Kilmallock is a historic and sporting town in south County Limerick, near the border with County Cork.
There is a Dominican Priory in the town and King's Castle (or King John's Castle).
The remains of medieval walls which encircled the settlement are still visible.
The nearest train station is in Charleville County Cork, just a few miles south west of Kilmallock.
Kilmallock sprang up around the 7th century abbey of St Mocheal and was once the third largest town in Ireland.
There is plenty to see here, including the 15th century tower house of Kings Castle, the nearby medieval stone mansion which was once the home of the prosperous town merchant, the 13th century Dominican Priory on the bank of the River Lubagh, and of course Blooms Gate which is the only surviving gate of the towns early fortification.
In 1571, the town was burned by the rebel Earl of Desmond during the Desmond Rebellions.
Seventy years later, during the Irish Confederate Wars, the Dominican Priory of Kilmallock was attacked and destroyed by a Parliamentary Army under Lord Inchiquinn in 1648.
Its noble ruins are the best known historic landmark of Kilmallock.
The local cemetery is the burial place of the famous eighteenth century poet Andrias Mac Craith better known as An Mangaire Sgach, whose most famous poem is "Sln le Migh", a song in praise of the entire Maigue valley when he was temporarily exiled from it.
The house where he died still stands at the bottom of Wolfe Tone Street, near the River Loobagh.
The house known as Tigh An Fhile has information panels about the poet at the doorway.
The town also has a small museum depicting the historic past of this once great Geraldine fortress town.
It is located on the way to the Dominican Priory.
During the Battle of Kilmallock the town saw bitter fighting in July 1922 during theIrish Civil War, when it was held by anti-Treaty forces underLiam deasy and eventually taken by Free State troops under Eoin ODuffy, which was an event which among others contributed to the dissolution of the short-lived Munster Republic.
Go back in time to enjoy the battle re-enactments at The Kilmallock Medieval Festival
Kilmallock plays host to the Medieval Festival from Friday 21 st August to Sunday 23 rd August 2009.
Tickets for the three day event, which will feature a medieval market, concerts, medieval re-enactments and a medieval fun day, are available from the Friars’ Gate Theatre.
The multi-period battle re-enactments, one of Ireland’s largest staged combat events, sees the town of Kilmallock come alive with over 200 performing participants camping over in the vicinity for the three days of the festival.
The various groups that descend on Kilmallock will re-enact battles from Roman, Norman and Medieval times, as well as the Irish and American wars of independence. The First and Second World Wars will also be represented among the many staged encounters that are on offer for the events thousands of visitors.
The groups of performers proudly wear the military uniforms of the period they are re-enacting, whilst also bringing a selection of military vehicles of the day.
The area which was of considerable importance in the late medieval period, positioning itself as one of the main towns in Ireland at the time, boasts a Dominican Priory and the famous King’s Castle, otherwise known as King John’s Castle. The remains of some of the medieval walls, which at one time surrounded the community, are also still visible to this day.
Re-enactment groups will travel to Kilmallock from all over Ireland, the UK and Europe, providing a colourful and enjoyable spectacle, with the staged battles taking place all day on the Saturday and Sunday.
The main Dublin to Cork railway line passes close by to the town, but the station at Kilmallock is now closed, with the nearest train station located in Charleville, County Cork, just a few miles south west of the town.
The best way to get to Kilmallock could be by using a Dublin car hire service available from most major cities, like Dublin, including the capitals airport too. From Dublin, head south west towards County Limerick, before carrying on to the beautiful town of Kilmallock to enjoy the historical re-enactments.
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