Kilkenny Observer 12th July 2024

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12th July 2024

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St Luke’s off its trolley!

Kilkenny hospital, and UHW, drastically cut their trolley count

St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny has cut its trolley count by 55% this year in a new report which shows two hospitals – one being University Hospital Waterford – to have succeeded in having zero patients on trolleys waiting for a bed in their emergency departments in the first six months of the year. T The news comes among hopeful signals of a turnaround in

the overcrowding crisis.

New figures reveal 7,800 fewer patients were on trolleys in the first half of this year – down 14% on the same period last year. This is despite 62,000 more patients presenting to emergency departments so far this year.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly announced the top performers were University

Hospital Waterford and the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore, which had no patients needing admission waiting on a trolley for the full six months.

The report to the Cabinet shows significant reductions in trolley numbers, as measured daily by the HSE, with Mullingar Hospital down 63%.

St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny

has cut its trolley count by 55% this year, and Mayo University Hospital has seen a fall of 45%.

The drop in trolleys in Portiuncula Hospital in Galway has reached 40% while it is 37% in Tipperary University Hospital.

However, there remain outliers, including University Hospital Limerick (UHL), which must cater for the Midwest, where trolley numbers rose

by 40% up to the end of April, although the level of patients presenting was on par with other hospitals.

One of the positives is better patient flow, and weekend discharges have risen by 20% this year, although more than 400 patients who no longer need hospital care were still occupying beds as of this week.

Separately, a report by for-

Acknowledgement: Michael Barron and Minister Richard Bruton at announcement of the intention to tackle the Baptism Barrier 2017 PHOTO: Charles McGuinlan

National Library acquires Barron papers The National Library of Ireland has announced the availability of ‘The Michael Barron Papers’, tracking Kilkenny man Dr Michael Barron’s life and work as a social justice activist in the past number of decades.

The papers, which are available in person at the library and through the digital archive which now contains the website Michael Bar-

The Best Comment & Opinion in Kilkenny

ron , is a varied collection of research, toolkits, personal writing, newspaper articles, opinion pieces, and campaign strategy.

Dr Michael Barron, who comes from Glenmore, told The Kilkenny Observer: “I am particularly happy that the National Library have chosen to announce the availability of ‘The Michael Barron Papers’ during Pride season.

As a gay person and activist I have spent most of my life advocating for LGBTQ Liberation and much of this work is now available at the Library.

“This year is also the 21st birthday of BeLonG To , the LGBTQ youth advocacy organisation, which I co-founded, so making these papers available is a kind of coming of age for us all,” he said.

“While the story of so-

cial change in Ireland is often told through landmark events, these materials also tell a story of what happened between such events. They tell a story of work and long term strategy that created the conditions that enabled the big events to take place.

They tell an untold story of the pursuit of Equality for LGBTQ+ young people over decades.”

Mr Barron works in Ireland and internationally to promote the rights of communities pushed to the margins of societies. In Ireland he was the Founding Director of BeLonG To LGBT Organisation and EQUATE: Equality in Education and today is the Executive Director of The Rowan Trust, an international human rights foundation. www.michaelbarron.org

mer judge Frank Clarke on the circumstances around the death of 16-year-old Aoife Johnston at UHL in December 2022 is due to be finalised by next month.

The intention is to draw up a medium-term plan based on both reports to roll out along with measures such as additional step-down beds in a HSE nursing home in Nenagh.

Budget commits to future of our care homes Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) is pleased to see the Taoiseach’s comments prioritising carers and older people in the upcoming budget, that older people and carers will be a priority, as the sustainability of nursing home care remains uncertain, with more tha 70 nursing homes having been forced to close since 2018.

“We are pleased to see the Taoiseach recognise the vital role of carers and the importance of enhancing the quality of life for our older population in nursing home care,” said Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO. “Such a focus will ensure that nursing home residents will continue to receive the dignity and care they deserve, and that those who dedicate their lives to caring for them are adequately supported.”

Last orders at The Tullow Gate Last orders have been called for The Tullow Gate in Carlow town as the pub giant confirmed it will close on August 18. The Tullow Gate was the sixth Wetherspoon to open its doors in the Republic of Ireland and the first Wetherspoon pub outside of Dublin and Cork.

This closure comes after last year’s announcement that the pub giant had put three of its 12 locations around Ireland on the market for a collective €10 million.

PAUL HOPKINS

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Telling it like it is.

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Quirky take on bright side of life

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Politicians ‘turning blind eye’ on weapons Members of the IrelandPalestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) South East branch recently simultaneously protested in Waterford City and Tramore outside Government Senator and TDs office locations. Waterford-based Palestinian solidarity campaigners were calling out the role of Government politicians as they recently voted to ignore a Bill calling for weapons checks on planes flying through Irish airspace and for an embargo on buying or selling arms or dual-use hardware and software from Israel.

A number of people gathered outside of Fine Gael Senator John Cummin’s office on Parnell Street, and Fianna Fail Minister Mary Butler’s office on the Quay in Waterford City, as well as Green Party TD Marc Ó’Cathasaigh’s office on Queen’s Street, Tramore.

A letter was delivered to each of the offices. Fine Gael John Cummins office closed the blinds during the action, whilst TD Marc Ó’Cathasaigh came out to speak to constituents.

The letter delivered to the politicians read: “We at the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) South East branch, many of whom are your constituents in the Waterford area, are requesting that you use your voice to call for an arms embargo and that

there are immediate inspections on all military aircraft entering Shannon Airport.

“While we are glad that Palestine has been recognised by the government, we urge you to take the aforementioned

practical steps to saving lives in Gaza,” the letter read.

“Thousands of massive bombs have been delivered to Israel by the United States air force whilst the ICC has found war crimes are taking place.

We hope you will use your voices to help Ireland adopt an arms embargo and make sure anything that can be used to commit war crimes does not enter or leave Irish airspace.”

A representative from the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign South (IPSC) South East branch said: “On Wednesday, May, 29 the Civic Engagement Group in the Irish Seanad introduced

an important Bill that aims to ensure that no weapons destined for Apartheid Israel, whether from the US or elsewhere, will be able to travel through Irish airspace. It would have also got rid of the regime of exemptions that allow US warplanes to travel through Irish airports and airspace without being checked for military or dual-use items.

“Unfortunately, and shamefully, senators from the government parties, including Fine Gael Senator John Cummins, decided that this important Bill was not important enough, and voted to delay any discussion on it for six months – thereby ensuring that Irish airspace may be used for the transfer of weapons and armaments to Apartheid Israel for at least another six months of genocide in Gaza.

“It seems as if the Government believes a symbolic recognition of a Palestinian state is enough to assuage Irish public opinion on this matter.

We protested at Waterford Government Senator and TDs offices to tell them – it is not.

“With an election taking place in the next few months, we would ask our supporters to bear this action in mind while voting down the line and keep the pressure on Government politicians to act now.”

Ask the Hair Loss Specialist Trichologist: Joseph Guthrie What are hair loss Trichological treatments?

Here at Millennium Hair Loss Clinic we provide a wide range of Trichological treatments. This is a simple, pain free non-invasive analysis of the scalp. In doing this we can then identify any problem areas and any issues that will need treatment to benefit the health of your hair.

Depending on your results, our specialists, using what is regarded as the most comprehensive study of hair damage and loss, will then hand select a treatment plan based on your personal needs, hair condition and hair structure.

A healthy scalp is one of the number one ways to ensure healthy hair. We use these technologies to fight persistent dandruff and scalp related issues to provide an itch free and purified scalp. This will also

help with strengthening the miniaturised hair and damaged follicles while also reversing damage caused by heavy chemicals previously used. We also use our own tech based products in addition to these treatments. These products are specially made with exclusive ingredients, formulated by renowned researchers, to fight the root

causes of hair thinning. We can identify hair thinning as losing 30% - 40% of hair monthly without regrowth, our products combatthat by increasing blood stimulation and nutritional flow in the hair whilst also stabilising the hair to decrease balding and thinning hair.

All products and treatments are always specifically tailored to

each client’s individual needs. These treatments include applying scalp masks to stimulate the scalp and to combat flaking scalp. We then apply our specially formulated hair strengthening and follicular regeneration lotions. After that we use hair steamers to increase activity and to provide deep saturation which deeply moisturises the

hair and restores elasticity.

We also use a combination of other treatments including laser therapy and massage treatments to give the best possible results.

There are many different types of hair conditions that affect both men and women.

Understanding your hair's condition is the first step in correcting any damage and starting your journey to

better, stronger and healthier hair.

Millennium Hair Clinic also provides FUE surgical hair transplantation, carried out

by Irish Medical Council Plastic Surgeons and General Surgeons.

Joseph Guthrie, Millenium Hair Loss Clinic, Cork: 085 742 4907

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Clock ticking for Waterford airport - Ní Mhurchú According to Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, the clock is ticking for Waterford airport. The newly elected MEP has called for immediate action from the Department of Transport on funding for an airport runway extension at the airport.

According to Ms Ní Mhurchú, there is a €12m private investment proposal

on the table but those investors will not wait around forever. She has called on Minister Eamon Ryan to expedite the process to release funding which will allow for the runway extension at Waterford airport.

Talking to The Kilkenny Observer she said she had vowed to fight to ensure Waterford airport becomes a key part

of the infrastructure in the South East, “A runway extension will enable Waterford airport to handle jets such as those that are used by Ryanair. I have asked Michael O’ Leary for a meeting to discuss Waterford airport. There is no reason as to why Waterford airport cannot become a hub serving the needs of the South East. We

need to facilitate the return of commercial flights at Waterford Airport for the first time in seven years.

“We need match funding from the Minister to drive the investment on. I am today calling on Minister Ryan to engage with stakeholders to get the airport up and running again,” she said.

Ms Ní Mhurchú pointed out

Major break in battle against MRSA bug Scientists in Dublin believe they have made a major advance in understanding how to fight back against the potentially deadly superbug MRSA. There are around 130 bloodstream infections with MRSA in Ireland annually.

Scientists in Trinity College have found an animal model showing that targeting a key suppressive immune molecule (IL-10) during the delivery of a vaccine improves its ­ability to protect against infection.

They pointed out the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is one of the leading causes of community and hospital-­ acquired bacterial infection, and is associated with more than one million deaths worldwide each year.

It is one of the bugs that antibiotics are becoming increasingly less effective against, with the antibiotic-resistant form, MRSA, responsible for the highest number of deaths in high-income countries that are attributable to antimicrobial resistant bacterial infections.

It means scientists are working hard on finding solutions to turn the tide in fighting S. ­aureus-related infections.

“One hugely appealing option is a vaccine but, while some progress has been made on that front in recent years, a number of major hurdles remain,” a Trinity College spokesman said.

“One of these appears to be the bacterium’s ability to dampen the immune response by turning on one of the natural brakes that exists within the immune system, an important immune-suppressive molecule known as Interleukin-10 (IL-10), which acts to reduce inflammation in the body.

“The interesting thing about S. aureus is that in addition to being a deadly pathogen, forms of this bacteria live in

and on our bodies without causing harm.

“During these asymptomatic interactions, the bacterium is, however, shaping the immune response – meaning that when a vaccine against S. aureus is administered, the immune system struggles to respond appropriately.”

The findings, published in the journal JCI Insight, showed that if the researchers immunised subjects with a vaccine that primed their immune systems to respond to infection in tandem with antibodies that neutralised IL-10, the immune response - via specialised T cells - was improved, and bacterial clearance was likewise improved following subsequent infection.

“Taken in combination, our results offer significant promise for what would be a novel strategy for improving the efficacy of vaccines developed with the aim of suppressing S. aureus infection,” said Rachel McLoughlin, professor in immunology at Trinity College Dublin, who led the research.

“Our work also strongly suggests that prior exposure to this bacterium may create a situation whereby our immune system no longer sees it as a threat and thus does not respond appropriately to a vaccine due to the creation of this immune-suppressed state “Again, this underlines why immunisation delivered with something that helps neutralise IL-10 offers renewed hope for effective vaccines.”

MRSA is now so common that even people who have no contact with hospitals or nursing homes sometimes carry it on their skin. It is when it gets under the skin that it can cause infection, posing a risk to people who are already sick or have had a lot of medical treatment.

that airports brought jobs, investment and a functioning airport in the South East and would allow our pharmaceutical industry in the South East to export their products from Waterford.

The MEP has also reiterated her previous statements on the potential for Waterford airport to become Ireland’s first dedicated centre for aerospace

research and development in collaboration with the South East Technological University (SETU).

Ms Ní Mhurchú, a board member at the SETU, got behind a report which concluded that Waterford airport would be an ideal base for Ireland’s first dedicated centre for aerospace research and development.

Waterford to double under new bus network All onboard: from left, bus driver Michael Haley, Anne Graham, CEO, NTA and Stephen Kent, CEO Bus Éireann PHOTO: David Clynch

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has published its draft new bus network for the Waterford Metropolitan Area. The redesign of the bus network is one of the eight key elements of BusConnects Waterford that aims to transform the area’s bus system, making public transport more useful to more people.

Under the proposals within the Waterford bus network redesign report, there will be a 100% increase in the level of bus services in Waterford city and its suburbs. More routes will offer high-frequency service. Frequencies will be improved on Sunday and in the early mornings.

Public bus services will

be extended to new areas, bringing bus services within 400 metres walk of 73% of residents.

Four proposed routes would operate every 15 minutes, seven days a week.

This includes Route 4, Outer Ring Road to Ferrybank.

Areas currently served in only one direction will gain two-way services. New bus services will be introduced in areas such as Kilbarry, Skibbereen, Dunmore Road and Slieverue.

All routes in the draft new bus network would serve the city centre with the main point of interchange located in and around the vicinity of the Clock Tower. This will facilitate cross-city commut-

ing, as will the introduction of new cross-city routes.

Fares will be simplified in a way that will make interchange seamless. Customers will not have to pay extra to change between bus services within a 90-minute period.

The new network report unveiled has been prepared

by Jarrett Walker & Associates, a US based firm which specialises in designing metropolitan public transport systems, in collaboration with the NTA, Waterford City and County Council and Bus Éireann.

Consultation on the draft new network launched twill run for six weeks. An Post will deliver up to 40,000

information booklets to residents and businesses along the proposed draft new bus network. An extensive public information campaign will be run for six weeks across all local media outlets.

Public information events will take place in the Tower Hotel on Thursday, July 18 from 12 noon until 7pm and on Friday July 19 from 9am until 2pm. An online Public Information webinar will take place on Monday, July 22 July at 1.30pm. * To take part in the consultation process, visit: https://busconnects.ie/ cities/waterford/waterford-area-bus-networkredesign/

We’re doing okay, thank you very much!

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Patrick O’Donovan TD has welcomed news that Ireland has climbed two places to 7th among EU Member States on the European Innovation Scoreboard.

The annual European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) compares the research and innovation performance of EU Member States and selected third countries, and the relative strengths and weaknesses of their research and innovation systems.

In 2023 Ireland was ranked

9th, while the 2024 edition of the EIS has seen Ireland climb to 7th place, and Denmark was awarded the top spot.

Minister O’Donovan told The Kilkenny Observer: “We have set an ambitious vision under Impact 2030 to ensure that Ireland’s collective investment in research and innovation makes as big a difference as possible to as many people as possible.

“These result proves we are on the right track, but also reminds us that we still have much more to achieve.

“With that in mind, we will

continue to work towards improved performance by our national research and innovation system because it is vital to the achievement of multiple national policy objectives, including progress towards our climate action targets and the digital transition that is so critical to the future of our economy, society and public services.”

Areas in which the Irish system performed especially well include employment in knowledge-intensive activities which is critical to Ireland’s economic performance as a knowledge-intensive

economy, and resource productivity, an important element of our progress toward our climate action targets.

Ireland performed relatively less well in 2024 in areas such as design applications and the development of environment-related technologies.

Impact 2030, Ireland’s national research and innovation strategy, sets a target for Ireland to be classified as an Innovation Leader under the European Innovation Scoreboard by 2030, i.e. with an overall score in excess of 125% of the EU average.

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Opinion

The Fact Of The Matter Paul Hopkins

Slow down, and save lives on our roads I’ve written about his before.

In truth, I can not but write about it too much, too often.

Carnage on our roads. Death by driving– bike, scooter, being just a pedestrian – driving towards 100 fatalities for the first six months of this year, a dozen up on last year.

It would be wrong to comment on the tragic cases.

Some Garda investigations are ongoing and devastated families left behind are entitled to privacy and personal grief.

Suffice to say, excess speed, isolated roads, phone usage and bad signage have played their roles.

In the last few days it has emerged that a service putting doctors at the scene of serious accidents is badly needed in Ireland to cut the rising number of road deaths.

A report into ­survival rates has been compiled, amid a growing campaign for Ireland to introduce a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service

(HEMS).

Statistics within the report, entitled called ‘Republic of Ireland HEMS’, suggest that many lives lost could have been saved had Ireland adopted the same pre-hospital care as the rest of Europe.

Ireland and Cyprus are the only two countries in Europe that do not have a physicianled helicopter emergency

service.

I learnt to drive in the middle of a war zone. Robert Mugabe and his guerrillas were little short of rolling their tanks down the main street of Rhodesia’s Salisbury when I took to the Jacaranda-lined avenues of the capital — now Harare — in a battered old Austin Mini under the careful guidance of a woman I then

loved. I even once had the audacity to drive on a learner’s licence in the traffic-strewn, bumper-to-bumper world that is New York City.

So, for 40 years and more I thought I owned the road and got away unscathed in that I never had an accident, nor points on my licence. Until I got caught some years back for speeding in a 60mph zone, just outside Banbridge, Co Down.

I was offered a ‘get-out’ clause – pay a fine and points on my licence or attend a four-hour course on road safety run by the AA and the PSNI. I opted for the latter.

And I came away from that course, quite chastened and have been watching my speedometer like a hawk ever since. I don’t want to ever have to live with the consequences. Most of us only ever think of the dead in such scenarios but what of the horrifically maimed, the families

left behind? A life snuffed out before its full potential is ever realised?

Consider these facts: ● 71 per cent of accidents last year were in urban areas, accounting for 34 per cent of fatalities. In rural areas these figures are only 25 per cent for collisions but a whopping 60 per cent for deaths — because of the speed involved and, as mentioned above, the time it can take for an ambulance to reach a rural spot. It’s called The Golden Hour — you have a greater chance of survival if the ambulance gets you to hospital in the first hour after an accident. ● Ever wonder why the 30kph came about? Statistically, a pedestrian hit at 30kph has a 97.5 per cent chance of survival; at 35kph that goes down to 5o per cent; and at 40kph there is only a 10 per cent chance of surviving.

In a combined effort to enhance road safety and

address the alarming rise in road incidents, Kilkenny County Council has in place its Road Safety Plan 2022-2030. Aligned with the Government’s Road Safety Strategy, this strategic initiative is the result of extensive consultation and collaboration with the Road Safety Working Together Group — a diverse group of stakeholders dedicated to promoting a safer road environment.

Finally, to reiterate; for every 20 people hit by a car at 40kph, 18 of our fellow humans will potentially die.

And, yet, two out of three of us speed on urban roads.

Alcohol is responsible for one in eight accidents but speed for one in four.

One in two of drivers exceed the motorway speed — we know this because of those thin black strips placed across motorways. And 69 per cent of us exceed the limit on urban roads.

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€2,000 beef bonus scheme Details of the 2024 Beef Welfare Scheme are expected to be announced by Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue, with a maximum payment of up to €2,000 a farmer available.

The scheme, which was due to open this month, will now open to applicants in early August, and will have a budget of €20m.

Mr McConalogue said that, together with the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP), this will once again help bring to fruition his com-

mitment to deliver €200/cow to suckler farmers.

The scheme will consist of two measures aimed at improving on-farm efficiency: a mandatory meal-feeding action and an optional vaccination action.

The scheme will support farmers in meal feeding suckler calves before and after weaning, and in vaccinating against clostridial diseases and calf pneumonia.

While the meal-feeding action is mandatory for scheme participants, farmers

Urgent calls to postpone planned excise duty on fuels Fuels for Ireland (FFI), the representative body for fuel retailers providing 50% of Ireland's total energy needs, is urgently calling on the new Minister for Finance and the Government to postpone the planned excise duty increase on fuels set for August 1.

With the Oireachtas going on summer recess, the Minister has mere days to take action to prevent an additional financial burden on consumers as well as putting jobs at risk in Border regions.

Excise duty was already hiked in April. With this further increase, the Government is simply gouging hardpressed consumers, according to a statement from FFI. Alongside "this unfair imposition" on drivers, forecourts near the border have seen a severe reduction in business since April 1 as consumers drive to Northern Ireland to fill up their tanks. A further tax increase risks the viability of businesses in these areas.

FFI is also flagging that in addition to the excise duty hike, there are other bakedin increases coming down the line. On Budget night, the already agreed carbon tax increase will add 2cpl, and then the increased level of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation will add another 2cpl on January 1. Each of these is before VAT is applied, meaning a total increase of 5cpl to petrol and diesel in the next six months, even without the excise duty increase scheduled for August 1.

On top of that, says FFI, and despite the excise duty cut, the Government has not lost any tax revenue. In fact, says

the FFI, the Government collected more in 2023 than ever before because VAT is a percentage of the pump price, and so high fuel prices mean extra income for the State.

FFI also repeats its call for the establishment of an Expert Group on Taxation to thoroughly examine fiscal policies related to energy.

This multidisciplinary group would be responsible for addressing concerns surrounding the transition to sustainable energy, safeguarding state revenue, and ensuring affordability for consumers.

Kevin McPartlan, CEO of Fuels for Ireland, said: “The imminent increase in excise duty scheduled for August 1st will directly impact consumers, particularly in Border counties where the price gap with the UK is already causing significant challenges.

“On behalf of FFI and our members, I urge the Government to act now to prevent exacerbating these issues, as it is not fair for consumers to bear this additional burden. With the Oireachtas rising this Thursday July 11th, the Minister is short on time and needs to make a decision before the Dáil goes on summer recess. It is crucial to take immediate action. If no changes are made, the excise duty increase will proceed as planned," he said.

“This issue should be a top priority on the new Finance Minister's agenda. Postponing the excise duty increase and establishing the Expert Group on Taxation will demonstrate a commitment to balancing fiscal responsibility with consumer affordability.”

must indicate they are selecting the optional vaccination action at application stage if they wish to be considered for payment under this action.

Farmers can then decide during the implementation phase, where appropriate in consultation with their veterinary surgeon, which disease they wish to target depending on the health status of their herds.

Participants must be a suckler beef farmer i.e. have eligible calves born to eligible suckler cows in the period

from July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024.

Participants must introduce meal feeding for a period of four weeks pre-weaning and two weeks post-weaning to reduce the stress on calves at weaning time. Calves must be supplemented with compound feeding stuffs containing appropriate minerals and vitamins. Meal feeding must be carried out on the number of calves selected by the applicant (or their FAS advisor) at application stage, subject to the maximum of 40 calves.

Apprenticeship Workplace Champions awards !

The National Apprenticeship Office has announced its call for nominations across Kilkenny, Carlow, Dublin, Kildare,Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow for the Generation Apprenticeship ‘Workplace Champions 2024’ awards with nominations for the 2024 awards closing on September 11.

The 2024 Workplace Champions awards, happening in December 2024, will showcase and celebrate apprenticeship champions in Leinster and workplaces across Ireland, passionate about the development and success of apprentices and the apprenticeship mode of learning.

Last year’s national ‘Workplace Champion’ award winner was Leinster-based Brendan Kearns, of Designer Group (Designer Electric Limited) based in Blanchardstown, with Brendan winning the overall awards out of a total of 87 individual and team entries.

This year, the National Apprenticeship Office is hoping to receive over 100 nominations across Leinster and Ireland to honour those

people in the workplace who support, mentor and help apprentices access and unlock their potential with Generation Apprenticeship.

In the last decade, thousands of apprentices have graduated through the full range of national apprenticeships, now comprising 75 programmes spanning diverse industries that include Construction, Engineering, Biopharma, ICT, Farming, Sales, Social Work and much more. And behind each smiling apprentice graduate there is a team of dedicated and committed individuals in the workplace who led this success, driving opportunity with apprenticeship for women and girls, students and career seekers of all ages who want to build career success with Apprenticeship.

Dr Mary Liz Trant, Director of the National Apprenticeship Office, said: “We are delighted to announce that the Workplace Champions award nominations are open. This is an excellent opportunity for employers and industry peers across Leinster counties and beyond to celebrate and showcase the incredible effort and dedica-

tion shown by apprenticeship advocates in workplaces right across Ireland – all helping to support and drive career success for apprentices across a multitude of 21st century industries.

Our national apprenticeship system simply could not function without the support of employers, and the steadfast dedication from the thousands of people in industry. This year we would love to see Workplace Champion nominations from every county and industry sector, getting recognition for their great work to drive diversity and inclusion or act as supporters, advocates and enablers of apprentices, including past Leinster winners People's Recruitment, Jones Engineering, Alkermes Pharma Ireland Ltd, Irish Rail and ESB Networks (Dublin), Dawn Farm Foods Ltd, Pfizer Newbridge (Kildare) and Elab Ireland (Dunboyne, Meath). ' The Workplace Champions 2024 award categories are: Mentor/Assessor: awarding individuals that work day-in day-out with apprentices, helping to ensure that they get quality training, giving of their expertise to

support the next generation of talent.

Enabler/Supporter: honouring enthusiastic individuals who go the extra mile to support apprentices, such as helping those that need extra assistance in navigating the workplace Equality, Diversity and Inclusion awarding those who act as an advocate for inclusion, celebrating and driving diversity within the workplace, promoting wellbeing in the workplace.

Team award: awarding a team within a company who strive to ensure the progress of apprentices, supporting, enabling and improving the quality of apprentices on-the-job. This team is for those in leadership or supporting roles, and could comprise of assessors, mentors, team leaders, shift supervisors or anyone involved in the day-to-day training of an apprentice. *Nominations for the 2024 awards are free, and employer can submit a nomination via the ‘Workplace Champions’ nomination form at www.apprenticeship.ie by Wednesday, September 11

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12th July 2024

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Opinion

As I See It Marianne Heron

When to quit as leader... and who comes next?

Knowing when to quit is a form of wisdom which seems to have escaped America’s President Joe Biden. It was sad to see a man who has stayed too long make a stumbling spectacle of himself in last month’s head- to- head with Donald Trump. Sad for the Democrats that their chances of a presidential win have been dealt a severe blow and very sad for anyone who doesn’t want to see Donald Trump become US President again.

“It is always too soon to quit,” quipped US ‘Power Of Positive Thinking’ author Norman Vincent Peale.

Always too soon for some leaders, who feel invincible grasping the reins of power but not soon enough for the organisation.

“A good leader will be continually evaluating what leadership characteristics an organisation needs in order to deliver its purpose,” says Professor Andrew Burke, of

Trinity Business School. “ The fit between an organisation’s needs and a leader’s character is strong when it operates in the leader’s personal zone of competency, values and motivation, inspiring trust amongst followers. Unfortunately, ill-health has pushed Biden out of this sweet spot.

It’s also more fun being a leader when you can be your

real self, doing things well that you value and enjoy. It must be so hard for Biden to struggle to deliver the performance of his younger self and then fails so badly in the process. “ Recently though, quitting as a personal choice has become a thing in Irish politics, sending shock waves through a system where TDs and ministers normally stay on until

they are rejected by voters or reach pension point. First, Leo Varadkar stepped down as FG leader, followed by Eamon Ryan, relinquishing Green Party leadership now and his seat when the next election comes around .

The other vital part of the ‘when to go story’ should be about who comes next, for succession is critical both to the path of leadership and to organisations. The Democrats don’t seem able to come up with an answer to that one, for there is no obvious heir apparent waiting in the wings, so no wonder they are panicking when Biden’s future as a candidate is in doubt.

When it comes to being savvy about succession – and avoiding bruising battles or unsuitable candidates for leadership – look no further than canny Michael Martin whose move to appoint Jack Chambers (33), as the youngest Minister Finance since Michael Collins and deputy leader of Fianna

Fail, it looks very much like lining up the next heir apparent. And why not?

If there is anything to be learned from farm succession planning advice you want to be on hand to give guidance to your successor so that the heir will fill your shoes adequately and keep the enterprise thriving. While it is up to the party to choose who they want, it is no harm to have a young lion groomed, ready and waiting.

Sinn Fein maybe have a thing to learn with Mary Lou McDonald’s leadership looking a bit time worn, especially after the local election results and various flip- flopping episodes. Who would follow her? But that decision may be taken by unelected shadowy backroom figures.

Not very democratic.

A young, energetic leader may bestow a bounce on party fortunes, look how Fine Gael has benefitted, from Simon Harris’ succession. Knowing

when to quit and may give an extra bounce for quitters,with enough time and energy left to rebound and enjoy a new lease of life.

What of Biden’s fate? ”Leadership roles are created to serve the purpose of the organisation and not the other way around,” points out Professor Burke.” So, when the character of a leader starts to misalign with the needs of the organisation then it’s time to consider change. Too often self-interest, myopia, hubris, or narcissism causes leaders to stay on too long when they are no longer the best person for the role, at the cost of damaging their legacy.

In this regard Biden stands at a fork in the road. If he thinks long-term, he will realise that historians will either summarise his legacy as a leader who voluntarily stepped down at the right time for the greater good or a career politician who prioritised short-term self-interest.

Natural solutions for premenstrual tension CLAIR WHITTY

Premenstrual tension, PMT, which is also known as Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), is a common problem. Hormonal fluctuations, chemical changes in the brain, genetic factors and lifestyle can all contribute to the symptoms that you experience.

Symptoms can include fluctuating mood, irritability, anger, crying, and increased worry. There can be digestive problems with bloating and constipation, skin break-outs, sugar cravings, and energy slumps. You may have headaches, period pain and/or breast pain. Thankfully, there are some things that can help reduce the impact of PMT on your daily life.

For example, exercise, a balanced diet, good sleep, reduced stress, and finding effective herbs and supplements can all help. A well-balanced diet that contains fruit, vegetables, especially your green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds, and whole grains can all help your body function more efficiently. Limit sugar and processed foods to help avoid mood swings and energy crashes. Reduce or avoid caffeine, alcohol, and fizzy drinks, and make sure to drink plenty of water to keep

hydrated.

The top supplements to consider could include Magnesium, Vitamin B6, Vitamin D, and Omega oils. Cleanmarine Period Plan (formerly known as Cleanmarine For Women) may be of benefit when taken all month long to support your period and hormone health.

It contains Omega 3, Vitamin D, Vitamins B1, and B2 which contribute to normal skin, and B6, which contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity and helps reduce tiredness, and Vitamin D. Period Plan has been scientifically formulated to support hormonal activity, along with your mind, skin, and energy levels. It’s suitable from ages 15-40.

You could take a magnesium supplement alongside Period Plan if you feel you need too.

Magnesium is one of the

most important minerals that our body requires. A lack of magnesium could contribute to tiredness, food cravings, period pain, back pain, sleep problems, or increased worrying. Stress depletes magnesium so it can become a vicious circle. Magnesium is found in foods like green leafy vegetables including cabbage, broccoli, spinach, kale, brussel sprouts, some nuts, seeds, and brown bread. Aim to increase these foods to help increase your magnesium.

Another option is the herb Agnus Castus, also known as Chaste Berry, and it is a popular choice, especially for irritability and if you break out in spots at that time of the month.

Don’t let PMT hold you back from living your best life, come and talk to us today.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12th July 2024

News

SPECIAL REPORT

This car report could drive you around the bend If you’re in the market for a new car, you might want to make sure it’s built to last.

Car dealerships are notoriously expensive, and it’s arguably better to hear about a vehicle’s reliability from someone who already owns said car. Luckily, one expert is sharing his list of models and manufacturers to avoid.

That said, The Kilkenny Observer does not endorse this report and carries it as it stands, In fact, the Editor of this paper recently bought one of the cars mentioned – the Mitsubishi Mirage – and is ecstatically happy with it!

So read of this report as you will...

In a recent video, Bev (@ bevurly) warned viewers that certain cars simply won’t make it to 100,000 miles—at least not without problems.

He regularly posts car expertise videos to his more than 100,000 TikTok followers.

“Stop buying these cars,” he told viewers in his video, which has amassed more than two million views.

Here’s who made his list.

Nissan Versa Up first was the Nissan Versa, which Bev said is almost “guaranteed” to have transmission failure.

Part of the issue, Bev said, is that the CVT transmission in these cars are, allegedly, made of “paper mache”.

“It’s horrible. They make these cars cheap,” he said.

“Don’t buy them.”

Indeed, a simple Google search confirmed that this is a common problem. Other drivers have complained of transmission noises, tachometer fluctuations, and leakages, among other things.

Mitsubishi Mirage Bev said that the Mirage is another car that’s not worth the buy, though this paper’s Editor does not agree – so far, While they’re cheap, he said, customers will pay later “when it’s in the shop 24/7.”

According to CarParts, there are a number of issues associated with this vehicle. For starters,

it noted, there have been cases of malfunctioning airbags in older models.

More recently, drivers have reported that their breaks produce a sort-of screeching sound [not in my case – the Editor].

Still, there are some upsides to owning this vehicle: RepairPal ranked

the Mirage a 4.5/5. It also noted that the average annual repair and maintenance cost ( €457) is lower compared to the average for all vehicle models ( €652).

Kia Optima Over the years, the Kia Optima has been reported to have several engine man-

How owners are responding...

A number of people who own any of the mentioned cars actually defended their purchases. One woman, who said she drives a Kia Optima, said her car has well over 200,000 miles and is “still going good”.

Other drivers affirmed this.

“Me with 200k+ kia optima,” another wrote. “My kia went to 103k until the motor went,” a third driver said.

“Optimas are better than you think,” a third person noted.

Viewers also affirmed their support for other models Bev called out.

“Wrong my mirage runs like a champ,” one viewer said.

[Great news! – the Editor].

“Lol i’ve had 3 Chrysler 300 all are still over 100k and still running fine, did have to replace a turn signal,” another conceded.

“My dad had an older Mitsubishi Mirage and it was great lol,” a third commenter said. [More good news – the Editor].

ufacturing and failure issues that may cause its bearing to wear prematurely. Bev put it more bluntly: “almost guaranteed engine failure,” he said. Then he issued a warning to people who insist on buying this car.

“Good luck.”

In some cases, premature wear and tear can cause uncontrollable engine seizing, increasing the risk of an accident. Kia is aware of some of these kinks, though: In 2017, it issued a recall to help owners repair or replace affected Optima engines for free.

Chrysler 300 Other experts rank the Chrysler 300 decently well in reliability, but Bev was more skeptical. He called the vehicle a “poor man’s Rolls Royce,” before saying that owning this car “will make you poor as well.”

“These things are extremely unreliable,” Bev said. “I do not see many of them passing 100,000 miles... without having major

issues.” Those complications, according to various car forums, might include stuck gear shifts and engine problems. But, again, these problems might not be widespread.

Any Maserati This last category is, admittedly, more broad than the rest and Bev didn’t give too many details on why prospective buyers should be wary of Maseratis. He only told viewers that “they all suck”.

Further research unveiled a number of issues with the brand, though. In one 2018 Reddit post, a commenter asked why Maseratis received so much hate—and the internet let him have it. “Maserati’s are a self identifying flag that says ‘I have more money than knowledge of cars,’” one commenter responded.

“Unreliability coupled with expensive repairs that take longer due to parts availability and you have a rather perfect storm.”

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Music Generation

Up The Junction: Free outdoor gig featuring exciting young bands!

Music lovers, get ready for an unforgettable evening of FREE live music at Up The Junction – a free outdoor gig celebrating young talent in the heart of the city. Taking place on Thursday 18 July from 6 – 9pm at Goods Shed Square, MacDonagh Junction, this event promises an electrifying line-up featuring some of Kilkenny and Dublin's most exciting young bands.

Headlining the event are Kilkenny's own The Donnys known for their high-energy performances and catchy tunes that have been making waves in the local music

scene. They have quickly become Kilkenny's youngest and hottest new musical sensation. Don't miss these rising stars!

Hailing from Dublin Pants on Fire are a captivating rock band that masterfully fuses the raw intensity of rock with the distinctive stylings of indie rock. A formidable presence in the live music scene, Pants on Fire will leave a lasting impression.

Prepare for an electrifying performance from Joycult. This dynamic band blends alternative rock with punk energy, delivering an

adrenaline-fueled set that’ll leave you wanting more.

We are particularly thrilled to introduce The Quincavelles. This newly formed dynamic six-piece brings fresh energy to the stage.

Drawing from old-school classic rock and pop influences, The Quincavelles have crafted exciting new music, leaving their audiences buzzing! Formed during Music Generation Kilkenny's 'Song Collective', this is a fantastic opportunity to see these rising stars in an intimate, outdoor setting.

Up The Junction is a proud

collaboration between Music Generation Kilkenny and Foróige, Ireland’s leading youth organisation. Foróige's commitment to empowering young people through creativity and community involvement aligns perfectly with the spirit of this event and with the ethos and vision of Music Generation Kilkenny. Their support and partnership have been invaluable in bringing this gig to life.

We would also like to thank the Night Time Economy Fund, whose generous support has made this event possible. Their dedication to

enhancing the city's cultural landscape and supporting local talent is deeply appreciated.

“We are incredibly proud to provide a platform for these talented young musicians to showcase their skills and creativity,” said Mark Colbert, Musician Educator with Music Generation Kilkenny and Project Coordinator for Up The Junction. “This event is all about celebrating the talent and potential of our youth.

Thanks to Foróige and the Night Time Economy Fund, we can create an environment where these young artists can

shine and connect with the community. We can't wait to see the energy and excitement they bring to the stage.”

Come join us for Up The Junction and be part of an amazing musical journey with some of the brightest young talents around! Whether you're a die-hard music fan or simply looking for a great way to spend your evening, Up The Junction is not to be missed.

For more information: email: musicgenerationkilkenny@kcetb.ie phone: 087 1765493.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12th July 2024

Opinion

Your Money & You John Ellis

Getting down to that job this summer My first summer job was in a meat factory. I spent most of that summer up in the roof above the boning hall making boxes. I cannot remember what I was paid but still remember the thrill of getting my first wage in a little brown envelope.

Just as in the Seventies and ever since, the summer job is a must for most young people.

Back in the day I rocked up to the factory, asked for the man who did the hiring and was hired on the spot. Today getting a job is not as simple as asking “at the gate” for work. Now you and your prospective employer must navigate a framework of rights, duties, and responsibilities.

The Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1996 outlines work hours and rest breaks for young workers applying to anyone working for an employer who is not a close relative.

According to Tulsa, children between the ages of 14 and 18

can engage in part-time work during the summer. Fourteen and 15-year-olds are restricted to “light work” during school holidays, to a maximum of 35 hours a week. They must get up to 21 days off work during the summer holidays while 16 and 17-year-olds can work up to 40 hours a week, albeit with

some restrictions.

During the working day under-16s must receive a halfhour break after four hours of work and, if on shift work, must have 14 consecutive hours off between shifts, along with two days off each week.

No work before 8 am or after 8 pm. For 16 and 17-year-olds,

the break extends to every 4.5 hours of work, and they must have 12 hours off between shifts. They cannot work before 6 am or after 10 pm Under-18s are entitled to a minimum wage of €8.89 an hour, equivalent to 70% of the national adult minimum wage. Eighteen-year-olds earn

€10.16, 19-year-olds can make €11.43, and those older than 20 earn €12.70 an hour but employers can pay more if they wish.

