Kilkenny Observer 12th January 2024

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Our house prices down Second-hand three-bed semi in Kilkenny city to fall by 5%

The price of the average second-hand three-bed semi in Kilkenny city is predicted to fall by 5% this year, with prices across the county expected to fall by 1%, according to a national survey by Real Estate Alliance.

Three-bed semi-detached homes in the county now cost an average of €280,000, up 7%

on the December 2022 average of €262,500, the Q4 REA Average House Price Index shows.

County agents reported that first time buyers made up 45% of the market in Q4, with 13% of sales coming from outside the county, and 18% of sales attributed to landlords selling properties.

By the end of 2023, the price of the average three-bed semi in Kilkenny city rose by 9.7% to €340,000, while agents in Callan reported an annual increase of 2.3% to €220,000.

“We are currently seeing a market which is relatively stable when it comes to this type of property,” said Michael Boyd of REA Boyd’s, Kilkenny.

“I expect that the start of 2024 will be similar to last year and quite steady.

“Interest rates have affected the market, but they may reduce in the first quarter of 2024.

“We are also seeing landlords continue to leave the market.”

The REA Average House Price Index concentrates on

the actual sale price of Ireland’s typical stock home, the three-bed semi, giving an accurate picture of the second-hand property market in towns and cities countrywide.

Three-bed semi prices nationally will rise by 3% in 2024, estate agents across the country are predicting.

A record shortage of supply

Homeless now national crisis

Come talk to us about your uni

More than 4,000 children spent their new year in emergency accommodation in Ireland.

Hold that thought and picture what that statistic looks like for one family. While many of us enjoyed a peaceful festive period, there were mothers and fathers out there who spent Christmas in cramped hotel rooms with their children.

Local families are experiencing trauma because of a dire lack of housing.

Noel Sherry Page 6

South East Technological University (SETU) is hosting a CAO Information Evening at its campus in Carlow on Wednesday, January 17, from 4:30pm to 7pm.

As the deadline for CAO applications approaches on February 1, SETU’s CAO Information Evening is an opportunity for students, and their parents and guardians, to visit the university’s state-of-the-art campus in Carlow and speak to lecturers and staff about the wide range of career-focused courses on offer.

Experts will be on hand to discuss courses in the areas of engineering, computing, science, built environment, business, humanities, sport, and health sciences. There will be campus tours throughout the evening.

For more information, visit setu.ie/events

Pope calls for surrogacy ban

Our photo shows SETU student Ishika at the university’s campus in Carlow. *See also Page 10

Land cost now at €15,223 an acre The average price for an acre of land sold at auction in 2023 reached €15,223 in a market that saw an increasing shortage of farming ground and record prices.

A survey of 135 public auctions held throughout the year, undertaken by the Farming Independent, shows the highest price per acre was paid for land in Munster at

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€17,377/ac, with South Leinster next at €17,069/ac. North Leinster land is making €14,008/ac, while the average price of land in Connacht/Ulster rose by 35% to €9,343/ac.

According to auctioneers, a continued tightening in the supply of land for rent or sale is putting upward pressure on prices as dairy farmers adjust their herds or land holdings

has driven a 1.5% rise in the last three months in the capital, but only in houses under a certain price, the index found.

Time taken to reach sale agreed nationally is steady at five weeks as low supply continues to drive sales in an increasing interest rate environment.

See also Page 10

to accommodate the terms of the Nitrates Directive.

There is also considerable pressure on land supplies from solar farms in the Greater Dublin Area, with some estimates putting the acreage to be dedicated to solar in Meath alone at 5,000ac.

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grants and SEAI grants, making funds of up to

€97,000 available for derelict houses, have made smaller parcels of ground with ruins far more valuable across the country.

There was 22% less land sold at auction in South Leinster in 2023, with revenue down by 22%. Local auctioneer David Quinn described the market as a game of two halves. “The first part of the

year was the continuation of a bubble that started in 2022, when high prices reflected the strength of the dairy sector and other sectors. However, the second part of the year saw prices settle back,” he said.

Leinster had the liveliest land market with 10% more land sold in 2023, while revenues were up by almost 11%.

Pope Francis has called for a global ban on surrogacy, calling the practice “deplorable” and a grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child.

The Pope’s remarks are likely to antagonise pro-LGBTQ+ groups, since surrogacy is often used by LGBTQ+ partners who want to have children.

Full report Page 6

Sinéad died of natural causes Singer Sinéad O’Connor died of natural causes, a UK coroner has confirmed. The 56-year-old was found dead by UK police at her apartment in south London on July 26 last year.

In a statement, a spokesperson for London Inner South Coroner’s Court said: “Ms O’Connor died of natural causes.

The coroner has therefore ceased their involvement in her death.”

PAUL HOPKINS

MARIANNE HERON

JOHN ELLIS

GERRY MORAN

Telling it like it is.

And with no holds barred

A straight shooter.

Considerate and wise words

Great advice.

Your money in mind

Quirky take on bright side of life

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12 January 2024

News

for Kilkenny man dies off Oz coast New Year’s Day Search Latest

A man who died On New Year’s Day off the Australian coast, Mr John Holland (63) from Ballyragget was visiting family in Melbourne when he got into difficulty while swimming at sea.

Tributes have been paid to the north Kilkenny man – well-known in GAA circles – who was visiting his daughter Emma in Melbourne when he got into difficulty swimming in the sea.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland, Parish Priest for Ballyragget and Lisdowney Eamonn O’Gorman said that John had gone to the beach with a next-door neighbour and his daughter.

“Emma went out to see if she could bring him back in and a half-an-hour or so later his body was washed up ashore.

“The paramedics worked on him for some time but the result was he died which is very, very sad for the family, many, many friends and parishioners and many people from around the country,” Fr O’Gorman said.

Mr Holland is survived by Emma and his two other children John Junior and Kate.

He was predeceased by his wife Marie in May 2022 following an illness. It was during this time that he became close friends with Fr O’Gorman.

The two had lunch together only two days prior to Mr

Texaco child artist

Holland leaving for Australia, with three sets of rosary beads gifted to him ahead of the journey.

“He would be in the church at 6.30am saying his prayers.

He was a man of faith,” Fr O’Gorman said.

John Holland had been enjoying his visit, as Fr O’Gorman recalled receiving 132 clips and photos from

him of the holiday: “[He] was a great man to send photos when he got into wifi.”

Now, “instead of welcoming back John tomorrow evening, we are making arrangements

for his funeral sadly,” Fr O’Gorman said.

“It’s very, very sad.”

He said repatriation efforts were underway to bring John home for burial.

The search to find the young artists who will excel in this year’s Texaco Children’s Art Competition has begun. Now in its 70th year, it is widely acknowledged as the longest running arts sponsorship in Ireland.

The closing date for entries is Wednesday, 28th February. Judging will take place in March with winners to be announced in April.

When asked to describe the impact which the Texaco Children’s Art Competition had on her career, renowned batik artist and former winner Bernadette Madden said “A wonderful childhood experience. A magical memory.

Children’s Art sowed a seed which encouraged me to develop my artistic talents at a very young age. Thank you Texaco”.

Her memory of the Competition and of the profound influence which it had in helping to develop her interest in art is typical of the feelings held by many who have enjoyed success in the Competition.

Details are available at www. texacochildrensart.com or at Texaco service stations throughout the county.

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Homeless a national emergency

By Noel Sherry CEO of the Good Shepherd Centre Kilkenny -------------------------------More than 4,000 children spent their new year in emergency accommodation in Ireland.

Hold that thought and picture what that statistic looks like for one family.

While many of us enjoyed a peaceful festive period, there were mothers and fathers out there who spent Christmas in cramped hotel rooms with their children.

Local families are experiencing trauma because of a dire lack of housing. These families did their best to make the most of Christmas, but I’ve witnessed the heartache this entails. A mother having to explain to her small children not to worry, that Santa would find them despite the fact that they had no fireplace and no chimney.

When is it going to end? We are experiencing a national emergency right now. The worst part is it doesn’t have to be this way.

Those of us who work in the sector know that with decisive action, thinking outside the box, proper supports and funding in the right areas, homelessness can be eradicated. Let me explain further.

The nature of housing demand has changed.

Twenty years ago the main demand was for three bedroom properties. Now it’s one-beds. In some senses, the private rented market availability and changes to family dynamics has caused this shift. However, with the collapse in private rented accommodation, we may see the demand for family housing such as three or four

Decisive action needed: Liam Keane, Board member, Lanette McGuigan, Team leader OFD and Ciara Quinn Head of Services PHOTO: Vicky Comerford

bedroom homes increase drastically.

We need to be prepared for this. We also need to put in place measures to keep private landlords in the rental sector. Incentives in revenue and capital tax relief are incentives that would keep the smaller landlords in the property game.

Housing delivery is the key

factor. This process in planning and in acquiring funding needs to be accelerated. The local authority should be the assessment and approval body for funding with the department there to provide governance and specialist supports. Average life cycle from concept to design and funding to builder finish is a minimum of 3.5 years.

In some cases, planning exemption should apply once technical standards are being met.

Land agency also needs to hand its smaller sites that are less commercially viable to specialist housing bodies to provide housing for disadvantaged groups.

We need regional homeless hubs with adequate access to

housing options from emergency housing to long-term homes with aligned health supports. This is part of the housing solution. Imagine, Housing First in rural areas has no medical supports.

The embargo in the HSE is having an impact. Remarkably, emergency homeless accommodation like the Good Shepherd Centre in

Pope calls for global ban on surrogacy Pope Francis has called for a global ban on surrogacy, calling the practice “deplorable” and a grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child.

The Pope’s remarks are likely to antagonise proLGBTQ+ groups, since surrogacy is often used by LGBTQ+ partners who want to have children.

“I deem deplorable the practice of so-called surrogate motherhood, which represents a grave violation

of the dignity of the woman and the child, based on the exploitation of situations of the mother’s material needs,” the Pope said.

“Consequently, I express my hope for an effort by the international community to prohibit this practice universally.”

Francis (87) made his comments in a 45-minute address to Vatican-accredited diplomats, which is sometimes called his “state of the world” speech.

There are few statistics on the number of babies born through surrogacy. Due to ethical concerns, the practice is illegal in many countries around the world, as well as in some US states.

Critics of the practice warn of the potential for a “poverty bias” against women who become surrogate mothers due to financial need.

However, interest continues to grow as more women opt to postpone pregnancy

until later in life when fertility wanes, and as more same-sex couples look for ways to start families when they cannot conceive on their own.

In Italy, the country that surrounds the Vatican, surrogacy is illegal. Prime minister Giorgia Meloni’s rightwing coalition is pushing a law through parliament that would extend the existing ban to punish couples who go abroad to carry out the procedure.

Francis, who leads the world’s more than 1.35 billion Catholics, also reaffirmed the Vatican’s condemnation of gender theory, which suggests that gender is more complex and fluid than the binary categories of male and female and depends on more than visible sex characteristics. He called the theory “extremely dangerous since it cancels differences in its claim to make everyone equal”.

Thousands feel ‘let down’ by Carey affair delays Victims of an alleged mortgage scam involving former Kilkenny native and Ireland hockey international Catriona Carey have said they are “utterly dismayed” by the “glacial pace” of the Garda investigation.

Distressed mortgage holders who lost out on thousands of

euro say they are feeling “let down” and “frustrated”.

Three people were arrested in ­ connection with the investigation into Carey’s UK company, Careysfort Asset Estates, last year, but no formal charges have been brought.

A file is still being prepared

for the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB).

Gardaí previously contacted British police forces to seek assistance as Careysfort was registered in the UK. They also had to contact Europol as some money had been

wired to accounts in EU jurisdictions, which has led to delays in the investigation, ­ sources said.

Carey claimed she would buy their loans from their lenders and then sell the loan back to them at a discount once they paid Careysfort a deposit.

It has been nearly two years

since RTÉ Investigates exposed how more than €200,000 received by the company was instead spent on holidays, designer clothes, furniture and a €55,000 BMW. The former Ireland international player is also currently before the courts on a number of civil matters.

Kilkenny doesn’t have these supports at all.

Dual diagnosis or low threshold services needs to be put on a level basis.

Local authority schemes of letting are inconsistent in how properties are rented to people with general needs, or people with supports.

This needs to be addressed.

And so on.

The Good Shepherd Centre in Kilkenny is actively recruiting volunteers to continue its work to alleviate homelessness. To register your interest in volunteering, contact us today, media@ gsck.ie. * Noel Sherry is also CEO of Tar Isteach Housing, formerly known as the Kilkenny Voluntary Housing Association.

57,000 fewer on 12 week wait list A cut in delays faced by patients on public hospital waiting lists last year means 57,000 fewer are in the queue longer than 10 to 12 weeks, the targets set by Sláintecare.

The figures, brought to the Cabinet by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, show last year’s waiting-list initiative, which aimed to reduce the numbers facing these delays by 10pc, was exceeded and an 11pc reduction was achieved.

However, the number of patients joining waiting lists continued to increase and the rate of additions was around 12% – about 188,000 more than in 2022 and over 23% higher than in 2019.

Mr Donnelly told the Cabinet the HSE was attributing the increases to population growth, immigration and the ageing population.

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Opinion

The Fact Of OfThe Matter Paul Hopkins

Global polls and menacing role of AI Three things will predominate this new year, and they are global politics — general elections, effectively — the further rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and further advances in space travel and revolutionary advances in medical science.

Over Christmas, as I watched two of my four granddaughters joyfully play away with what Santa had brought them, I began to picture how AI will play a huge role in their lives.

The ‘tools’ they will use; how they will keep in touch with each other and their cousins in America. We are beginning to get a better idea of what AI can do for their coming generation — in Dublin’s Mater Hospital, last year alone 1,000 operations were carried out with the aid of AI — and, also, where the new science will need my girls as ‘co-pilots’. In short, jobs will be lost but new ones created.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates says he hopes this technology “helps reduce — and doesn’t

contribute to — the awful inequities we see around the world... the power of innovation to offer every child an equal chance to survive and thrive. AI is no exception”.

Next up are general elections around the world. The UK is set to hold one, the US has a contentious presidential election in November, and the world’s most populated country, India, will vote for its next prime minister in May. If not 2024, then the following year will see our own general election. The governing of more than a quarter of the world’s population will be at stake in elections this year, including Taiwan next month and Russia in March.

This year will be the first time some of the world’s biggest democracies have held a national vote since generative AI tools went mainstream.

Martina Larkin, chief executive of Project Liberty, a nonprofit global alliance seeking to promote internet safety, has

warned politicians were “at the top of the pyramid” when it comes to AI-driven misinformation.

Deepfakes, where high-profile figures are digitally cloned in realistic videos, are of particular concern. US President Joe Biden, opponent Donald Trump, and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy have already repeatedly fallen victim to such clips, while in the UK Labour leader Sir Kerr Starmer’s voice was cloned for nefarious purposes. Is that really Mary Lou McDonald we’re watching spout away on the internet?

Ms Larkin said such misinformation could spread “at a much bigger scale” in the run-up to the world’s 2024’s elections. Governments are considering how to regulate the technology, but some are moving faster than others.

President Biden unveiled proposals last October, mandating that AI-generated content be watermarked, while the EU has

reached a deal on such, though it won’t take effect until 2025 at the earliest as the bloc holds parliamentary elections this year. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is very much on board and has been vociferous about the matter.

The UK government has been

“I began to picture how AI will play a huge role in their lives...

cautious about the need for regulation, fearing it will stifle innovation.

Politically too, I see a further shift to the right in many EU countries and elsewhere. In the debate over whether liberal democracy is losing to authoritarianism, Africa also has a voice.

Coups in Niger and Gabon last year have extended the retreat of democracy in Africa, where there have been eight coups since 2020.

Next up, the climate crunch.

Even as global wildfires, heatwaves and hurricanes increase in frequency, a striking lack of urgency, as COP 27 showed, prevails among policymakers when it comes to tackling climate change. Moreover, decarbonisation requires the West and China to co-operate, but their geopolitical rivalry is actually deepening.

According to The Economist, 2024 will see more people go into space as paying passengers, carried afar by rival space-

tourism companies. However, I believe that space travel and other matters concerning emerging technology are not going to change all of a sudden in just one year but over a longer period.

Meantime, imagine your train hurtling down a tunnel at the same speed as a jet airliner. That’s the ongoing dream of PayPal, Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk. His Hyperloop system would see commuters travel at maxed-out speed through a vacuum tube, propelled by compressed air and induction motors. A site has been chosen to begin test runs, most likely this year. Once built, the loop will carry passengers between, say, San Francisco and LA in 35 minutes, compared to 7.5 hours by train.

Finally, and sadly, we can expect global conflicts — like Ukraine and Gaza and elsewhere — to continue, with all the human suffering such entails.

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New degrees in nursing, science Twice as many new degree programmes available outside the Central Applications Office (CAO) points system will be made available from this coming academic year.

Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris is expected to announce the rollout of new programmes in the areas of nursing, business and science from September.

Under a pilot programme launched last year, students can enrol in tertiary programmes at further education institutions before moving on to higher education to complete their fully accredited degree.

The programmes have students who range in age from 18 to their mid-40s, are of various nationalities and are of an equal gender split.

Harris will announce that every education and training board and technological university in the country will participate in the new tertiary programmes.

It is also expected that nursing and psychiatric nursing programmes will be expanded into two other locations.

Programmes at the University of Limerick, University of Galway, National College of Art

and Design, Mary Immaculate College and University College Cork have also been proposed for September 2025.

No tuition fee or student contribution fee is needed from tertiary students during the programme. Student contribution arrangements apply but eligible students can apply for a student grant.

It is hoped the policy will align

Clune welcomes legislation on Euro health data

The European Parliament recently gave the green light to the European Health Data Space (EHDS), establishing a robust legal framework for the secure and efficient use of health data by researchers, innovators, public institutions, and industry players.

Deirdre Clune [pictured], Ireland South MEP and Member of Parliament’s Subcommittee on Public Health, welcomed the EHDS, and explained how the secondary use of data can transform health research across the European Union.

"The EHDS enables researchers, innovators, public institutions, and industry to access large amounts of high-quality health data under strict conditions. Health data holds the potential to revolutionise public health by accelerating the development of new medical products and treatments,” explained Clune.

“The Covid-19 pandemic underscored the importance of such innovation in developing vaccines that saved millions of lives. Therefore, it’s crucial to harness health data and foster innovation that will improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases.”

In an example, Clune outlined how a company focusing on supporting Alzheimer's patients could monitor cognitive and lifestyle data in aging populations.

“This information could then inform the design of drugs targeting specific pathways associated with Alzheimer's progression, based on real-world data reflecting lifestyle factors that influence the disease development," she said.

In December, The Department of Health was awarded €3.6 million in EU funding to support the establishment of a Health Data Access Body, which will allow Ireland to deliver on the new requirements set out in the EHDS. MEP Clune also assured that safeguards would be in place to control data usage, “Access to health data will require a permit from a health data access body in each Member State. This ensures data use for specific purposes, within closed, secure environments, and without compromising individual identities.

"There are also strict regulations to prohibit data use for decisions to the detriment of citizens, such as designing harmful products or services, or increasing insurance premiums,” she said.

“The European Health Data Space marks a milestone in advancing healthcare through responsible data use. By establishing a common framework, we can unlock the full potential of health data while safeguarding privacy and ethical considerations,” said Ms Clune.

the further education and training, higher education and research and innovation sectors.

Harris said the tertiary programmes aimed to ensure “a person’s points do not dictate their career choices”.

“We know so many people have had to consider moving abroad to access education because they didn’t get the points they needed,” he said.

“This policy simply ensures there are other options and other avenues for people to consider.

“What has been great about the first tranche of courses has been the diversity of the student population.

“This is really important, incremental change which will benefit students and ultimately our society and economy.”

Acclaimed one-woman show for Cleere's

Critically acclaimed Play Frigid takes to the Cleere’s Theatre, Kilkenny this month.

After receiving rave reviews at Edinburgh Fringe, Dublin Fringe Festival 2022, Bewley’s Cafe Theatre & The Civic Theatre Tallaght, as well as winning the prestigious Dublin Fringe Little Gem Award, Frigid written and performed by Irish actor Rosa Bowden {pictured}, is set to make its return this January

to Cleere’s Theatre Kilkenny.

The highly anticipated show will run for one night only January 26 at 8pm Niamh O’Reilly is still a 'fridget' – she’s never been kissed – and at 14, she'd want to hurry up. Tonight at the local teenage disco, her friends are on a mission to change that – whether she wants to or not. Set in Dublin in 2007, Niamh takes you on her journey through the 'innocence and discovery and fun – and mortifica-

tion and terror' of Irish adolescence. A coming-of-age comedy about frenemies, first times, and figuring it out.

Written by the talented Rosa Bowden and directed

by Hildegard Ryan, Frigid effortlessly brings to life multiple characters, guiding the audience through a rollercoaster of emotions that encapsulate the innocence, excitement, and challenges of puberty.

The production also

features dynamic sound design and DJing by Ciaran Gallagher, immersing the audience in the era and enhancing the storytelling experience.

Tickets for Frigid are available starting from €15 each and can be purchased through www. cleeres.com.

Given the popularity of the show, it is advisable to secure tickets in advance for this highly anticipated production.

Big salary hikes leading to jumps in house prices A rise in the number of people who earn more than €100,00 a year has led to a recovery in the housing market.

Prices rose in the second half of last year after interest rate jumps put a dampener on price growth in the first half of the year, according to the latest quarterly house price report from MyHome.ie in association with Bank of Ireland.

There has been a 50% rise in the number of people earning more than €100,000, according to Revenue ­ figures. This has boosted property prices in a market where a chronic shortage of supply is also fuelling price growth.

The report found that annual asking price inflation was 4.1% nationwide, 4% in Dublin and 3.9% in the market – including

Kilkenny – outside of Dublin.

This is despite a dip in asking prices nationally in the last three months of 2023.

However, the decline was of similar magnitude to that which occurred in the same quarter last year and reflects the quieter winter months.

The typical asking price nationally was €325,000 in the last quarter. In Dublin it

was €415,000 and elsewhere around the country it was €280,000.

Bank of Ireland economist Conall MacCoille, who wrote the property r­ eport, said prices would keep rising this year.

Last year was one of two halves for the property market, the MyHome.ie report indicates.

Houses are now selling for 4% above their asking prices, but at the start of last year, just 1% of residential properties were selling for over their asking price.

Property experts said the buoyancy of the labour market has had a huge impact on the market.

Revenue estimates there has been a 50pc rise since 2022 in

the number of tax units (single or jointly assessed couples) with incomes exceeding €100,000.

About 357,000 people now earn more than €100,000.

Rising property prices and higher i­ncomes meant the average mortgage approval amount in October hit €297,000.

This was up 6.1% on the year.

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Winter Book Fair at Club House Hotel Kilkenny Saturday 20/01/2023 10.30am - 4pm

The annual Winter Book Fair will be held again this year at the usual venue of the Club House Hotel on Patrick Street Kilkenny from 10.30am until 4pm. The collection of books on display for sale will cover a wide range of material and should satisfy every taste for the literary enthusiast with prices that are more than reasonable, and negotiable.

There will be in attendance 8 book sellers mostly from the South East of Ireland and Dublin with an eclectic array of books covering all genres of interest for the book lover.

From Kilkenny we have Geata Buidhe Books with collections of mostly Irish historical and literary interest, together with many out of print local publications

and ephemeral items of social and topographical interest. Books covering the Celtic and Norman Cultural period of history should be of interest locally together with our most recent era of Rebellion and War of Independence.

Paulstown Books include many publications covering the Carlow/Kilkenny border areas such as scarce nostalgic items from the past and items out of print also.

Seamus O'Connor from Dublin brings with him a collection of rare and uncirculated coins together with some interesting items of numismatic interest.

Kieran O'Brien Books from Wexford will also have a collection of coins

and medals together with an interesting array of antiquarian books of both local and Irish History.

Grange Silvia publications of some old Kilkenny directories and gazettes will also be available for purchase at reasonable prices.

Other book sellers include Joe Collins Rare Books from Dublin and Eddie Murphy’s Lyonshill Books from Kildare.

This Winter Book Fair has been running for the past 10 years and has proved to be quite popular and well supported by the book lovers in the Kilkenny area and further afield. We would like to thank our supporters for their custom over the years and wish them all a Happy New Year in 2024.

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Opinion

As I See It Marianne Heron

UK trans guidelines would vindicate Enoch Burke We don’t know what gifts Enoch Burke received in his now familiar surroundings of Mountjoy prison but one metaphorical present arrived in Christmas week.

It was news about the UK’s advice to schools on how to handle pupils questioning their gender identity. The document, described as calm and moderate by the London Times, says, among other clear guidelines, that schools “should not proactively initiate social transitioning” and cautioned against allowing children to change their pronouns. Crucially, from Evangelical Christian Burke’s point of view, it states that no teacher should be sacked for “misgendering” a pupil.

Burke in currently in prison for refusing to purge his contempt of court and to stay away from Wilson’s Hospital School in Westmeath where he was previously employed as a German and history

teacher. But the origins of the Burke saga began over Burke’s refusal to address a ‘trans’ pupil with a new pronoun and name, on the grounds that trans ideology was against his religious beliefs. If we had had similar guidelines s the UK proposes, Burke’s original position, subsequent behaviour aside, would be vindicated and the whole Burke saga could have been avoided The UK document to guide schools and safeguard gender-questioning children will be the subject of debate and consultation over coming months before it is adopted. Meantime, the gender issue continues to cause waves here, currently over doctors’ fears that promised conversion therapy ban legislation will undermine the treatment of gender-questioning patients and prevent the development of a children’s gender

service, warning of medical social and educational harm to children.

“Currently, huge numbers of children, many autistic, are self- identifying as ‘trans’ (mostly through social contagion). Most of these children are not transgender.”

Studies have found that the majority of children with gender dysphoria desist later and generally become gay.

While there have always been individuals who felt that they were born into the wrong sex, recent trans ideology’s claim is that those who self-declare to be of another gender must be accepted as the opposite sex, so that say, a trans woman (born biologically male) is a woman.

Debate can turn toxic: people who say that there are only two biological sexes or are concerned for the fate of gender questioning children who are treated

with cross-sex hormones and sterilising surgery who may subsequently regret the decision, are vilified as transphobic or homophobic by trans activists.

Here, all schools are managed by the school board of management for which school principals have a responsibility for the setting of school policies. a spokesperson for the Department of Education points out.

The department is fully committed to creating safe, supportive and inclusive environments and The Wellbeing Policy Framework provides an overarching framework for schools to support the wellbeing of all members of the school community.

The Cineáltas: Action Plan on Bullying 2022 is dedicated to the prevention and addressing of bullying, cyber bullying, racism, gender identity bullying or sexual harassment, in schools.

Last year the Social, Personal and Health Education programme (SPHE) in primary schools, which includes gender teaching, provoked opposition from the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association.

A guide like the UK’s could pour oil on troubled waters.

It advocates that schools should not proactively initiate social transitioning with changes of name or pronoun and should only allow this if the benefits to the child outweigh the impact on the school community.

If a child asks to change gender, parents should be informed. Schools should consider if children are influenced by social media or feel pressured to change gender because they don’t conform with stereotypes or sexual orientation is an issue. There is unequivocal advice on protecting single

sex spaces and biological boys will not be allowed to compete against girls in sport if it poses a safety risk. The guidelines also state that biological sex exists materially and legally and that schools have obligations to uphold this.

It seems to me to be the kind of sensible advice that should apply beyond the school gates and would avoid cases like Burke’s or Maya Forstater’s in the UK who lost her job with the Centre for Global Development for stating that the sexes are immutable, a fact essential to protect women’s rights. In her appeal it was ruled that her views were protected under the UK’s 2010 Equality Act and she was awarded damages.

It should be possible to give trans people safeguards without attacking women’s rights or denying the reality of biological sex.

Natural health tips from head to toe CLAIR WHITTY

I get asked a lot about dry and itchy scalp. There are a couple of reasons why your scalp is itchy. It could be the hair colour product that you use. Try switching them around and using something different. Brands like Naturatint and Naturigin are worth trying if you think this is the cause. Dehydration will affect your scalp too.

Drink plenty of water, up to 2 litres per day and increase foods that contain essential fats. If you have dandruff, it could be that you are low in Zinc. A supplement or multi vitamin that contains Zinc could be the answer. For itchy and dry scalp my go to shampoo is Salcura Omega 3 Rich Shampoo. Many customers find this very helpful.

Tension in the shoulders and neck is a common problem that causes pain and discomfort. It is often the result of stress. Simple solutions can include changing the seat that you use at the computer, when driving, or when watching tv. A shoulder and neck massage or a relaxing bath may help.

Betteryou Magnesium spray oil is an ideal massage oil for achy, tense, and sore

muscles. Magnesium is the most popular supplement to help support muscle health.

Many of you suffer with knee pain and discomfort.

This can sometimes stem from wearing the wrong footwear. Check this out first. Many people I see have sore knees from standing all day long. It is a good idea to have an X- ray to see what is going on with your knees.

In the meantime, consider Joint Complex by Revive Active, one of our top supplements to help with your joints. It’s a super supplement that contains Glucosamine, MSM, Collagen, Vitamin D, K2 and other nutrients to support bone and joint health. It is added to 200-300ml of water and is best taken one hour before

food. It combines well with Omega 3 Oils.

For athlete’s foot soak your feet in water with apple cider vinegar and a couple of drops of tea tree added then dry your feet well. Occasionally clean the inside of your shoes with water and tea tree oil and leave to dry. This should give you some relief to the problem.

Hopefully these tips will help you feel good from head to toe.

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

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

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SPECIAL REPORT During COP28, the UN climate conference that took place in Dubai last year, countries agreed to set up a climate reparations fund on an interim basis at the World Bank. The fund was a longtime priority of developing countries and climate justice advocates who argued that nations that had contributed negligibly to a warming planet were facing the consequences.

This year, the World Bank is expected to set up the fund and begin disbursing money to poor nations. Board members will be selected, an executive director will be appointed, decisions about how countries can access the money will be made, and money will begin flowing to those in need. During COP28, wealthy countries chipped in more than €600 million to the fund. More money will also fill the coffers this year.

‘Greenhushing’ spreads Just a few years ago, splashy corporate climate promises were everywhere. Even oil companies promised to cut their emissions. But there won’t be as many misleading advertisements touting companies’ climate progress in 2024. Amid new regulations against false environmental marketing and a pileup of greenwashing lawsuits, more corporations will join in hiding their climate commitments to avoid scrutiny.

This trend of ‘greenhushing’ jumped in 2023, when one in ve companies globally declined to publicly release their sustainability targets, a threefold increase from the prior year. While this makes it harder to see what companies are doing, new laws in Europe and elsewhere will tackle the transparency problem by requiring companies to disclose their carbon emissions.

A global treaty to end plastic pollution faces delays Delegates from around the world have been working to finalise a UN treaty by the end of 2024 that will “end plastic pollution”. They’ve had three negotiating sessions so far, and two more are scheduled for later this year. Despite signs of progress, petrochemical industry interests have resisted the most ambitious proposals to limit plastic production — they’d prefer a treaty focused on cleaning up plastic litter and improving plastic recycling rates.

After countries failed to make significant headway at the most recent round of talks, it’s now possible that an extended deadline will be needed to deliver the final treaty. To some involved in the talks, that’s OK if it’ll mean a stronger agreement. But the pressure is still on, as every year without a treaty means more unchecked plastic pollution.

How we might battle climate change in 2024 A climate reparations fund gets off the ground

Chemical manufacturers settlements Major chemical manufacturers like 3M, DuPont, and Chemours were forced to strike multibillion-dollar settlements last year with coalitions of states, cities, and townships over PFAS — the deadly “forever chemicals” these companies knowingly spewed into the environment for decades. 2024 will be a big year for determining just how pervasive this problem is in water supplies.

New hotspots are likely to emerge as the EPA conducts additional testing across the country, particularly in areas where little data on the chemicals currently exists. New fights over forever chemicals will also unfold in places like Minnesota, where lawmakers have introduced a bill that would require 3M and other large chemical corporations to pay for medical testing for PFAS- exposed communities, where the UN just declared PFAS pollution a human rights violation.

Accountability At COP28, negotiators from small island states sought

to hold larger countries financially accountable for their outsize role in fuelling carbon emissions. In 2024, that issue could be decided in international courts: As soon

as March, the International Court of Justice will weigh arguments regarding countries’ obligations under international law to protect current and future generations from

the harmful effects of climate change.

The case brought by Vanuatu raises the question of how much big polluters owe island nations, with Vanuatu and other Pacific island communities particularly affected by rising sea levels and worsening storms.

Minerals for energy Discoveries of major new deposits of rare earths and other minerals critical to the expansion of renewable energy will continue to explode. These developments, alongside other incentives from the Inflation will bolster mining and renewable energy industries in 2024. Many of these discoveries are being made in coalfields and oil fields by fossil fuel companies looking to diversify their portfolios.

In response, expect a boom in the efforts to reform laws around the poorly regulated mining industry Climate-smart agriculture The year 2024 could be the biggest year yet for ‘climatesmart’ agriculture. Farmers will begin planting trees and covering crops that sequester

carbon. New laws will have the chance to carve out even more funds in farm legislative bills. But climate advocates won’t be satisfied with all of the results: The fight over what counts as ‘climate smart’ will heat up as subsidies go to tools like methane digesters, which some advocates blame for propping up big polluters.

Puerto Rico a leader Puerto Rico becomes be a leader in residential-solar energy adoption.

The archipelago of 1.2 million households already installs 3,400 residential rooftop solar and batterystorage systems a month. In spring 2024, the Energy Department will begin deploying $440 million in residential-solar funding, which they say will be enough for about 30,000 homes.

Analysts predict that by 2030, one-quarter of Puerto Rico households will have photovoltaic systems, though that depends in part on whether Puerto Rico passes a pending bill that would protect net metering until then.

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Opinion

Your Money & You John Ellis

How a more sustainable future is in the can Next month in a bid to meet ambitious recycling targets set by the European Union’s ‘Single Use Plastic Directive’, Ireland will gear up for the launch of the Deposit Return Scheme. This groundbreaking initiative aims to revolutionise the way we handle plastic drinks’ bottles and aluminium cans, thereby promoting a ‘circular economy’ and reducing the impact of single-use plastics on the environment.

Under the EU directive, Ireland must separately collect 77% of plastic beverage bottles by 2025, reaching, it is hoped an ambitious 90% by 2029.

To achieve thiss, the Deposit and Return Scheme is being introduced, requiring consumers to pay a small fully refundable deposit when purchasing bottles or cans with the Re-turn logo.

Costs will vary, from 15 cent for containers of 500ml or less to 25 cent for containers from 500ml up to 3 liters.

By attaching a monetary value to drink containers, the Deposit Return Scheme should incentivise consumers to return them, reducing litter and contributing to ‘a closed-loop recycling system’. The system should also ensure that by separately collecting drink containers, cross-contamination is eliminated, resulting in a higher quality of returns that can be more efficiently processed.

The onus will be on the retailer who will have the flexibility to choose between manual returns or automatic collection through Reverse Vending Machines, with the latter not being mandatory.

The deposit will be paid on returning the empty container undamaged to any retailer selling drinks with the Re-turn logo.

The initiative represents “a pivotal shift from the traditional linear model of ‘take, make, dispose’ to a circular system that prioritises the

return and recycling of valuable materials”. Currently, up to 70% of bottles and cans are recycled annually, resulting in an estimated loss of 600 million containers going unrecycled in Ireland each year.

The resulting 30% of plastic bottles and cans not being collected for recycling through green bins are

adding to the growing litter problem.

Deposit return schemes have proven successful in more than 40 jurisdictions globally, with 13 European countries having the programme in place with more set to follow. The system should encourage us the consumer, to actively participate in recycling, contrib-

uting to Ireland’s efforts to meet EU recycling targets.

Containers eligible for the Deposit Return Scheme include PET plastic bottles, aluminium and steel cans.

Glass containers and all dairy products are excluded from the scheme along with non-eligible items not featuring the Re-turn logo.

The management and

operation of the Deposit Return Scheme will not cost the public or the Government any money. The system is to be self-funded through producer fees for each product placed on the market, “ensuring a sustainable and economically viable recycling solution”.

As we, the consumer, take this significant step towards “a more sustainable and circular future”, the Deposit Return Scheme promises not only to increase recycling rates but also to engage and encourage us in the ongoing battle against single-use plastics.

Details of the scheme can be found on the official website www.re-turn.ie , and a comprehensive FAQ section is available for consumers, retailers, and producers to help in the implementation of the upcoming changes. john@ellisfinancial.ie 086 8362622

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TSK Academy - Business All Star Social Entrepreneur of the Year Jeanette Delahunty, owner of TSK Academy Limited and Tutors Made for You has been recognised for her outstanding work in the field of social entrepreneurship, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to using business as a force for good in the world, and has been honoured the prestigious award of Business All Star Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2023.

Her work training educators, special needs assistants, and social care workers in the areas of neurodivergent conditions such as Autism, ADHD, and Dyslexia is highly valuable. With the increasing recognition of these conditions, it is essential that professionals working in these fields possess the knowledge and skills needed to support individuals with these conditions effectively.

Jeanette’s efforts in ensuring that these professionals are adequately trained and equipped to provide the best quality care and support are commendable.

Beyond her work with individual professionals, Jeanette has also made significant contributions to corporate culture change by providing training and consultancy services to organisations. Her expertise

in the area of neurodiversity has helped organisations understand the unique challenges faced by individuals with neurodivergent conditions and has provided them with the tools and knowledge needed to create more inclusive workplaces. Her work has helped organisations to create a culture in which all employees feel valued and supported, regardless of their differences.

Jeanette’s dedication to providing training and consultancy services to professionals and organisations in the area of neurodiversity is truly inspiring. Her work has helped to create a more inclusive and supportive society for individuals with neurodivergent conditions, and we can all learn from her example.

