Issue: 12 Summer 2013
KILKENNY
FREE
COLOUR POP
Lola Rose shows us how to do bright this summer
Food Favourites Where and what
to eat in Kilkenny
MY FAIR
LADY Elegant Dressing from Serendipity
Gather Together
GOOD
LIFE
Fiona Dillion of Hunter’s Lodge talks to us about been self sufficient
Marble
City Food
Ken McGuire looks at the wealth of food in Kilkenny
Style in the City Goods shows us
style for all ages
It’s the year of
the Gathering
A Stylish
Confessions of a beauty Snob Sarah Canning looks at a few of her favourite beauty products
Man Paul O’Connor delves into
Men’s Fashion this summer
S/S 13 What’s set to be big this summer
Hiya,
Ok so you may have noticed we took a bit of a break, but now we are back bigger and better. We will now be running a quarterly issue to give you more content, fashion and tips about what to do around Kilkenny. We hope you enjoy it and we look forward to our new bigger, better issue. Don’t forget this is the year of Cover
Photography: Ross Costigan
www.rosscostiganphotography.ie Model: Karen Fitzpatrick @ Assets Make-up: Make up by Emma Hogan Eyre of the Eyre Brushed Hair: Aoibhlinn Blanchfield Clothes: Bubblegum pink dress with Hummingbird by French label Manoush Lola Rose Kilkenny
Design
Madeleine Carroll Assistants: Linda Kelly Aoife Cahill t: 056 7777502 e: info@mc-designs.ie w: www.mc-designs.ie
Editorial
Madeleine Carroll Rita Brennan Sarah Canning Laura Kane Helena Duggan Gina Renehan Ken McGuire Paul O’Connor
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 at Kilkenny Zine
the Gathering so get out there and Gather together!
XXX The editorial team at KILKENNY
Contents Summer 2013 6
Want it! Need it!
10 Lola Rose - Colour Pop 14
Serendipity - My Fair Lady
16 Goods - Style in the City 20 Confessions of a Beauty Snob! 22 SS Trends 26 Fashion on a Budget 30 Food Favourites 18 A Gluten Free Christmas 32 A world of food in the Marble City 34 Spotlight on Business 35
A Stylish Man
36 The Good Life - Fiona Dillon 38 The Gathering be part of it... 42 On the Shelf 46
Fifteen Men and a Bus
Summer In Summer there is always the hope and promise of sunshine and long hazy days. It’s not always the case, we do live in Ireland after all! There are plenty of events that you can take part in during the summer whether you are a participant or a apectator. Here is a sample few.
Nore with the majestic background of the Castle, this triathalon is fast becoming the fastest growing triathalon in Europe. There is an Olympic and Sprint Distance triathalon available, you can do it all individually or if you want to just try it out, do it as a relay with a friend or friends. For more details log onto www.trigrandprix.com
Get the kit Bruce Springsteen
Whether you’re a long time fan or a newbie to Bruce, this gig is set to be the biggest one in the Kilkenny Music Calendar. Such is the draw of the energetic Bruce, that people even queued overnight for tickets here in Kilkenny. Taking place on the 28th and the 29th of July this is surely the hottest ticket this summer. If you haven’t got your ticket, beg, borrow or steal to get one!(We don’t condone stealing obviously!)For more details log onto www.mcd.ie
Tri Grand Prix
This annual Triathalon is set to draw a huge crowd of participants and spectators. Set in the river
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KILKENNY SUMMER
‘Get the Kit’ is an exciting business initiative which recently won the Junior Enterprise regional finals at the New park Hotel Kilkenny. The brainchild of three first year students: Éabha Sloyan, Katie Phelan and Gwyneth Atkinson Lynch of Coláiste Pobail Osraí, Kilkenny. Get The Kit specialises in selling a range of kits concentrating on teenage girls as a target market. The friends brainstormed to come up with an idea to make an activity exciting. ‘We decided to create something girly. We thought of important occasions for teenage girls that we could create a kit for. A sleepover sprung to mind’. The kit includes a facemask, nail polish, ‘Truth or Dare cards’, Popcorn kernels and recommendations for suitable movies. The girls have lots more Kit ideas to come, so watch this space! They will represent Kilkenny in the national finals in Croke Park, Dublin on the 17th April 2013. We wish them the best of luck with their venture.
Future Makers
Work by the recipients of the Crafts Council of Ireland’s Future Makers Awards and Supports 2012, including pieces from a Waterford maker, are showcased at an exciting exhibition, which is now open at the NCAD Gallery in Dublin. The exhibition is presented in partnership with the National College of Art and Design and runs until April 5th. The Future Makers exhibition features exceptional, award winning craft and design objects including ceramics, glass, fashion, jewellery, sculpture and furniture, all designed and made by twentythree of Ireland’s leading creative students and recent graduates. This exhibition will showcase the craftsmanship of the next generation of Irish makers who are shaping our creative future by combining innovative techniques and processes with hand-made skills. Exhibitors include Angela O’Keefe Natalie Coleman, Jackie Maurer, Jennifer Slattery, Kate Murtagh Sheridan, Theresa Burger, Karen Hennessy The Future Makers exhibition opens at 6pm on Thursday 7th March and runs to Friday 8th April. As part of the exhibition the National College of Art & Design in partnership with the Crafts Council of Ireland’s Education and Outreach team has developed a range of craft design education workshops for
secondary school pupils. These designED workshopswill take place on Thursday, 14th March, and will be attended by pupils from schools around Ireland who will work with NCAD design staff, residents and students at the NCAD studios. For more information on the designED workshops, please contact mcternan@ncad.ie.
two episodes of series two of Sky 1 HD’s critically-acclaimed and IFTA award winning comedy series Moone Boy, in the company of its co-writer and star, Chris O’Dowd, co-writer and Kilkenny native, Nick Vincent Murphy and fellow cast members. The Sky programme will also include other special screenings with further details to be announced in due course. For more info go to www.thecatlaughs.com
In previous years many acts, including Calexico, Ray LaMontagne, Ryan Adams and Alabama Shakes have made their Irish festival debuts at Kilkenny Roots Festival.
Cat Laughs
The picturesque medieval city of Kilkenny, Ireland will play host to The Sky Cat Laughs Comedy Festival from Thursday, 30th May to Monday, 3rd June and festival organisers are thrilled to announce an exciting new creative partnership with Sky, which will include the broadcaster introducing a unique programme strand to the festival. The Sky Cat Laughs Comedy Festival will proudly host a worldpremiere screening of the first
Rhythm and Roots
The 16th Smithwick’s Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots festival will take place in various venues throughout Kilkenny over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Featured acts for 2013 include: PHOSPHORESCENT, JOHN GRANT, CHUCK PROPHET and JOHN MURRAY.
Marble City Sevens
Kilkenny will again host a Rugby Seven’s competition on June the 29th as part of the Gathering initiative. It’s set to be a lively event with a mix of tournaments from Men’s Elite, Women’s Social and Men’s Social. The Kilkenny RFC will be the place to be if you are a rugby player or spectator on
Specialists in Bridal Lingerie & Stockists of
We offer a full bra fitting service, to find your ‘perfect fit’.
Panache ~ Charnos Curvy Kate ~ Bestform ~ Lepel Fauve ~ Fantasie Swimwear Panache Swimwear Hotmilk Maternity & Nightwear Cette Hoisery ~ Spanx
Opening Hours Mon to Sat: 10am - 6pm Deposits Taken. Gift Vouchers Available After hour appointments also available
Belle Femme Lingerie, Kieran St., Kilkenny Tel: 056 7756836 E: info@bellefemmelingerie.ie www.facebook.com/belle.femme.kilkenny
www.bellefemmelingerie.ie
line On Now op le Sh ailab Av
June the 29th 2013.
Yvonne Maher
The winners of the WeddingsOnline. ie 2013 Awards were announced at a glamorous ceremony held in the stylish surroundings of Clontarf Castle. Over 28,000 brides and grooms nationwide voted for their 100 Best Wedding Suppliers and 50 Best Wedding Venues in a wide range of categories, who were then judged by a panel of expert industry specialists, with decisions based on quality of work and a real wedding experience. After hundreds of applications nationwide, Kilkenny women Yvonne Maher (makeup@ yvonnemaher.com) won the award for make up artist of the year 2013.
Eamon always had a passion for fashion. From doodles he started designing in his sixth year art class. His look is based on 50s elegance with a modern twist. At the present time MaraLeno caters for women 20 and over, but plans are underway for a men’s line too. Eamon is aiming high and hopes the brand will be a worldwide one in the future. With our fashion export strong we well believe he will get there.
Tallent
for Languages
Tallent for Languages
Kilkenny’s only multi-lingual centre, ‘Tallent for Languages’ provides courses and individual lessons for both adults and kids in over 10 different languages. Its central location opposite our medieval castle provides an enjoyable, effective and communicative environment for best practice language learning. They also provide translation, interpreting and corporate classes for business support and training.
The Festival – which is part of the calendar of Gathering 2013 Events – will have something for everyone including a Bachelors Bootcamp, (ICA style!), a Tractor Nuts Barn Dance, a farmers market and a Gathering of Fordson Tractors and that’s just on Saturday 11th May in the grounds of Borris House. On Sunday 12th May (12noon), one of the highlights will be the annual Tractor Run featuring beautifully restored vintage tractors rolling out from historic Borris House taking a scenic 26 km route up to Mount Leinster to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society and the Irish Kidney Association. RTE’s John Murray, whose boots are better known for his walking, will be donning his wellies to add his support for what will be a fantastic weekend. Going nuts in Borris! Pictured at the launch of the Annual Tractor Nuts Festival in Borris Co. Carlow are John Murray from RTE, model Roisín Trait, Aoife O’Carroll and Sarah Canning. Pat Moore.
IDEATE Festival
Go Nuts
Maraleno
Eamon Wallace is a 20 year old Kilkenny student who attends NUI Maynooth. He has set up his own fashion line called “MaraLeno”
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KILKENNY SUMMER
Go Nuts in Borris, Co. Carlow, for Tractor Nuts Festival 2013 HUNDREDS of tractor nuts from all over Ireland and abroad will descend on the quaint village of Borris in Co. Carlow on May 11th and 12th for the 10th annual Tractor Nuts Festival.
