2025:224 - Errigal Truagh, Mullanacross, Monaghan

Vegetation clearance was monitored at the site of Errigal Truagh, Co. Monaghan, specifically at two tombs (Singleton and Anketell) located beside the east and west gable walls of the church. Errigal Truagh church is a recorded monument (MO003-018002), located in the townland of Mullanacross. The vegetation clearance was being carried out as part of the ongoing conservation works of the historic place of Errigal Truagh and order to inform future remedial works at the tombs.

Monitoring follows on from an ecological assessment of the site carried out as part of the conservation works in October 2024 (Flynn Furney Environmental Consultants 2024).

Both the Anketell and Singleton tombs were cleared of vegetation (with some limitations) and the rooting was treated. Vegetation from the Anketell tomb was completely removed. Compared to the Anketell tomb, the Singleton tomb had significantly more vegetation cover. Here, ivy roots were embedded within the stonework. The ivy coverage and rooting has caused damage to the capstones and the surrounding iron railing. Removal of the bushy ivy along the northern side exposed the iron railing as being structurally unstable, this being caused by the stonework having been damaged at some point in the previous couple of decades. So as not to compromise the structure further, vegetation removal was limited to mitigate against weakening the stonework.