Ballylooby

According to Power's history, 'Place-names of Decies', this modern parish includes the ancient parishes of Whitechurch, Tubrid, and Tullaghorton (Castlegrace) with a section that was once the western portion of Rochestown It extends from the summit of the Galtees in the north, to the summit of the Knockmealdown range in the south.[5] The parish has two churches, at Ballylooby village and Duhill respectively. The Catholic church is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and St. Kieran. Mass is also celebrated at the recently renovated church at Duhill.

Our Lady's and St. Kieran's Church

The first church built in the village of Ballylooby ran East- West, on the site of the present structure. Its orientation was at right angles to the current building, constructed in 1813 by Rev. John Burke. The site of the old church was too small for the growing congregation, and so an extra twenty-six perches were bought from Patrick Burke. The land deal did not go smoothly and the latter erected a wall within the church and sought writs for trespass against those who crossed it. The heated disagreement lasted for several years but was eventually settled, and the wall removed in due course.[6]

St. Kieran's was remodelled (all but rebuilt), in 1927/1928 by the parish priest M. Walsh with the architect Rudolf Maximilian Butler.[7] It was funded by local subscription, and many of the pews and stained glass windows bear the names of local families that sponsored them.

Former National Schools, Ballylooby

The present Parish Hall, adjacent to the church and bridge was once the village school, or more correctly schools. Both the boys and girls classes, though operating under one roof, were administered separately.

Former village RIC barracks

The Royal Irish Constabulary operated a barracks in the village for many years. It was sold to the local school-master, Michael Keating, by District Inspector Gilbert Potter in 1919 and so avoided damage by the Third Tipperary Brigade, during the Irish War of Independence.,[8] In December 1920, the barracks fleetingly became the focus of international attention when Daniel Francis Crowley and John Tangney, both ex-R.I.C Constables formerly stationed there, testified before the American Commission on Conditions in Ireland. They dramatically gave their reasons for quitting the force as the "brutality and lawlessness" of the contemporary administration, particularly the Black and Tans, as witnessed by them on their transfer from Ballylooby to Clogheen Barracks.[9]

Detail of the Beheading of John the Baptist window by Harry Clarke

Duhill church, the building of which was commenced in 1829 and completed in 1830, is dedicated to St. John the Baptist (Decollation). It was renovated at a cost of £1 000 in 1929. The Parochial Registers begin with the year 1828.[10]

Duhill church features two excellent examples of Harry Clarke's artistic achievements with stained glass. Created in 1925, they are located in the sanctuary, to the left and right of the altar, and depict Salome 'presenting' the head of John the Baptist to Herod and the Lourdes apparition.[11] The Holy Family is a window executed by noted artist Hubert McGoldrick, and was also commissioned in 1925.[12]

The mortuary chapel at Tubrid is the burial place of Seathrún Céitinn (Geoffrey Keating), a 17th-century Counter-Reformation priest of the parish and Gaelic historian of national repute. It is located just over 5 kilometres from Ballylooby.