Kilkenny Observer 10th November 2023

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Friday 10 November 2023

A 'Cool' Grandad We're here! The new age of the grandparent  Paul Hopkins Page 8

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Pepper suing Carey Pepper Finance is suing former Ireland hockey international Catriona Carey, according to proceedings lodged in the High Court last month.

Kilkenny native Ms Carey, who is currently being investigated in connection with an alleged mortgage scam, was named in proceedings in the High Court on October 4.

The summary case was brought by Pepper Finance

Corporation against Ms Carey and one other person, but details of the alleged debt were not disclosed.

The litigation is the latest setback for the Kilkenny woman who has come under pressure on several fronts since she was accused of running an alleged mortgage scam.

One of seven Irish companies she is registered as director of was listed for strike-off in

recent week by the Companies Office.

Westminster Merchant Trust (Ireland) Ltd, which lists its business as trusts, funds and financial entities, is facing wind-up for not filing accounts.

Recently, Ms Carey withdrew her appeal against driving offences which resulted in a four-year driving ban being imposed.

She had pleaded guilty last May to driving without insurance and without a proper licence.

She received a three-month suspended sentence along with a four-year driving ban, but she appealed the order of the District Court.

The case was due to be heard at Kilkenny District Appeals Court last week.

Carey’s barrister told the

court he was withdrawing the appeal on her behalf.

Ms Carey lost her family home in Weir View Hill, Kilkenny, in November last year after defaulting on her mortgage payments.

Start Mortgages took possession of the property and changed the locks over arrears of more than €359,000.

See also Page 6 Our future scientists: Alison Meylor (13), Basil Amin (14), and Lily-May Ennis (13), as BT Ireland announce the key trends for the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (2024.

Our whizz-kid young scientists Nineteen projects from seven schools in Kilkenny have qualified for the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2024.The schools include Castlecomer Community School, Coláiste Pobail Osraí, Loreto Secondary School, Presentation Secondary School, Scoil Aireagail, St. Kieran’s College and CBS Secondary School.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI), Diversity & Inclusion

The Best Comment & Opinion in Kilkenny

and Mental Health are three emerging trends that 2024 BTYSTE entrants want to learn more about • Of all 2024 BTYSTE submissions, 16% are health related (mental, menstrual, medicine, ageing, behaviour) • A total of 2,042 project entries were submitted by 4,166 students from 343 schools from across the island of Ireland for the 2024 BTYSTE • Of the 550 project ideas

that have qualified for the 2024 BTYSTE, 1,431 are group and 611 are individual entries • The year 2024 will be the 60th BTYSTE, which takes place from January 10 to 13 next year That month, 550 projects and hundreds of students will represent their school and community.

Of all the submissions for the 2024 exhibition, the most common project titles are focused

on health (16%); mental, menstrual, sleep, medicine, ageing, behaviour. Mental health project entries covered a broad range of topics, such as beauty standards, sports performance, exercise and sleep. 2% of all entries specifically investigated the health and environmental implications of vaping, which suggests the awareness and concerns of young people

EDITORIAL COMMENT ---------------

around vaping.

AI accounted for 4% of all entries, looking at how programmes such as Chat GPT can be used effectively in education and health. Diversity & Inclusion was another topic of interest for students this year. Of all entries, 3% focus on developing apps and technology to help improve the daily lives of those with physical disabilities.

Israel has said its forces are operating deep in Gaza City in their battle to wipe out Hamas and that its most senior leader, Yahya Sinwar, was isolated in his Gazan bunker as soldiers encircle the city. More than 10,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its military offensive, according to counts by health officials there.

It comes as the Dublin-born father of kidnapped IrishIsraeli girl Emily Hand, aged eight, [pictured] says he wants “to know 100% that she is alive” as he prays for her safe return.

Hamas are holding some 200 prisoners.

Both Israelis and Palestinians are suffering – grossly.

Nightly mass genocide of two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip is being streamed live on our TVs and smart gadgets.

And not one person is standing up and saying loudly and clearly: “Stop this madness. Stop this atrocity.

Stop this genocide.”

Since October when Hamas crossed border and murdered up to 1,400 Israelis, leaders from the European Union, the UK and the US have stood shoulder to shoulder with Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing support for Israel’s “right to defend itself”, a slogan that has wreaked horror on Gaza.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said Israel has a right to defend itself, adding the following qualification: “But Israel doesn’t have the right to do wrong.” Early on in the bombardment of Gaza, he also said: “To me, it amounts to collective punishment.”

The Kilkenny Observer fully and loudly supports what he said and Ireland’s stance.

President Biden needs to rethink his stance.

See also Pages 12 & 22

PAUL HOPKINS

MARIANNE HERON

JOHN ELLIS

GERRY MORAN

Telling it like it is.

And with no holds barred

A straight shooter.

Considerate and wise words

Great advice.

Your money in mind

Quirky take on bright side of life

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Butler family worldwide grateful to Ontario The site of the Butler Homestead in St. Andrew’s Glen, Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL), Ontario, Canada was the venue for a recent commemorative tree planting event honouring NOTL founding father Col. John Butler and the Butler family’s continuing important association with the community.

This follows on from the worldwide Butler Gathering event hosted in NOTL in August 2023, previously known as ‘the Butler Rallies’ traditionally held every three years at Kilkenny Castle.

For the planting of the maple tree, a gift from the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake to The Butler Society, Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa was joined by Butler Society Canadian Branch founding President Ruaraidh Butler, Hon. Canadian Chair Theobald ‘Toby’ ButlerBarrett, Vice-President of The Col. John Butler Society Bruce Wallace, and members from both organisations along with several NOTL residents.

The anticipated rain was obligingly delayed, providing perfect weather for the ceremony. The Lord Mayor spoke warmly and graciously, acknowledging the Butler legacy, the family’s deep roots in the community and congratulating the Butler Society on the success of their recent Butler Gathering event, held in NOTL in August of this year.

A message from Butler Society

The gathering: from left, Theobald ‘Toby’ ButlerBarrett, Bruce Wallace, Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa, and Ruaraidh Butler

Vice-Chairman Richard, Lord Dunboyne, based at Kilkenny Castle, was shared by Ruaraidh Butler.

“We are truly honoured to receive this kind gift of a tree,” it read in part. “We are most grateful to His Worship Gary Zalepa, Lord Mayor of the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, for all of his help and support; to all the staff at the Town Office; to the people of Niagara-on-theLake; and to the kind residents around the Butler Homestead site who must have been quite surprised to see so many Butlers on this important site back in August. I was standing on this spot together with Lord Mayor Zalepa, surrounded by Butlers from around the world.

It was a very memorable day.”

The newly installed maple tree stands to the right of the Col. John Butler memorial, and adjacent to the existing commemorative tree, the two now beautifully framing the monument.

A plaque will be installed in the coming months.

For our reader wondering when the next Butler Gathering event in Kilkenny will be we have some great news – it will be held at Kilkenny Castle from Wednesday, August 28 to Sunday, September 1, 2024 with visits to local places of Butler Family interest. *For more information www. butlersociety.org

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 10 November 2023

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DJ Carey trial set for 2025 The former Kilkenny hurler DJ Carey (52) has been remanded on continuing bail after Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was told his trial would take up to five weeks and would take place in 2025.

Mr Carey is denying deception and forgery charges as he faces allegations he

falsely claimed he had cancer and defrauded people into paying him for treatment.

Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the case to July 2, 2025.

Mr Carey is charged with 21 offences under the Theft and Fraud Act – 19 counts of deception and two of using a false instrument.

A later date in July 2025 was initially set but the case was recalled,with prosecutor Simon Matthews saying he wanted to “make sure there’s enough time” for the trial in that year’s term before the summer break.

The court heard there was a “potential for overrun” and it

could take five weeks.

Detective Sergeant Michael Bourke of Waterford Garda station had previously told Blanchardstown District Court Mr Carey made no reply to any of the charges after caution.

The charges name 23 alleged victims; some are in-

dividual men and women; others are couples.

The offences are alleged to have happened at unknown locations within the State on dates between 2014 and last year.

The 19 deception charges state he dishonestly by deception induced alleged victims

to make monetary payment to him after he fraudulently claimed to have cancer and needed finances to obtain treatment.

The two other charges allege he used a false instrument with the intention of inducing another person to accept it as genuine.

Primary school parents to be surveyed on children’s mobile use Primary schools will survey parents for their views before proposing a ban on smartphones under new guidelines to be discussed by the Cabinet.

Schools will be encouraged to liaise with parent associations to gather views on asking all parents not to buy their children smartphones.

If a majority of parents are in favour of collectively agreeing to not give their children smartphones, the school will write to all parents asking them to sign up to the initiative.

Education Minister Norma Foley will bring a memo to Cabinet this morning setting out the guidelines for primary schools seeking to introduce the smartphone ban.

The Department of Education guidelines will be sent to all

primary schools and it is hoped the proposals will be supported by the majority of parents around the country.

The guidelines are based on the example of eight schools in Greystones, Co Wicklow, where parents of primary-level children agreed not to buy smartphones for them during their primary school years.

The move was prompted by concerns about primary school children’s potential exposure to cyberbullying, violent and sexual content and other online harms via smartphones.

Meanwhile, a Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks opinion poll published in September showed nine in 10 people agreed with banning smartphones in primary schools.

Well done! From left, Ciara McMillan, a student of Electrical Engineering at SETU with fellow bursary winners Alannah O’Connell, Anna Carr, and Leah McElvaney who is studying Mechanical Engineering at ATU Sligo.

PHOTO: Alan Place

Ciara and and co. win bursary Kirby Group Engineering has announced five winners of its second bursary programme.

The initiative offers third level female students exciting opportunities with the mechanical and engineering contractor.

Among the recipients is Wexford native Ciara McMillan who is in her third year studying Electrical Engineering at SETU. Kirby is a leading mechanical and engineering contractor operating across Ireland, the UK, mainland Europe and South Africa.

It directly employs over 1400 people and works to actively promote diversity and inclusion at each of its sites. Earlier this year Kirby achieved the Investors in Diversity Silver award.

The bursary programme was open to females studying Electrical, Mechanical or Building Services Engineering at third level institutions in Ireland. This year’s winners were chosen following a thorough selection process by Kirby

senior management. The recipients will receive a full scholarship to cover the academic year 2023 / 24, as well as paid professional placements on Kirby’s exciting engineering projects. The students will also benefit from professional mentorship from highly experienced senior engineers.

The students are Leah McElvaney from Monaghan, a second year Mechanical Engineering student at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo; Wexford native Ciara McMillan.

Anna Carr from Limerick who is a third year student of Mechanical Engineering at National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway; Ellie Fox from Dublin who is a first year student of Electrical Service Engineering at Technological University (TU) Dublin;.

And Alannah O’Connell from Clare who is in third year studying Renewable and Electrical Engineering at Technological University (TU) Shannon.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 10 November 2023

Opinion

The Fact Of OfThe Matter Paul Hopkins

We’re here! New age of cool grandparents The other day I overheard my grandchild Faye ask her mother: “Mama, why is butter yellow?” It seems like only yesterday that my daughter was her daughter’s age – three in January – but I cannot for the life of me remember her asking such an out-of-theblue question. Most likely, she asked her mother.

I am blessed with four granddaughters; Faye and sister Abby (one in January) and Madeleine (5) and sister Mariele (2) who live in the US and As a grandparent, I am part of a growing and changing brigade of humankind. According to the Max Planck Institute in Germany, grandparents have risen from 17 to 20 percent of the global population in the last 20 years. The institute predicts that by 2050, grandparents will account for 2.1bn. people on the planet – 22% of humanity – outnumbering those aged under 15.

People are living longer,

with global life expectancy rising from 51 to 72 since 1960.

Meanwhile family sizes are shrinking, with the ratio of living grandparents to children steadily rising.

I remember only two grandparents. My mother’s father was a retired army major who liked Power’s whiskey and could conjure up a sixpence from behind my ear. He lived to 86. My father’s mother I could take or leave, depending on childish whim. When I was born, the eldest of three, my father was working away from home and my mother was left with a baby in the middle of what was still a building site.

One day, my grandmother came to visit. My mother was overjoyed to have another woman for company – she had lost her own mother when a child – and the good tea-set was taken out of the good cabinet.

When my grandmother was leaving my mother said: “Don’t ever wait to be invited.

Drop in anytime.” And her mother-in-law said: “Listen here, I reared eight. I’m not about to rear a ninth!” And from that day, until she died 24 years later, she never darkened our door.

We grandparents of today don’t see ourselves as old fashioned, stodgy or irrelevant.

In fact, at 71 I see my generation as adaptable and open to changing times. Recent research reveals that 68% of today’s grandparents consider themselves ‘cooler’ than their own grandparents. Certainly, Boomer and Gen X grandparents.

It’s not just medical understanding that has evolved between generations. Changing demographics and technology – the smartphone and such – has transformed how grandparents relate to and stay connected to their grandchildren. Yet, the fundamentals transcend time: most grandparents I know see themselves as a source of knowledge

and guidance, and provide physical, emotional and, when needed, financial support.

The pandemic upended our world and virtual grandparenting became the norm as some grandparents went for a year or two without seeing their grandchildren. Out of necessity, my cohort has become

“Whom I miss with an unending ache...

increasingly adept at technology.

Across the world, other factors have come into play.

According to the BBC, in China, urbanisation has created up to 60 million ‘left behind’ children, or about one fifth of all Chinese children, who are growing up in the countryside with grandparents while their parents live and work away, manning the factories and shops which are bringing about China’s economic rise. Similarly, in the Philippines, large numbers of children are living with grandparents while their parents work abroad.

Countries in the developed world have experienced an unprecedented growth in the number of their elderly and this trend is expected to continue for the next decades. The demographic ‘Grey Dawn:’ is often a cause for concern and framed as an ‘ageing crisis’. In Ireland, an ageing population – one in five is aged over

60 – poses huge challenges to social and health care – dementia is rising – and future social welfare provision. (And the new ‘brain drain’ will not help). However, increasing longevity does mean that more elderly are living longer and are healthier – thanks to lifestyle and medicine – and are available to help out. As they say, it takes a village to rear a child.

And wait ‘til the grandchildren are teenagers. These years can be tricky for parents to navigate. Fortunately, grandparents, spared the dramatics, can act as a conduit ... of sorts. Hopefully. God willing.

Longevity may be the most important trend we’ve ever experienced. It’s driven by — and, in turn, it affects — everything from health to housing, money to technology, lifestyle to social policy. There’s so much to be aware of — and I and my lot are just getting started!

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News

Wet weather sees fewer spuds for the dinner The "worst in recent memory" is how this year's potato harvest is being described.

And the scenario is quickly turning into a salvage operation, with drills underwater in many parts of the country following recent flooding.

"As it stands, around 60pc of crop remains to be harvested,” said IFA's Seán

Ryan. "Sizeable losses have occurred already which are likely to substantially increase as we progress through the harvest.”

He highlighted Met Éireann data that shows some stations have already exceeded the average annual total rainfall and others close to it.

"Now that we are in Novem-

ber, we are in extremely difficult territory with this much crop left to be harvested,” he said.

The vast majority of rooster potatoes, destined for storage to cover supplies until next June, are still sitting in the ground, according to agronomist Richard Hackett.

"Very little has been dug for

storage,” he told the Farming Independent. "We should be digging for stores that would keep us going to June, so we will be hand-to-mouth till June and there could be shortages next June.”

The recent wet weather has played havoc with the rooster crop, which he says is a lateharvesting variety.

Congratulations: Gerard O’ Neill with his wife Assumpta marking his retirement

in the UK before taking up a position in 1998 with the then South Eastern Health Board as Deputy Nursing Officer in the Waterford Mental Health Services.

A year later, as the National Counselling Services were being developed, Mr O'Neill began in the position as the South East’s regional director.

In the time since, Gerard has been centrally involved in a

ber. We had a late planting this year, but the crops were good.

"But now it's about getting the ground OK to get machinery in.”

With roosters accounting for over 80% of the potatoes grown in Ireland, Hackett says it's too late a variety to be dependent on.

HPV vaccine catch-up being held in South East

HSE marks retirement of Gerard O'Neill

The HSE has marked the retirement of one of its long time service leaders in the South East.

Since 1999, Gerard O’ Neill has been Director of Adult Counselling Services for counties Kilkenny Carlow, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford.

A native of Clogh, Co. Kilkenny, Gerard O'Neill worked in the National Health Service

"Roosters are susceptible to soft rot in wet conditions, while there will also be misshapen potatoes and growth cracks due to wet, then dry, conditions we had this year,” said Mr Hackett.

"There has been no digging in the last three weeks, so a lot of potatoes are still sitting in fields heading into Novem-

number of developments in these services.

Gerard O’ Neill played a leading role in the establishment of the Self-Harm Intervention Programme (SHIP). The SHIP service is a unique, specialised counselling service provided in the South East to people who are self-harming. The SHIP programme, involving the HSE’s mental health services

and counselling services and National Office for Suicide Prevention, supports their objectives of reducing suicide in Ireland. The service has proven successful in supporting short-term outcomes associated with longer-term reduced suicide risk, bringing a number of risk factors from well below to normal functioning levels over the course of treatment.

The HSE/South East Community Healthcare are continuing to hold clinics (by appointment) for some people who did not yet get the papilloma viruses (HPV) vaccine.

Eligible people can register on www.hpv.ie for an appointment for a free vaccine (offered as part of the 'Laura Brennan Catch Up Programme' – an initiative supported by Bernie and Larry Brennan, parents of the late Laura Brennan who campaigned for higher uptake of the HPV vaccine before her death from cervical cancer in 2019, aged 26.

Clinics (by appointment) will be taking place at: Co. Kilkenny All taking place in the HSE’s Vaccination Hub, Kilcreene Hospital, Kilkenny R95 DK07 • Sunday 12th of November 2-4pm: • Wed. 22nd of November 11.30am-12.30pm.

• Sunday 3rd of December 9.30 -11.30am.

• Wed. 20th of December 9.30-11.30am.

Co. Carlow All taking place in the HSE’s Carlow Vaccination Centre, St Dympna’s Hospital, Old Dublin Rd., Carlow R93 X7TV: • Sunday 12th of November 9.30-11.30am.

• Thursday 23rd of November 11.30am-12.30pm.

• Sunday 3rd of December 2-4pm.

• Thursday 21st December 9.30-11.30am.

The vaccine is free and the programme will run until the end of 2023.

Who can get a vaccine You can get a HPV vaccine if you’re: • in second to sixth year of secondary school, homeschool or special school • female age 24 or younger • male age 21 or younger • If you’re an international student living in Ireland, you

can get a vaccine if you’re: • female age 24 or younger • male age 21 or younger • If you’re a refugee or seeking protection in Ireland, you can get a vaccine if you’re: • female age 14 to 24 • male age 14 to 21 Things you need to book online You’ll need: • a mobile phone number so we can send you your appointment details • an address or Eircode • We also ask for your Personal Public Service (PPS) number. If you do not have one, you can still get a vaccine.

Why we ask for your PPS number We need your PPS number to find your individual health identifier (IHI). Your IHI is a unique number used to identify you when you use a health or social care service.

Help to book an appointment If you need help booking an appointment, contact: • HSE Live on freephone 1800 700 700 • your local vaccination team What to bring to your appointment If you're 16 or older • Bring photo ID with your date of birth to your appointment, for example your: • passport • driving licence • Garda age card If you're under 16 • A parent or legal guardian must be with you at the appointment.

• Bring your PPS number and ID with your date of birth on it. This can be your passport or birth certificate. If you do not have these, any ID like a Public Services Card or school ID would be helpful.

• If you do not have any ID, your parent or legal guardian can confirm your identity and age at the appointment.

