Kilkenny Observer 3rd May 2024

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Friday 3rd May 2024

Stardust Tragedy Vindication for the 48 who never came home  Paul Hopkins Page 8

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Why we're the ideal spot for hen and stag nights  Pat Coughlan Page 24

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 3rd May 2024

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Good home buyer news New low interest loans for housing retrofits in Kilkenny

Kilkenny homeowners will now be able to borrow between €5,000 to €75,000 at significantly lower interest rates to make their homes warmer and cheaper to run. This is part of a €500 million scheme to support homeowners to invest in energy efficiency and is strongly supported by MEP Grace O’Sullivan. The scheme will lessen the upfront finan-

cial cost for those undertaking a retrofit in the future.

Previously, the upfront cost of retrofitting may have been a barrier to embarking on a home retrofit. While energy and financial savings would come over time, the capital needed to embark on a retrofit of course proved to be a barrier. These low interest loans will now make it possible for

a wider cohort of people to improve the energy efficiency and comfort of their homes.

MEP O’Sullivan praised the scheme and encouraged residents to take advantage of the opportunity: “This is a major opportunity for people to help the planet and their wallet with warmer homes and cheaper energy bills. This is real practical climate action

that works for people and the planet and we are making it as easy as possible for homeowners to take part and avail of the benefits. Last year, over 48,000 home energy upgrades were supported by SEAI schemes and we’re going to bring this to even more homes this year.”

With immediate effect, people will be able to borrow at interest rates from only 3.55%,

significantly below the standard home improvement rates of 6-7%. The interest rates will be significantly lower thanks to a loan guarantee and subsidy from the Government.

Once approved, the loans can be drawn down before work begins, eliminating uncertainty for homeowners.

Ireland’s energy performance in building’s targets are

Say cheese as Belview to open

Our Filmmakers Of The Year

The upcoming opening of the Kilkenny Cheese production facility at Belview demonstrated the forward-looking, innovative and dynamic business that Tirlán has become.

In a matter of months the Kilkenny Cheese production facility is on track to open as Europe’s most efficient and sustainable continental cheese facility enabling us to bring new products to new markets.

Among the winners of Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year 2024 awards were, for Best Screenplay, Oonagh Waldron and Cathal Anderson, Kilkenny for their film ‘Dear Mrs Green’ which is about a woman working as a carer who connects two people across generations.

And the Best Comedy Award went to Abbi Henderson, Kilkenny (far right) for her work, ‘Chog’ which tells of Beth who is thrilled to receive the honour of minding Janet’s beautiful home and beloved dog Chog while she is away on business. Chog the dog however, isn’t so welcoming.

Full story Page 6

Glanbia sees 5.5% decline

SE homeless ‘needs action now’ Sinn Féin candidate for Ireland South in the European elections Kathleen Funchion has demanded an emergency response to rising number of people being forced into homelessness in the South East.

The call was made as the Department of Housing’s monthly homeless report shows a

The Best Comment & Opinion in Kilkenny

20% increase in the number of adults accessing emergency accommodation in the South East over the last 12 months.

Ms Funchion told The Kilkenny Observer: “The March homeless report shows the number of people in Department of Housing funded emergency accommodation has increased by 20% in the

being set in line with the new Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPBD), which was led on by O’Sullivan’s Green colleague MEP Ciarán Cuffe in the European Parliament.

Retrofits in Kilkenny in 2023 hit record levels, with 977 homes receiving some grant support to improve their energy efficiency.

South East since this time last year.

“Significantly the number of females accessing emergency accommodation is growing faster than the overall figure, with nearly 30% more women now in urgent need of a home compared to twelve months ago.

“Behind every number is a

person who is experiencing the devastating impact of the housing crisis,” she said.

“The housing crisis is causing misery for people across the South East. Every day that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are in government, the worse the housing crisis is getting.

They continually miss housing targets and fail to deliver

the change that is needed.

“This Government is neither interested in nor capable of addressing the housing and homelessness crisis. We need an emergency response and that will only come with a change of government.”

Housing would be the number one priority of a Sinn Féin government.

Glanbia has reported a 5.5% decline in group revenue in the first three months of the year.

In the company’s interim management statement published yesterday, Glanbia pointed to volume growth of 1.5% in the quarter compared with the same period last year.

However, it also recorded price declines of 6.9% as a result of changes in dairy pricing.

The Kilkennyheadquartered company also saw a 1.9% fall in revenues in its performance nutrition division. Prices were down 3.3%, while volumes grew by 1.4%.

Glanbia said pricing was negative due to planned promotions in the first three months of the year.

PAUL HOPKINS

MARIANNE HERON

JOHN ELLIS

GERRY MORAN

Telling it like it is.

And with no holds barred

A straight shooter.

Considerate and wise words

Great advice.

Your money in mind

Quirky take on bright side of life

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Kilkenny among best for remote work Kilkenny ranks among the Top 15 counties in which to work from home.

In the last four years, the number of people working from home in Ireland has increased from 19.89% to 36.2%, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

With that in mind, Virgin Media commissioned research to rank the best counties in Ireland for working from home.

The analysis factored in essential elements such as rent prices, broadband speed, crime rates, air quality, sunlight hours, restaurant availability, and the number of primary schools. These factors play a crucial role in determining the ideal location for remote work living.

Each data point in the index was individually scored, these scores were then used to calculate the overall index ranking.

The Top 5 counties in Ireland are as follows: • Kerry • Clare • Laois • Roscommon • Donegal Kilkenny comes in at No. 13.

Beyond its breathtaking beauty, Kerry proves to be an ideal destination for remote workers. With rent prices averaging around €1,035 a month, significantly lower

than Dublin’s average of €2,102 a month, Kerry offers an attractive living option.

Moreover, the county ensures

seamless remote work experiences with its fast broadband speed, averaging at 83.35 Mbps.

Kerry also boasts a safe environment, with a low crime rate index of 40.94. For those seeking less crowded

locations, The Kingdom’s air quality index of 18 offers an inviting atmosphere for leisurely strolls and relaxation

after work. With a choice of 635 restaurants, pubs, and cafes, Kerry provides ample entertainment and dining choices, alongside a selection of primary schools.

Clare ranks second in the best counties to work from home. The average monthly rent here is around €1,025, and with high-speed broadband reaching 101.65 Mbps, it’s an excellent choice for remote work. The Banner stands out as a safe county, boasting a low crime index of 44.8, notably lower than County Laois, which has a higher crime index of 60.82.

Furthermore, County Clare offers ample opportunities to soak up Vitamin D, with an average of 1305.12 sunlight hours per year.

Despite its small size and population of only 91,657, Laois is an excellent option for remote work due to several factors. Rent is affordable, around €1,136 per month, and the internet is super-fast, averaging 249.79 Mbps, one of the best in the country.

Surrounded by lush greenery and a tight-knit community, remote workers will feel a sense of belonging. It’s beautiful nature also provides good air quality, and for families with children, there are over 63 primary schools available.

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Fewer died in Civil War than in Independence War The number of people killed in the Irish Civil War was considerably less than in the War of Independence, a new research project has suggested.

The Irish Civil War Fatalities Project, launched today, lists all of the combatant and civilian fatalities in the Irish Civil War.

The project represents the first systematic attempt to investigate the number of people killed in the conflict.

The Irish Civil War began on June 28, 1922 and lasted until the ceasefire and ‘dump arms’ order on May 24, 1923.

The new project suggests that numbers killed in the Civil War were considerably

less than in the War of Independence.

It says this is mainly due to the lack of deliberate killing of civilians, who were three times more likely to have been killed in the War of Independence than in the Civil War. It shows the Civil War was more violent, brutal and pro-

tracted in counties Kerry, Tipperary and Louth.

The research also suggests a new chronology of the Civil War, contradicting the idea that major combat was over after the first month of the war.

The study of fatalities shows that deaths spiked not only in the opening ‘conventional’

phase of the war, but also in the peak of the guerrilla war in autumn 1922 and again in March 1923 with a concerted series of reprisal killings.

The project includes a searchable and interactive Civil War fatalities map, research findings by Dr Andy Bielenberg and historian and research assistant John

Dorney, along with a series of articles by scholars contextualising the conflict in local areas.

The project was led by University College Cork (UCC) in partnership with RTÉ and the Irish Military Archives.

It received funding from the Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts.

Milk prices stable and good news for cheese Milk prices will remain stable for the remainder of this year as demand in some global markets is still “fragile”, the incoming CEO of Tirlán has said.

“Over the next months we’re looking at stability, driven by lack of supply as opposed to anything dramatic from a demand perspective,” said Sean Molloy. “Demand is fragile enough in certain markets...at best for the year stability is probably where we are, in and around the current base milk price.”

Meanwhile, outgoing CEO Jim Bergin said the upcoming opening of the Kilkenny Cheese production facility at Belview demonstrated the forward-looking, innovative and dynamic business that Tirlán has become.

“In a matter of months the Kilkenny Cheese production facility is on track to open as Europe’s most efficient and sustainable continental cheese facility enabling us to bring new products to new markets,” he said.

Elsewhere, Mr Molloy said the supply dynamic globally would be very important, but the longer-term dairy demand looks set to keep growing, while supply from the main producing regions continues to be challenged.

“You’d have to think the more medium to longer term, the outlook has to be positive.”

Tirlan’s revenues fell by more

than €500m in 2023, from just over €3bn to €2.5bn, after a turbulent year in markets with commodity prices falling from record highs.

Describing its 2023 performance as “robust” in a challenging marketplace, its reported turnover of €2.53bn, with operating profits €68.3m, a reduction of 5pc year-onyear — the result of a number of factors including inflationary pressures and the commitment of the organisation to supporting farmers through a difficult period.

It saw its net debt reduced from €234m in 2022 to €155m last year, the lowest level in a decade.

The downturn in markets were reflected in significantly lower average milk and grain prices in comparison with 2022: 44c/L (inc VAT) for milk,down from 63c/L; and €205/t of green feed barley compared to €310/t.

The organisation paid a dividend of 19.058c per share to its members for 2023, amounting to €6.5m.

Outgoing CEO Jim Bergin said the upcoming opening of the Kilkenny Cheese production facility at Belview demonstrated the forward-looking, innovative and dynamic business that Tirlán has become.

The joint venture with Dutch dairy company Royal A-ware will employ around 80 people full-time.

Tracks & Trails around Kilkenny Tracks & Trails returns to our screens for its 11th Season with six episodes across seven counties in Ireland.

Six presenters explore trails in Kilkenny, Waterford, Offaly, Monaghan and Tyrone, Kerry and Tipperary.

For the fifth episode in this series, airing this Friday, May 3 at 7.30pm on RTÉ One, the show travelled to Co. Kilkenny with Dr Ruth Freeman for a show that represents some hidden and lesser explored trails in Co. Kilkenny. It starts in Kilkenny City, known for its Castle and buzzing streets where the River Nore that flows through the city is also the source for a selection of walks, which take you into the countryside within minutes.

Kilkenny is famous for many things but none more so than its passion for hurling, and after a short stroll through the bustling streets of the city Ruth Freeman stops for a chat under the famous Hurler

statue by the river, with local hero and All Ireland winner Conor Fogarty. Conor discusses his love of hurling and Kilkenny’s deep links with the game before he sets Ruth on her way along her first trail.

The first of Ruth’s two walks is an easy 10km stroll along the paths by the River Nore.

The Nore weaves its way through the city and is home to many short and longer walks which encourage visitors and locals alike to get outside and stretch their legs when visiting the city.

This particular trail starts off under the shadow of Kilkenny Castle and it doesn’t take long for Dr Freeman to be out into the countryside surrounded by nature on the pathway as it winds its way through the countryside.

Along the way she walks with Harry Everard who is the rural recreation officer for this area and responsible for the maintenance of the trails. Harry, a fellow lover of nature and wildlife,

describes the animals and birds he comes across as he works on the trail and they discuss how much of this path’s success and accessibility is due to the generosity of local landowners.

This trail which runs flat along the riverside provides many opportunities to watch how the river keeps changing accompanied by only bird song and the sounds of nature all the way to Bennettsbridge.

For her second walk, she starts out from Graiguenamanagh which takes her along quiet country roads, across hillsides and through forests before finishing at Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum, She meets local people who live and work in this part of Co.Kilkenny while discovering the history, natural history and landscapes that have shaped this beautiful county.

Leaving Graiguenamanagh behind Dr Freeman makes her way towards the forests around Brandon Hill where

there are many opportunities to stop and enjoy nature and views around her. She catches up with Coillte ecologist Dr Aileen O’Sullivan for a stroll to discuss the benefits of forests as part of our ecology and how forests have shaped so much of our landscape.

Ruth Freeman then descends into the village of Inistioge [pictured] on her way to historic Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum which is now on the route of this trail, the South Leinster Way. The gardens which overlook the Nore Valley were restored to the period of 1840-1890 with every effort being made to use plants and materials typical of the era.

The tour includes a visit to the walled garden with John Delaney who is responsible for the work here. Ruth’s love of a good chat, and her enthusiasm for nature make this Tracks & Trails a truly personal visit along the trail of Co. Kilkenny.

Waterford airport set for aerospace research Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, a member of the Governing Board of the South East Technological University, has been given a copy of a report which has been prepared by engineers at the SETU for executives in Waterford Co. Council. The report outlines

the potential for Waterford airport to become Ireland’s first dedicated centre for aerospace research and development. Ms Ní Mhurchú has described the proposals as being at an early stage and has called on all stakeholders to get behind them,

“It makes perfect sense to me that we would build Ireland’s first National Aerospace Academy and Innovation Centre (NAAIC) at Waterford Regional Airport.

This will be a great example of stakeholders such as the SETU, Waterford County

Council and Waterford airport working together to deliver a project that will create jobs, investment and innovation in Waterford and the wider South East region,” she said.

The report concludes that Waterford airport would be

the ideal location because: 1) It has more than suitable air space and technologies for flight testing unmanned air vehicles.

2) It has a suitable runway that allows for the takeoff and landing of small aircraft and unmanned air vehicles,

which allows companies to fly UAVs for testing and hence connecting the centre with the UK and Europe.

3) The airport is close to the SETU, and connecting a university with an airport of this size is similar to approaches taken in Europe.

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Opinion

The Fact Of The Matter Paul Hopkins

Vindication: the 48 who never came home After decades of unimaginable, unbearable hurt for the families of the 48 young people who never came home, the Stardust inquest jury recently returned an unanimous verdict of unlawful killing – akin to manslaughter – for each person who was snatched from under our watch that St Valentine’s night, and early Sunday morning, in 1981.

Forty-two people died in the inferno, six later in hospital. More than 200 others suffered life-changing injuries. No one escaped the psychological trauma charged by the events of that night.

Survivors, loved ones, and an entire nation – the ‘80s in Ireland, like the past, was another country – were left bewildered and stunned by the depth of the devastation.

The young woman, herself just 19, I was to marry later that year was in hospital that weekend with a broken foot.

She still recalls “the stench

of burnt human flesh overpowering the hospital” as the many survivors were brought in. She was discharged to make room for the victims.

The verdict for which the families had campaigned for so many years is rightly justifiable, given the evidence during the 122 day inquest from 370 witnesses. When the verdict was announced such were the tears and the crying in the packed Pillar Room at the Rotunda that the coroner had to gently ask for a little restraint. The emotions at the press conference later were palpable.

Justice took a long time coming. The verdict sees the families vindicated but, ultimately, of what consolation?

That lauded Harris apology?

A State redress?

There’s a natural order to things: we are born, we grow, we get old and we die. At least that’s the way it is supposed to be. Often though, fate, unexpectedly cruel,

intervenes. Most of us have, over a lifetime, lost loved ones. In general, the old go first — a parent, an aged aunt, a favourite uncle. And, generally, in the scheme of things, they depart from us one at a time.

When fate steps in and changes the order of things, through illness, a wanton act, or a freak, inexplicable disaster like The Stardust and snatches 48 loved ones from life, tragedy takes on a humongous, heartrending guise. Reactions like “devastated, broken” are natural and understandable. Inevitable.

When such tragedy occurs, the loss is devastating to those left behind, but sometimes too a collective numbness can set in and desensitise the rest of us to the pain of those left to pick up the pieces. It is, perhaps, a coping mechanism of sorts. Having said that, there can be few on this island who have not felt

for what was visited upon the parents, families and friends of those young people that fateful night in 1981.

It’s every parent’s unuttered nightmare — the thought that your child might die before you. They’re young, they’re healthy, with their whole life seemingly before them and,

“The ‘80s in Ireland was another country...

then, in an instant death snatches them from you. The world is, literally, their oyster ... first loves and school pals and dances on St Valentine’s night and maybe that drink or two.

As family we break fast of a morning and go our separate ways, to school or work, and instinctively expect to gather round the home hearth come close of day. It should have been so for the families of those 48 young souls.

If our young are intent on going to that dance or whatever good and decent thing they wish to collectively do, then go they must. Hundreds of young people that night, in homes across Dublin city, suburbs, and beyond. Some married, some dating, many single. Clutching handbags and dressed in glad-rags, heading out for a night of dancing and the craic with friends.

However, it only takes an electrical fault, locked exit

doors and a desperate crush from a heaving mass of energetic young people – and the lack of an immediate response from staff – to make it all go horribly wrong.

Something the families of those young people – aged between 16 and 27 – learnt 43 years ago. And something they – one mother lost three children – had to learn to live with for the rest of their days. Some never lived to hear the outcome of last week’s inquest. Justice may seemingly have been done... but it was never going to, nor would it ever, bring back those 48 souls.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said: “The Stardust tragedy is seared on the collective consciousness of the Irish people and the tenacity of the families in securing this inquest has been a service to all in society.”

Cicero once said: “The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living.”

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Ireland better banking on it!

More competition in the banking sector and especially in the mortgage market is vitally important for the Irish economy, says Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher as he welcomed the announcement that Spanish banking, Bankinter will enter the Irish banking market through Avant Money.

“The present situation,

where we have a small, closed high street banking market isn’t tenable in an economy that is as buoyant as Ireland’s,” said Mr Kelleher who sits on the European Parliament’s powerful Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee.

“In reality, we only have two and a half banks – Bank of Ireland, AIB and Perma-

nent TSB. This is not good for the economy and most definitely not good for consumers."

He told The Kilkenny Observer the bank's announcement was incredibly welcome and he hoped it would be a sign of things to come.

“For a growing economy like ours, we need more

competition in the banking sector. In terms of business lending, I am hearing of difficulties from owners and senior management.

In terms of mortgages, the fact that we have a limited number of banks means there is no real competition when it comes to interest rates."

While Avant Money cur-

rently offers mortgages, Mr Kelleher hoped the entry of its parent company into the Irish market would enable additional services, possibly business banking, to be offered to Irish customers.

“The more banks offering credit in Ireland, the stronger the likelihood that interest rates will fall in line with, or even ahead of, any future

Three men and a boat aiding mental health Two Kilkenny men, Pat Comerford and Paul Palmer from Ballyragget and Pat Sweeney from Achill Island, are trying to generate awareness and support for two charity organisations called Teac Tom, who help to prevent suicide and the Achill RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institute), who help to save lives at sea. These organisations provide essential services freely to people in times of need and rely on the goodwill of the public to support them in this work.

Nine months ago, the three men started building a Currach called Baidín Bídeach on Achill Island. It is their aim to row the

European Central Bank rate changes.

“This will be a relief to tens of thousands of homeowners with fixed term mortgages coming to an end later this year and in 2025. They are facing a cliff edge so anything which forces banks to lower their rates will be a lifesaver to them and their families,” the MEP said.

The Agri Aware team recently did a school roadshow, taking in primary schools in counties Dublin and Louth alongside. For the week it partnered Dole Ireland.

The week included in-person and online as part of its longstanding healthy eating and growing programme entitled Incredible Edibles.

Joining in at the schools was renowned chef and Life Is Better brand ambassador Eoin Sheehan to talk about the benefits of a healthy balanced diet and create some delicious smoothies for students to enjoy on both days.

boat in the bay of Achill Sound and the River Barrow in Carlow in aid of the above organisations.

They believe that if a person finds themselves in deep water be it with poor mental health or storms at sea it is reassuring to know that there are people out there who are ready to do all they can to save your life and pull you out of difficulty.

There has been great support locally with people wanting to help out with its construction.

They have set up a Facebook page called ‘Pulling Together To Save Lives’ to record the building of the boat and the launch which will be in June.

Boarding now for Minneapolis St Paul Aer Lingus is flying high as the newly returned Minneapolis St Paul (MSP) route takes off from Dublin Airport for the first time since it was paused in March 2020.

This restart marks the full restoration of the airline’s prepandemic North American network.

The non-stop service to MSP was first launched in July 2019, but was unfortunately paused

less than a year later due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To meet the strong demand of this highly anticipated route restart, Aer Lingus will be offering four weekly roundtrip flights on a widebody Airbus A330 aircraft.

Minneapolis-St. Paul, more commonly known as the 'Twin Cities', offers a dynamic combination of both business and leisure.

Pupils are given food for thought Sinn Féin's Barry on the need to support the arts As a passionate advocate for the arts and culture in Kilkenny, Sinn Féin local election candidate Evan Barry has said he is "committed to supporting and expanding the creative landscape of our city".

He told The Kilkenny Observer: "Recognising the unique challenges faced by artists and cultural workers, it is clear that our community requires thoughtful policies which both acknowledge and actively address the precarity inherent in the cultural sector.

"In response to these challenges, I have engaged deeply with our local artistic community to better understand and advocate for solutions that support sustainable and economically viable creative practices. The need for targeted support is evident, and

that's why I am proposing initiatives that focus specifically on the needs of this sector."

Mr Barry said that, if elected councillor, he would call for more council funding to be directed towards grassroots artists, the ones that are emerging and trying to break through into what is a very competitive space. If we wanted to encourage and incentivise up-and-coming artists, we needed to support and engage with them, he said.

In 2022, Sinn Féin welcomed the introduction of the Basic Income for the Arts Pilot Scheme. "We do, however, feel that any further rollout would have to be more carefully vetted, with the criteria more clearly defined and stringently adhered to."

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Opinion

As I See It Marianne Heron

Time to break logjam that’s stopping forestry One of the striking sights in a TV programme about the incredible race to restore Notre Dame cathedral was the felling of magnificent oak trees. Nearly 2,000 have been used to rebuild the beams and the spire which fell when the iconic building went ablaze in Paris five years ago.

France is rich in forests, which cover around 30% of the land there so there were plenty of oaks to choose from but only 11% of the Irish landscape – once 80% clothed with native woods – is forested today.

