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Killawalla Church History

In his book, "The Life and Times of Patrick" (1905) Bishop Healy, Archbishop of Tuam references St. Patrick's journey through the Killawalla area. He writes, "It appears that Patrick, having left his nephew, Lughnat at Tobur Luna east of Lough Carra, he crossed the lake there or went round it at its southern extremity, and then continued his journey northwards between the lakes of Mask and Carra, through the modern parishes of Ballyovey or Partry until he came to Killavally on the line of the modern road to Westport. At that point, we find many traces of the old road until be came to Tobur Sgtringle 'in the desert.' On this occasion, he did not touch the place called Ballintober bit he came to it at a later perior when returning from Croaghpartick."

A church was built in the Gortbaun area on a site that was later to become the site of Ballyburke National School.

At the same time, a church was built in the Killawalla area on a site on the Kinuary road where Michael Flynn's house now is situated.

The first church built on the present site was builtin 1845-1847.It is ironic that this took place during the most difficult time of the Famine.

The Ballyburke School - built on the site of the former church, was opened on February 1st 1849.

Killawalla Church was rebuilt in 1889 and was dedicated by Archbishop Healy in 1904. The P.P. was Fr. O'Connor. The Church was renovated by Fr. Kilkelly in 1961-1962.

Killawalla had no "Priest's House" until 1849. A thatched cottage was built on the Ballintubber-Killawalla road near Adrian Carter's house. That house was replaced by a larger house in 1904 which was purchased by Sean Carter when a new priest's house was built east of the church by Fr. Michael Goaley in 1975.