Information on County Mayo in the West of Ireland.

Kilmaine, County Mayo
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Kilmaine, County Mayo

Kilmaine is a village, on the N84 between Ballinrobe and Shrule, in County Mayo, Ireland. The city of Galway is less than 20km away.

Kilmaine - from the Irish language 'Cill Mheán', means The Middle Church i.e. 'Cill' is the Irish word for a church, and 'meán' is the Irish word for middle.

The hinterland of Kilmaine is entirely rural, made up of farms and scattered houses.

There are a number of archaeological monuments in Kilmaine, most notably the big Raunaskerra ringfort, which was once an inauguration site for local rulers.

St Patrick

Kilmaine has been mentioned in history books as far back as the time of St Patrick's arrival in Ireland and it is reputed that Kilmaine was his second stop in County Mayo. At that time the townland was known as Cillmheán Beag Abhainn, now known as Kill. St Patrick established three churches in the parish at Kill, Kilmaine and Kilquire. St Patrick's Church was known as the middle church.

Historical Landmarks

St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Kilmaine, originally built around 1849, exhibits some fine Harry Clarke stained glass windows, depicting the Nativity.
The beautifully restored Castle at Turin, Kilmaine is one of a number of twelfth century castles which were built in Kilmaine by the Burkes (De Burgos). Others in the area included Cregduff, Elistron and Killernan.
A fine windmill at Ardkill, Kilmaine, was built in 1787 by D Browne Esquire

Kilmaine Abbey

Kilmaine Abbey is in the middle of the village and it was here that St Patrick built the biggest of his three churches. This abbey was built on the site of St Patrick's church and belonged to the 3rd order of St Francis. It is a very simple design with Gothic style windows and has a single elongated nave. Gravestones surround the abbey, the oldest grave dating back to 1006.

'Brave Kilmaine'

General Charles Edward Jennings (Oct 1751 - Dec 1799) commonly known as 'Brave Kilmaine' was one of the greatest Irish soldiers to serve the French army in the eighteenth century. He built a strong military career and won numerous victories. His father, Dr Theobald, came from Fountainhill, Kilmaine and his ancestors are buried inside the 16th century Roman Catholic (RC) Abbey in the village of Kilmaine.

Kilmaine is honoured for his services in the American War of Independence and more significantly in the French Revolutionary wars. 'Brave Kilmaine' was once described by Captain Landrieux, his aide-de-camp, as "the only officer in whom Napoleon ever placed complete confidence". Kilmaine is remembered on the north pillar of the Arc De Triomphe, in Paris, and there is a portrait of him in the Hotel de Ville at Tonnay-Charente, where his father practised as a physician.

Primary Schools

The parish consists of Kilmaine, Ballycushion and Gortjordan with each of those areas having a primary school for the education needs of young children.