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Opinion

As I See It Marianne Heron

Gaza: when will the blood bath stop?

Our hearts go out to Emily Hand taken hostage by Hamas in the brutal October 7 attack, and her family as they wait for news of the eight-year-old Irish citizen initially assumed dead. Our thoughts go too to the more than 4,000 children in Gaza killed by Israeli bombing and their bereaved or slain families.

The atrocity of war weighs heavily, given the ongoing carnage in Palestine and Israel. Our concern is selective though – Russia’s war on Ukraine continues and currently there are 30 other wars going on around the world – as we listen to the news wonder when the ongoing inhumanity in Gaza will stop.

Albert Einstein once asked Sigmund Freud why humans, uniquely among other creatures kill their own kind systematically. Any hope that

he had of a psychological cure were dashed by Freud, who replied that violence and inequality are natural to mankind.

It can be said that there are just wars, WWII being the most obvious example, where wars are waged to right wrongs and to restore peace although the execution of those wars may be unjust – think of Hiroshima. One of the casualties of war is often truth, where what people really think and the motivation of war remains unspoken or unspeakable.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar spoke out about the Israelis being motivated by revenge against Palestinians in Gaza in the indiscriminate bombings which have resulted in the deaths of more than 10,000 people, nearly half of them children, following the October 7 terrorist massacre

of 1,400 by Hamas. Declaring war on Hamas to protect the Israeli people is justified, but killing tens of thousands of civilians with nowhere safe to go and starving them, bombing hospitals and ambulances are war crimes.

At the same time there is a battle of words being raged in a propaganda war over justification or blame. Ambulances or hospitals were hit by Israeli bombs because Hamas were in them. Plus there are skirmishes of misinformation and counter-claims on social media as conspiracy theorists cross swords.

The term ethnic cleansing pinpoints another motive here; the desire by some to rid Israel of Palestinians. Let them go to the desert (Sinai) or to Ireland, remarked one Israeli politician, while another who proposed a nuclear option for Gaza was

only temporarily suspended from office. Ethnic cleansing has happened since the State of Israel was declared in 1948.

More than 15,000 Palestinians were killed, three quarters of a million became refugees between 1947 and 1949 and Israel now controls 85%of historic Palestine.

The 1967 Six Days war multiplied the amount of territory occupied by Israel and included the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Since then, Jewish settlements in occupied territory have expanded with the imposition of a crippling blockade on Gaza in defiance of UN resolutions.

Between 2000 and 2014 alone 7,000 Palestinians and 1,100 Israelis have lost their lives in hostilities.

When the war being waged between Israel and Hamas ends there will be unanswerable questions. How many of

the surviving Gazans will be able to return to the bombsites where their homes once stood? How many thousands will become refugees? In the meantime, what hope is there of stopping the carnage as Hamas continues to fire rockets into Israel and Israel’s bombing reached new peaks this week clearing the way for their ground offensive as it got under way.

Surely it is counter intuitive that the Israelis will pay any attention to US calls for a ceasefire while the US continues to supply Israel with weapons and finance. It is useless to expect the UN to intervene while its Security Council is split and the litany of UN past failures to secure peace or prevent massacres like those in Rwanda and Srebrenica hardly inspires confidence.

Our own recent bitter expe-

A.Vogel celebrates 100 years

CLAIR WHITTY

A.Vogel recently celebrated 100 years since Alfred Vogel opened his first health food store. I was invited to the celebrations. I have to say, it was a lovely day of training, meeting like-minded people, and learning more about Alfred’s life and where it all began. Alfred Vogel, who was born in Switzerland, said, “Nature gives us everything we need to protect and maintain our health.” He believed that it is important to have a healthy diet and lifestyle

and that nature could support us when needed. He wrote the book The Nature Doctor. This was one of the first books that I read when I started working in natural health and wellbeing.

Vogel believed that herbs should be fresh, organic and used preferably in tincture form for optimum benefit. Today, the Vogel brand still carry out his wishes and work to the same standards that he set all those years ago.

He travelled the world learning about herbal remedies and nature from indigenous people. Such as in the case of Echinacea where it is said that he met with Ben Black Elk, son of medicine man

rience during the Troubles suggests that, when the parties involved become sick of strife and bloodshed and realise that the war, whatever about apparent victory, is unwinnable, only then does the ‘Belfast Moment’ – the option of peace – come about.

Meantime, given the ongoing humanitarian crisis, the bombing, killing and deprivation of trapped civilians in Gaza, Israel has lost out on the immense sympathy generated by Hamas’s horrific October 7 terrorist attack in which 1,400 were killed and 240 taken hostage. How many of us wonder privately how descendants of forbearers who suffered centuries of persecution, culminating in the unimaginable horror of the Holocaust can visit persecution and mass killing – the definition of a holocaust – on another people.

Nicholas Black Elk who taught him about the Native America herbal tradition. It was from him that he got the Echinacea seeds that he was to cultivate, grow and research. From this he formulated a product that we know today as Echinaforce.

I would have spoken about Echinacea many times over the years. It is a beautiful plant with purple spindly petals. It is the perfect herbal tincture to have in the home at this time of the year to support immunity.

You can take it to help prevent getting a cold or a flu or you can take it to treat one if you get it. It is my go-to remedy to help support my immune system. Echinacea lozenges are ideal for when you are out and about. Germs get into our body through the nose and mouth so sucking a lozenge could offer some protection for you.

Alison, who gave us a lecture on Echinaforce reminded us that simple things in life like laughing can help immunity too. As well as the value of a healthy diet, stress reduction, and good quality sleep as ways to support immunity all year round.

If you are not familiar with the brand, it is worth checking out.

Shop online at www. naturalhealthstore.ie where you’ll be able to take a look at these brands.

Natural Health Store, Market Cross Shopping Centre Phone: 056 7764538 Email: info@ naturalhealthstore.ie

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SPECIAL REPORT Ho, Ho, Ho Santa is coming to Jurassic Newpark, Kilkenny, and what better place for Mr Claus to meet all the girls, boys and their families than at one of Ireland’s top family friendly visitor attractions!

Located on the grounds of the four-star Newpark Hotel, Jurassic Newpark is a dino-themed farm and adventure trail with 12 giant animatronic dinosaurs, new ‘Jurassic Bounce’ covered jump zone, a wildlife pet farm, fairy trail, adventure playground and more!

Preparations are already underway for a seasonal transformation which will turn the outdoor space into a ‘Winter Wonderland’ just in time for Santa’s arrival on Friday, November 17!

Sources at the North Pole tell us that an advance team of elf ‘scouts’ decided this was an ideal place to start their Christmas countdown, with plenty of space for Santa’s Grotto and the elves Toy Workshop and lots to see and do for families to enjoy quality time making memories! Mrs Claus is delighted to be staying in the Newpark Hotel for some quality pampering and relaxation ahead of the busy festive season. The Santa Experience at Jurassic Newpark launches from Friday November 17 and runs Wednesday to Sunday weekly right up to Saturday December 23.

On arrival at Jurassic Newpark visitors will be welcomed with festive flourishes, twinkling lights, and a Christmas themed scavenger hunt. Make sure to look out for their cheeky elves, magic reindeer, and dashing dinosaurs as you explore.

Next head to the snack shack for your complimentary hot chocolate (one for each person) to warm hands and hearts ahead of checking out some of the live entertainment on offer including a ‘Santasau-

Bring Jurassic Joy to all the family this Christmas rus Show’ with Santa the dancing dinosaur at The Dino Den, or why not gather round for Christmas Storytelling and fun and games with the delightful and jolly Mrs. Claus.

Other festive fun includes face painting, helping elves in the toy workshop, paying a visit to the live nativity crib or simply taking the opportunity to enjoy a magical

walk around the Winter Wonderland, decorated with Christmas trees and lights. See if you can spot giant dinosaurs, real reindeer and many other adorable animals at the wildlife pet farm and make sure to visit the elf and fairy trail!

Access to enchanted Elf & Fairy Trail.

The highlight of your day will of course be getting to

meet Santa at his Grotto, where you can tell him about your Christmas wishes, and how good you’ve been all year! You can also opt to get a festive photo (additional fee).

Santa’s helpers are of course all elves, who despite being very busy preparing for Christmas Day, love nothing more than making fun filled festive games for all to enjoy

so make sure to visit their workshop where each child will receive a gift to take home.

Tickets to the Jurassic Christmas Experience also include a complimentary 30-minute session on Jurassic Bounce covered jump zone, free play in the playground and adventure trail and fun filled covered carnival games area to your

heart’s content! *Tickets now available jurassicnewpark.com for more see @jurassicnewpark on social media.

All tickets must be booked online. Remember that this is an outdoor event so wear waterproof and warm clothes and is suitable for children under the age of 11.

Eight ways to slow down ageing by six years Scientists have named eight measures that can slow ageing by up to six years.

Such measures include healthy sleep and regular exercise which may slow pace of body’s biological ageing.

Keeping body weight, blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure in check while maintaining healthy sleep and eating regimes, doing regular physical activity and not smoking may also slow the ageing process by around six years, US experts say.

A study suggests that following these measures promotes good heart health, which in turn may slow the

pace of biological ageing by up to six years.

The findings, based on data from more than 6,500 adults with an average age of 47, are being presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions conference in Philadelphia.

Researchers said people with the best cardiovascular health were about six years younger biologically – the pace at which they have aged for every year alive – than their actual age.

“These findings help us understand the link between chronological age and biological age and how follow-

ing healthy lifestyle habits can help us live longer,” said Donald Lloyd-Jones, the chair of the writing group for Life’s Essential 8, the AHA’s health assessment tool.

“Everyone wants to live longer, yet more importantly, we want to live healthier longer so we can really enjoy and have good quality of life for as many years as possible,” said Lloyd-Jones, a past volunteer president of the AHA. Life’s Essential 8 aims to define heart health based on four modifiable lifestyle measures and four modifiable health markers.

To measure a person’s phenotypic, or biological, age the researchers checked their metabolism, organ function and inflammation.

Phenotypic age acceleration is the difference between one’s biological age and actual age, with higher values indicating faster biological ageing.

After accounting for social, economic and demographic factors, researchers said having the highest Life’s Essential 8 score – which means having good cardiovascular health – was associated with a biological age of about six years younger.

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Opinion

Your Money & You John Ellis

Keeping your home safe from burglary Our homes are our sanctuaries, where we should feel safe and secure. As we approach another winter season, it’s crucial to ensure our homes are not only warm and cozy but also well-protected.

Unfortunately, data published in the past decade by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) reveals a concerning statistic – one in every 10 Irish homes has been burgled. In total, there have been 182,609 reported burglaries in this period.

A recent review of the latest statistics from the CSO and An Garda Siochana provides an overview of burglaries by Garda division and station for the first half of 2022 (Q1 and Q2, January to June). The CSO’s recorded crime index shows 5,047 burglaries and related offenscs occurred nationwide in this period. This represents a worrisome 33% increase compared to the same period in 2021. It’s an unwelcome spike that high-

lights the need for increased vigilance when it comes to home security.

Many Irish homeowners are concerned about the safety of their homes. In fact, three out of every four (72%) are worried about the possibility of a break-in, with over a third (39%) feeling uneasy when home alone. Seasonal factors significantly impact our sense of security, with more than half (58%) feeling least protected throughout the winter months and a staggering 64% expressing heightened anxiety at night.

Eoin Dunne, Managing Director of PhoneWatch, expresses his concern over the recent surge in burglary rates: “It’s worrying to see a 33% increase in the nationwide burglary rate, and an increase is noted across most counties in Ireland. If this rate continues until the end of the year, we might expect around 11,500 burglaries in 2022.”

While 80% of people have never experienced a home break-in, this doesn’t stop over 40% of us from regularly

asking our neighbours to check on our homes when we are away. Unfortunately, this approach is not always

effective, as burglars can be keenly aware that a home is unoccupied, and our neighbours cannot be expected to safeguard our homes 24/7.

To address these concerns all homeowners need to take the necessary preventative measures to protect their homes and valued possessions. The goal is not to scare or frighten people but to make homeowners aware of the realities of burglary so that they can take simple yet effective measures to prevent such incidents. Protecting your home during the winter and throughout the year involves the following common-sense practices.

Don’t forget to lock your doors and windows even when you’re at home. This simple step is often overlooked but can be a significant deterrent to potential burglars.

Use a timed lighting system like smart plugs and timers during the darker winter

evenings, as leaving lights on can give the appearance that someone is home and hide your valuables as they are an open invitation to burglars.

Install a monitored alarm system as research consistently shows that people with monitored alarms are less likely to experience break-ins.

Data indicates that monitored homes are 4.5 times less likely to be burgled. And if you have an alarm, use it. It’s crucial to remember to arm your alarm, not only at night but also when you’re briefly stepping out.

By taking these steps potential intruders are deterred and we can make our homes safer and more secure, allowing us to enjoy the warmth and comfort they provide without unnecessary worry. It’s time to take control of our home’s security and enjoy peace of mind this winter season. john@ellisfinancial.ie 086 8362622

Climate Change

– are we all playing our part?

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News Science & Wellbeing As any parent knows, an ‘overtired’ baby can be the bane of their existence. Your child hasn’t slept in a while and is clearly over-tired. Yet laying in the crib, they are restless and agitated, unable to gently drift off and noisily demand your attention.

When overtired, babies are in an emotional state, such as excitement, anxiety, or fear, wrote Helen L. Ball, a Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Durham Infancy & Sleep Centre at Durham University, “this is a survival response that helps us to stay awake when in danger, no matter how tired we are”.

But the baby’s cot tends to be a cozy, quiet, and safe haven, so why is this survival response engaged? It’s because the longer humans go without sleep, the harder it is for us to regulate our emotions. A notable 2007 study showed that the emotion centres of sleep-deprived brains are more reactive to stimuli compared to rested brains.

“It’s almost as though, without sleep, the brain had reverted back to more primitive patterns of activity, in that it was unable to put emotional experiences into context and produce controlled, appropriate responses,” study author Matthew Walker, a professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California-Berkeley, and founder and director of the Center for Human Sleep Science, said of the findings.

Since infants need more sleep than adults — anywhere from 12 to 16 hours each day broken into numerous naps in addition to a longer nighttime bout — it’s easy for them to reach that overtired state, but adults are susceptible as well.

Have you ever laid awake at night, dwelling on decisions you made earlier that day or planning for the chores you

Helping yourself to a good night’s sleep

face tomorrow? You’re more likely to find yourself locked in this insidious cycle of rumination if you’re overtired.

“Rested brains are good at ignoring things that happen all the time but have no real consequence,” Matt Jones, a

professor of neuroscience at the University of Bristol, told BBC Science Focus.

But when overtired or whenexperiencing insomnia, “you’re less able to let go — consciously or unconsciously — of irrelevant information,”

he further explained.

Coincidentally, parents of young, potentially overtired children are themselves more at risk of being overtired themselves. Balancing work and childcare, along with personal physical hygiene,

while hopefully attempting to maintain a semblance of a social life, can be mentally and physically exhausting.

Our incessantly switched-on, hyper-connected existence can also make us overtired.

Work emails at all hours,

rapid-fire news reports, and social media notifications leave our brains little chance to relax during the day.

So, how to avoid being overtired? Allotting time for peace and quiet can help. A study published last year found that a peaceful one-hour walk in nature, free from other distractions, soothes activity in the amygdala, the primary brain area that processes emotions, including fear and anxiety.

Also helpful is adopting good sleep hygiene. After all, poor sleep also makes us overtired, a brutal feedback loop. If possible, reduce the distractions you face at least an our before bedtime, particularly from technological sources. Importantly, this winding down process should not occur in bed.

“It’s all about managing what’s called ‘stimulus control,’ Dr Alex Scott, a lecturer in psychology at Keele University told BBC Science Focus. “This basically means it’s a good idea not to associate your bed with too much worrying — that can lead to more sleep problems.”

The rumination that occasionally creates a sleepless night is often a product of your actions earlier in the day. Preventing your brain from getting overtired will make it easier to find peaceful repose at night.

To sum up, ‘overtiredness’ is often blamed when infants are unable to fall asleep at night because they are stuck in an alert, emotional state.

Adults can become overtired as well. Fatigue makes it harder for us to regulate emotions and process thoughts rationally, making it difficult to wind down at night. Giving your brain breaks during the day from our ‘always-on’ existence can help prevent your brain from becoming overtired.

How AI aided the battle against Covid The fact is that before ChatGPT and its inherent good and bad occupied our attention, AI was already here, and it was doing more important things than writing essays for lazy college students. Indeed, it was key to saving the lives of tens of millions of people – with the AI-designed mRNA vaccines in the battle against Covid .

As Dave Johnson, chief data and AI officer at Moderna, told MIT Technology Review‘s In Machines We Trust podcast, AI was integral to creating the company’s highly effective mRNA vaccine against the rogue microbe. Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech’s mRNA vaccines collectively saved between 15 and 20 million lives, according to one estimate from 2022.

Johnson described how AI was hard at work at Mod-

erna, well before COVID arose to infect billions. The pharmaceutical company focuses on finding mRNA therapies to fight off infectious disease, treat cancer, or thwart genetic illness,

among other medical applications. Messenger RNA molecules are essentially molecular instructions for cells that tell them how to create specific proteins, which do everything from

fighting infection, to catalysing reactions, to relaying cellular messages.

Johnson and his team put AI and automated robots to work making lots of different mRNAs for scientists to

experiment with. Moderna quickly went from making about 30 per month to more than one thousand. They then created AI algorithms to optimise mRNA to maximise protein production in the body — more bang for the biological buck.

For Johnson and his team’s next trick, they used AI to automate science, itself. Once Moderna’s scientists have an mRNA to experiment with, they do pre-clinical tests in the lab.

They then pore over reams of data to see which mRNAs could progress to the next stage: animal trials. This process is long, repetitive, and soul-sucking — illsuited to a creative scientist but great for a mindless AI algorithm. With scientists’ input, models were made to automate this tedious process.

All these AI systems were put in place over the past decade. Then Covid showed up. So when the genome sequence of the coronavirus was made public in January 2020, Moderna was off to the races pumping out and testing mRNAs that would tell cells how to manufacture the coronavirus’s spike protein so that the body’s immune system would recognise and destroy it. Within 42 days, the company had an mRNA vaccine ready to be tested in humans. It eventually went into hundreds of millions of arms.

Moderna is now turning its attention to other ailments that could be solved with mRNA, and the company is continuing to lean on AI. Scientists are still coming to Johnson with automation requests, to which he happily obliges.

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Travel & Leisure

Two days in Poland’s Kraków

Day One Check into: Hotel Stary, a glorious and grand 19thcentury palace. Spacious rooms are decorated with fine rugs and antiques, and many have balconies overlooking Market Square.

A big draw is the spa, which is hidden away in the bricklined vaulted cellars and has a brace of indoor pools and a salt chamber. The rooftop sky bar is perfect for a post-soak sundowner.

For a more affordable stay, consider PURO Kraków Kazimierz, which has bright, simply stylish rooms in Kazimierz, Kraków’s historic Jewish Quarter.

the hourly bugle call, which historically warned residents of trouble.

Take a stroll: Kraków’s historic centre is nice and compact and easily walkable, with many of the highlights – such as Market Square, the Jewish Quarter and Wawel Castle – all within easy reach north of the Vistula River.

Of course, the best way to learn about any old city is to join a walking tour. The Free Walking Tour group meets in front of St Mary’s Basilica every morning for a two-hour tour of the Old Town (it’s free to join, but don’t forget to tip).

Pick up some local crafts: Running through the centre of Market Square, Cloth Hall (whose current form dates to the 16th-century) is a gloriously neo- Gothic arcade that has been selling bits and bobs since medieval times.

