Funded under the EU’s Peace IV the local community required a holistic project, requiring historical assessments and field surveys at Druminiskill, Dernakesh and Saint John’s graveyards; archaeological monitoring of new paths at Dernakesh church; keyhole excavations at Drumgoon graveyard; geological reports for Drumgoon and Dernakesh; oral history recording of ‘funeral rituals and superstitions’; and, a series of children’s heritage workshops. A highlight of the project was a small excavation of an exposed charcoal layer, that been denuded through the activities of cattle, in the boundary of Drumgoon graveyard. Locals have long argued that the graveyard was the location of the first Catholic church in the parish. The charcoal layer, and at least that part of the back, were subsequently dated to the seventh century. Want to know more… contact us.