Kilkenny Observer - 18 September 2020 by kilkennyobserver

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Friday 18 September 2020

‘Boro or Shamrocks? God only knows

St Canice’s Credit Union Hurling Special Pages 34&35, 38&39

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 18 September 2020

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 18 September 2020

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Our good friend Norman needs help JIMMY RHATIGAN EDITOR

MAN of honour who gave unselfishly of himself to our city for almost 20 years is now in need of our help and support. As a friend I enjoyed many hours in the company of Norman Lynas and his wife Nicola and as a popular and caring clergyman, I believe many will now want to rally to his aid following a horrific fall that has left him as a quadriplegic. Former St Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny Dean, Norman Lynas, a highly respected man of the cloth and his wife emigrated to Bermuda where Norman took up a new ecclesiastical post with the Anglican Church of Bermuda. Sadly, Nicola, his wonderfully warm, outgoing and devoted wife became ill and passed away suddenly some six months after arriving in Bermuda. Now, following a fall on a stairway in which he suffered a se-

vere neck and spinal cord injury, of Bermuda as well as in Norththe now Canon Norman is para- ern Ireland and in Kilkenny City. During his years in Kilkenny, lysed from the neck down. a city he fell in love with, then MEDICAL CARE Dean Norman was on the board He was rushed to King Edward of Kilkenny College, Chairman Memorial Hospital, Bermuda of the Model School, trustee and later airlifted to Lahey Hos- of several charitable organisapital near Boston, Massachu- tions including The Evans Trust setts where he is receiving expert and was a Leinster Branch medical care. Rugby Referee. He fractured his neck at the C4 vertebrae leading to a THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS crushed spine. In gratitude for his service, the He will need ongoing medical Vestry of the Cathedral of the care, a full time carer, rehab and Most Holy Trinity of Bermuda specialised equipment, the cost has organised and supported of which is far greater than what this vital international fundhis medical insurance will cover. raiser and is asking for support. According to the Christopher Even the smallest contribuReeve Foundation, care in the tion will be appreciated is the first year alone for High Tetra- message. pelegia (C1-C4 injury) will exEvery dollar raised through ceed 1million US dollars. a GoFundMe campaign will be Go to https://www.christo- directly used for Canon Lynas’s pherreeve.org/living-with-paral- care and medical needs. ysis/costs-and-insurance/costsAn ecumenist, Norman enof-living-with-spinal-cord-injury joys the respect of all religions for more details and resources and none in our city. on Spinal Cord Injuries. He will be in the thoughts and Canon Norman has been a prayers of so many members of priest for 40 years, including different congregations. time with the Anglican Church To be friends of Norman and

Nicola was a privilege many of us enjoyed and appreciated. To donate please go to https://ie.gofundme.com/f/support-canon-norman-lynas Canon Norman is receiving top class care and support from

a world class medical team but following a cruel twist of fate his return to walking and a good standard of life, Norman’s recovery is in many respects in the lap of the God to whom he has always been so close.

BEDSIDE ROCK At his bedside is his rock, his second wife Marie-Claire who is in regular touch with her step-son Tristan in Kilkenny via Skype. Members of the Lynas family here are now some 2,957 miles from their loved one in Boston. A ban on travel to the US because of Covid means that it will take a special humanitarian privilege from the US Government for a local family member to visit Norman. The greater Lynas family includes Norman’s wife Marie Claire, sons Tristan and Adam, Adam’s wife Julie, step daughter Aly and her partner Jerimaya. In Bermuda, Norman is known for his erudite preaching, knowledge of history and his engagement with every aspect of Church life. He is loved for his tender pastoral care. His Irish brogue and rich sense of humour made him a memorable figure in the streets of Hamilton and around the Island, often in the company of his wife and their little dog, Katie.

Cemetery: A short cut to a dead loss By Jimmy Rhatigan Banim are among those resting in peace at the Old St John’s UR forefathers and Cemetery on the Dublin Road. The holy souls must feel like mothers who now occupy a beautiful place all of us felt as a pandemic raged titled God’s Garden are badly in and barbers and hairdressers were in lockdown, clippers in need of a short back and sides. Local bishops, mayors of closets, scissors silenced. They badly need a haircut. our city and eminent brothers Or at least they could do with in writing, Michael and John

EVERY FRIDAY

The Kilkenny

Observer 1 GARDEN ROW, TOP OF WILLIAM STREET, JUST OFF FRIARY STREET.

a lawnmower, flock of sheep or a tribe of goats to gobble up the near three feet tall sheaves of a type of Scutch Grass that is desecrating their final place of rest. Like we all looked when barbers were banned from working in the name of good health, the graves of our literati of centuries ago and members of Ye Faire

Citie and county families are a perm, cut, colour, hot towel wild, wispy, weather-beaten. shave or blow dry. There won’t be any queues DIGNITY RESTORED as dignity is restored to our anThere was a collective sigh of re- cestors. Community volunteers lief when tonsorial artists were for whom the ancient burial allowed back to work and hair- grounds was out of bounds bedressing salons re-opened. cause of Coronavirus are set to The sights were weird and return, not with hot towels or wonderful, people queuing for combs but with mowers, weed

eaters and clippers. Those who have gone before us deserve to be treated with respect and honour, many of them talented members of respected families who do not have kith or kin or even a 10th cousin to tend to their graves. Continued on Page 4

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We did not condemn those who had supped Continued from Page 3 once contained a mix of cheap alcohol. To be fair, the cemetery which has a selection of wonderfully crafted OVER INDULGENCE headstones is usually well coiffed We couldn’t but feel that any drinking session was a coming together and cleansed by young workers. of local denizens of different generations, holy souls from another SIGN OF LIFE When The Kilkenny Observer vis- time and today’s souls who may be ited the cemetery, a near neigh- lost or at least straying. Coincidentally, we had earlier bour of UPMC Nowlan Park GAA Ground, on a tour of duty we en- met a group of very drunken young joyed what would perhaps be an people lingering near the main enarchaeologist’s dream amble down trance to St Kieran’s Cemetery. It was pitiful but certainly not Heritage Street. The only sign of life was a our wont to be critical. Prayers of sprightly and friendly little boy col- hope and salvation would have lecting conkers with the help of his been apt? That we should find the remloving grandad. A fillip was a fantastic collection nants of a booze-up in another of wonderfully hoven tombstones, cemetery or churchyard only a a credit to the artisans of another short distance from St Kieran’s just may be a reminder that over indulera. Headstones are, not surprisingly gence can lead to an early grave, a in anything but pristine condition, dead loss? crying out for a visit from a stone We did not condemn those who doctor, sandblasting and polish- had supped. ing to show them off in undoubted We respected a well-worn adage. splendour. There but for the grace of God. We stumbled on the aftermath of an alfresco party, a selection of Enjoy a Paddy Neary special, Tombstone City, on Page 16 empty lager and beer cans that

Partying on a neighbour’s grave

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Child pauper: Coffin Ship to world fame H

E WAS a mere boy, albeit a lonely lad in a grip of fear and uncertainty. He was a child pauper home alone after his dad died and his mother and siblings headed to the US where his mum remarried. He was staring down a dark tunnel. But with a resilience that can spark miracles, the courage of a lion and a heart of gold, John Logan Power climbed on board a Coffin Ship for the United States. He was catapulted to a distinguished Confederate Army Civil War career, published three newspapers and became an eminent Statesman in Mississippi State. To say he was a wonder kid would be a gross understatement.

or woman climbing to the peak of Everest in a pair of oversized wellies. Today, it is The Kilkenny Observer’s privilege to highlight the story of a brave boy of 16, an inmate in Callan Workhouse for eight years during the Great Famine of the late 1840s. The awe-inspiring tale of how a child pauper crossed the Atlantic to search for his family and went on to become a wealthy businessman is now in book form thanks to Joe Kennedy and his colleagues in Callan Heritage Society 2020. Born in Mullinahone but domiciled in Callan, young John is yet another reason why Callan, with a sensational list of brilliant famous people born or lived there, should be the world’s greatest historical tourist-trap.

killer blow as his family was in dire poverty due to his step-father’s excessive drinking. But after a remarkable journey of survival, resilience and belief in himself and Divine Providence that a ‘better time was coming’, he went on to champion the orphans of the poorest States in the US. The boy’s great grandson David Moreau, Research Professor at Chapel Hill University, North Carolina, USA narrated John’s hugely successful career. lisher, dedicated husband and Against all odds, the lad went father and tireless humanitaron to a brilliant career as a sol- ian. CLIMBING EVEREST POTENTIAL KILLER dier in the Confederate Army His rags to riches achievement After a gruelling voyage John during the American Civil War See Pages 18&19 for book special would be akin to a young man was dealt another potential (1861-’65), newspaper puband Callan Hall of Fame

Our babies are going bananas FOR THE sixth successive year in a row, bananas are top of the list for Irish parents when it comes to choosing a snack food for their baby or toddler. That is according to a National Parenting Product Awards competition. Based in large part on a survey conducted by Millward Brown amongst parents and experts, Irish banana importer Fyffes’ popular Freddy Fyffes pre-packed bananas emerged as Gold Award winner in the Food and Feeding section of the competition. “it’s great to see that the natural and nourishing qualities of bananas continue to be recognised and appreciated, especially at a time when parents are so conscious of the food their children are eating,” Fyffes marketing manager, Emma HuntDuffy told The Kilkenny Observer.

