Killala
Encyclopedia
Killala is a village in County Mayo
in Ireland
, north of Ballina
. The railway line
from Dublin to Ballina once extended to Killala. To the west of Killala is a Townsplots West (known locally as Enagh Beg), which contains numerous ancient forts.
,which landed at nearby Kilcummin Harbour and quickly seized the town. The town was also the site of the last land battle of the rebellion on September 23, 1798 when the British army defeated a rebel Irish force in Killala. Killala was used as the major location for the 1981 multi-million-pound television series "The Year of the French" (based on the novel by Thomas Flanagan
). In 1998 Killala celebrated the bicentenary of this event by twinning with the commune of Chauvé
in France and Killala has established itself as a popular location for historians.
of the Archbishop of Tuam, comprising the north-western part of the County Mayo
with the Barony of Tireragh in the County Sligo. In all there are 22 parishes, some of which, bordering on the Atlantic Ocean, consist mostly of wild moorland, sparsely inhabited. Lewis's Topographical Dictionary sets down the length of the diocese as 45 miles, the breadth 21 miles, and the estimated superficies as 314300 acres (1,271.9 km²) — of which 43100 acres (174.4 km²) are in the County Sligo and 271200 acres (1,097.5 km²) in the County Mayo.
The foundation of the diocese dates from the time of St. Patrick, who placed his disciple St. Muredach
over the church called in Irish Cell Alaid. In a well that still flows close to the town, beside the sea, local legend tells that Patrick baptized in a single day 12,000 converts, and on the same occasion, in presence of the crowds, raised to life a dead woman whom he also baptized. Muredach is described as an old man of Patrick's family, and was appointed to the Church of Killala as early as 442 or 443. His feast-day is on 12 August. It is probable that he resigned his see after a few years, and retired to end his life on the lonely island in Donegal Bay
which has ever since borne his name, Inishmurray
. At Killala Patrick baptized the two maidens whom he met in childhood at Focluth Wood by the western sea, and whose voices in visions of the night had often pathetically called him to come once more and dwell amongst them. He came, baptized them and built them a church where they spent the rest of their days as holy nuns in the service of God.
Little or nothing is known of the successors of Muredach in Killala down to the twelfth century. Of the sainted Bishop Cellach, for example, we learn merely that he came of royal blood, flourished in the sixth century and was foully murdered at the instigation of his foster-brother. His name is mentioned in all the Irish martyrologies. Beyond doubt the most illustrious of them all belongs to modern times. With pride the people of Killala recall that John MacHale
, Archbishop of Tuam
, was a child of their diocese, and served his 'apprenticeship' as bishop amongst them. He was born at Tubbernavine at the foot of Mount Nephin on 6 March 1791; became Coadjutor Bishop
of Killala in 1825, bishop
in 1834, and later in the same year was transferred to Tuam, where for nearly half a century he exercised a more potent influence on the civil and ecclesiastical history of Ireland than perhaps any of his contemporaries, with the single exception of O'Connell. He died on 7 November 1881, and is buried in the sanctuary of the Tuam cathedral.
After him came Doctor Finan, a Dominican
priest of remarkable piety and attainments, but rather unfit, owning to his continental training, to direct the affairs of an Irish diocese. On his resignation in 1838, a parish priest of the Archdiocese of Tuam, Rev. Thomas Feeney, who had formerly been professor and president of St. Jarlath's College
at Tuam, was chosen for the task of repairing the injury that ecclesiastical discipline had suffered during his reign. Feeney is said to have been a most happy selection under the circumstances. Thirty-five years of his firm and resolute rule obliterated practically all traces of the wretched controversies that distracted the diocese under his predecessor.
Along the left bank of the river are the ruins of several monasteries. Rosserk, a Franciscan
house of strict observance, was founded in 1460. The Abbey of Moyne still stands on a picturesque site just over the river, and further on, north of Killala, was the Dominican
Abbey of Rathfran. On the promontory of Errew
running into Lough Conn another monastery existed as such till comparatively recent times. A round tower in Killala itself, still in perfect preservation, indicated the ancient celebrity of the place as an ecclesiastical centre.
In the early 20th century the Roman Catholic bishop was Dr. Conmy. In Maynooth he held a distinguished place in the class that produced such men as the Roman Catholic Cardinal Primate of Ireland and Archbishop Carr of Melbourne. After several years of fruitful labours as professor and missionary priest he was called in 1892 from the parish of Crossmolina
to wield the crosier of Muredach. Amongst his services to the twin cause of religion and education was the building and equipping, from funds raised almost exclusively from his diocese's priests and people, of the seminary in the town of Ballina
.
