Killinure

Killinure has a wide and varied history, we share our name with several other Kilinures in Ireland.

The most common translation of the name is the ‘church by the yew wood’ or ‘the church of the yew wood’ suggesting yew wood as a possible building material.  Currently there are few yew trees in the area as we are a cattle and sheep farming area and yew is a highly poisonous tree to livestock.

In Lower Killinure there is the site of a graveyard marked on the maps, it is currently Nolan’s field but has had  several changes of owners.  There are no headstones or grave markers remaining. This may also have been the site of the church as it is in direct line to the monastic site of Aghowle, and the older monastic site in Barnacashel leading to the possibility that the translation of the name may be in fact Cilin in Uir,   ‘cell or church of Inuir’.

The pure mile begins just above the cross roads and continues to the left passing  the site of the now demolished Bellmount house,   and through the main group of houses which are a mixture of cottages from the 1920’s and 30’s right up to modern contemporary builds. There are also some older stone built farm houses on the mile a old hand pushed water pump and a former phone box which is now a covered in seating area / public notice board.

Old stone styles along the road have been reconstructed and the site of a pre famine cottage belonging to the Deegan family has been identified. The local woods are near the end of the walk and have a half km walk through them. You can also continue your walk to the Crablane and Aghowle church ruins about 2km with great history and spectaculour views. Welcome to Killinure! Enjoy your visit.