Travel & Leisure

5 luxurious reasons to visit the US

1. THERE ARE MORE THAN 21,000 SPAS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

IN the US you can nd luxury spas all over the country.

According to research by Statista, in 2020 alone there were over 21,000 spas in operation across the United States. erefore, wherever you choose to go, you’re not going to be too far from somewhere to enjoy some pampering.

2. GLAMOROUS BIG SCREEN CITIES

THERE’S New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, or even Miami which are not just spectacular places to look at. ey’re also lled with the aforementioned spas, amazing restaurants, and opulent hotels and great department stores.

While you’re in the big city, you’ll be able to enjoy luxury shopping at famous boutiques and department stores.

You’ll also have your pick of the best entertainment, such as theatres and museums, to get your cultural x while you’re there.

3. IMPECCABLE CUISINE

Cuisine in the US isn’t just hamburgers and hot dogs, although there are plenty of ways to enjoy premium, upgraded versions of these classic dishes. e country is home to around 200 Michelin star restaurants. at said, ne dining has never been more popular in the US, and, if you visit now, you’ll be in a perfect position to take advantage of that and the many new popup restaurants catering to it. at’s not all; the variety of cuisines available (not to mention fusion dishes) is almost unparalleled in the US and produced from market to table at the highest quality.

4. ENJOY LUXURY OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

IT’S not just the cities where you can enjoy a luxurious lifestyle. e US is well-loved for its rural areas too and many places even far from urban landscape.

If you’re more into blending nature with luxury, states like New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona will be perfect for you. Exclusive ranches, and those spas, and secluded hotels all await you here, where you can relax, unwind and treat yourself to the ner things in life.

Having a whale of a time in Iceland’s Húsavík

Between May and September each year, it takes considerable misfortune to not catch a sighting of these abundant behemoths while out in the bay. is abundance would be extraordinary on its own, but humpbacks are just one of 24 species of cetacean to frequent these waters. Iceland is hugely popular with the Irish. Lucky visitors might also spot pods of orca, spectacular sperm whales and, arguably best of all, blue whales, the largest animals to have ever graced the Earth. Dolphins can also be spotted before even leaving the harbour. is world-class access to marine mammals has built Húsavík a stellar reputation as probably the nest whalewatching location in Europe. Gentle Giants is one of several long-established operators in town, and also o ers birdwatching trips to the nearby island of Flatey.

While the whales have

5. SERVICE UNLIKE ANYWHERE ELSE

IT’S hard to compare the quality of service you get when you visit the US. From waiters to concierges, there’s

been doing the heavy lifting for Húsavík’s marketing for more than 30 years, the 2020 release of the Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams lm Eurovision Song Contest: e Story of Fire Saga boosted the town’s fortunes even further. Its track Husavik (My Hometown) — a strange ode to life here — was nominated for Best Original Song at the 93rd Academy Awards.

Hats o to the entrepreneurial locals who have hastily opened Jaja Ding Dong, a cafe-bar named after another song from the lm’s soundtrack, albeit one that didn’t receive any form of Oscar recognition. e ctionalised version of the town presented in the lm may not be the scene that awaits visitors, but, as well as whale-watching opportunities, there are plenty of bene ts to making the journey this far north. To esh out your knowledge of cetaceans, visit the no doubt that you’ll be well looked after when you visit. e attention to detail, friendly welcome, and unparalleled care that you’ll get from those serving you at your hotel or in restaurants are without compare. Don’t forget to tip generously, though. e ve points listed above are just a few reasons why the US is the perfect destination for luxury travellers. However, you’ll nd many other things ideal when you head to the US for a luxury experience.

excellent Húsavík Whale Museum, based in an old slaughterhouse (although the focus today is very much on living creatures).

Elsewhere, among the many pretty buildings in town, Húsavíkurkirkja — a wooden church built in 1907 — is perhaps the fairest, and is open to visitors during the summer months. e Museum of Exploration, dedicated to the history of human exploration, is also well worth a visit — especially as the area around Húsavík is thought to be one of the very rst settled by Viking explorers.

Food and drink options are somewhat limited, but the family-run Naustid restaurant has won plenty of admirers for its clever use of locally caught seafood. And perhaps surprisingly for a town of this size, there’s also a microbrewery, the betterthan-it-has-any-right-to-be Húsavík Öl.

Communist Romania and the meaning of the 23rd of August

BY LIVIA POP

PART TWO

IN last week’s instalment we gave you the overall picture of the events of August 23rd before independence. Some events were bigger than others. We resume our story recounting some of these events e biggest event obviously took place in the country’s capital, where Ceausescu himself and his wife and all the important people of the Romanian Communist Party watched and listened from the height of the o cial tribune to all the hymns praising their honour. ousands of children worked in the hot summer sun, from morning to evening, for the show to go smoothly. For the huge e ort, they received a packet of biscuits and a bottle of Pepsi-Cola, the ultimate reward for a child of those years. Pepsi-Cola was considered a luxury at that time and if you managed to drink a few bottles for a whole year, you could consider yourself a happy person.

A few children were chosen to give owers to their beloved leaders. eir selection was made starting with checking the families for not having relatives that ed the country. en everyone had to be beautiful and healthy, this was done after a medical consultation. ey were taught how to hold owers in their arms, and how to present them to the mighty leader. ey were thought each word they had to say. ey had to thank from the bottom of their hearts for the happy childhood they had. And before they arrived in front of the Ceausescus, they were disinfected on their hands and face, plus they wore new and disinfected clothes. e irony of ironies, this day was work-free day by law, but mandatory for the parade, no one was allowed to be absent, no excuse was accepted, and only those who worked night shifts got to stay at home.

But the thought of all the participants was at the country fair after the parade. Only the afternoon of August 23 was the real holiday for the common people. It was one of the few days of the year when working people were not working. It also happened on New Year’s Eve and May 1 (when the International Labor Day was celebrated). Being a communist country, Christmas did not exist in the Romanian calendar, it was not o cially celebrated. Obviously, all the families celebrated it under the shelter of closed doors and heavy curtains, and if the window had no curtains people would put up blankets to hide the illegal Christmas tree.

Once the parade was over, everyone headed to the parks and to the elds near the localities where the waiters from restaurants had barbeques and sold Romanian sausages by the portion. e beer, which had disappeared from stores two weeks before August 23, was miraculously reappearing that day. People brought their baskets and blankets from home and socialized with each other. e same people who in the morning had listened to or sung from the top of their lips the o cial music that glori ed the dictatorial couple and the party, now they danced and hummed the fashionable hits that resounded far into the distance. Around 8 pm, people left and returned to their daily worries: Where will we get meat? I have to get up at 5 to line up in the queue for milk and bread, and that was the reality everyday…

And so for a long time August 23 was celebrated with great pomp from year to year, until democracy took the place of the communist regime. Today, those of us who have gone through this experience try to recall only the good moments of that period of sad memory. is article was possible thanks to Romanian Twilight Communities support.

If you wish to contribute and to get involved contact us by email kclw.ro@twilight.ie

Community Group

Why I need a new home

MICHAEL IBRAHIM

LAST WEEK’S South African Community Column told us of the heartwarming story of a young migrant coming to Ireland, meeting his wife in direct provision, and attending college to graduate with his degree. Some people ask why these migrants come to Ireland? , What are they eeing ? is week we would like to give you a brief insight into what and why refugees are eeing their homeland. We would all wish to stay close to our home, and not travel 1000’s of miles to a new countr , culture and seek employment to have economic inclusion in your new home.

Bloody ethnic violence has left tens of thousands of people dead and forced millions to ee their homes in South Sudan. More than one million people have crossed the border into northern Uganda, a region which itself is still recovering from years of violent con ict. Just a few years ago North Uganda, the region where nearly one million South Sudanese refugees have ed, was itself a war zone. Large parts were controlled by the notorious Lords Resistance Army (LRA), led by the now-fugitive Joseph Kony. He was a member of the Acholi tribe, the third biggest of Uganda’s 60 tribes. e Acholi are also one of the main tribes in South Sudan, and their allegiance is to this ethnic group is stronger than the international borders established by colonial powers.

Kony used a mixture of religious fundamentalism and dissatisfaction among the Acholi to build support for the LRA, but then turned his terror on his own people, kidnapping boys as young as eight and brutalising them by forcing them to kill one another and members of their own families to prove their loyalty.

Young girls were also kidnapped and forced to become ‘sex slaves’ to members of the LRA. e LRA was supported by the government of Sudan in retaliation for the Uganda government supporting the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army whose separatist war eventually led to independence for South Sudan in 2011.

By 2005 much of the population of northern Uganda in the regions surrounding Kitgum and Gulu were displaced and aid-dependent, as they ed LRA and government violence.

A government crackdown and alienation from the LRA by the Acholi who had suffered under them saw the ranks of LRA fracture and their leaders scattered. Some have been captured and tried, although Kony is still at large – with a $5 bounty on his head – and rumoured to be in either South Sudan or neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

Memories of their own trauma just a few years ago plus tribal bonds have nurtured Ugandan goodwill towards the million people who have been given shelter in their midst.

In South Sudan, following independence in 2011 relations between the country’s government allies quickly deteriorated into bloody civil war.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced. e economy has collapsed because of both the violence and crop failure due to climate change.

According to the UN the “relentless con ict” in South Sudan has left more than six million people facing crisis levels of hunger. e organisation says the country is now facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

I believe we would all try, and do, whatever it would take to ee for our life and our family’s life. As the crisis worsens and climate change making certain areas of the globe uninhabitable we cannot close our doors to those who need our help and aid.

Better energy would cost us €1.3bn

IMPROVING the energy e ciency of Co. Kilkenny homes through retro tting and installation heat pump systems could cost in excess of €1.3bn. at’s according to a new report by Liquid Gas Ireland (LGI). e report sets how €1.1bn can be saved if the 22,685 homes in the county currently using high carbon fossil-based fuels such as oil, coal, and turf for home heating and as an energy source switch to a lower carbon alternative such as LPG or BioLPG instead of retro tting for installation of heat pump systems. e savings were based on an average cost of €56,000 for a full scale retro t including heat pump installation and an industry estimate of €5,000 for switching to a gas boiler with standard system upgrades.

Commenting on the report, Chair of LGI Brian Derham said: “If the Government is serious about achieving Ireland’s climate targets, it is critical that people living in both urban and rural communities are brought on the decarbonisation journey.

“ e Government’s revised Climate Action Plan must provide for the delivery of a ‘mixed technology’ approach to decarbonisation which works for rural Ireland, particularly for those living in or operating o -grid rural homes and businesses.

“At the core of the Climate Action Plan is a commitment to install 600,000 heat pumps and retro t 500,000 homes for improved energy e ciency. However, we continue to express our concern that this ‘one size ts all’ approach’ to decarbonisation is putting signi cant pressure on those living in rural communities.,” he said.

“It simply does not consider the unique economic and infrastructural challenges these areas face in achieving a ‘just transition’, where over twothirds of homes currently rely on oil boilers for heating and fuel. Many of these homes are classi ed as hard-to-treat houses meaning the cost of a retro t would be 80 per cent more expensive. is prohibitive expense is proved by the continued low uptake of retro tting grants outside urban centres.”

e report, which was conducted using CSO census data names Kilkenny No.1 Urban, Pilltown, Castlecomer, Kilkenny Rural and omastown as the ve electoral areas within Co. Kilkenny most reliant on high carbon fossil-based fuels for home heating and energy. Of the 10,851 dwellings in these areas, 43% (4,675) use oil, coal and turf while by contrast only 4% (479) have transitioned to heat pump technology.

Farmers ‘should’ protect against pay loss

IFAC, Ireland’s farming, food and agribusiness specialist professional services rm, is advising Kilkenny farmers and farming families to consider and plan valuable protection so that their farm and family are cared for.

When you’re running a busy farm it’s not always easy to see how a change might a ect you or how you can protect yourself and your farm from a big nancial hit, such as the loss of income through injury or illness. Ifac says don’t leave it to chance.

Martin Glennon, Head of Financial Planning at ifac, said: “You should look at the worst-case scenario. Consider the impact on you, your family and/or business.”

He said if we took the example of a serious illness, such as cancer or heart problems, one needed to answer the following questions: • What will be the nancial impact to you if you su er a serious illness? • What nancial impact will it have on your family? • Will the business support you when you cannot work? • How long before the business feels the pressure? • Will you need to hire someone to replace you? And, can the business support this? • Will you need to use savings to replace your income?

“On a scale of 1-10, if your answer to this is at a seven or higher, then you are likely to act and buy the insurance you feel you need. Anything less and you are less likely to act,” Mr Glennon said.

If you need any further support, speak to your nancial advisor or contact ifac’s team of specialist advisors who are available to help you plan for your future. Visit www.ifac. ie or call 01-4277400.

To the rescue: Irish Community Air Ambulance Pilot Tony McAleer with local school children

What if there was no Air Ambulance?

THE Irish Community Air Ambulance has launched a fundraising campaign as part of International Air Ambulance Week and is asking: “What if there was no Air Ambulance?” e organisation, which is Ireland’s rst and only charityfunded Air Ambulance, is being called to more missions than ever. e helicopter was launched 388 times during the rst eight months of the year with July 2021 one of its busiest months to date.

