Kilkenny Observer 05 December 2025

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Friday 5th December 2025

Death On The Yacht The mystery of Martha Nolan, four months on  Special report Page 14

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Christmas on Friary Street Has so much to offer  See Pages 31 – 42

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5th December 2025

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Life for Mackey’s killer Callan native, 87, murdered for box of cornflakes and a pie A robber who fatally kicked, punched and stamped on a pensioner before stealing his box of cornflakes and a cottage pie has been jailed for life.

Callan native John Mackey, 87, was targeted by unemployed Peter Augustine, 59, after he visited a Co-op store in Manor House, north London, on the afternoon of May 6.

Augustine was convicted of murder and robbery by a jury at the Old Bailey last month and has now been sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 23 years.

He was also sentenced for a theft charge that was dealt with at a magistrates’ court.

Arsenal Football Club fan Mr Mackey had lived in London

for around 70 years and “always had a twinkle in his eye and dressed immaculately in one of his trilby hats,” his family – who regularly came home to Kilkenny to visiit relations – told the court.

Augustine did not attend his sentencing at the Old Bailey on Friday November 28, claiming he had back pain.

Handing out her ruling, which was broadcast live from the court, Judge Sarah Whitehouse KC said: “I have no doubt that the defendant targeted (Mr Mackey) specifically because he was frail – it was a cowardly act, the defendant has shown no remorse.”

Augustine has spent 203 days on remand and therefore

has 22 years and 162 days left of his sentence to serve.

He was sentenced to four weeks’ imprisonment for theft and eight years for robbery. All three sentences will be served concurrently.

Mr Mackey left his home on May 6 shortly after 5pm, wearing a trilby hat and a grey Mackintosh coat, carrying a

Pieta, the suicide and self-harm prevention charity, is urging people to support its Light Up the Darkness appeal this December, as more than 300 people are expected to reach out to the charity on Christmas Day – a day when many people look for support.

On Thursday, December 18, Pieta is inviting communities across Ireland to Light Up the Darkness by dressing in festive lights, jumpers, or sparkles and sharing a nationwide moment of hope.

You can host a Big Christmas Light Up fundraiser or donate, helping make sure a compassionate, qualified therapist is there to answer when someone reaches out this Christmas.

Pictured is Crisis Helpline staff member Pollyanna Bolger launching Pieta’s ‘Light Up the Darkness’ campaign, Full story Page 6 PHOTO: James Crombie / INPHO

My toxic abuse by Kathleen Funchion In an interview with the Irish Independent at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, she detailed how she fulfilled her role as a TD and frontbench spokesperson for Sinn Féin while suffering abuse at the hands of her ex.

Sean Tyrell was sentenced in April under the Harassment and Harmful Communications Act – known as Coco’s Law – to four months’

Continues Page 6

Visit Santa at Market Cross for free!

Let’s light up their lives...

Ireland South MEP Kathleen Funchion has said she “did the right thing” in speaking publicly about her experience of coercive control by a former partner, because it had encouraged many women and their families in similar situations to seek help.

She has also said politics had become so toxic for women that she thinks she wouldn’t get involved if she was starting out today.

walking stick and a black bag.

At 5.12pm, he went to a Coop in Manor House, north London, and bought cornflakes, a cottage pie and a Mirror newspaper, which he put in his bag. He paid with a £20 note and kept £11.50 change in his pocket.

imprisonment, suspended for two years.

The court was told the emotional and psychological abuse included checking her messages, demanding her phone and wrongly accusing her of having an affair to the extent of demanding she take a lie detection test.

Ms Funchion (44) was a TD for Kilkenny at the time and the party’s spokesperson on children.

“It was very difficult at times,” she said. “I went through phases where I sort of had to block out everything that happened in order to be able to focus on my own job, my work.”

The former couple had become engaged in 2017 and Tyrell worked in her constituency office.

“This is someone that you thought you were spending the rest of your life with. And

then that’s clearly not the case,” Ms Funchion said.

“You keep saying to yourself, that maybe things will change. Or you think you see a slight change in behaviour and you’re thinking it’ll be OK and you are constantly, kind of nearly reassuring yourself, saying it will be different.

And then you, on some level, probably know it won’t.”

See also Page 10

Market Cross Shopping Centre Spreads Festive Cheer with Free Santa Visits Market Cross Shopping Centre has announced free Santa visits this Christmas. At a time when many families are feeling the pinch, the centre believes the true spirit of Christmas is in giving.

“This is our way of saying thank you to our customers and creating magical memories without any cost,” said Lesley Cleere, Shopping Centre Manager.

Families are welcome to take their own photos with Santa and, if they wish, make a voluntary donation to Cois Nore, a local charity.

Please note that no gifts will be provided, keeping the focus on togetherness.

The festive fun doesn’t stop there! Enjoy face painting by Fantasy Face Art, a letter-writing station, and mischievous elves spreading cheer. Snap a photo with our snow bears and deer and share your pictures on social media for a chance to win a €100 Penney’s voucher.

Santa’s Schedule: Arrival: Saturday, Dec 6, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Regular Visits: Every Sat & Sun, (13,14, 20 and 21)1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Santa will be greeting families from his chair or strolling throughout the centre.

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News

Leinster folk : elephants on holiday New research from leading Irish Travel Insurance specialist, JustCover, reveals that more than three in four (77%) people across Leinster are planning for at least one highoctane holiday in the next year. With holiday adventures from safaris to swimming with dolphins – many of these thrill-seekers may be exposing themselves to financial risks by not having adequate travel insurance in place.

Gone are the days when Irish holidaymakers settled for more traditional holidays such as gentle staycations, Mediterranean beach holidays or cruises. Instead, people are going thrill-seeking, with trips designed to test their endurance and nerves.

It’s not just the young crowd however, as JustCover’s data reveals that 62% of Leinster’s older residents (over 55) are also planning on some form of extreme holiday; defying stereotypes and proving that thrill-seeking has no cut-off point.

So, what types of trips are people in Leinster looking to take in 2026? The top five options include: 1. Safari (33%) 2. Road trip across a country (27%) 3. Rail trip across a continent (23%) 4. Swimming with dolphins (23%)

5. Sky diving (18%) Furthermore, age isn’t the only limit people are looking to shrug off: The JustCover research also reveals that 70% of those with pre-existing medical conditions are

also looking to experience a dream extreme holiday, with top choices including safaris (30%), swimming with dolphins (25%), and skydiving (19%).

These aspirational research findings also bring a

warning sign to many Irish travellers. Just Cover’s data also reveals that 28% of Irish holiday makers are looking to cut back on their travel insurance to save money – and 18% say they plan to travel abroad without any

travel cover at all. The economy-drive on buying cheap travel cover coupled with the appetite for adventure holidays in far-flung locations exposes many Irish holidaymakers to unnecessary risks abroad.

Renewable energy lies in the wind for farmers Ireland will not reach its 2030 renewable energy targets without a workable pathway for community and small farmer-led wind projects, the Irish Wind Farmers Association (IWFA) warned at its annual conference in Kilkenny last week under the theme of ‘Accelerating Renewables’.

Speaking to more than 100 members and sector stakeholders, the organisation said a substantial share of this target depended on one and two-turbine projects, owned by farmers and community groups. However, these projects are the most disadvantaged under planning, pricing, and ownership regulations.

The IWFA is calling for •Replace 100% ownership with a 51% community-controlled model.

• Ensure fair pricing for community projects.

•Increase wind project support price for a sub-6 MW two-turbine project for farmer-led and community-led renewables.

• Enable hybrid co-location of wind, solar, and batteries to optimise grids.

The organisation estimates that 35 new small-scale SRESS (1-2 turbine community/SME) projects could close the State’s onshore community RE target of 500 MW by 2030.

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Top awards for Kilkenny-based recruitment firm FRS FRS Recruitment, Ireland’s leading recruitment agency with an office in Cillin Hill Business & Retail Park, Co Kilkenny, has been recognised with two awards at the 2025 Employment and Recruitment Federation (ERF) Recruitment Awards, including the overall award of Large Agency of the Year award.

The annual ERF awards were held in the Shelbourne

Hotel in Dublin and recognise the leading Irish recruitment agencies and firms with 50 or more staff which can demonstrate exceptional expertise and success in the sector.

FRS Recruitment, which services clients across the healthcare, IT, engineering, and commercial sectors, picked up two awards at the 2025 ERF Awards. The

company retained its award for Best in Practice: IT, Telecoms & Technology for demonstrating exceptional expertise and success in the sector, before being announced as the overall Large Agency of the Year winner.

The awards were decided upon by a panel of 10 expert judges, including Paul Muldoon, James Osborne, Prof. Colette D’Arcy and

Gavin Duffy. The judging panel highlighted FRS Recruitment’s and excellence as a nationwide trusted partner for clients across multiple sectors looking to fill permanent, contract, and temporary roles, and also noted the company’s demand staffing app WrkWrk, which offers flexible temporary jobs to candidates. The judges praised the company’s commitment to

quality of service, evidenced through its industry leading net promoter score (NPS).

In particular, the judges noted FRS Recruitment’s focus on innovation, including the growth of its recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) option for clients.

FRS Recruitment provides RPO solutions to a growing number of clients which are seeking to fully outsource its

hiring process.

Reacting to the awards, Lynne McCormack, General Manager of FRS Recruitment, said: “It’s a proud moment for everyone in FRS Recruitment and across the wider FRS Co-Op. It recognises not just where we are today, but the ambition and momentum we’re carrying into the next phase of our journey.”

Major plan will double size of port at Rosslare As port authority for Rosslare Europort, Iarnród Éireann has confirmed its intention to lodge a planning application for the development of the ‘Rosslare Offshore Renewable Energy Hub’ (Rosslare ORE Hub) – a landmark new facility to put the Wexford port at the forefront of Ireland’s growing offshore wind, wave and tidal industry.

Plans are due to be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála next week, unveiling the blueprint for the State’s largest purposebuilt port facility dedicated to offshore renwable energy (ORE).

A development that will require an investment of around €220 million, if the plan goes ahead. It is expected to create upwards of 2,000 long-term jobs and reinforce Rosslare Europort’s place as a port of vital strategic impor-

tance to the county, the South East region and the whole country.

The jobs will be spread across construction at the port, offshore wind construction activities and long-term operation and maintenance phases of offshore wind development.

The plan will see Rosslare Harbour become the primary base for the construction, operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms in the Irish and Celtic seas, in what is seen as a key step in meeting Ireland’s renewable energy targets.

The Government has committed to achieving at least 5GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2030; Rosslare ORE Hub will have the potential to support the installation of approximately 0.5GW to 1GW of offshore wind capacity each year.

Callan native, 87, murdered for box of cornflakes and a pie From Page 3 Eighteen minutes later, Augustine began following the pensioner.

Mr Mackey went to Manor Kebab at 5.36pm to buy sausage and chips, while Augustine loitered outside.

The victim was last seen on CCTV at 5.50pm, and Augustine reappeared three minutes later carrying what appeared to be Mr Mackey’s bag.

Passers-by reported seeing Augustine attack Mr Mackey and search his jacket while he lay on the ground.

Another witness called the police after hearing a shout of “give me the bag” and seeing Mr Mackey lying motionless on the pavement.

Mr Mackey, bleeding from

his head, briefly regained consciousness but could not explain to the police what had happened.

He was treated in hospital for bleeding on the brain and broken ribs, but died two days later on May 8. His remains were brought back to Callan.

Police pieced together the events from CCTV, though the attack itself was not captured on camera.

A later search of Augustine’s room uncovered what was left of Mr Mackey’s groceries and wrapping from the cottage pie, sausage and chips.

Augustine was arrested two days after the assault.

While in custody, he showed no remorse, making threats, acting violently, and throwing hot coffee at an officer, police said.

All Oscar wants for Christmas At the launch of the Irish Cancer Society Children’s Christmas Appeal is cancer survivor Oscar (9) whose family availed of the Irish Cancer Society’s support services during his cancer diagnosis.

Donations to the Children’s Christmas Appeal will provide financial support for families affected by childhood cancer, counselling, in-hospital support, creative art therapies and more.

Light Up their Darkness this festive season Pieta, the suicide and selfharm prevention charity, is urging people to support its Light Up the Darkness appeal this December, as more than 300 people are expected to reach out to the charity on Christmas Day – a day when many people look for support.

On Thursday, December 18, Pieta is inviting communities across Ireland to Light Up the Darkness by dressing in festive lights, jumpers, or sparkles and sharing a nationwide moment of hope. You can host a Big Christmas Light Up fundraiser or donate, helping make sure a compassionate, qualified therapist is there to answer when someone reaches out this Christmas.

With more than 80% of Pieta’s services funded by public donations, every cent helps ensure the charity can answer calls and texts from people struggling with suicidal thoughts, self-harm, or the loss of someone to suicide.

Last year, Pieta’s qualified therapists responded to more than 100,000 calls and texts – around 300 a day, including Christmas Day. Demand typically rises during the Christmas season, with helpline activity from December 24 to January 7, averaging 12.5% higher than at other times of year. This period is consistently one of the busiest for the service.

Stephanie Manahan, Chief

Executive Officer of Pieta, said: “Public support is vital to keeping our services open and staffed by qualified therapists, ready to answer every call for help. Light Up the Darkness is a powerful moment for communities to come together and share hope, and every festive light worn and every euro donated helps ensure these lifesaving services are there for those who need them most. A €24 donation can help fund two vital calls for someone reaching out this Christmas, offering reassurance and connection when it is needed most.”

Pollyanna Bolger, a therapist on Pieta’s Crisis Helpline, said: “People often reach out

to us when they feel overwhelmed or alone, and sometimes it takes a few attempts before they’re ready to talk.

But the moment someone speaks, even just a few words, you can feel the shift – that small glimmer of hope. Our role on the Crisis Helpline is to hold that light with them, to help them find their voice and feel connected in a really difficult moment.” * If you’d like to donate or take part in Light Up the Darkness, visit Pieta.ie If you need support, go to Pieta.ie for more information or call Pieta’s 24/7 Crisis Helpline on 1800 247 247.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5th December 2025

Opinion

The Fact Of The Matter Paul Hopkins

The whipping boys of our changing climate It used to be that the only two certainties in life were death and taxes. Now, we can add two more. One, the heavy rainfall across Kilkenny and other counties recently is not necessarily enough to offset damage being done to farming by drought: and, second, as we now realise, climate change is a reality and is not going away anytime soon Our relationship with the weather, as an island people on the edge of the Atlantic, has traditionally been a curious one, to say the least.

When it rains, “it pours” and when the sun shines “it’s too hot”. It’s the basis of our daily conversation – sure, what else would we be talking about, says you.

We Irish may experience four seasons in any given day, but in recent years we have been hit by once-in-a-generation weather events.

The weather has tested our emergency services, govern-

ment agencies and communities, some working in dangerous situations to ensure the power stayed put and the elderly and vulnerable were safe.

Urban folk have traditionally seen farmers – and, note, we farm 70% of our land – as

“wealthy people, never done complaining about being poor”. The weather of recent times has put paid to that silly notion.

The main issue is animal welfare and farmer stress – because a lot of them are worried about their animals.

The weather has placed a spotlight on Irish farmers and the way we farm in this country.

I would agree with the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), that some commentary has been misplaced and displays a lack of understanding of

how food production works.

When it comes to coping with climate change, there’s no doubt that challenges lie ahead. Challenges for us all – fundamentally about the choices you and I make in how we live, move, consume and produce. The IFA says farmers will not shirk from such challenges. Big questions are being asked of them, they say. On climate, a national policy position sets out “an approach to carbon neutrality in the agriculture and land-use sector, including forestry, which does not compromise capacity for sustainable food production”.

On water quality, agriculture is also highlighted as being the sector which most often causes pressures to “at-risk” river and lake water bodies. But, given as I said that we farm 70% of our land, farming will always have the largest environmental impact. Perhaps, just once too often the “rich poor

farmers” have become the whipping boy in the debate on climate change.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) figures show that the agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions have actually fallen by 3.5% since 1990 – but with our exports rising – while our overall emissions have increased 10.4%, driven mainly by increases in the transport sector of a whopping 139%, We have to tackle carbon emissions from Irish households being the highest in Europe, but our beef and dairy farmers are among the most efficient in the EU when it comes to such. The ways of technology is changing farming every day, with more efficient use of machinery and energy consumption.

Meantime, the ways of the weather in recent years has given us all food for thought, as we look to the future, sun lotions and large umbrellas to hand …

McGuinness welcomes “badly needed clarity” from Uisce Éireann on water and wastewater projects across county Kilkenny

BY JOHN MCGUINNESS - TD

Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow– Kilkenny, John McGuinness, has welcomed what he describes as “clear and comprehensive answers” from Uisce Éireann following a detailed series of questions he submitted on the status of water and wastewater infrastructure in Inistioge, Bennettsbridge, Rower, and across County Kilkenny.

Deputy McGuinness said the information provided “brings much-needed transparency to longstanding concerns regarding capacity constraints, project delays, and the prioritisation of essential public infrastructure,” adding that he will continue to pursue the delivery of key upgrades in the county.

“Communities such as Inistioge, Bennettsbridge, Rower and others deserve clarity and accountability.

Uisce Éireann has now provided that, and I intend to ensure these projects remain firmly on the agenda.

The information released will help local communities understand where each project stands and what must happen next.”

Questions Submitted by Deputy McGuinness and Answers Provided by Uisce Éireann and Answers: 1. Who provides the business case for the classification of water infrastructure projects, the upgrade of existing wastewater treatment plants, and the provision of new wastewater treatment plants?

Answer: Uisce Éireann prepares all strategic assessments and business cases for upgrading existing public water and wastewater treatment plants. New wastewater infrastructure in areas without existing public systems is the responsibility of the local authority and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

2. Who makes the decision on the priority status of each project?

Answer:

Kilkenny County Council sets the priority ranking under the Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme (STVGP).

Uisce Éireann incorporates these rankings into national planning based on available funding.

3. If KCC provided the business plan to Irish Water, can I have a copy of each of the first five projects listed?

Answer: Inistioge was No. 4 on the priority list in 2021, and was re-prioritised to No. 5 in 2023 4. The Inistioge plant was second on the priority list but now it’s downgraded to fourth position. Why? Answer: Inistioge was ranked 4th in 2021, not 2nd. It was reprioritised to 5th by Kilkenny County Council in 2023. This re-prioritisation was made by the Council, not Uisce Éireann.

5. A planning application was approved years ago for an upgrade of the Inistioge plant.

Can you provide a copy of the decision and explain why it didn’t progress?

Answer: No historic planning records were provided. Uisce Éireann outlined the current situation: • Inistioge is served by a septic tank system discharging to the Nore estuary.

• A capacity study found no evidence of environmental harm.

• The plant is nearing design capacity but is maintained through desludging and ongoing operations.

6. Is Irish Water aware of a substantial raw sewage outflow near a bathing area?

Answer: Uisce Éireann states the system provides primary treatment, not raw sewage discharge.

• No evidence of harm was found.

• There are no designated bathing waters in Inistioge.

• Ongoing desludging and maintenance continue.

wastewater operations team.

8. What is the status of the €5.2 million allocated for Bennettsbridge?

Answer: The project is at Stage 2 – Preliminary Business Case, involving detailed analysis, solution-option shortlisting, and cost estimation under the STVGP. 9. Is the Rower village water and wastewater system listed for upgrades?

Answer: No. Rower has no existing public wastewater infrastructure, and developing such systems is a matter for the local authority and the Department of Housing, not Uisce Éireann.

10. Are vacant and derelict properties considered when assessing infrastructure needs?

7. Who is responsible for the maintenance of the Inistioge plant?

Answer: Yes. Vacant and derelict properties are incorporated into future-demand and design-capacity assessments.

Answer: Uisce Éireann’s local

11. Is tourism and business activity, such as that around

Woodstock, considered in Inistioge capacity assessments?

Answer: Yes—assessments include: • Residential load • Commercial and institutional activity • Tourism-related demand • Licensed industrial discharges, plus an additional 10% design allowance for projected future growth.

12. What level of investment did Irish Water make in Kilkenny in the last five years?

Answer: Between 2014 and 2024, Uisce Éireann invested €77 million in Kilkenny’s water and wastewater infrastructure.

Deputy McGuinness concluded: “This information is essential for communities who have waited far too long for basic services that support homes, tourism, local businesses and public health.

I will continue working with Uisce Éireann and Kilkenny County Council to ensure progress is made, especially in Inistioge and Bennettsbridge, where upgrades are long overdue.

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Webdoctor.ie launches affordable health plans Irish consumers look set to benefit with the launch of new Everyday Healthcare plans, in a telehealth market first move by Ireland’s leading digital GP provider Webdoctor.ie.

The new plans will enable consumers to avail of virtual GP consultations, nurse line access, online treatments,

prescriptions, mental health resources and health education for less than €1 per day.

The service will appeal to consumers seeking quick access to deal with everyday healthcare issues, with same-day consultations guaranteed underpinned by the highest clinical standards and delivered in a

cost-efficient, accessible manner. The plans will also help to bridge the gap for the estimated one in five adults in Ireland who have no type of healthcare cover at alleither private medical insurance, GP or medical card.

Plans are available to individuals and families. The individual option is priced at

€210 a year, payable at €17.50 a month and family plans are €360 a year and payable at €30 a month. Each plan provides a set number of virtual GP consults (three for individuals and five for a family) and allows for further consultations at a discounted rate once the initial quota is used. Unlimited nurse line

access, prescriptions, mental health resources, health education and treatments are available with each plan.

Founded in 2014, Webdoctor.ie is Ireland’s leading digital GP provider, delivering accessible, safe, secure, confidential and affordable healthcare online to adults, children and families across

Ireland. To date, it has supported the healthcare needs of over four million patients, and on average it facilitates over 30,000 monthly consultations provided by more than 60 registered GPs. * https://publicpolicy.ie/ papers/healthcare-hierarchy-in-ireland/

69% rise in those jailed for breaking abuse orders

The number of people who have been jailed for breaching domestic abuse orders in Ireland, including barring and protection orders between 2020 and 2024 rose dramatically, new figures released to Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú show.

Figures released to the former barrister, now MEP, show that 99 people were imprisoned in 2020 for breaching a domestic abuse order. In 2024, 167 people were imprisoned for breaching a domestic violence order, an increase of 69%.

This follows the publication of a UN report last week which shows that an average of 137 women and girls are killed every day by someone in their own family.

According to Ní Mhurchú: “Something in our society is fueling an unprecedented surge in violence against women — an epidemic unlike anything we’ve seen before.”

The former family lawyer described domestic violence as an epidemic that was going on behind closed doors, in kitchens and bedrooms, in front

of children, across homes in Ireland.

Ní Mhurchú praised the investment in new legal protections and resources for victims instituted under Minister Jim O’Callaghan but has called for a suite of new enhanced measures to build upon the progress that has been made in improving the services and facilities available to the victims of domestic violence.

She has called for the appointment of more specialised domestic violence judges in our district court system, a review of sentencing, at least one domestic violence refuge in every county in Ireland and reform of our district court system to make it more victim centred.

According to Ní Mhurchú: “We can reduce domestic violence through a multi-pronged approach that includes prevention, intervention, and support for survivors. This involves providing resources, ensuring adequate legal protections but also having a national conversation about what is driving the rise in cases of violence against women.”

Carlow man (21) dies in 'accidental' shooting A Garda investigation is under way after a young man died after an accidental shooting during a hunting trip in Co. Carlow.

The victim, 21, was understood to have been hunting for foxes near Leighlinbridge, on Tuesday evening, December 2. with another man when he suffered a gunshot wound.

He was later pronounced dead.

Gardai were continuing their technical examination of the remote area. Officers are also understood to have interviewed another man who was with him at the time of the incident.

It is understood the victim

lived just a few miles from where the incident took place.

One source said: “This is a very tragic incident and is being treated as an accidental shooting. Sadly a young man suffered a serious injury and later lost his life. Gardai are providing support to his family.”

Gardai confirmed an investigation was underway.

Local Fine Gael Councillor Michael Doran offered his condolences to the young man’s family. “We are all very saddened to hear that a young man has lost his life and our thoughts are the families.

“It’s awful to think that something like this has happened in the run up to Christmas."

E-scooters see rise in brain injuries A sharp rise in e-scooter accidents in children, causing traumatic brain injury and intensive-care admissions, is now at "alarming” levels, paediatricians have warned.

Even though it is illegal for under-16s to use e-scooters on public roads, accidents involving these vehicles are a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries in children admitted to the national paediatric neurosurgical centre at Temple Street hospital, Dublin

Dr Irwin Gill, consultant in neurodisability in Temple Street, said: "We are seeing an unprecedented rise in brain injuries caused by e-scooters. If we don't act now, this trend will continue with devastating results for children and their families across Ireland.”

The rise in these kinds of injuries has led the faculty of paediatrics in the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland to publish a strongly worded position paper

today, calling for awareness campaigns, law enforcement and stricter regulations.

"We're urging parents not to buy e-scooters for their children this Christmas,” Dr Judith Meehan, Dean of the Faculty, said.

Many injured children required brain surgery and intensive care, and spent an average of 19 days in hospital, similar to children hit by cars.

Between June 2023 and May last year, one child was

admitted to Temple Street with a traumatic brain injury from an e-scooter fall. But since May last year, the number is more than 25.

One-third of children needing treatment at the national neurological unit had accidents in Dublin.

Figures revealed a four-fold increase in the number of children presenting across all of Dublin's children's hospitals since 2021, with 400 expected at the end of this year.

