Kilkenny Observer - Semptember 4, 2020

EVERY FRIDAY

The Kilkenny

Observer FREE EDITION

Mother’s love for her ill son

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Friday 4 September 2020

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Spin doctors on bikes focus on patients A raft of generous donations is flooding in and generosity means that the €100,000 target may even be surpassed.

JIMMY RHATIGAN EDITOR

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OSPITAL staff members who were applauded as medical marvels have become spin doctors in a bid to focus on patients and charities that support the vulnerable.

A nationwide 200 kilometre sponsored cycle is also a thank you to everybody who is supporting a war with Covid.

As a gesture of appreciation, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) doctors, nurses and staff at our local St Luke’s General Hospital have joined colleagues from all over the country on the marathon two-day cycle that began yesterday, Thursday Object is to raise funds for charities supporting families hit by Covid-19.

The concept arose as many Irish doctors, nurses and ancillary staff said that although they immensely appreciated the ongoing support of the Irish public throughout the pandemic, they were uncomfortable at being labelled ‘heroic’ and ‘frontline’.

Plan was to turn the focus back on to patients and support charities.

BLAZING SADDLES What we might term the medical equivalent of Blazing Saddles started in earnest yesterday when Team St Luke’s pedalled to Waterford, accompanied by support vehicles, to meet South East colleagues from the University Hospital.

Teams then cycled back to our city, strictly observing Covid-19 rules and restrictions, to prepare for today’s early morning journey to Dublin This afternoon’s rendezvous of some 120 brave volunteers who swapped gowns, masks and gloves for an alfresco adventure is a ‘keep your distance’ salute to participants and supporters of a cycle of courage.

The ICU 4 U Charity Cycle will boost Alone (older people), Breakthrough Cancer Research (new cancer treatments), Aware (mental health) and ICU steps (ICU aftercare support).

The project was the brainchild of Dr Paddy Seigne of Cork University Hospital ICU and it quickly snowballed as colleagues in many hospitals nationally volunteered to climb on to their bikes.

The Magnificent Seven: St Luke’s General Hospital colleagues all set for marathon cycle. From left, Eve Geraghty, Mick Battle, Niall Kavanagh, Betty Byrne, Steven McDonald, Marie White, Lorraine Lawlor

A PEDESTAL His idea was to use the fundraiser for charities that had been badly hit during lockdown.

St Luke’s Hospital co-ordinator, Dr Niall Kavanagh, Consultant Anaesthetist told The Kilkenny Observer that many ICU staff members were not

comfortable with being put on a pedestal during the crisis as they were just doing their jobs albeit in challenging times.

“We are extremely grateful for the gifts we received from the public but we need to put the focus back where it is most needed – with the

patients and charities.

“The impact of Covid-19 reaches far beyond the ICU, and we are only beginning to see the secondary challenges, in particular with the elderly, those in nursing homes, those experiencing anxiety and mental illness.

“Covid-19 ICU survivors and

cancer patients who are particularly vulnerable to the virus have had their diagnoses delayed and urgently need treatments.”

Cycle Ambassadors are comedian and TV celebrity Graham Norton, Olympic rower Paul O’Donovan and hotelier and TV personality John Brennan.

‘Comer Panto is off: Oh, yes it is Quote of the week W HEN the lads came to the front door collecting for the swimming pool we gave them a bucket of water.

At some time or other it is a line that may have been delivered by Dame John Coogan in Deenside Players annual pantomime.

Sadly, not early next year as Covid restrictions deem that a great local tradition will get a break for a year.

Oh, no it won’t.

OH, YES IT WILL. Unfortunately the latter is the official word from Deenside Players who have told The Kilkenny Observer that they EVERY FRIDAY

over the coming months.

The panto involves a massive team of people between a production team, cast, chorus, stage crew, box office, front of house, hair make-up, costumes, music, sound, lighting, kitchen and supervision.

With such a big crew involved and with Covid guidelines ever changing it was felt that the best decision was to protect the local community. ‘Comer is steeped in panto history as generations of local families keep the show Flashback to last year’s ‘Comer Panto on the road or more precisely in the community hall at the heart will not be staging their annual MASSIVE TEAM of the town. panto for season 2020/2021.

The committee was sad to cancel The promise is that panto The decision was not but happy to play its part in help- will be bigger and better than ing to keep a community safe ever in 2022. lightly taken.

The Kilkenny

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

I have a solution to the ‘house party’ problem.

“Keep voting for Fine Gael and eventually nobody will own a house.”

Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan MEP

GETTING IN TOUCH WITH THE TEAM

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Boxing king fears the invisible killer JIMMY RHATIGAN EDITOR

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WARRIOR of sport who says he has never feared anyone in a boxing ring or on a hurling pitch has told The Kilkenny Observer that he is frightened out of his wits by Coronavirus.

“The big advantage this roving killer has is that it is impossible to land a punch on him or her because it is invisible.

“I know if I contact the virus at age 87 I will be counted out.

That is reality,” Jimmy Walsh, a doyen of Callan Boxing Club since 1947 said.

“I believe we will put this virus on the canvas. I hope I am right for the sake of families that have lost loved ones to the killer and indeed for all of us who are in a daily fight.

“The arrival of Corona has changed all our lives. Most are obeying health rules that are there to protect us.

DANGEROUS ENEMY “The irony is that our original boxing club was founded in 1918 by local soldiers, Paddy Fanning and Bill Bergin at the end of World War 1.

“Now, 73 years later we are at

war again but with a very different and even more dangerous enemy.”

Jimmy who won a county senior hurling championship medal with John Lockes in 1957, remains loyal to his first love which he still coaches at the present Callan Boxing Club that was founded 20 years ago.

He is sad that restrictions have hit his club but understands why. But, he believes that boxing has got a blow below the belt.

He explains: “Before the pandemic we catered safely for 30 adults and children. Now we are confined to four boxers and two coaches at any given time.

“That is tough. How can you tell one child he can stay and send another home?

DESERVE BETTER “Children deserve better, it would break my heart to have to make such unfair decisions.

“We have four voluntary coaches, John Hickey, Michael Comerford, Stephen Walsh and I but we can use only two at the same time.”

Jimmy says the club had a wonderful innings with Clare Grace from Tullahought as a real champion, winning 12 Irish titles, three Euro bronze, silver in Multi Nations, represented Ireland at least 20 times and

Callan’s Jimmy Walsh with Clare Grace, right and Katie Taylor

was ranked No. 8 Elite in the World.

Clare boxed from age 12 to 23 with Callan and is now a qualified radiographer in Durham Hospital in England.

“At 26 she is out of the ring now but is still young enough and good enough to be a world champion,” Jimmy believes.

“I have always been a big fan of Katie Taylor, another great

female fighter.

“I was so proud in 2015 when Katie and Clare were the only two members of an Irish team to win honours at European Championships.

NOBLE SPORT “Our present club founded in 2000 by Kevin Keogh, Dr Jim Ryan, Sharon Griffen and I, has with the brilliant support of the

people of Callan, gone from success to success, winning 40 Irish titles and several Elite crowns.

“Many great fighters have been associated with the club, including my brother-in-law, Johnny Donovan, one of the best our country ever produced.

“I know my coaching days are almost over but I am happy that I will leave the club in the hands of good people in John Hickey

and Michael Comerford.

“I will always have great memories to cherish, winning fights and near misses.

“Winners deserve the headlines but we should remember that not everyone can be a champion and that those who may never have experienced the joy of success are also very vital to the noble sport of amateur boxing.”

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Distressed children left unanswered “They desperately want to do the right thing for their children to ensure they receive the education they are entitled to, yet without proper guidance they are anxious and unclear.

“Many pupils with special educational needs are still unclear about whether, or how, their Special Needs Assistant can continue to support them.

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INN FÉIN spokesperson on Children, Disability, Equality and Integration Kathleen Funchion TD has warned that no child can be left behind as schools reopen.

“Despite the fact that the new school term has begun, a number of key issues remain unanswered about how children with special educational needs can return to school safely.

“I have spoken with many families who are distraught about the ongoing lack of clarity about how children with special needs can return. These children and their families are being left in Limbo.

LOCKED OUT “Parents of children with autism, in particular, have warned that their children are distressed by teachers wearing masks and they are struggling to read social cues with teachers’ facial expressions covered.

“Children with special needs are entitled to a high standard of education and their families deserve to be listened to and supported.

“We cannot have children with additional needs or underlying medical issues left behind or locked out of education.

I am concerned this will happen if parents’ concerns are not addressed and if additional resources are not provided.

“I am calling on the Minister for Education to make sure that up-to-date, clear guidance is issued, accompanied by resources.”

Mint Medispa are our All-Stars L OCAL laser and skincare specialists have received All-Star accreditation.

Mint Medispa by Pembroke Kilkenny, located in our heart of the city has been honoured with a prestigious award adding to the All-stars of Kilkenny GAA. The Business All-Stars is a national recognition programme that shines a spotlight on Ireland’s best businesses.

The All-Stars celebrates a business success and entrepreneurship in a way that positions a business, a product or service as ‘best in class’ all of which builds more trust, authority and credibility.

To date over 300 Irish companies have received Business All-Star Accreditation from the foundation and have joined Tribe, The Register of Irish Business Excellence.

Mint Medispa is passionate about client care and serious about skin. The Mint team is highly knowledgeable and provides the highest quality services that deliver incredible results.

Lucie Dowling, Business

and HR Manager, Pembroke Kilkenny told The Kilkenny Observer: “We are thrilled the hard work and dedication of our team has been recognised, “In the Medispa industry trust is everything for the client, Mint has developed a team that customers trust and confide in but not only do our customers trust in one therapist, they believe in the team and their professionalism.”

Recent years have seen Mint receive many awards.

This year it was a nominee in the 2020 HR Awards – nominated for Best Employee Engagement Strategy and also received an award for RSVP Best Medispa award 2019.

Its parent company, Pembroke Kilkenny has also received Tripadvisor’s highest honour, Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Winner in the Best Romance category in Ireland, and in the top 1% of hotels globally.

Pictured Right: Vicky St John, left, supervisor and beauty therapist at Mint with Lucie Dowling, Business and HR manager at Pembroke Kilkenny

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Opportunity knocks Mental Health Support for Kilkenny teens for Anxiety and Stress T

HERE’S good news for Kilkenny’s classical teens as the Top Security Frank Maher Classical Music Awards for sixth years goes ahead with a €5,000 prize for the winner.

Violinist Mia Cooper, leader of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra (pictured) was at the photo call to launch the search for entries.

The county has had one finalist, cellist Robert Murphy in 2016, since the competition went nationwide in 2012, but no winners to date.

The awards were created in 2001 by Emmet O’Rafferty, chairman of the Top Security Group to honour the memory of his late teacher, Fr Frank Maher, a pioneer in the nurturing of musical talent in secondary schools.

Past winners have received national and international recognition for their achievements and used their prize money as a springboard to a professional career by funding their studies at some of the world’s most renowned music colleges and institutions.

The awards are open to sixth year secondary school students of string, woodwind, brass and piano.

The €5,000 top prize will be used by the winner to attend a recognised place of tuition, a course of study in Ireland or abroad or on a purchase necessary for the development of their talent. Finalists each receive a €300 bursary. Closing date for this year’s entries is September 11.

Competition night is October 2 at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin.

CLAIR WHITTY Nutritional Health Coach

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RECENTLY talked about a fantastic new product to help with a good night’s sleep called NHP Sleep Support.

There is also a timely new product from the same company called NHP Mental Health Wellbeing Support. This is a new supplement to help you cope with anxiety and stress, so that you find physical and emotional peace.

I think there are lots of us who could do with this supplement.

Since Coronavirus I have been asked frequently for remedies that can help with anxiety and stress. The stress could be due to finances or anxiety about getting the virus, or a second wave.

You may be experiencing high levels of stress working from home, have childcare problems, financial worries, and general anxiety.

vitamins, L-Theanine, and Magnesium. But it also contains Tyrosine, Turmeric, and Vitamin D3. These nutrients have been specifically chosen by Nutritionist Dr Marilyn Glenville PhD to help you cope mentally and emotionally during stressful times.

B vitamins in particularly B5 are important for adrenal support. During times of stress and anxiety the adrenal system has to work extremely hard to maintain balance for the body so it needs all the help it can get.

L-Theanine is to promote FEELINGS OF CALMNESS Mental Health Support has feelings of calmness. The amino what I would normally look for acid tyrosine has been shown in a supplement for anxiety: B to have beneficial effects on

cognitive performance during periods of sustained and severe stress.

Turmeric which most of us associate with inflammation is included to help with stressinduced anxiety. Vitamin D3 the sunshine vitamin helps to lift the mood and Magnesium which is considered ‘nature’s tranquiliser.’

TOUGH TIMES Mental Health Wellbeing Support could be the supplement that works for you especially if other remedies I suggested haven’t worked.

Higher Nature Balance For Nerves works well for my brother, and flower essences work well for me during periods of stress and anxiety. No one person is the same so don’t give up, keep trying there are lots of natural remedies and health care professionals that could help you feel better.

A combination of a healthy diet, a good night’s sleep, exercise, and relaxation can help get you through tough times.

Call in and talk to us at Market Cross Shopping Centre, Kilkenny. Email info@naturalhealthstore.ie phone: 056-7764538

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Observer reacts to shindig of great and good

A kick in the golf balls JIMMY RHATIGAN EDITOR

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HERE WAS a certain irony about the headlines on our daily newspapers following the resignation of Minister for Dung, Dara Calleary as Golfgate exploded following implosion.

The shame of how a posh shindig masquerading as a golf dinner was written over the front pages as mealy mouthed excuses were spluttered by attendees who genuflected and curtsied as they battled to untangle themselves from the chaos.

The message from the cocktail that is the old boys’ club, sprinkled with a dash of Bloody Marys was that it took a boozeup for the privileged to push Coronavirus onto the inside pages.

Yet, at the same time those who may have broken Covid restrictions or at least given the two fingers to said rules, were akin to rabbits caught in headlights as there was fear and obvious shame, not for going out to dinner, but for having been spotted in Posh Land.

STICK IN CRAWS The small ball game amongst the selfstyled big wigs of the Oireachtas Golf Society that led to a few drinks and posh nosh will forever and a day stick in the craws of those who attended.

‘I shouldn’t have’, ‘Going was an error of judgement’, the excuses were as lame as they were plentiful.

That the porous defences uttered were poor was no surprise but the real shock is that some of those present who might be regarded as the cream of our hated Golden Circle allowed themselves to be caught drinking from what proved to be a poison chalice.

That the D4-type knees-up was held in a Clifden, Galway Hotel was an irony in itself when one considers that Galway is also the home of the infamous Fianna Fáil Tent.

There was certain arrogance about the phe to another, akin to a drunk staggering home on a footpath that keeps on moving. dinner party.

The good news is that a Garda investigaHUE OF SNOBBERY tion has been ordered into the moronic Worse still, there was a hue of snobbery golf affair. encircling the invite only affair as those For the sake of the sanity of all of us that who would like to be accepted as the great must not end in any shambolic rap on the and the good did what the rest of us are knuckles. not allowed to do.

If ordinary folk party when they What turned out to be a Molotov Cock- shouldn’t they are vilified by the hierarchy, tail of circa 80 people, exploded in the the self-styled nobility of FF and FG. faces of a collection of so-called high proPerhaps we cannot argue with Varadkar, file public representatives.

Martin et al for that.

The latter included Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael party whips, a Minister, TDs and Sen- ONE LAW FOR RICH ators or perhaps former TDs and Senators, Now the time has come for a levelling of a a few small time big shots, ie councillors, playing pitch, even a golf course.

It must be demonstrated that there is an EU Commissioner and a retired RTE not one law for the rich and another for journalist.

There wasn’t a busy bin man or a brave the rest of us.

Heads must roll, every one of those who frontline nurse in sight.

The list of those attending, an arrogant certainly did not use their heads when debunch that ignored a killer called Covid, ciding to attend a celebration that, regardwas perhaps an accurate indicator of the less of what else they do in life, they will always be remembered for. two sides of poor old Mother Ireland.

The latter not with fondness, we suspect.

STAGGERING HOME Sceptre and crown must tumble down On one side of the coin is the aristocratic- and in the dust be equal made with the like group that we might call high society poor crooked scythe and spade. and on the other is the obedient and down James Shirley’s Death the Leveller is a to earth, many of whom will be still co- lesson from our school books at Kilkenny cooning and most will be respecting social CBS half a century ago. distancing.

Somebody, somewhere now has the Golfgate was, pardon the pun, perhaps opportunity to pen a few relevant verses the kick in the golf balls that signalled the about how life should be before the Grim death of the FF, FG, Green Coalition that Reaper calls. has been stumbling from one catastro- Big Phil’s Battle of Waterloo, See Page 20

Poet James Shirley wrote Death the Leveller

Funerals restricted but elite go golfing T

HERE must be a hole in the mind-set of the 80 or so attendees who flocked to the Oireachtas Golf Society Dinner in Clifden, Galway.

Speaker was local Sinn Féin TD, Kathleen Funchion who said the list included current and former FF and FG TDs and Senators.

Also there were a Supreme Court Judge, retired RTE journalist and a former FG office holder turned Chief Executive of the Banking and Payments Federation.

“All were gathered to discuss the needs of the rich and powerful.

“I doubt if there was any discussion of the housing crisis or the out of reach cost of renting for young people and their families.

“It is doubtful that hospital waiting

they won’t be inconvenienced themselves as their callous and disgraceful disregard for Covid Restrictions demonstrates.

“It was alright for people to make sacrifices in regard to weddings, first communions, confirmations, funerals and visiting loved ones but please don’t ask them to have to cancel a dinner with their ‘influential’ golfing buddies and perhaps miss out on a banking or interview tip.

“Ironically, had the Covid RestricCALLOUS AND DISGRACEFUL tions not been in place then this ‘select’ Ms Funchion continued: “This infa- gathering of the ‘entitled’ would have mous gathering should also serve as flown under the radar as this was the Kathleen Funchion TD a stark reminder of how this artificial 50th Anniversary of this group.” segment of society considers itself as lists, childcare costs, children’s needs above the rest of us.

SERIOUS DISTRACTION or the endless list of outstanding issues “They make the laws and rules for She also pointed out that another adthat confront the ordinary people fea- us to follow while they make sure that verse consequence of Golfgate is that it tured high in their priorities.

“I am proud to say that our party leader, Mary Lou McDonald, had not even heard of this elitist group.

“That is a compliment to her,” Funchion told The Kilkenny Observer.

“This is the same cohort that was determined to exclude Sinn Féin from government and to hold on to power.

“Let’s hope that people remember this when the chance comes and, hopefully soon, to replace them.”

has served as a serious distraction from other important matters.

Discussion had become focused on who resigned and who is to replace him or her and this was hogging news coverage.

“Our children have returned to school and their safety and the safety of those with whom they come in contact is of paramount importance.

“Children with special educational needs are entitled to receive the same high standard of education as others.”

(See Observer story Page 8).

Sinn Féin had called for an immediate recall of the Dáil. With the breaking of the Clifden Golf Dinner Scandal, Taoiseach, Micheál Martin was forced to make the concession of September 1 rather than a September 15 return,” Funchion concluded.

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WRITE ON RHATIGAN

Washing floors and chatting to God JIMMY RHATIGAN EDITOR

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Mrs Murphy

RS MURPHY is a religious woman.

She is a devout Catholic and has spent much of her life on her knees, either washing floors or chatting to her friend, The Man Above.

“Right back to my school days in the Presentation Convent then in James’s Street I have had an involvement in the Church and I am very proud of my religion.

“In my early days years I visited OAPs in our area to do little chores, lighting or cleaning out a fire, making a bed or simply chatting over a cuppa.

“I liked that, I enjoyed it and my payback, if you could call it that, was that I learned so much from the elderly.

“From the time His Nibs and me were married in St Mary’s Cathedral we have been regular church-goers.

“Tying the knot was a big day in our lives.

Our wedding breakfast was in the Metropole just down the street from what was then our parish church.

“Anyway, wedding bells and breakfasts have the makings of a story for another day.

I will pencil it into my note book.

“From the time I became friends with our now lifetime neighbour Mrs Brown, Brownie and I have attended Mass together almost every day, hail, rain or snow, barring illness.

“I will have to admit that my bunion was the spanner in the works on a few occasions.

“For Mrs Brown and me Mass was and

still is very special, we regularly went to confession, although we had very few sins to confess (Believe it or not?).

“When His Nibs retired from the then Smithwick’s Brewery he tagged along with us and when he reached pension age he sometimes slipped into Bollard’s of St Kieran’s Street for a ball of malt and a Guinness chaser.

“That was his reward for being a good boy, or at least that is what I told him.”

The latter is by way of explanation as to how much I missed Mass when churches were closed during the Coronavirus lockdown.

“The good habit of a lifetime was stolen from us. We continued to pray at home but going to church for me and His Nibs became very special.

“My daughter would grin at us and say we were going to church to pray for all the devilment we had got up to over the years.

“She was of course joking. Assumpta is a good girl, a regular church-goer too, and she brings our grandchildren along also.

“When the churches opened again in recent weeks that was our Manna from Heaven.

“It was great to be back and when I told Brownie that I’d said hello to God she looked and me and raised her eyes to Heaven.

“Morning Mass is now followed by a cuppa, a little bit of shopping for groceries, masks and all and a coffee and Snack Bar in Paris Texas on the way home.

“What more could you ask for?

“The message has to be scorn not simplicity.

“Chat again soon.

“God bless for now.”

“Lots of love, keep safe, Murph.”

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News – EDITORIAL EXTRA

Donkeys leave you sitting on your ass JIMMY RHATIGAN EDITOR

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F YOU come across a herd of donkeys grazing in a field there is no point of going among them in the hope of finding a Grand National winner.

Any surveillance exercise would be a futile one and you will end up making an ass of yourself.

Donkeys don’t run at Ascot or Aintree although punters who put their few Euros on preferred nags may just dispute that one.

Donkeys can win derbies, donkey derbies, that is their level, a fact of life.

Members of the Politburo that is our Dáil Éireann will know exactly where we are coming from.

Their across the board arrogance suggests that all Ministers, TDs and Senators see themselves as thoroughbreds capable of winning any race to the top.

A majority of our people

would most likely suggest otherwise at this time.

Any race would be to the bottom but the only real losers will be Jack and Jacqueline Citizen as the Fat Cats prowl, plunder and prosper.

FOXES AND HENS The make-up of our Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament means that there are more foxes than hens.

In other words the chickens we may rely on to lay the golden eggs haven’t a hope in Hell as any proposals to make life a little more comfortable for ordinary working people are hastily gobbled up as the Rhode Island Reds become top of any lunch menu.

Do we honestly believe that landlords, and the Dáil in particular is full of them, are going to vote against themselves in a bid to solve our housing crisis?

As a majority of those in all benches in Kildare Street are businessmen or women, we should not be surprised that a proposal to up the minimum wage was blown out of the water?

Thankfully, we now appear

to have a more alert public, copping on to the shenanigans of the so-called higher echelons of high society who cover each other’s backs and do all in their power to squash any mouse that threatens to squeak.

PUNY ATTEMPTS Golfgate should have taught a lot to those who wish to learn.

It was something that should never have happened, mainly for the safety of all of our people at a time when a killer virus is pecking at our backsides.

Sadly, any impromptu inquests or puny attempts at investigation by less than average journalists are merely skirting the real issues, concentrating on the peripherals.

Some will say that calling for the resignation of Commissioner Phil Hogan was akin to selling off our family jewels and that without him as a tough negotiator we may be cut asunder by the shrapnel of any Brexit explosion.

Those with such an opinion, most likely devotees of Fine Gael, just may be right, Hogan

would be a terrier at any negotiation table, a bulldog that could have saved our bacon.

We just may have scored an own goal.

IGNORING SINS But if further investigations are to continue, as they should, the unfortunate reality is that ignoring any sins that Big Phil may have committed, if indeed he has offended in any way, would surely open the gate for others who just may have ended up in Galway for what we might term selfish reasons.

Suggestions are wild as to what the golf/dinner was all about. There are many conspiracy theories, too many maybe from a source that is not exactly always reliable.

The latter is called Facebook, a home for keyboard warriors who love to say their tuppence worth, and, fair play to them, they are fully entitled to their views.

But the rest of us also have the privilege of holding opinions, different or otherwise.

An Irish stew of judges, politicians, bankers, vulture funds and maybe a few golfers,

male and female has fuelled being abused. And he is right speculation, no smoke without to be vocal. fire etcetera.

THOUGHT PROVOKING But there is seldom a shot over WEALTHY BUDDIES Those who will consider the bows of another tier of Irish themselves as experts would Society that, as we know from appear to be full sure that the the crash of our banks, likes to Galway gathering was merely play around with other people’s a modern version of wealthy money. It is all quite thought buddies, plotting and planning, provoking. Perhaps it is time for while ignoring the sacrifices thinking out loud.

Meanwhile, another local of frontline workers and the vulnerable who have virtually representative of the short but interesting series that was locked themselves up.

When any vultures may be the golf clubs and knives and hovering people immediately forks episode called Golfgate remains in a sort of Limbo as he prick their ears.

Perhaps the collection of may regret ever sitting into a car the so-called great and good, in Kilkenny for Galway.

He will insist that he has male and female was merely a celebration, albeit a two-finger done nothing wrong. But and to salute to the rest of us who are everyone’s satisfaction in local either cocooning in our homes politics, for those who may have or wrapped in face masks voted for him in particular he and carrying around rulers to should explain exactly why he should not emulate his FG Party ensure social distancing?

Or maybe it was a signal that friend by falling on his sword. As the real villains in our country with all of us, Councillor Martin are not those who may paint Brett will have his detractors. a front door for a tenner while That is a fact of life.

He can now lighten his collecting social welfare. by communicating People like An Tanáiste Leo load Varadkar tend to cause a furore publicly with his followers when there is any suggestion who are happy to place their that welfare payments are trust in him.

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Baby Maksis L

iene O’Brien lives in Paulstown with her husband Eoin and their two eldest children, Alex and Rebeka.

In December 2019, the couple welcomed baby Maksis, but tragically, he passed away in January due to a rare kidney disorder.

While processing her grief, Liene turned to art and has set up her own business to honour her son.

Today his mother shares the story with Kilkenny Observer readers of her little boy whose spirit lives on.

Maksis was born at 6pm on December 7, 2019 in St Luke’s General Hospital at 33 weeks gestation.

Labour went well and we heard him cry as soon as he entered the world. But it soon became clear that he had health issues.

The staff immediately set to work dealing with Maksis’s most serious issue, his inability to breathe on his own, before moving him to the special care baby unit (SCBU).

Meanwhile I was told that I needed surgery, during which I suffered a bleed and had to be transferred to intensive care.

Staff quickly realised that Maksis needed specialist care and would be transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at University Hospital Waterford.

While I was recovering, they brought Maksis to see me before he was transferred.

My little man was so fragile inside the box that was keeping him alive. He had an artificial airway and a machine to breathe and a lot of other tubes and sensors.

Loving family: Mother Liene O’Brien, dad Eoin with son Alex and daughter Rebeka at the hospital bedside of baby Maksis

On day six we got a call that the doctor wanted to speak with us. They suspected that Maksis had a genetic condition called Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease, which would severely impact his life-quality and expectancy.

Maksis would now need to be STOPPED BREATHING While travelling to Waterford, transferred to the National MaMaksis stopped breathing and ternity Hospital in Dublin. got to the NICU without a moVISIT FROM SANTA ment to spare.

Staff stabilised him and he was The shock was indescribable. We put on to an oscillator to help had expected to have a healthy baby boy and Maksis was so him breathe.

It was almost 6am before my content in his incubator, it was husband got to see him again. hard to believe he was so unwell.

That evening Maksis met his Maksis would spend the next few days in the NICU, while I grandparents and had his first would remain in Kilkenny for and only visit from Santa Claus; three days before I got a bed in a treasured but tragically sad Waterford and got to see my little memory.

In Dublin, the hospital social man again.

There were days where Maksis worker secured a place for us would start to breathe by himself, at Hugh’s House, a charity that then go backwards and end up supports families of seriously-ill children. on a breathing machine.

Our life became all about MakThe staff in the NICU were also concerned because he hadn’t sis’s numbers. How much had he produced much urine and his eaten? What was the increase or decrease in his fluids? tummy was starting to swell.

Our final question every day was whether there was a bed for him in Crumlin. Getting Maksis to Crumlin became almost like an obsession.

We felt that if we got him there, it was a sign that he was getting stronger; a step closer to getting him home.

Over the next few days, Maksis had visits from his grandparents from Cork and his grandmother from Latvia.

On Christmas Eve we said goodnight to Maksis and went back to Kilkenny to be with Alex and Rebeka on Christmas morning.

MOVED TO CRUMLIN Waking up at home without Maksis, I felt like I was leaving him out. We had breakfast and went back to Crumlin.

We did our best to stay positive, but it was hard as we saw Maksis become more and more swollen.

On New Year’s Day, we got a call to say that Maksis was being moved to Crumlin.

When we arrived at the Pedi- Baby Maksis fights for dear life

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How great thou art atric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), we immediately saw something was seriously wrong.

Maksis’s face had swollen beyond recognition overnight. The next few days were a nightmare.

Maksis deteriorated quickly and the news kept getting worse.

But at all times we had the support of family and friends.

The worst news came after a few days when we were told there was no further reasonable treatment.

We were destroyed emotionally. We begged them to try blood dialysis as a last hope.

They reluctantly agreed, but got us to agree that if Maksis deteriorated, that they would stop the treatment.

CHANGE OUR LIVES The first stage of the treatment was a success; but at 3pm it all stopped.

Maksis’s heart had almost failed and now it was too weak to try again. We decided to have Maksis baptised in the hope it might help.

As we made our way to his bed with his brother and sister who were meeting him for the first time, we received news that would change our lives forever.

Mum cradles her newly born son There were no more treatments left and Maksis only had a few days left.

For a parent, no one really wants to believe that there is no answer to a problem. We desperately searched for a wonder cure.

Once we had composed ourselves, we decided to spend the next few days doing all the things a parent should do with a child: we read stories, sang songs, gave him toys to touch and held his hand.

On January 9 he was moved to his own private room. It was at this moment I decided that I should be baptised on January 10.

FEW HOURS TO LIVE Later that morning the doctors informed us he would only have a few hours to live. I couldn’t believe it.

I felt that they were giving up, and that I was failing in my duty as a mother to keep my child safe.

Maksis passed away in my arms, surrounded by family at 5pm on January 10.

He had only experienced five and a half weeks of life, but had fought hard every day.

We took Maksis home that night. I promised that I would honour his memory. After a Funeral Mass, we buried Maksis in

Another tremendous work of art

Paulstown Graveyard.

For weeks afterwards, I would get upset at the sight of the clothes that he should be wearing.

I decided I needed to do something nice with them and came up with the idea of making a patchwork quilt.

I also decided to make Mak-

A drawing of an elephant by Liene, a reminder that a devoted family will never forget

sis’s mark on our home. I made a scrapbook art piece mixing his ultrasound images, hand and foot prints and an image of me holding his hand from the hospital.

dren together.

I was trying to create the memories that should have been. I found myself moving back to art to deal with my loss.

I had studied art in Ormonde College in Kilkenny. It has always CREATE MEMORIES been a favourite hobby, but inI drew pictures of Maksis from spired by Maksis’s fighting spirit hospital, but also of all three chil- I decided it was time to take it to

the next level and that I would label all my art as Maksis and Liene or M&L. I felt as if Maksis was helping me create these new artworks.

When I eventually showed friends and family, they loved them.

It was then that I decided to open an online shop. This would

be the way I could keep him alive in my heart.

I now have a shop on etsy. com called maksisandliene.

My promise to honour Maksis’s name has now taken shape.

I invite Observer readers to share in the newfound happiness and recovery that I have found in my/our art work.

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Observations Big Phil’s Battle of Waterloo with Jimmy Rhatigan

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T MAY be too late but it would not be at all surprising if Big Phil Hogan were to give up golf and dining as part of his New Year wishes for 2021.

And who could blame him?

For it was a combination of the former allied to a few car journeys that were to lead to an international incident that would see him falling on his sword.

Early indications that what was aptly christened Golfgate might be a mere storm in a teecup suggested that in no time at all the huffing and puffing about the now former EU Commissioner’s activities in his native country would be water under the bridge.

Don’t mention the war might have been Phil’s reaction if the latter were suggested to him.

While it was an Oireachtas Golf Society outing and grub up in Galway that were to lead to his quitting after what had to be the most hectic, traumatising week of his life, it will be his Former Commissioner Phil Hogan. Pic: Creator: Etienne Ansotte | Credit: EU/Shimera/Etienne Ansotte. Copyright: © EU war to bring in water charges for which he may always be best rethat copper-fastened St Luke’s as membered. the general hospital for the area.

He was a doughty scrapper in HATED CHARGES the giant boxing ring that at times The latter will be right up there can be the EU HQ in Brussels. with Custer’s Last Stand and He wore a green jersey, jabThe Pass of Thermopylae and bing, jabbing and jabbing again just might be his epitaph when in the hope of landing a knockout Phil pops his clogs. blow for his country of birth.

Hogan may feel that in his He was a respected speaker hour of need his Battle of Waand had made many friends in terloo may have come back to trade for Ireland. That those pals haunt him as he got little supmay now be history has to be a port from the grassroots, ie the worry after his sudden deparordinary folk of Ireland. ture.

If the son of Tullaroan hadn’t hardened us up as a people when he warned that he could reduce our water to a trickle as he fought to impose hated charges, then he might have got a more sympathetic public ear as he scrapped to save his EU career.

That he showed little mercy at the time, lashed into our people as if they were noisy neighbours didn’t help his cause as detractors set social media on fire with a combination of vitriol and anger that might even have upset the man who was credited with being thick skinned.

Phil who started out his life in farming tended to plough through what he saw as problems as opposed to talking his way out of them.

But, his razor-like tongue, when sharpened, could have the same effect as a gunslinger’s Colt 45.

Wild Bill Hikok

RASPY TONGUE Ironically, he had the gait of a gunfighter about to take on an enemy. He could easily have been Wild Bill Hickok, Wyatt Earp or Billy the Kid of another time.

He probably never toted a gun with the exception of his tender years in hurling legend Lory Meagher’s Tullaroan when he may have got a water pistol or a cap gun from Santa.

But he had other dubious gifts

Wyatt Earp

that may have brought him success and failure during 40 years in political life that catapulted him across Europe from the village of Tullaroan to the epicentre of Euro life that is Brussels, Belgium, the hot seat of a razzamatazz continent.

He could be quite pleasant but when the chips were down after the spuds had been peeled, he could stick you to a wall with a look and slice you to pieces with one swipe of his raspy tongue.

Friends and colleagues will say that he could be great company.

They will also confirm that he was an exceptional politician, a delivery man who, among other successes, helped to ensure the survival of Stephens Barracks in Kilkenny City, and championed the cause of Belview Port in South Kilkenny.

He was also responsible for securing the funding to build the most recent extension at St Luke’s General Hospital, a move

GALVANISED ARMY Farmers loved or loathed him depending on their mood. A plus for them was that the son of the soil obviously had a greater grá for rustic Ireland than he had for city heartlands and suburbia.

After many political scraps, most of which he won, the exception was his water charges project which he led with blood and thunder as his gale-force wind did its utmost to blow away any protests.

But his gargantuan crusade to browbeat people was to have the opposite effect as he became an icon of dislike, to put it mildly.

This served to galvanise a massive army of protest that turned its metaphorical water cannons on him and his hopes of success were soon drowned in a flood of marches that he simply didn’t have the wherewithal to halt.

The irony was that a warrior who tended to walk through a door, metaphorically speaking of course, in preference to opening it, was to fizzle out in an incident that started out as a social golf affair, continued as a war of words and died in a vale of tears in the midst of a pandemic.

CLOSE TO TEARS Even the hardest of water charges campaigners may have been moved.

Phil was close to tears as he announced that he was to resign his post.

It was sad that his human face that mirrored humility and decency was visible only after the final chapter in a hard-working EU career.

Reasonably cool, calm and collected but with tears welling, he explained why he was moving on but was as defiant as only he can be as he declared his innocence.

The next time he is invited to play golf or join a dinner party with any motley mix of judges, myriad politicians, bankers, vulture funds and others who may sit comfortably under the umbrella of high society, he just may pass up the offer.

Once bitten and all that.

Where to from here?

Not an easy one to even guess but the notion is that at 60 he still has lots of energy and undoubted talent.

ONE OF OUR OWN He certainly won’t be hungry or thirsty, his EU wallet of departure will see to that so any Covid Unemployment Assistance will hardly be applied for.

As for the other 80 who were alleged to be wining and dining in Clifden, Galway, any witch hunt may continue.

That is the mood of our people.

Phil’s resignation that followed the sword fall by political colleague, Agricultural Minister Dara Calleary, another guest at the ill-fated party, may have opened a can of worms.

It may or should be asked why any of them should get away with acting the maggot at a time when a deadly invisible killer preys on our fear-ridden country that could be headed for another lockdown.

We should turn the other cheek and wish Phil well.

After all, whether we like it or not, he is one of our own.

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Children love Salmon’s

PERKY PIGS

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HE KILKENNY relation of Bram Stoker, the writer who created Count Dracula in the late 1800s is continuing to follow in the footsteps of his famous extended family member.

Frank Salmon of Essaness Music, St Kieran’s Street, Kilkenny has just published his second children’s book, a brilliant follow-up to his very successful writing debut, The Chronicles of Hamalot.

His great, great grand uncle, Abraham ‘Bram’ Stoker was a dab hand with what was most likely a quill when he produced his 1897 Gothic horror novel Dracula.

Stoker’s writings that were to lead to a series of films that proved so popular world-wide had their central figure in one Count Dracula considered to be the prototypical and the archetypal vampire of works of fiction.

While the literary genius of yesteryear concentrated on vampires, our modern day scribe, a talented local musician, focuses on pigs in a planned series of fantastic colour and wit that have hit the spot with both parents and children.

FANTASTIC FACILITIES The first offering, The Chronicles of Hamalot in which the main character is King Porker was warmly welcomed and proved a big hit thanks to the support of local libraries including Kilkenny, Waterford and Laois where children enjoyed support readings by the author.

“It is a pleasure to be working closely with the libraries, fantastic facilities for young and young at heart and I would love to extend my visits to Carlow and Tipperary Libraries,” Frank Salmon told The Kilkenny Observer.

“The second book, Legends of Hamalot is a worthy follow up to book one. It is now in 27 local shops in the region and I hope to boost that to 50 stores.”

Book one involves a king, queen, castle and workers and pigs are enlisted to protect the castle and country.

The young fellow in the second book, in keeping with the swine theme, is called I am Grunt.

The latter is a young gun who likes the idea of being a knight.

Top: Writer Frank Salmon’s new book Right: Frank with his Old English Sheepdog which, sadly, has passed away to the great Sheepdog Graveyard in the sky

HEARS MOANING Ambling through a forest he hears moaning and spots a creature caught in a trap.

He cuts the creature down and discovers that it is a Hamasarus.

The latter thanks I am Grunt.

Then on the way into a castle, Grunt is arrested and put in chains. He sends out an SOS and Hamasarus responds.

Grunt hops on to his rescuer’s back and with knights out shaking their fists Hamasarus poos down on top of them.

Although this book is less than a month on sale it is already getting the thumbs up from enthusiastic children.

In the next book, Frank plans

to introduce the daughter of the king and queen to avid readers.

He is also planning to write a song suitable for children to sing and play on tin whistles.

Illustrations in the new book are again by talented local man Billy Doran who does a superb job.

Printing by Perfecto Print, Dublin Road, Kilkenny is absolutely magnificent.

The local Salmon family relationship with Bram Stoker is through Frank’s mother who was Mary Stoker Dixon, a sister of Bram’s mother.

Frank’s dog, Sevi was called after professional Spanish golfer, Sevi Ballesteros.

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Brave woman bounces back in business CHUBBY BRENNAN’S CASTLECOMER

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BRAVE woman who opened a new local business in early March only to be shut down a week later by Covid is now bouncing back again in times that are still tough.

The business is called Clare Caron Ceramics & Made Medieval Kilkenny and is based at the Craft Yard of Castlecomer Discovery Park.

A Stephen Pearce candle holder got Clare into the addictive art of pottery at the age of four.

“I used it as an egg cup back then, it just delighted me and I still have it.

“I love being inspired by everyday objects; the mug I use for that first morning cuppa, the platter when guests come over, the Japanese tea cups I collect.

“I believe the things we see such as art works or use every day, should have special meaning to us and handcrafted objects have a ‘personality’ of their own. Clare Caron “Ceramics allows me to make both beautiful sculptural objects and everyday practical things. I try to give each item I make a special quality, a sense of detail, a particular aesthetic, so that they will give pleasure to whoever uses them.

“Living in Kilkenny and having an interest in social history led me and some artist friends to make a series of Medieval Art and Craft pieces such as jugs, platters, goblets, tankards, art prints, paintings and sculptural pieces based on Celtic and Viking Medieval archaeological artefacts.

“This section of my business is called Made Medieval Kilkenny.

“In my own personal and contemporary range, Clare Caron Ceramics you will find references to my French ancestry, Irish culture, to New Zealand where I lived for a while, to flora and fauna and where possible, simplicity - for I love to pare things down, as much as possible, to reveal their essence.”

Chubby Brennan and The Kilkenny Observer have wished Clare well in her brave enterprise.

Erin’s Own GAA Club receive kit sponsorship from David Buggy of Kia Motors

PARISH WEBPAGE The Parish Webpage has changed. It is more user friendly with regular updates.

The address is castlecomerparish.ie.

Things you can do: look up current and previous newsletters; see the Mass Readings of the Day and the following weekend; up to date parish news; and the anniversaries of the dead of the parish (a work in progress); opportunity to make donations to the parish via diocesan page.

And of course, an ability to link into church web cam. There are so many more opportunities for the future.

Fr Michael Ryan Tel: 4441262 - 086 3693863, Fr Ian Doyle Tel: 087-9669223 Secretary: Tel: 056-4441969, Email: BLAST FROM THE PAST: Miners light up after a tough stint underground castlecomer@ossory.ie

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Friendship thrives in Murty’s Little Poland JIMMY RHATIGAN EDITOR

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ITH THE promptings and support of people like Newpark man Murty Brennan our city now has a thriving Polish Community with numbers rocketing to 1,200 plus.

A relationship between kindred spirits, fostered and driven by the pro-active Polish Embassy in Dublin, meant that Polish families came here to live and work and very quickly became part of a warm and welcoming local community.

Events like the Polska Éire Festival, started in 2015 through

contacts and regular communication with Twilight, Kilkenny and in particular with the greater Eastern Environs of St John’s Parish helped to foster strong inter-cultural relations.