Crews were tasked to 57 separate incidents in eight counties, during July, at a cost of almost €200,000. Each mission costs an average of €3,500, all of which has to be raised or donated. e Irish Community Air Ambulance has released a video highlighting the importance of the service and is asking members of the public to help it to save lives by visiting the website www.communityairambulance.ie and making a donation. It is also asking schools and businesses to get involved in International Air Ambulance Week by wearing Red or Yellow and making a donation this Friday, September 10, or any day during September. e Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) works in partnership with the National Ambulance Service and is ready to respond to serious incidents and medical emergencies from its base in Rathcoole in North Cork seven days a week.

Micheál Sheridan, CEO of the Irish Community Air Ambulance, said: “We bring hope when it’s needed most. Over the last two years we have been tasked to more than 1,000 missions which proves that our organisation is a vital life-changing service. Our crews have brought the most seriously injured and sickest patients to the hospital that best suits their life-saving needs. e question is though, what would have happened if there was no Air Ambulance to respond to these emergencies?

Glanbia move a ‘huge vote of confidence’ in City

GLANBIA Ireland becoming the new anchor tenant in the Abbey Quarter’s Brewhouse building is “a huge vote of con dence” in the development, according Deputy John Paul Phelan e Kilkenny/Carlow TD said the move “will unlock the future potential of Kilkenny city and breathe much needed life into the city centre”.

Glanbia Ireland (GI) has entered into legal negotiations with Kilkenny Abbey Quarter Development Partnership aimed at reaching agreement on a lease at the Abbey Quarter development in Kilkenny. It is intended that Glanbia Ireland will be the anchor tenant in the Brewhouse building at the heart of the Abbey Quarter from next year and that this will become Glanbia Ireland’s new headquarters.

Deputy Phelan said company’s global reputation would “act as a magnet to attract other tenants to the development”. e Kilkenny TD added: “Glanbia Ireland’s investment in the Abbey Quarter would play a massive role in realising the vision for this historic site as a hive of innovation in the heart of Kilkenny city. Its presence would provide an enormous boost to economic activity and employment in the city centre, with potential for over 300 of the company’s employees to work at the site by the middle of next year.

“Equally important, Glanbia Ireland once again demonstrating its bricks and mortar commitment to Kilkenny – by establishing its headquarters at this historic site – would hugely enhance both our City’s and the Quarter’s attractiveness to other commercial investors.”

Deputy Phelan also welcomed Glanbia Ireland’s plans to develop a collaborative o ce space that supports hybrid working arrangements in the sustainably-designed Brewhouse building.

New poems

IN 2019, ‘ e Kilkenny Involvement Centre’ published a book of poems with the wonderful title ‘Poems from a Kilkenny Laneway’. e ninety page publication features forty poems with contributions from members at the centre as well as work from Kilkenny’s wider writing community.

In conjunction with e Involvement Centre, e Kilkenny Observer newspaper will reproduce these poems over the coming weeks. e Kilkenny Observer is delighted to promote this project and we hope you enjoy the poems.

Week ten sees poems from Grace Power, Nuala Roche and Kathleen Phelan.

Kindred

We are the ones who are drowning, the erratic mind is always ooding. So we wait, until the water turns to fog. We are the ones who feel the silence, when the isolation has engulfed us, the rattle of the last pill in the bottle. We are the ones on the fringes, where suicide whispers to us at night, luring us so softly with its song. We are the ones who are lost, our maps have always been blank, our compass has never stopped spinning. We are the ones who look to the stars, the beacons of the night sky, the only light in the darkness. We are kindred.

Grace Power

Locks

I have in my possession a Yale key, for a door I no longer recall, Would it open a bedsit in Rathmines, the one with the mulberry carpet where I never dared walk barefoot? the granny at in Donnybrook with painted window-bars that triggered dreams of res and oven explosions? the shabby Georgian on Bray seafront one whole oor to myself—en-suite— if you didn’t count stragglers coming and going at odd hours of the night. I carry the key for days on end, its teeth biting into my esh, talisman, rosary, prayer bead conjuring feelings — regret for something unsaid?

Nuala Roche

Perfect Grannies

rough my iPad on Facebook I see them. e grannies, With their makeup, shellac and balayage. And the grandkids all civil and smiling, Like babushka dolls in a row. While mine are all screaming and crying, As to who began pulling whose hair. And the baby slapped over my shoulder Puking his Calpol and gagging. (So much for my new Penneys dress) e grannies on Facebook are A di erent breed Not like any others I know.

Kathleen Phelan

20 Million meditating together for world peace!

With the pressure of everyday life, whether it is nances, employment, or relationships, is it possible to gain peace?

THE answer, according to the ‘Ekam World Peace Festival’ is a most de nite yes. e festival is the World’s largest online meditation event from September 17th to September 19th, 2021 and is based in Ekam, India.

World-renowned transformational leaders Sri Preethaji and Sri Krishnaji will live-stream daily, 55- minute Peace wisdom and Meditations from Ekam during the Ekam World Peace Festival.

KILKENNY WOMAN IS ADVOCATE FOR WORLD PEACE

e Kilkenny Observer met up with Elaine Mc Guinness’ who has had a very strong experience in the Ekam World Peace Festival over the last three years.

From Friary Street in Kilkenny, Elaine has been to Ekam in India on 5 di erent occasions since 2014 and has had powerful experiences that brought about full healing in her body and physical health.

A nurse, originally from Kilkenny city, Elaine says that the ‘Ekam World Peace Festival 2021’ is a phenomenon that will bring peace to your life, your being and your consciousness in ways beyond your imagination. is will cause a shift in human consciousness and awaken humanity to peace.”

e festival goes live at 1.30pm for 55 minutes each day from 17th – 19th September.

Elaine told this paper that in 2020, 10 million attended worldwide and she and many others found it to be an amazing transformational experience. Expert world speakers like Gregg Braden spoke live with Sri Krishnaji during this Peace Festival. “ e learnings, processes and experiences are extraordinary. e meditations are simple to do and will create a peaceful environment in these times of chaos and a feeling of responsibility for the world”, Elaine explained .

Ms McGuinness also claims that you can also experience a shift in consciousness where there is no going back to the old way.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL.

Ekam World Peace Festival 2021 is being attended by 20 million people online, which will create a further shift in humanity’s consciousness and awakening towards peace.

Promoters would de nitely encourage you to attend Ekam World Peace Festival, and according to Elaine, “it can be a life changing experience”.

You can see the Ekam World Peace Festival live on ‘pkconsciousness’ on YouTube at 1.30pm GMT from 17th – 19th September

You can see the preparation broadcasts for Ekam World Peace Festival from 3rd – 16th September at 5.30pm GMT each day on ‘pkconsciousness’ on YouTube

‘I would also advocate for you to attend these preparation broadcasts, as it will shift your mindset”, said Elaine.

