Kilbride 2007 St. Brigid’s Church Kilbride The early Christian monks built a Church here in the 8/9century Like Durrow monastery it became a special centre of Christian worship for centuries to come. Penal times brought persecution and destruction in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. As a result The last Masses in this parish of Kilbride were celebrated by Frs. Brain Geoghegan, Edmund Carolan and John Coonan. The latter two were arrested and imprisoned in Philipstown in 1712 Masses were celebrated secretly in homes and on Mass rocks during those Penal years. Even though Kilbride Church fell into disuse and ruins It remained an important burial ground. Countless people were buried here during Famine times Mass was next celebrated in 1988 by Fr.Rory O’Brien a native of the Parish. May the history of this hallowed and holy ground of Kilbride inspire us and future generations to renew our faith in God “Faith of our Fathers living still” Our thanks to Tim Hanlon for his inspirational leadership of this project. Erected October 2003 














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