Moments with Monuments

Captain Larry Scallan, James Stephen’s Barracks tells us about Lion

Local historian Margaret McGrath gives us the low down on the Battle of Castlecomer and the plaque to its memory

Historian Pat Nolan tells us the story of the Raggedy Bush, on the Kells Road Kilkenny

In August 1824 six men were hanged in Galmoy for the murder of John Marum. Padráig Ó Macháin tells us the story behind the plaque to their memory

Richard Hyland gives us the low down on Thomas Moore’s association with Kilkenny and the Kilkenny Theatre

Historian Joe Kennedy tells us about Callan in the mid 1800s and the Callan Curates

Ned Kirwan tells us about St Leonard’s Well which is located on his land in Dunnamaggin

Former miner Seamus Walshe gives us the background to the history of mining and the plaque erected to the miners’ memory at the entrance to the Deerpark Colliery a few miles outside of Castlecomer

Joe Kennedy local historian living in Callan gives us the story behind the plaque erected to Humphrey O’ Sullivan placed over the door of his former home on Green St, Callan

St Patrick’s Brass & Reed band have enhanced festivities and celebrations in Kilkenny throughout the years. Trombone player Pat Hollande tells us a bit about the band

Two IRA soldiers were shot and mortally wounded in the course an ambush on Friary Street during the War of Independence. Captain Larry Scallan from James Stephen’s Barracks gives us the background to the events surrounding that day on 21st February 1921.

There’s a tiny little plaque with the sun on it on a wall along the Parade Kilkenny. It holds a big story and goes back to a time in Ireland in the 1700s when there was no public fire fighting service. historian Pat Nolan explains how insurance companies were responsible for putting out fires in properties insured by their company. To enable the fire men to identify which property was insured by which company a “Firemark” like the one below was placed on the wall of the building.

Sergeant John Byrne, from Castlecomer, was a recipient of the Victoria Cross and his life came to a sad ending following an illustrious career in the British army. Susan Garrett, historian who has an interest in military history, tells us his story in this week’s ‘Moments with Monuments’ series

Fr John McEvoy, former parish priest of Goresbridge and Paulstown fills us in on events in Paulstown when temperance priest Fr Theobald Matthew arrived in the town in the mid 1800s

Julian Walton recounts a short story of the life and tragic death of Henry 3rd Marquis including details of the cross erected to his memory in Corbally Wood, South Kilkenny (Photo by Kieran Campbell)

Historian Pat Nolan gives us insight James Switzer had in mind when he built Switzer’s Asylum

Chairman of the race committee, Chubby Brennan, who gives us an insight into this annual New Year’s Day Wellie Race.

Graiguenamanagh is home to the smallest lane in the world!

Local man from Gathabawn Paddy Fitzpatrick reveals the story behind The Millennium Garden in Gathabawn

Local historian Jim Nolan told us the story behind Darby O’Brien.

Local Historian Joe Kennedy the story of John Locke, hurler and patriot.

Local historian Pat Nolan gives us the history and science behind the Benchmark existence.

Local Historian Carmel Cummins gives us an insight into the life of the Sarah Tighe.

Owen Doyle from the Local Historian Society fills us in on the Abduction of two sisters in 1779

Patricia Watson was a member of the guild at the time and she tells us about her times in the ICA and the plaque erected to the association in the Millennium Gardens Freshford.

Fr John, the prior of the Black Abbey tells us the story how the water source became known as ‘Angels Well’

Edward Moran from the Barrowvale Historical Society who tells us about the skirmish and the fate of Fr John Murphy and his group

In 1990 over 2,000 people descended on Castlecomer historian Máire Downey who recalls the events around that time

In a secluded part of the Castle Park and is a bronze column composed of casts from the hands of family members of missing persons

Local historian Máire Downey tells us about a man who was principal of the Boys National School in Castlecomer, and author of the well renowned book ‘Castlecomer Connections’

Eddie Synnott a member of the South Kilkenny Historical society tells us about Irish Catholics in Penal times

Joe Kennedy from the Callan Historical Society gives us an insight to the historical importance of the Callan Bridge

Owen Doyle, member of the Graiguenamanagh Historical Society tells us about Thomas Cloney, one of the generals of the 1798 rebellion was the only leader to survive

‘George Jones sat here and showed everyone the way’ George’s twin brother Eamon explained the story behind the plaque

John Ireland came from Burnchurch and he became the first Archbishop of Minnesota. He commissioned the construction of the beautiful cathedral of St Paul’s and was pivotal in setting up educational institutions in the area. John Ireland Boulevard is a …

We go to Bennettsbridge and meet historian Peggy Walpole who gives us an insight into the activities at the creamery which operated in the village for 72 years from 1910 to 1982 https://soundcloud.com/kclr96fm/bennettsbridge-creamery

Over 100 years ago Ireland was adjusting to the arrival of the automobile. Petrol was sold in chemist shops, the road infrastructure was very poor and road sign directions, like the one below where only in place in towns. Brian Lacey PRO of Kilkenny Mo …

Tithes were the bane of the small farmer’s lot in the mid 1800s and in 1831 the farmers in the Carrickshock area had enough and resisted the collection of the tithes. This resulted in a bloody battle and many fatalities with heavy losses incurred by th …

On a grassy patch among the beautiful ruins of Kells Priory there is a plaque of limestone with a poem inscribed on it. It was written by poet Kerry Hardie for the 2008 Kilkenny Arts Festival. In this ‘Moments with Monuments’ programme Kerry Hardie tel …

Seamus Reid a member of Thomastown GAA club and PRO for the Kilkenny County Board tells us about flamboyant hurler Ollie Walsh

Local historian Paddy O’Neilll tells us about Patrick Walsh and John Quinn who were killed during the War of Independence

Stroan Fountain was installed by landlord Gervase Bushe for his tenants.7 years ago it was restored with funding from the Follies Trust and is maintained by locals, in particular Richie Cody from the Tullaherin Duchas Heritage Society who tells us all about it in this programme

Jane O’Malley talks about her husband and soulmate the artist Tony O’Malley

Ennisnag historian Donal Sheridan tells us about James Hoban and the three monuments to his memory in Kilkenny

Gary Law talks about his father Eamonn Law who was a talented and well-known handballer from Mullinavat https://soundcloud.com/kclr96fm/eamonn-law

Monument maker Aileen Ann Brannigan talks about the memorial she was commissioned to make for all those Kilkenny people who took part in war around the world https://soundcloud.com/kclr96fm/war-memorial  

Larry Hamilton explains the significance and story behind the Lisdowney Story Stones   https://soundcloud.com/kclr96fm/47-lisdowney-raven-story-stones    

  Eddie Synnott from the South Kilkenny Historical Society tells us about St Moling and the well, statue and plaque erected to his memory https://soundcloud.com/kclr96fm/st-moling    

Declan Nolan tells us about the first football match played under GAA rules which took place in Callan   https://soundcloud.com/kclr96fm/1st-football-match

Owen Doyle from the Graiguenamanagh Historical Society tells us about much loved local character Eddie Power and the plaque erected to his memory   https://soundcloud.com/kclr96fm/eddie-power

In this documentary the significance of plaques and memorials is explored as a reflection of our local history, heritage and culture. With contributions from Dearbhala Ledwige, Heritage Office with Kilkenny County Council, James Eogan, Transport Infras …