5 - 6 July 2013 A new multi-disciplinary minifestival event that explores and celebrates craft, design and creativity through experimentation and collaboration. Featuring a fusion of music, making, film screenings and talks. Celebrating the legacy of Kilkenny Design Workshops (KDW) by looking forward into the 21st Century. Twitter: @KDW_21C www.facebook.com/KDW21C www.craftinireland.com/kdw21c
Ireland’s Leading Bridal & High Fashion Makeup Artists Makeup Artistry Courses One Day Courses Makeup Application & Up style Deluxe Bridal Makeup Occasion Makeup Using M.A.C, Lancôme, Urban Decay and other high end brands.
rudolf heltzel gold and silversmith explore one of ireland’s hidden treasures
NOW OPEN At No.1 The Parade, Kilkenny Tel: 0879032243 www.eyrebrushed.com
10 patrick street, kilkenny gallery hours: mon-sat 9.30am - 1pm 2pm - 5.30pm tel 056 7721497 www.heltzel.ie
Hen house
Unicorns do Exist! Daniela Cardillo is a
2011 first class honours
graduate of the National College of Art & Design (NCAD), Dublin. Since graduating Daniela’s work has gained her followers from all across the globe, she has been featured in press such as Stylist Magazine and U, and has been published in the World Craft Council European Applied Arts Catalogue 2012. Overall she is creating quiet a stir amongst the international jewellery scene. Her work is concerned
How cute is this egg storer? Never will your eggs look better than in their own special house. To get this adorable egg house go to the Gift Horse, 25 Lower Patrick Street, (056) 778 6527
with finding beauty in and making use of death and discard. She is intrigued by the components that make up a creature. Daniela’s eco-friendly jewellery uses mainly horsehair, and each piece is entirely handcrafted. The hair weaving technique stems from historic Victorian
Want it! Need it!
mourning hair
are
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KILKENNY SUMMER
considered
memento-mori,
the
pieces are not a simple reminder of death, but an alteration of it, vitalising past life fragments www. danielacardillo.com
Hand
woven horse hair and 22kt gold-plated stud neckpiece.
Handbags & Gladrags in
Kilkenny
officially
Satchel Perfection
If
bones, skulls, claws and
Pauls This satchel is super roomy. It comes with a longer strap so you can wear it across the body. Its perfect for summer to brighten up your work or weekend outfit. Its classy and ladylike which is bang on trend. Think ladylike glamour of Pemplum skirts or Tops, Audery Hepburn like capri pants with striped jersey jumper. If you would like to purchase this bag or similar styles log onto www.kwillakk.bigcartel.com or visit the beautiful shop Kwilla on Rose Inn Street any day during the week. Kwilla, Tel 056 780 6261 €45.00 White Satchel
jewellery.
its
new
launched accessories
store at 12 High Street with a great event called ‘Handbags at Dusk’. The directors of Pauls have secured a number of coveted shoe
and
handbag
labels for the store, several of which are exclusive to the southeast. They are: Michael Kors; Valentino; DKNY; Orla Kiely; Juicy Couture; Guess; Rocoborocco; Irregular Choice; Poetic Licence; Moda in Pelle; Tommy Hilfiger; Ugg; Noe; R-Me and Blackmail. Handbags at Dusk started with drinks and canapés in the new store and the opportunity to browse all the fab bags and shoes before an in-store fashion show kicked off that showcased the new accessories as well as the Pauls SS13 collection that includes new labels Marella, Passport and Bleulab jeans. Pauls, 056 772 1289
Kapelli Hair Studio Patrick Street Upr
056 7700876 20% off colour every Tues&Wed
Karen Maher Make UP artist
Karen Maher Make UP artist
Karen Maher of The Make Up & Beauty Studio Based in Co. Kilkenny Call out service available to location of brides choice phone: 086 2597777 email: makeupandbeautystudio@hotmail.com
Cut it out
Kwilla Kwilla are celebrating their second birthday this year. It’s hard to believe two years have passed since Shannon Forrest opened up her beautiful shop Kwilla on Rose Inn Street beside Syd Harkins. Its a treasure trove of gifts for you or your loved ones. You’ll get quirky finds like this teatowel from Colm O’Regan, the comedian and creator of Irish Mammies who will feature in this years Sky Cat Laughs. Kwilla also stocks Pilgrim jewellery as well as a host of other handmade products from Ireland and overseas. Call in to Kwilla on Rose Inn Street any week day or Saturday to see her lovely range. Kwilla is on facebook and online at www.kwillakk.bigcartel.com
Summer is just here, so we mightn’t have days of sunshine but it doesn’t mean we can’t bring summer into our wardrobe. This cutout skater dress is available in Penneys and is a steal at €11. Wear it with a pair of gladiators for laid back chic.
Want it! Need it!
Bookworm
This Kartel Bookworm bookcase is a perfect wall piece for your home. .Bookworm is marked by a series of bookend supports, bookworm combines flexibility and superior durability. It’s a feature piece and would look at home in a modern home or a more tradition home. For more information log onto www.
Your Future is Bright We love a bit of bling so we were delighted when we spotted these shades in Nine Lives Kilkenny. The retro look isn’t going anywhere for the forseeable future. We could imagine the lovely Imelda May rocking these shades at Electric Picnic. I must get my pair for the Springteen Gig. Nine Lives. High Street, Kilkenny
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williedugganlighting.com
Wedding Hair If you are looking for some bling for your hair on your wedding day, or want to put the finishing touch to your updo, then you’ll want one of Lorimat’s new whicj
hair
accessories
are
reasonably
priced and will set off any
hairstyle.
Vintage
Style Crystal Hairband - €10.00 available from Lorimat, Kieran Street, Kilkenny or online at www.lorimatkilkenny.ie
Make a Wish
chicago Marcasite Jewellery
Wishingbone Gallery is a new vibrant artistic hub located at No.1 The Parade, Kilkenny. All work is bound together by the common thread of being made by hand and exuding creative excellence. Wishingbone Gallery will be showcasing a new talent each month in its spotlight exhibition space . Resident members include Rebekah Patterson Milliner , award winner of The Craft Councils Future Maker Award Daniela Cardillo , Friederike Grace Jeweller & Maeve Coulter Textile Designer and Printmaker. Their work along with a small selection of fashion/art and accessories is available and on display in this new and exciting gallery space. Stay tuned for future exhibitions ad innovative design work displays. Wishingbone is open Tuesday-Sat 10-6pm, Sunday 2-6 where you can browse through wonderful finds and even meet the makers themselves. “
Available at Available at
Lorimat Jewellers www.lorimatkilkenny.ie St Kieran’s Street, Kilkenny
Peach dress with Peplum detail by Irish Designer Caroline Kilkenny. Headpiece by Caroline Quinlan Millinery
Colour POP Looking to add a pop of colour to your wardrobe this summer? This season, embrace a spectrum of bright, bold hues and a serious mix of luxurious navy blues and icy grays. At Lola Rose Boutique on Rose Inn Street, Kilkenny you will find a fabulous array of dresses in bright colours and neon’s, which are bang on trend this season. Lola Rose Boutique is a style haven for all fashionistas with clothes from all over the world, including Irish designer Caroline Kilkenny,
Manoush, Snob, yumi and Pia Michi. Lola Rose has something for all ages. This season you will find amazing ball gowns just in time for the Debs season and beautiful elegant dresses for the races. They also stock shoes, bags and jewellery. The girls at Lola Rose will do their best to cater for your every need, help you find your perfect dress and make you look beautiful from top to toe. Don’t forget ladies, deposits are taken and gift vouchers are available both in store and online.
Lola Rose Boutique has recently opened an online store, to make shopping more accessible to the wider community of Ireland and around the world. You can now purchase your favourite Lola Rose dress on www.lolarosekilkenny.ie You will also find Lola Rose on Facebook and Twitter. Like and share, if you love fashion. www.facebook.com/ LolaRoseBoutiqueKilkenny.
Photographer : Ross Costigan Model : Karen @ Assets Model Management Hair: Aoibhlinn Blanchfield Makeup Emma @ Eyrebrushed Makeup Academy
Coral Brocade Dress with Rhinestone Detail by Forever Unique. All Jewellery by Lola Rose
Dress with Matching Bolero with cream floral detail by Caroline Kilkenny. Headpiece by Caroline Quinlan.
Beautiful Jewellery, Quirky Accessories & Cute Gift Items!
Kilkenny Castle
Kilkenny Castle
Lots of our stock is exclusive to Kwilla & handmade! xxx
* not valid * noton valid sale tionems sale ti ems
Kwilla Design Elements Kilkenny Castle
Kwilla Design Elements
Kwilla, 23 Rose Inn St, Kilkenny Tel: 056 - 7806261
Kilkenny Castle
www.kwilla.eu
Find us on Facebook and Twitter pilgrim.dk
* not valid on sale ti ems Pilgrim / Kwilla, 23 Rose Inn Street, Kilkenny
* not valid on sale ti ems
Cobalt blue Full Length dress - Also available in Cerise Pink
Serendipity
My Fair Lady Serendipity Boutique is the perfect shop for both ‘Mother and Daughter’. It has something for all ages. For more details on Serendipity check out our Stockists page at the back of the magazine
Serendipity
Photographer : Ross Costigan Model : Stephanie O’Dwyer Hair: Aidan@Kapelli Makeup Karen @ The Make up and Beauty Studio
Structured Canary Yellow Dress - Available in other colours also.
Goods
Style in the City
Top € Cardigan € Cropped Jeans € Sunglasses € Bag €
e44 e55 e47 e17 e44
All by Oasis on the First Floor
Photographer : Ross Costigan Model : Ella and Catherine @ Hype Model Management Makeup Karen Morrissey
Goods
Top € e57.95 Trousers e57.95 All by Sisley on the Lower Ground Floor Bag by Juno € e79.95 from Accessories on the Ground Floor Mezzanine Shoes by Carmens € e89.99 from the Shoe Suite on the Lower Ground Floor
Advertorial
GOOD’S OF KILKENNY
Featuring many top international fashion labels like Coast, A|Wear, Oasis, Warehouse, Benetton, Sisley, and Dorothy Perkins among others Goods makes fashion shopping an irresistibly exciting activity, and for something a little different be sure to check out their two ‘boutique’ departments, Choice , on the Ground Floor and Gardeur on the Ground Floor Mezzanine. No outfit would be complete without the heels to match and the Shoe Suite on the lower ground floor stocks an extensive range of shoes for all occasions with brands like Gabor, Rieker, Peter Kaiser, LeBabe, Paul Green, Hispanitas and Pedro Morales to name but a few.
Bra €e29.95 Brief €e8 All by Bassoni from Lingerie on the Second Floor
Goods of Kilkenny are renowned for their 2nd Floor Lingerie department where their expert friendly fitters always ensure that their customers are wearing the correct bra size which is as important for health as it is for style. and with one of the most comprehensive selections of lingerie in the South East stocking everything from sensuous Wedding Lingerie to sporty Active Wear, there is always a reason to take a look at Lingerie in Goods.
Dress €e120 Wrap €e45 Bag €e70 All by Coast on the First Floor
Dedicated to stylish women of all ages and with 4 floors and 4 mezzanine levels full of fashion, lingerie, shoes, cosmetics and accessories, Goods has something for everyone.
