Features

Irish country music is big news in Ireland. Since the 1960’s , dance halls, marquees and country halls packed out to the sound of such artists as Big Tom, Larry Cunningham, Margo, Susan McCann and Philomena Begley. In more recent years names such as Daniel O Donnell, Foster and Allen Trudi Lawlor and Hugo Duncan …

The Fr McGrath Centre in Kilkenny has come a long way. The one time school in the Butts area of Kilkenny city is now a thriving centre catering for a multitude of needs. St. Canice’s Community Action Ltd (SCCA) is a not for profit registered charity that was originally formed in 1991. It was created …

“Ours is but a small contribution to its long history; ours are but some of many prayers that have been, and will continue to be, placed before the Lord in this magnificent place. We shall pass, and generations of people will pass after us, and still these stones and timber will be standing here, an …

The Kilkenny Observer caught up with the multi-talented Patrick Rafter this week and spoke to him of his recent achievements. Patrick Rafter, international award winning violinist is no stranger to accolades and momentous occasions. However, for the Threecastles man and former St Lachtain’s hurler, there have been some recent exciting moments. Patrick was honoured by …

The story of the Leadville Irish Memorial Leadville, Colorado, at 10,200 Feet in Elevation, is the highest town in North America. It’s also the site of the largest and most politically important Irish immigrant community in the Rocky Mountain West, consisting of approximately 20% of the population during the early 1880s. This working class immigrant …

In early May 1922, nearly two months prior to the official beginning of the Civil War, Kilkenny anti-Treaty IRA units took over 15 buildings in Kilkenny City, most notably St Canice’s Cathedral and Kilkenny Castle. In this, the final week The Kilkenny Observer in conjunction with Cois Céim take a look at the taking of …

Possibly one of the sculptures that attracts most attention in Kilkenny city is that of Thomas Woodgate, which is situated outside The Kilkenny Courthouse at the Market Yard. Constructed by Kilkenny Company Stapleton Engineering, the story behind the monument is intriguing. The following is a synopsis of the story of Thomas Woodgate. A boy of …

In early May 1922, nearly two months prior to the official beginning of the Civil War, Kilkenny anti-Treaty IRA units took over 15 buildings in Kilkenny City, most notably St Canice’s Cathedral and Kilkenny Castle. This week, The Kilkenny Observer in conjunction with Cois Céim and The Saturday Walkers group, take a closer look at …

In a week that saw the passing of local actor Joe Cleere, former Watergate manager Ger Cody remembers the fun-loving Joe – He brought a unique, joyous presence to everything he was involved with – When former head honcho of Dreamstuff theatre group and Young Irish Film makers, Mike Kelly phones and says “let’s do …

You could almost sense the presence of Michael Casey in the room. Founded almost forty years ago, Kats theatre group gathered on the eve of ‘Poetry Day’, in Cleeres theatre on Parliament Street. When Department of Agriculture employee Michael had decided to stage a production of Sean O Casey’s “Bedtime Story”, he could hardly have …