Medieval chapel.


The parish of Arbory appears to have borne a dual dedication to St Cairbre of Coleraine and St Columbcille: medieval documents refer to 'terram Sancti Carebrie' (1153) and 'ad ecclesiam Sancti Carber' (1291), but also to 'terram Sti. Columbae, herbery vocatam' (1231) and 'Parochia Sti. Columbae' (1511).


The reference to a church in 1291 would appear to confirm the presence of a medieval church on the site, which itself is likely to have replaced an older keeill structure.


The location of any early keeill which could have prompted the adoption of the site as the centre of the parish some time in the 12th century is unknown. It has been suggested that such a building may have been sited to the north of the current church, at the highest point in the old cemetery enclosure.


The grid reference is for indicative purposes only.