Crohane
(NEAR BALLINGARRY)

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St Sineach was the patron saint of Crohane. Sineach was a holy nun and a sister of the illustrious St Senachus who became Abbot of Cluan-errard followng the death of St Finnian in 549 where he presided over 3,000 disciples, including St Kieran, St Columcille and St Columbanus.

Her ancient Church and Holy Well is now the site of the Church of Ireland at Crohane. St Sineach’s Feast Day is 5th. October and was celebrated with a Pattern Day up to 1810 when the local Parish priest banned it due to activities not in keeping with celebrating the sanctity of the holy Saint. The illustration on the panel was inspired by the legend whereby St Sineach had her only cow taken by Guaire, son of Colman King of Connaught. Sineach complained to Diarmuid, King of Ireland.










“Battle of Crohane”
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The great Battle of Crohane was in 852. The men of Munster sent messengers to Cearbhall (son of Dunlaing) to bring Danes to defend them against the Lochlanns (Norsemen). In 872 Cearbhall became King of the Danes A history of Sir Kieran published 1992, about Clareen Parish, Co. Offaly, states that Cearbhall was buried in Sir Kieran's churchyard in 885. There is a burial slab with a Celtic Cross marking his grave..















“Magh Abhna”
(NEAR BALLINGARRY)
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Magh Abhna or Mowney translates as “the plain of the river”.
It is situated in the Townland of Shangarry. The outline of the church site can be seen in the corner of a field adjoining the fort of Knockroe.

During long dry spells the foundations of six or more circular structures are visible at the top of the adjoining field – these are thought to be beehive huts.


















Mowney_Church_Site

mowneymap







“Cill Naile”
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Cill Naile or Killenaule was founded by St Naile or Nathalis son of King Aengus High King at Cashel. This saint is said to have put a curse on the people of Ossory whereby a couple would be transformed into wolves for seven years. If they were still alive after that time they were allowed to return to their human form and another couple would take their place. These wolf-people were known as Faoladh and were known to be protectors of children and they also helped people who had lost their way. It is said that during the seven years of wolf form if the human body was moved the soul of the wolf would not be able to find it and therefore could not return to human form. There was an innate fear of wolves in the people of Ireland at that time and the ancient name for wolf was “olc” – which also translates as “evil”. “Saor sinn o olc”.


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