So what’s next? Jeanette is excited to announce TSK Academy’s upcoming conference during

Climate Change

– are we all playing our part?

Neurodiversity Celebration Week - on March 22nd 2024, being held in the Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny. Our diverse lineup of speakers, representing various fields and backgrounds, shares a commitment to building a future where educational environments are nurturing spaces for neurodiverse children. Together, we're creating a platform for information, education, assistance, and support, paving the way for collaborative efforts that can further develop the landscape of support and understanding. Whether you're personally or professionally involved, you're welcome to be part of this experience!

You are invited to join us.

Book directly through us for no booking fee: https:// tskacademy.com/course/ neurodiversity-in-educationinclusive-practice/ Contact: info@tskacademy. com or call 056 7819111

WEEK50

'I guess it's up to us'

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12 January 2024

News Science & Wellbeing Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was emperor of Rome from 161 AD until his death in 180. The last in a series of rulers that historians now refer to as the Five Good Emperors, he was chosen as imperial heir when he was still a child. Raised with his future job in mind, Aurelius was pulled out of the empire’s questionable public school system and educated at home by Greek tutors and Stoic philosophers.

As intended, this worldclass education ended up having a positive influence over Marcus Aurelius’ reign.

His decisions were informed not by lust or jealousy or greed — as had been the case for many Julio- Claudian emperors — but by his deep understanding of law and logic.

Often cited as the very embodiment of Plato’s ‘philosopher-king’, Marcus Aurelius always weighed his options, acting only when he felt he was making the right call.

Glimpses of the emperor’s internal dialogue are revealed to us through The Meditations, a diary that Marcus Aurelius kept up during his military campaigns in central Europe.

The contents of the diary — a collection of aphorisms on topics such as the shortness of life, self- acceptance, and the relationship between reason and emotion — were, in all likelihood, never meant to be published. Indeed, Marcus Aurelius wrote The Meditations not to enlighten others, but to help himself carry the weight of his imperial responsibilities.

Both Marcus Aurelius and his Meditations occupy an important role in the history of Stoicism. This school of thought, founded in ancient Greece in the third century BC by Zeno of Citium, is very much alive today. In so many words, Stoicism — and All agree walking is for you.

When it comes to boosting your health, however, the actual distance walked isn’t always the most important factor, According to a new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the pace at which you walk makes a difference too.

More specifically, the research found that while walking at an ‘average’ or ‘normal’ walking speed of two to three miles an hour was associated with a 15% lower risk of type 2 diabetes when compared with ‘easy’ or ‘casual’ walking, both the ‘brisk’ and ‘striding’ walking speeds accounted for nearly double that percentage.

A walking speed of three to four miles an hour was associated with a 24% lower risk of type 2 diabetes, for example, while a ‘striding’ pace of over four miles an hour was associated with a 39% lower risk overall.

Of course, any walking is

force, had to get out of bed to meet with the wealthy patrons who paid for their work- free lifestyles, and the wealthy patrons had to get out of bed to receive their middle-class clients.

As emperor, Marcus Aurelius was just about the only person in the Roman empire who didn’t have to do anything. If he wanted to take the day off and keep sleeping, no one would have been able to stop him from doing so.

At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: “I have to go to work — as a human being.

What do I have to complain of, if I’m going to do what I was born for — the things I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?”

If his worst impulses refused to listen to reason, Marcus Aurelius would retort: “So you were born to feel ‘nice’?

Instead of doing things and experiencing them? Don’t you see the plants, the birds, the ants and spiders and bees going about their individual tasks, putting the world in order, as best they can? And you’re not willing to do your job as a human being? Why aren’t you running to do what your nature demands?

For Marcus Aurelius, waking up early was about more than making the most of your day. By forcing yourself to get out of bed even when you don’t want to, you are living life the way it ought to be lived, the way — as the emperor puts it — that nature intended.

In this sense, his comments on his morning routine lead into a much broader discussion about virtue, which in The Meditations is defined as the pursuit of qualities such as wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance.

Learning from Marcus about getting out of bed in the morning especially the Roman variety represented by Marcus Aurelius — is about helping people live fulfilling lives by maximising positive emotions, minimising negative ones, and cultivating a virtuous character.

Throughout The Meditations, Marcus Aurelius not only asks himself how he can

be a better emperor, but also what it means to be a good man in general.

Marcus Aurelius was not a morning person According to Marcus Aurelius, self-improvement should start the moment you wake up. This was of course easier said than done. A night-owl in a society that

went to bed at dusk and rose at the brink of dawn, the emperor often struggled to get out of bed in the morning.

For the vast majority of Romans, waking up was not a choice. The urban poor had to get out of bed because they had to report to work.

The middle-classes, who were not a part of the labour

Walking: why it’s all about the pace

better than none, even if you’re walking short distances and at a leisurely pace. Studies have also found that walking for 15

minutes a day, at least five days a week, helps to boost immunity and combat sweet cravings.

What’s more, despite the

myth that 10,000 daily steps are the ‘magic number’ for improving one’s well-being, recent research found that walking anywhere between

2,600 and 2,800 steps a day has significant health benefits, with approximately 7,000 steps decreasing one’s chance of cardiovas-

cular disease by more than half.

More recent research concluded that just 20 to 25 minutes of short bursts of intense activity can help increase longevity, while a 2023 study found that climbing stairs five times a day, which amounts to approximately 50 steps, decreases the chance of cardiovascular disease by 20%.

Also of note? The tremendous benefits of walking after eating in particular, which can help reduce heart disease risk, regulate blood glucose levels, and even improve your sleep.

Not bad!

Translation? Get those steps in when you can— ideally after having a meal —and don’t be afraid to get creative with it.

Whether you’re a morning walker or simply looking to level up your evening commute, research has proved that your body will thank you.

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Travel & Leisure Even though we have not quite reached 2019 levels when it comes to global tourism, we are very close, and some popular places have suffered major problems when it comes to ‘overtourism’.

Naturally, as travellers, we want to continue to see the world, but there are definitely some destinations that should be removed from your bucket list, at least temporarily, due to overcrowding, high prices, and other associated problems.

It may be disappointing to strike some of these cities off your list for the coming year, but according to a new report, they have been some of the worst affected.

Paris The ‘City of Light’ may be one of the most romantic in the world, but that comes at a price.

Huge numbers of tourists have pushed prices very high even for an already expensive city, while the large crowds have also caused an increase in scams.

The summer of 2024 looks set to be one of the most expensive times ever to visit Paris [pictured] due to the city hosting the Olympic Games.

Many are considering not going because the travel and accommodation costs, even from the nearby Ireland and UK , are just crazy.

An Alternative: Bordeaux, in the heart of one of France’s most famous wine- growing regions, is packed with historic museums, impressive architecture, and riverside parks.

Athens Greece smashed its own tourism record in 2023, but that is not necessarily the good news you might think it is.

The capital city of Athens found itself overrun at times this summer, especially at some of its major attractions.

Things have got so bad that a

Air New Zealand is the most secure airline of 2024. It has narrowly surpassed last year’s winner, Qantas, to claim the top position.

Every traveller wants peace of mind when they board a plane. While all airlines must adhere to strict safety regulations, there are some that go above and beyond to ensure the safety of their passengers.

Best Airlines Ranked by Safety in 2024 The selection of the top 25 safest airlines exemplifies the forefront of safety, innovation, and the introduction of cutting-edge aircraft. The margins of safety ratings between these top twenty-five airlines are extremely narrow.

When comparing Air New Zealand and Qantas, there is merely a difference of 1.5 points. It is an exceptionally close result.

The annual list by AirlineRatings.com assesses numerous criteria when evaluating airlines. These

Don’t like crowds?

Avoid these cities

visitor cap is being trialed for the Acropolis, with the plan being to have pre-bookable online tickets as the only way to see this famous landmark.

And that might just be the beginning, with other sights set to be subject to similar rules if this trial is successful.

An Alternative: Istanbul is another hugely important historical city in a similar region of Europe and is much cheaper and less crowded than Athens, at least for now!

Venice This Italian city has probably grabbed the most headlines

when it comes to problems with too many tourists.

Locals have really turned against the high volumes of visitors entering their city over the course of 2023 and the local government as well as UNESCO have voiced concerns about the possible damage that might be being done.

Some measures have already been implemented such as a trial of a €5 fee for daily visitors, but most recently the local government has announced it will ban tourist groups of larger than 25 people.

An Alternative: The coastal city of Genoa, close to Italy’s border with France. This port town is hugely historic and famous for its focaccia bread.

Amsterdam Amsterdam has described itself as a city at breaking point when it comes to ‘overtourism’.

Huge numbers of badly behaved tourists have caused countless problems for residents, which has led to the government creating ‘stay away’ campaigns because it simply cannot cope.

The city is cracking

Named: top 25 safest airlines in the world include serious incident records, recent fatal accidents, audits conducted by aviation regulatory bodies, industry

performance, leading safety initiatives, evaluation of pilot training, and fleet age.

However, these airline

ratings do not account for events beyond the airline’s control, such as bird strikes, turbulence injuries, weather

down on holiday rental accommodations meaning that there will be fewer places to stay, and it is even planning to restrict licenses for souvenir shops.

An Alternative: With similar waterside architecture, a great culture for digital nomads, and smaller crowds, Copenhagen in Denmark is a good option.

Barcelona La Rambla in Barcelona can be a horrible place when it’s jampacked with tourists on a hot day.

There is petty crime, there

are people hassling you, and there are huge tour groups everywhere you look.

And this nasty reality is starting to bite for the residents of the city, with the government discussing the idea of visitor number caps.

It’s also a very expensive and increasingly polluted city, so while it does most certainly have its charm, it may be best to avoid it for a little while.

An Alternative: Head north to the city of Bilbao, which is surrounded by lush mountains and home to the iconic Guggenheim Museum.

Happy holiday!

diversions, and lightning strikes.

Air New Zealand took the top spot of the world’s safest airline for its unwavering commitment to safety and exceptional performance across a broad range of factors, even considering the smallest details.

This airline’s pilots operate seamlessly in highly challenging environments.

For example, Wellington is renowned for its formidable winds, while Queenstown poses significant navigational complexities.

Air New Zealand – world’s best airlines ranked by safety.

The Top Twenty Five Safest Airlines are as follows: Air New Zealand, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Emirates, All Nippon Airways, Finnair, Cathay Pacific Airways, Alaska Airlines, SAS, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, EVA Air, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Lufthansa/Swiss Group, KLM,

Japan Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines, Air France, Air Canada Group, and United Airlines.

Last year’s winner, Qantas, which is in second place this year, has never had a fatal jet airline accident. This Australian airline invests heavily in maintenance and safety procedures, and its pilots go through rigorous training programs.

Some examples of other airlines that have never had a fatal crash, according to Airsafe, are Hawaiian Airlines, Etihad, Frontier Airlines, Emirates, Aegean Airlines, Qatar Airways, GoJet Airlines, Air Europa, easyJet, Republic Airways, WestJet, Air Transat, Swiss, British Airways, Envoy Air, LATAM Airlines Brasil, LATAM Airlines Chile, LATAM Airlines Perú, Oman Airways, Hainan Airlines, Jetstar Airways, Allegiant Air, Shenzhen Airlines, Air Zimbabwe, Southwest, Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia.

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Opinion

Furthermore Gerry Moran

So, what’s another hundred years?

What’s another hundred years going to bring? Who the hell knows but at the rate we’re waging incessant, callous and cruel wars I wouldn’t be surprised if we weren’t around (all it takes is a few triggerhappy lunatics to nuke us into oblivion). Or perhaps AI will rule the roost and eradicate Man’s follies, foibles and greed (among other things).

Well, whatever about 100 years from now following is a selection of events from 100 years ago, a long time back for sure until I remember that my mother, God rest her, was a lively, energetic 14-year-old in 1924 which brings the distant past that bit nearer to me. * January 21, 1924: Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, the provincial lawyer turned political agitator better known as Lenin died after a long illness. He was 54. * February 12: George Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody In Blue’, described as an experiment

in modern music, transfixed an audience in New York. He called the piece “a musical kaleidoscope of America, our pep, our blues, our metropolitan madness”. * Also in February, the lid on Tutankhamun’s sarcophagus in Luxor (which had been discovered 15 months earlier

by Howard Carter) was lifted.

The first thing Carter saw was a drab linen shroud. When the shroud was drawn back, gasps of amazement could be heard; for almost 3,300 years the cloth had covered a breathtaking, golden effigy of the king while lying among the many treasures round about was a small wreath of flowers that astonishingly still retained their colours and was possibly placed there

by Tutankhamun’s wife in a touching farewell gesture. * April 16: A new giant American film company with a roaring lion as its trademark was formed. The

new company, MGM, was an amalgamation of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures and the Louis B Mayer Company (100 years later, that lion is still roaring). * May 25: Stalin emerged as the Soviet Union’s strong man after the death of Lenin in January. * July 30: The eight Olympic Games held in Paris were memorable not least for Johnny Weissmuller (later to play Tarzan in 19 films) who won three gold medals in the swimming pool. On the track Britain’s Eric Liddell, the Scottish Rugby international, forsook the 100 metres (for which he was fancied) to avoid competing in heats on a Sunday. He switched to the 400 metres which he won, setting a new record. Cambridge law student Harold Abrahams triumphed against all odds in the 100 metres. He became the first European to win the

Olympic title. These events are wonderfully re-enacted in the marvellous movie ‘Chariots Of The Gods’. * August 25.: The Mauretania sets a new record for crossing the Atlantic at the ripe old age of 17. The Cunard liner completed the 3,198 miles in five days, one hour and 35 minutes

“Stalin emerged as the Soviet Union’s strong man..

at an average speed of 30 miles an hour beating her record made 14 years previously before converting to oil fired boilers. * September 18: Mahatma Gandhi fasts for 21 days, in despair at the recent riots between Muslims and Hindus.

“Nothing I say or write can bring the two communities together.” * December 20: Paroled after just eight months for high treason, Adolf Hitler, leader of the Nazis, an extreme German nationalist party, was treated like an honoured guest by his gaolers; he had a room with a view overlooking the river Lech while visitors flocked to pay him homage and brought him gifts . * December 24: Eight people died in Britain’s worst air crash when an Imperial Airways aircraft plummeted to the ground seconds after take-off from Croydon aerodrome. The UK’s

previous worst disaster was in 1922 when six people died in a mid-air collision.

And in Ireland in 1924 In Ireland, Dublin Corporation renames Sackville St. O’Connell St. In an austerity budget Finance Minister Ernest Blythe cuts the old age pension by 10% from 10 shillings to mine shillings. Minister for Education Eoin McNeill makes the teaching of Irish compulsory in all schools.

Eamon de Valera is arrested in Newry Town Hall after defying an order preventing him from speaking in Northern Ireland. Seán O’ Casey’s play ‘Juno And The Paycock’ opens at the Abbey Theatre. In the Art competitions at the Paris Olympics Jack B Yeats (brother of WB) wins silver for his painting ‘The Liffey Swim.

Meanwhile, Dublin win the hurling All Ireland and Kerry win the football.

The Little Lost Puppy by Presentation Kilkenny transition year students We are three Transition Year students, Hazel Maher, Danica Tervit- Kruger and Niamh Brett in Presentation Kilkenny.

We took part in the Mini Company Entrepreneur programme in our school.

We brainstormed a few ideas and came to the conclusion that the most innovative idea was to write a children's book not just for entertainment purposes but also to educate young children about rescuing animals and the ‘Adopt don’t shop’ campaign when getting a pet. Our book is called The Little Lost Puppy and we plan on writing a collection of other books about different animals from the

‘My Lovely Horse Rescue’ that we have partnered up with. We contacted the rescue through Instagram and they were more than happy to team up with us on our mission. We based our story on one of the rescue’s longest residents Britney, a dog that was used for breeding and then discarded. Britney, who is called Bella in our story,

had spent almost one year in the care of the My Lovely Horse Rescue team. She has watched her friends come and go and was patiently waiting for a loving family. Britney has had many litters of puppies who were sold on for profit making purposes which we highlight in our book. Luckily, those days are now behind her as she was lucky enough

to finally get adopted over the Christmas period. We decided to write the story about Britney as we disagree with the breeding of animals when Ireland’s rescues are currently bursting at the seams with unwanted animals. We also think it is so important for not just children but for everyone to know that we should Adopt and not shop! After we had

finished writing our book and got it printed we then went to MacDonagh Shopping Centre, Kilkenny and started to sell some books. After that we went to the RDS in Dublin and sold a few more and a few weeks after that we sold more books at our school Christmas market. We set up social media platforms so that people can see behind the scenes of

our progress of writing the book and informore infor mation about the rescue and Britney’s story. To help expand our business and sales we have now decided to sell some of our books in various book shops around Kilkenny, we are delighted to confirm that we will be setting up a stand and selling some of our books in both Khan's Book shop and in the Book Centre in Kilkenny City. Khan's Book shop has supported and helped us a lot by suggesting that we do a book launch for our story book. We are very grateful to The Kilkenny Observer for this opportunity and we feel it will be very beneficial to our business.

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Kilkenny County Council launches public survey on Night Time Economy Pilot Action Plan Kilkenny County Council has launched an online public survey on https://consult. kilkenny.ie/surveys to support the development of a Night Time Economy Action Plan for the City.

Following a successful application by the local authority, Kilkenny City was designated as one of nine pilot towns and cities in Ireland that will prepare and implement an action plan. This plan will set out a range of interventions to support the coordinated development of the night time economy. As part of the twoyear pilot scheme, a dedicated Night Time Economy Advisor has been appointed for the City and the formation of a stakeholder forum representing cross sector business and community interests is underway. The forum will oversee and support the implementation of the plan.

The public survey is an opportunity for everyone to provide their feedback on the challenges and opportunities that exist for the night time economy. By understanding and balancing the needs of the various communities that

co-exist to bring the night time to life, there is an opportunity in Kilkenny City to shape the future direction of the diverse social, cultural and economic activity after 6pm.

Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr Michael Doyle, said: “I would encourage everyone who lives in, works in or visits Kilkenny City to engage with and complete the survey. As one of the nine pilot towns and cities selected, we have a real opportunity in Kilkenny to be at the forefront of identifying and implementing sustainable actions that will continue to provide an accessible and safe place for all those who want to enjoy what we have to offer as a City at night. It will also encourage increased diversity and inclusivity in the night time economy which in turn will boost our local economy” Kilkenny City Night Time Economy Advisor, Conor Sweeney said: “Since my appointment to the role in Kilkenny County Council I have been encouraged at how engaged the various stakeholders in the City are with regards to the night time

economy. There is a keen sense of awareness within our stakeholder forum of the importance of the night time economy to the fabric of Kilkenny City. Equally there is an understanding that in order to enhance our night time offering even more, we need to focus on areas such as transportation and accessibility, public realm, safety, night time economy activities and the marketing and promotion of our City at night. The implementation of a dedicated Action Plan will help us to realise our ambition to be the foremost destination in Ireland for an evening and night time experience”.

