The Sexton's Cottage

 Refurbishment of the Sexton's Cottage at St Augustine's

We are delighted to announce that the historic Sexton’s Cottage at St Augustine’s will soon undergo a much-anticipated refurbishment, made possible by generous funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

This important project will breathe new life into the Sexton’s Cottage — a cherished part of our heritage — ensuring it is preserved for future generations and can continue to serve the community in meaningful ways. The restoration will focus on both the structural and historical integrity of the building, while enhancing its use as usable asset supporting heritage and tourism in the city

Details of the Funding and Project:

• Funding Body: The National Lottery Heritage Fund 
• Amount: £246,344 
• Beneficiary: St Augustine's Church of Ireland 
• Project: To transform the circa-1834 Sexton's Cottage into a three-bedroom tourist accommodation. 
• Purpose: The funds will help repair stonework and ensure the cottage's sustainability by generating income to support the wider historic site and church operations. 
• Historical Significance: The cottage is located on the grounds of St. Augustine's Church, which is recognized as the former site of a 6th-century monastery founded by St. Columba. 
• Project Timeline: The funding was announced and is being utilized as part of larger investment into heritage projects in the Derry~Londonderry area. 

Work is due to begin early 2026, with further updates to be shared in the coming months. We look forward to welcoming you back to a beautifully restored Sexton’s Cottage — a lasting symbol of our heritage and shared story.

Thank you to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and everyone who continues to support the preservation of our historic sites.

Stay tuned for updates!

The Sexton's Cottage

The Sexton's Cottage is a listed four-bay storey-and-a-half rendered vernacular dwelling, built around 1834 and situated on the edge of the historically sacred site of St. Augustine's Church, recognised as the former site of St. Columba's original monastery, founded in 546AD.

Although the dwelling has been modernised both internally and externally, it is robust in character and is of note as a rare surviving example of an early vernacular dwelling located within the City Walls. This Sexton's Cottage has fallen into a state of some disrepair and is no longer used as a Church asset.

St Augustine's has consulted with a range of partners on restoring the cottage. With generous support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we are embarking on a programme of works to preserve and revitalise the Sexton's Cottage.