Kilmore or Killmore (Irish: an Chill Mhór, meaning "the big church"),[2] locally pronounced 'Kilmoor', is a village and townland in south County Wexford, Ireland, about 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) from Wexford town.
Kilmore
An Chill Mhór | |
---|---|
Village | |
Kilmore Location in Ireland | |
Coordinates: 52°12′21″N 6°32′59″W / 52.20583°N 6.54972°W | |
Country | Ireland |
Province | Leinster |
County | County Wexford |
Population (2016)[1] | 132 |
The village's English name, Kilmore, derives from the Irish An Chill Mhór, meaning "big church".[2] According to mid-19th century sources, its Yola language name was Kilmoor.[3]
Evidence of ancient settlement in the area includes a number of ringfort sites in the surrounding townlands of Sarshill, Lannagh and Rickardstown.[4] An ecclesiastical enclosure, in the townland of Grange, contains the former parish church of Kilmore.[4] The ruined church, which is "probably of early origin", contains a number of early 17th century memorials.[5] The existing church within the village, St. Mary's Roman Catholic church, dates to 1802.[6]
The Kilmore Carols, a tradition of carol singing at St. Mary's RC Church in Kilmore, has taken place at Christmas time since the 1750s.[7] In all, there are thirteen carols, eight of which are sung during the Christmas period, the first at first Mass on Christmas Day and the last one on Sunday nearest Twelfth Day.[8]
Wexford Bus operate several services a day (not Sundays) between Wexford and Kilmore Quay via Johnstown Castle, Bridgetown and Kilmore.[9] Bus Éireann route 383 operates between Wexford railway station and Kilmore Quay via Kilmore on Wednesdays and Saturdays only.[10]