Every woman needs a little pampering in her life and what better way to treat yourself than with a visit to the Cosmetic department at Goods where you will find Estee Lauder, Clinique, Smashbox and others offering the very best in skincare and make up.
Dress € e149.95 by Kapalua from Gardeur on the First Floor Mezzanine
W.H.Good Ltd, or Goods of Kilkenny has been trading on Kilkenny’s High Street for over 85 years. A family run business the store is a landmark fashion destination in Kilkenny.
Confessions of a beauty snob… BY SARAH CANNING
Smells It’s time to put down the heavy musky bottle of perfume that you’ve been using all winter, and opt for a lighter, fresher and delicate scent for summer. Here are a few of my personal favourites..
Body Gradual tanners are an easy way to keep a natural glow all summer round, and won’t leave you looking tangoed! They also double up as great moisturisers which will keep your skin hydrated and firm. Here are my favourites..
Hi Everyone, It’s that time of year again in the world of beauty where we can brighten things up a little bit. I’ve chosen a handful of my summer essentials which are guaranteed to have you looking and feeling very ‘summerlicous’, even if the sun doesn’t shine for us! . Nails It’s all about bright bold nails this summer for both hands and toes. Bright colours go great with a tan and can look great with a sexy pair of sandals or stilettos. Chanel has brought out some beautiful shades which are top class quality and will not chip or fade for days. If you are thinking more credit crunch than credit card, check out Barry M’s new range of Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint which come in a wide range of colours.
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Face Bronzers and blushers are must haves for a healthy summery glow. These are my favourites which will have you looking radiant at the beach during the day and at the barbeque in the evening.
All products featured in this article are available from good pharmacies and online stockists nationwide. Until next time…. X Sarah If you want to contact Sarah look her up on the Kilkenny Zine facebook and like her page, Confessions of a Beauty Snob.
All Inclusive Wedding Prices From €35 Midweek & From €40 Weekends
**WELCOME RECEPTION** Tea, Coffee and Homemade Cake Sweet Cart with Mini Apple Crumbles or Mini Lemon Meringues Choice of Summer Punch, Mulled Wine or Hot Apple Cider Pianist or Saxaphone Player **4 COURSE CHOICE MEAL** **FREE POURING WINE** **EVENING BUFFET** Hot Dog Stand with Mini Burgers, Hot Dogs or Traditional Buffet
ALSO INCLUDED
Chaircovers, Fairylight Backdrop, Flowers, Champagne Breakfast, 2 Free Rooms for Parents, Bridal Suite & Complimentary Guestroom for night after wedding ...much more
T: 056 7750200 I www.kilkennyormonde.com
Fashion, Beauty, Health Summer’s finally here,
s/s ‘13 fashion forecast
and with it comes the latest fashion trends right off the catwalk. I’ve searched the shops of Kilkenny and come up with five of the main
One of the biggest trends to be seen this summer is the monochrome look. This simple, yet stylish black and white trend can be worn by anyone and is available in several stores in Kilkenny. As well as black and white, stripes have made a major return this season. Combine the two for the best of both worlds. Use vertical stripes to create a taller and thinner look for yourself.
trends this summer. There’s definitely
When I think of Neon, I immediately picture bright, vibrant, and without fail Summer Sun. Love it or hate it, never fully left high street since its arrival last summer. Some designers have embraced it full on head to toe, but personally I prefer more subtle hints of neon throughout my outfit. Neon pink and yellow have always dominated the neon look, but this year designers such as Simone Rocha have opted instead for an acid green look.
1
something for everyone in the shops this season,
1
you just have to be willing to search for what looks best on you! I give you the latest fashion off the streets of
1
Kilkenny: Monochrome 1 Top Savida e18 2 Dress H&M e19.95 3 Skirt H&M e19.95
Metallics 1 Top Warehouse e36 2 Skater Skirt Dorothy Perkins e45 3 Chain Mail Necklace River Island e33 4 Gold Leather Fish Scale Bag River Island e120 Floral 1 Blazer Carrig Donn e44.95 2 Hat H&M e6.95 3 Dress TK Maxx 4 Trousers Carrig Donn Grunge 1 Shirt Dorthy Perkins e42 2 Short Dungarees Warehouse e63 3 Tie Dye Tee Warehouse e33 4 Dress H&M e19.95 Copy: Laura Kane
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3
3
NEON
1 Neon Purple Cardigan H&M e12.95 2 Turtleneck Top River Island 3 Bracelet H&M e4.95 4 Neon Chandelier Earrings Dorothy Perkins
MONOCHROME
Neon
2 2
5
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Fashion, Beauty, Health Metallics are literally shining all over the catwalks this season. Stepping out of common grounds and heading towards an ultramodern destination, cutting-edge metallics are here to stay within your wardrobe. Metallics work best when topped with confidence and a laid back attitude!
Flowers are definitely in bloom this spring as the fashion world embraces one of the hottest trends this summer - floral print! Bright colours and poppy-red are also big this season, so try bag something both bright and floral to keep on trend. Balance your outfit with a one-tone top or trousers to avoid looking like Mother Nature herself.
Think ripped denim, baggy shirts, Kurt Cobain, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and chunky boots - yes, the 90s are back! Grunge was never big on accessories, just a beanie hat. Think laid back and minimal makeup perfect for a weekend look.
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GRUNGE
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FLORAL
METALLICS
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Fashion, Beauty, Health La Roche Posay
Soap and Glory
Sexy Mother Pucker™ xl extreme-plump €11.70 A super-sizing, extrastrength collagen lip shine with lipswell™ natural plant oil infusion, superfill™ nanovectors and visivolume™ immediate effect lip filler. www.boots.ie
L’Oreal
Preference Mousse Absolue Very Light Gold Blonde is the 1st reusable permanent hair colour. Mousse Absolue is reusable, ready-to-use and delivers mutli tonal flawless colour. Touch up your roots as and when you need to. Its available in 14 rich and wearable shades. Available at all good chemists
HYDREANE BB CREAM The 1st BB cream with La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water, formulated for sensitive skin. Unifying-moisturizing care for sensitive skin.Unifying. Protective SPF 20. Antidull effect. In only one step, it moisturizes, soothes and protects the skin. The BB mineral pigments melt in the skin for an immediately unified, evened and freshfaced complexion. Its smooth and non-greasy texture softens and supples the skin. Tested under dermatological control. Paraben-free. Non comedogenic.
BEST BEAUTY FINDS Lancome
Absolue Oleo Serum Bringing together scientific expertise, sensorial texture and ingredients derived from nature, Lancôme invents the Oleo-Serum. Essential Citrus oil and opulent Camellia oil are infused in our new oleo-texture which regenerates skin radiance and nourishes the skin with moisture.
Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream
Naked Palette
Everybody wants to look good NAKED! Far from a group of boring beige shadows, Naked Palette’s long, lean, seductive case is packed with TWELVE gorgeous neutrals, and includes our pro-quality Good Karma Shadow Brush. www.urbandecay.com
To celebrate it’s 10th anniversary Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream comes in this limited edition pot with a beautiful lid. This best-selling award-winning cream is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkle depth by up to 78% and increase hydration and moisture levels by up to 45%. Apply to cleansed skin daily. Suitable for all skin types especially dry and ageing. www.bliss.ie
Advertorial Oasis Spa at Lyrath Estate Hotel The ultimate in luxury, elegance and pure personal indulgence. Visit the Oasis Spa at Lyrath Estate Hotel where you can relax, refresh and rejuvenate. A mere 5 minutes drive from Kilkenny City, you will find Lyrath Estate Hotel nestled amongst 170 acres of mature parkland.
Driving up the winding avenue with Lyrath’s 17th century house cast in the distance, a sense of arrival to this truly special place embraces you. Visiting Oasis Spa gives you the opportunity to unwind, relax & take time out just for you.
A MOMENT OF CALM
Midweek Packages include: Sunday - Thursday
Pamper Me & Afternoon Tea - €50 Treat yourself, a loved one or enjoy with friends - Enjoy Lyrath Estate’s sumptuous afternoon tea, coupled with an express treatment from Oasis Spa, full use of the Thermal Suite, & relaxation rooms included. Choose from a 30 min Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage, fantastic for tension release Or An Express 30min facial using Kerstin Florian Product Range.
2 for the price of 1
Maternity Treatments
Pay €85 for 85 min of pure indulgence. Choose from an array of treatment combinations to suit your tastes & needs.
The Smoothie €100 for 85 min
Most Popular choices: - Hotstone Massage & Mini Facial - Any 55 min Facial & Forget me Knot - Scalp and Hair treatment Couples Experience €75 per person Begin your journey with one hour’s use of our thermal suite and relaxation rooms. Next you enjoy the Rasul which is a cleansing ritual that takes place in a mosaic tiled steam chamber where you apply mineral mud’s to nourish your skin. Lastly you will be accompanied to the couple’s suite by your therapists where you will enjoy a 30 min aromatherapy back neck and shoulder massage. *You can also upgrade this treatment to a 55 minute full body aromatherapy massage for an extra €25 per person.
A Mama Mio Smoothie will exfoliate your skin gently but effectively followed by the most moisturising massage to hydrate and elasticise your skin. A luxurious scalp massage will sweep away all stresses and strains. Free your mind €90 for 55mins This treatment is designed to ease the stresses associated with pregnancy, a gentle face and head massage will release cranial and jaw tension followed by a deep neck and shoulder massage. Visit our website www.lyrath.com or call Oasis Spa to find out more or request a full brochure 056 7760088.
KILKENNY SUMMER
25
Fashion, Beauty, Health
Fashion Challenge Seeing as Summer is making its way around the corner, I wanted to purchase an outfit that was light and airy and suitable for a day hanging out in the park under the bright sunshine with my friends. Maybe I was being a bit too optimistic with the sunshine, but nevertheless I didn’t want to feel too congested with a lot of layers. I headed to Swamp first, picking up this pretty floral skirt that is very much my style. Floral is almost everyone’s favourite trend for Spring/Summer, and it’s certainly here to stay for another season. I especially loved the big floral print, that was done by Jaspar Conran in the London Fashion Week, as opposed to the smaller flower print from last year. This skirt set me back €19.95. My next stop was Vero Moda. I knew I needed a one-tone top to prevent my outfit from looking too cluttered. After much debate, I chose a lovely white top with lace on the shoulders. This top was just what I had in mind when I thought of a fresh and summery look for this season. I liked the contrast from plain to pattern in this outfit and I tucked the top into the skirt to really emphasis the colours. The top set me back another €19.95
Laura in her finished outfit I was given the task this week to find myself an outfit for a ‘Casual Saturday.’ Sounds easy, that’s practically all I shop for anyway. However, with a budget of €50, it was a tougher challenge than I had anticipated!
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My pocket a considerable amount lighter, I headed to Penneys to search for accessories. I chose a small, plain brown bag that cost me €4 as I didn’t want the accessories to take away from my outfit. My final purchase was a pretty blue and gold bracelet from Monsoon that went with the colours in my skirt and cost me €4.90. The entire outfit cost me €48.80 – Challenge completed! The shoes were a pair of (frayed) brown pumps that I dug out of my sister’s wardrobe that matched the bag. Please excuse my awkward expression; I’m not used to getting my picture taken!
You can also throw a denim jacket over the top for the chilly evenings and a matching brown belt around the waist to disguise the top tucked in. Overall though, I was impressed with what I could buy in Kilkenny for under €50 and there was a huge variety of summer clothes in the shops that I will surely be returning to try on! Laura Kane
Top Vero Moda €19.95
Skirt Swamp €19.95
Bag Penneys €4
Bracelet €4.90
Leisure, Culture, Interview
New Beginnings Creative Beginnings is a new concept shop that has recently opened in Clonmel. The shop came about when Hilary O’Connor wanted to find like minded individuals who wanted to sell their products but could not afford the cost of a full shop. Creative Beginnings is a coop type shop, where all the sellers share costs for the shop.
Here Hilary talks about what made her start her new venture: “If ever there was a time to think outside the box, it is now. Many nights were spent tossing and turning and wondering ... If only. Well this is the plan I came up with and the beauty of it is that it can be applied to any number of businesses all over the country. I wanted to sell my products which include fabric, trimmings, ribbons and buttons in a shop on the high st. but the overheads were just too exorbitant to even imagine it. I needed to find other businesses to work to share costs. I went to my local enterprise board to help me find other people who may be in a similar situation to me. As my product is raw material for craft and design, I felt that other
crafters and designers would work well with my products. Not only did the Enterprise board help with finding other small businesses to fit our criteria but they also helped with a grant for the set up of the shop and so ‘Creative Beginnings’ was founded. We started with four directors, with each one running their own craft supply business. Violeta Pserackaite of Wild women Art (Hand felted fashion and accessories) Peter Tynan of PT Design(Woodwork including Clocks, mirrors and lamps) Lynda Cantwell of Itsy Bitsy Baby(Nappy Cakes and baby gifts) Hilary O’ Connor of Make it Interesting (Fabric, Buttons & Trimmings) We then decided that we needed a wider variety of products to fill the shop and make it more interesting. We invited local crafters to sell their products in the shop. We decided to sell their products with no mark-up or commission taken and instead charge them a basic fee to display and sell their products, which in turn helped us with our overheads. The four directors man the shop, each working two days per week. Every day we are hearing ‘shop
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local’ and ‘support local business’ and so far we have been amazed. The quality of the products produced locally on our doorstep is remarkable. So instead of just one small business we have helped fifteen small businesses to get off the ground. We are always on the lookout for new and interesting products to add to our shop, if you are a crafter and would like to sell your products with us please get in touch with Hilary on 087 2282454. Recession drives innovation, and our shop is proof of that!” Creative Beginnings is an example of what small business can do to come together when faced with crippling overheads that stiffle startups before they even get off the ground. The Retail Centre on James Street and Made in Kilkenny are examples of this in Kilkenny. In these days it may be the best option of getting small businesses out of kitchens and bedrooms across Ireland and onto the high street.
Fashion, Beauty, Health
Slim Fit Expose Shoulder Dress Oasis €37.00 Peach Retro Shoulder flashing Blouse Dorothy Perkins e35
Peek a bOO
Yellow Flocked Pattern Cut Out Dress River Island e40
Print Cut Out Front Fit and Flare Dress Awear €65.00
Peach Cut Out Dress H&M e49.95
It’s summer so it’s time to flash a little flesh. Don’t think bare all, think subtle flashes of flesh. There is a growing trend of cutouts in clothes this season. There is a flash of midriff, waist, shoulders. full back and decoltage. Its sexy and subtle and can be used to highlight your best bits. So go forth and flash the flesh(just not in a Lady Godiva way!)
The Gift Horse 25 Lower Patrick Street, Kilkenny
Country dressing and living...
t: 056 7786527 e: thegifthorsekilkenny@gmail.com w: www.thegifthorsegallery.com facebook.com/thegifthorsegallery Follow us on facebook for events, new arrivals, special offers and more!
Food & Drink Every issue we’ll look at where you can get a bite to eat, a hot beverage and unique food that can only be found in Kilkenny.
Restaurant
Café
YINDEES
Lyrath Hotel, Carlow Road, Kikenny www.lyrath.com Lemongrass, coriander, ginger, chilli, coconut, tamarind and lime: the quintessential flavours and aromas of the East. Yindees Oriental Restaurant brings you a unique blend of authentic dishes from Thailand, Malaysia, Sri-Lanka, Vietnam and Japan in a modern intimate setting. And with the X-Bar conveniently next door, you’ll find the perfect spot for after-dinner cocktails.
Meubles
Kilkenny Retail Park Tel: 056 7722034 www.meublesfurniture.com
Meubles Cafe is so spacious it’s great for meeting up with a pile of girls or even for a quick informal business meeting. Along with its new style and tasty menu, we salute the new Meubles Cafe.
Have you seen Meubles Cafe? The cafe in the furniture shop has undergone a stylish re-vamp a few months ago, resulting in a cool, funky hangout on the outskirts of the city (with loads of parking). Their menu has changed too, they’ve introduced a range of delicious signature sandwiches and salads that would make your mouth water! Our favourite is the High Tea which we had one busy Saturday before browsing their Meubles Homesware department.
Italian Connection open 7 days From Lunch straight through to Dinner: 12pm-10.30pm Authentic family run award winning restaurant, in business in the heart of Kilkenny over 20 years. Kids Menu Available Private Parties Welcome Vouchers Available Full Takeaway menu, phone in your order anytime
Italian Connection, Parliament Street, Kilkenny Tel: 056-7764225 Email: italianconnection@live.com f Find us on Facebook
Earlybird Menu Now Launched
Food KEOGH’S MODEL BAKERY Bridge St, Callan, Co Kilkenny Tel: 056 7725254
William Keogh, with his wife Ann and father have been producing breads and confectionery for well over 100 years. Currently it produces bread and confectionery for retail and wholesale with 80% of their products are made from scratch using well proven recipes and the best possible available ingredients. Keoghs Model Bakery produces everything from sliced pan bread to wedding cakes, novelty cakes, handmade chocolates and deliver to their own shops, supermarkets, retail and cake outlets within a 20 mile radius.
Kilkenny’s Premier Wine & Dine Experience
Open 7 Days a Week
Monday - Saturday: 5pm -10pm Sunday: 12.30pm to 10pm
Take Away - Group Bookings - Family Friendly Gluten Free Pizzas, Pastas & Beer Grills Seafood Salads Authentic Italian Cuisine Wine & Dine Deal
3 Course Meal for 2 €59 Bottle of Wine, Starter, Main Course & Dessert Monday to Friday 5pm to 10pm (Excluding Bank Holidays)
Saturday Night Special Menu
2 Courses €22.95 3 Courses €26.95 Available all night
Early Bird
2 Courses €19.95 3 Courses €24.95 Sunday to Friday 5pm to 10pm
Sunday Lunch Menu
2 Courses €16.95 3 Courses €19.95 12.30pm to 5pm
For Bookings Call: 056 7771666 larivistarestaurant@gmail.com www.larivista.ie facebook/larivistakilkenny
La Revista 22 Parliament Street, Kilkenny.
Tel 056 7771666 PIZZERIA
RESTAURANT
Food & Drink
A World of Food in the Marble County Ken McGuire
Food blogger Ken McGuire takes a look at some of the artisan delights from a selection of Kilkenny’s top food producers. Describing Kilkenny as a ‘food haven’ is something that may have been scoffed at years ago. Taking the big boys out of the equation – Glanbia, Diageo – you wouldn’t have thought ten or twenty years ago that Kilkenny would become a haven for food producers of the highest caliber. On a whole, the country has been going through a gradual shift, Ireland now very much a nation of award-winning and bar-setting food producers. Only recently on Dragon’s Den we saw the tale of one former construction worker who diversified into food when the building industry began to collapse and now, employing all former construction workers runs a highly successful bakery that secured a record-breaking €200,000 investment from the TV show. Kilkenny too has had representation on Dragon’s Den, albeit that the food producer at the time didn’t attract any on-air investment but it’s testament to the boom in food producers and food manufacturing locally throughout Kilkenny City and County. While we’re producing food North and South of the county, a large portion of that production falls in the few miles in and around Thomastown, about 20 minutes outside of the city. In April of this year, Thomastown was named the first every Kilkenny LEADER Partnership Town Of Food, beating off competition from Callan, Castlecomer, Kilmacow and Piltown, all of whom play host to their own local food producers. The award represents a potential €775,000 investment in food in the area in everywhere from marketing to chef training. But in and around Thomastown, Jerpoint and Stoneyford you’ve got some of the countries finest cheese-makers, chocolatiers, fish producers and more besides. Mag Kirwan of Goatsbridge Trout Farm couldn’t have said it better of late in saying that food “is an integration part
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of our DNA in Thomastown”. Mag, along with husband Ger, run Goatsbridge Trout Farm at Jerpoint, Co. Kilkenny. Theirs is a family business stretching back to the 1960s and is now one of the country’s best known trout farms. The Kirwan’s investment in a state of the art processing and packaging facility three years ago helped to further establish Thomastown and Kilkenny on the map for food production. They are now the market leader in terms of fresh trout in Ireland. In 2012 they made a bold step after running the farm for 20 years by launching Ireland’s first Trout Caviar, a delicacy opening huge doors to export markets and high end restaurants around the country. That move was topped off with Goatsbridge winning the Agri-Food Innovation category at this year’s Irish Times Innovation Awards, with Goatsbridge going toe-totoe with the likes of Mash Direct and Glenisk for the category award.
In the area, the awards don’t stop there. For the best part of a decade in neighbouring Stoneyford, about 15 minutes outside of the city in the Waterford direction, Helen Finnegan has been brewing up a cheese storm from Knockdrinna Farm House, In 2011, Knockdrinna Cheese took the equivalent of Best Picture at the Oscars by winning the Supreme Champion award at the British Cheese Awards for their Kilree Goats Cheese which in the same year was named Best Irish Cheese, Best Semi-Soft Cheese and was joined at the winners table by Knockdrinna’s Meadow Sheeps Cheese and Lavistown Cows Milk Cheese. Both Goatsbridge Trout Farm and Knockdrinna Farm House cheese operate walk-in shops where you can pick up some fresh fish and cheese. At the Knockdrinna Farm Shop you can also pop in for a coffee with some fresh treats or pick up some of the other offerings on the Knockdrinna line including Lavistown Sausages, or Helen’s range of pestos and chutneys. At FoodCamp a few years ago now, an event run as part of the Savour
Kilkenny Food Festival programme, it was remarked that when we (a broad, sweeping ‘we’) go abroad, we’re great at finding a French cheese or a particular style of bread, or a gorgeous Italian olive oil, then returning home and putting all of our efforts into finding those products here. Thankfully, that no longer has to be the case as Kilkenny is called home by some of the country’s top food producers. Closer to the city, Highbank Orchard’s organic Orchard Syrup has been a Christmas-saver at Chez McGuire. It’s won a serious amount of awards in recent years, most recently a 2013 Irish Food Writers Guild award. They’ve also opened a door into cider production of late and produce a tongue-tingling apple juice that just has to be tried; in Urlingford, Kitty Colchester is producing Second Nature Oil, an absolutely divine original Irish organic rapeseed oil which goes great with salads and breads and is the idea alternative to imported oil; The Harpers of Cramers Grove produce handmade farm house ice creams, sorbets and frozen yoghurts; Joy Moore’s Oldtown Hill Bakehouse in Tullaroan produce award-winning scones, brownbread and the tasty-and-tempting Dolly’s Donuts that you may find lining local shelves while Mileeven Fine Foods in Piltown have a gorgeous range of speciality honeys and preserves, again, all made locally. These are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to food locally and the more that’s produced within the county, the more that local restaurants like Campagne, Rinuccini, Café Sol, Langton’s, Royal Spice (they could very well be the only Indian restaurant with locally sourced trout on the menu) and many more besides can offer. So, the next time you’re out for lunch or dinner, see if you can spot any local
dishes on the menu, you’re in for a world of a treat.
An award-winning podcaster and blogger, Ken McGuire writes about food online at AnyGivenFood.com. Follow him on Twitter via @anygivenfood or email ken@ anygivenfood.com to start the conversation.
Leisure, Culture, Interview
A shop with Heart
Kilkenny Cancer Support Charity Shop This shop is vital in the funding of the Cois Nore Cancer Support Health Centre on Walkin St which will provide much needed services for Cancer sufferers and their families in Kilkenny.
Unfortunately we are all to aware of the epidemic that is cancer which has touched every family in some form or another so it is important that we provide LOCAL help for those who have to travel for this help at the moment. It is a life changing illness and the last thing sufferers need is to have to wonder “what do I now�? So the Cois Nore Cancer Support Health centre will provide advice, counselling and a lot more to help ease the way to recovery. We are open every day from 10am til 5.30pm and donations are always welcome, we also pick up donations from anyone who cannot get into town just call Margaret on 056 7715001. We have an extensive selection of brand new and used clothes, footwear, bric a brac, handbags, household goods,books and childrens wear, we also have a lovely Kiddies corner so that your children can play safely while you browse!.
No. 8 Walkin St. Kilkenny Contact: Margaret on 0567715001 Opening Hours Monday - Saturday 10am - 5.30pm
Leisure, Culture, Interview and have been known not to always rush back to work thereafter, instead opting for a coffee and hot chocolate with the girls! 4. You are located in 11 Patrick Street. How do you find working there amongst other small businesses and start up companies?
Spotlight on Business 2. Coming from Cork, how do you like living in Kilkenny?
Con Mc Donnell 1. How many years have you been in business? I opened the practice in Kilkenny in September 2011, having worked previously in the practice of Eamon Murray & Co. Solicitors in Cork, where I served my apprenticeship and remained after qualification. The last eighteen months have been extremely challenging but thoroughly enjoyable and I am delighted with the decision I made to leave my full time job and set up on my own. Previously I had been commuting between Kilkenny and Cork for over four years, so the decision to set up in Kilkenny was an easy one, in some ways.
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I love Kilkenny. September in Kilkenny can be tough for a Cork man (!!), but I have come to terms with the fact that the rest of my family, my wife Bethann, my girls Lily and Faye and my son Patrick, are “Kilkenny Cats” and not “Rebels” and all I can do is smile when they come in the door the first week back in school, draped in black and amber, singing the Rose of Mooncoin! I cannot think of another county town in Ireland that does as much for itself as Kilkenny, with the festivals and the like, and Kilkenny really punches above it’s weight in that regard. It is a great place to live and bring up kids.
11 Patrick Street is ideal for what I need and to be honest I could not imagine being based anywhere else, particularly in the early start up stage. The offices are modern and the administrative staff are excellent. Within weeks of taking up an office in 11 Patrick Street, I was invited by my “neighbour”, Brian Dunlop, to join a small group of local business people and we meet regularly in Stathams Bar in the Pembroke Hotel. I would not have known many people in Kilkenny when I set up in 2011 and the atmosphere in 11 Patrick Street provides businesses, whether through organised networking events or merely stopping to chat with another business owner at the coffee machine, with an environment conducive to working and meeting like minded people . 5. What kind of services do you provide and is there any area that you specialise in? I would cover all aspects of law generally in the practice but specialise in personal injury litigation, criminal defence law and family law.
3. As somebody who is self employed, do you have a good work/life balance and how hard is it to achieve that?
6. If you had one piece of advice to give somebody starting out on their own in business what would it be?
I feel that I do, although I do find it difficult to switch off sometimes and with the laptop and smart phone, I do find myself working a lot when I am out of the office. When you work for yourself, I have realised you are never really off the clock. On the plus side, working for myself I am in a position to drop and collect my kids from school
In terms of setting up a business: do not be afraid to make a mistake in the early stages of start up and don’t beat yourself up about it, just don’t make the same mistake twice. In terms of operating a legal practice, flexibility and transparency are key. (That’s three pieces of advice, I know!)
Men’s Stuff
A Sty ish Man Paul O’Connor
Recently, looking back over old photos I grimaced slightly at my male friends (and my own) fashion faux pas’ over the years. Looking at these pictures one would have never thought that the day would come when Irishmen would not only wear bright neon colours but actually embrace them.
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The softer gelato shades of last summer have been replaced by vivid neons and everywhere from High Street boutiques to the largest chain department stores you’ll see chinos, shorts, smart trousers and shirts in these bright, bold colours. An entire neon suit is definitely too much, but hot red trousers paired with a white shirt, preferably with a red trim, looks great and is a perfect Summer look. Similiarly, repeat that look but in a brilliant blue and you’re all set for a night on the town. Of course either look works well with a Cosmopolitan in hand! As a fan of the military look I was delighted to see it all over the catwalk at the London Fashion Week for Spring/ Summer ’13. Virtually every designer had a variation on the theme, most memorable was Valentino’s bomber jacket and Comme des Garcons full on combat look. The catwalk leads and the High Street follows, so the military style will be here for Summer. We know stripes aren’t always flattering, especially for anyone who has an active social life like myself! All that dining and imbibing takes its toll, so I’ll need to renew my gym membership if I’m going to get into any of the vertical or horizontally striped knitwear which is another big trend for men this Spring/Summer. It looks fresh and new with wide lines beside narrow, reminiscent of the rolling lines on the TV screen when the weather upset the cable reception. So hot colours, a little camouflage, some stripes - with a cool cocktail and hopefully some sunshine - that’s Summer 2013!
1 4
5 3
1 Anerkjendt Pascal Orange Polo €24 www.asos.com 2 Topman Blue Dash Shirt €35 www.topman.com 3 Topman Blue Chino Shorts €30 www.topman.com 4 Dr Martens Dillan Shoes - Washed Camo €170 www.atoo.co.uk 6
5 Paul Smith Tubbs Penny Loafers €325 www.paulsmith.co.uk 6 Ralph Lauren Herringbone Soldier Jacket €220 www.vanmildert.com
KILKENNY SUMMER
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Leisure, Culture, Interview
The Good Life...
more importantly spend time with her children as they were and are becoming young adults. When asked what she missed about her old life Fiona replied “Absolutely nothing, no regrets whatsoever. I’m on a completely different journey now and I have a much better quality of life. Also, our children realise where our food comes from” At Hunter’s Lodge, Fiona and her family also rear animals. She stresses how important it is that if you are going to rear animals such as chickens, ducks, lambs or pigs for food you don’t give them a name. Whilst you should always have respect for the animal, if you get too attached, it becomes too difficult when it’s time for them to go. They keep two pigs for six months of the year from late spring onwards and during the summer. When it’s their turn to be sent off she admits that it’s horrible but it doesn’t stop her from doing it because they have such a better quality of life compared to the pigs that are intensively farmed. Fiona rears her pigs on fruit and vegetables with no additives or preservatives and the difference in taste is quite stark, that’s what makes it all worthwhile. One of the upsides to the recession is people are now more than ever wanting to get back to basics and wanting to grow their own produce. This can be seen in farmers market around the country and also at the West Waterford Festival of Food which Fiona attended recently.
In 2009 Fiona Dillon and her family decided to live a more simpler life and slow things down a little. She now writes a blog on self sufficiency and is in the process of writing a book which is due out later in the year. Coming from a corporate background and working long hours Fiona and her
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husband made a life changing decision to slow down the pace of their life and spend more time with their four children who are now aged from 21 down to 10. Her husband set up his own Door Automation business and he can now decide the hours he works rather than the other way around. They have a garden which is just under an acre and which was completely under utilised when they moved to Carlow in 1999. Fiona has now learned to grow, cook and
In 2010 Fiona started her blog or her online diary, as she likes to call, it by sharing her story with others and in 2012 she was a finalist in the Irish Blog Awards. She is now writing a book which is due out in December Being a certified trainer also allows her to run different classes, one of which is on keeping chickens. She brings her students to her garden for approximately two hours for the class, learning skills and sipping coffee all for just €50.00 For more details on Fiona’s blog visit www.hunterslodgeliving.com or contact Fiona at info@hunterslodgeliving.com
Kids
The Gift of Learning Children’s Educational Toys
Wooden dexterity table
This good old reliable will give hours of entertainment as well as teach good eye and hand co ordination.
But if you’re looking for a more educational aspect of a gift idea for your kids or your nieces, nephews, godchildren, here are a few ideas you may be interested in.
Dinosaur jigsaw This is a colourful way for a toddler to learn the alphabet; it will improve baby’s motor skills.
Magnetics Big colourful magnet pieces, which helps teach about the various colours, also helps with hand co ordination with the experimental, construction of the pieces. These are available from Ease Early Years, Knocktopher Co. Kilkenny.
Multiplication Table
Animal playground CD Kids will get a great kick out of this fun filled CD. Even Mammy & Daddy should enjoy this one. Both these toys are available in Butterslip, Rose Inn Street.
Tabletop magnetic easel and chalkboard One side has the chalk board; the other side is for magnets and erasable markers.
Four friends ring toss
Magnetic board and letters This simply does exactly as it says, hours of entertainment learning and playing around with new words.