I remember the disappointment of my first pay pack as nearly all – as far as I was concerned – was gone on tax; the idea of emergency tax meant nothing to me at that time of my young life.

Many feel any tax on “a little summer job” is not on, but unfortunately your first pay may be taxed at the “emergency tax” rate. Students typically working part-time or earning under €13,000 in a year will not pay tax or USC, but PRSI at 4% will be deducted from anyone older than 16 earning more than €352 gross a week.

So, to avoid emergency tax, you should provide your employer with your Personal Public Service (PPS) number as soon as possible and register for PAYE in myAccount on Revenue’s website under the Jobs and Pensions option.

Meanwhile, John Lowe’s book, Teenagers: You and Your Money is a terrific book to have as it outlines and advises on sorting out your tax.

He also emphasises that, regardless of age, as soon as a person takes up a job, they should be involved in household budgeting discussions to instil a realistic understanding of income, expenses, and saving. (Long hand for you need to give up a portion to Mammy) A summer job offers more than just a paycheck; you will probably make friends for life and learn lessons in financial responsibility. It will give an early understanding of taxation and the realisation of how many hours you must put in to get that prized item of clothing or whatever is your hearts desire.

Good luck all... john@ellisfinancial.ie 086 8362633

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12th July 2024

News Science & Wellbeing In the ongoing and horrific history of school shootings in the US, a watershed moment occurred recently when the parents of Michigan shooter Ethan Crumbley were convicted of involuntary manslaughter. It was also a key moment in parental culpability law, governing cases in which parents can be held legally responsible for the actions of their children.

Ethan Crumbley, who at age 15 brought a gun to his school and killed four people and injured seven, pleaded guilty to 24 crimes at his own trial in 2022. But for the first time in American history, a school shooter’s parents were also convicted, of involuntary manslaughter, and sentenced to prison terms.

States have a variety of laws that hold parents responsible for youth offences under what are called parental culpability laws. Most of these cases involve lower-level matters such as skipping school or damaging property, says developmental psychologist Colleen Sbeglia.

A doctoral candidate at the University of California, Irvine, Sbeglia was lead author of a paper in the Annual Review of Criminology that examines the wide range of laws covered by parental culpability laws and whether the laws work as intended. She spokewith Knowable Magazine — and the surprisingly small amount of research on their effectiveness.

“Criminal charges have never been brought against the parents of a school shooter — or at least, not successfully.

So this is really the first time we’re seeing this in American history. Now that there’s precedent, is it possible we’ll start to see more cases where the parents of school shooters are held criminally accountable?” she said.

“It is possible. If there’s precedent for something, that helps you build a case for Consider the following. It’s 2030. You wake up, and instead of reaching for your smartphone, you pop on a pair of sleek smart glasses.

Throughout the day, you converse with a powerful AI assistant that uses the specs to pepper your view with useful information, seamlessly merging your physical and digital worlds.

In the 1990s, mobile phones could make calls or text, and PCs (with a modem) could send email, surf the internet, or play games. The following decade combined them and gave birth to the smartphone — changing practically everything about how we navigate the world.

Smart glasses that combine personal computing, AI, and augmented reality could be the next life-changing consumer tech device.

Google Glass may have been an expensive failure for Google, but it was a valuable case study for the rest of the tech industry, teaching

Parents and the crime of their child

doing the same thing again in the future. But with this particular case, there was so much verifiable, documented evidence of negligence that made it pretty unique. It will be important to watch and see what happens in the future.”

How severe do the circumstances have to be, in order for parents to get criminally charged?

“The bar is extremely high.

You have to prove negligence, which in many cases is difficult. And you also have to be able to somehow disentangle

the actions of the perpetrator — in these cases, the child — from the actions of the parents, which is normally kind of impossible to do,” she said.

“Especially if we start thinking about teenagers, 16 to 17 years old, how much can their parents really control their

behaviour? That’s something that’s hard to prove definitively in court. Parents are important: They can try to do as much as they can and should be involved as much as they can. But at the end of the day, kids can become pretty independent by their mid-teens.

as our go-to personal electronics. The industry is still searching for its ‘killer app,’ the feature that people just can’t get without the tech — and this might be the one thing Google got right about smart glasses with Google Glass.

When Epson released its

smart glasses in 2011, it marketed the devices as being for “personal media enjoyment” — put on a pair, and you can browse the web or watch movies wherever you are — but Google’s 2012 concept video for Glass emphasised a very different kind of use case.

Rather than providing passive entertainment, these smart glasses were going to be helpful. They’d send you text notifications, help you keep track of your schedule, and overlay useful graphics, such as walking directions, onto your field of view.

The digital assistant in the Google Glass devices that actually shipped was nowhere near as useful — reviewers reported getting frustrated with the buggy software, which often misunderstood what they said or wanted.

Today, far better AI assistants are now a reality, thanks to advances in generative AI. It’s easy to envision a future where people could have an

We’re still looking towards smart glasses... developers a lot about what people do not want, and those insights are shaping the current crop of smart glasses.

While Google Glass looked like a prop from The Matrix, most of today’s smart glasses have a much more low-key design. This helps wearers avoid being stigmatised as

modern-day ‘Glassholes’ trying to film others without their consent (even if it doesn’t actually stop this from happening).

While the smart glasses market is growing, there’s still no guarantee the devices will ever become mainstream, let alone replace smartphones

“I think part of the reason why prosecutors were able to successfully bring charges against the parents in the Ethan Crumbley case is because there were so many text messages and records of ignored calls and documented instances of negligence.

“Aside from these criminal charges for a school shooting, there’s a whole range of civil charges that can be brought against parents for much smaller stuff that their kids do wrong. What do those cases look like?”

Two other broad categories come up much more frequently. If a child damages some type of property, parents are going to be responsible for financial restitution – such as notion has long been called for debate here in Ireland. Children don’t have jobs; they’re not able to pay, so the parents are on the hook for that. Civil liability can also include personal injury. If a child causes a car accident, then the parents in certain US states can be on the hook for the damage to the vehicle, but they may also have to pay for the personal injury damages.

The other big category is ‘status offences’: behaviours that are illegal only because the youth is under 18. That includes things like underage drinking, not attending school or violating a curfew.

What’s the typical penalty for parents in a status offence case?

There are different laws by state, so it varies, but a lot of times it’s fines: Parents have to pay a certain amount, which is supposed to encourage them to monitor their children more closely.

Though it’s much more rare, the penalties in some states can be up to incarceration, or eviction, or parents having driver’s licenses taken away.

These are obviously more extreme cases, but in some states it could, in theory, lead to that. expert AI assistant by their side through a phone, glasses, or other next-generation devices.

Since the release of the hugely popular ChatGPT in 2022, seemingly every tech company has started trying to figure out how to use generative AI to create the ultimate digital assistant, and many of these AIs, including Meta’s offering, are already being integrated into smart glasses. “[S]mart glasses are very powerful for AI because, unlike having it on your phone, glasses, as a form factor, can see what you see and hear what you hear from your perspective,” Meta Founder Mark Zuckerberg told the Verge in 2023.

Universal AI agents have the potential to positively impact many aspects of dayto-day life, from enabling the visually impaired to translating languages fluidly to providing real-time information about the physical world.

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Travel & Leisure Red Monkey Walking Travel is a nod to Hanuman, the Hindu god of joyful service.

Raised Tibetan Buddhist, Christian and Jewish. Its founder, Rachel Sanborn (45) considers herself all three.

She believes everyone can find a way to work for their religion.

“We have had everyone from devout Catholics to atheist Chinese nationals,” said Sanborn. “The Camino for the last 1,000 years was always open to everyone from all religions. Some of my first Camino friends walked from Iran. Iran! And stopped in or outside every locked church and read Rumi poems.”

Sanborn represents a growing trend of nonCatholic — even nonChristian — pilgrims venturing on the Camino de Santiago in Spain. In 2023, nearly half a million people walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain. About 40% of those walked for purely religious reasons, according to statistics released by the pilgrims’ office. While it’s traditionally a Catholic pilgrimage, ending at the shrine of the apostle James in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, secular pilgrims today embark on the Camino for all kinds of motivations beyond religion: health, grief, transition, cultural exploration, history and adventure.

This synthesis of religious and secular motivations is profound for people like Nancy Mead, president of The Friends of the Anglican Centre in Santiago de Compostela, an ecumenical religious organisation. Mead, an Episcopalian, says there are as many reasons why people walk the Camino as there are people who walk it. While the Camino is a religious experience for her, she has also learned life lessons along the way that apply to everybody, religious or not. She’s walked seven different routes on the Camino and has to remind herself each time to lighten her load; makeup and extra clothes are just added weight on the journey.

The number of “spiritual but not religious” pilgrims on the Camino has increased

Why Camino Way does not have to be a religious trip

in the past two decades as the demographic has grown and with the emergence of “secular spirituality.” Jacqui Frost, whose research at Purdue includes health and wellbeing among the nonreligious, says researchers are increasingly using the language of spirituality to talk about secular experiences of feeling connected to something greater than yourself — something that, she says, often happens in nature.

“We have started to secularise a lot of what used to be religious rituals,”

said Frost. “Think about meditation, yoga or even atheist churches. A lot of people are interested in rituals and finding meaning in these collective events.”

As this growing spiritual but not religious group borrows religious rituals and beliefs, there is a question of how to do so without appropriating them. Many of the reasons nonreligious people go on the Camino are similar to why religious people go.

In a 2019 study in journal Sociology of Religion, researchers examined atheists’ versus religious

Way pilgrims’ motivations to walk the Santiago way and found overwhelming overlap across motivations; most were looking to connect to nature and one’s deeper self.

The only two measures that differed were community and religious motivations, which were both higher for religious pilgrims.

Religious ethics expert and author of the forthcoming book The Religion Factor: How Restoring Religion to Our Spirituality Makes It More Meaningful, Responsible, and Effective, Liz Bucar, says the growing

number of spiritual but not religious pilgrims represents a need for meaning-making, even when you’ve rejected religion. But she doesn’t think it’s as easy as just dropping the religion part and isn’t so sure you can still get the same benefits without it.

“If you want to get the real meat out of pilgrimage, you have to engage with the religion of it,” says Bucar.

“Spirituality is what they are calling the pieces of religion that they like. Religion is part of the secret sauce.”

After all, Bucar says, pilgrimage is spiritual

tourism. She describes the Camino today as a “curated, socially constructed experience with institutions involved.” Bucar used to lead college students on the Camino but came to believe the trip fed into an idea that you can access this spiritual connectedness or transcendence through participating in a temporary experience. She says the Camino falls into this category, which her new book is about, of these spiritual hacks and shortcuts people take when they “don’t want to do religion.”

The story of the Augustan Mausoleum Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, began work on his mausoleum in 28BC, 42 years before his death, and it rose, drum-shaped — a radical new design for Rome, inspired by Etruscan and Greek examples — over a whole new district of the city created to memorialise his own divine glory.

Originally it was studded with columns and sculptures, topped by a huge bronze statue of the emperor, set on a garden terrace and belted by a white travertine-clad wall

87 metres in diameter, the longest in the Roman Empire.

The mausoleum — the model for the Castel Sant’Angelo, Hadrian’s much better known mausoleum, later the palatial apartments of a pope — survives, battered but still truly monumental.

The Ancient Roman historian Suetonius said Augustus boasted that he found Rome brick and left it marble, but the brick (and the Roman miracle material of concrete, which has kept

the Pantheon and its gigantic dome intact for 2,000 years) proved more enduring.

The Augustan mausoleum lost its shining marble and elaborate decoration in the 1160s; by the 17th century it was used for bullfights and buffalo hunts; and in the 19th century became a theatre and concert hall. The block made to hold the urn of Agrippina, Augustus’s granddaughter and mother of the infamous Caligula, became a grain measure in the Middle Ages.

In the 20th century,

Mussolini flattened all the surrounding buildings to increase the mausoleum’s domination of the setting, and apparently contemplated adding his own remains to its imperial history. Instead his body was buried in an unmarked grave in 1945, resurrected and stolen by supporters in 1946, recovered and hidden for 11 years, and moved in 1957 to his family’s vault in the small town of Predappio, where it has become a pilgrimage site for neo-fascists.

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Opinion

Furthermore Gerry Moran

Moody, broody, touchy, needy... Me? Never!

And so another birthday is coming around. A big one, Gerry? Listen, they’re all big now if for no other reason than that I’m still around. ‘Still standing’ to quote that great survivor Elton John. Indeed several of my contemporaries are no longer around. Who is around, however, is a great friend who never fails to send me a birthday card.

This is what he sent me this year: Cancer (the crab) June 22 – July 23 with an illustration of a goofy looking crab surrounded by the following words: Over imaginative.

Dreamer. Nonconformist.

Intense. Brooding. Moody.

Touchy. Needy. Overly sensitive. Possessive. Enigmatic. Over emotional. Introspective. Likes attention.

Suspicious. Tactless. Sulky.

Self-absorbed. Crabby.

And after all those descriptions of Gerry, the

crab, inside the card, I read the following: “Nicer than everyone else.’:Ah, all is forgiven, J. All is forgiven.

And I always think of the great American stand-up comic George Carlin when it comes to birthdays. Here are George’s views on ageing: “Do you realise that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we’re kids? If you’re less than 10-years-old, you’re so excited about ageing that you think in fractions. ‘How old are you?’

‘I’m four and a half!’ You’re never 36 and a half. You’re four and a half, going on five! You get into your teens, now they can’t hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead. ‘How old are you?’

‘I’m gonna be 16!’ You could be 13, but hey, you’re gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your

life: you become 21. Yesss.

Even the words sound like a ceremony. You become 21. But then you turn 30.

Oh. Oh. What happened there? Makes you sound like sour milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out.

There’s no fun now, you’re just a sour-drink. What’s wrong? What’s changed?

You become 21, you turn 30, then you’re pushing 40.

Whoa! Put on the brakes, it’s all slipping away. Before you know it, you reach 50 and your dreams are gone. But wait!!! You make it to 60. You didn’t think you would! So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60. You’ve built up so much speed that you HIT 70!

After that it’s a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!

You get into your 80s and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH

bedtime. And it doesn’t end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards: “ I was

“Who is around, however, is a great friend who never fails to send me a birthday card..

JUST 92.” Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. “I’m 100 and a half!”

May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!

So, how to stay young...

Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them.

That is why you pay them. * Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. * Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever.

Never let the brain idle.

An idle mind is the devil’s workshop. And the devil’s name is Alzheimer’s. * Enjoy the simple things. * Laugh often, long and loud. * Tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves.

Be ALIVE while you are alive. * Surround yourself with what you love whether it’s family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies whatever. Your home is your refuge. * Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help. * Don’t take guilt trips.

Take a trip to the shops, even to the next county; to a foreign country but not to where the guilt is. * And always remember that old adage: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Finally, you know you’re getting old when, by the time you’ve lit the last candle on your birthday cake, the first one has burned out.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12th July 2024

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Theatre Takeover

Excitement building for the inaugural 24 hour Theatre Takeover Get ready for a night of creativity at the 24 Hour Theatre Takeover!

Fern kealy (writer)

Luke Corcoran (writer)

Kicking off at 8pm on Friday, 19th July, at the Watergate Theatre in Kilkenny. This fantastic event features the most talented writers, directors, and actors from Kilkenny, Carlow, and Waterford, who will each independently create original short plays—all within just 24 hours!

The writing marathon begins

Gillian Walsh (actor)

at 8pm on Friday, 19th July.

Writers including Fern Kealy, Cian McGarrigle, Eimear Lawlor (author of *Kitty's War*), Joe Murphy, Steven Buck, and Caroline Sutherland will each receive a prompt and a cast list to inspire their individual creative processes.

These scripts will then be completed and handed over to the directors—Mark Duffy,

Leah Grace (actor)

Edwina Cummins, Gail Caddy and Martin Matthew. Some of the talented cast includes Catriona Bambrick, Aoibhin Murphy, Anne Murray, and Leah Grace. Joining them from Waterford will be writer Luke Corcoran and actors Gillian Walsh, Jerome O'Sullivan, and Steven Curley. On the morning of Saturday, 20th July, these scripts will be handed

Nicole de Villiers (actor)

Jerome O Sullivan (actor)

over, and rehearsals will begin immediately and continue all day at the theatre.

Tickets for the inaugural 24 hour Theatre Takeover are only €15, with all proceeds going to two incredible local charities: Cois Nore and Teac Tom. Cois Nore provides vital cancer support services to patients and their families, while Teac Tom

Gillian Grattan

Darren O Donohue (director)

offers essential support for individuals affected by suicide and their loved ones.

This event is proudly supported by Billy Byrnes, Glasrai and Goodies (based in Gowran), and the Watergate Theatre. Organised by Thomastown based playwright Gillian Grattan, the 24 Hour Theatre Takeover promises an unforgettable night of original

theatre and community spirit.

This is a great opportunity to see something quite unique on The Watergate Stage.

Don't miss out—secure your tickets now for the 20th of July!

Tickets are available online at The Watergate’s website and from the Box Office. Join us for an evening of creativity, entertainment, and support for important causes.

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Opinion

The Last Word Pat Coughlan

More than melodies, our stories are in our songs Irish songs are more than just melodies; they are the lifeblood of our stories, woven into the very fabric of our identity. Growing up, I often found myself lost in the lilting tunes and poignant lyrics of songs like The Foggy Dew and Spancil Hill that seemed to echo the soul of our people. These songs are not merely entertainment; they are a testament to our history, our struggles, and our triumphs.

Through them, I’ve come to understand the profound connection between music and identity in Irish culture.

It’s as if each note and word carry the weight of generations, preserving our tales in a way that no history book ever could.

There’s something about the rhythm of a traditional Irish tune that makes my heart skip a beat. It’s as if the very essence of our land is captured in those lively jigs and soulful ballads. I remember the first time I heard

Arthur McBride, an antirecruiting song, in a crowded Katie Reilly’s Kitchen on the Tramore Road in Waterford.

The pub seemed to pulse with an energy that was both ancient and immediate.

Each note felt like a thread, weaving me into the rich tapestry of my heritage. It’s in these moments, surrounded by friends and the familiar strains of a fiddle or the haunting call of a tin whistle, that I feel most connected to my roots.

When I first came to Kilkenny, John Cleere’s was my favourite. I lived only a short walk away. The atmosphere was electric, and the craic was mighty, but it was the music and songs coming from the musicians gathered around the fire that made you proud to be Irish.

I remember the first time I heard The Foggy Dew – it was like a punch to the gut, but in a good way. The song’s haunting melody and poignant lyrics transported

me to a time of turmoil and bravery. Sinead O’Connor’s wonderful rendition says it all. It’s not just a tune; it’s a history lesson wrapped in a melody.

These songs, with their tales of rebellion and endurance, evoke emotions that are as raw as they are powerful. They remind us of

the hardships our ancestors faced and the indomitable spirit that saw them through.

It’s through these musical narratives that we remember, learn, and find strength in our shared past.

I recall hearing Molly Malone in Slattery’s on Dublin’s Capel Street. It was like being handed a key to

Dublin’s soul. The melody, both mournful and uplifting, painted a vivid picture of the city’s bustling streets and the resilience of its people.

Each tune I’ve encountered since then has been a revelation, peeling back layers of our culture and history.

From the spirited Rocky Road To Dublin to the tender Danny Boy, these melodies are chronicles of our collective journey. They’ve taught me that our music is not just a backdrop to our lives but a vibrant narrative that continues to shape who we are.

I’ve always found that the lyrics of traditional Irish songs are like peering through a timeworn window into our past. Take The Fields Of Athenry, for instance. The sorrowful tale of Michael, who steals corn to feed his starving family during the Great Famine, never fails to tug at my heartstrings. And then there’s my father’s favourite, Grace, a love story set against the backdrop of

the 1916 Easter Rising. These lyrics, rich with history and emotion, have deepened my understanding of Ireland’s turbulent past and made it personal.

