The old parishes of Kilfearagh and Killard of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Killaloe were united by the late seventeenth century.

[4] The first church in Kilkee had a cruciform barn structure, with two octagonal towers framing the entrance.

Furnishing and decorating the church was a slow process, and seating in the main aisle was not installed until 1885.

About 2 miles (3.2 km) from Kilkee, on the edge of the cliff opposite Bishops Island, there is a holy well dedicated to Saint Caoidhe.

Bishops Island has two small buildings, an oratory and cell, dating to the early days of Christianity in Ireland.