Country Ireland Time zone WET (UTC+0) Elevation 75 m Province Munster | County County Clare Irish Grid Reference R134877 Local time Monday 9:52 PM | |
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Weather 11°C, Wind SW at 24 km/h, 90% Humidity | ||
Kilmihil (Irish: Cill Mhichíl, meaning "Church of St. Michael the Archangel") is a village in the Barony of Clonderlaw, west County Clare, Ireland. It is also a civil parish and an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Killaloe. The area was officially classified as part of the West Clare Gaeltacht; an Irish-speaking community; until 1956.
Contents
- Map of Kilmihil Co Clare Ireland
- History
- Kilmihil today
- In popular culture
- Sport
- Events
- Catholic parish
- Civil parish
- References
Map of Kilmihil, Co. Clare, Ireland
History
It is believed that St. Michael’s Church was founded by St. Senan around 530AD. He dedicated this church to St. Michael. For centuries it became a place of pilgrimage to St. Michael, especially in September, as his feast day is on September 29. In 1937, the Curate of the parish, Fr. Patrick O’Reilly, organised the improvement of the well, and the surrounding area. The well is now enclosed, and over this building is the Statue of St. Michael, enclosed in glass. Tradition credits the founding of a church here to St. Senan, in honour of Michael the Archangel. During the reign of Pope Gelasius I, (AD 492-496), an apparition of the Archangel was reported to have taken place on the summit of Mt. Garganus, in Apulia, in Italy. This apparition report, and the founding of the church in Kilmihil, both took place during St. Senan’s lifetime (488 – 554 AD). After visiting Rome about 530 AD, he returned to Ireland, wishing to foster devotion to Michael. While travelling from Scattery Island to Doolough, he stopped in Kilmihil, where he founded the church.
Kilmihil today
The village has three grocery stores, a pharmacy, five pubs, a post office, and several other shops. Other amenities are the credit union, library, garage, retirement village, church, and a community centre.
There is a primary school and a secondary school (St. Michaels Community College).
In popular culture
Kilmihil is mentioned in several books. O Come Ye Back to Ireland: Our First Year in County Clare, a memoir Niall Williams and Christine Breen, describes an Irish/American couple's move from New York back to the cottage of their forebears. (and subsequent books When Summer's in the Meadow and The Luck of the Irish). Kilmilhil and environs are also the backdrop for the Born In trilogy by Nora Roberts.
Sport
Kilmihil GAA club won the Clare Senior Football Championship in 1980, its sole victory in the championship's history.
Kilmihil soccer club is named St. Pat's.
Olympians Thomas O'Donahue and Michael Ryan were born in Kilmihil.
Events
Kilmihil conducts an annual "Festival of Fun" every year over the August Bank Holiday weekend, which draws large crowds to the village. It includes a parade, a vintage rally, a raft race on Knockalough Lake and various other activities.
Catholic parish
The parish of Kilmihil is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Killaloe. The parish church is St Michael's, Kilmihil. Kilmihil is one of the larger parishes in West Clare. It is well known for its Holy Shrine, which attracts many pilgrims due to its holy water.
Civil parish
The parish is part of the historical barony of Clonderalaw. There are 22 townlands in the parish.