Kilmead

History

National monuments in the area include the ‘Rath of Mullaghmast’ and Kilkea Castle, the ancestral home of the Fitzgeralds. The name "Kilmead" is believed to be derived from a term meaning "middle church". The lands of Kilmead were in the possession of the Fitzgerald family down to 19th Century. In Kilmeed churchyard, parish of Narraghmore Grave numbers 1.Rose Fitzgerald alias-Lacy wife of Thomas Fitzgerald Esq. of Kilmeed died 19 November 1762 aged 34. also Thomas Fitzgerald Esq. of Kilmeed died 17 September 1801 age 81. 2.Mary Fitzgerald daughter of Thomas Fitzgerald Esq. Born 1 July 1780 died 3 August 1806. 3.Thomas Fitzgerald of Geraldine Esq. Died 21 August 1808 aged 55 years also his widow of 37 years Elizabeth died 10 March 1845 aged 91 years. 4.Col. Thomas Fitzgerald of Geraldine died 28 March 1835 aged 58 years also his brother Francis Fitzgerald Esq. Died 22 April 1810 Dawlish in Devon shire aged 26 years, also Anne his sister died 2 June 1841 aged 48 years another sister Elizabeth died 14 January 1856 5.Richard Fitzgerald of Athy died 15 July 1747 aged 63 also his wife Ursula Moore died 25 March 1758 aged 77, also their daughter in law Eliza Fitzgerald otherwise Conan died 1 April 1765 aged 42, also Anne Conrahy Gerald’s 2nd wife died 1773, Also Edward son of Gerald and Eliza died 1790, also Gerald son of Gerald and Anne died 28 March 1792 aged 20 years, also Gerald son of Richard and Ursula Moore died October 1793 aged 75 6.John Goold of Athy died 1 August 1833 aged 6o, his wife Ursula daughter of Gerald Fitzgerald of Athy, died 8 May 1845 aged 75, Their son William died 11 December 1823 aged 20, their daughter Mary Ursula died 30 April 1824, their children Gerald, Gerald Junior, John and Catherine all died young. Their daughter Anna Maria Goold died 18 January 1876 aged 64. Richard FitzGerald of Athy gravestone 5, was the uncle of the Thomas FitzGerald of Kilmeed grave 1 and Thomas was the father of Thomas FitzGerald of Geraldine gravestone 3. These FitzGerald moved to Geraldine House which is situated between Kilmeed and Athy.

Public transport

Route 817, currently operated by Bus Éireann on behalf of the National Transport Authority is the main bus route serving the village providing a daily service to and from Athy, Dublin and other locations. Bus Éireann route 130 serves Kilmead once a day Mondays to Fridays inclusive at 06.51 – the bus continues to Kilcullen, Naas and Dublin. South Kildare Community Transport operate a twice a day route Mondays to Fridays inclusive into Athy. Rail services can be accessed at Athy railway station.