Drummully Churchyard, Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh, BT92 8HE

Drummully Churchyard is a peaceful hilltop graveyard in Newtownbutler, County Fermanagh, accessed from the road by a long, tree-lined path. It’s visible from the road and forms an interesting landscape feature. The graveyard is enclosed by a thick rubble stone wall and contains 18th and 19th century memorials. A ruined church is situated at the crest of the steep hill within the enclosure. A wrought-iron gate, supported by heavy square gate piers, provides access from the path, with a stile alongside to the right.

A particularly notable memorial is the Graham memorial, which consists of a large Celtic cross carved with foliage and Celtic knotwork, and enclosed by wrought iron railings. The cross stands on a stone plinth inscribed with details of James and Jason Graham and their family: James Graham (died 1860, aged 64), Ellen Graham (died 1882, aged 74), Susanna Graham (died 1891, aged 38), Jason Graham (died 1901, aged 56), and Elizabeth Coulson (died 1911, aged 69). The cross bears the makers mark of J. McCullough, Marble Works, Armagh.

An Ordnance Survey map from 1834 identifies the site as a graveyard with a rectangular building, undoubtedly a church. The 1835 Ordnance Survey Memoir described the church as ruinous, noting that the graveyard was frequented primarily by Roman Catholics and well-maintained, with a large number of tombstones. Inscriptions on the oldest tombstones ranged in date from approximately 1730 to 1743, with one dated 1625. The building is locally referred to as a monastery, and is said to have been associated with Galloon Friary.