Kilkenny Observer 5th May 2023

EVERY FRIDAY

The Kilkenny

Observer FREE EDITION

Friday 5 May 2023

It’s an Ill Wind Shift in weather pattern concern for human health 

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Future of Jobs Pandemic, cost of living and new technology  Global Report Page 22

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Observer Senior homes’ €2m. kilkennyobserver.ie

A total of €1.99m in funding for Housing Adaptation Grants for older and disabled people in Kilkenny in 2023 has been announced

by Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan. Nationally, €83.125m has been allocated for these grants to benefit 12,300 people, a 2.3% increase on the 2022 initial allocation. This represents a continuation of the year-on-

year increases in the grant since 2014.

This funding will help facilitate older people and disabled people in Kilkenny to live independently in their own homes. Of the 2023 funding allocation of €1.99m for Kilkenny, the Exchequer will provide €1.59m while Kilkenny County Council will provide the remaining €398,215.

Grants of up to €30,000 are available to assist disabled

people in carrying out necessary works to make a house more suitable for their needs.

Additionally, grants of up to €8,000 are available to assist older people to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out on their homes.

Grants of up to €6,000 are available for mobility aids.

The funding, which supports home adaptations for older people, those with a disability and people with

mobility issues, provides 80% Exchequer funding through the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The remaining 20% in funding comes from the relevant local authority.

Minister Noonan said: “I am delighted to allocate increased funding in 2023 to deliver Housing Adaptation Grants for Older and Disabled people in Kilkenny.

This allocation will build on

the success of last year where we exceeded the number of home adaptations initially targeted nationally.

“We want to empower and enable people to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible – these grants help us to do just that. They also provide a boost to the local economy in Kilkenny, creating employment opportunities for local contractors.”

A run in the park

An average €1,025 more is payable on behalf of HSE residents in Co Kilkenny under Fair Deal as cost of care crisis persists for private and voluntary nursing homes.

Figures show HSE nursing homes receive an average 69% more (€744) a resident, a week, under Fair Deal fees payable by comparison with private and voluntary counterparts.

Full story Page 6

Young farmers ‘protected’

More photos Page 10

New model for local flood relief

EVERY FRIDAY

Children attending primary and special schools in Kilkenny and Carlow are set to benefit from free school books from September, Fine Gael TD, John Paul Phelan has said.

Deputy Phelan outlined details of a hugely significant funding package which will eliminate the cost to families for all school books, workbooks and copybooks at all primary and special schools.

Full story Page 6

Fair Deal is not such a fair deal

VHI staff, participants and volunteers at the Kilkenny parkrun, where Vhi hosted a special volunteer take over on Saturday morning. Vhi are proud presenting partners of parkrun and will be hosting dedicated staff volunteer take over days at various parkruns in the coming months. parkrun in partnership with Vhi support local communities in organising free, weekly, timed 5km runs every Saturday at 9.30am. To register for a parkrun near you visit www. parkrun.ie.

Flood relief schemes for Freshford and Piltown are about to begin through funding by the Office of Public Works.

The OPW is now funding two staff in Kilkenny County Council who are dedicated to managing, jointly with the OPW, flood risk schemes across four communities in Kilkenny. This provides the opportunity to pilot together

Free books for school children

with Kilkenny County Council a new delivery model for flood relief schemes.

Minister of State for the Office of Public Works Patrick O’Donovan said: “The history and experience of flooding in these communities has brought devastation and is a cause of great concern to the families, business and wider community.”

The Kilkenny

Observer UNIT 7, FRIARY STREET, KILKENNY, R95 VHY7

“Within the current resource constraints, and from lessons learned to date, trialling a new delivery model for Freshford and Piltown will deliver important flood relief measures for these towns and inform the most efficient approach to delivering the next tranche of 60 flood relief schemes nationally.”

Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny

County Council, Pat Fitzpatrick said he wanted to acknowledge the commitment and funding provided by the Office of Public Works for these projects and ongoing projects in Ballyhale and Graiguenamanagh.

The Government’s investment in flood relief of €1.3 billion to 2030 under the National Development Plan has al-

lowed the State to treble, to 90, the number of flood relief schemes that are at design and construction. With the 12,500 homes and businesses already protected by completed flood relief schemes in 53 communities nationwide, the OPW and local authorities currently have work completed or underway to protect 80% of properties at risk.

Young farmer schemes and tax breaks will be fully protected, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar promised ahead of a planned meeting with Macra na Feirme after their march to Dublin.

Full story Page 26

Jobs outlook Economic, health and geopolitical trends have created divergent outcomes for labour markets globally in 2023. While tight labour markets are prevalent in high-income countries, low – and lower – middleincome countries continue to see higher unemployment than before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Global Report Page 22

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GETTING IN TOUCH WITH THE TEAM

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News

Social care students have reason to celebrate South East Technological University (SETU) is celebrating another success in its first academic year with the announcement that all current social care programmes on the Carlow, Waterford and Wexford campuses have been approved by CORU. CORU approval means that the university’s current social care programmes meet national standards of excellence in the training and development of social care students.

SETU’s social care graduates from the CORU approved programmes will also be eligible to register as social care workers once the CORU register opens in November 2023.

The news has been welcomed by students across SETU’s social care programmes.

Conan O’Neill McDermott, a fourth-year student of social care, said: “As a final year student in Professional Social Care Practice, I am delighted with the news that we will now be graduating with a CORU approved degree. This will give us more professional standing, accountability and transparency within our role as professional social care workers.”

Naomi McCarthy, a firstyear social care student, was thrilled to learn that the degree received CORU approval.

“This news brought a great sense of happiness, satisfaction and pride to all students at SETU. We feel equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to make a positive impact in the field of

Delighted with the news that they will now be graduating with a CORU approved degree: Naomi McCarthy and Conan O’Neill McDermott

social care and I am eager prac to put these skills into practice.”

Speaking of the announce announcement, Professor Veronica Campbell, President of SETU, sees this as a very significant milestone for the University saying: “We are delighted to receive CORU approval.

“This is a wonderful achievement, most espe especially for our students who will have the skills and competencies to deliver safe and person-centred practice.

“To be part of a move movement that professionalises and regulates the delivery of social care provision and will ensure best prac practice and high-quality ser services for vulnerable people is very special for all of our staff, students and the wider community.

“I would like to take this moment to thank our staff, students and place placement provid providers for their commit commitment and dedication throughout the process.”

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€14,000 to let council room

Up to 28,000 homes across the country are hoped for by the Government allowing council tenants to rent out rooms in their houses for up to €14,000 a year, tax-free.

Under the current Renta-Room scheme, property owners can rent out rooms in their houses and apartments for €14,000 tax-free a year.

Senior ministers agreed at Cabinet to extend the scheme to all housing types, includ-

ing local authority homes.

For the first time, council tenants will also be able to rent out their spare bedrooms as increasing numbers of landlords sell up and the rental market shrinks.

There are currently around 140,000 council-owned homes across the country, of which between 14,000 and 28,000 are “under-occupied,” the Department of Housing believes.

HSE residents in Kilkenny paying €1,025 more under Fair Deal An average €1,025 more is payable on behalf of HSE residents in Co Kilkenny under Fair Deal as cost of care crisis persists for private and voluntary nursing homes.

Recently published figures show HSE nursing homes receive an average 69% more (€744) a resident, a week, under Fair Deal fees payable by comparison with private and voluntary counterparts.

In Co Kilkenny, the average fee payable on behalf of an individual nursing home resident in a HSE nursing home is now €1,025 above that payable to counterparts in private and voluntary nursing homes. In January 2022, the disparity was €812. HSE nursing home fees for resident care are double those payable to private and voluntary counterparts.

Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO, said: “In January 2022, the average difference was over €600 per resident and it is now approaching €800. Fees payable

to HSE nursing homes signify the reality of nursing home care costs. There are multiple analyses of Fair Deal finding the fee setting process, which is not applicable to State nursing homes, is not commensurate with the reality of nursing home resident care costs. HSE nursing homes are provided with fees that are commensurate with resident care costs.

“The chasm in how the State funds its own nursing homes represents discrimination against nursing home residents and those entrusted in meeting their health and social care needs. It is discriminatory use of public funding and private and voluntary nursing homes are forced to close while HSE nursing homes receive multiples in funding,” he said.

A Value for Money Review commissioned by the Department of Health pointed to the discrimination in fees payable.

This means that there are a number of empty bedrooms in them... for example, in homes where pensioners live alone or where there were families but the children have grown up and moved out.

Local authorities cannot compel council tenants to move out or downsize.

The Government now hopes to encourage those rooms to be rented out as

part of moves to best use existing housing stock.

“The idea is to incentivise people living in those homes – between 14,000 to 28,000 of those – to take up the Rent-aRoom scheme, open up their homes,” according to one source.

“A lot of them are in good locations in towns and cities across the country, and that they wouldn’t be penalised and they are allowed do it.”

The great mortgage escape

Mortgage holders are turning to an equity-release provider to get their loans away from vulture funds.

Spry Finance said it was experiencing strong growth in the number of customers using its product as a way to switch from a mortgage held by an investment fund.

It experienced a 40% increase in mortgage switching in the first three months of the year compared with the same period last year. This was from borrowers taking out an equity-release mortgage and using some or all of it to pay off their existing mortgage.

Our Surabhi’s science first!

We are thrilled to share the incredible achievements of Surabhi Gunjur Sathish, a student from Loreto Secondary School in Kilkenny, who has won 1st place in Ireland’s future innovators at SciFest4STEM regional event at South East Technological University in Waterford.

Surabhi’s project focused on an innovative automated waste sorting system, called IRIS: the Intelligent Recycling Sorting system.

Her project was exceptional and extremely innovative, especially considering that

she had no previous experience in computer programming.

Using an AI model created with Python, Surabhi’s IRIS system identifies and classifies rubbish into three categories: organic waste, general waste, and recyclables, using Convolution Neural Networks (CNN) with an accuracy of 96%.

Her model was then run on a Raspberry Pi, with a pi camera attached. The item being classified was put up to a camera, where the AI would identify the bin the item goes into.

Based on its output, she wrote a python program where certain servo motors would move, to push the item into the correct bin (the item would either be pushed to the right, left, or downwards). She built a working model with basic materials like cardboard and bamboo sticks, and electronics borrowed from the local coderdojo club, and the computer science department in Loreto.

Surabhi’s project impressed the judges at the regional SciFest event, and she has now qualified for

the National Final in November.

Surabhi’s achievement is a testament to her hard work and dedication, and it is truly exceptional what she has accomplished with the resources available to her.

We are incredibly proud of Surabhi and wish her all the best in the National Final.

SciFest is an excellent opportunity for second-level students to showcase their scientific investigations and promote STEM education, and to be involved in Ireland’s largest second-level STEM fair program.

Free school books for local children Children attending primary and special schools in Kilkenny and Carlow are set to benefit from free school books from September, Fine Gael TD, John Paul Phelan has said.

Deputy Phelan outlined details of a hugely significant funding package which will eliminate the cost to families for all school books, workbooks and copybooks at all primary and special schools

within the free education scheme.

“This is a landmark funding package, totalling €50 million, which was secured in Budget 2023 and fulfils Fine Gael’s commitment to have a first class education system, which was contained in the Fine Gael 2020 General Election manifesto,” Deputy Phelan said.

“I am delighted that the de-

livery of this promise to ease the burden of back to school costs for families has come to pass today. The scheme will benefit more than 558,000 pupils nationally, who are attending approximately 3,230 primary schools, including over 130 special schools.

“Grant payments are being made this week, which means schools will now have the funding required to cover

the costs of providing all these items well in advance of the start of the next school year. It’s important to also acknowledge that this provision, as well as easing the Cost of Living burden of families, means that every child will be equal in the classroom, with access to all the required materials which can and will only enhance their educational experience.”

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Opinion

The Fact Of OfThe Matter Paul Hopkins

When every day seems like a bad news day Back in the late Nineties a new paper began publishing in, I think, Sacramento in California. Its stated mission was to report “only good news”. Happy stories, stories that would bring a smile to your face. Make you laugh. The weekly paper never reached its mandated sales nor advertising quota and, so, after less than a year it folded. Its last edition could not tell its readers it was ceasing publication... as that would have been bad news.

These days, hearing or reading the news, it can seem like the only things reported are terrible, depressing events. Sudan, Ukraine, Iran, climate chaos, Trump and the AltRight, sexual abuse in a boys’ boarding school, lack of political leadership in the North, mayhem in France and mass shoot-

ings in American schools.

And so it goes, seemingly endless ‘bad news’. Even our daily weather changes are given red, orange or yellow alerts, telling us all to stay indoors and “don’t go taking unnecessary journeys”, whereas, in my younger days, you just grabbed the umbrella and got on with it. Weathered the storm.

Now, though, with ‘breaking news’ constantly in the palm of our hand there seems little chance of getting a break from it all.

And it can all prove quite tiring.

Why does the media concentrate on the bad things in life, rather than the good? And what might this depressing slant say about us, the audience? Or, indeed, about me, coming up to 50 years in this relentless and remorseless trade

that is newspapers?

My psychologist friend from Magherafelt says sudden disaster is “more compelling than slow improvement”. I retort that reports of corrupt politicians or unfortunate events make for ‘easier’ and, indeed, more responsible stories.

Those men in white coats who have studied such matters suggest that humankind has a ‘negativity bias’, the psychologists’ term for our collective hunger to hear, and remember, bad news.

However, it isn’t just schadenfreude — that wonderful German word for pleasure derived by someone from another person’s misfortune — but rather that we’ve evolved to react quickly to potential threats. That our alertness to bad news could be

a signal that we need to change what we’re doing to avoid danger. It can be much riskier to ignore negative information (a storm is coming) than good news (a dog rescued a boy from a tree). Paying attention to negative news, the researchers say, is generally an effective survival strategy. Like not taking a walk along a coastal road during a red alert weather warning.

As you’d expect from this theory, there’s some evidence that people respond quicker to negative words.

In lab experiments, flash the word ‘cancer’, ‘bomb’ or ‘war’ up at someone and they can hit a button in response quicker than if that word is ‘baby’, ‘smile’ or ‘fun’ (despite these pleasant words being slightly more common).

So is our vigilance for

potential threats — like checking the cabin exits when we board a plane — the only way to explain our predilection for bad news?

Perhaps not.

There is another interpretation. On the whole, we think the world is rosier than it actually is. When it comes to our own lives, many of us believe we’re better than average, and that, like the cliché, we expect things to be all right in the end. This rose-tinted view of the world makes bad news all the more surprising and salient. And we think, thank God that’s not me famine-stricken in Somalia or bombed out in Ukraine or not allowed chose what to do with my own body because I live in a deep Red state in America.

And, so, we feel good about ourselves and,

perhaps too, hold out a little bit of hope for a better day for humanity.

I had an editor once whose motto was, if it bleeds it leads. A recent study people across 17 countries spanning every continent but Antarctica concluded that, on average, people pay more attention to negative news than to positive news.

The findings, published in in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggest this human bias toward negative news might be a large part of what drives negative news coverage. But the results also revealed that this negative bias was not shared by everyone, and some even had a positive bias — a sign that there may be a market for positive news.

I think I might just start up a new paper...

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Vhi ambassador David Gillick and staff from Vhi are pictured with participants and volunteers at Kilkenny parkrun, where Vhi hosted a special volunteer take over on Saturday morning. Vhi are proud presenting partners of parkrun and will be hosting dedicated staff volunteer take over days at various parkruns in the coming months. parkrun in partnership with Vhi support local communities in organising free, weekly, timed 5km runs every Saturday at 9.30am. To register for a parkrun near you visit www.parkrun.ie.

Speakers named for talk Paying the on managing Dyspraxia hefty cost of Kilkenny DCD/Dyspraxia Support group will be hosting a talk in The Orchard House Bar and Restaurant, New Orchard, Kilkenny on Thursday May 18 at 7:30pm. This talk entitled 'Managing the Transition to Secondary School: The Dyspraxic Survival Guide' in conjunction with the EPT Clinic and speaking on the night will be Occupational Therapists Emma McEvoy and Evana Cassidy.

Emma McEvoy is an occupational therapist who graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 2020. After completing her final academic placement with children and young adults, she realised her passion for empowering young people to reach their full potential.

Ms McEvoy joined the EPT Clinic in 2022 having worked with Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for two years, where she developed a greater understanding of neurodiversity and takes pride in recognising the unique strengths of each child that she

works with. She has experience working with children with developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD) or dyspraxia and has a particular interest in supporting the emotional wellbeing of these children.

Emma McEvoy also enjoys collaborating with schools and recognises the importance of preparation for big transitions, such as the transition from primary to secondary school.

Evana Cassidy graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a degree in occupational therapy in 2022. Her thesis examined the social participation of autistic secondary school students in a mainstream educational setting.

She then knew without a doubt that she wanted to work with neurodiverse children.

Evana has worked with children and young people from 18 months to 18 years old of various abilities, keeping in mind their sensory preferences. She has worked to support young people with Dyspraxia achieve their full potential.

health cover

As many as 500,000 people who hurried to take out health insurance before the rules changed to punish those over a certain age from taking out cover are now overpaying, it has emerged.

They are now paying too much as they have failed to review their cover. This is because they took out entry-level plans in 2015 for themselves and their families just to get into the system to avoid future loadings.

Many have not changed health insurance plans since.

Life Community Rating was introduced eight years ago to encourage younger people to take up health insurance early to avoid age loadings.

The rules mean anyone over the age of 34 and who never had health insurance previously is charged a 2% loading on the gross premium for every year.

That means a 44-year-old is 10 years over the threshold and will have a 20% loading on their gross premium.

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Opinion

As I See It Marianne Heron

Doggone it! Who let the dogs in?

Our four-legged friends have been dogging the headlines of late: a sign of how the status of canines has changed. No longer confined to a kennel in the yard, dogs have wagged their way into our homes and our hearts and the passing of a pet can be akin to the loss of a family member.

The death of President Michael’s D’s beloved Bernese Mountain dog Brod got column inches with pictures in the leading Sunday papers. Brod and companion Bernese Misneach became celebrities with their own social media accounts and a key role in welcoming visitors to the Aras.

Dogs get a looking in on mourning too, at TV personality Paul O’Grady’s funeral in Kent, when dogs from the Battersea Cats and Dogs

Home, for which O’Grady was an ambassador, formed a guard of honour.

There was mourning of a different kind when listeners called in to Live Line to protest over the fact that in some instances pets are not allowed in council or privately rented property.

Faced with a choice between property and petlessness in several cases, families turned down places on offer, despite the housing crisis, rather than live without their pooches.

Treating dogs like family members has led to a whole industry for pampered pets.

One pet insurance company reckoned that Ireland’s half a million or so dogs cost their owners about €1,250 a year on average. Pet shops are awash with comfy dog beds, doggie treats and toys, never mind all the bags of kibble

and canned foods and, increasingly, clothing for dogs, even including, I kid you not, dry robes.

In addition to dog grooming parlours and kennels services, there are now dog sitting firms like House My Dog and then there’s doggie portraiture. There are dog whisperers, special pet cemeteries like Heavenly Haven and dog schools which are as much about training owners rather than their four-legged friends.

One side effect of all the care and attention is that dogs are now living longer than before, as well as being treated for conditions normally associated with humans like ulcers or depression there is an increase in canine dementia. The rise in petiquette means that dogs get in on the act on all kinds

of occasions, especially, it seems, at weddings, leading to some unexpected headlines as in Dog Wolfs Down Wedding Cake, Swallows Ring or The Dog Ate My Wedding Album.

One acquaintance of mine refers to her pair of poodles as her children. Is considering dogs as furry babies taking things a step too far and how does this humanisation affect dogs and what does it say about us? Animal psychologists view this kind of anthropomorphising as a mistaken idea where people attribute human needs and emotions to dogs and treat them accordingly in a misguided attempt to understand and get closer to their pets.

The trouble with this approach is that it ignores the dogs’ needs and doesn’t allow them behave like dogs.

It can lead to behavioural problems in dogs like aggression when they don’t get their own way, like separation anxiety when owners are absent and fear or fighting with other dogs where they aren’t socialised.

Aside from humans’ tendency to bark up the wrong tree, dog ownership has lots of pawsitive effects on owners. The catalogue of health benefits (maybe that should be dogaloge as cats are only half as popular as pets) includes lower blood pressure, less loneliness and stress and longer life expectancy. Dog owners are more likely to go walking and due to better exercise routines have lower body mass index (BMI). Could having a dog be better than popping a pill?

If what happened during the pandemic is any indica-

tion, many more people would like to have dogs given the right conditions, working from home (WFH) led to a boom in pet ownership.

Sadly, the return to office and school brought a return of dogs to shelters for rehoming with pets that were illprepared to left home alone, bone idle and as their owners realised that dogs need to be given more exercise and stimulation than they could manage.

My take on dogs? They have been around us humans for somewhere between 20,000 and 40,000, years long before cattle were domesticated and they are wise to our ways.

Treated right they are the most faithful companions and having had the pleasure of the company of a succession of canine companions I miss having one now.

Reduce stress with Terranova Government must intervene to reduce rip-off energy bills CLAIR WHITTY

Are you feeling stressed, tired, or under pressure to get daily tasks completed? Some of the most popular supplements I talk about to help alleviate stress include Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Magnesium and B Complex. As you know there are many brands of these available, it can be difficult to know which one to choose.

One of the brands we stock is Terranova. Recently I was talking with Laura Downes Nutritional Therapist and she reminded why Terranova is so special. “ I love the fact that the whole range of Terranova supplements contains no fillers, binders, additives or artificial anything. Everything in the product has a function, is animal free and it is perfectly suitable to anyone following vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.”

I agree with Laura that we can never remove the stress trigger in our lives but that we can moderate how our body’s respond to that stress with adaptogens. Rhodiola root is possibly one of the most popular adaptogenic herbs we have.

It is commonly used to support energy levels and endurance, may improve cognitive function and combat stress. Laura

told me that Terranova’s Rhodiola is supported by numerous clinical trials, which have demonstrated benefits in both physical exercise stress and psychological stress.

I wondered about the difference between fermented Ashwagandha and one that isn’t fermented. She told me that when herbs are fermented, it unlocks the potent healing and nourishing properties of

that plant, to a degree, that the body is often incapable of achieving on its own. Terranova’s Fermented Ashwagandha does just that! Fermented Ashwagandha contains activated compounds in a highly bioavailable form. Research shows these smaller molecules are directly bioactive and penetrate the body more easily, which is what you want from an adaptogen.

And not to forget the bestselling Terranova B Complex for optimum support during times of stress. It provides the full spectrum of B Vitamins, plus Vitamin C, and a Magnifood Complex featuring botanicals that work in synergy with these nutrients. It has been formulated with ingredients which allow the body to resist the damaging effects of stress and restore optimal physiological function.

Getting out in nature, meeting a friend or watching funny movies are all good ways to unwind.

And the fantastic news is Terranova is 25% off for the month of May. 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

BY: DEPUTY KATHLEEN FUNCHION SINN FEIN TD FOR KILKENNY CARLOW Sinn Féin TD for Carlow Kilkenny, Kathleen Funchion, has said that the government is not doing enough to help struggling workers and families overwhelmed by the costs of energy across Carlow and Kilkenny.

Teachta Funchion said: “Households in Carlow and Kilkenny are still struggling to keep their heads above water as government continues to prioritise the profits of energy companies over workers and families at every turn.

“Average gas and electricity bills have doubled over the last year to the point that the price of electricity here is the highest in Europe and the price of gas is eighth most expensive.

“There is no excuse for this.

Wholesale prices of gas and electricity have fallen significantly electricity by half - yet there have been no efforts to pass these savings on to consumers.

“As energy companies rack up eye-watering profits, the number of people living in energy poverty doubled over the last year and at its peak was a shameful record-breaking high

of 40%.

“One in five Irish homes are now behind on their gas bills - of those 679,000 people that rely on gas to heat their homes, 139,785 were in arrears at the end of December with this rising to 152,276 by the end of February.

“The government can act to protect domestic consumers but instead continues to sit on its hands.

“Sinn Féin is calling on them to introduce a windfall tax which addresses the super-profits of energy companies.

“Government must also provide financial relief and certainty to households by reducing domestic electricity prices to their pre-Ukraine invasion levels and capping them at that level - as has been done in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands.

“They must also reverse the increase in carbon tax.

“They must also introduce new regulatory powers for the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities that empowers them to tackle instances of price-gouging and to ensure that it has the resources to do so.

“These are all

sensible measures that the government can and must introduce to protect struggling households from greedy profiteering.’’

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SPECIAL REPORT

Kilkenny comes clean!

More than 100 Kilkenny groups joined the National Spring Clean 2023 campaign with the most exciting results achieved yet.

Communities throughout the county came together to make a difference for our environment, by removing 12 tonnes of litter from various locations across Kilkenny.

The National Spring Clean is Ireland’s official anti-litter campaign and, in the past 24 years, the initiative has highlighted the collective responsibility we share in tackling and preventing our national litter problem.

National Spring Clean is operated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce in partnership with Local Authorities and supported by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Mars Wrigley Ireland.

Throughout the month of April, the National Spring Clean encouraged communities from across Ireland to tackle the problem of litter in local areas and to see the benefits of a litter-free environment.

This year more than 100 Kilkenny groups registered to carry out clean-ups throughout the county making Spring Clean 23 one of Ireland’s largest anti-litter campaign to date.

More than 2,000 volunteers joined Spring Clean ‘23 in Co Kilkenny removing an estimated 12 tonnes of litter. National Spring Clean has been a starting point for a large number of groups to organise regular clean-up events all year!

In Co Kilkenny, clean-ups took place in various locations, including Lisdowney, Urlingford, Thomastown, Freshford and many more.

Green School committee members from Presentation Secondary School in Kilkenny took part in a clean up along the River Nore as part of a number of activities they undertook for the National Spring Clean in Kilkenny as well as another clean-up that group 2C did as part of Eco Week.

National Spring Clean ‘23 has been an amazing opportunity for communities in Kilkenny and nationwide to come together and do their bit for their local environment, contribute to creating a more sustainable community, be with like-minded people and make a difference.

This year, the aim for National Spring Clean was also to raised awareness about how the adoption of a circular economy model, will reduce our litter and climate impact, meaning that as we transition to a more circular economy, we’ll see less waste, less litter, and lower emissions, and thus, a cleaner planet.

The principles of a circular economy have always been central to the ethos of National Spring Clean for the past 24 years. This year, some 35% of all waste collected was recycled, thanks to recyclable waste bags provided to groups and individuals who register, while the removal of litter from our natural environment has helped tackle biodiversity loss.

Minister for the Environment,

CONTINUE MAKING A CLEAN SWEEP...

Even though April has come to an end, there are plenty of campaigns and activities that The National Spring Clean run and endorse that you can get involved in. A few of these include: • When you are out for a walk, visiting a park or a beach, do a quick #2MinuteStreetClean or a #2MinuteBeachClean.

• Avoid single-use plastic when possible, by choosing more sustainable alternatives, such as reusable bottles and coffee cups, cotton bags, metal straws, etc…

• Don’t litter and if a bin is overflowing, keep your waste until you find a waste to dispose of it properly.

• If you can’t reduce or reuse, recycle; know where and how to recycle all types of waste.

• Recent statistics show that, in Ireland, discarded cigarette butts make up for 60% of litter on the streets. Always bin your butt!

• Make sure to bin your chewing gum when you’re done to avoid a €150 gum littering fine and keep our streets clean!

Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, said : “An Taisce’s National Spring Clean continues to showcase the dedication of volunteers all over the country.

The commitment of volunteers in continuing to organise local clean-ups each year is a testament to the spirit in Irish communities and I would urge as many people as possible to get involved in the campaign.

“My department will continue to support the campaign and An Taisce, whose role in organising this successful campaign each year, deserves to be acknowledged. I look forward to the many events that will be held all over the country in the coming months.”

National Spring Clean Manager Emlyn Cullen, said: “This was one of our biggest years ever with regards people taking part. We can’t thank the volunteers enough for giving up their time and energy to make Ireland a cleaner, greener country. Huge credit also goes to the Local Authorities who work hard during the month to collect the full bags after events.

“Also I’d like to thank our funders, the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and sponsors, Mars Wrigley Ireland.” * Our photos show Green School Committee members from Presentation Secondary School in Kilkenny who took part in a clean up along the River Nore as part of a number of activities they undertook for the National Spring Clean in Kilkenny.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5 May 2023

Opinion

Your Money & You John Ellis

Doing the sums on your investments Do you save? Are you religiously setting aside a certain amount each week/month toward a financial goal?

People save money for a variety of reasons. Emergencies, such as a medical or car repairs. Buying a house, starting a business, or retirement; for education, travel, new furniture or appliances, or to invest in stocks and shares, property or other opportunities.

But with rising inflation and rocketing cost of living expenses, many think that saving is not viable because, with low interest rates, their money is not earning enough to beat inflation.

With the right advice investing can keep you ahead of the cost of living over time, potentially increasing your wealth.

Ultimately, saving money provides you with greater financial security, flexibility, and the ability to achieve your financial goals.

But what are the options when faced with continuing market volatility and uncertainty? One of the oldest rules of investing is ‘Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket’ – but how do you identify which eggs go into which baskets.

Many people don’t save due to lack of awareness, or due to low income as they need to prioritise necessities such as food, housing, and healthcare. Others are in debt for many reasons while others procrastinate, putting off saving for the future because it feels like a distant goal, and they prioritise immediate wants and needs over longterm savings.

But what about those who do want to save? An investment account can be a powerful tool for building wealth and achieving financial goals.

However, it’s important to understand the risks involved and to carefully consider investment decisions before

making any investments.

Seek advice from a financial advisor or professional before opening an investment account.

A recent Bank of Ireland survey shows that people prioritise saving for holidays (49%), home renovations

(27%) and buying a new car (22%) ahead of other pursuits.

The survey showed that only 11% are saving with an eye on investing and, while 23% of respondents positively rated their know-how in the investments area, 49% rated their knowledge as poor.

To help, Bank of Ireland is running the ‘Invested Webinar Series,’ designed to help people learn more about investing. The reason for this is that from the survey they found people fear losing some or all of their money by investing. Others are afraid of having their money tied up for years or simply feel they don’t have enough money to invest.

Notably men claim to have more investment knowledge (33%) versus only 13% of women. 28% of men currently hold an investment account (just 10% of women), as the survey uncovered an overall lack of financial literacy in the investments space.

When looking for advice people will consult a family member (38%) or a friend (24%) regarding investments, rather than consult a professional financial adviser (22%), and 37% of those surveyed have never spoken to anyone at all about investing.

Commenting on the survey, Bernard Walsh at Bank of Ireland said: “I encourage those with money left over once daily expenses are factored in, and who already have a rainy-day fund in place, to consider investments. Investments are a smart way to achieve growth, and with patience and time can generate good returns.

“This is where good advice really plays its part in helping people make an informed choice, and why it is so important to talk with a qualified financial advisor.

“Investing is a long-term activity, but once people find the right balance between seeking the return they want and investing an amount they are comfortable with, the result can often be well worth it.” john@ellisfinancial.ie 086 8362622

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Opinion

Callan Workhouse: Part one Monument to a dark past…

BY JOHN FITZGERALD

grated to escape death and oppression.

The restoration of the administrative section-or Master’s Block-of the Workhouse was hailed nationally as a remarkable achievement.

It was saved from possible dereliction and abandonment thanks to a mix of “people

A building that witnessed the most traumatic events in Irish history has become a cherished heritage asset.

Callan Workhouse is one of the few such structures left standing in Ireland. A monument to the horrors of famine, parts of it have been restored to serve as the local County Council office and a centre for artistic endeavour.

Marianne Kelly listens as Mick Behind its historic walls Dawson plays a lament on the pipes painters, designers, and outside the Workhouse dramatists are busily engaged; working day and night on assignments that have helped to make the town a cultural Mecca, transforming the social landscape with their critically acclaimed projects.

The Workhouse had an altogether different role when Ireland was devastated by the failure of the potato crop in the 1840s. It was chronically overcrowded as thousands of people in the area died of Part of the restored Workhouse hunger and many more emi-

power” and an effective inter-agency approach to the challenge.

The restoration followed years of lobbying by Callan Heritage Society and local councillors. The whole community celebrated when the County Council agreed to base its new office for the Callan electoral area in the Master’s Block.

The work on the Master’s Block alone would have been a significant breakthrough in its own right, but the remaining sections of the Workhouse also received attention. A

stake-holding group comprising Camphill Community, which caters for people with special needs, Kilkenny County Council, the South Eastern Health Board, and Callan Heritage Society saw to it that the remaining buildings were preserved and, in some instances, adapted for artistic or community-based purposes.

The alliance aimed to develop the Workhouse in a tasteful and yet adventurous way, envisaging, in the words of historian Philip Lynch, a “radical, imaginative, daring

Callan Workhouse masters block

initiative, but one very much in keeping with the historical and architectural value of the buildings.”

For the Master’s Block, a delicate balance was achieved in the restoration project, and an element of contemporary design applied only to the building’s interior. This blended soothingly with the existing structures.

The Callan Workhouse is one of only seventeen still standing in Ireland. And the restored Master’s block is one of five remaining on this island. While other workhouses yielded to so-called “progress” and consumerism, Callan was fortunate in having a dedicated band of people looking out for its heritage.

Last month, the Kilkenny Heritage Walking Group arrived to explore the origins and legacy of the Workhouse.

Speakers Marianne Kelly and Paddy Neary took us back to the bad old days, recounting a part of our history that must never be forgotten. Local musician, Mick Dawson, played

a lament on the bagpipes before the group set off to Cherryfield, a site inextricably linked to the Workhouse story.

Paddy and Marianne were joined by historian Joe Kennedy and the assembled walkers listened spellbound to a sad tale of that “Other Ireland.”

We heard of entire families dropping dead on the roadside or in their makeshift cabins from malnutrition. In Callan and the surrounding countryside, sadistic work schemes added to the misery.

Cadaverous, half-starved men were forced to work just to keep themselves and their families alive.

They were ordered to dig holes and fill them in again, or to build stonewalls in remote areas where nobody wanted walls. Many men died performing this soul-destroying labour.

Their wives and children would then be carted off to the Workhouse….

To be continued…

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News Science & Wellbeing La Niña is an oceanic phenomenon that results in below-average sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, and lower average temperatures worldwide. La Niña has dominated Earth’s weather for the past three years. But now forecasters are predicting that, sometime between this summer and the end of the year, La Niña’s opposite extreme, El Niño, will take over.

That seismic shift could have major implications for human health, and specifically the spread of disease. El Niño will increase temperatures and make precipitation more volatile, which in turn could fuel the spread of pathogencarrying mosquitoes, bacteria, and toxic algae. It’s a preview of the ways climate change will influence the spread of infectious diseases.

“The bottom line here is that there are a range of different health effects that might occur in the setting of an El Niño,” Neil Vora, a physician with the environmental nonprofit Conservation International, told Grist.org, a non-profit, independent media outlet dedicated to stories about climate change. “That means we have to monitor the situation closely and prepare ourselves.”

As with La Niña, the effects of an El Niño extend far beyond a patch of aboveaverage warmth in the Pacific.

Parched regions of the world — like Chile, Peru, Mexico and the American Southwest — are often bombarded with rain and snow. Some other parts of the world, including the Northeastern U.S., the Amazon and Southeast Asia’s tropical regions, on the other hand, don’t see much rain at all in an El Niño year. The planet could temporarily become 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer, on average, than in preindustrial times — a threshold scientists have long warned

The link between poor sleep and worsening disease is one that researchers into Alzheimer’s disease are exploring in depth, with a new study finding that using sleeping pills to get some shut-eye could reduce the build-up of toxic clumps of proteins in fluid that washes the brain clean every night.

Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis found people who took suvorexant, a common treatment for insomnia, for two nights at a sleep clinic experienced a slight drop in two proteins, amyloid-beta and tau, that pile up in Alzheimer’s disease.

Though only short and involving a small group of healthy adults, the study is an interesting demonstration of the link between sleep and the molecular markers of Alzheimer’s disease.

Sleep disturbances can be an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease that

As the planet shifts into an El Niño year, Barker said the areas to keep a close eye on are ones where moderate or heavy rains are followed by dry, warm months. If the past is any indication, countries like India and Pakistan are especially at risk.

So is California. After years of drought, recent storms in the Golden State have generated a lot of flooding and cooler-than- normal conditions. If that leads into a hotter-thannormal summer, “that may set things up for bad conditions for West Nile virus,” Barker said of the mosquito-borne illness that is becoming more prevalent in the U.S. El Niño is projected to bring

unusual warmth to the Pacific Northwest and the northern Great Plains. Kristie L. Ebi, a professor of global health at the University of Washington, said warmth is often the determining factor in how far north vectors of disease move.

“We know that mosquitoes don’t control their internal temperature,” she said. “When it’s hotter they’re going to see opportunities to move into new ranges. If the El Niño lasts long enough they get established and find habitat, then you can see an expansion in geographic range.” A study on the link between infectious disease in the U.S. and El Niño, published in 2016, found a link between tickborne illnesses such as rickettsiosis — an infection that can damage the brain, lungs and skin — and El Niño in the western US. Vibrio cholerae, the waterborne bacteria that causes cholera, is another area of concern, experts told Grist — both in areas that see more rain during El Niño and those that see less rain.

Flooding aids the spread of the cholera bacteria from open sewers and other waste containers — still prevalent in many underdeveloped parts of the world — into drinking water systems. Drought also leads to an uptick in cholera cases in poor countries, because restricted access to fresh water forces people to use less water for personal hygiene practices like handwashing and turn to unsafe sources of drinking water.

“Cholera can be a devastating infectious disease that causes a very severe diarrhoea that can dehydrate people so badly that they die,” Vora said.

“In the setting of an El Niño extreme weather event, there might be impacts on sewage systems or on access to clean water, and that can lead to the spread of water-borne diseases such as cholera.”

zheimer’s to interpret it as a reason to start taking suvorexant every night,” says neurologist Brendan Lucey, of Washington University’s Sleep Medicine Centre, who led the research.

The study spanned just two nights and involved 38 middle-aged participants who showed no signs of cognitive impairment and had no sleep issues.

Using sleeping pills for prolonged periods is not an ideal solution for those short on sleep either, as it’s quite easy to become dependent on them.

Sleeping pills may also lull people into shallower bouts of sleep rather than deep sleep phases. This could be problematic as earlier research from Lucey and colleagues found a link between less good quality, slow-wave sleep and elevated levels of tau tangles and amyloid-beta protein.

In their latest study, Lucey and colleagues wanted to see if improving sleep with

the aid of sleeping pills could lower levels of tau and amyloid-beta in the cerebrospinal fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord. Past research shows that even just one night of disrupted sleep can send amyloid-beta levels rising.