Note: The survey will be open for three weeks from Monday 15th January, 2024 to Friday 2nd February, 2024. The survey is anonymous, however if you wish to be included in a draw to win one of six €50 Kilkenny Chamber vouchers, please submit your email address at the end of the survey and we will be in contact with the winners once the survey has concluded. https://consult.kilkenny.ie/ surveys

Kilkenny ranks impressive 4th out of 40 towns and cities in IBAL results, demonstrating major decrease in litter Kilkenny has once again outshined many in the recent results of the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) survey, securing an impressive 4th place out of 40 towns and cities evaluated. This remarkable achievement highlights Kilkenny's efforts in tackling litter and improving the overall cleanliness of the City.

The IBAL survey, carried out annually, is a comprehensive assessment of litter levels across Ireland's towns and cities. The survey takes into account various factors, including cleanliness of streets, public areas, approach roads, and general wasteland. Kilkenny's high ranking is attributed to the collaborative efforts of the community groups, Kilkenny County Council and businesses in creating a cleaner and more appealing environment.

Mayor Joe Malone expressed his pride in Kilkenny's achievement,

stating, "This ranking is a reflection of the dedication and hard work put in by our community, the Kilkenny City Area Office, Keep Kilkenny Beautiful and business owners. Kilkenny's successful approach to tackling litter has not only enhanced the aesthetics of the City but has also positively impacted tourism and economic development. A cleaner and more attractive City encourages a welcoming atmosphere for visitors, while also attracting potential investors and businesses.

This achievement presents an opportunity for Kilkenny to further strengthen its reputation as an exceptional destination.”

What sets Kilkenny apart is its decrease in litter, leading to a significant improvement in overall cleanliness. Mags Whelan, Environmental Awareness Officer, Kilkenny County Council commented “This achievement is the result

of numerous initiatives implemented in recent years, aimed at reducing litter and promoting responsible waste management practices.

The collaborative efforts by authorities, community groups and volunteers, our local Tidy Towns group Keep Kilkenny Beautiful and residents alike have played a crucial role in achieving this remarkable progress.”

Looking forward, Kilkenny aims to build upon this remarkable achievement by continuing to implement effective strategies to eradicate litter.

The Council acknowledges the importance of ongoing education and awareness campaigns, waste management improvements, and community engagement. By staying committed to these principles, Kilkenny hopes to maintain and improve its ranking at the forefront of clean towns and cities in Ireland.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12 January 2024

Global Report In his unmovable opposition to Ukraine being admitted to the EU, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has stood firm calling the country “corrupt” – as EU leaders are set to make a decision on starting talks with Kyiv on joining the bloc.

“Hungary is a neighbour of Ukraine ... we know exactly what is happening,” Orbán told French news outlet Le Point in an interview. “Ukraine is known to be one of the most corrupt countries in the world. It’s a joke!” he said.

“We cannot take the decision to start a process of accession negotiations,” Prime Minister Orbán said.

EU leaders are gathering in Brussels for two historic decisions on Ukraine: approving a plan to begin discussions on Kyiv joining the 27-nation bloc and the release of €50 billion in aid for Ukraine.

Yet, Orbán’s shadow looms over the summit, as the Hungarian leader has adamantly opposed the opening of accession negotiations for Ukraine — despite the European Commission giving the green light in November — and threatened to use Hungary’s veto power to block the disbursement of the aid funds.

In what Le Point said was Orbán’s first interview in France since 2015, the Hungarian leader stood by his stance, calling the EU’s plan to start accession talks a “bad decision”. Ukraine is not ready to join the EU, Orbán said, despite the Commission’s declaration.

One of Orbán’s main concerns remains Ukraine’s “corruption” despite Hungary’s own fragile reputation when it comes to transparency.

The EU has repeatedly raised concerns of corruption and rule-of-law breaches in Hungary, warning of democratic backsliding durRobert F Kennedy Jr can now officially file to run as a presidential candidate in the state of Utah before a March 5 deadline. He has met the signature requirement and qualifies for presidential ballot in Utah, the first state to grant him access Kennedy Jr has collected enough signatures to appear on the 2024 presidential ballot in Utah, election officials say, marking the first state where the independent candidate and prominent antivaccine conspiracy theorist has qualified.

Kennedy has met the 1,000-signature requirement needed to qualify for the Utah ballot and can officially file to run as a presidential candidate in the state before a March 5 deadline, state Elections Director Ryan Cowley said.

Utah is the first state where Kennedy’s campaign submitted signatures and qualified for ballot access, campaign spokesperson Stefanie Spear said. She did not indicate

Hungary’s Orbán digs in, in opposition to Ukraine joining EU ing Orbán’s decade-plus in power in Budapest.

A Transparency International report earlier this year found that Hungary was seen as the most corrupt country in the EU. Ukraine scored nine points worse than Hungary on Transparency International’s scale of perceived public sector corruption.

Orbán also said the EU needed to do a lot more

“preparatory work” before the bloc would be ready to welcome Ukraine.

“If you allow this [Ukrainian] agriculture to enter the European agricultural system, it will destroy it the next day,” Orbán told Le Point.

“Without transforming our farm subsidy system, we cannot let them in. The consequences will be terrible,” he said.

Instead, Orbán proposed

“a strategic partnership treaty” to raise the level of

EU-Ukraine co-operation without offering EU membership.

In an effort to sway the Hungarian leader, French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Orbán for a dinner in Paris recently. But the Hungarian leader told Le Point he “cannot give up [his] position” on Ukraine.

“My idea is to try to convince him to listen to my arguments,” Orbán said. “I am

very interested in his opinion on the reasons that push France to act in this way.”

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo responded to Orbán’s interview during the unveiling of the Belgian EU Council presidency programme, saying that when there are “different opinions” it’s better to speak “face-to-face” rather than through the press or open letters, De Croo said.

from the party last autumn and announced his independent bid for the White House.

He is a son of former senator and US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and a nephew of Democratic President John F. Kennedy, assassinated in Dallas, Texas, 60 years ago last November 22.

The candidate rose to prominence during the Covid-19 pandemic for his embrace of public health conspiracy theories and has a loyal following of people who reject the scientific consensus that vaccines are safe and effective.

His success at gaining ballot access in Utah reignites questions of whether the independent could play spoiler for the eventual Democratic and Republican nominees.

While it’s unlikely that an independent or a third-party candidate would win the presidency, they could siphon support from the major candidates in a way that tips the scales.

Allies of both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, the likely nominees for their respective parties, have questioned

whether Kennedy could be a spoiler for their candidate.

Both Biden and Trump are unpopular among voters, increasing the likelihood that third-party support could play a deciding role in 2024.

In an increasingly polarised political climate, Kennedy is playing the middle, aligning with influential people on the far-right while touting his background as an environmentalist. It’s not yet clear in how many states he will qualify for ballot access.

Each state sets its own requirements, and the process for collecting signatures and navigating legal hurdles can be costly for candidates not backed by the major parties.

An organisation that Kennedy founded, Children’s Health Defence, currently has a lawsuit pending against a number of news organisations, among them The Associated Press, accusing them of violating antitrust laws by taking action to identify misinformation, including about Covid-19 and the vaccines.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr step nearer to November ballot which day he would file for candidacy.

A scion of one of the na-

tion’s most famous Democratic dynasties, the longtime environmental lawyer veered

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Sola performance Group members of Sola: Clare Lynch, Bridget Cody, Siobhán Cody and guest artist Ali Comerford

Sola launch new single as they perform at Dublin's New Year's Day festival at Meeting House Square

By Phelim Devane, Dublin Review.

There are times when being a journalist is one of the nicest jobs going.

When your editor emails you to cover the Dublin New Year’s festival, then it doesn’t get much better.

My remit was to cover music at Dublin Castle, National Museum, and Meeting House Square.

It was while covering The Meeting House Square gig that I came across Kilkenny group Sola.

It was my first introduction to this three-piece group and I have to say I was literally blown away by the quality the group oozed. The performance was enhanced by violinist Ali Comerford (also Kilkenny) Dúthracht is a beautiful and resonant word in Irish culture which I came across recently.

It is a word that encapsulate commitment, whether it's in the realm of music, where musicians pour their hearts and souls into their craft, or in the monastic sites of old where monks built their lives around unwavering devotion.

In a nutshell, my newly discovered Irish word describes Sola to a tee.

They are well known in Kilkenny and have performed in venues in Waterford, Cork and Galway.

Sola, a three-piece group are recognised for their intricate three-part harmony and folk-inspired fingerstyle guitar playing.

Comprising of residents from the city area in Kilkenny, the group rang in the New Year of 2024 with a

Violinist Ali Comerford on stage at Meeting house Square for New Year’s celebrations

brand new single, "Origins" at a gig in Dublin as part of the capitals New Year Festival (NYF) Meeting House Square in Dublin was the ideal location, as hundreds gathered over the afternoon on

Singer Clare Lynch of Sola performing as part of the Dublin's New Year Festival (NYF)

the first day of the year to ring in 2024 with the ‘New Year’s Festival Dublin’, Ireland’s biggest New Year Celebration.

Music lovers gathered together in the heart of Dublin with family and

friends as the city came alive over 4 days with a host of spectacular events taking place across the city from 29th

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Sola performance

Father and son. Cane Lynch and son Sam enjoying the music of Sola on New Years Day in Meeting House Square Dublin

Enya Quigley from Stephen Street Kilkenny and Shane O’Sullivan from Passage West, Cork, didn’t allow the rain to dampen their spirits as they supported Kilkenny group Sola

Kilkenny artist Mick Minogue congratulates Ali Comerford following her performance with Sola at the Dublin New Years Day festival

Singer and guitarist Bridget Cody of Kilkenny group Sola who performed on stage at Meeting House Square, Dublin

Flying the flag for Kilkenny as part of the Dublin's New Year Festival (NYF) was Siobhán Cody of Sola

December 2023 through to 1 January 2024.

Bringing together some of the country’s best talents, New

Year’s Festival Dublin offered a host of entertainment and events for all ages which guaranteed to engage, entertain and excite!

Over the weekend, NYF Dublin was part of the Winter in Dublin

Programme, and was an initiative of Fáilte Ireland.

Flying the flag for Kilkenny was Sola, a trio of musicians made up of Bridget Cody, Clare Lynch and Siobhán Cody.

They were joined on the day by Ali Comerford.

The group was formed in 2017 and released their first EP in 2020.

Following that EP entitled "Forgotten Things", Sola have been writing and recording, experimenting with new sounds, styles and instruments.

They have recently taken part in such festivals as Keep Her Lit (2023) and the Coughlans Folk Festival (2023) with plans to take to some of Ireland's best loved folk venues over

the coming year.

Accompanied by Ali Comerford, Sola performed at Meeting House Square on January 1st where they launched their new single Origins.

Other songs performed by Sola on the day included the groups originals songs:- ‘Where wild things grow’, ‘Finger Painting’, ‘All the while’, and ‘Coffee Cup’.

They also sang a wonderful cover version of Raglan Road made famous by Dubliner Luke Kelly.

Sola shared the Dublin stage alongside such artists as Niamh Bury, Dani Larkin, Rónán O' Snodaigh and Myles O'Reilly.

They are a group that are going to make waves.

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Opinion The High Cross at Killamery

Slievenaman saw action in the 1798 uprising

BY JOHN FITZGERALD

A mountainside in County Tipperary was the only part of Munster to witness an uprising in 1798. The action occurred on Carrickmoclear hill, an outcrop of Slievenamon.

A rebel army numbering many thousands planned an uprising in the county. Recruits came from areas like Windgap, Grangemockler and Mullinahone. Volunteers from County Kilkenny, with Callan and Killamery topping the list, later supported these.

Having waited in vain for the French to arrive, the rebels fixed on July 26th for the revolt. Their leader was a Captain Power, who held a commission in the French army.

Unfortunately, a local publican, Maher of NineMile-House, betrayed the United Irishmen. He made contact with Lieut. Despard, the Redcoat commander at Mullinahone, and tipped him off about the planned revolt.

The Yoemen devised a clever stratagem. They knew that the signal for the uprising was to be a beacon fire to be lit there on July 23rd, three days before the date agreed by the rebels.

When they spotted this false signal, the rebel leadership sought frantically to alert the volunteers to what was happening. But almost 600 men walked into Despard’s trap. Awaiting them was a massive Yoemen detachment comprising troops from Callan, Kilkenny, and Clonmel.

A fierce and prolonged battle ensued. The rebels managed to repel the first attack, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. But a sea of Redcoats overwhelmed them. What remained of the rebel force withdrew to the “High Mountain” of Slievenamon, still fighting as they retreated. For days afterwards Yoemen scoured Slievenamon renowned in song and folklore

Uprising on Slievenamon the mountainside in a mopping-up operation.

When caught, the outlaws were hanged, flogged, or transported for life. The reign of terror continued for months. Those devoted to the cause of Irish freedom

and independence were criminalized, their actions presented as “seditious and treasonable behaviour”.

In 1998, a bi-centenary committee was formed to commemorate the event.

The group gave the battle

site at Carrickmoclear a face-lift and re-opened the ancient roads leading up to it. The hill is now accessible to visitors. A mass rock at nearby Kylatlea, which the rebels used as cover, has also been restored.

Act of Mercy The graveyard at Killamery village in County Kilkenny contains the remains of rebels who died in the 1798 uprising. These include men from Callan, Windgap, Grangemockler, and Mullinahone.

To honour the heroes, a plaque was unveiled at the cemetery in 1998. Danny O’ Shea of Kiltalahan, a townland near Killamery, was among those present at the ceremony. Mr. O’ Shea is a direct descendent of a rebel who survived the battle of Carrickmoclear.

After the rebels’ defeat at Slievenamon, an order went out from Redcoat headquarters-any rebel caught in possession of his pike was to be “dispatched without delay”. Unarmed prisoners were to be interrogated and punished at a later date.

One of those nursing his pike when captured was 16 year old Michael Hoyne, Danny O’ Shea’s ancestor.

Troops were about to execute Michael when the Yoeman second-in-command,

Lieut. Lee intervened. To the amazement of both rebels and Redcoats, Lee spared the young prisoner’s life. It was an uncharacteristic act of mercy by a man feared for his ruthlessness.

Michael Hoyne lived to be 87 years old. He died in 1869. Lieut. Lee is buried in the same graveyard at Killamery.

Before the plaque unveiling, a piper (Jim Keating) led a procession of pikemen to the graveyard. People of all ages from Killamery and surrounding areas took part, carrying the harpemblazoned banners of the United Irishmen. Michael Power and Milo Cuddihy commanded the guard of honour.

Moving orations were delivered, recalling the heroism of ’98 and the spirit of non-sectarianism advocated by Tone.

(My novel Invaders tells the story of how a small band of men and women faced one of the most powerful armies on earth)

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Nollaig na mBan with Network Ireland

The Network Ireland Kilkenny ladies got the year off to a great start with their first event of the year; a celebration of Nollaig na mBan on Saturday night.

Anne Healy, President of Network Ireland Kilkenny, wanted the first event of the year to be a fun, uplifting event, celebrating women and all they have achieved.

That’s exactly what it was: a great night of laughter, chat and networking with so much high energy and magic in the room. The event was hosted by the wonderful Catherine Dalton of Crown Kilkenny, in her beautiful hair salon in Ormonde Street. Catherine

gave a wonderful talk about supporting and collaborating, and how important it is to support local and Irish small independent businesses.

Our event was then taken over by the wonderful team from Valley of Roses with Andriana entertaining us for the next few hours, and making sure that everyone got a unique scent which she made up for each member.

Andriana told us her story and how she has gotten so much support in Kilkenny in her Perfume Shop.

The event was such a great success with each lady who attended going away uplifted, inspired, and energized to take on the new year. As it was also a fun networking event, everyone who attended got to tell us about their business, what problems they solve, and how we as members can help.

Anne Healy spoke about supporting and collaborating and reminded everyone in the room that when women come together with a collective intention, magic happens. As well as getting beautiful perfume from Valley of Roses, Crown Kilkenny gave a wonderful gift, with Biddy’s Good Luck Horse Shoes sponsoring the evening.

If you are interested

in joining our diverse group of female budding entrepreneurs, SME owners, professionals and leaders in organisations to charities, arts and the public sector, we would love to talk to you. Check out our Network Ireland Kilkenny website or give Anne a call or message on 086 345 1329.

Our next event is on 24th of January on Zoom. This is a free event for members and non members and you can book online. Check the website. We are also holding ‘get to know us’ sessions each Thursday evening.

We are backed by AIB and are supported by the Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny.

Keep Kilkenny Beautiful response to IBAL Awards

"Keep Kilkenny Beautiful committee and volunteers are delighted with Kilkenny's placing in the 2023 IBAL Awards. The huge efforts of volunteers who have worked very hard on a weekly basis on a targeted litter picking programme, to ensure that previous blackspots have been particularly addressed and targeted for special attention.

Chairman of KKB, Cllr Maria Dollard said "we are incredibly proud of all our volunteers who are drawn from every sector of the community, including International Protection refugees and who have planned, coordinated and carried out the programme of litter picking over the last 12 months. Working in partnership with Kilkenny County Council we intend to improve that place over the next 12 months.

We know what needs to be done, we will get the work done and enjoy the all important fun we all have in the process of “Keeping Kilkenny Beautiful”

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12 January 2024

Craft Fair Catherine Howard (VTOS Teacher, KCETB) with some of the art on display at the Craft Fair

Larisa Maliat

Pictured at the Craft Fair L-R Frances Doyle (Teacher), Martha Bulger, Director FET KCETB, and Geraldine Moran VTOS Coordinator KCETB

KCETB VTOS craft fair – a phenomenal success Photos: Harry Reid

There was a mix of new and returning exhibitors at the annual Christmas Fair that took place on Wednesday 13th December at the VTOS Centre Waterford Road, Kilkenny from 10am to 1pm. It was home to over 20 exhibitors who displayed a wide range of products to include Christmas decorations, woodcarving pieces, ceramics, art, locally produced jams and jellies, Christmas cards, jewellery, wreaths and a wide range of some unique Christmas gifts or stocking fillers. There was some fabulous photographs on sale and a myriad of other items, including technical advice from Sean Nikken.

Tea, coffee, mince pies and treats all added to the festive atmosphere, and the launch of the calendar “A year in motion” led by Frances Doyle (Start your own Business teacher).

Some of the crafts which were on display

It was a great opportunity to catch the bug of face to face selling and attendees were very supportive, it was a showcase of magnificent talent, skill and artistry, and allowed visitors to purchase a wide range of unique gifts.

Attendees included Martha Bolger, Director of FET with KCETB and Bernadette O Rourke, Adult Education Officer with KCETB. Commenting on the morning’s success, Geraldine Moran thanked KCETB for its support for the programme and her dedicated team of teachers who ensured the morning was a great success. She thanked Sean Lawless, and Charlotte Beattie for all their help during the morning and wished all the emerging artists much success in their future endeavours.

VTOS can be contacted at 0567764719 or info@vtoskk.ie

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Ukrainian concert

Talent to the fore, as Ukrainian co

Report for the Kilkenny Observer By Svitlana Saseyi.: Photos by Oleksandr Rymar On the 28th of December, Springhill Court Hotel in Kilkenny hosted a Christmas Concert organised by the Ukrainian Community.