We need more trees for a variety of reasons but most urgently we need them as a defence against global warming. Trees sequester carbon as they grow and they are the single largest climate mitigation available to us in the struggle to halve carbon emissions by 2030 and bring them to zero by 2050 under the National

Climate Action plan.

But just at the very time when we need more trees the forestry plan is stalling.

It is estimated that between 18,000 to 33,000 HA need to be planted every year to meet targets, yet last year only 2,000 HA were planted. The incentives in the form of grants have been increased to 66%, and the profits from forestry are higher than agriculture on non-dairy farms so what is causing the logjam?

“The biggest barrier is cultural,” says Ray O’Foghlu, Farm Programme Co-ordinator of Home Tree, dedicated to the conservation and establishment of native woodlands, who acts in advisory capacity to farmers.

With a reduction in forest planting on State land, forestation is up to farmers and private individuals.

“Covering good land with woodland is anathema to farmers,” says Ray, especial-

ly given that shorter cycles for tillage and cattle farming are the norm compared with the decades required for forestry.

Also, farmers became disincentivised when grants were cut back after the financial crash. “They have been messed around and they have lost interest,” says Ray. Previously afforestation went well, reaching a peak in 1995, while figures for last year are down to only 8pc of that. The cost of application for a forestry licence, which can involve reports from ecologists, hydrologists etc running to several thousand euro, is a further disincentive and there is no going back once trees are planted, as there can’t be a return to former land use.

Bureaucratic delays are also part of the problem.

The Social Economic and Environmental Forestry As-

sociation (SEEFA) want to see prompt action on implementing the already belated 2023-27 forestry programme with a functioning licensing system to avoid delays, including timelines of 120 days. They also want to see support for participants in previous programmes,

“Only 11% of landscape forested today....

particularly landowners with Ash Dieback plus the establishment of a Forestry Development Agency..

There is also the question of what should be planted and where; Sitka spruce is a non-native cash crop, accounting for 59% of our forests, destined to be felled while broadleaf native trees which are far more environmentally and ecologically friendly are more about planting for the future.

Trees should not be planted on peatlands as this increases carbon emissions and damages the environment and there are now regulations against this.

They could be planted on uplands but current regulations won’t allow trees to be planted on land over 120 metres, near the sea or with more than 25% bare rock where they might be stunted but they will grow.

Meantime, Coillte, the semi-State forestry

Funding finally found for Natural the King’s River in Callan tips for

psoriasis

CLAIR WHITTY

A grant of 247,500 Euro has been made available to carry out works on the King’s River in Callan. It is hoped this money will be used to bring the river back into use and enjoyment not only for the people of Callan but also for the people of Kilkenny and Tourists.

The funding is a long time coming according to Councillor and local business owner Joe Lyons, who has been seeking funding since back in the 1980’s. Although some funding was made available at different times

the main problems were never resolved and silting has become a major problem, creating three islands which restrict the flow of the river and makes the area very unsightly.

Speaking to the Kilkenny Observer, Councillor Lyons said it is hoped the river can be opened up again for use for swimming, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. At the moment the local Callan Kayaking Club are going to Thomastown to participate in their sport.

Two new walkways would

be hugely enhanced once the work on the river is complete according to Councillor Lyons. He also expressed his concern for local wild life, and the biodiversity of the area.

Once this work is complete it is hoped it will be the start of the development of a green way between Callan and Kells which would enhance both areas for tourism growth.

Councillor Lyons thanked Minister Humphreys and John Paul Phelan TD for the funding and The Callan Town Team who made the application.

Let’s talk about psoriasis.

This is a fairly common skin condition. It is characterised by thick, silvery white scales that are surrounded by a red, inflamed border. It can appear anywhere on the body, but common places are the elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp. It can affect the nails causing them to develop ridges and pits.

When someone asks me about tips to help, I talk about how stress could be aggravating the condition, as well as trigger foods, compromised liver health, and/or gut health,

and supplements that may help. Though everyone is different, it is a condition that can be controlled well given the right tools.

Foods that can aggravate flare ups are dairy products, highly processed foods, sugar, gluten, wheat, spicy food, chocolate, coffee, alcohol, red meat and saturated fats. Nuts can be a problem for some. A food diary can help you figure out trigger foods.

A helpful addition through the diet can be the omega oils found in oily fish, flax or chia seeds, and good quality omega rich oils. Yellow and orange fruit and vegetables will be a good source of Vitamin A which, along with protein rich foods, enable the skin to effectively repair itself. Fibre is

company, are setting an example with their forestry plan announced last year aimed at delivering multiple benefits from its forests and bring more focus to climate action, with new targets on biodiversity and recreation, while continuing to deliver the forest and wood products to industry.

There is a 1.3 bn Euro budget allocated for forestry but if things continue as they are that money won’t be spent because no one is buying into forestry. Policy may be changing but it needs to bring a change of heart about what trees can mean to our future. We can’t afford to see it as a cash crop: it needs to be a form of insurance for all our futures where farmers and stakeholders become carbon bankers offsetting carbon emissions and where we invest in convincing them and making the endeavour worth their while. important to ensure that foods pass through the gut avoiding toxic build up that can aggravate the skin. Herbal teas are a really nice addition to your diet. If you are stressed choose relaxing Lemon Balm, or to help boost liver health choose dandelion or teas that contain milk thistle.

Top supplements to consider would be omega 3 fish oils, choosing the strongest you can get. You may benefit from Magnesium, Zinc, and Vitamin D or you may need extra liver support from herbs such as milk thistle. A healthy gut is crucial, so you may need probiotics and nutrients like glutamine to help repair the gut.

We have also had feedback from customers about using Neem Oil, an antifungal and antibacterial oil or Grahams Psoriasis Cream, an antiinflammatory cream, on affected areas. Holos’ Get Better Butter is a deeply hydrating cream to help with the skin repair and recovery. For the scalp, there’s A.Vogel Neem or Salcura Shampoo.

These are just some tips that may help you keep psoriasis under control. Why not give us a call for more advice.

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

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

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News

SPECIAL REPORT The number of drivers in Ireland caught speeding and driving while under the influence of drink or drugs fell last year, but the number of offences of drivers using a mobile phone while on the road is expected to rise.

The offences were recorded as the death toll on our country’s roads rose sharply.

New Garda figures show the status of the three lifesaver offences at the end of 2023, while the number of people killed in traffic collisions was the highest in nine years.

The figures come as a report says the Irish Independent has learned that Gardaí are developing plans to place 100 static speed cameras on roads across the country.

The devices, which measure the time it has taken a vehicle to travel between two points, would be a major change in the battle against speeding.

They are currently only in place on two roadways – the M7 and the Port Tunnel – but plans are now to add such cameras on the N2, N3 and the N5 later this year.

According to the Irish Independent, Assistant Commissioner with responsibility for Roads Policing Paula Hilman has been given the job of developing a business case for the introduction of 100 static speed cameras.

It will then be presented to the Department of Justice as part of their funding application for 2025.

The most recent figures for last year show that a total of 7,771 motorists were detained for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

This is a drop of just more than 3% from the 8,105 arrests for the same offence the previous year.

In the first 11 months of last year 143,178 were caught speeding, down nearly 8% from the figure of 155,307 during the same period in 2022. The data for the final month of the year has yet to be published.

But detections of people driving while using their mobile phones are expected to rise, with 17,954 caught in the first 11 months of 2023, compared with 17,587 in the same period the previous

Driving using mobiles are up but crackdown coming with more cameras

year. This is an increase of 2% by the end of November.

The data for December has yet to be published.

Last year, 184 people died on Irish roads, the highest yearly figure since 2014, while so far this year 70 people have lost their lives.

Speaking last month, Junior Transport Minister Jack Chambers, who has responsibility for road safety, said that factors such as drink and drug driving as well as speeding were leading to the surge in road deaths, which he described as a “crisis”.

While three locations have been decided for new static speed cameras, nine others for the devices will

be confirmed in the coming months.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson said An Garda Síochána is investing in technology to support road safety, including devices to allow all Gardaí to issue fixed-charge notices at the roadside.

A Garda spokesperson said: “Such cameras have been proven in other countries to be highly effective in reducing speed, which is a key contributor to road deaths.

“The average speed cameras on the M7 and Port Tunnel have also proven effective in reducing speed.

“In addition, there has been investment in new hand-held speed-detection

devices, drug-detection devices, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, and roads policing vehicles.

“Following additional government funding, An Garda Síochána has also increased the hours of operation of GoSafe detection vans, with a focus on locations with high levels of collisions.”

Finally, Justice Minister Helen McEntee has to correct the Dáil record after publishing an entire database of incorrect Garda staffing figures.

Among the mistakes was the minister stating one of her local Garda stations had six times more Gardaí than are actually based there. The

official Garda staffing figures have been withdrawn after a bizarre “technical error” saw 166 newly graduated Gardaí assigned to just two Garda stations.

One of the stations is in the minister’s local constituency in C0. Meath and the other is in a neighbouring area.

Not only were the inaccurate figures published by the Department of Justice, but the minister quoted them in a reply to a parliamentary question in the Dáil.

“The Dáil record will be updated and the department will upload the corrected spreadsheet once received,” the minister’s department said.

There have also been

concerns about the lower number of Gardaí in the roads policing units, at 627 members compared with 692 two years ago.

A Garda spokesperson told the Irish Independent the force was committed to reducing the rate of road deaths, and plans to add around 75 Gardaí to roads policing in the next two years.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris this month also instructed all Gardaí to spend ­ inutes on road policing 30 m during every shift.

In the first two months of 2024, there were 878 arrests for drink driving and 488 arrests for drug-driving offences.

Meanwhile, claims in accidents caused by uninsured up 11% The number of claims in accidents caused by uninsured vehicles grew by 11% last year, according to figures from the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI).

The MIBI was established in 1955 to compensate victims of road accidents caused by uninsured and unidentified vehicles. It said the average motorist will have contrib-

uted €30 to €35 at their most recent insurance renewal to cover the claims paid out by the MIBI in the last year.

It said that last year, it received a total of 1,927 claims, up 187 on 2022.

The largest number of claims it received were from Dublin (822), followed by Cork (141), Limerick (112), Kildare (102) and Galway

(91). The number of claims relating to uninsured drivers grew in 14 of the 26 counties, with the largest percentage increases occurring in Mayo (up 80%), Meath (up 55%) and Kildare (up 42%).

Nine counties recorded a drop in the number of claims, with the largest percentage decreases coming in Leitrim (down 55%), Offaly (down

29%) and Sligo (down 21%). .

Chief executive of the MIBI, David Fitzgerald said: “This jump of almost 200 claims due to accidents caused by uninsured vehicles should be a cause of concern for every law-abiding motorist in the country.

“It is illegal to drive without valid motor insurance, yet as these figures show, there

are still a significant number of people who are willingly flouting the law.

“Every one of the uninsured motorists behind these claims is effectively putting their hands in the pockets of lawabiding motorists and taking their money.”

The MIBI provides An Garda Síochána with the insurance details for three million ve-

hicles on Irish roads.

This means Gardaí can instantly check whether a vehicle is insured by scanning its registration plate.

“We’re on record as to saying our expectation is that this will be a gamechanger for law enforcement in dealing with the scourge of uninsured driving,” Mr Fitzgerald said.

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Opinion

Your Money & You John Ellis

Are you paying too much for healthcare?

According to industry experts over half of us are paying way above the odd for our health insurance leading to mounting financial pressure for many. Every year individuals and families are facing the annual ritual of renewing their health insurance policies but the search for a deal this time around comes with added weight, as recent trends indicate a significant surge in health insurance costs.

The looming spectre of rising premiums has prompted concerns among consumers but, amidst the uncertainty, there may be a glimmer of hope on the horizon with Aviva announcing they will enter the market later this year.

The entry of new competitors into the market, such as Aviva promises increased competition, which hopefully will drive better value for all consumers and employers alike.

However, the true impact remains to be seen. For those grappling with the daunting task of navigating the complex landscape of health insurance, expert advice is invaluable. Dermot Goode, a consultant at Total Health Cover, emphasises the importance of research, especially as premiums continue to increase. He warns that failing to review cover can result in significant financial burdens, with potential price hikes of up to 20%.

One of the key strategies to ease escalating costs involves thorough research and comparison of available plans.

Consumers should be proactive in seeking alternative cover, particularly if they find themselves paying more than €1,900 an adult or if they’re on “outdated corporate plans”. Use online resources such as the comparison tool provided by the Health Insurance Authority (HIA) but for best results engage directly

with insurers to explore the options available.

Being flexible can yield substantial savings. For example, look to tailor plans for each of your family member and/or explore cash plans for outpatient expenses, which can enhance coverage while reducing your costs. Be strategic. Look

for incentives, for example, Laya’s “second and subsequent children free” offer which will bring additional savings.

For many the idea that pre-existing conditions negate the ability to pick and chose cover with different providers should not deter you from exploring alter-

native options. Legislative safeguards are in place to ensure continuity of cover without penalty because of your medical history which should provide assurance if you are contemplating a switch.

The health insurance landscape is continually evolving and to the uninitiated it’s a

minefield. For many its what stops then from switching but staying informed and being proactive remains paramount.

Yes of course, challenges persist, but informed decision-making hand in hand with expert guidance will help you and your family to navigate the complexities of health insurance, securing comprehensive coverage while mitigating financial strain.

As your annual renewal period approaches, take steps to review your health insurance plan, explore alternative options and seize opportunities to increase cover and minimise costs, a contradiction in terms you might say but with time and patience you can successfully steer through the maze of health insurance plans with confidence. john@ellisfinancial.ie 086 8362622

Making Kilkenny a great place to….

Kilkenny is a good place to work in, visit, live in, grow up in, and grow old in, but we can do more to make it better for everyone who lives here or visits us, while ensuring to keep our heritage and identity as a medieval county. My goal is “making Kilkenny a great place” and one of the ways to achieve this is to re-evaluate our approach to housing by treating it as a right and not a commodity. Local Authorities used to be key players in building new and affordable homes for local communities.

Today, sadly, we are faced with a terrible crisis, in which a whole generation is locked out of owning or living in affordable homes.

Our priority in Kilkenny should be to put our community first by investing in homes that are affordable and future proof as energy costs rise. Kilkenny County Council needs to build many times as many homes as it presently does. Last year, the council delivered 182 social houses through purchase, acquisition and new builds. Yet, there are over 700 on the housingwaiting list plus another 700 renting on the private market with Housing Assistance Payments (HAP). A good place

to start would be to know the exact number of vacant and derelict houses across the city and county. Data is critical for effective planning and to facilitate growth and development. With 800-1000 people coming to work/live in Kilkenny through Abbott, the crisis facing us would be exacerbated.

My proposed solutions: 1. Kilkenny County Council needs to establish a Vacant Property Office properly staffed and mandated to draw up a list of vacant properties across the county that could be used for homes.

Derelict homes can be repurposed.

2. Work with others to advocate that housing be moved up the list of national priorities and enshrined in our constitution as a fundamental human right.

3. Extend the use of the Buy and Renew scheme to proactively buy vacant housing using Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO).

4. End commercial rates rebate for owners of buildings that are derelict for 12 months or more.

5. Press for an adequate capital budget to build more homes for Kilkenny and build back towards a much more central role for local authorities in the direct provision and funding of social housing.

6. Work to streamline and reform planning which stand in the way of housing development.

I believe that as a community we can make Kilkenny a leader in the development of public Cost-Rental schemes offering people a choice of long-term and affordable rental houses in mixed housing developments.

The future is bright for Kilkenny. Let’s work together!

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 3rd May 2024

News Science & Wellbeing Science fiction novels are hugely popular but it seems they may prove a catalyst of sorts for those who have become hi-tech billionaires.

As a teenager, Microsoft’s Bill Gates read Stranger In A Strange Land, the 1960s epic detailing the culture clashes that arise when a Martian visits Earth. For Google’s Sergey Brin it was Neal Stephenson’s Snow Crash, the cyberpunk classic about hackers and computer viruses set in an Orwellian Los Angeles.

Jeff Bezos cites Iain M. Banks’ Culture series, which unreel in an utopian society of humanoids and artificial intelligences, often orchestrated by ‘Minds’ as powerful AI. Elon Musk named three of SpaceX’s landing drones after starships from Banks’ books, a tribute to the role they played in turning his eyes to the stars.

Science fiction widens the frontiers of our aspirations.

It introduces us to new technologies that could shape the world, and new ideas and political systems that could organise it. It’s difficult to be an architect of the future without a pioneer’s vision of what that future might look like. For many, science fiction opens that vision.

American screenwriter Gene Roddenberry drafted his Star Trek sci-fi series as early as 1964 and in the last 60 years, through the longrunning TV series and the movies it spawned, Star Trek has dealt with issues of war and peace, authoritarianism, imperialism, class warfare, economics, racism, religion, human rights, sexism, feminism, and, not least, technology. To boldly go where no man had gone before.

Roddenberry said then: “By creating a new world with new rules, I could make statements about sex, religion, Vietnam, politics, and intercontinental missiles.’’

I remembered as the Enterprise and its motley crew faded from my screen I had,

Science fiction, and predicting the future Brian Williams on boldly going where no man has gone in a book somewhere, a piece by the bio- chemist and science writer Isaac Asimov addressing the World Trade Fair back in 1964 and looking 60 years ahead to today.

I found the piece in question and rereading it makes for intriguing reading. Although he is off course with land vehicles travelling offground on compressed air and with underground housing, and way off beam with colonisation of the Moon, some of Asimov’s predictions are uncanny. “One thought that occurs to me,” he wrote, “is that men will continue to withdraw from nature in or-

der to create an environment that will suit them better. By 2014, electroluminescent panels will be in common use. Ceilings and walls will glow softly, and in a variety of colours that will change at the touch of a push button.”

There’s more: “Gadgetry will continue to relieve mankind of tedious jobs. Kitchen units will be devised that will prepare ‘auto-meals’, heating water and converting it to coffee; toasting bread; frying, poaching or scrambling eggs, and so on. Complete lunches and dinners, with the food semi-prepared, will be stored in the freezer until ready for

processing.” But: “I suspect, though, even in 2014 it will still be advisable to have a small corner in the kitchen where the more individual meals can be prepared by hand, especially when company is coming.”

Robots will be (are) big news, but Asimov said: “Robots will neither be common nor very good, but they will be in existence.”

If machines are that smart today, what may not be in the works 60 years hence? It will be such computers, much miniaturised...”

Asimov’s vision, more than half a century ago, of

smart- phones and tablets is eerily accurate, for he writes: “Communications will become sight-sound and you will see as well as hear the person you phone. The screen can be used not only to see the people you call but also for studying documents and photographs and reading passages from books. Synchronous satellites, hovering in space will make it possible for you to direct-dial any spot on earth, including the weather stations in Antarctica.”

Taking Gene Roddenberry’s view of a new order and Asimov’s predictions for

technology, it’s a no-brainer to see which visionary comes out on top 50 years on. Of course the Star Trek creator is dealing with the ways of all flesh and the human condition — economics, racism, religion, human rights, and so forth — but I don’t think a new world order is upon us yet.

Though given capitalism is still on its knees and that people are suddenly copping on to the fact that the banks, in still being bailed out by effectively you and I, have not, as was envisaged, passed it back on down to the little guy, one lives in hope.

Heralding a new era in cancer treatment Important advances in cancer biology, the development of novel biotechnologies, and genomic sequencing now make it possible to design individual vaccines for individual cancer patients.

Researchers need a tumour sample in order to develop a personalised cancer vaccine, because every patient’s cancer experience is different. These vaccines can’t be administered to prevent cancer, before a person gets sick. Instead, their purpose is usually to kill cancer cells that might have escaped other treatments, such as surgery or chemo, to lower the risk of recurrence.

For personalised cancer vaccines to work, they need to target the right neoan-

tigens and trigger a strong immune response, all while being safe and tolerable for patients.

Now, after years of mixed results, it seems like the pieces are all starting to come together.

“Because cancers arise from our own cells, it is much harder for the immune system to distinguish proteins in cancer cells as foreign compared with proteins in pathogens like viruses,” said Vinod Balachandran, a pancreatic cancer surgeon-scientist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre.

“But important advances in cancer biology, the development of novel biotechnologies, and genomic sequencing now make it

possible to design vaccines that can tell the difference,” he said..

Moderna researchers used AACR’s annual meeting to present results from an ongoing trial of an in-development cancer vaccine, called mRNA-4157, which had previously shown promise at preventing recurrence of melanoma.

In the new trial, Moderna is testing the vaccine against a different kind of cancer, called HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HPV- HNSCC).

This cancer has a five-year survival rate of less than 50%.

In all 22 trial participants, the cancer could not be removed via surgery and was either recurrent or had

spread to other parts of their body.

During the trial, patients received infusions of mRNA4157 combined with pembrolizumab (brand name Keytruda), an approved cancer immunotherapy.

According to Moderna, 14 people experienced some level of disease control, with two going into complete remission.

The median follow-up after treatment was 38.4 weeks, so it’s too soon to gauge the cancer vaccine’s long term impact, but the initial immune response to the combination therapy appears to be better than Ketruda alone in people with HNSCC, suggesting that more research is warranted.

After tumour removal, ra-

diation, and chemotherapy, 17 people were given the vaccine. The rest won’t get it unless their cancer comes back.

After a median follow-up of 18.6 months, none of the people who’d received the vaccine right away had experienced a cancer recurrence, compared to three recurrences in the group that didn’t get it.

Adverse events related to the cancer vaccine were mild to moderate.

Biotech companies BioNTech and Genentech have also presented promising data on a personalized cancer vaccine, called autogene cevumeran. It targets pancreatic cancer, which kills 87% of patients within five years of diagnosis.

In their phase one trial, 16 patients who’d had pancreatic tumours removed received the vaccine along with chemotherapy and a monoclonal antibody therapy. In 2023, the researchers reported that the vaccine appeared to trigger an immune response in eight of the participants.

It’s now been a median of three years since the vaccine was administered, and of the eight people who appeared to respond to it, only two have had their cancer come back. Of the eight who didn’t respond, seven have experienced a recurrence.

The studies are all early, but if they continue to show promise in larger trials, they may led to a new era in cancer treatment.

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Travel & Leisure

The best of Japan in the off-season

While Japan has much to offer all year round, here’s where to go in the off season.

From skiing the snowy mountains of Hokkaido in winter to witnessing the cherry blossoms bloom in spring [pictured], Japan offers something for every type of traveller, all year round.

While autumn and spring are generally considered the country’s busy periods for tourism, different regions experience different peak periods. Wherever you plan on going, consider visiting in the low season to experience an alternative and, sometimes, more authentic side to Japan’s vast and varied regions.

