Kilcrohane
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Kilcrohane (Cill Crochain) is the last village on the Sheep's Head Peninsula after Durrus and Ahakista. It is a coastal village lying under the 'Shadow of Seefin' - the area's highest mountain and overlooking Dunmanus Bay.
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[edit] Cill Crochain
Cill Crochain means the Church of Crochan. Little is known about Crochan, but he is believed to have lived about the time of St. Patrick (mid 5th century). Some say that he came from Kerry, near Caherdaniel, where there are two ruined churches named after him and a village called Kilcrohane. Near Helson in Cornwall, England, there are little ruined churches believed to be founded by a St. Crochan, but there is nothing to confirm that it is the same person.
There is a ruined church in the grounds of the cemetery in Kilcrohane, and it is thought that it was there that Crohan built his cell when he came to the area.
Kilcrohane (townland Cora)is the birthplace of Bardic poet Aongus O'Daly (570-1617).
The US Senator for Wyoming Patrick Joseph Sullivan (1885-1935) was born in Kilcrohane.
The writer J.G. Farrell (1935-1979) lived here.
Denis O'Donovan, one of the current Teachta Dála's of the Cork South West Constituency, was born here.
Oscar winning actor Ralph Fiennes briefly lived here in the 70's and attended the Kilcrohane National School.
Kilcrohane is a lively and vibrant seaside village whose population swells in the busy summer months. It has two pubs, a wine bar, three Bed and Breakfasts (one with restaurant), a hostel, several self-catering accommodations, two shops, a post office, and a summer cafe and restaurant.
The Kilcrohane pier is a good place to swim and there are numerous private coves dotted along the coast. The water is crystal clear although the temperature never seems to rise above 16 degrees Celsius. For angling enthusiasts, there is an abundance of pollock and mackerel in Dunmanus Bay, and a boat trip to Carbery Island and the seals is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
The renowned Sheep's Head Way walking route—over 60 miles of marked trail—traverses the village. There are walks for all abilities: young, old, fit, and the not so fit. Guided walks can be arranged. The Sheep's Head Cycle Route loops through the village from Bantry.
Kilcrohane's seaside garden is well worth a visit and has been featured on BBC's 'Flying Gardener' programme and in several gardening magazines.
Kilcrohane has a primary school and a church. There is daily transportation to secondary schools in Bantry and public transportation to Bantry three times per week. There is also a community field and hall and a children's playground with tennis court.
The Sheep's Head Cafe at the very end of the Peninsula is a great place to stop and have a cup of tea, a well deserved treat after navigating the narrow twisting six mile road from the village to the end of the Peninsula. The views here are breath taking.
The Alice West Centre will soon be open: a museum focusing on the life and art of Alice West (deceased) and displaying local artifacts, crafts, and artwork—Alice West bequeathed her estate to the local community and the Muintir Bhaire Community Council is hoping that the museum will be open to the public in 2007.
[edit] Archaeology of Kilcrohane
- Ardahill, Ardintenant, Caher, Caheragh, Derrycluvane, Drumnea, Faunmore, Gortalassa, Gortaneish, Killoveenogue , Knockroe, Raferigeen, Letter East, Rossnacaheragh , Tullig Ringfort Celtic Iron Age (600 BC-400 AD).
