Killeenduff

Killeenduff (Irish: An Cillín Dubh, meaning 'small black church')^[1] is a townland within the boundaries of the civil parish of Easky, County Sligo in Ireland. Located about a mile from the village of Easky, Killeenduff has an area of approximately 4 square kilometres (1.5 sq mi).^[2]

"Split Rock" at Killeenduff

The rock alongside the R297 regional road

The townland is home to the "Split Rock". Local folklore holds that this rock —though actually carried to its current location by an Ice Age glacier— was split as a result of an argument between two giants. According to legend, if one walks through the split three times, it will close, entombing the person forever.^[3]

Killeenduff National School, built in 1965 and extended and refurbished in 2007, is located in the area.^[4]

Notable people

• Jack Harte, writer, was born at Forge's Corner in Killeenduff, where his father was a blacksmith. Several of his short stories draw upon Killeenduff and its local mythology.^{[citation needed]}
• Fred Conlon, sculptor, was born and grew up in Killeenduff.^[5]

References

1. "An Cillín Dubh / Killeenduff". logainm.ie. Placenames Database of Ireland. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
2. "Killeenduff Townland, Co. Sligo". townlands.ie. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
3. "The Split Rock". dromorewest.ie. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
4. "Whole School Evaluation Report - St Farnan's National School, Killeenduff, County Sligo". education.ie. Department of Education. 26 February 2009. Archived from the original on 14 October 2020. The school was constructed in 1965 but it was extended and refurbished in 2007
5. "Fred Conlon Biography". fredconlon.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007.

54°17′N 8°56′W