Church

The National Monuments Service's description

No surface remains visible of the medieval parish church of Killeely which stood inside the graveyard (LI005-015002-).
Westropp gives the following details on Killeely Chruch; 'A parish. Attributed on late "authority" to St. Lelia the virgin, sister of St. Munchin; her day was August 11th. John Pincerna warranted the lands of Killele to Bishop Hubert, 1250 (B.B.L., p. 50). Kilheil, 1302. Priorsland, to the north of Thomond Bridge, and Ffarrenykilly belonged to St. Mary's House. It was the glebe land of the rector of Kileely, and held by the parson, March, 1615 (Inq., p. 163). Fabric - The walls and gables stood in ruins in 1657 (Petty, p. 63). The graveyard [LI005-015002-] alone remains’ (1904-5, 364).
In 1906 the following was recorded about Killeely; 'Kellideme, also written Killiadele, now Killeely. This church was situated in the outskirts of Thomond Gate, and is still used as a burial-ground. No part of the old church is now remaining. Its name, said to be derived from Cill Fiadiale, or the church of St. Fiadail. According to local tradition it was so-called from Lelia a sister of St. Munchin, whose feast was celebrated on the 11th of August. It is difficult to reconcile this tradition with the old form of the word' (Begley 1906, 122).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 3 October 2018

References

Westropp, T.J. 1904-5 A survey of the ancient churches of Co. Limerick. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 25C, 327-479.

Begley, J. 1906 The Diocese of Limerick ancient and medieval. Dublin.