Local Events

C.J. Kickham Country Weekend

The annual Kickham Country Weekend was held in Mullinahone on the 12th 13th and 14th August 2005, to full houses on both lecture nights.

On Friday night 12th August the lecturer was Mr. Brendan O'Donoghue M.R.I.A.who spoke on "The Leahys: A Family of Engineers" in Tipperary. This family's eldest son Patrick Leahy was Archbishop of Cashel and Emly from 1857 to 1875. His father and three brothers were all engineers and surveyors. From a middle class Tipperary family, they were involved in the planning of roads, canals and railways in Tipperary, Cork and abroad for the greater part of the 19th century. At length their background in Victorian Britain of the time would deny them capital investment in projects and get them into financial difficulty. The last brother ended up in London a sad end to a brilliant group of entrepreneurs.

Kickham Weekend chairman Billy Gardiner, made the introductions for the evening, Liam O'Duibhir of Clonmel was chairman for the night and Dr. Dermot Clifford, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly gave the opening address.

On Saturday afternoon there was a bus tour of Galmoy and historic areas of north Kilkenny, including the round tower of Fertagh, Augustinian ruined Abbey nearby, Glaisaire tower house and the medieval church site of Erke. We had a brilliant tour guide in Dr. Pádraig O'Macháin.

That night the lecturer in the Knocknagow Community Centre, Mullinahone was Fr. Fergus O'Farrell. An author himself, he spoke on the life and work of historian Canon Carrigan (1860-1924) author of four volumns "History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory". The centenary of its launch is this year. Dr. Willie Nolan also spoke and chaired the lecture.
A cheese and wine reception was organised each night by the Ladies committee of the Kickham Weekend. Tea was served after each lecture.

On Sunday morning Mass was celebrated by Fr. John McGrath, PP. of Mullinahone for C.J. Kickham and James Maher, Kickham anthologist. After the Mass a moving oration was given at Kickham's grave by Senator Des Hanafin of Thurles. Wreaths were then laid on the graves of both authors.

The weekend concluded with a poetry reading session in Killaghy Castle gardens on Sunday afternoon. Guest poet was Mr. Patrick Moran, music by Joe O'Gorman, Mary B.Culleton and Dick Wallace and it was well attended.

This year saw an increase in numbers attending the weekend. Now in its twenty fourth year, organiser Sheila Foley and her dedicated committee are very pleased with its continued success.