Four colourful animals with rope rings to throw over them. Great for co ordination. Both these items are available from Pure Kids, Kieran Street Kilkenny.
A fun way to learn the tables. The game consists of a number of wooden dials with the multiplication engraved into them. E.g. 7x3, 7x4; the underside has the solution. Thinking of getting one for myself. Both these items are available from The Toy Box, James Street Kilkenny. Remember you don’t have to spend a fortune to entertain your children, think of these educational toys that will increase their learning and dexterity.
Gina Renehan KILKENNY SUMMER
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Leisure, Culture, Interview
The
Gathering
It’s fair to say that unless you have been living under a rock these past few months, you will have heard of The Gathering. But what is it really? I used to think it was merely an excuse for homesick Irish emigrants who miss their families and tea and Taytos to come home for a week or two.
And in a way, it is. But when I did some research, I realised it was also so much more than that. There’s dozens of events happening every single month, right at our doorstep, that remain completely unknown to some of us. They’re set up to celebrate the Irish in us all and encourage us to be proud of that. So what is it? Basically, the country of Ireland will open it’s arms wide for friends and family from around the world and invite them to gatherings in homes, villages, towns and cities. Thousands of events are planned in the hope of bringing many extra
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visitors to Ireland. The venue is the total length and breadth of the country. It’ll run for the entire twelve months of 2013 and it requires the whole population of Ireland to act as hosts and hostesses. Think street parties and tea parties, festivals for walking, running, foodies and families. Expect bunting, dancing, singing, eating and laughing, though not necessarily in that order. Picture ceilís happening into the wee hours of the morning – you get the gist.
Don’t think you have to travel far to join in the fun, here in Kilkenny there will be plenty of events for you to enjoy. The annual Cats Laugh Comedy Festival will be hosted here in Kilkenny City starting on the 30th of May. This festival has been running for nearly 20 years and has grown from a small event to an internationally acclaimed festival. Showcasing the very best in Irish and international comedy acts, including some well-known comic stars as well as newcomers to the stage, this year it will feature a special Gathering twist – how exciting! Some other events coming up will be Kilkenny’s first ‘Relay for Life.’ This is a wonderful fun event as well as an opportunity to raise funds and awareness for the Irish Cancer Society. If you are a golf fanatic, the Castlecomer Golf Club is hosting a ‘Come home to Golf’ event. It’s aim is to invite current and former members and friends to return to the Club, reuniting over 18 holes with daily competitions and many social events. And of course I can’t leave out the Kilkenny Arts Festival which is always a huge success. This August the festival will celebrate 40 years with an amazing line up of the very best Irish and International arts. This 10 day event attracts 28,000 visitors to Kilkenny. A special project for The Gathering will see choral singers from across the globe performing with the festival’s renowned chorus and orchestra. Other areas of interest not to be missed are theatre, literature, visual arts, craft, dance, world music, opera, classical music, children’s events and street theatre at various venues throughout medieval Kilkenny. So you’ve no excuse! Get out and get busy this summer as there
is something for everyone in Kilkenny with regards to The Gathering 2013. In my opinion, I think The Gathering will really uplift Ireland this year. These past few years have been disastrous for Ireland, with reference to our economic climate, as well as our actual climate (snow in March? Really?) so I think The Gathering is the perfect pink-me-up we need. I know whenever I have a bad day, I always look forward to coming home to my family. In the same respect, families reuniting from the four corners of the world will patch up the optimism we’ve recently lost in Ireland.
The bottom line is, whether you have the biggest or briefest encounter with Ireland this year, you can all expect an opportunity of some sort to come your way in relation to The Gathering. Your job is to grasp it with both hands, embrace the Irish in you and see what your country has to offer! Article written by Laura Kane
Leisure, Culture, Interview
be part of it April 19th - Barrow River Arts Festival 21st Graiguenamanagh www.barrowriverartsfestival.com The Barrow River Arts Festival presents, in one packed weekend, a programme of classical music, jazz, theatre and visual art in two beautiful settings along the River Barrow in Counties Kilkenny and Carlow Duiske Abbey and Borris House.
May 3rd - Smithwick’s Kilkenny Roots 6th Festival, Kilkenny City www.kilkennyroots.com Ireland’s leading Roots/ Americana music festival returns for 2013. Featuring artists from Ireland, USA, Canada, UK, Switzerland and France with 80 shows over 4 days including 60 free events, the Diaspora are gathering from far and wide! 15th - Gathering of Romantics 19th Kilkenny City www.romanticgathering.com The Gathering of Romantics will take place in Kilkenny from May 16 - 19th 2013. This is a fun, music filled weekend for romantics, re-inviting tourists who visited the city in the past for romantic breaks or to get married. 30th May - Cat Laughs Comedy 3rd June Festival Kilkenny City www.thecatlaughs.com The Cat Laughs Comedy Festival has been running for nearly 20 years, and has grown from a small event comprising of a handful of shows to an internationally acclaimed festival. Showcasing the very best in Irish and international comedy acts, attracting visitors to the charming medieval city of Kilkenny and its surrounding regions, the festival programme blends renowned comic stars as well as newcomers and breakthrough acts and will feature a special Gathering twist.
June 13th Kilkenny International Gospel 16th Choir Festival, Kilkenny City www.kilkennygospelchoir festival.com The Kilkenny International Gospel Choir Festival will bring choirs from as far afield as Europe, the USA and South Africa to the city of Kilkenny for a series of events over 4 days. 16th - The Wall Clan Gathering 20th Kilkenny City www.thewallfamilyinireland.com /the-gathering Over the course of 5 days, participants in the Wall Clan Gathering will have an opportunity to meet the Clan! A packed programme will bring Walls from Ireland and around the world together in the medieval city of Kilkenny to trace their family history and visit historical sites with direct Wall links. There will also be time to explore the Anglo Norman heritage and visit important sites in Kilkenny, Wexford and Tipperary where their Norman ancestors left a very significant mark on the landscape and history of Ireland, wrapping up with a fantastic ‘Wall Gala Banquet’! 21st The Last Rose of Summer Anniversary Concert Jenkinstown Park www.romanticgathering.com The Last Rose of Summer Gathering will celebrate the bicentenary of the poem’s publication and Thomas Moore, the man behind the famous words. Irish Tenor Anthony Kearns will perform in the idyllic grounds of Jenkinstown Park, the location where Moore wrote his famous poem“The Last Rose of Summer”.
June 21st KCAT Station Callan www.kcat.ie A day of artistic sharing as part of the Arts Council Cultural Presidency programme will showcase inclusive arts organisations that have made a big commitment over the years to creating a common European cultural space. KCAT is inviting 80 artists from our European Partners and artists from Irish Studio groups to work collaboratively on a mural installation. 27th The Jolly Good Motor Tour Thomastown
This motor tour will be taking in the beautiful scenery of Ireland in style with a gathering of over 25 classic cars, travelling from Mount Juliet Hotel, just outside of Thomastown to Adare Manor Hotel in the beautiful village of Adare, County Limerick, on to Ashford Castle Hotel in Mayo, and finally back to the Powerscourt Ritz Carlton in County Wicklow. 29th Marble City Sevens Kilkenny City www.kilkennyrugby.com Kilkenny Rugby Football Club is hosting the Marble City Sevens Rugby Festival Gathering which will take place on the 28th, 29th and 30th June 2013. This fun filled weekend will see teams from all over Europe and Ireland compete for the coveted title of Marble City 7’s Rugby Champion.
July 9th- 11th
The Hurlers Return Kilkenny City
www.kilkennygaa.ie Over 40 visitors from Indianapolis Hurling Club will travel to Kilkenny, and have the opportunity to attend a training session with some of Kilkenny’s top coaches, play in Nowlan Park, and meet some of Kilkenny’s hurling stars of the past and present. Plans include a Civic Reception and a Presentation Dinner with Brian Cody as guest speaker and the McCarthy Cup might even appear!
KILKENNY SUMMER
39
Leisure, Culture, Interview
Animal Magic This summer if you’re looking for a great day out with your family, there is really nowhere better to go than to Nore Valley Park. Surrounded by the beautiful views of the River Nore and rolling hills, this farm is ideal for giving the kids a unique taste for the countryside. I’ve been a regular visitor myself to the farm over the past few years, and no matter how old I get. I always find myself learning more about farm life and getting involved with the numerous activities they have on offer – even taking the occasional leap into the straw bounce! Nore Valley Park is simply made for a family fun day out. They have all the cute and common farm animals, like lambs, chickens, donkeys, cows, pigs and ponies, and more exotic species, like ostrich and red deer. They’ll let you feed all the animals, as well as bottle-feeding the little lambs and goats. Your kids will also get to enjoy a cuddle from the baby rabbits – though be warned; your kids will beg you to take them home! If your kids are a bit older, there’s still plenty to enjoy at the farm. From enjoying a game of Crazy Golf, to finding your way out of a 3D maze, to racing around a track in pedal Go-Karts, there’s no end to the list of adventures you can get up to in Nore Valley! And why not make a weekend out of it? The Park
also prides itself on owning an awardwinning campsite just next to the farm. You are allowed free access to the open farm if you choose to stay overnight. I would highly recommend taking a break this summer from the hustle and bustle of city life and taking a trip down Annamult road in Bennettsbridge to the action-packed farm that is Nore Valley Park. The Park is open from 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and costs €6 per person and €22 for two adults and two children. They also have a Facebook page, which provides up-to-date information on all the happenings on the farm and gorgeous pictures of newborn
animals. I can guarantee you will not be disappointed with your visit in regards to having a great time with your family and friends! Laura Kane
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Leisure, Culture, Interview
Rothe House - A rich history Ireland over the past 400 years. The findings and more were reviewed and on display for the first time as part of a conference at Kilkenny’s Rothe House in April. The ‘Telling the story of Rothe House’ conference ran in the House on Saturday April 27th.. Rothe House and Garden is of major national significance as it is the most intact example of an early 17th century merchant’s townhouse in Ireland.
OUR great love affair with wine and hair dye is anything but a recent phenomenon and dates back over 400 years, new research shows. Residents of one of the country’s most intact 17th century townhouse liked their Bordeaux wines and grew herbs commonly used to dye their hair blonde, new archaeological data gathered over a period of the last six years shows. Glass from wine bottles and traces of Ladie’s Bedstraw have been discovered as part of the latest archaeological dig which demonstrates not much has changed in
The event is a joint venture between Kilkenny Archaeological Society (KAS) and The Rothe House Trust (RHT) and one of a number of events planned as part of the €3.1m Renaissance Project, which is now underway. The Project involves the imminent refurbishment of the first and second of the three houses and installation of a new exhibition space, with circulation route through the two houses and ensuring its significance is preserved for future generations and its fascinating story is professionally presented to visitors.
