Kilkenny Observer 01 May 2026

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Hard times acomin’ Growth to slow further as consumers live in debt With Bank of Ireland revising down its projections for Irish growth this year to 1.6%, from 2.8% previously, the majority of consumers in ­ Ireland expect a big impact on their household finances from the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

Only one in 25 sees no impact, according to the Credit Union Consumer Sentiment

Survey for April. However, the bank is forecasting a rebound in 2027.

The sharp revision down in this year’s growth reflects some normalisation compared with 2025 when exports surged partly because of a race to beat the deadline for US tariffs, but it is also driven by fallout from the war in Iran.

Inflation is now tipped to re-

main above 3% for the rest of this year, weighing on household budgets and consumer demand.

A third of consumers expect to cut energy use a lot, but one in five say they can’t cut back their energy use.

Nine out of 10 consumers say higher energy costs will lead to cutbacks in other areas of household spending.

Consumers have been hit with surging costs of petrol and diesel, prompting two cuts in excise duty and a jump in the cost of home-heating oil. This impacts around 750,000 households.

Electricity and gas prices are expected to jump in price in the coming months.

The Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Survey, which is

carried out by Core Research, shows an index reading of 53.3 this month, a four-year low.

Economist Austin Hughes, who oversees the survey, said consumer confidence was at its lowest since 2022.

The good news is that two “significant” fuel support schemes for road transport firms and farmers worth a combined €220m. are being made avail-

Rapid flood relief coming for Kilkenny

Outstanding in their own fields

Following a meeting with Minister Boxer Moran, Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness has confirmed that flood relief schemes in Kilkenny under ‘tranche 1 and 2’ will progress rapidly under a new scheme to be announced soon.

Schemes such as Graiguenamanagh, Freshford, and other locations in the county would be bundled together for planning and funding purposes, the Carlow-Kilkenny TD said. The decision follows lobbying by McGuinness and a meeting with the minister and the executive of the county council.

“I will work with the affected communities to ensure their concerns are dealt with,” he said.

Farmers from Co. Kilkenny were among those recognised in this year’s Tirlán Dairy and Sustainability Awards. Tom and Bill Gaffney, who farm near Tullaroan, received the West Region Award, recognising consistent performance, strong herd health and ongoing investment in efficiency.

Kilkenny was also represented in the Young Farmer Award, with David Fogarty and Katie O’Toole recognised for managing a large-scale dairy enterprise, with progress delivered across grassland management and herd health.

Twelve award winners were honoured in total.

Pictured from left: Tirlán Board Member John Regan, Jerry and Margaret Fogarty award winners David Fogarty and Katie O’Toole, Anne and James O’Toole and Tirlán Member Relations Manager Anna Daly.

Doors open for the homeless

PHOTO: Dylan Vaughan

Peter in the running for Olympics Irish men’s marathon record holder Peter Lynch has said that Olympic qualification is now firmly on his mind after the Kilkenny native’s sensational run in London on Sunday, April 26.

In only his fourthever marathon, the 28-year-old crossed the line in a new Irish best of 2:06:08 – good enough for ninth position and the top European honour on a landmark day that saw Sabastian

able which will result in a reduction of 20 cent a litre - or €200 a 1,000 litres of green diesel - for fuel consumed between March and July. Now, the overall reduction comes to €274 a 1,000 litres.

The scheme for road transport companies would yield an average benefit of €14,000, the Government has said.

John Ellis Page 16

Sawe become the first person in history to officially record a sub-two-hour race.

The Kilkenny athlete, a member of the Puma Elite Running Team in North Carolina under head coach and 2008 Irish Olympian Alistair Cragg, took the record from Fearghal Cur-

tin who ran 2:07:54 in South Korea last October.

“I haven’t decided yet with what marathon will be next, but it’ll be some marathon in the autumn time and then kind of looking ahead for 2027,” Lynch told RTÉ Sport, whilst confirming that the

2026 Europeans in Birmingham in August are unlikely to make his calendar.

“That’s when the Olympic qualifying window will open, so we’ll be hoping to get that qualifying time for the Olympics at some point,” Lynch said.

National housing charity Threshold supported 10,156 households, according to figures from the latest Impact Report. This includes 13,106 adults and 8,501 children.

Between January and March 2026, Threshold prevented 899 households from entering homelessness. Up to1,189 adults and 905 children could stay in their homes or were supported by Threshold to secure alternative housing.

Let us now pray

A new ‘Holy Face’ Prayer Group begins on Tuesday May 5 at St Fiacre’s Church in Loughboy, at 7.30pm.

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A new chapter for the month of May For the month of May, Kilkenny County Council Library Serice is delighted to highlight the upcoming Bealtaine Festial, Ireland’s national celebration of the arts and ageing.

Kilkenny Libraries support older people throughout the year with a wide range of free and welcoming serices.

These include library membership, access to books, large print and audiobooks, newspapers and magazines, as well as comfortable spaces to read, relax and meet others.

Libraries also offer free access to computers and WiFi, support with digital skills, and a growing range of online resources such as eBooks and eAudiobooks.

With regular social groups, talks, workshops and lifelong learning opportunities, local libraries continue to be a vibrant community hubs for learning, creativity and connection.

This year’s Bealtaine programme from Kilkenny County Council Library Serice reflects that spirit, offering something to suit many tastes and interests, through creativity, connection and shared experience, celebrating the important role libraries play in enriching our lives at every stage.

• Ferrybank Library

with Johanna Costigan • Thursday May 21, 11.00am – 1.00pm • Thomastown Library – Introduction to Haiga with Alice Bennett.

• Tuesday May 28, 10.00am – 12.00pm Booking may be required.

For further details, contact your local library.

– Coiled Grass Basket Workshop with Monica Fleming • Friday May 1, 2.00 – 5.00pm • Callan Library – Introduction to Haiga with Alice Bennett • Friday May 8, 10.00am –

12.00pm • Mayfair Library – Time to Pause and Renew wellbeing workshop with Deirdre Lindy • Friday May 8, 10.30am – 12.30pm • Urlingford Library – Welcoming Summer floral art

demonstration with Eva Holmes • Friday May 8, 2.30 – 4.30pm • Castlecomer Library – May Flowers in Watercolour with Rachel Burke • Tuesday May 12, 10.30am – 12.30pm

• Graiguenamanagh Library – How to Read Like a Writer with Antoinette McCarthy • Tuesday May 19, 10.30am – 12.30pm • Loughboy Library – Colour and Makeup: Enhancing, Not Disguising

Together, these workshops create a colourful and engaging mix of classes and events designed to appeal to diverse interests and tastes, providing meaningful opportunities to explore new avenues of creativity.

“This year’s Bealtaine Festival theme is Lust For Life, and we aim to reflect that through a diverse and engaging programme across our library branches. The events are designed to be enjoyable and sociable, while also offering opportunities for people to engage with creativity in new ways and to continue developing interests that matter to them,” says Age Friendly Co-Ordinator Alan Dunne. * For details of all events, check out our website www. kilkennylibrary.ie or contact our Age Friendly Co-Ordinator Alan Dunne at 056 7794177.

See also Page 14

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Wexford the most expensive land in country Wexford has the most expensive land in the country, as national average farmland sales and rental prices are forecast to rise by 4% in 2026, according to a new report

by Teagasc, auctioneer and valuer members of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI).

However, while land prices are expected to continue on a

steady upwards trajectory, the outlook this year is more cautious than in recent years.

SCSI auctioneers and valuers say their caution reflects uncertainty over output prices, rising costs and broader economic and geopolitical uncertainties.

The report found that the average national price for good-quality agricultural land

in 2025 was €14,126, an increase of 7% on the previous year.

Meanwhile, the average national price for poor-quality agricultural land was €6,963 per acre, an increase of 5% on the previous year.

The survey found that Wexford has the most expensive land in the country, with an average price of €19,226

per acre across the three main holding size categories. This was just ahead of Kildare on €19,200.

On holdings less than 50 acres, Kildare had the most expensive land at €19,100 per acre, with Tipperary second on €18,779 and Meath in third place at €18,364, just ahead of Carlow on €18,300. In Wexford, the average price of

good quality land on holdings of less than 50 acres is €18,260 per acre; while rounding off the top six places is Laois on €17,750.

Leitrim has the lowest average poor-quality land prices at €3,772 per acre across the three holding sizes. At a provincial level, Leinster has the highest average land prices, with good-quality land

fetching €16,603 per acre, up 9pc, while the average price for an acre of poor-quality land remained unchanged at €8,344.

Dr Frank Harrington, chair of the SCSI’s Rural Agency and discipline lead of real estate and valuations at TU Dublin, said strong demand for agricultural land, coupled with continued low supply, was underpinning strong prices.

Kilkenny hit by special needs school ‘rejections’ Kilkenny and Carlow parents are among those applying for special education places for their children who have received more than 14 rejections on average, a survey by the Equality in Education campaign has found.

The findings come after it emerged there is a shortfall of 2,300 special education places for children ahead of the next academic year.

The survey by Equality in Education, an advocacy group for families with special education needs, involved 73 anonymous parents, the majority of whom were in Dublin, along with small numbers in Kilkenny, Carlow, Cork, Kildare, Mayo, Meath and Waterford.

The average number of rejection letters received was 14.3, with one parent who completed the survey having received more than 35 rejection letters.

Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton has told the Dáil there had been 7,860 applications for school places to the Department of Education before the deadline of last October. But there are only 5,500 places available.

She said 75% of those who applied were already in school, while the remainder did not have a place.

Many of those already in schools applied to secure a more appropriate place.

But these numbers do not include parents who applied since the deadline set by the department of Wednesday, October 1, 2025.

TD Jen Cummins, who is education spokeswoman for the Social Democrats, said the situation parents were

in was a “disgrace”.

“I’m fearful. I am contacted by so many people who are terrified about what’s going to happen next year,” Ms Cummins said.

Only 24 of the surveyed parents have received an offer for next year.

However, 12 of these offers are contingent on school spaces being repurposed or the construction of modular buildings or permanent classrooms.

Ms Cummins said: “I am calling for a statement from the National Council for Special Education or the Department of Education setting out exactly what the figures are in black and white.”

Along with the overall deficit of places and the number of parents who applied after the deadline, the TD is calling for a breakdown on the figures.

“Of those who applied who are already in school, are they going to be moved to a more appropriate setting?

And then for the new applicants, are they going be moved into mainstream or are they going to be moved into the appropriate setting directly?” she said.

During last month’s ‘spring statement’, the Government approved an additional €646m for education.

Ms Naughton said: “The funding will allow for further new special places and special school places over and above the 3,000 new places already budgeted for.”

Last month, the department said it may consider using legislation to compel a small number of schools to open a special class from next September.

You know her voice, now hear her sing!

Renowned voice actor and singer-songwriter Grey DeLisle Griffin is set to bring her unique blend of music and storytelling to the Kilkenny Roots Festival this May Bank Holiday weekend, where she will perform alongside The Blue Ribbon Boys.

Best known for her prolific voice acting career, Grey DeLisle has become one of the most recognisable voices in animation. Her standout roles include the fiery and complex Azula in

Avatar: The Last Airbender, the iconic Daphne Blake in the long-running ScoobyDoo franchise, and Vicky in The Fairly OddParents.

Her extensive résumé also spans characters in series such as The Loud House, Ben 10, and Batman: The Brave and the Bold, showcasing her remarkable versatility across genres.

Beyond the recording booth, DeLisle has built a respected career in music, particularly within the Americana and country

scenes. With multiple albums to her name, her sound blends heartfelt storytelling with classic roots influences, earning her a dedicated following among fans of traditional and contemporary folk music.

Her upcoming performance at the Kilkenny Roots Festival promises an intimate and energetic set, as she joins forces with The Blue Ribbon Boys — renowned for their authentic, roots-driven

sound. The collaboration is expected to be a highlight of the festival’s lineup, offering audiences a rare chance to experience DeLisle’s musical talents live.

The Kilkenny Roots Festival continues to be one of Ireland’s premier showcases for Americana, folk, and roots music, and this year’s programme is set to deliver another unforgettable weekend of worldclass performances.

See Gerry Moran, Page 20

Iran: we ‘must agree enduring ceasefire’ The fragile, temporary ceasefires, between the US and Iran, and between Israel and Lebanon, must be replaced by an enduring, sustained, and comprehensive regional ceasefire that covers all countries affected by this conflict, to avoid further catastrophic civilian suffering and pave the way for justice, respect for international law and longterm human rights protection, Amnesty has said.

Despite a reduction in armed hostilities this remains a critical and deeply precarious moment for civilians across the Middle East.

Both current ceasefire agreements are fragile, temporary and in danger of collapse at any moment, endangering the lives of millions of civilians once more.

The US and Iran are continuing to trade threats and carry out attacks and ship

seizures along the Strait of Hormuz.

In Lebanon, as has been the case since 2024, the latest ceasefire has led to a reduction but not an end in hostilities and the Israeli military has remained on Lebanese territory, ordering residents in dozens of villages in border areas not to return.

Meanwhile, civilians in Iran face dual risks of atrocity crimes linked to a resump-

tion in unlawful US/Israeli attacks as well as further deadly repression by the Iranian authorities.

“The international community must now draw a red line under this: there must be a durable and genuine ceasefire; this requires a full halt in armed hostilities by all parties, across all affected countries,” said Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International.

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Opinion

The Fact Of The Matter Paul Hopkins

War of words between Trump and the Pope The criticism of Donald Trump by Pope Leo XIV over the US president’s depiction of himself as Jesus and Trump’s dismissal of the American-born pontiff as “not doing a good job” is nothing new. Tensions between the two have been bubbling under since before this latest war of words.

Ahead of the conclave that selected Leo last year, the Republican leader posted an AI image of himself as the pontiff. And more recently is the US Administration’s assertion that God is on their side in their war on Iran.

(Even Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian made a concerted attack on the “desecration of Jesus”).

Although the cardinals elected the first American pope in the Catholic Church’s 2,000-year history, Trump has not had any direct contact with Leo, apart from this escalating war of words.

Trump has refused to apol-

ogise. In a hastily called Press conference, he said: “He was very much against what I’m doing with regard to Iran, and you cannot have a nuclear Iran. Pope Leo would not be happy with the end result. I think he’s very weak on crime and other things so I’m not going to apologise.

“He went public. I’m just responding to Pope Leo.” That response followed Leo pushing back on Trump’s verbal attack against him the previous day, saying the Vatican’s appeals for peace and reconciliation were rooted in the Gospel and that he didn’t fear the Trump Administration. “I think [Trump] is not understanding what the message of the Gospel is,” he said.

Leo, at a service at St Peter’s Basilica, said a “delusion of omnipotence” was fuelling the US-Israel war in Iran.

The comments came the same day that the US and Iran began face-to-face ne-

gotiations in Pakistan during a fragile ceasefire. The Pope had earlier named Trump directly and expressed optimism that the US president would seek “an off-ramp” in Iran. And an even stronger condemnation came after Trump warned of mass strikes against Iranians and that “an entire civilisation will die tonight”. Pope Leo described it as a “threat against the entire people of Iran” and said it was “truly unacceptable”.

Leo’s comments have defined him as the most vociferous and visible international opponent to Trump.

Yet, the Chicago-born pontiff, known for his low-key style, did not pick this fight. Having spent much of his adult life in the Order of St Augustine, with vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and a focus on community, his priorities are unity and building bridges.

He has used much of his first year in office listening and

making gradual changes. He has also emphasised the importance of institutions such as the United Nations (UN) and respect for international law, while the US leader has said he is not bound by those norms.

Although he’s a more reserved personality than his predecessor, Pope Francis, the US military operation in

“Delusion of omnipotence fuelling the USIsrael war . .

Iran has brought out Leo’s inner nerve, and a willingness to speak out in forthright terms – like deciding to name Trump personally.

While he has not named other members of the administration, his remarks that “God does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war” appears to allude to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s freneticism to frame the conflict in the Middle East in religious terms.

Popes calling for peace and opposing war is not new.

Pope John Paul II strongly opposed the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. With an American pope, however, it’s different. Leo speaks English as his native tongue, something that has not happened since the 12th century, and his words cut through to a US audience, the White House and beyond. Trump’s further fall from grace in the midterm polls shows a backlash among the ultra-Christian

alt-right – arguably the bulk of his MAGA support – over his depiction of the Christ.

Some even arguing he is the Anti-Christ, as allegedly foretold by the Book of Revelation.

Meanwhile, even Europe’s rightwing leaders’ alliance with Trump is slipping over the president’s religious outbursts.

Now, JD Vance is in the arena, saying the Pope needs to be “careful” when talking about theology and “should remember the Just War theory” – [morally permissible] – when talking about Iran.

Vance’s mention of the Just War theory is telling. Developed over centuries, the teaching is frequently used by military analysts as an ethical and moral criteria for armed conflict. Ironically, one of its primary proponents was St Augustine of Hippo, the spiritual father of the religious order that Leo belongs to ...

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Homes accommodation for Ukrainians to end Commercial contracts for accommodation for Ukrainians is to be wound down from August, according to a Cabinet committee that deals for Ukrainian accommodation under temporary protection.

It follows the State's move to acquire its own property, including the sprawling campus at Dublin's Citywest.

The move will bring Ireland into line with other EU countries, amid growing concern at the cost of private hire, along with inadequate conditions.

The State has peremptorily ended contracts when different matters have come to light.

One property that was firebombed was struck off the

accommodation register after its administration was investigated.

Across Europe there is increasingly a view that temporary protection and accommodation has already been provided and there needs to be a move to other forms of socialisation, with the invasion and partial occupation of Ukraine by the Russians

which is now in its fifth year.

The Irish Government has already substantially trimmed financial payments under the temporary protection measures first put in place after a call from the European Commission in spring 2022.

"It is the State's clear objective to cease all Ukrainian accommodation contracts

inside the next 12 months,” said a spokesman for Junior Justice Minister Colm Brophy.

"Protections will remain in place for the most vulnerable Ukrainians living in Ireland.”

The issue will now go to the Cabinet in the coming weeks for final implementation.

The Government decided last year to slash the monthly

payment for hosting a Ukrainian refugee. The reduction was from €800 a month to €600 - despite continued inflation. Minister Norma Foley was in charge of the Accommodation Recognition Payment Scheme.

Since the start of the scheme, €272m has been paid to 22,900 hosts up until April 2025.

Kilkenny sees jobs created in the drive for care roles Fifty new jobs will be created across Kilkenny and Carlow this year, as part of a nationwide recruitment drive that will see the Bluebird Care providers hire 1,500 staff in 2026. Vacancies are open for immediate start across both counties.

The Kilkenny and Carlow roles will fill positions for healthcare assistants and nurses, supporting older people, and children and adults with disabilities to live safely and independently in their own homes across the South East.

Brian Egan, Managing Director of the local Bluebird Care business, said: "Demand for high quality home care in Kilkenny and Carlow is growing rapidly, and these 50 new roles will allow us to keep pace with that demand. We are looking for healthcare assistants and nurses who want a meaningful career making a real difference to people in their own communities.

"We pay competitive pay rates, cover mileage and pay for time travelling between customers, and we pay an annual bonus to all staff based on hours worked.

Our team is part of one of the largest office support teams in the country, which means our frontline carers in Kilkenny and Carlow, many of whom are lone workers in the community, are properly supported with clinical advice, rostering, payroll and out of hours support," he said.

The recruitment drive will fill roles for care experts, nurses, care assistants, supervisors and operational support staff, as demand continues to grow for high quality, nurse led home care services across the country.

Supporting the announce-

ment, Bluebird Care is launching a major national awareness campaign under the theme 'Where You Belong', with more than 120 outdoor advertising sites across Ireland, including billboards, digital screens and bus shelters.

New CSO projections based on Census 2022 show the number of people aged 65 and over is expected to exceed one million by 2030 and rise to 1.6 million by 2051. An ESRI report published in 2025 projects that home support hours required will increase from 28.7 million annually in 2022 to between 44.9 million and 54.9 million annually by 2040, growth of 57% to 91%.

Every €1 million invested in home care generates an estimated €1.9 million in economic benefits to the Irish economy, according to a 2025 BDO study.

Mark McInerney, Chief Operating Officer of Bluebird Care Ireland, said: "Ireland is changing quickly. More people are living longer, and more families want quality care delivered in their own homes and communities.

That means we need to keep building the workforce and capacity required to look after people now and into the future."

He said the preference to remain at home was reflected in recent Irish research.

Sage Advocacy reported that more than 70% of older adults would find it emotionally difficult to leave their homes, while only 6% believe adequate independent living options currently existed. * Further information on available roles can be found at www.bluebirdcarecareers.ie

Time to bite the Blas, foodies ...

Entries to Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards, are now open, calling on producers from across Kilkenny to take part in the biggest competition for quality Irish produce on the island of Ireland. Now entering its 19th year, Blas na hÉireann has grown into the definitive benchmark for excellence in Irish food and drink, celebrating the producers who define the country’s dynamic food landscape.

Each year, the awards culminate in a famously buzzy and exciting celebration in Dingle, where the Blas Village transforms the town into a national meeting point for Ireland’s

growing food community.

For finalists and winners, it is an unparalleled opportunity to place their products on a national stage.

The scale of the awards continues to grow year on year. In 2025, more than 3,000 products were entered, including a significant number of first-time producers, with entries coming from every county in Ireland. The number of food and drink categories has also increased from 170 to over 200 this year.

Bronze, silver and gold awards are presented across the food and drink categories, alongside major accolades including Supreme Champion and

Best Artisan Producer. The judging process, carried out in partnership with UCC, represents the largest blind tasting on the island of Ireland, taking place throughout June and July and ensuring a rigorous, independent assessment of every entry.

“Making it as a finalist is a huge achievement and one to be very proud of,” says Artie Clifford, Chairperson and founder of Blas na hÉireann. “The competition ramps up year on year, meaning those producers who are shortlisted as finalists really are the crème de la crème of Irish food and drink.”

“The LEO is proud to collaborate with Blas this year

and sponsor several of the key awards." says John Mulcahy, Business Advisor at Kilkenny LEO. "The county is full of passionate producers and outstanding local produce. The awards provide a fantastic platform to show and promote them."

For producers in Kilkenny, participation offers more than the chance to win an award; it is an opportunity to join a national network of like-minded foodies. * Entries now open at www.irishfoodawards. com. Final deadline for submissions on Thursday, May 14. Finalists will be notified in mid-August.

Fresh warning on Bluetongue cattle virus Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has issued a reminder to livestock owners to prepare for the higher risk period for bluetongue virus (BTV).

Minister Heydon said: “As we enter the summer period when sustained warmer temperatures will make replication of bluetongue virus possible within infected midges,

I would like to advise cattle and sheep farmers to consult with their veterinary practitioners, to decide whether to vaccinate their flocks or herds.

"Sheep vaccination takes three weeks to take full effect, and cattle vaccination takes six weeks, so it is important to discuss with your private veterinarian now and decide whether or not to vaccinate.

Bluetongue virus is spread via midges and temperatures need to be greater that 12°C for a sustained period for the virus to replicate within the midge so that the midge can spread the virus.”

The minister further explained that BTV vaccination can reduce the impact and severity of bluetongue virus on livestock and in that way mitigate both animal health

and welfare issues and the production losses which an infection may cause.

Minister Heydon went on to say: “In March, I added bluetongue vaccination as one of the optional measures under the 2026 National Sheep Welfare Scheme as well as the 2026 Beef Welfare Scheme, due to open in August as it did in previous years.”

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Opinion

As I See It Marianne Heron

Should changes be made to favourite brands?

Isn’t there great comfort in familiar everyday things? But sometimes products change disconcertingly, take on a new format or disappear from the shelves altogether.

There have been questions recently around an iconic Irish product.

Kerrygold Butter, a favourite at home, seems to have changed I think, so do other consumers; change to a paler colour, more spreadablity and more waxy in texture have been mentioned. Ornua Co-operative, brand owners don’t agree, reportedly saying the formula is the same and that any variations are due to the time of year and the cows’ grass diet at pasture.

Why would anyone want to change a successful product anyway? Kerrygold, dearer than competing butters. is the top brand in Ireland and on the international market where sales in the US alone topped $1Bn last year.

“Changes in formulation of

products might be due to legislation and the need to meet requirements,” says Shane McGonigle, CEO of the Marketing Institute of Ireland, the representative body for the marketing industry.

Purchaser sentiment, for instance, like turning away from a product because it’s perceived as being too fattening, can be another influence.

“But none of these changes would be made without a considerable amount of research. The trinity in marketing has three Cs: the company’s brand, the consumer and the competition,” says McGonigle. Having a recognised brand which is valued by the consumer ahead of competition is a winning formula.

Marketing guru and life coach Robin Fisher Roffer spent more than 30 years in the US shaping big-name brands, and says you can use those same principles to reinvent your life. She talks about a holy trinity of brand-

ing – consistency, clarity, and authenticity. Sounds a bit of a tall order for personal reinvention but products like Heinz Baked Beans and Kellogg’s Cornflakes fit the bill on all three counts.

Despite marketing research there have been a few spectacular product failures over the years, even for some of the best known of brands. Remember Guinness Light back in the ‘70s? It was launched with the slogan “they said it couldn’t be done”. Indeed, it couldn’t. Traditional pint drinkers considered it unmanly. Times change though, and Guinness 0.0 is gaining traction in a market where there is consumer thirst for alcohol-free drinks.

Coca Cola changed the formulation to’ a better Coke’ in the 80s, but consumers didn’t want a better Coke, they wanted the old one back.

Fashion accounts for change too. How often do we girls find a favourite colour in

Natural solutions for headaches

CLAIR WHITTY Headaches are a common health complaint with many different causes. It can be something simple like dehydration and needing to drink extra water. They can be connected to hormonal imbalance, related to food intolerance, stress or lack of sleep.

Dips in blood sugar and not eating regularly can be a cause. Certain medication, constipation, bad lighting, in a way, anything could be the reason why you get a headache. When someone asks me for a natural solution for

headaches I have to tease out the possible cause and work from there to choose the best remedy to help.

The most common reason that I come across is stress and tension headaches.

I have experienced these in the past and refused to believe for a long time that headaches could be associated with stress. That was when I worked in a hardware store and knew nothing about natural remedies. But when I started to work in natural health, I did accept that it could be stress related. I started to take Bach Flower Remedies to help. I realised that I was feeling overwhelmed, Elm is the remedy for that. I was tired

so I needed Olive, which is perfect for exhaustion of the mind and the body. I was angry a lot back then, so Holly was the perfect flower remedy for this, and Scleranthus because I found it difficult to make up my mind about anything. I added these to one dropper bottle and took them regularly. At the same time I would add a drop of Lavender Essential Oil to my temples, one drop on each. And between the two of these, and maybe a realisation and an acceptance that I was stressed, I never looked back. I got headaches under control. Maybe this approach could work for you too?

Magnesium is possibly the most recognised supplement to help with tension and stress related headaches. You can choose from Salus Haus Liquid Magnesium, Biocare Magnesium Taurate, or New Era Tissue Salts, Mag Phos. If you prefer not to take tablets you could choose BetterYou Magnesium Body Spray Oil, this is an easy-to-use massage oil for easy absorption.

It is safe to use in pregnancy too which is fantastic.

These are just some of the natural solutions, l hope you find one too.

Shop online at www.naturalhealthstore.ie where you’ll be able to take a look at these brands. Natural Health Store, Market Cross Shopping Centre Phone: 056 7764538 | Email: info@naturalhealthstore.ie

a lipstick brand is no longer being made; that jeans suddenly have barrel legs; or that you can have any colour eyeliner as long as it is black?

Emotion comes into the

“Kerrygold Butter, a favourite, seems to have changed ...

As a woman working in fitness, and as someone who has spent years helping women of different ages and stages, I have become increasingly passionate about the need for spaces that truly support women’s health and wellbeing.

That is why I created The Well in Thomastown — a women’s only fitness and Pilates studio built around the belief that exercise should feel supportive, enjoyable and sustainable.

Too often, movement is made to feel extreme, intimidating or all-consuming. For many women, that simply is not what they need. What so many women actually need is a welcoming environment, good coaching, and a way of moving that feels realistic enough to keep coming back to.

At The Well, myself and my team are passionate about helping women find exactly that. We know women’s needs are different, and that exercise can play such an important role in supporting both physical and mental health.

It can improve strength, bone health, heart health, mobility, energy, confidence and overall wellbeing, and it matters at every age and every stage.

For us, it is not about chasing perfection. It is about helping women build a consistent approach to movement that adds to their life rather than takes from it. At The Well, that might look like strength classes, HIIT, Pilates, cycle classes, or time spent in our recovery space and sauna.

choices we make also and brand preferences come into every facet of our lives, McGonigle points out, from politics to what we wear.

Asked what she wore in bed Marilyn Munroe once answered: “Chanel No 5.”.

The perfume remains as popular as ever. But the star’s favourite skin care products (mine too) Pond’s Cleansing and Vanishing creams are well, vanishing. Started a century and a half ago, Ponds launched Vanishing cream in 1904 followed by Cold Cream, one for day skin care the other for night time, a revolutionary idea at the time. The firm used celebrity promotion with stars like Munroe and here in Ireland sculptor Hilary Heron endorsed the product in print.

Cheseborough Ponds were taken over by Unilever in the 1980s. Now skin care products bearing the Ponds label in a range of different formulas from the original creams

are made in Spain. The redesigned packaging also bears the label of a UK marketing company Sensogreen which offers strategies for brand growth and distributes personal care brands.

Their web site states: “Companies which have mature brands often need greater focus in order not to lose their place in the market.”

A bit like errant husbands who trade in partners for a younger model. it seems that mature Ponds products are being shouldered out by marketing tactics. Henry Ford, creator of the Model T, is said to have remarked:“If I asked customers what they want they would say a faster horse.”

Marketing executives are partly about creating new product ideas before consumers know they want them.

Fine, but maybe the customer is right to stick with established favourites too.

A fresh approach to women’s fitness

To find out more, follow @the_well_thomastown, email susan@thewellstudio.ie or call 085 165 4304.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 1st May 2026

News Somewhere in your mid-40s, you start noticing obvious signs of ageing that seem to arrive overnight. You assumed it was a gradual process that you just hadn’t noticed, but it sure felt like it happened really fast.

New research indicates that may very well be the case. A 2024 study from researchers at America’s Stanford University tracked thousands of different molecules in people age 25 to 75 and found that people tend to make two big leaps in ageing — one around age 44 and another around age 60.

These findings indicate that ageing can actually happen in bursts.

“We’re not just changing gradually over time. There are some really dramatic changes,” said senior study author Michael Snyder, Ph.D, a geneticist and director of the Centre for Genomics and Personalised Medicine at Stanford University.

“It turns out the mid-40s is a time of dramatic change, as is the early 60s. And that’s true no matter what class of molecules you look at.”

The researchers assumed the mid-40s changes would be attributed to menopausal or perimenopausal changes in women influencing the overall numbers, but when they separated the results by sex they saw similar changes in men in their 40s.

“This suggests that while menopause or perimenopause may contribute to the changes observed in women in their mid-40s, there are likely other, more significant factors influencing these changes in both men and women. Identifying and studying these factors should be a priority for future research,” said study author Xiaotao Shen, PhD, a former Stanford Medicine postdoctoral scholar who now teaches at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

The study included 108 participants who submitted blood and other samples every few months for several years. The scientists tracked age-related changes in 135,000 different molecules — nearly 250 billion distinct data points — to see

It’s not the same old story New research suggests we age in two distinctive bursts

how ageing occurs.

The study may shed light on the reasons for jumps in certain diseases and illnesses at certain ages. For the 40-somethings, scientists found significant changes in molecules related to alcohol, caffeine, and lipid metabolism, cardiovascular disease, and skin and muscle.

For those in their 60s, changes related to carbohydrate and caffeine metabolism, immune regulation, kidney function, cardiovascular disease, and skin and muscle were found.

Lifestyle is a factor. The study

authors did note that lifestyle might play a role in some of these changes. For instance, alcohol metabolism may be influenced by people drinking more heavily in their 40s, which tends to be a period of higher stress for many people.

However, the researchers added that these bursts of ageing in the mid-40s and early 60s indicate that people may want to pay closer attention to their health around those ages and make lifestyle changes that support greater overall health, such as increasing exercise or limiting alcohol.

The research team plans to study what drives these ageing bursts to find out why they happen at these ages, but whatever the reasons, it’s nice to know that the seemingly sudden onset of age-related woes isn’t just in our imaginations.

Many of us feel invincible when we are young, believing we can control the aging process so that we’ll always stay forever young, as Bob Dylan sings. But there’s a moment when everyone realises aging is an inevitable process and that, eventually, we will have to deal with a

slow decline in our physical and, quite possibly, mental capabilities.

This realisation and understanding that we won’t be here forever can profoundly change one’s perspective on life. Even though ageing is inevitable, how we think about the process can significantly impact our longevity. People with a positive view of ageing live on average of 7.5 years longer than those without.

A big takeaway is that many people feel like they stop mentally ageing at a certain point, usually in their late 20s. Still, the continued physical ageing

they experience makes them feel like they cannot relate to the person in the mirror.

It’s understandable that we worry about ageing, as physical signs of ageing remind us of our own mortality. We also have all kinds of social messaging that tells us youth is ideal and beautiful and old is bad and ugly, so of course we give ageing the side-eye. But none of us can avoid ageing altogether, so the more positive and healthy we are in our approach to ageing, the better off we’ll be, no matter when and to what degree ageing hits us.

Why no one tells you about perimenopause For some reason, no one fully prepares women for its arrival.

Sure, we all hear about menopause itself all the time. You know about hot flashes. You know the hormonal changes and end of your menstruating years are coming sometime down the road, but that’s it.

Nobody informs you ahead of time that for years and years before menopause your body is going to go through drastic changes that will leave you constantly saying what the heck! and wondering if you have some horrible, hidden disease or if it’s “just hormones” from perimenopause.

There’s no such thing as “just hormones.” Hormones are potent and powerful, and they affect basically every single function in your body.

Perimenopause can cause upwards of 100 different symptoms, which include: – heart palpitations – hair loss – joint pain – forgetfulness – foot cramps – itching – weight gain – hot flashes – cold flashes – poor night vision

The thing about this list is that a whole lot of these things can be indicators of something much more serious, so for years you get to play games like “Is it lymphoma/ arthritis/a heart attack/ dementia or is it perimenopause?”

And a lot of times your doctor is no help because they either have no idea that perimenopause is a thing or they pull the “just hormones” line as if the upheaval of your entire body is “just” something you’re supposed to live with.

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Kilkenny Roots 2026

Kilkenny Roots 2026 When Brian Hayes walks into a government meeting, he is not there as an observer. He is there to make sure people with intellectual disabilities are heard at the highest levels of decision-making.

Brian, Chair of the National Platform of Self-Advocates, has recently been appointed to lead the Disabled Persons Organisation (DPO) Group under the Department of Children, Equality and Disability. The group is designed to give organisations run by disabled people a direct and ongoing role in shaping national policy.

In his work, Brian has already been part of high-level discussions with senior decision-makers, including attending meetings with the Taoiseach and Government Ministers, where he brings forward the lived experience of people with intellectual disabilities.

For Brian, the appointment is part of a much bigger mission, “What we are working for is justice, not charity,” he said.

The National Platform of SelfAdvocates is Ireland’s only national organisation run by and for people with intellectual disabilities. Its

members speak for themselves, rather than relying on professionals or service providers to represent their

views.

Over more than a decade as Chair, Brian has helped grow the organisation from a small grassroots movement into a national body with over 1,000 members. In that time, he has brought their experiences into key

policy discussions, including work with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and contributions to government consultations on personalised budgets and employment supports.

He has also played a role in shaping Ireland’s newly published National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People (2025–2030), working directly with officials to ensure the voices of people with intellec-

tual disabilities were reflected in the final document.

Brian also acknowledged the support of his employer, Kilkenny County Council, “The flexibility of my role in work has been key to attending meetings and carrying out my advocacy work at a national level.”

His new role chairing the DPO Group marks a significant step forward for the wider disability rights movement. Unlike one-off consultations, the group is intended to provide a structured and ongoing channel between the Government and Disabled Persons Organisations.

That work often happens behind closed doors, in long meetings and detailed policy discussions. But Brian believes it is essential, commenting, “People need someone in those rooms who understands their lives from the inside.”

As Ireland continues to reform its approach to disability services, the shift from charity-based models to rights-based policy remains a central issue. For Brian and the National Platform, the goal is clear: a system in which people with intellectual disabilities are recognised not as recipients of care but as full citizens with equal rights.

And with a seat at the table, including at the highest levels of Government, he intends to make that case heard.

Lar Power, Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council stated: “Brian’s appointment is a testament to his leadership and lived experience, and we are extremely proud to have him as part of the Kilkenny County Council team. His work represents the very best of public service.”

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 1st May 2026

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Opinion

Your Money & You John Ellis

Turning ordinary people into investors When I wrote in early March about Finance Minister Simon Harris’s push to move ordinary Irish households out of their near zero interest bank deposits and into the Stock Market, it already felt like a big idea dressed up as help for the squeezed middle. Now, barely seven weeks later, the Government is no longer just “exploring” options.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has publicly backed the EU’s Savings and Investment Union at a summit in Belgium. He is having a formal roadmap prepared for Cabinet within weeks.

And the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland is openly calling for a domestic scheme to be ready for the October Budget.

It is not hard to see why.

Europe has an €800 billion annual investment gap for green, digital and defence needs, while €11 trillion sits “idle” in low-yield savings ac-

counts. Trump’s tariff threats and the breaking down of the old transAtlantic relationship have concentrated minds in Brussels and Dublin.

Mario Draghi’s recent report stated that, without more indigenous capital investment, Europe would keep falling behind the US and China. Ireland, with its €170–171 billion in household deposits earning next to nothing is suddenly part of that bigger story.

On paper this is exactly what ordinary savers need.

Inflation at 3.6& is quietly destroying the real value of money left in AIB’s 0.25% or PTSB’s 0.01% accounts.

The Swedish ISK model, with its simple annual levy instead of punishing capital gains tax, has already shown it can turn ordinary people into investors without scaring them off. Early signs suggest Ireland could get something similar. A tax-efficient, accessible, no lock-in

periods, and the European Commission is cheering it on. The more I read the more I start to wonder who this is really going to help and who will be left carrying the can if it goes wrong.

The recent shift away from a pure Swedish-style account after industry lobbying should ring alarm bells. Officials now say they will not simply copy another country’s model. Could this mean the banks and fund managers have had their say?

Is the final product being shaped to protect fee income rather than maximise simplicity for small savers? The same banks currently making a killing by paying almost nothing on deposits while charging 3%-plus on mortgages are suddenly extremely interested in “helping” people invest.

Then there is the risk that never goes away. Stock Markets are volatile. Current Middle East tensions have

sent shares lower. Higher oil prices remind us that nothing is guaranteed. Under the proposed structure, you could still pay tax even in a losing year. And the awkward reality is that 60% of that €170 billion in deposits belongs to the wealthiest 20% of households.

‘Irish savers have waited long enough for decent returns...

Any tax break that makes investing easier will disproportionately help people who already have money to spare.

The very people the scheme is supposedly aimed at, those putting away €100 or €200 a month, will still shoulder all the market risk with no state top-up like the old SSIA scheme offered.

Ireland does need a cultural shift away from “safe as houses and cash under the mattress” savings. A well-designed Savings and Investment Account could give ordinary families better long-term returns, reduce pressure on future pensions, and channel some of that idle money into Irish SMEs that currently struggle for investment capital.

Taoiseach Martin is right that European competitiveness matters to us too, but the Government must stop pretending this is a risk-free win for the average saver.

The details that will decide

whether this helps or harms ordinary people, the exact tax rate, the tax-free threshold, how losses are treated, and how high industry fees will be, are still being thrashed out behind closed doors.

We deserve to see those details before the October budget, not after the scheme is launched in 2027. If Harris and Martin get the design right this could really inspire people.

But if they let industry interests and EU bureaucracy write the small print, it will be another story of a wellintentioned policy quietly widening the gap between those who can afford to take a risk and those who cannot.

Ordinary Irish savers have waited long enough for decent returns so they should not have to wait any longer for proper protection either. john@ellisfinancial.ie 086 8362633

Climate Change

– are we all playing our part?

WEEK 165

"When it comes to climate change we all have dirty washing"

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News

The National Transport Authority and Kilkenny County Council launch Bike Week 2026 The National Transport Authority (NTA) and Kilkenny County Council have today announced details of Bike Week 2026, which runs from Saturday, 09 May to Sunday, 17 May.

Aisling, from Trailbikebuddy, carries the load during last year's City Cycle for BikeWeek

Among the events planned is a School Cycle in Kilkenny City on Friday the 8th of May to launch BikeWeek. The pop-up mountain bike track returns for the week and local schools will try their hand at mountain biking and grass track racing at County Hall. Kilkenny Cycling Campaign group is hosting a themed evening bike ride, Shorts & Shades Cycle on Friday 15th May, and invite all ages, abilities and bikes to join! New for 2026 is a cycle by the River Barrow in Graiguenamanagh with the Brandon Belles and a meet up in Kilkenny for Brompton enthusiasts. Bromptons are the iconic bikes, popular all over the world due to their excellent commuting capabilities and compact, neat folding design, making it an excellent companion on all forms of transport. Bike Fests will take place in Kilkenny Countryside Park, following junior parkrun and in Ferrybank Neighbour-

hood Park. Throughout the week, the schools will have opportunities to do bike maintenance, escorted spins and Cycle Right training and Community Bike Rides will be taking place with trained ride leaders across the county.

Bike Week is an annual celebration and promotion of the benefits of cycling, with hundreds of family friendly events including heritage cycles, maintenance workshops, and learn-to-cycle courses taking place across the country.

All 31 local authority areas are involved in Bike Week with events being organised through the local authorities and local sports partnerships.

National Transport Authority CEO, Anne Shaw, emphasises the importance of the week saying: “The engagement with Bike Week from all the local authorities has again, far exceeded

expectations. It’s fantastic to see so many events taking place all around the country. There really is something for everyone this year and I would encourage everybody to get involved.”

Caitríona Corr, Sustainable Mobility Officer with Kilkenny County Council, is delighted with the schedule of events for Kilkenny. “It’s great to see the variety of events and in particular the number of opportunities with trained ride leaders. A guided cycle can be a great way to gain confidence and find different routes for inexperienced or nervous cyclists.”

For more information and to see what events are taking place in Co. Kilkenny, visit www. bikeweek.ie Those taking part in Bike Week are encouraged to share photos or videos to social media using #BikeWeek and tagging Kilkenny County Council and Transport for Ireland @TFIUpdates.

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Crosscause

Kilkenny musicians John and Billy helping Crosscause John Travers and Billy Barron , talented musicians

Iconic music duos, featuring harmonious vocals or strong creative partnerships, have shaped music history, ranging from folkrock to pop and soul. Top examples include Simon & Garfunkel, Hall & Oates, the Everly Brothers, and Sonny & Cher. Other notable duos include The Righteous Brothers, Tears for Fears, and Steely Dan. Kilkenny also boasts some great duos and surely high up on the music ladder must be the combination of John Travers and Billy Barron. Both men have performed in every club, pub, hotel and theatre venue across the 32 counties of Ireland. Their talent also stretches over Europe and further afield.

But today, we are not going down that particular music path.

Rather, we shine the spotlight on a particular charity that both John and Billy are involved with. Both of these artists have teamed up with ‘Crosscause, who as a charity, set up in 1998 to assist with special needs orphans in Romania.

John and Billy are both highly respected instrumentalists and since Noah was a child, they have allocated an enormous amount of time to charity work. Over the years Mr Travers has worked with such bands as 5th Degree, 2nd Degree, Johnny Fean ( Horselips), Dana and The Miami Showband while Mr Barron has performed on stage with Jim Cantwell big band, Tony Stevens Ben Reel and Bobbie Carey.

