Kilbride, County Westmeath
Townland in County Westmeath, Ireland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kilbride (Irish: Cill Bhríde)[1] is a rural townland in County Westmeath, Ireland.[2] The townland, which is approximately 475.5 acres (2 km2) in area,[2] had a population of 26 people (in 10 occupied houses) as of the 2011 census.[3] Kilbride townland is located within a civil parish of the same name.[2] The town of Dalystown lies to the west, with Rochfortbridge and the townlands of Castlelost and Castlelost West to the south.[1]
Kilbride
Irish: Cill Bhríde | |
|---|---|
Townland | |
Dunboden Park demesne is partly in Kilbride townland | |
  Kilbride Location within Ireland | |
| Coordinates: 53.446°N 7.337°W | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Leinster |
| County | County Westmeath |
| Irish grid reference | N440441 |
History
Evidence of ancient settlement in the area includes a number of ringfort, bawn and holy well sites within Kilbride townland.[4]
A carved recumbent stone, known locally as the "De Profundis Stone", is also in Kilbride.[5] Shaped into a "coffin-like" shape with a crude cross carved into the top, the stone is approximately 0.94 metres (3 ft) in length and was possibly used to mark an ancient graveyard.[5] It takes its name from a local tradition of stopping a funerary procession at the stone, and reciting the "De Profundis"[6] (a colloquial name for Psalm 130 of the Old Testament).[a] The Kilbride slab, made of limestone, is the only known remaining example in Ireland at which this "De Profundis" tradition was performed.[5]
The ruin of Dunboden Park, a 19th century estate house, is also in the area.[7] The estate was historically associated with the Cooper family.[7][8] While the main estate house is now in ruin, a number of structures on the demesne (including a mausoleum and stable block) remain standing.[7][9]
Notes
- Psalm 130 in its Latin form is sometimes colloquially known as the "De profundis" as these are the first words of its opening line.