Kilmacthomas
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Kilmacthomas (Irish: Coill Mhic Thomáisín / Coill Mhic Thomáisfhinn), often simply called Kilmac', is a town built on the steep slopes on either sides of the River Mahon in County Waterford, in the Province of Munster, in Ireland (Éire /Poblacht na hÉireann).
It is reached by turning left off the main N 25 Dungarvan to Waterford Road. The town has a population of twelve hundred people, and it's main attraction is its waterfall, the beautiful Mahon Falls.
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[edit] History
During the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland, in December, 1649, Oliver Cromwell, marched from Waterford to Kilmacthomas during the Siege of Waterford. The weather was wet and stormy and the river was in flood, so the army couldn't cross. Two nights were spent in the field that is now the public park.
Daniel O'Connell passed through Kilmac' on a campaign trail and he wrote: We breakfasted at Kilmacthomas, a town belonging to the Beresfords but the people belong to us. They came out to meet us with green boughs and such shouting you can have no idea of. I harangued them from the window of the inn, and we had a good deal of laughing at the bloody Beresfords. Judge what the popular feeling must be when in this, a Beresford town, every man their tenant, we had such a reception. Source. Letter from Daniel O’Connell to his wife about campaigning in Co Waterford, 19 June 1826, Irish Monthly 12 (1884) 216.
[edit] Geography
The village is situated on the River Mahon, the eastbank is known as Irishtown and the westbank as BaileSheáinín. The postal area of Kilmacthomas can include Newtown, Ballylaneen, Lemybrien, Kill, Mahon Bridge, The Nire, and Kilrossanty.
It is located halfway between Waterford City and the county capital; Dungarvan. West of the village are the foothills of the Comeragh mountains, while five miles to the south is the 'Copper Coast' with the Blue Flag beach of Bonmahon / Bunmahon(Bún Machan).
[edit] Economy
- The town is famous for its Flahavans Porridge Factory. Flahavan's have been milling Irish oats for 200 years, supplying breakfast porridge for generations.
- Alaska Fireplaces make fireplaces at a very cold spot in kilmacthomas (hence the name) which are sold all around the country. Now located in the Poor House.
[edit] Education
There are four schools in Kilmacthomas. St Declan's Community College is the largest second level school in the county area. The (Kilmac') Convent Primary and The Kilmacthomas Boys' N.S. cater for the younger children, while the pre-school boys and girls attend the Naíonra on the High Road.
[edit] Bars
Pubs in the town include: Powers, Dannys (Kirwans), Kielys, Keetings/Lynns (Main Street), Philomena Flynns (Newtown), Morrisseys (the Square),Lenihans (Newtown) and Harleys Bar (River Street, Hackensack, New Jersey (official bar to Kilmac Déise in the USA) )
[edit] Sports clubs
Gaelic Athletic Association Clubs:
- John Mitchels GAA Club, Kilnagrange, Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford
- Kilmacthomas GAA Club, Union Road, Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford
- Kilmacthomas Juvenile GAA Club, Union Road, Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford
- Saint Mary's Juvenile GAA Club, Dunphy's Pub, Newtown, Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford
[edit] Celebrities
- Lord of the Dance and Feet Of Flames Original Lead Gillian Norris currently lives and works in Kilmacthomas, where she runs her own beauty Salon and Spa.
