History talks on KCLR

Members of Kilkenny Archaeological Society researched various topics dealing with local history and presented their findings on the local radio station KCLR. Each of the talks under the headline A Glimpse of the Past is about five to seven minutes long.

The history talks make for an interesting listen as well as being a testament to the time and passion each speaker has dedicated to present his or her view on their local history. They are also a memorial to two of the speakers, the Law brothers, both of whom have died since the recording.
The group is continuing its work and presents the outcome on another local radio station, Community Radio Kilkenny City every Sunday morning.
Please click on the title to start the media player.

Researcher/ Speaker Title Summary
Byrne, Judy James’s Street Judy Byrne takes the listeners on a historical tour up and down James’s Street.
Daly, Brian Charles Bianconi Brian Daly gives the listeners a glimpse into the life of Italian innovator Charles Bianconi, the Michael O’Leary of his time.
Daly, Brian The Night Watch in Kilkenny City Brian Daly reminds the listeners of the role of night watchmen in 1755 Kilkenny.
Daly, Brian Fr James Archer Brian Daly talks about the Norman Archer family in general and the 16th century Kilkenny Jesuit James Archer in particular.
Kiely, Eamonn Cantwell Fada of Kilfane Eamonn Kiely tells the story of the Norman Cantwell family who resided in Kilfane near Thomastown and the intriguing married life of Thomas and Beatrice Cantwell.
Kiely, Eamonn Dermot O’Hurley, Archbishop of Cashel and Catholic Eamonn Kiely brings to attention the history of the 16th century renaissance man and underground priest from Tipperary.
Kiely, Eamonn Lebanon, 1978 Eamonn Kiely shares his memories about the Irish army’s deployment in Lebanon.
Kiely, Eamonn Rathbeagh Eamonn Kiely draws our attention to the ancient monument in the parish of Lisdowney.
Kiely, Eamonn The Battle on Ossory’s Plain Eamonn Kiely puts the battle in relation to the preceding Battle of Clontarf 1014.
Kiely, Eamonn The Book of Pottlerath Eamonn Kiely lets the listeners take a peek into the 15th century manuscript that is also known as the Book of the White Earl.
Kiely, Eamonn The Raid on Kilkenny Castle Eamonn Kiely tells the listener how the Butler family dealt with the 1922 siege on the castle.
Kiely, Eamonn The takeover of the military barracks in Kilkenny, 1922 Eamonn Kiely gives a vivid description of how the Kilkenny military barracks was taken by the Irish Republican forces and the reactions of the Kilkenny people.
Kiely, Eamonn The Tunnel Escape from Kilkenny Gaol, 1922 Eamonn Kiely recounts the events of the escape of IRA members from Kilkenny Jail.
Kiely, Eamonn Grace’s Card Eamonn Kiely tells the listeners how the expression “Grace’s card” came to be invented.
Kiely, Eamonn 1812 Overture at Kilkenny Castle Eamonn Kiely explains the significance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture for Kilkenny and its shattering rendition at the opening of Kilkenny Arts Week in 1975.
Kiely, Eamonn The Ormonde Silver Eamonn Kiely narrates how the Ormonde Silver ended up in British museums after Arthur Butler’s death in 1971.
Kiely, Eamonn Walter Butler, Traitor or Hero? Eamonn Kiely discusses the Paulstown native’s role during the 30-years war.
Kiely, Eamonn Abraham Colles Eamonn Kiely reminds the listeners of the 18th century surgeon who gave his name to the Colles fracture and Colles house on Kilkenny’s Patrick Street and his unusual introduction into anatomy.
Kiely, Eamonn William of Munster Eamonn Kiely tells of William Kenealy (1828-1876) schoolmaster turned journalist for the Kilkenny Journal.
Kinsella, Ken Failed attack on the Auxiliary Barracks at Inistioge Ken Kinsella conveys the history of the failed IRA attack on the auxiliary barracks in Inistioge in 1920.
Kinsella, Ken Raftis Family Eviction at Powerswood, Thomastown Ken Kinsella relates this example of a tenant farmer’s family in the late 19th century.
Kinsella, Ken Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Stewart Ken Kinsella reminds the listeners of the role Irish men played in the Great War 1914-1918.
Kinsella, Ken Captain James Arnold Smithwick of Kilkenny Ken Kinsella talks about Kilkenny’s representative in Parliament and his military career in the Great War.