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Village Bingo adds drive to cancer care K

ILKENNY Relay for Life has told The Observer that The Village Childcare & Community Services Group has generously offered to run its Drive-In Bingo at the Castleinch Venue for Relay for Life Kilkenny. The Irish Cancer Society will benefit from the bingo on Saturday next, September 26 at 7pm. Relay for Life Kilkenny fundraising has been shattered by Covid 19. PRO Mary Harrington said The Irish Cancer Society is really busy this year with more people than ever needing its services. Relay was due to have 19 teams at its annual event on the weekend of July 18 and 19 at Kilkenny Rugby Club. It would have been its eight year. In the previous seven years it raised €337,679. From money raised, funding United front in Relay for Life comes back to Kilkenny Cancer patients through the Care Night Nurses provide up to 10 to Drive, Night Nursing Service, Patient Grants, Cancer Research nights of care for cancer patients who are at the end of their canand other initiatives. cer journey. Care is in their own homes, surroundings by loving DRIVER SERVICE Last year over 1.6million people families. Some 34 patients from affected by cancer received Kilkenny were brought to 323 free information and support chemotherapy appointments by through Cancer Society services. the Volunteer Driver Service. This operates in 23 hospitals These included 67 cancer patients in Kilkenny who received around the country and relies 246 nights of care through the on volunteers to drive patients to society’s Night Nursing service. and from chemo treatment.

Kilkenny City is looking for drivers. Volunteers can get in touch with the Irish Cancer Society. Cancer Society Nurses are available to talk to anyone concerned about cancer on the Freephone Cancer Nurseline 1800 200 700, or in any Daffodil Centre. Last year, 350 from Kilkenny were directly supported through these services.

HARD HIT A total of 343 counselling sessions were provided here through the society’s affiliated cancer support centre, helping 61 people to cope with a diagnosis. Grants totalling €7,500 were provided to 8 families in Kilkenny through the Society’s Financial Support Programme which supports parents of children who are undergoing

cancer treatment and experiencing financial hardship. Twenty six patients from Kilkenny were granted a total of €8,175 from the Travel2Care transportation assistance fund made available by the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and administered by the Irish Cancer Society. This fund is available to patients travelling to the eight designated cancer care cen-

tres in Ireland. Fundraising has been hard hit by Covid 19. The Cancer Society would normally bring in about €4 million through fundraising. That is down to €1 million this year. It is hoped to be back bigger than ever in 2021. Contact is relayforlifekilkenny@gmail. com or through Relay for Life Kilkenny on Facebook.

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Troubadour Paddy dies at 77

ILLAGE man Paddy Purcell who has passed away was a popular raconteur who loved telling a good yarn. He enjoyed relating the tale of how when he was a young boy he played in goal for James Stephens in an U16 hurling final. “It wasn’t one of my better days between the sticks,” he would say. “I let in 16 goals but we still won the game,” was the punch line which he enjoyed as much himself as any listener regardless of how many times he told the story. A native of St Fiacre’s Place 77 year-old Paddy was a panel Paddy Purcell RIP

beater who worked at the then Statham’s Garage in Upper Patrick Street. He was a member of St Patrick’s Boxing Club. He passed away in St Columba’s Hospital, Thomstown where he was a patient for some time. Remains were removed to the Church of the Assumption, Thomastown where Requiem Mass was celebrated by his brother, Fr Willie Purcell. Burial was at Foulkstown Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, Ita; daughter, Heather; brothers Fr Willie and Michael; sisters Mary and Nancy.

Children love the joy of reading

HILDREN in a Deis school in Kilkenny will receive a gift package of new books by leading Irish authors as part of an Arts Council initiative to ensure that as many people as possible can experience Culture Night tonight. Encouraging all parents to participate with their children, the government agency for funding and developing the arts, has partnered with Children’s Books Ireland to publish a special guide to 100 of the best Irish books for children.

The Books Make Things Better reading guide will be distributed free of charge through bookshops and libraries, or can be downloaded on the Internet. JOY OF READING Scoil Naisiunta an Moinin Rua, aka Moneenroe National School will benefit from the initiative. “This is the first year that the Arts Council has taken on the stewardship of Culture Night, and it’s a year of extraordinary challenges, not least for artists

and the entire arts sector,” said Arts Council Director Maureen Kennelly. She said that because of the ongoing Covid-19 public health restrictions much of Culture Night is virtual, but over 1,000 real books would nonetheless be delivered to families around the country to promote the joy of opening and reading a book. Other projects on Culture Night are being highlighted around the country for their commitment to equality, human rights and diversity.

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Drive on to wine, women and song By Jimmy Rhatigam between €150 and €220, a snip, readers may agree? Only concern is that some S AUCTIONS go, the connoisseur may spice up the Fonsie Mealy Autumn bidding. The way to deal with that is Fine Art Sale is up there not to tell him or her about the with the best. The three-day event is fantastic sale. If you miss out on the magic at the firm’s Chatsworth Auction Rooms, Chatsworth, mix, you could turn to lot 500, Castlecomer on September 28, Champagne: Moet & Chandon Champagne, a Jeraboam, Brut 29 and 30. The gavel will be busy from Imperial, in original wooden 11am each day as 1671 lots case. go under the hammer for a multiplicity of wonderful bits THE BIG BOYS and bobs and myriad gems Estimate is €200 to €300, for that in other times adorned the special occasions such as homes or were the property of births, deaths and marriages, with the odd divorce. the gentry. If you have an interest in On offer will be furniture, paintings, Old Masters, Irish lot 521, forget about any party Art, silver, fine selection of objet before driving. It is a 1959 Morris Minor 1000 d’Art, collection of Oriental Ceramics, jewellery, vintage two-door Saloon, white with red cars, carpets, and textiles, soft top (retractable) and red fireplaces, taxidermy and other leather interior, petrol. Now you are punting with the collectibles. Viewing, with respect to big boys: €3,000 to €4,000. With the vintage beauty in Covid.19 will be September 23, 24 and 25, 10am to 5pm; your garage and one or other, September 26 and 27, 1pm to or preferably both of the drinks’ selections, you might consider 5pm. We make no apologies for tying the knot with your fiancé focusing on lots 494 and 500, for or fiancée by bidding for lot 780. The latter is a rare Irish medicinal purposes of course. Claddagh Ring, circa 1820, Size A SNIP? U, unsigned; (1) €1,000-€1,500 The 494 delight is a Mixed Provenance. Lot: Taylors 10 Year Old Tawny Port in wooden box; Redbreast Single Pot Still Lustau Edition, Whiskey in box; Prumier 20 Year Old Cognac in presentation box. Add in Bas Armagnac, Domaine de la Coaste - J & C Lacourtoisie, Vintage 1967, Bottled, May 1998, 1 Bottle, in box; a Bottle of Vana Tallinn To cap a great shopping spree Heritage Edition, Genuine you could bring home lot 199. Liqueur, in box and a bottle of It is a Victorian walnut cased Jameson. musical organ with carved There’s more, Powers and pierced body, by JF Jones Whiskey, litre Hendricks Gin, and Co, Manchester, stamped presentation box; 8 bottles, as Pelouset, Pelton and Co: €300 a lot. Price is expected to be to €400.

Scandal: ‘Workers ill-treated by FG and FF’ S

INN FÉIN TD Kathleen Funchion has expressed frustration and annoyance at words of sympathy and pseudo support for workers’ rights to find this never converts to legislative protection. “If workers could spend words of sympathy they might be able to do something with them, but as it stands words are useless. “The plight of Debenhams Workers reminds of the pains of so many before because Governments failed to implement Kathleen supports workers legislation. “The Taoiseach used the words shabby, shoddy and the Debenhams Workers were unacceptable to describe how treated by employers.

“It would have been apt to use the same words to describe how this and previous Governments have ill-treated workers. “Following the shameful way Clearys workers were treated, Sinn Féin put forward a Bill in 2017 that would have provided improved protection for workers at times of so-called liquidations, GOVERNMENT BLOCKED “This never got beyond Second Stage because the Fine Gael-led, Fianna Fáil supported Government blocked it. “Tactical insolvencies hurt workers and small business owners and suppliers who are

owed money are left high and dry. “The same old sympathy is rolled out but passing protective legislation never sees the light of day. “It is time to put an end to this scandal. “The stalemate was worsened by the disgraceful arrest of six Debenhams workers.” Kathleen and party colleagues expected action not more talk when it came to the insurance industry using dual pricing to rip-off customers. She welcomed the first phase of the Central Bank’s Review of differential pricing in the insurance sector carried out as

a result of a complaint by Sinn Fein’s Pearse Doherty. “The pricing methods punish loyal customers and harm vulnerable and low-income groups. PUNISH FAMILIES “We will continue to raise these matters which punish working families. “Perhaps this is why those representing vested interests were and continue to be so interested in keeping us out of Government.” As Sinn Féin spokesperson on Children, Kathleen asked Minister Roderic O’Gorman and Tusla to use common

sense in the application of the 20-day absenteeism rule during Covid. She wanted to ensure that children who miss school due to Covid will not have those days count towards the 20 days requirement for Tusla to be notified. She pointed out that Government guidance states that students with symptoms of Covid should not attend school. SCHOOL ABSENTEEISM “It follows that since absenteeism rules aren’t intended to create difficulties for parents then the rules should not apply in those circumstances.”

