Awaken the Past.
Understand Our Now.
Lay your hand against the smooth, cold limestone of these walls: this is what a thousand years feels like.
Killoo Church was at its prime 1,000 years ago, when Ireland was a society of small Clan settlements, which were centred on the extended family. The settlement at Killoo was within the control of the McNamara Clan. Irish society was centred on the Christian Church, when religion and politics were at one in the culture and ordering of society.
To live the Killoo experience is to connect back to this era and to gain a glimpse of that world and how it shaped the Ireland we now live in.
Conservation Through Appreciation
The Church at Killoo, dates from circa the 11th century, and is situated on a pre historic island site, where their evidence of settlement back to the 6th century. Killoo church is a microcosm of the changing role of the church, politics and society in Ireland. From pagan roots to early Christianity and the reorganisation of the Irish Church in the 12th century, Killoo Church is of great historical significance and architectural importance. It was for this reason that in 2022 a group of local people, interested in the rich history of their native place, became enthused by the possibilities presented by the ancient church ruins. They founded a Company – the Killoo Church Restoration Project CLG – and set out to tell its story. They secured funding to conserve, protect and interpret Killoo’s heritage. The result is what is you see today.
This project would not have been possible without the continued support and co-operation of the McCabe family which is greatly appreciated. The research neccessary for the preparation of the initial submissions would not have been undertaken without the financial support of a few key sponsers and the Friends of Killoo.
One Day at Killoo
Step back in time and picture how Killoo’s ancient community, on the land adjacent to the estuary of the river Fergus, would have lived, worked, traded and prayed. There are many stories within these ancient and weathered stones.
Share Our Story
Whether you’re a keen historian, locally born and bred, an educator or visitor wanting to better understand Ireland’s history, come andvisit Killoo Church. Here is everything you need to know…
Support Our Work
Become a volunteer, sponsor or make a donation to our work here, so that we may continue to conserve the rich history of Killoo Church. With your help we can ask more questions, garner more information and invest in the legacy of Ireland’s past for future generations.