# Mullinavat

Mullinavat (Irish: Muileann an Bhata, meaning 'mill of the stick') is a town in south County Kilkenny, Ireland. Its main industries are tourism and agriculture. The town's name in Irish translates as 'mill of the stick' which, according to local tradition, may refer to a mill which could only be approached by means of a rough stick over the Glendonnel River, close to where Mullinavat Bridge is now located.

## Geography

The town and townland of Mullinavat, in County Kilkenny, lie in the electoral division of Killahy, in the civil parish of Kilbeacon in the historical Barony of Knocktopher. The civil parishes of Kilahy and Rossinan are nearby. Mullinavat is approximately 12 km (7 mi) north of Waterford.
Two streams, Abhainn na Bhata and the Poulanassa River, join the Blackwater River to the south of Mullinavat. Other local geographic features include Tory Hill (Sliabh gCruinn meaning 'round mountain') which rises to 290 metres above sea level. This hill is said to have derived its name from an outlaw named Edmund Den, who was active in the area around the year 1700. There is a pattern held each year on Tory Hill on the second Sunday of July. This is locally called 'Tory Hill Sunday' and 'Frocchans Sunday'. It was not previously a religious celebration, but consisted of local people gathering to pick the wild berries called 'Frocchans'. In the "holy year" of 1950, a large cross was erected on the summit of the hill, and since then the rosary had been said by the people who gather beneath the cross.
Named after 'Fort of the Wren', nearby Listrolin is in the Walsh Mountains, overlooking Mullinavat, Mooncoin, Kilmacow and Tempelorum. Listrolin and the Walsh Mountains were acquired by the Walsh family when they landed in Ireland with Strongbow in the 12th century. This area was controlled by the family until the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland in the 17th century. It was once home to several castles owned by the family's descendants. In 1946, the townlands of Clonassy, Listrolin and Rochestown were annexed from Mooncoin, becoming part of Mullinavat district parish. The ancient church of this district stood in Listrrolin, in the laneway leading over the Assy River to Ballinacoaley.

## History

Evidence of ancient settlement in the area includes a number of fulacht fiadh, enclosure and ringfort sites in the surrounding townlands of Deerpark, Garrandarragh and Glendonnell.
Mullinavat (Irish: Muileann an Bhata, meaning 'mill of the stick') was historically associated with milling, and 19th century saw mill and corn mill buildings still stand in Mullinavat and Glendonnell townlands. The local church, Saint Beacon's Catholic Church in Garrandarragh, dates to c. 1890. A 19th century Church of Ireland church, outside the town, was demolished in the 20th century - though its graveyard remains. These churches, and Kilbeacon parish, are historically associated with Saint Beacon (Bécán).
Clonassey Castle is located in the area, and the remains of the foundations are to be seen in what is still known as the 'Castle Field'. Its last occupant was Robert Walsh, Member of Parliament for the County Kilkenny constituency in the Parliament of Ireland of 1689. He was killed at the siege of Limerick in 1691.
Inchicarron (or Inchacarran) Castle, to the east of Mullinavat, was occupied by poet John Mac Walter Walsh. He was known as 'Tatter Jack Walsh', Tatter meaning father or head of the clan. Only one of his poems survives, but the name of the best-known Walsh dance tune is still 'Tatter Jack Walsh'. In his old age, his property was confiscated, and he betook himself to friends in Lismatigue. He died in 1660 and was reputedly buried in Kilbeacon cemetery.

## Transport

The area is served by Bus Éireann route 4, which travels each way from Dublin to Carlow, Waterford and New Ross. Despite campaigns, there is no commuter service to Waterford from Mullinavat.
Mullinavat is located on the R448 Naas–Waterford road. The town was by-passed in July 2010 when the Kilkenny–Waterford section of the M9 motorway opened. It is at junction 11 of the motorway. The R704 road goes to New Ross.
Although the Dublin–Waterford railway line runs through the town, there is no longer a station. Mullinavat railway station opened in May 1853 and closed in early 1963. Now disused and in a state of disrepair, Mullinavat station is included on the Record of Protected Structures maintained by Kilkenny County Council.

## Sport

Mullinavat Football Club was formed in 1887. Gaelic football was the dominant sport in the parish until around 1913 when a hurling team from Mullinavat entered the Junior championship for the first time. The present pitch, used by Mullinavat GAA club, was bought in 1953.

## Amenities and economy

There are two national (primary) schools serving the area: St. Beacon's National School and St. Colmcille's National School. The nearest secondary school is in Ballyhale.
The main economic activities are services, tourism, construction and agriculture. Public services include a health centre, credit union, post office, restaurant and a number of public houses. There is also a Teagasc office in the area.
Mulinavat is in an area of productive land, which is used for agriculture and forestry. The main tillage crops include barley, oats, wheat, miscanthus and maize. Production of sugarbeet stopped with the closure of the Carlow sugar plant. Dairy farming is also important with most milk being supplied to Tirlán. There is also beef or livestock farming.
Afforestation in the area has been undertaken by Coillte. Forestry has been important in Mullinavat since the 1960s, mainly conifer plantations. Government policy has also promoted the development of deciduous woodland using species such as oak, beech and ash.