Kansai Off-season: winter Kansai’s cherry blossoms attract visitors from near and far during the sakura season but its wintry side offers natural wonders as well. Prefectures in the Kansai region include Hyogo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Shiga and Wakayama. Winter festivals range from the Wakakusa Yamayaki festival in Nara Prefecture featuring fireworks and planned mountainside fires in January to the Toka Ebisu Festival in Osaka Prefecture that centres on offerings to Ebisu, the god of wealth. Ume, or Japanese plum trees, blossom in February and bring the parts and temples around Kansai to life with their intense pink

flowers. Visitors looking to relax at a quiet onsen (hot spring) retreat can bathe at Yunohana Onsion in Kameoka, which is accessible from Kyoto.

More than a dozen temples and shrines surround the village, including Myoshoji Temple, Mt Asahi, Jinzoji Temple, Anaoji Temple and Hiedano Shrine.

Okinawa Off-season: spring Up to 640 kilometres away from the Japanese mainland, lies the tropical islands of Okinawa. Reachable from both Tokyo and Osaka, Okinawa’s oV-season in the spring suits travellers looking to soak up the sun before summer holiday makers arrive at the more than 160 islands comprising Okinawa.

Futamigaura Beach on Izena Island and its views of nearby Yanaha Island are only a 55-minute ferry from Okinawa Main Island. Okinawa in spring is also known for its events such as the hari boat races, lily blooms on Ie Island and nighttime firefly spectaculars on Kume Island.

Nagano Off-seasons: summer & autumn While Nagano is known for its many ski resorts and cosy accommodations in winter, this mountainous region of Japan remains an outdoor destination in the

spring and summer months with activities like glamping available. Private cabins and luxury tents are nestled in the forest and on mountainsides including the Private Woods Nada experience – boasting a sauna and open-air bath – Glamprook, Field Suite Hakuba and Mokki.

In autumn Nagano’s winter sports ropeways offer perches from which to witness the colours of autumn foliage cascading down the mountainsides. Around mid to late October, Hakuba Mountain Harbor in Hakuba Valley bears witness to Hakuba’s famous three-tiered autumn scenery of white snow, red leaves and green forest.

Ancient trails and towns nestled in Nagano’s mountains present a step back in time. The Nakasendo Trail connecting Tokyo and Kyoto, walked by travellers and merchants during the Edo period, is still shrouded in forest along with many of the towns that supported it. From early October to early November, colourful decorations, such as freshly harvested persimmons, are hung outside local inns and shops.

Hokkaido Off-seasons: autumn & spring The most sparsely populated island in Japan, Hokkaido is a prime destination for

outdoor experiences in the summer months. But the milder temperatures and less humid conditions seen during autumn and spring rime the destination for exploration on foot, by bike or even as part of a road trip.

Six national parks in Hokkaido feature scenes including the lakes and “underwater Grand Canyon” at Shikotsu-Toya National Park, the jagged cliffs and waterfalls in the Shiretoko National Park and the mud pools and volcanoes at Akan-Mashu National Park.

The Daisetsuzan National Park is considered one of the country’s best locations for hikers to discover volcanic trails, views over stunning gorges and public hot springs like Sounkyo Onsen. A visit to Shiretoko National Park brings travellers to a peninsula on the island’s easternmost portion, Shiretoko Peninsula, which was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 for its flora and fauna.

Agriculture is one of Hokkaido’s main economic pillars, meaning there is no shortage of local fresh produce to enjoy in Hokkaido.

Sea urchins, or uni, are a Hokkaido favourite and are harvested from June to August, especially from Rishiri, Rebun, and Shakotan. If you visit Hokkaido in early autumn, you should have no trouble finding this unmissable delicacy.

Athens, London, Dublin among Top 10

Data from website searches between November 2023 and March 2024 for summer travel this year, the study found that Athens, Greece is actually the international destination that witnessed the highest surge of interest compared to last year. On the list, the Greek city sits at the fourth position overall, but flaunts a 248% increase in searches when compared to 2023 data. To give you a sense of it, other cities in the Top 10 noticed a decidedly more modest 150% search volume increase from last year.

Athens’ tourism has been growing exponentially since aer the pandemic, with last year’s tourism numbers seeing almost an 80% increase compared to 2019 levels, according to French newspaper Le Monde. The city, in fact, already started worrying about the presence of too many tourists last summer.

In an effort to curb ‘overtourism’, the city – like

Venice – had to introduce time slots to visit the Acropolis, a city landmark that last year noticed a 70% increase in visits compared to 2022.

This is not to say that you shouldn’t visit Athens, of course. If you do want to have the best experience, though, you might want to try and visit it outside of peak summer travel times, so ideally before May or after August.

If you’re actively trying to stay away from large masses of tourists, take this international destinations list into account, and use it as a handy tool to help you understand where to go (and possibly, where not to go) this summer.

1. London, England 2. Paris, France 3. Rome, Italy 4. Athens, Greece 5. Cancun, Mexico 6. Amsterdam, Netherlands 7. Tokyo, Japan 8. Dublin, Ireland 9. Barcelona, Spain 10. Vancouver, Canada

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Opinion

Furthermore Gerry Moran

Savour trivia for the weekend Roots Festival!

If music be the food of love there’ll be fair feasting this May Bank Holiday in the Marble City thanks to The Roots Festival one of our most popular and successful events.

And so, it’s music, music all the way in harmony with the rhythm of the weekend! * Donovan on groupies: “Generally I got thinking girls with books in their handbags whereas the other boys probably got girls with dyed hair and leather pants. There was a different party going on in my suite.” * Christy Moore: “It’s not the intensity of singing that gets us down; it’s the intensity of what happens when the gig is over. It’s all the madness that goes on.” * Noel Coward: “People are wrong when they say opera is not what it used to be. It is what it used to be. That is what’s wrong with it.” * Noel Gallagher of Oasis when asked what he wanted

for his 4oth birthday: “The head of James Blunt.” *Liam Gallagher: “I know how to behave but sometimes I can’t be bothered.” * Tom Paxton on folk music: “Music with the bark still on it.” * Rev. Rick Stanley, stepbrother of Elvis: “When I hear people say the colonel, Tom Parker, made Elvis, my response is – tell him to make another one.” * Rev. Rick Stanley, stepbrother of Elvis: “Graceland is the second most visited house in America after the White House.” * The Corrs, when TV presenter asked where the all meet. “To make it in this business, along with the talent, you’ve got to have tenacity because the world is full of talented losers. And the other is timing. You can have talent and tenacity but you can just be in the wrong place at the wrong time. “

* Phil Coulter is the only non-American song-writer to have penned a hit, My Boy, for Elvis Presley who never gave an encore. * Madonna has an IQ. of 140. When she was twelve she wanted to be a nun. * A Joe Dolan fan when asked what does late Mullingar superstar do for her:

“More than a husband would do.” *Good Looking Woman’ was the song that made Joe Dolan the first Irish entertainer to have a hit in all five of the earth’s continents. * A critic described Tom Wait’s voice as “like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the sunshine for

a few months and then taken outside and run over with a car.” * Oliver Wendell Holmes: “How silent the woods would be if only the best birds sang. * Oliver Wendell Holmes said never ate cornflakes or rice-crispies because he said that they were too loud or the noise was unbearable in his head. I suppose that’s because he has such a sense of sound and music.” * Jimmy Durante: “I hate music – especially when it’s played. *Jim Morrison (1943-1971) of The Doors was the first rock star to be arrested on stage. * The artist Andy Warhol created the Rolling Stones’ emblem depicting a big tongue. It first appeared on the cover of the Sticky Fingers album. * Abbey Road was the last album recorded by the Beatles. * George Cory who wrote

the lyrics of I Left My Heart in San Francisco died there in 1978. Cory wrote the song with tunesmith Douglas Cross during a bout of homesickness while in New York in 1946. The song lay unrecorded for 15 years until Tony Bennett used it in his act at the city’s Fairmont Hall in 1961. * Tony Bennet: “Singing is like no other job. I like to make people feel good. And they make me feel good. It’s a virtuous circle. You don’t get that working in a bank.” * Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, The Big Bopper, Jim Reeves, Patsy Cline, Jim Croce, John Denver, Glen Miller all died in plane crashes * Amazing Grace was written

by British slave-trader turned Church of England minister John Newton (1725 – 1807) * Finally: Fred has a musical nature/He can yodel, whistle and hum/ He goes out fit as a fiddle/And comes home tight as a drum.

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Opening EXIT 4

Urlingford's newest workspace Minister Heather Humphreys visited Urlingford yesterday to officially open “EXIT 4” a newly provided remote working hub. This facility, strategically located just off the M8 Dublin-Cork corridor, forms part of Ireland’s National Hub Network supported by government funding to revive rural Ireland by providing people with the opportunity to live and work locally.

Urlingford Town Team has been central to the delivery of the EXIT 4 working hub and the redevelopment of the town’s community centre.

Chair of the Town Team, Dympna Hayes, speaking at the official opening acknowledged the support of Minister Humphreys and her Department which provided funding for the project under the Town & Village Renewal Scheme and said that “The Hub will help to deliver Government policy promoting sustainable hybrid working patterns which will in turn help us to meet our climate action goals as well as Sustainable Development Guidelines.”

Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr Michael Doyle, welcomed the new facility and the role of the Town Regeneration Office

Minister Heather Humphreys opening the Exit 4 Remote Working Hub, Present in picture: Dymphna Hayes, Chairperson of the Urlingford Town Team, Annette Fitzpatrick Town Regeneration Officer, Members of the Urlingford Town Team.

Photograph by Vicky Comerford

in Kilkenny County Council which will support other regeneration projects throughout the County saying “The Elected Members of Kilkenny County Council want to see our towns thrive and with the benefit of Town Centre First initiatives will be well placed to support communities in developing and delivering plans and projects, like this one, in future years.”

Cllr Michael Delaney, Chairman of the Castlecomer

Municipal District, thanked the members of the Town Team and the broader community for their commitment to the project pointing out that “We need communities to get involved and get active and when they do we need to say thank you.”

EXIT 4 remote working hub facilities are now open.

Flexible plans are available to meet the needs of clients. For enquiries and to make a booking go to Exit4Urlingford.ie

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Opinion

The Last Word Pat Coughlan

Irish hen and stag parties – and the craic What’s the craic with Irish hen and stag dos? We know all about it here in Kilkenny.

Let me tell you, it’s more than just a night out with the lads or the lassies. Here in Ireland, and especially in Kilkenny, these pre-wedding bashes are a grand old tradition, steeped in a bit of mischief, a whole lot of laughter, and a fair share of bonding.

It’s a rite of passage, really, for the bride and groomto-be, giving them a proper send-off into married life, all while celebrating their last hurrah of singledom surrounded by their nearest and dearest.

Right, let’s dive into the meat of it, will we? Hen and stag parties in Ireland aren’t just a mad one before the big day; they’re a reflection of traditional gender roles, carved out through decades of cultural norms. Lads typically venture off for a weekend of antics — think pub crawls and outdoor adventures — while the ladies

might opt for a spa day or a classy night out. But don’t be fooled there. It’s not all stereotypes and old hat.

The guys might head for themed afternoon tea or the ladies might go milking cows in Ballyragget. These gatherings serve up a hefty slice of camaraderie, celebrating the last hurrah of single life with those you hold dear.

When it comes to hen and stag dos, there’s no shortage of craic to be had. Think pub crawls where the pints keep coming, and everyone’s donned in the daftest costumes you could imagine. But it’s not all about the drink; there’s the golfing and adventure sports for the stags, while the hens might find themselves movin’ and groovin’ to the latest tunes, surrounded by laughter.

It’s these moments, filled with fun and games, that truly define the essence of these celebrations.

Sure, we’ve all heard the

wild tales, haven’t we? Lads ending up in the nip, tied to a lamp post, the poor devil. It sounds like the stuff of night

mares, or a bit of bants, depending on which side of the fence you’re on. These horror stories, so they say, are meant

to be a bit of craic, but there’s no denying they can get out of hand. It’s all fun and games ‘til someone ends up starkers in the town square.

Right, let’s get into the heart of it without hanging about.

With the craic reaching fever pitch at these dos, what goes on behind closed doors, stays behind closed doors.

It’s no secret that the blend of alcohol, heightened emotions, old flames rekindling, or the chance encounters under the disco lights can lead to a bit of the how’s-yourfather between the hens and stags – and, sure, anyone else caught up in the festivities. It’s all part of the mad tapestry that makes these celebrations a story to tell – or keep to oneself!

Nothing quite beats the warmth and welcome of an Irish hen or stag, where the craic is mighty, and the bonding is fierce. It’s here, amid the laughin’, dancing, and a bit of mischief, that the

true spirit of Irish hospitality shines bright, enveloping everyone in a big, happy huddle.

This isn’t just a send-off for the bride or groom-to-be; it’s a glorious gathering that knits pals closer and wraps the soon-to-be-wed in a cocoon of support. It’s all about the comin’ together, the shared stories, and makin’ memories that’ll have everyone talkin’ for years to come. It’s about the craic.

So, to wrap it all up, hen and stag parties in Ireland are much more than a last hurrah before the knot’s tied. They’re a grand old tradition, steeped in craic and camaraderie, celebrating love, friendship, and that special leap into married life. It’s not just about the wild night out; it’s a rite of passage, an homage to bonds that last a lifetime. Sure, the parties might get a bit rowdy, but, at the heart of it, they’re a fundamental part of the Irish way of celebrating life’s big moments.

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Opinion

Interrogation at Woodstock Part one

Woodstock House Inistioge

BY JOHN FITZGERALD

Last week I completed the story of the botched ambush attempt in Friary Street, Kilkenny, back in 1921…but there’s a postscript: Though none of the ambush team members were arrested or captured- having escaped on their bikes from the scene- others who had no involvement in the affair were picked up by the Black and Tans.

Some of these were released within hours, but others- the unlucky ones- were taken to the dreaded Auxiliary HQ at Woodstock. Among them were Sean Cullen and John Bryan of Patrick Street, and Michael Ruth of James Green. Jim Bolger and John McGrath, caught wearing bicycle clips while travelling in Nolan’s bus to Callan, were also earmarked for interrogation and "special treatment."

Woodstock House served as a heavily fortified military nerve centre of the occupation forces in County Kilkenny. The house was designed by the architect Francis Bindon and erected in 1745 for Sir William Fownes. It was built of stone with brick

lining inside. The vaulting of the basement was also made of brick. Flanking wings were added in 1804 and service yards created on either side of the house.

The highly decorative front façade drew the admiration of many a visiting dignitary and aristocrat. As did a fivebay garden frontage on which magazine and newspaper correspondents lavished praise.

But Woodstock and its big house took on a more sinister aura in 1920. The Auxiliaries and Tans turned the magnificent building, then part of the Tighe estate, into a feared

A Crossley Tender on the move

military HQ that doubled up as a grim and terrifying destination for any man suspected of pro-rebel activities.

In the Lion’s Den After his arrest for wearing bicycle clips, Jim Bolger was bundled into a Crossley Tender on the Callan road.

Jim was tall and strong, but he never used his strength to hurt anyone. An inoffensive, obliging, and hard-working man, he had little or no interest in politics.

He was driven to Kilkenny Military Barracks and from there to Woodstock. On the way, Tans taunted him on his supposed rebel involve-

ment that he denied. "You’ll be a fauking stiff Paddy if you don’t confess to the Major", one officer told him.

He repeated his denial, as he had no connection whatever with the insurgency.

"The Major’ll have this fauker for breakfast" another soldier wisecracked. There were several other references to "the Major" and what he could do to people who failed to confess, or offer information on the rebels. Tired of hearing about him, Jim asked: "Who’s this Major anyway?"

A Tan made a throat-cutting gesture and shook his head.

Gravely, he intoned: "He’s your ticket to Heaven or to Hell, Paddy. If you don’t confess like a good lad, you’re a gonner my son…a Fenian fauking stiff…Will your chums sing a nice ballad about you when you’ve snuffed it?" Jim remained silent for the remainder of the journey.

When the lorry reached Inistioge, it stopped at the bottom of a hill leading up High Street. Jim was blindfolded.

Thinking he was about to be shot, he muttered a quick prayer. Seeing his reaction, one of the Tans cocked his revolver and fired three shots.

Jim trembled at the sound of each one. But it was a dog that the soldier had executed.

It had been lying on the pave-

Michael Ruth Kilkenny

ment outside a village pub.

The Tan hollered: "got the blighter". His friends clapped and joked, one of them jesting that "a Fenian dog" had died for Ireland.

Jim heard the dying yelps of the collie. The dog had been a familiar feature of the village scene for more than a decade. Jim felt Tans digging him in the ribs as they sang Rule Britannia, and noticed that they didn’t appear to know the words of the song.

This greatly amused him.

He heard townspeople shouting and roaring defiance at "blackguards" and "bloody foreigners". The

Tans were hated anew in the village. They’d killed poor old Betsy the sheepdog. And Jim heard the shots that were fired over the heads of angry locals who stormed towards the lorry.

When the crowd had dispersed, the lorry rumbled on, grinding to a halt every few seconds along what Jim guessed must be a very steep hill.

Eventually, the bumpy ride came to an end. The engine fell silent. Jim heard commands being yelled in accents that he found difficult to understand…and the crunch of hobnailed boots in a courtyard.

The blindfold was removed and he found himself being pushed, dragged and prodded up steps by half a dozen Tan soldiers. The human express train propelled its way along a corridor...

To be continued…

My novel, Invaders, tells the story of how a small band of men and women in 17th century Ireland took on one of the most powerful armies in the world.

It’s available from Amazon and Kilkenny bookshops

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 3rd May 2024

Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny’s Barrel Yard

Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny’s Barrel Yard venue the place to be for Smithwick’s Kilkenny Roots Festival Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny’s iconic Barrel Yard venue is the place to be on Saturday and Sunday, May 4 and 5, as the acclaimed Freeman’s Country Carvery band and Jack Grace Band take to the stage for notto-be-missed live, outdoor performances.

The welcoming team at the enclosed, city centre venue are rolling out the red carpet for the entire Smithwick’s Kilkenny Roots Festival weekend from May 3 to 6 and promise an evening of fantastic live entertainment from 5pm onwards on Saturday, May 4, featuring a mix of classic country tunes and songs from honky tonk heroes of the 1960’s and 70’s.

Freeman’s Country Carvery fans can also enjoy delicious food prepared and served on-site from The Sausage Experience before they venture further around the City for the rest of the night and the Festival weekend.

The Jack Grace Band take to the stage, again from 5pm on the Sunday for the second live music session. The Sausage Experience will be back on site on the Sunday

Jack Grace

afternoon, feeding the festival masses and joining in the buzz.

Ignacio Peregrina, Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny Manager, said that as title sponsor, Smithwick’s Irish Ale will have an extra special welcome for Festival revellers right throughout the weekend.

“Smithwick’s has always been keen to support business, festivals and the wider economy in Kilkenny.

It’s a tradition that goes back generations to when the Smithwick family lived here.

We’re delighted to be the Title Sponsor again this year for the 26th edition of the Smithwick’s Kilkenny Roots Festival. It’s fantastic to see so many new acts on this year’s programme, as well as lots of favourites.

“It’s typically a weekend that we get fine weather and our enclosed, open-air Barrel Yard really is the place to be.

We’ve just recommenced our Barrel Yard sessions programme at weekends and the momentum is really building. We will have DJ sets, live music and mouthwatering food from around

the world served on site from a variety of top-class vendors each weekend until the end of September. It will be great and we’d encourage music lovers and those who enjoy the very best in Street Food to come and join us. A full bar is available throughout the weekend, also serving low alcohol and alcohol-free drinks.”

John Cleere, Festival Director Smithwick’s Kilkenny Roots Festival, said: “The support of Smithwick’s, our patrons, volunteers and friends is vital to the success of this great Festival weekend. We particularly appreciate the fabulous audiences that turn up every single year, often to support artists that are relatively unknown but who later go on to enjoy international acclaim. We’re looking forward to seeing lots of old faces, and many, many new ones too,” Mr Cleere said.

Entry to the live sessions is free and ample seating and standing space in available in the enclosed, heated outdoor space. A full bar will be available on May 4 and 5 and each weekend until the

end of September, featuring a range of options, including low and no-alcohol drinks.

The extended entertainment programme at The Barrel Yard across the summer will mainly showcase classic rock and Americana genres, but it will also feature a mix of chillout vibes, DJ sessions, and festival celebrations.

The Barrel Yard pays homage to the historic former brewery yard where wooden barrels were once repaired and stored, ready to be filled with Smithwick’s ale for distribution to pubs around Ireland.

It is the perfect spot for visitors and tour groups to unwind before or after their visit, and for friends and family to gather and enjoy Smithwick’s famous red ale in the heart of medieval Kilkenny city before exploring the surrounding pubs, restaurants, and hotels.

For more information, visit www.smithwicks experience.com or follow @smithwicks_ireland on Instagram.

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Global Report By becoming the first former US president to face criminal trial, Donald J. Trump is in court in the trial over payments to former adult star Stormy Daniels [pictured], watching someone else try to define his legacy even as he campaigns for a second term in the Oval Office.

The halo is slipping and the feisty fighting and brash loudness of the former president is falling fast. He looks stressed and unkempt.

Eight years on from his 2016 victory and as November 2024 edges closer, the real Donald Trump has been revealed before the world in a courtroom in lower Manhattan.

Over the first four days of testimony , former National Enquirer executive David Pecker told the jury not only how deeply involved Trump’s team was in using the tabloid magazine to fuel his 2016 presidential campaign, but also how celebrities and politicians generally try to buy, trade or bully their way out of scandalous stories.

Prosecutors tried to show how Trump was acutely aware of the machinations being made on his behalf by the tabloid executive and Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and fixer. After Pecker’s testimony concluded, jurors heard from Trump’s long-time assistant and Cohen’s former banker.

Evidence shows Cohen paid $130,000 (€120,000) in hush money to Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 election to buy her silence about an alleged sexual encounter she had with Trump years earlier. Trump is on trial for falsifying business records related to his reimbursement to Cohen of that payment; prosecutors allege he categorised the payments as a legal fee, rather than a campaign expense, to keep it from public disclosure forms.

The transactional tabloid dynamic was spelled out in raw terms in text messages sent by Dylan Howard, one of Pecker’s top deputies and a former Enquirer editor. The most pointed of those messages were presented to the presiding judge, New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, but probably will not be seen by jurors because Howard is in Australia and for health reasons cannot appear at the trial to testify.

