Features
A trip down memory lane as Hugh Leonard’s Da travels to Thomastown
By Geoff Rose On one of his many visits to Kilkenny to see productions of his plays, Jack Keyes Byrne (aka Hugh Leonard,) remarked that he felt like an imposter, when it came to the Theatre. This from a playwright and author who had successfully won 4 prestigious ‘Tony’ awards on Broadway for his play …
All the right chords hit as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs entertains in ‘Comer
PHOTOS BY Pat Shortall The first pantomime performance in Castlecomer was on 29th December 1959 with the show, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. It was performed by the Deenside Players under the direction of Rev. Cleary, C.C. It was a colourful, happy show, with laughs for all and songs to suit every taste. The …
Clogh Writers group
In November of 2023, Clogh Writers group launched ‘Where I am’, a collection of poetry and prose from eleven different writers. As co-ordinator of the writers group Jane Meally said: “Where I am” is a publication where each writer communicates their passion to the reader.” Having attended the launch in Clogh, The Kilkenny Observer Newspaper …
Thyestes Day 2024
All images: Amanda Burke Gowran Park were delighted with the 2024 Goffs Thyestes Day with an attendance of just under 9K treated to a great day’s racing. Without question the highlight of the day was the brilliant Rachael Blackmore claiming her first Thyestes Cup after a superb ride on the Henry de Bromhead trained Ain’t …
Theatre production celebrates immense contribution of Lady Ellen Cuffe
On February 4, The Barnstorm venue at The Home Rule Club on John’s Quay will play host to a theatre production detailing the contribution made by Lady Ellen Cuffe to the city of Kilkenny. Miss Ellen Bischoffsheim was the eldest daughter of a London Jewish banker and her marriage to William, the fourth Earl of …
A forgotten Kilkenny School
Any student of Kilkenny local history must wonder about the school at Nore View House and it’s whereabouts. Advertisements appeared in the local Press from 1840 publicising this school gave the name of its headmaster and owner who was Dr James St John B.A. T.C.D. L.LD. The school was built for the purpose for which …
SOLA LAUNCH NEW SINGLE AS THEY PERFORM AT DUBLIN’S NEW YEARS DAY FESTIVAL AT MEETING HOUSE SQUARE
By Phelim Devane, Dublin Review. There are times when being a journalist is one of the nicest jobs going. When your editor emails you to cover the Dublin New Year’s festival, then it doesn’t get much better. My remit was to cover music at Dublin Castle, National Museum, and Meeting House Square. It was while …
100 YEARS IN UNMARKED GRAVE RECTIFIED AS ACTING SERGEANT HORAN IS REMEMBERED
Private (Acting Sergeant) Patrick Horan, Haggartsgreen, Callan, Co Kilkenny was killed at Adamstown, Wexford on 24th March 1923. Aged 25, he was serving with the 47th unit, attached with the 14th Battalion, Waterford Command and stationed at Palace East, Wexford. For approximately 100 years, 8 months and 12 days Patrick has laid in an unmarked …
TALENT TO THE FORE, AS UKRAINIAN COMMUNITY CELEBRATE IN KILKENNY
Report for the Kilkenny Observer By Svitlana Saseyi.: Photos by Oleksandr Rymar On the 28th of December, Springhill Court Hotel in Kilkenny hosted a Christmas Concert organised by the Ukrainian Community. The event was dedicated to both modern and traditional ways of celebrating Christmas in Ukraine and was a great display of singing, acting, and …
MUCH FUN, LAUGHTER AND STORIES AS ST MARY’S DAY CENTRE CELEBRATE
By Ger Cody: photos jbs photos There is no doubting that Kilkenny and her streets are full of history.Walkin Street falls into that category. Ask any resident from the area and they will give a glowing report of growing up on that patch. In his book on ‘St. Rioch’s’, former brewery employee Tom Reade speaks …
