St. Fachanan, Kilfenora parish is a parish in
County Clare and part of the Kilfenora Deanery of the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora.
As of 2021, the parish priest is Edward Crosby.
The parish incorporates the parish of Kiltoraght.
The main church of the parish is the Church of St. Fachanan in
Kilfenora, mentioned in or shortly before 1837. The second church of the parish is the Church of St. Attracta in de
townland
A townland ( ga, baile fearainn; Ulster-Scots: ''toonlann'') is a small geographical division of land, historically and currently used in Ireland and in the Western Isles in Scotland, typically covering . The townland system is of Gaelic origi ...
Toormore in Kiltoraght. According to Samuel Lewis, this church was built while writing his book "County Clare: A History and Topography", published in 1837.
The history of the parish is rather chequered, with beginnings around the year 590 when an abbey was founded here. The role of the abbey was recognized at the
Synod of Kells and then elevated to be an separate diocese:
Bishop of Kilfenora.
History of the Diocese - Diocese of Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora (1132–1883)
/ref> The bishop had his see in Kilfenora Cathedral
Kilfenora ( ga, Cill Fhionnúrach , meaning 'Church of the Fertile Hillside' or 'Church of the White Brow') is a village and a civil parish in County Clare, Ireland. It is situated south of the karst limestone region known as the Burren. Si ...
.
References
{{Clare-geo-stub
Parishes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora