Looking Back: The Liberator's Progress Homewards (1844)
(From a Kilcullen Correspondent)
Kilcullen, April 10. This town and neighbourhood have been sadly disappointed by the Liberator passing through at so early an hour this day on his return from Cork; for although the highminded and spirited people in and around here did immortal honour to themselves and nobly sustained the character so deservedly awarded to them for "patriotism of the first order," by the very enthusiastic manner in which they did homage to O'Connell on Friday last on his way to Cork, being led to understand that he would, on his return, spend the evening and night in Kilcullen, they were determined to present him with another unequivocal proof of their attachment and regard such as could not fail convincing him that he possessed their most unbounded confidence, and to cheer him on in his almost superhuman labours for his country's regeneration.
From an early hour all were engaged in cleaning, ornamenting, and in other respects preparing their windows for the illuminations.
In addition to the amateur band of the town, those of Athgarvan, Brannickstown, and Harristown were to attend, such of which was, of course, to be accompanied by thousands from their respective localities; in fact, whatever could be thought of calculated to give eclat to the scene, or add to the compliment intended for the illustrious visitor, was in requisition.
But about one o'clock the cheering in the distance, and shortly after the rapid approach of a coach and four, together with acclamtions in the streets of 'O'Connell,' put an end to all further proceedings, and though every possible means were taken to apprise the surrounding districts of his unexpected arrival and departure, the town was all life and animation until a very late hour, when all returned orderly and peaceably to their homes.
— Freemans Journal 13.04.1844.
(Credit to Dave Byrne, who took the time to trawl through Ireland's old newspapers for reports about Kilcullen.)
