Kilconnell
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| Kilconnell Cill Chonaill |
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| Location | ||
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| Irish Grid Reference M739314 |
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| Statistics | ||
| Province: | Connacht | |
| County: | County Galway | |
| Elevation: | 83 m | |
| Population (2002) - Town: - Rural: |
- 647 |
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Kilconnell (Cill Chonaill in Irish), meaning "Church of Chonaill", is a village in County Galway, Ireland .
Kilconnell is a small rural village with a population of a few hundred. Its land is mainly used for dairy farming and the raising of cattle.
This village was the birthplace of Fianna Fáil politician Johnny Callanan (1910-1982). His nephew Joe Callanan is the current Fianna Fáil TD (Teachta Dála) for Galway East.
It is also the location of a Franciscan friary, founded in 1414, known locally as the Abbey. It is in ruins but is well maintained by the OPW. Legend says that Oliver Cromwell stopped by the Abbey on his rampage through Ireland and tethered his horses on the altar. The golden bell of Kilconnell Abbey was hidden at this time by the monks and has never been found. A tunnel runs between Kilconnell Abbey and Ballinderry House; this tunnel was excavated in the 1940s, but locals determined it too dangerous to navigate. There are fine carved tombstones to be seen in the Abbey and it is a peaceful place to stop for a visit.
The cross in the centre of the village is believed to nod to passing dignitaries of the Irish clans of old.
The area around Kilconnell was the stronghold of the ÓKellys, lords of Hymany and the Donnellan clans.
Kilconnell is in the parish of Aughrim and Kilconnell. Aughrim is famous for the decisive battle of the Williamite wars in 1691. The French General St. Ruth had rallied the Irish towards victory when his head was blown off by cannonfire and the Irish fled the field, only to be cut down in their thousands by the English forces.
The local lake, Lough Acalla, has a crannog in the centre and is a well-maintained and popular rainbow trout fishery.
Ballinderry House, the former seat of the Comyn family, who are relations of Daniel ÓConnell, has been restored and is now a guesthouse.
The local GAA team is called St. Gabriels; their only major success came in 1979 when they won the Galway football title. The nearby parish of Cappataggle combines with Kilconnell to form a hurling team, which is the club of Galway senior hurling star Damien Joyce, a native of Kilconnell.
[edit] See also
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