Cluain Chaoin

Set in the quiet meadows just south of Abbeyleix, Clonkeen Church and graveyard hold over 1,400 years of history. From prehistoric raths to early Christian monks, from medieval parish life to the final burial in 1979, this site reflects the changing story of faith and community in Laois.

Scroll down to continue reading

Origins in the Quiet Meadow

Clonkeen, from the Irish Cluain Chaoin meaning “the Beautiful or Quiet Meadow,” has been a place of habitation for thousands of years. Archaeological traces of prehistoric raths (a circular earthwork, or ringfort, typically enclosing a diameter of 20-40 meters with an outer bank and ditch) nearby suggest settlement by the Tuatha Dé Danann around 2000 BC.

From these earthworks, early communities would have looked west over Magh Lacha, the “Plain of the Lakes,” a landscape of dense forests, bog, and wild game.

By around 600 AD, Clonkeen had become the site of an early Christian monastery. Linked to the greater centres of Aghaboe and Clonenagh, it may have served as a place of rest and retreat for monks. Tradition holds that St. Fintan, founder of Clonenagh, was born here. Through the early medieval centuries, abbots and bishops were recorded at Clonkeen, marking it as an active religious settlement.

Medieval Parish Life

During the medieval period, Clonkeen grew into a substantial parish, stretching from Loughill in the south to Abbeyleix in the north. It appears on a 1563 map as Clocuiane. The parish was tied to the Cistercian Abbey of Leix and became part of disputes between the Bishop of Leighlin and the Prior of Great Connall. The community at Clonkeen lived around the church, with the abbots and monks tending both to spiritual needs and the local economy.

The ruined church still visible today consists of a nave, measuring 45 by 22 feet, thought to belong to the original foundation, and a later chancel, about 25 by 18 feet, likely added in the 1400s. The chancel, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin under Conogher O’More, is now in poor repair, its distinctive ogee-headed window long collapsed. The surrounding graveyard was enclosed by stone walls built over 120 years ago by Ballinakill stonemasons, ancestors of the well-known Waters family.

From the 16th century, Clonkeen’s lands passed into the hands of the Butlers of Ormond and later the Vesci family. Religious upheaval left the church at times in decline, though records show both Protestant and Catholic clergy serving the parish. By the 18th century, Mass was celebrated in the fields under simple shelters, while the parish itself became increasingly tied to Abbeyleix.

Community & Continuity

Despite wars, famine, and emigration, the graveyard at Clonkeen continued to serve local families. Headstones from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries record generations laid to rest here. The last known burial was John Parkinson of Clonking in 1979, linking today’s community with the site’s long history.

In September 2022, for the first time in roughly 700 years, Mass was celebrated again within the ruined church walls. This event drew the community together and renewed efforts to preserve the site. Plans are in place for cleaning, restoration, and archaeological survey, ensuring Clonkeen remains a place of quiet reflection and historical memory.

Gazing over Magh Lacha

Clonkeen Church
Historical Timeline

Prehistory (2000 BC – 600 AD)

Evidence of a prehistoric rath on high ground south of Clonkeen points to settlement by the Tuatha Dé Danann, rath builders from the eastern Mediterranean ~4,000 years ago. From here, early inhabitants gazed over Magh Lacha, the Plain of the Lakes.

Early Christian (600 AD)

By 600 AD, historians believe a monastic foundation was established at Clonkeen, linked to the great monasteries of Aghaboe and Clonenagh. Tradition holds St. Fintan was born here. Abbots such as Lucell, Arvinius, Dimocus and Daghaues are remembered with feast days.

Medieval (12th–16th century)

By the 12th century, the parish of Clonkeen stretched from Loughill to Abbeyleix and Ballinakill to Watercastle. Recorded on a 1563 map as Clocuiane, it was tied to the Cistercian Abbey of Leix. A long dispute between the Bishop of Leighlin and the Prior of Great Connall over rights and revenues highlights its importance.

Tudor & 17th century

By 1552, monastic lands were seized and granted to the Butlers of Ormond. The first Protestant vicar was Thomas Smith (1616). In 1641–1643, Vicar Thomas Bingham was killed during rebellion. Later the lands passed by marriage into the hands of the Vesci (de Vesci) family, shaping Abbeyleix and its estate.

Penal Times (18th century)

In 1704, Fr. Connell Moore registered as Catholic priest of Clonkeen. By 1731, Mass was held in fields under a simple board covering; tradition recalls a conference of seven bishops. Mass was also celebrated in the “Mass Field” at Kenny’s gravel pit on the parish’s western edge.

