Cooley graveyard is the site of an important early ecclesiastical foundation that overlooks Lough Foyle, just outside Moville on the east side of the Inishowen peninsula.
St Patrick is believed to have established the first church here and a monastery flourished here from the 6th to 12th centuries. There are the ruins of two churches in the graveyard, one a parish church that may date to the 14th century and the other a Plantation era church that was built in 1622. An unusual structure, known as ‘the Skull House’ may have been built as a tomb or shrine.
There is an interesting collection of carved stone crosses and grave markers within the graveyard, while outside the gate stands the impressive Cooley high cross. Among the more recent graves in the graveyard are those of members of the Anderson family, who have a connection with the Titanic, and the family of the famed British World War 2 commander, Field Marshall Montgomery.
The Community Group- Moville Tidy Towns
This site has been adopted by Moville Tidy Towns who are keen to ensure the long-term care and preservation of this site and promote it as a local attraction.