Kilmovee - Cill Moibhí
in Mayo in the West of Ireland
Photograph © Michael Clarke
Kilmovee is situated on the R325, approximately midway between Kilkelly and Ballaghaderreen, with 300 families living in the area. Its location is very convenient to Ireland West Airport Knock which is just fifteen minutes drive, and a twenty-minute drive away from Knock Shrine.
Community
The Kilmovee Community is a very friendly and caring society. The physical evidence of the Community Caring Services for its senior citizens can be seen in the Community Housing for the elderly which was established by the Kilmovee voluntary Housing Committee. This committee was formed in the mid-nineties and was instrumental in having the new Community Centre built. This Community Centre is pivotal to the life of the parish, with a wide variety of facilities, meeting rooms and services for the community. It is a popular venue for many clubs, groups and associations within the area.
'Cois Tine' Heritage Centre
Adjacent to the Community Centre is the 'Cois Tine' (Irish: beside the fire) Heritage Centre, where a monthy 'heritage night' is held. Experience lively traditional Irish music sessions featuring talented musicians, singers and dancers. Enjoy a cup of tea and some delicious home baking at the interval, a raffle is held also. Admission is free and there is a 'Céad Míle Fáilte' for locals and visitors alike.
Summer School
The annual Seosamh MacGabhann Summer School takes place each July in the Community Centre, with some of the best teachers in the country giving classes in traditional Irish music, sean nós dancing, conversational Irish and traditional singing in Irish and English. Instruments taught include tin whistle, concertina, fiddle, flute, banjo, bodhrán and accordion.
History and Archaeology
Rich in history and archaeology Kilmovee and surrounding area has many noteworthy features.
'Caiseal' (pronounced Cash'l) is Gaelic for 'circular stone fort', and emanates from early Celtic history. Kilmovee has 7 'Caiseals' including the largest 'Caiseal' in Connaught, which is located at the back of the Kilmovee football pitch. For further interesting archaeological information visit the Kilcashel Landscape Project.
An Ogham Stone found in a wall in Kilmovee is mounted beside 'The Three Wells' - which are reputed to have sprung up when St Mobhi struck the ground with his staff when he had no water to baptise the local people.
Sports Facilities
Sport is a central part of community life in Kilmovee. Urlaur United FC (founded in 1975) are the local soccer team, who have a number of coveted trophies to their credit, including Mayo League Championships, Connaught Club Championships and Area FAI Junior Cup wins.
Kilmovee Shamrocks are the local GAA club and they have competed very successfully both at county and regional level. Kilmovee Shamrocks ladies' team have also had a high level of success with individual team members having won a number of All-Ireland titles with the Mayo senior and minor teams.
Kilmovee can boast of being one of the first, indoor rural swimming pools in Ireland, built by voluntary labour in 1977. Other sports in the area include tennis, indoor basketball and badminton.
Leisure Facilities
Leisure facilities in the Kilmovee area include coarse fishing on Urlaur Lake and the Lung River, while game fishing can be enjoyed on the river Moy, one of Ireland's best salmon rivers.
