Galleries
Kilkenny host first black history month celebrations
Kilkenny marked a historic milestone on Monday, October 20th, as the city hosted its first-ever Black History Month celebration at the Mayfair Library Gardens. Organised by Dr. Toluwani Akaehomen of Phenomenal Ventures, the event brought together students, community members, and civic leaders, including Mayor John Coonan. Keynote Keynote speaker Dr. Philomena Mullen of Trinity College …
Heritage group celebrates 700th walk
By John Fitzgerald The Kilkenny Heritage Walkers celebrated a major milestone on Saturday with their 700th outing. Starting at the castle scores of people from all over the county treaded the streets, lanes, slips, alleyways and bridges en route to the historic Home Rule Club, where a luscious birthday cake and an afternoon of fond reminiscence …
Family fun day a success as Auxiliary opens its doors
Some Kilkenny folk will know where the Auxiliary Hospital is in Kilkenny. For those who are unsure as to the location, it is that building on Wolfe Tone Street with the Mick Minogue elephant artwork on the outside wall. The venue is home to T.A.S.K. TASK (Training and Support Kilkenny) is a full time rehabilitative …
St John’s bid farewell to Fr Raymond
The St John’s parish community gathered recently in the parish centre to bid a fond farewell to much-loved priest Fr Raymond Dempsey. After four years of dedicated service, the Kilmacow native leaves St John’s to embark on the demanding ministry as chaplain in St Luke’s hospital. A time for gratitude The St John’s parish community is …
CD launch to help Kilkenny charity
Being elected to the Council and to serve the people of Kilkenny is a great honour. One need only look back on the last 50 plus years and you will see great Councillors, men and women, who did amazing work for the city and county and whose job as ambassadors for the black and amber …
Bishop and Mayor praise Butts sense of belonging
The Butts town team held an end of summer party for the Community on Sunday the 21st of September. The event was held in the Community House at 19 Pearse Street. This house is part of the Butts regeneration plan for the community. Marie Smith, community liaison officer, works from this space where members of …
Dominican Abbey was ideal venue for story of Jesus
A review by Tom Dayton Photos: Ken McGuire During my years studying journalism, there was lots of advice handed out by our tutors. Students were advised on possible scenarios that might come our way. Meeting the apostles of Jesus never came up. So, it came as a surprise when this happened in Kilkenny recently. I …
Memories galore as Pres ladies enjoy reunion
Photos jbs On Friday 12th September, a special occasion took place at the Pembroke Hotel, Patrick St., Kilkenny. It was a reunion of the Presentation Convent Inter-Cert and Leaving Cert class of 1973/75. Over fifty former school pals gathered for the festivities. They travelled from America, Germany, Spain, England, Wales and various counties in Ireland …
Celebrating Ukrainian Independence Day in Kilkenny
On 24 August 2025, the heart of Kilkenny was bathed in blue and yellow as more than 300 people assembled on The Parade to commemorate Ukraine’s 34th Independence Day. It was a deeply bittersweet celebration—a vibrant mix of joyful performances and heartfelt reflection that spoke of freedom, resilience, and solidarity. A spokesperson for the Ukrainian …
The Black Abbey and the drama of religion over eight centuries
Photos by Ken McGuire PM O’Sullivan The Black Abbey, one of Kilkenny’s treasures, possesses a quiet magic. Fr Damian Polly, the current Prior, immediately noticed this quality on his arrival two years ago. “A lot of people get that sense of peacefulness,” he nods. “Even the tourists. They are sort of brought up short by the …