The event was dedicated to both modern and traditional ways of celebrating Christmas in Ukraine and was a great display of singing, acting, and dancing talents performed mostly by the younger members.

The large community of Ukrainians in Kilkenny has been actively involved in the social and cultural life of the city for the past year and a half, which is why the concert itself was a good opportunity to reflect on several significant achievements.

According to the presenters: "The desire to support and preserve Ukrainian culture, to demonstrate our traditions here in a foreign country, became the reason for the creation of a cultural and creative centre that operates in different directions with the participation of different age groups".

They included "Talent Team Teenagers.UA" the youth group, which has been performing drama, singing, and dancing.

At the concert, the group amazed everyone with a wonderful performance of the nativ nativity scene in the Ukrainian traditional style, combined with carolling and portrayportray ing different characters.

Last year, many city citizens were delighted to see the Christmas perforperfor mance by the youth group in English and Ukrainian at different locations.

This year, it looked and sounded even more spectacular! Their mentors are Ukrainian community activists: Oksana Kurovets (a professional music teacher, and phycologist), Lilia Niemtsova ( a professional

vocal teacher and conductor), Svitlana Saseyi ( a language teacher and youth worker).

At the moment, the centre does not yet have any premises and is being run on a voluntary basis.

However, the community looks forward to a more established level in the future.

Another area of the centre's activity mentioned was the recently created women's choir Voice Band, which has been performing successfully in many cities in

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Ukrainian concert

mmunity celebrate in Kilkenny

Ireland.

They thrilled the guests with Ukrainian modern and folk Christmas songs as well as a two-language version of "Silent Night".

The singing was crowned by the magnificent duet of Lilia Niemtsova and Oksana Kurovets, accompanied by the traditional instrument of bandura - "the soul of every accordUkrainian person", accord ing to the presenter.

A lovely dance show by the gymyoungest dance and gym nastics artists YouRitMix, put smiles on everyone's faces.

The concert's atmosphere was complemented by the presence of many Irish

friends, including the Mayor of Kilkenny, Cllr Joe Malone who gave a speech and congratulated everyone, highlighting that the Ukrainian community is welcomed and cherished in Kilkenny.

The former Mayor, Cllr David Fitzerald was very kind last year to invite the youth group to the City Hall and it was a real pleasure to see him this year at the concert with his wife, Paula Fitzgerald.

A special vibe of hope was brought by Dr. Toluwani Akaehomen, a lecturer, businesswoman and educator, who addressed all Ukrainians with the message of being optimistic, and active,

and she gave great advice on integrating and "giving back to the society".

It was a valuable inspiration to the newly arrived from the successful professor and mother-of-four with the migrant experience.

The event was a great success and more than 200 people attended the concert.

Speaking to The Kilkenny Observer Newspaper, a spokesperson for the Ukranian community said that The Ukrainian community was very grateful for the hospitality and support received from the Irish people and wished everyone a happy and peaceful New Year!

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Sergeant Horan remembered

100 Years in unmarked grave rectified as acting Sergeant Horan is remembered

L/R: Gareth Lloyd (Standard Bearer 18th Regiment of Foot Royal Irish Regiment (& South Irish Horse), Mary Anne Maher, Cllr Michael Doyle, Pat Murphy & Comdt.

Larry Scallan (Retired), Chairman of Post 8 IUNVA

Private (Acting Sergeant) Patrick Horan, Haggartsgreen, Callan, Co Kilkenny was killed at Adamstown, Wexford on 24th March 1923.

Aged 25, he was serving with the 47th unit, attached with the 14th Battalion, Waterford Command and stationed at Palace East, Wexford.

For approximately 100 years, 8 months and 12 days Patrick has laid in an unmarked grave in Kilbride Cemetery along with his parents and possibly his two brothers.

Writer Ernest Hemingway is quoted as saying: “Every man has two deaths, : when he is buried in the ground and the last time someone says his name” Recently, in Kilbride Cemetery, those words by Hemingway were remembered when the grave of Patrick Horan was finally marked, and the man who fought in the Civil war was honoured.

In November of 2023, Mary Anne Maher and Larry Scallan set about locating the burial site of Private (Acting Sergeant) Patrick Horan.

With the assistance of P. Molloy and Sons Monumental Sculptors and Funeral Directors they completed their mission.

Thankfully a map of the cemetery in Kilbride provided the exact location of not just Patrick but also of his parents who, as suspected were in an unmarked grave. The wheels were set in motion to organise a grave marker, kindly donated

by Pat Murphy and Tommy Dermody in Molloy’s.

On Sunday 10th December at 12pm a commemoration to unveil the marker and to remember the service that Patrick gave during his time with the Royal Irish Regiment during The Great War and with the National Army during the Civil War, was held.

The ceremony, was MC’d by IUNVA Post 8 Chairman Larry Scallan, who gave a brief but poignant overview of Patrick’s time during the Great War to his National Army service.

Pat Murphy (Molloy & Sons Funeral Directors), Callan and Cllr. Michael Doyle Cathaoirleach Kilkenny County Council. unveiling the grave marker

Larry invited Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny Co Council Councillor Michael Doyle and Pat Murphy from Molloy and Sons Monumental Sculptors and Funeral Directors to unveil the grave marker.

Wreaths were laid by Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny Co Council Councillor Michael Doyle on behalf of the citizens of Co. Kilkenny, Mary Anne Maher representing the 18th Regiment of Foot Royal Irish Regiment (and South Irish Horse) Association, Mick McLoughlin on behalf of the Kilkenny Great War Memorial Committee, Seán Butler on behalf of the Callan WW1 Memorial and Ivy Corcoran on behalf of the people of Callan.

Michael Dawson (also representing IUNVA) played a beautiful lament. Gareth Lloyd standard bearer of the 18th Regiment of Foot Royal Irish Regiment (& South Irish Horse) Association carried the association colours and Battalion Quarter Master Sergeant (Ret) Pascal Grace carried the Tri-colour standard, both a representation of Patrick’s Great War and National Army service.

Larry Scallan played the Last Post and Reveille and "Amhrán na bhFiann".

Speaking to The Kilkenny Observer, Mary Anne Maher said

A floral wreath, laid at the Horan Grave in Callan Co. Kilkenny

they were very happy to have been in a position to erect the stone in Michaels memory and her hope was that the marker would muster up a discussion and maybe someone will just stop and say a prayer on what was once an unmarked, unknown grave.

Mary Anne thanked all who helped, and paid a special thanks to Pat Murphy and Tommy Dermody in P. Molloy and Sons Monumental Sculptors and Funeral Directors, as well as all those who attended .The organisers also thanked Alison Hallahan, representing the 18th Regiment of Foot Royal Irish Regiment (and South Irish Horse) Association who kindly took photographs and videos of the ceremony and to Councillor Joe Lyons for his attendance.

The following report is taken from The Weekly Irish Times 31 March 1923 page 4 Four attackers killed in fight Three soldiers taken out and shot Deaths of an ambush of National troops at Kyle on Friday show that elven men, including Commandant Kenny, Lieutenant Crean, Pay Officer Captain O’Neill and Lieutenant Kavanagh, were going from Wexford to Enniscorthy.

When they reached Kyle Cross heavy machine gun fire was opened upon them, in which Commandant Kenny and three soldiers were wounded.

A fierce fight ensued and the ammunition of the troops becoming almost exhausted, they retreated to a cottage.

In the meantime, word was sent to Wexford Military Barracks. Reinforcements were rushed out on four trucks, under the command of Commandant Gallagher. On their arrival the fighting had ceased, but the troops deployed across the country from three points and came into contact with the tail-end of the anti-Treaty party. It was here the four of the latter were killed and it is stated that seven rifles, 500

rounds of ammunition, a Mills bomb, part of a Lewis gun and packs and blankets were captured. Four dead men were taken to Wexford.

Denis Lacy, Blackwater, John Lacy, Wexford, John O’Connor, Enniscorthy, Martin Nolan, New Ross.

An inquest was held on Saturday night by Mr. J.J. Roche, Coroner.

The jury found that the men died from gunshot wounds inflicted by National soldiers during an armed engagement.

The shooting of soldiers The circumstances in which Lieutenant Thomas Jones, Sergeant Edward O’Gorman and Private Patrick Horan were shot dead at Adamstown, Co. Wexford on Friday night, were related at an inquest held in Wexford on Monday.

A military officer, stationed at Palace East, stated that on Friday night, at about 10.30 a soldier reported to him that there had been a shooting at McCabe’s public-house, about 1 ½ mile distant from Palace East and he mobilised the troops with the intention of proceeding to the publichouse. On arriving at the station, he learned that Volunteer Croke was wounded, and that Lieutenant Jones and two sergeants were taken from the public-house by armed men.

Volunteer Croke made a statement to him, in the course of which he said that he was sitting in the kitchen with Lieutenant Jones, when a party of A commemorative stone remembering the lives of Lieut’ Thomas Jones (Dublin) ,Sergt’ Edward O’Gorman ( Chapel Lane ,Kilkenny) and Pvt Patrick Horan, (Callan Co Kilkenny) , who lost their lives during the Civil War

ten men rushed in. The leader had a Thompson gun, and ordered ‘hands up”. Volunteer Croke attempted to draw his revolver. On his doing so the man with the machine gun opened fire on him, wounding him in the hip. Volunteer Croke fell on the floor and the raiders rushed to get his revolver, which he smashed. The revolver was given by witness to Volunteer Croke, who had the reputation of being a good soldier. Volunteer Croke also told witness that he was kicked when on the ground and that he saw Lieutenant Jones being taken away.

Witness returned to Palace East, where he was handed the following note from the Rev. Father Codd, C.C., Adamstown: “I regret to inform you that three soldiers were shot this morning at Adamstown”.

Witness then went for reinforcements and transport to New Ross, with instructions to proceed to Adamstown for the removal of the dead bodies.

When he arrived at Adamstown he found the dead bodies of three soldiers in a haggard on an out-farm, owned by a man named Gorman.

The remains were removed to Wexford.

Patrick J. Holden, Stationmaster, Palace East, stated that he accompanied Lieutenant Jones and Volunteer Croke to McCabe’s licenced premises on Friday night.

A party of ten rushed in five minutes later and a low-sized

individual, carrying a Thompson machine-gun, and another man, stood at the door with a rifle, and the order “handsup”, was given but no one complied. Volunteer Croke tried to draw his revolver, and was immediately wounded by fire from the Thompson gun.

Witness and Lieutenant Jones were taken from the publichouse, and when outside witness saw two other soldiers with other armed men. They were made prisoners and marched half a mile, at the end of which witness was released and told to get a priest and a doctor for Volunteer Croke.

Dr. G.A. Furlong, who examined the dead bodies, stated he found twenty bullet wounds on Lieutenant Jones. There were twelve on the legs and abdomen, four on the chest, three in the right arm and one in the head.

He found bruises as if there had been a heavy instrument on O’Gorman’s neck, back and chest and there were in addition, twelve wounds on the legs, body, and behind ears.

Volunteer Horan had a wound in the right hip, two in the abdomen, two in the back, two in the jaws, and one at the base of the skull.

The jury returned the following verdict – “We find that deceased were deliberately shot at Adamstown by some person or persons unknown. We desire to express our deepest sympathy with the relatives of the deceased.”

Lieutenant Jones, was a native of Dublin, Volunteer Horan of Callan Kilkenny and Sergeant O’Gorman, of Kilkenny.

The Death record found online of Volunteer Patrick Horan on the 24 March 1923 aged 25, cause of death noted as ‘deliberately shot dead at Adamstown on March 24th 1923 by some person or persons unknown’.

Private Patrick Horan’s remains were returned to Callan and he was buried in Kilbride Cemetery.

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Food & Drink

Dine Me Come

With

Chicken jalfrezi Prep: 10 mins Cook: 1 hr Serves: 4

Instead of calling the Indian takeaway, make your own easy chicken jalfrezi. Our healthy curry recipe also has two of your 5-a-day and a good dose of vitamin C. Ingredients For the sauce • ½ large onion, roughly chopped • 2 garlic cloves, chopped • 1 green chilli, finely chopped • vegetable oil, for frying • 400g can plum tomatoes • 1 tbsp ground coriander • 1 tbsp ground cumin • 1 tsp turmeric For the meat & veg • 2-3 chicken breasts, diced • 1 tsp ground cumin • 1 tsp ground coriander • 1 tsp turmeric • ½ large onion, sliced • 1 red pepper, chopped • 2 red chillies, finely chopped (optional) • 2 tsp garam masala

STEP 1 Take 2-3 diced chicken breasts and coat in 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander and 1 tsp turmeric then leave it to marinate in the fridge while you make the sauce.

STEP 2 To make the sauce, fry ½ roughly chopped large onion, 2 chopped garlic cloves and 1 finely chopped green chilli in a large pan with a little vegetable oil, for around 5 mins, until browned.

STEP 3 Add 300ml water to the onion mixture and simmer for around 20 minutes.

STEP 4 Meanwhile, put a 400g can plum tomatoes in a food processor and give it a good whizz (aim for a smooth consistency).

STEP 5 Heat another large pan and gently fry 1 tbsp coriander, 1 tbsp cumin and 1 tsp turmeric in a splash of oil for about a minute. Add the tomatoes to this pan and simmer for around 10 minutes.

STEP 6 Next, whizz your onion mixture in the food processor and add it to the spiced tomato sauce. Season

Tuna, caper and chilli spaghetti Prep: 10 mins Cook: 15 mins Serves: 2 Throw together tuna, capers and rocket with garlic, chilli and spaghetti to make this easy and healthy supper.

It takes just 25 minutes to make.

Ingredients • 150g spaghetti or linguine • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 garlic clove, sliced • 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped, plus extra to serve (optional) • 1 tbsp drained capers

• small bunch of parsley, finely chopped (stalks included) • 145g tuna in spring water, drained • 90g rocket or baby spinach leaves • ½ lemon, juiced Method STEP 1 Cook the spaghetti for 9-11 mins in a large pan of well-salted water until al dente.

STEP 2 Heat the oil in a wide frying pan over a very low heat, and gently cook the garlic and chilli to infuse the oil.

Remove from the heat if the garlic is

turning past light golden, as this will make it bitter.

STEP 3 Drain the pasta, keeping a cupful of the cooking water, and tip the spaghetti into the frying pan. Toss the pasta in the oil over a low heat, adding a little of the pasta water to emulsify into a sauce that coats the pasta, then fold in the capers, parsley, tuna and some seasoning. Don’t stir too vigorously – you want to keep larger chunks of tuna. Toss the rocket and lemon juice through the spaghetti, and serve with extra chilli scattered over, if you like.

generously, stir, then simmer for 20 minutes. You can make large batches of this sauce and freeze it for later use.

STEP 7 Fry the marinated chicken in vegetable oil and stir continuously.

After a few minutes, turn down the heat and add the remaining ½ sliced onion, 1 chopped red pepper and 2 finely chopped red chillies. Stir until the onions and pepper soften.

STEP 8 Add the sauce you prepared earlier to the cooked chicken and simmer for around 10-20 minutes, adding a splash of water if it gets too thick.

STEP 9 Just before you dish it up, stir in 2 tsp garam masala and handful of chopped coriander leaves.

Serve with basmati rice or naan bread.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12 January 2024

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5

Advertisement Advertisement TV & Streaming

films to watch on Prime Video 1. Saltburn

If you’re yet to catch up on the movie everyone is talking about, take a trip to Saltburn. The second film from Emerald Fennell is a twisted tale packed with moments that’ll leave your jaw on the floor.

Our own Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Archie Madekwe, Alison Oliver, Rosamund Pike and Richard E Grant star.

Saltburn is a repulsive, dirty, twisted reflection on class.

2. Everything Everywhere All At Once

Speaking of Oscar winners, last year’s Best Picture winner is ready for you to watch on Prime Video right now. Everything Everywhere All At Once follows Michelle Yeoh as Evelyn Wang, who is swept up into an adventure in which she alone can save existence by exploring other universes and connecting with the lives she could have led. Yeoh won her first Oscar for her performance, and the film scooped up seven Academy Awards total from its 11 nominations.

How The Crown gets it wrong about William and Kate The sixth and final season of Netflix’s Emmy-winning royal drama ‘The Crown’, recounting the story of Britain’s royal family over the decades, storylines in the quasifictionalised series running the gamut, from Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne to the tragic death of Princess Diana and everything in between.

A key plot in the sixth season was the budding romance between Prince William (portrayed by Ed McVey) and Kate Middleton (Meg Bellamy) [pictured] while both attended Scotland’s University of St Andrews. While the season offered a fascinating inside look at how the Prince and Princess of Wales came to become a couple, how much of what took place onscreen actually happened in real life?

That question is one that has dogged ‘The Crown’ since its debut, given series creator Peter Morgan’s tendency to liberally blend historical facts with fabrications. “Some of it is necessarily fiction,” Morgan told The New York Times. “But I try to make everything truthful even if you can’t know if it’s accurate.”

That dilemma was certainly present in the final season’s storylines involving the prince and princess — from their first meeting to their

first kiss. As has been the case in previous seasons, the Will-and-Kate plot has indeed included some cleverly crafted flights of fancy, with scripted elements infused into actual events. Here’s what ‘The Crown’ got wrong about the royal couple.

The Season 6 episode titled ‘Willsmania’ takes a look at the pop star-like adulation that young Prince William experienced as a teenager.

That was the case in one scene in which young Kate Middleton (Ella Bright) and mom Carole (Eve Best) are doing some Christmas shopping in London when Princess Diana (Elizabeth Debicki) and teen son Prince William (Rufus Kampa) arrive to promote charity magazine The Big Issue. Kate buys a copy from Diana, who thanks her for her generosity. Then, for a brief instant, William and Catherine gaze deeply into each others’ eyes before reality intrudes.

But that’s not how it happened, according to the Princess of Wales herself.

She recalled her first meeting during their 2010 engagement interview, telling William: “I think you said I actually went bright red when I met you and sort of scuttled off. [I was] feeling very shy about meeting you.”

In addition, Middleton has also confirmed that she never had the opportunity to

meet Princess Diana, despite the brief interaction between the two that’s depicted in ‘The Crown’. In a video filmed during one of her royal engagements in April 2023, Middleton was asked about her sapphire engagement ring. That ring, as royal watchers know, originally belonged to Diana. “I never, sadly, got to meet her,” she said.

Viewers see Princess Catherine, then known as Kate Middleton, in her bedroom after her fictional brush with Prince William. In that scene, she’s cutting photos of William out of various magazines to make a collage with which to decorate her walls.

‘The Crown’ wasn’t the first to present this idea. In the book ‘Kate: The Future Queen’, royal expert Katie Nicholl wrote that Princess Catherine’s boarding-school dorm roommate, Jessica Hay, claimed that Catherine had such a big crush on William that she adorned the walls of their shared dorm room with posters of the prince. “There’s no one quite like William,” Catherine would apparently proclaim, according to Hay’s account as told to the magazine Marie Claire.

