Kilkenny Observer 10 January 2025

Snowed under as life in all its guises comes to a virtual standstill as sub-zero temperatures hit our county Winter no wonderland

By Jack Moore

Snow, such an infrequent visitor to Kilkenny City and most of its low-lying surrounds, paid a much warned-about visit on Saturday and Sunday last, justifying the actions of those who emptied the vegetable, bread, milk and indeed toilet tissue from the shelves of grocery outlets as early as the Friday.

Warnings varying from 3cm to 30cm of snow were predicted along with freezing temperatures and biting winds adding to the dangerous wind-chill factor. The add-

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ed threat of drifts, falling trees and falling power lines added to the unfolding dangerous conditions which were to be faced.

The authorities gave advice to stay safe indoors and to only venture out if absolutely necessary. Businesses and services announced their closure and sporting, entertainment and social events their cancellation on safety grounds amid the impossible chance of anybody being able to show up.

The usual humorous jokes about yellow snow warnings had lost their effectiveness by the time the snow started to fall on Saturday and within the

first hour it could be seen that this was going to be an event not seen often in Kilkenny. People were reminded of 2018 and 2008, the last two occasions such events were witnessed.

But, as with every ill wind (or snowstorm), it wasn’t long before the internet was awash with photographs and reports of young children and young again adults building snowmen - in some cases, snowwomen - and even more cases of snow objects which leaned heavily on an artistic license to be described as anything. Those more energetic got to design and manufacture every

PAUL

HOPKINS

Telling it like it is. And with no holds barred

sort of sleigh, running board, and some surf boards got an unexpected winter outing.

The more cautious took the opportunity to pose in brilliant winterland backdrops, others took the advice from the authorities and stayed indoors while partaking in delicious snacks and warm drinks of varying mixtures, giving themselves a thumbs-up on their ability to cope in such extreme conditions.

Despite the novelty of the snow, people were reminded to check on elderly family members and neighbours who might be low on foodstuffs and unable to get to

shops, collect medication or just to see a friendly face or hear an assuring voice to let them know all will be fine.

Then there was the bad news of power outages, people being stranded, motor car accidents and slips and falls. The delay in the thaw could leave some roads impassable up to the end of the week and the potential damage it might entail, when it did happen, such as with localised flooding.

The continuing freezing conditions led to the decision to close schools and students and scholars got an extended holiday. The court sessions due to be held in Kilkenny

were cancelled and a number of businesses announced they would be closed or operating a late opening. The Gardai announced that some roads were passable with caution, but great care was needed. Extreme temperatures of down to -6 Celsius were given for the week and continued warnings to take extra care when moving about as a delayed thaw was inevitable. As another storm passed, we were left with more memories of how fickle nature is and how much more we need to prepare for such future events.

Special Report Page 14

MARIANNE

New year, new you. Time to get moving and get fit. Kilkenny Recreation & Sports Partnership (KRSP) will deliver the following programmes this month.

Go For Life Games: each Monday morning for 12 weeks at 10am in The Watershed, Kilkenny.  These games and activities are fun and a little bit of gentle exercise too! January 13 to April 28 (12 weeks). No activities on February 3, March 17 and April 21 (Bank Holiday Mondays). Cost is €25 for the 12-week programme.

Stretch & Move: Come and walk with us on this tutor led programme each Friday morning at 10.00-11.00am. The programme is 12 weeks long from January 24 to April 11. Meet at the Coffee Shop in Kilkenny Castle Park each Friday morning for 10am start. KRSP will be supplying Activator Walking Poles (similar to Nordic Poles) as these help us to stretch, walk in a nice upright way and they’re also useful for balance and for doing some light exercises when finished your walk. You don’t have to use the poles if you don’t wish. All levels and abilities are welcome to join in the programme. Come out, walk and chat. Cost is €25 for the 12 week programme.

Ferrybank Chair Based Yoga: in partnership with Hillsfield Community Centre, Ferrybank, we will be deliver-

Time to get up and go...and get fit!

ing a 12-week programme of gentle, chair-based yoga. This programme will recommence on Friday, January 24 and run for 12 weeks until Friday April 11. Each session begins at 11am and lasts one hour. Cost for the 12-week programme is €30. This is payable online when booking.

Men On The Move Johnstown: This is a man-only, 4-week intro programme that

runs every Wednesday night from January 15 at 7:30pm in the hall in Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown. This successful programme runs also in Kilkenny City with 30+ men in attendance.  Men of every age and ability are welcome. The programme can help you to feel fitter, have more energy and to meet and connect with new men in your area! Bring a friend –there’s room for everybody.

On The Move Kilken-

This is a man only 8-week programme that runs every Monday night from January 13 at 8pm (excluding the February bank holiday) on the track in the Watershed. Men of every age are welcome. The programme can help you to feel fitter, have more energy and to meet and connect with new people.

Walk and Talks: This  is an

8-week beginner and back to fitness walking programme taking place in Kilkenny City! It will run from January 13 until March 10 (excluding the February Bank Holiday). This programme is for everybody, and every age is welcome! The group ranges in ability and speeds so there will be a pace that will suit what you are looking for. The group usually gets split into two groups to allow different distances or

creative practitioners, groups, organisations, communities, and individuals based in

speeds. All participants must pre-register online. Please bring a hi-vis if you have one.

If you need support to register online contact Ciara on 056-7794383 or ciara@krsp.ie

Please note: all our programmes need to be prebooked. If you need help registering please call the office

Kilkenny. This initiative invites submissions for funding to support the development of innovative creative and cultural projects throughout 2025.

The Creative Ireland programme is dedicated to promoting national well-being, social cohesion, and economic development through the power of creativity. By fostering projects that emphasize identity, culture, and citizenship, the programme aims to enrich the cultural fabric of our communities and enhance the quality of life for all. The Creative Ireland programme is built around the themes of identity, culture and citizenship. The Cruinniú na nÓg Festival aims to celebrate and encourage children and young people’s participation in culture and creativity by providing free, activity-based action in their own locality.

The goal is to support initiatives that celebrate cultural heritage and inspire new ways of thinking and connecting within our society.

Closing date for Creative Ireland funding is Friday the 21st of February, 2025

Closing date for Cruinniú na nÓg funding is Friday the 14th of February, 2025

The overall level of funding available ranges from €500 – €3,000.

Further information, full details and application forms available at www. kilkennycoco.ie

Or by contacting Majella Keating on:

Email: creativeireland@kilkennycoco.ie. Phone: 056 7794338

Men

ny:

Kilkenny County Council’s Creative Ireland Culture Team Announces Open Call for 2025 Creative and Cultural Project Funding. Applications are welcomed from

Cruinniú na nÓg Mayfair Library 2024

Cllr Maria DollardChairperson Keep Kilkenny Beautiful

“On behalf of the committee and volunteers of Keep Kilkenny Beautiful, I want to welcome our ranking as second out of 40 cities and towns and acknowledge our rating as “cleaner than European norms”. Our volunteers are out fortnightly all year round and litter picking is a big part of our annual programme of activities. We work closely with Kilkenny County Council to support their work and contribute to maintaining Kilkenny’s reputation as the best place to live, work and visit. It takes a whole community of people to achieve this status and I want to thank everyone who has contributed through their business, jobs or as volunteers for achieving this great result”.

Kilkenny county council celebrates outstanding cleanliness rating: a leader in environmental standards

Kilkenny County Council is proud to announce that Kilkenny City has been rated as “Cleaner than European Norms” and secured an impressive second place out of 40 towns and cities surveyed by the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL). This accolade reinforces Kilkenny's commitment to maintaining a litter-free environment that meets and exceeds high international standards.

Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr Mick McCarthy added, “This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship. Our aim is not just to meet standards but to set them. By ensuring that Kilkenny remains a clean and attractive place, we are investing in the health and happiness of our community. We would like to thank all stakeholders, local businesses, and residents for their role in achieving this ranking. Together, we can continue to make Kilkenny a beautiful place to live and visit.”

Kilkenny has a rich history of environmental accolades, including its former title as an IBAL winner. The City boasts several topranking sites, each contributing to its stellar reputation. The Kilkenny Train Station, both inside and out, received Grade A ratings, showcasing the diligent management and absence of litter in a bustling transport hub. Other Grade A sites include the picturesque Friar’s Bridge and Market Cross Shopping Centre, both noted for their clean, wellmaintained spaces that enhance the City’s charm.

commented on this achievement: “Our outstanding ranking is a testament to the dedication of our community and the hard work of Kilkenny County Council, Kilkenny City Area Office staff and our voluntary groups including Keep Kilkenny Beautiful Committee in maintaining the beauty and cleanliness of Kilkenny City. We continuously strive to create a welcoming environment for both residents and visitors. It is heartening to see our efforts recognised, especially in areas like Kilkenny Train Station and Parliament Street, which have been noted for their exemplary management and presentation.”

The survey highlighted various aspects of Kilkenny’s infrastructure, such as the attractive streetscapes on Parliament Street, the well-presented R712 Approach Road, and the immaculate condition of the Bring Centre at St. Canice’s Car Park. Each of these locations showcases the collective effort to maintain excellent standards in cleanliness and presentation.

Kilkenny County Council encourages all residents and visitors to keep up the great work that has earned our City this distinguished status. As we continue to prioritise environmental awareness, let us all play our part in making Kilkenny not just cleaner than European norms, but also a leading example in sustainability and cleanliness.

Mayor of Kilkenny Municipal District, Cllr. Andrew McGuinness,

Repeal planning, says Kelleher

Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher has said the next Government must use the opportunity of a change in administration to radically alter the planning and permitting processes in Ireland’s housing system.

Mr Kelleher, an MEP for Ireland South, was commenting after meeting with and engaging with home-

builders and developers in recent weeks who outlined that, on average, it takes longer for a new housing development to go through the planning process than it does for the physical homes to be actually built.

“Progress has been made and it is clear that we will hit 40,000 homes in 2025.

However, I do not believe

The surge in the winter vomiting disease globally

Analysis

Plenty of people likely kicked off 2025 hunched over a toilet — but not because they’d imbibed too much on New Year’s Eve. Norovirus, informally dubbed the “winter vomiting disease,” is making its rounds this winter.

Weekly test positivity rates have so far surged by 340% globally during the 2024–25 season, while Norovirus test positivity reached a season high of 22% the week ended December. 21, up from 5% the week ended August. 3. And the rate had jumped from 11%, a 109% increase in five weeks.

These data may be an underestimation of the gastrointestinal disease’s reach. Norovirus can only be confirmed by laboratory PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing and, especially during the holiday season, people who were ill may have been too sick or otherwise unable to access clinical care.

Anyone can catch Norovirus — the leading cause of vomiting, and foodborne illness at any time of year. But most outbreaks happen from November through April. In addition, we’re in the middle of respiratory virus season and holiday travel and gatherings. Unofficially, Norovirus is one of the illnesses spurring a nationwide ‘quaddemic’ along with flu, Covid, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

Though Norovirus is some-

times called the “stomach bug” or “stomach flu” and may cause symptoms similar to those of influenza viruses, the contagious pathogen has nothing to do with the flu.

Norovirus triggers gastrointestinal inflammation, which typically results in these symptoms:

Body aches, diarrhea, fever, headache, nausea, stomach pain and vomiting.

Even after you feel better, you can spread the illness to others for more than two weeks.

There is no Norovirus vaccine yet, which means practicing tried-and-true public health protocols are your best bet for avoiding infection, says Dr. Robert Hopkins Jr., medical director of the US National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

“It’s important to cover your coughs, ideally with your sleeve or with a handkerchief, not your hands,” Hopkins told Fortune magazine. “Stay away from people who are sick, stay home when you’re ill, contact your health care professional about whether you need to get tested and about symptomatic measures.

“It’s important to stay active, particularly outdoor activities. Stay healthy as far as your eating and your fluid intake. And depending on what your health status is, you may really want to be careful about being in crowds, because that’s a natural breeding ground for those viruses to spread from person to person.”

Carbon monoxide kills local man sheltering on night of big freeze

The funeral of a Kilkenny fatherof-five who died in a campervan from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning has taken place.

The body of Gerry Kennedy, from Tikerlevan, Coppenagh, was found in nearby Thomastown at midday on Sunday, January 5.

Mr Kennedy is believed to have been socialising in Thomastown on the Saturday and decided to stay in his vehicle that night.

the current system will ever be capable of reaching the 60,000 plus homes that we need to stabilise our housing system and address the housing crisis.

“The reform of the Planning Act helped in recent years, but we need to go further. I worry that the planned investment in water infrastructure will not deliver tangible

results due to delays in permitting and planning. This is an essential component of delivering homes in regional and rural Ireland.

“I have repeatedly called for Ireland’s lethargic planning and permitting system to be overhauled. It is holding us back as a society. Now is the time to do it; a new government with a new, stronger

mandate must grasp this issue, and finally address it.

“There are many in Ireland who would lay the blame on the EU for the slow and lethargic systems we deal with in Ireland. This is far from reality,” he said.

“The gold-plating of regulation in Ireland is a decision of Ir ish authorities. Over the last five years, I’ve seen how

other Member States apply European regulations, and they are not as onerous as they are in Ireland.

“We have a generational chance, with a new government, to change how w e build in Ireland. We owe it to our people to use this opportunity to secure their housing future,” said Mr Kelleher

Pucked, which plays at The Watergate Theatre on February13, is a fast paced, comedic, theatrical, one-man blockbuster which tells the story of the young and ambitious Matty Daly. Immersed in the GAA from birth, Matty has one dream and one dream only, to play on his senior team.

Pucked tackles issues such as self- confidence, individualism, masculinity and ambition with humour and energy, all the while celebrating the greatest sport on earth, hurling.

Writer and performer,

245,000

It has been reported that he turned on the engine in a bid to stay warm during a freezing cold night and carbon monoxide may have seeped in.

On his death notice on RIP.ie, it states: “ Sadly missed by his sons Jack, Danny, Tom and Jamie, his daughter Lucy, their mother Denise, his parents Jim and Ann Kennedy, his brothers PJ, Michael, Niall and James, his sister Bernie, his extended family and many friends.”

About 245,000 people accessed the free contraception scheme at least once during the first nine months of 2024, new figures show.

The scheme, which is open to women, girls and other people identifying as transgender or non-binary was introduced in September 2022, initially for those aged between 17 and 25. It was expanded later in the year to include 26 to 30-yearolds and then further expanded to include women aged 31 last January and to those aged between 32 and 35 in July. It

Cathal Ryan comes from The Ragg in Tipperary and jokes that there, you’re born with a hurley in your hand. Immersed in the GAA from a young age, he ‘lived in that bubble’ until he found theatre at the age of 17. With a grand-uncle involved in Thurles Drama Group, he went to plays often throughout childhood, but it never occurred to him that he could do it. Or, as he says, he never did it in case he’d miss training.

Cathal went to NUIG in Galway to study performance and made up for

was projected to reach 320,000 women by the end of the year.

This compares with just under 189,000 women who accessed the scheme last year.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said he was “very pleased by the strong uptake” in the scheme.

“We introduced the free contraception scheme in recognition of the barriers that many women faced in accessing contraception affordably. No one should have to bear disproportionate financial costs because of their gender,” he said.

Pucked for Watergate Theatre

lost time by totally immersing himself in theatre and performance. Cathal was then accepted onto The Lir Academy’s BA Acting degree, claiming one of the 16 places on offer. He completed his training in October 2021.

Pucked as a play came out of a conversation that Cathal had with Brendan Maher, artistic director of the Source Arts Centre in Thurles. “Brendan attended an online graduation play of mine that fellow Lir graduate and Clonmel native Jack Reardon directed, and told me to get in touch when I graduated.”

“With Pucked, I don’t want to teach anything but I’d hope that people coming to the play, particularly young men, might feel that there are thoughts in it that they’d share.” With encouragement from dramaturg Gavin Kostick and Bryan Burroughs, both tutors at The Lir, Cathal approached the Source Arts Centre who funded a first draft of Pucked. “My classes with Bryan were a huge inspiration for the show,” Cathal says. “He really opened my eyes to the limitlessness of theatre.”

“The scheme is providing women with financial freedom when making choices about their reproductive health.

Since its launch in September 2022, we have expanded it rapidly in response to clear demand.

“It’s one of many developments in women’s health in recent years that reflect our ongoing efforts to provide a quality, accessible and equitable health service for all, regardless of ability to pay.”

Women who have had coils, IUDs, IUSs or implants in-

serted while eligible for the scheme will remain eligible for follow-up care related to their devices after their 36th birthday to ensure continuity of care.

The provision of this service was supported by an additional €4m in funding through the Women’s Health Fund under the Women’s Health Action Plan 2024-2025. A total of €48m was allocated to the scheme this year and almost 2,400 GPs and 2,050 pharmacies are providing services under the scheme.

The Fact Of The Matter

Paul Hopkins

How I see the world unfold in 2025

Economy notwithstanding, Ireland is emerging from what has been a lost decade for many – in housing and health and emigration – and we are, hopefully, emerging with a new Government with a greater sense of what needs to be done. That said, Ireland’s growth rate is to plummet in the next 15 years, according to long-term growth prospects calculated by the Central Bank and published in the Business Post.

It’s important we are engaged in shaping and influencing the debate about the future of Europe – particularly in the time of Donal Trump and his threats of tariffs. Ireland’s over-reliance on US corporate taxes could spell trouble, if we don’t have plans to shield the economy from potential US-EU trade wars.

There’s also the problem for farmers and Irish beef and the new South America conglomerate given the green light to export beef into Europe. And

there’s still the housing and health and successive governments’ failures to resolve the issues, once and for all. Political asylum seekers need to be addressed too.