“Information is powerful, and I’m collecting a lot,” one text read from Howard to a close relative in June 2016. At the time, Howard had been assessing the credibility of various people who came forward with scandalous stories about candidate Trump.

“Mind you, in the event that he’s elected, it doesn’t hurt, the favours I have done, provided it’s kept secret,” Howard texted. “At least, if he wins, I’ll be pardoned for electoral fraud.”

For years, Pecker told the jury, he and his friend Trump — then a reality TV star — had a mutually beneficial relationship that involved

Trump’s halo is slipping

wanted such stories suppressed to aid his presidential campaign, particularly after The Washington Post reported in October 2016 how Trump had bragged on tape about grabbing women by their genitalia. Trump’s defence team has argued that most of what the prosecutors are showing the jury is not information-sharing in the celebrity world. When Trump decided to run for US president, that relationship kicked into overdrive, as the Enquirer published glowing stories about the brash tycoon and ran many others pummelling his political rivals.

Yet the first week of trial testimony showed the arrangement was far from foolproof.

Just four days before the 2016 election, the Wall Street Journal revealed the Enquirer had secretly paid Playboy model Karen McDougal for the rights to her story about an affair with Trump. The Enquirer then refused to publish the story, a practice known as ‘catch and kill’.

After the Journal wrote about the arrangement, a furious Trump called Pecker.

“How could this happen? I thought you had this under control,” Trump said, according to Pecker.

At the time, Pecker’s company publicly denied buying McDougal’s story to keep her quiet. After being granted immunity from prosecution,

however, he testified that was precisely what he had done.

Cohen promised him he would be reimbursed for paying McDougal, Pecker said, but his lawyers warned him later that such compensation was potentially a crime and said he might have already broken campaign finance law by paying McDougal.

And so, Pecker testified, he baulked at paying again when a lawyer for Stormy Daniels came forward to sell her story of a sexual tryst with Trump.

“I am not purchasing this story. I am not going to be involved with a porn star, and I am not a bank,” Pecker said he told Cohen.

Trump ultimately instructed Cohen to pay Daniels $130,000 for her silence, according to evidence from this case and a previous federal investigation. The resulting reimbursements are the reason Trump is now on trial for 34 counts of falsifying business records. He has pleaded not guilty.

The Manhattan district attorney charges that Trump

criminal conduct, saying that if any crime were committed, it was by Cohen, not Trump.

Prosecutors say Trump’s primary motive in keeping the scandalous stories quiet was to help his campaign, but evidence they elicited from Pecker shows Trump was still trying to keep those secrets after he won the election.

His hair: is the answer blowing in the wind?

Donald Trump’s hair has long been a hot topic of conversation, with many still wondering about the mechanics of his iconic ‘do’. From questioning whether it’s really the former US president’s natural hair to guessing the number of transplants he’s had to achieve the inimitable look, there are tons of unanswered questions plaguing the American nation.

Adding fuel to the fire, Trump occasionally struggles to control his mane in public, which is what happened on the third day of his instantly infamous “hush money” case.

While en route to the courthouse on Thursday, April 25, the controversial politician made a quick visit to a construction site, where he chatted with the media. However, it wasn’t Trump’s words that grabbed their attention — it was his unruly hair, struggling against the merciless New York City gusts. The former president’s distinguished blonde locks failed to hold up (quite literally), exposing what seemed to be a bald head underneath.

The footage of Trump’s combover dancing in the breeze quickly spread on social media, particularly on X, formerly known as Twitter, where critics flipped over his floppy ‘do. From dissecting the physics of his flowing strands to outright, unabashed mockery, users had an absolute field day with the former TV show Apprentice host’s latest hair fiasco, fuelling the myriad conspiracy theories behind it.

Trump also worried about boxes of documents about him that the Enquirer had acquired over the years, Pecker testified. The executive tried to reassure his friend and Cohen that the files were a harmless collection of old news stories.

Nevertheless, at a meeting at Trump Tower in late 2016, Cohen pressed Pecker to let him go through the boxes.

Pecker declined, he said.

At that same meeting, Cohen complained to Pecker that Trump had yet to reimburse him for the money he had paid to Daniels, and that he also had not received his Christmas bonus from his boss. “He asked me to speak to Donald Trump,” Pecker said in court.

So Pecker urged Trump to pay Cohen his bonus, to which the president-elect replied: “Don’t worry about it, I’ll take care of it.”

But, once Trump was president, it became harder to keep his skeletons in the closet, Pecker testified.

Pecker’s deal with McDougal was supposed to keep her quiet, but after the election he amended the deal to allow her to talk to the press — a move that led Trump to call him in a rage.

“You paid her?” Trump asked in astonishment, according to Pecker, who added: “He was very upset. He couldn’t understand why I did it.”

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Helen Hughes Butler Gallery is very pleased to continue ‘finding the most forgiving element,’ a new body of work by Helen Hughes that includes sculptures, print works and two short films. Speaking with The Kilkenny Observer , the artist said: “Making and materiality are foundational in my predominately sculptural practice which takes influence from mass produced commodities and the fetishistic surfaces of retail”.

Helen also commented that honing and developing her own improvised, markedly physical processes, and utilising materials that are wilful and difficult to control (e.g. balloons and fast-cast resins) her practice is rooted in the body and its way of understanding.

The Mayo born artist said that her intention counters increasingly virtual ways of navigating the world and a growing remove from materiality. Pushing against the nature of materials and their designed functioning, she embraces the surprise and perversity that materialises to reference the accidental/incidental occurring in manufacture.

Drawing attention to latent qualities and hidden agency within materials, Ms Hughes views this as an expansion of the industrial process where her improvised actions result in a more human sensibility.

Helen Hughes’ process initially involves much time researching materials, experimenting by folding, dripping, expanding and conjuring up many iterations of an idea in the studio before allowing the works to evolve with conviction. Some of these materials are robust and lasting but most are impossibly fragile.

Hughes inhabits the gallery with brightly-coloured, glossy, ephemeral works that delight, like a perfectly created ice cream sundae dripping in delicious chocolate sauce. She forces the materials she employs to do things they were not originally meant to do.

Discovering qualities that have been sleeping within, she awakens them, and lets them be seen as something else.

There is a deeply empathetic quality in Hughes’ sculptures that brings to mind the work of Eva Hesse, a pioneering figure in the post-minimalist art of the 1960s, who left an indelible mark on the art world during her brief but impactful career. The physicality yet fragility of Hesse’s use of non-traditional materials, which blended randomness and structure, chaos and order, remain active and relevant in Hughes’s evocative work. In this exhibition, ‘finding the most forgiving element’, Helen Hughes has created a joyous dialogue between materials, processes, signifiers and space that resonates with power and distinction.

About the Artist Helen Hughes is a Mayo-born artist living and working in Dublin. She graduated from Chelsea College of Art and Design, London with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art and completed a Masters in Visual Arts Practices through IADT Dublin. She has exhibited widely and her work has received commendations both in Ireland and internationally. Recent shows include Custom House Gallery, Westport

To crinkle the light bouncing off, 2024

finding the most forgiving element, Helen Hughes, Installation View, Photo Credit: Ros Kavanagh

Helen Hughes at Butler Gallery

A kind of ethical involvement 1, 2024, finding the most forgiving element, Helen Hughes, Installation View, Photo Credit: Ros Kavanagh

38 Sensory Boxes finding the most forgiving element Helen Hughes Photo Credit Ros Kavanagh Butler Gallery

A_FILM_BLACK_REV_, 2024, finding the most forgiving element, Helen Hughes, Installation View, Photo Credit: Ros Kavanagh

Digital Gallery Process Film, finding the most forgiving element, Helen Hughes, Installation View, Photo Credit: Ros Kavanagh

(2022), “and Yes, daydreamer S u r R e n d e r”, Roscommon Arts Centre (2021/22), Periodical Review #9, Pallas Projects, Dublin (2019), Dearly Beloved...

VISUAL, Carlow (2019) and Syntonic State,TULCA, Galway (2018). She was awarded a Professional Development Bursary from the Arts Council in 2020 and 2022. Also in 2022, she was the Artist-in-Residence on the NCAD MA Fine Art programme and a participant in the Platform 31 grant scheme through Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County

Council. She was awarded a public art commission for the Lemon Street area off Grafton Street, to be completed in 2024. Hughes’ next solo exhibition will be at the Ballina Arts Centre, Co. Mayo in 2025.

Helen Hughes exhibition is running until 26th May. A selection of the artworks included in the exhibition are available for sale.

Please contact Anna O'Sullivan, Butler Gallery Director and Chief Curator, by email at director@ butlergallery.ie for details.

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Sola performance Anzac Day All photos

by Pat Shortall

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.”

Berni Egan who recited the Prayer of Remembrance at the WW1 museum

Mr Ernest Stoked , from The New Zealand Embassy joined the Anzac commemorations at The Peace Park in Kilkenny

Mr James Hazell representing The Australian Embassy at Anzac day in Kilkenny

Committee member of The Kilkenny Great war memorial committe John Joe Cullen recited ‘Our Nameless dead’ for Anzac day

Chair of the Kilkenny Great War Memorial committee who spoke at the Anzac Day

P.J Norton , who attended the commemorations at Kilkenny’s Peace Park for Anzac day

Remarkable heroism recalled as Anz Photos by Pat Shortall Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served".

The month of April marks the anniversary of the Australian and New Zealand landings at Gallipoli (now known as ANZAC cove). The sacrifice made by both countries during the eightmonth long Gallipoli campaign quickly began to symbolize the emergence of their national identity.

This identity exemplified by ANZAC day, The National Day of

Remembrance in Australia, and New Zealand.

The Kilkenny Great War Memorial stands testament to over 830 men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the Great War. Included on its panels the names of 20 ANZAC soldiers and one nurse (Kathleen Power), all who were from Co Kilkenny.

Surnames like, Mulroney, Deevy, Dunphy, Doyle, Butler, Purcell, Leahy, Power, and Langton all bear testament to Kilkenny roots. Parish of origin include St Johns, Clara, Paulstown, Graignamanagh, Callan, Freshford and Aghavillar to name but a few.

Like all soldiers who were recruited in Ireland during the war, ANSZACS were volunteer

soldiers. Conscription was never introduced in Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand.

On Sunday April 21st, almost 100 people gathered at the ww1 war memorial at The Peace Park on John’s Quay to remember this special day.

Representatives from the embassies of Australia, New Zealand and Turkey were in attendance as were officials and councillors from Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford, Waterford and Tipperary.

Kilkenny’s James Stephens barracks was represented by Commandant Jim Murray while Sergeant David Gorman represented the Kilkenny Gardaí.

Seeds of awareness Speaking at the event, the Second Secretary from the Embassy

of the republic of Turkey spoke of his delight to be in attendance.

In a very heartfelt speech, Mr Mehmet Ege Ersen said “out of conflict, the seeds of national awareness were sown for Turkiye, the Anzacs and Ireland.”

“All those who fought, showed remarkable heroism, gallantry and human respect”, said Mehmet.

National Consciousness James Hazell, Deputy Head of Missions at the Australian embassy, spoke of the enormous affect the Gallipoli campaign had on his country. “In Australia it marked a moment when a new kind of National consciousness came into being. It has always held special significance in commemorating those who took part, not only in

the Great War, but in all the conflicts and Peacekeeping missions the followed”.

New Zealand Mr Ernest Stokes , of the New Zealand Embassy spoke of the trauma that was inflicted on Europe during WW1. “ New Zealanders will forever have a place in their hearts for those who made up the Anzacs and they will be forever in our hearts. We will never forget them”, said Mr Stokes A word of thanks Chairman of the Kilkenny Great War memorial committee Mr Donal Croghan, thanked everyone who took part in the Anzac Day celebrations which now included bodies from the South East. Mr Croghan said that the amount of

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Sola performance Anzac Day

Mehmet Ege Ersen, Turkish Embassy, James Hazell, Australian Embassy and Ernest Stokes, New Zealand Embassy at the Anzac day held in Kilkenny

Mayor of Waterford Cllr. Jodie Power joined Mayor Joe Malone at The Anzac Commemorations

Kilkenny Unity singers under the baton of John O’Neill entertained at the Anzac celebrations

Pictured with Mayor Malone at the Anzac commemorations were Mr Ernest Stokes , New Zealand Embassy, Mehmet Ege Ersen, Turkish embassy , Mr James Hazell, Australian embassy along with local volunteers and politicians

Mehmet Ege Ersen represented the Turkish embassy at The Anzac commemorations in Kilkenny

The Ode of Remembrance was read in Maori by Wendi O’Keffe

Former army man, Mayor Joe Malone pictured with army colleagues at The Peace Park

Tom Burke who recited the ‘Ode of Remembrance’ in English

Section of the attendance who assembled at The WW1 monument at Kilkenny’s Pece park for Anzac day

ac day is commemorated in Kilkenny planning such events was enormous and his committee were very grateful to all who participated.

The hour long event which took place in glorious April sunshine was attended by close to 100 people. The commemoration was enhanced greatly by The Unity singers and John O’Neill, Finbarr McCarthy (piper) Berni Egan (who read the prayer of remembrance), and John Joe Cullen who recited a poem ‘Our Nameless Dead’. ‘The Ode of Remembrance’ was read in English

by Mr Tom Burke, and in Maori by Wendi O’Keeffe.

The Last Post and Reveille were played by Michael Furlong retired company sergeant U.N veterans and The Irish Flag raised to full mast by Michael Dawson.

Wreath Laying The following Laid wreaths on the day: Michael Doyle (chair of Kilkenny County Council), James Hazell ( Australian Embassy), Ernest Stokes ( New Zealand Embassy) Mehmet Ege Ersen ( Turkish Embassy), Cllr. Joe Malone ( Mayor of Kilkenny) Cllr. Eugene McGuinness (Kilkenny County Council). Cllr Jody Power (Waterford County Council), Cmmt. Jim Murray, (James Stephens Barracks), John Collins (chief Fire Officer), Sergeant David Gorman (Kilkenny Gardaí), John Sheehan (Royal Dublin Fusileers) Kay Nagle (Reg’ of foot Royal Irish Regiment and South Irish horse association), Tony Cosgrave (O.N.E. South Tipperary), Brian Moroney (Royal Dublin Fusileers) Gus Hennessy (O.N.E) Jim Free (Nth Ireland) Paddy Horohan (Kilkenny Great War Memorial Committee).

Volunteers from The Great War memorial committee pictured with members of the public who contributed to The Anzac day commemorations

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 3rd May 2024

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Kilkenny County Council launches Kilkenny City pilot Night Time Economy Action Plan

Kilkenny County Council have launched the Kilkenny City pilot Night Time Economy Action Plan 20242025. The plan was published in tandem with the launch of Fáilte Ireland’s Destination Experience Development Plan at St Canice’s Cathedral.

The appointment of a Night Time Economy Advisor and the establishment of a Night Time Economy Stakeholder Forum along with the development of a bespoke action plan follows

Kilkenny City’s successful designation as a pilot area for the night time economy for two years by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Speaking at the launch, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr Michael Doyle, said “I welcome the introduction of this pilot Night Time Economy Action Plan for Kilkenny City. The action plan offers a structured framework to continue nurturing our

vibrant night time economy, which is an integral aspect of Kilkenny’s identity. Built upon four strategic pillars— placemaking, mobility and accessibility, safety and security, evening and night time activity and marketing and promotion, this plan sets out objectives and actions aimed at collectively strengthening and invigorating Kilkenny’s night time economy.”

Commenting on the plan, Chief Executive of

Kilkenny County Council, Lar Power, remarked that the implementation of the plan aligns with the Local Authority’s Full Forward Kilkenny 2030 ambition to create a City that residents and future generations can be proud of, offering a high quality of life and opportunities for all.

“The establishment of a highly engaged stakeholder forum and an inclusive consultation process have been key elements in the creation of this plan, the first of its kind in Ireland. By working with our partners, we want to deliver on the 24 actions in the pilot plan to achieve our vision as the foremost evening and night time destination in Ireland.

In doing so we will be in a position to balance the needs of the inter-related communities that co-exist to bring the night to life and offer a sustainable, vibrant, cultural and diverse experience.”

Night Time Economy Advisor for Kilkenny City, Conor Sweeney, said that the short timeframe of 18 months for implementation for the

pilot ensures the plan is focused on key deliverables.

“Since my appointment last October, I have been energised by the positive engagement within the membership of our stakeholder forum, the various agencies and groups across the City and the members of the public who proactively participated in the consultation process.

The actions set out within the plan are a result of the direct feedback we have receiving over the last six months on the areas to focus on. One of first actions to be implemented is the establishment of a Night Time Economy Diversification Fund and we are pleased to open Call 1 for applications today. This fund has been designed to support applicants to trial new and exciting concepts that will enable the growth and diversity of the night time economy in the City.”

Note: Kilkenny City has been designated as a pilot city from October 2023 to September 2025. The other 8 towns and

cities participating in the pilot are Dublin City, Cork City, Galway City, Limerick City, Drogheda, Sligo, Buncrana and Longford Town.

Under the Night Time Economy Diversification Fund Kilkenny County Council is seeking proposals from local businesses, community groups, event organisers, collaborators and individuals to develop projects that will support the growth and diversity of the night time economy in Kilkenny City. It has been designed to support applicants to try new and exciting concepts after 6pm between Sunday and Thursday. Call 1 will support events that take place between 9th June and 29th August. The deadline for applications under Call 1 is Friday 24th May. The pilot Night Time Economy Action plan for Kilkenny City and the grant application and guidance note for the funding scheme can be downloaded at https://www.localenterprise. ie/Kilkenny/EnterpriseDevelopment/Night-TimeEconomy/

Climate Change

– are we all playing our part?

WEEK 67

“When God created the world, He saw that it was good”

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Kilkenny Roots Festival

Sam Outlaw finishes off an extensive European tour with two shows at Kilkenny Roots Festival this weekend

Sam will have played a string of shows to sold out audiences in Spain, Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands and the UK before arriving in Kilkenny on Sunday night with his five piece American band.

Sam is based in southern California. He is steeped in the music and myths of west coast country, absorbing the classic vibes of everything from ’60s Bakersfield honky-tonk to ’70s Laurel Canyon troubadour pop and refashioning them into a sound that’s pleasurably past, present and future tense.

For many music fans he is considered the heir apparent to country legend Dwight Yoakam. Sam himself refers to his music as "SoCal Country," a contemporary interpretation of country music with a Californian flair. His songs are powerful and timeless,

complete with guitar, violin, and occasional Mexican influences. During this concert, he will perform not only his hits like "Ghost Town" and "Trouble" but also songs from his just released fourth album, “Terra Cotta.”

Sam’s first album was "Angeleno" in 2015, produced

by Ry and Joachim Cooder, Coincidentally, Joachim Cooder appears at the festival on Saturday 4th May. He has toured the world extensively, including as an opening act for country giants Kacey Musgraves, John Prine, and Dwight Yoakam. He has also made multiple appearances on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Sam's songs have been featured in popular TV shows such as Nashville, and his music has been streamed millions of times. He released his brand new single "Ways To Go," in January, providing a beautiful preview of his upcoming album.

Sam was born Sam Morton, but when he decided to actively pursue a music career, he borrowed his mother's maiden name, Outlaw, for his stage name. His mother has since died and he honours her by continuing to use the family name.

Sam Outlaw and his band take the stage at Kytelers at 9pm on Sunday 5th and will close the festival at the same venue on Monday 6th.

Tickets for all shows are on sale through the festival website https://kilkennyroots.com/

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Sycamores and Aylesbury Estate Ann Hayes and Clodagh Shortall at the celebration of 50 Years of the Sycamores and Aylesbury Estate

Sycamores and Aylesbury Residents Association Committee members , Clodagh Shortall, Thos Hayes, Rena Kennedy ,Secretary, Pat Moylan Chair, Ken Prendergast, Liz Kavanagh, Peter Dukelow Treasurer, Felix Nolan, Donal

Sycamores and Aylesbury Estate Celebrating 50 years 1974 – 2024 The Sycamores and Aylesbury Residents Association recently held a function in The Kilkenny House Hotel on the Freshford Road to celebrate 50 years since the foundation of the estate in a much sought after location in Kilkenny City.

A commemorative history brochure of the estate was launched on the night by the Mayor of Kilkenny Joe Malone followed by refreshments and a well-attended social event.

A planning permission notice for the estate first appeared in The Irish Times newspaper on Thursday 16th November 1972 lodged by Sylvan Homes Ltd. The wording of the advertisement was quite innocuous compared to today’s legal requirements with permission being requested for “a residential development at Talbotsinch, Kilkenny”.

Sylvan Homes Ltd (a member of the Brooks Watson Group) were located at 56 Upper Drumcondra Road, Dublin 9 who at that time “had considerable experience in private house building with developments carried out at Swords, Templeogue, Greystones and Malahide Co. Dublin”. Kilkenny Co. Council subsequently granted Planning Permission to Sylvan Homes Ltd. on the 24th May 1973.

An attractive brochure produced by Sylvan Homes Ltd. proclaimed the construction of private detached and semi-detached houses” with a view to creating an

Damian Curry, Jill Anthrop, Ger Power and Emily Ann Curry at the launch of 50 Years of The Sycamores and Aylesbury Estate.

Delia O Donohoe and Catherine Moylan enjoy proceedings.

Mayor Joe Malone Rena Kennedy, Secretary of the Sycamores and Aylesbury Residents Association at the launch of 50 years in The Sycamores and Aylesbury Estate.

appealing aspect for the scheme as a whole” to provide “a first class 1970’s living style . . . with the built in bonus of healthy relaxed living in delightfully rural surroundings”.

Detached Luxury Homes were advertised at £9,600 net with a rateable valuation of £25 seeking a £1,000 booking deposit while SemiDetached Houses were offered at £7,450 net with a rateable valuation of £20 requiring a booking deposit of £750 – how things have changed!

Written records found during research further showed that houses could even be bought for £ Picture Captions from the 50 Years Launch Night in the Kilkenny House Hotel.

Petitt Engineers were

Pat Moylan, Sycamores and Aylesbury Residents Association with Mai Fitzgerald ,one of the 1st residents in the Sycamores and Aylesbury Estate.

Pat Mullally, Ber Mullally, Mairin McGrath and Aine Murphy celebrate 50 years of history in the Sycamores and Aylesbury Estate. (1)

the consulting engineers for Sylvan Homes Ltd as construction commenced in early 1974 on the first houses (Sycamores 1-11) adjoining the Freshford Road. At this time, no. 11 The Sycamores was the show house for detached houses in the estate, floored with deep rich carpets throughout. Reportedly, on many a Sunday, people from the surrounding countryside would visit the Sycamores estate to look at these “Spanish style houses with distinctive arches” which were in complete contrast to the bungalow bliss of the 70’s.

