Dungiven Priory was founded by the O'Cahans, who held the district until the 17th century. It holds the fine tomb of Cooey-na-Gall O'Cahan, who died in 1385, with a carved effigy and six gallowglass warriors on its front.
A heritage trail text from Dungiven tells the legend of Finvola. Dermot O'Cahan and his daughter Finvola were blown by a storm to Islay, home of the MacDonalds, where Angus, the chief's son, fell in love with her. Back at Dungiven, Angus sought her hand, and Dermot agreed on condition that Angus return her body to Ireland when she died. She died young. Angus could not bear to part with her and buried her on Islay. Her death stayed hidden until the family banshee, Grainne Rua, wailed and lamented, alerting the O'Cahans. They mounted an expedition to reclaim her, but Angus stopped a war by confessing that love made it impossible to be parted from her body, and he surrendered her remains for burial at Dungiven. Where she lies in the priory grounds is unknown.
Grainne Rua here is the banshee of a named clan, a classic example of the family death-wailer. It is a legend and not a documented event.
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