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GP numbers are rising

76 GPs in Kilkenny, accounting for 1.5% of all GPs

Just released figures show that in 2025, there were 5,017 GPs throughout Ireland, an increase of 5.3% from the 2024 figure. The research reveals that there are 76 GPs working in Co Kilkenny, which accounts for 1.5% of all GPs in the country. The research, according to the Medical Workforce Intelli-

gence Report, also reveals: In 2025, there were 22,257 clinically active doctors practising medicine in Ireland, representing 75.6% of doctors who retained their place on the Medical Council Register, showing that the overall size of the Register does not directly reflect the number of doctors working on the ground.

The proportion of clinically active female doctors rose to 47.6%, representing a slight but steady increase in recent years (47.2% in 2024, 47.0% in 2023). On the subject of persistent barriers to safe patient care, almost one-third of doctors (30.7%) reported never experiencing difficulties providing patients with sufficient levels

of care. However, more than one-quarter (27.6%) experienced such difficulties at least once a week or more often. The most commonly reported barriers identified by doctors were pressure on workloads, time spent on administration and bureaucracy and overcrowding. A total of 22.1% of doctors

self-reported working more than 48 hours a week on average, a slight improvement on 2024 (23.1%). 9.3% reported spending more than 48 hours in direct patient care, down from 10.7% in 2024. Ireland’s growing reliance on internationally trained doctors shows that 56.6% of doctors obtained their basic medical

The many good young people among us ...

Saturday night’s alright for fighting ... Croke Park has asked the 80,000 people expected to attend Katie Taylor’s farewell fight this weekend to be respectful of local residents as they leave the stadium late on Saturday night. Taylor will finally realise her long-held ambition of fighting at GAA headquarters when she faces undefeated French boxer Flora Pili in the final bout of her career. The sold-out event will bring one of the biggest crowds in boxing history to the stadium, with the main event potentially finishing as late as 11pm on Saturday evening. Croke Park and Gardaí held a detailed meeting on Thursday to go through exiting plans, emergency procedures and a risk analysis ahead of the fight.

We ‘need faster planning delivery’ The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) is urging the Government to prioritise measures that improve the speed and efficiency of infrastructure planning and delivery in Budget 2027, warning that ongoing delays are undermining Ireland’s ability to achieve its housing, infrastructure and economic growth objectives. The federation’s pre-Budget recommendations call for action to reduce bottlenecks, ensuring critical housing, trans-

port, water, energy and public infrastructure projects can be delivered at the pace required to meet national demand. A delegation from the Construction Industry Federation met with Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris TD and Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers TD, as part of the pre-Budget process. Andrew Brownlee, CEO of the Construction Industry Federa-

qualification in Ireland, 13.9% in the EU or UK and 29.5% outside Ireland, the EU or the UK, continuing a year-on-year rise (27.8% in 2024, 25.7% in 2023). The most common country of qualification for international graduates was Pakistan, with 41.7% of the international graduate cohort. This was followed by Sudan, with 20.3%.

tion, said: “Project delays and persistent uncertainty across the future project pipeline continue to be significant challenges, affecting the industry’s ability to plan, invest and maintain the capacity needed to deliver housing and infrastructure at the scale Ireland needs. “Every project that is delayed from breaking ground faces rising labour, materials and financing costs, increasing pressure on both project viability and public expenditure.

Prolonged delays also create uncertainty around the future project pipeline, making it harder for businesses to invest with confidence and maintain the capacity needed to meet Ireland’s infrastructure and housing ambitions. At a time when Ireland needs to accelerate delivery, we must ensure projects move through the system as efficiently as possible. “CIF is calling on Government to establish a national infrastructure project tracker and

publish a rolling multi-annual infrastructure pipeline. Greater visibility on project timelines, procurement schedules and delivery milestones would provide the certainty industry needs to invest in equipment, workforce development and modern methods of construction. Ultimately, better planning and greater transparency will support the faster delivery of critical infrastructure and better value for the taxpayer,” he said.

Not all young people are feral by any stretch of the imagination. And that includes all the young people I know or come across. Young people, many at college applying themselves diligently – our third-level attendance is 56% higher than the EU average – while holding down a part-time job in the hostelries and watering holes I frequent. They are bright, interactive, conversational and darn-good at bar-tending or serving a table for dinner. Yet, this generation are perhaps the most disaffected since before the Baby Boomers when it comes to housing, the cost of living and health services – among other issues. The State is continuously failing them. They carry on, though, with determination. Paul Hopkins Page 8

The green, green grass of home It’s a story we see thousands of times, young people leave Ireland in search of greener grass elsewhere, only to return when they have families of their own. They want their children to grow up here with the benefit of an Irish education. So what’s so remarkable about Harry and Meghan, who quit the Royal family six years ago for California, returning to England this week so that Archie (7) and Lilibet (5) can go to school there? Marianne Heron Page 12

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News

Five lessons from the morning school run From forgotten lunchboxes to last-minute searches for school jumpers, mornings have got a lot busier as the school run recommences after the summer holidays. New analysis from Close Brothers Motor Finance shines a light on what each county can expect to see on the roads as the new school term enters its second week, and it looks like drivers in Kilkenny will need to buckle up for what’s set to be a busy school run. The research looked at the number of cars per person in counties across Ireland and reveals there are 2,511,627 cars registered across the country, against a population of 5,525,600. The top five counties set for the busiest school run are*: 1. Dublin with over 2.6 cars per person 2. Donegal with 2.3 cars per person 3. Longford with 2.3 cars per person 4. Monaghan with 2.2 cars per person 5. Louth with 2.2 cars per person However, Kilkenny families are not far behind the Top 5, with 2.1 cars per 113,000 people on Irish roads. For families in these counties, more cars on the road can mean extra congestion

at peak times, particularly around school gates where cars, pedestrians and cyclists are all competing for space. And with some children

travelling further afield due to school place availability or limited transport options, avoiding the morning rush isn’t always as simple as

choosing to walk or catch the bus. As a parent himself, Peter Pedlow, Director of Sales at Close Brothers Motor

Finance, said: “In my experience, there are a few things that can help take some of the pressure off when the morning rush

returns: 1. Get a head start: Having bags, lunches and P.E. gear ready to go the night before can buy back a few valuable minutes in the morning. 2. Build in a bit of breathing room: Traffic around schools can be unpredictable, so allowing some extra time means a queue doesn’t have to derail the whole morning. 3. Share the school run if it works for you: With some families having to drive further because of school places or transport availability, sharing lifts with another family can help both households, and it means one less car on the road. 4. Save family parking spaces for families: Keeping parent-and-child spaces free at supermarkets, shopping centres and retail parks gives families the room they need to get young children safely in and out of the car on busy days. 5. Expect the unexpected: Children don’t always behave predictably around roads, particularly during the excitement of those first weeks back, so give everyone a little more space and keep your speed to a minimum.”

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

News

The busiest yet on the job The manufacturing sector expanded robustly again in August and at close to a fouryear high as new orders rose at the sharpest pace since April 2022, the latest AIB Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index shows. The AIB Manufacturing PMI, compiled by S&P Global, rose to 55.4 in August from 55.1 in July. The 50 mark separates growth from contraction. Manufacturing activity has

not contracted since December 2024, and growth has accelerated over the past five months at the fastest rate since that run began. While new orders hit a four-and-a-half-year high, new business from abroad increased at a much weaker pace for the second successive month due to uncertainty caused by the war in the Middle East. The conflict also contributed

to continued supply-chain delays, with the sharp rate of deterioration in suppliers’ delivery times only slightly softer than in July. Meanwhile, delays receiving purchased items caused a further build-up in backlogs of work, the fifth in the past six months. AIB noted that the rate of input price inflation ticked up month-on-month, well below the near-four-year peak

reached in May but still much higher than the levels prior to the conflict. Manufacturers also continued to pass those costs on to their customers. The pace of price increases, while still sharp, slowed to a five-month low, AIB added. David McNamara, AIB’s chief economist, noted that the Irish manufacturing PMI remains above the flash readings for the euro zone, UK and US at 52.8,

51.5 and 53.2 respectively. Mr McNamara said that output rose strongly in August, increasing to the highest level since April 2025, with respondents citing continued robust order books. He said that purchasing activity was in line with July’s modest outturn, following the surge in prior months, driven by frontrunning of stock building during the initial phase of the Middle East conflict.

“However, existing stocks grew for a sixth consecutive month, as firms maintained precautionary stockpiles,” he said. “Looking ahead, Irish manufacturers’ assessment of the outlook for activity levels over the coming year remains broadly optimistic. Around half predict an increase in output over the next year, while only 7% forecast a reduction,” he said.

Professor leaves Leaving overhaul because the sums don’t add up A mathematics professor has left the group tasked with redeveloping the Leaving Certificate mathematics curriculum, saying she could not stand over the document produced by the panel because it is “incoherent and mathematically inaccurate”. Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, an associate professor of mathematics education at Dublin City University (DCU), said subject experts were not consistently involved in the process of developing school curricula. She is the second expert to leave the Mathematics Development Group, which advises the National Council for Curriculum Assessment (NCCA), after Professor Pauline Mellon quit in January citing similar concerns. “I think it will do a disservice to our young people,” Ní Shúilleabháin told RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland. “It will fail to adequately prepare them for their future lives in society and work and study because mathematics underpins so many aspects of our world,” she said. She added that this is especially the case in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), “which is so important to our economy”. Her complaints about the process went beyond just mathematics. “I think at the heart of this, it’s a systems issue,” she said. “Subject experts are not formally or consistently included in any subject development group.” She also said she did not believe that her concerns were being taken into account, particularly after a public consultation. “If I had trust that after the public consultation, fundamental changes could

be made to this curriculum and errors corrected and the content made coherent, I would have stayed. But I do not trust that that is the process,” she said. Mellon also voiced concerns about the public consultation, saying it was aimed at tweaking rather than overhauling the curriculum. Like Ní Shúilleabháin, she said her feedback had not been taken on board. “I think this proposed curriculum needs to be scrapped, and a public consultation will not fix this problem,” she said. Arlene Forster, chief executive of the NCCA, defended the curriculum development process when speaking on the David McCullagh show on RTÉ Radio this morning. She said the redevelopment of the maths curriculum, as well as other subjects, is “a rigorous, evidence-based process”. She said that public consultation “is a really key part of that work”. Forster rejected the suggestion that the public consultation was only used to alter the curriculum rather than fundamentally change it. “We receive feedback in lots of different ways on our draft curriculum documents,” she said. “All of that feedback is analysed and it is shared with the development groups working on the curriculum.” She said that the NCCA summarises the feedback for the development group and that since September it also provides it with the full set of responses. “So, in the case of the consultation that professor Mellon was speaking directly about, the feedback from that consultation was summarised by NCCA staff and brought to the development group.”

Callan school joins award-winning study Coláiste Abhainn Rí, Callan, Co. Kilkenny, has become the latest school to join the award-winning STEM Passport for Inclusion programme. From this September, transition year students at the school will receive mentoring from STEM professionals, access accredited learning opportunities and take part in practical career development activities. STEM Passport for Inclusion aims to break barriers and empower students from under-served backgrounds to pursue further and higher education opportunities and career pathways in science, technology, engineering and maths. Coláiste Abhainn Rí will join a growing network of schools across Kilkenny

already participating in STEM Passport for Inclusion, including Castlecomer Community School, Castlecomer; Coláíste Mhuire, Johnstown; and Duiske College, Graiguenamanagh. The addition of Coláiste Abhainn Rí marks another important step in ensuring students from under-served backgrounds have the confidence and skills to explore further and higher education opportunities and careers in STEM fields. STEM Passport for Inclusion is led by Professor Katriona O’Sullivan at Maynooth University’s National Centre for Inclusive Higher Education and delivered in partnership with founding industry partner Microsoft, and the programme’s university partner (in the Leinster region) Maynooth

University. The programme is funded by Research Ireland, the Department of Education and Youth, and Microsoft, as well as by many industry and education partners. Commenting on the school’s participation in the programme, Prof. Katriona O’Sullivan, Founder of STEM Passport for Inclusion, said: “We are delighted to welcome Coláiste Abhainn Rí to the STEM Passport for Inclusion community. Talent exists in every town and every community across Ireland, but access to opportunities is not always equal. “By bringing the programme to more schools in Kilkenny, we can help students discover their potential, build confidence in their abilities and see the

exciting possibilities that exist within STEM. We look forward to working with students, teachers and the wider school community in the year ahead.” Students at Coláiste Abhainn Rí will begin participating in the programme during the 2026/27 academic year, joining a community of young people across Ireland who are benefitting from the programme. Since its launch five years ago, more than 10,000 students have completed the STEM Passport for Inclusion programme, and as the programme enters its next phase, it is aiming to support a further 5,000 while expanding to include TY boys, Youthreach learners and women returning to education.

Services sector shows fastest growth, says survey The country’s services sector posted its fastest growth in eight months in July on stronger new business and employment, and easing inflationary pressure, a new survey has shown. The AIB S&P Global Services Purchasing Managers’ Index climbed to 55.2 in July from 54.2 in June, remaining well above the 50 level that separates growth from contraction. The rate of growth in the Irish services sector was well

ahead of the flash euro zone, British and US PMIs. The new survey showed that new export business expanded at the fastest pace since December 2024. Higher activity was driven by increased demand, new sales and investment in business capacity, the survey’s authors said. Technology, Media & Telecoms (61.4) remained the fastest-growing sector in July, with the strongest expansion in nearly three years.

Business Services (55.4) overtook Financial Services (52.6) while Transport, Tourism & Leisure (49.4) registered the slowest decline in activity in the current fivemonth sequence. AIB said that inflationary pressure cooled further in July. The rate of input price inflation slowed for the third month in a row from April’s 40-month high, to a level broadly in line with the longrun survey trend. It noted that Transport,

Tourism & Leisure posted the steepest rise in input prices, and Financial Services the slowest - and the softest since March 2021. David McNamara, AIB Chief Economist, said in terms of the outlook, business sentiment continued to recover in July, reaching a seven-month high. “Business wins, new investments, and optimism about wider economic growth were cited as key drivers of improving sentiment,” he said.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

Opinion

The Fact Of The Matter Paul Hopkins

Our troubled teenagers: Perpetrators or victims? Here’s a fact: There has been an “explosion in crimes” against retailers in recent years involving “gangs of feral youth” and “crime, fraud, abuse, theft and shoplifting happen every day in [our] stores” an Oireachtas Committee heard when retailers appeared recently in front of them to discuss how such behaviour was affecting businesses. Another fact: James Morrisroe, deputy general secretary of the Garda Representative Association (GRA), says front-line members are “exasperated trying to deal with this criminality with one hand tied behind their backs”. He claims the legislation “is skewed” in favour of the offenders, and the system requires a radical and urgent reset. “The softly-softly approach has utterly failed, and it’s time for some swift decisions where the public are protected and offenders punished appropriately by introducing legislation aimed at

protecting society from such wanton criminality,” he says. However, here’s the most pertinent fact: Not all young people are feral by any stretch of the imagination. And that includes all the young people I know or come across. Young people, many at college applying themselves diligently – our third level attendance is 56% higher than the EU average – while holding down a part-time job in the hostelries and watering holes I frequent. They are bright, interactive, conversational and darn-good at bar-tending or serving a table for dinner. Yet, this generation are perhaps the most disaffected since before the Baby Boomers when it comes to housing, the cost of living and health services – among other issues. The State is continuously failing them. They carry on, though, with determination. Yet many adults, who engage with social media, lump all our young people into this “feral corral”, par-

ticularly the mid-teens. Covid saw them getting a lambasting for allegedly spreading the rogue microbe by “running around in hordes” within the 5km travel restriction. That said, we have to consider the growing prevalence of those youths who have been running amok in rural areas – and the five ‘boys’, the perpetrators, at the centre of the tragic M9 carnage. Amid the clamour for more police and tougher sentences, Fintan O’Toole in the Irish Times attempted to expand our understanding of the environment of these perpetrators in ‘feral gangs’. O’Toole contrasts the transformation that occurred in Dublin’s north inner city with the development of the Irish Financial Services Centre during the Celtic Tiger years and the “largely illusory” transformation experienced by the people of the area, as the Government purposely created “Ireland’s most

starkly segregated social space”. Talk about the haves and the have-nots. But it goes deeper than that. We cannot escape the fact that some of our young offenders have experienced homelessness, mental illhealth – think the ongoing CAMHS ineptitude – abuse

“Torn asunder by decades of active neglect

or violence at points in their formative years. In many cases of young people turning to crime, they come from dysfunctional families who, in turn, did likewise. (It was not until 1979 that the last tenement in Dublin closed at 14 Henrietta Street). We reap what we sow. Renowned Dutch criminologist Louk Hulsman warns that we create a counter-reality when we only understand an individual in the context of their offence, completely isolated from “his environment, his friends, his family, the material substratum of his world”. The ambition of criminal justice systems should be the tempering of violence in society and not just meting out more violence in response to the initial offence. Peter McVerry SJ has proposed two underlying issues to why young boys form gangs where violence is a rite of passage or a graduating ritual. First, the com-

munity fabric of these areas has been torn asunder by decades of active neglect and under-investment by the State. Second, these boys (intimidating as they may be) are alienated from any sense of belonging to a State which values them. Granted, drug use and drug-induced psychosis play no small part. When a social issue like youth violence is understood in a simplistic way — just “feral” youth — the solution proffered is likewise simple. If the only answer is punishment, McVerry says it should be acknowledged that “the pains if imprisonment are potentially deadly for children and young people”. In the final analysis, if we consider the structural failings behind many of these stories, we can only conclude that the public outcry for tougher sentences for young offenders is a simplistic and knee-jerk reaction for our failures as a State. As a people ...

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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Farewell to a Kilkenny favourite after 30 years After more than 30 years in business, Khans Books is closing its doors, bringing to an end a long chapter for the well-known Kilkenny bookshop. Khans Books first opened in 1994 and over the years became a familiar name to shoppers throughout Kilkenny and beyond. After operating from a number of locations during its early years,

the business settled on James’ Street in 2000. Founded by Khan Kiely, the shop built up a loyal following by offering a wide selection of books at affordable prices. Customers could find everything from novels and children’s books to cookery, gardening, crafts, wellbeing and educational titles. For many people, part of the enjoyment of visiting Khans

McGuinness calls for immediate action on Kilkenny railway station lift Leas Ceann Comhairle demands Local Area Action Plan for Kilkenny Railway Station Carlow-Kilkenny TD and Leas Ceann Comhairle John McGuinness has expressed his disappointment at the response from CIÉ and Iarnród Éireann regarding a number of outstanding issues at Kilkenny Railway Station. Deputy McGuinness is now calling on Kilkenny County Council and CIÉ to work together on a Local Area Action Plan for the railway station, with immediate implementation of the measures that can and should be delivered without further delay. Deputy McGuinness said the response does not go far enough and that some issues at the station cannot simply be deferred until a future redevelopment of the site. “I welcome the fact that Iarnród Éireann has engaged with the issues I raised, but I am not satisfied with the response. Kilkenny Railway Station is an important piece of public infrastructure serving the city, county and wider region, and problems that can be addressed now should not be left waiting for some future development proposal. “The issue of the lift is particularly unacceptable. I have been advised that the existing lift is completely seized, has been deemed non-compliant and requires replacement. Yet passengers are being told that this will be considered as part of future funding, compliance, operational arrangements and Transit Oriented Development. “That is not good enough. The lift must be put back into service immediately. Accessibility cannot be treated as something that can wait for a future redevelopment of the station site.” Deputy McGuinness said the station's designation as fully accessible and its Age Friendly status make the situation even more difficult to understand. “If the station is recognised as fully accessible and has Age

Friendly status, then there is an obvious contradiction when the lift is not operational and requires replacement. “I am calling on CIÉ and Iarnród Éireann to identify the funding and responsibility required and get the replacement lift project moving immediately. This should not be parked as part of a longer-term development programme.” Deputy McGuinness also raised concerns about the old canopy at the station. While he acknowledges that protective netting, monitoring and vegetation control measures have been put in place, he believes a longer-term solution is required. “The estimated €2 million cost of dealing with the old canopy cannot simply be left hanging over future platformextension decisions. I understand that it is a protected structure and that there are operational considerations, but the public deserves a clear plan for what is going to happen. “Similarly, if there is an opportunity to extend the platform and make better use of the existing structure, that needs to be properly examined now rather than repeatedly deferred.” Deputy McGuinness welcomed confirmation that Iarnród Éireann has no objection to the removal of the small wall on the southern approach to the O'Loughlin Road Railway Bridge, which would improve sightlines for road traffic. He said this is precisely the type of practical measure that should be included in an immediate Local Area Action Plan. “There are a number of issues here at different levels. Some require investment and planning, while others are straightforward measures that can be progressed. Deputy McGuinness called for a coordinated action plan for Kilkenny Railway Station, addressing accessibility, safety and development. He said restoring the lift immediately remains his priority while planning future improvements.

was simply browsing through the shelves and seeing what they might find. There was always a good selection available and plenty of bargains to be discovered. The shop also became particularly well known for its range of books and learning resources for people with dyslexia. This became an important part of the business and helped parents, children and

adults find reading material suited to their needs. Children’s books were another big part of Khans, with generations of young Kilkenny readers visiting the shop with their parents and grandparents over the years. Independent shops such as Khans have always brought something different to Kilkenny City. Along with selling books, the store offered a

personal and friendly service, with staff on hand to help customers find what they were looking for or recommend something new. Over three decades, thousands of books have made their way from the shelves of Khans into homes across Kilkenny and further afield. While shopping habits have changed considerably since the doors first opened in 1994,

Khans remained a familiar part of the city’s retail scene. Its closure marks the end of a successful 30-year journey for a local independent business that helped encourage a love of books and reading. We at The Kilkenny Observer wish Khan all the very best for the future and thank her for more than 30 years of books, bargains and many hours of happy reading.

Carlow and Kilkenny businesswomen invited to mark 20 years of National Women's Enterprise Day

Aisling Carey (Kilkenny County Council), Karina Cahill (Network Ireland Kilkenny Branch), Dearbhla O'Dwyer (Carlow County Council), Lucie Dowling (Network Ireland Kilkenny Branch), Laura Mullin (The Old Post Office), Norah Ryan (County Carlow Chamber), Nicola Doran (County Carlow Chamber), Paula O'Brien (Carlow County Council)

The Local Enterprise Offices of Carlow and Kilkenny County Councils are inviting female founders and business leaders across the region to come together for National Women's Enterprise Day 2026, a landmark celebration marking twenty years of women in Irish business. The event takes place on Thursday 15th October at the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Carlow, from 11.45am to 2pm. Places are strictly limited and registration is essential, so early booking is strongly advised. Now in its 20th year, National Women's Enterprise Day is the flagship national initiative for women in business, coordinated by the Local Enterprise Offices and Enterprise Ireland. This year's theme, #MakingItHappen, celebrates the ambition and resilience of

female entrepreneurs who have built and grown businesses over the past two decades. The event will be hosted by broadcaster Ruth Scott of Classic Hits FM. A 'Lessons Learned' fireside chat brings together local entrepreneurs Denise Walsh of Curly Co, Laura Mullin of The Old Post Office, and Brigid Walsh of Solar Precision, who will share the realities of starting and scaling a business. A 'Power Panel' of industry experts follows, featuring Rosemary Ward of Propellor BIC on sales and marketing, Ruth Larkin of Lark Bridal on marketing, and finance specialist Mary Hayden. A closing 'Supporting You' session will outline the funding, mentoring and development programmes available to businesswomen through

both Local Enterprise Offices. Paula O'Brien, Director of Services for Planning, Economic Development, Regeneration and Corporate Services at Carlow County Council, said: "Twenty years on, National Women's Enterprise Day continues to shine a light on the extraordinary contribution women make to enterprise in Carlow, Kilkenny, and across the country. The connections made in that room often become the partnerships and friendships that stand to a business for years. I would encourage every woman with a business ambition to book her place and be part of this special day." Aileen McGrath, Head of Enterprise at Kilkenny County Council's Local Enterprise Office, added: "Whether you are at the

very start of your journey or scaling an established business, there is something here for you. I would warmly invite women across Kilkenny and Carlow to reserve a seat and spend the afternoon among peers who understand the road." Attendees can expect expert insight, a practical overview of local business supports, and light refreshments, all designed to send you back to their businesses with fresh contacts and ideas. Tickets are €20 per person. Booking is now open and places will fill quickly. To secure a seat, visit the Kilkenny LEO website today. https://www.localenterprise.ie/kilkenny/ training-events/onlinebookings/national-women-s-enterprise-day-2026. html

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Cllr Lyons seeks funding for two new roads Not one, but two new roads are being sought for the Callan-Thomastown Municipal Area. Cllr Joe Lyons raised the proposals at this week’s monthly Council meeting, highlighting concerns about heavy traffic and road safety in both Callan and the wider area. Cllr Lyons reported on the extremely busy traffic route through the town of Callan along the Mill Street/West Street route. He said this thoroughfare is bumper-tobumper with HGVs, silage contractors, trucks and cars every day of the week. He said this vehicular traffic should be rerouted around the town for safety reasons and also to allow Callan to improve and develop economically. Cllr Lyons requested that Kilkenny County Council draw up a plan for funding with the relevant authorities and Government departments. He proposed that a new road be constructed near Duggan Steel, formerly Tube Rollers, connecting Mill Street to the Windgap Road. He asked Declan Murphy, Area Engineer, to take the lead on the project, saying such a development would be hugely beneficial to the town. It would mean that connecting traffic from the

eastern side could access the Callan Bypass on the N76 safely and vice versa. Cllr Lyons stated that Mill Street is now the “new Bridge Street” and said the situation has reached crisis stage because of the constant flow of heavy traffic through the area. Meanwhile, while welcoming the new driver feedback signage recently erected on the Ballymack/Burnchurch road, Cllr Lyons said the additional signage is important in helping to slow drivers on this busy stretch of road. He also raised the idea of a new interconnection from the M9 motorway to the Callan/Kilkenny N76 road. Cllr Lyons said it is time to give the Ballymack to Burnchurch to Sevenhouses road back to the local people, as the road was never intentionally built to cater for the amount of heavy traffic now using it to connect to the motorway. He asked the Area Engineer to investigate the matter with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the relevant Government Department to see what possibilities may exist for such a connection. Declan Murphy, Kilkenny County Council Area Engineer, said the main barrier to such a project would be

Proposed new roadway near Mill St, Callan. New roadway connecting M9 to N76?

funding. He added that many safety measures had already been introduced along the route in recent years. These include driver feedback signs, flashing lights and road warning signage erected between Ballymack Cross and Sevenhouses. Cllr Lyons agreed and said he appreciated the safety

works that had been carried out, but maintained that the heavy volume of traffic remained a serious issue for people living along the route. Cllr Joe Sheridan said he backed Cllr Lyons’ proposal 100 per cent and added that something needed to be done to eliminate the heavy flow of traffic using the road.

Cllr Lyons also highlighted the impact the situation is having on local residents. He said some neighbours now have to drive to each other’s houses to visit because they feel it is simply too dangerous to walk along the road. He also raised concerns regarding Burnchurch National School, which is situated

along the centre of this long, narrow roadway. He said there are major concerns for parents and children at the school, particularly during busy drop-off and collection times every school day, when they must contend with the continuing heavy flow of traffic along the route.

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Opinion

As I See It Marianne Heron

Is it happy returns for Harry and Meghan? It’s a story we see thousands of times, young people leave Ireland in search of greener grass elsewhere, only to return when they have families of their own. They want their children to grow up here with the benefit of an Irish education. So what’s so remarkable about Harry and Meghan, who quit the Royal family six years ago for California, returning to England this week so that Archie (7) and Lilibet (5) can go to school there? Harry’s story does have a ring of the Prodigal Son about it. In the Gospel parable the son accepts money from his father, travels, wastes the gift, enduring famine, before being welcomed home by a forgiving father. In Harry and Meghan’s case, they squandered family goodwill first with the Oprah Winfrey interview, complaining their departure from the royal family and Britain was due

to a lack of support and institutional racism. Then by kissing and selling, Harry’s memoir ‘Spare’ netted an advance of €17 million, published in 16 different languages, it became the fastest-selling non-fiction book in the UK. That Harry and William had begged Charles not to marry ‘calculating’ Camilla was just one of its revelations. The couple’s departure from royal duties in 2022, known as ‘Megxit’, must have seemed like history repeating itself. Wallis Simpson, another American divorcee like Meghan, triggered the abdication of Edward VIII when he insisted on marrying her and they then lived in exile in France. George VI shouldered the burdensome role of monarch, which undermined his health, earning Wallis the undying enmity of the Queen Mother. How must William, Kingin-waiting, feel about his

brother abandoning his duties in the royal ‘firm’ or Catherine (Kate), Princess of Wales, who has never complained about the challenges involved as an outsider joining the royal family, feel about Meghan? Getting their children into a private co-ed day school, where places only recently became available, may be one of the reasons for the Sussexes’ sudden return, combined with Harry’s wish to be close to some at least of his family, especially his father who is living with cancer. But there are other subtexts where you could hardly blame royals and royalists for wondering uneasily ‘whatever next?’ The golden goose of US deals for the Sussexes has gone off lay. The deal with Netflix and their production company Archewell, originally reported to be worth $100m, was watered down to a ‘first look’ contract. Netflix ended

Marathon training tips for the final countdown With only weeks to go until marathon day, the hard work CLAIR is largely done. Now WHITTY is the time to train smart, support your recovery and arrive at the start line feeling strong, healthy and confident. Your longest run will usually fall around three to four weeks before race day. After that, it's all about tapering, gradually reducing your mileage to allow your body to recover while maintaining fitness. It can feel strange to do less, but trust the process. Rest is just as important as training at this stage. Recovery should be a priority after every long run. Refuel with a good balance of carbohydrates and protein. Consider adding Active Edge Cherry Active Juice contains 100% concentrated Montmorency cherries to your routine. It’s a lovely tart flavour; I found it amazing after long runs back in the day. It’s a popular choice to help support recovery after endurance exercise. Hydration is equally important, especially during warmer weather or after long training sessions. Viridian Electrolyte Fix helps replace essential minerals lost through sweat and can be a useful addition after longer runs or harder workouts. Many runners also find that magnesium helps support normal muscle function, particularly if tight or tired muscles are becoming more noticeable as training peaks. BetterYou Magnesium Gel is a great choice, it’s massaged gently into the skin. Stretching and adequate sleep after runs will all play an important role too. A.Vogel Arnica Gel can be soothing for tired, overworked muscles after training, or after minor injury.

its deal with Meghan’s As Ever lifestyle brand, when her series With Love Meghan didn’t go down too well. The couple, who are no longer on the royal payroll,

“had begged Charles not to marry ‘calculating’ Camilla...

need to find fresh ways to earn. Meghan’s lifestyle brand As Ever (flower sprinkles and jam) continues to sell in the US, maybe she could extend the range or try her luck with it in the UK? Celebrities do well out of endorsing brands or launching their own labels. Look at George Clooney’s ambassadorship for Nespresso or his Casamigos Tequila or Kim Kardashian’s ShoeDazzle, both of which subsequently sold for millions. Might we see Harry’s beer or Meghan’s lingerie brand? Or a return to her acting career where she starred in Suits, perhaps in the third gangster series ‘The Gentlemen.’? Then there are the demands of Harry’s charitable work like the Invictus Games for those wounded in military service, WellChild supporting seriously ill children in staying at home and Scotty’s Little Soldiers for kids who lost parents in battle.

The prospect of another ‘tell-all’ book by Harry about an unhappy return should be enough to send shivers down collective royal spines. The possibilities for further drama are endless. Who gave the pair the cold shoulder, who offered them one to cry on? Then, the deals and most of all the possibility of an ongoing feud with William and Kate. The ongoing question of whether Harry and his family should have protection still isn’t resolved. From a psychological point of view the move back could be a case of mid-life redirection. The individual takes stock and realigns what they are doing with their values and the things that matter to them at their stage of life. It could just be there’s no place like home. Who knows? Perhaps it will be a case of happy returns, as it is for the 30,000-plus who return to Ireland yearly.

Climate Change

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

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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Ministers told that forthcoming Budget must respond to “wildly erratic and unpredictable” farm incomes Ministers Harris and Chambers have been told that the “wildly erratic and unpredictable nature” of farm incomes is causing a looming succession crisis as more and more young people choose not to ‘ride the rollercoaster’. In a meeting this afternoon, and with six-odd weeks to go before the 2027 Budget, ICMSA President, Denis Drennan, told the Ministers that until and unless meaningful measures were introduced to ensure some degree of predictability and capacity for planning, the next generation of potential farmers would ‘vote with their feet’ and pursue careers other than farming where they were so desperately required. Mr Drennan said that ICMSA had been pointing out for a decade that it was eminently possible to introduce measures that would allow farmers to put monies aside in Revenue-supervised accounts and ‘smooth-out’ income in a way that would allow them to avoid the worst destruction inflicted by the kinds of ‘Boom-to-Bust’ cycles we have seen in recent years. Mr Drennan said that in the worst of years and circumstances, the ability to draw down on these deposit accounts might be all that’s ensuring that there’s

At the meeting between ICMSA and Ministers Harris & Chambers at which the farm organisation called for a budgetary response to “wildly erratic and unpredictable” were (L to R) Niall Heffernan, ICMSA Policy Officer, Pat O’Brien, Chairperson, ICMSA Farm Business Committee, Denis Drennan, President, ICMSA, Tánaiste Simon Harris, Minister Jack Chambers, Dept. of Public Expenditure, Eamon Carroll, Deputy President, ICMSA and John Enright, General Secretary, ICMSA

food on the table and that ordinary household bills are being paid. He maintained that ‘Income Averaging’ simply didn’t work and specifically didn’t work for new entrants – and he said that ICMSA’s own surveys showed that young farmers repeatedly cited the wildly erratic and unpredictable nature of farm incomes as the biggest obstacle to their going back and taking over their family farms. “We know that the sons and daughters of farm families

are just not willing to maybe uproot their families and leave paid employment in pharma or finance or whatever, to go back to take over the family farm. They’ll end up working twice as long without any of the work-related benefits and could then see after a whole year’s work that they’ve actually made less than the minimum wage or even lost money – as our dairy farmer members have in the year from September 2025 to now. They won’t do it anymore! And

realistically, why would they? We have to introduce some degree of predictability into farm incomes through a farm deposit scheme and we have put forward several versions of such a scheme trying to show the departments concerned that this both feasible and necessary”, said Mr Drennan. Stressing that all the ICMSA designs were completely under the supervision of the Revenue Commissioners, Mr Drennan noted that several states had already brought

forward schemes of this type to deal with precisely this kind of challenge. “Australia had exactly the same problem and introduced exactly the kind of scheme that we recommended to our departments concerned with drafting of budgetary measures. At today’s meeting we once again explained to Ministers Harris and Chambers that it’s possible to address these problems with a bit of imagination and energy or we just have to go on looking

at an obvious problem getting bigger and bigger in front of our eyes. There’s a point where even the civil servants have to accept that there’s a specific problem with wildly erratic farm incomes and the next generation won’t put up with that they way that previous generations did – because they don’t have to! Unless we move positively to solve this problem then we won’t have that next generation of farmers and the family farm model that was the basis of rural Ireland, will stop.

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COMMENT: ANNETTE KEATING

Donald Trump’s presence in Doonbeg sits at an unusual intersection of small-town economics, presidential ethics and geopolitical spectacle. The contradictions have only sharpened as his second term has progressed. Trump bought Doonbeg golf resort in Co. Clare in 2014 for €15 million, at a time when the course had never turned a profit. He and his family invested tens of millions into renovations, new lodges, redesigned course holes and spa facilities. The bet paid off. TIGL Ireland Enterprises, the company behind the resort, posted an operating profit of €2.3 million in 2024, up 9% on the year before and revenue climbing steadily for a decade. As Trump’s own financial disclosures now show, the property is generating serious personal income, close to €20 million last year alone, split between the golf operation and the hotel management company. Why is the income politically loaded? The money itself isn’t controversial; Doonbeg was a legitimate acquisition years before Trump entered politics. What draws scrutiny is the fact that a sitting US president continues to personally profit from a foreignbased business that foreign governments, US agencies and political allies patronise. Watchdogs like CREW (Citizens for Responsibility & Ethics) spent years cataloguing what they call “presidential profiteering”. Doonbeg is one of their marquee examples. According to CREW, Trump has amassed 3,700 conflicts of interest to date. Trump’s first year back in office was the most lucrative year of his entire life, reportedly making at least $2.2 billion in 2025. In Ireland, the most cited episode, when Pence visited in 2019, he stayed at Doonbeg, 200 miles from his Dublin meetings, at a cost of

Trump, Doonbeg … and small-town economics $600,000 in taxpayer travel expenses, with the Secret Service separately paying the resort more than $15,000 for the stay. Trump’s Chief of Staff reportedly suggested the detour. The US President is expected to arrive in Ireland on September 12 for a two-day visit coinciding with the closing days of the Amgen Irish Open (13 Sept 9-13) at Trump International Hotel in Doonbeg, preceded by a meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Dublin. There will be security operations, traffic restrictions, road closures and a considerable number of visitors descending on the area. Security is estimated at around

€23 million, involving approximately 4,000 personnel. A total of 70,000 spectators are expected to travel to West Clare for the Irish Open. That is an extraordinary number for a part of the country that normally moves at a vastly different pace. Trump is expected to travel from Shannon by Marine One, limiting some of the potential disruption on the roads. Tournament organisers have estimated the economic impact in the region at €16 million, based on comparisons with the K Club and Royal County Down. County Clare’s roads budget has also risen significantly this year, to around €48 million, with the Irish Open

and tourist season cited as reasons for the increased investment. Before the road improvements from Ennis to Doonbeg, sections were desperately in need of repair. West Clare and the wider national community. The local attitude is more complicated than the politics surrounding Donald Trump would suggest. There is broad support for Trump in Doonbeg, much of it appears to be rooted in jobs, investments and personal relationships rather than ideology. Politics can be debated. Jobs and investments are much easier to measure. However, the relationship is not frictionless. Coastal erosion concerns tied to

Trump’s proposed sea wall divided opinion years ago and the broader question of how a single foreign-owned resort came to define an entire local economy has its critics too, even among people otherwise grateful for their jobs. Irish authorities are bracing for one of the largest security operations ever mounted. Multiple groups, People Before Profit, the Irish Neutrality League and Palestine solidarity organisations, are organising protests in Dublin, at Shannon Airport and in Doonbeg itself, explicitly under the banner ‘No Welcome For Trump’. It is a marked shift from 2019, when Doonbeg greeted

him with US flags lining the main street. This time, Government sources have quietly said their preferred outcome would resemble George W. Bush’s brief 2004 stopover, one-night minimal disruption, rather than a prolonged, high-profile stay. The bigger contrast that Irish media keep returning to is stark: a village that owes much of its recent prosperity to Trump personally, set against a country whose political class and public increasingly want to keep him at arm’s length. Perhaps the real paradox of Doonbeg: a place that can be grateful for what Trump has brought, while remaining uneasy about what he represents.

How the Irish-American voter now sees the US president As Donald Trump heads for Ireland, Irish-American relations are at their most strained since the State’s foundation. The White House has levied tariffs against the European Union, lectured Europe about how its democracies are failing, while the Trump administration has actively supported right-wing movements throughout the Continent. Ted Smyth, a former Irish diplomat and public relations specialist who lives in Manhattan, New York, is sceptical about the idea that there is an emerging gulf between the Irish-American diaspora and

the Irish mainstream. “The Irish-American vote is a classic swing vote. It’s not red or blue – but purple,” he says. “That’s been the case really since Eisenhower and Kennedy. Most Irish voted for Eisenhower, the war hero, even though he was a Republican, and they probably also supported Nixon.” There is no doubt that many Irish Americans backed Donald Trump in the US presidential election. However, Smyth believes there has since been a shift within the community – and across American society in general – that now

puts many Irish-American voters at odds with the current administration. “There is a bipartisan position on the border now, a consensus that ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] is overdoing it,” he says of the federal agency responsible for enforcing Trump’s hardline immigration policies. “A majority of people wanted a secure border and felt Biden had mishandled it. Obama quietly and efficiently deported more people than Trump has, but after saying he was going after the ʻbad guys’, Trump is going

after ordinary people and really upsetting neighbourhoods.” He says unhappiness with immigration policy and the tactics deployed by ICE has been reflected in statements by Irish-American leaders. Smyth has seen how the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), normally considered right-wing and Catholic, has distanced itself from the White House. New York businessman Michael George, who was raised in Belfast and is from a unionist background, knows the Trump family and – at one point during Trump’s first

term – was tipped as a potential US ambassador to Ireland. He says that trying to get to the bottom of current relations between the US and Ireland “depends on who you’re talking to”. “The Republican view of Ireland has shifted – but Ireland’s policy stance has shifted also. It’s not like Ireland has stood still,” he says. “Ireland is now quite vocal around its support for the Palestinians – and they’ve also got a quasi-open border arrangement. Those are the two issues that most Republicans would disagree with them

on – but then again most Democrats wouldn’t have a problem with that.” George says this may mean that the Irish diplomatic machine has a harder time talking to certain people within the administration. George is aware, however, of Sinn Féin’s decision to boycott the official interactions with Trump. “Sinn Féin don’t do any favours for themselves,” he says. “It’s not going to move the needle for the administration – and what do they gain? What happens if they get into power and the pharma issue is still hanging out there?”

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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Kilkenny encourages communities to turn Autumn leaves into valuable compost Kilkenny County Council's Environment Section, in partnership with the Climate Action Office, is inviting residential estates across the county to take part in a community leaf composting initiative this autumn. As part of Team Up to Clean Up: Together for Kilkenny, workshops will take place on 26th and 27th September, helping participating estates build leaf mould cages, that are simple structures that turn fallen autumn leaves into nutrient-rich compost for community use. Funded by Kilkenny County Council and supported by Benton Ecological Solutions & Technology, the project combines practical environmental action with climate education. Each participating estate will receive a short online training session followed by a hands-on 2-hour workshop to construct three leaf mould cages. Mags Whelan, Climate Action Officer with Kilkenny County Council, said: "By keeping leaves out of the waste stream, this project helps reduce landfill use and transport emissions while creating a sustainable resource that improves soil health. It also supports the objectives of the Local Authority Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 by encouraging community participation in climate action." Bernadette Moloney, Environmental Awareness Officer, added: "Last year, eight resident groups in

Kilkenny City installed leaf mould cages in their estates. The project has been very successful, and the compost will be ready to harvest next spring. This year, we are ex-

panding the programme countywide and encouraging more communities to get involved." Expressions of interest are now being sought from residential estates

across County Kilkenny. Areas with a cluster of at least four housing estates will be considered for inclusion. To register an interest, email envi-

ronment@kilkennycoco.ie with the subject line 'Leaf Composting' and include your name, phone number and the address of the housing estate you represent.

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Opinion

Your Money & You John Ellis

Modest buffer matters more than temporary cut The Dáil returned from its holidays last Friday for a single sitting, and the outcome was the one we all wanted to hear. The planned rise in fuel excise on September 1 did not now go ahead. Neither will the increase that had been due on October 1. TDs voted 104 to 49 to keep the current reductions in place until October 31. From November, the cuts will be wound back in stages, finishing next February. Had Friday’s vote gone the other way, a litre of diesel would have been 10 cent dearer from the start of September and petrol nine cent dearer. It is a breathing space, and households will take it. But it is not a solution. The relief was first brought in after prices jumped on the back of the war in the Middle East and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. Officials still describe Ireland’s fuel supply as robust. After a co-ordinated release of stocks with the International Energy Agency,

the Transport Minister has said there were about 80 days of oil available in the event of a full disruption. Petrol has held up reasonably well. The anxiety, as it has been for months, is the cost of diesel and home heating oil if the squeeze continues into the winter. That is the public picture. The other picture, released under Freedom of Information, is the one sitting on a shelf in the Department of Transport.

A briefing sent to the Minister earlier this year set out a “demand-restraint framework” with three escalating levels of energy-security response. At the milder end, people would be asked to adapt their journeys, walk and cycle where they can, drive more efficiently, share lifts or work from home. Ministers were reluctant to mandate working from home during the earlier squeeze. The document is plain that further restraint might still be needed.

One option is a driving ban on alternate days for cars whose registration plates end in an odd or even number. The briefing does not dress it up. It could save fuel. It would also take time to put in place, and the effect on everyday life and on the economy would be immediate. The IEA has floated the same sort of ideas. A lower motorway speed limit looks good on a spreadsheet, but a 2023 review here suggested the real-world saving would

be negligible. That is the problem with some of these measures. They can look great on paper but rather less impressive once they meet the daily routine of a country where so many people still have little choice but to drive. None of this is next week’s timetable. It is contingency planning. The Oil Emergency Response Plan gives the Minister substantial powers if supply must be protected, including the ability to treat some work as critical. Those are plans a government hopes it never has to implement. Updating them is not a reason to join a queue at the pumps. Panic buying is how a tight market becomes a shortage. There is no prize for having the most diesel stored away when the panic has passed. There is another bill coming in October in any event. Network charges on electricity will rise by about €41.25 a year for a typical household. The PSO levy is falling at the same time, which takes a little

of the sting out of it. Even so, energy costs are increasing. So, what should be done, rather than wait for the next headline? Know what you are spending on petrol, diesel and home heating. If some of your work can be done from home, the saving is real even without a mandate. If it cannot, and for a great many people it cannot, a modest cash buffer matters more than another temporary cut in excise. Friday’s vote bought two months. Budget Day is still October 6. For households, the useful thing now is to know what comes in, what goes out and which bills will hurt when the temporary measures start to disappear. The test is not whether the State has a plan on paper, it is whether the household budget still works when the relief starts to gradually disappear and the bills have not. john@ellisfinancial.ie 086 8362633

Kilkenny Floodlit Soccer League Dinan Rovers Conahy

Kilkenny Floodlit Soccer league will kick off its 26th season of nighttime Soccer in Kilkenny in October. The league which caters for players who do not play weekend league Soccer will have games on Monday and Wednesday nights from October to March on Loreto Astro pitch. Any new teams or any players looking to join a team should contact Eamon Cleere on 0879582127. Further information can be had on league website www.kffl.ie Proceeds of this season’s league will once again be donated to The O'Neill Centre in Kilkenny.

O.S Utd

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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Oak Ward

Siobhán remembe raised for Oak War Members of The O’Donnell family from Threecastles who attended the coffee morning in aid of The Oak Ward unit at Waterford University Hospital

Mahatma Gandhi famously said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”. This highlights how focusing on doing good and helping people gives life its true meaning. In more ways than one, that probably best sums up the life of Siobhán O’Donnell. Last week, friends, family and neighbours attended a coffee morning in memory of Siobhán, who passed away in June, with all funds raised going to the Oak Ward at University Hospital Waterford, Ardkeen. The Oak Ward is a 20-bed specialist inpatient palliative care unit located on the ground floor of the South East Palliative Care Centre in the Dunmore Wing.

We say a coffee morning, but in all fairness it had all the looks of a class reunion. And I’m sure those in attendance wont mind if I say, the reunion wasn’t from to-day or yesterday. Although sadness was evident as people remembered the lovely Siobhan, there was happiness also as friends gathered and swapped happy memories of a yesteryear. Older people from the Walkin Street area often reminisce about the beautiful Haugney Orchard ( where the Day Centre is now located) and what a great attraction the red apples were. Mrs Haughney can rest assured, that the same good feel factor was very much to the fore at the coffee morning.

At the centre of each story was Siobhán, and how, had she been in attendance, she would be moving from table to table, making sure everyone was OK, finding out their ‘Creamery number’, and making sure nobody was forgotten. Threecastles A daughter of Threecastles, Siobhán attended the local primary school there before moving on to secondary school at the Presentation Convent, Kilkenny. For any youngster, moving from a country school to a bigger one in the city has its challenges. However, Siobhán took to it like the proverbial duck to water. And this happened in no small way due to the friends

she quickly made at ‘The Pres’. Eileen Hennessy was one such friend, and it was a friendship that was to last long after school finished. “Siobhán was just one of those people who loved life and living it to the full,” said Eileen. “If you were to ask anyone who knew her, they would say the same thing about Siobhán – she just helped people, as if that was her mission in life.”, continued Eileen. Having finished school, Siobhán worked in the Tax Office in Kilkenny for a number of years before being transferred to the Thurles Tax Office. Again, her lovable personality ensured that work colleagues soon became friends. Mind you, when Championship hurling began and Tip-

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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Oak Ward

bered as funds rd

perary and Kilkenny faced each other on the field, there were no half measures given or taken – all in good spirit, of course, and once the final whistle blew, all was forgiven and forgotten. Friendship The biggest part of Siobhán’s life was catching up with friends from all over, and the massive attendance at her funeral was testament to that. Taking care of the less privileged in society was important to Siobhán. Putting herself second for the benefit of others was paramount to how she lived her daily life. She helped people on a weekly, indeed daily basis, without any fuss. She was a great advocate of

leaving the camera at home when doing a good deed, and people were seldom aware of the extent of the voluntary work she did. Her biggest concern in the last few months of her life was that she hadn’t done enough to help others. Shem O’Donnell, brother of Siobhán, spoke of the great work being done at The Oak Ward in Waterford and said he was delighted that so many people came together to help the cause. Speaking to the ‘Kilkenny Observer’, Eileen Hennessy (Morrissey) said she was delighted with the numbers that turned out for the coffee morning. Eileen said that there were many friends who helped out with raffle prizes,

making the tea and coffee and a multitude of other tasks. She thanked St Mary’s Day Care Centre for the use of the premises, Mary Wong for hosting her raffle, and to the many people who turned up, or who gave donations. Another organiser, Marie Boyd said: “It was a great turn out for both Siobhán and ‘The Oak Ward’. It was a massive testament for the love that people had for Siobhán”, said Marie The total sum raised on the day was € 7,800. If anyone wishes to make a donation they can contact Eileen Morrissey on 086 8262149 or Marie Boyd on 086 3271087

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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Opinion

Furthermore Gerry Moran

Back to some schools around the corner The first grammar school in Ireland was founded in Kilkenny in 1538 by a husband and wife team, Piers Butler and Margaret Fitzgerald, the Earl and Countess of Ormonde. Situated in the grounds of Saint Canice’s Cathedral, it taught Latin and Greek with particular emphasis on grammar. ****** Kilkenny College, off the Castlecomer Road, was founded in 1638 by the 8th. Earl of Ormonde. Kilkenny College was the successor to the first grammar school and among its famous pupils were Johnathan Swift (1667 -1745) author of Gulliver’s Travels, Ireland’s greatest philosopher George Berkeley (1685 - 1753) after whom Berkeley University in the U.S.A. is called and the two distinguished Restoration dramatists: William Congreve (1670 - 1729) author of The Way of The World and George Farquhar (1678 -1707) author

of The Recruiting Officer ******. In the early 1640s during the Confederation of Kilkenny (1642-1649) the Jesuits established a college and novitiate in Irishtown while Bishop David Rothe established a free school in Rose Inn Street in 1642. These establishments were to promote the higher education of Catholic youths and were all closed down by Cromwell in 1650 ****** In 1685 when the Catho-

lic James 11 mounted the throne of England, Kilkenny almost acquired a university. James Phelan, Bishop of Ossory (1669 – 1695) took advantage of the favourable political circumstances and established a high-class school for the education of the youth of the diocese. This school flourished and when James 11 spent the winter of 1689/90 in Kilkenny he was petitioned to hand over the old Kilkenny College as a permanent site for this school.

The King went one better and granted a charter endowing the school as a Royal College, or University, called the Royal College of Saint Canice with authority to confer degrees in all the Arts and Sciences. James, however, was defeated by William of Orange at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, the political system changed and Kilkenny is still waiting for its university. ****** Saint Kieran’s College, founded in 1782, was the

first Catholic academy and seminary set up in Ireland. Its Latin motto Hiems Transit means Winter Has Passed and refers to the relaxing of the harsh Penal Laws (mid 1690s through the 1760s approx) which allowed the school to be built. ****** Edmund Ignatius Rice, the founder of the Irish Christian Brothers, was born at Westcourt in Callan in 1762. Son of a wealthy Catholic farmer, his wife died in 1789 and he inherited his uncle’s business in 1794. In 1802 he opened a boys’ school in a stable in Waterford. He retired from business and established what would soon become the Irish Christian Brothers. When he retired in 1838, the order had seventeen houses and forty-three schools. He died at Mount Sion, Waterford on August, 29 1844, aged 82 years. The Christian Brothers came to Kilkenny in 1860. On September 26, 1860 it opened

its doors; 260 boys were enrolled. As of 2023 the school had more than 850 students. In August 2025 CBS (Christian Brothers School) Kilkenny changed its name to CBC (Christian Brothers College) Kilkenny as it moved from its old premises in James’s St. (my Alma Mater) to a new location in Dunningstown. ******************** The wife takes her husband to her school reunion. After meeting her friends and former school mates, they sit at a table where he is yawning and pretty bored. At the bar a smartly dressed man is buying drinks for all around; when the band starts up he’s first on to the floor, jiving and twisting, the life and soul of the reunion. The wife turns to her husband and says, “See that guy? 25 years ago he proposed to me and I turned him down.” The husband takes a swig from his pint and says: “Looks like he’s still celebrating!”

Culture Night Kilkenny 2026 Culture Night Kilkenny returns on Friday, 18th September 2026, inviting people of all ages to discover, celebrate and experience the rich artistic and cultural life of our city and county. Culture Night is a unique opportunity

to enjoy free access to arts, culture, heritage and creativity in all its forms, with an exciting programme of events taking place across Kilkenny City and County. Part of a nationwide celebration that has been bring-

ing communities together for over 20 years, Culture Night sees venues, artists, community groups, galleries, museums and cultural organisations opening their doors late into the evening for a vibrant programme of events. Audiences can enjoy a wide variety of free activities including performances, exhibitions, workshops, tours, talks, music, dance and family-friendly experiences. Culture Night is an opportunity to get curious, try something new and engage with arts and culture in a fun, welcoming and inclusive way. Whether you are a regular attendee or experiencing Culture Night for the first time, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Once again, the Arts Office is working in partnership with the Kilkenny City Night Time Economy office to support a number of Culture Night Late events, helping to create a lively and vibrant night-time

cultural experience across the city. Additional support is provided through Cultúr 2026: Sharing Ireland's Culture, celebrating Irelands EU presidency Visitors can explore visual art exhibitions and participatory workshops, discover Kilkenny's public art through a guided walking tour, enjoy literature, theatre and storytelling events, and take part in hands-on creative experiences including ceramics, weaving and lantern-making workshops. Highlights include ‘Culture for all on the Parade’ which will feature live music, family events and a wonderful collaboration between Maracatu Ireland and the Global Dance Club, a fascinating evening at the Medieval Mile Museum, where visitors can learn about medieval textiles and contribute to a collaborative artistic project. The Butler Gallery will present a special programme inspired by the work

of Tony and Jane O'Malley and Remedy/Resistance will be back at the at Market Cross carpark, an innovative exhibition bringing contemporary art into an unexpected urban setting. The programme also showcases Kilkenny's thriving performance sector, with new writing from the Watergate Collective, site-specific theatre from Bare Bones Kilkenny, and Voice Notes, a new theatre work by Susie Lamb and Gillian Grattan exploring modern communication through performance. Traditional music, poetry, dance and storytelling will come together in The Crossroads in Clogh, celebrating local heritage and community traditions. Music lovers can enjoy a range of performances throughout the evening, including a violin and cello recital in the beautiful setting of St Mary's Cathedral, while Culture Night Late events will

bring additional energy and excitement to the city. Audiences can experience live jazz and swing dancing, intimate musical performances and artist conversations at Hole in the Wall, an immersive electronic music and visual experience at Kilkenny Skatepark, and the Watergate Urban Block Party featuring DJ Nialler9. Events will take place in galleries, museums, libraries, community venues, heritage sites and public spaces throughout Kilkenny, reflecting the creativity, diversity and cultural richness of the county. Many events are family-friendly and all are free to attend. For the full Culture Night Kilkenny programme, event times and further details, visit: www.culturenight.ie/kilkenny Culture Night Kilkenny 2026 takes place on Friday, 18th September. All events are free.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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News

Menopause is not the beginning of decline By Gina Prónay-Zakar There is a sentence I hear repeatedly from women in their forties and fifties: “I am doing what I have always done, but my body no longer responds in the same way.” They may still walk, attend Pilates or go to the gym, yet feel stiffer and recover more slowly. The obvious conclusion? “I need to be stricter, I need to try harder.” I understand the temptation. I spent years believing that if a body did not behave as expected, it needed more discipline. After more than fifteen years as a personal trainer, and now approaching fifty myself, I no longer question a woman’s effort, I look first at whether her exercise plan still meets her needs. The hormonal changes of perimenopause and meno-

pause can influence sleep, recovery, bone density, muscle mass and how exercise feels. A familiar routine may suddenly produce a different experience, but our bodies remain responsive to training. For decades, women have been encouraged to exercise mainly to become smaller. Midlife often brings a sharper version of the same message: eat less, burn more, fight the changes. When weight loss becomes the main measure of success, meaningful progress is overlooked, and exercise can become another way of punishing the body for changing. That is one reason I created IRIE: a women-only studio in Kilkenny where progress is measured in strength, confidence and what the body can do, rather than how success-

fully we can shrink it. Muscle supports our bones and joints, improves balance and helps us keep doing the things we love. Strength training therefore becomes increasingly important. Resistance can come from dumbbells, bands, machines or our own body weight. Progress does not always mean choosing a heavier weight. It can also mean moving through a greater range, improving control, or managing a more complex movement that requires balance and coordination. A well-designed programme brings together strength, cardiovascular fitness, mobility, balance and coordination, while allowing enough recovery and, where appropriate, addressing pelvic-floor function. It may sound like a long list, but nobody needs to

understand or master every element before starting. The first step is understanding what is changing, then finding the right starting point. There is no single “menopause workout” for every woman. Someone returning after years without structured exercise needs something different from a lifelong athlete. Both remain capable of learning, adapting and becoming stronger, Menopause may change what we need from exercise, but it does not take away our ability to progress. The strength we build can support the decades ahead. That feels like a goal worth training for. Gina Prónay-Zakar is the 2025 Kilkenny-Carlow Personal Trainer of the Year, a Pilates teacher and founder of IRIE – The Joyful Movement Studio.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

Opinion

Choices Shape Your Future By Judith Ashton

Exam results do not define you I recently wrote about the pressure that seems to descend upon students as exams approach. Suddenly, their lives feel as though they have been reduced to memory tests of quotes, facts and figures. Months, sometimes years, of learning are crammed into a few hours at an exam desk, with an hour or so to justify their existence. For some, exams are a challenge to be met. For others, they are full of anxiety, expectations of parents, teachers and, perhaps most stressful, expectations placed upon themselves. It’s important to remember that an exam result is a measurement of a performance on a particular day. It is not a measurement of a person’s worth, especially if they are having an “off “day. A young person who achieves top marks has done well and deserves to celebrate. But so too does the student who struggled

through anxiety, worked incredibly hard and achieved results that may not reflect the effort they put in. The student who did not get the hoped-for grades is definitely not a failure. It’s a mistake to confuse achievement with worth, especially if we ask students about their results before we ask them how they are feeling. It’s easy to celebrate top marks but less easy if results disappoint. Unintentionally, we can send the message that some young people are more successful, more intelligent or more valuable than others, when this is absolutely not true. Such qualities as curiosity, imagination, resilience, compassion, practical ability and emotional understanding can never be measured by exams or grades. Some of the most capable people I’ve met are not necessarily the ones with the academic qualifications, far from it! They are the people who

can listen when someone is hurting. They are the ones who know how to make someone laugh when they feel miserable. They are good at fixing things, can grow vegetables, care for an elderly parent, build a business, create something beautiful or bring people together. Perhaps one of the most important things we can teach young people is that failure is not the opposite of success. Failure is often part of it. J.K. Rowling was rejected by 28 publishers before one believed in Harry Potter! Exam results might close some doors but might occasionally open entirely unexpected paths. Life unfolds in mysterious ways and not according to a carefully marked exam paper. As for me, I’ve changed directions, survived stupid choices, stumbled and picked myself up, fallen in and out of love and discovered many wonderful things precisely because of mishaps and

mistakes along the way. The pressure surrounding exams can make young people believe that they must have their entire future mapped out before they even know who they really are. At eighteen, nineteen or twenty, it’s unrealistic to make decisions that supposedly determine the rest of one’s life. With hindsight, adults know that life is far less tidy than that.

“Success is measured by more than marks

People retrain, change careers, return to education, transform and discover completely different versions of themselves by not getting stuck along the way. At university I studied French, then trained to be a psychotherapist, massage therapist and now a funeral and wedding celebrant! A student who did not get the expected exam result may one day become the adult who discovers a totally unexpected unique talent. Maybe our conversations with young people need to change? Instead of asking only, “What did you get?”, perhaps we should ask, “How do you feel?”, “What did you enjoy learning?”, “What are you curious about?”, “What would you like to try next?”, and perhaps most importantly, “Remember, whatever is written on that piece of paper does not define you.” Young people need encouragement, not comparison, and to know

their parents will still be proud of them, even when results are disappointing, and to understand that their true worth does not rise or fall with a grade. Exams are only one chapter in life. Most folks rarely remember exactly what results they got! They remember those they loved, the lives they touched, the challenges they overcame, the laughter they shared and the difference they made. That is success too. Remember, as our lives and planet change, success should no longer simply be about certificates. It’s about becoming someone you can respect and trust. It is about rising to challenges, helping others, coping with difficulties, treating other people with kindness, knowing how to recover from disappointment, learning how to keep moving forward and always telling the truth. Perhaps this is the kind of success we need to talk about in these changing times.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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LET OUR READERS KNOW ABOUT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESS: NEWS, LAUNCHES OR EVENTS ACROSS HEALTH & BEAUTY? CONTACT: FEATURESEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

Health & Beauty Derek Randolph

Why rejection can hurt so much WELLBEING

Summer skin:

time to repair and reset SKINCARE After months of unusually warm, dry weather, skin may be feeling the effects of more time outdoors. Met Éireann recorded July 2026 as Ireland’s driest July on record and the second hottest since 1900, with heatwaves at seven stations. June was also exceptionally warm, making this a summer when sun protection - and sensible aftercare - mattered more than usual. “Repairing” summer skin isn’t about undoing UV dam-

age. You can’t reverse it with a cream. What you can do is calm dryness, support the skin barrier and prevent further exposure while keeping an eye on any changes. If skin feels tight, rough or flaky, simplify your routine for a while. The HSE recommends emollients for dry, itchy or scaly skin, while the Irish Skin Foundation says that they help hydrate the skin and reduce moisture loss. Apply moisturiser after washing, when the skin is still slightly damp, and choose a

plain, fragrance-free product if your skin has become sensitive. Keep showers short and lukewarm, not hot and avoid scrubbing. Skin that has had plenty of sun, wind and heat usually benefits more from gentle care than from an aggressive “reset”. If a product stings or leaves skin feeling tighter, stop using it until things settle. Sun protection should stay in the routine. In Ireland, UV levels can still be high from April through September,

Post-summer hair repair

and the HSE advises broadspectrum SPF 30 or higher for adults, alongside shade, clothing and a hat. Reapply sunscreen regularly, especially after swimming or sweating. It’s worth checking your skin after a sunny summer. The Irish Cancer Society and Irish Skin Foundation advise watching for a new growth, a sore that does not heal, a new or changing mole, or any change in an existing mark. If something concerns you, have your GP check it. Beyzanur K.

There is a familiar kind of anxiety in wondering whether you have said too much, read too much into a message, or taken a small slight more personally than everyone else. In Too Sensitive: Rejection, Resilience, and the Science of Feeling Deeply, psychiatrist Dr Sasha Hamdani looks at why those reactions can feel so intense, and what can be done about them. At the centre of the book is Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, or RSD, a term used to describe extreme emotional pain triggered by perceived criticism, exclusion or rejection. Hamdani, who specialises in ADHD, argues that this kind of sensitivity is often misunderstood as overreaction or weakness, when biology and the nervous system may be playing a larger role. Published by Bluebird, the book combines psychiatry, neuroscience and Hamdani’s own experience, while keeping the focus on everyday situations. A blunt message from a manager, a friend who doesn’t reply or a partner seeming distant can all become the starting point for spiralling thoughts. Hamdani examines why that happens and how readers can interrupt the pattern before it takes over. There is also a practical side. The book includes a questionnaire designed to help readers assess their own emotional sensitivity,

alongside a 12-step “Calm Your Mind” approach covering areas such as identifying emotions, recognising triggers and responding more deliberately. Relationships, work, friendships, family and self-worth all come under discussion. What makes Too Sensitive potentially useful is its refusal to frame sensitivity as something that simply needs to be toughened out. Instead, Hamdani sets out to explain it, manage it and put it in context. Hamdani also looks at how rejection sensitivity can play out differently at work, in friendships and in romantic relationships. She considers the habits people develop to avoid criticism or conflict, including over-explaining, people-pleasing and withdrawing and offers ways to recognise those patterns earlier.

Signs you may need a rest day FITNESS

HAIR

By the end of a long, sunny summer, hair also needs some TLC. Sunshine, seawater, chlorine and frequent washing can leave it rough, faded and harder to manage by the end of the season. Start by cutting back on anything that adds more stress. If your hair feels brittle, reduce the use of straighteners, curling irons and hot hairdryers. When heat styling is unavoidable, use a heat-protection product and keep the temperature as low as practical. Conditioning matters more than complicated treatments. Use conditioner every time you shampoo, concentrating on the mid-lengths and ends, and add a richer mask once a week if hair feels dry. Leave-in conditioners or oils can also help smooth frizz and make damaged ends look healthier. A trim is often the quickest way to deal with split or frayed ends. You don’t need a cut; removing the most dam-

standret

aged section can make hair feel noticeably better and stop splits from travelling further up the strand. Be gentle when hair is wet, as this is when it is most prone to breakage. Use a

wide-tooth comb, avoid rough towel drying and do not pull it tightly into ponytails or buns. Colour-treated hair may need extra care after a sunny summer, as UV exposure can contribute to fading and dry-

ness. Like skin, hair doesn’t need an elaborate autumn “detox”. A few weeks of gentler washing, regular conditioning, less heat and a good trim can make the biggest difference.

Staying active is great for your health, but sometimes your body needs a chance to recover. Rest days can help reduce fatigue, support muscle recovery and keep you performing at your best. Persistent soreness that doesn’t ease after a day or two can be a sign that your body needs a break. Unusual tiredness, poor-quality sleep and a noticeable drop in your usual strength, pace or energy levels can also suggest you’re not fully recovered.

If exercise suddenly feels like a chore or you’re struggling to get started, taking some time out may be beneficial. The advice from Sport Ireland is to include recovery as a vital part of your successful training programme, because those rest periods between sessions allow muscles time to rebuild. So, listen to your body. An occasional rest day isn’t a setback - it can help you return refreshed, stronger and ready to move again.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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Opinion

The “Busiest Street in Town”

Part two

Bridge Street Callan in 1940s

BY JOHN FITZGERALD

In his childhood, the future newspaper correspondent and historian Seamus O’ Brien ran errands for a Miss Phelan to McEvoy’s shop on the West Street side of the Cross in Callan, where Barrie Henriques’s pub and Mellow’s restaurant stood in later years; and to the post office and grocery shops. He enjoyed these chores. Having picked up Ms. Phelan’s old age pension at the post office, he bought oats for her hens, and then collected tea, butter, sugar, flour, and meat for her. She gave him a penny or two for himself, which he used to buy loads of sweets and toffees. Bridget McClean’s shop at

number twenty-seven sold groceries, vegetables, delph, and china, and ready-made harnesses. Her son Joe was a saddler, who had a workshop on Clodeen Lane, which runs parallel to Bridge Street from the town cross to the river. In past centuries it was the town’s main thoroughfare, a long forgotten and now difficult to imagine distinction. Joe’s skills and the harnesses sold in his mother’s shop were in constant demand in an age where the horse still provided the main mode of transport. At a later stage Joe McClean moved to Lower Bridge Street. His sister Alice served as assistant to the local postmistress, Ms. Paddle, upon whose retirement Alice was appointed to that much sought after position. Alice McClean initiated a major change in Callan’s postal status quo by transfer-

ring the post office to a building beside Bobby Kerwick’s shop in Green Street, where it operated successfully for several decades. The River and the Wells When Seamus was three years old, in 1925, his father held him aloft outside the family’s newsagent’s shop to see a little piece of history in the making. Though he had no memory of this event, his parents told him about it when he was older. This was the rebuilding of the central arch of the big bridge, which had been blown up by antiTreaty rebels during the Civil War in 1922. The overseer on the job was, he learned, Stephan Cass of Green View Terrace. The building materials were all transported to the site on a huge wagon pulled by a steam engine. Traffic had to be diverted for the duration of the construction work,

Joe McLean the harness maker at the Square Callan

across the shallowest part of the King’s River, or, whenever the river rose to unacceptable heights, by Newtown and Mallardstown. The bridge and the river would always be central to Seamus’s life in Callan. As a child, he loved running up and down the stone steps at the side of the bridge leading to the river. He had to climb the iron-gate, which was bolted most of the time for safety reasons with chain and padlock, to gain access to this adventurous pathway. Townspeople used the steps to reach the river whenever they needed water for washing. For drinking water, prior to 1936, they carried their pails to the Abbey Well, a spot immortalized by local poet and journalist, John Locke, who pined for a last glimpse of the well before he died. Exiled in far-off America as a “subversive”, Locke could

only dream of returning and never got to see Callan again. The Battle of the Buckets Seamus referred in his diary to a row that erupted in the early 1930s at the Abbey Well between a group of women and that became known as The Battle of the Buckets. An unfortunate misunderstanding provoked the incident. On the eve of a Corpus Christi procession in the town, some cattle being herded through the streets took a shine to ivy wreaths that women had proudly displayed, pinned to their front doors. Not seeing the cattle eating the ivy, the women suspected that certain other women they knew, jealous of their lovely wreaths, had torn them down. The day after the procession and mass, the aggrieved women confronted the ladies they wrongly supposed had slighted them

The Abbey Meadow with the blessed well and old Augustinian church r

when they gathered at the Abbey Well for water and began belting them with their buckets. The startled and completely innocent ones fought back, and a ferocious struggle ensued, with dozens of women clashing, using the buckets. A young Philip O’ Keeffe of Bridge was picking mushrooms with his pal Sean Holden in a field adjoining the meadow and the two boys decided to investigate after hearing the loud racket. When they saw the women clashing, they scampered home excited to tell their parents. The battle fizzled out only after the intervention of a nun and a friar, who came running across the meadow, gesticulating frantically and calling on the ladies to stop fighting. The two peacemakers negotiated a ceasefire and confiscated the buckets. Seamus carried many a bucket of water from the river, and it was in the course of one such chore that he caught a fish in the bucket, the only one he caught in his life. In Seamus’s childhood, Maher’s, Canavans and Dunnes in Upper Bridge Street had water pumped into their houses from the river. Each of these families had wells in their backyards. But the quirkiest and most memorable of the wells in the street for Seamus was the one at Kerkick’s, because it was quite literally inside the house! It was located under the kitchen floor, and a wooden trap door had to be opened to allow townspeople fetch their water from it. Neighbours called at all hours of the day and night to draw water from Kerwick’s kitchen. The trips to the river and the use of the backyard wells and Kerwick’s kitchen became unnecessary in 1936 when Callan had a much-needed water supply installed. In the same year, the building of a less than edifying and primitive looking public toilet overshadowed Seamus’s beloved steps to the river. Despite its crude nature by modern standards, this wooden hut by the river was deemed a very necessary provision in an era when many Irish households had no toilets, inside or outside. To be continued…

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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Breast Cancer Ireland’s Very Pink Run

Kilkenny turns pink as 2,700 run for hope Photos: Vicky Comerford More than 2,700 people laced up in pink for Breast Cancer Ireland’s Very Pink Run in Kilkenny Castle Park. The annual fundraising event continues to attract huge support, with 110,000 participants from more than 40 countries taking part since it began. To date, over €8 million has been raised for Breast Cancer Ireland, excluding funds raised during this year’s events. Those who missed the Kilkenny and Dublin runs can still take part, with another Very Pink Run taking place at MTU Cork on September 6. Funds raised support pioneering metastatic cancer research and national breast cancer awareness programmes.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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Homes & Gardens

Turn dead space into storage HOME HACK Curtis Adams

The space under the stairs can be put to much better use than simply storing shoes and the vacuum cleaner. Pull-out drawers are ideal for footwear and bags, while cupboards can hide cleaning supplies and bulkier items. If the space is large enough, it could also work as a small desk, reading nook or pet area. To keep it looking neat, match doors and handles to the existing woodwork or cabinetry nearby. Inside, shelves, hooks and baskets make the space easier to organise than one large cupboard where things can quickly get lost. Adding sensor lighting will also make darker corners more practical. Before starting any work, check for pipes, cables, meters and structural parts of the staircase. These shouldn’t be moved, blocked or weakened, and fire-safety requirements may also need to be considered.

Herbs that earn their place GARDEN NOTES Magnific

What to plant now for spring colour

Devmaryna

GARDEN A colourful spring garden starts in autumn, and the coming weeks are the time to get bulbs and hardy plants into the ground. Daffodils are one of the easiest places to start. Plant bulbs in well-drained soil in borders, beneath deciduous shrubs or through areas of grass. For a more natural look in a lawn, scatter handfuls of bulbs and plant them where they fall rather than arranging them in straight lines.

HOME

A good herb garden should be useful as well as attractive. Keep the herbs you use most often close to the kitchen so they are easy to pick while cooking. Rosemary, thyme, sage and oregano do best in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Parsley, chives and mint are happier with a little more moisture, while coriander can benefit from some shade during the hottest part of the day. Mint is best grown in a pot, as it spreads quickly and can take over a border. Pick herbs regularly to encourage fresh growth, cutting just above a pair of leaves where possible. If you are growing herbs mainly for their leaves, remove most flowers, although leaving a few to bloom will give bees an extra food source. Basil needs warmth and doesn’t like cold nights or soggy compost. At the end of the season, freeze soft herbs or dry tougher sprigs such as rosemary and thyme for use later.

As summer draws to a close, a few simple jobs around the house can help make your home warmer, safer and more comfortable for the months ahead. Start outside by clearing gutters and downpipes of leaves, moss and other debris. Blockages can cause water to overflow and lead to damp problems. Check roof tiles, flashing and external walls for signs of damage before wetter weather sets in. Windows and doors are another priority. Look for draughts and replace worn seals where necessary. Heavier curtains can help retain heat in the evenings, while opening them during sunny spells lets natural warmth into the house. If you have a stove or open fire, make sure the chimney

Crocuses are another good choice for lawns, beds and containers. Their lowgrowing flowers appear early in the year and provide a welcome source of nectar for bees. Snowdrops, grape hyacinths, scillas and small daffodils can also be planted in grass for a succession of spring colour. Bord Bia recommends choosing areas that can be left unmown until the bulb foliage has died back. If you want tulips, buy the bulbs now, but there’s no need to rush them into the ground. They can be planted

later in autumn, with November a good time to get them into beds and containers. Woodie’s recommends autumn planting for springflowering bulbs including daffodils, tulips and crocuses. Containers can be layered with different bulbs to stretch the display across several months. Put larger, later-flowering bulbs deeper in the pot and smaller, earlier bulbs nearer the surface. Finish with hardy bedding plants to give colour while you wait for the bulbs to emerge. September is also a good

Autumnproof your home has been cleaned before regular use. Boilers and heating systems should also be serviced, and radiators bled if they are cold at the top. In the garden, secure or store furniture, tidy away summer equipment and check fences, sheds and

gates for loose panels or fittings. Strong autumn winds can quickly worsen minor damage. Indoors, test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries if needed. It’s also a good time to bring out warmer duvets,

month for planting cyclamen, pansies, violas, bellis and primroses. Bord Bia says these cold-hardy plants work equally well in beds, pots and hanging baskets and can establish while the soil is still relatively warm. Before planting bulbs, check that they are firm and free from mould or damage. Most prefer a sunny spot with soil that drains freely. A little work now can provide colour from the first snowdrops and crocuses through to daffodils and later tulips -just when the garden needs it most. Magnific

throws and blankets. Finally, prepare entrance areas for wetter weather. A sturdy doormat, somewhere to leave damp coats and shoes, and good outdoor lighting will all become more useful as the days grow darker.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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Fertagh Round Tower

The Kilkenny Observer welcomes John Comerford from Kilkenny tours who will bring us on trip to visit various locations in Kilkenny city and county. The Kilkenny Observer is delighted to bring you a piece of history on the first Friday of each month. To give the full history on each location would take up too many column inches, but we hope that the information shared, will, at the very least, whet your appetite in discovering Kilkenny’s rich history, architecture, and hidden gems. This week (number three in the series) John visits ‘Fertagh Round Tower’

Fertagh Round Tower: A landmark of faith and history in North Kilkenny

One of Ireland’s most distinctive early Christian monuments rises quietly from the landscape north of Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny. Fertagh Round Tower, signposted locally as Grangefertagh, stands 4km from the village and just off the old Cashel–Portlaoise road. Recognised as one of the tallest and slimmest round towers in Ireland, it remains the most striking

survivor of a once important monastic centre. The monastery at Fertagh was likely founded in the 6th century by St. Kieran of Saigir, one of the earliest missionaries of the Irish Church. Its prominence made it a target for attack, and in 861 Viking raiders struck the site, only to be driven off by Cerbhall, King of Ossory. The monastery suffered again in 1156, when

it was burned, leaving the round tower as the principal remnant of the early settlement. At eight storeys high, reached originally by wooden ladders, the tower was among the tallest in Ireland and served both as a bell tower and a place of refuge. Religious life continued at Fertagh into the medieval period. In the 13th century, an Augustinian priory was

established under Anglo Norman patronage, adding a new chapter to the site’s long ecclesiastical history. The tower stands beside the remains of a late medieval church, which underwent an unusual transformation in the 20th century when it was converted into a handball alley. This rural tradition, once widespread, resulted in many of the church’s architectural features being cemented over, obscuring window mouldings and carved stonework. Within the roofless church lies the 16th century table tomb of John MacGullapadraig and his wife, featuring a rare recumbent double effigy. The tomb was carved by the celebrated O’Tunney family, master masons renowned for their work at Jerpoint Abbey, Callan, and St. Canice’s Cathedral. Their craftsmanship at Fertagh links the site to a wider network of high status ecclesiastical patronage. In the 19th century, several important features of the medieval church were removed for preservation. The west doorway and east window were taken down and installed in Johnstown Church of Ireland, where they remain part of the parish’s architectural heritage. The baptismal font and a carved representation of the Crucifixion were transferred to the Catholic church in Johnstown, ensuring that elements of Fertagh’s long religious history continue to be honoured within both local traditions.

