John Kerry Keane, the editor of the Kilkenny People, says many people in Kilkenny would prefer nothing concerning Northern Ireland to appear in their local newspaper.
They include some who might be considered civic leaders in the city. They would prefer not to read about violence and bloodshed.
However, the paper is enthusiastically in favour of the Belfast Agreement.
The Kilkenny People goes back to an earlier period of Irish nationalism. It was founded by Mr Kerry Keane's grandfather, E.T. Keane, in 1892, during a surge of nationalist fervour. E.T. Keane was chairman of the local Sinn Fein branch.
Urging a Yes vote on Friday, the paper said in an editorial: "The issue is whether or not there is to be a lasting accord between unionists and nationalists and, if that is to be the case, that it should have the goodwill and blessing of all the people of the Republic."
According to Mr Keane the agreement represented a good deal for the unionists, and it gave nationalists a guarantee that their opinions would be respected and considered.
It also put an end to the old catch cry of "Ulster is British", because the agreement recognised that the area is inhabited by two communities. "That is progress", he said.
"I am in favour of the agreement because it represents a way in which both communities in the North can live side by side with dignity and also because it is possible that it will bring peace."
There was, however, a broad consensus on many issues nowadays, he said. "The days of rumbustious politics are over."
In Kilkenny what concerned people was the environment, the preservation of the historic nature of the city and the provision of third-level education for the young people of the county. They were the issues which the People commented on and which got a response from readers, rather than party politics.
He said there was an emotional rather than an intellectual attachment to Articles 2 and 3, but people were willing to rewrite the Constitution if it would help bring peace. "If those living in Northern Ireland are willing to accept this agreement, why should we not?"
In his editorial, Mr Keane concluded by saying: "There is only one spark of hope and that is the agreement. If it can be accepted by an overwhelming majority both here and in the North, and if it can then be worked honestly and with enthusiasm, then there will be a genuine possibility of securing a lasting peace. But peace will not just happen, it must be worked at. It is the only way forward. Vote Yes."