Home»Kiltiernan Cemetery: Pre-Famine Vernacular Gravestone Inscriptions

In the hills just south of Ardara, Donegal (Ireland) is the old pre-Famine Kiltiernan graveyard dating from late 18th/early 19th century, but still in use. In this graveyard there are several fine flagstones inscribed with the names and dates of those interred below. However, what is unique about these stones are the depictions of angels (or of the departed souls?) and doves (representing the Holy Spirit?) that decorate them. Though most are "primitive" in style, some are more elaborate, with other kinds of bas-relief.