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‘My Eye Candy is as sweet as ever’ inquisitive at lunch time, after school and on occasions when both schools would have attended ceremonies in the nearby St Mary’s Cathedral. “We all fancied someone in the CBS and we always hoped that the boys would have noticed us. Eye candy we called them.

By Jimmy Rhatigan

RS MURPHY has fond memories of her school days in the Presentation Convent which was then in James’s Street, near enough to opposite the Christian Brothers Secondary School. As it turned out the latter part of the last par is the key to why her student years were so happy. “We had good and bad times in the Pres,” said Murph as she sipped a Flat White coffee. “I was content enough in class but the homework was a bit of a drag. “Still most of us did what we had to do as going in with a blank copy to some of our nuns would not have been a good idea. “Mostly we had very nice nuns. There were others who were somewhat serious and not always friendly. “The Pres was a good school and I know it is still excellent today as one of my grandchildren loves going to the school now in Parnell Street.

Mrs Murphy

should say rest in peace as they have long gone to their eternal reward. “Some of the Sisters were tough and perhaps they had to be as some of us were no angels.” Murph said that being a student had its advantages and many of them were outside the classroom. “Having the boys’ school next door to us across James’s Street A REAL BONUS “As for the nuns that we didn’t was a real bonus. hit it off with, it is good that we “We would have been most

GOOD MANNERED “In fairness the boys were always good mannered and treated us with respect. “Chatting to the boys was not always easy. The Christian Brothers and Presentation Nuns were always quite vigilant and did their best to ensure that we concentrated on Mass or whatever Church ceremonies. “I think that was the time that some of us developed eyes in the back of our heads as if we fancied a bloke we could spot him the length of the cathedral away from us. “And will you look what I found there,” Murph joked as she pointed at her other half. “He was a gorgeous young fellow, lovely fair hair and with impeccable manners and a charming personality.

man, then a boy, who I now fondly call His Nibs. “We fell out from time to time. It would be off, on again. That went on for a time and we went our separate ways as I got work in the Boot Factory in Wolfe Tone Street and he joined Smithwick’s Brewery. “It looked to be all over as we went for nearly eight months without a date. We didn’t fall out; life just took us in different directions. “Then one night we happened to meet in The Savoy Cinema. It was pure luck that we met. The film was a love story and that is exactly the direction our lives took.

LIGHT OF LOVE “From then on we were as close as could be, went everywhere together, eventually got married and the rest is history. “I have always said that I was delighted I went to the cinema that night. The chance meeting was to be the flame that re-ignited the light of love.” Murph smiled at His Nibs. “Will you look at him, he is still gorgeous,” she said of her husband. His Nibs blushed, took a sip FELL IN LOVE of his tea and carried on reading “I fell in love with the good The Kilkenny Observer. Right on Rhatigan

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Our very own

Tombstone City By Paddy Neary WAS CHARGED The most important ecclesiastical persons burHE ANCIENT Parish ied here are Drs Colman Church of St John’s stood O’Shaughnessy and Thomas De probably in the grounds Burgo, both Bishops of Ossory. Dr O’Shaughnessy came of the old cemetery on the from an important Galway Dublin Road. St Stephen was recognised as family. After the confiscation of the patron of this church in the the family estates he fled to the continent and became a 18th century. From 1800 on the church Dominican Friar. Returning to Ireland he was was always referred to as St appointed Bishop of Ossory. John’s. In 1741 he was charged as In the Bishop’s visitation book for 1731, reference is made Domestic Chaplain to the Preto the old Mass House in St tender. We do not know the outcome of the trial. John’s Parish. On the death of his brother This was probably the chapel in Maudlin Street. Fr Purcell PP he became head of the famfrom 1753 to 1760 had the cha- ily and in spite of the Penal pel and presbytery repaired at Laws he began to assert his claim in the court of law to his his own expense. This chapel was rebuilt in ancestral property. The Bishop had deposited his 1796 and continued in use to 1847 when it was taken down. papers and documents leading From the Ordnance Survey to his claim in the present day map of 1842, it can be seen Magdalen Tower. Robbers were hired, gained this chapel stood inside the entrance to the Tower and carpresent railings. When it was taken down the ried off all the family records. site was added to the graveyard. The last chapel built here REFUSED TO ADMIT was commenced in 1840, its After the Bishop’s death, a foundation stone laid by Most younger brother took up the Revd Dr Kinsella on 13th April claim, whose son the last claimant as well as the last male of the of that year. family died in poverty in 1783. Dr Thomas Burke or de COLLIER WING It continued in use for some Burgo was born in Dublin City years after 1900. The stonework in 1709; he was also from Galfrom the old church of St John’s way, a Dominican Friar. He was ordained in Rome, was removed and used in the construction of the Collier Wing, appointed a professor there, returning to Ireland in 1743. St Kieran’s College in 1956. Fr Joe Clohosey surveyed He was installed as Bishop of the graveyard during the years Ossory in 1759. 1953 to 1955 and found over The Butlers of Ballyragget 600 monuments. claimed to have the right to He recorded details of in- appointment to the parish scriptions from about 500. The of Ballyragget. remainder of 100 could not be The death of Edmund read as some had sunk into Kavanagh in 1761 gave Robthe ground, others had fallen ert Butler the opportunity of flat with the inscription under- exercising the right he believed neath. himself to possess. Others are illegible due He presented to the vacant to the passage of time. The benefice Rev Dr Deleign. Dr oldest dated monument is that Burke refused to admit the preto Philip Dooly died 20th Au- sentation but would accept any gust 1699; his is the only 17th suitable priest recommended century date. by Mr Butler. There are 93 monuments But Mr Butler refused this belonging to the 18th century. where upon the Bishop apThe religious and civic life of pointed Rev James Dowling as Kilkenny is well represented; parish priest. at least 12 Mayors are buried here including Robert Cane, SOME DISPUTE Daniel Smithwick, P. M. Egan, In August 1764 an appeal was Michael Banim. made by Butler to the Arch-

bishop of Dublin; the appeal went against him. The Dr Denis Deleign later became parish priest of St John’s and is buried beside Dr. Burke. The Rev Richard O’Donnell The former Church of St John the Evangelist at Maudlin Street c. 1900 was born about 1736. There is some dispute as to whether he was born in Inistioge or Callan. He was ordained in Gorrynachreene in Kilkenny by Dr Burke in 1761. He spent about 16 years in St. Marys before moving to St John’s as Parish Priest in 1789. He was appointed Dean in 1802. As Fr Connell, he is the hero in the Banims novel Tales of the O’Hara family. Dr Robert Cane, was born in 1807. He was sent to Dublin to qualify as a doctor and returned to Kilkenny in 1832, aged 25. He was appointed to the Fever Hospital. He became Medical Officer to the Union Workhouse, County and City Prisons and special physician to the Marquis of Ormonde from 1836.

A GREAT FRIEND He was a great friend of all the public figures of the time, Daniel O’Connell, Charles Gavan Duffy, Thomas Davis; he succeeded his friend Edmund Smithwick as second Mayor of the reformed Corporation. He was a member of the Irish Confederation when the 1848 Rebellion took place. He was arrested though he St John’s Churchyard, Dublin Road - June 2008 took no part in the rebellion. He spent about three months in prison and lost most of his official positions. He was a founder member of Kilkenny Archaeological Society. He died in 1858. It was not until 1873 that a Celtic Cross was erected over his grave at the instigation of Mayor William Kenealy and John Hogan the historian. Many other Kilkenny families are buried here. They included Darcys of John’s Bridge, Henry and John Potter, Shearmans and Carrigans of High Street, Crottys of Parliament Street, Dunleavys of John Street, Smithwicks of Kilcreene Cottage, Hennessys of Radestown, Meanys of Kilderry and Cellarstown, Coyles of High Street. Sherins of High Street The interior of the old St John’s Church at Maudlin Street c. 1900 and The Capuchin Friars.

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Callan: A goldmine of world JIMMY RHATIGAN EDITOR

S THERE a town or perhaps even a city in Ireland that can boast more or indeed as many famous people as the market town of Callan? We doubt it. Any proposed forensic research may prove otherwise, but at The Kilkenny Observer it is our belief that the native place of a multitude of literati is a goldmine of world class human brilliance. A paperback on the life and times of a brave young boy called John Logan Power who rose to international fame despite a disastrous start in life once more serves to highlight the riches of a town that could be a world capital of historical tourism. If Callan were a shop it would boast a sensational display window. A collection of the great and the greater from several walks of life, people who made or are making their mark in various and walks of life, people who as a group could help to make Callan a dream destination when Covid moves on and local brain-power kicks in. COCA COLA For instance it is not well known that the world renowned nonalcoholic drinks giant Coca Cola has its roots in a town that was founded by William Marshal in 1207 and reputedly gets its name from the High King of Ireland, Niall Caille. It was in 1851 that Asa Griggs Asa Griggs Candler Candler was born. He was the founder of Coca Cola and became a very wealthy businessman. The ancestral home of the Candler family was in Callan. Asa’s ancestor William Candler came to Ireland from England as a Captain in Cromwell’s Irish campaign. He was subsequently granted the Barony of Callan for meritorious service in 1653. His family lived at Callan Castle. Turning full circle, Asa Griggs Candler’s family home was built in the Beau Arts style in 1902, in Inman Park, Atlanta, Georgia, and James Hoban is called Callan Castle. American tycoon Asa founded months in Kilkenny Jail. the Coca Cola Company in 1892. Post jail he moved to ManchesIn 1888 he had purchased the ter where he organised Irish emiEdmund Rice Coca Cola recipe from chemist grants who were opposed to The John Stith Pemberton, Atlanta. years, Locke will forever and a day Union. be respected in his native place as Next stop was New York where JOHN LOCKE ARRESTED the local GAA Club, John Lockes, Poet, novelist, journalist and founded in 1902 is named in his he became a full-time journalist. He made pals with the Big Fenian activist John Locke was honour. Apple’s finest journalists and born in Minauns, Callan in 1847. As a teen John Locke joined among his friends was scholarHe had his first of many poems the Fenian movement. He wrote patriot John O’Mahony. published in 1863 at age 16. He is best remembered for articles and poems for the Irish his poem The Calm Avonree. A People Newspaper and was criti- THE WHITE HOUSE Another son of Callan, nearby plaque on the Town Hall building cal of British rule in Ireland. The paper was suppressed and Desart to be precise, who peris dedicated to the patriot poet. A talented hurler in his younger Locke was arrested and got six formed brilliantly on the inter-

