Kilkenny Observer 2nd December 2022

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Friday 02 December 2022

Ireland’s New Poor 900,000 go without and 250,000 are children Pages 3 &14

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The First Noah Raiders of the lost ark — the inside story Page 18

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Our growing poverty Up to 900,000 people have been forced to go without basic necessities this year, of whom 250,000 are children.

According to the latest figures from the CSO, 17.1% of the population have experienced enforced deprivation this year. A total of 876,125 people were affected — an increase of 184,538 from 2021.

The Income and Living Conditions Deprivation Rate 2022 survey revealed 249,696 children in Ireland are experiencing deprivation — an increase of almost 45,000 since 2021.

Households with one adult and one or more children have the highest deprivation rate at 45.4%; people who are unemployed have a deprivation rate of 45p%; while people not at work due to a permanent illness or disability have a deprivation rate of 42.7%.

More than one in three people living in rented accommodation experienced deprivation — about three and a half times the rate of those who own their own homes.

One in two households reported some difficulty in

making ends meet in 2022.

Social Justice Ireland’s research and policy analyst Susanne Rogers said the deprivation figures published in today’s survey show that just over 876,000 people still struggle to achieve a basic standard of living.

She highlighted the CSO finding that the yearly increase was more than 184,500 and lamented that almost 250,000 children are experiencing deprivation.

“This shows us the impact that the rising cost of living

is having on people’s daily lives,” she said.

Ms Rogers has called on the Government to introduce a living wage of €13.85 an hour.

Meanwhile, Depaul has launched an urgent homeless crisis Christmas appeal as 11,397 adults and children face Christmas in emergency accommodation.

They report: • 70% of adults who are homeless are in Dublin • Almost 40% of Depaul service users are aged 18-30 • Increase in referrals through

Tusla and Aftercare services • 40% less moves ons in youth services this year David Carroll, Chief Executive of Depaul who launched the urgent public appeal, said that there were now waiting lists for the charity’s accommodation services. Services were inundated with calls from the public concerned about accessing food banks and other basic supports as the cost of living crisis continues.

See Special Report, Page 14

Sinn Fein are the most popular party with the prize of forming part of the next Government.

However, a recent poll has revealed that the party’s support had dropped four percentage points. Could it be that voters are having second thoughts?

Marianne Heron, Page 12

Kilkenny artist Vera Klute with her oil painting Self-Portrait, which is part of the Zurich Portrait Prize and Zurich Young Portrait Prize exhibitions 2022 which is exhibiting at the National Gallery of Ireland.

From hundreds of entries, the shortlists of this year’s Zurich Portrait Prize and Zurich Young Portrait Prize are on display in the Portrait Gallery. Twenty-six artists, also including Bernadette Kiely from Kilkenny, working across a variety of media, have made it through to the final stage of the Zurich Portrait Prize, while 20 artists aged between four and 18 have been shortlisted for the Zurich Young Portrait Prize.

The light at the end of the tunnel

Full report, Page 6

€5,000 up in local social housing income

EVERY FRIDAY

velopment and roll-out of a revised income eligibility model (and income thresholds) in 2023. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is working on this revised model.

Commenting on the increase, Minister Noonan said:“This increase will ensure that social housing sup-

The Kilkenny

Observer UNIT 7, FRIARY STREET, KILKENNY, R95 VHY7

According to the Central Statistics Office, Covid-19 restrictions impacted some tax revenues in 2020 but in 2021 we see a return to more normal tax receipts.

A total of €93 billion in tax was collected by the Irish Government in 2021, an increase of 21% on 2020 revenue.

But just how fair is our system of taxation?

John Ellis, Page 16

Sinn Fein: time for second thoughts

Portrait Of The Artist

The Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, has welcomed an increase of €5,000 to the social housing income eligibility threshold for Kilkenny. The increase will take effect from January 1.

This significant change is being taken pending the de-

Taxing times for our tax system

port is available to vulnerable households in Kilkenny. It will help protect those most at risk from the recent increase in the cost of living.

“This change, the first in over a decade, builds on the recommendations of the review into social housing income eligibility limits. My department are now working

hard to produce a new income eligibility model, which will be completed in 2023.”

The social housing income eligibility review fulfilled a commitment in Housing for All, the Government’s housing plan. The plan contains a range of actions and measures to ensure over 300,000 new social, affordable, cost

rental and private homes are built by 2030, backed by over €4 billion in annual guaranteed State investment to the end of 2026. To the end of September 2022, over 55,000 homes were either completed (27,773) or commenced (27,417). The plan’s overall target for housing supply in 2022 is 24,600.

Okay, so the bad news is that the EU is about to enter recession as growth forecasts for 2023 are slashed due to prolonged inflation and the war in Ukraine. The EU Commission’s Autumn Economic Forecast projects GDP to fall this quarter with the contraction to continue in the first quarter of next year. Real GDP growth is to grow at just 0.3% in 2023, well below the 1.5% forecast in the summer.

Paul Hopkins, Page 8

World Cup blues, and how to be charming I am in Wales visiting family.

I am in Wales on Friday, November 25 in my son’s sitting-room watching the World Cup, Wales versus Iran with my grandson and granddaughter, ages three months and three years respectively, along with my daughter-in-law, a tad older!

Gerry Moran, Page 20

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GETTING IN TOUCH WITH THE TEAM

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News New analysis from the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has underlined the challenges facing hotels and guesthouses into 2023, with spiralling business costs, reduced forward bookings compared to 2019, and a planned 50% increase in the tourism VAT rate at the end of February 2023 – all piling pressure on the industry that is still in recovery following the pandemic.

Despite an uplift in tourism during 2022 following the pandemic, overall hotel room occupancy rates are still significantly down on 2019 for the year to date. For the first 10 months of the year (January to October), average room occupancy levels were 71% nationally.

In the same period in 2019, however, room occupancy was 80%, highlighting the extent of lost ground still to be made up.

The economic outlook for the sector is now looking significantly less certain with pent-up demand quickly unwinding, overseas markets entering economic downturn and consumer confidence reaching decade-lows across key overseas markets.

This is taking its toll on confidence within the sector with the overwhelming majority of hotels and guesthouses saying they are concerned about the impact of global economic uncertainty on their business in the next 12 months, with 38% saying they are concerned and 56%

Economy forcing hotels to check out

indicating they are very concerned.

With overseas tourism levels forecast to be down 25% this year compared to 2019, forward bookings reported by hotels for next year remain challenging particularly for the UK and parts of Europe:

2019 (5% report an increase, 35% no change) • 47% report reduced bookings from Northern Ireland (12% report an increase, 41% no change) • 38% report reduced bookings from the rest of Europe (20% report an increase, 42% no change)

• 60% report reduced bookings from the Britain versus

The US market is a cause for less concern, with 36% report-

ing reduced bookings largely offset by the 35% reporting an increase (29% no change).

Denyse Campbell, President of the IHF, said: “We are now heading into very turbulent times economically with growing uncertainty in our overseas markets. This comes at a time when escalating business costs are eroding confidence among hoteliers.

Energy costs are a particular

worry and are now running at 10-12% of total revenue for the average hotel, up from just 4% of revenue in 2019.”

“For an average 70bedroom hotel this means an increase of €380,000 in annual energy costs. While the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme introduced in Budget 2023 is welcome, the qualification criteria are far too restrictive

for hotels. Hotels are also seeing increases across the cost of food suppliers (up 25% this year), beverages (up 16%), linen and laundry services (up 30%) and insurance costs (up 18%).”

Ms Campbell said that compounding the challenges facing businesses was the decision to increase the tourism VAT rate to 13.5% at the end of February 2023.

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News

Kilkenny artists in National Gallery of Ireland Two Kilkenny artists are among those showing at the Zurich Portrait Prize and Zurich Young Portrait Prize exhibitions 2022 at the National Gallery of Ireland. From hundreds of entries, the shortlists of this year’s Zurich Portrait Prize and Zurich Young Portrait Prize are on display in the Portrait Gallery. Twenty-six artists, working across a va-

riety of media, have made it through to the final stage of the Zurich Portrait Prize, while 20 young artists aged between four and eighteen years old have been shortlisted for the Zurich Young Portrait Prize. The two Kilkenny artists who have been shortlisted for the Zurich Portrait Prize are Bernadette Kiely for her oil painting An artist becomes their work – portrait

Tunisian man shells out as he receives Innovation Award locally

By Martin Quinn A Tunisian history enthusiast and craftsman who is making dye from sea snail shells, has been honoured by the Irish Lebanese Cultural Foundation at a ceremony in Kilkenny.

Mouhamad Ghassen Nouira works from a hut in his garden to process Murex snails using techniques first developed by the Phoenicians, to produce a dye known as Tyrian Purple that sells online for approx €2,500 a gram.

Mr Nouira was guest of honour at a ceremony in the Pembroke Hotel, Kilkenny, which was presided over

by Guy Jones, Chairman of the Irish Lebanese Cultural Foundation. He was presented with a Cedars Award for excellence in innovation for his work to process murex snails, using a technique first developed by the Phoenicians to produce a dye known as Tyrian purple.

His work started as a hobby when he was a boy in history class studying the Canaanites, the Phoenicians and the Carthaginians and how they were famous for extracting purple from Murex and that it was more expensive than gold.

Speaking at the ceremony he described how his interest in this was first piqued. “I was a shy and quiet boy, sitting bored in yet another history class waiting for the bell to ring. For some reason that day, my ears perked up as my teacher spoke of the ancient Phoenician Sea people. She said that these one-of-a-kind merchants;

who came from what is now Lebanon; produced a priceless purple dye from sea mollusks, a dye that was so expensive that it was literally worth several times its weight in gold. She went on to proudly describe how this colour would soon become the undisputed symbol of power and nobility.

“Little did I know as that unsuspecting 14-year-old how much these words would change my life forever.

As I sat there in that class, these words literally dyed my soul!” said Mr Nouira.

Years later, he saw a dead murex on the beach and, remembering his history class, decided to experiment with how to make dye.

From then on his adventure began. Mr Nouira spent 14 years working out how to produce the dye from nets of Murex he buys from a local fisherman, extracting the glands, crushing the shells, fermenting and cooking them and eventually producing tiny amounts of purple powder.

“Over the past 14 years, I have managed to recreate this lost art by searching through ancient texts for clues, making endless experiments, adjusting processes, endless research. I experienced the most amazing of feelings as the most valuable and highly prized commodity of the ancient world started unraveling its long-hidden secrets between my bloody exhausted fingers,” he said.

It takes 54 kilogrammes of Murex shells to produce a single gram of Tyrian Purple, making it hard to be economically viable.

of Paul Mosse in his studio, 2021; and Vera Klute for her oil painting Self-Portrait, 2020.

The winner of the Zurich Portrait Prize will receive a cash prize of €15,000 and will be commissioned to create a work for the national portrait collection, for which they will be awarded a further €5,000.

Additionally, two additional awards of €1,500 will be given

to highly commended works.

Judges for the Zurich Portrait Prize are Diana Copperwhite, artist; Nick Miller, artist; and Anna O’Sullivan, Director of the Butler Gallery, Kilkenny.

Brendan Rooney, Head Curator, National Gallery of Ireland, said: “Now in its ninth consecutive year, the Portrait Prize continues to celebrate the talent that flourishes

among artists working in Ireland and Irish artists abroad.”

The Zurich Young Portrait Prize returns for its fourth year in 2022. Five winners (one from each respective age category and an overall winner) will be selected from a shortlist of hundreds of entries from young people aged four to 18 from across the island of Ireland.

Winners will receive a be-

spoke art box and a cash prize. The overall competition winner will be awarded a wooden box of high-quality art materials, and a cash prize of €500. All twenty shortlisted entrants will have their artwork professionally framed and prepared for display.

Exhibitions of shortlisted works in both competitions run at the National Gallery of Ireland until April 2.

Planting! On the Poole family farm near Gorey in Wexford where this year’s Operation Biodiversity campaign was launched were Alan and Cheryl Poole and two of their children, Isabelle (12) and Danny (9) and John Murphy, Tirlán Chairman Photo: Mary Browne.

You wood for the trees, wouldn’t you?

Tirlán FarmLife and its family farm suppliers in Kilkenny and elsewhere have set an ambitious new target of delivering 450,000 native trees and hedgerow plants to enhance the Irish countryside through the Operation Biodiversity programme.

Just last year, the initiative from Tirlán, the farmer-owned co-operative formerly known as Glanbia Ireland, reached its original 100,000 tree and hedgerow target twelve months ahead of schedule.

To celebrate, the Kilkenny-based global company donated 10,000 native Irish trees to its farm family suppliers, customers and

community groups. Similar free tree donations are now planned as each annual target between now and 2025 is met.

In Kilkenny, tree and hedgerow bundles are available through CountryLife centres in Ballyhale and Castlecomer and through Tirlán FarmLife stores which are located in Castlecomer, Ballyragget, Freshford, Bennettsbridge, Goresbridge, Rathdrum, Kilmanagh, Kells, Graiguenamanagh, Ballyhale, Windgap and Glenmore.

John Murphy, Chairman of Tirlán, attributes the success of the programme to the enthusiasm and willingness of farm families

to work to enhance and protect the land for themselves and the generations to come.

“Operation Biodiversity has helped enrich our landscape and provide much-needed food and shelter for our native wildlife since its launch in 2020. Every native Irish tree and hedgerow planted builds on the ongoing biodiversity work that farm families are already doing as custodians of the land,” he said.

“As part of our partnership approach, we are pledging to work with our suppliers to build on our initial target of over 100,000 trees and hedging

plants to deliver 450,000 trees and hedgerow plants by 2025. This initiative is just one of many actions we are undertaking across our Co-operative. We have set out an ambitious series of targets as part of our comprehensive sustainability programme, Living Proof.”

Seán Molloy, Chief Ingredients & Agri Officer at Tirlán, said: “We reached our original 100,000 target in record time. This shows the clear and unequivocal momentum behind our Living Proof sustainability strategy and the appetite for biodiversity and climate action on family farms and in the community.”

‘Urgent we safeguard’ patient access to med data A patient’s access to vital medical technologies should be safeguarded by introducing targeted flexibilities to the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) as “a matter of life and death for Irish and European patients,” warned Seán Kelly MEP and leader of Fine Gael in the European Parliament.

The Ireland South MEP has expressed concerns ahead of an urgent May 2024 deadline to certify vital medical products

before they are discontinued.

“Medical technologies, such as cardiac pacemakers, insulin pumps, or in vitro diagnostics, are essential to maintaining and restoring patient health.

They are also integral tools for healthcare professionals to provide the care to patients that they need,” the Ireland South MEP said.

In 2017, the Medical Devices Regulation (MDR) was revised with the goal of enhancing pa-

tient safety with more stringent EU-wide safety and performance requirements for medical technology.

“While revision of the MDR was done with the important objective of improving patient safety and treatment options, difficulty with its implementation is having the opposite effect.

“A shortage in notified bodies, the designated bodies for certifying medical devices

under the MDR, has created a backlog.

“Due to this certification backlog, by May 2024, there is a risk that one-in-four medical tech products currently in use could be discontinued. The reason being that all medical devices must be certified under the new Regulation by May 2024 at the latest.,” he said “We must take a pragmatic and responsible approach to address these certification bottlenecks.”

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Opinion

The Fact Of OfThe Matter PAUL HOPKINS

There will be light at the end of this tunnel Okay, so the bad news is that the EU is about to enter recession as growth forecasts for 2023 are slashed due to prolonged inflation and the war in Ukraine. The EU Commission’s Autumn Economic Forecast projects GDP to fall this quarter with the contraction to continue in the first quarter of next year. Real GDP growth is to grow at just 0.3% in 2023, well below the 1.5% forecast in the summer.

The good news is the commission says Ireland will top the eurozone countries this year with 7.9% growth in GDP which, downside, they forecast will fall to 3.2% in 2023 and 3.1% in 2024 on the back of lower purchasing power and uncertainty weighing on investment.

The really good news is we, we Irish, will come through it all in the final analysis.

I speak from experience.

I came through the whole decade of the Eighties, a

decade ridden with chronic recession. I married, took out a mortgage and helped raise three children on a single income. It was tough, very tough.

The decade of the 1980s was dominated politically

by Ronald Reagan in the US and Mikhail Gorbachev in the Soviet Union. The defining moment of that decade was the collapse of the Soviet Union and of Communist rule in Eastern Europe. In 1989 thousands were killed in Tienanmen Square in Beijing, China, as students protested. The Iranian Revolution saw the start of Islamic Fundamentalism as a political force. The late 1980s saw apartheid in South Africa begin to dismantle after decades of international pressure.

The early 1980s saw a severe economic recession that affected much of the world, widely considered

to have been the most severe since World War II. It was mostly down to the 1979 energy crisis (sound familiar?) caused by the Iranian Revolution which caused a disruption to the global oil supply, which saw energy prices rising sharply.

By the mid-Eighties most of Western Europe had come through it, shaken but not stirred. We Irish were the exception. The unemployment rate here in 1986 exceeded 16% of the workforce, and employment stood at just under 1.1 million. The same year, the Exchequer deficit was equivalent to 11.4% of GNP and Government debt was equivalent to 115% of GNP. Ireland back then was a very depressed place, with high unemployment, heavy emigration, penal levels of taxation, very little wealth.

I would write a cheque for 20 quid and ask my friendly publican to sit on it

till Friday; I would pay the minimum 20 quid due on my maxed-out credit card and then go and put 20 punts of petrol in my beat-up Hillman Hunter; my late Father kindly lent me the money to buy a new boiler because the bank categorically refused to extend my over-stretched overdraft.

Talk about the light at the

‘Eighties a decade ridden with chronic recession...’

end of the tunnel... back then we couldn’t even see a tunnel.

Unskilled and semi-skilled workers were still, near the end of the decade, leaving in droves — a quarter of all emigrants to England were construction labourers. Also leaving the country in high numbers were our college graduates. The loss of these bright minds, one of Ireland’s few precious assets at the time, was popularly referred to as the ‘brain drain’. Interest rates stood at 18 per cent.

On mature reflection, I was luckier than most as my halcyon days in newspapers offered me all the overtime I could handle.

And so to the current forecasted recession. But it’s not all bad news. Ireland today is a country with low unemployment, relatively low taxation levels, inward migration and considerable wealth. After years of steady,

and now strong, growth, since the crash of 2008, there is a much greater level of personal wealth in the country and entrepreneurial endeavour is more obvious and more appreciated in most quarters.

The country is much more self-confident and there is a much greater ‘can-do’ attitude. We will together, and with good governance — huge problems with healthcare and housing notwithstanding — come through it relatively unscathed. And I say that without losing sight of those in dire straits and in urgent need of help, economic and otherwise. And as a pensioner, whose weekly fee for my erudite comments for this paper would not afford me a decent bottle of champagne (no offence, Ed.).

At the end of the day, we could be in a far worse place than on this island of Ireland.

Britain, anybody?

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News

Farmers have your say on future Ifac, Ireland’s farming, food and agribusiness specialist professional services firm is all ears once again for its fifth annual Farm Survey.

Ifac is now encouraging Kilkenny farmers to complete its Farm Survey and have their say about what’s important to them, their families and their

farm businesses. The online survey, at ifac.ie, takes about four minutes to complete and closes on Sunday, December 11. Additionally, all participants who complete ifac’s survey will be entered into a draw for a €500 One4All voucher.

The findings of ifac’s nation-

wide survey will be published in its Irish Farm Report 2023 – one of the most comprehensive farm surveys undertaken in the state.

The report will combine the results of this comprehensive survey with emerging trends across all sectors. Ifac’s Irish Farm Report 2022 revealed that

rising input costs were weighing heavily on farmers' minds, as well as recruitment difficulties and financial planning, with two-thirds of Irish farming families yet to start their succession plans.

Ben Fogerty, Partner at ifac's Kilkenny office, said: “The biggest challenges facing

farmers last year, as revealed in our 2022 Irish Farm Report, were increasing input costs, struggles finding employees and carving out time for financial planning, in particular careful succession planning, which we know can empower families and provide a sustainable future for their farm

business. “It also provided evidence of farmer optimism and consensus about the need to take climate action, with 97% open to incorporating renewable energy on their farms,” Mr Fogerty said. * Participants can take ifac’s online survey at www.ifac.ie.

A poignant and sad farewell to Vicky Phelan Vicky Phelan was a national icon but the Vicky Kelly they had grown up with was their own beloved 'Rose of Mooncoin'.

Her final farewell was a perfect portrait of how she had lived her life. She had requested music, colour, a celebration and fond memories.

There was an air of sadness for those who had gathered for the celebration on a recent Sunday for the 48-year-old CervicalCheck campaigner, in the stone church in Mooncoin, in whose marble font, Vicky had been baptised.

It came as the gathering noted the quiet dignity of Vicky's husband Jim Phelan and their two children Amelia (17) and Darragh (11), and of Vicky's parents, John and Gabby Kelly, and hearing the love of her friends and family who spoke of what she had meant to them.

When her brother, Jonnie welled up, as he told the congregation that their brother Robbie was watching the live-stream from his home in New Zealand.

When Vicky's favourite Mount Sion choir stood with touching respect on the altar to sing for her, as they had promised to do.

They were not the only ones she had signed up in advance for this event. Vicky had asked her favourite band, The Stunning, to perform.

Similarly, she had made Niall Breslin, aka Bressie, promise to play a song she had heard him play once in a pub in Kilkee, Co Clare.

All were there to honour the

woman they had respected and had come to love as a friend.

From mid-morning, people were gathering in Mooncoin, where a near-military operation had been set up to take command of incoming traffic, with parking plans and even a park and ride facility in place.

At least 500 people had gathered, among them Vicky's fellow 221+ campaigners, Lorraine Walsh, John Wall and Stephen Teap and his young sons, Noah and Oscar.