Call for pancreatic cancer rapid clinic With pancreatic cancer projected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death by 2030, the founders of Pancreatic Cancer Ireland – supported by several of the nation’s leading cancer specialists – are calling for urgent and co-ordinated action to address this growing crisis.

Pancreatic cancer claims the lives of 500 of every 600 people diagnosed in Ireland each year.

The Chair of Pancreatic Cancer Ireland is calling on the Government to introduce at least one rapid diagnostic pancreatic cancer clinic, where

patients can be seen and investigated within two weeks of referral.

“There is a network of clinics for other cancers including breast, prostate and lung, and thankfully this has played a transformative role in advancing early diagnosis and improving patient outcomes,” said Rachel Duquesnois, cofounder and Chair of Pancreatic Cancer Ireland.

“Pancreatic cancer patients are being left behind and as a country, we are failing them.

We cannot sit back and do nothing when five in every six people diagnosed with pan-

creatic cancer in Ireland each year are dying.

"The national cancer strategy (2017-2026) has outlined the need for rapid referral pathways and rapid diagnostic clinics.

"Recommendation 8 of this strategy needs to be enacted immediately, to facilitate rapid access to the specialist and immediate care that the majority of pancreatic cancer patients need,” she said.

Professor Aisling Barry, Radiation Oncologist and Chair of Radiation Oncology, UCC said: “Right now, symptomatic patients can be waiting

for inordinately long periods without access to specialist care, including endoscopy.

Timelines, screening, diagnostics, and even treatment lack standardisation, creating unacceptable inequalities among cancer patients across Ireland.

If we fail to act decisively against pancreatic cancer now, despite having the means to do so, survival rates will continue to fall, and even more lives will be lost to this horrible disease each year.”

While outcomes for most cancers were improving, this was not the case for pancreatic cancer.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5th December 2025

Opinion

As I See It Marianne Heron

Time to rein in the deer population We are being told to eat less red meat for environmental reasons. But there is an alternative, with a forest-to-fork appeal, which we could eat more of with a clear conscience.

Venison, once a staple in Irish diet, is making a comeback. “Definitely, in the last two years, demand has gone from zero to a hundred percent,” confirms Keith Grant, Master Butcher, who supplies venison nationwide from his shop in Roundwood, Co. Wicklow.

People ask for venison for two main reasons explains Keith: “For health, it’s good lean meat and for ethical reasons, they may not approve of traditional farming methods.” Deer, until they are hunted and shot, live wild.

The most popular cuts Keith says, are steaks from the haunch, diced meat from the shoulder and his own venison sausages.

Most venison available today is wild rather than farmed. Hunters should be licensed, use appropriate guns, be qualified in aspects of butchery and able to ascertain the health of the animal they have shot. They also need permission to shoot on private land or forestry owned by Coillte, while butchers selling venison also have to be licensed.

There is another reason to give this wild meat a try. Increasing the venison market can be helpful as part of successful deer management.

There are no figures for the actual deer population in Ireland which has expanded exponentially and is out of control in some parts of the country, causing problems for farmers by poaching pasture and crops, damaging deciduous plantations and posing a risk to motorists.

Sustainable populations are important for healthy deer populations too. The

type of breed varies in different parts of the country with Sika, Red Deer, Fallow and a few Muntjac. All of these considerations require an effective deer management policy. But deer me,(sorry) so far efforts to rein in the deer population don’t seem to have worked.

The Irish Deer Society (IDS), founded to foster deer welfare and habitat, are concerned about the increase in deer numbers and that the current deer cull is not achieving a balance in the national herd in some areas.

Their view is that this situation has many causes including a lack of hunting during Covid, a lack of competency in deer management and reluctance to implement a proper management plan.

Another part of the problem according to Neil Forde of the IDS is that “forestry in parts of Wicklow and Kerry are substantially over-populated, and they require a very vigor-

ous cull of female Sika. Yet, there is too much anecdotal evidence of leasees only shooting male deer on Coillte land”, The update of the Deer Management Strategy Group

“It could make an alternative to turkey at Christmas...

report published this year by the Department of Agriculture suggests wide-ranging measures, including hunter training and expanding the venison market. Chief among recommendations are local deer management teams in hot spots, reviewing the open season, (currently August to end April for male deer and November through March for females) and looking at the possibility of a deer management agency.

An obvious question to ask is whether some form of birth control for deer might reduce numbers but apparently this has been tried in Britain and wasn’t viable.

More shooting of deer isn’t the answer either, as it causes the animals to scatter.

Meanwhile, there is a contradiction between the amount of deer and the supply of venison. There are plenty of deer about just outside my gate, yet it is difficult to find any local butchers

who stock venison, although it can be a competitive source of protein. It should be considerably cheaper per kilo than lamb and less that beef but isn’t always so.

It could be that butchers worry that venison might not sell. I hear that venison is more popular with urban customers than rural ones.

Maybe country people remember venison the way it used to be, when meat from mature stags could be tough and strong flavoured, whereas now it’s likely to come from younger animals.

I am a venison fan and think it could make an alternative to turkey at Christmas, given the threat posed to traditional birds by the avian flu epidemic. I got some venison from a legitimate source (as you do). After marinading in wine and slow cooking with root vegetables ,the meat was delicious and melt in the mouth tender.

Yum!

Natural remedies for children CLAIR WHITTY This is the time of year when the kids are sent home from school or creche with coughs, colds, stuffy nose, or sore throats. Ear issues can be a problem this time of the year too, with itchy or blocked ears causing discomfort. Take a look at some of the Otosan Fortuss remedies that can help.

For the relief of coughs, you can choose Otosan Fortuss Cough Syrup. It contains Manuka Honey, renowned for its anti-microbial properties. It creates a protective layer that adheres to irritated mucosa giving fast relief. It works well for a dry or productive cough.

It’s suitable for children from one year of age. It tastes great and is one of my go-to cough syrups that I use myself.

A sore throat can be very distressing. Otosan Throat Gel Forte sachets are amazing. They can help relieve sore throat, burning or painful swallowing, as well as dryness and hoarseness. They are very easy to use and are suitable for children from one year of age

and are a lovely lemon flavour.

They are gluten free too.

A stuffy nose can keep you and your child awake at night.

Take a look at Otosan Nasal Spray Baby. It is a gentle formula to relieve a blocked nose

and it's suitable for babies and young children. It's a natural decongestant, helping to relieve symptoms of rhinitis, sinusitis, excess mucus and/ or dryness of the nasal passageways. It's a hypertonic sea water solution that contains natural ingredients including organic Orange Essential Oil, Aloe Vera Gel, and Copper Gluconate. It’s soothing, hydrating, and cleansing.

For itchy, dry, or sore ears that are causing your kids discomfort, take a look at Otosan Natural Ear Drops. They have soothing, cleansing and protective properties, which promote the removal of excessive earwax and earwax plugs.

They are easy to use, apply 4-5 drops to each ear.

Or you might prefer to use their Otosan Ear Spray, which contains organic plant extracts for removing earwax. The spray is gentle but effective. It eliminates wax from the ear canal and if used regularly it can help prevent wax formation. This is another favourite product of mine. It is suitable from 3 years of age, perfect for the younger child.

These are just some of the natural remedies that can soothe childhood seasonal health issues.

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

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News

Death of Martha Nolan: ‘There are more questions than answers’ It is four months since the body of Carlow native Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra was discovered on a boat moored at the salubrious Montauk Yacht club in New York State.

Authorities found a white powdery substance near the body of the business entrepreneur and no signs of violence. Police did their own autopsy and toxicology tests on the 33-year-old but three months on the results have not been made public.

However, NolanO’Slatarra’s family had a separate autopsy done. The findings showed “there was no indication of drugs in her system that would have killed her,” a NolanO’Slatarra family source told the Daily Mail. “There were only trace amounts of cocaine. And it could have been in her system for days,” the source said.

“There are definitely more questions than answers,” said Arthur Aidala, NolanO’Slatarra’s family attorney.

“The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office are doing a lot of digital forensics. So her phone, her laptop, they were able to break into all of those things and recreate her life those last couple of days.”

Nolan-O’Slattara’s family says on the night she died, she arranged to meet investor Christopher Durnan to discuss his possible investment in her company East x East. The family source acknowledged the pair had originally planned to meet in the afternoon in a public setting, but Durnan allegedly texted Nolan-O’Slattara later, asking her to come instead to his yacht around 7.30 p.m.

“It seems like it was intended to be a romantic interlude,” the family source said.

When the pair were meeting, Durnan was driving the yacht before they set out to watch the Montauk sunset. A second family source believes the two were drinking a lot of champagne.

Hours later, Nolan-O’Slattara was found dead on the boat.

“No one is positive right now about the hour gap,” said Aidala. “I believe Mr Durnan would be disputing what scene would suggest about that hour. As far as we know, he was the only one there.”

Durnan’s attorney, Robert Holman, said his client was seen running down the dock naked, throwing sunscreen at a neighbouring boat and screaming for help.

Holman claimed Dornan had stripped because his clothes were soaked in

Nolan-O’Slattara’s vomit.

He added the pair had been sitting on the yacht when Nolan suddenly went limp. Holman said Durnan attempted CPR on NolanO’Slattara, but she was already unresponsive.

Another source close to Nolan-O’Slattara’s family said Martha never spoke of any relationship with Durnan and that the family had never met him.

The family have yet to hear directly from the man who was with Ms Nolan on the night she died. However, recently, in an interview with New York Magazine, attorney Robert Holdman offered his client’s account of what happened.

According to the publication, Ms Nolan arrived at the Montauk Yacht Club, a resort on Star Island with a private beach on Lake Montauk, at around 7.30pm on August 4.

After cruising around in the Hell in a Bucket yacht, the pair had switched to Durnan’s other boat, Ripple, moored in Slip 311 at the marina adjacent to the hotel, by 9.30pm.

For the next hour or so, Ms Nolan and Durnan sat on the deck of Ripple, discussing business, according to Holdman.

Suffolk County police, which declined to release their reports from the Montauk Yacht Club on that date, are investigating what happened next.

Ms Nolan had told her boyfriend, Nick DiRubio, who was out of town, that she planned to take an Uber home by 1am.

Media reports suggest that around midnight, an unclothed Durnan raised the alarm in the quiet marina.

“We heard someone shouting, stuff bouncing off the side of the boat. He threw sunscreen at our boat trying to wake us up,” a witness told the New York Post at the time.

“He was running up and

down, naked, screaming, ‘Do something!’.”

According to Holdman, Durnan told the police that at around 10.30pm or 11pm, Ms Nolan suddenly went limp, and he thought she was having a heart attack.

He tried to perform CPR. “She was gone almost immediately. She was nonresponsive,” Holdman told New York Magazine.

A bystander called 911.

That call was received at around midnight, according to a Suffolk County Police Department spokesperson.

In relation to Durnan’s nudity, Holdman offered an explanation from his client.

Durnan had to strip his clothes off, Holdman said,

because they were “soaked” with Ms Nolan’s vomit.

“Chris is distraught,” the lawyer told the magazine, adding that Durnan has cooperated with police. “He watched his friend die in trauma. He’s absolutely destroyed.”

Last week, in responses to queries, Suffolk County Police Department said there was “no update” on the case but that the “investigation is continuing”.

Meanwhile, Holman said he would not be addressing the comments in New York Magazine, made by him, about what happened on the boat. “Chris is still mourning the loss of his friend and I ask that you respect that,”

Their first Christmas without Martha In her home county of Carlow, the late Martha Nolan is remembered as a much loved daughter, sister, niece and friend. Far away from the glamour of the Hamptons, her life was one focussed on family and friends.

She had a close-knit circle of four or five female friends and shared a close relationship with her mother. Her beloved grandmother, Betty, with whom she shared an especially close bond, died last month.

“Those who really know Martha felt that [she was] maybe moving away from that world [life in the US], that she may have been hoping someone would come in and buy the brand eventually,” a source close to the family said.

The family have placed their faith in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office and are hoping there will be a development in the case soon.

she said.

While the story continues to make headlines in the US, Ms Nolan’s family are patiently waiting the final post-mortem results.

“They await the result of the toxicology and hearing some actual facts about what happened, not rumour and speculation,” a source said.

The family commissioned a second post-mortem in the US when they arrived to repatriate Ms Nolan’s body home to Ireland. The results of that examination are also not yet known.

In the days after her death, Ms Nolan’s family engaged high-profile criminal defence attorney Arthur Aidala to push for answers in relation to the police investigation into what led to her passing.

Attorney Aidala’s client list includes Harvey Weinstein and former Trump White House chief strategist Steve Bannon.

Among the many questions the family still have is why a detective who spoke to Ms Nolan’s mother Elma in the days after her death, asked her about claims that her daughter had brain cancer.

It is not known who provided the information to the authorities.

Ms Nolan’s mother, who was in contact with her daughter on an almost-daily basis, was stunned and told detectives her daughter was “perfectly healthy”.

“She told them there was nothing of the sort,” a source said.

Aidala said the family was “desperate for answers” about what happened on the boat.

He said they want “more details”, adding: “The circumstances surrounding this are far from typical.

“They would like to know anyone who was with Martha that evening. Earlier that evening, at the time of the actual incident, we know one person who was there.

Was anyone else around?”

Aidala said investigations would leave “no stone would be left unturned” and that: “There are more questions than answers.

“But we are very pleased with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office. They are very focused on this. The family is devastated. They are a wonderful family.

“It’s coming up to Christmas, a time when Martha would have been going home to family. They are devastated about this and not having any answers is very frustrating and upsetting.”

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Climate Change

– are we all playing our part?

WEEK 146

"Some of us spend our nights wondering about the future"

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The Kilkenny Observer Newspaper is delighted to present our ‘2025 Christmas short story series’. We invited five Kilkenny based writers to submit a short story or poems each week, which we hope you will enjoy. This is the Observers fifth year promoting creative writing in the community. Week three sees the work of four poets with their memories of Christmas.

Welcome to : Kevin Dowling, Nancy Geoghan, Jane Meally and Willie Joe Meally....

A Christmas Wish

Christmas Time in the Fifties

Christmas Gift

BY KEVIN DOWLING

BY WILLIE JOE MEALLY

BY JANE MEALY

You came a long way, a lonely star to guide you, finding no welcome and all the rooms taken with noisy visitors down for the census, until a kindly stranger offered you his barn, apologising shyly that you’d have to share, with his cow and fresh born calf and some lambs, who’d lost their mother this past winter.

As you smiled, grateful for rest, were you lonely, far from your own while you waited your time, not knowing what the future held?

I hope you found peace there at least.

Looking out this stormy night, I light my candle to bless your journey home.

There’s a heavy fall coming there will be no getting out, have everything in surely four to five feet.

We thank Peggy for bringing us the forecast.

We wrapped it carefully in shiny Christmas paper carried it carefully from our house across the field to your house,

Kevin Dowling lives and works in County Kilkenny. He is a member of Clogh writing group in North Kilkenny and has been writing poems and stories for a few years. Poems published in The Kilkenny Anthology, Kilkenny Poetry Broadsheet, Stony Thursday Book, Where I Am, Riposte. Poems also included in Kilkenny poetry phone line.

Mother, will Santy arrive at all?

Sure he won’t know the roof from the yard.

-Santy always comes.

Christmas memories

BY NANCY GEOGHAN

Christ save all here Happy memories Re living 50 years In disbelief Sudden death Troubled hearts Many tears Another lonely day Surviving sorrow Nancy Geoghan was born and raised on the Chatsworth Road in Castlecomer. A lot of her writing is memory based and her prose and poetry have appeared in a number of publications including her work with the Clogh writers group.

My mother writes a list: Stone of flour and whole wholemeal sugar, tea, salt and pepper raisins, currants, sago, custard, rice, jelly bull’s eyes, liquorice Cadbury’s Fruit and Nut side of bacon, rashers, sausages and puddings ten pigs’ feet, four pigs’ heads a bottle of Sandeman four packets of biscuits, Marietta and Custard Creams candles, paraffin oil, matches Guess the rest.

When do we leave out the Christmas cake the whiskey and the carrot?

-Go off and gather a few sprigs for me then we’ll dance a batch of culm.

She brings the shovels inside Icicles hang from the thatch, sparrows pick crumbs under the whitethorn.

She draws two buckets of water from the well tosses flour into an earthenware bowl bread soda, salt and buttermilk mixing the dough with both hands, kneads it on the bread board, places it in the bakepot over a coal fire.

Sweeping the flag floor with a besom she wonders, How long will it last this time?

We were tired looking at that snowman last year.

We arrive back carrying bundles of sprigs and sticks Are there currants in that mother?

-It’s a plain one, a mhac.

Sammy says there’s only a sprinkle on the way.

She looks out the frost covered window, smiling, -Sammy is always right.

Willie-Joe Meally, from Moneenroe, Co. Kilkenny. A coalminer’s son, from an early age he was steeped in coalmining history and lore, hearing tales from the fireside and crossroads around Moneenroe and surrounding areas. A member of Clogh Writers, Willie-Joe writes poems, remembering times past and observing our present times. His poems reflect the natural world of times

gathered round you handed it to you, smiling, shaking, waiting.

You slowly unwrapped the paper, ‘What is it at all?

A crib?’

Like an angel you placed it in your window, for you for us for all the rest of our lives.* *after Seamus Heaney “When all the others were away at Mass” Jane Meally, from Crutt, Co. Kilkenny, is a founder member of Clogh Writers (1995). Jane likes to read and write poetry and her work has appeared in local publications and anthologies.

First published in Where I Am, Poems Stories and Memories.

Clogh Writers 2023

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Opinion

Furthermore Gerry Moran

The people’s trial of Denis Joseph Carey You f****d up DJ. F****d up real bad. You lied to people. Stole their money. Abused their trust.

Exploited their generosity. Their humanity. And their vulnerability.

You’ve been labelled as evil. I don’t think you’re evil, DJ Carey – I think you’re a flawed human being like most of us but, unlike most of us, you have fallen from a great height and angered a lot of people who feel betrayed.

I am not angered. Profoundly disappointed yes, but then I have not given you money but I am familiar with cancer. My sister died of cancer at the age of 45. Five weeks ago I stood at the grave of a good friend who succumbed to cancer and I, myself, have had a run in with it (all clear now).

DJ, I have sympathy for you. But I’m in the minority. We may no longer be a nation of Catholics but I did think we held on to our Christianity. Forgive and forget?

We will never forget but it seems to me that we will never forgive either.

Talk about kicking a man when he’s

down – they’re not kicking you, DJ, they’re trampling all over you.

I have sympathy for you DJ, because I too am human and flawed – like many, if not most, people on this planet. Maybe I take a little comfort from that line in the Bible: “The just man falls seven times but will rise up again.” I do hope you’ll rise up again, DJ and I hope that in this ‘the dark night of your soul’ you’ll find the strength to get you

through your prison sentence. I am also hoping that, regardless of the taunting, sneering and abuse you’ll be subject to – someone will befriend you, show you the ropes, and make the loneliness of your prison days a little more tolerable. I mention this as I’ve just read Boris Becker’s book Inside, about his time in a UK prison. Boris (whose fall from grace is not dissimilar to yours) was a target because of his

fame – six Grand Slam titles and the youngest to win the men’s Wimbledon title, aged 17. However, one hardened criminal, took him under his wing, and made prison life somewhat more bearable for him.

And then there’s the Righteous, DJ, who never f****d up in their entire lives. All above and beyond reproach. No skeletons in their closets, not even an off-colour mothball. Like a jury who’s only heard the prosecution’s side they have a tendency to rush to judgement and condemn without hearing the entire defence. It saddens me how they can crush you with their righteousness and moral indignation. They would hang, draw and quarter you if they could. Not my favourite people, DJ. And hardly yours.

Not for me the high moral ground I stumble, I fall, I falter But my heart, I believe, is ‘sound’

Lord, how I hate the righteous The proud, the proper, the prim The upright, the uptight, the uppish Who frown on our flaws, our sin

And as for the good and the righteous The wholesome, holier-than-thee Lord, give them their well-earned halos Just keep them – far away from me

Lord, I’m just your average fellow

Lord, I really don’t hate the righteous They just make me nervous, that’s all Their judgemental eyes, their virtuous airs Make me feel about one foot tall Lord, I truly hate hating the righteous I’m bad enough as I am Without being caustic and callous Towards the wholesome woman and man On reflection, I DO hate the righteous So cometh the Judgement Day Lord, slot me in with the sinners I’ll feel more at home down their way

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Debut novel

Pictured at Khans bookshop Kilkenny: Lisa Heffernan with her debut novel Finding Ruby with Mandy Power

Mandy Power from Khans bookshop with Lisa Heffernan (author) and Thomas Heffernan

Local teacher and writer Lisa Heffernan has recently released her debut novel Finding Ruby. This funny yet heart warming story of rediscovery and new beginnings proves it is never too late to chase your dreams. Lisa has been writing for years and fondly remembers her time in Kilkenny Young Writers Group. Her love of writing led to a degree in English before following her other great passion for teaching.

Lisa publishes debut novel Finding Ruby Finding Ruby tells the story of Ruby Jacobs, who has discovered that happily ever after comes with no guarantee. Her prince and white picket fence have never materialised and so she decides to take matters into her own hands. Ruby creates a foolproof list of things to do to reclaim herself, her figure, her husband and her happy ending. Yet nothing ever quite goes to plan and instead often ends with

chaotic and hilarious results.

As Ruby fights to save everything that is important to her, she might just find herself along the way.

Synopsis Ruby Jacobs is 35, has found and married her prince but is still looking for her happily ever after. Eight years of marriage has resulted in three children and a stomach that is sinking so far south she could use it as a blanket. The beautiful house

Local teacher and writer Lisa Heffernan has recently released her debut novel Finding Ruby

with the white picket fence has never materialised and John seems more distant than ever.

A school reunion with glamorous Maura, successful Susan and flawless Claire makes Ruby re-evaluate her life. So is born ‘Ruby’s list’. A foolproof list of all things that she must do to reclaim herself, her figure, her husband and her happy ending. But is it too late? Can Ruby Jacobs really re-write her story or

is she about to start a whole new one?

Lisa is a teacher at St John's National School and daughter of Dympna and Seán Heffernan. Ms Heffernan told The Kilkenny Observer that the text for Finding Ruby has been lying in a drawer for quite some time, and really it was the encouragement from family and friends that ensured the book saw the light of day. She thanked her mother Dympna for

instilling a belief in her when she doubted herself.

Speaking of her father Seán, Lisa remarked “Dad raised me to love deeply and to always reach for the stars.”

Lisa credits her dad Seán as being the best storyteller she ever knew. And when it came to motivation for writing the book, Lisa credits daughters Emma and Sarah.

Finding Ruby is currently available on Amazon and in Khans bookshop

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Opinion

Choices Shape Your Future

By Judith Ashton

What fuel are you putting in your body this winter?

You are what you eat. If you eat junk food, you construct your cells with rubbish. No wonder there is so much chronic illness globally, followed by medical prescriptions to try to heal the symptoms. It’s an unending, tragic revolving door of cause and effect which doesn’t deal with root causes until it’s damage limitation or sadly too late for some.

Ref: Recent report on dangers of ultra-processed food in The Lancet by Dr. Philip Baker & Prof. Carlos Monteiro. As far as I’m concerned this is old news, but cynically yet again let’s ‘Follow the money!’

Ultra processed food isn’t only big business… it’s MASSIVE, pushed by global corporations for HUGE profits by advertising + marketing.

It’s cheap, highly processed and mostly non-nutritious and societies everywhere have literally swallowed it whole.

It’s all part of the

disconnect… people are so far removed from their food sources and have bought into fast, cheap, processed convenient food as the way forward and subtle, insidious marketing messages tell us, “fast food is cool”, “ saves time” and all the actors look happy. Most ads are food ads and many people don’t know what real food looks like. Packaging is designed to be enticing, eye catching and mouth watering.

Marketing is everything….

More myths, more profits, more “Happy meals!”

Plastic, landfill, pollution and what’s more it’s slowly killing us! Packet, tub or a tin…. It’s somewhat processed.

Once again, a few enlightened scientists are jumping up and down and shouting from the rooftops just how bad this stuff is after years of pushing it. Even the food pyramid used to push stuff that they now tell us is bad for us. What? Yes! True!

Ultra processed food is literally killing people. Food is categorised into 4 types: 1) Unprocessed or minimally so : fruit/veg/ meat eggs etc.

2)Processed: Oils/ sugar/ salt/butter etc 3) Processed : cured/ cooked meats/cheese/ bread/ salted nuts etc 4) Ultra processed: Supermarket breads/ready meals/fizzy drinks/ crisps etc.

Ultra processed is defined as having at least 5 ingredients you don’t have in your cupboards: dyes, emulsifiers, preservatives, additives, sweeteners. Notwithstanding all the long chemical words and E numbers.

All the stuff people are addicted to: sausages, crisps, pastries, ice cream, sweets etc is full of ingredients not meant for the human body. If you were a zoo keeper, would you give it to an animal?

Definitely not! There’s you answer… Why eat it yourself?

Foods that are made in huge factories are on the rise… full of cheap ingredients, sugars,

unhealthy fats with little or no fibre or protein and are a great health risk. No wonder so much type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, depression, early deaths and cancers.

“Small shifts today create powerful changes for tomorrow

I’m amazed that often schools or hospitals still have such poor-quality food on their menus. It’s equally shocking that places like swimming pools and hospitals have vending machines that are full of total junk and fizzy drinks. None of which promote health despite being in a hospital or sports facility. Ironic eh!?

