An ancient tradition is set to continue in Kilkenny this weekend

Members of the South Kilkenny Historical Society will join locals and others on Sunday, July 14, for the annual climb of Tory Hill on Fraochan Sunday.

This ancient tradition pre-dates Christianity and is associated with the ancient Festival of Lughanasa. John Dwyer, who has written extensively on Pilgrim Paths of Ireland, will give a talk, on the summit of the hill, on the traditions associated with Fraochan Sunday and mass will be celebrated by the Bishop of Ossory Dr Niall Coll at 3.30pm.

Due to the limited availability of parking and to assist those not familiar with the area, a meeting point has been arranged for 1.30pm at Mullinavat Church carpark, where it is suggested people would car-pool if possible.

READ MORE SOUTH KILKENNY NEWS

For generations, Fraochan Sunday has been observed on Tory Hill. This ancient tradition, which takes place on the second Sunday in July, involves climbing the local landmark and picking berries known as fraochans or whorts. It would appear that while large numbers took part in years gone, falling numbers have been commented on since the 1930s at least.

In July 1932, it was reported that while the event transformed ‘the usually quiet and placid atmosphere of the historic hill’ into ‘a lively and animated spectacle,’ the event ‘like many more of our grand old Irish customs, is fastly losing its one-time happy glories, which are sadly being laid bare by the incursions of modernistic tendencies’.

The society acknowledges and thanks Kilkenny County Council for financial support, under the Creative Ireland Grant Scheme.