Kilmihil is a village located in west County Clare

County Clare

-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...

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St. Michael and St. Senan

It is believed that St. Michael’s Church was founded by St. Senan around 530AD. He dedicated this church to St. Michael. For centuries it became a place of pilgrimage to St. Michael, especially in September as his feast day is on September 29. In 1937 the Curate of the parish Fr. Patrick O’Reilly, organised the improvement of the well and the surrounding area. The well is now enclosed and over this building is the Statue of St. Michael enclosed in glass.

Tradition credits the founding of a church here to St. Senan in honour of Michael the Archangel. During the reign of Pope Galasius (AD 492-496) an apparition of the Archangel took place on the summit of Mt. Garganus in Apulia in Italy. This apparition and the founding of the church in Kilmihil both took place during St. Senan’s lifetime (488 – 554 AD). After visiting Rome about 530 AD, he returned to Ireland wishing to foster devotion to Michael. While travelling from Scattery Island to Doolough he stopped in Kilmihil where he founded the church.

Kilmihil is one of the larger parishes in West Clare. It is well known for its Holy Shrine

Shrine

A shrine is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated....

, which attracts many pilgrims due to its holy water.

The village has three supermarkets, a pharmacy, five pubs, a post office, and several other shops. Other amenities are the credit union, library, garage, retirement village, church, and a community centre. On sports Kilmihil has a Gaelic Athletic Association

Gaelic Athletic Association

The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...

 pitch and a soccer pitch. For education a primary school and a secondary school (St. Michaels Community College) are available.

In popular culture

Kilmihil is mentioned in several books. O Come Ye Back to Ireland: Our First Year in County Clare, a memoir Niall Williams and Christine Breen, describes an Irish/American couple's move from New York back to the cottage of their forebears. (and subsequent books When Summer's in the Meadow and The Luck of the Irish).

Sport

Kilmihil GAA club won the Clare Senior Football Championship in 1980, its sole victory in the championship's history.

Kilmihil soccer club is named St. Pat's.

Events

Kilmihil conducts an annual "Festival of Fun" every year over the August Bank Holiday weekend, which draws large crowds to the village. It includes a parade, a vintage rally, a raft race on Knockalough Lake and various other activities.

See also

• List of towns and villages in Ireland