Kilnamona

Kilnamona (Irish: Cill na Móna, meaning 'Church of the Bog or Marshy Field') is located in the parish of Inagh-Kilnamona, situated just north-west of Ennis, County Clare, Ireland. It consists of 27 townlands in an area of just over 6,000 acres. It is bounded to the west by Inagh, to the east Drumcliffe, to the north Dysart and to the south by Inch and Kilmaley. It is located in the historic barony of Inchiquin. It is located in the Diocese of Killaloe.

History

In the early Christian era, around 600 AD, the parish tribe was known as Cineal Baoith. Their patron saint was Saint Lachtain. He was from the Cork/Limerick area and it is assumed the tribe migrated from there. They built the original church in the marshy field. A holy well called Tobar Lachtin is nearby. Another holy well, Tobar-na-Taise is in the same field.[1] In 1603 the bronze arm of Saint Lachtain had to be removed to Kerry by a Franciscan for safe keeping. It is now preserved in the Royal Irish Academy.There are the remains of two castles in Kilnamona. Shallee Castle and Magowna Castle. The Shallee Casle and lands were in the hands of the O'Brien family but were forfeited to Queen Elizabeth in 1592.[2] When the fury of the Cromwellian persecutions had died down a "Mass House" was built in the townland of Knockahaurin.The chapel was a low long building. It is said that farmers who had no barns of their own were permitted to thresh their corn on its floor. The modern church was constructed in 1842. The mason's charges were £18. In 1932 there was a new roof put on the church as well as a new floor and baptistry. In 1965 the porch was built which was dedicated to Mike McTigue, the world champion boxer. In 2008 a sculpted bronze plaque was erected to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Brother Thomas Keane (An Bráthar Tomás Ó Catháin)[3]In 1824, 141 children were being educated in the two hedge schools (139 Catholics and 2 Protestants)[4] in the parish. The modern National School was built in 1889.

The First Decades

The Kilnamona GAA club was set up in 1887. It was originally called Kilnamona/Smith O'Briens. Kilnamona were dominant in the first decade of the 20th century, winning the Clare Senior Hurling Championship in 1902,1903 and 1908.[5] In 1902, Kilnamona defeated Barefield in the County Final. The Barefield club alleged that Kilnamona were the pick of four parishes and challenged Kilnamona to a rematch. Kilnamona captain Mick "Curk" Lyons gave the stirring reply: "Kilnamona won the medals and we mean to wear them!". In 1903, Kilnamona defeated Thomonds in the final. The team was: M Lyons (Captain), J. Brody, M. Brody, J Cullinan, J, Rynne, D Rynne, M Flanagan, P O'Loughlin, J O'Leary, P O'Leary, F Hegarty, J McTigue, P Hayes, P Commane, M McDonnell, and T. Cullinan. In 1908, Kilnamona proved too strong for Kilmaley in the semi final, defeating them by 1-14 to 2-3. They defeated O'Callaghan 's Mills in the final on a scoreline of 0-11 to 0-10. The game being played at the Showgrounds, Ennis. The team was Johnsie Brody, M Brody, Joe Rynne, Den Rynne, J Rynne, P Mescall, P O'Leary, M Hegarty, P Flynn, M Cahir, P "Irishman" Commane, J Cullinan, M Naughton, P Forde, M McDonnell and J Mctigue.

Sport/Leisure

Kilnamona and Inagh GAA clubs amalgamated in 2007 to form Inagh-Kilnamona GAA club. Kilnamona also has a camogie club. The "Cill na Móna Pitch and Putt" 18 hole course opened for business in 1995. It is situated just off the N85 about 5 miles from Ennis. [6]

Population

In 1659, there were 480 inhabitants recorded (470 Catholics and 10 Protestants). The population grew rapidly up to the early 1840's, as in the rest of Ireland. In 1841, there were 1758 people recorded as living in Kilnamona. The Great Famine devastated the population and by 1901 the population had shrunk to 718. According to the 2006 Census, [7] there were 738 inhabitants of Kilnamona. This is an increase from the 699 recorded in the 2002 census. There are 2634 hectares in Kilnamona according to the census.