The colourful publication is a follow-up to Mud, Sweat & Jeers and Treasure Lost, Treasure Found. The 454-page book is on sale in city and county shops along with  brilliant local bookshops The Kilkenny Book Centre, High Street and Khans bookshop, James’s Street.

All volunteers in the book are interviewed. 

The stories highlight a fascinating era in the history of the Marble City and County

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The launch of Jimmy Rhatigan’s latest bookLove Is…in ParisTexas resembled Oscars’ Night.

But the line-up of stars had nothing to do with glitz or glamour.

The event, and the book, are an affirmation of the positives in life…being kind to others, feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, standing up for justice and equality, or just doing a good turn.

Volunteers delve into Hell on earth in a bid to comfort struggling families.

For the book launch, instead of red carpets and razzmatazz there was a welcome on the proverbial mat for the standing room only of Kilkenny City and County folk that filled the brilliant High Street venue that is Paris Texas.

Rapturous applause erupted when Jimmy’s son-in-law Michael Comerford and his son, Jimmy’s loving grandson MJ declared grandad’s book officially launched.

Copies of Love Is… had no sooner been picked up when inquisitive book lovers found themselves immersed in its pages…scanning, skipping, pausing with the thrill of recognition or remembrance, marvelling at the sheer scale of the book project, all 454 pages of community brilliance.

In three months only, the author had penned insightful, revealing, heart-warming, and sometimes heart-wrenching stories based on interviews, along with knowledge of those who had passed away, in all 66 local heroes of courage and kind hearts, each a shining example of what it means to make a real difference.

Explaining the book’s genesis, Jimmy told of his battle with illness and his decision to return to writing, his lifetime love with the aim of publishing a book every year for as long as God spares him.

His passion for journalism proved to be exactly what the doctor ordered.

After 58 years in journalism he shows no sign of calling a halt to a wonderful chapter of life.

He is living proof that retirement need never meas giving up…regardless of one’s profession or status in life.

In the book aficionados of the written word can read a magic mix that includes feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, fostering community sports and other activities, along with housing the homeless and trying to heal the oft life-threatening wounds of struggling families tormented by Vulture Funds.

Illicit drugs and alcohol represent walking on thin ice for many. Community spirit can quench the thirst of the suffering.

The Saint in a truck is Jim Kavanagh who over the years has delivered food and other essentials to families in radiation-riddled Belarus.

Rebel with a cause is Kay Brennan, the Queen of the Butts who has so often been a champion of the cause of workers in angst.

Ger Cody put Kilkenny theatre on the world stage. Former Councillor Breda Gardner’s enlightened approach to politics and healing makes fascinating  reading.

Kick-boxer and ice hockey hero Paul Cummins takes on the world and its mother as well as Kilkenny County Council in his courageous fight to acquire proper facilities for the sons and daughters of our city and county.

The late Ned Kennedy of Freshford epitomized the spirit of the Village Schoolmaster for whom teaching was a vocation.

He was a brilliant man who worked tirelessly for his beloved Freshford that would sit comfortably if it were aptly renamed Kennedy Village.

Then there is retired Presentation Convent music teacher Sheila Ryan who devotes her so-called retirement years to helping the poorest of the poor in Tanzania.

Along with fellow volunteers Sheila has performed miracles as local families living in mud huts were provided with modern homes along with a state of the art school where once starving children enjoy proper meals.

Young boys and girls love their new seat of education, a school that should enhance the lifestyle of brave youngsters who not too long ago had no hope in a land where hardship was an unwelcome daily visitor.

Fantastic stories of faith, hope and charity go on and on and on.

The life-saving tales make heart-wrenching reading, none more so than the Herculean deeds of Mary Pierce, her husband Brendan and Jackie Cullen, a trinity that plays father, mother and favourite aunt to  the poor, old, aged and ill of the greater Kilkenny and the poor at the heartland of hardship in deprived Dublin.

Love is…is a fantastic insight into what might be termed Hell on Earth.

It is written in Jimmy Rhatigan’s inimitable style of journalism that highlight the brilliant work of our community volunteers who toil unselfishly under the radar, never seeking reward or fame as they battle for the unfortunates who our Government have failed

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael politicians tend to look the other way as homelessness drifts to a National Emergency.

Jimmy Rhatigan pulls no punches when he brands the FF, FG Governors as The Toxic Twins.

Love is…is compulsive reading.

Jimmy’s third book is on sale at Khan’s Books, James’s Street. It sells at €20.