national stage was James Hoban who designed The White House and Leinster House and other prominent edifices. Tony O’Malley was an Irish painter whose wonderful work continues to be appreciated around the world. Tony who passed away in 2003 was a self-taught painter who started painting full time in 1958 following time as a clerk at the then Munster and Leinster Bank. A talented artist, he was very proud of his home town and indeed of Coláiste Eamann Rís, the

seat of education that no doubt helped to hone his talents as a student. Tony and his wife, the former Jane Harris, a devoted couple, was always popular and highly respected in Callan. For years, Tony’s sister, Rita ran a successful sweet shop in Bridge Street. All of which leads us to another super son of Westcourt, Callan, one Edmund Ignatius Rice, founder of the Irish Christian Brothers and Presentation Brothers.

continue to follow the traditions established by Edmund and not surprisingly a seat of education in his birth place is Coláiste Eamann Rís. From general education to music, now a popular part of curriculums in schools throughout the country, we meet another popular and well known Callan man, Seamus Moore, singer and comedian. Seamus won a talent contest with his own composition The JCB Song that was to catapult him to entertainment fame.

THE JCB SONG Born in 1762, he was a Catholic Missionary and educationalist. He was born at a time when Catholics faced oppression under Penal Laws enforced by the British through reforms that were started in 1778 when he was a teenager. He enjoyed a successful career in business and after his wife lost her life in an accident that also left his daughter disabled and with learning difficulties, he devoted his life to education of the poor. Rice schools around the world

HIGHEST IN THE WORLD He became known as the JCB Man and he was presented with a gold disc to mark over 50,000 sales. His singalong albums include The Tinker’s Potcheen,The Piebald Ass, Fluthered on the Moon and EPs include The Big Bamboo, Bang Bang Rosie and The Pothole Song. A modern phenomenon, a hugely talented man who flies the Callan flag with pride, particularly in the United States is Walter O’Brien whose family has been

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class real human brilliance

A brilliant Tony O’Malley book written by David Whittaker

farming for decades in Callan. Walter has one of the highest IQs in the world, with an estimated IQ of 197. As a teenager he made headlines when he hacked NASA from his family’s farm. His life inspired the CBS TV series, Scorpion. He is CEO of Scorpion Computer Services and executive producer of the Scorpion series. Walter attended Callan CBS and then St Kieran’s College where he was a star pupil. Then there is a wonderful roll of honour called Associates of Callan, yet more excellent souls to add to the series of brilliance. These include Seán Ó Cleirigh, 15th Copyist of Psalter of Cashel, Domesday Book of Ireland. Pott- The best of Seamus Moore lerath Castle,1453. bishop of Wellington. Of Callan descent. POOR MAN’S UNIVERSITY Last but not least Canon John Thomas Hunter of Ardglass 18311915. Schoolmaster in Callan. Kennedy 1911-1984. Born, BallyYoung Ireland Patriot, founder of ouskill, Kilkenny. He studied for the priesthood Hunter College, New York, Poor in St Kieran’s College and later Man’s University of America. John J Cudahy of Mulwaukee, in Maynooth where he was orAmerican Ambassador to Bel- dained in 1936. He was appointed PP of Callan gium. Defender of patriot King in 1968 after serving as a profesLeopald. Patrick Hurley 1878-1944 sor specialising in Greek and New York. Educated at Christian Latin at St Kieran’s for 29 years. During his time as parish priest Brothers, Callan. American Consul at Reval, Riga, Nassau, Vienna. (1968-1984) he used his great energies to revitalise the parish, Consul General of Marseilles. Most Rev Thomas O’Shea, completing a number of major SM 1870 of San Francisco. Arch- projects.

JOHNNY CASH The latter included the renovation of the parish church, Callan and the chapels at Newtown and Coolagh, along with renovation and extension of the parish hall; construction of a new home for the PP, John Locke Park and Mount Carmel Nursing Home. Fr John was a great outgoing and friendly personality with a wonderful ability as a fundraiser that earned him the fond nickname of Johnny Cash. So there we have it. How can all that benefit Callan? With a fantastic list of geniuses of yesterday and today, the foundations are there for a tourist haven with the foregone names as the fulcrum. A good start to any Callan Renaissance would be to rename some rather innocuous street names to honour local literati, Rice Street, O’Malley Avenue, Moore Street and so forth. That we believe, would be a positive start to any project to make a good town great, a heritage town that could be a focus for the tourists of the world, post Covid of course.

Walter O’Brien

Workhouse Boy Wonder is tailor-made T

HE CALLAN Heritage Society has just published a new book. It is titled Memoir of an Irish Pauper. It is a unique book. It is the only known first-hand account written by an inmate of an Irish Workhouse. This is hard to believe considering that well over a million people passed through Irish Workhouses between their opening in 1842 and closing in the 1920s. It is the extraordinary memoir of then 20-year-old John Logan Power who spent over 8 years as a child pauper in Callan Workhouse from 1842 to1850. It was written in New Orleans four years after he travelled to America alone in a Coffin Ship at the age of 16 in 1850. The 63-page elegantly written manuscript was made available by his great grandson Professor David Moreau from North Carolina, USA. John Logan Power was born in Mullinahone in 1834. His father died when he was very young.

FEVER SHED His mother remarried and went to America in 1841 with her new husband, Patrick Egan, a widower with two daughters, leaving him with an aunt. The aunt however was unable to support him and when Callan Workhouse opened in the Spring of 1842 she applied to have him admitted as a child

pauper. Admitted he was, joining a group of other boys in the Boys’ Section of the then new institution. In his autobiography, as he calls his memoir, he gives a very detailed account of what life was like for an inmate in an Irish Workhouse prior to and during the Great Famine of the late 1840s. He narrates for example how he spent two months in the Fever Shed during a cholera epidemic, was written off by the doctors, and only saved from certain death by a kind nurse whom he calls a saint. Some 3,515 people died in Callan Workhouse from malnutrition and dis- If Callan Workhouse could only talk ease during the Great Famine. Arriving in the New World the emigrants faced new challenges. PENNILESS Sixteen years old John arrived alone, On the other hand he received an education and became an apprentice tailor shabbily dressed, and virtually penniless. in the workhouse’s workshop. He had to use all his ingenuity and But not alone did his account illuminate what life was like in the workhouse, charm to get from New York City, in the it also detailed what emigrating to the depths of winter, to his final destination USA in1850 entailed just after the Great in Lockport in northern New York State (not far from Niagara Falls) where his Famine. Here for the first time we discover mother, step-father, and family resided. Again we get a detailed account of that it was via Waterford that most emigrants from this area went to Liverpool an eventful journey by boat, train and to embark on ships for the long trans- sleigh. Atlantic voyage. The voyage and what conditions NO FAIRY TALE were like on board a Coffin Ship are nar- Alas, being reunited with his mother, rated in detail. step-father, and family created no fairy

of State for Mississippi, and when he died in 1901 he was given a State funeral. John’s manuscript is an amazing document, and the author’s resilience and positivity radiates out of it. Here was a little orphan boy who survived multiple miseries and disappointments but who never lost hope, belief in himself or in Divine Providence, to find a better life.

tale ending. In fact it was the opposite. He found them in poverty due to his step-father’s drinking problems, and after a period of friction left them, and went his own way becoming an apprentice printer and eventually moving to the Deep South of the US. Professor Moreau narrates John’s subsequent amazing career as an officer in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War (1861-’65), where he was involved in two battles and a major siege; newspaper publisher; dedicated husband and father; and tireless humanitarian worker in Mississippi, one of the poorest States in the US. He went on to become the Secretary

NO BITTERNESS Find a better life he did, going on to help others less fortunate than himself in his new home. Here was someone who exuded no personal bitterness, or self-pity, even though the hand of fate was cruel and unfair to him multiple times. It is an uplifting story for all of us, especially in this time of stress and uncertainty caused by a global pandemic. The epitaph on his tombstone in Jackson, Mississippi simply states: Friend of the Orphans. Due to Covid-19 restrictions there is no formal launch of the book. It was hoped to have a launch in Callan and another in Mullinahone. The book is available at Callan Post Office, SuperValu, and at Joe Lyon’s Shop, West Street. It is available at the Book Centre, Kilkenny and in John’s birthplace, Mullinahone. The book is on sale at €20.

