Kilnaboy
Encyclopedia
Kilnaboy or Killinaboy is the name of a small village
, townland
and parish
in County Clare
, Ireland
. It is situated in The Burren
, an area rich in heritage and natural beauty and Mullaghmore mountain is close by. There are over 300 national monuments in the area with Lemenagh Castle and Cahercommaun
stone fort, two of the most prominent.
(possible medieval fertility symbol) over the door and a cross on the church gable. There is a round tower nearby.
.
. Declan Kelleher is the former President of the I.N.T.O. In sport, Michael Sonny Murphy was an Olympic athlete who represented Ireland at the 1932 Los Angeles Summer games. He was also the holder of many National records and titles. The Sonny Murphy Road Race is held in Kilnaboy every year and has just recently had its 25th anniversary. Seamus Clancy
is the first Clare footballer
to win an All-Star award
which was achieved in 1992. His brother Colm also played a starring role in that Munster championship winning side and their father Donal was one of the selectors.
PJ Curtis is a well known Author, radio presenter and was manager of the well known group, The Bothy Band.
The man who stole the crown jewels of England
from the Tower of London
in 1671 was a man with strong Kilnaboy links. Thomas Blood
had a grandfather who lived at Kilnaboy Castle and it is possible that Blood may have been born here.
Francis G. (Frank) Neylon, renowned traditional Irish musician (concert flute, piccolo), was born in Kilnaboy in 1921 in the cottage now known as Tigh Éamoin.
http://www.cceboston.org/FrankGNeylon.html
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
, townland
Townland
A townland or bally is a small geographical division of land used in Ireland. The townland system is of Gaelic origin—most townlands are believed to pre-date the Norman invasion and most have names derived from the Irish language...
and parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
in County Clare
County Clare
-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
, 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,...
. It is situated in The Burren
The Burren
The Burren is a karst-landscape region or alvar in northwest County Clare, in Ireland. It is one of the largest karst landscapes in Europe. The region measures approximately 250 square kilometres and is enclosed roughly within the circle made by the villages Ballyvaughan, Kinvara, Tubber, Corofin,...
, an area rich in heritage and natural beauty and Mullaghmore mountain is close by. There are over 300 national monuments in the area with Lemenagh Castle and Cahercommaun
Cahercommaun
Cahercommaun is a triple ringfort on the south-east edge of the The Burren area, in Kilnaboy which is near the rural village Carran, in County Clare, Ireland. It was built about 800 AD.-Features:...
stone fort, two of the most prominent.
History
The first mention in print of Kilnaboy can be traced back to the Papal taxation of 1302-06. Kilnaboy has a medieval church of 11th century origin, repaired in 1715. The Church includes a Sheela na GigSheela Na Gig
Sheela na gigs are figurative carvings of naked women displaying an exaggerated vulva. They are found on churches, castles and other buildings, particularly in Ireland and Britain, sometimes together with male figures. One of the best examples may be found in the Round Tower at Rattoo, in County...
(possible medieval fertility symbol) over the door and a cross on the church gable. There is a round tower nearby.
Places of interest
- Poulnabrone DolmenPoulnabrone dolmenPoulnabrone Dolmen is a portal tomb in the Burren, County Clare, Ireland, dating back to the Neolithic period, probably between 4200 BC to 2900 BC. It is situated 8km south of Ballyvaughan in the parish of Carran, 9.6km north-west of Kilnaboy...
is a portal tomb in the Burren, dating back to the NeolithicNeolithicThe Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
period, and situated 9.6 km (6 mi) north-west of Kilnaboy. (grid ref: 123 200) - The Burren National park is mostly based in Kilnaboy and branches on to other neighbouring parishes. It is often frequented by botanists and archeologists alike and is a unique place to visit.
- Lemenagh, Inchiquin and Ballyportry are fine examples of Irish castles. Ballyportry is completely restored.
Father Ted
Glanquin house, Kilnaboy was used as an exterior of "Craggy Island Parochial House" in the hit comedy series Father TedFather Ted
Father Ted is a comedy series set in Ireland that was produced by Hat Trick Productions for British broadcaster Channel 4. Written jointly by Irish writers Arthur Mathews and Graham Linehan and starring a predominantly Irish cast, it originally aired over three series from 21 April 1995 until 1 May...
.
People
Kilnaboy is home to the former Minister for defence, Tony KilleenTony Killeen
Tony Killeen is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was a Teachta Dála for the Clare constituency from 1992 to 2011, and also served as Minister of Defence from 2010–11.-Early and personal life:...
. Declan Kelleher is the former President of the I.N.T.O. In sport, Michael Sonny Murphy was an Olympic athlete who represented Ireland at the 1932 Los Angeles Summer games. He was also the holder of many National records and titles. The Sonny Murphy Road Race is held in Kilnaboy every year and has just recently had its 25th anniversary. Seamus Clancy
Seamus Clancy
Seamus Clancy is a Gealic football from Kilnaboy County Clare. He won a Munster Senior Football Championship in 1992 when Clare had a surprise win over Kerry in the final, he later won an All Star award and is to date Clare's only football All Star. He also won an All Ireland B Title with Clare in...
is the first Clare footballer
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
to win an All-Star award
GAA All Stars Awards
The All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
which was achieved in 1992. His brother Colm also played a starring role in that Munster championship winning side and their father Donal was one of the selectors.
PJ Curtis is a well known Author, radio presenter and was manager of the well known group, The Bothy Band.
The man who stole the crown jewels of England
Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom
The collective term Crown Jewels denotes the regalia and vestments worn by the sovereign of the United Kingdom during the coronation ceremony and at other state functions...
from the Tower of London
Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
in 1671 was a man with strong Kilnaboy links. Thomas Blood
Thomas Blood
Colonel Thomas Blood was an Irish colonel best known for attempting to steal the Crown Jewels of England from the Tower of London in 1671...
had a grandfather who lived at Kilnaboy Castle and it is possible that Blood may have been born here.
Francis G. (Frank) Neylon, renowned traditional Irish musician (concert flute, piccolo), was born in Kilnaboy in 1921 in the cottage now known as Tigh Éamoin.
http://www.cceboston.org/FrankGNeylon.html
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland