Kilkenny Observer 04th October 2024

Noonan welcomes Budget

‘It offers supports for families and cost of living’

Green Party TD for Carlow Kilkenny and Minister for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan has welcomed the measures announced in Budget 2025, which he says will help people with the increased cost of living, support parents and families across Kilkenny, boost delivery of housing, and provide targeted assistance to help the most vul-

nerable in society.

Minister Noonan said the Government had again ensured that those less well-off would benefit the most from cost of living supports and from the largest social protection budget package to be delivered in the history of the State, worth more than €2.6 billion.

“With this budget we wanted to ensure that families can

Spellbinding adventure !

Get ready for a spellbinding Halloween midterm at Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny. From Saturday, October 26 to Sunday, November 3 embark on a magical journey where dinosaurs, wizards, and ghouls collide in a fun-filled, spooky ‘Wicked Walk’ adventure through the hotel’s renowned family attraction, Jurassic Newpark.

On the walk, you’ll experience fun, thrills and chills as dinosaurs come back to life, ghouls appear around every corner, and magical moments await in the brand-new wizard’s sanctorium. This enchanting event is open to all.

This Halloween, Jurassic is introducing a thrilling new addition – a world of wizardry where your young witches and wizards can brew potions, cast spells, and meet familiar magical characters. It’s an immersive experience that will leave little ones buzzing with excitement.

For tickets and more information, visit www.jurassicnewpark.com

feel the impact of targeted measures in their pockets. Measures like a €400 lump sum under the Working Family payment, two one-off double child benefit payments, and a €100 lump sum for the qualified child increment will have a huge impact for families facing an ongoing rise in their cost of living, and my colleague Minister Roderic O’Gorman has secured a pay-

ment of €420 for new parents to assist with the costs of having a new baby.

“Budget ‘25 also includes a range of one-off payments to help ease pressure on the most vulnerable in society, like a €200 lump sum payment for recipients of the Living Alone allowance, and this is in addition to increases in the minimum wage; a €12 weekly increase in the state

pension, carer’s allowance, disability payments and jobseeker’s allowance; and a €15 weekly increase in maternity, paternity and parents’ benefit. We’re also announcing two more energy credits worth €250 to reduce household electricity bills for everyone, and a €300 lump sum fuel allowance.”

Young people will also benefit from the Budget’s cost of

Budget is ‘no help’ for hotels’ crisis

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has expressed deep disappointment with Budget 2025, saying the Government has failed to respond in any meaningful way to the commercial crisis facing hospitality foodled businesses.

IHF President Michael Magner says: “The Budget does next to nothing to address the enormous challenges confronting our sector while at the same time imposing further costs on

thousands of hospitality businesses.

“The decision not to reduce the hospitality VAT rate is short-sighted and extremely concerning given the stark commercial environment that food service businesses are operating under throughout the country. These businesses are facing a perfect storm as they grapple with rising costs, the impact of the 13.5% VAT rate and very tight margins. It

is becoming increasingly clear that Government policies are now fundamentally at odds with the long-term interests of our sector and wider tourism industry.”

“The half-baked measures announced today will have almost no impact for businesses that are struggling with ever-increasing costs, much of which are a direct result of the Government’s own economic policies. The bottom

Telling it like it is. And with no holds barred

line is that inaction now poses an enormous risk to our wider hospitality and tourism industry which, as one of Ireland’s largest indigenous employers, supports over 280,000 livelihoods some 70% of which are outside of Dublin,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kevin McPartlan, CEO of Fuels for Ireland, has issued an urgent call for the Government to review the rising fuel taxes that have made Ireland one of the most

expensive countries in Europe for diesel and petrol.

“The Budget claimed to focus on reducing the cost of living but the Government is actually increasing costs for consumers, ensuring that Ireland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe for diesel and petrol. Since 2020, the taxes on fuel have soared by 20%, driving a dramatic increase in costs for consumers and businesses.”

living measures with measures like a €1,000 reduction in the student contribution for third level students and a €250 increase to the renter’s tax credit introduced in 2022.

“A focus on women’s health continues in Budget 2025 with expansion of access to free IVF and free HRT, which will mean a saving of up to €840 a year,” the minister said.

The Budget at a glance

• State pension up by €12.

• €250 universal electricity credit to help everyone keep warm this winter.

• Two double Child Benefit payments before Christmas for everyone.

• Triple Child Benefit ‘baby boost’ when you have a new baby.

•F ree schoolbooks for all and monetary refund for third level students.

• Free public transport for children under nine.

See John Ellis Page 16

Remembrance at St Luke’s

St Luke’s General Hospital Annual Remembrance Mass will take place on Tuesday October 22 at 7:30pm in St Canice’s Parish Church, Kilkenny.

The Mass is for families and loved ones of patients who have died in the hospital. The Mass, organised by the End of Life Care Committee, particularly remembers the patients who have died between September 1, 2023 and August 31, 2024. There will be an opportunity for families and friends to light a candle in remembrance of those who have died.

The Mass can also be viewed via the following link: https://www. stcanicesparish.ie/ web-cam/

Huge drop in traditional church weddings

Traditional church weddings are declining amid the rise of non-religious ceremonies or weddings, according to new research.

A Catholic church ceremony is still marginally more common, but the second most popular option for couples getting married last year was a civil ceremony, which was chosen by 32%, or 6,474 couples.

According to a new report, while Catholic church weddings still remained the most popular type of ceremony with couples last year, accounting for 34.3%, or 7,256 couples, this compares to 91.4% of the total in 1994.

The report for the Iona Institute, a pro-faith, pro-traditional marriage think-tank, has found that couples tying the knot here are increasingly opting for non-traditional spiritual ceremonies.

The report is drawn from the latest CSO data and compiled by journalist Breda O’Brien.

The study, entitled ‘The Rapid Rise Of New Age Weddings In Ireland: How Should The Churches Respond?’, finds that the decline in the proportion of church weddings in recent decades is stark.

There are three options for couples getting married in Ireland: a civil ceremony, a religious ceremony (including spiritual or New Age wed-

dings), or a secular ceremony via the Humanist Association.

Each is equally valid and binding under Irish law, provided the ceremony meets certain legal requirements and is conducted by a solemniser licensed by the State to conduct weddings.

According to Ms O’Brien: “The statistics confirm a decline in Catholic marriages, which is not surprising, given the decline in active church attendance and vocations to religious life.”

This new research also reveals that Catholic ceremonies are not the only denomination seeing a drop in popularity, as the Church of Ireland saw its percentage of wedding ceremonies fall from 2.6% of the total, down to 1.1%.

At the same time, weddings performed by one non-denominational organisation called Entheos Ireland outnumbered Church of Ireland weddings by more than two to one.

Another organisation called the Spiritualist Union of Ireland conducted 7.8% of all weddings in the country last year.

According to Ms O’Brien’s findings, when all weddings performed by such organisations are taken into account, the sector represents almost a quarter of the total, and it is rising.

The trend highlights the “massive social change”

taking place in Ireland and Ms O’Brien notes that this has happened in a very short period of time.

The trend is not confined to Dublin or even to other urban areas, although the change is most dramatic in the capital, according to Ms O’Brien. Exploring what is driving the trend, she highlights that the change in attitudes towards religion is one major factor, but also argues that there “is also a big commercial aspect to what is taking place”.

She says that some of the changes are commercially driven in that hotels now offer wedding ceremonies and receptions in the same location and often direct couples to non-traditional wedding organisations.

Currently, Catholic weddings only take place in church settings.

One of the research paper’s recommendations is that the Catholic church in Ireland take a leaf out of the book of American dioceses which adapted during the Covid pandemic to allow marriage ceremonies take place in other venues such as hotels.

“Unless the churches find a way to respond, the present trends will probably worsen from their point of view and will very likely extend to funerals as well in due course,” Ms O’Brien warns.

PHOTO: Jessica Rook / Unsplash

Carlow town centre to get €20m redevelopment

A €20m redevelopment of Carlow town centre has been unveiled, which planners say is designed to support businesses and modern living.

Among the changes are a glass and timber-covered amenity with seating and free wifi, a renewed outdoor market, and cycle/pedestrianfriendly routes.

Funded by the Department

of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) programme, a series of changes have been proposed to create attractive areas in a mix of streets and spaces designed to invite people to meet and mingle.

The proposals have been created with modern, urban,

Abused women and children still suffering, says Funchion

Ireland is currently facing an alarming crisis with regard to femicide and gender-based violence. Women across the country continue to be assaulted, tormented and, tragically, killed – whether in public spaces or in their own homes, according to Kathleen Funchion MEP

“Many women across Ireland no longer feel safe, even within their own homes. It seems almost every day we are confronted with another tragedy – a woman killed, another life stolen by domestic and gender based violence.

“I have raised, with an expert forum from the European Institute of Gender Equality (EIGE), that Ireland’s current ‘Zero Tolerance’ third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) is falling far short of the 675 spaces needed to meet the number of spaces required under the Istanbul Convention, which Ireland ratified in 2019.

“While only one county in Ireland South (Carlow) remains without a women’s refuge, for many victims/ survivors, escaping abusive situations is not simply a matter of leaving. The barriers they face when attempting to access support services, particularly in rural areas, are significant,” the MEP said.

“Safe refuge centres often represent the only place where these women can find safety. It is vital that these centres are

not only accessible but properly resourced and that the organisations providing such services are adequately funded to carry out their life-saving work. The clear lack of availability of social housing, affordable private rental accommodation is one of the greatest barriers and challenges for women and children who are victims/ survivors of domestic violence and abuse.

“Women in rural communities are disproportionately affected, with fewer support networks available and often no access to public transport, leaving them isolated and with fewer options to escape abusive environments,” she said.

She had questioned the panel on their organisation’s data collection and how they processed Information on both coercive control and what standards or methodologies they used for measuring coercive control across Europe.

“In a recent report GREVIO encouraged Ireland to introduce a system, such as a review mechanism, to analyse all cases of gender-based killings of women.

“The lack of comprehensive data on DSGBV in Ireland has created a vacuum of information and this needs to change, I think it’s vitally important we use the resources of organisations like EIGE to support our response to this crisis,” the Ireland South MEP said.

Ireland in sixth spot among food wasters

Ireland is the sixth-biggest waster of food in the EU, with an average of 145kg of food waste being generated annually per inhabitant.

New figures published by the European Commission show food wastage levels in Ireland on a per capita basis were 10pc above the EU average of 132kg per inhabitant in 2022.

However, food businesses, rather than householders, are mostly responsible for the scale

public-realm living and supporting business in mind.

Under the redevelopment plans, locals will be able to meet at a reimagined Potato Market, which will incorporate a covered area and recreation space facing the Liberty Tree fountain.

The proposed new amenity will feature a series of small and medium-scale spaces.

Slainte! Sara Cassidy, Therese Bourke, and Gareth Duffy from Aiséirí as they celebratee being one of nine projects awarded grants through the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund this year. Now in its fourth year the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund

The space – framed by raised planters, street greening and new feature lighting – will have a range of uses for all ages, with a focus on teenagers and local groups.

A renewed outdoor market and amenity space has also been proposed, along with a “shared surface”, in front of the library.

Shamrock Plaza will feature

extended cafe-style public spaces for retailers, with seating zones outside restaurants.

Carlow County Council chief executive Coilín O’Reilly said: “These improvements will reflect the present and future needs of the local community and enterprises with quality furniture, sustainable infrastructure and interconnected

spaces to facilitate a living and growing town centre.”

The proposals have been shown to local representatives and Carlow County Council is now entering a three-week period of consultation. Locals have the chance to share their views on the new proposals via yourcarlow.ie, when the scheme launches on Monday October 7.

Aiséirí receives grant from Vhi fund

Aiséirí in Kilkenny has received a grant from the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund.

Aiséirí, which provides residential and communitybased addiction treatment for young people aged 15 to 21 through a 12-step and holistic programme, will use the funding to sustain and expand their ‘Connection Programme’.

This initiative will focus on recovery through two key components: sailing and equine therapy. For those engaged in communitybased recovery support for one to two years, the funding will support two one-day sailing programmes. Meanwhile, equine therapy will be offered weekly for two

hours over an eight weeks to those in the earlier stages of engagement. This support aims to enhance participation, manage anxiety, and build resilience.

Other grant recipients this year include Venture Out in Galway, Donegal Youth Service, Dublin based community group Just Ask, The

of the problem in the Republic. Overall, the EU generated 59.2 million tonnes of food waste in 2022, including edible and inedible parts, with almost 750,000 tonnes accounted for by Ireland.

The latest figures show the annual amount of food waste among Irish people has been falling in recent years – down from an average of 154kg per head of population in 2020 to 145kg last year.

*For more information about the Vhi Health & Wellbeing Fund visit https://iyf.ie/grants/

Coastal erosion sees scenic road re-routed

A scenic coastal road in Waterford will have to be rerouted away from the top of a cliff following accelerating coastal erosion in the wake of recent storms.

The Coast Road links Waterford villages including Annestown and Bunmahon, and is a favourite route for tourists and walkers in the southeast.

It traces west from Waterford city and Tramore towards the famous Copper Coast, and in sections,

travels close to the sea and cliffs.

However, recent storms have seen parts of the cliff face crumble in the wake of powerful waves.

Amid concerns over subsidence of parts of the coast road, traffic controls have had to be introduced.

Waterford City and County Council told radio WLRFM that the road will have to be realigned well away from the cliff face where the worst of the erosion has taken place.

“Following a storm event in April this year, a combination of heavy rainfall and wave overtopping caused some erosion to the cliff face,” a council spokesperson said.

“A traffic management system has been put in place to divert traffic away from the cliff face and investigations are ongoing.

“It is the intention of Waterford City and County Council to realign the road away from the cliff face in the medium to long term.”

The revelation came after weather-related damage was also reported to parts of the famous Ring of Kerry route. Wexford County Council has also had to undertake remedial works to protect coastal roads with significant concern over cliff damage outside Kilmore Quay from severe storms over the past decade. Such is the scale of the resultant erosion that there are concerns the public roadway could be jeopardised.

Shona Project, Irish Refugee Council, Wellsprings in Cork, as well as Blue Box Creative Arts Therapy Centre and SMILE School Completion Project in Limerick.

The Fact Of The Matter

Paul

Hopkins

Was it a miracle? I like to think so...

The term ‘miracle’ is used very broadly in every day, ordinary language. We speak of miracle drugs, or of miracle babies, and some household products purport to be miraculous as well. Then there are those Christmas miracles. Philosophical discussion of the miraculous, however, is confined to the use to which religion — and, in particular, theistic religion — puts that conception. A miracle, says Roman Catholicism, must be, in some sense, contrary to natural law, indeed a “violation” of natural law. Philosophers have wrestled down the years with concerns about what sort of observable criteria would allow us to identify an event as a miracle, particularly insofar as that means identifying it as a violation of natural law.

Can miracles happen? Do they?

I have always somewhat thought that faith can move mountains, have a belief of mind over matter. I’ve always kept a very open mind to such.

She had a large, black beaming face, a toothless smile. She crouched to the left, giving the appearance of a humped back. This was Soweto, South Africa, 20 years ago, and the old woman was a Sangoma, imbued with powers of good and evil. Powers made possible because she was, if you believed, the incarnation of an ancestral spirit, and a practitioner of Muti medicine — divined using herbs and plants and animal tissue.

Three years before that day in Soweto, I woke to a busted, arthritic knee, brought on by an earlier fall

in which I had broken my foot in two places. Micro surgery was recommended but there was no guarantee of permanent healing.

For more than two years, the knee was as good as ever but then, overnight, it came back with a vengeance — constant pain, intermittent immobility. I persevered with pain-killers but eventually took the knee back to the consultant. VHI or no, there was a 10-week waiting list.

In the meantime, armed to the gills with pills, the knee strapped up, and promising to do the daily physio, I took myself off to South Africa to report on its first 10 years of independence.

Last census put the number of Sangomas at 1% of the 60 million population. They gather in ‘lodges’ away from the

public eye where they call on the spirits of their ancestors to protect their powers ... for the better good.

If you know what to look for, the Sangoma can be found on any street corner in any South African city, most recognisable by their dress of red, white and their black beads. Faith in the works of the Sangoma is widespread and, as such, is protected under South Africa’s model Constitution.

The room was sparsely furnished, the occasional animal skin thrown over a wooden box, feathers and skins hanging from a wall, another wall holding all kinds of containers and canisters — the Muti. The old woman sat before me and from a cloth sack removed a collection of bones of varying shapes

and hues, made of wood and ivory and animal.

She tossed the bones onto the mat, and said my ancestors would guide me.

My Sangoma then entered a trance-like state, rabbiting away in Xhosa to all and none. Take off your trousers, the interpreter said. The Sangoma then removed a container lid, stuck a boney finger into it and scooped out a clear, sticky substance like Vaseline. She leaned towards my knee and then it hit me. The strongest smell; pungent, sickening like rotting flesh. I recoiled. Wow, strong Muti, I said, laughing nervously. Undeterred, she applied the foul-smelling gel and massaged it in for a minute or so. The back of my head was on fire like after a good curry, and the odour was toxic.

Apply it once a day until it was all used, I was told. We emerged back onto Soweto’s streets, just before sunset when Africa is cooling down, all the smells and hues settling back into creation before the anonymity of the night. I looked into the pink sky and was overcome with an urge to run a mile. I skipped and hopped down Soweto’s hills, my knee no longer racked with pain and inconvenience. I threw the Muti away the next day, as it was smelling out my hotel room. But I had no longer need of it. My knee was now painfree and fully functional. Back in Ireland, I cancelled the proposed second operation. To this day I have never looked back, kneewise. Was it a miracle? I like to think so...

Word is your oral history is sought

The Heritage Office of Kilkenny County Council has announced an ambitious project aimed at identifying, locating and listing all existing recordings of oral history made across or about Co. Kilkenny. The initiative aims to uncover invaluable stories, personal memories, and local insights that have been captured over the decades, but which in many cases remain largely undocument-

ed and unused. Recordings of memories, stories, folklore, or any recollections of life in the county, whether documented on reel to reels, cassette tapes or digital devices are sought.

The Audit of Oral Recordings for Co. Kilkenny is focused on voice recordings, from professional collections of oral history to shoeboxes full of old cassette tapes. The project was first begun in

Mount Juliet at US tourism think-in

Twelve tourism businesses from Ireland – including Mount Juliet Estate –joined Tourism Ireland at the annual International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) North America.

ILTM North America is an invitation-only event for the global luxury travel industry – attracting around 360 influential travel agents and decision-makers who design unique, luxury travel itineraries for their high net-worth international clients. Luxury travel editors and journalists from international publications were also in attendance.

The four-day event involved a programme of bespoke one-to-one appointments and networking sessions and is

an excellent opportunity for the tourism businesses from Ireland to meet, and do business with, the influential travel agents and journalists. Around 650 commercial meetings were conducted by the tourism businesses from Ireland at the event.

David Boyce, Tourism Ireland’s Head of Business Events and Luxury, said: "Our participation at this year’s ILTM North America is an excellent opportunity to showcase the superb luxury tourism offering right around Ireland – from our boutique hotels, castles and luxury resorts to our rich culture and heritage and not forgetting our world-class golf and superb culinary scene."

2019 and now sees a second phase, aimed at finding many more precious recordings across the county or elsewhere, related to Kilkenny. The audit which will be delivered by Mac Conmara Heritage Consulting, experts in the field of cultural heritage.

Regina Fitzpatrick, Heritage Officer for Kilkenny County Council, who is leading the project, explained that the

audit will, for the first time, compile a database reflecting what has been collected over the decades relating to Kilkenny.

"In 2019, Mac Conmara Heritage Consulting undertook a wide-ranging documentation of oral recordings across Kilkenny. The project got a hugely positive response from the people of the county and fifty-two collections, totalling 1,230

recordings were identified and listed. As a result of the pandemic, we were not able to fully complete the project and thankfully we are now able to reopen the initiative and are very excited about what else we will find," she said.

Speaking at the announcement of the Project, Dr Tomás Mac Comara, Director of Mac Conmara Heritage, explained that the project

was not seeking to physically take collections, but instead was aimed at compiling information about the collections, like their current location, format, and content. If you have any information on oral heritage recordings related to Kilkenny people or places, please contact Mac Conmara Heritage Consulting on 087 916073 or by e-mail at macconmaraheritage@gmail.com.

Winter vaccinations programme begins in Kilkenny and SE

The HSE’s Winter vaccination programme, with the roll out of the free Flu and COVID19 vaccines to recommended groups has begun, following a regional launch in Kilkenny.

Both flu and COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for people aged 60 and over, healthcare workers, anyone who is pregnant or has a long term health condition.

Both vaccines are available from participating GPs and pharmacies, and can be given at the same time. Healthcare worker vaccination clinics will also take place in many workplaces across the country.

HSE vaccination teams will also provide both vaccines for people living in residential care facilities including nursing homes as well as to housebound patients.

Dr. Ruth McDermott (Consultant in Public Health Medicine, HSE Dublin and South East) said: “This winter, both flu and COVID-19 viruses are expected to circulate. Flu and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses, but both can cause serious

illness. Last winter in the Republic of Ireland, over 4,000 people were hospitalised with flu and over 7,000 people were hospitalised with COVID-19

“Our immunity drops over time so it is important to get vaccinated this winter to get protected and to top up your protection. It is very important that all those who are eligible, get both their free flu and COVID-19 booster vaccines now to protect them this winter. People should also be reassured that it is safe to receive both vaccines at the same time for free through participating GP practices and pharmacies.”

Speaking at a launch of the vaccines for healthcare workers in Kilkenny, Derval Howley (Head of Health and Wellbeing, HSE) said: “This year, the HSE is extending the flu vaccine to more people, making it available for free to everyone aged 60 years and older."

* To see what vaccines are recommended for you, visit hse.ie, call HSELive on 1800 700 700 or talk to a participating GP or pharmacist.

On tour: Debbie Moran, Fáilte Ireland (back left); Siobhán O'Sullivan, Mount Juliet Estate (back, third left); Sarah Hamilton (back, right) and Chris Lynn (front, left), both Tourism Ireland

As I See It Marianne Heron

Only one way to stop Middle East conflict

As the Israelis’ killing fields switch their deadly focus from Gaza to Lebanon and the tinder box of the Middle East region teeters on the brink of conflagration you wonder where is this going to end. As the death toll and injury of innocent civilians mounts by the thousands you may ask, as I do, what can be done to stop the Israelis’ massacre of civilians?

The descriptions of chaotic scenes as up to a million Lebanese flee the south of their country ahead of Israeli bombing are reminiscent of the mayhem on the roads of France in the summer of 1940 as desperate crowds crawled southwards attempting to escape the Nazi advance and were attacked repeatedly by German planes.

The actions of the Israeli Government and their defence forces (IDF) have shown that they can do whatever they like and get away with it without

consequence. This has been happening not only throughout the year-long war and the Israelis’ disproportionate response to Hamas’ October 7 atrocities but for decades before that in the inhuman treatment of Palestinians and continuing encroachment of their lands.

They will continue to get away with it until the US, the EU and governments around world act to make to bring the killing rampage to an end by halting arms supply and trade with Israel– by putting an economic gun to Benjamin Netanyahu’s head.

The Israelis always have a justification when targets like schools and hospitals are hit by air strikes, missiles and bombs causing dozens of deaths and injuries to children, women, the elderly and infirm and reducing Gaza to rubble. These places they say, are hideouts, weapon stores or whatever for Hamas in Gaza

and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Condemning their actions, like the fiendish exploding of weaponised pagers in Lebanon recently, as war crimes, has absolutely no effect.

How can it, when the US is pleading for cease fires on the one hand and arming Israel on the other, sometimes covertly where the spending in dozens of smaller amounts doesn’t require to be passed by the US House of Representatives. While Israel has a burgeoning arms industry of its own , it cannot supply the full range of weapons that it needs like the aircraft, bombs and missiles supplied by the US.

A curious point is that we read of the Iran-backed Hezbollah but never read of the accurate linking of US-backed Israel. It could be said that that America is waging a proxy war on the people of Gaza and Lebanon.

The US provides the largest share of weapons, nearly 70%

according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), that go to Israel, followed by Germany and with smaller amounts

“Putting

an economic gun to Netanyahu’s head...

from Italy and the UK. Britain recently cancelled licences for 30 arms suppliers on the grounds that Israel was preventing humanitarian aid reaching the starving, wounded homeless people of Gaza.

Israeli trade was worth $58bn last year, its main exports are diamonds, integrated circuits and measuring equipment, with 27% going to the US. The rest of their trade is in much smaller amounts, Ireland bought $3.85bn worth in 2022. We should stop trading with Israel, so should everyone, to cut off the economic flow which enables Israel’s war-mongering.

Nothing else will stop Netanyahu and his Government deployment of the IDF: not the realisation that they will be forever condemning their own people to the threat of reprisals and revenge by militant organisations for the Palestinians and Lebanese they have

slaughtered and oppressed. The condemnation by other nations for their actions won’t stop them, nor fear that they their attack on Lebanon will tip the region into full scale war. They cannot see, as brutal colonisers hundreds of years ago could not see, that the only way to peace is by sharing the land they are occupying in Palestine.

Other nations, the US in particular, are not prepared to stop the arms flow and impose economic sanctions. Vested interests in terms of arms dealing, trade and most shamefully votes in America’s November elections come before the lives of others, unseen, whose piled-up bodies – over 50,000 in Gaza and already in just a week over 600 in Palestine – could bury the White House.

Nor can the world see that cutting off arms and trade with Israel is an investment in peace.

Tips to help with fertility

CLAIR WHITTY

Have you come to the point in your life where you are ready to start your family? This is a very exciting time but some of you might be feeling nervous that you won’t get pregnant just because you want to. Don’t stress, there are some things that you can do to help you conceive. Both of you will benefit from a healthy diet, and lifestyle, gentle exercise, and good quality sleep. No doubt you have looked at these changes and are wondering what else you can do to optimise your success. Alongside these changes I think that it would be a good idea for women to take a prenatal formula. This should include some Iron, Folic acid, B Vitamins, Zinc, and Vitamin C. I like NHP Advanced Fertility Support for Women. It is a great choice for the planning stage, as this supplement contains these nutrients in the highest and most effective doses and is scientifically proven to help promote conception and a healthy pregnancy. Dr Marilyn Glenville PhD, UK’s leading nutritionist specialising in women’s health formulated this supplement

for women who were planning a pregnancy so that they wouldn’t have to go out and buy three and four different supplements to get the nutrients they needed. If you are doing IVF, Marilyn says that it is perfect to use alongside this process as well. You can take it while planning and throughout the first couple of months of pregnancy. Then you could switch to NHP Advanced Pregnancy Support. This is specifically formulated to give you and your baby essential nutrients for a healthy pregnancy.

It is no harm for men to take a supplement to improve the quality, speed, and strength of your sperm. You could consider NHP Advanced Fertility for Men. This is a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement formulated specially for you. It contains over 20 of the highest quality and some of the most important nutrients scientifically known to help increase fertility. One other supplement that I would highly recommend for both men and women would be Omega Oils that are high in DHA. This is vitally important for baby’s brain development. This is a very exciting time for you, happy planning, and I hope your dreams come true for you.

New research published by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has uncovered critical insights into the state of retirement planning among Irish adults.

Significant pensions coverage gap

The findings indicate that, while six in 10 Irish adults  have a pension  in place, one in five (21%)  have made no financial arrangements at all for their retirement. This increases to 28% for workers aged more than 55 years of age.

The primary reasons for not having a pension include affordability (30%) and “not getting around to it” (25%) which were cited as the two most significant reasons for not having a pension in place. Older workers are more likely to name affordability as a reason.

Reliance on savings

More than 50% of adults intend to use savings to fund or partially fund their later years, raising concerns that consumers are not fully cashing in on the tax benefits of investing in a pension plan compared to traditional savings.

Employers play crucial role

One in five have no financial plans for retirement SPECIAL REPORT

Employers play a key role in helping consumers to access financial advice and encouraging increased contributions. A total 70% of consumers would be more willing to increase their pension contributions if matched by the employer. Employers also came through as the most common route to finding a financial advisor, for those consumers who have sought advice on planning for retirement.

Recognition of housing costs into retirement

The research also showed that many consumers recognise that their current housing costs will continue into retirement. While 69%

of respondents expect to own their home outright, 11% expect to pay rental costs and a further 6% expect to still be paying a mortgage when they retire.

How much will I get?

Only 39% of consumers are confident that their pension will allow them a good standard of living when they retire, with many consumers uncertain of what to expect. Most consumers (66%) have never had a one-to-one

conversation with a financial advisor about retirement.

Commenting on the findings, Grainne Griffin, Director of Communications with the CCPC, said: “It’s s clear that a significant pensions gap still exists, even among workers who are only ten or twenty years away from retirement. We strongly encourage consumers, particularly anyone over 30, who doesn’t have a pension to set one up immediately, even if their contributions are very

small. As pension contributions are tax free, the longer term value of even a very small regular contribution will be surprising. We are encouraging all Irish consumers to prioritise their pension planning, seek financial advice and regularly review their retirement plans to secure and future-proof their financial wellbeing.

“There is a very clear opportunity here for employers to demonstrate their commitment to their employees’

financial wellbeing, now and into the future. For those consumers who have sat down with a financial advisor and had that crucial conversation about retirement planning, we know they are most likely to have been connected to that financial advisor by their employer.

“We also know that where employers offer to match higher pension contributions, it makes employees much more likely to increase

their level of investment in their pension. With pensions subject to less tax than wages, savvy employers could opt to invest in their workforce by boosting pension contributions rather than salaries, and reducing their employees overall tax liability,” she said. The CCPC has information and resources to help consumers understand and navigate their retirement planning. For more, please visit CCPC Pensions.

Trinity in big advance on therapy for glaucoma

A team of scientists at Trinity College have developed a new gene therapy to treat the eye disease glaucoma. Glaucoma, described as the “silent thief of sight” affects half a million people in Ireland. It can lead to loss of vision if not diagnosed and treated early.

The team in Trinity College Dublin offer hope to people with the progressive debilitating eye condition.

It is not possible to reverse any loss of vision that occurred before glaucoma was diagnosed, but treatment including eye drops, laser procedures and surgery can help stop sight getting worse.

The scientists found their work on gene therapy led to significant benefits in animal models, and in human cells derived from people with glaucoma.

The therapy protected key “retinal ganglion cells” (RGCs) that are important in vision and improved their function in an animal model of glaucoma.

In human retinal cells, delivery of the gene therapy increased oxygen consumption and production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a source of energy, indicating enhanced cell performance, the research published in the International Journal of

Molecular Genetics said.

First author Dr Sophia Millington-Ward, research fellow in Trinity’s School of Genetics and Microbiology, said: “Glaucoma is a complex group of optic neuropathies and a leading cause of blindness.

“In Europe, roughly one in 30 people aged between 40 and 80 years have glaucoma, and that rises to one in 10 in people over 90, so this is a really common condition that badly needs new treatment options.

“It is a multifactorial condition with many different risk factors, which adds to the complexity of treating it.

“Current glaucoma treatments focus on the use of topical eye drops, surgery or laser therapy. However, the outcomes are variable, with some patients not responding or suffering serious side effects.

“The need for better treatment options has inspired and motivated us to continue developing gene therapies, and we are delighted with the promise it is showing.”

The new gene therapy uses an approved virus to deliver an enhanced gene (eNdi1) developed by the Trinity team.

The therapy was designed

with the aim of boosting mitochondrial activity –mitochondria are “cellular energy generators” responsible for ATP production – and reducing damaging reactive oxygen species.

Jane Farrar, Research Professor in Trinity’s School of Genetics and Microbiology, is the senior author of the research article.

She said that developing broadly applicable gene therapies for large numbers of patients was particularly important, given high development costs associated with each therapy – “and here we have highlighted this therapy has real poten-

tial for boosting mitochondrial function in glaucoma”.

The researchers said the next focus was translation of the studies towards the clinic and patients, while involving many additional steps.

The same team previously showed their therapy offered promise in treating dry agerelated macular degeneration (AMD).

And the Trinity team was also recently involved in founding Vzarii Therapeutics to speed up the future development of the dry AMD and glaucoma gene therapies towards human clinical trials.

Kilkenny County Council are pleased to announce the commencement of construction of a new mixed tenure 42-unit housing scheme at Abbeyhill, Ladywell Street, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny.

Located in front of the new Primary Care Centre, within walking distance of Thomastown Town Centre this development will transform a 1.24-hectare disused site into a vibrant community, providing 42 social and affordable housing units.

The housing units at Abbeyhill have been designed by Van Dijk Architects for Kilkenny County Council and will feature a mix of 1, 2, 3, and 4-bedroom units, catering to a variety of housing needs. In addition to the residential units, the project includes comprehensive site works such as roadways, parking facilities, a bin store, and landscaped amenity areas.

Hayes Higgins Partnership are the Consulting Engineers on the project.

Ormonde Construction Ltd, based in Kilkenny City has been appointed as the contractor for this significant project under a Design Build Contract, with Brian Dunlop Architects acting for Ormonde Construction. Lar Power, Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council said “We are delighted to break ground on this much-needed housing scheme in Thomastown and look forward to working with Ormonde

Seated:Gemma O’Rourke (van Dijk Architects), Eimear Cody (Kilkenny County Council), John Holohan (Ormonde Construction), Brian Dunlop (Brian Dunlop Architects)

Middle Row (L to R) : Michelle McKeever (McGahon Surveyors), Niall Patterson (Hayes Higgins Partnership), Fiona Muldowney (Brian Dunlop Architects), Paddy Tyrrell (Ormonde Construction) , Corwun O’Brien (Malone O’Regan)

Back Row (L to R):Paddy Crotty, Tom Doherty (Kilkenny County Council), Richard Cleere (Ormonde Construction), Philip O’Morchoe (Brian Dunlop Architects)

Kilkenny County Council announces commencement of 42-unit housing scheme at Abbeyhill, Thomastown

Construction on this project.  The new units will cater to a diverse range of residents, ensuring that families, individuals, and those with special needs have access to safe and

comfortable homes."

The project is being delivered under the Housing for All Programme.

Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr. Michael

Shaws opens new store in Athlone’s Golden Island Shopping Centre

McCarthy, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, “This development is a testament to our ongoing efforts to provide essential housing solutions for our community.

exclusive own brands Naoise and Tea Lane. The famous Shaws Bra Fit Service will be available for free to all our customers in Athlone featuring lingerie brands

We are excited to see the positive impact it will have on the lives of many residents.”

The construction is set to begin shortly, with an expected completion date in early 2026.

Triumph, Anita, Playtex and Womensecrets. The Beauty range which is made up of well-known brands including Estée Lauder, BPerfect, Elizabeth Arden, Sculpted and Kash Beauty, will excite the fashion customer.

The new store will also offer our customers the opportunity to shop across our full online range at www. shaws.ie and avail of the free click & collect service to the Shaws Athlone store. Athlone will be the first Shaws store to stock Mango Kids, bringing yet more exciting fashion options.

On October 10th from 10.30am, Shaws Athlone will open to the public. On the day there will be opening offers, refreshments, goodie bags, and a chance to win a €500 Shaws Gift card.

Conrad Digan CEO says

“I am delighted to announce that in our 160th year we continue to expand our store network and are thrilled to finally open in Athlone. Our customers continue to drive our business and Athlone is a town with huge demand and love for Shaws. This is a new concept store for us and we bring a huge range of brands like Mango, Sfera, and Punt Roma for our loyal customers as well as an extensive range of Beauty brands including Sculpted, Éstee Lauder, Elizabeth Arden and BPerfect. Our team in Athlone led by our

County

and

Construction are committed to ensuring that the project is completed on time and to the highest standards.

Store manager Samantha is looking forward to welcoming our new and returning customers, with that now famous outstanding Shaws personal service. We look forward to welcoming our customers to the official launch on October 10th “ Founded in 1864 by Henry Shaw, Shaws began as a small drapery shop in Mountmellick, Co. Laois. From these humble beginnings, under the guidance of Henry and his wife Annie, the business slowly grew.

From the early to mid-20th century, with the astute management of William Henry Shaw and Samuel Shaw respectively, the company expanded across the midlands. 3 more stores opened in Athy, Waterford and Carlow. Now 160 years old, Shaws operates in 16 stores across Ireland and continues to open new stores, upgrade existing stores, invest in its colleagues and modernise its brand and online presence.

Shaws Athlone will open in the Golden Island Shopping Centre on October 10th from 10.30am.

The Team at Shaws Athlone invite you to join us from October 10th where you can avail of opening offers of up to 25% off across the store.

Shaws Athlone employs 20 store colleagues, with expert knowledge on skin, hair, beauty and bra fitting, as well as fashion advice.

Kilkenny

Council

Ormonde

Athlone, Ireland – 16.09.24

Shaws is pleased to announce the opening a new store in Athlone town. This significant investment in Shaws Athlone, located in the Golden Island Shopping Centre, marks the latest chapter in our 160 years

Conrad Digan (CEO Shaws) and Mayor Frankie Keena

So, will the Government’s Budget pay off? Your Money & You

Budget 2025, presented against a backdrop of solid economic growth and an impending election, is a delicate balancing act by the Government. Faced with global economic uncertainty, surging costs of living, and the need for long-term infrastructure investment, the Budget reflects both political priorities and the need to address ongoing domestic challenges.

In the lead-up to the Budget, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC) issued a stern warning to the Government, cautioning against excessive spending, stating that the Irish economy was growing above its potential and criticised the Government for repeatedly breaching its 5% spending rule. However, with a general election looming, political realities take precedence. The Taoiseach unapologetically defended the Budget, saying: “We are giving people back some of their own money.” This was reflected in the generous cost-of-living measures and

John Ellis

investments using cash from record corporate tax receipts and windfall gains, including €14.1 billion from the Apple tax ruling and €3.1 billion from the sale of AIB shares, allowing the Government the financial flexibility to plan a Budget that would appeal to a wide array of voters.

Budget 2025 addressed several critical issues. The cost-of-living crisis remains top with a €2.2 billion package to ease financial pressures including a €250 electricity credit to be paid in two instalments, a €300 fuel allowance payment, and double payments for child benefits and long-term social protection recipients. Additionally, there will be targeted support for carers, pensioners, and those living alone.

On the business side, the Budget acknowledges the rising costs for small and medium enterprises. An extension of the 9% VAT reduction on gas and electricity until April 2025 aims to alleviate some pressure, especially for

sectors like hospitality and retail, which have been under strain despite the broader economic recovery.

One of the standout features of Budget 2025 is the allocation of €3 billion for water, housing, and electricity grid improvements intending to address Ireland’s chronic housing

shortage and modernise critical infrastructure.

However, as economist Jim Power pointed out, securing funding is only part of the challenge. The Government’s history of delivering projects on time and within budget has been questioned. To achieve meaningful progress

“significant reforms in project execution and oversight will be necessary”.

While the Government has presented the Budget as a comprehensive response to immediate and long-term challenges, opposition parties were quick to criticise the plan.

The Budget is labelled as a “giveaway on steroids” with the Government failing to address the housing crisis adequately.

“This is a giving-up-on-housing Budget,” Sinn Fein’s Pearse Doherty argued, citing the continued shortfall in affordable and social housing.

Labour’s Ged Nash described the Budget as a “so-called giveaway” that lacks real substance, while Social Democrats TD Roisin Shortall said: “Never has a Government had so much and done so little, it can be argued. Sure, plenty of cash has been splashed around, but mainly in one-off measures.”

Despite these criticisms the Budget should provide significant support to the Irish economy next year un-

derpinned by solid public finances, record employment levels, and a stable banking sector. However, global geopolitical risks and the uncertainty surrounding the US presidential election, pose potential challenges to Ireland’s exportdriven economy.

While the Budget’s generous measures will likely provide short-term relief to many households and businesses, questions remain about the sustainability of such spending and whether it sufficiently addresses deeper, structural issues.

As economist Jim Power noted, “Budget 2025 is a very stimulatory package,” but the real test will be in its long-term impact on the economy. In the coming months, the electorate’s response will become clearer, and the Government’s gamble on voter generosity will face its ultimate test at the ballot box.

john@ellisfinancial.ie 086 8362633

Irish Public Participation Networks call for increased funding

All roads led to Leinster House on the 18th of September where Public Participation Networks (PPNs) from all parts of the country got an opportunity to meet with Deputies and Senators regarding the Budget for 2025.

Kilkenny PPN is one of 31 PPNs that have been established in all local authority areas in the State as part of the local Government Reform in 2014. PPNs facilitate input by the public into local government through a structure that ensures public participation and representation on decision-making committees and bodies within local government.

Bortha Woudsma, coordinator of Kilkenny PPN, said:

“After 10 years in operation

it is fantastic to get the opportunity to present the work of PPNs in Leinster House and to highlight the societal and economic contributions community & voluntary, environmental and social inclusion groups make to community life in Ireland and to advocate for enhanced financial support to allow us to expand our vital work”.

She also commented:

“Thanks to all cross party and Independent Deputies and Senators who attended, all giving their full support for PPN funding.  A special thanks to Senator Micheál Carrigy from County Longford for the opportunity and invitation and to his administrator Michelle Gettings who coordinated the meeting for all ”

Senator Carrigy said:

“It was an honour to host the Public Participation Networks (PPNs) at Leinster House last week. This meeting was an important step in ensuring that PPNs have a strong and recognised voice in our national conversation. I fully support their call for increased funding in Budget 2025, which will enable them to continue their work in advocating for and representing communities across Ireland. It's crucial that we continue to strengthen their role in shaping policy and decisionmaking at the highest levels”

This pre-budget meeting was on behalf of all PPN Secretariats, and the full PPN membership of 22,000 community and voluntary, social inclusion and environmental groups around the country.

PPN coordinators in the South East - Waterford, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Wicklow, Cork and Wexford

PPN Coordinators with Senator Carrigy

Science & Wellbeing

Here are three of the most exciting ideas that could fundamentally change how people achieve parenthood in the future.

IVG

The idea: Some people can’t conceive due to lack of viable sperm or eggs. In vitro gametogenesis (IVG) reprogrammes a person’s blood or skin cells back into an embryonic-like state — these “induced pluripotent stem cells” (iPSCs) can then be coaxed into becoming sperm or eggs, which could then create embryos with IVF.

This could allow couples who do not have viable eggs and/or sperm to have a baby that is biologically related to them both — and with a couple of additional steps, it could potentially even allow same-sex couples to have biological children together. If this approach ends up working reliably enough, it could one day be a less invasive alternative to traditional IVF, eliminating the need for hormone injections and surgery to collect eggs.

The story so far: IVG works in rodents — scientists have made both eggs and sperm from the skin cells of female and male mice, respectively, and then used them to produce offspring.

They have also created eggs from a male mouse’s skin cells and fertilised them using sperm from another male mouse. Those IVF embryos were then implanted in a surrogate who gave birth to seemingly healthy pups that were biologically the offspring of two male mice.

In May 2024, scientists at Kyoto University in Japan announced that they had created the precursors to human eggs and sperm from iPSCs, but experts predict it’ll be at least a decade before IVG could reach infertility clinics.

“Although many challenges remain and the path will certainly be long, especially when considering the ethical,

Low-calorie diets and intermittent fasting have been shown to have numerous health benefits: They can delay the onset of some age-related diseases and lengthen lifespan, not only in humans but many other organisms.

Many complex mechanisms underlie this phenomenon. Previous work has shown that one way fasting exerts its beneficial effects is by boosting the regenerative abilities of intestinal stem cells, which helps the intestine recover from injuries or inflammation.

In a study of mice, MIT researchers have now identified the pathway that enables this enhanced regeneration, which is activated once the mice begin “refeeding” after the fast. They also found a downside to this regeneration: When cancerous mutations oc-

The future of fertility and parenthood

legal, and social implications associated with the clinical application of human IVG, nevertheless, we have now made one significant leap forward towards the potential translation of IVG into reproductive medicine,” says Mitinori Saitou, lead researcher of the Kyoto University study.

Gene therapies

The idea: An estimated half of infertility cases have a genetic cause, and gene therapies that edit DNA or add healthy copies of missing or damaged genes could one day be used to correct infertility-causing mutations in people who

want to have children.

Gene therapy could also potentially be used to correct mutations in embryos that would prevent them from leading to successful pregnancies. However, gene editing embryos (or germ cells) is highly controversial for its potential to have unintended consequences or lead to the creation of “designer babies.”

The story so far: Researchers have already demonstrated several gene therapies that could one day treat infertility.

In 2021, for example, Chinese scientists used CRISPR to correct a genetic mutation that causes azoospermia — a con-

New light on benefits of intermittent fasting

dition in which males don’t produce sperm — in mice, allowing them to sire offspring.

The following year, Kyoto University researchers made female mice infertile by breeding a mutation into a gene in their ovaries’ granulosa cells, which play an important role in reproduction. They then transported functional copies of the gene into those cells, which cured the rodents’ infertility. This approach could one day be used to treat several genetic causes of human infertility.

Researchers are also looking into gene therapies to treat the 1% of people assigned female

curred during the regenerative period, the mice were more likely to develop early-stage intestinal tumours.

“Having more stem cell activity is good for regeneration, but too much of

a good thing over time can have less favourable consequences,” says Omer Yilmaz, an MIT Associate Professor of Biology, a member of MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Can-

cer Research, and the senior author of the new study. Yilmaz sayss that further studies are needed before forming any conclusion as to whether fasting has a similar effect in humans.

could be used to gestate babies for people that lack a hospitable womb of their own, such as people born without a uterus or who’ve had hysterectomies.

Artificial wombs could also potentially help people who are able to get pregnant, but unable to carry pregnancies to term. In those cases, a foetus could theoretically be transferred to the artificial womb after first developing as long as possible in a uterus.

The story so far: In 2017, scientists transferred lamb foetuses from a uterus into an in-development artificial womb, known as the ‘Biobag’. The foetuses continued to develop in the Biobag for four weeks before being ‘delivered’, and while some did experience complications and others were sacrificed for study, at least one lamb lived for at least a year after its ‘birth’. Since then, more than 300 lambs have been partially gestated in Biobags, and those are just one of several artificial wombs under development — a team in Toronto recently experimented with keeping pig foetuses alive in an artificial womb, though the results of that study have yet to be announced.

at birth (AFAB) who have premature ovarian insufficiency, in which their ovaries stop working normally before the age of 40 — in some cases, the issues can begin when they are still teens.

“I wasn’t sure they would become pregnant. I was surprised to see those babies! ...

The question is how risky this procedure is [for humans, but] in principle it should work,” saysTakashi Shinohara, lead author of the Kyoto University study.

Artificial wombs

The idea: Devices that mimic the uterine environment

“We still have a lot to learn, but it is interesting that being in either the state of fasting or refeeding when exposure to mutagen occurs can have a profound impact on the likelihood of developing a cancer in these well-defined mouse models,” he says.

For several years, Yilmaz’s lab has been investigating how fasting and low-calorie diets affect intestinal health.

In a 2018 study, his team reported that during a fast, intestinal stem cells begin to use lipids as an energy source, instead of carbohydrates. They also showed that fasting led to a significant boost in stem cells’ regenerative ability. However, unanswered questions remained: How does fasting trigger this boost in regenerative ability, and when does the regeneration begin?

“Since that paper, we’ve

While America’s FDA is currently considering clinical trials for artificial wombs to support premature babies — like super incubators — we likely won’t see one that could support a human life from the embryo stage through birth for a long while. Scientists are still trying to figure out how to fully gestate mice in artificial wombs, and there are strict regulations on human embryo research.

“The next logical extension of this technology . . . is that it expands to improve infertility and decrease maternal complications of pregnancy,” says Laura Johnson Dahlke, author of ‘Outer Origin: A Discourse On Ectogenesis And The Value of Human Experience’.

really been focused on understanding what is it about fasting that drives regeneration,” Yilmaz says. “Is it fasting itself that’s driving regeneration, or eating after the fast?”

Yilmaz also noted that the regenerative benefits of fasting could be significant for people who undergo radiation treatment, which can damage the intestinal lining, or other types of intestinal injury. His lab is now studying whether polyamine supplements could help to stimulate this kind of regeneration, without the need to fast.

“This fascinating study provides insights into the complex interplay between food consumption, stem cell biology, and cancer risk,” says Ophir Klein, a Professor of Medicine at the University of California at San Francisco and CedarsSinai Medical Centre.

PHOTO: Alicia Pretesc / Unsplash

PHOTO: Graphy Co / Unsplash

Travel & Leisure

PART 2

7. Istanbul, Turkey

Like Athens, Istanbul is famous for its rich history, unique culture, and breathtaking architecture. A walk through the streets of Istanbul will allow you to admire the city’s sheer beauty and find hidden gem street markets, worldfamous landmarks, and quaint traditional Turkish restaurants.

Visit the Hagia Sophia religious site, the Blue Mosque, and the Galata Tower. Shopaholics should also spare a few hours to explore the Grand Bazaar and its 4,000+ stores. Compared to Paris, Istanbul is super cheap. According to Expatistan, the cost of living in Istanbul is 42% lower than in Paris. Therefore, you can expect to find more affordable accommodation and restaurants.

8. Bratislava, Slovakia

Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia, set along the Danube River near the border of Austria and Hungary. The city is home to a charming 18th-century Old Town filled with lively cafes, bars, and restaurants. Around the city, you’ll also find the Little Carpathian Mountains and various vineyards serving up the most amazing wines. The best views of this colourful city can be found at Bratislava Castle. From here, you can see the entire city in all its glory. Other notable landmarks include Michael’s Gate, Hrad Devín Castle, and The Blue Church. Food and transport prices are on a par with most of Europe but, aside from that, most things are pretty cheap, especially accommodation, which typically costs two to three times less than in Paris.

9. Nancy, France

12 cities as beautiful as Paris but costing less

If you don’t want to pay the prices in Paris but still want to experience France at its finest, book a trip to Nancy [pictured]. A riverfront city in northeastern France, this charming city offers much the same as Paris but on a smaller scale. You’ll find lush gardens, fascinating museums, and impressive 18th-century architecture in abundance. Some of the most popular things to do in Nancy include walking around Parc de la Pépinière, exploring the Museum of Fine Arts, taking photographs of Place Stanislas, and visiting the Basilica of Saint Epvre of Nancy. Accommodation and food prices in Nancy are much lower than in Paris, so you can expect your budget to go further. Nancy’s restaurants cost almost 12% less.

10. Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

Cesky Krumlov is a relatively unheard-of city in the Czech Republic’s South Bohemia

region. Dominated by a 13thcentury castle and bisected by the Vltava River, this picturesque city is fascinating to explore. Wandering around the vibrant town and admiring its Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque elements is a joy. Meanwhile, the best views of the city and its orange-tiled buildings can be found at the top of the city’s bell tower. Regarding prices, accommodation and food prices in the city are incredibly affordable. Excellent accommodation in a central location can be found for as little as €35 a night. According to Budget

Trip, the average meal in a restaurant costs just €6.

11. Vienna, Austria

Many consider Vienna one of Europe’s most expensive cities. While in some ways that’s true, and the city is the most expensive in Austria, Vienna is much more affordable than European counterparts, such as Paris and London. This is great, considering Vienna has many similarities to Paris.

Situated alongside the Danube River, Vienna is famed for its arts and culture, Imperial palaces, historic landmarks, and breathtaking architecture.

Like Paris, the city combines a classical charm with modern influences, too. Popular attractions in the city include Schönbrunn Palace, Museums Quartier district, and the Museum of Natural History Vienna. Regarding prices, the average daily cost in Vienna is about €70 a day less than in Paris.

12. Valletta, Malta

Malta’s capital is one of the most affordable cities in Europe. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so there are plenty of things to see and do. The average daily cost in Valletta, including accommodation,

food, entertainment, and transportation, is approximately €110. Compared to Paris’ daily average of €225, visiting Valletta instead is a nobrainer.

Valletta is a playground for Maltese history, arts, and culture. You’ll spend most of your time exploring the winding streets of the Valletta Waterfront, admiring the architecture, and relaxing in the turquoise waters at Gozo’s Blue Lagoon. Iconic landmarks worth looking for in the city include St John’s Co-Cathedral, Triton Fountain, and Casa Rocca Piccola.

Air France will stop serving free food and drink

A complimentary box of aeroplane food at least keeps you occupied on board a flight.

But now, Air France has announced it will test out a new buy-on-board system for food and drinks on some of its short and mediumhaul journeys from 2025. The airline currently has an advantage over other European carriers, like Ryanair or EasyJet, by offering a free sandwich, pastry and drink on most of its economy flights, depending on their duration.

They also have the option to purchase a la carte meals when booking up to 24 hours before departure which includes a starter,

main and dessert.

Air France say that with the new buy-on-board system, more hot food options will be available. And,

passengers won’t starve completely – the in-flight service will still offer free beverages, from tea or coffee to water, and a biscuit on flights more than two and a half hours, Air France said in a statement.

The buy-on-board system will initially be introduced on Air France’s routes from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Helsinki and Lisbon, but it could be expanded across the network.

Customers on affected flights will be notified in advance of their departure.

Business Class passengers will not be affected by the change, and will still receive a free in-flight meal alongside a selection of hot and cold drinks and alcoholic beverages.

Introducing a fee would allow the airline to expand its on-board food offerings, according to the Dutch media outlet Luchtvaartnieuws. It is unconfirmed whether the change will result in cheaper flight fares for passengers.

“Air France is constantly

studying opportunities to develop its offer, in order to meet customer expectations as effectively as possible, in line with market trends,” an Air France spokesperson said about the upcoming change.

Air France is not the only airline to scrap complimentary food, its sister airline, KLM, the flag carrier of the Netherlands, is undergoing a similar trial to phase out their free food and minerals by the end of next year.

Others may follow soon.

Your

PHOTO: Mathilde C / Unsplash

Opinion

Furthermore Gerry Moran

How to insult people, efficiently and effectively!

Straightway let me say that no one, but no one, wants to insult anyone. And no one wants to be insulted. That said – life is no bed of roses or hydrangeas for that matter – s**t happens, insults fly and occasionally we are at the receiving end of those put-downs which is why, dear readers, this week I have compiled a list of some responses to help you retaliate to any insults that may be fired, thrown, tossed, or launched at you. You may well want to cut them out and keep them in your wallet or back pocket for that occasion when you are ambushed by some scud, for want of a better word, insult. But first – a small point, an important point actually –there is a hell of a difference between insulting and slagging. Most of us natives know that and understand that. Non-natives, however, are not as attuned to the subtleties of slagging and may wrongly in-

terpret it as insulting – as did my American friend who was visiting some years back. I brought him to my local to give him a true flavour of Irish life. Well, we were barely in the door when the ‘wag’ in the corner (a drinking colleague of mine) spouts out: “Moran, you ‘gobdaw’, such s**te you were writing in the paper last week.” My friend was appalled by this verbal ‘assault’ and wanted to know what a ‘gobdaw’ was. Oh dear. I was never asked that question in my entire life for the simple reason that we all know what a ‘gobdaw’ is, don‘t we? Having defined ‘gobdaw’, a fool, an idiot, whatever, I failed miserably to explain slagging. He just couldn’t get his head around it. And if perchance anyone out there cannot differentiate between the two: slagging and insulting – you need to get out more, a lot more, preferably to the pub – the hotbed,

the nursery, of slagging.

Meanwhile, here’s that list, keep it handy for you know not the hour, nor the day (nor, more likely, the night) that you might need to deploy these defensive ‘missiles’. Oh, and do so with caution!

Are you always this stupid or are you making a special effort today?

*****

Keep talking, someday you’ll say something intelligent.

*****

Whatever kind of look you were going for, you missed.

*****

You possess an intellect rivalled only by garden tools.

*****

I refuse to enter a battle of wits with you. It’s against my morals to attack an unarmed person.

*****

If ignorance is bliss, you must be the happiest person alive.

*****

I’ll try being nicer if you try

being smarter.

*****

I’d describe you as dark and handsome – when it’s dark you’re handsome.

*****

People like you don ‘t grow on trees – you swing from them.

“To me ‘drink responsibly’ means don’t spill it...

*****

Sorry, I was just trying to imagine you with a personality.

*****

You’d lose an argument with an inanimate object.

*****

Have a nice day – somewhere else.

*****

What do you want to do – if you grow up?

*****

I am not going deaf – I am ignoring you.

*****

I don’t know what makes you so stupid but it really works.

*****

I don’t want to spoil a pleasant day by talking to you.

Finally, a missive from a cousin of mine, (a tad older than me) entitled: A Bit of Fun:

* When one door closes and another door opens, you’re probably in prison.

* To me ‘drink responsibly’

means don’t spill it.

* Age 60 might be the new 40 but 10 p.m. is the new midnight.

* The older I get, the earlier it gets late.

* When I say ‘the other day’ I could be referring to any time between yesterday and five years ago.

* If you’re sitting on a public bench and a stranger sits next to you, stare straight ahead and say: “Did you bring the money?”

* When you ask me what I am doing today and I say ‘nothing’ it does not mean that I am free. It means I am doing nothing.

* I finally got eight hours of sleep; it took me three days but what the hell ... Don’t bother walking a mile in my shoes. Instead spend 30 seconds in my head. That’ll freak you out

My luck is like a bald guy winning a comb in a raffle Thanks, Lil.

By Ger Cody

There are, it would appear, three rules to good conversation:

1. Honesty - stick to the truth

2. Relevance - say things that are relevant to the conversation

3. Manner - present things in an orderly way

Now, I’m sure those three points are well founded and in many cases would fit into society very nicely, thank you very much. But are they practical?

If you’ll forgive me for saying so, it has the potential of being very boring. It certainly isn’t the Irish way. Not at all. When we become immersed in a conversation, be it in a pub or café or at a street corner, trickery and tomfoolery asides are the call of the day. All part and parcel of the craic. And what about having respect for those with whom you are chatting?

Not on your Nelly! It’s a case of ‘may the best man win’. And at all costs. You can bet your bottom dollar that each person in the chat is there to win the argument, eviscerate the opponent and make every attempt to have the last word. No place here for gentleness or niceties.

It is, I would suggest, akin to the very serious game of chess. Take Russia, home to somewhere in the region of 15 world champions of the board game. Now you don’t get to that standard by being nice, or by having due consideration for your playing partner. Indeed no. It’s every man for himself. The popularity and seriousness of chess in Russia was highlighted by English traveller William Cox: “The game of chess was so popular in Russia, that during my stay in Moscow, I could hardly find a place where people were not

Two benches, one coffee shop - and the art of conversation

playing chess.It was win at all costs.”

You could argue that conversation is Ireland’s chess. The art of conversation in Ireland began when the first people arrived in this country about 9,000 years ago in what we know as the stone age. Indeed, a sample of the humour from that period was found by archaeologists carved into an oak tree in Kildare which read “Take a night off-go ‘club-

bing’.” (Ed note: it is advised to digest that last sentence with multiple grains of Sodium Chloride)

The Irish are great talkers who revel in conversation. We love to talk, chat and gossip until the cows return to their abode. Or as they say in Kilmacow: “That lad would talk the hind leg off a bullock.”

FEAR

However, when it comes to conversation, one fears for its future. Its demise may be close at hand. And while casting no aspersions on our younger generation, the sight of so many traversing the keyboards of a mobile phone as they parade through our city centre is worrying, to say the least. They seem content to let their fingers do the talking. And yes, I know that denigrating our youth may appear harsh, yet there is a certain amount of truth to it.

Growing up in Ireland of the 50s and 60s, some of us had the pleasure of learning from, and listening to the best. Jimmy O’Dea and David Kelly; Maureen Potter; Cha and Mia, Dave Allen, Nial Toibin, Myles na gCopaleen (Keats and Chapman), Jack Cruise and of course Hal Roach. And the beauty of it all was that every village from Ballyhale to Clogh had serious practitioners of the art of intense conversation. They gathered in many and varied venues - outside the chapel on Sunday morning, at a junior hurling match or in the local ale house.

HOPE

And so it was that my heart was lifted recently while walking down Kilkenny’s

High street I came across four gentlemen supping coffee outside The Gourmet Store. A beautiful store that serves tourists and locals alike and where the staff (like their coffee) will keep you ‘grounded’. We must pay thanks to those workers in 1860 who widened the road just about where the Gourmet store stands. We all know the plaque at the end of James’s Street, which says ‘High Street, built in 1200 — widened in 1860’. The positioning of two benches outside the shop is a major plus, and one wonders if the road had not been widened, would the benches have fitted? It allows those who have purchased their chosen drink or those who are awaiting their order, to rest a while, enjoy the ambience, and yes,

you’ve guessed it -chat with those passing by.

On the day I passed, these four gentlemen were seated, holding court and vociferously debating world affairs.

These ‘boyos’ seemed to have an answer for everything and a suitable pun for every topic. Truthfully, the ‘craic’ was mighty and laughter resonated. I would suggest that these men are wise rather than clever. To elucidate this point let us defer to Albert Einstein: “A clever person solves a problem, but a wise person avoids it.” I couldn’t help but notice that one of the gentlemen - Bill - who hails from the ‘real’ capital of Ireland - was provoking his colleagues by quoting extracts from The Echo newspaper. As one of the others remarked: “he can really

it up though, ‘Canty’?”

The

stir

Kilkenny Observer would like to thank RTÉ archives for use of photos in this article

L-R: Davy Bowe, Larry Lanigan, Bill Canty and Padraic Lawlor (Photo Irene Lawlor)

Michael Twomey and Frank Duggan aka Cha and Mia – pure genius who entertained Irish audiences. (Photo courtesy RTE)

David Kelly and Jimmy O’Dea in ‘Your Man', a series of fifteen-minute conversations scripted by Myles na gCopaleen and shown on Irish television. (photo courtesy RTE)

Artist John Walsh from Ballyragget captures ‘The Corner boys’ who were found in every village in Ireland where conversation reached ‘unbelievable heights’

Kilkenny actor Donal O’Brien who entertained locals and tourists alike with the wit and humour of Myles na Gopaleen from The Brother

The Last Word Pat

Coughlan

The departure of the swallows from Ireland

So, there I was, perched on my usual stool in Ted’s Pub, the eternal beacon of warmth on a damp Irish evening. The place was buzzing, as always. The regulars, me included, were scattered about, each with a pint in hand and a tale on the tongue. Ted’s was the heart of our little community, where laughter resounded, and stories flowed as freely as the Guinness. Conversations ranged from the absurd to the profound but, no matter the topic, there was always room for another pint and a bit of craic. Mick, well, he’s a character. We’ve been mates for donkey’s years, ever since our school days. Always a quick wit and a tale to tell, Mick’s the kind of bloke who never fails to brighten up a room. With his thick accent and hearty laugh, he’s a magnet for stories, and Ted’s pub is his stage. Every pint shared with him comes with a good

dose of humour – and mischief, too. He’s got this knack for making the ordinary seem extraordinary, and that’s what makes our chats so special.

Every autumn, like clockwork, the swallows bid adieu to our emerald isle, headed towards sunnier climes. This migration’s not just a natural wonder; it’s almost a rite of passage for Mick and the lads at Ted’s Pub. I’ve often found myself looking up, pint in hand, marvelling at their graceful dance as they gather for their long journey. It’s a bittersweet moment for us – a sign that summer’s truly over, and a reminder of nature’s own timetable. To the local community, it’s like saying farewell to old friends, knowing they’ll return with the warmer winds. Mick is a theories man with a wild imagination. Sitting there with a grin and his pint, he’d spout off the most far-fetched theories about

he reckoned they were off to secret bird discos in Spain, the next they were undercover spies, gathering intel on

us. His best one? They were auditioning for roles in a big bird movie! We’d laugh till our sides ached. The man’s

fancy knew no bounds, and Ted’s Pub was all the richer for it.

As we sat nursing our pints, the pub’s familiar hum and the taste of the Guinness felt like an anchor amidst life’s inevitable transformations. There was something both comforting and melancholic about it, like flipping through an old photo album. Time marches on, and with it, our feathered friends make their journey.

Our chat about the swallows didn’t just stay between Mick and me; soon enough, it had the whole pub buzzing. Dermot, from the corner house, reckoned the swallows are way ahead of us when it comes to knowing when to make a move. Sarah, the barmaid, chipped in with a tale of seeing thousands of them taking flight all at once near her family’s farm.

Even old Johnny, always with his pint of stout, mumbled something about swallows

bringing luck if they nest near your house. Seems everyone had a story or a thought to share.

Here we were, glasses raised high, the glow of the pub’s light warming our faces. “To the swallows!” Mick declared, and the whole pub echoed the sentiment. We clinked our pints, savouring not just the beer but the camaraderie. Those birds, they have a knack for bringing folk together. As they soared south, it felt like they took a piece of everyone’s hearts, uniting us in shared admiration. The night ended with laughter, stories, and the sweet promise of their return. Cheers to the swallows and the magic they bring to Ted’s.

And then I shook myself from my afternoon nap. I smiled at the dream. Don’t go laughing now. Theres a Ted’s and a Mick and a me and customers in a pub in every town in Ireland.

PHOTO: Lee Edwards / Unsplash

Windgap… A little piece of heaven

BY JOHN FITZGERALD

Noel Ryan continued his guided tour of Windgap. I had accompanied the Kilkenny Heritage Walkers on their Saturday outing, and a revelation it was that weekend.

Noel has an intimate grasp of local heritage A few years ago he co-authored with his brother Jim a book about Windgap’s remarkable history and archaeology. His parents managed the old post office in the village for fifty years, and he shared with us his own childhood memories of this once thriving social hub of the locality. It was where people gathered for a chat as much as to buy a stamp or attend to business interests.

He led us to the location of the old Village Forge, where blacksmith James Walsh of Kilcash plied his trade in the late 19th century. Upon his death in 1919, his son John took over and kept the sparks flying from the anvil until the late 1970s when Windgap said goodbye to a great tradition. The age of the horse and cart was ending.

Conscious of the cultural and historical importance of the blacksmith’s role in the vil-

lage, locals initiated a project in 2015 that saw the creation of a replica of the forge’s frontage, an eye-catching piece of artwork and another example of the community spirit for which Windgap is noted. The highpoint of any visit to Windgap for many people

is Calvary Grotto, which stretches along a pleasant hillside overlooking St. Nicholas’s graveyard. It’s deemed to be the largest grotto of its kind in Europe.

It dates to 1815 when the Marquis of Ormonde gifted a plot of land to the Diocesan Trustees. Windgap’s enterprising PP, Fr. Brennan quickly saw the potential for a fitting act of homage to his church and its teachings. He conceived the idea of the grotto, and his parishioners responded heartily. With the aid of philanthropic funding from Australia and a small army of committed volunteers, his dream quickly became reality. Meticulous planning went into the design and construction of the grotto, and the result was an enormous credit to the community.

Noel Ryan took us along the heavenly quartz-lined pathways that were finished delicately with Red Sandstone. The quartz, we learned, was mined about two miles from Windgap and carted to the site by dedicated locals

We took in each of the otherworldly features that have beguiled thousands of visitors over the decades: the five exquisite marble sculptures on plinths, and the seven divinely wrought mosaics.

The Immaculate Conception and Christ the King are

among the depictions, and I was struck by the thoughtful image of St. Bernadette. It captures subtly and with extraordinary devotion the innocence of the young girl who had that transcendent one-toone with the supernatural. If you venture a little beyond the village you won’t want to miss a link to Ireland’s pre-Christian past that’s of national significance. The passage tomb at Knockroe dates to around 3000 BC. You can

see the ancient chambers and marvel at how the structure has alignments to the rising and setting sun at the Winter Solstice. And you’ll also see those enigmatic stones engraved with spirals and motifs whose meanings are still the subject of academic debate and speculation.

Another must-see is the site of the high crosses at Ahenny. These belong to what’s known as the “Ossory Group”…crosses that go back as far as the

eight century. You can make out figures at the bases of the crosses.  The North cross has a solemn procession that includes a priest bearing a ringed cross, and images of a chariot and a headless horseman.

(The Kilkenny Heritage Walkers will recall another chapter of the county’s past next week. They usually meet at 11 am on Saturday at the Horse Trough on the Parade.)

The Old Forge at Windgap

Part of the largest grotto of its kind in Europe which overlooks St Nicholas graveyard in Windgap

Noel Ryan at the old post office in Windgap

By Anne Dempsey, Communications Manager, SeniorLine

They say youth is wasted on the young, but older people too can squander the positives in life by concentrating too much on the negatives of ageing. We all know that growing older is not for sissies. It can include pain, loss and inconvenience, and it takes courage and determination to face unwelcome new situations. However, it is also helpful to recognise that in many areas, we improve as we age.

What can older age give us?

First, life teaches us if we are open enough to learn. Some life lessons include a greater sense of self-acceptance, coupled with an ability to let things go, and forgive ourselves and others for not being perfect.

Life experience can give us better judgement to make wiser decisions. We can recognise and celebrate gratitude. Being grateful for our families and our physical, mental and financial health can deepen as we grow older and allow us to simply be glad to be alive.

It may be helpful to our wellbeing to distinguish between chronological age and physiological age. Our chronological age is just

The benefits of growing older

a number, tracking how long we have lived. It is our physiological age, (physical and emotional wellness and abilities) that may identify us as young or old. Some middle-aged people

may have poor health for various reasons and by biological markers, they are old. Others of a similar chronological age may have been able to maintain good health and fitness and will

be psychologically more youthful.

Some of the benefits we experience in ageing may be due to the survival effect. Those lucky enough to grow older are the survivors, and

may recognise themselves as such. John’s father died at age 57 from heart disease. It prompted John to quit smoking, to eat sensibly and to take regular exercise. All the same, he found he became nervous approaching his 57th birthday, superstitious that history might repeat itself. “I had a lighter feeling after that birthday, as well as realising how young really my Dad was when he died,” he says.

Our reaction times to some potential hazards may slow up as we get older. On the other hand, a longer response time in other situations gives more opportunity to think through the problem and offer a considered response. This extra time decreases impulsivity, which can be an issue among younger people. As we grow older, we may recognise the genesis of various life problems, and become more adept at handling them. It is no coincidence that most counsellors are people of maturity.

It may surprise people to learn that as we age, our minds can become sharper. We measure raw intelligence with the traditional IQ test, and older people may seem to do less well if they have memory loss. Against this, it is still possible to

gather, retain and learn new information. Older people learn to use new technology just like everyone else though tech may be easier for younger generations who grew up in a computerised world and have more space on their mental hard drives.

Older age can give us the leisure to find more purpose and meaning to our day. One of the best ways to achieve this is to consider volunteering. Volunteers contributed an estimated €1 billion worth of their time to Irish charities in 2022 according to the Charities Sector report. .Just under 648,000 people stated they worked voluntarily for a charity, the equivalent to almost one in five of the total adult population. The most likely age group to volunteer is the over 55s who will say they receive as much as they give. Are there other pluses to longevity? Emotional and social intelligence may also improve with age. Older people may be less reactive and volatile and have figured out strategies for different situations – another word for wisdom.

Ireland’s National Telephone Service for Older People open 10am10pm daily Freephone 1800 80 45 91

The importance of healthy ageing

Written by Michael Doyle

For some people, ageing can be a scary concept filled with uncertainty, or a calming one with a reassurance towards the future. Should you want to live life to the full, or be with your loved ones for longer, you might consider a change

in lifestyle. One of the key pillars of positive ageing is adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This can have many benefits to you and your health, such as maintaining independence, reducing the risk of injury, illness and disease, and improving your mood and strength. Whatever your

experience or ability, it’s never too late to start taking positive steps for the good of your health. So, here’s a list of positive steps for you to consider adopting to your lifestyle.

1. Be Active: Doing any amount of exercise can help you to age positively. Light

activities such as walking, dancing, or doing certain chores within your ability can help you to maintain a healthy weight and can go a long way to establishing a healthy lifestyle. It goes without saying that everybody’s different in terms of their own ability and health, so only exercise what you can or

are advised to and go at your own pace.

2. Keep Learning: It’s beneficial to learn a new skill, as it can improve memory function and provide a sense of accomplishment. You could try an activity like knitting, or board/card games. Ultimately, do what makes you happy,

and if you end up encouraging the same for others by way of them getting involved, then it’s all the better.

3. Eat Healthy: Another important strand to keeping a healthy lifestyle is fostering a varied and well-balanced diet. You could make small changes to your diet, like trying new healthy foods. If you wish, you could prepare a simple, healthy snack or dish for yourself, with the help of a loved one or carer if need be. This could allow you to gain a newfound appreciation of food and how it is prepared and provide you with a sense of ownership over the food and drink you consume.

4. Get a Good Night’s Sleep: Finally, sleep is important to allow your mind and body to rest and recover. Good quality sleep can improve memory, alertness, and help regulate appetite. Following a regular sleep pattern, avoiding caffeine and large meals before bedtime, and developing a bedtime routine can help you fall into a good quality sleep.

Overall, a healthy lifestyle is important to live a good quality of life as a senior. By keeping active in mind and body, eating healthy, and getting adequate sleep, you can reap the rewards of life for fuller and longer.

The benefits of homecare for seniors

Written by Michael Doyle

When it comes to looking after a senior loved one, it can be a worrying time deciding the best method of care for them. However, the service of homecare has been a popular choice for families. Homecare is the care from a professional caregiver to a senior, provided in the senior’s home. The caregiver can assist them in daily living tasks, and any medical

and personal needs they may have, allowing seniors to receive personalised care within the familiar environment of their own home. Here are some reasons why homecare could benefit you or a loved one.

their independence, which gives them control over their lifestyle and decision making with the help of their caregiver if necessary.

2. Enable Comfort and Familiarity: Homecare takes away the potential worry for seniors in residing elsewhere. By allowing the senior to stay in their home, homecare removes the sense of loneliness and reduces the risk of picking up an infection that can arise from being in a nursing home. Instead, seniors can be happy in their familiar environment, surrounded by their belongings and loved ones, and enjoy being in the comfort of their own home while feeling safe in the knowledge they’re being looked after.

1. Preserving Independence and Control: A significant advantage of homecare is that is allows seniors to stay in their home, which can give them a sense of comfort. It also allows them to maintain

3. Personalised and Adaptable Care: The care seniors get can be tailor-made for them, allowing them to receive care specific to their needs and preferences. The caregiver can help seniors with their medication, personal hygiene, daily routines, hobbies, and errands, and the levels of support can be adaptable to

the ability of the senior within a given area.

4. Enable Community and Social Continuity: Homecare allows seniors to keep their connections with locals and the community, enables loved ones and locals to visit them as and when they like, and their caregiver can also provide a means of social interaction and companionship.

5. Cost-Effective: Homecare can be more cost-effective than other methods like nursing homes, especially if support is needed on a parttime basis. Homecare can reduce hospital readmissions, and you pay only what care the senior needs and the hours that the care is delivered in, rather than a 24/7 cost. Overall, homecare is a thorough, adaptable, and patient-centred care service that maintains the independence, comfort, and social interaction of the senior. Whether you are a senior or an adult with ageing parents, hopefully this guide gives you an outlook on the benefits of homecare for you in your senior years, or a loved one in theirs.

BY PAUL BOLGER

Age is more than just a number. Things do change as we get older – you don’t need me to tell you that. But that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It is well established that most people develop a greater sense of wellbeing with age.

Yes, our bodies will change as we grow older. But it is completely possible to slow down these changes so that we maintain strength, fitness and mobility deep into our twilight years. Don’t believe me? Well, I have a few things to tell you...

Weightlifting in nursing homes

Researchers have gone into nursing homes to test out what happens when you put residents through weightlifting classes. Guess what? The residents get stronger and grow muscle. Their ability to get around improves. These changes tend to come about with consistent, regular efforts. Unsurprisingly, the benefits wear off when people stop training. So, like anything in life, we are good at what we do regularly.

Exercise protects your brain

Our brains can change,

You can teach old dogs tricks new

It’s never too late to pick up new healthy habits –so long as we are alive, we can adapt and change

no matter what age we are. Exercise helps this process. Exercise promotes the release of a protein by the name of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). Any chemical or hormone with the suffix ‘–trophic’ attached to it means that it is

associated with nutrition and growth. So BDNF nourishes and promotes growth of nerve cells. It plays a key role in memory formation and maintaining the health of the nerves we already have.  BDNF levels decease as we age – it is easier to learn new

things when we are young. But regardless of what age you are, you can always benefit from the nourishing effects of BDNF following a good bout of exercise.

Bones can grow stronger  We start to lose bone density

from about the age of 30. But this process depends hugely on how we live our lives – with exercise and nutrition being vital to the maintenance of strong, dense bones. Astronauts, while in space, lose as much bone density in one month

as a post-menopausal woman loses in one whole year. Zero gravity means their bones are never under strain. Our bones, like everything else in our body, are alive and adapt to the strains of life. If bones are not under strain, our body reabsorbs minerals from them to use elsewhere.  Strength training (like lifting weights) has been shown to slow, stop, or occasionally reverse, bone density loss, even in older women who suffer from osteoporosis (low bone density).

Wild people stay strong  There are people living today who lead lives not dissimilar to how our ancestors may have lived 50,000 years ago. These hunter gatherers are much more active than the average person in our western societies. Elderly hunter gatherers (yes, many of them live well into their later years) are much stronger and fitter than their western counterparts. The average 70-year-old member of the Aché tribe in the forests of eastern Paraguay is as strong as an average 55-year-old British person. Why is this? They stay physically active and involved in the day-to-day tasks within their tribe.  So, I hope I have convinced you that the common saying is wrong – you can, in fact, teach an old dog new tricks.

Tips on taking care of your own mental health and how to check in with others this World Mental Health Day

Every year on 10th October organisations and communities around the world come together to raise awareness of mental health issues. Talking about our mental health can help us cope better with life’s ups and downs. So, on World Mental Health Day and beyond it, why not check in with your friends, family, peers, or colleagues?

1. Keep to a routine - planning your day can help you feel grounded if you’re feeling uncertain about the future. Try to prioritise eating well, getting plenty of sleep and exercising.

2. Spend time outdoors - whatever way you can, taking some time to enjoy the outdoors can have a positive effect on your mood.

3. Talk about how you’re feeling - talking can help put things into perspective and help us feel less isolated. It can be hard to reach out but talking to a trusted friend, colleague or family member could really help.

4. Make time for yourself - it could be something creative, playing sports or taking a copy of the paper to a park for half an hour in the sun. Even stepping away and taking a five-minute break over a cup of tea can help you relax and recharge.

5. Take a break from the news and social media - if you find it hard to stay offline, prioritising other activities can help you switch off. Try turning off your notifications or leaving your phone in another room for a few hours.

6. Try a relaxation exercise - sometimes something simple like controlled breathing can help us feel calmer. Muscle relaxation exercises can also help reduce feelings of stress or anxiety. If you can, find a quiet space and try out these exercises.

SHUSH - Tips on how to become a better listener

S - Show you care

Focus on the other person, make eye contact, put away your phone

H - Have patience

It may take time and several attempts before a person is ready to open up.

U - Use open questions

That need more than a yes/no answer, and follow up. E.g “Tell me more”.

S - Say it back

To check you’ve understood, but don’t interrupt or offer a solution.

H- Have courage

Don’t be put off by a negative response and, most importantly, don’t feel you have to fill a silence.

Stellar line up for The Marble City Music Festival

The Marble City Music Festival has just announced a stellar line up for their Christmas Edition from Thursday 28th November to Sunday 6th December. How does a Christmas Concert sound with complimentary mulled wine & mince pies, all while listening to glorious music played by some of Ireland’s greatest musicians? Musicians include Patrick Rafter, Claudia Boyle, Fiachra Garvey, the Rafter Family and Michel Lethiec.

On the programme is an evening of solo Bach, ‘A Family Christmas Concert’, Chamber Orchestra and soloists, and a violin and piano recital. The Marble City Music Festival was started by world-renowned violinist and Kilkenny native, Patrick Rafter. Rafter has brought together Ireland’s most sensational and celebrated musicians for something spectacular this winter.

On Thursday 28th, Rafter joins forces with Ailbhe McDonagh - the first ever Irish cellist in history to record Bach’s 6 Suites for solo cello. On Friday 29th November, one of the world's leading clarinettists comes to KilkennyMichel Lethiec. Patrick Rafter teams up with Lethiec and French Chamber Orchestra, Rosa Musica, for a spell-binding evening of chamber music. Saturday 30th November is a special day, as Patrick Rafter and celebrated Irish pianist, Fiachra Garvey, release their debut album under acclaimed British Record Label, Rubicon Classics. They will perform the entire album at St. Mary’s Cathedral the same evening it releases. Sunday 1st December at 4 PM is entitled ‘A Family Christmas’ and features an incredible lineup of musicians: Claudia Boyle soprano, Paddy and Maura Rafter, JJ McNamara, The Kilkenny Choir and Patrick Rafter violinist.

Friday 6th December sees Rafter and Garvey travel to Curtis Auditorium in Cork City for another launch of their album. All concerts include complimentary mulled wine and mince pies, and most importantly, a warm welcome. Follow Marble City Music Festival on Facebook and Instagram for videos, updates and more!

Tickets online at www.marblecitymusicfestival.com. Physical tickets can also be purchased at Frank Wall Man’s Shop, High Street Kilkenny. All concerts in St. Mary’s Cathedral are wheelchair accessible and have easy parking.

The Marble City Music Festival was started by worldrenowned violinist Patrick Rafter

The wonderful Rafter family pictured outside St Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny

Cellist Ailbhe McDonagh

Fiachra Garvey

JJ McNamara

White Twine and Old Suitcases

The Kilkenny Involvement Centre and Recovery College South East have produced a wonderful anthology of poetry and prose. ‘White Twine and old suitcases’ comprises of 128 pages and 60 authors and is complemented by some wonderful photos and artwork by TASK camera club. It is printed by Modern Printers. It is definitely recommended reading for all lovers of poetry. The Kilkenny Observer is happy to run the poems each week to promote creative writing and to highlight these wonderful centres. Available in all Kilkenny book shops. €10

Ivory

Apprehensively,

My hand hovers over the off-colour keys.

Contemplating whether I face the sorrow

That I’ve been fearing for so long now.

I place myself onto the stool

Slowly moving my fingers towards the rustic looking piano.

I struggle to find middle C.

Knowing that you would glare at me, Laughing afterwards,

Encourages me to swiftly place my thumbs on the keys. In a desperate attempt to beat out a waltz

I find myself reminiscing on the days where we would sit, At this very piano.

Your hand lingering above mine, Steering me in the right direction when I inevitably drift off course.

I would marvel at your ability to make such technical pieces, Look And Sound

So effortless.

‘Practice’ ‒ you would repeat.

‘Practice’ ‒ a word I hated.

Now,

I know that it’s true, Although too late to realise. I gradually come back to reality, But with foggy eyes

As I remember, you’re not here. And that these thoughts Are merely memories.

(For Deirdre)

Kassie O’Mahony

Workhouse Child

Your bones, your body’s structure, lie here.

And I am in awe. To kneel down and touch

What was once your face

Would be a transgression. With eyes closed I imagine I’ve put you back together, Not as you were back then

But how you would wish to be.

I dress you in white lace.

With baby’s breath and roses

Entwined in your red curly hair.

We walk around Kilkenny

Your hand clasped in mine, When a sudden downpour

Scatters the crowd

Your laughter is contagious. Still standing at your grave, I open my eyes, Reach down and touch

What is now your face.

Saoirse, you are immortal. Rest well my beautiful girl.

Kathleen Phelan

The Bridge

As I walked down the road, I can see,

A very long bridge, Right before me.

Fear, sweat, agitation I feel, I hate crossing bridges, The nerves I feel.

I panic, scream and shout,

As I scurry over, Hoping to get to the end of the bridge, A breeze blows, I feel like I will fall over.

A bridge can feel

A lot like life, The feelings I feel on this bridge, The stress and the strife.

But in the end you cross over, You feel acomplished, You feel relief, When you get past your hurdles, When you get some self belief.

Suzy Phelan

Photo TASK camera club

Photo by TASK camera club

Photo TASK camera club

Food & Drink

Come Dine WithMe

Chicken dopiaza

Prep: 40 mins

Cook: 3 hrs

Serves: 6

Forget the takeaway and make this chicken curry at home. Serve with your favourite sides for an Indian feast.

Ingredients

• 3 c hicken legs, bone-in, skin removed

• 3 c hicken thighs, bone-in, skin removed

• 3 gin ger, half grated, half cut into strips to serve

• 4 g arlic cloves, finely grated

• 2 s tar anise

• 1 bl ack cardamom pod

• 1 ts p cumin seeds

• 1 ts p coriander seeds, crushed using a pestle and mortar

• 3 gr een cardamom pods

• ½ ts p black peppercorns

• 2 dr ied red chillies

• 1 b ay leaf

• 3 cinn amon stick

• 6 r ed onions, roughly chopped

• 1 t bsp full-fat yogurt

• 2 t bsp ghee (or 1 tbsp vegetable oil and 1 tbsp unsalted butter)

Sausage

Prep: 5 mins

Cook: 40 mins

Serves: 4

Enjoy sausages and kale with a cheesy mash topping made with leeks and mustard. You can freeze this pie for busy weeknights when you need to feed a crowd.

Ingredients

• 4 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 3cm chunks

• 2 tbsp oil

• 6 pork sausages

• 1 tbsp plain flour

• 450ml fresh chicken gravy

• 150g kale, shredded

• 3 leeks, finely sliced

• ½ tbsp wholegrain mustard

• 2-3 tbsp whole milk

• 50g smoked or ordinary cheddar, grated

Method

STEP 1

Boil the potatoes for 12 mins or

• ½ ts p turmeric

• ½ ts p freshly ground pepper

• fr esh coriander leaves, chopped

• 1 gr een chilli, finely chopped

• ½ ts p garam masala

• ½ lime

STEP 1

Put the chicken, grated ginger, garlic, star anise, black cardamom, cumin

seeds, coriander seeds, green cardamom, black peppercorns, dried red chillies, bay leaf, cinnamon stick and half the chopped onions in a wok or large frying pan over a medium heat. If it becomes too dry, add a little water (no more than 4 tbsp). Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook until the chicken is almost cooked through.

and leek mash pie

until tender. Drain and leave to steam-dry.

STEP 2

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a shallow casserole or deep skillet (20-25cm). Pinch the sausages out of their skins into large pieces, directly into the pan, and fry over a medium heat for 7-8 mins or until golden brown. Add the flour and stir everything together, cooking for 1 min. Pour in the gravy and 100-200ml water (depending on how thick you like your gravy), bring to a simmer, then add the kale and cook for 5 mins. Remove from the heat.

STEP 3

Meanwhile, in a separate pan, add the remaining 1 tbsp oil, then the leeks and fry for 5-10 mins until tender, adding a small splash of water to help them cook. Heat your grill to its highest setting.

STEP 2

Add the yogurt and stir-fry on a high heat until the yogurt dries up. Now add the ghee (or oil and butter) and, when hot, add the remaining onions, turmeric, freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste.

STEP 3

Continue to cook over a high

heat until the sauce is dryish and the second half of the onions are nearly soft (although be careful not to overcook).

STEP 4

Garnish with the ginger strips, fresh coriander, green chilli, garam masala and a squeeze of lime juice. Serve immediately.

4

the potatoes

mustard

milk, and season. Spoon and swirl the mash on top of the sausage mixture, then scatter over the grated cheese and grill for 3-5 mins or until golden and bubbling.

best British detective series to stream on Prime 10

10. Inspector George Gently (2007 - 2017)

Inspector George Gently sees the Alan Hunter-penned novels serving as a substratum for a perfectly enjoyable crime drama set in the ‘50s and ‘60s. The titular detective (Martin Shaw) and his reliable partner, Inspector Seargant Bacchus (Lee Ingleby) spend most of their time together solving a range of murder cases with greater implications than both men could consider.

Throughout their shared journey, audiences learn more about the men behind the profession, their relationship with the outside world and the various anxieties that follow them in and out of the crime scene.

Lauded for its accurate and appealing depiction of Britain during the ‘50s and ‘60s, the series both explores and pushes back on some of the norms of the specific time period. Specifically, a strong point of continuity in the series is its exploration of the death penalty, before, during, and after its abolition in 1965. Moreover, the mysteries at hand are engaging, to say the least.

9. Silent Witness (1996 - Present)

Silent Witness is a decades-spanning crime drama that continues to follow exciting and dynamic characters.

Beginning with the story of pathologist Sam Ryan (Amanda Burton), the series takes a close look at various investigations that ranged from sadly expected tragedies to gruesome crimes that left little to the imagination. With a rotating cast, the series has been able to live beyond initial expectations, regularly earning positive reviews from domestic and international audiences alike.

Despite controversial scenes causing quite a stir, the series has largely succeeded off of the backs of a talented assortment of actors, compelling cases with gratifying resolutions, and broader story arcs that mirror real life.

8. The Fall (2013 - 2016)

The Fall sees industry heavyweights Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan [pictured] star in a riveting drama that follows a serial killer and the detective dedicated to bringing them to justice. Metropolitan Police Superintendent Stella Gibson (Anderson) dedicates most of her time to working with local detectives on a variety of cases. However, a case that has remained active for almost a month has captured her attention, leading her to pour most of her energy into discovering the truth behind such a puzzling case.

A reliable template and strong example of an exemplary slowburning, psychological thriller, The Fall is an alluring piece that makes the most of its suspenseful storylines, and more importantly, its intriguing lead characters.

7. Vienna Blood (2019 - Present)

Vienna Blood is a joint BritishAustrian production that finds Max Liebermann (Matthew Beard), doctor and mentee of Freud, working side by side with Police Detective Oskar Rheinhardt (Jürgen Maurer). Set in the titular city during the early 1900s, the duo find themselves attempting to make sense of rather disturbing killings, interrogating the modus operandi and motive of the suspects.

In the backdrop of the series, storylines centred on the pervasive antisemitism in the European continent also inform the relationship between the two men, as well as their perspective on the rapidly changing world.

A Vivid Portrait of the Classic European Mystery

With seasons limited to 2-to-3 episodes, Vienna Blood proves that decent stories can be adapted outside typical expectations for a given series.

6. The Devil’s Hour (2022 - Present)

Within moments of meeting Lucy (Raine), audiences learn of her peculiar plague. Waking up at 3:33 AM every night, barely escaping the horrifying visions that haunt her in her sleep, Lucy attempts to understand the origins and the reasoning behind her afflictions. Her curiosity leads her to an ominous man named Gideon (Capaldi), who claims to be clairvoyant.

Off the strength of its first season, The Devil’s Hour was renewed for a second and third season, and for good reason too. Upon viewing the premiere, it is nigh impossible to not be impressed with Raine and Capaldi’s performances.

5. DCI Banks (2010 - 2016)

DCI Banks is a crime drama based on Peter Robinson’s Inspector Alan Banks novels. The Stephen Tompkinson-led series follows the titular detective as he attempts to crack the code behind various acts of violence. Often accompanied by Detective Sergeant Annie Cabbot (Andrea Lowe) and Detective Inspector Helen Morton (Caroline Catz), the trio operate with a refreshing due diligence, captured by the episodes allocated to a single case. Running for six years, the show would earn an award from the regional Royal Television Society Yorkshire Programme Awards.

Audiences are treated with complex characters who all share a vested interest in providing justice to the victims and survivors they come to defend. Noting their “dedication” to their performances, the well-written drama has successfully reinterpreted the novels, resulting in a charming yet gritty drama for audiences to indulge in.

4. Endeavour (2012 - 2023)

Serving as a prequel to the cherished Inspector Morse series, En-

deavour is an ITV mystery series starring Shaun Evans as the titular detective. Following his time as a detective constable for the Oxford City Police Department, the gentleman detective relies on his wit, as well as general discernment in all things authority to solve his cases. Despite his pretentious temperament, Moore continues to prove himself to be a rather admirable person, and thus, a perfect protagonist to continue diving into.

Falling in line with the reception of its parent series, Endeavour has earned generally positive reviews due to its characterisation, setting, and plots aligning with expectations of a period piece and a mystery, sometimes exceeding said expectations.

Evans’ portrayal of Morse, a refreshing reintroduction rather than an underwhelming imitation, makes for a compelling viewing experience.

3. Unforgotten (2015 - Present) Unforgotten envisions a team of investigators led by dynamic duo DCI Cassie Stuart (Nicola Walker) and DI Sunny Khan (Sanjeev Bhaskar) and their dedication to solving various cold cases.

Jessica Raine (Call the Midwife) joins Doctor Who-alum Peter Capaldi in The Devil’s Hour, a haunting mystery that chronicles the complex relationship a seemingly ordinary social worker and a dangerous criminal.

Relying on a dependable formula that plays with the memory, connection, and implications of each case, the Masterpiece series has earned strongly positive reviews, and after taking in the relationship between the two DCIs, as well as their devotion to figuring out the truth behind the harrowing crimes they investigate, it makes all the sense as to why Unforgotten has continues to be cherished.

2 Broadchurch (2013 - 2017) Broadchurch is a well-penned drama with intention in mind. Set in a fictional English town of the same name, the series follows Detective Inspector Alec Hardy (David Tennant) and Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman) as they allocate their devices and discernment to a plethora of tragedies.

Initially focusing on the tragic passing of Danny Latimer (Oskar McNamara), an 11- year-old boy, Broadchurch would peel the layers and expose the deception and pain that lay beneath the otherwise bright and jovial veneers of the community. With two accomplished and highly revered actors offer ing career-defining performances alongside an equally talented ensemble cast, it comes as a shock to no one that the British mystery would be cemented as genre-defining piece.

1. Midsomer Murders (1997 - Present)

Initially premiering in 1997, Midsomer Murders has enjoyed over two decades of success. Following DCI Tom Barnaby (John Nettles), his younger cousin and successor John (Neil Dudgeon), and their respective partners, the series focuses on investigating the motives behind various murders occurring in the visually stunning yet ominous town of the same name. Despite the series welcoming the changes that come w ith the times, Midsomer Murders remains a staple, living beyond controversy and competition alike.

While succeeding in capturing the intrigue that lives within the confines of a village, Midsomer Murders also toys with the minds of its audiences, stringing them along until they stumble upon the surprising reveal.

Kilkenny Sport Focus

Michael O’Leary

Gowran Park return of the jumps

One of the most exciting weekends of the Racing Year takes place this weekend as the jumps action return to Gowran Park, with a two-day meeting taking place today (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday).

Along with The action in Gowran Park, Sunday is a huge day with a superb mixed card of Flat and National Hunt forming Super Sunday in Tipperary, while one of the biggest races in the world takes centrestage in Longchamp in France with The Prix De L'Arc De Triomphe.

The return of the jumps to Gowran Park marks an exciting time on the National Hunt Calendar, as this is the time of the year where the jumps season swings into gear following on from last weeks Listowel Festival.

As mentioned, The jumps season in Gowran Park commences today (Friday) with the featured races The Pat Walsh Mares Hurdle and The Mucklemeg Mares Bumper, while the feature race tomorrow is The Grade 2 PWC Champion

Kilkenny and Carlow County Councils are thrilled to announce the launch of “Living Artfully,” a groundbreaking joint initiative funded by Creative Ireland. This innovative project is designed to enhance Creativity for Health and Wellbeing within our communities.

Living Artfully extends an open invitation to service users and staff from Traveller Support Services, Dementia Friendly Services, Mental Health Services, Cancer Support Services, Integration Teams, Social Prescribing Services and the HSE. This Therapeutic Intervention and Health Programme endeavours to foster creative, healthy, and beneficial habits in participants’ lives. Utilising various art forms, hands-on experience and approaches the project proposes to encourage participation for all ages, sharing the enjoyment and experiences of music, song, art, movement and creative practices.

This initiative will use singing, music and creativity as a vehicle to improve self-expression, creasing confidence, affirming identity, whilst celebrating existing skills and nurturing new ones.

At the launch event held in Carlow Town Hall Chamber

Steeplechase. This afternoon's meeting will be particularly poignant, as it will remember and honour Pat Walsh on the week of the 10th anniversary of his untimely passing.

The Mares Hurdle has been run in his honour since 2015, and it's a most fitting tribute to have a race in his memory after he was Track Foreman in Gowran Park for over 30 years. Pat passed away unexpectedly this week 10 years ago in 2014,

and his anniversary this week coincides with this weekend's meeting making it most appropriate to host the staging of the Pat Walsh Mares Hurdle.

His untimely passing continues to be sorely felt around the parish a decade on. He was a leading figure both on and off stage with The Gowran Pantomime Society, while he was also centrally involved with founding of The Gowran Little Theatre Group just a few years prior to his passing.

His Son-in-law Raymond Dreeling took over as Track Foreman and along with the rest of the team in Gowran Park, they have continued on the trojan work as a fitting tribute to Pat's legacy.

The feature race tomorrow is The Grade 2 PWC Gowran Park Champion Steeplechase which was won for the past two years by the Willie Mullins trained Easy Game, and he also won the race in 2020.

If Easy Game runs tomorrow and wins, he will equal the record of Sizing Europe who won

The Gowran Park Champion Steeplechase 4 times, although The Henry De Bromhead trained Cheltenham Champion Chase winner(2011) won the race for four years on the trot from 2011-2014.

The first running of The Champion Steeplechase was won in 1998 by Dorans Pride with Richard Dunwoody on board in a high class quality field that featured Danoli, Hill Society, Merry Gale and Moscow Express.