Vicky's solicitor and friend Cian O'Carroll; Charlie Bird and his wife Claire; Vicky's good friend, the Irish Independent writer and Listowel publican, Billy Keane, were also present, along with Alan Kelly of the Labour Party, who had shared her love of music.

Stephen, Billy and Alan were all in agreement, afterwards, that the memorial had been absolutely perfect and that Vicky, herself, would have enjoyed every minute of it.

Thousands more watched the livestream of the service online.

Her young nieces and nephews, together with her own children, brought gifts to the altar symbolising her life.

There were the GAA jerseys and rugby shirts for her love of sport, a vinyl album of Amy Winehouse for her love of music, sand from Doonbeg beach for the peace she felt there and a photograph with her husband and children because 'family was the most important thing' for Vicky.

Rest in peace, Vicky...

Ibec welcomes development monitor Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, has welcomed the launch of the Regional Development Monitor (RDM), stating the data must be used to address regional deficits.

The online interactive data platform will monitor a wide range of socioeconomic indicators across placemaking,

climate action and economic development.

“The Regional Development Monitor provides unique economic and social insights.

It will be an important window to the performance and impact on the ground of national and regional policies looing into the future," a statement said.

We've an eye on a winner!

Specsavers Kilkenny is delighted to announce that store manager Brian Amond has been awarded the title of Retail Manager of the Year at the recent Retail Excellence Awards 2022.

With more than 2,500 people nominated for this award, Brian was awarded the title for his tireless work and commitment at Specsavers Kilkenny. Brian Amond was nominated by his regional relationship manager and board director, Michelle Carew, for his continued commitment to leading the team over the

past five years.

Having just expanded their premises to over 4,000 square feet, it has been a busy year for the store, and this is a fantastic achievement for Brian and the wider store team.

Specsavers Kilkenny is the city’s flagship store and the expansion in May of this year fitted them out with some of best state of the art audiology and optical equipment and services.

Working with the store for the last six years, Brian has developed a strong relationship with his team and believes that by him

Eyeing the future: at the Retail Excellence Awards were Specsavers Kilkenny Managers Brian Amond (left) and Michael Ivors

investing in each member working in the store, it allows him to be a great retail manager. He focuses on the small day-to-day things that will ensure outstanding customer service.

Brian said: "To be truly an exceptional manager, in my opinion, takes self-awareness and humility. Putting others first by figuring out what those around you need and supporting them in any way you can. I did not go to college. However through working in retail all my life, I have provided a comfortable living for my family, all by working hard

and progressing upwards within companies."

Specsavers Store Director Michelle Carew said: ‘It is an absolute honour for Brian to receive the title of Retail Manager of the Year.

This is a fantastic achievement for him and for the store. I would like to thank Brian for his commitment to creating a progressive working environment."

The Retail Excellence Awards, since 1997, recognise the most progressive and innovative stores in Ireland including the experts in both eye care and hearing at Specsavers Kilkenny.

A helping hand for returning emigrants A free government programme that helps returned emigrants start and develop businesses in Ireland is looking for applicants for its latest cycle.

This is the sixth year of the Back for Business programme and there are up to 50 places available to support those have returned to Ireland – or are thinking about it – and have or want

to start a business here.

The Back for Business developmental programme, which is funded from the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme, was created to foster and support entrepreneurial activity among emigrants returning to live in Ireland. The call for this year’s applications was launched by Colm Brophy

T.D. Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora.

Back for Business 6 will run from the end of January to June 2023. There is no charge for those selected to participate and the closing date for applications is Friday January 6th 2023.

Back for Business is aimed at those who have lived abroad for at least a year

and have returned in the last three years or those planning to return in the near future. It addresses challenges that all early-stage entrepreneurs encounter, but also focuses on the additional barriers faced by those who have been living outside Ireland for some years.

Visit www.backforbusinness.com

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Opinion

As I See It Marianne Heron

Sinn Fein: why it’s time for second thoughts Sinn Fein are the most popular party with the prize of forming part of the next Government. However, last weekend a poll revealed that the party’s support had dropped four percentage points. Could it be that voters are having second thoughts?

The drop coincides with the playing of taped conversations during the murder trial of Gerry the Monk Hutch at the Central Criminal Court.

The tapes are of recordings made secretly by Gardai of conversation between Hutch, on trial for the murder of David Byrne shot dead at the Regency Hotel, Dublin in 2016 in the escalating Hutch Kinahan gangland feud, and former Sinn Fein Councillor Johnathan Dowdall.

Dowdall, who resigned from Sinn Fein in 2015, has turned State evidence

against the Monk, admitting that he hired the hotel room where the murder took place. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou MacDonald used the Hutch family for money and votes, Dowdall says in the bugged conversation, criticising her for not attending the funeral of slain Edward Hutch, Gerry’s brother, saying:“But ye were good enough to use Gerard for votes, good enough to use for money.”

Political leaders have expressed concern over the conversation and Tanaiste Leo Varadkar has said that question will have to be asked and answered, once the Monk’s trial ends. The conversation between the two men, recorded just weeks after the 2016 murder, is held in the State’s to case to mean that the Monk had asked Dowdall to arrange

a meeting with his provisional republican contacts to mediate in the Hutch-Kinahan feud, indicating a connection between gangland criminals and the Provos.

There was “no comparison” between violence of the IRA during the Troubles and gangland violence, Mary Lou McDonald claimed in a report last month. Perhaps the Sinn Fein leader is attempting to eradicate history in a manner akin to Orwell’s novel 1984 which examines the way truth can be manipulated in a totalitarian state based on Nazism and Stalinist Russia.

Bombings murder, torture, protection rackets, bank robberies, money laundering and much more were common to paramilitaries on both sides during the Troubles. When it comes to criminals and paramilitaries

it seems to me there’s a dark underworld there reminiscent of the unseen life of fungi, which every so often throw up visible, mushroom reminders of their entangled networks below ground.

Sinn Fein, founded as the moral authority of the Irish Nation back in 1905, now bill themselves opportunely as the party for change, in the midst of a housing and a cost of living crisis.

The census shows that Catholics now outnumber Protestants in the North and Mary Lou McDonald has said that it’s time to plan for the Border Poll outlined in the Good Friday Agreement. It isn’t as simple as that, however many of us aspire to an eventual united Ireland. In the North voters would be asked if they want to remain in the UK or leave for a united Ireland. A ma-

jority -including a share of Catholics want to remain — 47% compared to 42% who want to leave in a 2021 poll with 11% undecided. Hardly surprising, given the practical challenges that need to be overcome where there are major differences in health, education between north and south, and constitutional issues to be overcome, never mind the cost of unification.

What is Sinn Fein doing, as leading commentator on Irish unity Professor Brendan O’Leary puts it, to ensure that necessary and detailed preparations and political conditions for success are in place before it is called to make sure that reunification prevails?

One of the party’s aims is to end the housing crisis.

But throwing money at the problem won’t solve it, given

the complexity involved in everything from planning regulations, labour shortages, availability of land for building, costs and the way that the current situation is hardly attractive to developers.

The cut and freeze rentals approach advocated by SF has been shown not to work under the Coalition and has resulted in an exodus of landlords and a famine in rental accommodation.

Another aim is to move retirement age back to 65 from 66. Aside from the eyewatering cost involved not everyone either wants, or can afford, to retire at 65, a more flexible approach is needed.

Time to for the party of change to entertain second thoughts about themselves and answer questions. Has this leopard moved on from its past and fully changed its spots?

Feel confident in your skin with Trilogy clean natural beauty CLAIR WHITTY

I think most of you know that I love Trilogy skin care products, they work for my skin and I keep going back to them. Every year Trilogy bring out some lovely gift sets for Christmas and they are always fantastic value. This year is no different, they have several limited-edition gift sets for you to choose from. Plus, you get a Free Limited-Edition gift with every Trilogy spend over 30 euro with three beautifully fragranced, non-drying hand and body washes that are perfect for on the go.

When my skin looks good, I feel good, I think we all feel the same way about our skin. The

limited-edition gift set on my Christmas list is the Three-step Microbiome Renewal Routine.

It contains my favourite Rosehip Cleanser, and Hydrating Mist Toner, plus, I love the idea of this one, the Microbiome Complexion Renew Serum.

Trilogy serums are always amazing so I was curious to know more about this one. The Complexion Renew Serum is a unique advanced formula that will work with my skin’s natural microbiome to promote a healthier, smoother, and more youthful complexion. With natural ingredients that will reduce the look of redness in three days, it sounds perfect for me. The silky serum includes moisture-plumping hyaluronic acid. It’s suitable for all skin types. I can’t wait to try it.

If you’re new to Trilogy you

might like to start with the Clean Beauty Starter Kit. You could put it on your Christmas list perhaps. It contains Rosehip Cream Cleanser, Hydrating Mist, Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+, and Trilogy Vital Moisturising Cream. This is an ideal set to get you started on the Trilogy journey.

Stocking fillers could include the Body Beautiful Duo which contains two fantastic products. I simply love the Pure Plant Body Oil and the Botanical Body Wash. The pure Plant Body Oil uses a triple oil blend to encourage cell renewal and collagen production. Your skin will feel hydrated, moisturised, and smooth and will smell fantastic all day long too. For your hand bag there’s the Handy Must-Haves. This set contains the original Trilogy Rosehip oil in a roller ball and a handy sized Ultra Hydrating Hand Cream.

These are just a few Trilogy gift ideas to get you thinking.

Shop online at www.naturalhealthstore.ie where you’ll be able to take a look for yourself.

Natural Health Store, Market Cross Shopping Centre Phone: 056 7764538 Email: info@naturalhealthstore.ie

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 02 December 2022

News With the Christmas season having kicked in, Rose McGowan of St Vincent de Paul has said that this is the worst year she has ever witnessed for hard-hit families as people are going without food and heat to try to cut down on costs. More people are experiencing poverty and going without basic essentials this year.

Ms McGowan said the charity was receiving between 800 and 1,200 requests for help every day and this figure would continue to increase in the runup to Christmas.

The mother of two, who has worked with the charity for more than 50 years and “loves” her job, said the increase in calls had put “huge pressure” on the service but that it’s “part of what we do”.

“It’s at that stage where we find people start to panic, I suppose even though it’s Christmas, everyday stuff still goes on.

“Food, energy and rent all still has to be paid for and now we have the stress of Christmas on top of that,” she told the Irish Independent.

“People are cutting back on food and certainly parents are going without food in order to make sure their children are fed,” she said.

“People are very stressed at the moment, we have a crisis here. It’s affecting their health and mental health. Every call is either for food or energy and in a lot of cases, it’s for rent.

“For me, in an Ireland of 2022, people are living in poverty if they’re ringing looking for food.

“There’s a lot of people who are working - this is not just about social welfare recipients, people on low income, people on disability, single parents, it’s everybody. There’s no spare cash for any crisis in people’s lives.

“Parents will always go without to make sure their children are fed. However, children shouldn’t have to bear that.

“All people want is a bit of

Smyth’s Toys has predicted what will fly off the shelves following the RTE Late Late Toy Show. Here are the Christmas toys you need to know about.

One of the popular items is the innovative Mama Surprise toy. This unusual playset consists of a fake guinea pig, which grows and produces its own babies over time. It costs €79.99.

Ziggy the Robot Dog is another animal toy adored by children in store. This toy is reasonably priced at €49.99, as the remote control dog carries out a range of impressive tricks for its owners.

Meanwhile, pop culture continues to have an impact on the type of items sold in store. The release of the lat-

SPECIAL REPORT

Up to 1,200 poor people seek help every day dignity and a decent life, to live it with dignity.

“It’s very hard to pick up the phone to St Vincent de Paul, I understand that.

“Particularly if you’ve always been independent and if you’ve always been able to manage.”

The charity is now hearing from the same people “a lot more often” as they struggle to make ends meet.

One mother contacted it

recently as she could not afford to buy jackets for the winter months as she was still trying to pay off the cost of her children’s schoolbooks.

“The recession was bad and before that life was tough and I remember people being in bed with their clothes on, but it was a different time and people weren’t earning as much and social welfare wasn’t as good,” she said.

“So, if you compare that to now, I would say that this is worse because we’ve a different standard of living. Suddenly, everybody is stressed about money.

“So, it could be three calls where it might have only been one call a year. It is hard, but for us, need is the only criteria for our help.”

Referring to volunteers who may want to help, she said: “People can’t go to homes unless they’ve had

All they want for Christmas

est Jurassic Park movie in cinemas has introduced more action toys to the market, while the rebirth of Pokemon

has seen demand for card collectibles soar.

The phenomena that is the Squishmallow range o9ers

comfort to children of any age. These plush animals have flown off the shelves, with the Baby Yoda design being par-

safeguarding and are vetted but they can come and help pack food parcels and hampers and organise toys.”

The charity is also feeling the strain of rising prices.

The cost of its food parcel has increased by €25 in the past year for the same basic items.

Ms McGowan said every day parents are forced to make “difficult choices” in order to decide what to spend their money on.

ticularly sought after in stores (currently sold out in store).

Most parents of young children will have heard of CocoMelon (count yourself lucky if you have never been exposed) and Smyths has a huge selection of toys from the famous toddler show.

From dolls to buses to toy baths, the store stocks an impressive range.

Stephen also says that hardback annuals, such as The Guinness Book of World Records and Beano, continue to surface on Santa lists in spite of new technology.

Meanwhile, the sale of Lego continues to soar as the Danish brand comes up with new and exciting sets for hands-on children across the globe.

Smyth’s also predict that

“I believe that whether you’re working or on social welfare, you should be able to live and pay your rent and buy your food. People need to be able to have a standard of living.

“The elderly have good pensions but it doesn’t stretch to the huge bills they’re having at the moment.” * To help, phone: 01 884 8200 or email: info@svp.ie.

music loving children will drift towards karaoke machines this Christmas season, with the most basic version costing €17.99. This toy is a lot less hassle to set up in the days of mobile phones.

You can very easily link them to a phone or a tablet, the days of trying to connect them via TV or finding CDs with the graphics are over.

You can start off with a basic mike they can sing through at €17.99, although the more advanced sets range from €50 to €100.

Whether children prefer technology based games, Lego or traditional annuals, there is a wide range of toys kids can take a look at before putting pen to paper for their Santa lists.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 02 December 2022

Opinion

Your Money & You John Ellis

So, just how fair is our tax system?

The most recent tax statistics for the year 2021 have been released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). According to the report COVID-19 restrictions impacted some tax revenues in 2020 but in 2021 we see a return to more normal tax receipts. A total of €93 billion in tax was collected by the Irish Government in 2021, an increase of 21% on 2020 revenue. A total of 48% of all tax receipts are generated through taxes on income, in 2021 this amounted to €45 billion.

In 2021 €23 billion in Pay as You Earn (PAYE) revenue was collected, compared to €7 billion in 2000 and 28% of total revenue is from taxes on products which amounted to €26 billion in 2021; of which €17 billion was from VAT an increase from €8 billion in 2000.

Analysis of the report make plain two issues that should

cause concern. How fair is the Government being to PAYE workers and is the Government relying too heavily on corporation tax? Almost half (48% or €45bn) of the Government’s tax take for 2021 was generated from taxes on income with corporation tax and PAYE being the two biggest contributors.

Of the €45bn generated from taxes on income, €23bn came from PAYE workers nearly three times as much PAYE tax as the amount raised in 2000 (€7bn).

Is this an indication of the increased wealth and higher earning power in the country or proof that Irish workers are being hit with much higher taxes than was the case in over a decade ago?

Much of the tax hikes of the austerity years of 2009 to 2013 are still with us today. The Local Property Tax remains.

The Universal Social Charge

add a hefty amount to the tax bill for many today.

We also lost valuable tax breaks during these years, such as the amount of tax relief you can claim on medical expenses – which was halved during those years and has yet to be reversed. The tax relief on bin charges gone! Tax relief on trade union subscriptions gone! State maternity pay has been taxed since 2013 and mortgage interest relief

has been abolished for homes purchased since January 1, 2013 – and was abolished in full at the end of 2017.

In addition, the average Irish workers wage is still being hit with the higher rate of income tax. Granted the Government, in Budget 2023, did allow people to earn more money before hitting the higher rate but more should be done to put hard-earned money back into the pockets of workers.

Furthermore, the Ireland Tax Statistics Report 2021 shows that corporation tax receipts have almost doubled in the last five years - from €8 billion in 2017 to €15 billion in 2021.

There is fear that Ireland has become too reliant on corporation tax receipts and the State coffers could become severely undermined in the event of a recession or a spending reduction in the multinationals and the tech sector. We have already seen something of this with thousands of tech job gone worldwide in recent weeks and Ireland has not been unaffected. If the tide is now turning for the tech industry this will not bode well for Ireland as we seem to continue to rely too heavily on these companies for employment opportunities and tax receipts.

Another interesting finding from the report is that more than twice as much VAT

(€17bn) was collected in 2021 as was the case in 2000 (€8bn). This is not just an indication that we are spending more but it also shows that VAT rates are much higher.

The standard VAT rate for much of 2021 was 23% compared to 21% in 2000; while the reduced VAT rate is higher today (13.5%) than it was in 2000 (12.5%).

Marian Ryan, consumer tax manager with Taxback. com, says: “Given the huge pressure that people are up against now as result of the cost-of-living crisis with so many struggling to afford grocery bills and other essential items, not to mention the cost of Christmas, it beggars’ belief that the Government has not yet acted to reduce the standard rate of VAT – as well as the reduced rate.” john@ellisfinancial.ie 086 8362622

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Christmas events at Rothe House Rothe House is one of Kilkenny’s most unique properties dating from 1594 and is a leading visitor attraction with its original houses, three courtyards and restored garden, all waiting to be explored.

Rothe House will host a variety of seasonal events this December.

Wreath Making Workshop This year sees the return of the ever-popular wreath making workshops. Taking place on Saturday, 3rd December participants will have the chance to make their own

unique festive wreath to decorate their front door this Christmas. The workshop also includes materials to make a centrepiece to dress your holiday table. All materials are included for this workshop, all you need to bring is scissors or secateurs and some creativity!

Mary Pyke, Head Gardener at Rothe House facilitates this workshop every year. “I am so pleased to have our wreath making workshops back again this year. The workshops are always great fun and it inspires people to try their hand at creating other simple, natural,

decorative pieces for their home.

We find that it has become a tradition for many people who take part year after year.” Booking for the workshops is via Eventbrite.

Places are limited so early booking is advisable.

Christmas Miscellany On Tuesday 13th Decem-

ber, Rothe House will host a magical Christmas Miscellany evening featuring storytelling, music, poetry and song from familiar and emerging voices in Kilkenny’s arts scene. The winter’s evening will begin with a cosy mulled wine reception around the Christmas tree, before moving to the atmospheric surroundings of the Phelan Room. “We are very excited to hold this event in Rothe House and have received a wonderful response from local writers and musicians,” says Valerie O’ Sullivan, General Manager of Rothe House. “A programme of new and traditional material has been carefully put together and it is an opportunity for the audience to step away from the hustle and bustle of preparations and enjoy a nostalgic evening in one of Kilkenny’s most beautiful venues.”

This project is funded by the Kilkenny Creative Ireland Programme 2022.

The Merchant Shop Customer Evening Rothe House are proud to support Irish producers and craftspeople and stock a wide range of beautiful ceramics, textiles and giftware. The

bookshop specializes in local interest, Irish history and gardening, as well as a selection

Mary Pyke and Ann Lynch preparing materials for the Rothe House Wreath Making Workshops

of children’s books. On Thursday, 15th December there will be a Customer Evening with discounts across the shop, treats for shoppers and a raffle for a deluxe hamper.

Rothe House is open Tuesday – Sunday from 10am to 5.30pm. Guided tours take place at 11.30am and 2.30pm every day and it is the perfect place to bring visitors home for Christmas.

For more information, call 056 772 2893 or follow us on Facebook @rothehouse and Instagram @rothe_house_garden Booking for the Wreath Making Workshops and Christmas Miscellany are via Eventbrite only.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 02 December 2022

News & Wellbeing Science Most of us brought up in the Christian tradition know the story of Noah’s Ark, from the time we were knee-high. Of the animals going into the ark two by two as Noah and his wife tried to save them from the impending global flood.

The story is among the best known and most captivating of all Old Testament stories.

After creating humans, God became so displeased with them that he struck Earth with an all-encompassing flood to wipe them out — with one noteworthy (and seaworthy) exception: the Biblical patriarch and his family, accompanied by pairs of each of the planet’s animals, who rode out the deluge in an enormous wooden vessel.

For people who accept the religious text as a historically accurate account of actual events, the hunt for archaeological evidence of the Ark is equally captivating, inspiring some intrepid faithful to comb the slopes of Armenia’s Mount Ararat and beyond for traces of the wooden vessel.

In 1876 British attorney and politician James Bryce climbed Mount Ararat, where Biblical accounts say the Ark came to rest, and claimed a piece of wood that “suits all the requirements of the case” was in fact a piece of the vessel. More modern Ark ‘discoveries’ take place on a regular basis, from an optometrist’s report he’d seen it in a rock formation above the mountain in the 1940s to a claim that evangelical pastors had found petrified wood on the peak in the early 2000s.

But searches for the Ark draw everything from exasperation to disdain from academic archaeologists and biblical scholars. “No legitimate archaeologist does this,” says National Geographic Explorer Jodi Magness, an archaeologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, of modern searches for evidence of Noah.

“Archaeology is not treasure hunting,” she said. “It’s not

Indiana Jones, and the search for Noah’s Ark

about finding a specific object.

It’s a science where we come up with research questions that we hope to answer by excavation.”

Stories of destructive floods and those who survive them predate the Hebrew Bible, the oldest parts of which are thought to have been written in the 8th century BC. Legends about a deluge that destroys civilisation at the behest of a supernatural deity can be found in multiple Mesopotamian texts, from the Epic of Gilgamesh, which was writ-

ten around the early second millennium BC, to a recently deciphered Babylonian cuneiform tablet from about 1750 BC describing how the ark was built.

Could these flood myths be based in fact? “There does seem to be geological evidence that there was a major flood in the Black Sea region about 7,500 years ago,” says National Geographic Explorer Eric Cline, an archaeologist at George Washington University. But scientists disagree on the extent of that event, just

as historians of the era differ on whether writings about a deluge were inspired by real life. It seems likelier that floods were simply experienced in different places and at different times — and that those events naturally made their way into the world’s oral and written lore.

Complicating the issue even further, scholars differ on the precise location of Noah’s Ark according to the Hebrew Bible. In the Book of Genesis, the ark came to rest “upon the mountains of Ararat” located

in the ancient kingdom of Urartu, an area that now includes Armenia and parts of eastern Turkey and Iran — not the single, iconic peak that bears its name today.

“There’s no way we can determine where exactly in the ancient Near East it occurred,” says Jodi Magness.

And both Cline and Magness say that, even if artefacts from the Ark have been or will be found, they could never be conclusively connected to historical events.

“We have no way of placing

Noah, if he really existed, and the flood, if there really was one, in time and space,” says Magness. “The only way you could determine that would be if you had an authentic ancient inscription” — and even then, she points out, such an inscription could refer to another Noah, or another flood.

“We do not expect the Ark to have survived and been available to find after 4,350 years,” says Andrew A. Snelling, a geologist and Director of Research for Answers in Genesis who has spent decades attempting to prove Earth’s youth.

Snelling differs from archaeologists, however, about why the vessel’s remains will never be found. “With no mature trees available for Noah and his family to build shelters after they got off the Ark, there is every reason to expect they dismantled the Ark (which they didn’t need anymore) to salvage timber from it,” he says. While the ministry does not rule out the potential of one day finding the Ark, Snelling rues what he calls “questionable claims” by Ark-seekers that “blunt the potential impact of a true discovery.”

For Jodi Magness, who currently leads excavations at a late-Roman synagogue in Galilee. the search for Noah’s Ark not only confuses the public, but diminishes excitement about actual archaeological finds, even ones that offer support for parts of the Bible such as the existence of the House of David.

“We know a lot about the Biblical world, and it’s very interesting,” she says.

Part of the problem, says Cline, is that the public has unrealistic expectations of the discipline of archaeology— and popular media highlights the thrill of the chase instead of the slow accretion of archaeological knowledge.

“We’re not like Indiana Jones,” Cline says. “It’s a scientific procedure. It’s painstaking. But what excites us does not necessarily excite other people.”

Breast milk may cut baby allergy risk A new study from America’s Penn State Health Children’s Hospital says small molecules in most humans’ breast milk may reduce the likelihood of infants developing allergic conditions like eczema and food allergies, a new study shows.

The researchers say the discovery could lead to strategies for mothers — such as encouragement and support for breastfeeding or dietary and exercise interventions — to help lower the odds of their babies developing allergies.

Atopic conditions, like food allergies, asthma, and a skin condition called atopic dermatitis occur in

approximately one-third of children as a result of inappropriate activation of the immune system to environmental exposures.

“Infants who breastfeed beyond three months may have a lower risk for these conditions, but we don’t fully understand the biology behind this,” says Steven Hicks, Associate Professor of Paediatrics at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital.

Prof. Hicks’ research focuses on the relationship between the environment, biology, and neurodevelopment and growth in children. His prior studies demonstrate how micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs), tiny molecules that can regulate gene expression throughout the body, can be used to diagnose certain health conditions like concussion or autism.

“There are nearly 1,000 different kinds of miRNAs in breast milk and composition varies due to maternal characteristics like weight, diet, and genetics,” Prof. Hicks says. “We hypothesised that four of these miRNAs could have a protective effect against

infant allergies based on prior research showing relationships between these miRNAs and certain allergic conditions.”

The researchers followed 163 mothers who planned to breastfeed for at least four months and their infants from birth through 12 months. They tracked how long each baby breastfed, and measured the miRNA composition of each mother’s breast milk over the course of lactation (0, 4, and 16 weeks).

The team calculated the amount of specific miRNAs infants consumed based on reported breastfeeding patterns and the concentration of certain miRNAs in mothers’ milk

samples. The researchers evaluated infants for atopic dermatitis, food allergies, and wheezing throughout the study.

Of the infants studied, 41 (25%) developed atopic dermatitis, 33 (20%) developed a food allergy, and 10 (6%) had wheezing. Infants who did not develop atopy consumed greater amounts, on average, of miRNA- 375-3p (miR-375) in their mothers’ breast milk, than infants who developed atopy.

There were no other differences in maternal traits, infant traits, or environmental exposures between infants with atopy and infants without atopy. The researchers also found

that levels of this miRNA increased throughout lactation and that mothers with a lower body mass index tended to have a higher concentration of miR-375.

“The fact that miR-375 content increased during the course of lactation may explain why sustained breastfeeding has been associated with reduced atopy in certain studies,” Prof. Hicks says.

The findings from this study could lead to new interventions to help prevent infants from developing allergies, Prof. Hicks says.

Future research will focus on confirming these findings.

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Travel & Leisure PHOTO: ROBERT LUKEMAN Warm weather, no stress and a good standard of living are all any of us could want in our golden years.

But relocating to another country takes some research and planning. Especially as many visa options are aimed at working age people.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t choices available for those looking to move abroad later in life, however.

Here are some of the best European visa options for retirees ranked by how much income you’ll need to apply.

1. Portugal The D7 visa — or passive income visa — makes retiring to Portugal an appealing option for many non-EU nationals.

To qualify, you need to have a minimum monthly income of €705. This is based on the current national wage in the country. But that income can be from a variety of different sources including pensions, rental properties or investments.

You’ll also need to be able to prove you have a place to live and are able to spend at least 16 months in Portugal during your first two years in the country.

The D7 visa has lower application fees than a lot of other temporary residence visas and the application process typically takes around six months.

D7 visa holders bene#t from the same healthcare bene#ts as Portuguese residents and citizens, too.

2. Italy Italy is a popular place for people to spend their golden years and there are visa options designed to help you do just that.

The requirements for Italy’s Elective Residence Visa are a bit harder to meet than others so far on this list. You’ll need a passive income of €31,000 a year minimum in order to apply. You can’t work while

A look at the best and worst times to travel to Disney World. Remember: the best trip takes into account your needs, schedule and desires.

If You Want to Avoid Crowds If you’re going to Walt Disney World, you need to prepare for crowds no matter when you go. Many of our experts agreed that the ‘sweet spots’ or times with almost no crowds have virtually disappeared as of late, but that doesn’t mean you can’t optimise your trip with a bit of research and planning.

Your best bet is to go when schools are generally in session or start back up after a break.

Avoid peak times like

Visa a place in the sun for the golden years

a resident in the country with this visa — not even remotely for a company overseas.

An Elective Residence Visa is valid for one year and can be renewed for up to four years. After you’ve been in the country for five years, you can apply for permanent residence.

It is one of the most strictly regulated types of visas which means it is likely to take a minimum three to six months to process your application.

3. Spain Spain’s Non-Lucrative visa is an option for people who would like to retire to

the country. Not quite as accessible as Portugal’s D7 visa, Spain requires you to have a monthly income of just over €2,150 or €25,816 a year. You can’t apply for a Non-Lucrative visa using income from remote work.

Applicants will also need to prove that they have comprehensive healthcare cover that is equal to or superior to the country’s public health service.

You’ll be allowed to stay in Spain for one year after entering and must spend at least 183 days in the country in order to renew your visa. It can be extended for four years and after five years you’ll be

Best time to visit Disney World

able to request a permanent residency permit.

This is valid for 10 years and will grant you access to the Spanish state healthcare system and other benefits available to citizens and permanent residents.

4. Greece Retiring to Greece could mean applying for a visa that is officially known as the Residence Permit for Financially Independent Persons.

It requires you to have a minimum passive income of €24,000/year but you can’t have any economic or investment activities within the country. Accepted

Christmas, Columbus Day and Thanksgiving to ensure that you are at least avoiding the most crowded times.

Usually, the lowest crowds are right after those school breaks, so you can target midJanuary, late April to early May and late August to late September when people don’t want to pull their children out of school. Other times like that include the third week in November and the second week in December.

Best Time Based On The Weather If you like mid 70s to mid 80s, late October through late November or going in March give you the best chance for that.

sources of income include pensions, rental properties and investments.

If you want to bring your spouse you’ll need an additional €400 a month and €200 for any dependent family members.

You’ll also need a rental agreement for a property for one year.

The applicant will need to provide proof of private medical cover during their stay in Greece.

This visa is issued for two years and can be renewed at the end of this period.

To keep your residency status you’ll need to stay in Greece for at least half of the year.

Those looking to experience the full Florida sun and splashy fun will love the summer weather of May, June and July, advises Shannon Henson, Visitor Services Supervisor at Visit Orlando. But many experts suggested that Florida’s weather can get scorching and unbearable during these months.

It would be best if you avoided it when traveling with elderly people in your group, or children with low tolerance for heat.

For cooler temps, which are ideal for everything from alfresco dining to outdoor adventures like clear kayaking, scenic boat tours and beyond, December through February are Henson’s pick.

5. Cyprus Spending your retirement walking along the sandy beaches of Cyprus sounds like an appealing choice. The country’s Category F visa is probably one of the best options for spending your golden years there.

Cyprus has one of the lowest income requirements on this list at just €9,568 a year. It can come from your pension, overseas rental properties, investments, royalties or dividends but needs to be enough for you and any dependents to live a decent and comfortable life.

You’ll also need to rent or purchase a property in the country.

Best Time If You Want the Cheapest Tickets While theme park pricing and hotel rooms are priced for demand, visitors can typically get the most value weekdays in late August or during the month of September. For the majority of the year, prices for tickets do not fluctuate much. However, the most expensive days are around the Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas holiday weeks.

But you can put a little savings back into your wallet even during those peak times, especially if you’re planning to do do multiple days in the park.

Our experts all agreed that the more days you visit Walt Disney World, the less overall you will pay a day.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 02 December 2022

Opinion

Furthermore Gerry Moran

World Cup blues... and how to be charming I am in Wales visiting family. I am in Wales on Friday, November 25 in my son’s sitting-room watching the World Cup, Wales versus Iran with my grandson and granddaughter, ages three months and three years respectively, along with my daughter-in-law, a tad older!

I am waving a Welsh flag. I’m not really. I am waving a Welsh flag in my mind (my grandchildren, after all, are half Welsh).

I am also shouting and roaring. Not so much for Wales but AT them. And I am shouting and roaring because, and there is no other way to put this, they are pathetic. Wales versus Iran, the team England whipped 6 – 2, the team Wales need to beat if they’re to have any chance of staying in the World

Cup. And here’s Wales, land of the dragon, with as much fire in their bellies as a box of Maguire & Peterson safety matches.

And now my daughterin-law is waving at me to calm-down as she points to my granddaughter snoozing blissfully in her basket as my grandson, oblivious to it all, immerses himself in some animated cartoon on his tablet.

And so I calm down.

But soon the roaring and shouting starts again not least when Iran score again! And now my granddaughter shuffles a little in her basket and makes a teensy, weansy little snorting sound. And I feel guilty, but not as guilty as those Welsh players should feel.

Damn it I wanted this to be a day to remember.

A day when my granddaughter and grandson ‘experienced’ (to a very small degree, I’ll admit) their first World Cup in the company of their granddad. A day when Wales were meant to win. And I had imagined the following exchange between my grandson and granddaughter in maybe 20 or 30 years time: “Hey, Eadie, remember your first World Cup? Where were you when Wales beat Iran in 2022?”

“I was with you in our house, Ollie, along with our mother and granddad.”

“And what age were you, Eadie?”

“Three months, Ollie, and what age were you?”

“Three years, Eadie, and, although we don’t remember it, I love looking at the photos mammy took

of granddad hugging me when we won and the puzzled, bewildered look on your face as he hugged you and woke you up.”

Alas, that scenario will never materialise.

And now my thoughts turn to my son, a teacher in a 1,000 pupil-plus secondary school a few miles away where those students were allowed watch the match on laptop screens. I can only imagine the sighs of disbelief and groans of depression as Wales slump to that embarrassing defeat. And that is just the teachers! And for sure there is no singing in the valleys that Friday night, only the gnashing of teeth as Wales’s hopes of progressing in the World Cup are pretty much ignominiously dashed!

On Saturday my son and

myself, and Stitch, my son’s dog, a Parson Jack Russell, head off to the pub to watch Wales play Australia in the Autumn rugby series. More in hope, I have to say, than with any optimism or conviction. Damn it if the Welsh soccer team can’t beat Iran what hope has the rugby team against the Wallabies? And, as an aside, the Welsh, I must say, love their dogs.

Dogs are pretty much welcome everywhere — in shops, cafes and pubs.

And so, as my son and I enjoy a few beers, Stitch sits silently beside our table. And Stitch, I discover, has charm. Oozes charm. Not sure if you know what a Parson Jack Russell looks like but in one word – cute. So much so that every second person passing stops to

give a Stitch a rub and mutter a few nice doggy compliments.

And I learn from Stitch how to be charming. So, here, free gratis, is how to be charming in three simple steps: 1. Sit still 2.

Say nothing and 3.Look cute. And if you can’t look cute (and it’s not in everyone’s gift to look cute) just sit still and say nothing.

Believe me, compared to some of the tedious, talkative individuals I know, being still and silent has charm in abundance.

Oh, and then there was the match. In the soccer, a game that Wales never looked like winning – they lost. In the rugby, a game that Wales never looked like losing – they lost.

Soccer. Rugby. Wales. A lost cause?

God love my grandchildren.

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News

Outlook for dairy is mixed Dairy commentator say the outlook for the dairy sector is mixed, with world and EU milk supplies down but inflation and high prices are impacting demand.

It comes after a year of record milk prices here, but with a backdrop of prices at New Zealand’s Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auctions in steady decline since spring.

The Chairperson of

ICMSA’s Dairy Committee, Noel Murphy, said that there was a degree of pressure on ‘spot prices’ but he was confident that all significant underlying elements were still in a positive place, and he thought that the traditional ‘early’ purchasing patterns favoured by Far Eastern buyers would carry prices through to Q2 and the run-up to peak at or just

below the current prices.

“There are actually two factors at play here: the first is fundamental supply-demand equilibrium and we think this looks okay; US production is going ahead of predictions — as are some EU producers — but there’s nothing on the demand horizon that would indicate a fundamental falling-outof-balance,” he said.

“The pressure on spot prices over the last period is not indicative of a trend and we expect the Chinese buyers to step in early in the New Year and fix their supplies. Prices may come back slightly but we think that the market looks solid into 2023 and we’d be reasonably confident that the figures look reasonable in the run-up to 2023’s Peak Production.”

Karol Kissane, Senior Executive Dairy at the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), agreed there are some downward pressures on future markets for products into 2023.

“This is most pronounced in EU indices. However, the most recent results from the SGX (Singapore Exchange) and the GDT show prices firming,” he said.

“The downward pressure in the EU may be due to companies attempting to manage their balance sheets through to year-end as they don’t want large balances of stocks on their books and are selling down product.

“With reduced supply on a world level, the supply/ demand fundamentals should support a strong dairy price into 2023.”

Wendy’s burger coming Talk of American fast-food chain Wendy’s arrived in Ireland first circulated last year, and now it appears they’re getting more serious about the venture into the Irish market.

According to RTE News, Wendy’s are “actively seeking well-established franchisee candidates in Ireland that have strong operations experience, local development expertise, ambition to grow quickly and a proven track record of growing brands here”. Wendy’s has over 7,000 restaurants worldwide.

Like most fast food res-

taurants, Wendy’s focus on burgers, fries, and shakes.

Wendy’s were supposed to enter the Irish market in 2022, but met some Covid-induced delays. If all goes to their original plan, we can expect to see 50 restaurants open across Ireland and the UK. Wendy’s was founded by Dave Thomas (1932–2002) in 1969, in Columbus, Ohio. Its headquarters moved to Dublin, Ohio, on January 29, 2006.

Wendy’s is the world’s thirdlargest hamburger fast-food chain with 6,711 locations, following Burger King and McDonald’s.

While the company determines standards for each store’s exterior appearance, food quality, and menu, the store owners have control over hours of operations, interior decor, pricing, staff uniforms, and wages.

The chain is known for its square hamburger patties served on circular buns, sea salt fries, and the Frosty, a form of soft-serve ice cream mixed with starches. Wendy’s menu consists primarily of hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, French fries, and beverages such as the Frosty.

Children’s mental health care reaches crisis point Mark Ward TD BY: DEPUTY KATHLEEN FUNCHION SINN FEIN TD FOR KILKENNY CARLOW Sinn Féin spokesperson on Children, Equality and Youth Kathleen Funchion TD, has accused the government of failing children’s mental health.

The numbers of young people waiting for appointments with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) has risen this year to over 4000, with unacceptable increases in those waiting for longer than a year.

Teachta Funchion said: “Figures received by my party colleague, Deputy Mairéad Farrell, reveal that there is a substantial increase in young people waiting for mental health services in 2022.

“Over 4,000 children are waiting on appointments for CAMHS, this is an increase of 32% on figures we received for 2021.

“Early intervention is criti-

cal to reaching an improved outcome. More and more of our young people are not receiving this timely care and there has been an increase in the number of young people presenting to CAMHS for treatment and in the amount of time that they are waiting on an appointment.

“In my own area of CHO 5, there are currently 24 young people waiting over 12 months for an appointment, with 519 young people waiting over a year across the state.

“This is an increase of more than 157% since 2021 This is totally unacceptable.

“We need to move away from the postcode lottery for services. Treatment should be based on need, not on where you live.

“For example, there are 13 children waiting over a year for an appointment in CHO 2 which covers Galway, Roscom-

mon and Mayo whilst there are 215 children waiting over a year in CHO 4, which covers parts of Cork and Kerry.

“We are at a crisis point now for young people’s mental health. The government is failing to address this very serious situation.

“These services are nothing without staff but a failure by government to recruit and retain staff is leading to this increase in waiting lists.

“Sinn Féin in government would prioritise our young people. We would prioritise early intervention in their mental health care. “ Sinn Féin held a workshop on solusolu tions to the crisis in mental health services for young people.

“We are comcom mitted to dede livering on these solusolu tions and it will be a priority for a Sinn Féin governgovern ment.”

Not just life changing, but life saving Aiséirí Aislinn, an adolescent addiction treatment centre, is entering its 25th year of service in 2023. Founded in 1998, the Ballyraggetbased residential centre has aimed to provide unique, quality treatment for young people. Since then, it has since helped hundreds of individuals access support for alcohol, drug, and gambling addictions.

Designed to accommodate 16 people 15 to 21-yearold, Aiséirí Aislinn combines the spiritual 12 Step programme with evidence-based

clinical practices. Their curriculum covers everything from one-to-one counselling and group therapy, to art, drama, horticulture, and sports.

Residents can attend Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous groups, and practice life skills such as cleaning, cooking, and taking care of one’s space. Everything Aislinn does is aimed towards winning back hope, resilience, and a promising future for its residents.

“The world became more colourful and peaceful”, one individual comments, “doors

kept opening up for me”.

Aislinn’s holistic approach supports families as well as individuals. “I often describe addiction as like a tidal wave, it really destroys everything and everybody that’s connected to the person” says Gareth Duffy, Operations Manager at Aislinn.

Every Wednesday is Family Day, where parents and guardians visit the young residents. Here, they can learn about the illness of addiction and how it applies to them, and begin the process of recovery for themselves.

€250,000 for nine local projects The elected members of Kilkenny County Council at their November council meeting approved the allocation of €250,000 to nine projects to provide community facilities ranging from floodlit walkways to a community cinema.

In total 15 applications were

made for funding under the Community & Cultural Facilities Capital Grant Scheme 2022 and the elected members welcomed the fact that nine of these projects have received funding.

These grants towards community infrastructure will be

advertised again for new submissions in Spring 2023 and all communities are encouraged to bring forward projects that may be suitable for funding.

Advice and information can be accessed at community@ kilkennycoco.ie.

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Global Report The Democrats fear of the potential for Republican domination in the US Congress never materialised in the midterm elections, despite the much-hyped ‘Red wave’.

But one Republican outperformed most of his party during those recent elections, winning reelection in a landslide: Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida.

Now, as arguably the only big Republican winner of the 2022 midterms, DeSantis has been floated as the Republican star, the 2024 presidential candidate that can save the party from Donald Trump’s unpopularity. His candidacy has been deemed “inevitable”

by The Washington Post, and “the hottest thing going in the Republican Party,” according to CNN. The prevailing theme seems to be, finally, a “normal” Republican frontrunner again!

There’s just one problem: DeSantis is no ‘moderate’. He is brash, bigoted, and wields the rhetoric of populism as a cudgel to reify white, patriarchal, heteronormative power.

He may be an alternative to Trump for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, but he is alternative in name only.

Take abortion, for instance.

While DeSantis didn’t totally ban abortion, he just signed a 15-week ban into law — a draconian, extremist position that endangers the health and lives of the most marginalised. Florida doesn’t allow Medicaid funding for abortion care. It remains one of the few states left in the Southeast where abortion is legal at all; neighbouring states like Alabama and Georgia have abortion bans on the books (though Georgia’s was recently blocked by a federal judge).

This puts inordinate pressure on the capacity of Florida abortion clinics, which means booked-up schedules and fewer available appointments for abortion seekers. A 15-

If you think Trump bad, watch DeSantis week abortion ban imposes a strict time limit on an already time-sensitive procedure.

Florida has other restrictions on abortion – it bans state Medicaid and Affordable Care Act coverage of abortion care, and has a mandatory 24- hour waiting period, which forces patients to come to the clinic twice before an abortion can be performed. Coupled with the onslaught of patients coming from states where abortion is already banned,

it could push some patients, especially low-income people who need to raise the money to pay for an abortion, past the 15-week cut-off.

DeSantis’s abortion policy isn’t ‘moderate’ and neither is his approach to much else.

After all, this is the man who rammed through the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill that, just months ago, was decried as “dangerous” and “wrong” across outlets like NBC News. He directed the state medical board to

ban gender-affirming health care for trans youth, banned trans girls from participating on sex-segregated sports teams, and has engaged in egregious voter suppression efforts, arresting 20 formerly incarcerated people in one day who were granted the right to vote in a 2018 state referendum.

Moreover, he signed a law that banned state university professors from talking about racism, sexism, and other

forms of oppression and discrimination, a law so horrific that the US district judge who blocked it called it “positively dystopian”. Now, because he won big in a state racked with gerrymandering while the rest of his party seemed to flounder at the polls elsewhere, he gets to be the torchbearer for a more ‘moderate’ Republican party.

If DeSantis is what passes for moderate today in the US, then moderate is just another

‘He is brash, bigoted, and wields the rhetoric of populism...

”

word for oppression. We’ve heard this song before.

In 2000, George W. Bush ran as a “compassionate conservative,” framing himself as an outsider with a different approach to conservatism. Instead, he led the country into two major tragic wars that would long outlast his administration, tried (unsuccessfully) to gut Social Security, and in 2004, ran on banning samesex marriage.

There is nothing moderate about arresting marginalised people for voting, or endangering the lives of pregnant people, trans youth, Black and Brown people. If DeSantis is what passes for moderate today in the US, then moderate is just another word for oppression, masking itself as reasonable political discourse. But for a party that has staked its legacy on a twiceimpeached con man and his army of election-deniers and conspiracy theorists, openly harming anyone who isn’t a white, straight, cisgender man, it’s par for the course.

Ron DeSantis may very well win the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

And if he does, the legitimacy granted to him by pundits and the media alike, framing his as a more reasonable option to Donald Trump, could help him win election. And the suffering of the marginalised will be a feature, not a bug.

China’s Covid lockdown hits Apple Apple struggling with its iPhone supplies and other tech gadgets, highlighting how China’s stringent zeroCovid policy is hurting global technology firms, was highlighted again recently with a violent workers’ revolt at the world’s largest iPhone factory in central China.

The troubles started when workers left the factory campus in Zhengzhou, the capital of the central province of Henan, due to Covid fears.

Short on staff, bonuses were offered to workers to return.

But protests broke out when the newly hired staff said management had reneged on their promises. The workers, who clashed with security officers wearing hazmat suits, were eventually offered cash to quit and leave.

Analysts said the woes facing Taiwan contract manufacturing firm Foxconn, a top

Apple supplier which owns the facility, will also speed up the pace of diversification away from China to countries like India.

Daniel Ives, managing director of equity research at Wedbush Securities, told CNN Business that the ongoing production shutdown in Foxconn’s sprawling campus in the central Chinese city of Zhengzhou was an “albatross” for Apple.

“Every week of this shutdown and unrest we estimate is costing Apple roughly $1 billion a week in lost iPhone sales. Now roughly 5% of iPhone 14 sales are likely off the table due to these brutal shutdowns in China,” he said.

According to CNN, demand for iPhone 14 units during the Black Friday holiday weekend was much higher than supply and could cause major shortages leading into Christmas,

Ives said, adding that the disruptions at Foxconn, which started in October, have been a major “gut punch” to Apple this quarter.

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this year that the company was looking to boost production in countries such as Vietnam and India, citing China’s strict Covid policy as one of the reasons.

Kuo said on Twitter that he believed Foxconn would speed up the expansion of iPhone production capacity in India as a result of Zhengzhou lockdowns and resulting protests.

The production of iPhones

by Foxconn in India will grow by at least 150% in 2023 compared to 2022, he predicted, and the longer term goal would be to ship between 40% and 45% of such phones from India, compared to less than 4% now.

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Calling time on a great tradition…

Here’s to the beer

BY JOHN FITZGERALD

The Beer Festival dancer whose performance I described last week told admirers that he only did his Cossack act when he had passed a certain threshold in the course of a given night’s drinking. His exact words, rightly deemed inapt for publication in a local newspaper, were “I dance like f…when I’m p…”

Another man gravitated and meandered towards the entrance of a closed pub in Parliament Street at 3. P.M. and asked if his bed was ready yet. He had called to the wrong house, and his nightlong search for the place he had booked into drew a complete blank.

Equally frustrating was the ordeal of a farmer who accidentally spat out his false teeth when he was dancing around the beer tent. He spent the best part of an hour searching under the table amid thousands of pounding feet that were keeping time to the music.

Friends tried to console him under the table as he conducted an inch-by-inch search of the frothy, beer-saturated floor.

Prayers were offered to St. Anthony by religious folk who knelt beside the table and tried to make themselves heard above the ear-splitting

Happy times

chorus of “For Ever and Ever”.

When he found his dentures, the farmer thanked the prayer group and the Macra lads who had come to his aid and

rejoined the festivities.

He could not have been more joyful or relieved if he had located the mystical Holy Grail or won the Irish Sweep Stake, such was the importance to him of his set of false teeth.

The week of festivities ended on notes of lavish compliments from politicians and businesspeople in the City, and from visiting dignitaries.

The Mayor and Bill Finnegan expressed heart-felt satisfaction that there had been no outbreaks of rowdyism in the City.

Foremost among the foreign delegation was the German Ambassador, Dr. Heinz Von Trutzschler. He called to the beer tent during the week and what he saw filled him with elation. He commented: “This makes me very happy. You Irish here in Kilkenny know how to drink beer in the good old-fashioned way. And you have learned our German melodies very well. Our nation’s band loves your city and who knows…Ve might be back next year.”

The End of Innocence The festival proved a financial and tourist boom to the city and county, so small wonder that it evolved into an annual event. Unfortunately, the restraint and more or less

When beer was king

exemplary behaviour exhibited by drinkers in its formative years was overshadowed in the early seventies by an invasion of lager louts from Dublin and other parts of the country.

These purveyors of mayhem arrived on “Mystery Trains” to offer city and county dwellers a unique insight into their quite different attitude to the drinking experience. The locals; though by no means always above reproach themselves in their imbibing of alcohol, became quickly disillusioned with the newcomers.

It was still a great festival… but the outlanders (outsiders) as the German Ambassador called them; knocked a lot of the fun and good humour out of the marathon boozeup. A local newspaper report on the 1970 festival carried the screaming headlines:

“Sex Scenes Shock City and Charges of Gross Immorality.”

The article described patterns of behaviour that clearly spelt the beginning of the end for the Beer Festival: “…

Public fornication, nudity, pilfering, assault, desecration, gross drunkenness, urinating into private letter boxes and many other forms of antisocial activity…”

The innocence had gone.

Fear, chaos, and uncertainty gripped the city during the final years of the festival.

The Beer Festival had died out by the mid seventies. Its abandonment was a sign of the times. You could no longer expect to have law and order in a city where beer was King for a full week.

Still, it was a great craic and Kilkenny will never see its likes again.

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Feature

Students encouraged to fulfil potential as C.B.S Primary School will mark landmark moment in their 70 year history

On Wednesday November 23rd, the CBS Primary School opened its doors and welcomed parents for a very enjoyable and informative open evening that showcased a wide range of fantastic work that is taking place throughout the school.

Next September the school will mark a landmark moment when it welcomes Junior Infants - boys and girls- in through its famous gates for the first time in its 70-year history in Kilkenny City.

There was a great buzz of excitement throughout as interested parents listened to school principal Niall

Bergin outline a wide range of excellent opportunities available to all pupils in the school.

The assembled crowd was treated to a wonderful performance on ukulele from a group of the senior pupils.

The boys played George Ezra’s Shotgun and Vance Joy’s Riptide.

The pupils learned the songs as part of the Music Generation programme that runs every week throughout the school for all classes.

Mrs Ann Marie Cahill, whose son JJ is in 6th class, addressed the crowd and spoke about her experiences as a parent of a pupil in the school.

Ann Marie painted a vivid picture of how all members of the school community are working in unison to ensure that all pupils are encouraged and enabled to fulfil their potential both academically and socially.

Interested parents were given tours of the school afterwards

and got to see the wide range of activities that the school has to offer.

If you were unable to make the open evening, you are strongly encouraged to contact principal Niall Bergin on (056) 7761739 who would be more than happy to meet with you and give you a tour of the school.

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Opinion

Snow Goose!

BY NED EGAN

In Irish legend Leprechauns bury pots of gold at the end of the rainbow, but since a rainbow can only be seen at a distance, the gold is forever illusive – and elusive. In Greek and Roman mythology, Iris - the Goddess of the Rainbow was one of the messengers of Zeus. In Indonesian mythology, a rainbow is a bridge used by soul boats.

The Arabs and the Bantu people of Africa believe the rainbow to be a divine bow for firing arrows. In Christian tradition, the rainbow represents the throne of Christ. All very sweet and romantic, and nothing wrong with any of them – may they all be true – to whoever believes in them. After all, the world of fantasy isn’t such a bad place to hang out. It beats reality, hands down.

Amazing are the things that happen to good people. Of whom there are a few still about. Great fortune can sometimes smile on the

decent and loveable ones – even though it far more often favours slimey bankers and pukey pollies. But enough about them – let’s do a runner to the Land of Honour, which is far away and completely out of reach of such drongoes.

We all dream and fantasise during our nocturnal snooziness about finding an old brass-bound oaken chest in a sand dune, full of golden Roman coins – or – at the very least silver doubloons: “Pieces of Eight, Mate!” crowed the parrot. We see in our strangely-sunlit nightworld mellow-yellow clinky coins tumbling in glistering streams from the ruins of some ancient dry stone wall, lately brought down by a storm. And haven’t we the handy bucket right ready beside our good self for just such a windfall! Or maybe {ref opening para} our daydreams might involve catching some clueless leprechaun gold-guard, idly dozing a sunny evening away at the business-end of a July rainbow – not even getting on with his other job - whacking away at brogues.

These unlikely events happen! Oh yes, they do!

Or so my dear old Mammy told me; though evidence

of her seizing said Lep was monetarily rather absent…

But it must have happened to some people! thousands of our {admittedly} mythstruck imaginative ancestors can’t be wrong … You never know… You could do worse than say a quiet little prayery one to the Ms Iris, that Rainbow Queen down Mt Olympus way. After all, add an ‘aitch’ at the end of her name – and she’s ours!

Jack Charlton would put a tracker on her case, for sure…

Now, while still hanging on to a smidgeon of the Christmas spirit that forced or shamed us into wishing various quare hawks ‘Happy Etcetras’ - {and the opposite - under our breaths!} - we’ll Goosey-Gander off a bit.

Let’s think about the poor woman who was dreaming awa all the cold far-off starry night, many decades ago, about a bag of gold sovereigns she found on a stretch of beautiful sunlit strand – but then woke up, still in the same freezing bleak room, with her shivering little boy and girl keeping well into her for the bit of heat… Aye, dreams are magic – which is their fatal flaw: magic is all about… well, magic. And after all the years, we know as much about it – magic being magic - as it lets us. … But we’re not going to leave that good woman with only the ruins of happy dreams; we’ll write

her a better future! And it won’t cost us a bob!

Up she gets, anyway, and a saucer of porridge and a sup of milk for all three humans – herself, small son and daughter. And the very little bit left over split between Doggo Dog and Pussens – which tiny portion turned each of their beastly little ideas towards red-in-toothand-claw murder. Aye, that’s what hunger does to you.

Thoughts of creating furry genocide amongst the local mouse community surfaced bright as moonshine in suddenly-medieval minds...

These faithful decent pets knew of not many option.

They were unusual in that they shared whatever was going, and never begged for more than they were given.

Seeming to know that times were hard, they accepted their minute rations, and in return gave all their love to the little family – dished it out like there was no tomorrow. Which, back in those days, was no idle saying. The Daddy of the house had been taken away by cruel soldiers a long time back. Nothing heard of him since. Innocent people who asked naive questions about such matters often didn’t come back, either. Or if they did, they seldom looked as chipper in the coming as the going.

Before we proceed too far, you’ll recollect that in StoryLand, some gifted

people and animals carry on conversations; such as Alice chatting to the Rabbit and the March Hare, and the Walrus yarning to the Carpenter, and so on. Children – and their Mammys - seemed to have that knack of “cross-talking” with other species, back then. When they couldn’t figure out something difficult, they’d always say “Ah, sure what’s natural isn’t wonderful;” which, though sounding wise, meant they hadn’t a clue. In the early strands of this tale, the Mam had warned the littlies not to ‘go on too much about the cross-talk to strangers’ – not that there was ever many of those about, apart from the odd poor old woman of the roads, or beggarman.

Anything unusual was looked at sideways in those far days of suspicion - and superstition. And it was less than a hundred years since a local {enough} woman was destroyed for ‘being a witch.’

Which she was eventually proved not to be. A bit late, of course. For her.

Today was a Sunday, so no back-breaking scrubbing and cleaning lurking in wait for Mammy up at ‘The Big House.’ And no school for the children. They were twins, Billy and May, so were in the same class. The day was cold, so first off they all went and collected sticks and kippens in the nearby wood, down beside

the Long Road owned by the kindly Dick M***** - who never naysayed them. The Long Road? Any track then without a bend every few yards was so imaginatively named… When they’d brought home their ‘breisnas’ of sticks – as the bundles tied in the middle were so called - the twinnies and Puss and Doggo D scampered out for a little play, never minding the winter chill.

‘Tig’ was the name of their best-loved game, in which the tarrier {never ‘terrier’} also took part.

Though, having but a scanty knowledge – or regard - for the rules, he invariably stuffed the game up!. The Puss sat in a sunny spot, looking down her nose – trying to appear wise - as cats do – and snootying a bit at their antics – but would occasionally lose the run of herself, and gallop around after them in a slightly confused way.

They were hardly at the game a few minutes when suddenly Doggo gave a sharp bark……

To be continued….

Ned E Disclaimer The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of The Kilkenny Observer.

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Yulefest

Yulefest Kilkenny presents a special photographic exhibition in Statham’s at Pembroke Kilkenny Members of Kilkenny Lions Club with Former Kilkenny Senior Hurler Eddie Keher L-R Philip O’Neill, Philip Tierney, Eddie Keher and Gerry McGovern (Kilkenny Lions Club)

Iconic images of Hurling and Camogie players are currently on display in a photographic exhibition in the Pembroke Hotel celebrating special moments in Kilkenny sporting history. The exhibition featuring images by Inpho sports photographers will be launched at a special

event on Thursday 8th December in the Pembroke Hotel. Cathaoirleach Cllr.

Pat Fitzpatrick invites you to come along to look back at some iconic Kilkenny sporting moments. Guests of honour, former Kilkenny senior hurlers Eddie Kerr and Noel Skehan, will attend as

an extra special element to a unique event. Eddie played as a centre-forward at senior level for the Kilkenny county team and has received five All Stars Awards and 6 AllIreland medals. Noel Skehan played as a goalkeeper at senior level for the Kilkenny county team and won nine

Twilight tips to staying safe this winter

Over the past few editions and with the support of the Kilkenny Observer we have supplied our seniors’ tips on staying safe this winter. This week we wish to discuss the needs and safety of our community members who may have a disability. But first let’s talk about personal safety and staying safe this winter Personal safety – staying safe In icy weather, wear well-

fitted shoes with non-slip soles if you have to go out but try to limit walking during the cold weather. Have your vision checked. Your eyesight changes as you get older; poor vision can increase your chances of falling Advice on medication As you get older you may need to change the dose of your medicines – check with your doctor. Some medicines or combinations of medicines

All-Ireland medals during his time on the team.

Take a look back at some of the most iconic Kilkenny sporting moments in this special exhibition highlighting Kilkenny Hurling and Camogie stars and legendary moments. This exhibition features incredible images by top Inpho sports photographers, who captured memorable moments in time.

Founded by Billy Stickland in 1988, Inpho Sports Photography has grown to become the largest and most successful sports photography agency in the country with numerous national and international awards. Inpho have built a reputation for capturing the decisive moments in Irish sporting life for over 30 years.

Sport is drama personified; re-live the nail-biting, exhilarating and heart-breaking moments we have shared together as a county and sporting community.

Images include shots of current camogie All-Ireland Senior champions Claire Phelan and Katie Power; iconic shots of Kilkenny hurling captains lifting the Liam MacCarthy Cup; past and present players; and crowd celebrations and AllIreland homecomings. These beautifully framed images are available to purchase with all proceeds donated to the Kilkenny Lions Club Christmas Appeal.

The framed photographs would make a very special gift for a sporting fan and

would be a great addition to any pub or restaurant.

Images will be available to purchase from 5.30pm on Thursday 8th December come along to the Pembroke to meet some celebrated Kilkenny Hurling and Camogie personalities. To secure your favourite images get in touch on sponsorship@yulefestkilkenny.ie or call Cathy on 087 954 2336.

Framed images cost €290 with all proceeds donated directly to Kilkenny Lions Club Christmas Appeal. Support this great cause and pick up a piece of sporting history.

The Inpho Hurling & Camogie Photographic Exhibition is part of the Yulefest Kilkenny programme of events. Yulefest ‘Christmas in Kilkenny’ brings the festive spirit to Ireland’s Marble City and County from Friday 25th November to Friday 23rd December! Kilkenny’s Medieval City is transformed into a Christmas Wonderland of festive cheer for all the family. After the success of last year’s festival, this year Yulefest has grown - with a larger Christmas Market on The Parade and an extended Christmas week programme.

Events are on throughout the county with a variety of festive markets taking place this weekend - check out yulefestkilkenny.ie for details.

with non-slip soles if you have to go out but try to limit walking outside during the cold weather.

If you use a mobility device make sure it can grip an icy surface and If you have a ramp make sure it is well gritted in icy weather

relative or friend you can text for assistance if you need it, and register with the emergency services so you can contact them via text if necessary.

Winter ready health advice for people with disabilities If your disability is affected by a drop-in temperature try and be aware of the weather forecast in order to allow you plan for pain management. Wear the correct number of layers to try and maintain your body temperature at the required level.

Individuals with reduced mobility should take extra measures to protect their hands, feet and other areas of the body that are particularly subject to cold. Eat well and avoid unnecessary travel. You should eat regular hot meals and drink plenty of fluids, this will keep you warm and will give you energy to keep active. may make you feel faint or light-headed which could lead to a fall.

Consider wearing a personal alarm so that family or neighbours are alerted if you fall.

(If you do wish to discuss personal alarm for you or a family member please contact Twilight Community Seniors group 0567813105) Eat regular hot meals and drink plenty of fluids, this will keep you warm and will give you energy to keep active. If

you have a fall, even a minor one, make sure you visit your doctor for a check-up.

So with our personal safety now in our minds let’s look at what we wish to chat about in this week’s edition.

Safety advice for people with disabilities People with disabilities should plan for the possibility that winter weather may disrupt homecare services. In icy weather, wear well-fitted shoes

Food supplies Ensure you have sufficient supplies of food and of any prescription medicine you may need. If you have some mobility try and keep active indoors. Have sufficient fuel supplies to maintain adequate heating in your home.

Ask your relatives and neighbours for help if you need it.

Keep their phone numbers on a list beside your phone. If you cannot talk to people on the phone, make sure you have a

Yulefest Kilkenny is programmed, produced and marketed by Kilkenny County Council

Medical equipment If you have to use medical equipment or a powered mobility device every day please make sure that you always have access to a power supply.

Ensure that you are on the vulnerable customer registers for the energy companies and Irish Water. If you have an assistance dog, be sure to keep them warm as well. Be sure to always have a blanket for the animal to rest on. Keep the animal indoors as much as possible.

Stay in contact Yes, Stay in contact. To keep our community members safe this winter, stay in touch with one another and don’t be afraid to ask for assistance.

We are all willing to help. Be a good neighbour.

If you have a mobile phone that you can use make sure it has a charge and bring it with you when you are going out.

You should consider wearing a personal alarm so that family or neighbours are alerted if you fall. If you have a fall, even a minor one, make sure you can visit your doctor for a check-up.

Next week we will continue our Twilight Tips to Stay Safe this winter (Twilight is a registered Charity and Kilkenny’s Business Award winners for Diversity, Inclusion and Equality 2022).

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Castlecomer Credit Union

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 02 December 2022

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Castlecomer Credit Union

Castlecomer Credit Union relaunches with new current account, debit card, and a suite of insurance products.

Despite its modest population of 9,000, the hard working and hard saving people of Castlecomer have built a hugely successful financial coop.

Starting from scratch in 1967, Castlecomer Credit Union has grown into an asset with a value of just under €60 million – €58.2m to be exact.

“That’s a credit to the community involvement over the last 55 years,” said Gerry Reynolds, CEO for Castlecomer Credit Union. “Back in the 1960s and 1970s, people with a low income had virtually no opportunity to apply for a bank loan. When it came to buying the simple extras in life, like a new pair of shoes for their child to start the school year, there was nowhere to turn to for help. If you didn’t own a property or work in a higher income bracket, the banks wouldn’t lend you money. You had to already have money to be lent money. The people who really needed it couldn’t access it.”

And so a group of local people came together in 1967 to form the Castlecomer Credit Union which became a savings and loans business for the local community. “This is something that many people don’t realise,” said Gerry, “that the Credit Union belongs to those living in the Castlecomer common bond – they actually own a multi-million-euro asset business!”

This thriving Credit Union is in a strong financial position, with 19% in reserves. “We have just over €12m in lending and just under €46 million in deposits and we can lend an awful lot more,” said Gerry.

