Issue: 6 JUly 2012
KILKENNY
FREE
Looking
Back Vintage inspiration
To the Max(i)! Maxi dresses and skirts
to suit all shapes and sizes
Beauty
Favourites Beauty treats to make you look and feel good
And they’re
off! With race season in full swing we look at
how to survive it!
Confessions of
a beauty Snob Sarah Canning looks at a few of her favourite beauty products
Instant Opinion We look at a local company with an
innovative product
A Stones Throw Away
The majestic Canice’s Cathedral
Food
Favourites
Where and what
to eat in Kilkenny
Festival
Ready Festival Wear
for the guys
Oh my July, “Oh! ma ma ma, oh! ma ma oh ma my July”, like Mundy’s song we’ll be hoping for lots of “blue sky grins” for July! Whether you’re into Music Festivals or Horse Racing Festivals we’ll be looking at how to survive either one! We have a new writer joining our team Sarah Canning, Cover
Model: Aoibhín Murphy Photography: Ross Costigan
www.rosscostiganphotography.ie Make-up and Hair: Karen Maher at Karen Maher Make Up Aidan O’Dwyer at Kapelli Hairsalon Dress from Shutterbug €69.99
Sarah joins Sean as one of our freelance writers.
XXX The editorial team at KILKENNY
Contents July 2012
Design Madeleine Carroll Unit 3a, First Floor, Cillin Hill Centre, Dublin Road, Kilkenny. t: 056 7777502 e: info@mc-designs.ie w: www.mc-designs.ie
Editorial
Rita Brennan Madeleine Carroll Sean Shanahan Sarah Canning
Sales Rita Brennan Kilkenny Magazine t: 087 9602145 kilkennymagazine@gmail.com All prices are correct going to print. The editorial team does not accept any responsibility for the views of the advertisers or offers there within. No adverts may be reproduced without the permission of Kilkenny Magazine.
Find us on facebook
2
Want it! Need it!
4
Looking Back
8
To the Max(i)!
10
And they’re off!
12
Well Heeled
13
Pick of the Month
15
Beauty Favourites
16
Confessions of a beauty snob!
18
Festival Survival
19
Instant Feedback
20 If you see one thing! 21
Festival Ready
22 Green Fingers 23
Food Favourites
24 A stones throw away...
Two new shops have opened their doors in Kilkenny, Rumour on St Kieran Street, Kilkenny, and Dame Fashion on High Street. Rumour is a shopping experience with a difference, they offer a personal shopping service, loyal clients will receive a Privilege members card that they will receive discounts. Rumour will stock brands such as: Love Phool, Tru Luxe jeans, Hybrid, Imitz, AArt, Cinzia Caldi, Vanilla B and Just Be. For more information about Rumour contact Sally on (056) 777 5791 or look up their facebook page.
Dame Ladies Fashion. A new ladies High St. fashion retailer has arrived on High St. Kilkenny located beside Marble City Bar. Its current trends and affordable prices has a wide appeal to all customers. Dame Ladies Fashion has a sister shop located on Kennedy Ave. in Carlow. Dame’s team pride themselves on delivering excellent customer service. Personal styling available both during trading hours and out of hours. Follow them on facebook at www.facebook.com/ dameclothing for latest offers or contact them on 056 7790244. July sees the third year of the Tri Grand Prix Kilkenny Triathlon, last year’s success will certainly be matched with over 800 competitors expected again this year. The perfect weather and settings made it a great event for both competitors and spectators. Kilkenny Triathlon takes place on the 28th of July 2012. If you want to enter the race or just go along to see it ,visit www. trigrandprix.com for more information.
20 12
The Kilkenny Nore Swim will take place on the 14th of July this year. Last year saw a huge increase in all swimmers from racers to recreational. This year’s proceeds will go to Cois Nore, Samaritans and St. Patricks Centre Kilkenny. For more information on how to register visit http:// www.eirecan.com/nore-swim/.
20 12
CountryLife Garden Centres are pleased to announce their new campaign to raise much needed funds for the children’s charity, Barretstown. Until July 31st, CountryLife will donate one euro for every new ‘Like’ on their Facebook page, up to €2,000. For more information visit www.facebook. com/CountryLifeGardening and click the Barretstown Tab at the top of the page.
How far can Kilkenny Magazine go? Lets see how far Kilkenny will go. Bring your copy of Kilkenny Magazine on your holidays and post a picture of it up on facebook. The person who brings the magazine the furthest wins a prize (photo shop not accepted!) Competition ends 10th September 2012 Not real im age!
July
NORE SWIM
Light up! Cable
Made in Kilkenny &
Cotton
These beautiful Glowglobes are from Moth
Handmade thread lamp
to the Flame based out of Bennettsbridge
string
lighting!
decorative
Kilkenny. Its just one of the many beautiful
These
lights
crafts from the Made in Kilkenny range which
are
is currently in Goods, High Street Kilkenny.
ideal for a baby’s nursery,
Go check them out or look them up on
or a stylish living room
www.madeinkilkenny.ie
display. They’re also great for
weddings,
parties
and many other special occasions. €50 for 35 lights! Available in Kwilla, 23 Rose Inn Street, Tel
The long and short of it! An emerging trend is skirts and dresses that have a uneven hems. Its known as the “high low hem”. You get to flash some leg while maintaining a ladylike feel to your look! Angelina Jolie should have gone for this look at the Oscars instead of awkwardly sticking out one leg. She’ll never make that mistake again! Be brave and get your pins outs!
2
Want it! Need it!
Supporting Act!
If you’re thinking of taking up fitness you really should invest in a good sports bra (men need not apply!). Not only does a good sports bra provide comfort but it also is important for the shape of the breast. Ordinary bras
Tropical Inject a bit of the tropics
moment
your
all in at the moment with up
it as a top or maybe even as a trouser.
out. Pictured is the
available in Belle Femme
Lingerie,
on
Kieran’s
St.
Street.
the
the full on look. Wear
they will help you
is
throughout
not brave enough for
lingerie shop and
which
and
collections. If you are
nearest
€50.00
shorts
blazer suits cropping
to
Panache Sports bra
bit
on tropical looks are
one as you may be a different size than you thought. down
every
of colour helps. Full
other fitness based activities. Get properly fitted for pop
your
non-summer at the
that you wear every day are not made for running and
So
into
wardrobe. With our
Exotica Cami €30.00 Awear
True decadence contrast fish tale dress €73..99 Awear
056 7806261
Do you want to be the Next
We are looking for a bright bubbly girl to represent Kilkenny Magazine in the Miss Kilkenny Universe Final to be held in August 2012. The successful candidate will be aged between 18-24, 5ft 7” and over and single. You also must be in Ireland for the next year. We’d love a Kilkenny
HURLEY
Girl to represent us, but we will also accept girls who have a family connection to Kilkenny. We will be putting forward the sponsorship fee for the successful girl. You’ll be up on a stage so you’ll need bags of confidence! If you think this
DEPOT
is something that you’d like to do or maybe you know somebody that would be ideal for this. Send us in your details with
STOCKISTS OF:
current photo to Kilkenny
HURLEY MASTER • O’KEEFFE HURLS
Magazine, Unit 3a, Cillin Hill, Centre, Dublin Road,
STAR HURLEY • COOPER • MYCRO
Kilkenny or email us on
MURPHY HURLS • GAA PYJAMAS
kilkennymagazine@gmail. com. Alternatively you can email us through facebook.
James Street, Kilkenny. Tonnie Moore Mobile: 086- 8965401 Email: tonniemoore2@eircom.net
www.hurleydepot.ie
This page Long Pearl and Diamanté Earrings Pearl Necklace with Diamanté Flower Silver Sparkle Lily Hair comb Green Clutch with Diamanté Silk Bird Print Scarf Red Crocodile Print Granny Bag
€65 €55 €55 €29.95 €59.95 €62
All accessories from Butterslip Rose Inn St., Kilkenny
Looking Back 4
Model: Aoibhínn Murphy Photography: Ross Costigan Hair: Aidan at Kapelli Makeup: Karen at Karen Maher Hair
Top stylists own from Shutterbug, dress and shoes stylists own.
This page All furniture pieces available from Eclectic Interiors go to www.eclecticinteriors.net
This page Sterling silver marcasite Tear drop earrings Sterling silver marcasite and cubic zirconia Necklace Sterling silver marcasite and cubic zirconia bracelet Sterling silver marcasite bow brooch Sterling silver marcasite ring
€45 €245 €250 €135 €78
Dress and shoes stylists own
6
Photographed on location in Eclectic Interiors in Art and Craft Yard in Castlecomer Discovery Park
Lorimat Jewellers St. Kieran Street Kilkenny
Feeling Nostalgic We all have a fondness for the past, everything was cheaper, easier and we had better weather. Maybe because the Celtic Tiger is well and truely extinct or maybe its because its fashionable now, but we are looking more to our past to what we wear and how we decorate our homes. Vintage pieces have always been favourites among stylists and designers. They have a wow factor and a uniqueness that you just can’t get from mass production. Don’t get us wrong their is nothing wrong with the modern! We think that both modern and old can live side by side to create something unique. With this in mind we got all nostalgic and had a look at where you can get vintage in Kilkenny. For the shoot we headed out to the beautifully restored Art and Craft Yard of the Castlecomer Discovery Park to Eclectic Interiors. Selina Gittins shop and workshop is a treasure trove for those of you looking for something different. Selina gives old pieces a new lease of life by painting them
up using Annie Sloane paints or making quirky items from the seemingly ordinary. Shutterbug is full of vintage pieces and remodelled clothes and jewellery. If your looking for something different that you won’t find anywhere else you should really call into see Blanaid and her team. Butterslip is a real shop for you magpies out there. Its a feast for the eyes. Its got lots of little pieces that make perfect presents for you or someone else. We used some of her lovely pieces of jewellery and bags in this months shoot. Lorimat is a beautiful jewellery shop that sells a mixed of vintage jewellery and new jewellery. We featured some of their marcasite jewellery which Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge was recently spotted wearing. Marcasite is a timeless gem that adds sparkle to any outfit. So if you’re looking for something different, look back to the past!
Fashion, Beauty, Health
Aqua Karen Floral Maxi Awear
Colour Block Tribal Maxi Warehouse
Belted Maxi Skirt Next
Butterfly Print Maxi Oasis
Printed Maxi Skirt Mexx
Pink Print Chelsea Girl Maxi River Island
Beatrix Maxi Skirt Coast
TO THE MAX(I)! Maxi’s are a great summer staple; you can wear them during
8
Yellow Striped Maxi Peaches Boutique St. Kieran Street Kilkenny
the day or at night, if your short or tall, petite or curvy. What’s not to love! Here’s a few we love.
Professional Jewellery Valuations for Insurance Purposes
At Lorimat Valuations we provide a comprehensive appraisal of your valuables. Having spent a number of years working in the insurance industry we are perfectly placed to make a professional assessment of your jewellery ensuring you get the correct level of cover in the event of a loss. There has been an increase in burglaries in Ireland this year with the main target being cash and jewellery. When it comes to claim settlements the majority of householders do not have appropriate documentation supporting their claim for items lost or stolen.
Kieran Street, Kilkenny. Tel: 056 7751455
Email: info@lorimatkilkenny.ie Web: www.lorimatkilkenny.ie
And they’re off...
By Sarah Canning
On your behalf, we’ve put together a list of dos and don’ts ensure your race day ‘runs’ smoothly. 10
1
Do wear something classy - If you are planning on wearing something that you would wear to a nightclub, chances are it’s not suitable for the race course. Well cut dresses that fall to the knee or just below are perfect attire for a race day – feminine, sexy and elegant.
2
Don’t just pick something that’s bang on trend and looks ridiculous. Go for what suits you. Choose something that you are comfortable in, a colour that complements you, and a timeless style.
3
Don’t go bare head – Number one rule, you must either invest in a hat, fascinator, or stylish head piece. There a variety of
Floral Print Dress €50.00 Awear
The sun beating down, the oversized sunnies on, perfect fake tan, unusual looking hat on head, that stunning dress that will surely win you best dressed, and glass of champers in hand… yes ladies, it’s that time of year again when we get the glad rags on and head to the races! However, in reality, it will probably be raining, the tan will be dripping off your every inch, and your feet will be screaming with pain because of those cheap knock off shoes that you swore were comfortable in the shop! But, hey, that’s what it’s all about and we LOVE IT!
milliners and hat shops around the country where you can have your own unique design crafted, or rent something for the day. However, if you are saving on the cents high street shops such as Accessorize and Claire’s accessories have great little numbers that won’t break the bank.
something that fits, and is comfortable; otherwise you will be in agony for the duration of the day. Wear shoes that are already broken in and not something straight out of the box. Aim for a thicker heel, you don’t want to be sinking into grass all day in your stilettos! And, if your bag is big enough, bring a second back up pair! Flat roll up pumps are ideal.
Here are some racing fixture dates for your diary! Sunday July 1st
The Curragh Festival Tuesday July 3rd
Gowran Park Kilkenny, Local meeting
Friday 6th – Sunday 8th July
Bellewstown Festival Tipsyfeet €24.95 Butterslip
Fuschia Headpiece €29.00 www.hatshop.ie
4
Shoulder bags are a must – Choose a bag with some kind of a strap attached and big enough to carry your essentials. You will be in very crowded areas where clutch bags/purses that are left alone go walkies very quickly!
Some essentials to remember to bring in your bag: - An umbrella. - A taxi’s number. - Right amount of money, and not your life savings! - Compact mirror (you will queue for hours to get near a loo - grrrr). - Tissues (if you are lucky to get near a loo, and realize
5
Sunglasses €12.95 H&M
Shoes – If you are not wearing the right pair of shoes, you will end up ruining your day. Simple as! It is so important to wear
they are all out of loo roll, at least you’re covered). - Long lasting make up and lip gloss/lip stick. By Sarah Canning
Monday 16th – Thursday 19th July
Killarney Festival
Monday 30th July – Sunday 5th August
Galway Festival
Thursday 16th – Sunday 19th August
Tramore Festival
Wednesday 29th – Friday 31st August
Killarney Festival
For more information on race day meets in Ireland go to www.goracing.ie. For racing locally in Kilkenny check out Gowran Racing’s on www.gowranpark.ie.
Fashion, Beauty, Health
1
2
4
3
5
8
1 Metallic Court Shoes �15.00 Penneys
3 Nude Satin Feature Court Shoes Next
5 Fuschia Two Tone Peep Toe Shoe �45.00 Shoerack
7 Low Lazer Court Shoes �18.00 Dunnes Stores
2 Kate Appleby Red High Heels Graham’s Shoes
4 Galaxy Print Peep Toe Shoes River Island
6 Dream Boat Raffia Guess Shoes The Shoe Suite
8 Van Dal Black and White Shoes TK Maxx
wELL hEELED
Don’t be afraid of the narrow heel, whether its a skyscraper stilletto or a dainty
kitten heel. Embrace it and see you legs transform. P.S Just make sure you break them in before you head out!
12
Christian Louboutins
7
6
Fashion, Beauty, Health
Pick of the month Here’s what we recommend for you to pick up this month! You won’t be disappointed. We love them! Read on for these little beauties! 1 Mellow Yellow
So it hasn’t been the best summer on record, but that’s no excuse not to get into the summer mood. Put on a pair of sandals(even if you have to wear tights!) and pretend your in some lovely foreign country! We like these brogue sandals from Clarks.
Karen Maher Make UP artist
Karen Maher Make UP artist
All good shoe shops
Karen Maher of The Make Up & Beauty Studio
www.clarks.com
Based in Co. Kilkenny Call out service available to location of brides choice phone: 086 2597777 email: makeupandbeautystudio@hotmail.com
2 Body Con With the right bodycon dress and corrective underwear! The bodycon dress can be the most flattering dress. It highlights all a woman’s best bits. We love this closet dress the clever design takes inches off your figure. The design is made to draw your eyes to the centre of the dress which is cleverly cinched in at the waist! €51.00 Closet Swamp Fashion
Graphic Design Branding Advertising 3 Cuffs Statement Cuffs don’ come much better that this! Sky Goddess Cuff from a selection at Butterslip Butterslip, 31 Rose Inn Street Kilkenny 056 7702502 www.butterslip.com facebook/butterslip
Brochures • Invitations • Flyers Logos • Folders • Stationary Unit 3a, First Floor, Cillin Hill Centre, Dublin Road, Kilkenny
t: +353 56 7777502
m: +353 87 6849257
e: info@mc-designs.ie
www.mc-designs.ie
Kapelli
Bridal Hair by
Salon House calls so you can
relax in your own home on your wedding morning For more information email us on Kapellihairstudio@hotmail.com
Kapelli
Salon
Every Bride deserve Beautiful Hair...
follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/kapellihairstudio
Beauty Favourites
When it comes to beauty and grooming there is no better source than those who work in those industries every day. We asked a few of them to share their expertise with us...
Karen Maher Make up
The make up and beauty studio is situated above The Edge hair studio, in Callan Co.Kilkenny. The Make Up & Beauty Studio is run by beauty therapist/ make up artist Karen Maher who aims to provide you with the highest quality service and care. Their beauty treatments offered are Make up, facials, spray tan, shellac nails, waxing and all aspects of beauty therapy.
colours to choose from.
Green St, Callan, Co. Kilkenny Tel: 086-2597777 email: makeupandbeautystudio@hotmail.com
Shellac: Shellac is a long lasting nail polish that
has no dry time, has a resilient mirror finish and lasts for up to 14 days with no damage to the natural nail. The shellac formula is thin and flexible like polish but provides protection with a high gloss shine that resists dullness and chipping. A variety of
Auralia
Auralia has an unrivalled reputation founded on experience and expertise devoted to the art of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures and treatments. Our expert surgeons and therapists provide patients with first class care and service right from the initial consult through to our after care. We have three laser clinics situated throughout the country, each of which provide non surgical treatments including laser hair removal, photo rejuvenation, glycolic peels and microdermabrasion. All treatments are performed by highly skilled therapists so that our patients can enjoy the best possible care and results.
Glow Beauty
Glow Beauty is based in the Newpark Shopping Cente, it’s a wheel chair accessible salon. They offer a wide variety of treatments using some of the best professional products in the beauty industry such as Dermalogica, Thalgo, OPI and Shellac. Glow also offer bridal packages to get you looking great for your big day! As well as looking after your outward appearance Glow is all about looking after your soul. After a tough week what could be better than a relaxing massage. Massages can help relieve tension that we build up. Massage: For the month of July avail of Glow’s GLOW signature STRESS BUSTER. Relax & unwind with our 1 hour massage (facial back massage, &
Hair removal: Avoid the hassle of shaving, waxing and hair removal creams and invest in a course of Laser Hair Removal. Courses (6 treatments per course) Lip&Chin €120 Underarm €120 Bikini €120 ½ leg €300 Auralia, 28 High Street, Kilkenny Tel. 056 77 866 99
scalp massage). Using warm oils, this treatment is designed to relieve stress form top to toe, leaving you completely relaxed & revitalised. All for only €40.00!
GLOW Beauty, Newpark shopping centre, Kilkenny. Tel: 056 7712930.
Confessions of a beauty snob… BY SARAH CANNINg
Wow Brown Ready to Glo
Hi peeps, x
Welcome to my monthly beauty blog, and for the record, I’m not that kind of snob, just one who likes to say how it is when it comes to all things beauty..! I am not an industry expert in my chosen subject, nor do I pride myself on being the best at make up etc, however, like most girls, I devour beauty products, and am a self confessed beauty junkie. I would keep the chemists in business all on my own. So, on your behalf, I am going to review products, discuss the latest tips and tricks in the world of beauty and much more. I would also to hear your opinions, pleeeeease go to our Facebook page – (Kilkenny Zine) and share your thoughts. I will rate my product reviews on ’s from 1 -5. Just incase you are wondering what the splatter of pink hearts is all about. It is very rare that we will see a 5, nothing in this world is perfect, but here’s hoping! This month I am keeping things positive and 100% Irish. We may not be good at soccer, but man can we turn out some pretty fab beauty products! I’m a big believer in supporting Irish, and I’ve chosen my TOP 3 favourite Irish Beauty products to share with you…
16
When I first saw this product, I instantly loved the name, because I think that’s ultimately what we all want in a self tan – something wow and brown, and ready to go! Not something a slightly orangey shade of red that takes an age to develop. I hoped it wasn’t just another clever brand name, and that it would genuinely live up to its name, and I can safely say that yes it does, it is wow and it is brown, and comes up instantly! And for all you girls who have boyfriends/ husbands with fake tan phobia, this is man friendly! It has no horrible lingering smell, looks incredibly natural, and will last 7-10 days, so he won’t even know! However, I would recommend spraying it downwards into your sink into a mitt; it tends to disperse everywhere if not! It’s a definite 4 for Wow Brown. ♥♥♥♥
Max Benjamin Max Benjamin is a fantastic brand run by two brothers David and Mark in Wicklow. I would consider them to be like the Molton Brown of Ireland. These guys do a super range of candles, which are good enough to eat (obvs don’t eat them!), and scent diffusers. Best of all, their hand soaps, body wash, and creams are to die for. They ooze luxury, and
will leave a subtle scent without being over powering. Love love love these products, and love even more the fact that they are Irish. 4 all the way. ♥♥♥♥
Irish Handmade Soap Company Based in Co.Meath , the Irish Handmade Soap Company are up there in Irish beauty products terms. If you are going to delve into these wonderful products, take an evening to yourself and just enjoy them! The hand cream is by far my favourite product in the range. It is utterly scrumptious. After applying it, you feel like you are wearing silk gloves. This cream has won beauty awards in the past, and I would be happy to award them another one. They also stock beautiful soaps, a great lip balm, body butter, and much more. Their packaging is nearly the best bit, it is oh so pretty, which makes for a great gift… A definite 4 ♥♥♥♥
Next month…. There are more Irish products to come next month, plus the best make up tutorial videos on YouTube as chosen by moi! Please send me your suggestions/opinions, mail me confesssionsofabeautysnob@ gmail.com
Sarah x
At Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel
Spring & Summer
Sizzler! 1 TREATMENT FROM EACH BOX for just €65 Luxury Face & Body Scrub Luxury Manicure Luxury Pedicure Shellac on Hands Or Feet Darphin Reviver Facial
Full Body Scrub
Eyebrow Wax
He Shi Full Body Tan
Lip Wax
Half Leg Wax
Chin Wax
Californian or Brazilian Wax
Eyebrow Tweeze
Back Massage
Eyelash Tint
Mini Facial
Eyebrow Tint
Purchase 3 Darphin Products, Get Cheapest FREE!!
2 HOURS FREE PARKING • TO BOOK: Tel: 056 77 5 0207 E: kospa@kilkennyormonde.com
Fashion, Beauty, Health
Festival Survival! Every year the summer Drink calendar is full of music You are allowed to bring your own and arts festivals. alcohol to festivals(as long as you of drinking age!) but most Thousands of enthusiast are festivals will have an area where festival goers dust the you can’t bring your own drink in. cobwebs off their camping There are always drinks available in gear and pack up their car the areas where the gigs are. Most importantly you should be drink with festival essentials. aware and make sure that you look We are going to look at a after yourself and your friends. No few bits you might want to one likes to see someone passed out and abandoned. Be responsible! make sure you pack up if you’re a festival virgin! Grooming Camping If you are lucky enough to have a camper van or a day pass you can ignore the next bit! First time campers be wary of the complicated 10 man tent. If you haven’t pitched a tent before you should really do a dry run. You don’t want to arrive down to discover you’re missing pegs or worst of all your tent isn’t waterproof(we live in Ireland expect rain!). Invest in a blow up bed, unless you like to sleep on rocks! Make sure you have a decent sleeping bag and pillow. Bring along a camping chair you’ll be thankful for it.
Food
Horse Deck Chair The Gift Horse, Patrick Street Kilkenny
There is always a great selection of food available at festivals from healthy to greasy hangover cures! You might want to bring a few extra bits to stave off the munchies and its kinder on your budget. A cooler bag or a cooler box will give any perishable items cold. Alternatively they make a great drink cooler too! Picnic Basket Dunnes Stores
Showers are available at the campsites, expect them to be fairly busy though. Alternatively you can bring the trusty baby wipe and dry shampoo to make your hair smell better. If you like to be groomed to within an inch of your life festival camping may not be for you! Always have bottled water on hand for washing your teeth and lots of loo roll. Don’t expect to find pristine loos Batiste either! And finally as Dry Shampoo Baz Luhrman says don’t forget your sun cream(amazingly it does get sunny here in Ireland!)
Pink Retro Shades Penneys
Printed Tee H&M
Alice Hannah Scarf Butterslip
Khaki Parka River Island
Style Festival style is all about expression. You really have free rein to wear what you want that you might not wear in your day to day life. Comfort is key as you’ll be spending most of your day walking about outdoors. No matter what style you are rocking you’ll need a good raincoat, and a pair of wellies(your mammy would be proud). You’ll find something for your budget as high street stores stock festival gear. Penneys have even set up a shop at Oxegen last year. Here are a few bits you might like to pick up for your festival wardrobe! Colour Block Duffle Bag Awear
Guitar Case Pendant Kwilla, Rose Inn St.
Azealia Shorts www.silverfactory.ie
Hunter Wellies
Instant Feedback! Word of mouth used to be the fastest method of spreading news good and bad, but with our increasingly digital society, social media sites such as facebook, twitter and feedback sites such as boards and tripadvisor are the new digital grapevine. With people being more frugal and looking for value for money, they will consult these sites to look up what they are about to buy. With this in mind Instant Opinion was formed by Aidan Kenny. Instant Opinion is an innovative product that allows the company that uses the service to get ‘real-time’ feedback from their customers, therefore making sure they have a positive lasting experience. In Ireland we are famous for not complaining when we are unhappy with something. Its almost as if we are embarrassed to point out a fault to the person we are handing our hard earned cash over to! Although we may not complain at the time we certainly will to our friends and family. Instant Opinion have found that 91% of customers who have a bad experience will leave and never come back , while 79% of customers who have had a bad experience will tell 20 people. This is so damaging to a business as negative feedback will drive customers away instead of bringing them through your doors. What Aidan and his other partners Brian Kelly and Barry Downes have come up with is a solution to rectify the problem of an unhappy customer leaving and letting others know about their negative experience. Instant Opinion is currently being used in the hospitality industry by Hotels. The hotel staff have a instant link to their customer’s feedback via freetext or email. So for example if you find that their is a problem in your room you can freetext this back to the front desk and they can fix that problem before you leave. A problem solved will leave the customer with a positive view of the Hotel, and will relay this experience to others. This product has so much potential to provide feedback for a variety of businesses and possibly could be used in schools to highlight problems that students experience. In terms of customer service this is an invaluable tool. You can tailor your
business to suit your customers and find out where you are failing them. People want a positive experience where ever they visit.