Speaking to The Observer , John Travers said that both himself and Billy were delighted to have the opportunity to work with Crosscause. “I know and appreciate the work that Conor and his team from Crosscause do, and Billy and myself are happy to do our small bit to assist”, said John. Recently , John and Billy recorded an ‘instrumental Beatles CD’ featuring such classics as ‘Across the universe’, ‘Norwegian wood’, ‘Yellow Submarine’ , ‘love me do’ ,’Elanor Rigby’ and more.

John Travers (Back left) with the Dave Hard Band

In 1991, Willie Maher and John Travers, known as Second Degree were voted ‘Best Cabaret group’

Both men are joined on the cd by Mick Duffy.

Crosscause activities began in 1998 when a group of volunteers started working with special needs orphans in Romania. With the gained experience, they have now been able to expand further into Eastern Europe and West Africa.

In 2003 Crosscause became an officially registered Irish charity led from day one by Conor Hughes.

Since 2015 the charity has been accountable and monitored for good practice by the Irish Charities Regulator. Two decades of hard work by so many self-funded and multicultural volunteers has seen enormous progress.

The aim is to seek those most in need and marginalised in society and help them live their best possible life and reach their potential.

Speaking to the Kilkenny Observer newspaper, Crosscause CEO, Conor Hughes praised the work by volunteers of the organisation. “For all the years, in all the countries, it is our volunteers who have been the foundation of our work” said Mr Hughes. Conor continued: “A common trend among them all is is their selfless desire to help those who need a helping hand”. The CEO went on to say that it is always heart

warming and an honour to witness the dedication within the team and the commitment to hard work.

Conor said he was grateful to people like John Travers and Billy Barron who have produced a cd with all proceeds going to Crosscause. “Without people like John and Billy we would be lost and their work is truly appreciate, said Mr Hughes.”

Conor told The Observer that he is humbled to be responsible for the running of the organisation and to hold that position of responsibility.

Concluding his chat with this paper Conor said he would always take responsibility for the day to day management of the projects and the teams and said he would ensure that all donations would reach those most in need.

‘Instrumental Beatles is available to purchase from John Travers while further information on Crosscause can be found at www.crosscause.ie

The donation of sewing machines are a great benefit to the Crosscause charity and in 2003 became an officially registered Irish charity

Crosscause activities began in 1998 when a group of volunteers started working with special needs orphans in Romania. With the gained experience, they have now been able to expand further into Eastern Europe and West Africa

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Clontubrid’s annual 6km Run

All smiles at Clontubrid’s annual 6km Run

The Clontubrid 6km Run on Sunday 26th April was organised by the Parents’ Council of Scoil Naomh Fiachra, the annual event raises vital funds for the school while also bringing the wider community together. Runners of all ages took part in the main 6km race, while a 3km option catered for those seeking a gentler pace. Adult winners of the 6km race were Paul Burke and Annemarie Donohue, while the Under 17 winners were Anna Dowling, Jack Fitzpatrick and Aidan Banville. Afterwards, the school grounds were filled with refreshments, games, raffles and plenty of conversation and laughter. Principal Peter Madden thanked the Parents’ Council, volunteers and wider school community for their support. He also thanked local businesses for generously sponsoring raffle prizes and supporting another successful community event.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 1st May 2026

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Opinion

Furthermore Gerry Moran

Styrofoam Winos, Horsebath and Kunta Kinte The pubs of Kilkenny are alive with the sound of music this May Bank Holiday weekend. It’s Roots Festival (one of our most popular festivals) time. Time, folks, for some country and bluegrass, rockabilly, swing and more.

And I have to confess that it’s all above me. Or beyond me.

Whichever. Indeed of the 40 or so musicians performing in around 30 venues I only recognise four names! FOUR! What does that say about me? You’re getting old, Ger. Getting old? I am old. As for the four names, first off there’s Rodney Crowell.

Rodney is famous and was inducted into the Nashville Hall of Fame in 2003. Rodney worked with Hal Ketchum who had a big hit in the US with Mick Hanly’s poignant love song ‘Past The Point Of Rescue’, the royalties from which paid Mick’s mortgage for a while, a good while.

Then there’s our own The Barflies who have been per-

forming in The Pumphouse for years – and I have yet to go hear you, lads. Mea culpa, mea culpa. All ahead of me perhaps. Seamus Fogarty I am aware of but once again never got to see him. Sorry

Seamus. Finally there’s Loudest Whisper. Loudest Whisper I love because they’re my vintage or perhaps I’m their vintage – either way I love them.

I have been to their gigs in

The Kilford, the Ormonde Hotel and Paris Texas where I got to know Brian O’Reilly, their main man and songwriter, after one of their performances there. Several of us chatted late into the night, and early morning, thanks to Vincent Quan (co-owner of Paris Texas at the time) who, because of his appreciation of good conversation and good company, allowed us to linger! I hope to take in one of Loudest Whisper’s gigs in either The Kilford, Friday, 1; O’Gorman’s, Saturday, 2.; Syd Harkin’s, Sunday, 3. or The Ormonde Hotel, Monday, 4.

And all free!

As for the rest of the musicians – who I’ve never heard of – I am intrigued and amused, in equal measure, by their names: Bench Warrant! Horsebath! Styrofoam Winos! Deep Down Detox! (sounds challenging) and who the hell is Savage Jim Breen?

To be honest when I hear

the word Roots I can think of only one name, Kunta Kinte. Remember Kunta Kinta? Kunta [pictured] was one of the main characters in one of America’s (and Ireland’s) most popular ever TV series, ‘Roots’ based on Alex Haley’s novel of the same name. Kunta was a Mandinka warrior in the Gambia in West Africa who was captured, brought to America, and sold into slavery.

Aired in 1977, ‘Roots’ is the saga of an American family set during, and after, the era of enslavement in the US. My mother and myself (I lived at home at the time before getting married) watched it religiously. My mother cried viewing it – I just stopped short. Tom Riordan and Kunta Kinte were two of mother’s all-time favourite TV characters.

I’ll end with what I started with – music. Following are two tidbits that fairly surprised me. Paul McCartney’s

song ‘Let It Be’ which I love (but then I love the Beatles, my vintage for sure) includes the following lyrics: “When I find myself in times of trouble/Mother Mary comes to me/Speaking words of wisdom - Let It be.” Now, I always assumed that McCartney, who was baptised a Catholic, was referring to Mary, the Mother of God, in that song. Not so. The Mary in question was his mother, a Catholic of Irish descent.

And then there’s one of my all-time favourite love songs – Van Morrison’s ‘Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?’ a beautiful song but not quite as romantic (even though it is played at weddings) that I assumed. Van actually wrote it as a prayer expressing love and gratitude to God! And so, what I thought was religious was not while what I thought was romantic was religious!

I guess Paul and Van were just going back to their roots!

Musical treat at Cleere's Theatre

By John Fitzgerald Cleere’s Theatre in Kilkenny will host the long-awaited launch of poet/songwriter Peter Brabazon’s new CD, a collection of twelve numbers guaranteed to pull at the heartstrings.

Among the topnotch musicians joining Peter on the night of May 6th will be the widely acclaimed Waterboys fiddler Steve Wickham The carefully chosen songs will showcase some of the best of Peter’s prolific output as a poet and songwriter.

They tackle all the great and small themes touching on the human condition, which Peter addresses with an uncanny quirkiness and his highly infectious humour.

Fans of the Callan-based bard have been counting the hours and the minutes to the launch since word of the event began to spread on the county’s ever-vibrant bush telegraph. When and where, they wondered, would the songs set their pulses thumping and their imaginations into full flight?

Peter never fails to move audiences to tears… or laughter, or both simultaneously, with his soulful, joyous, comic, satiric, balladic, or doom-laden renditions of his own compositions and the work of his favourite writers.

He intersperses some of his musical gigs with recitations of poetry, a mix that goes down well, even among fans not so much into the muse, especially if they’ve learned long stretches of archaic verse off by heart at school under the gaze of frowning educators.

He has several books of poetry and creative prose to his credit… his work appealing to a broad readership, spanning the generations.

He derives inspiration for his songs and poems during moments of stillness, whether at home, talking a walk, listening to birdsong, or reflecting on life’s variegated challenges…anywhere in Ireland or during his travels overseas.

The creative urge never deserts him. Even

Peter Brabazon will launch his long awaited CD at Cleeres pub

on a visit to war-torn Ukraine two years ago for a friend’s wedding, he held forth on the joys of literature against a gaunt and often tense backdrop, mentally composing poetry in between rushing to air raid shelters when the sirens start blaring.

The CD launch will be held in Cleere’s Theatre (at the back of the pub) in Parliament Street, Kilkenny at 8. P.M on Friday, May 6th Admission: €10 which includes the cost of the CD. The CD will also be available for €15 at Fennelly’s of Callan, from Bandcamp.com, and at other outlets yet to be decided.

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News

Kilkenny local brings Canadian youth choir home for special cathedral concert A Kilkenny local is bringing a world-class Canadian youth choir back to her home city this May, creating a special musical collaboration with local young singers in St

Canice’s Cathedral. Áine Mahony, originally from Kilkenny, is Executive Director of the internationally acclaimed Vancouver Youth Choir, where she has worked

for the past 11 years. She is now helping to bring the ensemble to Kilkenny for a one-night-only performance on Tuesday, May 5 at 8pm.

Founded in 2013 by Artistic

Director Carrie Tennant, the Vancouver Youth Choir has earned a global reputation for its innovative programming and highperformance standards. The

ensemble brings together singers aged 15 to 24 and has appeared on major international stages across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Their visit to Kilkenny comes as part of a wider Irish tour, following an appearance at the prestigious Cork International Choral Festival, where they will compete for the Fleischmann International Trophy.

Audiences in Kilkenny will have the rare opportunity to hear elements of this competition programme, including contemporary works, global repertoire, and Canadian compositions.

Speaking about the homecoming concert, Aine said the event is particularly meaningful.

“It’s really special to be able to bring this group to Kilkenny and connect them with young singers here,” she said.

“There’s something powerful about sharing music across cultures, especially in a place as beautiful and historic as St Canice’s Cathedral.

The concert will feature a unique collaboration with Music Generation's Kilkenny Youth Choir, with its blend of local talent, international excellence, and the grandeur of one of Kilkenny’s most iconic venues, the May 5th concert is set to be a highlight of the city’s cultural calendar.

Following their Kilkenny performance, the Vancouver Youth Choir will travel to Dublin to perform with New Dublin Voices at Newman University Church on May 6.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 1st May 2026

Opinion

Choices Shape Your Future

By Judith Ashton

The many sounds of silence Recently, sitting alone, in the dentist’s waiting room, I became aware of an inane chat-show on the radio near me. It was annoying to say the least… bubble gum for the brain! I turned it right down, relaxed and tuned in to my own breathing pattern.

Why is there an incessant need for noise pollution everywhere we go from elevators, supermarkets, buses, surgeries and hospital waiting rooms? Worst of all, is when the volume is just low enough to not catch the words but high enough to be distracting!

What is wrong with silence?

Silence in now the new detox!

People are craving silence as an antidote to the hustle and bustle of frantic modern stressed life!

Many people have no silence in their lives because of the allpervasive noise surrounding us which can be almost impossible to escape.

I spend a lot of time in

silence, and I find that it had a restorative effect on me, especially because it allows a natural rebalancing of the nervous system.

Constant stimulation keeps us in emergency mode with fluctuating levels of cortisol and adrenaline being released into the body… when this is the case we cannot relax

“Silence softly restores what busy noise steals

as we are always hyped-up giving rise to anxiety, sleep disturbance, unwanted thought patterns, digestive disturbance and a cascade of other stress related symptoms.

Silence invites relaxation and emotional wellbeing and improves cognitive function.

Studies show that 2 minutes of quiet time every day is more relaxing than listening to music and 2 hours daily can stimulate the growth of new brain cells especially in the hippocampus which is responsible for memory and emotional regulation.

The body cannot be calm, we cannot daydream, be intuitive or insightful when there is constant noise stimulation.

Without exterior distraction, the brain is better equipped to process information, focus is enhanced, decision making is easier and more creativity is likely to flow.

‘And the vision that was planted in my brain, Still

remains, within the sounds of silence” Simon and Garfunkle.

Since time immemorial people have sought silence as a way of getting in touch with their inner selves, in touch with guidance, inspiration and their Gods.

It seems that our modern lifestyle has underestimated its virtue. We all need to take ourselves away from distractions from time to time to allow our thoughts the space they need to process feeling, to digest our experiences and to enable us to grow emotionally.

Being so used to constant noise pollution, many people find true silence disquieting and can associate silence with loneliness; and with feeling uncomfortable, they prefer to fill their heads with music, TikTok, podcasts and effectively avoid confronting their inner most thoughts.

We must treasure silence, it’s a rare and valued asset; restorative for mind and body

and is often so hard to find with all the demands of daily life. Noise pollution creates inner disturbance and we all need a digital detox to reduce auditory and information overload.

Natural sounds however, like flowing streams, waves, rivers and birdsong are essential for wellbeing and are deeply healing. Don’t walk with headphones as they isolate you from Nature sounds and their beneficial effects.

What can we do to heal ourselves from noise overload?

Firstly, it’s good to realise that silence isn’t emptiness but an inner state that can nurture deep healing.

As a psychotherapist, I value client’s moments of silence as this can allow unexpected emotions to arise; it’s often a pause in a conversation that creates a space for tears to fall, pain to arise, answers to emerge, unexpected insights and healing to begin. When we

can listen to our own silence, we can begin to be our own teachers.

Occasionally, I am simply lost for words eg: if someone is in deep grief. To be able to be present, in silence with another person, is very powerful and can communicate more than words. As Shakespeare said,’ Better to be a king of silence, than a slave to your words.’

Silence is the path to inner peace. Incessant chatter is the path to inner chaos.

Silence, however, can be full or empty, negative or positive.

It can be the source of great comfort, togetherness and understanding or it can be brimming with malice and anger… we all intuitively know the difference. Cultivating silence in one’s head and one’s home is vital for physical and mental wellbeing and it can be helpful to create a ‘quiet zone’ without screens where you can sit and simply ‘be’.

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Health & Beauty

The lip balm perfume trick

Know your skin: Kilkenny GP’s cancer warning HEALTH A Kilkenny GP is urging us to get to know our own skin better and not to brush off small changes that could be an early warning sign of skin cancer.

With Skin Cancer Awareness Month coming up in May, Dr David Brennan is encouraging us to take simple steps to protect our skin and to check it regularly.

Skin cancer is now the most common cancer in Ireland, but it is also one of the most preventable. According to the HSE, the two main types are melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer, with

melanoma less common but becoming more frequent in recent years.

Dr Brennan says regular skin checks can play a vital role in spotting problems early.

“Early diagnosis is extremely important as it can facilitate timely treatment and improve outcomes,” he says. “People often underestimate the significance of small changes in their skin or assume that Ireland’s climate reduces their risk, which is not the case.

“By checking your skin regularly, protecting yourself from UV exposure, and seeking professional advice when

BEAUTY HACK

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something changes, you are taking control of your longterm health. These are simple steps, but they can make a life-saving difference.”

So what should we be watching for? We should keep an eye out for any new moles or lesions, as well as changes in ones we already have. That includes a mole that is getting bigger, changing shape or colour, bleeding, becoming crusty, itchy or sore.

The ABCDE checklist is a useful guide: • Asymmetrical • Border irregular • Colour changes or more than one colour • Diameter over 6mm

Freepic.diller

• Evolving over time Dr Brennan also reminds us not to be fooled by Irish weather. Even on cloudy days, harmful UV rays can still get through and damage our skin.

That means we should check the daily UV index, wear sunscreen, cover up with suitable clothing and seek shade when UV levels are higher.

And if you notice a mole or skin change that worries you, do not leave it sitting there.

Get it checked by your GP. For more information on skin cancer, visit HSE.ie.

Could Kilkenny’s next Sport and Wellness Legend be among us?

Try applying lip balm before perfume to help your scent last longer.

A small dab of plain, unscented lip balm on pulse points such as your wrists, neck or behind your ears - can help hold fragrance on the skin for longer. Perfume tends to fade faster on dry skin, so giving it a slightly moisturised base can make a noticeable difference.

The trick is to use only a tiny amount and choose a balm with no strong scent of its own. Once it is rubbed in lightly, spray your perfume as normal. You should find the fragrance clings better throughout the day.

It is especially handy if your skin is on the dry side or if you find perfume disappears quickly after applying it.

Tame flyaways fast HAIR HACK Andreas

SPORT & WELLNESS A new National Lottery competition is putting the spotlight on the local clubs, coaches, organisers and wellbeing groups that help keep communities like Kilkenny active, healthy and connected.

The new Good Cause Legends initiative will honour people and projects making a real difference across Ireland, with one of the standout categories focused on Sport & Wellness Legends.

For Kilkenny, that could mean anything from a local GAA club volunteer or community fitness leader to a group helping older people stay active, or an organisation promoting health and wellbeing in the county.

The category is aimed at sports clubs, health groups and organisations that improve quality of life through the services and activities they provide. In total, nine

winners will be chosen across three categories - Sport & Wellness, Cultural & Heritage and Community - with each receiving €15,000 and a bespoke trophy.

The launch comes with new research suggesting that in Ireland, being a “legend” is not just about being famous.

While 27 percent of people named Paul McGrath as Ire-

land’s ultimate living legend, 34 percent said a legend is someone who quietly helps others without looking for recognition.

The survey also found that 70 percent of people said local legends make them feel proud and more connected to their community, while 85 percent said “You’re a legend” is a uniquely Irish saying.

Applications are now open to individuals, clubs and organisations that received eligible National Lottery Good Causes funding between 2021 and 2025. Entries close on Friday, May 22.

People can enter, check eligibility and find full details at lottery.ie/goodcauselegends.

If you have little hairs sticking up around your parting, ponytail or hairline, spray a clean toothbrush lightly with hairspray and gently brush over the area. It helps smooth down flyaways without soaking the rest of your hair or making it stiff.

This works especially well for sleek buns, ponytails and tiedback styles where loose hairs can stand out. The small brush gives you much more control than spraying hairspray directly onto your head, and it helps you target only the spots that need it.

The key is to use a light hand - too much product can leave the hair looking crunchy. A soft toothbrush is best, especially around the hairline.

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News

Leas Ceann Comhairle John McGuinness TD welcomes major step forward in drafting a five-year strategy for Credit Union sector The Leas Ceann Comhairle and Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow–Kilkenny, John McGuinness, has warmly welcomed the approval of a project plan to develop a five-year strategy for Ireland’s credit union sector, describing it as a “significant and timely opportunity” for communities across Kilkenny and Carlow.

Deputy McGuinness said the strategy will help shape the long-term future of credit unions, ensuring they remain at the heart of local communities while adapting to changing financial needs.

“This is an important and progressive move

by Government. Credit unions are among the most trusted, professional and communityfocused financial institutions in the country.

They have consistently demonstrated strong governance, financial prudence, and a deep commitment to their members,” he said.

The strategy process will be led by two highly experienced figures, with Dr Orlaigh Quinn appointed Chair of the Project Governance Board and Tom Allen appointed Chair of the Strategy Committee. Their leadership will guide the development of a sector-wide strategy that is expected to be both ambitious and inclusive.

Deputy McGuinness emphasised the strength and importance of local credit unions across Carlow and Kilkenny, including St. Canice’s Credit Union, Thomastown Credit Union, Goresbridge Credit Union, Carlow Credit Union and Tullow Credit Union.

“These credit unions are pillars of their communities. They provide not just financial services, but advice, support, and a sense of

trust that is invaluable. Their professionalism and local knowledge mean they are uniquely positioned to help shape this strategy and ensure it delivers real benefits for members and communities,” he said.

The Deputy noted that the strategy will be developed in close consultation with credit unions themselves, reflecting the sector’s diversity and independence.

“It is particularly welcome that this will be a strategy developed by the sector, for the sector. Credit unions understand their members better than anyone, and their input will be crucial in building a strong, sustainable future.”

He also highlighted the opportunities presented by potential developments such as a corporate credit union structure, enabled under the Credit Union (Amendment) Act 2023, which could support initiatives like a centralised treasury function.

“This initiative has the potential to be transformative. With the right collaboration and regulatory framework, it can strengthen the capacity of credit unions to grow, innovate and continue serving their members effectively.”

Deputy McGuinness concluded by encouraging strong engagement from local credit unions and stakeholders throughout the strategy process.

“I would strongly encourage all credit unions in Carlow and Kilkenny to engage fully with this process. This is a real opportunity to shape the future of the sector and to build on the strong foundations already in place in our communities.”

Open call for Culture Night 2026 funding – Kilkenny Kilkenny County Council Arts Office invites applications for funding to support cultural events as part of Culture Night 2026, taking place on Friday 18 September from 4pm until late.

Culture Night is an annual, all island celebration of culture, creativity and the arts, providing free access to a wide range of cultural experiences for audiences of all ages. In Kilkenny, Culture Night continues to play a key role in supporting the night time economy, encouraging participation, and fostering community connection.

The Arts Office welcomes applications from artists, cultural organisations, community groups, venues and individuals proposing creative, inclusive and engaging events for Culture Night 2026. Events must be free of charge and take place between 4pm and late on Friday 18 September.

Funding is limited and

may not be able to support all applications or the full amount requested. However, inclusion in the Culture Night programme is open to all eligible applicants, regardless of funding.

Application forms and

guidelines are available to download from the Kilkenny Arts Office website: https://kilkennyartsoffice.ie/ culture-night-2026-open-call/ The deadline for receipt of applications is 4pm on Wednesday 20 May 2026.

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Opinion

Callan’s ancient mariners The river today and not a boat in sight

A tranquil scene at the Big Bridge

Part two

BY JOHN FITZGERALD

As a rule, mariners shunned the North Side of the King’s River, despite the attractive potential berth located at the bottom of the steps at the rear of Mickey Kealy’s house. Boatmen also avoided sailing on the side of the river under Kealy’s hay barn. One possible deterrent, according to veteran boatmen, was the risk of navigating around the famous Callan Stone.

Some river men, discussing it around blazing turf fires or in the pubs, darkly compared it to the perilous Tusker Rock, and were loathe to tempt providence by venturing close to it in the water. No one in Callan knows how the stone came to be in the river.

A rumour to the effect that the four-pound man threw it in over the bridge in his younger days was proved unfounded after men older than him recalled it was there before he ever set foot in Callan at the turn of the century.

The stone, though not much talked about these days, was once dear to the hearts of Callan folk, much as the Blarney stone is treasured by Cork people. Anyone who had never stood on the stone could not rightfully claim to have been in Callan, and that sacred rule knew no exceptions.

The local wise men and women deemed even people resident in the town or any part of its catchment area for many years, or generations, to be non-citizens of Callan until they had set foot upon the Callan Stone.

The early fifties witnessed a notable breakthrough-the last of its kind- by local mariners. In 1951, Sean Holden launched The Niall Caille, on the King’s River.

Named in honour of the Monarch who allegedly drowned in Callan, the craft had the distinction of being one of the strangest and most original vessels ever to sail under the Big Bridge.

The story of how the boat came to be built is already the stuff of legend in Callan.

Word reached Sean at his workshop in Mill Street that a fuel tank from an American B-17 heavy bomber was about to be consigned to a scrap heap.

A close confidante of the well-known carpenter, who had met him during the Emergency, tipped off Sean that the tank could be delivered to him for re-cycling purposes if he had a use for it.

Sean immediately instructed three of his apprentices to drive up to the midlands to rescue the unwanted fuel tank. From his experience as an intelligence officer in the Callan LDF (Local Defence Force), he knew that fuel tanks from American bombers could be converted to make excellent cattle or pig

Sean Holden who built a boat that sailed the Kings River

troughs for farmers.

But he was aware also that they would make ideal water craft, as the tanks had proven themselves sea worthy when jettisoned over the Atlantic and the Pacific during the war.

When you neatly sliced the fuel tank in two, you had a pair of canoe-shaped metallic containers to press into service either as state of the art farming contrivances or as makeshift sea or river craft.

Sean, with some help from his brother Haulie, and applying the proverbial Wisdom of Solomon, cut the large empty container in half with a hacksaw.

One half would suffice as a trough, they decided, and this found its way onto the land of a local farmer who admired the skill and proficiency that had gone into fashioning a nifty feeding apparatus for his cattle.

Little did he know that it had seen action in 1944 at the height of the US air force’s unrelenting attacks on German industry.

Bullet holes punched by German fighter planes and framed by circles of rust had been neatly patched and repaired by the enterprising duo. These caused no hitches whatever for the farmer: The trough stood the test of time, serving his herd until well into the sixties.

But the other half of the tank- the part free of bullet holes and other damage inflicted by the German war machine, became the object of close scrutiny and detailed on-the-spot analysis in the workshop. Sean lined the inner sides and sharp edges (created by the hacksaw) of the boat with wood. He painted the boat red- it was the colour of his favourite flower, the rose.

Members of the Town Development Association, local clergy, the nuns, and flag-waving locals gathered along a stretch of riverbank in the Moat field for the launch.

The boat resembled an extra large canoe and could take three people at a time.

A loud cheer went up as the craft splashed onto the Avonree. In the days and weeks that followed, many townspeople took to the water in Sean’s boat.

They swore by its comfort and reliability. Nobody was ever refused a trip on the Niall Caille, and it was a familiar

sight on the river even when not in service. After its first year, Sean donated the sturdy craft to the community. The only rule to be observed by each person who used it was that it be tied securely to the riverbank after a cruise.

The only mishap with the boat involved a visitor to town who lost his balance in the vessel as he attempted to demonstrate his sparring skills to a man who “dared” him from the Big Bridge.

Standing in the craft, he punched the warm summer air in jest, calling the other man’s attention to a match he had fought. The boat rocked back and forth perilously.

Sean, who adhered to a “safety first” code in all his maritime dealings, admonished the naïve young thrill-seeker from the abbey meadow riverbank: “Don’t mind him”, he shouted, “concentrate on the boat or you’ll come a cropper.” Too late, the boat keeled over and the man fell into the raging torrent.

Luckily, Sean and three other members of the Town Development Association acted quickly. They shouted at the gentleman to stay calm… to refrain from thrashing about in the river. Expert swimmers rescued him from the choppy waters and after a little mouth-to-mouth resuscitation he was back in top form again.

The Niall Caille brought joy to many locals throughout its four-year presence on the river. But Sean, in consulta-

tion with the Town Elders, decided to scuttle it after a sharp object perforated its bottom near the Dark Walk.

The scuttling committee took the boat to an undisclosed section of the river where it was weighed down with rocks and sunk. The people of Callan sadly missed their leisure craft. It had won its way into their hearts and the town would never be the same again without it.

The recreational use of boats in the river declined in the years that followed, and had virtually died out by the late1950s, apart from a number of low-key unsuccessful attempts about which the less said the better.

In the seventies, a large boat that took fourteen months to build on the Fair Green literally fell apart when it hit the water. The unofficial public…house inquiry into the cause of its premature demise lasted longer- about thirty years.

The King’s River today is a lot quieter than it was in the first half of the twentieth century. The fish have it to themselves. Our Mariners have gone to sail on that great ocean in the sky, far away from today’s hi tech society, where such characters are few and far between.

In 1958, Peter Roughan lamented their passing: The waters flow on In their race to the sea, But the boats are all gone From the calm Avonree.

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News

This is a small but significant My journey to Lourdes win that will make a world of with Rise and Shine difference to survivors of DSGBV

Hi, my name is Hannah O’Mahony. I am 25 years old and I’m from Ballinroad Lower, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.

The first time I was chosen to go to Lourdes, I was 13 years old. I travelled with the Waterford group, which was Group 203. We did lots of activities like visiting Hosanna House, the Grotto, the Baths, and then had a Trust Mass.

I was so lucky to be picked again to go. This time I went with the Enniscorthy Group 94 in 2018, 2024, and 2026, where I got to experience Lourdes again, which I loved. We did various activities like visiting Hosanna House, the Grotto, the City of the Poor, bowling, singing, games on the prairie, and lots more.

The highlight of the week is the Trust Mass, where all the groups get to meet each other and get to sing and dance.

Rise and Shine is an independent, self-funding,

national, inclusive, and volunteer-led charity that provides supported pilgrimage holidays to guests with additional needs and respite to their families.

They strive to give guests and volunteers meaningful memories, the opportunity for personal growth, and an unforgettable, life-changing experience.

The volunteers are completely dedicated, and they all believe in the importance and necessity of what they do.

The Trust brings children and young people with additional needs on a week-long pilgrimage holiday to Lourdes each Easter. Four hundred young people with additional needs are invited as guests.

This trip is free for guests, as the volunteers fundraise for it.

Volunteers pay for their own trip.

Donate through the link to rise and shine trust https://www.idonate.ie/ cause/RiseAndShineTrust

An initiative by Social Democrats senator Patricia Stephenson, which will result in free travel for three months for those fleeing domestic violence, is to be introduced as a standalone scheme by Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary.

Senator Stephenson said: “This proposal, which has received broad cross-party support, was introduced last October as my very first bill in the Seanad. Now, in a small but significant win for survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV), the minister and his department are set to take my idea forward.

“Minister Calleary brought the proposal to Cabinet for sign-off this morning before joining me in the Seanad to announce details of the scheme, which will come into effect on May 5.

“From next week, women fleeing their abuser, along with their children, will be granted a non-means tested travel supplement for three months. The scheme will be administered by Community Welfare Officers (CWOs), with referrals made by domestic violence agencies operating under Cuan – the DSGBV agency – including

women's refuges. Referrals can also be made by gardaí.

“There will be an option to extend the scheme after three months.

“The amount paid will be based on individual needs, taking into account factors such as location and the number of children involved.

The travel scheme will be modelled on the domestic violence rent supplement, and paid via bank transfer or cheque if the survivor does not have access to an account – which is not uncommon when a woman has experienced financial abuse.

“Free travel might sound like a small thing, but it can mean the world to someone starting again after suffering violence, coercive control or psychological abuse. It can help survivors, and their children, get safely to a refuge, to school, to work to counselling or to a solicitor’s office. It can mean reconnecting with family.

“This initiative is not about charity – it’s about dignity. It’s about recognising that mobility is safety, and that public services should not stop at the front door of the home, especially when that home has become a place of harm.”

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Homes & Gardens

Shell out for seedlings

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GARDEN HACK Freepik

Before throwing eggshells into the bin, give them a second life in the garden. Crushed eggshells can be sprinkled around young plants to slowly add calcium to the soil, helping support healthy growth.

To use them, rinse the shells, leave them to dry, then crush them into small pieces. You can scatter them around tomatoes, peppers, courgettes and other plants that benefit from calcium.

For best results, crush them finely, as they will break down more quickly in the soil.

Eggshells can also be added to the compost heap, where they help balance out softer green waste such as vegetable peelings and grass cuttings.

Some gardeners also use crushed eggshells as a rough barrier around tender plants, as the sharp edges may help discourage slugs and snails.

Squeak no more HOME HACK Freepik

A squeaky door can be one of those small household annoyances that gets worse the longer it is ignored. Luckily, it is usually very easy to sort.

Instead of reaching straight for a toolbox, try a small amount of petroleum jelly on the hinge. Open the door fully, wipe away any dust or grime from the hinge area, then dab a little petroleum jelly along the moving parts. Open and close the door a few times to help it work its way in.

It is less messy than some oils and is handy if you only need a quick fix. Wipe away any extra with a cloth so it does not attract dust.

This can work well on internal doors, cupboard hinges and even stiff drawer runners. For outdoor gates or badly rusted hinges, a proper lubricant may still be needed, but for everyday indoor squeaks, this simple trick can do the job.

Home energy ratings shake up HOMES

stand how a home performs.

A new A0 rating is also being introduced for the very best-performing homes. This will apply to zero-emission homes with very low energy demand and no on-site carbon emissions from fossil fuels. It is a sign of where home building and upgrading standards are heading in the years ahead.

For local homeowners, there is no immediate rush to replace an existing BER cert. Current certificates will remain valid for 10 years from their date of issue, unless

major renovation works have been carried out. They can still be used for selling, renting, conveyancing and property advertising while valid.

The updated BER certificate will also include more practical information, such as greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy use and whether a home meets zeroemission building standards.

It will continue to offer advice on cost-effective ways to improve energy performance.

A QR code will also be added, linking homeowners to BER and retrofit information

relevant to their property.

With energy costs and home comfort still high on the agenda for families, these changes should help people better understand where their home stands and what improvements may be worth considering.

The move is part of Ireland’s wider plan to improve housing energy standards, with all new homes moving towards Zero Emissions Building standards by 2030. The SEAI is expected to provide public information before the new system comes into effect.

Bloom tickets now on sale

The popular festival returns to the Phoenix Park in Dublin from Thursday, May 28 to Monday, June 1, with plenty on offer for anyone interested in gardens, food, flowers and outdoor living.

Bloom has become a firm favourite for people looking for ideas for their own homes and gardens. Whether you have a small back garden, a patio, a few pots at the front door or a larger country garden, there is usually something to bring home in the way of inspiration.

The show gardens are always a big draw, with clever planting ideas, outdoor seating areas, water features and practical designs that can spark ideas for spaces of all shapes and sizes. There will also be floral displays, talks, demonstrations, shopping and advice from gardening

experts.

Food is another big part of the weekend, with Irish producers, cookery demonstrations and plenty of chances to sample something tasty along the way.

For families, Bloom is also a handy day out, with entertainment and activities across the festival site. It is a good excuse to get outdoors, pick up a few tips and enjoy a relaxed wander through one of the country’s bestknown garden events.

Tickets are available now, with adult and concession options on sale. Children’s tickets are also available, with two children admitted free with each adult ticket when valid child tickets are booked.

Early booking is advised, especially for the busier weekend days.

Homeowners across Kilkenny will soon see changes to the way home energy ratings are presented, as Ireland’s Building Energy Rating system is updated from May 24.

The familiar BER certificate, often needed when selling or renting a property, is being simplified. At present, homes are rated on a 15-point scale from A1 down to G. Under the new system, this will become a clearer A to G rating, making it easier for householders, buyers and tenants to under-

GARDENS Tickets are now on sale for this year’s Bord Bia Bloom,

giving Kilkenny’s garden lovers the chance to start planning a day out over the June Bank Holiday weekend.

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Food & Drink

Spring Veg, Bacon and Cheddar Frittata

Eat safe this summer campaign

RECIPE

A frittata is one of those wonderfully useful recipes that works for breakfast, lunch, supper or a picnic. It is also a great way to use up whatever vegetables are in the fridge. This version uses spring greens, Irish cheddar and a little crispy bacon for extra flavour.

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Serves 4 Ingredients

FOOD SAFETY

• 6 large eggs • 2 tablespoons milk or cream • 100g mature cheddar, grated • 4 rashers smoked bacon, chopped • 1 small onion, finely sliced • 1 garlic clove, crushed • 1 small courgette, sliced • A handful of spinach or kale, chopped • 100g cooked potatoes, sliced • 1 tablespoon olive oil • Salt and black pepper • A little chopped parsley or chives, to serve

As BBQ season and summer gatherings get closer, Ireland has joined a Europe-wide campaign aimed at helping people make safer and smarter food choices.

The Safe2Eat 2026 campaign is led by the European Food Safety Authority and supported in Ireland by Safefood. Now in its sixth year, the campaign runs from April to July and spans 23 countries.

Its aim is to give consumers clear, practical and science-

Method Preheat the grill to medium.

Heat the olive oil in a medium non-stick frying pan. Add the chopped bacon and cook for a few minutes until golden and crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Add the onion to the same pan and cook gently for five minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and courgette and cook for another few minutes. Add the cooked potato slices and allow them to colour lightly.

Scatter the spinach or kale into the pan and let it wilt. Return the bacon to the pan and spread everything out evenly.

In a bowl, whisk the eggs with the milk or cream, half the grated cheddar, a pinch of salt and plenty of black pepper. Pour the mixture over the vegetables and bacon, tilting the pan so the egg reaches the edges.

Cook over a low heat for 6-8 minutes, until the frittata is mostly set but still slightly soft on top. Sprinkle over the remaining cheddar, then place the pan under the grill for 2-3 minutes until golden and puffed.

Leave to rest for a minute before slicing. Finish with chopped parsley or chives.

Serve warm with a green salad, or allow it to cool and pack it for lunch. It is also lovely with tomato relish or a spoonful of Ballymaloe-style country relish on the side.

based advice on everyday food safety — from reading labels and understanding allergens to preparing, storing and cooking food safely at home.

In Ireland, the focus will include food allergens, food composition and safe food handling, with timely advice for the summer months when more meals are prepared, shared and enjoyed outdoors.

Joanne Uí Chrualaoich, Safefood CEO, said: “Safe2Eat plays an important role in helping people across Ireland make informed decisions

about the food they eat every day, giving them confidence and trust in the safety of their food. Partnering with EFSA is an important partnership to support protecting public health.

“As we head into the sociable summer months — with BBQs, family gatherings and outdoor eating — it’s especially important that people have clear, practical advice to help them prepare and handle food safely. This campaign helps make food safety simple and part of everyday life.”

The campaign also aims to encourage people to think more critically about what they eat and to feel more confident using food safety information in daily life.

Nikolaus Kriz, Executive Director of EFSA, said Safe2Eat 2026 “turns complex scientific knowledge into practical, easy-to-use advice” on handling, preparing and understanding food.

The message for summer is simple: enjoy food, enjoy gathering together - but keep food safety in mind.

Good Food Ireland celebrates 20 years of flavour Paul Sherwood Photograph

FOOD HEROES Good Food Ireland marked a special milestone this month, celebrating 20 years of championing Irish food, drink, hospitality and tourism.

The anniversary was celebrated on Monday, April 20, with a conference and showcase dinner at the InterContinental Dublin, bringing together people from across Ireland’s food world - from farmers and fishers to chefs, producers, hoteliers and tourism leaders.

Founded by Margaret Jeffares, Good Food Ireland has spent two decades helping to connect the people who grow, catch, make, cook and serve Ireland’s food. Its aim has been simple but powerful: to promote trusted, highquality Irish food experiences

and help visitors discover the real taste of Ireland.

The theme of the conference was 20 Years of Taste: From Local Roots to Global Connections, looking at how Ireland’s food, farming, seafood and tourism sectors can work more closely together in the years ahead.

One of the key messages was that food now plays a major role in how visitors choose their holiday destinations. Tourists increasingly want authentic local experiences, seasonal produce and a real connection to the people behind the plate.

The event also highlighted the importance of chefs, producers and suppliers working together to put more Irish ingredients on menus, from home-grown vegetables to sustainable seafood.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 1st May 2026

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What’s On

Your picks for this week

Freepik

TOP SHOWS, BOOKS, MUSIC, GAMES AND MORE - OUR QUICK GUIDE TO WHAT’S WORTH YOUR TIME THIS WEEK What to Watch: Michael brings the story of Michael Jackson to the big screen, with Jaafar Jackson playing his famous uncle in the lead role.

The film follows the music, ambition and pressure behind one of pop’s most recognisable figures, while also taking in the family relationships that shaped him. Expect a glossy, high-profile biopic with big songs, dramatic moments and plenty for audiences to talk about afterwards in the cinema foyer. IMC Kilkenny.

Roots Festival gets underway in Kilkenny SMITHWICK’S KILKENNY ROOTS FESTIVAL | VARIOUS VENUES | MAY 1 - MAY 4 LIVE MUSIC Kilkenny’s much-loved Smithwick’s Kilkenny Roots Festival gets underway today, Friday, May 1, bringing four days of Americana, folk, blues, country, rockabilly and roots music to the city.

Running until late on Monday, May 4, the festival will once again see audiences winding their way through the city’s medieval streets, with more than 40 Irish and international acts performing across 30-plus venues.

Now well established as one of Ireland’s great mu-

sic weekends, the festival has been attracting major names from the Americana and roots world since 1998.

Over the years, Kilkenny has welcomed artists including Calexico, Giant Sand, DriveBy Truckers, Jason Isbell, Alejandro Escovedo, Guy Clark, Chuck Prophet, Ray LaMontagne, Richmond Fontaine, Phosphorescent, Sturgill Simpson and Alabama Shakes.

This year’s line-up continues that tradition, with key names including Rodney Crowell, The Big Star Quintet, Florry, Friendship, The Long

Ryders and Modern Nature among the acts set to perform over the Bank Holiday weekend.

The programme features a lively mix of ticketed concerts and free shows, with more than 90 performances taking place from early afternoon until late into the night.

Alongside the main festival gigs, the popular free pub trail will bring music into venues throughout the city, giving visitors and locals the chance to dip in and discover something new.

As always, the appeal of Roots lies in its range.

Festival-goers can expect everything from bluegrass and folk to swing, blues, cajun, rockabilly and beyond, with a blend of familiar favourites and fresh discoveries.

The festival has long been praised for its relaxed atmosphere, intimate venues and knowledgeable audiences, and this year promises another packed weekend of live music, good company and city-wide festival energy.

For Kilkenny, the May Bank Holiday weekend means one thing: Roots is back.

Tickets: kilkennyroots.com

MAYhem brings comedy to Kilkenny every day in May MAYhem | VARIOUS VENUES | MAY 1 - MAY 31 COMEDY A month-long celebration of stand-up comedy kicks off today, as MAYhem, a brandnew comedy festival, takes over the city from May 1 to 31, 2026.

Running every day throughout the month, MAYhem is being billed as a natural next step after more than 30 years of Kilkenny’s famous Cat Laughs festival.

The idea is simple: stretch that much-loved festival feeling across the whole month, with more nights, more shows and comedy happening every evening in the city centre.

Tickets start from €16, with no booking fees, and there will also be midweek deals and special offers available throughout May. Organisers say the aim is to make live comedy easy, accessible and great value, whether people want to plan a full night out

or simply drop in after work.

The festival will feature stand-up across six city-centre venues, bringing together a mix of well-known acts and exciting new voices. With intimate rooms, relaxed settings and Kilkenny’s famously lively audiences, MAYhem promises to offer comedy at its best.

Unlike a traditional weekend festival, MAYhem is designed to be flexible.

Audiences can come along once, book several shows, or simply see where the month takes them. It is also expected to bring a welcome buzz to pubs, restaurants and venues during midweek evenings as well as weekends.

Supported by Kilkenny County Council, the festival will offer no booking fees across the programme, helping keep tickets affordable throughout the month.

For comedy fans, MAYhem is a chance to enjoy the spirit

What to Read: Loaf Tin Bakes

by Shane Smith is a very handy read for anyone who likes simple, reliable home baking. The Irish chef gives the humble loaf tin centre stage, with sweet and savoury ideas designed for busy kitchens and last-minute visitors. It is practical, cheerful and easy to dip into, making it a lovely weekend choice for bakers who want maximum reward without too much fuss in your own kitchen.

What to Stream: Your Friends & Neighbours on Apple TV+ gives Jon Hamm another finely tailored role, this time as a disgraced hedge-fund manager stealing from the wealthy residents of his own neighbourhood. It is part crime drama, part social satire, with polished houses, brittle marriages and bad choices everywhere. If you like your streaming glossy but uneasy, this has enough bite to make a weekend binge feel worthwhile, with tension building nicely throughout.

What to Listen To: Sweat by Melanie C is a bright newrelease pick for anyone who wants energy rather than background listening. The former Spice Girl leans into clubready pop, rave touches and feelgood workout momentum, making the album a lively choice for the car, kitchen or Saturday reset. It is upbeat, polished and designed for movement, with enough nostalgic sparkle to please longtime fans while still sounding fresh for a weekend listen now.

of Kilkenny’s comedy tradition in a fresh new way — not just over one busy weekend, but every night in May.

Tickets are available from mayhem.ie, with special offers and MAYhem bundles also on offer.

What to Play: The Coma 3: Bloodlines is a new survivalhorror pick for players on PC and Nintendo Switch who like their weekend gaming tense and properly atmospheric.

Released on April 30, it returns to the creepy Korean school setting of the cult series, mixing exploration, stealth and scares as players try to survive the night. It is one for horror fans, with plenty of shadows, pursuit and unease built into the experience.

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Community & GAA Notes

KilkennyGAA clubs and Communitynews CLARA U16 HURLING Clara travelled to Lisdowney to put their unbeaten run on the line against the unbeaten home side. They did so short several regulars for various reasons. In fact, they only had 13 players for this game and Lisdowney sportingly agreed to match those numbers.