From attending the previous 3 online Ekam World Oneness Peace Festivals, Elaine has no qualms about advocating this powerful Phenomenon, as she knows it can shift’ your mind-set, your being and your consciousness to greater heights than you have ever known before.

We leave the nal quote to Elaine, who says that

“Ekam changed my life and brought about complete healing in my body.” is online meditation event is for 3 days, 55 mins each day. ese meditations would focus everyday on one major issue the world is currently struggling with.

Day 1 (17th September) - Peace for healing economic unrest

Day 2 (18th September) - Peace for healing division.

Day 3 (19th September) - Peace for healing the planet.

Elaine told e Kilkenny Observer “We will collectively meditate for peace in all these areas. e vision of Ekam World Peace Festival is to focus on impacting the individual’s consciousness to bring about World Peace. is is beyond religion. is is for

Inset: Elaine McGuinness has been to Ekam in India on 5 di erent occasions since 2014

Ekam world Peace village in India Sri Preethaji and Sri Krishnaji

all humanity.” is free online 55-minute online event will be streamed globally at https://www.youtube.com/ pkconsciousness/live

Elaine Mc Guinness is encouraging people to participate on all the 3 days.

Here is the website link to know more about the Ekam World Peace Festival. https://ekam.org/ekamworld-peace-festival/

You can enrol now to participate in the Peace Festival.

As Sri Krishnaji says, “Peace is a state of being. It’s a courageous sense of calm that prevails through any turmoil or storm. is state has the strength to repair any broken strands and embodies endurance. is peace is possible for all. We need this wisdom to practice right thinking and wholistic perception and a state of being to perform inclusive action.”

Elaine will be doing an Ekam Peace Launch Event (30 minutes) online on Friday 10th September, 7.30pm on zoom. To join via zoom please use, Zoom ID: 5704962491 Passcode: “welcome” If you would like any further information on Elaine’s Ekam Peace Launch Event or Ekam World Peace Festival, you can contact Elaine at emcguinn9@gmail. com

Culture Night Kilkenny 2021 invites us to come together again this September

Culture Night invites everyone, everywhere on one joyful night to discover and celebrate all that our culture is today. With a rich and diverse programme of thousands of events that span layers of arts and culture from architecture to comedy, circus to dance, lm to literature, museums to music, heritage to sport and science to fashion, to name but a few….Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir 2021 will take place on Friday, 17th September.

is national ‘moment’ connects everyone to cultural activities locally and nationally. Culture Night Kilkenny is brought to you by the Arts Council in partnership with Kilkenny County Council and cultural organisations throughout Kilkenny. It puts a spotlight on the quality and breadth of Kilkenny’s existing cultural offerings and institutions.

Pay a visit to the Culture Night Hub with the National Design and Craft Council where workshops and creative activities for all ages are taking place, both online and in the stunning historical setting of the Castle Yard, with live musical entertainment. Inspired by National Design & Craft Gallery exhibitions; ERA, the Design & Crafts Council Ireland’s Jewellery and Goldsmithing graduate exhibition and Irish Craft Heroes, a major exhibition celebrating 50 years of Irish craft, our workshops and activities invite you to explore materials, try techniques and unleash your creativity. Bringing together local creative, community groups including Open Circle Community Arts, KCAT Arts Centre and Print Block collective with the National Design & Craft Gallery to give visitors a taste of printmaking, textiles, ceramics, painting and jewellery.

A fun writing workshop for all ages. Participants will be set a number of writing challenges by playwright and drama facilitator Gillian

Grattan and come up with stories, characters and dialogue. Following these fast-paced writing exercises, participants will be asked to read their work out- but only if they want to.

Celebrate World Music Evening at e Butler Gallery with ‘Maracatu Ilha Brilhante (MiB), an ensemble of percussionists singers and performers from all four corners of Ireland specialising in the beautiful songs and powerful rhythms of Maracatu Baque Virado from Pernambuco in Brazil’s North East. Farah Elle is a singersongwriter whose distinctive music reveals the beauty in the ephemeral everyday. Farah has eclectic in uences, including North African echoes from her Libyan background. Her upcoming album FATIMA is due for release in 2021. e South Sudanese Song and Dance Troupe will entertain guests with traditional larakaraka music and dance of the Acholi people. Dance is a central part of Acholi cultural heritage and the group will use Culture Night to introduce this distinctive art form to Irish audiences.

Kilkenny castle will open its doors after hours where the period rooms will be open to the public free of charge from 6pm to 9pm. Don’t miss the opportunity to view the online event, e Countess of Ormond’s Galliard: Music, Kilkenny and the Sixteenth Century. Presented by Dr Siobhán Armstrong, Ireland’s foremost expert on sixteenth-century Irish music, this engaging, illustrated talk will enable you to explore the sound world of Kilkenny in the late 1500s, when the Tudors held sway over most of Ireland. Hear some of the oldest surviving traditional Irish music, and discover the rarely heard songs and dances that would have entertained Sir omas ‘Black Tom’ Butler, the 10th earl, and his cousin, the English queen, Elizabeth 1st.

Kilkenny Arts O ce presents another wonderful selection of poetry to listen to on the Freephone Poetry Phone. Simply dial 1800 272 994. is collection features the eleven poems selected for the 2021 Kilkenny Poetry Broadsheet. e aim of this annual Broadsheet is to give local writers a platform for their work. is year’s Broadsheet was edited by Jessica Traynor, poet, dramaturg, librettist and creative writing teacher.‘‘What I found in the poems submitted was intriguing; a deepening of attention, a journeying inwards to the world of family, domestic life and nature.’ - Jessica Traynor Follow the trail of Knitted Together 2, a project initiated in 2021 by Kilkenny County Council Arts O ce, where communities and volunteers around the County were invited to knit or crochet squares resulting in 100s of volunteers knitting and crocheting at home during the Covid-19 restrictions. ese squares were then sewn into beautiful blankets. An exhibition trail has been set up in the city centre, taking place in all of the charity shops involved, where the beautiful blankets will be on display. e skills and talents of our communities on show for all to see. ese blankets will be for sale from September 18th in the charity shops helping to raise much needed funds for their wonderful causes. bers as part of a series of poetry workshops given by Carlow poet, Dr Derek Coyle (funded by Kilkenny CoCo Arts O ce). e poems were inspired by themes such as: Culture, Objects, A Sense of Place, People and Memories. Derek Coyle will join the event to talk about his work and read a selection of his poems. e group will also be joined by local singer Kathleen Phelan.

Stop by e Medieval Mile Museum where Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, Craobh Osrai, will present a one hour entertainment show of Irish music, song, dance and storytelling, featuring members of our junior and senior entertainment groups. Ideal entertainment event for all the family.

