Nestled amidst the dunes of Five Finger Strand in Inishowen, County Donegal, St. Mary’s Church in Lagg stands as one of Ireland’s oldest Catholic churches still in active use. Built in 1784, it is the second most northerly Catholic church in Ireland, located near the tip of Malin Head, Banba’s Crown. The church’s construction marked a significant moment in Irish history, as it was among the first to be built in Inishowen following the relaxation of the Penal Laws, which had previously restricted Catholic worship.

Architecturally, St. Mary’s Church follows a simple T-plan with a north-south orientation, featuring a pitched slate roof, terracotta ridge tiles, and pointed arch-headed windows with leaded stained glass. The building is set within its own grounds, surrounded by a whitewashed rubble stone wall with stone coping and wrought-iron gates. Adjacent to the church lies an ancient baptismal font dating back to the 6th century, originally from the old monastery at St. Mura’s in Fahan.

Over the centuries, St. Mary’s Church has remained a central place of worship and community life. Lagg, situated about four miles from Malin village, overlooks the wild and rugged Trawbreaga Bay, creating a setting long favoured for prayer and reflection. Early monks were drawn to the area, particularly the hill known as Knockamany – “the hills of the monks” – where they studied, worked, and chanted the psalms in devotion. From the sixteenth century onwards, the burial grounds adjoining the church were shared by both Catholic and Protestant communities. The present church, founded in 1784 and remodelled several times since, has witnessed countless baptisms, marriages, and funerals, and is believed to occupy part of the former monastery of Cill Mhuire in Kilourt. Its sacred grounds hold the remains of generations of parishioners, including priests and local families such as the Glackins and McGrorys of Bree. From Viking-era legends of monastic treasures to the bi-centenary commemorations documented by Malin historian Conall Byrne in 1984, St. Mary’s Church endures as a living testament to the faith, resilience, and history of the people of Lagg and the wider Inishowen peninsula.

Photo courtesy of Chris Hill Photographic