They came up short eventually but once again their fighting spirit was very evident, and they pushed Lisdowney all the way to the final whistle. Actually, the Lisdowney goalkeeper made a few marvellous saves in the last five minutes to give his team a bit of breathing space.

Rory Treacy got the game’s opening score before Lisdowney equalised from a free. Ger Cody put Clara ahead, but Lisdowney struck next for their first goal.

The impressive Jack Byrne pulled one back for Clara before Lisdowney hit a mini purple patch and hit the next 1-2 to take a 6 point lead. However, Jack Byrne converted a penalty for Clara, and the same player added two points to leave just the minimum between the teams. Robert Coogan then traded points with one of the Lisdowney lads and halftime was reached with the home side 2-4 to 1-6 ahead.

Jack Byrne converted two frees at the start of the second half and after Lisdowney had pulled one back Robert Coogan and Jack Byrne edged Clara two ahead. Lisdowney hit back with two to level matters, but Sam Corr grabbed a fine point to regain the lead.

That was as good as it got for Clara however as Lisdowney hit the next 1-4, with all four points coming from placed balls. Matthew Cooke surged forward to cut the deficit, but the home side replied immediately against a tiring Clara outfit. Then a Lisdowney goal settled the issue although Clara never stopped trying and Matthew Cooke drove forward again for a fine goal. And Clara still had time to force those fine saves from the Lisdowney netminder. 4-13 to 2-12 was how it ended but once again this young Clara side showed the bottle to make this a real contest while short a good number of regulars. They hit 11 wides here too as against 9 for Lisdowney. If they keep improving, they could have a right run at the championship as they look well capable of coming out the right side of many battles.

Team - Ciaran Gibbons, Liam O Callaghan, Liam Treacy, Ollie Butler. Eddie Phelan, Sam Corr 0-1, Matthew Cooke 1-1. Jack Byrne 1-6, 1-3f, Rory Treacy 0-1.

James McDonald, Raphael Scanlon, Ger Cody 0-1, Robert Coogan 0-2.

SENIOR HURLING Clara began the 2026 season with a hard fought excellent 3-16 to 2-21 win over Glenmore in Glenmore.

This was the opening round of the Senior/Intermediate League and both sides welcomed back some of their county panellists. Shane Murphy, Cathal Beirne and Ian Byrne lined out for the hosts and Rory Glynn returned to the Clara colours. It was Rory that opened the scoring inside 30 seconds and, after Glenmore had levelled and gone ahead, Conor O Shea equalised for Clara. Then a long delivery was brilliantly fielded by Chris Bolger who offloaded to Rory Glynn and the net shook. Chris Bolger added a free, but Glenmore replied with two points. Then Joe Power made a brilliant catch to score and after Glenmore had responded Chris Bolger put Clara three in front again. Three Glenmore points in a row tied the game and after Chris Bolger had edged Clara back in front the Southerners hit three more in a row to go two clear. Then after Peter Nolan had been denied a goal by a brilliant save Chris Bolger converted the resultant 65. Then Martin O Connell angled a ball across to Rory Glynn who rounded his man and fired an unstoppable shot to the top corner. Ian Byrne then pointed a free to leave Clara 2-7 to 0-12 ahead at the break.

Glenmore were first out of the blocks in the second half and notched two points before Rory Glynn equalised again. Glenmore went back in front but three Clara points by Chris Bolger (free), Martin O Connell and Joe Power handed them back the initiative. However, Glenmore hit the next 5 points to move 3 clear and a few missed frees by Clara looked to be proving costly. But they knuckled down again and points by Shane Staunton, the returning Sean O’ Shea (great to see him back) and Martin O Connell had them level before Rory Glynn gave them the lead again. Then Chris Bolger looked to have sealed it for Clara with a superb goal, but Glenmore came back down the field to grab a goal of their own. The game was back in the melting pot, and it was youngster Jake Maher that gave Clara a bit of breathing space with the next score to push them two ahead. Glenmore had time for one

Ónagh Fitzgerald celebrates her Minor All Ireland win with her family

more point, but the clock was their enemy and excellent referee Owen Kenny blew it up with Clara the victors. Best for the winners were Conor Cody, Rory O Keeffe, Shane Staunton, Martin O Connell, Joe Power, Rory Glynn and Chris Bolger.

Team - Kevin Nolan, Paddy Bolger, Conor Cody, Zach Lawlor. Rory O Keeffe, Shane Staunton 0-1, Luke Lawlor. Martin O Connell 0-2, Sean Carrigan. Peter Nolan, Conor O Shea 0-1, Joe Power 0-2. Rory Glynn 2-3, Chris Bolger 1-5, 0-3f, 0-1 x 65, Jake Maher 0-1. Subs used Ciaran Prendergast, Sean O Shea 0-1.

CAMOGIE Clara played out a very entertaining draw against Thomastown in Clara in the Summer League. The home side led 3-6 to 2-5 at halftime having played with a light breeze. Mary O’Connell clipped two early points, but Thomastown led 1-2 to 0-2 after 10 minutes. Then two goals inside 2 minutes from the Curtis sisters - Siobhán and Aisling- put Clara in the driving seat. Although Thomastown responded with the next two points the hardworking Siobhan Treacy struck a goal from close range and Mary O’Connell added a free to push the lead out to five. That lead grew further when, after Thomastown had converted a free, Siobhan Curtis and Rebecca Nolan both landed points. Clara were, then hit with a sucker punch when Shelly Farrell brilliantly caught a long delivery and finished to the net from a tight angle. An Aisling Nolan point then left it 3-6 to 2-5 to the home side at halftime.

Siobhán Treacy hit the first score of the second half before Thomastown hit something of a purple patch with five points in a row to tie the game. Clara were, then awarded a 21 yard free and, sensing that they were under the cosh, Mary O Connell stepped up and buried the sliotar in the net. When Emma Corr and Mary added two points Clara were in control again. But then Thomastown were awarded a 21 yard free and, with just three Clara players on the line, the sliotar once again found the net. A revitalised Thomastown added two more points to tie the game.

In a frantic finish Siobhan Curtis edged Clara ahead again but Shelly Farrell, who had proved a handful all game, grabbed an equaliser with the last puck of the game. Probably a fair result on the balance of play in a highly entertaining affair.

Team - Aoife Glynn, Aine McDonald, Lucy Cody, Anna Walpole. Lucy Kealy, Laoise Nolan, Claire Nolan.

Aisling Nolan 0-1, Rebecca Nolan 0-1. Emma Corr 0-1, Aisling Curtis 1-0, Mary O Connell 1-4, 1-2f. Siobhan Treacy 1-1, Siobhan Curtis 1-2, Róisín Kealy. Subs used Moya Kelly, Katie O Connell.

COUNTY SCENE Hard luck to the Meany brothers Pádraic and Micheál who started for the Kilkenny minor hurlers that lost 0-22 to 3-11 in Nowlan Park on Saturday. Podge scored a wonderful goal for the Cats.

Hard luck also to Emma Shortall who started for the Kilkenny senior camogie side when they lost by a point to Wexford in the Leinster semi final on Friday evening in Wexford Park. And Caragh Brennan was on the Kilkenny U17 development squad that were beaten in their final by Cork.

On the plus side Emily Phelan was on the Kilkenny U16B panel that defeated Cork in the All Ireland final while Ónagh Fitzgerald was on the Minor A panel that had an unexpectedly comprehensive win over Galway in the All Ireland final in Nowlan Park.

CLUB LOTTO The Lotto results for 21st April were as follows, the numbers drawn were 10, 16, 20. There was no Jackpot Winner. The €30 Lucky dip to went to Michael Dreeling, Catherine Mulrooney, Rose Mullally, Claire Brennan and Avril Kelly. Thank you for your continued support, the Jackpot could be yours!

BENNETTSBRIDGE TEA PARTY Bennettsbridge will host an Alzheimer’s Society Tea Day on Thursday, 7th May. Come have a cuppa tea or coffee in Crafted and make a donation to a great

cause pertinent to our village and surrounding areas, donation box in Centra and Crafted Cafe.

CHURCH NEWS Masses during the week. Bennettsbridge, Wednesday 10.30am, Friday 10.30am. Sunday 10.30am. Tullaherin, Saturday 8pm FIRST COMMUNION First Holy Communion will take place in St Bennett’s church this Saturday at 11am. This follows weeks of preparation by teachers, children and parents.

LOTTO There was no winner of the Jackpot. The numbers drawn were, 1, 3, 5, 23. The Jackpot of €12,000.00 is still there for the winning, folks. Consolation Prizes, The Kinsella Family, Bennettsbridge, Liam McEvoy, Gowran Road, Bennettsbridge, Dermot Kelly, Killarney, Mary Wemyss, Gowran Road, David O’Neill, Ballinamona, Thomastown.

GATHERING GROUP Gathering Group meeting as usual on Wednesday morning, 11am to 1pm. Activities include, tea and chat, chair exercises, rings and bingo. New members welcome.

EAST END SOCCER Kilkenny U13s vs U14s played each other recently with East End’s Harry, Jack and Robbie all in great spirits after a brilliant game.

Great result for East End U14s at the weekend with a 4–2 win over Deen Celtic. The win places East End level at the top of the table with Spa Utd, so it’s all down to a playoff to decide the league champions.

East End U 13s had a great 4–2 away win against Freshford at the weekend. Goals from Robbie O’Malley (2), Robbie Dobbyn and Ellie Killian (1). Special shoutout to Alowen Grimes, who celebrated his 13th birthday by making his first outfield appearance of the year for the team.

ALL IRELAND CHAMPIONS Huge congratulations to Erin and Holly on becoming All-Ireland champions with Kilkenny. We are so proud to have you representing Bennettsbridge Camogie Club. It’s a fantastic achievement. Well done girls. Full time Score: Kilkenny 3-17. Galway; 1-9 GAA Intercounty Games: Well, done to David Blanchfield and the Kilkenny seniors who had a fine win over Wexford last Saturday in Nowlan Park. Hard luck to Jamie Walsh and the Kilkenny minors who were narrowly defeated by Galway in the second round of the Leinster minor championship.

A Night at the Dogs: Bennettsbridge GAA and Camogie clubs are running a Family Dog night fundraiser in the Kilkenny track on Friday May 8th. Tickets cost ten euro and are available from all committee members and players. All welcome to what promises to be a great night.

Membership 2026: Reminder that membership for the coming season is now open and can be paid to any committee member or online via clubspot. For non-playing members the membership remains at 40 euro. Adult players membership is 150 euro and student players 100 euro. Early payment would be greatly appreciated as the bills for 2026 start to come in.

Underage Games: Bennettsbridge under 14 footballers had a great win over Freshford in the championship. They now play in the championship semi-final. Our under 16s defeated Gowran by two points. Please see the Kilkenny GAA website for fixtures and changes. Best of luck to all teams. Well done to Jack Minogue and Elliott Morrissey who played for the Kilkenny U 14s against Waterford last weekend and to Robbie Dobbyn who represented Bennettsbridge National School at half time during the Kilkenny Wexford game.

Signage Campaign: Bennettsbridge GAA club continues to promote thePitch signage campaign. Thanks to all the business owners who have supported so far. If interested, please contact Alan Flynn or Alan Morrissey.

SPLIT THE POT The next draw takes place this Friday at 6 pm in the clubhouse. The draw can also now be entered online on the club spot app under fundraising. Thanks again for the support.

O’LOUGHLIN GAELS PEDAL TO THE SEA This weekend sees forty intrepid cyclists set out for a trip from St John’s Park to Dungarvan Co. Waterford on Friday and back again the following day as part of O’Loughlin Gaels fundraiser Pedal to the Sea. Funds raised will go towards the continuing development

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Community & GAA Notes

Section of O’Loughlin Gaels Under 10 and 11 players who took part in Ballygunner GAA Club’s mini- blitz last weekend

O’Loughlin Gaels Under 10 and 11 players who took part in Ballygunner GAA Club’s mini- blitz last weekend

of the club as detailed below and also to the Dillon Quirke Foundation. There has been great support so far for the cyclists in the form of sponsorship and in fundraising events such as a Table Quiz in Mc Sorley’s, Cake Sale in the Club, collection at Mc Carthy’s SuperValu and jersey days in the local schools. Donations can be made through the following link. https://www. idonate.ie/crowdfunder/oloughlingaelsgaacamogiehand The Pedal to the Sea forms part of essential fundraising for the club. In recent years St. John’s Park has undergone some major facilities upgrades and plans are in place to continue development to sustain the club’s future and keep in line with best practices.

Since 2019 various works have included extending the dressing rooms, providing Gym facilities, refurbishing the bar and lounge. In 2024 new Floodlights were commissioned, accessible supporters bay created and perimeter fencing upgraded. In 2025 works were completed on the new Astroturf, Wall ball and New Dressing Rooms are next on the list. In 2024 a 10 year plan was announced to complete 2 new pitches and associated works at Dunmore. We look to resource these developments by way of sponsorship, membership and fun fundraising events and anyone wishing to help can contact any member of the Club Executive.

BUSY WEEKEND FOR JUVENILES

Last weekend was a busy one for O’Loughlin Gaels juvenile hurlers. The Under-11 boys backed up by some of our Under-10 boys travelled down to Ballygunner in sunny Waterford to compete in a mini blitz. The boys battled hard against hosts Ballygunner, Erin’s Own Cork and St Mary’s Tipperary.

The Under-9 boys group welcomed Blackwater GAA Wexford to St John’s Park for a challenge game before the big Kilkenny vs Wexford game last Saturday. Skill, effort and determination were on show in abundance from both teams, who were treated to some well earned treat bags after the games. Well done to all involved and thanks to our great coaches who supported the players all day.

CAMOGIE PLAYERS IN INTERCOUNTY ACTION Last weekend was busy for some of O’Loughlin Gaels club camogie players. Laura Greene and Laura Murphy played with the Kilkenny Senior camogie team as they got their championship season underway against Wexford in Wexford. Unfortunately the purple and gold team had a surprise win against Kilkenny.

Grace Roberts and Julia Adamczyk played in their respective Under 16 and Under 17 county development finals on Saturday. Then on Sunday in Nowlan Park Ruth Crowley played on the Kilkenny minor team which captured the All-Ireland title against Galway winning by 3-17 to 1-9. Well done to all our players.

CLUB LOTTO WINNER

There was one lucky winner of O’Loughlin Gaels club lotto dated April 21st.

The numbers drawn were 8, 12, 16, 17 and the bonus number was 21. Congratulations to the winner Jackie Tyrrell. Play Now at www.oloughlingaels.com. Thank you for your continued support.

KILKENNY SENIOR HURLERS WIN Well done to O’Loughlin Gaels players’ Mikey Butler, Paddy Deegan and Jordan Molloy who all played their part in Kilkenny’s victory in the Leinster Hurling Championship over Wexford in UPMC Nowlan Park and also to Fionán Mackessy and Luke Hogan who were part of the match day twenty six also. Offaly are next up in Glendale O’Connor Park, Tullamore on May 10th.

JAMES STEPHENS GAA AND CAMOGIE CLUB SENIOR / INTERMEDIATE HURLING LEAGUE Our Intermediate hurlers got their season off to a good start when defeating Mooncoin in the first round of the Senior / Intermediate league. Played in ideal conditions in Páirc Sheamuis Stiophán, corner forward, Conor McEvoy had a goal and a point to his credit after four minutes, in reply to a Mooncoin point. Mooncoin added a further point before corner forward Oisin Bateman, in the 16th. minute, following a great tussle and goalward run, finished the ball to

the net to leave the score at 2-1 to 0-2. Mooncoin added 3 further points before James Stephens added to their tally with a pointed free from Tadhg O’ Dwyer and points from Paddy Kehoe and Stephen Manogue.

The injured Luke Scanlon, who was commanding the centre of the defence wearing no. 6, was replaced by Niall Delaney after 25 minutes. Stephen Manogue and Oisín Bateman added a point each while Mooncoin added a further point to leave the half time score at James Stephens 2-6, Mooncoin 0-6. With the full back line of Dara Behan, Ben Lawlor and Sam McEvoy commanding their positions, ably assisted by wing backs Jamie O’ Keeffe and Luke Murphy, Mooncoin had been held to 3 points from play in that first half.

The second half started brightly with points from Conor McEvoy and Oisín Bateman before Mooncoin struck for a goal and two points to narrow the lead to a goal. Further points from Willie Spencer and Tadhg O’ Dwyer eased the pressure before Eoin Deely and Stephen Power-Kellett were introduced to the action. A further 5 points from the sticks of Stephen Manogue, Tadhg O’ Dwyer, Willie Spencer and Oisin Bateman to which Mooncoin replied with 3 points and, would have had a goal but for an outstanding save from goalkeeper Sean Manogue, left the final score at James Stephens 2-15, Mooncoin 1-11. A good start to the season, and, with players who were involved in inter county action over the weekend still to return to the panel, the battle for team places will be keenly fought.

JUNIOR ‘F’ HURLING LEAGUE The campaign continued in Windgap. Both sides traded scores early on with Sam Larkin proving a capable forward on top of his usual defensive qualities. The Village men could also be grateful for a great performance by James Rafter in goal. Windgap pulled away in the second half with some classy scores, but the Village worked tirelessly to the end. Final score, Windgap 4-17, James Stephens 0-12.

CUPLA FOCAIL Tiochfaidh an Grupa Comhra --- Cupla Focal le cheile aris sa chlubteach air an gCeadaoin, Aibrean 29 ag 8.30 i.n. Beidh failte roimh gach einne agus ta suil againn gho mbainfigh sibh sult agus tairbhe as an ocaid.

LEINSTER SENIOR HURLING It was a happy return to winning ways for the Kilkenny senior hurlers on Saturday evening in sun-drenched UPMC Nowlan Park as they produced a storming second half performance to comfortably defeat neighbours Wexford 5-21 to 1-16 and revive their Leinster title defence. Supporters also saw a welcome return to form for club star forward Cian Kenny whose contribution of 1-03 in the 2nd half helped inspire the Black and Amber to this important victory. Ed McDermott was also a member of the panel.

SAVE THE DATE The annual James Stephens GAA and Camogie club Summer Camp has been pencilled in for the week starting 10th to 14th August. Registration links will be sent out to all groups through their coaches closer to the camp date. The camp is for club members, boys and girls in the 5 to 12 ages. Further details to follow in due course.

KILKENNY CAMOGIE Congratulations to club players Maura Barton, Caoimhe Egan and Daisy Coomey members of the Kilkenny 2026 All-Ireland U-16 “B” camogie winning side against Galway in UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday evening. A fine achievement by the club’s aspiring camogie stars.

GO GAMES Meanwhile the Go Games series started last week with our U-8’s performing well in the Lisdowney Blitz on Sunday morning last. At home, the club hosted fixtures against John Lockes U-10 and the Lisdowney U-12 panels with the young James Stephens players displaying their developing skills to great effect in the games.

CAMOGIE NURSERY The Camogie nursery for young girls has got off to a great start with huge numbers turning up for the U-6 and U-8 coaching sessions. The nursery coaching takes place in Pairc Sheamuis Stiophan on Monday evenings from 6.30pm. New members are always welcome to come along and see if they might develop an interest in becoming the next James Stephens and possibly Kilkenny camogie stars of the future.

CAMOGIE COACHING Camogie Officer, Amy Coyne advises that the camogie Club will host an in-house Coaching Conference for team leaders and selectors on Saturday 2nd May starting at 10am. A short online application form is available on the camogie website, otherwise contact Amy 087 9431800 for further details.

KILKENNY U20 HURLING Despite a gallant effort by the Kilkenny U-20 team to haul in a six point deficit over the closing quarter of their Leinster U-20 third round fixture against Galway in O’Moore Park they came up short with a final score

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 1st May 2026

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Community & GAA Notes of 1-19 to 2-18. It was a disappointing result for club players Ed McDermott, Sean Bergin and Ed Lauhoff, substitute goalie Billy O’Sullivan as well as panellists Bill McDermott and Sean Deely. With only 3 points on the Leinster league table, and with fixtures against table toppers Dublin and Offaly to come manager Henry Shefflin faces a major challenge to inject a winning mentality into the playing panel to have a hope of retaining their Leinster title.

SOCIAL CAMOGIE The Mothers & Others social camogie has returned to Pairc Sheamuis Stiophan on Thursday evenings from 7.30 to 8.30pm. The fun and fitness activity is open to members and beyond. New players are welcome to come along and enjoy the craic while upgrading their skills in our national game. Contact Norah at 087 9431800 or Maz at 083 3921464 for further details.

LOTTO (CRANNCHUR) Na huimhreacha don seachtain seo chaite na: 18, 22, 27, 29. Ni raibh aon buaiteoir. Na mion duaisneanna €40 Bernie Fogarty, Peter Hickey, Eileen Broderick, Ann Larkin and Kate. Mar is gnath go raibh maith agaibh go leir as bhur dtachaoicht.

FRESHFORD AMONG THE HILLS OF KILLAREE Threecastles Heritage Group invites you to join with them for a Historical Walk in Killaree. Eleanor Cantwell and Claire O’ Donnell will lead the Walk and recount some of the fascinating history of this towns land. Meet at Threecastles GAA (by kind permission) Saturday May 9th. at 11 am. This is a free event.

CONFIRMATION The. boys and girls of 5th and 6th class of St Lachtains NS received their confirmation on Wednesday of last week in St Lachtains Church. Fifty-one children in all received the Sacrament which was administered by Very Rev Fr Mark Condon PP and they had a lovely day for the occasion. He thanked all the parents and teachers for their work in preparing the children both physically and spiritually for the event. The following boys and girls were confirmed: R.Dalton, S.O’Neill, C.Buckley, C Byrne, C and C Grant, B and J Nolan. R Grant, N Barnaville, S Geraghty. M Lowry. C Gleeson. J Phelan. K Phelan Foy, L Kelly. R Carroll. F Cullinane Doyle. J Doheny. J Curly. M Ryan.

T Campion. R Bolger. J Kavanagh. F Carroll. DJ Tracy Walsh. J O’Gorman. L Dunne. L Kelly. E Fox Franks.

