Mullinahone is situated roughly halfway between Clonmel and Kilkenny City, at the junction of the R690 and R692 roads. It is located in a low-lying broad valley area, for the most part, two to three hundred feet above sea level in South-East Tipperary. It reaches its highest point of 1,088 feet (332 m) on the mountain of Slievenamon, its southern boundary. The land for the most part is on a limestone base. This has 'karst' features, which means that it is fissured with many caves and underground streams, subjecting some areas to flooding in times of heavy rainfall.[citation needed]
Overlooking the northern boundary are the Slieveardagh hills and Ballingarry parish, while its western side is formed by some smaller hills such as Cappaghnagrane and Kilnagranagh and the parish of Drangan/Cloneen. To the east is Killamery (or Carrolls) hill together with a stretch of flat, often boggy land; its boundary with County Kilkenny county and Leinster. This modern parish is twenty-five square miles, area or 16,000 acres (65 km2).
In an extended form this whole area was called "An Cuimseanach" or Compsey in pre-Norman times, an ancient Gaelic word suggesting an enclosed valley area. The barony of Slieveardagh, now the electoral area, was known as the barony of Slieveardagh/Compsey in Anglo-Norman times.[citation needed]
The name of Mullinahone appears first as a settlement in the records of the "Hearth Money Rolls" in the years 1665 to 1667, then spelled as Moninehoan. The "Hearth Money Rolls" were a rent or tax on houses in the post-Cromwellian period. It was entered as a village or settled area of nine 'cabbins' with hearths, that is, permanent structures, which were not very common then it appears after the wars of the time. Just across the river (a tributary of the River Anner) was the main village of Killaghy, in what is now Fethard and Killaghy streets. Both were extensions of the worker/artisan settlements of Killaghy Castle and lands whose estate walls adjoin the modern town today. Killaghy has existed since the first lord of Killaghy or Compsey, named St Aubyn or Tobin, built his castle there in the 13th century.[citation needed]
There is one earlier mention of Mullinahone as a place name. This is dated 1551 in the Calendar of Justiciary Rolls (State papers then), regarding Inquisitions or trials held there. This was possibly at the old 13th century Norman keep in present-day Carrick St in Mullinahone townland. The Lord of Compsey was James Tobin, who was then (1551) Justiciar of County Tipperary. The Tobins were a Norman family.[citation needed]
Modern boundary
The modern parish was formed in the 18th century as the Catholic Church was re-organised when Penal Laws were relaxed. From 1772 it was joined with Drangan parish, then in 1826 it was separated again. The old Gaelic entity of Compsey extended as far as Glenbower and Ahenny in Grangemockler parish and also part of Cloneen and adjoining areas.
Mullinahone was on one of the two routes from Ossory to Cashel or Leinster to Munster in medieval times. Known as the Pass of Compsey in Norman times, the passage was by Callan and Modeshill and crossed the river at Mullinahone at the ford of Aghmonenahone under the old Norman keep in Carrick St., then on the high road by Cappaghnagrane to Fethard and Cashel. It was then a heavily wooded area. One of the first Tobins was instructed to cut down the woods of Killaghy by royal decree to "ensure safe passage for travellers" i.e. the army and supplies.
Feudal period
In 1317, the Scottish army of Robert and Edward de Bruce came through here with much pillage. It took a week for them to get from Callan to Cashel.[citation needed]
Cromwell's troops attacked "ye States' expense" in 1654. The Tobin estates were broken up then and most of the Tobin kinsmen were transplanted to Connacht.
The army of William of Orange camped near Mullinahone in 1691, and an order went out to 'burn the Compsey' as it was believed to harbour rapperees or highway men. The order was not carried out, however.[citation needed]
During the rebellion of 1798, there was an uprising on Carraigmoclear hill on Slievenamon, ending in defeat for the local men.[citation needed]
Great Famine
During the 1840s, the Great Famine caused many deaths in the parish, with perhaps a reduction of as much as 27% in population due to famine and emigration.[citation needed] Locally there were attempts at physical force movements in 1848 and 1867, influenced by local writer and patriot Charles Kickham.[citation needed]
Land War
During the Land War in the 1880s, Mullinahone suffered considerably from an excesses of landlordism.[citation needed] Tenant rights were achieved after the Government Land Acts were enacted.[citation needed]
The parish and people were also involved in the War of Independence from 1919 to 1922. A monument in the village square was erected to the memory of those who lost their lives in this period.[citation needed]
Places of interest
Killaghy Castle
Killaghy Castle, a Norman castle dating back to 1206, is a short distance from Mullinahone.[3] It was originally a motte-and-bailey (a man-made hill of earth with a fortified wooden house on top). Later in the 15th and 16th century, a tower house was built. The tower house was a tall slender castle of stone, and was built primarily for defence. During Tudor times in the 16th century, a long house was added. The 18th century saw the construction of two further buildings forming the structure of Killaghy Castle as it stands today. The castle has undergone extensive restoration. The castle was originally owned by the Despard family. It is now a self-catering business.
Mullinahone is the home of PAWS Animal Rescue,[4] the second largest dog sanctuary in Ireland, next to Dogs Trust Dublin. PAWS is a registered charity which rescues and provides new homes to abandoned and abused dogs.
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