Castlecomer Wellie Race preparation continues as special guest announced - Kilkenny Live

Plans for the 43rd Annual Wellie Race are in full flow.

Confirmed beneficiaries include North Kilkenny Wheelchair Association, Friends of Castlecomer District Hospital, St Patrick’s School & Centre, Kilkenny, Ballyragget/Ballyouskill Lourdes Fund; School of the Holy Spirit, Kilkenny; Castlecomer Social Services; St Vincent de Paul; SOS Castlecomer plus various other local, national and international charities.

Kilkenny passage tomb preparing to welcome crowds for winter solstice

Every year brings something new to the table. 

Race Personality John ‘Shark’ Hanlon will no doubt create a stir or two on New Year’s Day.

The big question on everyone’s mind is will he bring US Grand National hero Hewick along - and which pub will do the entertaining?

The popular Bagenalstown trainer continues to make the headlines and recently received the National Hunt Achievement Award at the HRI awards.

Can you give me a Christmas forever home? Kilkenny shelter almost at full capacity, again!

He has enjoyed a very successful season with horse Hewick who was purchased for a bargain price of €850 by owner TJ McDonald.

The seven-year-old claimed the Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Sandown in April and the Galway Plate in July but Hewick’s most memorable moment of the year came in October when he won the American Grand National.