Trained by Michael Hourigan, Dorans Pride was a highly accomplished horse who won several featured races including The Stayers Hurdle(1995), Hennessy Gold Cup and Ericsson Chase (1998), and Kerry National (1997), while he was also placed twice in The Cheltenham Gold Cup (1997 and 1998) when finishing third on both occassions.

That inaugural running of The Champion Steeplechase was part of a new Three-Day Festival that was run on a Wednesday in front of a packed capacity, and

it has produced an illustrious roll of honour since it's first running of the race 26 years ago.

Barrow Drive was a most popular victory for local trainer Tony Mullins in 2002, while Kicking King who won in 2004 who would subsequently go onto win The King George and The Cheltenham Gold Cup (2005) later that season.

Other local winners were Justified in 2007 trained by Dusty Sheehy from Graiguenamanagh trained with Ruby Walsh onboard, while Mooncoin Trainer Eoin Doyle was successful with The Fonze in 2009.

A victory for Champion Trainer Willie Mullins in tomorrow's feature would provide him with a record breaking 6th victory and also a 5th consecutive triumph, as Royal Rendezvous won in 2021 to add to Easy Games hat-trick of triumphs in 2020, 2022 and 2023.

Gowran man Danny Mullins was on board Royal Rendezvous in 2021 a few months after he won The Galway Plate, while Danny was among the winners at The Listowel Festival last week when he partnered A Tipp For Gold trained by his Mum Mags Mullins to win The Con-

on Wednesday, 25th September, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, Cllr. Fergal Brown, expressed his enthusiasm: “This initiative

nollys Red Mills EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle.

While interviewed by TG4 after the race, Danny's new hairstyle was revealed that got plenty of reaction.

Meanwhile, following the final flat meeting of the season on Monday 21st October, The TG4 cameras will be out in force as they broadcast live from Gowran Park on Saturday 9th November.

Racing will take a break from Gowran Park until early 2025 when their two most prestigious meetings of the year take place, with Thyestes Day on Thursday 23rd January followed by Red Mills Race Day on Saturday 15th February.

Gowran Park's National Hunt season will conclude with their Holden Plant Rentals Race Day on Saturday 8th March, just before the start of The Cheltenham Festival.

Plenty to look forward to in the months ahead at Gowran Park with the jumps making a most welcome return today, as it honours a great Gowran Park and Gowran Parish stalwart who will never be forgotten as his legacy will continue to live on.

with Carlow County Council on this joint initiative to enhance and broaden creative opportunities for all communities across Counties Kilkenny and Carlow."

Majella Keating, Creative Communities Engagement Officer, added, “We believe in the inherent creative potential of all communities across Kilkenny. Through Creative Ireland Kilkenny, we aim to meet the needs of our communities by collaborating with local agencies and partners. The vision for Living Artfully is to support and encourage a community that enjoys the richness and joy of a vibrant cultural life. We eagerly anticipate its growth in Kilkenny and Carlow over the next two years. We are committed to supporting artists as equal partners throughout this process, fostering a community of practice that will provide valuable insights for future projects based on evidencebased practices in care settings.”

Stay updated with the Kilkenny Creative Ireland Programme by following Creative Kilkenny on Facebook. Creative Ireland Kilkenny is managed by Kilkenny County Council Community Section as part of the National Creative Ireland Programme. Creative Ireland Kilkenny and Carlow unveil

will use music, song, and creativity as a vehicle to improve/maintain the health and wellbeing of our communities. It will offer a

means for self-expression, increasing confidence, affirming identity, celebrating existing skills and nurturing new ones.”

Anne-Marie Shortall, Creative Kilkenny Coordinator with Kilkenny County Council said ‘we are delighted to be working

Emma Hynes, Annemarie Shortall, Aileen Nolan, Mary Butler, Majella Keating, Sinead Dowling and Sheila Deegan representing Creative Ireland, Arts Offices Kilkenny , Carlow, Creative Kilkenny and Creative Carlow at the Launch of The Living Artfully project on the 25 th  of September 2024

Kilkenny GAA clubs and Community news

CLARA

CLUB LOTTO

Lotto results for the 24th September. Numbers drawn 1, 12, 19. No Jackpot winner. €30 each to Dick Nolan, Pat Kehoe, Sean Bambrick, Kathleen Culleton, Mairead Buckley.

MATCH POSTPONED

The senior camogie championship quarter final between Clara and James Stephens that was scheduled for Sunday in Castlecomer fell victim to the weather. The game will now be played this coming weekend.

O’LOUGHLIN GAELS

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING

There was a very large attendance at O’Loughlin Gaels GAA and Camogie Club Special General Meeting held in the Clubhouse on Monday 23rd September. Members were presented with a detailed briefing on a proposal to purchase land to develop new playing pitches to cater for the continued growth of the club. There was very positive response as the proposal was fully discussed by members and was then unanimously accepted by all present. Exciting times ahead for O’Loughlin Gaels.

JUNIOR FINAL

O’Loughlin Gaels and James Stephens played out a very exciting and keenly contested JJ Kavanagh and Sons Junior Hurling Final (Section B) in Danesfort on Saturday night last with the Village team winning by a single point 1-17 to 2-13. O’Loughlins opened the scoring with a goal from Kevin Murphy which was created by good work from Robbie Buckley and Jack Sheridan for Kevin Murphy. The Village responded with three points before Sammy Johnston pointed a free and he then followed with a good individual goal. James Stephens replied with three points and a goal of their own to take the lead which they held to the interval where they led by 1-7 to 2-3.

O’Loughlin’s levelled the game soon after the break and the sides were level twice more in the second half with never more than two or three points separating them at any stage. As the game drew to a close a single point separated the teams and a draw seemed possible when O’Loughlin’s were awarded a late free from a very long range. The distance proved too much and the free drifted wide to leave their opponents winners by 1-17 to 2-13.

Team and scorers Declan Murphy, Oisín Murphy, Barry Lawlor, Ben Leydon, Finn Hogan, Evan Walsh, Jamie Young, Matthew Russell, Greg Kelly (0-2), Ryan Poyntz, Robbie Buckley (0-2), Sammy Johnston (1-7, 0-6 frees), Jack Sheridan (0-2), Kevin Murphy (1-0), Alex Sheridan. Subs: Ruaidhrí Galwey, Ruarc Sweeney.

GAMES POSTPONED

Due to an orange weather warning all hurling and camogie games in County Kilkenny were postponed on Sunday last. O’Loughlin Gaels St Canice’s Credit Union Kilkenny senior hurling championship quarter final game against Dicksboro will now be played on Sunday 6th October in UPMC Nowlan Park at 3.30pm. The O’Loughlin Gaels camogie team’s quarter -final game in the Kilkenny Intermediate Championship against Conahy was also postponed. Details of the re fixture are to follow. As always support is essential for both teams in their quarter final games.

CLUB LOTTO

There was no winner of O’Loughlin Gaels Club Lotto on September 24th. Play Now at www.oloughlingaels.com/lotto. Thank you for your continued support.

Promotors Draw: 1. Mag Cahill. 2. Patsy Phelan c/o H Mahon. 3. Helen Morrissey c/o J J Cullen. 4. Kay Kelly c/o P Cleere. 5. Joan Wall c/o B Murphy. 6. Ber, Jack, Lilly c/o E Maher. 7. Anthony Woods c/o P Greene. 8. Charlie Parsons c/o Online. 9. Lisa Brett c/o Online. 10. Vincent McIntyre c/o N Leydon END OF SEASON FUN

O’Loughlin Gaels Under 6 and Under 8 Camogie Teams enjoyed a wonderful end of season fun day at St. John’s Park on Saturday morning last. There were all sorts of fun activities and to fin-

ish the girls were presented with their 2024 Season Certificates by Kilkenny Camogie stars Laura Greene and Danielle Quigley. A huge thanks to the team mentors and a massive well done to the players.

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

GOWRAN

GOWRAN AC

STOOK 10 Ar Ais Arís 2024, 10mile €30, 10K €25, 5k €20 (chipped and family entry)

Stook 10 Mile is back again in 2024 and promises to be another great day of road racing. Incorporating the county 10 mile championships too, Stook 10 Mile is a tough but enjoyable challenge for all with the infamous COW BELL, a highly sought after reward. Back again this year is the competitive 10k race and chipped 5k race. The family fun run is also available to all looking for a great day out with Stook 10 medals ready at the finish. With refreshments, craic & friendly chats amongst the race goers, it promises to be another great day in Dungarvan. Entries now open on event master, https://eventmaster.ie/ event/ppdBuvyTyo

GOWRAN LITTLE THEATRE

Gowran Little Theatre presents Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel. Directed by Declan Taylor, this is indeed going to be a special production, book tickets online now at www.gowranlittletheatre.com

CAMOGIE

Due to the orange weather warnings that were expected on Sunday, the decision was made to postpone all Hurling and Camogie fixtures on Health and Safety advice. That meant that Young Irelands Senior Championship QuarterFinal clash with St. Brigids will have to refixed, along with Young Irelands U-14s County Final with near neighbours Barrow Rangers. Keep an eye on The Young Irelands Camogie and Kilkenny Camogie Facebook for details on rescheduled fixtures.

INTERMEDIATE HURLING SEMI-FINAL

Very Best Wishes to The Young Irelands Intermediates Hurlers who are in an Intermediate County Semi-Final action against Danesfort this Saturday Afternoon Lunchtime at 1.30pm in UPMC Nowlan Park. Young Irelands have had a very good season so far, as they finished top of their Group in The League that qualified them for a League Final and a Championship Quarter-Final. They lost out to Lisdowney by a solitary point in an epic League Final, before booking a place in Saturday’s Semi-Final following their strong final quarter showing against near neighbours Blacks and Whites in The Quarter-Final

Meanwhile, Gowran man Alan Roche was part of The Carrickshock management team as they cemented their Intermediate status following a 2-16 to 0-19 win against Conahy Shamrocks in The Intermediate relegation final on Saturday Afternoon.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS FOOTBALL

The Gowran Primary Schools Football began their Country Cup campaign with a 2-2 to 1-1 win away to Conahy. The Gowran Boys are going for three Country Cup Football titles in a row having won the competition the past two years.

HOCKEY

Two members of Young Irelands Camogie Club, Paula and Nessa Farrell are captaining Kilkenny Hockey Club Teams this season. Paula is captaining the Kilkenny Firsts, while Nessa is captaining the Kilkenny Seconds.

The Hockey season began recently with the Kilkenny Teams in action in the Leinster League. Wishing both Paula and Nessa very best wishes for the season in the months ahead with Kilkenny Hockey.

GOWRAN PARK

The jumps make a welcome return to Gowran Park for a two-day meetings this coming Friday and Saturday. The two featured races on Friday are The Pat Walsh Memorial Mares

Hurdle and The Mucklemeg Mares Bumper.

This week is the 10th anniversary of the passing of Pat Walsh who was foreman at Gowran Park for over 30 years, and The Mares Hurdle has been run in his honour every year since.

The feature race on Saturday is The Grade 2 PWC Champion Steeplechase that was first run in 1998, when it was won by Cheltenham Festival winner Dorans Pride. Meanwhile, it’s been confirmed that TG4 will broadcast The final Gowran Park meeting of 24th on Saturday 9th November.

LISTOWEL RACES

Danny Mullins had a good week at the Listowel Harvest Festival with two winners and a string of placed efforts.

On Thursday, Danny was on board A Tipp for Gold trained by Mags Mullins and he was very impressive in winning The Connolly’s Red Mills EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle, while on Saturday he rode Where’s My Jet trained by Willie Mullins to win the Allman Contracts Novice Hurdle.

The feature race of the week, The Kerry National was won by Flooring Porter who Danny was on board to win The Stayers Hurdle twice in 2021 and 2022.

Flooring Porter was ridden by Keith Donoghue last Wednesday, while Danny got a great spin off Lucid Dreams to finish third at 28/1.

Meanwhile, Milly Barcoe from Gowran had her first ride on a racecourse in Listowel last Friday when riding Red Striker in The Listowel Failte Abhaile Race.

FRESHFORD

WELL DONE NATHAN

Congratulations to local young squash player Nathan Walsh of Sart, Freshford, a member of Freshford squash club who came third overall in the first junior open of the year in the U15s section recently. Well done Nathan and keep up the good work and you will hopefully achieve your goal of making the Irish U15s team.

HOME FROM MALASIA

Home on holiday at present in his native Freshford all the way from Malasia is Jason Moriarty and his wife Lily. Jason celebrated his birthday while on holiday here along with his sister Aidie at a party in Farrell’s Bar with Aidie celebrating the big 50.

BOXING

Freshford /Urlingford boxing club has had a busy 2024 and a very successful season. The Club enjoyed great success with two of its boxers retaining their Leinster crowns and reaching the All Ireland finals. Johnny Delaney in 48kg division just lost out on back to back titles on a split decision. He was going on to try win back to back Monkstown wins to add to his impressive tally of 3 Monkstown International titles. Willie Delaney in the 35kg division went on to retain his All Ireland title in the National Stadium. This is a remarkable achievement for the young boxer to win back to back titles.

Tom Delaney in the 67 kg category was called up to the Leinster Development squad and recently travelled to Riga in Latvia where he won his opening bout but was narrowly beaten in his second fight. Ned Delaney was unlucky to lose in the All Ireland semi final in the National stadium.

Michael Anthony McCarthy, a former two time all Ireland winner in the 62kg and a European silver medalist at the same weight, is now back to try reach that level again after a short spell away from boxing.

The dedication of all these boxers and the manner in which they respect the sport is nothing short of amazing. Great credit is due to all the parents of these boxers and to the rest of the boxers who are all potential winners. It is because of all their dedication that the Club has been so successful, travelling to places like Mullingar, Athy, Carlow, Dundalk and Dublin to get to training sessions. There is a lot more to come from other boxers in the club and all support would be very much appreciated. A special big thanks goes to Sid Martin and Pat Stokes who train the boxers and arrange training. Both have been involved in boxing for many years and to see the rewards of so much success is of great pride to them and the Club. The Club is also very appreciative of the Community Hall Committee for the use of the facilities for its training over the years.

GAA

St Lachtains Junior hurling game against Galmoy in the quarter final of the Championship due to be played on Sunday last was called off due to a weather alert. It will now be played on Sunday next at 12 noon in Johnstown.

St Lachtains U16 hurlers take on Galmoy/Windgap in the Roinn C Championship semi final on Saturday next at 10.30am venue to be decided

BINGO

The weekly bingo sessions continues each Friday evening in Freshford Community Hall at 8pm with some good prize money and a raffle each week. All proceeds goes to the Irish Wheelchair Association. The Committee thank all the people who have turned up each week so far and ask you to please continue to support this weekly fundraiser and to bring your friends and also to spread the word around.

CAMOGIE

The intermediate camogie girls game against Mullinavat at the weekend was cancelled due to the weather alert and will now be re-fixed.

Congratulations to the U14 girls who won the Shield final recently defeating O’Loughlin Gaels on a score of 9-7 to 4-9. Well done to the girls and their management team on a great achievement.

LOOP CAFÉ

Why not go along and improve your computer skills at the Loop café? Kilkenny Adult Learning services are offering everyone in the area FREE classes in basic and intermediate computer courses. Classes start at 9.30am in the Green Room at the Loop café on Tuesdays. Everything you need including laptops are provided. So why not go along and improve your knowledge and skills. For more information please contact 056 7763149 or email info@KilkennyAdultLearning.ie

With summer holidays behind us and community activities starting up again, the Loop Community Café is looking for new pairs of hands to help out. Chopping veg, washing plates, cleaning counters, making coffee – you name it, we need it! If you can take part any time from Monday to Saturday, even for an hour or two, please stop by or call the café at 056 8832650.

SOCCER

The soccer season has now resumed and underage teams are already back in action.

The club is presently looking for players to sign up for the U12 girls as they are short players at the moment. So go along and put your name down if you are interested in playing as if they don’t have sufficient numbers they will not able to put in a team.

The soccer academy for young boys 5/6 upwards continues each Saturday at 9.30am and will continue each week. The Club is presently looking for volunteers across all levels and if you can help or give a bit of your time they would be most grateful. You can contact any member of the Committee or just turn up at the training sessions

Freshford town soccer club were one of the clubs who received Sports Capital funding recently in the region of €150,000 a welcome boost for the club for their regeneration project

The annual Colin McGree soccer tournament was held recently at Wood View. The tournament is run each year in remembrance of Colin who was a great footballer himself. All boys and girls from U10 to U13 were invited to participate. Jamie Kavanaghs side beat Sean Earleys side by 3-2 in the first semi final while the second semi final saw Patrick O’Connors team beat Max O;Neills team 1-0. The final saw Jamie Kavanaghs side come out winners over Patrick O’Connors side on a scoreline of 3-2. The presentation was made to the winning captain by members of McGree Family who thanked all who participated and those who organised the event each year John and Darren and all who helped out in any way.

IONAD LACHTAIN

St St.Lachtains Church Museum and Arts Centre is open every Saturday and Sunday from 11.30 am to 4.30pm.

SPLIT THE POT

Last week’s winner of split the pot was Caoimhne Walsh, Ballytarsna who won €346. This month’s split the pot proceeds is in aid of Freshford Playground and please support this project which is a great addition to the village. Entry cost just €2 and envelopes are available in all local shops and pubs. Freshford Playground received an LCDC grant recently for new outdoor recycled inclusive furniture that arrived at the Community Playground recently and they thank the Kilkenny County Council for same

KNIT AND KNATTER

Every Wednesday morning in the Loop Cafe there is a knit and knatter session from 10am two 11am. Fee is €6 per person which includes tea/coffee and sweet treat. No experience is necessary and guidance is given. New members are always welcome so why not go along and gain a new skill and more importantly have fun.

TRAD MUSIC

Lisdowney Traditional music group resumed recently and continues each week in the Community Hall Lisdowney and continues each Thursday. Children from six upward are all welcome.

PARISH NEWS

Mass is held in the Parish Church each Wednesday morning at 9.30am and each Sunday morning at 11am. With 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 contributions and you can find out more about it on the website or feel free to contact in the Parish Office. Please note community notices for the parish newsletter should be left in or emailed to the Parish Office by 11am on Thursdays. Parish office hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 1pm. Mass Cards

Special printed parish cards are available at the Parish Office or from Annette at Tulla Church signed by Monsignor Kennedy. You can contact the Parish office on 056 8832843 or by email – freshfordd@ossory.ie. Contact Mongr Kieron Kennedy on that number or on 087 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

Happy Group of O’Loughlin Gaels juvenile camogie players enjoying their end of season fun day

Community & GAA Notes

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 AND CAMOGIE CLUB

JUNIOR HURLING

On Saturday evening the Village supporters made the short journey to Danesfort for the, Section B, JJ Kavanagh & Sons Junior Championship Final against our City rivals O’ Loughlin Gaels. At stake, for the winners of section B, was a place in the County Semi-final of the Junior County Championship. We had already beaten O’ Loughlins in the League final 3 weeks ago in a game that went to extra time. What we witnessed on Saturday was a game of hurling that had heart, determination and some quality scoring from both sides. O’ Loughlins got off to a very fast start and had the sliotar in the back of the Village net after three minutes followed by a point from play before Mikey Drennan opened our scoring with a point from a free followed quickly by another from play, with James Tyrrell getting another to settle the Village lads down. In the fourteenth minute O’ Loughlins struck again giving our goal keeper Daniel Power no chance with a powerful strike which gave them a lead of 2:2 to 0:3. The Village response was quick from Mikey Drennan with two points and Sean Deely before a long high ball delivered into the full forward line collected by David Walton, who held off his marker, to raise the green flag . This was a major boost for the Village to leave the sides level pegging at 1:6 to 2:3 after twenty four minutes of play. From there to the half time whistle both sides fought hard to edge ahead, but it was the James Stephens side that held the minimum advantage with the final scores coming from our two minors, Sean Deely and Daniel Ring, leaving the scoreline at 1:10 to 2:6.

