The link between Kilkenny, Celine Dion and Eurovision history
Celine Dion's victory at Eurovision 1988 in Dublin will forever be revered as a monumental moment in the history of the contest.
Dion, representing Switzerland, fought off the United Kingdom by just one point in the last vote to claim the title.
That victory helped launch Dion's international career, and she then went on to be one of the best-selling artists of all time.
But what has any of that got to do with Kilkenny?
Well, there's a small but noteworthy link to be found.
When Celine Dion won the contest in 1988, she was presented with an incredible silver and glass trophy that was handcrafted in Kilkenny.
The trophy was a collaborative effort between local silversmith Peter Donovan and Keith Leadbetter of Jerpoint Glass.
The silver exterior of the trophy was designed by Donovan and the glass insert was blown and shaped at Jerpoint.
Speaking to the Kilkenny People recently, Sally Leadbetter said that to her knowledge a prototype of the glass insert can still be found at the family's studio.
Despite being awarded so many trophies over the years, one would like to think that when she looks back at her career, Celine Dion thinks of receiving that trophy crafted in Kilkenny as the point where everything changed for her.