Kilbrittain Parish
Old Churches and Past Parishes

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Currarane

Kilbrittain

Kilshinihan

Rathclaren

Burren

Cloundereen

Diocesan Boundaries

From the time of St. Patrick in the 5th century to the Synod of Rathbreasail in Ireland in 1111 AD monastic settlements, rather than dioceses, characterised the organisational structure of the Irish Church. Church reform began under Pope St. Gregory VII in the 11th century and reached Ireland in the early 12th century. Reform in Ireland began with the Synod of Cashel in 1101. This was followed ten years later by the Synod of Raith Bressail in 1111. This synod introduced a diocesan system with the two ecclesiastical provinces of Armagh and Cashel and a large dioces of Cork. This was modifed at the Synod of Kells-Mellifont in 1152, when Tuam and Dublin were made provinces. At this stage the dioceses of Cloyne and Ross were set up from the larger diocese of Cork. The diocesan boundaries throughout Ireland date from that time with some later name changes, modifications and amalgamations. Diocesan boundaries were largely based on the territorial boundaries of Irish dynasties and were centred around well known monastic sites, many of which were first established in the 6th and 7th centuries.

Kinelethe

The Papal taxation schedule for the Diocese of Cork in the year 1302, under Pope Boniface VIII mentions, among others, the Deaneries of Kinelethe (ultra) and Kinelethe (citra). Kinelethe has become the present day name Kinelea. The word ultra refers to the far side, that is the south west side of the River Bandon, and citra refers to the near side. Kinelethe (ultra) lists among others churches at Currarane, Kilbrittain, Kilshinihan, Rathclaren and Burren. There is also mention of churches at Ringrone, Templetrine and Ballinadee.

You can also access a list of Past Priests of the Parish.

View of the Old Church, at the left corner of the ploughed field, looking down on Kilbrittain village

Glenduff

View, looking west, of the Village of Kilbrittain nestling in the valley. The church and school can be seen at the top left with the cemetery just above that.

Alternative View, looking east, of the Village. The church and school can be seen towards the bottom of the picutre with the cemetery just to the left below that.

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