April: A jackpot win in Kilkenny, business blues and success for key local figures - Year In Review

April proved to be a month of remarkable milestones and moments of celebration and reflection across Kilkenny.

One Kilkenny person’s luck shone early in the month when they became the fifth Lotto jackpot winner of 2025, matching all numbers from the March 26 draw.

Also taking place in April was the official opening of the Rosehill Bridge at Coote’s Lane took place in April.

It was a milestone month for Josephine O’Neill of Callan Macra who was named Macra’s 40th national president following a tightly contested campaign at the Irish Farm Centre.

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There was huge interest in the south of the county when it was announced that planning permission was granted for the first phase of the North Quays, a major mixed-use development by Harcourt Developments.

Local sporting pride perhaps hit its peak early in the month when amateur Kilkenny rider Patrick Mullins, donning black and amber, guided Nick Rockett to victory in the Randox Grand National at Aintree for his father, Willie Mullins of Goresbridge.

Back in Kilkenny City, the Pembroke Hotel unveiled a new floor of luxury suites following a two-year project and €3 million investment.

April also brought heartfelt goodbyes. After nearly four decades behind the bar, the O’Keeffe family bid farewell to their customers at the Woodstock Arms in Inistioge.

It was also an emotional time for local eatery Nóinín, who announced the difficult decision to close their John’s Bridge café on April 26, citing financial unsustainability despite recent accolades.

Community activism was on full display as well, perhaps most evident with a large protest against the proposed Ballynalacken Wind Farm.

In political news, Kathleen Funchion spoke of her relief following the conclusion of a court process that resulted in a jail sentence for her ex-partner, describing it as “without a doubt the most difficult process that I have dealt with in my life.”

During the same month, Senator Malcolm Noonan was named as the Green Party Spokesperson for Agriculture, Food, the Marine, Heritage and Nature, whilst party colleague Cllr Maria Dollard was appointed Spokesperson for Disability.

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