S Webster. K Bergin. S. Eardley. C O’Kane. L Daly. S O’Rourke. S McCarthy. E Crosby. A McCabe. E Bergin.

L Stanley. A Murphy. R Hickey. I Cleere Walsh. C Gibbons. A Mackin. S Byrne. Z Thorpe Butler. L De Ruscio.

K and L Deacon DARTS The semi final of the A league took place in Farrells on Friday night last which saw Kavanagh’s take on Killeens to claim a place in the final. Kavanagh’s won on the night with big check outs from Mark Kavanagh(157) and Stephen Quirke (112). They now face Seanie’s of Tullaroan in the final, which will be held in Connolly’s on Friday night 1st May at 9.30pm sharp.

Meanwhile Connolly’s won the C final beating Killeen’s in the final and man of match went to John O’Flynn.

The John McGrath Cup final was held in McGrath’s bar where Seanie’s of Tullaroan took on Farrell’s in an exciting final which saw Seanie’s come out winners of the McGrath Cup. Stephen Farrell got man of the match.

SYMPATHY Freshford lost two of it’s senior citizens during the past week.

The death took place last week of Paddy Butler late of Ballylarkin. Freshford. In his early 90s Paddy was.a member of a well-known family in the area and worked for many years in the local saw services where he became widely known. Funeral mass took place in St Lachtain’s church followed by burial in St Lachtain’s cemetery. He is mourned by his wife Lilly, sons Seamus and Philip, daughters Marie and Kay, grandchildren, brother, sisters, nephews, nieces and extended family to whom sympathy is extended.

The death occurred last week of Mrs Nora Walsh late of Bootstown Freshford, the deceased was in her 80s and was predeceased some years ago by her husband Ted. A quiet, neighbourly and good living lady she was well known and respected in the parish.

Her funeral mass took place in St Lachtain’s church followed by burial in at Lachtain’s cemetery. She is mourned by her son Richard and daughter Elaine, grandchildren, son in law, sister in law, nieces and extended family and friends to whom sincere sympathy is extended.

GAA St Lachtains u10s had the honour of cheering the Kilkenny senior hurlers onto the pitch as they exited the tunnel on Saturday evening last at Nowlan Park.

The excitement didn’t end there as they took part in the parade at the interval and cheered Kilkenny on to

victory with other u10 teams from around the county.

A great experience for everyone involved.

The u 16 teams impressive start to their Roinn A league campaign continued last week when they saw off the challenge of St Martin’s at Muckalee winning on a score of 2-16 to 1-13.

The intermediate side had their first competitive outing of the season in the senior/intermediate league Div 2 when they travelled to Castlecomer to take on Erins Own. Missing several starting players from last season they put in a battling performance against a strong Comer side to secure a draw on final score of 0-19 each The junior F hurlers made it two out of two in the league with a win over Carrigeen in Pairc Lachtain winning by 0-21 to 1-11.

The u14 footballers bowed out of this year’s Roinn B Championship at the quarter final stage when they lost to league champions Bennettsbridge on a scoreline of 3-10 to 4-5.

The minors take on Galmoy/Windgap in Pairc Lachtain on Friday evening at 7.15pm in the minor C league.

The junior B side take on Piltown on Saturday at Pairc Lachtain while in the Senior/intermediate league St Lachtains take on Mooncoin in Mooncoin.

LOTTO There was no winner of the jackpot last week. The numbers drawn were 6,10,17,25. Lucky dip winners were: James Burke, Ann Marie Butler and Mick McCarthy. Tickets are just €2 and you purchase same online through Clubzap or from any committee member.

SPLIT THE POT The proceeds of Split the pot for April went to St Lachtain’s Bord na nOg and the winner last week was Catherine O’Hara. Thank you for your continued support. Tickets are just €2 each and can be purchased at any of the local pubs and businesses.

SYMPATHY Sympathy is extended to Larry Hamilton, Gathabawn and all his family on the recent death of his brother Denis Hamilton, late of Maudlin Street Kilkenny.

Funeral mass took place in St Johns church Kilkenny followed by burial in St Kieran’s cemetery.

SOCCER Freshford Town had two underage teams in action at the weekend. The u15 boys had a 6-0 win over East End with Patrick O’Connor netting four times and Danny Greene and Jamie Maher getting one each. The u 13boys were beaten 4-2 by East End with Tom Dalton and Shay Geraghty getting the goals for Freshford Town Ground works are continuing at the Sportsfield with an opening day being planned for the end of May. MASS TIMES Mass in St Lachtains church on Tuesday and Friday morning at 9.30am. Mass on Sunday morning at 11am. Mass in Tulla Church every third Saturday evening.

PENALTY KINGS OF KILKENNY A special and exciting day is planned for May 31st at the Sportsfield in Woodview, promising fun, competition, and celebration for all ages. The highlight of the day will be a thrilling team event, where participants are invited to put their skills to the test. If you think you and your friends have what it takes, come along and prove it. Teams of five can enter at a cost of €100, with the chance to compete for a fantastic top prize of €1,000, as well as the prestigious Gerry O’Reilly Cup. The event will also mark the grand opening of the brand-new Astra Turf pitch, a major addition to the facilities and a significant milestone for the community. Proceedings will kick off at 12pm, and there will be plenty to keep everyone entertained throughout the day.

Alongside the competition, there will be a lively atmosphere with a BBQ, music, games, and lots of fun activities for all to enjoy. It promises to be a family-friendly occasion, bringing together players, supporters, and the wider community.

Special guests are expected to attend, adding to the excitement of the day, and there will also be a range of special prizes up for grabs. It’s an event not to be missed, so be sure to come along and be part of a memorable day in Woodview.

WEBCAM The mass webcam has been installed by Church Media Ireland. All masses at Lachtain’s church will be livestreamed through the webcam at Https//church media.ie/st-lachtains-church-frffreshford.

PILGRIMAGE The Ossory pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place 25th to 30th May. 5 nights from €995 per person. All bookings through Joe Walsh tours on 01 2410800 or online at pilgrimage/group-diocesan-pilgrimages or by post to JWT Harcourt Street Dublin 2. Assisted pilgrims should contact Fr O’Connor on 0872517766.

OUTREACH CENTRE Cois Nore Outreach Centre visits Ballyragget every

Wednesday. It’s located at Dr. Hogan’s rooms, The Square from 11am to 1pm. All those seeking cancer support are very welcome. For appointment phone 0874833941 BRIDGE Freshford Bridge club is held each week in Threecastles Hall 7.30pm. New members are very welcome.

Bridge Classes are also being held for anyone interested in learning how to play bridge and you are most welcome to attend these classes. For further information contact Anne Maria on 087 2271136 if you are interested in joining.

RADIO If you wish to listen to live broadcast of mass on Tuesdays, Fridays or Sundays from Freshford Church you can tune in to 105fm on your radio.

NEWSLETTER The parish newsletter is available every week and it is also on the website. Any anniversaries or parish office business or community notices for the parish newsletter can be done by phoning the office during horse of 9.30am to 1.30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays or by calling to the office during those hours.

MASS CARDS Mass Cards and Mass Bouquets are available in the Parish office and also from Annette at Tulla.

VISITS Fr. Mark is happy to visit the sick and if you would like to receive a visit from Fr. Mark, you can contact him by phone or through the parish office.

LOOP CAFE The Loop Community Café is open Monday to Saturday from 9:30am to 4pm and is a welcoming hub in the village. They’re always happy to see more people on both sides of the counter, so why not drop in to support your local café, meet a friend, enjoy a chat, and savour some delicious homemade food?

Along with great refreshments, The Loop hosts a variety of community activities that bring neighbours together. The café is also seeking volunteers to help keep these services thriving. If you’re interested in getting involved, please call 056-883-2650 and ask for Rhiannon.

MABS The Money Advice and Budgeting service is a free confidential and independent money Management and Advice service. MABS assist people in dealing with their existing debt problems who have difficulty paying a mortgage or those facing legal action because of debt. They also provide information and access to Insolvency services including free Debt Relief Advice under the Personal insolvency options.

For more info or for an appointment contact MABS on 0818072610.

Town of Books Festival. For one weekend only, the medieval streets become a bibliophile’s paradise you can also explore our streets and buy antiques and local handmade crafts and art. Lots of fun activities for all the family!

WOMEN’S SHED Attention Fitness Class, places still available if you wish to join in. The are held on Fridays, over a 5 weeks course. The cost is €40, the time is 1.30pm, the are held over a 1 hour duration, and the are held in the Abbey Hall. Come early to register. The course is suitable for all ages and level of fitness. The class is a mix of resistance and balance training which is really important as we age, and it’s fun.

ROADSHOW The Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny in partnership with Kilkenny Carlow Education and Training Board, Kilkenny Leader Partnership and Kilkenny Intreo Office will be holding a Roadshow in various locations throughout the County. We will be in Barrow Valley Activity Hub, Graiguenamanagh on Wednesday 13th May from 10am-11am. Attendees will have a chance to speak directly with funding and support agencies representatives who can answer specific questions, provide advice and help to identify the support and grants that are available to those already in business or with an ambition to start a new business.

The Business Roadshow is open to anyone either considering a new business start-up or those currently operating a small business in County Kilkenny.

Contact us or book online.

DUISKE COLLEGE Second-year students spent a morning by the river exploring its ecosystem and learning about invasive species in the hedgerows. They them wrapped up the rest of the day around the campfire. This marked the final day of a programme, delivered in collaboration with Kilkenny Leader Partnership, which supported students in developing teamwork skills and personal growth.

HIGHVIEW ATHLETIC The over 35’s kick start their league campaign with a win. A fantastic performance from our over 35’s as they start off the season with a hard-fought win away to Castledermot’s Moone Celtic. A late Dean Broaders strike took all three points as the lads sit top of the table.

Our u12 white team took to the pitch against Bridge United. A tight first half with the breakthrough finally coming from a strike from Harry O’Brien to give the boys 1-0 lead at halftime. Second half and the boys came out flying adding 3 more quick goals from Jake Kavanagh, Harry Barron and a second on the day for young Harry saw the boys keep their unbeaten streak going. Well done boys.

GRAIGUENAMANAGH

GORESBRIDGE PAULSTOWN

CANOE CLUB Winter Refurb of our clubhouse complete. There was a lot of work to be done, to rearrange the space. We had to cope with the new equipment purchased over past 2 years. We are so thrilled with the finished work. A huge and very Special thanks to Eamonn Doherty and Jimmy Duggan for the many hours they invested in creating a new well organised and easy to use clubhouse for us all to enjoy going forward.

Everything has its place, SUPS, Canoes, Kayaks, wetsuits, pdf, paddles, helmets etc. Special thanks also Mick Dowling for his work in making a wonderful racking system for our pdfs, cags and canoes. We are thrilled and ready to open our doors for the new season ahead. Kick starting with our beginner Canoe course. Thursday club sessions restart. New members always welcome, get in touch by email or text. We look forward to seeing you all on the water very soon.

We will be paddling into the sunrise on the 9th of May to raise funds for Pieta House. If your able to donate it would be much appreciated and if you would like to join us on the morning, please get in touch. All welcome Canoes, Kayaks, Sups.

GAA It was a day to remember for our fantastic group of boys who took part in the U10 Half Time Parade during the Official Kilkenny GAA Senior game vs Wexford.

Our young players proudly showcased Graignamanagh GAA Club on the day, cheered on by great support from the spectators. There was a great turnout, and the day was made even more special by Kilkenny proving victorious over Wexford.

Thanks to the U10 club coaches, Kilkenny GAA and the Kilkenny GAA Senior players. Massive congratulations to club player Ivan Bolger who took time to be with the boys after the game and a shout out to their schoolteacher, John Donnelly, who is always very supportive.

TOWN OF BOOKS Mark your calendars! From August 21st to 23rd, 2026, the “Village of the Monks” transforms into a world-class literary haven for the Graiguenamanagh

Tom Healy

BARROW RANGERS There was no winner of the jackpot lotto draw of 21th April. There was no Match 3 winner.

The new Barrow Rangers Clubspot App is now available for anyone to download from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store, search for ‘Barrow Rangers GAA’ to find the app in the Apple and

Google Stores.

BRIDGE UNITED Congratulations to the Under-11 Bridge Utd Yellow squad who won the Jagger Wemyss Bowl recently with a 1-0 victory over Highview Athletic in Derdimus.

Last week’s winners in the Lotto draw were (€35 each): Jimmy Dunne, Pat Connolly and Siobhan Carrigan.

CHURCH SERVICES/EVENTS Weekday Masses: Goresbridge at 10am on Wednesday; Paulstown on Tuesday and Thursday: TALKING THE TALK Cupla Focal is an Irish language conversation circle that meets every Friday in the Goodly Barrow Cafe. It offers a relaxed, friendly space to practice speaking Irish, build confidence, and connect with others interested in the language, from beginners to fluent speakers, through casual conversation and shared learning.

SHOP LOCAL Tucked into the heart of Oaklawns, the local everyday shop in Paulstown is a true community gem. Always convenient and welcoming, it offers everything you might need, from fresh groceries to household essentials. The friendly atmosphere makes every visit a pleasant experience, with staff who greet customers warmly and are always ready to help. Whether you are picking up a quick snack or doing a small shop, it never feels rushed or impersonal. Its accessibil-

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Community & GAA Notes ity and reliability make it an important part of daily life for residents, providing both quality goods and a genuine sense of neighbourly connection. It also offers you a chance to pick up your free copy of the Kilkenny Observer.

MENS SHED The next meetings of the Mens Shed will be on Tuesday 5th May at 11am in in the cabin by the Paulstown Community Hall (R95 NY93). New members welcome.

SPLIT THE POT The Split the Pot in aid of Goresbridge Rural Development is also online. Simply scan the QR code or go to lottoraiser.ie. The results of the lotto draw for 26th April were: 1 Lexi Mae Walsh (€100) 2. Bernie Morrisey (€20) and 3. Skinny and Brannach (€20).

STROKE SUPPORT Meetings the both the Kilkenny and the Carlow Stroke Support Groups are open to Stroke survivors and carers. The Carlow meeting takes place every second Friday of the month in St Dympna’s Hospital, Carlow from 2pm to 4pm. For further information text/call Lynda 087 7814697.

KILMANAGH ACTIVE LADIES GROUP We are holding a “Village Clean-up” day on Saturday 9th May. If anyone wants to come along to help out, we will meet at Naomh Aodhan Community Centre at 10:00 am. Bring your own Hi-Viz. We will provide gloves, rubbish sacks and litter pickers. The Ladies Group meet each Monday evening at 7pm. New members are always welcome. Any queries contact 086 373 99 83.

CAMOGIE ACHIEVEMENTS St Brigid’s Camogie Club has had an incredibly proud and successful weekend showcasing the talent and dedication of its players at every level. Kate Neary, Kate Byrne and Casey Cleere did the club proud as they represented us at U14 county level, winning all three blitzes demonstrating great skill. Kitty Conroy and Katie Comerford secured victory in the U16 B Development Final, a fantastic achievement for both players and the club. The success continued where Chloe Teehan and Tara Cody reached the pinnacle by winning the Minor A All-Ireland Final, an outstanding accomplishment that reflects their hard work and determination. It’s a weekend that truly highlights the strength and spirit of St Brigid’s Camogie Club.

CAMOGIE CLUB TURNS 50 IN 2027 2027 will be a special year within St. Brigid’s as the club enters into its 50th year of operation. We are looking for your input into how you would like St. Brigid’s to celebrate this milestone in 2027. A “50th anniversary planning meeting” will be held tonight Friday evening, May 1st, at 7.30 p.m. in the Tom Ryall Park club rooms. We welcome all members and supporters, current and past, to attend this planning meeting to share your thoughts and ideas for St. Brigid’s 50th anniversary.

SOCCER NEWS Results: U17 Schoolboys League: River Rangers 1 Highview Ath 1 Ken and Michael Byrne Cup: St John’s 3 River Rangers 2 Fixtures: Friday, May 1st: U16 Schoolboys League: Thomastown Utd v River Rangers RUNNING CLUB On Tuesdays at 7pm, the weekly Club Run takes place. This is a friendly and supportive group, where all fitness levels are welcome. Walk, run or jog at your own pace, new members are always welcome. On Thursdays at 7pm, the Walk and Talk takes place. This is a relaxed and supportive space dedicated to movement, conversation and mental well-being. Fresh air and friendly faces, and all are welcome.

LOTTO RESULTS The results for the draw on 20th April were numbers drawn 1; 5; 16; 22. There was no winner. Lucky Dip winners were Brian Sheridan, Tynan Family and Chloe Bourke. Sellers prizes went to Michele Comerford and Ann Fitzpatrick.

CEMETERY MASS Mass will be celebrated in Ballykeeffe Cemetery on Sunday 31st May. FARRANRORY WINDMILLS Community members are being encouraged to apply to have their say in how a brand new funding stream will be distributed in the locality. The new Community Benefit Fund, linked to Farranrory Wind Farm, will become operational towards the end of 2026, bringing a welcome injection of funding to be distributed annually to support local projects such as sports clubs, schools and community groups. A Fund Committee is now being established by the company behind the wind farm, made up of volunteers from the local community, to oversee the distribution of these grants. The successful applicants will be part of an influential decision-making body, as the allocation of funds to successful initiatives will be approved by

the Committee, ensuring a transparent and collaborative approach so that the funding truly reflects local needs and priorities. Applications to be a member of the Fund Committee will be open until May 1st. Local residents, representatives of community organisations or schools, and community-minded individuals are encouraged to apply. No prior experience is required, just a passion for your community and a commitment to fairness and transparency, with training and support provided. Expressions of interest can be emailed to communitybenefitieuk@orsted.com.

MOUNT CARMEL DRAW Results for May 2026: €200 Amy O’Shea, Coolagh; €100 Michael Kirby, Waterford; €30 each to Joan Clancy, Mary Maher, Ann Marie Lynch, Paddy and Kitty O’Neill Tullaroan, Sinead Walsh, Garryricken, Conor Roche, Cork; Kate Scriven, SOS Kilkenny, Christian Brothers Westcourt, Mary Gregg Callan. Promoters’ prizes went to Denis O’Leary, Callan P.O. and Breda Butler.

Results for June 2026. €200 Pipah Bradshaw, Westcourt; €100 Ella Barry, Westcourt; €30 each to The Hoyne Family, Tullaroan; Bridie O’Connor, Ballycloven; Kitty and John Carroll, Skeaugh; Kathleen Doheny, Rice Park; Rick Burke, Monassy; Teresa Kearney, Coolagh; SOS Kilkenny, Aoife Walpole, Kilkenny, Maria Fitzgerald, Mount Carmel; Ann Denny, Flaggy Lane. Promoters’ prizes went to Elaine Bryan, Veronica Robinson and Caroline Murphy.

Results for July 2026. €200 Pat and Teresa Kealy, West Street; €100 Conor Frisby, Bauntha; €30 each to Majella Phelan, Collins Park; Robert Scriven, Kylemore; Tom O’Shea, Garnaman; Ailish Carey, Prologue; Breda Butler, Bolton; Tuan Maher, Johnswell Road; Tony and Gina Wall, Modeshill; Richard and Kaye Clancy, Callan; Brian Hennessy, Kilbride; Emily and Sophie Sheahan, Westcourt. Promoters’ prizes went to Frank McKenna, Joan Egan and Mary Byrne.

BIKE WEEK 2026 Join KRSP (Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership) for Spin for Your Bling as part of Bike Week 2026.

Cycle 40km by May 18th and earn a special event medal. You can do it in one spin or over a few rides, on your own or with others. No race, no pressure, just a great reason to get out and enjoy cycling. Upload your proof when completed, everyone, every age is welcome.

LEARN TO CYCLE Help your child cycle with confidence through our Learn to Cycle Programme. This mixed-ability programme helps children build skills, independence and belief on two wheels at their own pace. Sessions take place in Gaelscoil Osraí from Monday 11th to Wednesday 13th May, with small groups and experienced instructors in a safe, supportive setting.

KILMANAGH NOTES Anyone wishing to submit news items, events, announcements etc. can do so by email only to elanigan18@gmail.com. If you have any photos that you would like included, please send as an attachment.

BALLYRAGGET BALLYOUSKILL SHINE A LIGHT BALLYRAGGET STYLE. On Friday night last the Canon Malone Hall, Ballyragget was the venue for the “Light Up The Night’

North Kilkenny Truck and Tractor Run presentation of funds which were the proceeds from their annual event which took place on New Year’s Eve 2025. The event has been running since 2016 the primary aim being to raise awareness for suicide and all things mental health related. To date in excess of €100,000 has been raised and this year’s recipients were Kilkenny Bereavement Support centre; Teac Tom; Clinstown NS Amber Flag Project; O’Gorman Home, Ballyragget; The Samaritans and Ballyragget Men’s Shed.

KILMACOW RESURFACING WORKS IN KILMACOW Kilkenny County Council intends to resurface the L3401 from the Fox’s Den in the Upper Street to the turn off for Ballinearla (L7431) in the Lower Street between Tuesday 5th May and Friday, 8th May. Diversions will be in place for the duration of the works along the R448 (old N9) and the L3403 from Murray’s Cross. Local access may be restricted.

KILMACOW LOTTO The winning numbers in last week’s lotto were 8, 16, 20, and 28. There were five Match 3 winners.

GO FUND ME Kilmacow Community Complex has opened its annual Go Fund Me page for donations towards the cost of maintenance of the facilities and amenities at the complex area. It will enable the volunteers and the CE and TUS workers to maintain the high standards of the grounds, pitches, walkways and riverbank of which everyone is justifiably proud.

WORKS ON THE COMPLEX People will see a lot of work being undertaken at the Complex over the next few weeks. The Committee have put in place measures to deal with congestion that may be caused in the short term by the works.

These include improved communication among the clubs, warning signs, and controlled use of the High Field. People can help by walking, cycling or carpooling for journeys to the facilities or, by using the carpark opposite Shamrock Grove or at the Community Centre. Extreme care should be exercised if driving on the Complex, especially over the new few weeks. The Committee appreciates everyone’s understanding and support.

TABLE QUIZ SERIES After the great success of the series of monthly table quizzes in the Fox’s Den which finished on the last Monday of March it has been decided to organise another series from next October to March ’27. A number of groups have already asked for a date to be reserved for them. Please contact Tomás Breathnach to be included in the rota.

BINGO Mooncoin Parish Hall hosts Bingo every Monday night, including bank holidays. Doors open at 7.30pm with ‘eyes down’ at 8.00pm. All support welcome.

LGFA NURSERY PROGRAMME (GIRLS 4–6 YEARS) The LGFA Nursery Programme has now commenced, and the club would be delighted to welcome any girls aged 4–6 years who would like to give it a try. Training takes place 6.30–7.15pm every Thursday evening in the Complex, with a focus on fun, games and making new friends. New players are always very welcome.

TRAINING

Football training for U14, U16 and Minor girls continue on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings.

New members are very welcome, particularly girls born in 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008. The 2026 league matches are now underway, and it is fantastic to see Kilmacow taking part for the very first time.

Anyone who would like to get involved or connect with the relevant age group can contact the club on Facebook or Instagram @KilmacowCamogie&LGFA. AHEAD OF THE GAME WORKSHOP Kilmacow Camogie and LGFA will host the “Ahead of the Game” mental wellbeing workshops for U14, U16 and Minor players, along with their parents and coaches, on Monday 13th May in the Barrow Room of the Community Centre. The Players Workshop will run from 7–8pm, followed by the Parents Coaches Workshop from 8–9pm. This important programme supports young people and their support networks in understanding mental fitness and how to seek help when needed.

FUNDRAISER Kilmacow Camogie and LGFA will host a Jersey Night Fundraiser from 8.00pm on Bank Holiday Saturday, 2nd May, in Irish’s Bar, Kilmacow. All are welcome to enjoy the live music and fun while supporting their local club.

MULLINAVAT LISTERLIN VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT SCHEME A Part VIII planning process for Village Improvement Works in Listerlin has started. Details are available on the Council website and at the Area Office in Ferrybank until 1st May. Submissions can be made before 15th May. WATERFORD-KILKENNY GARDA YOUTH AWARDS Nominations are now open for the 2026 Waterford– Kilkenny Garda Youth Awards. Entries will be accepted until 30th April 2026, and the awards ceremony will take place on 20th May 2026 at the Tower Hotel in Waterford City. People can nominate someone aged 13–21 who deserves recognition. For more information email: wk.GardaYouthAwards@garda.ie TRIP TO KILMALLOCK The South Kilkenny Historical Society coach trip will visit Kilmallock, Co. Limerick on Saturday, 23rd May. The cost is €75 (€80 for non-members) which includes coach hire, guides, entrance fees, lunch and evening meal. Please contact Brigid Barron, Mary Ryan, Michael Power or Richard Walsh for more details.

GAELIC FOOTBALL Mullinavat defeated Railyard in Ballyraggett by 2-17 to 1-7 to progress to the County Senior Football Final over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Railway, who top the Roll of Honour in the county with 22 titles, were beaten by the southern side who have won eight titles since 2016. (See sports section of this newspaper for full report) FERRYBANK FERRYBANK RESIDENTS’ COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT A meeting of Ferrybank Residents Community Development Group will be held in the Hillsfield Centre from 2.00pm to 3.00pm today, Wednesday,

Speakers at the recent Ferrybank Business Group Network meeting

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 1st May 2026

Community & GAA Notes 29th April. New members welcome. If you’d like to be kept informed of forthcoming meetings or if you would like to find out more about the group, email ferrybankcn@gmail.com SLIEVERUE AND DISTRICT ACTIVE RETIREMENT The Association would like to acknowledge with sincere thanks the generous contribution received from the Lions Club in Kilkenny. The club meets from 11.00am to 3.00pm every Wednesday with activities including chair yoga, crafts (knitting and crochet), cards and socializing. Members recently went on a lovely trip to the Chocolate Garden in Rathwood and will embark on their spring break for four days to Ballybofey, Co. Donegal on 10th May. New members, male and female, are most welcome.

IRISH CIRCLE Ferrybank Library hosts its Irish Circle, a friendly space to chat, learn and to enjoy the Irish language together at 2.30pm each Tuesday. Fáilte roimh chách.

BUSINESS NETWORK Ferrybank Business Community held its recent meeting in the Clubhouse at Waterford Golf Club on Wednesday, 22nd April. Speakers included John Hayes (Hurricane Print), Sgt. Deirdre O’Neill (Crime Prevention Officer), Fergus Horgan (Kilkenny Leader Partnership), Audria Gladney (Tap Pay), Frank Kennedy (FindATrade.ie) and Cllr. Tomás Breathnach (Kilkenny County Council. The meeting enables people involved in local business to get to know others, to share information and advice and to become aware of different initiatives in the Ferrybank area.

JOHNSTOWN CHURCH NEWS The envelopes for the Easter offering for the priests are now due. Last call for donations to the Trocaire Lenten Campaign as the money collected needs to be forwarded to Trocaire.

MR. TOM CARROLL RIP The death has taken place peacefully at St. Luke’s Hospital of Tom Carroll Lios na Shi, Johnstown, and formally of Pike of Rushall, Laoise. Predeceased by his wife Alma (O’Rourke), parents Paddy and Mary Carroll, parents in law Pat and Peggy O’Rourke, sister Ann and niece Patricia Sheridan, he will be sadly missed by his daughters Ciara and Orla, grandchildren Patrick, TJ, Allie Mae and Isaac, his sisters Mary and Rosaleen, brother Jim, sons in law Tadas and James, sister in law Geraldine ,brothers in law, nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St. Kieran’s Church after which Tom was laid to rest in Johnstown Cemetery.

THE MILL FAMILY CENTRE The Mill Family centre are offering free courses for September, SNA level 5 and 6, Childcare and computer QQ1 level 4, Early learning and care cert. and advanced cert. QQ1 level 5, LTI level 4 and Office admin. and payroll QQ1 level 5 SPA UNITED AFC Results U16 boys shield Southend 4 Spa4, Spa won 3-2 on penalties, U15 boys league division 2 Bridge Utd 3 Spa 0, U14 boys league division 1A Freebooters 0 Spa 1, U12 boys league division 1 Spa 1 Evergreen 2, Spa 1 Thomastown 1, U12 girls league division 1 Spa 0 Kilkenny Utd. 4.

SPA DEVELOPMENT/FENIANS LOTTO The winning numbers were 6,16,22,30. There was no jackpot winner and no match threes. Lucky dips Jim Quinlan, Urlingford, Jacinta Tobin, Marie Garrett and Vincent Bergin.

MILL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE The Mill Family Resource Centre continues to provide a wide range of supports, services, and activities for individuals and families within the local community.

The Centre is a welcoming and inclusive space, offering opportunities for learning, wellbeing, and social connection for people of all ages.

One of the upcoming opportunities available is the Local Training Initiative (L.T.I.) Programme. This free L.T.I. course will be starting soon and includes Driving Theory and Driving Lessons, providing participants with valuable life skills that can support employment and independence. Anyone interested in applying is encouraged to call into the Centre or make contact directly for further details and application information.

The Centre also offers weekly Maths Grinds, which are currently taking place on-site. These grinds are suitable for students preparing for the Junior Certificate as well as 5th year students and provide additional support to help build confidence and understanding in mathematics. Parents and students seeking more information are invited to contact the Centre for times, availability, and fees.

The Mill Family centre is offering free courses for September, SNA level 5 and 6, Childcare and computer QQ1 level 4, Early learning and care cert. and advanced cert. QQ1 level 5, LTI level 4 and Office admin. and payroll QQ1 level 5

A variety of essential community services are available through the Mill Family Resource Centre. These include the provision of Senior Alert Alarms, which offer peace of mind and safety for older members of the community, as well as clothes donations for those in need. The Centre also facilitates a Youth Club, community allotments, and the Cois Nore Advice Clinic, ensuring access to practical advice and supports close to home.

Counselling services are available for both adults and teenagers, offering a confidential and supportive environment. Counselling supports include bereavement counselling, addiction support, and general counselling, helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with professional guidance. In addition, Play Therapy is available for young people aged 4 years and over, providing a child-centred approach to emotional wellbeing and development.

The Centre’s Active Retirement Group meets every Thursday from 2pm to 4pm. This group offers a relaxed and social setting where members can enjoy activities, conversation, and companionship. New members are always welcome, and the group continues to grow as a valued part of the Centre’s weekly programme.

The Youth Club has now returned and takes place every Wednesday from 5pm to 6.30pm. It is open to boys and girls aged 8 to 12 years, and new members are always encouraged to join. The club provides a safe, fun, and supervised space for young people to socialise, take part in activities, and build friendships.

For further details, please contact Sue at the Centre.

Community gardening is also supported through the Centre’s allotments, with free beds available in the polytunnels for anyone interested in growing their own produce. The cost is just €15 per year, making it an affordable and rewarding activity. Those interested should get in touch with the Centre.

Finally, there is an open invitation to any men interested in setting up a Men’s Shed in the area. This initiative would provide a valuable social and practical outlet, and anyone interested is asked to contact Sue at the Mill Family Resource Centre on 056 883 8466.

For more information on any of the services or activities available, please contact the Centre directly. You should call in it’s fantastic.

GORTNAHOE GLENGOOLE EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Glengoole Wednesday 10am to 1pm, Gortnahoe Thursday 10am to 1pm. The rosary is recited before Mass in Glengoole every Saturday evening.

CEMETERY MASSES The following dates has been set for the annual cemetery masses in the parish. All mass times will be at 7.30pm. Tuesday 23rd June, Glengoole Church graveyard, Aglish cemetery date to be confirmed, Thursday 9th July, Good Shepherd cemetery, Tuesday 28th July, Fennor cemetery and Tuesday 18th August, Boulick cemetery.

COMMUNION CALLS First Friday Communion Calls: Fr. Walton will bring Communion to the housebound, elderly and sick (by prior arrangement) on Friday, 1st May after 9.30am Mass in Glengoole FAMILY MASS Family Mass takes place this weekend, May 2nd/3rd in both churches. All First Holy Communion children and their families are asked to attend as part of their preparation for the sacrament of First Eucharist.

CASHEL AND EMLY ARCHDIOCESAN The pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from June 12th, (five nights) led by Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly.

For information and booking contact Joe Walsh Tours @ 01 2410800. Assisted pilgrims contact Fr Joe Tynan, 087 2225445, New Helpers contact Jacqueline 089 4913351. Email lourdespilgrimage@cashel-emly.ie ARTS GROUP Expressive Arts Group for Children A fun arts and crafts group encouraging creativity and self-expression for children. Starting soon on Thursday evenings in Glengoole Hall. For information or to register interest please contact: Chloe – 086 121 6343 DANCE CLASSES Dance Classes Step it out with Sally—Learn to Jive, Foxtrot, Waltz, Quickstep and Line Dance. Group lessons, no partner needed. Every Thursday at 8.30pm. €10, pay as you go. Contact Sally 087 7931308 PILATES WITH RUTH Pilate classes continue in Glengoole Hall every Monday at 6.30pm. €10 pay as you go. To book, message 0872049418, Instagram @pilates_ruth. Bring mat and water.

GORTNAHOE BINGO A special May bank holiday weekend bingo will be held this Saturday evening 2nd May at 4.00pm with doors opening from 3.00pm. Over €4,000 in prize money on offer including a special €500 game and a May bank holiday special game for €800. There will

be Split the Pot on the day. It will be great afternoons entertainment for all on the bank holiday weekend.

Support from the Parish would be appreciated.

SPLIT THE POT Congratulations to Geraldine Moore, Urlingford who won €250 in the Split the Pot draw last Sunday.

Envelopes are available in Cahill’s Gortnahoe, Hogans Grange, Mary Willie’s, Gortnahoe Hall and any member of the committee, you can also Revolut to 0876777220. Split the Pot for April is in aid of Kilcooley Way. The draw takes place each Sunday at 12pm in Gortnahoe Hall. Your support would be appreciated.

IN OUR HANDS Preserving our cathedral is a fundraising campaign that we hope will encourage people to support the reroofing project by donating towards the cost of the slates. Estimated cost is €2.5m. Let us preserve our sacred Cathedral, protect its rich history and ensure it continues to inspire for generations to come! For more information visit http://www.inourhandsthurles.ie. Thanks to all who have purchased slates since the beginning of Phase 2 Fundraising venture.

Total raised to date €1,412,933.

EAMONN BOWE RIP The death has occurred of Eamonn Bowe, 6 Tara Drive, Gortnahoe and formerly Boulick, Gortnahoe.

Eamonn passed away peacefully at St. Luke’s Hospital Kilkenny on April 22nd. Predeceased by his dad Ned and mam Mary (Byrne), brother Paddy and sister Geraldine. Sadly, missed and lovingly remembered by his family, brothers and sisters Josephine, Tommy, Marian, Michael, Pierce, Martina and Gerry, brothersin-law, sisters-in-law, partners, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, extended family, neighbours and a wide circle of friends. Eamonn reposed at Doyle’s funeral home Urlingford last Friday April 24th. Removal took place on Saturday morning to the Church of the Sacred Heart, Gortnahoe arriving for requiem Mass. Interment took place afterwards in the Good Shepherd Cemetery, Gortnahoe. May he rest in peace.

CONAHY HURLING The junior hurlers lost out to John Lockes in their first outing of the year in the opening round of the Michael Lyng Motors League on Sunday morning last in Jenkinstown. Conahy played well in the opening half and led by 0-17 to 0-11 at the break. However, the visitors were by far the stronger side in the second half, and they were deserving winners in the end by 2-19 to 1-20, with the Conahy goal coming from a James Bergin free. Conahy are due to play St. Martin’s please check the ClubZap app for further details.

TEAM: Padraic Delaney, Darren Cuddihy, Padraig Gunner, Eoin Carroll, Darragh Horgan, John Kennedy, Harry O’Mahony, Darragh Hennessy, Jack Rhatigan, Rob Ring, James Bergin, Ciaran Rice, Bill Murphy, Karl Downey, Mark Gunner, Tommy Mulhall, Jack Murphy, Conor Duggan, Patrick Kennedy, JP Gamble, Billy Mulhall, .

The junior E side had a dramatic draw with Dunnamaggin in their second game in the JJ Kavanagh and Sons Junior E League. A late goal from John Mullan helped Conahy fight back from a four point deficit to take a share of the spoils, 2-12 to Dunnamaggin’s 1-15.

In underage action, the minor hurlers lost out to Kilmacow in their latest game in the Kilkenny Motor Centre Roinn B League in Kilmacow. The home side were deservedly ahead by 0-11 to 0-7 at half-time.

Conahy played much better in the second half, but some indiscipline meant that Kilmacow were able to stay ahead with pointed frees, eventually winning by 0-17 to 0-15.

TEAM: Neil Webster, Brian Phelan, Tadhg Hennessy, Bobby Dooley, Finn Sherman, Jack Rhatigan, Rory Rhatigan, Patrick Kennedy, Billy Rowe, Joe Boland, Darragh Horgan, Jack Buggy, M.J. Buggy, Rory Sherman, Sam Connellan, Evan Buggy, Padraic Quinn, Brian Tierney, Jack Gamble, Mikey Hurley, Camryn Kenehan.

The under-16 hurlers were in action on Monday evening last when they travelled away to play Thomastown in the Duggan Steel Roinn C League. The young Conahy team started very well with goals from M.J and Evan Buggy, but Thomastown fought back well. The locals gave all they got, but Thomastown finished the game the stronger and snatched back the lead before the final whistle, winning in the end by a single point, 3-17 to Conahy’s 4-13.

TEAM: Padraig Murphy, Jim Synott, Mounir Zouaoui, Ben Byrne, Mikey Hurley, Bobby Dooley, Diarmuid Quinn, Jack Buggy, Sam Connellan, Jack Gamble, Evan Buggy, Will Clarke, Richie Rowe, M.J., Buggy, Ethan McEvoy, Brandon Maher, Aaryn Kenehan, Ciaran Quinn, Noah Meaney, Cian Rhatigan.

CAMOGIE

Conahy Shamrocks intermediate camogie girls had a dramatic one point victory over Glenmore in the Intermediate Summer League in Glenmore. A spirited Conahy performance saw them win out on a 1-9 to 1-8 score line. They next play host to Mooncoin on this Sunday morning at 11.00 in Jenkinstown. The junior D girls are also in action on this Friday night at 7.00 in Paulstown against Barrow Rangers.

The minor girls also enjoyed success when they defeated Kilmacow in the Summer League on Tuesday night last in Kilmacow. Some great scores saw the Conahy girls win out by 4-8 to 3-5.

GAA CLUB LOTTO The numbers drawn in the most recent GAA Lotto draw were 3, 16 and 29. There was no winner of the jackpot so the consolation prize winners of €30 each were Padraic Healy; Killian Lacey; Grace, Billy, Tommy and Rachel Mulhall; Annette Healy and Tom and Marian Murphy. The promoter prize winners were Shay Healy, Helen Cahill and Teresa Dollard. Many thanks to everyone who continues to support the GAA Club Lotto.

AMONG THE HILLS OF KILLAREE Threecastles Heritage Group invites you to join them for a Historical Walk in Killaree. Eleanor Cantwell and Claire O’ Donnell will lead the Walk and recount some of the fascinating history of this towns land. All are invited to meet at Threecastles GAA (by kind permission). The event takes place on Saturday, May 9th. at 11.00 a.m. Please note that this is a free event.

NEWMARKET HUGGINSTOWN STONEYFORD ALL SAINTS PASTORAL AREA Parishes:Aghaviller; Ballyhale; Mullinavat. Priests in the Pastoral Area: Sean O’Connor (Ballyhale) Parish Priest of the three Parishes in the Pastoral Area).

Telephone 056 776 6696 or 086 389 5911: Email: rsoc1973@gmail.com. Liam Cassin (Hugginstown).

Telephone 087 231 2354: Email: liamcassin@ossory. ie. Liam Barron (Mullinavat). Telephone 087 272 2824: Email: mullinavat@ossory.ie. Peter Hoyne (Newmarket - Retired). Telephone 056 776 8678 or 086 373 8492 MASS TIMES Hugginstown: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday at 9.30a.m. Vigil - Saturday at 8.00p.m.; Sunday at 10.00a.m. Stoneyford: Vigil - Saturday at 6.30p.m.

FRIDAY 1ST Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. (First Friday). Visitation with Holy Communion will take place as usual on Friday. Please let us know if you would like to receive Holy Communion in your home for the First Fridays or at any other time.

PRAY FOR Anniversary Masses. Fr. Jim Walsh, Ballagh; also Edward, Elizabeth and John Walsh. Mass in Hugginstown Church on Saturday 2nd. May at 8.00p.m.

Jim Comerford, Carrickmerlin. Mass in Hugginstown Church on Sunday 3rd. May at 10.00a.m.

ROTA (FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER) Readers: Stoneyford: Saturday 6.30p.m. Sheila Lennon. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Valerie Farrell.

Sunday 10.00a.m. Mary Carroll. Eucharistic Ministers: Stoneyford Saturday 6.30p.m. Bernie Grace. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Margaret Kenneally. Sunday 10.00a.m. Lillian Carr.

CONFIRMATION 2026 Congratulations to all Girls and Boys who received their Confirmation in the Parish this weekend. Thanks to all in their preparation: Pupils, Teachers, Parents etc. May the Holy Spirit be a support and guide for you through life.

LOTTO Aghaviller Parish and Carrickshock G. A. A. Draw: Monday 20th. April 2026 Numbers: 24; 26; 32; 03. There was no Winner of First 3 Numbers Drawn.

There was no Jackpot Winner. €30.00. Winners: Tessie Maher, Kyleva: P and C Hudson, c/o James Irish; Billy O’Meara, Croan; Paul O’Brien; “On-Line”: Michael Callaghan, Stoneyford. 3 x €15.00 (Sellers): Trish Power; Fred Malzard. Ger Carroll PASTORAL AREA PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK Fr Sean O Connor will lead the Pilgrimage to Knock on Saturday July 11th. and returning Sunday July 12th. Bookings are now being taken, please contact Larry Cody 087 983 4031; Eanon Murphy 087 294 0598 or Pat Bradshaw 086 456 7852. We will issue the travel agenda closer to the time, DIOCESAN NURSE The Diocese of Ossory requires a Nurse to provide an advocacy and support service to Priests in the Diocese of Ossory. The Diocese comprises of 42 parishes in Counties, Kilkenny, Laois and Offaly. The post will be part-time, flexible and initially for a three-year period. Please email your application to admin@ossory. ie or by post to The Diocesan Secretary, Diocesan Office, James’s St, Kilkenny, R95 NH60. Closing date for applications is Friday, 29th. May 2026.

We welcome all GAA Club and Community notes for publication in The Kilkenny Observer email to sales@kilkennyobserver.ie

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All Kilkenny final

Berkeley Wolves win South East U17 playoffs in dramatic All Kilkenny final

The Under 17 Boys South East Top 4 Playoffs delivered a spectacular weekend of basketball, with the Berkeley Wolves claiming their second Top 4 title in three years after two thrilling performances.

The Wolves opened their campaign against the Waterford Vikings in a dramatic semi‑final that went right down to the wire. In a fiercely contested matchup, Berkeley’s aggressive defensive strategy proved decisive as they worked tirelessly to contain 6'7" Irish Academy select player Daniel Brennan.

The Wolves held their nerve in the closing seconds to secure a 40–39 victory, sending their supporters into celebration.

In the other semi‑final, local rivals Kilkenny Stars overcame Carlow Basketball Club, setting up an all‑Kilkenny showdown for the Top 4 Final.

The final lived up to every expectation, with both teams delivering an exciting, high‑intensity display in front of an enthusiastic crowd supporting both teams.

The lead changed hands

multiple times as each side pushed the pace and left everything on the floor. In the end, the Berkeley Wolves edged out the Kilkenny Stars 50 - 48, sealing a memorable win for the Berkeley lads.

