Kilkenny Observer 17th May 2024

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The Kilkenny

Observer Women: a political record kilkennyobserver.ie

33% of local election runners female, the highest number yet

See Her Elected, the award winning, Government funded programme, has provided a gateway for women in rural Ireland into local politics, with a record number of female candidates going forward for this year’s local elections, due in part to the training and support from this innovative organisation.

A total of 608 women have declared their intention of run-

ning as candidates in this year’s local elections on June 7 which accounts for almost 33% of the overall number of candidates.

This is a marked increase since 2009 which female candidates accounted for just 17.2% of and also in 2019 when women made up 28.4% of overall candidates.

A breakdown of See Her Elected’s statistics show that 238

women or almost 40% of the 608 total number of female candidates running for election this year availed of support, training or resources from the organisation. This figure is compiled of 162 new candidates and 76 sitting county councillors. See Her Elected has also launched a live spreadsheet on their website which tracks the number of female candidates on a county-

by-county basis from the 2014 local elections to the current 2024 Local Elections. (https:// www.seeherelected.ie/localelections-2024/) Election candidates from See Her Elected’s own database have been cross referenced with figures taken from a blog compiled by Maynooth University lecturer Dr Adrian Kavanagh. See Her Elected’s own

database is made up of new candidates and sitting female councillors who have availed of free training, support and/ or resources from the organisation over the past number of years.

Programme Manager with See Her Elected Dr Michelle Maher said this figure demonstrated a wonderful success story and the creation of a gate-

From Gaza to the sea...

A new exhibition showing the connections between Gaza and the sea was recently shown at Fennelly’s of Callan in Co. Kilkenny. The exhibition was launched

by Waterford MEP Grace O’Sullivan, who after travelling to the West Bank in February 2023, began the process of commissioning the project connecting her love of the oceans and work on Palestine.

“While in Palestine our initial plan was also to visit Gaza as part of the official European Parliament delegation.

However, the Israeli authorities didn’t allow this. I learned so much from the Palestinian people in the West Bank but one conversation stayed with me – a woman who had lived there all her life but had never seen the sea, due to the travel restrictions for Palestinians in the region,” said Ms O’Sullivan Our image shows detail of Horses Running In The Mediterranean Sea In Gaza, a photograph by Mohammed Zaanoun

Callan’s Ciaran eyes up the Booker Callan-born poet and author Ciaran O’Driscoll is set to unveil his latest literary masterpiece, The Golden Ass, in a much-anticipated launch event hosted by the Limerick Writers’ Centre. Scheduled for Sunday, May 26 at 3pm, the event will take place at The People’s Mu-

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seum of Limerick, situated at No. 2 Pery Square.

Marking a significant milestone for both the author and the publisher, The Golden Ass marks the debut entry of Limerick Writers’ Centre into the presti-

gious realms of the Booker Prize. Dominic Taylor, the Managing Editor of Limerick Writers’ Centre publishing imprint, told The Kilkenny Observer: “We faced rigorous scrutiny during the eligibility assessment, and I’m delighted to announce that ‘The Golden Ass’ emerged as a worthy contender for the coveted £50,000 prize.“

With Irish writers holding a prominent position among Booker Prize recipients, including Paul Lynch whose family live in and are native Limerick people, clinching the award last year for his dystopian masterpiece, Prophet Song, there is palpable anticipation surrounding The Golden Ass. The publisher aspires to further strengthen

Limerick’s literary legacy by securing at least a long-listing for the 2024 Booker Prize.

Ciaran O’Driscoll reminisces about the time when his childhood memoir, A Runner Among Fallen Leaves, hit the shelves in 2001. He eagerly anticipated giving a reading in his hometown of Callan.

However, the event never materialised.

way for women in rural Ireland into politics.

The Communications Manager with See Her Elected, Mairead O’Shea, said the organisation supported women from rural Ireland to become county councillors and said the first online training with SHESchool began in May 2020 when 46 women registered.

See Pages 22 & 26

Callan will open its artistic doors From May 23 to 26 Callan arts and community organisations will be hosting Callan Open Doors, a series of events that invite the public into artistic spaces and community places, to witness and participate in different creative activities.

Over the four days, the public can share and enjoy a diverse range of exhibitions, performances, workshops and talks. There will be dancing, music, willow weaving, exhibitions and a chance to play a fun game of hurling in the Abbey Meadow.

The official opening of Callan Open Doors on Thursday May 23 will be at The Powerhouse, a recently renovated gallery and creative activity hub in the old bacon Factory on Mill Lane, which will be hosting an exhibition of works in progress

by Callan-based Dutch artist Paul Bokslag.

Full story next week

Dublin bombings 50 years on ...

Suddenly, I hear a loud thud. I assumed it was the gas boiler in the bathroom which was erratic and prone to noisy eruptions. I check it out – nothing. About 15 minutes later the phone in the hallway rings. It’s my mother. “Ger,” she exclaims, “thanks be to God and His Blessed Mother. Are you alright?”

“Of course. Why?” “Son, there’s been several bomb explosions in the city and I feared you might have been caught up in them.”

Gerry Moran Page 20

PAUL HOPKINS

MARIANNE HERON

JOHN ELLIS

GERRY MORAN

Telling it like it is.

And with no holds barred

A straight shooter.

Considerate and wise words

Great advice.

Your money in mind

Quirky take on bright side of life

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 17th May 2024

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Thomastown’s Goatsbrige will be in full bloom Bord Bia Bloom has announced the full list of exhibitors across gardening, food and drink that will feature at this year’s event.

And among them are Goatsbridge Fish Processors from Thomastown.

Ireland’s favourite festival of flowers, food and fun, returns to the Phoenix Park, Dublin, this June bank holiday weekend, (May 30 to June 3) and promises attendees a great day out.

Now in its 18th year, the festival expects to welcome more than 100,000 visitors.

Speaking at the launch of this year’s event, Jim O’Toole, CEO, Bord Bia said: “We are immensely proud of how Bord Bia Bloom has developed as a unique festival experience. Bloom was originally founded to provide a premier platform for showcasing Irish horticulture, food, and drink and we have succeeded in delivering on this vision.”

At the centre of Bord Bia Bloom, a total of 22 small, medium and large show gardens and feature gardens will reflect colourful examples of the most recent trends and advancements in garden design. Along with a dazzling display of show gardens, gardening enthusiasts will find plenty of inspiration in the ever-popular

Rory O’Connell and Fiona Uyema.

On the Sustainable Living Stage, 40 insightful talks will tackle issues such as food waste, plastic pollution, and the importance of pollinators. while sharing sustainable food solutions, tips for home energy saving, natural skincare hacks and much more! A series of expert panel discussions will be MC’d by broadcaster Suzanne Campbell.

Meanwhile, the Garden Stage will welcome Bloom show garden designers past and present, garden experts such as Fiann Ó’Nualláin (Holistic Gardener), Monica Alvaréz (Super Garden Judge) Jimi Blake (Huntingbrook Gardens), Paul Smyth (RHSI Bellefield House), Niall McAuley (Gardening influencer); along with specialist plant nurseries, floral art groups, conservation groups and more for a mix of inspirational, helpful talks about gardening and garden design.

There is also plenty to do for all the family with live entertainment on the Main Stage.

Blooming lovely: Twins AJ and Brooke Stewart (6) at the official launch of Bord Bia Bloom

Postcard Gardens, which include 13 small but perfectly formed pop-up gardens.

Across five stages in the 70-acre site, visitors can

discover tips and tricks on gardening, gastronomy and sustainable living in a series of talks and demos. The bustling Food Village will

feature almost 100 of Ireland’s leading Irish food and drink companies along with a host of foodie features.

Attendees can also enjoy

live cookery demonstrations from some of Ireland’s leading chefs including Darina Allen, Neven Maguire, Catherine Fulvio,

* Tickets are on sale and priced at €30. Up to two children aged 12 and under go free with every adult ticket. See bordbiabloom. com

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New free app informs us about European elections A new app aiming to help European citizens engage with the upcoming European Parliament elections has gone live since May 9 to coincide with Europe Day. The EU&I app aims to help EU citizens navigate the upcoming European Parliament elections, taking place in June. The app provides a comprehensive platform

to help voters explore and understand the positions of both Irish political parties and independent candidates competing in the European elections.

When they visit the EU&I web app, users are prompted to indicate their political preferences through a questionnaire, which generates personalised insights

about which political parties and candidates align best with the voter’s values and beliefs.

Available in 20 languages with 36 policy statements, the EU&I Voter app offers users an extensive guide on a range of topics central to European politics, including economic policies, environmental initiatives,

and social justice issues. It also allows users to explore party/candidate views on Ireland’s position in Europe and beyond.

The creators of the app are hoping that this new development will encourage Irish citizens to vote in the upcoming elections taking place on June 7 to 9.

Team Ireland lead, and As-

Sinn Féin’s local poll candidates set to battle Sinn Féin’s eight local election candidates were joined by party members from across Co Kilkenny as well as TD and European elections candidate Kathleen Funchion to officially launch their campaign.

The launch took place in the Clubhouse Hotel on Saturday May 11.

Opening the event, candidate Evan Barry (Kilkenny City LEA) outlined the importance of these elections: “This is our opportunity to bring real change for people, and for the first time to have a Government – both locally and nationally – that isn’t led by Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael.

Cllr. Denis Hynes (Castlecomer LEA) said: “We need allies in the county council.

The sitting councillors have agreed to a county development plan which has angered many of my constituents because it places wind farms in areas, against the local residents’ wishes, where they are an eyesore. Wind mills have a huge impact on the economy, people’s house prices drop by up to half in areas where they are placed.

“Kilkenny County Council also voted to increase local property tax by 15% percent in October 2019. They have maintained it at that level since and haven’t reduced it since. I opposed this increase when it was proposed.

“The council take great pride in saying there are only 1650 homeless people in Kilkenny, but this doesn’t take into account the many people who can’t afford to get onto the property ladder at all.”

Stephanie Doheny (CallanThomastown LEA) said: “As a young person myself, I am finding that meeting people at the doors my generation are really struggling to access housing. There are almost no houses to rent and a lot of my peers cannot afford a mortgage

— even with two incomes.

“This needs to change, young people deserve so much better.”

Aoife O’Brien (Kilkenny City LEA): ““Kilkenny City has made great progress over the years, but time and again we are hearing the same issues from local residents; the failure of the council to complete the Ring Road, an abundance of traffic issues including unsafe crossings, lack of disabled parking or autism-friendly parking spaces — all of which are largely related to a lack of traffic management plan.

“Our local bus service doesn’t meet the needs of many residents. There is no sensory play area/garden in Kilkenny City, an inadequate amount of public water dispensers and litter bins, and no public recyclable waste bins.”

Natasha Newsome-Drennan (Piltown LEA) said: “South Kilkenny feels forgotten about!

This is what I have heard firsthand on the doors. Our sewage systems are under serious stress, with low water pressure or no water at times due to constant repair works. Water is a necessity! We have a chronic lack of housing, which has left entire families sleeping on couches.

“National schools desperately need units for children with additional needs, alongside vital educational supports like speech and language, and occupational therapy.”

Closing the event, TD Kathleen Funchion, who recently launched her campaign for Europe, said: “Change starts with the elections. We are determined to elect the strongest possible team of Sinn Féin councillors to work with a Sinn Féin-led government after the next General Election delivering the largest social and affordable home building programme in the history of the state.”

sociate Professor at UCD, Dr James Cross said: “This app provides an excellent educational platform to empower Irish voters, which will, in turn, allow them to make informed decisions about the future of Europe. A group of our master’s students from different disciplines here at UCD have been working tirelessly to compile infor-

mation about the election and its candidates. They have made this information accessible to our app users, contributing to a Europewide effort to inform voters.

“By harnessing the power of technology, we aim to empower voters to make informed decisions when entering the ballot box this June,” he said.

A great adventure: Salvador Marquez, Ela Vrgoc and Alice Marquez exploring some intertidal habitats in the Puffin Rock Habitats Exhibition PHOTO: Patrick Browne

Puffin’s the magic for children Minister Malcolm Noonan TD recently launched Cartoon Saloon’s new interactive biodiversity exhibition Puffin Rocks Habitats.

The exhibition is at at the new Mayfair Library, Kilkenny were admission is free and is aimed at families of young children to foster a love of nature and respect for biodiversity.

It was created by multiOSCAR® nominated animation studio Cartoon Saloon, Kilkenny based, with funding from Creative Ireland’s Creative Climate Action Fund.

There are workshops and educational resources designed and supported by the

Heritage Council.

The Puffin Rock Habitats exhibition is based on Cartoon Saloon’s much loved Puffin Rock series and with the ambition to inspire a sense of wonder and improve “nature literacy” among families with young children.

Through characters including young puffins Oona and Baba, and Marvin the otter, audiences are invited to listen to underwater communications, observe the rhythm of changes in tidal areas, learn about the role of pollinators in grasslands and explore the composition of wetlands.

Commenting on Puffin

Rock Habitats Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, said: “I am delighted to welcome the opening of Cartoon Saloon’s new Puffin Rock Habitats, which will engage our young families with biodiversity issues in an engaging, accessible and positive way. This lovely interactive exhibition is a best-in-class example of how creativity can activate the changes in personal behaviour that we all need to make to mitigate against climate change and biodiversity loss.

Ann Mulrooney, Project lead in Cartoon Saloon,

said:“This project was inspired by the stories and adventures of Puffin Rock, where nature and wildlife play such a central role.

“We are really happy to be able to develop this into a learning experience that can foster positive actions for nature in families.

“Cartoon Saloon celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and Puffin Rock Habitats is one of the many ways in which the studio’s rich contribution to Irish culture and heritage can be experienced,” said Anne Mulrooney.– Marine biologist Tasneem Khan devised workshops to accompany the exhibition.

Derelict houses... send in the SWAT team!

