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March 2018

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The Breadwinner Exhibition

County Wide

12th March - 29th July

The Butler Gallery is pleased to present a multimedia exhibition by New York-based artists Mary Reid. The Breadwinner Exhibition: Children's Storytelling

June 2018

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Abhainn Ri Festival

Callan

29th June - 8th July

Welcome to our eigth Annual Abhainn Rí Festival of Participation and Inclusion. We pool together the creative, social and civic resources of the town to make this special festival happen.

July 2018

Gowran Festival of Speed

Gowran

15th July

New festival for the southeast: Group B Class Cars; Celebrity Rally Drivers Displays; Demos; World Rally Cars of the 80s plus food, carnival, entertainment

August 2018

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Kilkenomics

City Centre

3rd August

Europe’s first economics festival – which brings together some of the world’s leading economists, financial analysts and media commentators with some of our funniest, sharpest standup comedians.

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Kilkenny Roots Festival

City Centre

3rd August

Audiences wind their way through the medieval streets sampling the huge range of music in the 30 plus venues, hosting over 40 Irish and international acts, with over 90 ticketed and free shows from early afternoon until late into the night.

Iverk Show

Piltown County Kilkenny

3rd August

The Iverk Show is Ireland’s Oldest Agricultural Show and is now one of the country’s premier one day family events with attendance close to 25,000.

StormFest 18

City Centre

10th - 19th August

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Ireland Newfoundland Festival 2018

City Centre

20th - 23rd August

We have some great Newfoundland & Irish music lined up for the evening. These performers have been selected to travel to Ireland with us for Gathering 2018 in Ireland!

September 2018

JJ Reddy Danesfort Run

County Wide

13th September

Annual JJ Reddy Danesfort Run - Half Marathon, 10k and 5k - #DanesfortRun

October 2018

Reign of Terror

Kells

13th October

Reign of Terror is a mud run with challenges like no other. Set in the spectacular surroundings of the medieval village of kells, County Kilkenny

Savour Kilkenny

City Centre

26th - 29th October

Savour Kilkenny returns to the medieval city for four days of foodie heaven over the Halloween Bank Holiday Weekend, 25th – 29th October 2018!

November 2018

Patrick Rafter & Michael McHale in concert

kilkenny city

25th November

Join Patrick Rafter on violin and Michael McHale, pianist in concert at 4pm St. Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny on Sunday November 25th. 

Tickets on sale at the door from 3.15 pm onwards: €15.00, €10.00 (concession), €5.00 (students & children). 

December 2018

Nathan Sherman & Alex Petcu

kilkenny city

2nd December

Join Nathan Sherman - viola and Alex Petcu - percussion at 4 pm Chapter House, St. Mary’s Cathedral on Sunday, December 2nd. 

Tickets on sale at the door from 3.15 pm onwards: €15.00, €10.00 (concession), €5.00 (students & children)

Tonos in St Mary’s Cathedral

kilkenny city

9th December

Join Tonos at 4 pm Chapter House, St. Mary’s Cathedral on Sunday, December 9th. Mid-Winter is a time that resonates deeply with people across many traditions and cultures and the musical duo with Music in Kilkenny will present, WinterSong. 

The Kilkenny Choir – Ceremony of Carols

St. John’s Church

9th December

A very special Choral treat awaits on December 9th in St. John’s Church on the Dublin Road. The Kilkenny Choir, conducted by Thomas Kehoe, joined by Anne-Marie O’Farrell Harpist and accompanied by Eoin O’ Callaghan Piano present Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols and other seasonal favourites.

January 2019

39th Annual Castlecomer Wellie Race 2019

Castlecomer

1st January

Now the less said about the amount of alcohol that had been consumed prior to this momentous decision the better but the history books will record that Paddy Phelan became the winner of the first ever Wellington race.

February 2019

Music in Kilkenny

Butler Gallery

24th February

Sunday 24 March 4pm Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle
Concert 3 Of A Special Concert Series To Celebrate 50 Years Of Kilkenny Castle In The Care Of The Office Of Public Works.

March 2019

Kilkenny Tradfest 2020

City Centre

12th - 17th March

Trad and Folk music, workshops, outdoor entertainment, dance and more!

Poulaphouca: New Paintings & Works on Paper

Butler Gallery

16th March - 12th May

Poulaphouca: New Paintings & Works on Paper, 16 March – 12 May 2019.
The Butler Gallery is delighted to present the first solo exhibition in Ireland by the Wicklow-based American artist Sam Reveles. This exhibition will include new paintings and drawings that are imbued with great intricacy and detail.

April 2019

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Showtime: Songs from Stage & Screen

Kilkenny Castle,

20th April

Start: 22 May 2019 End: 22 May 2019 Location: Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny
Event Description
Taste the Island
'A celebration of Ireland’s food and drink'

Invitation to industry workshops

July 2019

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Kilkenny Country Music Festival

Gowran

14th July

August 2019

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Kilkenny Outdoor Music Festival

Castlecomer

3rd - 4th August

Kilkenny Outdoor Music Festival 2019

Saturday Tickets €30

Saturday & Sunday Tickets €40 (limited availability) on sale soon.
Stay tuned ?

#hudsontaylor #paddycasey #djwelshy #kilkenny

Kilkenny Arts Festival

Citywide

8th - 18th August

The festival runs from 8-18 August 2019. Since its foundation in 1974, Kilkenny Arts Festival has gathered many of the world’s finest musicians, performers, writers and artists in Ireland’s medieval city each August. For ten days, the city’s historic churches, castle, courtyards, townhouses and gardens offer a magical setting for unique collaborations and intimate encounters between audiences and artists. https://www.kilkennyarts.ie/

Kilkenny Gospel Choir Festival 2019

August 22, 2019 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
St. John’s Church, Dublin Road
Kilkenny, Ireland + Google Map

2019 is the year when the Kilkenny Gospel Choir welcomes International Choirs to Kilkenny from all over the world to join with the Kilkenny Gospel Choir for Concerts and Faith experiences. The Choir was founded in 2000 by Fr. Willie Purcell and has raised over €450,000 for charities.

Find out more »

Graiguenamanagh Town of Books

Graiguenamanagh

23rd - 25th August

At its core the Graiguenamanagh ‘Town of Books’ retains its original vision, to transform Graiguenamanagh, for one weekend only, into a book lovers' paradise where booksellers are matched up with a number of empty spaces in the town.

October 2019

Kilkenny GAA

Intermediate Hurling Semi finals

Nowlan Park Kilkenny

12th October

The intermediate county semi finals will decide which clubs contest the County intermediate finals on the October bank holiday weekend

Senior Hurling Semi final

Nowlan Park Kilkenny

13th October

The first of this year’s senior hurling semi finals is preceded by the second of the Junior semi finals.

Kilkenny Senior Hurling Semi Final

Nowlan Park Kilkenny

20th October

Hurling is Ireland’s national sport. An amateur game, clubs from all over Kilkenny compete for the coveted county championships.
All Ireland club champions Ballyhale Shamrocks compete with O’Loughlin Gaels to qualify for the county final.

Savour Kilkenny Food Festival

Citywide

24th - 28th October

One of Ireland’s largest and most popular food festivals, Savour Kilkenny, is celebrating its 13th year this October bank holiday weekend. Showcasing local food, culture and produce, Savour Kilkenny will welcome a host of the most innovative celebrities and opinion makers in the world of food, to the medieval city in Ireland’s Ancient East.

Kilkenny Senior Hurling Final

Nowlan Park Kilkenny

27th October

The senior hurling championship is the pinnacle of the hurling year, deciding the best club team in Kilkenny. This year’s final features All Ireland Club Champions Ballyhale Shamrocks and James Stephens ( The Village) from Kilkenny City. The senior final will be preceded by the Intermediate Final between Tullaroan and Thomastown, who will compete not only for the intermediate championship but for the right to qualify as a senior club in 2020.

November 2019

Kilkenomics Festival

kilkenny city

7th - 10th November

The tenth edition of Kilkenomics – the world’s first economics festival – brings together some of the world’s leading economists, financial analysts and media commentators with some of the current funniest, sharpest standup comedians. Often referred to as Davos with jokes!
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Yulefest Kilkenny

kilkenny city

22nd November - 6th January

Yulefest Kilkenny is back! Yulefest Kilkenny is a curated and inclusive Christmas festival that invites visitors and locals to enjoy a wide range of free and affordable seasonal events in Kilkenny City and County throughout December.

January 2020

Local Shcowcase Food

Savour Kilkenny

County wide

12th - 31st January

Savour Kilkenny, one of Ireland’s favourite food festivals has gone online for 2020.

While they really miss the smells, the tastes, the comradery and the craic of our live events, they are delighted to go ‘online’ and bring you some great demos, talks and workshops albeit virtually!

Stay tuned in on all Savour Kilkenny's online platforms to watch some fantastic cooking events!

