With only 24 hoursto go until the opening weekend of the 40th Kilkenny Arts Festival there are some really impressive acts taking place from this Friday August 9th. Take a look here and book your tickets today online or by phone on 056 77 521 75 or in person at the box office on 76 John Street, Kilkenny.

Saturday June 22nd 2013 at 8 pm in Jenkinstown Park, Kilkenny, a concert to commemorate the bicentenary of the publication of Thomas Moore’s “The Last Rose of Summer”, which was one of his best-known works. Thomas Moore, Ireland’s National Poet (or Bard of Ireland), composed “The Last Rose of Summer” when visiting his good friend, George “Punch” Bryan in Jenkinstown and it is fitting that the concert will be held within the original walled garden area of the Jenkintown woodlands. an internationally renowned Irish tenor, will perform, along with his usual repertoire, some Thomas Moore Melodies. Nicola Brennan and some excellent young talent will also perform. Thomas Moore was an international celebrity and many including the Prince of Wales sought his company. Moore had been a frequent visitor to Kilkenny and he had performed at The Private Theatre there, 1808-10, also it’s where he met his future wife Bessy Dyke. In Jenkinstown, while staying with his very close friends the Bryans, he composed “The Last Rose of Summer”. Rose X Odorata Pallida was the inspiring flower. Tom Moore has preserved many old Irish tunes by adding lyrics to them. His collection of Irish Melodies and National Heirs consisted of 130 original poems set to folk melodies including The Minstrel Boy, The Last Rose of Summer, and Believe Me if All Those Endearing Young Charms.

The concert will be in the original walled garden area, within Jenkinstown Woods. Parking will be adjacent to the venue. More information at www.conahyhs.com and Conahy Heritage Society Facebook, you can also follow on Twitter @conahyhs

Tickets are €22.50, available www.ticketmaster.ie

Enquiries: conahyheritagesociety@gmail.com

Ticket information; Eileen Gunner, 087 2859660

Since 1998, The Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival has attracted some of the finest names in the Americana canon; acts like Calexico, Giant Sand, Ryan Adams,Alejandro Escovedo, Mark Eitzel, Guy Clark, Chuck Prophet, Ray LaMontagne,Richmond Fontaine, Rodney Crowell… The list is very long, and these are but a small few names who have been drawn to the magnet of the Marble City Mardi Gras in the past. Country, folk, blues, bluegrass, rockabilly, cajun etc…

All forms of what we like to call Americana are well represented over the four days. From midday to midnight audiences wind their way through the medieval streets sampling the huge range of music in the 30 plus venues, hosting over 30 acts from Ireland, USA, Canada, UK and Sweden, with over 80 ticketed and free shows.

There’s a mixture of old and new acts on the free pub gig trail and all styles will be catered for, from swing to bluegrass, rockabilly to cajun, folk and the blues.

This years festival takes place from 3rd-6th of may and features John Grant, Chuck Prophet & The Mission Express, The Deep Dark Woods and many more

The full line up, and ticketing information  is available here

This weekend will see the Inistioge Gathering Weekend taking place. The event features live music in the village on Saturday and Sunday, with Trail Runs through Woodstock Gardens on Saturday  All funds raised from the €5 entry fee will go towards developing G.A.A. and athletics facilities in the parish.

Sunday night will also see Kilkenny Musical Societys 40th annual show, Pirates of Penzance, starting it’s run in the Watergate theatre.

Tickets are now on sale from the Watergate box office 056-7761674 and available on line at www.watergatetheatre.com. Prices are €12 for Sunday, €15 for Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, and €18 for Thursday, Friday & Saturday. The Society is also offering Group discounts for 10 or more at €15 per ticket.

The Easter holiday will be a busy time in County Kilkenny, with gathering events taking place around the county.

Emigration through the centuries

Rothe House & Garden will be hosting ‘Emigration through the centuries’ a three day series mix of lectures, day trips, and social entertainment exploring factors influencing the departure of so many 19th and 20th century Irish men and women. The conference will be based in Rothe House Kilkenny and will engage with Irish diaspora seeking to connect with their Kilkenny roots. A full programme of events is available here

MacGiollaPhadraig/Fitzpatrick Way Walk

Easter Sunday March 31st 2013 sees the staging of the popular 17km walk on theMacGiollaPhadraig Way from Durrow Co. Laois to Gathabawn Co. Kilkenny. This estimated 3.5 to 4 hour cross country walk will commence from 11:30 am. The walk will leave the Church car park, Durrow at 12.00 noon and continue by Ballykealy then to Cullahill Mountain at 2.30pm, where intended walkers can join at the trail head. This particular location boasts spcetacular scenery where seven Counties come into view . At the conclusion of the walk lunch will be served in Mackeys Bar, Gathabawn. Registration and walk fee of €5,   fee paying shuttle bus will also be available throughout the day. More information available here

Pat Walsh Easter Memorial, Dunamaggan

THE ANNUAL PAT WALSH MEMORIAL PARADE will take place in Dunamaggan on Easter Sunday. The celebrations commence with the 11.00 a.m. mass in St. Leonard’s Church, Dunamaggan which will be followed by the Parade. The guest speaker this year is John McGuinness T.D., chairman of the Dáil Public Accounts Committee. The evening concludes with a Cabaret in O’Dwyer’s at 9.00 p.m. from which the proceeds will go to the Dunamaggan G.A.A. club and the committee. This Easter Sunday Parade is one of the longest established Parades in the country and your support is very welcome so as to ensure that it continues and is still part of the local celebrations in 2016 and 2021 when it celebrates historic centuries of Irish History.