Kilkeel (from the Irish: Cill Chaoil meaning "church of the narrow place") is a small town in County Down. It is the main fishing port on the Down coast, and the town’s harbour houses one of the largest fishing fleets in Ireland. The town contains the ruins of a 14th century church in the centre, winding streets, terraced shops and a fort also dating from the 14th century. It is believed that the old church was financed by a Spanish noble family after their son had been drowned and washed ashore and given a Christian burial by the locals. However there are references to Kilkeel as a Christian settlement as far back as the 11th century. The old church was dedicated to St. Colman and was known in 1388 as 'St Colman Del Morne'. It was thought to be the principal Church in a group which included Kilmegan and Kilcoo despite the fact that Kilkeel was very sparsely populated in the Middle Ages. The cemetery attached to the church was used for burials until the early years of last century. Some of the victims of the collision between two steamer in Carlingford Lough in 1916 were the last people to be buried there. Kilkeel is the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Mourne.
Assorted On-Site Documents: Mourne Observer Article dated 24th November 1951 KILKEEL'S NARROW CHURCH Mourne Observer Article dated 3 October 1958 THE STORY OF KILKEEL'S NIGHT OF TERROR |  |
1819 Directory of Kilkeel 1856 Slater's Commercial Directory Of Kilkeel and Neighbourhood 1911 Census for Greencastle 1911 Census Kilkeel - Kilkeel townland Kilkeel parish (34 buildings). 1911 Census Moyad - Moyad townland Kilkeel parish (27 buildings).
Kilkeel Families: The McKee Family from Greencastle St. Kilkeel The Doyle Family from Kilkeel The Quinn Family from Kilkeel 
Anyone know who Mrs. Fred Workman from Kilkeel, Moor is? She was living at 205 Mulberry St., Cincinnati on Dec 21, 1949 Source: Coshocton Tribune. Wednesday, December 12th, 1887
A New Railway Project For The County Down:- There is now a brilliant project of a portion of the County of Down, rich in agriculture and fisheries, being opened up by a new line of railway. It will be recollected that some time ago Messrs. Norton and Shaw obtained parliamentary powers to construct a narrow gauge line of railway between Greencastle, in the County of Down, and Kilkeel. Nothing further was done by Messrs. Norton and Shaw in the matter, but during the last few days we are glad to learn that the good-will and privileges held in the projected lines have been purchased by the London and North-Western Railway Company, and already steps are being taken to commence operations in the construction of the line. It is highly probable that once this enterprising railway company takes the matter in hand the line will be constructed to Newcastle, where a junction can be effected with the Belfast and County Down system, and over which the London and North-Western Company will obtain running powers. – Newry Telegraph.
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| | 1795 From the Northern Star Kilkeel in Mourne. To be let, a good house and offices fit for a dealer or an inn keeper situate in the centre of Kilkeel Apply to George Lewis Notice: 18-22 July 1795

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