News
Spring Into Storytime – April at Kilkenny Libraries
Kilkenny County Council Library Service is delighted to launch Spring into Storytime 2026, an annual Irish library initiative running throughout April that celebrates children’s love of books and storytelling. Spring into Storytime is part of the national Right to Read programme, which encourages family reading and supports literacy development for children of all ages. Sophie …
Kilkenny Filmmakers Gather for Artist Connect Day
Filmmakers and creatives from across Kilkenny will gather this April for the Artist Connect Film Day, a one-day event focused on collaboration, discussion and developing new work. Taking place on Saturday, April 11th, 2026, from 10am to 5pm at Thomastown Community Centre, Marshes Street, Kilkenny, the event will be hosted by writer and filmmaker Gillian …
EASTER CEREMONIES
GOOD FRIDAY, 3RD APRIL 12.00 noon Stations of the Cross, St. John’s Church 12.00 noon Stations of the Cross, Foulkstown Church 3.00 p.m. – THE LORDS PASSION St. Canice’s Church St. Fiacre’s Church St. John’s Church St. Patrick’s Church Bishop Ger Nash will celebrate The Lord’s Passion in St. Mary Cathedral 7.00 p.m. Stations of …
Easter old and new
CHOICES SHAPE YOUR FUTURE By Judith Ashton Like many people I never know when Easter will be because it moves every year. The Christian reasons for this were determined centuries ago by The Council of Nicea. It decreed that Easter had to fall on the first Sunday following the first full moon of the spring …
Brains v. belief and the Holiday Psalms
FURTHERMORE By Gerry Moran I was quite taken aback when I first learned that Easter was more important than Christmas. How in God’s name, I wondered, could the Easter Bunny be more relevant than Santa Claus? Obvious, I guess –Easter is the most important religious festival because Jesus was born at Christmas but He rose …
Your forgotten money helping good causes
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR A little treasure trove could be sitting quietly in an old bank account, a forgotten insurance policy or a State savings certificate you have not touched in years. And the good news? If it is there, you can still get it back even if the Government has already spent it …
How your home may be a gift to the taxman
AS I SEE IT BY MARIANNE HERON “In this world nothing can be certain but death and taxes,” wrote Benjamin Franklin. When it comes to inheritance, the two, combined, can pose uncomfortable questions over when you may die and how much Revenue is going to grab from what you hoped to pass on to the …
When I’d ball my eyes out for poor Jesus
THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS In the Catholic upbringing of my youth, there was no more an austere day than Good Friday. Curtains were drawn – as respect for the death of Christ – we children were not allowed play football out on the road – indeed, play at all – and …
Whispers of spirits secrets and the hidden world
CHOICES SHAPE YOUR FUTURE By Judith Ashton Last week I saw a brilliant production of “The Weir” in Thomastown Community Hall. It was a very intense claustrophobic play set in a rural pub. There were only 5 actors, and it revolved round local gossip and reminiscing. As the drink flowed the talk turns to talk …
Shoot-out at Garryricken House
By John Fitzgerald (Part two) In March1921, six members of the Callan IRA Flying Column sought shelter at the Luttrell farmhouse: Paddy Ryan, Ned Aylward, Jimmy Leahy, Paddy Luttrell, Sean Quinn, and Jim McKenna. The Luttrell family welcomed them and they opted to spend the night in the unoccupied Garryricken House. But someone had tipped off the …
