Killorglin (Irish: Cill Orglan, meaning 'Orgla's Church')[2] is a town in County Kerry, Ireland. As of the 2022 census, the town's population was 2,163.[1] Killorglin is on the Ring of Kerry tourist route, and annual events include the August Puck Fair festival, which starts with the crowning and parading of a "king" wild goat.[3] The town is 26 km south of Tralee along the N70 road, and 22 km west of Killarney along the N72 road. Killorglin is in a civil parish of the same name.[2]
History
Origins and development
The earliest evidence of ancient settlement in the Killorglin area is the presence of prehistoric rock art. These rock carvings are part of a Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age tradition stretching across Atlantic Europe and occur in concentrations around the Iveragh and Dingle peninsulas, with a cluster close to the nearby town of Glenbeigh.[4] There are also a number of ringforts and early Christian ecclesiastical sites in the townlands of Dromavally and Castleconway.[5] The ruins of Killorglin Castle, later known as Castle Conway, are located close to what is now the centre of the town. It was built in the early 13th century by Maurice FitzGerald, 2nd Lord of Offaly.[5]
The area was held by the FitzGerald dynasty until the confiscation of their lands following the Desmond Rebellions in the late 16th century. In 1587, as part of the Munster Plantation, Killorglin (and its castle) was granted to Captain Jenkin Conway.[6][7]
Killorglin Bridge was built in 1885
Much of the town centre was laid out in the 19th century.[6] Killorglin's Roman Catholic church was built (on the site of an earlier church) in 1891.[6] The Church of Ireland church was originally built in 1816 and significantly redeveloped in 1868.[6] The town hall was built in the early 20th century with the help of Andrew Carnegie.[8]
On Good Friday 21 April 1916, six Irish Volunteers set off from Dublin by train to Killarney. From there, they were to travel by car to Cahirciveen in order to seize control of the wireless station on Valentia Island. Thomas McInerney, who drove a car carrying three of the men, become lost just outside Killorglin and turned onto the road which led to the quay. The front wheels of the car went over the edge of the quay, became unbalanced, and fell into the River Laune. McInerney was the only person to escape the car and swim to shore. The other three occupants remained trapped in the vehicle and drowned.[9]
Economy and tourism
Lower Bridge Street
Fexco, a major financial services company, was founded in Killorglin in 1981 and is still headquartered in the town. Pharmaceutical firms Temmler and Astellas have small plants in Killorglin. It also has the operations centre for the Prize Bond Company.[citation needed]
A 100m wind turbine was erected at the Astellas Plant on the Tralee Road in 2012 and has become a local landmark [10]
Killorglin is known for the annual Puck Fair festival, which traditionally starts with the crowning of a "king" goat.[3] There is a large bronze King Puck statue on the edge of town close to the bridge. This statue was commissioned by the Killorglin Millennium Committee and designed by Valentia Island Sculptor Alan Ryan Hall. The King Puck Statue and Puck Garden was completed in 2001 and officially unveiled by Killorglin Lord Mayor Paudie Cronin and the Killorglin Millennium Committee.
In 2011, The Puck Poet plaques were added to the Puck Garden to recall some of the writers and poets who have written about Killorglin. These include Edso Crowley, Sigerson Clifford, Peter Joy and Johnny Patterson.
Film
The father of Academy Award-winning actor Ed Begley (1901–1970) was born in Laharn, Killorglin.[citation needed]
Killorglin and its Puck Fair feature in a number of traditional Irish ballads and songs, including Bridget Donohue written by Johnny Patterson, King Puck by Christy Moore, and Wildflower of the Laune by Peter Joy.
A local tradition, Biddy's Day, occurs in the area during February. It involves groups, in traditional dress, visiting homes carrying a Brídeóg (or Biddy) effigy to ensure good luck.[12] In 2019, this Mid-Kerry practice was one of 30 "Intangible cultural heritage" traditions afforded recognition by the state.[13]
Literature
A number of books of local and national interest have been written about Killorglin and by Killorglin natives:[citation needed]
"Things My Mother Never Told Me" (2003), by Blake Morrison, tells the story of the author's mother who was from Killorglin who emigrated to England.[citation needed]
"Cast A Laune Shadow" (1997), by local historian Patrick (Pa) Houlihan (1918-2010), is a history of the town in story.
"Puck Fair", by Pa's eldest son Michael Houlihan, is about the annual festival in August.
"St James and Fr Tom", by Terence Houlihan and Billy Browne, details the development of St James's Catholic church by Fr Tom Lawlor.
"The Civil War in Kerry", by local historian Tom Doyle, details the part Kerry and Killorglin played in the Irish Civil War.
Killorglin Rugby Club's Under-16 team won the West Munster Trophy in 2006, and Under-18 squad won the West Munster Trophy in 2008.[citation needed] The rugby club was awarded "Munster Youths Club of the Year" in 2008.[14]
The town is approximately 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from the base of Carrauntoohil, Ireland's highest mountain, and 50 kilometres (31 mi) from Mount Brandon, Ireland's 2nd highest mountain. Both mountains are centres for hillwalking and mountaineering. The National Centre for Outdoor Education and Training (Cappanalea) is also nearby at Caragh Lake.[20]
^"Monika Dukarska". rowingireland.ie. Rowing Ireland. Retrieved 28 May 2021. Monika is a two time World Coastal Champion in the women's solo, winning in 2009 and 2016