Killala also boasts a Church of Ireland
Cathedral
, a stone building dedicated to St Patrick. For those researching family history, an indexed listing of photos of the legible headstones in St. Patrick's graveyard and other local cemeteries, is posted at http://goldenlangan.com/headstones.html .
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
in Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, north of Ballina
Ballina, County Mayo
Ballina is a large town in north County Mayo in Ireland. It lies at the mouth of the River Moy near Killala Bay, in the Moy valley and Parish of Kilmoremoy, with the Ox Mountain range to the east and the Nephin Beg mountains to the west...
. The railway line
Rail transport in Ireland
Rail services in Ireland are provided by Iarnród Éireann in the Republic of Ireland and by Northern Ireland Railways in Northern Ireland.Most routes in the Republic radiate from Dublin...
from Dublin to Ballina once extended to Killala. To the west of Killala is a Townsplots West (known locally as Enagh Beg), which contains numerous ancient forts.
History
Killala was the site of the first battle of the French force of General Humbert in the 1798 RebellionIrish Rebellion of 1798
The Irish Rebellion of 1798 , also known as the United Irishmen Rebellion , was an uprising in 1798, lasting several months, against British rule in Ireland...
,which landed at nearby Kilcummin Harbour and quickly seized the town. The town was also the site of the last land battle of the rebellion on September 23, 1798 when the British army defeated a rebel Irish force in Killala. Killala was used as the major location for the 1981 multi-million-pound television series "The Year of the French" (based on the novel by Thomas Flanagan
Thomas Flanagan (writer)
Thomas Flanagan was an American professor of English literature who specialized in Irish literature. He was also a successful novelist. Flanagan, who was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, graduated from Amherst College in 1945...
). In 1998 Killala celebrated the bicentenary of this event by twinning with the commune of Chauvé
Chauvé
Chauvé is a commune in the Loire-Atlantique department in western France.-See also:*Communes of the Loire-Atlantique department...
in France and Killala has established itself as a popular location for historians.
Ecclesiastical history
The Roman Catholic bishopric of Killala (Alladenis in Latin) is one of the five suffragan sees of the ecclesiastical ProvinceEcclesiastical Province
An ecclesiastical province is a large jurisdiction of religious government, so named by analogy with a secular province, existing in certain hierarchical Christian churches, especially in the Catholic Church and Orthodox Churches and in the Anglican Communion...
of the Archbishop of Tuam, comprising the north-western part of the County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
with the Barony of Tireragh in the County Sligo. In all there are 22 parishes, some of which, bordering on the Atlantic Ocean, consist mostly of wild moorland, sparsely inhabited. Lewis's Topographical Dictionary sets down the length of the diocese as 45 miles, the breadth 21 miles, and the estimated superficies as 314300 acres (1,271.9 km²) — of which 43100 acres (174.4 km²) are in the County Sligo and 271200 acres (1,097.5 km²) in the County Mayo.
The foundation of the diocese dates from the time of St. Patrick, who placed his disciple St. Muredach
Muiredach
Muiredach , Muireadhach or Muireach, anglicized variously to Murdoch, Murtagh, Murdac, Mordacq and other forms, is a Goidelic name popular in Scotland and Ireland in the Middle Ages:...
over the church called in Irish Cell Alaid. In a well that still flows close to the town, beside the sea, local legend tells that Patrick baptized in a single day 12,000 converts, and on the same occasion, in presence of the crowds, raised to life a dead woman whom he also baptized. Muredach is described as an old man of Patrick's family, and was appointed to the Church of Killala as early as 442 or 443. His feast-day is on 12 August. It is probable that he resigned his see after a few years, and retired to end his life on the lonely island in Donegal Bay
Donegal Bay
Donegal Bay is an inlet in the northwest of Ireland. Three counties – Donegal to the north and west, Leitrim and Sligo to the south – have shorelines on the bay, which is bounded on the west by the Atlantic Ocean...
which has ever since borne his name, Inishmurray
Inishmurray
Inishmurray is an uninhabited island situated 7 km off the coast of County Sligo, Ireland. It covers . On the island are remains of an early Irish monastic settlement. Saint Molaise founded a monastery here in the 6th century...
. At Killala Patrick baptized the two maidens whom he met in childhood at Focluth Wood by the western sea, and whose voices in visions of the night had often pathetically called him to come once more and dwell amongst them. He came, baptized them and built them a church where they spent the rest of their days as holy nuns in the service of God.
