March: Tánaiste pledges support for James Stephens barracks in Kilkenny

In March, Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin pledged to commit further funding to James Stephens Barracks in Kilkenny.

“I visited a new gym facility here, a great facility, and we will investing more in the barracks here,” the Defence Minister said  during his whistle-stop tour of Kilkenny in March.

One pressing local issue raised to the Tánaiste was the fact that members of Kilkenny Squash Club are no longer permitted to use the squash courts in the barracks. The Tánaiste committed to talks with local squash club members to further discuss the issue and some of the remediation concerns around the squash court facilities.

In sad news Kilkenny’s 3rd Infantry Battalion announced the death of its old battalion mascot, Fionn the Irish Wolfhound. He lived to be seven years old - around the average lifespan for his breed of dog.

Fionn, well known as a gentle giant and faithful companion, attended many different events around Kilkenny over the years. He was very popular, particularly when visiting local schools, nursing homes or at community outings, where he was companionable and patient with all who greeted him. In 2016, he was grand marshal of Kilkenny City’s St Patrick’s Day festivities.

Adored by his handler Pte James Dooley, Fionn was immortalisesd alongside him in Amelia Stein’s exhibition in Butler Gallery in 2020. The exhibition, comprising 58 portraits, was titled ‘The Bloods’ the name associated with the 3 Infantry Battalion.

In March, Kilkenny City was once again jumping to jigs, reels and hornpipes over the St Patrick’s bank holiday weekend as Kilkenny Tradfest celebrated its tenth anniversary.

A stellar line-up of national acts, including Stockton’s Wing, Scullion and the Bonnymen wowed the music fans at the paid concerts while over one hundred free sessions throughout the city saw some of Kilkenny and the country’s finest traditional musicians draw huge crowds to the city’s pubs.

Chairperson of the Tradfest committee, Brendan Treacy, said that the reaction from customers and visitors alike was tremendous.

“For many years, the period around St Patrick’s Day was little more than a one-day mid-winter break. Our decision as vintners to get involved in this festival a decade ago has transformed itself into a hugely successful part of the festival calendar in Kilkenny,” he said.

In March, a special civic presentation to John Cleere to acknowledge his contribution to Kilkenny’s arts and music scene took place. John, a founding member of the Kilkenny Roots Festival was officially recognised for his contribution to arts and culture in Kilkenny. The popular visionary was put forward for an award by Cllr Andrew McGuinness.

“These awards are rare and only presented to those who made an outstanding contribution in some way to civic life in Kilkenny City and county,” he said.