The Parish
February 29th, 2008|
The following is a description of Kilmihil given in Lewis’ Topographical Dictionary of Ireland in 1837:Kilmihil or Kilmichael, a parish in the Barony of Cloderalaw, County of Clare and Province of Munster, 8 miles from Kildysert, on the road from Kilrush to Ennis, containing 3,794 inhabitants of which number 79 are in the hamlet. It comprises 8089 statute acres about two thirds of which consist of arable land of medium quality and the remainder of mountain pasture. There is also a considerable portion of waste and bog. Fairs are held in Kilmihil on May 19th, July 18th and September 29th and a court for the Manor of Crovreahan is occasionally held in Kilmihil by the seneschal in which small debts are recoverable. The parish is in the diocese of Killaloe, the rectory is impropriate in the representatives of Lord Castlecoote and John Scott Esq. and the vicarage forms part of the union of Kilfarboy. The tithes amount to £192 of which £62-15s-41/2d is payable to John Scott Esq. and the remainder to the Vicar. In the Roman Catholic divisions it is the head of a union or district which also comprises the parish of Kilmacduane. About 120 children are educated in two private schools. The ruins of the old church still remain in the burial ground. Kilmihil is a transliteration of the Gaelic Cill Mhichíl which means “The church of St. Michael”.
Main Street, Kilmihil St. Senan and Kilmihil Tradition credits the founding of a church here to St. Senan in honour of Michael the Archangel. During the reign of Pope Galasius (A.D. 492-496) an apparition of the Archangel took place on the summit of Mt. Garganus in Apulia in Italy. This apparition and the founding of the church in Kilmihil both took place during St. Senan’s lifetime (488A.D. – 554A.D.). After visiting Rome about 530 A.D. he returned to Ireland wishing to foster devotion to Michael. While travelling from Scattery Island to Doolough he stopped in Kilmihil where he founded the church.Knockalough Lake Knockalough lake of 233 acres lies 1 mile to the east of the village. The remains of a fortified dwelling can be observed on a small island. Tradition says that it was the residence of Turlough Roe, liar and deceiver, who by one stroke killed his wife and child. Kilmihil has a long history of voluntarism and participation. Some of the older groups are not so active but most are very energetic. The local G.A.A. has recently hosted the county football final and also an Inter-County match between Clare and Down. The community development group has a solid list of recent achievements and the Drama Group, after a lapse of three years is now, at the end of 1999, rehearsing for next years three-act circuit. The Athletics Club, N.A.C.A.I. is very well organised and has a very good record of achievement at junior level. There is also a dynamic Women’s Group which has a full programme of activities. The completion of the new Community Centre will give focus and energy to many of the existing groups. The following are organisations within the parish -
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