Bilboa

Bilboá is located on the boundaries of County Laois, Carlow and Kilkenny., in a bleak and beautiful and forgotten part of the Castlecomer plateau that forms a sort of no-man’s-land between Kilkenny, Carlow and Laois.

Without coal there would have been little settlement at Bilboa, but at the time of writing the little cluster of families in this area struggles to maintain its identity, and to survive as a distinct localised community, proud of its individuality and its tradition. Of the early mining village, only the church remains. Bilboá's Anglican church is a detached three-bay Tudor Revival Church of Ireland church, built 1846, with crenellated entrance tower and granite dressings including clasping buttresses on octagonal plans having pinnacles and hood mouldings to openings. Interior retains original pews.