Different nationalities soon discovered that they had many similar interests, Irish and Polish dancing, soccer, social activities, historic and cultural events.

Young Polish enjoyed learning our Irish Language. Children learned quickly as word soundings were similar.

A Polish school for junior infants to Leaving Certificate proved to be very successful in tandem with our local Gaelscoil.

Concentration was on Polish culture, history and language along with the Irish Curriculum.

WORKING CLOSELY The school is now seeking alternative accommodation as due to Covid restrictions more space will be needed for all classes.

Polish families have set up businesses here and there are many Polish Shops, including Mercury, a well-stocked business in Hebron Industrial Estate.

Families, parents, sons and daughters have successfully integrated into local clubs and organisations, Polish leaders working closely with Kilkenny volunteers.

The HQ for what we respectfully call Little Poland is at the Polish Consulate at 15A Hebron House, Hebron Business Centre under the leadership of

Twilight chief Murty Brennan, a facility that now covers the South East and Cork.

Murty is honorary consul and delights in the huge progress that has been made integrating two different cultures that retain their own values and beliefs and share myriad interests.

The HQ has the support of the legal department of the Polish Embassy.

Something to look forward to was the Polska Éire Festival scheduled for Novermber22, UNICEF’s International Children’s Day but that may now be deferred to next year because of Covid-19.

The consulate remains open from Monday to Friday, Polish Consul, Murty Brennan, left, with popular pensioner Joe Daly 10.30am to 2pm.

The anniversary of Solidarity Poland ready to take advantage of the opportunities that emerged.

On the other hand, the communist authorities – in line with Gorbachev’s guidelines – had to negotiate with someone, and in Poland they had that someone.

Thus, began the process that led to the dismantling of the communist system.

Countries of Central Europe made great use of the opportunities that opened up for them after the fall of communism.

With one caveat: in the course of the transformations, the legacy of the political thought born in the 1970s and 1980s was lost.

Since 1989, the simplest action plans were introduced that reduced politics to economic issues. There was no reflection on the possibilities offered by the free market, believing that it would solve all problems.

By Professor Timothy Snyder, HISTORIAN

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HE creation of Solidarity is one of the most important events in the history of Poland and the world at the end of the 20th century.

It became a moment that changed the essence of the Leninist system. Before that, the communist party had a monopoly on power.

This changed when Solidarity was founded. It was then that a generation of activists was formed and sat down to negotiate at a Round Table, then played a key role in democratic Poland.

Without the August Agreements and Solidarity that was then born, the elections on June 4, 1989 would not have taken place.

That Solidarity was legalised on August 31, 1980 was significant for three reasons.

• It was a signal that communism did not last forever. Previously, this system seemed insurmountable; no-one could imagine proposing an alternative.

• Solidarity proved that a new, post-war Poland had been born. That not only a communist state existed, but also a society of Polish people that did not identify with it.

• Solidarity demonstrated that there was a real civil society in Poland that discussed its values and directions of development.

Solidarity made these discussions possible.

Huge support for Solidarity

Such experiences where co-operation counts and building relationships is essential constitute very valuable capital.

The strikes are not only a form of protest – they also are a form of building a new movement, ACTIVISTS LEARNED In Poland, successive generations creating new structures.

This was the most important of opposition activists learned from previous ones – those who thing in August 1980 at the protested earlier.

Gdansk Shipyard.

Strikes

should not be viewed only as a revolt against the communist government.

They were also examples of long-term thinking, and establishment of a movement.

The fall of communism is also a consequence of the policies pursued by Mikhail Gorbachev.

The Soviet leader clearly did not understand to what extent the external empire was an

integral part of the entire system.

Today, Russians strongly criticise Gorbachev for the decisions he made at the end of the 1980s. This criticism, however, is exaggerated.

TACTICAL MISTAKES Yes, he did make tactical mistakes, but his concept of politics was a very bold experiment. He introduced

its essence to Erich Honecker, the communist leader of the German Democratic Republic, to whom he said explicitly that he allowed each country of the socialist bloc to choose its own path of development.

It was a hugely important historic step.

It turned out to be a tactical mistake, because there had already then been activists in

FREE MARKET But it does not work that way.

One must not forget about politics, also while introducing free market solutions.

This element was missing in the 1990s. Very quickly, Poland and other countries in the region forgot about plain and simple solidarity.

Events of 1989 would not have happened without the Solidarity movement, but also without the classically understood solidarity between people.

Later it was put aside. The lack thereof in the thinking about the changes of the ‘90s still lingers in the countries of the entire region.

The text is published simultaneously in the Polish monthly magazine Wszystko Co Najwazniejsze (Everything What is Most Important).

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Running repairs as John wields his sprong

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usy as a bee, talented Nowlan Park head groundsman, Castlecomer’s John Coogan was prolific with his fork, once called a sprong, as he carried out running repairs during the senior hurling championship between Bennettsbridge and Graigue Ballycallan.

There were lots of skilful hurlers on the pitch but there were those who would have given the man of the match to the man who plays The Dame in Deen Players annual panomime

Still in love after 71 years wed

Happy marriage: Paddy and Peggy

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OPULAR local couple, Paddy and Peggy Fitzgerald 39 Collins Park Callan are celebrating the 71st anniversary of their marriage.

They were married on August 31, 1949 at 8am in the Church of the Assumption Callan by Fr Daly, CC Callan.

Peggy’s sister Joan was maid

of honour and bestman was Paddy’s brother John.

Breakfast for 20 was at the Metropole Hotel, Kilkenny Citt at 10.30am. Enjoyed was chicken and ham that cost the princely sum of 12/6p per head.

Peggy and Paddy have lived at No. 39 Collins Park for the last 67 years where they reared a

family of 10, 7 sons and 3 daughters with an extended family of 14 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. They love each other’s company and are at their happiest when they are with their with their extended family.

The couple would like to convey their thanks to all who sent their kind wishes and regards.

Modern hurling is like Hamlet without the Prince

Surreal: There wasn’t a saint or a sinner to be seen in the stands or standing areas at Nowlan Park over a busy hurling weekend. Fair play to the GAA, they were adhering to Covid rules but one has to ask why a safe distancing crowd of sensible numbers could not be admitted.

The modern phenomenon that is empty sports grounds is a akin to Hamlet without the Prince.

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Friary Court Dental and Facial Clinic upgrade F RIARY COURT Dental practice now Friary Court Dental and Facial Clinic has been practising dentistry in Kilkenny since 1980.

It was originally on High Street and then moved to its current custom built location on Friary Street in 1985.

Yvonne Finlay and Josephine Leahy have treated patients at the practice collectively for over 20 years.

Yvonne will continue to provide quality caring dentistry to all patients, adult and child, and has a more recent interest in facial aesthetics, ie Anti-Wrinkle.

Josephine will continue applying her lifelong professional skills treating children and any nervous patients.

Kilkenny native Eoin Gough recently joined the team having previously practised in Cork post qualification.

Eoin hopes to expand and grow his patient list under the experienced guidance of Yvonne and Josephine.

Eoin’s particular areas of interest are making nervous patients feel comfortable and at ease throughout their dental visit as well as having an avid interest in the aesthetic side of dentistry, ie helping to restore patients’ confidence in their teeth and smile.

from Australia after performing similar roles in dental practices there.

The team at Friary Court Dental and Facial

Laura is a very welcome Eoin enjoys sport as a keen hurler for local club Dicksboro. addition to the team as she is providing the first of planned new treatment offerings for EXCITING ADDITION A further exciting addition to the patients of Kilkenny and clinical team is Laura Beschiu, surrounds.

There is a fantastic special Specialist Orthodontist.

Laura has been practising introductory offer for anyone in orthodontic orthodontics since 2008. interested Please see Her first clinic starts on treatments. accompanying advertisement.

September 23.

Please call to make an appointment on 056-77-65613.

Each of the clinicians is ably supported by a nurse receptionist and hygienist team.

Receptionist, Margaret Ann has been politely welcoming patients to the practice for 30 plus years, greeting almost all on a first name basis.

Linda Beale a senior nurse

now has 20 years’ experience assisting practice patients.

Most of the nursing team have over 10 years’ experience assisting both clinicians and patients.

A recent new appointment is another native of Kilkenny.

Shaunagh Walshe is Practice Business Manager and nurse.

Shaunagh has returned home

STATE OF THE ART In the recent practice downtime during the Covid Lockdown, a number of upgrades and improvements have been put in place.

There is a complete upgrade to digital x-rays throughout to include a modern state of the art Orthopantomogram (OPG).

There is also upgrade to the decontamination room with installation of modern equipment, more important than ever due to Covid risk.

Surgery room upgrade includes a new hygiene and teeth whitening suite.

There are extensive new IT and computer upgrades throughout.

New website design and launch on the way…Watch Social Media for updates.

