Banagher Old Church
Banagher Old Church ( Irish Beannchar ) is the ruin of a nave from the early 12th century in Dungiven ( Irish Dún Geimhin ) in County Londonderry in Northern Ireland . Banagher Old Church stands on an Ice Age drumlin from which much of the sand and gravel was extracted.
Architecturally, the 12th century brought about a change from the small, simple pre-Romanesque stone churches to the early Gothic churches, which at the end of the century were part of the European mainstream. It is believed that the church was founded in the late 11th or early 12th centuries, possibly by the Mac Loughlainn Kings. It is first mentioned in 1121. As a contemporary survey found, it was destroyed as early as 1622. In the 1730s someone cut the words, "This church was built in the year of their God, 474" inside the entrance.
The main feature is the west door with a heavy lintel and cross-shaped recessed side posts. Another notable part of the nave is the small south window, which shows fine craftsmanship. It was created in the Romanesque / Gothic hybrid style, which was particularly cultivated between 1210 and 1225.
Outside the church is a well-preserved low house-shaped grave similar in structure to that of Bovevagh Old Church . Traditionally it is said to contain the remains of Saint Muiredach O'Heney .
The nearby nave at Dungiven has an identical window and must be of similar date.
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Coordinates: 54 ° 54 ′ 9.1 ″ N , 6 ° 56 ′ 51.5 ″ W.