“This period of our history is not as well-known or discussed as later eras, but Rothe House is evidence of a thriving time in Irish life. Our re-presentation project intends to shed light on these Irish town ‘mansion houses’. While the conference will appeal to local historians, it is also attracting national interest, according to RHT director Colm Murray. “We’re hosting this conference to share recent summaries of knowledge on the interpretation of the House. The Conference was being held to ensure
that recent extensive research is shared among society members and friends of Rothe House and a wider national and international audience. The conference was addressed by Coilin O’Drisceoil, Director, Kilkenny Archaeology Society who discussed the recent archaeological digs and the garden study at Rothe House. The significance of House 2 and 3 will be outlined in a keenly anticipated presentation by Ben Murtagh, Archaeologist. ‘Moments in time: medieval, Renaissance and postmedieval Rothe House’ is the title of a presentation by Jason Bolton, Archaeologist and Historic Buildings Consultant.Colm Murray, Board Member RHT and Architecture Officer, the Heritage Council will delve into the history of the house as domestic space. Rothe House and Garden is owned by Kilkenny Archaeological Society and managed by Rothe House Trust. The House is open to the public as a museum, displaying some of the 2,500 historic artefacts collected by the Society since its founding in 1947. These artefacts all relate to Kilkenny heritage throughout the ages and some date from pre-historic times. The garden, open since 2008, is a reconstruction of an early 17th century urban garden, and has become a very popular garden to visit in Ireland.
For more on Rothe House & Garden, log on to www.rothehouse.com
Leisure, Culture, Interview
We have a wealth of books written in Ireland every year from established writers and up and coming writers. In the last year we have had two books written by Kilkenny Based writers. We had a read of the two and we have to say we are impressed by the talent that is emerging from Kilkenny.
Book Review A Place called Perfect Helena Duggan
“Take a journey into Perfect, a town that is anything but... Violet Brown didn’t want to live in a place that was perfect. How would she ever survive? She’d have to be neat and tidy, would definitely have to brush her hair. She’d have to be perfect and that was boring. “ Although A Place called Perfect is a children’s book adults can enjoy it too! We asked Michael Whelan who is 9 to read A Place called Perfect and give us his review. The Story: A Place Called Perfect is a great mystery story. It is about a 10 year old girl who moves to a new town because her Dad wants to have an optician’s job there. Violet doesn’t like it there and she goes on an adventure. Characters: I didn’t like the Watchers & the two
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Archers. I liked Boy and Violet because they were The Good Guys & clever. The town does not live up to its name. It is stupid that Violet nearly got expelled just because she did a trick in skipping and for picking up a pencil without permission. This is a very good book if you like mystery stories. We thank Michael for his review.
Moths Against Glass Here we have an anthology of stories from students of the Creative Writing for Publication course at NUI Outreach Campus in Kilkenny. The group consists of 18 very talented writers from Kilkenny, Carlow, Tipperary, Kildare, Laois and Wicklow who have poured their hearts and souls into this fantastic book. As one of the writer’s, Marie Hughes explains “For some of us, the story begins four years ago, for others, it’s three. Geography, gender, biscuit preferences and GAA loyalties could have stood in our path. But the lure of the pen, the Hogwarts-like surroundings and the laughter kept us trudging along.” Moths Against Glass is a collection of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and prose and will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions with each story beautifully told. It is evident that many many hours of work and effort went into these pages and so it was suitably named as it represents the great light they work towards. When reading this book, I can be certain of a few things; you will laugh, you will cry and you will come away with a fuzzy feeling inside. In each piece of work there is something that everyone can relate to, be it good or bad. The book was launched last December in St. Kieran’s College where the NUI
Maynooth Campus is located and where the writers dedicated their time to this book under the tuition of Suzanne Power and John MacKenna. Writers included in the anthology are: Catherine Blake, Niamh Boyce, John Byrne, Michael Doran, Helena Duggan, Tom Hunt, Patricia Hogan, Marie Hughes, Irene Kane, Phyllis Mahfoud, Sylvia Martin, Celine Mescall, Scarlett O’Brien, Liz O’Rourke, Caroline Sutherland, Jennifer Wallace, Mary Walshe, and Caroline Waugh. Remember these names as I’m sure we’ll be seeing them in print again!
Top 10 Liz Walsh in Stone House Books gives us her Top Ten Books for the summer. Stone House Books is located on Kieran Street Kilkenny.
1.Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry Rachel Joyce 2.Gone Girl Gillian Flynn. 3.The Storyteller Jodi Picoult 4.Instructions for a Heatwave Maggie O’Farrell 5.Whiskey Beach Nora Roberts. 6.The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox Maggie O’Farrell. 7.Land of Dreams Kate Kerrigan. 8.Perfect Wives Emma Hannigan. 9.Can’t Take My Eyes Off You Clare Dowling. 10.With All My Love Patricia Scanlan
Blog Corner ➪ I did my best to be interested, but there isn’t much you can pretend to like in a kitchen shop, when you never cook. My mother knew this, and I think she had mischief on her mind.
Love at first sight I wasn’t expecting it. In fact, I’d be hoping against hope that it wouldn’t happen. But today, once again, I got into trouble for falling in love without warning. It’s all my mother’s fault. She has decided, out of the blue, that she’s fed up buying frying pans. She tells me that she’s sick of burning the arse out of the ones she’s been using to date, and she’s decided that if she goes with the quality stuff, it might be a bit slower to lose its mojo. So, since she was in our house for the weekend, she wondered today whether we should make our way to Kildare Village, so she could go to the Le Creuset outlet, and think about spending more on a frying pan than she did on her first cooker. I was worried. I’m familiar with Kildare Village. And the Le Creuset shop is directly beside the Radley shop. Radley is a British brand that makes lovely leather handbags. I’m very fond of them and have been known to buy them quite frequently. Even though I can’t afford them, don’t need them, and will never get full value out of them. I voiced my concerns to my mother. She is aware of my weaknesses, and didn’t argue with me. We agreed that we would avert our eyes from the Radley shop, pretend it had closed down or something, concentrate on frying pans, and not look left or right on our way into the shop. And that’s what we did. I didn’t even sneak a look at the window display on my way in. I was a warrior. The trouble started when my Mam couldn’t choose a frying pan. They had a crazy range, different sizes and depths, and made of different materials, and what have you. I’d love to say I was fascinated, but I wasn’t, in truth.
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Also, an expenditure of the type she was undertaking takes some consideration. You wouldn’t like to buy the wrong pan, and then discover you needed one with a lid, or it wasn’t deep enough to cook a stir fry in, and that you needed to buy another one. She was almost sure which one she wanted. We decided, however, that she should think about it for a few minutes before doing the deed. We wandered out of the shop, promising to return. The woman in there couldn’t have made it more obvious that she didn’t believe us, and insisted we take a catalogue setting out all their products with us. We paused outside the door. We looked at each other, and started to slowly turn right. That was our mistake. I asked my mother where she thought we might think about her frying pan. “I don’t know” she said “we could just wander around.” By the time she had the words out of her mouth, we were stepping over the doorstep into the Radley shop. And that’s when I fell in love. It was sitting there, on an eye level shelf, waiting for me. I think it might have actually been waiting for me. It looked as if it should fling itself off the shelf and straight onto my shoulder. I actually caught my breath, and grabbed my mother by the arm. The same thing has happened to her, in the same shop, so she knew exactly what was going on. “Should we go somewhere else?” “I can’t. Not yet.” The shop assistant smiled at me. She had probably hoped it was a friendly and welcoming smile, but she looked like a shark staring at his dinner. “Nice to see someone falling in love at the door.” I closed my ears to her. I wouldn’t be tempted. It looked expensive, even by Radley standards. And the television licence and ESB bills are almost pulsating with impatience on the phone table. Not to mention the household charge from last year, which we have yet to register for. I just stood looking at it. It’s black, made of butter soft leather and slouchy and casual in shape. It has two short handles as well as a long shoulder strap.
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It’s perfect for me. It can easily hold all my bits and pieces including my kindle, and a couple of notebooks in case the plot for the Great Irish novel hits me while I’m in the queue in Boots. “How much is it?” my mother asked. I was actually stroking it. I took a deep breath, and drew the price tag toward me. For the second time in minutes, my stomach flipped. I’ve often spent far too much on a bag without really thinking about it. But never this much. Even I, in my most foolish moments, would draw back from a handbag at this price. If only I hadn’t loved it. My beloved mother offered to lend me the money, but I couldn’t bring myself to accept, not for a handbag. I have to admit, I was pretty sad to leave it. That happens to me sometimes. I see something and I want it so much I’m willing to sell my soul for it. Usually handbags, or shoes. Sometimes a lovely notebook. But no notebook I’ve ever seen is so expensive that there’s absolutely no way I can swing it. I turned to my Mam “Quick, let’s go back and get your pan, before my heart breaks.” We trotted back next door, where the frying pan, the sole purpose of our journey, was bought and paid for. There was one a draws for customers going on, you know the type, give them your email address, and you might win a €100 voucher. I must have been wearing my utterly miserable face, but as well as giving my Mam a form for it, the assistant offered me one. For a second, I had a shiver of excitement. Maybe it was a voucher for Kildare Village in general, and I’d win, and the handbag would become possible. But no, the voucher was only for the kitchen shop. A casserole dish wouldn’t be much consolation, I felt, so I didn’t even bother. When we got outside I insisted that we have a sit down on a bench. Still outside the Radley shop. There’s no easy way to say this. I bought the bag. On the credit card. I’m begging now, but NOBODY can tell His Nibs, he will go absolutely bananas. Obviously I’m overcome with guilt and shame. But I love the bag. Which makes the guilt and shame difficult to maintain. I’ll be sleeping with it right beside my bed tonight. So I can pet it during the night. Feck it, I might even bring it into the bed with me, if His Nibs is sound asleep. http://myonlinequill.blogspot.ie/
y n n e k l i K n i t Out and Abou
Rebekah Patterson, Rutha Jancauskien and Goda Lukosiute
Michelle Harding and Joanne Paul
Lady), Luke Mitchell (Guest Deirdre Shefflin (Judge Pauls Most Appropriately Dressed (Judge Pauls Most Judge – Pauls Most Appropriately Dressed Lady) Elaine Hickey Pauls Most Appropriately Appropriately Dressed Lady), Sarah Cass, Gowran, Winner, Pat Moore. Dressed Lady, Pearl Egan, Pauls Kilkenny (Sponsor), Photo:
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Handbags At Dusk
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Short Story
Fifteen Men and a Bus
S
OMETHING had woken Mr.
