Features
Red Mills Race Day onto a winner in the fashion stakes!
Red Mills Race Day returned with a bang on Feb 19th, with fashion, flutters, and fun guaranteed! After two years, Red Mills Race Day’s return on the 19th of Feb was truly a turn-up for the books. With record crowds, it’s safe to say that the public was keen to return to Gowran Park for …
Restoration and relics at St Mary’s Cathedral
Over the decades St Mary’s Cathedral has seen several significant changes. In the 1890s Bishop Brownrigg oversaw the first change since the opening of the Cathedral in 1857: the addition of new seating, the positioning of the High Altar in the Apse, the building of the Chapter House and the new sacristy, brought a new …
Kings of The Kilburn High Road author speaks of his admiration for Mick Lally, his work with Red Kettle and his Thomastown roots
As Lake Productions prepare to stage ‘The Kings of the Kilburn High Road’, The Kilkenny Observer met up with Dublin author, Jimmy Murphy to hear memories of his first production of ‘Kings’ with Red Kettle Theatre Company, his admiration for Galway actor Mick Lally and his Thomastown roots. We met in O’Riada’s bar in Parliament …
The Dame, the Black Death and the statutes of Kilkenny
WEEK THREE Kilkenny is home to the most famous cats in the world. For over two hundred years, people everywhere have heard of the fierce Kilkenny Cats. They are part of our history; part of our DNA. They reflect Kilkenny in all its glorious past, its developing present and exciting future. In week three, local …
Kilkenny tales, as told by Kenny, Norman and Cissie
WEEK TWO Kilkenny is home to the most famous cats in the world. For over two hundred years, people everywhere have heard of the fierce Kilkenny Cats. They are part of our history; part of our DNA. They reflect Kilkenny in all its glorious past, its developing present and exciting future. In week two, local …
New book of poetry from Martha Woodcock
“Speak, only if it improves on the silence.” So said Mahatma Ghandi .The words rang clear as a group of fifty plus gathered at The Kilkenny Book centre for the launch of Martha Woodcocks poetry book ‘We say we will’. The book of poems is a first collection from Martha which takes us on a …
Lake Productions take plunge with the Kings of Kilburn
Founded in 2018, Lake Productions are currently rehearsing for a production of Jimmy Murphy’s play ‘The Kings of the Kilburn High Road’. This show was first staged by the Red Kettle Theatre company at Garter Lane Arts Centre in Waterford in 2000. It is fair to say that it was received with great acclaim, and …
Repair and Restoration of the Lady Chapel
Opened in 1857, Saint Mary’s cathedral is undergoing some renovations. Work began in the James’ Street church just before Christmas. The primary work currently is preparation for and installation of a new altar and ambo in the sanctuary. At the same time, the two side chapels – The Lady Chapel and the Chapel of St …
Knowledge and confidence to benefit the community
Mayor Andrew McGuinness gave an impressive demonstration on the proper care and maintenance of defibrillators to a distinguished gathering at the site of the Noel Walsh defibrillator on O’ Loughlin Road. Honouring the memory of Noel Walsh, the First Citizen thought it appropriate to use the GAA acronym ACT. A =Accessible and Available 24/7. C= …
School is springing forward post Covid
On a bright morning on the 1st February, the children in Scoil Naomh Fiachra, Clontubrid, happily sat down to make St. Brigid’s crosses. This tradition, which has been enjoyed by many school children for generations, not only celebrates the life of one of our dear Patron Saints, it also signifies the start of spring, new …