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News

Young Kilkenny artist represents Ireland at major Tokyo Exhibition

A night at the dogs with Rise and shine group Photos shown are from previous trips to Lourdes with Rise and Shine Kilkenny/Carlow group 174, of The Rise and Shine trust are busily planning for their annual trip to Lourdes. One of the organisers is Kilkenny woman Jackie Cullen, told the Observer that each year at Easter they take young people with additional needs to Lourdes. “The trip is free and any of our funds raised goes towards their fare.”, explained Jackie. To help raise some badly needed funds , a race night at Kilkenny greyhound track will take place on Friday September 18, with ten races taking place. The group take 10 young people and each has ‘a buddy’ to support them. All who travel to look after those with a disability are Garda vetted. The group also consists of a priest, and a nurse. Jaclie also pointed out that all the ‘buddy/carers’ pay their own fare. Its a fun filled week and applications for the lourdes trip are on the Rise and Shine website. Those travelling can bask in the foothills of the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains. Each year, millions worldwide visit the Grotto of Massabielle ( Grotto of Apparitions) where in 1858 the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared. Rise and Shine is an independent, selffunding, national, inclusive, and volunteerled charity that provides supported

pilgrimage holidays to guests with additional needs and respite to their families. They strive to give guests and volunteers meaningful memories, the opportunity for personal growth, and an unforgettable life changing experience. The group leader is Jackie Cullen and she can be contacted on Cullenjackie9@gmail. com

Young Kilkenny artist, Aurianna Hanlon – a 16-year old student at Loreto Secondary School – has recently returned from Japan after attending the 27th International High School Arts Festival in Tokyo at which her prizewinning entry from this year's 72nd Texaco Children's Art Competition was displayed. Travelling at the invitation of the International Foundation for Arts and Culture (IFAC), Aurianna attended the opening of the exhibition which took place at one of Japan’s most prestigious galleries - The National Arts Centre - in Tokyo. At the event, described as a ‘global

showcase for the world's best young artistic talent’, Aurianna’s work – entitled ‘Falling Up’ – was exhibited alongside the top 500 artworks selected from up to 15,000 works submitted by students worldwide aged from 15 to 18 years. Other winning artworks displayed from this year’s Texaco Children’s Art Competition were ‘Sightseeing’ by Cavan student, Anna Towell (age 18), who attends the University of Galway; ‘Melting in Malta 2018’ by Down student, Lucy Bishop (16), from Bangor Academy & Sixth Form College; and ‘The Amazing Tinks’ by Limerick student, Claire O’Malley (16), from Catherine McAuley School, Limerick.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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Food & Drink

The Ultimate Homemade Beef Burger with Caramelised Onions RECIPE

The buzz about honey FOOD

Few things beat a homemade burger, especially when it’s made with good-quality beef, plenty of flavour and a generous spoonful of sweet, sticky caramelised onions. Keep the toppings simple and let the beef do most of the work. Serves: 4 Ingredients For the burgers: • 600g good-quality minced beef, ideally around 20 percent fat • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper • 4 slices mature Irish Cheddar • 4 brioche burger buns • 4 lettuce leaves • 1 large tomato, sliced • Burger sauce or mayonnaise, to serve For the caramelised onions: • 2 large onions, thinly sliced • 1 tbsp butter • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 tsp brown sugar • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar • Pinch of salt Method Start with the onions. Heat the butter and oil in a frying pan over a low to medium heat, add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt and cook gently for around 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once softened, add the brown sugar and balsamic vinegar. Continue cooking for another 10 minutes until the onions are dark, sticky and caramelised. Set aside and keep warm. Divide the minced beef into four equal portions and gently shape each into a patty. Avoid squeezing or overworking the meat, as this can make the burgers dense. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper just before cooking. Heat a heavy frying pan, cast-iron skillet or barbecue until very hot. Cook the burgers for around 3-4 minutes on each side, or until cooked to your liking and safely cooked through. Avoid pressing them down with a spatula while cooking, as this releases the juices. Place a slice of mature Cheddar on each burger for the final minute of cooking and allow it to melt. Remove the burgers from the heat and rest for a couple of minutes. Lightly toast the brioche buns, then spread the bases with burger sauce. Add lettuce, tomato and the beef burger, followed by a generous spoonful of caramelised onions. Top with the remaining bun and serve immediately with homemade chips, wedges or a crisp salad.

September is National Honey Month, so there’s no better time to give a little appreciation to one of nature’s simplest - and most remarkable - foods. Long before bags of sugar appeared in Irish kitchens, honey was the go-to sweet-

ener. But it wasn’t just something to spread on bread or stir into a drink. In early Ireland, honey was valuable stuff. It was used in food and medicine, beeswax provided candles, and fermented honey gave us mead - a drink closely linked with feasting and hospitality. Bees were so important

Christina Branco

that early Irish law even had rules covering hives, swarms, ownership and stolen honey. Clearly, keeping the neighbours sweet was taken quite literally. Bees also buzz their way through plenty of Irish legends. St Gobnait of Ballyvourney, often called Ireland’s patron saint of bees, is said

to have once sent a swarm after raiders who attacked her community. Another saint, St Modomnoc, became associated with beekeeping, while stories of St Patrick and St Brigid also feature honey and mead. Away from legend, honey had plenty of everyday uses. It sweetened porridge, oatcakes, dairy foods and drinks, while mead was served as a sign of welcome and celebration. Honey was also traditionally used to soothe coughs, sore throats and wounds - something recognised far beyond Ireland, from ancient Greece to Egypt and Rome. There was something special about bees themselves too. In Irish folklore, they were almost treated like members of the household. People even followed the old custom of “telling the bees” when there had been a birth, marriage or death in the family. Today, we might simply drizzle honey over yoghurt, add it to baking or stir a spoonful into a hot drink. But every jar has a history stretching back thousands of years. So this National Honey Month, spare a thought for our hardworking bees - and enjoy an extra spoonful of the good stuff.

Let the bacon do the talking FOOD Tomorrow (Saturday) is International Bacon Day - the perfect excuse to celebrate one of our favourite foods. Kilkenny butcher Jonathan Brown believes the secret to great bacon is patience, provenance and traditional skills. Jonathan, of family-run Grogan & Brown Artisan Butchers has worked in the trade for 32 years and says quality remains at the heart of the business. “Our bacon is made with carefully selected pork and traditionally cured in small batches. We don’t rush the process,” he says. “The result is bacon with a firmer texture, better flavour and far less water loss in the pan. Good bacon should taste like pork first and foremost.” All of the pork and bacon sold by Grogan & Brown is Irish, sourced from a number of suppliers.

Jonathan Brown, Grogan and Brown Artisan Butchers

“We believe Irish farmers produce some of the best pork in the world,” Jonathan says.

“Knowing where our meat comes from gives both us and our customers confidence in the quality, welfare standards

and traceability.” Their bacon is produced using both dry and wet curing methods, allowing the cure time to work naturally through the meat. “We believe patience is one of the most important ingredients in producing quality bacon,” he says. For International Bacon Day, Jonathan’s choice would be a thick-cut, dry-cured back rasher, which he says offers the ideal balance of lean meat and fat. When buying bacon, he advises looking for “a natural colour, good marbling and a firm texture”, adding that quality bacon shouldn’t flood the pan with water or shrink dramatically when cooked. As for cooking it, Jonathan prefers a frying pan over a medium heat so the fat renders slowly while the meat stays juicy. And his perfect bacon sandwich? “Fresh bread, real butter, thick-cut dry-cured bacon cooked until it’s just crisp around the edges but still juicy in the middle.” Or, for an extra touch, add a little Ballymaloe Relish to fresh buttered sourdough. “Keep it simple and let the bacon do the talking.” groganandbrownbutchers.com

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What’s On

Your picks for this week TOP SHOWS, BOOKS, MUSIC, GAMES AND MORE - OUR QUICK GUIDE TO WHAT’S WORTH YOUR TIME THIS WEEK What to Watch: Hugh Jackman takes on the legendary outlaw in The Death of Robin Hood, a darker retelling directed by Michael Sarnoski. Gravely wounded after a final battle, Robin is forced to confront a violent past and the myths built around his name. Jodie Comer stars as Sister Brigid, who offers him a chance at redemption, with Bill Skarsgård, Murray Bartlett and Noah Jupe completing the cast in this brooding adventure drama. What to read: Sebastian Barry returns with The Newer World, a sweeping historical novel set in the aftermath of the American Civil War. It follows Tennyson Bouguereau, a freed man, devoted brother and wanted fugitive, as he searches for meaning and belonging across a rapidly changing country. Moving from Tennessee to Nashville and beyond, Barry’s latest explores survival, freedom, loss and the difficult promise of a new life in a newly transformed America.

The Coronas return to Kilkenny THE SET THEATRE | SEPT 5&6 | 8PM than two decades. MUSIC The Coronas return to Kilkenny on Saturday, September 5, for a sold-out show at The Set Theatre, part of a short run of small Irish dates this autumn. Rather than the larger venues and festival stages the band regularly plays, this tour puts Danny O’Reilly, Graham Knox and Conor Egan into fully seated rooms, with a set drawing on new material, fan favourites, rarely played songs and the hits that have carried them through more

Tickets for the September 5 show sold out within minutes when they went on sale in June. A second date was added for Sunday, September 6, and that sold out too. The Dublin trio have built one of the most durable careers in Irish indie rock. Early songs including San Diego Song, Heroes or Ghosts and Addicted to Progress remain staples for long-time fans, while later records have kept the band firmly in the Irish charts. Their current cata-

logue includes Thoughts & Observations, featuring tracks such as Speak Up, If You’re Going and Confirmation with Jamie Duffy. The Set dates are designed to be different from a standard Coronas gig. Alongside songs from across their catalogue, the band plans to share some of the stories behind the music and play material that doesn’t always make it into bigger live sets. New songs are also expected as they look ahead to their next album campaign.

The setting should suit that approach. The Set Theatre at Langton House Hotel holds 252 people seated, giving the band a much smaller room than the arenas, outdoor shows and festivals they have become accustomed to. The Coronas have toured extensively outside Ireland too, with dates across the UK, Europe, North America and Australia, but their Irish shows remain a central part of their schedule. The show is fully seated and over 18s.

Finding the funny side of life SET THEATRE | FRI, SEPT 4 COMEDY Shane Todd brings his brandnew stand-up show Hold Me Back to Set Theatre tonight (Friday), promising a night of quick-fire observations, razor-sharp storytelling and the kind of self-deprecating humour that has made him one of Ireland’s most popular comedy voices. The Northern Irish comedian, podcaster and performer has built a huge following through his live shows and his hit Tea With Me podcast, while his stand-up has taken him to major venues across Ireland, the UK and further afield. Now, with Hold Me Back, Todd is back on the road with a fresh hour of material and plenty of the easygoing charm, offbeat

detail and perfectly timed punchlines his audiences have come to expect. Todd’s comedy is at its best when he turns the everyday into something ridiculous: awkward encounters, family life, friendships and the small moments that somehow spiral into full-blown stories. His relaxed stage presence makes the whole thing feel almost conversational, right up until a line lands and catches the room completely off guard. Expect a lively, warm and brilliantly unpredictable evening throughout. Hold Me Back sees Shane Todd doing what he does best: finding the funny in ordinary life, refusing to take himself too seriously and bringing the audience along for the ride.

What to stream: Prime Video’s Drawn Together brings Mercedes Ron’s bestselling novel Marfil to the screen in a romantic thriller starring Ester Expósito and Hugo Diego García. After a wealthy heiress, Marfil Cortés, is kidnapped and unexpectedly released, her father hires the mysterious Sebastian Moore as her bodyguard. Attraction soon complicates their uneasy relationship as new threats emerge and secrets surface. The film streams exclusively on Prime Video worldwide from Wednesday, September 9. What to listen to: Freya Ridings plays St Canice’s Cathedral on Thursday, September 10. The British singer-songwriter is best known for Lost Without You, which brought her international attention in 2017. Her music centres on piano, voice and emotionally direct songwriting, with later releases including Castles and Weekends. The Kilkenny date offers a chance to hear her songs in the striking and atmospheric setting of St Canice’s Cathedral. The show starts at 7.30pm. What to play: Halloween: The Game brings Michael Myers back to Haddonfield in an asymmetrical horror experience from IllFonic. Set on Halloween night in 1978, players can stalk residents as Michael or team up as local heroes trying to warn neighbours and survive. The game also includes a standalone single-player story from Michael’s perspective. Halloween: The Game launches on September 8 for PC, PlayStation 5 and for Xbox Series X/S worldwide this autumn.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

Community & GAA Notes

KilkennyGAA clubs and Communitynews CLARA CLUB LOTTO The results of the draw for 25th August went as follows, the numbers drawn were 7, 14, 29. There was no jackpot winner. €30 Lucky Dip winners were Joanne O’Connell, May Whearty, Adrian Murphy, Alva Hoyne and Mark Dargan. Thank you for your support. CLARA GAA CONCERT NIGHT Clara GAA Club has announced a fantastic night of music and entertainment with a special concert featuring popular country music stars Mike Denver and Philomena Begley. The concert will take place on Thursday, December 3rd, 2026, at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Tickets are priced at €35 and are available through Eventbrite. Tickets can also be purchased by contacting Pam Cummins on 087 912 7725. With two of Ireland’s best-known country performers taking to the stage, it promises to be a memorable night for music fans of all ages. All proceeds will go towards the Clara GAA Development Fund. MINOR HURLING The Clara minor hurlers turned in an unusually flat performance in Clara, when they were put to the sword by a well drilled Galmoy/Windgap outfit. Podge Meany opened the scoring for Clara in the first minute, but this proved to be the only time that the Clara lads led all evening as they seemed to accept their fate rather quickly. Clara actually doesn’t have a single player up to the age on this minor side but this hasn’t bothered them on previous occasions. This time however the customary fight wasn’t there, and their opponents took full advantage. Clara only added four more points in the first half - 2 each by Aaron Carrigan and Jack Byrne (frees), by which stage Galmoy /Windgap led 3-9 to 0-6. Two of their goals had come from frees as the GW centre forward took full advantage of the dry ball and hard ground to drill to the net. Those of us used to watching these Clara lads in action expected a rousing effort for the second half but it failed to materialise. Galmoy/Windgap scored six points in a row to end the game as a contest. The move of Micheál Meany from full back to the forwards improved the situation somewhat for Clara but they were never going to overcome an eighteen point deficit. Micheál scored two goals (one from a free) and a point, and a hard trying Aaron Carrigan notched another but too late. Podge Meany frees only helped to offset a string of GW points and they ran out unflattering 3-21 to 3-8 winners. This was a forgettable evening for the Clara men who must now work on restoring a bit of pride in their performance for the next day. Team - Ciaran Gibbons, Liam O Callaghan, Micheál Meany 2-1, 1-0f, Ollie Butler. Matthew Cooke, Sam Corr, Sam Lawlor. Podge Meany 0-3, 0-2f, Ruairi Bowden Mullen. Rory Treacy, Aidan O Connell, Dara Leamy. Robert Coogan, Aaron Carrigan 1-2, Jack Byne 0-2f. Subs used Michael O Keeffe, James McDonald. SENIOR HURLING Clara allowed both points to slip through their fingers in a senior championship game v. Glenmore in Thomastown. Leading by six points with just seven minutes of normal time remaining they had to be content with a share of the spoils. The resultant point gained keeps Clara a point behind Glenmore on the table and leaves them needing nothing less than a win in their final round fixture v. Mullinavat to avoid being in one of the bottom two dreaded relegation positions. After Glenmore had scored first here, Clara replied with a quickfire goal. Chris Bolger took a lovely, floated Joe Connolly hand pass, made decent ground before offloading to Lester Ryan, who scored with his second attempt. Straight from the puck out Glenmore replied with a goal of their own when Ian Byrne was allowed to ghost in behind everybody and duly beat Kevin Nolan. Glenmore added two more points before Clara were hit for three in a row by Rory Glynn, Conor O Shea (free) and Joe Connolly. A Glenmore free was answered by an inspirational Davy Barcoe retort and then after Glenmore had hit three in a row Clara did the exact same per Luke Lawlor, Dara Glynn and Conor O Shea (free). Glenmore closed the half with two pointed frees but Clara would have been content to only trail 1-9 to 1-7 having played against a brisk breeze.

After Glenmore had edged three ahead at the start of the second half a mistake by their defence left Dara Glynn in behind to gather, make ground and bury the sliotar in the corner to tie the game. Two Glenmore points were answered by a Conor O Shea free before substitute Joe Power grabbed 1-2 in a three minute spell to put Clara firmly in control. The goal arrived after Joe intercepted a short puckout, fed Dara Glynn who fed Lester Ryan. Joe had continued his run and was rewarded when Lester passed back to him and the net shook. Things got even better for Clara a couple of minutes later when Rory Glynn flicked a ball up off his foot and gave it to his brother Dara who beat Eoin Murphy for the fourth

time on the day. Clara were six ahead but in the thirteen minutes that followed they failed to score again. Fifteen wides did little to help their cause and Glenmore reeled them in with a goal and three points to gain an all important point. Clara however may be starting to find form at the right time and if they can sharpen up on their shooting, they could yet have a say in this championship. Their backs were very decent here, most notably David Barcoe and Lester Ryan rolled back the years up front with good assistance from Dara Glynn and Joe Power. Team - Kevin Nolan, Shane Staunton, Matt Kenny, Harry Boyle. Martin O Connell, David Barcoe 0-1, Philip Carrigan. Jack Langton, Luke Lawlor 0-1. Joe

Connolly 0-1, Conor O Shea 0-3f, Chris Bolger. Rory Glynn 0-1, Lester Ryan 1-0, Dara Glynn 2-1. Subs used David Langton, Joe Power 1-2, Conor Hoyne. JUNIOR CAMOGIE Clara were due to play Carrickshock in Junior camogie on Friday evening in Clara. As it transpired Carrickshock were unable to field an eligible team. The game went ahead as a 13 aside challenge game with Carrickshock using a couple of ineligible players to make up 13. They also conceded the points to Clara. It was a worthwhile exercise with Clara just about shading it with a good mixture of youth and more experienced girls. A fine Niamh Ward goal helped Clara into a halftime lead with points from

St John’s Boys Under-12 soccer team who represented Kilkenny and Leinster in the National Cairn Community Games finals winning the national title.

O’Loughlin Gaels club is delighted to welcome on board its newest sponsor, Newpark Pharmacy

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Community & GAA Notes Margaret O Connell, Emily Phelan, Niamh Ward, Caragh Brennan and Róisín Kealy making it 1-5 to 0-6 at the interval. Two Clara goals by Margaret O Connell and Róisín Kealy and further points by Margaret O’Connell, Siobhan Treacy and Róisín Kealy gave Clara a major foothold in the second half but emptying the bench seemed to disrupt their flow somewhat and Carrickshock stormed back into the match with two goals of their own. It was left to Gráinne Glynn to tap over a last minute free to seal a 3-9 to 2-10 win for the home side. A good start for the Clara girls. Team - Aoife Glynn, Lucy Cody, Aoife Treacy. Anna Walpole, Ónagh Fitzgerald, Margaret Kehoe. Caragh Brennan 0-1, Emily Phelan 0-1. Moya Kelly, Niamh Ward 1-1, Siobhan Treacy 0-1. Róisín Kealy 1-2, Margaret O Connell 1-2. Subs used Catherine Murphy, Katie O Connell, Amelia Ryan, Katelyn Shortall, Alice Kennedy, Gráinne Glynn 0-1f.

for St. John’s.

The U14 boys will travel to Callan on Monday evening to play the hosts in the Roinn B league/

O’LOUGHLIN GAELS JUVENILES VISIT CORK Last weekend proved a busy one for O’Loughlin Gaels Under 10 camogie players and also the Under 11 hurlers. Both groups travelled to Cork. The Under 10 camogie team enjoyed a fantastic trip to play a very competitive game against Bishopstown. Thank you to the hosts for a great morning! The team then finished off with some well deserved fun at @zipitcork Thank you to the coaches, players and parents involved in the trip. The O’Loughlin Gaels’s Under 11 boys hit the road early Saturday morning also to compete in the superbly organised Erin’s Own hurling blitz. The boys competed against the hosts Erin’s Own of Cork, Newport from Tipperary and Ballygunner of Waterford. A fantastic effort was put in by the whole group, and a great day was had by all. Thanks again to all our fantastic coaches and all who travelled to support the groups. CLUB LOTTO There was no winner of the O’Loughlin Gaels club lotto dated August 25th. The numbers drawn were 3, 18, 25 and 28. The bonus number was 20. The winners of the Promotors draw were: 1. Oliva Moriarty c/o JJ Cullen. 2. Niall Cody c/o Mary Cody. 3. Eileen Hogan c/o JJ and Dinny. 4. Myra Fox c/o P Greene. 5. Tom and Sadie Bergin. 6. Aisling Reilly c/o M Nolan. 7. Eddie Maher c/o Online. 8. Michael Tracy c/o Online. 9. Ciara Murphy C/o Online. 10. Ber, Jack and Lilly c/o B Maher Thank you for your continued support. WINNERS ALL Congratulations to the winners of the O’Loughlin Gaels Race Night Draw: 1st Prize- €1,500 Andy O’ Keeffe, Johnswell. 2nd Prize- €1,000 Brendan McIntyre. 3rd Prize- €300 Monica Kearns. 4th Prize- €200 Michelle Browne. 5th Prize- €100 Ann Marie Kelly Also well done to the winners of the raffle held on the night: Kieran Maher, A. Neary. Peter Quinn, Linda Carpenter, Charlie Phelan, Conor Chandler, Sean Coogan, Tadhg O’Driscoll, Breda Guidera, Kevin Mc Garry, Alex Soames, Gillian Holohan.

James Tynan Memorial, winners, Amelia Meany and Luca Murphy, presented with the cups by Pauline and Amy Tynan

late of Acragar. Funeral mass took place in Clontubrid Church followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. LEAVING CERT RESULTS Best wishes to all the local boys and girls who achieved college places after their leaving cert results recently and are now starting the next chapter in their education or apprenticeships. LOTTO There was no jackpot winner in the weekly lotto last week and the jackpot is now €1200 The lucky dip winners were Sean Hickey (€50) Phil Hickey and Eamon Ryan (€25 each). Tickets are €2 and can be purchased online on Clubzap or you can get your paper ticket from the ticket sellers and the club thank all for their continued support. FOROIGE Freshford Foroige Youth Club are looking for adult volunteers for September. There will be weekly fun meeting for all 12-17 year olds and new members are very welcome. For more information pls contact Aidan Gleason on 0860674485 or aidan.gleeson@ foroige.ie or Barry Flynn on 087458115. SOCCER NEWS With the soccer season starting back now things are getting ready for the new season at Freshford Town. There will be a junior team and various underage teams for both boys and girls. Registration is now being taken, and you can contact committee re same or go online. The junior side have a new manager Micheal Brophy and his management team, and they are wished all the best for the forthcoming season. Training started on Friday evening last and new members are very welcome and anyone interested in signing up can come along to the field on Friday evening or contact the club secretary or the manager. The astro turf pitch is now open for bookings through sportskey online portal or Contact committee member or social media page

ST. JOHN’S PARISH COMMUNITY GAMES SUCCESS Huge congratulations to the St John’s boys Under 12 soccer team who represented Kilkenny and Leinster in the National Cairn Community Games Finals which took the place in SETU Carlow last weekend taking the national Under 12 boys outdoor soccer title on Sunday. They put in a valiant performance in the national semi final getting the better of Cornageeha of Sligo on a 4-1 score line. They took on Milford from Donegal in the final and gave another fantastic account of themselves taking the victory on a 3-1 score line. They have been on a memorable journey since they came together in April of this year and huge thanks must go to their coaches Steve Allen and Danny Quinn, Freebooters for providing training facilities and their sponsors Pizza Max, Fast Fit, O’Reilly’s, Fallon and Keane and Caesers. Thanks to all the parents who brought them to training and matches all year. Team members: Ben Allen, Ciaran Brennan, Jack Carroll, Tadgh Cody, Charlie Comerford, Ahmed Fangha, Idriss Fangha, Reece Kelly, Isaac Meagher, Patrick Noonan, Charlie Norris, Frank O’Carrroll, James O’Connor, Logan O’Neill, Daniel Quinn, Aaron Tyrell. Congrats also to all athletes from St John’s Parish who participated in the National finals last weekend, especially to Patrick Comerford who won a silver medal in the Under-12 boys ball throw. A great weekend to finish the community games year

Bennettsbridge U12s played two games against Mullinavat and Galmoy in the Go games in Mullinavat.

FRESHFORD MINOR CHAMPIONS Congrats to St. Lachtains minor hurlers who last week won the Roinn C league final at Dunmore when they defeated Glenmore in a hard fought game coming out winners on a scoreline of St Lachtains 5-22 Glenmore 4-06. The U16 boys won their Roinn A league/championship 2nd round clash with James Stephens on Wednesday evening last at Pairc Lachtain on a score of 2-18 to 2-14. Meanwhile the intermediate side are back in action next weekend after a week’s break when they face Dunamaggin in the final round of the league/championship campaign on Saturday at 1pm in Callan.

championship at 6.30pm RUGBY Well, done to local girl Nessa Gibbons who was part of Leinster Southeast u16 team which were beaten by Leinster North Midlands at SETU sports complex in Carlow. NEW HOUSES The scheme of new houses at Buncrussia Street which will be known by An Tobair is now completed and have been given out. Meanwhile another scheme of houses is just being started further up the road at Tobernapeasta beside Oasis creche. SYMPATHY Sympathy is extended to the Delaney family on the death last week of Mrs Biddy Delaney

for more details. BRIDGE Summer bridge continues each Monday evening in Threecastles hall (R95WK45) at 7.30pm All are welcome. SPLIT THE POT Split the pot proceeds for August is going to Prague house. Winner of the past two weeks were Noel Bergin €100 and E Cantwell €103. You are asked to kindly support this cause throughout the month. Proceeds go to a different local club each month Tickets are just €2 and can be purchased in any of the local pubs or businesses. PARISH NEWS Masses each Tuesday and Friday morning in St Lachtain’s church at 9.30am (unless otherwise

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

Community & GAA Notes stated) Mass on Sunday morning at 11am. Mass in Tulla Church every third Saturday evening. First Friday visits of sick takes place on Friday the 4th September. WEBCAM The mass webcam has been installed by Church Media Ireland. All masses in at Lachtain’s church will be livestreamed through the webcam at Https// church media.ie/st-lachtains-church-frffreshford. OUTREACH CENTRE Cois Nore Outreach Centre visits Ballyragget every Wednesday. It’s located at Dr. Hogan’s rooms, The Square from 11am to 1pm. All those seeking cancer support are very welcome. For appointment phone 087 4833941. RADIO If you wish to listen to live broadcast of mass on Tuesdays, Fridays or Sundays from Freshford Church you can tune in to 105fm on your radio. NEWSLETTER The parish newsletter is available every week and it is also on the website. Any anniversaries or parish office business or community notices for the parish newsletter can be done by phoning the office during horse of 9.30am to 1.30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays or by calling to the office during those hours. MASS CARDS Mass Cards and Mass Bouquets are available in the Parish office and also from Annette at Tulla. VISITS Fr. Mark is happy to visit the sick and if you would like to receive a visit from Fr. Mark, you can contact him by phone or through the parish office. LOOP CAFE The Loop Community Café is open Monday to Saturday from 9:30am to 4pm and is a welcoming hub in the village. They’re always happy to see more people on both sides of the counter, so why not drop in to support your local café, meet a friend, enjoy a chat, and savour some delicious homemade food? Along with great refreshments, The Loop hosts a variety of community activities that bring neighbours together. The café is also seeking volunteers to help keep these services thriving. If you’re interested in getting involved, please call 056-883-2650 and ask for Rhiannon. MABS The Money Advice and Budgeting service is a free confidential and independent money Management and Advice service. MABS assist people in dealing with their existing debt problems who have difficulty paying a mortgage or those facing legal action because of debt. They also provide information and access to Insolvency services including free Debt Relief Advice under the Personal insolvency options. For more info or for an appointment contact MABS on 0818072610. JAMES STEPHENS GAA AND CAMOGIE CLUB KATIE TAYLOR On Saturday night 5th September Ireland’s legendary Olympic and World boxing champion Katie Taylor brings her honours laden boxing career to a conclusion when she enters the ring in Croke Park to the acclaim of a full house attendance of 82,000. It has been a long-held ambition of the sporting legend to finish her career in Croke Park in front of her admiring fans. Why not come to the club’s Larchfield social centre to view the world title fight, savour the atmosphere of the history-making event as it happens on TV while later debating the merits of the fight, hopefully a victory, after which there will be live music by Seattle to bring a memorable night to a happy ending. INTERMEDIATE HURLING Our final round of the ‘Michael Lyng Motors’ Intermediate hurling league (Group B) game V Barrow Rangers is fixed for St. John’s Park on Saturday 5th. September. at 1pm. MINOR HURLING LEAGUE If you were a betting man, or woman, you would have been strongly tempted to put your money on Erins Own (Castlecomer) after 14 minutes of this minor hurling league clash, V James Stephens, played on in Canon Kearns Park (Castlecomer). By that time Erins Own were in total command in all sectors and had run up a score of 1-07 to a single point from the struggling Village lads. That score came from the stick of Rory Glynn on 4 minutes. The Village lads then began to find their rhythm and with two quick points from Liam O’ Brien, from play and a free, one each from Jack Mulcahy and a pointed free from Rory Glynn to which Erins Own replied with two points leaving the score at 1-09 to 0-05. Then came the score of the game when Paul Millea gathered the ball about 40 yards from the ‘Comer

goal and with a defence splitting run finished the ball to the back of the Erins Own net. This was quickly followed by a well taken point from Liam O’ Brien. The Village midfield partnership of Oliver Phelan and Sean Rea together with Larry Phelan at centre back were now showing well and from here to half time both teams added three points, the Village scores coming from Rory Glynn and two from Ruairi Power (one free). The half time score was Erins Own 1-12, James Stephens 1-10. The second half started in whirlwind fashion when, within the first minute, Ruairi Power added a point followed by an opportunist goal by Rory Glynn, having flicked the ball from a Comer defender about to clear. An altercation between a player from each side saw them each receive a rather harsh looking red card reducing both teams to 14 players for the remainder of the game. The Village now had their noses in front for the first time but before they could register another score, Erins Own added five points, three from play and two frees, to put them 3 points in the lead after eleven minutes. Rory Glynn reduced the arrears in the 14th min with a pointed free to which Erins Own replied immediately. Midfielder, Sean Rea, added a point on the 16th minute before Erins registered a further three points by the 24th minute to give them a five-point lead. Larry Phelan, from centre back, narrowed the gap with a well taken point followed by a pointed free from Ruairi Power and a 65 From Rory Glyn after 28 minutes. Erins Own still held a two- point lead before a 29th minute strike from Rory Glynn, which looked goal bound, rebounded off the upright but was quickly followed by a point from Ruairi Power and a 31st. minute point from the active Sean Rea. A draw, which seemed most unlikely after the first 14 minutes, was a deserved result for a team that never gave up. Final score James Stephens 2-18, Erins Own 1-21. U-14 LEAGUE/CHAMPIONSHIP After last week’s defeat the James Stephens U-14 hurlers were determined not to be caught on the back foot again and strode into an early lead at 1-06 to 0-01 with 4 points by J.J. Fogarty, Ashton Maher (4min) and Evan Downey (9min), the goal coming from an impressive individual effort by J.J. Fogarty in the 7th minute. Three more green flag scores were to follow from Johnny O’Carroll (12 min), Donal Power (26min) and Sean Larkin (30 min) to give James Stephens a commanding 4-07 to 1-05 half time lead. The gallant Rower-Inistioge lads fought valiantly over the hour but could not match the stronger and better-balanced Village line up as they went on to compile a comprehensive score of 6- 14 to 1-09 at the final whistle. U-16 CHAMPIONSHIP The U-16 hurlers disappointingly lost out in a nail-biting finish to St. Lachtain’s 2-18 to 2-14 in their 2nd round league/ championship fixture in Pairc Lachtain. With both clubs’ forwards in scoring form in the tightly contested fixture, the home club managed to take a 2-10 to 2-07 lead into the break. The James Stephens goals came from the caman of the in-form Mikey Dorney. The Village lads drew level early in the 2nd half and it remained score for score right into the closing minutes of the game. In a late surge the Freshford lads grabbed the initiative, tapping over the winning scores to take the league points. For James Stephens, Jack Leahy gave a commanding display in defence while Jim Clune was a constant torment to the St. Lachtain’s backs over the hour. CRANNCHUR (LOTTO) Na huimhreacha don seachtain seo caite 2, 8, 13, 20. Ni raibh aonbuaiteoir. Na mion duaisneanna €40 Fran Cantwell, Claire Breslin, Catherine Kinsella, Harry McIntyre agus Mary Humphries. Mar is gnath go raibh maith agaibh go leir as bhur dtachtaoicht. (As always, our thanks for your support) BENNETTSBRIDGE KATIE IN CROKE PARK ON THE BIG SCREEN This Saturday, East End United and Bennettsbridge Camogie Club are teaming up for an unforgettable night to celebrate one of Ireland’s greatest female athletes, Katie Taylor, in her final fight at Croke Park! We’re showing the entire fight live on the big screen, so bring the energy and come support Katie! On Saturday 5th September, Doors Open: 8:30 pm in Bennettsbridge Community Hall. Tickets: On sale now! On the night: Sizzling BBQ, Sweet Shop, Raffle. Door prize entry with admission. All are welcome and all support is much appreciated for this unique fundraising event. COMMUNITY PICNIC The community picnic went very well and attracted

a good number. The morning held up well and there was something for everyone. The Bennettsbridge Playground and Green was well utilised and with Music, Face Painting, Ice Cream and Coffee Van there was great activity. The Bennettsbridge Film committee got a few shots for the coming film on the village. TYNAN MEMORIAL The James Tynan memorial race took place recently in Bennettbridge. Pauline and Amy Tynan presented trophies to all the children. Amelia Meany was the winner of the cup and Luca Murphy won the cup for uU6. The Mother’s and Dad’s race was great fun with Linda Kinsella winning for the 2nd year in a row. The men’s race was very exciting with Brendan Massey just shading it. Tea and coffee were served in the hall for everyone and a lovely evening was spent remembering a wonderful little boy. MASS TIMES Bennettsbridge, Masses Wednesday 10.30am, Friday 10.30am, Sunday 10,30am, Tuesday 7,30pm. Tullaherin Saturday 8pm. BISHOP’S INSTALLATION On Sunday, 13th September, Bishop Gerard Nash will be installed in St Mary’s Cathedral as Bishop of Ossory. He is wished every health and happiness in the Diocese of Ossory. ART GROUP Members of the Art Group met in Crafted Cafe for a celebration lunch following their very successful exhibition during Kilkenny Arts Week. They were joined by their tutor, Julie Moorhouse accompanied by her daughter, Nora. The food was excellent and Gail and her team looked after the girls very well. Classes will resume on Monday 14th September and plans are already in place for the usual Christmas Art Fest on the last Sunday in November. The Christmas Card project will also take place this year with The Carlow Kilkenny Home Care sharing in the proceeds. LOTTO There was no winner of the Jackpot.The numbers drawn were, 14, 22, 26, 28. Consolation Prizes went to the following Suzie, ℅ Fr Duggan, Bridie Sheeran, Gracie and Molly, David Power, Eanna Cleere,Bennettsbridge. MENS SHED Some members of the men’s shed spent an enjoyable afternoon at the Kiltorcan Racetrack on Wednesday last. It brought back memories of the Hot Rod activities enjoyed by a number of Bennettsbridge locals back in the day. SENIOR HURLING LEAGUE Our senior hurlers finish off the league campaign with a home game against Thomastown Saturday at 5 pm. Your support is greatly appreciated. We also host Blacks and Whites and Tullogher at 1pm on Saturday. All help greatly appreciated on the day with stewarding duties. THANKS As the dry spell comes to an end we once again offer our thanks to our club sponsor Bennettsbridge Limestone for their continued help with watering the pitch ensuring that the surface is in great condition for all games and training. All your help was greatly appreciated. UNDERAGE GAMES Our minors had a good win away to Mullinavat in the league championship. Great effort, determination and teamwork shown throughout. Well done to all the players and management. Bennettsbridge 2-20, Mullinavat 2-09. They will play Clara this Sunday at home with the time to be confirmed. Our under 16 team lost out narrowly to |Gowran after a great game. Our under 14 team played Graigue Ballycallan away last Monday evening. FIELD DAY 2026 The field day is confirmed for Sunday 13th of September this year. Another great day is envisaged this year with hurling and camogie games, wheel of fortune, bric-a-brac, raffle, foam party, BBQ, cake sale and much more on the day. Donations for the wheel of fortune, bottle stand, raffle etc is greatly appreciated. We require unwanted toys and unwanted gifts gratefully accepted this year. Drop off dates are as follows. Friday September 4th from 6 to 7 pm. Sunday 6th of September from 10am to 12noon, Thursday 10th from 6 to 8 pm, Friday 11th of September from 6 to 8 pm and Saturday the 12th from 10am to 12noon. Thanks again for the support. SIGNAGE CAMPAIGN The Bennettsbridge GAA club’s Pitch signage campaign has been of great benefit. There are still places available and many thanks to all the business owners who have supported so far. If interested, please contact Alan Flynn or Alan Morrissey.

GORESBRIDGE PAULSTOWN BOXING CLUB (PAULSTOWN) Well, done to all the boxers who competed recently. Every one of them boxed really well, gained valuable experience and represented the club brilliantly. BRIDGE UNITED The club is calling on all players, parents, supporters, and friends to get behind one of its biggest fundraising events of the year, taking place on Friday, 5th September, at 7.00pm at Kilkenny Dog Track. Every ticket purchased will help raise vital funds for the club’s Astro Turf Project, supporting the continued development of facilities for all Bridge United AFC players. Tickets cost just €10 and promise a great night out while supporting the future of the club. CHURCH SERVICES AND PARISH EVENTS MASS TIMES Goresbridge: Saturday 7.30pm; Sunday at 10.00am. Paulstown: Sunday at 11.30am Weekday Masses, Goresbridge: Wednesday at 10.00am. Paulstown: Thursday, and Friday at 10.00am. Adoration, concluding with Benediction, takes place every Tuesday from 10.30am to 6.00pm in Paulstown Church. The Legion of Mary meets each Thursday at 3.00pm in the Parish Hall, Paulstown. New members are always welcome. The Sacred Heart Prayer Group gathers every Friday following the 10.00am Mass in Paulstown. CUAS MUSICAL CONCERT The renowned West Kerry group CUAS will perform at Ionad Dara, Goresbridge, on Friday, 4th September at 8.00pm. Steeped in the rich musical traditions and songs of West Kerry, CUAS promises an entertaining and memorable evening of music. The group will be joined by talented local Kilkenny musician Gerry Walsh, who will provide support on the night. Tickets: €23 For tickets and further information, contact Gerry Kavanagh on 086 044 3152 or book online through Eventbrite. Don’t miss this fantastic night of traditional music and song. TALKING THE TALK “Cúpla Focal” is a welcoming Irish language conversation circle held every Friday at the Goodly Barrow Cafe. The gathering provides a relaxed and friendly environment where people can practice speaking Irish, improve their confidence, and meet others with a shared interest in the language and culture. Open to everyone from complete beginners to fluent speakers, the group focuses on informal conversation, encouragement, and learning through everyday chat. Whether you want to revive your school Irish, sharpen your fluency, or simply enjoy a social evening with fellow Giliberti, Cúpla Focal offers an enjoyable and supportive space to use the language in a natural way. DANCE CLASSES AT IONAD DARA, GORESBRIDGE. Join us at Ionad Dara, Goresbridge, starting Monday, 14th September at 7:00 pm. Learn and enjoy a variety of dance styles, including Jive, Line Dancing, and all forms of Social Dancing. Class Fees: Adults: €10 per class. Secondary School Students: €5 per class. Primary School Students: Free. Adults aged 80 and over: Free For more information, contact Declan on 085 708 9128. Everyone is welcome, whether you’ re a beginner or an experienced dancer. TAR ISTEACH Bric a Brac including household items, unwanted gifts, unwanted toiletry sets, delph, dishes, cutlery are all welcome at the Tar Isteach shop in Goresbridge. Items should be in a saleable condition. Quality handbags are welcome. Customers are welcome too. Tom Healy

GRAIGUENAMANAGH HIGHVIEW Thank you to everyone who attended our AGM. Some great discussions were held, and plans are now in place to make this another successful year for Highview Athletic. The election of officers for the season ahead was held with the following results. Chairperson: Dean Broaders. Director of Football: Dean Broaders. Treasurer: Maria Fitzpatrick. Club Secretary: Mitchell Maher. Senior P.R.O: Mitchell Maher. Junior P.R.O: John O’Brien. Schoolboys

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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Community & GAA Notes Secretary: Paul Byrne. Schoolgirls Secretary: Leah O’Brien. Registrar: Judy Bolger. CWO: Dean Broaders. Just a reminder for registration, this will need to be completed ASAP to ensure we have correct numbers for each age group. BARROW BUS Time for something completely different. We’re excited to announce a NEW Sunday service connecting the Barrow Valley with the Blackstairs mountains. Starting THIS Sunday August 23rd. Here are the top things you need to know: Loops out to the Scullogue Gap for a breathtaking Sunday hike. Morning pick-up and afternoon drop-off in Muine Bheag train station linked to train times. Serves new locations Glynn and Borris. Does NOT serve Skeoughvosteen or Paulstown (we’re sorry!). Two services on the ever popular St. Mullins to Graiguenamanagh route - walk the Barrow and get your free bus back Operating on Sundays ONLY until the end of the research project in October. Check out the timetable for all the details, book ahead where possible. CANOE CLUB Some Photos of the Himalayan Balsam , this is part of our on going bashing in Silair Wood along the board walk with Kilkenny Coco, while bashing at this time of year is harder as plant is in seed we have seen the benefit of our work, seeing great improvement and flurries of growth at the river bank in last 2 years because of it , seeing the return of nettles, brambles, blackberries bushes, and lilies and lots more wonderful pants throughout the summer and winter months , (the boardwalk is no longer barren in the winter). The thicking up at the riverbank, which is providing support to our eco systems around the Silair woods board walk and protecting local wildlife and our loved river. Well, done and thank you to all our members who came out in force. THE FERRYMOUNTGARRET BRIDGE The Ferrymountgarret Bridge is reopened to traffic, but a traffic management system is in place for approximately one month to facilitate the safe completion of the bridge, GAA The club’s Premier junior team travel to Thomastown on Sunday for a 1pm. throw in against table toppers Piltown. This is the league game and for us a victory would put us into the championship quarter final. HUB Once again, this year we are linking up with Munster Chernobyl Aid “Another Journey of Hope” to bring much needed supplies to the orphanages and hospitals in Belarus this September. We would greatly appreciate any donations of sanitary products, clothes, hygiene products etc. All items can be dropped to the Hub before September. This is a very important Humanitarian Aid mission as things in Belarus have become increasingly difficult. KILMANAGH 800th ANNIVERSARY The 800th Anniversary of the passing of St Francis “The Transitus” at the Capuchin Friary Kilkenny is a very significant occasion for the whole Franciscan Family worldwide and indeed locally. It is so timely in the church following the legacy of Pope Francis and also now with Pope Leo. The Capuchin Friars are hosting a Triduum October 1st 2nd and 3rd at the 10.30 Mass. The Preacher is Fr Joe Bulman OP. Bishop Ger Nash will celebrate the 12noon Mass on Sunday October 4th which is the Feast of St Francis. All are welcome. COMMUNITY CENTRE Naomh Aodhán Community Centre, Kilmanagh is available to hire for meetings, social occasions, etc. To check for time and date availability contact booking officer Tom at 086 315 1573. COMMUNITY CAFÉ The Café in Ballingarry Community Centre is open each Thursday, Friday and Saturday for breakfast and lunch, 10am - 2pm. Takeaway service is also available, contact 052 915 4284. ACTIVE LADIES CLUB Naomh Aodhan Active Ladies will recommence meetings on Monday 14th September from 7pm – 9pm. New members are always welcome. Contact 086 373 99 83 for further details. IRISH DANCING McAliskey School of Irish Dance will hold classes for children aged 4 and upwards on Tuesdays and Fridays in Naomh Aodhan Community Hall, Kilmanagh. Contact 083 863 8436 for further details. FARM PLASTIC COLLECTION DAYS IFFPG is Ireland’s only approved farm plastics recy-

A section of the crowd at the League game between Thomastown and Graigue Ballycallan

cling compliance scheme and has been responsible for recycling over 500,000 tonnes of farm plastics waste since its establishment. They are holding once off collection days in Kilkenny this September: Monday 7th September at Muckalee PSD Agri from 9am to 5pm; Wednesday 9th September at O’Reilly’s Farm Donaghmore Lane, Ballyragget from 8am to 4pm; Friday 11th September Hennessy Feeds, Woodsgift, Urlingford from 9am to 5pm; Monday 14th September at Dooley Bros Yard, Ballycallan (R95TD39) from 8am to 4pm; Friday 18th September at Ballyhale Shamrocks GAA from 8am to 4pm; Monday 21st September at Piltown Showgrounds from 8am to 4pm and every Monday to Saturday at Eamonn Nolan’s Yard, The demesne, Gowran (R95 K7FY). For more details check out www.farmplastics.ie. Promoted by Kilkenny County Council to assist in the sustainable recovery of farm plastic. LOTTO Results for 24th August. Numbers drawn were 15; 21; 24; 26. There was no winner. Lucky Dip Winners were John Hoyne, Kate McCluskey and Ella Cody. Sellers’ Prizes went to Mary Dunphy and Gearoid Cleere. ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC RESULTS Mount Carmel Supported Care Home would like to thank all who supported the recent Annual Golf Classic by organising, playing, sponsoring and contribution to the raffle. A huge thank you to Callan Golf Club for the use of their fabulous facilities. Results were as follows: 1st Prize to Mary Lonergan, Richard Falsey, Kim Mulqueen and Marie Comerford with 111 points; 2nd Prize to Lisa O’Neill, Bernie Butler, Mary Walsh and Emma Hennessy with 108 points; 3rd Prize to Kevin O’Driscoll, Tony O’Driscoll, Mick Foley and Jim Tierney with 107 points; 4th Prize to Marie Costelloe, Teresa Walsh, Pauline Donovan and Marie O’Riordan with 106 points; 5th Prize to Eddie Cunningham, Marie Cunningham, Rose O’Brien and Jimmy O’Brien with 105 points; 6th Prize to Jim Delaney, Liam Holland, Dave Dalton and Christy Jones with 105 points; 7th Prize to Jim Delaney, Bobby Sweeney, Declan Dowling and Eddie Carter with 104 points; 8th Prize to Jimmy Carroll, John Carroll, Pat Carroll and Frank Doheny with 103 points; 9th Prize to Betty McGrath, Maureen Norton, Joan Kennedy and Kin Inseun with 103 points; 10th Prize to Martin Maher, Brian Duggan, Nigel Donovan and Richard Kealy with 102 points; Non Gui prize to Michael Wall, Jim Kerwick, Patrick Larkin and Damien Dawson with 102 points; Best Ladies prize to Kathy Carter, Ashleigh Sanderson, Debbie Neill and Genevieve McHardy with 101 points; Visitors prize to Noeleen Delahunty,

Kathleen Guilfoyle, Kathleen Maher and Nora Harte with 100 points; Over 250 years prize to Jim Ahern, Mary Kearney, Jimmy O’Brien and Michael Quinlan with 102 points; Ladies NTP prize to Genevieve McHardy 6’6”; Gents NTP prize to Paddy Donovan 33 inches; Ladies LD prize to Ashleigh Sanderson; Gents LD prize to Jeff Lynch; Callan GC Sub Winner prize to Pat Parle. Raffle results were as follows: Load of Timber to John Lennon; Callan Autos €200 voucher to Ailbhe Kennedy; Cullen Motors €100 voucher to Barbara Waters; Dinner voucher for Glendine Inn to Tara Burke; Wooden Bowl by Bobby Lynch to Brendan Hacket; Tyreland €50 voucher to Mandy O’Brien; Meal Voucher for The Tea Rooms in Windgap to Sean Kennedy; Voucher for Jackie’s Hair Salon to Annie Roche; Mint Medispa Skincare Products to John D Grace; McDowell’s Pharmacy Newgrange Ornament to Gary Freaney; Box of Chocolates to Edel Walsh and Catriona Kenny; Bottle of Wine to M Roche. KILMANAGH NOTES Anyone wishing to submit news items, events, announcements etc. can do so by email only to elanigan18@gmail.com. If you have any photos that you would like included, please send as an attachment. KILMACOW KILMACOW YOUTH CLUB The club returns after its summer break for a Taster Month in September. Activities include arts and crafts, sports for fun, board games, subsidised trips, community engagement and events. New members are welcome to come along in September with Registration taking place on the first Friday of October. KILMACOW HERITAGE The Graveyard Working Group will continue the maintenance work at Dunkitt from 2.00pmon Saturday, 5th September. All offer of help will be welcomed. KILMACOW LOTTO The winning numbers in last week’s lotto were 3,8, 13 and 28. There was one Match 3 winner. HOME ENERGY EVENT Learn to make your home warmer and more energy efficient at a Home Energy Event in Kilmacow Community Centre from 5.00pm to 9.0opm on Wednesday, 16th September. All welcome. MARIAN HALL The Marian Hall will host a Yoga Class from 7.00pm to 8.00pm each Wednesday, started 2nd September. The cost is €50 for a four-week block (or €15 per class). Contact Laura on 087 680 2303 for more details.

MOONCOIN PARISH HALL Chair Yoga commenced in the hall on Monday, 31 st August. Contact Lisa on 087 655 8716 for more details. Also, the Day Care Centre returns after the Summer Break on Wednesday,2nd September. The schedule includes Bingo or Cards (1.30pm), live music (3.00pm) with tea and refreshments at 4.00pm. The cost is €3. Everyone is welcome. Hip Hop is back in the Hall from 4.00pm to 6.0pm on Friday, 4th September. Please call Rachel on 087 783 7570 for details. MULLINAVAT FESTIVAL DRAW The draw for the raffle held in conjunction with the Festival of Hurling and Camogie last weekend will take place next Sunday, 6th September. MULLINAVAT LOTTO The winning lotto numbers on Monday, 24th August were 10, 16, 25 and 27. There was no Match 3 winner. SOUTH KILKENNY HISTORICAL SOCIETY The Society will host a talk by Liz Gillis on the ‘1926 Census (A treasure trove for local historians) at 8.00pm on Thursday, 24th September in the Parish Hall. Admission €5 for non- members. All welcome. SMALL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS NATIONAL PLAN Last week Uisce Éireann (Irish Water) announced a new consultative process to shape the future of wastewater services in small towns and villages. A new national plan is to be developed to help to ensure communities have the wastewater infrastructure they need to support homes, businesses and sustainable growth, while continuing to protect the environment. The Small Wastewater Treatment Plants National Plan will shape how wastewater services in small communities are planned and delivered. Local knowledge and experience will shape a plan that supports communities, protects the environment and direct future investment. The Plan will focus on wastewater treatment plants serving communities of less than 1,000 PE or 350 homes. The Plan will provide a clearer and more consistent way of identifying where upgrades are needed, how they should be assessed and how investment should be targeted. The Plan is intended to be more coordinated, nationally consistent and evidence led. The Plan is being developed in line with Irish and European legislation, national policy and strategic regional plans. Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment processes will support the development of the Plan. Submissions from the

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

Community & GAA Notes public, community groups, environmental organisations, local authorities, business representatives and others are welcome. The consultation documents are available at www.water.ie/smallcommunitiesww. Submissions can be made by e-mail to smallcommunitiesww@water.ie or by post to Small Wastewater Treatment Plants, National Plan, Enterprise Fund Business Centre, Ballyraine, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, F92 AF43 by Tuesday, 20th October. FERRYBANK BUTTERFLY RUN Shannon Foley will take part in the Butterfly Run in Templemore in October. Funds from the event will be in aid of Féileacáin (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association of Ireland). Please see Ferrybank Community Newsletter for details on how to support this event. PART-TIME COURSES Kilkenny Carlow Education & Training Board and Back to Education Initiative will provide two part-time courses in Belmont from September. A pert-time Office Administration course from 9.30am to 4.30pm will commence on Wednesday, 9th September and a part- time SNA course will commence on Thursday, 10th September. Please contact btei@ kkadulted.ie or telephone 056 7701020 for more information. DANCE CLASSES Slieverue Parish Hall will host after school dance classes for ages 6 to 12 years from Monday, 14th September. Please contact Jack on 089 427 2077 for details. FERRYBANK AFC The Club will host Sockatots, football and fun for boys and girls aged 4 to 9 years, on Saturday mornings from 5th September. Registration is €15 with €3 payable each Saturday. Contact any club member for more details. FERRYBANK LIBRARY Junior Infants starting this September can sign up for their free library card at Ferrybank Library and take home a free My Little Library Bag. FERRYBANK POST OFFICE The post office is hosting a cup of tea and a chat for anyone on their own who would like to call in for a chat and company. The initiative has been well received and supported in Ferrybank. JOHNSTOWN RETIREMENT Best wishes are sent to one of our post people Ned (Eddie) Tracy who has retired from An Post after a faithful service of over 40 years. He is wished all the best in his retirement. BACK TO SCHOOL Welcome back to school to all the children in the parish. Especially those going for the first time, the new students going into secondary. WELL DONE Congratulations to the Leaving Cert students from Colaiste Mhuire on their successful results and best wishes as they move on to the next level of their education. PROGRESSIVE 25 CARD GAME The popular Progressive 25 card game returns to Graine Hall this September, with the first night taking place on Wednesday, September 9th, at 8pm. The game will then continue every Wednesday night, providing a great opportunity for locals to enjoy an evening of cards, friendly competition and good company. Everyone is welcome to come along, whether you are a regular card player or simply looking to try something new. Come along, enjoy the craic and meet up with friends for a great community night out. SYMPATHY Sympathy is extended to Shem Delaney, Donoughmore who has been bereaved by the death of his sister Breda O’Brien, Ballybrack, Dublin. Breda’s funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Kieran’s Church, Johnstown after which she was interred in Johnstown Cemetery. AGM Town Team and Spa Development Association warmly invite people to attend their AGM on Monday Sept. 14th at 8pm in St. Kieran’s Community Hall. At the meeting updates will be shared on current community projects and questions, feedback and concerns welcomed. The agenda includes Community project updates, Lotto and finances, Tidy Towns and KCC Town and village renewal Programme. All are welcome. SPA DEVELOPMENT/FENIANS LOTTO The winning numbers 1,19,20,28 in this draw only

affected Jennifer Dermody as she was a match 3 winner. There was no jackpot winner. THE MILL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE The Mill Family Resource Centre continues to play an important role in the local community, providing a wide range of supports, services and activities for individuals and families of all ages. The Centre offers a friendly and welcoming environment where people can come together, learn new skills, improve their wellbeing and enjoy opportunities for social connection. One of the latest opportunities available is the Local Training Initiative (L.T.I.) Programme, which will be starting shortly. The free course includes Driving Theory and Driving Lessons, giving participants the chance to gain useful practical skills that can help with employment, confidence and greater independence. Anyone interested in taking part is encouraged to call into The Mill Family Resource Centre or contact the Centre directly for further information about the course and details on how to apply. The popular Youth Club has also returned and takes place every Wednesday evening from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. The club is open to young people aged between 10 and 12 years and provides a great opportunity to meet friends and enjoy some fun activities. There are also some great bargains available on the Centre’s clothes rail, so why not call in and have a look? For further information on any of the above, contact The Mill Family Resource Centre on 056 8838466. GORTNAHOE GLENGOOLE EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Glengoole Wednesday 10am to 1pm, Gortnahoe Thursday 10am to 1pm. The rosary is recited before Mass in Glengoole every Saturday evening. BOULICK CEMETERY MASS The annual cemetery Mass for the above was held in the Sacred Heart Church, Gortnahoe due to the inclement weather on Tuesday 18th August. There was a large crowd in attendance. Fr. James Walton was chief celebrant assisted by Fr. Sean Fennelly. Chris Fennelly read the first reading and the second reading by Mary Collins. The prayers of the faithful were delivered by Ronan Gleeson, Dan Fennelly, Shane Gleeson, Tommy Stokes, Patricia Long, Mary Phelan and Ciara Gleeson. The gifts were brought to the altar by Breda and Edel Pollard. The communion reflection was read by Mairead Maher. A special word of thanks to the wonderful choir which included musicians and singers from Gortnahoe and Urlingford choirs under the direction of Margaret Maher and Sean Hennessy, the selection of hymns on the night was uplifting and added greatly to our special Mass. Special prayers were offered for all buried in Boulick especially those who were interred since our last mass, Mary Fennelly and Thomas Stapleton. Fr. Walton congratulated the committee and the FAS participants who devote many hours to the upkeep of the cemetery. The mass concluded with a blessing and Fr. Walton blessed the graves in Boulick on Wednesday morning. The committee wish to express they’re thanks to Fr. Walton and Joe Maher for organising the mass and to all who contributed to the collection which will go to the upkeep of the cemetery. May all the departed relatives and friends rest in peace. PASTORAL MINISTRY Would you like to serve as a Pastoral Minister within your parish and Parish Combination group? A programme in Pastoral Ministry and Leadership will begin in October and lead to a two-year course of study in Mary Immaculate College, Thurles. See poster on notice board at main doors of both Churches. Brochures available from Fr. Walton. Information from Katherine Dullaghan, Development Office on 086 1033761. RETURN TO SCHOOL Best wishes to the students of the parish as they start a new school year, may the Holy Spirit watch over them and guide them on their journey. PILATES WITH RUTH Pilate classes continue in Glengoole Hall every Monday at 6.30pm. €10 pay as you go. To book, message 0872049418, Instagram @pilates_ruth. Bring mat and water. GORTNAHOE BINGO Bingo will continue this Saturday evening at 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 Ann McGivern who won €360 in the Split the Pot draw last Sunday. Envelopes are

available in Cahill’s Gortnahoe, Hogans Grange, Gortnahoe Hall and any member of the committee, you can also Revolut to 0876777220. Split the Pot for September is in aid of Ballysloe Sensory Garden. The draw takes place each Sunday at 12pm in Gortnahoe Hall. Your support would be appreciated. MILLENNIUM MEN ON THE MOVE CLASSES Starting Monday 14th September for 10 weeks 12:30–1:30pm in the Millennium Family Resource Centre Glengoole, E41DW22. Total Cost €20. Come along for some light exercise’s followed by a cup of tea and a chat. For further information contact Alice Teehan 083-1014313. SYMPATHY Sympathy to the Kavanagh family on the death of James (Jim) Kavanagh, England formerly of Kilcooley and Grange Barna whose Remembrance Mass will take place on Saturday 12th September at 11am in Graine Church followed by burial of his ashes in the adjoining cemetery. CONAHY HURLING The junior hurlers play Emeralds in their final group game of the JJ Kavanagh Junior League in Canon Kearns Park next Sunday afternoon at 1.00 p.m. Best of luck to all involved. The minor hurlers played host to Piltown in their most recent in the Kilkenny Vehicle Centre Roinn B League/Championship on Tuesday night last in Jenkinstown. The visitors were the better side in the opening half, and Conahy were fortunate to be only three points behind, 0-15 to 2-6, with the Conahy goals coming from Darragh Horgan and a Billy Rowe penalty. However, Conahy played much better in the second half, scoring some excellent points to eventually win out by 2-19 to 0-23. They are back in action this evening when they travel away to play Lisdowney at 7.00 p.m. TEAM: Neil Webster, Rory Dunne, Tadgh Hennessy, Mounir Zouaoui, Finn Sherman, Jack Rhatigan, Bobby Dooley, Darragh Horgan, Billy Rowe, Rory Rhatigan, Patrick Kennedy, Jack Buggy. M.J. Buggy, Joe Boland, Brian Phelan, James Byrne, Sam Connellan, Camryn Kenehan, Brian Tierney, Padraic Quinn, Mikey Hurley, Jack Gamble, Ben Byrne. The under-14 hurlers played James Stephens in their most recent game in the Duggan Steel Roinn D League/Championship in Páirc Sheamuis Stiopháin. The very Conahy team gave their best against an older and stronger James Stephens team but lost out by 5-9 to 3-2. Well, done to all the young players especially on a great effort in awful weather conditions. TEAM: Tommy Murphy, Cillian Nolan, Padraig Murphy, Daniel McEvoy, Conor Horgan, Darragh Foley-McGee, Charlie Redmond, Richie Rowe, Noah Meany, Brandon Maher, Cian Rhatigan, Ciaran Quinn, Rory Kiernan, Billy Hickey, Josh Byrne, Adam Flynn, Ethan Maher. CAMOGIE The intermediate camogie girls play host to Barrow Rangers on Sunday morning at 11.00 a.m. in their third round game in the Abbott Intermediate League Championship in Jenkinstown. Best of luck to all involved. Both the minor and under-14 camogie girls were in action on Tuesday night last in their respective leagues. The minor girls lost out to a strong Clara side by 7-14 to 2-6, while the under-14 girls narrowly lost out to Slieverue by two points, 2-1 to 1-2. Despite this, the under-14 girls have still qualified for the championship quarter-finals, where they will play host to Piltown in Jenkinstown on Saturday week, September 12th. MINOR: Katy Murphy, Caoimhe Mulhall, Emily Lawless, Sophie Conway, Isobel Dunne, Ruth Carroll, Grace Butler, Eva Kennedy, Naomi Kerr, Sarah Murphy, Mary Lou Rowe, Hannah Styles, Clodagh Lawless, Rachel Mulhall, Keelin Kennedy, Emily Kennedy UNDER-14: Lucy Butler, Emily Joyce, Grace O’Meara, Lily O’Shea, Ella Ryan, Sophie Meany, Grace Kennedy, Rebecca Staunton, Isabelle Flynn, Juliet Dunne, Aobha Dunne, Brid Gamble, Hannah Buggy, Michelle Cahill, Bella Buggy, Emily Walker, Emily Lennon, Katie Kenehan. GAA CLUB LOTTO The numbers drawn in the most recent GAA Lotto draw were 15, 26 and 28. There was no winner of the jackpot so the consolation prize winners of €30 each were Margaret Nolan, The 2 Johnnies c/o Teresa Dollard, the Leahy Sisters, Toddy Lacey and Anne Mulhall. The promoter prize winners were Shem Butler, Larry Bergin and David Maher. Many thanks to everyone who continues to support the GAA Club Lotto.

NEWMARKET HUGGINSTOWN STONEYFORD ALL SAINTS PASTORAL AREA Parishes - Aghaviller; Ballyhale; Mullinavat. Priests in the Pastoral Area: Sean O’Connor (Ballyhale) Parish Priest of the three Parishes in the Pastoral Area). Telephone 056 776 6696 or 086 389 5911: Email: rsoc1973@gmail.com. Liam Cassin (Hugginstown). Telephone 087 231 2354: Email: liamcassin@ossory.ie. Liam Barron (Mullinavat). Telephone 087 272 2824: Email: mullinavat@ossory.ie. Peter Hoyne (Newmarket - Retired). Telephone 056 776 8678 or 086 373 8492 MASS TIMES Hugginstown: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30a.m. Vigil - Saturday at 8.00p.m. Sunday at 10.00a.m. Stoneyford, Vigil Saturday at 6.30p.m. Friday 4th. 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. ROTA (TWENTY THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME) Readers, Stoneyford: Saturday 6.30p.m. Margaret Ryan. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Valerie Farrell. Sunday 10.00a.m. Deirdre O’Shea. Eucharistic Ministers: Stoneyford: Saturday 6.30p.m. Pat Kenny. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Mary Cahill; Sunday 10.00a.m. Ann Power. HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY, HUGGINSTOWN House No. 5 is now vacant. Any elderly person who is interested in applying please contact the Secretary, Lily Burke, Croan, Dunamaggan; Tel. 056 776 8008 for an Application Form BISHOP OF OSSORY The Episcopal Installation of Ger Nash as Bishop of Ossory will be on Sunday 13th. September in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Kilkenny at 3.00p.m. Prayer for Bishop Ger: Eternal God, Shepherd and Guide, may Bishop Ger, who will serve our Diocese, be a shepherd after your own heart, who will walk in your ways and with loving care watch over your people. May he be a leader of vision and a teacher of your truth. So may your name be glorified and your Church built up, through Christ our Lord. Amen. MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT WEEKEND Marriage Encounter Ireland invites married couples to a residential weekend from 2nd. to 4th. October at the ‘Focolare Centre, Curryhills, Prosperous, Co. Kildare. Step away from daily distractions to deepen your communication, renew your love and rediscover the joy of your marriage. Visit www.marriageencounter.ie for details. POOR CLARES GALWAY A Half-Day Retreat for women 18-40 with Women’s spirituality speaker Louise Mc Guinness; An opportunity to encounter God’s love and deepen your life of prayer and communion with God. The event will take place from 2.00p.m. to 6.0p.m. on Sunday the 6th. of September. For more information and to register: https://cherisheddaughters.eventbrite.ie “ANAM CARA” “Anam Cara” is very pleased to announce our first Bereavement Information Evening especially dedicated to supporting surviving siblings this autumn. As part of our commitment to supporting everyone following the death of a child, we are exploring opportunities to further support the entire family. This event is the first, hopefully of many, of that commitment. This event is open to all parents whose child or children have died, regardless of the age of their child, circumstances of their death, or time since bereavement. We are also opening this Bereavement Information Evening to bereaved adult siblings over 18. For further information: Isabella (Elsie) Wiessner, Tel. 01 404 5378 Email: i.wiessner@ anamcara.ie. Web. www.anamcara.ie STUDY THEOLOGY ONLINE The Priory Institute provides online Theology courses to degree level. Attend Saturday lectures in Tallaght or from the comfort of your own home. Register now to begin on 19th. September. Find out more on our website, prioryinstitute.com LOTTO Aghaviller Parish and Carrickshock G. A. A. Draw: Monday 24th. August 2026. Numbers: 24; 03; 11; 25. No Winner of First 3 Numbers Drawn. No Jackpot Winner. 5 x €30.00. Winners: Margaret Foran, “OnLine”; John and Ruari Power, Lawcus. Bill Cassin, Ballygerdra; Ger Fennelly, Ballyhale; Catriona Cassin Ballygerdra. 3 x €15.00 (Sellers): Deirdre Rohan; James Irish; Jimmy Sheehan.

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

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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Sport

Honours even as Graigue Ballycallan and Thomastown battle it out in the rain

A section of the crowd staying dry

Graigue Ballycallan 1-12 (15); Thomastown 0-15. John Power at John Lockes Park. Graigue Ballycallan and Thomastown played out an entertaining and highly competitive draw in the St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League Group A at John Locke’s Park, Callan, on Thursday evening last. On a night when the rain seemed determined to have as much influence on proceedings as the players, this was a contest that had almost everything. There were close physical exchanges, some excellent individual performances, plenty of drama and, to add to the entertainment, a bizarre moment involving the scoreboard. By the final whistle, the players were operating in near darkness on a pitch that had become increasingly waterlogged. Despite the conditions, both sides produced a game that

was well worth watching, and the outcome means that both clubs remain firmly in the hunt for silverware. Following the result, Graigue Ballycallan and Thomastown will feature in either the senior league final or shield final, depending on the outcome of their respective final group games. Thomastown, the 2024 senior county champions, made the brighter start and looked to be taking control during the opening quarter. By the 16th minute they had opened up a 0-8 to 0-2 advantage. Robbie Donnelly opened the scoring from a free before John Donnelly, Stephen Donnelly, Luke Connellan and Stephen Donnelly again found the target as the Town quickly settled into their rhythm. Graigue Ballycallan needed a response, and it came from Aaron McEvoy, who has been one of their standout performers throughout the campaign. The Kilmanagh men’s attacker converted two frees to give his side a foothold in the contest.

Robbie Donnelly then added three more points for Thomastown, the first from play, leaving six between the teams as the rain began to fall with renewed intensity. Graigue Ballycallan, however, gradually began to get to grips with the conditions and the Thomastown defence. They enjoyed a strong spell during the second quarter, scoring three points in four minutes. Two excellent long-range efforts from Billy O’Neill, both struck from around the 50-metre mark, were followed by another McEvoy point, reducing the deficit to three, with Thomastown leading 0-8 to 0-5. Donnelly responded with another free for Thomastown, but Graigue Ballycallan finished the half in impressive fashion. McEvoy converted a free before grabbing a crucial goal after a clever lay-off from Conor Flynn. O’Neill then added another long-range free as the Kilmanagh outfit turned the game completely on its

Looking for options

head. At half-time Graigue Ballycallan led by 1-7 to 0-9. If the first half had been played in difficult conditions, matters deteriorated further during the interval. The rain continued to hammer down and by the time the teams returned to the field, large patches of water had developed across the playing surface. The second half began in bizarre circumstances when an additional Thomastown point appeared to be added to the scoreboard, bringing the sides level at 1-7 to 0-10. There had been no obvious score immediately beforehand, leaving players, officials and supporters alike wondering where the extra point had come from. McEvoy quickly settled matters on the pitch, opening the scoring for Graigue Ballycallan with another point. The visitors then launched a determined attack which looked certain to produce a goal. Somehow, Thomastown survived as their defence

No water break as play continues

Tough weather conditions

produced a remarkable triple save to keep the sliotar out of the net. Graigue Ballycallan had to settle for another McEvoy free a minute later, putting them three points clear. Robbie Donnelly replied with a free for Thomastown before McEvoy and Conor Flynn exchanged points to leave Graigue Ballycallan in front by 1-11 to 0-11 after 43 minutes. With the surface becoming increasingly soggy and slippery, scores became much harder to manufacture. Thomastown, though, showed their experience and Robbie Donnelly converted three successive frees to bring the sides closer together. John Donnelly then produced one of the scores of the evening, striking a wonderful point from the wing to put Thomastown back in front, 0-15 to 1-11, with six minutes remaining. Graigue Ballycallan refused to be beaten, and Ryan Corcoran levelled the contest in the 58th minute. There was

still time for one final twist. Thomastown were awarded a free in the 60th minute which presented Robbie Donnelly with the opportunity to win the game. With the contest finely balanced, the Thomastown free taker stepped up, but the combination of the sodden sliotar, wet hurl and difficult conditions proved too much. His effort drifted left of the post and wide. It was the final puck of a thoroughly enjoyable contest and, considering the dreadful weather, both teams deserved enormous credit for producing such an entertaining encounter. Graigue Ballycallan will probably feel that victory was within their grasp. A spell in the second half when they registered three successive wides proved costly, particularly in a game where scoring opportunities were at a premium. Billy O’Neill, Jeff Neary, Jack Walton, Aaron McEvoy and Ryan Corcoran were among the Graigue Ballycallan players to impress, while Robbie, Stephen and John Donnelly were prominent for Thomastown. Both clubs now turn their attention to their final group fixtures. Graigue Ballycallan face Glenmore, while Thomastown meet Bennettsbridge. Both sides have already secured their places in the championship quarterfinals and will also feature in either the senior league or shield final. SCORERS GRAIGUE BALLYCALLAN: Aaron McEvoy (1-7, 0-4 frees), Billy O’Neill (0-3, 0-1 frees), Conor Flynn, Ryan Corcoran (0-1 each). THOMASTOWN: Robbie Donnelly (0-9, 0-7 frees), Stephen Donnelly (0-2), John Donnelly (0-2), Luke Connellan, AN Other (0-1 each). TEAMS GRAIGUE BALLYCALLAN Sean McGrath, Richie Keoghan, Tom Dunphy Ben McEvoy, Colum Prenderville, Billy O'Neill, Stephen Keoghan, Jeff Neary, Jack Walton, Conor Flynn, Jesse Roberts, Tommy Ronan, Aaron McEvoy, Patrick Foley, Ryan Corcoran. Substitutes: Killian Egan for Colum Prenderville, Shane Butler for Patrick Foley, Cormac Neary for Jack Walton. THOMASTOWN Diarmuid Galway, Ned Kirwan, Peter Connellan, Zach Bay Hammond, Brian Staunton, Eddie Donnelly, Rory Connellan, Ben Nevin, Peter McDonald, Robbie Donnelly, John Donnelly, Stephen Donnelly, Daithi Barron, Luke Connellan, Jack Holden. Substitutes: Cian Doherty for Jack Holden, Conor Barce for Ben Nevin. Referee: Eoin Maher (Mullin vat).

No let up as rain makes it mark

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

kilkennyobserver.ie

Hurling matters - Preview

Sport BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League Yes, we have reached the final round of games in this season’s St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League, and there is still plenty to play for tomorrow at six venues across Noreside. As per the norm, all matches will throw in at 5pm so you would imagine that there will be a fair amount of traffic accessing the Kilkenny Cats app, as supporters try and keep abreast of events at all venues as they track what that means for their own clubs. Round 4 saw some great hurling played across the county, with decent crowds in attendance as the penultimate set of fixtures played out. Danesfort surprised many Gaels, by defeating Brian Hogan’s O’Loughlin Gaels by 2 points in Páirc Lachtain to claim their first win of the campaign but know that they will need to secure a second win on the bounce when they take on group leaders, unbeaten Shamrocks Ballyhale. There was plenty of entertainment and value served up in Callan and Thomastown with two fixtures in Group A unable to provide a winner. John Locke Park hosted the meeting of Graigue Ballycallan and Thomastown in a ‘battle of the blues’ and it was both teams placed ball specialists that kept the scoreboards ticking over, Aaron McEvoy notching 1-7 on the night while Robbie Donnelly continued his fine form, registering 0-9 as the sides couldn’t be separated. Meanwhile, Glenmore and Clara played out a higher scoring draw in Thomastown. Zack

Bend it like Blanchfield .. The Bridge look a broken side

Ladies and gentlemen... Round FIVE!

Liam Blanchfield looking for support as Eoin Dempsey gets in his Tackle

Niall Shortall has delivered for Shamrocks

Lawlor’s quickfire 1-2 and Conor O’Shea’s major saw the maroonclad team saw them go six clear, but a fighting finish from the Pairc na Ratha based side, including a goal from Ciaran Kirwan a late, late point from young Jack Dollard ensured a

share of the spoils was secured. The fourth-round action in Group A began with the clash of Bennettsbridge and Mullinavat in Páirc na Seamróg, and it was

Jack Langton showing great determination as he goes past Jason Cody

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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Hurling matters - Preview the Vegas Boys that triumphed against a ‘Bridge side that have left themselves facing a relegation battle to keep their seat at the top table. Conor Power and Ger Malone raised the green flags for the Fionn Mahony’s ‘Vat while James Hughes Danesfort have was once again one of found the going the better performers tough for winless Bennettsbridge. In Group B Ballyragget was the venue for Tullaroan’s clash with Erin’s Own, and it would be plain sailing for Dave Mulcahy’s side. Gearoid Dunne hit a trio of goals, while their top marksman, Dylan Simpson added another 0-10 to his tally this campaign. The ‘Comer men are well used to being in dogged relegation battles and they will need the Buggy’s and Shane Feehan to dig in if they are to pull off another escape act. UPMC Nowlan Park saw the meeting of Shamrocks Ballyhale and Dicksboro and it would be the current County champions that prevailed by seven points at the long whistle. When Shane Stapleton popped over a free in the 54th minute, the ‘Boro arrears was only two points, but a major from Brian Cody just 2 minutes Ned Kirwin later, coupled with late tries to prevent scores from young Tommy Ronan Mickey Barron and not from getting so young TJ ensured away from him that the Páirc na Seamróg men continued their unbeaten season in Group B. Moving onto tomorrow, the game in Dunnamaggin between Mullinavat and Clara has plenty riding on it. The loser of this encounter will face off against Bennettsbridge in a relegation / round one championship fixture. Clara will again look to Conor O’Shea, David Barcoe and the experienced Chris Bolger to drag them clear, but The Vegas Boys won’t be found wanting, with Oisin Knox, Conor Power and Ger Malone all in good nick. Two more teams that face a similar

Gearoid Dunne showing great control

predicament are Dicksboro and Erin’s Own, who meet in Muckalee. The winner here knows that they can paise for breath, while the loser will find themselves in a relegation / round one championship fixture. Although they lost out to TJ & co, the Palmerstown outfit showed enough in that game and their victory over Danesfort to suggest that they might have enough to condemn the Comer side to yet another battle against the dreaded drop. Shane Stapleton’s placed ball accuracy will be key, while the speed and skill of Harry Shine and Patrick Lacey will cause plenty of problems for Erin’s Own. Conor McMahon, the Brennan’s and rising star, Josh Dowling will need to leave it all on the pitch to give their side a fighting chance. Having registered a first win in Group B last time out, Danesfort faces an uphill task to repeat that feat when they tackle Shamrocks Ballyhale in Gowran. Despite disappointing results in the first three round of fixtures, the black and amber stripped side have played some nice hurling at times, but their experienced ‘heads’ Paddy Hogan and 4-time All-Ireland winner, Paul Murphy will need to help the younger crew of Fionn Mahony, Sam Hayes, Anthony Ireland-Wall and Ben Whitty shine. Even if the ‘Fort does the unthinkable and sink the Shamrocks, they will still need things to go their way elsewhere, meaning ‘Boro and ‘Comer to draw. Mark Aylward’s charges have been in rude health in this seasons St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League. Renowned for being slow starters when the club game gets underway, but this campaign has seen the Holden Plant Rentals sponsored side come out of the traps quickly this summer, and they are the only side with a 100% record at senior level. Niall Shortall looks to have come of age, while TJ as usual, doesn’t look his. The form of Brian Cody is another contributing factor in their run to date, while integrating Killian Ryan and Mikey Barron into the senior setup has paid dividends. The form of Bennettsbridge has been somewhat alarming this season. They are the only team without a win across both groups, and regardless of the outcome in their fixture with Thomastown, Brian Lannon knows that a relegation battle lies ahead. It would help if they had a little positive momentum going into such a battle, but unless Thomastown take their foot off the gas, I can only see one winner emerging tomorrow. Glenmore take on Graigue Ballycallan in Piltown, knowing that they can’t catch the men from Tom Ryall Park. GBC has been one of the most consistent sides on Noreside this season, and Aaron McEvoy has contributed handsomely to this. The sharpshooter has had good support from Jesse Roberts, Ryan Corcoran, and Conor Flynn, while Jeff Neary has been doing well in the engine room. Billy O’Neill is another that has caught the eye and notched 3 points in the draw with Thomastown. The men from Pairc na Ratha never give up, and they will need this fighting spirit and

Jack Buggy will be busy for Comer

more in Piltown. Captain Ian Byrne will keep the scoreboard ticking over, while Cathal Beirne and Ethan Phelan will look to hurt GBC. The spine at the back in the form of Eoin and brother Shane Murphy will be key to how Seamie Dollard’s troops compete at the business end of the season. Pairc Sheamuis Stiophan will play host to the meeting of Tullaroan and O’Loughlin Gaels. The Sash are two points ahead of tomorrow’s opponents, and while they may not outscored the St John’s Park men, they have been much tighter, defensively. The performances of netminder Niall Holland have been a real positive for Dave Mulcahy’s men, as has the return to action of Cats star Tommy Walsh. When you possess hurlers of the quality of Mossy Keoghan, Geraoind Dunne, Dylan Simpson and the

classy Padraig Walsh, your side will always have a chance, and they have hurled very well so far in 2026. Newly appointed Cats U20 boss Brian Hogan will want to lay down a marker ahead of championship action and despite missing some stars, the likes of Mikey Butler, captain Paddy Deegan, Fionan Mackessy and Jack Nolan have plenty of experience. The standout performer for OLG so far has been rising star Ruarc Sweeney, who has gone goal crazy in Group B. Conor Kelly’s accuracy from placed balls alongside the pace of Cian Byrne, and attacking threat of Robbie Buckley and Greg Kelly will be tested as they face a confident Sash side. Another ‘Super Saturday’ on Noreside, the stakes are high, and there is plenty on the line as the league phase concludes. Ádh Mór to all teams tomorrow.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

Planning notices

Planning notices KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

Significant Information/Revised Plans We, Roger Mee and Jill Acheson hereby give notice of the submission of Significant Information/Revised Plans to Kilkenny County Council in relations to planning application ref no: - 2560723 who are applying for Full planning permission for the construction of a two-storey extension to existing dwelling, demolition of existing outhouse and permission for 16 ground mounted solar panels and all associated site works at Crutt, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny. 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. The Significant Information includes site outline altered to include revised percolation area. 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.

We, Eugene and Ciara Kealy intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Planning Permission to build a single storey dwelling house, garage, septic tank, percolation area and all associated site development works at Madigan’s Lane, Firhouse, Co. Kilkenny. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL We, Jeremy Hickey and Roisin O’Brien intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Planning Permission to build an extension to the side of existing dwelling house, internal and external modifications to existing dwelling house and all associated site development works at Canal Walk, Castle Road, Kilkenny R95 C3H5 . 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.

EVERY FRIDAY

The Kilkenny

Observer

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL I Michael Bergin am applying to Kilkenny County Council for minor alterations to previously granted planning permission (Ref. No. 26/37). Alterations include an increase in the height of the construction of an overground slurry tower and all associated site works at Rathkyle, Castlecomer, 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 9.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 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.

CONTACT OFFICE: 056 7771463/087 3820109 OR EMAIL: SALES@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

JOHN SEAN CURRAN 11TH ANNIVERSARY In loving memory of John Sean Curran, late of Connolly Street, Kilkenny whose 11th anniversary occurs at this time. Your needs in life were simple Your love for your family true In our hearts you will live forever Because we thought the world of you You always had a smile to share Time to give and time to care A loving nature, a heart of gold One of the best this world could hold Never selfish, always kind We cherish the memories you left behind Always remembered and sadly missed by your wife Mary, son John, grandson Jack, daughters Martina and Mary Nora and son-in-law Darren. Anniversary Mass, Sunday 6th September at 11.30am in St Canice’s Church, Kilkenny.

The Miracle Prayer

Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours. This time I ask you this special one (mention favour). Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen. Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted. Never been known to fail. Must promise publication of prayer. B.ON.

The Miracle Prayer

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

Classifieds

Classified section To advertise your business in our classified section call in or telephone: 056 777 1463, or email: accounts @kilkennyobserver.ie

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 4th September 2026