The first site foreman with Sylvan Homes Ltd was Edward (Ned) Brennan (formerly of McInerney Homes) from Meadow Hill who was also a hurley maker (Castle Hurleys).

He built the original Brennan’s shop now known as Ruth’s Shop) at No. 42A The Sycamores, with his son Michael and wife Teresa Brennan being the first shop-keepers before the ownership passed to Jimmy Brennan (Threecastles) R.I.P and his wife Sheila in the year 1983. The shop remains an invaluable community hub and resource in the estate to this day.

Building works advanced with 60-70 men employed on site with a building target of one finished house per

week. As house prices went up, house designs were modified to keep homes affordable for would-be purchasers. No. 112 the Sycamores was the first two bedroomed house to be built in the estate with a sales price of less than £4,000 – this house also doubled as the show house for this prevalent house throughout the estate today.

Aylesbury Subsequently (c. 1978), Sylvan Homes Ltd. went into liquidation with Clonmel Construction Company Ltd based at 290 Viewmount Park, Waterford taking over the building of all the Aylesbury houses in the estate along with house Nos. 185 and 186 The Sycamores.

This building company change gives the estate its unique pattern of inter-twined mix of Sycamores and Aylesbury houses today.

The Aylesbury sales brochure proclaimed “AYLESBURY at the Sycamores . . . all the good living advantages any family could want . . . all the value in modern day living any family could need”. Detached houses were advertised at £21,400 with semidetached houses at £19,700 requiring a deposit of £1,500. In poorer economic times, a mortgage update statement issued by a bank showed a prevailing interest rate of 17.95%.

The sole selling agent was Martin O’Carroll (R.I.P.) M.I.A.V.I. Estate Agent, 84 High Street, Kilkenny.

Aylesbury houses No’s 1-18 began construction in 1979 with a total of 79 Aylesbury houses built in the estate.

There are 178 Sycamores houses in the estate today.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 3rd May 2024

Food & Drink

Dine Me Come

With

Slow cooker coq au vin Prep: 30 mins Cook: 4 hrs Serves: 4

Use budget-friendly chicken thighs in this delicious slow cooker coq au vin – they make the best cut for slow cooking. Enjoy with mash or tagliatelle.

STEP 4 While the chicken cooks, heat the remaining butter in a clean pan and fry the mushrooms for 4-5 mins over a medium heat. Tip into the slow cooker about an hour before the end of cooking and stir. At this stage, the coq au vin can be cooled and kept chilled for up to three days or frozen for up to three months. Defrost and reheat in a pan over a medium heat until piping hot. Scatter over the parsley, if using, and serve with mash or buttered tagliatelle.

Asparagus and tuna salad Give the bistro classic, niçoise salad, a seasonal twist by swapping green beans for tender asparagus.

Ingredients • 8 baby new potatoes • 2 medium eggs • 125g pack asparagus, woody ends removed • 185g can tuna, drained and flaked into very large chunks • small handful small black olives, halved • 1 romaine lettuce, leaves torn into chunks • crusty bread, to serve For the dressing • 1 shallot, finely chopped • 1 tsp English mustard powder • 2 tbsp white wine vinegar • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, or use the oil from the tuna can (if bought in oil) • pinch of sugar

STEP 2 Tip the bacon into the same pan and fry for 5-6 mins until crisp, then add to the slow cooker. Tip the onions or shallots and carrots into the pan and fry in the bacon fat for 5 mins until starting to colour. Add the garlic, cook for 1 min more, then sprinkle over the flour and cook for 1-2 mins until you have a sandy paste. Stir through the tomato purée and cook for 2 mins more. Bring to the boil, then turn down to a simmer for 2 mins.

STEP 3 Tip the contents of the pan over the chicken. Pour the stock and wine into the pan, bring to the boil, then pour into the slow cooker. Nestle in the bay leaves and thyme, season, then set the slow cooker on high for 3-4 hrs, 5-6 hrs on medium or 7-8 hrs on low, stirring once or twice, until the chicken is tender.

Ingredients • 8 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs • 30g butter • 140g smoked bacon lardons or diced smoked pancetta • 400g pearl onions or small shallots peeled and left whole (see tip, below) • 2 large or 4 small carrots, peeled and cut into chunks • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • 3 tbsp plain flour • 1 tbsp tomato purée • 300ml chicken stock • 600ml red wine • 2 bay leaves • 1 large thyme sprig • 300g button chestnut mushrooms, kept whole, larger ones chopped • handful of parsley leaves, chopped (optional) • mash or buttered tagliatelle, to serve

Prep: 20 mins Cook: 12 mins Serves: 2

STEP 1 Season the chicken. Melt half the butter in a deep frying pan or large flameproof casserole over a medium heat and cook the chicken, skin-side down, for 10 mins until deep golden. Flip to seal the fleshy side for a few minutes – you may need to do this in batches. Put in the slow cooker.

Method STEP 1 Boil the potatoes for 8-12 mins until tender. Drain, cool a little under cold running water, then drain again well and set aside to finish cooling.

STEP 2 Put the eggs in a pan of cold water and bring to the boil. As soon as the water is boiling, add the asparagus for 2 mins. Drain well and rinse everything under cold water to cool. Again drain asparagus well.

STEP 3 Once cool enough to handle, peel the eggs and halve or quarter. Whisk the dressing ingredients with 1 tbsp water and some seasoning.

STEP 4 Tip the potatoes, asparagus, tuna, olives and lettuce into a bowl. Drizzle over the dressing and toss well to coat, then add the eggs and serve with crusty bread.

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Advertisement Advertisement TV & Streaming

to stream right now this weekend 1. Slow Horses

Slow Horses On Apple TV+ is an espionage thriller that explores familiar themes and character archetypes, but it doesn’t matter thanks to the quality of the writing and acting here. Gary Oldman stars as Jackson Lamb, the ramshackle leader of a bunch of MI5 agents. And Will Smith (no, not that one) of Veep fame contributed to the script.

The six-episode seasons, of which there are two, leave little room for bloat. Season one is themed around far- right domestic terrorism, the second on Russian sleeper agents.

2. Hunters

The top ‘twisted’ Turkish drama taking over Netflix The Netflix library is full of English-language content, from commercial hits to critical duds. But in recent years, the streaming giant has also invested in shows and films from other parts of the world, from the shores of South Africa to the scapes of South Korea.

This time, we have a Turkish drama series that has taken Netflix by storm.

Viewers have taken to social media about the insane “twists and turns” that keep coming on this one.

Directed by Cem Karcı and produced by OGM Pictures, The Tailor (original title Terzi) is inspired by true events. The series, which premiered on Netflix on May 2, 2023, almost didn’t make it to the streaming platform.

Originally intended for dis-

tribution by TV8, The Tailor faced a setback when the Turkish channel could no longer afford it. However, Netflix swiftly seized the opportunity, acquiring the series and bringing it to a global audience.

The plot of The Tailor revolves around Peyami Dokumacı (Çagatay Ulusoy), a young and wellknown tailor who inherits both skills and a thriving business from his grandfather. But when his grandfather passes away, Peyami’s life takes an unexpected turn as he must now care for his father, Mustafa (Olgun Simsek), who is mentally disabled. Peyami brings Mustafa to Istanbul to live with him.

However, Mustafa’s presence is a closely guarded secret and a source of

shame for Peyami, and he is determined to keep it hidden from the world. However, pictured above, their lives are further complicated when Esvet (Sifanur Gül) enters the picture, bringing with her a mysterious past and a complicated present.

The series delves into Peyami’s struggle to navigate his challenging circumstances while harbouring feelings for one of his clients, a bride-to-be. As the story unfolds, secrets are revealed, relationships are tested, and the characters are drawn into pure chaos and the twistiest drama.

Despite not having a critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, The Tailor has garnered an impressive audience score of 81% based on less than 50 reviews.

While some have found this

Turkish drama enjoyable for its soap opera setting, others did not appreciate the cheesy premise full of clichés.

One audience member rated The Tailor four out of five stars but had a valid query: “Stylish, good weekend watch. Though I’m a bit confused how the dad fathered a son???!”

If you tend not to ask such silly questions or be bothered by such plot anomalies while watching over-thetop telenovelas, then this show might just be for you.

You can watch other nonEnglish language series on Netflix. But if you are a connoisseur of soap operas that are all about family honour, power, money, and really dramatic acting, then tune into The Tailor on Netflix.

Oscar-nominated modern classic on Prime Amazon Prime Video is on a roll, and has just added one of the best films of the last 12 months to its roster.

Best Film Oscar nominee The Zone Of Interest has joined Prime Video, and needs to go on the “must watch” list of every subscriber.

Is it the obvious pick for a lazy Friday night in? Perhaps not, but Jonathan Glazer’s movie is a fantastic watch.

It’s based on the novel of

the same name by Martin Amis.The Zone Of Interest looks into the (fictionalised) life of SS officer Rudolf Höss, living on the outskirts of the Auschwitz concentration camp.

The film won the Best International Feature Film Oscar and the Outstanding British Film BAFTA. It was also nominated for just about every major award going in the last season.

The Guardian called it a

“brutal masterpiece” with an impact that “all but knocks the breath from your body”. And yes, it gave the film a full five stars. It was a fairly common reaction to The Zone of Interest, which currently sits at an impressive 93% at Rotten Tomatoes.

The few less positive reviews tend to take issue with the way Glazer keeps the horrors of Auschwitz, and the plight of those interned

there, off-screen. But that is kind of the whole point of the film’s approach.

This is the latest of three cracking Oscar nominated movies to come to Prime Video in recent weeks, following Anatomy Of A Fall and American Fiction. All three come highly recommend, while Road House and Saltburn are on hand should you need a palate cleaner. Nice work, Prime Video.

Al Pacino plays a Nazi hunter in Hunters on Amazon Prime, a show that surely would never have attracted such a star presence in the pre-golden age of TV era. The show is currently in its second season, which sees Pacino’s Meyer Offerman track down Hitler himself, after it is discovered the Nazi leader is actually still alive.

Sound preposterous? Sure, but that’s all part of the Hunters vibe, a tonal melange that reaches its heights when indulging in the ridiculous. And, crucially, season two sticks the landing. There are 10 episodes in Season 1, eight in Season 2.

3. Clark

The con is on. Bill Skarsgard plays Clark Olofsson in this crime story on Netflix based on a real-world figure from Sweden. Some say this represents a career-best performance from Skarsgard, a tall order following his iconic portrayal of Pennywise in horror smash It. He brings life to what is a rather nasty gangster character. Most criticism of Clark revolves around the idea it gets too close to glorifying a monster — a pitfall of true crime content that may or may not be a turn off.

4. Under The Banner Of Heaven

Andrew Garfield becomes a detective investigating a double murder in a mormon community in the US’s Salt Lake City. This weightyfeeling seven-part miniseries on Disney + is based on a non-fiction book by Jon Krakauer.

It has big themes, but is not so big on action, so pick this one up if you’re looking to engage your brain and, sure, your heart too.

Each episode runs at a little over an hour bar the roughly 90-minute finale. But as this is a mini series you can be sure you’re not strung along beyond the initial run.

5. I Hate Suzie Too

Celebrity Suzie Pickles’s (Billie Piper) life is turned upside down when compromising pictures of her are leaked online. That is the backstory behind I Hate Susie Too on Now TV, the follow-up second season to 2020’s I Hate Suzie. This season starts with a similarly nightmarish scenario as Suzie’s ex posts a tell-all account of their relationship online.

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Kilkenny Floodlit Soccer league

The 23rd Kilkenny Floodlit Soccer league Awards night was held in Kytelers Inn on Friday, April 26th Trophies in this seasons competitions were presented to winners and runners up by league sponsor John Dalton of Daltons Mills Home and Farm Shop.

John spoke about the many happy years he himself had in playing in the league and wished it many more years of success.

Winners of the main competition the league Championship were Paulstown side Power Rangers and they were presented with the James Tynan memorial Cup by Brendan Tynan, James father. Runners up here were Egans Bar FC. City side Glendine FC were Div 1 winners with Power Rangers runners up here.

Lisdowney side Noreside FC won Div 2 league and Floodlit Cup while runners up were Dinan Rovers (Conahy) and Kearns Butchers.

Kells FC were Dalton Cup winners with O.S. Utd runners up here while Rural Roads Utd won the Floodlit Shield beating Dinan Rovers in the final.

A cheque for €5,000.00 was presented by league organisers Eamon Cleere and Gerry O’Keefe to the O'Neill Centre and this was accepted

by Director of Services Paula Rutkins who thanked all league players, officials and sponsor for this generous donation.

Player of the year Award was won by Jackie Tyrell Glendine FC for overall player of year.

Player of the year in Div 1 was Marc Drennan Power Rangers while Eoin Kenny Noreside FC won the Div 2 award.

Next season’s league will begin in September/October and any teams wishing to enter should contact Eamon Cleere 087 9582127 or go to league website www.kffl.ie for further information.

Brendan Tynan presents James Tynan memorial Cup to Jason Holden Captain Power Rangers

Jackie Tyrell player of year 2023 2024

Eamon Cleere presents cheque for €5000 to Paula Rutkins O’Neill Centre

Karl Tobin accepts Shield

Kells FC

Noreside FC Lisdowney

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Sport

Exercise – A powerful anti-inflammatory

BY PAUL BOLGER Chartered Physiotherapist at Nano Physiotherapy, Kilkenny WWW.NANOPHYSIO.IE

Within your body right now there is a magnificent and complex series of interactions taking place.

A part of what makes this process tick is our innate inflammatory response – keeping us safe from infection and keeping our tissues in pristine working order. Many things affect the levels of inflammation in our body at any given moment.

Exercise is a powerful antiinflammatory. This is one of the reasons why it is fantastic for health.

Inflammatory Changes with Exercise Exercise initially causes a temporary rise in inflammation. If you have been keeping up to date with my recent articles, you might have an idea as to why this is the case.

Inflammation is a key part of the body’s defence mechanism. It is vital in fighting infections and in the healing process. When we exercise and take strain through our muscles, joints and tissues, tiny, microscopic damage occurs.

This damage is a welcome

The influence of exercise on inflammation in the body

thing. In healing the microdamage, we overcompensate and become slightly stronger (this is how our bones and muscles become stronger with regular training).

In response to this damage, our body cranks up levels of inflammation to prepare the body for healing.

This is quickly followed by an increase in antiinflammatory cells that bring inflammation back down.

The more intensely we exercise, and the longer we do it for, the lower the body’s inflammation levels drop after exercise. In fact, some people who train really

Kilkenny Sport Focus Michael O’Leary

Handball There was great success for Kilkenny Handballers recently with All-Ireland titles for both Amy Brennan and Noah Manogue, while two weeks ago The Windgap Ladies Feile Handball Team won the clubs first ever Division One title in Aughapower County Mayo.

Amy Brennan from Conahy competes with Clogh Handball Club defeated Leah Minogue from Clare 21-12, 21-11 to win The Intermediate Singles All-Ireland Final in Croke Park, while Noah Manogue won The Minor Singles All-Ireland Final against Thomas O'Connor of Cork.

Noah's All-Ireland win was the 1st time that a Kilkenny player won a 40 x 20 Minor Singles title since Richie Hogan in 2006.

Amy was previously an All-Ireland Champion having won an U-16 All-Ireland Softball title, while she is also a very talented Camogie player having won U-16, Minor and Intermediate County titles with Conahy Shamrocks over the past few years.

Noah Manogue hurls for James Stephens and he was captain of The Village minor hurlers that won Minor and U-15 County titles over the past few years.

Meanwhile, The Windgap Ladies Feile Handball Team of Kate O'Brien, Moya Egan, Rachel Kennedy and Lucy Crowley won the Division One 40 x 20 title in Mayo as they acheived history by winning the clubs first ever Division One title.

Windgap defeated Kells and Kilfane along the way to qualifying for the All-Ireland Final, and they came up against Greencastle of Tyrone in the decider in what was a nailbiting

Windgap Handball

encounter.

They lost the first game 21-11, but the pairing of Kate O'Brien and Lucy Crowley won the second doubles match 21-9 as they ran out overall winners 32-30.

As the 40 x 20 season has winded down, Kilkenny Handballers have enjoyed plenty of success over the past few months winning Leinster and All-Ireland titles with attention now turning to the 60 x 30 season throughout the Summer months.

intensively for long periods of time actually lower their inflammatory levels (and immune function) so much that they are at higher risk of picking up an infection!

Long-Term AntiInflammatory When we are active regularly

(like when we meet our minimum recommended 150-mins of moderate intensity exercise per week), inflammatory levels gradually lower to a healthier baseline level.

This is part of the reason why people who are at risk of conditions related to

chronic inflammation – such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, dementia – can drastically cut their risk with regular physical active. And for those already suffering from one of these conditions – the anti-inflammatory effects of exercise are key in managing symptoms, slowing progression and improving quality of life.

One great thing about exercise is that the side effects, unlike with many medications, tend to be positive.

Harness Your Inner AntiInflammatories For those of you reading who do little to no exercise - any increase in exercise levels, with consistency, is a real positive. For those reading who suffer from a condition related to inflammation – such as many auto-immune related conditions – exercise may be a key component of your management strategy and is best undertaken with the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Exercise is just one way to harness your own inner antiinflammatory powers. As I wrote in last week’s article, body weight and diet are vital too. Next week we will weigh up other factors that affect inflammation both positively and negatively, and, in doing so, hopefully give you a greater appreciating for how making small changes in your week will have a great impact on your health.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 3rd May 2024

Community & GAA Notes

Kilkenny GAA clubs and Community news CLARA SENIORS LOSE OPENER Clara senior hurlers came out second best against a fired up Fenians in Clara on Thursday evening in the first round of the Senior/ Intermediate league. The teams were tied at 0-17 apiece with 10 minutes left to play but disappointingly Clara failed to score again and the Fenians reeled off eight points in a row to emerge with a comfortable win.

The first half was an even affair, after which the Johnstown men led 0-11 to 0-10. It took them all of 13 minutes to get their first score from play but frees kept them in it early on. Then they scored four of the last five points before the break to get their noses in front. Clara scored the first 3 points of the second half to regain the lead but the Fenians hit four of their own and were growing in confidence.

They converted a lot of frees (11 in all) and a lot of these were needless frees given away in defence having lost possession, when clearing the lines might have been a wiser option. By contrast Clara only scored three frees and their full forward line was starved of supply for much of the game. A James Bergin free and two points in a row from Paul Cody gave Clara parity with 10 minutes to go but it was the Fenians that kicked for home. 0-25 to 0-17 was how it finished and there wasn’t a goal chance for either side throughout.

Team - Kevin Nolan, Paddy Bolger, Sean O Shea, Evan Whearty.

Harry Boyle, Conor O Shea, David Langton. Martin O Connell 0-3, Liam Ryan 0-1. Ned Langton, Paul Cody 0-4, Jim Bergin 0-3f.

Cian Kelly, Chris Bolger 0-3, Sean Carrigan 0-3. Subs used Peter Nolan, Alan Coleman, Alex McDonald, Dillon Cummins.

MIXED FORTUNES There were mixed fortunes for some Clara men involved with Kilkenny over the weekend. Luke Lawlor gave a very assured performance in Kilkenny’s 3-15 to 1-10 win over Cork East in Celtic Challenge action in Nowlan Park on Saturday. On the same day David Barcoe was prominent for the Kilkenny minors but they went down 2-20 to 1-20 in Wexford Park to the hosts.

Then on Sunday John Murphy and Conor Phelan were part of the Kilkenny senior backroom team as they shared the spoils with Galway in Salthill. 0-29 to 2-23 was how it finished.

CLUB LOTTO Lotto results for 23rd April, Numbers drawn - 7, 13, 14. No Jackpot winner. €30 each to Niamh Langton, Billy O Dwyer, Siobhan Curtis, Ann O Shea, Ollie Langton.

The Gowran team, winners of category A, the under 11 years old

The Three Cousins Johnny Willie And Ned Delaney

O’ LOUGHLIN GAELS KILKENNY REPRESENTATION O’Loughlin Gaels players contributed greatly to Kilkenny’s game against Galway in the Leinster Senior Championship in Salthill on Sunday last with Paddy Deegan, Huw Lawlor, Mikey Butler, Luke Hogan, Owen Wall and Jordan Molloy all playing a part.

Not forgetting David Fogarty and Conor Heary who are also panel members. Well done to all.

Conor Holohan played with the Kilkenny minors while Daniel Mc Cormack and Cian Byrne are part of Manager Niall Bergin’s panel which went down to a narrow defeat to Wexford in Wexford Park last weekend. With one win recorded in the group and a game to go in their group followed by the knock out stages it’s all still to play for.

LOTTO There was no winner of O’Loughlin Gaels club lotto dated April 23rd.

Numbers drawn 1, 14, 21, 27 Bonus 26. Play now at www. oloughllngaels.com/Lotto Promotors Draw, 1. Eamon McMahon, Monaghan. 2. Pat Cody c/o M Cody. 3. Catriona Fitzpatrick, Johns Green. 4. Rebecca Cleere c/o K Cleere. 5. Paul Wall c/o N Tyrrell. 6. Shane Casey. 7. Eimer Hennessy, Ossory Park. 8. Lisa Eyre c/o Online. 9. Gary Bryan c/o Online. 10.Andrea Rhatigan c/o online Thank you for your continued support CLUB TEAMS IN ACTION The O’Loughlin Gaels Junior E team had a good win in the JJ Kavanagh and Sons League over Piltown 3-22 to 2-15 while the Senior minus the county contingent lost out to Mooncoin 0-29 to 3-13 in the St. Canice‘s Credit Union Senior/Intermediate Division 1 League. At juvenile level in the Duggan Steel Under 16 Roinn A Hurling League O’Loughlin Gaels defeated Young Irelands 2-19 to 0-13 while in Roinn D O’Loughlins defeated John Lockes.

NOTES If you wish to have any item included in the St. John’s Parish notes please email it to pro.oloughlingaels.kilkenny@gaa.ie

friends, and neighbours and all who knew her. Her funeral mass took place on Thursday morning last in St. Lachtains Church followed by burial in St. Lachtains Cemetery. She is deeply mourned by her sons PJ, Alan and Philip, her daughters Karenna and Michelle her 7 grandchildren, her sons in law, daughters in law, sisters, brother, brothers in law, sisters in law, nephews, nieces and extended family to whom deepest sympathy is extended.