“Every Local Authority (LA) needs a dedicated ‘Derelict Housing SWAT team’ to speed up the process of CPOing houses and buildings that are being left derelict by absentee or disinterested property owners,” says Fianna Fáil Ireland South candidate in the forthcoming European elections Billy Kelleher MEP. “Over recent months, but especially in recent weeks on the campaign trail, I have been disturbed by the number of

properties in our towns, villages and in the countryside that remain derelict or vacant.

“Property owners who consistently allow their buildings to become derelict are engaging in societal vandalism.

“While I know that housing isn’t a competence of the EU, I cannot ignore this issue as I criss-cross the constituency and speak to voters and city and county councillors,” he told The Kilkenny Observer.

“Housing Minister O’Brien

TD has put in place many supports to help those who buy these types of properties.

“However, our Local Authorities need the resources, funding and expertise needed to actively CPO derelict properties that are not being put onto the market by owners.

“The carrot is being offered by the Government but it’s really time for the stick now.

“These SWAT Teams would have the legal, engineering, planning and administrative

expertise to follow the process until the very end.”

“We quite simply have too many derelict homes. They are being left idle, to fall into rack and ruin by owners who either don’t care about the property, don’t have the money to refurbish them or who are waiting to demolish them when they collapse in on themselves.”

The upshot was possibly tens of thousands of potential homes to elleviate the current crisis, he said.

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Opinion

The Fact Of The Matter Paul Hopkins

Summer camps: just camp on the green At my supermarket checkout I hear a young woman say: “It won’t be long now ‘til the summer school break. And I have so much to organise.” I gather we’re talking summer camps or the Gaeltacht for the children.

Heading home, Drivetime – with that consummate journalist with the infectious laugh, Sarah McInnerney – informs me that parents have been warned to expect high prices for sending children to summer camps and are being advised to plan ahead.

Research indicates that it will cost almost €1,500 for childcare and summer camps for a family of two primaryschool children. And this is before including the cost of a family holiday.

The estimated costs have been compiled by financial planning firm Provest, which is urging parents to plan ahead to manage the financial demands associated with the upcoming school break.

The closure of schools invariably means many working-parent households will have to juggle camps, childcare for outside camp hours and transport for the summer months.

Summer camps are hugely popular, with the options available for children allowing them to have fun and also learn new skills. Maths academies, theatre camps and even Lego-based courses have sprung up in the last few years, along with the traditional sports-based camps and Gaeltacht residential courses.

Provest financial adviser Olive Walsh says the average costs for a family of two primary school-aged children, with two working parents, is now high. She calculated typical costs for a family with one parent working full-time and the other, part-time. The average cost of activity camps is between €70 and €130 a week a child, with many

parents signing their children up for multiple camps across the summer.

Childcare costs for an average of 24 hours a week could be as much as €204. But this could be even higher if both parents are working fulltime. And, also, costs will vary depending on locations and specific choices.

In the next few weeks, many parents will be running around like those proverbial blue-assed flies trying to get a place for little Sean or Sinead in the myriad such schools and camps that have been an option of the summer holidays the last decades.

All are good and worthy ventures, run well. While a week or two at these camps can be a good thing, the reality, says my psychologist friend from Magherafelt, is that children need a break from the necessary regimented structure that marks the school year, as it does summer clubs.

“Their young brains need a

break, to refresh and recoup their thoughts and emotions and separate them from all the crammed learning and educational input of the last year. And there is no better way to do this, as any child will tell you, than to just chill out, let it all hang loose for the (hopefully) hazy, crazy days of

“Their young brains need a break...

summer,” he tells me.

Half of the estate I grew up in was for some time still a building site and we kids treated it as one giant playground. We balanced on backs of tethering bricks, we climbed up half-built staircases and ran across landings that abruptly ended.

Whatever about the building of resilience or grit, it certainly kept us fit, physically and mentally.

And, yes, we played on the street. The car had been invented but we still played on the street.

In the morning we were practically shoved out the door, and told “go play”. The world was our oyster, imagination our playground, and such imagination, without the appendages of smart gadgets, was palpable with possibility.

Such wild abandoning to one’s imagination and an endless possibility is these days what the educationalists term “freely chosen play”,

when a child decides and controls their play following their own instincts, imagination and interests. They play without being overseen by adults, and there’s no right nor wrong way to play.

Such freely chosen activity improves their health, wellbeing and development, and life skills.

With measurable activities, like after-school sport or summer camps, it is easy to see what has been learned or achieved. Free unstructured play is not measurable. It may be hard to say what a child has actually been doing other than ‘playing’. But it’s that great sense of free spirit, of ‘doing nothing’ for a young, inquiring mind that, I believe, directs one’s development and individuality.

I saw it with my own three children.

And, when they and their peers were grown and gone, the silence on the green was deafening...

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Another showdown looms over Harris and GAA The GAA is to seek a showdown with the Government after Taoiseach Simon Harris said the association had "got it wrong” over streaming service GAAGO for which viewers must pay per match.

But a spokesperson for the Taoiseach told the Irish Independent that the "Oireachtas Committee is the appropriate place to take this” after earlier

calling for the GAA to listen to its grassroots.

The row over pay-per-view matches has reignited ahead of today's crucial third round Munster Hurling Championship clash between Cork and Limerick, which will only be shown on GAAGO. "It's always been a grassroots organisation and I think the grassroots are really disap-

pointed, really frustrated, at matches that the kids want to watch, that the family want to watch, being put behind a paywall,” Mr Harris said in Cork yesterday. The Taoiseach is to attend the Cork-Limerick match in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh this evening.

"The GAA really need to listen to their grassroots, that's always been their strength

from the bottom up. I think they've got this wrong,” he said.

In response to the Taoiseach's comments, a GAA spokesperson said it would seek a meeting with Government officials to explain "the scheduling of its games and distribution of media rights.”

"The GAA notes the comments from An Taoiseach

in relation to the broadcast coverage of our games and the schedule, which was confirmed and unveiled last December.

"In keeping with the GAA's desire to strike a balance between the games broadcast/streamed and those which are not, a large number of games will not be carried by any broadcaster at all.

"The association is to seek a meeting with the Ggovernment officials to once again provide background information around both the scheduling of its games and the distribution of media rights.”

A senior Government source said: "The GAA were warned about this issue with hurling months ago and now it has materialised."

Renewable energy: MEP on speedy legal move Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher is urging the Irish Government to transpose the EU Renewable Energy Directive as quickly as is possible to ensure that international investors see Ireland as being open for business when it comes to renewable technologies.

Mr Kelleher was commenting as the Climate Change Advisory Council reiterated its significant concerns about Ireland’s capacity to meet its climate targets.

“We know that Ireland is generally slow at making the changes needed for the country to grasp the opportunity to become a renewable energy superpower.

“The CCAC review is clear in what it says. We aren’t moving forward as fast as we had hoped, and as fast as we need to be in order to meet either our own national targets or our obligations under EU law," he said.

“Last year, as an MEP, I supported the Renewable Energy Directive as a means of speeding up the regulatory process for green technologies. It entered into force last November and Member States have up to 18 months to transpose this directive into national legislation.

“Ireland is currently updating its own National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), but the Government has confirmed that they do not have the necessary time to incorporate RED III into the new revised NECP as yet

more modelling and analysis of the RED III targets are required."

The Ireland South said there was a problem, and one that the Government needed to urgently address.

“RED III provides for the creation of Renewable Accelerated Areas (RAAs) by the Irish Government. These areas are places identified as localities best suited to hosting renewable energy projects. The permitting processes should be faster and quicker, and they should enable roll out of renewable energy projects in a timelier manner.

“The transposition of RED III into Irish law cannot come fast enough. We don’t need a long drawn out process otherwise we risk falling even further behind on our targets," Mr Keller said.

“Renewable energy companies need to know that Ireland is open for investment, and that requires the speediest possible transposition.

“Let’s be honest. Ireland is competing with other Member States for investment into renewables. We need to keep this in mind when it comes to putting in place the regulatory framework."

He said he was calling on Minister Ryan and his departmental officials to move quickly on this critical piece of work. A General Election was due before March 2024. This legislation needed to be on the statute books before that date.

Domestic violence victims 'should not pay legal fees' Family law barrister Cynthia Ní Mhurchú has said that legal fees are stopping some women from reporting and prosecuting incidents of domestic violence against their abusers. Ní Mhurchú, who works with families in the family courts on a regular basis, said that it can

cost hundreds of euros to get a barring order, if legal representation is not paid for by the State by way of free legal aid.

Ní Mhurchú was speaking in advance of the annual Family Lawyers Association conference which took place in Athlone on the 13th May.

Teac Tom Network Ireland Kilkenny partner Network Ireland Kilkenny has announced the launch of its online Mega Draw in aid of Teac Tom, its chosen charity partner for 2024.

Teac Tom provides mental health support and suicide intervention services across Kilkenny and Laois.

The top prize includes an overnight stay at the stylish Pembroke Kilkenny, with dinner, plus a day of luxurious pampering worth over €1,500 with a Kilkenny Voucher for €200.

Tickets are available from €5 via the iDonate page. Organisers encourage people to purchase as many as possible to support their charity partners.

The pamper session kicks off with a 90-minute nutritional consultation with Beoga Nutrition, setting the winner up to nourish both body and mind. Followed by a rejuvenating Bio Penta Ultimate Facial at Mint Kilkenny, a hair consultation and restyle with Rustiq Salon and a makeup consultation with Ilona designed to enhance the winner’s natural beauty.

The experience continues with a style and colour consultation with Designer Threads, giving expert guidance on outfits and colour selections that complement their unique style and personality. Once the winner is red-carpet-ready, the

moment will be captured forever with a personal photoshoot by Dominika Stoppa.

Anne Healy, President, Network Ireland Kilkenny, said: “We hope everyone will buy tickets and help us support Teac Tom and the valuable work they do in the community. The more you buy, the more free tickets you receive!"

Teac Tom was established in February 2014 by Angela Hayes. Angela tragically lost her son, Thomas aged 19, to suicide on the anniversary of his dad’s death, which was also from suicide. Overwhelmed by her grief, Angela became a community activist.

She told The Kilkenny Observer: “I never want another family to go through the grief we suffered.”

Teac Tom offers a range of vital services to the community, including affordable and immediate face-to-face counselling, child and adolescent therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy in a safe and nurturing environment.

It runs a 24-hour support line. * See https://www.idonate. ie/raffle/NetworkIrelandKilkennyDraw Pictured are Diane O’Neill, Angela Browne, Anne Healy, President, Network Ireland Kilkenny and Angela Hayes of Teac Tom. PHOTO: Patrick Browne

Coeliac disease 'still not on GPs' radar'

As part of Coeliac Awareness Month, the Coeliac Society of Ireland is shedding light on the lesser-known impacts of coeliac disease on women's fertility.

According to a study published in the Lancet medical journal, women with coeliac disease are more likely have an adverse pregnancy outcome eg. miscarriage, than those without.

Coeliac Disease is also linked to increased difficulty becoming pregnant and a higher risk of having a preterm or stillborn baby. Babies born to women with undiag-

nosed coeliac disease may also face challenges such as lower birth weight.

How Coeliac Disease Affects Fertility Untreated coeliac disease can affect fertility through various mechanisms: 1 Shorter Fertile Lifespan: Women with untreated coeliac disease experience delayed puberty and early menopause, reducing their fertile lifespan.

2 Nutrient Deficiencies: Damage to the gut lining caused by gluten makes it difficult for the body to absorb essential nutrients like B vitamins, selenium, zinc, and

iron, which are crucial for pregnancy.

3 Immune Problems: Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition where the body's antibodies can damage the developing baby or placenta, leading to a higher risk of miscarriage.

However, following a strict gluten-free diet significantly reduces these risks, bringing them to levels comparable to women without coeliac disease.

Sarah Keogh, Nutritionist and Dietitian at the Coeliac Society of Ireland, emphasised the importance of

testing for coeliac disease, saying: "With more than 75% of estimated coeliac sufferers remaining undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, it's crucial for anyone experiencing fertility issues or suspecting they have coeliac disease to consult their GP for testing, if only to rule it out.

'Symptoms of coeliac disease can vary widely, and many individuals may be unaware of their condition.

"Unfortunately, for some doctors coeliac disease is still not on their radar for routine testing," Sarah Keogh concluded.

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Opinion

As I See It Marianne Heron

Minding your language ... in Irish A change seems to have crept in, gradually the way leaves unfold in Spring.

Like the green of April, it’s a pleasant change full of promise. I am talking about the renewed enthusiasm for Irish.

It seems to crop up everywhere. There’s a friend who now teaches three conversation classes a week due to demand. It’s there in adverts on RTE, in award- winning Irish language films, like An Cailin Ciun, in conversations between friends, or in the songs of a Wren Boys group which started up a couple of years ago in my neighbourhood.

There are influencers who blog and post in Irish.

And the great thing about what is happening is that it is fun, it’s spontaneous with nothing forced about it and where it is not about grammar but more about

the richness of language and its connection with the land that shaped it.

The good news is that Gaeilge, which became one of the 23 languages recognised by the EU in 2022, is now deemed to be safe from extinction. And its use is increasing, the 2016 census showed a 6% increase over the 2011 one, although 40% spoke Irish only 10% of those did so well.

Maybe that is what this revival is about, a desire to reclaim language left in the classroom and bring it back into use, encouraged by pride in Ireland’s success story, particularly when it comes to authors, films, actors and performers from Cillian Murphy to Barry Keoghan. Irishness is a thing now, maybe a sign that the old inferiority complex which clouded our vision of ourselves has gone.

Like other languages Irish is expressive of our culture, it tells us who we are and what we come from. It’s no accident that in Irish there are 32 words for field (also the title of a book by Manchan Magan) and that so many place names in Irish have their roots in physical features of the landscape.

Elsewhere, Inuit has around a dozen words for different kinds of snow experienced

by Eskimos while the Scandinavian Sami have as many as 180 different words for snow and ice.

