What is recorded here

Killeshin may have hidden a castle, but no wall or trench remains visible to prove the claim. The place is better known for its church, founded by St Dermot and later patronised by St Comhdan, which suffered plunder in 1041 and fire in 1077. Whatever castle once stood there has vanished completely, leaving only the memory of repeated loss and a name that resists classification.

Reference to a possible castle here (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 262). No visible surface remains. St Dermot founded an Early Christian church (LA032-020001-) here but the patron is St Comhdan or Comgan who is commemorated on 27th of February. Killeshin was plundered and the oratory demolished in 1041, and it was burnt in 1077 (FitzGerald 1910, 185-205). (Crawford and Leask 1925, 83-94; O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 257-64) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007

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