FÉILE LACHTAIN 2022
To commemorate the 1400th Anniversary of St. Lachtain’s death in 622, Freshford is hosting a year long programme of events and activities to celebrate St. Lachtain and the community.
March 19th
St. Lachtain’s Feast Day – Launch of Festival
A Church Service ‘Celebrating our Shared Christian Heritage’ opened in St. Lachtain’s Church of Ireland. The community participated in a procession up to St. Lachtain’s RC Church, where the ceremony was concluded. A reception was held afterwards in the Community Hall.
April 17th
Easter Event
In April the War of Independence Commemoration took place on the Green which included music, poetry and speeches detailing the events of the war in county Kilkenny including the Friary Street Ambush. The Kilkenny Flying Column Re-enactors also took part in the commemoration.
April 23rd & 24th
Kilkenny Fleadh Cheoil
Freshford was delighted to host the Kilkenny Fleadh Cheoil with musical events taking place on the Green, in the Community Hall and Church of Ireland.
May 6th
Edmund Fitzpatrick Book Launch and Exhibition
Renowned painter Edmund Fitzpatrick (1822 – 1896) was born in Freshford. Find out more here about the exhibition and book launch.
May 7th
Margaret Allen Day
Art Historian and writer Derville Murphy gave a wonderful talk about artist Margaret Allen (1832-1914), the first female honorary member of the Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts in Dublin.
May 20th
Lecture on St. Lachtain’s Church and Doorway
St. Lachtain’s Church Doorway is a unique and treasured Hiberno-Romanesque artefact. In May conservation architect Margaret Quinlan and Rachel Moss TCD Head of Department of Art History and Architecture came to Freshford to give a talk on the history of the building and the doorway which dates from c.1150.
June 11th
Children’s Art Workshop
As part of this year’s Cruinniú na nÓg, an open air art project was made on the Green. Led by artist Rachel Burke everybody collaborated on a painting celebrating St. Lachtain and Freshford landmarks.
June 12th
Plein Air on the Green
Artist Rachel Burke led an adult art workshop on the Green.
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 26th – St Lachtain’s Cemetery Mass at 11am
June 26th – Vintage Car Rally on the Green from 1pm
July 10th – Pilgrimage Walk to Church ruins at Clashacrow, Ballylarkin and Freshford
August 4th & 14th – Art Exhibition in conjunction with Kilkenny Arts Festival
August 15th (Heritage Week) – Lecture on ‘Excavations at St. Lachtain’s Church of Ireland’ by Colin Ó Drisceoil
August 19th (Heritage Week) – Launch of Mike Cormack’s book of parish photos and survey of home ownership 8pm Ionad Lachtain
Sept 9th – ‘Shrine of St. Lachtain’s Arm’ Lecture by Dr. Griffin Murray of UCC 7pm Ionad Lachtain.
Sept TBC – Unveiling of Commemorative stone benches
Oct 8th – Concert by The Rafter Family St. Lachtain’s RC Church 8pm
Oct 15th – St Canice’s Cathedral Choir and Organist at St. Lachtain’s Church of Ireland 8pm
November 2022 – Closing celebrations
