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HISTORY
Early History
We know
very little of the early history of Inishmagrath or of the origin or derivation
of the name of Inishmagrath.
The ancient name of the area we now call the Parish of Inishmagrath was Muintir Chionaith, or
Muintir Kenny. We know nothing more
of this person called Cionaith, or of his family or clan.
However, this part of Leitrim has been called after him and was known as
Muintir Chionaith from early times.
This map shows the approximate area of Muintir Chionaith
Historians
are in general agreement that Muintir Chionaith and the parish of Inishmagrath
refer to the same area of land on the northern and western side of Lough Allen.
 It seems
that the parish derives its name from the Lough Allen island of the same name.
The island consists of about seven acres and is situated a short distance
from the shore, quite close to where the
Shannon
enters the lake. On it can be found
the ruins of an old church and a disused graveyard.
According to tradition this church was built by St Beo-Aodh, (St Hugh) who,
according to tradition, was consecrated a bishop by St Patrick and who founded an abbey
in Boyle, Co Roscommon. He died
around 520.
The Island of Inishmagrath as viewed from Ballinaglera
Over the centuries the
island was used as a place of burial until a church was built at Kilbride in the
1730’s.
Kilbride Church and Cemetery
This new church had an
adjoining cemetery and gradually replaced the island as the local place of
burial.
Why was the island called “Inishmagrath”?
One possible explanation may lie in the fact that in medieval Ireland
laymen were often appointed as hereditary wardens of churches and church lands
with a duty to protect and maintain the church and its associated lands.
Such people were called Termoners. One
of the most prominent Termoner families in
Ireland
was that of McGrath. Could it be
possible that the McGrath family were Termoners of the church and the island and
that, as a result, the island became known as Inis McGrath (the island of
McGrath) or Inishmagrath?
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