Alternative Protestants and the Spirit of 1798
THE LAST WORD By Pat Coughlan In 1798, the United Irishmen sought independence from British rule. Inspired by the French and American revolutions, they advocated fair voting, religious equality, and equal rights, uniting diverse backgrounds for freedom. Leaders included Theobald Wolfe Tone, Henry Joy McCracken, Lord Edward FitzGerald, James Napper Tandy, and Robert Emmet. However, …
Life is not all about money, is it?
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR Escalating energy costs and rising living expenses are placing financial strain on households, driving many to reconsider daily budgets and lifestyle changes. Income disparity continues to drive poverty rates, leaving many households unable to meet basic needs. Housing costs remain inflated, aggravated by a low housing supply and high rent …
Plenty to look forward to this festive season with Yulefest programme announcement
Celebrate Christmas in Kilkenny with Yulefest! With a weekly Christmas Market, live music on the Yulefest Live Music Stage, family entertainment and lots of special events throughout December. Yulefest begins with Santa’s arrival to the city on November 30th, launching the Yulefest Christmas Market, which runs each weekend until December 22nd. Decorated wooden huts, and …
Children falling through cracks of care system
AS I SEE IT BY MARIANNE HERON The unanswered question in many of our minds is how can a child like Kyran Durnin disappear but the alarm is only sounded two years later? The six-year-old boy who had been attending school in Dundalk was last seen in May/June 2022. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency …
Palimpsest
A permanent public art sculpture by artist Pauline O’Connell in the Mayfair City Library, Kilkenny. As part of The Per Cent for Art Scheme for The Mayfair City Library, Kilkenny, ‘Palimpsest’ (a cultural project that creatively intertwines history, music, literature, sculpture and social engagement) by Kilkenny-based visual artist Pauline O Connell was commissioned in 2024 …
Kilkenny men and women remembered on Armistice day
The Kilkenny Great War Memorial committee will host a commemoration to honour Armistice day this Sunday. The following is a statement received by The Observer from their committee Another year has passed and November is here again. Looking at the memorial in the Peace Park to the over 800 men and women from Kilkenny who …
Why inquiry into how we handled Covid bugs me
THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS Do I need an inquiry into the State’s handling of Covid-19 for me to understand that I had the rogue microbe inside me three times in two years; that the first six months of lockdown had me virtually alone and certainly petrified because I was among the …
Battle Of The Bands 2024 – The Final
THIS coming Sunday sees the final of the Battle Of The Bands where four local acts will take to the stage at Hackett’s Bar, Parliament Street, in a bid to claim the top prize of recording time at Crossroads Recording Studios. It looks to be an intense competition with four well accomplished live acts ready …
Time to say “sorry” to Petronella?
BY JOHN FITZGERALD This month we recall a dark day in the history of Kilkenny. The burning alive of a woman erroneously accused of witchcraft 700 years ago is still source of shame, horror, and bafflement even today. The Kilkenny Heritage Walkers had their own tribute to Petronella on Saturday, enacted by veteran member Marianne Kelly. Marianne took a large …
Looking after the man in your life
BY CLAIR WHITTY Looking after the man in your life doesn’t mean handing the responsibility over to someone else. It means you. You need to look after yourself. My top tips to help you do this include maintain a balanced diet, get regular exercise, stay on top of medical screenings, protect your mental health, sleep …
