Killiney Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Killiney Church |
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Nuns' Abbey | |
Cill Iníon Léinín
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53°15′17″N 6°06′59″W / 53.25472°N 6.11631°W | |
Location | Marino Avenue West, Killiney, Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown |
Country | Ireland |
Denomination | Pre-Reformation Catholic |
History | |
Founded | 11th century |
Architecture | |
Style | Norman |
Years built | 11th century |
Specifications | |
Length | 11.5 m (38 ft) |
Width | 9 m (30 ft) |
Administration | |
Diocese | Dublin |
Killiney Church is a very old and interesting church located in County Dublin, Ireland. It has a long history, dating back to the 11th century. However, the site itself was important even earlier, around the 6th century. This historic spot was once home to a monastery and is linked to some fascinating stories about early Irish saints. Today, it stands as a protected National Monument of Ireland.
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Where is Killiney Church?
Killiney Church is found about 240 meters (about 787 feet) west of the coast in County Dublin, Ireland. It's also about 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) south of Killiney Hill. Today, the church site is surrounded by modern houses. You can find it near Marino Avenue West in Killiney.
History of the Site
The area where Killiney Church stands has been a special place for a very long time.
Early Monastery
From the 6th to 7th centuries, a monastery was located on this very spot. A monastery is a place where monks or nuns live and worship. The name of this early site was Cill Ingean Léinín. This means "Church of the Daughters of Léinín" in Irish.
The Seven Sisters
The name refers to seven virgin sisters who lived there. Their names were Aiglenn, Macha, Luiden, Druiden, Luicill, Bimtach, and Briga. One of the sisters, Briga, is also known as the patron saint of Tully Church. Their brother was a famous saint named Colmán of Cloyne (Colmán mac Léníne), who lived from 530 to 606 AD. The festival day for these sisters was celebrated on March 6th.
Building the Church
The church building you see today was constructed much later, in the 11th century. This means it was built during the Norman period in Ireland. The church is a great example of the ancient buildings that still stand in Ireland.