Freshford, County Kilkenny facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Freshford
Achadh Úr (Irish)
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Village
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 Freshford
Location in Ireland
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| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Leinster |
| County | County Kilkenny |
| Elevation | 75 m (246 ft) |
| Population | 662 |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-1 (IST (WEST)) |
| Irish Grid Reference | S406649 |
Freshford (called Achadh Úr in Irish, meaning "fresh field") is a village in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is about 13 kilometers northwest of Kilkenny city. Freshford is located in a civil parish of the same name. It has a rich history, including an ancient monastery and a unique old church doorway.
Contents
Exploring Freshford's Past
Freshford has a very long history. It was once the site of a monastery, a place where monks lived and prayed. This monastery was built way back in the early 600s. The Irish name Achadh Úr has been spelled many ways over time, like Aghour or Awchoor.
Early Settlements and Invasions
Towards the end of the 700s, a group called the Ui Duach were forced out of the area. The Ui Bairche then took control again. In 836, Vikings arrived and attacked the area. They even burned the Church of St Lachtain. Later, in 899, a leader named Ceannfaeladh mac Cormac died. He was in charge of the church at Achadh.
In 1026, the Ui Bairche were defeated by another group called the Leixians. Soon after, the O'Braonains became the new leaders. But they were pushed back towards Castlecomer when the Normans arrived.
Important Church Meetings
In 1111, an important meeting of bishops, called a synod, happened in County Tipperary. This meeting changed how Ireland was divided into dioceses (areas managed by a bishop). Smaller dioceses disappeared, and Freshford became part of the larger diocese that included Kilkenny, Laois, and Offaly.
The Norman Arrival and Local Battles
A major battle took place near Freshford in 1169. Dermot McMurrough and his Norman allies fought against Domhnall McGiolla Padraig of Ossory. McMurrough won this three-day battle. People still wonder about the exact spot where this fight happened.
The Norman invasion also brought new families to Freshford. The Shortalls built Castles in places like Ballylarkin and Kilrush. The Purcell family settled in Lismaine, and the Grace family went to Tullaroan.
The doorway of St. Lachtain's in Freshford is very special. It is built in the Romanesque style. This style uses round arches and strong stone. This doorway is one of only two such designs left in Ireland. The other is at Clonfert. The doorway is made of sandstone. It is all that remains of the first church, built around 1100. The church you see today was built much later, in 1731. An old message above the door, written in Irish, asks for prayers for Niamh and Mathgamhan, who helped build the church.
Uppercourt Manor: A Grand House's Story
Uppercourt Manor is a large house built on the site of an old bishop's palace. This palace was first built in 1225. In 1553, a Protestant bishop named John Bale came to live there. But he left and never returned after five of his servants were killed.
After the bishop, the Shee family lived in Uppercourt for 100 years. In 1653, a soldier from Oliver Cromwell's army, Captain Sir George Askew, took over the manor. The Shees had to leave.
The house you see now was built around 1790 by Sir William Morris. Later, the Eyre family lived there from 1879 to 1918. Then, the Maher Brothers, Edward and Michael, bought it. They were builders and fixed up the house. They even let local sports events happen on the front lawn, which was very unusual then. The Maher brothers were grateful for their own success. They sold the property to the Mill Hill Fathers in 1932 for a very small amount of money. It then became a secondary school.
In 1989, the house was sold again. It was used to store and fix old furniture. The land around it became a hobby farm. The manor house has changed owners a few times since then. It was being fixed up to be a hotel. However, those plans did not work out. Today, the property is used to house people who need a place to stay.
The Freshford Cross: A Village Landmark
On the village green, you can see the base of the Freshford Cross. It was made of soft sandstone, but it is now very worn down. In 1622, a man named Lucas Shee from Uppercourt died. His wife, Ellen Butler, put up a cross to remember him. It was placed at the back entrance to Uppercourt. The street leading to that entrance is still called Buncrusha or Bohercrussia Street. These names mean "Base of the Cross" or "Road of the Cross" in Irish.
In 1790, Sir William Morris moved to Uppercourt. He had the cross moved to the village green. The cross had a message on it. It said that Ellen Butler had made the monument for her husband, Lucas Shee. It asked travelers to pray for their souls to have eternal rest.
St. Lachtain's Well: A Place of Healing
Saint Lachtain's Well, also known as Toberlachtain (Tobar Lachtain in Irish), is a holy well in Freshford. A holy well is a natural spring or well that people believe has special powers. This well is located in the townland of Moat, along the R693 road. It is an important historical site.
Local stories and old traditions say that the well could cure illnesses. People used to hold special festivals, called "patterns," at the well site. This continued until the 1800s.
Sports and Activities in Freshford
Freshford has an active sports community. The local Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) club is called St Lachtain's GAA. They have won the Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship twice, in 1961 and 1963. In 2010, St. Lachtain's played in the All-Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling Championship final. This big game took place in Croke Park.
Freshford also hosted the Irish Conker Championships for several years. This fun event started in 1999.
Notable People from Freshford
- Dr Joseph Lalor (1811–1886) was born in Freshford. He worked to improve asylums in Ireland. He was also a cousin of important political leaders, James Fintan Lalor and Peter Lalor.
- Dr Martin Tobin (born 1951) is a pulmonologist, a doctor who studies lungs, and a professor.
- John H. Tierney was a farmer and politician in Wisconsin, USA. He was born in Freshford and moved to America in 1851.
See also
In Spanish: Freshford para niños
