Kilkenny Observer 13th May 2022

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Victory For SF What poll means for united Ireland  Marianne Heron page 18

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Peggy Seeger Legendary folk singer to play Kilkenny  Page 22

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Carey probe: new twist The investigation into Catriona Carey for alleged fraud has taken a new turn with Gardai asking British police for help in tracking bank accounts and potential assets.

Ms Carey, who is being investigated in connection with an alleged €500,000 mortgage scam, was linked to four companies registered in Britain, including a company at the centre of the investigation.

The sport star registered the companies to what are believed to be proxy addresses in

Solihull in the West Midlands and in London.

Detectives with the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau have submitted a formal ‘mutual legal assistance’ request to the British police forces to trace any bank accounts or other assets she may have there.

Clients who claim Carey defrauded them mostly paid her by wire transfer to bank accounts, some of which were overseas.

Sources close to the inves-

sistance process — administered through justice departments in both countries — is much slower, according to sources.

Ms Carey, who lives in Kilkenny, is a former Irish hockey international and a sister of hurling legend DJ Carey. The investigation into Carey’s financial activities was launched in February, after RTÉ’s Prime Time Investigates revealed that she offered to help distressed mortgage holders renegotiate their loans

tigation say the UK request is part of a targeted international trawl to locate overseas bank accounts linked to the firm at the heart of the scam.

Similar requests to locate bank accounts in EU jurisdictions, via Europol, have already established that accounts in Germany and in Belgium had been more or less cleaned out by the time detectives got to them.

The British leg of the investigation is likely to take more time, as the mutual legal as-

for fees of thousands of euro.

Ms Carey said her company would buy the loans at a discount from their bank and provide a new rate for the mortgage holder for 10% to 30% of the value of the loan.

The contracts never materialised. Instead, financial records showed how fees transferred to Careysfort Assets Estates were allegedly lavished on skiing trips, exotic holidays, designer clothes, supermarket shopping and a €55,000 BMW.

Cycling and teen girls an equality thing On yer bikes, girls: Loreto Kilkenny students Mae Liwanag, Jayne Farrell, Orlaith Kirwan and Emily Murphy at the GreenSchools #AndSheCycles Ambassador programme awards

At a ceremony in Dublin 41 secondary school students including eight students from three Kilkenny and Carlow schools, were honoured as new #AndSheCycles Ambassadors by the Green-Schools Programme. The #AndSheCycles Ambassador Programme focuses on addressing the teenage cycling gender gap through supporting student leaders to take action to en-

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able and empower their peers and friends to cycle to school.

Students from Loreto College, Kilkenny,Presentation College, Carlow and St Leo’s College, Carlow participated in the programme and attended the awards in.

The 2021/2022 group of ambassadors took various actions to make their school more cycling-friendly and encourage their peers to con-

The Kilkenny

Observer UNIT 7, FRIARY STREET, KILKENNY, R95 VHY7

sider cycling to school.

The three students from Presentation College, Carlow presented their work to the awards audience.

The 41 #AndSheCycles Ambassadors come from Kilkenny, Dublin, Meath, Galway, Carlow, Mayo and Kildare.

Working as individuals or in teams they benefitted from online training sessions in communications, leadership

and advocacy from GreenSchools and completed action plans and reports as part of their training.

This is the second year of the ambassador programme following a successful pilot which saw 25 students trained as ambassadors during the 2020/2021 academic year.

The most recent (2016) CSO data shows that cy-

cling among teenage girls in Ireland is at incredibly low levels. Just one in every 250 teenage girls cycle to school every day. The #AndSheCycles campaign was developed to explore, understand and address barriers to cycling for teenage girls. The programme’s recent research* found that cycling in Ireland is “a boy’s thing” from the perspective of young women.

Kilkenny €8.5m. a lotto, lotto money A Lotto player in Kilkenny is €8,508,720 richer after becoming Ireland’s newest lottery winner.

The winner has officially taken the title of fourth Lotto Jackpot Winner Of The Year.

The winning numbers for the Lotto draw on May 7 were: 01, 31, 35, 39, 42, 46 and the bonus was 45.

Full story, Page 6

Special needs kids ‘being let down’ Parents in Kilkenny and throughout the country are concerned that thousands of children are missing out on vital teaching during the summer holidays because many schools do not provide a scheme extending teaching time to pupils with special educational needs.

Full story, Page 6

New ‘human milk’

Breast milk is the perfect food for babies but not all mothers are able to breastfeed, and with adoption or surrogacy, parents don’t have the option.

Chief Science Officer Leila Strickland of Biomilq, North Carolina-based startup is working to create ‘human milk’ outside of the body.

We will keep you abreast of developments.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 13 May 2022

News The Fitzpatrick Clan of north Kilkenny gathered in force in Freshford recently to honour their kinsman artist Edmund Fitzpatrick. The occasion was the launch of Ned Kennedy’s book on the life and work of the 19th Century artist whose bicentenary occurs this year.

He was baptised in Freshford on February 24, 1822.

Art history was created when nine Fitzpatrick paintings were displayed together for the first time at the launch in Ionad Lachtain Heritage Centre. Two of the paintings are part of the Kilkenny Castle Collection and were displayed courtesy of the Board of

Brought to book: at the launch were Senator Pauline O’Reilly (a relative of Edmund Fitzpatrick); Minister Malcolm Noonan, the author Ned Kennedy, Cllr. Michael McCarthy, ViceChairman Kilkenny Co. Council; Cllr. Pat Fitzpatrick.

A new chapter in the life of Edmund Fitzpatrick Works, Kilkenny Castle. The other seven paintings are all in private ownership.

The committee at Ionad Lachtain is extremely grateful to all the owners who facilitated the exhibition and helped to make it such an his-

toric occasion. A number of Fitzpatrick illustrations from the Illustrated London news will be on permanent display at the centre for the rest of the year.

Lord and Lady Bellew of Barmeath Castle in Co. Louth

attended the event and Lord Bellew launched the book.

His ancestors, the Bryans of Jenkinstown House, commissioned paintings from the artist and Lord Bellew gave an interesting description of two of the paintings from the

Barmeath Collection.

Ned Kennedy gave a short biography of Edmund Fitzpatrick. He thanked all who helped to make a success of the evening and those who facilitated research for the booklet. He especially ac-

knowledged the contribution of Mary Fitzpatrick who provided family lore and documents which greatly added to the available information.

Printer Emmett Barnaville was praised for the quality of the printed booklet.

* Edmund Fitzpatrick Artist and Illustrator” is on sale in O’Shea’s, Freshford and at all Kilkenny bookshops. It costs €12 and the proceeds will go to Ionad Lachtain Church, Arts and Heritage Centre, Freshford.

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€8.5m! Didn’t they do well!

A Lotto player in Kilkenny woke up the other morning €8,508,720 richer after becoming Ireland’s newest lottery winner.

The winner has officially taken the title of Fourth Lotto Jackpot Winner Of The Year following wins by players in Mayo, Meath and Dublin.

The winning numbers for Saturday’s Lotto draw on May 7 were: 01, 31, 35, 39, 42, 46 and the bonus was 45.

In the neighbouring county of Waterford, another Lotto player is having a celebratory weekend after winning the top prize of €1m in a Lotto Plus 1 draw.

May 7’s Lotto draw has of-

ficially brought the number of National Lottery millionaires to 18 so far this year.

The winning numbers for the Lotto Plus 1 draw were: 03, 10, 16, 23, 25, 40 and the bonus was 17.

The National Lottery has confirmed that the winning store locations where both tickets were sold will be re-

vealed in the coming days.

Saturday’s draw saw more than 116,000 players win prizes across the Lotto and Lotto Plus games which, in addition to the jackpot and Lotto Plus 1 top prize wins, included a Dublin player who matched five numbers as well as the bonus in the main draw to win €107,156.

Special needs kids “missing out’ in summer holidays Kilkenny parents and parents throughout the country are concerned that thousands of children are missing out on vital teaching during the forthcoming summer holidays because many schools do not provide a scheme extending teaching time to pupils with special educational needs.

Schools can choose to optin to the summer provision programme, but many special education schools and classes choose not to, according to a report in the Sunday Independent.

Data shows 1,641 of the 8,018 pupils enrolled in special schools were able to avail of the scheme last year, with only 30% of more than 120 of these schools providing such aid.

Parents of pupils who cannot access the extra learning said this can contribute to a deterioration in the behaviour and well-being of their children.

The programme was established to allow schools offer summer teaching for students with complex special educational needs.

It was significantly expanded last year when funding was doubled to €40m to support more children with an educational disadvantage in primary and secondary schools. However, figures show €4.2m of this funding went unspent.

The programme was renewed last week and will also support children fleeing Ukraine, but parents of children with special educational needs fear access will remain limited for them.

Parents groups told the Department of Education they are already aware of 26 schools that will not be participating this summer. Some schools notified parents five months ago, before the scheme was confirmed, because it is difficult

to source teachers during the summer holidays.

Teachers and SNAs have complained about a lag between participating in the scheme and getting paid. Others are unable or unwilling to sacrifice part of their summer holidays to take part.

One parent, speaking anonymously, said she struggled to get access to summer programmes for her 15-year-old boy who lives with mild intellectual disabilities.

A change in his routine over the Easter holidays coincided with a deterioration that has seen him hospitalised since.

He only leaves to attend school.

She is worried about summer as they are unlikely to get access to summer provision.

Five other parents told the Sunday Independent of similar concerns. All were informed by their schools they would be unable to avail of the programme.

They said alternative provisions available through the summer programme, such as accessing a tutor for homebased teaching time, is also hard to come by, difficult to arrange and a poor alternative to in-school learning where children interact with teachers and classmates.

The Department of Education said more children have access to the programme now, with its expansion seeing numbers increase by 60% last year to 38,000. These figures include pupils in special and mainstream schools.

It said work is under way to improve how teachers, SNAs and schools are paid, among other efforts to increase participation and access.

Special Education Minister Josepha Madigan said she will prioritise increasing participation.

A National Lottery spokesperson advised the winning players to make contact with its prize claims team and arrangements will be made for them to claim their prizes.

“This trulx==y has been a life-changing weekend for not one but two Lotto players in neighbouring counties who have both now become

Ireland’s newest Lotto millionaires,” the spokesperson said.

“We are advising all of our players in Kilkenny and Waterford to check their tickets carefully today as two players now have tickets worth the life-changing amounts of €8,508,720 and €1 million,” the spokesperon concluded.

Showcasing Kilkenny in the Middle East

Selling Kilkenny: Averil Clarke, Mount Juliet Estate, Aisling McDermott, Tourism Ireland; and Mahmood Salman, Orange Travel, at the Discover Europe Travel Summit in Dubai

A total of 15 tourism companies from Ireland – including Mount Juliet Estate – joined Tourism Ireland recently at the inaugural Discover Europe Travel Summit in Dubai.

Discover Europe Travel Summit was a two-day B2B tourism event organised

by Tourism Ireland, in conjunction with the German

National Tourist Board, Switzerland Tourism and the Austrian National Tourist Office. The event brought together a delegation of 97 exhibitors from Ireland, Germany, Switzerland and Austria to meet, and do business with, more than 100 travel buyers from the GCC. Aisling McDermott, Tour-

ism Ireland’s Manager Asia and Middle East, said: “We were delighted to host the first ever Discover Europe Travel Summit, in conjunction with the German National Tourist Board, Switzerland Tourism and the Austrian National Tourist Office.

“The event offered a great opportunity to increase

awareness of Ireland among the influential travel buyers from the GCC and secure a greater share of their valuable business,” she said.

“Our message for those buyers is that Ireland is open for business again and we cannot wait to welcome back their clients from the Middle East.”

Have your say on Voice Zoom think-in A Zoom get-together organised by Virtual Online Inclusive Communities for Empowerment (Voice) is set for Thursday, May 19 from 4 to 5pm. It is free and no age limit applies.

Online county platforms are starting for disabled people

in Kilkenny on May 19. Social inclusion is at the heart of the project. The first part of the online county platforms involves a one-hour workshop every Thursday for six weeks. Each workshop has an exciting guest speaker.

In remembrance: ceremony at the Kilkenny Great War Memorial where a wreath was laid in remembrance of those who served with the Royal Irish Regiment and South Irish Horse during WW1 as well as one for each of the other Irish regiments, as well as a wreath from the Kilkenny Great War Memorial Committee Chairman Donal Croghan, and Kilkenny County Council representativeCllr Fidelis Doherty

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News Opinion

The Fact Of The Matter PAUL HOPKINS

Our wastefulness gives us food for thought Hands up those who remember real fried bread? Not the limp, half-hearted specimen that shuffles unashamedly these days around the plate of a Full Irish but the genuine article fried in the fat left over from the Sunday roast.

In those days real men (and women) knew their fried bread and that it would put hairs on their chests (well, perhaps not the women).

In those days too, there was little, if any, wasted food in the house of my upbringing.

Even that left-over Sunday roast would taste better the next day, chicken bones made for great soup, and you’d never be a sandwich or two short of the picnic as long as you had a scrap or two in the larder. Soured milk was a delicacy and good for you.

What little we had we valued and nowt went to waste.

Research just released from

NUI Galway and Teagasc (the agriculture and food authority) says around a third of food that comes into Irish homes is being binned.

The news comes as cost-ofliving pressures are making it more difficult for a growing number of families to eat healthily.

Fruit and vegetables were the most likely to be wasted, according to the study which divided those polled into three groups.

The first group, called ‘All Waste’, were people who wasted food in every way by cooking too much and throwing away leftovers. They also disposed of food before it was even cooked and tended to buy and serve more food than needed.

The second group, ‘Staple waste’, were more watchful but still ended up more likely to waste fruit, vegetables and bread. The final group, ‘Overcooks’, were the least wasteful

— cooking too much food but rarely throwing it away.

The researchers point out that the UN Environmental Food Waste Report estimates that, globally, between 8% and 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions come from food waste alone.

We in this neck of the woods live in a world where we are inundated with a mass of food choices everywhere we go, from Michelin-starred restaurants to fast-food outlets, to the questionable gourmet TV dinners for two, common at your local supermarket, bottle of wine thrown in for good measure. And we occupy a world where increasingly our children become obese and lethargic as they wolf down fast-food after junk-food like they were never going to be fed again in their little fat lives.

The Dating Game, a study

by Emily Broad-Leib, director of the Harvard Food Policy

Clinic, finds that inconsistent and confusing food-dating is leading to gross wastage and that change is urgently needed.

Trying to decide whether that pint of milk left in the back of the fridge is any good? You’ll probably want to check the date. Unfortunately, it probably says ‘sellby,’ which is not exactly informative. ‘Sell-by’ date hasn’t gone by? You might pour a glass and still have it come out all lumpy. ‘Sell-by’ date went by a few weeks ago? You still might toss some perfectly good milk down the sink.

The Harvard study says we tend to fixate on misleading dates, assuming that anything past the date has gone bad — which is not necessarily the case.

According to Safefood, the all-Ireland body, food waste can be reduced by putting food away as soon as you get home. Check use-by dates to

see what should be used first and items such as chicken breasts bought in bulk should be stored in the freezer.

In another report, the UN says one billion people go to bed every night hungry.

Not peckish nor snack-happy but tummy-aching hungry.

‘Fried in the fat from the Sunday roast...

That UN report also backs up the Irish research, saying that every year a third of all food for human consumption, around 1.3bn tonnes, is wasted, along with the energy, water and chemicals needed to produce it and dispose of it.

The UN says Europe and the US have nearly twice as much food as is required by the nutritional needs of their populations.

And here’s another stat from that report: an estimated 20 to 40% of fruit and vegetables are thrown away before they ever reach the shops — mostly because they do not match Tesco’s and Aldi’s and Dunnes’ “excessively strict cosmetic standards”. The report says the one billion people in the world who are starving could be lifted out of malnourishment on less that a quarter of that wasted food.

A damning indictment.

Alcoholism – fighting fire with fire ANDREW MCDONALD HYPNOTHERAPIST

Alcoholism leaves a trail of destruction wherever it appears. It devastates the health and wellbeing of sufferers and tears apart their relationships. Furthermore, it is inherently sneaky, frequently making its presence known to all but the person struggling with it.

It has a close cousin, problem drinking. There is debate whether people who regularly consume too much alcohol are, in reality, suffering with alcoholism.

Given the negative portrayal of the alcoholic in society, it’s probably an unhelpful label. The truth is, if your drinking is causing you difficulties, you have a problem which needs addressing.

There are many ways of tackling alcoholism and problem drinking, the most famous being Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). SMART Recovery is also a good option, as is counselling. Doctors can prescribe helpful medications too. Your GP should always be your first port-of-call.

All of these options have

a track record of success. However, like with everything, any potential solution will work for some people and not for others.

Simply because somebody may have tried AA or a medication and not succeeded, doesn’t mean they are doomed to a life destroyed by alcohol. It may simply mean they need an alternative to help them beat the drink.

Another route is known as The Sinclair Method. It sounds counterintuitive so bear with me. You take a tablet, either nalmefene or naltrexone, wait an hour and then drink. Sounds crazy, right?

The reason it works, and there are several studies proving its strong efficacy, is the tablet blocks the pleasure receptors in the brain.

Instead of the euphoric rush somebody struggling with alcohol gets when they drink, this doesn’t happen.

Over time your subconscious mind unlearns the connection between alcohol, and the ‘buzz’ it brings.

This leads to you wanting to drink less and less.

The TEDx talk by actress Claudia Christian ‘Ctrl-AltDel’, available on YouTube, discusses this life-changing treatment option in more detail.

Nalmefene is approved by the HSE. The difficulty is in getting a prescription.

Many doctors are unaware of The Sinclair Method, or they are put off by its seemingly counterintuitive nature.

Sinclair Method UK, in conjunction with Merron Medical and other private GPs in England, together with McKay Pharmacy, which has stores in Belfast, Newtownards and Templepatrick, have teamed together to offer a solution.

With Sinclair Method UK’s support, people in Ireland can access up to a sixmonth prescription from Merron Medical, which they can then collect in person at any of the McKay Pharmacy branches.

All of these organisations are approved by and fully registered with the UK government so there are no worries on that score.

Of course, there are people for whom The Sinclair Method isn’t a good option.

That’s why going through a fully qualified medical practitioner such as Merron Medical is so important.

However, when this treatment path has such a great success rate, some studies show an 80% efficacy, it should at least be explored as an option.

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Court upholds conviction over wildlife offences Judge Gerard Griffin at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court has upheld the decision of the District Court to convict and fine Brian O’Reilly, Clonagh, Hollywood, Co. Laois, for five Wildlife Act offences, which he committed at Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois in May 2021.

