Kilbride 2007

St. Brigid’s Church Kilbride

The early Christian monks built a Church here in the 8/9century
Like Durrow monastery it became a special centre of Christian
worship for centuries to come. Penal times brought persecution
and destruction in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.  As a result
The last Masses in this parish of Kilbride were celebrated by
Frs. Brain Geoghegan, Edmund Carolan and John Coonan.  The latter
two were arrested and imprisoned in Philipstown in 1712 Masses
were celebrated secretly in homes and on Mass rocks during those
Penal years. Even though Kilbride Church fell into disuse and ruins
It remained an important burial ground. Countless people were buried
here during Famine times
 Mass was next celebrated in 1988 by Fr.Rory O’Brien a native of the Parish.
 May the history of this hallowed and holy ground of Kilbride inspire us and future generations to renew our faith in God “Faith of our Fathers living still”
Our thanks to Tim Hanlon for his inspirational leadership of this project.
Erected October 2003