VIEW SOME CAT SCULPTURES ON CULTURE NIGHT: e Kilkenny Catwalk 2021 is a fantastic arts trail of 22 wonderful Kilkenny Cat sculptures which have been decorated by some of Ireland’s most talented artists, mainly local, for public display in and around Kilkenny City. e trail will go live on the 11th October 2021 and remain in place until Easter 2022. For Culture Night you get to preview a selection of the cats at MacDonagh Junction, Unit 28 (beside TK Maxx). e trail is designed to immerse people in Kilkenny’s rich heritage while at the same time supporting the Keep Well Campaign. At the conclusion of the project, all artwork will be auctioned to raise funds for the St Mary’s Almshouses refurbishment project. KCAT presents an evening exploring the works of Beckett through poetry, theatre and visual arts. Participants are invited to join us to explore and discuss the themes in Samuel Beckett’s work. A short introduction on the works of Beckett will be given by our theatre team along with a reading of poetry. KCAT Artists will then invite participants to make a visual response on paper using mixed media to explore what they have seen and heard. A solo exhibition of sculptural light installations by Helen Mac Mahon will go on display at 75 Lower Johns Street. Curated by Aoife Banks, as part of Kilkenny Arts O ce’s Emerging Curator In Residence Programme 2021. Mac Mahon’s practice is concerned primarily with the phenomena of light, movement, perception and space. e work strives to observe and reveal the ecosystem that exists between the viewer and these intangible elements that exist in a perpetual state of transformation. is exhibition has been curated and designed to be viewed through the gallery windows and on instagram @ kilkennyartso ce

For further information on all the above events and booking enquires please visit the culture night website at www.culturenight.ie and select your location: Kilkenny where you will nd all relevant information for each event. Also follow the Culture Night Kilkenny Facebook Page to join in on the conversation.

www.culturenight.ie

ObserverThe Kilkenny

Education

e learning curve

Music is in the air

with Music Generation Kilkenny

7 September 2021, Kilkenny: e air is lled with anticipation in preparation for the new academic year at Music Generation Kilkenny HQ! Instruments are arriving daily ahead of the launch of our programmes at the end of September in our schools and music hubs - violins, ukuleles, guitars, drums, banjos, accordions, bodhráns, music technology and more. Young musicians who take part in our programmes can rent an instrument for a small fee, giving every young person in Kilkenny the opportunity to participate in meaningful music-making.

Over 6,000 children and young people have participated in our music programmes so far this year across a diverse range of programmes in schools and in the community including workshops, camps and our weekly delivery of instrumental and vocal performance music education in our schools and after-school music hubs.

Speaking about the year so far Music Development O cer Sinéad Blanch eld said, “Creativity is so vital to the wellbeing of our children and young people. In a world where children’s social, creative and developmental needs were reduced signi cantly due to the pandemic, I am thrilled that despite the challenges, Music Generation Kilkenny managed to reach over 6,000 young people to date through innovative reimagining of our music programmes and our delivery”. 2, 439 primary school children participated across twenty-one schools as part of our ‘wellbeing Music programme’ which ran online over eight weeks after Easter. e programme was delivered by eight Musician Educators working in tandem, skill swopping, sharing pedagogical approaches and bringing fun music-making to children many of whom have not participated in any creative music programme for over a year due to the pandemic. e programme was greatly received in the schools that took part.

“Excellent tutors with fantastic delivery” St. Johns Junior School, Kilkenny

Such an engaging and enjoyable way for children to learn about music. I would highly recommend the workshops”- St. Brigid’s NS, Kells roughout the month of June primary school children across Kilkenny took part in our ‘schools out’ drumming workshops ‘Summer Drummers’. 2, 440 children participated in this programme delivered by drumming luminaries and Music Generation Kilkenny Musician Educators Jeremy Hickey, Mark Colbert and Tom Hickey.

Our programmes throughout the year also include camps and workshops such as Rhythm Workshops, Drumming Workshops, Music Technology, Songwriting, Toddler workshops. Up to date information on our programmes can be found by liking our Facebook page where we post weekly news and updates.

Looking ahead to the Autumn and what’s in store for young musicians in Kilkenny.

As children return to school having access to opportunities for creativity is vital for their wellbeing. Other current opportunities for musicians in the county include participation in the Kilkenny Creative Music Space, a hub for young people who want to learn an instrument or explore their singing skills in a group setting. e Creative Music Space opens on 30th of September. is is our after-school music hub run in partnership with Foróige at the DRUM, MacDonagh Shopping Centre. We run small group lessons in ukulele, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, drums and singing for thirty weeks from September to June. Parents pay for two terms of 15 weeks each with each session working out at only €8 and rental of instruments available for a small fee. ere are limited spaces available.

Our Trad hub in Castlecomer will run every Monday after school in Castlecomer from the 27th of September. is is an opportunity for young traditional players of primary school age to get involved in fun weekly lessons and performance opportunities. is is a 30- week programme from September to June. In the future plans for Castlecomer include the creation of a Trad ensemble for all young trad musicians in the area.

Next up is our Uilleann Pipe Hub which will be run this Autumn as a blended mix of online and in-person tuition. We are very proud of our twelve dedicated young Uilleann Pipers who performed in ‘Uilleann Pipe Dreams’ as part of this years’ St. Patricks Day virtual parade. Check out the Music Generation Kilkenny YouTube channel to hear their captivating performance.

We are taking expressions of interest for our beginner, improver, intermediate and advanced Uilleann Pipe weekly sessions with master pipers, Leonard Barry, Pádraig Butler and Michael Foley. Please get in touch for more information.

Anyone interested or who wants to know more about our programmes can get in touch by email: musicgenerationkilkenny@kcetb.ie, by Facebook message: muiscgenerationkilkenny, or by phone: 087 1765493. ere are limited spaces available.

Music Generation Kilkenny is part of Ireland’s national music education programme, initiated by Music Network and co-funded by U2, e Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Skills and Local Music Education Partnerships. e programme seeks to transform the lives of children and young people ages 0-18 by creating access to high quality, a ordable music tuition in their localities. Locally, the programme is led by Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board in partnership with Kilkenny County Council.

Learn French with the Alliance Française in Kilkenny

DID you learn French in school? If you did there is a good chance you will have forgotten a lot of it. Like most things it is a question of “use it or lose it”. So, if you are planning to improve or even begin your French this Autumn then the place to learn is in the Alliance Française of Kilkenny. Our classes are offered online using Zoom to all abilities with both evening and daytime classes. These include Beginners (whose French ends at Bonjour!), Improvers (you need to use it or lose it), and for those who speak it well we offer a current affairs class (les Actualitiés) and a French Book Club Class for the literary minded. We also offer classes for Leaving Cert students geared at the oral and aural exams and to Junior Cert students. And to give you a chance to practice this French we offer monthly cultural evenings (films, talks and gatherings) and a weekly Coin Francais on Thursday mornings in the outside terrace of the Club House Hotel from 11 to 1.00pm (no charge just buy a coffee) where you can use your French in an informal and sociable setting.