At a hearing in Carlow District Court in September 2021, Mr O’Reilly pleaded guilty to all five offences. Judge Geral-

dine Cathy imposed a fine of €3,000 for the destruction of birds’ nests and their eggs and €3,000 for damaging vegetation during the bird-nesting season.

Mr O’Reilly then appealed the penalties imposed to Carlow Circuit Criminal Court. The National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) took the case, which was prosecuted by Alan Millard, State Solicitor for Co. Carlow.

Outlining the details to Judge Gerard Griffin, District Conservation Officer Kieran Buckley of the NPWS, the investigating officer, told the Judge the sheer scale of the damage to the hedgerows and the mature hardwood trees was effectively the death of a local farmland ecosystem.

Twelve hundred linear metres of hedgerow vegetation, with an average width of eleven me-

Local firms urged to get more savvy with online Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English TD, is urging retail businesses in Kilkenny to enhance their online capability and presence in order to exploit new opportunities to increase turnover, to expand and to sell internationally.

The Minister has launched a new round of the Online Retail Scheme which supports ambitious Irish-based retailers looking to grow and improve sales online and to strengthen their e-commerce capabilities.

The scheme provides direct financial support to retail companies to develop a more competitive online business offering to complement their in-store offering. It is administered by Enterprise Ireland and there is €9.3m available in this round of funding.

“I want retailers to have every chance of competing for online sales that are currently going outside the country. There is no reason why Irish businesses cannot successfully compete for home sales as well as international sales," the Minister said.

"The Government is also determined to support more business owners to enhance their online capabilities and presence to exploit opportunities in existing and new markets.

“The transition to online shopping was accelerated

over the last two years and consumers retail habits have changed significantly. Many now make purchases anytime, anywhere, anyplace at the tip of their fingers or with the click of a mouse. It makes sound business sense to have an omni-channel approach to selling in order to cater for these new demands and to be competitive in the market," he said.

“Almost all previous recipients of funding in this scheme noted an increase in online sales, many in international markets and the vast majority have hired additional employees to manage their increase in online sales,” the Minister said.

In order to be eligible for this funding, applicant companies must have 10 or more full-time employees and an existing online presence. Salary costs of an internal project champion can be partially covered by this support. This person can be any employee who has the support of the management to take on this responsibility, and will work with an external service provider on the project. * The Online Retail Scheme is open for applications now and closes on Wednesday, June1 at 12pm (noon). Find further information and how to apply at www.enterprise-ireland.com/retail.

Clune welcomes EU move on dangerous chemicals Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune has welcomed EU moves to tackle dangerous chemicals as "a major step to a toxic-free environment".

The European Parliament has voted in favour of strict limits on Persistent Organic Pollutants, and their removal from the recycle chain.

Also known as ‘Forever Chemicals’ these substances take so long to break down that they are accumulating in our air, soil, food and water.

MEP Clune helped negotiate the new rules in her role as a member of the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee.

tres had been completely torn up along with fifty-four mature hardwood trees. The nests of five different hedgerow bird species were found with their eggs smashed or abandoned by the parent birds because of the damage.

He described this outcome to the Judge as a significant blow for local farmland birds, notably when the State had declared a Biodiversity Crisis.

The State solicitor, Alan Millard, asked Buckley what he believed may have been Mr O’ Reilly's motivation to act in the way he had and the broader environmental implications.

Buckley told the Court that by tearing out the hedgerow vegetation and the mature trees, Mr O’Reilly increased the size of areas farmed to claim additional subsidy payments, which Judge Griffin described as a re-

ward for criminality.

He also told the judge that the average age of the mature trees was 100 years; along with the sheer volume of hedgerow vegetation, these trees would have sequestered significant amounts of carbon before their destruction. An environmental benefit now confined to history by the damage inflicted, adding that it would take a half-century for this ecosystem to recover.

Clean up your act to make a global difference With less than a month to go, Irish environmental charity Clean Coasts is inviting communities in Co. Kilkenny to come together and start planning their World Ocean Day event.

World Ocean Day is celebrated annually on June 8 to highlight the important role the ocean has for our life and the planet. This year, the focus will once more be on the 30x30 campaign: to create a healthy ocean with abundant wildlife and to stabilise the climate, it’s critical that 30% of our planet’s lands, waters,

and ocean are protected by 2030.

One of the issues affecting our ocean is litter that has become a global problem for both humans and wildlife. However, communities in County Kilkenny have demonstrated their desire to be part of the solution by taking part in several litter picking calls to action.

Once more, Clean Coasts is asking individuals, households and groups to join them and take action to protect the ocean. As a matter of fact, the number one cause of marine litter is

litter dropped in towns and cities, which makes its way to the ocean through our waterways, and therefore, by picking up litter from your local park, street, estate, river or lake, you will contribute to making a difference for our marine environment.

To support the efforts of volunteers in Ireland, today registrations opened for communities and individual in Ireland who want to receive free clean-up kits containing bags, gloves and hi-viz vests.

Statistics show that the

number one cause of marine litter is litter dropped in towns and cities. Building on the success of the Spring Clean 22 campaign, which took place in April and saw 5,000 volunteers organising over 110 cleanups in Co. Kilkenny , the National Spring Clean programme is joining Clean Coasts this year in supporting these communities around Ireland. * To register, visit our website: cleancoasts.org/ourinitiatives/world-oceanday/

Ifac tells SMEs to get their packaging right Ifac, Ireland’s farming, food and agribusiness specialist professional services firm, has launched its Packaging Report 2022, titled ‘Get Your Packaging Right’, to help Irish SMEs and food businesses improve their packaging strategies, reduce costs and ultimately minimise their impact on the environment.

Following the Cabinet’s recent approval of the Circular Economy Bill that aims to reduce waste and influence behaviour to help significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions (including incentivising the use of reusable

and recyclable alternatives to a range of wasteful singleuse disposable packaging), this timely report outlines the environmental impact of packaging and the rising costs facing Irish food businesses.

It also highlights the ways packaging can work as an effective salesperson for brands, what retailers are looking for, the funding options available for packaging.

Also highlighted are some of the emerging packaging solutions on the market such as sugarcane and seaweed.

In addition, the report features case studies and

helpful learnings from Irish food businesses including Finnegan’s Farm and performance nutrition brand, All Real.

The central tenant of Ifac’s Packaging Report is the importance for food businesses to conduct a packaging audit to put them in control of rising input costs.

An audit helps them to identify ways to do things better and it examines processes, suppliers, materials, internal and external teams, branding and the cost associated with packaging.

Once businesses understand all the basics, they can look

at how some of the emerging trends have the potential to deliver more sustainable packaging solutions for their businesses.

The report also signposts Irish food businesses to Ifac’s Packaging Cost Calculator.

This free tool will help any food business owner to get a real sense of the actual combined cost of packaging for their products; they can use it to itemise individual packaging costs and examine how volume increases or decreases can impact unit costs.

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News The long postponed public meeting regarding the proposed giant wind farm for the area of Clara/Castlewarren/ Freynestown/Johnswell area in Co. Kilkenny finally got underway recently with an attendance of 120 people, including attendance by local Counsellors; Eugene McGuiness, Pat Fitzpatrick, Denis Hynes and David Fitzgerald, and mediated by Niki Brennan.

The meeting started with first speaker Stephen Keogh of Castlewarren, with a wellresearched presentation from the building of these giant turbines, on-site works to their eventual demise after a life of about 20 years. The question of how ‘green’ was wind energy in reality was brought up, as was at what cost to the communities where these industrial sites are placed.

Stephen Keogh highlighted that the Kilkenny County Council Plan for 2014 marked the area as undesirable for this kind of industrial planning but has now become desirable. Why? Counsellor Eugene McGuinness was clear to point out that most of the local counsellors were against the extension of the plan to include this area. This was an Oireachtas decision, and not a decision made at county level.

The plan would raise the question as to if and why our elected county counsellors, as are our communities, being railroaded. Mr Keogh also noted that the company selected to carry out this

When the answers are NOT blowing in the wind

industrial complex was EDF, a French company, and the largest energy company in the world, mostly connected with the production of nuclear energy.

EDF are also infamous for the number of legal suits against the company. Mr Keogh said it was worth

noting that EDF could not loose financially, because whether the wind turbines work or not, they will still be subsidised. The practice of carbon credits for sale was also raised.

While much of mainland Europe were discarding on-land windfarms Ireland

Support for dealing with exam stress CLAIR WHITTY

It’s almost exam time which can be stressful for students, parents, and teachers. How are you coping?

I know everyone is different and that some of you will sail through with flying colours. Either way you might be interested in these facts I read in a study done on 1,000 parents of teenagers.

This study focussed partially on how parents felt exams affected their children. A whopping 82% of parents said that their teens’ worries were around their exams or education.

66% of parents believed that their child reached a point where they felt unable to cope with school, exams, or the pressure of their education. 47% thought it affected their teen’s mental health, and 44% believed it hit their confidence. Interesting to note also is that 27% of parents said they felt more stressed than their child did about the exams.

And one in three found it difficult to help their teens through the anxiety of exams.

It is so sad to see exams causing so much pressure, stress, and anxiety. As parents or caregivers, we can

support them in managing this stress. Sleep for example, is very important, teenagers need about 8-10 hours a day.

Quality sleep will help them deal with stress. It supports their mental alertness, and how well they put all of their learning together. This applies to all of us really.

We can encourage them to plan a revision timetable and help them to breakdown their work load into smaller

tasks, to take regular breaks from study. A healthy diet and exercise are important. Conscious breathing, meditation, relaxation, and visualisation practices are brilliant to help relax, find inner peace, and to find the ability to stay calm in stressful situations. Having some down time with friends with help them unwind too.

Herbal remedies can help them or you. Higher Nature Balance for Nerves contains magnesium, passion flower, B vitamins, and theanine all included to aid relaxation, reduce stress, and to feel calm.

It’s suitable from age 13.

If you would like to try something different there’s A.Vogel Passiflora Complex tincture. It’s particularly useful for supporting those prone to worry or feeling under pressure. It’s suitable from 12 years of age. These are just some of our most popular herbal remedies to help.

Hope these tips can help get you through this stage of life successfully.

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

seemed to be an easy target as the next “dump” for these windfarms. Stephen Keogh also noted that the turbines were getting larger, and he invited people to take a trip up ‘Baby Bilbo’ (‘baby’, as these turbines are indeed much smaller than the giant ones being proposed).

He also went on to highlight the disaster in 2003 that continues in Galway as it faces a clean-up bill of €70 million and continuous fines of €17 million a year, paid for by the taxpayer.

Mr Keogh finished his presentation by highlighting the “uncomfortable truth, that

windfarms are not about environment but about money, big money to a handful of people, funded by the taxpayer”.

Michael Boyd was the next speaker, and with regard to his line or work, he understands the property market and its variances. He spoke about communities and how they can become disintegrated by this kind of industrialisation.

He also pointed out that no one chooses to buy/build their homes in the close proximity of an industrial wind farm, and if residents of the area needed to move because of life’s many demands, they could find their properties valued less than half their previous value.

He also highlighted that, while the area was underdeveloped as a tourist area, the situation of such an industrial complex would rule out any future development.

The meeting ended with questions to the floor, and individuals highlighted health, enjoyment, noise and other issues. One attendee pointed out that, while the physical distance to some people may not be a problem at present, it could well be in the future and also that the area had more value than the proposed development.

Attendees were invited to find more information on the website; www.saveourhills. ie or talk to the many people already involved. A call was also put out to any who would make their skills and experience available to the cause.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 13 May 2022

News The result in the North’s elections has been hailed as historic: for the first time in the North’s century-long history a Nationalist party is ahead of the main Unionist party. Sinn Fein won the largest share of seats in the Assembly with Michelle O’Neill set to become its First Minister.

But what does this actually mean? Certainly, the result is a seismic shift in the psychological plates of the orange and green fault line that has divided Northern politics. Also, the doubling of seats for the moderate Alliance party is a hopeful sign of the growing number who don’t think along either unionist or nationalist lines. But in a practical sense little will change on a day today basis, little that is if the DUP agree to go back into the Executive and share power with the Sinn Fein First Minister.

The likelihood, though, is that they won’t and will fiddle with the contentious protocol issue while their support burns away with an electorate exasperated by their scuppering the chance of a functioning Executive, yet again when the North is crying out for effective government.

What the result does mean is that Sinn Fein’s aspirations for a Border poll followed by a united Ireland, especially if the party wins the next general election here in the South, have received a boost. Wanting that to happen, to my mind, is a bit like a small child wishing to be grown up before the challenges and maturation on the way adulthood have been met.

We have hardly begun the vital work of growing up towards a shared island and there are so many things to be considered. Not least there are the emotional ones: like fear and trust. The Unionists cling to the Union with the UK a bit like Hilaire Belloc’s lines: “Always keep a-hold of nurse for fear of something worse.”

But wouldn’t they be better off with us in the South than with perfidious Albion’s isolationist Brexiteers? We are richer in the South, (economists don’t agree by how much but one recent ESRI report put it at 50%), there are fewer of us below the poverty line,15.9% compared with 23.8% in the North, our GDP is greater, welfare payments are bigger (the North’s contributory pension is only €216.51 compared with €253.30 in the South, we live over a year longer and we are definitely more fun.

SPECIAL REPORT

What comes after the North’s political quake?

Sinn Fein’s aspirations for a Border poll followed by a united Ireland, especially if the party wins the next general election in the South, have received a boost, writes Marianne Heron Having been born in England, grown up in the North and now living in the South by choice I have held both Irish and British passports and believe me anywhere abroad the Irish one is welcomed with glee. Being a Brit doesn’t go down half as well.

There’s the trust element, which should grow for Union-

ists through working together as Sinn Fein have promised to do. That old Northern Protestant fear of Catholic domination, being “ground under the heel of Rome” as Ian Paisley used to warn, should dissipate given the sea change here, typified by current concerns raised about religious interference in women’s reproductive

rights in the proposed new National Maternity Hospital.

Never mind the litany of scandals from Magdalene laundries to clerical abuse which have emerged in the last 30 years and have helped to destroy the power held by the Catholic Church.

There are services and economics to consider. One of the

reasons voters in the North like to be part of Britain is the NHS, (you don’t pay for a start.) But seriously, do they realise the North’s health service, where the wait times for treatment are the longest in the UK, are in an even worse state than ours?

(One relative of mine in the North, in urgent need of a serious operation was told the wait

would be two years.) Time to think of the possibility of an allIreland health service with savings from economics of scale and shared facilities.

Trade doesn’t do politics and the North – where a majority of voters wanted to remain within the EU anyway – might be better off to hitch its economic waggon to the promising trade offered by Europe and ourselves. Europe, with a 36% share, is now the South’s biggest trading partner, while trade with the UK has declined, both sides of the Border are benefitting from greater trade between them post Brexit.

Trade North to South was up 64% in 2020 and South to North by 48%. We have skill shortages here while in the North the unemployment rate is more than 6%.

Beyond the so far nebulous dream of unification there are differences and their resolution to consider. Take just a few facts in relation to education where the systems either side of the Border have drifted apart: here second level students graduate with Leaving Certificate, in the North they take GCSE. The schools in the North are run on sectarian lines (this on the insistence of the Catholic Church) and non- denominational schools are a rarity, something which would not be welcomed here and is hardly helpful to integration between communities in the North.

The British subvention of £10 billion a year to the Six Counties is something that gives pause for thought when considering the cost of uniting Ireland. But we don’t work out the savings that could be made by integration rather than having two of everything, two health departments, two education departments and so on (think I’ll leave that one to the economists!)

There is another way of looking at things. Certain places, at certain moments in time, think Florence in the 16th Century, Paris between the world wars, London in the ‘60s, for instance, became culturally vibrant places, magnets which drew all kinds of creative talents: writers, artists, designers, musicians and who in turn attracted a wider audience. We already have a good foundation here in the South, we could step aside from politics and build together on creativity.

We need an all Ireland Renaissance to draw us all together.

Outcomes raise big questions about UK’s future The North’s election results and those of local elections in England have shown that there are “fundamental questions” about the future of the UK across Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the Scottish First Minister (pictured) has said.

The results suggest an increasing deviation in voting patterns between the nations.

The Conservatives had better than expected results in England, but suffered heavy losses in

Wales, while the SNP enjoyed a record win in Scotland, and Irish nationalist Sinn Fein are set to become the largest party at the

Northern Ireland Assembly for the first time.

“There’s no doubt there are big fundamental questions being asked of the UK as a political entity right now,” Nicola Sturgeon said.

“They’re being asked here in Scotland, they’re being asked in Northern Ireland, they’re being asked in Wales and I think we’re going to see some fundamental changes to UK governance in the years to come and I am certain

one of those changes is going to be Scottish independence.”

But, regardless of the changes she predicts, the First Minister said all of the nations of the British Isles would continue to cooperate regardless.

“Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland – we already sit around the British Irish Council table, and we will continue to do so, no matter whether Scotland is independent or not,” she said.

“The British Isles is not going away and will continue to cooperate but, for Scotland, co-operating on the basis of equality as an independent country will be much, much better than the situation just now.”

Speaking from Dundee as she celebrated the SNP taking majority control of the city’s council, Ms Sturgeon was asked by PA what she thought motivated voters on Thursday.

“In this election, I think they

were voting principally because they want more action on the cost of living crisis and they want to see the Westminster government step up, so it was a strong message on that,” she said.

“The SNP vote share went up, obviously the leading pro-independence party, and after the SNP the next big winners were the Greens — another pro-independence party. So I think that’s significant and we take a lot of heart from it.”

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 13 May 2022

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Ukraine Invasion The war in Ukraine is one that Russia cannot win in any meaningful sense. Putin’s foreign military successes around the world afer 2008 were all achieved by using small units of elite forces, mercenaries and local militia groups alongside Russian air power.

This gave Moscow considerable leverage at low cost during interventions in Georgia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Syria, Libya, Mali and twice in Ukraine during 2014, first in illegally annexing Crimea and then in creating self-declared Russian statelets in Luhansk and Donetsk.

In every case, Russia moved swiftly and ruthlessly in ways the Western world was unable to counter except through graduated sanctions regimes nothing that could reverse the reality. Putin was adept at creating “new facts on the ground”, defence analyst Michael Clarke has told the BBC. Mr Clarke is a visiting professor of defence studies, King’s College London In February Putin tried the same again on the grandest possible scale in Ukraine — to grab governmental power within about 72 hours in a country of 45 million people occupying the second biggest land area in Europe.

It was an astonishing and reckless gamble and it failed completely in the first crucial week.

How has Moscow changed with war in Ukraine?

Putin now has few options but to keep going forward to make this war either bigger in Ukraine or bigger by advancing beyond its borders.

Escalation is built into the current situation and Europe has reached a very dangerous moment in its recent history.