SQUASH Local man Pat Morrissey took part in a squash tournament in Edinburgh recently. Pat was one of the team representing

FRESHFORD CATHERINE CASS RIP The people of Freshford and surrounds were shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of well-known local lady Catherine Cass late of Buncrussia Street, Freshford. In her mid 70s and although she had been unwell in recent time her death caused widespread regret and sorrow. Originally from The Swan, County Laois she was predeceased only 14 months ago by her husband Michael and the couple were both widely known and respected in the village. A loving mother and grandmother she was a friendly and good living lady and was involved in local community in the way of Tidy Towns as was her late husband Michael. They could be seen for many years every Wednesday evening out cleaning and tidying up around the village. She will be sadly missed by her family, her

Mick Mccarthy William And John Delaney And Pat Stokes (Missing From Pic Is Other Coach Sid Martin)

Ireland in the Over 40 competition. He was beaten 3-0 when he played against England. He won his game against Scotland. The Ireland team finished second overall, with England winning and Scotland finishing third while Wales were placed fourth DANNY WILSON RIP The death took place last week of Danny Wilson late of Glendine and formerly of Freshford. Danny who was in his early 80s had been unwell in recent times but nevertheless his passing still caused widespread sadness and shock. He was a member of a well-known and well respected family in the village. He was predeceased by his sisters Teresa, Brigid and Noreen and brother Willie. He spent many years in England before returning back to his native Freshford and worked for many years as Overseer with Kilkenny County Council. He loved music and singing and the craic. Removal took place on Thursday evening last from Kennedy’s Funeral Home to St. Lachtains Church . Funeral mass took place last Friday morning, followed by burial in St. Lachtains Cemetery. He is mourned by his wife Maura, sisters Mary, Peggy and Chrissie, his nephews, nieces and extended family to whom sincere sympathy is extended.

BOXING Freshford and Urlingford Boxing Club had three members taking part in the All Ireland finals in the National stadium recently. Cousins Johnny, Willie and Ned Delaney took part and the lads are now preparing for the Monkstown Internationals in Dublin in June where Johnny will defend his title. The Club also have two boxers involved in the Leisure Squibs. This is a great achievement for this small club and for all involved who are boxing above their weight.

FUNDRAISER The Committee of the Loop Café organised a cake sale and Table quiz on Saturday last. The cake sale on Saturday morning was a huge success and the opening of the new Alley open area is looking spectacular. An amazing transformation indeed and real credit goes to the Committee on their work on this wonderful new outdoor and indoor seating area. They held a Table Quiz in McGraths later that night with a good crowd in attendance. The winners on the night were Tommy and Marie Kennedy and cousins Lachtain and Aoidheann. Thanks goes out to all those who donated cakes or prizes or helped out in any way and to all those who supported both events.

The Café is a wonderful addition to the village full of character and history and your continued support would

be greatly appreciated. Why not go along and meet a friend or try some of their lovely food and support a local community café. They are also looking for volunteers to help out so if you can give little bit of your time please do so.

SOCCER With most of the season finished in the soccer season there are just a few Cup games left to play. Well done to the U12 soccer boys who were crowned Div. 2A League champions recently.

The Junior side had a good 4-2 over River Rangers at Woodview on Sunday morning last with goals from Luke Freaney, Jack Cleere and Mark Donnelly.

The U14s had an impressive win over Callan on Saturday last winning on a 8-2 scoreline with goals from Jamie Kavanagh (5) Jack Marnell (2) and Patrick O’Connor.

The U10 boys finished 0-0 against Freebooters after extra time and lost out 2-1 on penalties.

COOPERATION THE KEY. Cllr. Michael McCarthy continually emphasises the importance of drainage works prior to resurfacing on the road network across North Kilkenny. “Thankfully all who use the road at Ballyroe, Freshford will see the benefit now that such works have been completed. In the coming week on Thursday and Friday 18th and 19th April a full overlay is scheduled. Once again credit goes to the Area Engineer and his staff. Cooperation gets positive results.” Said Cllr. McCarthy.

GETTING THE WORK DONE Cllr Michael McCarthy is pleased to note that almost one kilometre on the LP 1003 at Ballyroe, on the Freshford to Tullaroan Road, has benefitted from a full tarmacadam overlay.

“The consistent schedule of preventative maintenance coupled with extensive drainage works which were completed prior to the resurfacing will ensure a safe surface for all road users in the years ahead. Once again great credit is due to our Area Engineer and his outdoor staff for a job well done.” Said Cllr. McCarthy.

AND NOW THERE IS LIGHT The Clinstown Road is now truly illuminated, says Cllr. Michael McCarthy. “Four new LED Lights are now operational and will hopefully lead to additional safety for residents and road users alike. I wish to convey my gratitude to the Local Engineer and his staff for their efforts.” Concluded Cllr. McCarthy.

GAA Well done to St Lachtains boys Patrick O’Connor and Max O’Neill who took part in the half time game at the Kilkenny and Galway senior match last Sunday.

Congratulations to Charlie Kavanagh who was on the St. Kieran’s 2nd year team who won their Leinster Final against Good Council New Ross last week.

Also to Cian Donnelly who was on the Kilkenny minor hurling panel beaten by Wexford on Saturday last in Wexford.

Underage training has resumed for all age groups from U6s up to Minors. Newcomers are welcome at all age groups. Please contact any committee member for details on training sessions and how to register your children.

St. Lachtains u14 footballers won their league semi-final against Thomastown on a score of 3-6 to 6-3. In the U16 league round 2 game St Lachtains 3-7 Conahy Shamrocks 2-17 The Junior F league round game finished with a win for the local side final score Tullaroan 1-8 St Lachtains 1-16.

The Junior B play Glenmore on Friday evening at 19.00 in Pairc Lachtain. Juniors will play Clara in Clara on Saturday at 16.00 in the next round of the all County League.

The U15 Feile continues on Sunday starting at 09.00 at the Kells Road while the Minors take on Bennetbridge in Bennetsbridge at 19.00 on Monday.

CONFIRMATION The boys and girls of 5th and 6th class of St.Lachtains National School received their Confirmation recently at St. Lachtains Church. The Ceremony was performed by Bishop Niall Coll, Bishop of Ossary and the weather was beautiful for the occasion. Bishop Coll complimented the children on the way they were prepared for their special sacrament and paid tribute to their parent and teachers who prepared them physically and religiously for the day. The following were the recipients of the sacrament: O.Bergin, E. Brennan, Campion, I.Carroll, Condon, O.Crosby, A.Dalton, T.Dalton, L.Dermody, S.Eardley, R.Foley, C.Foley,J.Geraghty, S.Gray, J.Kavanagh, B.Looby, F.Martin,B. McGree, P O’Connor M. O’Neill, S.Walsh, L.McCrthy, Y Zacharchenko, LGrace Boyle, D.Butler, N.Butler, A.Carroll, R.Cullen,E. Deacon, G.Dermody, P.Dunne,M.Flynn, A.Garry, K.Hickey,F. Long,O.Marnell, E.McGree,E.Murphy, C.O’Rourke, E.O’Suillivn,K. Ryan IONAD LACHTA St St.Lachtains Church Museum and Arts Centre is open every Saturday and Sunday from 11.30 am to 4.30pm.

BRIDGE Freshford Bridge Club continues every Monday at 7.30pm in Tulla Hall, Threecastles. New members are always very welcome. For further information please contact Olive on 087 9257610.

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

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 contribu-

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Community & GAA Notes tions 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 25235 21 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 284342 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.

JAMES STEPHENS GAA & CAMOGIE CLUB SENIOR HURLING On a damp Thursday evening in Pairc Sheamuis Stiophain the senior hurlers carved out a 2-17 to 0-18 victory over neighbours Danesfort in the 1st round of the 2024 senior/intermediate league competition. In a game in which both teams were guilty of many missed point scoring opportunities James Stephens eventually took the lead in the 11th minute when a Sean Manogue strike from the sideline floated straight to the net for a 1-02 to 0-03 lead for The Village. Three points in a row for Danesfort were swiftly answered by two Luke Scanlon points to keep the home side narrowly in front at 1-04 to 0-06 at the 15th minute. With the momentum switching from side to side, as the game approached halftime, the inform Luke Scanlon stepped in with two points to give James Stephens a 1-08 to 0-08 lead at the break. It took until the 5th minute of the 2nd half for the first score to arrive via the hurley of county star Richie Hogan but that was countered by a well taken Willie Spencer point in the 8th minute. Thanks to an unforgiving James Stephens defence, superbly led by centre back Ben Lawlor with huge support from wingmen James Tyrrell and Sam McEvoy the Danesfort attack was largely held in check. In the 17th minute a crucial score arrived when full forward Willie Spencer combined with Oisin Bateman to strike for goal and open a 2-12 to 0-11 lead for James Stephens. Immediately Danesfort rose to the challenge and knocked over four points in a seven minute spell but failed to breach the tight marking full back trio of Adam O’Connor, David Hennessy and Luke Murphy together with alert goalkeeper Billy O’Sullivan when they went in search of a game changing green flag score. Countering the Danesfort scoring machine, three points from Sean Manogue, -06 in total, and a single score from substitute Sean Deely in the final five minutes of an entertaining fixture kept the Green and Red jerseyed men comfortably in front to claim a deserved 2-17 to 0-18 victory.

MINOR HURLING LEAGUE On Monday evening, with the release of the club’s county panelists, the minor hurlers got their season back on track with a resounding 2nd round league 1-23 to 0-08 victory over Erin’s Own in Pairc Sheamuis Stiophain. Backboned by a solid defence in which Sean Deely, Noah Manogue and Daragh Behan stood out the forwards were given a plentiful supply of the sliothar to exert constant pressure on the Erin’s Own defence. Free taker Conor McEvoy was on song scoring 0-08 in the first half thanks in part to the pressure on the ‘Comer defence by the high work rate of a lively forward line. In the 20th minute, nippy corner forward Zac Scanlon delivered a perfect pass to Jacob Breslin who dispatched the sliothar to the net to give James Stephens a 1-09 to 0-05 lead. Holding the ‘Comer men scoreless for the remainder of the half The Village took a 1-11 to 0-05 lead into the break. The 2nd half continued in the same vein with midfielders Conor Heffernan and Diarmuid Behan dominating and feeding the inform Village forwards to accumulate an impressive total of 1-23 to 0-08 at the final whistle.

LEINSTER SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP In a pulsating finish to the Leinster senior championship fixture in Pearse Stadium which saw Galway snatch a last second draw with the last puc of the game, clubman Cian Kenny gave yet another highly effective all action performance scoring three points from midfield in the Black and Amber jersey over the 73 minutes of the game. Their next outing will be against Carlow in Dr. Cullen Park on Saturday 11th May. KILKENNY MINORS Following their big win over Galway a week earlier the Kilkenny minor hurlers with three clubmen, Padraig Joyce, Larry Phelan and team captain, Bill McDermott in the lineup came back to earth on Saturday afternoon in Wexford Park on foot of an unexpected 2-20 to 1-20 loss to the fired up Wexford men. With all four counties tied on level points after two rounds, only scoring difference separating them on the league table, the final round of fixtures will determine who progresses to the Leinster minor final decider. Kilkenny will host Dublin for a potentially season-defining fixture at 2pm on Sunday next, 5th May in UPMC Nowlan Park.

CLUB SHOP Supervisor Breda Manogue advises that the special offer package for the U-13’s at €58 and €65 for small adults remains

in force for a short while. The bundle offer consists of a club jersey, togs and socks. Meanwhile the shop will be open for all other club sporting and leisure wear every Tuesday evening from 8 to 9pm during the playing season.

LOTTO Last week’s numbers were 11, 14, 17 18. There was no winner.

This week’s jackpot increases to €14,400. The €40 consolation winners were Majella Costello, Joe Noonan, Anna Bowden, Lisa Marie McGovern and Joan Cody.

GOWRAN GOWRAN AC Sunday 28th April was day 1 of the County Track and Field Championships which took place thankfully under sunny skies in the watershed. The Juniors and Seniors were up first with many competing in both track and field. The juveniles followed on shortly after, with some outstanding running, jumping and throwing results. Congratulations to all our athletes who took part, especially our academy athletes and new members who competed for the first time.

There were some great individual and Gowran AC team performances. Thanks to the parents and coaches as always for these great days out.

Results as follows: Junior Senior Results Senior Men 5000m: 2nd Matthew Holland 3rd Adrian Cunningham. Senior Men 200m 3rd Adrian Cunningham. Novice Men 100m 2nd Matt Ryan. Junior Men 100m 3rd James Kelsey.

Senior Men 1500m 3rd Matthew Holland. Men Over 40 1500m 1st John Coady. Senior Men Relay 3rd Gowran. Junior Men High Jump 2nd James Kelsey. Junior Men Javelin 2nd Noah Denieffe.

Junior Men Triple Jump 1st James Kelsey 2nd Noah Denieffe Women O40 1500m 2nd Marie Deegan. Senior Women High Jump 1st Marie Deegan. Junior Ladies Triple Jump 1st Ailbhe Steiger. Junior Ladies High Jump 3rd Ailbhe Steiger Juvenile Track and Field Girls U12 200m 2nd May Timmons. U16 200m 2nd Kate Hayden.

U10 60m 3rd Emma Hayden. U12 800m 2nd Orla O’Keffee.

U15 800m 3rd Lucy Cunningham. U16 800m 1st Kate Hayden.

U18 Hammer 2nd Rachel Gardiner. U18 Javelin 3rd Rachel Gardiner. Javelin U14 1st Heidi Ryan. U15 1st Anna Kelsey, 2nd Daisy Coomey. Long Jump. U9 2nd Mia Gorey . U10 2nd Emma Hayden. U12 2nd May Timmons. U15 2nd Lucy Cunningham.

U16 1st Kate Hayden. Turbo Javelin. U9 2nd Aoife O’Keeffe. U10 1st Toshia Bielska. U12 1st Sarah Mulrooney, 2nd Orla O’Keeffe.

Triple Jump. U14 3rd Emily O’Keeffe. U16 1st Kate Hayden. U17 1st Ailbhe Steiger. Girls Relay. U13 4x100m 3rd (Hannah Phelan, Roisin Mosely, Anna Galvin, Emer O’Callaghan). U15 4x400m 2nd (Anna Kelsey, Emily O’Keeffe, Daisy Coomey, Lucy Cunningham) Boys Track and Field U16 100m 1st Odhran Prendergast. U15 1500m 2nd Michael O’Keeffe. U17 200m 3rd James Kelsey. U13 500m 3rd Bobby Coomey. High Jump. U13 2nd Ross Hutton, 3rd Sean Farrell.

U15 1st Evan Ryan, 3rd Michael O’Keeffe U16 3rd Odhran Prendergast. U17 2nd James Kelsey. Javelin U17 2nd Noah Denieffe.

Shot Putt. U14 3rd Oren Denieffe. U15 3rd Evan Ryan. U16 1st Jack Gardnier, 3rd Dean Hutton. Discus. U14 2nd Oren Denieffe.

U15 3rd Evan Ryan. U16 1st Jack Gardnier, 3rd Dean Hutton.

Boys Relay U13 4x100m 2nd (Ross Hutton, Peter Grimley, Matthew Byrne, Sean Farrell, Bobby Coomey). U15 4x100m 2nd (Lucy Cunningham, Evan Ryan, Oren Denieffe, Micheal O’Keeffe). U17 4x100m 1st (James Kelsey, Charlie Ryan, Darragh O’Dwyer, Noah Denieffe). U17 4x400m 1st (James Kelsey, Charlie Ryan, Darragh O’Dwyer, Noah Denieffe) YOUNG IRELANDS U-12 TOURNAMENT 2024 The annual U12 Young Irelands Tournament was once again held in Gowran with this year’s Tournament been held in honour of Charlie Carter and John and Kathleen O’Neill. Eight Teams from around the county participated in The Tournament with Cup and Shield glory up for grabs. The Cup competition was played in honour of Charlie Carter, while The Shield competition was played in honour of John and Kathleen O’Neill.

Along with the host club Young Irelands, Clara, Barrow Rangers, St. Martins, Bennettsbridge, Mooncoin, Graigue-Ballycallan and Rower-Inistioge competed for silverware.

Following a glorious week weatherwise, unfortunately a cold and wet day materialized but that in no way dampened the spirits of the players.

Mooncoin and Graigue Ballycallan topped their groups following three rounds of matches and they contested the Cup Final with The Suirsiders coming out on top.

The Gowran Boys contested the Shield Final against RowerInistioge, and following a hard fought battle they came out on top to jubilant scenes of delight in front of the home crowd.

Ollie and Stella Carter presented the Cup to the winning Mooncoin side, while Pat O’Neill presented the cup to jointcaptains; Diarmuid O’Neill and Charlie Carter INTERMEDIATES SUFFER HEAVY LOSS TO THOMASTOWN The Young Irelands Intermediates got their season off to a most disappointing start, as they were well beaten 5-20 to 0-16 away to Thomastown on Friday night last in the opening round of the Senior/Intermediate League.

Thomastown will compete in the Senior grade this year having been most impressive in winning the Intermediate Championship last year, before going to won Leinster and All-Ireland glory.

JUNIOR F The Young Irelands Junior F Team lost 1-15 to 1-9 away to Carrigeen in their second game of the League following on from their loss at home to Tullogher-Rosbercon.

UNDERAGE HURLING A very disappointing week for The Young Irelands Juvenile Teams with The Minors and U-16 Teams suffering heavy defeats.

The Minors lost their second consecutive game as they were

beaten 3-22 to 3-10 against St. Martins, while the U-16s lost their opening game of the league 2-19 to 0-13 away to O’Loughlin Gaels in Johns Park.

Meanwhile, The U-16 B Team were hammered 5-20 to 0-11 against Cloneen.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS HURLING The Gowran Boys Primary School Hurling Team continued their excellent start to the season, as they won 6-13 to 0-10 against Danesfort in round 3 of the League.

GOWRAN BOYS PLAY PART IN KIERANS WIN Congratulations to The Gowran Boys involved in St. Kierans College Leinster Final win for 2nd year students against Good Counsel of New Ross in Thomastown last week.

Dylan Brennan was The St. Kierans goalkeeper, while Liam Farrell and Conor Carroll were part of the panel.

YOUNG IRELANDS HEALTHY CLUB Young Irelands Healthy Club is looking for volunteers aged 14 or more for their All-Stars Group on Mondays between 6.30pm - 7.30pm. For further information you can contact Melissa Kelly on 086 3185692.

PRELOVED CLOTHES Gowran Preloved Beautiful Clothes There is an extensive assortment of apparel and accessories available. Open next door to Molly’s Tea Room.

GOWRAN PARK The Gowran Classic takes place on Monday, June 3rd.

Download free tickets at gowranpark.ie. Gate sponsored by the INPBA, 4 per person, www.gowranpark.ie. After racing the crowds will be entertained by The Waxies.

GRAIGUENAMANAGH GRAIG NOTES If you wish to submit any news items club announcements or events you can do so by sending them to graignotes@outlook. com. Deadline is Saturday 6pm.

LOTTO GAA AND SOCCER Jackpot now stands at €20,000.numbers drawn on 23 /04 /24 were 1, 25, 27, 32, there was no winner. The following won €30 each, Ciara Whelan, Laura Mullet, Sly Lennon, Bridget Hickey, Stephen Gannon. Tickets are available from any club member.

GRAIG TIDY TOWN DRAW The winners for the Draw on April 25th 2024. were First Prize €470 E,E. K. D, Eithne. 2nd Prize €50 Tania and Geoff Foley, 3rd Prize, €25 Lilian. Money raised through Tidy Towns Draw will be used to keep the town looking well all the year round. Draw takes place at 4pm on Thursdays.

RAMBLING HOUSE The Monthly Rambling House Session is on the second Friday of the month in Newtown Hall, where you can enjoy music and song from local artists and also many others from the surrounding district’s also join in at 8pm. The next Session is on Friday May 10th.

GORESBRIDGE PAULSTOWN BADMINTON Badminton in Paulstown Community Hall at 8pm every Monday. Entry is €5. New players welcome. Further info from Tommy, tel. 087-2303495 BOXING (PAULSTOWN) Congratulations and well done to our three girl firsts today, Annalise, Mary and Lucy who boxed in the Sacre Coeur tournament.

BRIDGE UNITED Congratulations to Bridge Players, Mark Byrne, Michael Fitzgerald, Oisin Doyle and M J Carroll as well as the entire Under-13 Kilkenny squad who won 3-2 against Cork in the semifinal of the SFAI Under-13 Subway Inter League.

Results of Premier Division: Freebooters Athletic 3-0 Bridge United. Results of Under-11 cup: Bridge 3-2 Deen Celtic with Bridge scorers, Seán Carroll (2) and Tomás Fitzgerald.

In the McCalmont Cup the result was Bridge United 3-1 Evergreen with Bridge scores by Pierce Blanchfield (2) and Nickolas Llanos (1).

Well done to our youth team and their coaches, Tom David and James on another great win in a match with Brookville. The score was Brookville 0-5 Bridge Utd with Bridge scores by Eoin O’Neill, Mikey Keating, Tadhg Ahern, Matthew Murray and Jake Byrne.

A summer soccer academy for boys and girls aged 4-7 will be held in Goresbridge in June and in July. Further info from Conor English tel. 085-1321578.

CHURCH SERVICES Masses will be celebrated in Goresbridge at 7.30pm on Saturday and at 10.00am on Sunday as well as in Paulstown at 11.30am.

Weekday mass is at 10am in Paulstown this Friday and the following Tuesday and in Goresbridge Wednesday, at 9am (note change of time). Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place in Paulstown every Tuesday after morning mass and lasts until 6pm.

MRS CONNOLLY RIP The death has taken place of Mrs Pauline Connolly (née Deane) of Goresbridge at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny. Pre-deceased by her husband Billy. Sadly missed by her loving son Liam, daughter-in-law Elizabeth, grand-daughter Sarah, nephews, nieces, in-laws, relatives and friends.

CUPLA FOCAL Weekly Friday chatting in Irish continues over a cuppa in the Goodly Barrow this Friday at 11am. Further info from Ann tel.

Tom Healy

085-7529485.

DANCING WITH THE STARS Dancing with the stars will take place on May 18th in Skeoughvasteen GAA In aid of Danny’s MS treatment in Moscow.

GROUNDED IN NATURE FOREST SCHOOL A six week term starts this week with places still available Wednesday Thursday and Friday. These sessions run from 3.30-6pm and cater for children aged 5-11 years old. For information email groundedinnaturefs@gmail.com YOUTH GROUP (OSSORY YOUTH) This caters for first to third years. The Group meets on in the Goresbridge Health Centre every Wednesday from 2.30-4pm.

