Kilcoo, County Down

Kilcoo ("Cill Chua" in Irish meaning Church of Mourning) is a small village in County Down situated between Hilltown and Castlewellan. Kilcoo has a population 1415 people.

Situated beside Kilcoo is Lough Island Reavy, a small man-made lough. Kilcoo is in the council of Down District.

History

Kilcoo's name in Irish "Cill Chua" which translates as Church Of Mourning comes from the legend that Saint Patrick's body stayed there while on its way to Downpatrick to be buried.

Places of interest

Drumena Cashel- this stone built equivalent of a ring fort was used in the Early Christian period (500-1200AD). It is situated east of Lough Island Reavy.

Education

Saint Malachy's Primary School- this is a mixed gender school for students between the age of 4 and 11. The school was opened in September 1970. Students progress to further education mainly in Castlewellan, Newry and Newcastle, County Down.

2001 Census

Kilcoo is classified as a rural settlement by the [http://www.nisra.gov.uk/ NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)] . Kilcoo is named as Tollymore Ward SOA 1 (Super Output Area) as the data contains the village itself and surrounding townlands of the village. On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 1415 people living in the Kilcoo area. Of these:

*29.6% were under 16 years old and 12.2% were aged 60 and above
*53.1% of the population were male and 46.9% were female
*85.6% were from a Catholic Community Background and 13.4% were from a 'Protestant and Other Christian (including Christian related)' Community Background.
*4.1% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed.

ports

The village has one sporting club, Kilcoo GAC. This a Gaelic Athletic Association club with teams in Gaelic Football, Ladies Football and Camogie from Under-8 level to Senior level.

ee Also

*Kilcoo GAC
*Lough Island Reavy