It’s an exciting new product that will certainly help businesses retain their customers, which is invaluable in today’s climate. We asked the team at Instant Opinion a few questions about their product. Where did you come up with the idea for Instant Opinion? I have spent over 20 years working in the service division of a large company and I saw the gap in the market where there was no product that would provide immediate feedback to the business that they could act upon. Everything seemed to be long surveys that very few people filled in. Why do you think it is that people do not like complaining directly to a hotel or business ? I think it is a combination of reasons. They don’t want to cause a scene, they don’t want to get the waiter in trouble or they simply think their complaint won’t be listened to. The problem for the business is that they will tell up to 20 friends and relations about a bad experience and now most likely go on websites like Trip Advisor. What are the challenges facing people starting up their own companies today? I would say getting access to seed finance is definitely a big challenge. With any business idea there is going to be a time delay between starting the business and making enough money to be self financing. We were lucky to secure seed money from Enterprise Ireland who we pitched the idea to and also to Launchpad, a business accelerator programme run by the National Development Research Centre. Once you get the business up and running I would say Sales is definitely the next big challenge. What has been the reaction so far from hotels? Reaction has been very encouraging and the hotels are surprised that the feedback is actually over 50% positive. We have made some sales directly from word of mouth from existing customers which is great. Hotels are finding they are getting feedback that they might never have heard about. For example one customer gave feedback to say that the branches were overgrown on the
wheelchair ramp. The hotel thanked them for their feedback and told them they would address the issue. A day later they followed up to inform the customer that the branches had been cut back. What industries do you see your product being used for? All businesses today are very conscious about customer feedback. We actually see it being relevant to many industries. Our vision is that it would be the norm for businesses to be using Instant Opinion and a customer could provide feedback on a hotel stay, a meal, a train journey a supermarket and even local newsagents. Are you planning to role out your product globally? Our starting point is Ireland, followed by the UK & USA. We have already secured a hotel chain in the UK who is going to pilot the product in three of their hotels. With some hotels chains having up to 4,000 hotels we see this route as a good one to help us go global. Do you just see your product working for larger companies or do you think smaller SME’S could benefit from it? Feedback is every bit as relevant in small companies as it is in larger ones. An interesting use of Instant Opinion in large companies is for Idea generation from all the employees to provide cost savings for the company. People at the coal face often are the ones who have the best ideas about how to gain efficiencies.
If you see one thing this month... THE GIG
THE Film
THE play
Wexford’s finest singer songwriter, The Man Whom aka Ian Doyle fresh from finishing a 6 week tour will also join the bill. The multi instrumentalist, currently working on some exciting producing projects will return to Kilkenny (fast becoming his second home!!) in July for the amphitheatre date. Plans for Doyle to tour outside of Ireland in the coming months are underway. He will also play Glasgowbury in July, The Spirit of Folk Festival in September and a scatter of other dates and festivals to be announced shortly! Joining this unique line up is 17 year old Dubliner, Orla Gartland. Gartland has gathered an impressive army of online supporters for her quirky and highly infectious folk / pop music. Her new single ‘Devil on my shoulder’ is out June 17th.
Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. Peter is also finding his way with his first high school crush, Gwen Stacy, and together, they struggle with love, commitment, and secrets. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents’ disappearance - leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr Curt Connors, his father’s former partner. As SpiderMan is set on a collision course with Connors’ alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero
The Devious Theatre Company will perform a brand new stage version of George Romero’s classic horror movie Night Of The Living Dead this July at the Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny. It will be the first time any version of the work has been performed in Ireland. This new theatrical version uses the story to examine present day issues in a feargripped modern day Ireland. Like the original movie, it is a darkly comic satire that depicts the capacity for horrific acts in normal people during times of crisis.
Spiderman 4 Kilkenny Cineplex July 2012 Tel 1520 444 000
Night of the living dead Watergate Tel: 056 7761674 July 24th – 28th
Tom and Judy (Kevin Mooney & Aoibhín Murphy)
www.rosscostiganphotography.ie
Orla Gartland and The Man Whom join Jack L, July 28th Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre
Men’s Stuff
Trilby Hat River Island
Wayfarers RayBans
Blue Scarf �4.95 HandM
Jacob Hoody �30 Dunnes Stores
Earthkeeper 6inch Boots Timberland
Deer Hunter �19.99 www.ninelives.ie
Festival Fit
Base Shorts Solid Pac �49.95 Jack Jones
Get yourself festival ready with this look for some inspiration!
Pub of the month : Kytelers Kytelers Inn is the oldest Inn in Kilkenny and one of the oldest Inns in Ireland. Established in 1324 the Inn still retains its medieval charm with all the modern comforts. It has three floors which caters for all tastes. The middle bar is host to live traditional music every weekend, while the lower bar is a chilled out bar with beer garden that has a dj. Upstairs plays host to bands as well
20
as being a venue for parties. Their is a wide variety of food available which is served up til 9pm. If you are visiting Kilkenny you have to make at least one trip to Kytelers and if you are a native re reacquaint yourself with the charm that Kytelers has to offer. For more information contact Nicky Flynn on 056 772 1064 or visit their website on www. kytelersinn.ie
Kytelers Inn
www.kytelersinn.ie
Darver House Nursery
Situated on a farm near Jenkinstown just five minutes outside Kilkenny, Darver House Nursery contains a wide variety of plants and flowers for your garden such as shrubs, trees, conifers, hedging, herbaceous perennials, herbs, climbers, ferns, bulbs in season, fruit trees, some unusual plants available in small quantities and trees for rural environmental protection scheme. Eva also has a small class room where she runs two hour classes and day workshops throughout the year with courses such as Beginner’s Hands-on Gardening, Grow your own Vegetables and Fruit, Floral Art and many more.
