29/05/2026
The Old Church of Dunlewey: a sanctuary steeped in Irish heritage and mystique.
The ruins of the church are nestled in the valley between Mount Errigal and the Poison Valley, an area of stunning beauty with a long history. The Poisoned Valley owes its name to the former presence of the highly toxic Irish Spurge Moss. It is rumored that the plant poisoned the drinking water and the livestock. Thankfully, the moss is now extinct. There are a few other folklore stories about the valley - who knows where the truth lies. :)
The church is a lasting memorial to a great love affair between James Russell, the landlord of the Dunlewey estate, and his wife, Jane. She built it for him after he died.
The Dunlewey church ruins in Donegal were a treat to photograph! So many incredible angles and landscapes. We can add this stop to any Donegal itinerary!