The church at Kilbehenny is believed to date to around the 13^th century. Acording to the 15^th century Book of Lismore there were two churches in ‘Cill Mheithne’ in Kilbehenny and Kilglass. The church stands on high ground, surrounded by hills on the border of Limerick and Cork, and also quite close to Tipperary. The note antiquarian TJ Westropp recorded the various names to which this church was known throughout its history, the first being the ‘Chapel of Kylmyhn (1347), followed by Coillbeithne (1502). It is mentioned as being forfeited by Mathew MacMurrough ‘in rebellion’ (1591) at this point it was known as Kylvehenyom. It is uncertain how the church fared during the Cromwellian Conquest of Ireland as troops were garrisoned nearby at Kilbehenny Castle. As most known churches that did not wish to convert were destroyed it does seem that perhaps the church was well hidden in the woods and off the path of the troops as Cromwell made no mention of it in letters sent from Kilbehenny Castle. There is little written about the church for the next 75 years and during the dark years of the Penal Laws the locals worshipped in a small hidden mass house near the River Pound in Knockrour, this place is still known as the ‘Chapel Field’.

The graveyard the final resting place for many from the O’Mahony family, they were one of the few Gaelic families in Munster who held on to their lands after the plantations. Three members of the family participated in the United Irishman uprising of 1798, these being John, Thomas and Danial, father of ‘John the Fenian’. John avoided execution however Thomas was executed in 1799. John the son of Danial was a Gaelic scholar and founding member of the Fenian Brotherhood in the United States. In 1843 he had joined Daniel O Connells movement but dissatisfied with the lack of progress he joined the Young Ireland movement and took part in the failed Rebellion of 1848. He left Ireland in its aftermath and helped to found and give the name to the ‘Fenian Brotherhood’, the sister organisation to the Irish Republican Brotherhood. He took part in the Civil War and helped organise what was known as the Fenian Raids into Canada, the purpose of which was to try and hold Canada hostage in the name of Irish Freedom. Sadly this was a resounding failure and he died in New York City in 1877, he is buried in Glasnevin. His brother Thomas is buried in Kilbehenny, he died of wounds inflicted following the last recorded duel fought in county Cork by a doctor who challenged him in a duel after O’Mahony spoke out against the local priest in Mitchelstown, Father Kelly, for being aligned with Church of Ireland during the Tithe War. Another cross in the graveyard was erected in the memory of John Mandeville of Clonkilla who was the nephew of John the Fenian and led a campaign against the Countess of Kingston’s estate, he was jailed in Tullamore for his part in this. His health suffered due to the harsh treatment at the hands of the authorities and his health failed, he was released but died shortly afterwards at home in 1888. 

As you can see from the above this graveyard and area are rich in Irish Revolutionary history and it is truly a credit to the local heritage society and community that its grounds are kept in such a well maintained and respectful condition.

GPS: 52.29411, -8.20373