Hopefully all patients will like the new look and appearance with a complete paint makeover inside and out.

All of the above however is only the beginning. There are a number of further planned changes earmarked and in the pipeline for the practice.

It is intended to keep you all updated on these new developments.

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Jimmy’s book of love will

Jimmy, his mother Annie and brother Noel, far right, with New York relatives

JIMMY RHATIGAN EDITOR

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Saunders family of 10 has been a mishmash of courage, heartbreak, joy and a bond that would survive a belt from any sledgehammer.

At the fulcrum of any family focus would be the moving on of the father figure, the commitment and loyalty of a matriarch who gave unselfishly of herself to ensure the wellbeing of her offspring.

Unsurprisingly, with anthracite mining as the key economic activity in the region, the pits would have been in the background or even at the heart of most family stories in North Kilkenny for generations.

The Saunders family was no different but the debut book has a distinct home, sweet home emphasis.

It centres on a family moving in a different direction following the deadly blow that was the closure of the underground.

There is a sad reminder of the early deaths of brother and sister, Vincent and Ann; times of good cheer when the postman knocked with a postal order from a sibling in exile.

HAT a proud son of Castlecomer loves his mother with a combination of passion and loyalty hardly makes him unique.

As is the wont of millions of young boys around the world, he has a special relationship with his mum.

But perhaps what makes James Gerrard Saunders, popularly Jimmy, so special is his fantastic relationship with all members of his family, mother, brothers and sisters, including his twin and his pride and joy, his own 21 year old son Jordan.

We are still reluctant to lumber Jimmy with the word unique but the delight with which he speaks about his Saunders Clan is, to say the least, admirable.

Those who can empathise with Jimmy and his devotion to family or indeed may long to have enjoyed his privilege; should enjoy his first book, From The Outside In which tells of the first 13 years of his life at Mary- HOME ALONE Devoted mother Annie Saunmount in ‘Comer. ders, now 91, is in good form and HEARTBREAK AND JOY gagging to get back to swimming The comings and goings of the post pandemic.

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be a treasured heirloom

Jimmy with his loving mum

She was always the ultimate in resilience particularly when home alone with her children.

With her were Jimmy and his beloved twin sister Philomena and their brother Martin Anthony Saunders who passed away last year and to whom the book is dedicated.

A cottage industry with a staff of one was to help pay for feeding hungry children.

Head of the household Annie now became a machinist as her dress-making skills often meant that the turning up of a trousers or the stitching of a dress brought in a bag of potatoes or a few heads of cabbage.

Financial help from family members we respectfully call Wild Geese who had flown the coop to travel was to ensure that any Mother Hubbard cupboard was never bare.

The chapters in Jimmy Saunders’s paperback are in contrast with the high profile that Jimmy enjoyed during a hectic 18-year spell in England.

FAMILY IS EVERYTHING He was a popular disc jockey, singer, musician, producer and entertainer who shared the stage with world famous English three-piece Imagination and Boy George.

He was involved and is still

steeped in hi-tech music, playing bass, rhythm and electric guitar and keyboards as he also delights in jazz.

While he enjoyed his successful stage career, his heart was always in ‘Comer and will be forever and a day.

His long term goal is to make a movie, not about his musical career but around his family, particularly his loving mother.

“I am so proud of my family, great people all of them, and a truly wonderful mother, without whom nothing would be as good as it is. Family is everything.

“Our most recent death was my brother Martin. Aged only 56 Martin’s loss was a huge blow.

We had been doing some work at his home looking forward to him going home from hospital but when the work finished he passed away within two days.

A LOVELY FEELING “When our family home was still in ‘Comer, I made it a tradition to drive there every New Year’s Night, to visit our house, to ramble to the local school and playground where I spent my early years and to wish all my family a happy New Year.

“The ‘Seventies is still in my mind. It is a lovely feeling.”

Other members of the Saunders family are Michael, Jean,

Twins Philomena and Jimmy with Annie and Noel

Noel and Thomas.

Jimmy and Philomena were the last of the babies. “My twin is my rock. She was really brilliant when I had open heart surgery, a double by-pass,” said Jimmy “She was a teacher in the United States for 20 years and came home to help mum and ended up looking after the two of us.

“Noel lives in Danesfort, I

am in Glendine. Kilkenny City and mum is in Loughboy with Philomena at the other side of the city. Mum and Phil are devoted church-goers.

MUSICAL CAREER “Me? I have just finished writing my first book and am now looking forward to penning a second and maybe a third, with my mother at the heart of it all.

“I started my book some six years ago and ironically it was cocooning during Coronavirus that gave me the time and energy to get the job done.

“I will be 53 on October 22. I will be looking to continue my musical career from January and look forward to upping my efforts to finally beat cigarettes that I have cut down from 35 a day to 10-12 daily.”

The book is on sale at €12.99 in The Book Centre, High Street, Khan’s Bookshop, James’s Street and Bargains’ Bookshop in The Butterslip.

Jimmy’s book is already selling well on both sides of the Atlantic.

The prize pages will be an heirloom to be treasured by the Saunders family for generations to come.

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Sport – KEEPING IT LOCAL

Shamrocks ease past Rower Inistioge I

NJURY HIT Rower Inistioge got little sympathy from Shamrocks who turned on the style to crush any hopes the film village had of causing an upset in the senior hurling championship.

With several walking wounded it has been a tough campaign for the Rower Inistioge now in real danger of falling off the senior ladder and ending in the inter-

mediate grade.

The weekend will tell a real tale as they will be fighting for their lives against Graigue Ballycallan that has also had its share of injury woes but last weekend they looked quite nimble and determined as they gave Bennettsbridge a real test despite having a man red carded.

See GAA pages 38&39

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Memory Lane with GAA scribe Jim Fogarty

Cats win senior and minor, U21 crowns 2003 U-21 FINAL SEMPLE STADIUM, THURLES. KILKENNY 2-13, GALWAY 0-12.

B

EFORE AN attendance of 15,135, Galway started brightly with midfielder Kevin Brady firing over an inspirational long range point in the first minute.

Shane Hennessy for Kilkenny and Ger Farragher exchanged points from frees, before Conor Phelan gave Kilkenny the lead.

Galway stayed in touch for most of the first half through Farragher’s frees. The Cats punished Galway five minutes before the interval when Aidan Fogarty unleashed an unstoppable shot to the Galway net.

Kilkenny led by 1-7 to 0-7 at half time.

The decisive score of the final came 50 seconds only into the second half. A Galway defender was in possession, when he stumbled and fumbled the ball

just yards from the goal.

Kilkenny’s Peter Cleere pounced on the loose ball and passed to Conor Phelan who blasted to the net from close range.

Hennessy added a 40-yards free to put the Leinster champions seven points ahead with 25 minutes to go.

Points from impressive subs Niall Healy and John Paul O’Connell gave Galway some hope.

However, Kilkenny were too strong all over the park and were able to tag on a score or two, whenever Galway looked like threatening their lead.

Kilkenny regained their sevenpoint advantage.

Conor Phelan was man of the match. Aidan Fogarty, Peter Cleere and Michael Rice gave most support to the outstanding Phelan in the winner’s attack.

The Kilkenny half back line of Ken Coogan, Jackie Tyrrell and JJ Delaney formed a solid wall which Galway could not breach.

Tommy Walsh and Shane Hennessy held sway in midfield.

None of Galway’s six starting forwards scored from play. Brave midfielder Kevin Brady tried his hardest to encourage his colleagues.

Galway subs Healy and O’Connell improved their attack.

Minor star Healy showed a willingness to engage the Kilkenny defence with direct running.

David Collins and Fergal Moore were best of a besieged Galway defence.

Referee was Michael Wadding,Waterford.

The result meant that Galway had lost six All-Ireland U21 finals in seven years.

Kilkenny scorers: Conor Phelan 1-4, Aidan Fogarty 1-1, Shane Hennessy 0-4 (4fs), Tommy Walsh 0-2, Peter Cleere 0-1, Brian Dowling 0-1.

Galway scorers: Ger Farragher 0-7 (7fs), Kevin Brady 0-2, Niall Healy 0-2, John Paul O’Connell 0-1.

Kilkenny: David Herity (Du-

namaggin), Mark Phelan (Glenmore), Canice Hickey (Dunamaggin), Ger Joyce (Emeralds), Ken Coogan (Tullaroan), Jackie Tyrrell (James Stephens), captain, JJ Delaney (Fenians), Shane Hennessy (Tullaroan), Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan), Conor Phelan (Clara), Peter Cleere (Blacks & Whites), Willie O’Dwyer (Mullinavat), Aidan Fogarty (Emeralds), Michael Rice (Carrickshock), Brian Dowling (O’Loughlins).

