Kilbegans

Kilbegans are the inhabitants of the civil parish and village of Kilbegan in County Cork, Ireland. The name Kilbegan derives from the Irish Cill Beagán, meaning “small church,” reflecting the early Christian presence in the area. The parish lies on the lower reaches of the River Lee and has historically been an agricultural community, with fields of barley, wheat and oats dominating the landscape. According to the 2011 census, the population of Kilbegan was just over 400 people, a figure that has remained relatively stable throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.

The village is centered around St. Mary's Church, a Romanesque structure built in the 12th century that still stands as a site of local worship and heritage. Nearby, Kilbegan National School serves the educational needs of children from the parish and surrounding countryside. Community life revolves around GAA club Kilbegan GAA, which offers Gaelic football and hurling teams for all ages and hosts annual social events. The Kilbegan Community Hall provides a venue for meetings, dances, and cultural gatherings.

Historically, Kilbegans have been associated with a number of notable figures. A few individuals bearing the surname Kilbegan, such as the nineteenth‑century Irish politician John Kilbegan, have served in local government. In more recent times, the name has appeared among emigrants who settled in the United States, Australia, and Canada, carrying the cultural traditions of their homeland into new communities. Throughout history, the Kilbegan community has maintained a strong sense of identity rooted in its rural heritage, its religious traditions, and its commitment to the wellbeing of neighbouring villages.