Growing up, I was often regaled with tales of old by my father and mother, their voices weaving stories as intricate as any Celtic knot.

It wasn’t until I delved into our music that I realised these songs were the true keepers of our history. Each ballad and jig are a thread in the grand tapestry of our culture, passed down like a cherished heirloom. This oral tradition has shaped my understanding of who we are, and it’s heartening to see it still thriving today.

Modern artists like Kilkenny’s Mick ‘Citern’ Walsh [pictured] continue to draw from this wellspring, ensuring our stories live on, one melody at a time.

Thanks Mick, Shane and Sinead for keeping our music alive.

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Dancewise

A dancin

as Da n

Photos by Pat Shortall A recent production of ‘Showstoppers’ at Kilkenny’s Watergate theatre received great praise from Kilkenny audiences.

It was presented by ‘Dancewise’ who are based in Kilkenny and Castlecomer.

This energetic and talented group were founded in 1998 and it would appear that the same enthusiasm, vim and energy is still as strong as ever.

The production featured dancers ranging in age from three to adults.

And believe it or not, some of the dancers have been stepping it out with the dance group for the past twenty years. And still going as strong as ever. Now that’s dedication.

The Kilkenny Observer spoke with Michele Wise who runs the school and her committent to dance, the arts and her students is evident.

If ever the old saying ‘find a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life’ is apt , then Dancewise certainly fits the bill.

Michele commented “It’s true we love what we do and it is a pleasure dealing with the day to day issues

that arise”. “However”, continued Michele “it is tough work and long hours and the secret to our success is all the crew that work with the school, and our backstage crew. Without the army of helpers, including family, friends, and

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Dancewise

g extravaganza

ncewise delight

parents, we would be lost.”

The Watergate show was packed from start to finish with wonderful music, costumes and of course great dancing.

Some of the numbers included: Hercules, Hard Knock Life, Waka Waka, The Luttle Mermaid, Moana, Shrek the Musical, Stranger

Things, the Mask, Bugsy Malone, Mean Girls, Sister Act, Alice in Wonderland, Euphoria, Recovery Addiction Awareness, Stand Up. The crew included : Choreographers: Veronica Burke Sharon Murphy Leanne Owens Melissa Byrne Lisa Coogan Claire Funchion Zoe Byrne Michele Wise.

Show Production: Sarah Brennan Backstage helpers included: Trish Devlin, Yvonne Mcabe,Ian Coogan,Ruby Burke, Sadie Brennan Williamson, Ciara Mchugh and Josh Owens .

Costumes: Sharon Murphy New students are always welcome.

Classes are on every Tuesday (starting back in September) in the Loreto Secondary School, Granges Road and Castlecomer Community Hall. Check out Dancewise social media for more information.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12th July 2024

Opinion Advertisement

Cowboy curate fights skinflint Bishop Church. But even this had no effect on the wayward priest.

He remained in his ministry and even mustered support among the people for his cause.

Exploiting his Kilkenny connections, he recruited those who were hostile to what he called the’ Munster clique’ in Newfoundland. His most ardent fan was a Fogarty from Callan. Fogarty led large gangs through Ferryland to confront Power’s detractors.

Election meetings and hurling matches erupted into violence as rival groups fought it out. The worst incidents occurred at matches between Kilkenny and Tipperary teams. People from these neighbouring counties had taken their old animosities to

BY JOHN FITZGERALD

The connection between Kilkenny and Newfoundland has been well-documented.

Mass emigration from the Southeast turned the windswept, inhospitable island into an ‘Eire Nua.’ Among the most colourful characters to make his mark there was Father Patrick Power, a Waterford based Franciscan. In the late 18th century, Newfoundland was steeped in Catholicism. It was a deeply conservative society. Chapels abounded, and almost all the clergy were Irishmen.

Born in Callan in 1743, Fr. Power moved to Newfoundland in 1786, after running into debt problems.

On taking up his new post, he fell foul of Bishop James O’Donnel, who disapproved of Power’s preaching style and his ‘cavalier attitude’ to canon law.

Power developed a reputation as a champion of the poor. But the bishop dismissed his popularity, describing him as a ‘low, mean fellow’, a ‘cowboy’, and a ‘roaring idiot.’

Newfoundland with them!

In desperation, Bishop O’ Donnel offered to pay Power £20 if he would leave the island and never return. Power agreed and accepted the money. He departed in 1791.

Back in Ireland, he explained his plight to the Bishop of Ossory, Dr. Lanigan.

His Lordship was sympathetic after listening to Power’s version of events.

From 1796 to 1801, he served with distinction as a curate in Ballyhale, County Kilkenny.

The rebel priest died peacefully in 1815.

Serious aggro followed election meetings and hurling matches

He asked Power if he would like a transfer to Spain, offering to write an excellent reference despite his aversion to him.

Power declined the offer.

Instead, he went to another parish in Ferryland on the Southern shore of the island.

There, he met up with his Thomas Walsh, who had emigrated from Ireland some years before.

The two men started a campaign against the bishop, alleging that he was a “skin-

flint” who disliked having additional priests in his Diocese for financial reasons. Power claimed that the bishop, who favoured ‘Munster men’, was using his Kilkenny origins against him.

Furious at Power’s continued defiance, O’Donel sent a Meath priest, Fr. Thomas Ewer, to Ferryland on a special assignment. His orders were to make life difficult for Power and to ‘freeze him out’ of the parish.

Ewer failed miserably in his task. The bishop had overlooked one vital factor.

The majority of Power’s parishioners spoke Irish only and Ewer could speak only English. When he preached against Power, his words were falling on deaf ears.

Power, however, was a fluent Irish speaker.

When this plan came to nothing, the bishop took a more drastic step, excommunicating Power from the

Depiction of a Catholic Church in Burin Newfoundland in 1849

(Callan in Words and Pictures is available from Amazon)

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12th July 2024

Global Report NATO officials in Brussels have devised a plan to lock in long-term military support for Ukraine so that a potential Trump Administration can’t get in the way.

In Ankara, Turkish officials have reviewed the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 policy road map for clues into Donald Trump’s designs on Syria.

And in Washington, Trump’s return is the dominant topic at monthly breakfast meetings of ambassadors from European countries. At one of those meetings, the top envoy from one country asked his colleagues whether they were engaged in a fool’s errand.

“Can we really prepare for Trump?” this person asked, according to another top diplomat. “Or do we rather have to wait and see what the new reality would look like?”

Folly or not, the preparations are underway.

More than six months before the next American president takes office, there is already an extraordinarily advanced effort across the NATO alliance, and far beyond, to manage a potential transfer of power in America. With President Joe Biden listing badly in his bid for reelection, many allies anticipate that at this time next year they will be dealing with a new Trump administration — one defined by skepticism toward Europe, a strident strain of right-wing isolationism and a hard resolve to put confronting China above other global priorities.

In the run-up to the recent NATO summit in Washington, POLITICO and the German newspaper Welt embarked together on a reporting project to assess how the world is preparing for Trump’s possible return to the White House; reporters for both publications interviewed more than 50 diplomats, lawmakers, experts and political strategists in NATO nations and elsewhere. Many of those people were granted anonymity to speak about sensitive matters of diplomacy and international security.

What emerged from this The French far-right party Rassemblement National (RN) is set to join the ‘Patriots for Europe’ group formed in the European Parliament by Viktor Orbán [pictured] and his allies, several sources within the party and Italy’s Lega have confirmed to online news website Euractiv.

Following the announcement of the legislative elections results, which saw RN get 143 MPs in the National Assembly, the party’s President, Jordan Bardella, declared that “in the European Parliament, [the RN] MEPs will, from tomorrow, play their full role within a large group”.

A member of the European team of the Italian party La Lega, an ally of the RN in the Identity and Democracy (ID) group in the European Parliament, told Euractiv on condition of anonymity that Bardella was clear about his intention.

“The RN is going to join the ‘Patriots for Europe’ group. [Jor-

This time around, the world will be ready for Trump

reporting was a picture of a world already bending to Trump’s will and scrambling to inoculate itself against the disruptions and crises that he might instigate.

In many respects NATO member states feel far more confident of their ability to handle Trump than they did when he first came to power seven and a half years ago as a total amateur on the world stage. That is in part because these countries are laying the groundwork now to manage his political resurrection.

Regarding preparations, first, there is extensive personal outreach to Trump and his advisers, in the hope of building relationships that will help minimise conflict.

Second, there are policy shifts aimed at pleasing Trump and his political coalition, chiefly by soothing

Trump’s complaints about inadequate European defense spending.

Third, there are creative diplomatic and legal measures in the works to armour NATO priorities against tampering by a Trump administration.

Taken together, it starts to look like a plausible strategy for managing the turbulence of a Trump-led world. Still, even the NATO leaders driving this approach acknowledge that much of this project may ultimately be at the mercy of Trump’s individual whims.

“Of course, the biggest challenge is we don’t know — and I think nobody knows, exactly — what he will do,” said one diplomat from a NATO country.

When Trump first came to office, the West was in a state of relative calm, and U.S. allies

French far-right to join Orbán’s ‘Patriots for Europe’

mostly hoped that they could wait out an American political meltdown for four years.

Their thinking is different this time, now that it is clear that Trumpism is no passing fad — and the NATO alliance is confronting far more immediate threats to European security.

Perhaps surprisingly, there is no widespread panic this time about Trump withdrawing the U.S. from NATO, as he has threatened in the past.

But, if allies do not see that as a likely scenario, the alliance is still in an anxious mood — a state of trepidation only sharpened by the rising power of right-wing NATO skeptics in France and elsewhere on the continent.

Camille Grand, a former NATO assistant secretary general and French defence official, said the alliance was approaching Trump far differ-

ently now than it did in 2017.

“Last time, it was much easier because there was no war,” said Grand, who is aligned with French President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist coalition. “Now, we are in an environment where the conversation is really, really different.”

Just two weeks before NATO’s leaders were set to descend on Washington for the summit, a rumor tore through the diplomatic world: Trump had a plan to bring peace to Ukraine.

The art of this deal was said to rest on a brazen threat: If Vladimir Putin refused to negotiate an end to the war, the U.S. would flood Ukraine with even more weapons. And if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused to sit at a negotiating table with Russia, the U.S. would withdraw

its copious military support.

There was one big problem.

The plan was being pitched not by Trump himself, but by several of his many allies and self-described surrogates circulating through political and diplomatic circles — each purporting to speak for the former president, and in turn advertising a direct line back to him. Upon closer scrutiny, it became clear that there was no secret, Trump-approved blueprint to end the war.

As the election has approached, it has become a full-time mission for US allies to resolvewho is an authentic Trump emissary and who is a pretender. One embassy staffer confirmed that they had been in contact with several people claiming to speak for Trump, “but it’s not always clear how close they are to him”.

dan] Bardella said so himself”, the source said.

The sovereignist Patriots for Europe group was launched by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš on 30 June.

Since the launch, eight movements have already joined the group, including Spain’s Vox, which has left the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

If the RN and La Lega were to follow suit, the ‘Patriots for Europe’ could overtake the ECR and become the third largest group in the European Parliament.

For now, the RN is not giving many details on the potential developments.

An RN MEP told Euractiv: “Our current priority is the second round of the legislative elections. I won’t say anything [about the group in the Europe-

an Parliament at the moment].”

A few days earlier (June 27), the same EU lawmaker confided that it was “not impossible” that the RN would join the “Patriots for Europe”, but “I can’t tell you any more...”.

Moreover, an RN source in the European Parliament told Euractiv that the far-right movement’s newly elected Strasbourg members were travelling to Brussels for a delegation meeting scheduled for early afternoon, followed by a meeting with ID members.

The meeting would likely be decisive for the group’s future should the RN and La Lega decide to leave, the same source said, adding the RN will certainly join the new group.

Without giving further details, another RN MEP also said that “the idea would be to have a large group of sovereignist parties”, which is exactly the ambition pushed forward by Viktor Orbán and his allies.

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The Kilkenny

Observer

COMPETITION TIME

WIN a

€200 voucher

The Kilkenny Observer has linked up with Market Cross Shopping Centre, Kilkenny

With lots of retail outlets to choose from and places to grab a bite to eat, not to mention the exciting news of three new businesses joining the Shopping Centre.

Complete your entries below...

✁

COMPETITION ENTRY FORM

Name .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Address............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

County..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Mobile.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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Question: Name one of the shops at Market Cross Shopping Centre Answer..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

HOW TO ENTER COMPLETE THE ENTRY FORM ABOVE YOU CAN DELIVER THE COMPLETED ENTRY FORM BY POSTING OR DROPPING IN TO, THE KILKENNY OBSERVER, UNIT 7, FRIARY STREET, KILKENNY

Competition Rules 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

This competition is sponsored by The Kilkenny Observer The prize will be €200 voucher for Market Cross Shopping Centre, Kilkenny The closing date for entries is Wednesday, July 17th2024 at 5.00pm.

The winner will be chosen by an open draw held at the office of The Kilkenny Observer on Friday, July 19th 2024.

The prize is non-transferable; no cash equivalents may be claimed. .

All competition entries must be completed on the above form only.

The winner will be advised by phone. Please be available to take the call After being notified the name and photograph of the winner will be posted in the next edition of the Kilkenny Observer.

Entrants will be deemed to have accepted these rules and to have agreed to be bound by them when entering the competition.

The competition is not open to The Kilkenny Observer employees or their families.

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News

Kilkenny community groups receive funding for climate action projects

Kilkenny Walking and Cycling Campaign received funding to support cycling and reduce car use

Mullinavat Community Hall, one of the 22 projects that received funding from the Community Climate Action Fund

Kilkenny County Council and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications are delighted to award €511,000 to 22 communities in Kilkenny who will deliver a variety of local climate action projects.

Following a very competitive process with a large number of applications received, these groups were successful in obtaining funding under the Community Climate Action Programme. The objective of this programme is to support and empower communities to take

climate action and build low carbon, sustainable communities which help to contribute to national climate and energy targets.

Welcoming the funding, Cathaoirleach Cllr. Michael McCarthy said “This funding is a significant boost and recognition for communities in Kilkenny who are taking practical climate action measures in their areas.

With these much-needed funds, we hope to continue to see many more sustainable community initiatives becoming a reality”.

The projects funded range from energy and lighting upgrades on community buildings, bike shelters to encourage cycling, water fonts to reduce plastic bottle use, planting for wildlife, EV charging points at community facilities, community allotments, rainwater harvesting and much more.

The Climate Action Office of Kilkenny County Council will support the communities in the delivery of the projects and will share updates on the projects as they progress.

There will be another round of funding opening for the Community Climate Action Programme in the future. Kilkenny County Council are

awaiting an update from the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on this and details will be announced once confirmed.

Applicant

Funding Received

Paulstown Development Association

€13,000

Coolagh Pattern Committee

€1,800

Castlecomer Enterprise Group

€13,000

Callan Community Energy

€3,000

Piltown AFC

€4,600

Happe House & Millennium Court

€7,500

Kilkenny Aqua & Canoe Club

€5,000

TCAT – Three-fold Community Asset Trust

€4,200

Kilkenny Walking & Cycling Campaign

€5,000

Thomastown Community Allotments

€3,200

Inistioge Tidy Towns

€2,800

Stoneyford Development Group

€45,000

Lisdowney Community Centre & GAA Club

€26,000

Tullaroan Development Association €42,000

Ballyfoyle Climate Action Plan, a communitywide project which will tackle climate action in Ballyhale

Windgap Tidy Towns

€21,700

Iverk Agricultural Show

€20,000

Tullahought Community Development Group

€25,000

Graiguenamanagh Hall

€25,000

Ballyfoyle Development Group

€83,700

Mullinavat Community Group

€59,300

Urlingford Town Team

€53,900

Kilmacow Community Centre

€46,300

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News

Ó hArgáin welcomes record emissions reduction and focuses on city bus and Ring Road extension Labour Party Councillor for Kilkenny City, Seán Ó hArgáin, has warmly welcomed the news that Ireland’s CO2 emissions fell by 6.8% in 2023 and has focused on environmental issues in his first two policy motions to Kilkenny Municipal District of the county council. He has also called for Government to increase its efforts to meet our climate change targets and for it to listen to citizens concerned about climate change, rather than giving in to fossil fuel and pro-car lobbyists.

‘I warmly welcome the news from the Environmental Protection Agency this week that we have achieved a record 6.8% reduction in emissions.

This is largely because of the actions of ordinary citizens who have chosen to move away from fossil fuel dependency. People have reduced their driving levels, have switched to using public transport and installed solar panels in their homes, despite some of the most sensible subsidies for these actions being reduced, rather than increased, as they should be. The reduction of the subsidies for electric vehicles (EV’s) is unfortunately now

coming home to roost, as the pushback against them and the lack of a charging infrastructure is also slowing down demand.

In my first two motions to the Kilkenny Municipal District, I am clearly laying down my own priorities in relation to climate change issues. The first motion calls for a major expansion of the city bus system and for the council to seek an urgent meeting with Transport for Ireland to ensure we have more routes, particularly serving disadvantaged areas of our city. It also calls for the service to access Kilcreene hospital and nursing homes on the outskirts of the city.

This will also require more bus shelters and better timetabling information. I will also be calling for the introduction of the Labour Party’s proposed €9 climate ticket, which comes from a similar proposal in Berlin.

This would mean that people could travel for €9 per month on any public transport across the country.

My second motion

calls for the completion of Kilkenny’s Ring Road, to free our city centre of traffic congestion and pollution. This project has been thirty years in the making and our council needs a unity of purpose to make it happen as quickly as possible. There are huge concerns in the area from the Castlecomer Road to the Freshford Road and on to the Callan Road as the school developments at St. Canice’s and the new CBS Secondary schools continue. My motion calls for a clear and realistic timeline for the roads involved to be completed. The works must also include pedestrian cycling facilities of the highest possible standard to encourage parents and young people to break the cycle of students being driven short distances to the school door. We need to return to the habits of our own childhood to ensure a healthy and a sustainable future for all our children and grandchildren.’

Climate Change

– are we all playing our part?

WEEK 77

'Have either of you seen any ladybirds this summer'?

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Regional Ceremony for National Commemoration Day 2024 to be held in Kilkenny

An Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr. Michael McCarthy, will be hosting a Regional Ceremony for National Commemoration Day 2024 next Sunday, 14th July. The event will take place at 11:00 a.m. in the beautiful grounds of Kilkenny Castle, where we will gather to pay tribute to the brave Irishmen and Irishwomen who lost their lives in past wars or while serving with the United Nations.

National Commemoration Day holds immense significance as it allows us to remember and honour the sacrifices made by our fellow countrymen and women

throughout history. This regional ceremony is one of several taking place across the country.

Distinguished guests including military personnel, regional Public Representatives, Members of the Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána, and Religious Leaders have been invited to attend and participate in this solemn occasion. We are also extending an invitation to members of the public who wish to join us in paying their respects. We kindly request attendees to arrive at the venue before 11:00 a.m., as formal proceedings will commence at 11:15 a.m.

The ceremony will begin with a formal introduction by the Master of Ceremonies, who will introduce the Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council and other dignitaries. Officiating clergy will then lead us in prayers, followed by the Cathaoirleach laying a wreath in tribute to the fallen Irishmen and Irishwomen who valiantly served their country in times of war or peacekeeping missions under the United Nations.

We encourage all attendees to observe this commemorative event with due respect and solemnity, as we remember and honour the sacrifices of those who have gone before us.