Gardenia
Located in the centre of Kilkenny on John Street, Gardenia stock everything you could possibly need for the garden with a fab new range of Riverdale home and garden furniture and accessories. Parking is available at the rear of Gardenia close to the library. For more information contact: Gardenia, 16 John Street, Kilkenny, gardencentre@okeeffesgroup.com Tel: 056 7722902
Hennessy’s Garden Centre
One of Ireland’s largest GARDEN CENTRES, Hennessy’s Garden Centre have a huge covered sales area... over 30,000 ft² in fact and a large outdoor plant area full of fresh, colourful stock and planted display beds. The entire Garden Centre is paved and is fully wheelchair (and child buggy) accessible. Conveniently located just 8km from Kilkenny city close to Gowran, Hennessy’s offers an unrivalled experience to all it’s customers, both in terms of selection and value. For more information contact: Hennessy’s Garden Centre, Carlow Road, Kilkenny info@hgc.ie Tel: 056 772 6024 www.hgc.ie
For more information contact: Darver House Nursery, Jenkinstown, Co. Kilkenny evadarver@yahoo.ie Mob: 086 8072040
Jenkinstown Rothe House Museum & Gardens
The Rothe House Garden is a recreation of a historic garden from the 17th century and is the only urban garden of this period which is open to the public. The reconstruction was undertaken by the Kilkenny Archaeological Society and Rothe House Trust and opened in 2008. The walled garden is divided in two: The Lower Garden where vegetables and herbs, which would have grown in the 17th century, are planted. The Upper Garden or Orchard contains a wide range of fruit trees: apple; medlar; quince and damson. Surrounding these functional plants, are beautiful flowers which blossom throughout the year including Sweet Rocket, Calendula, Rosa Maidens Blush and Hollyhocks. Rothe House is located on Parliament Street in Kilkenny opposite the court house. For more information contact: Rothe House, Parliament Street, Kilkenny info@rothehouse.con Tel: 056 7722893 www.rothehouse.com
Kilkenny Kilfane Glen and Waterfall
Nestled in between Thomastown and Gowran, Kilfane Glen and Waterfall is a pristine example of a romantic era garden dating from the 1790s. Untouched for 200 years, it is a picturesque paradise with a waterfall tumbling its way to a rushing stream and woodland paths leading to a cottage orné. Tiny bridges sit among ancient trees, wild fox-gloves, ferns and other historically correct 18th century planting. The garden is listed as an Irish Heritage garden and as an amenity it covers about 15 acres of easily accessible natural landscape. For more information contact: Kilfane Glen & Waterfall, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny susan@irishgardens.com Tel: 056 7724558
GREEN FINGERS If you are a garden enthusiast or just want somewhere to go to relax and take in nature’s beauty read on.
24
Gowran
Thomastown Inistioge Woodstock Gardens & Arboretum
Situated just outside the picturesque village of Inistiogue in South Kilkenny, Woodstock Gardens are a must see. Approximately 25km from Kilkenny city, the drive up to the entrance of Woodstock offers one of the most scenic views in the country. Set amidst the grounds of Woodstock House and overlooking the River Nore Valley, the gardens are both colourful and varied. Home to the tallest silver fir tree in Ireland Woodstock is also renowned for having the longest Monkey Puzzle Tree Avenue in Europe. A playground was also added to Woodstock in the last few years and is suitable for children under the age of 14. For more information contact: Woodstock Gardens & Arboretum, Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny woodstock@kilkennycoco.ie Mob: 087 8549785
Food & Drink Every month we’ll look at where you can a bit to eat, hot beverage and unique food that can only be found in Kilkenny.
Restaurant
Café
KNOCKDRINNA
ZUNI
www.knockdrinna.com
26 Patrick Street Kilkenny Tel: (056) 772 3999 Zuni restaurant dining is a feast for the senses. It’s a modern and fresh and inviting. You can even watch the chefs and kitchen staff prepare your meal through the open plan kitchen. The staff are professional and friendly which only adds to the dining experience. They serve lunch and dinner menus and are even available for small weddings. They are recommended by the Bridgestone Guide and chef Maria Rafferty presides over the award-winning Kilkenny restaurant.
Food
3 Ormonde Street, Kilkenny Tel: (056) 775 6658
Kilree Goats Cheese Kilree is the newest addition to the range of Knockdrinna goats cheeses. Beneath its fine orange slightly sticky, leathery rind is a smooth, pale ivory interior that breaks rather than crumbles into large flakes. The flavours are complex yet well balanced hinting of almonds and marzipan. British Cheese Awards Supreme Champion 2011. This is just one of the mouth watering cheeses available from Knockdrinna. Check out their website for more cheeses. Yummy!
Kafé Katz is located on Ormonde Street Kilkenny across from the Hibernian Hotel. It has indoor and outdoor seating so you can watch the world go by. They prepare freshly made sandwiches, wraps etc to order. The also have a full barista menu. Freshly made smoothies are also on their menu perfect for a healthy injection of fruit! There is a lovely friendly atmosphere in Kafé Katz the girls always have a smile and chat for every customer. They also now stock Bonza Pies. Australian inspired gourmet pies made in Ireland. Have them on their own or with peas and mash. They are opened 6 days a week from 9 to 6pm. Everything is also available for takeaway. Make sure to pop in on your way down Ormonde Street. Kafé Katz are on facebook.
At Knockdrinna Farmhouse Cheese, pride themselves on making the finest quality artisan cheese, using the best quality milk from local farmers and from this Knockdrinna Farmhouse Cheese have been making cheese since 2004 at their Farm in Stoneyford Co Kilkenny. Their first cheeses were made using milk from a local farmer from this their passion for cheese making grew.
Kafé Katz
A stone’s throw away... If by some miracle you run out of things to do during your stay in Kilkenny city, or you simply want to see what else the county has to offer, then read on.....Each month we will pick a beautiful destination roughly twenty minutes outside Kilkenny city for you to visit. This month for A Stone’s Throw Away we are highlighting the Ecclesiastical site of St. Canice’s Cathedral which is located a short distance north west of Kilkenny Castle.
Getting there Using Kilkenny Castle as your starting point turn in the direction of High Street. Continue along High Street, down to Parliament Street and into Irishtown. At the bottom of Irishtown you will stone steps directly in front of you which will bring you up to the round tower and the cathedral.