Kinsella, Ken Bassett’s Kilkenny Guide and Directory 1884 Ken Kinsella explains the significance of Bassett’s book for researchers of everyday life in Kilkenny in the late 19th century.
Kinsella, Ken 300 Years of Brewing in St Francis Abbey Brewery Ken Kinsella talks about the influencial history of the Smithwick’s brewery on the city of Kilkenny.
Kinsella, Ken James Hoban Ken Kinsella reminds the listener of the life of the architect of the White House in Washington D.C., who started his life in the United States as a joiner and carpenter.
Law, Edward A Christmas custom of old Kilkenny Edward Law relates the tradition of Calling the Christmas Waits, which died out with umbrella maker John Burke in 1856.
Law, Edward Almshouses of Kilkenny city Edward Law recounts the history of almshouses, beginning with Shee Almshouse, today’s Tourist Information.
Law, Edward Ballooning in Kilkenny Edward Law talks about how the wealthier people of Kilkenny caught their first glimpse of a hot-air balloon.
Law, Edward David Shelleman’s 18th century merchandise Richard Law reads his brother’s article on shopkeeper David Shelleman (Shellyman) and his merchandise.
Law, Edward Kilkenny Inns Edward Law gives his account of the early days of Kilkenny tourism, mentioning the Rose Inn in the thus named street, and also mentions the Hole in the Wall.
Law, Edward Kilkenny’s second Athenaeum Curtains up for one of Kilkenny’s early theatres, located on The Parade.
Law, Edward Postal Services in Co. Kilkenny Edward Law talks about a public postal system developing in Ireland since the 17th century.
Law, Edward The Break-up of a Robber Gang Edward Law recounts how 18th century highway man Freney betrayed his competitor Bulger in hope for a pardon.
Law, Edward The first Kilkenny baths Edward Law plunges into the history of Kilkenny’s first public baths on John’s Quay.
Law, Edward Thomas O’Flaherty – a murder at Castlefield Edward Law recounts the murder mystery of Thomas O’Flaherty, Esq. involving his wife and the family’s tutor.
Law, Edward Walkin’s Lough Edward Law sheds light on the myth about the street name as well as the holy well that fed Walkin’s Lough in the 18th century.
Law, Edward An Emigration Scheme for Kilkenny Weavers This case of assisted emigration between 1828 and 1878 is retold by Edward Law.
Law, Edward The Canal Walk Kilkenny people and even some visitors have been known to take a leisurely stroll down the Canal Walk. Edward recounts the history of this popular promenade.
Law, Edward Towns and Villages of the Barrow Edward Law bases his talk about the towns and villages in Southeast Kilkenny on the survey map of 1776.
Law, Edward Charitable Loan Societies in Co. Kilkenny Edward Law reminds the listeners of the difficulties of loaning money in the 18th century and how charitable loan societies were established in the city since 1770.
Law, Edward Nuisances And Punishment in Kilkenny City, read by Rich Law Richard Law reads his brother’s article about city life in the 1770s.
Law, Edward Hole in the Wall Richard Law reads his brother’s paper on the early history of one of Kilkenny’s best known taverns, run in the 1790s by Tom Clayton.
McQuillan, Peter An interesting person – Francis Walter Doheny Peter McQuillan talks about the somewhat excentric lawyer who gave his name to the Doheny holiday.
McQuillan, Peter John O’Donovan Attatimore Peter McQuillan maps out the life of the man who is often referred to as the Fifth Master.
McQuillan, Peter Dennis Doyle of Cuffesgrange Peter McQuillan narrates the unusual emigrant story of former school teacher Dennis Doyle turned postmaster and Justice of the peace in Kilkenny, Minnesota.
McQuillan, Peter The dove, the story of Elizabeth O’Neill, Actress (1791-1872) Peter McQuillan sets the stage for Louth native Eliza O’Neill who made her Kilkenny debut in 1812.
McQuillan, Peter The Market Cross in Kilkenny Peter McQuillan explains the history of Kilkenny’s market cross erected in 1335, as recorded in the chronicle of Friar Clyn
McQuillan, Peter Trouble in Galmoy Peter McQuillan tackles the upheaval in rural areas around Glamoy 1819-1824.
McQuillan, Peter Freney the Robber Peter McQuillan talks about the 18th century highway man who left us his memoir.