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Observations

with Jimmy Rhatigan

Politics is as low as a snake’s belly JIMMY RHATIGAN EDITOR

RGUABLY, our world war against the killer Coronavirus is one of mankind’s greatest challenges since Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, a contradiction often referred to as Paradise. It would appear that the politicians of the world in tandem with their medical mates have all guns blazing. BUT HAVE THEY? In our beloved country we have a war council called NPHET, our National Public Health Emergency Team and then we have a motley crew of politicians with little or no medical nous but with lots of opinion and oodles of nudge and wink. That we have a struggle within a conflict is no exaggeration, and naturally, it has no official status. Coronavirus is a matter of life and death. Yet it is often maligned as a political football. Ludicrous shenanigans would suggest that if death and illness do not directly affect our public representatives then they are not really interested. PICK UP TAB In front of a TV camera politicians can be excellent actors, good at making us believe that they would give both arms to put a bullet in Covid’s head and accept acclaim on their white horses. Fairy tales begin and end in front of a lens. Taxpayers, as usual, pick up any tab. Brazenly, politicians use the enemy virus to tickle public tummies, a tactic they may believe will curry them favour with Joe and Josephine Citizen. Despite official news bulletins, they insist on splattering daily deaths or new cases on Facebook as if to do us a public service. Hopefully, the culprits may reconsider as learned medics call for weekly rather than daily figures in the interest of our mental health. GREED AND SELFISHNESS As we battle to keep our people alive, try to keep our distance from more positive cases, politicians are playing hide and seek, three card tricks or whatever

game that serves their causes, inevitably ones of greed and selfishness. We have said it before and we now believe it more than ever. Varadkar is by far the cleverest of the three leaders, arrogant and with a hue of D4, but cunning and cute. Martin has achieved his aim, ensured that a cash satchel will be filled for him as he retires and saved him the embarrassment of being the first FF leader to miss the gravy train of Taoiseach. Ryan is the Dáil’s Rip Van Winkle, given the mic only because it is his turn to waffle. BLUSTER SESSIONS Cocooned in Dublin’s National Convention Centre a maximum of 20 keep-yourdistance Ministers and TDs conduct regular bluster sessions, at times rounding on each other in an atmosphere where it is Green, Blue and FF against the rest.

But, don’t be fooled, all is not cosy on the coalition couch. And without throwing them a buoy in any troubled water, it might be fair to say that not all of the latter may have wanted to give the thumbs down to a basic wage hike for the real workers of Ireland. They boxed us in the face because they were told to do it. But a plea by a soldier that he shot an enemy only because his officer told him to has never been accepted at any war tribunal. And while Sinn Féin, usually through their best oratorical warrior, Pearse Doherty have put on the boxing gloves, yet they spare any knockout blows. That is disappointing as we expected fire and brimstone from SF. Is the party playing a waiting game? Maybe, but as the main opposition it is its duty to fight for a sharp Government that is now more akin to a blunt instrument.

So where is the coalition going? Depending on your point of view you may utter nowhere, to greater things or anywhere at all as soon as possible. Body language tells us that Green doesn’t matter and that its leader will never be promoted, not because he would not want any top post but because others would not want him there. SELF-DESTRUCT As Taoiseach, Martin is now hogging the limelight, not because he has any tidings of great joy or positive pronunciations but because Varadkar may believe that he will eventually selfdestruct on centre stage. FG is content to keep its head below the parapet as FF scores own goals, something that it has become quite adept at. Three Ministers for Agriculture, Golfgate etcetera. Any school report would hardly be accompanied by stars from teacher.

In contrast, a few bungles apart, principally its blind eye to meat plants, FG would probably get good exam results, albeit with teacher’s reservation, ‘must do better’. FG will envisage themselves in power next time without the baggage of FF or the Greens. It is a dream that could end in a nightmare if SF ups its game. DIRTY GAME The big shame is not that there is continuing if not always obvious in-fighting between the Civil War Parties with the Greens as lenient referees, swinging whatever way the pendulum requires. Politics has always been a dirty game. But when its arrogance reaches the stage where it puts its pockets before the lives of our people then it finds itself as low as a snake’s belly. God forgive them all for they know not what they do. We are jesting of course. When it comes to maths, they

are some (maybe spell sum) tulips as they add up their lenient expenses and send us the invoices. Meanwhile, our medics are, with some notable exceptions, displaying a united front. OTHER KILLERS Most will admit that they are scrapping with a virus that they know very little about. A vaccine is seen as the key that could perhaps save millions of lives. That leads to another debate. Even the most knowledgeable of physicians will admit that they would be in two minds as whether or not to swallow any vaccine. The medics of the world have a huge task as they grapple with cancer and a string of many other killers. There are no doubt right and wrong roads but the big question is who erects the signposts. The worry is the ever presence of lurking pharmaceuticals.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 18 September 2020

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EDITORIAL EXTRA

TDs are abusing us as their servants JIMMY RHATIGAN EDITOR

F YOU got a box in the mouth every time you passed a bully’s home would you put up with that savage treatment for the rest of your days? We doubt it? We are sure that any man or woman being abused so abysmally would eventually react with a clout that would finally release him or her from his or her chains of suffering. The time has come when we should be confronting politicians in a coliseum of fair play as they continue to line their own pockets and tear our lifelines to shreds. Successive Governments would put Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves to shame. They have awarded themselves crocks of gold at a retiring age of 50. At the same time they confine pensioners, ill or otherwise to life in the trenches or at the top of a ladder ‘till age 67. FINANCIAL HARDSHIP To add insult to injury, Ministers, TDs and Senators speak out of the sides of their mouths about a two-two tier society, a two-tier health system etcetera. For generations, financial hardship has been dished out by those who would fit nicely into any plot as gangs of hoodlums. The latter are made up of a motley collection of political parties that has as much respect for us as a pig would have for a clean shirt. Too often we have turned the other cheek after one is belted black and blue but a road to Hell that now beckons may just jerk us into action. While whipping up their gold plated pensions and lump sums politicians are continuing to ravage the pockets of those they semi-respectfully call their constituents, but with the word slaves lingering disgustingly. Today, The Kilkenny Observer has a wake-up call for readers, male, female and of all ages.

Politicians have been squashing us for generations

has powdered its own arse while continuously kicking our butts. After meeting politicians for a first time no one could fault us if we described him and her as beggars as they court us for our votes. Ballot paper ticks from voters bring tickets to lives of privilege and luxury that have over the years spawned political dynasties. More aptly, we term these inhabitants of the dirty world that is politics as beggars on horseback. The latter is described as one BATTERED AND BRUISED For as far back as we can re- who has become unscrupulous member we as voters have been or irresponsible due to the sudbattered and bruised by a boys’ den acquisition of wealth. and girls’ club. Whether we admit it or not we CHASE GIRLS Perhaps the latter should more have been bullied, spat at, peed on, puked on and pushed into accurately read a road to wealth a gutter by a political class that as a TD who may become a Min-

ister who can look forward to vulgar wages, lashings of expenses with generous lump sums and immoral pensions while still young enough to chase girls. To buy some politicians’ pensions from a private pension company could cost as much as €3million. Compare that to the miserly €248.30 a week pension that is so often begrudged to old age pensioners who worked hard all their lives. AND THE LATTER IS LIABLE TO TAX. Not only is the gap between public representatives’ pensions and those who toil honourably and honestly for their crust unfair and unjust, it is also a reminder that we are in fact the slaves and that our politicians, those who are supposed to work for us, are

our masters. From January 2021 a working man or woman will have to work to age 67 and from 2028 that will be hiked to 68 before either is eligible for an OAP. POLITICAL PAWNS The sooner the better it dawns on us that we are being cheated, spoofed to and used as pawns in a political game of chess, the quicker we can bring a class that has created a lucrative gravy train for itself crashing down to earth. As long as we vote in right wing or Fascist Governments, a weapon we have persistently used to beat ourselves with, we will continue to be the waiters at the tables of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in particular, both of which fits neatly as right wingers. Whether or not we can derail the gravy train by electing a left wing Government with the likes

of Sinn Féin, People Before Profit and perhaps the Labour Party is up for debate. Labour’s history in bed with the big boys has to put doubts into our minds. JUGGLING WITH WORDS Any inaction will lead us only to juggling with words like cowardly, apathetic, lazy, inept, or dare we say it, a return to the days when we were ruled by Britannia. Whether we liked it or not we then forked out our tithes until the lads and lassies of South Kilkenny kicked up a shindig in the famed Battle of Carrickshock We don’t have to resort to violence to get justice but if we don’t wakey, wakey very soon we will spend our time carrying our 68 or maybe 70 year old carpenters and their tool boxes up ladders

on stretchers. Short term, pensioners need to guard their pittances with a Fort Knox-type of security. PAUPER’S PURSE Come Budget Day, the devious trinity of FG, FF and the Greens just might be brass-necked enough to pick pocket us again. A majority of them would pinch from a pauper’s purse in order to avoid any gravy spill. IS THERE A LEADER AMONG US? Even one brave son or daughter of Ireland would be a plus as our high society politicians do not have anyone with vim, vigor or good vision. That man or woman could lead in an unscrupulous game of give and take where politicians take from us and give to themselves.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 18 September 2020

