Features

Carlow Little Theatre presents a weekend of one-acts
Carlow Little Theatre Society are delighted to present the world premiere of two exciting new plays, the winner of our 2023 International One-Act Playwriting Competition, ‘Lox and Loaded’ a comedy by US writers William A. Smith and Andrew R. Looney, and our entry to the All-Ireland One Act Festivals 2023, ‘Heiligenstadt’, a drama by Kilkenny …

Dealing with mental illness at the core of O’Rourkes indigestion
This play has been described as sensitive, hilarious, intelligent, absolutely compelling and refreshingly forthright. A man, whose name we never hear, tells us his story of a life, always slightly out of his control… By Ger Cody Earlier this year, I travelled to Smock Alley theatre in Dublin to see Seamus O’Rourke in his one …

Kilkenny-born playwright and author Michael Egan 1895-1956
By Ned Egan Part 2 THE RECENT DEATH OF NED KENNEDY BROUGHT IMMENSE SADNESS TO THE KILKENNY POPULATION RECENTLY. Ned was a native of Freshford and a long-time member of the Kilkenny Archaeological society. His published works include: Tullaroan, Memories of the Second Millenium(2002) With Ned Young; The Land Movement in Tullaroan County Kilkenny,( 2004); …

The art of sport
Curated by Anna O’Sullivan Butler Gallery, Evans’ Home, John’s Quay, Kilkenny Butler Gallery, in partnership with Kilkenny Arts Festival, is pleased to present an exhibition exploring the spirit of sport as captured by a selected group of twenty-eight artists using diverse media. Conveyed through video, photography, painting, print and sculpture, the exhibition features an eclectic …

Kilkenny-born playwright and author Michael Egan 1895-1956
By Ned Kennedy Part 1 The recent death of Ned Kennedy brought immense sadness to the Kilkenny population recently. Ned was a native of Freshford and a long-time member of the Kilkenny Archaeological society. His published works include : Tullaroan, Memories of the Second Millenium(2002) With Ned Young; The Land Movement in Tullaroan County Kilkenny,( …

The crowbar and the battering ram
BY JOHN FITZGERALD PART ONE The dark spectre of eviction hung like an enormous black cloud over many families in 19th century Ireland. Landlords who cared nothing for the wellbeing of their tenants saw these people as mere commodities, and not human beings. Profit was all that mattered. Pierce Francis Garvey was a landlord in …

KATS theatre group holds up mirror to society as Brogan play reminds us that we cannot forget
Words: Gerry Cody Photos: Fionn Bowes Fitzpatrick There was a photo placed on social media recently, showing a man outside his public house on James’s Green, in Kilkenny. The year was 1919; the pub was The Fair Green Bar. That post received over seven thousand views, which goes to show that people love looking back …

Young litter pickers bring pride to Newpark estate
Photos by jbs photos Kilkenny The ‘Newpark Community Litter Heroes’ is made up of a group of young people actively involved in keeping the estate litter free. From small beginnings, four members, the group Formed in 2021 by Una Lennon and Autumn Tobin has grown exponentially. The addition of Svitlana Saseyi to the leadership team …

Local musicians and singers answer the call to help the homeless
Photos: jbs photos Kilkenny A recent initiative undertaken by Kilkenny musician John Travers came to fruition last week Mr. Travers, who is synonymous with the music scene in Kilkenny for many years, arranged for ten local musicians to record their music, with all proceeds going to ‘Kilkenny Helping the homeless’. Speaking to the Kilkenny Observer, …

Pilgrimage to Knock shrine enjoyed by Saint Johns parishioners
Photos: jbs photos Kilkenny On Monday 21st August, the 144th anniversary of the apparition at Knock, Fr Dan Carroll with Fr Joseph Lubula led a pilgrimage from St John’s Parish to the International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine. As Tom Cullen eased the coach out of the church grounds at 7.15am the day of faith and …