By Professor Timothy Snyder, historian THE creation of Solidarity is one of the most important events in the history of Poland and the world at the end of the 20th century. It became a moment that changed the essence of the Leninist system. Before that, the communist party had a monopoly on power. This changed …

WITH THE promptings and support of people like Newpark man Murty Brennan our city now has a thriving Polish Community with numbers rocketing to 1,200 plus. A relationship between kindred spirits, fostered and driven by the pro-active Polish Embassy in Dublin, meant that Polish families came here to live and work and very quickly became …

THE KILKENNY relation of Bram Stoker, the writer who created Count Dracula in the late 1800s is continuing to follow in the footsteps of his famous extended family member. Frank Salmon of Essaness Music, St Kieran’s Street, Kilkenny has just published his second children’s book, a brilliant follow-up to his very successful writing debut, The …

IT MAY be too late but it would not be at all surprising if Big Phil Hogan were to give up golf and dining as part of his New Year wishes for 2021. And who could blame him? For it was a combination of the former allied to a few car journeys that were to …

THERE’S good news for Kilkenny’s classical teens as the Top Security Frank Maher Classical Music Awards for sixth years goes ahead with a €5,000 prize for the winner. Violinist Mia Cooper, leader of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra (pictured) was at the photo call to launch the search for entries. The county has had one finalist, …

SINN FÉIN spokesperson on Children, Disability, Equality and Integration Kathleen Funchion TD has warned that no child can be left behind as schools reopen. “Despite the fact that the new school term has begun, a number of key issues remain unanswered about how children with special educational needs can return to school safely. “I have …

WHEN the lads came to the front door collecting for the swimming pool we gave them a bucket of water. At some time or other it is a line that may have been delivered by Dame John Coogan in Deenside Players annual pantomime. Sadly, not early next year as Covid restrictions deem that a great …

A WARRIOR of sport who says he has never feared anyone in a boxing ring or on a hurling pitch has told The Kilkenny Observer that he is frightened out of his wits by Coronavirus. “The big advantage this roving killer has is that it is impossible to land a punch on him or her …

THERE must be a hole in the mind-set of the 80 or so attendees who flocked to the Oireachtas Golf Society Dinner in Clifden, Galway. Speaker was local Sinn Féin TD, Kathleen Funchion who said the list included current and former FF and FG TDs and Senators. Also there were a Supreme Court Judge, retired …

HOSPITAL staff members who were applauded as medical marvels have become spin doctors in a bid to focus on patients and charities that support the vulnerable. A nationwide 200 kilometre sponsored cycle is also a thank you to everybody who is supporting a war with Covid. As a gesture of appreciation, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) …