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 ercely uni ed identity – one that separates it from mainland Italy and makes it endlessly alluring. Sicily’s best hotels re ect this curious blend of unity and variance – each whispering a di erent tale of conquest and confrontation, all honouring their extraordinary natural surroundings and o ering 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. e 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. e 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. is go-slow, soulnourishing estate leverages its 60-acres of organic harvest for its destination restaurant, Locanda Nerello, where scabbard sh 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 wild owers 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. e central square called Lilla Torg is one of the most picturesque areas in the city.

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 Za erana etnea CT, Italy Website: monacidelleterrenere.it

Price: From around €250

4. Hotel Signum

Just below Naples and above the scru y 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 shing 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. ey share the same otherworldly views across the Tyrannian to Panarea and Stromboli’s coils of smoke as the terrace, where re ned suppers of sea urchin with creamy mash potato and breaded scabbard sh 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 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. is 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 avour that lled 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

7 hidden gems in Europe

6.Riga, Latvia

e 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. e Old Town is where visitors can nd Livu Square, a lively location for enjoying restaurants, bars, and clubs.

5. Porto, Portugal

Portugal is a popular destination in Western Europe, but many travellers nd 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. e Old Town has a 2,000-year-old history and o ers scenic views of the water.

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. is port city is in the northwest of the country and has historically been an important part of Europe’s trade industry. e 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.

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. is 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 capital city. While most ights land in So a, 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 o 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. e euro stretches further there than in other parts of Europe because Georgia has its own currency and doesn’t use the Euro.

cleverly pull the clementine trees indoors. is is one of Sicily’s lesser-known hotels, a favourite with Italians wrapped in u y towels, oscillating between spa and pool (sliced into volcanic rock with contemporary nesse), 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

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. e 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- lled dining room where local cheeses, meats, apricot pastries and brioche spill across a farmhouse table for breakfast. is is savoured on a weathered stone terrace, with views of Val di Noto’s gold and green haze framed by dis gured 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

Time to Stop Running 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. e 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 o shore island, life is good, if not always wonderful: e winter months are tough... hares squabble among themselves as all creatures do ...over food, love, ru ed egos. And there’s the falcon that hovers high above and occasionally 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. e seasons come and go, and the hares get on with their lives. But danger looms across

the ocean, on the Big Island novel Time to Stop that is visible some days from the beach or cli -top. From that fearful land boats arrive at Book Centre in dawn in the season of the fallen leaves. From the moment been available the Humaniks splash ashore nothing is the same again. e invaders are members of paperback and Ballycrossways Coursing Club, ebook since 2019 who aim to capture as many but it’s good to see hares as they can for their live it in a local outlet from baiting xture back on Broc which it can reach a wider Peninsula. e invasion leaves the island hares devastated and terri ed. eir 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. is is a book of life, love, and liberation. You’ll not be released from its enchanting grip until you reach.

selves as all creatures do ...over food, love, ru ed egos. And there’s the falcon that hov ers high above and occasion 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

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’. e 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 e Kilkenny Observer: “ e 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. e 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 rst step in the broader development of Ireland’s Experience Economy o ering. Industry would like to see continued investment and support to promote domestic tourism, festivals, events, and wider entertainment industry and for domestic tourism 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 e 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, exibility, and future proo ng,” Ms Higgins said.

Milk prices still look okay, despite dip in global trade

Dairy market fundamentals still look pretty favourable to milk prices despite the recent signi cant 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 o er 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.

“ is 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 at 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. e O ce for Fairness and Transparency in the AgriFood Supply Chain will be able to report on prices in the supply chain and investigate any wrongdoings. e salary of the chief executive starts at €145,283.

Folk icon Peggy Seeger to play Kilkenny

e legendary folk singer Peggy Seeger is coming to Kilkenny. e 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. e undisputed queen of folk and political song, will bring her ‘tour to the Watergate eatre 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’. is 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 e Guardian as ‘Folk’s First Lady’ and by the Sunday Times as ‘Folk’s Matriarch’, Peggy Seeger has 26 solo albums (and over 100 collaborative 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 rst 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 nalists 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 nest of Irish artisan produce and show their support for Irish businesses. Undertaken in partnership with Bord Bia, Grow with Aldi is now in its fth 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. is years’ Grow with Aldi nalists 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 nalists 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.’’

Occasion Wear... Wear...

t River Island €201

Carraig Donn €19.95 u

River Island €45 u

t Carraig Donn €54 We love any excuse to dress up and treat ourselves to a new outfit and with christenings, communions, to a new outfit and with christenings, communions, confirmations, weddings, and more happening 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 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 pieces from our stores from dresses to jewellery to help you find the perfect outfit. help you find the perfect outfit. Stand out from the crowd with statement dresses Stand out from the crowd with statement dresses from Carraig Donn, River Island and TK Maxx, with from Carraig Donn, River Island and TK Maxx, with plenty of options ranging in style and colour, your plenty of options ranging in style and colour, your sure to find one you feel amazing in. For more of a sure to find one you feel amazing in. For more of a simple yet dressy look this santeen top from Carraig simple yet dressy look this santeen top from Carraig Donn is perfect for any summer occasion. Donn is perfect for any summer occasion. Finally no outfit is complete without accessories, Finally no outfit is complete without accessories, from earrings to fascinators, handbags to shoes from earrings to fascinators, handbags to shoes you can find it all at MacDonagh Junction Shopping you can find it all at MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre. For more inspiration follow MacDonagh Junction For more inspiration follow MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre on Facebook and Instagram. Shopping Centre on Facebook and Instagram.

* All prices correct at time of print

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

Work with ATC Language School, Kilkenny College!

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 Certi cate Courses If you are a quali ed Secondary or Primary School teacher and you wish to train on ATC’s Preparatory ELT Certi cate 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/

Irish Defence 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.

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 certi cation from four di erent awarding bodies: QQI, City and Guilds, ITEC and CIDESCO. We provide over 50 courses across a wide variety of areas of study, grouped into ve faculties: Business, Creative Arts, Humanities Social & Health, Sports & Service Industries, Technology & Science.

Our students come to us from a variety of starting points. Many come from post-primary school having completed either the Leaving Certi cate or the Leaving Certi cate Applied. Other students have achieved a Level 4 or Level 5 quali cation elsewhere and are moving up to a Level 5 or a Level 6 programme. We have many mature students joining our courses be they upskilling for work, retirees or changing career direction. We also have a great number of students from Youthreach programmes. We are delighted to see our graduates advance to an equally diverse range of next steps on their educational or career journeys. We have a large number of students who progress to Level 7 and Level 8 degree courses in Higher Education every year. Many more go directly into employment using their industry standard certi cation which they gain with us while many more are employed as apprentices. e quali cations and certi cations achieved lead many entrepreneurs to progress on to start their own businesses.

At Carlow Institute, we are renowned for our welcoming and supportive environment. From the induction programme to graduation, students bene t from the work of our dedicated, highly quali ed and committed sta . With very strong industry links, we ensure that students not only study in our new state-of-the-art facilities opened in 2019, but also gain extensive experience and knowledge from the high quality of education which they receive.

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 o ers the very best choice of further education courses in the South-East.

Its not all about Leaving cert to University or not at all. We are here to provide an alternative route to University and your career, with less stress and a far better chance of success. ere 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 o er so you can develop academic and personal skills, Upskilling for a change in employment or to start your own business, or you might be learning for your own personal ful lment.

Make the smart choice with a course at Carlow Institute.

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

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 le his theatre friends devastated

The death of Joe Cleere has left hearts Cleere has left hearts in smithereens in smithereens

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

When former head honcho of Dreamstu theatre group and Young Irish Film makers, Mike Kelly phones and says “let’s do co ee”, you know there’s something in the o ng.

And so it was, when he phoned the Watergate in and around 1993. e hour long co ee was by way of sussing out e Watergate about having his ‘Dreamstu 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 a able Mike would explain that the show would be slightly di erent than the normal and that certain license would be taken on the Bards work. at, we would discover, was putting in mildly! ‘ ough 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 rst rehearsal it was di cult 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. ey 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. e 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

prove massive. is band of merry men and women were to become an annual xture, and much cherished cog in the Watergate calendar.

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

Names like Morton, McGuire, Doheny, Moyles, Moroney, Dunne, Doran, Mooney, Costigan, Fleck-Byrne, Slattery and ompson. e 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 Dreamstu 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 rst to tell you that the fact his baptismal cert came from the same village that christened hurling legend Lory Meagher, meant he had a head start on others. ere was no doubting that Joe was proud of his native Tullaroan.

“ e 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. at hearts are in smithereens would be closer to the mark. e 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 e 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 Dreamstu Youth eatre.

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

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

Gary Tynan current Director at Young Irish Film Makers and Mike Kelly founding member of Dreamstu Theatre and YIFM, Where young people are given a wonderful opportunity and access to the arts John Morton and Joe Cleere in a production of ‘The Colleen Bawn’, by Dion Boucicault

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 Dreamstu , the Gaiety, the gang from omastown, 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

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

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 Dreamstu Youth eatre for many years. Joe worked regularly in panto, TV and lm 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