recumbent and each with a sword in its scabbard. Their headgear has some plumage or ball on top. There is a kerb or moulding skirting below. Above the table a recess surmounted by a moulded cusped curved arch springing from a moulded framing or architrave forming a pointed arch above the other. In the tympanum there is a beautiful array of delicately portrayed tracery in the form of circles containing “comma” or mouchettes arranged in pairs and triples and 2 quatrefoils. A hood moulding frames the ensemble. It is an impressive piece of sculpted stonework of either the late 14th or early 15th cent. There are several of these tomb niches in Ireland but none so subtle in design as the Cooey na Gall monument. The flame tracery of Kilconnell Friary is another excellent one. The tomb is partly recessed in the S wall of the chancel and in a reasonable state of preservation.