Kiskeam is a vibrant, thriving village
WHILE the 16th annual Maurice O’Keeffe music festival was winding down on Easter Monday, athletes and fun runners were convening for the popular Jack O’Keeffe 4 mile road race, which has been run for 30 years now.
With a record number of entries this year, the Kiskeam to Boherbue race draws some of the best road runners from Cork, Kerry and throughout Munster. Indeed, the Easter weekend events are a clear indication of the vibrance of life in this corner of North Cork.
Kiskeam is indeed a vibrant village surrounded by idyllic rolling countryside. Striking views of the Boggeragh and Derrynasaggart Mountains to the south and the Mullaghareirk range to the north can be enjoyed from many parts of the parish.
The River Araglen winds it’s peaceful way nearby, where the circular River Walk is a hugely popular amenity, while nearby the Bronze Age Ogham Stone Circle gives a nod to the ancient history of the region some 3000 years ago.
The village is home to state of the art amenities such as the fine GAA grounds, and the local community centre which is in constant use for all manner of functions and events.
Scoil Mhuire acquired a whole new look in recent years and is highly acclaimed in rural school football, art competitions, quizzes, music, drama and dance.
Kiskeam continues to be a buoyant and busy parish with several business ventures operating locally, while agriculture is still the predominant occupation in the area.
As in most Communities in Duhallow, sport plays a major role in Kiskeam, with a particular passion for Gaelic football. It was at football that Kiskeam GAA Club achieved its greatest victory when, in 2016, they won the Co. Premier Intermediate Football Championship title for the first time by overcoming Fermoy at Pairc Uí Rinn.
As they celebrated that win, Club chairman Diarmuid Fitzgerald noted: “The team deserved it but the supporters, too were deserving of the highest credit. In Pairc Uí Rinn, the supporters became our 16th player, credit to those that came out in large numbers and we too remember those who have passed on, they too willed us today.”
With Kiskeam a near neighbour of Ballydesmond, the two local GAA clubs have amalgamated at juvenile level to form the very successful Sliabh Luachra Gaels.
The village is also blessed with a very active Kiskeam Development Association, which has helped make it an award-winning village.
Indeed, along with many noted musicians to its name, Kiskeam can also boast many other famous names, not least in the currently high profile fight fopr freedom, from 1916 to the War if Independence. During that war the 2nd Newmarket Battalion of Volunteers included ten companies, one of which was Kiskeam. Local men involved with the Flying Column under the command of Sean Moylan were involved in several notable Ambushes such as Tureengarrive, Glenalougha, Millstreet, Meelin, Kiskeam Bridge, Rathcoole, and Clonbanin to name but a few.
Sean Moylan went on to become a politician and government minister. Today, Kiskeam retains its own representation in the Dail, in the person of Deputy Michael Moynihan of Fianna Fail, a great admirer of Moylan.
And Deputy Moynihan will tell you that the people of Kiskeam - and the surrounding area - have a real pride of place, and the village has been transformed in recent years through the efforts of volunteers and community groups.
“I never tire of people complimenting the beautiful village of Kiskeam, and there is genuine admiration from people who pass through the village of the beautiful gardens and houses, and of the obvious effort it takes to maintain the pristine appearance of Kiskeam,” says Moynihan.
“Kiskeam is a wonderful community in which to live, to raise a family, and I am proud to call it my home – the tireless efforts of the people here ensures that Kiskeam will continue to be a vibrant place to live.”