For information contact Ruth Flanagan tel. 087-3873724 AFTER SCHOOL SERVICE Nature’s Way after school service (Scoil Bhríde Goresbridge), will be available from September 2024. Information from the school office.

PAULSTOWN MASTERPLAN The plan may be consulted online or at specific locations. See Kilkenny County Council website. Submissions may be made up to May 3.

SPLIT THE POT In aid of Goresbridge Rural Development has gone online.

Simply scan the QR code or go to lottoraiser.ie BENNETTSBRIDGE CARL R. NOLAN RIP Carl R. Nolan, whose ashes were buried in Bennettsbridge Cemetery last Friday, was a member of the Nolan family which had long associations with Danesfort and Bennettsbridge.

The Nolan family lived in the cottage on the Danesfort Road (Billy Brady’s House). A family of fifteen was raised in the cottage. One of the family, Dick Nolan, emigrated to England in the early to mid thirties and he and his wife Isobel lived there for over thirty years. Their son, Carl, was born in London in 1938, The family moved back to Ireland in 1965 where Dick purchased the “Festival Bar” in Kilkenny and together with Isobel they ran a very successful business for a number of years. Dick was so proud of his roots and would tell people, “he was born and reared in Bennettsbridge. He entertained the Kilkenny All Ireland winning team, captain, Jim Treacy, wives, girlfriends and mentors in 1967.

When the couple retired from the pub business they bought a house on the Dublin Road, St Ita’s, later named,”Matlock”. Dick and Isobel both died in 1985.

Carl took over the house after their deaths and leased it to St Canice’s Hospital where patients lived independently with support from the hospital. During this time Carl moved to Spain and lived there until the early 2000s when he divided his time between Spain and Kilkenny.

He died in Spain on 15th December, 2023. On Friday last, Canon Pat Duggan celebrated Mass in St Bennett’s Church and later recited prayers as Carl’s ashes were laid to rest with his parents and other family members.

Carl is survived by his wife, Arleen, his daughter, Jane, grandchildren, relatives and friends.

BASKETBALL This weekend saw the top four play-offs in the Kilkenny and South East basketball league. Local girls Kayla Wall, Katie Holden and Amy Hughes took to the court to face Waterford Wildcats in the u14 Final. Kilkenny Stars led from the start and proved too strong for a battling Wildcats team coming out eventual winners on a score line of 49-20. Well done to the three girls who deserve great praise for their hard work and dedication all season.

RUGBY Proud parents, Nina and Brian Reade saw their son, Danny, win player of the year with Kilkenny RFC, on Saturday last. A great end to a great season.

CAMOGIE Leinster Champions Congratulations to Bennettsbridge participants, Holly, Kate, Erin and all the Kilkenny team and management on winning the U16B Leinster title at the weekend. Congratulations also to the U16A team, a double victory for Kilkenny.

CHURCH NEWS First Communion Masses Sunday saw the final Preparation Mass for children who will make their First Communion on May 11th. Parents and children were involved in the Liturgy. Thanks went to parents who assisted Fr. Pat with the masses. Fr. Dalton encouraged parents to bring their children to mass next Sunday as it would be good preparation for the First Holy Communion ceremony.

Weekday Masses Wednesday and Friday mornings 10.30am.

LOTTO No winner of Jackpot. Numbers, 3, 5, 6, 22. Consolation Prizes, BB Syndicate, Murt Coyne, Norewood Heights, Trish Keogh, Hillview, David Waugh, Kilbline, Shangarry Syndicate.

CARDS Results 16th April First Prize Divided, Toddy Skehan/Marty Hanlon, Vinnie Horgan/Andrew Barcoe, Patsy Gibbons/John O’Brien (10 games). Table Prize Mary Whelan/Pat Hanlon 23rd April First Prize, Declan Byrne/Richie Proctor (11 games ),Second Prize Bridget Cottrell/Mickey Fitzpatrick. Table Prize Tommy Hayes/Bridget Murphy ART Art classes continue Tuesday from 2 until 4pm. The twelve strong group are working in oils, pastels, water-colours and acrylics under tutor Julie Moorhouse. It’s all systems go from now until August when Kilkenny Arts Week takes place. Having produced very successful exhibitions over the years it is intended to keep up the tradition this year.

MEN’S SHED

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

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 3rd May 2024

Community & GAA Notes Kayla Wall, Katie Holden and Amy Hughe, Bennettsbridge Representatives with

The Men’s Shed is attracting good numbers each week and the feedback back from participants is very encouraging. All welcome every Wednesday at 2pm.

GATHERING GROUP Weekly meeting as usual this Wednesday for all activities, including chair exercises, skittles, rings and cards.

GAA Leinster Championship Well done to David Blanchfield who played a fine game at half back in Kilkenny’s draw against Galway in the Leinster Championship. His brother, Liam, was also on the panel while Kevin was on the extended panel for the game.

Well done to Jamie Walsh who won a Leinster second year medal with St Kieran’s last week after victory over St Peter’s.

Club Games Our junior E team had a very good win over Glenmore in the second league match, our minors played a draw with Shamrocks while our under 16 team lost out to Graiguenamanagh after a good battle. Our senior hurlers played St Martins away in the first round of the Byrne cup while our under 16 team are at home to Piltown. The junior B play Conahy at home this Saturday at 2 pm and play Tullogher at home next Tuesday.

Please see the Kilkenny GAA website for upcoming fixtures or fixture changes. Best wishes to all ‘Bridge teams over the next week.

Night At The Dogs 2024 Bennettsbridge GAB, Camogie and Bord na N-Óg clubs are combining to host a night at the dogs on Friday, May 10th at Kilkenny Dog Track. Tickets are available from any committee member of any of the three clubs. Monster raffle and great racing on the night. Tickets cost ten euro with kids going free.

Hope to see a great crowd there for what is always a great night.

Presentation Night A great night was had by all at our presentation night in the Pembroke Hotel last week. Thanks to the Pembroke for the great service provided. A special presentation was made to Zahra Khodabacksh for her achievement in winning the Senior World Irish dancing championship in Killarney in early April.

Club Spot The club has adopted a new app for all GAA business going forward, replacing clubforce. We ask as many people as possible to download this new club spot app. Details are on the club’s Facebook page. This is a great way to communicate club business. Membership, split the pot etc., and all club business can be done on this so it is vital for members to download the app as soon as possible.

Membership 2024 This year’s membership can now be paid to registrar Samantha McGarry or to any club committee member. Membership fees are the same as last year. Forty euro for non-playing members, eighty euro for student players and 120 euro for adult players.

Early payment would be most appreciated. Membership can also be paid on the new club spot app. Please see the clubs Facebook and twitter pages for details.

Split the Pot Well done to Paul Hayes who won 203 euro, Michael and Ann Dobbyn who won 30 euro and Trish Walsh who won 20 euro.

Thanks to all for the continued support.

O’Neill’s Club Shop New items of club gear have been added to the online shop.

Simply put Bennettsbridge in the search box on the O’Neill’s website to see all the gear.

DICKSBORO

CLUB LOTTO Dicksboro GAA Club LOTTO Results 25th April 2024. Nos: 2 12 16 17, Jackpot Not Won Draw Prizes, €50: Aoife Cody, c/o online. €25 each Marie Keane c/o Jimmy Murphy, €25 each Stuart Delaney c/o Online. €25 each Anne O’Neill c/o Gerry O’Neill.

Hurlers Co Op Gabrielle Power c/o Online. Promotors prize, Billy Walsh We encourage all Dicksboro Families to sign up and play weekly for €2 per draw and we thank everyone who is currently doing so.

JOIN OUR CLUB The new Hurling, Camogie and Gaelic Football season is fast approaching and from March our Hurling and Camogie Nursey and underage teams will be back in the thick of it in Palmerstown and James Park. For more information contact any member of our Committee or See our ClubZap for more details.

SUMMER CAMP 2024 Save the Dates. Our fantastic Summer Camp will be back again and we can’t wait. 2 fun weeks packed with activities for all to enjoy.

Monday July 15th to Friday July 19th and Monday Aug 12th to Friday Aug 16th CLUB FOOTBALL Massive Congratulations to our Senior Footballers who beat reigning Champs Mullinavat in the JJ Kavanagh and Sons Co Semi Final on Saturday afternoon in Mullinavat in a scoreline of 1-8 to 0-5 . A goal from Matthew Kelleher put the Boro ahead in the first quarter and they drove on from there. Dicksboro now advance to the County Final which will be played the weekend of 11th or 12th May where they will be playing the winners of the other Semi Final of Lisdowney and Tullogher. Well done to all our lads and management team.

KILKENNY HURLING Well done to all our young hurlers who were involved in Kilkenny Squads over the weekend, it’s great to see our Club so well represented and for our young hurlers to wear the Black and Amber Jersey.

Hard luck to Kilkenny Minors who just fell short to Wexford Saturday afternoon. Great to see six of our club hurlers involved on this panel. Well done to Anthony, Patrick, Oisin, Louis, Bill

Anticipating Throw In

Showing Support and Direction

and Donnchadh.

Following an entertaining game in Pearse Stadium Kilkenny and Galway drew their Leinster Senior Hurling Championship meeting 2-23 to 0-29. Next up is Carlow on Saturday 11th May in Netwatch Cullen Park.

KILKENNY CAMOGIE Well done to our club girls Kate Meighan, Ayesha Belalaoui, Ali Greaney and Megan Trait, Katie Chambers, Sophie Roberts, Emma Hogan and Eva Tynan who were involved with the u16A and u16B panels who were both crowned Leinster Champs on Sunday afternoon.

KILKENNY GAA GOLF CLASSIC If any businesses connected to Dicksboro wish to put in a team to support this Kilkenny GAA Fundraiser please contact Club Secretary Shane Kavanagh or Club Treasurer Jason Dempsey.

PALMERSTOWN CLUBHOUSE Dicksboro Clubhouse Bar is opened every Thursday from 8.30pm. Thursday nights is Lotto Draw and Cards Night. All are welcome out for a social drink, a chat and if there is interest, a beginners card table. We would be delighted to see you out to the club for a chat. We have a selection of non-alcoholic beers, barista coffee also available so come along and enjoy.

JOHNSTOWN CHURCH NEWS Congratulations to the boys and girls from 5th and 6th class from Scoil Mhichil Naofa, Galmoy who were confirmed recently

by Bishop Coll.

Best wishes to the 14 boys and girls from St. Kieran’s National School who will receive their First Holy Communion on Saturday 4th May. SYMPATHY Sincere sympathy to the Rochford and Sharkey families who have been bereaved by the death of Brigid Sharkey in Essex, England.

Sympathy also to the family of Alice Fitzpatrick of the Flower Shop, Urlingford, who died recently.

May they rest in peace.

JOHNSTOWN HERITAGE GROUP A trip to Foynes Flying Museum and Maureen O’Hara Museum is being organized for Thursday July 4th. The cost is €60 which includes the coach, entrance to the museum, morning tea/ coffee and scone and dinner on return journey. Information from 0863272288.

The group would also like old photos, leaflets, newspaper cuttings or any momentos of St. Kieran’s Hall down the years.

They are hoping to mount a social history of the hall to be

displayed when the newly refurbished hall is opened.

CROSSPATRICK A tractor and vehicle run in aid of St. James’Hospital on Sunday next May 5th. Registration at 12.30pm sharp. Leaving the village at 1.30pm, BBQ, Raffle and live music. Contact Larry on 0862658151 or Declan on 0879564520.

GRANGEFERTAGE CONSERVATION Funding has been awarded for phase 2 of works at Grangefertagh. It is a very deserving project with a huge level of community interest and care for the site. Heritage group have kept this on Kilkenny Co Co agenda for a number of years.

Their hard work has paid off. Many thanks to Regina Fitzpatrick Heritage Officer, Community Culture Section of the council for all her work in preparing the grant proposals. Fertagh is a noted landmark in the area and can be seen from the old Dublin/Cork road and the motorway.

PREMISES PAINT SCHEME 2024 A grant of €450 or 50% of the cost whichever is lesser is now on offer for owners or/and occupiers of commercial properties for painting their premises. It is a condition of eligibility the painting works proposed are required to the street facing facades of commercial properties. Closing date for application is Friday May 3rd 2024. Town team will be willing to help with the application or call 086 8511190.

SPA DEVELOPMENT/FENIANS LOTTO Winning numbers 10,12,15,30.One match three Tina Quinlan.

Next weeks jackpot €14,300.

SPA UNITED AFC Weekend results, Junior league division 2A Lions B 1 Spa 5 (James Whelan, Mark Webster, Ciaran Beehan, Aaron Dermody and Conor Tobin), U15 girls league division 1 Spa 1 Freebooters 1, U14 girls league division 1 Thomastown 4 Spa 0, U13 girls league division 1 Spa 0 Stoneyford 2, U12 girls cup quarter final Spa 1 Stoneyford 1AET Spa won on penalties 3-2, U15 boys cup quarter final Spa 1 Evergreen 4, U14 boys league division 1A Spa 5 River Rangers 0, U14 boys league division 2 Freebooters 5 Spa 1, U11 boys Doran Cup quarter final Spa 0 Freshford 1, U10 boys cup semi final Spa 0 Freebooters 3. The U10 girls played their final game of the season in a friendly against Clover Utd. and continued with their development.

URLINGFORD EMERALDS URLINGFORD AND GRAINE LOTTO April 22nd prize fund was €17,800. Jackpot: €15,800. Numbers drawn: 19, 26, 28, 29 bonus no 5. No winner and one match three winner: Nora Neary. Five lucky dips of €20 each: Joseph Cody, Eoin Doyle, Noel Butler, The Gang, Luke Kelly. Promoters prize: P. Kavanagh.

THANKS Geraldine Burke, Urlingford would like to thank everyone who donated to Epilepsy Ireland during her collection. The amount collected was €598.

SET DANCING In Graine Hall every Tuesday at 8.30pm. Live music, sets called

by Paddy Martin. All are welcome. Contact Phil Fogarty 086 8638782; Mary Webster 087 7936113.

URLINGFORD ARMS SPLIT THE POT April 28th winner of Split the Pot is Jennifer Graham who will receive €888. Congrats Jennifer on behalf of Emeralds Camogie Club.

Tickets €2 on sale in participating businesses in town. Thanks to everyone for their continued support. Next week’s draw will be for St Vincent de Paul. Please support!

GRAINE CARDS Graine progressive 25 card game every Wednesday night at 8.15pm in Graine Hall. All are welcome.

URLINGFORD / GRAINE DEFIBRILLATOR GROUP In case of emergency, call: 085 2726396.

KNOCKNAGRESS COMMEMORATION

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

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 3rd May 2024

49

kilkennyobserver.ie

Community & GAA Notes On Friday, May 17th at 8pm at the monument in New England, Tullaroan.

Guest speaker TBC. 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.

GORTNAHOE GLENGOOLE EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Glengoole Wednesday 10am to 2pm, Gortnahoe Thursday 10am to 1pm ROSARY Rosary for the month of May will be said at Our Lady’s Grotto, Glengoole on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings, 1st-3rd May at 7.30pm FAMILY MASS The next family mass will take place in both churches this weekend May 4th and 5th. All would be welcome to join the choir in both churches.

COLLECTIONS Please return your Trocaire box/envelope as soon as possible to the Church or Parochial House so that all monies received can be passed on. Many thanks for your generous contributions to date.

PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES The annual pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from June 14th to 20th. Any enquiries please contact Fr Walton or any member of the Parish pastoral group.

400 CLUB DRAW The results for April, 1st Prize €200 Ballynonty Community House, 2nd Prize, Donal O’Shea c/o Michael Fogarty, Longfordpass. Other prize winners were Nicholas Hoyne, Grange, Colleen Spellacy, Georges Park, Eileen and Paddy Guilfoyle, Urard, Seamus Troy, Ballinastick, Jimmy Fogarty, Longfordpass, Tom Fitzgerald, Mellison, John and Christine Barnaville, Urard, Lorraine Morris, Foilacamin. Promoters prize winner were Rena O’Connor and Teresa McGarry.

SENIOR CITIZENS A general meeting will be held in Gortnahoe Hall on Wednesday 8th May at 8pm with a view to forming a new Senior Citizens Committee going forward. As the existing committee has retired it would be a pity not to continue the good work they have done throughout the years. It would be great to see a good attendance on the night.

TUESDAY BRIDGE Bridge is being played each Tuesday night in Gortnahoe Hall at 7.30pm. If you would like to join or find out more information please contact this number 089 4349106 GORTNAHOE BINGO A special May bank holiday weekend bingo will be held this Saturday evening 4th May at the earlier time of 4.00pm with doors opening from 3.00pm. Over €4,000 in prize money on offer including a special €500 game and a May bank holiday special game for €800. There will be hampers and Split the Pot on the day. It will be great afternoons entertainment for all on the bank holiday weekend. Support from the Parish would be appreciated.

SPLIT THE POT Congratulations to last weekends winner of Split the Pot draw, Anthony Morris, who won €402. Envelopes are available at the usual outlets, you can also Revolut to 0876777220. For the month of May Split the Pot will be in support of Gortnahoe National School. The draw takes place each Sunday at 12pm in Gortnahoe Hall. Your support would be appreciated.

RUBBISH COLLECTION It was great to see individuals and groups picking up rubbish on the side of the road throughout our parish over the last few weeks. The Tidy Towns inspections are taking place at the moment and it is hoped that groups in every village work together to impress the judges. It would be great if people would volunteer to pick up rubbish in their own area to keep our parish tidy. We would appeal to motorists to refrain from throwing litter out of cars as plastic items, etc can be harmful to the enviroment and does nothing for the beauty of our countryside. It is also noted that cans and plastic bottles are now recycled in all shops and credit is given for each item returned.

SYMPATHY Sympathy to Patricia Prout Fenor on the death of her sister Brenda Pender, Carlow and formerly Two Mile Borris, and to Mairead Maher, Fennor on the death of her brother Patrick McEvoy, may they both rest in peace.

BALLYRAGGET BALLYOUSKILL ST PATRICK’S GAA The U16s had a 2-16 to 1-12 win over Mooncoin on Wednesday night. Team Tadhg Phelan, Adrian Biletskyy, Charlie Culleton, Eoin Healy, Adam Staunton, Kieran Bergin, James Cash, Andrew Lawless, Cormac Diver, Tadhg Butler, Josh Dowling, Evan Nealis, Jack Cummins, Evan Coogan, Eoin Coyle Twomey. Subs Julian Biletskyy, Noah O’Shea and Niall Foley.

The Junior team had a 3-18 to 1-18 win over Galmoy in the Junior All County Hurling league also on Weds night. Team Billy Morrissey, Donal Brennan, Stephen Staunton, Paddy McEvoy, Chris Delaney, Mark Staunton, Richie McEvoy, Robert Healy, Robert Doheny, Jason Phelan, Kevin Kelly, Paul Ryan, Cian Doheny, Shane Culleton, Sean Brennan. Subs Paddy Gannon, Kian Drennan, Adam Jacob, Michael Glennon, Christian Connick, Dillon Lawless, Michael McInerney, Brian Mulhall, Conor Phelan, Stephen Shortt, Brendan Staunton, Aaron Nealis, John Butler, Gavin Janatharan, Marc Bergin.

PLANT SALE AND COFFEE MORNING

Ballyragget Community Hall ladies group presenting the cheque to Cois Nore. They would like to thank everyone who helped them out in any way for this fundraiser.

Plant sale and coffee morning taking place in the Canon Malone Hall on Sunday 26th May, 10-30am to 12-30pm. If anyone has any plants they are dividing or an overflow of seedlings all donations would be greatly appreciated. All proceeds to the tidy towns.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION First Holy Communion will be held on Saturday May 11th.

CEMETERY MASSES Cemetery Masses for this year are as follows St Finans Cemetery Friday 7th of June at 7.30pm. Ballyouskill Saturday 8th June at 6.30pm. Rosconnel Friday the 14th of June at 7.30pm. Donaghmore Friday 21st of June at 7.30pm FUNDRAISER Well done to the Ballyragget Community Hall Ladies on their Easter fundraiser for Cois Nore their Easter Chick sale together with a Craft and Cake Sale saw them raise a staggering €8,017.00. Many thanks to all for purchasing supporting making and selling.

CONAHY HURLING AND FOOTBALL The intermediate footballers qualified for the JJ Kavanagh and Sons Intermediate County Final when they narrowly defeated Barrow Rangers in the semi-final in Paulstown on Saturday last.

In a tough game played in cold and wet conditions, there was little between the sides and very few scores. Conahy led by 0-4 to 0-2 at half time and were just about able to hold out for a single point win, winning in the end by 0-6 to 0-5. The locals will now face Glenmore in the county final, with the date, time and venue yet to be announced at the time of writing.

TEAM: Karl Downey, Padraig Gunner, Philip Cass, J.P. Gamble, Eoin Carroll, Darragh Hennessy, Edmond Delaney, Eoin Cahill, James Bergin, Tom Rice, Brian Rossiter, Rob Ring, Billy Mulhall, Darragh Dooley, Bill Murphy. Subs.: Tom Nolan, Kieran Mooney, Ciaran Rice, Paddy Mullan.

The minor hurlers narrowly lost out to Mullinavat in their latest league outing on Monday night last in Mullinavat. The sides were level at half-time, and despite two second half goals from Daniel Mooney, it wasn’t enough, as the home side won out by 3-11 to 2-13.

TEAM: Tommy Mulhall, Tadhg Hennessy, Conor Hennessy, Ben Duggan, Harry Lawlor, John Kennedy, Patrick Kennedy, Darragh Horgan, Jake Dooley, Billy Rowe, Eoin Dunne, James O’Neill, Finn Sherman, Daniel Mooney, Adam Morrissey. Sub.: Rory Sherman, Neil Webster.

The under-16 hurlers had better luck in Freshford on Wednesday evening last when they got the better of St. Lachtain’s in the second league game. After a slow start, Conahy played very well for the remainder of the game to win out by 2-17 to 3-7. They are back in action tonight (Wednesday) when they play host to Tullaroan in Jenkinstown at 7.00 p.m.

TEAM: Neil Webster, Rory Dunne, Tadhg Hennessy, Camryn Kenehan, Ceirin Murphy, Patrick Kennedy, Darragh Horgan, Rory Sherman, Billy Rowe, Rory Rhatigan, Finn Sherman, Brian Phelan, Adam Morrissey, M.J. Buggy. Subs.: James Byrne, Diarmuid Quinn.

