Kilkenny folk to feature in historic re-enactment to take place atop Slievenamon

All roads lead to the top of Slievenamon on July 16, 2023 when people from across the country will gather to mark the 175th anniversary of the 1848 monster meeting led by the Young Irelanders who gathered to protest the export of food during the famine.

On that historic day 50,000 people made the climb to show their revulsion at the devastation caused by the famine, having witnessed the harvest being exported while one million Irish people died from starvation.

The date chosen for the monster meeting was July 16, 1848. The authorities were expecting something to happen on July 23, 1848, that being the 50th anniversary of the 1798 rebellion when British troops ambushed Irish rebels at nearby Carrigmaclear.

Following the July 16 meeting, the British authorities suspended Habeus Corpus and that led to the 1848 rebellion which centred on Ballingarry.

People made the ascent from every side of the mountain – from Ballingarry to Grangemockler to Fethard to Kilsheelan to Ballyneale to Cloneen and everywhere in between.

The leaders, Thomas Francis Meagher, John Dillon, John Mitchell and Michael Doheny were led up the mountain on horseback. At the summit they addressed the crowd under the newly unveiled tricolour that Thomas Francis Meagher had brought back from France.

The commemoration planned for July 16, 2023 is to recognise the bravery and achievements of these great leaders and the thousands of Irish people who played a part in the fight for independence.

As Ireland gets ready to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, it is important to know that there is a strong link between the impact the famine and the Young Irelanders had in terms of the current Irish influence in America.

That impact was visible again recently in the US support for the best outcome for Ireland in relation to Brexit.

The commemoration committee involves representatives from every village on all sides of the mountain. On the day, groups will set off from Killusty, Carraigmaclear, Killurney, Grangemockler and Kilcash – all meeting at the summit to witness the re-enactment and orations culminating with the raising of the tri-colour.

There will also be a lecture, art exhibition and other events headquartered in the village of with a concert in Kilcash on the eve of the historic climb. Families will enjoy the occasion with all school children in the region already working hard on their 1848 school projects which will be on display.

The next meeting for the commemoration event on Slievenamon on July 16 takes place in Kilcash on this Wednesday, April 19 at 7.30pm and all are welcome.

For more information contact the commemoration committee on: info@lingaunvalley.ie or telephone 087-2483052.