The town of Rathkeale is situated about 14 miles from Limerick
City, on the N21 that runs from Limerick to Tralee. Together
with the town of Newcastlewest, it is one of the two main
centres in the west of the diocese. The importance of Rathkeale
as a centre can be traced back to the foundation of an
Augustinian priory in the town in 1289. Its location on the
river Deel added to its influence in the area. The arrival of
the Palatines also contributed to the development of Rathkeale.
The Palatines were Lutheran refugees who fled from the Rhenish
Palatinate of Germany due to an invasion by the French. They
came to the area in 1708-09 under the patronage of Lord
Southwell. Approximately twelve hundred Palatines came to settle
in the area and their new ideas in farming were a large
contributing factor to the development of the town. Rathkeale
was also a major market town for the area and held seven fairs
throughout the year. The name Rathkeale comes from the Irish
'Ráth Caola' and it is believed to be derived from