According to Irish sources, Kilian was born to noble parents in approximately the year 640 in Cloughballybeg,[1] near Mullagh in the south-east of what is now County Cavan in Ireland.

[3] From there they traveled to the castle of Würzburg, which was inhabited by the East Frankish ruler, Herzog (Duke) Gozbert [de], who was, like his people, still pagan.

[2] The original group separated  – some departing to seek other fields of missionary work, while Kilian with two companions, the priest Colmán (also called Colonan or Kolonat) and the deacon Totnan, remained in Würzburg.

Kilian made this town the base of his activity, which extended over an ever-increasing area in East Franconia and Thüringen (Thuringia).

A church and holy well are named after him and his feast day, July 8, is traditionally celebrated with a pattern when crowds visit the well for prayers, followed by evening social events.