It’s still packed to rafters with stalls hawking essential Polish souvenirs such as Cracovian folk costumes, amber jewellery and acres of intricate lacework.

Get a bird’s-eye view: from the top of the 15th-century Bugle Tower, the higher of the twin spires towers in St Mary’s Basilica. It’s named for

Taste pierogi: If there’s one food you must try in Kraków, it’s pierogi, the heavenly handmade dumplings that originate from the 13th century. A good bet is Pierogarnia Krakowiacy, a delightfully twee familyrun restaurant found in a handful of locations in the Old Town. It serves up numerous flavours, both classic and more contemporary, the most popular being pork and onion, cabbage and mushrooms or Ruskie, filled with potato, onion and cottage cheese.

Go for a drink: Take a wander south along the banks of the Vistula River and stop for a beer at one of the moored barges. If you go by the frenzy of locals who frequent it, Barka Arkadia is by far the

most popular spot on the river, not least because of its excellent beer selection and staggering views of Wawel Castle... where incredibly ancient prehistoric discoveries were unearthed recently.

Have dinner: All this sightseeing has worked up quite the appetite. If you’re staying in Old Town, book dinner at Restauracja Szara on Market Square and dine out on treats such as goats’ cheese baked in honey and beef Rydberg under an imposingly Gothic vaulted ceiling.

See live music: Cracovians are quite the jazz connoisseurs. Catch one of the nightly sets at the Harris Piano Jazz Bar, a cavernous cellar bar and music venue under Market Square. Kick back with a smoky whiskey and listen to live jazz and blues until the early hours of the morning.

Go for brunch: at Milkbar Tomasza. Milk bars are government-subsidised cafeterias, a hangover from Poland’s communist past.

Authentically utilitarian, they serve traditional Polish dishes such as pierogi, potato pancakes and soups, as well as breakfast dishes and sweet pancakes at remarkably reasonable prices.

Visit a salt mine: Much of the city was built on the staggering profits made from the region’s natural salt caves.

In the Greater Kraków suburb of Wieliczka, an easy bus ride from the centre, The Wieliczka Salt Mine is a subterranean wonderland carved out by miners over seven centuries.

It features nearly 186 miles (300km) of tunnels and caves, many decorated with religious icons, royal figures and mythical creatures whittled out of salt.

Be wowed at: Wawel Castle.

Another must see is Wawel Royal Castle, the 16th- century palace which is now one of the country’s finest art galleries. While the grounds are free to wander, it’s well worth grabbing tickets to explore one or two of the five museums, such as the State Rooms or the Royal Private Apartments.

Highlights include the royals’ Meissen collection, and the Tapestry Collection of Sigismund II Augustus, which was looted by the Russians in 1795 and only returned in the 1960s.

Go for dinner at: Restauracja Pod Baranem, a charmingly homely restaurant spread over five rooms all with beamed ceilings, stone floors and local art. It has stacks of character and serves excellent examples

of classic Polish dishes like stuffed cabbage rolls, sour rye soup and traditionally roasted goose, pork and venison.

Day Two Go for breakfast: Tucked away between Kazimierz and Old Town on Starowi lna 14, Mo-ja Cafe is a trendy spot for breakfast and brunch. Try the breakfast pizza with crispy bacon, egg and asparagus or the taco pancakes with egg, cheese and bacon – not to mention its excellent coffee and freshly pressed juices.

There’s plenty of choice for vegans and vegetarians too.

Take a stroll: Work off your belly-busting brunch with a walk around Planty Park, a series of gardens linked to form a green ring around the Old Town. Enter through the beautiful St Florian Gate to the north and wander along the Royal Road and through the medieval suburb of Kleparz, keeping an eye out for the stone remains of the city’s ancient walls.

Explore the Jewish Quarter: A 15-minute stroll from Wawel Hill is Kazimierz, the old Jewish Quarter. Learn about Poland’s long Jewish history in the Old Synagogue museum laid out under grand vaulted ceilings. While you’re here, pop into the Ethnographic Museum in Kazimierz Town

Hall and learn about the many cultures in Poland (not least because it’s free on Sundays).

Many visitors to Kraków want to visit AuschwitzBirkenau, the Nazi concentration camps that lie 41 miles (66km) from the city.

There are several day tours available to book. Another important site is Oskar Schindler’s Factory in the Zabłocie district of Kraków.

Schindler’s Enamel Factory saved the lives of more than 1,200 Jews. It now houses a permanent exhibition.

Enjoy a traditional Jewish lunch: Stay for lunch in Kazimierz at the Dawno Ten, a charming restaurant behind a series of old shopfronts. It serves classic Jewish dishes like cholent, a traditional stew served on the Sabbath, and Jewish caviar, paté made with chopped chicken livers, eggs and truffle.

Last beer: Finally, enjoy one last beer in the Singer Cafe in Kazimierz, one of the most charismatic bars in the city. Once a sewing machine factory, it’s like stepping into your grandma’s front room, with its candlelit bar rooms, fringed lampshades and vintage sewing machine tables. Yet it’s open from 9am until as late (or early) as 6am at the weekend making it one of the hottest spots in Kraków.

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Opinion

Furthermore Gerry Moran

The Ps & Qs of those airport queues!

Purgatory is a place on earth.

And it’s called an airport.

There is no heaven on earth, this we know; we do know, however, that there is hell on earth. Look no further than Gaza. Indeed you may be going through your own personal hell at the moment in which case I sympathise with you.

And what’s this Churchill said many years ago: “If you’re going through hell – keep going.”

Purgatory, however, not heaven nor hell, is the theme of this piece and purgatory, according to my Concise Oxford Dictionary, is “a place or state of temporary suffering”. An airport for sure. Let’s start with parking. Long-term usually which is almost always full and miles from the terminal, unless you’ve money to burn and are prepared to pay a small fortune on Short Term parking (two weeks may

require a loan from the credit union). And, even if you’re flushed enough to avail of Short Term parking, you still have to spiral up, and up, and around, and around, to find a space – usually next to a pillar where a small scrape can cost you big bucks to have repaired by the panel beater (and I’m talking from personal experience here) .

And so the suffering has begun. Next the queue; the first of many, to check in your bag. But, hey, you were clever – you checked in your bag on line. Good thinking. Now join the queue for Bag Drop, every bit as long as the regular check-in line! And now for the next painful, purgatorial experience: security check. Are we ready? Oh, and do not get excited when you see a smallish queue ahead which you join with hope in your heart until you turn the corner and see the REAL queue, creep-

ing, crawling along at a snail’s pace.

But you’ve been here before so you grit your teeth, say a decade of the rosary (like hell, or rather purgatory, you do, you swear silently under your breath or to your partner who doesn’t actually hear because they too are swearing silently under their breath).

Eventually you reach the table, strip off to your boxer shorts (not quite but you know what I mean) where you load the tray (or trays, depending on your baggage) with belt, shoes, jacket, PC, loose change, passport, wallet and your Rolex watch which you keep a sharp eye on as it slithers towards the limbo of the X-ray machine, hopefully to re-emerge on the other side.

Enter then, not the Pearly Gates, but the security gate for a quick scan to confirm you’re not concealing a kilogram of gelignite or hand-grenade

in your underwear. And, of course, the beeper beeps, it always does in my case as I am

“If you’re going through hell - keep going..

concealing, not explosives, but a prosthetic hip. “Prosthetic hip,” I announce but it doesn’t matter – doesn’t matter if I produced a gold-framed certificate from my surgeon attesting to same.

The frisk commences which I now call frisko-dancing, as opposed to disco-dancing.

I turn to the left, turn to the right. I lift my left foot, lift my right, raise my hands in the air and turn all around as some electronic device scans my body. Seeing my frustration one time, a security guy in Dublin said: “Just enjoy the massage.” I enjoyed the humour.

So, reunited with my belt, shoes, wallet etc. and Rolex (kidding) we head for the boarding gate. Surprise. Surprise. Another queue! A very long queue. But hey, you were clever, you booked Priority Boarding which queue, however, is every bit as long

as the non-priority boarding queue! But, no sweat, you’re nearly there. Emphasis on NEARLY as you shuffle from one foot to the other until boarding eventually commences.

And now, hallelujah, you’re actually on the plane and look forward to a well-deserved G&T or chilled can of beer.

But no. You’re not quite through purgatory yet. The plane would you believe is going nowhere because, as the captain announces, it is in, wait for it, a QUEUE to take off! Now I’m really tempted to say a decade of the rosary if not the entire rosary complete with the torturous trimmings my mother always added on as I’m remembering what the poet Tennyson said: “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.’”

But, hey, what did Tennyson know of Aer Lingus, Ryan Air or purgatorial airport queues?

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Global Report

Earth heating up faster than first thought

The planet is on course to heat up at a much faster rate than scientists have previously predicted, according to a report

by CNN. In effect, this means a key global warming threshold could be breached this decade, according to a new study co-authored by James Hansen — the US scientist widely credited with being the first to publicly sound the alarm on the climate crisis in the 1980s.

In the paper, published in the journal Oxford Open Climate Change, Hansen and more than a dozen other scientists used a combination of paleo-climate data, including data from polar ice cores and tree rings, climate models and observational data, to conclude that the Earth is much more sensitive to climate change than previously understood.

“We are in the early phase of a climate emergency,” ac-

cording to the report, which warns a surge of heat “already in the pipeline” will rapidly push global temperatures beyond what has been predicted, resulting in warming that exceeds 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels in the 2020s, and above 2 degrees Celsius before 2050.

The findings add to a slew of recent research that concludes the world is hurtling toward 1.5 degrees, a threshold beyond which the impacts of climate change — including extreme heat, drought and floods — will become significantly harder for humans to adapt to.

Some other scientists, however, have cast doubt on the paper’s conclusions that climate change is accelerating faster than models predict.

Hansen, a director at the Earth Institute at Columbia University, is a renowned cli-

mate scientist whose 1988 testimony to the US Senate first brought global attention to climate change.

He has previously warned that the Earth has an energy imbalance, as more energy comes in through sunlight than leaves through heat radiating into space.

The resulting excess heat is equivalent to 400,000 Hiroshima atomic bombs a day, with most of the energy absorbed by the ocean, Hansen’s research found a decade ago.

In this recent paper, Hansen and his co-authors say the energy imbalance has now increased, in part because of successful efforts to tackle particle air pollution, especially in China and through global restrictions on shipping pollution. While this kind of pollution is a serious health hazard, it also has a cooling effect, as particles re-

flect sunlight away from the Earth.

The imbalance is set to cause accelerated global warming, bringing disastrous consequences, according to the paper, including rapid sea level rise and the potential shutdown of vital ocean currents within this century.

However, the warming is not locked in, according to the paper, which calls for “extraordinary actions.”

Measures it recommends include taxing carbon pollution, increasing nuclear power to “complement renewable energies” and strong action from developed countries to help developing countries move to low carbon energy. While the highest priority is to drastically reduce planetheating pollution, this alone will not be enough, the report found.

More controversial is the

suggestion that solar geoengineering could be a climate solution. This technology aims to cool the planet by reflecting sunlight away from the Earth, or allowing more heat to escape into space. That can be done through injecting aerosols into the atmosphere or spraying clouds with salt particles to make them more reflective, for example.

Advocates say solar geoengineering could be a potentially vital tool to tackle global warming, but critics warn of unforeseen consequences, including impacts on rainfall and monsoons, as well as “termination shock” if geo-ng records for the hottest such month.

But while science is clear that the rate of global warming is increasing, the idea that it is accelerating beyond what models predict is controversial.

The findings “are very much out of the mainstream,” said Michael Mann, a leading climate scientist at the University of Pennsylvania.

While the Earth’s surface and its oceans are warming, the data does not support claims that the rate is accelerating, he told CNN in an email. “As I like to say, the truth is bad enough!” Mann said. “There is no evidence that the models are under-predicting humancaused warming.”

He also cast doubt on the role of pollution reduction in warming trends, saying the total impact is very small, and warned that solar geo-engineering is “unprecedented” and “potentially very dangerous.”

“Whether or not the 1.5 degrees Celsius target is reachable is a matter of policy, not climate physics, at this point,” Mann said.

Should you keep your political views to yourself?

COMMENT

BY PAUL HOPKINS

On my recent sojourn to the US, I tried to engage with neighbours and friends of my two sons – who live on the east coast – on the subject of politics, Trump et al. The standard reply was “I’ve no interest in politics” or “We are becoming a more divisive nation. Other

than that I don’t wish to discuss.”

With the current geopolitical tensions across the globe, from the ongoing war in Ukraine to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, there is no shortage of politically sensitive topics to talk about. And that’s before we even get to the 2024 US elections.

In recent weeks, leaders from the European Union, the UK and the US have stood shoulder to shoulder with Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing

support for Israel’s “right to defend itself”, a slogan that has wreaked horror on Gaza following Hamas’s horrific attack on Israeli civilians and security forces.

Ireland has been an outlier.

While Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that Israel has a right to defend itself, he added the following qualification: “But Israel doesn’t have the right to do wrong.” Early on in the bombardment of Gaza, he also said: “To me, it amounts to collective punishment.”

I support fully what he said and Ireland’s stance.

Social media platforms are the primary spaces where most people talk about politics, but a new survey from Glassdoor reveals that a majority of workers — 61% of them — have talked about politics in the workplace.

Glassdoor found that 67% of male respondents said they talked politics with a colleague in the past 12 months.

In terms of age breakdowns, 64% of Gen Z and 63% of mil-

lennials also said they discussed politics in the workplace. Cohorts who talked politics less than the 61% average include women (54%), Gen X (59%), and Baby Boomers (57%).

But is talking politics in the workplace a good idea, or is it better to keep your political views to yourself?

Glassdoor’s poll also looked at the comfort levels of employees surrounding politics in the workplace. It found that 82% of workers said they are

comfortable working with colleagues who they know have different political views than their own: 81% of males said this, as did 84% of females.

In Ireland, we love – or at least I think we do – to talk about politics – and sex, religion and football.

With Palestine there is the matter of people posting images of the dead and maimed on social media.

Some, unfortunately, sadly, are fake... blurring the lines of getting the truth out there.

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Don’t miss it

Comedy in Ryan's Bar For the first time in Irish Comedy history, three of Ireland's top foreign comedians are coming together to perform a standup comedy show in every county in Ireland. Performed by Neil Green (South Africa), Malinda Perera (Sri Lanka) and Lesly Martinez (Venezuela), "Immigration Is A Joke" is a comedy show you can enjoy equally whether you are Irish or an immigrant. Come along and have a laugh with Neil, Malinda and Lesly as they bring their jokes to the stage to have you in stitches.

Doors: 7.30PM | Show: 8.15PM | Tickets: €15 Online, €20 At The Door Comedians: Neil Green (South Africa) Hailing from Durban in South Africa, Neil has been a fixture on the comedy scene in his home country for over a decade. He has multiple Comedy Central appearances, most notably as the host of Season 2 of "Laugh in Your Language." His one man special "Last Boss" released in 2020 on National Television and major streaming platforms, was noted in GQ Magazine as one of the Top Comedy Specials released that year. He is now based in Dublin and enjoying establishing himself on the Irish comedy scene.

Malinda Perera (Sri Lanka) Malinda moved to Europe from Sri Lanka to study IT to make his mother proud while sticking to the universal stereotype. Obviously, that dream did not last long as he found his love for the art of telling jokes on stage. Since going on stage in 2016 for the first time, Malinda has taken the European comedy circuit by storm and now resides in Dublin. His debut solo special "Not A Drug Dealer" had a sold out run across Europe as he performed the show in 50 cities in 24 countries.

Malinda also appeared on RTÉ's sketch comedy series "No Worries If Not".

Lesly Martinez (Venezuela) Cork based Latina comedian from Venezuela, Lesly brings her adventures and stories of Irish society, love and the struggle to fit in, to the stage and it's all delivered through her very sexy accent . Lesly was the winner of The Ballycotton Comedy Festival G.O.A.T Competition and was a semi finalist of 'Show Me The Funny' 2023. She has performed all around Ireland and internationally. A regular on the Irish Comedy circuit she has supported and performed alongside many well known acts such as Ross Brown, Chris Kent, Mike Morgan and many more.

Friday November 10th

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 10 November 2023

St. Rioch’s Cemetery News

Last military casualty in 1923 to be remembered at St. Rioch’s Cemetery Compiled by Gerry Cody.

Research: Larry Scallan and Mary Ann Maher They say every day is a school day and there is no doubt but the older you get, the more inquisitive you are, the hungrier for information and knowledge. When it comes to family and ancestors, the curiosity sensors ignite all the more.

So it was for Callan Road resident Joan Campion.

During Heritage Week, Joan was taking a ramble past the Closh when she noticed Commandant Larry Scallan conducting a military history tour of the city.

The excellent tour, which I had the pleasure of attending, discussed Ireland’s troubled times from 1916 through the War of Independence and the Civil War, from a Kilkenny perspective.

Curiosity got the better of Joan and she tagged along, accompanying the tour to its final stop, at Saint Rioch’s Cemetery in Walkin Street.

There, Larry Scallan spoke of the three Free State soldiers – Lieutenant Thomas Jones (Dublin), Sergeant Edward O’Gorman (Chapel Lane, Kilkenny city) and Private Patrick Horan (Callan) - who were executed in Wexford in April 1923.

Sgt O’Gorman is buried in St Rioch’s Cemetery.

Death was a mystery Joan revealed that a relative of her own, Michael Walsh, a sergeant in the National Army, was also buried there.

Unfortunately, that was as much information as she had. How and where he died was a mystery.

Enter Mary Ann Maher, a colleague of Larry Scallan, who offered to research the story. What she and Larry uncovered was a tale as tragic as any in that fratricidal struggle that pitted comrade against comrade.

The Civil War officially ended in May 1923 with General Frank Aiken’s “Dump Arms” order to his anti-Treaty forces. But many individual republicans refused to give up and there were sporadic killings on both sides for months. Nevertheless, Sgt Michael Walsh was almost certainly the last military casualty in Kilkenny.

However, little is known of the man who began his life on Stephen Street.

During the census of 1911, Michael is listed as aged 21 and is residing at Motty Lane, the second eldest of eleven children, the youngest being twin boys aged seven months.

A butcher by trade, Michael was a volunteer in Kilkenny in 1916, and would later become a member of the 1st Battalion of the Kilkenny Brigade during the War of Independence.

Captured while on the run Like many others, Michael had to go on the run but was captured by Crown Forces on November 27, 1920. His court-martial in Waterford sentenced him to two years in prison.

After eight months in Waterford prison, his health failed considerably and he was transferred to the sanatorium on the Kells Road, Kilkenny, where he remained for three months. On his

Mary Ann Maher (left) who researched the story of Sergeant Michael Walsh pictured with Joan Campion, Kilkenny, grandniece of Michael. Photograph taken at the monument at The Canal Square Kilkenny, which was erected to remember all citizens of Kilkenny who died in different conflicts. Photo jbs photos Kilkenny

der the command of his cousin Cmdt’ shook his hand and then brought McEvoy in St Rioch’s Cemetery. his right hand down and – fatally The chief mourners were his parents, slapped it off his right leg.

Michael and Kate Walsh; brothers, The action caused the Colt revolver William, John and James; and sisters, in his right pocket to discharge. The Mollie and Bridie. Aunts, uncles and bullet entered Michael’s throat and he cousins from the Walsh, Dollard, Butler slumped to the floor. and McEvoy families were there too.

Miss McEvoy heard a sound that she The coffin was dressed in the described as being like a bottle smashing and she returned to the kitchen Tricolour and as the remains were and found five of the soldiers on their lowered into the grave, three volleys of knees praying around their stricken shots were fired and the Last post was comrade. sounded.