Colloquialisms are sometimes a wonderful example of the way of something expressed in one language doesn’t have a translation in another. I won’t attempt an Irish example since Irish wasn’t on the curriculum at the school I went to in the North (a pity) but expressions like take the bull by

the horns, fare bella figura in Italian or je ne sais quoi in French have no equivalent in other tongues.

The thing about language is that if you don’t use it you may lose it. Mangan’s book Thirty Two Words for Field

“One of the 23 languages recognised by the EU...

hit the right note with those wishing to have a more meaningful connection with the Irish Language. To Mangan’s own surprise it became a runaway success and part of the new Irish language revival.

“There’s something going on, as we know, among the people yearning for a connection with something rooted,” he said recently.

The book’s success sowed the seed for Kathy Scott’s Trailblazery’s Hedge School project, a virtual home school. This is in turn led to collaboration by Mangan and Scott on a Hedge School as Gaeilge, Scoil Scairte and now the latest development is a self-paced course with 22 hours of artist led teaching to meet the demand from people all over the world who want to learn at their own pace.

Part of the key to the to the

new enthusiasm for Gaeilge is the move away from traditional learning to something more imaginative, according to Magan. “When people who want to learn go back into a school room setting, as a lot of Irish language courses are, they just shut down. That is not why I came back to Irish, I want to have my soul ignited!”

Isn’t that the point about the appeal of Irish? Based on the words of Amergin, Druid and poet incantation about the unity of all things, as Mangan writes in Thirty Two Words, “they reveal a language that not only describes things but summons them into being, that communicates not only with others, but the psyche and the subconscious, deeply rooted in the environment which can connect us to our surroundings in remarkable ways”.

Looking good for summer CLAIR WHITTY

It’s that time of year when the weather should be warming up and we are beginning to shed the layers of winter clothes.

But then we do, we notice how pale and washy we look, well at least I do, and we notice the few pounds that have piled up over the winter. Then we wonder how can we get back looking great again.

Taking a look at our diet is a great place to start. A balanced diet will help support healthy skin. Water is number one for me, make sure to keep hydrated. Consider adding apple cider vinegar “with the Mother” to your water once a day. It is traditionally used to help maintain fluid balance and support the breakdown of fat in the digestive system. Choose brightly coloured fruit and vegetables,

goji berries, and blueberries as they contain Vitamin C, important to help build collagen. Fish, chicken, nuts, eggs, lentils, and pulses provide protein essential for healthy skin. Wholegrains, nuts, and seeds provide B Vitamins for skin, nails, and hair health. Green tea, white tea or Rooibos are a natural source of antioxidants to help protect the skin from damage. Avoid sugar, reduce coffee, alcohol, and processed foods, as these will all have a negative impact on our skin.

Or maybe, we might consider a s supplement to help us achieve our goals. New Nordic Apple Cider tablets are easy to take if you can’t handle the taste of cider vinegar. They provide all the goodness of raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar, without the strong taste. Or New Nordic Fat Burner, I have spoken about this before, many customers have found it helpful for healthy fat metabolism.

Collagen is the go-to supplement for skin, New Nordic Collagen Shots are very popular, especially at this time of the year as they can be handy to pop in your gym bag to take after a workout. It comes in convenient sachets with a delicious berry flavour.

Rehydrate your skin from the outside in, Leah here loves Holos Blossoms Body Oil. She uses it every day after her shower, and she said it smells divine. It locks in moisture, and a little goes a long way. She loves the fact that it is an Irish brand from just down the road in Enniscorthy.

Let’s glow again!

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

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

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News

SPECIAL REPORT Up to 200 older people from across Ireland recently gathered in Kilkenny for the Age Friendly Ireland National Older People’s Councils (OPC) Convention, addressing the pressing issue of the technology gap experienced by older demographics.

The national annual convention at the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel — held on May 9 and May 10 — tackled concerns surrounding online banking, a cashless society, and automated customer service helplines; offering potential solutions to bridge this divide.

The event, attended by Minister Mary Butler, TD, Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People at the Department of Health, the Older People’s Councils and 31 local authority representatives, featured discussions from panel speakers including; Áine Flynn, Director of the Decision Support Service and Mark Harrington, National Manager, Healthy Age Friendly Homes.

• Garret Doocey, Assistant Secretary from the Department of Transport with responsibility for Land Transport, Investment and Public Transport Policy who discussed transport supports such as the travel assistance scheme, JAM card, Wayfinding centre and accessibility improvements to bus shelters, buses, age-friendly car parking and Age Friendly train stations.

• Philip Hogan, CEO of Cliffrun Media, a Dublin-based technology company specialising in technology solutions for older individuals such as the ACORN Age-Friendly Smart Tablet, was demonstrating technology that supports ageing.

• Diarmuid Angland, a Department of Finance specialist, who is leading the development of a National Payments Strategy, outlined the meaning of digital inclusion and the implications of a cashless society.

The convention included seven workshops, panel discussions and the opportunity to network and share learnings.

Hosted by the Kilkenny Age Friendly Programme and Kilkenny County Council in partnership with Age Friendly Ireland in Meath County Council, this year’s theme, Ageing with Independence, underscores Age Friendly Ireland’s commitment to building environments conducive to the wellbeing of older adults.

There are approximately 806,300 people aged 65 and over living in Ireland.

Speaking at the convention, Kieran Kehoe, Chief Executive of Meath County Council and host to Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service said: “This is the

Age Friendly on tech challenges for our seniors in Kilkenny Digital friends: the Age Friendly Ireland National Older People’s Councils (OPC) Convention in Kilkenny from left ; Lorna King Clinical Specialist Dietitian for Older People; Edward Hayden Chef and Radio Broadcaster and MC for convention; Anne Marie Shortall, Age Friendly Kilkenny Programme Manager; Michael Doyle, Cathaoirleach Kilkenny County Council; Mary O’Hanlon chairperson of Kilkenny Older People’s Council, Nickey Brennan Former GAA President, Kilkenny Hurler and Manager and Lar Power CE Kilkenny County Council PHOTO: Mary Browne

only conference of its type in Ireland that harnesses the collective voice of older people and brings that wisdom directly into local government, and to the multiple stakeholders involved in the Age Friendly strategic response to demographic change. There is a huge value for local government officials having this direct connection to the citizen voice.”

Catherine McGuigan, Chief Officer of the Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service emphasised the vital role of open dialogue among older individuals, local authorities, and the Government. She said: “Older people are not a homogenous group, and it is

“Need to change how we think about ageing...

essential that we hear from the collective voice so that older people themselves can co-design solutions to challenges.

“In the past 15 years, they have done exactly that — and thousands of innovative initiatives have been implemented based on their recommendations. That’s the core principle that underpins everything we do in Age Friendly Ireland and the key reason why we hold this annual convention.”

Ms McGuigan said that there were technological solutions to support independence as we age such as telecare which includes personal alarms, pendants/ watches with 24-hour monitoring and smart home packages.

Speaking on behalf of the Older People’s Councils, Ita Healy, Chair of the National Network of Older People’s Councils said: “New policies are forthcoming that will tackle some of our concerns, including the National Payments Strategy, which aims to resolve the issue of services not accepting cash payments. Support for choice in payment is widespread.

“Safeguarding is an issue when payments can only be made online and older people must rely on neigh-

About Age Friendly Ireland Age Friendly Ireland co-ordinates the management of 31 local authority-based, multi-agency Age Friendly Programmes to improve the quality of life of older people throughout Ireland.

In April 2019, Ireland achieved a historic milestone by being recognised by the World Health Organisation as the first fully affiliated Age Friendly Country in the world.

Age Friendly Ireland facilitates cities, counties, towns and villages across Ireland to prepare for the rapid ageing of our population by paying increased attention to the environmental, economic and social factors that influence the health and well-being of older adults.

Age Friendly programmes work to provide age friendly environments, housing and transportation options, access to key services and opportunities for older people to participate in community activities. By doing so, these communities are better equipped to become great places to age and grow older.

Age Friendly Ireland is an appointed Shared Service of local government hosted by Meath County Council. Age Friendly Ireland directs, supports and provides technical guidance to the 31 local authority-led, multi-disciplinary Age Friendly Programmes which includes 31 Older Peoples Councils. bours, friends and family members to make their payments and access their personal information. At the recent NGO forum meeting, the safeguarding element was flagged especially for domestic abuse victims as cash is often essential for them to get away from their situation. People in all walks of life need the choice to use

cash when and where they want to.”

Hosted in Kilkenny for the first time in its 15-year history, Lar Power, Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council said: “We are delighted to host this year’s National Older People’s Convention in Kilkenny, there is immense work being done by the Kilkenny Older

People’s Council to further the mission of making Ireland a great place to grow old. I would encourage anyone who wants to have their voice heard to join their Older People’s Council. It’s an opportunity to engage with your local authority and to remind them about agreed programmes of work.”

Anne Marie Shortall, Age Friendly Kilkenny Programme Manager said: “In Kilkenny, we strive to make our county a place where older people are valued for their wisdom, experience and contributions to an inclusive society and community. Our programme is ambitious but so too is the need to change how we think about ageing and how we collaborate to deliver improvements in supports and services for older people.

This annual gathering provides an opportunity for the national shared service to collaborate on how best to broach this change.”

Convention attendees called for older people to join their local Older People’s Council to ensure their voice is part of the conversation as the population ages. * For more information on Age Friendly Ireland visit agefriendlyireland.ie.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 17th May 2024

Opinion

Your Money & You John Ellis

A little financial success between the covers When I was researching for this article the sun was splitting the stones but now as I put the finishing touches, it is raining, but then it’s Ireland and summer is upon us once again. We hopefully will have a few sunny days ahead but, weather regardless, it’s still the perfect time to immerse yourself in the world of financial wisdom.

Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just beginning your financial journey, the following suggestions offer valuable insights and inspiration for achieving your goals.

Make this summer “the season you unlock the secrets of financial wisdom and embark on a path to financial well-being”. Whether you’re basking in the sun at the beach or sitting in from the rain consider adding one of these titles to your reading list, as a good book can be your guide through the minutiae of finance, investing, and wealth management.

Morgan Housel’s The Psy-

chology Of Money: Timeless Lessons On Wealth, Greed, and Happiness goes beyond the numbers to explore the psychological aspects of money. Drawing on real-life stories and insights from behavioural economics

the author offers valuable lessons on how our attitudes and emotions shape our financial decisions.

Through William Green’s Richer, Wiser, Happier: How The World’s Greatest Investors Win In Markets And Life

you will be taken on a captivating journey through the lives and strategies of some of the most successful investors of our time. From Warren Buffett to Charlie Munger, the author distils their timeless wisdom into actionable

advice for building wealth and finding fulfilment.

If you are curious about the future of finance or thinking of dipping your toes into cryptocurrency, Camila Russo’s The Infinite Machine: How An Army Of Cryptohackers Is Building The Next Internet With Ethereum is a must-read as it offers a gripping chronicle of Ethereum’s rise from a white paper to a global phenomenon.

Through this book you will explore the personalities, controversies, and innovations behind this groundbreaking project.

Originally published in 1992, Vicki Robin’s and Joe Dominguez’s Your Money Or Your Life: Nine Steps To Transforming Your Relationship With Money And Achieving Financial Independence has been updated for today. This classic book offers an overall approach to achieving financial independence and regaining your life, empowering you to align

your spending with their values and “create a more fulfilling relationship with money”.

Specific to the Irish market peruse these two books: The Money Doctor by John Lowe updated for 2024, it is Ireland’s best-selling personal finance reference book, catering to readers of all financial backgrounds. Whether you’re managing a mortgage, tackling debt, building savings, or planning for the future, this comprehensive guide offers practical advice tailored to the Irish market.

And with Eoin McGee’s How To Be Good With Money, you will discover a complete program for financial well-being. Through rules of spending and saving, you will be directed to create solid financial plans ensuring a secure future regardless of budget or financial status.

Happy reading! john@ellisfinancial.ie 086 8362622

Make Kilkenny a great place to…

Grow up in, Live and invest in With a focus on greater innovation and enterprise development, Kilkenny could become a major regional city drawing skilled labour and investment from overloaded Dublin, Waterford and further afield, while still preserving our medieval heritage and identity.

The key to local enterprise development is housing.

Without a policy to provide homes local economic development will be heavily constrained. Together with housing we need an adequate and safe supply of water, transport services, policing as well as an array of public services that can support workers and businesses.

Through the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) a range of supports exist for business startups as well as businesses seeking to grow their business. We need to foster a strong culture of enterprise by linking businesses, colleges of education, training resources and local sources of finance and

mentoring. I will work: ✓ To extend the range of services and funding provided by the LEO. ✓ to establish a register of vacant commercial property which could be turned over to new business startups. ✓ to identify best practice social enterprise business including enterprises to build affordable housing. ✓ For family friendly and inclusive measures to ensure greater diversity in local economic development. ✓ to extend the number of connected hubs and business centres to promote Kilkenny as an ideal remote working location. ✓ with local employer and trade union groups for a Kilkenny Enterprise Excellence aware scheme that

recognises good workplace practices, sustainable business development and employee participation.

If elected, I will also work with council officials and other elected local representatives to: ✓ Increase access to childcare, especially for parents whose earnings are not enough to cover additional childcare costs. ✓ Value and recognise all forms of family care and the role played by parents and mothers in particular ✓ Ensure that all proposed new childcare and early education facilities are up to standard at the planning and licensing stage. ✓ Ensure that childcare and early years education workers are valued and properly paid. ✓ Expand the role of social, not-for-profit community enterprises providing childhood education and care. ✓ Liaise with various public agencies to ensure that families have timely access to childcare/pre school services and support including special needs children. ✓ Prioritise the provision of mental health services for young people ✓ Prioritise age-friendly policies and practices.