Both sides traded early points at the start of the second half so there was never more than two points between the teams. The quality of hooking, blocking and a never say die spirt was a joy to behold. With Mikey Drennan punishing the O’ Loughlins backs for any indiscipline, and, some long rang points from play, aided by the hard working corner forward Daniel Ring the game was headed for a tight finish. Heading into the final 5 minutes ,with the scoreline of 1:16 to 2:11, the unerring Drennan scored his 10th point of the evening leaving O’ Loughlins looking for a goal to save the game, but the Village defence stood strong with Adam O Connor, Eoin Deely, Dinny Stapelton, before being injured, and Rory Harrison commanding their lines. The hard-working midfielder James Tyrrell played a captain’s role in driving his team forward with quality ball into his forward line, aided by Oisin Bateman. It was with great relief when referee blew the final whistle to leave the full-time score at James Stephens 1:17 to O’ Loughlins Gaels 2:13.

A great win which can only inspire our seniors in the relegation final next Saturday where we take on Glenmore in Thomastown at 2pm. We wish them our very best and let’s get out and give them our support.

MINOR HURLING

A big well-done to our Minor C team who won a hard-fought championship semi-final game against St Lachtain’s last Sunday evening on a scoreline of 2:22 to 1:22. This win puts them through to a County Final where they play Ballyhale Shamrocks. Well done to all players and management team on this achievement to have our two teams contesting Minor County finals is a credit to one and all.

SEAMUS FRY TOURNAMENT

Due to the orange weather warning our 31st running of the Seamus Fry tournament was postponed. This tournament is held annually to honour our former President the late Seamus Fry who passed away in December 1991.

HANDBALL

Congratulations to club member Noah Manogue who was presented with his 60 x 30 Minor All Ireland Singles Cup and medal in Nowlan Park last Tuesday. The presentation was made at the Handball World Championship meeting by County Board Chairman Michael O’ Shea.

LOTTO

Last week’s numbers were 3 ,5, 29, 32. There was no winner. This week’s jackpot will be €18,800. The €40 consolation winners were Darren Dalton, Aaron Dorney, Paul Tynan, James Neary, Greg Pollard.

BENNETTSBRIDGE

KILFANE HANDBALL

It’s all hands on deck in Kilfane Handball Alley as it prepares to host the 4 Wall World Handball Championships.

A big thanks to Mick, Neville, Gerry and Noel for their work prior to the Championships. A big number of Juvenile and Adult games will be hosted in Kilfane. The lads painted the court. Next project, new outside lighting, car park surfacing and new TV scoreboard to be put up early next week. Well done to all involved.

CHURCH NEWS

Masses during the week, Tuesday evening 7,30pm. Wednesday and Friday morning, 10.30am Saturday(Tullaherin), 8pm. Sunday(Bennettsbridge) 10.30am.

OCTOBER STATIONS

The collection envelopes for the October Stations are available in the sacristy for the people who look after the distribution of same. These together with the other five collections for priests determine the priest’s income for the year. Your support is very much appreciated.

MISSION SUNDAY

Mission Sunday is coming up on 20th October and the annual

church door collection for support for missionary work will be taken up on 19th and 20th October.

SYMPATHY

Sympathy is extended to the Phelan family, Grove, Dunbell on the death of Kathleen Freaney (née Phelan), Ballyea, Grangemockler, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Grove, Dunbell, Co. Kilkenny.

JOSIE FOLLIS (nee Walshe) RIP

Josie Follis who died recently was formerly from Tullaherin. Josie lived in Boher, Thomastown for most of her life. She was predeceased by her husband Oliver Denieffe and her second husband Edward Follis, her son Michael, daughter Margaret and grandson Jamie. Deeply regretted by her daughter Olive, son-in-law Eric, grandson Christopher, extended family and friends especially Noellie Walsh.

Josie lay in repose in the Mercy Side Chapel, Church of the Assumption Thomastown with rosary and vigil prayers at 5.30pm. Family friends and neighbours came to pay their final respects. Requiem mass was celebrated in the Church of the Assumption followed by burial in St Mary’s New Cemetery Thomastown, Co Kilkenny.

CATHEDRAL DRAW

The September Cathedral Draw was held last week. Winner of €2,000.was M Lawlor (Promoter Fr. Dermot Ryan) with lucky winners from parishes throughout the diocese featuring in prizes. The October Draw will be held on Wednesday, 23rd October. Good luck to all supporters from Tullaherin/Bennettsbridge. Thanks to all who continue to support the draw. Contact Fr Dalton and usual promoters if you wish to be involved.

LOTTO

No winner of Jackpot last week. Numbers, 11, 15, 26, 28. Consolation Prizes, Pat Hayes, Marian Place, Orla Ryan, Blackwell, Helen O’Hara, Thomastown, Noel Brady, Woodlawn, Ann Tobin, Ballinaboola.

GATHERING GROUP

There was a full attendance at the meeting on Wednesday morning. Sympathy went to Kathleen O’Neill, on the death of her brother Paddy recently.

Plans were finalized for the Annual shopping trip with Whitewater Shopping Centre being the venue this year. Confirmation also for the Christmas Dinner to be held early in December in The Orchard Restaurant, Kilkenny.

ART GROUP

It was back to the drawing board for members of the Bennettsbridge Art Group as they prepare for the next few months. Several options were discussed and suggestions were made which will be taken on board going forward. It was good to see everyone back and special wishes went to a group member who celebrated a special birthday.

Following the success of the Christmas Art Fair last year it was decided to repeat the event this year. So, on Sunday, 8th December, there will be an opportunity to pick up a few Christmas presents for loved ones. Paintings, Prints, Textiles, Christmas Cards, Crafts, knitted items etc available from 11am to 5pm in the Community Centre in Bennettsbridge.

BORD NA N-OG

Well done to Bennettsbridge U6s who made their debut last weekend in Callan. They took part in a blitz hosted by John Lockes. Thanks to the coaches Gavin and Ross. Great to see our youngest hurlers representing the club. Bennettsbridge U8s also took part in a blitz last weekend hosted by John Lockes. Thanks to our U8 coaches and all involved. A fantastic morning of hurling lots of skills on display. Thanks to David, Kevin and Liam Blanchfield who presented medals to both teams..

GAA

Senior Hurling

Well done to our senior hurlers who qualified for the championship semi final with an extra time victory over Tullaroan in Castlecomer last Saturday. The sides finished level at 1-19 each after an entertaining contest. The Bridge lads were the better team in the extra period and ran out winners on a score line of 2-26 to 1-23. Well done to all the panel of players and management team on a fine win

Juvenile Hurling

Our younger age groups finished up their season on Monday night last. Well done to all the players and mentors on their efforts over the year. Our minors play Tullaroan in the shield semi final. Please see the Kilkenny GAA website for details. Our under 12 team had a good victory over Glenmore in the floodlight league and have upcoming games versus Piltown, Thomastown and Mullinavat. Good luck to all ‘Bridge teams.

Lucky Dip Raffle

The senior players are running a fundraiser at the moment. Tickets cost 1 cent to 20 euro in a lucky dip, for example a ticket pulled could cost you one

Kilfane Handball Club will host the 4 Wall World Championships

Bennettsbridge U6s in action at John Locke’s

Bennettsbridge U8s took part in blitz in John Locke’s

Kilfane Handball Club getting a make-over before the 4 Wall World Championships

outlook.com.

LOTTO GAA AND SOCCER

The numbers drawn on 23th September 2024 were 4, 15, 17, 22. There was no winner.

The following won €30 each, Anne Marie Ryan, Ann Coakley, Francis Sheehy, Ryan Boys , Joe Dowling. Tickets are available from any club member.

GRAIG TIDY TOWN DRAW

The winners of the draw held on 26th September 2024. were First Prize €425, Duiske Choir, 2 Prize € 50 Ann Broaders, 3rd Prize €25 Brooks Family. Money raised through the Tidy Towns Jackpot 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 artists from the surrounding area join in. The next Session is on Friday October 11th at 8.00pm.

MASS TIMES FOR DUISKE ABBEY GRAIGUENAMANAGH Monday to Friday 10 AM, Saturday 7,30 PM, and Sunday 11AM.

CLINIC

Cllr Peter “Chap” Cleere will have his clinic on Monday Evenings From 7pm at his office in Main Street Graiguenamanagh.

GORESBRIDGE PAULSTOWN

BADMINTON

Badninton takes place every Monday evening from 8-10pm in the Community Hall in Paulstown.

BARROW RANGERS

An historic day for Barrow Rangers Camogie Club when the Under-14s played against Erin’s Own in the U14 Roinn A championship final last weekend. Hard luck to the Barrow girls who lost by 5 points (2-10 to 2-5)

CHURCH SERVICES

Weekend masses will be celebrated in Goresbridge at 7.30pm on Saturday and at 10.00am on Sunday. Sunday in Paulstown at 11.30am. Weekday mass is at 10am in Paulstown this Friday and the following Tuesday. Mass this Wednesday in Goresbridge at 10am. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place in Paulstown every Tuesday after morning mass and lasts until 6pm.

FORÓIGE YOUTH CLUB (PAULSTOWN)

New members always welcome (aged 12-17) as well as volunteers. Contact Aidan Gleeson tel. 086 067 4485. Weekly gatherings resume on Friday 11 October at 8pm. Contact Trish 086 3347 426

MEN’S SHED – GORESBRIDGE

Would you be interested and available to help set up a ‘Men’s Shed’ in Goresbridge? Alternatively, would you know someone who might be interested or available? If so, phone Tom Healy at 087 9181436. Subject to numbers and interest we are planning on holding an information evening in October with a speaker from one of the men’s sheds in County Kilkenny. The catchment area could include Goresbridge, Paulstown and Gowran.

NATURE’S WAY (BORRIS AND GORESBRIDGE AREAS)

A pre-school and after-school service operates from 8.30am to 6pm daily at Scoil Bhríde in Goresbridge. Information: Ann O’Kelly (085 752 9485) or Michelle Cummins (089 947 3317).

OUTDOOR

You are invited to take part in an online survey as part of developing the next County Kilkenny Outdoor Recreation Strategy and take part in a public consultation meeting. The new strategy is key to ensuring the future of our outdoor spaces is accessible, enjoyable, and meets the needs of everyone in the county. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RJJ37GT

PIONEERS

80 years of the Pioneers will be celebrated, this year, in Goresbridge. Further information is available from Eileen.

SPLIT THE POT

In aid of Goresbridge Rural Development has gone online. Simply scan the QR code or go to lottoraiser.ie

TAR ISTEACH SHOP

Your local charity shop is looking for mugs, dishes, cutlery, pots, pans, water glasses, pictures, vases, winter dresses, knits, if you are doing a clear out, we are also back taking ladies clothes, if you are planning a new wardrobe and want to get rid of winter clothes. We’ll take handbags, belts, scarves.

YOGA In Paulstown community hall has started each Monday from 7-8pm. Contact Caroline 087 9371939.

ZUMBA FITNESS

Takes place at 7.30pm until the end of October. €10 pay as you go. Dance your cares away, it’s fitness, it’s fun and all are welcome!

DICKSBORO

CLUB LOTTO

Dicksboro GAA Club LOTTO Results 26th September 2024Nos: 7

8 15 32. Jackpot not won

Draw Prizes, €50: Luke Bourke c/o Online. €25 each Deirdre Beirne c/o Tom Beirne. €25 each Ivan McGuinness c/o Tommy Hackett. €25 each Mary Condon c/o Online. Hurlers Co Op Jim Kerwick c/o Anne Kerwick. Promotors prize, Rita Long

JUVENILE COUNTY FINALS

On Saturday last both our u14 and u16 hurling Panels headed for Nowlan Park for a double header in their respective Roinn A Co Finals. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be our day in either contest as were defeated by two excellent teams in Danesfort and Erin’s

Own Castlecomer who we would like to congratulate on their fantastic achievement.

But all in Dicksboro can be very proud of the efforts of our young hurlers who gave their all. Thanks must go to both sets of Management Teams for their huge commitment of time to take care of our young players . A further thanks to sponsors who helped in anyway with fundraising.

COFFEE MORNING

A Coffee Morning and Cake Sale in aid of a young girl battling an illness, Lilibeth Cahill will take place on Saturday morning in the Butts Community Hall. If people would like to bake or donate buns and cakes they can be dropped to Tara at 41 Pearse St.

Thank you

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.

BALLYRAGGET BALLYOUSKILL

STELLA LACEY (NEE KENNY) RIP

Sincere sympathies to the family of Stella Lacey on her sudden passing to her husband Paddy daughters Mairead, Martina, Geraldine son Liam, sons in law, daughter in law, grandchildren siblings, nieces, nephews and friends. Stella was laid to rest in St Finnans cemetery after Sunday morning mass. May Stella’s gentle soul rest in peace.

FRESHFORD BRIDGE NOTICE

Freshford Bridge Club has resumed at Tulla Hall, Threecastles on Monday nights at 7.30 p.m. New members welcome. Bridge classes will be organised if there is enough interest, please contact Mary on 087-2369535 if interested.

BINGO

Bingo continues on Wednesday nights in the CYMS Hall at 8pm. All Welcome. Great prizes.

STREET LEAGUE

Naomh Brid Camogie held their annual street league last week over two nights and it was once again a brilliant success many thanks to all involved.

CANCER SUPPORTS

Cois Nore Cancer Support Centre, Kilkenny have an Outreach Service available for the community of Ballyragget and the surrounding areas every Monday morning. Call in for a chat, support, or register at The Cois Nore Cancer Support Centre in Kilkenny. The Cois Nore Outreach service will be held at Dr. Hogan’s Rooms on the square in the morning - from 10 am to 12 pm. Please do not hesitate to drop in or, make an appointment by contacting 087-4833941.

MUSIC LESSONS

Traditional Music lessons resumed for kids on Thursday 26th September at Lisdowney Community Centre, County Kilkenny. R95 NN93, along with our new Adult Trad music lessons. Instruments taught are Tin Whistle, Fiddle, Flute, Banjo, Mandolin, Bodhran, Button Accordion and Concertina. Lessons are €10.00 per night. Lisdowney Traditional Music Group is a not for profit local Community group.

MEN’S SHED

Men’s Shed continue to meet Tuesday mornings at the GAA pitch and Thursdays in the Cannon Malone hall while they continue to work on their own premises. They will shortly commence a lifestyle course which will include cooking and exercise information. All welcome.

JOHNSTOWN

CONCERT

A concert is being held in the Church of the Assumption, Urlingford on Friday October 18th at 7.30pm. This is being organised by the Emeralds Hurling club to support their new training facility. Admission adults € 20 and children U16 €5. There will also be a monster raffle on the night.

DANCING

Set dancing continues every Thursday night in Graine Hall at 8.30pm. BRIDGE Bridge every Monday night at 7.30pm in Tulla Hall.

RETIREMENT CELEBRATION

To mark the retirement of Mr. John Curran as Principal of St. Kieran’s N.S. (1998-2024), a Mass will be held in St. Kieran’s Church at 7.30pm on Friday October 11th and there will be refreshments afterwards in the Community Hall.

MR. FRANCIS McCORMACK RIP

The death has taken place of Francis, Dublin and late of Glashare and brother of Rita Ryan Johnstown. He will be sadly missed by his wife Babe (O’Loughlin, Rathlogan), his family Kay, Anita, Michael, Brendan and Joe, sisters Mary, Joan, Carmel, Brigid and Rita, grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended family, and friends. Francis was laid to rest in Balgriffin Cemetery in Dublin.

SPA UNITED AFC

Results from this weekend U14 boys Division 1 Spa 1 Evergreen 2, U13 boys Division 1A Spa 0 Freebooters 4, U14 boys league Division 2 Spa 1 Evergreen 3, U12 girls Division 1A Deen Celtic 4 Spa 1.

SPA DEVELOPMENT/FENIANS LOTTO.

The winning numbers for this week’s draw were 11,16,17,19. There was one match three winner Margaret Dermody. Well done Margaret.

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.

Free L.T.I. Course, which includes Driving Theory/Driving lessons starting soon, contact us for further information.

COIS NORE

Outreach Advice Clinic, at the Mill every Friday Morning from 10am to 12pm

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 4+. 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.

DEFIBRILLATOR

There is a defibrillator located in the Mill FRC 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 dropped off during our opening hours. Please call before dropping off.

JOBS TRAINING BOARD

We have a Jobs Board, 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

GORTNAHOE GLENGOOLE

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Glengoole Wednesday 10am to 2pm, Gortnahoe Thursday 10am to 1pm. The rosary is recited before Mass in Glengoole every Saturday evening.

SACRAMENTAL DATES

The dates have been announced for the following sacraments in the parish. Confirmation will take place on Friday 28th February at 11am and First Holy Communion will be held on Saturday 17th May at 11am.

CHIROPODIST

Deirdre Moore will attend The Millenium Family Resource Centre, Glengoole on Monday 7th October. Please phone Deirdre on 089 447 8511 to make an appointment.

MEN ON THE MOVE CLASSES

Will take place every Monday morning 11:15 - 12:15 in Millenium Family Resource Centre Glengoole. Gentle fitness with a focus on Men’s Health, Nutrition Advice, Maintaining Mobility Levels and Positive Ageing. To book contact Alice at 083 1014313

GORTNAHOE BINGO

Bingo continues this Saturday evening at the earlier time of 4.00pm with doors opening from 3.00pm and will continue each Saturday evening at the same time. Over €2,660 in prize money on offer including a special €500 game.

SPLIT THE POT

Congratulations to John and Nicky Murgatroyd, who won €195 in the Split the Pot draw last Sunday. Envelopes are available at the usual outlets, you can also Revolut to 0876777220. For the month of October Split the Pot will be in support of the Gortnahoe Christmas lights. The draw takes place each Sunday at 12pm in Gortnahoe Hall. Your support would be appreciated.

400 CLUB DRAW

The results for September, 1st Prize €200 Timmy Campion, Graiguewood, 2nd Prize €100, John Morris, Foilacamin. Other prize winners were Claire & Declan Prendergast, Glengoole, Liam & Mally Noonan, Newhall, Joan Carroll, Urard, Thomas Kavanagh, Urlingford, Eoin Teehan, Grange, Mary Harding, Glengoole and Ann Raleigh, Glengoole South. Promoters prize winner was Martin Campion.

GAA

Congratulations to the U17B hurlers who won the County Final against Roscrea last Saturday evening. Also to the Junior C team who won the Mid Tipperary Championship last Sunday against Loughmore. Commiserations to the Gortnahoe Glengoole Premier Intermediate team who lost narrowly to Carrick Swans last Sunday.

AIMS Support Worker

MFRC Childcare is recruiting an AIM Support Worker for our preschool service based in the Millenium Family Resource Centre Glengoole, Thurles. This is a part time temporary contract for 15 hours per week Monday to Friday 9.30am to 12.30pm up until 27th June 2025. Qualifications required: Minimum Level 5 childcare. Closing date for applications Friday 11th October at 12 noon. Interviews will take place on Friday 18th October.

CONAHY

HURLING

It was a huge day of disappointment on Saturday last for the intermediate hurlers who lost out to Carrickshock by 2-16 to 0-19 in the Michael Lyng Motors Intermediate Relegation Final in Páirc Sheamuis Stiopháin. Conahy led by 0-9 to 0-8 at halftime, but conceded an early second half goal to Carrickshock to allow them take the lead. Conahy fought back well to level the scores with ten minutes to play, but when Carrickshock scored a second goal, it was a killer blow. Try as they might, Conahy could not get the goal they so badly needed, as Carrickshock held on for victory, thus sending the locals to the junior grade for 2025.