She sent for a priest and within a BQMS Lynch was court-martialled few minutes a doctor also arrived and and was found to have been negligent dressed his wound. in the way he handled his revolver.

Captain Louis P. Hayes took a stateHowever, the death was found to be ment from Michael Walsh, who accidental. was still conscious.

The story only starts now for Kate BQMS Lynch was arWalsh who was very dependent on the rested by Captain Joseph money she was allocated every week Farrell. His Colt revolver by her son while he was in the army. was taken as evidence.

In December 1923, she applied for On inspection, there a pension and was awarded 15/- a were five rounds in week from August 24, 1924, until May the chambers and one 2, 1925, when her claim was suddenly empty casing. ended.

Sergeant Michael Walsh Michael was moved For even though there had been Joined the National Army to the barrack hospital, a steady trickle of Civil War-related in April 1922 receiving the where he was tended deaths throughout 1923, the Governservice number 19095 ment had decided on an arbitrary to by the medical officer, (1922 Army cut-off point of September 30: people Lt Patrick Mullany. He Census) whose next of kin had been killed after realised that paralysis was discharge from hospital, he was that date would no longer be entitled extending into Sgt Walsh’s unconditionally released. to a pension. lower limbs and he had him His service was certified transferred to St. Bricin’s

by Martin Medlar and Brief ceremony Hospital Dublin the next Martin Kiely, both very Having been killed in late November, morning, where he was active commanders in Sgt Walsh was almost certainly the last put under the care of the Paulstown area. military casualty in Kilkenny in 1923. duty medical officer, Lt In April 1922, Mrs Walsh sent many letters requestBuckley.

Michael joined the ing the reinstating of her pension, but It was to no avail.

National Army, receivto no avail. It was noted that Peter de Michael died, aged 34, ing the service number Loughry, Irish nationalist and who on November 29, 1923.

19095 (1922 Army was a leading figure in Kilkenny was Peter De Loughry was Census). He was posted helpful and supportive to Mrs Walsh .

Full military honours very supportive to to Kilkenny Military BarAs we approach the centenary of his Sgt Walsh was returned Mrs Walsh racks which had been taken death, family members are delighted to Kilkenny by train on Noover from the withdrawing vember 30. His funeral cortège to have been presented with such a Devonshire regiment in Februfollowed a route to St Canice’s wealth of detailed information. ary 1922. He is recorded in Church, where his funeral Sergeant Michael Walsh will be the census as holding the Mass was celebrated the prayed for at the 11a.m Mass in varirank of sergeant. ous churches on Sunday, November following day by parish After the National 26, followed by a brief ceremony at 12 priest Mgr Doyle, curate Army was reorgannoon in St Rioch’s cemetery.

Fr. Brady and army ised in early 1923, Speaking to The Kilkenny Observer chaplain Fr. Martin Michael Walsh was Newspaper, Commandant Larry Drea. posted to the 25th Scallan said: “It is important that the He was buried with Battalion where he was service given by men and women like full military honours, employed as Battalion Michael are remembered as we approvided by the 63rd Butcher. The battalion proach the centenary of his death”.

Infantry Battalion, unCapt. Joseph Farrell who was posted to Waterford took Michael Walsh's city, headquartered in the statement Sergeant Infantry Barracks in BalEdward lybricken.

O’Gorman who On November 27, 1923, a is remembered ration party left Sean Treacy at Rioch’s Graveyard Barracks, to resupply outposts being manned by the battalion. The party, comprising BQMS James Lynch, Sgt Michael Walsh and Pte William Hennessy, left barracks around Commander Martin Kiely 4pm and returned from Gowran who around 9.30pm. They Certified Michael's decided to head over to WOI service Mrs White’s pub on Barrack Street to have one drink before supper.

In the pub, they found Sgt Ryan, the battalion cook, as well as Ptes James Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny, circa 1922 O’Connell and Barrett already in the back kitchen. BQMS Lynch called a drink for everyone and five small bottles and one pint of Guinness were ordered from Miss Agnes McEvoy and delivered by her to the kitchen.

Commandant Larry Scallan (retired) photographed at St Rioch’s graveyard during one of his military talks, August 2023. photo jbs photos Kilkenny

A fatal shot The soldiers sat around the fire, with Michael Walsh leaning his left shoulder against the mantelpiece. Several songs were sung and then Michael sang The Third Tipperary Brigade. As he finished the song, BQMS Lynch

The IRA mobilizing at St James’s Park before marching through the city to take over Kilkenny Military Barracks. (Photo by Moran, Kilkenny. With thanks to Rothe House)

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Opinion

Heroes of the Land War

A family being evicted in 19th century Ireland

Part two

BY JOHN FITZGERALD

Continuing the story of the two Callan-based curates who championed the rights of tenants in an era of oppression and widespread cruel evictions. The previous instalment can be read on the Kilkenny Observer website).

At a meeting organised in Callan Father O'Keeffe made a passionate address to the tenant farmers of County Kilkenny.

Over 20,000 people gathered to hear him speak. From a balcony in front of the Town Hall in Green Street, Father O'Keeffe slammed the insatiable greed landlords and urged farmers to set up their own protection groups in every parish. "As you love justice and hate oppression", he thundered "as you value life and your own existence, do it NOW".

The Callan Society soon became a model for similar groups throughout Ireland.

By June 1850, there were over twenty tenant protection societies, most of them based in the south of the country.

In the same year, the Irish Tenant League was formed.

It adopted the principles of the Callan society and committed itself to the same goals.

Naturally, the crusading clerics made powerful enemies in their battle for justice. In 1853, the Solicitor General of Ireland, William Keogh, and Lord of the Treasury, John Sadlier, came into conflict with the curates. They felt that Sadlier and Keogh, leaders of the Irish Independence Party, had betrayed their political principles.

The I.I.P. officers had entered into a Coalition puppet Government under British control. In pre-election pledges, they had sworn to boycott any such assembly.

Their decision to participate caused a split in the party.

Like the Irish public, the clergy were deeply divided on the issue. For example, the Bishop of Ferns gave the curate of New Ross, a Father The former Town Hall in Callan as it today The plaque on Callan Town Hall honouring the Callan curates who fought for tenants rights

Doyle, a severe dressingdown for denouncing Sadlier and Keogh. He was banished to a remote rural parish.

In Athlone, the Bishop of Elphin had words for praise for Keogh, but the clergy in the same diocese abhorred what they condemned as a political U-turn.

Into this unholy row stepped Fathers O'Keeffe and O' Shea. They mounted numerous attacks on the "treachery" of the I.I.P. leaders and condemned all who supported them as reprobates and scoundrels.

Archbishop Cullen was horrified by the stance taken by "these Callan rebels" and wrote a letter to Rome complaining about them. He

wanted them censured and referred to their "disrespectful" attitude towards other clergy at Tenant Rights meetings.

Having won approval from Rome, the Archbishop issued a decree obliging the men to stay out of politics or face disciplinary action. They responded by lodging an appeal in Rome against the decree.

When the appeal was rejected, the two clerics found themselves effectively muzzled. This made life difficult for them. But they persisted. Though forced to keep a lower profile, they continued to highlight the plight of the oppressed in rural Ireland.

The movement initiated by the curates was significant in that it foreshadowed the Land League of the 1880s and prepared the way for the great innovators, Parnell and Davitt. The formation of the Callan group could be seen as a watershed in Irish history.

Fathers O'Keeffe and O' Shea began the process of reform and liberation. Both men died in 1887, having lived to see the realisation of their dreams.

(My book Invaders tells the story of how a small band of men and women stood up to the most powerful army on earth. It’s available in all Kilkenny bookshops and from Amazon).

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Borris Vocational School

Borris Vocational School’s impressive accolade of scholarships continues to grow Congratulations to 2023 Borris Vocational School 6th year student Megan O' Brien who was awarded a Maynooth University Entrance Scholarship by Professor Eeva Leinonen, the President of Maynooth University for her outstanding Leaving Certificate results. Megan is the daughter of Lance and Victoria O’Brien from of Boherkyle, Kilkenny.

Megan attended primary school in St. Fiachra’s National School, Skeoughvosteen , Co. Kilkenny. During her time in Borris Vocational School Megan was an active member of the Student Council, where she was PRO. Megan was also a collaborative member of the Green Schools Committee, School Choir and the Amber Flag Team. In her final year Megan became a Meitheal leader for incoming 1st years where she played a key role in supporting their transition from primary school to secondary school. Megan is currently studying for a Bachelor for Education at Froebel which is now part of Maynooth University.

Megan was one of 72 students to receive an Entrance Scholarships out of the thousands of students who entered the university this year. Everyone at Borris Vocational School wishes Megan the very best in her future studies.

Prestigious Naughton Scholarship awarded to Borris Vocational School student David Doyle a student who completed his Leaving Certificate at Borris Vocational School this year was awarded a Naughton Scholarship at an awards ceremony at Trinity College Dublin last Saturday. The Naughton Scholarships are a scheme of scholarships to promote the study of engineering, science and technology at third level by students in Ireland. Each year only 36 students in the country are awarded Naughton Scholarships nationally.

There is at least one winner from each County in the Republic of Ireland.

Former Taoiseach, Enda Kenny was the guest of honour at this event. The Naughton family an-

nounced at this event that they were increasing the scholarship from €5,000 to €6,000 annually for the duration of the recipients’ undergraduate studies.

Borris Vocational School also received a €1,000 donation towards the school

from the foundation.

David is from Ballinkillen and he is the son of James and Teresa. As a past pupil David was a key member of our school community supporting our school in many school events which included the official opening of our school extension, KCETB schools ethos day, open nights and was also a member of our school hurling team to name but a few examples.

David previously won an award from The Engineering and Technology Teachers’ Association for achieving full marks in Higher Level Engineering for his Leaving Certificate.

David is currently studying engineering at UCD.

Borris Vocational School past pupil is top of her class in Accounting and Finance Weeks after Kathleen Fenlon received her All-Ireland Scholarship from JP McManus and Limerick Hurling mangaer, John Kiely, Borris Vocational School was contacted by Maynooth University with more amazing news about our former student.

Kathleen Fenlon, who is currently studying Accounting as part of her degree at Maynooth University was awarded an amazing total of four accounting academic prizes at Maynooth University.

The 2023 EY prize for first placed Accounting student, second year, BA Accounting & Finance which was presented

by Mairead McLaughlin. The Grant Thornton bursary for top student in Taxation was presented by Anna Marie Haughey.

CIMA prize for first placed Management Accounting student in AC205, presented

by Fiona Arnold. Mzaar’s prize for first placed financial accounting student in second year, presented by Rob Hamill.

Well done to Kathleen and we wish Kathleen and all past pupils esteemed success going forward. The future is bright!

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 10 November 2023

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Newpark Close Family Resource Centre Jimmy O’Shea, who looks after all things horticultural at Newpark Close community centre

Newpark FRC serving the community

Michael Carroll, pictured with one of the many items on sale at the Mens Shed at Newpark Close

The plaque at The Newpark Close Community Centre showing the date of opening

Marius Cassidy Board Member and Martin O’Neill who attended the open day at The Newpark Close Community Centre

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Newpark Close Family Resource Centre Photos by jbs photos Kilkenny Newpark Close Family Resource Centre was built in 1976 to provide services and support for families living in Newpark Close and the surrounding areas. Primarily, its remit was to address the needs of children in the area and to eliminate the sense of isolation and social exclusion that some residents were experiencing.

The success of their work is the result of over forty years of dedicated commitment from the community. Pride and satisfaction resonate as the next generation of new up and coming community activists participate in, and drive the programmes.

Over the past four decades Newpark Close Family Resource Centre has grown from a small centre into a thriving and busy community facility that achieves and maintains the highest standards of management and organisational development.

Central to its success is the dedicated involvement of

local people in identifying needs and developing needsled responses.

FRCs are participative and empowering organisations that support families while building the capacity and leadership of local communities.

FRCs provide a range of universal and targeted services and development opportunities that address the needs of families.

The centre currently offers – Childcare Centre (12months to 6th class), Youth and Older persons social groups, Family Support & Community Development, Counselling Services and a Men’s Shed.

In addition to the services and supports for the families, they interact positively with the Local Residents Group.

Integral to their work is the provision of confidential support for individuals and families within the wider Kilkenny community.

The work in tandem with Kilkenny County Council regarding community needs and the constructive regeneration of infrastructure

within the area.

They also engage proactively at a local, regional, and national level, promoting the ethos and raising the profile of our Centre.

This involvement allows them to access new resources and development opportunities for the community.

Simultaneously, they influence policy and actions that tackle impediments to social inclusion. Empowered and energised they can commit professional human resources to vigorously combat the scourge of socioeconomic disadvantage and to promote equal opportunities for all.

If you wish to participate in any of their programmes you can contact them, confidentially: Phone: (056) 7723309 Email: reception@ newparkclosefrc.ie Alternatively feel free to drop into the centre and talk to the manager Margaret Tone or a specific member of their dedicated and friendly staff.

Young members enjoying Halloween celebrations at The Newpark Community Centre : From left: Kyle Holohan, Cariba Masuku, Khaleesi Brennan, Laura Brennan, Lola Dunne, Teagin Mtinsi

GREAT COSTUME: Kyle Holohan showing off his wonderful Halloween costume at The Newpark Community Centre

Sr. Kathleen Meagher BOM, Mary Donnelly Community Development, Rita Comerford the Drum Youth Centre and Janette Boran, Kilkenny County Council

The nifty fifties .

Attending the open day at the Newpark Close community day were from left: Back: Margaret Tone (NPC FRC), Marie Fitzpatrick (community member), Janette Boran (KKCC) Front: Noreen Butler, Lily Brennan and Lily Dowling

Children at a nearby school will be taking ownership of this wonderful kitchen unit made at The Newpark Close Men’s shed. From left: Michael Carroll, Michael Shine, Eddie O’Toole and Liam Lanigan

At the opening day for the Newpark Close Community Centre were: Michael Doyle (Chairperson, Kilkenny County Council), Andy Neil (Kilkenny Garda), Margaret Tone (NPC FRC), Rita Comerford (The Drum Youth Centre)

Pictured at the Newpark Close community Centre open day were Eileen Dillon (Family Support Worker) and Kerri Nolan Administrator

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 10 November 2023

Community

What another year for Twilight’s European Cultures Together project What’s another year?

That was the Eurovision winner for Ireland and Mr. Eurovision himself Johnny Logan’s first victory in Europe. Each year, the Twilight Community Group have entertained and educated our viewpoints on many occasions of our European Union and its values. To date, Twilight have held the trilogy of International Conferences on ‘The Stigmatisation of Migrants’ where an open and honest debate took place amongst all the delegates from across Europe.

The very progressive Kilkenny charitable organisation have now moved on to another trilogy of European Cultures Together project. For Saint Patrick’s Day Festival, it was a display of our European partners Arts, Culture and Music. That event proved to be a tremendous success.

And so, to the event on European Cuisine. What an excellent event the community group once again produced to highlight Kilkenny to Europe and beyond. It took place on Friday October 27th, the opening day of the Savour

Food Festival, in the wonderful setting of the Ormonde Hotel, with over 350 people attending throughout the day. Through our partners from France, Italy, Poland, Ukraine, Serbia, Portugal and others we could create an International Cuisine display from sixteen different Countries. The aroma in the air was filled with the scents of herbs and spices mixed with the unique cooking styles and delicious side dishes that left not just your mouth watering, but cravings for more.

The delegates included a

large cross section of the public from Kilkenny and beyond as over thirty thousand tourists come to Kilkenny every year for the Savour Food Festival.

The guests and visitors moved from table to table sampling all the European Dishes which were embellished by the cuisines of the African Continent, including Samuel Morgan and his wife, two longtime friends and dedicated Twilight Community Group members, and their incredible chicken and lamb dishes of South Sudan.

The Moroccan Embassy had a display of hot dishes and some incredible pastries with those distinct Moroccan flavours.

Our Twilight Indian community had some wonderful dishes including for the first time the taste of the Tamil Community of India’s cuisine.

Poland and Ukraine set up side by side and together portrayed the incredible dishes and desserts of their region.

Lead by the principal of Polska Szkoła im. w. Jana Pawła II w Kilkenny Jolanta Górnicka and Ukraine community Leader Svitlana Saseyi was mentioned by the new Polish Ambassador to Ireland, the guests of honor of the event, Ambassador of the Republic Arkady Rzegocki and Consul of the Republic of Poland Wojciech Wójcik in their review and top-class report on the European Cultures Together Conference on their Polish Embassy Page The Romanian Community’s Cuisine display was another of the highlights of the event. With their colourful arrangement of the dishes and backdrops of their national flag and Romanian designed

pull up to add gravitas to their cuisine display. Our friends from Portugal, Spain and Italy provided the guests with uniquely Mediterranean flavoured dishes and the flavors of Portuguese Strong Port and wine samples and Slovakia added to their array of cuisine with their special tea that, like our Irish tea in the winter, has a dash of alcohol.

With the guest speakers and their workshops and presentations, this second part in Twilight Community Group’s proposed Trilogy, like part one, was a great experience for all the delegates. The event allowed for open and honest debate about the cultures and their differences. Not just in their cuisines, but right across all aspects of European Culture. The distinct displays

of the regional and national costumes show the pride each of the participating partners and countries have towards the arts, heritage and culture.

Highlighting this is a performance, which was specifically selected to open the conference, by Ukraine singer Ninir Hemlioba and her powerful rendition of a Ukraine National Folk Song. Particularly poignant for this time of war.

We do hope that in a world where nations are too eager to raise arms against their fellow humans and proceed to inflict pain, suffering and death upon their neighbours, that we can all take a leaf out of the Twilight Community Group’s book where men women, boys and girls are welcome in all of their diversity and that Communities are stronger together.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 10 November 2023

Advertisement

The Christmas Past at Newpark The night sky had just cleared. The moon was shining brightly when the snow filled clouds parted. The stars twinkled down from the heavens. The footpaths of the Old Golf Links road had a light sprinkle of snow. As I walked home all I could see was the little faces that probably needed matchsticks to keep their eyes open, peeping out through the curtains, wishing, and hoping for a white Christmas Eve. Of course the snow would make it easier for Santa to get around with his reindeers and sleigh. Oh yes and let’s not forget the sacks full of presents for every child, not only in Newpark, but around the world.

Walking up the path I could hear the noise from inside that sounded like a pack of excited hyenas awaiting their turn to feed on the presents that their parents had brought home. Key in the door and then the wall of noise, “Daddy, Daddy”, and a big hug, “Ma, Daddy’s home.” The little exciting face of a 3-year-old who is now getting the real meaning of Christmas. No, not the baby Jesus, but Santa! Now with her tiny little hand holding

mine that from years of hard labour were like shovels, she called out to her mother, “Now can the Angel go up on the top of the tree?” she cried out with her high pitch voice a few decibels higher than usual with excitement.

“Will ya let your Da take off his coat and sit down for his dinner,” my wife said with a little laugh and a squeeze on our little daughter’s sides as she giggled loudly from her mother’s tickling. “It’s alright.

Off you go, get your angel,” I said . “She has you wrapped around your little finger.

Did you pick up all that we need for her for tomorrow?” replied my wife. “Of Course!

Sure, hasn’t she got me wrapped around her little finger,” I said with a grin.

Arriving back with her little Angel she made in school on the last day before the Christmas holidays, now was the ritual of the youngest in the family placing the Angel - or should we say a toilet roll with a crayon face and a little piece of tinsel for her halo - on top. Up it went and we all stood back and admired the great work of a future Picasso. Now for dinner.

