The enthusiasm of Christmas Eve
Christmas has been part of all our lives as far back as we can remember. We can all remember the trepidation, the nervousness and that sleepless Christmas eve night waiting for the big man in the red coat to comes down that chimney, and leave under the tree that one thing you have always wished …
The candle in the window
In every household when Christmas eve is upon us the tradition of putting the candle in the window is something, we all remember. Pulling back the net curtains to light a ‘real candle’ with a flame that would put the heart crossways in the fire chief. So, what does this Celtic folklore tradition mean? The …
Shamrocks snuff out Rangers threat
BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR Offaly champs St Rynaghs next up for Ballyhale AIB Leinster SHC quarter-final Mount Leinster Rangers 0-16 Ballyhale Shamrocks 0-22 Reigning All- Ireland club hurling champions, Shamrocks of Ballyhale secured a semi-final berth in the Provincial series, with a hard-fought 6-point victory over Carlow kingpins, Mount Leinster Rangers at a cold …
Sheldon Walsh’s ass
In our continuing ‘Countdown to Christmas’ , The Kilkenny Observer is delighted to welcome Joe Kearney as our second contributor in our Christmas short story section. Enjoy by Joe Kearney I have a great love for old church interiors and sacred music. The seeds of this passion were sown in Callan. My grandmother was a …
Are you game for Top of the Class?
Play, learn, and have fun with the new Irish board game Top of the Class, set to be at the top of everyone’s Christmas list this year Two friends with strong Kilkenny links have launched an exciting new Irish board game, Top of the Class, ahead of the busy Christmas season. The game incorporates family fun and …
Once again, women and children were discounted
AS I SEE IT BY MARIANNE HERON IT is said that mistakes are a learning experience. Maybe it would be more accurate to say that they can be … sometimes the same mistakes keep getting made over and over again without the learning so that things would to be done differently next time around. Addressing …
So, would you like a long weekend every week?
Guest Columnist John Donoghue THE war for talent is heating up. It feels like every day begins with a new jobs announcement. Employers are competing for talent like never before and driving unsustainable wage inflation in the economy. Competition creates innovation, and the next battleground for talent may well be working time. Who will be …
Eating healthily at Christmas
BY ANDREW MCDONALD HYPNOTHERAPIST YULETIDE is a time of indulgence. The one period of the year where everyone, or so it seems, expects and is expected to eat, drink and be merry. That said, for some people this goes against their daily practice. Obviously there are parts of the globe which enjoy festivities at other …
Christmas toys, and the one Santa never brought me
THE FACT OF THE MATTER PAUL HOPKINS Meccano, the must-have toy for every self-respecting boy in the Christmases of my youth, celebrates its 120th birthday this year and is still one of the biggest selling toys at this time of year. Also a staple in Santa’s sack is Lego, voted a year back by a …
Natural gift ideas
BY CLAIR WHITTY Throw your arms around your loved ones this Christmas time, give the gift of wellness. At Natural Health Store we have lots of gift ideas for you and your family, available in store and online. A hamper is always a great idea and we have a lovely selection for you to choose …
