November: DJ given jail time and community leaders shine - Kilkenny Year in Review

The public downfall of ex-Kilkenny hurler DJ Carey was the story of November, with Carey handed a five-and-a-half year prison sentence for fraudulently claiming to have cancer as a means to deceitfully take money from people.

Elsewhere, a South Kilkenny parish shed a tear for an outgoing priest and there was activity on and off the field in camogie.

The crimes of DJ Carey were put on full display to a national audience this month with both a book and a two-part TV documentary released.

Written by Eimear Ní Bhraonain, ‘The Dodger: DJ Carey and the Great Betrayal’ hit shelves midway through the month with the jaw dropping book offering a ‘news investigation’ into Carey’s crimes.

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Meanwhile, an RTÉ documentary series from Fine Point Films, told the story to a nationwide story over two hour-long episodes on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

However, while much of the community were left horrified by the actions of their former hero, a number of locals did illustrate the very best that society has to offer.

Local volunteer and former CBS Kilkenny guidance counsellor Lucy Ryan was honoured at a National Gaisce PAL Celebration in recognition of her efforts to support, encourage and guide young people who undertake the Gaisce Award over the past 15 years.

Meanwhile, good wishes were sent from near and far to the Very Reverend Fr Liam Barron who announced his ‘semi retirement’ as parish priest in the Mullinavat area.

A special mass to mark Fr Barron’s contribution to the community was held in St Beacon’s Church with a large crowd in attendance.

If a priest is a pillar in a local community, the same can be said for a postman and residents in one local parish said goodbye to a beloved postman in November as Billy Barnaville called time on a decorated career.

Billy served as postman in the Conahy area for a remarkable three decades.

In business, a local giftshop received a major blow this month following confirmation that they were closing their doors. Breda and Eoghan, who run Breda’s Gift Shop on Kieran Street, shared the sad news with customers, after three ‘special’ years trading in Kilkenny.

Similarly in Kilkenny sporting circles, doors opened and closed for respective inter-county managers.

Former Limerick goalkeeping coach Timmy Houlihan took up a coaching role with the Kilkenny senior hurling team ahead of the 2026 season, while a wide-ranging team were announced as the successors to Tommy Shefflin in charge of the Kilkenny camogie team.

On the club scene, the month got off to a glittering start for Dicksboro who were crowned Leinster champions, beating Oulart the Ballagh.

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