Killashee
Brief History of the Killashee
Killashee or Cill a Sidhe when translated means ‘The Church of the Fairy Mound’ or ‘The Wood of the Fairies’. These translations could be linked to the existence of a number of forts throughout the parish and mounds or hills which overlook the village, notably ‘Carrig’, known locally as ‘Burke’s Hill, ‘Crochans’ on the Lanesboro road, ‘an Culighan’ at the old Rectory.
The earliest references to Killashee as a parish are in the Roman Annates of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Here Killashee is referred to under an astonishing variety of spellings, such are Killacythe, Kylnascyth, Kilnasichigi and under the names indicative of the titular of the Church Kilfegalen, Kilfylan and Kilfulan.
In 1302 Dhomnal O’Farrell, Chieftain of Annaly, founded the Convent of St John the Baptist at Middletown. But perhaps the most historic religious site is the Grey Friars’ Monastery of Ballinakill, Middletown and Clonough, known as the Land of Cluaindeochra.
Fáilte róimh go Cill na Sidhe.
Tá ill na idhe suite idir an Longfort agus Béal Atha Liag. Tá trí chuid sa pharóiste seo, Cill Sidhe, Cluain Dá Ráth agus Cluainteach. Téann an Canáil Ríoga tríd an pharóiste ar an tslí go dtí an tSionann I gCluain Dá Ráth. Mar sin tá ceithre droiched I gCill na Sidhe. Táreilig cailiúil sa pharóiste I mBaile na Cill. Táuaig intí darb ainm ‘The Bishops Grave’. De réir tuairiscí, cuiredah é sa deichniú haois. Tá a lán scealta béaloideasa ag baint leis an reilig. Bainigí taitneamh as ár gceantar.
ATTRACTIONS
Ballinakill Cemetery
The most historic religious site in the area is the ruin of the Grey Friars’ Monastery at Ballinakill Graveyard. Dating from the 6th Century this is reputedly founded by St Ernan. The Bishop’s Grave id still visible in the old Graveyard at Ballinakill and it is very likely that of Flann Mulvihill. The soil covering the well is believed to possess curing properties for various ailments, as does the Holy Well which is located at the foot of the Head stone in the photograph.
Ballyclare Castle
In 1430 Ballyclare Castle was built by O’Farrell Buí. O’Farrell was visited by in the same year by O’Neill and was conferred with ‘ full sway over the County of Annaly’. During the plantations of King James I, O’Farrell was dispossessed of his lands and Ballyclare Castle was given over to English and Scottish planters. The ruins of this castle can still be seen today.
The Royal Canal
The Royal Canal opened in Longford in 1826. The canal begins in Dublin and enters the Shannon at Richmond Harbour, Clondra. In the 19th Century there was always great traffic between Richmond and Dublin. Much needed food and fuel was transported to the capital via the Royal Canal and at the time of the famine, many people who were forced to emigrate to he US began their long and difficult journey on board the canal barges like the one pictured here.
Lynam’s Mill, Grillagh
This Corn Mill dating from the 19th Century would have been a focal point for the local community. People would have come from miles around to have their oats crushed and their wheat milled into flour. The last chief Millar was Mike Mangan of Clonsilla, Killashee and the Mill closed in the early 50s after his death.
Double Ring Fort at Clonmore
This is a particularly well-preserved version of a double Ring Fort. Ring Forts are of Celtic origin dating back to the early Christian period. The people of Celtic Ireland lived mostly in Ring Forts. They were circular in shape and were surrounding by a bank or ditch. The houses were built inside the fort and an underground passage or Souterrain was often used to store goods or a hiding place.