Kilkenny County Council Library Service and Age Action are delighted to be hosting GETTING STARTED classes in the fantastic new Mayfair Library. GETTING STARTED is a Digital Literacy Programme, designed to help older people improve their digital literacy skills, enabling them to stay connected, informed and supported, especially in an age where more and more information and services are online. …

177

“As we recover from this period of severe weather, I, as Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, would like to acknowledge and thank our Local Authority for their exceptional response to a plethora of issues over the past four days of extremely challenging conditions. The terrific team effort led by the Chief Executive, Director of Services, …

127

Cllr Maria Dollard is calling on the thousands of graduates in the South East to exercise their democratic vote by registering for the first ever register to vote in the Higher Education Constituency. For the first time ever, graduates of SETU and their legacy institutions, will be able to register to vote for the Higher …

130

Launching the scheme, Cathaoirleach Cllr. Michael McCarthy noted “Kilkenny’s year-round calendar of events represents a significant part of Kilkenny’s attraction as an always on destination and the funding is an investment in our local economy, supporting commercial activity and sustaining jobs”. Successful Applicants will clearly demonstrate how their planned events enhances Kilkenny’s tourism industry and …

128

BY JOHN FITZGERALD Every town and village in Ireland guards a treasure. It may not be gold, silver, or a cache of diamonds. More often than not it can be an heirloom, a prayer bush, a defining landmark, a hand-written poem; or some object of sentimental value to locals. A bugle takes pride of place …

341

Brian Kennedy outstanding as St Lachtain’s take title home BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE AIB All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship Final St Lachtain’s 1-18 Russell Rovers 0-16 Croke Park, Referee: Peter Owens (An Dún) St Lachtain’s, Freshford, Kilkenny, AIB All-Ireland Club Junior Hurling Champions 2024!  That has a lovely ring to it and I’d imagine …

186

As they said farewell to 2024, St John’s Community joined together to welcome 2025. The Kilkenny Observer was there to record the occasion.

135

By Ger Cody I cannot be certain how many times Milo Hennessy spoke about Epicurus. I would, however, hazard a guess that it didn’t happen too often. Epicurus, a Greek philosopher, was the author of an ethical philosophy of simple pleasure, friendship and retirement. One of the most famous quotes from the bold Epicurus was …

214

THE LAST WORD By Pat Coughlan In Kilkenny city and county, the medieval streets reflect a long history of serving the community and the nation. Many are drawn to the idea of public service. Being a Kilkenny County Councillor is seen as a noble opportunity to improve the community and influence its future. The aim …

177

FURTHERMORE  By Gerry Moran Back in 2022 I attended one of the most touching, and poignant, pieces of theatre I had been to in a long, long time. Called The Quiet Land it was produced by Barnstorm Theatre in the Home Rule Club as part of the launch of their lunchtime theatre as part of …

149