Despite this solid position, Castlecomer Credit Union understands it also needs to adapt in order to build for a sustainable future. “I joined Castlecomer Credit Union in 2014,” said Gerry, “and was tasked with putting a plan in place that would

‘Comer has 60million reasons to support its Credit Union safeguard its future sustainability.

During the 2014-2015 period a lot of Credit Unions were merging because they weren’t sustainable operations on their own. Castlecomer Credit Union decided it wanted to stay independent, if at all possible, and so we did everything we could to build it up to its current position.

“Back in 2014, the attrition rate would have been one year. The attrition rate now is between two and a half and three years, which means that makes us much more sustainable.

Current account “The second thing we need to do to stay sustainable, is to generate enough income to pay the staff and overheads, because if we don’t the facility will collapse. That’s what our relaunch is all about; we’ve got permission from the Central Bank to offer our members a full MYCU Current Account via a debit card underwritten by MasterCard.

“So, for example, if you’re an Ulster Bank customer and you’re living in Castlecomer wondering what you’re going to do now that your old bank is closing, you can walk in to Castlecomer Credit Union and open a current account. The cards can be used all over the world and have been tested without any issues. They’re operated and managed by a company called CUSOP, which is an arm of the Irish League of Credit Unions. This means we can now offer a payment system that is better than some of the banks.

“We need to generate 1,000 accounts within the community to be self-sufficient on our current accounts.

We’re just three months in and we’re already a tenth of the way there, so we will get there probably in 2024, all going well, making us even more sustainable within the community.

“We’ve also been aware for some

time of the need for a local house and car insurance provider. A lot of people have contacted us down the years asking if we could do this as there is nobody in Castlecomer offering it.

So to answer these requests, we’ve teamed up with the League and a company called Marsh that offers a suite of insurance products, Coveru, with exclusive rates available to union members.”

Insurance products are already available from banks, but Gerry argues that the Credit Union will provide a more personal approach. “You can apply for these products from our website, or, if you’re not comfortable using the internet, or you don’t have access to it, visit us in the office and we can get the process started. All you need is a phone number for the insurance agent to contact you on to go through the details.

“We’re not the seller, we’re just the conduit for the services to the members. Yes, it will generate an income for us, but it’s not as much about money as it is providing a service.”

So why does a not for profit organization need to make money?

“We need to generate enough income to keep those reserves at 19% or 20%,” explained Gerry.

“The Central Bank doesn’t like it when your reserves go below 10%.

But realistically if your reserves go below 13% they start asking questions.

In recent years, Credit Unions have reduced the amount of deposits they’ll take from their members from 100,000 down to 20,000 and 30,000. The reason they’ve done that is to improve their reserve – if you have less deposits, your reserves are better.

But Castlecomer hasn’t had to do that and we still have reserves at 19%.

That’s because we put ourselves in a strong position.”

The newly refurbished Castlecomer Credit Union – fit for the future of community banking

Building a future The relaunch coincides with the completion of a major building project at its Kilkenny Street offices. “We needed to do this to ensure we had a building that was fit for purpose for the next 20 years, so we can still deliver our services here.”

So why the need to generate a revenue surplus from loans and current accounts? “If we want to pay dividends on people’s shares, which is effectively another name for interest, we have to generate enough profit to do it,’ explained Gerry. “Plus, if we have more profit than we need, we usually rebate it back on the loan interest to members.

“We haven’t been able to do this for the last few years, because Central Bank suggested Credit Unions shouldn’t take back money during the pandemic given that there was negative interest in the market and that that nobody knew what effects Brexit and Covid-19 would have to the economy – they wanted us to protect the members. But we’re assuming that we’ll be back paying dividends next year.”

An increased surplus also means a bigger cash pot to use to donate to local causes. Gerry said, “In addition to providing financial services Castlecomer Credit Union makes many contributions to the local community.

Since our foundation in 1967 we have supported the local GAA Clubs, the schools, Society of St. Vincent De Paul and many other charities and local sporting bodies.

“It would be fair to say that the average donations over the past 55 years is probably around €10,000 per annum, which is in excess of €500,000. The Credit Union belongs to the community and when you support it you create the ability for it to support you.”

Castlecomer Credit Union current account The MYCU Current Account is a full-service account, bringing you all the features you have come to expect from a current account and delivered with the same local, trustworthy service of your credit union.

Bank anywhere, anytime with Mobile and Online Banking and set up Standing Orders and Direct Debits.

Overdrafts of up to €5,000 can be organised with no surcharge interest.

The debit card is part of the Mastercard network and can be used at millions of locations worldwide. The Mastercard Debit Card is tokenised and will facilitate mobile and instant payments.

Gerry Reynolds, CEO of People First Credit Union, commenting on the launch of the new service said, “As part of our ongoing commitment and responsibility to our membership, we are delighted to introduce the new MYCU Current Account and Debit Card.

“This is an exciting time for our credit union as the new service will now allow members to complete all Gerry their day-to-day banking us.”

Reynolds, CEO Please note that the MYCU Current Account is for personal use only and cannot be used as a Castlecomer business account. Terms & conditions apply.

Credit Union

So why should you deal with your credit union? “The more people in the community that deal with us, the more money we generate, and the more money we can put into the community.

“When we hold our official relaunch day on December 10, we will no longer be just a savings and loan bank. We will be the friendly face of modern community banking offering savings, loans, current account and various insurance products and financial services.

“We want the community to come on this journey with us.”

For more information on the range of services provided by Castlecomer Credit Union, pop in for a chat at 86 Kilkenny Street / phone: 056 441 368 / email: info@ castlecomercu.ie or visit: www. castlecomercu.ie

Listening to the needs of the community Gerry Reynolds, CEO of Castlecomer Credit Union is determined to ensure the CU remains a strong, independent entity well into the future.

Formerly Head of Business Development with Ulster Banks West Dublin and Kildare Region, Gerry joined as CEO in 2014, tasked with finding a path for a sustainable future.

“I’ve always admired the Credit Union ethos for helping people,” said Gerry. “It’s about giving them what they need. We don’t stand in front of someone and try and sell them a product.

We work off the basis that if people need something they will come and ask us for it and we will fulfil that need.

“The people of Castlecomer have asked us for a local current account and insurance products and we are happy to provide those solutions.”

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Castlecomer Credit Union

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 02 December 2022

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Castlecomer Credit Union

Castlecomer Credit Union this year celebrated its 55th anniversary open for business and serving the people of north Kilkenny It’s testament to the fine work done over the years, and the efforts of the many community people who have been involved, that Caslecomer Credit Union has grown in to the thriving financial co-op it is this present day “We’ve come from humble beginnings,” said Gerry Reynolds, CEO of Castlecomer Credit Union.

Those humble beginnings started on February 15, 1967, when the first organisational meeting of Castlecomer Credit Union was held in the parochial hall. It opened for business later that week, with 34 members joining the very first day.

In its inaugural year of 1967, the Castlecomer Credit Union’s Balance Sheet showed a total assets figure of €2,187. It’s a serious credit to the hard work of a lot of men and women – and the extent of the support from the local community – that the figure for 2022 is €58.2 million.

The common bond expanded over the years to include areas like Clogh, Coon and Muckalee, while likewise, the premises expanded, changed and was renovated from time to time. The present location, formerly Malone’s Supermarket, was bought in 1977, and refurbished again a number of times.

Its latest makeover will be revealed

55 years of dedicated service to members to the community at the Credit Union’s official relaunch on Saturday, December 10.

Giving back The Credit Union is heavily involved in the local community and supporting events and causes. It has paid out over €500,000 in various initiatives during the past 55 years, for things

like third-level scholarships, to help out local GAA clubs and other worthy organisations such as St Vincent de Paul. It also sponsors the annual Castlecomer Run. “It’s important we lend back into the local community,” says Mr Reynolds.

“We love to lend, but not to make a profit. It’s a business in that it has to make money to survive, but we give

The new look interior at Castlecomer Credit Union

back.”

The Board is 100% voluntary; they don’t get paid a penny, and give their time freely. Without this, says Mr Reynolds, it couldn’t work.

“We are here for the people of this area, of north Kilkenny,” he says. “And we want the community to support us.

If there wasn’t any interest, we wouldn’t be here.”

A Boardroom fit for the future of Castlecomer Credit Union

*Terms & conditions apply.

Monday: Closed

Wednesday: 9:30am-2:00pm Thursday: 9:30am-5:00pm Friday: 9:45am-6:00pm Saturday: 9:30am-2:00pm (The Credit Union will be closed on the Tuesday after each Bank Holiday Monday)

Protect your future with Marsh Coveru is a new suite of insurance products, brought to you by Castlecomer Credit Union in partnership with Marsh. Coveru offers exclusive* rates on car and home insurance and a range of travel insurance options to credit union members.

Marsh has worked with a specially selected panel of insurers on members behalf to provide leading product features, tailored to all needs.

Credit Union opening hours Tuesday: 9:30am-5:00pm

For more information on the range of services provided by Castlecomer Credit Union, pop in for a chat at 86 Kilkenny Street / phone: 056 441 368 / email: info@castlecomercu.ie or visit: www.castlecomercu.ie

How to make the Current Account switch Opening a Current Account at Castlecomer Credit Union has been designed to be as simple as possible.

Existing union members can apply on the union’s website or you can make a manual application in branch, if the internet is not your cup of tea.

Don’t forget to have a photo ID and proof of address to hand, before you make your application.

For non-members pop into the Castlecomer CU office and open a brand new account. You will be granted online access once your membership is approved and from that point you can apply for a MYCU Current Account using the Castlecomer Credit Union website.

The ‘Comer CU has combined all the traditional friendliness of a credit union with the modern banking facilities demanded these days, such as instant, real-time online account access. Members can now transfer funds, pay a bill and check their account balances all from the comfort of their home.

Castlecomer Credit Union has made it easier for members to manage their money ‘on the go’. Just download its mobile app to a smartphone or tablet device. It’s quick, free, and easy.

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Christmas greetings from Castlecomer

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 02 December 2022

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 02 December 2022

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Christmas greetings from Castlecomer

Christmas at Castlecomer Discovery Park Christmas is always a special time at Castlecomer Discovery Park, and although Santa isn’t stopping here this year, we will be opening the park for winter walks this holiday season.

The elf village becomes Christmas central this year, as we light up the area around our fairy houses to gear up the festive feels. A magical space all year round, with our Christmas lights, the area becomes a wonderful destination for a winter walk and hot chocolate from the Canopy Café (please note that the way

up will not be lit up with lights this year).

The ever-popular bouncing nets and Junior Adventure Course will be open for kids aged 3 – 8 to burn off some pre – Christmas nervous energy.

It’s even more exciting as we have totally revamped the Junior Woodland Course, making it even more enjoyable for your little ones.

We have created a little ‘Elf on the Shelf’ Scavenger Hunt for your little ones to enjoy and immerse themselves in a world of elf imagination. Our elves are getting up to

mischief all around the village, can you find them all?

Opening on the 3rd December on selected dates, book now for our Christmas Combo Ticket (Junior Adventure Course, Bouncy Net & Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt) Tickets are €16 per person.

Book on discoverypark.ie/ booking/ The Canopy Café will be open for hot chocolate, mulled wine and homemade treats.

This December, stay outdoors and get your steps in surrounded by magic of the elf village.

Please keep your eye on our social media for updates. www.discoverypark.ie

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 02 December 2022

Christmas greetings from Castlecomer Cian Gill Ecologist_ Discovery Park

Castlecomer Discovery Park present free, family-fun at Yulefest Kilkenny Castlecomer Discovery Park presents two fun and educational activities at Yulefest Kilkenny. Located on the Mayor’s Walk at the Parade the Discovery Park Marquee will be open at weekends and throughout Christmas Week.

‘Fossil Fun; Creatures of the Past’ is a family-friendly accessible palaeontology session for the public, making the most of our wonderful fossil and geology collections. Suitable

Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th December: 10am – 5pm Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th December: 10am – 5pm Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th December: 10am – 5pm Tuesday 20th – Friday 23rd December: 10am – 5pm

Discovery Park Marquee_Biodiversity Scavenger Hunt

for fossil fans of all ages, visitors will be able to handle real fossils and learn about the history of prehistoric life right here in Kilkenny. Younger kids will enjoy a messy fossil-hunting activ-

ity. Uncover the important fossil finds discovered at Castlecomer in the 19th Century, and how they brought forward crucial evidence for Darwin’s then-new theory of evolution. This is a

free, drop-in event.

Every afternoon at the same venue you can take part in the Urban Ecology Scavenger Hunt. ‘Urban Ecology’ will equip young naturalists with

a fun scavenger hunt to locate urban wildlife around the City and Castle Parklands. Suitable for children aged 6-12, though interested adults might enjoy helping out! Learn about the equipment an ecologist might use, fill in your checklist as you explore the city, and bring it back completed to receive a small prize (while stocks last!).

The Education team will be on hand to answer any biodiversity question. This is a free, drop-in event.

Find the Castlecomer Discovery Park Marquee on the Mayor’s Walk right next to the Yulefest Christmas Market on the Parade in Kilkenny City Fossil Fun dates and times: Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th December: 10am – 12.30pm Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th December: 10am – 12.30pm Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th: 10am – 12.30pm Tuesday 20th – Friday 23rd December: 10am – 12.30pm Discovery Park Marquee Opening Times:

Yulefest ‘Christmas in Kilkenny’ brings the festive spirit to Ireland’s Marble City from Friday 25th November to Friday 23rd December! Kilkenny’s Medieval City and County will transform into a Christmas Wonderland of festive cheer for all the family. After the success of last year’s festival, this year Yulefest has grown - with a larger Christmas Market on The Parade and an extended Christmas week programme.

Yulefest Kilkenny runs for five weeks and welcomes visitors to Kilkenny with a packed programme of Christmas activities including live music on the Yulefest Bandstand; the Kilkenny Christmas Market; annual Medieval Mile Run; fireworks display and plenty more! New for Yulefest Kilkenny 2022 is an extended Christmas week programme beginning on Tuesday 20th December. The Kilkenny Christmas Market will be open throughout the week, along with live music on the Yulefest Bandstand and some very special treats that you won’t want to miss.

Yulefest Kilkenny is programmed, produced and marketed by Kilkenny County Council

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Christmas greetings from Castlecomer

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Food & Drink

Dine Me Come

With

Chicken pot pie

Prep: 20 mins Cook: 1 hr and 20 mins Serves: 4-6

Rustle up this chicken pot pie for an easy dinner. A family favourite, it can be made ahead and even frozen for another day to make mealtimes easy.

Ingredients • 2 tbsp vegetable oil • 8-10 skinless, boneless chicken thighs (about 1kg) • 2 onions, finely chopped • 2 celery sticks, finely chopped • 2 carrots, finely chopped • 50g butter • 50g plain flour • 500ml milk • 1 chicken stock cube • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard • small bunch of thyme, leaves picked, or use 1 tsp dried thyme • 1 egg, beaten • 375g sheet ready-rolled puff pastry Method n STEP 1 Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large flameproof casserole or deep frying pan over a high heat. Once hot, brown half the chicken pieces on both sides, season and transfer to a plate or bowl. Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces. n STEP 2 Reduce the heat to medium and heat the remaining oil in the pan.

Fry the onions, celery and carrots for 8-10 mins, stirring occasionally and scraping any browned bits from the base, until all the veg has softened.

Tip into the bowl with the chicken and return the pan to a medium heat. n STEP 3 Melt the butter in the pan and stir in the flour to make a paste. Cook for a couple of minutes, stirring until the paste turns golden. Add a splash of the milk, then whisk to combine.

Continue slowly adding the milk,

whisking continuously until you have a smooth, creamy sauce. n STEP 4 Crumble the stock cube into the sauce and add 250ml water. Return to a gentle simmer, then return the chicken and veg to the pan. Stir in the mustard and thyme, and season well. Cover with a lid and simmer over a low heat for 15-20 mins, stirring occasionally until the chicken is tender. Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 if you’re cooking the pie straightaway. Shred

the chicken in the pan using two forks, pulling it into bite-sized pieces. Once completely cool, the filling will keep chilled for up to two days (providing the chicken is within its use-by date), or frozen for up to two months. n STEP 5 Transfer the filling to a pie dish (or divide between individual pie dishes). Brush a little of the beaten egg around the rim of the dish.

Unravel the pastry and lay it over the top of the dish, then trim the edges

with kitchen scissors, leaving a little pastry overhanging the edge. Crimp this excess to seal the pieBrush the pastry all over with some more of the beaten egg and poke a few holes in the top using a skewer (this will release any steam inside during baking). Roll out any pastry offcuts and cut out decorations for the top, if you like. Stick these to the pastry and brush with any remaining beaten egg. Bake for 35-40 mins until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is bubbling at the edge.

Marmalade and whisky bread and butter pudding Prep: 15 mins Cook: 1 hour Plus 30 mins soaking Serves: 6-8 The ultimate grown-up comfort food, use leftover fruit bread or even croissants instead of the bread if you prefer.

Ingredients • 8 slices day-old crusty white bread, crusts removed • 50g very soft butter • 4 tbsp Seville orange marmalade, plus 4 tsp • 300ml full-fat milk • 248ml pot double cream • 3 large eggs • seeds 1 vanilla pod • 4 tbsp golden caster sugar • 1 tbsp whisky • icing sugar, for dusting

Method n STEP 1 Butter each piece of bread on both sides, then spread 4 with the 1 tbsp marmalade each. Pop the remaining bread on top to make 4 marmalade sandwiches. Cut into triangles and nestle in rows in a large baking dish. Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. n STEP 2 Beat the milk, cream, eggs, vanilla, sugar and whisky together, then pour over the bread. Leave to soak for 30 mins. n STEP 3 Dot the remaining marmalade all over the top of the pud and dust with the icing sugar. Bake for 45 mins-1 hour or until puffy and starting to caramelise where the bread breaks out of the custard.

Serve hot or warm

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 02 December 2022

Fifteen years ago, the film adaptation of the Stephen King novel, The Mist, came out in cinemas. Audiences were floored by the film’s shocking ending, but perhaps less spoken about is what came before: the creeping dread and horror induced by the pervasive mist enshrouding a small, tight-knit town in Maine.

In the new 10-episodes adaption of King’s novel, people begin disappearing into a thick and heavy mist, which has suddenly engulfed the town of Bridgton, Maine.

Survivors huddle together in a grocery store, and it quickly becomes clear that supernatural monsters are killing the townspeople.

As it turns out, there is a deadly mist that exists in real-life — and if it weren’t for strict environmental regulations, you might be breathing it in right now.

It’s an overlooked air pollutant called sulfuric acid mist, and it typically emits from industrial factories such as coal-fired power plants. It forms when a colourless substance (sulfur trioxide) in a plant’s exhaust gas mixes with water vapour in the atmosphere, creating a mist.

In some plants, exhaust gas is supposed to be sent up through a device called a “scrubber” to remove the sulfuric acid, but if the company fails to invest in such equipment, the sulfuric acid mist can escape into the air, forming a visible blue plume from the smokestack. Other methods — including large filters known as baghouses and particulate control devices called wet electrostatic precipitators — can remove sulfuric acid mist from the exhaust gas.

Sulfuric acid mist is a carcinogen that has documented harmful effects on humans, including an increased risk of larynx and lung cancer in exposed plant workers. According to the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety, inhaling sulfuric

The Mist: supernatural horror imitates real life

5

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With huge numbers being racked up by the no-holds-barred action flick, The Gray Man (2022), it didn’t take long for Netflix to greenlight and confirm a spin-off sequel with Ryan Gosling attached. Given Gosling’s role as Hollywood’s go-to cool guy, his role as the titular hero is succinct in capturing his deftly habitable shyness alongside his effortless aloofness. It’s one of the better action movies of the last decade and deserves its sequel.

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Strangely enough, a small town not unlike the one in The Mist was almost wiped off the map due to sulfuric acid mist.

The Gavin power plant in Ohio is the seventh-largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the US, and just this month, the Environmental Protection Agency ordered the plant to stop dumping toxic coal ash.

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Even though the mist

in the Stephen King film leads to the townspeople’s doom by obscuring the deadly monsters hiding in its wake, some governments are strangely betting on mist to save us from air pollution.

Since 2015, China’s government has been deploying ‘mist cannons’ — also known as ‘magic smog cleaners’ to combat seasonal air pollution in Beijing and other cities.

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And, Wednesday – we’re in love Jenna Ortega wows audiences with a comedically stony dance in Netflix’s Wednesday – here’s why fans can’t stop rewatching the scene.

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Jenna Ortega’s portrayal of the iconically woeful Wednesday Addams quickly welcomed in a barrage of praise and critical acclaim, but there’s one scene in par-

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ticular where the You actress shines.

If you’re an avid scroller of TikTok, then you would have probably seen the hilarious dance scene in question that shows Jenna’s deadpan delivery on the dancePoor.

In episode four, ‘Woe What a Night’, Nevermore Academy host their Rave’n Dance, Wednesday dominates the event with a perplexing routine complete with a Kubrick Stare and a frilly black gown.

It didn’t taken long for the prom scene to become a

fan favourite, with countless fans reposting the comical moment to social media.

The unique dance in its entirety was shared by a TikTok user in a post viewed over a whopping 3.8 million times, the caption read: “The director said ‘time to dance’ and Jenna Ortega heard him loud and clear.”

One tweet read: “Wednesday’s dance scene is honestly the best thing to exist like I’m obsessed.”

It turns out that the 20-year-old Ortega wasn’t as prepared for the scene

as one might have initially thought! In an interview with NME, she said: “I realised two nights before that I’ve really got to throw something together.

“It’s crazy because on the day I actually – it was my firrst day with Covid – so it was awful to film, and I asked to redo it but we didn’t have time,” she said.

Jenna also told of her influences for the dance, stating that she ‘ripped off’ dance moves from ‘80s rock artists during the improvised moments – and she smashed it!