Kilkenny Senior Hurling final

Kilkenny Senior Hurling final

UPMC Nowlan Park Kilkenny

26th January

Hurling is Ireland’s national sport. An amateur game, county teams compete for the National Hurling League title. Kilkenny, runners up in the 2019 All Ireland championship welcome Dublin to Nowlan Park in the first round of the 2020 National Hurling League.

February 2020

Kilkenny Hurling with Clare

Allianz Hurling League Kilkenny V Clare

UPMC Nowlan Park Kilkenny

23rd February

Hurling is Ireland’s national sport. An amateur game, county teams compete for the National Hurling League title. Kilkenny, runners up in the 2019 All Ireland championship welcome Dublin to Nowlan Park in the first round of the 2020 National Hurling League.

March 2020

Rive Gauche Wine Pairing Evening Kilkenny

Wine Pairing Dinner

Rive Gauche

12th March

Experience French wines in Rive Gauche! ''Journey through Rhone valley of France'' Dinner & Wine Pairing Event takes place on Thursday 12th of March @7pm. The night will entail of a 5 course meal, carefully prepared by our Head Chef Danny, Paired alongside 5 glasses of wine. The event will be Hosted by Tindal Wine Merchants.
Kilkenny Whiskey Guild

Roe & Co. at The Dylan Whiskey Bar March 2020

The Dylan Whiskey Bar

12th March

Join the Kilkenny Whiskey Guild in association with The Dylan Whisky Bar for an evening of Irish Whiskey Tasting with all things ROE & Co.
Hosted by Alan Mulvihill, Roe & Co.’s European Brand Ambassador Extraordinaire.
KILKENNY TRADFEST 2020

Kilkenny Tradfest

City Centre

13th - 17th March

Kilkenny will resonate this March with a spectacular line up of talent performing during Kilkenny's Tradfest 2019. From Altan to the Kilfenora Ceili Band to Iarla O'Lionaird, this festival is a feast for traditional music lovers throughout the weekend of our national holiday when we celebrate our native language, sport and particularly our music. A truly great celebration!

2020 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open

Dubai Duty Free Irish Open

Mount Juliet Estate

31st March

Mount Juliet Estate, the luxury five-star resort in County Kilkenny, is the host venue for the 2020 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, the second Rolex Series event of the 2020 Race to Dubai which takes place from May 28-31. “The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open is one of the great sporting events in the Irish calendar so it's a very special moment for Mount Juliet Estate, and a true testament to the superb condition of the Estate's facilities and the golf course in particular.” - Damien Gaffney, owner of Mount Juliet Estate

May 2020

Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Kilkenny v Laois

Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Kilkenny v Laois

UPMC Nowlan Park Kilkenny

17th May

**Postponed until further notice following recommendations of the HSE Ireland to ensure the safety of our staff, players and spectators. **

Kilkenny, runners up in the 2019 All Ireland championship welcome neighbours Laois to Nowlan Park in the second round of the 2020 Leinster Hurling Championship. Hurling is Ireland’s national sport. An amateur game, county teams compete for the National Hurling League title.

June 2020

Kilkenny, runners up in the 2019 All Ireland championship welcome neighbours Wexford, Leinster Champions 2019 to Nowlan Park in the final round of the 2020 Leinster Hurling Championship.

Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Kilkenny v Wexford

UPMC Nowlan Park Kilkenny

13th June

**This event has been postponed until further notice. **

Kilkenny, runners up in the 2019 All Ireland championship welcome neighbours Wexford, Leinster Champions 2019 to Nowlan Park in the final round of the 2020 Leinster Hurling Championship.

July 2020

Kilkenny Country Music Festival

Kilkenny Country Music Festival

Gowran Park

12th July

This truly unique festival is set in the idyllic grounds of Gowran Park with built in facilities, a giant dance floor, easy parking and 10 minutes from the motorway this venue has it all..Join us for a day of fun, music and dance with some of the best Country musicians in Ireland.

October 2020

Wolfwalkers On Kk Castle

Spectacular WolfWalkers Illuminations at Kilkenny Castle

Kilkenny Castle,

1st - 31st October

Kilkenny Animated has commissioned Algorithm to produce a spectacular projection mapped illuminations, with an animated loop of scenes and characters from the film, playing on the expanse of the external river walls of Kilkenny Castle.

WolfWalkers Street Art Exhibition

City Centre

1st - 31st October

Building on the huge popularity and success of previous walking and sketching tours that allow visitors to combine the historical and architectural features of Kilkenny with the artistic approach of some of the animated film’s story artists on relaxed and fun walking tours, Kilkenny Animated will extend these tours throughout the month of October.