Subs: Sean O’Neill (Dunamaggin) for Dowling. Eoin McCormack (James Stephens) for Cleere. Richie O’Neill (Kilmacow), Chris O’Neill (Graignamanagh), Colin Dunne (Erin’s Own), Niall Doherty (Galmoy), Conor O’Loughlin (Dicksboro), Niall Moran (St Martin’s).

Galway: Aidan Diviney (Oranmore-Maree), David Collins (Liam Mellowes), Tony Óg Regan (Rahoon/Newcastle), Fergal Moore (Turloughmore), captain, Shane Kavanagh

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 jimfog1@gmail.com or at 086-1512946.

(Kinvara), Eoin Lynch (Portumna), Adrian Cullinane (Craughwell), Kevin Brady (Castlegar), Brian Mahony (Loughrea), Richie Murray (St Thomas), Tom Tierney (Kilnadeema-Leitrim), Damien Hayes (Portumna), Kenneth Burke (St Thomas), Ger Farragher (Castlegar), David Greene (Ardrahan).

Back : Shane Hennessy, Ken Coogan, Tommy Walsh, John Phelan, Jackie Tyrrell (capt.), Canice Hickey, Peter Cleere, Conor Phelan, Colin Dunne, Sean O’Neill.

Middle: Ger Joyce, Aidan Fogarty, Michael Rice, Richie O’Neill, David Herrity, Mark Phelan, J.J. Delaney, Brian Dowling, Willie Dwyer Front: Chris O’Neill, Eoin McCormack, Michael Grace, Conor O’Loughlin, Niall Moran, Niall Doherty, Martin Phelan, Ned Sweeney

Subs: Niall Healy (Craughwell) for Burke. John Paul O’Connell (Carnmore) for Greene.

William Donnellan (Craughwell) for Tierney. Colm Callanan (Kinvara), David Hayes (Kiltormer), Peter Garvey (Sarsfields), Cathal Dervan (Mullagh), Adrian Diviney (Beagh), Kevin Briscoe (Mullagh).

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Sport – KEEPING IT LOCAL

ALL GUNS BLAZING JIMMY RHATIGAN EDITOR

C

OVID-HIT local hurling championship senior and intermediate campaigns will come to an abrupt end for eight clubs this weekend.

Those who have made it to the business end of the St Canice’s Credit Union and Michael Lyng Hyundai competitions will do battle for ‘semi’ spots.

The less fortunate, those who may have been unlucky or didn’t make the cut will scrap for their lives in relegation shoot-outs.

If a game is level at full time, there will be 10 minutes each

way and then it will come down to spot kicks.

The latter is likely for any game as matches must be finished. Replays are out, penalty shoot-outs are in, finishes that will bring mixed views from team managers but often seen as exciting by supporters.

Following further clampdowns on fans many supporters will follow the games on local streaming outfits at local venues.

INJURED PLAYERS Staying at home is the new going out as streaming is in vogue, not because supporters are voting with their feet by staying away but because those who make the health rules have deemed that games should be non-supporter events as Covid

within two points of the ‘Bridge Club that now meets high flying Dicksboro in UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday at 2pm.

The other game The Kilkenny Observer focused on was Ballyhale Shamrocks versus a very understrength Rower Inistioge and the inevitable happened as Shamrocks cruised to a 4-34 to 0-8 victory.

What happened up to now matters little except that matches to date have provided great entertainment despite the fact that only 200 were admitted and that included teams, club management and some fans.

The teams and mentors are now home alone as supporters were shown a Covid red card in the interest of public health and HOME ALONE To their credit, the underdogs safety, according to the rule whittled down the lead and got makers. has rebounded following a lockdown that appeared to make our country a safer place.

The latter stages of competitions usually separate the men from the boys but for those who did reach the last eight it was not always plain sailing.

For instance, battling Graigue Ballycallan, a club that has been forced to fight without a number of injured players, put Bennettsbridge to the pin of its collar.

The latter was despite the fact that the Graigue Ballycallan boys had a player sent off in the opening minutes of the second half after they trailed by 0-11 to 0-6 at half time.

This weekend’s games with Observer forecasts Saturday, St Canice’s Senior Hurling Championship quarter-finals, Nowlan Park 2pm, Dicksboro v Bennettsbridge Dicksboro to win 5pm, O’Loughlin Gaels v Erin’s Own Gaels to blow to the ‘semis’ Sunday quarter-finals Nowlan Park, 2pm, Clara v Ballyhale Shamrocks.

Shamrocks to win Same venue, 5pm, James Stephens v Mullinavat Stephens to succeed St Canice’s Credit Union Relegation semi-finals Páirc Lachtain, Freshford, 12 noon Tullaroan v Danesfort Tullaroan to win Dunnamaggin, 3.30pm Graigue Ballycallan v Rower Inistioge Graigue Ballycallan to win Saturday, Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Relegation semi-finals Clara, 12 noon, Carrickshock v St Patrick’s Saints to conquer St John’s Park, 12 noon, John Lockes v Fenians John Lockes to win Sunday, Michael Lyng Motors Hundai Intermediate quarter-finals (all 12 noon) Callan, Thomastown v O’Loughlin Gaels Thomastown to win Tullaroan, Dunnamaggin v St Lachtain;’ Dunnamaggin to win Bennettsbridge, Glenmore v St Martin’s Glenmore to win Canon Kearns Park, Castlecomer, Lisdowney v Young Irelands Young Irelands to win

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Shoot-outs may decide fate of clubs

Like elite athletes, you can be healthy

By Eoin Everard Physiotherapy

I

WROTE this article a good few years ago from an Irish athletic camp in the Pyrenees Mountains.

There was a mix of elite senior athletes and some younger athletes trying to get the benefit of altitude.

I got the pleasure of doing the physio for these athletes plus get some training done myself. Win, win. Here goes: Talking and seeing the very best guys here and comparing them to the up and comers there are a few distinct differences which I think would benefit anyone for better health.

The first thing I noticed was that although the very elite athletes train extremely hard (both quantity of sessions and the difficulty) they rarely get sick.

I train 11 times a week and touch wood have not been sick in about five years.

This is a similar pattern with athletes much better than myself and can be missing with athletes slightly below that ‘elite’ level.

Therefore, I have tried to sum up what these elite athletes do to keep healthy and will discuss how it could benefit you.

1. GOOD NUTRITION IS KEY This is the main difference from talking to those elite athletes who have stayed healthy and

consistent over the years compared to those who have picked up regular infections or colds.

Vegetables are nearly in every meal and sweets and treats are kept to a minimum.

Athletes occasionally have treats. They substitute good foods for poor foods. White pasta is replaced with brown rice.

Sweet potato takes the place of normal potatoes. Veg is added to everything. Taking multi-vitamins will never replace eating veg and fruit because we still do not know how all the multivitamins work together in our fruit and vegetables to give us the benefits we see.

Eat plenty of fruit and veg.

Substitute good foods for poor ones. Diets and denial don’t work.

Substituting in good food is key. You need the nutrients for good health much more than a lack of calories.

2. THEY SLEEP A LOT Elite athletes sleep for many hours during the night and then can also go for a nap in the middle of the day.

Paula Radcliffe apparently slept 16 hours a day. Obviously this is not practical for most people.

But getting an extra half an hour of sleep at night is. How about on Saturday or Sunday giving yourself an hour after dinner to go to sleep for 45 minutes?

3. ROUTINE IS CRUCIAL The athletes I am around and me included have a set routine.

They go to bed roughly the same time and wake up roughly at the same time.

They eat regularly and work or relax at set times.

Why is this important?

You are training your body to respond the way you want. You can’t expect to fall into a deep

sleep at 10.30 at night if you have been going to sleep at 1,2 or 3 for years.

It takes 21 days to get used to not having takeaways and get a taste for healthier foods.

Consistency and time are needed for great health. Get a routine to get healthy.

4. HARD DAYS FOLLOWED BY EASY DAYS For athletes, this is related to training. They don’t go hard every day.

They train very hard on Tuesday but then will have an easier training day Wednesday to be ready for a hard day Thursday.

How does this relate to normal life?

If you have a lot on or a great deal of stress at work, then try to plan a down day on the weekend to recover.

You can’t burn the candle at both ends without detrimental effects. If you have been up until

11 or 12 every night on a project during the week or have been very stressed with work, do yourself a favour.

Plan an easy day when you can. Energy in the body is key to health. If you have intermittent days where you try recover you will get so much more done in the long run than going until you are completely wiped.

That is burnout in both the athletics and real world and will ultimately lead to the poor health we are all trying to avoid.

I hope these tips help. Be proactive about your health. Your energy levels will be so much higher and I guarantee if you follow these principles 90% of the time you will see massive benefits. Don’t do them and watch the infections, colds and general lack of energy destroy what is an amazing life.

For more articles and to learn about our online Sports Pilates visit www.everardpilates.com

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