The Catholic Directory lists Glenhest and Keenagh together as a parish from 1836 to 1845. The P.P.s listed are John Hopkins for 1836 and his brother Andrew from 1837 to 1844.

Tradition tells us that Andrew Hopkins lived in Glenhest and that the neighbours there used to convoy him with lights through Letterkeeghaun, when he had to walk on sick calls at night, to Keenagh.

The church before the present one was situated at Townacran. The foundation stone of the present church was blessed and laid by Dr. Naughton on Pentecost Sunday 1916. The contractor was Isaac Beckett of Ballina and the resident priest at the time was Fr. Michael O’Donnell.

Keenagh School was built in 1877. Sir Roger Palmer gave a donation of £35 towards the cost of the building. The previous Keenagh School (beside the present church) was later converted into a Curate’s residence around 1898. There is a Holy Well at Tristia.

Tradition says that St. Patrick said Mass there. It is located in the low ground between Nephin and Trisia itself.

There is a rude stone altar and three beds or cells and two wells, one dedicated to Our Lady and the other to St. Patrick.