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Castlecomer Municipal District Cllr calls for appointment of full-time Road Safety Officer by Kilkenny County Council In response to the alarming increase in road accidents and deaths within our County and Community, Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick raised this issue at the Castlecomer Municipal District meeting and received the support of all members in urging Kilkenny County Council to take decisive action by appointing a full-time Road Safety Officer. This dedicated individual would collaborate with An Garda Síochána, schools, and engineers to implement comprehensive measures aimed at enhancing road safety. With the number of road accidents and deaths on the rise, it is imperative that proactive steps be taken to safeguard the lives of all road users. A full-time Road Safety Officer would not only coordinate efforts among key stakeholders but also spearhead initiatives to educate the public on safe driving practices and advocate for infrastructure improvements where necessary.

Cllr Fitzpatrick emphasizes the importance of this appointment in fostering a culture of safety on our roads and preventing further tragedies. By appointing a dedicated person focused solely on road safety, Kilkenny County Council would demonstrate its commitment to prioritizing the well-being of all road user's.

Pat Fitzpatrick

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 17th May 2024

News Science & Wellbeing Naturalist Fred Sharpe of the Alaska Whale Foundation has been studying humpbacks for over two decades, as has animal behaviour researcher Brenda McCowan, a professor at the University of California, Davis.

In their 2023 published results, McGowan, Sharpe, studying closer the sounds made by humpback whales could be a model for perhaps something even more remarkable: an exchange with an extraterrestrial intelligence.

Sharpe and McGowan are members of Whale SETI (Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence) and with a team of scientists at the institute have been scanning the skies for decades, listening for signals that may be indicative of extraterrestrial life.

The Whale SETI team seeks to show that animal communication, and particularly, complex animal vocalisations like those of humpback whales, can provide scientists with a model to help detect and decipher a message from an extraterrestrial intelligence. And, while they’ve been trying to communicate with whales for years, this latest reported encounter in their 2023 study was the first time the whales had actually talked back!

It all might sound farfetched. But then again, Laurance Doyle, an astrophysicist who founded the Whale SETI team and has been part of the SETI Institute since 1987, is accustomed to being doubted by the mainstream science community.

For years, Doyle sought out other worlds beyond our solar system. When he and others started looking for these worlds, they were rejected by the prevailing astronomy community. Now, we know there are thousands of exoplanets, some of which appear to be in the habitable zone around their stars — not too hot, not too cold, and a bit wet; they could harbour life, some perhaps even life complex enough to communicate across the cosmos.

Doyle and his peers use radio observatories to try to When it comes to Alzheimer’s disease, there is still a lot we don’t know but the link between poor sleep and worsening disease is one that researchers are exploring in depth.

In a study published in 2023, scientists found that using sleeping pills to get some shut-eye could reduce the build-up of toxic clumps of proteins in fluid that washes the brain clean every night.

Researchers from Washington University in St Louis in the US found people who took suvorexant, a common treatment for insomnia, for two nights at a sleep clinic experienced a slight drop in two proteins, amyloid-beta and tau, that pile up in Alzheimer’s disease.

How humpback whales may help us find ET detect narrowband radio signals from outer space. SETI was founded on the idea that if extraterrestrial intelligences reached out to worlds beyond them, they would do so through radio signals, which travel at the speed of light and slice through space “noise” unimpeded.

As SETI points out, the universe is full of “cosmic noisemakers,” including pulsars, quasars, and the interstellar gas of our own Milky Way. SETI focuses on narrowband radio signals because they can be distinguished from the cosmic noise, and, importantly, can only be produced by transmitters, meaning some intelligence must have designed them, and they must contain some form of information. Their nickname

is “technosignatures.”

Of course, after more than 50 years of radio astronomy, we haven’t detected a single technosignature. Even if we did, how might we interpret it? Are scientists even prepared for that question?

Doyle recounted a talk he gave to other SETI scientists.

He had only five minutes and decided to spend one of them playing a humpback whale song. “I played a humpback whale song that lasted for maybe a minute. And then I said, ‘What if that had come from space? Is that intelligent?’ And everybody got it almost right away. They’re like, ‘Wow, we are not prepared, are we?’”

A big part of the problem is that scientists don’t have a way to tell whether an alien

signal contains complex information or is even designed to be understood. They need to know both these things before they get anywhere near the hard work of assigning meaning to the information.

The only way to start working on that problem, Doyle says, is to start practicing. And the only things to practice with are non-human species on Earth.

Doyle started this work back in 1999, when he proposed studying the clicks and whistles of bottlenose dolphins to try and find markers of complexity and intelligence in their linguistic repertoire. The idea, based on an earlier concept supported by Carl Sagan, was that studying — and ultimately, talking to — dolphins could help inform the search

for signals coming from an extraterrestrial intelligence.

In 2016, Nautilus spoke with Doyle about how dolphin communication revealed linguistic hallmarks that could, in turn, help separate a signal from the noise of the cosmos.

Since then, Doyle has turned his attention to humpback whales, which have even more complex communication. These creatures are the ideal practice partners, he says. They are highly intelligent, their calls are often extremely long, repetitive, and broadcast across vast swathes of ocean—and those calls contain complex information.

Like humans yelling at one another over a distance, some of what one whale is saying to another will be lost to the environment because of how far

it must travel and the interference it meets along the way.

Yet the whales still get the gist of what’s being said. That means some parts of the signal may carry more information than others, or perhaps some parts of the signal carry key pieces of information that let the whales fill in the blanks. The better scientists understand the nature of whale signals, the better they may be ready to understand the nature of alien ones.

SETI scientists can work out what pieces of information are crucial to humpback understanding, it could in turn help them pinpoint where relevant information might lie in a technosignature that has been broadcast over a vast distance in space and time.

Sleep disturbances can be an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease that precedes other symptoms,

such as memory loss and cognitive decline. And by the time the first symptoms develop, levels of abnormal amyloid-beta are almost peaking, forming clumps called plaques that clog up brain cells.

Researchers think promoting sleep could be one avenue to stave off Alzheimer’s disease, by allowing the sleeping brain to flush itself of leftover proteins and the day’s other waste products.

While sleeping pills may help in that regard, “it would be premature for people who are worried about developing Alzheimer’s to interpret it as a reason to start taking suvorexant every night,” said neurologist Brendan Lucey, of Washington University’s Sleep

Medicine Center, who led the research.

The study spanned just two nights and involved 38 middle-aged participants who showed no signs of cognitive impairment and had no sleep issues.

Using sleeping pills for prolonged periods is not an ideal solution for those short on sleep either, as it’s quite easy to become dependent on them.

Sleeping pills may also lull people into shallower bouts of sleep rather than deep sleep phases. This could be problematic as earlier research from Lucey and colleagues found a link between less good quality, slow-wave sleep and elevated levels of tau tangles and amyloid-beta protein.

Sleeping pills may guard against Alzheimer’s Though only short and involving a small group of healthy adults, the study is an interesting demonstra-

tion of the link between sleep and the molecular markers of Alzheimer’s disease.

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Travel & Leisure 1. Boulder’s Beach, South Africa Boulder’s Beach is one of the most unique white-sand beaches in the world. Located in Simon’s Town in the Western Cape of South Africa, Boulder’s Beach may have a long white sand beach, but it’s best known for its population of penguins as pictured..

Yes, you read that right.

A beach on the African continent has penguins.

Home to a species of penguin called the African Penguin, Boulder’s Beach offers tourists an opportunity to swim in the sea while penguins stroll along the beach. Parts of the beach are protected, but people still have access to large public areas. There are believed to be between 2,000 and 4,000 penguins at Boulder’s Beach.

This beach is also muchloved for its tall boulders, hence the name.

2. Clearwater Beach, United States Next up is Clearwater Beach in Florida, United States.

Often ranked as one of the best beaches in the US, Clearwater Beach offers an impressive four kilometres of soft white sand beach perfect for a vacation. The beach is also lined with resorts and amenities, so you can spend almost all your time there.

When you’re not strolling along the beach, sunbathing, or enjoying a cold beer at one of the beachside bars, you could participate in water sports. At Clearwater Beach, activities such as jetskiing, paddle-boarding, and parasailing are also available.

Cycling and rollerblading alongside the beach are also popular. Meanwhile, Pier 60 comes to life in the evenings with a nightly festival and market.

3. Anse Source d’Argent, Seychelles Anse Source d’Argent is easily one of the most iconic whitesand beaches in the world, and for good reason. This small yet impactful beach in La Digue offers a stunning mix of pristine white sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, tall palm trees, and towering granite boulders.

Better yet, nearby coral reefs offer bountiful snorkelling opportunities while also helping to keep the waters around the beach calm.

At Anse Source d’Argent, you’ll likely spend most of

Those beautiful white sand beaches your time taking photos for your Instagram feed, sunbathing, strolling, and relaxing. Alternatively, more adventurous tourists who can’t sit still can snorkel in the coral reef and kayak around the island.

4. Diani Beach, Kenya Diani Beach is a hidden gem.

Despite offering an exquisite stretch of white sand beach, breathtaking turquoise waters, and tall palm trees, this beach isn’t as famous as other white sand beaches worldwide.

Explore all your hotel options here Considering Diani Beach offers 17 kilometres of undisturbed beach, most tourists are seriously missing out. Furthermore, the hilly landscape surrounding the beach is equally magnificent, and the Indian Ocean offers warmer waters than other

beach destinations.

At Diani Beach, you can relax under the sun, swim in the sea, and participate in watersports such as fishing, boating, and kite surfing.

What’s not to like?

order, too. On such a trip, you can spot dolphins, hawksbill turtles, stingrays, and reef sharks. Watersports like paddleboarding and kayaking are also popular at Grace Bay Beach.

5. Grace Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos Undoubtedly, two things that make Grace Bay such a dreamy location are its long white-sand beach and crystal-clear turquoise waters.

Lined by tall palm trees and luxury resorts, tourists travel to Grace Bay Beach to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

At this beach, you can soak up the sun on a sun lounger, swim in the sea, drink cold beers at a beachside bar, and enjoy local food in nearby restaurants. Grace Bay Beach is also home to diverse marine life, so a snorkelling or scuba diving trip could be in

6. Johnny Cay, Colombia Johnny Cay is a small seahorse-shaped island in the Caribbean Sea, belonging to the Colombian Department of Archipelago of San Andrés.

This tiny slice of paradise is famed for its towering coconut trees, coral reefs, shallow blue waters, and beautiful white-sand beaches.

On Johnny Cay, you can expect to spend your day swimming in the sea, listening to reggae music, tucking into seafood, sunbathing, and snorkelling.

Unfortunately, tourists can’t stay on Johnny Cay, and you can only reach the island by boat. Therefore, you’ll have to

make the most of your visit.

The beach can get busy, but it’s still worth visiting.

7. Matira Beach, Bora Bora Bora Bora in French Polynesia is the epitome of luxury travel. Famous for its impressive mountain peaks, palm-tree-lined beaches, overwater bungalows, and crystalline waters, there’s arguably no better place to visit if you’re planning a luxury holiday.

Matira Beach is a 1.6-kilometre public beach with perfectly white sand and clear Polynesian water.

With few amenities, bars, and restaurants, it’s the perfect place to unwind.

Spend your time on the beach relaxing, sunbathing, and swimming in the sea.

The beach does have a picnic area, so you could most likely arrange a luxury picnic with

Bucharest a best-value summer holiday Ready to book a summer getaway? A beautiful city in Eastern Europe has been named as one of the continent’s best value summer holiday destinations.

According to research from the team at Flight Hacks, Bucharest is the best value holiday destination for this

summer.

The Romanian capital is sometimes known as ‘Little Paris’ as its architecture bears similarities to the City of Lights.

The team’s research found that the price of a hotel cost just €90 on average, making it a bargain compared to other European cities.

So what is there to do in Bucharest?

Bucharest’s top-rated attraction on Tripadvisor is the Stavropoleos Monastery which was built in the 1700s.

A tourist wrote: “The Stavropoleos Monastery is a little gem nestled into the old town of Bucharest. It’s amazing how peaceful and

quiet it is given its location.”

If it’s good weather, check out the monuments at Herastrau Park which one tourist described as “a great oasis of peace”.

Bucharest is also close to one of Europe’s best value spas. Theme București is outside the city centre and has a huge range of pools

and spa facilities.

Admission to the spa can cost as little as €35 and one tourist described it as “an amazing wellness centre”.

After a day at the spa, tuck into a plate of papanasi, a form of fried doughnut filled with cottage cheese and cream and smothered in berry jam.

the resort you’re staying in.

8. Tulum Beach, Mexico Located on the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Tulum Beach has long been a popular vacation destination with beachgoers.

Lined with luxury resorts and plenty of places to eat and drink, this long sandy beach has the most amazing soft white sand, turquoise waters, and picture-perfect sunsets.

Aside from its apparent natural beauty and array of luxury hotels, the beach is also popular because of its unique culture and historical significance.

The area surrounding the beach has been heavily influenced by the indigenous Mayan people, who have lived in the region for thousands of years.

The Tulum Ruins overlook the beach, offering visitors an insight into Mayan culture.

Europe’s cheapest city breaks 1. Bucharest, Romania 2. Krakow, Poland 3. Seville, Spain 4. Prague, Czechia 5. Warsaw, Poland 6. Istanbul, Turkey 7. Riga, Latvia 8. Frankfurt, Germany 9. Porto, Portugal 10. Valencia, Spain

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 17th May 2024

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Opinion

Furthermore Gerry Moran

The bombings: I remember that summer in Dublin Friday, May, 17 1974. I am sitting in my bedsit in Home Farm Road in Dublin’s Drumcondra. It’s sometime after five o’clock and I am cramming as students do when exams loom large on the horizon; cramming because I didn’t exactly haunt the library of Saint Patrick’s Training College, just down the road, where I had been doing a one-year, post-graduate course to qualify as a primary school teacher.

Suddenly, I hear a loud thud. I assumed it was the gas boiler in the bathroom which was erratic and prone to noisy eruptions.

I check it out – nothing.

About 15 minutes later the phone in the hallway rings.

It’s my mother. “Ger,” she exclaims, “thanks be to God and His Blessed Mother.