Dinner now over, a little excited girl was running up

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News and down the hall stopping only to take another look out the hall window to see if the snow was falling again. Now, it was time for the second of our rituals in Newpark. The candle in the window. As we lit the Red Candle, as all good children do, she was full of questions. Yes, we can all remember the day when your young child learns the two dreaded words of “But Why?” “ But why do we put the candle in the window Daddy?”

“A candle in the window is a symbol of friendship, a sign of welcome for anyone, friend or stranger, who might be passing by on Christmas Eve. The sight of a candle in a window from a distance acted as a sign of hope and welcome to any passer-by who wished to visit.”

“Right so that’s how Santa finds me, got it!” she shouts out.

“Ah yes, I suppose, and it’s for your Uncle Tom. The candle’s welcoming light and burning flame is considered to be a silent prayer for those who could not be with us at Christmas time. The candle in the window at Christmas was lit as a prayer for the safe return of an absent person or loved one like Auntie Anne, that she would get home safe, or if that's not possible, a candle burning is as a sign of connection and remembering. It signals to our family and friends that there

is always someone waiting, tending the fire and thinking of family members far away.”

Looking down she had now dozed off and up the stairs I carried her and placed the kisses for wishes on her forehead. “Good night Princess.”

Back down the stairs I went. Herself had left a little gemmy and a drop of water by my favourite armchair in front of the open fire and after one or two more glasses, I slipped off into the land of nod like my little angel upstairs …

After what seemed like a few minutes and a few digs in my ribs I awake with a jump in a haze of where am I? I look at the little angel that certainly resembles my daughter I was telling stories to before I fell asleep but something was not right.

“Grandad, Grandad! It is time for the Angel on top of the tree game.” Grandad? Is my hearing failing? I stood up very slowly as if my legs were as heavy and as stiff as a poker. “Here’s your stick. Granny said you are not to be walking without it.” Very puzzled, I looked in the mirror that is over the fireplace. The same one my mother gave us as a wedding present. The reflection that looked back at me was a grey haired, elderly man with the lines in my face marking years of memories that were now slowly returning to me as I woke from my slumber, what now seemed like decades of sleep.

Then I saw my little angel who was now a fully-grown woman with her own little girl. “Come on let’s put the Angel on top of the tree!”

My granddaughter ran into the room with what was a replica of her mother’s all those years ago. A toilet roll, crayon face and a tinsel halo. I laughed to myself and thought some things never changed. They may not have changed, but where have all those years gone?

I watched the full family laughing and playing together under the Christmas tree and every time the line came on ‘I saw mommy kissing Santa Clause’ my granddaughter covered her mouth and with that giggle we all did when we said our first bad word in front of our parents, looking forward to it coming around again in the next verse when she could sing it again!

I thought back to that crispy frosty night in Newpark as I arrived home from work and told my daughter the story of the Candle in the window. Now I listen to my son-in-law tell my granddaughter the same fable and the folklore of the welcoming light for all the weary travellers on Christmas Eve. I sighed a little sadness. Where have all the festive seasons in between gone? We should cherish every moment, every Christmas Eve and Day, and every birthday as time goes by.

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Hand Casting Kit This hand casting kit is guaranteed to become an instant treasure in your house.

Mould two adult hands, four little children's hands, or two adult hands with a small child's hands using the premium plaster.

My Family Cookbook Stuff a cookbook with handwritten original recipes or fresh printouts, along with candid shots of your best dishes and critiques from your family's harshest critics.

Personalised Children’s Book Write a story that is mostly about love, and especially about your unwavering love for the child(ren) in your life, whether it is your own or someone else's. Include their name immediately in the narrative so they may hear repeatedly how much you and many others adore them.

Custom Star map Why not give your special someone a lovely personalised constellation poster as a token of your love, as it was fated by the stars! It can be customised with your names and includes the precise location in the sky on the day you met.

Coordinate Bracelet Give your significant other a bracelet with the GPS coordinates of the location where you first met.

Personalised Keepsake Box Give them a spot to save mementos from your greatest experiences, such as handwritten notes and ticket stubs. There are many different design routes you can go when making the box - be creative!

Hug This Pillow Gift a personalised pillow with either a picture of you together or a sweet message.

No matter how far away you are, they can always squeeze their pillow to feel your love when they're missing you.

Vouchers for Lovers Give your spouse a pack of twenty vouchers to add some sweetness or spice (or both!).

Some will give you both what you truly need—quality alone time—while others will inspire your partner to indulge in some romance via a cuddle session.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 10 November 2023

Yulefest Kilkenny 2023

Yulefest Kilkenny returns from Saturday, November 25th to December 23rd, bringing festive cheer to the city.

On November 25th, Santa will make his grand entrance, and a special guest will have the honour of switching on the Christmas

lights. This day also marks the commencement of the Yulefest Christmas Markets.

This year's festival promises an array of seasonal

delights, handcrafted treasures, live musical performances, and familyoriented entertainment at the weekend Christmas

Market. Each weekend, there will be special events to look forward to, and the city will be adorned with festive Christmas lights.

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Authentic Irish-made gifts

Jerpoint Glass Studio offers unique and timeless gifts this Christmas. Each piece of glass offered in-store and online is designed and hand-made at Jerpoint Glass Studio. But that’s not all… the Jerpoint Glass shop stocks a variety of Irish-made gifts alongside the ever-popular glass collections.

The carefully selected Irish handmade crafts extend the range of gifts available and support local and Irish busi-

nesses while making sure there is something for everyone at Jerpoint.

The Irish crafts include everything from jewellery and textiles to art, ceramics and woodturning, among many other exciting gifts and ideas.

All of the products are high quality and all are handmade in Ireland making a Christmas shopping trip to Jerpoint Glass a special event this year and of course, a visit to the glass workshop to see the glass blowers in action is always a truly magical experience.

Jerpoint Glass Shop Hours: November: Monday- Saturday 10 am - 5 pm December: Monday- Saturday 10 am - 5 pm & Sunday 12 pm - 5 pm

Jerpoint Glass Workshop Hours: Monday - Thursday 10 am - 4 pm & Friday 10 am - 1 pm

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News

Experience the Magic of Santa's Enchanted Village at Castlecomer Discovery Park!

Get ready to be transported into a winter wonderland as Santa and his merry band of elves are preparing to make their grand arrival from the North Pole to Castlecomer Discovery Park's Craft Yard.

Running from November 15th to December 23rd, Santa's Magical Village promises an unforgettable festive experience for the whole family.

Immersive Festive Delights: Step into a world of enchantment and joy as you venture through Santa's Magical Village. Meet the cheerful and industrious elves, immerse yourself in the heartwarming tales of Mrs. Claus, and, of course, have a personal encounter with the jolly man himself, Santa Claus. Make

s

a t n sa l a c i g ma e g a l l i v

sure to capture these precious moments and create memories to last a lifetime.

Beyond the Magical Village: While at Castlecomer Discovery Park, take the time to explore the array of onsite attractions and offerings. Let the little ones run wild in the playground, or indulge in a scrumptious feast at the Jarrow Cafe and Tuk Tuk Asian Street Kitchen Restaurant.

Experience the thrill of the Craft Yard, a hub of creativity and craftsmanship, offering a range of unique and locally made products perfect for those special Christmas gifts.

Secure Your Spot: Tickets for Santa's Magical Village are now available

on Eventbrite. Secure your preferred time slot and be part of the festive magic at Castlecomer Discovery Park. Don't miss this opportunity to create lasting memories and share the joy of the holiday season with your loved ones.

Join Us for Festive Fun: Come and be part of the enchantment and merriment at Santa's Magical Village in Castlecomer Discovery Park.

Let the spirit of Christmas fill your hearts as you embark on a memorable journey of wonder and delight. Book your tickets now and make this holiday season truly magical for the whole family.

Visit www.eventbrite.ie for tickets and further details.

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN RESERVE YOUR TICKETS TODAY LOCATION

CRAFTYARD, CASTLECOMER DISCOVERY PARK NOVEMBER 17TH TO DECEMBER 23RD

SEARCH FOR SANTAS MAGICAL VILLAGE

PHONE BOOKINGS AND CONTACT DETAILS +353 87 488 5972 SANTACASTLECOMER@GMAIL.COM

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 10 November 2023

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Carlow Little Theatre Society

Keeping the ghosts at bay as Carlow present Sebastian Barrys powerful Steward of Christendom Carlow Little Theatre Society are delighted to be returning to the stage of the George Bernard Shaw theatre in the coming weeks, with their production of Sebastian Barry's 'The Steward of Christendom', a profoundly moving story of family, love and loss.

Set in 1932 in the Baltinglass county home, Thomas Dunne, the last Chief Superintendent of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, looks back on his life as he tries to keep his ghosts at bay with reimagined memories of his daughters, Annie, Maud, and Dolly, and his son, Willie, interspersed by interactions between Dunne and Mrs O’Dea and Smith, two attendants from the home.

It is a tale of family running concurrently with Irish history, spanning British colonial rule through to the early days of Irish independence.

The play opens in a county home (an inpatient psychiatric facility) in Baltinglass, Ireland in 1932, some years after Irish independence. In the opening scene, Dunne appears to be raving incoherently, reliving an episode of his childhood.

As the play continues, Dunne slips from moments of lucidity to reliving parts of his career as a senior officer in the Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP), especially the handover of Dublin Castle to Michael Collins in 1922 after the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty.

He also relives memories of his family, particularly his daughters, Annie, Maud, and Dolly. Dunne is also visited by the ghost of his son Willie, killed in WWI; Willie's ghost appears to him in the form a 13-year-old child but dressed in the soldier's uniform of his 18-year-old self.

These imagined visitations and reveries are interspersed by actual interactions between Dunne and two attendants from the county home, Mrs. O'Dea and Smith, who attempt to wash him and measure him for a new suit of clothes. Smith initially berates Dunne for his role in the DMP, particularly his ordering of the charge against the striking workers during the Dublin Lock-out in 1913 that left four dead; however, he warms up to Dunne after reading a letter written to him by his son from the battlefield. Mrs. O'Dea demonstrates more sympathy to him, eventually sewing some

gold thread into Dunne's suit, as he frequently pleads for.

The play mainly alternates between the dramatized memories of 1922 and Dunne's present, mentally deteriorated state at the county home in 1932. It does, however, contain one actual visit from Annie and Dunne's son-in-law, Matthew. It consists largely of monologues from Dunne which serve to explain his past loyalties and decisions, before ending with the depiction of the traumatic event that started Dunne's downward spiral into madness: he brandished a sword at Annie and destroyed various pieces of furniture in her house after hearing of Michael Collins's death and the increased violence in the country due to the Irish Civil War. The play concludes with Dunne recounting a story from his childhood about the family sheepdog killing and eating one of the sheep. Dunne's father initially threatens to kill the dog as punishment, but much to young Dunne's relief, the father decides ultimately to spare the dog, which suggests that a similar forgiveness can be extended to Dunne despite his personal and public mistakes.

Speaking to The Kilkenny Observer newspaper playwright Sebastian Barry said: “I’m delighted and proud that the distinguished Carlow Little Theatre are tackling The Steward, and bringing it home to Carlow. I do wish them every success and happiness doing the play."

'The Steward of Christendom' will be Directed by Michael Somers and is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd. Performance run from November 22nd to 25th at 7.30 nightly.

Cast includes: Thomas Dunne: Paul McManus, Jim Smith: Richard Duffy, Mrs O'Dea: Georgina BrennanStynes, Recruit: Joe Hayden, Willie Dunne: Kevin Tynan, Annie Dunne: Michelle Phelan, Maud Dunne: Emer Peet, Dolly Dunne: Niamh Deay, Matt Kirwin: Julien Jully.

Ensemble Colin Clifford, Miriam Dowd, Hugh Keenan, Margaret McKenna, Emma O'Brien, LilyMae O'Brien, Kate O'Connor, Harry Shorthose, Feargal Ward

Michelle Phelan

Paul McManus who plays the role of Thomas Dunne in The Steward of Christendom Richard Duffy

Niamh Deay

Author Sebastian Barry

Director Michael Somers

Emer Peet

Georgina Brennan-Stynes

Joe Hayden

Julien Jully

Kevin Tynan

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Motors

Get €7,000 back on 241 Renault Megane E-Tech 100% electric at O’Briens Kilkenny RENAULT MATCHES SEAI GRANT FOR 241 €3,500 RENAULT ELECTRIC BONUS Ranked 4th year to date in its segment the Megane E-Tech Electric hatch, launched in Ireland just nine months ago, is Renault’s most successful electric car ever.

The first of a new generation of electric vehicles built on the advanced CMF-EV platform, styled within the brand’s ‘sensual tech’ design language and the first model to wear the new ‘Nouvel’R’ logo, Megane E-Tech 100% Electric has a driving range of up to 450km (WLTP), and features a classleading digital experience with a 12.3-inch dashboard display, 9-inch multimedia display, and Android Automotive OS with

integrated Google services.

With up to 26 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features available across the range Megane E-Tech also has a 5-star NCAP rating.

Megane E-Tech electric is available at O’Briens Kilkenny with a 60kWh battery with 450km range, a 220hp electric motor, 130 kW DC charging and also a 40kWh battery with 300km range, a 130hp electric motor, and 85 kW DC charging with 22kW AC charging standard on all versions and comes in three trim lines Equilibre, Techno and Iconic.

For 241, Renault O’Briens

Kilkenny has launched a unique offer for Irish customers looking to move into Megane E-Tech electric. Customers who are eligible for the SEAI grant of €3,500 can benefit from a matching €3,500 electric bonus from Renault to get €7,000 off when they purchase a Megane E-Tech electric Renault O’Briens Kilkenny is offering the €3,500 electric bonus to all private and business customers.

In addition, customers can avail of a low-rate finance offer with monthly payments from €225 per month on the road, based on 4.9% APR. This offer from Mobilize Financial

Services (MFS) is available at O’Briens Kilkenny.

This offer will be much welcomed by customers looking to switch to electric or upgrade their EV For 241, the Megane E-Tech electric offer is available on orders taken and registered at O’Briens Kilkenny by 31st January 2024.

For 241 across all other Renault models Renault O’Briens Kilkenny is continuing to provide a competitive 6.9% APR PCP offer. New Clio is available from €225 per month on the road with a 5-year warranty; New Clio E-Tech full hybrid from €275 per month;

Captur from €265 per month; Captur E-Tech full hybrid from €319 per month; Arkana from €285 per month; Arkana E-Tech full hybrid from €299 per month and the multi-award-winning Austral E-Tech full hybrid from €379 per month.

On Renault vans O’Briens Kilkenny is continuing its 6.9% HP offer over 60 months.

All new Kangoo is available from €309 per month on the road with 6.9% APR plus 5 years warranty plus 5 years roadside assistance. All new Kangoo E-Tech 100% electric is available from €425 per month on the road with 6.9% APR plus 5 years warranty and 5 years

Jogger registrations hit 1,000 mark so far…

241 DACIA OFFERS ON THE ROAD FROM €5 PER DAY FROM O’BRIENS KILKENNY

Dacia Ireland has announced that Jogger, the innovative and game changing 7-seater has surpassed its 1,000th registration in Ireland this year!

Completely unique in the family car segment, Jogger has most definitely caught the attention of the Irish customer - the versatile 7-seater has not only introduced the nation’s car buyers to a whole new concept of family car, won an

inaugural award (AA Ireland Car of the Year 2022), but also formed the basis for the brand’s first ever hybrid, and literally given customers the option to enjoy a good night’s sleep!

Blending sports tourer versatility with the comfort and rugged style of an SUV, Jogger was an attractive proposition from the off, but it has grown even more appealing as the year has progressed with the addition

of the Extreme specification boasting such features as exclusive Cedar Green paintwork and contrasting Copper Brown details, highly durable MicroCloud upholstery, and the Extended Grip function that adjusts the electronic stability control settings to optimise traction on loose surfaces.

With the arrival of the Jogger Hybrid 140, Dacia’s first-ever hybrid, the model now gives larger families the

chance to enjoy the benefits of electrified motoring, featuring a 1.6-litre petrol engine, two electric motors, multi-mode transmission and a 1.2kWh battery. With up to 5.0l/100KM combined (WLTP), CO2 emissions of up to 112g/km Jogger Hybrid also offers the opportunity to drive in smooth and silent allelectric mode up to 80% of the time on city roads. Available in two trim levels Expression and Extreme SE, standard

specification includes automatic air conditioning, cruise control, rear parking sensors and rear parking camera, automatic headlights and wipers, blind spot warning, keyless entry, heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors, Media Display with 8-inch touchscreen and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay The Jogger line-up keeps on giving and the newly introduced Sleep Pack option

roadside assistance. Trafic is available for 241 from €379 per month on the road with 6.9% APR plus 5 years warranty and 5 years roadside assistance and the award-winning Master from €375 per month on the road with 6.9% APR plus 5 years warranty and 5 years roadside assistance.

All details on https://www. renault.ie/offers/offers.html The Renault National Sales Event will take place at O’Briens Kilkenny from Thursday 9th – Saturday 11th November www.obrienskilkenny.ie www.renault.ie strengthens the Jogger’s adventurous nature. The Sleep Pack is Dacia’s first new accessory launched as part of the InNature range and cleverly turns the Jogger’s spacious interior into a bedroom for two in minutes, meaning that going camping has never been so easy! It includes a 220-litre storage box that can be accessed with the double bed folded or unfolded, only requiring the removal of the third row of seats to fit. Who needs a campervan!

For 241 Dacia continues to be the best value for money brand that constantly redefines the essentials.

Flexibility is key as Dacia knows and for 241 customers can drive away from O’Briens Kilkenny in Jogger 7-seater for just €7.77 a day! Low prices and affordable and flexible finance options are available across the Dacia range with a competitive 6.9% APR PCP and a Zero deposit on PCP for all new and existing customers. 241 finance offers applies to all models on orders taken and registered by 31st January 2024. Customers can take off on in a new Duster on the road from as little as €6.50 per day; Sandero from as little as €5 a day and Stepway from just €5.50 per day. The Dacia Sales Event will take place from Thursday 9th – Saturday 11th November at O’Briens Kilkenny. www.dacia.ie www.obrienskilkenny.ie

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Food & Drink

Dine Me Come

Pour this into the pan with the mince mixture.

STEP 10 Add a 400g can of chopped tomatoes. Tip in ½ tsp dried marjoram, 1 tsp sugar and add a good shake of salt and pepper.

Squirt in about 2 tbsp tomato purée and stir the sauce well.

With

Chilli con carne

STEP 11 Simmer it gently. Bring the whole thing to the boil, give it a good stir and put a lid on the pan. Turn down the heat until it is gently bubbling and leave it for 20 minutes.

STEP 12 Check on the pan occasionally to stir it and make sure the sauce doesn’t catch on the bottom of the pan or isn’t drying out. If it is, add a couple of tablespoons of water and make sure that the heat really is low enough. After simmering gently, the saucy mince mixture should look thick, moist and juicy.

Prep: 10 mins Cook: 1 hr Serves: 4

This great chilli recipe has to be one of the best dishes to serve to friends for a casual get-together. An easy sharing favourite that uses up cupboard ingredients.

Ingredients • 1 large onion • 1 red pepper • 2 garlic cloves • 1 tbsp oil • 1 heaped tsp hot chilli powder (or 1 level tbsp if you only have mild) • 1 tsp paprika • 1 tsp ground cumin • 500g lean minced beef • 1 beef stock cube • 400g can chopped tomatoes • ½ tsp dried marjoram • 1 tsp sugar (or add a thumbnailsized piece of dark chocolate along with the beans instead, see tip) • 2 tbsp tomato purée • 410g can red kidney beans • plain boiled long grain rice, to serve • soured cream, to serve STEP 1 Prepare your vegetables. Chop 1 large onion into small dice, about 5mm square. The easiest way to

do this is to cut the onion in half from root to tip, peel it and slice each half into thick matchsticks lengthways, not quite cutting all the way to the root end so they are still held together. Slice across the matchsticks into neat dice.

