WALK OF THE ANCESTORS WEEKEND TO MARK RISING OF 1867
AN inaugural ‘Walk of the Ancestors’ weekend has been scheduled for Kells between April 21 and 23 to mark the 150th anniversary of the Fenian Rising on the Iveragh Peninsula.
The weekend, organised by IRD Foilmore-Kells, will include a lecture series, drama, a re-enactment walk, music, song and dance, and the events will focus particularly on Fenian John Golden, who was subsequently convicted of treason following the rising.
Golden was transported to Australia, before eventually being pardoned and settling in New South Wales, where he raised a family.
“Whilst many of those involved in the Fenian movement at a national level were recognised in the history books, several of those involved in the South Kerry Rising of 1867 have faded into distant memory,” Mary Golden told The Kerryman on behalf of the organisers.
“However, John Golden’s part in the Fenian Rising was seen as a heroic achievement and was recorded in local South Kerry folklore, most notably in a song composed by Sigerson Clifford called ‘ The Ballad of Johnny Golden’.”
The weekend will focus on Kells’ local history, archaeology, folklore and tradition, and will include contributions from former Fianna Fáil Minister John O’Donoghue, University College Cork’s John Sheehan, Dr Shane Lordan of University College Dublin, and more.
Guests in attendance will include Australian Ambassador to Ireland Mr Richard Andrews, as well as direct descendants of John Golden and extended Golden family members from America, Canada, New Zealand, France, the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Among the highlights will be a re-enactment by locals and visitors of the taking Kells Coastguard Station, and the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the events of 1867. Proceedings get underway from 6pm on Friday, April 21, with a meal at Cáitín’s Pub in Kells, which will act as a hub for an evening of interesting lectures, music, and dance.
A full list available at www.walkoftheancestors.com, or at IRD Foilmore-Kells at 066 947 7766