Mullinahone.net

Last weekend the Kickham Country weekend took place in Mullinahone. In spite of inclement weather, it was one of the best in a big number of years.

Highlight of the weekend was the return to the parish of his birth of Seamus Freeman, the newly appointed Bishop of Ossory. Bishop Seamus offered a Mass of thanksgiving in St Michael’s church for his elevation to Episcopal ranks.

The Mass was also the anniversary Mass for Charles J. Kickham and his biographer James Maher. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Freeman, Fr McGrath PP and Fr Thomas Aherne, a native of Mullinahone who had returned for the day and was also responsible for the diocesan choir, which sang during Mass. 

Speaking at Mass in St. Michael’s Church, which was full, the bishop spoke on the need for vocations. Afterwards as part of the Kickham weekend Bishop Freeman gave the oration at Kickhams grave.

2008 is the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Fenians and both history lectures on Friday and Saturday nights dealt with this topic. The Kickham bus tour this year embraced the Callan area, taking in the new memorial erected to James Hoban, the architect who designed the White House in Washington.

Unfortunately the open air poetry reading in Killaghy Castle had to be moved indoors due to heavy rain. In true theatrical tradition, the show went on with broadcaster Leo Cullen as guest poet.

The weekend was launched on Friday evening by 2008 Tipperary person of the year Liz Howard. Liz is especially known all over Ireland for her work in the GAA, especially hurling, or at the present time, camogie. Everybody, including another bishop, Dr Dermot Clifford, was welcomed to Mullinahone by chairman of the Kickham Country weekend committee, Billy Gardiner.

Mullinahone owes a great dept to all the members of this committee who down through the years since 1983 have made Mullinahone the arts and culture capital of Tipperary, at least for the second weekend each August.