Dwyer from his mid morning nap. He would have sworn it was a car but none had past down that potholed road in as long as he could remember, and Mr. Dwyer had a great memory. He was known for it in the village, could remember as far back as when Mrs. Byrne had forgotten to wear her knickers to Sunday mass. Caught rotten and red faced in an ill wind, Mrs. Byrne would swear and often had, to his good memory. He shook his head and dropped the corner of the graying lace curtain. “They’d say your going mad,” he chuckled as he pushed the kettle button in preparation for his mid morning tea. Davy “the blind” Brennan would have sworn it was a car that made the mucky puddle jump for him as he wobbled his bike along that said same lane. Would have sworn I say, had it not been for the fact that he was almost blind. The lads told him it was because his parents were cousins, that his hair was white and his eyes white blue. First cousins were ok, but
second or god forbid third caused all sorts of trouble. The lads said his parents had to get permission from the pope to marry and that the papal prince himself handed out communion at the wedding. Davy never minded what they said as long as his eyes gave him an excuse to pick up anyone’s pint at the bar. Couldn’t be a car he thought as he wiped his face with a fist full of grass. A car hadn’t passed that way in years. The whole town would have sworn that a car never passed Mr. Dwyer or Davy “the blind” Brennan on the way
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to the village that same mid morning. Would have sworn had it not been parked blatantly in a “mother and child” space outside the town hall. The council had insisted on putting in a number of these spaces throughout the village. Most villagers didn’t drive, there was no need to really as nobody ever ventured far, but if the need should arise, a mother and child would not be left wanting. This blatant illegal parking was all over the town before Mr. Dwyer’s kettle hit boil. “No child seat in the back,” Sergeant Donohue tutted as he peered through the side window, “not a baby item anywhere,” he said vigorously writing in his hand sized flip-pad. He walked around the front and scribbled down the license number, marking it with an asterisk. “Cowboy on the loose,” he said as he pushed the button on his two way radio, “May need backup.” He released the button and walked towards the rear of the car. “Lovely morning Sergeant,” Benny Williams said joining him to peer in the back window. A navy training bag sat neatly in the line of their vision. A green and red ribbon hung from the handle and the letters EB were embroidered on the side. The head of a fine ash hurley poked out from beneath the bag. “Well I never,” Benny Williams exclaimed as he caught the eye of the Sergeant, “surely not!” The two men would have sworn that they hadn’t seen what they’d seen had the fine oak doors of the town hall not swung open to reveal Eddie Butler emerging from the shadows. He was at the car in two strides, when as Benny noted later, it’d take a lesser man at least ten. With a wink and a “How ya lads” he was gone. Sergeant Donohue and Benny Williams left speechless in the empty space. Before a dinner plate was laid on a table in town the word was out.
The priest announced it from the pulpit that evening and every sinner whispered it on the sidelines as they watched the team train that night. “Not a bad lot we have this year Mick,” Mrs. Murphy said as she observed the thirty strong touching their toes. “Ah sure not too bad Mrs.,” Mick Kavanagh replied. “Be able for a match ya think Mick?” she continued as star jumps were called. “Maybe Mrs. you can never be sure but I wouldn’t chance it, not this year anyway!” Mrs. Murphy nodded as the sliotars came out and the thirty strong grabbed their hurley’s. “You heard the news I suppose?” she said through pursed lips “Sure hasn’t the whole town Mrs.” “I wonder what it’s all about,” Mrs. Murphy continued as Stephen Doyle missed by millimeters an open goal. “Jesus Doyle will ya hit the bloody thing, it’s not yourself you playin with!” Mick Kavanagh roared his cheeks a rosy red. “He always had notions young Butler. Even as a lad he…” “It’s the family I feel sorry for,” Mick interrupted, “haven’t shown their faces round here since he left. Old Eddie never missed a training session in his life up to that. A real club man,” he said shaking his head. “It must be on the mothers side,” Mrs. Murphy added as a row broke out between the forwards and backs, “she always acted above her station. Her father was a blow in. An Italian none the less, they say he came up the river on a gondola,” “Singing?” Mick Kavanagh asked. “Through his arse,” Mrs. Murphy
Short Story replied. The following Wednesday the Village Voice, normally printed on a Thursday, ran a special edition on account of the news. It hit the shop shelf at eight that morning and by ten the shelf hung bare. BRAZEN BUTLER BOLDLY CALLS TOWN MEETING ran the headline, alliteration not the editor’s forte. The message was out. The cleaning committee communed in the hall, the parking committee in the car park, the baking committee in Mrs. Reilly’s kitchen detouring by the shop and the seating committee in the school. By six that evening luminous jackets patrolled the parking, the hall was pristine, not a seat was left lacking and fairy cakes lay in wait. A daffodil adorned table sat centre stage and a row of local dignitaries fiddled with their pens as they waited for the crowd to settle. Eddie Butler took up the middle. To his left, the crowd’s right, sat the Priest Father Thomas and Mrs. O’Keeffe the school headmistress. To his right, the crowd’s left sat Dr Fogarty the local GP and Noel Maher the team trainer. The hall was similarly laid out with parish protocol. The hurling team sat in the front row, subs and officials in the second. Locals considered anyone more than twenty years in the village occupied the majority of the rest while blow-ins took up their spots at the back. Any blow–ins over 65 and hard of hearing were permitted to sit further up on account of the faulty sound system. Jimmy Walsh had let loose with an extinguisher during a school fire drill. “Right,” Mrs. O’Keeffe said as she walked towards the front of the stage, “it’s nice to see so many friendly faces” “Get on with it Breda or we won’t be so friendly in a minute!” Dick Rafferty threatened. “Just like your son, Dick!” the headmistress scolded, “Well on that note ladies and gentlemen I’ll pass you on to the man himself.” The speakers screeched as Eddie Butler strode centre stage. Nodding to his old teacher, he took the microphone firmly in his grasp and waited for the whisperers to die down.
“What ya waitin for Eddie, five years not long enough!” “I’m waiting for you to shut up Dick,” Eddie Butler boomed. The room fell silent. “Dick’s right, I have been gone a long time and some here don’t like me very much for that.” He paused. “I don’t blame them,” he continued the mic held stiff at his chin, “I left without a word. I abandoned the team.” “You were captain,” Mrs. Dwyer shouted from her blow in seat at the back. “I know,” he shook his head, “and for that I am sorry Mary. I let you all down but you have to understand I wanted to play.” “You could have done that here!” “I wanted to play matches, against other teams. I wanted to test myself. See how good I really was. I wanted to learn new things, new skills.” “NEW SKILLS,” Mr. Moloney interrupted raising up with the aid of his thorn bush stick, “You’re not on with those modern ideas again are ya. I thought we got rid of that nonsense when you left!” “I left and joined Glenthoran,” Eddie continued ignoring the jib. Whispers whirled below him. “I made it on their firsts. They welcomed me and I played five seasons. Just enough to bring back what I know.” “Who says we want you back. Who says we want you and your new ideas,” Mr. Moloney shouted his bramble stick beating the air. Eddie Butler let his hand fall by his side and stood a motionless minute. “Look. I’ve seen what’s out there,” he said raising the mic, “I’ve seen what other teams have to offer. I’ve seen centre forwards collecting medals that couldn’t lick the dirt from Mulally’s feet. I’ve heard corner backs boasting when their not a patch on Prendergast or midfields hailed from morning to night when Fitzgerald would clean the lot of ‘em. I’ve seen it all lads and nothing compares to our fifteen!” Eddie eyeballed the front row.
“What are ya sayin Eddie?” Mick Mulally whispered his demeanor always shy. “I’m sayin Mick that we should play. Not forwards against backs, A’s against B’s or seniors against 21’s. I’m saying we should play other teams. Show them we’re not cowards. Play for the pride of the parish!” “NEVER!” Mr. Moloney shouted above the whispering heads, “I was around in ’46 and I’ve seen what can happen to a parish. I’m not stayin to listen to this upstart and his IDEAS and you’re all mad if you do!” he said as he pushed past the row of knees. “I’m sorry Eddie, I know your parents but I remember ’46,” Mrs. Hogan excused as she shuffled her way behind Moloney. Soon a parade of elderly protestors passed out of the hall. “Forget ’46,” Eddie continued as the doors swung on the faithfully departed, “this is 2010. This is our year!” The hall was silent. “I’ll have a bus waiting ready to leave tomorrow morning. I’ve a match arranged for twelve. Anyone who wants to play meet me in the square at nine.” The crowd sat still as Eddie Butler made his way back to the table. Only Mrs. Ryan rose above the sea of heads. “What if we lose Eddie?” The bus engine hummed in the morning air, as Mrs. Murphy pulled her curtains apart just a smidgen. Eddie Butler stood by the back of the twenty seater drumming his fingers on the faux glass window. She looked to her mantle piece. The digital clock sent from her sister in America blinked eight fifty eight. Short Story: Helena Duggan
KILKENNY SUMMER
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Lola Rose Lola Rose Boutique, Kilkenny’s newest Boutique is a style haven for all fashioistas.With a wide range of designers from all over the world Lola Rose is already getting a reputation for oozing elegance and sophistication with the fashion savvy ladies of Kilkenny. Brands include our very own Irish designer Caroline Kilkenny, snob, Forever Unique, See by Chloe, Red Valentino, Manoush, Darcy and many more. Agnes at Lola Rose aims to provide her customers with unique fashion advice and styling tips and is continually sourcing new brands to suit her customers. And for all you shoe loving fashionistas out there why not take a peek at Lola Rose shoe Boudoir situated at the back of the store which has brands including Vivienne Westwood for Melissa and Diavolina. Lola Rose Boutique Rose Inn Street,Kilkenny
Stockists
Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm. Gift vouchers are also available and deposits taken. Agnes @ Lola Rose Boutique. Tel 056 7765627
Serendipity Serendipity is located on Kieran Street in Kilkenny and caters for a wide variety of ages. If you are looking for a perfect outfit for an occasion this is the shop to go to. For expectant mothers there is also a great range of styles. Additional services we offer: - Late night shopping by appointment - Over the phone sales service with next day delivery. - Deposit facility which enables customers to place items on deposit for 1 month. - Instore personal shopping facility Sizes 8-20 “Mother-Daughter Shop” Mother of the bride, bridesmaids, occasion wear, headpieces, accessories & casual/day wear. Email: info@serendipityboutique.ie web: www.serendipityboutique.ie Find us on Facebook.
Goods W.H.Good Ltd, or Goods of Kilkenny has been trading on Kilkenny’s High Street for over 85 years. A family run business the store is a landmark fashion destination in Kilkenny. Goods of Kilkenny stock brands like - Coast, Oasis, Warehouse, Awear, Dorothy Perkins,Choice, Gardeur, Alexon, Anne Harvey, Eastex, Dash, Kaliko, Minuet Petit, Benetton, Handbags, Hosiery, Shoe Suite, Lingerie, Cosmetics department featuring brands such as Estee Lauder, Clinique, Smashbox. 88 - 90 High Street, Kilkenny Tel: 056 77 22143 Goods is on Facebook
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