A new report examining the enduring impact of Credit Unions on communities throughout Ireland was launched in Kilkenny this morning.

Credit Union representatives were joined at the Medieval Mile Museum by Robert Troy, the Minister of State for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance for the event, who formally launched the report.

Following the launch, Dermot Keyes from KCLR's Newsroom spoke to Minister Troy about the role the Credit Union movement plays in Kilkenny, Carlow and across the island and why he hopes the Credit Union will elevate its investment in the Approved Housing Board Fund.

Minister Troy also spoke to Dermot about the new savings scheme which the Government hopes to introduce within the next two Budgets and the fall-out from the controversy surrounding Special Needs Assistant numbers in our primary school system.

The KCLR Farm Show, brought to you by Tirlán, broadcasts on KCLR every Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. with the programme repeated on Sunday mornings at 7:00 a.m. It is an agriculture based programme, focusing on current farming events, the people involved in farming, the Agri-sector and rural issues affecting the people of Carlow and Kilkenny.

Matt O'Keeffe is your host, and you can contact the show by emailing [email protected].

This show was first broadcast on Thursday, February 26th, 2026

Tobi Saliami is one of two IPAS residents in Kilkenny who has developed the Global Dance Club, which debuted at last year's St Patrick's Day Parade in the city.

The group has brought together dancers of many nationalities who are now embracing a range of different dance styles which will form the basis of their performance in this year's parade.

Yesterday (February 25th), Dermot Keyes from the KCLR Newsroom caught up with Tobi for a chat about taking part in the parade and his lifelong love of dance.

The Royal Irish Academy has allocated funding for a fresh archaeological dig on the grounds of Ballymoon Castle, just a couple of miles outside Bagenalstown.

The dig, which is scheduled to get underway in late April, will be led by a local man, archaeologist Niall O'Neill and will be conducted in partnership with Carlow County Council.

Previous work at Ballymoon has revealed significant activity in the surrounds of the castle in the late 16th and early 17th centuries - but as things stand, nothing is known about what went on there between 1320 and 1550.

KCLR's Dermot Keyes spoke to Niall about the pending project at a site where, intriguingly, construction of the castle was never completed.

Gowran's School Bus Group will hold a public meeting at the Parish Hall on Monday evening next (2n March) at 8pm to highlight the need for additional Bus Eireann services to ferry local secondary school students to and from the village.

At present, approximately a third of students in Gowran have access to Bus Eireann school transport, which leaves the remainder getting to school in Kilkenny City through various means, primarily through parent carpooling.

Brendan Hayes is a member of the group and yesterday, he spoke to KCLR's Dermot Keyes in Gowran about next Monday night's meeting, building a positive relationship with Bus Eireann while also discussing what can be done to animate the village.

St Canice’s Cathedral in Kilkenny has introduced its new accessible audio guides, marking an important step toward enhancing the visitor experience and inclusion at one of the country's most prominent heritage sites.

The project was funded by the Heritage Council of Ireland under the Community

Heritage Grant Scheme (2025) to help the general public engage more meaningfully with heritage sites across Ireland.

At the launch, Dermot Keyes of KCLR News spoke to Tom Kennedy - who gave the new guide a 'test drive' - and Stephen Farrell, the Dean of Ossory.

On this mornings show, Shirley Lanigan chats about snowdrops and daffodils, award winning Irish art business owner Sandra Blanchfield tells us about her upcoming beginner art classes, Mary Meaney from Kilcumney Players drama group chats about some upcoming performances and Mary Brennan tells us about upcoming play 'Matches and Old Flames'.

Actress and podcaster Norma Sheehan talks about her new podcast 'Middle Rage' with Jennifer Zamparelli and upcoming show 'Shirley Valentine', TD Peter Chap Cleere tells us about his backing of a culture card for 18 year olds and pharmacist Aoife O'Keeffe from Newpark Life tells us about the new scheme which sees pharmacies giving prescriptions instead of GPs for some common illnesses.

At a special meeting held on Thursday (19th Februrary), Kilkenny County Council recommended the refusal of Manogate Ltd's planning application to develop 10 wind turbines and associated works.

However, the story is far from over, as the ultimate decision will rest with An Coimisiun Pleanala, with their adjudication expected in June or July of this year.

Speaking to KCLR News, local Councillor Jenny Catt-Slattery offered the following reaction to Dermot Keyes.

At a special meeting held on Thursday (19th Februrary), Kilkenny County Council recommended the refusal of Manogate Ltd's planning application to develop 10 wind turbines and associated works.

However, the ultimate decision will rest with An Coimisiun Pleanala come June or July of this year.

Speaking to KCLR News, local Councillor Ger Frisby outlined why he felt the Council had reached such a conclusion.

Heatmerchants/Tubs and Tiles officially unveiled their flagship store on the Hebron Road yesterday afternoon.

Branch Manager Joe Glynn spoke to KCLR News' Martin Quilty.