A limited number of his previous books, Mud, Sweat & Jeers and Treasure Lost, Treasure Found are available from Khan’s and from the author: 0871525741 or jimmyrhatigan@gmail.com

All pictures: Danny Lahart

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Friends, neighbours, in-laws and outlaws were hunched under umbrellas as the rain pelted down.

It would not have surprised me if son of Graigue/Ballycallan  man Milo Hennessy had a smile on his face as we waited to meet the larger than life retired Kilkenny People Newspaper print worker for the last time.

With respect the hugely popular Milo probably would have been chuffed at the fact that only minutes after Hehir’s Funeral Home was opened there were long queues to meet a man so admired and respected.

On my first visited I hesitated to join in the queue and said I would return later. That I did with  optimism but alas the queue was as long and  possibly longer on the second visit.  

I don’t normally visit funeral homes but Milo Hennessy I simply had to say farewell to.

A friendly young man from Ballycallan offered to  share his brolly with me. 

I don’t know the  gentleman and probably never met him before but I knew I was  in friendly territory as the  chit chat sent out the signal that those waiting were big fans of Milo H and like Milo, were also big hurling aficionados.

The gent did tell me he was an electrician, a bright spark most certainly, a really good guy, just like the 68-year-old Milo who was one of nature’s finest.

Edging towards Milo’s coffin I was nervous. When you have such respect for a friend you can feel the butterflies in your stomach.

With my brother Joe I signed the visitors’ book. Soon I   found myself a few steps from the man who was given a send-off of epic proportions.

I met Milo’s sisters-in-law and I spoke about  the years I spent as a journalist  on the staff of the Kilkenny People. The penny dropped. They remembered my name from God only knows how   many years ago. The friendly ladies put me at ease.

Before meeting Milo I spoke to his brothers Kevin and Ger both of whom I had known reasonably well over the years. I would meet them in the city with their late father Paddy and, more often than not with Milo in tow.

I grinned to myself. The Boys were back town, the Hennessy Boys who would possibly enjoy a game of cards in a local hostelry, a few pints or a bet or two on a couple of nags. And, no doubt an upcoming game involving you know what team, their club side or the Kilkenny senior team, would get an airing with Milo leading the debate.

To meet Milo was both sad and refreshing. There was no denying who was resting in the coffin surrounded by his broken hearted loved ones.

He looked as fresh as the proverbial daisy complete with suit and his spectacles. I was so happy that I had gone into to say a few final words to him.

I whispered Goodbye my friend and thanks for the memories. I laid my hand on his chest as I re-lived the great times in the ‘People that flashed through my mind

I recalled the hard work we all did in a great place to toil, the fun we had, the craic about hurling and all it meant to Milo particularly his local club, the club he was in love with, the club that he ate, slept, dreamed and drank every day of every year for a lifetime.

I felt lousy leaving my friend and heading home. Then reality hit. I was merely a small cog of respect that included literally thousands of people who loved Milo Hennessy and his family so dearly.

In the Kilkenny People he worked with sound people like Gerry Cody, Pat Griffin, Padraig  Leydon, Brendan Dowling, the late Ben Little, the late Ralph Kavanagh, Sean Dooley, John Knox, Sean Hurley, Johnny McKee, Michael Keogh, Peter Holohan, Tommy, Marie O’Reilly, Heber McQuaid, the late Lillian  Beatty, Marie McKee, Breda Gorey Raggett,  the late Tom Brett, Mary Manning, Joe Hayes, Seamus  and James McGarry,  the late Norah Flynn, Teresa Byrne, Henry O’Neill, Tommy Hayes, Bridie Young, Pat Kelly, Donie Butler, Peter Seaver, Pat Stapleton, Padjo Little, Breda and Ann Coonan, Billy O’Sullivan, Katie Rice, Martin and Michael Brett, Sean Kerwick, Michael Gannon, Paddy Leydon, Denise Murphy, most of whom were based in High Street.

The names came flooding back and the happy days under a very fair and friendly MD John Kerry Keane, his wife Leonora and daughters Andrea  and Adriana reminded of all the excellent people, the great characters I worked with and how they had helped to brighten my life and made going to work so enjoyable, entertaining even.

It is in that vein that I will always remember and respect Milo from Ballyfrunk, Ballycallan. He was a terrific colleague who never uttered a bad word about anyone and in a wonderful two-way street I never heard anyone utter an ill word about Milo.

Milo’s remains were removed to St Brigid’s Church, Ballycallallan where there was again a full house to mourn the region’s favourite son.

Burial was at St Mary’s Cemetary, Ballycallan.

