Kilmallock
Encyclopedia
Kilmallock or Kilmalloc is a town in south County Limerick
, Ireland
, near the border with County Cork
. There is a Dominican Priory
in the town and King's Castle (or King John's Castle). The remains of medieval walls which encircled the settlement are still visible. The Dublin–Cork
railway line
passes by the town, but the station is now closed. The nearest train station is in Charleville
, a few miles south west of Kilmallock.
Saint Mocheallóg built a church in the area in 6th or 7th century, and the town's name derives from the Irish Cill Mocheallóg meaning "the church of Mocheallóg".
The town was of considerable importance in the late medieval period, ranking as one of the main urban areas in Ireland at the time. Kilmallock was located in a position of some strategic importance, and in consequence the town frequently became a target during times of war. In 1571, the town was burned by the rebel Earl of Desmond
during the Desmond Rebellions
. Seventy years later, during the Irish Confederate Wars
, the Dominican Priory of Kilmallock was attacked and destroyed by a Parliamentary
Army under Lord Inchiquin
in 1648. Its ruins are the best known historic landmark of Kilmallock. The local cemetery is the burial place of the noted eighteenth century poet Andrias Mac Craith. Better known as An Mangaire Súgach, his most famous poem is "Slán le Máigh", a song in praise of the entire Maigue valley when he was temporarily exiled from it. The house where he died still stands at the bottom of Wolfe Tone street near the River Loobagh. The house known as Tigh An Fhile has information panels about the poet at the doorway. The town also has a small museum depicting the historic past of this once great Geraldine fortress town. It is located on the way to the Dominican Priory.
During the battle of Killmallock the town saw bitter fighting in July 1922 during the Irish Civil War
, when it was held by anti-Treaty forces under Liam Deasy
and eventually taken by Free State troops under Eoin O'Duffy
, which was an event which among others contributed to the dissolution of the short-lived Munster Republic.
As part of a short lived but vicious sectarian campaign in July 1935, arsonists burnt the Church of Ireland
building to the ground, causing damage costing thousands of pounds.
, with many members of the local club having represented Limerick
in the Munster
and All-Ireland
championships. The club have won 9 senior county hurling titles
, most recently in 2010. The club also won the Minor championship
in 2010.
The area is also a centre for horse breeding and several stallion farms are located in the district.
, and has a wide range of services and businesses operating in the town.
:
County Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, near the border with County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
. There is a Dominican Priory
Priory
A priory is a house of men or women under religious vows that is headed by a prior or prioress. Priories may be houses of mendicant friars or religious sisters , or monasteries of monks or nuns .The Benedictines and their offshoots , the Premonstratensians, and the...
in the town and King's Castle (or King John's Castle). The remains of medieval walls which encircled the settlement are still visible. The Dublin–Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
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...
passes by the town, but the station is now closed. The nearest train station is in Charleville
Charleville, County Cork
Charleville or Ráth Luirc is a town in north County Cork, Ireland, situated in Ireland's Golden Vale, near the border with County Limerick. It is located on the "Glen" tributary river, which flows into the Maigue River in Co. Limerick...
, a few miles south west of Kilmallock.
History
The town was of considerable importance in the late medieval period, ranking as one of the main urban areas in Ireland at the time. Kilmallock was located in a position of some strategic importance, and in consequence the town frequently became a target during times of war. In 1571, the town was burned by the rebel Earl of Desmond
Earl of Desmond
The title of Earl of Desmond has been held historically by lords in Ireland, first as a title outside of the peerage system and later as part of the Peerage of Ireland....
during the Desmond Rebellions
Desmond Rebellions
The Desmond Rebellions occurred in 1569-1573 and 1579-1583 in the Irish province of Munster.They were rebellions by the Earl of Desmond – head of the FitzGerald dynasty in Munster – and his followers, the Geraldines and their allies against the threat of the extension of Elizabethan English...
. Seventy years later, during the Irish Confederate Wars
Irish Confederate Wars
This article is concerned with the military history of Ireland from 1641-53. For the political context of this conflict, see Confederate Ireland....
, the Dominican Priory of Kilmallock was attacked and destroyed by a Parliamentary
Roundhead
"Roundhead" was the nickname given to the supporters of the Parliament during the English Civil War. Also known as Parliamentarians, they fought against King Charles I and his supporters, the Cavaliers , who claimed absolute power and the divine right of kings...