Jamie Oliver, celebrity chef and advocate of healthy school meals was criticized by parents years ago, when they did not like being dictated to! Personally, I cringe when I see very young children being given junk food as a treat. A pre-schooler in a buggy chomping a bag of crisps is a depressing sight as it so bad for their health and development. Much of this stuff is full of tastes that are designed to be addictive to the palate and kids start to crave it and reject what is really nutritious. Fresh fruit and vegetables are not options they are essential

ingredients for growing and renewing healthy cells.

If you have a chronic health condition, the first thing to improve could be your diet.

Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine said, “Let food be your medicine and let medicine be your food.”

There has been so much written about the benefits of good nutrition, Why it has taken governments so long to embrace this basic truth? We need to think for ourselves and make healthy choices.

You choose what you put in your body and stay as close to natural as possible.

A healthy diet is a choice and starts at the shopping trolley. What do you choose to take home or leave behind?

Christmas is coming, so think very carefully about so called “treats” for kids. The confectionary shelves are very enticing but they are not healthy. Buyer beware. www.judithashton.com www.beprepared.ie.

Following sold out runs in Cork and Waterford Red 'n Blue Theatre Company present TABOO A dark comedy by award winning Kilkenny writer, John Morton Watergate Theatre | 11th & 12th Dec at 8pm “What’s the worst first date you’ve ever had?”

There was a boy and a girl and somehow, they met. Lily doesn’t get out much. Tom finds it hard to meet new people. And now they’re having their first date. Lily cooks a three-course meal. Tom brings flowers and wine. On the surface, everything seems fine. But in the modern world, dating is a surprisingly complex thing with a lot of unwritten rules. There are certain things you shouldn’t do on a first date.

And then there are certain things you shouldn’t do at all.

In a society where more and more of our interactions take place online (including dating), Taboo looks at two people trying to connect in the real word. The play is about the difficulty in expressing your true self, social exclusion, compassion, acceptance, and forgiveness.

Taboo is a dark comedy that allows us to get better acquainted with the skeletons in our cupboards.

John Arnold reviewer for The Echo Newspaper had this to say about ‘Taboo’ - “Red ’n Blue Theatre Company have taken this two-hander and turned it into a wonderful piece of comic yet tragic, hilarious yet poignant, dramatic tour de force”.

TABOO was nominated for Best Play of the

Year 2024, Best Director, Best Actress and won Best Supporting Actor (Dylan Kennedy).

Devised by: Lisa Fox and John Morton Witten by: John Morton Director: Dylan Kennedy and Shane Dempsey Cast: Jenny Fennessy -Lily Dylan Kennedy Tom ‘Hilarious’ – The Echo ‘Outstanding’ – Waterford News and Star ‘Brilliantly Acted’ – Munster Express Tickets from €15 can be booked online at watergatetheatre.com or through the box office on 056 7761674, Wednesday – Saturday from 2 – 6pm.

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Health & Beauty Drazen Zigic

Kilkenny - let’s keep the flu out!

Help local teen get lifechanging surgery HEALTH Kilkenny teenager Maria Hogan (17) is facing a rare and extremely painful vascular Maria Hogan condition that restricts blood flow to her major organs. It has left her constantly sick and weak, unable to enjoy the full and active life she once loved.

Yet Maria remains remarkably determined and positive.

She loves school, is a loyal and fun friend and sister, and previously played camogie, Gaelic football and tennis - all of which she hopes to return to one day.

Maria urgently needs special-

ist surgery abroad to protect her heart, kidneys and digestive system - a procedure not available in Ireland. The cost is high, with €120,000 required.

A GoFundMe campaign has already raised almost half the amount thanks to generous community support - but Maria’s family still needs help to give her the chance to recover her health and return to the sports, activities and friends that mean so much to her.

To donate or learn more, search “Help Maria Hogan fund her AVCs Surgery” on GoFundMe.

Every move counts FITNESS HEALTH With flu cases doubling in a single week, Kilkenny residents are being encouraged to take action now and protect their winter wellbeing.

Hospitals across the country — including locally — are already seeing a sharp rise in people needing treatment for influenza, and experts warn the season has arrived earlier than expected.

“It’s vital that people look after themselves and those they love,” says Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer with the HSE. “Flu can be especially tough on older people, those with long-term health issues, pregnant women and anyone

with a weakened immune system. The best protection is the flu vaccine = and the best time to get it is today.”

The strain sweeping the country right now - AH3N2 - is known to cause more severe illness, particularly among older and vulnerable groups. In just one week, hospitalised flu cases jumped from 213 to 418, and the HSE expects further pressure on emergency departments in the coming weeks.

Healthcare workers are also being strongly encouraged to roll up their sleeves. “They’re on the frontline,” Dr Henry notes. “By getting vaccinated, they’re protecting not only themselves, but also their pa-

tients and loved ones.”

The flu vaccine takes two weeks to offer full protection - meaning now is the perfect time to get it before festive gatherings peak.

Who can get the flu vaccine free of charge?

• Adults aged 60+ • People with underlying medical conditions • Healthcare workers, including students • Pregnant women (any stage) • Children aged 2–17 (nasal spray - no needles!)

• Carers and household contacts of high-risk individuals • Residents of nursing homes and long-stay facilities

• People working closely with birds or pigs Vaccines are available right now in participating GPs and pharmacies - and are also free to healthcare workers in their workplaces.

The HSE and Department of Health’s new activity guidelines urge everyone to sit less and move more.

Just 2½ hours of moderate exercise across the week improves heart, bone and mental health according to the New National Physical Activity and

Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for Ireland Swap sitting time for any activity, add weekly musclestrengthening exercises and get the kids moving too - for the first time, there are guidelines for very young children.

Even small steps make a big difference. Every move counts. senivpetro

Simple steps to stop the spread: • Wash hands regularly • Cover coughs & sneezes • Stay home if you’re unwell - especially before visiting a healthcare setting Dr Eamonn O’Moore, HSE Director of National Health Protection, says these small habits make a big difference in breaking the chain of infection.

Kilkenny volunteers make the shortlist Mini manicure magic WELLBEING

They are the heart of our clubs, charities and community spaces - the people who quietly step forward when help is needed most. Now, their dedication is being recognised on the national stage, as Volunteer Ireland has revealed the shortlist for the 2025 Volunteer Ireland Awards.

The awards, run annually

by Volunteer Ireland - the national organisation that champions volunteering and promotes wellbeing across the country - celebrate the extraordinary impact volunteers make on the health, happiness and resilience of communities. From mental health advocates to community caregivers, the finalists embody the spirit of compassion and the collective wellbeing that sustains communities

nationwide.

Winners will be announced at a special ceremony tomorrow (Saturday). Kilkenny has once again proved itself a county rich in community spirit, with five nominations across a range of categories:

Children & Youth Joy and Edwin Harper - Community Connect - Ireland’s Baby Bank, Kilkenny Hub: At the heart of Kilkenny’s ‘Baby Bank’, Joy and Edwin support families struggling with the rising cost of living - providing essential items such as clothing, prams and nappies with dignity and warmth.

Health & Wellbeing Patrick Owens - The Thomas Hayes Trust (Teac Tom), Kilkenny: A passionate advocate for suicide prevention and accessible mental health

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volunteer-led hub, families and individuals at risk of social exclusion gained access to toiletries and everyday necessities that many of us take for granted.

support, Patrick’s tireless volunteering with Teac Tom continues to provide hope and a listening ear to those in crisis.

Volunteer Manager Eilis Cody - The Thomas Hayes Trust (Teac Tom), Kilkenny: Eilis leads with empathy, ensuring Teac Tom’s volunteers feel supported as they support others through some of life’s toughest moments.

Social Inclusion & Community Support The late Ann Little - Hygiene Hub Kilkenny: Ann Little, who sadly passed away in November, leaves behind a powerful legacy. She made sure no household in Kilkenny was left behind when it came to basic essentials. Through her

Small Group Volunteer Listeners - The Thomas Hayes Trust (Teac Tom), Kilkenny: This dedicated group offers confidential emotional support to those experiencing grief, stress and mental health challenges - a lifeline for so many across the region.

NAILS A manicure isn’t just about looking polished — it’s a small self-care ritual with real benefits. Regular manicures keep nails healthy, trimming away hangnails, buffing ridges and preventing breakage.

The massage during hand treatments boosts circulation, easing tension in fingers and wrists.

Choosing cuticle care over harsh trimming protects nail beds from infection, while hydrating creams or oils lock in moisture, keeping skin soft and nails strong.

Even a simple at-home manicure can be relaxing: soak, file, buff and

finish with a nourishing oil or clear polish. The ritual also gives your hands a moment of mindfulness — perfect for reducing stress in a busy day.

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Opinion Callan Post Office staff outing 1956.

William Molloy (post master), Nellie Noonan, Babs Donnelly, Mary Molloy, Ann Kennedy)

Part four

Carmel Kealy remembers…

BY JOHN FITZGERALD

Johnnie Roughan did odd jobs around the town and was fond of a jar. He was noted for his wit and always had a sharp cutting retort for anyone challenging his lifestyle. Even the Parish Priest came in for some well-aimed barbs. The PP felt that Johnnie had not taken his advice about temperance and he tried to corner his wayward parishioner whenever he got the chance to see if he could “put him off the drink”.

One evening, Johnnie stumbled out of a pub in Green Street and almost fell on top of the PP who was taking a stroll. “Drunk again Johnnie!” exclaimed the priest, as bemused locals stood on the pavement, waiting for the inevitable response, but wondering if, for once, their comical friend was lost for words.

As Johnnie straightened himself up, the PP looked around at the crowd gathering outside the pub, coughed delicately, and repeated, louder this time: “DRUNK AGAIN JOHNNIE!” Johnnie looked at the PP, winked, and shouted: “Be

God, so am I, Father!” Unhappy with this attitude, the PP again confronted Johnnie a week later. “Johnnie, drink is not the answer to life’s problems. Don’t you know, man, that Christ died to save you and me from the drink, among other vices? Don’t you know that he died on the

cross?”

“I missed it all”, replied Johnnie, “sure it was up by Newmarket Lane I came. Saw nothing.”

Paude Marnell kept a variety of exotic talking birds outside his front door. One evening, after he discovered that Callan’s pump had gone

dry, he filled a dozen jam jars full of holy water from the Church and the birds happily sipped it to quench their thirst.

Next morning, according to Paude, the budgies and canaries were singing “Faith of Our Fathers”, a hymn he had never taught them. The clergy,

though, refused to acknowledge the “miraculous” nature of this achievement.

“Skid Away” Carroll was another familiar face around Callan in the preWorld War One days.

Like many locals before and since, he met friends at the Cross-to hear, or pass on, the latest gossip. He did repair work on the handful of motorcars in the locality.

“Skid Away”, of Mill Lane, also made a decent enough living from the sale of firewood around the town and countryside. His old saw could be heard humming day and night as it sliced through ash, oak, poplar, or any other timber that came his way.

He liked commenting on people who walked past him at the Cross-, dissecting his or her alleged weak points or drawbacks and recommending, to no one in particular, the supposed remedies to “cure” them.

He was fond of threatening to convert to Protestantism whenever he wished to highlight unsavoury behaviour among his peers. This remark never cut much ice: He seldom went to Mass himself anyway, which somewhat blunted his warning.

When the troubles came to Callan, “Skid Away” opted for neutrality and Carmel joined Cumann na mBan. Eddie McMaster, the “Good Tan” lived at Skeaugh, outside Callan, during the Free State era. He was so-called owing to his brave behind the scenes co-operation with the IRA in Callan.

Though he was sent over to Ireland as a ruthless Black and Tan to suppress the freedom movement, he got

to like the Irish ways, and Callan pub life in particular, and decided to tip off the Flying Columns in the area about the movements of police and occupation forces.

Eddie’s pronounced English accent gave him an air of authority and gravitas as he deliberated on the political situation or batted the breeze in a pub.

Jack the Hearse was another memorable character.

Jack had more than a passing interest in the afterlife. A local man, he attended every funeral in the town regardless of who was being mourned.

He knew everybody.

He made himself conspicuous by sitting up beside the driver of the hearse, dressed in black, though he had no connection with the funeral service. The driver welcomed his company and valued Jack’s observations on the life and times of the dearly departed.

Carmel remembered an old gentleman whose attention was also fixated on the next world. He operated a mill at the end of Mill Street: She described him as “a grand old gentleman, tall and stately looking, with a long white beard.” In his spare time, he composed poetry. A son of his was a priest in Mount Mellory, while a second son, Dick, was an accomplished step dancer who played the violin.

Carmel held on to one of his poems. It went: When the miller leaves the mill And the dripping wheels are still When at night this humble heart prays fervently Lord when life’s short round is o’er And my heart shall beat no more Grant that with Thee I may rest eternally.

Carmel Kealy died peacefully at St. Columba’s hospital, Thomastown in May 2003. In addition to paying tribute to her family, who cared deeply for her, I want to finish this article by mentioning Marianne Kelly (nee Lyons), who was one of those dedicated people who looked after Carmel in her final months of earthly life. She tells me that the Callan woman- her friend- remained “strong and resolute” to the last; right up to the moment she passed to a better and happier world.

Marianne is well known for her involvement with the Kilkenny Heritage Walkers and the Gospel Choir. She’s delighted that Carmel left behind the treasure of her memories; a part of Callan’s heritage that will be valued and appreciated by future generations.

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Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow–Kilkenny, John McGuinness, welcomes announcement of Christmas bonus payments Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow–Kilkenny, John McGuinness, has warmly welcomed today’s announcement by Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary TD, confirming that the Christmas Bonus will be paid to approximately 1.5 million people nationwide this week.

Deputy McGuinness said the payments— worth a total of €370 million—will provide crucial support to those who need it most during what is an increasingly challenging time for many households.

“This is hugely important news for people who are really struggling,” Deputy McGuinness said. “Families, pensioners, carers, people with disabilities, and lone parents are under enormous financial pressure as we approach Christmas. This payment is a vital boost that will help ease some of that burden.”

Deputy McGuinness highlighted the significant local impact of the measure: · 28,900 people in Kilkenny will receive the Christmas Bonus · 19,600 people in Carlow will benefit from the payment “These figures show just how many households in Carlow and Kilkenny rely on this support.

It will make a real difference in putting food on the table, managing winter energy bills, and ensuring families can enjoy the Christmas period with a little less worry.”

He also echoed the Minister’s call for people to shop locally where

possible. “Supporting local businesses keeps money circulating in our towns and villages, protects local jobs, and strengthens our communities. At a time when small businesses continue to face pressures, shopping locally is more important than ever.”

Deputy McGuinness concluded by commending the Department of Social Protection for ensuring that payments will be made smoothly and on time. “People will receive their Christmas Bonus on the same day they receive their usual weekly payment, which provides certainty and security for planning ahead.”

McGuinness welcomes Zelensky to Irish Parliament

Leas -Cheann Comhairle Deputy John McGuinness was honoured to be part of the welcome given today to President Zelensky and The First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, who addressed the joint houses of the Oireachtas.

Leas -Cheann Comhairle

said: “The visit was essential to garner support from the EU at this critical time of peace negotiations” “As office holders of the upper and lower house of the Dáil and Seanad we had a private meeting with President Zelensky

prior to his address to the Oireachtas.”

In speaking in the Dáil President Zelensky made it clear “your voice matters”. He also thanked “Ireland for not losing faith in Ukraine.”

An historic visit to Ireland both to the Aras and Dáil today.

Kilkenny Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) officially launched Photo Credit: Vicky Comerford The Kilkenny Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) was officially launched with the first meeting held at the Council Chamber, County Hall, Kilkenny on Tuesday, 25th November 2025.

The new partnership will expand on the previous joint policing committee to include wider community, voluntary, and statutory involvement, all working together to improve safety across the county.

Kilkenny County Council will oversee the partnership and

report to the National Office for Community Safety within the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.

Kilkenny County Council has appointed Maria O’Shea as Local Community Safety Coordinator to support the LCSP. The partnership will begin the process of creating a threeyear Local Community Safety Plan for the county in early 2026.

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan said, “I am extremely pleased that the Kilkenny Local Community

Safety Partnership has been established, and its first meeting has taken place. This marks another significant step on the rollout of these partnerships nationwide and this government’s new approach to community safety. The next step for this Partnership is to develop and implement its own, tailored community safety plan. The National Office of Community Safety based in my department, will be on-hand to support the Partnership as it begins its important work.

Bringing together local representatives, community

groups and state agencies allows Kilkenny Local Community Safety Partnership to develop a plan that identifies community safety needs in their own area. My department has been successfully piloting this model for a number of years in three locations. I would encourage each new partnership to build on the excellent work done by these pilot partnerships who have each published their own community safety plan.

I’d like to thank everyone involved in Kilkenny LCSP for being part of this significant

new chapter in community safety. I look forward to following their progress.”

Councillor Pat Fitzpatrick was elected Chairperson, and Councillor David FitzGerald was elected Vice Chair at the meeting.

Cllr. Fitzpatrick said: "I am deeply honoured to be elected Chairperson of the Kilkenny Local Community Safety Partnership. I accept this role with optimism and a strong sense of responsibility to work together on community safety issues. Our goal is to design and implement projects in collaboration with

local communities, statutory services, and the voluntary sector to make Kilkenny safer and more inclusive.

I’m committed to listening, engaging, and ensuring every perspective is valued.

Together, we can build a community where safety is shared and partnership thrives and I look forward to the journey ahead.”

For further information on the Kilkenny Local Community Safety Partnership, please visit www.kilkennycoco.ie/LCSP or email communitysafety@ kilkennycoco.ie.

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Brother Dunne: a true follower of Edmund Rice

BY JOHN FITZGERALD

Past pupils of the old Callan CBS have said goodbye to a popular Christian Brother.

Brother Jim Dunne, formerly of Portarlington Co. Laois, who taught at the secondary school in Callan in the 1970s, died peacefully on November 4th at St. Patrick’s Care Centre, Baldoyle.

The Christian Brothers have been ravaged by the appalling actions of a minority within their Order, so it’s a change, and a relief, to hear of the good brothers…the ones who followed in the hallowed footsteps of Edmund Rice.

Such a man was Brother Dunne, who made a hugely positive impact on the educational scene in Callan.

He arrived at the Callan CBS in September 1975 to replace Brother Coen as Principal.

He ushered in a new era of enlightened teaching at the school. Instead of the leather strap, he advocated learning through kindness and patient instruction, displaying an almost superhuman patience in even the most testing scenarios.

He evinced his superb organizational ability and administrative talents from day one. At every staff meeting, he sailed through the agenda, however challenging, getting to the nub of each school-related issue with a laser-sharp discernment.

To lighten the educational load for pupils, he introduced table tennis to the school, a first for the CBS. In an online tribute, retired CBS Principal Frank McKenna, says, “There are any amount of anecdotes one could tell about Brother Dunne.”

He recalls that the brother’s organizational flair and success record were such that teachers joked: “if Dunne couldn’t do it, it couldn’t be done.”

Whether dealing with pupils or teachers, he brought out the best in them, and saw the good in everyone, believing it his Christian duty to follow the example of Edmund Rice in his own quest to broaden the reach and benefits of education.

I remember him as a teacher of French and Art, but also as the man who started a camera club in the school, which was a novelty at the time. He introduced scores of pupils to photography and they were soon using all kinds of cameras to capture their

Br Dunne with photographer Ignatius O Neill and community activist Sean Holden

favorite moments, scenes, and to explore the potential of picture making as an art form.

The budding photographers used the old woodwork shed for the informal sessions.

The camera club became the happiest part of the school experience for some lads, providing a welcome and even necessary break from the more demanding subjects that sapped their energies and taxed their brains as The Leaving loomed like Armageddon.

His love of classical music and art was untypical of the average teacher, at that time.

They tended to be more into Gaelic Games and felt that “an auld slap or two wouldn’t go astray.”

Br. Dunne saw corporal

punishment as undesirable in an educational setting. This was somewhat at variance with a prevalent view in teaching circles: the one that chimed with the title of a mid-1970s hit- song: Dropkick me Jesus through the goalposts of life.

While encouraging participation in sport, with the usual emphasis on Gaelic games, as all teachers did, he offered a more nuanced “take” on the role of athletics, pointing out that it mustn’t take undue precedence, and stressing the preeminent value of the spiritual in our lives.

He reminded classes that education wasn’t just about short-term academic success or grades in The Leaving,

useful though these were. It was a multi-faceted process that continued throughout life, and from his perspective, the faith that sustained him was at the core of living. It influenced and underpinned his approach to all aspects of life.

At a posting elsewhere in Ireland, he had a beautiful stained glass window with spiritual motifs installed in a school prayer-room. It remains as a testimony to his faith, and a resourceful depiction of the world beyond.

His teaching merit aside, Callan remembers- and honours- Br. Dunne for his role in the building of a new secondary school. After taking up his post at the

Br Dunne with Fr Jack Kennedy teacher Alan Garvey and CBS pupils at Westcourt

CBS, he wasted no time in advancing both the cause of Edmund Rice’s canonization and the need to replace the school building that greeted him upon his arrival in West Street.

It was a decaying patchwork of timber, galvanized and prefabricated structures.

In his estimation, it was no longer fit for purpose.

Teachers and pupils shared his concern. Some of them felt caught up in a Victorian time warp as they taught or studied within its archaic confines.

With a missionary zeal, Br. Dunne kick-started a fund-raising committee to set about making the long cherished dream of a new school for boys a reality.

At a public meeting in Callan in 1978, he informed the large gathering that a staggering IR£100,000 would need to be raised in the locality towards the building of a new secondary school.

Undaunted by this dizzying target, Br. Dunne used his heaven-sent charisma and mesmeric powers of persuasion to motivate his fellow teachers and a network of community groups.

Under his inspired direction, they took onboard every conceivable fundraising idea. Nothing was off the table when it came to reaching their financial target: Monthly draws,

concerts, whist drives, dances, discos, field days, fancy dress parades. Farmers even donated bullocks.

One fund-raiser, however, instantly captured the public imagination and has passed into local folklore: The onehundred-cycle race that had to be completed within a day.

Volunteers scoured the country for bikes. A team was formed and the first of the big cycling fund-raisers was organized in October 1979.

Nineteen cyclists set off from the CBS in West Street through wind and rain-swept streets and roads and across the toughest of terrain.

Thanks to Br. Dunne’s initiative, Christian Brothers nationwide lent their backing to the venture, some of them taking their own bikes to join the race.

Among the locals to participate were the late Christy Vaughan and Philly Tobin, and a legendary character, Jim Bergin, who loved cycling. Jim saw the race as an unparalleled expression of community spirit.

Another local hero, Sean Holden, also got involved.

As a longstanding member of the National Federation of CBS Past Pupils, Sean advised Br. Dunne on many a fundraising scheme. He also offered crucial advice on the intricacies of local attitudes and mindsets.

Marianne Lyons was the only woman on the first cycle race, but thankfully, other women later followed her example. Their pedal power was a wonder to behold in the 1980 race.

Between the cycle races and all the other fund-raisers, the school eventually left the proverbial drawing board.

Sadly, Br. Dunne was no longer at the CBS when the project he had pursued with unrelenting fidelity came to fruition. He had departed Callan in 1981 to take up a post in Liverpool.

Construction of the new CBS secondary school at Clashacollaire commenced in1982 and it finally opened its doors in 1984 to a fanfare of celebration and relief.

But Br. Dunne’s immeasurable contribution to education in Callan was on everyone’s mind when the ribbon was cut at the state-ofthe-art building.

The great Man of God has now returned home and his many friends and past pupils pay tribute to him.

They cherish the life and achievements of a good Christian Brother- an exemplary devotion to his faith…his inherent decency…his commitment to education, sport, and the use of art to enhance human existence.

Predeceased by his sisters Blanche and Pat, brothersin-law Paddy and Reg, deeply regretted by his brothers Donal, Jack and Liam, sistersin-law, nieces, nephews and extended family, friends, fellow residents and Brothers in Religion.

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Christmas on Friary Street

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The city of Kilkenny is popular with many shops, services, and businesses open across the city and its many streets.

One of these streets is Friary Street, a popular street within the Kilkenny city area. Friary Street is located west of High Street, a narrow one-way street, positioned between Murphy’s and Paul’s clothing stores. Friary Street features many shops and businesses old and new, along with its centrepiece, the Friary Church, one of the oldest religious institutions in the region.

Many people have travelled this popular street for prayer, food, or shopping over the years. In this article, we capture the growth of Friary Street and its steady rise to the present day, looking at the Friary Church, the developments, businesses old and new and their successes on Friary Street over the years.

The Friary Church: The Friary Church on Friary Street was built in 1848, 177 years ago. It was led by Fr. Peter Joseph Mulligan OSFC (1793-1853), the guardian of the Capuchin community at that time. Its notable features include the unique chapel drawings, depicting various saints and biblical scenes, as well as historical artifacts, and peaceful garden surroundings. Visitors of the Friary Church attend for Mass or confession, to light candles, visit the paintings and statues, or for a period of quiet prayer.

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Developments over the years: There have been many developments on Friary Street that have helped the accessibility and growth of the area. For example, Friary Street had an open-air car park, operating on the ground floor area. Then sometime after, development began on a new car park within the area.

Now, the Friary Street car park is a bigger car park with around 40 spaces, and is open Monday to Sunday, from 8am to 6pm.

Friary Street also saw the development of a new purpose-built apartment complex.

Regency Court was built on Friary Street in the early 2000s and was designed by renowned Irish architect, the late Sam Stephenson. The building of the apartment complex was led by the building contractor, Clancy Construction of Thurles, and Byrne Projects Ltd were the developers of the site. Regency Court offers great views, a communal terrace area, turnkey conditions and an ideal location close to Kilkenny city.

Long-standing businesses: While Friary Street has seen much change and develop-

Looking down present day Friary Street

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The transf of Friary Street

ment over the years, it is still home to many long-standing and popular businesses within Kilkenny city such as

Ryan’s Bar, Kenna’s Butchers, Gargan and Sons Stone Craftsmen, Daly Farrell Chartered Accountants

(formerly Patrick M Farrell & Co) J.A. Canny & Co. Solicitors and Alison Hehir’s Studio.

Most of these businesses have

been based on Friary Street for many years, with familyrun businesses passed down through their respective

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ormation over the years generations. Over the years, these businesses have kept a reliable quality and steady presence in the area and have

shaped Friary Street into the familiar street it is today.

Transformation in recent

years: Whilst keeping the familiarity of long-standing businesses, Friary Street has gone through

been the addition of many new and exciting businesses on Friary Street, such as McCullagh Lupton Quinn Chartered Quantity Surveyors (MLQ), Luke Parsons Hair Salon, The Cookie Co-op, Flaming Great Istanbul BBQ House, Jack and Jill Charity Boutique, Babilon Tattoo, Simply Skin, the newly established Mr Price store and of course, The Kilkenny Observer. These businesses have been established within the last 10 or more years, and whether it is for the food, Friary Street today craft, products, or services, these businesses have brought great produce and service to the people and growth for the street. a huge transformation in recent years, with plenty of growth and development in the area. In particular, there’s

Business achievements: It’s worth noting that businesses established on Friary Street, both old and new, have achieved many awards

and successes over the years, highlighting the business and their work on the big stage.

For example, in 2016, Paddy Kenna of Kenna’s Butchers won a Kilkenny Business Awards Lifetime Achievement, MLQ won Small Business of the Year in the Kilkenny Chamber Business Awards 2018, Jennifer O’Keeffe of Alison Hehir’s Studio was awarded as one of the Irish Hairdressers Federation Star Team 2023, The Cookie Co-op won silver in the Sweet and Savoury Biscuits category in the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards 2025 and Luke Parsons Hair Salon won Salon of the Year in the 2025 Kilakenny Business Awards, to name but a few. These awards recognise the brilliance and high-quality work of the businesses and showcase the quality of businesses and services Friary Street has to offer.

Overall, Friary Street has grown and continues to grow into one of the most prominent streets within Kilkenny City. What was once a street with a car park and buildings, Friary Street is now a busy and popular street full of a variety of businesses, apartments, produce and services.

Whether you are looking for great food, shops, or services, we hope you find what you are looking for and have a great time on Friary Street.

We wish Friary Street the best of luck in the future as it continues to grow and serve the people of Kilkenny City and wider areas.

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Luke Parsons Hair Salon

Luke Parsons Hair Salon stands out in Kilkenny’s hair-dressing scene thanks to its commitment to quality, service and inclusive hair solutions. Situated just a short walk off the High Street, the salon combines a polished, welcoming environment with top-tier training and up-to-date styling methods.

One of the salon’s standout offerings is its bespoke wig and hair-loss service. On its private second floor, the salon provides a confidential and discreet setting for clients needing wigs or hair-replacement solutions — whether synthetic, mixed-fibre, or human hair.

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Wigs can be custom-made, fitted, coloured and even reconditioned.

Beyond wig services, Luke Parsons Hair Salon also offers advanced scalp and hair health treatments, including oxygen-therapy based scalp treatment. Their use of a dedicated oxygen infusion system — marketed as ‘Oxygen Scalp Therapy’ — aims to revitalise the hair and scalp, supporting healthy hair growth and improving scalp condition.

In 2025 the salon was delighted to receive formal recognition as Salon of the Year in the Kilkenny Business Awards, a testament to its excellence, client care, and consistent quality across services.

Kenna’s Butchers

Kenna’s Butchers, a long‑established family business on Friary Street, proudly continues its tradition of high‑quality Irish meat and exceptional customer service. Operating for more than nine decades, the shop is currently managed by Michael Kenna, grandson of Paddy Kenna, the man who opened Kenna’s butchers in 1932.

Kenna’s remains committed to a farm‑to‑fork approach, sourcing livestock through long‑standing farming partnerships and ensuring full transparency in how its meat is produced. Beef, lamb, pork,

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5th December 2025

and poultry are prepared on‑site by experienced butchers who combine traditional techniques with modern food‑safety standards. The shop also offers an expanding range of ready‑to‑cook dishes, marinades, and seasonal products designed to meet the needs of today’s busy households without compromising on taste or quality.

With a focus on personal service, the team at Kenna’s Butchers prides itself on offering tailored advice, cooking tips, and product recommendations for every customer — whether they’re preparing a weekday dinner or a special occasion.

Kenna’s Butchers continues to uphold its heritage while adapting to the needs of modern Kilkenny families, reaffirming its place as one of the city’s most enduring and respected food businesses.

Ryan’s Bar

Luke Parsons Hair Salon wins Salon of the Year at the Kilkenny Business Awards 2025

Ryan’s Bar continues to shine as a cornerstone of Kilkenny’s vibrant nightlife and live‑music scene. With a legacy spanning more than 150 years, the pub has reinvented itself under current ownership into a beloved venue that blends traditional Irish pub charm with modern music‑driven energy.

Ryan’s Bar offers an eclectic mix of live entertainment — from rock, blues and funk to traditional Irish sessions. Local, national and international bands frequent the venue, offering tribute‑style sets and original performances. The warm, inviting atmosphere, combined with well‑poured pints and a good selection of drinks including Irish beers and whiskeys, means there’s something for both music lovers and those looking for a relaxed night out.

Whether you’re in the mood for a lively Saturday night of music, or a quiet pint with friends, Ryan’s Bar remains a go‑to for locals and visitors alike — welcoming all with a true sense of Irish hospitality.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5th December 2025

The silver winning signature chocolate chip cookie

cookies, muffins, bars, and more — all created with care in a commercial kitchen in Kilkenny and baked fresh to order. Their selection includes indulgent chocolate‑chip cookies made with premium Belgian chocolate, a rotating selection of specialty flavours (from Kinder to Galaxy to Daim), as well as vegan and gluten‑free options — ensuring that a wide variety of dietary preferences can be accommodated without compromising taste.

In addition to their shop The Cookie Co‑op supplies local

The Cookie Co-op

The Cookie Co‑op, the much-loved artisan bakery based on Friary Street, is proud to announce its recognition at the 2025 Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards — a stamp of excellence that celebrates the finest food and drink producers across Ireland. They recently added to their collection a Silver Award from the Sweet and Savoury Biscuit category for their signature chocolate chip cookie.

Since opening its retail space in July 2023, The Cookie Co‑op has offered handcrafted

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cafés, serves customers at farmers’ markets throughout Kilkenny, and delivers nationwide via next‑day courier — bringing their artisan bakes beyond County Kilkenny.

This year’s award underscores The Cookie Co‑op’s commitment to quality, craftsmanship and Irish‑made food. As they expand their reach and continue innovating, the team remains dedicated to delivering delicious treats rooted in local tradition and modern taste.

Flaming Great

Flaming Great opens its doors to residents and visitors seeking fresh, flavourful Turkish‑style barbecue and kebabs. With a menu boasting a wide variety of dishes — from succulent grilled shish and doner kebabs to pizzas, wraps, vegetarian options, and family meal deals — the restaurant caters to a broad range of tastes and dining preferences.

Whether you’re after a quick takeaway, a shareable platter, or a relaxed meal out, Flaming Great offers both dine-in and takeaway with convenient opening hours and delivery service. The kitchen emphasizes fresh, locally-sourced salad and produce, homemade sauces, and carefully marinated meats, aiming to provide an authentic taste experience for kebab and barbecue lovers.

These chefs have years of experience in producing the traditional taste of Istanbul.

With a commitment to friendly service and quality food at accessible prices, Flaming Great seeks to establish itself as a go‑to spot in Kilkenny’s vibrant food scene.

Simply Skin Cookie Co-op’s owners Mia King and Brian Walsh at the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards 2025

Simply Skin is a five-star beauty, skin and laser clinic offering a wide range of advanced treatments in a modern, welcoming space.

One of their flagship services is laser hair removal — for both women and men — covering facial and body areas. They offer

flexible payment options: either individual sessions or package deals (e.g. six-treatment courses). On the skincare front, Simply Skin also provides microneedling treatments.

This minimally-invasive treatment uses a microneedling pen to stimulate collagen and elastin production, aiming to improve skin texture, reduce fine lines, even out tone, and help with scars or uneven skin. In addition to specialised therapies, Simply Skin provides facial and skin treatments, manicures/ pedicures, waxing, makeup, eyebrow and lash services.

Simply Skin is rated 5-star by Good Salon Guide — reflecting their professional standards, hygiene, training, and overall client satisfaction. They stock well-known skincare and beauty brands, combining advanced skin-care technology with quality products to deliver personalised treatment plans depending on each client’s needs

Babilon

Babilon is continuing to build its reputation as a go‑to destination for bespoke body art.

With a talented and diverse roster of artists — including specialists in traditional, realism, Japanese, blackwork, linework, graphic, neo‑traditional, minimalism, and more — the studio remains committed to delivering high‑quality, custom tattoos for clients of all styles and preferences.

Babilon’s team prides itself on offering a welcoming and flexible booking experience: clients can contact the studio directly to arrange consultations and appointments.

The studio supports both planned sessions and accommodating walk‑ins through regular flash sales, giving individuals the freedom to bring their creative ideas to life at their convenience.

Recognising that every tattoo is a commitment, Babilon Tattoo encourages aftercare compliance to ensure the longevity Continued on page 40 >>

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5th December 2025

Meet the faces of

Friary Street

Ryan's Bar - Arthur Drohan

Simply Skin - Lorraine Power

Flaming Great - Ahmet Celebi

The Cookie Co-Op - Tomasz Katola (Head Baker), Mia King (Owner) & Rachel Carey (The Pastry Queen Cake Department) Alison Hehir's Studio - Alison Hehir

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Babilon - Damian Chojnacki (Owner) & Joanna

Daly Farrell Robert Daly & Patrick Farrell

Kenna’s Butchers - Michael Kenna

Luke Parsons

McCullagh Lupton Quinn Brendan Lupton & Shane McCullagh

J.A Canny & Co. - Tony Canny

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Daly Farrell

>> Continued from page 35 and integrity of the artwork. As with all tattoos, following proper healing advice and the studio’s team offers guidance on aftercare if needed, reflecting their commitment to client care beyond just the inking session.

From small, meaningful pieces to larger, statement works — each design is approached with care, professionalism, and an eye for detail. Babilon continues to uphold rigorous standards, ensuring every customer receives a safe, sanitary, and satisfying tattooing experience.

Daly Farrell, a leading accounting firm with offices in Kilkenny and Dublin, continues to provide comprehensive accounting, audit, taxation, and advisory services to businesses of all sizes. With decades of combined experience, the firm has become a trusted partner for small and medium enterprises, startups, and larger organisations seeking strategic financial guidance.

Founded through the merger of established practices and strengthened by acquisitions over the years, Daly Farrell combines deep industry knowledge with personalised client service. The firm offers a full spectrum of services including tax planning and compliance, statutory audits, management accounts, payroll and bookkeeping, company secretarial services, and specialised support for sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, and professional services.

With a commitment to excellence, integrity, and client-focused service, Daly Farrell continues to support Irish businesses in navigating complex financial landscapes while fostering sustainable growth.

Alison Hehir’s Studio

Alison Hehir’s Studio is proud to continue offering professional, creative, and customer‑focused hairdressing services to the local community and visitors alike. With a reputation built on quality and style, the salon has become a trusted destination for those seeking expert hair care — from classic cuts and colours to contemporary treatments and styling.

Alison Hehir’s Studio offers a full range of services including precision cutting, modern colouring techniques, styling, and hair care consultations tailored to each client’s individual needs. With experienced stylists on staff and a commitment to ongoing professional development, the salon stays up to date with the latest trends and techniques.

The studio’s welcoming atmosphere and dedication to client care ensure every visit is a positive experience.

The studio also celebrates success on a national level as team members have been recognised among Ireland’s top hair professionals. This recognition underscores the salon’s commitment to excellence and creative standards.

For customers looking for classic grooming, a bold new look, or a trusted stylist’s advice, he experienced team invites new and returning clients to book consultations and experience their personalised approach to hair care.

J.A Canny & Co

Alison Hehir’s Studio Jenny O’Keeffe being named part of the Irish Hairdressers Federation Star Team 2023

J.A. Canny & Co. Solicitors is pleased to reaffirm its commitment to delivering a wide-ranging suite of legal services to clients throughout Kilkenny and beyond. Established in 1998 by principal solicitor Tony Canny, the firm has grown into a trusted legal practice known for personalised service, professionalism, and dedicated client care.

With over two decades of experience, J.A. Canny & Co. provides assistance in areas including property conveyancing, wills and probate, personal injury claims, and general legal advice. Whether guiding first-time property buyers, advising families on estate planning, or representing clients in accident

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5th December 2025

and injury claims — the firm combines legal expertise with a strong commitment to clear communication and tailored support.

J.A. Canny & Co. prides itself on offering clients a personal and responsive service, with transparent consultations and careful attention to individual circumstances.

Located conveniently on Friary Street, the office welcomes clients to discuss their legal needs in a friendly and professional environment.

Gargan & Sons Stone Craftsmen

Gargan & Sons Stone Craftsmen, a familyowned business established over one hundred and sixty years ago, is dedicated to creating quality memorials in natural stone types, as well as the renovation of headstones and cutting inscriptions.

The company offers a wide range of bespoke gravestones, headstones, and memorial plaques, crafted from durable stone with expert attention to detail. Gargan and Sons also provides engraving services, customization, and guidance to help families select designs that best capture their loved one’s life and spirit.

Gargan and Sons has earned a reputation for compassion, professionalism, and enduring quality. Their dedication to excellence ensures every memorial is a meaningful and lasting testament to those remembered.

McCullagh Lupton Quinn

Established in 2007, McCullagh Lupton Quinn is a director-led firm of chartered quantity surveyors and project managers, offering a full range of cost consultancy and project management services to both public and

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MLQ - Shane McCullagh (5th from left) at the Irish Construction Industry Awards 2025 after winning Contractor Commercial Project of the Year with Kilsaran private sector clients.

Their services span the full lifecycle of construction projects, including cost planning, contract administration, cost control, procurement advice, and project delivery oversight. They strive to ensure their clients receive functional, aesthetic, sustainable and value-optimised solutions using current best-practice methodologies and technologies.

In 2018, MLQ won the Small Business of the Year award at the Kilkenny Chamber Business Awards. They described this honour as a “testament to our team’s hard work, attention to detail and commitment to high quality customer service throughout the year.”

Further, in 2024 MLQ achieved a significant national-level recognition as a client of theirs, Mount Congreve, was announced winner of the Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Project of the year category of the Irish Building & Design Awards. Recently, along with their client Kilsaran, they won Contractor Commercial Project of the Year at the Irish Construction Industry Awards 2025 for the redevelopment of Kilsaran’s Headquarters.

These more recent awards highlight MLQ’s growth beyond local acclaim — showing recognition of their expertise, project management capabilities and consistent delivery on larger-scale construction and design projects across Ireland.

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Armistice Day in Ypres

Kilkenny group participate in Armistice Day in Ypres Recently a group from the Kilkenny Great War Memorial Committee travelled to the Belgian city of Ypres/Ieper.

Here, they participated in the Armistice Day ceremony at the Menin Gate on the 11th of November, laying down a wreath in memory of all those from Kilkenny County who died during World War I. The group visited the grave of the youngest Kilkenny soldier who died in combat. From Thomastown, Edward Aylward was only seventeen years old.

He had a very short life, filled with tragedy. Orphaned at a year and four months, his family was split up between relatives, Edward spent his youth living with various family members, including his grand uncle Canon Raftice. At the age of fourteen years, he left school in Thomastown and enlisted in the British Army, ending up in Flanders where he was killed. Today he rests in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery.

The group visited many other sites and memorials, including the Irish memorial at Frenzberg Ridge, and the recently unveiled Brothers in Arms Memorial, which remembers the Australian Hunter Brothers. During roadworks, some remains were found and the bodies of those Australian soldiers were the first to be identified using DNA, after an appeal for relatives was broadcast on Australian radio.

The memorial now stands as a visual testament to the very moving story of a brother’s love and loss.

Irish bar The group later travelled to the Ploegsteert Memorial which holds the name of a committee member’s relative and a few songs were sung in his honour. Another reason for the visit to Ypres was to join with a local Kilkenny man now living in Belgium, who was officially opening an Irish Bar in Ypres. The red ribbon was cut by the Irish Ambassador

to Belgium H.E. Mr. Kevin Conmy, the Mayor of Ypres and member of the Flemish Parliament, Ms. Emmily Talpe.

The Kilkenny Great War Memorial Committee had been working with Mary’s Irish Bar to help with a memorial display of almost 700 whiskey bottles. These carry the names of the over 1200 men from the island of Ireland, North and South who died in the Battle of Passchendaele on the 16th of August 1917. It is an incredible experience to see all those named who died in the 3rd Battle of Ypres. Also on display there is a life size Belgian draft horse that represents all the animals that died in World War I. There are many other war time photos and displays in the bar, where there are two other different seating areas all designed to a very high standard.

Kilkenny man Patrick said that “Mary’s Ieper is named after my mother Mary Walsh and I look forward to giving a special welcome to the people of Kilkenny and equally to all those from the island of Ireland.” It’s truly a profound experience to visit Ieper with all its Irish and especially Kilkenny connections. Of the over 55,000 names on the Menin Gate, they were never found and lie beneath the soil in Flanders Fields, there are 83 Kilkenny men remembered on the memorial, and before the war the local Benedictine order of nuns was led by Abbess Butler who was from Co. Kilkenny. During WWI the order relocated to Kylemore Abbey.

Major sacrifice Patrick Foley said that during his research for the various memorials created with the help of the Kilkenny Great War Memorial, he was shocked at the scale of sacrifice that Ireland’s soldiers made. Over 200,000 Irishmen served in World War I with over 40,000 casualties. Patrick can now see

Irish history display on the ceiling in Mary's Irish Bar, Ypres

the complexities of Ireland’s relationship to the Great War. “My mother’s uncle Issac fought in Ieper and meanwhile his brother Michael fought in the Four Courts in the Easter Rising.” This was a fairly common occurrence, leading to diverse experiences and deep family impacts across both conflicts. It’s shameful that many soldiers returning from the war were branded traitors, especially considering that the conditions they fought in were probably some of the most difficult of any war fought in the history of humanity. He personally thinks if anyone takes the time to inform themselves of the situation in Ireland in the years 1914/15, they would understand why so many ordinary people volunteered to fight. Patrick hopes the movement to recognise the sacrifices of Irish people in the Great War continues to gain pace and is taught in

Brothers in Arms Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium

Four Courts in ruins after shelling during The Irish Civil War 1922

Tyne Cot Cemetery, Zonnebeke, Belgium, the most sobering place the group visited, which is the largest Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in the world Cloth Hall in Flanders Fields Museum, Ypres

Dame Mary Joseph Butler, Kilkenny, Abbess, Benedictine nun in Ypres

Grave of Edward Aylward, Thomastown in Ypres

The Menim Gate

schools with pride not like in his schooldays when it was ‘skipped over’, especially considering that there’s many people alive today that met these brave people. He believes that the possibility of a new memorial being built to all those who fought for Irish independence in Kilkenny is also an important thing to do, they equally fought for the freedom of our small nation. Patrick is equally proud of both his grand uncles fighting in Belgium & Dublin.

Tyne Cot Cemetery The most sobering place the group visited was Tyne Cot Cemetery, which is the largest Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in the world.

A spokesperson for The Kilkenny Great War Memorial Committee told The Kilkenny Observer that not alone was the visit to the Belgian city of Ypres/ Ieper most educational and inspirational, but a great bond of friendship had been established. The committee also paid special thanks to Mr. David P Whithorn, who is an author, amateur historian, and a genealogist with special interest in the first world war.

If anyone needs any help to organise a trip to visit a grave or a memorial of a relative, then the Kilkenny Great War Memorial Committee would offer advice on where to visit and give contacts for tour guide and transport. Please email kilkennywarmemorial@ gmail.com

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Food & Drink Brunch picks in Kilkenny and beyond

Pouring hope into local pub PUBS County Kilkenny’s pub scene has been shrinking over the past two decades, underlining just how vital local support is for the venues that remain at the heart of village life.

According to the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), the number of licensed pubs in the county fell from 226 in 2005 to 169 in 2024 - a loss of 57, or roughly 25 per cent. The post-pandemic years have been especially tough, with 26 closures between 2019 and 2024 alone. While 2025 figures are not yet available, the trend mirrors a nationwide squeeze on rural and village pubs, making it clear that communities play a crucial role in keeping their favourite local spots alive.

In this context, a community group in Coon, north Kilkenny, has launched a major fundraising drive to secure the future of a muchloved local pub, Ranchers

LIGHT BITES Whether you’re in the mood for a laid-back village bite or a buzzy city spot, the Marble County has no shortage of delicious brunch options.

From artisan sourdough and superfood bowls to hearty comfort dishes and countryside escapes, here are six of the best places to treat yourself to a slow, tasty start to the day.

Return, also known as the Strand Bar. A long-standing social hub, the pub has been a gathering place for generations - hosting postmatch discussions, celebrations, storytelling and local events.

With other local amenities, like the creamery and post office lost over recent years, residents are determined not to see another vital community space disappear.

The Coan Tidy Towns Group aims to bring the pub into community ownership, creating a welcoming space for locals to connect, relax, and support one another.

In a recent social media post, the organiser of the initiative stated that to make this vision a reality, the group hopes to raise €350,000 through a confidential community share offer. Shares start at €2,500, but smaller donations are also welcome. Every contribution helps safeguard the future of social life in the village.

1. Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro, Kilkenny Award-winning brunch spot. Great if you love fresh sourdough, home-baked breads/pastries and a seasonal menu using local produce. And who can say no their infamous Breakfast or Christmas Sambos!

2. Bridies Bar & General Store, Kilkenny A charming, old-world bar and general store feel, serving brunch on weekends - from French toast and maple-glazed bacon to eggs benedict and more. Great for a cosy, relaxed brunch - walk-ins only, so might suit spontaneous weekend plans.

3. The Lime Tree, Castlecomer A cosy spot in the heart of Castlecomer serving fresh, flavour-packed brunch favourites.

Expect excellent coffee, homemade treats and a menu full of local produce. It’s the perfect stop before or after a stroll in the Discovery Park - relaxed, friendly and always delicious.

Make eating out with kids a treat not a trial DINING Eating out with children can feel like a gamble: will it be a fun family moment or a frantic rush to the exit? With a little planning, dining with young ones can become something everyone genuinely looks forward to - yes, even you.

The first step is choosing the right venue. Restaurants that welcome families make life instantly easier - think menus with real food in smaller portions, highchairs that aren’t held together by hope and enough space that you don’t feel like the buggy is in everyone’s way. A lively atmosphere also helps. A bit of background buzz means no one bats an eyelid if a fork hits the floor.

Timing is your secret weapon. Kids don’t do well with long waits when they’re hungry, so aim for an earlier sitting when service is usually quicker and patience levels are higher. Bringing a tiny snack to bridge any hunger gap can save the day, too.

Once you’re seated, make

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4. The Blackberry Café, Thomastown A cosy, local-supplier focused café in Thomastown - ideal for brunch lovers who want organic produce, home-baked goods and a relaxed village vibe instead of city buzz. Great for a slower start to the day - pastries, cakes, soups or light lunches in a warm, welcoming setting.

5. Fennelly’s of Callan A cheerful countryside-town café with a relaxed, local feel - ideal if you want to combine brunch with a wander around the town.

Known for seasonal, wholesome food - think hearty stews, salads and bakes - a bit of comfort and authenticity rather than over-the top brunch plating.

6. Mountain View, Ballyhale Make a break for the countryside with a Sunday spin to Ballyhale.

Mountain View serves up a stylish mix of classic and modern brunch favourites - ideal for a proper weekend escape. And if you’re visiting on December 7, 14 or 20, you can stroll their Christmas farmers’ markets for festive finds and fresh treats. Big skies, fresh air and great food: consider your city escape sorted.

it part of the adventure. Let them choose a dish or a dip, or promise one new bite of something unfamiliar. It’s a small but positive step towards encouraging curious eaters.

And while screens can be tempting, boredom-busters like colouring sheets, sticker

books or even a quick game of “I spy” keep them connected to the moment.

Of course, even the best-behaved children have off days.

Spills happen. Someone will need the toilet the moment the food arrives. If a breather outside is needed, that’s totally

normal. Tag-team with another adult if you can.

The goal isn’t perfection - it’s shared enjoyment. Because when the focus is on the fun rather than the fuss, eating out as a family becomes less of a challenge and more of a cherished ritual.

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Homes & Gardens Keep Christmas foliage fresh GARDEN NOTES If you’re bringing festive greenery indoors, take a moment to treat it well so it lasts. Cut holly and ivy early in the day and stand stems in a bucket of water overnight to fully hydrate them. Once arranged,

keep displays away from direct heat and mist lightly every few days. For outdoor wreaths and swags, secure foliage firmly against winter winds. After the holidays, shred or compost decorations made from natural materials to enrich next year’s garden.

Charming City living beside Kilkenny’s historic heart

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5 COACH ROAD, KILKENNY CITY | €350,000 | 3 BED | 1 BATH | 81 SQM | END-OF-TERRACE | B3 BER HOUSE OF THE WEEK Nestled in one of Kilkenny’s most atmospheric neighbourhoods, No. 5 Coach Road offers the best of both worlds - a tranquil setting with the city’s vibrant heart just a short stroll away.

Turn-key and beautifully maintained, this end-of-terrace home sits in the shadow of the iconic St. Canice’s Cathedral

and its ancient Round Tower, placing centuries of history quite literally on your doorstep.

Built in 1999 and finished in calming, neutral tones, the house boasts an impressive B3 energy rating, gas-fired central heating and double-glazed windows - ideal for warm, efficient living all year round. To the rear, a private walled courtyard offers a charming outdoor retreat, perfect for morning

coffee or evening relaxation, with secure pedestrian access.

Step inside the welcoming hallway and through to a cosy living room, where a picture window fills the space with light and the sealed fireplace adds style and improved efficiency. To the rear, the kitchen / dining room is fitted with classic cabinetry, a gas hob and double oven, and opens through glass doors to the

sunny courtyard.

Upstairs, three well-proportioned bedrooms provide peaceful retreats, while the fully tiled bathroom includes both bath and shower.

And with minimal passing traffic, this spot feels surprisingly serene for such a central address.

Agent: Ann O’Neill Auctioneers

Graiguenamanagh’s homes go solar HOME SMART Graiguenamanagh is proving that community energy isn’t just about panels on rooftops—it’s about people coming together to power their town and save money at home.

The Graiguenamanagh Energy Town (GET) project has been expanding steadily since 2022. Homeowners can now have solar panels installed at no upfront cost, rent their roof space to GET, and buy the electricity they generate at a lower rate than their regular utility bill. Any surplus energy is sold back to the grid, and

at the end of the contract, the panels belong to the homeowner.

The town is also using Ireland’s first Community Virtual Power Platform (CVPP), allowing neighbours to share, sell, and buy energy locally.

Partner utility Arden Energy makes it easy by consolidating all billing, mixing community energy with grid electricity in a single simple invoice.

GET has already installed solar panels on local homes and the Barrow Valley Tourism Hub, cutting around 30 tonnes of carbon per year. Phase 3 is now underway, expanding the initiative to more homes and

LEADER development officer Julie Kavanagh with Martin O’Brien and Joe Fox of Graiguenamanagh Energy Town (GET) signing contracts for community energy funding

businesses, increasing battery storage, and creating more opportunities for residents to participate.

Support from Kilkenny LEADER Partnership, which is funding €116,700 of the €194,500 next phase, ensures that this model can grow and inspire other towns. GET’s

innovative approach has also earned it a finalist spot in the 2025 SEAI Energy Awards.

Declan Rice, CEO of Kilkenny LEADER, says: “Graiguenamanagh is leading the way in community energy. We’d love to hear from other Kilkenny communities who want to get involved.”

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5th December 2025

What’s On Northern soul, winter Light

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: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery brings back detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) for his most dangerous case yet. After a sudden, seemingly impossible murder rocks a small town, police chief Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis) teams up with Blanc to investigate - confronting an intricate mystery with no obvious suspect. Expect sharp twists, red herrings and classic whodunnit flair. The film is showing in IMC Kilkenny for a limited run before landing on Netflix, so don’t miss it on the big screen.

JACK LUKEMAN | SET THEATRE | THURS DEC 11 | 8PM MUSIC Internationally acclaimed Irish singer-songwriter Jack Lukeman (Jack L) will bring his evocative show Northern Lights - Songs of the Winter Solstice to the Set Theatre on December 11, celebrating the magic of winter through a captivating blend of music and storytelling.

The show weaves together a rich tapestry of contemporary tracks and timeless classics delivering warmth, nostalgia and seasonal wonder to audiences.

Audiences can expect a wonderfully eclectic set list: soul‑stirring takes on songs like Aimee Mann’s “Jacob Marley’s Chain” and the uplifting “Do You Realise” by The Flaming Lips; delicate renditions of festive staples such as “In the Bleak Midwinter”; and a broodingly beautiful version of Nick Drake’s “Northern Sky.”

What to Read: Brimstone continues Callie Hart’s epic fantasy saga in the explosive sequel to the bestselling Quicksilver. Newly crowned Queen of the Blood Court, Saeris Fane faces a burden she never wanted - ruling a realm while her family desperately needs her home.

But the journey back through the deadly Quicksilver would destroy her. Instead, she sends the battle-hardened Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate, whose trek with the ever-talking smuggler Carrion Swift is fraught with hidden dangers, brewing darkness, and threats that could consume Yvelia itself.

The evening builds to a powerful finish with Lukeman’s world-class interpretation of “O Holy Night”, promising to leave a lasting impression.

A platinum-selling artist with over two decades of experience, Jack Lukeman’s career spans critically acclaimed albums, sold-out tours, theatrical shows and a reputation for blending storytelling, emotion and theatricality in every performance.

His live show is praised for a voice that shifts effortlessly from deep baritone to soaring falsetto, and for a stage presence that draws comparisons to legendary vocalists.

Whether you’re drawn by the poetry of winter, the promise of candlelit concerts, or simply the chance to hear a masterful vocalist live, Northern Lights offers something timeless. For many, it’s a perfect way to usher in the season - one song, one story, one night at a time.

What to Stream: Chris Hemsworth: A Road Trip to Remember follows the Hollywood star as he embarks on an emotional motorcycle journey with his father, Craig, who is living with earlystage Alzheimer’s. Guided by a psychologist, the pair revisit meaningful places from Hemsworth’s childhood - recreated homes, old communities, and outback memories - in the hope of sparking connection and retrieving fading moments.

Heartbreaking yet hopeful, the documentary explores love, loss and the bond between parent and child. Streaming now on Disney+.

Having the last laugh in Kilkenny KILKENNY COMEDY CLUB | KILKENNY HOME RULE CLUB | FRI, DEC 12 | 8:30PM - 11.30PM rising star Aaron McCarthy O’Hagan, whose brilliantly A cracking night out - and COMEDY Wrap up the year with a proper night of belly laughs as the Kilkenny Comedy Club hosts its final comedy show of 2025 - and it’s a special one. Taking to the stage is none other than Kevin McGahern, the headliner who helped launch the club back in 2022.

One of the most recognisable talents in Irish comedy, Kevin has been making audiences laugh since 2009, with a career spanning stand-up, TV, acting and presenting.

He’s fronted hit shows like Republic of Telly, Clear History and most recently Traitors: Uncloaked. Fans will also know him as Sim Card from the cult favourite Hardy Bucks, along with countless other TV and film appearances across Ireland.

Joining Kevin is a stellar support lineup from the Rebel County. Kevin O’Connell returns with his sharp wit and laid-back style, while

makes his exciting club debut. Rounding out this festive comedy feast is Cathaóir

deadpan delivery keeps audiences howling throughout the night.

the perfect way to sign off the year with friends, laughter and unforgettable fun.

What to Listen To: Back to Winnipeg’s debut album Apartment Living is a fresh and vibrant introduction to the Irish altrock scene. Across 10 tracks, the record blends shimmering guitar hooks, introspective lyrics and rich vocal harmonies, creating a sound that’s equal parts nostalgic and contemporary. Themes of city life, longing and youthful ambition run through the album, making it both relatable and emotionally resonant. With its confident energy and thoughtful songwriting, Apartment Living marks a promising start for the Galway four-piece.

What to Play: Step into 16th-century Japan with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the latest entry in the iconic franchise.

Play either the agile shinobi Naoe or the powerful samurai Yasuke as you explore a turbulent Sengoku-era world, taking on rival clans in stealthy assassinations or intense combat. With a richly reimagined open world, dynamic weather and dual-style gameplay, Shadows delivers both cinematic drama and classic Assassin’s Creed action. Available now on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Where to Shop: Kilkenny’s Yulefest favourite returns, bringing Christmas cheer to the city centre every weekend until December 21st - with bonus markets on December 22nd and 23rd.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Kilkenny Castle, browse wooden stalls filled with local crafts, seasonal treats and unique gifts. Enjoy live music, family entertainment and a new indoor market space for cosy browsing. Free to enter, open Saturdays 11am–8pm and Sundays 11am–6pm.

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

TYNAN (NÉE ROCHE) 4TH ANNIVERSARY

ALICE MINOGUE (NÉE GIBBONS) 2ND ANNIVERSARY

In Loving memory of our Mam, Eileen (Eily) late of 71 Old Callan Road, Kilkenny who died on 4th December, 2021.

In loving memory of Alice Minogue (née Gibbons) late of Newtown Terrace, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, whose 2nd anniversary occurs on 7th December 2025

Our Mam of HOPE, FAITH, LOVE !

Mam, remembering you is easy, We do it every day We will think of You, For Every Laugh, Smile, and Hug And every piece of Wisdom, You’ve shared We think of you as our Mam who brought, Sunshine To Our Life, Friendship, Guidance and Loving Support These are some of the qualities That make you so special Thank you for being our Precious Mam Deeply loved, always remembered, and sadly Missed by your loving family.

Rest In Peace Eileen’s 4th Anniversary Mass will be celebrated On Sunday December 7th , at 11.30 a.m mass in St. John’s Church, Kilkenny.

You still live on in the hearts and minds Of the loving family you left behind Tenderly we treasure the past With great memories that will always last Those we love don’t go away They walk beside us every day Unseen, unheard but always near Still loved, still missed and very dear

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. M.P.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. M.D.

Sadly missed by her daughter and her seven sons, son-in-law, daughters-in-law and grandchildren Anniversary Mass Saturday, 6th December at 6.00pm in The Church of the Assumption, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. L.M.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. MBL.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5th December 2025

Community & GAA Notes

KilkennyGAA clubs and Communitynews CLARA RELEGATION After several postponements the Senior Football Relegation final was finally played in Clara on Sunday afternoon. It was Conahy who deservedly retained their senior status at the expense of the hosts by coming out on top on a 1-9 to 0-6 score line.

Martin O Connell opened the scoring from a free before Conahy equalised. Peter Nolan then kicked Clara ahead from a tight angle but they lost their way from there to halftime. Losing the experienced Jack Langton to injury was a big blow to their chances. Conahy’s James Bergin struck for a goal and his side’s confidence visibly surged as a result.

Two frees (one for a three up infringement by Clara) and a point from play padded their lead up to 1-4 to 0-2 by the time the halftime whistle blew.

Ciaran Prendergast opened the second half scoring before Peter Nolan punched over his second point to leave it a one score game. However, Conahy showed great composure to kick three points in a row, all from play before Ciaran Prendergast kicked his second point of the day to stop the rot. By now Clara were hunting for goals but weren’t committing enough men forward to create the chances and Conahy sealed the deal with two more points from play. Martin O Connell closed out the scoring but it was Conahy that deservedly took the honours. Hard luck to the Clara men and their mentors player/ manager Alan Coleman, Thomas Armitage and Johnny Shortall.

Team - Rory O Keeffe, Paddy Bolger, Conor O Shea, Brandon Ryan. Luke Lawlor, Jack Langton, Dara Glynn. Martin O Connell 0-2, 0-1f, Alan Coleman. Joe Power, Kevin Nolan, Ciaran Prendergast 0-2. Peter Nolan 0-2, Killian Phelan, Chris Bolger. Subs used Liam Ryan, Hugh Kelly, Philip Carrigan, Sean Carrigan, David Langton.

COUNTY CHAMPIONS Well done to the mighty Clara U22 camogie team who had a mighty comeback victory over James Stephens on Sunday. Congratulations to their mentors Jennie O Brien, Lucy Cody, Stephen Lawlor and David Shortall. See Observer Sport section for report.

CLUB LOTTO The Lotto results for 25th November are as follows, the numbers drawn were 6, 27, 28. There was no jackpot winner, but €30 each went to Tom Carrigan, Sandra Brennan, Peter Nolan, Eddie Langton, Donal McDonald. Thanks for your continued support and best of luck, with next week’s jackpot.

O’LOUGHLIN GAELS MINOR CAMOGIE SUCCESS Congratulations to the O’Loughlin Gaels minor camogie team on winning the Gaeltec Minor B Shield Final on a scoreline 1-09 to 1-06 against the Rower Inistioge. The game, played in St. John’s Park, was a very exciting one. Congratulations to all the players and management.

CLUB WALKING GROUP Good news for all our walkers: The O’Loughlin Gaels GAA Club Walking Group is back out walking on Wednesdays, leaving the club at 7.30pm, for anyone who wishes to come along.

NOVEL FUNDRAISER O’Loughlin Gaels GAA and Camogie Club is running a novel fundraiser in conjunction with Phelans Tree Farm on the Old Golf Links Road. Simply sign in as an O’Loughlin’s supporter when you buy your tree and part of the same price will go to the Club.

CLUB LOTTO There was no winner of O’Loughlin Gaels club lotto dated November 25th. The numbers drawn were 14, 21, 25 and 27. The bonus number was 12. Play now at www oloughlingaels.com Promotors Draw. 1. Mary Tyrrell c/o D. Tyrrell. 2.

Christina Trehy c/o E. Kinchella. 3. C. Prendergast.

4. M and M c/o G. Buckley. 5. Maria Kennedy c/o JJ Cullen. 6. Mark Croghan c/o N. Loy. 7. Colin Dunne c/o D. O’Driscoll. 8. Nora Roberts O’Reilly c/o Online.

9. Aine Costello c/o Online. 10. Geraldine Morrissey c/o Online. Thank you for your continued support.

CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to our neighbours, Muckalee ladies footballers who defeated Menlough Skehana last weekend by 3-06 to 1-04 to book a place in the AIB All Ireland Junior Club Final. Great to see Ríona

O’Loughlin Gaels’ Minor Camogie Team which won the Gaeltec Minor B Shield Final last weekend.

Crowley, Jennifer O’Keeffe and Laura Greene play their part in the success. Best of luck in the AllIreland!

NEW CLUB WEBSITE Make sure you check out O’Loughlin Gaels GAA and Camogie Club’s brand-new website.

Stay connected with all the latest news, upcoming fixtures, and match results. Explore exciting features such as: Play Lotto, Shop Online via the O’Neills Store and so much more! Don’t miss our launch video, it’s packed with highlights and a sneak peek of what’s new. Use the link below to see what’s waiting for you. https://oloughlingaels.com/olg/ O’LOUGHLIN GAELS AGM The AGM of O’Loughlin Gaels GAA and Camogie club will take place on Wednesday 10th December.

Please note change of date. AGM document action gas been sent to all members.

BOOKINGS FOR OCCASIONS O’Loughlin Gaels Club boasts the best club facilities for its members in the city. With plenty of free parking, kitchen, bar and lounge facilities available it can cater for all your party needs. Contact 0868919312 to book your special occasion-christening, communion, confirmation, birthdays and anniversaries, special wedding guest gatherings or any group occasion you require. The large Hall is available for larger community events and the space outside is safe and secure for all the family.

NOTES If you wish to have any item included in the St. John’s Parish notes please email it to communications.oloughlingaels.kilkenny@gaa.ie FRESHFORD SQUASH Massive congratulations go out to local squash enthusiast Nathan Walsh who last week won the Munster U17 junior open winning all four of his matches over the weekend in Cork. Nathan beat Samuel Han from Sutton Dublin in the final.

Well done also to the Div 1 squash team who won all their league game last week 5-0 against Old Belvedere of Dublin.

CAMOGIE Congratulations to St. Lachtains camogie girls Isabel Carroll and Kate Dalton (U15) Eimear Murphy and Olivia Marnell (U14) Mia Phelan (U16) who

received their Leinster and All Ireland County medals last weekend in Langtons and also to Nessa Gibbons who was unable to attend. Well done to all.

PANTO HISTORY Celebrate Frsehford’s Panto history. Recordings and interviews with former cast members and crew of Freshford Panto for inclusion in video will be screened in the Community Hall on Sunday 7th December from 11.30am to 2pm. For more information contact Maria Kennedy on 0833470397 Death Mrs. Margaret (Peg) Fitzpatrick (nee Doyle) late of Gurteen Cullohill who died last week, was formerly from Johnstown Road, Freshford and she and her family were well known in the area. Funeral mass took place in St. Tighearnach’s Church Cullohill, followed by burial in Durrow Cemetery. She is mourned by her sons, daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren, son in law, daughters in law, and extended family to whom deepest sympathy is extended.

CHRISTMAS COLLECTION The annual St. Vincent de Paul collection will take place on Saturday 13th December in Tulla and on Sunday 14th December in Freshford. Your support would be very much appreciated for all those in need in our community.

COMMUNITY ALERT Freshford/Threecastles Community Alert hold their AGM on Tuesday next 9th December in the Community Hall Freshford at 7.30pm. All are welcome.

Community alert membership is now due and you can contact any Committee member if you want to join the group or pay your membership.

SOCCER Freshford Town junior had no game last weekend.

In the schoolboys section the U12 boys had a 6-0 win over Thomastown last weekend with goals from Jack Costelloe (2) Finley Cullinane Doyle, Fionan Carroll, Shay Geraghty and Robbie Geraghty.

DUCK RACE The duck race which is a fundraiser for the Club was held on Sunday afternoon last with a big entry. The race started at Mill Bridge and the following were the lucky winners on the day: 1st Kevin Purcell, 2nd Keith Farrell, 3rd Bill Looby, 4th Mark Bowden, 5th Sean O’Rourke, 6th Denis Murphy, 7th Billy Healy, 8th James Costelloe, 9th Ivor Bibby and 10th Bobby Colclough

Thanks to all those who helped to organise the event or sell tickets and to all those who supported this fundraiser which goes towards the astro pitch.

SAFETY FIRST The recent development of a car park at Freshford Cemetery was a most welcome project for people wishing to visit the graves of their loved ones. Open every day it will facilitate safe entry and exiting for all who wish to park there OUTREACH CENTRE Cois Nore Outreach Centre will visit Ballyragget every Wednesday it is 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 BRIDGE Freshford Bridge club resumed recently in Threecastles Hall and will continue each week at 7.30pm.

New members are very welcome. If you are interested in learning how to play bridge you are most welcome to attend classes, for further information contact Anne Maria on 087 2271136.

FOROIGE Freshford Foroige youth club is held each Monday evening at the Community Hall. New members are very welcome and they are also looking for leaders, so if you are interested please make contact with us.

IONAD LACHTAIN St Lachtains Church Museum and Arts Centre is open every Saturday and Sunday from 11.30am to 4.00pm.

PARISH NEWS Mass times for Freshford Tullaroan and Ballycallan.

Saturday evening- Killaloe -6pm Tullaroan 730pm.

Sunday – Ballycallan 9.30am Freshford 11am. Killaloe, Tulla and Kilmanagh will share the 6pm Mass on a 1, 2, 3 basis. Weekly masses Monday 9.30am Kilmanagh, Tuesday and Friday –Freshford -9.30am and Thursday –Tullaroan at 9.30am.

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 on their website every week, 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

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Community & GAA Notes Thursdays or by calling to the office during those hours MASSCARDS Mass Cards and Mass Bouquets including Christmas ones 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 &amp 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 A.G.M At Thursday night’s well-attended A.G.M., chairman Aodan O’Rourke opened proceedings with a minute’s silence in memory of departed club members and friends. Secretary Niall Connolly in his in-depth report acknowledged that the 2025 season began full of optimism for a successful year but didn’t quite work out that way in the end with unexpected defeats for the U-16, Minor and Intermediate teams at the final hurdle. However, the U-14 hurlers saved the season with their exciting championship run, winning tight matches in added time, replays or extra time to claim the coveted county title in style. Niall, along with fellow club officers also paid tribute to Aodan on his retirement thanking him for his leadership and ambition for the club over his three-year term in office. Juvenile officer Kieran Brennan also reported on a successful season both at nursery and underage levels stating that over 190 children from U- 6 to U-12 and over 100 players from U-12 to minor were coached and trained by 70 enthusiastic mentors over the season. Both club treasurer Niall Lahart and Social club officer Shane Lanigan reported on the club’s healthy financial position thanks to an increase in memberships numbers, the strong support for the weekly lotto, the hurlers co-op draw and the weekly bingo sessions and despite the rising costs of field and building maintenance and the necessary outlays on team expenses across the grades. Retiring camogie chairman Brian Leahy also reflected on a successful season referring to the club’s senior team retaining their status following a first round championship victory over Young Irelands. Looking to the future he was also encouraged by the increasing number of young girls turning up for coaching sessions which is a positive reflection on the growing interest in camogie in the parish area. Development officer John Grace gave a presentation on the 5 Year Development Plan - 2025 to 2030, a process that evolved over many months and numerous meetings with different groups and which will be published and distributed to members in the next few weeks. Concluding the meeting Aodan thanked the membership for trusting him with the leadership of the club when elected three years ago, acknowledging the support and encouragement of his fellow club officers during his term in office.

Finally, before handing over the reins to incoming chairman Richie Manogue, Aodan emphasised that James Stephens is a club for all, from the ambitious top players to the social hurlers and camogie players, the administrators and retired members and is a valued and much respected association by all in the community.

U-22 CAMOGIE FINAL On a freezing Sunday morning in Clara the U-22 camogie team shrugged off the conditions and raced into an early lead with a deadly finish to the net in the 3rd minute by Laura Leahy at the end of a passing movement involving Anna Doheny and

Lucy Coomey. Building on the positive start Mia Dunne and Roisin Leahy gave the Village girls a 1-03 to 0-02 lead at the 10th minute. Soon the home team stormed into the game striking over points in the 10th and 12th minutes before a hesitancy in the James Stephens defence allowed them to scramble the sliothar over the goal line in the 19th minute.

Despite losing the initiative, centre forward Tara McGuire steadied the James Stephens ship with two quality points from play. Gaining in confidence the Clara girls responded with another three-pointer in the 24th minute to level the game at 2-03 to 1-06.

In the 26th minute goalkeeper Lucy McGrath came to James Stephens’ rescue with a fine save, but Clara finished the half with two further points for a 2-06 to 1-06 lead at the break. A quality point from Roisin Leahy in the 1st minute wasn’t enough to inject optimism in the Village camp as Clara broke through for a third goal in the 3rd minute. Now with strong support play and robust tackling the stronger Clara side exerted continuous pressure on the hard-pressed Village defence in which all six backs, stood firm against a dangerous Clara forward line with defiant displays from Anna Doheny, Niamh Leahy, Molly Burke and Hannah Larkin in particular. Over the hour Emily Smith and Anna Bergin toiled bravely in support of the defence and attack against determined opponents throughout. Despite the trojan efforts of Lucy Coomey, Tara McGuire (0-02) and Roisin Leahy (0-05) the James Stephens forwards were unable to unlock a tight marking Clara defence for a possible game changing score as the clock ticked away. Adding five points over the closing quarter the Clara girls held out for a deserved 3-10 1-08 victory to claim the 2025 U-22 “B” Camogie title. In defeat the James Stephens team can be proud of their battling qualities against the superior strength of their opponents which bodes well for the future of the game in the club.

REMEMBRANCE MASS The annual Mass of Remembrance for deceased members, their families and friends of the club was celebrated on Tuesday night last in the clubrooms.

Before the mass club secretary, Niall Connolly read out the list of thirty deceased members and friends who passed away during the year. The Mass was cocelebrated by Fr. Kieran O’Shea and Fr. Felix, from Ghana who joined the parish team in recent weeks.

Fr. Kieran welcomed the attendance acknowledging it was a thoughtful act to remember those who have gone before us and who contributed so much to the building the club over the years. After the celebration Richie Manogue thanked Fr. Kieran and welcomed Fr. Felix to the parish after which there was a cup of tea and refreshments served for all in attendance. A collection for the local chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul was made after mass.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL APPEAL Parishioners should note that the annual outdoor Christmas Church gate collection for the St. Patrick’s parish branch of the St. Vincent De Paul will be held on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th December outside all the churches in the parish. As always, all contributions will be gratefully appreciated by the local branch which will go in support of families in need over the festive season.

BEST WISHES At the A.G.M., Chairman Aodan O’Rourke extended best wishes to the club’s long serving and popular P.R.O., Val Malone for his continuing recovery from a recent serious health setback. Despite his enforced absence Val was unanimously reappointed P.R.O. at the recent A.G.M. CHRISTMAS PARTY With the Festive season on our doorstep members should note that the annual Village Christmas party will take place on Saturday week, 13th December starting at 8p.m. For the much looked forward to seasonal event, musical entertainment will be provided by Tony Coy from 9p.m., and as always there will be a prize for the best Christmas outfit on display. There will also be a raffle at 11p.m. Why not come along and enjoy the festive “hooley” enriched with a night of seasonal music, chat and a bit of dancing, without the stars!!!

ST. PATRICK’S BAND St. Patrick’s Brass and Reed Band has a busy schedule of concerts lined up for the festive season.

On Sunday 7th December the band will play a selection of carol music in the Presbyterian Church, New Road starting at 7.30p.m. On the following night, Monday 8th December the band will present a selection of Christmas festive music in St. Patrick’s Church starting at 7.30p.m. The concert is a hugely popular musical event much appreciated by their many supporters in the local Village community. On Saturday 13th December the band will be in Market Cross Shopping Centre to present a mid-afternoon

concert at 3p.m..On Sunday 14th December the band will play at the church carol service in St. Fiacre’s Church starting at 3p.m., and then it’s back to Market Cross on Christmas Eve for another midafternoon concert at 3p.m. Appropriately their final Christmas carol presentation will be at the 9.30 a.m.

Christmas Day Mass in St. Patrick’s Church. After all of that we can only wish the men and women of St. Patrick’s Brass and Reed Band a well-earned peaceful Christmas break.

SHOP REOPENS Supervisor Breda Manogue advises the Red & Green shop will reopen for business on Tuesday evening 2nd December with a wide range of fashionable club sports and Leisure wear in stock. Meanwhile if anything is needed urgently Breda can be contacted at 087- 9648756.

LOTTO This week’s numbers were 6: 7: 11: 27. There was no winning ticket. The €40 consolation winners were Paul Robinson, Kate Gladney, Nicky Byrne, Orla Neary and Rose Brennan.

BENNETTSBRIDGE WEEKDAY MASSES Wednesday and Friday mornings 10.30 am.

CHRISTMAS FAIR Many thanks to all who came out to support the Art Fest organised by the Bennettsbridge Art Group. A very successful day was had and there was a great atmosphere in the hall with music and festive lighting. A fine array of items was displayed including original art, Christmas Tree ornaments, Christmas Cards, knitted dolls and lots of colourful candles and table ornaments. Members are looking forward to having a Christmas lunch in Crafted on Monday, 8th December.

LOTTO There was no winner of the Jackpot, the numbers drawn were, 3, 16, 18, 21. Consolation Prizes, went to Billy O’Neill, Ballinamona, Barbi Zsoldos, Tullaherin, Pat Hayes, Marian Place, Shane Dowling, Bennettsbridge, Eamon Mc Evoy, Gowran Road.

CHOIR PRACTICE There will be a choir practice for Christmas on Tuesday, 9th December after mass. We will just have one practice so it would be good to have a full attendance. Tullaherin Choir members welcome.

CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to Tommy Hayes, Annamult who celebrated a milestone birthday last week. Tommy was feted in Cois Abhainn, Inistioge, where he spent much of his teaching life.

GATHERING Tommy Hayes Pictured with Councillor Deirdre Cullen at a celebration in Cois Abhainn, Inistioge marking a milestone birthday

An enjoyable day out at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre was enjoyed last week. A happy few hours were spent browsing the shops, stopping for coffee, lunch and enjoying the break. A visit from Sarah Drea, Citizens Advice Bureau is on the cards for this week and next week the eagerly anticipated Christmas Dinner will take the group to the Orchard Restaurant in Kilkenny.

CHILDREN’S MOVIE NIGHT Children’s Christmas Movie Night will be held in Bennettsbridge Community Hall on the 7th December at 5pm. All welcome. €5 per child, €10 per family. Treat bags €3 please pre-order on 0851431598 there will be a raffle on the evening. Tickets will be available at door. All proceeds will go towards Bennettsbridge Community and Playground Development.

SYMPATHY Sympathy is extended to Anne Dowling, Norewood Heights on the death of her mother, Mary Farrelly née Doherty, 7 Castle Avenue, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny and formerly of Kinnogo, Buncrana, Co Donegal. Mary died at her residence surrounded by her loving family in her 92nd year. Predeceased by her husband, Andy and her brothers and sisters. Sadly missed by her daughter Anne (Dowling), grandsons Peter, Liam, Colm and Kieran, great grandchildren Cara, Kayla, Niamh, and Rory, brother Phil, sisters Bridget and Sadie, brothers-in-law, sisters in law, Nieces and Nephews extended family, neighbours and friends. Special thanks to her many carers for their help and kindness.

Reposal was at her residence with rosary and vigil prayers. Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Assumption Thomastown, followed by burial in St Mary’s New cemetery.

EAST END East End U13s girls played a challenging match against Paulstown. A tough result and hard luck with a 2–1 defeat, but you deserve to be really proud of the effort you put in from start to finish.

Your teamwork, attitude, and determination were excellent. We saw some outstanding individual performances too. Keep your heads up — performances like that will bring results.

Great work, and we’ll keep building together as the season progresses. Thanks to our joint captains today; Catherine Moran and Niamh Hennessy. And well done to our goal scorer Holly Moran.

SIGNAGE CAMPAIGN The Bennettsbridge GAA club Pitch signage campaign is proving very successful. 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.

New signs have been added in the past couple of weeks with room still available.

O’NEILL’S CLUB SHOP A new club jacket has been added to the range of club gear in the online shop. With Christmas on the horizon some club gear would make the perfect gift.

To check out the full range, go to the O Neill’s website and simply enter Bennettsbridge in the search box to see all the bridge items for sale.

SPLIT THE POT The next draw will be the Christmas draw on December 19th with extra prizes added. Thanks to all for your continued support.

COLLEGE HURLING We wish the very best of luck to all Bennettsbridge players in action for second and third level hurling teams at present.

GOWRAN GOWRAN AC Congratulations to all those who ran in the Waterford Half Marathon, some great times from everyone. 74th Marty Moseley 01:23:59 (10th MO45).

108th Adrian Cunningham 01:26:25 (17th MO45).

116th Derek Kehoe 01:26:49 (2nd MO55). 205th Paul Flood 01:30:12 (40th MO40). 541st Simon Maher 01:40:35 (105th MO45) Massive congratulations to Joe Keohane and all our senior men on a great performance in the Senior County cross country in Thomastown. Joe had a fantastic 3rd place finish and first scorer on the team that finished 2nd. Sean Morrisey, Cormac Buggy and Martin Desgrandchamps made up the silver winning team. Well done to all the seniors with full results, 3rd Joe Keohane. 8th Sean Morrisey. 10th Cormac Buggy. 11th Martin Desgrandchamps. 13th Matthew Holland. 16th John Coady. 19th Paddy O’Keeffe. 20th Johan Muller. 27th James O’Reilly.

30th Lyndon Barcoe MOLLYS TEA ROOM Why not have lunch at Molly’s Tea Room to start your Christmas celebrations? From Thursday,

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5th December 2025

Community & GAA Notes Moira Hackett and Trish Shiel with Mary White in Blanchardstown

Happy group at the Christmas Fest in Bennettsbridge, Daphne Hunt, Joan Healy, Lorraine Fahy, Lin Cowley

Joan Healy pictured at her stand with Andy at the Christmas Fest

December 18th through Saturday, December 20th, they will be serving a Christmas menu. Three courses cost €23.95, or two courses cost €19.95. Due to limited seating, reservations must be made in advance.

GOWRAN PARK There is an offer at present of 33% off all tickets for the 2026 Goffs Thyestes Day at www.gowranpark. ie - hurry before they are gone.

YOUNG IRELANDS GAA The Monday night exercise class (7:30pm) is now FULL! Thank you to everyone who’s signed up. If you missed out but would still love to join, we’re starting a waiting list for a possible second class.

Contact Melissa on (086)3185692.

GOWRAN PANTO Gowran Panto is on its way back with Cinderella, coming February 2026! Director: Peter Madden, Musical Director: Rachel Leydon, Choreographer: Rachel Bawle.

GRAIGUENAMANAGH WOMEN SHED Here are the dates for our remaining activities to the end of this year; 5th Dec - Fitness Class 6th Dec - Christmas Dinner 7pm. 12th Dec - Fitness Class (last one for this year). 13th Dec- Trip to Waterford 11am. 18th Dec - Trip to Dail Eireann 10 am.

We take a break then for Christmas and New Year, we’ll let you know in January when we pick back up again.

GAA CLUB On the 6th of December at 3pm the newly constructed Clubhouse Extension including New Gym erected by Graignamangh GAA Club will be officially opened by Mr Jarlath Burns Uachtarán CLG at Dr Tierney Park Harristown Graignamangh.

The event will also incorporate the unveiling of a memorial in honour of Graignamangh native Nick

O’Donnell to commemorate the centenary of his birth locally in 1925.

XMAS LIGHTS Well done to Hall Committee led by chairman Ward Kinsella for once again organising the Christmas lights. The lights will be turned on Sunday 7th December at 5pm.Thank you to Duiske Inn for sponsorship of light refreshments for the event.

KILKENNY LEADER PARTNERSHIP Graiguenamanagh Energy Town has just signed a contract with us for the next phase of their energy project at the Barrow Valley Tourism Hub. They are now generating and trading energy within their own community. We at Kilkenny Leader Partnerships can offer funding to community energy projects. If you have an idea, we’d love to hear from you.

BARROW VALLEY SEC If you are a resident in Graiguenamanagh or Tinnahinch and want to lower your energy bills?

We are giving away 6 free BER Assessments, worth €150–€250 each! You can take a two minute survey at https://forms.gle/5SUutAdRBrDzEv2C6 Residents of Graiguenamanagh and Tinnahinch only.

Barrow Valley SEC is a group of individuals who have come together with a vision that Graiguenamanagh becomes an energy-efficient community that reduces its carbon footprint. What if you could cut your home energy bills and someone else did the hard work of finding the grants for you? That’s exactly what the Barrow Valley Hub Sustainable Energy Community is doing but we need your help.

Why? Because once we have real data from real local homes we can unlock SEAI supports identify the best grants for you and help bring down energy costs across the whole community.

And your input takes 2 minutes! Fill in the survey today and you’ll be entered into a draw to WIN 1 of 6 FREE BER Assessments. That’s a full Building Energy Rating assessment of your home completely free. Perfect if you’re thinking of upgrades, insulation, heat pumps, solar or selling your home in future. Let’s make Graiguenamanagh one of the most energy-efficient communities in Ireland.

LIBRARY Mark your calendars for a festive Friday, December 5th, 2025! We’re rolling out the red carpet here in Graig Library for our amazing customers with a big thank you from 10:30 AM to 12 PM. Join us for a cozy cuppa and some delightful Christmas nibbles. And guess what? The Men’s Shed will be sprinkling some extra holiday cheer!

Happy shoppers at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre

O’DRISCOLLS BAR We want to give a huge shout-out to Ward Kinsella and Paddy Heffernan for going the hard yards again this year with the town Christmas lights.

Ye are always out on the coldest days of the year putting them up. You would always hope that everyone who enjoys them appreciates this difficult, sometimes thankless, costly project, and hopefully, we all don’t take it for granted that they will automatically appear, just because! The lads make sure it gets done and do a terrific job.

Thank you, Graig Abbey Hall, for taking over this project when nobody else would.

Thank you, Councillor Willie Quinn, for always providing funding for Tinnahinch towards the annual costs.

We Wewelcome welcomeall allGAA GAAClub Cluband andCommunity Communitynotes notesfor forpublication publicationin inThe TheKilkenny KilkennyObserver Observeremail emailto tosales@kilkennyobserver.ie sales@kilkennyobserver.ie

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Community & GAA Notes KILMANAGH COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUND At an open meeting in Ballycallan Hall recently, the KBK Enterprise Group Ltd announced the distribution of the Community Benefit Fund for Foyle and Ballybay Wind Farms, which the group administers annually. The five local groups who applied for, and were eligible for funding were Graigue-Ballycallan GAA, Ballycallan Hall, Naomh Aodhan Active Ladies Group, Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre and St Aidan’s Church of Ireland. It was agreed unanimously by those present to divide the funds equally between the five different groups. Well done to all who participated and grateful thanks to Foyle and Ballybay Wind Farms, who provide this local funding, on an annual ongoing basis.

TIMBER AUCTION The Ballycallan Hall Timber Auction takes place on Sunday 7th of December. Refreshments will be served from 10.30am with Auction commencing at 11am. Grab a load of timber and have the house cosy for Christmas.

LADIES ACTIVE GROUP Naomh Aodhan Ladies Active Group hosted a Christmas Wreath Making Workshop recently which was a great success. Thirty one people took part in the workshop and all went home happy with a Christmas Wreath that they made themselves.

Thanks very much to Giedre and her daughter Terese for showing us how to make the wreaths and providing all the equipment required. We had a great night with mulled wine, non-alcoholic punch and Christmas nibbles. If you would like to join the ladies group contact Eileen on 086 373 99 83 or come along to Naomh Aodhan Community Centre on Monday evenings from 7pm.

LOCAL CHRISTMAS MARKETS The annual Christmas Market in Ballingarry Community Centre takes place on Sunday, December 7th from 10am-2pm. Music, festive food, crafts and ideal Christmas gifts for all.

On Saturday, December 13th, Fennelly’s Café Callan host their Market, from 12-6pm. Local crafts, live music and seasonal treats.

On Sunday, December 14th, the Visit Callan Christmas Market takes place, al fresco in Green Street if weather is fine, otherwise in the Parish Hall, Callan with the fun starting at 11.30am.

LOCAL LINK Transport For Ireland operates weekly door-todoor bus services. There are 2 routes operating in this area. 470 Tuesday: Callan and Ballingarry to Kilkenny. Local pick-up 10.30am (approx), leaves Kilkenny 1.30pm. 489 Saturday: Slieveardagh to Kilkenny. Local pick-up 10.30am (approx), leaves Kilkenny 3pm.

To avail of this service, you must register as a passenger beforehand on 0818 42 41 41. Have your Eir Code to hand, so they can pin point your home.

Reserve your seat on the bus, by phoning 0818 42 41 41, a few days before your desired trip.

CAMOGIE DRAW Join our St. Brigid’s Camogie Club Christmas Raffle and be in with a chance to win some fantastic prizes, while helping us continue to grow and develop camogie in our community.

Your support keeps our club strong! Tickets available now through iDonate, don’t miss out! 1 x Ticket = €10; 3 x Tickets = €25; 6 x Tickets = €50; 12 x Tickets = €100.

SOCCER RESULTS U14 Schoolboys League: River Rangers 1; Bridge Utd 3.

SOCCER FIXTURES Saturday, December 6th: U17 Schoolboys League: River Rangers v Freebooters. U13 Schoolboys League: River Rangers v Highview Athletic. Sunday, December 7th: K and DL Div 2: River Rangers v Evergreen.

CHRISTMAS ACORN The Christmas Acorn is now at production stage and will be printed and available for sale before Christmas.

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.

Jessica Smith on receiving their Minor All-Ireland medals in the Ormonde Hotel recently.

A special congratulations as well to Miriam Bambrick on receiving her Senior Leinster medal.

LOTTO There was no jackpot winner for the lotto draw Tom of 25th November. The Healy Match 3 winner was Paddy Wall (€100).

BRIDGE UNITED In the Premier Division, Bridge A beat Freebooters A (3-1) with goals from Pierce Blanchfield, Eoin Kavanagh and Conor English. Well done to the Under-10 girls on an excellent performance in Highview. Goals scored were from Ciara Doyle and Emma Dreeling. In the Junior Division 3 of Kilkenny and District Soccer League, Bridge Utd B beat Paulstown 06 FC (4-2).

The Club will hold its Christmas Draw on Friday 5th December at the awards night. Lines cost €2 each with many of great prizes including some hampers and vouchers.

CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL A Christmas Festival (Paulstown) will take place from 1-5pm on Sunday 7th December in Paulstown Community Hall. There are a handful of tables available still for local artists and crafters.

CHURCH SERVICES Weekend masses are celebrated on Saturday in Goresbridge at 7.30pm and on Sunday at 10am in Goresbridge and at 11.30am in Paulstown. Weekday masses at 10am in Paulstown on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday as well as at 10am on Wednesday in Goresbridge. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place each Tuesday from the end of mass in Paulstown to 5.45pm.

Rhianna Scott, Ella O’Reilly, Jessica Smith

TALKING THE TALK Cupla focal (Irish language conversation circle) continues this Friday at 11am in the Goodly Barrow.

KILLURE COTTAGES (PAULSTOWN) Congratulations to Majella and Michael Prendergast of Killure Cottages chosen as Hotel and Accommodation Providers of the Year.

LIGHT UP THE PARISH The annual Light Up The Parish Vehicle Charity Run 2025 takes place on Saturday 13 December. Funds are raised for the Saplings School, Goresbridge.

Registration of vehicles begins at 2pm at Donohue’s Horse Sales Yard. The run will depart from Goresbridge at 4pm and move through Paulstown and Gowran before returning to Goresbridge. Music and raffle at the Barrow Breeze, Goresbridge at 8pm.

MARES’ MAIDEN HURDLE The horse, Daboya, trained by Dick Donohoe and ridden by Danny Mullins, won the mares’ maiden hurdle at Thurles on 27th November 2025, producing a strong late surge to secure victory and mark a double on the day for Mullins.

ADMISSIONS Scoil Bhríde (Goresbridge) is open for admissions for the next school year. Information may be obtained from the school office each morning (phone 059 9775168) or email to office@goresbridgens.ie.

Scoil Bhríde (Paulstown) is open for admissions for the next school year. Information may be obtained from the school office (059 9726149) or email to admin@paulstownns.ie SENIOR CITIZENS CHRISTMAS GATHERING Will take place on Saturday 14th December in Gowran Park from 3-6pm. Book with Anne Marie 087 9610027 before 7th December.

SPLIT THE POT In aid of Goresbridge Rural Development is also online. Simply scan the QR code or go to lottoraiser. ie. The results of the lotto draw for 30th November were: 1 Lauren O’Neill (€100) 2. Jordan Delahunty (€20) and 3. Jacquie Barcoe (€20).

STROKE SUPPORT Kilkenny/Carlow Stroke Support Groups meet once a month. The Kilkenny group meet the last Friday of the month, at The Tuiscint day services meeting room, at St. Canice’s Hospital Complex, 2.15–4pm.

The Carlow group meets on the second Friday of the month at St. Dympna’s Hospital, Carlow 2.15– 4pm. Group meetings are open to Stroke survivors and carers. They are supportive and informational.

They are social and help survivors overcome isolation and loneliness. Further information: Lynda 087 781 4697.

DONATIONS Tar Isteach is looking for good quality bric a brac, household items, it comes in and goes out twice as fast - also good quality men’s clothes and handbags.

ST MARY’S PARISH TY LOCAL HISTORY TRIP The CBC TY Local History group visited Vincent’s on Butt’s Green as part of their work on community heritage and the circular economy. Students learned how donated items are sorted, priced and reused, and saw first-hand how the shop supports local families through St Vincent de Paul’s work.

The visit helped them link sustainability with social responsibility ahead of the Christmas season. CBC are grateful to the staff at Vincent’s for welcoming the class and sharing their insights.

MAYFAIR CHRISTMAS CAROLS The Unity Singers will perform at the Mayfair Library on Tuesday 16th December at 6.30pm. Free of admission.

ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE. The annual Christmas Carol service will take place at St May’s Cathedral on Sunday 21st December at 7.30pm featuring St Mary’s Cathedral Choir, the Unity Singers, Soloist Tanya Sewell and the Kilkenny School of Music under the baton of Philip Edmundsen. Accompanist Joy Bibby and Conductor Sean O’Neill.

DISCERNING A VOCATION TO RELIGIOUS/CONSECRATED LIFE For Young Women (18-40yrs) who are discerning a Vocation to Religious/Consecrated Life, monthly meetings are held in Charleville Retreat Centre, Cork. The day includes prayer, talks, Holy Mass, Adoration and a chance to meet and chat with religious sisters of different communities. If interested in attending email womendiscern@corkandross.org A CHORAL CHRISTMAS The Kilkenny Choir presents A Choral Christmas on Sunday 14th December at 4.30pm in St. John’s Church. Conductor Patrick Rafter. Tickets €20 on Eventbrite or www.thekilkennychoir,com First Saturday Conference in Knock To mark the 100th anniversary of the First Saturday Apparition in Pontevedra, Spain, there will be a special conference in Knock on the first Saturday in December - December 6th. The day begins with adoration and confessions at 10am in the Reconciliation Chapel. There will be three talks from Bishop John Keenan, Antonia Moffat, and Fr Philip Kemmy.

At Fatima, Our Lady promised that there would be peace in the world and that many souls would be saved through this devotion. Bus from Butts Green 7:00am, with pick-up at Ballyragget, Durrow, Abbeyleix. Please contact 086-8469011 to book. For more info firstsaturdays.ie CHAPTER HOUSE BOOKSHOP A range of Christmas Mass Bouquets, Christmas Cards, Cribs, Christmas Gifts are now available.

Open - Monday Tuesday 9.30am - 1.00pm and Wednesday - Friday 9.30am - 5.00pm.

ROTA Readers Next Weekend 11.00am – G. Cody, 5.30pm – M. Ryan. Eucharistic Ministers 11.00am-J. Campion, N. Molloy, F. Culleton: 5.30pm –T. Lawlor, K. Lawlor YOUR PARISH SAFEGUARDING REPS Sr Betty Cagney, Martina Lawlor. Contact: safeguardingstmarys@ossory.ie FRIENDS INVITE Invite your family members to support the Friends of St Mary’s Cathedral at www.stmaryscathedal.ie/ friends

GORESBRIDGE PAULSTOWN

BALLYRAGGET BALLYOUSKILL

ACTIVE RETIREMENT The Active Retirement Group meets next on Thursday 18th December at 11am in Paulstown Community Hall. New members welcome.

BARROW RANGERS Congratulations to Rhianna Scott, Ella O’Reilly,

SYMPATHY Sympathies are sent to the Moylan and Drennan family on the passing of Anne Moylan of Greenview.

To her daughters Anne Marie, Elayne and Kathy, also to her son Patrick, daughter in law Christine, son in law Paddy, grandchildren Naomi, Sophie,

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

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5th December 2025

Community & GAA Notes Shay, Sadie, Daley, Tommy Jessica and JJ. To her sister Chris Clancy, brothers Denis and PJ and the extended family. Anne was laid to rest in Ballinakill following funeral mass. May she rest in peace.

CHRISTMAS CARDS Ballyragget Development Association and the Tidy Towns group are delighted to team up with local graphic designer Chieu Phelan a recent graduate from Visual Communications at the Crawford College of Art and Design, Cork, in designing Christmas cards depicting local landmarks this year. These will be on sale at the Christmas Market on 6th Dec but will also be on sale by contacting Catherine 0857403812 or in Supervalu Ballyragget, John McGraths the Square, Billy Bradley butchers, and Ballyragget Credit Union. Individual cards cost €3 each or pack of the 7 scenes for €15.

CHRISTMAS MARKET Ballyragget Yulefest committee are looking forward to welcoming locals and visitors alike to our annual Christmas Market and lighting of the Square festivities on Saturday 6th December. Various crafts and homemade goods are available to purchase in the Community Hall from 2pm and there will be a monster raffle on the day in aid of local charities. Santa will visit the hall from 3.30pm to have a chat with all the boys and girls, and parents/guardians can take photographs with Santa and their own children.

The proceedings move to the Square opposite the community hall and at 5.30 p.m. the Crib and Christmas Lights will be blessed. The lightswill be turned on by dignitaries for the day Mary and Joe Phelan and the International Rose of Tralee Katyln Cummins will officially launch the sleigh for the safe return of Santa. Donations for the Square lights/ decorations via Go Fund Me or donation box on the day are much appreciated.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT A Christmas Concert will take place on Sunday 7th December in St Patricks Church Ballyragget from 4.30pm. Tickets cost €5. Taking part will be Castlecomer Male Voice Choir Ballyragget National School Choir, Cois Nore Choir, Ballyragget/Ballyouskill Craft Fair 2025

Eoin Ó Meachair, Seán Maher, Frank Madigan and Martin Raftice at the unveiling of the commemorative plaque to James Hoban outside the Rod Iron Café on Saturday, 22nd November

Parish Choir For more information please contact, Catherine Kelly 085740312 KILMACOW CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR Kilmacow Youth Club will host this year’s Craft Fair in Kilmacow Community Centre from 11.00am to

4.00pm on Saturday, 7th December. There will be arts, crafts, games, loads of stalls, tea and coffee to ensure that it will be a great community event with attractions for everyone.

CHRISTMAS CARDS Christmas Cards in aid of the Hospice Movement are on sale in local retail outlets. The cost per packet of 12 cards is €10. All support welcome.

MOONCOIN CRAFT FAIR The Christmas Craft Fair will be held in Mooncoin Parish Hall from 1.00pm on Sunday, 14th December.

KILMACOW LOTTO The winning numbers in last week’s draw were 12, 14, 15 and 23. There was one Match 3 winner.

TABLE QUIZ The next quiz in the monthly series in the Fox’s Den will be in aid of the Parent’s Association of St. Senan’s National School will be held at 8.00pm on Monday, 12th January ’26. The cost per table of four is €20. All support welcome.

MOONCOIN DAY CARE CENTRE The Centre will hold its annual Christmas Dinner at 6.00pm on Wednesday, 10th December. Doors open from 5.30pm. Tickets (€30) are available from committee members.

PILTOWN CAROL SERVICE Piltown Choir will host a Christmas Journey to Bethlehem in Piltown Church at 7.30pm on Thursday, 11th December. Among those taking part will be Piltown Choir, Children’s Choir, Ferrybank Folk Group, Kilmacow Guests. Soloists will include Lance O’Brien, Noel Slattery, Caroline Reid O’Brien, Sara Mackey, Noel O’Regan (Organist), Ursula Kenny (Conductor) and Fr. Pascal Moore.

MULLINAVAT JUVENILE CLUB AGM The Juvenile section of Mullinavat GAA Club held its AGM in the clubhouse last Friday, 28th November.

Chairman, Willie Kelly thanked all who had contributes to the club over the past year, especially those who had help as coaches. Willie gave a comprehensive account of the club’s activities for the year from nursery to the minor grades. He will stay on as Chairman next year and Jeannette Fitzpatrick agreed to continue as Secretary. Declan Wall will stay as coaching co-ordinator, while PJ Aylward will assume the role of Child Welfare Officer. The Juvenile Club wishes all its members, players and supporters the best of luck for 2026. Please note the adult GAA Club will hold its AGM on Friday, 12th December.

COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE A local community came together to remember an innocent local man who was fatally wounded by a soldier in the British Army on the street in Mullinavat on 19th April 1921.

James Hoban, a farmer’s son from Glendonell, was selling pigs at Mullinavat Fair which was held on the day. He was accompanied by his uncle, James Walsh. Also, in Mullinavat that day was a full

complement of Black and Tans, Auxiliaries and an RIC patrol. Disturbances were running high in the Mullinavat area at that stage of the War of Independence. James, 23 years old, was struck by a number of bullets from a gun mounted on top of a Rolls Royce armoured car. He was carried into Costello’s Shop where his wounds were tended to and later, he was taken to the County and City Infirmary in Waterford. He died shortly after arrival there. James was an innocent victim in a war in which he had no active part.

Martin Raftice gave the address of welcome and thanked the proprietors of the Rod Iron Café for facilitating the erection of the memorial plaque on the wall of their premises and for the provision inside it of space to display documentation relating to the inquest and Coroner’s notes on the shooting. It was followed by the beautiful rendering by Frank Madigan of Eibhlín a Rúin before Seán Maher told the story of how events had unfolded on that fateful day when going to the fair had such tragic consequences. The plaque, for which he praised Keith Daly, would remind everyone of that day.

Tom McEvoy sang his own composition ‘A fair day in Mullinavat’ which captured the sense of loss of a young man to his family and to his community.

Eoin Ó Meachair brought proceedings to a close with Amhrán na bhFiann. After the unveiling everyone was welcomed into the Rod Iron Café for tea and refreshments and to see the display of documentation.

SPECIAL VISITOR Christmas on the Green will welcome Santa to the Community Centre in Mullinavat at 6.00pm on Thursday, 11th December. Contact members of the group for details.

NIGHT OF REMINISCING This year’s event will take place in the Rhu Glenn Hotel, on Friday, 5th December with guest speaker Bridie Kineavy from Rosmuc, Co. Galway. The event begins, at 7pm, with food (Beef or Chicken wrapped in Bacon; dessert; and tea or coffee). The cost is €30 (including food) and all are welcome.

Booking and further information from: Brigid Barron, Blossom Hill, Kilmacow (087 9507295, brigidbarron@hotmail.com); Katherine Grant, Curraghmore, Slieverue (086 1954616, katherinegrant@ gmail.com); or Mary Ryan, ‘Gort Glas’, Carrigeen (086 3790655, maryearyan@gmail.com).

JOHNSTOWN COOKIE WORKSHOP A Christmas Cookie Workshop will be held in St. Kieran’s Hall on Saturday December. 6th at 3pm there will be a festive cookie making and decorating session. Cost € 10 per child, siblings 50% discount. Parents can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee while they wait.

COFFEE MORNING A festive coffee morning will be held in the Hall on Thursday next from 10am to 12 noon. All are welcome to call in for a cuppa, treats and a chat.

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

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5th December 2025

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Community & GAA Notes coming from the parish.

TUESDAY BRIDGE Bridge is being played each Tuesday night in Gortnahoe Hall at 7.30pm. If you would like to join or find out more information please contact this number 089 434910 GORTNAHOE COMMUNITY HALL CHRISTMAS DRAW Gortnahoe Community Hall are holding their Christmas draw on Sunday 21st December in Gortnahoe Hall. The Hall Committee will be delivering tickets and flyers to each house in the parish over the weekend and next week. There will be great prizes on offer, 1st prize will be €300, 2nd prize €200 plus many other prizes. The Christmas Draw is an important fundraiser for the upkeep of the Community Hall.

SPLIT THE POT Congratulations to Patrick Moloney who won €163 in the Split the Pot draw last Sunday. Envelopes are available in Cahill’s Gortnahoe, Hogans Grange and at the usual outlets, you can also Revolut to 0876777220. Split the Pot for December is in aid of the Christmas lights for Gortnahoe. The draw takes place each Sunday at 12pm in Gortnahoe Hall.

Your support would be appreciated.

GLENGOOLE COMMUNITY GROUP Glengoole Community Group Information Evening ‘Have your Say’ will be held on Saturday, 13th December, 6.30 to 7.30pm in Glengoole Hall. Village Enhancement update. Results of recent Community Survey. Opportunity to input into future plans for Glengoole village. Refreshments served. Please keep the date for your diary.

SCHOOL SURVEY For Attention of Parents of children attending Primary Schools or have yet to start: The Department of Education is currently conducting a Primary School Survey that will determine the future provision of Primary Schools and crucially could lead to lasting changes in your school. In simple, direct terms, you are being asked if you want your school to stay a Catholic school or if you want that to change. Don’t leave it to others, have your say about your Catholic School before 16th December 2025. Survey can be accessed on: https://www. gov.ie/en/department-of-education/campaigns/ primary-school-survey/ CONAHY

FESTIVAL OF LIGHT The Town Team will host their annual festival of light on Sunday December 7th at 5pm. Children will assemble in the car park at the church where they will be entertained by D.J. Michael Glendon, they will then have a parade of light down to the square led by Adam McCarthy. Rosettes to remember the parishioners who died during the year will be blessed by Fr. Eamonn and placed on the Remembrance Tree, followed by the switching on of the village lights. Music on the Square will be supplied by D.J. Tracey Edwards. The children will then go to meet Santa at St. Mary’s Hall where any donations will be presented to Santa in aid of Temple Street Children’s Hospital. Come along on Sunday evening for a most enjoyable function.

CHRISTMAS FAIR There is a Christmas fair on Friday December. 5th at the Mill Centre, Urlingford at 11am.

AGM Fenians H.C. will hold their AGM on Friday December. 5th at 8pm ( Note change of time).

SPA DEVELOPMENT/FENIANS LOTTO The numbers drawn were 11,14,15,29. There was no jackpot winner but there was two match threes winners in Jennifer Dermody and Donal Hughes.

SPA UNITED AFC The results this week are as follows Junior league division 1 Spa 0 East End 2, U15 girls league division 1 Spa 1 Freebooters 2, U14 boys league division 1A Spa 1 East End 2, U14 boys league division 2 Highview 4 Spa 0. The U10 boys were in action this week as they hosted Fort Rangers while the U 10 girls travelled to play Lions. Many thanks from the club to Stephen Geoghehan, Geoghehan Publican Ltd who presented a set of jerseys to the junior squad.

GORTNAHOE GLENGOOLE EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Glengoole Wednesday 10am to 2pm, Gortnahoe Thursday 10am to 1pm. The rosary is recited be-

fore Mass in Glengoole every Saturday evening.

THE ROSARY The Rosary will be recited at Our Lady’s Grotto, Saturday before 6pm Mass.

GATE COLLECTION A gate collection at Gortnahoe Church will take place on Sunday 7th December in aid of the Christmas Lights for Gortnahoe village.

CHRISTMAS PARTY The MFRC senior social Christmas party will take place on Wednesday 10th December 1pm-5pm.

Cost €10. Dinner followed by live music and entertainment, visit from Santa and a very special guest. Booking essential contact Alice Teehan 0529157992/083-1014313 SPIN CLASSES Gortnahoe Community Hall Wednesday 9.30am Body Sculpt, Thursday 5.30pm and 6.15pm -Spin.

See notice in the hall.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL St Vincent de Paul Annual Church Gate Collection will take place in Glengoole on Saturday 13th December and Gortnahoe on Sunday, 14th Dec. As this is their only means of raising funds they are very grateful to all who can contribute.

IN OUR HANDS “Preserving Thurles Cathedral” fundraising campaign to support the re-roofing project by donating towards the cost of the slates. Brochures in Church porches.

PILATES WITH RUTH Pilate classes continue in Glengoole Hall every Monday at 7pm. €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. A sincere thanks to everyone who supported the bingo last Saturday. We had a full hall and it was great to see some extra people

FOOTBALL The senior footballers regained their senior status for 2026 when they got the better of Clara in the JJ Kavanagh Senior Football relegation final in Clara on Sunday last. A first half goal from James Bergin set Conahy up for a 1-4 to 0-2 lead at half-time.

Some good points from Bill Murphy, James Bergin and Brooklyn Synott during the second half saw Conahy keep ahead throughout, eventually winning by 1-9 to 0-6. The locals will soon return to action in the new year in the JJ Kavanagh Senior League, with the draws taking place in early January.

SCHOOLS FOOTBALL Well done to the local school’s girls football team who won their Cumann na mBunscoileanna Roinn F final on Thursday night last, defeating Urlingford N.S by 4-4 to 1-1 in Ballyragget. The girls put up a great performance all through. The team was as follows: Emily Joyce, Fiadh Brophy, Grace Kennedy, Ruth Walsh, Rebecca Staunton, Lily O’Shea, Hannah Buggy, Lucy O’Neill, Isabelle Flynn, Breda Phelan, Eve Curran, Bella Buggy, Ella Ryan, Aisling Phelan, Sarah Gallagher, Eve O’Neill, Zuzanna Bila.

GAA AND CAMOGIE AGM The AGM of Conahy Shamrocks GAA & Camogie Club will take place this Friday evening, December 5th, at 8.00 p.m. in Conahy Shamrocks Clubhouse, having been postponed last Friday night. All members are invited to attend.

GAA CLUB LOTTO The numbers drawn in the most recent GAA Lotto draw were 1, 2 and 4. There was no winner of the jackpot so the consolation prizes were Eamonn Lennon, Leslie Byrne, Camryn Kenehan, Mary Tierney and the Tierney Grandchildren. The promoter prize winners were Helen Cahill, Mona Dooley and Seamus Óg Brennan. Many thanks to everyone who continues to support the GAA Club Lotto.

CASTLECOMER LIBRARY EVENTS Afternoon Adult Book Club - This month our afternoon book club has chosen to read “Duffy and Sons” by Damien Owens. Copies of this book are currently available at the desk, so why not pick up a copy and join us for a lively discussion on Tuesday, December 16th from 2.30 to 3.30. Phone (056)

4440561 or email castlecomer@kilkennylibrary.ie to join up.

Evening Adult Book Club - If afternoons don’t suit why not join our evening book club. This month we are reading “And every morning the way home gets longer and longer” by Frederick Backman. If you would like to meet fellow readers, enjoy new book recommendations and explore new authors then do join us on Tuesday, December 16th from 6.30 to 7.30. Phone (056) 4440561 or email castlecomer@ kilkennylibrary.ie to join up.

Friendship Bracelet Workshop for Taylor Swift’s Birthday - On Saturday, December 13th from 11:30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., in honour of Taylor Swift’s Birthday, we are hosting a bracelet making workshop for children ages six and up. Booking required by phoning (056) 4440561 or emailing castlecomer@ kilkennylibrary.ie .

HUGGINSTOWN NEWMARKET STONEYFORD MASS TIMES IN AGHAVILLER PARISH: Hugginstown: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9.30a.m. Vigil – Saturday at 8.00p.m., Sunday at 10.00a.m. Stoneyford, Vigil Saturday at 6.30p.m.

Friday 5th. First Friday, Visitation with Holy Communion will take place as usual on Friday. Please let us know if you would like to receive Holy Communion in your home for the First Fridays or at any other time.

PRAY FOR Monica McMunn, Cherrymount; who died during the week. Fr. John Murphy, late of Newmarket who died in England.

Anniversary Masses; Michael Murphy, Stoneyford; Mass in Stoneyford Church on Saturday 6th December at 6.30p.m. Marie Duggan, Ballinteskin; Mass in Hugginstown Church on Saturday 6th.

December at 8.00p.m.

ROTA (SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT) Readers; Stoneyford, Saturday 6.30p.m. Rita O’Farrell. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Deirdre Rohan: Sunday 10.00a.m Noreen Kenneally. Eucharistic Ministers: Stoneyford, Saturday 6.30p.m. Mary O’Grady.

Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Marion Barron: Sunday 10.00a.m. Ann Power. Note: New Rota for Hugginstown Church available in the Church Sacristy.

SERVICE OF HEALING: Service of Healing and Penitential Service will be celebrated in preparation for Christmas during Masses on weekend: Saturday 13th. December in Stoneyford and Hugginstown Churches and on Sunday 14th.December in Hugginstown Church.

HAVE YOUR SAY ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL For Attention of Parents of children attending Primary Schools or have yet to start.

The Department of Education is currently conducting a Primary School Survey that will determine the future provision of Primary Schools and crucially could lead to lasting changes in your school.

In simple, direct terms, you are being asked if you want your school to stay a Catholic School or if you want that to change. Don’t leave it to others, have your say before 16th. December 2025 NOVEMBER OFFERINGS: Many thanks for your very generous contributions over the past few weeks LOTTO Aghaviller Parish and Carrickshock G. A. A. Draw: Monday 24th. November 2025. Numbers: 22; 25; 13; 29. No Winner of First 3 Numbers Drawn: No Jackpot Winner: €30.00. Winners: Michael Drennan, Gorrue. Eileen Lalor, c/o Angela Barron, Tammy Williams, c/o James Irish. Mary Murphy, Lismatigue. Aisling Rohan, Carricketna. 3 X €15.00 (sellers), Fred Malzard. John Power, James Irish.

STAND FOR PEACE – MARCH FOR PALESTINE: As we enter the first week of Advent, we remember that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in the land we now call Palestine. Though some relief has come with the ceasefire in Gaza, the humanitarian crisis continues, and the occupation of the West Bank persists. One way we can respond, even when we feel helpless, is to come together in peaceful solidarity. Please join the Kilkenny, Carlow, Kildare and Laois Palestine solidarity groups for a peaceful “March for Palestine” on Saturday, December 6th. at 1.00p.m. from the Kilkenny Castle Main Gates.

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

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5th December 2025

Sport Clara won the U22 Roinn B county final on Sunday in Clara by overcoming a gallant young James Stephens outfit 3-10 to 1-8. This wasn’t as straightforward as the final score would suggest as the Village girls got off to a flying start and their athleticism had the home side in all kinds of bother. Laura Leahy opened the scoring with a goal and Mia Dunne and Róisín Leahy (a free) had the city girls five points to the good before the Clara girls got on the scoreboard with a Keara Ryan free. Roisin Leahy then converted a free as Clara struggled to contain the hard running Village forwards.

Emma Shortall closed the gap but Roisin Leahy and Tara McGuire struck a point each from play to open up a six-point lead. Emma Shortall, who was looking more dangerous as the game progressed hit another point but Tara McGuire responded in kind. Sixteen year old Caragh Brennan was then tasked with picking up the on fire Roisin Leahy and did a serious job of curbing her influence. Clara’s more physical presence began to pay dividends and they slowly wore down the Village resistance. A prolonged goalmouth scramble ended with a determined Peig Carrigan forcing the sliotar across the line and when Emma Shortall followed up with another goal (from a brilliant Laoise Nolan pass)

Clara tough it out U22 Roinn B Champions

the game was tied and the pendulum had swung.

Gráinne Glynn edged Clara ahead for the first time and Keara Ryan landed a free to leave Clara 2-5 to 1-6 ahead at the interval. It was noticeable that the Clara defence had

now settled and their use of Onagh Fitzgerald as a spare defender in front of Roisin Leahy was working a treat.

Katie Ryan, Joanne Comerford and Siobhan Treacy were also defending very resolutely and Grace Barcoe was as safe as a

house between the posts.

The still dangerous Roisin Leahy closed the gap to the bare minimum a minute into the second half but they were rocked again two minutes later. A Peig Carrigan shot across the face of the goal was

parried by Village goalkeeper Lucy McGrath. It broke into the path of Gráinne Glynn who pulled first time on it and the net shook. This put Clara four points clear. By now their dander was up and although Roisin Leahy responded with

a pointed free this would prove to be the Village’s last score of the game. Clara took control and further points by Keara Ryan (3, 2 frees) Emma Shortall and a monster Lucy Boyd point saw Clara home with a bit to spare. Forwards like Emma Corr and Moyà Kelly worked like demons to keep the ball in the opposition half and cut down the Village opportunities. A great advertisement for camogie well refereed by Vivienne Holmes.

Clara - Grace Barcoe, Caragh Brennan, Katie Ryan, Joanne Comerford. Siobhan Treacy (captain), Rachel Whelan, Onagh Fitzgerald. Laoise Nolan, Keara Ryan 0-5, 0-4f.

Lucy Boyd 0-1, Gráinne Glynn 1-1, Emma Corr. Peig Carrigan 1-0, Emma Shortall 1-3, Moyà Kelly. Subs used Lucy Kealy, Lucy Boyd. Also, Katie O Connell, Aoibheann McDonald, Sarah Dunne (inj.)

James Stephens - Lucy McGrath, Niamh Leahy, Hannah Larkin, Roisin O Sullivan. Lucy Lennon, Anna Doheny, Molly Burke. Emily Smith, Anna Bergin. Sophie Meagher, Tara McGuire 0-2, Lucy Cooney. Roisin Leahy 0-5, 0-3f, Mia Dunne 0-1, Laura Leahy 1-0. Subs Cady Boyle, Emily Lauhoff, Hannah Joyce, Kate Larkin, Niamh O Hara, Jenna Larkin, Aoibh Lawlor, Molly Purcell, Lucy Drennan, Ciara McDonald, Maeve White, Sarah Kenny, Yoma Etaferi, Rachel Leahy (inj.)

Graiguenamanagh’s grand opening On Friday, 6th December, at 3:00 p.m., Graiguenamanagh GAA Club will celebrate a major milestone in its history with the official opening of its newly constructed Clubhouse Extension and state-of-theart Gym at Dr. Tierney Park, Harristown, Graiguenamanagh. The ceremony will be performed by Mr. Jarlath Burns, Uachtarán CLG, whose presence marks the significance of this achievement for the local community and the wider GAA family.

The occasion will also feature a special commemorative moment: the unveiling of a memorial in honour of the late Nick O’Donnell, a distinguished native of Graiguenamanagh and one of the most iconic figures in the history of hurling. This tribute coincides with the centenary of O’Donnell’s birth in 1925 and acknowledges both his extraordinary sporting legacy and his deep roots within the parish.

A Major Development for the Club Work on the Clubhouse and Gym project began in April 2024, marking the start of one of the most ambitious developments undertaken by the club in recent decades.

The extension now houses two spacious dressing rooms and modern facilities on the

ground floor, designed to comfortably accommodate teams, coaches, and match officials. Above these, the newly installed, fully equipped gym overlooks the main pitch, offering players a professionalstandard training environment that integrates strength and conditioning with visual connection to the playing field.

The total investment in the project, including fixtures, equipment, and interior fit-out, reached €500,000.

This substantial undertaking was made possible through generous financial support from multiple sources. The club acknowledges, with deep appreciation, the contributions of the Sports Capital Programme, Leinster GAA, St. Canice’s Credit Union, and a wide range of local businesses and private donors. Their support reflects a long-standing tradition of community spirit in Graiguenamanagh, where local organisations and families have consistently stood behind the development of sporting and youth infrastructure.

Honouring a Local Legend: Nick O’Donnell The unveiling of a memorial to Nick O’Donnell represents an emotional and proud moment for both the club and the wider community. Born in Graiguenamanagh in 1925,

O’Donnell grew up on the family farm and attended St. Kieran’s College in Kilkenny, where his hurling talent first flourished. His early promise eventually drew the attention of Kilkenny’s county selectors, launching him on a senior inter-county career that, while intermittent with Kilkenny, would later reach remarkable heights elsewhere.

After relocating to Enniscorthy, O’Donnell joined St. Aidan’s GAA Club and soon secured his place on the Wexford Senior Hurling Team. There, he cemented his reputation as one of the greatest full backs ever to play the game. He won three AllIreland titles with Wexford and was later honoured as the Full Back on the prestigious Team of the Century. Despite his celebrated achievements on the national stage, O’Donnell’s connection to Graiguenamanagh remained strong. His family continues to farm locally and remains actively involved with the club, contributing both on the field and through administrative support.

Dr. Tierney Park: A Testament to Community Vision The ceremony also highlights the ongoing evolution of Dr. Tierney Park, the home of Graiguenamanagh GAA. The grounds feature a high-quality, fully enclosed, full-size pitch,

complemented by a 300-seat stand and ample parking.

Since the club acquired the grounds in 1969, successive committees have dedicated significant time and resources to improving the facilities.

Their cumulative efforts culminated in 2018 when the pitch was officially opened by Mr. Jimmy Walsh, Chairman of Kilkenny GAA, and formally named in honour of Dr. W.F. Tierney.

Dr. Tierney, originally from Cork and a survivor of World War II internment, played a vital role in securing the

grounds for the benefit of both the club and the wider Graiguenamanagh community.

His legacy lives on through the continued use and development of the park, which now enters a new chapter with the addition of enhanced training amenities.

Graiguenamanagh GAA: Building for the Future Founded in 1953, Graiguenamanagh GAA competes at Junior level in Kilkenny and fields teams across all age groups. The club enjoyed significant success during the 1980s and 1990s, captur-

ing multiple county titles at both adult and juvenile levels.

With the opening of the new clubhouse and gym, the club aims to support player development more effectively and strengthen its competitiveness in future campaigns.

The upgraded facilities are expected to have a transformative impact on training quality, player performance, and community engagement.

As the club looks ahead, the project stands as a testament to dedication, volunteerism, and the unifying power of sport in Graiguenamanagh.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5th December 2025

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Sport A Year to Remember The 2025 season will long be regarded as one of the most remarkable chapters in the history of Muckalee Ladies Football. This was a year in which the team did far more than simply compete.

They reshaped expectations, broke long-standing barriers, and reignited belief in what Kilkenny ladies football can achieve on the national stage.

Their run through both the provincial and All-Ireland junior club championships stands as a testament to perseverance, unity, and unshakeable ambition, qualities deeply embedded within the club’s DNA. Conquering Leinster: A Provincial Milestone On Saturday, 8 November 2025, Muckalee Ladies made history when they overcame St. Colmcille’s of Meath by 1–5 to 1–4 in the AIB Leinster Ladies Junior Club Football Championship final. It was a victory decided by the slimmest of margins, but it carried enormous significance. With that win, Muckalee ended a 21-year provincial drought for Kilkenny clubs in the junior grade, becoming the first side since Railyard in 2004 to bring a Leinster title back to the county.

The final, played at the Coralstown/Kinnegad GAA grounds, showcased everything that has defined Muckalee’s season, composure, defensive resilience, and the ability to strike at vital moments.

Although the match was tight throughout, Muckalee showed extraordinary maturity heading into the closing stages. In the 47th minute, forward Kate Purcell delivered the decisive point, a score that ultimately separated the teams and secured a momentous victory. It was the kind of cool, clinical moment that highlights a team comfortable with pressure and ready to seize opportunity.

Reaching the final had required that same blend of belief and resilience. Their semi-final clash against Dublin’s Raheny Ladies was one of the season’s defining performances. Despite trailing

expertise gave Muckalee a formidable platform as they looked to progress deeper into the competition.

Their semi-final against Connacht champions Menlough-Skehana was one of the most memorable days the club had enjoyed in years. Played on home soil, the atmosphere was electric from the moment the ball was thrown in. The community turned out in force, and according to forward Laura Greene, the support made a massive difference: “It’s like having an extra player on the pitch, everyone was boosting you on.” Spurred on by this energy, Muckalee produced one of their best performances of the season, earning a 3–6 to 1–4 victory and securing their place in the All-Ireland final.

Muckalee Ladies Gaelic Football team early after conceding two firsthalf goals, Muckalee refused to panic. With remarkable determination, they clawed their way back into the contest, launching a powerful second-half surge. Outscoring their opponents with sharp attacking play and disciplined defending, they prevailed on a scoreline of 2–11 to 4–04. The win demonstrated their fitness, their tactical intelligence, and their refusal to accept defeat, qualities that would serve them well as they advanced to the All-Ireland series.

The All-Ireland Journey: Bringing Ambition to Life Claiming the Leinster title propelled Muckalee onto the national stage and into the quarter-finals of the AIB All-Ireland Ladies Junior

Club Football Championship.

Their opening assignment was a challenging one: a meeting with St. Kiernan’s of London, who had already built momentum with an impressive preliminary-round win over a French club team.

Yet Muckalee approached the task with confidence, buoyed by both form and leadership.

The squad boasted a wealth of talent, including

2025 Kilkenny county representatives Ellen Lawlor (captain) and Jennifer O’Keeffe (vice-captain).

Alongside them stood the vastly experienced Edwina Keane, a former All-Ireland camogie medallist and AllStar whose presence in the full-forward line added both scoring threat and invaluable leadership. This blend of emerging talent and seasoned

A Landmark Moment for the Club and County Reaching both the Leinster and All-Ireland finals in the same season represents a defining achievement in Muckalee’s history. It has broader significance too, breathing new life into Kilkenny’s ladies football scene. For a county better known for its hurling prowess, breakthroughs in football have always been cherished, and this one, after more than two decades without a provincial title, has inspired renewed confidence at every level of the sport.

The success has also strengthened community pride. Young players, the next generation of Muckalee athletes, now have a clear demonstration of what dedication and teamwork can produce. The club’s investment in coaching, youth development, and grassroots structures has paid off, laying the foundation for both present success and

future growth. The squad itself reflects this balance perfectly: home-grown players blending seamlessly with experienced leaders, all united by a shared sense of purpose. Names like Lawlor, O’Keeffe, Keane, and Purcell have become symbols of the club’s upward trajectory.

Reflections: How Muckalee Built Their Breakthrough Season Muckalee’s standout year did not happen by chance. Several key factors underpin their success: Consistency and resilience; From the early rounds of the league through county, provincial, and All-Ireland ties, Muckalee displayed remarkable consistency.

Whether playing at home or away, they refused to be rattled by setbacks. Their comeback against Raheny exemplifies their mental strength and never-say-die attitude.

Depth and leadership; The squad benefited from a combination of emerging players and seasoned competitors who have played at inter-county and All-Ireland level. This mix ensured a balanced team capable of adapting to different challenges.

Community support; From Muckalee’s own field to host venues across Leinster and beyond, supporters travelled in large numbers. Their presence provided motivation in tight matches and helped create an atmosphere in which players felt lifted, inspired, and supported.

Vision and long-term development; This season’s achievements reflect years of groundwork. Investment in training standards, youth structures, and coaching expertise has built a club identity rooted in ambition and belief. Success, in other words, is the result of sustained commitment.

Looking Ahead: A Final Chapter Yet to Be Written As the All-Ireland final approaches, Muckalee stand on the brink of something extraordinary. Should they win, they would complete one of the most memorable campaigns in club history, delivering an All-Ireland title in addition to their longawaited provincial triumph.

More than that, they would send a message nationwide: that dedication, teamwork, and community spirit can elevate clubs well beyond traditional strongholds.

Yet even if they fall just short, the season will remain a watershed moment. They have already reshaped expectations for ladies football in Kilkenny and inspired countless young girls who now see the path to success more clearly than ever before.

In every sense, Muckalee Ladies have produced a year that will live long in memory, a year defined by courage, unity, and belief. Their achievements will echo through the club’s history and will continue to fuel ambition for generations to come.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5th December 2025

Hurlng matters - Preview

Sport

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

AIB Leinster Club SHC Final Shamrocks Ballyhale vs St Martin’s Saturday, 6:30pm, Croke Park Referee: Chris Mooney (Dublin) It may not have been on the radar of all those down in Pairc na Seamrog during the summer, but momentum is a wonderful thing, and that’s exactly what Henry Shefflin has harnessed in his beloved south Kilkenny club as they stand on the brink of claiming a 13th O’Neill Cup tomorrow when they take on the challenge of Wexford side St Martin’s in Croke Park in the final of the AIB Leinster Club Senior Hurling Championnship (Throw-in 6:30pm).

Having last run out at headquarters in the provincial decider in 2022 where they would defeat Dublin champions, Kilmacud Crokes, Shamrocks Ballyhale will be determined to make up for lost time when they take to the Jones’ Road venue this weekend. Standing in their way of lucky number 13 will be Slaneyside kingpins, St Martin’s, who are certainly not here to make up the numbers. Daithi Hayes’s outfit have shown in the season to date, that they are a talented and dangerous side that will not be in awe of any perceived more illustrious opponent. Indeed, the Wexford side took down defending Leinster and All-Ireland champions, Na Fianna of Dublin in the provincial last eight clash in Chadwicks Wexford Park early last month in a performance that will have served as notice of their undoubted intent this season.

Having secured the EEW All County Hurling Division One League title with an 8-point victory over Rathnure, Hayes’s charges began prepping for a tilt at the senior championship crown in late June.

First up for St Martin’s in round one was a game against Faythe Harriers, who were without the services of both Lee Chin and Richie Lawlor as the maroon and white clad team ran out 17-point winners. Next up was a clash with Rapparees, who squandered multiple chances and went down by four points to the Piercetown based side in round 2.

It was three from three following a comprehensive ten-point victory over Oulart-The Ballagh, despite the absence of both Joe and Rory O’Connor. The penultimate group stage game saw St Martin’s take on local rivals, Glynn-Barntown and they earned the bragging rights with a workmanlike 6-point win, Mikey Coleman’s first half major laying the foundations for the win. The last group action saw the clash with Shelmaliers, who put in a spirited performance going down by five as St Martin’s maintained their unbeaten run in the Pettitt’s Senior hurling championship.

With the championship now in

King Henry out to claim Leinster crown!

O’Connor backed St Martin’s side pose a real threat to Shamrocks knockout mode, Oulart-The Ballagh were the quarterfinal opponents and St Martin’s, but offered little resistance as a 5-minute hattrick from Jack O’Connor helped his side to a 17-point win. The last eight demolition set up a semifinal encounter with Ferns St Aidan’s, where, again, they did enough to progress to the county final, with the O’Connor’s very much to the fore.

That meant a return to Chadwicks Wexford Park to face off against beaten league finalists, Rathnure.

Barry O’Connor landed a decisive blow following on from an earlier Mikey Coleman goal to secure a first ever back-to-back for St Martin’s.

A home tie to kick-off the provincial championship was the reward for Daithi Hayes’s men, and this saw the reigning Leinster and All-Ireland champions roll into town. Having lost out to the Dublin side at the semifinal stage last season, the Wexford side gained revenge, getting over the line by the bare minimum, thanks again, in no small measure to the contribution of Clan O’Connor. Barry, Jack and

Eoin Cody will look to revel in the capital

Rory contributed 18 of their sides total of 24. Dethroning the champions earned St Martin’s a last four berth, where they would face Kildare’s Naas, with home advantage.

Naas had got the better of Mount Leinster Rangers but offered little in the way of a challenge as the Model County champions eased to a double score victory. With the wind at their backs, St Martin’s took full advantage and held a 10-point lead at the short whistle. They controlled matters after the interval and added six scores, all from the hurl of Rory O’Connor to book their place in the clubs first ever senior provincial final. They also become the first Wexford side since Oulart the Ballagh to reach the Leinster final in 2015.

The one theme running through

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5th December 2025

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Hurling matters - Preview Bullseye! TJ Reid will be locked in at Croker

The half back line has once again been a real asset to the Kilkenny champions, and Richie Reid will look to command from centre back, with Evan Shefflin and Darragh Corcoran on the flanks. All three can score and their long-range shooting could be a vital weapon to the Noresiders.

Dean Mason, as the last line of defence will need all his calmness and netminder skills to help keep

a strong St Martin’s attacking unit at bay. It looks like the bench of the Wexford champions might be stronger than the options available to Henry, so it will be important that the Shamrocks starting XV deliver over the course of the 60-odd minutes. For now, the scene is set, both teams are ready to deliver and claim the O’Neill Cup. Let’s hope its lucky 13 for Shamrocks Ballyhale.

St Martin’s - Road to Croker

Pettitts Supervalue Senior Hurling Championship Gp B Round 1 St Martin’s GAA Club 1-26 vs Faythe Harriers 0-12 Round 2 St Martin’s GAA Club 3-12 vs Rapparees 1-14

Round 3 St Martin’s GAA Club 3-19 vs Oulart-The Ballagh 1-15 Round 4 St Martin’s GAA Club 1-20 vs Glynn-Barntown 0-17 Round 5 St Martin’s GAA Club 2-16 vs Shelmaliers 0-17 Knockout Q/F St Martin’s GAA Club 4-18 vs Oulart-The Ballagh 1-10 Knockout S/F St Martin’s GAA Club 1-22 vs Ferns St Aidans 3-9 Pettitts Supervalue Senior Hurling Championship Knockout Final St Martin’s GAA Club 2-14 vs Rathnure 0-16 AIB Leinster Club SHC 25 Quarter-Final St Martin’s 1-21 vs Na Fianna 2-17 AIB Leinster Club SHC 25 Semi-Final St Martin’s 0-21 vs Naas 0-11

>> SHERRY SAYS...

Eoin Kenneally has been impressing this season

Daithi ‘Bear’ Hayes’s team is a healthy splattering of O’Connor’s. Having lost Joe to the dreaded cruciate injury earlier this season, it has been the remaining trio of Jack, Rory and Barry that have been spearheading the Wexford club’s challenge. While Rory has been running up big totals, aided by accuracy from the placed ball, the contribution of brother Jack and cousin Barry has been crucial also. Henry Shefflin knows that his charges will need to be on top form to curb the O’Connor influence on Saturday’s final. Match-ups will be key, and the Shamrocks management team will have been watching the oppositions games to date as they hatch a plan to secure victory.

While the visiting Barry O’Connor has lined out with number 10 on his back, he tends to roam and can cause havoc while operating closer to

goal, Joey Holden, Killian Corcoran and Brian Butler will need to be ready for the physical battle that the former AFL player will provide.

Rory’s marksmanship from the placed ball will rival TJ, and both players will be determined to give their sides the advantage in this key facet of the game. In midfield, it could well be Aaron Maddock and Darren Codd for St Martin’s, while Ronan Corcoran and Eoin Keneally will be ready to lead the charge in the engine room for Shamrocks. As per usual, this area will see others flood in and out at times, and we can expect to see Eoin Cody cover plenty of the Croker pitch, a surface he knows all too well. The former two-time young hurler of the year top scored in the Leinster club championship in 2021 and will be keen to keep the scoreboard moving at the Drumcondra venue. With Niall Shortall in good form and the hard-working Liam Barron in attack, Henry will be hoping that the absence of Adrian Mullen won’t be too detrimental to the Shamrocks cause.

Pairc Tailteann, Navan is the venue for Sunday’s AIB Leinster Club Intermediate Hurling Championship Final between our very own Danesfort and Meath side Ratoath. (Throw-in 1:30pm). Having seemingly defied the odds on Noreside, by defeating James Stephens to lift the intermediate title and claim a seat at the top table of Kilkenny club hurling, Adrian Burke’s charges are taking one final step in their bid to be crowned kings of Leinster.

With the evergreen Paul Murphy rolling back the years and anchoring at centre back, the ‘Fort are well equipped at half back, with Daire O’Neill and Des Dunne providing great dynamism for the black & amber clad side. With Paddy Hogan between the sticks and Diarmaid Phelan on the edge of the square, there is plenty of experience here also. Another dynamic duo is Cathal’s O’Neill and Kearney, two more players that love to get in on the scoring act.

Further forward, Anthony Ireland Wall, Brian McDonald and the inform Fionn O’Mahony will test this Ratoath defence. Let’s hope our intermediate champions add a provincial title to their season and extend the season into 2026!

Danesfort seeking more silverware

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5th December 2025

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Planning notices

Planning notices Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended Notice of Direct Planning Application to An Coimisiún Pleanála Strategic Infrastructure Development Kilkenny County Council

Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended Notice of Direct Planning Application to An Coimisiún Pleanála Strategic Infrastructure Development Kilkenny County Council

In accordance with Section 182A of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, we, Manogate Ltd., intend to apply to An Coimisiún Pleanála for approval for development at this site comprising proposed grid connection options (GCO) One and Two to connect to the proposed Ballyfasy Wind Farm, in Co. Kilkenny. GCO One spans across the townlands of Ballymartin, Bishopsmountain, Smithstown, Ballymackillagill, Glenpipe, Mullennakill, Coolnahau, Cappagh and Castlebanny, Co. Kilkenny. GCO Two will be located across the townlands of Ballymartin, Ballyfasy Upper and Ballywairy, Co Kilkenny, within the proposed Ballyfasy Wind Farm site (not part of this application).

Certain details of the proposed development are unconfirmed in this planning application and an opinion on unconfirmed details from the Commission (Case Reference: ACP-322293-25) pursuant to section 182G of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) accompanies this planning application. The details unconfirmed in this application relate to the proposed grid connection type and route and are specified on this site notice and in the design flexibility opinion that accompanies this application.

In accordance with Section 37E of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, we, Manogate Ltd., give notice of our intention to make an application to An Coimisiún Pleanála for permission for a period of 10 years, for development comprising the construction of a wind farm and related works within the townlands of Ballywairy, Bishopsmountain, Knockbrack, Ballymartin, and Ballyfasy Upper, Co. Kilkenny.

This development is covered by the provisions of the Renewable Energy Directive III (Directive 2023/2413) and the planning application is subject to a completeness check under section 37JA of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended by the European Union (Planning and Development) (Renewable Energy) Regulations 2025.

Certain details of the proposed development are unconfirmed in this planning application and an opinion on unconfirmed details from the Commission (Case Reference: ACP Ref. 322292-25) pursuant to section 37CD of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) accompanies this planning application. The details unconfirmed in this application are the turbine tip height, rotor diameter and hub height. The range of parameters under which the turbine dimensions will fall are specified on this site notice.

The proposed development will comprise: • Erection of 10 no. wind turbines with a maximum blade tip height range from 170 m-180 m inclusive, a rotor diameter range from 149 m-163 m inclusive, and a hub height range from 95 m-105.5 m inclusive, and all associated foundations and hard-standing areas respective of each turbine; • A new site entrance with access onto the Local Road L3417; • Modifications at one existing site entrance with access onto the Local Road L3417 ; two existing site entrances with access onto the Local Road L7499; one existing site entrance with access onto Local Road L3424; • A temporary road crossing each to allow turbine delivery along the Local Road L3417; to allow turbine delivery along the Local Road L7499; to allow turbine delivery along the Local Road L3424; • Construction of 2 no. temporary construction compounds with associated temporary site offices, parking areas and security fencing; • Construction of 3 no. temporary deposition areas; • Construction of 5 no. clear span bridges; • Installation of 1 no. permanent meteorological mast up to a height of 100 m with a lightning finial extending above the mast; • Two no. borrow pits; • Construction of new internal site access roads and upgrade of existing site roads, to include passing bays and all associated drainage; • Two no. temporary construction stage Moby Dick type wheel wash systems (with over ground settlement tank); • Construction of drainage and sediment control systems; • Construction of 1 no. permanent 110 kilovolt (kV) Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) Electrical Substation with associated compound. The substation will be configured as either a tail-fed design or a loop-in design, depending on the final grid connection arrangement. The Substation Compound will include: ° 1 no. EirGrid Control Building containing, a Relay Room, Battery Room, Generator Room, Messroom, WC, and Workshop/ Store Room; ° 1 no. Independent Power Producer (IPP) Control Building containing a Switchgear Room, Control Room, Office, Messroom, WC, Control Room, and Store Room; ° Lightening Masts; ° A Telecommunications mast; ° Parking; ° Security Palisade Fencing; ° Electrical Plant and Infrastructure and Grid Ancillary Services Equipment; ° Drainage Infrastructure; ° All associated and ancillary works.

• All associated underground electrical and communications cabling connecting the wind turbines to the proposed wind farm substation; • All related site works and ancillary development including berms, landscaping, ecological enhancement and soil excavation; • Facilitating works on the public road network and private properties to accommodate the delivery of turbine components and oversized loads. Four private locations (locations 10, 13, 14 and 15) ) located across the townlands of Ballynoony West, Smithstown, Ballymartin, and Bishopsmountain will require works to facilitate turbine and oversize load deliveries; and • Ancillary forestry felling to facilitate construction and operation of the proposed project.

A separate application to obtain approval for proposed grid connection options has been submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála. This application, and the proposed grid connection application are functionally interdependent and constitute a single project. The proposed grid connection application seeks approval for two no. grid connection options of which only one option will be implemented, i.e., an underground 110kV grid connection to the consented 110kV Castlebanny substation (approved under ACP Ref. PA10.309306) and a loop in grid connection to existing 110kV overhead Great IslandKilkenny line to facilitate the export of power from the wind farm, and other associated works. Grid Connection Option (GCO) One spans across the townlands of Castlebanny, Cappagh, Coolnahau, Mullennakill, Glenpipe, Balllymackillagill, Smithstown, Ballymartin, and Bishopsmountain, Co. Kilkenny. GCO Two will be located across the townlands of Ballymartin, Ballyfasy Upper and Ballywairy, within the proposed Ballyfasy Wind Farm site.

A 35-year operational life from the date of full commissioning of the wind farm is being sought for all works (other than temporary and permanent works specified above), and the subsequent decommissioning. The proposed onsite substation and grid connection will remain permanent infrastructure and form part of the Irish national grid network.

Both applications are accompanied by one Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and a Natura Impact Statement (NIS), which pertain to the overall project.

The planning application, including the EIAR and NIS, may be inspected, free of charge or purchased for a specific fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, during public opening hours for a period of 7 weeks commencing on 19th December 2025 at the following locations: • The Offices of An Coimisiún Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01V902 (9:15am – 5:30pm, Monday to Friday).

• The Offices of Kilkenny County Council, John Street, Kilkenny R95 A39T The planning application, including the EIAR and NIS may also be viewed on the following website: www.ballyfasyplanning. ie Submissions or observations may be made only to An Coimisiún Pleanála (The Commission), at 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01V902 in writing or online on the Commission’s website www.pleanala.ie during the aforementioned period of 7 weeks relating to: (i) the implications of the proposed development for proper planning and sustainable development of the area concerned; (ii) the likely effects on the environment of the proposed development if carried out; and (iii) the likely significant effects of the proposed development on a European site, if carried out.

Any submissions or observations must be accompanied by a fee of €50 (except for certain prescribed bodies) and must be received by the Commission not later than 5.30pm on the 6th February 2026 and must include the following information; The name of the person making the submission or observation, the name of the person acting on his or her behalf, if any, and the address to which any correspondence relating to the application should be sent; the subject matter of the submission or observation, and the reasons, consideration and arguments on which the submission or observation is based in full. (Article 217 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, refers).

Any submissions or observations which do not comply with the above requirements cannot be considered by the Commission. The Commission may at its absolute discretion hold an oral hearing on the application. (For further details see ‘A Guide to Public Participation in Strategic Infrastructure Development’ on the Commission’s website www.pleanala.ie).

The Commission may in respect of an application for permission/approval decide to (a) (i) grant the permission, or (ii) make such modifications to the proposed development as it specifies in its decision and grant permission in respect of the proposed development as so modified or (iii) grant permission in respect of part of the proposed development (with or without specified modifications of it of the foregoing kind), or (b) refuse to grant permission. The decision to hold an oral hearing on this planning application is at the absolute discretion of An Coimisiún Pleanála.

Any enquiries relating to the application process should be directed to the Strategic Infrastructure Section of the Commission (telephone no. 01-8588100). Any person may question the validity of any such decision of the Commission by way of an application for judicial review, under Order 84 of the Rules of the Superior Courts (S.I. No. 15 of 1986, as amended

by S.I. No. 691 of 2011), in accordance with Section 50 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 as amended. Practical information on the review mechanism can be accessed under the heading “Information on cases / Weekly lists” – Judicial Review of planning decisions, on the Commission’s website www.pleanala.ie or on the Citizens Information Service website www.citizensinformation.ie

The proposed development will consist of one of the following Grid Connection Options (GCOs): • GCO One: Grid connection to the consented Castlebanny Wind Farm substation: ° Circa 12 km long 110 kV underground cable grid connection to the consented Castlebanny Wind Farm (ACP Ref. PA10.309306) substation consisting of 6 No. ducts in an excavated trench to accommodate 3 No. power cables, 1 No. fibre communications cable , 1 No. spare fibre communications cable and 1 No. earth continuity duct where required, Joint Bays, Communications Chambers, and Earthing Link Boxes. ° 1 No. Temporary Construction Compound. ° 1 No. Temporary Spoil Deposition Area. ° All related site work, horizontal directional drilling under watercourses and bridges, road and grid crossings, drainage and ancillary works.

• GCO Two: Proposed loop-in grid connection to existing Great Island-Kilkenny 110 kV overhead line: ° Decommissioning of a portion of an existing 110 kV overhead line and pole set on the Great IslandKilkenny overhead line. ° 2 No. New 110 kV Overhead Line Cable Interface towers. ° Two 110 kV underground cable circuits, comprising approximately 4.6 km of cabling (two circuits of 2.3 km each), will be installed from the line–cable interface mast to the proposed Ballyfasy 110 kV substation (not part of this application). Each Circuit will consist of: • 6 No. ducts in an excavated trench to accommodate 3 No. power cables, 1 No. fibre communications cable , 1 No. spare fibre communications cable and 1 No. earth continuity duct where required, Joint Bays, Communications Chambers, and Earthing Link Boxes. ° An access road will be provided to facilitate permanent access to the underground cable route between the line - cable interface mast and the proposed onsite 110kV Ballyfasy substation. ° All related site work, horizontal directional drilling under 1 no. watercourse, drainage and ancillary works.

A separate Strategic Infrastructure Development planning application for the proposed Ballyfasy Wind Farm development has been submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála. This application, and the proposed Ballyfasy Wind Farm application are functionally interdependent and constitute a single project. The proposed wind farm development comprises the erection of 10 no. wind turbines, the construction of 1 no. permanent on site 110 kV electrical substation, new internal site access roads, the erection of 1 no permanent 100 m tall meteorological mast and other associated works. The proposed wind farm and related works are located within the townlands of Ballywairy, Bishopsmountain, Knockbrack, Ballymartin, and Ballyfasy Upper, Co. Kilkenny.

A 35-year operational life from the date of full commissioning of the wind farm is being sought for all works (other than temporary and permanent works specified above), and the subsequent decommissioning. The proposed onsite substation and grid connection will remain permanent infrastructure and form part of the Irish national grid network.

Both applications are accompanied by one Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and a Natura Impact Statement (NIS), which pertain to the overall project.

The planning application, including the EIAR and NIS, may be inspected, free of charge or purchased for a specific fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, during public opening hours for a period of 7 weeks plus an additional statutory holiday period of 9 days commencing on 19th December 2025 at the following locations: • The Offices of An Coimisiún Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01V902 (9:15am – 5:30pm, Monday to Friday) • The Offices of Kilkenny County Council, John Street, Kilkenny R95 A39T The planning application, including the EIAR and NIS may also be viewed on the following website: www.ballyfasygridplanning.ie Submissions or observations may be made only to An Coimisiún Pleanála (The Commission), at 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01V902 in writing or online on the Commission’s website www.pleanala.ie during the aforementioned period of 7 weeks plus an additional statutory holiday period of 9 days relating to: (i) the implications of the proposed development for proper planning and sustainable development of the area concerned; (ii) the likely effects on the environment of the proposed development if carried out; and (iii) the likely significant effects of the proposed development on a European site, if carried out.

Any submissions or observations must be accompanied by a fee of €50 (except for certain prescribed bodies) and must be received by the Commission not later than 5.30pm on the 16th February 2026 and must include the following information; (i) The name of the person making the submission or observation, the name of the person acting on his or her behalf, if any, and the address to which any correspondence relating to the application should be sent; (ii) the subject matter of the submission or observation, and (iii) the reasons, consideration and arguments on which the submission or observation is based in full. Any submissions or observations which do not comply with the above requirements cannot be considered by the board.

The Commission may in respect of an application for permission decide to – (a); (i) grant the permission, or (ii) make such modifications to the proposed development as it specifies in its decision and grant permission in respect of the proposed development as so modified or (iii) grant permission in respect of part of the proposed development (with or without specified modifications of it of the foregoing kind), or (b) refuse to grant permission.

The decision to hold an oral hearing on this planning application is at the absolute discretion of An Coimisiún Pleanála.

Any enquiries relating to the application process should be directed to the Strategic Infrastructure Section of the Commission (telephone no. 01-8588100). Any person may question the validity of any such decision of the commission by way of an application for judicial review, under Order 84 of the Rules of the Superior Courts (S.I. No. 15 of 1986, as amended by S.I. No. 691 of 2011), in accordance with Section 50 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 as amended. Practical information on the review mechanism can be accessed under the heading “Information on cases / Weekly lists” – Judicial Review of planning decisions, on the Commission’s website www.pleanala.ie or on the Citizens Information Service website www.citizensinformation.ie.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5th December 2025

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Planning notices

Planning notices KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

We, Brian Butler and Aine Dwan intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Planning permission for a part two-storey and part single storey dwelling, vehicular entrance, borewell, detached garage, foul treatment tank & percolation area and all associated site works at Kilkeasy, Knocktopher, 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. - 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. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Nextgen Design & Build Ltd. www.ngdb.ie

I Aidan Kelly Agricultural Design & Planning Services (085 7466211, www.adps.ie) intends to apply to Kilkenny County Council on behalf of my client Cunningham Farm Ltd. Permission to construct (i) Milking parlour incorporating dairy, plant, storage, External Milk tank, hardcore area, Meal Bins, Rain Water storage tank, holding yard with crush/ drafting yard, flow channel with slatted tanks (ii) Cubicle shed with Loose area, slatted tank, and all associated site works at Burnchurch, Cuffesgrange, 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. - 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. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL We, Anthony and Jacqueline Mooney intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Planning permission for demolition of existing detached stables, partial demolition of existing extension to rear of existing house and construction of a part twostorey and part single storey extension to rear of existing house and all associated site works at Cloneen, 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. - 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. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Nextgen Design & Build Ltd. www.ngdb.ie

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL Planning Permission sought for alterations and extension to existing mill building, provision of sign and all associated site works at Castletobin, Callan. Applicant; Brett Brothers Limited.

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

Architects: BLUETT & O’DONOGHUE www.boda.ie

I, Micheal Moloney wish to apply to the above authority on behalf of James Vaughan and Chloe Holden for full planning permission to construct a bungalow, garage, entrance, wastewater treatment system, borehole, soakpits and all other associated site works at Corragaun, Windgap, 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

Further Information/Revised Plans: Orla Phelan and Stephen Ahearn have submitted significant further information to planning application 2560554 which consisted of outline planning permission to construct a two storey dwelling, garage, entrance, wastewater treatment system, borehole, soakpits and all other associated site works at Kilbraghan, Callan, Co. Kilkenny The significant further information includes for: 1.Adjustments to the site boundaries 2.The relocation of the proposed dwelling and garage Significant Further Information/Revised Plans has/have been furnished to the Planning Authority in respect of this proposed development, and is/are available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the Offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours of 9:00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the Planning Authority within a period of 2 weeks from the date of receipt of the revised public notices. A submission or observation must be accompanied by the prescribed fee of €20, except in the case of a person or body who has already made a submission or observation and such submission or observation will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

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