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Great camogie girls

Losing can be a new beginning CHUBBY BRENNAN’S CASTLECOMER

OMER U14s amalgamated with Naomh Bríd Camogie, Ballyragget this year and reached The Roinn D County Final. Unfortunately the girls came up against a very capable and competent group of Clara girls. Congrats to all involved with Clara. Regardless of the result the amalgamation was a great success and provided the girls from both communities with a chance to enjoy playing camogie.

at the Artist in the Shop Window at No. 2 Chatsworth Street. Store hours are now 12 noon to 6pm, Monday to Saturday. Prefer to shop online? You can now shop my artwork on Shopify through the link in bio. See something you like or want to commission a specific piece? https://grahamcarewart.myshopify.com/

BLAST FROM THE PAST

BACK DANCING Dancewise Academy resumes classes in Castlecomer next week. Dancewise offers fun dance classes for boys and girls from pre-school upwards. For further information, email dancewisekilkenny@gmail.com BARN OWLS Thanks to all who supported the Zoom BOP launch night. If you missed it and would like to see it again, or share with friends and family don’t forget it is on YouTube for all to enjoy. Zoom BOP Confinement https://youtu.be/3jEayQ9vuZk

DOING WELL Jimmy Saunders’s book From The Outside In is doing so well in all book shops and being restocked every week, If you can’t get to a bookshop you can order from https:// james-saunders-fromtheoutsidein.eu/https://www.facebook. NATURE DETECTIVES com/JamesSaundersFromThe- Castlecomer Discovery Park is OutsideIn/ a Social Community Enterprise operating on a not for profit basis. ARTIST IN WINDOW Set in the former grounds I see quite a few new faces so I of the Wandesforde Estate, it thought I would take this time to comprises 80 acres of stunning reintroduce myself. natural woodland and lakes and I’m Graham Carew, the art- began as a community project ist behind the Artist in the Shop to rejuvenate the town of CastleWindow at Fogarty’s, an artist in comer following the closure of residency project, studio and gal- the coal mines in 1969. lery. This relatively young park I am a Kilkenny-born Irish art- opened to the public in 2007 ist who returned home after a 10- with the launch of the Coal Minyear stint in America where I co- ing Exhibition, led and co-founded Goodyear Visitor Centre and Design Arts & Wallpoems. Craft studios are in the former I specialise in painting and stable yard. The Park continues mixed media art, working in to evolve and is actively develacrylics and watercolours but oping a range of exciting recrealso use household paint and ational, cultural and educational aerosols to cover surfaces with activities for visitors of all ages. How would your family fare as imagery and text, which run from rant to mythology, to poetry to nature detective? Go to the Park on September 26 for Bug & Napersonal stories. You can find me and my work ture hunts in its stunning forest.

Seán Byrne and George Williams RIP

This is an activity for all the family and is suitable for aged five upwards. Children are natural born explorers and this activity gives them the opportunity to search out the abundance of insect life under rocks and logs while introducing them to our native language in a fun environment. This event is being organised by Glór na nGael as part of the Teanga Tí scheme to help families introduce Irish in their home. To book your place contact Liam on 087-7549781 or liam@glornangael.ie

Kilkenny Junior Soccer Fixtures Sunday, September 20 Pat Maher Memorial Shield (last 16), all 11am Fort Rangers v Tullaroan; Thomastown v St Canice’s; Newpark v River Rangers; East End v Freebooters A;

Clover v Freebooters B; Evergreen v Spa; Deen Celtic v Bridge United

Division 2

Highview B Freebooters C, 2pm

Division 3

Brookville v St John’s, 2pm

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Zoom is a blessing for the starving BY GER CODY

ROM THE time Adam was running naked in Eden, the world has experienced pandemics and plagues. So if you thought that our Covid crisis was a new phenomenon, consider this list of pestilences that spread the fear of the Almighty across the world: The Spanish Flu (1918), HIV pandemic (1981), Smallpox (Yugoslavia 1972) and Swine Flu (2009). Those who have a bible at their bedside can check out the Book of Exodus in the Old Testament. There you will be met by 10 or more plagues. Confinement is nothing new but how we deal with it has changed. In 1815 Mount Tambora in Indonesia erupted, spreading toxic ash, freezing rain and a cold chill across Europe. Some 10,000 of the island’s inhabitants were incinerated instantly. Some 90,000 starved to death. Devastating effects even reached a small chalet in Geneva, Switzerland. WRITING PALS That’s where 19-year-old Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin quarantined with her brooding writing pals – future husband Percy Shelley, Dr John Polidori, Claire Clairmont and the notorious Lord Byron. They were forced inside to protect their lungs from toxic volcanic fumes. Byron challenged them to pass the gloomy days by seeing who could write the most

Top left to right Eithne Reilly, Mary Woods, Cara O’Doherty. Middle: Melanie Cochrane, Rosey Hayes, Gerard Brennan. Bottom: Janis Woodgate, Emma Lenne, Carmel Furlong

the answer. With an online audience of almost 300 tuned in, The Barn Owl Players presented a series of monologues dealing with confinement. Topics as diverse as the joys of plastic surgery, the trials and tribulations of psychosis, the fear of physical abuse, mental illness and depression were put under the microscope. In itself, confinement is as diverse as it is deep, so it was not surprising the combined work of directors and actors covered so many topics. One aspect that didn’t make it to the table was the benefits of confinement. There are many, including artists, for whom a period of isolation would be seen as a NOT CRITICISM The video app Zoom provided blessing where one welcomes bloodcurdling ghost story. Mary Shelley used the isolation as an opportunity to be creative. She wrote a tale about a scientist who creates a creature from stolen body parts and brings his creation to life with a bolt of electricity. The story was titled The Modern Prometheus. We know it by its more popular name – Frankenstein. Written during a time of enforced isolation it sold millions of copies and inspired over 40 movie adaptations. Fast forward to 2020 and Kilkenny’s Barn Owl Players wondered how to stage their work during a pandemic.

Bottom Left to right: Mags Whitely, Aaron O’Dea, John Prendergast, Jim Carroll and Lucas Lopes.

the peace and solitude that comes with it. I would have liked to have seen this looked at. That is an observation rather than a criticism. Solitary confinement On solitary confinement, Nelson Mandela said: “It is what we make out of what we are given, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.” Those involved in the arts will know the heartache that the absence of performing to a live audience creates. However, one of the characteristics necessary and required by any theatre company is that of improvisation. The Zoom production was a blessing to those starved of live

productions. Barn Owls Theatre Company has been responsible for bringing wonderful shows to audiences. They staged The Whiteheaded Boy by Lennox Robinson at the Watergate Theatre, Big Maggie by JB Keane at The Barn and Love Hearts at The Home Rule Club. One-act shows include Laundry and Bourbon, Lone Star, Here We Are, Cocaine’, Costa Del Packet and Blood, Bats and Barn Owls. WATCHFUL EYE Most of its work is completed under the watchful eye of Philip Hardy, artistic director. Although a former professional actor, Hardy concentrates on his role as artistic director and allows performers to work on their own

initiative. However his eagle eye is always focused. When speaking about confinement American essayist, Henry David Thoreau, said: “If I were confined to a corner of a garret all my days, like a spider, the world would be just as large to me while I had my thoughts about me.” Having viewed the Barn Owls production, one can only surmise that the nocturnal birds of Church Lane viewed life, whether in confinement or otherwise, with the same outlook as Thoreau. Cast: Carmel Furlong, Rosey Hayes, Cara O’Doherty, Mags Whitely, Jim Carroll, Gerard Brennan, Mary Woods, Aoife Reilly, Aaron O’Dea, John Prendergast, Lucas Lopes.

Why am I so tired all the time? CLAIR WHITTY Nutritional Health Coach

GET asked this quite a lot. There are a number of reasons why you could be tired or fatigued and knowing the cause will help you find the best solution. Taking a look at what you eat is the place to start. Without a healthy diet you won’t have the nutrients, the fuel, required for energy production. Aim for a diet that’s balanced with a wide variety of foods according to your lifestyle choice. Then you could top up on any nutrients that you may be lacking. For example, if you’re vegetarian, or vegan are you getting enough protein, iron, and B12? If you don’t eat enough veg-

etables especially green ones easily absorbable form of B12 to you may need some extra mag- help normalise levels so that you feel more energised. nesium. Low iron is a common cause COMMON CAUSE of tiredness especially if you Consider an Omega oil supple- don’t eat red meat. ment if you don’t eat oily fish, Try Salus Floradix Liquid Iron salad oils, or nuts and seeds. it’s one of my favourite iron supLow B12 is a common cause of plements. tiredness. The best food sources Food intolerance is a common of B12 are animal products. cause of fatigue. Eating foods Nutritional yeast added to that your body doesn’t want will food is a good food source of B12 affect digestion, immunity, and for vegetarian or vegan diets. energy production. Solgar B12 nuggets contain an Lack of sleep is a major cause

of tiredness we can all relate to. Feeling exhausted If we don’t get a good night’s sleep it can leave you feeling exhausted and less able to cope with the demands of a busy day. Stress, don’t get me started. This causes so much tiredness it’s unbelievable. Take a look at Stressed it contains Ashwagandha. This herb is classed as an adaptogen, which means that it can help the body to adapt itself so that it can deal with stress more effectively. Control the stress, control your energy levels. As you can see there are many reasons for tiredness. Why not call in to our Market Cross Natural Health Store and have a chat with a member of our team. Staff are trained and qualified to help you decide how you can improve your energy levels.

