Historical Postcard Collection: Tipperary - C.J. Kickham Monument
Bailiúchán Chártaí Poist Stairiúla: Tiobraid Árann – Leacht Kickham
This statue in Kickham Place commemorates the author of one of the country's most famous and best-loved books, "Knocknagow". Charles J. Kickham's popularity was further enhanced among his countymen through his heavy involvement with the revolutionary movement, namely the Fenians.
His Early Rebel Years
Born in Mullinahone in 1828, Kickham served the apprenticeship of a rebel from an early age. When he was 15 his sight and hearing were permanently damaged when a can of gunpowder he was attempting to dry exploded. His disabilities did not deter him from involvement in his literary or revolutionary endeavours, however. Following the ill-fated 1848 rising in the Widow Cormack's in Ballingarry, Kickham was forced to live the life of a fugitive for a time. He later became firm friends with John O'Leary, and spent a time working on the Fenian newspaper, "The Irish People". In 1865 he was found guilty of treason and spent four years in Pentonville Prison, having been released early due to his failing health.
Literary Achievements
The remaining years of his life were spent writing, and, along with "Knocknagow", his best-loved works include "The Irish Peasant Girl" and "Slievenamon", the song most synonymous with Co. Tipperary. Kickham died in 1882, and is buried in his native parish, Mullinahone.
Shortly after his death, plans were made in Tipperary Town to erect a monument to his memory, and the commission was granted to John Hughes, R.H.A. The life-size statue was unveiled on 27 November 1898, and the occasion was marked by a huge nationalist demonstration, which was addressed by Kickham's old comrade, John O'Leary. In the years that followed, the monument was used as the site for all kinds of political gatherings.
Source – Marnane, "Guide to Tipperary Town"
Sources - Marnane, "A Signposted Walking Tour of Tipperary Town"; Doyle, "Fragments"; Bassett, "County Tipperary Directory"
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last updated on: Tuesday, 03-Aug-2010 15:40:10 IST
Déanann an dealbh seo i bPlásóg Kickham cuimhneacháin ar an údar ar cheann de na leabhair is cáiliúla agus is mó toir air sa tír, "Knocknagow". D’fhás cliú agus cáil Charles J. Kickham toisc a bhaint leis na Finínigh.
A Bhlianta Luath Réabhlóideacha
Rugadh Kickham i Muileann na hUamhan in 1828 agus bhí sé ina reibiliúnach ó aos óg. Ba bheag nár chaill sé radharc a súl agus a éisteacht agus é 15 bliana d’aois nuair a phléasc canna phúdar gunna a bhí á trimiú aige. Níor chuir a mhíchumas isteach ar a shaol réabhlóideach nó liteartha, áfach. Tar éis Éirí Amach 1848 i dteach Bhean Chormaic i mBaile an Gharraí, bhí ar Kickham maireachtáil mar theifeach. Bhí sé ina chara dílis do John O'Leary, agus chaith sé seal ag obair ar nuachtán na bhFiníneach, "The Irish People". In 1865 cuireadh ina leith agus chaith sé ceithre bhliain i bPríosún Pentonville Prison. Scaoileadh saor é luath toisc a shláinte.
Éachtaí Liteartha
Chaith sé an cuid eile dá shaol ag scríobh agus, maille le "Knocknagow", tá cliú agus cail ar "The Irish Peasant Girl" agus "Slievenamon", an t-amhrán is mó bainteach le Tiobraid Árann. D’éag Kickham in 1882, agus tá sé curtha ina pharóiste dúchais, Muileann na hUamhan.
I ndiaidh a bháis, bhí plean ann i mBaile Thiobraid Árann leacht chuimhneacháin a thógáil. Tugadh an coimisiúin do John Hughes, R.H.A. Bhí an nochtadh deilbhe, atá ar chomh-mhéid leis an fear féin, ar 27 Samhain 1898, agus bhí agóid mhór náisiúnach ann ag a labhair seanchara Kickham, John O'Leary. Sna blianta a lean, ba shuíomh le haghaidh gach sórt cruinnithe poiblí an leacht.
Foinse – Marnane, "Guide to Tipperary Town"
Foinsí - Marnane, "A Signposted Walking Tour of Tipperary Town"; Doyle, "Fragments"; Bassett, "County Tipperary Directory"
nuashonraithe ar: Tuesday, 03-Aug-2010 15:40:10 IST