McQuillan, Peter Friar Clyn and the Black Death, 1348 Peter McQuillan tells the story of the city’s great chronicler Friar John Clyn (aka Klynn), who left us an eye-witness account of the time when the Plague hit Kilkenny in the 14th century.
McQuillan, Peter Cromwell in Callan Peter McQuillan recounts the days when Oliver Cromwell’s troups took Callan in 1650.
McQuillan, Peter James Stephens Peter McQuillan tells the story of Kilkenny born engineer James Stephens, founder of the Irish Republican Brotherhood.
McQuillan, Peter Thomas MacDonagh Peter McQuillan explains the connection of poet, teacher and revolutionary Thomas McDonagh with Kilkenny, which led to the train station in the Marble City being named after him.
McQuillan, Peter A County Kilkenny Kidnap Peter McQuillan narrates the story of 18th century teenagers Catherine and Ann Kennedy and their chaperons turned kidnappers and rapists.
Neary, Paddy A Public Water Supply for Kilkenny City Appalling hygienic conditions leading to outbreaks of diphtheria and other illnesses in the city led to a badly needed installment of public water supply in the first decade of the 20th century, as Paddy Neary relates.
Neary, Paddy The Graveyard Enquiry Paddy Neary talks about a time when there were concerns about health and safety regarding the overcrowded cemeteries in the city of Kilkenny.
Neary, Paddy The Kavanaghs Paddy Neary recounts the story of his ancestors, the military Kavanagh family.
Neary, Paddy Lady Desart and Kilkenny Paddy Neary explains the impact of Jewish society lady and philanthropist on Kilkenny’s society during her lifetime.
Neary, Paddy The Night of the Big Wind in Kilkenny 1839 Paddy Neary talks about a ferocious storm in 1839 that became the measure for any storm to come.
Neary, Paddy St Patrick’s Day, 1903 Paddy Neary recounts the first St Patrick’s Day celebrations in 1903 organised by the Gaelic League, when pubs and businesses were closed for the occasion.
Neary, Paddy Kilkenny in August 1914 Paddy Neary talks about how the outbreak of the First World War affected the Marble City.
Neary, Paddy Kilkenny’s Railway Station Paddy Neary reminds the listeners of the history of Kilkenny’s railway station, founded in 1847.
Neary, Paddy Kilkenny’s First Senior Hurling Title Paddy Neary tells the listeners how the Kilkenny Hurling team won the 1904 title in 1906 against the odds.
Neary, Paddy Kilkenny Marble Works Paddy Neary sheds light on the history of one of Kilkenny’s finest export products.
Neary, Paddy The Merino Woollen Factory – An Old Kilkenny Industry Paddy Neary tells the story of how an English trained Kilkenny man established an woollen factory that trained its own workers from an early age and provided an early health service.
Neary, Paddy Lady Desart And Her Legacy to Kilkenny part 1 Paddy Neary reminds the listener of the co-operation of Otway Cuffe and Lady Ellen and their long-lasting impact on Co. Kilkenny.
Neary, Paddy Lady Desart And Her Legacy to Kilkenny part 2
Neary, Paddy Kilkenny Woodworkers Paddy Neary sheds light on the development of Irish woodworking industry in the early 20th century in Kilkenny.
Nolan, Pat The Slate Quarries Pat Nolan explains the historical importance of the slate quarries in Southwest Kilkenny, which provided roofing material to Westminster Abbey, Kilkenny Castle and Kells Priory, amongst others.
Nolan, Pat Early Motor Cars in Kilkenny Pat Nolan describes how the first car license plates were introduced to Kilkenny in 1903.
Nolan, Pat A Ballycallan Romance – The Story of Michael Dickson Pat Nolan tells the story of a 19th century love at first sight.
Nolan, Pat Compulsory Tillage Day Pat Nolan reminds the listener of the introduction and challenges of compulsory tillage day during World War II.
Tierney, Ann Elizabeth Butler, First Duchess of Ormond Ann Tierney talks about how Elizabeth Butler stood up to Oliver Cromwell in 1652.
Tierney, Ann Constantia Grierson Ann Tierney tells the listeners about the 18th century child prodigy, printer and poet.
Tierney, Ann John Carr Ann Tierney retells the story of a tragic infatuation between two visitors to 18th century Kilkenny.