Browne will serve as the central draw for history lovers when he presents his talk, “Before Riverstick, there was Cullen…..”, on Sunday, August 23rd, from 2pm to 3pm at Cullen Graveyard (Eircode: P43 RX68).
Long before Riverstick became the community it is recognized as today, Cullen stood as a vital hub of spiritual, civil, and military life.
Standing on the historic grounds of Cullen Graveyard, Browne will bring these forgotten chapters of local history back to life, tracing the area’s development across more than a millennium.
Attendees will hear the story of the ancient monastic site founded by Saint Flann Fionn i Cuillinn, as well as the history surrounding Cullen Castle, which once stood proudly nearby. Browne will also examine the 19th and 20th-century history of the Church of Ireland and Rectory that occupied the site, offering a complete picture of how the local landscape evolved through the generations.
Central to Browne’s talk are the people who shaped the area’s rich story. He will shed light on the prominent figures who lived in and influenced the community, including the Rectors of Ballymartle and the famed GAA and Nationalist figure Denis Barry, along with several other notable local personalities.
For anyone curious about the roots of Riverstick, the heritage of County Cork, or the personal stories buried in local soil, Fergal Browne’s upcoming presentation promises to be an unmissable highlight of the summer calendar.
For further information regarding the event, contact the Kinsale Cultural and Heritage Society by email at kinsaleheritagesociety@gmail.com.