Knockainey or Knockainy (Irish: Cnoc Áine, meaning 'hill of Áine') is a civil parish and village in County Limerick, Ireland.[1][2] It is in the historical barony of Smallcounty,[2][3] between the towns of Hospital and Bruff.[4]
There are a large number of archaeological sites in the area, including several on Knockainy Hill in the townland of Knockainy West.[5][6] These remains, which include cursus, cairn, ring fort, standing stone and ring barrow sites,[6][7] form part of a complex traditionally associated with the sun goddess Áine.[8][9] A nearby clapper bridge, known as Clochán Áine, is also associated with Áine.[10] Knockainy Castle is a 15th or 16th century tower house,[11] associated by several sources with the O'Grady family,[3][12] who were stewards to the Earls of Desmond.[13]
The former Church of Ireland church in Knockainy, dedicated to Saint John,[14] was built in the 19th century on the site of a much earlier ecclesiastical enclosure.[15] The building's bell tower dates to the 17th century,[16] and there is an O'Grady family plaque dating to the early 16th century.[14] This church was deconsecrated in 1999 and is now used to host events.[15] The local Catholic church, a more modern building, is located to the south.[17] It forms part of the parish of Knockaney and Patrickswell in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly.[18]
The local national (primary) school, Knockainey National School or Scoil Náisiúnta Cnoc Áine,[19] had an enrollment of 181 pupils as of January 2024.[20] The local Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) club, Knockainey GAA, won the Limerick Intermediate Hurling Championship in 2001.[21]