AS I SEE IT BY MARIANNE HERON The assassination of rightwing commentator Charlie Kirk was described by Utah’s Governor Spencer Cox as “a watershed moment”. His words came as a warning to stop, take heed and realise that cataclysmic change is rapidly becoming irreversible. Like Malcom Gladwell’s Tipping Point, ideas can be like a virus …

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THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS The referenda on marriage equality and the repeal of the Eighth Amendment, in the last 10 years, saw young people turn out in their droves, even hastening home from abroad – on borrowed money – to exercise their democratic right. Those referenda outcomes were not a vote …

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Kilkenny County Council Library Service were delighted to be informed that the Mayfair Library has been awarded gold certification under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). LEED is an internationally renowned programme that recognises buildings that achieve excellence in sustainability, energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. “We are delighted to receive this award” says …

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By Judith Ashton Many anxious parents await their precious offspring’s weekend return home from college with a mixture of trepidation and joy. It’s been their first foray out in the big wide world and you’re dying to know how they survived. It’s a minefield out there and seasoned parents know that the most important thing …

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The Kilkenny Observer met with Mayor John Coonan to discuss the urgently needed bus shelter at Loughboy, and he kindly responded to the concerns. “I have consistently raised and advocated for the prioritized installation of the bus shelters and am pleased to see progress being made,” said Mayor John Coonan. The city will install eight …

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Being elected to the Council and to serve the people of Kilkenny is a great honour. One need only look back on the last 50 plus years and you will see great Councillors, men and women, who did amazing work for the city and county and whose job as ambassadors for the black and amber …

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The Butts town team held an end of summer party for the Community on Sunday the 21st of September. The event was held in the Community House at 19 Pearse Street. This house is part of the Butts regeneration plan for the community. Marie Smith, community liaison officer, works from this space where members of …

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Thomastown bow out after QF beating BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Championship Quarter Finals The final four on Noreside became clear after a weekend of action in the St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Championship Quarter Finals.  The big headline was the dethroning of County champions Thomastown, who …

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FURTHERMORE By Gerry Moran You know when you watch a movie, or documentary, that requires your pin number because there may be scenes (usually of a sexual violent nature) that could prove upsetting to some viewers. And you do. And after the credits have rolled the following appears on your screen: ‘If you have been …

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BY JOHN FITZGERALD (Part one) As if rationing and belt-tightening weren’t challenging enough, another headache lay in store for neutral Ireland…twenty- seven months into the war. In the winter of 1941, as the German Army shivered and froze in the snowy wastes of Russia, an outbreak of foot and mouth disease ravaged Irish agriculture. Meat …

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