LAPD Officer Jake Hoyt is assigned for an evaluation which is headed by narcotics officer Sergeant Alonzo Harris. However, Hoyt soon realises that Alonzo’s methods are not ethical; he is corrupt and hopes to frame Hoyt for his crimes.

Ethan Hawke as the beat and honest cop who despises dishonesty is compelling; his timid moral uprightness keeps the audience debating over whether he shall sell out. Brutal violence and crude profanities heighten the tension in this intensely gripping film. On Amazon Prime.

4. Wednesday

Everyone’s favourite misanthrope has arrived on Netaix – Jenna Ortega is Wednesday Addams, as you’ve never seen her before. The new series sees her sent to Nevermore Academy, a school for misfits – struggling to get to grips with her psychic powers and fit in with her peers, things get more complicated when she witnesses several bizarre murders.

5. The Swimmers

Based on an incredible true story, The Swimmers follows two young sisters, Yusra and Sara. Both girls are refugees and Yusra is an Olympic swimmer, and together they dragged a dinghy of refugees to safety across the Aegean Sea. Directed by Sally El Hosaini, the movie had a limited theatrical release earlier in the month, but it’s now available to watch on Netflix worldwide.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 02 December 2022

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 02 December 2022

Yulefest Kilkenny makes a Festive Return!

People turned up in their thousands to mark the start of Kilkenny’s festive season This Saturday, 26th November saw the commencement of Yulefest Kilkenny with the arrival of Santa Claus to the Marble City by boat and the switching on of the Christmas Lights on the Parade! Revellers turned up in their thousands to welcome Santa to Kilkenny and

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enjoy the Christmas Market.

Accompanied by Kilkenny Civil Defence and the Nore Dragon Paddlers, brave Santa travelled up the river Nore from Greensbridge to Canal Square where hundreds

lined the river banks and bridges cheering to give him a warm welcome to Kilkenny!

Santa was then joined by people on foot and on bike for a parade through Kilkenny’s medieval streets as he made his way to the Castle Park with the help of his Elves and Mayor David Fitzgerald and their pedal power. Santa was in no rush and spent plenty of time getting into pictures with children and enjoying his time in Kilkenny!

Santa, Mrs Claus and the Elves then joined Cathaoirleach Cllr. Pat Fitzpatrick, Mayor Cllr. David Fitzgerald and MC Edward Hayden on the Yulefest Bandstand in officially launching the festive season in Kilkenny as they switched on the Christmas Tree lights!

Visitors to Yulfest joined Santa in the big countdown and Cathaoirleach Cllr. Pat Fitzpatrick commented “Christmas is a time of year to bring people together and Yulefest embraces this community spirit, and creates the perfect festive atmosphere to welcome visitors to Kilkenny. A key feature of the Yulefest Kilkenny Festival is its community connectivity.”

Throughout the day there was live music with Samba Katz, RhythmRiot and Code of

Behaviour entertaining people as they browsed the Christmas Market and took part in the festive fun. The Market was open again on Sunday with free live music from Gwen Blanchfield and Oracle Villa and plenty of delicious food to try and beautiful gifts to purchase.

Yulefest ‘Christmas in Kilkenny’ brings the festive spirit to Ireland’s Marble City and County from Friday 25th November to Friday 23rd December! Kilkenny’s Medieval City is transformed into a Christmas Wonderland of festive cheer for all the family.

After the success of last year’s festival, this year Yulefest has grown - with a larger Christmas Market on The Parade and an extended Christmas week programme. Events are on throughout the county with a variety of festive markets taking place this weekend - check out yulefestkilkenny.ie for details.

A highlight of the Yulefest calendar is the Medieval Mile Run which will take place on Friday 2nd December. Brought to you by Kilkenny City Harriers this fast course, will cross over St. Francis Bridge, through Irishtown and High Street and finish at Kilkenny Castle. Open to all levels, the run is a healthy way to start the festive period.

Visit yulefestkilkenny.ie to register.

Firm favourites at Yulefest are the Rogu fire show and fireworks display. This year, Rogu will perform Fire Map, a set of new routines where they will fuse circus and fire

performance together with the illusions of magic and object manipulation, dance and theatre. This fire and light show will take place on Saturday 17th December. Begin Christmas with a flourish with the Yulefest Fireworks Display on Friday 23rd December. Come together with family and friends to enjoy a visual aerial feast as we light up the skies over Kilkenny Castle Park!

This year there are some very special events as part of the festival - a unique photographic exhibition in Statham’s at the Pembroke with iconic imagery of Kilkenny hurling and camogie stars, and a visit by Dermot & Dave’d Campervan of Christmas Joy! Full details available on yulefestkilkenny.ie.

Tim Butler of Kilkenny County Council said “Yulefest’s 5-week festival welcomes visitors to Kilkenny with a packed programme of Christmas activities including live music on the Yulefest Bandstand; the Kilkenny Christmas Market; the Medieval Mile Run; a fireworks display and plenty more.

New for Yulefest Kilkenny 2022 is an extended Christmas week programme beginning on Tuesday 20th December. The Kilkenny Christmas Market will be open throughout the week, along with live music on the Yulefest Bandstand and some very special treats that you won’t want to miss.”

Yulefest Kilkenny is programmed, produced and marketed by Kilkenny County Council.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 02 December 2022

Market at Cillin Hill a gem for all year shopping and ideal for having a bit of a nosey

By Sam Dunleavey There is something unique and special about public markets. People worldwide can’t resist a good nosey around the open air market.

And Kilkenny is no different.

A bustling city with three different markets open each weekend, including a Christmas one at the parade in the city centre.

My journey to Kilkenny was twofold. As part of my thesis which I am undertaking at Limerick University, I am travelling around Ireland interviewing various traders at

these markets.

And so it was on last Saturday morning I made my way to the Cillin Hill market on the outskirts of Kilkenny city.

I also travelled to Kilkenny to meet local artist John Walsh. John was commissioned by a fellow student of mine from Kilkenny to do a drawing of my great grandfather and grandmother.

A story I hope to return to another day when the commission is complete.

John has a stand at the market at Cillin Hill and although it was my first time to meet him, he couldn’t have been kinder and showed me around the Cillin Hill complex, introducing me to many of the traders, allowing me to gather plenty of material for my college course.

Public markets are as old as civilization. For millennia, cities have shaped and been shaped by public market activity. But what does it mean to be a public market in the twenty-first century?

The term “public market” covers all types of markets, including open-air markets, covered markets, permanent market halls, market districts, and even informal markets of street vendors. Public markets can be temporary and seasonal or permanent and in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Depending on the type of public market, vendors

may sell fresh and prepared food or non-food items, such as household goods, crafts, and antiques.

However, public markets are not just places of commerce.

What sets public markets aside from other retail locations is that they operate in public space, serve locally owned & operated businesses, and have public goals.

This focus on the public good is what makes successful markets grow and connect urban and rural economies. They encourage community and economic development by keeping money in the local neighbourhood.

Public markets also offer low-risk business opportunities for vendors, often from vulnerable populations, and depending on the type of public market, they feed money back into the

rural economy where farmers grow, raise, and produce their products.

The spin-off benefits of public markets are numerous. From increasing access to fresh, healthy food to providing important revenue streams, markets positively impact local businesses, governments, and residents. But perhaps most importantly, public markets serve as public gathering places for people from different ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic communities—markets are our neighbourhoods’ original civic centres.

Cillin Hill market operates every Saturday from 9 until 2pm and has been established for fifteen years.

They usually have thirty to forty stalls varying from healthy food diners, gymnastics for children and

a multitude of other stalls covering everything from A to Z. The market is community based but also attracts clients from Cork, Clare, Limerick Tipperary, Waterford Carlow and Kildare.

They have a large variety of items for sale including antique and contemporary jewellery, homemade jams and cakes had made cards and jewellery, collectable comics and books, vintage vinyl’s and records. There is also new and second hand clothes and pub memorabilia.

And of course there is the opportunity of gathering some wonderful drawings from artist John Walsh And given the season that is in it plenty of Christmas wreaths and decorations.

Well worth a visit and a venue I will most definitely be returning to.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 02 December 2022

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 02 December 2022

It’s a great day, the eight

He leant over the half door looking west towards the bend in the river, as he always did at this time of an evening, his eyes would study the colours of the sky or the formation of clouds and he would continue this until the fading light stole all the colours from the landscape. From this he would make his prediction of tomorrow’s weather. He was never wrong he would boast and if ever challenged about his accuracy he would blame the Fairies for interfering to accomplish their mischievous ways.

He turned back into the

house closing the top half of the door but leaving it on its latch, “you never locked a door to a neighbor had been a house rule since forever”, his mother used to say. He had returned from England when his father died suddenly and he had intended to sell the farm and return to Leicester, but his Mother was very hesitant to move away and in turn persuaded her only son to take on the farm. His mother had died since and now it was just himself and his wife that remained.

“We’ll have dry weather tomorrow for our journey to

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town” he said.

“That’s good “she replied “so if we leave early enough we can get half nine Mass in Saint Martins”.

“Suits me, I have stuff to do.”

“Like what would have you busy in town on a Holyday” “Well for your information I have to meet Danny Dan, he’s got the Council contract for the new road at Cloughderg and he promised me a start until I get busy here again in March” She chuckled to herself knowing well where this was going before asking “where will you find Danny Dan do

you think” He gave her a puzzled look “he’ll be in his yard or thereabouts, somebody in the yard will know”.

Their time running the farm like every small farmer was tough, and they had to be versatile to make ends meet. He reared calves which was their main income, along with this he kept pigs and would hire himself out to large farmers or builders when he could. Her contribution was her earnings she made weaving on a small loom she kept in a spare room.

It was a skill she had learned in England and her produce

was sought after by the local drapery shops, she had also on occasion sold to travelling traders and had been told her cloth had been highly praised by one prestige clothing outlet in Athlone.

They had one daughter, a bright child who with the assistance of a scholarship had gone on to complete her Leaving Certificate at the local Convent before taking up a position in the Civil Service in Limrick. It was on a girl’s holiday in west Cork she met Rory Cass a Civic Guard. Then after a short few months was married and now lives with her family in Wexford. Her visits home are infrequent, but she writes regularly and often would include a Postal Order.

“Have you much to do yourself” he asked her “I have loads and it looks like I’ll be left alone to do it” she knew he was fishing for information but would draw him along before divulging anything.

“Why would you want me traipsing around shops after you, you know I have no gra for that, and when I’m finished with Danny Dan I want to hunt down Charlie Moran I haven’t see that man in a long time , he might have something I could lend a hand with.

She now knew where this was going so decided to make it easy for him. “I was planning on calling to see Sally, I haven’t seen her since the Devotions”.

“Shure that’s back in October” he said “You’ll have

a lot of catching up to do”.

“Yes and I don’t want to be rushed” “I can wait in Ray Mac’s if you like. I’ll drop you at Sally’s house and you can take the messages with you for safe keeping. Then after a set time I can collect you and all will be well”.

There it was the hare was let loose, she had to turn away from him so he wouldn’t see her laugh. His plan was out and now she’d enjoy playing along, making him think he was making the running.

He couldn’t believe how well his plan was falling into place, it couldn’t be forming better.

Then suddenly it did. “I have half a crown here I can give you, how long would that last you in Mac’s”? She knew well this was where he was hankering towards but enjoyed leading him along.

“I’ll make it last two hours if I take my time” he responded trying to hold off a grin that was trying to break out across his face. He slipped his thumb into the pocket of his worn waist coat where it came in contact with the waxy surface of the ten bob note he had secreted away after the sale of the pigs. Now he could buy her that head scarf she admired in Clancy’s, the last time they were in town, and he would have ample funds to partake in a few pints and a half one or two He stood in front of the fire and placing a sod of turf on top, thought to himself “tomorrow will be a great day”.

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By Patrick Griffin THERE WAS NO QUESTION about the quality of the table at the back of my workshop.

“You are an exceptional carver of wood,” my customer said.

“I wish I could say that indeed it was my workmanship,” I replied, “but it was made by someone who was here only for a short while.”

“Name your price and I will gladly pay it,” he said.

I told him it was not for sale.

“Do you have more pieces by the craftsman who made this?” he asked.

I watched him as he circled the table and ran his fingers over the highly polished surface. He knelt down and peered beneath the table top as if he were examining the joints, the carving and the very soul of the wood itself. I told him that it was the only piece of its kind that I had.

“It’s a pity. Such a pity,” he said. “He certainly is talented.”

Again he walked around the table. Occasionally he stopped and peered at the grain, pondered over a place where the leg joined the table top.

“Exceptional, exceptional. I would like to commission him to make something for me.

Where can I contact him?” he asked.

I told him I had no idea who the craftsman was, only that he had made the table for me in return for a small favour.

“He arrived on an evening

like this,” I told him, “with bitter weather and the promise of worse to come.

My wife was preparing supper while I counted the meagre few coins I had earned that day. I had locked up for the night when I heard a banging on the door. I was tired and for a moment I considered ignoring the incessant hammering of fist against wood. When it continued to the point where I could leave it no longer, I removed the wooden beam and opened the door. Outside was a young man, huddled against the doorpost. He looked tired and bedraggled.

But that was many years ago.

I am sure you have more to do than listen to my reminiscences of the past.”

My customer just shook his head and indicated that I should continue with my story. As I thought back to that night so long ago I could see clearly again the young stranger who stood shivering at my doorway.

“I apologise for calling on you at such a late hour,” the stranger had said to me. “I could smell the wood shavings and the sawdust. It’s my line of business. My wife and I didn’t plan our journey well.

We are desperately hoping to stay somewhere until this storm blows over. I have little money, but I could work as compensation.”

I was in no humour to hold a casual conversation with a

Sheltering from the Storm

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Castlecomer Male Voice Choir Members of St. Patrick’s Band Ali Comerford Sola CBS Choir Billy Carrigan and Friends Lake Productions Ukrainian Singers Hits from the Musicals

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complete stranger. My first instinct was to dismiss him, shut the door to keep out the howling wind and retreat to the warmth of my bed.

A young woman stood behind him, trembling with cold. With her clothes pulled tightly around her it was obvious that she was highly pregnant. She’s only a girl, hardly more than a child, I thought. I couldn’t turn them away, certainly not on a night like this.

“Just for tonight,” I said.

“I will repay you,” he smiled.

“Let me be useful in your workshop.”

I assured him that I needed nothing and I led them to a room which was nothing more than a store at the back of my humble dwelling. I pulled some blankets from a chest and wished them a good night’s sleep.

On the following morning I made my way to my workshop and saw the young girl tidying my workbench and the young man working on an item of furniture.

“Forgive me,” he said, “but I had to repay your kindness in some way. I found some planks of cedar stacked against the wall.”

I looked at the piece of work he was sanding.

“That’s a fine table,” I commented. “You know how to work wood. Where did you learn your craft? You must have worked all through the night.”

“I did not mind working long hours. It was a small price to pay in order for my wife to have much needed rest. As for my craft, well that is a family trade,” he smiled. “I could finish this table in return for another night’s stay here, or at least until the storm blows over.”

“Your wife,” I said, “she is near her time? Your first child?”

“Yes,” he smiled.

“Until the storm blows over,” I said.

“Then we will continue on our journey.”

“Have you far more to travel?”

“Only to a small village a few

miles away on the other side of the hills,” he said.

For two days we worked side by side but very few words passed between us. On the morning of the third day the storm passed. I went to the workshop, but the sounds of the saw and hammer were not to be heard. The workshop was tidy. The table was finished. The travellers had gone.

“And that was the last I saw of them,” I said to my customer. “No. I am wrong. I did see them one more time.

They were returning this way to their own town. It was some time, maybe even a year after the census.”

“Ah, yes, that census,” he

said.

“They stopped here to thank me again,” I continued. “By then their child, a little boy, was growing strong and healthy.”

“And you never heard from them again?” he asked.

“No. I regret that I never asked them their names. But I do remember a couple of things about them. Since I had last seen them they had lived in some desolate village called Bethlehem and they named their boy Yeshua.

After that they passed into obscurity. And like the rest of us, it’s unlikely anybody will remember them in a hundred years.”

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Community & GAA Notes

LOTTO Lotto Results -; Numbers drawn - 6, 19, 25. No jackpot winner.

Next week’s jackpot - €6,650.Winners of €30 - Fergus Walsh, Johnny Byrne, Louise Mullen, Lorraine Nambrick, Pat O Neill.

NEW CHAIRMAN Clara GAA club voted in a new Chairman at the well attended AGM on Friday night. Colman Ryan is the new man in the hot seat and he is wished well in his new role.

CLUB LOTTO There was no winner of Club Lotto November 22nd. Numbers Drawn : 3, 8, 17, 19 Bonus 1. Next week’s top prize will be €14,200 November 29th. www.oloughlingaels.com/lotto Promotors Draw. 1. Paddy Buckley c/o Gerry Buckley. 2. MMF c/o Benny Walsh. 3. Keith Kinchella c/o Eileen Kinchella. 4. Willie Walsh. 5. Ann Power. 6. Leah Tyrrell c/o Finny Tyrrell. 7. Niall Tallis. 8. Jean McGrath c/I Online. 9. Patrick Kealy c/o online. 10.

Gerry Tyrrell c/o online. Thank you for your continued support ALL-STAR MAGIC Big winners at Saturday nights Camogie All-Star awards were Laura Murphy, player, and Manager of the Year, Brian Dowling.

Congratulations to both and to their families.

We have another All-Star! Congratulations O’Loughlin Gaels Camogie Club Laura Murphy on winning her first All-Star capping a great year for her. A brilliant achievement and a super role model for our young players. Well done Laura .. lovely hurling AGM O’Loughlin Gaels GAA Club AGM will take place in the club lounge on Thursday, December 15th at 7:30pm for all Club members. The Camogie Club AGM takes place Thursday, December 1st at 8pm for its members.

MEDAL PRESENTATIONS There will be a medals presentation evenings for O’Loughlin Gaels u16 and u14 teams on Friday December 16th at 8pm. All are welcome to support our young players.

Martin. Come along for a great night of dancing!

URLINGFORD ARMS SPLIT THE POT This week’s winner of Split the Pot is Marie Garrett and James Webster who will receive €622. Congrats to you both!

Tickets €2 on sale in participating businesses in town with proceeds this week going to Urlingford/Graine St Vincent de Paul, thanks to everyone for their support.

SUPERVISED STUDY In Graine Hall every Saturday from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. Cost: €5 half day, €8 full day. For enquiries, please contact Siobhan 087 260149 URLINGFORD / GRAINE DEFIBRILLATOR GROUP In case of emergency, call: 085 2726396.

URLINGFORD NEWS Anyone wishing to submit news items, club events, announcements etc can do so by emailing urlingfordnotes@gmail.com. If you have any photos you wish to include, please forward them to the email address.

EMERALDS GAA CLUB Mega Bingo: Every Sunday, 4pm at Urlingford GAA pitch. Gates open at 3pm. Single books and one sheet €10; Double books and two sheets €15. Extra jackpot sheet €3 or two for €5. Please support.

EMERALDS URLINGFORD AND GRAINE LOTTO November 21st prize fund was: €10,500. Jackpot: €8,500.

Numbers drawn: 11, 13, 17, 28, bonus no 24. No winner and one match 3 winner: Willie O’Grady. Five lucky dips of €20 each: Pat Walsh, B.G. Neary, Sean Laffan, Anthony Byrne, Noel Butler.

Promoters prize: Doyles. Next draw takes place on Monday, November 28 in the Clubrooms. Results next week.

50TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER DANCE The Club is delighted to host an anniversary dinner dance, celebrating 50 years, on December 17th in the River Court Hotel, Kilkenny with ticket and other details to follow.

The Club are looking to have a constant slideshow of photos and videos on in the background and are asking anyone that has photos, be it from this year or the first year of the club, to send them to emeralds50yearsphotos@gmail.com, or alternatively send them to the Facebook or Instagram pages.

HAPPY VALLEY TRACTOR RUN On New Year’s Eve, Saturday, December 31st, 2022 the Happy Valley Tractor Run takes place. Proceeds go to Cois Nore Cancer Support Centre, Kilkenny.

Registration of vehicles is at 1.30pm; Entry €20. Departing from Valley Inn (E41 VX25) at 3pm sharp. Outdoor catering unit will be onsite from 2pm to 9pm. Live music in Valley Inn after event.

Enquiries: 086 8512034 - Mervyn; 086 2644541 - John.

MILL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE Knitting and Crochet Christmas Fair and Coffee Morning on Friday, December 2 in the Centre, from 11am-1pm. Many handmade items will be for sale and there will be a raffle on the day. Hope to see you there.

LTI Pathway to Employment course QQI Level 4: LTI is recruiting for the new programme in the Centre. If anyone is interested in completing this full-time course, please contact us for an expression of interest form. More details can be found on our website www.millfrcurlingford.com Defibrillator: Please note that there is a defibrillator located in the Mill Family Resource Centre if and when it may be required.

Senior Alert: If you need to apply for a Personal Alarm, please contact Sue or Josephine.

Counselling Services: Our low cost counselling services, includes one-to-one, family and teens, aged 12+. General Counselling: Bereavement, stress, anxiety and depression. Other counselling services available: Drug, substance and gambling addictions. Play therapy is now also available. Please contact Sue for more information or to make an appointment.

Appeal for Clothes Donations: Any clothes donations would be appreciated in aid of our counselling services. Donations can be left into the Centre, please call before dropping off.

Contact number for the Centre 056 8838466.

SET DANCING In Urlingford Community Centre, every Tuesday at 8.30pm.

Dancing to live music with Danny Webster. Sets called by Paddy

“On Today”

WEDDING BELLS AND AWARDS Congratulations and best wishes go out to Noel McGree Woodview, Freshford and Miriam Walsh of Tullaroan who were married recently in Church of the Assumption, Tullaroan.

