THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS Just five per cent of Irish business leaders think that forcing workers to return to offices will strengthen their teams. The finding comes amid a continuing push by some companies to restrict working-from-home policies, five years after the Covid pandemic upended the working model of many businesses. …

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BY CLAIR WHITTY Are you craving sugar and carbs or have been told that your pre-diabetic? It’s not the best news to get, but many of you can turn it around, maybe even preventing you from going on medication, just by making dietary and lifestyle changes. Your first step will be to take a look …

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Kilkenny County Council is proud to announce the official launch of 22 new affordable homes at the Abbey Hill development in Thomastown. These high-quality 2- and 3-bedroom houses are now available to eligible First-Time Buyers and those qualifying under the “Fresh Start” principle, through the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. Strategically located on Ladywell Street, …

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BY JOHN FITZGERALD The fictional Dr. Doolittle had the power to talk to the animals. Pure fantasy of course. And the mythical Pied Piper of Hamelin could compel the rats to leave an infested medieval town. But in Callan we had a man who could well be described as Doolittle and the Pied Piper rolled …

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Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th October | The Parade, Kilkenny City  The Savour Stage makes its eagerly awaited return to the Savour Kilkenny Food Festival 2025, bringing together some of Ireland’s most celebrated chefs, food writers, and culinary personalities for a weekend of food, creativity, and community spirit. Taking place on Saturday 25th and Sunday …

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This week, The Kilkenny Observer welcomes Keela Ayres with her short story ‘The long haul’. Keela first submitted a series of short stories while a student at The Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny.  By Keela Ayres “It’s not a bother to you Sadbh. He’ll open up to you for sure.” The sun cast its light over …

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Some Kilkenny folk will know where the Auxiliary Hospital is in Kilkenny. For those who are unsure as to the location, it is that building on Wolfe Tone Street with the Mick Minogue elephant artwork on the outside wall. The venue is home to T.A.S.K. TASK (Training and Support Kilkenny) is a full time rehabilitative …

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Danesfort out to upset the odds BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE Michael Lyng Motors IHC Final James Stephens vs Danesfort A place at the top table of Kilkenny club hurling is the prize on offer to the winners of this weekend’s Michael Lyng Motors Intermediate Hurling Championship Final in UPMC Nowlan Park.  Having negotiated …

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Loughs and Shamrocks tipped to claim final berths BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Championship Semi Finals Shamrocks 0-21 Dicksboro 1-16 The Palmerstown side got the scoreboard moving inside two minutes, Evan Cody gave the ball to Eoghan Moylan who spotted the run of Shane Stapleton.  The experienced attacker …

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1 point win secures final berth for city side BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Championship Semi Finals O’Loughlin Gaels 1-20, Mullinavat 2-16 There was no quarter given at headquarters in the first of the semifinals as O’Loughlin Gaels got over the line by the bare minimum against a …

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