- Aughaleigue, Gouladoo, Laherandota, Letter East, Holy well
- Ballytransna, Kilcrohane, Cashel
- Ardaneig, Caher, Farranamanagh, Gortnakilla, Killonoveenogue, Letter West, Kilcrohane, Burial Ground,
- Caherurlagh, Holed Stone for healing
- Dooneen, Galladoo, Keelovenogue, Promontory Fort Celtic Iron Age (600 BC-400 AD)
- Dromnea, Bardic School Medieval (post 1200 AD), Ornamental Tower erected Lord Bandon, Holy Well (tober na nduanairidhe well of the poets), possible fulach fiadh
- Farranmanagh, Stone Row Bronze Age, Children's Burial Ground, Souterrain, Tower house (O'Daly), Gallaun (standing stone
- Gouladoo, Holy Well
- Letter West, Children's Burial Ground
- Kilcrohane, Souterrain
- Signal Towers, Tooreen
[edit] Townlands
- Ahileague, Achadh na Liag (field of the boulders or flagstones|rocking-stone)
- Ardahill, Ard Athchoill (High new wood| possible connection to St.Eochaile)
- Ardanenig, (Ard an Aonaigh (height of the fair or assembly place)
- Ballieragh, Baile Iartharach (western townland)
- Ballyruin, Baile Ui Tuain (Ruane's townland)
- Ballintra, Baile na dTra (townland of the strands)
- Caher, Cathair (stone fort)
- Cahergal, Cathair Gheal (white fort)
- Caherurlagh, Cathair Iolrach (eagle fort)
- Clash, Clais (hollow)
- Carrivaleen, Cathair an Mhillin (stone fort of the knoll)
- Cora, subdivision of Ballyruin
- Derrycluvane, Doire Clumhanta (remote oak grove)
- Dooneen, Duinin (little fort)
- Doonour, Dub Amhair (fort of music)
- Dromnea, Drom an Fhiaidh (ridge of the deer)
- Eskeraha, Eascracha (glacier ridge)
- Fahane, Faithchean (small green plot)
- Farranamanagh, Lower, Upper, Fearann na Mannach (monk's land)
- Fawnmore, Fan Mor (big slope)
- Foilbeag,
- Galladoo, Gabhla Dubha (dark forks|black hill shoulders)
- Gearhies, Gaorthai (wodded glens)
- Glanalin, Gleann na Linn (glen of the pools)
- Glenruin, Gleann Ruadhain (glen of the sparrowhawk)
- Gortnalassa, Gort an Leasa (fort field)
- Gortaneish, Gort an Ois (field of the fawn)
- Gortnakilla, Gort na Cille (field of the church)
- Gurtfahane, Gort Fahane (field of the thistle)
- Gortavallig, Gort an Bhealaigh (roadside field)
- Kilcrohane, Cill Crochain (Crohane's church)
- Killeen, Cillin (little church)
- Knockeens, Cnoichini (small hills)
- Knockroe, Cnoc Ruadh (red hills)
- Laherndotia, Leath Fhearann Doite (burned settlement side)
- Letter East, Lower, West, Leitir (wet hillside)
- Moulnaskeha, Meall na Sceithe (knoll of the bush)
- Raffrigeen, Rath Aimhirgin (aimhirgin's fort)
- Reennacappul, Rinn na gCapall (horses point)
- Rhea,(mountain flat or plateau)
- Rhearour, Rinn Reamhar (broad point)
- Rosskerrig, Ros na gCaorach (wodded promontory of the sheep)
- Rossnacaheragh, Ros na cathrach (copse of the fort)
- Tooreen, Tuairin (grassland|little drying or bleaching place)
- The Paddock
- Tullig, Tullach (mound)
[edit] References
- Ann McCarthy, Under the Shadow of Seefin 2001
- Frank O'Mahony, The Story of Kilcrohane 2000
- Archaeological Inventory of County Cork, Vol 1 West Cork, Office of Public Works, 1992 ISBN 0-7076-0175-4
- BHAS Journal vol 2 p.106-119, Townlands Donal Fitzgerald ISSN 0791-6612
- Donald Grant (lived in Dooneen), White Goats and Black Bees. (Editions: New York: Doubleday, 1974 ISBN 0-385-06522-1; London: Joseph, 1975 ISBN 0-7181-1294-6; Schull: Mizen Books, 1990 ISBN 0-91177-86-6)
[edit] External links
- Muintir Bhaire Community Council
- Jean Prendergast
- Walk Ireland Official site of e Waymarked Ways of Ireland with map of Sheep's Head Way
- Casper Wyoming history
- Useful links and information on Kilcrohane: sports and activities, restaurants, fishing etc.