The Local Church

BY FIONA KEELY AND CLARE CAULFIELD
The original church was dedicated to St Thomas the apostle, hence its name Kiltomas (Kil coming from the old Irish word Cill meaning Church). The present church was built in the 1830s. Robert Foster Blake of Knockmoy Abbey, who had donated the site, laid the foundation stone. The parish priest of the time was Father Patrick Bodkin Quinn. Richard Gregory of Coole Park contributed to the cost. Father P O’Connor was the parish priest when the church was completed. In 1880, Monsignor Jerome Fahey added a belfry and bell at the behest of his predecessor Father Grealy. In 1904 the roof was replaced and gables were raised. The builder was Martin Linane, who lived at Dromore Hill and had a sawmill at Ballylee. Father Patrick Geraghty erected a marble altar at the bequest of a Miss Sheehan of Blackrock, about 1904. In 1947-48 the church was renovated and a tower was added at a cost of £5550 and McInerneys were the contractors. Father Denis Hehir was parish priest at the time and was assisted by Father James Larkin who was the administrator at the time. The Father John Keeley memorial stained glass window, “Our Lady of the Rosary”, which was added in 1950 is by Evie Hone. Father Keeley was a native of Doonally East and is buried in Kinvara. Father N Kelly reordered the interior of the church in 1973. The altar rails were removed and the wooden altar was replaced by moving the marble altar forward. Dr. Joyce of Gort presented a new sanctuary lamp. A beautiful grotto to “Our Lady of Lourdes” was erected in the grounds when Father Jennings was parish priest. There has been no resident priest since Father Jenning died in1999. Father Paddy Callinan served Peterswell and Kilbacanty parishes until last year. Now Father Derek Feeney parish priest serves Peterswell and Kilcreest.