Kilcrohane

Kilcrohane ( _ga. Cill Crochain) is a village in County Cork, Province of Munster, Ireland. The last coastal village on the Sheep's Head Peninsula after Durrus and Ahakista, it lies under the 'Shadow of Seefin' - the area's highest mountain and overlooking Dunmanus Bay.

Cill Crochain

Cill Crochain is gaelic for Church of Crochan. Little is known about Crochan except that he is believed to have lived about the time of St. Patrick (mid 5th century). Some believe he was from Kerry near Caherdaniel where there are two ruined churches named after him and a village called Kilcrohane. Near Helston, Cornwall there are small church ruins believed to be founded by a St. Crochan but there is nothing to confirm that it is the same person.

There is a ruined church in the grounds of the cemetery in Kilcrohane, thought to be where Crohan built his cell.

Kilcrohane today

Kilcrohane is a lively and vibrant seaside village whose population swells in the busy summer months. It has three pubs, a wine bar, three Bed and Breakfasts (two with restaurants), a hostel, several self-catering accommodations, a shop, a post office, plenty of holiday accommodation, and a summer cafe and restaurant.

The Kilcrohane pier is popular swimming place and there are numerous private coves dotted along the coast. The water is clear although the temperature never seems to rise above 16 degrees Celsius.There is an abundance of pollock and mackerel in Dunmanus Bay. There is boat access to Carbery Island where seals are plentiful.

The Sheep's Head Way walking route—over 60 miles of marked trail—traverses the village. The Sheep's Head Cycle Route loops through the village from Bantry. Kilcrohane's seaside garden has been featured on BBC's "Flying Gardener" programme and in several gardening magazines.

Kilcrohane has a primary school and a church. There is daily transportation to secondary schools in Bantry and public transportation to Bantry three times per week. There is also a community field and hall and a children's playground with tennis court.

The Sheep's Head Cafe is situated at the very end of the Peninsula.

Museum

The Alice West Centre, a museum focusing on the life and art of the late Alice West, was scheduled to open in 2008 under the auspices of Muintir Bhaire Community Council. Alice West bequeathed her estate to the community. The museum will display local artifacts, crafts, and artwork

Kilcrohane is renowned for its traditional music festival known as the Ceoil on the Coast which takes place annually on Easter weekend. The festival draws music enthusiasts from all over the country and abroad. The Village also hosts a Carnival festival annually in the last week of July featuring sports days, dances in the local hall and a fishing competition.

Notable people

* Kilcrohane (townland Cora)is the birthplace of Bardic poet Aongus O'Daly (1570-1617).
* The U.S. Senator for Wyoming Patrick Joseph Sullivan (1885-1935) was born in Kilcrohane.
* The writer J.G. Farrell (1935-1979) lived here.
* Denis O'Donovan, a member of the Seanad (Cork South West] Constituency, was born here.
* The Oscar winning actor Ralph Fiennes briefly lived here in the 70's and attended the Kilcrohane National School.

References

* Ann McCarthy, "Under the Shadow of Seefin" 2001
* Frank O'Mahony, "The Story of Kilcrohane" 2000
* "Archaeological Inventory of County Cork, Vol 1 West Cork, Office of Public Works, 1992 ISBN 0-7076-0175-4
*"BHAS Journal" vol 2 p.106-119, Townlands Donal Fitzgerald ISSN 0791-6612
* Donald Grant (lived in Dooneen), "White Goats and Black Bees". (Editions: New York: Doubleday, 1974 ISBN 0385065221; London: Joseph, 1975 ISBN 0-7181-1294-6; Schull: Mizen Books,
*O'Mahony, T., 2006, "History of Kilcrohane Village", P.P.R. Publishing Verify source|article|date=August 2007

External links

* [http://www.kilcrohane.org Kilcrohane Community Web Site]
* [http://www.kilcrohane.net Muintir Bhaire Community Council ]
* [http://www.cork-guide.ie/sheepshead/index.html Sheepshead]
* [http://www.corkancestors.com/Muintervara.htm Jean Prendergast]
* [http://www.walkireland.ie/ViewTrail.aspx?id=5970289a-0ee4-4daa-96c3-4be20a51ce5d Walk Ireland] Official site of e Waymarked Ways of Ireland with map of Sheep's Head Way
* [http://www.casperirish.com/history.htm Casper Wyoming history]
* [http://dooneenpier.com/west-cork-information.html Useful links and information on Kilcrohane: sports and activities, restaurants, fishing etc.]