Having failed with Plan A to seize the government in Kyiv before President Zelensky’s forces, or the outside world, could react, Moscow then switched to a Plan B. This was a more “manoeuvrist” military approach to surround Kyiv and move in on other Ukrainian cities - Chernihiv,

In the final analysis, Putin cannot win his war Sumy, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Mariupol and Mykolaiv and simply snuff out Ukrainian armed resistance while Kyiv itself would be threatened with capitulation or destruction. Mr Clarke said.

This, too, failed. Kherson was the only major city that fell under Russian control and has since continued to resist Russian administration. The fact is that Russian forces were too small to dominate such a big country; they performed very poorly for a mixture of reasons; they were badly led and dispersed around four separate fronts, from Kyiv to Mykolaiv, with no overall commander.

And they turned out to be up against a determined and well-trained Ukrainian army who fought them to a standstill in a classic

demonstration of “dynamic defence” — not holding a line but rather hitting the attackers at points of maximum vulnerability.

In frustration, Russia has now moved to Plan C, which is to give up on Kyiv and the north, instead concentrating all its forces for a major offensive in the Donbas region and across the south of Ukraine, probably as far as the port of Odesa in the southwest — effectively to landlock the country.

This is the campaign we now see being played out in the east around Izyum and Popasne, Kurulka and Brazhkivka.

Russian forces are trying to surround Ukraine’s Joint Forces Operation, (JFO) — about 40% of its army that has been dug in opposite

the breakaway Luhansk and Donetsk “republics” since 2014. Key Russian objectives are to take Slovyansk and, a little further south, Kramatorsk. They are both crucial strategic points for control of the whole Donbas region.

According to the defence analyst’s report to the BBC, And the war has moved into a different military phase — a struggle in more open country, during better weather, with tanks, mechanised infantry and, above all, artillery — designed to devastate an opponent’s defence lines before armoured forces sweep in.

But the process is not so simple.

Russia’s offensive got off to a staggered start and Ukraine’s

JFO has held the Russian offensive well short of the lines Russian commanders would have expected to reach by now. The Ukrainians have bought themselves some valuable time. A “race of the heavy metal” is under way as each side tries to bring in its heavy fighting equipment before the battle is fully joined.

We can expect to see this develop over the next couple of weeks.

What happens in the Donbas, however, offers Putin only a choice between different types of defeat.

If the battle reaches an autumn stalemate, he will have precious little to show for so much loss and pain. If the military momentum shi:s and his forces get pushed back, even more so. And even if the Russians succeed

in overrunning the whole of the Donbas and all across the south, they still have to hold those territories for the indefinite future in the face of several million Ukrainians who don’t want them there.

Any significant Russian military success will likely create a major, open-ended insurgency that will get bigger for every district Russian forces may overrun. Putin went for broke in February with Plan A. The failure of that scheme means that plans B, C or any subsequent plans still leaves Russia going for broke - needing to suppress some or all of a very big country.

One way or another, Russia will have to keep fighting in Ukraine, either against the population, or against the Ukrainian army, and quite possibly both simultaneously.

And as long as Kyiv sticks to its current line that demands Russian withdrawal before any concessions can be contemplated, there is not much Putin can do but carry grimly on.

The Western powers will keep supplying weapons and money to Kyiv, and will not be li:ing powerful sanctions on Russia any time soon. Once Europe’s energy dependency on it is greatly lessened, Russia has so little that Europe really needs, the US and Europe will be able to leave crippling sanctions in place with small cost to their own economies.

There is no way back for Vladimir Putin personally and he may even be indicted as a war criminal. His only political strategy is to make the war in Ukraine into something else - part of a struggle for Russia’s very survival against the “Nazis” and “imperialists” of the West who relish the chance to take Russia down.

That’s why it suits him to toy with the dangerous idea that Russia is facing a “Great Patriotic War 2.0” with the rest of Europe. We will probably hear a lot more about this on Victory Day. President Putin will claim to see light at the end of a very dark and long tunnel into which he has steered his own country.

Russian generals ‘carry equal blame and shame’ The UK Defence Secretary has said Russian military leaders are as much to blame for the Ukraine invasion as President Putin — and both should face consequences.

Ben Wallace is reported news agencies as telling the world bluntly that Putin and his inner circle should share the same fate as the Nazis, who ended up defeated and facing the Nuremberg trials for their atrocities.

Mr Wallace said: “Through their invasion of Ukraine, Putin, his inner circle and generals are now mirroring the fascism and tyranny of 70 years ago, repeating the errors of last century’s totalitarian regimes.

“Their fate must also, surely, eventually be the same.”

Before his audience at the National Army Museum in London, Mr Wallace

said: “Their unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine, attacks against

innocent citizens and their homes, and the widespread atrocities — including

deliberately against women and children — corrupts the memory of past sacrifices and Russia’s onceproud global reputation.”

He also criticised the behaviour of Russian commanders for war crimes and their incompetence in a campaign which has failed to secure the gains expected

by Putin by saying the generals in their “manicured parade uniforms” are “utterly complicit in Putin’s hijacking of their forebears’ proud history” of resisting fascism.

“All professional soldiers should be appalled at the behaviour of the Russian army,” Mr Wallace said.

“Not only are they engaged in an illegal invasion and war crimes, but their top

brass have failed their own rank and file to the extent they should be courtmartialled.”

Meanwhile, in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukrainian fighters at the Azovstal steel plant have vowed to continue their stand as long as they are alive.

“We will continue to fight as long as we are alive to repel the Russian occupiers,” captain Sviatoslav Palamar, a deputy commander of Ukraine’s Azov Regiment, told an online conference.

Some of those inside, however, had raised criticisms of the Ukrainian government, saying it had failed to defend Mariupol better at the start of the invasion.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 13 May 2022

Your Money

BY JOHN ELLIS FINANCIAL ADVISOR

The cost of living in Ireland “isn’t a trend, it’s a crisis!”according to the all-Ireland research report recently published by The Foundation, a Belfast-based branding, design and digital marketing agency.

The report was commissioned to examine the impact of the rising cost of living on shoppers’ behaviour and how this will impact on local food and drink brands.

The report has revealed that 85% of consumers say the rising cost of living is impacting on how people shop. Of those surveyed 36% of shoppers expect to buy less local produce, while 57% are now purchasing products from clearance sections and 49% are buying bigger packs to save money. This could lead to the view that less available money will cause consumers to skimp on value, quality, and freshness.

Not so, according to the results. Consumers continue to have a strong desire for “fresh products”.

Under half (46%) of respondents are still committed to buying the same levels of local food and drink products.

Reading between the lines

Cost of living now, officially, a crisis producers need to be aware that the “open the doors, put in on the shelf and they will come” policy no longer works as it might once have had. Retailers are being encouraged to show strong reasons why the shopper should buy their products.

The report gives an insight into how local food and drink producers are being advised how to interact with their customers; by

building their brands in these changing times. If they follow through with the advice we, the consumer, in spite of the crisis, will continue to buy the high levels of food and drink products available.

Despite the price squeeze consumers continue to be committed to “doing their bit” for the environment and are aware of the impact of production and packaging

of foods has on the environment. For example, they continue to ask how sustainable is the product they intend to purchase; is the packaging recyclable/ compostable and where is it sourced?

In addition to value, price and impact, shoppers “buy with their eyes”. How often have you chosen a piece of fruit, looked at it, put it back and chosen another that was

more appealing.

Almost three quarters (72%) of respondents said being able to see the product through the packaging had influenced them when purchasing and 62% said that ease of preparation had either “considerable” or “lots of influence” on theirs purchases.

Consumers would like to see more of fruit and vegetables (56%), fresh

meat and poultry (53%) and bakery (50%) in house, while outsourced pre-prepared products are way down the line. But there is still demand for local in-house prepared ready meals and ready to cook foods (29%), Preprepared fruit & veg (23%) and pre-prepared meat & poultry (22%).

Pricing is still important but the ability to communicate value is now more than ever an essential part of retailers’ marketing strategy. Up to 68% of shoppers say social media has some influence, whereas 7% say a lot of influence. Consumers value access to on-line recipe ideas, seeing how others cook and serve a product even entertaining content around food is popular.

Brendan Gallen, Strategy Director of The Foundation, explains: “Local producers have built a global reputation for the quality of their food and drink products, but with consumer spend being squeezed due to the eye-watering rise in energy prizes, it’s crucial that local brands communicate value as well as quality.”

There is a huge appetite for more local food and drink products but being the cheapest is not always the way to go. The challenge is value for money but must include convenience, sustainability, and sourcing. john@ellisfinancial.ie 086 8362633

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Feature

Tough love with Doc Grumpy

BY NED EGAN

WELL, a little tale about doctors. You know, those selfless fellas and gals who spend their lives slaving away in the interests of their flock {us, allegedly} spending even more time worrying and panicking about our treasured health than would have the loving and caring J Stalin or A Hitler.

I was unfortunate enough to be blown sky-high by explosives over fifty years ago. I had a wonderful eye doctor, and a great plastic surgeon. These people delivered me back to life outside the Royal Perth Hospital in much better shape than I’d entered nearly a year before – being then blind and deaf and missing a fair amount of bodywork – never mind the paint.

Anyway, since then I’ve encountered my share of medical charlatans, quacks, and deceitful latchicoes’.

Suffice it to say that on looking back over sixteen subsequent operations, I’d

have to give the ‘knife-boys’ credit for being even more dangerous than dynamite.

However, that’s a story for another time.

This present tale is about a lady doc, whose PR and diplomacy skills were amazingly conspicuous – by their total absence! Now, to how I met her, and what transpired.

As well as many dyn/doc inflicted injuries, I was, a good while ago, informed I had COPD. That little acronym is a short way of saying ‘Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.’ A fair oul mouthful, that, bejay…

Normally this malady attacks heavy smokers – I never smoked a puff. But I had TB as a child, and was cooped up in tanks, armoured cars and aircraft crash rescue vehicles for eight years, mostly in the Middle East.

And in those days – the ‘50’s the huge majority of military men smoked. Lots. At one shilling for twenty, they were practically encouraged to.

So, on long stand-by shifts, I got all their recycled stuff, second-hand - third and fourth too. Everybody’s breath was sucked in and blown out by everybody else; maybe a dozen – or a

hundred times. Charming…

Then, last winter, I got a lousy dose of flu. The sinuses also being ‘battledamaged’ – the Mr Flu had some dinky fun with my ageing {and fairly out-ofdate!} respiratory system.

Lying in my ‘pit,’ I was getting through 150 sheets of kitchen towel a night. After three days, I crawled down to the computer, and tapped in ‘COPD’ and ‘flu.’ That little electronic nurse barked: “Avoid coffin - go direct to a real-deal doc – flu with COPD can stitch and stuff u up in sad snuff-it saga!” She frit me, did little electronic nursie.

Seanie C, a great friend, conveyed me to the lair of the only available late-night physician, Care-Doc. In I go.

The Spartan waiting area was being superbly heated – up to the very highest Polar bear standard.

Very soon a gruff roared ‘come in’ – and I’m there: a fine, big woman. No small talk, just ‘siddown there, boy’ – indicating a hard- backed chair.

The doc thunders round the corner of her desk at me a bit like Keano in pursuit of Dunphy. “What’s wrong with ya? No sob stories, I say! I

hope you’re not wasting my time?! Arya? D’ya know I have sick people waiting on me? – Well – what’s up with you, ay? Speak up!” Lucky enough I was used to such direct verbals from Army days – so I managed to get out my tale of woe – which I certainly didn’t exaggerate!

“Have you been boozing it up lately, boy – don’t lie to me! – Been gobbling fat bacon – guzzling pills or drugs? No women I hope at your age?!! Has the cat got yer tongue? Anything else?

Come on! Out with it!” All! Now!” Cripes, I got all the answers out, quick fast!

Then the storm subsided a bit; she sat down, calmed down a fraction, and produced a sheet of paper.

“So, you’re immune to most antibiotics, aya?! Well, I’m going to name several – stop me when you hear one you haven’t been on! Don’t act the shy eejit, mind!” So, she started rattling them off, like a fast old steam train whacking through points and past level-crossing gates. After several names had flashed into my useless hearing aid – I copped one I’d never heard of - G*******N. “That one” I gasp. “That’s been out several years boy –

ya must have tried that!” For my own safety I didn’t tell her I’d given up on quacks after about thirty years. She growled and showed her teeth a few times. “Anything else wrong with ya?” she suddenly roared. I told her of a horrible long-term problem – a legacy of a botched op in a Military hospital in Heidelburg – a rotten smell and taste in my mouth all the time, night and day. “What kind of taste, ay, boy?” “Well, doctor, rather like cat’s excrement, sort of,” I told her, lamely enough.

“Christ – and how would you recognise the taste of cat’s sh*tes?” she demanded – but for the first time there was a hint of a grin on those fearsome chops… And I suddenly realised that in spite of her yelling – she’d listened intently to every single thing I’d said.

“Right, trousers down, lie on your face” she snapped, and gave me a shot of the old needle in the bum.

Then a prescription for the medicine, and an abrupt “on yer way, now, lad.”

But when I was going out the door, she caught my arm and pulled me back; “Here’s my mobile number - call me anytime you’re in trouble,

Egan – day or night. Do it!

Good luck.”

The flu cleared up in a day.

And the ‘cat’s s*** taste and smell was gone a few days later – and hasn’t returned.

For the first time in many years I’m free of the dreaded stink.

I think of Ms Doc Grumpy with great affection. She reminded me of the man who got my sight back, all those years ago, Dr R Linton.

He didn’t take prisoners either.

It’s nice to think that amongst all the greedy pretentious medical frauds extant, there’s always the odd gem.

I haven’t been back to thank Ms Grumpy. She’d tear my head off for wasting her time!

But if the ‘cat’s malackie’ filth ever comes back to render my nights horrible, I’ll run to her.

And get out my thanks!! If allowed…

Ned E DISCLAIMER The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of The Kilkenny Observer.

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Science & Wellbeing Medical and scientific research has never been as advanced as it today, especially when it comes to finding better treatments and, indeed, cures for cancers.

Cancer is one of the world’s biggest killers, leading to 10 million deaths in 2020.

But scientists are using artificial intelligence, DNA sequencing, precision oncology and other technologies to improve treatment and diagnosis of the disease.

Breakthroughs include the DNA sequencing of more than 12,000 cancer tumours and a new test for diagnosing pancreatic cancer – one of the deadliest cancers.

Cancer killed nearly 10 million people in 2020 and is a leading cause of death globally, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Breast cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer are among the most common cancers.

Death rates from cancer were falling before the pandemic.

Now COVID-19 has caused a big backlog in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

But medical advances are continuing to help the world fight cancer. Here are some recent developments.

Precision oncology Precision oncology is the “best new weapon to defeat cancer”, the chief executive of Genetron Health, Sizhen Wang, says in a blog for the World Economic Forum. This involves studying the genetic makeup and molecular characteristics of cancer tumours in individual patients. The precision oncology approach identifies changes in cells that might be causing the cancer to grow and spread.

Personalised treatments can then be developed. Because

Winning the war on cancer precision oncology treatments are targeted – as opposed to general treatments like chemotherapy – it can mean less harm to healthy cells and fewer side effects as a result.

In India, World Economic Forum partners are using emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to transform cancer care. For example, AIbased risk profiling can help

to screen for common cancers like breast cancer, leading to early diagnosis.

AI technology can also be used to analyse X-rays to identify cancers, in places where imaging experts might not be available. These are two of 18 cancer interventions that The Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution of the World Economic Forum India hopes to accelerate.

Hospitals have sequenced the DNA of more than 12,000 cancer tumours to reveal new clues about the disease.

At Cambridge University Hospitals in England, the DNA of cancer tumours from 12,000 patients is revealing new clues about the causes of cancer, scientists say. By analysing genomic data, oncologists are identifying different mutations that have contributed to each

person’s cancer.

For example, exposure to smoking or UV light, or internal malfunctions in cells. These are like “fingerprints in a crime scene”, the scientists say – and more of them are being found.

“We uncovered 58 new mutational signatures and broadened our knowledge of cancer,” says study author Dr Andrea Degasperi, from Cambridge’s Department of Oncology.

Biopsies are the main way doctors diagnose cancer – but the process is invasive and involves removing a section of tissue from the body, sometimes surgically, so it can be examined in a laboratory. Liquid biopsies are an easier and less invasive solution where blood samples can be tested for signs of cancer. Synthetic biopsies are another innovation that can force cancer cells to reveal themselves during the earliest stages of the disease.

A treatment that makes immune cells hunt down and kill cancer cells was recently declared a success for leukaemia patients. The treatment, called CAR-T-cell therapy, involves removing and genetically altering immune cells, called T cells, from cancer patients. The altered cells then produce proteins called chimeric antigen receptors (CARs).

These recognise and can destroy cancer cells. In the journal Nature, scientists at the University of Pennsylvania announced that two of the first people treated with CAR-T- cell therapy were still in remission 12 years on. nature Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers. It is rarely diagnosed before it starts to spread and has a survival rate of less than 5% over five years.

At the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, scientists have developed a test that was able to identify 95% of early pancreatic cancers in a study. The research, published in Nature Communications Medicine, explains how biomarkers in extracellular vesicles – particles that regulate communication between cells – were used to detect pancreatic, ovarian and bladder cancer at stages I and II.

Imagine doing nothing at all, absolutely zero Bet ye didn’t know this, but one of the most popular behaviours or pastimes down through history has been doing nothing at all. Absolutely nothing. Nowt. Zero.

The Greeks, in particular, excelled at it.

We seem to have forgotten how to perform or do nothing. The closest we come to it these days is sleeping or resting. But when was the last time you did absolutely nothing?

When was the last time you stared out of a window for a long period of time? Can you remember the last time you sat in a park and just looked around? Have you ever just laid on your back and looked deep into the sky?

We live in a world where something is expected of us every moment. Either we’re working, socialising, cooking, cleaning, eating, drinking, travelling, scrolling through social media, or watching Netflix We’re always going somewhere or trying to get something.

We live in a culture that abhors doing nothing which is evident in our frantic work

schedules and constant need to be entertained.

Imagine if you had the monk-like peace of mind to just put a stop to all of the doing and lived completely in what Eckhart Tolle calls

‘The Now’. Seems impossible, right?

In the ‘Tao Te Ching’ philosopher Lao Tzu challenges people to balance all of the something they’re constantly up to by also learning to

embrace the nothing. “When nothing is done, nothing is left undone,” the philosopher famously said.

Dr Manvir Singh, a research fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study in

Toulouse and a Ph.D. from Harvard’s Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, called attention to our inability to do nothing on Twitter recently.

