County: Derry Site name: BANAGHER OLD CHURCH (Magheramore td.)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: —
Author: Mr. C.S. Lynn, Ancient Monuments Branch/Man. of Finance
Site type: Church
Period/Dating: Late Medieval (AD 1100-AD 1599)
ITM: E 667490m, N 906586m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.902473, -6.947710
The work at this site was undertaken for the same reasons and with the same objective as that at Armagh Friary (No. 4 above).
The most interesting feature revealed was an altar. It was badly damaged but to judge by its mouldings was apparently of 15th century date. This lay within the added chancel, and the space between it and the east wall may have been utilised as a sacristy. The foundations of the altar consisted of large slabs of schist, and incorporated a broken quernstone. A sandstone slab re-used as a step in front of the altar bore a much porn geometric interlace design in panels, with a Iron passant. The sand beneath the altar, which was undisturbed by graves, yielded traces of occupation which may prove to pre-date the transitional chancel.
