Killeshin
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Killeshin is a small village in County Laois, Ireland.
Killeshin derives its name from one of the abbots of its famous monastery - Uisin, Gleann Uisin meaning the Glen of Uisin. Killeshin is a small rural community of approximately 1300 people. It is situated 5 km west of Carlow town and overlooks the picturesque Barrow Valley. The Church at the foot of the Killeshin Hills is the site of an early Christian monastery.
Killeshin church is located off the main Carlow Castlecomer road, adjacent to Killeshin village itself.
Killeshin was an important centre for learning and culture as early as the 6th century when St Comghan founded a monastery here. Destroyed in the 11th century all that remains is a beautifully carved 5th century Hiberno-Romanesque doorway on the church is one of the finest in the country.
No trace remains of the 105ft round tower believed to have once been the tallest in Ireland which stood next to the monastery, it was demolished by an 18th century landowner who was afraid that the tower could collapse and injure his cattle. It is said that ten counties can be seen from the hill above Killeshin.
The church at Killeshin is largely twelfth century in date, although some parts show evidence of later rebuilding, including a late Gothic east window.
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