WolfWalkers Irish Premiere Screenings

County Wide

2nd - 4th October

On October 2nd, 3rd and 4th,the festival will present multiple staggered screenings of WolfWalkers in the IMC Cinema on Barrack Street, Kilkenny. This will provide for around 500 tickets for members of the public to see the film ahead of its Irish general release and appearance on the Apple TV+ platform. These tickets will be made available free of charge on a first come, first served basis.
Wolfwalkers

WolfWalkers – The Art of Voicing Animation

Watergate Theatre

3rd October

Join some of the voice cast of WolfWalkers, including Eva Whitaker (Mébh) as they discuss the process of bringing the characters to life with directors Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart as they show behind the scenes footage of early drafts right through to the final sequences in the film. Also joining them are Niamh Moyles who worked on the voice recording sessions for WolfWalkers. The panel is hosted by Lighthouse Studio’s Gilly Fogg who is no stranger to the art of voicing for animation.
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Bringing WolfWalkers to the Big Screen

Watergate Theatre

4th October

In this mix of discussion and behind the scenes clips, WolfWalkers directors Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart are joined by Assistant Director Mark Mullery and art director Maria Pareja to delve into the last six years of bringing WolfWalkers to the big screen.
Behind The Scenes

WolfWalkers Sketching Tour of Kilkenny 

Kilkenny Castle,

11th October

Take a pad and pencils or charcoal and join some of artists from WolfWalkers in a leisurely stroll around Kilkenny city’s most evocative historic sites, discover some of the ancient buildings and streetscapes that have inspired the work of the animators and sketch your impressions of the sights of Ireland’s medieval capital. There are 2 tours: 12 noon and 3pm. Tours last 90 minutes.

WolfWalkers Original Artwork Exhibition at Butler Gallery

Butler Gallery

30th October - 7th February

Butler Gallery continues its successful partnership with Cartoon Saloon in presenting an exhibition in response to WolfWalkers, Cartoon Saloon's new film. The exhibition highlights the strengths and messages of this animated film whose story is based in medieval Kilkenny and includes core working drawings and backgrounds. This interactive and immersive exhibition is designed by Stephen McNamara of Roji and will coincide with the Irish premier of the film.

December 2020

Nore Valley Park Santa Visit

Yulefest Kilkenny Experience 2020

County Wide

1st December - 10th January

Yulefest Kilkenny 2020 is here!

Yulefest Kilkenny is a curated and inclusive Christmas festival that invites visitors and locals to enjoy a wide range of free and affordable seasonal events in Kilkenny City and County throughout December.

Easy to get to and easy to get around, explore all that our city and county seasonal programme has to offer, there’s something for everyone at Yulefest Kilkenny. Dip in and out of different weekly festive events

June 2021

Catwalk

INVITATION TO THE KILKENNY CATWALK 2021 ARTIST LAUNCH

Butler House & Garden

25th June

We would like to invite you to attend the official model unveiling ceremony and meet the artists and celebrities involved in the launch. Find out more.....

August 2021

Made In Ire

NATIONAL CRAFT MONTH

Design and Crafts Council Ireland

1st - 31st August

Kilkenny's best-kept cultural secret, showing some of the most exciting contemporary craft and design from Ireland and abroad.
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Burnchurch at Kilkenny Castle’s Outdoor Music Series

Kilkenny Castle,

1st August

This family group of four young Kilkenny musicians Sadhbh, Síofra, Éanna and Ruairí – known as ‘Burnchurch’- began to play and sing together in the spring and summer of 2020…. It was a very strange time that certainly lent itself to creativity….. they come from a long line of traditional and classical music and speak Irish at home. Their beautifully bended voices and harmonies give them a very unique sound indeed. They play uilleann pipes, fiddles and flutes, double base, piano and even the ukulele makes an appearance...
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Kilkenny Arts Festival

County wide

5th - 15th August

Kilkenny Arts Festival is one of the leading festivals in Ireland, celebrated for its effortless blend of tradition and innovation, and for its electrifying range of events, staged in some of the country’s loveliest venues. ...... ‘One of the jewels in the arts calendar’s crown’ Irish Daily Mail... The 2021 Kilkenny Arts Festival will take place on the 5 - 15 August 2021.
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Burnchurch at Kilkenny Castle’s Outdoor Music Series

Kilkenny Castle,

8th August

This family group of four young Kilkenny musicians Sadhbh, Síofra, Éanna and Ruairí – known as ‘Burnchurch’- began to play and sing together in the spring and summer of 2020…. It was a very strange time that certainly lent itself to creativity….. they come from a long line of traditional and classical music and speak Irish at home. Their beautifully bended voices and harmonies give them a very unique sound indeed. They play uilleann pipes, fiddles and flutes, double base, piano and even the ukulele makes an appearance...
Children At Jerpoint Abbey