STEP 2 Cut 1 red pepper in half lengthways, remove stalk and wash the seeds away, then chop. Peel and finely chop 2 garlic cloves.

STEP 3 Start cooking. Put your pan on the hob over a medium heat. Add 1 tbsp oil and leave it for 1-2 minutes until hot (a little longer for an electric hob).

STEP 4 Add the onion and cook, stirring fairly frequently, for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is soft, squidgy and slightly translucent.

STEP 5 Tip in the garlic, red pepper, 1 heaped tsp hot chilli powder or 1 level tbsp mild chilli powder, 1 tsp paprika and 1 tsp ground cumin.

STEP 6 Give it a good stir, then leave it to cook for another 5 minutes. Simmer it gently. Bring the whole thing to the boil, give it a good stir and put a lid on the pan. Turn down the heat until it is gently bubbling and leave it for 20 minutes.

STEP 7 Brown 500g lean minced beef. Turn the heat up a bit, add the meat to the pan and break it up with your spoon or spatula. The mix should sizzle a bit when you add the mince.

STEP 8 Keep stirring and prodding for at least 5 minutes, until all the mince is in uniform, mince-sized lumps and there are no more pink bits.

Make sure you keep the heat hot enough for the meat to fry and become brown, rather than just stew.

STEP 9 Make the sauce. Crumble 1 beef stock cube into 300ml hot water.

STEP 13 Drain and rinse a 410g can of red kidney beans in a sieve and stir them into the chilli pot. Bring to the boil again, and gently bubble without the lid for another 10 minutes, adding a little more water if it looks too dry.

STEP 14 Taste a bit of the chilli and season.

It will probably take a lot more seasoning than you think.

STEP 15 Now replace the lid, turn off the heat and leave your chilli to stand for 10 minutes before serving. This is really important as it allows the flavours to mingle.

STEP 16 Serve with soured cream and plain boiled long grain rice.

Frangipane, fig and orange tart Prep: 30 mins Cook: 1 hr and 20 mins plus chilling Serves: 8-10 Treat guests over for Christmas to this frangipane, fig and orange tart. It’s delicious at the end of a family feast, or simply served for afternoon tea.

Ingredients • 200g plain flour, plus extra for dusting • 100g cold butter, cut into cubes • 50g golden caster sugar • 1 orange, zested • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1 egg yolk • 6 medium figs, halved For the frangipane • 100g butter, softened • 100g golden caster sugar • 2 large eggs • 140g ground almonds • 75g plain flour

For the orange glaze • 1 orange, zested and juiced • 35g golden caster sugar Method STEP 1 Tip the flour, butter and a pinch of salt into a food processor, and pulse the mixture a few times until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add the sugar and orange zest and pulse again. Add the vanilla, egg yolk and 1 tbsp cold water, then pulse until the mixture just comes together into a dough. Press the dough into a ball with your hands, then roll it out on a lightly floured surface until it’s large enough to line a 22cm loose-bottomed tart tin. Use it to line the tin, pressing it into the sides, then prick the base all over with a fork and chill for 30 mins.

STEP 2 Meanwhile, prepare the frangipane. Put the butter in a medium bowl and beat with

an electric whisk until creamy, then add the sugar and continue beating until light and fluffy.

Gradually add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Fold in the almonds and flour.

STEP 3 Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/ gas 4 and put a baking tray in the oven to heat up. Spoon the frangipane into the chilled pastry case and smooth the top using the back of a spoon. Arrange the figs, cut-side up, in a circle pattern, pushing them down gently into the frangipane.

STEP 4 Carefully transfer the tart to the hot baking tray in the oven, and bake for 1 hr-1 hr 10 mins (cover with foil after 40 mins if it’s browning too quickly), or until the figs are tender and a skewer inserted into the frangipane comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin.

STEP 5 While the tart cools, make the glaze. Mix the orange zest and juice, the sugar and 1 tbsp water together in a small pan, bring

to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 5-10 mins until syrupy.

Remove the tart from the case, transfer to a plate, and brush with the glaze.

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Rocky, Rambo and Sly We all, fans or others, know him as Rocky and Rambo, but Sylvester Stallone’s own story is the stuff of cinema, too. In fact, Sly on Netflix is a documentary that’s as much about the life and career of the Oscar-nominated actorwriter-director-producer as it is about the characters he’s brought to life over the years.

It takes a thoughtful, intimate look at Stallone’s triumphs and struggles, drawn in parallel with the indelible characters he’s created for the world.

Stallone’s career spans over 50 years, entertaining millions with such memorable blockbuster franchises as Rocky, Rambo, and The Expendables. In addition to being an actor and a filmmaker, he’s also an artist who fought to bring his independent screenplay for Rocky to life in 1976 — and to play the titular character himself. Despite studio misgivings, Stallone succeeded in executing his original vision, and the film opened at No. 1 and won an Academy Award for Best Picture — but it wasn’t all uphill from there. In Sly, the artist speaks candidly about his

box office flops and failures and how the difficulties he experienced professionally only propelled him forward.

“What is healthier — to live under the illusion and still have a little glimmer of hope that you could have been great,” Stallone says in the Sly documentary, “or blow it and be... a failure? I think the easier route is to live under the illusion. The rejection was my encouragement.”

Directed by Thom Zimny (The Gift: The Journey of Johnny Cash), with interviews from contemporaries including Arnold Schwarzenegger (Arnold, FUBAR) and Quentin Tarantino, as well as exclusive access to the man himself, Sly is part retrospective and part Hollywood nostalgia.

Unlike the reality series that Stallone and his brood star in, Sly focuses on Stallone’s origin story, charting the trajectory of the 77-yearold Stallone’s artistic career to date — the ins and outs and ups and downs, as he puts in tenacious work, takes major risks, and goes from outsider underdog to Hollywood legend. The risks don’t always pay off, and in Sly,

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Stallone gamely addresses his challenging childhood, his broken relationship with his father, his hard-won professional beginnings, and his box-office failures alongside the monumental successes — and the strangeness of celebrity itself. Heavyweight friends, co-stars, and writers (including Schwarzenegger, Tarantino, and Winkler) and Stallone’s brother Frank offer plenty of perspective along the way, but at the center of it all is the forthright, reflective, and lyrical writer-actor-director-fighter himself. Director Zimny (Springsteen on Broadway) catches Stallone in the midst of packing up his art-filled house for a move back East — and contemplating the course of his life thus far.

“Do I have regrets? Hell yeah, I have regrets,” Stallone says at the outset of the film, setting the tone. “But that also is what motivates me to overcome the regrets — like, fix it. And I do that through painting, and I do that through writing. ’Cause I can’t fix it physically: It’s gone. You know, that fucking thing called time. Just whoosh, gone... If you’re

ever on a train, and every window — whoosh — scenery is going by, it’s like a photo... and you’re never coming that way again. And that’s what your life is. Snapping images, whipping by, and you can’t... it’s gone.”

In Sly, Stallone debunks myths: “I was born with a snarl,” Stallone recounts — but then adds that it was due to nerve paralysis from an injury suffered in delivery.

Growing up in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of New York City, his parents were “constantly screaming and fighting” according to his brother Frank. “My father was Rambo in reality,” Stallone says in the film about the violent influence his father cast over his life.

“Nothing was ever settled verbally.” Before he got into acting and learned to channel that physicality into his characters, Stallone was acting out in response — “Sly was very truant, he’d get into fights,” Frank recalls. But in college, when a Harvard professor happened to see him perform in a production of Death Of A Salesman, he encouraged Stallone to think of acting as a career.

Advertisement Advertisement TV & Streaming

good ones to stream this weekend 1. All the Light We Cannot See

On Netflix, this four-episode adaptation of Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer Prizewinning WWII novel centres on a blind French teenager (Aria Mia Loberti) whose path collides with a young German soldier (Louis Hofmann) in Nazioccupied France. The series traces the pair’s story across multiple decades, with different actors appearing throughout.

Despite its esteemed production team (Shawn Levy and Steven Knight) and star- studded cast (Mark Ruffalo, Hugh Laurie, and more), All the Light We Cannot See hasn’t been too well-received by critics so far. That said, the quality of the series’ source material suggests it could still count among the best Netflix shows of the year.

2. Invincible Season 2

Amazon Prime Video’s blood-spattered superhero series, Invincible, returns for its highly- anticipated second season. New episodes find Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) and his mom, Debbie (Sandra Oh), struggling to move on after the events of Invincible’s season 1 finale (which we won’t spoil here, in the interest of newcomers). Grayson reckons with the possibility that he could become as brutally authoritarian as his dad, the all-powerful Omni-man, while the titular superhero must also ward off a host of new threats.

3. Blue Eye Samurai

Sticking with the theme of gore-heavy animated shows, Blue Eye Samurai has begun streaming on Netflix. This eight-episode series follows a young warrior on a bloody quest for revenge in ancient Japan. Maya Erskine, Kenneth Branagh, Stephanie Hsu, Brenda Song and George Takei are among the show’s voice cast.

Suffice to say, critics loved Blue Eye Samurai. The series has been described as “exhilarating” and “a must-watch”, with particular praise going towards its “gorgeous, gory” fight scenes. FYI: this isn’t one to watch with the kids.

4. Fingernails

The Killer gets the job done and is deadly There’s a hole in the cinematic landscape, one that only a David Fincher story about murderous misanthropes can fill. It’s been almost a decade since Fincher’s last feature film thriller, and he’s been plenty busy — his work on Mindhunter and Mank was irresistible — but the director of Gone Girl and Zodiac is returning to the genre that made him a household name.

In The Killer, we get a glimpse at the titular assassin’s many disguises, routines, and methods of mayhem. “If I’m effective, it’s because of one simple fact,” he coolly narrates. “I. Don’t.

Give. A. F---.” You can find out more about The Killer

below. But not too much. You wouldn’t want him to track you down.

In The Killer, on Netflix from November 10, after a fateful near-miss, an assassin battles his employers, and himself, on an international manhunt he insists isn’t personal.

Michael Fassbender [pictured] stars in the title role alongside Charles Parnell, Arliss Howard, Sophie Charlotte, and Tilda Swinton.

The Killer is drawn from writer Alexis ‘Matz’ Nolent and artist Luc Jacamon’s 1998 graphic novel. Andrew Kevin Walker, who last collaborated with Fincher on their breakout hit Se7en, wrote the film’s screenplay.

This Black Mirror-style movie On Apple TV + is set in an alternate world in which a machine (built by the Love Institute) can accurately determine whether two people are in love by, uhh, prying a fingernail from each person. But when Anna gets a job at said institute, her pre-approved relationship (and thus the accuracy of said machine) is called into question by a new love interest.

Riz Ahmed, Luke Wilson, Annie Murphy and Jeremy Allen White also star in Fingernails, which critics have described as “moving and convincing as a case for romantic anxiety” (cheery!).

5. Nyad

This true-story sports drama follows long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad (Annette Bening) as she attempts – at the age of 60, no less – to become the Vrst swimmer to make the 110-mile ocean journey from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage.

Jodie Foster stars alongside Bening in this new Netflix movie, which comes from the Oscar-winning directors of Free Solo, Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 10 November 2023

News

Kilkenny City and County Bridge results Club 17 – Tuesday Mornings Results 31st October 1st Prize Paul Brady/Catherine Brady 2nd Prize Ethel Lonney/Susan Dowling 3rd Prize Margaret Mullins/ Mary O’Reilly Kilkenny Bridge Club – Tuesday Nights Results 31st October 1st Prize Pat Wall/Michael Delehanty 2nd Prize Maura O Mahony/ Teresa Dunne 3rd Prize Breada Deevy/Mary Egan Bridge every Tuesday evening .

New members most welcome.

Contact Secretary 086 6050075 .

Please be seated by 7:15pm Confederation 350 Wednesday Nights Results 1st November 1st Prize Margaret Stewart/ Rose Brophy 2nd Prize Mary Fawsitt/Anne Brennan 3rd Prize Margaret Mullins/ Mary O'Reilly Nore Bridge Club – Thursday Nights Results 2nd November 1st Prize Colette O’Neill/Hugh Donnelly Swift

KILKENNY BRIDGE CONGRESS Kilkenny Bridge Congress is back again in Ireland’s Medieval City from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th November in The City Suite, 2023 at Hotel Kilkenny, College Road, Kilkenny . This is the first Congress since Covid so let’s hope the Kilkenny Bridge players will come out and play.

2nd Prize Angela Carroll/ Catherine McGoff 3rd Prize Ellen Dowling/ Margaret Knowles Rothe Bridge Club – Monday Nights Results 30th October 1st Prize Pat Hickey/Peter Ryan 2nd Prize Joan Murphy/ Catherine Lynch 3rd Prize Kathleen Hogan/ Mary Brophy 4th Prize Bridget and Liam Holohan Abbey Bridge Club – Tuesday Nights Results 31st October 1st Prize Mary Fawsitt/Mary

Saunders 2nd Prize Mary Condon/ Sandra O Driscoll 3rd Prize Mary Norton/Mary Moynihan Friary Bridge Club – Wednesday Nights Results 25th October 1st Prize Anne Murphy/Mary Cunningham 2nd Prize Mary Murphy/Dor Lanigan Results 1st November 1st Prize Ann Farrell/Mary Weadick 2nd Prize Phil Phelan/Miriam Whelan New members are most welcome.

Programme of Events: FRIDAY: 7.00 p.m. Official Opening by the President of the C.B.AI. Gordon Lessells (North Munster Region) 7.30 p.m. Mixed Pairs Competition Novice Pairs Competition Gala Pairs Competition SATURDAY: (All Prize s subject to entries) 1.30 p.m. Congress Pairs (2 sessions) 1.30 p.m. Intermediate A Pairs (2 sessions) 2.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m.- Open Pairs 7.00 p.m. Intermediate B Pairs (1 Session) 11.30p.m. Presentation of Prize s.

SUNDAY: 11.00 a.m. Team of Four (2 sessions) 11.00 a.m. and 2.30 p.m.Open Pairs Prize s - Open Pairs Howell 10 Tables or more 1st €80.00, 2nd €50.00 & 3rd €30.00

Mitchell 1st €80.00 and 2nd €50.00 N.S. & E.W. TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR: Diarmuid Reddan, Limerick Entry Fees: Congress Pairs and Intermediate A. Pairs €25.00 Intermediate B. Pairs €12.50 Team of Four €25.00 Mixed Pairs €12.50 Novice Pairs €12.50 Open Pairs €10.00 COMMITTEE: President: Hugh Donnelly Swift Vice President: Colette O’Neill Secretary: Ann Brennan Phone No: 087 9908954 Asst. Secretary: Loretto O’Driscoll Phone No: 086 8847839 Treasurers: Gretta Kelly and Tish Leech Entries to: Gretta Kelly Phone No: 056 7752040 Mary Fawsitt Phone No: 087 2474900 Marion Kilbride marion. kilbride@gmail.com Any club in Kilkenny City or County that want their bridge club results included please email them to marion. kilbride@gmail.com before lunchtime Tuesdays the latest.

Any results received after that will be included in the following week.

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Community & GAA Notes

TEA PARTY Clara Camogie American Tea Party, Friday 17th November., 8pm in Clara Hall. If you are interested in hosting a table, joining a table or supporting the event in any way, contact Eamon Dunne (087 9227890), €10 per person. If you are living away from Clara, maybe you will host a table too and send us pictures on the night. Raffle and spot prize for Best dressed Lady and Gent. Come along and join the fun. Please share far and wide.

AGMS The Clara GAA club AGM will take place in the Club House on Friday 24th November at 19.30.

Nomination forms and motion forms are available on our website. All queries to Caroline Clifford 0872330026.

Clara Camogie Club will hold its AGM on Sunday 26th November at 12:00 pm.

Please return your nominations before Friday 17th November.

If anyone wants to get involved in any capacity, please let current committee member know. New faces and fresh ideas are always welcome.

CLUB LOTTO Lotto results 31st October, Numbers drawn - 14, 24, 28.

No jackpot winner. €30 each to Rosita Corr, Mary Fitzpatrick, TJ Kelly, Brigid Darcy, Pat Campion. Thanks to all for your support.

CLUB LOTTO There was no winner of club Lotto October 31st. Numbers drawn were 2, 5, 21, 22 Bonus 23 Play now at www. oloughlingaels.com/lotto. Thank you for your continued support Promotors Draw.1. Biddy Fogarty C/o D O’Connell. 2. Kay Campion C/o Brian Murphy 3. Mucky Murray C/o JJ Cullen. 4. Theresa Walsh C/o M Doran. 5. Therese and Fran Coogan C/o Hugh Mahon. 6. Paddy Buckley C/o Gerry Buckley. 7. Esther Maher. 8. James O’Keeffe C/o online. 9.

Richard Delaney C/o Online. 10. Una Lennon C/o Online U19’S ROINN A LEAGUE FINAL WINNERS Well done to players and mentors on a hard fought win at Canon Kearns Park on Sunday afternoon. Lovely Hurling.

Alex Sheridan putting in a man of the match performance putting in 11 points (3 from play) to secure the Gaels success. The O’Loughlins scoring started with a fine point from Mark Holohan with Eoghan O’Brien and Greg Kelly contributing a brace of points each during a solid team performance to ensure the title went city side. Good job by all involved. O’Loughlin Gaels 0-16 to 0-12 Erin’s Own. Sponsors: Pat and Robert Carroll LEINSTER CHAMPIONSHIP. All supporters are asked to travel to Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow to cheer in the O’Loughlin Gaels Senior Hurlers in the first round of the Leinster Championship v Mt. Leinster Rangers on Sunday. Throw in is at 3:30pm. Hon the Loughs.

CAMOGIE NEWS Please support the O’Loughlin Gaels Camogie Minors who will host Tullogher on Sunday at 11am in the championship semi-final. Hon the Loughs!

Congratulations to the u12s camogie team and mentors who completed their year with a medals presentation at the club on Sunday evening signing off on a good year.

We can all look forward to these girls doing great things going forward.

O’Loughlin Gaels u19s League Winners 2023

Happy O’Loughlins Players, Ruadhrí Galwey, Greg Kelly, and Fion Lawlor after the u19s League Final on Sunday

50 YEARS OF WEDDED BLISS Special congratulations go out to local couple Michael and Liz Bowden of Woodview, Freshford who celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary last weekend. Michael and Liz have enjoyed 50 years together in married life. They were married on 3rd November 1973 in UK and returned to Ireland and to Freshford, where they reared nine children. They made their grand entrance and Jason thanked everyone on behalf of the family as did Liz afterwards. They cut the cake later on. The happy couple celebrated with their family and friends at a function organised by their family in The Castle Arms Hotel, Durrow where up to 150 people sat down to a beautiful four course meal with music and dancing afterwards by Midnight run. A great night was had by all.

The couple are wished many more years of happiness together by all who know them SQUASH Freshford squash club would like to wish young local lad Nathan Walsh all the very best next weekend when he takes part in the Munster junior open in Cork. Also all the best to the local Squash club members playing in the Three Rivers League this week starting on Monday evening, the first league that Freshford squash club have taken part in for the past few years.

COURSING There was a good turnout for the Freshford annual coursing held on Thursday and Friday of last week with the weather staying very favourable for the occasion.

There were no local winners but the winner of the Derby was bred locally (full report next week) GAA St.Lachtains U21 hurlers went down to a strong Danesfort side on Sunday last at Pairc Lachtain. Played before a big crowd it was a tight game throughout the first half but Danesfort got a goal before the break and

the home side never closed the gap and Danesfort came out winners on a scoreline of 1-15 to 2-6 Team: A.Rafter, J.Cantwell, J.Bergin, C.Bowden, L.Phelan, M.Donnelly, C.Dalton, J.Hickey, C.Donnelly, S.Kennedy C.Hickey, M.Durnan, D.Killleen, C.Franey, J.O’Connor Subs. C.McCabe, J. Whitty and B.Dermody.

