Killenaule Church

Killenaule Church

In the year 1754, KIllenaule Church was a thatched building in the form of a ‘T’.  Its stone walls were seven feet high and the altar rails and pulpit were of ‘dale boards’.  Six glass windows, four gable ends and twenty couples made up this church, plus three large cisterns of stone to hold holy water.  This church was dedicated to The Blessed Virgin Mary.
The present imposing church was built during the period of 1847-1875 when Fr. Laffan presided in Killenaule.  Dr. Leahy laid the foundation stone in 1859 and the first mass was said in it on 1st January 1865.
The architect was Mr. J J. McCarthy who also planned Thurles Cathedral.  The Builder was Mr. Wallace of Limerick. The church was solemnly dedicated to the Immaculate Conception B.V. in August 1865.  The bell erected in Killenaule church grounds for church use,was formerly the bell of the ‘Big Church’ of Thurles, which was replaced by the present Cathedral.

– The History & Folklore of Killenaule/Moyglass 1990