Kilcullen Diary: Scoil Bhride rebels and redcoats march on Old Kilcullen

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Thursday, May 23, 2024

Scoil Bhride rebels and redcoats march on Old Kilcullen

Around a hundred pupils from Scoil Bhride made the school's annual walk to Old Kilcullen today to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Old Kilcullen, writes Brian Byrne.

The battle was one of the first engagements in the 1798 rebellion and took place on the 24th of May, with two separate clashes between the United Irishmen and the forces of the Crown.

Prior to their walk, local historian and retired teacher Gerry O'Donoghue briefed the children on the battle and its significance, and later at the tower he showed them locations which were part of the battlefield. "They were very knowledgable and enthusiastic about this piece of their local history," he told the Diary. "Their teachers have had them well prepared over the past weeks."

Several members of the group were dressed as rebels and redcoats for the occasion, leading to bemused glances from passing cars as they marched up to Thompson's Cross on their way to fight. As they approached the tower area, once again the hill resounded to shouts of "Up the Rebels!"

The children also had their picnic lunches at the graveyard around the tower before marching back to school.