The U15 hurlers lost to neighbours Lisdowney on Saturday morning last in the Shield final played at Lisdowney.

NEW BINS It is nice to see the arrival of new Belly bin on the green in Freshford village provided by Future Street which he said should be a huge benefit for litter prevention. There are also some new Leaf Bins up around Woodview and on the small green which can be used for compost later on.

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

BRIDGE Freshford bridge club resumed play on Monday 25th September and continues each Monday at 7.30pm in Tulla Hall, Threecastles. New members are very welcome. For further information please contact Olive on 087 9257610.

SOCCER With the soccer season now well underway Freshford town Junior side had a good win over Lions of Durrow on Sunday last coming out winners on a 3-2 scoreline Freshford Town remind parents that Training takes place for boys and girls every Saturday at 9.30am at Wood view. You can contact Eoin or Graham for more info on 087 7672040 or 0872639770 The U15 boys were beaten by a stronger Evergreen side on Saturday evening at the away venue.

DEER ON R693 With the annual deer hunting season opened and with thousands of licensed hunters entitled to shoot male animals in areas for which they have permits.

The season opened on September 1st and hunters are allowed to stalk and shoot sika, fallow and muntjac deer species throughout the State. Hunting for male deer is permitted until the end of the year and hunting of female deer opens on 1 November and continues until the end of February.

Local Cllr. Mick McCarthy says a cull is important, wild deer are affecting biodiversity, land management and road safety. And he was referring in particular to the R693 Freshford to Johnstown road where there have been far too many incidents in the past number of years. .

ATHLETIC CLUB Nena Athletics club have launched fit4life. In the Freshford area. All abilities are welcome from walkers wanting company to runners training for marathons and everyone in between. Very experienced leaders are leading a program established by Athletics Ireland that caters for all experience and abilities. They meet each Tuesday morning and Wednesday evenings in Freshford GAA club. If you are interested please contact us on nuennaac@gmail.com or call Caoimh on 0874175550 LOOP CAFE The Loop Café is a wonderful addition to the village full of character and history and is open from Tuesday to Saturday each week from 9.30am to 4pm. Why not go along and meet a friend or try some of their lovely food and support a local community café. They are also looked for volunteers to help out so if you can give little

bit of your time please do so.

PARISH NEWS Mass is held in the Parish Church each Wednesday morning at 9.30am and each Sunday morning at 11am. wiith Mass in Tulla church on Saturday evenings at 7.30pm.

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

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

Contact Mongr Kieron Kennedy on that number or on 087 25235 21 HELP FOR ALL Are you struggling with anxiety or depression or finding life difficult or feeling isolated at this time GROW is there to help you. Their Mental Health support Groups are free and confidential and open to all no referral or booking is needed. For more information on same you can contact Mary on 087 284342 If you can’t cope and need support text HELLO to 50808.

SAMARITAN - Whatever you’re going through a Samaritan will face it with you – available 24 hours a day 365 days a year – Freephone 1161Alone is available for older people who need support and you can call them on 0818 222024 (8am to 8pm) AMBER KILKENNY WOMENS REFUGE – is available for confidential support relating to domestic violence - call them on 1850 424244 (24/7) or on 056 7771404 or email into@amberwomensrefuge.ie.

REUNION NIGHT The planned Reunion Night on Saturday night, 2nd December in Larchfield promises to be a memorable occasion. Originally intended as a reunion event to mark, Jim Mulvin’s influence in driving the football championship successes of the 1990’s, but, because of the crossover of players involved in the Kilkenny U-21 hurling championship title wins of 2000 and 2002, and the 2000 Kilkenny Junior hurling title win over Piltown the evening has been expanded to recall those memorable occasions. Appropriately being an integrated club since the 2022 AGM, the Junior camogie team’s historic 2002 Kilkenny club championship victory will also be remembered on the night and lots, lots more which can’t be revealed. The committee did confirm that they also have a number of surprises up their sleeves which will add hugely to the entertainment value of the evening. KCR presenter and former Uachtaráin CLG, Nicky Brennan, will be on hand to carry out interviews for his radio sports programme. Be assured it will be an occasion for members and former players not to be missed.

U-21 Q-FINAL On Sunday afternoon in wintery conditions the James Stephens U-21 hurlers produced an impressive team

‘Caman to Croker’James Stephens Camogie U12’s

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Community & GAA Notes performance full of grit and determination to claim a deserved 4-11 to 1-14 victory over Graigue-Ballycallan in their Q-final fixture on a well prepared Tom Ryall Park surface. Towards the end of the first quarter and with Graigue Ballycallan holding a one point lead a long delivery from inside the James Stephens half by Noah Manogue was trapped by Edward McDermott who whipped the sliothar to the net to give the visitors a 1-02 to 0-03 lead in the 16th minute. The home team hit back immediately with a run of points and levelled the game at 1-03 to 0-06 by the 23rd minute. An excellent point from the stick of Ed Lauhoff in the 25th minute, followed by further single scores from Evan Buggy and the in-form freetaker Stephen Manogue which just preceded a high cross field delivery from Ed Mc Dermott which Stephen Manogue stretched to control and strike to the net to give the Village a 2-06 to 0-07 half time lead. In the early minutes of the 2nd half the Graigue lads rose to the challenge and knocked over two points before Stephen Manogue responded with three excellent frees to keep the Ballycallan lads at arms length at 2-09 to 0-10 at the 12th minute. In the 13th minute a slick passing movement through Ed McDermott to Jack Kelly for Ben Cantwell to finish to the net opened an eight point lead for James Stephens at 3-09 to 0-10. All the while the six James Stephens backs and goalkeeper Daniel Power had to be at their best to counter a steady stream of attacks by the gritty Graigue-Ballycallan lads which only yielded two points for the home club. A fourth goal in the 22nd minute saw Ed McDermott open the Graigue defence for Stephen Manogue (2-05 in total) to finish to the net and give the city team an unassailable 4-09 to 0-12 lead. Nevertheless Ballycallan continued to apply pressure, injuring goalkeeper Daniel Power while pulling off a point blank save in the 28th minute. In the 7th minute of added time Graigue finally broke through for a goal following a goalmouth scramble before Ed McDermott (1-04) sealed the victory with two points for a well merited 4-11 to 1-14 victory. In an overall powerful team display there were some eye-catching performances from Sam McEvoy, Adam O’Connor, Oisin Bateman, Ed Lauhoff, Stephen Manogue and Ed McDermott in particular over the hour’s hurling.

JUNIOR CAMOGIE On Sunday morning the clubs Junior camogie team got their championship campaign off to a flying start with a 2-06 to 0-03 victory over Danesfort in Pairc Sheamuis Stiophain. From the start The James Stephens girls applied pressure on Danesfort and with the help of a well worked goal scored by Cady Boyle from a neat Roisin Leahy pass they took a 1-03 to 0-02 lead into the break. Continuing their pressure game throughout the 2nd half the Village girls kept their heads in front thanks to the accuracy of scorer-in-chief Roisin Leahy.

A second goal courtesy of a long range strike by wing back Niamh Leahy put the game out of the reach of the gallant Danesfort girls. A strong defence marshalled by centre back Sophie Meagher with solid support from Kate Larkin and Niamh Leahy laid the foundations for this victory. Tara McGuire and Anna Bergin were a highly effective midfield partnership providing a plentiful supply of ball to the forward line in which Cady Boyle and Roisin Leahy were most effective.

U-16 CAMOGIE Over the previous weekend the U-16 camogie team bowed out of the championship following a 6-04 to 3-03 reverse to neighbours O’Loughlin Gaels. The stronger and more experienced O’Loughlin’s girls held the upper hand throughout the first half taking a seven point lead into the break.. However from the restart the Village girls showed great determination and spirit to claw their way back into contention reducing the ‘Gaels lead to a couple of points. Eventually the young James Stephens players succumbed to tiredness in the wintery conditions allowing the more experienced O’Loughlin Gaels team to regain control with a late surge of goals to end their title ambitions. Credit for driving the spirited performance of the young James Stephens team throughout the game must go to Kate Larkin, Aoibh Lawlor, Mia Dunne and Roisin Leahy. Our thanks also to the management team of Tobias White, Michael Dunne, Michael Lawlor and Tony Lauhoff for their commitment to the girls over a long season.

U-12 CAMOGIE Our U12s had a great day out in Croke Park, recently, as part of the ‘Caman to Croker’ initiative. A great opportunity for the girls to play on the hallowed turf and played 3 games in a mini blitz on the day.

SELF HELP AFRICA The club’s camogie star, Michelle Teehan has joined a team travelling to Kenya to plant over a million trees to help reduce harmful greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere. To join the Self Help Africa Group, Michelle has to raise €10,000. For further information contact Michelle at 085-1400841 or log on to the portal https://portaleur. myshopify.com/collections/warriors-for-humanityMichelle-Teehan and follow the guidelines.

SYMPATHIES: Our sympathies are extended to club member John Knox, Beech Park, on the death of his wife Anne (nee Free) who passed away peacefully in her home on Thursday week last. Our condolences are also extended to Anne’s sons, John and Tony and the extended Knox and Free families. Anne was laid to rest in Foulkstown Cemetery following Requiem Mass in St.Fiacre’s Church on Saturday. “Air dheis laimh dei go raibh a anam dilis” KILKENNY VOLUNTEERING Kristina from Kilkenny Volunteering is seeking volunteers to assist patients and visitors by signposting them to various departments, wards and clinics in St. Luke’s Hospital. The Meet and Greet Volunteer programme aims to provide a positive experience for all who visit the hospital. Contact Kristina at 089 2584946 for further information.

GAA Under 21 Hurling Championship.

Bennettsbridge play Dunnamaggin in the quarter-final of the Roinn A under-21 Hurling championship in Bennettsbridge on Sunday next at 2 pm. Best of luck to all the team and management. All support greatly appreciated.

Under 15 Football

Best of luck to our under-15 footballers who play Slieverue in the semi-final of the Roinn C football championship in the ‘Bridge next Sunday morning at 10.30.

Best of luck to all involved.

Healthy Club Initiative Bennettsbridge Gaa club was recently awarded Foundation Level Healthy Club Status.

Well done to Andrea Kelly and her committee for all their hard work.

Club Shop New additions of a training top, shorts and tee shirts have been added to the Bennettsbridge O’Neill’s club shop. To access the full range of club gear simply go to the O’ Neill’s website and enter Bennettsbridge in the search box. Some club gear would make an ideal Christmas gift this year.

Split the Pot Well done to Andrea Kelly who won 156 euro, Eileen Walpole who won 30 Euro and to Noel Skehan who won 20 Euro. The competition can also be entered online using Club Force. Please see the clubs Facebook page for details of how to enter on-line. Envelopes are available in the usual spots around the village. Thanks for the continued support.

This picture of Bennettsbridge captured by local photographer, Anne Dowling is one of a number featured in the 2023 Christmas Cards produced by BB Art Group

ART GROUP With Christmas approaching the local Art group would like to remind parishioners that a new selection of Christmas Cards produced by the group are now on sale. The cards are available in the local shops and we acknowledge and appreciate this facility from the businesses. As has been the custom for many years, the local St Vincent De Paul will share in the proceeds.

CHURCH NEWS WEEKDAY MASSES Wednesday and Friday Bennettsbridge 10.30 am Both days Weekend Masses, Tullaherin, Saturday 8pm . Bennettsbridge Sunday 10.30am OFFERTORY COLLECTION Parishioners are reminded that the Offertory Collection which had been taken on entry to Mass on Sundays will now revert to the usual system, which had been the norm up to the Covid 19.

GATHERING GROUP The weekly meeting of the Gathering Group continues today, Wednesday with the final of the six week Yoga session. Tea and chat will also be on the agenda. Last week the members were introduced to the game of 25s and it was a good learning experience. They were guided through the rules by three of the Tuesday night card players. Wednesday 13th December has been confirmed for the Christmas Dinner. The venue is the Hoban Hotel and numbers will be confirmed in the next few weeks.

Also in the pipeline for next week, 15th November, a visit from Catherine Clancy, Community nurse/Podiatrist will take place. She will give a talk on foot health. Members can also look forward to the Annual Flower arranging event with Annemarie Mahon on a date to be confirmed.

LOTTO No winner of Jackpot last week. Numbers, 1,7, 8, 12.

Jackpot now €4,000.00. Consolation Prizes, The Dooley’s c/o Lucy, Shanagarry Syndicate, Shanagarry Syndicate, Mary Skehan, Woodlawn, Liam O’Keeffe, Kilfane.

CHURCH NEWS.....

November offerings are now due.

ROSARY The Rosary will be recited in St Kieran’s Cemetery each Sunday during November at 2,30pm.

REMEMBERANCE MASS......

Mass will be held for the parishioners who died in the past year and will be celebrated in St. Kieran’s Church on Friday November 24th at 7.30pm.

SR. PHILOMENA (MARY) COLLETON(Swansea and late of Coolnacritta, Johnstown.) The death has taken place of Mary, after a long illness,at the Convent of the Ursulines of Jesus, Stella Maris, Swansea. Predeceased by her parents Tony and Anne, her brother Jimmy and brother in law Mick Bergin, she will be sadly missed by her family Pat, Nellie, Tommy and Martin, her extended family and her community in Swansea and Wexford.

Sr. Mary will be laid to rest in the convent cemetery, Swansea on Friday next Nov. 10th. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Galmoy. May she rest in peace.

FENIAN H.C. Well done to the U19 team who defeated St. Patrick’s , Ballyragget to win the League Final Roinn D and to the U 15 who won the Roinn B hurling championship against Graignamanagh.

BINGO Bingo continues on Wednesday. Nights and also Split the Pot in aid of the Christmas lights in the village.

SPA UNITED AFC....

Weekend results, Junior League Division 3 Spa 2 (Mark Webster, James Sweeney) Lions B 1, U13 boys SFAI National Trophy Spa 6 Clerihan 0, U14 girls League Division 1 Spa 1 Thomastown 3. Also in action the U11 boys travelled to Highview Athletic while both teams of U11 girls were also in action. The U9s took part in a blitz and played games against Evergreen, Stoneyford and Southend.

SPA DEVELOPMENT/FENIANS LOTTO...

Winning numbers 1,4,20,29, two match threes Padraig Sweeney and Shay Bourke.

Selection of 2023 Christmas Cards now available

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Glengoole Wednesday 10am to 2pm, Gortnahoe Thursday 10am to 1pm ROSARY Rosary for the month of November is being recited in the local cemeteries at 1.30pm each Sunday.

400 CLUB DRAW Tickets for the new draw are now available from promoters. €50 per ticket for 12 monthly draws. There is still tickets available for any first time participants, please contact your local promoter. The first draw will

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Community & GAA Notes take place on Monday 13th of November.

TUESDAY BRIDGE Bridge is being played each Tuesday night in Gortnahoe Hall at 7.30pm. If you would like to join or find out more information please contact this number 089 4349106 GLENGOOLE COMMUNITY GROUP Yoga classes started in Glengoole Hall on Thursday 9th November from 2-3pm, €20 for 6 weeks, supported by ETB and MFRC. Names to Julie O’Halloran, MFRC, on 087-1008075. Luchaireach Lamha Sensory Play Sessions for 6 months - 4 years on Friday 10th, 17th and 24th November in Glengoole Hall. €45 per child. Details/ bookings 0877001883.

Glengoole Christmas Festival will be held on Friday 1st and 2nd December.

GORTNAHOE BINGO Bingo continues this Saturday evening at the earlier time of 4.00pm with doors opening from 3.00pm and will continue each Saturday evening at the same time. Over €2,660 in prize money on offer including a special €500 game. The feedback for the earlier start of 4pm was very well received last weekend and the Committee appreciate the comments.

SPLIT THE POT Congratulations to last weekend’s winner Nicholas Guilfoyle, Fennor who won €190 in the Split the Pot draw. Envelopes are available at the usual outlets. Split the Pot for the month of November will be in support of The Gortnahoe Christmas lights. The draw takes place each Sunday at 12pm in Gortnahoe Hall. Your support would be appreciated COFFEE MORNING A coffee morning will be held in support of cancer aid in Ballysloe Sensory Garden this Saturday morning 11th November between 11am and 2pm. Support would be greatly appreciated.

BALLYNONTY COMMUNITY HOUSE Cookery and Nutrition Class with Eileen Bowden for 6 weeks starting on Tuesday 7th November - 12th December, 10.30am - 12.30pm. Flower Arranging Class with Bertranda Delaney for 4 weeks starting on Thursday 9th November - 30th November, 7pm - 9pm.

ELDERCARE SERVICE Eldercare services through MFRC Glengoole will include the following: meals on wheels deliveries every Tuesday and Thursday, social group every Wednesday 1-3pm,includes soup, dinner and entertainment, laundry service, senior alert scheme for Gortnahoe Glengoole area, dementia cafe 1st Tuesday of each month 11.30-1pm, social group every Tuesday at 11am in the Old School House, The Commons. For further information on any of the above please contact Alice Teehan 052-9157992 JAMES PURCELL RIP The death has occurred of James Purcell on 3rd November peacefully in the tender care of Tipperary University Hospital, I.C.U. Predeceased by his cherished wife Bridget (née Fitzpatrick), infant son Patrick, parents Thomas and Bridget (Grange, Barna) and brothers.

Deeply regretted by his adoring sons, daughter and daughter-in-law; Martin, Tom, P.J. John, Jimmy, Breda and Ciara, granddaughter Staceylee, nephews, nieces, sisters-in-law, good neighbours and a wide circle of friends. James reposed in Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, last Monday evening. His remains were removed to the Sacred Heart Church, Gortnahoe for requiem Mass last Tuesday. Followed by burial afterwards in Aglish Cemetery, Gortnahoe. May he rest in peace.

The North Kilkenny Branch Irish Wheelchair Association are holding their annual tractor run in Johnstown on Sunday 19th of November starting at 1pm. This annual event is crucial to allow us to take our members on

holidays and bring them on many day trips during the year.

A great day will be had by all after the run with music and food in McCarthy’s Bar. Any help or support would be gratefully appreciated. For any further information please contact Martin on 087 6371307 or Margaret on 086 0617033.

CRAFT FAIR This year’s Christmas Craft Fair is on December 2nd in community hall from 12 to 5pm there are some tables still available for anyone who is interested please contact Juanita 0872955864.

TIDY TOWN Tidy towns committee would appreciate any help over the coming winter months keeping the town litter free, weeding, and general tidy up of areas that need attention. We wish to thank everyone who played a part in keeping the town looking so well over the year.

CHRISTMAS PARTY The annual Christmas Party for the senior citizens will go ahead again this year and fundraising is underway.

There will be a craft, cake sale and coffee morning on November 12th in the Cannon Malone Hall 11.15am to 12.30pm with raffle on the day. Donations of cakes would be greatly appreciated.

GAA St. Patrick’s Fenians under 13 team were victorious over Graiguenamanagh 0-6 to 0-3.

The under 19 league final against Fenians took place last Saturday the Fenians side came out on top on a scoreline of 2-13 to 3-8.

AGM The annual AGM of St. Patrick’s GAA will be held on Thursday 30th of November at8pm in the club house.

Nominations and motions should be provided by Monday 27th November at 6pm. If you would like to put forward a nomination or motion, please email the secretary for a copy of the AGM notice. This must be filled in and either given to the secretary or sent back via email. Email: secretary.stpatricksballyragget.kilkenny@ gaa.

