St. John's Parish, Kilkenny City

The present parish of St. John's, consists of an amalgamation of several older civil parishes, namely St. John's itself (most of), Dunmore, Rathcoole (most of), Kilderry and Kilkieran.

The origin of the parish lies with the original civil parish of the same name. A parish of similar size seems to have existed prior to the Norman occupation of Kilkenny City. Its parish church seems to have been in the vicinity of Maudlin Street. The original name of this parish has not survived.

After the Norman occupation, there was an association with St. Stephen. Up to 1211, three separate parishes existed in this area, Fennell, Kilmologga and St. John's proper that corresponded to the present city area of the parish. These three parishes along with a fourth, Loughmerans, were granted to the Augustinian order in St. John's Priory by William Marshall in 1211.

After the Norman occupation, there was an association with St. Stephen. Up to 1211, three separate parishes existed in this area, Fennell, Kilmologga and St. John's proper that corresponded to the present city area of the parish. These three parishes along with a fourth, Loughmerans, were granted to the Augustinian order in St. John's Priory by William Marshall in 1211.

The Reformation saw the amalgamation of these four small medieval parishes into the civil parish of St. John's. All the Roman Catholic churches except St. John's closed after the Reformation.


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