Dr Singh shared a tweet

thread that highlighted a study from the ‘70s and ‘80s in small-scale non-industrial societies where researchers noted activities people engaged in throughout the day. The shocking fact — at least from today’s perspective — is that idling or “doing nothing” was one of their favourite activities.

In the 1970s and ‘80s, anthropologists working in small- scale, non-industrial societies fastidiously noted down what people were doing throughout the day.

The anthropologists visited random people during waking hours and recorded what they were doing, building a representative sample of time use. Most of these data were collected while an anthropologist lived with the community for a year.

The researchers typically chose among 60 activity codes, one of which was ‘Idle, doing nothing’. This is different from napping, chatting, fixing tools, tidying up, and idleness because of illness. As far as we can tell, it’s really about doing nothing at all, at least apparently.

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Travel & Leisure Sicily enjoys an unusually complex cultural mosaic for such a small, ravishing, island and some of the best hotels in the Med. Yet among its vast array of food, art, religion and architecture lies a fiercely unified identity – one that separates it from mainland Italy and makes it endlessly alluring. Sicily’s best hotels reflect this curious blend of unity and variance – each whispering a different tale of conquest and confrontation, all honouring their extraordinary natural surroundings and offering sweet breakfast feasts of cannoli, granita and brioche con tuppu.

From 18th-century palaces salvaged from Palermo’s crumbling splendour to porous, time-warp rooms inhaling the Aeolians’ salty Tyrrhenian air, here are the best hotels in Sicily.

5. Monaci Delle Terre Nere Agriturismo trailblazer, Monaci Delle Terre Nere, remains one of Sicily’s smartest and most stylish country hotels. The faded grandeur of its main house (a carefully renovated 17thcentury monastery) is as magnetic as Etna herself, whose fertile slopes are combed with olive groves, apricot trees, herb gardens and vines. The volcano’s mystic presence looms over a scatter of 27 design dens, renovated old-meets-new barns and villas which blink out over a bucolic scene of rolling hills that greet the sea. This go-slow, soulnourishing estate leverages its 60-acres of organic harvest for its destination restaurant, Locanda Nerello, where scabbardfish ragout, ancient courgettes parmigiana and various Italian classics allow the superb ingredients to take the lead.

Breakfasts are as equally thrilling – expect fresh, scrambled eggs sprinkled in wildflowers from the farm and black bee honey drizzled on homemade Sicilian bread using ancient Forget the classic European highlights, and instead look to planning a summer holiday that explores the hidden gems of the European continent.

Here are seven underrated European cities that have unmatched cuisine, history, and cultural experiences for lower prices. And, there won’t be more tourists than locals in these destinations.

7. Malmö, Sweden Many travellers head to Sweden to explore the capital city Stockholm or take in the charm of Gothenburg.

But the hidden gem of the country is the Southeastern city of Malmö. It’s close to Copenhagen, making it ideal for combining with a trip to Denmark and northern Germany.

Malmö is a coastal city with plenty of shops and cafes for travellers to enjoy. The central square called Lilla Torg is one of the most picturesque areas in the city.

cleverly pull the clementine trees indoors. This is one of Sicily’s lesser-known hotels, a favourite with Italians wrapped in fluffy towels, oscillating between spa and pool (sliced into volcanic rock with contemporary finesse), before tucking into Guiseppe Raciti’s signature uovo poche croccante and soul-stirring pasta plates.

Address: Zash Country Boutique Hotel, Strada Provinciale 2 I-II N60, 95018, Riposto, Sicily Italy Website: zash.it Price: From £158

5 of the best hotels in Sicily

grains. Afternoons heed the famously Sicilian Il Dolce Hotel address: Monaci delle Terre Nere, Via Monaci, Via Pietralunga, sn, 95019 Zafferana etnea CT, Italy Website: monacidelleterrenere.it Price: From around €250 4. Hotel Signum Just below Naples and above the scruffy Sicilian port of Milazzo lies a guarded Italian secret: a scattering of volcanic islets cast adrift in a sea too blue and too warm for the Mediterranean. Salina is one of them, a go-slow mass of lush, herb-covered slopes and sun-soaked hills, drifting away from its volcanic neighbours.

Clinging to the foot of one of its volcanoes and occupying the old, pretty bones of a fishing village, Hotel Signum lures in a smart, understated crowd. Dazzling, Mediterranean sunshine sieves through a wild tangle of lemon trees, honeysuckle and jasmine, animating a nostalgic scene of chipped shutters, cast-iron furniture

and elaborate cocktails.

Rooms recall an 18th-century novelist’s genteel bolthole with mahogany furniture decorating a simple, Sicilian tile canvas and cut-work white curtains swelling in the breeze.

They share the same otherworldly views across the Tyrannian to Panarea and Stromboli’s coils of smoke as the terrace, where refined suppers of sea urchin with creamy mash potato and breaded scabbardfish with tiger milk showcase the island’s land-and-sea bounty and Signum owners’ daughter, Martina Caruso wild creativity (the youngest Italian chef to receive a Michelin star).

Hotel Address: Hotel Signum, via Scalo, 15, 98050 Malfa, Salina, Italy Website: hotelsignum.it Price: From €180 3. Villa Igiea, Palermo Palermo’s dishevelled honeyhued maze laments its golden age of lavish operas, fabulous parties and vast, aristocratic palazzos. One of them was

7 hidden gems in Europe 6.Riga, Latvia The Baltics aren’t as frequently traveled as many of the countries in Western Europe and Southeastern Europe.

However, they have a rich history that is prevalent in the incredible architecture and delicious food.

Located in the northwest

of the continent, Riga is the capital of Latvia. It sits on the Baltic Sea and has a beautifully preserved Old Town with pedestrian-only streets. The Old Town is where visitors can find Livu Square, a lively location for enjoying restaurants, bars, and clubs.

Villa Igiea, a palm-framed, resplendent beauty built in 1900 for the wealthy Florrio family. Its Art Nouveau soul was recently stirred with Olga Polizzi and Paolo Moschino’s clever old-meets-new design dialogue. This new Rocco Forte chapter saw Villa Igiea’s chandelier-antique-frescoed good looks welcome modern furniture and elegantly pared back decorations with the same warmth as they once did Europe’s Beau Monde, from Sophia Loren to Queen Victoria.

Its grand 2019 opening signals Palermo’s wider renaissance, one of the same creative flavour that filled Athens’ ancient bones a decade ago. One that is also manifest in the new authors’ contemporary rendition of classicism and commitment to locality, from the fritti and pasta ingredients to artworks nodding to the island’s striking natural beauty.

Address: Villa Igiea, Via Belmonte, 43, 90142 Palermo PA, Italy Website: roccofortehotels.com Price: Doubles from €300

2. Zash Boutique Hotel and Spa Wrapped in acres of labyrinthine citrus groves beneath looming Mount Etna, Zash Boutique Hotel & Spa was once the summer retreat for Catania’s nobility and now thrusts guests back to a time where nature called the shots, through a contemporary prism, as one of the best hotels in Sicily.

Honouring its past life as a Palmento, the cool innards of the main house (a peachy, peeling vestige of grand Sicily) now pose as a smart, destination restaurant, below it, a dimly lit spa gurgles and steams, echoing the volcanic surroundings. Rhythms are docile, set by shifting fruit trees and occasionally interrupted by the rumble of the train (worth booking a room that doesn’t back onto the track). Lava stone slabs line the walls in Iraci Architetti’s photogenic Iconic Rooms and Poolside Villas, whose cubic, glass structures and sharp furniture greatly contrast the main house’s soft antiquity, and

5. Porto, Portugal Portugal is a popular destination in Western Europe, but many travellers find themselves in the capital city of Lisbon or the Brit’s favourite holidayspot, Faro. For those visiting Portugal in the summer who want to avoid droves of tourists, consider heading northwest to the coastal city of Porto instead.

Porto is worth visiting for the Old Town alone, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the Douro River. The Old Town has a 2,000-year-old history and offers scenic views of the water.

Europe’s trade industry. The architecture of the city is breathtaking with castles and cathedrals for travellers to admire and photograph.

Every Friday there is a market in Ghent (called Vrijdagmarkt) with tons of stalls to explore.

It’s the perfect way to spend an evening getting a taste of the local food and drink.

4, Ghent, Belgium Travellers may bypass Ghent in favour of Brussels or Bruges, but they’re missing out. It’s a university town making it a lively city with lots of restaurants, bars, and exciting nightlife. This port city is in the northwest of the country and has historically been an important part of

3. Ljubljana, Slovenia Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, is easy to explore by foot, where you can experience its charming streets and historic buildings, such as the famous Ljubljana Castle.

This city has abundance of cafes and vintage shops, colourful buildings, and bikes scattered quite literally all over the place.

2. Plovdiv, Bulgaria Bulgaria is gaining traction as a tourist destination, but travellers might not realise that the best part of this beautiful country isn’t necessarily the

1. Dimora Delle Balze An abandoned 19th-century castle just north of the baroque town of Noto seems an unusual birthday present – but following a scrupulous nine-year restoration project, Elena Lops now shares the joy, along with the discerning eye of interior designer Draga Obradovic. The estate’s masseria soul remains fully intact, its freckled grey walls and earthy, tiled rooms blending seamlessly into the surrounding prairie-like scrub and lush, rolling woodlands.

Sun-dappled courtyards decorated with wrought iron day beds and large terracotta pots lead into pared-down pastel-hued bedrooms, more courtyards, and a light-filled dining room where local cheeses, meats, apricot pastries and brioche spill across a farmhouse table for breakfast.

This is savoured on a weathered stone terrace, with views of Val di Noto’s gold and green haze framed by disfigured classical columns salvaged from the abandoned estate. Even the pool area seems to have seized upon the organic theme – where moonlight toys with the water’s tar-like ripples in the evening as diners drizzle focaccia generously with the estate’s own olive.

Address: Dimora Delle Balze, SS287, Noto SR, 96017, Italy Website: dimoradellebalze. com Price: Doubles from €125 capital city. While most flights land in Sofia, it’s best to drive or take the train a couple of hours to the second-largest city, Plovdiv.

Plovdiv is extremely picturesque with cobbled, winding streets, a wellpreserved old town, and a beautiful hilly landscape.

1. Tbilisi, Georgia Georgia is a lesser-known country in the Caucuses in Eastern Europe. It has a soviet past and as a result, there are a lot of historical sites to visit and learn from. Besides being off the beaten path, and providing a more local travel experience, Tbilisi is a vibrant city with amazing food, markets, and kind people.

Georgians are known for their hospitality and frequently welcome travellers into their homes for a meal. The euro stretches further there than in other parts of Europe because Georgia has its own currency and doesn’t use the Euro.

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Book review

Time to Stop Running I’m delighted that my novel Time to Stop Running is now on sale at the Book Centre in Kilkenny. It’s been available from Amazon as both a paperback and ebook since 2019 but it’s good to see it in a local outlet from which it can reach a wider public. I attach a graphic of the book cover.

Since its publication I’ve had a great reaction from people in many countries who’ve “connected” with the main character and the whole eco theme.

The book is inspired by the controversy arising from hare coursing in Ireland and the long campaign to abolish it.

Here’s what the blurb says: Time to Stop Running is a fantasy for all ages: Light battles darkness in a magical showdown. Bullies run scared...hunters become the hunted In this spine-tingling adventure, Tipsy the Hare takes on his deadliest foe. A terrifying challenge awaits him in the Land of the Humaniks.

For Tipsy, a hare living on an offshore island, life is good, if not always wonderful: The winter months are tough... hares squabble among them-

selves as all creatures do ...over food, love, ruffled egos.

And there’s the hovfalcon that hov ers high above and occasionoccasion ally swoops to snatch a leveret (baby hare) from the world of the living. Tipsy is no ordinary hare. From birth he has been gifted with psychic powers, including the ability to converse with other species and outrun all other hares.

The seasons come and go, and the hares get on with their lives. But danger looms across

the ocean, on the Big Island that is visible some days from the beach or cliff-top. From that fearful land boats arrive at dawn in the season of the fallen leaves. From the moment the Humaniks splash ashore nothing is the same again.

The invaders are members of Ballycrossways Coursing Club, who aim to capture as many hares as they can for their live baiting fixture back on Broc Peninsula.

The invasion leaves the island hares devastated and terrified. Their spiritual leader, the revered Golden Hare, summons Tipsy to his cave.

He has a mission for him that will, if successful, deliver from persecution the hares of both his own island home and the ones who dwell on the Big Island across the sea.

And Tipsy is told by the Great One that a Humanik female will assist him in his mission.

A riveting page-turner, Time to Stop Running is an impassioned plea on behalf of an animal that threatens no-one and yet must bear the brunt of man’s inhumanity.

If Watership Down was a PR boost for rabbits, here’s an equally deserved accolade to the gentle hare. This is a book of life, love, and liberation.

You’ll not be released from its enchanting grip until you reach.

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News

Vat move welcomed by Ibec Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, has welcomed the announcement from Government of an extension of the 9% VAT rate for those operating in the ‘Experience Economy’.

The extension will be an important factor in protecting demand for services against economic uncertainty, as well as

ensuring the long-term viability of the Experience Economy.

Ibec Director of Membership and Sectors Sharon Higgins told The Kilkenny Observer: “The announcement will be a welcome relief for those companies operating in the Experience Economy who were brought to the brink as they

complied with public health restrictions and are still today gradually emerging from Covid disruptions. The certainty that the announcement brings will enable these companies to plan a route back to viability over the coming years.

“While the announcement is welcome, it is important

to acknowledge that it must be seen as a first step in the broader development of Ireland’s Experience Economy offering. Industry would like to see continued investment and support to promote domestic tourism, festivals, events, and wider entertainment industry and for domestic tourism

Milk prices still look okay, despite dip in global trade Dairy market fundamentals still look pretty favourable to milk prices despite the recent significant dip in Global Dairy Trade prices.

Prices dipped more than most expected at the latest dairy auction, with price falls led by the fat group (with AMF and butter prices down circa 12pc each), but all-important WMP prices dipped 6.5% as well, outstripping the future market view of a one to two per cent fall.

Nathaniel Keal, economist at ASM bank in New Zealand, said it was important to keep the dip in context.

“Commentary from various analysts have been throwing around bearish terms and talking of nosediving demand,” he said. “An 8.5% fall in the overall GDT index is a large move over the course of a single auction, but the result only takes WMP and SMP prices back where they were in mid-January.

“Prices for all major products on offer continue to run around 30-70% above longrun averages. Prices remain very high by any benchmark.”

Mr Keal said there were a few factors driving prices down, including China’s Omicron outbreak woes which he said have seriously disrupted the local dairy market, with raw milk being diverted away from fresh milk and into powders, meaning the market has been well supplied in the near term.

“This auction saw buyers from other regions pull back a little, perhaps with a view of seeing how the situation in China plays out, and to get a sense of how production in the northern hemisphere will shape up over late spring,” he said.

On balance though, Mr Keal said his view was that the dairy market fundamentals still looked pretty favourable to prices.

“Local production here in New Zealand is down 5% yearto-date as of the end of March, while global production looks likely to be flat at best this season.

“Meanwhile, we expect demand in China to remain relatively robust despite the lockdown uncertainties.”

Recruitment of agri-food chief is under way Recruitment is under way for a chief executive to head the new agri-food sector watchdog which will crack down on unfair trading practices in the industry.

The Office for Fairness and

Transparency in the AgriFood Supply Chain will be able to report on prices in the supply chain and investigate any wrongdoings.

The salary of the chief executive starts at €145,283.

product development,” she said.

“In addition, there ought to be an increase in funding for overseas tourism and event promotion and product development, as well as funding to support activity to attract large scale business events, conferences, and global events such

as The Gathering, to Ireland,” she said.

“In addition, we need to look beyond Covid and ensure ambitious investment is directed towards supporting life-long learning in the experience economy to promote adaption, flexibility, and future proofing,” Ms Higgins said.

Folk icon Peggy Seeger to play Kilkenny

The legendary folk singer Peggy Seeger is coming to Kilkenny. The tour takes its name from Peggy’s recent album ‘First Farewell’ which was Mojo Magazine’s No. 1 Folk Album of the Year and was shortlisted for Songlines Magazine Album of the Year.

The undisputed queen of folk and political song, will bring her ‘tour to the Watergate Theatre on June 17. Peggy will be performing with her son Calum MacColl, a gifted professional musician and songwriter

in his own right and producer of many of her albums, including that most recent album ‘First Farewell’.

This is an unmissable evening of warmth, humour and exceptional musicianship, mixing traditional and original songs from across Peggy’s remarkable career with anecdotes and plenty of family chat.

Christened by The Guardian as ‘Folk’s First Lady’ and by the Sunday Times as ‘Folk’s Matriarch’, Peggy Seeger has 26 solo albums (and over 100 col-

laborative albums) under her belt. Few artists, and even fewer female artists, can claim such an impressive catalogue of work.

Peggy Seeger is the recipient of multiple awards, including the Association of Independent Music (AIM) Women in Music ‘Most Inspirational Artist’, Folk Alliance International’s ‘Lifetime Achievement’ and BBC Radio 2’s Folk Awards ‘Song of the Year’. Her life has been full of amazing moments She is the ‘face’ of ‘First

Time Ever I Saw Your Face’, the song that Ewan MacColl wrote for her, made famous

by Roberta Flack and covered by hundreds of other artists including Elvis and Johnny Cash.

She made her first record at the age of 18, continuing to release records in every decade since the 1950s. She has recorded 24 solo albums and contributed to well over 100 recordings by other musicians.

And she was step-mother to the late lamented Kirsty MacColl.

Cathy’s Spelt for Health among Aldi Grow finalists After receiving applications from nearly 200 suppliers across food, drinks and nonfood products, Aldi has selected an impressive group of entrepreneurs as this year’s Grow with Aldi finalists which includes Cathy’s Spelt For Health in Kilkenny.

A total of 24 home-grown suppliers, from across the island of Ireland, will see their

products go on sale in 150 Aldi stores nationwide for a twoweek period starting on May 19th, enabling customers to sample the finest of Irish artisan produce and show their support for Irish businesses.

Undertaken in partnership with Bord Bia, Grow with Aldi is now in its fifth year and puts adventure into Irish ventures through mentorship and retail

support to nurture small to medium-sized Irish businesses and set them up for success.

First launched in 2018, the scheme has seen Aldi invest more than €5.5 million in supporting over 200 producers and gives Irish producers unrivalled access to Irish consumers, ensuring they can grow and thrive in the Irish market.

This years’ Grow with Aldi

finalists span 16 counties, from Cork to Down, Dublin to Galway, and products include a variety of mouth-watering products. From Fairtrade Kombucha and non-alcoholic cocktails to Sweet Potato Pizza and Hot Sauce, the range of finalists has something for everyone!