Little or nothing is known of the successors of Muredach in Killala down to the twelfth century. Of the sainted Bishop Cellach, for example, we learn merely that he came of royal blood, flourished in the sixth century and was foully murdered at the instigation of his foster-brother. His name is mentioned in all the Irish martyrologies. Beyond doubt the most illustrious of them all belongs to modern times. With pride the people of Killala recall that John MacHale
John MacHale
John MacHale was the Irish Roman Catholic Archbishop of Tuam, and Irish Nationalist.He laboured and wrote to secure Catholic Emancipation, legislative independence, justice for tenants and the poor, and vigorously assailed the proselytizers and the anti-Catholic anti-national system of public...
, Archbishop of Tuam
Archbishop of Tuam
The Archbishop of Tuam is an archiepiscopal title which takes its name after the town of Tuam in County Galway, Ireland. The title was used by the Church of Ireland until 1839, and is still in use by the Roman Catholic Church.-History:...
, was a child of their diocese, and served his 'apprenticeship' as bishop amongst them. He was born at Tubbernavine at the foot of Mount Nephin on 6 March 1791; became Coadjutor Bishop
Coadjutor bishop
A coadjutor bishop is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese...
of Killala in 1825, bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
in 1834, and later in the same year was transferred to Tuam, where for nearly half a century he exercised a more potent influence on the civil and ecclesiastical history of Ireland than perhaps any of his contemporaries, with the single exception of O'Connell. He died on 7 November 1881, and is buried in the sanctuary of the Tuam cathedral.
After him came Doctor Finan, a Dominican
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
priest of remarkable piety and attainments, but rather unfit, owning to his continental training, to direct the affairs of an Irish diocese. On his resignation in 1838, a parish priest of the Archdiocese of Tuam, Rev. Thomas Feeney, who had formerly been professor and president of St. Jarlath's College
St. Jarlath's College
St. Jarlath's College is a Roman Catholic secondary school for boys in Tuam, County Galway, Ireland. It is an amalgamation of the former St. Jarlath's College and St...
at Tuam, was chosen for the task of repairing the injury that ecclesiastical discipline had suffered during his reign. Feeney is said to have been a most happy selection under the circumstances. Thirty-five years of his firm and resolute rule obliterated practically all traces of the wretched controversies that distracted the diocese under his predecessor.
Along the left bank of the river are the ruins of several monasteries. Rosserk, a Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
house of strict observance, was founded in 1460. The Abbey of Moyne still stands on a picturesque site just over the river, and further on, north of Killala, was the Dominican
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
Abbey of Rathfran. On the promontory of Errew
Errew
Errew is a small rural settlement, 8km from the county town of Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland. The history of Errew follows the Franciscan monastery which was established in 1879 as a boys school which closed in 1975, the church in the monastery remained open until 1981 There are 22 Brothers...
running into Lough Conn another monastery existed as such till comparatively recent times. A round tower in Killala itself, still in perfect preservation, indicated the ancient celebrity of the place as an ecclesiastical centre.
In the early 20th century the Roman Catholic bishop was Dr. Conmy. In Maynooth he held a distinguished place in the class that produced such men as the Roman Catholic Cardinal Primate of Ireland and Archbishop Carr of Melbourne. After several years of fruitful labours as professor and missionary priest he was called in 1892 from the parish of Crossmolina
Crossmolina
Crossmolina or Crosmolina is a town in the Barony of Tyrawley in County Mayo, Ireland, as well as the name of the parish in which Crossmolina is situated. The town sits on the River Deel near the northern shore of Lough Conn...
to wield the crosier of Muredach. Amongst his services to the twin cause of religion and education was the building and equipping, from funds raised almost exclusively from his diocese's priests and people, of the seminary in the town of Ballina
Ballina, County Mayo
Ballina is a large town in north County Mayo in Ireland. It lies at the mouth of the River Moy near Killala Bay, in the Moy valley and Parish of Kilmoremoy, with the Ox Mountain range to the east and the Nephin Beg mountains to the west...
.
Killala also boasts a Church of Ireland
Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
Cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
, a stone building dedicated to St Patrick. For those researching family history, an indexed listing of photos of the legible headstones in St. Patrick's graveyard and other local cemeteries, is posted at http://goldenlangan.com/headstones.html .
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland
External links
- Community development in the west of Ireland: twenty years on in the Killala area. Community Development Journal 2007; 42: 330-347. Author: M.A. Brennan.
- Killala.ie - Official website for the Killala community.
- Five Pubs of Killala.
- Family history and headstones around Killala, Co. Mayo.