Killeshin INDEX

KILLESHIN CHURCH

(Ruin)

Looking through one of the windows in the ruin you can see the spire of Killeshin Chapel.

5th Century church

5th Century Hiberno-Romanesque doorway

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Killeshin is located in the Rossmore Hills from which some of the loveliest sights in Leinster can be enjoyed.  Between the hills of Keeloge and Cracknaraw, in the Slieve Margy range, is a picturesque glen.  At the mouth of this glen is the ruins of Killeshin Church, a splendid example of Hiberno-Romanesque architecture. The monastery was founded here in AD545. 

Killeshin is one of the most important medieval monastic centres in Ireland today. Killeshin derives its name from one of the abbots of its famous monastery - Uisin, Gleann Uisin meaning the Glen of Uisin.

The Church, a preserved ruin, is on the site of an old monastery founded by Saint Comghan towards the end of the fifth century. The present church features a very fine Romanesque doorway which is now a national monument. The well preserved doorway features stone carvings of heads with intertwining hair, foliage and animal motifs. A very rare example of Irish Romanesque architecture. Its round tower was destroyed in the 18th century. Also Killeshin Reservoir and its attractive steps. Utseaii Park at Rossmore with dancing every Sunday afternoon in the summer, also home baking and teas.

Killeshin village is a small rural community of approximately 1300 people. It is situated 5km west of Carlow town and overlooks the picturesque Barrow Valley. The Church at the foot of the Killeshin Hills is the site of an early Christian monastery.

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