Photos by Tom Beirne At Fr. Jim Murphy’s Retirement Mass in St. Canice’s Church, Kilkenny on 24th August, the congregation was addressed by Catherine Brady on behalf of the Parish Council in the unavoidable absence of its Chairperson, John Shortall, to bid farewell and pass on good wishes to Fr. Jim. Catherine spoke to a …

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Fresh from appearing in the National Theatre with Tommy Tiernan in ‘The Cave’, Cavan native Aaron Monaghan travelled to Graignamanagh in Co. Kilkenny on Sunday 31stAugust where he facilitated a drama workshop on script analysis and physical theatre. Aaron is the artistic director and founder of Livin’ Dred Theatre and ensemble member of Druid Theatre …

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Little bodies need play, not stillness By Judith Ashton Many children have just started school and teachers see a lot of fidgeting. The infants being the “worst offenders”! It’s un-natural for a 3 – 6 year old to sit still for hours when the natural language of the body is movement, feeling and touch; these …

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BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR As two-thirds of retirees currently rely solely on the State pension, Ireland is gearing up for the launch of the ‘My Future Fund’ auto-enrolment scheme on January 1, 2026. This push towards compulsory pension enrolment will help many but it’s not a one-size-fits all. Many of you are wondering how …

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BY CLAIR WHITTY Are you thinking of running a marathon this year? Whether you are a seasoned runner or a beginner, a marathon is a significant goal, so approach it with patience, dedication and a well-rounded plan. A healthy marathon training plan involves following a balanced diet rich in wholefoods, lean proteins and essential fats …

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AS I SEE IT BY MARIANNE HERON They say travel broadens the mind. Maybe too, it broadens the perspective on things we might try here in Ireland, or that we could do better. Holidays can be a source of take-away ideas to bring back home. Getting to Dublin Airport is a case in point. Taking …

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THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS The discovery of the remains of a three-year-old boy after a two-week excavation in Donabate in north Dublin is tragic news. The boy had not been seen for the last four years, leading to Gardaí investigating, folowing a tip-off that the boy was buried near where the …

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Culture Night is the national collective event, for one night only, of FREE arts and cultural events taking place nationwide. It celebrates all that makes up the richness and diversity of culture in Ireland today, connecting people to cultural activities locally and nationally and opening up pathways to ongoing engagement. Culture Night Kilkenny invites you …

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Photos: Vicky Photography Teagasc and The Heritage Council annually run National Hedgerow Week, a week to highlight the value of hedgerows in our landscapes.  It is also an opportunity to bring together farmers, ecologists and the public to discuss hedgerows from a variety of perspectives. Events ran nationwide from Friday, the 29th of August and …

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Kilkenny County Council Library Service is delighted to announce the latest update to its much-loved outdoor reading initiative, Slí na Scéalta, with a brand-new story trail now installed at Kilkenny Countryside Park. The featured story, The Little Lost Cat’s Big Adventure in Kilkenny was written and illustrated by local Carol Ann Treacy. This enchanting tale follows the journey …

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