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Poetry

White Twine and Old Suitcases The Kilkenny Involvement Centre and Recovery College South East have produced a wonderful anthology of poetry and prose. ‘White Twine and old suitcases’ comprises of 128 pages and 60 authors and is complemented by some wonderful photos and artwork by TASK camera club. It is printed by Modern Printers. It is definitely recommended reading for all lovers of poetry. The Kilkenny Observer is happy to run the poems each week to promote creative writing and to highlight these wonderful centres. Available in all Kilkenny book shops. €10

Nanny

We spent hours flattening the wayward grasses prodding the unrepentant ditches that swallowed it whole, squinting for a glimpse of white that would give away its hiding place.

“Well, you hit it last, where did it go in?” you queried, voice trembling.

We walked vainly up and down a few more times, our young eyes lamenting the loss, knowing it was not easily replaced, our Summers reduced to big ball games until mother called us in and we were glad to end the search.

Your love was as natural as the hawthorn that blessed us with blossom year after year, as faithful as the blue tits who return each spring to build their nest in Noonan’s pier.

On winter nights when the adults would go out your stories opened doors to hidden worlds, our minds were swallows flying south along the ancient songline of your words.

With you we could always be children creeping through hedges into fields full of rhyme.

We grew safe there in your gentle wisdom as we wandered the old folkways of your mind; where your memory and our fantasy merged on the same magical frequency.

You knew why flash lamps failed in fairy rings.

Once you brought a calf back from the dead.

When you spoke to the world behind all things they seemed to answer every prayer you said.

From signs left behind by things unseen you deciphered all we needed to know; ‘The Clomantagh dogs are barking, Paudeen’, meant an east wind was bringing frost or snow.

Running barefoot through the dew wet grass we picked mushrooms in the cobwebbed dawn.

On Easter Sunday morning after early Mass you blessed the crops as Christ was being reborn.

As we drank three sups of holy water apiece the sun danced three times in the East.

Kevin Dowling

Paddy Doyle

The Lost Sliotar

A New Voice Autumn leaves twirling in the wind.

Chimes of joy.

Like children on a carousel.

Laughters of freedom.

Letting go and creating memories.

Stars shining in the winter nights are metronomes, giving a steady beat between dark and light, the yin and the yang.

The new voice, interconnecting with the old one.

At any instant, we might lose one but discover a stronger one.

A new tune to sing, a clean air to breathe.

Some beautiful words to share, even in the silence, only with our presence.

Sandrine Dunlop

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12th July 2024

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News At the launch of the Ras na mBan 2024 route at Kilkenny Castle were, from left to right, Race Director Valerie Considine, Cathaoirleach Kilkenny Co Council Cllr. Michael McCarthy, Team Ireland Olympic Cyclist Mia Griffin Photo: Vicky Comerford

Rás na mBan returning to Kilkenny 2024 route details announced Rás na mBan returns to Kilkenny in September and Ireland's international bike race for women has a number of exciting new innovations for its 18th edition.

All-New Stage Three Popular Kilkenny City Centre Race the Fin This year's race is the eighteenth edition of the popular international stage race to be based in and around Kilkenny. The 2024 edition features an all-new third stage in a new finish location and the return of the double-helping of racing in Kilkenny on the final day.

Kilkenny County Council has supported the event since 2016 and once again, starting on Wednesday September 4th Ireland's best riders will fight it out over five days for the coveted Kilkenny County Council green jersey for best rider based in Ireland, while also chasing the much sought after Magenta overall leaders jersey.

Riders from all over Europe, the USA, Oceania, Africa and Asia, as well as the best of Ireland's international and locallybased racers will descend on Kilkenny for the event which showcases the beauty and variety of roads and landscape of the Leinster county.

Sunday 8th September, the final day of racing, will again feature a double helping of

top class racing starting with the fifth stage - a 2.5km time trial set against the backdrop of one of Kilkenny's most iconic landmarks.

The race will end with the popular hour-long Kilkenny City Circuit Race on the familiar 2.5km circuit starting on The Parade in front of Kilkenny Castle, a spectacular and high octane end to the five days of racing.

While team rosters will also be revealed in due course, Rás na mBan has once again attracted Olympic, World and European Championship riders to face the best of the local talent.

Along with the race for the overall title, the best locally based talent is vying for the highly coveted green jersey awarded to the Kilkenny County Council Best Irish Rider. The leading Irish rider will be presented on the podium after each stage and recognisable in the bunch each day by the distinctive green Kilkenny County Council Best Irish Rider jersey.

Stage finishes in Callan, Mountrath, Gorey, The Rower and Kilkenny City feature in the 400km week of bike racing. For full route details see www.rasnamban. com.

In welcoming Rás na mBan back to Kilkenny Cathaoirleach Michael McCarthy said:

"I am delighted to welcome back all participants and organisers of Rás na mBan to Kilkenny once again. We can ensure full co-operation and assistance from Kilkenny County Council and the staff in order to make this event as successful as possible. I would encourage people to come out and support this great annual event.”

Race Director Valerie Considine is looking forward to returning to Kilkenny, the hub of Rás na mBan since 2016.

“The move to Kilkenny eight years ago has been overwhelmingly positive for Rás na mBan and we have enjoyed taking the race to different locations in and around neighbouring counties in that time," says Considine. "The beautiful countryside in Ireland's Ancient East and the great support from Kilkenny makes planning the route of Ireland's top international stage race an absolute pleasure.

"The route we have assembled for this year is once again designed to provide a real challenge for the riders while at the same time offering an opportunity for fans, riders and teams to further sample the epic beauty of Kilkenny City and County.

"Our traditional final day finale in front of Kilkenny Castle is one of the highlights of every riders'

season and it’s particularly gratifying for us to be able to bring top class women’s bike racing to the people in such an iconic setting.

“Once again, we’ve had wonderful support from Kilkenny County Council and An Garda Síochána throughout the planning of this event and they have helped smooth the not inconsiderable process of bringing top class bike racing to the county.

"Our major backers continue to make this race possible and it’s gratifying that we have retained the support of so many partners for another year."

ROUTE DETAILS An all new stage three and the return of the two-stage finale around the walls of Kilkenny Castle are among the highlights of the 2024 Rás na mBan route announced today.

Top bike racers from all over the world will return to Kilkenny in the first week of September for the 18th running of an event which attracts Olympians and World Championship riders to face the challenging roads of Ireland’s Ancient East.

Ireland’s international stage race for women returns with a familiar format featuring four road race stages of varying length and difficulty, a time trial, and a circuit race which for a seventh time centres on the

beautiful city of Kilkenny.

The 2024 running of the event begins on Wednesday September 4th with six stages taking place over five days in and around the race base in County Kilkenny.

Once again, the route offers a variety of challenges, from testing hilly stages including the stage two climb of ‘The Cut’ in the Slieve Bloom Mountains in County Laois followed by the demanding Gorey stage in County Wexford on Friday, to the stage five time trial on Sunday where riders will ride solo against the watch on the new Kilkenny Castle course.

For a fourth year the race begins in the west of Kilkenny County on Wednesday 4th September with a stage finish in Callan and two laps of a 13km finishing circuit which will offer spectators at the finish line three chances to see the riders during the day.

The other stages cover roads which will be familiar to fans of Rás na mBan from previous years while also introducing new challenges for the riders. The day four race to 'The Rower' includes a grippy and spectacular conclusion to a demanding stage.

The day two stage in the Slieve Bloom mountains features, for a second time after a popular introduction last year, a finish in Mountrath after the climb of

'The Cut' following a start in Portlaoise.

Friday’s all new stage in County Wexford starts in Kilkenny and makes its way to Gorey County Wexford on rolling roads for what will be one of the toughest days of racing across the week.

The penultimate day's action begins in Kilkenny before making its way to two assaults on the finishing climb of The Rower via the beautiful villages of Thomastown and Inistioge.

The final day of the race brings the riders back to Kilkenny city for two stages centring on the imposing edifice of Kilkenny Castle, one of the most popular visitor sites in Ireland.

In the morning the riders will face a 2.5km time trial around the walls of the castle as the specialists against the watch have an opportunity to offset the advantage enjoyed by the climbers on previous stages.

The final stage of the week is the hugely popular circuit race in Kilkenny City Centre, the fastest stage of the week, approximately an hour and fifteen minutes of high octane city centre racing after which the champion of Rás na mBan 2024 will be crowned.

Note: Timing and route details remain provisional.

See rasnamban.com for up to date details.

2024 ROUTE

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Food & Drink

Dine Me Come

With

Caponata bake Prep: 15 mins Cook: 35 mins Makes: 2 (Serves: 4)

This healthy, comforting veggie bake is topped with cheesy potato slices and packs in all 5 of your 5-a-day, along with calcium, vitamin C, iron and fibre.

Ingredients • 700g medium potatoes (about 6), thinly sliced • 4 tbsp milk • 85g mature cheddar, finely grated • 1 tbsp rapeseed oil • 2 onions (320g), finely chopped • 4 tsp balsamic vinegar • 2 tsp vegetable bouillon powder • 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes • 2 aubergines, cut into chunks • 2 red peppers (540g), deseeded and chopped • 30g pack basil, leaves picked and finely chopped • 3 garlic cloves, finely grated • 10 Kalamata olives, pitted and halved • 2 tsp capers • ⅓ x 30g pack flat-leaf parsley, chopped

• 320g broccoli florets STEP 1 Heat the grill to high. Boil the potato slices for 10 mins, then drain, tip into a bowl (don’t worry if they break up a little) and add the milk and half the cheese. Mix together.

STEP 2 Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the onion until softened. Spoon in the balsamic vinegar and bouillon powder, then stir in the tomatoes, aubergine, peppers, basil and garlic. Cover and cook for 20 mins, stirring frequently and adding a little water

if necessary, until the aubergine is tender when tested with a knife.

(depending on the heat). Once nicely charred but not fully cooked through, start painting on the glaze.

The honey will catch if cooked for too long – the key to nice sticky

chicken is applying the glaze in layers, turning the kebab often.

STEP 3 Remove from the heat and stir in the olives, capers and parsley. Tip into two shallow baking dishes.

Cover with the potatoes and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.

STEP 4 While it’s grilling, steam or boil half the broccoli to serve with the bake.

To reheat on the second day, heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and bake for 30-40 mins until bubbling and golden. Cook the remaining broccoli to serve with it.

Enjoy!

Korean chilli, sesame and honey chicken Prep: 15 mins Cook: 20 mins Serves: 6-8 A kebab always goes down well at a BBQ, and this Korean chicken with sweet, spicy and sticky glaze is our new favourite. Scatter over spring onions to serve.

• 2 tbsp honey • juice ½ lime • 1 tbsp soy sauce • 1 tsp sesame oil • 2 tbsp sesame seeds

Ingredients • 12 chicken thighs, boneless and skinless • 2 tbsp soy sauce • 1 tbsp sesame oil • thumb-sized piece ginger, grated • 4 spring onions, sliced

Method STEP 1 Toss the chicken in the soy sauce, sesame oil and ginger. Thread each thigh on two long metal skewers, so that each skewer pierces one side of the thigh. Keep threading the chicken, making sure it’s packed onto the skewers tightly. Chill until you’re ready to cook. Mix the ingredients for the glaze.

For the glaze • 4 tbsp Korean chilli paste (gochujang) or use a mixture of 3 tbsp ketchup and 1 tbsp sriracha chilli sauce

STEP 2 Heat the BBQ. If using a coal BBQ, wait for the coals to turn ashen before you start cooking. Cook the kebab for 5-8 mins on each side

STEP 3 Once the glaze has been used up

and the chicken is cooked through (it’ll take about 20 mins in total), transfer to a plate and leave to cool for 5 mins before serving scattered with spring onions.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12th July 2024

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5 Check out this thriller just landed on Netflix One of Morgan Freeman’s most underrated flicks is making its mark on Netflix’s charts. The cinematic icon has dominated the silver screen for over four decades and lent his talents to hits like the Dark Knight trilogy, The Shawshank Redemption, Se7en, and so many more that it’s hard to keep track of.

One of his more low-key offerings is 1997’s Kiss The Girls.

Decades after its release, the psychological thriller has found a second life on Netflix. Kiss The Girls is the third most-watched film globally on the platform according to official Netflix metrics.

The streaming company says that it was viewed by more than seven million viewers, which led to more than 13 million hours of view time. That’s not bad,

considering Kiss The Girls isn’t considered to be one of Freeman’s best movies according to IMDb. Viewers on the platform gave the Gary Flederdirected picture an average 6.6/10 score. Over on Rotten Tomatoes, it has a poor 34% critics score.

Upon release, critics dubbed the drama as an average thriller that failed to offer anything new.

However, it found a fan in veteran critic Roger Ebert, who was particularly enthused by the actor’s lead performance as Alex Cross.

Most fans on the filmcentric social media site Letterboxd seem to agree with critics, giving it an average star-rating of 3.1 out of 5. “...

It’s still watchable [though], even enjoyable at times ...

Morgan Freeman is the best thing this film has,” shared user @Twiggiebiggie in a

three-star review.

Kiss The Girls is an adaptation of James Patterson’s best-selling novel of the same name.

The book, which debuted in 1995, features the second appearance of Patterson’s beloved character Alex Cross.

The detective has headlined over a dozen novels, emerging as one of Patterson’s most popular and beloved heroes. Kiss The Girls was the first film to adapt the character for the big screen.

While it received mixed critical receipts, it was a decent success at the box office, grossing north of $60 million worldwide against a $27 million budget.

Kiss The Girls follows Alex Cross on a mission to find the serial killer Casanova in North Carolina. He teams up with Kate (Ashley Judd),

a victim of the killer, to help bring the villain to justice.

Those hoping for a lean psychological thriller should find Morgan Freeman’s leading man effort to be a solid watch.

While it’s not as iconic as his Driving Miss Daisy role — which he almost didn’t get — it’s still a solid entry in his overall filmography.

The release was enough of a success to warrant a sequel titled Along Came A Spider in 2001 — also based on the Patterson novel of the same name.

It grossed more than $100 million and is available to stream on Paramount+.

Cross’ cinematic exploits would be rebooted in 2012’s Alex Cross, with Tyler Perry in the lead role.

That film is available on platforms like Apple and Amazon.

And very watchable!

Advertisement Advertisement TV & Streaming

you can stream right now 1. Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F

Thirty years after last donning his blue badge and pistol, Eddie Murphy reprises his role as renowned Beverly Hills cop Axel Foley in the appropriately named Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F on Netflix.

This sequel-cum-reboot sees Foley pulled back into the fray when the lives of his daughter, Jane (Taylour Paige), and old partner, Billy (Judge Reinhold), are threatened. As a result, Foley works with Jane and her ex-boyfriend Detective Bobby Abbott (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), to uncover a dangerous conspiracy (quelle surprise!).

2. Space Cadet

This streaming movie stars Emma Roberts as a Florida party girl whose fabricated resume lands her a spot on NASA’s astronaut training program (think Legally Blonde meets First Man). Naturally, she fares about as well as you might expect.

Tom Hopper, Poppy Liu and Gabrielle Union also star in Space Cadet, which critics have described as “lazy streaming slop” (ouch!). Still, it could be a good one to stick on in the background.

Now available to stream on Prime Video.

3. The Imaginary

Based on AF Harrold’s celebrated children’s novel of the same name, this new Netflix movie centres on Rudger (Kokoro Terada), an imaginary boy who learns that he will disappear if his creator, a young girl named Amanda (Rio Suzuki), forgets him.

Critics have described The Imaginary as a “a moving and charming testament to the delights of dreaming,” so it could be among the best Netflix movies of the year.

Now available to stream on Netflix.

4. The Man With 1,000 Kids

Marley: One Love now on Amazon Prime Streaming from July 23 without the need for a Paramount+ add on, Bob Marley: One Love was heavily hyped, but arguably didn’t get a fair shake from critics who felt it didn’t do Bob Marley justice.

Could anything but the real man ever accomplish that anyway?

The biographical drama musical film, backed by members of the Marley family, chronicles the life and career of the beloved singer and songwriter who helped put reggae music on the map while spreading his message of peace, joy, and love.

Marley is played by Kingsley Ben-Adir, and the movie begins with the political conflicts in Jamaica in 1976 and ends with Marley’s death from cancer in 1981, just as Zimbabwe is celebrating its independence. Bob Marley: One Love (as well as The

This three-episode docuseries tells the distressing story of Jonathan Jacob Meijer, a Dutch sperm donor who was accused of fathering hundreds of children and defrauding vulnerable families from all corners of the globe.

Critics have described The Man With 1000 Kids as “gripping” and “chilling”, so it could be among the best Netflix documentaries of the year so far.

Now available to stream on Netflix.

5. Love At First Sight

Beekeeper) is one of the most popular movies of 2024, yet its critic ratings on review aggregator sites like Rotten

Tomatoes suggest that critics weren’t feeling great about the movie.

Nonetheless, fans appreci-

ated what it set out to accomplish, and you’ll probably feel the same way after you watch it.

Strangers who meet on a plane is such a romantic comedy trope, yet we fall for it every single time. In the case of this film from Vanessa Caswill, it helps that the couple in question is played by the effervescent Haley Lu Richardson (White Lotus) and endearing Ben Hardy (Bohemian Rhapsody). Hadley is a literature-loving American headed to her father’s wedding in London ... until she misses her flight. After getting rebooked, she encounters British statistics student Oliver. Sparks fly on what ends up becoming one long, up-in-the-clouds date. But then they lose track of each other in customs — without exchanging numbers. On Netflix.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12th July 2024

Community & GAA Notes

Kilkenny GAA clubs and Community news CLARA CLUB LOTTO Lotto results for 2nd July, Numbers drawn - 9, 13, 19. No Jackpot winner. €30 each to Joe Casey, Aidan Kenny, Diarmuid Healy, Patricia Griffin, Richie Nolan.

Next weeks jackpot is €1600.

SENIORS WIN The Clara seniors enjoyed a 0-20 to 1-12 win over neighbours Young Irelands of Gowran on Friday evening in Gowran. A greater shooting percentage for the winners was the main difference between the sides as Clara shot just seven wides over the hour compared to the home team’s 16. Clara led by four at the break and maintained that advantage throughout the second half, with Liam Ryan 0-5, James Bergin 0-5, 0-1f, and Conor Hoyne 0-4 accounting for 14 points between them. Others to shine on the night for Clara were Sean O Shea, Martin O Connell and Zach Lawlor.

Team - Kevin Nolan, Paddy Bolger, Sean O Shea, Evan Whearty. John Murphy 0-2, Martin O Connell 0-1, Zach Lawlor. David Langton 0-1, Conor Hoyne 0-4. James Bergin 0-5, 0-1f, Conor O Shea 0-1, Liam Ryan 0-5. Joe Connolly 0-1, Peter Nolan, Pádraic Staunton. Sub used Dillon Cummins.

KILKENNY BOW OUT Clare knocked Kilkenny out of the All Ireland senior championship on Saturday in Croke Park when defeating them 0-24 to 2-16 at the semi final stage. Hard luck to selector Conor Phelan and co-trainer John Murphy and all of the Kilkenny side.

CAMOGIE Rachel Whelan was again full back for Kilkenny Intermediates as they had a comprehensive win over Kildare in the championship in Newbridge. Meanwhile Grace Barcoe, Keara Ryan and Emma Shortall were on the Kilkenny senior panel that were knocked out of the championship by Dublin in Croke Park in the curtain raiser to Kilkenny/Clare game.

ATHLETICS There were two notable achievements by Clara athletes recently. Billy Coogan became the national senior steeplechase champion over 3000 metres in front of a record attendance at Santry. Billy, who is heading off to Iowa College in America in the Autumn on a running scholarship, has steadily improved all the way up through hard work and dedication. Another athlete who is making tremendous strides (pardon the pun) is Pia Langton. Pia was officially named on the Irish U18 team to compete in the European championships in Slovakia at the end of the month. Good luck to both in their endeavours.

