Located in East Mayo, Kilmovee takes its name from the Irish 'Cill Moibhi' - meaning St Moibhi's Church. St Moibhi was known as 'Moibhi the Teacher' and is believed to have died in 545 AD. The Parish of Kilmovee is part of the Diocese of Achonry, and has four church areas; Kilmovee, Kilkelly, Urlaur and Glann.

Situated on the R325, midway between Kilkelly and Ballaghaderreen, there are approx 300 families living in the hinterland of Kilmovee. It is conveniently located to Ireland West Airport Knock (15 mins), and Knock Shrine (20 mins).

Community

Kilmovee has a rich tradition of community and is a friendly and caring society. In the mid-nineties a Community Housing complex was established for the elderly of the parish, adjacent to the church, post office and shops in the village. Kilmovee Community Centre was built at that time too and is central to the life of the parish, providing a variety of facilities and services to the community as well as being a venue for many clubs and groups in the area.

Seosamh MacGabhann Summer School

The annual Seosamh MacGabhann Summer School takes place in the Community Centre in July, with classes and tuition provided in traditional Irish music, sean nós dancing, conversational Irish and traditional singing in Irish and English. Some of the best tutors in the country give classes in tin whistle, concertina, fiddle, flute, banjo, bodhrán and accordion.

’Cois Tine' Heritage Centre

The 'Cois Tine' (Irish: beside the fire) Heritage Centre is adjacent to the Community Centre in Kilmovee. A monthy 'heritage night' is held here, admission is free and there is a 'Céad Míle Fáilte' for locals and visitors alike. Experience a lively Irish music session with talented musicians, singers and dancers. Enjoy a cup of tea and sample some delicious home baking at the intermission, a raffle is held also.

Sport

Sport is a very important part of community life in the area and the local GAA club is Kilmovee Shamrocks, who have competed very successfully both at county and regional level. Kilmovee Shamrocks ladies' team have also had a high level of success with individual team members having won a number of All-Ireland titles with the Mayo senior and minor teams.

Urlaur United FC (founded in 1975) are the local soccer team. They too have a number of enviable trophies to their credit, including Mayo League Championships, Connaught Club Championships and Area FAI Junior Cup wins. Kilmovee can boast of being one of the first, (if not the very first) rural indoor swimming pools in Ireland, built by voluntary labour in 1977. Other sports in the area include tennis, indoor basketball and badminton.

Leisure Facilities

The leisure facilities include fishing - coarse and game fishing. Coarse fishing can arranged on Urlaur Lake for pike and perch, the Lung River provides the angler with pike, perch and brown trout. Game fishing is to be had on the river Moy; one of Ireland's best salmon rivers, sea trout can be caught here as well.

History and Archaeology

Kilmovee is rich in history and archaeology with many notable features in the immediate area. There are 7 'Caiseals' in Kilmovee, including the largest 'Caiseal' in Connaught, at the rear of the present day Kilmovee football pitch. 'Caiseal' (pronounced Cash'l) is Gaelic for 'circular stone fort', and emanates from early Celtic history. Visit the Kilcashel Landscape Project  for further interesting archaeological information.

An Ogham Stone found in a wall in Kilmovee is mounted beside 'The Three Wells' - which are reputed to have sprung up when St Mobhi struck the ground with his staff when he had no water to baptise the local people.