CHURCHES

There were churches in Bolindrum, Kiltilly, Ballinaberney, Brideswell, Knockaree and according to legend, at Raheen Turn.

There was also an interdenominational church established at Clohamon. Now there are two roman catholic church in the parish one in Kilrush and one in Askamore.

Brigid

Patron of our Parish.

The Feast of St. Brigid falls on February 1st each year.

Saint Brigid (or Brigit) was born in the fifth century and became a powerful and beloved Irish religious figure, second only to Saint Patrick. She has been described as "a saint who was at least as interested in farming and domestic matters as she was effective in prayer and leadership."
Known for her humility and concern for the poor, it has been written that "oftentimes when the very greatest sought her, they found her not in the hall nor the church, but, though it might be blowing or snowing, off in the fields herding the cattle that gave milk to the monastery, or the sheep that gave them wool."
One delightful legend describes a time when Brigid was caught in a sudden rain shower while tending sheep. Taking off her wet cloak, she hung it on a sunbeam to dry...
Saint Brigid's crosses made of rushes are hung up in Irish homes on Saint Brigid's Day (the old Celtic Festival of Imbolc) on February 1. In Irish folk tradition, it is believed to protect the building from fire.

How to make a Traditional
St. Brigid's Cross

Rushes are the traditional material for the St. Brigid's
Cross. All materials should be blessed before construction.
If you use rushes be sure to keep them wet but not too
wet as they will mold and rot. To avoid  the   mess  I  have
found  that  ordinary plastic drinking straws left in their
white wrappers are just fine. Use rubber bands to tie up
the ends. I generally use 9 straws and 4 rubber bands,
however, any number may be used.
Size does not matter. Generally  crosses are made from
pieces of   rush that are about 8-12 inches   long. Some
jewelers, however,  make them in  the  size of  ear rings.

1.Tie nine straws together at their ends.                                                   
2.Spread them as shown with the tied end 
    facing down (three to the right and two each 
    other direction. (Image #1) 
3.Fold the front straw of the three under the other two.(Image2) 
4.Bring it up and over to be alongside the two at the nest
5.Completed cross is shown in Image 4

To the top!

Parish Priests in Kilrush Parish.

• 1676-1718……….Rev. John Kelly
• 1719-1738………. Rev. Francis Byrne
• 1739-1773………. Rev. Edward Byrne
• 1750-1773………. Rev. Edward Murphy
• 1773-1779………. Rev. Edan Murphy
• 1799-1802………. Rev. Mark Barry as administrator
• 1802-1813………. Rev. Mark Barry
• 1813-1843………. Rev. John French
• 1843-1854………. Rev. James French
• 1854-1870………. Rev. James Fanning
• 1870-1879………. Rev. Andrew Kehoe
• 1876-1879………. Rev. Syl Cloney as administrator
• 1879-1891………. Rev. Syl Cloney
• 1891-1930………. Rev. Patrick Darcy
• 1930-1931………. Rev. Matthew Roche as administrator
• 1931-1939………. Rev. William J. Harpur
• 1939-1964………. Rev. John O Connor
• 1964-1968………. Rev. Patrick Doyle
• 1968-1973………. Rev. Walter Cullen
• 1973-1986………. Rev. Patrick O Keefe
• 1986-1998………. Rev. James Byrne
• 1998 to date………Rev. Joseph Power

At various times there were also curates working in the parish, particularly in the period 1779 to 1799.
In the last century there were three occasions when an assistant priest worked in the parish
Details are as follows:

• 1929………. Rev. Michael D`Arcy
• 1934………. Rev. Michael O `Brien
• 1964………. Rev. Aidan Jones

The first post reformation church for the roman catholic community in Kilrush was in Knockaree, in what is now the old cemetery. Local tradition says that the ground was a common before being brought in to use for church and school. This church was burned down on march 15th 1799.Fr Mark Barry P.P. rebuilt it in 1802-1803 and it remained in use until in 1843,Fr John French P.P. commenced the task of building a permanent church on the same site. He died in the following year and the building was completed by his brother Canon French P.P. before his death in 1854. This church remained in use until replaced by the present structure in 1969.