A brief history of Kilcummin
Cíll Chuimín – The Church of Cumian
Whether you're a lifelong resident, a distant descendant, or a curious visitor, we invite you to explore the unique heritage of our community. Discover the events that shaped us, the stories that bring our history to life, and the enduring spirit that continues to define our parish today.
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Welcome to the online home of our parish's rich history. Nestled in the heart of Kilcummin, our parish has a deep and storied past that we are proud to preserve and share with you. Here, you'll find a treasure trove of historical pieces that tell the story of our village, its people, landmarks and traditions, passed down through generations.
The area that is Kilcummin Parish
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Area of Kilcummin Parish – 14,890 acres with 34 townlands, measuring approximately 9 miles (14.48 km) east/west by 4.5 miles (7.242 km) north/south.The parish of Kilcomyn or Kilcummin is located at the western end of the Sliabh Luachra area and once formed part of the barony of Magunihy, which at one time contained 13 parishes. Many of the parish names remain to this day. The highest point in Kilcummin measures 1085ft in Knockatagglemore.
The Famine in Kilcummin
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The census 1841 population of Kilcummin is 2,888.
The census of 1851 population of Kilcummin 2,105 – a drop of 783 or 27%.
1841 number of houses 439.
1851 number of houses 326 – a drop of 26%
Population of Kerry - 1841 - 293,880
1851 - 238,254 – a drop of 19%.
Early Christian Church / Old Graveyard
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Built in 1172 on the site of a hermit type oratory, it was destroyed in 1652 by Cromwellian Forces. The earliest reference to the incumbent at Kilcummin dates to 1466. Measuring 56ft long and 19ft wide.
The Patron St. Cuimin
590 – 662 A.D.
St. Cummian is Patron of the historic parish of Kilcummin which means ‘The Church of Cummian. St. Cummian has been described as “the learner preacher of the word of God” who is “credited with resolving a disagreement between Rome and the Irish Church on the date of Easter. “Kilcummin….Glimpses of the Past” P.9 states “St. Cummian was born about 590 in the Parish of Killelea which corresponds roughly to the Parish of Fossa.
Farming
From the mid 1700’s to mid 1800’s, 1747 – 1840 approximately, flax was farmed in Kilcummin and linen was produced in a flax mill in Inchicullane, Kilcummin by the River Dennagh. Many townland names in Kilcummin were derived from the flax industry, translating from Gaelic – *Knockataggle........Hill of the Rhye (flax).*Tournanough……..Bleaching field of the horse.*Toremore……..Big Bleaching field.Later farming would then turn to small dairy holdings, the land in the Parish was under the ownership of Lord Kenmare. Tillage would have been carried out using horse & plough.
Lime Kiln
Lime Kilns were once a common feature of the rural landscape in Kilcummin in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.Lime Kilns were used to heat limestone to a high temperature to produce quick lime.Quick Lime or Burnt lime was used on farmland to improve the quality of heavy clay soil, neutralising highly acidic soil.Whitewashing: Lime was also used for white washing or lime washing, giving the familiar white colour common in Irish cottages throughout the centuries.
Rath or Ring Fort
Kilcummin is home to many Raths commonly known as Ringfort’s.The circular structures are a reminder of how the Irish lived in the late Iron Age. The majority were built in Medieval Times dating between 550 & 900 AD.Typical size of these homesteads was 4M – 7M in diameter.There are over 80 listed sites in Kilcummin including a double Ring Fort in Rathanane.
Forges
There are four Forges in the Parish of Kilcummin.All the Forges are situated on the roadside generally near a stream of water to cool the irons, consisting of a hob over bellows to blow the fire and redden the iron shaped on the anvil to make horse shoes along with other items.
Music, Song, Dance & Plays
There has long been a tradition of music, song & dance in the Parish of Kilcummin. There were “platforms” located at various junctions throughout the parish where dancing took place commonly known as cross road dancing.Dancing, music and singing also took place in the halls in the Parish, one being the Recreational Hall (Old Hall) built in 1932, located in the village directly across from the Church, 2 halls located in Tooremore, the first of which was built between 1926 – 1930, the second hall opened in 1920’s – 1930.Local Drama Group’s also performed throughout the years in these halls, especially during Lent when dancing was prohibited. The Recreational Hall is still in use daily for many events, still wafting with the sound of music & dance.
​Evictions in Kerry 1845-1852
Evictions occurred in Ireland when tenants could not pay the rent? While this might be the simplistic view it is not the full story. Inability to pay the rent was usually the reason, but there were also a number of other explanations. Unreasonable and unjust rent increases or landlords consolidating land from smallholdings that had been divided and sub-divided was another reason. Quarrels and disputes between the chain of ‘middlemen’, agents and owner/landlord often ended in the ejectment of the unfortunate tenant who became a pawn in their disputes.
The Irish Famine Eviction project has to-date logged details of over 400 evictions carried out during the years 1845-1852 countrywide. Ten of these eviction sites are listed for Kerry with one hundred and thirty two families dispossessed. Trinity College was the beneficial landlord of all of these particular estates and while we don’t have exact details for all of the evictions, in the case of one which I chanced on this week, while researching a Kerry ancestry in the Civil Parish of Killury, the reason was a dispute between the immediate middleman and the chain of middlemen appointed by Trinity College. In May 1849 the Leinster Express reported that Trinity College, the largest landowner in Ireland, had issued eviction notice against a number of tenants:
Evictions in Kerry
1845-1852
