Features
An evening of thanks and prayer as Fr Dan appointed Chaplain to Pope
There was a night of joy and celebration in St John’s church at the 6 o clock Mass on Saturday 18th January when Bishop Niall Coll informed the congregation that parish Team leader Fr Dan Carroll had been appointed as Chaplain to his Holiness. This was awarded by Pope Francis to acknowledge Fr Dan’s committed …
Patrick Kavanagh in Kilkenny
By Geoff Rose “This is a terrible place, Kilkenny is a terrible place, a terrible place entirely.” Not exactly the most poetic words for Ye Faire City. Indeed the Marble City has been better described, and much more eloquently than the Monaghan poet, farmer, journalist, and novelist, Patrick Kavanagh, expressed himself on a visit on …
Credit for Quiet Land goes to a previous generation
Photos by Pat Shortall In the hidden Ireland off the new EU infrastructure of motorway and ring-road, two elderly farmers lean on a fence and talk in the low-key code of near neighbours. The Quiet Land is also a masterclass, served as it is by two actors, Ger Cody and Brendan Corcoran, who’ve accumulated between …
An Enchanting Evening of Celtic and Bulgarian Folk Music with Celtaura
Thomastown Concert Hall is thrilled to present an unforgettable evening of live music featuring the renowned duo, Celtaura. This special concert will take place on Friday, January 31st, showcasing a unique blend of Celtic and Balkan folk traditions that will captivate audiences of all ages. Celtaura, known for their mesmerizing performances and distinctive sound, brings …
Dan Stapleton, a man of many talents
Kilkenny won the first of its thirty six All Ireland Senior Hurling titles in 1904. As happened often in the early days of the G.A.A. the final was not played in the calendar year of ’04 nor indeed in ’05 but rather in June ’06. The final was played in Carrick on Suir on Maurice …
Out with the old and in with the new as St John’s Community celebrate
As they said farewell to 2024, St John’s Community joined together to welcome 2025. The Kilkenny Observer was there to record the occasion.
Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live
By Ger Cody I cannot be certain how many times Milo Hennessy spoke about Epicurus. I would, however, hazard a guess that it didn’t happen too often. Epicurus, a Greek philosopher, was the author of an ethical philosophy of simple pleasure, friendship and retirement. One of the most famous quotes from the bold Epicurus was …
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 …
