The below article was written for a scholarly journal in 1918 by Gustavus E. Hamilton, regarding the origins of the name Kilcoole. This journal has been scanned and is available online.
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The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland
Vol. XLVII / Volume 47 (Consecutive Series), Vol. VII / Volume 7 (Sixth Series) 1917
Dublin, 1918
Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow: its Name.—This name is usually interpreted as Cill Chuile, the church of the corner or recess, but this interpretation is incorrect. It is really Cill Chomhghaill, Comhghall’s church. In a letter of Pope Alexander III, dated A.D. 1179, and written to Labhras O Tuathail, Archbishop of Dublin, confirming to him and his successors possession of the See with metropolitan jurisdiction over the dioceses of Glendaloch, &c., the churches of “Rathmichael, Cellcomgaill, Cellachaith Driegnic” are mentioned.[1] In the letter of Pope Innocent III, dated in A.D. 1216, the names are “Killadreni, Kilcohul, Glendelach.”[2] In King John’s confirmation to John Comyn, Archbishop of Dublin, given when he was Count of Moreton and “Dominus Hiberniae,” and therefore before A.D. 1199, the names are “Killadreini, Kilkoel, Rathmichael.”[3] In the list of churches in the diocese of Dublin compiled in the time of Archbishop Henri de Loundres (A.D. 1212-1228), the following churches are given in the deanery of “Bree”—“Ecclesia de Killauchdeeny, Ecclesia de Kilcowyl.”[4]
Dr. Joyce was correct in his interpretation of Kilcoole.[5] O Donovan[6] wrongly identified Kilcoole with the Cill Chuile Dumha, where Bran Airdceann, King of Leinster, and his wife were buried by his grandnephew, Fionnachta Ceirderg,[7] which the Leabhar Laighean tells us was in Laoighis Chuile, which was in Magh Reata[8], now Morett, in the parish of Coolbanagher, and barony of Portnahinch, Queen’s County.
Gustavus E. Hamilton, M.R.I.A.
[1] Gilbert, Crede Mihi, p. 2.
[2] Ibid., p. 9.
[3] Ibid., p. 37.
[4] Ibid., p. 142
[5] Irish Names of Places, iii, 406.
[6] Annals of the Four Masters, i. 396.
[7] Leabhar Laighean, 39b; MacFirbhisigh’s Leabhar Geinealach, 426.
[8] Leabhar Geinealach, 556.