Features
When women’s hands became fighting tools
‘A Woman’s Culm’ (2021) HDV 17:30 mins by Pauline O’Connell is a single-channel film, an artistic response to the commission call-out under the ‘Local Legacies 1921/2021’ Community Strand of the Decade of Centenaries Programme in County Kilkenny. The short cine-poem, centred on the upland areas along the Castlecomer Plateaux, makes visible rural women’s day-to-day struggles …
Cromwell in Kilkenny
Another legend relates to the profanement of Kilkenny’s Market Cross by Cromwellian soldiers. This magnificent stone structure stood close to the present location of the same name. Four columns supported it and devout folk could ascend it on its four sides by flights of stone steps. From its highest point rose a sculptured figure of …
Jim Carroll – an appreciation
The sudden death of Jim Carroll had a devastating effect on Kilkenny people. Affectionately known as Sag, he spent a lifetime working within the hospitality industry. A gregarious, ebullient and effervescent personality ensured that Jim forever remained well liked. Yet along with the friendliness, the companionable nature, he was a man of steely determination and …
Bruno McCormack: An unlikely tail
This week The Kilkenny Observer is delighted to introduce a short story from a Newpark resident Renowned for sporting prowess over decades, the inhabitants of Newpark regularly brought honours and titles to their beloved estate. High performances delivered accolades in hurling, courtesy of O’Loughlins and Dicksboro. Much to the chagrin of some observers, the other …
The night I almost scored on Ollie
By Frank Cody The Newpark housing estate, when I was a boy, was surrounded by fields. This safe environment granted freedom to frolic and play. Paddy Phelan, John ‘Sundown’ Phelan and Danny McEvoy owned these swards. The Phelan brothers used good farm husbandry to rotate crops of cereals and vegetables. This practice allowed the corncrake …
It’s all about the mindset
By Ann Downey Contrary to what the experts would say, what drove me on to win any match, be it Club or County was the fear of losing. I would put my head in the way if it meant stopping an opponent. For any player appearing in an All-Ireland, it is all about getting the …
Surviving the great trek to my first Leinster final
BY: Dermot Kavanagh As thousands of Stripy Men women and children flock to Dublin for the Kilkenny v Limerick All Ireland, author and lifelong GAA supporter Dermot Kavanagh shares his first visit to Croke Park in 1957 with The Kilkenny Observer Mankind’s association with epic marches has been well documented throughout the ages. Those adventures …
Outcome to All-Ireland is difficult to call
All-Ireland final preview By Jim Fogarty Limerick have an unbeaten championship sequence, now spanning 15 games. They lost the 2019 semi-final to Kilkenny, but should have had a 65 to level. Their shot was waved wide despite a deflection. In this year’s Munster final with Clare, they were level 15 times, before winning in extra …
You can’t fight your nature when you are Trapped in Amber
BY: Dr Joe Kearney The hearthstone on which our fireplace sits is made from Kilkenny marble; this is no cultural contrivance on my part, just a chance inheritance from the previous house owner. It is the place where I rest my feet and indulge in dreams during evenings of reverie When you consider the fossil-shells …
Will it be three in a row for Limerick or number 37 for the Cats?
By Jimmy Neary On a rain soaked day on the Killian End in Semple Stadium I watched the 1973 Munster Final between Tipperary and Limerick. The last ‘poc fada’ of the day saw a cool, brave Richie Bennis stand over the placed ball and then slot the winning point between the posts to send Limerick …