But why should you learn French? There are career-based reasons, French speakers are in huge demand in the software support and sales area, to personal ones like family connections, holidays and culture. But there are health ones also, where recent scientific research has shown that keeping the brain active by language processing (particularly bilingual or multilingual) can help in staving off the effects of mental deterioration and even Alzheimer’s. Bilingual adults and children show a superior ability to concentrate, solve problems and focus, better mental flexibility and multitasking skills and furthermore bilingualism seems to protect against dementia.

So along with getting your body fit this Autumn you should also keep your brain fit and widen your social circle and improve your communication and connections. Learning French with the Alliance Française is the way to do it!

Education, Excellence, Opportunity - Waterford College of Further Education opens the door to a world of opportunity

‘EDUCATION, Excellence, Opportunity’ is the motto of Waterford College of Further Education (WCFE) and it fully lives up to those three ideals, providing rst class education, by excellent teachers, which opens the door to a world of opportunity for you. e college, located in the heart of Waterford city, o ers the largest range of Further Education courses in the South East.

It is listed as one of Ireland’s top 10 Further Education colleges and has an outstanding reputation for high quality courses that o er progression to both employment and third level study, in Ireland and internationally.

“Our innovative approach to education o ers our students an individualised experience, tailored support and industry level quali cations,” says WCFE Principal Noreen Reilly.

“No other college in the South East provides the range of courses o ered by WCFE. We o er a unique learning environment, cutting edge technology, industrylevel facilities and powerful progression opportunities.”

WCFE invites you to come and experience its impressive range of facilities. ese include: • Engineering labs and an indoor sustainable construction site; • A tourism training lab; • A professional recording studio and digital radio studio; • Two professional hair salons and three professional beauty therapy salons; • A bespoke dance studio and a fully equipped gym; • Professional animal care and grooming parlours. • Complementary yoga classes for students of Alternative erapies provided by

SoundEscape Yoga with

Michelle • Film equipment and lighting ere is also a robotics and CAD room, a photography studio, an art studio, multiple blended learning stations in the library facility, and much, much more.

WCFE’s courses are ideal for people who wish to return to education, or students who have completed their Leaving Certi cate and want to explore career options before committing to a third level programme.

“Our blend of QQI accredited courses and apprenticeships are designed to maximise employment opportunities,” says Noreen. “We have linked schemes with some of the most prestigious third level institutions, both here and abroad. Our students are quali ed and ready.”

WCFE’s central location makes access easy. And it is very a ordable. e college’s enrolment price point of around €500 compares very favourably to third level enrolment fees for rst year.

WCFE o ers an individualised experience with small class sizes that guarantee maximum support.

“We are a learner focused college and all our students are supported from the beginning to the end of their chosen course,” Noreen Reilly adds.

If that is what you are looking for, you should check out the 40 course options at wcfe.ie

For more information log on to http://www.http://wcfe. ie/ phone 051-874053, email: info@wcfe.ie or call into the college on Parnell Street, Waterford

Gainfort Academy

e word “Gainfort” has become synonymous with air and excellence in the hair and beauty industry for over 30 years now. Our State of the Art academies are located in Wexford and Waterford. Our teaching panel is made up of fully quali ed tutors, experts in their particular elds. Every course is assigned a lead tutor with specialist tutors assisting to ensure the very best learning experience. Despite the Global Pandemic, Gainfort Academy has been successful in continuing to support students by transitioning to online/blended learning. We are continuing to adapt to the new Government regulations. We continue to deliver essential in-class learning in a safe way, while utilising the options of blended learning and online learning where appropriate. We have a strong ethos and belief in hands on learning and will continue to teach in this way as much as possible. Gainfort Academy has been named in RSVP Magazine’s Elite selection of “Leading Beauty Schools in Ireland since 2014”. We are proud winners of e Wexford Business Awards Training Provider of the Year 2012, 2014, 2015 & 2016. In 2017, we were voted – by public vote – as nalists for the National Training Academy of the Year at the Professional Beauty Awards. And in 2019 we were awarded “National Beauty Training Provider of the Year “at the Hi Style awards in Cork. Gainfort Academy is an ITEC,VTCT , CIBTAC & ABT accredited training centre. We o er certi cates and diplomas in Hairdressing, Barbering, Beauty Treatments, Beauty erapy, Professional Make Up, Holistic Massage, Nail Technology, Advanced Aesthetics and Teacher Training .We also o er a wide variety of Advanced workshops in both Beauty & Hairdressing Techniques & these are available both online & inhouse. We have an overall pass rate of 100% in our ITEC courses to date. Our past students have secured positions with Disney Cruises, Keville for Hair, Peter Mark, Aidan Fitzgerald, AC Pure, Cheveau Studio, Sea eld Hotel Spa, Whites Hotel, Brandon House Hotel, to name but a few, others have set up their own successful businesses. Monart Spa & Ashdown Park Spa recruit directly from our students annually & visit our centre to do so. Past student, Sarah Harris, won National Best Blonde Image at Crossans Be Fabulous Awards while training with us. Our recent beauty graduates have all secured jobs in the industry so the future for them certainly is bright.

We like to think of Gainfort Academy as our students “happy Place “ … If you would like to “be happy” with us & learn the latest techniques with the opportunity of a job at course end please contact us now to enrol! You can enrol on www.gainfortacademy. com or call 053 9123681 & we can chat to you about your options.

Carlow Institute – The smart education choice for school leavers and up-skiller

CARLOW Institute is one of the largest Further Education providers in the South-East. We provide full-time courses to over 800 students at Level 5 and 6, with certi cation from four di erent awarding bodies: QQI, City and Guilds, ITEC and CIDESCO. We provide over 50 courses across a wide variety of areas of study, grouped into ve faculties: Business, Creative Arts, Humanities Social & Health, Sports & Service Industries, Technology & Science.

Our students come to us from a variety of starting points. Many come from post-primary school having completed either the Leaving Certi cate or the Leaving Certi cate Applied. Other students have achieved a Level 4 or Level 5 quali cation elsewhere and are moving up to a Level 5 or a Level 6 programme. We have many mature students joining our courses be they upskilling for work, retirees or changing career direction. We also have a great number of students from Youthreach programmes.

We are delighted to see our graduates advance to an equally diverse range of next steps on their educational or career journeys. We have a large number of students who progress to Level 7 and Level 8 degree courses in Higher Education every year. Many more go directly into employ ment using their industry standard certification which they gain with us while many more are employed as apprentices. e quali cations and certi cations achieved lead many entrepreneurs to progress on to start their own businesses.

At Carlow Institute, we are renowned for our welcoming and supportive environment. From the induction programme to graduation, students bene t from the work of our dedicated, highly quali ed and committed sta . With very strong industry links, we ensure that students not only study in our new state-of-the-art facilities opened in 2019, but also gain extensive experience and knowledge from the high quality of education which they receive. After a most challenging few years in education Carlow Institute are delighted to welcome the 2021/2022 group of over 800 learners to Carlow Institute. We are proud of our learners, our teachers and our facilities and we welcome these students to share in the experience at Carlow Institute.

For students who are thinking about the next step in their educational journey, Carlow Institute o ers the very best choice of further education courses in the South-East.

Its not all about Leaving cert to University or not at all. We are here to provide an alternative route to your career, with less stress and a far better chance of success. ere are still places remaining on many courses with classes starting over the next few weeks.

So whether you are looking at options as a school leaver, deferring a CAO o er so you can develop academic and personal skills, Upskilling for a change in employment or to start your own business, or you might be learning for your own personal ful lment.

Make the smart choice with a course at Carlow Institute.

See the full range of courses and options open to you and apply now at Carlowinstitute. ie

The National Reptile Zoo

“OUR mission here at the National Reptile Zoo has always been to inspire passion and increase understanding of some of the planet’s lesser known animals, and what better way to do that than by inviting you all in to meet them? Book one of our Educational Zoo to You sessions and meet our amazing animals and learn all about our reptile friends! We visit schools all across the country, bringing along a range of our reptilian friends that one of our Zoo Keeping team will tell kids of all ages about. Our educational sessions are tailored to suit all classes, from primary right up to Leaving Certi cate – we cover reptile basics, habitat building and ecology, and cover a range of fun and educational topics! We’re taking bookings now for the coming school year so give us a call or drop us an email and we can send you some brochures and more information, and also check availability for your school! If you fancy giving the kids a day out, you can always come see us and all the reptiles here at the Zoo – just ask about our School Tours or even our virtual Zoo Zoom sessions! Conservation through Education has always been our motto, and we look forward to sharing that passion with everyone.”

school year so give us a call or drop us an email and we can send you some brochures and more information, and also check availability for your school! If you fancy giving the kids a day out, you can always come see us and all the reptiles here at the Zoo – just ask about our School Tours or even our virtual Zoo Zoom sessions! Conservation through Education has always been our motto, and we look forward to sharing that passion with everyone.”

Careers in multimedia

Are you a creative living in the Kilkenny/ Carlow area. Are you thinking about a career in multimedia, photography or lmmaking, then you need look no further.

Exciting Kilkenny based Multimedia Course commencing October 2021 now open for applications.

Young Irish Filmmakers are now recruiting for their Visual Communications and Multimedia Production course. “ is course is an excellent grounding in all things Multimedia and an excellent progression route to higher levels of education”, says Gareth Hanlon the course Coordinator, “Last year 90% of our learners received their full level 5 QQI major award”.

Subject choices range from Digital Media, Web Design, Graphic Design, Multimedia Production/Authoring and Work Experience. e course is very practical from day one, with the rst video creations happening in the rst week. Drama, comedy, music and documentary workshops are peppered throughout the programme. Learners can also expect a number of road trips to exhibitions, lm festivals and college open days.

With a highly student centred focus, the team at YIFM work with each learner to de ne their personal project, which will include video, audio, text, imagery and design. Where possible other students help you with productions, photography and other creative services. You feed into their portfolios and they into yours. It’s like a creative family scenario, “we even have a wellbeing o cer on the team” to ensure learners have their best experience. e Kilkenny City based course runs full time for 44 weeks and begins in September 2021. e course is a full time foundation in all things media. Every September, 20 creative people aged 16+, sign up for 44 weeks of video production, music production, podcasting, photography, graphic design, performance and video editing.

Explaining the entry requirements, Gareth states, “It is usually Level 4 or equivalent to join us, however, the real requirement is a passion for media, lmmaking, photography or lm editing.” “ roughout their modules on the course, learners will build a signi cant portfolio, and achieve a solid foundation in the Adobe Creative Suite, including Premiere Pro, Photoshop, After E ects and InDesign”, explains Gareth. e feedback we get from our alumni students is excellent, one student in particular, forwarded this message to the sta upon completion of the course “ ank you all so much guys the best year I’ve ever had”.

In addition, there is generally payment for attending the course. You will need to be signed on to Intreo, on Disability payment or be an early school leaver to qualify. ere is also assistance with travel costs where appropriate.

e practical Digital literacy training will allow learners to develop a combination of valuable employable skills, helping them progress into further education or employment. Training concentrates on key three areas: digital literacy, soft skills and technical ability.

Community Group

Study Abroad with Erasmus+

We expect the course to ll up fast. To be called for an interview you must register your interest on fetchcourses.ie website. Visit yifm.com/digitalmedia or contact gareth@yifm. com directly for more information.

e Twilight Community Group works with the Erasmus + programmes for short- and long-term exchange and study abroad programmes

Studying abroad is a central part of Erasmus+ and has been shown to have a positive e ect on later job prospects. It is also an opportunity to improve language skills, gain self-con dence and independence and immerse yourself in a new culture.

Erasmus+ also o ers the chance to combine studying abroad with a traineeship.

Opportunities are available for students at Bachelor, Master or Doctoral levels.

Erasmus+ helps organise student and doctoral candidate exchanges (within Erasmus+ Programme countries) and to and from Partner countries.

Erasmus+ is open to many individuals and organisations, although eligibility varies from one action to another and from one country to another.

Individuals can take part in many of the opportunities funded by Erasmus+, although, most will have to do so through an organisation taking part in the programme. e eligibility of individuals and organisations depends on the country in which they are based.

Eligible countries are divided into two groups, Programme countries and Partners countries. Although Programme countries are eligible for all actions of Erasmus+, Partner countries can only take part in some, and are subject to speci c conditions.

By studying abroad with Erasmus+, you can improve your communication, language and inter-cultural skills and gain soft skills highly valued by future employers. You can also combine your period spent studying abroad with a traineeship to gain work experience - ever more important when starting out on the job market.

Opportunities to study abroad are available to students at Bachelor and Master levels and Doctoral candidates. Master students taking a full degree abroad (up to two years) may be able to bene t from an EU-guaranteed Erasmus+ Master Loan. As with all the Twilight Community Groups programmes they are all open and inclusive in nature. Students with physical, mental or health-related conditions may apply for additional funding after they have been selected to study abroad.

Kilkenny Taekwondo

ESTABLISHED in Kilkenny since 2003 Kilkenny Taekwondo Club is running classes every day of the week that suit all levels of tness .

With 32 years of Taekwondo teaching and 8th Dan Black Belt the head instructor Grand Master Guy Jones has plenty of experience in making the journey from a starter to a star as educational and as rich as maintaining a balance between body and mind. It’s been a wonderful experience to see how this local school of Martial arts became the head o ce for 19 clubs across the Country and the head quarter for European Song Moo Kwan.

