Overview
There is no shop and no post office in Cill na Martra, and that is rather the point. The village (Kilnamartyra) sits in the heart of West Muskerry, County Cork, roughly halfway between Killarney and Macroom, on the L3402 local road that meets the N22 just three kilometres away. What it has instead of a high street is a stone parish church, two traditional pubs and a football pitch that dominates the place.
As part of the Irish-speaking Gaeltacht, Cill na Martra keeps a strong linguistic and cultural identity. Road signs, school notices and pub menus are in Irish, and the national school, Scoil Lachtain Naofa, runs as a gaelscoil. If you want an uncommercialised slice of rural Cork rather than a list of attractions, this is a rewarding stop.
History and monastic roots
The settlement’s origins go back to the early medieval period. Tradition holds that Saint Lachtain founded a monastery here in the late 6th or early 7th century. The name reflects it: Cill means ‘church’ and na Martra translates as ‘of the martyr or relic’.
Saint Lachtain’s legacy survives physically in the Shrine of Saint Lachtain’s Arm, a medieval reliquary that once held fragments of his bones. The shrine is now in the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin, but its provenance ties directly to this parish. The current parish church, St Lachtain’s, still serves the community. Mass is said on Sundays at 11.30am, Tuesdays at 10.30am and Fridays at 7pm. The plain stone interior and regular services give a quiet sense of local religious life.
The surrounding townlands belonged historically to the barony of Muskerry West, linking the area to centuries of Gaelic lordship and later Anglo-Norman administration. The village kept its agricultural rhythm while gradually picking up modern transport links and niche industries.
Prince August toy soldier factory
The most unexpected thing in Cill na Martra is a toy-soldier factory run by Swedes. Lars and Gunilla Edman set up Prince August in 1976, and what began as a small workshop grew into a recognised maker of military and fantasy figurines and DIY painting kits. At its peak the factory employed nearly 40 locals, a real part of the village’s modern economy.
The on-site visitor centre opens up the production process. Families can book hands-on painting workshops and customise their own figures; popular choices run from historical soldiers and fantasy creatures to custom GAA footballers. The attached shop sells finished pieces and starter kits, which make practical, unusual souvenirs.
Visitor details:
- Opening hours: Monday–Friday 9am–5pm, Saturday 10am–5pm. Closed Sundays, St Patrick’s Day and over the Christmas and New Year period.
- Contact: +353 (0)26 40222 | info@toysoldierfactory.ie
- Access: Free parking beside the factory. The visitor centre is wheelchair accessible, and workshops run family-friendly sessions through the week. Book ahead.
GAA and community life
Sport is the heartbeat of Cill na Martra, and the pitch is the first thing you notice driving in. Cill na Martra GFC has climbed fast through the Cork football ranks over the past two decades. After winning the Mid-Cork Junior A Football Championship in 2002, the club took the Intermediate Football Championship in 2018 and the Premier Intermediate Football Championship in 2023. That 2023 campaign ended in a Munster Intermediate Club title and a run to the All-Ireland final, no small feat for a village this size.
Off the pitch, life turns on local events and the Gaeltacht cultural calendar. The village regularly hosts feiseanna for the local school, and the two pubs are the informal gathering spots for residents and visiting supporters. The area carries musical heritage too: the folk song Kilnamartyra Exile was written by Johnny Brown, a local man who served in the First World War before becoming a missionary in Africa.
Practical information
Getting there The village is best reached by car. From the N22, turn onto the L3402 and follow the signs for Cill na Martra; the drive runs through the open farmland and woodland typical of West Cork. Public transport is limited; the nearest regular bus service stops in Macroom, about 6 km away.
Parking and accessibility Free parking near the village centre, the two pubs and the toy soldier factory. The streets are narrow but generally level. The factory visitor centre is fully accessible, though some older village footpaths can be uneven.
Nearby stops A short drive west reaches the Gaeltacht village of Ballyvourney, known for Ballyvourney Abbey and its traditional music sessions. To the east, Macroom has more amenities, while Killarney is a straightforward drive for anyone extending the trip to the national park.
Language tip Irish is the everyday language here. English is widely spoken, but a few basic phrases go down well, and the all-Irish road signs and notices make for easy reading practice as you go.