The Early Churches of Carndonagh

Carndonagh’s early churches are a reflection of the resilience and deep faith of its people. From celebrating Mass in mills during the Penal Laws to building chapels that stood at the heart of community life, the churches in Carndonagh played a pivotal role in shaping both religious and social traditions.

Mass in the Mill: Faith During Penal Times

The 18th century was a challenging time for Catholics in Ireland, as the Penal Laws restricted their ability to practice their religion openly. Catholics were forbidden from building churches within two miles of a town. As Maggie McDermott of Chapel Street recalled, the Catholic community in Carndonagh found a solution through the generosity of their landlord, Captain Carey, who allowed them to use his mill for Mass. The mill, located where the present graveyard now stands, became the gathering place for worship, enabling the local people to keep their faith alive during a time of oppression.

The 1780s Church: A Hub of Worship and Learning

By the 1780s, restrictions had eased, and the Catholic community of Carndonagh was able to construct its first dedicated chapel. Historian Maghtochair notes that the chapel was built under the guidance of Dean O’Donnell and was the fourth chapel in the barony. This two-story structure wasn’t just a place of worship—it also served as a center of education for the local children.

The upper floor was dedicated to the chapel itself, with the entrance located on Barrack Hill Lane. Meanwhile, the lower floor housed two schoolrooms—one for boys and one for girls. Miss Bradley from the Head of the Wood taught in the girls’ school, while Tommy Shiels (“the Master”) taught the boys until he moved to the new school on Malin Road. This dual-purpose building was central to community life, providing both spiritual guidance and education in a time when resources were limited.

The 1826 Chapel: A New Beginning

As Carndonagh’s Catholic population continued to grow, it became clear that the 1780s chapel could no longer accommodate the increasing number of parishioners. In 1826, a new and larger church was constructed. As Maghtochair recorded, this new chapel was built “through the unexampled exertions of the Rev. James Quinn, pastor,” at a cost of £1,200. A tablet commemorating the event was affixed to the church, noting that Rev. Quinn was instrumental in its construction.

When the 1826 chapel was completed, Fr. Sheerin celebrated Mass for the last time in the old chapel, marking the end of its service as a place of worship. However, the building wasn’t abandoned. The upper floor was converted into a parish recreational hall, hosting community gatherings until the Colgan Hall was built in 1914. The lower floor, once used as schoolrooms, was leased out for business purposes. One room became a tailoring shop, and the other housed a grave headstone workshop. Locally known as “the Wee Hall,” the building remained a vital part of Carndonagh’s social fabric until it was finally demolished in 1945.

The Donagh Bell: A Sacred Relic of Early Christianity

An essential part of Carndonagh’s religious history is the Donagh Bell, an ancient relic dating back to the time of St. Patrick. According to William James Doherty, the bell had been under the care of the McColgan family of Priestown for generations. The bell was discovered in the townland of Cean-na-Clug, and its name is believed to be derived from the bell itself.

This golden bronze, quadrangular hand bell was not only a sacred artifact but also had a practical purpose in the church, ringing out during services. The Inquisition at Lifford (1609) mentions that a gort (plot of land) was allocated to the keeper of the saint’s bell in Donagh Parish, ensuring the bell’s protection. Eventually, the bell made its way to the Royal Irish Academy and is now preserved in the Museum of Science and Art in Dublin.

Read the full text of the article by William James Doherty here: The Donagh Bell

The Priests of Donagh Parish

Throughout the 19th century, the Catholic Church in Carndonagh was shaped by a succession of dedicated priests. As Maghtochair noted, the first parish priest on record was Rev. John M’Colgan, who was followed by Rev. Michael M’Colgan, a native of Priestown, who served for six years before his death in 1778.

Over the following decades, a number of priests left their mark on the community. Notably, Rev. James Quinn, who arrived in the parish in the early 19th century, was responsible for the construction of the 1826 chapel and the establishment of four national schools. His contributions to the community were profound, and after his death in 1838, he was buried in the chapel graveyard, with a memorial tablet marking his achievements.

Maghtochair lists the priests who served in the Church in this section of his book on Carndonagh: The Catholic Church, by Maghtochair

Wakes and Community Traditions

The churches of Carndonagh were not only places of worship but also integral to community life and traditions, particularly around death and mourning. As John Norris Thompson recorded in his diary, wakes—once a lively part of Catholic funeral traditions—began to decline in the 19th century. In earlier times, wakes were often boisterous events, filled with drinking and socializing, but the priests gradually discouraged such excesses. By the late 19th century, the more raucous aspects of the tradition had faded away, and wakes became quieter affairs. The custom of the Beenyie, or mourning howl, had already disappeared by this time, reflecting the changing nature of funeral traditions in the community.

Thompson also noted that the last Catholic burials in the Donagh Churchyard took place in the mid-19th century. From then on, burials were moved to the chapel graveyard, reflecting the growing centrality of the new church in Carndonagh’s spiritual and social life.

Read John Norris Thompson’s Diary notes here: Carn Chapel & Wakes, from the diary of John Norris Thompson

The early churches of Carndonagh tell a story of resilience, faith, and community. From celebrating Mass in a mill during the Penal Laws to the building of the 1780s church and its replacement by the 1826 chapel, these sacred spaces were at the heart of Carndonagh’s identity. The efforts of parish priests like Rev. James Quinn and the dedication of the community ensured that these churches not only served as places of worship but also as centres of learning, tradition, and social life.