Successful applicants were reviewed and selected based on their passion for their craft, the

quality of their produce, and their entrepreneurial spirit. Adventurous, brave and unafraid to take risks, they represent the best of Irish and epitomise what it means to truly inject adventure into your venture.

John Curtin, Aldi Ireland Group Buying Director, said: “We were impressed by the quality of applications we received this year and

compiling a shortlist was a near-impossible task. Championing small businesses is of the utmost importance and Grow with Aldi illustrates our continued commitment to investing in the best of Irish products. We take pride in the mentorship programme and look forward to launching these new Irish products in stores.’’

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MacDonagh Junction

Occasion Wear...

t River Island €201

We love any excuse to dress up and treat ourselves to a new outfit and with christenings, communions, confirmations, weddings, and more happening almost every week it’s the perfect excuse.

We know it can be hard to find a new look for every occasion, but we’ve picked some of our favourite pieces from our stores from dresses to jewellery to help you find the perfect outfit.

Stand out from the crowd with statement dresses from Carraig Donn, River Island and TK Maxx, with plenty of options ranging in style and colour, your sure to find one you feel amazing in. For more of a simple yet dressy look this santeen top from Carraig Donn is perfect for any summer occasion.

Finally no outfit is complete without accessories, from earrings to fascinators, handbags to shoes you can find it all at MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre.

For more inspiration follow MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre on Facebook and Instagram.

Carraig Donn €19.95 u

River Island €45 u

* All prices correct at time of print

t Carraig Donn €54

STAR BUY

TK Maxx €129.99 u

t Carraig Donn €24.95 Carraig Donn Fasinator €14.95 & Earrings €9.95 u

TK Maxx €34.99 u

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Education

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Education

Work with ATC Language Irish School, Kilkenny College! Defence ATC is seeking enthusiastic and dynamic Principals, Managers, English Language Teachers and Activity Leaders and Coaches (Hockey and Tennis) for our summer camp located in Kilkenny College.

ATC’s Kilkenny summer camp runs from 29th June to 31st July. They aim to help internatonal summer students improve their English language skills in a stimulating atmosphere by providing an extensive educational, social and cultural programme - all delivered by motivated, friendly and skilled professionals.

ATC’s manager, teacher and activity leader rates are highly competitive and their summer camps are busy, professional and fun working environments. If this sounds like the kind of summer work you’re looking for, ATC Language Schools want to hear from you.

Email your CV to Joanne at recruitment@atcireland. ie and let them know which role you wish to apply for.

Preparatory ELT Certificate Courses

If you are a qualified Secondary or Primary School teacher and you wish to train on ATC’s Preparatory ELT Certificate Courses, either face-to-face or online, contact nadine@atcireland.ie.

Face-to-Face Course Dates: 13th – 17th June 2022 Online Course Dates:

7th – 17th June 2022, 9 days Weekday evenings, 4-6pm

Contact Us Send your CV to: recruitment@atcireland.ie Take a course with us: nadine@atcireland.ie Find out more: https://atclanguageschools. com/work-with-us/

Forces Recruitment opportunities

General Service Recruitment Applications for general service army and naval service recruits is open throughout the year. The training syllabus is designed to produce physically fit, disciplined and motivated soldiers. Army General Service recruits on completion of training and 3 star training will be posted to units throughout the country. Naval Service recruits on completion of training will be posted to branches within the naval base in Haulbolwine, Cobh, Co. Cork.

Annual Cadetship The annual cadetship competition offers a range of graduate, non graduate and school leaver opportunities

to train and become a commissioned officer in the Irish Defence Forces. Cadetships are offered in the following areas Army Line, Army Equitation, Army Engineer (graduate program), Army Ordnance, Air Corps Pilot, Naval Service Operations Branch Cadet, Naval Service Engineers branch cadet and Electrical Engineer Cadet.

Applications for the 2022 cadetship competition will open in the coming weeks. Assessments will take place over June, July and August with intake scheduled for late September and early October 2022.

Air Corps Apprentice Trainee Technician

Air Corps Apprentices Trainee Technician Competition is run annually. Apprentices complete basic military training and advance onto aviation mechanics and technologies training where they learn the skills to maintain and service our life saving fleet of aircraft.

On completion of training, technicians are awarded a level 7 Bachelors of engineering in aviation technologies from TU Dublin. This recruitment competition is closed for applications but will open in early 2023 for applications.

Direct Entry Specialists We recruit a number of direct entry specialist roles in the Defence Forces. Visit the current competitions page in our careers section on www.military.ie to find out what roles are available for application.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 13 May 2022

Education

Carlow Institute & Further education: Your less stressful route to university, career and apprenticeships

Carlow Institute is one of the largest Further Education providers in the South-East.

We provide full-time courses to over 800 students at Level 5 and 6, with certification from four different awarding bodies: QQI, City and Guilds, ITEC and CIDESCO. We provide over 50 courses across a wide variety of areas of study, grouped into five faculties: Business, Creative Arts, Humanities Social & Health, Sports & Service Industries, Technology & Science.

Our students come to us

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

We are delighted to see our graduates advance to an equally diverse range of next steps on their educational or career journeys.

We have a large number of students who progress to Level 7 and Level 8 degree courses in Higher Education every year. Many more go directly into employment using their industry standard certification which they gain with us while many more are employed as apprentices.

The qualifications and certifications achieved lead many entrepreneurs to progress on to start their own businesses.

At Carlow Institute, we are renowned for our welcoming and supportive environment. From the induction programme to graduation, students benefit from the work of our dedicated, highly qualified and com-

mitted staff. With very strong industry links, we ensure that students not only study in our new state-of-the-art facilities opened in 2019, but also gain extensive experience and knowledge from the high quality of education which they receive.

Carlow Institute are proud of our learners, our teachers and our facilities and we look forward to welcoming new students to share in the experience at Carlow Institute.

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

Its not all about Leaving cert to University or not at all. We are here to provide an alternative route to University and your career, with less stress and a far better chance of success.

There are still places remaining on many courses with interviews now on.

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

Make the smart choice with a course at Carlow Institute.

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

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Feature

In a week that saw the passing of local actor Joe Cleere, former Watergate manager Ger Cody remembers the funloving Joe ‘The Roaring Banshees’ production

by Devious theatre took Smock Alley theatre by storm. (photo Ross Costigan)

Joe Cleere. His sudden passing has left his theatre friends devastated

- He brought a unique, joyous presence to everything he was involved with -

The death of Joe Cleere has left hearts in smithereens W

hen former head honcho of Dreamstuff theatre group and Young Irish Film makers, Mike Kelly phones and says “let’s do coffee”, you know there’s something in the offing.

And so it was, when he phoned the Watergate in and around 1993.

The hour long coffee was by way of sussing out The Watergate about having his ‘Dreamstuff family’ perform some Shakespeare and ‘suchlike’ at the recently opened municipal theatre.

‘Suchlike’, should have sounded

warning bells.

In an ordinary negotiation, having Shakespeare performed in the 328 seat venue would appear to be a reasonable proposition.

It would be a few weeks later when the affable Mike would explain that the show would be slightly different than the normal and that certain license would be taken on the Bards work.

That, we would discover, was putting in mildly!

‘Though the exact details of the production don’t come to mind, it was akin to the young lad of the Montague family arriving on stage riding a Honda 50 with Mrs.

Capulet’s daughter in tattered jeans and using a mobile phone.

As I say, not exactly that, but you get the picture.

EXCITEABLE, ENERGETIC AND UNSCRIPTED When the cast and crew arrived for their first rehearsal it was difficult to make out what was going on.

If memory serves correctly, most were young teenagers, and the green room served as a spot where homework was completed, rehearsals were planned, loud music tested the sound barrier and where tubes of Pringles and

cheap pizzas were devoured.

Indeed the theatres decibel level was tested on more than one occasion.

They were loud, excitable, energetic, unscripted, and lived their lives as if improvisation was par for the theatrical course.

Oh, yes. And mannerly, obliging, and very, very decent young men and women.

The theatrical seed sown by Kelly and his team was possibly one of the most important artistic things to happen in the 90’s.

Apart from the opening of the theatre, the formation of this aforementioned group was to

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Feature from the same village that christened hurling legend Lory Meagher, meant he had a head start on others.

There was no doubting that Joe was proud of his native Tullaroan.

“The high altitude on the hills of Tullaroan meant we had an extra charisma that separates us from town folk”, Joe would quip.

“Club before county” was his mantra. “Club before county” Last week, the sad news of Joe Cleeres death broke in Kilkenny.

To say many hearts are broken would be an understatement.

That hearts are in smithereens would be closer to the mark.

The theatre fraternity in particular, but Kilkenny people in general were

deeply saddened to hear of the death of this talented and fun loving man.

A UNIQUE PRESENCE Speaking to The Kilkenny Observer, founding member of Young Irish Film Makers Mike Kelly said he was shocked to hear of Joes death.

“Joe will be deeply missed by all his friends in YIFM and Dreamstuff Youth Theatre.

He brought a unique, joyous presence to everything he was involved in”, said Mike.

The atmosphere in the rehearsal room was always brighter when Joe was in attendance”, added Mike.

HE WAS ADORED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY Niamh Moroney, one of the founding members

of Devious theatre said that Joes death brought enormous grief to the city.

He was always up for our crazy ideas. He was such a positive beam of light. He was always on board with the plan, and was a deeply caring soul who just wanted the best for everyone. He cared about us all so much and in turn was so loved by every group he was a part of including Dreamstuff, the Gaiety, the gang from Thomastown, the Zoo and the Chili Pengiun.

Niamh went on to say that everything that Joe did, he did with style.

“It is not an exaggeration to say that he was adored in the community and his going is a massive loss to the Kilkenny community”, continued Niamh.

According to Niamh, Joe

John Morton and Joe Cleere in a production of ‘The Colleen Bawn’,

by Dion Boucicault

was a piece of the puzzle of their identity as a community and things will genuinely not be the same without him.

Devious theatre’s production of ‘The Hellfire Club’ at The Project Arts Centre. (photo Ross Costigan)

prove massive.

This band of merry men and women were to become an annual fixture, and much cherished cog in the Watergate calendar.

When one looks at today’s theatre and film work, both nationally and internationally, many of those raucous youngsters who ran riot at the ‘Savoy’ are now to the forefront of film and theatre, both on and offstage.

Names like Morton, McGuire, Doheny, Moyles, Moroney, Dunne, Doran, Mooney, Costigan, Fleck-Byrne, Slattery and Thompson.

The list is endless.

A GREAT AMBASSADOR FOR THEATRE Another name that needs to be included is Tullaroan man Joe Cleere.

Joe epitomised the very ethos of the Dreamstuff team.

Commitment, dedication, respect and a fair dollop of ensuring that laughter and enjoyment was part and parcel of every rehearsal and performance, went hand in hand with Joes work.

Joe would be the first to tell you that the fact his baptismal cert came

Gary Tynan current Director at Young Irish Film Makers and Mike Kelly founding member of Dreamstuff Theatre and YIFM, Where young people are given a wonderful opportunity and access to the arts

WRITER MORTON REMEMBERS JOE FOR HIS KINDNESS. Kilkenny writer and actor John Morton, had this to say about Joe: “Joe Cleere was a kind, warm, funny man and a brilliant performer who shared his immense talents with us in Dreamstuff Youth Theatre for many years. Joe worked regularly in panto, TV and film in the years that followed and he shared his talents with audiences all

over Ireland. He performed in the famous Gaiety panto for years and had a strong presence on the panto scene.

Everyone loved working with Joe. He was a great friend and he’ll be sorely missed.”

Joe is survived by parents Brenda and Milo and brothers and sisters Marieann, Jamie, Jenny, Milo, Peggy, and many friends.

Following requiem mass at St John’s church, a guard of honour was formed by theatre colleagues and accompanied by a round of applause as the hearse left the church ground for St Kieran’s cemetery

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Food & Drink

Dine Me Come

With

Pork souvlaki Prep: 15 mins Cook: 10 mins Serves: 4

Serve our speedy pork souvlaki skewers when you’re in need of a quick and easy midweek meal. Serve with flatbreads and yogurt and chilli sauces on the side.

Add a twist to an old fashioned and use elderflower cordial in place of the usual orange. It’s a sophisticated cocktail to add to a dinner party.

Method STEP 1 Put everything except the lemon zest in a tumbler and give it a quick stir to combine and dilute.

Garnish with the lemon zest to serve.

Raspberry gin Prep: 5 mins Plus 2-3 weeks

Method STEP 1 Put the pork in a large bowl with the oil, oregano, lemon zest and juice and paprika as well as a good pinch of salt. Toss everything together to combine and leave to marinate for 10 mins.

STEP 3

Prep time: 5 mins Serves: One

Ingredients • 40ml Irish whiskey • 10ml elderflower cordial • 10ml Sauternes • ice • pared lemon zest, to garnish

Ingredients • 400g lean pork shoulder, cut into 2cm chunks • 1 tbsp olive oil • ½ tbsp dried oregano • 1 lemon , zested and juiced • ½ tsp hot paprika • 100ml fat-free yogurt • 1 small garlic clove , grated • ½ cucumber , trimmed and grated • 2 red peppers , deseeded and cut into chunks • 2 Little Gem lettuce , leaves separated • chilli sauce , to serve (optional) • flatbreads , warmed, to serve (optional)

STEP 2 Combine the yogurt, garlic and cucumber together in a bowl. Season with salt and set aside.

Irish whiskey old fashioned

Preserve the taste of summer in a bottle with this raspberry gin, perfect topped up with tonic. The gin will keep its lovely pink hue for a few months.

Heat the grill to high. Thread the marinated pork and the peppers on four metal skewers, alternating between the pork and peppers as you go. Place on a non-stick baking sheet and grill for 3-4 mins on each side, or until cooked

through and golden brown.

STEP 4 Serve with the lettuce, yogurt mixture and chilli sauce, and flatbreads, if you like.

Salsa verde baked eggs Prep: 5 mins Cook: 15 mins Serves: 4 Dunk flatbreads into these salsa verde baked eggs to soak up the lovely juices. Healthy and low in calories, it takes just 15 minutes to make.

Ingredients • 5 tbsp olive oil • 1 tsp smoked paprika • 1 tsp cumin seeds • 400g can cherry tomatoes • 200g fresh cherry tomatoes • 2 garlic cloves • 1 small bunch of parsley • 1 small bunch of basil • ½ small bunch of mint, leaves picked • 2 tbsp capers • 1 tsp Dijon mustard • 2 tbsp white wine vinegar • 200g baby spinach, washed • 4 eggs • ½ tsp chilli flakes (optional) • flatbreads, to serve (optional)

Method STEP 1 Drizzle 1 tbsp of the olive oil in a frying pan or skillet, and fry the paprika and cumin for 30 seconds over a medium heat. Add the canned tomatoes and fresh tomatoes, bring to the boil, then simmer with a lid on over a medium heat for 5-6 mins until the tomatoes have softened.

STEP 2 Meanwhile, put the garlic, most of the parsley, the basil, mint, capers, mustard, white wine vinegar, 4 tbsp oil and 3 tbsp cold water in a mini food processor and blitz to a smooth paste. Season.

STEP 3 Stir the spinach into the pan with the tomatoes until wilted (put the lid back on for a few minutes, then stir again to help it wilt). Make four dips in the mixture and gently crack an egg into each one. Cover with a lid and cook over a medium heat for 6-8 mins, or until the eggs are just set. Uncover the pan, then drizzle over the herby sauce. Scatter over the reserved parsley and chilli flakes, if using. Serve with flatbreads, if you like.

Ingredients • 350g raspberries • 150g sugar • 700ml bottle of gin Method STEP 1 Tip the raspberries and sugar into a 1.5L sterilised jar. Pour over the gin, seal the jar and swirl around to dissolve the sugar. Store in a cool, dark place and turn the jar once a day for the first week. After 2-3 weeks, strain the gin through a sieve. Pour the gin into mini bottles, and label. The gin will keep its vibrant pink colour for a few months and will be drinkable for a year. Use the boozy raspberries in a cocktail or trifle, or turn them into a granita.

Michelada Prep: 5 mins Serves: 1 Cold lager, chilli powder, pepper and lime: spice up your lager with this Mexican cocktail, popular throughout Latin America and great for a summer party.

Ingredients • 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp chilli powder • 1 tsp black pepper • ice • juice 1/2 lime • 3 shakes hot sauce • Mexican lager Method STEP 1 Mix 1 tsp each salt, chilli powder and black pepper on a plate, wipe the rim of the glass with a slice of lime and roll in the spice mix. Add ice, juice ½ lime and 3 shakes hot sauce, then top up with Mexican lager.

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Advertisement TV & Streaming

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to watch right now on Netflix

The coolest television shows of all time Now, here’s something you could possibly argue about with family and friends until the cows come home.

Back in the real world, however, we know different.

Television is right up there with music, films and books when it comes to being cool.

How could you watch Monty Python, The Simpsons or The Wire and think differently?

Exactly.

So, herewith is the first in a series of the coolest TV programmes of all time. The shows that changed the way we think, the way we dress and how we watch TV itself.

1. Breaking Bad (2008-13) A teacher dealing crystal meth in order to provide for his family before he succumbs to terminal cancer might not sound like a fridge full of chortles, but the astounding Breaking Bad is just that. Unsurprisingly dark, the show flicks back and forth between surrealism and gallows humour. Moreover, it serves as a modern-day fable; a show that while dealing in the murkier aspects of human life (a suitable reflection of

our current malaise) demonstrates that actions do have consequences. Amusingly moral in other words.

2. The Wire (2002-2008) The Wire has been called the greatest TV show ever by so many people that repeating such an opinion feels like damning it with faint praise.

No matter, The Wire’s excellence is apparent to all who have fallen under its spell. Ostensibly a crime drama set in Baltimore, it is so much more than that. An unflinching expose of modern America – the death of the American Dream and the post-industrial urban decay - critics have called the show’s five series the closest thing we have to a modern Shakespeare. They are not wrong. We envy those who have yet to watch it.

3. The Sopranos (1999– 2007) Although there had been precedents – Twin Peaks chief among them – The Sopranos changed everything.

Every series that followed in its wake owed a debt to the

programme. A drama concerned with the mob (a subtle metaphor for the family) it was dripping in pop culture references, was hysterically funny, glamorised nothing and, for a programme that dealt in murder and deception, was incredibly poignant and moving. Alongside The Wire it is the ultimate in box set viewing.

4. Game Of Thrones (2011-19) It may have lost its cool at the end with a so-so season but let’s not forget just how much fun it was tuning into Game of Thrones week after week, watching warring factions try and battle it out for what was a frankly rather uncomfortable looking throne. When it comes to TV, some of GoT’s episodes were damn-right cinematic - and there’s nothing cooler than seeing a white walker do its damage.

