There are several online references to Kilcatherine Church, but none of them seem definitive. It is a very old church (11th or 12th century), which is now in ruins and was itself built on the ruins of a 7th century monastic site. It is said to be named for St. Caithinghearn, who is usually described as “mysterious.”
Over the south entrance to the church, there is a small gargoyle. It is said to represent the Cat Goddess, an ancient mythological deity. In order to replace such pagan beliefs, Catholic missionaries assimilated some deities and simply renamed them.