HURLING The under-21 hurlers scored a dramatic extra time win over Carrickshock in the JJ Kavanagh and Sons Roinn D championship in Jenkinstown on Sunday last. The teams were level at half-time at 0-8 apiece, and with Conahy then leading 0-16 to 0-13 as injury time approached, they looked set for victory. But Carrickshock scrambled a late goal with the final play of the game to send the game to extra time. It was tight and tense for the whole of extra time, with never more than a single point between the teams. In the end, it was Conahy who had the single point advantage at the final whistle, winning 0-23 to 1-19. They have now qualified for a county semi-final which will likely be played in two weeks time.

TEAM: Oisin Cahill, J.P. Gamble, Conor Duggan, Conor Hennessy, John Kennedy, Ciaran Rice, Kieran Brennan, Jack Murphy, Darragh Hennessy, Harry O’Mahony, Oisín O’Connor, Rob Ring, Eoin Dunne, Mark Gunner, Billy Mulhall, Daniel Mooney, Jake Dooley, Damien Cuddihy.

CAMOGIE The minor camogie girls were beaten by John Lockes (Callan) in the opening round of the Gaeltec Roinn A championship in John Locke Park on Sunday morning last. The Conahy girls tried their hardest all through but the Callan girls proved too strong.

The junior girls were given a walkover by Mooncoin in their championship game due to take place last weekend so they will be into a county semi final, with the opposition and date/time to be confirmed, at the time of writing.

DEVELOPMENT FUNDRAISER

The St Patrick’s Fenians Under 13 B Shield Final Winners

Community members are asked to continue to support the Conahy Shamrocks GAA Club’s Development fundraiser draw. Tickets for the draw will be €25 each, or three for €65, or five for €100, with the winner with the winner receiving a new Hyundai Tucson car or €35,000 in cash. Tickets are available from promoters locally, and a website that will allow the purchase of tickets for the draw is available on www.winahyundaituscon.ie. The draw is also actively being promoted on social media platforms. All support would be greatly appreciated for what will be a development to benefit both young and old in the community.

CLUB LOTTO The numbers drawn in the Conahy Shamrocks GAA Club Lotto were 8, 15 and 20. There was no jackpot winner so the consolation prize winners were Laura Delaney, Nicholas Baldwin, Jake Dooley, Fr. Willie Hennessy and Leslie Byrne. The promoters’ prize winners were Shay Healy, Nora Delaney and Seamus Óg Brennan.

TABLE QUIZ River Rangers will hold a Table Quiz in Ryan’s, Kilmanagh on Friday December 1st at 9.15pm. €20 per team of 4 plus raffle on the night. Great fun assured, all are welcome.

ROSARY IN THE CEMETERY FOR NOVEMBER Rosary will take place at the grotto in Ballykeeffe cemetery each Sunday during the month of November at 3pm to pray for our faithful departed.

MEMORY WALL A ‘Memory wall,’ has been placed in all our churches and you are welcome to place pictures and/or names of loved ones on any of these boards. It is a nice way to remember our deceased, as well as allowing others to call to mind their memory. The ‘wall’ will be in place for the month of November.

REMEMBRANCE SERVICE This Mass will take place in Killaloe on Thursday, 23rd November at 7pm. At this mass we will especially remember those who have died in the past year.

VOLUNTEERING Thomastown Community Allotments are looking for volunteers with keen interest in garden maintenance to help out in their allotment project. Contact info@volunteerkilkenny.ie or phone on 089 258 4946 for more info.

St. Luke’s Hospital is seeking volunteers to assist patients & visitors by signposting them to various departments, wards and clinics. The Meet & Greet Volunteer programme aims to provide a positive experience for all who visit the hospital. Contact info@volunteerkilkenny.ie or phone on 089 258 4946 for more info.

NCBI – Castlecomer preloved clothing boutique is looking for volunteers to help with various roles, including shop assistants, window artists, streaming and pricing. Contact info@volunteerkilkenny.ie or phone on 089 258 4946 for more information.

Newpark FRC – Youth Services is searching for energetic volunteers to assist in their youth club for 8-12-year-olds.

Clubs run Wednesday or Thursday evenings. Contact info@volunteerkilkenny.ie or phone on 089 258 4946 for more information.

St. Josephs Supported Care Home would welcome volunteers to come and perform with music, particularly songs from the residents’ generation & youth, and engage in conversations with elderly residents on a weekly basis in the care setting. Contact info@ volunteerkilkenny.ie or phone on 089 258 4946 for more information.

Registering to Volunteer We also have lots of other fantastic initiatives happening in our centre. If you are not registered, please do (www. volunteerkilkenny.ie) as you will get more information and will keep you up-to-date or call us on 089-2584946.

HUGGINGSTOWN NEWMARKET STONEYFORD MASS TIME Hugginstown: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9.30a.m.

Vigil - Saturday. at 8.00p.m.;Sunday . at 10.00a.m.

Stoneyford. Wednesday 8th. at 7.00p.m.

Vigil Saturday 11th. at 6.30p.m.

Friday 10th. Feast of St. Leo the Great. Saturday 11th.

Feast of St. Martin of Tours Remembrance Masses for the Faithful Departed will be celebrated on this Saturday 4th.November: In Stoneyford Church at 6.30p.m. and in Hugginstown Church at 8.00p.m. We will remember all who have lost a family member during the past twelve months. Families will be invited to bring a candle to the altar in remembrance of their loved ones during Mass.

Ronan Murphy, Mount Juliet (November ’22) Maureen Connolly, Stonecarthy (December ’22) Michael Kelly, Castlemorris (December ’22) Michael Murphy, Ballyhale (January ‘23) Joan McBride, Sheepstown (February ‘23) Michael Morrissey, Lawcus Fields (Feb. ‘23) Maura Brennan, Lawcus (March ’23) Catherine Barron, Catstown (March ‘23) Wazzie Kenneally, Barnadown

(April ‘23) Joan Foran, Monroe (April ’23) Kitty McBride, Monroe (April ‘23) Martin Cleary, Hugginstown (June ‘23) Patrica Sheehan, Knockmhuire (June ’23) Maureen Landers, Stoneyford (June ’23) Michael Reville, Croan (June ’23) Maggie Walsh, Boolyglass (August ‘23) George Lee, Cherrymount (October ‘23) Barry Audoire, Sheepstown (October ’23) Johnny O’Grady, Stoneyford (October ’23) If you had a family member who died outside the parish and would like them to be included in this Remembrance Mass, please let us know. All are invited to write down the names of their own departed ones and place them at the altar. They will be remembered at all Masses during November.

Anniversary Mass, Kathleen Tennyson, Mabbistown, Mass in Hugginstown Church on Saturday 11th.

November at 8.00p.m.

ROTA Rota for next week-end, 11th. and 12th. November (Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time) Readers, Stoneyford, Saturday 6.30p.m. Tom King. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Deirdre Rohan. Sunday 10.00a.m. Deirdre O’Shea. Eucharistic Ministers, Stoneyford, Saturday 6.30p.m. Barbara Smolen. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Mary Cuddihy. Sunday 10.00a.m. Ann Power.

STORIES OF KILKENNY’S CHRISTIAN HERITAGE Did you know that some of the treasured stories of Kilkenny’s Christian heritage are now being told on YouTube? The Irish Dominicans, as part of the Treasure Ireland Series on their YouTube channel (youtube.com/ irishdominicans), have visited ten sites in Co. Kilkenny, and are currently posting the videos they recorded.

In this series you’ll find videos about St. Kenny’s Well and the controversial statues of Jerpoint Abbey; the Black Abbey and Cantwell Fada, the huge defences of Kells Priory and the Franciscan Friar who reported on the Black Death in Kilkenny before succumbing to the disease.

NOVEMBER OFFERINGS 2023 November Offerings Envelopes 2023 are available at the Church Porch. Your contribution can be left into the Collection Boxes at the Churches or you may donate directly – Use IBAN: IE19 AIBK 9330 9000 0561 20 (BIC: AIBKIE2D).

CONFIRMATION 2024: Bishop Niall Coll will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in Hugginstown Church on Thursday 22nd.

February 2024 at 11.00a.m.

LOTTO Lotto: Aghaviller Parish and Carrickshock G. A. A.Draw: Monday 30th. October 2023 Numbers: 25; 31; 30; 21. No Winner First 3 Numbers Drawn. No Jackpot Winner: €30.00. Winners, James Kenneally, Catstown. P and C Hudson, c/o James Irish; E, L, S, A. c/o Teresa Fitzgerald, G, S, O. Power, Rathduff.

A, L, C. Roche, Lawcus.

3 x €15.00 (Sellers). Tommy Murphy. James Irish. Eamon Irish.

KNITTING AND CRAFT FAIR Friday 1st December we will be having our Christmas Fair here in the Mill Family Resource Centre, Main Street Urlingford, E41 E1W, from 11.00am to 1.00pm. All welcome.

COUNSELLING SERVICES Our low cost Counselling Services, includes One-toOne, Adult & Teens. General Counselling: Bereavement, Stress, Anxiety & Depression. Other Counselling Services available, Drug, Substance & Gambling Addictions. Play therapy is now also available. Age 5+. Please contact Sue for more information or to make an appointment.

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

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

APPEAL FOR CLOTHES DONATIONS Any clothes donations would be greatly appreciated in aid of our counselling/play therapy services. Donations can be left into the Centre, please call before dropping off.

JOBS TRAINING BOARD We have a Jobs Board here at the Centre, feel free to call in and take a look, we also offer help and support with CV’s and cover letters if required.

Contact number for the Centre 056-8838466

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

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 10 November 2023

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Hurlng matters - Preview

Sport

Jordan Molloy and Jack Nolan Tries to prevent Niall Shorthall from gaining possession

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

SHERRY SAYS Quarter Final Preview

AIB Leinster Club Senior Hurling Championship 2023 Mount Leinster Rangers vs O’Loughlin Gaels Sunday, 4:30pm, Netwatch Cullen Park

Having dethroned All-Ireland champions Shamrocks Ballyhale in the Kilkenny County final a fortnight ago, O’Loughlin Gaels take to the provincial stage as they begin what they hope will be a fruitful Leinster campaign. First up for the St John’s Park side is a trip to Netwatch Cullen Park to take on the mighty Mount Leinster Rangers (MLR) on Sunday (Throw-in 3:30pm).

It is as tough a start as Brian Hogan’s men could have been given as they embark on their first Leinster adventure since 2016. That year, the Loughs lost out in the decider to Dublin champions Cuala, who went onto be crowned All-Ireland champions, beating Clare’s Ballyea in the St Patrick’s Day final. Ironically, each of O’Loughlin’s four forays after claiming Kilkenny glory have ended in defeat to the eventual national champions. On the two occasions that the city side have claimed the O’Neill Cup in 2003 & 2010, they lost out to Newtownshandrum and Clarinbridge.

Back on Noreside, many Gaels fancied a change of champion this year, with Dicksboro, Bennettsbridge and eventual winners, O’Loughlin’s all expected to pose a real challenge to the Illustrious Shamrocks Ballyhale. Despite being numerous bodies down from last season’s AllIreland winning run, Pat Hoban’s side defied many to reach the county final and put in a gutsy display, going down by the bare minimum, thanks to a wonderstrike from Paddy Deegan. Hogan’s charges showed little fear as they claimed Tom Walsh Cup number five at UPMC Nowlan Park and there appears to be real belief and hunger that they can enjoy a long winter of hurling, beginning this weekend.

Sunday’s opponents are frequent visitors to the provincial arena but have only got over the line once to claim the O’Neill Cup and that was in 2013 when they beat heavy favourites Oulart-The Ballagh by 3 points. Managed by Kilkenny native Tom Mullally, the Carlow side were eventually beaten by eight points in the All-Ireland club final by a Joe Canning inspired Portumna team. Having wrestled the Willie O’Connor Cup back from rivals St Mullins, Paul O’Brien will be keen to see his team progress on the provincial front. Their county title victory over the reigning champions

Kilkenny champ’s s for Rangers test Provincial campaign starts in Carlow

Eoin Cody tries to get past David Fogarty

was a lot more straight forward than many expected, and in truth the result was never in doubt from the short whistle, when MLR had built an impressive 8-point lead over Maurice Aylward’s men and finished the game leading by the same margin.

Backboned by many county players, MLR had a MOTM performance from Chris Nolan who finished his days work with an eye-catching personal tally of 1-9, 1-5 of which came from open play. Indeed, Nolan finished the Carlow campaign as the second highest scorer with a total of 5-36 from his six matches played. In another nod to the talented hurler, Nolan registered the highest total in a single game in this season’s JJ Kavanagh & Sons sponsored championship when hitting 2-9 in his sides round two group game win over Eddie Scally’s Bagenalstown Gaels. The Carlow champions attack is not only about Chris Nolan, but he does also have plenty of support from the likes of Ciaran Kavanagh,

Dean Tobin and young Donagh Murphy. Murphy is a rising star on the hurling circuit and has had great ‘schooling’ as a student at St Kieran’s College in Kilkenny.

Murphy actually bagged a major in his school’s Croke Cup win over Presentation College Athenry last March. Corner-forwards Murphy and Kavanagh shared six points in their final win over St Mullins.

One of the biggest talking points that came out of MLR county final win, was the return of veteran netminder Frank Foley to the Borris sides line-up during this campaign.

The 46-year-old who now holds nine senior championship medals clearly brings a wealth of experience to the Carlow side and hasn’t let anyone down since he came back between the sticks following an injury to first-choice keeper Dean Grennan. Should Grennan recover from injury, it will be interesting to see which keeper gets the nod for Sunday’s provincial quarter final.

Another impressive performer for MLR has been midfielder Fiachra

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Hurling matters - Preview Owen Wall Gets the Better of Bill Hughes

set Fitzpatrick. The big number eight loves to get forward and weighed in with a major in the final against St Mullins. Like many of his teammates, Fitzpatrick is a dual star, and these players give everything in both codes for their beloved club. In defence is where you will find team captain Diarmuid Byrne.

The full-back is a good leader and will ensure that those around him give their all against O’Loughlin Gaels.

Brian Hogan’s outfit will have thoroughly enjoyed their county title celebrations but will have knuckled down over the last 10 days to ensure that both mind and body is ready for the MLR challenge.

The

No Way Through For Conor Kelly as he tries to get past Daragh Corcorcan

Loughs management team will have studied all available footage of Sunday’s opponents and have drawn up a game plan that they hope will lead to claiming a semi-final berth. Their county contingent certainly stepped up and delivered when it mattered most against the Shamrocks.

Alongside match winner Paddy Deegan, Huw Lawlor, Mikey Butler and Conor Heary all put in serious shifts at UPMC Nowlan Park.

Arguably one of hurling’s finest full backs, Huw Lawlor was tasked with keeping tabs on Eoin Cody, while 2022 Young Hurler of the Year, Mikey Butler shackled Adrian Mullen all over the park, stifling the talented stickman’s influence on proceedings.

Many credit O’Loughlin’s win to Butler winning this particular battle.

Deegan shadowed TJ Reid in the final and you can bet that the legendary Shamrocks man knew all about it.

Goalkeeper Stephen Murphy will be hoping for a quiet day at the office on Sunday and will marshal those in front of him to ensure the Loughs rearguard doesn’t switch off.

Should he be given the opportunity, the experienced netminder is more than capable of getting on the scoresheet from long range. As mentioned throughout the Kilkenny club season, wing backs Jordan Molloy and David Fogarty have been exceptional for the St John’s Park side. Both players appear to have an excellent balance of

defensive responsibility coupled with the game intelligence to drive forward and keep the scoreboard ticking over. These two players are clearly benefiting from having the towering presence of Paddy Deegan beside them.

In the engine room, Cian Loy and Jack Nolan will form a more than formidable midfield partnership and look to win this crucial pitch battle and provide plenty of ball for a forward line that Captain Mark Bergin aside, were a little quiet on the scoring front in their win over Shamrocks. The lively and dangerous Owen Wall was well marked and struggled to have the impact that he would have hoped for last time out. That may spell danger for the MLR defence on Sunday and I can see Wall playing a major part in the clash at Netwatch Cullen Park.

Like Wall, Eoin O’Shea was on the periphery of things in the county final. Again, O’Loughlin’s will need much more from the centreforward, and O’Shea himself will be acutely aware that the likes of Conor Kelly and Luke Hogan are pushing hard for inclusion and have made telling contributions to their side’s successful season so far. The biggest example of their impact came against Ballyhale when both were sprung from the bench and struck vital scores to reign in the South Kilkenny side’s lead.

Mark Bergin was in inspirational form as he led his side to a fifth Tom Walsh Cup hitting 0-10 and being heavily involved all over the UPMC Nowlan Park pitch. Manager Hogan will know that he can count on his captain to deliver for him and the team, no matter the venue or the opponent.

As usual, winter hurling is extremely taxing on the body, but O’Loughlin’s look very well conditioned as Sunday looms and that will have been well planned by Mickey Comerford. I for one was amazed by the fitness of this side as the county final was in the melting pot, and to be honest, extra time wouldn’t have been a problem for this side.

If mind and bodies are right, I feel O’Loughlin’s have enough quality and strength in depth to get the better of the Carlow champions on Sunday. Get the result and Hogan’s heroes can start thinking about a provincial semi-final against the winners of Naomh Eanna (Wexford) and Kilcormac Killoughey (Offaly).

For now, one step at a time.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 10 November 2023

Planning notices

Planning notices KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE: COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Queally Pig Slaughtering Ltd T/A Dawn Pork and Bacon, is in the process of developing a proposal for the installation of a single 2MW wind turbine with a hub height of 64m and a blade length of 35.5m. This initiative is a key element of our ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability. In alignment with our policy, we are dedicated to operating with a conscientious respect for the environment, striving for continual improvement to uphold a high standard of environmental performance. Our proposal also aligns with Ireland’s Long-term Strategy on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions, approved by the government in April 2023. This strategy outlines pathways towards achieving carbon neutrality for Ireland by 2050.

The proposed wind turbine is to be situated southwest of our company lands. As part of the planning process, Dawn Pork and Bacon is committed to conducting an early consultation phase prior to submitting the official planning application. We welcome and highly value community input and feedback during this stage. To engage in this consultation or to learn more about the proposal, please contact us at planning@enerpower.ie.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

Planning Permission is sought by Paul Murphy to construct a two storey dwelling house, single storey domestic garage, provision of a new treatment plant & percolation area, new vehicular site entrance and all associated site developments works at Lisdowney, Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny, R95 W7YT. 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.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 10 November 2023

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

TOM CODY 27TH ANNIVERSARY

KATHLEEN CODY 26TH ANNIVERSARY

Anniversaries of Tom and Kathleen Cody, Newpark Lower, Kilkenny.

“A great man and a great woman” They were also good people.

Anniversary Mass on Friday 17th November at St John’s Church at 10.30am

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. P.K.

BENNY DUNPHY 1ST ANNIVERSARY Son of the late Anastasia and Joe and brother of John, Bridget, Kathleen and Mary formerly of The Pill Road, Kilmacow.

Benny will be prayed for at a remembrance Mass at 11.15 on Sunday November 12th St. Senan’s Church, Kilmacow.

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.D.B.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. M.D.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. M.M.

A prayer to the Blessed Virgin

(never known to fail).

O most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful vine, Splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, O Star of the sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. O Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to grant my request.

(Please state request). There are none that can withstand your power. O show me herein you are my Mother. I place this cause in your hands (three times). Thank you for your mercy towards me and mine. Amen. .This prayer must be said for three days and after this the request will be granted. This prayer must be published immediately. P.K.

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. S.M.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 10 November 2023

Classifieds Motors

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

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 10 November 2023

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 10 November 2023