5. Luther (2010-) The Wire may have started Idris Elba’s career but it was Luther that cemented it.

Luther is a badass detective who is put into some — quite

frankly — scary situations.

From the Massive Attack score to the violent whodunnit storylines, to that famous coat Luther oozes cool throughout.

And we aren’t finished with the character yet as there’s a movie in the works.

6. Better Call Saul (2015-22) We were worried that this prequel would not be able to match the, er, highs of Breaking Bad but we think it’s surpassed it. Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould has created one of the best character on TV with Saul Goodman, but it is Bob Odenkirk who breathes life into the corrupt lawyer.

7. Mindhunter (2017-19) We may never get a third season of Mindhunter which is a real shame as David Fincher’s TV show, about the FBI tracking and coining the idea of serial killers in the 70s, is a creepy series that takes its time as it gets into the mind of some famous killers. All three leads, Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany and Anna Torv excel in this riveting thriller.

Continues next week

Is Ozark open to a new series?

Netflix’s Ozark recently came to a savage and shattering end with some unexpected developments. First, Marty Byrde and his entire family made it out alive and presumably headed back to Chicago for good; second.

Ruth Langmore did not survive, which was to be expected, given her actions earlier in the final season.

Still, we received a poetic scene with Killer Mike to make that finale hit home in retrospect, and now, fans of the show are left to wonder

if maybe there could be a followup.

It would certainly be in Netflix’s best interests to hop on that opportunity, given that the show’s consistently done gangbusters numbers for streaming charts. A followup would also help to wash down those highdollar slip-ups and keep subscribers hooked when they’ve got a million options to go elsewhere.

Ozark show-runner Chris Mundy is acutely aware of how people are probably

very upset about Ruth’s demise, but as he told TV Line, talks have happened when it comes to potential spinoff material.

Nothing would prevent a Ruth prequel, obviously, but beyond that dream, the door has sure been left open for Jonah to continue breaking bad after no one’s quite sure who he ended up shooting at the end of the series.

Was it Mel the Private Investigator (while he clutched that cursed cookie jar full of ashes) or did Jonah actually

turn the gun on Wendy? I don’t believe anyone has seriously floated the latter as the possibility, but hey, that gunshot went down offscreen. So never say never.

Still, Mundy seems satisfied with finishing Ozark proper, and in fact, he declared, “It was really important for me to end this show.” He declared that any spinoff would be in the same universe but “would be its own distinct thing.” Clear as mud, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”

From Netflix’s impressive stash of international films comes Spanish sci-fi horror The Platform from 2019. Its high- concept story centres on a tower that delivers food to people on each of its many levels via a platform.

Those at the top snag the best and most abundant spread, which is devoured as the platform lowers down the levels. Social commentary rings throughout this dystopian thriller, which takes shocking, occasionally gruesome turns all the way to the bottom.

This 2020 movie tells the story of Ellie Chu, a shy Asian American discovering her sexuality in the remote town of Squahamish. A straight-A yet friendless student who has a side-hustle writing papers for her classmates, Ellie helps footballer Paul Munsky write a love letter to Aster Flores. But it turns out Aster is perfect for Ellie instead. A story of self-acceptance told with a delicate touch, The Half of It is a joy.

The Incredible Jessica James from 2017 introduces a delightfully self-possessed main character played by an equally delightful Jessica Williams. The confident and independent Jessica James goes on a blind date where she ends up talking about nothing but her ex. A fresh take on the breakup movie with an empowering lead, this is an easy hit for an entertaining night in.

This award-winning 2019 French film begins with a severed hand escaping a refrigerator in a laboratory and embarking on a Pariswide search for the rest of its body. What an opening!

With a few flashbacks and elegant animation, this strange, satisfying story delves into loss, both physical and emotional, in the most poetic of ways.

Spike Lee’s fierce 2020 war drama follows a group of ageing Vietnam War veterans who return to the country in search of the remains of their squad leader -- as well as buried treasure. With a frenzied energy coursing through it, Da 5 Bloods gives you a look at the Vietnam War through Black experiences, delivering an all-tootimely critique of racism and warfare.

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Picture special Kirsten Dowling, Tony Lally

Sean Doyle Nigel Leydon Harry Magarry

A group pf tourists playing bowls on the Mayors walk

Singing a few tumes on Kieran st

t u o b A anny Out &

WITH

Conan Doyle

D rt Laha

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Picture special Trisha Keely Murphy

John Valentine Tommy Hackett

kieran Phelan Tom Buggy

Diona Hickey and Grainne Lambert

Guide Peter kenny brings a group on a tour of the castle

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Community

Darkness Into Light

Darkness Into Light, the annual fundraising event organised by Pieta, who provide life-saving support services for those in suicidal distress and who have been bereaved through suicide, took place as the sun rose on Saturday May 7th, 2022.

Darkness Into Light is a global movement dedicated to raising vital funds for Pieta’s life-saving

services. Hosted in St James Stephens Military Barracks, the walk was a huge success, Loreto Choir, Kilkenny Gospel choir and Lady Desart choir provided the dawn chorus for participants. Sub Aqua were represented in a search and rescue boat on the River Nore. The fire department lit up the route on the Canal Walk. The Drum youth group

decorated the venue with some inspirational art pieces and the whole of Kilkenny community came together to deliver the important message that we all need to hear – you are not alone. The civil defence and Order of Malta’s presence made us feel safe as participants ran or walked the five km route through the city of Kilkenny, beginning in

darkness and ending with the morning Light.

Because of the walks that took place here in Kilkenny city and in Inistioge, the Darkness into Light walk raised almost €80,000. Due to the kindness of supporters, Pieta house were able to provide 48,000 hours of intervention and bereavement counselling and to answer

over 90,000 calls and texts to our 24/7 Helplines in 2021.

They also supported over 600 people and families devastated by the loss of a loved one to suicide.

As stated by Local Chairperson Aurellia Glynn “ As a united people on this walk, who are joined by venues worldwide and all across Ireland we put our arms around all of those that have lost a loved one to suicide, we want to give them a time to remember, a time to heal, a

time to hope. We want to help all of those who are struggling, encouraging them not to lose heart, to hold on and to find a way out of the dark. We are shining a light on the shadow of stigma – we are making it easier for all of us to speak up, to talk about how we are feeling, to ask for help.”

To avail of Pieta services, visit www.pieta.ie or call 0818 111 126. Pieta provides 24/7 support via the Freephone crisis helpline on 1800 247 247, or text HELP to 51444.

socially, further exacerbating exclusion.

Now might be the time for some new outside the box solutions to assist our seniors with the rise in the cost of living. A more targeted approach when funding is available is to assist in our ESB bills rather than the cross the board approach that everyone for the millionaire to the OAP is treated equally with a discount. Extending the Fuel Allowance start and end dates even further again. Increase the OAP by more than a €5 per annum and retro fit all houses who are in receipt of the OAP and Fuel allowance as the state would reap the benefits in the coming years and decades.

Unfortunately, we all know what will happen. There will be a consultancy group set up at the cost of a million to report back to the government saying what we already know, ‘Yes seniors live in fuel poverty’ Each party will sell you promises when in opposition and when in power we will hear them tell us the same story again of ‘We must balance the books’ or the standard classic ‘It is a lot worse than we thought when we saw the books’.

Time to respect our seniors and ensure that Ireland and Kilkenny are great places to grow old

New Older People’s council executive meet for first time The newly elected executive of the Older People’s Council met for the first time on the 27th of April and with the loss of many ‘experienced’ members who had severed their 6-year term it was a time for the changing of the guard.

Michael Delahanty, who joined the OPC last year after retiring his position as head of the Community Section in the Kilkenny Local Authority, will bring his vast experience and knowledge to the role of Chairperson’s role.

Betty Dewberry, the outgoing chairperson, will stay on in the role of vice Chairpersons role. Together they will lead the OPC into the next 2 years.

The role of Treasurer remained in the hands of the outgoing office holder Eileen Ryan, who had a very detailed account of the group’s finances. Outgoing PRO Murty Brennan stepped down as this is his final year on the OPC as he will have served his 6-year term of office and Mr. Frank Cody will take this media role. The secretary’s Role will now transfer to the very dedicated Kathleen Maher who has been very active in this role since joining the OPC 2 years ago. We wish all the office holder s success into the coming 2-year term.

Community Group

Getting our heating plans ready for next winter !

For the seniors of today our main concern is the crazy increase in the cost of living and the ongoing massive rise in our daily bills. Everything is now under pressure. Last week we spoke about the powers talking about the price of an egg to increase by 5 – 10cent. Heating our homes is on the rise but hopefully we will have a good summer and 2022/23 winter season will be as mild as last year. With the news from the Ukraine not getting any better and Russia

now using Gas as a weapon the only way is up with gas and oil heating bills.

Energy poverty is a persistent and complex social, environmental, and political phenomenon and is not unique to Ireland. A household is energy poor, if / when that household is unable to achieve an adequate (i.e. comfortable and safe) standard of warmth, and supply of energy services at an affordable cost. Undeniably, energy poverty has significant

implications for a household’s quality of life, as well as physical and mental health, and is considered a standalone indicator of deprivation distinct from poverty in general. The causes of energy poverty are generally attributed to three key factors: the characteristics of a dwelling (including appliances), the cost of energy (price) and the consumption habits or needs of the household.

Energy poverty disproportionately affects low or

fixed-income households, particularly those in receipt of State payments like the OAP. Current levels are also further exacerbated by demographic factors such as age, health, and energy needs. It also impacts significantly and negatively upon social inclusion and cohesion, well-being and mental / physical health as the energy poor population is statistically more likely to report poor health and emotional well-being than the non-energy poor population. Future levels of energy poverty in Ireland are likely to be uniquely exacerbated by several domestic factors which may increase the vulnerability of ‘at risk’ groups, including our seniors The increased financial pressure of energy costs (i.e., electricity and heating costs) and consequent energy poverty can act to compound situations of social exclusion and inequality. Access to affordable energy is critical to living and participating in modern society, and as we have seen health effects of energy poverty can undermine opportunities for education. In addition, to the impacts of the health consequences of energy poverty, being unable to adequately warm your home can reduce social engagement and can lead to reluctance to have visitors or engage

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Feature

Premises taken over as Civil War erupts in Kilkenny city In early May 1922, nearly two months prior to the official beginning of the Civil War, Kilkenny anti-Treaty IRA units took over 15 buildings in Kilkenny City, most notably St Canice’s Cathedral and Kilkenny Castle.

This week, The Kilkenny Observer in conjunction with Cois Céim and The Saturday Walkers group, take a closer look at events of the time

W

ilsdon’s Fort: Today this property is known as J.B.s Sports Bar. At the time of the civil war, Arthur J Wilsdon was the owner. It was a very strategic position as it commanded a view of the Railway station, the castlecomer road with the approach from the Military barracks. Rifle and machine gun fire opened up on the premises from the cast iron railway bridge in upper John Street.After about an hour’s attack Mr Wilsdon’s premises were evacuated. Under cover of machine gun fire soldiers rushed the door and affected an entrance and the occupants were made prisoners. The glass in the upper and lower windows had been shattered and the concrete walls showed evidence of the intensity of the gunfire the premises were subjected to. During the attack regular soldiers on duty at Johns Bridge and a number of civilians were startled by a bomb explosion. A bomb had been thrown from a window of a house adjacent to John’s bridge. The soldiers on duty since early morning were unaware the house was occupied except for the owner and his family. After a lull, the firing between the troops resumed at 6.30 on Tuesday evening and continued with great intensity up to 10.30.

During this time the Executive

A map showing antiTreaty positions and free positions on day 1 , and movement of Free State troops in how they dislodged the AntiTreaty in their various positions

Commandant George O’Dwyer

Col- Commandant John Thomas Prout

forces evacuated City Hall.

On resumption of operations regular troops attacked John Street police barracks and after a brief but fierce encounter the building was surrendered and the Executive forces taken prisoners. One of the regular soldiers was wounded in the face, during the course of the afternoon another member of the regulars was wounded by a sniper.

The Imperial Hotel: The next stronghold of the Executive forces to be attacked was the hotel. The garrison had been greatly reinforced by those who had escaped from City Hall. An armoured car was placed in position on the Parade and a gun trained on the hotel. Rifle and machine gun fire opened fire to which the occupants replied helped by snipers from the Castle Towers. This was one of the fiercest engagements of the day lasting from about 8 to 9 o’clock. The Executive forces surrendered and a number were taken prisoners. In the course of the attack Pte Kavanagh from Wexford forced open the back door of the Hotel with his rifle butt and a party of six soldiers rushed the premises. The occupants surrendered and being disarmed were taken prisoners. The remainder escaped and reinforced the garrison in the Castle. Miss O’Neill the proprietress of the

hotel refused to leave during the siege. She was told there might be fierce fighting but

she said she would stick it out and she did. Machine gun and rifle fire resounded all

St Canice’s Cathedral . A photo taken in front of the Towershows a group of Dáil forces after the surrender of the Tower. Dean Winder is amongst the party

Officers of the I.R.A Garrison , Military Barracks Kilkenny 1922. To the extreme right is Col. Commt. J.T.Prout

over the city, the operations being carried out between the Castle, the Bank of Ireland and the Prison. The city streets were deserted except for small groups gathered in secluded corners. When darkness came the feeling of terror which had come over the city was greatly increased by the fact that the streets remained unlighted.

Just before 10’clock when the firing began to ease off a young girl named Margaret Loughman of New Street was seriously wounded at the corner of Walkin Street near the prison as she made her way home with her companion. Where the bullet came from is not known, so far as can be ascertained it ricocheted of the wall of Smithwick’s Bottling Store and struck the young girl in the knee, she lost a great quantity of blood before she was conveyed into the Bottling Store premises. She was attended to by Fr. Drea and received first aid, she was subsequently removed to the military hospital where an operation was performed. The bullet was not found but it is understood the sinews were badly torn. The young girl has three brothers each of whom spent time in prison on political charges during the recent terror. One is in Ballsbridge training for the Civic Guards, a second brother is a soldier in the Kilkenny garrison, another is a priest in the Redemptorist Order

Ned Aylward , Anti-Treaty IRA Brigade

O/C Dick Brennan , Anti-Treaty IRA leader inside Kilkenny Castle

Hannah Dooley ( Murphy) Kilkenny Cumann na mBan leader

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Community & GAA Notes

SENIOR HURLING Clara qualified for the Leinster League final on Sunday by beating the Rower Inistioge in sunny and picturesque Inistioge.

It took them a long time to shake off the hosts but a couple of late goals from Paul Cody and Chris Bolger eventually did the trick. 4-19 to 2-19 was how it finished and we wish the team well in the final against Faughs or Clogh/ Ballacolla.

Team - Jason Barcoe, James Casey, Jack Langton, Sean O Shea. Shane Staunton 0-1, David Langton 0-3, 0-2f, Conor Cody. Conor O Shea 0-4, 0-3f, 0-1 x65, Liam Ryan 0-3. Paul Cody 2-1, Martin O Connell 0-4, James Nolan 1-1. Dara Glynn, Chris Bolger 1-1, Ciarán Prendergast 0-1. Sub used Joe Connolly.

JUNIOR HURLING The Clara Juniors shipped a big beating last week in their opening game of the year at the hands of Mt. Leinster Rangers.

Numbers were tight and management will hope to have more players available to them from here on.

Team - Jason Barcoe, Jack Carrigan, Tom Ryan, Evan Whearty.

Noelie O Brien, James Casey, Alan Coleman. Ciarán Prendergast, Stephen Quinlan. Joe Connolly, Conor (Curly) Phelan, Eoin Curtis. Rory O Keeffe, Ruairí Breen,Brandon Ryan.

MINOR HURLING Clara made the long journey to Piltown on Monday of last week and came away with a well merited 1-17 to 0-14 win.

Short a few players for this one, a rejigging of the forces was required. Regular goalie Cian Kelly was moved to full forward and made his presence felt all game. Orí Phelan took over between the posts and never put a foot wrong in keeping a clean sheet.

Conor Hoyne opened the scoring here and it was a sign of things to come because Conor went on to have one of those evenings that everybody dreams of. He scored 0-13 in total, 0-10 from frees from all angles and distances. He had nine of his points scored by half time, after which Clara led 1-10 to 0-6.

The goal had come early from Tommy Delaney, with a bullet of an old fashioned ground strike. Harry Boyle was doing a fine containment job on the Piltown centre forward, while no ball was getting past Ben Murphy.

The second half started with two more Conor Hoyne frees and

then Piltown began to come into it a bit more. However they found Ben Crow and James Cody in defiant mood in the Clara full back line. When they tried to go down the left flank they found that Alex McDonald and Alex Firbank were in no mood to accommodate them either. Hugh Kelly was proving to be the perfect foil for Conor Hoyne at midfield. Piltown reeled off four points in a row but this only reduced the deficit to five. The work of the half forward line of Ned Langton, Sean Carrigan and Joe Power was vital at this stage to stem the tide and two points in a row by Cian Kelly and a monster 95 yard free from Conor Hoyne sealed the deal for Clara. Dillon Cummins had made the space for Kelly’s point with an intelligent run. Subs Eoin Corr and John Bergin also showed up well. Another good win.

Team - Orí Phelan, Alex McDonald, Ben Crow, James Cody.

Alex Firbank, Harry Boyle 0-1, Ben Murphy. Conor Hoyne 0-13, 0-10f, Hugh Kelly. Ned Langton 0-1, Sean Carrigan, Joe Power.

Tommy Delaney 1-1, Cian Kelly 0-1, Dillon Cummins. Subs used Eoin Corr, John Bergin. Tom Boyle, Tom Murphy, Sean Byrne, Daniel Ryan, Bill Kealy.

Then on Sunday, in a game brought forward by a day the boys faced a Graigue Ballycallan team bolstered by the return of three of their county minors. On a beautiful morning in Clara the two teams played out a pulsating draw, which was probably a fair result. Clara were also boosted by the return of a few players, and the team was reshuffled again. The first half was an even affair, after which GBC led 2-6 to 1-7. The Clara goal had come from Harry Boyle, who also added a point and looked dangerous in his newly found corner forward position.

When GBC tacked on four of the first five second half points to move five clear, it looked to be slipping away from Clara. A Conor Hoyne free reduced the deficit but that was to be his last piece of action, as he incurred the wrath of the referee and picked up his second yellow card of the day. GBC got the next score again and Clara could have been forgiven for throwing in the towel. But that is not in the nature of these lads and five Rory Glynn points in a row, four of them from frees as he assumed that role following Conor’s dismissal, had the two sides level again with seven minutes to play. It was ding dong for that last seven minutes and for the six extra minutes that were played. Both sides missed chances, Clara having two

Jeff Tyrrell and Daniel McCormack who lined out with Kilkenny U15s Development Team

The Clara Camogie squad that won the seven aside memorial tournament in Borris

goal chances, but two more Rory Glynn frees offset the two that GBC scored and the sides were still deadlocked when the referee blew the long whistle.