Are you alright?”

“Of course. Why?” “Son, there’s been several bomb explosions in the city

and I feared you might have been caught up in them.

There’s a lot of people dead.” (27 people died, one a nine-month pregnant woman, as a result of the explosions while another seven would die when a bomb exploded in Monaghan some 90 minutes later).

I am shocked. My mother wasn’t ringing from home – she had just arrived in Hueston Station. My older brother, John, who was meeting her shared the breaking news about the bombs and she immediately rang me. Because my mother was in Dublin it brought the horror of the bombing much closer and made it more frightening for her. And now I understood the loud thud.

And, yes, I could have been caught up in it as I occasionally frequented Talbot S., Parnell St and South Leinster St where the

bombs exploded, almost simultaneously, around 5.30pm.

That night my flatmate John Cleere (of Cleere’s Pub fame) myself and some mutual friends played cards and drank some cans but the cards, the cans were incidental, as the conversation kept returning to the bombs. Why? Who? And the senseless slaughter of it all! Looking back now, we were somewhat traumatised. Later that night Jack, John’s good friend, drove me across the city to Kenilworth Square to be with my girlfriend who was also traumatised by it all.

And I shall never forget that drive along O’Connell Street – it was deserted, bleak and so, so silent. It was absolutely eerie. My girlfriend, who I had been going out with for three years, and I hugged each other like we never hugged before. Tragedy brings us

all closer, I believe, and makes us more appreciative of our togetherness.

Actually my girlfriend

“Yes, I could have been caught up in it..

and I did hug each other as closely, more closely in fact, back in December 1972. We had decided to go to some film or other in the Corinthian Cinema (I think) on Eden Quay. We could get two tickets but not together!

And so we crossed the road, O’Connell Bridge actually, to the Film Centre on Burgh Quay; during that film we heard, not a loud thud, but a loud bang!

Afterwards we learned that a car bomb had detonated in Eden Quay and a second bomb had exploded in Sackville Place (near O’Connell Street) Two people were killed and 127 injured. We had several stiff drinks that night in our local, well away from the city centre. And boy did we hug.

With all that’s going on in Gaza and the universities at the moment I can’t help but wonder if I were a student today would I be caught

up in it all? Would I be out there waving a Palestinian flag, would I be confronting the hierarchy of UCD (where I was studying in ’72) I don’t think so. I was never a rebel student. Never a rebel. Full stop.

That said however, my then girlfriend and I did march on the British Embassy in Merrion Square back in February 1972 in protest at Bloody Sunday Massacre in the North January 30.

We didn’t exactly march on the embassy but we were there among an estimated crowd of between 20,000 and 100,000. And as the embassy burned – a clear and vivid memory – someone was shouting: ‘Burn everything British except their condoms.”

All of which reminds me of when, and where, I bought my first condom.

But that, as they say, is for another day.

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Opinion

The Last Word Pat Coughlan

The power of your vote in local elections When it comes down to it, throwing your vote in the local elections is a massive deal. It’s not just about picking who gets to sit in the big chair; it’s about having a say in the nitty-gritty of what’s happening right in your own backyard.

Across Ireland, particularly in spots like Kilkenny, your vote is a powerful tool that shapes the community’s future. Whether it’s fixing potholes, sorting out the local schools, or even bigger projects, every vote counts.

So, don’t be thinking your voice doesn’t matter. It’s the complete opposite.

When it’s down to the brass tacks of it, local government in Ireland isn’t just a bunch of folks sitting round making decisions willy-nilly.

They’re in the thick of it, making calls on everything from planning permissions to managing the local parks and libraries we’re all fond of. They’re the ones keeping

the streets clean, running the services that make daily life that bit smoother, and having a fair old crack at community development.

Local councils have their fingers in a lot of pies, controlling budgets and projects that genuinely affect our day-to-day living. Without them, who’d sort the recycling centres or keep the playgrounds in shipshape?

It’s all under their remit, making sure our towns and communities are not just surviving, but thriving.

Local governments are not just there to fill the potholes or keep the streetlights on.

They’re actually at the coalface when it comes to tackling our housing crisis. Now you may criticise their progress but look at initiatives they’ve been rolling out, all geared towards bumping up the numbers of social housing. From developing unused lands into affordable housing projects to refur-

bishing derelict buildings, local councils are putting the hard yards in. It’s a tough gig, but someone’s gotta do it, and they’re at the heart of the push for more accessible homes for everyone.

So what has the Kilkenny Local Council been up to lately? They’ve been all hands-on deck trying to ramp up social housing, making sure folks have roofs over their heads. Not

just that, but they’ve been sprucing up local services.

We’re talking parks that now look like something out of a fairy tale, buses running like clockwork, and community centres that are buzzing with activities. It’s the little things that make a big difference, and Kilkenny’s council is showing us how it’s done.

Now, ye might be thinking, what difference does my one vote make? Ye see,

when it comes to where ye live, in the lovely Kilkenny, voting in local elections is where the magic happens.

It’s your golden ticket to having a say in the things that matter right at your doorstep – we’re talking social housing, your local parks, and even the state of the roads. By throwing your hat in the ring and voting, you’re essentially telling the council what you want more of, or less of, in your own backyard. It’s important because when the community gets behind something, that’s when you see real changes happening on the ground. So, don’t be thinking your vote doesn’t count; in local elections, it’s pure gold.

Wanting to throw your hat in the ring for local elections is one thing, but getting stuck in is a whole other kettle of fish.

And so to voters. First, getting yourself registered

to vote is crucial. It’s no use crying if you miss out on having your say because the paperwork wasn’t sorted.

Then, there’s the part about staying clued in on what’s what in local government.

You’ve got your council meetings and decisions that’ll be affecting the local area quicker than you can say “job’s done”. So, catching up on council minutes or heading to a meeting couldn’t hurt. Also, don’t underestimate the power of a chat with your local representatives. A good natter could go a long way.

And if you’re feeling bold, why not throw your own name in the hat next time around? There’s nothing to say your voice couldn’t be the one leading the charge from the inside.

Voting in the local elections will be held on Friday, June 7. Polling stations will open from 7am to 10pm.

See also Page 26

Accessibility is an everyday issue The political calendar is particularly active at the moment with Candidates and Canvassers hitting the pavement hard, busy knocking on doors and talking to people about local issues and just about anything really. The most popular questions put to me are usually: “Is this your first time running?”

I ran in 2019 and it was a short campaign of about 3 or 4 weeks – I received 300 first preference votes and I doubled on transfers. I was not elected as I came 9th whereby seven seats were up for grabs. Fourteen candidates ran, four of whom were female. Seven men were elected, and as I tell people I’m not anti-man, but I’m definitely pro-female. ”Where are you from?”

I was born and raised in Kilkenny. I grew up in Loughboy. I went to St. John of God primary school and the Presentation Secondary School, and I also attended the Ormonde College. I am lucky enough to have my office in Patrick Street, Kilkenny

where I work as a Trade Union official.

“What Cleere are you?”

Most people want to know who you are; breed, seed and generation. My father is a Cleere from Johns Quay and my mother is a Geoghegan from Delahunty Terrace.

“What are you going to do for us?”

As a Kilkenny person through and through, I take great pride in my County.

I want to see that Kilkenny is accessible for everyone, with the amenities that make

life easier. From listening to what people have to say from my engagement with them recently regarding issues that face them at local level, the hot topics are everyday issues such as; parking, permits for residents parking, needing more space for parking where green space is available, real concerns over traffic in particular, the addition of multiple housing on the western environs and the additional pressure this will add to the Kennys Well road area which is in need of much review as the traffic here is already heavy and problematic. The maintenance and accessibility of car roads, the upkeep of existing cycle lanes along with the need for more cycle lanes and more bins for rubbish and dog walkers – all these issues cause much difficulty every day for residents and visitors to Kilkenny alike. A safe system needs to be put in place for walkers to cross the ring road whether it is workers or shoppers trying to cross at any point, most pedestrians feel that they are taking their lives into their own hands. It is counterintuitive to the green agenda not to address this issue of accessibility for hundreds of everyday users.

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Certificates received with pride Kilkenny Employment For Youth Trainee’s took part in 8 weeks Self Defence training, delivered by Instructor’s Guy Jones, President of the European Song Moo Kwan and Dominika Mlynarska.

Kilkenny Employment For Youth Trainees receiving their Certificates from Mayor Joe Malone, Sergeant John Duffy, Instructor Guy Jones, Majella Nugent, Manager Kilkenny Employment For Youth

In Bloom Future Sounds of Kilkenny Live gig series for young people 2024

If you are a young emerging Kilkenny musician, singer songwriter or in a band, Kilkenny Arts Office is inviting you to apply to be a part of ‘In Bloom, Future Sounds of Kilkenny’.

July is set to be an electrifying month for the city’s music scene with the launch of a gig series dedicated to young emerging musicians and bands. Kilkenny County Council Arts Office and Cleeres pub promises a vibrant showcase of fresh talent, all in a welcoming, alcoholfree environment. These events will not only provide a platform for young artists but also foster a burgeoning gig culture within the city. It’s an opportunity for young musicians to connect with audiences, build a following, and energise the city with their creativity and passion.

The series is more than just a set of gigs; it’s a movement towards amplifying young voices and nurturing the youth arts community. So, get ready to be part of something special – a celebration of new music in the city!

Venue: Cleeres Pub, Parliament Street, Kilkenny Dates: Sunday July 21st, August 11th, Sept 1st and Sept 22nd Time: 2-4pm Strictly alcohol-free events To apply you must be • A musician, singer songwriter or in a band currently based in Kilkenny or originally from Kilkenny • an emerging/early career musician • between the ages of 14 – 21 years old • Submit a completed application form • Successful applicants under 18 years must have a completed parental consent form to take part • Must be available on the following dates July 21st, August 11th, Sept 1st and Sept 22nd In order to apply you must visit the link below to download application form and guidelines: https://kilkennyartsoffice.ie/in-bloomfuture-sounds-of-kilkenny/ Application closing date: 4pm Monday June 17th 2024

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Bike Week

Students from Johns Senior School having a blast during Bikeweek at the pop-up Mountain Bike track at County Hall, a joint initiative from Kilkenny County Council and Cycling Ireland

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 17th May 2024

Opinion

Interrogation at Woodstock Part three

A view of Woodstock House from the gardens

Following the Friary Street ambush, the Tans stopped Tom Nolan’s bus which was returning to Callan from Kilkenny. Jim Bolger of Callan (formerly from Castlecomer) was aboard.

He’d been taking driving lessons from Tom Nolan as he intended to drive a lorry and a threshing set for the Co-op in Callan.

Unfortunately for him, he was wearing bicycle clips and the Tans arrested him, suspecting he was one of the rebels who, they assumed, had escaped on bikes after the failed ambush.

He was driven to Auxiliary HQ at Woodstock, Inistioge, where he was introduced to an officer. He denied involvement in the ambush and the Major ordered his men to take Jim to the basement of Woodstock House…the most feared building in the county…

BY JOHN FITZGERALD

Nudging him with bayonets, the Tans guided Jim to a damp, cold, dreary cellar.

Squatting in the darkness on flagstones, he had to kick away the rats that inched towards him.

He shouted for somebody to take him out of the cellar.

No response came, but after what seemed like two or three hours, the cellar door swung open and soldiers yelled at him to accompany them to the Major’s office.

Shaking with the cold, Jim repeated his denial of any involvement in rebel activities.

The Major nodded to one of the soldiers flanking the Callan man. The Tan struck Jim with his rifle butt, knocking him to the ground.

When he tried to rise to his feet, he was punched and kicked by the two soldiers.

The Major joined in the as-

saults, slapping Jim across the face with a Sambrown belt.

Without looking up, Jim heard the Major’s voice booming: "You’re going back down to your chums, the rats in the basement, Bolger.

When you confess your involvement in the Kilkenny ambush and give us the names of the other rebels, you can walk out of here. If you refuse to co-operate, you Irish bastaud, your family had better be prepared for a funeral."

Having said this, The Major

2nd Battalion Kilkenny IRA

nodded to one of the soldiers.

The soldier held Jim’s head off the floor by the hair while the second Tan kicked the prostrate and helpless man in the face.

Jim caught the full impact of a hobnailed boot. Blood poured from his mouth and nose. Clutching his painracked head, he found two front teeth and bits of torn flesh in his hand. Unable to stand, he was dragged down the stone steps to the basement and again locked into

the dark, cobwebbed, and rat-infested room.

Other suspects received similar and even worse treatment at the former home of the Tighe family. While confined in the cellar, Jim heard the screams of suspects who were being interrogated. He also passed one of these detainees in a corridor during his second day in custody.

The man he saw was stripped to the waist and covered in blood and bruises.

This prisoner seemed to be stunned or unconscious as two drunken Tans half carried and half dragged him past Jim towards another part of the basement.

For a total of seven days, Jim Bolger had to endure the same painful, nerve-shattering routine of psychological and physical torture…Hours of isolation followed by rapidfire questioning and beatings.

Then, accepting that Jim was innocent; the Major ordered his release from custody.

Jim had his injuries seen to by a doctor in Callan and was soon back to work…helping

All that remains of the majestic but infamous Woodstock House

out on Tom Nolan’s bus.

Later in the year, he drove a lorry for Callan Co-op. He was a good-humoured man who was well liked in Callan and on all the farms where he operated the old threshing sets.

In later years, his wife Molly ran a pub in Mill Street.

He never forgot his weeklong stay at Woodstock and that look on the Major’s face that Jim said would "stop a clock.".

The gentle giant died in 1951. He is remembered as one of life’s gentlemen and a true friend of Callan. Brian Byrne (Desart) told me a revealing anecdote about Jim: In his lorry driving days, he always slowed down if he saw a cat, a hedgehog, or even a crow on the road in front of

him…Unlike the Tan who shot old Betsy the sheepdog!

