The synod of Kells-Mellifont, 1152 which set up many of the early parishes refers to Cell Sinchil. This is thought to be Kilshinihan. A decretal document issued by Pope Innocent III in 1199 recognising the Diocese of Cork and listing the parishes has "Cellshinchell cum pertinensis suis", that is the places around it. There is a later ancient document that refres to Capella de Kylshinthin de Kilbritton, (the chapel of Kilshinihan of Kilbrittain) but by 1591 this has become Ecclesia de Kilbrittain et Kilshinihan, (the church of Kilshinihan and Kilbrittain). It looks as if Kilshinihan may have been the earlest name of the church in this area. The taxation list of 1302 list, refers to Currarane, Kilbrittain, Kilshinihan, Rathclaren and Burren.
We do not know where that early church for Kilshinihan was located. Some wonder if it were Shanakiel or the townland of Kilshinihan. We do know that in 1743 a penal day priest, Fr. Lar Callannan, built a Mass house in Kinshinihan. This was no longer in use by 1840 and had become the residence of a local farmer.
There is also a Mass rock in the townland of Kilshinihan, about five minutes walk from the church, but there are no written records of it. The location is signposted on the main Bandon Timoleague road.
A view of the remains of Kilshinihan church, the north west corner.
The Mass Rock at Kilshinihan a short distance from the church.
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