Army under Lord Inchiquin
Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Inchiquin
Murrough McDermod O'Brien, 1st Earl of Inchiquin and 6th Baron Inchiquin , was known as Murchadh na dTóiteán ....
in 1648. Its ruins are the best known historic landmark of Kilmallock. The local cemetery is the burial place of the noted eighteenth century poet Andrias Mac Craith. Better known as An Mangaire Súgach, his most famous poem is "Slán le Máigh", a song in praise of the entire Maigue valley when he was temporarily exiled from it. The house where he died still stands at the bottom of Wolfe Tone street near the River Loobagh. The house known as Tigh An Fhile has information panels about the poet at the doorway. The town also has a small museum depicting the historic past of this once great Geraldine fortress town. It is located on the way to the Dominican Priory.
During the battle of Killmallock the town saw bitter fighting in July 1922 during the Irish Civil War
Irish Civil War
The Irish Civil War was a conflict that accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State as an entity independent from the United Kingdom within the British Empire....
, when it was held by anti-Treaty forces under Liam Deasy
Liam Deasy
Liam Deasy was an Irish Republican Army officer in the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War of the 1920s.Deasy was born in Bandon in County Cork in 1898....
and eventually taken by Free State troops under Eoin O'Duffy
Eoin O'Duffy
Eoin O'Duffy was in succession a Teachta Dála , the Chief of Staff of the Irish Republican Army , the second Commissioner of the Garda Síochána, leader of the Army Comrades Association and then the first leader of Fine Gael , before leading the Irish Brigade to fight for Francisco Franco during...
, which was an event which among others contributed to the dissolution of the short-lived Munster Republic.
As part of a short lived but vicious sectarian campaign in July 1935, arsonists burnt the 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...
building to the ground, causing damage costing thousands of pounds.
Sports
Kilmallock is a sporting town and particularly nurtures the game of hurlingHurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
, with many members of the local club having represented Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
in the Munster
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Munster in Ireland....
and All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
championships. The club have won 9 senior county hurling titles
Limerick Senior Hurling Championship
The Limerick Senior Hurling Championship is an annual club competition between the top Limerick Clubs. The winners of the Limerick Championship qualify to represent their county in the Munster Club Championship and in turn, go on to the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship...
, most recently in 2010. The club also won the Minor championship
Limerick Minor Hurling Championship
The Limerick Minor Hurling Championship is a hurling competition played by GAA teams in Limerick in Ireland. All players have to be under the age of 18 in the year in which they take part here. The competition is organized by Limerick GAA county board....
in 2010.
The area is also a centre for horse breeding and several stallion farms are located in the district.
Economy
Kilmallock is twinned for socio-economic purposes with Croom in County LimerickCounty Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
, and has a wide range of services and businesses operating in the town.
Annalistic references
From The Annals of the Four MastersAnnals of the Four Masters
The Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland or the Annals of the Four Masters are a chronicle of medieval Irish history...
:
- M1571.4. James Mac Maurice took Kilmallock, not from a desire of obtaining its riches and various treasures, though its riches were immense, but because it had always been the rendezvous and sally-port of the English and Geraldines in their contests against him. Before sunrise in the morning those who had gone to sleep happily and comfortably were aroused from their slumber by a furious attack made by the warlike troops of the Clann-Sweeny and Clann-Sheehy, who were along with James Mac Maurice; and they proceeded to divide among themselves its gold, silver, various riches, and valuable jewels, which the father would not have acknowledged to his heir, or the mother to her daughter, on the day before. They were engaged for the space of three days and nights in carrying away the several kinds of riches and precious goods, as cups and ornamented goblets, upon their horses and steeds, to the woods and forests of Etharlach, and sending others of them privately to their friends and companions. They then set fire to the town, and raised a dense, heavy cloud, and a black, thick, and gloomy shroud of smoke about it, after they had torn down and demolished its houses of stone and wood; so that Kilmallock became the receptacle and abode of wolves, in addition to all the other misfortunes up to that time.
Literature
- Arlene Hogan: Kilmallock Dominican Priory: An Architectural Perspective, 1291-1991.Kilmallock Historical Society 1991.
- Mainchín Seoighe: The story of Kilmallock. Kilmallock Historical Society 1987.
- The Kilmallock Journal, published by the Kilmallock Historical Society
- Chun Gloire De, a guide to the very fine neo-Gothic Catholic Church
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland