Holy Trinity Church (Mevagh)

This fine late nineteenth-century Church of Ireland church is a landmark feature on the streetscape to the north-east end of Carraig Art [Carrickart], and is one of the best examples of its type and date in Donegal. It was built in a robust Early English Gothic Revival style to designs by Sir Thomas Drew (1838-1910), a distinguished church architect who is probably best known for his designs for St. Anne's Cathedral (1898-1904), Belfast . Drew was responsible for restoration works at Raphoe Cathedral around the same time and may have been engaged by The Fourth Earl of Leitrim to extend nearly Mulroy House (40901712) sometime between c. 1880 and c. 1890. It is probable that some of the costs for the construction of this church were provided by the Fifth Earl\Clement family, possibly as a memorial for the Fourth Earl who is commemorated by the fine High Cross monument (see 40808005) adjacent to the west of the churchyard. This church at Carraig Art [Carrickart] is distinguished by the soaring robust tower to the north-west corner, a feature that dominates the design and the village of Carraig Art [Carrickart]. The exterior is enlivened by the high quality cut sandstone detailing, particularly to the openings and to the tower, which contrasts attractively with the grey dimension stone creating interesting tonal and textural variation that adds further to the appeal of this building. The three fine stained glass windows to the chancel gable (by Earley and Co. of Dublin) depicting the "Transfiguration" were installed in 1898. These were donated by a James Hay of Philadelphia, whose family were originally from Rosapenna near Carraig Art [Carrickart]. James Hay was a very successful businessman, president of several Philadelphia banks and a director of the Pennsylvanian Railway among other business interests. He was a frequent visitor to the area, and a number of members of the Hay family are buried in the graveyard at Carraig Art [Carrickart]. The bell tower to the north-west, which was dedicated in 1902, and the clock faces to same were also apparently donated by James Hay. It is possible that he also donated some of the other costs associated with the construction of this fine church, which is above what is normal seen in rural Church of Ireland churches of its date in terms of scale and detailing. Another fine stained glass window to the nave (dated 1917) is dedicated in memory of Rebecca Wilson of Magherabeg; this is by Ward and Partners of Belfast and depicts the "Empty Tomb". This fine church replaced an earlier church (see RMP DG017-021----) built in 1675, which was located adjacent to the south of the present edifice (Ordnance Survey first edition six-inch map of c. 1836). This church was described by Lewis in 1837 as '... in good repair; it was built about 160 years since'. To the interior of the present church is a fine seventeenth-century marble font (RMP DG017-021001-) with a quartered coat-of-arms and the inscription "EX: DONO R:A 1681". The church is surrounded by graveyard, which contains an interesting collection of upstanding and recumbent gravestones of mainly nineteenth- and twentieth-century date, some of which are finely carved and of artistic merit. There are a number of earlier gravemarkers dating to the eighteenth century and likely to be earlier possibly unmarked graves dating back to the foundation of the earlier church to site. A number of grave plots are set in wrought and\or cast-iron railed enclosures, adding additional interest. Also of interest is the family plot of the Clement family including graves of the Fourth (1892) and Fifth (1952) Earls of Leitrim of nearby Mulroy House (see 40901712). Apparently these Earls of Leitrim were buried here at their own wish instead of the family vault in Saint Michan's Church in Dublin. The simple rubble stone boundary walls, and the elegant gateway with cast-iron gate posts and wrought-iron gates, and the walls flanking the gateway with metal railings and cut stone coping over complete the setting of this church, which is an integral element of the architectural heritage and social history of the local area.