Locals in line for Blas awards

LAS 2020 finalists shortlisted from Kilkenny across a range of categories are Callan Bacon, Natures Oils & Sauces and The Fig Tree Restaurant T&H Clarke Ltd on High Street. After the initial first round of judging, the top scoring products from a number of categories went through a second round of tasting, in Dingle and at satellite venues across the country.

In conjunction with UCC these results were studied and the findings showed that the results based on two entirely separate panels returned the exact same rankings. Therefore, these results will be used to determine the winners of Blas na hÉireann 2020. The Blas na hÉireann awards will be announced on October 3 on the Blas website and across social media channels.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 18 September 2020

Sport – KEEPING IT LOCAL

When you get a kick out of golf By Jimmy Rhatigan

T MAY never nudge its sister off the world stage but early aficionados of the comparatively young craze called Footgolf are happy that it will find its niche. The game is already quite popular here. The first local club to be formed is Kilkenny Pococke Footgolf and the home course and main sponsors are Pococke Golf Course owners John and Edel Holmes. Among the enthusiasts are Davy Brennan from Threecastles and Wayne Clowry from McDonagh Street in Kilkenny City. The boys are committed and enjoy travelling to Belfast and Shannon for weekend matches. “We have a nice black and amber team kit, jerseys, togs and socks and an excellent home course. We have a good team. “The game is comparatively young and we are getting a great kick out of it,” Wayne told The Kilkenny Observer. FEELGOOD FACTOR “I love a round of Footgolf, competitive or otherwise. It is great to get out in the evening after work while light permits and also enjoyable at weekends. “Once it is not raining heavily, it is great to be out in the fresh air. Even if you don’t win a prize, there is a feel good factor.” Wayne said Davy is a very useful player. He won a plaque for his display in the Northern Ireland Open Amateur competition in which he was runner-up.

Kilkenny Kitchen Solutions: Soccer champs on the double

The sport is run by the Footgolf Union of Ireland. There are professional and amateur levels. There are regular matches and, like the game of golf there is a 19th hole that will be back in vogue post pandemic. The popularity of a game where you kick a big ball rather than drive a small one reminds of the blossoming of the game of soccer in rural Ireland following England’s World Cup win of 1966. Early indications as new junior soccer clubs sprung up in every nook and cranny, bailiwick and village around our country were that soccer would gobble up other sports. The latter never materialised. Clever folk always knew that but

the revolution was not a flop either as many clubs born then are still hale and reasonably hearty. Can the novel game of Footgolf rival its world famous professional and amateur game that enjoys a love affair with millions around the globe? Young and young at heart, male and female who have taken a shine to putting their best feet forward are probably more hopeful than confident. Rules are the same as in golf. You tee off by kicking the ball towards the first green. Naturally, holes are much bigger than in golf as players kick a football into a hole in the lowest possible number of kicks.

INCREASING INTEREST Holes in one are not uncommon particularly at par threes. In a Ryder Cup-style match Kilkenny beat Munster. The first match was 13-13 and the second 25.5 to 24.5 in favour of our locals. The Pococke Club has been active for a few years. Interest is increasing. It may not feature in the Olympics but it will keep enthusiasts happy. Meanwhile Kilkenny Kitchen Solutions soccer team of which Wayne Clowry is a member had a great season in the Kilkenny Floodlit League. The team won the Division 2 League and overall cup and was Wayne Clowry, left, and Davy Brennan runner-up in a divisional cup.

Seven habits of highly effective sleepers By Eoin Everard Physiotherapy reasonable hour, be proactive.

HERE’S nothing more frustrating than a bad night’s sleep. Next day its coffee and trying to feel good. There are simple things you can do to help you have more energy for sport, work and life.

2. EFFECTIVE CIRCADIAN RHYTHM Effective sleepers master their circadian rhythm - they know what sleep they need. The optimum amount of sleep for adults aged 18-64 is 7-9 hours, says The National Sleep Foundation. Sleep expert Michael Breus says the average sleep cycle for any individual is around 90 minutes. We require five such cycles each night. Aim to stick to wake-up and sleep times as this helps to establish an effective circadian rhythm (internal clock). Consistent sleep is key to avoiding daytime tiredness. It promotes healthy hormone balance, increases energy levels and allows time for recovery. You’ll notice dramatic improvements by adopting a regular sleep pattern.

1. PROACTIVE How many people do you hear complaining of tiredness day-today? A lot, but how many are doing something about it? What separates highly effective sleepers from the fatigued is approach to sleeping. Not everyone is lucky enough to fall soundly asleep as soon as heads hit the pillow. It takes commitment, routine and the practice of good sleep hygiene. You need to address lifestyle choices. Get a supportive mattress, 3. SMARTPHONES clear your bedroom of Scrolling is a bad habit that many distraction, go to bed at a poor sleepers can admit to . Like

sleeping in front of the TV, the artificial blue light that emanates from your phone is damaging your sleep/wake patterns. It tricks the brain into thinking its morning and interferes with melatonin production. Melatonin does more than help us fall asleep - without it you’re more vulnerable to disease and depression. Switch off all technology.

4. EAT RIGHT THINGS How you fuel your day is critical to determining how well

you’ll sleep. By grazing on sugar-filled chocolate bars that spike insulin levels and leave you sleepy when you shouldn’t be, you promote inconsistency and find yourself more inclined to nap, which leads to disrupted sleep. Guzzle coffee after 9-5 and you won’t be able to switch off. Steer clear of high-fat and sugar-rich foods. Same goes for alcohol, spicy dishes and caffeine. Stock up with sleep-friendly foods. The tryptophan content of wholegrain carbs and foods such as turkey and cottage cheese, help curb late-night hunger pangs by stimulating serotonin/ melatonin that regulate your sleep/wake patterns. Try snacking on a small portion of bread or crackers an hour before sleep. Camomile tea, honey, almonds and kiwi fruit are also said to do the trick.

into bed and enjoy a book. A wind down process is very important to achieving a good night’s rest. It tells the body you’re ready to relax. You immerse yourself in worlds far away from your own; removing worries and enabling you to de-stress. It only takes six minutes reading time to reduce the heart rate/tension in muscles, which helps you to relax.

light had a better night’s sleep and slept an average of 46 minutes more, says Forbes. Workers with windows also proved to be more active in the day. Don’t eat lunch at your desk and embrace a little sunshine.

7. MEDITATE

A study led by Havard Medical Health agrees that by focusing on momentby-moment experiences, thoughts, and emotions through mindful meditation, you approach day-today challenges more pragmatically. A series of simple breathing techniques can help you relax. Health expert and best-selling author, Dr Weil advocates the ‘4-7-8’ breathing technique in which you inhale for four seconds, hold for seven, then exhale for eight. Repeat this process three times. For info about Eoin Everard and Sports Pilates at www.

6. APPRECIATE SUNSHINE Locking yourself away for 8 hours a day in a lightless office can also impact quality of sleep. By not getting sufficient sunlight, you confuse your body clock and disrupt your natural sleep/wake patterns. A study presented at the 27th annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC, revealed the need for sunlight. Comparing the sun-seeking habits of 49 different day-shift 5. AVID READERS workers; 27 in windowless Highly effective sleepers love to workplaces and 22 in workplaces read. They switch off all electrical with windows, they found that devices 1-2 hours before hopping employees exposed to natural everardpilates.com

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 18 September 2020

kilkennyobserver.ie

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 18 September 2020

kilkennyobserver.ie

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 18 September 2020

Sport––KEEPING KEEPINGIT ITLOCAL LOCAL News

2004; Back: Padraig Holden, Mark Heffernan, John Tennyson, Seaghan O’Neill, P.J. Delaney, Eddie Campion, Stephen Maher, Shane Hennessy, Willie O’Dwyer. Absent Robbie Dowling. 3rd Row: Ned Quinn, County Board Chairman Trainer Michael Dempsey, Anthony Owens, John Murphy, John Phelan, Pat Robinson, Peter Cleere, Colin Dunne, Ciarán Hoyne, Tom Doheny (selector) 2nd Row: Martin Fogarty (Manager) Brian Dowling, Eoin Larkin, Richie Power, David Herrity, James Fitzpatrick (Capt.) Conor Phelan, Keith Nolan, Michael Fennelly, Martin Phelan, Richard Mulrooney (selector) Front: Niall Moran, Tomás Frisby, James Maher, Tommy Walsh, Eoin Reid, Michael Rice, Niall Doherty.

Memory Lane with GAA scribe Jim Fogarty

Rampant Kilkenny has runaway win 2004 U-21 Final September 18, 2004, Nowlan Park Kilkenny 3-21, Tipperary 1-6.

