Christmas, a hopeful time
Most Reverend Niall Coll, Catholic Bishop of Ossory. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus now, we also begin a Holy Year on Christmas Eve, called by Pope Francis, with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.” This is an invitation for us all to think about the journey in life we are on and the hope …
The Christmas Thief
The Kilkenny Observer Newspaper is delighted to present our ‘2024 Christmas short story series’. We invited five Kilkenny based writers to submit a short story each week over the last four weeks, which we hope you enjoyed. This is week five, and our final week. We welcome John Mac Kenna. The Observer wishes to thank: …
KILKENNY JUDO CLUB
BY MICHAEL O’LEARY This year, Kilkenny Judo Club celebrated 60 years in existence since the club was found in 1964. The Judo Club have had plenty of success throughout the past six decades with multiple All-Ireland Champions, and a multitude of competitors at International level. Richie Hogan and Paddy Dwyer from The Kilkenny Club competed …
LOTS TO LOOK FORWARD TO FOR THE YULEFEST FINALE WEEKEND
After another fantastic week at Yulefest Kilkenny which saw the Yulefest Movie Night on Canal Square, guest performances from John Spillane, the second night of Battle of the Buskers and beautiful crisp December weather which saw the Yulefest Christmas Market a flourish with people. Let’s take a look towards the upcoming finale weekend – Friday …
Fáilte Isteach at the Fr. McGrath Centre
Photos: jbs photos kilkenny It was the annual end of term Christmas bash at the Fr. McGrath Centre on Wednesday, when participants of the Fáilte Isteach English programme came together to celebrate the festive season. This international mix from around the globe was taking part in a programme to improve their spoken English language. The …
Tommy, a bestower of happiness
By Ger Cody The death has taken place of Tommy Harding, one of Kilkenny’s finest and most popular people. A true gentleman in every sense of the word, Tommy, quite simply, was a pleasure to know. Initially, I made his acquaintance through the SOS workshop. Later, whilst working at the Watergate theatre, I had a …
Bunbury lecture commemorates Ned Kennedy
The Inaugural Ned Kennedy Memorial Lecture, recently delivered by historian Turtle Bunbury, on the Irish emigrant was commemorative of our presence and contribution across the world. Not just in London, New York and Sydney as well-documented, but our political and economic service in the Caribbean, South America, our missionary work in South Africa, China, India …
Saoirse’s peculiar parcel
The Kilkenny Observer Newspaper is delighted to present our ‘2024 Christmas short story series’. We have invited five Kilkenny based writers to submit a short story over the coming weeks, which we hope you will enjoy. This is week four and we welcome Keela Ayres. By: Keela Ayres Saoirse is a frequent daydreamer and a stickler …
St Mary’s: Cathedral of Light
BY JOHN FITZGERALD (Part one) For Kilkenny, Christmas wouldn’t be the same without the chiming of the bells in St. Mary’s. Whether you hear them as a call to prayer, a reminder of an upcoming carol service; or just a harmonic interlude on a dark winter morning or evening, the sound has a soothing note to …
Light Up The Parish
Light Up The Parish is a vehicle charity run which will be held on Saturday the 14th December. Light Up The Parish aims to raise funds again this year for Saplings School Goresbridge Co. Kilkenny. Saplings School educate children with Autism and Complex Needs between the ages of 5 and 18 years. Saplings School offers …
