Editorial: A pardon for Kilkenny's unfortunate 'witch trials' victim Petronella would be timely

Kilkenny is at last bathing in a blast of badly-wanted sunshine this week — a timely change in fortunes after a rather uninspiring summer meteorologically.

As well as some Vitamin D, it’s brought a smile to the faces of locals, and will hopefully also put a shine on the tail-end of the tourist season. Visitor numbers to Ireland’s leading visitor attractions last year were still lagging behind pre-pandemic times, according to Ireland’s Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions (AVEA), which will host its annual conference here from October 13 to 15.

It’s great to see, even well into September now, the numbers of tourists strolling around taking in the sights and sounds, and checking out all Kilkenny has to to offer. Our events and festivals play a big part in keeping Kilkenny on the map. Kilkenny’s reputation as a festival capital is well deserved, and the city and county reap the benefits of this.

Still to come in the weeks ahead are the likes of Savour Kilkenny, Kilkenomics, and Yulefest. The latest addition to the calendar, Kilkenny’s Toil and Trouble, takes place coming into Hallowe’en. It looks set to be informative, thought provoking, as well as a bit of fun.
READ MORE: KILKENNY'S NEWEST FESTIVAL THIS HALLOWE'EN

It must also carry some note of solemnity, as at the core of its theme is Ireland’s first trials for the dubious crimes of ‘witchcraft’ and heresey, and the putting to death of a presumably innocent maid, Petronella de Meath.

Whatever the truth behind what Petronella and her mistress Alice Kyteler were up to, their real undoing was ultimately falling afoul of the powerful societal hierarchy, and the whims of notorious Bishop Ledrede.

It may only be a symbolic act, but perhaps it is time that the powers-that-be see fit to organise a ‘pardoning’ of Petronella for the charges of which she was found guilty and then executed. It may have little value in terms of restorative justice, but even hundreds of years on after she was tortured into confession, flogged and burned at the stake, it would be the right thing to do.