While that certainly wouldn’t have made Catherine unique among British young women, the Princess of Wales has insisted that her bedroom walls were not

3. Till

festooned with photos of the dashing young prince. In fact, that question came up in the couple’s 2010 engagement interview. “There’s a story that goes around that you had a picture of him on your wall as a child,” interviewer Tom Bradby of ITV News mused. “It wasn’t just one, it was like 10, 20,” William quipped. “He wishes!” Middleton retorted. “No, I had the Levi’s guy on my wall. Not a picture of William.

Sorry.”

According to the timeline in ‘The Crown’, Prince William and Princess Catherine had a brief encounter as teenagers before formally meeting each other while both attended St Andrews. While it’s been established that the teen experience was fictional, it also isn’t entirely true that the future spouses met for the first time in Scotland.

In fact, Katie Nicholl, author of ‘Kate: The Future Queen’, has insisted that they met prior to college — although they didn’t know each other particularly well at that point. “Kate was at Marlborough school in Wiltshire, and was mixing in those sorts of very high society country circles,” Nicholl told Time magazine. “During one of those meetings, I was told by a very reliable source that she was introduced to William in a very casual and informal setting.”

Till tells the important true story of the 1955 tragedy where Emmett Till was murdered in a brutal lynching. The film stars Danielle Deadwyler as his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, who vows to expose the racism behind the attack while working to have those involved brought to justice. Chinonye Chukwu directs with Jalyn Hall, Frankie Faison, Sean Patrick Thomas, John Douglas Thompson and Whoopi Goldberg starring alongside Deadwyler.

4. Babylon

A film that didn’t get the praise it deserves is Babylon, the fourth feature from La La Land’s Damien Chazelle. Margot Robbie stars as Nellie LaRoy opposite Diego Calva as Manny Torres in this tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, tracing the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood.

It scooped up three Oscar nominations for its technical work but ultimately fell off the radar despite having a loyal following who love its debauchery. It’s a Movie with a capital M and well worth the watch if you’re yet to see it.

5. A Thousand and One

This year’s Sundance Film Festival kicks off in a couple of weeks, and one of the gems from last year’s edition is now available on Prime Video. A Thousand and One follows Teyana Taylor as Inez, who kidnaps her son Terry from the foster care system. The two must find stability and a home in a rapidly changing New York City.

With stunning direction from A. V. Rockwell and an immaculate performance from Taylor, the film is one of 2023’s best and deserves to find its audience now it’s available to stream.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12 January 2024

Kilmoganny

Shrughawadda Players will perform their play `By the Bog of Cats` by Marina Carr

Playing from Wednesday, 31st January to Saturday, 3rd February in St.Eoghan`s, Centre, Kilmoganny at 8.15pm

nightly.

Loosely based on Euripedes tragedy Medea, this is the prophetic tale of Hester Swane,

an Irish Traveller, who attempts to come to terms with a lifetime of abandonment in a world where all whom

she loved have discarded her. Set in the bleak, ghostly landscape of the Bog Of Cats, this provocative drama tells

of one woman’s courageous attempt to lay claim to that which is hers as her world is torn in two.

The Bog of Cats contains many mystical and mythical elements including ghosts, curses, references to witchcraft and ethnic prejudice.

Shrughawadda Players are based in Kilmoganny. The play is directed by Alycia Kearney.

Cast Jackie Kennedy, Bobby Murray, Sophie Gilmore, Biddy Hawe, Aisling Bryan,

Caroline Doran, Stephen Gilmore, Emily Freaney, Jake Butler, Willie Kearney Gerry Carroll, Thomas Deegan and Olivia Reade.

Tickets on sale in Pete`s Shop, Kilmoganny 051 648637, Booking: Alycia 087 6757490 Jackie 087 9553532 Online: https://www. gr8events.ie/shrughawaddaplayers24 Facebook.com/shrughawaddaplayers.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12 January 2024

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Motors

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12 January 2024

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Sport

Kilkenny Sport Focus Michael O’Leary

Sporting preview of year 2024

HAPPY NEW YEAR! With The Christmas Season and all it's Festivities over and behind us, attention will now turn to the weeks and months ahead in what promises to be a busy Sporting Year in 2024.

First of all, before focusing on the year ahead, there was plenty of sporting interest from a local Sporting perspective before and during The Festive Season.

A huge congratulations to The Dicksboro Camogie Team who defeated highly fancied and three-in-a-row chasing Sarsfields of Galway to win The All-Ireland Senior Camogie Club Final, and in the process becoming the first team from Kilkenny since St. Lachtains of Freshford three-in-a-row winners from 2004-2006 - in 2006 to win The All-Ireland Senior Camogie Club Championship.

Also, that same day on Sunday 17th December, O'Loughlin Gaels, Thomastown and Tullogher-Rosbercon won their respective All-Ireland Semi-Finals and now have All-Ireland Finals to look forward to.

Meanwhile, The Christmas period was very busy on The Racing front both in Ireland and Cross-Channel, and it was highlighted by an amazing win for John "Shark" Hanlon as Hewick won a dramatic finish to The King George in Kempton.

As expected, Willie Mullins enjoyed plenty of glory also with 5 Grade 1 wins highlighted by a brilliant performance

by Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs in winning The Savills Chase at The Leopardstown Christmas Festival, while his nephew Danny was on board Meetingofthewaters to land the Paddy Power Handicap Chase, one of Irelands most prestigious Handicaps.

Also, about two weeks before Christmas, Maria Godden performed very well as she set two personal bests in finishing top 12 at The European Shortcourse Swimming Championships in Bucharest, Romania, while Hannah Kehoe and Maebh Richardson were part of The Ireland Team that finished a highly creditable 5th in The Ladies U-20 race at The European Cross Country Athletic Championships in Brussels.

More about them anon.

2024 could start as a year to remember for three Kilkenny Clubs who have All-Ireland aspirations over the next 9 days.

Both Tullogher-Rosbercon and Thomastown are in AllIreland Club Final tomorrow evening (Saturday 13th January) under floodlights in Croke Park, while O'Loughlin Gaels will play St. Thomas of Galway in The All-Ireland Senior Club Final on Sunday

week 21st January.

Both Tullogher-Rosbercon and Thomastown are in action against Cork opposition, with Tullogher-Rosbercon playing St. Catherines in The Junior decider at 5pm, followed by Thomastown's clash against Castlelyons in The Intermediate decider at 7pm.

The Kilkenny Senior Team have already begun 2024 with a Walsh Cup game away to Carlow in Netwatch Cullen Park last Tuesday,after Sundays fixture was postponed due to fog and over the next few weeks they will begin their National League campaign before turning their attention to The Championship from April onwards.

Two of the great local highlights of the year take place in Gowran Park over the next 5 weeks with Thyestes Day on Thursday January 25th, while Red Mills Day is on Saturday 17th February, before Cheltenham takes centre stage in mid-March.

Willie Mullins was once again leading trainer at last years Festival with 6 winners to bring his overall tally at The Cheltenham Festival to 94, and a repeat in March will see The Champion Trainer reach the magic century (100) of overall Festival winners.

With the stable hitting peak form at The Leopardstown Christmas Festival highlighted by the performance

of Galopin Des Champs, another strong showing at Cheltenham should see him acheive that feat.

As mentioned, Hannah Kehoe and Maebh Richardson were part of The Ireland Team that finished a highly creditable 5th in The Ladies U-20 race at The European Cross Country Athletic Championships in Brussels before Christmas, while they also have a trip to Portugal to look forward to in February in The European Club Cross Country Championships.

The trip to Portugal is as a result of The Junior Ladies winning The Team event for the very first time at the National Cross Country Championships in Gowran in November.

The Olympics in Paris will take centre stage this Summer, and Glenmore native Mia Griffin is currently competing in The Netherlands as part of The Ireland Squad in The European Track Cycling Championships.

These European Championships double up as an Olympic Qualifier, so it gives Mia and her Irish Teammates extra incentive to perform well this week.

Mia was previously part of The Ireland Squad that won a bronze medal in The Team Pursuit at The European Track Championships in Grenchen, Switzerland in

2021.

Following a highly successful career as an amateur, Mark Power has turned his attention to the professional ranks, and he will be hoping to fulfil at least some of that promise and potential in his first full year as a Pro in 2024.

Ellen Molloy made a most welcome return to competitive action in The Autumn following a lengthy spell on the sidelines after damaging her cruciate while playing for her club Wexford Youths in September 2022, and she will be hoping to force her way into the plans of new Republic of Ireland Manager Eileen Gleeson as they attempt to qualify for a first ever Euro Finals in 2025.

Finally, following a very promising European Shortcourse Swimming Championships in December, Maria Godden is in full preparation for The World Championships in Doha, Qatar in February where she will compete in both The 100 and 200 metres Backstroke, and she will be looking to improve on her personal bests that she set at The Europeans in Romania.

So, plenty on the sporting front to look forward to in the weeks and months ahead in 2024 as life has returned to normal following the sadness of Christmas ending.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

John Kinsella RIP

On a very sad note, their was great sadness with the passing of John Kinsella on New Years Day.A very successful hurler, John was twice an All-Ireland Senior Medal winner with Kilkenny, while he also won three County Senior Championship Medals with Bennettsbridge between 1966 and 1971.

A much loved individual, John was best known to many people as a music presenter on local radio with KCR(Kilkenny Community Radio), Radio Kilkenny and KCLR where his broad range of music made him very popular over the airwaves.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12 January 2024

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Community & GAA Notes

WALKING Clara GAA and “Ireland Lights Up” with Operation Transformation and Irish Life Every Step Counts.

Clara GAA invite the community to join us and walk, jog or run with us on Mondays and Thursday evenings from 7 o’clock until 8. Our first walk was Thursday 11th January and we finish up on Thursday 15th February. The floodlit walking track is open to non- members at these times and we welcome everyone to come along. Plenty of free parking on-site. Clara GAA members may use the facility at all times and the lights are on tíll 10 o’clock each night.

Go at your own pace with company. All ages are welcome including accompanied children however NO DOGS on the track please. *Download the My Life app to log all your walks over the 6 weeks and help Clara enter a cash prize draw.

CLUB LOTTO Congratulations to Joe Casey, winner of this week’s €1450 jackpot. Nos. Drawn, 6, 10, 16.

Next week’s jackpot reverts back to €1,000. Be in to win. Thanks to all for your support.

MATCH POSTPONED Kilkenny’s Walsh Cup game against Carlow was postponed last Sunday due to fog at the venue.

A decent crowd had shown up for the match, which really should have been called off much earlier to prevent people travelling on icy roads.

It was particularly disappointing for Clara’s Paul Cody, who had been selected at left half forward.

The game has been refixed for Tuesday night in Carlow IT so hopefully it goes off without a glitch this time.

CAMOGIE Good luck to the Clara U22 team who take on Tullaroan in the county semi final this week.

Tullaroan appear to be the team to beat in this and Clara, who are short a few players, will have their work cut out.

BEREAVED Clara GAA Community offer our condolences to the family and friends of Noel O’Brien, Lyrath who passed away on Thursday. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

CLUB LOTTO There was no winner of club lotto January 2nd.

Numbers drawn 6, 13, 23, 28 Bonus 19 Play now at www.oloughlingaels.com/lotto Promotors Draw: 1. Alice Walshe C/o Ml Nolan.

2. Peggy Sue C/o Brian Murphy. 3. Spud Murphy C/o D O’Driscoll. 4. Theresa O’Dwyer C/o Sean Casey. 5. Jim Rohan C/o N Loy. 6. Patti O’Neill C/o E Maher. 7. Fran Kelly C/o H Mahon. 8. Niall O’Callaghan C/o Online. 9. Gwen Comerford C/o online. 10. Kevin McGarry C/o Online Please support our club lotto and help support preparations for the All-Ireland Club Final ALL-IRELAND BUILD-UP Now that the Christmas decorations are coming down its time to get ready for the big game and start decorating the house, the shop front, the dog, the shed, the children!!! whatever you can get your hands on deck it in White and Green.

Let’s get the whole of St John’s Parish covered in a blanket of club colours.

There will be TWO FREE MATCH TICKETS for the best dressed house. So get decorating.

Send your photo entries on facebook messenger and to oloughlingaelsgaa@gmail.com or on WhatsApp to 0876806833 with your name and address. Winner will be announced on Friday Jan 19th. #communitymatters MATCH DAY BUS Bookings will be taken for bums on seats to Croke Park on Sunday January 21st. Buses will leave the club at 9:30am. Stephen will be in the Club Tuesdays and Fridays from 8pm to take money and names. Adults €20 * Students €10 * Children u12 €5. Book now. Get a crowd .. Do Not Miss This !

WIN MATCH DAY PASSES WIN a Day Out for Two to the All-Ireland Club Final on January 21st, 2 x Match Tickets, 2 x Bus Tickets. Plus €50 Cash. €5 per line or 3 lines for €10

Cards available at the Club Bar, Pat Carrolls, J.B. Burkes Bar, Tower and Castle, John Joe Cullen’s, Brennan’s Bar, Johnswell, The Nore Bar and Lenehans Bar. Hon the Loughs

LOOKING AHEAD With the new season just around the corner team managers and selectors will be turning their thoughts to drafting playing panels and making preparations for training schedules, gym work etc., while awaiting news of the league groupings for the various 2024 Kilkenny hurling league campaigns. On a positive note the news that former Hurler of the Year, Eoin Larkin, has joined Brian Cody’s senior management team will be well received by players and club supporters alike. We wish all a successful season ahead.

WALSH CUP With the heavy overnight frost showing no sign of thawing, confusion reigned throughout Sunday morning as to whether the Walsh Cup fixture between Carlow and Kilkenny in Dr. Cullen Park would get the go ahead. Eventually common sense prevailed and shortly before the scheduled 1.30 pm throw-in time the fixture was postponed and a rescheduled date was set for Tuesday night (9th. Jan) under lights at 8pm in the SETU Carlow grounds. Meanwhile we take this opportunity to wish Derek Lyng’s Kilkenny senior management team, including clubman Peter Barry, and the playing panel which also includes club players Cian Kenny selected at corner forward for Sunday’s game and substitute Eoin Guilfoyle the very best for the coming league and championship season.

CLUB PODCASTS With everything on hold until the new playing season begins in earnest, why not tune into the interesting selection of club podcasts prepared

by Liam Kelly-0’Rourke over the last few months.

Liam’s latest production was a look back on the recent Reunion Night honouring the club’s Gaelic football achievements of the 1990’s and early 2000’s, the 2002 Kilkenny junior camogie title winners, the 2000 Kilkenny Junior hurling championship winning team and the 2000 and ‘02 U-21 hurling title winners as well as entertaining interviews with Phil “Fan” Larkin, former national camogie president, Catherine Neary, and the club’s Mr. Football, Jim Mulvin with former GAA President Nicky Brennan. The latest independent production in the GradLife Careers podcast features club hurler Ethan Butler, Operations Manager with NAMO, the Mexican food company who have recently opened outlets in Carlow, Clonmel and Kilkenny. Ethan reflects on his time in St. Kieran’s College, his college experiences in UCG, his change of career path and trips to the USA before settling into his career with NAMO. Best wishes to Ethan in his new career.

CLUB SHOP Shop supervisor Breda Manogue reminds camogie club members and players who would have missed out on the new camogie round neck leisurewear top due to its late arrival in store before Christmas that the fashionable garment is now available in store in a wide range of sizes. Also, the new club crested woolen cap in the club colours is in store.

LOTTO The numbers for the first draw of 2024 were 7 :12 : 25 : 27. There was no winner. Next week’s jackpot will be €11,200. The € 409 consolation winners were Keith Ruth, Paul Murphy, Ellen Millea, Kate and Brigid c/o Nolans, and S. McCormack.

UNVEILING Cumann Luthchleas Gael Larry McCarthy will be in Freshfords Pairc Lachtain on this coming Friday 12th January to unveil a special tribute to one of their greats, the late Pa Dillon. The event will also be attended by GAA players and officials past and present and members of the Dillon family. St.Lachtains GAA Club invite all their members supporters to attend this special event

which will be held at 6pm in the clubrooms. Refreshments will be served on the night. Seating and parking will be limited on the night and they ask that any locals driving please park in the village and walk down and be prepared to stand for a short while as seating will be reserved for the elderly and invited guests.

SOCCER NEWS Freshford Town Junior side took on Ormond villa at the weekend and came out the wrong side of a 1-0 score line Meanwhile the U14 boys had a great victory over Lions of Durrow in their home league game winning on a 4-1 scoreline with Jack Marnell getting a hat trick and Max o’Neill getting the other Freshford goal..

The winners in the Christmas raffle were as follows; 1st – Hamper- J. Doheny, 2nd prize – Meat voucher for Rafters Gastropub – Ml.Brennan, 3rd prize – family pass for cinema.

– Paddy O;Sullivan, 4th prize -2 bottles of wine – Mark Kakvanagh, 5th prize – Meat Voucher for Billy Bradleys – Bernie Burke – 6th prize – 2 bottles of win- Paul Kelly. Special thanks goes out to all those who purchased tickets and all who sponsored prizes ENGAGEMENT Congratulations to Joanne Grace, Woodview, Freshford and Pascal Walsh who announced their engagement over the Christmas period.

They are wished all the very best.

SYMPATHY Sympathy is extended to the Dalton Family, Clashacrow and the Kennedy families of Kilkenny Street on the recent death of their brother in law John Kinsella late of Bennettsbridge. John was widely known in GAA circles having hurled with Kilkenny and his native Bennettsbridge. Funeral mass took place in St. Bennett’s Church, Bennettsbridge, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.

Sympathy is also extended to Robbie Dowling, Bridge Stree,t Freshford and all his family on the unexpected death last week of his brother Anthony Dowling late of High Street, Ballyragget.

Funeral mass took place in St. Patricks Church, Ballyragget on Monday last followed by burial in St.Finnans Cemetery, Ballyragget.

SR JOHANNA - MASS Sr.Johanna Kelly who died recently was a member of SHMJ and served in Prague House Freshford over the years. She was widely known and respected in the village and a special months mind mass will take place in St. Lachtains Church on this Sunday 14th January in her remembrance.

BACK DOWN UNDER Returning to Australia last week after spending Christmas with their families were Zoe Crosby and Natasha Phelan. Meanwhile leaving Freshford for a holiday in Australia with her daughter was Ann Farrell, Kilkenny Street.

CHRISTMAS DRAW The following is the results of Kavanaghs Christmas draw and thanks to all those who supported the raffle or donated: 1st prize – trailer load of timber – Podge Conway, 2nd prize – Hamper – Ml.Doyle, 3rd – Voucher - Rhea Brennan, and also J.Dillon, TY O’Gorman, L.Kelly and C.Lennon.

FOROIGE Foroige would like to start a youth club in the Freshford area and they need adult volunteer leaders. A youth club has huge positive benefits to young people in the community and volunteering offers great rewards to the adults involved. For more information please contact Aidan Gleeson on 086 0674485 or Aidan. gleeson@foroige.ie COMMUNITY ALERT Freshford/Threecastles Text Alert membership renewal is now due. It costs €10 per phone number- new members are most welcome.

Contact any of the following committee members-John Bergin, Jacinta Power, Anna Morrissey, Mick Cormack, Shem O’Donnell The group wish to thank everyone who has joined for their continued support and they remind people to be vigilant during these dark evenings towards their property and neighbours. Keep an eye out for anything suspicious and report same to Kilkenny Station, tel 056 – 775000. It was also

noticed recently that items have been removed from some graves in the local cemetery much to the distraught of the families involved. You are asked to be vigilant and if you see or notice anyone acting suspicious or doing any such act please report same immediately to the Garda.

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

BRIDGE Freshford Bridge Club continues each Monday 7.30pm in Tulla Hall, Threecastles. New members are very welcome. For further information please contact Olive on 087 9257610.

LOOPS BITRHDAY The Loop Café celebrated its first birthday recently and the monthly dinner was held there last weekend with a full house and some lovely food served on the night. The Cafe is now open every day from Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 4pm. The Loop Café is a wonderful addition to the village full of character and history and your continued support would be greatly appreciated. Why not go along and meet a friend or try some of their lovely food and support a local community café. They are also looking for volunteers to help out so if you can give little bit of your time please do so.

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

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

Mass Cards printed parish cards are available at the Parish Office or from Annette at Tulla Church signed by Monsignor Kennedy. You can contact the Parish office on 056 8832843 or by email – freshfordd@ ossory.ie. Contact Mongr Kieron Kennedy on that number or on 087 25235 21 HELP FOR ALL Are you struggling with anxiety or depression or finding life difficult or feeling isolated at this time GROW is there to help you. Their Mental Health support Groups are free and confidential and open to all no referral or booking is needed. For more information on same you can contact Mary on 087 284342 If you can’t cope and need support text HELLO to 50808 SAMARITAN - Whatever you’re going through a Samaritan will face it with you – available 24 hours a day 365 days a year – Freephone 1161Alone is available for older people who need support and you can call them on 0818 222024 (8am to 8pm) AMBER KILKENNY WOMENS REFUGE – is available for confidential support relating to domestic violence - call them on 1850 424244 (24/7) or on 056 7771404 or email into@amberwomensrefuge.ie.

GOWRAN AC Massive congratulations to all the Gowran Ladies and Men, who braved the icy winter conditions to run in the County Intermediate XC. Another great event hosted by St. Senans AC which saw the ladies running 3km and the men running 8km. Fantastic running by everyone with team bronze for the ladies and individual silver for Joe Keohane.

Ladies Team 3rd. Ruth Kennedy 4th. Rebeca Kennedy 9th. Orla Clear 12th bronze. Clare McDonald 16th Men’s Team 5th. Joe Keohane silver. Adrian Cunningham 18th. Paul Flood 24th. Bill Lahart 25th MOLLY’S TEAROOM

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12 January 2024

Community & GAA Notes Happy New Year to all customers! Molly’s Tea Room is back open from Wednesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Drop by and check out the new menu.

GOWRAN PARK Early bird tickets available for Thyestes Day at Gowranpark.ie , Thursday, January 25th.

GRAIG NOTES To submit news items, club events, announcements etc for Notes you can do so by emailing them to graignotes@outlook.com. Deadline is Saturday 6pm.

GRAIG TIDY TOWN DRAW January 4th 2024 were First Prize €586 Laura Bolger C/o Daisy Chain, Second Prize €50 Louise, Cleare and Erin Barcoe, Third Prize €25 Maria O’Neil Ballyogan. Result of the second Draw are €586 Breda Holden,2nd Prize €50, The Yanks c/o Willies ,and 3rd Prize €25 Chucky and Roisin Hayes CLINIC CLLR. Peter Cleere will have his Clinic on Saturday morning from 9 am at his Office in Main Street, Graiguenamanagh.

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 from the surrounding district also join in. The next Session is on Friday January 12th at the earlier time of 7;30pm

COMMUNITY SPIRIT In recent weeks more than €16,000 has been raised in the locality for charity. €3,235 was raised for Cancer Research while €3,451 was raised in the Goodly Barrow for Teac Tom. In addition, there was a school draw, a Bridge United event and Split the Pot. A total of €9,322 was raised in the highly successful 2023 Charity Run for Saplings School Goresbridge. No less than 123 vehicles turned out covering Gowran, Paulstown and Goresbridge. The money raised will go towards sensory toys for children with autism and complex needs to support their learning and development. Thanks to all the businesses, committee members, volunteers and clubs who made this event and others a great event (check out the superb three-minute aerial video clip on youtube at ‘Light up the parish 2023’).

CHRISTMAS TREE COLLECTION POINT At Goresbridge by the bottle bank from 4th January to the 18th.

BARROW RANGERS GAA AND CAMOGIE CLUB Weekly Lotto: online tickets available at www. lottoraiser.ie/BarrowRangers CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to John Hanlon, a longtime member and sponsors of Barrow Rangers on another win by Hewick at the King George.

Hewick is available to be admired at the Goff’s Thyestes Day in Gowran Park on Thursday 25th January!

ENROLEMENT Scoil Bhríde N.S, Goresbridge is delighted to announce that it is now accepting enrolments for the 2024/2025 school-year. Parents may contact the school office between 9am and 1pm on 059 9775168 for further information or email the office at office@goresbridgens.ie CHURCH SERVICES Saturday 13th / Sunday 14th January: Mass in Goresbridge at 19.30, 10.00 and in Paulstown at 11.30am.

Sacred Heart Prayer Group meets on Friday 12th after 10am mass in Paulstown.

Legion of Mary resumed on Thursday 11th January at 3pm in Paulstown. New members welcome.

Church of Ireland services: Shankill church in Paulstown and Grange Sylvae in Goresbridge.

Enquiries to the Dean at 059 9722980.

PAULSTOWN PILATES A six-week course starts this week. Text to Jitka at 085 8557513 Level 1 Yoga. Course starts on 8th January from 19.00-20.00 and will take place weekly for four weeks in the community sports centre. Contact Caroline@yogabythesea.ie PAULSTOWN DANCE CLASSES Fridays at 16.30-17.30 in the community sports hall.

BRIDGE LESSONS Paulstown Bridge Club is commencing lessons in playing bridge in a relaxed informal setting.

Further information available from Mary Quinn 086 1704459 or Mary Purcell 086 1659779 CHOIR Have you a talent for singing or for playing a musical instrument? New adult and children members welcome to the Paulstown church choir. Contact the parochial office (059 9775180) CUPLA FOCAL Would you like to brush up or practice your Irish over a cup of coffee? All welcome! Weekly Friday chatting in Irish over a cuppa in the Goodly Barrow resumes this Friday 12th January at 11am. Whether it is a few words or many, it doesn’t matter. Contact Ann on 0857529485 for further information. Fáilte roimh chách.

GOODLY BARROW MUSEUM AND CAFE Goodly Barrow Museum and café (next to the river Barrow in Goresbridge). Reopened last Wednesday 10th January. A great place to meet up and chat as well as to savour delicious cooking or just a cuppa.

NOLLAIG NA MBAN Members of Bennettsbridge Art Group celebrated Nollaig na mBan on Saturday last. Venue was Gaffers Barn, Gowran Road at the invitation of Marion Murphy, a member of the art group. It was an evening of good food, good company and story-telling. Over the Christmas period the group lost a valued member and he was included in a toast to absent friends.

ART GROUP Art Classes will resume on Monday, 15th January and members are looking forward to putting a new programme together for the year. Venue is The Community Centre at the usual time 2 to 4pm.

TULLAHERIN LITTER PICK Last week, Fionn and Niamh Hennessy, were out on their annual rubbish pick on the country roads/lanes in the Kilbline and Tullaherin area.

Encouraged by their dad, Killian, the children collected a good amount of litter, community

spirit at its best, keeping their area litter free.

MENS SHED The Mens Shed meetings resumed last Wednesday after the Christmas break. There has been a great response from the men in the parish and community. Sadly, they missed the presence of the late John Kinsella who attended the first meetings. Sympathy to the family on their loss. All welcome each Wednesday at 2pm.

GATHERING GROUP Following the Christmas break the Gathering Group met on Wednesday at 11am. On the agenda was, tea, chat, cards, bingo and gentle chair exercises.

LOTTO No winner of Jackpot last week. Numbers, 1, 2, 5, 14. Consolation Prizes, Barbi Zsoldos, Castlefield, Billy and Margaret, c/o O’Donnell’s, Denise Murphy, Gowran Road, Rosie, C/o Fr Duggan, Derrick O’Donnell, BB. NOEL O’BRIEN RIP Sympathy is extended to the O’Brien family on the death of Noel O’Brien, Lyrath and formerly of Kilree, Bennettsbridge.

Noel passed away on 4th January 2024, peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, after a long illness bravely borne. He was husband of Edel (née Corcoran) and the late Margaret (née Grace). Much loved father of Susan, Enda, Róisín, Martin and Noelie. Noel will be sadly missed by his wife and family, brothers Philly, Gerry, Patsy, Seanie and Nicky, sister Kath-leen (Gaffney), sons-in-law Gary and Jeremy, daughters-in-law Marie and Emma, grandchil-dren Fynn, Ayda, Jack, Hazel, Evie, Liam, Jude, Hugh and Annabel, mother-in-law Rosie, brothers-in-law, sisters-inlaw, nephews, nieces, relatives, friends and his many business col-leagues. Noel is predeceased by his brother Jimmy, sister Joanie and his nephew Conor.

JOHN (JACK) KINSELLA RIP Sympathy is extended to the Kinsella family on the death of John who passed away on 1st January 2024, peacefully, at St. Luke’s Hospital, surrounded by his family. Predeceased by his parents Jimmy and Johanna, brother-in-law Liam Hackett and more recently by his brothersin-law Liam Dalton and Ned Kennedy. John will

be greatly missed by his loving wife Sheila (nee Dalton), daughters Jackie, Gerri, Owena, son Daniel, sister Moira, sons-in-law Barry Croke and Damien Grimes, daughter-in-law Linda Murray, his adored grandchildren Donncha, Leah, Alowen, Rose, Robyn, Tegan, Alice and Henry, nieces and nephew, his large extended family, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

All at Bennettsbridge GAA offer our deepest sympathy to the Kinsella family on the passing of John, a wonderful hurler for club and county for many years. John was a great Bennettsbridge supporter, whether it be hurling, soccer or community life. A very popular man he will be missed by all who knew him. May John rest in peace.

CHURCH NEWS Last weekend on the Feast of the Epiphany, the Parish Choir brought their Christmas programme to a close when they sang all the traditional carols. Organist was Christine O’Neill. Celebrant was Canon Pat Duggan.

Weekday masses this week. Wednesday and Friday 10.30am.

OSSORY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES Booking is now open for the 2024 pilgrimage.

It will depart from Cork on 22nd May and will fly directly to Lourdes with accommodation available in the hotels La Solitude, Padua, or Agena. As capacity is limited it is strongly advised to book early. Contact 01-2410800 or info@joewalshtours.ie.

GAA Senior Intercounty Hurling Liam, David, Kevin Blanchfield and Bill Hughes were on the Kilkenny panel due to play Carlow in the Walsh cup last Sunday. The match was re-fixed for last Tuesday due to weather conditions on Sunday. Best wishes to the lads and Kilkenny for the year ahead.

Bennettsbridge GAA Healthy Club, Irish Life step challenge Join team Bennettsbridge for Irish Life step challenge 2024.There is still time to join this year’s steps challenge. The challenge started on January 8th and ends on February 12th.

Simply download the ‘My life app’ to join. Team Bennettsbridge is registered so please join us to compete our 4,000 km challenge. Those that have participated before just need to join team Bennettsbridge. The count your numbers due to take place last Saturday will happen on a later date.

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

SPLIT THE POT The first draw for 2023 will take place on Friday next at 6 pm in the club-house. Please see the club’s Facebook page for details of how to enter online. Thanks again for the continued support TRACTOR AND TRUCK RUN 2024 The third annual Bennettsbridge tractor and trailer run in conjunction with Carlow/Kilkenny Home Care team will take place on Sunday 21st of January. A great day is in store again this year and we hope to see a big crowd in attendance.

Fionn and Niamh Hennessy, litter-picking in the Tullaherin area

HAPPY VALLEY TRACTOR RUN The organising Committee wishes to thank everyone involved who helped to make this fundraising event such a success. Sincere thanks to Sean, Angela and John Norton for providing the yard as a base, to all the sponsors, stewards, road marshals, ticket sellers and everyone who helped on the day. Thanks to those who donated items for the auction and raffle and to everyone who took part and supported the run on the day.

All proceeds to Cois Nore Cancer Support Centre.

NEW YEAR BOOT CAMP A New Year Boot Camp will be held at Crosspatrick Hall 6 week programme, €50 for the six week block or €10 pay as you go. It started on Tuesday Jan 9th from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Must be over 16 years. Limited spaces. Contact Bernie on 0874894661 MRS ANTOINETTE ROGAN (nee Ryan Giant) RIP The death has taken place peacefully of Antoinette, Grangefertagh, Johnstown. Predeceased by her husband Seamus, sister Mairead (Nolan) and brothers James and Edward. She will be sadly missed by her adored daughters Shauna and Niamh, son in law Johnny O’Donoghue, grandchildren Cian, Odhran, Finn, Donagh and Rowan, sisters Breda, Maeve and Caroline,

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

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12 January 2024

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Community & GAA Notes brother Paudraig, brothers in law, sisters in law, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and a large circle of friends. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St. MacCullins Church, Lusk, Co. Dublin after which Antoinette was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery. RIP. TABLE QUIZ A table quiz will be held in aid of Crosspatrick Development in” The Crosspatrick” on Saturday.

January 20th at 9pm.€10 per adult, €5 per child.

Spot prizes on the night.

SPA UNITED AFC Weekend results, Junior League Division 2 Spa 6 (James Whelan 2, Adam Barnaville 2, Mark Webster , Kieran Grehan) Thomas United B 1, U14 boys league division 1A Spa 4 East End 0, U14 girls league division 1 Callan Utd 0 Spa 4, U12 boys league division 1A Spa 1 Freebooters 1, U12 girls league division 1 Spa 5 Kilkenny Utd 0. Also in action were the U8’s who travelled to Lions and put in great performances.

SPA DEVELOPMENT/FENIANS LOTTO....

Winning numbers 7,10,15,18. Four lucky dips Kelly Webster, Richard Beehan, Lar Fitzpatrick and Sandra Grace. No match threes.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Glengoole Wednesday 10am to 2pm, Gortnahoe Thursday 10am to 1pm PARISH ENVELOPES for 2024 Envelopes are being distributed at this time and we express our thanks to the distributors. We are very grateful to all who contribute to our collections.

TUESDAY BRIDGE Bridge is being played each Tuesday night in Gortnahoe Hall at 7.30pm. If you would like to join or find out more information please contact this number 089 4349106 GORTNAHOE BINGO Bingo continues this Saturday 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 Donal Pollard, Coole, who won €154 in the Split the Pot draw. Envelopes are available at the usual outlets. Split the Pot for the month of January will be in support of St Vincent de Paul.

The draw takes place each Sunday at 12pm in Gortnahoe Hall. Your support would be appreciated ELDERCARE SERVICE Eldercare services through MFRC Glengoole will include the following: meals on wheels deliveries every Tuesday and Thursday, social group every Wednesday 1-3pm,includes soup, dinner & entertainment, laundry service, senior alert scheme for Gortnahoe Glengoole area, dementia cafe 1st Tuesday of each month 11.30-1pm, social group every Tuesday at 11am in the Old School House, The Commons. For further information on any of the above please contact Alice Teehan 052-9157992 SYMPATHY NOTICE Deepest sympathy to Dympna Crowe, Clonamicklon on the death of her mother Helen Shinnors, Grange, Kilmallock.

Patrick Lyons RIP The death has occurred of Patrick Lyons (Castleknock, Dublin and formerly of Gortnahoe, Co. Tipperary) December 29th 2023 at the Mater Private Hospital. Much loved by his heartbroken wife Margaret, daughters Emma and Katie, son Mark and son in law Aidan. Adored Grandad to Tadhg. Sadly missed by his sisters Margaret, Mary, Eileen and Tríona, brother Séan, mother in law Anne, sisters in law, brothers in law, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Pat reposed at Cunningham’s Funeral Home, Church Avenue, Blanchardstown last Sunday evening. Removal to the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, Laurel Lodge took for Requiem Mass followed by Cremation in Glasnevin Crematorium. May he rest in peace.

Donagh Noonan RIP The death has occurred of Donagh Noonan, Ballinteer, Dublin and late of Gortnahoe, Co. Tipperary. Peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, in the care of St Vincent’s University Hospital. Adored and treasured husband and best friend of June and much loved and admired dad of Billy, Michael and Thomas. Dearly missed by his loving wife, sons, Billy’s fiancée Aisling,

brother Liam, mother-in-law Annie, sisters-in-law Mally, Helen and Angie, brothers-in-law Christy and William, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends. Pre-deceased by his brotherin-law Ray and parents Dinny and Nellie. Donagh reposed at his home last Monday evening.

Removal took place last Tuesday to the Church of St John the Evangelist, Ballinteer arriving for Funeral Mass, followed by burial in Kilternan Cemetery Park. May he rest in peace.

Sympathies are sent to the family of Mick Foley Bridge Street, to his wife Ann, sons Martin and Sean, daughter Catherine, daughters in law Una and Martina, son in law Michael brother Pat, grandchildren, brother in law Packie and his many friends, he was laid to rest in St Finans Cemetery on Sunday.

Sympathies are sent to the family of Anthony Dowling High Street on his sudden passing, to his brothers Sean, Robbie, Joe and James his sisters Patrica, Marie and Jackie, his brother in law sisters in law, nieces nephews, relatives and friends he was laid to rest on St Finans Cemetery Ballyragget following funeral mass on Monday Sympathies to the Holland family on the passing of John Holland Snr. To his children Emma, Kate and John Jnr, his sister Mai, mother in law Mary Holohan, sisters in law, brothers in law nieces nephews and wide circle of friends. John’s funeral will take place on Friday.

GAA St Patrick’s GAA membership for 2024 is now open, contact chairman Martin Bergin, Secretary Enda Mooney or Treasurer Tomas Healy.

WREN BOYS Well done to all who were involved in the Wren Boys activities on St Stephen’s Day. LIGHT UP THE NIGHT 2023 The Light up the Night 2023 was once again a great success despite the inclement weather well done to all.

CAMOGIE CLUB AGM Conahy Shamrocks Camogie Club will hold their AGM on this Friday night, January 12th, at 8.00 p.m. in the GAA Clubhouse. All players, parents and members are welcome to attend.

GAA CLUB DEVELOPMENT DRAW Many thanks to everyone in the local community who supported the GAA Club Development Draw “Win a Hyundai Tuscon”. The draw was due to take place Tuesday, January 9th, with the winner unknown at the time of writing. GAA club members and parishioners are asked to check the GAA club’s various social media for up to date details of the draw.