This was a spirited performance by the Clara lads and sends them into the long six week break with nine points from six games. The panel has really developed well over the last few weeks and there promises to be some very stiff competition for places when the second round of matches resume in six weeks.

Team - Cian Kelly, Tommy Delaney, Ben Crow, James Cody.

Rory Glynn 0-8, 0-6f, Zach Lawlor, Ben Murphy. Philip Carrigan, Conor Hoyne 0-6, 0-5f. Ned Langton, David Barcoe, Luke Lawlor. Harry Boyle 1-1, Sean Carrigan 0-1, Joe Power 0-1.

U13s WIN The Clara U13 team had a fine 2-21 to 4-7 win over Conahy in Clara on Friday evening.

COUNTY Well done to John Murphy who was S and C coach for Kilkenny U20s as they pulled off a much needed epic extra time victory over Galway in the Leinster semi final in Tullamore on the May Bank Holiday Monday. The strong finish from Kilkenny was testament to the great work put in. Well done John.

The previous day the Kilkenny seniors were somewhat unfortunate not to come away with a share of the spoils in Salthill as Galway won by the bare minimum. Commiserations to selector Conor Phelan on that result.

Hard luck to Rory Glynn who was on the Kilkenny minor team that was beaten by Laois in the Leinster semi final on Saturday in Portlaoise.

And finally well done to Davy Barcoe, Philip Carrigan and Joe Power who lined out for Kilkenny U14s over the weekend and to Conor Hoyne who was with the county U15 squad.

LGFA Well done to the Clara U15 lady footballers who beat Thomastown in the Feile final recently and advance to represent Kilkenny.

CAMOGIE The Clara senior camogie team picked up their first sil-

verware under their new management in Borris recently.

Mount Leinster Rangers hosted a very well organised 7 aside memorial tournament and the Clara girls easily beat St. Brigids of Ballycallan in the final. Well done girls!

CLARA SENIOR SERVICES. Clara Cairde Club and Canon Nolan Centre will celebrate their 25th Birthday on Thursday 19th May in Clara Community Centre. Celebrations will commence with Mass at 12.00pm followed by presentation of certificates to Volunteers, lunch and dancing. All older persons from Clara Community welcome.

CLUB LOTTO There was no winner of club lotto (May 3rd). Numbers drawn were 4, 8, 23, 25 Bonus 12 Next weeks Jackpot €8,400 (May 10th). www.oloughlingaels. com/lotto Promotors Draw: 1. Eamon Tyrrell c/o Dinny. 2. Jim McMahon c/o Peter Dowling 3. Sinead Dowling c/o Peter Dowling. 4. John Skehan. 5.

Madison Cody c/o Mary Cody 6. Tilly c/o Mick Nolan. 7. Brian Murphy. 8. Helen Morrissey c/o online. 9. Jackie Smith Ralph c/o online. 10. Anthony Cleere c/o Online. Thank you for your continued support COUNTY DEVELOPMENT Well done to u15 players Jeff Tyrrell and Daniel McCormack who lined out with Kilkenny U15s Development Team that beat Limerick on Saturday at Clara. Lovely Hurling SUPPORT CLUB TEAMS We’re in the thick of the action, please keep a close eye to the O’Loughlin Gaels pages and Co. Board updates for all team fixtures. Our players work hard, train hard and play hard and really enjoy the support they receive . Thanks and keep it going.

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Community & GAA Notes BOOK LAUNCH Art history was created in Freshford on Friday last when nine paintings by the Freshford-born nineteenth century artist Edmund Fitzpatrick were displayed together for the first time.

The occasion was the launch of Ned Kennedy’s booklet on the life and work of the artist whose bicentenary occurs this year. Lord and Lady Bellew of Barmeath Castle in Co. Louth attended the event and Lord Bellew launched the book. A large number of members of the Fitzpatrick Clan of north Kilkenny attended the event.

The book is on sale at O’Shea’s, Freshford and all Kilkenny bookshops. It costs €12 and the proceeds will go to Ionad Lachtain Church, Arts and Heritage Centre. A number of illustrations by Edmund Fitzpatrick from the Illustrated London News during the years 1848-1865 will be on permanent display at Ionad Lachtain for the rest of the year.

Féile Lachtain 2022 continued on Saturday with a lecture delivered by Dublin-based author Derville Murphy on the life and work of another nineteenth century artist Margaret Allen who lived at Brookville, Lisdowney. She was the first female member of the Royal Hibernian Academy.

SYMPATHY Sympathy is extended to Margaret Barnaville of Urard Urlingford and all her family on the death last weekend of her husband Liam. Liam who was a wellknown builder by trade had been unwell for some time. Margaret is a prominent member of the North Kilkenny Wheelchair Association and both her and her family are widely known and respected in the area. Funeral mass took place on Monday morning in Gornahoe Church followed by burilal in Fenor cemetery. He is mourned by his wife Margaret, Daughters Michelle and Claire, Grandchildren, son in law, sister in law, brothers, sister and extended family.

SPLIT THE POT The weekly split the pot draw took place on Wednesday last week and the lucky winner was Anthony Coatigan winning the sum of €159. Tickets are just €2 and the winner gets half of the takings. The draw is held each Wednesday and boxes and envelopes can be found in Kavanagh’s Bar, Mace, O’Shea’s corner shop, Girls& Guys Hairdressers, Oasis Creche, Freshford Creamery, Freshford Butchers and Prague House. This months proceeds are going to Freshford Community Café. The Committee would ask you to Please support this fund raiser.

GAA NEWS A weekend which saw two good wins for both St.Lachtains junior hurling teams, with wins over Barrow Rangers and Young Irelands.

The Junior B team got off to winning ways on Saturday evening when they achieved victory against Barrow Rangers in Freshford.

Team. J Burke D Quinn L Kenned J Cantwell J Hickey P Donnelly C Donnelly C O’ Leary C Rafter C Power P Killeen C Leahy D Killeen P Campion J Whitty The Junior F team also achieved victory on Sunday evening when they took on Young Irelands in Gowran winning on a Score of 2.15 to 1.08 Team M Walsh D Quinn L Kennedy J Cantwell J Hickey M Nolan J Bowden C Hickey J Bergin D Killeen C power C Donnelly C Leahy M Durnan J Whitty Upcoming fixtures this week see the U15s take on Thomastown at 7.00pm on Wednesday in Thomastown.

The U13s play Barrow Rangers at 7.30pm on Friday in Freshford Meanwhile the Intermediate face Glenmore at 12.30pm on Sunday next in Freshford COFFEE MORNING AT LOOP CAFE Work is continuing on Freshfords new Community Café at Buncrussia Street Freshford and the volunteers are making great progress. On Friday morning the 13th May at 10.30am at the Freshford Loop Café in aid of the Loop Café developments.

Bakers and buyers are both very welcome. You are asked to please support this event.

TRIP TO KNOCK On Saturday 4th June a bus leaves Kilkenny at Butts Green R95FH90 at 8am for the All Ireland Rosary Rally. If you are interested in attending please contact 086 8469011 to book your seat.

SOCCER Freshford Town Junior side had their last game of the league for this season last weekend. Forced to field without a number of regulars they lost out 3-0 to river Rangers.

The schoolboys section is also coming to an end. Congratulations to Freshford U10 side and their management who won the semi final of the Gerry O’Reilly plate on Saturday morning defeating Freebooters boys and now await their opponents in upcoming final.

The training sessions for U8s continue each Saturday morning (weather permitting) are on from 12noon to 1pm at the Sportsfield at Woodview. All boys from 5-8 are most welcome to come along and join in TALKS Threecastles Community Hall hold the last talk of the Spring Series on this Wednesday 11th May in Threecastles Hall at 8pm. The talk will be given by renowned Archaeologist Coilin O’Driscoll and is titled “Discovering the archaeology of Threecastles.”All are welcome. Refreshfments will be served.

COMMUNITY ALERT Freshford /Threecastles Community Alert group held their AGM recently. This was their first AGM since covid restrictions and

the following officers were elected for the forthcoming year; Chairman – John Bergin, Secretary – Jacinta Power, Treasurer –Mick Cormack PRO – Anna Morrissey Anyone wishing to join the text alert scheme or have a personal alarm installed should contact any of the above Committee. It is 10 euro per phone number. New members are always very welcome. The group wish to thank everyone who has joined for their continued support. Please contact any of the committee members to discuss, John Bergin 0862592535, Jacinta Power 0877658672, Mick Cormack 0863535293 or Anna Morrissey 0858277965.

GAA St.Lachtains Club were well represented on the Kilkenny Senior Hurling side on Sunday last when they were narrowly defeated by Galway in round 3 of the Leinster Championship round robin. James Maher started at midfield with Darren Brennan on the bench as sub keeper.Congrats also to Aidan Tallis and Alan Hickey who were on the winning Kilkenny U20 side on Monday when they made a great comeback in extra time to defeat Galway in the Leinster semi final. Aidan was in goal for the Kilkenny side while Alan was the sub keeper.

Another local man David Brennan was on the management side.

On this Wednesday evening the U15 hurlers take on Tullogher at Pairc Lachtains. The U13s take on Naomh Eoin on Friday evening at 7.30pm in Freshford.

The Junior B hurlers face Barrow Rangers in Freshford on Saturday evening at 7.00pm. While the Junior F are out against Young Irelands in Gowran on Sunday evening at 7.00pm.

PARISH NEWS Attendance at mass are now back to full capacity. Mass is held in the Parish Church each Wednesday morning at 9.30am and on Sunday morning at 11am.with 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 Jennifer in the Parish Office. Please note community notices for the parish newsletter should be left in or emailed to the Parish Office by 11am on Thursdays. Parish office hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 1pm.Mass Cards Special printed parish cards are available at the Parish Office or from Annette at Tulla Church signed by Monsignor Kennedy.

You can contact the Parish office on 056 8832843 or by email – freshfordd@ossory.ie.

PILGRIMAGE Pilgrimage to Lourdes set off on Monday 9th May and will return today 13th May 2022 . Staying at 4 star Hotel Astrid the trip is accompanied by spiritual director with a full religious programme, services of a Marian pilgrimage guide, mass daily and spiritual activities MACRA NA FEIRME Macra na Feirme are looking to establish a new club in the Freshford area. Macra na Feirme is an organisation for young people between the ages of 17 and 35 who are interested in getting involved in sports, travel drama, debating or just want to meet new people and have some fun. To be a member of Macra you must join a Macra club in your area. This will open the door to new fiends and new activities. There are hundreds of clubs across Ireland bursting with activity who always welcome a new face. For more information please contact Training and Development Officer – Michael Wall on 0868359891 or email him at mwall@macra.ie 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.

DUNNAMAGGIN Local Lotto Results for May 2nd 2022 Winning Numbers : 6, 26, 32. No Winner. Winners for the Draw for 5 x € 30 Orla Buckley ( Olive Buckley ), K. Peters ( Jimmy Mccormack ), Carmel Ryan ( Ellen Gorey ),Joan Kickham ( Niamh O Donovan ),Kayla Hickey ( Anne Hickey ). Jackpot for May 9th € 1,900. Venue Townsend’s Dunnamaggin at 9pm All Welcome.

DUNNAMAGGIN LADIES FOOTHBALL CLUB FIRST ROUND WIN FOR MINORS The first outing for our minors was this week against Railyard. It was an excellent performance despite slippery conditions making the game hard for both teams. We had no subs on the day and their work rate was fantastic knowing they had to keep going.

MARKETS AT MADGES GARDEN Dates for your diary the last Sunday of every month from May until October inclusive and then our fourth annual Christmas Market on December 4th - May 29th – Flower Theme: June 26th– Mid Summer Theme: July 31st– Fairy Village Theme

(celebrating 1 year of Slí na nAingeal): August 28th – Vintage Theme (Best Dressed Competition – Afternoon Tea Tent): Sept 25th – Harvest Theme (Scarecrow Competition – Apple Pressing): Oct 30th – Halloween Theme (Get your scare on!): Dec 4th- 4th Annual Christmas Market with Santa. At Every Market Pop Up Café – Eamo’s BBQ – Food & Craft Stalls – Competitions – Raffles – FUN for all the FAMILY A WAY WITH WORDS Following a series of workshops with author Debbie Thomas, Windgap Community Development, with support/funding from Kilkenny County Council Arts Office and Poetry Ireland, have developed a Poetry Trail with poems by older and younger members of the community, which will remain in place along the Village Loop Walk throughout the coming summer. Why not take a spin to Windgap to check out their Poetry Trail and treat yourself to some down time in their Lakeside Tea Rooms (pre-booking advised) DROICHEAD FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE Would you like to learn basic life support skills? Droichead Family Resource Centre are running a Heartsaver AED Course on the 10th of June from 9.30am-12.30pm. Participants will learn how to use an Automated External Defibrillator and CPR. The Heartsaver AED Course costs €10 per person and each participant will receive an Irish Heart Foundation Heartsaver AED certificate. To book a place or for more information please contact Carmel on (083) 2098069 or email familysupport@ droicheadfrc.ie. The Marie Keating Mobile Information Unit will be in Droichead Family Resource Centre on Thursday 19th May from 11 am- 3pm. This is a free information service available for men and women. Specialist’s nurses will be available to provide information on common cancers affecting men and women in a private space in the unit. No appointment necessary and all are welcome. There will be refreshments available on the day.

Droichead Family Resource Centre has a Fully Funded Part Time Course starting in September 2022 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9.30am-12.30pm. If you are interested in Healthcare and would like a QQI Level 5 Healthcare Support Qualification, contact Back to Education Initiative on (056) 7701020 or email btei@kkadulted.ie for more information.

Want to know what is happening at Droichead Family Resource Centre? Text “what’s on “to (085) 8564950 or (083) 2098069 to be added to our What’s on at Droichead FRC WhatsApp Group. You can also follow Droichead FRC on Facebook or Instagram or give us a call on (056) 7755660 to keep up to date with all the services, supports and community groups available at Droichead GO PURPLE DAY Our sincerest thanks to all that baked and donated to our coffee morning for Go Purple Day, a joint initiative between an Garda Siochana and domestic abuse services nationwide, to raise awareness about domestic abuse and support local services. We raised €127.00 for Amber Women’s Refuge in Kilkenny.

FREE WORKSHOP Free workshop on circular economy opportunities – save the date!The Rediscovery Centre, the National Centre for Circular Economy in Dublin is inviting you to join a free workshop on circular economy opportunities which will take place at the Butlers Gallery in Kilkenny on 11th May from 11am. You will have an opportunity to hear about new circular business areas or models that may support your work as well as meet with them one to one to explore any ideas you may already have in this area. For queries on how to register contact claire@rediscoverycentre.ie or phone 01 8933801.

DUSK BAT WALK OPW Kilkenny Castle, in partnership with Bat Conservation Ireland, invite you to join them and explore the hidden world of Kilkenny Castle Park for their Dusk Bat Walk for adults on Monday 16th May from 9pm– 10.30pm. In the company of Dr Tina Augheny, wander the grounds with bat detectors to eavesdrop on the wonderful hunting calls that bats make as they fly, with numerous bat species known to hunt along the River Nore in Kilkenny City. Warm clothing and sturdy footwear recommended plus a small torch. Booking is required. To register contact kilkennycastleinfo@opw.ie NATIONAL VOLUNTEERING WEEK National Volunteering Week takes place from the 16th to the 21st of May we will be hosting events in Kilkenny Volunteer Centre. Go to www.volunteerkilkenny.ie to see the programme of events taking place.

KILKENNY AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY GATHERINGS Kilkenny Age Friendly Older Peoples Council would like to hear from you. It is important that we hear the voice of all older people throughout the county and to ensure that we are doing so we are holding a number of Age Friendly Community Gatherings where we invite older people to come along and let us know what they see as the issues that are relevant and important to them.

These Community Gatherings will be run at the following locations and dates: Ferrybank Community Centre. 20th May 2022.Castlecomer Community Hall. 15th June 2022. Mullinavat Community Centre. 30th June 2022. Graiguenamanagh Hub. July 2022 tbc. Please come along and bring some friends. It will start with Registration Tea/Coffee at 9.15 and finishing at 12.30/1pm. If you would like further information please email agefriendlycounty@gmail.com or text 0876210589.

CLUB LOTTO Dicksboro GAA Club LOTTO Results May 5th Nos: 18–25- 20– 7 Jackpot: €9,550– not won Draw Prizes – €50: CBH Beirne c/o Tom Beirne . €25 each Liz Miller c/o Online €25 each Ritchie Kearns c/o Fiona Morrissey €25 each John Kelly c/o Online Co op draw ticket Rebecca Walsh c/o Online Promotors prize Gina Gaule New weeks draw €9,700 11th of May SUMMER CAMP 2022 Save the date for our hugely popular Dicksboro GAA and Camogie Club Multi Activity Summer Camp.Week 1 - July 18th - 22nd. Week 2 - August 15th - 19th. Booking System Launching Shortly through Clubzap KILKENNY REPRESENTATIVES Well done Kilkenny Camogie and to the 3 Boro girls Asha, Ciara and Captain Aoife. The Leinster Final is fixed for Saturday in O’ Moore Park.

Best of luck to Harry, Timmy, Niall and Padraic who are part of the Kilkenny U20 panel who played Wexford on Monday evening.

SENIOR FOOTHBALL Hard luck to our Senior Footballers who lost in the championship to a strong Mullinavat team on Saturday evening in Danesfort. This game doubled up as a league final decider.

Our lads had a great season to date and fell short to a good Mullinavat team.

JUNIOR HURLING Our Junior D hurlers had a great win versus Thomastown on a sunny Sunday morning in Palmerstown.

Our Junior F hurlers had a great win versus Kilmacow on Sunday evening in Palmerstown.

MINOR HURLING Hard luck to Kilkenny who were defeated by Laois on Saturday in the Lenister Semi Final. Dicksboro had Captain Tom McPhilips, Evan Murphy and Mikey Stynes as part of the panel.

U15 FOOTBALL Dicksboro U15 team defeated John Lockes and Naomh Brid on Wednesday and Thursday evening in James Park.

U13 HURLING Dicksboro U13 B team had a great game on Sunday morning against Tullogher Rosbercon. Our lads were unlucky to lose out.

CLUB REGISTERATION Many thanks to all those who have registered to date. The closing date for registration this year of March 31st has passed, all members must be registered now to take to the field.

