Kilkenny Castle Park Festivities at St. Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny

Kilkenny Castle Park will play host to a range of activities across St. Patrick’s week. With American Marching Bands on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday and the new special Castle Park Festivities on St. Patrick’s Day March 17th.

On the day the Castle will be hosting a whole day of family fun. Visitors can travel through time with Vintage Car displays and Viking reenactments. Enjoy family friendly street entertainment or play dress up for the perfect pic. An ideal momento of the day. Kilkenny Castle Park events are taking place throughout the day beginning at 11am so it’s a great pre and post parade activity or a quieter way to spend the afternoon if Parade crowds are not your thing.

is year’s St. Patrick’s Festival has a packed schedule of events for all the family March 15th- 19th. A representation of the county, our culture, community and creativity. With many free events and our biggest St. Patrick’s Day yet! From the Parades to the Castle Park Festivities there is so much happening around the city and county!”

For more information and to plan your festival week and St. Patrick’s Day check out www.stpatricksfestivalkilkenny.com would pick up a few shillings here and there droving other farmer’s cattle to the various Fairs - then the only outlet for beasts of all kinds. She remembered a few quiet chats with Bridie, Simon Flynn’s sister, after Mass. is straight forward girl {a bit like the Babsie!} – only older – had put her wise on a few very important points – one’s that Molly had no idea anybody else would be interested in – or have knowledge of. e two had been friends at school, and Simon’s name often cropped up – and it looked like Miss Flynn was also in the matchmaking business! Albeit in a very junior fashion. But Molly had just smiled to herself when ‘the brother’ was mentioned – quietly observing Miss F – who was carefully observing her! Such were the ways of young ladies, of the day. Probably still the same – but we clumsy men-creatures are mostly excluded from the female rituals. And proper order, too! Bridie knew that her brother would ‘travel’ one day – and a good girl was going to be put in his path - straight in front of him – if she could at all arrange it! No way did that ‘Babsie-like’ maiden would want anything as important as a potential sister-in-law left to chance. ‘Chance’, reckoned the cute Bridie, ‘might be a ne thing.’ But nowhere near as sweetly comforting as ‘a dead cert’… But , the old ‘ransom’ or ‘girl auction’ – which was basically what the dowry system was, back in the late 1800s early ‘90s. Molly wasn’t yet fteen – but a girl could be dragged to the altar at twelve, under the British law then pertaining. I’ve yet to read about any brave saggarth putting his record or safety on the line for a child-girl in such a horrible situation. I don’t think I’ll be hearing about such a courageous fellow anytime soon… But earlier tonight the trap was prepared for her. Sadly – she was the bait… So, run they must….

“Right, Babsie, we go down now. If father wakes up, I’ll do the talking – you run back up to the room here, I’ll try and cod him you’re sick. Do a bit of bawling and hegging – that should come easy enough to you!” A bit of a scowl from ‘Little Miss Sweetie Chops” at that – the wilful small madam not happy to let it pass – but having to! Wasn’t the lazy MeeMee Pussens unknowingly waiting to be brought along? Babsie would seldom keep her saucy little trap shut – but daren’t chance an argument in the dire situation they were in –so, silently she followed big sis down the gloomy dark stairs. Her right hand slid along the bannisters, feeling her way. In her left hand she carried her dearly departed mother’s handbag – all they had to remind them that she’d once been there to love and protect them. Now they had to make their own way, and a dangerous way it was –and would continue to be, for some time. But, young as she was, Babsie had a good grip on reality. And that this was their only chance. e bag, reader, in case you missed the relevant chapter – was for MeeMee. ey well knew the thirteen steps down to the kitchen – neither girl needed reminding of the third squeaky one from the bottom – that had to be carefully ‘stepped-over.’

Down now in the kitchen, where just the faintest icker from the dying re helped them negotiate the few chairs. MeeMee was lying there, her tail almost in the ashes, no doubt dreaming away about handy milk and slow mice. Not a geek out of her as Babsie lifted her up, and slid her into mammy’s bag, which Molly was holding open.

Moll now stabilised on her feet, - then the gun gently touched her shoulder ………. To be continued….

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