Due to the expanding population in Ireland around the 12th century, small Romanesque cathedrals in some of the Irish dioceses were proving too small for expanding new Norman towns. In the town of Ardfert all of the Romanesque cathedral was demolished except for the portal and it’s accompanying arcade, which was left intact to provide an entrance for a much larger gothic structure. In Kilkenny the entire Cathedral was swiftly replaced by its beautiful Gothic successor, started by Hugh De Rous, bishop of Ossory from 1202 - 1218 and presumably completed by around 1260. The building of Christchurch and St. Patrick’s Cathedrals in Dublin had started a trend towards Gothic cathedral building with their lofty stone vaulting staying up almost miraculously like the gossamer of a spiders web. In Kilkenny, St. Canices did not follow suit. The builders preferring wood for the roof of both nave and choir thereby allowing more windows and less wall to create a luminous interior particularly in the choir which is lit by three broad and tall lancet windows. The nave arcade is low-slung with light piers, quatrefoil in plan, supporting broad arches and an uncomplicated series of uncomplicated of celerestory windows above. The infusion of light, the simple clarity of design without too much fussy detail and the comparative lack of later defacements all go to make St. Canice’s
the most successful of Irish cathedrals outside Dublin. To add further to its attractions, a high-quality sculptor carved sensitively smiling human heads and foliate motifs on corbels and capitals in variance parts of the cathedral, both inside and out. Roger Stalley, who dubbed him the “Goran Master” for his work on a church in a town of that name some eight miles away, describes him as “perhaps the most gifted craftsman to work in Ireland during the 13th century” - and he may well have been both architect and craftsman combined. His artistic influence is felt particularly in a tombniche in the north transept and on two doorways of the cathedral, of which that in the west gable is best preserved and also the finest early gothic doorway in Ireland. St. Canice’s however, is also worth visiting for the wonderful collection of medieval tomb-sculpture which it contains, dating mainly from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Sadly, the Cromwellians created such mayhem when they got inside the cathedral that very few of the effigies are likely to belong to the tomb surrounds that supports them. The round tower outside the cathedral is a reminder that the foundation of Kilkenny goes back beyond the time of the Anglo Normans, the first monastery on the site having been founded by St. Cainneach (St. Canice’s) of Aghaboe who dies around the year 600.
il unt r me Sum 3 201 Our Large pizza is a whopping 15” with 4 succulent toppings of your choice
All natural ingredients 100% Irish owned Driver charge may apply. Check store for details
John Street, Kilkenny City Visit us online for information on opening hours & latest deals
ORDER NOW! Order online at: www.
.ie
Dress 69.99 Shutterbug
do it for you? You love your home; love searching for one-off, stylish but affordable things ? Well.... you jump into your car or get onto your computer and visit Eclectic Interiors... Situated in the beautifully restored Art and Craft Yard of The Discovery Park in Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, this unique independant shop offers a totally different interiors experience. Owner Selina Gittins sources old antique and vintage furniture and brings it back to life; elegant rubs shoulders with quirky...an 18th century rustic bakers table with a hand-painted candy-pink bentwood cafe chair, ethnic antiques, modern sculptural lightshades, vintage curios and decorative accessories altogether, in an eclectic mix of contemporary country style. ANNIE SLOANE Paints Selina also offers a service to hand-paint your unappreciated bits of furniture and is a recent new stockist for the amazing “Annie Sloane” range of chalk paints and wax, so now you can have a go yourself! Courses in “up-styling “ a piece of your own furniture with Selina will be available in the Autumn at the Discovery Park. Keep an eye on the website www.eclecticinteriors.net for info, or follow Eclectic Interiors on facebook. www.eclecticinteriors.net
Shutterbug Situated on Patrick Street Kilkenny. Shutterbug caters to customers who are looking for something a bit ‘different’ - whether you love the high glamour of sequins, or the more refined silk blouse and skirt combination. The team there love to style people up for any occasion so pop in for a consultation Open Monday to Saturday, they also have a facebook page where you can hold and pay for item over the internet. 27 Patrick Street, Kilkenny Tel: (056) 770 3312 Email: info@shutterbug.ie www.shutterbug.ie
Butterslip Is a beautiful corner shop on Rose Inn Street, its recognisable from its powder blue front and brightly coloured displays. It stocks lots of sparkly jewellery, bags, scarves, pretty present ideas. It also has a wide selection of baby products such as gro bags, gro bags, wooden toys and lots of other lovely things. Call in Monday to Saturday(10-6) Sunday(12-5) to find that perfect gift for you or someone you love. 31 Rose Inn Street Kilkenny, Ireland Tel: (056) 770 2502 Email: info@butterslip.com www.butterslip.com
Stockists Featured Shops Eclectic Interiors What do you do when you’ve fallen out of love with Ikea? Traditional antique and off-the-shelf furniture shops just don’t
APC
APC Car, Bus and Truck Wash is based at Cillin Hill on the Carlow Road.
Cars e6 Vans e8 Buses e15
Contact John 087 3137748 Tony 086 1228748 Open 6 days a week closed Thursdays
Lorimat Lorimat Jewellers was established as a family run business in 1993 in the heart of the medieval city of Kilkenny, Ireland. They stock a large range of unique antique and modern jewellery and are always striving for that something different. They offer an excellent after sales service and unbeatable value to all our customers and most importantly a relaxed atmosphere in which to browse our extensive range. St. Kieran St. Street Kilkenny, Ireland Tel: (056)7751455 Email: lorimatjewellers@gmail.com www.lorimatkilkenny.ie
Sue Ryder The Sue Ryder Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping older people live safely, securely and independently. St. Kieran St., Kilkenny Tel 056 775 6857 follow us on Facebook Sue Ryder Kilkenny
Win This Ĺ KODA Fabia
Market Cross Shopping Centre - The Heart Of Kilkenny City.
With thanks to & Lahart Garages. www.marketcross.ie marketcrosskilkenny Minimum â‚Ź10 spend required. Terms & Conditions Apply.
www.laharts.ie