Miriam who was given in marriage by her father Dick was attended by her sister Gillian and cousins Grace and Ciara.

Bestman was Shane McGree and groomsmen were Liam McGree and Mark Kavanagh. The reception was held in Langton’s Hotel Kilkenny. The bride is well known Kilkenny Camogie Player and Noel is an ardent member of St.Lachtains Hurling team since his schoolboy days. The couple will go on honeymoon at a later date due to other events such as Camogie awards and Kilkenny Camogie team holiday. They are wished all the very best in their marriage life together PLAYER OF THE YEAR AND ALL STAR FOR THE BRIDE The new bride had more celebration on Friday night last at the Camogie awards in Croke Park. Miriam got an All star award and was also named Player of the year. What a week or two for Miriam.

IONAD LACHTAIN CHURCH ARTS AND HERITAGE CENTRE Ionad Lachtain Church, Arts and Heritage Centre will continue to open at weekends until Christmas. A wide selection of local crafts is available to purchase including knitted garments and toys, wood turning, Origami crafts, paintings, soaps and Freshford souvenir cards and carrier bags. Local literature includes Ned Kennedy’s “Edmund Fitzpatrick Artist and Illustrator” and Mike Cormack’s “Life in Freshford” book of photographs. Foodstuffs include honey, jams and preserves. Don’t forget to shop local this Christmas.

Opening hours: Saturday and Sunday, 11.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.

Don’t forget the Christmas Craft Fair on Sunday, December 4.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY The annual Christmas collection for the St. Vincent de Paul Society will be taken up on the weekend of December 11th.

Donors can also make a donation in the blue SVP envelope provided to each household recently by An Post. These envelopes can be left anytime in the parish collection box in the porch at Freshford Church or in the collection basket at Tulla Church.

MEDALS FOR SERVICE In recognition of their service and care to St Nicholas Church Tulla Threecastles for 37 years Benemerenti medals were presented to Annette Donegan and her brother Sean Og Murphy by Monsignor Kieron Kennedy P.P. Freshford Parish. The Benemerenti medal is bestowed by Pope Francis in recognition of meritorious Christian service to God and parish.

BIRTHDAY BOY Special birthday wishes go out to Tom Walsh Chapel Street who celebrated a very special birthday last weekend. Tom marked reaching the big 40th at a party in Kavanagh’s Bar on Saturday night last organised by family and friends.

CHRISTMAS IN FRESHFORD Frshford will host various activities for the upcoming Christmas period. On Sunday 4th December there will be a coffee morning and cake sale at Prague House at 11.30am.

At 12.30am there will be the Christmas market at Ionad Lachtain Heritage Centre and then at 4.45pm. the illumination of the Christmas lights on the green will take place.

GAA NEWS St Lachtains Gaa club AGM will be held on Friday the 9th December at the Clubrooms. All are welcome and all nominations and motions should be with Secretary ASAP. The annual Colin McGree and Philip Kinane tournaments were played over the weekend with great numbers of our younger players taking part. In the final of the Colin McGree Shield Charlie Kavanagh’s team beat Tristan O’Kane’s team in an exciting game. The final of the Philip Kinane Cup saw David Ryan’s team beat Sam Looby’s team in another exciting final.

Special Thanks goes to refree John Guinan for referring the games and to all the young coaches who managed the teams DARTS This years Darts leagues have now stared with some games played on Friday and Sunday evenings and will continue each week with A , B and C Leagues being organised.

DEATH The death occurred last week at Brookhaven Nursing home of Josie Hickey late of Ballylarkin, Freshford. Josie who was in her 90s was a member of a well known family in the area especially amongst the farming community. She was a very quiet and good living lady. Her funeral mass took place on Saturday morning last in St.Lachtains Church, Freshford followed by burial in Clontubrid Cemetery. She is mourned by her sister, nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces and extended family to whom deepest sympathy is extended.

SOCCER Freshford Town Junior side were in action on Sunday morning last and were unlucky to be beaten by Castlewarren on a 5-4 scoreline with the visitors getting the winner late in the game.

In recent games in the schoolboys and girls league the U12girls drew with Freebooters on a 0-0 final score, while the U12 boys drew also with Freeboots on a 1-1 scoreline with Max O’Neill getting the Freshford side’s goal. The U 14s game was postponed DAY CARE CENTRE Freshford day care centre continues each Wednesday in the GAA Centre at 2pm. New members are most welcome CAMOGIE The Peggy Dowling memorial camogie tournament got underway recently with preliminary rounds played. The tournament is run each year around this time in remembrance of Peggy who was secretary of the St Lachtains Camogie club for many years. There was a large number of young girls taking part in the tournament and the semi finals see Cara’s team take on Holly Hughes’s team and Saoirse Hickey’s team face Sarah Hickey’s team. The final of the Shield and Cup will then follow.

Team A _ Saoirse Hickey © K.Walsh, A O’Kane, K.Walsh, E. Murphy. L.Boyle, P.Dunne, K HICKEY, R.Hickey Team B; Sarah Hickey © H.McCabe, L.Kennedy, I Carroll, C.Hussey, K.Hickey, G.Dunphy, A.Carroll, E.McGree Team C: Holly Hughes © M.Phelan, L.Dalton, C.Butler, M.Lan Loh, N.Butler, E.O’Connor, C.Gibbons Team D: C.Bergin ©, K.Dalton, M.Walsh, C.Gleeson, M Flynn, F.Long, O.Marnell, C.O’Rourke, A .Garry, L.Daly.

SPLIT THE POT Last week’s lucky winners of Split the pot draw was Diane Purcell, Ard Lachtain Freshford who won €80. The draw takes place each Friday. Tickets are just €2 and the winner gets half of the takings. Boxes and envelopes can be found in Kavanagh’s

Bar, Mace, O’Shea’s corner shop, Girls& Guys Hairdressers, Oasis Creche, Freshford Creamery, Freshford Butchers and Prague House. The committee thank all for their continued support and ask people to continue to support this fund raising draw.

PARISH NEWS Mass is held in the Parish Church each Wednesday morning at 9.30am and on Sunday morning at 11am.wiith Mass in Tulla church on Saturday evenings at 7.30pm.

Notices The parish newsletter is available on their website every week and also on the website you are free to pay your dues and make donations or any other contributions and you can find out more about it on the website or feel free to contact in the Parish Office. Please note community notices for the parish newsletter should be left in or emailed to the Parish Office by 11am on Thursdays. Parish office hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 1pm.

Mass Cards Special printed parish cards are available at the Parish Office or from Annette at Tulla Church signed by Monsignor Kennedy.

You can contact the Parish office on 056 8832843 or by email – freshfordd@ossory.ie. Contact Mongr Kieron Kennedy on that number or on 087 2523521 LOOP CAFÉ The committee of the Loop Café are working away tirelessly and they wish to thank all those who supported their fund raising events or donated items. Big Work is ongoing at the Community Cafe at Buncrussia Street and it is almost now ready to be open. Huge credit is due to the volunteers who have worked so hard to get all the work done.

HELP FOR ALL Are you struggling with anxiety or depression or finding life difficult or feeling isolated at this time GROW is there to help you. Their Mental Health support Groups are free and confidential and open to all no referral or booking is needed. For more information on same you can contact Mary on 087 28434 2 If you can’t cope and need support text HELLO to 50808 SAMARITAN - Whatever you’re going through a Samaritan will face it with you – available 24 hours a day 365 days a year – Freephone 1161Alone is available for older people who need support and you can call them on 0818 222024 (8am to 8pm) AMBER KILKENNY WOMENS REFUGE – is available for confidential support relating to domestic violence - call them on 1850 424244 (24/7) or on 056 7771404 or email into@amberwomensrefuge.ie.

DUNNAMAGGIN LOTTO Winning numbers for 21st November: 4, 8, 32. No Winner.

Winner of Draw for 5 x € 30. Pauline Flynn ( Pauline Flynn ),Amelia Delaney ( C J Delaney ),Declan Donohue ( Declan Donohue ),John Wallace ( Ellen Delehunty ),Maga Cuddihy ( Breda Smyth.)

Jackpot for November 28th € 3,850.

CHRISTMAS IN DUNNAMAGGIN Saturday December 3rd Dunnamaggin Development Group will host their first Christmas Lights event in Madge’s Garden at 5pm followed by our fourth Christmas Fair on December 4th.

Kids Treasure Hunt from 12noon - Santa will make his usual visit at 2.30pm but this year will again be able to stay and listen to the children’s requests. Stalls selling all manner of goods for customers to browse through for Christmas gifts, hot chocolate, Chef Eamon’s famous Beef Stew, tea, coffee and cakes, along with a Monster Christmas Raffle, music and lots of fun. Thank you to everybody that has supported us during 2022. If you want to get involved on a more regular basis by volunteering with the core group please let us know through our facebook page Dunnamaggin Community News. We are looking forward to another year of connections and fun.

DUNNAMAGGIN GAA DINNER DANCE A fantastic night of celebration and entertainment was had in Hotel Kilkenny on Saturday night last when the Dunnamaggin

Benemerenti medals were presented to Annette Donegan and her brother Sean Og Murphy by Monsignor Kieron Kennedy P.P. Freshford Parish

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Community & GAA Notes GAA hosted a dinner dance in the Skyline Suite. Large numbers attended as guest MC Marty Morrissey led proceedings which acknowledged the achievements of players in the parish at All Ireland level in Senior Camogie and U20 Hurling, Marked the 25th Anniversary of the 1st and only Senior Hurling title in 1997, and served as an opportunity to gather as a community for the first time since 2019. Jimmy Walsh Chairman Kilkenny GAA was on hand to make the presentations to Joe Fitzpatrick, Denis Walsh and Andy Hickey All Ireland U20 winners and the 1997 Senior Hurling winning Team. The contribution of the late Brendan Fennelly to the victory and the club was also marked on the night and Malachy Hogan presented a bunch of flowers to his wife Brid. The contribution of outgoing Chairman Jim Hickey both on and off the field over the last number of years was also acknowledged on the night and best wishes extended to incoming Chairman Denis Lahart. The club would like to thank Marty Morrissey for making himself available, Organisers of the night, Committee members, Past and Present players, Sponsors, Supporters and Friends of Dunnamaggin GAA who all contributed to the night being such a huge success.

KILMOGANNY BRIDGE CLUB Kilmoganny Bridge Club Results: for 23/11/2022: 1 Ellen Delahunty and Kitty Meagher B/G Tina Ronan and Breda Butler. 2 Elizabeth Lanigan and Grace Landy. Bridge is every Wednesday night at 7.30pm in St. Eoghan’s Centre, Kilmoganny. All welcome.

DROICHEAD FRC Droichead FRC’s annual Senior Citizens Christmas Party is on Wednesday the 7th December. This year’s party will be held at Edmund Rice Centre, Westcourt. There will be a two course dinner, raffle and lots of entertainment on the day. Places are limited, to book call Droichead on (056) 775560 EXT 1. Raffle tickets can be purchased in Droichead FRC or alternatively you can purchase tickets from our wonderful volunteers on the 2nd December in Supervalu Callan. 1st prize Supervalu Hamper, 2nd prize Voucher for John Murphy’s Butcher and 3rd prize Homemade Christmas Cake.

KINDLING FOR SALE Callan Men’s Shed have kindling for sale, 1 bag €2 or 3 bags for €5. They will be at the Bank of Ireland every Saturday from 11am-2pm. Please support Callan Men’s Shed.

TYPING AND PHOTOCOPYING Did you know that there is a low cost typing and photocopying service available in Droichead Family Resource Centre? For more information and to keep up to date with all of the services, supports and community groups available at Droichead Family Resource Centre follow us on Instagram and facebook or call the centre on (056) 7755660.

LARCHE KILKENNY EVENT The L’Arche Christmas Concert will be taking place at the St Eoghan`s Centre/Community Hall , Kilmoganny on Friday 2nd December at 7.30pm. Small admission cost to the event with tea and coffee available on the night. A night of fun, songs and entertainment TWENTY FIVES IN COOLAGH All welcome to Coolagh Hall on Thursday and every Thursday for the popular game of “25’s”, A great way to pass the long wintry nights. The games begin at 8pm SUICIDE OR SURVIVE Free Wellness Workshop SOS are delighted to bring a Wellness Workshop to the Tower Hotel, Waterford City on the 29th of November 2022. A Wellness Workshop is an opportunity for you to take time out and learn a wide range of simple practical and effective tools and tips that you can use in your everyday life to improve your own wellness. These workshops aim to help you understand and take charge of your own mental health. The workshop is for anyone and everyone as we all have mental health! For more information please click here: https://suicideorsurvive.ie/programmes/wellnessworkshop/ To book your free place please click here: https:// tinyurl.com/watww WELLNESS CONVERSATION Wellness Conversation with Family Members and Supporters Morning in Kilkenny. Recovery College South East are delighted to inform you that SHINE, Family Peer Support Service (HSE), Recovery College South East and Mental Health Ireland are hosting a Wellness Conversation with Family Members and Supporters Morning on Friday 9th December 2022 in the Recovery College South East, Greenhills, Kilkenny, R95 YYCO from 10am to 1pm. The aim is to promote wellness and selfcare, particularly around the necessity to care for themselves as family members/supporters/friends while supporting a loved one in the area of mental health and recovery. Also having group discussions and conversations around information needed around supports and to promote the Family Peer Support Groups (in person) launching in 2023. This morning event is an open invitation and no need to register.

PUBLIC SURVEY ON THE ABBEY QUARTER MASTERPLAN Kilkenny County Council have recently commenced a Review of the Abbey Quarter Masterplan and Design Code, which was first adopted in 2015.

Under the guidance of the current Masterplan, much development has occurred within this masterplan area, including the construction of linear park, the refurbishment of the Brewhouse office building which is fully occupied and a new City Library, currently under construction. The original Masterplan is now seven years old, thus a comprehensive review is needed to ensure this Masterplan is in line with current thinking and best practice and can keep driving effective decision making.

In order to ensure that your needs and priorities are reflected

in the revised Masterplan, Kilkenny County Council invites all those who have an interest in the sustainable development of Kilkenny City to get involved in a comprehensive public engagement programme. This first phase of this public engagement programme comprises a short online survey in the form of a questionnaire. The aim of this anonymous questionnaire is to learn what people think about the current Abbey Quarter Masterplan and where the focus of the new document should lie.

This initial survey will be followed in the new year with further public events and stakeholder meetings. The questionnaire is live for three weeks from Nov. 21st – Dec. 12th inclusive and is available at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AbbeyQtr Links for the questionnaire are also available via both kilkennycoco. ie and consult.kilkennycoco.ie as well as on the Council’s social media channels. Paper copies of the survey are also available in the City Library.

GOWRAN GOWRAN AC Well done to all who ran in the County B Cross Country. It was a very wet, windy morning which left the course conditions very mucky but the Gowran AC athletes loved every minute of it!

U8 Boys - 3rd Sam Greene. U10 Girls - 1st Sarah Mulrooney . U10 Boys - 8th Jay Pollack, 20th Cian Larkin. U12 Boys - 3rd David Carroll, 4th Bobby Coomey, 9th Sean Farrell, 12th Harry Greene 1st Team. U12 Girls - 12th Aoibheann Brennan, 18th Lauren Larkin, 22nd Shauna Brennan U14 Girls - 6th Lucy Cunningham. U14 Boys - 3rd Odhrán Prendergast. U16 Girls - 4th Alex Brennan. U16 Boys- 7th Michael Holland, 10th Charlie Ryan CHRISTMAS BAZAAR AND MINI COMPANY SALE Borris Vocational School is delighted to announce that the annual CHRISTMAS BAZAAR AND MINI COMPANY SALE is returning this year after a three year lapse. It will be held on Sunday 4th December 2022 from 2.30 pm to 5.00 pm in the School PE Hall. There are plenty for all the family to see and enjoy namely TY Mini Companies Sale. Catch Santa in our Wonderland Grotto. Door Prizes - Hampers. Christmas Café and Cake Stall. Carnival Games; Wheel of Fortune and Bottle Stall.

We would be delighted to see all and have some fun and maybe you will go home with a prize or two.

PRIMARY SCHOOL BOYS SECURE MEMORABLE VICTORY Huge Congratulations to The Boys of Gowran Primary School who won The Roinn A Primary Schools Football Final when they defeated Scoil McAuley Rice of Callan in Dunmore last Friday afternoon. It’s an amazing acheivement and a hugely merited triumph following victories over two traditonally very strong Football powerhouses in St. Canices and The Gaelscoil on their way to the Final. It’s the first part of a possible double with The Country Cup Final still to come.

U-15 FOOTBALLERS QUALIFY FOR COUNTY FINAL The Young Irelands U-15 Footballers qualified for the Roinn B County Final after producing a superb performance to defeat St. Martins 3-7 to 1-3 last Sunday Morning in Gowran.The game was played in difficult conditions following the persistent wind and rain that preceded over previous 24 hours.

YOUNG IRELANDS MEDAL PRESENTATION NIGHT A huge crowd was in attendance in Gowran Park recently for the Young Irelands Medal Presentation Night in which several Teams were receiving Medals for silverware won in 2021 and 2022.

The Guest of Honour on the night was eight times All-Ireland Senior Football winner Philly McMahon who presented Medals to the successful Teams at U13, U15, Minor team and U19s who all won Silverware throughout this year.

A most poignant moment on the night was when U13 Team Manager Gary Farrell presented last year’s successful “double” League and Championship team with their medals.

Harry Byrne’s medals were collected by his Brother Sam and a signed jersey by all Harry’s teammates was presented to Fergal and Annette by Gary who recalled fond memories of Harry.

Tadhg Hunt accepted a beautiful piece of Jerpoint Glass on behalf of his father, the late Tom Hunt who contributed so much to Young Irelands GAA, especially in football and Tadhg presented the 2022 Young Irelands’ Féile Football team with their winning medals.

Also, there was a special presentation on the night to All-Ireland U-20 Medal winner Paddy Langton made by Young Irelands Club Chairman Denis Quinlan where he received a framed photo of the U20 All Ireland Triumph.

YOUNG IRELANDS CAMOGIE CLUB Young Irelands Camogie Club will host their AGM in Dungarvan Hall this coming Friday 2nd December at 8pm. All are welcome.

Meanwhile, there will be a Christmas Jumper Night in aid of Young Irelands Senior and Junior Camogie Teams in Cleere’s Bar on Saturday 17th December. Tickets are 5 Euro and they are available from any of the players. Music by TJ The DJ with Raffle and Prizes on the night.

COURTING VICKIE PROVIDES CLONMEL TRIUMPH FOR LOCAL TRAINER Courting Vickie provided Local Trainer Jimmy Barcoe with a surprise 50/1 winner at the recent Clonmel meeting as she prevailed in a thrilling finish to land The Prior Park Service Handicap Steeplechase with Sarah Kavanagh onboard.

Meanwhile, at the Kilkenny GAA Raceday in Gowran Park last Saturday Afternoon, Gowran native Danny Mullins was aboard Classic Getaway at 8/1 for his Uncle Willie to land The Noreside Catering Irish EBF Beginners Steeplechase as St. Mullins native Richie Deegan had a double on the afternoon.

DICKSBORO CLUB LOTTO Dicksboro GAA Club LOTTO Results 24th November. Nos: 4 5 12 30. Jackpot: €5900 Not Won Draw Prizes. €50: Stephanie Cahill c/o Paddy Maher. €25 each Enda Morrissey c/o online €25 each EJ Ryan c/o online. €25 each Paula Farrell c/o online Hurlers Co Op Ger Delaney c/o Tommy Hackett. Promotors prize Tom and Joan Knox. New weeks draw €6050. Thank you for your continued support.

DICKSBORO CALENDER The Dicksboro Calender 2023 will be available to order and collect any Thursday night in the Clubhouse from December onwards. You can also purchase online see ClubZap for more details.

DICKSBORO DEVELOPMENT DRAW Dicksboro GAA and Camogie Club are delighted to launch the 2022 Development Draw. We are very grateful to all who supported it in 2020/21. Its success resulted in our new Ball Wall and Mini Astro pitch facility. Following on from there we hope to expand our facilities in preparation for a significant population increase in the Parish over the next 5-10 years.

Contact any committee member or lotto ticket seller to purchase your ticket into this fantastic draw or see our ClubZap for more details.

Dicksboro Development Draw KILMANAGH ST AIDAN’S NATIONAL SCHOOL This school year is our 50th anniversary since opening from 1972/1973 to 2022/2023. We have plans to celebrate this special year including the creation of an anthology book of memories, stories, photos and pictures. If you have any such anecdotes or old photos that could be included in the book, please email the school committee at staidans50@gmail.com. All contributions more than welcome.

COMMUNITY ALERT BKK community alert is €10 for renewal or new memberships from 1st January 2023. Pay your membership fee with your mobile number to any of the following committee members,Gerry Ryan (Garage); Padraic Flaherty; Bridget Brennan;Danny Butler; Eamonn Phelan; Johnny Dermody.

Please note that we will not be calling to your house for membership fee. With winter upon us and dark evenings we advise you to stay in the system. Only paid up members will get text alerts from 1st January 2023.

CAMOGIE CLUB AGM St. Brigid’s Camogie Club will hold their AGM in Tom Ryall Park Clubhouse, Kilmanagh on Saturday 3rd December at 7.30pm.

Parents, guardians, coaches, players, new members are all welcome and are encouraged to attend.

SINGING CIRCLE AND CEILI The next session of the Singing Circle and Ceili will be on Friday, 2nd December at Naomh Aodhan Community Centre (formerly Old School) in Kilmanagh from 7.20pm to 9.20pm. Join Liam Ronan and friends for a singalong, tell a story or enjoy a waltz or half set, or just come along to listen and enjoy. All are welcome.

Lifts can be arranged for any local senior citizens who might like to attend. Tel: 086 395 7425. Refreshments will be served. €2 donation.

