Kilkelly or Cill Cheallach or the Church of Ceallach also known as Celsus.
Things to do and see in Kilkelly
- Mayo County Library runs a service from Kilkelly Library. For more information check out the Mayo County Library Website
- Kilkelly has a new MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) which includes an Astro Turf, Playground, Basketball Court and Tennis Court.
- Kilkelly is located on the River Trimóge. There are numerous small forests in the area and an abundance of lakes with pike, perch & roach.
Facts and Figures
Kilkelly town is probably best known in modern times for the well known emigration song entitled 'Kilkelly Ireland'. In the late nineteen seventies or early eighties Peter Jones, an Amercian born composer whose great grandfather was John Coyne from the general Kilkelly area, found a batch of old letters tied together in a box in the attic of his parents home in America. The letters contained a chronicle of family news, births, deaths, marriages and were written between 1860 to 1890, having been dictated by John Coyne to the local schoolmaster Pat McNamara. Peter Jones used these letter to write a song, which he called 'Kilkelly Ireland'. The song is a poignant reminder of the sadness suffered by families who were torn apart by emigration never to see one another again.
History
The name Ceallach or Celsus is supposedly that of a son of a King of Connaught who was born circa 520 A.D. He was educated at Clonmacnoise , was ordained a priest and later became Bishop of Killala. After a turbulent time during which opposition to his appointment grew, he left the post and became a hermit on an island in Lough Conn. He was later murdered and his brother seeking a place to inter his body was refused permission to bury him at either Turlough or Swinford. The people of the Kilkelly area gave permission for his burial to take place and thence the town was named for him.
Education
The Kilkelly area is served by two national schools:
- Tavrane Central National School
- Scoil Naomh Treasa
Secondary school students attend schools in nearby towns.
Sport
Getting to Kilkelly
- By Rail:There is a rail link from Dublin to nearby Claremorris or Ballyhaunis. Check out the Iranrod Eireann website for further details.
- By Car:
- from Dublin: Follow the N4/M4 west from Dublin. At Longford continue west following signs for the N5. At Charlestown follow signs for the N17 (Galway), then exit for Kilkelly on your right hand side.
- from Galway:Follow the signs for the N17 (Tuam road), the exit for Kilkelly is approximately 10.5km after you by-pass the town of Knock.
- from Sligo: Take the N17 from Sligo (signposted Galway). Kilkelly is just off the N17 approximately 12km after you pass through the town of Charlestown.
- By Bus:Find out about bus routes serving Kilkelly on the Bus Eireann website.
- By Air: You can fly to Knock Airport (IWAK) from a number of UK and European locations. Visit the Ireland West Airport Knock website for schedules and carriers.
Also Nearby
- Hennigan's Heritage Centre is located about a half an hours drive from Kilkelly. The Heritage Centre showcases the traditional life and heritage of the area, from farming, house and home, to jobs and work, to celebration of life. E:mail tomhennigan@hennigansheritage.com Phone +353872491402
- Claremorris Leisure Centre is a short drive from Kilkelly. Visitors can access a 25 meter pool, sauna, steam room , jacuzzi and fitness suite.
Links