News
Manchán Magan’s one-man show in Callan
BY JOHN FITZGERALD A tidal wave of shock and sadness greeted the death of author/broadcaster Manchán Magan, passionate advocate of the Irish language and fearless defender of the environment. His loss will be felt by the countless people touched by his journalism, documentaries, and his idiosyncratic treatment of the supernatural in Irish history and folklore. …
Hundreds Take Part in “Let’s Team Up to Clean Up” Weekend 2025
Kilkenny has once again shown its community spirit as the “Let’s Team Up to Clean Up – Together for Kilkenny” weekend which took place from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st September 2025. The initiative, which is led by Kilkenny County Council, is sponsored by Tírlán/Glanbia, PRL, PANDA, Dawn Meats and the John O’Shea Trust. Over …
Supplements to Help you Focus
BY CLAIR WHITTY Are you looking for something to help your focus? How many times have you heard, seen, or read something, and five minutes later you can’t recall it? It happens a lot for me. I return to the scene of where I first had the thought and it usually comes back to me. …
“Let the Food In !” – Kilkenny marches for the Gaza Aid Flotilla
Kilkenny groups marched together through Kilkenny City after news came through that the Gaza food aid flotilla was being attacked by Israeli forces as part of emergency protests across the country. Around 100 people gathered at very short notice outside James Stephens Barracks, with placards calling for an end to genocide, and supporting the peacekeeping …
Kilkenny poet gives voice to the forgotten
By Frank Fahy Kilkenny poet Kathleen Phelan has published her first full collection of poetry, Missing and Other Poems, a book that blends memory, humour, and history with the unflinching honesty of lived experience. The book, published by the Write-on Group under the guidance of editor Frank Fahy, gathers almost sixty poems ranging from playful …
Raffle for Danny Brennan art to benefit Lake Productions
In 2024, Wexford artist Danny Brennan passed away. A noted artist, he regularly exhibited in Wexford and for many years at The Kilkenny Arts Festival. Lake Productions got to know Danny over the last 20 years, and a lovely relationship was formed. Danny’s brother, Terry, was set designer and builder for Watergate Productions and his …
Safeguards the future, but at what cost now?
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR Budget 2026 was revealed by Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe and Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers on Tuesday. It painted a picture of fiscal restraint wrapped in “strategic priorities”. Gone are the flashy give-aways of €2,000 to €3,000 to the middle earners. Instead, this is a Budget that whispers “not yet” …
Kilkenny Home of Halloween 2025
Discover our month-long programme of family-friendly events, live performances and night-time spectacles from 17th of October to 9th November. The festivities incorporate our long-standing Savour Kilkenny Food Festival, Kilkenny’s Toil and Trouble festival, and includes flagship family friendly activities throughout the county such as the “Witches and Wizards” Festival at Castlecomer Discovery Park, and Halloween fun at …
Fab four battle for final placings
Loughs and Shamrocks tipped to claim final berths BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Championship Semi Finals After a summer of nail-biting action, four teams remain in the hunt for senior glory as the St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Championship reaches the semifinal stage. Current holders of the …
One down – and two to go! What next?
FURTHERMORE By Gerry Moran And so the Big Day looms – Presidential Election Day. Am I excited or what? Let’s just say What. In my entire voting life (more elections than I care to remember) I have never been so unenthused about casting my vote. To be honest I couldn’t care less if I never …