IPPERARY, although winning the toss, opted to play against the stiff breeze before an attendance of 11,000. Kilkenny swept into attack from the off and was on top in virtually every sector. Tipp scored its first point after 12 minutes. Kilkenny had 1-5 on the board at that stage. The lead had increased to 13 points before Michael Farrell had a superbly taken goal for the Munster champions. It was only a temporary respite as the Leinster champions finished off the half with unanswered points to lead 2-12 to 1-1 at the interval. Kilkenny lost their captain Cha Fitzpatrick with a collarbone injury just before half time. On the resumption, Willie O’Dwyer increased Kilkenny’s

lead with a point. Two points from Joe Caesar and one from LOWEST SCORE Tony Scroope were all that Tipp The Cats could afford to lose their captain at half time and yet could muster in reply. win comfortably. With the exception of midSCROOPE SENT OFF The visitors were still 13 points fielder Joe Caesar, Tipperary was down at the three-quarter stage. beaten in every position on the Kilkenny scored the next four field. The starting sextet of forwards points. Tony Scroope pointed a free in reply. Kilkenny was to could only manage 1-0 from score a further 1-3 to a solitary play. Scoring problems were unTipp point before the finish. Tipp’s woes were further com- derlined by the fact that Tony pounded in the closing stages as Scroope who had hit 5-18 in the Scroope was sent off, on receipt run to the final, did not score until the 39th minute. of a second yellow card. Tipperary recorded its second Tipp was down to 13 men at the end as the injured Darragh lowest score in 14 appearances Walton could not be replaced, in the U21 decider. Referee: Barry Kelly, Westfive subs having already been meath. introduced. Kilkenny scorers: Richie Kilkenny’s Willie O’Dwyer was named man of the match. All of Power 0-7(4fs,1 65), Willie the Kilkenny team could have O’Dwyer 1-3, Conor Phelan 1-1, James Cha Fitzpatrick 1-1 (0-1f), been candidates for the award. From goalkeeper David Her- Sean O’Neill 0-3, Brian Dowling ity to corner forward Richie 0-2, Ciaran Hoyne, Shane HenPower, there was menace and nessy, Eoin Reid, Michael Rice 0-1 each. method in Kilkenny’s play.

Tipperary scorers: Joe Caesar 0-3, Michael Farrell 1-0, Tony Scroope 0-2 (fs), Willie Ryan 0-1. Kilkenny: David Herity (Dunamaggin), Stephen Maher (Tullaroan), John Tennyson (Carrickshock), Michael Fennelly (Ballyhale), Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan), PJ Delaney (Fenians), Ciaran Hoyne (Gaige/Ballycallan), Shane Hennessy (Tullaroan), Peter Cleere (Blacks & Whites), Sean O’Neill (Dunamaggin), Willie O’Dwyer (Mullinavat), Eoin Reid (Ballyhale), James Fitzpatrick (Ballyhale), captain, Conor Phelan(Clara), Richie Power(Carrickshock). Subs. Michael Rice (Carrickshock) for Fitzpatrick. Brian Dowling (O’Loughlins) for Cleere. Eoin Larkin (James Stephens) for Reid. John Phelan (Clara) for O’Neill. Niall Doherty (Galmoy) for Delaney. Padraig Holden (Ballyhale), Niall Moran(St Martin’s), Eddie Campion (Tullaroan), John Murphy

JIM FOGARTY is author of The Cross of Cashel All-Ireland U21 hurling finals 1964 to 2014. Kilkenny first appeared in an All-Ireland U21 final in 1968 and won a first title in 1974. Jim previously published a book on Tipperary County Senior Hurling Finals, The Dan Breen Cup, 1931 to 2011. He is a regular contributor to GAA match programme and GAA yearbooks. Jim took early retirement from his post as Kilkenny County Librarian as he always wanted to write books on the GAA. Jim can be contacted at jimkfog1@gmail.com or at 086-1512946.

(Carrickshock). Tipperary: Patrick McCormack (Thurles Sarsfields), Andrew Morrissey (Galtee Rovers), Conor O’Mahoney (Newport), Darragh Walton (Ballingarry), Evan Hanley (Lattin/Cullen), Diarmuid Fitzgerald (Roscrea), captain, Hugh Moloney (Nenagh), Joe Caesar (Killenaule), Wayne Cully (Thurles Sarsfields), Pat Buckley (Emly), Shane Sweeney (Ballybacon/ Grange), Francis Devaney (Toomevara), Evan Sweeney

(Loughmore), Tony Scroope (Burgess), Michael Farrell (Killenaule). Subs: Willie Ryan (Toomevara) for Morrissey. David Sheppard (Moycarkey) for Buckley. David Morrissey (Galtee Rovers) for E. Sweeney. Tommy Fitzgerald (Roscrea) for S.Sweeney. Pat Shortt (Upperchurch) for Cully. Gerry Kennedy (Killenaule), Richie Ruth (Thurles Sarsfields), Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch), Damien O’Brien (Burgess).

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 18 September 2020

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Sport â&#x20AC;&#x201C; KEEPING IT LOCAL

kilkennyobserver.ie

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 18 September 2020

kilkennyobserver.ie

Sport – KEEPING IT LOCAL

Stephens alarm bells make ‘Boro’s final tilt much tougher JIMMY RHATIGAN EDITOR

ADLY, it won’t cure Coronavirus but the game of hurling has to be good for our mental health. At a time when so many are gripped in fear because of a pandemic that restricts our activities and even locks us down, it was fantastic to enjoy the boost of two sensational county senior hurling semifinals. The games were a breath of fresh air, rattling television, spirit-lifting games that mean thousands can now savour positive vibes as they look forward to the county final. At a time when it is not always exciting to watch TV sport because of the absence of spectator participation, the ‘semis’ were blockbusters, albeit financial box office disappointments for the GAA because of a Covid ban on fans.

Even the dogs in the street may have abandoned their lamp post loos to stay indoors for a few hours of class, courage and magic.

provide the names that tick the boxes. The clash was billed as a 50/50 fight. Some may have fancied O’Loughlin Gaels because of its experienced MASTER CLASSES hands, notably Paddy Deegan Both matches were master and its steely and rather mean classes in how sport should be defence. played, highlighted a feast of experienced and rookie talent SQUARING A CIRCLE and featured many amazing Others perhaps risked hard goals and goalkeeping. earned cash on the ‘Boro who The first match between from an early stage reminded Dicksboro and O’Loughlin of a sweet flowing river that Gaels was a ding dong battle one could sit and admire for of city neighbours who for hours. once were not noisy. O’Loughlin Gaels team was But unlike some derby ties good, although maybe not as in many sports, it was not a impressive as it had been. slap, bang, wallop, stop ‘em at The ‘Boro was poetry in moall costs affair. tion, a breath of fresh air that It was quality against qual- from the throw-in signalled its ity, beautiful moves, brilliant intention of winning a ticket to stick work, superb goals and the big one, the lotto of local magnificent points. hurling. Individuals whose names The teams were together at may not be well known in the half time. But Dicksboro had game at this time will surely a sharper edge and made the be household names of the driving wheel its own. future. When a trick o’ the loop The experts will no doubt move by Eddie Nolan ended

with him popping to the net from a tight angle in the 37th minute the Gaels were left with the tough task of squaring a circle. The ‘Boro was firing on all cylinders. STEPHENS REVELATION The Gaels reminded of a group of willing lads who filled a kettle for a cuppa but forgot to turn on the gas. Game No. 1 was an aficionado’s delight. Game No. 2 proved to be a tasty hurling Sunday roast served on a Saturday. Nifty Ballyhale Shamrocks opened in whirlwind fashion and after only 22 minutes was in cruise control as the scoreboard read 2-8 to 0-6. But the good ship Shamrocks was to hit choppy waters and at the finish life buoys were at the ready as the vessel could easily have gone under. James Stephens was a revelation, its young, brave and tremendously talented side turning the screw on a South

eternal reward, would have enjoyed a post mortem after a heart-thumping Village effort was pipped at the post. So to next Sunday’s final, a Deep South versus City standoff. The ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ will keep hurling lovers in chat right up DON’T DO PANIC to the UPMC Nowlan Park In half two highly charged throw-in. Village warriors went oh so close to upsetting the hurling SOUNDED ALARM applecart. Only a fool would risk his or Between them Colin Fen- her house or even a secondnelly and TJ Reid scored 3-13, hand lawnmower on a game a handsome contribution that could or might, or whatto any team performance, a ever end a particular way. foundation that eventually The ‘Boro will be champing saved Ship Shamrock from at the bit. landing on the rocks. That its It has the ammunition to players don’t do panic was a gun down the undisputed huge plus for Shamrocks who high kings of club hurling. steadied the boat and with a Ironically, the ‘Boro’s auld late rally waved off the hopes enemy James Stephens may of a stout-hearted Village team just have sounded the alarm that has brilliance etched all clock for Shamrocks and its over it. crew will be reminded acHow the members of cordingly. In other words, inSpeakers’ Corner, aka Philly stead of stealing its thunder, Larkin’s forecourt in Patrick Stephens did the Shamrocks Street, who have gone to their a favour.

Kilkenny team that has survived the most contrary of seas to land a shoal of trophies. But for the wiles and guiles of county stars Colin Fennelly and TJ Reid an SOS could have been sounded at any stage.

kilkennyobserver.ie

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 18 September 2020

kilkennyobserver.ie

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 18 September 2020

Sport – KEEPING IT LOCAL

Is it the ‘Boro or Shamrocks? Tadgh Dwyer is tackled by Richie Reid

Evan Cody clears his lines

A super catch by Paddy Deegan

Surrounded but Colin Fennelly still scores

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 18 September 2020

kilkennyobserver.ie

Sport – KEEPING IT LOCAL

. . . Only God Himself knows

Robbie Buckley... fortune favours the brave

Conor Browne drives on for Stephens

Eoin Guilfoyle on his way to scoring a smashing goal

The calm before the storm: Respecting Amhrán na bhFiann

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 18 September 2020

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Motors

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 18 September 2020

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 18 September 2020

Motors Classifieds

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 18 September 2020

Motors Classifieds

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 18 September 2020