Kilnamartyra

Summary

Kilnamartyra (Irish: Cill na Martra [ˌciːl̠ʲ n̪ˠə ˈmˠaɾˠt̪ˠəɾˠə], meaning church of the martyr or church of the relic)[1] is a village and civil parish in County Cork, Ireland. It is located around half-way between Killarney and Macroom.[2] The parish is a kilometre from the L3402 local road which joins the N22 road, three kilometres away.

Kilnamartyra
Cill na Martra
Kilnamartery
Kilnamartra
Village
Main street and pub (Ó Murchú's) in Cill na Martra, 2009
Main street and pub (Ó Murchú's) in Cill na Martra, 2009
Kilnamartyra is located in Ireland
Kilnamartyra
Kilnamartyra
Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 51°54′01″N 9°04′57″W / 51.900323°N 9.082518°W / 51.900323; -9.082518
CountryIreland
ProvinceMunster
CountyCounty Cork
Irish Grid ReferenceW253726
Official name: Cill na Martra

Historically its townlands were part of the barony of Muskerry West.[3] The local national school is called Scoil Lachtain Naofa. It is a gaelscoil and is named after Saint Lachtain, the patron saint of Cill na Martra.[4] Other amenities in the village include a GAA pitch and two pubs.

History edit

The Irish St Lachtin is believed to have found a monastery in the area in the 8th century, and the village name of Church of the relic likely refers to him, while the Shrine of Saint Lachtin's Arm, now in the National Museum of Ireland, may have originate from the area and once have contained portions of his arm bones.[5][6]

Industry edit

Kilnamartyra has been home to the Prince August Toy Soldier factory since 1976. Founded by the Swedish couple Lars and Gunilla Edman, they manufacture and sell a range of military and fantasy figurines and home-making kits, and have established a local visitor's center. At one point, the company employed almost 40 people.[7][8]

References edit

  1. ^ Placenames Database of Ireland (see archival records)
  2. ^ Keogh, Jackie. "Wet, Wet, WET! West Cork counts cost of third major flood in a fortnight". The Southern Star, 31 August 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2021
  3. ^ "Estate: Baldwin (West Muskerry)". NUI Galway, 18 May 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2021
  4. ^ "Scoil Lachtain Naofa". An Roinn Oideachais. Retrieved 31 July 2021
  5. ^ Synnott, Chris. "Artefacts from Blarney in the National Museum". Blarney and District Historical Society. Retrieved 3 October 2021
  6. ^ Crawford, Henry. "A Descriptive List of Irish Shrines and Reliquaries. Part I". The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 6th series, volume 13, no. 1, June 1923. JSTOR 25513282
  7. ^ O'Keeffe, Donal. "Beloved toy soldier factory to reopen in North Cork on Monday". Irish Examiner, 15 May 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021
  8. ^ Quinlan, Áilín. "Building an army in Kilnamartyra". Irish Examiner, 13 August 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2021

Sources edit

  • Synnott, Chris. "Artefacts from Blarney in the National Museum". Blarney and District Historical Society. Retrieved 1 August 2021