(Picture shows: Men of the 2nd Battalion Kilkenny Brigade IRA. L to R: Pat Walsh, Dunaghmore, Johnstown, Thomas Noonan, Woodsgift, Michael Ryan, Graine, James Dunne, Urlingford, Paddy Drennan, Islands, Paddy Connell, Boher, Crosspatrick.)

My novel, Invaders, tells the story of how a small band of men and women in 17th century Ireland took on one of the most powerful armies in the world.

It’s available from Amazon and Kilkenny bookshops

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 17th May 2024

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KCETB Martha Bolger, Director of Further Education and Training with KCETB Facilitators

Flourishing through learning with KCETB Kilkenny and Carlow ETB’s Further Education and Training Learner Voice Forum Kilkenny and Carlow ETB’s Further Education and Training (FET) Service held their Learner Voice Forum in the Springhill Hotel last month, and it was a resounding success for the local education and training provider. In attendance was over 100 learners from a range of education and training programmes across Carlow and Kilkenny.

The learners gathered to talk about their experience of learning with Kilkenny and Carlow ETB (KCETB). The event highlighted the inclusiveness and diversity of KCETB’s FET provision.

The learners are studying

FET Learners

a wide range of modules at different levels and in various locations across Kilkenny and Carlow. Some learners are currently engaged in full time and part-time education at NFQ levels 3 to 6, while other learners are attending part-time education programmes at levels 1 and 2, including return to learning courses and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages). Other cohorts are involved in informal education under the Community Education strand with KCETB. The learner group discussions were facilitated by KCETB staff from different pro-

FET Speakers Panel 1 Past Learners

grammes who took on the role of facilitators for the event.

Martha Bolger, Director of Further Education

and Training formally launched the event and welcomed all our learners from across the range of FET programmes.

Ms. Bolger emphasised the importance of the learner voice in shaping our further education and training provision

and supports and in particular the identification of areas for improvement.

According to Ms. Bolger “It is of utmost importance to KCETB to hear about the learners’ experience. The forum provides us with a valuable insight into a range of topics to include feedback in relation to course experience, access and progression plans following completion of their studies with KCETB.” Part of the learner event involved a panel discussion hosted by Seán Ó hArgáin. The panel comprised of past learners who had progressed from their FET courses

FET Speakers Panel 2 Past Learners

with KCETB and are now in employment, selfemployment and some have progressed onto third level education.

They are living examples of the valuable pathways and progression routes available through KCETB FET’s courses.

Thank you to all our learners, current and past and our staff for making this event a wonderful success. We are enthusiastically looking forward to hosting the 2025 Learner Voice Forum and we wish all our current learners much success with their future endeavours, dreams and hopes as they flourish through learning.

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Global Report Next month sees general elections in many European countries. Gains for the farright will be tough, if not impossible, to translate into more power in parliament, according to political experts, but they could boost nationalist parties in EU capitals – with the accompanying consequences.

So far polling implies farright and hardline conservatives could finish first in nine EU states, including Austria, France and the Netherlands, in the polls between June 6 and 9, and second or third in another nine, including Germany, Spain, Portugal and Sweden.

This report is part of European Parliament Elections 2024: What Is at Stake?

This year is the biggest election year in history. Almost half of the global population will be able to cast their vote in more and less democratic elections around the world.

The European elections are not even the largest elections in terms of size of electorate this year – that honour belongs to the world’s “largest democracy”, India.

Still, with a combined electorate of over 400 million people, voting across 27 countries, the European elections are both big and important.

As in the previous two European elections, all eyes will be on the far right, which is expected to be the big winner this year. This is, in itself, understandable.

Far-right parties are topping the polls in many European countries, including Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland.

Still, it is important to remember that the far right already won in 2014 and 2019 (Manucci, 2021), which means that there is less space for growth. Moreover, for the moment, the far right remains divided, which could keep it in the political margins in Brussels.

The upcoming elections are expected to further mainstream far-right ideas and parties and pull the European Parliament further to the right. In many ways, this simply means that EU politics will fall more in line with most of its member states, where far-right parties have become largely mainstreamed and normalised.

That said, the European Parliament is a unique institution, and its internal politics require a short explanation to better understand.

The European Parliament and European elections The European Parliament (EP) is the legislature of the European Union (EU). Although the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community, the predecessor of the EU, was founded in 1952, the members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have only been directly elected since 1979.

In fact, up to this day, the EP remains “the EU’s only directly-elected institution”,

Plain man’s guide to the European elections 2024

as its website proudly boasts.

The EP has slowly but steadily increased its power within the complex EU structure.

Most importantly, unlike in national parliamentary systems, the two EU executives are not dependent upon majority support of the EP. The main executive, the European Council, is completely independent from the EP, consisting of the government leaders of all (currently 27) member states. The European Commission, the day-today EU executive, is mostly independent of the EP: Commissioners are chosen by the governments of the member states, but the EP elects the President of the Commission and has the right to approve or dismiss the whole Commission.

The EP is also different from the two executives in terms of its internal workings. Simply stated, the members of the Council represent their individual countries, the members of the Commission represent the EU, and the members of the Parliament represent their party’s ideology. Rather than by country, MEPs sit together by political group, which are organised by ideology, at least in theory – in practice, more opportunistic power considerations often play a role, too.

Currently, there are seven

“Radical right MEPs could emerge with a majority for the first time...

official groups, which are, ordered by number of seats in the 2019 elections: the right-wing European People’s Party (EPP), the centreleft Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), the liberal Renew Europe (Renew), the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA), the far-right Identity & Democracy (ID), the “conservative” (but really also far- right) European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), and the far-left Confederal Group of the European United Left – Nordic Green Left (GUE/ NGL). Finally, there is the “non-group” Non-Inscrits (NI), which combines all unaffiliated parties but does not have group privileges.

The political groups differ in terms of number of seats, ideological homogeneity and voting discipline.

Just as the EP is not a typi-

cal parliament, European elections are not typical elections. In many ways, it is misleading to even speak of (the) “European elections”.

Although electing representatives for the same legislative body (ie. MEPs), the European elections are essentially 27 separate national elections, with very different national campaigns, parties and even electoral rules.

Moreover, the results in the elections in one member state (say Germany) are completely independent of those in another (say Malta).

It is therefore always tricky to speak of European developments or trends, as most apply only to some EU member states.

The European elections are “second-order elections” because – unlike “first- order elections” – they do not determine the constitution of an executive. According

to second-order elections theory, people are less interested in these elections and therefore vote less and vote more often “with the boot” (protest) or “the heart” (support) than with “the head” (strategic).

Consequently, there is a common perception that governing parties struggle, while small, extreme and opposition parties flourish. It has long been believed that far-right parties do (much) better in European than in national elections, but empirical studies have found this not to be the case, when one focuses on the average rather than the outliers.

The 2024 European elections: Campaign and votes There are several novelties to the 2024 European elections. Probably most importantly, this will be the first election since the finalisation of the UK’s exit from the EU and consequently, there will be fewer seats than in the previous elections. These will also be the first elections after several important “crises”, which have fundamentally affected politics in the EU and its member states, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the (second) Russian invasion of Ukraine and the most recent conflict in Gaza.

But in other ways, the 2024 elections will be very similar to the previous ones, in particular the 2019 elections. Most voters will again see them as “second-order elections”, of secondary relevance, and turnout will again be much lower than in national parliamentary elections. Many parties will devote far fewer resources than in national campaigns.

And most media (and parties) will primarily focus on national issues (and politicians), largely ignoring European issues such as the enlargement and institutional reform of the EU. Finally, the overarching narrative of the European elections will again be that of a weak democracy challenged by an emboldened far right – which returned with a vengeance after the shocking victory of Geert Wilders in the 2023 Dutch elections.

A recent report predicts “a sharp right turn” in the 2024 European elections (Cunningham et al., 2024). Based on the most recent opinion polls in all 27 member states, analysts warn that “a populist right coalition of Christian democrats, conservatives, and radical right MEPs could emerge with a majority for the first time” in the history of the European Parliament.

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Advertisement surroundings of the Rothe House Garden. It's the perfect opportunity to unwind, reconnect with nature, and soak up the atmosphere of this historical gem.

• Browse our beautiful range of Irish products: Avail of fantastic discounts in The Merchant Shop on the day.

Get growing at the Rothe House annual plant sale The sun is shining, the days are getting longer, and it's the perfect time to spruce up your garden. Mark your calendars for the Rothe House Annual Plant Sale, happening on Saturday, May 25th from 11am to 4pm.

This popular event is a fantastic opportunity to find unique and beautiful plants for your home and garden.

This year's sale promises a vibrant selection of over 40 varieties of plants. All the plants on sale are grown with

care by Rothe House's Head Gardener, Mary Pyke, using bulbs, seeds, and cuttings nurtured right here in the historic Rothe House Garden.

More than just a Plant Sale • Meet the Gardener: Mary Pyke will be on hand throughout the day to answer some questions and offer tips on caring for your new plant purchases.

• Picnic in the Picturesque Setting: Pack a picnic basket and enjoy a relaxing afternoon amidst the serene

The Early Bird Gets the Best Blooms The Rothe House Plant Sale is a delightful event for the whole family. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon browsing the plant selection and soaking up the sunshine in the beautiful Rothe House Garden. However, with a limited stock of plants available, we recommend arriving early to secure your favourites. While we strive to accommodate card payments, we recommend bringing cash for a smoother transaction.

Rothe House Trust was established in 2004 to protect, promote and preserve this historic 17th-century house and garden, Ireland’s only intact merchant house and garden. The annual plant sale is a key event in our calendar and your support is greatly appreciated. It's a chance to find the perfect plant companions, support a local cause, and celebrate the joy of gardening in a beautiful historical setting.

Mark your calendars for May 25th - we look forward to seeing you there!

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Bus in the city On April 30th, students from three schools in Kilkenny took part in areas first Bus in the City event.

Students from Kilkenny Model School, Kilkenny School Project and Gaelscoil Osrai boarded the bus to experience Kilkenny city first hand and learn about bus safety features, ticket types and the environmental benefits of public transport.

In total over 90 students and teachers participated including members of RTE staff who filmed the event for the NEWS2DAY programme.

‘Bus in the City’ is a unique interactive event designed to promote public transport networks in schools located on existing public bus routes. As part of this event students explore their city by bus and learn about the environmental benefits of public transport, accessibility, safety features and services available in their area. For many, it is their first trip on a local bus route. In addition, active travel measures implemented to promote all forms of sustainable transport are highlighted as the bus moves through the city.

Bus in the city was first piloted in Limerick in 2013 with the support of Bus Eireann and has been delivered successfully since that time. As part of a pilot to extend this initiative nationwide, An Taisce’s Green-Schools Travel

Bus in the City – Kilkenny

Kilkenny School Project

engaged with Kilkenny Bus operators City Direct to deliver the regions first ‘Bus in the City’ event.

This initiative is designed to provide locally relevant

experiences to students in the hope that they may opt to use public transport networks as they get older.

The workshop also includes a stop to the Garda station

where the community Gardai boards the bus to speak to students about stranger danger, promote safe behaviour on the bus and answer any questions

Gaelscoil Osrai

Kilkenny Model School with Garda Pauric

they may have. The students were excited to interview Garda Mark Nolan, Garda Pauric Keegan and Inspector Paul Donohue from Kilkenny Garda station.

Students also interviewed city direct where they learned that city buses are different to expressway buses in that they can only travel at low speeds and passengers can stand and sit.

Jonathan McDaid, City Direct Manager commented ‘City Direct Bus Service is delighted to work with Green-Schools to support bus services in Kilkenny.

The service is relatively new in Kilkenny and passenger numbers are on the increase. Linking with the community through events such as Bus in the city help to raise awareness about our

service and enable students to witness the many benefits of opting to take the bus’ Ellen O Sullivan, GreenSchools Travel commented ‘An Taisces Green-Schools Travel has championed soft measures to promote sustainable travel in schools since 2008. Bus in the city is unique and a key example of our work to engage schools and local stakeholders in sustainable transport options in their area. This event has been hugely successful in Limerick thanks to the support of Bus Éireann and Kilkenny was our first event outside Limerick and first time working with other bus service operators. This event was also delivered in Waterford with Bus Eireann on May 1st as part of a ‘Bus in the City’ pilot with a view to extending it nationwide in 2025. We would like to extend our gratitude to An Garda Siochana who helped make this event the success that it was.

This year, in partnership with the National Transport Authority, schools participating in the Bus in the City initiative are invited to participate in an exciting new art competition where winning entries will be considered for display at the school’s local bus stop.

This year’s theme is ‘The magical bus stop’: Create an imaginative artwork about a bus or a bus stop that has supernatural powers!’.

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News

Network Ireland Kilkenny Launches €1,500 Mega Draw in aid of Teac Tom Fundraiser Mega Draw hopes to raise €10,000 to support 200 counselling sessions Network Ireland Kilkenny has announced the launch of its online Mega Draw in aid of Teac Tom, its chosen charity partner for 2024.

Teac Tom provides mental health support and suicide intervention services across Kilkenny and Laois.

The top prize includes an overnight stay at the stylish Pembroke Kilkenny, with

dinner, plus a day of luxurious pampering worth over €1,500 with a Kilkenny Gift Voucher for €200.

Tickets are available from €5 via the iDonate page. Organisers encourage people to purchase as many as possible to support their charity partners.

The pamper session kicks off with a 90-minute nutritional consultation with Beoga Nutri-

tion, setting the winner up to nourish both body and mind.

Followed by a rejuvenating Bio Penta Ultimate Facial at Mint Kilkenny, a hair consultation and restyle with Rustiq Salon and a makeup consultation with Ilona designed to enhance the winner’s natural beauty.

The experience continues with a style and colour consul-

tation with Designer Threads, giving expert guidance on outfits and colour selections that complement their unique style and personality. Once the winner is red-carpet-ready, the moment will be captured forever with a personal photoshoot by Dominika Stoppa.

Anne Healy, President, Network Ireland Kilkenny, “This fantastic prize is not just about fashion and looking your best, but also about embracing your individuality and feeling confident in your skin.