O’ LOUGHLIN GAELS CHAMPIONSHIP DISAPPOINTMENT Hard luck to the Kilkenny senior hurlers and camogie players in their All Ireland championship semi-final and quarter-final games in Croke Park on Saturday last.

We all know the time and work the players have put in throughout the year and can only say thanks for the enjoyment and entertainment you have provided. It was great to see so many players from our club wear the black and amber of Killenny at the highest level this year so well done to Paddy Deegan, Huw Lawlor, Mikey Butler, Jordan Molloy, Luke Hogan, Owen Wall, Conor Heary and David Fogarty along with S and C coach Mickey Comerford with the hurlers and Laura Murphy, Laura Greene and Danielle Quigley with the camogie team. We are all very proud of you. Beidh lá eile againn. Attention will now switch to the local championships and we will all get behind our teams as they strive for success.

O’LOUGHLIN GAELS GOLF CLASSIC 2024 The Annual O’Loughlin Gaels Golf Classic will take place in Kilkenny Golf Club on Thursday and Friday 15th and 16th of August. A great day’s golf is guaranteed as well as a chance to support the club.

A Team of 3 costs €150 and this includes a meal. There are great prizes. Champagne Scramble format will be used.

To secure your tee time contact any member of the organising Committee: Michael O’Reilly 0872554300; Benny Cleere 0862671882; Paul Cleere 0868191872; Brian Murphy 0863647401; Coleman Loughnane 0863312944; Evan Walsh 0857195752; Bren Cleere 0860725058.

LOTTO O’Loughlin Gaels Club lotto results July 2nd. There was no winner of Club Lotto dated July 2nd. Numbers drawn 5,14, 26, 27, Bonus 9. Play now at www.oloughlingaels. com/lotto. Thank you for your continued support Promotors Draw. 1. Ann Murphy c/o B Murphy. 2. Niamh / Ciara c/o E Maher. 3. Molly Buckley c/o G Buckley. 4.

Kay Kelly c/o P Cleere. 5. Breda c/o Ml Dreeling. 6. Teresa Nolan c/o Ml Nolan. 7. Fran Browne c/o N Loy. 8. Claire McGuinness c/o Online. 9. Sarah Burke c/o Online. 10.

Lizzie Kavanagh c/o Online NOTES If you wish to have any item included in the St. John’s Parish notes please email it to pro.oloughlingaels. kilkenny@gaa.ie

Gyll Condon and Richard Allen with the winner in ram section at the Clonmel Show

FRESHFORD WEDDING BELLS The wedding took place on Thursday 4th July at St.Lachtains Church, Freshford between Ger Doheny son of Jerry and Berertilla Doheny Woodview, Freshford and Ciara Phelan youngest daughter of Pierce and Fionnuala Phelan Cascade, Freshford. The ceremony was performed by Monsignor K. Kennedy PP. The bride who was given in marriage by her father was attended by her sister Mairead Purcell, Maid of Honour and also bridesmaids Roisin Dowling, Siobhan Dawson and Trish Ryan. She wore a full length sleeveless dress of white lace with sparkles throughout and wore a veil flowing from the back of her hair. The bridesmaids wore full length dresses of cerise top and grey pleated skirt and also white top and same pleated skirt line.

The best man was Denis Long and Junior best man was Jake Doheny and groomsmen were Jonathan Doheny, Jamie Marnell and Gavin Burke. Flower girls were Allie Doheny and Lexi Purcell and pageboys were Tim Doheny, Jayden Purcell and Ollie Deevy. The offertory gifts were brought to the alter by the mothers of the bride and groom. Readers were Linda Doheny and Michel Dawson and prayers of the faithful were read by Jake Doheny, Phil Coogan, Katie Doheny, Caoimh Nolan and Courtney Burke with reflection by Joanne Doheny.

The happy couple are wished all the very best in their married life together.

BIRTHDAY BOY Special birthday wishes go out to Adrian Dawson of Wood View who celebrated a very special birthday recently. Adrian celebrated the big 50 at a party in Farrell’s bar on Saturday night last.

SUMMER CAMP Freshfords longest running summer camp takes place again this year at the GAA Grounds under local man JJ Grace and his coaches. JJ has been running the camp for many years now and it will take place from 29th July to 2nd August this year. For more information or for booking please contact JJ on 0868629666 CAMOGIE Local girls Ciara Hickey, Aoibhinn McCarthy and Emma O’Connor were representing the club on the u16 Kilkenny A and B sides beating Tipperary and Cork last week.

St. Lachtains camogie club hold a fund raiser in Kavanaghs Bar on Friday night next with Abba tribute band providing the entertainment. Please come along and support the event and a great night is guaranteed GRAVEYARD MASS The annual cemetery mass will take place in Tulla Cemetery on Saturday 3rd August at 7.30pm. People are asked to make sure their family graves are clean and tidy for the occasion.

SOCCER NEWS With all quiet on the field of play at the moment a F.A.I. soccer camp will take place at Woodview from the 5th to 9th August. Contact the Committee to book.

CIRCUS. The Corvinni Circus visited Freshford last week and the big tent could be seen on the village green all week with performance on Friday and Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon GAA St.Lachtains Junior B side are in action this evening in the first round of the championship at Pairc Lachtain when they take on Conahy shamrocks.

The Junior F hurlers had a great win in the league final recently when they defeated Gowran at Palmerstown in a close contest with neither team pulling away at any stage. Having led by 1 point at the break the local lads found themselves two points behind late in the second half but rallied back and came out winners with two points to spare at the final whistle. Final score St Lachtains 0-16 Gowran 0-14 CHAMPS AT CLONMEL It was another great day out at the Clonmel Show for local pair David and Gyll Condon on Sunday last. Their prize ram Mick Jagger came first in the senior ram section and Gill Vale Bentley came third, and they had second place in the ram lamb class with Gyll coming in first with his ewe lamb jointly owned with Richard Allen of the Uppertown flock which is one to watch out for.

St Lachtains Junior F winners of the league COMMUNITY MARKET Freshford Community Cafe launched its Community market recently and it is held in the Alley each Saturday from 10am – 1pm selling fresh vegetables fruit flowers etc., and all local support would be greatly appreciated. New stalls would be very welcome and anyone interested in taking a stall can contact any member of the Committee The Loop café is open each day from Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 4pm with some lovely treats and food on offer at a very reasonable price. This is a great addition to the village so why not meet your friends thee for a cupa and chat. Take advantage of the fact that free copies of the Kilkenny Observer are available in the Café so take some time out and have a treat and something to drink and eat.

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

Mick Hanley will perform at the Centre on 26th July which promises to be a great evening of entertainment.

So get your ticket for this show.

SPLIT THE POT The local split the pot draw is back in action and last week’s winner was Mamie Cleere Woodview who won €142. The split the pot proceeds for June goes to Freshford Tidy Towns. Please support the local Tidy Towns.

Entry cost just €2 and envelopes are available in all local shops and pubs so be in to win.

BRIDGE Freshford Bridge Club continues every Monday at

7.30pm in Tulla Hall, Three castles. New members are always very welcome. For further information please contact Olive on 087 9257610.

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. and 11am Maas in St.Lachtains Church on Sundays.

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 informa-

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

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Community & GAA Notes tion 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.

JAMES STEPHENS GAA AND CAMOGIE CLUB ALL-IRELAND SEMI-FINALS Another Saturday and yet another set of negative results for the Black and Amber hurlers and camogie teams.

For clubman Cian Kenny despite putting in a serious workmanlike performance with some quality lay-offs and contributing two points to the team’s total it was not enough to get Kilkenny over the line in their tense All-Ireland semi-final encounter against a hugely determined Banner team in Croke Park.

Earlier in the day the Kilkenny senior camogie team suffered an unexpected defeat at the hands of Dublin in their All-Ireland quarter final fixture despite the best efforts of club players Niamh Deely and Michelle Teehan.

Sophie O’Dwyer was an unused substitute. Proof yet again that brave efforts don’t always get their rewards.

WEDDING BELLS An abundance of joy was in the air in Foulkstown on Friday week as the popular “Village” couple Jade Scanlon and Donagh Carney exchanged their marriage vows with celebrant Fr. Roderick Whearty and their extended families and friends in St. Joseph’s Church, Foulkstown.

Jade, a hairdresser by profession, is the daughter of Tony and Theresa Scanlon, Loughboy Park and Donagh, a member of the Irish Defence Forces, is the son of Dennis and Loretto Carney, Coote’s Lane. Following the ceremony the happy couple, their families and guests headed to Langton Hotel for the wedding breakfast followed by a most enjoyable night of music, dance and chat which continued into the following day in The Village clubrooms in Larchfield. We wish the happy couple a long life of health and happiness together.

U-14 “B” LEAGUE FINAL On Wednesday evening in Dunmore Park the U-14 hurlers fought out a tense battle against Mooncoin in the 2024 Roinn “B” league final only to come up short at 2-15 to 4-04 after a commendable team effort. From the start James Stephens were heavily reliant on a strong defence in which goalkeeper Niall Cody, and full backs James O’Brien and Conor O’Hara were outstanding with strong support from Henry Phelan and Eddie Murphy in particular. Battling bravely against a better balanced Mooncoin team, the young Village lads were marginally in front at 0-02 to 0-01 after 15 minutes. However, a two goal salvo for Mooncoin in the 15/16th minutes would change the direction of the game. James Stephens did respond with a brilliant individual goal from centre forward Brion Walsh in the 20th minute to once again raise hopes in the Village camp. Three points followed for the southern club who went on to take a 2-04 to 1-03 lead into the break.

After substitute Darragh McDermott pointed in the 8th minute of the 2nd half the stronger Mooncoin line up increased their lead to 2-08 to 1-04 before another Brion Walsh drive through the southerners defence closed the divide at 2-08 to 2-04. Immediately the stronger Mooncoin players stretched their lead with some impressive point scoring before the outstanding Brion Walsh shot two more three pointers to level the game at 4-04 to 2-10 in the 18th minute. With the James Stephens attack unable to make further gains against a resilient opposition defence Mooncoin went on to add five more points to deservedly claim the league title. Well done to the Village lads on a huge effort which just came up short and credit too to their mentors Liam O;Brien, Noel Morrissey, Ger Walsh, Michael Slattery and Richie Cody for their commitment to the young players.

MINOR LEAGUE On Friday evening the minor hurlers continued their run of good form with an emphatic 5-23 to 1-15 victory over Young Irelands in their 6th round league fixture. With two rounds of the league to be played they top the league table and are now in a strong position to defend their 2023 league title win.

MASS OF REMEMBRANCE Just a brief reminder to all that the annual Mass of Remembrance for deceased family members, friends and neighbours will be celebrated on Thursday week at 7.30pm in Foulkstown cemetery SUMMER CAMP Juvenile games promotion officer, Bill Cody, has confirmed that the popular annual Summer Camp for boys and girls from ages 6 to 13 will take place from Monday 12th to Friday16th August in Pairc Sheamuis Stiophain.

Booking information has already been posted to par-

ents/guardians.

LOUGHBOY LIBRARY An interactive workshop on Bees and the All-Ireland Pollinator plan will take place in Loughboy Library on Tuesday 16th July from 11.30 to 12.30pm. The presentation will be given by Edel Heeran, from the Heritage Council who will give a talk on our wild bees and honey bees and how the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan was developed to help them. Helen will bring along an educational hive (no live bees), a smoker and a bee suit that children can try on. The presentation is suitable for children aged 8 and upwards. Because places are limited it is advisable to phone 056 7794176 to book a place in advance LOTTO Last week’s numbers were 3, 10, 25, 28. There was no winner. The €40 consolation winners were Dolly Walsh, Flor Hennessy, Sabina Tbbney, Maria Neary and Eoghan Murphy.

GOWRAN GOWRAN AC Congratulations to Anna and James Kelsey and Scott Powell who travelled to Tullamore to compete in the National All-Irelands. Anna competed in the U15 Girls Discus and placed an impressive 7th overall. Scott was up next in the U15 Boys Shot Put finishing in 5th place.

James Kelsey set a new PB in both U17 Triple Jump with a leap of 11.54m and U17 2000mSC in 7:18.90. Great performance from all Over the weekend the juvenile member Lucy Cunningham not only competed but finished 1st winning the girls competition in the Two Provinces Sprint Kidathlon.

Massive congrats Lucy. Senior members Adrian Cunningham and Paul Flood also competed in the Two Provinces Sprint Triathlon on Saturday, whilst Kilkenny hosted their annual triathlon where Matt Ryan made his triathlon debut.

KILKENNY COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL 2024 The Kilkenny Country Music Festival in Gowran Park is always one of the great annual highlights, and this year’s event brought about a record attendance on a glorious Summer’s day. The prospect of rain showers didn’t materialize, and it was only at the end of the day that a few drops began to appear. The wonderful music and entertainment lasted all day long with the dance floor packed throughout the day.

As always, local musicians Paul Brett and Peter Hutchinson began the ball rolling with a host of tunes before Kelan Browne took to the stage. Kelan made the long trip from Donegal to make his debut in Gowran Park, and he was followed by another maiden debutant Stacey Breen.

Robert Mizzell returned this year having performed at the festival previously, and he was followed by Claudia Buckley who returned again also having performed last year. Claudia’s Dad Jimmy Buckley has been a regular performer at the Kilkenny Country Music Festival.

Olivia Douglas was up next having performed at the festival last year, and she was returning to Gowran Park having performed recently for a benefit night.

Ray Lynam was another Festival debutant, and that was followed by Mike Denver who returned once again as the main headline act as he always has since it was first held in 2017.

The Portumna man as always had the dancefloor rocking to an almost two hour set, as he brought down the curtain on another wonderful Kilkenny Country Music Festival following a wonderful glorious Summer’s day.

Finally, a huge well done to the volunteers and stewards, who freely gave up their time to help keep the show on the road and to run smoothly from early morning until after the event finished.

STRONG BANNER FIGHTBACK AS CATS LOSE ALLIRELAND SEMI-FINAL Disappointment for Michael Carey and the Kilkenny Seniors, as a storming final 20 minutes from Clare saw them overturn a 6 point deficit to run out 0-24 to 2-16 winners in a gripping All-Ireland Semi-Final in Croke Park on Saturday.

Michael was one of Kilkenny’s better performers and he scored a superb point early in the second-half, while he also had a glorious goal chance in the first-half denied by the Clare goalkeeper.

DISAPPOINTMENT AS SENIORS LOSE TO DUBLIN Disappointment for the Kilkenny Senior Team as they lost 1-13 to 0-12 against Dublin in the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Quarter-Final in Croke Park on Saturday.

Steffi Fitzgerald was on the starting team while her sister Tiffanie was among the subs.

MARK PHELAN A huge well done to Mark Phelan who played at halftime during the Kilkenny and Clare game on Saturday.

Mark was representing Gowran National School who won the Mini 7s Hurling.

It was a very successful year for Mark as he was part of the schools team that won the Country Cup Football Final, while also reaching the Country Cup Hurling Final

along with the Roinn A Championship Hurling and Football Finals.

JUNIOR F LOSE LEAGUE FINAL NARROWLY St. Lachtains (Freshford) 0-16 Young Irelands Gowran 0-14 A strong finish of four consecutive points from St. Lachtains saw them win 0-16 to 0-14 against Young Irelands Gowran in The Junior F League Final in Dicksboro GAA grounds.

The Freshford men led by the slenderest of margins at half-time (0-10 to 0-9) as Jack Blagriff, Jim Conlan, Sean Kehoe and Kieran Byrne were all on target for The Gowran men.

A vital moment arrived early in the second-half when Young Irelands were awarded a penalty. However, the attempt was saved by St. Lachtains goalkeeper Mark Nolan. Young Irelands led by two points (0-14 to 0-12) heading into the final 10 minutes, but St. Lachtain’s finished with four unanswered points to run out two point winners as attention now turns to the Championship.

Young Irelands team and scorers: Peter Carroll (captain), Martin Carter, Thomas Drennan, CJ Delaney, David Langton, Jonny Dunphy Michael Lennon, Jim Conlon (0-2), Jack Blagriff (06, frees), David Drennan, Jody Foley, Paul Kinsella (0-1), Ciaran Kavanagh, Sean Kehoe (0-3, 1 free), Kieran Byrne (0-2). Substitutes Used – Niall Walsh, David Holland, Eoin O’Neill, Jake Byrne. Rest of Panel – Tommy Carroll, Stephen Heffernan, Luke O’Donnell, Michael Keating, Vincent Byrne, Kieran Phelan, Tim Brennan, Ken Knox, Jack Kennedy, Jack Glendon, Charlie Brennan.

U-14 CAMOGIE LEAGUE FINALS The Young Irelands U-14 Camogie girls qualified for two League Finals last week, unfortunately losing both.

In the first final, they lost 6-12 to 2-7 away to Barrow Rangers in Paulstown, while the following night they lost 2-9 to 2-2 at home to James Stephens.

UNDERAGE HURLING The U-16 and Minor Hurling competitions resumed last week following the exams break as both The Young Irelands U-16 and Minor Teams suffered defeats.

Young Irelands U-16s lost 2-25 to 3-14 against Erins Own Castlecomer, while The Minors shipped a comprehensive 20 point loss against a very formidable James Stephens outfit (5-23 to 1-15) who are one of the favorites to win the Minor Championship outright.

MICHEAL O’MUIRCHEARTAIGH RIP There was great sadness recently with the passing of legendary Gaelic Games Commentator Micheál O’Muircheartaigh. Young Irelands were honoured to have Micheál in Gowran Park to launch their new Club Development drive back in November 2013.

He bought the first ticket for the Monster Draw, the proceeds of which gave the firm foundation to begin the move to their current grounds in Castle Ellis. What a legacy he left to the GAA following a highly distinguished career in which he broadcast for 61 years.

JOHN CARROLL RIP The death took place recently of John Carroll of Cloghala. John was a lifelong Club member, supporter and volunteer who was Chairperson from 1998 – 2001.

Deepest sympathies to The Carroll family.

7-A-SIDE TRIUMPH FOR CAMOGIE GIRLS Well done to the Young Irelands Senior Camogie Team who won the Bill Hennessy Shield Final in Tullaroan last weekend.

GORESBRIDGE AND PAULSTOWN AFTER SCHOOL SERVICE Kicks off from beginning of September each weekday from 2.45pm onwards in the school hall of Scoil Bhríde in Goresbridge. Information: Ann O’Kelly (085 752 9485) or Michelle Cummins (089 947 3317).

BARROW RANGERS Barrow Rangers won the under 14 Roinn A League Final when the beat Young Irelands with a scoreline of Barrow Rangers 06-12 against Young Irelands 02-07. Congratulations to all involved.

BRIDGE UNITED Bridge United club needs your help with our Under-8s next season. If you are interested in helping with coaching next season please contact Colin 087 6528212.

CHURCH SERVICES Breda Power has been appointed as the new parish secretary.

Cemetery mass in Queen of Peace (Goresbridge) will be held on 19th July.

Weekend masses will be celebrated in Goresbridge at 7.30pm on Saturday and at 10.00am on Sunday. Mass in Paulstown at 11.30am.on Sunday. Weekday mass is at 10am in Paulstown on Friday and on Tuesday and in Goresbridge on Wednesday, at 10am. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place in Paulstown every Tom Healy

Tuesday after morning mass and lasts until 6pm.

COMMUNITY GARDEN Eva Holmes is coming to the Community Garden in Goresbridge to give a four-week course funded by the Education and Training Board. It continues at on Wednesday. All welcome including people from surrounding areas. This is your chance to learn about growing vegetables.

CUPLA FOCAL Weekly Friday chatting in Irish continues over a cuppa in the Goodly Barrow on Friday’s at 11am.

SHANKILL CASTLE, PAULSTOWN Shankill Castle is now open on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for June, July, and August, from 11 -5pm with daily castle tours at 3pm.

SPLIT THE POT In aid of Goresbridge Rural Development has gone online. Simply scan the QR code or go to lottoraiser.ie GRAIGUENAMANAGH GRAIG NOTES Should you wish to submit any news items, club events, announcements etc. You can do so by emailing them to graignotes@outlook.com. Deadline is Saturday.

LOTTO GAA AND SOCCER The numbers drawn on 1st July were 6, 7, 9, 30 There was no winner. The following won €30 each Hellen Ryan, Danielle Kenny. Lorrian Ryan, Kate Doyle, James Doyle.

Tickets are available from any club member.

GRAIG TIDY TOWN DRAW The winners of the Draw held on 4th July 2024 were First Prize €394 Tracy Kavanagh, 2nd Prize €50 Vee, 3rd Prize, €25, Statia Heffernan. Money raised through Tidy Towns Jackpot will be used to keep the town looking well all the year round.

RAMBLING HOUSE The Monthly Rambling House Session is on the second Friday of the month in Newtown Hall, where you can enjoy music and song from local artists and also many artists from the surrounding district also join in. The next Session is tonight, Friday July 12th. At 8.00pm.

CEMETERY MASS The Annual Cemetery Mass will be Celebrated at St Fiachra’s Church Ruins at Ullard, Graiguenamanagh today Friday July 12th at 7:30 pm ,(weather permitting) BENNETTSBRIDGE SUMMER CAMP Stella Carroll’s annual Summer Camp was held last week with a large number of children taking part. One of the highlights of the week was the annual James Tynan Memorial Race. Pauline Tynan presented the cup to the U6 winner, Aidan Tyrell. The James Tynan Cup winner was Rose Maher.

LOTTO Results 1st July 2024. No winner of Jackpot. Numbers, 6, 19, 20, 28.

Consolation Prizes, Eimear Cody/Rory Tyrrell, E, L, P, Mahon, Blackwell, Ella Griffiths, Norewood Heights, Mary Simpson, ℅ The Ring, Liam McEvoy, Gowran Road.

CHURCH Weekday Masses, Wednesday and Friday 10.30am.

PATRICK MORRIN RIP Sympathy is extended to the Morrin family on the death of Patrick Morrin, Kilfane, Thomastown and formerly Clonbur, Galway. Paddy was pre-deceased by his wife, Vera (nee O’Malley), brothers, Jim, Michael and Tommy, sisters, Bridget and Kathleen; nephews, Michael and John.

Paddy will be sadly missed by his son John, daughters Olive and Maria (Murphy), son-in-law Jimmy, granddaughter Helen, sister Mary, sisters-in-law Josie and Betty, brother-in-law Charlie, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Family, friends and neighbours called to his home in Kilfane where he lay in repose to pay their final respects.

Rosary and vigil prayers were recited and removal took place to St Kieran’s Church, Tullaherin. Fr Pat Duggan officiated and Tullaherin Choir sang throughout.

Requiem Mass was celebrated by Fr Pat Duggan assisted

by Fr Pat Dalton. Family members took part in the liturgy. Music during the mass was by organist, Sean O’Neill and soloist, Martina Burke. Galway Bay was sung as the remains left the church.

Interment took place in St Mary’s New Cemetery, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny.

MENS SHED Last Wednesday some members of the Mens Shed spent an enjoyable morning in Coolcullen where Jim Bolger, the racehorse trainer and breeder has his base. For many years, he has been recognised as one of the racing greats in Ireland. They were given a tour around the gallops and got a glimpse into the general background and training of the horses. Afterwards the group was treated to refreshments and there was time for a discussion with the man himself.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12th July 2024

Community & GAA Notes Participants in the Stella Carroll Summer Camp

Summer Camp Bennettsbridge 2024

U 6 winner of the James Tynan Memorial Race Aidan Tyrell CAMOGIE U16 The U16 team had a great win against Young Irelands in the league semi final last week. The County Final beckons with opponents, either St Martins or St Anne’s to be confirmed.

EAST END UNITED Congratulations to the winners of the Center Parcs Raffle Winners. 1st Prize, Tony Hickey, Sheastown. 2nd Prize, Claire O’Sullivan, Bennettsbridge. 3rd Prize, David Power, Power’s Butchers.

GAA All Ireland Semi-Final Hard luck to the Kilkenny team who lost out to Clare in the All Ireland semi-final last Saturday and in particular to David Blanchfield who played another fine game at wing back.

Junior B And underage Games Good luck to our junior B team who take on Emeralds in the opening round of the championship in Urlingford next Saturday at 3 pm. Our under 16s defeated Black’s

Paula Tynan presenting the James Tynan Memorial Cup to Rose Maher and Whites in the league and have one remaining fixture against Mount Leinster Rangers to play. Our under 13s played in the Lisdowney sevens defeating Galmoy and Windgap, but lost out to Gowan in the cup competition.

Our minors played Lisdowney last Monday with James Stephens still to play. Please see the Kilkenny GAA website for details of upcoming fixtures.

Dillon Quirke Foundation Huge thanks to the Dillon Quirke Foundation, which travelled to Bennettsbridge last weekend and carried out heart screening on nearly 50 underage boys and girls from the club. This was a wonderful service provided free of charge and the club is very grateful. Please see the club’s Facebook page for details of this charity where people can donate if they wish to support the foundation.

Field Day 2024 The 2024 Field day will take place on August 18th this year. A great family day is in store with details to follow.

Dog Fouling in Pitch

Please note no dogs are allowed in the playing pitch, fouling has again become an issue and in the interest of health and safety we ask all to keep dogs outside the GAA grounds.

Membership 2024 This year’s membership can now be paid to registrar Samantha McGarry or to any club committee member.

Membership fees are the same as last year. Forty euro for non playing members, eighty euro for student players and 120 euro for adult players. Early payment would be most appreciated. Membership can also be paid on the new club spot app. Please see the clubs Facebook and twitter pages for details.

Split the Pot Well done to Kevin Davey who won 153 euro, Aaron King who won 30 euro and to Ger Kelly who won 20 euro.

Thanks again for the support.

Hurlers Co-Op Draw Thanks again to all who bought and sold tickets for this year’s Piltown draw. Bennettsbridge had three winners in the latest draw, Sr deMonifent c/o Many Blanchfield who won 250 euro, Patrick O Neill and Paul Nolan who both won 100 euro each. The next draw takes place next Tuesday July 16th.

DICKSBORO CLUB LOTTO Dicksboro GAA Club LOTTO Results 4th July 2024. Nos: 3 7 13 28. Jackpot not won Draw Prizes – €50: David Waldron c/o Online. €25 each Ada Hackett c/o Tommy Hackett €25 each Elizabeth Delahunty c/o Jimmy Murphy €25 each Paddy Ryan c/o Paddy Maher Hurlers Co Op Belinda Mockler c/o Online Promotors prize. Tom O’Donoghue We encourage all Dicksboro Families to sign up and play weekly for €2 per draw and we thank everyone who is currently doing so.

SUMMER CAMP 2024 Our fantastic Summer Camp will be back again and we can’t wait. Two fun weeks packed with activities for all to enjoy. Places are filling up fast so to avoid disappointment please secure your child’s place ASAP Monday July 15th to Friday July 19th and Monday Aug

12th to Friday Aug 16th DICKSBORO NATIONAL FEILE FINALS While the on field results may not have gone as planned the Dicksboro Boys and Management can be proud of how they represented the Club in the National Feile Finals held on Saturday 29th June in Claregalway, Co Galway. Thanks to Tom Beirne for capturing some fantastic action shots of the games which can be seen on our Social Pages.

KILKENNY HURLING AND CAMOGIE Saturdays games didn’t end the way we had hoped but we are very proud of all our Senior Club Players involved on both Panels. We look forward to seeing them back in action soon in Palmerstown for Club Championship.

Massive Congratulations to the Kilkenny Intermediate Camogie Team who had a convincing win over Kildare Saturday afternoon and now progress to an Ireland Semi Final. Well done to Club Players Jane, Rachel and Rose.

JOHNSTOWN CEMETERY MASS The Cemetery Mass at Crosspatrick will be held on Sunday July 14th at 9am.

COLLECTION Envelopes for the Sacristan collection available in the church porch. June collection for the priests are now due.

PUBLIC MEETING There will be a public meeting on Friday July 12th at 7.30pm in the Community Hall. The purpose of the meeting is to explain to the community about the transfer of the sportsfield from the Dept. of Agriculture (Land Commission) to the community. This needs to take place as a requirement of the Government before the final transfer of the Sportsfield to the Johnstown Community. It is hoped as many as possible attend this meeting.

URLINGFORD LIBRARY Due to unforeseen circumstances the story telling with Helena for the younger children has had to be changed from July 20th to August 9th at 10.30am.

The summer stars reading programme started in June

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12th July 2024

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Community & GAA Notes and continues until August 31st so it is not too late to join. The children have to read 8 books over the summer and every time they visit, their names are entered into a raffle for 5 vouchers each month. €10 vouchers for July and €20 vouchers in August. There is also a book review and one overall winner will win an e-reader/tablet.

FERTAGH GRAVEYARD Grangefertagh Cemetery Committee.have arranged a mass in Fertagh graveyard for Tuesday July 16th at 7.30pm.

SPA UNITED SUMMER CAMP A football summer camp will be run in the Sportsfield from August 12th to 15th. It is open to all boys and girls aged 5 to 14.All skill levels, UEFA coaches, free weighted football. Cost €80 with €10 discount for siblings. Information follow Teaching Tekkers on social media.

SPA DEVELOPMENT/FENIANS LOTT This week’s.winning numbers are 8,10,15,17. One match three Ann Ryan. Well done Ann! MILL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE FAMILY FUN DAY This year’s Mill Family Fun Day is on Sunday the 25th August 2024 in aid of our Counselling and Play Therapy Services.

ST KIERAN’S HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY Applications are invited for the Vacant Tenancy of a one-bedroom house at St Kieran’s Place, Urlingford. To be eligible to apply you must be on the Kilkenny County Council Housing list. Applications are available from the Centre.

LOCAL TRAINING PROGRAMME L.T.I. Names are being taken for L.T.I. Q.Q.I. Level 4 due to start soon. Suitable for 16yrs and over.

NEW COURSES There will be two new courses commencing in September, Office Admin; One to two mornings a week. Basic Computers; One to two mornings a week. These courses will be free of charge.

COUNSELLING SERVICES Our low cost Counselling Services, includes One-toOne, Adult & Teens. General Counselling: Bereavement, Stress, Anxiety and Depression. Other Counselling Services available: Drug, Substance and Gambling Addictions. Play therapy is now also available. Age 5+.

Please contact Sue for more information or to make an appointment.

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

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

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.

For further information please contact us here at the Centre on 056-8838466 GORTNAHOE GLENGOOLE EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Glengoole Wednesday 10am to 2pm, Gortnahoe Thursday 10am to 1pm PARISH COLLECTIONS FOR 2024 Thanks to all who contributed to the priest collection

last weekend. You can still contribute this weekend.

Also thanks for the weekly collection envelopes for the upkeep of both churches UPCOMING PILGRIMAGES TO KNOCK SHRINE Sunday, 21st July, Pioneer Pilgrimage. Sunday 28th July, Pilgrimage for World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Sunday 4th August, Annual Diocesan(Cashel and Emly) Pilgrimage Day. For further information please contact the parish pastoral team.

GRAVEYARD MASSES The dates for the cemetery masses are as follows, Good Shepherd this Thursday 11th July at 7.30pm in the graveyard, Fennor Thursday 25th July at 7.30pm in the graveyard and Boulick Thursday 15th August at 7.30pm in the graveyard.

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.

SPLIT THE POT Congratulations to the last weekends winner of Split the Pot draw, Tom Webster, Gortnahoe, who won €285.

Envelopes are available at the usual outlets, you can also Revolut to 0876777220. For the month of July it will be in support of the GAA. The draw takes place each Sunday at 12pm in Gortnahoe Hall. Your support would be appreciated.

GAMBLING THERAPY AND SUPPORT SERVICE Millennium Family Resource Centre Glengoole. A confidential counselling service for those affected by problem gambling. Now offering online counselling sessions.

For further information contact us on 052 9157992.

DEFIBRILLATOR A new defribillator has been installed at Glengoole Hall part funded by grant aid from Tipperary County Council.

It can be accessed through the National Ambulance Service by dialing 999 or 112.

FENNOR CREAMERY Will celebrate the 125th Anniversary of its foundation this year. A booklet to commemorate the event will be published later in the year. We would appreciate any photos, newspaper articles or stories in relation to Fennor, Ballysloe and Grange creameries. All photos and articles will be returned to the owners. Please contact Liam Noonan, Denis Bowden, Michael Lanigan or Jimmy Fogarty.

SIX WEEK HISTORY WALK AND TALK PROGRAM Suil Eile and Slieveardagh Rural Development. Register for free at http://www.suileile.com/register. Different locations each week including Ballynonty, Kilcooley, Killenaule, Copper Steeple and The Commons.

BALLYRAGGET BALLYOUSKILL IMPORTANT DATE FOR YOUR DIARY St. Patrick’s GAA are holding a Club Day on Saturday 20th July. They are Celebrating 70 years of St Patricks GAA Club. There is a fun day planned, packed with activities and events for boys and girls of all age groups and adults of all ages. A programme of events and more details will follow but for now please save the date.

COMMUNITY HALL The hall committee of Juanita Dunphy, Claire Wilson, Catherine Delaney Kelly and Deirdre McMahon have stepped down. Enquires for bookings should be directed to the parish office. The committee would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have supported us and the development of the hall, a much needed community resource, over the last ten years.

We do hope the future of the hall will see continued development of facilitates and services for the town. The

Liam and Mona Dooley (Dooley’s Garage, Jenkinstown). town would like to thank the committee for all their hard work over the years.

CAMOGIE Naomh Brid Camogie under 16 side lost out in the league semi final against Clara. The under 13 side had a great win over Lisdowney in the league final.

CONAHY HURLING Both the minor and under-16 hurlers returned to action last week after the exam break. The minors first travelled to Hugginstown to face Carrickshock on Monday night last, while the under-16’s played host to Glenmore in Jenkinstown on last Wednesday.

The minors were up against a very strong Carrickshock team, and despite being missing a couple of unavailable players, battled hard all through. Two goals, one in each half, from Daniel Mooney, kept Conahy in touch, but Carrickshock finished out deserving winners by 0-21 to 2-7.

The under-16 hurlers had better luck as they comfortably won out against Glenmore. Some strong performances throughout the field saw them score a big victory.

Hard luck to Tom Phelan who was part of the Kilkenny squad which was beaten by Clare in the All-Ireland semifinal in Croke Park last Saturday.

CAMOGIE Congratulations to Emma Mulhall, Danielle Morrissey, Ellen Gunner and Sofia Kerr who were part of the Kilkenny Intermediate panel who beat Kildare in their most recent All-Ireland Championship game on Saturday last, and so qualifying for the All-Ireland semi-final next weekend.

Hard luck to Róisín Phelan who was part of the Kilkenny senior squad that lost to Dublin in Croke Park in the AllIreland quarter-final last Saturday.

CLUB LOTTO The numbers drawn in the most recent GAA Club Lotto were 23, 24 and 30. There was no jackpot winner, so the consolation prize winners were Willie Flynn, Lisa McGrath, Geraldine McGrath, Jake Dooley and Shay Healy.

The promoter prize winners were Helen Cahill, Anne Downey and Julie Jackman. Many thanks to everyone who supports the GAA Club Lotto.

GENEROUS DONATION Liam and Mona Dooley (Dooley’s Garage, Jenkinstown) recently made a generous donation to the Cois Nore Cancer Support Centre. Their support was very much appreciated by all in Cois Nore.

HUGGINSTOWN, NEWMARKET AND STONEYFORD

Naomh Brid Under 13 team

MASS TIMES Aghaviller Parish: Hugginstown, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9.30a.m. Vigil – Saturday 13th. at 8.00p.m. Sunday 14th. at 10.00a.m.

Stoneyford: Wednesday 10th. at 7.00p.m. Vigil - Saturday 13th. at 6.30p.m. Saturday 13th. Feast of St Henry.

CEMETERY MASS Hugginstown Cemetery on Saturday 13th. July at 8.00p.m.

PRAY FOR Eugene O’Donovan, Kilmoganny, who died during the week.

Anniversary, Julie Cox, Coolmore

Anniversary Masses Patricia Sheehan, Stoneyford, Mass in Stoneyford Church on Saturday 13th. June at 6.30p.m.

Ellen Doyle, Hugginstown, Mass in Hugginstown on Sunday 14th. July at 10.00a.m.

ROTA (15th. Sunday in Ordinary Time) Readers, Stoneyford, Saturday 6.30p.m. Tom King, Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Pat Power. Sunday 10.00a.m. Mary Carroll.

Eucharistic Ministers. Stoneyford. Saturday 6.30p.m.

Barbara Smolen. Hugginstown, Saturday 8.00p.m. Mary Murphy, Sunday 10.00a.m Ruth Crowley SCOIL AIREAGAIL School is seeking host families for Spanish students who will be joining their school next year. Please contact info@scoilaireagail.ie or (056) 776 8632 for more details.

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

SEEKING, SERVING AND SHARING CHRIST IN A SYNODAL CHURCH The Priory Institute, two-week on-line Summer School is reflective, informative and interactive and will run from 19th. August this year. The course includes eight recorded presentations and three on-line zoom discussions and is very flexible as it is delivered entirely online.

Find out more and register click: prioryinstitute.com THE PIONEER PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK Pilgrimage will take place on Sunday 21st. July this year.

Mass at 3.00p.m. will be followed by Eucharistic Blessing and Procession to the Shrine. Pioneers along with friends and relations of people who are living “one day at a time” with addiction are welcome.

CEMETERY MASSES 2024 Kilkeasy Cemetery, Mass on Friday 19th. July at 8.00p.m.

Stoneyford Cemetery, Mass on Friday 2nd. August at 8.00p.m.

TRIP TO KNOCK Trip to Knock on 13th July in honour of Feast Day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Staying overnight in Knock House Hotel. For further information please contact Frank Aylward on 086 812 8705 JUNE COLLECTION Many thanks for your very generous contributions during the past few weeks.

LOTTO Aghaviller Parish and Carrickshock G. A. A. Draw: Monday 1st. July 2024. Numbers: 14; 27; 06; 18. No Winner First 3 Numbers Drawn. No Jackpot Winner: €30.00. Winners, Mary Roche, Hugginstown, Ann Power, Lawcus, Lisa Doyle, c/o James Irish, Sinead Doyle, c/o James Irish,Pauline Doyle, Sheepstown. 3 x €15.00 (Sellers), Ger Carroll, Caitlin Roche, Mary Raggett.

SOUTH KILKENNY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Members of the South Kilkenny Historical Society will join locals and others, on Sunday July 14th, for the annual climb of Tory Hill on Fraochan Sunday. This ancient tradition pre-dates Christianity and is associated with the ancient festival of Lughanasa. John Dwyer, who has written extensively on Pilgrim Paths of Ireland, will give a talk, on the summit of the hill, on the traditions associated with Fraochan Sunday. Mass will be celebrated, by Bishop Niall Coll, at 3.30pm.

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 12th July 2024

Advertisement Sport

Kilkenny Sport Focus Michael O’Leary

European U-18 Athletics Championships Two Kilkenny Athletes from the Kilkenny City Harriers Club will represent Ireland in the European U-18 Athletics Championships in Slovakia next week.

Pia Langton will compete in the 800 metres, while Molly Daly will compete in the 200 metres and she is also part of the medley relay squad.

Both Athletes are in terrific form and will definitely feel more than confident of a good showing next week.

Pia booked her ticket to Slovakia in May by acheiving the qualifying standard in Santry, while she had a most successful weekend in June as she ran a personal best in the 800 metres by winning in Belfast in 2.08.92 seconds before setting a Championship record the following day in winning the Gold Medal at the U-18 Leinster Championships.

That Championship record was previously set by fellow Kilkenny native Geraldine Nolan who represented Ireland

in the 1500 metres at The European Outdoor Championships in Helsinki in 1994.

Pia also set a personal best prior to that in May when producing a time of 2:09.20 seconds to win at the Irish Milers Club-Crusaders in Santry, while she also set a personal best indoors when running 2.14.01 seconds in Athlone in April to win the Silver Medal in the 800 metres of the AllIreland U-18 800 metres.

She also won further Silver Medals over 800 metres in both the Leinster and All-Ireland Schools competitions earlier in The Summer, while she also competed in an International meet in Bruxelles in Belgium in May where she finished 3rd.

Most certainly she is in top form heading over to Slovakia particularly after a string of impressive performances.

Meanwhile, Molly Daly is in fine form also and she acheived the qualifying standard back for the 200 metres in January at the

All about arthritis One simple change to help regularly meet your exercise requirements

BY PAUL BOLGER Chartered Physiotherapist at Nano Physiotherapy, Kilkenny WWW.NANOPHYSIO.IE

Osteoarthritis is one of the most prevalent conditions in the world, affecting over 500 million people worldwide in 2019 (and over 400,000 in Ireland). With the population aging, and other risk factors increasing, this figure is rising. Despite its prevalence, most people do not really understand what it is and what they can do about it.

Today starts a series exploring this extremely common condition. In the coming weeks we will investigate what factors put people at risk of developing osteoarthritis and what are the most effective ways to improve the health of our joints.

What is it Really?

There are various forms of arthritis (arthro- = joint; -itis = inflammation).

Autoimmune arthritis, where the immune system is the

main driver of the condition, includes rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis. Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is related

to the joint and all the structures and tissues around it (not just the cartilage) - the immune system, while playing a role via inflammation, is

Junior U-20 All-Ireland Indoors in Athlone.

She ran 24.54 seconds in her heat that qualified her for Slovakia and she actually ran a quicker time when winning the final running 24.43 seconds, but unfortunately she was disqualified for a lane infringement.

However, she had the consolation of winning her heat that booked her ticket for next weeks European Championships.

Molly has been very busy over the past month running races across Europe including Belgium and Germany and with great success.

She set a personal best of 24.61 seconds in winning at an International competition in Mannheim in Germany, and she lowered that time twice since.

She won her heat in The National Senior Indoors in Santry with a time of 24.57 seconds, before finishing 4th in the Final with another personal best of 24.52 seconds behind Phil Healy who was part of The Ireland squad that won The Silver Medal in The 4 x 400

metres relay at The European Championships in Rome.

At just 16 years of age it's remarkable that Molly has been performing superbly and setting personal bests while running against the top sprinters, and her recent form and improvements will give her great confidence to perform very well in Slovakia next week.

Molly's parents Fiona Norwood and Robert Daly are more than well acquainted with Athletics.

Fiona was an All-Ireland Champion running for Kilkenny City Harriers and she represented Ireland in both The European U-23 and U-20 Championships, while Robert was part of the Ireland Team that won the Bronze Medal in the 4 x 400 metres relay at the 2004 World Indoor Championships with twice European Indoor Champion David Gillick also part of the team.

Both Athletes are in top form ahead of the Europeans next week and they will both feel confident of a good showing.

Wishing both Molly and Pia all the very best ahead of their trip to Slovakia.

not directly involved to the degree it is in autoimmune conditions.

joint surfaces).

Some joints contain a variety of other structures – and all of these can be affected to some degree by osteoarthritis.

Wear & Repair Pain from osteoarthritis tends to be associated more with the healing process as opposed to the “wearing down” of tissues. Perhaps we should talk more about “Wear & Repair” rather than “wear & tear”.

While our joints do suffer from injuries occasionally, both big and small, these injuries heal and repair. The fact that some people end up developing osteoarthritis and others don’t is still not completely understood. But we do know quite a lot about reducing people’s risk and improving their outlooks if they have osteoarthritis.

Your Joints Your joints are made up of much more than just bones and cartilage (smooth, strong covering). They consist of many structures such as; • ligaments (strong fibrous tissue that offer stability to varying movements) • capsule (ligament-like sheath that wraps and envelops the joint, sealing it off ) • tendons (cord-like structures attaching muscle to bone and allowing from movement and energy transfer) • synovial fluid (living fluid, full of molecules and cells that lubricate and feed the

Your Joints Are Alive Remember that all the structures here are alive – they are living, breathing and adapting parts of you. There is as much blood flowing through your bones right now as there is in your skin.

Bones react and adapt like muscle, growing stronger and denser when we regularly subject them to heavier loads.

All other living tissues adapt – with some adapting quickly (like muscle and bone) and others taking longer to adapt (like cartilage). Osteoarthritis is an active condition – i.e. there is an ongoing process within the joint, consisting of breaking down and building up.

Plenty that can be done...

Considering that your joints and all that is in them are alive – can you think of anything that might help to reduce the burden of osteoarthritis? (Psssst, anything that is good for your health is good for your joints – after all, they are alive!).

Next week we will explore the things that put people at risk of osteoarthritis, and perhaps this will give us a clue as to how we can best take care of our joints.

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Camogie - Review

News Camogie

Stripeywomen fall to Dubs in last eight clash

Aisling Maher leads Capital ladies to historic win

Caoimhe Keher Murtagh under Dubs pressure

Aoife McKearney attempts to block Katie Power

Sport

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

Glen Dimplex AllIreland Senior Camogie Championship QF Dublin 1-13 Kilkenny 0-12 Kilkenny senior Camog’s bowed out of this years Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship after losing to Dublin in Croke Park last Saturday. Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere’s team were beaten by a hard-

working Dublin side that defied the odds to reach their first semi-final in seven years and second since 1990.

Gerry McQuaid’s side were worthy winners on the day and had great performances from the likes of Aisling Maher, who hit 0-7 on the day and also went home with the POTM award. Another Aisling, this time Castleknock’s O’Neill made a big impact when spring from the Dublin Bench for the last 20 minutes, getting on the ball and registering two fine points for the Metropolitans.

Their sixth minute goal proved crucial, and it was a clever effort from former county footballer Sinéad Wylde.

The Cuala clubwoman somehow managed to flick the

Steffi Fitzgerald being pressed

by Dubs goal scorer Sinead Wylde

sliotar from behind past Piltown’s Aoife Norris in the Kilkenny goal.

Dublin actually went 20 minutes without scoring, but still managed to go into the break one point up.

The sides swapped scores after the break and when Aoife’s Doyle’s and Prendergast’s fired over efforts to level matters, the Kilkenny supporters would have hoped that their side would have used their greater experience to pull clear, but this was not to be.

The Sky Blues looked fitter in the closing stages of the game and hit the last four scores of the quarterfinal tie to book their place in this years semi-final, where they will play Cork in UPMC Nowlan Park on July 27th.

Scorers

Clash of the Aoifes! Aoife McKearney and Aoife Prendergast

Kilkenny: A Pendergast 0-5 (3fs); A Doyle 0-3; C Keher Murtagh 0-2; S Fitzgerald, K Power 0-1 each.

Scorers Dublin: A Maher 0-7 (6fs); S Wylde 1-0; A O’Neill 0-2; S Nolan, A McKearney A Gannon, C Gannon 0-1 each KILKENNY: A Norris, M Teehan, G Walsh, K Byrne, N Deely, L Murphy, S O’Keeffe, K Doyle, K Power, S Barcoe, S Fitzgerald, A Doyle, C Keher Murtagh, A Prendergast, J Malone. Subs: T Fitzgerald for O’Keeffe (ht), M Bambrick for K Doyle (44), L Greene for S Fitzgerald (47), K Nolan for Barcoe (52) DUBLIN: A Gorman, A Ryan, E O’Byrne, A McKearney, C Gannon, K Finnegan, Z Couch, S Nolan, N Gannon, A Gannon, E JamiesonMurphy, A Maher, G O’Shea, E Flanagan, S Wylde. Subs: A O’Neill

for Flanagan (41), A Rafter for Nolan (43), L Sharkey for Couch (45), A Kenny for Ryan (60+1), A Heffernan for Jamieson-Murphy (60+3) REFEREE: Andy Larkin (Cork)

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Hurlng matters - Review

Sport

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

All–Ireland SHC Semi-Final Kilkenny 2-16 Clare 0-24 Croke Park, Referee: Liam Gordon So that’s that. There was to be no third final in a row for Kilkenny as they fell to to stirring second half comeback by Clare in Croke Park last Saturday afternoon.

It was a double defeat for the county, as our senior camog’s bowed out to Dublin in the curtain raiser at the Jones’s Road venue. Brian Lohan’s team will now face-off against Cork in this year’s Liam MacCarthy showdown, after the rebels ripped up the script and ended Limerick’s ‘drive for five.’

Derek Lyng will probably have been left scratching his head at the interval, as his team had a number of goal chances that would have seen them well clear of the side that they had beaten at the same stage of the competition for the past two years. By my reckoning, the Cats had five major chances in the first half but only managed to beat Eibhear Quilligan once before the short whistle, as the Feakle man ensured Clare remained in the game with a string of great saves.

Fittingly, it was TJ Reid that opening the scoring at headquarters, popping over a free after he had been fouled.

A historic score by the legendary Shamrocks Ballyhale man, as it brought his championship scoring tally to 700. Simply the best. One of Kilkenny’s most impressive performers this season, Cian Kenny fired over his side’s second score of the game in the 5th minute as Brian Lohan’s men searched for their first score. The Banner did open their account just a minute later, thanks to a point from play by Aidan McCarthy, the first of his eleven-point haul.

The same player brought the sides level from a placed ball, after Eoin Murphy had denied Mark Rodgers, but Galway whistler Liam, Gordon was playing advantage and rightly awarded the free.

Then came a double save from the Clare keeper. Firstly, he denied The Village’s Cian Kenny who was beautifully set-up by Mossy Keoghan and then Adrian Mullen was also thwarted as he sought to breach the Feakle player’s net. The Cats kept going and struck over the next four scores of the game, with points from Kenny, Captain Paddy Deegan, the towering David Blanchfield and TJ as the Noresiders went clear by the same margin. The final score of that run came after Quilligan had saved superbly from roving wing-back Mikey Carey and the men in stripes had to be satisfied with a ‘65. InaghKilnamona’s McCarthy fired over the second of his nine placed ball efforts before David Reidy notched a sweet point from play.

The game’s two top marksmen then swapped points before the first of

Cats foiled in final bid Banner dominate 2nd half to secure final berth Eoin Cody - tightly marked as ever

the semi-finals two majors were registered. Eoin Cody has been getting used to battling with Adam Hogan when The Banner faces the Cats, and it was no different in this, the third meeting of sides this season. An early ball was played long towards Cody and the Shamrocks man collected it and raced towards

the end line with his shadow in toe.

The corner forward cut inside Hogan and tried to create a better angle for himself with four Clare defenders closing in on him. Cody flicked the ball over John Conlon’s head before channeling his inner Novak Djokovic and smashing the sliotar to the net.

Nothing Eibhear Quilligan could do to prevent this one, Wimbledon,

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Hurling matters - Review Tj Heavily outnumbered trying to get his pass away

Billy Ryan shows great skill and control as TJ & John Donnelly look on

Mikey Carey showing his strength under pressure

Flushing Meadows and Roland Garros all rolled into one for the former two-time Young Hurler of the Year.

Graigue Ballycallan’s Billy Ryan pointed to move the Cats six clear with less than ten minutes left to the interval, all was looking good for Derek Lyng’s outfit. Aidan McCarthy and his club mate David Fitzgerald

tagged on efforts for Brian Lohan’s team, but TJ and Billy Ryan registered for the Marble City men to leave them five points up at the short whistle, 1-10 to 0-8.

When The Banner returned for the second period, they did so with a spring in their step, and no doubt a sharp word from their leader Lohan, who was probably happy

to be only five behind. The boys in blue reeled off the first three scores after the restart, with a free from Aidan McCarthy added to with efforts from Peter Duggan and the enigmatic Shane O’Donnell. Young Ireland’s Mikey Carey got the Cats moving in the second half with a well taken effort from distance, but Clare hit back immediately via David

Fitzgerald’s second score of the afternoon. TJ then nailed a lovely sideline cut from under the Cusack Stand to put his side three clear, but things were about to get a whole lot better for Derek Lyng’s men.

TJ sent a long testing delivery into the Clare square but keeper Eibhear Quilligan fumbled his catch and under pressure from Mossy Keoghan, the ball squirmed away from the Feakle man and the alert Billy Ryan picked it up, swiveled and fired to the net, Kilkenny six clear after 47 minutes of action in Croker.

It Looked like The Banner had shot themselves in the foot after reducing the Cats lead to just 2 points in the early stages of the half, but they struck the next two points, courtesy of the quiet Tony Kelly and another placed ball from Aidan McCarthy.

John Donnelly who was on the periphery of the game, then sent over a quality point from under the Hogan as he tried to become more involved in proceedings, but again Clare tagged on a couple of scores, McCarthy again and one from Scariff’s Mark Rodgers. TJ then found himself in space and punished the opposition by splitting the posts but Lohan’s charges went up the field and notched a fine score from David Reidy, after good approach play by sub Ryan Taylor. Placed ball specialist McCarthy was then denied a certain goal, thanks to a cracking save from Glenmore’s Eoin Murphy, as the warning signs increased for Kilkenny.

Clooney-Quin’s Peter Duggan was then stopped in his tracks, illegally and McCarthy stroked over the resulting free. Another of Kilkenny’s key men who was having a quiet afternoon by his standards, Adrian Mullen, then turned over Adam Hogan as he tried to break out of defence.

The sliotar was worked to John Donnelly and he obliged by striking over. The Cats made their first change of the game, with Walter Walsh replacing Mossy Keoghan with about 14 minutes remaining in the semi-final.

TJ was then fouled by Kilmaley’s Conor Cleary and the Shamrocks man popped over the free to leave the Noresiders up by four points.

Clare struck next, Peter Duggan with a fine catch from the restart then laid the ball off to Tony Kelly and the Ballyea man rifled over a stunning

effort to the delight of The Banner support in attendance. David McInerney then sent a ball towards sub Ian Galvin and the Clonlara man did well to collect it before firing over.

Galvin was then fouled, and Aidan McCarthy did the needful with the free to make it a one-point game with about eight minutes left at Croker.

The Cats then sent on Conahy’s Tom Phelan for Adrian Mullen as they sought to get an attacking foothold in the closing stages of the semi-final. Clare scored the next point, to deadlock matters, a great effort from distance by Mark Rodgers as their fans made themselves heard at the Jones’s Road stadium. Erin’s Own’s Conor Fogarty was then thrown on in place of Billy Ryan, but it didn’t halt The Banner’s momentum as Richie Reid was blown-up for a foul on Eire Og’s Shane O’Donnell. Aidan McCarthy wasn’t about to miss, and he didn’t and Lohan’s men took the lead for the first time in the game as the contest entered the final minute of normal time.

TJ then was off target from a free as three minutes of additional time were announced. There was to be no equalising score for Kilkenny. Clare worked the sliotar to Tony Kelly and the Ballyea man rifled over from way out the pitch to leave his side two points clear. Richie Reid floated in a late free, knowing that a goal was needed, but Clare emerged with the ball and Liam Gordon sounded the long whistle, and the long journey home for the Cats. Final score from Croke Park, Clare 0-24, Kilkenny 2-16.

Scorers for Kilkenny: T.J. Reid (0-7, 4 frees, 1 65, 1 sideline); B. Ryan (1-2); E. Cody (1-0); C. Kenny, J. Donnelly (0-2 each); P. Deegan, D. Blanchfield, M. Carey (0-1 each).

Scorers for Clare: A. McCarthy (011, 9 frees); D. Reidy, T. Kelly (0-3 each); D. Fitzgerald, M. Rodgers (0-2 each); P. Duggan, S. O’Donnell, I. Galvin (0-1 each).

KILKENNY: E. Murphy; M. Butler, H. Lawlor, T. Walsh; D. Blanchfield, R. Reid, M. Carey; C. Kenny, P. Deegan (c); A. Mullen, T.J. Reid, B. Ryan; M. Keoghan, J. Donnelly, E. Cody.

Subs for Kilkenny: W. Walsh for M. Keoghan (58); T. Phelan for A. Mullen (63); C. Fogarty for B. Ryan (67).

CLARE: E. Quilligan; A. Hogan, C. Cleary, C. Leen; D. Ryan, J. Conlon, D. McInerney; T. Kelly (c), C. Malone; D. Fitzgerald, S. O’Donnell, P. Duggan; D. Reidy, A. McCarthy, M. Rodgers.

Subs for Clare: I. Galvin for S. O’Donnell (temp 24-26); R. Taylor for C. Malone (50); I. Galvin for D. Fitzgerald (56); A. Shanagher for D. Reidy (61); D. Lohan for P. Duggan (70+2).

Referee: L. Gordon (Galway).

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12th July 2024

Planning notices

Planning notices KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

Planning Permission is sought for the renovation and single storey rear extension with garden store to the back garden to include demolition of the existing single storey rear extension. The proposed works are to include all ancillary and associated services and is located at 22 Talbotsinch, Freshford Road, Kilkenny which is a Protected Structure with reference C217 and is located in the Talbotsinch Architectural Conservation Area. The works to the original dwelling includes the repair of the existing original windows, the relocation of the shower room to the first floor, new window opening to rear.

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

Applicant: Patricia Duffe

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Richard Cass is applying for full planning permission to erect calf housing and ancillary concrete work on my land at Holdensrath, Kilkenny The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

I Aidan Kelly Agricultural Design & Planning Services (085 7466211, www.adps.ie) intends to apply to Kilkenny County Council on behalf of my client John Brennan. Permission to construct (i) slatted Cubicle shed extension with underground slatted tanks (ii) Demolition of existing loose shed roof to be replace with A roof shed and all associated site works at Gaulstown Upper, Tullaroan, Co. Kilkenny.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

Planning permission is sought by Ellmarie Holden for: a. Material change of use of ground floor retail area to residential use in combination with existing residence. b. Demolition of the existing rear extension to the dwelling c. Erect a new 2 story rear extension to the dwelling d. Elevational modifications e. Associated internal and external modifications, f. All associated site development works at former Ballyhale Foodstores Main St. Ballyhale, Co. Kilkenny R95 PNF4 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.

Signed: Gittens Murray Architects Ltd., No. 5 William Street, Kilkenny.

Tel No: 056-7753933. web: www.gmarch.net

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

Planning permission is sought by Electro City Ltd to carry out development on a 0.912-hectare site.

The development will consist of: a. The construction of a 3046 sq.m. portal frame steel clad building to be used as a Warehouse storage building with associated offices and staff facilities. b. Associated yard areas, loading bays with projecting canopy, carparking, bicycle parking, internal roads, landscaping, connection to existing foul and surface water services and site lighting. c. Ancillary storage building of 195 sq.m. steel clad building. d. Utilizing existing site entrance to existing estate road/ public road. e. Proposed new site entrance to existing estate road/ public road. f. All site levelling, boundary fences, retaining structures and treatments. g. and all associated sites work at Site D, Hebron Industrial Estate Extension, Leggetsrath West, Kilkenny.

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

Signed: Gittens Murray Architects Ltd., No. 5 William Street, Kilkenny.

Tel No: 056-7753933. web: www.gmarch.net

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Micheal Moloney wish to apply to the above authority on behalf of Sean Dunphy and Susan Kinsella for full planning permission to construct a 2 storey extension to the side of dwelling and all associated site works at Knockhouse, Kilmacow, Co. Kilkenny X91 R9X4 The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. M.M.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. S.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.

(Pleasestaterequest).Therearenonethatcanwithstand 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. M.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. S.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.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. S.M.

54

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12th July 2024

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12th July 2024

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12th July 2024