Features
The drama of a Kilkenny life
By PM O’Sullivan Philip Hardy’s life, so productive in his chosen field, turned into a Kilkenny life. His course could have tilted in several other directions. Not away from the world of theatre, not after he left his teens, by which time that passion had begun to rustle and ripen. But certainly along different paths, …
Newpark resident’s festive celebrations
There was a large turnout of residents for the Newpark Christmas celebrations in the Glendine Inn on Saturday 14th December. Chairman Jack Fahy welcomed all guests and thanked them for their attendance. Jack had special words of welcome for guests of honour Fr Dan Carroll, Jane Dineen and Garda Stephen Hogan and thanked them for …
Club House plays host to St Mary’s Christmas get together
The wonderful Club House Hotel was the venue for the St Mary’s Voluntary Housing Association annual Christmas dinner. A large gathering enjoyed a beautiful meal in Kilkenny’s longest established hotel. It was the first establishment of its kind in the city to take the name of ‘hotel’ in place of the old term ‘inn’. They …
BY JOHN FITZGERALD (Part two) Continuing the story of the magnificent St. Mary’s cathedral that dominates the skyline around Kilkenny… There’s an intriguing story behind a Madonna that stands outside the cathedral, but still within the grounds…a lonely but compelling figure that draws thousands of visitors annually to behold its heavenly visage. This six-and-a-half foot life-size …
Shoulder to shoulder as Men’s Shed goes from strength to strength
By Ger Cody Photos: jbs photos Kilkenny Men’s sheds, or community sheds, are non-profit local organisations that provide a space for craftwork and social interaction. The movement originated in Australia around the 1980s as a way to improve the health and well being of older men. However some have expanded their remit to anyone regardless …
The Christmas Thief
The Kilkenny Observer Newspaper is delighted to present our ‘2024 Christmas short story series’. We invited five Kilkenny based writers to submit a short story each week over the last four weeks, which we hope you enjoyed. This is week five, and our final week. We welcome John Mac Kenna. The Observer wishes to thank: …
Fáilte Isteach at the Fr. McGrath Centre
Photos: jbs photos kilkenny It was the annual end of term Christmas bash at the Fr. McGrath Centre on Wednesday, when participants of the Fáilte Isteach English programme came together to celebrate the festive season. This international mix from around the globe was taking part in a programme to improve their spoken English language. The …
Tommy, a bestower of happiness
By Ger Cody The death has taken place of Tommy Harding, one of Kilkenny’s finest and most popular people. A true gentleman in every sense of the word, Tommy, quite simply, was a pleasure to know. Initially, I made his acquaintance through the SOS workshop. Later, whilst working at the Watergate theatre, I had a …
Bunbury lecture commemorates Ned Kennedy
The Inaugural Ned Kennedy Memorial Lecture, recently delivered by historian Turtle Bunbury, on the Irish emigrant was commemorative of our presence and contribution across the world. Not just in London, New York and Sydney as well-documented, but our political and economic service in the Caribbean, South America, our missionary work in South Africa, China, India …
Saoirse’s peculiar parcel
The Kilkenny Observer Newspaper is delighted to present our ‘2024 Christmas short story series’. We have invited five Kilkenny based writers to submit a short story over the coming weeks, which we hope you will enjoy. This is week four and we welcome Keela Ayres. By: Keela Ayres Saoirse is a frequent daydreamer and a stickler …
