Features
A powerful night of music in a breathtaking setting
The Dublin Gospel Choir & Band celebrate 30 years with a very special concert in St Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny, on Saturday, 28 February 2026. For the first time ever, the choir brings their full live band and signature sound to one of Ireland’s most iconic cathedrals. Expect an uplifting mix of gospel, soul, pop, and …
The Neighbourhood Hall where enjoyment is the priority
jbsphotos For the last three years, Steve Nolan has been putting on two sing-along events a year – one in the summer and one in the winter – tailored for an age-friendly audience and aimed at incorporating all the groups he works with. Steve is Project Co-ordinator at The Neighbourhood Hall in the Butts. And …
Community spirit shines at Newpark Christmas lunch
The Newpark community came together in the spirit of Christmas cheer on Saturday, 13 December, as locals gathered for the annual community lunch. The festive event, held at the Glendine Inn, saw residents come together to enjoy a traditional Christmas meal. The lunch was a chance for the community to connect, share stories, and have …
New Yorkers don’t mince their words as they praise John Street butcher
In today’s world of communication, we probably connect with family and friends more so today than ever before. In the blink of an eye we send emails, tweets and whatsapp messages like there were going out of fashion. However, when it comes to writing a letter, we are not that ‘flaithiúlach’. Although it is not …
William street bookshop hosts launch
Stephen Buck and Marian O’Neil prove that dreams can come through. They opened their own bookshop in 2019, and is nestled in the historic William Street in Kilkenny city. Over the past six years , ‘The Book and coffee shop’ has seen book-launches, plays and recitals. Marian and Stephen have held creative writing classes and …
Cllr Eugene McGuinness appointed Peace Commissioner
Mick McGuinness (Michael J. McGuinness, 1921–2003) was a highly influential former Mayor of Kilkenny, serving seven times. He was a long-standing councillor (County and Borough), and a pivotal figure in local development, known for tourism, the Beer Festival, and for securing the Health Board HQ. Mick was also a Peace Commissioner. And now, his son …
Coffee morning supported the vulnerable
Photos: JBS Kilkenny Helping the Homeless is a registered charity that offers food, clothes, household items and personal items to those in need in Kilkenny and Dublin. They travel up to Dublin every second Saturday with volunteers and distribute food on Grafton Street. Mary Pierce and her husband Brendan said that they usually begin preparing …
Mick Dooley – an appreciation
Time spent in his company was joyous The recent death of Mick Dooley brought deep sadness to Kilkenny, both in the city and in the county. A popular gregarious man, Mick was a committed community activist, integral to many projects that enhanced our society’s fabric. He was a true stalwart and helped make Kilkenny, through …
Christmas Poems
Welcome to the fifth and final week in The Kilkenny Observer’s ‘2025 Christmas short story series’. We invited five Kilkenny based writers to submit a short story or poems each week, which we hope you have enjoyed. This week we welcome Catherine Cronin and The Kilkenny Involvement Centre. The Observer wishes to thank all contributors …
Great production at Visual for Amber and new book launched to celebrate 80 years
Photos of launch by Martin Doyle Carlow Little Theatre Society’s recent production of Gaslight, by Patrick Hamilton, which was staged in the VISUAL in October was a hit with local audiences and struck a cord, not only for its high production values, but it was also widely praised for tackling the subject matter synonymous with …
