Features
A doubled life, off and on the stage
PM O’Sullivan Clare Gibbs always had an eye. Just for how things fit together, pattern and mosaic, the sheen of rightness. This gift led the Kilkenny native in various directions, and eventually into theatre, but first she had to be a schoolgirl. There were roads to travel in the paths of taste. The grown woman …
Marvellous moon show comes to Kilkenny
The ‘Museum of the Moon’, a breath-taking installation by artist Luke Jerram, opened on March 10th 2025 for an exclusive three-week exhibit at Kilkenny’s St. Canice’s Cathedral. And local creatives are planning a spectacular show to welcome the celestial art piece. The large-scale installation is dramatically suspended three metres from the ground above head height. …
Shirley heads for Thomastown
A packed Billy Byrnes pub on John Street saw over 60 of Kilkenny’s theatre going public come together for the launch of the forthcoming production of Shirley Valentine being staged by Lake Productions. Founding member of the troupe, Emily Kelly praised the work of Clare Gibbs, who plays the role of Shirley and Mary Cradock …
Team work the key to success for Kilquan Players
Photos by Pat Shortall Kilquan Players have just completed a wonderful comedy in Coon Hall and those who attended can confirm that it was a great nights entertainment. Written by Sam Cree and directed by Benny Mills, the show was a laugh a minute. Bert Cooper and Harold Smileyare in a hospital ward together when …
The Cock Step of Light
By Dr Joe Kearney Photo of moon by Padraig Comerford She was referring to the extra light in the sky as we move from winter solstice towards spring brightness. She could feel that stirring in the air, something very faint and very subtle but nonetheless tangible. She knew the clockwork belly of the Earth was …
Connolly’s Red Mills Race Day 2025
A resounding success Photographs by Kieran Harnett Connolly’s Red Mills Race Day 2025, held on Saturday, February 15, at Gowran Park, was a resounding success, attracting a large crowd of racing enthusiasts and fashion aficionados. The event featured top-class racing, including the Grade 2 Red Mills Hurdle and the Grade 3 Red Mills Chase, both …
Rediscover the timeless tale of ‘Hare & Tortoise’
Barnstorm Theatre Company is delighted to announce its latest production, a heart warming and enchanting adaptation of the beloved Aesop’s fable, The Tortoise and the Hare, set to run from 24 February to 14 March 2025. This timeless story, reimagined by award-winning playwright Brendan Murray, will captivate audiences of all ages at The Bank on …
Fun and laughter as thousands flock to ‘Comer Pantomime
Photos by Pat Shortall Well, our country had it all. Storms, power cuts, schools and businesses shut down. To borrow a phrase from Sean O’Casey “The country was in a state of chassis.” Each evening on our TV screens, bad news made its way into our sitting rooms. Some counties suffered more than others – …
Donegal Miracle set for Kilmoganny
Derry playwright Brian Foster says he is delighted at the reception his play, A Miracle in Donegal, received from audiences in both Derry and Letterkenny over the last few years. Not to mention the rave reviews it received from newspaper critics. Foster, who also directed the play, said “In all honesty, I’m stunned at how …
Tullaroan man Clohosey- a class act
By Liam Burke In August 2024, Liam Burke did a profile of one time Kilkenny hurler and County secretary Paddy Grace. The Kilkenny Observer received some wonderful comments on the article and readers of this paper hoped there would be more articles on former GAA people. Today, Liam Burke takes a look at the life …
