Review of the year: December

The last month of 2022 opened with a dramatic river rescue in Graignamanagh when two people were pulled from the River Barrow by gardaì and fire services. Both people thankfully made a full recovery. 

Also early in the month  a memorial service featured  for the cervical cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan at the Church of the Assumption in her native Mooncoin when hundreds turned out to pay their respects to the South Kilkenny native. Among those who attended the service was retired broadcaster and friend Charlie Bird, Labour TD Alan Kelly and fellow cervical check campaigners Lorraine Walsh and Stephen Teap.

Santa made an original and dramatic arrival to the opening of Yulefest in Kilkenny in early December. Accompanied by Kilkenny Civil Defence and the Nore Dragon Paddlers, he travelled up the River Nore from Greensbridge to Canal Square where hundreds lined the river banks and swarmed bridges to give him a warm welcome.

A unique and magical place was celebrated in a feature exploring the Lingaun Valley when Mary Cody visited this relatively undiscovered ancient valley on the Kilkenny Tipperary border which is full of history including the Ahenny High Crosses and the megalithic passage tomb of Knockroe.