National Heritage Week 2021

County Wide

14th - 22nd August

National Heritage Week, an initiative by the Heritage Council, celebrates all things heritage. It brings together communities, families, organisations, cultural institutions, academics and enthusiasts, to build awareness about the value of heritage and support its conservation.
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The Cat Laughs Comedy Series

County Wide

15th August - 15th September

Since The Cat Laughs was founded in 1994, it has grown from a small event comprising of a handful of shows to an internationally acclaimed festival. It showcases the very best in Irish and international comedy acts. The world-class programme blends renowned comic stars as well as newcomers and break-through acts. It's known as Ireland's favourite festival, buy your tickets and you'll find out why!
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Craobh Osraí Marble City Branch of Comhaltas

Kilkenny Castle,

15th August

‘Craobh Osraí Marble City Branch of Comhaltas’
This exciting performance will consist of Irish Music, Song and Dance with local members of their junior and senior entertainment groups.
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Alize’s School of Singing

Kilkenny Castle,

22nd August

‘Alize’s School of Singing’
Ranging in age from 9-12 years, this wonderful group of singers from Alize’s School of Singing has been working incredibly hard over the past year. With all lessons moving online for the past 16+ months, these young singers did not let anything phase them. They will perform a varied genre of songs including solo performances and group.
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‘Dynamica’ String Quartet

Kilkenny Castle,

29th August

‘Dynamica String Quartet’ have been together for eight years since 5th class in St.Canice’s Co Ed Primary School in Kilkenny and then continued on to Loreto Secondary School. At the age of four years, they started violin and progressed then to cello and viola. They have performed for President Higgins and also at many civic occasions in Kilkenny. They have won awards at Feis Ceol and Kilkenny Music Festival and even featured on the ‘Late Late Toy Show’.

September 2021

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Ras na mBan

Callan

8th September

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Ras na mBan Piltown

Piltown County Kilkenny

9th September

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Ras na mBan Kilkenny

kilkenny city

11th - 12th September

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September Sounds

County Wide

24th - 26th September

In line with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media’s proposal to enrich the lives of our citizens and support the music and entertainment industry, Kilkenny County Council and Watergate Theatre are facilitating the programming of outdoor live performances from 24th – 26th September 2021. The aim of September Sounds is to assist Kilkenny musicians (born or based), producers, promoters and venues, thus providing support for people across the industry.

October 2021

Kilkenny Animated

Kilkenny Animated – A Festival of Visual Storytelling

County Wide

1st - 3rd October

Kilkenny Animated is a festival of visual storytelling, incorporating cartoons, animation and illustration in a series of exhibitions, talks, performances, workshops and experiences that celebrate the creativity and craft of the visual image.
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Kilkenny Day

County Wide

10th October

Kilkenny Day will take place on Sunday 10th October and will consist of a packed programme of events that will run across the city and county, showcasing the very best the county has to offer. But before we give you some of the line-up of events, let us remind you that people are been asked to don black and amber on the day to demonstrate pride in the county colours.

November 2021

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Made in Ireland Exhibition – National Design & Craft Gallery

National Design & Craft Gallery

1st - 30th November

Ireland has a rich heritage of craft with wealth of studio craftspeople working across all regions of our island making exceptional functional and artistic pieces. Makers invest in honing their skills over many years and work with carefully sourced, often local materials, to create high-quality pieces designed to last lifetimes. At a time when customers are showing a considerable preference and appreciation for goods that are Irish made, there is no better time to produce a vibrant, inclusive exhibition that celebrates the very best of craft MADE IN IRELAND.
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Kilkenomics – The world’s first Economics & Comedy Festival

County Wide

4th - 7th November

Save the date in your diary, November 4th – 7th 2021. Kilkenomics – the world’s first economics festival – brings together some of the world’s leading economists, financial analysts and media commentators with some of our funniest, sharpest standup comedians. We’ve been called “Davos with jokes” and we wouldn’t disagree with that assessment.
Santa Is Coming To Town

Santa is coming to town!

City Centre

27th November

Boating down the Nore, and cycling up to the Parade, Santa is arriving in Kilkenny on Saturday the 27th of November. Join him as he takes the green route across the city, by boat and by bike arriving on the Parade just in time to launch this year’s Yulefest.

Put on your Christmas jumpers and come line the quays and streets and ignite your Christmas spirit!
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