Speaking after the game, Wolves coach Russ Ryan said, “Having two teams from Kilkenny in the South East final is a great testament to all of the hard work that has been going into youth basketball in County Kilkenny’’

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Senior Football Championship semi-final Breaking up an attack

Looking for an opening

Moving forward

GAA Senior Football Championship semi final Mullinavat 2-17; Railyard GFC 1-7

By John Power at Ballyragget Holders Mullinavat produced a commanding and assured performance to overcome Railyard in the Senior Football Championship semi-final at Ballyragget, booking their place in yet another county decider. The victory ensures that the “Vegas” men will compete in their tenth successive County Senior Football Final over the May Bank Holiday weekend, underlining a period of remarkable consistency and dominance for the southern club.

Railyard, who sit proudly at the top of the county’s football roll of honour with 22 titles, entered the contest with a rich pedigree and tradition behind them. Their most recent golden spell culminated in a famous three-in-a-row completed in 2016. However, since that triumph, Mullinavat have emerged as the standard bearers in Kilkenny football, steadily building a legacy of their own. The reigning champions have now amassed eight titles in total, with seven of those coming in the years following Railyard’s last championship success, highlighting a significant shift in the balance of power.

Mullinavat settled quickly into the game and signalled their intent from the outset.

Early points from Robin Davis and Ian Duggan got them up and running, both scores coming from composed and confident play in the opening minutes. Railyard responded through Dara Dunne, who opened their account with a well-taken point, but Mullinavat quickly restored their advantage when Michael Malone capitalised on a rebound after a John Walsh

Mullinavat SFT

Railyard GFC

“45” dropped short.

The game’s pivotal early moment arrived on thirteen minutes when Railyard were awarded a penalty following a foul in the Mullinavat square.

Francie Ward stepped up and clinically dispatched the spot kick past Mark McNamara, briefly putting the northerners ahead at 1-1 to 0-3. It would prove to be their only lead of the match.

From that point onward, Mullinavat seized control in emphatic fashion. Over the next twelve minutes, they delivered a devastating scoring burst, registering 1-6 without reply. Substitute John Walsh made an immediate impact with a point, before Michael Malone added a superb two-pointer to stretch the lead. Conor Walsh contributed another score, and the highlight of

the spell came when Brian Phelan found the net. His goal followed an excellent save by the Railyard goalkeeper, but Phelan reacted quickest to finish decisively. Further points from Ger Malone and Robin Davis completed the surge, leaving the scoreboard reading 1-9 to 1-1 in Mullinavat’s favour.

Although Eoin Regan managed to halt the momentum with a point for Railyard, Mullinavat continued to dictate proceedings. Late scores from Conor Walsh and Ian Duggan ensured they carried a strong advantage into the interval.

By half-time, Mullinavat had built a commanding lead, putting themselves firmly in control of the contest.

Any hopes of a Railyard resurgence after the break were quickly extinguished.

Mullinavat resumed with the same intensity, as Conor Walsh split the posts just thirty seconds into the second half. Tom Aylward added another point soon after, and the game was effectively put beyond reach when Brian Phelan struck for his second goal. The forward once again demonstrated his sharpness in front of goal, capitalising on defensive uncertainty to extend Mullinavat’s advantage to an unassailable margin.

At that stage, the contest had the feel of a foregone conclusion, with Mullinavat’s lead stretching to a point where, in tennis parlance, it was “game, set and match.”

Nevertheless, Railyard showed commendable resilience and refused to capitulate. They enjoyed a more productive spell midway through the half, with

Brian Cahill getting on the scoresheet and Francie Ward adding two well-taken frees to narrow the gap slightly.

Mullinavat, however, remained composed and efficient. Ian Duggan added another point, while Michael Malone capped an outstanding individual display with two further scores, including his second two-pointer of the evening.

His contribution was central to Mullinavat’s attacking threat throughout the game, combining accuracy with intelligent movement.

As the match drew to a close, Railyard continued to battle, as has long been their tradition. Francie Ward added two more pointed frees, bringing his personal tally to an impressive 1-4, but it was never enough to seriously trouble a Mullinavat side that had long since asserted their authority.

At the final whistle, Mullinavat emerged as convincing winners, their performance a blend of clinical finishing, defensive solidity, and overall cohesion.

The result not only secured their place in another county final but also reinforced their status as the team to beat.

The outcome sets up an intriguing all-South County final for the second year in succession. Mooncoin fell short against Mullinavat last season, but this time it is Tullogher-Rosbercon who stand in their way.

Having enjoyed a strong and consistent campaign, Tullogher-Rosbercon will present a different kind of challenge, and anticipation is already building for what promises to be a compelling JJ Kavanagh Kilkenny Senior Football Championship final.

For Mullinavat, the focus

now shifts to maintaining their remarkable run and chasing yet another title to add to their growing collection. For Railyard, despite the disappointment, their proud tradition ensures they will regroup and look to challenge again.

SCORERS: Mullinavat: Michael Malone (0-6, 2x2 pointer), Brian Phelan (2-0), Ian Duggan (0-3), Conor Walsh (0-3), Robin Davis (02), John Walsh, Tom Aylward, Ger Malone (0-1 each).

Railyard: Francie Ward (1-4, 1-0 penalty, 0-3 frees), Dara Dunne, Eoin Regan, Brian Cahill (0-1 each).

TEAMS Mullinavat: Mark McNamara, Shane Kelly, Simon Aylward, Sean Fitzpatrick, Paudie Gahan, Ger Malone, Eoin Dempsey, James Culleton, Thomas Aylward, Conor Walsh, Mick Malone, Ian Duggan, Robin Davis, Brian Phelan, Oisín Knox.

Substitutes: John Walsh for Oisin Knox, Stephen O’Shea for Paudie Gahan, Donnchadh Walsh for Brian Phelan, Conor Duggan for Robin Davis, Padraig Dempsey for James Culleton.

Rest of Panel - Killian Dunphy, Fiachra Knox, Ian Mansfield, Liam Fennelly, Cian McDonnell, Patrick Walshe, David Maher, Joe Fennelly.

Railyard: John Mansfield, Thomas Roche, David Roche, Aidan Barry, Harry Roche, Brian McDonald, Philip Roche, Eoin Regan, Paul O’Neill, Michael O’Keeffe, Mark Hender, Francie Ward, Dara Dunne, Caleb Roche, Peter Ward. Substitutes: Brian Cahill for Philip Roche, Paul Kelly for Paul O’Neill, Noel Roche for Brian McDonnell.

Referee: David Hughes

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Camogie - Review

Sport Kittens pounce

BY AOIFE LANIGAN, PRO

Minor A All-Ireland Championship Final Kilkenny 3-17 Galway 1-9 Kilkenny won a record 9th Minor A All Ireland Title & two in a row when they comprehensively beat Galway by 14 points in UPMC Nowlan Park last Sunday Galway opened the scoring with Mary Brigid Cosgrove converting a 45, after Aoife Scarry’s shot was blocked out over the endline.

Noresiders top scorer, Windgap’s Ona Kennedy equalised from a free after Carrickshock’s Amy O’Shea has been fouled. Cosgrove slotted over another placed ball. The Player of the Match and team joint captain, Emily Phelan hit over a brace to give Kilkenny the advantage for the first time, but Cosgrove equalised and then Emma Barrettstruck with an eighteen-minute goal for Galway.

This was their last score of the first half.

Kilkenny’s Holly Ryan scored a great goal a minute later to level matters. Sash midfielder Eleanor Doheny then received a neat pass from Emily Phelan and she slotted over the bar.

On the 23rd minute, John Lockes Emily Phelan ran along the sideline of Ardan de Gras, she fired the sliotar towards the O’Loughlin’s End goal, Amy O’Shea fielded it and she ran at speed towards the goal. As she was about to pull the trigger, she was pulled back by her jersey in the square and a penalty was awarded.

Kennedy blasted it low & hard into the bottom left corner of the net passed the reach of the diving goalkeeper.

Kilkenny added another five points over the remaining minutes of the half, through St Anne’s Aoife O’Grady, Emily Phelan (2), Ona Kennedy (f) & Bennettsbridge’s Holly Ryan. Kilkenny had actually scored 1-6 up to half time in reply to Barrett’s green flag, which had Minor A All Ireland POTM Emily Phelan

for Number 9!

Tribeswomen no match for stripeywomen

Minor A All Ireland winning captains Emily Phelan Leah O’Donovan

only awoken the beasts from their slumber.

Interval score Kilkenny 2-9 Galway 1-3

It got worse for the Tribeswomen, as Amy O’Shea netted immediately after the resumption. Ona Kennedy added another pointed free. Holly

Ryan & Emily Phelan slotted over a point each to push out the score to 3-12 to 1-3 Galway made a few changes. Mary Brigid Cosgrove (f), Leah Forde & Lauren Morgan scored a point each for the Westerners Kilkenny hit back with three points of their own from Danesfort’s Shauna Mahony, Amy O’Shea & Emily Phelan. The Tribeswomen slotted over three more points from Cosgrove, Katelyn Walsh & Eve Kenny, But centre back Kennedy had the last say with two pointed frees as Kilkenny ran out easy winners in eye catching fashion,

3-17 to 1-9 Kilkenny now play their Leinster Final on Bank Holiday Monday in Cedral St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge @ 3.15pm Scorers: - Kilkenny – Ona Kennedy 1-5 (1 goal penalty, 4f, 1 45), Emily Phelan 0-6, Holly Ryan 1-2, Amy O’Shea 1-1, Eleanor Doheny, Aoife O’Grady, Shauna Mahony 0-1 each Galway – Mary Brigid Cosgrove 0-5 (5f), Emma Barrett 1-0, Leah Forde, Lauren Morgan, Katelyn Walsh, Eve Kenny 0-1 each Teams: - Kilkenny – Ella Walton, Hannah Tennyson, Erin Morrissey, Mairead Duggan, Ciara Hickey, Ona Kennedy, Chloe Teehan, Shannon Doheny, Eleanor Doheny, Aoife O’Grady, Shauna Mahony, Holly Ryan, Emily Phelan (Joint Capt), Ruth Crowley, Amy O’Shea Subs: - Sadhbh Shefflin for Aoife O’Grady, Ellen Treacy for Mairead Duggan, Ali Greany for Chloe Teehan, Katie O’Shea for Shauna Mahony, Leah O’Donovan (Joint Capt) for Amy O’Shea, Lucy Coomey for Shannon Doheny, Aoibheann Ryan for Eleanor Doheny, Tara Cody for Ruth Crowley, Orla Duggan, Sinead Jones, Emma Hogan, Lily Ryan, Onagh Fitzgerald, Sinead Henderson, Emily Cooney, Niamh Drennan Galway – Leah Horan, Eabha Burke, Muireann Conroy (Joint Capt), Alisha King, Heidi Hesnan, Aisleen Healy, Amelia Hardiman, Amy Kenny, Aoife Scarry, Clodagh Burke, Eve Kenny, Lauren Morgan, Leah Forde, Emma Barrett (Joint Capt), Mary Brigid Cosgrove Subs:- Katelyn Walsh for Clodagh Burke, Saoirse Counihan for Alisha King, Meabh Nic Con Iomaire for Aisleen Healy, Nina McKeown for Lauren Morgan, Emily Corcoran for Heidi Hesnan, Emily Rabbitte for Amelia Hardiman, Eva Murray, Niesha Scott, Caoilinn Corban, Mollie Noone, Ava Morley, Orlaith Kelly, Zara Spellman, Anna Jordan, Kate Kennedy, Grace Bergin, Lauren Boyle, Kate Dunleavy, Tara Geraghty Ref: - Donnacha O’Callaghan

Minor A All Ireland Champions

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Hurlng matters - Review

Sport

Darragh Corcoran fends off a tackle by Simon Roche

TJ Reid looks for Support as hes heavily Tackled

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

Leinster GAA Senior Hurling Championship 2026 Kilkenny 5-21 Wexford 1-16 UPMC Nowlan Park After a second thrashing of the season in Salthill, Kilkenny found some home comforts when they demolished Wexford at UPMC Nowlan Park last Saturday, registering five majors on a day when their legendary talisman TJ Reid overtook Cork’s Patrick Horgan to reclaim the all-time championship scoring record.

Afterwards, the affable Shamrocks sharpshooter was keen to play down that feat and focus purely on a much better performance but more importantly, getting a vital win in their bid to claim a 7th consecutive Leinster title. The Cats stepped on the gas in the second half and a brace of goals in five minutes put paid to any ideas Keith Rossiter’s side may have had on leaving Noreside with anything in the round 2 fixture. Star of the show was Tullaroan’s Martin ‘Mossy’ Keoghan who put in a stunning performance to help put Wexford to the sword, notching 2-3 as he showed his class at Kilkenny HQ. Derek Lyng and his management team made one major change to the named XV, former All-Star goalkeeper Eoin Murphy replacing Aidan Tallis between the sticks.

The Lisdowney netminder wasn’t in the squad; his number was taken by Thomastown’s Diarmuid Galway. The first two scores of the evening came from two of the elder statesmen of the game, Lee Chin and TJ Reid to leave the sides level after two minutes. The next score arrived in the seventh minute, Player of the Match Mossy Keoghan firing over the first of his 2-3, after his side had hit four wide’s, but the visitors replied with a tidy score from Oylegate-Glenbrien’s Damien Reck, who as usual gave his all for Wexford.

The home side then found a little rhythm and struck the games next five scores. Conahy’s Tom Phelan, who looked lively throughout, notched the first of the five and this was added to by efforts from O’Loughlin’s Jordan Molloy, Bennettsbridge’s David Blanchfield, while two of the games earlier marksmen, Mossy and TJ added to their tally’s as the men in black and amber went five clear after 17minutes of action. Faythe Harriers Clubman Lee Chin stepped up for the Slaneysiders, and reeled off the next three scores, two from placed ball efforts and one from play. You could sense both teams were possibly playing with a bit of fear, but the home side struck next via a free from TJ, but Rossiter’s charges replied with a point from Oulart-the-Ballagh’s Simon Roche.

TJ reclaims all-time leading scoring record in Wexford rout

Cats maul Yellowbel

Mossy Keoghan, whose movement was exceptional in the game, split the posts just ahead of a placed ball from TJ. A second point of the clash followed for Tom Phelan, but Shelmaliers Conor Hearne rifled Lee Chin can only give chase as Mikey Carey Drives out of Defence

over to leave Wexford four in arrears.

The first two goals for the provincial clash then arrived in quick succession. Some lovely interplay between Paddy Deegan and TJ, saw the ball worked to

Jordan Molloy who immediately drove the ball towards Mossy who plucked the sliotar from the air superbly before turning on the burners and racing clear of opposition captain Jack O’Connor.

Faced by centre back Richie Lawlor, The Sash attacker gave the dummy pass before rifling a fierce shot beyond Mark Fanning in the Wexford goal. Pace, skill and confidence from the Tullaroan man

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Hurling matters - Review

llies to ease pressure to ignite his side. They say a team is at their most vulnerable having scored a goal, and this certainly proved to be true in UPMC Nowlan Park. From the restart, Fanning went long into the Cats defence.

Emerald’s Killian Doyle tried to work the ball out of the danger zone, but the rampaging Conor Hearne powered forward before slipping an inch-perfect pass to the unmarked Kevin Foley who gave Eoin Murphy

no chance with his fine finish for the last score of a hard-fought opening period.

When play resumed after the short whistle, it was the rampaging Conor Hearne that struck over the Martin Keoghan scores his 2nd Goal

first point of the second half. The visitors made their first change of the game in the 39th minute, St Mogue’s Cillian Byrne replacing captain Jack O’Connor. Killian Doyle got the Cats going, striking over a lovely score, just ahead of Wexford sub Cillian Byrne getting on the scoresheet. Then came the home side’s second green flag raiser.

TJ stood over a sideline cut on the left side, about 50 metres out got a really good connection on it. As the ball dropped, it deflected off Richie Lawlor’s hand into the path of Liam Moore. His first touch gave him space; his second swept the sliotar to the net to give Kilkenny a sixpoint lead.

The Yellowbellies showed character and chalked up the games next two scores, a quality brace from Rapparees Kevin Foley, who impressed for the visitors on the evening. James Stephen’s Cian Kenny, who appeared to be enjoying his centre forward role, then fired over a sweet score but was about to raise the games next green flag. Ivan Bolger picked up possession deep inside his own half, struck a pass down the sideline towards Tom Phelan. The Conahy man picked it up and raced towards the Wexford goal, a point appeared likely, but some lovely improvisation from Phelan saw him offload to the supporting Kenny who struck his effort into the ground and under the advancing Wexford keeper. Lyng’s troops now leading by eight points in front of the

large crowd inside UPMC Nowlan Park. You felt that Keith Rossiter’s men would need to find the net again to get back in the round two encounter, but it looked unlikely.

Lee Chin, who was marshalled well all evening by Mikey Carey, popped over a free, but it would be the men in black and amber that would goal again.

Shamrocks Ballyhale’s Darragh Corcoran, who was on top form all evening, played a ball seeking out clubmate Eoin Cody, who despite not troubling the scoreboard, was getting through mountains of work. While Cody battled for the ball with Shane Reck, the buzzing Keoghan stole the ball and headed for goal before batting beautifully past the helpless Fanning to increase Kilkenny’s lead to ten points on 55 minutes and put the result beyond any doubt. The Noresiders continued to apply the pressure, and both TJ Reid and the impressive Cian Kenny struck over a brace of points each, just ahead of a fine effort from O’Loughlin’s Paddy Deegan. Another of the OLG contingent, Jordan Molloy continued his good form, striking over a trademark score. Wexford’s final score of the evening came from a placed ball via the hurl of Lee Chin, but the home side weren’t quite finished working the scoreboard or umpires just yet.

Despite being home and hosed, the hunger and desire continued to show from the Cats. As Wexford tried to work the ball out of defence, they were swarmed by those in black and amber. Paddy Deegan emerged with the ball, and everyone thought he was going to rifle over his second point of the game, but the classy versatile stickman gave a lovely pass across the pitch to TJ. Faced by Shane Reck, Reid seemed certain to pop the ball over the bar, but his instinct and hunger suggested that there was greater reward ahead. TJ created the yard he needed and blasted to the net to pull level with the recently retired Pa Horgan in terms of championship scoring. Fittingly, the last score of the game came from a placed ball by yours truly, TJ Reid, bringing his total scoring in championship hurling to 41-657. Legend. Full time score, Kilkenny 5-21 Wexford 1-16.

Scorers for Kilkenny: T.J. Reid (1-8, 0-6 frees, 0-2 65s); M. Keoghan (23); C. Kenny (1-3); L. Moore (1-0); T. Phelan, J. Molloy (0-2 each); D. Blanchfield, K. Doyle, P. Deegan (0-1 each).

Scorers for Wexford: L. Chin (0-6, 4 frees); K. Foley (1-2); S. Roche, C. Byrne, D. Reck (0-2 each); C. Hearne, R. Banville (0-1 each).

KILKENNY: E. Murphy; M. Butler, M. Carey, I. Bolger; D. Blanchfield, D. Corcoran, P. Deegan; K. Doyle, J. Molloy; T. Phelan, C. Kenny, L. Moore; M. Keoghan, T.J. Reid (c), E. Cody.

Subs for Kilkenny: S. Donnelly for T. Phelan (56); T. Clifford for K. Doyle (62); S. Murphy for I. Bolger (70); R. Reid for C. Kenny (70+2); G. Dunne for M. Keoghan (70+6).

WEXFORD: M. Fanning; S. Reck, L. Ryan, D. Carley; D. Reck, R. Lawlor, C. Foley; C. Hearne, D. O’Leary; J. O’Connor (c), S. Roche, R. Banville; K. Foley, L. Chin, J. Redmond.

Subs for Wexford: C. Byrne for J. O’Connor (39); S. Rowley for S. Roche (51); D. Clarke for L. Ryan (57); J. Byrne for D. O’Leary (60); T. Kinsella for J. Redmond (70+5).

Referee: J. Murphy (Limerick)

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 1st May 2026

Planning notices

Planning notices KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Stephen Walsh intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Planning Permission for the erection of a detached domestic garage at Firoda, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny R95 FDN4.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Stephen Walsh

We, Fanning Electrical and Solar Ltd, hereby intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Planning Permission for (1) a new single storey extension to the front of the existing building (2) a new single storey extension to the side of the existing building (3) part of the existing roof along the side and rear of the building to be raised (4) alterations to the existing external facades including the insertion of new windows (5) new sliding gate and supporting walls (6) internal alterations to include ancillary offices on the ground & first floor levels to the front the existing building and a mezzanine storage area to the rear of the existing building and (7) all associated site works at Fanning Electrical and Solar Ltd, Unit 5, Loughboy Industrial Estate, Loughboy, Ring Road, Kilkenny, R95 V63A. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Brendan Moore Architects, 38 St. Kieran’s Street, Kilkenny, 087 4120718.

056 777 1463

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 1st May 2026

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

PADDY CROWE 4TH ANNIVERSARY

MARY CROWE 12TH ANNIVERSARY

In loving memory of Paddy and Mary Crowe whose anniversaries occur at this time.

Until We Meet Again These special memories of you will always bring a smile If only we could have you back for just a little while Then we could all sit and talk again just like we used to do You both always meant so very much and always will do too The fact that you’re no longer here will always cause us pain but you’re forever in our heart s until we meet again.

RICHARD RYAN 31ST ANNIVERSARY In loving memory of Richard Ryan, late of Greenfields, Freshford Road, Kilkenny, whose anniversary occurs at this time.

Always loved and much missed Anne, Fran, Phil and Richard grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Sadly missed your daughter Ellen, son Kieran, son-in-law Paddy, Kieran’s partner Ann, grandchildren Aidan, Leanne and Amy. Anniversary Mass at 10.30am on Sunday 3rd May in St. Bennett’s Church, Bennettsbridge, Co. Kilkenny.

The Miracle Prayer

Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.

This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).

Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. P.OD.

The Miracle Prayer

Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.

This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).

Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. A.S.

The Miracle Prayer

Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.

This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).

Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. S.B,

The Miracle Prayer

Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.

This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).

Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. M.K.

The Miracle Prayer

Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.

This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).

Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. S.M.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 1st May 2026

Classifieds

Classified section To advertise your business in our classified section call in or telephone: 056 777 1463, or email: accounts @kilkennyobserver.ie

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 1st May 2026

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 1st May 2026