It’s a reminder to prioritise selfcare amid life's demands. We hope everyone will buy tickets and help us support Teac Tom and the valuable work they do in the community. The more you buy, the more free tickets you receive! We have such amazing prizes; we invite you to spread the word by sharing the draw with your friends and family.”

Teac Tom was established in February 2014 by Angela Hayes. Angela tragically lost her son, Thomas aged 19, to suicide on the anniversary of his dad’s death, which was also from suicide. Overwhelmed by her grief, Angela became a community activist.

Angela explains, “I never want another family to go through the grief we suffered.

That's why I set up Teac Tom to ease the suffering within the community experienced by others in similar circumstances.”

Teac Tom offers a range of vital services to the community, including affordable

and immediate face-to-face counselling, child and adolescent therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy in a safe and nurturing environment.

It runs a 24-hour support line and offers informational talks at schools and corporate engagement.

"The fundraiser is a fantastic opportunity to partner with Network Ireland Kilkenny, not just to spread awareness but to let people know how to access support as well as raise vital funds to support Teac Tom. We aim to raise €10,000; this will support over 200 counselling sessions for those in need.

It’s an incredible gift from Network Ireland Kilkenny.” Angela concluded.

Network Ireland Kilkenny’s fundraiser mega draw, in aid of Teac Tom, is now live on iDonate.

Along with the top prizes, an overnight pamper session worth €1,500, participants are in with a chance of winning tickets to the Abbey Theatre, vouchers for Thyme Restaurant, Athlone, Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny and Butterslip, on Kieran Street, Kilkenny. A wellness hamper from Sásta Skincare, Bó Bar Soap and Melt Away Your Day Candles, and a piece from Biddy’s Good Luck Horseshoes are also in the draw, plus Cloudforests trees planted along the Wild Atlantic Way, dedicated to your family, arranged by local solar PV company Solar Evolution.

Teac Tom (The Thomas Hayes Trust CLG) is a registered charity. For more information or to donate visit https://www.idonate.ie/raffle/ NetworkIrelandKilkennyDraw

Climate Change

– are we all playing our part?

WEEK 69

'Are you ready to care this summer'?

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Change from the bottom up - starting at a local level

I have volunteered for many years in the local family centre and other charities such as Samaritans, Amber Women’s Refuge and Fáilte Isteach.

Since I settled in Ireland, I have learned so much about its culture and people. I gained an insight into the history of this beautiful country, her joys and struggles. Most importantly, I am interested in the human condition and in people's wellbeing.

I was born in Lithuania and in my early 20’s I moved to the UK where I lived for 10

years. I have been living in Ireland for the past ten years.

My multicultural experience has helped me to realise that all of our life experiences are similar with variations in circumstances. I also have a strong innate sense of justice and empathy for all living things. Since I can remember, I used to bring home crows and pigeons with broken or frozen wings, stray dogs and cats. I believe that such empathy can be brought to our political governance, particularly at a local level.

In 2022 I graduated with a BA degree in Social, Political and Community Studies. I apply this learning practically as a director of a

Family Resource Centre. I am currently in the process of studying towards a Masters degree in Human Rights and Social Policy. I believe that this strong academic background will be of immense benefit to me as a political representative.

My passion is working towards strong and cohesive, vibrant communities at a local level to effect change from the bottom up.

If you have any queries please contact me at kristina. doyle@ greenparty. ie

Local Man Paddy – The Artist

Local artist, Paddy Cunningham, Callan, Co. Kilkenny proudly displays his painting of Bruce Springsteen in Kilkenny colours prior to the Concert in Nowlan Park, last Sunday, May 12th.

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Hotel Kilkenny are proud to host the newest - and simply the best touring show in Ireland

Tina -‘Simply The Best’ a show to celebrate the Queen of Rock – Tina Turner will be in Hotel Kilkenny on Saturday 25th May 2024.

Prepare to be blown away by this show, a powerful and extraordinary Tina Turner celebration experience.

Complete with costumes and that iconic red lipstick, she embodies the essence of Tina, in an unforgettable night of soulful performances.

Prepare to groove to hits like 'Private Dancer,' 'Simply The Best,' 'Steamy Windows,' and 'Nutbush' among others. With

a commanding stage presence and a powerhouse voice, this Tina Turner Show guarantees an unforgettable night, delivering all the beloved rock icon's chart-topping timeless classics.

Performance by Proud Mary and her sensational live band "City Limits," featuring Amanda Lane, the show is an exhilarating tribute act that pays homage to the one and only Tina Turner. With a high-energy performance, sensational vocals, and authentic recreations of Tina's signature moves, this event

promises to be an electrifying experience that captures the essence of Tina herself.

Also on nationwide tour with dates in: • Amber Springs Hotel, Gorey, on Friday 24th May • Hotel Kilkenny, Saturday 25th May • Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown, on bank holiday Sunday 2nd June • Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise, Friday 14th June Tickets are on sale from venues and online from www. ticketstop.ie and Eventbrite.

Walk4Ollie2024

Muscular Dystrophy Ireland (MDI) members, Paddy & Claire Hickey, are planning to walk over 200km from Dungarvan to their home town of Enfield this July to raise awareness about the neuromuscular condition, Bethlem myopathy, and raise funds for Muscular Dystrophy Ireland.

The walk is inspired by Paddy and Claire’s son Ollie, who was given the diagnosis of a muscular dystrophy called Bethlem myopathy when he was four years old. Bethlem myopathy is a rare condition affecting the skeletal muscles and connective tissue. The whole idea for the fundraiser was driven by Ollie – first and

foremost to raise awareness about the condition and secondly to raise funds for Muscular Dystrophy Ireland.

The #Walk4Ollie is now in its second year. Last year’s walk, from Castlebar to Enfield, raised over €30,000 and projects associated with Walk4Ollie in 2023 raised over €45,000 for MDI. These monies contribute towards a fund which MDI members can apply to in order to support their personal circumstances, such as education, the arts and general well-being.

This year’s walk will start from Dungarvan on Tuesday 16th July and will finish in Enfield on the 20th. In order to make the walk as accessible

to all who would like to join, the walk will be along the Waterford Greenway and River Barrow.

The schedule & route is as follows: • Tuesday 16th – Dungarvan to Waterford City via Waterford Greenway • Wednesday 17th – Waterford City to Graiguenamanagh • Thursday 18th – Graiguenamanagh to Carlow Town • Friday 19th – Carlow Town to Monasterevin • Saturday 20th – Monasterevin to Enfield For information on the walk, visit the Instagram page: walk4ollie To donate: www.idonate.ie/ walk4ollie24 For information on Muscular Dystrophy Ireland: https://www.mdi. ie/

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Carlow Theatre Group

Odd couple kicks off a busy year for Carlow Theatre Group

Carlow little theatre will perform a piece on John Tyndall during Heritage Week

Carlow Little Theatre Society are delighted to present Neil Simon’s classic and brilliant comedy 'The Odd Couple’, in the George Bernard Shaw Theatre at the VISUAL Centre in Carlow later this month, from May 23rd to 26th.

Poker night at Oscars.....cast of ‘The Odd Couple’ being staged by Carlow Little theatre group

Oscar and Felix entertain The Pigeon sisters in Neil Simons play ‘The Odd Couple’ coming to Carlow’s George Bernard Shaw Theatre

Set in 1960’s New York, Felix Ungar is thrown out by his wife and his recently divorced poker buddy Oscar Madison kindly lets Felix stay with him at his apartment.

Oscar thinks this is a great idea, as he “can’t stand living alone”, and Felix says that he’s “very handy around the house” and is “a terrific cook”. But Felix’s neurotic, neat freak ways clash with Oscar’s easy-going, slobbish nature in a mismatch made in comedic heaven. One of the most entertaining and hilarious comedies in Broadway history, this delightful play follows Oscar and Felix’s foibles, adventures and mishaps as their friendship, and sanity, is put to the test!

A quick look at the author Neil Simon shows the talent of the man born in The Bronx in 1927.

Simon was raised in

New York and had a difficult childhood.

His parents’ relationship was volatile, and his

Inset: The wit and humour of Hugh Leonard will be brought to the Carlow stage in a forthcoming production of Da

Neill Simon, author of The Odd Couple

father left the family on a number of occasions. The younger Simon later studied at the University of Denver.

In the late 1940s and throughout the ’50s, he

worked as a comedy writer for various television shows, perhaps most notably Your Show of Shows and Caesar’s Hour. During this time, he often collaborated with his brother, Danny Simon.

In 1961 Neil’s autobiographical play Come Blow Your Horn opened on Broadway and became a smash success, running for two years. The plays that followed proved extremely popular with audiences and usually had very long runs on Broadway. They included Barefoot in the Park (1963; film 1967); The Odd Couple (1965; film 1968), for which he won the Tony Award for best author; The Star-Spangled Girl(1966; film 1971); Plaza Suite (1968; film 1971); Last of the Red Hot Lovers (1969; film 1972); The Prisoner of Second Avenue (1971; film 1975);The Sunshine Boys (1972; film 1975); California Suite (1976; film 1978); Chapter Two (1977; film 1979); and I Ought to Be in Pictures (1980; film 1982). He also penned a trilogy of autobiographical

plays consisting of Brighton Beach Memoirs(1983; film 1986); Biloxi Blues (1985; film 1988), which was awarded the Tony for best play; and Broadway Bound (1986; television movie 1992).

Subsequent plays included Rumors (1988); Lost in Yonkers (1991; film 1993), which won both a Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award for best play; and The Dinner Party (2000).

'The Odd Couple' will be directed by Mark Cradock and is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd Performances 8pm, 23rd to 26th May 2024 Tickets €22 | €20 (including booking fee). Tickets can be purchased from the Box Office (enquiries via 059 917 2400 | boxoffice@ visualcarlow.ie) via the link in our bio (Instagram) or on-line here:https://visualcarlow.ie/ whats-on/carlow-littletheatre-presents-the-oddcouple

Cast Speed played by Paul Dunne; Murray played by Paddy O'Byrne; Roy played

by Johnny Mulhare Vinnie played by John Jennings Oscar played by Paul McManus ;Felix played

by Jamie Dockery Gwendolyn played by Aoife Reddy and Cecily played by Niamh Deay’ Busy year A busy remainder of the year lies ahead for the society as, among other things, it is developing a significant dramatic piece regarding John Tyndall to be performed during Heritage Week, producing a OneAct Festival in the autumn and will also be performing Hugh Leonard’s acclaimed three-act play ‘Da’ at VISUAL in October. This Autumn will also see the group taking a new one-act play by Barry McKinley, ‘3 Kings’, onto the All-Ireland, One-Act circuit, performing it at festivals around the country.

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Food & Drink

Dine Me

Frozen mango daiquiri

Come

With

Prep: 5 mins Serves: 5 Make this frozen mango daiquiri for a treat on a hot day. Like a grown-up slushy, it’s so smooth and scoopable, you could serve it with a spoon.

Ingredients • 50ml white rum • 25ml mango liqueur or mango gin • 10ml lemon juice • ½ ripe mango, peeled, stoned and cut into chunks (130-150g prepared weight), plus a wedge to garnish (optional) • ice • Thai basil sprig, to garnish (optional) Method STEP 1 Put the rum, liqueur or gin, lemon juice, mango flesh and a generous handful of ice in a highpowered blender that’s suitable for crushing ice.

Juicy prawn and lemongrass burgers Prep: 10 mins Cook: 20 mins Serves: 2 Make these light seafood burgers for enjoying al fresco – a great pescatarian option for when you’re hosting a barbecue. They’re fragrant with lemongrass and chilli.

Ingredients • 200g raw king prawns, shelled and roughly chopped

• 1 spring onion, roughly chopped • ½ tbsp lemongrass paste • 2 garlic cloves, grated • ½ red chilli, finely chopped • 10g coriander, roughly chopped • 2 gluten-free vegan burger buns, split • 1 tbsp sunflower oil • ½ cucumber, peeled into ribbons (avoiding the seeded core) • ½ lime, juiced • 2 tbsp vegan sriracha mayo, to serve (optional)

Quick banana ice cream Prep: 5 mins Plus freezing Serves: 4 A no-churn ice cream that’s low-fat, super-healthy and counts as one of your fivea-day.

Ingredients • 4 ripe bananas, cut into chunks • 3-4 tbsp milk • 2 tbsp toasted flaked almonds • 2 tbsp ready-made

toffee or chocolate sauce Method STEP 1 Pop the banana chunks on a flat tray and cover well. Freeze for at least 1 hr, or until frozen through.

When ready to eat throw the banana into a food processor and whizz until smooth with enough of the milk to achieve a creamy texture. Scoop into 4 bowls or glasses, then top with the sauce and nuts.

STEP 1 Put a quarter of the chopped prawns in a small bowl and set aside, then tip the rest into the bowl of a food processor. Add the spring onion, lemongrass paste, garlic, chilli and coriander, then pulse to a paste. Stir in the reserved chopped prawns and season well.

STEP 2 Form the mixture into two chunky burger patties using dampened hands and set

aside on a sheet of baking parchment.

STEP 3 Heat a frying pan over a medium heat and toast the cut sides of the buns until golden. Remove from the pan and set aside on two plates. Drizzle in the oil and, once shimmering, cook the prawn patties for 3-4 mins on each side, covering with a lid on for the final minute, until golden and cooked through.

STEP 4 Meanwhile, combine the cucumber ribbons with the lime juice and a pinch of salt. Set aside.

STEP 2 Blend until smooth, then pour into a large cocktail or margarita glass and garnish with a mango slice and Thai basil, if you like.

Non-alcoholic mojito

STEP 5 Spread the vegan mayo over the base of each burger bun, if using, then top with a prawn pattie, some cucumber pickle and the bun tops. Serve straightaway.

Prep: 5 mins Serves: 1 Mix a delicious mocktail that tastes just like a classic mojito, using zesty lime juice and fresh mint for a satisfying but simple serve.