Once Donald Trump is inaugurated he will have the authority to get stuck in. Top of the list are America’s fraught relations with Russia and China. On the former, the question will be what relationship to play for with Vladimir Putin. It is anticipated Trump will push a land-for-peace deal with Ukraine, but let’s see if he tries – like many US presidents in their first year – to reset the relationship with Russia, either by pressing for strategic stability talks or, more consequentially, for a plan for Europe’s security that integrates Russia. While arms-control talks would be welcomed, expect resistance if Trump attempts a more ambitious resetting of the relationship. China may be the less urgent relationship but, for

America, the global economy and international stability, it is the more important one. Will Trump follow through on his threat of extra tariffs on Chinese imports and lean in to the defence of Taiwan, or will he attempt a deal that sees China leverage its partnership with Russia to secure a deal in Ukraine, in return for a reduced US commitment to Taiwan?

In 2025, action on global AI governance will come into sharper focus. In February, governments, tech companies, scientists and experts will meet in Paris to discuss how to build ‘public-interest’ AI at the AI Action Summit. Canada’s G7 presidency is expected to focus on a shared approach to emerging technology, which could see G7 and OECD efforts to advance safe, secure and trustworthy AI development. New rules on general purpose AI from the EU’s flagship ‘AI Act’ will come into effect in August. This regula-

tion, the first of its kind, could also help advance a globally influential ‘code of practice’ for AI companies to abide by.

The German Bundestag elections on February 23 will shape European politics in 2025. Brought forward from September after the coalition government’s collapse, the elections

“Growth rate is to plummet in the next 15 years

should bring renewed life to German political leadership. Germany’s economy – the EU’s largest – contracted for the second consecutive year in 2024, and the traditional backbone of its economy, the car industry, is struggling. The new government will have to confront these issues.

Beyond Germany, the new European Commission is expected early in the new year to publish a white paper on defence, towards a more coordinated and integrated approach to European security.

NATO is keeping a wary eye on the EU’s efforts, but they need to work together to build a stronger defence industrial base, particularly given the reelection of Donald Trump and his wavering commitment to transatlantic security.

The negotiation of the ‘Pandemic Agreement’ – which would be the first global accord to address international co-operation specifically on pandemics (and there will

be more) – is in overtime and needs to be ready for adoption in May at the World Health Assembly in Geneva. It remains unclear whether agreement can be achieved, and how meaningful the substance would be.

More countries will look to increase their self-sufficiency in health security through regional co-operation and other alliances. The re-election of Trump will encourage a shift in global health leadership this year, but whether this gap is filled by middle powers, countries in the Global South or centres of power like the EU remains unclear.

Meanwhile, negotiations to resolve the world’s most persistent conflicts will continue in 2025. The wars in Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine as well as recent developments in Syria — each carrying grave geopolitical and humanitarian consequences — will remain central to global peace and security.

Tommy Harding

There was huge sadness across Gowran Parish and beyond with the passing of Tommy Harding on Monday 9th December. Tommy was a much loved character who was a Liverpool fanatic, and for several years he was a very popular member on stage with The Gowran Pantomime Society where he performed alongside his close friend John Walsh.

Tommy was based in Kingsriver Community, Ennisnag where he was looked after by the wonderful team with the most wonderful care, and he was part of a wide range of activities in the centre. He was also part of SOS Kilkenny and his engaging and outgoing personality helped him make friends easily. He enjoyed so many great

days out with his great friend Tony McDonagh as they often travelled around together, and one year both Tommy and Tony enjoyed a memorable holiday together in Australia.

Tommy was also a supporter of Young Irelands and Kilkenny Hurling, and he was a lucky mascot to the Young Irelands Teams that won County Senior Finals in 1996 and 2002.

As mentioned he was a Liverpool fanatic, and it was only most fitting and apporiate and fitting that You'll Never Walk Alone was played at the end of his funeral mass. Tommy passed away peacefully on 9th December 2024, surrounded by his family in the care of the wonderful team at Kingsriver Community. Predeceased by his parents Anna and Jim, Tommy will be sadly missed by his sisters Mary and Anne, his brothers, Jim, John and Philip, and his extended family and many friends and also sadly missed by his adopted family in Kingsriver Community and all his housemates and friends in SOS Kilkenny. His months mind mass is expected to take place this weekend, weekending 12th January.

The Eco defenders: A story empowering kids to protect the planet

16-Year-Old TY Student Combines Storytelling and Climate Action

My name is Jaysen John, I am a transition year student at CBS secondary school Kilkenny. As a 16-year-old Transition Year student, I am excited to introduce my children’s book, The Eco Defenders: Battle for Earth - Written for my enterprise module, this book delivers an engaging story packed with action, adventure, and an important environmental message. The story follows four kids who are granted extraordinary eco-powers by Gaia, the spirit of the Earth. Together, they form The Eco

Defenders, a team dedicated to protecting the planet. Each member has a unique power: ReCycler turns trash into trees and renewable energy, AquaForce cleans polluted waters, SolarFlare harnesses solar energy, and WindRider clears smog and pollution. Their mission is to stop the villainous Smog King, who is destroying forests, polluting oceans, and heating up the planet. In their final battle, The Eco Defenders are joined by kids from around the world to defeat the Smog King and restore balance to nature. The story highlights how small actions—like recycling, conserving energy, and planting trees—can make a big difference.

To bring the book’s message to life, each copy includes a seeded pencil. Once it is used, the pencil can be planted to grow into a tree or plant, symbolizing the small but impactful steps we can all take to protect the environment. It’s a simple way to show that action can follow inspiration.

Priced at €5, The Eco Defenders: Battle for Earth is available at Khan’s Bookshop or by contacting 089 9877916.

Climate Change

– are we all playing our part?

WEEK 100

'Life goes on through light and darkness'

Writing this book has been an incredible journey, allowing me to share my love of storytelling and my passion for the planet.  I hope this book not only entertains but also empowers kids to take steps toward saving the planet and to join the fight against climate change, one story and one planted pencil at a time. Together, we can all be “Eco Heroes”!

USIT announces cut-off dates for J1 Visa

USIT, Ireland’s leading provider of international work and travel programs, has announced application cut-off dates for its 2025 J1 Visa programme. With spaces already filling up, students keen to live out their American dream this summer are encouraged to apply for USIT’s J1 program as soon as possible.

Those looking to start their J1 Visa in May must apply by January 31, and by February 15 for a June departure. With employment opportunities available in some of the most popular destinations across the States, including Chicago, New Jersey, New York, Los Angeles, and San Diego, Irish students

Aware seeks volunteers to join its support team

Aware, Ireland’s national organisation providing support, education and information services for people affected by depression and bipolar disorder, is seeking new volunteers to join its support team.

Aware relies on the passion and dedication of its community of some 400 volunteers to enable the organisation to continue to provide its free support services nationwide, essential services that have a profound impact on individuals and families throughout Ireland. No prior qualifications or experience is required, as comprehensive training as well as ongoing support and education is provided by the organisation. Applications are being accepted now at www.aware. ie.

Aware volunteers are a hugely diverse group of all ages and from all walks of life. Some have their own experience of mental illness, either directly or through supporting a loved one, which has inspired them to want to support others going through similar experiences. Other reasons for choosing to volunteer include an interest in mental health, desire to give back to the community, add to or enhance skill sets, meet new people or simply having some spare time.

Aware is currently recruiting volunteers for the following areas:

Support Line: The Aware Support Line is a crucial service providing callers with telephone support and information about issues relating to their own mood or the mood of a friend or family member who may be experiencing depression, bipolar disorder or other mood related conditions. It operates 365 days a year from 10am-10pm.

are urged to sign up early to secure their preferred location and dream job in this rite-of-passage summer experience.

An in-person Hiring Fair for jobs in Chicago will be held on January 21 and 22 at the Gresham Hotel in Dublin, with more fairs for other indemand locations to be an-

nounced soon. These are the first in-person hiring fairs since the pandemic, offering students the chance to connect in person with the largest pool of US employers, including some of the world’s most recognised brands. With decades of experience placing young people in dream jobs across the US,

USIT supports students every step of the way, including helping friends find work in the same location and providing full support throughout the booking and job placement process.

For those keen to get housing and a job together, USIT has employers live on its Job Hub. Some employers are offering accommodation free of charge with server and snack bar attendant positions with rates of $16 to $20 an hour for Nantucket and New York Country Clubs, as well as free staff meals and end-of-season bonuses. To view positions you must be signed up to the USIT Job programme.

Support & Self Care Groups offer a space where people living with depression and bipolar disorder can talk openly with peers in a group setting and explore the helpful options available. The groups take place virtually via Zoom and phone in, with a number of in-person locations to include Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Kerry and Waterford.

Life Skills Online: Based on the principles of CBT, this is an eight-week programme designed to help participants learn more about how we think and how this can influence our actions in helpful or unhelpful ways. Participants benefit from the support of an Aware volunteer each week as they work their way through the programme.

It is important that potential volunteers are compassionate, possess good communication skills, take direction and show enthusiasm and passion for mental health and the work of Aware. It is also vital that applicants are willing to make a weekly commitment to Aware (around three hours), participate in ongoing training as required and are confident using technology.

As part of the recruitment process, all volunteers are guided through a series of training sessions to teach them how to respond to various scenarios by allowing clarification, consideration of options and encouraging helpful actions while adhering to Aware’s ethos, policies and procedures. These opportunities are available to people all over Ireland over 21 years of age. Aware can facilitate and support remote volunteering. For more information, please visit: www.aware.ie or phone Aware on 01 6617211.

Commenting on the release of November’s Homeless report by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, which sees levels move to historic highs, David Carroll, Chief Executive of Depaul, is calling on the incoming Government to take radical action as we witness never before seen homelessness numbers of 15,199, including 2,168 families, now

Gardaí are urging the public for help in tracing the whereabouts of a young man missing from Kilkenny for nearly a week. At time of going to press,

accessing local authority managed emergency accommodation.

“Today’s publication lays bare the heart breaking reality that thousands of children, families and individuals are now experiencing homelessness in Ireland.

"The obvious truth is the housing market is not working for those most vulnerable, and we have to draw a line in the sand

on what is acceptable and reverse the trend as we begin a new year. We would ask that all social housing being delivered in the first six months of 2025 must be prioritised for those families stuck in temporary accommodation.

"The incoming Government must give hope to those more than 15,000 people languishing in temporary accommodation,

many who have been there for over a year or more and there is no coherent housing plan for those in Direct Provision who have permission to remain in Ireland," he said.

“Housing is the most basic and fundamental need yet a large number of people in this country do not have a secure, affordable, decent place to call home. Something has to change.”

COMPETITION WINNER

Winner of the Christmas gift voucher

Thank you to all who entered the competition draw to win a €200 gift voucher sponsored by The Kilkenny Observer. We were delighted to get such a huge response.

Margaret Casey, volunteer worker at Jack and Jills, Friary Street was delighted to be invited to pick the winner from all the entries. The lucky winner picked by Margaret was Mary Lacey, Riverview, Kilkenny.

Congratulations to Mary who collected the winning voucher from The Kilkenny Observer office for McCarthy’s Supervalu, Newpark Shopping Centre just in time for Christmas.

Are you buying your coal from a registered

Kilkenny County Council in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are raising awareness regarding the continuing sale of bituminous coal in the south of Ireland,

despite the Solid Fuel Regulations implemented in 2022, which prohibit its sale due to significant public health and environmental concerns.

Recent reports have

highlighted the troubling trend of bituminous coal being couriered from Northern Ireland into Southern Ireland, raising serious questions about compliance with local

regulations and the impact of this trade on health and air quality.

Bituminous coal, often referred to as "smoky coal," emits high levels of harmful pollutants when burned, contributing to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and other serious health concerns. Its combustion releases sulphur dioxide, particulate matter, and other toxic compounds, leading to diminished air quality and harming the health of local communities, especially vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.

As part of the ongoing commitment to safeguarding public health and the environment, local authorities and the EPA possess comprehensive enforcement rights to address violations of the Solid Fuel Regulations. This includes monitoring sales practices, conducting inspections, and taking appropriate actions against individuals or businesses found to be operating outside the law.

Local residents are encouraged to play an active role in protecting their communities by remaining vigilant and reporting any suspicious activities related to the sale or transport of bituminous coal. Concerns can be directed to the Environmental Department of Kilkenny County Council. Should you suspect that you or someone you know is purchasing coal from an unregistered merchant, please reach out to the authorities. You can contact the Kilkenny County Council's Environmental Department at environment@kilkennycoco. ie or call 056 779 4470.

Buying from reputable, registered producers with legal produce not only aligns with legal requirements but also supports the health and wellbeing of our communities while contributing to the vital efforts to improve air quality in our region.

Check out the EPA website for a list of producers and a list of registered products: https://www.epa.ie/ourservices/licensing/air/solidfuel-regulations/ Kilkenny County Council and the EPA remain committed to enforcing regulations aimed at reducing pollution and protecting the environment. Together, we can ensure a cleaner, healthier future for all residents of Southern Ireland.

Winning entry drawn by Margaret Casey

Faith O'Neill, The Kilkenny Observer presents the winning voucher to Mary Lacey

As I See It Marianne Heron

Is living happily ever after a myth?

If I have wished friends and contacts happiness once over the festive season, I have done it hundreds of times in greetings. But what chance is there of living happily ever after like Cinderella with her Prince?

Even though we know that real life isn’t like that and that Cinderella and her man will have rows just like everyone else, the myth endures. We expect to be happy and when we aren’t we wish that something – a wand-waving fairy godmother, a pill or a Lotto win –would come along and make our dreams come true.

“The bad news is there is no happiness pill,” says Donna McCallum, author of The Fairy Godmother’s Guide To Getting What you Want. Perpetual happiness might not be very happy anyway, without the contrast of other feelings but happiness is good for us, happy people do better and live longer.

We all have our share of ups and downs but that is not to say that we don’t have an element of personal choice about how much sunshine we let in to our lives. The most hopeful myth busting quote – don’t ask me who said it – I ever came across is:

“Happiness is not a destination, it’s a by-product.” It isn’t a permanent state but comes about as a consequence of the things we do and the way we deal with life. There may not be a happiness pill but people want to know how to get a bit more of that happiness state.

When the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) ran a free online 10-week course on Happiness And Health during the pandemic, nearly 200,000 people signed up for it. How to find happiness books take up a sizeable stretch of the self-improvement section in bookstores, making their publishers happy.

The extent to which we can influence our capacity for happiness depends on a trio of factors in particular: our personality (about 50% is down to heritability) our circumstance (surprisingly only 10%) and the 40% actually within our own control. Whatever else, happiness is a word that we use as shorthand for a whole variety of states from joy to contentment and is part of that general state of well- being which psychologists call Positive Psychological Well-Being.

Imagine asking “Are You PPWB today?”

There is the quick-fix which gives a transitory mood uplift, like eating chocolate or buying a new dress or the long-lived contentment which comes from experiencing loving relationships or good friendship. Another durable kind of happiness is like a byproduct of doing things that

you really love doing, that are you good at, that come naturally because they are in tune with your talents and skills.

“The bad news is there is no happiness pill...

When you are engaged with in such activities time flies and you experience what Hungarian psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmilhalyi terms ‘flow’. It is that kind of engagement in a meaningful challenge with something that matters to you, that charges up your happiness batteries and builds up your reserves of resilience. It means being in tune with who you really are, to self-actualise which psychologist Carl Jung termed individuation.

Guarding against things that make you feel down helps: avoiding perfectionism when ‘good enough’ will do and becoming aware of the negative things your inner voice is telling you and reframing or challenging them.

Some of the things that we imagine may make us happy may not have as much influence as we imagine.

Take money, once you have enough to get by, becoming

wealthier doesn’t make a big difference, but rather what does seem to matter is how well off you are relative to others. But it seems that as nations become wealthier surveys suggest that they become less happy.

Martin Seligman, proponent of positive psychology in his book Authentic Happiness, has a useful acronym PERMA for the things that contribute most to a happy mental state. The five letters stand for Positivity or having a glass half-full take on life, Engagement, being involved. Relationships, with strong bonds with your nearest and dearest as well as wider social contact, plus Meaning doing something that is important to you and in tune with your values and Achievement, the sense of having done what you set out to do. Now I’ve written this I feel happier!

Let’s get motivated!

At this time of the year after all the festive indulgence you’re probably feeling bloated, sluggish or tired; unable to summon the drive you need to kick-start your new year with some healthier habits.

The festive holidays allow us to indulge, relax and retreat; very important for most people who juggle busy lifestyles, however it can be difficult to get back to reality. You may have slept more, eaten more and had a change in routine

that slowed everything right down for you, so now it’s time to wake up your mind, body and soul to freshen up and begin a new year. But how do we go about that when we struggle to peel ourselves off the sofa, or find ourselves still eating dessert three times a day?

I spoke with AoifeRose Personal Trainer, and to her the answer is simple: baby steps. Your end goal might be to run a marathon this year or lose that extra stone you have gained-- but that won’t happen overnight. You want your journey to be positive and enjoyable, so that the changes you are creating are sustainable.

Step one is getting ex-

cited about your goal! Think about why it matters to you and how great it will feel to have accomplished it. Disregard negative thoughts that make you avoid putting in the work. To help you cut down on sugars and include a variety of fruit and vegetables in your diet, seek out new recipes and ingredients that will add excitement to the meals you want to prepare. Rather than focusing on the ‘lack of,’ focus on the health and wellbeing benefits: energy, mood, sleep are likely to be boosted alongside feeling much better about yourself. If you have a fitness goal, then remember: your current strength and endurance does not reflect your true ability or potential. The key here is to stay consistent. Hydration is paramount. Increasing your water intake will help cleanse your gut and benefit your skin. It will help reduce cravings, prevent cramps and boost energy and cognition. Fancy it up with some citrus fruits or mint leaves. Supplements may be required for extra energy, muscle pain or motivation. Sit tight for part 2 where myself and AoifeRose explore what supplement could suit you best.

CLAIR WHITTY

Power outages, school closures and dangerous driving conditions have been reported across Kilkenny with the Status Yellow low temperature and ice warning for the entire country extended by Met Éireann until Friday, January 10.

This will lead to very cold nights with widespread frost, ice and lying snow. Temperatures will struggle to get above freezing during the day resulting in hazardous travelling conditions on roads and underfoot, along with travel disruption.

Any weather related issues requiring Kilkenny County Council services can be reported to the council’s emergency helpline number on 056 779 4145.

All calls are logged and responded to appropriately.

Uisce Éireann is urging customers in Castlecomer and surrounding areas to conserve water and protect supply. Usage has increased considerably in the past number of days as freezing weather conditions continue.

That was the week that was SPECIAL REPORT

Uisce Éireann is asking people to do their bit to help maintain adequate supply. Head of Operations Shane Aylward said: “We are appealing to customers to be mindful of their water usage and to conserve water where possible.

“We recommend that people don’t run taps continually as this is not an effective way of preventing frozen pipes and can cause other problems such as frozen drains. It puts further pressure on the local water supply which is already challenged by the freezing conditions. Being mindful of water use at home, on farms and in businesses can make a big difference and alleviate the need for restrictions to supply.

“We are also urging households, businesses and farmers to protect outside

Power outages, school closures and dangerous driving conditions reported across Kilkenny

taps and to insulate exposed pipes and tanks which are particularly vulnerable to freezing. We are asking people to check for leaks and to turn off water to exterior pipes or unoccupied premises,” he said.

“Alternatively, people may consider setting the heating for these areas to come on periodically at a lower tem-

perature. This allows warm air to circulate and will help to prevent pipes and tanks from freezing in the cold weather.”

All schools in Kilkenny faced closures through the past week.

Meanwhile, Kilkenny County Council crews will continue treating main routes where and when nec-

essary.

However, they warned that extreme caution must be exercised on all routes as hazardous conditions are still expected in all areas affected by snowfall.

“In areas of the county with large amounts of lying snow and frozen conditions, people should not travel, especially first thing in the

mornings,” said a council spokesperson.

“Where people must travel we recommend avoiding smaller local roads where there is a national or regional alternative route to get you to your destination, even where that route may be longer.

“We want to avoid people becoming stranded in their

vehicles and/or involved in collisions.”

Gardaí in Kilkenny reiterated the council’s warning: “If you don’t need to travel, please don’t. If you really have to, for example, to go to work, please make sure you are well prepared for the worst as it’s difficult for us to travel to incidents in the snow and ice and you may be on your own for a while.”

Power outages had been reported across Co Kilkenny.

At this time, approximately 538 homes and businesses in Co Kilkenny are without power.

Currently, 392 customers in the Ballyhale area were without power with ESB citing various power restoration times.

Elsewhere in the county, 118 customers in Ballyragget were also without power, while 28 power outages in Castlecomer have also been reported.

However, ESB warned some customers might be without power for several days.

“From our experience of previous significant weather events, we expect that power restoration in the worst affected areas will take multiple days,” said a spokesperson from ESB.

“The freezing temperatures and hazardous conditions are slowing restoration efforts.

“We acknowledge the disruption to family and commercial life this causes and thank impacted customers for their patience as our crews work to safely restore power.

“Real-time information on power outages are being updated on www.PowerCheck.ie. Once we’ve assessed the damage on the network, estimated restoration times will be available. We advise customers to sign up for our ‘Keep Me Updated’ service for power outages on www.PowerCheck.ie to receive theses status updates directly.”

Hospitals under pressure, procedures cancelled

Some hospital and community services in the HSE South East region – and in Dublin – were impacted by the recent and ongoing weather.  Hospitals in Dublin South, Waterford and Wexford have seen very little impact due to the weather, however, they remain busy due to the number of patients presenting with flu and other respiratory illnesses.  While community services in Dublin South and Wicklow have been unaffected by the adverse weather, there may be some disruption in counties Waterford and Wexford. Our services will make every effort to contact those whose appointments have been affected.

The weather conditions has impacted services across Kilkenny, Carlow and Tipperary South with outpatient appointments cancelled throughout the week in St

Luke’s Hospital and Tipperary University Hospital.  St Luke’s Hospital outpatient appointments remain cancelled, however outpatient appointments will go ahead in Tipper-

ary University Hospital. There may also be some disruption to community and day services in these counties, and where possible, their teams will contact those whose appointments are affected directly.

Some community and day services in the Southeast of the country have been cancelled . Hospitals in Waterford and Wexford have not cancelled any appointments. However, they remain busy due to the number of patients presenting with respiratory illnesses.

Martina Queally, REO HSE South East region, said; “We regret the disruption to services and apologise for the impact it is having on our patients and their families. We must do

everything we can to protect the safety of our patients and our staff. As this is a changing weather situation which is expected to continue for a number of days we will continue to monitor the situation and we will communicate any further changes.

“I would like to thank our staff for their continued work to ensure that our patients are being safely cared for across our services. I would also like to recognise the support from our colleagues in An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, Civil Defence Ireland, the Irish Red Cross, the Order of Malta and Mountain Rescue services for the work they have been doing across the region

to ensure the safety of our staff and the community during this difficult time.”

The HSE asking the public to check https://www2.hse.ie/ services/disruptions/ where they will update any additional changes to services will be updated. Patients can also check social media channels and regional and national media.

Finally, despite the extremely difficult conditions in some parts of the region, the HSE would urge anyone requiring urgent emergency care to attend their local Emergency Department for treatment. As always, our Emergency Departments provide emergency care to patients 24/ 7

Despite all, the economy remains robust Your Money & You

In a recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Irish corporate insolvencies have increased by 16% in 2024, the highest level in six years. Though the final count of 852 insolvencies fell short of the anticipated 900, it reflected an unexpected strength in the Irish economy.

Retail and hospitality sectors bore the brunt of these insolvencies, contributing to over 40% of the total cases. Liquidated hospitality companies left behind €380,000 of liabilities on average while retail companies accounted for nearly 24% of all insolvencies, with 200 businesses affected.

Despite these figures, the overall economic backdrop remain robust, with gross national income (GNI) growing by almost 5% for the second consecutive year. Inflation eased leading the European Central Bank (ECB) to reduce borrowing costs. Still, some businesses failed to recover from the continuing impact of

John Ellis

the pandemic and the surge in operating costs driven by global conflicts. The wind up of government pandemic-era tax deferral schemes further exacerbated financial pressures for many companies. Liquidation was the main route constituting nearly 80% of all insolvencies. This trend highlights a substantial number of companies opting for closure over rescue processes. Notable liquidations included fashion retailer Alias Tom, (synonymous with fine tailored suits and high-end men’s fashion for decades) said it had been impacted by changing retail trends, in particular “the move toward less formal workwear”. The prepaid card company PFS Card Services was put into liquidation by an order of the High Court. (Remember that from July 2024, PCSIL-issued cards were placed into “spend only” mode and from January 2025 the cards will be frozen. Should you have a card you

need to act immediately! The lifespan of insolvent companies averaged 13 years, with the shortest lasting 10 months and the longest nearly 60 years. Receiverships represented less than 15% of insolvency cases, reflecting a continuing pattern of lender

patience and restructuring efforts.

PwC’s report sheds light on the limited use of the Small Company Administrative Rescue Process (SCARP) and examinerships, which together accounted for less than 7% of all formal insolvencies.

SCARP, designed for viable small and micro companies, saw a small decrease in usage from 33 cases in 2023 to 30 in 2024.

This underutilisation suggests underlying profitability issues in many insolvent companies, leading to liquidation rather than attempts at a turnaround strategy. “Approximately only one in every 20 insolvent companies are opting for a rescue process,” PwC noted, indicating a preference for winding up over restructuring.

Looking ahead, PwC cautions that the elevated cost of debt could cause further defaults as companies face refinancing challenges at higher rates. They anticipate that 2025 could witness additional business closures due to accumulated economic strains and management fatigue in several sectors.

Despite these figures, PwC underscores the resilience of Irish businesses, with many

“actively transforming operations to future-proof their enterprises”. The emphasis on cash flow management and working capital remains critical, especially as businesses go through a 2025 first quarter quieter trading period. As Irish businesses move into 2025, they must brace for an increasing minimum wage, fluctuating energy costs, and continued inflation. Companies are encouraged to use restructuring processes like SCARP and working more efficiently. And Government and industry leaders must continue supporting enterprise through “flexible financial mechanisms and creating an environment that will drive sustainable growth allowing businesses to not only weather the storm but also emerge stronger and more competitive in the global market”.

john@ellisfinancial.ie 086 8362633

& Wellbeing

Everybody in their 50s should be practising certain fitness exercises to remain sprightly in their later years. Neglecting strength training today could lead to a loss of independence in the golden years of the 70s, 80s, and 90s, experts have warned.

Remaining fit and healthy during retirement is a com mon goal for many, yet it can prove challenging to achieve. Despite certain uncontrol lable factors that influence our future fitness, we still have the power to improve our pros pects for a high-quality later life by embracing exercise, es pecially strength training.

Instagram fitness and nutri tion gurus Milad and Ryan, also known as Tailored Fit PT, delved deeper into this topic in a video posted to their Ins tagram.

They advocated strongly for strength training as a cata lyst for enhancing the lives of aging parents. They said: “Trust me when I say this that strength training is the ultimate quality of life booster for ageing people. It’s so cru cial that I’d encourage you to do whatever it takes to get started.”

In a video they added: “If your parents aren’t actively working on their strength in their 50s and 60s then don’t expect them to be indepen dent in their 70s, 80s and 90s.” With this in mind they shared a 30 minute “beginner-friend ly” and longevity-focused rou tine to help them get started, that includes four exercises.

Step-up with knee drive

The first exercise is a stepup with a knee drive. This involves stepping onto a low platform or stair, holding a weight, and raising your knee high before placing it back down in a controlled manner.

“Not only does this strengthen the legs, but it also improves balance and stabil ity at the same time,” said the coaches. If you find this too challenging, you could start

How to keep fit for your senior years

by performing a lunge while holding weights, going slow on the descent.

Single-arm rows

These are designed to bolster the upper back and enhance posture. The coaches explained: “This is going to ensure they have pain-free shoulders when they dress themselves or even play pick-

To perform this movement, place one hand on a bench for support while the other arm lifts a weight back and up. Keep your legs apart for more support. They added: “Use light weights or resistance bands to begin.”

Goblet squats

These are “excellent” for overall lower body strength and mobility. This is a squat combined with holding a light weight by your chest.

“Not only is this a very functional exercise but translates extremely well to activities of daily life like getting up from the bed, but also improves hip mobility and core strength as well,” they said.

Bicep curl to press

This move involves using dumbbells to perform a curl then lifting the weights above your head before bringing them back down to start again. The fitness experts explained: “This is going to improve grip, bicep and shoulder strength all in one movement, which is integral in tasks like carrying groceries into the house or putting away dishes in overhead shelves.”

If you’re new to this exercise, begin with lighter weights and build up incrementally. But it’s not just about how much you lift – consistency is what really counts.

The coaches added: “Remember, consistency is key. Even starting with two to three sessions a week can make a significant difference in their overall health and indepen-

Why breakfast is most important meal of the day

Thinking about ditching breakfast? Think again.

Scientists have explained why we shouldn’t skip the first meal of the day. It is often called the most important meal of the day for a number of health reasons. However, experts have said the healthiest option is to be mindful of how you eat all day long.

After fasting overnight while sleeping, your first meal of the day — which is typically eaten in the early morning — may help you feel more alert and energetic by replenishing your glucose levels.

However, many of us are very busy, with work, education, family commitments and commuting and it can be very easy to skip the first meal of the day.

A Spanish study on the role breakfast plays in our daily health found that skipping breakfast is a bad idea. The study was published in The Journal of Nutri-

tion, Health and Ageing last month and the scientists compared the diet and health metrics of 383 adults aged 55-75 at a hospital in Barcelona.

All the participants were overweight and had metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

They were all put on a Mediterranean diet rich in vegetables and whole grains to help them lose weight.

The participants’ breakfast calorie intake was tracked by the scientists at the start of the study, two years into the study, and one last time three years into the study, which marked its conclusion.

Those who ate too much or too little for breakfast had between a 2 to 3.5% higher BMI than those who ate the ideal serving.

Blood tests also showed that those who ate too little and those who ate too much at breakfast had higher levels of fat in their blood, which is considered a risk factor for heart disease.

Scientists suggested those who ate breakfast felt fuller during the day and snacked

less and therefore consumed fewer calories overall.

Professor Álvaro Hernáez, one of the study’s authors, said: “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but what and how you eat it matters.

“Eating controlled amounts — not too much or too little — and ensuring good nutritional composition is crucial.

“Our data show that quality is associated with better cardiovascular risk factor outcomes. It’s as important to have breakfast as it is to have a quality one.”

The recommended daily calorie intake for the average person is: 2,500kcal for men and 2,000kcal for women. This means calories for breakfast should be between 500-750kcal for men and 400-600kcal for women.

Arequipa, Peru

Budget: You should plan to spend around €50 (S/.209) a day

The White City dazzles visitors with colonial grandeur at colonial-era prices. Local guesthouses in converted colonial buildings provide atmospheric accommodation without the usual heritage premium, while traditional picanterías serve generous portions of local specialties.

The historic centre can be explored endlessly on foot, offering similar architectural splendour to Cusco at more reasonable rates.

Essaouira, Morocco

You should plan to spend around €50 (MAD557) a day.

·This windswept coastal city offers the perfect blend of culture and relaxation without Marrakech’s premium prices.

Fresh seafood grilled right at the port costs less than fast food back home, while the medina’s riads offer atmospheric accommodation at reasonable rates.

Wind sports enthusiasts can enjoy world-class conditions without worldclass prices, and the artistic atmosphere comes with free gallery browsing.

Aswan, Egypt

You should plan to spend around €17 (E£956) a day

This laid-back Nile city offers ancient Egyptian splendour without Cairo’s crowds or Luxor’s tourist premiums.

Glide down the Nile in a traditional felucca for a fraction of what cruise ships charge, while exploring Nubian villages and the magnificent Philae Temple.

Local markets serve up fresh koshari and grilled fish at prices that shame tourist restaurants, while simple hotels offer Nile views that would cost a fortune in northern Egypt.

From botanical gardens to ancient quarries, Aswan proves you don’t need to break the bank to experience the magic of ancient Egypt.

Kyrgyzstan

You should plan to spend around €20 (KGS1,853) per day.

This Central Asian gem delivers Swiss-Alps-level mountain majesty at backpacker-friendly prices. Stay in traditional yurt camps beside alpine lakes, trek through dramatic valleys, and ride horses across vast steppes for a fraction of what similar adventures would cost in Europe.

Local homestays offer authentic experiences with nomadic families and endless cups of kumis at modest prices.

From the shores of IssykKul to the peaks of the Tian Shan mountains, Kyrgyzstan proves that epic mountain adventures don’t need a Western Europe budget.

Exotic getaways for little or nothing

Gili Air and Gili Meno, Indonesia

You should plan to spend around €20 (Rp351,183) a day. These two smaller Gili Islands offer pristine paradise without the party prices of their bigger sister, Gili T. Meno delivers castaway dreams with empty beaches and resident sea turtles.

Air provides the perfect balance of serenity and sociability. Both islands share crystal-clear snorkelling spots and powder-white beaches at a fraction of what you’d pay in the Maldives.

Both islands share crystalclear snorkelling spots and powder- white beaches at a fraction of what you’d pay in the Maldives.

Simple beachfront bungalows let you live the island dream without

breaking the bank.

Local warungs serve freshcaught fish and Indonesian classics at prices that make dining with ocean views an everyday affair.

Tbilisi, Georgia

You should plan to spend around €30 (GEL94) a day.

·Where ancient meets affordable, Tbilisi captivates with its striking blend of medieval churches, Sovietera architecture, and modern design.

The city’s famous sulfur baths offer spa-like luxury at a fraction of Western prices, while the local wine culture lets you sample worldclass vintages without the premium tag.

Feast on generous portions of khachapuri and khinkali at local markets for pocket change, while exploring the cobblestone streets of the Old Town.

Northern Thailand

You should plan to spend around €35 (฿1,305) a day.

Far from the tourist-heavy beaches of the south, Thailand’s northern region offers cultural immersion and mountain

Here you can trek through hill tribe villages, take cooking classes in ancient temples, and explore night markets for a fraction of what you’d spend in Bangkok or the islands.

Traditional guesthouses and boutique hostels in cities like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provide stylish stays without the premium price tags.

The legendary northern Thai cuisine costs less than street food in the south.

Pokhara, Nepal

You should plan to spend around €40 (NPRs6,029) a day.

This ancient capital looks like a landscape from another planet, where massive boulders cradle ruins of a 14th-century empire, all at backpackerfriendly prices.

Unlike India’s more famous destinations, Hampi offers its UNESCO-listed temples and epic sunsets without the usual tourist premiums.

Family guesthouses in nearby Hospet provide affordable bases, while local restaurants serve up sumptuous thalis at prices that feel like a time warp.

Rock climbing, bicycle rentals, and temple hopping cost little to nothing, proving that exploring one of India’s most spectacular landscapes doesn’t require a maharaja’s budget.

Koh Tao, Thailand

You should plan to spend around €44 (฿1,595) a day. This dive paradise proves that underwater adventures don’t require Maldives-level spending.

Learn to scuba dive at some of the world’s most affordable schools, while staying in beachside bungalows that cost less than a hostel bed in Western destinations.

Simple Thai restaurants and beach bars serve up fresh seafood and cold Chang at prices that let you extend your island time indefinitely.

From snorkelling with reef sharks to watching sunsets on some of the best Koh Tao beaches , Koh Tao delivers world- class marine experiences without emptying your diving fund.

Huacachina, Peru You should plan to spend around €50 (S/.193) a day. This desert oasis proves that unique experiences don’t require deep pockets.

