Galleries
Thomastown festival hits all the right notes
Photos jbsphotoskilkenny There was wonderful art on display around Thomastown, thanks to the excellent work of ‘Thomastown Creative Arts Festival (TCAF). It was also good to note a production of The Quiet Land by Lake Productions over a two night period. ( review to follow) The festival was formally opened by Senator Malcolm Noonan in …
Happiness abounds, as Art brings joy and colour to Kilkenny
Photos: jbsphotoskilkenny At the time of the opening of the Kilkenny Arts Festival, I sat in the majestic gardens of Rothe House, and was treated to some beautiful music complements of Lucia Mac Partlin and Maria Ryan. This event was one of many performances under the umbrella of the ever-popular ‘Secret Garden Music Series’. The …
Newpark Community gathers for outdoor Mass
The Upper Green in Newpark was filled with song and prayer last Wednesday evening as neighbours and friends gathered for a special outdoor community Mass. Chief celebrant Monsignor Dan Carroll was joined by Fr. Paul Kasu, Fr. Noel McGrath, and Monsignor Michael Ryan to concelebrate the moving and inclusive Mass. The ceremony drew families from …
Pope Leo appoints Ger Nash as Bishop of Ossory
On THE 29TH OF July at 12 noon , Pope Leo XIV appointed Bishop Gerard Nash to minister simultaneously as Bishop of Ferns and as Bishop of Ossory. The two dioceses concerned are now united in persona episcopi, and will be pastorally administered by one bishop, Bishop Nash. The Kilkenny Observer, joined with hundreds of …
Remembering Private Michael Green
Photos jbskilkenny The WW1 monument at the Peace Park in Kilkenny, has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors since it was unveiled in 2018. Displaying over 800 names of Kilkenny men and women who took part in WW1, the memorial has been visited by locals and tourists alike. Many visit to remember a relative who …
O’Driscoll prepares for Arts festival exhibition
Kurt Vonnegut was an American author known for his satirical and darkly humorous novels. His published work includes fourteen novels, three short-story collections, five plays, and five non fiction works over fifty years; further works have been published since his death. So, it would be fair to say he knows a thing or two about …
Small ripples of artistic creativity celebrated, as AKA reach eleventh festival
Photos: jbs photos kilkenny On a glorious Saturday afternoon, almost 100 people gathered at O’Sullivan’s on John Street for the launch of the 2026 AKA festival. Artists, producers, actors, photographers, sculptors, woodturners and a host of other artistic people joined to welcome another festival rooted in the community. Launching the festival was Ann Mulrooney. With …
“Loneliness is a serious issue in rural Ireland”, says Kilkenny T.D.
By Tom Dayton As Lake Productions enter the final few weeks before their production of ‘the Quiet Land’ by Irish playwright Malachy McKenna, Tom Dayton for the Kilkenny Observer newspaper contacted Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere a T.D for Carlow Kilkenny and Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Affairs to ask him his thoughts on rural …
Stamp of approval from family and friends as Claire says farewell
By Kilkenny Observer reporter. Photos jbskilkenny In a time of online transactions and digital overload, the Loughboy Post Office is a rare sanctuary of genuine human connection. For several decades, the centre of that Post Office has been a remarkable woman named Claire Foley. Just forty years ago, Claire joined the L and N supermarket …
A visit to Tramore for Butts community group
By Kilkenny Observer reporter Photos: jbskilkenny The Butts is an historic, working-class neighbourhood in Kilkenny City. Originally a medieval archery range where citizens practiced their marksmanship on targets called ‘butts’, it has evolved into a tight-knit community celebrated for its deep-rooted cultural and sporting heritage. Located at Butts Green stands the Butts Cross, a small …