The under-15 hurlers also had a successful time last Sunday morning when they qualified for the knockout stages of the County Féile na nGael Division 3 in Tom Walsh Park, Skeoughvasteen. They had two victories over their hosts, Blacks & Whites, and Lisdowney. They will now face Erin’s Own in the semi-final on this Sunday morning at 9.00 in Páirc Sheamúis Stiopháin.

Best of luck to all involved.

TEAM: Neil Webster, Padraig Murphy, Tadhg Hennessy, Camryn Kenehan, Ceirin Murphy, Rory Rhatigan, James Byrne, Rory Sherman, Jack Gamble, M.J. Buggy, Finn Sherman, Mikey Hurley, Richie Rowe, Billy Rowe, Padraig Quinn, Aaryn Kenehan, Ben Byrne.

BÓRD Na nÓg FUNDRAISER Conahy Shamrocks Bórd na nÓg will hold a Race Night fundraiser on Friday, May 24th. Race Night cards are currently being shared around the parish and any and all support would be welcome. Everyone in the locality is also welcome to come and enjoy on the night.

CLUB LOTTO The numbers drawn in the most recent GAA Club Lotto were 6, 12 and 41. There was no jackpot winner, so the consolation prize winners were Padraic Healy, Kieran and Kathryn Cuddihy, Corrigan Grandchildren, Jim & Caitriona Tierney and Jake Dooley. The promoter prize winners were John McGrath, Julie Jackman, and Shay Healy. This week’s jackpot now returns to €1,100. Many thanks to everyone who supports the GAA Club Lotto.

KILMANAGH MARY WALL

The death of Mary Wall, Great Oak, Callan has undoubtedly brought sadness to her husband Tom, children, grandchildren and brothers. Mary was born in Callan where she spent her childhood and youth. After her marriage to Tom she lived her life at Great Oak. She was a quiet, unassuming lady whose priority was her husband and family, who, in turn, brought her great joy, especially her grandchildren. In later years Mary was forced to curtail her work owing to illness which she bore with patience and resignation. Her requiem mass was celebrated in St. Molua’s Church, Killaloe by Fr. Liam Taylor, P.P. Her children and grandchildren participated in the readings, prayers of the faithful and offering of gifts which depicted the various talents of Mary. The eulogy was given by her son Gabriel. Beautiful singing and music was performed by Lorraine Kenny. Mary’s burial took place in Kilbride cemetery, Callan. We express our sympathy to her husband Tom, daughters Kathleen and Freda, sons Billy, Eamon and Gabriel, brothers Danny and Jack, grandchildren, daughters in law, sons in law and many other relatives and friends.

BILLY LEAHY RIP The death has occurred of Billy Leahy, London and formerly of Pottlerath, Kilmanagh. Billy was brother to Denis Leahy who still resides in Pottlerath.

CEMETERY MASS The annual cemetery Mass will take place on Sunday, 26th May at 7pm in Ballykeeffe.

CONFIRMATION A Ceremony of Light for Confirmation candidates took place last Wednesday, 1st May at 7pm in Kilmanagh..

Bishop Niall Coll will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with the children from our school on Thursday, 16th May at 11am in Ballycallan. Please keep these young people in your prayers at this important time in the faith journey.

KNOCKNAGRESS COMMEMORATION The Knocknagress Commemoration will take place on Friday 17th May at 8.00 pm at the monument in New England, Tullaroan, Co. Kilkenny. This is a get together to say a decade of the rosary to commemorate the lives of the two lads shot in the ambush during the war of independence. Guest speaker is not known yet.

PARISH LOTTO Results for 22/04/24. Numbers drawn were 3; 7; 20; 28. There was no winner. Lucky Dip Winners of €50 each were Claire Marnell, Michael Luby and Tom Fitzpatrick Snr. Sellers prizes went to Shane Lynch and Bill Ryan. Jackpot next week will be €20,000 with reserve jackpot of €5,600. Next draw will take place on 29th April at 9 pm.

MOUNT CARMEL DRAW Results for April. €200 Trevor Kirwan and John Norris Callan, €100 Olivia Maguire Callan, €30 each to Bree Harrison Ballycallan, Mary T Hennessy Wallslough, Isabel Le Roux C/O Mount Carmel, Pat Prendergast Tullamaine, Brian Kinsella Westcourt, Marie Maher Slade, Kevin Keogh Mill St, Nellie Lynch Mallardstown, Kathleen and John Proctor Maxtown, Tom Maher C/O Marie Maher Slade. €15 promoter’s prizes to Ethel Norman, Frank McKenna and Elaine Bryan.

Results for May. €200 Milo and Ailish Carey Callan, €100 John Timmons Kilkenny, €30 each to Julia Power Crothabeg, John Croke Mullinahone PO, Eileen Vickers Canon Kennedy Court, Olive O Leary Minauns, Stephen Kavanagh Mount Carmel, Mary Young Clonkil, Teresa Foley Mount Carmel, Danny Walsh Mount Carmel, Lisa O Neill Minauns, Liam Egan Callan. €15 promoter’s prizes to Rachel Murray, Sally Brett and Tom O Shea.

Thank you to all of our subscribers and promoters for your continued support to Mount Carmel.

LOURDES COLLECTION Next week at all Masses, we will hold the annual Diocesan Lourdes Collection. This money goes towards the cost of assisting additional needs pilgrims and other expenses attached with running a large pilgrimage. Please support if you can.

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.

MILL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE ST KIERAN’S HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY Applications are invited for the Vacant Tenancy of a onebedroom house at St Kieran’s Place, Urlingford. To be eligible to apply you must be on the Kilkenny County Council Housing list.

Applications are available from the Centre.

LOCAL TRAINING PROGRAMME L.T.I. Names been taken for L.T.I. Q.Q.I. Level 4 due to start soon.

COUNSELLING SERVICES: Our low cost Counselling Services, includes One-to-One, Adult and Teens. General Counselling: Bereavement, Stress, Anxiety and Depression. Other Counselling Services available: Drug, Substance and Gambling Addictions.

Play therapy is now also available. Age 5+.

Please contact Sue for more information or to make an appointment.

SENIOR ALERT If you need to apply for a Personal Alarm, please contact Sue or Josephine in the centre.

DEFIBRILLATOR Please note that there is a defibrillator located in the Mill Family Resource Centre if and when it may be required.

APPEAL FOR CLOTHES DONATIONS: Any clothes donations would be greatly appreciated in aid of our counselling/play therapy services. Donations can be left into the Centre, please call before dropping off.

JOBS – TRAINING BOARD We have a Jobs Board here at the Centre, feel free to call in and take a look, we also offer help and support with CV’s and cover letters if required.

For further information please contact us here at the Centre on 056-8838466 HUGGINSTOWN NEWMARKET STONEYFORD MASS TIMES in Aghaviller Parish, Hugginstown: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9.30a.m. Vigil, Saturday 4th. at 8.00p.m. Sunday 5th. at 10.00a.m. Stoneyford, Wednesday and Friday at 7.00p.m.Vigil, Saturday 4th. at 6.30p.m.

Friday 3rd. Feast of Sts. Philip and James (Apostles) FIRST FRIDAY Visitation with Holy Communion will take place as usual on Friday 3th May. 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 Memorial Mass A Memorial Mass will take place in honour of James Devereux, Knocktopher, former Principal of Scoil Aireagail, Ballyhale, who died during Covid. It is an opportunity for former and present students to remember James and meet James’s Family. This Mass will take place on Friday, May 10th at 7.30 p.m. in Knocktopher Church. All are very welcome.

Anniversary Masses Sean and Nellie Duggan. Hugginstown. Mass in Hugginstown Church on Saturday 4th. May at 8.00p.m.

Johnny and Kathleen Maher. Boolyglass. Mass in Hugginstown Church on Sunday 5th. May at 10.00a.m.

ROTA Readers, Stoney, Saturday 6.30p.m. Sheila Raggett. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. John Barron, Sunday 10.00a.m.

Deirdre O’Shea Eucharistic Ministers, Stoneyford, Saturday 6.30p.m. Barbara Smolen. Hugginstown, Saturday 8.00p.m. Mary Cuddihy; Sunday 10.00a.m Kay Power DATES TO REMEMBER FOR 2024: First Holy Communion For Stoneyford School on Sunday 12th. May at 11.00a.m. in Stoneyford Church.

For Monroe/Newmarket Schools on Sunday 19th. May at 11.00a.m. in Hugginstown Church.

CONVERSATIONS WITH WOMEN IN THE BIBLE This Conference will be on 11th. May 2024 in The Pembroke Hotel, Patrick Street, Kilkenny from 10.00a.m. to 4.30p.m. The speaker will be Thérèse Fitzgerald Booking essential: Contact Sara or Catherina at 056 772 2870 between 9.00a.m. to 5.00p.m. on Monday to Friday or e-mail regionaloffice@ssjg.ie before May 7th.

STONEYFORD TIDY TOWNS The next general community “clean up” is May 11th. ahead of First Holy Communion and the Stoneyford 5k and 10k Challenge on May 19th. Keep an eye on Stoneyford Development Association on Facebook or contact Helen Finnegan for your name to be added to the WhatsApp group if you would like to get involved.

SAFEGUARDING CONTACTS Diocesan Designated Liaison Person, Ms. Ailish Higgins Tel: 087 100 0232. Aghaviller Parish Representatives are: Deirdre Rohan and Catherina Roche.

EASTER OFFERINGS Many thanks for your Easter Offerings during the past few weeks. This offering is for the support of the priests of the Parish and Diocese. Thank You. LOTTO Aghaviller Parish and Carrickshock G. A. A. Draw: Monday 22nd. April 2024 Numbers: 01; 07; 32; 31. No Winner First 3 Numbers Drawn. No Jackpot Winner: €30.00. Winners, Mary Irish, c/o James Irish. James, Billy and Ada Duggan, Boolyglass; Pauline Doyle, Sheepstown. “The 4 Of Us”, c/o James Irish. P and C Hudson, Aghaviller; 3 x €15.00 (Sellers). Teresa Fitzgerald, James Irish, Tommy Murphy.

STONEYFORD 5K AND 10K The very successful 5k and 10k event returns to Stoneyford on Sunday May 19th. Runners and walkers come from far and wide to take part in this longstanding event in aid of Scoil Náisiúnta Chiaráin Naofa each year. Numbers have continued to grow year on year, in spite of the two year Covid hiatus. If you would like to take part, or want more information on the event, or on training for either distance, check out Stoneyford 10k Challenge on Facebook, or Stoney10k on Instagram

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

50

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 3rd May 2024

kilkennyobserver.ie

Hurlng matters - Review

Sport

Tom Phelan scores a kilkenny point surrounded by Conor Cooney and Sean Linnane

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 2, Pearse Stadium Galway 2-23 Kilkenny 0-29 Kilkenny had to settle for a share of the spoils from their road trip to the west as Conor Whelan’s injury time score levelled matters in Pearse Stadium last Sunday.

Leading by two points as the game entered additional time, Galway managed to notch a brace of scores to leave the Leinster Championship wide open. The Cats have a free weekend now but face another two away games against Carlow and Dublin over the following two weekends which will go a long way to shaping the table.

With Eoin Cody and Adrian Mullen missing, manger Derek Lyng made one change to the named line-up, with O’Loughlin Gaels Luke Hogan coming in for his club mate, Owen Wall. It was a big day for Aidan Tallis, who took the No.1 jersey with Glenmore’s Eoin Murphy suffering a mild concussion in the big win over Antrim the previous weekend.

The opening score of the game came inside the first two minutes when Brian Concannon sent over a lovely score having found a pocket of space just inside the ’65. The home side doubled their lead soon after, again the ball into TJ didn’t stick and Cianan Fahy burst forward before rifling over, showing his undoubted versatility. Kilkenny got off the mark following a long Aidan Tallis restart.

Luke Hogan battled well, and the loose ball was picked up by Mossy Keoghan who turned onto his right side before splitting the Galway posts for his first point of the day.

Cathal Mannion then intercepted a Shane Murphy handpass before striking a long-range effort over the bar before the same player got the better of Tommy Walsh and creating the angle to tag on another nice score. John Donnelly broke the scoring sequence in the 7th minute when he struck over a quality effort from tight to the left sideline, a much-needed score for Derek Lyng’s side.

A free followed for Henry’s men, converted by St Thomas’s Conor Cooney before Richie Reid popped over a fine point, having had an earlier sighter that tailed a little wide, but the Shamrocks Ballyhale players effort was cancelled out by another placed ball from Cooney.

Richie then lost possession and Galway powered forward through Ahascragh’s Cathal Mannion whose goal bound shot was deflected behind for a ‘65 by championship debutant Aidan Tallis. Conor Cooney made no mistake from the placed ball and the Galway lead was back to 3 points. Some hunger and desire then saw the Cats win the ball back and move it to Tom Phelan, who was in space out on the right

Tribesmen strike late to salvage Salthill draw

Lots of positives for Cats despite key men missing sideline. The Conahy Shamrocks man fired over a cracking point to keep the visitors well and truly in the game, despite playing with the aid of a very strong typical Salthill wind!

Cian Kenny continued his recent good scoring form by striking a splendid point from his own ‘65 to reduce the Tribesmen’s lead to just one point. A long ball into the Galway defence was caught superbly

by TJ who turned for goal, but Waterford whistler Thomas Walsh blew for some holding going on off the ball. TJ popped over the placed ball to level matters with 17 minutes played in Pearse Stadium. Conor Cooney then pulled a free wide and from the restart, Mossy collected the ball and fired over to nudge Kilkenny into the lead for the first time in the game.

Then came the first of three

majors for the men in maroon.

Brian Concannon was heavily involved, the Killimordaly man found Mannion in space and the Ahascragh player gave a short pass to Gavin Lee who struck a fierce shot across Aidan Tallis and into the Kilkenny net. Shefflin’s men up by two points in the blink of an eye. TJ Reid then had two free’s in quick succession, the first pulled wide, the second, normal service resumed.

Billy Ryan then went on a surging run and despite being held up by the Galway defence, he gave a pass to Mossy who with little room to maneuver in, managed to send the sliotar between Darach Fahy’s posts.

Kilkenny skipper, Paddy Deegan who was coming into the game a little more, then picked out TJ with a lovely long pass, but Fintan Burke was deemed to have fouled the

multiple All-Star and the Shamrocks man converted the resulting free.

Cathal Mannion then notched his 3rd point of the game when he collected the ball, turned Tommy Walsh and fired over to deadlock matters again. The same player then benefited from a misplaced hand pass from Cian Kenny before striking over a lovely point off his right side, to highlight the influence he was having on the round two encounter.

The Noresiders were then awarded a free, when Galway sub Jack Grealish was blown for a clear ‘throw ball’ and TJ punished the indiscretion to level matters for the fourth time. The championship’s alltime top scorer then struck from play to edge the cats ahead and this was built on by another fine point from Tullaroan’s Mossy Keoghan, his 4th point of the day. Tom Phelan then

took a wonderful catch before racing towards the Galway goal and rifled over for his second point of the game which was now in the first of three additional minutes.

A long diagonal ball from David Blanchfield was collected by Mikey Butler who showed all the skills of a forward when dissecting the posts with a beautiful effort for the final score of the opening period in Salthill to leave Kilkenny up by four at the short whistle.

The home side got the scoreboard moving after the interval through their goal scorer, Gavin Lee when the Clarinbridge man fired over having been picked out by his captain Conor Whelan. Galway’s Sean Linnane was then turned over after some great pressure by the Cats and Conahy’s Tom Phelan capitalised on this by rifling over a tidy score. The

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Hurling matters - Review Jordan Molloy moves in to assist David Blanchfield

Aidan Tallis clears his lines

battle between Mikey Butler and Conor Whelan was a great watch in itself, and the Kinvara man pointed after getting an inch of space from the All-Star corner back.

Thomastown’s John Donnelly was next to register, benefiting from TJ’s pressure to pop over from close range before David Blanchfield surged up the Pearse Stadium pitch, shortened his grip and split the posts for a nice score. The Tribesmen then reduced the Kilkenny lead when Gavin lee pointed after good work from Cianan Fahy. Derek Lyng then made his first change in personnel in the 42nd minute, when Owen Wall replaced Luke Hogan, an O’Loughlin for an O’Loughlin.

The visitors’ four-point lead was about to be reduced to the bare minimum. Conor Cooney’s attempted point from halfway was

batted down by Aidan Tallis but Brian Concannon reacted sharply to sweep to the Kilkenny net, as the Galway supporters found their voices. Henry’s men had a spring in their step and captain Conor Whelan struck over a point from the restart to level matters in Salthill once more.

The Cats needed to respond, and they did via a point from Billy Ryan, reward for a lot of hard work in the game so far. Henry Shefflin then sent on Evan Niland for Tom Monaghan as he sought to ensure that any placed ball efforts would be converted, having watched Conor Cooney have a mixed 45 minutes on free taking duty. John Donnelly then picked out Richie Reid in the centre of the field and the Shamrocks man struck his second point out west.

David Burke was then fouled by

Billy Ryan which gave Evan Niland his first opportunity from the placed ball and the Clarinbridge man duly obliged. Another O’Loughlin’s player then entered the fray, this time it was Jordan Molloy sent on for Graigue Ballycallan’s Billy Ryan. Niland then punished John Donnelly’s foul to land his second point in quick succession before Mossy recycled the sliotar well and passed to Molloy who split the posts with his first action following his introduction.

Lyng’s charges hadn’t created any real goal chances thus far, but the speedy Owen Wall almost raised a green flag in the 51st minute when he raced away from his marker before striking a shot which netminder Darach Fahy managed to bat away to safety. Kilkenny halted the Galway break away, albeit illegally, but with the aid of the Salthill wind, Evan Niland struck over his 3rd point since coming on. TJ then nudged his side ahead with his 6th point after Jack Grealish picked up a yellow for a foul on Mossy.

Jordan Molloy notched his second score from play having been set up

by The Village’s Cian Kenny to put the visitors up by 2 points before Richie Reid set up John Donnelly for another score for the All-Ireland intermediate club winner. Moments later, it would be TJ who provided the assist for the Thomastown man to push the Cats lead out to four points.

Evan Niland then struck over another placed ball to keep things very interesting in Pearse Stadium, before his more experienced opposition dead-ball specialist TJ Reid did likewise. The Clarinbridge

man dispatched his next free from halfway to really show his manager that he is the man to be trusted with placed ball duty.

Cathal Mannion then rifled over a sweet point from out on the right as the home side’s support went up another level. Huw Lawlor then saw his pass cut out by Cianan Fahy who took a few steps before striking over a lovely effort to reduce the Marble City men’s lead to one point.

The Cats hit back themselves, Cian Kenny sending over his third point of the day after good battling by Owen Wall. Evan Niland then hit his first point from play, from out on the right as the Westerners raised the noise level in Salthill.

Henry’s charges were pushing hard for a possible equalising score, or possibly better, and it nearly came in the 68th minute, but for the strong wrists of Lisdowney’s Aidan Tallis, who prevented a near certain 3rd goal for the home side. The ball was worked down the other end and Kilkenny were awarded a ‘65 which John Donnelly heavily outnumbered but holding possession

TJ nailed to leave the black & amber men 2 points up as the game was about to enter injury time.

Two more scores came during the 3 minutes of additional time, the seemingly more reliable of the Galway free takers, Evan Niland fired over another placed ball, before their lively skipper, Conor Whelan found another inch of space to strike a fine equalising score to leave the scoreboard in Salthill reading, Galway 2-23, Kilkenny 0-29.

Scorers for Kilkenny: TJ Reid 0-8 (6fs, 165), Martin Keoghan and John Donnelly 0-4 each, Cian Kenny and Tom Phelan 0-3 each, Richie Reid and Jordan Molloy 0-2 each, Mikey Butler, David Blanchfield, and Billy Ryan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Galway: Evan Niland 0-7 (6fs), Gavin Lee 1-2, Brian Concannon 1-1, Cathal Mannion and Conor Cooney (2fs, 165) 0-4 each, Conor Whelan 0-3, Cianan Fahy 0-2.

Kilkenny: Aidan Tallis; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; David Blanchfield, Paddy Deegan, Shane Murphy; Cian Kenny, Richie Reid; Billy Ryan, John Donnelly, Tom Phelan; Martin Keoghan, TJ Reid, Luke Hogan.

Subs: Owen Wall for Hogan (42), Jordan Molloy for Ryan (48), Darragh Corcoran for R Reid (70+2), Gearoid Dunne for Keoghan (70+4).

Galway: Darach Fahy; Darren Morrissey, Fintan Burke, Pádraic Mannion; Seán Linnane, Cianan Fahy, Daithí Burke; Ronan Glennon, David Burke; Gavin Lee, Thomas Monaghan, Conor Cooney; Cathal Mannion, Conor Whelan, Brian Concannon.

Subs: Jack Grealish for Morrissey (29), Evan Niland for Monaghan (45), Joseph Cooney for David Burke (58), Johnny Glynn for Concannon (58), Jason Flynn for Lee (69).

Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford).

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 3rd May 2024

Planning notices

Planning notices KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

Take notice that I intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for planning permission to retain the 0.73 m2 ground floor extension, 22.34 m2 first floor extension and 21.61 m2 services platform at the second floor level, and permission to redesign the front elevation and all associated site works on lands at Main Street, Gowran, 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.

Signed: Colm Lawlor

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

We, Pepper Finance Corporation (Ireland) DAC, wish to apply to the above authority for planning permission for the change of use of an existing vacant medical clinic at Norebank House, Greens Hill, Kilkenny to residential accommodation / dwelling house.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Pepper Finance Corporation (Ireland) DAC

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

RITA TREHY 1ST ANNIVERSARY In loving memory of our dear sister Rita.

Late of SOS, Sycamore’s and formerly of Emmet Street, who died 11th May 2023.

Those we love, We never lose Always loved and remembered by her heartbroken sisters, brothers and extended family.

R.I.P Rita. We miss you so much Anniversary Mass on Sunday, 12th May at 10am in St. Michael’s Church, Danesfort.

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. H.D.

A Prayer to the Blessed Virgin (never known to fail).

O most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful vine, Splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, O Star of the sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. O Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to grant my request.

(Pleasestaterequest).Therearenonethatcanwithstand your power. O show me herein you are my Mother. I place this cause in your hands (three times). Thank you for your mercy towards me and mine. Amen.

This prayer must be said for three days and after this the request will be granted. This prayer must be published immediately. H.H

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.M.

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. R.W.B.

St. Anthony Prayer

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.M.

The Miracle Prayer

Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.

This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).

Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. P.T.M.

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.R.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 3rd May 2024

Classifieds Motors

Classified section To advertise your business in our classified section call in or telephone: 056 777 1463, or email: accounts @kilkennyobserver.ie

087 2587745

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