Milo was predeceased by his loving parents Margaret and Paddy.

He is survived by his brothers Ger and Kevin; sisters Rena and Eileen; nephew Shane; nieces Amy, Sarah, Laura, Margaret, Katie; sister-in-law Sadie; brothers-in-law Mikey and Jim; Ger’s partner Eileen;  grandnieces Mia, Rose and Grace.

God rest you Milo, GAA fan, Ballycallan and Kilkenny, Ballycallan ticket salesman and fundraiser supreme, amazing workmate, family and community man. The Lord will welcome you with open arms. You deserve the rest after a brave battle with illness.

Peace to you my friend and to your loving family. Milo was a great friend of fellow Ballycallan and GAA guru Tom Ryall. 

Common denominator was that both craved the very best for Graigue/Ballycallan GAA Club.

Adios amigo,  the love of all our lives.

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Cricklewood, London and formerly of Castlemarket in the Parish of Ballyragget, County Kilkenny. 

Michael John, Mora Road, Cricklewood was formerly of Castlemarket, Attanagh, Portlaoise, County Laois and Lowhill, Attanagh, Kilkenny, his beloved home place.

A loving husband, dad, grandad, brother, son, uncle and dear friend, he died peacefully on November 17, 2024. 

He was predeceased by his parents John and Ellen (née Nolan) Cummins, brother Laurence, sisters Mary Kane, Ballinalacken, Ballyragget, Eileen Conway, Kilwarden, Kill and Julia Manning, Knocknew, Ballyfoyle. 

His nephews were Martin Kane, Ballinalacken, Ballyragget and Gerard Cummins, London and his niece was Frances McGuinness Hennessy, Friary Street, Kilkenny City and The Commons, Gowran. 

It was always a joy to be in John’s company.  A great Kilkenny man he loved all things hurling, music, family and friends. Happiness was his main aim and motto of life. 

One of 11 children of which he was the sixth, the third child to be born in Lowhill on September 1, 1938 following the family’s return to Ireland from New York in July of 1934. 

 The family moved to Castlemarket just before Easter in 1941.

John was affectionately known as Jack to his family and Jackie to locals. 

His primary education was in Ballyouskill National School followed by the Christian Brothers Secondary School in Abbleyleix. 

John then moved on from school to begin an apprenticeship in what was then the Creamery in Ballyragget.  

He loved music and was a great accordion player. The Cummins children music self-education began with John’s eldest brother Laurence making music on a comb with a piece of paper. 

The next year it was the mouth organ. Kieran and John played accordion. Kieran was first to learn to play, John was next, both were self-taught. 

John Cummins was given an old melodeon by a gentleman called Martin Bergin who he worked with Ballyragget Creamery. 

It was a battered old musical instrument held together with sellotape. 

Jack Fogarty, a neighbour, on a visit to Castlemarket commented, on seeing the musical instrument, “the melodeon could do with an over coat there are so many holes in it”. 

John was not to be dissuaded. He persevered. The boys asked their mother Ellen Cummins to buy them an accordion, but not convinced that this would be money well spent, she declined.  

John decided to invest and purchased a button accordion from Cotts of Kilcotts. It cost 12 Irish punt, bought on the never, never. He paid it off at half a crown a week. 

The accordion still survives to this day. He invested in a new accordion and gave his first accordion to Mrs Holohan as a gift. 

Mrs Holohan was the lady he boarded with in Tullamore, where he worked from 1958 to 1960. 

 She bequeathed the accordion to her niece Mary Cassin, who still has it.  After emigrating to London he and his brother Kieran played their accordions doing gigs in the pubs of London.   

John emigrated to London in 1960 where he worked in the construction industry for most of his working life.

London was where he met and married his magnificent wife and friend for life May Ward, a native of Mohill, County Leitrim, on March 11th 1967. 

Together they had their two wonderful children Colette and David and their six grandchildren: Hayley, Jordan, Ethan, Kyle, Brogan and Shai. 

 John and May loved dancing and together were a sight to behold on the dance floor.  

John is sadly missed by his loving wife May, daughter Colette, son David and grandchildren Hayley, Jordan, Shea, Ethan, Brogan and Kyle.

He is also survived by daughter-in-law, Karen Cummins and son-in-law Philip Bergin.  He leaves behind brothers: Kieran and Joe, London and sisters Teresa McGuinness, Kilkenny City, Kathleen Gallagher, Ann O’Connor and Cecilia O’Donnell, all London. 

 He was loved too by brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family and many friends from Ireland and the UK, particularly his lifelong friend Jimmy Willis from Cork. 

