The Glen (St. Finans bay)/Dromod, Co. Kerry

How the Glen Got It's Name and History

Up to 1841, the Glen in union with Portmagee and surrounding townlands consisted of a full Parish. This is called Killemlagh. The principal church was the two old burying grounds were in Portmagee side. These were Keeluluaidh and Killkeveragh. Prior parish was then only a smal area embracing Dungegnan, and it's hinterland.

At present the Killemlagh is gone, and the Glen, together with Ballinskelligs and Portmagee make up the Parish of Prior. Gleann and Orcain the Glen of the horns, as it was most commonly known by, in the old days was fairly apt a name. The two horns are Ducalla Head on one side and Gleneragh Point on the other end. The latter is said to have been joined with Puffin Island at an earlier time, but this involves a stretch of the imagination.

In between the two heads, lay the Glen backed by mountaisn and overlooking a tumutous bay. The existance of such a bay gave the Glen a second name, i.e. Finans Bay. It has been said to be called this name in early Christian times. The saints name was Finan. he lived in the Skelligs Rock fo a time and crossed this bay regularly to celebrate Holy Mass at his Church in Keel. He was known by the people of the time, and since his death, his feast day is held in the Glen as holy day on March 16th each year. 

The Glen from historical and archaeological evidence must have been inhabited back in the pagan times. We are certain it was peopled during Christian times, because of mention of St. Finan and St. Buonia. Thus we boast of such fine emains as Temple Cashel Oratory, the Oratory of Killbuoia and Keekamaolvourney. Maolmaurna, a pagan, may have been head of pagan people who ivaled with St. Finan, when the Saint wanted to bring the message of God to the people of the Glen. The occurence of a Cellurach is Pairc a Lisin, Ballynabloun and the fort at Keel are also evidence of the first settlers in the region. 

The numerous Liosanna and raths that appear e.g. Rathkerin suggest that the Tuatha De dannan a Pre-Celtic people lived there for a while. Ballynabloun has an Oin where these wee folk are said to have hidden themselves from the Celts.