A group of volunteers aged 45 to 65 years old received one of two doses of suvorexant or a placebo pill, an hour after researchers tapped their cerebrospinal fluid to collect a small sample.

The researchers continued to collect samples every two hours for 36 hours while the participants slept and during the next day and night, to measure how protein levels changed.

There were no differences in sleep between the groups, and yet amyloidbeta concentrations were reduced by between 10 and 20 percent with a dose of suvorexant usually prescribed for insomnia, compared to a placebo.

Shift in weather pattern concern for human health marks the difference between a tolerable environment and one that causes intense human suffering.

These patterns are a boon for certain vector-borne illnesses — defined as infections transmitted by an organism (usually an arthropod, a category that includes insects and arachnids). Regions of the world that will experience longer wet seasons because of El Niño, many of which are in the tropics, may see an increase in mosquito-borne illnesses, according to Victoria Keener, a senior research fellow at the East-West Centre in Honolulu, Hawaii, and a coauthor of the upcoming Fifth National Climate Assessment.

“El Niño will mean a longer breeding season for a lot of vectors and increased malaria potential in a lot of the world,” she said.

A 2003 study on the intersection of El Niño and infectious disease showed spikes in malaria along the coasts of Venezuela and Brazil during and after El Niño years. The study looked at more than a dozen cycles between El Niño, La Niña, and the cycle’s “neutral” phase, which taken together are known as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, or ENSO. The researchers, who analysed data dating back to 1899, also found an increase in malaria during or post-El Niño in Colombia, India, Paki-

stan and Peru. Cases of dengue, another mosquito-borne illness, increased in 10 Pacific islands.

The manner in which El Niño impacts mosquitos and the diseases they carry is varied and often difficult to accurately calculate, said Christopher Barker, an associate professor in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology of the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Mosquitos breed in warm, wet conditions. But too much water in the form of flooding rains can wash away mosquito larvae and ultimately contribute to a decrease in mosquito populations.

Sleep tablets may ward off Alzheimer’s precedes other symptoms, such as memory loss and cognitive decline. And by the time the first symptoms develop, levels of abnormal amyloid-beta are almost peaking, forming clumps

called plaques that clog up brain cells.

Researchers think promoting sleep could be one avenue to stave off Alzheimer’s disease, by allowing the sleeping brain to flush itself

of leftover proteins and the day’s other waste products.

While sleeping pills may help in that regard, “it would be premature for people who are worried about developing Al-

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Travel & Leisure

Seven beautiful Mediterranean islands to visit

1. Ibiza, Spain Ibiza is a Mediterranean island with a party scene. It is a historic addition to the Balearic islands with 16thcentury walls, yet it is better known for electronic dance music. Ibiza is one of the best islands for a party holiday.

And when you are recovering from a night out, it has plenty of beautiful beaches and picturesque agricultural areas to explore with wild herbs and citrus groves.

The clubs in Ibiza are unrivalled. Some, like Pacha, have been open since 1973 and are iconic in their own right.

Even the biggest party holiday has room for a bit of history. The Castle of Ibiza hilltop landmark is a medieval fortification and is well worth a visit.

2. Mallorca, Spain Mallorca is the largest Balearic island. And it’s easily one of the most popular islands in the Mediterranean for tourists. Mallorca made its way onto our list for its golden beaches and friendly vibe. You could drive around the island’s circumference in five to six hours.

The island has pine forests and beautiful architecture

like Santa Maria Cathedral.

Despite having a nightlife hotspot in the island’s capital, Palma, the island is familyfriendly. Mallorca is also brilliant on a budget, with plenty of low-cost airlines running regular flights from major European cities.

A beautiful train ride is a quintessential way to travel in Mallorca. This vintage train runs from Palma to Soller, passing orange groves and pine forests.

Ruta de Pedra en Sec is a stunning cobbled mountain trail that hugs the side of cliff faces and dramatic gorges.

While 170km long, you can easily pick a smaller section for a less ambitious hike.

3. Santorini, Greece Santorini is a Greek paradise, and everyone knows it. Aside from blue-domed churches and bright white buildings, Santorini has developed a reputation as among the Greek islands’ most luxurious.

It is easily one of the most popular of the Mediterranean islands. Between its luxe atmosphere, things to do, and iconic status, we just had to include Santorini on our list.

Santorini itself was formed by a volcanic eruption.

The eruption occurred thousands of years ago yet set out Santorini’s distinctive geographical layout for centuries. The craggy remains of the volcanic rock cut a stark contrast to Santorini’s glossy white buildings.

Red Beach is a must and (as you may have guessed) is a trademarked burnt red colour. It is ideal for a beach day with a difference.

Three Bells of Fira is a top choice amongst the bluedomed churches of Santorini.

The Catholic Church is set above the ocean on a scenic clifftop.

4. Menorca, Spain Menorca is the second largest Balearic island. The Spanish island is more lowkey than Mallorca or Ibiza. It lacks the hardcore partying and resorts – instead famous for sandy beaches and a bit of peace and quiet. While still on all the major flight routes, it offers a more tranquil experience. This quality really stood out to us, and it had to go onto our list.

Menorca is probably 50% sandy beaches and 50% pine forests. But the capital Mahon has some cultural elements too. We suggest renting a car and beach

hopping, then venturing into Mahon for food and culture.

Cala Algaiarens is a vast sandy beach sheltered by cliffs and with calm waters ideal for swimming. There’s also a hiking trail nearby for the adventurous.

The Parc Natural de s’Albufera des Grau nature reserve is beautifully explored by kayak or by snorkelling. The marshlands are a conservation area and peaceful for wildlife watching.

and fine sand beaches are all over. Rent a car and pick your ideal section of the coastline.

The Old Fortress of Corfu is historically fascinating and also perfect for scenic views.

Check out the displayed artifacts and allow a few hours to explore the grounds.

Porto Timoni Beach is a remote beach in a rocky region surrounded by lush greenery and forests – Porto Timoni Beach speaks for itself. It’s an adventurous beach day destination.

5. Corfu, Greece Corfu is a significant island in the Mediterranean.

The Greek island is off the west coast of the beautiful mainland. Both cruise lines and airlines flock to Corfu – it’s a popular spot among all.

Busy and unapologetically a channel for passing tourists, Corfu has a constant movement of people. An easy fix to that, though, is visiting in shoulder seasons.

In shoulder seasons, markets and attractions are much quieter, and the spring or autumn salty breeze keeps you cooler anyway.

Corfu Town is the central hub of the island. However, resorts stud the entire circumference of the island,

6. Sicily, Italy Sicily is the largest of all islands in the Mediterranean. The Italian island sits off the west coast of the mainland and screams natural beauty. It is also a living and breathing museum, with Roman and Greek ruins everywhere.

Plus, there’s the thrill of Mount Etna, one of the most active volcanoes in Europe, on the island’s east coast. Sicily is beautiful and exciting. It’s a winning combination if we ever did see one.

Valley of the Temples is a magnificent historical landmark – a vast archaeological site covered in ancient temples and an

engaging museum.

Taking a cable car up to Mount Etna is one of the most exciting things to do in Sicily. You get dropped at a final section of the hiking trail and emerge at the volcano’s crater. There are also a number of jeep tours if you want a more unique route up.

7. Capri, Italy Capri is a beautiful island in Italy’s Bay of Naples, popular amongst luxury seekers. It is hard not to love its exclusive and glamorous appeal – whether you are on a luxury budget or not. The island has stunning beaches and a world-famous Blue Grotto, which can be visited by boat.

Its glamour, things to do, and beaches are what won us over.

The Blue Grotto is a massive blue lagoon in a collection of sea caves. The light reflects, making the seawater ultra blue (electric blue at midday). You enter in a small fishing boat and can swim in the bright blue water.

The Mount Solaro chairlift is a few minutes long but gives you stunning views of the ocean and rock formations.

There’s also a cafe – the perfect espresso point.

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Opinion

Furthermore Gerry Moran

When you’re smiling, when you’re smiling...

This week, a few jokes to tone up the facial muscles and have them in fine fettle for the Cat Laughs Comedy Festival which is almost upon us (June 2-4) Hopefully they’ll give you a laugh or at least bring a smile to your face. A smile, by the way, has huge benefits. Cosmetologists call smiling ‘face-building’ as it strengthens the muscles of the face, lowers stress levels, boosts the immune system and improves blood circulation which makes us look younger and more attractive!

Damn it, we should always be smiling, except perhaps when we flood the kitchen or crash the car!

Anyway, here we go, and if you have heard them before what the hell – laugh again, smile again, your body will thank you for it.

The Three Little Pigs A teacher was reading the story of the Three Little Pigs

to her class. She came to the part where the first pig was trying to gather the building materials for his home.

She read: “And so the pig went up to the man with the wheelbarrow full of straw and said. ‘Pardon me sir, but may I have some of that straw to build my house’?”

The teacher paused then asked the class: “And what do you think the man said?”

One little boy, a farmer’s son, raised his hand and said very matter-of-factly: “Miss. I think the man would have said ‘Well, I’ll be f***ed! A talking pig’!”

The teacher had to leave the room.

Tough At The Top! A large steel company hired a new CEO to rid the company of slackers. On a tour of the factory, the CEO noticed a guy leaning against a wall casually scrolling through his mobile phone while eating

scuba diving trip off the coast of Kerry, asks the boat owner why scuba divers always fall backwards off their boats?

To which the Kerry man replies: “If they fell forwards sure they’d still be in the bloody boat.”

an apple. The room was full of workers and he wanted to show them that he meant business. He asked the guy: “How much money do you make a week?” A little surprised, the young man said: “I make €400 a week. Why?” The CEO said: “Wait right here.” He walked back to his office, came back and handed the guy €1,600 in

cash and said “Here’s four weeks’ pay. Now GET OUT and don’t come back.”

Feeling pretty good about himself the CEO then asked: “Does anyone want to tell me what that goof-ball did here?”

From across the room a voice said: “Pizza delivery guy from Domino’s.”

Boozing Buddies!

Two drinking buddies were staggering home at two in the morning, one confides to the other: “God I hate getting in at this hour, easing off my shoes, sneaking up the stairs and crawling into bed, then the wife wakes up and nags me for ages”.

“Sneaking’s not the way to do it”, says his buddy as they stagger down the street. “Try slamming the front door, stomping up the stairs and yelling: ‘Hey, baby, let’s make love’. My wife always pretends she’s asleep.”

Scuba-do!

An American tourist, on a

Bar Therapy Ever since I was a child I’ve

had a fear of someone being under my bed at night so I went to a shrink and told him.

“Put yourself in my hands for a year,” said the shrink.

“Come talk to me once a week and we should be able to get rid of those fears.”

“How much do you charge?” ‘“Eighty euro a visit,” replied the shrink. “I’ll sleep on it,” I said.

Six months later the doctor met me on the street. “Why didn’t you come see me about those fears?” he asked.

“Well, €80 a visit, once a week for a year is a lot of money! A barman cured me for €10.”

“And how, may I ask, did a barman cure you?”

“He told me to cut the legs off the bed! There’s nobody under there now!!!”

Finally: You go to the ballet and see girls dancing on their tip-toes. Why don’t they just get taller girls?

Climate Change

– are we all playing our part?

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News

Kilkenny students get ready for the Student Enterprise Program National Final at Croke Park

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Photos: Vicky Comerford Preparations are well underway for three local secondary schools Grennan College, St. Kieran's College and Coláiste

Abhainn Rí, will represent Kilkenny at this year’s Student Enterprise Programme National Finals on Friday 5th May in Croke Park.

Local Enterprise Office

Kilkenny announced the winners of the county final in early March at Lyrath Hotel.

Over 1000 students from 12 local schools took part in the annual programme with

130 students making it to the county final.

In the Junior Category, the students representing Kilkenny at the National Finals are Jane Kelly and Isabelle Doheny from Worry Not at Coláiste Abhainn Rí.

They sell polished stones that consumers could use for meditation or to ease anxiety by rubbing.

Cian Holohan and Jack Dooley from HD Horseshoe Designs at St. Kieran's College will be representing the county in the Intermediate Category. This company sell a variety of ornaments made from repurposed horseshoes.

In the Senior Category of the competition, Kilkenny will be represented on May 5th by Michael Bookle, Conor Monks, Darragh Dack, Conor Kelly and Isaac Magnez from The Gaming Guard at Grennan College. Their entrepreneurial idea includes an Xbox and PlayStation 5 controller accessory that helps players avoid being kicked out of live online games made from 3-D printing.

In the “My Entrepreneurial Journey” competition two Coláiste Abhainn Rí students will represent Kilkenny in the National Finals; Ruth O'Sullivan of Shake It Up Ltd. in the junior category and Darragh Lyons from Energelz in the intermediate category.

Both students have made the top three shortlists in this competition ahead of the finals.

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Speaking ahead of the national final, Aileen McGrath, Acting Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny wished the students well, saying “We have a very successful student enterprise programme here and last year Kilkenny had a winner in the Junior Category, ‘Sew Stylish’ from St. Brigid’s Callan”. She added “Our national finalists are excellent ambassadors for the programme and we wish them the very best of luck in Croke Park on May 5th.”

The local students will be competing against hundreds of other student entrepreneurs from all over Ireland at the Student Enterprise Programme National Finals, taking place at Croke Park in Dublin on the 5th May. The Finalists for Ireland’s largest entrepreneurial programme for secondary level students were announced this week from over 25,000 entrants.

The Student Enterprise Programme, an initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices and now in its 21st year, has announced the 82 Finalists that will compete across three categories at the National Finals.

Each of the 31 Local Enterprise Offices have one representative each in the Senior category with the remaining finalists spread across the Junior and Intermediate categories. The finalists span a whole range of sectors from agriculture and design to sustainability and healthcare.

The Finals take place in Croke Park on the 5th May where one student business will be named “Student Enterprise of the Year”.

Further information around the Student Enterprise Programme is available from www.studententerprise.ie and by searching #studententerprise on social media.

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Global Report Economic, health and geopolitical trends have created divergent outcomes for labour markets globally in 2023.

While tight labour markets are prevalent in high-income countries, low – and lower – middle-income countries continue to see higher unemployment than before the Covid-19 pandemic.

On an individual level, labour-market outcomes are also diverging, as workers with only basic education and women face lower employment levels. At the same time, real wages are declining as a result of an ongoing costof-living crisis, and changing worker expectations and concerns about the quality of work are becoming more prominent issues globally.

The Future of Jobs Survey brings together the perspective of 803 companies – collectively employing more than 11.3 million workers – across 27 industry clusters and 45 economies from all world regions.

According to the survey, technology adoption will remain a key driver of business transformation in the next five years. More than 85% of organisations surveyed identify increased adoption of new and frontier technologies and broadening digital access as the trends most likely to drive transformation in their organisation.

Broader application of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards within their organisations will also have a significant impact. The next most-impactful trends are macroeconomic: the rising cost of living and slow economic growth. The impact of investments to drive the green transition was judged to be the sixth-most impactful macrotrend, followed by supply shortages and consumer expectations around social and environmental issues.

Though still expected to drive the transformation of almost half of companies in the next five years, the ongoing impact of the pandemic, increased geopolitical divisions and demographic dividends

The future of jobs Pandemic, cost of living and technology the big influencers

in developing and emerging economies were ranked lower as drivers of business evolution by respondents.

The largest job creation and destruction effects come from environmental, technology and economic trends. Among the macrotrends listed, businesses predict the strongest net job-creation effect to be driven by investments that facilitate the green transition of businesses, the broader application of ESG standards and supply chains becoming more localised, albeit with job growth offset by partial job displacement in each case.

Climate change adaptation and the demographic dividend in developing and emerging economies also rate high as net job creators.

Technological advancement through increased adoption of new and frontier technolo-

gies and increased digital access are expected to drive job growth in more than half of surveyed companies, offset by expected job displacement in one-fifth of companies. The net job creation effect places these two trends in 6th and 8th place respectively.

The three key drivers of expected net job destruction are slower economic growth, supply shortages and the rising cost of inputs, and the rising cost of living for consumers.

Employers also recognise that increased geopolitical divisions and the ongoing impact of the pandemic will drive labour-market disruption – with an even split between employers who expect these trends to have a positive impact and employers who expect them to have a negative impact on jobs.

Within technology adoption,

big data, cloud computing and AI feature highly on likelihood of adoption. More than 75% of companies are looking to adopt these technologies in the next five years. The data also shows the impact of the digitalisation of commerce and trade. Digital platforms and apps are the technologies most likely to be adopted by the organisations surveyed, with 86% of companies expecting to incorporate them into their operations in the next five years. E-commerce and digital trade are expected to be adopted by 75% of businesses.

The second-ranked technology encompasses education and workforce technologies, with 81% of companies looking to adopt these technologies by 2027. The adoption of robots, power storage technology and distributed ledger

technologies rank lower on the list.

The impact of most technologies on jobs is expected to be a net positive over the next five years.

Big data analytics, climate change and environmental management technologies, and encryption and cybersecurity are expected to be the biggest drivers of job growth.

Agriculture technologies, digital platforms and apps, ecommerce and digital trade, and AI are all expected to result in significant labour-market disruption, with substantial proportions of companies forecasting job displacement in their organisations, offset by job growth elsewhere to result in a net positive. All but two technologies are expected to be net job creators in the next five years: humanoid robots and non-humanoid ones.

Employers anticipate a structural labour market churn of 23% of jobs in the next five years. This can be interpreted as an aggregate measure of disruption, constituting a mixture of emerging jobs added and declining jobs eliminated.

Respondents to this year’s Future of Jobs Survey expect a higher-than-average churn in the Supply Chain and Transportation and Media, Entertainment and Sports industries, and lower-than-average churn in Manufacturing as well as Retail and Wholesale of Consumer Goods.

Of the 673 million jobs reflected in the dataset in this report, respondents expect structural job growth of 69 million jobs and a decline of 83 million jobs. This corresponds to a net decrease of 14 million jobs, or 2% of current employment.

Attlee does mouse check ahead of coronation Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the British House of Commons Speaker, has a number of politically named pets, including Maggie the tortoise and Boris the parrot.

As preparations were finalised across Britain to ensure events surrounding King Charles’ coronation go smoothly, Westminster is no exception.

Among those working to get the parliamentary estate in order is Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s menagerie, which has been brought down to London from his home in Lancashire.

Attlee, the cat, has carried out a mouse check ahead of the royal reception, while Boris, the parrot, has been “shouting quite loudly”.

“We’ve been trying to get him to sing God Save The King,” Sir Lindsay revealed.

“He’s been listening very carefully. Attlee has been going round to check there

aren’t any mice around and there were absolutely none.”

Animal-loving Sir Lindsay has a number of pets, including Maggie, the tortoise – who is “not for turning” – and a dog, Betty, named after his late predecessor Baroness Betty Boothroyd.

The hard work is likely to pay off, the Speaker suggested, adding: “They may be getting coronation strawberries.”

It came ahead of Charles and Camilla attending a celebratory reception in the Palace of Westminster just four days before the historic ceremony on Saturday, May 6.

They will be hosted by Sir Lindsay as they gather with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Opposition Leader Sir Keir Starmer in Westminster

Hall. The hall, which is the oldest building on the parliamentary estate, was where thousands of mourners filed past while the coffin of the Queen was lying in state in September.

It used to be the scene of coronation banquets, and was where monarchs were presented with the coronation regalia before their procession to the Abbey, but both ceremonies have not been staged since George IV’s extravagant coronation in 1821.

Sir Lindsay said it was a “wonderful privilege” to be invited to the ceremony – though his menagerie did not make the guest-list.

He will attend the abbey on Saturday in full ceremonial

dress, including the Speaker’s historic Honiton lace jabot and cuffs.

Sir Lindsay described the modern constitutional monarchy as a “grown-up recognition of democracy in this country” and said he looks forward to Charles’ reign.

“I have never known the monarch to object to what the House of Commons does. I never, ever see that happening.

“What I see is a grown-up recognition of democracy in this country, that we still have a monarch that plays his part,” Sir Lindsay said.

“I’ve got to say, what a privilege that we’ve got the sadness of Her Majesty, but we’ve now got the sunrise of a new King coming.”

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Old friends reunion

COMPETITION WINNER Heidi Good draws the winning entry

Thank you to all who entered the draw to win a gift voucher for Goods sponsored by The Kilkenny Observer.

The winning entry was drawn by Heidi Good, Director. Congratulations to Maria Tobin who was the lucky winner of the €100.00 gift voucher, a great opportunity to shop at Goods with 4 floors of fashion to choose from.

Above: Heidi Good, Director, Annette Quirke, Marketing Co-ordinator and Tommy Dowling, Social Media Co-ordinator

Des and Martin at the workshop in The Castle Yard, Kilkenny, Tuesday May 2nd 2023 Silversmith Des Byrne (age 81) welcomes Martin Dawson (age 89) to his workshop in The Castle Yard, Kilkenny. Des and Martin worked together 67 years ago in 1956 in

Main image: Director, Heidi Good, draws the winning entry assisted

by Annette Quirke, Marketing Co-ordinator

Gunning & Son, Church metal workers in Fleet Street, Dublin. Martin travels to Ireland from his home in Chicago twice yearly and always pays a visit to Des to talk and reminisce of

old times.

Des came to Kilkenny and set up his silversmith business in 1968 and to date, remains in business at The Castle Yard, Kilkenny.

Photos: Jack Moore

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Kilkenny BikeFest, 13th and 14th of May

BikeFest returns this year bigger than ever before on the 13th & 14th of May 2023. Growing to a multidiscipline festival, there are more things to experience; test bikes, leisure cycles, sustainability talks, films, food, music and so much more! Cycling Ireland and Kilkenny County Council have teamed up for this free, fun-fuelled programme of events and activities, for the passionate and casual pedlars of all abilities with the Sunday festival supplying activities that the whole

family can enjoy together.

Saturday 13th kicks off with “leisure rides” exploring the Kilkenny countryside, departing from the main gates of Kilkenny Castle at 9.15am with our local cycle club, Marble City Cyclers and at 10am with Charlie Parsons, our local community bike ride leader (age group: 18+). That night, we have “Cycling the Change” in Billy Byrne’s.

Mary Reynolds, a gold medal winner at Chelsea Flower Show and founder of the global movement:

We Are The ARK will talk on her experiences of rewilding and re-establishing biodiversity in gardens and public spaces. Ireland’s great travel writer, the late Dervla Murphy, will be celebrated with a screening of the documentary of her worldwide travels by bike (age group: 18+). A great night’s entertainment and free event.

On Sunday the 14th, starting at 12pm to 4pm, Kilkenny County Council County Hall will be transformed for Bikefest – Fam-

“Roots” – Gallery of Modern Art Waterford Artist – Marco di Sante

Review by Mary Doyle Burke Local Kilkenny artist Marco Di Sante'e exhibition "Roots" was launched last Saturday in GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art) in Waterford. Each year GOMA awards selected recent graduates in Ireland with an exhibition. This year graduates of Waterford Institute of Technology & Craw-

ford College of Art and Design Highlighting the wealth of talent graduating annually.

The exhibition showcases the work of two emerging artists from across a range of disciplines. The diversity of practice on show combined with a variety of methodologies creates interesting tensions for the viewer.

Artists exhibiting as part of this exhibition are MARCO DI

SANTE who lives in Kilkenny & MONIKA KOSMOWSKA who lives in Cork.

Marco’s work is multidisciplinary and explores the contemporary relationship between nature and humans.

The research is based on the understanding of what nature is and what our role is in it.

Ancient and modern cultures inform Marco’s practice surrounded by organic and arti-

the more technical builda-bike workshops. Our well-being area offers free yoga sessions, drumming workshops, storytelling, sound journeys and workshops from our local food and craft producers. Kitty Scully, the renowned organic gardener, and Maura Brennan, founder of The Acorn Project, will join us for conversations on restoring biodiversity and organic growing. The weekend will be brought to a close with some lively tunes from our local traditional musicians! visitkilkenny.ie/bikefest .”

An Cathaoirleach, Pat Fitzpatrick, a keen cyclist,

ily Day, a celebration of cycling and sustainability for all the family. Arrive early for our Slow Roll, a fun, slow cycle through the city for all wheels, abilities and bikes, leaving County Hall at 12 noon. We would particularly love to see any upcycled, weird and wonderful bikes! For cyclists of all abilities, there are leisure rides, family cycles, balance bikes, learn to cycle, obstacle courses, mountain bikes and off-road zones.

Workshops are planned for bike maintenance and

ficial elements. The response is often shaped by sculptural abstract representations of the happenings related to the living organisms cultivated in the studio. The idea of space and its use is structured in his method of work in order to create installations combining traditional and nontraditional disciplines and techniques. Marco’s passion for photography helps to document the process and create photographic works.

Speaking to Marco on Saturday before the launch, he gave an insight into his work and process “My Environment is created by combining multiple materials, techniques and technologies. Nature is at the core of the living sculpture, which I have grown and cultivated within this installation work.

From the beginning of this project, I aimed to create a physical relationship between me and the tiny intimate living organisms that I manually hydrated daily in the soil that I dug from my local neighbourhood in Kilkenny, that now nurtures and hosts a variety of living organisms within the soil.

I made this installation with the intention of emphasising the unchallenging power of nature against human’s continual interference within it. Nature’s powerful impact upon our daily existence is reflected within the decay-

is delighted to see Bike Fest return to County Hall. “This is a fun opportunity for everyone to try all types of cycling. Cycling is a great way to get around but it also brings a smile to people’s faces, young and old. The Active Travel investment programme will provide the infrastructure that’s needed to ensure everyone can enjoy cycling in safety.”

Bike Fest is just one of the events scheduled in Kilkenny for Bike Week.

The full listing is available here. Bike Week is funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority.

ing and renewal process now evident within the installation. This could also be seen as an act of self-care and selfpreservation carried out by Nature itself against us. This process is physical and material as well as emotional.

My Environment offers the chance for the viewer to contemplate and reflect their symbiotic relationship to environments and nature’s vulnerability. While emphasising the importance of reconnection, change and care.”

Marco went on to quote Ernst Fischer to further explain his concept and his outlook on art and the world “In a decaying society, art, if it is truthful, must also reflect decay unless it wants to break faith with its social function, art must show the world as changeable and

help to change it.”

Marco was born in Sora (Italy). He moved to Ireland’s capital in 2010 and has been living in Kilkenny since 2013.

He recently graduated with a BA (Hons) in Visual Art from SETU Waterford and his final work was long-listed for RDS Visual Art Awards and selected for GOMA Graduate Award Exhibition which will take place on 29th April 2023 in Waterford City. He is currently attending his first year MFA at NCAD Dublin.

The exhibition runs from April 28th to May 29th. Also this coming Saturady Marco Di Sante's will display work in "Bigger Than Us", the upcoming 1st Year NCAD MFA group exhibition at Rua Red, Dublin from 5th-16th May.

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Your drug prescription soon accessible with barcode You will soon be able to get your medical scripts via scannable barcodes – modelled on the successful Covid vaccination certificate system.

Junior Minister Responsible for Technology Ossian Smyth said the health services had shown considerable technological ability and ambition in swiftly rolling out the Covid vaccine certs.

He said this showed the

same thing could happen very soon with prescription medicines. He hoped it could become a reality by the end of this year, allowing people to access prescriptions via a mobile phone, tablet or laptop.

The Green Party TD said he was frustrated at the time lags being spoken about for getting transferable personal health records on computer

systems any time before 2030.

“We have been looking at how to get elements of health records available online much sooner,” he said.

“Doctors often say among the most helpful item that could be provided is a record of current medications a person is taking – and that’s where online prescriptions could be most helpful.”

He was now engaging with

doctors and pharmacists, along with the HSE, the Department of Health and other agencies, to see how this can be organised quickly.

Meanwhile, the Government are examining proposals that would allow for pharmacists to assess and treat minor illnesses.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said that the proposed scheme would allow

people to bypass attending their GP to get a prescription, allowing pharmacists to directly provide medication for certain illnesses.

In a response to a Parliamentary Question from Fianna Fáil TD James O’Connor, Minister Donnelly said his department was currently examining proposals to establish the scheme.

“The intention is to enable

eligible patients to attend their local community pharmacist for assessment and treatment for a number of identified ailments rather than initially having to attend the GP to obtain a prescription,” Mr Donnelly said.

“Work is progressing and the Department has begun discussions with the HSE on the range of conditions to be included in such a scheme.”

Young farmer schemes and tax breaks ‘will be protected’ Young farmer schemes and tax breaks will be fully protected, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar promised ahead of a planned meeting with Macra na Feirme after their march to Dublin.

Members of the young farmers association marched through the night from Athy to Government Buildings recently in order to raise awareness on a number of issues affecting youth in rural Ireland.

“One thing I can assure young farmers who are on their way to Dublin at the moment is so long as this Government is in office, all of the schemes, all of the tax breaks that exist for young farmers will be protected,” the Taoiseach told the Dáil.

“They don’t have that guarantee from a left-led Government.”

Leader of the Social Democrats, Holly Cairns, described young farmers as “an endangered species” and asked the Taoiseach “when will the Government take the issues facing rural Ireland seriously?”

The Taoiseach replied: “We need more young farmers.

There are lots of farmers in Ireland who are in their 60s and 70s, often because they don’t have a successor. I am interested to hear from Macra what ideas they have to improve succession.

“We’re about to enter a decade of major change in ag-

riculture and land use, and we need young farmers to lead that.”

Sinn Féin’s new spokesperson on agriculture and rural affairs, Claire Kerrane, told the Taoiseach that “clearly rural Ireland has been let down and if it wasn’t, then Macra wouldn’t be doing what they’re doing today and yesterday”.

The Taoiseach confirmed he would be meeting with Macra na Feirme, alongside Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue and Minister of State Martin Heydon.

“Deputy, in the round, rural Ireland is doing OK. Why do I say that? The Census. Numbers only out in the last couple of months,” the Taoiseach said.

“The population in every county in Ireland is increasing. Not a single county is now seeing a population decrease.

That is important and it goes against the false narrative that you try to put across regularly.

“We know from the CSO figures that unemployment in Ireland, in every county in Ireland, is close to an all-time low.”

Macra president-elect Elaine Houlihan described the march as “taking steps for our future, to ensure young people, families, can live and prosper in Rural Ireland as the youth are the backbone of these communities”.

Gardai examine threat letter sent to hurling referee Gardaí are investigating a threatening letter sent to a referee following a recent minor hurling league game in Kilkenny.

The anonymous, hand-written letter described the referee in question as a “solid disgrace” after he took charge of the game between Erin’s Own and Thomastown last month.

According to local radio station KCLR, the letter added: “You won’t get away with this… we know where you live (and) all about your family… may you die roaring with cancer.”

The letter has led to Kilkenny referees withdrawing their services in support of their fellow-match official.

Investigations are continuing.

New high voltage systems to power the future Ireland’s first dedicated High Voltage Electrical Systems programme was fittingly launched in the ‘industrial heartland’ of the country – the South East, according to Sean Downey, Director of the Construction Industry Federation (CIF).

In partnership with CIF, South East Technological University (SETU) and Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) co-developed and co-delivered the innovative 60 credit Level 6 programme to meet the changing needs of the industry.

The new programme was officially launched in SETU last week, in the presence of well-known industry experts.

Mr Downey said that some of the best companies in the region came together to assist in delivering this programme, which is designed to upskill electricians and electrical engineers in the highly specialised area of High Voltage.

The programme aims to develop competence in areas such as High Voltage electrical installations, grid connections, substation maintenance and switching facilities.

Ireland’s electricity grid infrastructure has grown dramatically in recent years with the increase of large consumers of energy including large industry, data centres and the substantial growth in renewable energy provision.

Edmond Connolly, South East Regional Skills Forum Manager, said: “The specialised electrical contractors involved in the construction of such facilities acknowledged that they needed further specialised training for their staff working on high voltage electrical installations.

“This new qualification will help companies build their capacity to construct and manage high voltage facilities and also enable them to win new contracts abroad.”

Key to the development of the new programme was the involvement of the Construction Industry Federation’s Specialist Contraction Association which brought together Ireland’s leading electrical engineering firms who contributed to the design of the programme.

Head of Faculty at SETU and Project Manager for the programme Dr Frances Hardiman said: “It has

been a valuable experience working with a strong industry consortium and TUS to co-develop and deliver a bespoke workbased learning programme that utilises specialist skills in High Voltage from multiple sources, demonstrating the need for collaboration to deliver on the future skills agenda in engineering.”

Head of Department of Engineering Technology at SETU Austin Coffey spoke of the benefits of the programme for employers in the industry. “This programme demonstrates what can be achieved for addressing immediate and future industry skills needs by a common goal with multiple industrial stakeholders and university partnership. I believe that this will be the first of many collaborations in joint programme development between SETU and TUS and other technological universities in Ireland,” he said.

Paul Cremmins, former Director of Suir Engineering, jumped at the chance to get involved, saying Ireland must prepare itself for the future. “This is a course that is being set by the contractors in col-

laboration with SETU and TUS. They have designed a course around our wants and needs,” he said.

The programme is jointly delivered by SETU and TUS in a part-time, blended learning mode over one year - summer to summer.

It utilises a work-based model and will have 30% of credits achieved in the participants’ place of work.

The programme commences in May 2023 with 16 employees from industry, who will attend one day per week at SETU Waterford during the first semester and TUS Limerick during the second semester. * Pictured above from left, are Alan Horan, Mercury Engineering, Maria Kyne Faculty, Engineering and Built Environment, TUS Limerick, Joe Colleran, HV Commissioning Manager, Suir Engineering, David Quinlan, HV Commissioning Lead Kirby Engineering, Frances Hardiman, Faculty of Engineering, SETU, Paul Cremmins, Solas and Edmond Connolly, Regional Skills Forum Photo: Patrick Browne

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The Confederation Hall and Market Yard

The Confederation Hall and Market Yard

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The Kilkenny Observer welcomes ‘Cois Céim’ and the ‘Kilkenny Saturday Walkers Group’, where we read about The Confederation Gates and the Market Yard. This is part one of a two part article.

The present day entrance to the market yard car park was once occupied by a house belonging to the Shee family. This house was used as a meeting place of the Confederate Catholics in the 17th Century and acquired the name Confederation Hall.

Two centuries later it was demolished to make way for an approach to the Market yard and gates were erected on the spot. In time the gates were no longer needed.

They were later re-erected, with one set now standing at the entrance to the Deanery at St. Canice’s Cathedral, and the

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second set at the entrance to the Castle park, near Switzers Asylum.

Strongbow fortified the site of the Castle before his death in 1176. A transformation of the town was carried out by his son in law William Marshall and his five sons.

The Anglo Norman settlers, to accommodate their fellows, applied to the Earl Marshall to build on the vacant site from the end of James’ Street to the Watergate. These were Cathedral lands administered

by Bishop Le Rous. The Bishop agreed to grant the land from Cottrell’s Bridge to St. Kieran’s

well (situated in Kytelers Inn) in return for an annual payment of four ounces of gold, payable to the bishop and his successors. Between 1207 and 1225 the street was constructed.

St Francis Abbey and Graces Castle were the two main buildings. The street was known as Coal Market by the 18th Century. Around the year 1552 Richard Shee, one of wealthiest and richest men in Ireland at that time and whose main residence was in Uppercourt, Freshford either built or came into possession of a fine house in Coal Market.

It was called Emyln’s or Emling’s Hall which leads to the possibility it was owned by Emling before Richard took up residence. By this time Richard had married his first wife Margaret Sherlock of Waterford.

Sir Richard Shee as he later became, was a member of Gray’s Inn, London and benefitted from the patronage of the Ormonde family. He also owned Bonnettstown Castle and may have lived there for a time. Emling’s Hall later known as Confederation Hall or Parliament House was his town residence.

He married for the second time Margaret, daughter of

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Alderman Christopher Fagan of Dublin. He died in Bonnettstown Castle on the 10th August 1608 and in his will said that his son Lucas should dwell at Bonnettstown and his wife, if she remained unmarried should reside in Emling’s Hall. His grandson inherited Bonnettstown and Emling’s Hall, Alderman Robert Shee Mayor in 1633. Robert Shee was M.P. for Kilkenny City in 1634 -1635. His Emlings Hall played a prominent role in the Confederation of Kilkenny.

In 1642 preliminary meetings and planning of the Assembly were held in this house.

According to Tighe writing in 1802” the house consisted of one large hall forty nine feet by forty seven with a dungeon underneath twenty feet square with which the hall communicated by a trap door and stone stairs. Part of the benches with high backs and the carved oak frame of a table remain” Writing in 1846 Rev. C.P.Meehan described the

house: “the great oaken floors and massive solidity of the walls still attest to the opulence of the family who then possessed the mansion” The House acquired the name Parliament House and the Confederation is commemorated by a plaque to be seen at the side of the Bank of Ireland, it reads CONFEDERATION HALL On this spot stood the Confederation Hall where on the 24th October 1642 the Confederation Parliament or General Assembly consisting of eleven spiritual peers, fourteen temporal peers, and two hundred and twenty six representatives commoners, met to legislate for the Irish nation and to conduct the confederate wars waged to maintain the religious and political liberties of the Irish people.

P.M.Egan Mayor 1887- 1888 Part two next week

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Opinion

Girl Auction

BY NED EGAN

Part 16 “When we get over the Dungratton, Babs, we’ll have a bit of shelter going through Bilzies Wood.

Then, to get to the Long Road Stile, there’s only the Oak Field to cross, after we leave the cover of the trees. That Stile is ‘the big one,’ Babs – I didn’t make much of it before, as I was afraid dadser or the Dacent might trick – or beat you - into divulging what you knew if they’d ‘collared’ you. Now I know you’re even cuter – and tougher – than I ever guessed!

“It all depends on that Stile; what we find there will change our fate – for good or ill - forever.

But I have a feeling that ‘someone’ is watching over us, and that we’re going to win through.

Still, we can’t leave it

all to Mammy – she has her own Heavenly Life to live, up there behind Andromeda.

They were now close to the Tree-Bridge, and the cold water could be faintly heard, racing along towards the far ocean. Under the arch of oak trees at the approach to the fallen ash trunk, they stopped, and surveyed the dangerous timber ‘span’ over the frigid Dungratton.

Nothing much could be seen on the other side of the swift current. Lucky enough, at this particular point, Bilzies Wood was set well back from the far bank - so no close-up dangerous cover for any potential attacker.

And now the magic doghound’s special sight and senses were suddenly more important than ever.

So, they now studied the Bridge – just an old ash trunk, the bark long gone. A whispered conversation now between the sisters – and the spirit Doggo standing

beside them, his head cocked, listening. “I know you don’t think much of father’s advice, Babsie,” Molly said, softly, “but I think he was right about one thing – and that is letting New Barker lead the way.

He can no doubt see far better than we can, and warn us of danger; and maybe hold off any attack while I get over with the Four Ten. Now, she carefully leans the Four Ten against an oak sapling, and takes off the clothes-bag she’s been carrying, hanging down her chest. Not much in the bag, reader: their ‘wardrobe items’ hardly worth talking about. She rummaged briefly in the lean contents, and pulled out a small jar. In it was an oily liquid, which smelt of rank butter and dripping. Which it exactly was – though ‘rendered down.’ Stank a lot, as it was a few weeks old.

She now hung her bag back round her neck at the front, gave

the MeeMee’s pouch a shuffle, settling it for comfort, and picked up the Four Ten. “Right, lads,” she said, quietly – “here’s the plan. Madra – I want you to lead the way. You’ve indicated you don’t fear water, which is fine Now, Babsie, you follow close up on Mr M; grab onto his tail or leg if you slip – I’m sure he’ll drag you across safe. I’ll have to be the rear-guard – and I also have to lay down this sloppy-slippy stuff behind me, in the middle of this Bridge.

“Lucky enough, I have enough to cover about a yard – that’ll have to do. Anyone – including ourselves - crossing here tonight will have to take very short steps, for any safety at all. And any chaser who puts a spag on this smelly muck will be swiftly joining the brown trout in their deep and chilly home.

The time has now arrived to make the dangerous move. Babsie says something quietly to the madra – who gives a low rumble, deep in his chest. His great faint outline is now seen by Molly, as he steps confidently onto the bole of the Tree Bridge. Babsie has

turned semi-sideways, half-facing upstream, getting her little feet a better ‘purchase’ on the timber. Or so she thinks, and hopes, anyway.

Everyone deals with hard situations in their own particular way…

The madra is well into his crossing, and Babs looks to have hold of an invisible tail. In the dim light, if you could see her dainty little chops – not the slightest shadow of fear would you spy.

The treacherous crossing of the Dungratton River, via the frost-slippery bole of the fallen-ash ‘Tree Bridge’ was over and they are all now headed to Bilzie’s Wood, where they would have a few moments to rest, and take stock of their situation – which is as far from a bed of roses as you’d care to imagine. They were now in complete inky darkness, which will throw the odds heavily in favour of any ambushing bowsie, or witchy wan.

There were no other options whatsoever, so the Mollers sighed, and said – quietly – to Babsie. “This is going to be extra-dangerous, Babs. It’ll be much easier for a louser to wait for us, than for us to spot

and effort on the day.

Peter from Infinity Fitness for the use of their Spinning bike.

Seamus from Kilkenny Sports Partnership for their

bikes.

Supermacs High Street Kilkenny for there much needed ice-cream and refreshments on the day.

South East Swifts Wheelchair Basketball Team .

IWA's Management, Staff and Service User's Kilkenny Gardai.

Charity Cycle On Friday the 28th April, the Irish Wheelchair Association held a Stationary Charity Cycle in the Town Hall on High Street in Kilkenny. On the day we had set out to do a

300km cycle and I am pleased to say we passed this target late that afternoon. I want to thank people for their generosity on the day. All money raised will be put to good use

in our services.

I would also like to thank the following people and places: Ed Browne and the Marble City Cycle club for their time

him. If the Dacent – with or without his witchy Ma – gets into the Wood before we get clear – we’re in for more trouble than enough. Our only hope then is the madra, he might save the day – or rather, night – for us. In the silence of the wood, not a stir was heard, not a rustle of a small animal, not a shake of a leaf due to the windless iron frost that was abroad. Now, the three – plus the eversnoozing MeeMee in the bag slung over the Mollers’ shoulder – are in motion, drifting as silently as possible down the path that will lead them directly to the Long Road Stile – where Molly hopes a certain hidden message awaits them.

And well she knows the importance of that item – knows exactly where it will be: if it’s there.

“Christ!” she thought, rather irreverently – “it’d better be there – or we’re in bad strife”….

To be continued….

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

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Unlock the Wonders of Kilkenny with Meg Molloy's ''30 Things to do before you're 30 challenge!'

Meg Molloy who is part of the Communications Team of Kilkenny County Council, is inviting people everywhere to join her in a unique challenge.

On March 2nd, 2024, Meg will turn 30 and to celebrate this milestone, she is embarking on a journey around Kilkenny City and County, completing thirty things to do in Kilkenny before your 30.

Meg's love for Kilkenny

started at a young age, and it's no surprise to anyone that her career path brought her to Kilkenny County Council.

From the Castlecomer Zipline to the Poulnassy Waterfall, from gin tasting at the Ballykeeffe Distillery to a match in Nowlan Park, Meg will be exploring Kilkenny's many activities and attractions in the coming months.

"I wish Meg well on her

journey of thirty things to do in Kilkenny before she turns 30 next year," said Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr. Pat Fitzpatrick, upon hearing of Meg's initiative. "I encourage everyone to join her and come up with suggestions for things for her to do so that we can highlight the wonderful hidden gems we have here in Kilkenny for everyone to come see come do."

If you want to keep up to !date with what Meg is up to, check out www.kilkenny.ie, or you can follow her journey on Facebook @Kilkenny.ie or on Instagram @kilkennyie.

Leaving one decade and entering another can leave you reflecting about what you've left behind and wondering what is before you, this is no different for Meg Molloy. Join Meg as she embarks on her journey of discovery in Kilkenny, and unlock the wonders that this beautiful County has to offer.

Kilkenny County Council Library Service hosts Bealtaine Programme Kilkenny County Council Library Service is delighted to celebrate the national Bealtaine Festival once again this year. With a wide range of activities and events. The Bealtaine Festival celebrates the arts and creativity as we age and is co-ordinated by Age and Opportunity, who promote active living as we get older.

Kilkenny library service is delighted to offer an extensive programme of events to

encourage creativity throughout the month of May. Our programme includes flower arranging at Thomastown Library, an art workshop at Callan Library, memoir writing workshops in the City and Graiguenamanagh Libraries, a poetry workshop in Ferrybank Library and a live musical performance at Castlecomer Library. Teresa Hennessy, HSE will also facilitate a workshop at Loughboy Library on “Why creativity is good for our

health”.

“Bealtaine 2023 will be extra significant for Kilkenny Library Service”, says Age Friendly Co-ordinator Karyn Deegan, “as we will be celebrating our recent Age Friendly status awarded to each of our library branches. This status was achieved following staff training and the implementation of changes in how we deliver services to older people in our community, such as the introduction of Age Friendly parking spaces outside Castlecomer, Callan and Urlingford libraries, the provision of reading aids available in all library branches, book trolleys for people, and a commitment to continue to include Age Friendly programmes across our library service.”

Library staff will also host Connect Café’s in each library branch during the month of May where we invite members of our community to connect with each other over a cuppa and chat.

For details of all events, check out our website www. kilkennylibrary.ie or contact our Age Friendly Co-Ordinator Karyn Deegan on 056 4440561

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Anzac Day

All photos

by Pat Shortall

Australian and New Zealand National Day of Remembrance commemorated in Kilkenny His Excellency Gary Gray, Australian Ambassador to Ireland, spoke of his appreciation that Anzac Day was commemorated in Kilkenny

A report from the Kilkenny Observer Newspaper at the Peace Park in Kilkenny In the early 19th century one of the accepted rules of purchase at Tea Auctions was that buyers could place bids until the level of the candle reached as far down as the pin, at which stage the pin would fall out.

If there were no more bids at this stage, the room would be silent and you would be able to hear a pin drop.

Hence this English idiom was born!

And so it was on Sunday April 23 when dignitaries,

President of Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann Bobby Kearney, who read the Ode of Remembrance for Anzac Day

invited guest and members of the public gathered at The Peace Park in Kilkenny to honour soldiers from Australia and New Zealand who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

Following the ‘Ode of Remembrance’ (read in English by Bobby Kearney and in Maori by Robert Brown) a minutes silence was called.

This in turn was followed

by The Last Post, Reveille, and then the national anthems of Australia, New Zealand and Ireland.

Army personnel, members of the Gardaí and Fire service took the salute as Charlie Parsons played each

anthem on the trumpet.

Anzac day was remembered with the dignity and respect it deserved.

The Kilkenny Great War Memorial committee can

PJ Norton who attended the Anzac Day in Kilkenny

take a well-deserved bow.

Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New

The Ode of Remembrance in English and Maori They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

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

E kore rātou e kaumātuatia Pēnei i a tātou kua mahue nei E kore hoki rātou e ngoikore Ahakoa pehea i ngā āhuatanga o te wā I te hekenga atu o te rā Tae noa ki te arangamai i te ata Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou

Michael Gaskin, New Zealand deputy Head of Missions, speaking to the attendance at Anzac Day which was held at The Peace Park in Kilkenny

Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served".

The 25th of April 2023 marks the 108th anniversary of the Australian and New Zealand landings at Gallipoli (now known as ANZAC cove). The sacrifice made by both countries during the eight-month long Gallipoli campaign quickly began to symbolize the emergence of their national identity.

This identity exemplified

by ANZAC day, The National Day of Remembrance in Australia, and New Zealand.

The Kilkenny Great War

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

Surnames like, Mulroney, Deevy, Dunphy, Doyle, Butler, Purcell, Leahy, Power, and Langton all bear testament to Kilkenny roots.

Parish of origin include St Johns, Clara, Paulstown, Graignamanagh, Callan, Freshford and Aghavillar to name but a few.

Each year, on April 25 Australians and New Zealanders come together to honour

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Anzac Day

Gus Hennessy, Bobby Kearney John Joe Cullen and Larry Scallan awaiting the start of Anzac Day at The Peace Park Kilkenny

John Collins ( Chief Fire officer, Kilkenny), Commandant Jim Murray ( 3rd Infantry Battalion , James Stephens Barracks) and Superintendent Aidan Brennan (Kilkenny Gardaí) at Anzac Day. All three laid wreaths at the monument in memory of those who died

Australian Ambassador Gary Gray And Michael Gaskin, New Zealand deputy Head of Missions , pictured with Donal Croghan,The chairman of the Kilkenny Great War memorial committee and invited guests at Anzac Day celebrations at The Peace Park in Kilkenny

Cllr Matt Doran , who represented Kilkenny Co Council and Cllr Eugene McGuinness who laid a wreath at the Anzac Day commemorations

Australian ambassador Gary Gray and New Zealand Deputy Head of Missions Michael Gaskin placed their respective flags at the Great War memorial at the beginning of Anzac day commemorations at The Peace Park

Gus Hennessy from the O.N.E. lays a wreath in memory of the Turkish

Committee members of The Kilkenny Great War Memorial committee who organised the Anzac remembrance day in Kilkenny: Commandant Larry Scallan; Declan Cooke; P.J Norton; Donal Croghan; John Joe Cullen; Berni Egan; James Cartwright; Paddy Horohan

A section of the attendance at Anzac Day in Kilkenny Donal Croghan, Chairman of The Kilkenny Great war memorial committee addressed the gathering at the Anzac Day Commemoration

Trumpeter Charlie Parsons sounds The Last Post

their people who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.

ANZAC stands for “Australian and New Zealand Army Corps” and is one of the most important national celebrations across Australia and New Zealand.

123 people from Kilkenny served in the Anzac forces.

Twenty-two soldiers and one nurse died.

The Kilkenny Great war memorial stands testament to eight hundred and thirty men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the Great War. Included on its panels are the names of Anzac soldiers and one

Piper Tony Coy, played a lament at The Anzac Day commemorations in Kilkenny

nurse (Kathleen Power) all who were from Kilkenny.

These names were read aloud by Berni Egan, Tony Parker and Robert Browne.

Thanks from Australia and New Zealand Speaking at the event, the Australian Ambassador Gary Gray thanked the organising committee for hosting the event and said he was delighted to attend the event, Michael Gaskin, Deputy Head of Mission from the New Zealand Embassy said that Anzac day was so very special for all New Zealanders and to see Kilkenny hosting such an event was

Above: Tony Parker, Robert Browne and Berni Egan who read the Kilkenny names of Anzacs who appear on the war memorial at the Peace Park

very touching.

Chairperson of the Kilkenny Great war memorial committee, Donal Croghan said that his members were delighted with the positive response from those who attended the ceremony.

“We are lucky to have such local support in order to help us have a professional standard of Ceremonies”, said Mr Croghan.Donal paid a special word of thanks to his committee who put in a great effort each year on various projects.

The day was complemented by the attendance od Charlie Parson ( trumpet) Tony Coy ( piper) The Sospiro choir, Sean O’ Neill,

(conductor), and organist Natalia Sabitova.

Laying of wreaths Wreaths were placed at the war memorial by the following: Cllr Matt Doran, Gary Gray, Australian ambassador to Ireland; Michael Gaskin, Deputy head of missions, New Zealand Embassy; Cllr Eugene McGuinness; Commandant Jim Murray, James Stephens Barracks; Cllr Andrew McGuinness; Paddy Horohan, Kilkenny Great war committee; Tom Burke, MBE RDF Combined Irish regiments; John Collins, chief Fire Officer, Kilkenny; Super-

intendent Aidan Brennan, Kilkenny Gardaí; Bobby Kearney, President ONE; Gus Hennessy, on behalf

of the Turkish community; Tony Watson, Lisbeelaw, South Fermanagh world war society.

Conductor John O’Neill with The Sospiro Choir, who performed ‘Abide with me’ and ‘The day thou gavest Lord has ended’ at The Anzac Commemorations.

Organist is Natalia Sabitova

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Community

‘Let’s make Kilkenny great again’ Over the past number of months, we have seen and heard all about the way we should make our city a living, breathing space to bring people back into the city centre, namely High Street.

Now, a stroll or drive up High street whichever way the traffic goes - for if there is anything that is a dead cert, is it will be changed again, again and again.

Speaking of something that is ‘dead’, how sad it is to see all the empty shops, big and small on our main thoroughfare.

Everyone is in agreement: ‘Let’s Make Kilkenny Great Again’.

The plans for High Street look very impressive. Wonderful landscaping, a leafy main street, families with strollers, kids gleefully playing with parents relaxing on the strategically placed seating, and a street with walkways and bikeways running both directions. All that is missing is a canal and one would believe you were ‘Somewhere in Europe’, as Liam O’Reilly proudly sang for Ireland in the Eurovision, when it was the song and not the dancers and acrobats that was the recipe for success.

Imagine the afternoon stroll, a slight

breeze rustling through the leaves of the young saplings while the buzzing bees seek the pollen from the manicured beds of flowers. Their colourful displays calling birds and bees to pollinate as the city’s ‘Bring Back the Bees’ initiative aims to highlight how important bees are to our everyday life. Ah yes, the drawings look like something from a Disney family movie or a Mills & Boon romantic novel.

As we wish to pedestrianise High Street as step one, and then maybe Rose Inn Street and Kieran Street joining it, we have the Golden Triangle. Or could it be the Kilkenny version of the Bermuda Triangle? On closer inspection, something is missing; the parking facilities for people with mobility issues and easy access for seniors who need assistance. If you cannot walk 100 metres - the criteria for the blue disk - how do you now experience these new developments?

How do they call to the Credit Union, the greatest example of a community bank, where they have been promised to always have staff manned cubicles to serve all, including our Seniors? And how do Seniors stroll the High Street and

browse the current, and hopefully new, stores that fill the many gaps on both sides of the street from smaller units, to flag ship units like Argos and Monsoon, now departed. One has to ask why they have up sticks and left? Can’t be the rates as we are the second lowest rates.

Maybe it’s the rental terms? For we have to be honest they are out of sync with the footfall figures which we sometimes inflate by selling our retail space on the tourism figures that visit our Castle but never set foot on any of our streets as it’s an ‘on – off’ bus stop tour. Major retailers see the number of tourists visiting Kilkenny, deciding to locate a store here, but the turnover does not match their projections, so it’s let’s cut our losses and close the doors.

A person with mobility issues, no matter what age, needs to have motorised access to our main thoroughfare.

Otherwise we are making our city centre an exclusive venue. For those who make these plans, two things that should be remembered are, our seniors, those with private pensions, have tremendous spending power. This is recognised

by major toy stores. They now have a targeted advertising campaign as it is grandparents who spend more on toys than parents. And all those who are now the fit and nimble decision makers, your ‘father time’ clock is ticking away as your body starts to lose its mobility. The changes you make now will exclude you too! We have to have a socially inclusive, equal society. And that includes ‘Access for All’.

I did ask the question as to how I could get to the stores and financial institutions on the High Street if it is completely pedestrianised. I am one of those who cannot walk the full length of the street due to mobility issues. I was told, “Sure use Dunnes Stores car park”. Well, if I can’t get up two flights of stairs trying to navigate our wonderful medieval laneways like the Butterslip, it is just a distant memory. Then I was told “Sure park in Mary’s car park as it’s all downhill to High Street”. My mother always said ‘think before you open your mouth’, advice I should pay heed to more to be honest, and so should have this individual. I decided to remind him of the old rhyme that all you seniors will remember, The Grand Old Duke of York.

‘The Grand old Duke of York he had ten thousand men. He marched them up to the top of the hill and he marched them down again, and when they were up, they were up, and when they were down, they were down…’ I hope the penny - or is that now a cent - dropped. If I went down the James’ Street hill like the Duke of York’s men, I'd have to make it back up the hill somehow to St Mary’s car park!

Our great national sporting organisation, GAA, also seems to be forgetting those who made Kilkenny great. Their new Digital purchase scheme is another action that has consequences to our Seniors in particular, just as our High Street banks want to create a cashless society where all your spending power is out of your hands and in theirs. As to use

the card, the cash has to be in your, or should we call it, ‘their’, account. Seniors and many people believe cash is still King. Ordering online is alien to us. The navigation of purchasing a ticket for a match in Nowlan Park, like last Sunday’s Championship game versus Galway, is out of reach to most seniors and the result is sadly missing the game they love and have supported for a lifetime.

Some have given over all their free time and free labour to the community cause.

This was recently highlighted when an elderly widower told me his disappointment in missing Sunday’s big game in his beloved Nowlan Park. He lives alone and has never used a laptop, iPhone or tablet.

Actually, when I mentioned a tablet, he offered me Panadol as he thought I may have a headache!

There are those who say they don’t want to be handling cash anymore for hygiene concerns, the city sleeker ticket sellers and cash collectors who complain that the bovine farmers were handing in their ‘soiled fivers’ with hands that hadn’t seen water since the left the field the day before after spreading slurry on the vegetables that his missus will gladly have on his kitchen table daily. Now, I suppose the GAA had to figure out how when the ‘Park’ was full, the gate was allegedly showing a half full one, how so many people got to watch the game for free is unbelievable!

As we look to upgrade our city to make it user friendly and people centred, and as the three big Banks want you to give up your cash, in which the GAA doesn’t want either - unless it comes in a government grant - do not forget our Seniors. We are the people who made our city, built the GAA into an organisation envied all over the globe, and bailed out banks. Exclude us at your peril. WE made Kilkenny great before and we will be the ones you will rely on tomorrow so ‘Let’s Make Kilkenny Great Again’ TOGETHER!

Kilkenny Karate Club are looking for new members The Budo Martial Arts Centre, Kilkenny (aka Kilkenny Karate Club) are looking for new members. The club which runs classes 5 days per week from its base in the Watershed, Kilkenny offers classes for kids aged 5 years and above, teens, adults and even families.

Kevin Shortall who is the Chief instructor at the club says, "students have the freedom to attend any class they like each week. There is a friendly and professional atmosphere in the club with all students and instructors helping each other out. Our aim is to make karate an enjoyable activity for everybody involved while they learn this fabulous martial art".

Here is a breakdown of the classes on offer at the Budo Martial Arts Centre, Kilkenny: Karate Kids Classes Their Karate Kids class is a high-energy, action-packed class for 6–12-year-old boys and girls where they practice karate and self-defence

improving their overall fitness. The club has a number of families that train together regularly.

Timetable Beginner classes for kids run in the Watershed on Mondays 6-7pm, Tuesdays 7-8pm, Wednesdays 5:30pm-6:30pm, Thursdays 7-8pm and Saturdays 11am-12pm.

Adult/Teenager and Family classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8pm-9pm and Saturdays from 12pm-1pm. drills. There is also plenty of aerobic activity, strength, and flexibility training. This is an ideal activity for boys and girls of all fitness levels.

Teenager & Adult Classes Learn traditional Shotokan Karate as it is taught in Japan.

Their teenager and adult classes will help you increase your focus and awareness, improve your flexibility, and help you become stronger.

All classes are taught by experienced, garda-vetted black-belt instructors and are open to both males and females. The club is affiliated to the Japan Shotokan Karate Association.

Family Classes Their family karate classes are ideal for those that want to take part in a healthy activity as a family while

To book a free trial please call or text 086 366 8669 or visit their website to book online – www.budomartialartscentre.com.

Limited Free Trials Available Looking to try a class? The club have a limited number of free trials available.

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Recruitment

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Signage unveiling

Mayor David attends un of signage at Newpark E Newpark estate officially unveiled their new limestone estate signage on Thursday last.

Performing the ceremony was Mayor David Fitzgerald who was joined by local residents, Cllr Eugene McGuinness, Garda Andy Neill, and Fr Dan Carroll ,Team Leader at St Jihns Parish.

The residents association also used the occasion to acknowledge the work of Kilkenny County Council outdoor staff who recently improved the aesthetics of the estate by planting a selection of trees and shrubs on the Newpark Drive roundabout.

Special guest for occasion was Donie Phelan whose parents Dick and Kitty moved their family from Palmerston to become the first residents of Newpark in 1953.

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Signage unveiling

veiling Estate

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Food & Drink

Dine Me Come

With

Rum old-fashioned

Chicken paprikash

Try using rum in place of whisky in an oldfashioned for a twist on the traditional cocktail.

Finish with ice and a strip of orange peel.

Preparation time is 10 minutes. Serves 1.

Prep: 15 mins Cook: 50 mins - 1 hr Serves: 4-6

Ingredients • 50ml dark rum • 1 tsp sugar syrup • few dashes of orange bitters • ice • strip of orange peel, to garnish

Try chicken paprikash, a traditional Hungarian casserole – it’s a comforting dinner that’s perfect for relaxed entertaining. Enjoy with boiled potatoes, noodles or rice.

Method STEP 1 Put half the rum, the sugar syrup and bitters in a mixing glass or jug. Add three ice cubes and stir slowly with a mixing spoon until the outside of the glass feels cold. Add the rest of the rum and a few more ice cubes, then stir to just combine.

Ingredients • 8 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs • 1 tbsp vegetable oil • 2 onions, finely chopped • 2 red or green peppers (or a mixture), chopped • 2 garlic cloves, crushed or finely grated • 3 large ripe tomatoes (around 400g), deseeded and chopped, or a 400g can chopped tomatoes • 1½ tbsp plain flour • 3 tbsp sweet smoked paprika • 1 tbsp hot paprika (optional) • 350ml chicken stock • 200ml soured cream • boiled potatoes, noodles or rice, to serve Method STEP 1 Season the chicken thighs. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat and fry the thighs in batches for 5-8 mins until browned all over. Remove from the pan and set aside. Tip in the onion and fry for 8-10

Cheese and bacon scones Prep: 20 mins Cook: 25 mins Makes: 12 These savoury brunch beauties can be made ahead of time and warmed up when you’re ready to serve. Top with lashings of butter.

Ingredients • 100g butter, plus extra for greasing • 10 rashers streaky bacon • 275g self-raising flour • ½ tsp baking powder • 150ml milk • 50ml vegetable oil • 1 egg • handful snipped chives • 150g grated cheddar Method STEP 1 Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas

STEP 2 Strain the drink into an ice-filled rocks glass or tumbler and garnish with the strip of orange peel.

mins until softened and turning golden.

STEP 2 Stir in the peppers and cook for 3 mins, then add the garlic and tomatoes. Cook for another 5-8 mins until the tomatoes have started to break down. Sprinkle

in the flour, paprika and hot paprika, if using, and cook for 30 seconds more. Return the chicken thighs to the pan and mix gently to coat.

STEP 3 Pour in the stock, bring to the boil, then turn down the

heat and simmer, covered, for 15 mins. Remove the lid and simmer for another 15 mins until the sauce has thickened.

Stir in the soured cream and cook for 5 mins – the sauce should be quite thick. Serve with boiled potatoes, noodles or rice 6 and grease a 12-hole muffin tin.

In a frying pan over a medium heat, fry the bacon for 5 mins until golden. Let it cool, then chop into chunks and set aside STEP 2 In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and 1 tsp sea salt.

Using your fingers, mix the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles breadcrumbs STEP 3 In a small bowl, whisk together the milk, oil and egg. Tip into the dry mixture, and gently mix until the flour mixture is mostly moistened (lumps will remain).

Stir in the bacon, chives and cheese, then spoon the batter into the muffin tin.

STEP 4 Put the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 20 mins or until the tops are golden brown. Serve warm.

Classic margarita Tequila and triple sec combine in this fabulous margarita cocktail recipe, mixed with lime juice. Garnish the rim of the glass with salt for that extra punch.

Ingredients • ice • 50ml tequila reposado • 25ml lime juice • 20ml triple sec For the garnish • salt • 2 lime wedges Method STEP 1 Sprinkle a few teaspoons of salt over the surface of a small plate or saucer. Rub one wedge of lime along the rim of a tumbler and then dip it into the salt so that the entire rim is covered.

STEP 2 Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add the tequila, lime juice and triple sec. Shake until the outside of the shaker feels cold.

STEP 3 Strain the mix into the prepared glass over fresh ice. Serve with a wedge of lime.

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kilkennyobserver.ie

5 How the rich tick until their ethics A new Amazon Prime Video series takes aim at Big Pharma with aplomb. In Dead Ringers, Jennifer Ehle plays Rebecca Parker, whose family is a not-so-inconspicuous fictional take on the Sacklers. In this world, the Parkers are the ones responsible for the ease of access in the US to opioids, and Rebecca seems to take joy in watching countless people suffer under her family’s narcotic reign.

Then, the Mantle twins, Elliott and Beverly (both played by Rachel Weisz), enter her orbit, looking for a world-changing investment for their visionary gynaecological birthing centre. Rebecca digs her nails into them, gaily watching them grovel for the kind of sizable investment only a soulless billionaire could provide.

Both twins are somewhat put off by Rebecca, but only Beverly is virtuous enough to stand up to her. After a cruel game goes wrong while the twins are holidaying at Rebecca’s upstate grounds in the second episode, Beverly confronts Rebecca and her group of equally callous cronies. “F**k you all — you are awful people,” Beverly says, straight to their faces. “Categorically, the worst people. The humanity has literally been f****d out of you over the generations. You’ve retained a face... and fingers, but you do not retain humankind in any sense of the word.”

It’s a dream moment for anyone who has ever wanted to say something similar to a deplorable tyrant. (So, all of us). But it’s one that seems to make Rebecca respect Beverly, at least a bit. Rebecca offers to invest in the Mantles’ birthing centre, and Beverly reluctantly accepts, hoping that she can wash the blood off Rebecca’s money without wilting the paper.

Of course, that’s not so simple.

Tying yourself to a billionaire never is; it demands sacrifice and moral compromise, no matter how stalwart of a person you are. Bev-

erly sees this firsthand when the sisters open their birthing centre, where she is almost immediately the recipient of a bucket of animal blood to her white doctor’s coat.

This mimics Goldin’s real-life activist efforts to hold the Sacklers accountable, held in public galleries where Goldin’s art was displayed.

“I wouldn’t worry about it. It’s the same group and they do the same f*****g thing wherever they happen to see my name,” Rebecca tells Beverly, locked away in a conference room. “I want to say it’s boring, but at the same time, I guess I admire their commitment.”

Beverly refuses to accept this, telling Rebecca that there’s nothing fantastic about seeing someone’s principles body-slammed out of them by security, while Beverly is trying to provide care to women at the most precious and sensitive time of their lives.

Then, Rebecca launches into a chilling monologue, one that serves as a rebuking of All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, from the perspective of the affluent on the other side.

“You understand that she can afford her idealism?” Rebecca asks Beverly, referring to the activist that the building’s security tackled to the ground. “She lives with her mom and dad in a nice apartment in the city, and she took a class in school on capitalism, and one on socialism, and one on philanthropy. She has friends. She can afford food. But sometimes she makes a choice that maybe she shouldn’t, in order to have something nice in her life: watermelon out of season, or an Uber if it’s late, and she feels unsafe...despite the fact that she fundamentally disagrees with the company’s politics.”

Ehle’s matter-of-fact, stony delivery is so hypnotic that we viewers find ourselves mesmerised by her words. We momentarily forget that Rebecca is the human manifesta-

tion of pure, unfettered wickedness.

Suddenly, it almost seems as if she’s making good points. Who among us hasn’t briefly compromised their own personal morals, taken an Uber despite the company’s proclivity for giving personal data to law enforcement, or eaten a delicious chicken sandwich from a fast-food outlet despite the chain’s anti-queer politics? The show’s writers know that we’re starting to analyse our own behaviour in our heads, taking this one step further with Rebecca’s sermon.

“We all do that,” she continues.

“We all do cost-benefit all the f*****g time, and we don’t dissect every movie, because it’s exhausting, and punishing, and false. The fact that they come and do this— throw shit, and call me a murderer, and pretend they live in a different world, with different structures— means that they can occasionally make those bad choices and not dwell on them. And that’s fine. I don’t mind them. It’s the system, and I’m happy to play my part so the world continues to turn on its axis.”

Rebecca closes with one final question, leaving Beverly speechless. “When are you going to shut the f**k up and do your job, Beverly? Because, frankly, I’m f*****g bored.”

Dead Ringers would like us to be so spellbound by Rebecca’s lecture that we don’t come out of our stupor until a few minutes later. It’s only when we finally claw ourselves free from Rebecca’s degenerate black hole — and admire how fantastic Ehle is in this scene — that we recognise that she’s completely wrong.

Rebecca is a soul-sucking antichrist put on Earth to happily fund the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. Dead Ringers trusts us to remember this, while being audacious enough to dare us to sympathise with her.

Advertisement Advertisement TV & Streaming

best films to watch in May on Netflix 1. A Man Called Otto The story begins with a happy and bright family moving into a new house. This is when they meet their grouchy and old neighbour, Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks) who is a widower.

Soon he meets his neighbour friend Marisol (Mariana Treviño), who is a quick-witted pregnant woman. They soon become friends and the odd friendship takes a quick turn for the plot in this wonderful 2023 movie.

2. The Croods The Croods (2013) is a movie perfect for a family movie night, with a star-studded cast including Nicolas Cage, Ryan Reynolds, and Emma Stone among others. This is a movie of wonder and adventure. When a caveman’s house is destroyed, they finally open up to the world once very alien to them.

Grug and his family risk the hazards of their environment in order to find a new home.

3. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button During this bountiful blockbuster, Daisy recalls her friendship with Benjamin Button, who suffered from an unusual ageing condition that caused him to age backwards while resting in a hospital bed following Hurricane Katrina’s devastation. Directed by David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) is a unique take on a romance drama. Starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Tilda Swinton, and many others.

4. Dawn Of The Dead Zack Snyder’s zombie classic Dawn of the Dead (2004) is coming soon in May. When people are hit with an epidemic that transforms afflicted people into flesh-eating zombies, things take a turn. Survivors quickly seek sanctuary in a shopping mall. In addition to fighting the undead, they must also deal with their internal issues.

5. The Mother Jennifer Lopez’s newest movie (2023) is an action-packed release guaranteed to make everybody happy with their weekend watching. The Mother is directed by Niki Caro. While fleeing from threatening adversaries, an assassin, she emerges from concealment to protect her daughter, whom she abandoned earlier in life.

On Netflix May 12.

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Community & GAA Notes

LOTTO Lotto Results for 11th April - Numbers drawn- 2, 23, 29.No Jackpot winner. €30 each to Adrian Murphy, Lily Ryan, Louise Moore, Rose Mullally, Alice Walsh.

Next weeks Jackpot is €2,200. Thanks to all for your support.

SUPPORTERS CLUB Kilkenny GAA Supporters Club For anyone wishing to join or pay their membership renewal please contact Martin Nolan of Clara at 086-2343254. Thanks for the support.

MINOR HURLING Clara’s winless streak was extended to four games in Castlecomer on Monday of last week when they were comprehensively beaten by a very strong Erin’s own outfit. Shorn of the services of county minor Davy Barcoe and Pádraic Meany before the throw in, they went into this contest with Conor Hoyne nursing a very dodgy ankle, and Conor was very curtailed as a result. For a club like Clara to compete in Roinn A everything needs to go their way and this was certainly not the case here.

Midway through the first half it was 1-9 to 0-7 in favour of ‘Comer and Clara were competing quite well. Then disaster struck when a dropped catch enabled Eoin Brennan to latch onto it and make ground before sending an unstoppable shot past impressive goalkeeper Lukas Healy. The home side confidently kicked on from this and led 2-17 to 0-10 at halftime. The Clara scores had come from Conor Hoyne (6) and one each from Luke Lawlor, Tommy Delaney, Joe Power and Bill Kealy.

Clara actually scored the first two points of the second half through Conor Hoyne from a free and Eoin Corr but this was as good as it got and Castlecomer reeled off a succession of points to run out easy winners long before the final whistle. One more Conor Hoyne free was all that Clara could manage after that.

It was a sobering defeat but the Clara boys would do well to remember that last year’s club minor side suffered even heavier defeats going back a few years and would compete with the best of them now, as many of them are now showing at adult level.

Hugh Kelly, Philip Carrigan and Alex Firbank tried hard to stem the tide here as well as those already mentioned.

Team - Lukas Healy, John Bergin, Hugh Kelly, Tom Murphy.

Daniel Ryan, Philip Carrigan, Alex Firbank. Tommy Delaney 0-1, Dillon Cummins. Joe Power 0-1, Luke Lawlor 0-1, Bill Kealy 0-1.

Conor Galvin, Eoin Corr 0-1, Conor Hoyne 0-6, 0-5f. Subs Sam Lawlor, Jim Carrigan, Ross Gormley.

Just three nights later the Clara boys had to travel to Dunnamaggin to face the high flying locals. When Dunnamaggin led 2-5 to two Conor Hoyne frees after 15 minutes it would have been very easy for them to hang their heads and fold. But instead they played some superb hurling to claw their way back into the game. It began with a fantastic Eoin Corr strike from the sideline and three Conor Hoyne points (2 frees) added to two Luke Lawlor specials saw Clara cut the deficit to 2-5 to 0-8. Another Conor Hoyne free was sandwiched between two Dunnamaggin points before Eoin Corr gathered a brilliantly struck line ball by Dillon Cummins and fired an unstoppable shot to the home net. A single point separated the teams and Dunnamaggin were visibly rattled. The Clara work rate of lads like Joe Power and Tommy Delaney was paying dividends and every Dunnamaggin attack was being thwarted by the likes of John Bergin, Tom Murphy, Daniel Ryan and Alex Firbank. The switch of full back Hugh Kelly and centre half Philip Carrigan had also shored things up. However Dunnamaggin rallied before halftime and hit 3 unanswered points to lead 2-10 to 1-9 at the interval.

Unfortunately the second half was all about the home side and they bossed the exchanges. Luke Lawlor added two points to his tally as did Conor Hoyne and players like Conor Galvin and Bill Kealy tried valiantly on limited possession. And just before the end Eoin Corr managed a second goal from a tight angle but it was merely a consolation score at that stage. Were it not for two magnificent saves from Pádraic Meany the gap could even have been greater. As it was it finished 5-21 to 2-13. But these lads are learning in defeat and, hard as it may seem now, these days will stand them in good stead as they get older. Next up is Piltown at home.

Team - Pádraic Meany, John Bergin, Hugh Kelly, Tom Murphy.

Daniel Ryan, Philip Carrigan, Alex Firbank. Conor Hoyne 0-8, 0-6f, Dillon Cummins. Tommy Delaney, Luke Lawlor 0-4, Joe Power.

Bill Kealy, Eoin Corr 2-1, Conor Galvin.

COUNTY Well done to selector Conor Phelan and trainer John Murphy who were part of the Kilkenny senior hurler’s draw with Galway in Sunday’s pulsating Leinster final clash in Nowlan Park.

CAMOGIE Clara U14 Camogie played their second league match at home in Clara against Windgap on Sunday 23rd April. Conditions were good for what turned out to be a cracking game with plenty of skill shown from players from both sides. Clara started well and put the Windgap defence under ferocious pressure and after some neat passing Amelia Ryan scored a fine goal. The Clara girls continued to make chances and this led to a free which Amy Bergin scored a goal from. Windgap replied with a goal. Clara got the next two scores, points from play scored by Olivia Power.

Windgap finished the half strongly and scored 2 goals and a point to leave the half time score Clara 2-2 Windgap 3-1.

Windgap defended well but Ella Tierney scored a goal to put Clara ahead. Windgap responded with a goal and a point to lead by a goal with very little time left on the clock. One final attack from Clara led to a goal from Amy Bergin to draw the match level. The referee blew the whistle shortly after. A fine team effort from Clara to fight their way back to gain a draw.Final score - Clara 4-5 Windgap 5-2. Next Match Wed 3rd May against Bennetsbridge in Clara.

Scorers: Amy Bergin 2-2 (1-0 free) Olivia Power 0-2, Emilia Ryan 1-0, Lucy Kealy 0-1, Ella Tierney 1-0.

Team: Eva Dreeling, Lucy Kealy, Ónagh Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Cooke, Orla Carrigan, Caragh Brennan, Katelyn Shortall, Caoimhe Kenny, Katie O’Connell, Aoibheann McDonald, Olivia Power, Alice Kennedy, Amy Bergin,. Amelia Ryan, Claragh Roche Subs: Snezhana McPartlan, Ella Tierney, Kate Mulrooney, Amy Breen, Aisling Whelan, Áine Bowden Mullen, Kayleigh Watkin, Orlaith Carroll, Shona Brennan.

CLUB LOTTO There was no winner of club lotto (April 25th). Numbers drawn were 6, 10, 12, 28 Bonus 16 Play Now at www.oloughlingaels.com/lotto Promotors Draw. 1. Margaret Brennan c/o Pauline Greene. 2.

Annmarie Healy c/o Damien O’Connell. 3. Neil Loy. 4. Mary Kearns c/o Damien O’Connell. 5. Jim Byrne c/o John Joe Cullen.

6. Francis Walsh c/o Benny Walsh. 7. Liam and Aoife c/o Damien O’Connell. 8. Marina Tyrrell c/o Online. 9. Tony Preston c/o Paul Cleere. 10. John and Olivia Collins c/o Online. Thank you for your continued support PLAYER NEWS Well done to all O’Loughlin Gaels players from Hurling, Camogie and Handball who represented Kilkenny teams over the weekend. Well done to Cian Byrne who recently won a Leinster Handball title. Cian also plays with Kilkenny u15s Development Squad team alongside club mates Adam Maher, David McGee and Conor Holohan.

A Leinster Title was also claimed by Kilkenny Camogie u16s which includes club players Ena Lawlor and Síofra O’Leary who both had key roles in their win over Wexford in the Leinster Final last Monday.

Well done too to Greg Kelly who scored five points from play with the Kilkenny Minor hurlers’s win over Wexford in the Leinster Semi-Final. Dan McCormack joins Greg in the panel and we wish them both the best of luck for the Final.

Also on the scoring board was one Mikey Butler with the senior hurlers in the drawn game v Galway at Nowlan Park.

In a weekend of activity for county squads we also congratulate Jeff Tyrrell and James Holohan (u16 hurling), IvetacVasilisukaite (u16 b Camogie) and Aoife Dillon, Ruth Crowley, Ava Butler & Orlaith Donnelly (u15s Camogie) Lovely Hurling O’LOUGHLIN GAELS SUMMER CAMP The news every young Gael is waiting for is just announced Summer Camp 23 runs from 24th of July to 4th August. All the

O’Loughlin Gaels Camogie Players Ena Lawlor and Síofra O’Leary after Kilkenny Camogie u16s Leinster Final win

details will be distributed to the parish schools and club in the coming days. Book early and don’t be disappointed.

IRISH LANGUAGE SUMMER CAMP Bígí linn a chairde! I nGaeltacht Chill Chainnigh. Tobar Eoin!

Come join in the fun in Kilkenny’s newest Gaeltacht Johnswell!

A Summer Camp experience through Irish! For ONE week only!Tuilleadh Eolais. More Information tobarnagaeilge@yahoo. com nó 0877006324

U13 CHAMPIONS Congratulations to St.Lachtain’s U13 footballers who won the county final when they beat Kilmoganny decisively at Pairc Lachtain. Well done to the young boys and to their management team for this great success.

BIRTHDAYS Special Birthday wishes go out to a set of triplets and twins who all celebrated their 21st Birthday at a party in Farrell’s Pub. Triplets Oran, Saoirse and Orlaith Bergin, Clashacrow and twin brothers Michael and Jack Phelan, Woodview marked their coming of age at a joint party.

Special birthday wishes also go out to former St.Lachtains and Kilkenny stalwart camogie start Gillian Maher (nee Dillon) who also celebrated a very special birthday last weekend.

FEILE LACHTAIN 2023 St. Lachtain’s Church of Ireland was alive with music and story on Friday night last when a Night of Nostalgia of Freshford’s bands and musicians was remembered with an emphasis on the performers over the last fifty years. Included were The Lords and Looney Tunes. Music was provided by the three remaining members of the Super Noodles Jim Byrne, Gary Barnaville and Gerry Delaney with many of their music friends returning to meet the guys and hear their music. MC was Marie Kennedy and the story was narrated by Ned Kennedy with music in between recalling many tunes from the past. The relaunch of the museum also took place during Friday’s event with some new displays which were generously donated All were unveiled by Committee member Richard St. George.

WEDDING WISHES Congratulations and best wishes are extended to Lyndsey Kavanagh, Clintstown Road, Freshford and Brian Hayde, Barna who were married on Friday last in Graine Church. Reception took place afterwards in Hotel Kilkenny.

DAYCARE TRIP Freshford Daycare Centre are organising a bus trip to Fota Island and Cobh in County Cork on Tuesday next the 9th May. The bus will leave from the GAA grounds at 9am and return home at 9.30pm approx. They group will stop for a meal on way home at Corbett Court Hotel in Fermoy. Names should be given in by this Friday to Marie O’Connor – 086 2547439, Ann Burke 086 2030224 or Paddy Butler on 087 6367667 IONA LACHTAIN HERITAGE CENTRE Ionad Lachtain Church, Arts and Heritage Centre is open every Saturday and Sunday from 11.30 to 4.30. Gifts on sale to suit every occasion.

DEATH The death occurred last week of Paddy Hogan late of Kilrush, Freshford. Although advanced in years his passing was unexpected and caused widespread sadness. He was predeceased by his brothers John and Billy and his sister in law Marie. He was a quiet and good living gentleman and was well known and respected in the village. Funeral mass took place in St.Lachtains Church on Saturday morning last followed by burial in St.Lachtains Cemetery He is mourned by his nephews and nieces and extended family to whom sympathy is extended.

CAMOGIE AND GAA St.Lachtains Juniors had the first outing of the year when they took on Thomastown in the All County League in Freshford. The local lads came out winners in the end on a score line of 0.18 to 0.13.

Team: J Burke. C Donnelly. L Kennedy. A Dawson. J Bowden. C Bergin. B Quinn. D Maher J Hickey. A Rafter. C Powe. P Donnelly.

P Killeen. C O’ Leary. A Rafter.

The Junior F had their second outing of the year and came out victorious against neighbours Lisdowney in Freshford on Sunday Team; R Dowling. C Bowden. M Nolan. J Cantwell. J Bergin. J Bowden. J hickey. J Campion. P Maher. C Leahy. D Quinn. J O’Connor. M Durian. D Killeen. E Landers Keep up to date on all games St Lachtains by following St Lachtains GAA on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram Kilkenny Intermediate Camogie side were beaten by Cork in the replay on Saturday last. Sinead Farrell is the sub keeper with the team.

SQUASH Congrats to local man Pat Morrissey who was part of the Ireland U40 squash team taking part in Nottingham at the weekend and they finished 2nd overall. Well done to all FITNESS SESSIONS Fitness sessions Boxing/fitness sessions at Community Hall Freshford – Have you had a diagnoses of Parkinsons; Alzheimers or other neurological condition? If so maybe you are keen to get some level of fitness back or work on you balance or upper body strength? If so, these classes are just what you need. Classes take place each Tuesday from 11am to 12 noon - sessions cost just €10 each and are facilitated by a boxing coach. They will also give you the chance to socialise and meet other people.For more information or to sign up please contact Brenda Cooper on 0871369253 PARISH NEWS Mass is held in the Parish Church each Wednesday morning at 9.30am and each Sunday morning at 11am.wiith Mass in Tulla church on Saturday evenings at 7.30pm.

Notices

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

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

You can contact the Parish office on 056 8832843 or by email – freshfordd@ossory.ie. Contact Mongr Kieron Kennedy on that number or on 087 25235 21 HELP FOR ALL Are you struggling with anxiety or depression or finding life difficult or feeling isolated at this time GROW is there to help you.

Their Mental Health support Groups are free and confidential and open to all no referral or booking is needed. For more information on same you can contact Mary on 087 284342 If you can’t cope and need support text HELLO to 50808 SAMARITAN - Whatever you’re going through a Samaritan will face it with you – available 24 hours a day 365 days a year – Freephone 1161Alone is available for older people who need support and you can call them on 0818 222024 (8am to 8pm) AMBER KILKENNY WOMENS REFUGE – is available for confidential support relating to domestic violence - call them on 1850 424244 (24/7) or on 056 7771404 or email into@amberwomensrefuge.ie.

CRAFTED Crafted Café in Bennettsbridge got the ”thumbs up” from the Trip Advisor platform last week as follows, “Worth a detour. If you are close to Bennettsbridge take the time to visit this daytime cafe. They serve tasty salads, hot food, cakes and desserts. Great value for money, friendly and helpful service.

Parking adjacent. We enjoyed a lovely lunch in the sunshine” TIDY TOWNS A massive thank you to everyone who turned up for the annual Bridge Cleaning exercise. Bennettsbridge Tidy Towns really appreciates your support. Many thanks to PJ Cullen in Centra who provided welcome refreshments.

CHURCH NEWS MASS TIMES Wednesday and Friday 10.30AM. SYMPATHY Sympathy is extended to Lorraine Simpson, The Ring on the death of her mother, Brigit Brennan née Carroll, Raheen-Killane, Ballon, Co. Carlow and formerly Liscolman, Tullow, who passed away on April 28th, 2023 at Saint Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny.

Brigit was pre-deceased by her parents Paddy and Alice and sister, Mary. She is survived by her husband, John and children, P.J., Linda, Christina, Lorraine, John, Niall and Alan. Deeply regretted by her husband, sons, daughters, sons-in-law Joe, Ger and Alan, daughters-in-law Deirdre, Shelia and Leah, grandchildren Megan, Alison, Katelyn, Cillian, Shane, Darren, Danial, Gillian, Andrew, Michaela, Esme, Fionn, Willow- Mae, Conor, Dasie and Charlie, sister Elizabeth, brother-in-law Donie, nephews, nieces, relatives, kind neighbours and her many friends.

Requiem Mass was celebrated in Saint Peter and Paul’s Church, Ballon. Burial afterwards in Ballon Cemetery.

LOTTO RESULTS 24th April 2023. No winner of Jackpot. Numbers, 5, 20, 26, 28.

Jackpot now €6,850.00.

Consolation Prizes, Lianna Murphy, Kilkenny, Kathleen Hayde, Hillview, Cleere x 5, Anne Ryan, Woodlawn, Kiera Barcoe, Carn.

GATHERING GROUP Meeting on Wednesday as usual. The Liffey Valley trip was a great success and enjoyed by all.

ART GROUP No class this week due to Bank Holiday. Some members met for a coffee and catch up. Classes resume next Monday as the group works towards finalising material for their exhibition for Kilkenny Arts Week.

CAMOGIE A super performance from the U16s against Conahy in the League. Despite lots of tired legs on the pitch the girls put in a huge effort and played with great determination and teamwork.

Well done to all the girls on a well-deserved win Bennettsbridge 2-11 Conahy 0-6 GAA Inter county Hurling. The club was well represented by David Blanchfield in the Leinster championship draw against Galway in Nowlan Park.

Bennettsbridge GAA Scrap metal collection Bennettsbridge GAA club are having a scrap metal collection this Saturday 6th May. You can drop off your unwanted scrap metal/ copper from 10am to 12pm at the GAA grounds. All scrap metal items are welcome except refrigerators. If you need any large items collected please contact Leo 086-8861906 or Tim 0863441652 and they will arrange collection.

CLUB HURLING The junior E team played out an entertaining draw with Piltown in the league. Our minors conceded a later goal versus The Rower to lose out by three points. The under 13 team get their season underway at home to Graiguenamanagh tonight. Please see the Kilkenny GAA website for all club fixtures and changes.

MEMBERSHIP 2023

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5 May 2023

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kilkennyobserver.ie

News Community & GAA Notes BINGO Bingo continues in the CYMS hall on Wednesday evenings.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION The first Holy Communion is on May 13th this year wishing all making it the very best.

DONATIONS Ballyragget Vet’s clinic are seeking donations of blankets, and towels new or used. No duvets or pillows please.

BÓRD NA NÓG AND CAMOGIE FUNDRAISER Due to pitch works in the Polo Grounds on Saturday morning last, the “Bring and Buy” sale organised by Conahy Camogie Club and Conahy Shamrocks Bórd na nÓg was postponed until next Saturday, May 6th. All families and everyone in the community are welcome to donate any unwanted hurls, helmets and playing gear. Donations of a minimum of €5 are welcome from those who buy any items available. Refreshments will also be served on the morning.

GAA SUMMER CAMP Conahy Shamrocks GAA Club Bórd na nÓg will once again host a ‘Future Stars’ Summer Camp this year. It will take place in the Polo Grounds, Jenkinstown from Tuesday 1st August to Thursday 3rd August (inclusive). The Camps is open to Boys and Girls between the ages of five and twelve and will take place on each of the three days from 10.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. (with a lunch break from 12.00 p.m. until 12.45 p.m. Detailed and quality coaching will be given to all participants and Kilkenny InterCounty Players will contribute to the coaching, subject to their availability. Registration can be done online via the GAA club website – www.conahyshamrocks.gaa.ie .

CLUB LOTTO The numbers drawn in the Conahy Shamrocks GAA Club Lotto were 32, 34 and 38. There was no jackpot winner so the consolation prize winners were Annette Colclough, Cora Buggy, Rian and Culainn Guilfoyle, Mona Dooley and Kathleen Maher. The promoters’ prize winners were Teresa Dollard, Anne Downey and Peter Mulhall. This week’s jackpot now increases to €3,100.

Tidy Town Volunteers carrying out their annual clean up of the bridge Membership for 2023 is now being collected by registrar Samantha McGarry or any committee member. Membership remains the same as last year. 120 for adult players, 80 for student players and 40 euro for non-playing members. Early payment would be most appreciated as the bills for 2023 are coming in fast.

BUY A BRICK CAMPAIGN We are in the fourth year of our “buy a brick” campaign. Thanks to every-one who has supported so far. Anyone new who wishes to contribute please see BBGAADEV@gmail.com. All contributions go towards club development and repayment of the loan on the club house as quickly as possible.

ON LINE DRAW Well done to Niall Skehan who won 700 euro off a ten euro ticket in the latest Bennettsbridge online raffle, thanks to everyone who supported.

CAMOGIE NIGHT AT THE DOGS The camogie club is running a dog night in Kilkenny track on Friday 12th of May. This is the clubs main fundraiser for the year.

All support greatly ap-preciated.

HURLERS CO-OP DRAW Hurlers Co-op draw tickets are now on sale through all committee members. Prizes to the value of 125,000 are on offer including three cars and two holidays. The first of 5 draws will take place on June 13th. Tickets cost 50 euro and half of proceeds from all tickets sold is returned to the club.

SPLIT THE POT The next draw takes place this Friday at 6 pm in the clubhouse.

Envelopes are available around the village. If you want to play on-line with club-force please see the clubs Facebook page for details. Thanks again for the continued support.

CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to Ruth Stapleton on her big win on Today fm last week, winning the cash builder. Great excitement.

POST BOX MOVE The post box had moved from outside the now closed post office to the Square. Post office services are available in Attanagh, Durrow and Castlecomer. Local shops have stamps for sale.

FUNDRAISERS Naomh Brid Camogie are hosting a fundraising 24 hour walk at the pitch from 2pm Saturday May 20th to 2pm Sunday May 21st.

Contact Kieran Delaney or JJ O Sullivan to support. There is also a go fund me page and Juvenile players will have sponsorship cards.

Debra Ireland Fundraiser at the Wheel Inn on May 5th with music

by Sean Keane. Your support of this charity works would be greatly appreciated.

TIDY TOWNS Many thanks to all who are taking on this great endeavour in the town, if everyone could do a bit outside their own homes or in their area that would be much appreciated.

ST PATRICKS GAA The Minor side were defeated by James Stephen’s at home.

The lotto jackpot stands at €20,000 tickets are on sale locally or online via Clubforce. Your support of the lotto is welcomed.

CHURCH NEWS First Holy Communion for the children of Johnstown and Crosspatrick in St. Michael’s Church, Crosspatrick on Saturday May 6th at 11am. They are wished a lovely day.

Sunday May 13th has been chosen for a public Rosary Rally for the conversion of Ireland. A Rosary will be recited on that day at 4pm in the grounds of St. Kieran’s Church. This is one of 500 rallies all over the country.

Welcome to the Faith Community baby Ava Grogan who was Baptised recently, daughter of Lorina Duggan, Johnstown.

St. Patricks Church, Graine will celebrate its golden Jubilee on May 21st at 11.30 am with chief celebrant Bishop Niall Coll at the Mass. If anyone has photos or memorabilia from the old church which can be displayed on the day please contact Fr. Ollie or Ann Pembroke.

MR. JEROME FOGARTY RIP Jerome, Tullovolty, Johnstown died peacefully at Waterford Regional Hospital recently. Predeceased by his parents Katie and Ger, he will be greatly missed by his brothers Simon and John, sisters Breda and Carmel, brother in law Mick, sister in law Kathleen, nieces, nephews, neighbours and friends. After Requiem Mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Galmoy, he was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.

SYMPATHY Sympathy is also extended to Paddy Bowe and Family, St. Kieran’s Place on the recent death of his sister Elizabeth (Lizzie) Bowe RIP, Rathdowney.

FENIANS HC Bingo starting in St. Mary’s Hall, Johnstown on Wednesdays May 17th at 8.30pm and each Wednesday after that. Prize money €2,000.

ADVANCE NOTICE. Johnstown Town Team will host a Field Day in the sports field on June 25th at 11.30am followed by a musical evening from 7.30pm to 10.30pm. The day will feature a D.J., Dog Show, Sports, Fittest Team, Food and Craft stalls, funfair and more.

SPA UNITED AFC. U16 boys league division 1A Callan UTD 1 Spa 1, U14 girls league division 2 Spa 2 Southend 0, Thomastown Utd 5 Spa 0, U13 boys league division 1 Spa 0 Freebooters 1, U13 boys league Division 2 Dean Celtic 5 Spa 0, U12 boys league division 1 Spa 3 Clover Utd 2 , U12 boys league division 2A Evergreen 0 Spa 5, U12 girls Credit Union cup Lions 0 Spa 5.

SPA DEVELOPMENT/FENIANS LOTTO...

Winning numbers 2,8,15,23 three match three Karina Grehan, Billy Garrett and Tadas Maliauke. Next weeks jackpot €20,000.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Glengoole Wednesday 11am to 2pm, Gortnahoe Thursday 11am to 1pm GOOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY Last Sunday was Good Shepherd Sunday and it was a day of prayer for Vocations to Priesthood and Religious life. Leaflets were left in the church and anyone interested in having a chat or would like to find out more information, please contact Fr. Joe Walsh of the Thurles parish or any member of the parish council.

HOLY COMMUNION The month of May is the month for the first Holy Communions in the parish, we would like to thank the teachers, pupils and parents and all who are helping to celebrate this wonderful Sacrament.

CASHEL AND EMLY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES

The annual pilgrimage will take place from the 17th - 22nd June 2023, anyone interested in the Parish please contact the Parish council for further information.

400 CLUB DRAW The results for March 2023, 1st Prize €200 was Karen Gleeson, Coole, 2nd Prize €100 was Teresa Bartley, Rathbeg. Other prize winners were, Michael Shortall, Lisduff, David O’Neill, Glengoole, Helen Morris, Foilacamin, Stella Purcell, Fennor, Paddy and Louise Cleere, Rathbeg, Liam and Biddy Hogan, Gortnahoe, Carina Burrows, Glengoole and Breda Hogan, Clonora.

Promoters Prize Winner, Majella Ryan and Andy O’Gorman.

The results for April 2023, 1st Prize €200 Mick and Rose Delaney, Inchorourke, 2nd Prize €100 Margaret Campion, Graigue. Other prize winners were, Mary Ryan, Fennor, Lorraine Morris, Foilacamin, Catherine Cooney, Boulick, Mary McGivern, Glengoole, Donal O’Shea, Knockatoreen, Joan Kennedy, Shelbourne, Sarah Cahill, Gortnahoe and Hannie and Sarah McCormack, Poynestown. Promoters Prize Winner, Mary Phelan.

TUESDAY BRIDGE Bridge is being played each Tuesday night in Gortnahoe Hall at 7.30pm. If you would like to join or find out more information please contact this number 089 4349106 GORTNAHOE BINGO Bingo continues this Saturday night at 7.00pm with doors opening from 6.00pm and will continue each Saturday night at the same time. Over €2,660 in prize money on offer including a special €500 game. Our bingo received great publicity from Fran Curry and Johnny Looby on Tipp Fm last week, they were making the point that Gortnahoe is the place to be on a Saturday night for the big payout bingo. We look forward to the many visitors and family members home with their family, it will be a great nights entertainment for all.

SPLIT THE POT Congratulations to Noreen Bambrick from Grange who was the winner of €228 in the Split the Pot draw. Envelopes are available at the usual outlets. Split the Pot for the month of May will be in support of the Gortnahoe National School. The draw takes place each Sunday at 12pm in Gortnahoe Hall. Your support would be appreciated FREE LIBRARY A lot of new books have come in to Gortnahoe Community Hall library. They are free to take home and the library is based inside the main door of the hall. When the hall is opened anyone can go inside the main door and select a book or books of their choice and they will disturb no one in the hall. This is a Gortnahoe Community Hall Initiative and this idea will succeed with the local parish support.

MASS TIMES Aghaviller Parish: Hugginstown: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9.30a.m.Vigil - Saturday 6th. 8.00p.m.; Sunday 7th. 10.00a.m. Stoneyford: Wednesday and Friday 7.00p.m. Vigil - Saturday 6th. 6.30p.m Friday 5th. Feast of Blessed Edmund Rice. First Friday,Home 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 at any other time.

PRAY FOR Joan Foran, Monrue; Denis O’Hara, Owning; who died during the week.

Months Mind Mass: Wazzie Kenneally, Barnadown; Mass in Hugginstown Church on Saturday 6th. May at 8.00p.m.

Anniversary Mass next weekend: Angela Lee, Cherrymount, Mass in Stoneyford Church on Saturday 6th. May at 6.30p.m.

ROTA Rota for next week-end: 6th. and 7th. May 2023. (Fifth Sunday of Easter) Readers: Stoneyford: Saturday 6.30p.m. Margaret Ryan. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Catherine Dwyer; Sunday 10.00a.m.

Mary Foran.

Eucharistic Ministers: Stoneyford: Saturday 6.30p.m. Pat Kenny.Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Mary Murphy; Sunday 10.00a.m. Kay Power.

OSSARY PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2023 Lourdes Pilgrimage will take place from May 23rd. to 28th. this year. Accommodation in the Agena, Solitude and Padoue Hotels. Price includes return bus journey to/from Loughboy Shopping Centre Car Park to Dublin Airport. Return flights from Dublin to Lourdes; Transfer to/from Airport to Hotel. Full board and hotel accommodation for the 5 nights. For further information and bookings contact niamh@jwttravel.ie or Phone 01 685 2244 EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS New Eucharistic Ministers needed in both Hugginstown and Stoneyford Churches for weekend Masses. Preparation Training can be done on-line in your own home with just a meeting in the local church for practical help. Please let me know if you can help.

It is also recommended that Present Eucharistic Ministers be involved in this training.

EASTER OFFERINGS Many thanks for your Easter Offerings during the past few weeks.

This offering is for the support of the priests of the Parish and Diocese. Thank You. DATES TO REMEMBER FOR 2023 First Holy Communion. For Stoneyford School on Sunday 14th.

May at 11.00a.m. in Stoneyford Church.

For Monroe/Newmarket Schools on Sunday 21st. May at 11.00a.m. in Hugginstown.

Cemetery Masses: Calvary Cemetery on Friday 2nd. June at 8.00p.m. Hugginstown Cemetery on 1st. July at 8.00p.m. Stoney-

ford Cemetery on 7th. July at 8.00p.m.

LOTTO Lotto: Aghaviller Parish and Carrickshock G. A. A. Draw: Monday 24th. April 2023 Numbers: 17; 24; 09; 10. One Winner First 3 Numbers Drawn. No Jackpot Winner: €500.00. Match 3 Winner. Michael Irish, Hugginstown. €25.00.

Seller of Match 3 Ticket: James Irish. 3 x €15.00 (Sellers): Mary Doyle; Tom Cassin; John Power.

PADRE PIO NATIONAL PILGRIMAGE Pilgrimage to Holy Cross Abbey, Thurles on Sunday 28th. May. Ceremonies will begin at 1.30p.m. If interested in travelling please contact: Kay Power 086 168 7073 or Lily Burke 056 776 8008 THE TOTUS TUUS WOMEN OF FAITH CONFERENCE 2023 Conference will be live on Radio Maria Ireland this coming Saturday May 6th. from 2.00p.m. You can follow the conference by: 1. Going online at www.radiomaria.ie. 2. Download the Radio Maria IRELAND App to your smartphone or tablet. 3. Listen live via Facebook. 4. Call 01 4373277 and listen live 5. Listen through your TV on Channel 210 SOUTH KILKENNY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Coach Trip to Doneraile Court and Mallow on Saturday, May 27th. The cost includes coach hire, a guided tour of Doneraile Court, a walking tour of Mallow and an evening meal at the Talbot Hotel, Clonmel. For further information on booking places for the Coach Trip please contact: Brigid Barron, Kilmacow; 087 950 7295, or Mary Ryan, Carrigeen, 086 379 0655.

THE STONEYFORD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION The Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 3rd. May at 8.00p.m. in the Community Centre, Stoneyford. Membership and nomination forms are available on www.stoneyford.ie. You can also text “AGMFORMS” to 087 255 6722.

STONEYFORD 5K AND 10K CHALLENGE Challenge is on May 21st. Preparations are well underway for what should be another exciting day for runners from all over the South East and further afield. It will be a case of all hands on deck for a few hours as everyone welcomes our visitors. The day begins at 10.30am with a kids’ 1k for all national school aged children and will be followed at 11.00am by the 5k and 10k events. Runners or walkers can register on the day prior to the event or online at myrunresults.com. All locals are encouraged to come along and take part on the day, or simply come and cheer everyone one. To help out or for enquiries or more detail, contact Adele on 087 9384521.

COUNSELLING SERVICES Our low cost Counselling Services, includes One-to-One, Family and Teens, aged 12 plus.

General Counselling: Bereavement, Stress, Anxiety & Depression. Other Counselling Services available: Drug, Substance & Gambling Addictions. Play therapy is now also available. Please contact Sue for more information or to make an appointment.

DEFIBRILLATOR Please note that there is a defibrillator located in the Mill Family Resource Centre if and when it may be required.

SENIOR ALERT If you need to apply for a Personal Alarm, please contact Sue or Josephine.

APPEAL FOR CLOTHES DONATIONS Any further clothes donations would be greatly appreciated in aid of our counselling services. Donations can be left into the Centre, please call before dropping off. Contact number for the Centre 056-8838466 L.T.I. RECRUITING L.T.I. Pathway to Employment Course QQI Level 4. There are still some placements available on our L.T.I. Programme which is due to start in May. If interested, please call the Resource Centre on 056-88-38466 or call into us here at the office.

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 5 May 2023

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Hurling matters - Review

Sport

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

Leinster Senior Hurling Championship UPMC Nowlan Park Kilkenny 0-28 Galway 1-25 It was honours even when Derek Lyng’s Kilkenny clashed with Henry Shefflin’s Galway in UPMC Nowlan Park last Sunday. The game lived up to its hype with both sides hardly pausing for breath over the 70 plus minutes of pulsating action.

The Westerners had championship debutant Declan McLaughlin to thank for leaving the Marble City with a point after the forward’s late late scoring intervention. It had looked like the home side would claim maximum points when TJ slotted over a 68th minute free to leave 3 points between the rivals.

The Tribesmen dug deep and registered scores from Evan Niland and substitutes Liam Collins and that man McLaughlin to punish the Cats and some wasteful finishing late on from the home side.

There was one late change to Derek Lyng’s side with Erins Own’s Conor Fogarty replacing Shamrocks Paddy Mullen in midfield. The visitors lined out as selected with Henry Shefflin exchanging pleasantries with his opposite number before throw-in at the venue, he knows oh so well.

From the moment Limerick whistler Johnny Murphy threw the sliotar in, it was frantic from both sides with the game swinging from end-to-end. A fast start from the teams saw two points fired over in the first 60 seconds. Galway struck first; with the impressive Brian Concannon pointing from out on the left before the restart saw Eoin Murphy find Billy Ryan who passed to captain Eoin Cody who levelled matters after 40-odd seconds of play.

The next two scores came from the hosts. Some great pressure applied to the Galway defence by John Donnelly and Eoin Cody resulted in the latter slotting over his second point of the game. Next up was TJ Reid.

The veteran Shamrocks Ballyhale legend was fouled and punished the opposition by rifling over the resulting free. Three minutes gone, Kilkenny were up by two points, 0-3 to 0-1.

Henry’s men struck back immediately. Netminder Eanna Murphy found Cianan Fahy unmarked from the puck out and the Ardrahan man split the posts from distance to help settle the travelling supporter’s nerves. Some lovely play close to the sideline saw Bennettsbridge’s David Blanchfield advance before passing to Timmy Clifford and the Dicksboro man sent over a fine point from out on the right.

The frantic start continued. A long ball out of the Galway defence saw Conor Whelan beat Tommy Walsh before pointing from way out on the

All square as Henry returns home Late point snatches draw for Tribesmen The last line Eoin Murphy

right, a classy score to reduce the deficit to the bare minimum with 6 minutes played. The next action saw the only goal of the game scored, and there was more than a touch of fortune about it.

Adrian Mullen was challenged by Joseph Cooney, possibly illegally, but the sliotar broke to the supporting Jack Grealish who took possession.

The Gort man scanned for options before delivering a long ball into the Cats defence. As players rose to claim the ball, it appeared to deflect off the hurl of Tommy Walsh into the path of the on-running Brian Concannon.

The Killimordaly man powered forward before unleashing a fierce shot beyond the diving Eoin Murphy.

It was a great finish, but having taken some 9 steps before shooting, the goal should have been stroked off.

Small margins. That put the visitors up by 2 points with seven minutes played.

Kilkenny hit back with the next two scores. John Donnelly was expertly picked out from a restart by Eoin Murphy and the Thomastown player split the posts for a nice point. Mikey Butler then found Eoin Cody from a sideline cut and the twice crowned young hurler of the year fired over from some 65’ metres out.

There had only been two frees awarded in the first 11 minutes – a sign of the frantic nature of the game, and Johnny Murphy’s determination

to try and let the game flow.

Sarsfields Joesph Cooney then sent over a long-range point for the men in maroon to edge his team ahead, before Conor Whelan notched his second score of the day after nice work

by Padraic Mannion. Graigue Ballycallan’s Billy Ryan was then halted illegally by Gearoid McInerney and this gave TJ the opportunity to reduce the gap to one point.

Shefflin’s men were taking control in many areas across the pitch. This dominance was rewarded by two further scores, both from dangerman Concannon who was having a great day at the

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5 May 2023

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Hurling matters - Review TJ Reid hit some lovely scores from distance

Eoin Cody keeps his eye on the ball as he gets away from Jack Grealish And Gearoid Mc Inerney

Mikey Butler shows great determination as hes tackled by Conor Whelan

office. Cathal Mannion found the No.14 and the powerful full-forward split the posts.

Concannon almost struck another major for the westerners, only to be denied by a brilliant save from Glemore’s Eoin Murphy who somehow managed to deflect the goal bound effort over the bar.

The home side responded with a nice point from wing-back David Blanchfield, after he was superbly picked out by John Donnelly who was again getting through a mountain of work for the Cats.

Galway then outscored their opponents three points to one over the next four minutes. Points from Cooney’s Kevin and Conor along with a well struck effort from Mullagh’s Ronan Glennon put the Tribesmen firmly in charge, with only a nice TJ point from play in response. TJ would also hit the next Cats score, this time a booming free from his own ‘45 splitting the Galway posts.

Adrian Mullen who was having a very quiet game by his standards then set up a fine scoring chance for his clubmate, Darragh Corcoran who hit a lovely score. John Donnelly was then fouled again and like before, TJ made no mistake from the placed ball. Donnelly then turned provider, this time for Adrian Mullen who pointed from way out on the left to level matters with just over 28 minutes played.

Brian Concannon then struck his fourth point of the day before Eoin Cody did likewise in registering his team’s 14th point of the day.

Mikey Butler then collected an Eoin Murphy restart, took a few steps before rifling over a magnificent score from halfway to edge his side ahead. Thomastown’s Donnelly was then fouled again on his own ‘65 and TJ stepped up and fired over another sensational free to push the Kilkenny lead to two.

The final two scores of a pulsating 1st half came from Evan Niland. The Clarinbridge man struck over his first free of the game, before following up with a nice effort from play to level matters and leave the half time scoreline, Kilkenny 0-16, Galway 1-13.

Kilkenny emerged from the Nowlan Park dressing rooms with a spring in their step and showing one change to their line-up, with Tullaroan’s Mossy Keoghan replacing Timmy Clifford.

Lyng’s charges came out of the blocks quickly. The first point after the interval was a lovely combination of skill and pace from Billy Ryan who joined his fellow starting attackers in scoring. The same player was then fouled, and TJ popped over the free.

The Shamrocks man repeated this feat a minute later after John Donnelly was again fouled.

That left the Cats 3 clear with 39 minutes played. Kilkenny goalkeeper Murphy was then called into action again, this time putting his body on the line to prevent Kevin Cooney from goaling. The Glenmore man needed a little treatment but thankfully was fit to continue.

Evan Niland hit two free’s either side of a stunning point from captain Cody. Mikey Butler then played nice pass to John Donnelly and the Thomastown man rifled over from distance to leave the Cats 3 points to the good. Cian Kenny then replaced The Sash’s Padraig Walsh as manager Lyng sought to freshen things up a little. Half-time sub Martin Keoghan was having a good impact on Kilkenny’s game, and the Tullaroan attacker fired over a brace of points to cement the home sides control of proceedings in UPMC Nowlan Park.

Cian Kenny then did well to set up Billy Ryan who fired over his second of the game.

Henry Shefflin urged his team to respond, and the Tribesmen hit the next 3 points, including two long range stunners from Daithi Burke and Joesph Cooney. Their main threat, Brian Concannon hit the other one, although his influence on proceedings were restricted after Mikey Butler was switched to mark the full-forward. Eoin Cody then fired over a fine point after good work by Darragh Corcoran to take his tally to 0-6. O’Loughlin’s Butler who was having a great game then found Adrian Mullen who hit a trademark point from out on the left to extend the Cats lead to five points with 56 minutes played.

Again, one of Kilkenny’s favourite sons was animated on the sideline, demanding more from his charges.

His men didn’t let Henry down.

Four scores on the bounce from Galway, including a pair of frees from Niland, a stunner from distance by Padraic Mannion brought the men in maroon within two points of the black and amber. Eoin Murphy then denied the Tribesmen again, Jason Flynn taking a point before John Donnelly gave a nice pass to Darragh Corcoran who rifled over a cracking point.

Gort’s Jack Grealish then saw yellow for a nasty challenge on Mikey Butler, when a red card could well have been shown. TJ Reid split the posts with the placed ball to push the home side’s lead to three points.

As the game entered five minutes of additional time, Evan Niland struck over his 7th point of the game to give his side and their supporters hope.

Cappataggle’s Liam Collins then

points in the 74th minute, to leave just one point between the sides.

There was lots on the line, and both Mikey Butler and Brian Concannon received yellow cards from referee Murphy. Replays showed that the Galway man was lucky not to see a different colour.

Following a Kilkenny wide, Galway keeper Eanna Murphy took the puck-out and sent it long towards the Cats ‘65. Declan McLaughlin and Richie Reid tangled and fought to take possession. The nippy forward wriggled away from the Shamrocks man before striking a shot from over his left shoulder. The crowd waited, the sliotar split the posts. The next sound heard was the long whistle of referee Johnny Murphy. A frantic encounter between two good sides had finished all square, Final score, Kilkenny 0-28, Galway 1-25.

Kilkenny Scorers: TJ Reid 0-9 (8fs), Eoin Cody 0-6, Darragh Corcoran, Adrian Mullen, John Donnelly, Billy Ryan, and Martin Keoghan 0-2 each, Mikey Butler, Timmy Clifford, and David Blanchfield 0-1 each.

Galway Scorers: Brian Concannon 1-5, Evan Niland 0-7 (6fs), Conor Whelan 0-2, Padraic Mannion, Daithi Burke, Joseph Cooney, Cianan Fahy, Ronan Glennon, Cathal Mannion, Kevin Cooney, Conor Cooney, Jason Flynn, Liam Collins, and Declan McLoughlin 0-1 each.

Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; David Blanchfield, Richie Reid, Padraig Walsh; Darragh Corcoran, Conor Fogarty; Timmy Clifford, Adrian Mullen, John Donnelly; Billy Ryan, TJ Reid, Eoin Cody.

Subs: Martin Keoghan for Clifford (HT), Cian Kenny for P Walsh (46), Alan Murphy for Donnelly (65), Cillian Buckley for Fogarty (70+3).

Galway: Eanna Murphy; Jack Grealish, Gearoid McInerney, TJ Brennan; Padraic Mannion, Daithi Burke, Joseph Cooney; Cianan Fahy, Ronan Glennon; Cathal Mannion, Conor Cooney, Kevin Cooney; Conor Whelan, Brian Concannon, Evan Niland.

Subs: Jason Flynn for C Cooney (58), Fintan Burke for Glennon (60), Liam Collins for Fahy (65), Declan McLoughlin for Whelan (68).

Referee: J Murphy (Limerick).

>> SHERRY SAYS..

Well, that was a bit of a rollercoaster! While it may not have hit the heights of the Limerick vs Clare game the evening before, Kilkenny vs Galway had its own plots and sub-plots. Henry arrived back in Kilkenny with a team geared up to repeat its Salthill victory of 12 months ago, but it was his nephew Eoin Cody that stole the show with a real scintillating captain’s performance.

The Shamrocks Ballyhale man was the standout player, and rightly took the MOTM award at the end having notched 6 wonderful points from play. His fellow clubmen, TJ Reid, Adrian Mullen and Darragh Corcoran contributed 0-13 to their county’s total of 0-28.

The game certainly flowed – referee Johnny Muphy did his best to let both teams go at it. The Galway supporters and their manager were not altogether happy with some of the Limerick whistler’s decisions, but overall, I think his performance allowed the spectacle to develop.

If anything, there could have been a couple of red cards dished out to men in maroon and their goal scorer Brian Concannon, took as many steps as an Olympic long jumper before shooting beyond Eoin Murphy, who by the way had an outstanding game between the sticks.

Derek Lyng will have been disappointed not to take maximum points from this group game, but I’d say both these teams may well face-off in a Leinster Final in due course.

Next up for the Cats is a trip north to take on the Saffrons of Antrim in Corrigan Park. The early season meeting in February proved a little trickier than it should have. The black and amber will need to be focused and professional and make sure they come back over the border with maximum points.

It’s building nicely.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5 May 2023

Motors Classifieds

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

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Planning notices

Planning notices KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Bernie Phelan seek planning permission for a Beauty Salon to the rear of existing dwelling with all associated site works at Dangan, Kilmacow, 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.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5 May 2023

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

Saint Titus Brandsma Carmelite and Martyr

The Miracle Prayer

God of peace and justice, you open our hearts to love and the joy of the Gospel, even in the midst of every hatred and degradation of our brothers and sisters.

Make of us your witnesses in today’s world, so that, like Saint Titus Brandsma we may see the tenderness beyond the horrors of inhumanity to your glory that shines through the martyrs in every age. Amen. M.B.

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer.M.M.

The Miracle Prayer

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.A.R.

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer.B.D.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer.M.M.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer.C.L.

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.A.ON.

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.O.C.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 5 May 2023