Opinion
Role of the Brussels sprout in the Christmas feast
THE LAST WORD By Pat Coughlan In the grand tapestry of the Irish Christmas feast, the Brussels sprout emerges as an unexpected star, a little green gem amidst a sea of traditional fare. Once a culinary outcast, it has fought valiantly for its place alongside the beloved spuds and succulent roasts. Historically, it was often …
Remembering our first Christmas card
FURTHERMORE By Gerry Moran The first Christmas card to come through our letterbox every year was from Jane – Jane O’Malley, married for 30 years to one of Ireland’s most renowned artists – Tony O’Malley who passed away in 2003. Jane, a highly-regarded artist in her own right, died 30 years later, in 2023. My …
No place like having a front door of your own
AS I SEE IT BY MARIANNE HERON Throughout the election campaign we have had the political parties vying with each other to solve the No.1 issue on the doorsteps. Each party is promising to build more houses whether the number is 30,000 or 50,000 a year. Their mechanisms for bringing houses within reach of buyers …
The little children Santa Claus forgot
THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS Ireland-born babies will be spending their first Christmas in homeless accommodation, as the country faces the “worst homeless crisis in living memory,” according to Focus Ireland, who says there are now more than 4,600 children nationwide without abode. There are some 10,000+ adults homeless. The worrying thing about …
The Cajun people: like the Irish, up for the craic
THE LAST WORD By Pat Coughlan When I first heard about the Cajun people, it was like discovering a hidden gem, much like stumbling upon a book in a Kilkenny bookshop that you just can’t put down. These people are the descendants of French-speaking Acadian refugees who made their way from Canada to the swamps …
Election regrets, goals in Wales & Winter blues
Further More By Gerry Moran I didn’t vote in the election. I didn’t vote because I couldn’t. I was out of the country. And did I think when booking my flight that it would clash with the General Election? I did not. And when I realised that I would forfeit my vote did I change …
Smart Health Investment
Investing in support services makes economic sense, our whole society will benefit By Paul Bolger. Chartered Physiotherapist at Nano Physiotherapy, Kilkenny (www.nanophysio.ie). Over the past several weeks I have outlined how childhood maltreatment results in a greater risk of long-term health conditions. On the level of basic human decency, offering support and help to those children and …
CATHAL O’REILLY
BY MICHAEL O’LEARY Cathal O’Reilly from the Kilkenny City Harriers Club is part of The Ireland U-23 Squad for this Sunday’s European Cross Country Championships in Antalya in Turkey, and it will be his second time to have competed in the European Cross Country Championships having previously done so three years ago in Dublin. In …
Kilkenny’s Great Escape!
BY JOHN FITZGERALD (Part two) Continuing the story of the Great Escape from Kilkenny jail (or Gaol, which was the old spelling). Part one can be read on the Kilkenny Observer website… The men gathered at the entrance to the tunnel and at 6.40 p.m., Larry Condon led the way in. He had previously ascertained that it was safe and secure. …
Tips for dry skin in the winter
BY CLAIR WHITTY Does your skin dry out during the colder winter months? Cold weather, wind, central heating, showers and baths that are too hot all dry out your skin. It is important to consider if you need to make any changes to your skin care routine at this time of year. Start by looking …