TEAM: Karl Downey, Ciaran Rice, Philip Cass, Liam Cass, Donal Brennan, Brian Healy, Davy Healy, Eoin Cahill, Darragh Hen-

nessy, Jack Murphy, James Bergin, Tom Phelan, Rob Ring, Kieran Mooney, Tom Rice. Subs.: Padraic Delaney, Mark Gunner. CAMOGIE

The under-14 camogie girls were narrowly defeated in a high scoring game by Clara in the County Shield Final on Saturday last in Jenkinstown. Conahy led by five points at half-time, but conceded some late goals to allow Clara take the win in the end. Hard luck to all the girls despite it being a very successful year for them. Thanks also to the coaching team of Christy Kennedy, Áine Mulhall, Mick Cahill, Robbie Webster, Sarah Molloy and Niamh Delaney.

TEAM: Leyla-Rose Healy, Emily English, Grace Butler, Keenan Kennedy, Ruth Carroll, Eva Kennedy, Sophie Conway, Rachel Mulhall, Shannon O’Shea, Mary-Lou Rowe, Aobha Dunne, Hannah Styles, Emily Kennedy, Katie Murphy, Isobel Dunne, Bríd Gamble, Michelle Cahill, Hannah Boland, Fiadh Coogan, Sophie Meany, Juliette Dunne, Lucy Butler, Grace O’Meara, Sadie Todd. CLUB LOTTO

The numbers drawn in the most recent GAA Club Lotto were 4, 13 and 21. Lucy Butler was the lucky winner of the €3,200 jackpot - congratulations to her. The promoter prize winners were Nora Delaney, Helen Cahill and Teresa Dollard. Many thanks to everyone who supports the GAA Club Lotto. BRIDGE

Conahy Bridge Club resumes on Thursday evenings in Conahy Hall at 7.30 pm. New members welcome.

HUGGINSTOWN NEWMARKET AND STONEYFORD

MASS TIMES

In Aghaviller Parish Hugginstown: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9.30a.m. Vigil, Saturday at 8.00p.m. Sunday 6th. at 10.00a.m. Stoneyford, Wednesday 2nd. at 7.00p.m.Vigil - Saturday 5th. at 6.30p.m.

FIRST FRIDAY

Friday 4th. Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. First Friday,visitation with Holy Communion will take place as usual on Friday. Please let us know if you would like to receive Holy Communion in your home for the First Fridays or at any other time.

PRAY FOR

Anniversary Masses, Anastasia and James Hurley, Ennisnag, Mass in Stoneyford Church on Saturday 5th. October at 6.30p.m. ROTA (SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME)

ReadersStoneyford, Saturday 6.30p.m. Sheila Raggett. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Pat Power. Sunday 10.00a.m. Mary Carroll. Eucharistic Ministers. Stoneyford. Saturday 6.30p.m. Jakub Smolen. Hugginstown, Saturday 8.00p.m. Mary Murphy, Sunday 10.00a.m. Ruth Crowley.

“FIRST SATURDAYS CONFERENCE”: There will be a special First Saturdays Conference on Saturday, October 12th from 10.00a.m. to 4.00p.m. in the Firgrove Hotel in Mitchelstown.

St. Lucia of Fatima explained the importance of this devotion by saying that whether there is peace or war in the world depends on the practise of this devotion. We sure live in very turbulent and troubled times. There will be Mass and four speakers: Dr. Katrina Layden, Fr. Jaimie Twohig, Christine O’Hara and Fr. Marius O’Reilly. We will also pray the Rosary and do the 15 minute Meditation together. Bring your own lunch or eat in the hotel carvery. For more details see firstsaturdays.ie FAITH SEEKING UNDERSTANDING

A Course over the winter months in St. Kieran’s College to allow people the opportunity to understand their Faith. The course is free. Further information from 056 776 8693 or email afd@ ossory.ie.

LOTTO

Aghaviller Parish and Carrickshock G. A. A. Draw, Monday 23rd. September 2024 Numbers: 06; 08; 02; 07. One Winner First 3 Numbers Drawn. No Jackpot Winner: €500.00. Winner, Mary Doyle, c/o James Irish. €25.00 Seller of Match 3 Ticket: James Irish. 3 x €15.00 (Sellers), Tommy Murphy, Mary Carroll, Tom Cassin. OLDER PEOPLES INFORMATION SERVICE; Kilkenny Older Peoples Council has arranged a series of information presentations, to be professionally provided, for people aged 55 and over, in the Mayfair Library, Parliament Street, Kilkenny. The Presentation given by (Kilkenny County Council and H.S.E.). on “Age Friendly Healthy Homes Services”. on Friday 4th. October. Time 11.00a.m. to 1.00p.m. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers and a cup of tea. Booking is not required. When there, why not avail of an opportunity to see the new modern Library facilities that Kilkenny has to offer? All are welcome.

TAIZÉ YOUTH PROGRAMME 2025

A youth trip to Taizé in France organised by Ossory Youth will take place from Sunday 29th. June to Sunday 6th. July 2025. A week in the Taizé Community is an opportunity for reflection and contemplation and a little step back from daily life. But bringing people together is also the essence of Taize and it is a week of meeting young people from different countries and cultures where new friendships are made. Tens of thousands of young people from around the world, including 25 from Kilkenny, will made the trip to Taizé next year. The programme, which runs from November 2024 to July 2025 is open to Transition year, 5th year and Leaving Cert students. Closing date for applications is Friday 25th October. For additional information, including cost and application forms, contact Patrick Bookle, Ossory Youth at 056 776 1200 or at 087 212 9006 or pbookle@ ossoryyouth.com.

Tom Healy

Sport Robbie rules as ‘Town down Shamrocks

A Bridge too far for The Sash as major brace seals extra-time win

BY NIALL SHERRY

EDITOR

The weekend promised much, four intriguing quarter-final encounters, but a weather warning for Sunday saw that day’s action postponed, leaving Saturday’s two senior tussles as the fair available for Gaels on Noreside. The first of the last eight ties saw Thomastown claim the bragging rights following their 2-point win over Shamrocks Ballyhale who fail to make the semi-final line up for the first time in ages. The later game on Saturday saw matters go right to the wire, with extra time needed to separate Bennettsbridge and Tullaroan, with the former running out 6-point winners. The postponed fixtures will take place this weekend, with the double bill scheduled for UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday, Mullinavat’s meeting with Erin’s Own throwingin at 1:30pm and Dicksboro’s clash with county champions, O’Loughlin Gaels due to start two hours later.

Thomastown 0-21

Shamrocks 1-16

Having secured their return to the top table of hurling in Kilkenny,

Thomastown have proved to be a real handful for the more ‘seasoned’ teams on Noreside, and claiming the scalp of Shamrocks Ballyhale will serve as notice to all other teams in the county, that you will underestimate them at your peril. Robbie Donnelly was the scoring star on Saturday, finishing with a personal tally of 0-10, while goalkeeper Diarmuid Galway pulled-off a magnificent save to deny a certain goal for intercounty star, Adrian Mullen, who like his attacking colleagues found the going tough in Callan and were well-shackled throughout the game. Noel Doherty will have been happy to get minutes into the legs of Stephen Donnelly, who also got on the scoresheet after returning from injury.

For Shamrocks Ballyhale, it’s an early finish to their season, and this season’s performances will no doubt be analyzed over the Autumn and Winter periods, to try and get to the bottom of their disappointing form this campaign. Lots of key players were carrying injuries throughout league and championship, while veteran forward, Colin Fennelly had been clocking up the miles, jetting in from Dubai for the last few games, having done brilliantly to get back from serious injury. Joey Holden’s return to club hurling was short lived, but getting a full preseason under his belt for next year’s

club campaign will definitely help both player and team. If the South Kilkenny side get secure the services of Ronan Corcoran and Brian Cody, this would enhance their chances of laying down a stronger challenge in 2025.

Bennettsbridge 2-26 Thomastown 1-23 (AET)

The second instalment on Saturday was always going to be a close, tightly-fought affair, and

that’s exactly what panned out in Castlecomer. Many neutrals were in attendance as Tullaroan and Bennettsbridge gave their all in a fascinating battle that needed extra-time to split the sides. Both these entertaining sides would have fancied their chances of claiming a semi-final berth, and with many classy hurlers on show it was a clash that delivered.

Bennettsbridge notched two majors in Canon Kearns Park,

Liam Blanchfield and sub Jack Campion the green flag raisers for Tim Dooley’s side. As referenced by ‘Bridge coach Dan Shanahan afterwards, Liam Blanchfield’s desire and determination to get himself on the pitch speaks volumes about the bustling forward’s attitude and love for his club. Despite Bill Gaffney opening the scoring with a wonderful point inside two minutes and a thoroughly exceptional display from Mossy Keoghan, coupled with a Dylan Simpson penalty in the opening period, it was The ‘Bridge that forced an additional twenty minutes when young Campion made a sensational entrance to proceedings. With county star David Blanchfield anchoring matters from centre back, his influence on the younger players around him is evident, with Conor Murphy, one such example. David may have missed the opportunity to raise a green flag himself from the spot, but he was a driving force in his sides victory over The Sash as they pulled clear in extra time. Tim Dooley and Waterford icon Shanahan, have gathered a very committed bunch, that have put many other things on hold, in the belief that there is a Tom Walsh Cup in this panel. They will not fear anyone in the last four and know that time may be running out for some of the elder members of the squad, so the time to deliver is now.

Robbie Donnelly top scored in win over Shamrocks

Conor Murphy gets his pass away as Gearoid Dunne watches on

Going down? James Stephens & Glenmore face-off in survival clash

clash tomorrow (throw-in 2pm) and it’s hard to predict the outcome, given the season to date for both teams.

BY NIALL SHERRY

Tomorrow, 2pm, Thomastown

Referee: Owen Beehan

There are no more second chances. This is the final roll of the dice for both Glenmore and James Stephens as they meet to see who will keep their seat at the top table of hurling on Noreside. Thomastown will host this

I wouldn’t imagine that Brian Cody envisaged managing his club in this season’s relegation decider when The Village began their league campaign in early August. Their first action of the season saw them tackle senior new boys, Thomastown and they went down to a 6-point defeat, losing both Niall Brassil and Niall Delaney to red cards in Bennettsbridge. Round two saw Cody take his charges to St John’s Park to face Dicksboro, but again they came up short, this time by two points, again, the city side didn’t raise a green flag, while their opponents did so, twice. When you lose two on the bounce, you don’t want to make it three, but that’s exactly what happened to James Stephens in the third round of games. Danesfort was the setting as Bennettsbridge squared up to The Village, and while Cody’s side started well, the loss of the influential Niall Brassil to an ever-growing injury list saw them concede now fewer than

five majors and eighteen points to Tim Dooley’s outfit. Round four saw The Sash inflict another defeat on James Stephens, and this defeat probably exposed the problems for the manager. Cian Kenny and Luke Scanlon helped their side into an eight-point lead at the break, but capitulated in the second period to fall to a 6-point defeat. The Village did manage to record a win, in their final group game, oddly, against tomorrow’s opponents Glenmore. With just the one win from five games, The Village found themselves playing Shamrocks Ballyhale in the relegation semi-final and while they put in possibly their best shift of the season to date, shipping another four majors in a 9-point defeat.

Tomorrow’s opponents, Glenmore know that they will have to put in an all-round performance, and possibly a season’s best to avoid slipping out of the senior ranks. They got off to a bad start, when losing to Bennettsbridge at Inistioge, losing out by 16-points. Worryingly, the Páirc na Ratha side again looked

overwhelmed in round 2, going down by 8 points in a loss to Tullaroan who bagged four majors in their win. Round three saw Glenmore get off the mark, claiming a point in a hardearned draw with Dicksboro. They built on this with a surprising win over Thomastown next time out, a much-improved performance saw them get over the line by the bare minimum in Piltown. They finished off the group stage with a five-point loss against The Village, so they will know what lies ahead in Thomastown tomorrow.

Finishing second bottom of the group, meant Glenmore took on Erin’s Own in a relegation semi-final at Pairc Sheamuis Stiophan. While many predicted it would be the Comer men that would slip away this season, they stood tall and ran up an impressive 5-14 to defy the odds to condemn Glenmore to the relegation decider.

The loss of intercounty goalkeeper Eoin Murphy was a big blow to Maurice Aylward’s side and the manager will look to the other

members of Clan Murphy, Alan and Shane to lead the way tomorrow. The likes of Ian Byrne, Billy Reid and Ger Aylward will be key to any chances Glenmore have of fighting off the dreaded drop and these players will need to deliver in Thomastown.

The Village have been heavily reliant on Cian Kenny’s contributions during their disappointing campaign, and the All-Star nominee will be keen to rise to the occasion once again in this crunch decider. Injuries have proved really disruptive for Brian Cody’s outfit and he will hope to have some of his key players available this weekend. Luke Scanlon, Eoin Guilfoyle and Niall Mullins will need to be on top of their game and can trouble Glenmore, while goalkeeper Gavin Costigan will look to stand firm against a lively opposition attack.

This clash is massive, the stakes seriously high. Both Glenmore and James Stephens demand senior status, only one can prevail. Thomastown could be set for a real battle tomorrow.

Glenmore vs James Stephens

Above: Cian Kenny will be key to Village hopes

Main: Shane Murphy will hope to steer Glenmore to safety

Planning notices

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

We, Adrian and Angela Webster intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Retention Planning Permission for the following (1.) To retain the existing first-floor extension as constructed (2). To retain an increase in floor area of the existing ground floor extension granted on planning ref no. 11/575 (3.) To retain all internal and elevational alterations. Planning permission is also sought for the following (1.) To demolish the existing single storey porch (2.) Construction of a new single-storey extension to the front of the existing dwelling house (3.) All internal and external alterations (4.) Upgrading the sewage system to a secondary treatment system and soil polishing filter and all associated site development works at Troyswood, Co. Kilkenny. R95 E475

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

KILKENNY

COUNTY COUNCIL

We, John and Denise Lawlor intend to submit Significant Further Information to Kilkenny County Council subsequent to Planning Application Ref Number 23/60342, to retain (a) roof profile of existing dwelling (b) location of existing dwelling (c) the position of entrance from previous permitted planning permission ref number 98/830 and all associated site development works at Raheen, Dunnamaggin, 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 2 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

Further Information/Revised Plans:

Dawn Meats Ireland UC has submitted significant further information/revised plans for Development at Grannagh, Co. Kilkenny, X91 HRR3. Ref No. 2460268. The development applied for consisted of

• The relocation of the existing main entrance to the south west elevation, including a new wheelchair access ramp, access steps, planters, new entrance porch, the relocation of existing turnstiles, new security fencing, first floor corner window, alterations to south west and south east elevations consisting of new roof parapet to extend above the existing eaves level and new render finish.

• Application includes retention permission for the existing two-storey office extension located on the north west facing elevation of the main office building.

Significant Further Information/Revised Plans have been furnished to the Planning Authority in respect of this proposed development, and are available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the Offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours of 9:00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the Planning Authority within a period of 2 weeks from the date of receipt of the revised public notices. A submission or observation must be accompanied by the prescribed fee of €20, except in the case of a person or body who has already made a submission or observation and such submission or observation will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application.

The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

SIGNIFICANT FURTHER INFORMATION/ REVISED PLANS

(Planning Register Reference No. 2360581) - Planning Permission is sought by Peter Ryan for development at Cussana, Carrigeen, Co. Kilkenny. The development will consist of the construction of a four-bedroom part single, part two-storey dwelling including rooflights and a detached single-storey domestic garage. Other works as part of the development include solar panels; on-site wastewater treatment system and percolation area; soakaway; vehicular entrance; landscaping; boundary treatment; borehole well; and all associated works to facilitate the development. The further information consists of: 1) revised application site boundary showing the proposed development and associated other works positioned in an alternative location on the landholding, including landscaping details and alternative driveway arrangements; 2) revised dwelling design, including new floor plans and elevations; and 3) revised garage design, including new floor plans and elevations.

Significant Further Information/Revised Plans has/have been furnished to the Planning Authority in respect of this proposed development, and is/are available for inspection, or purchase 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 further information may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 2 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: Gittens Murray Architects Ltd., No. 5 William Street, Kilkenny. Tel No: 056-7753933. Web: www.gmarch.net.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

We, Briskalagh Ltd., intend to apply for permission for a period of 10 years for a development at this site situated in the townlands of Acragar, Ballyconra, Ballycuddihy, Ballyroe, Ballyroe (Grace), Ballyroe (Maher), Baunaniska, Boherkyle, Briskalagh, Brittas, Clone, Coolnapisha, Curraghduff, Freshford, Freshford Lots, Graigueswood, Grange, Huntstown, Kilmanagh, Knockeenglass, Knockown, Moatpark, Monabrika, Monavadaroe, Moneenaun, Oldtown, Oldtownhill, Parksgrove, Picketstown, Rathealy, Sart, Sweethill, Tobernapeastia, Tullaroan, Upperwood Demesne, Co. Kilkenny.

The development will consist of the provision of the following:

i. 7 no. wind turbines with an overall turbine tip height of 185 metres; a rotor blade diameter of 163 metres; and hub height of 103.5 metres, and associated foundations and hard-standing areas;

ii. A permanent 38kV substation compound (control building with welfare facilities, all associated electrical plant and apparatus, security fencing, underground cabling, storage containers, wastewater holding tank, site drainage and all ancillary works);

iii. Permanent underground electrical (38kV) and communications cabling to the existing Ballyragget 110kV substation in the townland of Moatpark (including joint bays, communication and earth sheath link chambers and all ancillary works along the route). This cabling route is primarily located within the public road corridor which includes a Protected Structure (Kilkenny RPS Ref. C886);

iv. Underground electrical (33kV) and communications cabling connecting the wind turbines and meteorological mast to the on-site substation;

v. 3 no. temporary construction compounds (including site offices and welfare facilities);

vi. A meteorological mast with a height of 30 metres, security fencing and associated foundation and hard-standing area;

vii. A new temporary site entrance on the L1009;

viii. A new gated site entrance on the L5024;

ix. Upgrade of existing site tracks/ roads and provision of new site access roads, junctions and hardstand areas;

x. A borrow pit;

xi. Spoil Management;

xii. Tree felling and hedgerow removal;

xiii. Biodiversity Management and Enhancement Plan measures (including establishment of a riparian buffer and hedgerow enhancement);

xiv. Site Drainage;

xv. Operational Stage site signage; and

xvi. All ancillary works and apparatus.

A thirty five-year operational life from the date of full commissioning of the wind turbines and subsequent decommissioning of the wind turbines is being sought.

An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) have been prepared in respect of the proposed development and accompany this application.

The planning application, EIAR and NIS 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, EIAR or NIS 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 Planning 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.

TOMMY FANNING 47TH ANNIVERSARY

In loving memory of Tommy, late of 104 Newpark Close who died on October 2nd 1977.

We are sending a dove to heaven

With a parcel on its wings

Careful when you open it

It’s full of beautiful things

Inside are a million kisses

Wrapped up in a million hugs

To say how much I miss you

And to send you all my love

I hold you close within my heart

And there you will remain

To walk with me throughout my life

Until we meet again

Always loved and remembered by your wife Marian and your son Tommy.

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. B.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. C.P.

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. V.B.

The Miracle Prayer

Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.

This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).

Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. B.P.

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. V.S.

The

Miracle Prayer

Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.

This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).

Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted. Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. 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. L.S.