EVERY STEP COUNTS CHALLENGE Conahy Shamrocks GAA Club have just started the “Every Steps Counts 24 Challenge” for club members and parishoners. The challenge begins from January 8th and runs to February 12th, with the goal of this challenge to collectively hit 4,000km for the Club to be entered into the provincial draw. To join, participants can download MyLife from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, and when downloaded, go to Social > Challenges > MyLife’s Every Step Counts Challenge. Search for “Leinster” and then “Conahy Shamrocks GAA Club”. All support for this initiative would be appreciated.

CLUB LOTTO The Christmas GAA Club Lotto draw was held on Monday, December 18th, and the numbers drawn were 11, 37 and 40. There being no winner of the €1,000 jackpot, the prizewinners were as follows: €30 Consolation Prizes - Elizabeth Feehan, Ann Conry, Jim Brophy, Majella Buggy, Bobby Dooley; €15 Promoters Prizes - Seamus Óg Brennan, Helen Cahill, Kay Phelan; €75 Christmas draw winners - Eilish Begley, Cathy Gunner, Teresa O’Hara, Margaret O’Hara, Daire Connery, Caitriona Bolger, Paddy and Imelda Hennessy, Conahy Ladies Club, Nicky Feehan, Mary Flynn.

The most recent Lotto draw was also held on Monday, January 1st. The numbers drawn were 1,3 and 4. There was no winner of the €1,100 jackpot, so the consolation prize winners were Ann O’Regan, Larry Bergin, Shane and Niamh O’Loughlin, Bobby Dooley and Eoin Carroll. The promoter prize winners were Larry Bergin, Teresa Dollard and Anne Downey.

CHRISTMAS IN THE PARISH The ceremonies that took place before and during the Christmas festival were as expected – joyful, solemn and very spiritual. On Tuesday, December 19th a carol service involving the choirs from the three parish churches and the 2nd class pupils from St. Aidan’s school, Kilmanagh, under the direction of their teacher, Ms. Byrne, took place in St. Brigid’s Church, Ballycallan. It was a wonderful occasion, the carols chosen were appropriate. The singing of “Oh Holy Night” by the pupils of St. Aidan’s was absolutely brilliant. The three choirs who sang separately and in unison were indeed very spiritual too.

Parish priest, Fr. Liam Taylor celebrated the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day masses. The 6:30pm mass in Kilmanagh was celebrated to a full church. The choir under the direction of Lorraine, sang beautifully. The 9pm Christmas Eve mass in Ballycallan was celebrated to a large congregation. The choir, under the direction of Anne, sang beautifully. On Christmas morning the mass was celebrated in Killaloe to a full church. The choir, under the direction of Evelyn, sang beautifully.

Thanks to Fr. Liam for celebrating the six masses of this great festive occasion with us and for us. Let us hope and pray that the blessings and benefits that we received from this very special feast of Christmas will be with us during this year 2024.

CAMERAS IN CHURCH All our churches are monitored by CCTV. The data gathered is securely kept for 30 days and only the parish priest has access to the data.

If the public request permission to access this footage, they must do so through the Gardaí.

Kilmanagh church broadcasts religious services through a separate system on the internet. This can be accessed by logging onto www.ballycallan.com. There is no recording facility on this internet feed.

CARE AND SUPPORT Text About It: If you can’t cope and need support, text HELLO to 50808.

ALONE For older people who need support at this time call: 0818 222 024 (8am to 8pm).

Amber Kilkenny Women’s Refuge: For confidential Support relating to domestic violence calls: 1850 424 244 (24/7), or 056 777 1404. email info@amberwomensrefuge.ie.

RIVER RANGERS AFC River Rangers held their Annual Charity Football Match on St Stephen’s Day in the Fair Green (Freebooters), Kilkenny. A total of €500.00 was raised. We would like to thank all players and supporters for donating so kindly. All proceeds will be going to St Aidan’s NS Kilmanagh to help fund new interactive boards for the school. We would also like to thank Freebooters for accommodating us and letting us have the use of their wonderful facilities.

OSSORY PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES The annual Ossory Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2024 is now available to book! The departure will take place on 22nd May 2024 from Cork flying direct to Lourdes. The cost is €929 per person. It is strongly advised that pilgrims wishing to travel to Lourdes book as soon as possible. Should you require any additional information on the pilgrimage, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01 241 0800 or info@joewalshtours.ie. Assisted pilgrims should contact Fr. Anthony O’Connor 087 251 7766 or by email on maoc50@me.com.

GRAIGUE BALLYCALLAN GAA CLUB AGM The 2023 AGM of the Graigue Ballycallan GAA Club will take place on Saturday 13th January 2024 at 7:30pm in the clubroom in Tom Ryall Park. Mass for deceased members and players will be on beforehand in Our Lady Queen of Peace Church Kilmanagh at 6:30pm.

KILMANAGH NOTES Anyone wishing to submit news items, events, announcements etc. can do so by email only to elanigan18@gmail.com. If you have any photos that you would like included, please send as an attachment.

MASS TIMES 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.

PRAY FOR Anniversary Masses Andy Brennan, Stoneyford, Mass in Stoneyford Church on Saturday 13th.

January at 6.30p.m.

Mai O’Shea, Croan. Mass in Hugginstown Church on Sunday 14th. January at 10.00a.m.

ROTA 13th. and 14th. January. (Second Sunday in Ordinary Time) Readers, Stoneyford, Saturday 6.30p.m. Rita O’Farrell. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m.

Valerie Farrell. Sunday 10.00a.m. Noreen Kenneally Eucharistic Ministers, Stoneyford. Saturday 6.30p.m. Kitty Wallace. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Mary Cahill. Sunday 10.00a.m. Kay Power SAFEGUARDING CONTACTS Diocesan Designated Liaison Person, Ms. Ailish Higgins Tel: 087 100 0232. Aghaviller Parish Representatives are: Deirdre Rohan and Catherina Roche.

CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS Many thanks for your very generous contributions for the Christmas Offerings and for your support throughout the past year.

To donate directly.) For Aghaviller Parish Funds: Use IBAN: IE74 AIBK 9330 9000.0610 47 (BIC: AIBKIE2D). For the support of the Clergy: Use IBAN: IE19 AIBK 9330 9000 0561 20 (BIC: AIBKIE2D).

All Parish Property and Accounts are registered under the (Diocese of Ossory, Reg. Charity No. 20015831) SOUTH KILKENNY HISTORICAL SOCIETY A Lecture on “Water Diviner Experiments in Ireland, 1891 and 1899” will be given by Brian White on Friday 19th. January 2024 at 8.00p.m. in Mullinavat Parish Hall (opposite St. Beacon’s Church). This lecture will include the input of Mr Jones, Mullinabro, Kilmacow/Ferrybank in the experiments.

OSSORY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES The Annual Ossory Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2024 is now available to book! The departure will take place on 22nd. May 2024 from Cork Airport; flying direct to Lourdes with accommodation available in the hotels La Solitude, Padoue or Agena. With capacity being limited this year, it is strongly advised that pilgrims wishing to travel to Lourdes book as soon as possible. Should you require any additional information on the pilgrimage, please do not hesitate to contact 01 241 0800 or info@ joewalshtours.ie. For Assisted Pilgrims please contact Fr. Anthony O’Connor 087 251 7766 or maoc50@me.com THANKS Many thanks to all the Children; Parents; Teachers; Musicians; Choirs; Readers; Eucharistic Ministers; Servers and others who prepared the Christmas Masses: and to all who cleaned and decorated the Churches in the Parish for the Christmas Season and throughout the year.

Thanks to all who erected the Cribs; donated flowers and Christmas trees etc. A sincere thank you and appreciation to all.

CONFIRMATION 2024 Confirmation will be celebrated for Aghaviller Parish in Hugginstown Church on Thursday 22nd. February at 11.00a.m.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2024 For Stoneyford School on Sunday 12th. May in Stoneyford Church at 11.00a.m.

For Monroe/Newmarket Schools on Sunday 19th. May in Hugginstown Church at 11.00a.m.

LOTTO Aghaviller Parish and Carrickshock G. A. A. The Lotto will resume this week after the Christmas break. Your support is much appreciated.

NEW WALKWAY Hugginstown District, Hall Committee and Carrickshock G. A. A. extend thanks to all who attended the official launch of the Walkway at the G.A.A. Grounds on Saturday last; the “Waterboys Mile” is now open for all. A collection for GOAL was opened on the evening and €578.00 is banked to date. Online donations still welcome at https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/ CarrickshockGOALMile

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 12 January 2024

kilkennyobserver.ie

Hurlng matters - Review

Sport

Billy Drennan hit 0-7 in the Walsh cup opener

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

Dioralyte Walsh Cup 2024

Carlow 0-9 Kilkenny 5-22 Netwatch Cullen Park Referee: Eamonn Furlong

At the second time of asking Carlow and Kilkenny got their inter-county seasons underway at Netwatch Cullen Park in the 1st round of the 2024 Dioralyte Walsh Cup. Sunday’s fog had departed the southeast and a vocal crowd was in attendance as Tom Mullally’s charges pitted themselves against the Cats.

Carlow lined out as per Sunday’s selection, but Derek Lyng made two changes with Padraic Moylan and David Blanchfield coming into the starting line-up.

The home side got off to a flyer with a lovely point from the talented Chris Nolan, but their lead was short lived as Billy Ryan picked up the ball just outside the ‘D’ and the Graigue Ballycallan man only had eyes for goal, and he delivered just that for the perfect start for the visitors. Kilkenny built on the goal with two nice points courtesy of Kevin Blanchfield and Billy Drennan. What Derek Lyng didn’t want was early season injuries, but the unlucky Cian Kenny appeared to tweak a hamstring and pulled up sharpish and was replaced by Tullaroan’s Mossy Keoghan.

Billy Ryan then got his first point of the day before Paul Cody benefited from Carlow giving the ball away and punished the error by striking over an easy score.

Liam Blanchfield then struck a quickfire 1-1 to push Kilkenny into a very early 10-point lead.

Carlow had been very wasteful in the opening 10 minutes as they dropped a number of efforts short and some others wide’s. Clara’s Paul Cody then fired over his second point of the game after 12 minutes of action at Netwatch Cullen Park.

The experienced Martin Kavanagh then popped over a free to get his sides second score of the evening, but the Cats hit back straight away with a lovely point from Mossy Keoghan. Kavanagh then struck a brace of points with a classy Billy Ryan score sandwiched in between. Clara’s Paul Cody who was having a busy evening, then popped over his third effort to leave the gap at eleven points after 24 minutes on a frosty Tuesday night in Carlow.

The most dangerous looking of the Cats attacking unit, Billy Ryan then notched two more classy points before the Barrowsiders scorer-in-chief, Martin Kavanagh sent over another placed ball effort for his third and his sides fifth

Cats go goal crazy in Carlow!

Injury to Village’s Cian Kenny mars Walsh Cup win

point of the night on 31 minutes.

The final score of the first half came from the third Blanchfield on the pitch, David who rifled over a beautiful effort from way out the park to leave the half-time score, Carlow 0-5, Kilkenny 2-12.

Derek Lyng made two changes at the interval, Billy Reid and Paddy Langton replacing Kevin Blanchfield and Joe Fitzpatrick respectively. The changes didn’t change the momentum and Dicksboro’s Timmy Clifford got in on the scoring act in the opening moments of the second half.

Carlow made multiple changes for the second period, and they went close to registering a major but somehow Kilkenny managed

to deflect James Doyle’s goal bound effort behind for a ‘65. Billy Drennan then hit 3 placed balls on the trot to extend the visitors lead to 17 points. Tom Mullaly’s men then shot themselves in the foot again, when they presented a third major to the Cats, this time The Village’s Eoin Guilfoyle who had only just entered the fray benefited from some sloppy defending to finish to the host’s net.

Another of the substitutes, Glenmore’s Billy Reid then struck over a mighty effort from distance before Galmoy’s Drennan sent over a ‘65 to extend the Kilkenny lead to a massive 22 points. Derek Lyng then sent on three sets of fresh legs in the shape of Bill Hughes, Andy

Hickey and Ted Dunne.

As you would expect with January hurling, things got really scrappy, and the raft of changes made the game a lot more disjointed but even with the visitors being a little more wasteful in the second period. Much to the relief of the Carlow supporters, they did get off the mark in the second half thanks to a placed ball from Martin Kavanagh. The lively Jake Doyle popped one over the bar for his side’s 7th point of the game, but the more efficient visitors then struck goal number four, this time Ted Dunne breaching the Carlow net. The Cats were still hungry, and another major came soon after. The impressive Paul

Cody went on a blistering run and popped a pass to Dicksboro’s Timmy Clifford who struck major number five.

The home side managed to tag on a couple of further points in front a dwindling crowd as the announcer declared three additional minutes to be played. Glenmore’s Billy Reid had the honour of striking point number 22 for the men in black and amber before Wexford whistler, Eamonn Furlong brought proceedings to a close. Final score at Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow 0-9, Kilkenny 5-22.

Kilkenny: Darren Brennan, Padraic Moylan, Niall Rowe, Shane Murphy, Joe Fitzpatrick, Darragh

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12 January 2024

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Hurling matters - Review

Timmy Clifford was on the scoresheet in carlow

Billy Ryan was in sparking form

>> SHERRY SAYS..

I’m not sure what either side will take from this pre-season outing on a frosty Tuesday night at Netwatch Cullen Park. An extremely comfortable victory for Kilkenny with almost 30 points separating the teams at the long whistle.

Cian Kenny’s injury will probably be the biggest concern for Derek Lyng and his management team. The James Stephens man pulled up sharpish, having felt a twinge, possibly a hamstring. Let’s hope that the players’ swift reactions mean no longer-term damage has been done.

There were encouraging cameos from the likes of Billy Ryan, Paul Cody and Paul Henebery. Graigue Ballycallan’s Ryan was in sparking form, showing his pace and ruthlessness as he racked up a decent tally in the season’s opener. Clara’s Paul Cody did his chances no harm at all with a hard-working display that yielded some lovely scores, while Mooncoin’s Henebery was secure at the back.

Billy Drennan, who announced himself onto the senior panel in the same competition last season, had another accurate night on placed ball duty and can be relied on to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

While the scoreline might not suggest it, Carlow enjoyed plenty of possession over the 70-odd minutes and created plenty of scoring opportunities, but perhaps some rustiness was in evidence following a team holiday to Morocco! Tom Mullally will know that more important challenges lie ahead and it’s a case of building towards the league and championship.

Derek Lyng will be pleased with a scoring total of 5-22 but is around long enough to know that his charges won’t be afforded the time and space they had in Netwatch Cullen Park on Tuesday night as the season builds. A solid start for the Cats, plenty to build on. ****Wishing Tullogher Rosbercon and Thomastown all the best for their club finals at Croker this weekend. Walter Walsh & Co. Take on Cork side St. Catherine’s at 5pm while Thomastown face-off against Castlelyons, also of Cork in the Intermediate final at 7pm.

Both sides have done brilliantly to reach the deciders but won’t be there for the day out – they will want to secure the titles and bring them back to Noreside.

Thomastown have swept all before them to date and will be clear favourites to claim a third piece of championship silverware on Saturday night.

For county star Walter Walsh, it’s another chance to claim a club title on the biggest stage. There is a lovely blend of youth and experience in the Tullogher side and they will look to this to drive them over the line at headquarters tomorrow.***

Corcoran, Paul Henebery (0-1), David Blanchfield (0-1), Kevin Blanchfield (0-1), Timmy Clifford (1-1), Billy Drennan (0-7), Paul Cody (0-3), Billy Ryan (1-4), Liam Blanchfield (1-1), Cian Kenny.

Subs: Paddy Langton, Billy Reid (0-2), Bill Hughes, Martin Keoghan (0-1), Eoin Guilfoyle (1-0), Andy Hickey, Ted Dunne, Denis Walsh (1-0).

Carlow: Brian Tracey, Niall Bolger, Dion Wall, Sean Joyce, Paudie O’Shea, Kevin McDonald, Jack McCullagh, Fiachra Fitzpatrick, James Doyle, Jon Nolan, Chris Nolan, Martin Kavanagh, Fiach O’Toole, John Doyle, Jake Doyle.

Paul Cody hit 0-3 in an impressive performance

Back in Croker - John Donnelly

Walter Walsh will look to lead his team to glory

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12 January 2024

Planning notices

Planning notices KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

Planning permission sought for single storey extensions to front and rear of existing crèche, provision of external sign, alterations to existing premises to facilitate works and ancillary related works at 1 Fr. Campion Place, Dundaryark, Danesfort.

Applicant: Danesfort Childcare Facility Ltd. 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.

Architects: BLUETT & O’DONOGHUE www.boda.ie

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

We, The Board of Management of Church Hill National School, hereby intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Planning Permission for the development as outlined below at Church Hill National School, Cuffesgrange, Co.Kilkenny (Eircode R95 T253). The original school building on the site is listed on the NIAH Ref. 12402315.

The proposed development will consist of single storey extension to the side of the existing school building to include the following: •two classroom SEN Base including ancillary learning and support spaces, •one mainstream classroom, •one resource room, •one office •secure external play areas and a sensory garden off the SEN classroom bases.

•minor internal and elevational alterations to existing building to accommodate the new extension along with two new rooflights.

•new staff and dedicated S.E.N. parking area •new replacement ballcourt •temporary vehicular entrance for construction access via adjacent agricultural laneway.

•removal of existing prefabricated buildings upon completion of the extension.

All associated site development and ancillary works.

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: Brian Dunlop Architects Ltd. www.briandunloparchitects.com

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

I Noel Phelan am applying to Kilkenny County Council for Planning Permission for the erection of a 5 bay single slatted shed with straw lieback and all associated site works at Templemartin, Co. Kilkenny The application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority during Office hours i.e. 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

Planning permission is sought by Rosemarie McPhillips to: 1) Demolition of the existing rear extension to the dwelling and detached garage/storage to the side, 2) Erect a new single-story side and rear extension to the dwelling, 3) Associated internal and external modifications, 4) All associated site development works at Ard Caoin, 6 Archers Avenue, Kilkenny, R95 KP9K. 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

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12 January 2024

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

ALICE MINOGUE (NÉE GIBBONS) ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND MONTH’S MIND

ANN M GIBBONS (NÉE CROTTY) 2ND ANNIVERSARY

In loving memory of Alice Minogue (née Gibbons), late of Newtown Terrace, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, who passed away on 7th December 2023.

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

A sincere thank you from the Minogue family.

Perhaps you sent a lovely card or sat quietly in a chair Perhaps you sent a funeral spray if so, we saw it there Perhaps you spoke the kindest words as any friend could say perhaps you were not there at all just thought of us that day Whatever you did to console our hearts we thank you so very much whatever the part

Dearly loved and missed by all of her family.

Anniversary mass in St John’s Church, Kilkenny on Sunday 14th January, 2024 at 11.30am.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. 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. M.B.

Month’s Mind Mass will be celebrated on Saturday 13th January at 6pm in The Church of the Assumption, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny.

May Alice Rest in Peace

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. D.B.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. M.M.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12 January 2024

Classifieds Motors

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

087 2587745

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12 January 2024

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12 January 2024