Registration is available through the membership option on ClubZap and a phased payment option is available.

Any members who are having difficulty paying online can contact a member from the executive to arrange a cash payment facility. Many thanks.

PALMERSTOWN CLUBHOUSE REOPEN Dicksboro Clubhouse Bar is reopened Thursday from 8.30pm and every Thursday going forward. Thursday nights is Lotto Draw and Cards Night. All are welcome out for a social drink, a chat and if there is interest, a beginners cards table. We, are offering a particular welcome to all of our senior citizens members, it’s been a difficult past two years and we would be delighted to see you out to the club for a chat. We have a selection of non-alcoholic beers, barista coffee and all the usuals CALLAN GOLF CLUB CLUB CAPTAIN’S PRIZE TO THE LADIES The first of the major days 2022 was held on Monday May 2nd when Captain John Ryan hosted his prize for the ladies.

The course in great condition and the lovely May sunshine made for a very enjoyable day for all participants.

Keeping it in the community Captain John who hails from Dunamaggin was very happy to present his Perpetual Trophy and winning prize to Joan Phelan who also comes from the same lovely village.

There was a welcoming atmosphere in the club house where the restaurant is under new management and serving great food and was enjoyed by all on the day.

RESULTS Winner Joan Phelan 38pts. 2nd Anne Wemyss 36pts. Best Gross Rita O’Neill 3rd Noelle O’Driscoll 35pts. 4th Lady Captain Anne Croke 33pts5th Ann Needham 33pts Front 9 Rose Brophy 21pts. Back 9 Bernie Lyons 18 pts. Best 36+ Carmel O’Sullivan 29pts Junior Prize Winner Anna O’Brien 9|HOLE 1st Ena Heron 16pts c/b. 2nd Marie Costello 16pts TUESDAY 3RD 18 HOLE S/F 1st Ena Kennedy 34pts. 2nd Ann Needham 34pts 9 HOLE 1st Marie Costello. 2nd Brid Carpendale SENIOR LADIES 12 HOLE THURSDAY 5TH MAY 1st Mary D Grace 29pts. 2nd Ann Needham 28pts. 3rd Ann Phelan 25pts 4th Caroline Healy 24pts 5th Mary Kennnedy 24pts

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 13 May 2022

Hurling matters

Sport

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Saturday May 14th Parnell Park, 7pm

KILKENNY will look to bounce back from their narrow defeat to Galway, when they take on Dublin in Parnell Park tomorrow evening (throw-in 7pm).

The race to be crowned Leinster champions is wide open, but both The Cats along with Henry’s tribesmen and tomorrow’s opponents Dublin, will be fancying their chances of getting their hands on the Bob O’Keefe Cup on June 4th.

Mattie Kenny’s super blues are unbeaten in Leinster so far this season, and will go into tomorrow’s game full of confidence against their more illustrious opposition. Of their three games to date, the Metropolitans one point win in Chadwicks Wexford Park is the result that caught the eye of many.

While Dublin is the only side in Leinster with a 100% record, they do have a tendency to concede a high number of scores to their opponents. Currently they have a scoring difference of just +11, the lowest of the top four sides on the table. In their championship games this season, they have shipped 3-54, while registering 1-71 in games against Laois, Wexford and their opponents, Westmeath.

During the National League, Kenny’s charges suffered a huge defeat at the hands of tomorrow’s visitors. When the sides met at Parnell Park in early March, Dublin where also unbeaten at that stage of the competition.

Brian Cody’s men hit 2-23 in an emphatic 13-point victory and will be looking for a repeat performance and result in the Capital on Saturday evening.

Dublin come into this game on the back of their most comprehensive championship win, an 8-point win over the Lake County in Mullingar. Like in all their provincial matches to date, Na Fianna’s Donal Burke has hit double figures to help his team to victory, on this occasion, 11 points, seven of which came from frees. Burke has contributed over 35 of his teams 71 points in Leinster this season, and Kilkenny will need to bear this in mind when defending tomorrow evening.

Kilmacud duo, Fergal Whitely and Ronan Hayes have been lively in the full-forward line and along with Ballyboden St Enda’s Aidan Mellet will look to test the Cats defensive unit. Just behind this trio, we are likely to find Rian McBride and the very talented

Danny Sutcliffe keeping placed ball specialist Burke company.

In the engine room, Mattie Kenny is likely to field Conor Burke and Lucan’s Chris Crummey, hoping that this duo will at least break even against their Noreside counterparts.

The middle third could well be swamped with many bodies throughout the 70-odd minutes of action. St Vincents Rian McBride may drift deeper than his No.11 jersey would suggest.

For the Dubs to stand any chance of securing a home victory, they will look to their captain, Eoghan O’Donnell and his deputy, Cian O’Callaghan to set the tone and provide the necessary leadership at the back, to allow those further forward to ply their trade. Whitehall Colmcille’s O’Donnell is often spoken about in glowing terms, a Rolls Royce of a full-back, almost in the same bracket as his opposite number, Huw Lawlor.

Injury has meant that the Dublin No.3 has had somewhat of a stop-start season, but there is no doubt that a fully-fit and flying Eoghan O’Donnell strengthens Mattie Kenny’s hand no end.

Cuala’s Sean Brennan appears to have cemented his place between the sticks, ahead of veteran Alan Nolan. The Dublin goalkeeper will be expecting a fairly busy evening in Parnell Park, and will need to be on top form against a Kilkenny team that has raised ten green flags in their championship campaign so far this season.

Now that the dust has settled on the Salthill showdown, Brian Cody will look to mastermind his side to victory in the Capital tomorrow. Henry & Co are one point better off in the table, while Dublin are two ahead of the Cats. With the top two sides facing-off for the provincial honours, Cody will be keen to secure maximum points from the two fixtures remaining, which could potentially mean Shefflin vs Cody part 2.

It will be interesting to see if the James Stephens club man starts TJ Reid against the Dubs. The legendary Reid was hauled ashore at halftime in the defeat to Galway, and to be honest, didn’t

A rocky road to Dublin

Cats look to end Dub’s unbeaten run All pix: Danny Lahart

Eoin Cody can help drive the Cats on

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 13 May 2022

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Hurling matters

Brian Cody - hoping to get back to winning ways

Eoin Murphy and Paddy Deegan will look to tighten up at the back

look himself in the opening 35 minutes. Let’s not forget that the Shamrocks man has been nursing an injury since last season’s Kilkenny County Final, hence his absence from the black and amber until recently.

TJ’s replacement during the league has been Glenmore’s Alan Murphy. Alan has been outstanding for the county when called upon, and performed really well when called upon in Salthill last time out. His accuracy from the placed ball and his no-nonsense style means he is definitely an option, should the manager decide to manage TJ’s workload tomorrow.

Reid’s club mate, Eoin Cody has been in inspirational form since returning to county action in 2022. As mentioned in our Galway match review, Cody went through a number of markers in the west, and looked a constant threat throughout proceedings. His one-handed finish to goal against Galway, along with his pass to set up GraigueBallycallan’s Billy Ryan were of the highest order. The twicecrowned Young Hurler of the Year will hope to continue this form in Parnell Park and help bring the Dubs 100% record to an end.

During the sides league meeting in March, Walter Walsh hit 1-3 and was in sparkling form. The big Tullogher-Rosbercon man has continued that form in the subsequent games, and has the skill set to be a prove a very useful weapon in the Capital tomorrow evening.

Walter’s ability to dominate aerial exchanges and break the defensive line will be crucial against the Dubs. We shouldn’t forget Walter’s passing ability either. He was key in setting up Eoin Cody’s goal in Salthill last time out.

Another Kilkenny man to shine in the league encounter with Mattie Kenny’s men was Padraig Walsh. The Tullaroan man hit 0-4 in a wonderful

exhibition of shooting, and like Walter, has been in fine form for the county in 2022.

Padraig will be instrumental in knitting his side’s attacking play together for the remainder of the championship.

Last year’s captain, Adrian Mullen has put the disappointment of the AllIreland Club Final defeat to Ballygunner behind him and put in some good shifts in the stripes since he came back into the panel. I always say it, but Mullen’s ability to win his own ball and get stuck in will be of real benefit to Kilkenny as we get deeper into the championship.

In defence, the 2 Mikey’s, Butler & Carey have taken to inter-county hurling like ducks to water, and will no doubt look to continue their development against the Dubs. For my money, 4 of the 6 defensive spots are almost nailed on. The abovementioned Mikey’s, Huw Lawlor and Paddy Deegan are the foundation of the Cats rearguard.

The last line of defence for Kilkenny will no doubt see AllStar keeper Eoin Murphy retain the number one jersey. Eoin had an ‘up and down’ day at the office against Galway, but I for one wouldn’t contemplate replacing the Glenmore man between the posts. The elder of the Murphy brothers has all the tools needed to be a modern-day netminder.

Tomorrow’s game could be the perfect opportunity to see David Blanchfield in from the start. The Bennettsbridge man has fond memories Parnell Park and the Dubs, as the rangy defender notched 3 fine points from play during the league encounter.

Whatever XV take to the Parnell Park turf, Brian Cody will demand that those entrusted will put in a performance that will secure a vital victory tomorrow night and set up a winner takes-all clash against the Yellowbellies next weekend at UPMC Nowlan Park.

>> SHERRY SAYS...

We need to beat the Dubs, plain and simple. Kilkenny Gaels not only demand, but expect a provincial final erth in earl une. his uest starts tomorrow evening in the capital.

I fully expect to see a positive reaction from Brian od s charges when referee homas alsh throws the ball in at Parnell Park. No team can afford to spend time lic ing their wounds in championship hurling. heir appears to e plent of hunger and desire within this il enn panel, and its now time to unleash this and la down another mar er in the attle to end the Liam McCarthy drought. long with hunger and desire, do not underestimate the le el of talent within the s uad. e ha e plent of goals in the panel too. he men in lac and am er have notched 10 majors in Leinster to date and are the provinces top scorers so far. attie enn s men will e eager to maintain their record in einster this season, ut tomorrow s opposition are a different animal to that that they have faced so far. Donal Burke’s accuracy from the placed all will again e the lue s main scoring threat, but in Hayes, McBride and Sutcliffe, to name by three, Dublin has many top-level hurlers.

Let’s take care of business at Parnell Park, then loo forward to neigh our s e ford roc ing up to owlan ar , when od willing we will secure a Leinster Final berth.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 13 May 2022

Hurling matters

Sport

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

O’Neills.com Leinster GAA U20 Hurling Championship Final Netwatch Cullen Park, Monday 9th May Kilkenny 1-13 Wexford 0-15

With the clock having reached 64 minutes, a sideline cut was sent in and around the house by Wexford centre–back Cian Molloy. The ball was won and passed to Jack Redmond, who appeared to be in acres of space. Redmond took the pass and as the Kilkenny defence rushed to him, he struck what was surely to be the equalising point and send the game into extra-time. Somehow the Rathnure St. Anne’s forward shot shave the right-hand post and went behind and wide.

Dublin whistler, Chris Mooney then brought proceedings to a close. Kilkenny were provincial champions at this grade for the 27th time. And breath.

It was a pulsating finish at Netwatch Cullen Park, as those in attendance on an unusually wet and windy May evening were treated to a swashbuckling encounter that ebbed and flowed and reached a frantic conclusion, thanks in no small way to a battling Wexford side.

Derek Lyng’s side got off to a fast start, when they were awarded a free for a grab on captain Padraic Moylan’s helmet seconds after the throw-in.

Galmoy’s Billy Drennan made no mistake from the placed ball as the Cats drew first blood.

With 5 minutes on the clock, midfielder Denis Walsh took a fantastic catch and split the posts with a lovely score. Less than a minute later, some great harrying by the Kilkenny attack saw Timmy Clifford take possession out on the right-hand side. The talented Dicksboro player cut inside and pointed from a tight angle with ease to give his team an early 3-point lead.

Some holding by the Wexford defence was spotted by referee Mooney, and Billy Drennan punished the indiscretion by popping over the free. Keith Rossiter’s side looked nervous and were making lots of unforced errors. They badly needed a score and corner-forward Cian Byrne obliged in the 11th minute from the placed ball.

The game then got a little scrappy, especially in the middle third. This lull was broken in the 16th minute when Dunnamaggin forward Andy Hickey rifled over a stunning point on almost half-way, out on the left flank.

A Timmy Clifford run was then halted by a hurl in the face from St. Martin’s wing-back, Joe Barrett, and the deadly

Billy Drennan continued his excellent free-taking by pointing from the resulting free.

The Kilkenny players were hunting in packs and seeking turnovers, and this approach was rewarded when they bottled up a Yellowbellies player and took possession. The ball was moved quickly to Denis Walsh whose shot sailed over the black spot. The young Cats now led 0-7 to 0-1 with almost 20 minutes played.

Wexford then broke up a Kilkenny attack and moved the ball to the on-running Cian Molloy. The Naomh Eanna man powered forward before striking a sublime effort from distance that got the Model County supporters excited. Wexford then added two free’s to their total, courtesy of St. Mogue’s Cian Byrne, after the Cats were harshly blown up for infringements. The gap was now reduced to 3 points as referee Chris Mooney blew for half-time with the score board reading Kilkenny 0-7, Wexford 0-4.

Kilkenny were good value for their lead, but given their dominance over the first 20 minutes, they will probably feel that they should have had a more handsome advantage on the short whistle. Conditions underfoot were tricky and had caught several players out throughout the opening period.

Worryingly for Cats boss Derek Lyng would have been the fact that his side failed to register a score from the 19th minute of the first half. However, Wexford can take some credit for this statistic, as their defence certainly tightened up during that period of the game.

The Noresiders made a couple of changes during the interval, with Ian Byrne and Jack Doyle replacing Peter McDonald and Ted Dunne, both of whom struggled to make any impact in the first half.

The first score of the second half came from Wexford, a well taken point from No.14 Jack Redmond. Windgap’s Jack Doyle was then halted illegally as he tried to make headway, and the deadly Drennan duly slotted over the free awarded. Another well engineered turnover saw Denis Walsh notch his 3rd point of the day to cement the influence that he was having all over the Carlow turf.

Dunnamaggin’s Walsh then

27 and co

Cats hang on to claim Leinster title Carlow cracker Ian Byrne was influential from the bench

All pix: Danny Lahart

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 13 May 2022

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Hurling matters

unting!!!

Jack Doyle bags the crucial goal

A Happy Captain - Padraic Moylan celebrates lifting the Leinster U20 Cup

Billy Drennan was deadly from the placed ball

turned provider for the game’s most crucial score.

Kilkenny’s ‘action man’ picked up possession and powered towards the Wexford goal.

Denis had both the presence of mind and skill to release a beautifully weighted handpass to Jack Doyle. The substitute fought off the close attentions of his marker, before unleashing a lovely batted finish to beat the ‘other’ Cian Byrne in the Yellowbellies goal.

The Cats lead was now seven.

Placed ball specialist, and the other Cian Byrne struck over a trio of quick-fire frees to reduce the black and amber lead to four points. The Kilkenny lead was further reduced when Faythe Harriers Richie Lawlor fired over a lovely score to the delight of the Wexford faithful in attendance.

Keith Rossiter’s charges appeared rejuvenated.

They were winning all the 50/50 clashes and were playing with a greater desire and belief than they had done in the first half. This was highlighted when Joe Barrett took a nice catch from a sideline cut before offloading to the supporting Jack Redmond who popped the ball over the bar to leave just 2 points between the sides.

It was roles reversed. It was now Kilkenny who needed a score. Step forward Paddy

Langton. The Young Irelands defender rifled over an excellent point from near the sideline on 47 minutes. Some sloppy play at the other end resulted in referee Mooney awarding a free to Wexford, after Cats netminder Aidan Tallis was penalised for a trip on his opponent, after he had lost possession of the ball. Cian Byrne did the rest to reduce the deficit to just 2 points again after 49 minutes of play.

Galmoy’s Drennan then notched two more points via the placed ball. His first effort came after Glenmore’s Ian Byrne was cynically wrestled to the ground by Wexford’s AJ Redmond. A yellow card was show for the foul. AJ Redmond, a lucky boy. Drennan’s second point in this spell arrived when substitute James Walsh took a great catch and was impeded as he tried to move forward.

Richie Lawlor then won a free for the Model County, which Cian Byrne nailed, before his nemesis, Drennan did likewise for the Cats. Kilkenny now led by four, with 58 minutes on the clock. Byrne then hit his first point from play as Wexford looked to engineer a goal.

Four minutes of additional time were then declared. A goal between the sides. Surely Derek Lyng’s lads were home and hosed? Not when you are facing the Yellowbellies.

Tomas Kinsella then fired over a fine point for Wexford.

The Kilkenny nail-biting got a little worse when Richie Lawlor was fouled, after the Cats defence had shut down the goal opportunity that Rossiter’s men were trying to manufacture. Cian Byrne slotted the free.

Just one between these two great rivals. Noreside nerves jangling. With the 4 minutes of additional time played, Wexford won a sideline cut.

Molloy’s ball struck into the danger zone. Jack Redmond has the ball, strikes it high and....wide. Millimeters. Just a lick of paint in it. Game over.

Final score, Kilkenny 1-13, Wexford 0-15.

>> SHERRY SAYS...

What a pulsating encounter at Netwatch Cullen Park!

Both sides gave their absolute all in this provincial decider, a match that could have gone the way of either county.

When the ball was shipped to Jack Redmond deep, deep into additional time, I for one was preparing for extra-time. Redmond’s effort somehow went the wrong side of the upright, from a Wexford point of view.

With the senior team’s managers in attendance, both Cody & Eagan were treated to an exhibition of free taking from Wexford’s Cian Byrne & Kilkenny’s Billy Drennan.

MOTM, Dunnamaggin’s Denis Walsh was in inspirational form throughout the contest. Three wonderful points, a goal assist and non-stop working up and down the pitch from the midfielder.

The Kilkenny players and supporters celebrated as Dicksboro’s Padraic Moylan lifted the cup and return home to Noreside. You got the sense that the players and management have a bigger prize in mind. In order to achieve that, they will need to take care of Limerick. But that’s for another day.

Manager Derek Lyng spoke of a huge sense of relief at the final whistle, and was honest enough to admit that plenty of work remains to be done if the Cats are to secure the All-Ireland prize.

Enjoy the provincial success, but knuckle down and prepare for the national prize. We go again.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 13 May 2022

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Miracle Prayers

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. N.R

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.R

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.C

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. P.L

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. J.F

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. P.L

St. Anthony Prayer,

O Holy St. Anthony gentlest of Saints, your love for God and charity for His creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers.

Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me (request).

O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms.

The gratitude of my heart will ever be yours.

Amen M.R

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 Kilkenny Observer Friday 13 May 2022

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 13 May 2022