COOLAGH CARDS The popular card games of “25’s” continue at Coolagh Hall every Thursday until Christmas. All are welcome to attend.

OSSORY PILGRIMAGE TO ROME The Adult Faith Development in our diocese is planning a pilgrimage to the Eternal City from March 9th to 14th 2023. The cost of this trip is €710 per person. See all the major sights of Rome and learn the rich history of our church. A €300 nonre-

fundable deposit is required to book your place. Contact Kieran and Laura Troy on 057 935 5050 or email info@myriam.ie.

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.

HUGGINSTOWN NEWMARKET STONEYFORD MASS TIMES Aghaviller Parish: Hugginstown: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9.30a.m. Vigil - Saturday 3rd. at 8.00p.m.; Sunday 4th. at 10.00a.m. Stoneyford: Wednesday 30th. Friday 2nd. at 7.00p.m: Vigil - Saturday 3rd. at 6.30p.m.; Saturday 3rd. Feast of St. Francis Xavier.

FIRST FRIDAY Friday 2nd. December. 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. Dick and Maura Roche, In Stoneyford Church on Saturday 3rd. December at 6.30p.m Martin Brennan; Pat and Margaret Irish. In Hugginstown on Saturday 3rd. at 8.00p.m ROTA 3rd. and 4th. December 2022 . (Second Sunday of Advent) Readers: Stoneyford: Saturday 6.30p.m. Margaret Ryan. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Deirdre Rohan; Sunday 10.00a.m.

Marie Ryan.

Eucharistic Ministers: Stoneyford: Saturday 6.30p.m. Barbara Smolen; Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Mary Cahill; Sunday 10.00a.m. Ruth Crowley.

Note: New Rota until June 2023 available is Hugginstown Sacristy. Please collect.

NOVEMBER OFFERINGS Many thanks for your Contributions to the November Offerings during the past weeks.

Roman Catholic Diocese and Parishes of Ossory – Registered Charity No. 20015831 ORDINATION Pope Francis has appointed Fr. Niall Coll, a priest of the Diocese of Raphoe, to be the next Bishop of Ossory. He will be ordained as Bishop on Sunday 22nd. January 2023 at 3.00p.m. in St Mary’s Cathedral, Kilkenny.

ONLINE ADVENT RETREAT The Priory Institute is delighted to offer an online retreat ‘Word becomes Flesh’: an Advent Retreat. Visit our website prioryinstitute.com to register or for more information.

SAFEGUARDING CONTACTS Diocesan Designated Liaison Person: Ms. Kathleen Sherry, Telephone: 087 100 0232 or email: dlp@ossory.ie . Aghaviller Parish Representatives are: Teresa Broderick and Carmel O’Toole. The Diocesan Safeguarding Committee has produced a Newsletter available at the back of the Church or on the diocesan website www.ossory.ie.

LOTTO Aghaviller Parish and Carrickshock G. A. A. Draw: Monday 21st. November 2022. Numbers: 13; 25; 30; 24.

No Winner First 3 Numbers Drawn: No Jackpot Winner: 5 x €30.00 Winners: Kitty Wallace, Stonecarthy; “The 3 Murphys”, Lismatigue.

Mary Raggett, Aghaviller; Brenda Brenner, Hugginstown; Jimmy Sheehan, Stonecarthy.

3 x €15.00 (Sellers): Padraig Crowley; James Irish; Jimmy Sheehan.

WATERBOYS Equinox Theatre Group announces the premier of “Waterboys -The Movie”, a short film written by and starring Jim Rohan and Gary Comerford, on Sunday, December 18th at 5.00p.m.

Tickets from www.watergatetheatre.ie YOUTH RETREAT The Youth 2000 Christmas Retreat will be taking place in Newbridge College, Newbridge between 9th and 11th.

December. This retreat is for anyone aged 16-35 Years. Excellent Speakers, Inspiring Talks and Workshops, Fantastic Music, Group activities, Youth Masses, Adoration, Reconciliation, Prayer, Drama, Games & plenty of time to chill out, meet new people and find out what it means to be young & Catholic today!! Donation only. Free buses leaving from all over Ireland. Register now on www.youth2000. ie THE CHAPTER HOUSE COOKSHOP The Chapter House Bookshop at St. Mary’s Cathedral will be open 5 Days a week (Monday to Friday) starting Monday 28th.

November up until Christmas. The Shop has a great selection of Nativity Cribs, Christmas Cards, Calendars and Diaries for 2023, also a wide selection of Bibles, Liturgical and spiritual Books.

The Bookshop also has a wide selection of Mass Cards and religious Gifts for any occasion.

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

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kilkennyobserver.ie

Hurling matters

Sport

Joey Cuddihy and Rian Borad in aerial battle

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

AIB Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship Semi-Final Shamrocks Ballyhale 3-22 Naas 1-6 Shamrocks Ballyhale weathered the Naas storm and came through a tricky semi-final encounter to secure a provincial final berth where they will face-off against Dublin champions Kilmacud Crokes on Sunday.

During the opening 20 minutes of this clash, Naas more than matched the Kilkenny champions, with a blend of pace and physicality appearing to catch Pat Hoban’s men off-guard.

The strong penetrating runs of Jack Sheridan and Cathal Dowling were causing the Ballyhale defence numerous problems, and had it not been for some crucial saves by goalkeeper Dean Mason and some wayward shooting by the Naas players, Tom Mullaly’s men could have been in a really commanding lead by the interval.

Naas hit 3 wides in the opening four minutes of action, before placed ball specialist Jack Sheridan opening the games scoring in the 5th minute, after Ronan Corcoran has harshly adjudged to have overcarried.

Sheridan then doubled his sides lead moments later with a fine strike from play before defender Harry Carroll struck over a cracking point from way out the Croker pitch.

Ballyhale somewhat belatedly opened their account in the 9th minute after a surging run through the middle from the returning Paddy Mullen resulted in his sides first point of the day. Naas replied with interest. Dean Mason was then called into action again, when saving smartly to deny the Kildare side, but the rebound fell kindly to livewire Cathal Dowling who struck to the back of the Shamrocks net. The Naas supporters cheered with delight and dared to dream.

The next score was also a Naas one, with Jack Sheridan pointing after he intercepted a Dean Mason pass. Ten minutes played, Mullaly’s men were up by 6-points.

Adrian Mullen then found Eoin Cody who popped over a much-needed score from a central position for the Kilkenny sides second point of the game.

Sheridan then added another free after Darren Mullen was blown up for a foul off the ball.

The roving Adrian Mullen then took possession before passing to Darragh Corcoran who struck a lovely point from the left side.

Paddy Mullen then found himself in acres of space and he rifled over a good score from the ‘65 to reduce the deficit to four points.

From the next puck-out, Adrian

Shamrocks Croker

Naas challenge

got the sliotar in his hand and pointed from about 45 metres out, underneath the Hogan, majestic.

Dual star James Burke then hit a mighty point from half way, again much to the delight of the travellign Kildare faithful.

Shamrocks then dulled the Naas supporters’ cheers, when TJ Reid slotted home a penalty after Colin Fennelly was fouled. The Naas lead was down to the minimum.

Ballyhale were soon level after captain Ronan Corcoran found Eoin Cody on the run, and the former young hurler of the year

popped over a lovely point.

Shamrocks then snuffed out a Naas attack, the ball was moved to Richie Reid who struck a lovely pass to Adrian Mullen out under the Cusack Stand. Adrian matched his earlier effort and notched another cracking point. Twentyfour minutes played and Ballyhale lead for the first time in the semifinal.

Jack Sheridan then popped over another easy free from the edge of the ‘D’ before Eoin Kenneally passed to TJ who struck over a point, despite the pressure from

the Naas defence. Wing-back Kevin Whelan then sent over another booming score from distance to level matters again.

TJ Reid and Jack Sheridan then exchanged frees, before another Kenneally assist saw Ronan Corcoran fire over a nice point.

Cathal Dowling was then halted illegally which allowed Jack Sheridan to add to his tally, before Joe Cuddihy found the forward running Darragh Corcoran who notched his second point of the game.

As Dublin whistler Thomas

Gleeson sounded the short whistle, the score board read, Shamrocks Ballyhale 1-11, Naas 1-10. Pat Hoban’s charges were definitely in a game.

Glenmore native and Naas manager Mullally, will no doubt have been disappointed that his side were behind, having played some hurling and competed in all areas of the pitch, and created the better scoring opportunities.

The second half began with 3 scores on the bounce from Shamrocks, the first a clinker from Ronan Corcoran. TJ then popped

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Hurling matters Ronan Corcoran and Ferran O Sullivan locked in batttle

Eoin Cody gets away from Harry Carroll

secure return

helps Ballyhale bloom over a placed ball from about 60 metres out, before captain Corcoran struck again to put his side four points clear.

Jack Sheridan then got Naas on the scoreboard in the second half with another placed ball effort.

Ballyhale then showed why they are the team that most fear.

Dean Mason passed to Darragh Corcoran, who in turn sent a searching into the danger zone.

Joe Cuddihy claimed a lovely catch before giving the Naas keeper no chance with a fine finish to the net. A 6-point lead

for the South Kilkenny side, that was about to become nine.

From the Naas puck-out, Eoin Cody applied pressure, won the ball and made for the ‘D’.

Despite attempts to halt the speedy forward, Cody composed himself, before firing a bullet of a shot beyond the keeper and into the net. Forty minutes played, Shamrocks 3-14, Naas 1-12.

Jack Sheridan struck over a nice point, before Kevin Whelan notched his second of the day, again from distance. TJ then struck 2-in-a-row, before Naas

Adrian Mullen Cleverly gets away from Brian Byrne

went one better and struck the next 3 points of the game.

Darragh Corcoran sent over his third fine effort of the game before Jack Sheridan showed his worth again from the placed ball, before TJ matched that with a free of his own.

Adrian Mullen the hit another two fine scores, the second a reward for much determination.

Shamrocks completed the games scoring with 2 further points, one from sub Eoin Reid, the other a third of the day for midfielder Paddy Mullen. Final Score, Shamrocks Ballyhale 3-22, Naas 1-16. Another Leinster decider awaits.

SCORERS Ballyhale Shamrocks: TJ Reid 1-6 (1-0 pen, 4f ), A Mullen 0-4, E Cody 1-2, J Cuddihy 1-0, R Corcoran, D Corcoran, P Mullen 0-3 each, E Reid 0-1.

Naas: J Sheridan 0-12 (9f ), C Dowling 1-0, K Whelan 0-2, H Carroll, J Burke 0-1 each.

TEAMS BALLYHALE SHAMROCKS - D Mason; D Mullen, J Holden, K Corcoran; E Shefflin, R Reid, D Corcoran; R Corcoran, P Mullen; J Cuddihy, TJ Reid, A Mullen; E

Kenneally, C Fennelly, E Cody.

Subs: N Shortall for Cuddihy (50), B Butler for K Corcoran (62), E Reid for A Mullen (62).

NAAS – C Gallagher; J McKeon, R Kelly, P O’Donoghue; H Carroll, R Boran, K Whelan; C Boran, S Leacy; K Aherne, J Sheridan, J

Burke; C Sheridan, B Byrne, C Dowling.

Subs: C Dowling for Aherne (49), F O’Sullivan for Kelly (56), D Mac Donncha for R Boran (59), R Monaghan for Burke (61), L Walsh for Sheridan (62), REF – T Gleeson (Dublin)

>> SHERRY SAYS...

I’ll start by giving great credit to Naas. For the opening 20-odd minutes of this game, Tom Mullally’s men fairly put it up to the eight-times AllIreland winners.

But for Dean Mason’s great goalkeeping, Naas could have been much further ahead. Also the Kildare side struck a fair few wide and dropped a couple more short, fine margins at the business end of the season.

Paddy Mullen put in a mighty shift around the middle third, and also notched 3 fine points. Along with his midfield partner Ronan Corcoran, this duo helped get Shamrocks going in the semi-final. Darragh Corcoran was again accurate with his attacking forays – much needed in the current game.

TJ, fresh from the delivery room and the birth of his first child, Harper Mary Reid, (congratulations to Mr & Mrs Reid!!) notched 1-6 while county buddies Eoin Cody and Adrian Mullen 1-6 between them.

Indeed, it was Joe Cuddihy & Eoin Codys quick-fore double early in the 2nd half that sealed the fate of the Kildare champions.

Going back to one of the Brother’s Mullen, Adrian. What a performance from the former Kilkenny captain. His GPS stats must be off the charts!

Work rate, tackling, passing, scoring and lots of grass covered. This fella is a real gem.

Leinster final here they come again....

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 02 December 2022

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Hurling matters

Sport Paddy Mullen will look to win the physical battle

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

AIB Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship Final Shamrocks Ballyhale vs Kimacud Crokes Sunday December 4th, Croke Park, Dublin

SHERRY SAYS....

FINAL PREVIEW

It’s back to Croker for Shamrocks Ballyhale and their faithful supporters this Sunday, as the Kilkenny champions go in search of O’Neill Cup number 13 when they take on the challenge of ‘super-club’ Kilmacud Crokes. The Dublin side are bidding for their first Leinster title, and what they hope will be the first of a double, as the club’s footballers will seek to clinch the ‘big-ball’ accolade at the same venue later in the afternoon.

Both sides secured their final berths last weekend with relatively straight-forward victories over Naas and St Mullins respectively.

Pat Hoban’s men weathered a tricky first 20 minutes before getting to grips with the Kildare champions challenge and running out 12-point winners, ironically the same margin that Crokes had to spare over Maurice Aylward’s Carlow champions.

Capital danger The back-to-back Dublin champs are a growing force with the sliotar. Under the guidance of Offaly native Kieran Dowling, Crokes are changing the face of club hurling in the capital.

Dowling and others dedicated to the Kilmacud club are not big fans of the ‘super club’ tag that has been levelled at them in recent times. There has undoubtably been a huge amount of work put in by many volunteers at the Stillorgan based club, and the players are now reaping the rewards by delivering big performances in both codes in recent times. The son of a former GAA President, Dowling has been involved with Kilmacud for some forty years since heading to the big smoke as a student, and is certainly invested in everything the Crokes are trying to do.

Winning successive county titles in Dublin sent out a massive statement to the likes of Ballyboden and Cuala. This year’s final saw Dowling’s side overcome the challenge of Na Fianna by 3 points, which then sent them into the provincial series where they faced-off against last season’s beaten finalists, Clough-Ballacolla in the quarter-final, who had taken Crokes scalp at the semifinal stage last year.

That defeat on a horrible night in Portlaoise would have stuck

Na Seamróga out to stop Crokes bid for glory

Ballyhale seeking lucky 13 in Leinster with the Dublin side, and they more than gained revenge when running out 9-point winners.

Next up for Kieran Dowling’s side was St Mullins of Carlow. Having watched Naas rattle Sunday’s opponents Ballyhale, Kilmacud dispatched Maurice Aylward’s side with relative ease by 12 points.

Star of the show for the capital side is this year’s championship has been lively forward Oisin O’Rorke. The talented attacker sits at the top of the scoring tables this year, having scored 1-31 between his county final and provincial matches to date.

There’s no doubting this lad’s talent, and he will relish pitting his skills against the likes of Joey Holden, Richie Reid & the Shamrocks defensive unit.

O’Rorke notched 0-11 last time and Pat Hoban’s men will need to be disciplined in their tackling, as the same man will punish most opportunities that come his way. You would imagine that new Dublin manager, Micheál Donoghue will perhaps have a conversation with O’Rorke to see if a return to the county scene might be possible.

Along with Oisin O’Rorke, Crokes

will look to get big performances from current county men Ronan Hayes and Fergal Whitely. Hayes appeared to have goals on his mind in Croker last week, and did raise a green flag with a decent finish. Whitely hit 0-3 as did Dara Purcell while Micheal Roche and Brendan Scanlon finished with a brace each.

Kilmacud’s style appears to be based around pace all over the pitch. They certainly showed plenty of speed, especially in attacking situations in their last couple of outings, and Shamrocks will need to ensure that they close

the door on Sunday, otherwise Dean Mason could have a very busy afternoon.

In midfield Crokes appear to have unearthed a gem in Brian Hayes. The younger sibling of county- star Ronan, Brian has impressed with his displays this year, and as mentioned previously, pace is a big part of his game.

This Kilmacud team play with a real sense of togetherness, many of the current panel played through the juvenile ranks together, and that is clear for all to see.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 02 December 2022

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Hurling matters

Wing-Back Wonders! Evan Shefflin & Darragh Corcoran

Adrian Mullen is in great form

Shamrocks Ballyhale aiming for for silverware

Hoban’s heroes Having secured 5 county titles on the bounce, Pat Hoban’s team have been building up a head of steam gradually. Castletown Geoghan didn’t really lay a glove on the South Kilkenny side in the provincial last-eight tie, and Ballyhale didn’t even have TJ on the Nowlan Park pitch that day.

That performance was a reminder to the hurling world that there’s a fair bit of depth to this Shamrocks panel. Niall Shortall, Killian Corcoran, Colin Fennelly and Eoin Cody starred in the quarter-final and this set-

up last week’s meeting with Tom Mullally’s Naas. The Glenmore native’s side gave Ballyhale a good work-out, especially in the first half, and this is exactly what Pat Hoban’s charges needed ahead of an appearance in the Leinster decider.

Two second-half goals from Joe Cuddihy and Eoin Cody saw Shamrocks win-out by 12 points at the long whistle, but the scare that Naas provided in the opening 20 minutes, will have served as a warning to the current provincial champions. Goalkeeper Dean Mason pulled-off some superb

saves to ensure his team didn’t find themselves much further behind in the opening exchanges.

One of the key performers in the semi-final win over Naas was former county captain, Adrian Mullen. Yet again, the All-Star hurler put in a mighty shift, a combination of every facet of the game, including some classy scores from either sideline.

Adrian will look to continue his fine form in Sunday’s showpiece, and help propel his club to a 13th Leinster title.

In midfield, Captain Ronan Corcoran and possibly Paddy

Mullen will look to ensure their side dominates, both in terms of possession, but also physically.

Both players notched a few scores between them against Nass, but will need to win the battle in the middle third, something Shamrocks boss Hoban spoke about this in the aftermath of his teams win last week, and he will want to ensure his side are ready for the challenge Kilmacud will bring to the engine room on Sunday.

Another key area for Shamrocks will be their half-back line.

Marshaled by the brilliant Richie

Reid, both Darragh Corcoran and Evan Shefflin have licence to get forward and join the front men.

Both have shown a great ability to strike scores from distance, and this could be crucial in Sunday’s decider.

TJ will hopefully have rested his on-going injury over the last week and be ready to help clinch another O’Neill Cup for Ballyhale.

Big players like the big stage, and another outing in Croke Park with silverware on the line will hopefully see Shamrocks Ballyhale continue on their quest for the bigger prize.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 02 December 2022

Motors Classifieds

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Planning notices

Planning notices KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL:

I, Eamon Walsh intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Retention Planning Permission to retain existing extension to rear of dwelling house and to retain existing garage and all associated site development works at 26 Dominic Street, Kilkenny.

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.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL:

I, Micheal Moloney wish to apply to the above authority on behalf of Ivan & Nioamh Phelan for full planning permission to construct a 2 Storey dwelling, garage, entrance, wastewater system, borehole, soakpits and all other associated site works Curraghnadimpaun, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny.

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.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL:

I, Seán Moroney, intend to apply for Planning Permission for a). construction of three storey residential building comprising of 1 apartment on the ground floor and 1 duplex unit on 1st and 2nd floors b). demolition of external toilet and construction of 1.8m timber fence for storage, c). construction of external storage sheds and gardens, d).

Solar panels, e). Balconies with privacy screens, f). SUDS, g). New rear site entrance gate, paved area to front and rear of proposed building and all associated site and other works all at 103 Patrick Street, Kilkenny. Signed: Robert M. Cummins - Cummins + Voortman Ltd (Architects www.cvltd.ie) The proposed development is situated to the rear of property listed in the National Inventory of Architecture Heritage Survey of Kilkenny, NIAH Reference Number 12001039 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 Authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the Planning Authority on payment of the prescribed fee 20 euros, within the period of five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the 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.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 02 December 2022

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 02 December 2022

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

TYNAN (NEE ROCHE) 1ST ANNIVERSARY In loving memory of Eileen, late of 71 Old Callan Road, Kilkenny who died on 4th December, 2021 RIP . Anniversary Mass for Eileen on Sunday 4th Dec. at 11.30a.m in St. John’s Church, Kilkenny.

A heart of Gold Stopped beating Two willing hands at rest God broke our hearts To prove to us He only takes the best We lost a Mam with A heart of Gold How much we miss you Can never be told Mam your love Was the heart Of our Home If we follow your footsteps We will never go wrong

The Miracle Prayer

St. Anthony 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.M.

O Holy St. Anthony gentlest of Saints, your love for God and charity for His creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers.

Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me (request).

O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms.

The gratitude of my heart will ever be yours.

Amen M.R.

The Miracle Prayer

The Miracle Prayer

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.B.

If tears could build a stairway And memories a lane We would walk right up to heaven And bring you home again We miss you from your fireside chair Your loving smile and gentle air Your vacant place, no one can fill We miss you Mam and always will Mam, you left us with Beautiful memories Your love is still our Guide Tho’ we cannot see you Your always at our side Our Mam kept a garden, A Garden of the heart, She planted all the good things That gave our life it’s start The Golden Gates stood open God saw you needed rest His garden must be beautiful He only takes the best You will always be our Mam So very rare Content in your home And always there On earth you toiled In heaven you rest God Bless you Mam You were one of the best Mam you will always be Our light of HOPE !

Always In Our Hearts !

Deeply loved, always remembered and sadly missed by your loving family.

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. J.M.

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. T.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. S.M.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 02 December 2022