John’s wake will be held on Monday, December 9, 10am-4pm, at John Nodes Funeral Directors in Cricklewood. 

Requiem Mass will be on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at the Catholic Church of St Agnes, 35 Cricklewood Lane, London NW2 1HR, UK at 11am followed by burial at Hendon Cemetery. 

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. Inár gcroíthe go deo.

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Maureen is always remembered by her loving sons Jimmy and Joe; daughter-in-law Ann; grandchildren Andrea and James; Andrea’s husband Michael and great, great grandson MJ Comerford.

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There were elections when I didn’t give my No. 1 to a local politician who is referred to by some as Supermac.

There may be food for thought in the latter.

I would find it difficult to pin a label on McGuinness. I do know that, with respect, he is as cute as a fox, as clever as a church mouse.

Were he a card player he would be excellent at the tense and often challenging game of poker.

He knows how to keep his cards close to his chest. His poker face would not be easily read and would stand to him. 

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin will attest to that. The pair don’t always see eye-to-eye, I believe.

The son of Kilkenny is acknowledged as being a rebel within the FF party with which he is sometimes in love but angry with at times  when he rocks the boat.

With his party colleagues he supports Government motions in the Dáil. 

There were times in the ago when it was suggested that he might quit the FF party to do a solo run as Independent Fianna Fáil.

I never believed that would happen. Deep down, he knew that his father Mick, a passionate FF devotee, proud leader of the McGuinness Clan would turn in his grave if that were to happen.

To O’Loughlin Road man John that move would be akin to playing hopscotch in a minefield. Risk taking would not be among his attributes.

He adheres to the traditional republican values of the old Fianna Fáil which often brings him into conflict with those pedalling a different view of the party. 

He never fears fighting a lone battle. In the Carlow/Kilkenny Constituency, Kilkenny is the bedrock of his beliefs.

He stuck out his neck at another time when he bravely supported whistleblower Garda Sergeant Maurice McCabe who alleged that there was corruption within our Garda Force.

That took raw courage but it also highlighted McGuinness’s innate acumen to understand the trappings of a public conundrum that could make or break anyone involved in what was a dirty debate that divided communities.

His decision to take a shot in the dark hit the bullseye and won him many admirers.

One ponders on how he would have felt when FF got into bed with the old enemy FG and the aptly named Green Party.

One suspects that he would have been happier to be associated with a Sinn Féin Party for which I understand he has much respect.

On that score one wonders how FFers will feel if their party ends up snuggling on the same couch that fostered the unlikely romance between foes and would be akin to Donald Trump throwing a wink in the direction of Kamala Harris.

One suspects that McGuinness and some of his colleagues would prefer to be swapping spits with the Shinners than pretending to be buddies with their fellow Fine Gaelers.

But unfortunately for those who would gladly send a ‘kiss my arse’ note to FG, the chances of any changes are now but a dream because of SF’s crazy habit of scoring own goals.

But regardless of who will love bomb who when that master of self-importance Simon Harris eventually condescends to tell us, his paymasters, when the General Election day will be.

 We can then tell FG to get stuffed or FF to get lost. We can choose to address the rest of the political bunch with similar sentiments.

Regardless, John McGuinness will do his thing with the same enthusiasm as he did when he was elected as a rookie county councillor in the Year of Our Lord 1979.

Members of other political parties will be far from his mind as he will do what he does best; knocking on every door, with his ardent followers reminding that as a local politician McGuinness is the best thing since the first sliced pan was toasted.

McGuinness’s roots are in local politics. If he were a clergyman he would be PP of every parish in east, west, north and south Kilkenny and in all of Kilkenny City too.

He knows every nook and cranny in his native city and county; has a special affinity with local communities and is probably most at ease when he is among his own.

Yet he will be cagey on his own turf when talking to journalists, telling them that he is getting a warm welcome on doorsteps but that one should never count chickens before they are hatched.

My prediction is that Kilkenny’s most experienced politician  will be returned to the Kildare Street residence that has been his adopted home for so long.

That will make many people happy and as I alluded to earlier there will also be those who will be left disgruntled.

McGuinness won’t be fazed as he ambles his way through the to him familiar terrain of the hustings but will be naturally more relaxed if and when he again hits the jackpot of public life in a city and county he loves.

With many of our people cynical about politics and politicians there is always the possibility of shock results.

Yes there will be fallers in what is expected to be a big field of runners but even the Devil and his mother know that voters tend to cling to the status quo.

Perhaps worrying for candidates is that many apathetic voters may not go to vote.