19th century

Clonkeen merged into Abbeyleix parish (~1824). In 1815, a bog slide at Killamuck engulfed homes. The 1841 census noted 44 dwellings and ~300 people; the Famine reduced numbers, though a flax factory offered some work. The graveyard wall was built c. 1900 by stonemasons Patrick & Edward Waters.

21st century

On 14 September 2022, Fr. Paddy Byrne celebrated the first Mass at Clonkeen ruins in ~700 years. Community efforts now focus on restoration, potential archaeological survey of the extended graveyard, and sharing Clonkeen’s story as a place of quiet beauty and reflection.

Ms Mary Bergin, Church St. 17/01/1942
Julia Brennan, Ballinakill. 29/05/1926
Ms Mary Campion, Drimaterril. 22/03/1924
Miss Margaret Campion, Ballinakill. 06/04/1924
Mrs. Elisabeth Campion, Drimaterril. 10/10/1931
Joseph Cantwell, Lisbigney. 25/01/1940
Kate Cantwell, Lisbigney. 10/10/1942
Michael Cantwell, Lisbigney. 07/02/1955
Mrs. Corrigan, Brandra. 01/01/1925
Mrs. Doheny, Clonking. 06/02/1941
Mrs. Mary Dooley, Ballypickas. 19/03/1927
Mrs. Nora Dooley, Ballypickas. 07/06/1934
Thomas Dooley, Ballypickas. 08/06/1938
Thomas Doran, Clonking. 16/05/1922
Mrs. Margaret Dunphy, Brandra. 10/12/1923
Mrs. Holohan, Watercastle/ 13/05/1922

Mrs. Holohan, Brandra. 19/09/1941
Mrs. Kavanagh, Lisbigney. 26/11/1929
Kate King, Clonking. 01/12/1931
Peter Lowry, Watercastle. 21/04/1922
Mrs. Mary Lowry, Chapel Lane. 15/04/1924
Michael McGrath, Brandra. 06/10/1929
Ms. Mary McGrath, Brandra. 09/09/1935
John Parkinson, Brandra. 11/12/1979
Timothy Phelan, Brandra. 14/12/1923
Mrs. Elisabeth Phelan, Brandra. 08/03/1930
Michael Phelan, Brandra. 26/02/1942
John Phelan, Chapel St. 01/12/1950
Mrs. Phelan, Clonking. 28/07/1954
Michael Sheeran, Stanhope St. 02/03/1931
Brigid Swaine, Lisbigney. 27/02/1924
James Swaine, Lisbigney. 04/08/1937
Mrs. Whelan, Brandra. 01/01/1934

These names have been carefully and graciously recorded from the headstones that remain and are still legible in the graveyard. Our thanks go to Ger Dunphy who gave up his time to make sure these people are remembered.

Clonkeen Church
Conservation Project

2021

Forming the Vision

Local heritage enthusiasts and parishioners came together with a shared aim: to preserve Clonkeen Church and graveyard for future generations. A working group was established to plan the first steps in conservation.

2022

A Historic Mass

On 14 September 2022, Mass was celebrated at Clonkeen for the first time in around 800 years. The event drew a large gathering and highlighted the importance of the site as a place of living memory.

2023

Community Support & Early Works

Volunteers began initial clean-up and clearance of the site. Community fundraising efforts started, drawing support from local families, organisations, and diaspora. Early surveys identified the urgent need to stabilise the chancel walls.

2024

Funding and Professional Input

Grant applications and fundraising campaigns raised significant support for conservation. Heritage professionals were consulted to advise on masonry repair, archaeological potential, and ecological sensitivity.

2025

Next Steps

Plans are now in place for restoration work, including securing the ruined chancel, improving access, and further surveying the graveyard. The long-term aim is to protect the site while allowing respectful public access and interpretation. For the first time in 800 years a marriage ceremony will take place at the Church.

Goats in Clonkeen Church

Clonkeen Church overgrown

Volunteer clears grass from the graveyard

Mass at the ruins

Memorial lantern in Clonkeen Church

Overgrown Clonkeen Church

Volunteer work in Clonkeen Church

The first wedding ceremony in 800 years

A dedicated team of driven, historically curious people who are passionate about their local history and landmarks. A project of this scale could not be completed without them.

Also credit to Chris Corlett, National Monument Fund, Gráinne Fennelly, Manager of the Abbeyleix Parish Employment Scheme, our own committee, Sean Murray, Secretary, (Archaeologist) Richard Reid, Treasurer, (Archaeologist)