Budget hostels cluster around the lagoon, and sandboarding tours cost less than a typical day tour elsewhere.

Nestled beneath the Annapurna range, Pokhara delivers Himalayan majesty without Kathmandu’s chaos or tourist-trail prices.

This lakeside gem offers world-class trekking, paragliding, and mountain views at a fraction of what you’d pay for similar adventures in other countries.

Local guesthouses serve up hearty dal bhat with infinite refills, while cafes around Phewa Lake dish out both Nepali and Western favorites at prices that encourage long stays.

From free lakeside wandering to affordable boat trips, Pokhara proves that mountain paradise doesn’t need a premium price tag.

Hampi, India

You should plan to spend around €40 (Rs3,858) a day.

Local restaurants serve generous portions of Peruvian classics at prices that encourage long stays, all set against spectacular free desert sunsets.

Hoi An, Vietnam

You should plan to spend around €50 (d1,338,058) a day.

This enchanting UNESCO World Heritage site proves that postcard-perfect doesn’t have to mean expensive.

Budget travelLers can find charming family-run guesthouses in the ancient quarter, while the town’s famous tailors craft custom clothing at prices that’ll make you forget about fast fashion.

The street food scene in Hoi An offers a culinary adventure that won’t dent your wallet, and cheap bicycle rentals make exploring both the historic center and nearby beaches a breeze.

Opinion

Furthermore Gerry Moran

Contradicting the Bible and bare-legged women!

January – the month when folks try to predict what lies ahead in the coming year. I love to peruse the predictions in Old Moore’s Almanac (on the go for a mere 261 years) though they’re not always accurate. It predicted Kerry to win the Football All Ireland in 2024 and Limerick to win the hurling. Didn’t happen.

For 2025 it predicts Dublin and Limerick. Oh, it also predicted that we’d have a new Pope in 2024. No white smoke there.

Here are a few of its predictions for 2025: Ireland: Eurovision drama; Irish news media collapse; and political skirmish with the UK will affect trade relations. Globally: massive natural disaster in Japan; baby for Taylor Swift while AI becomes very dangerous pitting nations against each other.

So, whatever 2025 holds for us here’s what happened 100 years ago in January 1925. An unprecedented incident

marred the touring All Black’s victory over England at Twickenham when New Zealander Cyril Brownlie deliberately kicked an Englishman on the ground and was sent off for foul play; the first time such a severe sanction was applied in an international match.

*****

Crosswords are good for you was the reassuring message from Chicago’s Department of Health. The president of the British Optical Association had fears that the new crossword craze could cause headaches arising from eye strain. The Chicago verdict said solving crosswords gives us a mental kick that is good for our health and happiness which, as we now know, can help ward off dementia.

*****

Women could soon be freed from the drudgery of housework by new machines. Mass production methods in engi-

neering are now being introduced to homes; one example is the new electric washing machine. Catering establishments already have machines for washing dishes and preparing food and experts predict that smaller versions are just around the corner for many people.

*****

The US state of Tennessee has made it a crime to teach the theory of evolution (ie. that we descended from apes) in its schools. The governor said the move was “a distinct protest against an irreligious tendency to exalt so-called science and deny the Bible”. No longer can any teacher in a Tennessee state-supported school propound Darwin’s theories, or any theory, that contradicts the Bible’s account of Creation. Five other southern states are imposing similar laws.

*****

The world descended on

the small Tennessee town of Dayton in the US to watch the trial of a young teacher, John Scopes, on a charge of teaching Darwin’s theory of evolution. The case, known as ‘The Monkey Trial’, was the first to be brought under a new law introduced by Bible fundamentalists. The defence was conducted by Clarence Darrow, a noted civil rights

“Is utterly incompatible with a woman’s dignity...

lawyer, who saw the case as one of tolerance against bigotry. The judge ruled against hearing scientific evidence. John Scopes was found guilty and fined $100. Hundreds of religious fundamentalists cheered, sang hymns and prayed as the jury handed the verdict to the judge. On appeal the State Supreme Court acquitted Scopes on the technicality that he had been fined excessively but upheld the constitutionality of the law.

A movie, Inherit The Wind, is based on the trial.

*****

Adolf Hitler published his book Mein Kampf (My Struggle) written while in prison after a botched attempt to overthrow the government. It was described by his detractors as a rambling mixture of self-pitying autobiography, diatribes against Jews, the glorification of man as a fighting animal and a call to Germans to join the Nazi party.

*****

Influential bishops in Italy banned scantily dressed and bare-legged women from church. The move, said to have the approval of the Pope (Pius X1) came as part of a stinging attack on women’s ‘scandalous’ fashions and their growing involvement in sport which, said the bishops, “is utterly incompatible with a woman’s dignity”. (Wonder what they would have made of Katie, Kelly and Sonia?). Traditionalists were concerned that morals declined as hemlines rose. As well as endangering women’s moral welfare some doctors claimed current fashions may be bad for physical health, causing puffiness and chafing of the legs, rarely a problem with long skirts. The Dean of Durham condemned the trend for ‘educated English women’ to confess their immorality in the divorce courts with ‘utter shamelessness’. Oh dear, oh dear.

When our vote talks, and your TD doesn’t listen The Last Word Pat Coughlan

Democracy — it’s a great idea and important that we defend it but sometimes it feels like we’re just shouting down a well, waiting for o ur vote to echo back with some sense of relevance. Many people across Ireland believe their voices are just polite suggestions in a boisterous Matt the Millar’s pub di alogue. There’s a certain weight in ballots, they say, heavier than the attention our TDs might care to offer.

One can’t help but wonder if there’s a gap in the fabric of democracy here, a disconnect between the promises spun under campaign b anners and the actual deeds. Are we truly feeling politically accounted for, or is it all a bit of a façade in today’s Ireland?

Ever feel like your vote’s just a drop in the ocean, lost in the grand halls of Dáil Éireann? I’ve seen it myself, the way TDs seem to vanish into thin air once the election dust settles.

It’s like they’ve ghosted us, leaving promises hanging like forgotten decorations after a party. Are we just sitting back, quietly stewing, or is there a fire in our bellies ready to demand better? Maybe it’s time we stopped whispering and started shouting for a political system that listens. Ever thought about how other countries keep their politicians on their toes? Take a gander at places with recall systems, such as the US, where voters can give their elected representative the boot if they’re not p ulling their weight. In Germany, mechanisms are in place that allow citizens to propose legislation directly. In Switzerland, referendums are a staple feature, providing an avenue for direct public influence on political decisions. Imagine if we had similar systems here in Ireland —wouldn’t it shake things up a bit? It’s high time

we considered such bold reforms. A system where broken promises have real consequences could be just the ticket to making sure our democracy truly reflects what we, the people, w ant. Maybe it’s time we borrowed a page from our global neighbours and demanded a bit more accountability.

T he Whip system is a curious entity in Irish politics, a double-edged sword of s orts. It keeps the party line tight, ensuring uniformity. But what about the lo cal voices that voted for someone that would bring change? It’s a tricky dance between toeing the party line and listening to constituents. Is this system more a s traitjacket than a support, stifling democracy?

In contrast, countries like Switzerland and the US do not practice the whip system strictly, allowing elected officials more flexibility to vote based on con -

stituents’ interests rather than a rigid party line. This approach encourages a different balance between party objectives and local representation.

The period between elections is where democracy tr uly unfolds, beyond just casting a vote. Democracy’s health depends on o ur actions during inter-

“Wonder if there’s a gap in the fabric of democracy here...

election periods. Are we spectators, or do we hold representatives accountable, ensuring they remember their promises?

As I have said in Switzerland, referendums em power citizens to demand public votes on legislative decisions, directly influencing politics.

G ermany’s public petitions can trigger parliamentary debates if they gather eno ugh signatures, ensuring representatives address p ublic concerns. South Korea uses digital platforms to enhance public sentiment, enabling citizens to demand transparency from officials. These mechanisms show how constituents can engage and monitor their government outside elections, keeping democracy d ynamic and participatory. But we don’t need to set up a Dail committee to carry out a fact-finding exercise that won’t report until after the next elec-

tion. All we need to do is link lo cal democratic institutions (the county council) with national democratic institutions (The Dail). Local TDs could be required by law to attend meetings of their local county council allowing councillors to question them directly on behalf of the people. This would create a more immediate and transparent line of accountability.

It’s clear as day that we deserve a system where every vote doesn’t just whisper but roars. Maybe it’s time we ask ourselves if the current setup really lets our voices be heard. Could borrowing a few tricks from our global neighbours be the ticket? It’s up to us, the everyday folks, to decide if we’re happy with the status quo or if we’re ready to shake things up and demand a democracy that truly listens. What do you reckon?

Sunday 12th January – 12.30pm in Croke Park

Criomhthann

Bergin Raises the Leinster Junior Trophy

AIB All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship

Final

St Lachtain’s ‘Road to Croker’

BY NIALL SHERRY

EDITOR

Steven Farrell’s men stand an hour or so away from claiming the big prize in Junior club hurling. But before you earn the right to hurl in Croker for silverware, you must take care of business in your county, then your province, and that is exactly what this Freshford team has done. There are plenty of banana skins on Noreside and a few teams would have had designs on county glory at the start of the season at Junior level. First up for the Freshford men was a JJ Kavanagh and Sons

Premier Junior Hurling Championship Quarter Final clash with Galmoy in Johnstown in early October. Former county man James Maher was in sparkling form notching 4-3 in his sides impressive total of 4-14 as he won his shootout with young Billy Drennan. UPMC Nowlan Park was the venue for the semi-final encounter with James Stephens and it took a step up in gear during the

James Maher and Oisin Bateman in an aerial battle for possession

second half for Lachtain’s to secure a 10-point victory, having gone in level at the short whistle. The managers halftime team talk clearly worked as they struck 17 points after the interval. Cathal O’Leary top scored for Steven Farrell’s charges, notching 0-9 in an eye-catching display, while James Maher hit five lovely scores from play.

The win over The Village saw St Lachtain’s secure a place in the county decider, where they would face-off against Windgap. This was always going to be a no-quarter given kind of game and it proved to be the toughest test in the Kilkenny championship for the men in black and amber. The crowd in attendance in UPMC Nowlan Park were treated to a real ding dong battle and as the old adage goes, goals win games and this proved correct as two second half majors from Paddy Killeen and top scorer, Cathal O’Leary saw Freshford claim a first title at the junior grade since 1993. Having bagged the county title, it was onto provincial matters next for St Lachtain’s. The visitors to UPMC Nowlan Park were Drumcullen of Offaly and they caused plenty of problems for the Kilkenny champions who repeated their Village 2nd half performance to quash the challenge of the Faithful County team. Majors from Shane Donnelly and Darragh Maher appeared to set Farrell’s men on

their way, but they allowed the visitors to get back into the game before one of their subs, Liam Hickey provided a cameo of his ability with a crucial 3-point haul to help see the Noresiders over the line by six points.

The reward for victory over Drumcullen was a quarter final tie against Dublin side Crumlin in Parnell Park. This game proved to be one of Freshford’s easier assignments in their quest for Leinster glory. A massive 25 points separated the teams at the long whistle, but somehow the men from the Capital were ahead midway through the opening period! A brace of green flags raised by Darragh Maher in the first half saw St Lachtain’s take a commanding fifteen-point lead into the second half. The Kilkenny side showed their thirst for goals on the resumption of play with further majors added from Paddy Killeen, Alan Rafter and Cian Dawson, the latter two from players sprung from the bench, a trait of the depth of this outfit.

Bray Emmets ground was the setting for the semi-final match up against Wicklow champions Avondale. Conditions as usual, not ideal, with the wind playing its part in proceedings. The Garden County side relied heavily on their placed ball specialist and dual star Zach Cullen for keeping the scoreboard ticking over, and the young teacher did just that in the first half, helping his side to a 2-point interval lead. However, with the breeze at their backs, St Lachtain’s delivered another second half masterclass, blitzing their opponents with an impressive 3-13 after the short whistle which saw them reach the provincial decider with 19 points to

spare.

The Leinster decider would see Freshford take on Castletown Liam Mellows in SETU Carlow and this clash lived up to its billing with a real edge of your seat feel to it. A hat trick of goals inside the first five minutes of action set the tone for the provincial final, and at no stage could you confidently predict the winner. Again, James Maher and Shane Donnelly found the net for the Marble City side, but Wexford’s champions wouldn’t go away and went onto to take control of the game, leading by the bare minimum at the interval, thanks largely to Eoin Cullen’s dead ball accuracy and a cracking goal from Jack Higgins. Liam Hickey stepped up and delivered some lovely points, but it would be Cian Dawson’s instant impact from the bench that proved vital in securing the silverware for Steven Farrell’s charges. Dawson’s goal, eight minutes from times saw St Lachtain’s re take the lead and they held on for dear life to claim provincial bragging rights, but more importantly, an All-Ireland semifinal berth.

Duggan Park, Ballinasloe was the venue for the last four contest with Sligo’s Easkey. One of the key traits of this Freshford team, has been their desire and ability to strike for majors and this tremendous quality proved fruitful in qualifying for Sunday’s final. Early strikes from Cathal O’Leary and Darragh Maher gave the Noresiders the platform to secure a deserved victory way out west. A third major, courtesy of Shane Donnelly, coupled with a fantastic shooting display from the very talented Liam Hickey saw St Lachtain’s home by 11-points at full time. Croke Park, here they come!

Cathal Hickey hunts down Stephen Hanrahan

Clash of the stripes!

A change of jersey is likely in Junior decider

St Lachtain’s vs Russell Rovers

encounter, Kilkenny lead Cork in Junior club titles won!

The All-Ireland Junior Club Hurling Championship has proved a fruitful competition for Marble City teams. As Freshford prepare for Sunday’s decider with Cork’s Russell Rovers, they will no doubt have been reminded of our county’s history at this grade. Kilkenny and Cork have provided SEVENTEEN winners of this competition – and one of these counties will add another to their respective tally’s.

As mentioned, the junior title is currently held by Tullogher Rosbercon, who were crowned champions last year, following their 11-point win over another Leeside team in St Catherine’s, whom Russell Rovers defeated to claim their county title earlier this season. There’s no doubt that Criomhthann Bergin will give everything to follow in the footsteps of Tullogher captain, Coleman O Sullivan and take those glory steps up the Hogan Stand and collect the silverware.

Following the Covid pandemic, Mooncoin reached the summit; and again, it was Cork opposition in the shape of Ballygiblin that were put to the sword by Pa Walsh and Co. That win sealed three wins on the bounce by Kilkenny teams, with Dunnamaggin and Conahy Shamrocks claiming the silverware before Mooncoin’s win. Indeed, Conahy’s victory was over none other than Freshford’s opponents this weekend, Russell Rovers.

Another brace of junior titles were gained in 2015 and 2016 as Glenmore and Bennettsbridge triumphed, while Thomastown and St Patrick’s Ballyraggett did the same in 2012 and 2013. The early 00’s saw a trio of victories for Kilkenny sides with junior titles secured by Conahy Shamrocks (‘08), Danesfort (‘07) and the trailblazers of Galmoy in 2005. No pressure St Lachtain’s! Hopefully the Freshford side can make it 12-6 in the Kilkenny vs Cork battle!

which is a Cats vs Rebels

St Lachtain’s will hope to be celebrating on Sunday afternoon

The Kilkenny man who won a VC in Afghanistan

BY JOHN FITZGERALD

A County Kilkenny village has a “heroic” link with Afghanistan. It is unique on these islands for having yielded two winners of the Victoria Cross.

Walter Hamilton of Inistioge died fighting in the war-torn country-but not in any of the recent conflicts in that part of the world. He met his end in September 1879, while defending the British embassy in Kabul from a rebel attack. Six months before, he had been awarded the Victoria Cross for valour.

In picturesque Inistioge, feted as the location of such films as Widow’s Peak and Circle of Friends, Lieutenant Walter Richard Pollock Hamilton received a belated recognition for his bravery at the turn of this century. His name was unknown to villagers until an obscure memorial plaque was unearthed by a team of dedicated local researchers.

A group led by the late Cllr. Andy Cottrell noted all churchyard and grave stone inscriptions in the locality for inclusion in a book on the village. While working on the project in St. Mary’s Churchyard, Betty Gannon found the plaque and read the small print relating to a local man

who lost his life in “foreign climes.”

The letters “V.C.” after his name caught her attention immediately. She knew these as the initials of Britain’s highest award for valour. But the discovery startled her: Betty knew of Inistioge’s other V.C. winner, Captain Robert Johnston, who was killed in the Boer War and is buried in St. Columcille’s Churchyard.

She was unaware of a second recipient of the famous medal in the area. “I was just doing my job”, Betty told me, “collecting details from the hundreds of crosses and tombstones in the churchyard. It’s good to learn of this forgotten hero from the village.”

Other locals felt that Walter Hamilton’s deeds may have been overshadowed by the behaviour of the Black and Tans in Inistioge during the War of Independence. One man surmised: “The bitterness and resentment generated locally by the Tans and the whole struggle against British rule could have resulted in this brave man’s memory being brushed aside or suppressed. But that’s all in the past. We can now salute a great Irishman and local hero.”

The inscription on the plaque reads: “Walter Richard Pollock Hamilton, Lieutenant, Staff Corps and Corps of Guides, Indian Army. He fought in the 2nd Afghan war.

He was 22 years old when he received his V.C. award for bravery on 2nd April, 1879 at Futtehbad, Afghanistan.

“Lt. Hamilton led a charge of the Guides Cavalry against very superior numbers of the enemy. When his commanding officer fell, the Lieutenant, the only officer left with the regiment, assumed command and cheered his men on to avenge the death of the commanding officer.

“In this charge, seeing that a soldier was down, entangled with his dead horse, and be-

ing attacked by three of the enemy, Lt. Hamilton rushed to the rescue, cutting down all three and saving the life of the soldier.

Walter Hamilton was killed on September 3rd 1879 at Kabul, Afghanistan, aged 23 years and 16 days.”

The Inistioge research group went on to elicit further information on Walter Hamilton from Internet Web sites dealing with the Wars of the British Empire. This data revealed that he was born on August 18th, 1856, the

fourth son of Alexander and Emma Hamilton of Inistioge. He was gazetted to the 70th Regiment in 1874, before transferring to the Corps of Guides, an elite regiment of the Indian Army.

Partly due to his courageous action at Futthebad, which won him the V.C., he was chosen to command the 75 men of the Corps of Guides who accompanied the British mission to Kabul. Under a Treaty signed in April 1879, between the British and Amir Yakub Kahn of Afghanistan, Britain proposed to establish an embassy in Kabul, the capital.

The Treaty guaranteed the mission’s safety, and the Amir gave his word that no harm would come to British personnel or servants of the embassy. So, the mission set off for Kabul in July 1879.

But on September 3rd, Afghan troops launched a sudden and unprovoked attack on the British residency. These troops were soon joined by thousands of civilian rebels. Four Britons and 69 Indian soldiers faced this overwhelming force.

An urgent message went out to the Amir, reminding him of the Treaty and his word of honour regarding the mission’s safety. The message was ignored. Fierce fighting raged throughout the day. Hamilton’s fellow British officers were cut down.

The Afghan warlords called

upon the tiny garrison to surrender, but Hamilton was not “the surrendering kind”. He and his Guides fought desperately, without fear and without hope. They charged repeatedly out of the Residency to bayonet the crews of artillery ranged against them. The residency was ablaze and the building started to collapse. After 12 hours of fighting, the surviving defenders charged to their deaths. The 73-strong force accounted for over 600 Afghans before being wiped out by the attackers. Among the fallen was Walter Hamilton. Cllr. Cottrell, who represented Inistioge for many years, found it ironic that Hamilton’s heroic exploits had come to light at a time when Afghanistan was again in the news for all the wrong reasons. He opined: “He was a very brave man, and I believe Inistioge now has yet another claim to fame. Heroism is timeless and we’re proud of Walter Hamilton. We’ve checked up on this and we know that Inistioge in the only village in the British Isles that can boast of two V.C. winners. Great credit is due to Betty Gannon and her colleagues on the FAS sponsored research project.”

So, coupled with the resolve it showed in the face the Tans, Inistioge with its two VCs could well lay claim to be a village of heroes!

The village square in picturesque Inistioge

Walter Hamilton of Inistioge who won the Victoria Cross

By PM O’Sullivan

Philip Hardy’s life, so productive in his chosen field, turned into a Kilkenny life. His course could have tilted in several other directions. Not away from the world of theatre, not after he left his teens, by which time that passion had begun to rustle and ripen. But certainly along different paths, different countries. There was no guarantee that he would found Barnstorm Theatre Company in 1991 and enrich Kilkenny’s cultural life for more than three decades.

“I suppose the roots were there,” Hardy notes. “My mother is pure bred Inistioge. But my father was from Dundalk. They settled in Dublin, and we were brought up there.”

He takes me to his primary school: “I was a boy soprano. When I was 11, they decided my voice was no longer any good. What they didn’t say was: ‘Your voice is changing and therefore…’ They just said: “You’re not in the choir any longer.” And I was absolutely disgusted, gutted.”

He elaborates with enjoyable wryness: “To make things worse, they cast me in a Nativity play. But we were an all boys school. And what was I cast as…? The Virgin Mary. With a Pocahontas wig. Black plaits.

“I never sang again. I did nothing in theatre.”

He takes me to his teens: “But I did have an absolute passion for film. I was working in a restaurant job in O’Connell Street, and I hated it. Shift work, and I’d be thinking: ‘What am I doing with my life at all?’ I was 18 or so at the time.

“I remember looking at the Yellow Pages to see if anything interesting was coming up in film. And I found the Brendan Smith Academy of Acting – by pure fluke. It was a one night a week academy in Dublin. So I applied.”

Some inchoate but powerful dynamic gathered. As Hardy recalls: “That academy cast me as the lead in one of their shows. And the bug bit. I then went to the Guild Hall [School of Music & Drama] in London and trained.”

That young man returned to Dublin after graduation. Philip Hardy has a creative restlessness, a productive discontent with received ideas. As he recounts: “Back then, I worked with fellow actors preparing for auditions. We realized there were no female playwrights in Ireland. We set up a process to find some.

“I knew, through the Abbey [Theatre], this young woman had a brilliant script. And I just bumped into her on the street, and said what I was at. She said: “Can I come along?” And I said: “Of course.” And she did.

“We devised a play with her, produced in the Project Arts Centre in 1989, called ‘Low in the Dark’. It was by a completely unknown playwright who is now world famous, Marina Carr.”

Momentum sped: “That play became so successful that the Abbey decided they’d take up the option on her first one. Marina was a brave young woman and said: “Only if Philip directs it.” And they went: “No way.” I had only directed Low in the Dark by fluke. But Marina wouldn’t budge.

“Anyway, the Abbey offered me two shows as an Assistant Director. Then I could direct Marina’s play, Ullaloo.”

Another helpful contingency came stepping: “I met Patrick Mason in the street. He asked what I was at, and I told him. He said: “Do you know, I’m about to do a new play in the

The drama of a Kilkenny life

Translations by Brian Friel Curriculum Play Live! 2016 Paul Derby, Alan Butler and Brendan Corcoran

Monday’s Child by Brendan Murray TYA 2014 Iseult Casey and Noelle Browne

The Messenger by Mike Kenny Centenary of Celebrations 2016 Conal O’Shiel

Abbey, and I need an Assistant.” He gave me a script called Dancing at Lughnasa.

“And of course that Brian Friel masterpiece took off, and I with it. I ended up going to the National Theatre in London, because the show was transferring.”

But life intervened. A family tragedy brought Hardy back home. “I was still in London,” he reprises. “Working in the National Theatre, as a staff director. But I didn’t particularly like it. So I left the National, went to Inistioge. And decided to give up theatre, completely.”

But a fire was merely smouldering: “A few months passed, and then the need came back. So I went into Kilkenny and met the Arts Officer, an absolutely amazing woman called Margaret Cosgrave. And she blocked everything.

“She said: “Here it is, for me. I’ve come across you, and your type, so many times. Three months down the road, you’ll be gone, with all the effort I put in gone too.”

And I said: “Well, it won’t happen with me.”

And she said: “Right, then. Let’s go for it.” And we did.”

He enlarges on this new life: “I started with the Youth Theatre, in September ’91, and founded Barnstorm. Two months later, the Abbey phoned, to say Dancing at Lughnasa was transferring to New York, and to ask: ‘Would you go with it?’ And I was immediately saying: ‘Wow…’

“I was to get back to them on a Tuesday – this was a Friday – to sign contracts. And over the weekend Margaret’s voice came into my head and I thought: ‘It’s only because it’s Broadway. I’ve done this show before. I promised I wouldn’t back out after three months.’ So I phoned them and said: “No, sorry, give it to somebody else.” I stayed.”

To many Kilkenny people’s tremendous benefit. But that Philip Hardy, still in his early thirties, remained undeceived: “I was not a theatre director. Not really, not yet. So we started by doing all different genres of theatre, to find out how you make these things. We did farce, Restoration comedy, Irish classics. And the Watergate [Theatre] opened in 1993, managed by Ger Cody, which was a massive help.

“Then another question: how do you make theatre for young audiences? How could we open the temple of dreams, as the theatre building, for children and young people? Be accessible, above all else.”

Hardy had found his quest. Initiative

followed initiative: “We introduced ‘The Strolling Players’, a community based project where we went to villages and town squares and encouraged the local community to create a festival around the show.

“Then we moved to Castlecomer – lock, stock and barrel – for 16 months. And devised and created what became The ’Comer Story, a community play, and it was huge. So was our Millennium play, River Through Time, where we worked with 350 people in Burgess Court in Kells.”

He continues: “Around 2006, I started the Adult Theatre Club. For adults wanting to explore theatre. A two year course. It was a real success, that course.

“In 2016, I approached Ger about another project. We decided to present what we called ‘the curriculum play’, the play on the Leaving Certificate curriculum and so on. Ger went into partnership with us. We have had students coming from Dublin and Limerick to see these plays.”

There is no let up. “Janice de Bróithe took over in January as Artistic Director of Barnstorm,” Hardy emphasizes. “She’s already developing the next play, Brendan Murray’s Hair and Tortoise.”

February 2025 will see a much anticipated rerun. As he details: “We started our lunchtime theatre season in The Home Rule Club, aimed at people who might not normally go to plays. Started it with The Quiet Land by Malachy McKenna. Turned out great. And we have done two more since.”

He clarifies: “This new version of The Quiet Land is a joint venture between Barnstorm and Lake Productions. But we decided on an evening show this time. We reckon it will sell out. It’s a small audience, only 60.”

Another hinge, another departure. Philip Hardy concludes with a smile: “People keep saying that I’m retiring. I’m not. I’m actually just stepping away from Barnstorm. I still love theatre.

“I just wish Margaret [Cosgrave], that great woman, was around now, because it’s 33 years of not backing out.”

‘The Quiet Land’ by Malachy MacKenna and featuring Brendan Corcoran and Ger Cody runs at the Barnstorm studio on John’s Quay from Thursday January 30 to February 2 at 7pm nightly. The production is being run to coincide with the Saint Brigid’s festival .

The Bockety World of Henry & Bucket by Sarah Argent TYA 2013 Paul Curley and John Currivan

The Song from the Sea by Mike Kenny 2011 Puppet Josh

Alice in Wonderland by CS Lewis/Anna Galligan Youth Theatre 2015 Ensemble

Translations by Brian Friel Curriculum Play Live! 2016 Paul Derby, Alan Butler and Brendan Corcoran

Jack by Mike Kenny 2009 Sarah Johnson, Paul Curley and Shane O’Reilly

The Barnstorm crew

Big Maggie by John B Keane Adult Theatre Club/Barn Owl Players 2017 Steve Nolan and Delia Lowery

Alice and the Wolf by Tom Swift Theatre for Young Audiences 2020 Aoibhin Murphy, Manus Halligan, Aoife O’Sullivan, Cormac O Broin, and Julie Sharkey

Brendan Corcoran and Ger Cody who will appear in The Quiet Land at the Barnstorm studio space

Nazis outed in the Netherlands

Some 80 years later, the names of those suspected of collaborating with the Nazis have been made public in the Netherlands as the country goes to new lengths to document the extent of its complicity in the horrors perpetrated by the Third Reich.

In the country where teenage diarist Anne Frank [pictured] is the most famous victim of the Holocaust, a historical research group funded by the Dutch Government has for the first time published a list of nearly half a million people suspected of collaboration during World War II, after a law prohibiting its release expired on New Year’s Day.

The Huygens Institute’s ‘War in Court’ project, which received an €18 million grant from the three Dutch ministries that govern education, health and justice, has made public a digital archive that includes a list of 425,000 mostly Dutch people who were investigated for collaborating with the Netherlands’ Nazi occupiers.

The archive is “an extraordinary resource, and one that is very timely in terms of the Dutch debates about World War II and levels of collaboration,” said Dan Stone, a professor of modern history at Royal Holloway, University of London.

“At the very least, it shows that huge numbers of people were accused of collaborating with the Nazi occupier,” Stone told NBC News by email. “And the fact that relatively few were imprisoned probably tells us as much about postwar Dutch society as it does about the wartime facts.”

Of those in the database, only a fifth ever appeared in court, with most cases concerning more minor offences such as membership in the Nazi party, Reuters reported.

According to the Dutch central statistics bureau, in 1939 — the year World War II broke

A young boy who had gone missing was found alive after spending five days alone in a northern Zimbabwe game park filled with wild animals, according to a member of the country’s parliament.

Mutsa Murombedzi who shared news of the “true miracle” on X.

According to Murombedzi, eight-year-old Tinotenda Pudu wandered 23 kilometres away from his home, lost his way and “unknowingly headed into the perilous Matusadonha Game Park”. She described the area where the boy is from as “a community where one wrong turn could easily lead into a game park”. The boy was missing for five days in the jungle near the Hogwe River, Murombedzi said, where he slept on a rocky perch “amidst roaring lions, passing elephants,”

out — the country’s population was 8.7 million. That would make just under 5% of the country suspected collaborators.

Germany invaded the Netherlands in 1940 and occupied the country until the allied liberation in 1945.

During that period, more than 100,000 Dutch Jews — around three-quarters of those in the country — were killed in the Holocaust, with approximately six million Jews murdered overall alongside the Nazis’ political opponents and members of other groups declared to be inferior, such as Roma and LGBTQ people.

With eight decades hav-

ing elapsed since the fall of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime, the steady flow of trials of those who perpetrated the Holocaust has slowed to a trickle as the last members of that generation die.

Nevertheless, the newly publicised archive will give the study of the Holocaust new impetus, experts say.

“It’s a very significant resource for historians, it’s a very significant resource for family researchers, and it’s potentially a really useful tool for education, especially because the online element could provide resources for teachers,” said Dr. Toby Simpson, director of the Wiener Holocaust Library, a collec-

Boy survives five days in the land of the lions

tion that was founded in the Netherlands in the 1930s before being moved to the UK on the eve of the war.

“It might be instructive to other archives to see the response to the publication of this kind of material,” Simpson told NBC News, adding that the only other example of a Holocaust archive of this scale being opened to the public is the Arolsen Archive — the world’s largest archive on the victims and survivors of the Nazi regime.

A 2023 survey carried out by the Claims Conference — a US-based nonprofit organisation that represents Jews in negotiating for compensation and restitution for

victims of Nazi persecution and their heirs — found that, despite efforts by the Dutch Government that include a new memorial in 2021 and a new museum opened last year, the efficacy of Holocaust education in the Netherlands is waning.

The survey found that 23% of Dutch millennials and Gen Zers believe the Holocaust is a myth or the number of Jews killed during WWII has been greatly exaggerated.

While the European Union’s data protection regulations protect the information of its citizens, the law does not apply to those who are dead, and that exception covers most of those in the archive.

and ate wild fruits to survive.

She said members of the local Nyaminyami community beat drums every day to try to guide the boy back home. But it was rangers from Matusadona Africa Parks who eventually found the child, according to Murombedzi.

In a separate statement, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) confirmed the rescue but said the boy was seven years old and that he had wandered 49 kilometres (30 miles) from his village “through the harsh terrain of the lion infested” game park to the point where he was located.

ZimParks said a search operation began immediately after it received the report that he was missing.

The agency said it ran into trouble during the search

That has caused some disquiet in corners of the country, with local media carrying reports that the descendants of alleged collaborators are expressing concern about potential public backlash. Nevertheless, an intervention last month by the Dutch Data Protection Authority meant that more detailed information on the victims and witnesses of those named in the list was held back, according to Reuters. Still, those details remain available for people with a research interest, such as descendants and historians, to access in person at the Dutch National Archives in The Hague.

mission because of heavy rain that was washing away the boy’s footprints.

ZimParks said footprints were eventually located in the Sakata Valley area of Matusadona National Park. They found the boy the next day.

ZimParks said the boy was first taken to a local clinic, then a hospital for medical evaluation after the ordeal. Murombedzi said medical officials told her the boy has rested and was stable but was awaiting an evaluation from a mental health team to ensure he would not suffer lasting trauma.

“Above all, we thank God for watching over Tinotenda and leading him back home safely,” Murombedzi said.

“This is a testament to the power of unity, hope, prayer and never giving up.”

Food & Drink

Italian borlotti bean, pumpkin & farro soup Come Dine WithMe Healthy burgers

Prep: 25 mins

Cook: 40 mins

Serves: 4

Turn a barbecue favourite into a nutritious meal without compromising on taste with our easy healthy burgers.

Ingredients

For the burgers

• 400g lean beefmince (10% fat), preferably organic

• 5 spring onionsfinely chopped

• 140g finely grated carrot

• 2 garlic clovesfinely chopped

• 2 tsp Dijon mustard

• 1 tbsp chopped tarragon

• 1 medium eggbeaten

• 4 wholemeal breadrolls, split in half

• 1½ tsp rapeseed oilfor brushing

• 25g watercress

For the roasted pepper salsa

• 2 large red peppershalved lengthways and deseeded

• 100g cherry or baby plum tomatoeshalved

• 2 tsp lime juice

• 2 tsp snipped chives

• ¼ very small red onionthinly sliced

• pinch crushed chillies

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 35 mins

Serves: 6

Warm up on chilly evenings with this hearty, healthy bean and pumpkin soup. Serve this lowcalorie meal with a chunk of fresh bread for dunking.

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oilplus extra to serve

• 1 onionfinely chopped

• 1 celer y stickcut into chunks

• 750g pumpkinor squash, peeled, deseeded and cut into small chunks

• 1 carrotpeeled and cut into chunks

• 3 garlic cloveschopped

• 3 tbsp tomato purée

• 1.2l chicken stockor vegetable stock

• 75g farroor mixed grains (such as barley or spelt)

• 50-80g parmesanrinds or vegetarian alternative (optional), plus a few shavings to serve

• 400g can borlotti beansdrained

• 2 handfuls baby spinach

• 2 tbsp chopped parsleyor 8 whole sage leaves

Method

STEP 1

Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add the onion, celery, pumpkin or squash and carrot and cook until the vegetables have some colour. Add a splash of water and some seasoning, then cover the pan and let the vegetables cook over a very low heat for 5 mins.

STEP 2

Add the garlic and cook for another couple of mins, then add the tomato purée, stock, mixed grains, parmesan rinds, if using, and some seasoning. Simmer for about 15 mins (or until the grains are cooked), adding the beans for the final 5 mins. In the last few mins, add the spinach, then taste for seasoning.

STEP 3

If you want to use sage, fry the leaves whole in a little olive oil before adding to the soup. If you prefer to use parsley, you can just add it directly to the soup. Serve with shavings of parmesan and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil on top of each bowlful. Remove the parmesan rinds and serve.

STEP 1

Tip the mince into a bowl with the spring onions, grated carrot, garlic, mustard, tarragon and egg. Mix well using a fork. Season with pepper and a pinch of salt, then divide the mixture into 4. Flatten each piece with your hands into a 10cm round (A), about 2cm thick – a similar width to the buns. Chill for about 30 mins. Or can be made a day ahead: stack the burgers between pieces of greaseproof paper to stop them sticking, wrap in cling film then chill until ready to cook.

STEP 2

Meanwhile, heat oven to 200C/ fan 180C/ gas 6. Lay the peppers, cut sides down, on a non-stick baking sheet. Roast for 35 mins until the skins are charred, laying the tomatoes next to them, cut-side up, for the final 3 mins just to soften slightly. Remove and immediately transfer the peppers to a small bowl and cover with cling film. Leave for 5-10 mins until cool enough to handle. Peel off the pepper skins (B), chop the peppers and tip them back into the bowl to join any juices there. Chop the tomatoes and stir into the peppers with the lime juice, chives, onion and chillies. Taste and add a grind of pepper if needed. Set aside. Can be made 1-2 days ahead and chilled.

STEP 3

Heat a griddle pan, or cook the burgers on the barbecue. Lay the cut sides of the buns on the griddle and cook until marked with the griddle bars. Brush each burger on one side with some of the rapeseed oil. Place on the hot griddle, oiled side down. Cook – don’t move them or they may stick – for 5 mins for medium, brush the unoiled side with the rest of the oil (C), then turn and cook for another 5 mins. (For well done, add an extra 1-2 mins to each side.)

STEP 4

Remove and let the burgers rest for 2-3 mins. Drizzle a little of the pepper juices over the bottom of each bun to moisten, lay on some watercress sprigs, top with a burger, then a spoonful of the salsa (D), spooning over some more of the juices. Sandwich together with the tops of the buns.

The best Amazon Prime for 2025

Reacher

Adapted from Lee Child’s bestselling Jack Reacher book series, Reacher’s eight-episode first season packs a muscular punch. Reacher, a brawny former US Army military policeman played by Alan Ritchson [pictured], arrives in a small town and is promptly arrested for a murder he didn’t commit. Armed with killer strength and some solid detective skills, the protagonist eventually fends o2 an array of enemies while uncovering a criminal conspiracy. A treat for crime thriller fans and lovers of Child’s novels.

Bosch

This seven-season police procedural, inspired by Michael Connelly novels, gets everything right for old-fashioned detective drama. We follow Los Angeles police detective Harry Bosch, played by Titus Welliver, who’s haunted by the death of his mother. While catching serial killers and keeping his family safe, he investigates her murder. Functional and no-nonsense, Bosch provides steady mystery with an equally steady lead.

The Devil’s Hour

The Devil’s Hour sets up an intriguing mystery: Why is a woman, Lucy, waking up at 3:33 a.m. each night, and why does her eight-year-old son Isaac seem oddly emotionless?

Starring Jessica Raine (Call the Midwife) as Lucy, Nikesh Patel (Starstruck) as a kind detective and Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who) as a suspicious character, the Devil’s Hour is a twisty series that eventually delivers satisfying answers. A bonus? A third and final season is on the way.

Dead Ringers

Oscar winner Rachel Weisz plays

not one, but two main characters in Dead Ringers, Prime Video’s version of David Cronenberg’s 1988 psychological thriller. The darkly comedic series follows identical twin doctors pursuing their goal of opening a birthing and research centre. Spend some time with these unconventional sisters, you’ll want to see the whole thing through.

Chloe

Led by a stellar Erin Doherty, this British thriller will swallow your attention. It centres on Becky, a temp with an unusual pastime: assuming different identities to sneak into fancy art galleries and yoga classes. When a woman she follows obsessively on Instagram suddenly dies, she attempts to uncover more details, once again posing as someone else. Tear away from your timeline and check out this six-episode limited series.

Homecoming

Julia Roberts stars in this psychological thriller about an army rehabilitation facility run by questionable owners. Using an effective, mysterybuilding narrative that covers two timelines, Homecoming is high on tension and paranoia as it reveals what the facility’s true purpose is. Fun fact: The series uses the actual scores of movies from Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick and more.

My Lady Jane

Lady Jane Grey, the Queen of England for just nine days in 1553, is the subject of this series. The show doesn’t stick closely to the events of her life, weaving in fantasy elements like humans who can turn into animals and imagining a world where she met a fate other than execution. Based on a book of the same name and blending comedy, action, ro-

mance and more, My Lady Jane is a wild, enjoyable ride you won’t find in a history book.

I’m A Virgo

Boots Riley (Sorry To Bother You) created this surreal series about Cootie (Jharrel Jerome), a 13- foottall Black man who leaves home for the first time at 19. The gentle giant from Oakland, California, experiences friendship, love and more milestones in this coming-of-age story, which brings humour, social commentary and undeniable originality to the small screen.

The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power

The Rings Of Power brings incredible visuals, a sprawling cast and a sense of adventure to the streaming service. It’s set thousands of years before The Lord Of The Rings, and in part follows a young version of the character Galadriel, who’s played by Morfydd Clark.

Gen V

Gen V is a spin-o2 of Prime Video’s hit violent and satirical series

The Boys. Despite efforts to keep her head down, freshman Marie Moreau gets swept up in a mystery at Godolkin University, a prestigious but shadowy school for superheroes. The new series’ strong characters and fresh story establish it as something pretty super in its own right.

Invincible

For those who aren’t a fan of cartoons, Invincible could be your converter, up there with other adult cartoons like BoJack Horseman and Rick And Morty. Based on a comic book from Robert Kirkman, the creator of the Walking Dead, Invincible follows 17-year-old Mark Grayson

and his training to become a superhero just like his father, who happens to be the most powerful superhero on the planet. Episodes run long at nearly 50 minutes, connected into one big, bloodspattered story. A subversive series with a huge cast featuring Steven Yeun, Sandra Oh and JK Simmons, Invincible will engross you in its smart animated world.

The Boys

The Boys stormed Amazon with its ultra-violent tale of antihero vigilantes seeking revenge against the world’s most beloved superheroes. These heroes aren’t what they seem: Their corporate overlords cover up their shady personal lives, including sexual harassment and the odd assassination. With social commentary, black comedy and pops of gore, The Boys takes a thrilling and unapologetic step away from the family-friendly genre.

The Outlaws

Seven strangers are assigned to the same community payback sentence in this appealing comedy thriller set in Bristol, England. The six-episode show is fun, dark and touching, offering an engaging look at its rule-breakers backgrounds and the relationships that form between them. The plot thickens when some members of the group come across a bag of cash.

Undone

This unique series uses the Rotoscoping animation technique to tell the story of a young woman who, after suffering a near-fatal car accident, discovers she can manipulate time. Intriguing, right? It gets better: Bob Odenkirk plays Alma’s dead father, who enlists her help in

investigating his murder. Bending both time and space, Undone is surreal and beautifully existential for those looking for deep material.

The Kids In The Hall Prime Video has resurrected The Kids In The Hall, the Emmy-nominated Canadian sketch comedy show that originally ran from 1988 to 1995. (By “resurrects,” we mean the show literally exhumes members of the comedy troupe from a grave they were buried in at the end of the original show. That’s just the beginning of the fun.) Follow the comedians as they freak out over mislabeled desserts, fight over imaginary love interests and write Earth’s last fax.

A League Of Their Own

The series A League Of Their Own is inspired by the 1992 film of the same name and introduces new characters portrayed by Abbi Jacobson, D’Arcy Carden and others. In the comedy-drama’s first episode, women try out for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in the ‘40s. The show explores themes of race and sexuality and offers a satisfying period setting and compelling characters.

The Marvelous Mrs Maisel A ‘50s housewife who becomes a standup comic? This brilliant series from Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino is filled with sparkling performances from Rachel Brosnahan and Alex Borstein, with dialogue to match. Set in a vibrant and changing New York, our delightful heroine moonlights as a comedian, while doing her duties as an upper-class Jewish American housewife. With impressive visuals, warmth and zingers, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel is the full package.

BY PAUL BOLGER

We often blame our desks, chairs and postures for those nagging aches we occasionally experience at work. But what if I told you that we have all been focusing on the wrong things - there is no perfect chair or desk or posture to resolve your problems!   There are other, much more useful habits that we can all easily fit into a normal day at the desk that will certainly benefit our health and may be more useful in managing achy joints and muscles.

Motion is Lotion

The most comfortable chair in the world would probably be a bad thing for your health – so comfortable it would be hard to get out of! When it comes to office health, regular bouts of movement are important.  These brief exercise bouts are sometimes called ‘microbreaks’ or ‘exercise snacks’. There are so many ways that we can all fit them into the workday. It will look different for everybody. Here are a few key considerations.

Regular - 1min every 30mins  Aim to move for least 1 minute every 30 minutes. While there will of course be times where this is not possible, this is a good target.  Set a reminder on your phone (there are lots of useful apps), computer, calendar, egg timer, or whatever works for you. A visual reminder like a note in your eyeline can help to form the habit.

Challenging - Rev your engines

Healthy office movement

Moving and raising your heartrate in brief bouts may be key to office health

Strolling to get water doesn’t cut it. We need a challenge here to kickstart our metabolism. Remember, you are trying to break the stagnant cycle of sitting.   After 30 minutes of stationary sitting, the body’s metabolism is slowing down.

Moving vigorously enough to strain some muscles and raise the heart rate is like revving an engine that has been at rest or bringing flow back to stagnant water.

Roughly 1 minute is ideal here, more if you can – you could take 3-5 flights of

stairs, perform some body weight exercises like squats or push-ups (against a desk if the ground is too hard), or (if you work at home, or your co-workers won’t give you too many strange looks) jog on the spot. These are just some ideas – you could literally do

anything that gets that heart of yours pumping.

If you walk away feeling like you need a shower – you've pushed it too hard! Feeling some warmth or a ‘glow’ after a microbreak is ideal.

Movement Opportunism

Taking any opportunity for movement in your normal workday will be beneficial. Some simple options could include walking phone calls or meetings (do you have regular team meetings that don’t require sitting at a desk?).

A 10-minute walk at lunch will leave you feeling more refreshed and ready for what the afternoon brings.

Active travel like walking or cycling to and from work is another fantastic way to remain active for those able to do so (look at my previous article ‘The Secret to Daily Exercise’ on the Observer website).

If I had to choose one thing for somebody with a desk job to do at work to impact their health, it would be taking these regular microbreaks that break the cycle of stagnant sitting to rev that metabolism into life. Whatever way you can fit this into your day I have no doubt your body and mind will thank you for it!

If you have any concerns regarding your health or ability to make such a change, discussing it with a healthcare professional is advised.

Community & GAA Notes

Kilkenny GAA clubs and Community news

CLARA

GAA MEMBERSHIP

GAA Membership 2025 is now open. Thanks to those who have completed this to date. Please log in to Foireann at www.foireann.ie or download the Foireann App to confirm your details and pay by credit/debit card. Please note ALL Players and Coaches must have membership paid before taking part in Club/County training sessions/games. If you require assistance, please contact Club Registrar, Catherine Nolan 087 630 93 82 Many thanks.

O’LOUGHLIN GAELS

HAPPY NEW YEAR

O’Loughlin Gaels GAA and Camogie club would like to wish a happy and healthy new year to all its members. Let’s hope it’s a successful one for all our members, players, supporters and teams.

MEMBERSHIP

O’ Loughlin Gaels GAA and Camogie club membership renewal for 2025 is due from now. It is available on Foireann. Just log in to your Foireann account, tap the three horizontal lines to bring up the membership tab and select the membership option that suits you. Kilkenny Hurlers’ Co-op Draw tickets are available with most membership options also. All support welcome.

CLUB LOTTO

There was no winner of O’Loughlin Gaels club lotto dated December 30th. Numbers drawn were 14, 15, 20, 27 and the Bonus number was 18. Play now at www.oloughlingaels.com

Promotors Draw. 1. Liam Lanigan. 2. Carmel Guidera c/o E Burke. 3. Suzanne Tyrrell c/o D Tyrrell. 4. Geoff Doyle. 5. Ml Dreeling. 6. Theresa Nolan c/o Ml Nolan. 7. Maurice Nolan c/o Ml Nolan. 8. John Morrissey c/o Online. 9. Kayleigh McGarry c/o Online. 10. Declan Gibbons c/o online. Thank you for you continued support BOOKINGS FOR OCCASIONS

O’Loughlin Gaels Club boasts the best club facilities for its members in the city. With plenty of free parking, kitchen, bar and lounge facilities available it can cater for all your party needs. Contact 086-8919312 to book your special occasion-christening, communion, confirmation, birthdays and anniversaries, special wedding guests gatherings or any group occasion you require. The large Hall is available for larger community events and the space outside is safe and secure for all the family.

NOTES

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

JAMES STEPHENS GAA AND CAMOGIE CLUB

BEREAVEMENT

Our sympathies are extended to the Brennan family St. Fiacre’s Place on the death of Mrs. Mary Brennan (Nee Guilfoyle) wife of club legend Phil (Fess) Brennan and mother of Philly, Eddie, Michael, Richard and daughter Mary. Mary will be sadly missed by her friends and neighbours in the St. Fiacre’s Place community. Mary passed away peacefully in St. Luke’s Hospital on Monday last with her family by her bedside. The Brennan family has a long association with the James Stephens Club. Mary’s husband Phil (Fess) won Kilkenny Junior (1955) and senior championship medals (1969) with son Philly also winning a senior title and All-Ireland club medal in 1881/’82 while Eddie played at under-age level. Our sympathies are also extended to Mary’s brother Eddie whose grandsons currently line out in the Village colours, Eoin at senior and Shane at Junior level and, also to her brother-in-law, Dixie. Mary was laid to rest in Foulkstown Cemetery following Requiem Mass in St. Patrick’s church on New Year’s Day. “Air dheis Dei go raibh a anam dilis”.

KILKENNY RECREATION

The Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership (KRSP) are running a 12 week “Go For Life Games” programme of fun and light exercise starting at 10am on January 13th to 28th April. The entry fee is €25 for the entire programme. Separately a similar 12 week “Stretch and Move” programme will commence on 24th January involving a weekly walking exercise session starting from the coffee shop in the Kilkenny Castle Park at 10am. The programme is suitable for all ages, with nobody being left behind. Walking poles will be provided if deemed necessary by participants. Again, the fee is €25 for the full course. On the 13th. January KRSP has scheduled an 8 week “Men On The Move “ programme based at the Watershed running track and designed for males of all ages to help raise their fitness levels and to connect with new people. For more detailed information on any of the above programmes contact Ciara at 056 7794383 or log on to ciara@krsp.ie.

KILKENNY MABS

Kilkenny MABS offers Free, independent and Confidential Money Management and Advise to help assist people dealing with existing debts, mortgage arrears and to help give them confidence to manage their own resources. For

further information contact 0818 072610

LOTTO

Last week’s numbers were 2, 5, 20, 27. There was no winner. The €40 consolation winners were John Larkin, Sandra Brennan, Helen Goode, Seanie Browne and Liam Tyrrell.

GOWRAN

OLD KILKENNY REVIEW 2024

The latest edition of the Old Kilkenny Review (No. 75) published by Kilkenny Archaeological Society features an interesting article on tennis in Gowran, entitled ‘Game, Set and Match’. Siobhán Maher has written about the history of the lawn tennis club in Gowran from its establishment in 1923 to 1994. Copies of the journal are available for purchase at Rothe House and at the Book Centre in Kilkenny. With the opening of the new Community Hub on the horizon and the inclusion of tennis courts in that complex, the next chapter awaits and augurs well for the game of tennis in Gowran

GOWRAN AC HIGHLIGHTS 2024

A quick look back at the highlights from another great year for Gowran AC. From the many races hosted in 2024 to all the competitions the athletes competed in. With athletes representing the club, Kilkenny county, Leinster and Ireland too. Huge thanks to amazing sponsors for their support at Stook 24, Gowran 4 Mile Road Race and Stook 24 Ar Ais Arís. Congratulations to everyone. Events hosted; Stook 24 (County 10 mile 2023). Leinster Novice and Master Road Championships. 4 Mile Road Race (County 4Mile). Gowran AC Schools XC. Stook 24 Ar Ais Arís (County 10mile 2024)

Competitions; Track & Field Nenagh. Leinster and All Ireland Indoors. County Outdoor Track and Field. Leinster and All Ireland Track and Field. IWA Para Athletics Nationals. Para Olympics Paris. Schools Combined Indoors. Schools South Leinster and All Ireland Track and Field. County Cross Country. Leinster & All Ireland Cross County. Schools Cross County

GOWRAN PARK

For catering enquiries, please contact Michelle on 0876256427. Clubhouse open 10am to 12noon for breakfast and 12noon to 6pm for lunch.

YOUNG IRELANDS

Due to damage caused by Storm Darragh to Dungarvan Hall, Young Irelands Healthy Club has to postpone the upcoming fitness class until the start of February.

GOWRAN PITCH AND PUTT

Course closed until further notice due to the current frosty weather.

FRESHFORD

ALL IRELAND FINAL

All roads lead to Croke Park on this coming Sunday for the AIB Junior Club All Ireland Final when St. Lachtain’s will take on Russell Rovers of Cork with throw in at 12.30pm. Ticket details can be found on the Clubs social media pages. 2024 was a great year for the local club, with the junior panel having brought many days enjoyment to the whole community since the start of the season. Win, lose or draw, Sunday will be a great occasion for our parish so lets’ all get behind the lads for the final game of the 2024 season and support them in their quest for glory.

EVERY STEP COUNTS 2025

St Lachtain’s GAA Club will again take part in the “Every Step Counts Challenge” run by the GAA and Irish Life. The event is open to everyone in the community, young and old, members and non-members. The goal is to collectively achieve 4000km by walking, jogging or running between January 8th and February 12th. Details on how to register can be found on our social media pages.

BUSES TO MATCH

A number of buses will travel to the All Ireland Junior Hurling Club final on Sunday next, one from Kavanagh’s Bar and two from Farrell’s. If you intend travelling please give your name in at the bar asap.

BACK DOWN UNDER

Returning back to Australia this week after a holiday in his native Freshford is Paul Deacon Buncrussia St., Freshford. Paul and his wife, daughter and son spent the past month in Freshford where they met up with friends and family over the Christmas period.

SYMPATHY

Sympathy is extended to the Watson family Woodview on the recent death of Ms. Susan Tone (nee Watson) late of Foulkscourt, Johnstown. Funeral mass took place in St.Kieran’s Cemetery Johnstown followed by burial in St. Kierans Cemetery Johnstown.

WALK

Gathabawn rural development group held their annual Charity Walk on St.Stephen’s day at noon. This time their designated charity to share donations was Amber Womens Refuge in Kilkenny who have been supporting and protecting women and children for over twenty years in Kilkenny and Carlow. The route was along the cross county Gathabawn loop or Gathabawn short loop with another option of the road route which goes over country roads and lanes.

Complimentary hot soup was provided afterwards. NUENNA GROUP

Start the New Year the right way living longer stronger and healthier lives. Have fun while improving your fitness with the local Nuenna social community group. An eight week programme was due to have begun on 7th January but due to weather conditions couldn’t go ahead. It will be held every Tuesday at 6.30am and Thursdays at 6pm at Freshford GAA grounds. Membership to Nuenna AC club for the year is €60 .

OPENING AND PRESENTATION

The weekly bingo was officially opened recently and the ribbon cut by Cllr. Michael McCarthy with Cllr Maurice Shortall also in attendance. They remembered the late Gerry Watson whose brainwave it was to start back up the weekly bingo in Frshford. Special presentations were made to three members of the North Kilkenny Wheelchair Association for forty years of service. Local lady Patricia Watson was presented with a special plaque and also Margaret Barnaville and Dick Brennan

The North Kilkenny Wheelchair association held a special Christmas Bingo session which was a huge success with a full house in attendance. It then took a two week break. The weekly bingo is due to resume on (weather permitting) Friday 10th January and will continue each Friday evening in Freshford Community Hall at 8pm with good prize money and a raffle each week. So why not go along this New Year and support a very worthy cause.

SQUASH

Freshford Squash club held their annual Christmas Draw and thank all those who donated or contributed to this fund raiser. Prize winners were as follows: 1st Prize : Sponsor THM €200 B. Dunphy. 2nd Prize: Sponsor Brendan O’Reilly Crash Repairs €100, T.Bergin, 3rd Prize : Sponsor Pat Morrissey Plumbing and Heating €100, T. Hayes, 4th Prize, Sponsor Dr. Beckett €100, L. Hennessy. 5th Prize, Sponsor Mace Freshford €50, P. Jnr Phelan. 6th Prize, Sponsor Freshford Garages €50, M. Moriarty.7th Prize, Sponsor Chadwicks €50, L. Kennedy. We would like to thank all our sponsors and everyone who supports our club and bought a ticket. Special thanks to Mace Freshford for hosting us.

IONAD LACHTAIN

St.Lachtain’s Church Museum and Arts Centre will be closed for the months of January and February and will reopen in March 2025.

SOCCER

Freshford Town had no games over Christmas. On St. Stephen’s day the annual soccer tournament took place with 16 teams taking part this year. The winning team received the Liam Phelan memorial cup. The boys from Lisdowney were the winners this year and were presented with the cup. Thanks goes to all those who helped out on the day, to those who refereed games, those who organised teams and those who prepared and served refreshments.

SPLIT THE POT

There was no split the pot draw over the Christmas but it will resume in January. Entry cost just €2 and envelopes are available in all local shops and pubs. Revolut is also available on 08330411011 with your name and address...

LOOP CAFE

Loop Community Café in Freshford is looking for people on both sides of the counter.

The Loop was closed over the Christmas holidays but is now reopen. So why not support your own local café and with the weather conditions recently it makes sense to stay local. Meet a friend or friends for a chat and some refreshments and some lovely homemade food. The Loop Café also hosts a variety of community activities, and all this activity takes many hands. The Loop Cafe is looking for volunteers as well as customers. Use your skills and develop new ones. If you’re great at fixing a door hinge, baking a cake, or working in a kitchen – or just willing to learn – there’s got lots to do. Find the Loop Café on Facebook to keep up with events, or stop by any time. If you’d like to volunteer, please call the café at 056 8832650 and speak with Rhiannon.

FOROIGE

Foroige youth club is on Christmas break at the moment and will resume in the New year. The group meet each Monday evening from 6.30pm to 8pm in the Community Hall. They have music, a free library, a stationary corner, games chat and treats each week. New members are always welcome. The youth club is members only so if you are interested in joining please sign up while there are still spaces available. They are looking for adult volunteers. For more info contact Aidan n 086 0674485 or Aidan.gleeson@ foroige.ie

PARISH NEWS

Mass

is held in the Parish Church each Wednesday morning at 9.30am and each Sunday morning at 11am.with Mass in Tulla church on Saturday evenings at 7.30pm. and 11am Mass in St. Lachtains Church on Sunday. 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. 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 2523521 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.

BENNETTSBRIDGE

NOLLAIG NA MBAN

The Art Group celebration of Nollaig na mBan due to take place in Crafted on Monday had to be cancelled due to the extreme weather conditions. It is hoped to reschedule for Monday13th and to re-commence classes the following week.

CHURCH NEWS

Mass times, Thursday and Friday morning, 10.30am. Saturday(Tullaherin) 8pm. Sunday(Bennettsbridge) 10.30am.

GATHERING GROUP

Members are hoping to resume meetings on Wednesday following the Christmas break.

LOTTO

Due to inclement weather the Lotto Draw did not take place. There will be two separate draws next Monday. MENS SHED

Weather permitting the Mens Shed group hoped to resume activities last Wednesday at 2pm., but if not next Wednesday.

EAST END UNITED

East End had a great turnout for their Christmas table quiz in the hall, lots of fun and laughter was had. Congratulations to the Hoyne family who won first prize on a tie breaker question.

The annual Sean Keogh Memorial Cup soccer match, held recently attracted a large entry and plenty of great soccer and very questionable tackles were on display. Congratulations to the over 40s on their win.

CAMOGIE CLUB

Post-Christmas Fundraising Clothes Collection Reminder. Feeling inspired to declutter after Christmas? Remember Bennettsbridge Camogie Club is holding a fundraising clothes collection on Sunday, 9th February to support club activities.

KRSP NEW YEAR PROGRAMMES

Here are some of the programmes that KRSP will deliver in January 2025.

Go For Life Games: each Monday morning for 12 weeks at 10am in The Watershed, Kilkenny. These games and activities are fun and a little bit of gentle exercise too! January 13th to April 28th (12 weeks). No activities on Feb 3rd; March 17th April 21st (Bank Holiday Mondays). Cost is €25 for the 12-week programme.

Stretch and Move: Come and walk with us on this tutor led programme each Friday morning at 10.00-11.00am. The programme is 12 weeks long from January 24th to April 11th. Meet at the Coffee Shop in Kilkenny Castle Park each Friday morning for 10am start. We will be supplying Activator Walking Poles (similar to Nordic Poles) as these help us to stretch, walk in a nice upright way and they’re also useful for balance and for doing some light exercises when were finished our walk. You don’t have to use the poles if you don’t wish. ALL levels and abilities are welcome to join in the programme and we look forward to seeing you there. Nobody will be left behind. Come out, walk and chat. Cost is €25 for the 12 week programme. Men On The Move Kilkenny: is a man only 8-week programme that runs every Monday night from the 13th of January at 8pm (excluding the February bank holiday) on the track in the Watershed. Men of every age are welcome. The programme can help you to feel fitter, have more energy and to meet and connect with new people. PLEASE bring a friend – there’s room for everybody.

Walk and Talks is an 8-week beginner and back to fitness walking programme taking place in Kilkenny City! It will run from the 13th of January till the 10th of March (exclud-

ing the February Bank Holiday). This programme is for everybody, and every age is welcome! Please bring a friend as there is room for everybody! The group ranges in ability and speeds so there will be a pace that will suit what you are looking for. The group usually gets split into 2 groups to allow different distances or speeds. ALL participants MUST pre-register online. Please bring a Hi-vis if you have one. If you need support to register online contact Ciara on 056-7794383 or ciara@krsp.ie

Please note: all our programmes need to be pre-booked. If you need help registering please call the office GAA

STEP CHALLENGE 2025 The 2025 step challenge starts again January 8th for six weeks. If you have already taken part in our previous step challenges all you need to do is sign up again to Team Ben-

Tractor and Truck Run 2025; Our annual tractor and truck run will take place on Sunday January 19th from the Glanbia yard. It is in conjunction with Kilkenny /Carlow homecare team again this year. Registration is from 10.30am with free refreshments for all drivers. A raffle will also take place on the day. Entry is 20 euro, we hope to see a great crowd for this popular annual event.

Drone shot of Bennettsbridge in the snow taken a few years ago. Credit pic Barry Croke

Lunch in the snow at O’Neill’s farm, Ballyreddin

Quiz enthusiasts pictured at the East End Christmas Table Quiz

Community & GAA Notes

nettsbridge on My Life App. Otherwise download My life App. Go to social / challenges / My life Every Step counts / provinces / leinster/ Bennettsbridge.

SPLIT THE POT

The first draw of 2025 takes place this Friday, January 10th at 6 pm in the clubhouse.

GRAIGUENAMANAGH

GRAIG NOTES

This year should you want to submit news items, club events, announcements or promotions etc you can do so by emailing them to graignotes@outlook.com

GRAIG TIDY TOWN DRAW

The winners of the Draw which was held on 2nd January 2025, were First Prize Ted, Luke, and Eric €445.00. 2nd Prize € 50, Liam Maher. 3rd Prize €25 Mary Murphy. The winners of the draw for week No 2 were 1st Prize €445 Shelley c/o Willies. 2nd Prize € 50 Olivia Conron, Goresbridge. and Third Prize €25 Elliot Grace.Money raised

through Tidy Towns Jackpot will be used to keep the town looking well all the year round. Draw takes place at 4pm on Thursdays

OUR LOCAL TD

Congratulations to Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere TD on his great success in the recent General Election when he was elected as our local representative and now takes his place in Dail Eireann, Best of luck Peter RAMBLING HOUSE

The Monthly Rambling House Session is held on the second Friday of each month in Newtown Hall, where you can enjoy music and song from local artists and also from many artists from the surrounding district. The next Session is on Friday January 10th 2025 at 8.00pm.

CLINIC

Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere TD will have his Clinic on Monday Evening’s at 7pm at his clinic at Main Street Graiguenamanagh.

GORESBRIDGE PAULSTOWN

BRIDGE UNITED

Johanne’s Memorial Day took on New Year’s Day in Goresbridge. If you were unable to make it and would like to make a donation you can do so online (see Bridge Utd facebook page).

The Bridge Academy starts 25th January 2025 for boys and girls (aged 4-7). Information from Conor English 085 1321 589.

CHURCH SERVICES

Weekend masses in Goresbridge are held at 7.30pm on Saturday and at 10.00am on Sunday. In Paulstown mass is held at 11.30am on Sunday. Mass is at 11am this Friday in Paulstown.

CUPLA FOCAL (IRISH LANGUAGE CONVERSATION CIRCLE)

Resumes on Friday 17 January 2025 at 11am in the Goodly Barrow. Athbliain faoi mhaise romhaibh go léir!

GOODLY BARROW

The Goodly Barrow reopens Wednesday 15th January.

PRIMARY SCHOOL ENROLMENT FOR 2025/26

Scoil Bhríde (Goresbridge) is now accepting admissions for the coming school year. Please contact the school between 9 am and 1 pm for an admissions form. Phone 059 9775168 or email to Office@GoresbridgeNS.ie

Scoil Bhríde (Paulstown) is now excepting Admissions for next year. More details available on the school website or phone 059 9726149.

RECYCLING OF CHRISTMAS TREES

You can drop off your tree at the bottle bank near the cemetery in Goresbridge.

SPLIT THE POT

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

TAR ISTEACH

We have a half price sale which started on Monday 6th January for one week. We had a lot of donations recently, thanks very much, we are now accepting items, clothes, handbags, bric a brac, household items and unwanted gifts.

YOGA

Why not start the New Year on a healthy note with Yoga classes each Tuesday from 10.30am to 11.30am in Ionad Dara, Goresbridge. This will be a six-week course for €60. Limited places are available. Information from Catriona, Tel 087 6811240.

Yoga in Paulstown starts on Monday 13th January. The course runs for 6 weeks and costs €50. Information: Caroline 087 937 1939.

BALLYRAGGET BALLYOUSKIL

PADDY DUNNE RIP

Sympathies are sent to the family of Paddy Dunne Attanagh on his recent sad passing, to his wife Bernie, daughters Colette and Claire, son Padraig, son-in-law Kieran, grandson Robbie, brother Eamon, nieces, nephews, neighbours and friends. Paddy was laid to rest after mass in Ballyouskill on Sunday afternoon. May Paddy rest in peace.

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT

Despite the very wet conditions on New Year’s Eve, the North Kilkenny Truck and Tractor run was once again a resounding success. Over 255 vehicles took part, from both Hollands Yard, Ballyragget and Cillin Hill, Kilkenny. The goal is all about “Lighting up the Night” and this was done spectacularly all along the highways and byways from Ballyragget to Ballyouskill via Finnan, Toure, Dysart, Ballycomey, Castlecomer, Donaguile by the convoy of tractors. The trucks certainly lit up Kilkenny, Castlecomer, Moneenroe, Crettyard, Durrow with a magnificent display. The event concluded with a Cabaret and Raffle at Fitzpatrick’s Bar. Huge thanks once again to all the volunteers that helped in any way to make this event possible. A big thank you also to the Holland Family, Cillin Hill, the Gardai and Castlecomer Fire Personnel.

RETURNED AFTER CHRISTMAS

The Ballyragget Cois Nore Outreach Cancer support service returned after Christmas on Monday the 6th of January 2025. Please call into Dr Hogan’s Rooms, the Square Ballyragget from 10 am to 12 noon. Call in for cancer support for you or your family and find out how to avail of the free services available at the Cois Nore Centre in Kilkenny City. All are welcome.

GO FOR LIFE GAMES

Go For Life Games: each Monday morning for 12 weeks at 10am in The Watershed, Kilkenny. These games and activities are fun and a little bit of gentle exercise too! January 13th to April 28th (12 weeks). No activities on Feb 3rd; March 17th April 21st (Bank Holiday Mondays). Cost is €25 for the 12-week programme.

MEN ON THE MOVE

Men On The Move Johnstow is a man only, 4-week intro programme that runs every Wednesday night from the 15th of January at 7:30pm in the hall in Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown. This successful programme runs also in Kilkenny City with 30+ men in attendance. Men of every age and ability are welcome. The programme can help you to feel fitter, have more energy and to meet and connect with new men in your area! Please bring a friend – there’s room for everybody. Men On The Move Kilkenny: is a man only 8-week programme that runs every Monday night from the 13th of January at 8pm (excluding the February bank holiday) on the track in the Watershed. Men of every age are welcome. The programme can help you to feel fitter, have more energy and to meet and connect with new people. PLEASE bring a friend – there’s room for

everybody.

WALK AND TALKS

Walk and Talks is a 8-week beginner and back to fitness walking programme taking place in Kilkenny City! It will run from the 13th of January till the 10th of March (excluding the February Bank Holiday). This programme is for everybody, and every age is welcome! Please bring a friend as there is room for everybody! The group ranges in ability and speeds so there will be a pace that will suit what you are looking for. The group usually gets split into 2 groups to allow different distances or speeds. All participants Must pre-register online. Please bring a Hi-vis if you have one. If you need support to register online contact Ciara on 0567794383 or ciara@krsp.ie

Please note: all our programmes need to be pre-booked. If you need help registering please call the office

Tullaroan in the snow

Tullaroan Countryside

Woodlawn in the snow

Callan Road, Kilkenny

Tom Healy

JOHNSTOWN

ST. KIERAN’S HALL 500 CLUB DRAW RESULTS

The winners in the January draw were, 1. Ellen Fitzpatrick (Mary McCabe), 2. Mary McCabe (Mary McCabe), 3. Aine Norton (Peter Norton), 4. Nora O’Gorman (Brendan O’Gorman), 5. Brid McGill (Mary McCabe). This was the last draw of the 500 Club for 2024. Many thanks to all who supported and congratulations to all the winners.

BEGINNERS BOOTCAMP

The Beginners Bootcamp is coming to Crosspatrick Hall on Wednesday, January 8th from 7pm to 8pm. The costs are € 10 pay as you go, block € 70. Contact Bernie on whatsapp. 08774894661.

THE MILL CENTRE URLINGFORD

The Mill Centre Urlingford has now reopened after the Christmas break and their counselling services are now available.

Cois Nore Outreach will resume on Friday Jan 10th. Contact for the centre 056 8838466 and for Cois Nore 0567752222.

MRS. SUSIE TONE (nee WATSON) RIP

The death has taken place at St. Luke’s Hospital of Susie, Foulkscourt, Johnstown, just a few weeks after her husband Paddy. Predeceased by her parents Jack and Peg and brother Tommy, she will be sadly missed by her son Daniel, daughter Mairead, daughter in law Orla, grandchildren Willow and Isabelle, brother Billy, sisters Mary and Margaret, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends. After Requiem mass in St. Kieran’s Church, Susie was laid to rest in Johnstown Cemetery.

WEATHER

As with the rest of County Kilkenny, Johnstown and surrounds was covered in a blanket of snow from Saturday evening. Many events were cancelled including the Community Hall” Tea and Talk” postponed until Tuesday January 14th after Mass at 11am.

SPA DEVELOPMENT/FENIANS LOTTO

The winning numbers were 4 9, 12, 20. There was no jackpot winner, but there were three match three winners, Dion Quinlan, Mick (Avonmore), Zoe and Ava Power.

URLINGFORD

SCOIL AN CHROI RO NAOFA URLINGFORD NS NOW

ENROLLING FOR 2025/2026 SCHOOL YEAR -

Scoil an Chroi Ro Naofa Urlingford NS are now accepting enrolments for the 2025/2026 School Year.

Enrolment Packs are available from school office between 8.30am and 3pm Monday to Friday or by calling 056 8831512 or by emailing urlingfordns2020@gmail.com or by postal enquiry to Scoil an Chroi Ro Naofa Urlingford NS, Urlingford, Co Kilkenny E41A567. Enrolment Forms are also available from Micks Pre School and Angelas Pre School in Urlingford. Deadline for receipt of completed Enrolment/Registration Forms is Sunday 30th of March. Confirmation of Acceptance letters will be issued before 25th of April. New pupils joining school will receive an

opportunity to visit our school on a date to be arranged/ finalised in June 2025.

GORTNAHOE GLENGOOLE

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

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

PARISH ENVELOPES FOR 2025

The Priest Collection was taken up last weekend and is for the support of priests, active and retired in the Archdioces. It is the last collection for 2024 and Míle Búiochas to all those who contributied so gernerously to all the collections during the past year. Envelope boxes for 2025 are being distributed at this time and we express our thanks to the distributors. We are very grateful to all who contribute to our collections for the upkeep of both Church’s in the parish.

SACRAMENTAL DATES

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

GORTNAHOE BINGO

Bingo continues this Saturday evening 11th January at 4.00pm with doors opening from 3.00pm and will continue each Saturday evening at the same time. Over €2,660 in prize money on offer including a special €500 game. A sincere thanks to everyone who supported our bingo during 2024.

TUESDAY BRIDGE

Bridge is being played each Tuesday night in Gortnahoe Hall at 7.30pm. If you would like to join or find out more information please contact this number 089 434910

SPLIT THE POT

Congratulations to the last two winners in the Split the Pot draw, Joan Morris, Gorteen who won €267 and Michael Maher, Fennor who won €169. Envelopes are available in Cahill’s Gortnahoe, Hogans Grange and at the usual outlets, you can also Revolut to 0876777220. For the month of January Split the Pot will be in support of the St Vincent de Paul. The draw takes place each Sunday at 12pm in Gortnahoe Hall. Your support would be appreciated.

JOSEPHINE COSTELLO RIP

The Death has occurred of Josephine Costello (nee Long), The Glen, Lisduff, Urlingford, December 19th, peacefully at home in the presence of her adored family. Predeceased by her husband William, parents Hugh and Josephine, sisters Sally, Mary and Patricia (who died in infancy) and brother Eamon. Sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her family, Marie, Liam, Joseph, Brendan, Carmel, Hughie and Niamh, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family and a wide circle of friends.

Josephine reposed at Doyle’s Funeral Home, Urlingford on Friday December 20th. Removal from her residence took

place on Saturday morning to St. Patrick’s Church, Graine arriving for Requiem Mass. Interment took place afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. May she Rest in Peace

NEW YEAR GREETINGS

Wishing all a Happy New Year and best wishes for 2025 to all the contributors and readers of the Gortnahoe Glengoole Notes.

CONAHY

JOHN BUTLER MEMORIAL LONG PUCK

Many thanks, to all who took part in the annual John Butler Memorial Long Puck on St. Stephen’s Day. Well done to the winning team of Kieran Mooney, Brian Rossiter and Kevin Healy. The considerable funds raised will go to the Carlow Kilkenny HomeCare Team.

After the event, the under-16 hurlers were presented with the county winning medals from this year by the special guest, Kilkenny star Huw Lawlor.

CLUB LOTTO

The numbers drawn in the Christmas GAA Club Lotto draw held on December 16th were 6, 15 and 38. There was no jackpot winner so the consolation prize winners were Stephen Bollard, Lucy Butler, Shane Farrelly, Miriam Mulhall, and Cliona O’Connor. The promoter prize winners were Margaret Buggy, Larry Bergin and Shem Butler. For the annual Christmas bonus draw, the winners of €75 each were Esther Carroll, Ciara Byrne, Liam White, Bridie Walsh, Sheila and Mary Ann Kenny, Paul Roberts, John Gleeson, Dom Brennan, Ed and Kathy Campion and Billy Coyle. The numbers drawn in the most recent GAA Lotto draw held on December 30th were 3, 36 and 40. There was no jackpot winner so the consolation prize winners of €30 each were Ciaran McCann, Leyla Rose Healy, Saoirse and Muireann Buggy, Nicholas Baldwin and Tadgh Rossiter. The promoter prize winners were Julie Jackman, Toddy Lacey and Helen Cahill. This week’s jackpot now increases to €1,600. Many thanks to everyone who continues to support the GAA Club Lotto.

HUGGINSTOWN NEWMARKET STONEYFORD

MASS TIMES

Aghaviller Parish

Hugginstown: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9.30a.m. Vigil - Saturday at 8.00p.m. Sunday 12th. at 10.00a.m. Stoneyford, Vigil - Saturday 11th. at 6.30p.m.

PRAY FOR

Nichola Aylward (Nee Hughes) Tramore. Michael Toomey, Celbridge and late of Stoneyford

Eddie Walsh, Ennisnag, Mass in Stoneyford Church on Saturday 11th. at 6,30p.m. May O’Shea, Croan, Mass in Hugginstown Church on Sunday 12th. at 10.00a.m.

ROTA (FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD) Readers, Stoneyford, Saturday 6.30p.m. Neill O’Grady. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. John Barron. Sunday 10.00a.m. Mary Carroll. Eucharistic Ministers, Stoneyford, Saturday 6.30p.m. Jakub Smolen. Hugginstown, Saturday

8.00p.m. Teresa Broderick. Sunday 10.00a.m. Lillian Carr

THANKS

Many thanks to all the Children; Parents; Teachers; Musicians; Choirs; Readers; Eucharistic Ministers; Servers and others who prepared the Christmas Masses, and to all who cleaned and decorated the Churches in the Parish for the Christmas Season and throughout the year. Thanks to all who erected the Cribs; donated flowers and Christmas trees etc. A sincere thank you and appreciation to all. BABY MASSAGE CLASSES

Classes commencing the Thursday 9th. January for 5 consecutive weeks in Croan, Hugginstown at 12.00p.m. Contact Helen for more details on 083 857 9883. or www. kilkennyoccupationaltherapy.ie

CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS:

Envelopes for your Christmas Offerings 2024 may be collected in the Church Porch, and your contributions may be handed in during the coming weeks: or you may wish to donate directly – Use IBAN: IE19 AIBK 9330 9000 0561 20 (BIC: AIBKIE2D).

Many thanks for all your support and contributions during the past year. Roman Catholic Diocese and Parishes of Ossory – Registered Charity No. 20015831 FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2025

For Stoneyford School on Sunday 11th. May in Stoneyford Church at 11.00a.m.

For Monroe/Newmarket Schools on Sunday 18th. May in Hugginstown Church at 11.00a.m.

LOTTO

Many thanks to the Lotto Promoters and Supporters, for their committed and ongoing support of the Weekly Lotto. All funds generated are returned through prizes and by dividends to Aghaviller Parish and Carrickshock G.A.A. Club. These funds are critical to the development of all our facilities. Thanks to all.

JUBILEE YEAR OF HOPE.THEME,PILGRIMS OF HOPE

On Christmas Eve, 24th. December last, the ‘Jubilee Year of Hope’ began with the opening of the Holy Door by Pope Francis, in Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome. Each Diocesan Bishop celebrated Mass on Sunday, 29th. December, ‘Feast of the Holy Family’, to mark the solemn opening of the Holy Year in their Diocese. The Diocese of Ossory, in communion with the whole Church celebrated the beginning of the ‘Jubilee Year of Hope’ with Mass in St. Mary’s Cathedral.

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES

The Ossory Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from 19th. to 25th. May 2025. Bus transport from Loughboy Shopping Centre to Cork Airport. Direct flights to Lourdes. Full religious programme. Further information and Bookings at J.W.T. 01 241 0800 or email info@joewalshtours.ie. For Assisted Pilgrims please contact Fr. Anthony O’Connor on 087 251 7766.

SAFEGUARDING CONTACTS

Diocesan Designated Liaison Person: Ms. Ailish Higgins Tel: 087 100 0232. Aghaviller Parish Representatives are: Deirdre Rohan and Catherina Roche.

It is important to feed the birds

Hurlng matters - Preview

Sport

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR

AIB All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship Final

St Lachtain’s vs Russell Rovers

Sunday, 12:30pm, Croke Park

The last man standing. St Lachtain’s carry that tag this weekend as they represent all on Noreside on one of the biggest days in the club hurling calendar as they take on the challenge of Russell Rovers in the AIB All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship Final (Sunday, 12:30 throw in). This time last year, it was Walter Walsh and his Tullogher Rosbercon side that flew the flag for the Marble City when they were crowned champions at this grade with a thoroughly deserved victory over Cork’s St Catherine’s. Freshford’s opponents this weekend also hail from the Rebel County. Russell Rovers are seasoned performers at this level and will be keen to go one better that they did in 2020, when they fell to Kilkenny opposition in the shape of Conahy Shamrocks. Oh, how a similar result would be welcomed in the County on Sunday. The Shanagarry based outfit are led by Dave Dorgan, but it is a well-known figure, both from his time on the pitch and more recently, his media work as a pundit with RTE, Donal Og Cusack that is an influential figure within the management team.

The Rebel County dominate Junior hurling in their province, with 17 of the last 23 Munster JHC champions coming from Leeside, a sign of the strength of the game in Cork. Like Sunday’s opposition, the first task is always trying to become top-dog in your own back yard, and that’s what Russell Rovers did this season in claiming their first Cork Premier JHC title since 2019. Dorgan’s charges got the better of St Catherine’s, who were hoping to put All-Ireland heartbreak behind them and go one better this year, but came up against a very talented and tough opponent in Rovers, who were deserved 7-point winners at the long whistle.

Ahead of the County decider, Russell Rovers were handed a boost when centre-back James Kennefick had his red card rescinded after a hearing by Munster GAA the evening before the game. St Catherine’s weren’t as lucky as their appeal to overturn Richie O’Connell’s red failed. Goals were crucial in the Jimmy O’Mahony Cup decider and Dorgan’s men managed to raise three green flags across the game in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Brian Hartnett, former All-Ireland football winner Ciaran Sheehan and Luke Duggan Murray were the men with the majors as the Shanagarry men lifted the silverware.

There’s no doubt that the addition of former Éire Óg star Sheehan has

Freshford out to ruffle Rovers feathers in Croker decider

Farrell’s men seek junior crown in Captial clash

helped galvanise Russell Rovers, and Sheehan’s leadership has been instrumental in his side’s resurgence under the guidance of Dave Dorgan and Donal Og Cusack. Despite turning 34, just before the provincial decider, the former big-ball player’s experience has certainly been of great benefit to Rovers. The younger players in and around him have and will learn a lot for however long Sheehan decides that he can soldier on for.

Entering the provincial arena at the semi-final stage, Russell Rovers last four clash was against Moyle Rovers and that game took place in Midleton. Home comforts was to the Cork champions advantage as they secured a 9-point win over their Tipperary opponents. Again, the Leesiders goal threat

Freshford will hope Brian Kennedy is fit for the final

was evident, with another 3 majors being racked up. Star of the show in the last four clash was Brian Hartnett (2-3) who was in a rich vein of form as he showed his class while Josh Beausang (1-5) was another lively performer.

Dispatching the Premier County side saw Rovers reach the Munster decider where they clashed with Waterford’s finest, Kilrossanty. The game in Páirc Uí Rinn was a keenly contested affair in difficult conditions, but the Donal Og coached side pulled clear to clinch a deserved 11-point victory. Leading by two points at the short whistle, Rovers upped the ante after the interval and Hartnett’s second goal in successive games, coupled with an injury time effort from Luke Duggan Murray saw the Rebel

to take on Ulster champions, Ballinascreen for a place in the All-Ireland decider. They couldn’t have got off to a better start, registering a point and seeing the opposition goalkeeper getting his marching orders, inside the first few minutes of the game. Rovers took full advantage of their numerical advantage and were 8 points up inside fifteen minutes thanks to a super run and finish from the impressive Luke Duggan Murray. Taking a 12-point advantage into the second half, the Munster men took their foot of the gas, as the ‘Screen dug deep to try and compete, but once Josh Beausang goaled from a free inside the final ten minutes, the Cork outfit pulled away, tagging on five of the final seven points to secure their place in Sunday’s final.

Both finalists have been running up decent scores for winter hurling, and both like to go for goals at every opportunity. In the open spaces of Croke Park, this could make for a very entertaining contest on Sunday. Goalkeepers are the ones that stand in the way of majors, and in Darren Brennan and Ross Walsh, the finalists have two of the finest. Both netminders have been important cogs in their teams as they have reached the final, and will want to show their intercounty managers what their all about. Obviously, Lachtain’s Darren Brennan has a good deal of experience in the black and amber of Kilkenny, and has been pushing Glenmore’s Eoin Murphy for the No.1 jersey over the last number of seasons.

Freshford manager, Steven Farrell will know that his squad has the ability to deliver the big prize, and will hope that he has all his players at his disposal when they run out at the Jones’s Road venue on Sunday. They were deprived of centre back Brian Kennedy and former county man James Maher for their semi-final victory over Easkey in Ballinasloe last time out, and St Lachtain’s will hope that the Christmas rest and rehab has allowed enough time for this key duo to regain fitness.

Russell Rovers have a triple threat in the shape of Luke Duggan Murray, captain Ciaran Sheehan and Brian Hartnett. Freshford will look to Liam Hickey, Shane

Donnelly and hopefully, James Maher. Jame’s brother, Darragh has also been a regular performer as have Paddy Killeen, Cathal O’Leary and the evergreen John Fitzpatrick. Strong running, 100% effort and a great team ethic is what you get from a pair of Rafter’s in Alexander and Simon, the former is also more than capable of getting on the scoresheet.

As with most teams, still competing at this stage of the season, injuries are inevitable and St Lachtain’s boss Farrell has been keen to point out that they have a 40-man panel, all of whom are more than capable of coming in and doing a job. That has been the case with those coming in from the start and those sprung from the bench. The likes of Cian Dawson, Padraig Donnelly and the experienced John Fitzpatrick have all come in and done a job when called upon. If all bodies are fit and available for selection, it will present a lovely dilemma for the management team.

In front of experienced and talented netminder Darren Brennan, is captain and defensive anchor, Criomhthann Bergin. The commanding No.3 has been a real constant in St Lachtain’s defensive unit and is a great leader and generally makes live a little easier for Brennan behind him. The strong spine continues at 6, where Brian Kennedy has been nothing short of sensational this season. He was key in their victory over Castletown Liam Mellows, when it looked like the Wexford outfit might cause an upset and reads the game beautifully from the centre back position. Normally the influential Kennedy would have Alexander Rafter and Cathal Hickey flanking him, and these two have license to roam forward and augment the Freshford attack. This game could be a real endto-end swashbuckling encounter, given both sides love of fast flowing attacking hurling. Croke Park is rightfully the venue for this junior club final and is the perfect backdrop for St Lachtain’s to thrive and show the Island their talent. Let’s hope Steven Farrell’s men do themselves justice at headquarters and bring the cup back to Noreside for another year. Adh mór Naomh Lachlainn.

County side lift the Rody Nealon Cup for the second time.

Engine room enforcer

- Brendan Quinn ready to pounce

Shane Donnelly will battle to the end

Liam Hickey has been in good form in Lachtain’s run to Croker

KILKENNY

COUNTY COUNCIL

Planning notices

I, Christopher Carey intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council Planning Department for permission to build a one-storey extension to the north gable of my dwelling house at Westcourt North, Callan, Co. Kilkenny, including all necessary groundworks and service connections from existing house.

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

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

I, John Dunphy, intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Planning Permission for upgrade of existing method of waste disposal, to provide a new separate treatment system and percolation area to service the dwelling independently and all associated site works at Dairyhill, Cuffesgrange, Co. Kilkenny.

Signed: Robert M. Cummins - Cummins + Voortman Ltd (Architects www.cvltd.ie)

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 Authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the Planning Authority on payment of the prescribed fee 20 euros, within the period of five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

Glenman Corporation Limited apply to Kilkenny County Council for a commercial development at 44 – 48 Kieran Street, Kilkenny.

The development will consist of:1 No. commercial unit on ground floor, ‘Apparta-hostel’ on ground, 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors.

The development is adjacent to a listed building, St. Mary’s Church.

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 Authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the Planning Authority on payment of the prescribed fee 20 euros, within the period of five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Micheal Moloney wish to apply to the above authority on behalf of Niall Darcy for the following works:

- Retention Planning Permission of constructed 2 storey extension to rear of dwelling.

- Full Planning permission to: 1. Construct single storey extension to rear of dwelling with attached domestic garage 2. Upgrade existing wastewater system to current EPA guidelines and all other associated site works at Patra, Sallypark, Waterford, 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.

ANN M GIBBONS (NÉE CROTTY) 3RD ANNIVERSARY

In loving memory of Ann M Gibbons (née Crotty), Kilree House, Kilkenny, who died 12th January, 2022.

Dearly loved and missed by all of her family.

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. A.S.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Must promise publication of prayer. M.B.