We often point the accusing finger at politicians in public exchanges but reality is that we should all be looking in the mirror as people who fail to turn up let everybody down.

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Come election time, local or national, politicians always put their brass necks and brazen faces on display as they knock on doors for votes at family homes that most of them had not darkened since previous elections.

The General Election next month will be a display of arrogance and ignorance by men and women of different party hues as they fight their corners, their corners mind, not  ours, in a desperate bid to get their fat arses back on to cushy Dáil seats.

Own goals

That Sinn Féin have scored so many own goals as a party in recent times in particular perhaps suggests that the FF/FG Mafiosa, maybe but not definitely, will, in tandem with the greedy greens, again form the next Government.

Continuing with the FF/FG/Green trinity of disaster will most definitely be a further kick in the teeth for our people as, regardless of what they tell us, all three are parties for the wealthy who will continue to be molly coddled while hard working and honourable families will be treated as pieces of dirt on a shoddy carpet.

Bribe their way

It is pitiful to listen to Government and its lackeys reminding us of the array of financial gifts they have for us at election time as they bid to bribe their way into the next Dáil.

The disingenuous so and sos should be reminded that it is our money that they are playing  with as they lick backsides and charm babies with all the grace of a three-legged donkey on an ice rink.

It is disgusting and irritating to listen to their waffle and indeed to the gibberish of most political groupings as all eye seats around the trough of plenty.

As Government sugar coats its offerings for its followers and anybody else who wants to vote for them there is not a mention about the horrible state of our hospitals and the desperate so-called healthcare that is on offer from the Health Services Executive (HSE).

Dear God, at a so-called time of plenty our healthcare, or the lack of it, is Third World.

Reality is that this Government thinks more of horses and greyhounds than it does of sick children and indeed thinks even less of our homeless and parents rearing their children in stuffy hotel rooms.

‘extra deaths’

Of course we are well aware that all of our children are equal. We know too that some are more equal than others.

Amidst all the hubbub of election time, the handshakes, the pitiful smiles and pseudo greetings, there won’t be a single   word about ‘extra deaths’ in Kilkenny and other counties and indeed across the world.

Why are we losing so many people of all ages while nobody in power, most politicians, many medical people, journalists and many others turning a blind eye and refusing to be drawn into discussion about Covid and all its woes, Covid vaccines and their trail of destruction.

Ask your local local politician about vaccines and the colour will quickly ooze from embarrased jaws.

Whether we like it or not the reality is that we are now living   in a country where censorship is more rampant than in North Korea or Russia.

Ah sure what about it. Won’t we benefit from all the promises made on doorsteps by ruthless vote touters.

Keep an eye out for white Blackbirds, Dodo Birds and honest politicians.

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The offering from the notorious trinity of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and The Greens is riddled with flaws and is a disingenuous package geared towards us believing that we are getting the sun, moon and stars while all we are being proffered  is a well decorated and much lauded Christmas Bonus with a few  frills in dodging dressing.

Reality is that the Budget is a rich man’s wallet-filler designed as a poor man’s bag of tricks.

The three tricksters cannot disguise the fact that they are once again filling the pockets of landlords while boxing the ears off of under pressure tenants.

Nothing has changed. Both FF and FG are conservative parties with wily ministers and smarmy TDs pandering to the wants and the needs of those who have while pretending to be on the side of those who have not.

The Greens are unsure where they stand, trapped on the middle of the road and battling with themselves on whether or not to use a cycling lane or a hybrid roadway.

They promote lettuce plants but one suspects they would be much more at home with a platter of caviar.

The very fact that Government Parties insulted us with this shady budget shows just how much contempt they have for the plebs of Ireland, as they would brand us, the good people  they are supposed to represent in the Dáil.

That they had the gall, the temerity to present their vote buying mishmash to us shows just how rude and disrespectful they can be to us citizens who pay their exorbitant wages.

In giving us the two fingers the message they have sent us is to live horse and eat grass.

Their underhand politics should be thrown back  into  their faces.

We have a glorious opportunity to do just that in the forthcoming General Election.

If we don’t react and accept the political pittances with bowed knee then we deserve the manure that is being hurled at us by male and female politicians who totally overrate their value to our country that is riddled with underhand skullduggery like our children’s hospital scandal and the Dáil bicycle shed. 

We should keep in mind that the cunning budget was designed to fool us.

That in itself should stir our emotions.

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The Fatima Place couple was pictured with Maureen’s sister Kathleen Moore, left and Jimmy’s brother, Johnny Rhatigan.

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