Fully matted oors and fully kitted club is the permanent space provided for safe training .

Adults and children alike are reaping the bene ts of this art which improves coordination, balance and overall physical ability added to the improvement in concentration , awareness , speed and sharpness of mind. e perfectly structured educational system that promotes values such as respect , discipline and self con dence.

On many levels this promotes the betterment of life and prepares for life challenges outside the frame of being a self defence or a martial art system. ere is no age cap. Fitness will build up gradually and ability slowly improves bringing stunning and Lasting results.

GM Jones maintains that the ultimate goal is to lead a healthy life . Why not come down to visit ? Have a free class and explore it for yourself or your family ?

Plenty of space to park right opposite to the PlayStation in the Hebron estate. Every night of the week from 6 pm onward. is is an open invitation.

If interested please book a space on https://www.picktime.com/kilkennytaekwondo Or contact 087-8090088

Minister of State for Electoral Reform and Heritage, Malcolm Noonan , Planted the first tree at The Closh in Kilkenny on July 11th 2021. (PHOTO Pat Shortall)

A truce with nature as plans in motion to plant trees at closh

FOLLOWING on from the Commemoration of Truce Day in e War of Independence, which was held at the Closh area in Kilkenny, on the 11th July 2021, ‘Keep Kilkenny Beautiful’, are now planning ahead.

Bigger and better things are in store for the ‘Closh’ area, and it is the hope of the KKB committee that on 1st November (National Tree Planting Day) the Tri Colour would be raised again.

A TRUCE WITH NATURE

KKB Chairman Mr Pat Boyd, who was also nominated as ‘Kilkenny’s Biodiversity Champion” at the St Patricks Day Festival 2021, said, “It is my fervent hope that on the 1st Nov we will plant the Trees to commemorate the signatories of the proclamation and our own fallen heroes, remembering the Truce while also proclaiming a ‘New Truce’, our ‘Truce with Nature’. e planting of the Trees on National Tree Day on the 1st November 21 at the ‘Closh’ will also serve to launch the new Kilkenny ‘Tree Cover Master Plan’ as part of treaty with nature.

“We are in a climate and biodiversity crisis and planting trees is a great way to help reduce our carbon emissions. We need this Tree Cover Master Plan for Kilkenny City, in order that we have the right trees in the right place” Mr. Boyd said.

GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE

Landscape Architects Digby Brady have produced the concept proposal which has been put to the County Council for the creation of the proposed Garden of Remembrance and Re ection that would commemorate the War of Independence and in particular the role played by women. is Community Project is subject to the approval and on-going support of Kilkenny County Council. e detailed garden plan is being prepared and will then be submitted to the Plaques and Memorial Committee for approval.

A spokesperson for KKB added, “We look forward to progressing this garden for the bene t, health and wellbeing of all the community”.

Community Group

Work, rest, and play... the Twilight way

ON Monday August 30th, a reception for the participants of the International Conference From Migration to Integration was held in the City Hall of Biha . e course is part of the Twilight Community Group’s Activities with their Partners across Europe is conference is also a training course for a certain number of youth workers from 8 countries coordinated for Lead organisation Twilight by the Association of Youth Movement together with EU partners, and coun tries are: Bosnia a n d Herze govina, Serbia, Lithuania, Portugal, Malta, Italy, and Turkey. e participants of the conference were hosted by Mayor Edin Moranjki who explained the situation and all problems related to the migrant crisis in Biha . rough the answers to questions, the entire history of the migrant crisis in our city has tried to present itself and all the problems that the city of Biha has faced and is facing today.

Participants expressed their satisfaction after the session was completed, and thanked representatives of the City Administration for their hospitality and Edin Moranjki ’s advisor to the Mayor, he emphasized how important the dialogue between the city of Biha and all representatives of the European Union was in order to resolve the migrant crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Over the last few days, all the Partners have been busy doing the NGO Fair. is Fair is where each group has a chance to present their organisation and show the main activities that take place.

ALL WORK AND NO PLAY

e Troop set of to visit Ostrožac castle with our tour guide Amir and learnt the history of the castle in this special location where east meets west. In the afternoon all continued to perfect the games that we will bring with us to migrant camps to play with children.

Next week we will give a report on the rest of the ‘Migration to Integration Programme’ 2021.

Community Group

Seniors are not just our past but our future

TIME TO CASH IN OUR CHIPS As we enter the 21st century, global ageing will put increased economic and social demands on all countries. At the same time, older people are precious, often an ignored resource that makes an important contribution to the fabric of society.

Ireland will be a society for all ages that celebrates and prepares properly for individual and population ageing. It will enable and support all ages and older people to enjoy physical and mental health and wellbeing to their full potential. It will promote and respect older people’s engagement in economic, social, cultural, community and family life, and foster better solidarity between generations. It will be a society in which the equality, independence, participation, care, self-ful lment, and dignity of older people are always pursued.

It must be remembered that increasing longevity is an indicator of social and economic progress. A great triumph of civilisation and, speci cally, of science and public policy over many of the causes of premature death which truncated lives in earlier times. erefore, we should recognize that this unique phenomenon of the great achievements of the 20th century. e context of above is now part of the Twilight Community Groups 4 goals of Positive Ageing

GOAL 1

Remove barriers to participation and provide more opportunities for the continued involvement of people as they age in all aspects of cultural, economic and social life in their communities according to their needs, preferences and capacities. e policy areas that are addressed under this Goal are: • Employment and retirement • Education and lifelong learning • Volunteering • Cultural and social participation • Transport

GOAL 2

Support people as they age to maintain, improve, or manage their physical and mental health and wellbeing.

e policy areas that are addressed in the Strategy under this Goal are: • Healthy Ageing • Health and personal social services • Carers

GOAL 3

Enable people to age with con dence, security and dignity in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. e policy areas that are addressed in the Strategy under this pillar are: • Financial security • Housing • e built environment • Safety and security • Elder abuse

GOAL 4

Support and use research about people as they age to better inform policy responses to population ageing in Ireland

Objective 4.1

Continue to employ an evidence-informed approach to decision-making at all levels of planning.

Objective 4.2

Promote the development of a comprehensive framework for gathering data in relation to all aspects of ageing and older people to underpin evidenceinformed policy making. e Twilight Community Group since 2015 have endeavoured and will continue to protect, assist seniors’ services. Society must recognise the past, present, and future contributions all seniors make to society. e current generation that we proudly sell to foreign investors as the ‘best educated graduates’ to attract their business to the emerald isle are only so because their parents’ worked night and day and sacri ced their own life to ensure their sons and daughters are the best educated graduates for all prospective foreign investors.

So now we want to enable people to age with con dence, security and dignity in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Time to Cash in our Chips