Ingredients • 75ml White Cane Spirit • 30ml lime juice, plus a slice to serve • 15ml sugar syrup • 8-10 mint leaves, plus a sprig to serve • soda water, to top up Method STEP 1 Put all the ingredients except the soda water into a highball glass, and add a few ice cubes. Stir well until cold, then top up with the soda water. Garnish with a mint sprig and lime slice to serve.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 17th May 2024

Netflix is home to a rather vast library of titles, ranging from comedy to horror and romance, and everything you can think of in between those three probably found its home on the world’s largest streamer. Each week, the streamer releases a list of the most popular titles from the world of television and film that are receiving the most love from its subscriber base, and Denzel Washington’s The Equalizer from 2014 is currently trending in the Top 10.

The Equalizer is probably one of the most iconic action movies ever since it gave birth to two more sequels — all of which are good if you like Denzel Washington as a one-manarmy. The movie follows a retired UMSC and DIA/ DCS operative who now lives a quiet life in Boston, where he works at a big-box home improvement store while spending late nights at an all-night diner reading books during sleepless nights. Over time, he befriends Teri, a teenage sex worker who has been trafficked by the Russian mob.

After Teri’s Russian procurer physically injures Teri by beating her within the inch of her life, Denzel Washington’s character — whose name is Robert McCall, by the way — confronts him peacefully, trying to buy Teri’s freedom. However, after her procurer, Slavi, refuses, Robert calmly walks to his office doors, locks himself inside with the Russian mobster and his goons, and assesses their weapons.

After that, all hell breaks loose, as he singlehandedly kills everything living inside the room — the Equalizer who extracts justice on behalf of innocent people trapped in dangerous situations.

This sets off an entire chain of events involving DIA and some really dangerous people within the Russian mafia, only to end with Robert killing them all—some were dispatched in a rather creative way.

5

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to stream for the week ahead 1. American Sniper

Clint Eastwood directed and coproduced this 2015 biographical war drama that’s loosely based on Chris Kyle’s memoir American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in US Military History. Kyle (Maestro‘s Bradley Cooper) was known for his tremendous skill in the military, serving four tours in the Iraq War. But American Sniper focuses more on the impact the job took on his personal and family life.

One of the highest-grossing movies during its month of release and Eastwood’s highest-grossing movie to date, American Sniper earned six Academy Award nominations. The movie is raw and emotional with the action secondary to the deeper story.

On Amazon.

2. Lone Survivor

One of the most iconic action movies We won’t spoil the ending, but The Equalizer is a really good piece of action cinematography; compared to other action movies with flashy moves and explosions. It is stylishly and meticulously violent while also exploring the themes of personal redemption, justice, and the fight against abuse and exploitation.

The Equalizer was a rea-

sonable success among the critics, but the audiences loved the movie, which was reflected in its earnings; the film made more than $192 million against a $55-73 million budget and gave birth to a new franchise. The subsequent sequels were equally successful as the original movie; all three made approximately $190 million against estimated budgets

of around $70 million, but The Equalizer 3, the latest film in the franchise, has the best rating among the critics and with another great performance from Denzel Washington, which attests to the quality of the action franchise.

For those interested in seeing The Equalizer, the movie is trending on Netflix, so it’ll be hard to miss.

Ignore the critics and just watch!

While critics have been slating the latest Netflix movie, viewers have pushed it straight to the top of the charts.

Mother Of The Bride is a romcom that stars Hollywood legend Brooke Shields as the mother in question who has to come to terms with the fact that her daughter’s soon to be husband is the son of a person she once loved.

Mark Waters is the director. Known for his hits Mean Girls and Freaky Friday, he’s made some critical hits in the past but Mother Of The Bride isn’t getting much

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love right now.

It’s currently sitting at 17% on Rotten Tomatoes, after more than 30 reviews. The good news is that it was sitting at 0% at one point, so at least the percentage is moving in the right direction.

Here’s what the critics are saying: “Anything grounded or human that real people could relate to regarding relationships or marriage is thrown out the window for cringe slapstick gags and shallow, filthy rich characters,” says Flickering Myth.

Ready Steady Cut notes: “Brooke Shields, Benjamin

Bratt, and Miranda Cosgrove get a breezy acting gig in humid weather while the executives conduct forensic accounting.”

The Daily Telegraph reckons: “The film’s matchmaking subtlety, let’s say, is some way short of Jane Austen level.”

While AV Club believes: “As if fueled by an algorithm that’s inserting scenes that borrow from the much funnier flicks it will now sit alongside in Netflix’s manythemed rows of content, Waters’ film fails to muster any memorable set-pieces.”

Not great, then, but Netflix

will be happy with Mother Of The Bride. Its currently sitting at the top of the charts, according to FlixPatrol.

The Top 10 is as follows: 1. Mother of the Bride 2. Honeymoonish 3. Barbarian 4. The Roast of Tom Brady 5. Unfrosted 6. Secrets of the Neanderthals 7. Shaitaan 8. The Frozen Ground 9. The Final: Attack on Wembley 10. The Zookeeper’s Wife

Lone Survivor chronicles the United States Navy SEALs counter-insurgent mission during the war in Afghanistan. A four-man SEAL team was tasked with locating Taliban leader Ahmad Shah, but the reconnaissance and surveillance mission didn’t go as planned.

Heavy on the action versus the personal stories, Lone Survivor was universally praised for the visuals and battle scenes along with the cast, which includes Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster, and Eric Bana. It’s a harrowing look at the dangers and pressures of war and the brave men and women who fight for their country. Also on Amazon.

3. Batman Forever

While it might not be considered the best Batman film – from 1995 – some believe that Val Kilmer was underrated in the role. He plays opposite Jim Carrey as Riddler in Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever, the third movie in the inaugural Batman film series. The plot follows Bruce Wayne/Batman (Kilmer) and his fight against Two- Face (Tommy Lee Jones) and Riddler, who are trying to steal information from the minds of those in Gotham City. The movie also introduces Batman’s sidekick Robin (Chris O’Donnell) as well as his love for Dr. Chase Meridian (Birth‘s Nicole Kidman).

While it is different in tone from the previous Tim Burton movies, Batman Forever was a massive box office success. For fans of the DC Comics universe, it’s worth watching or re-watching Batman Forever to see where you might rank it within the franchise.

On Amazon Prime.

4. Liaison

Eva Green and Vincent Cassel star as a UK agent and French spy trying to tackle cyberterrorism attacks against Britain. Liaison has received middling reviews, but the leads have garnered some acclaim. And the criticism is that Liaison lacks substance, not thrills or tension. Six episodes Apple TV Plus

5. The Consultant

The Consultant stars Christoph Waltz as a scenery-chewing, you guessed it, consultant who appears at a mobile game company after its CEO mysteriously disappears. That may make it sound like a workplace comedy, but this one is pitch black with elements of horror thrown in. On Amazon Prime.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 17th May 2024

Planning notices

Planning notices KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL FURTHER INFORMATION / REVISED PLANS

Significant Further Information/Revised Plans have been furnished to the Planning Authority in respect of this proposed development, Planning Ref. 2460031, on behalf of the applicant Shay Properties Ltd. The development applied for consisted of: Planning Permission for works to the existing out-buildings and the area outside the Waterbarracks entrance at Kilcreene Lodge, Kilcreene, Co. Kilkenny. The development site is located within the curtilage of a Protected Structure ‘Kilcreene Lodge’ Ref B117 and NIAH Ref. 12401927. The alterations will consist of the demolition of one no. out building, extension and alterations to two outbuildings, the construction of three stables and one new outbuilding. Upgrade works are also proposed to the area outside the entrance at the Waterbarracks to include, new bollards, kerbing and resurfacing the roadway and all associated site development and ancillary works.

The proposed upgrade works to the area outside the entrance at the Waterbarracks have been omitted from this application and do not form part of this application from herein.

A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) in respect of the proposed development will be submitted as part of the significant further information.

Significant Further Information/Revised Plans has/have been furnished to the Planning Authority in respect of this proposed development, and is/are available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the Offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours of 9:00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the Planning Authority within a period of 2 weeks from the date of receipt of the revised public notices. A submission or observation must be accompanied by the prescribed fee of €20, except in the case of a person or body who has already made a submission or observation and such submission or observation will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Brian Dunlop Architects Ltd. www.briandunloparchitects.com

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL SIGNIFICANT FURTHER INFORMATION/ REVISED PLANS

(Planning Register Reference No. 2360581) - Planning Permission is sought by Peter Ryan for development at Cussana, Carrigeen, Co. Kilkenny. The development will consist of the construction of a four-bedroom part single, part two-storey dwelling including rooflights and a detached single-storey domestic garage. Other works as part of the development include solar panels; on-site wastewater treatment system and percolation area; soakaway; vehicular entrance; landscaping; boundary treatment; borehole well; and all associated works to facilitate the development. The further information consists of: 1) revised application site boundary showing the proposed development and associated other works positioned in an alternative location on the landholding, including landscaping details and alternative driveway arrangements; 2) revised dwelling design, including new floor plans and elevations; and 3) revised garage design, including new floor plans and elevations.

Significant Further Information/Revised Plans has/have been furnished to the Planning Authority in respect of this proposed development, and is/are available for inspection, or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the further information may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 2 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Gittens Murray Architects Ltd., No. 5 William Street, Kilkenny.

Tel No: 056-7753933. Web: www.gmarch.net.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

RE: Planning permission is sought by Kyle Phelan for retention and completion of a dwelling house at Brownstown, Co. Kilkenny, Y34 PC98 with associated modifications of permitted development approved under planning application reference no. 031648, new percolation area & sewage treatment plant, new vehicular access from the public road and all associated site development works.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Gittens Murray Architects Ltd., No. 5 William Street, Kilkenny.

Tel No: 056-7753933. web:www.gmarch.net

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Declan Hynes intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Retention Planning Permission to retain existing log cabin/shed, entrance gates and timber panel dividing fence and all associated site development works at 4 Pococke Valley, Johnswell Road, Kilkenny R95 P0K8.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Patrick Brennan intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Retention Planning Permission to retain existing extensions to the front, rear and side of existing dwelling house and all associated site development works at 42 The Sycamores, Freshford Road, Kilkenny R95 Y2RK. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

Take notice that I intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for planning permission to retain the 0.73 m2 ground floor extension, 22.34 m2 first floor extension and 21.61 m2 services platform at the second floor level, and a permission to redesign the front elevation and all associated site works on lands at Main Street, Gowran, Co. Kilkenny.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Colm Lawlor

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 17th May 2024

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Sport

Take control of inflammation

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

The inflammatory state of the body is important for health – particularly in the long-run. As you have read in my previous articles, a healthy baseline level of inflammation in the body significantly reduces the risk of so many health issues – impacting pretty much every cell and organ in the body.

Look at the image here – in green are factors shown to reduce inflammation, in red are things that push inflammatory levels higher, and in blue there is our genetics (we don’t get to choose our parents, or their parents). What areas could you make some changes to impact your inflammatory state?

If you feel a little overwhelmed – please know that no matter where you start from, small, consistent changes make a real difference.

Don’t be a Purist Don’t sacrifice your life for your health. You can’t live a totally ‘pure’ life – and if you tried it might cause more

Small, consistent changes can result in healthier levels of inflammation

harm than good. But don't use this as an excuse to keep unhealthy habits – there is a balance to be struck.

The Body is Robust We can tolerate periods of stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, etc. The body is

Top cats in the West Colm Dunphy from Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny with 8th Dan Black Belt Master, Pete Foley

Colm Dunphy from Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny receiving his first dan black belt certificate in Kickboxing from fellow Kilkenny man and 8th Dan Black Belt Master, Pete Foley.

Colm, who has been living

We are highly adaptable.

We adapt to what we do regularly. When it comes to health and shifting towards a healthier lifestyle, consistency is vital. If we consistently take care of our health – then those occasional sugary treats, poor nights of sleep or lazy days don’t matter so much.

and working in Galway for over 10 years, ventured into Pete’s world famous Black Dragon Kickboxing Gym in the city of the Tribes almost 9 years ago to begin his martial arts career.

Pete, who introduced the dynamic sport of Kickboxing to Galway in February 1996, is the son of late publicans Tom and Nora Foley of the Hibernian Bar in Parliament Street, Kilkenny.

Small Changes Go a Long Way Those who are inactive have the most to gain from exercise – simply going from 0 to 10mins of exercise per day has powerful benefits to health. The same can be said for improvements in sleep, diet and stress. Those who are starting from a low baseline have the most to gain by making small changes.

resilient and robust, it can bounce back. So, expect these things to happen and know that brief periods like this

are not detrimental to your health in the long run.

Consistency is Key

Take the Next Step So now I want you to look at the list again. Where could you make a change to improve the balance of inflammation in your body?

Just pick one, make a plan and try to stick with it for 4 weeks. Best of luck!

For those suffering with their health and need additional support, working with a healthcare professional is the best place to start.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 17th May 2024

Community & GAA Notes

Kilkenny GAA clubs and Community news CLARA THREE IN A ROW Clara senior camogie girls won the Mount Leinster Rangers 7 aside blitz on the Bank Holiday Monday to complete a three in a row in the competition. Unfortunately only two teams competed in this years renewal as there were a couple of late deferrals so it was a straight shootout between Clara and the hosts. Clara had 12 players togged for this and they rotated in and out very efficiently and all players contributed handsomely to their 5-17 to 1-6 success.

Earlier on it looked like this might turn out to be a tight affair as the Rangers were putting it up to Clara. But midway through the half three goals in succession from Grace Barcoe, Emma Shortall and Keara Ryan gave Clara the confidence to kick on and simultaneously deflated the home side. By halftime Clara had this wrapped up at 3-11 to 0-4. Two more goals by Rebecca Nolan in the second half helped Clara ease to a comfortable win, even though Mount Leinster Rangers did strike for a late goal from a free.

Team - Aoife Glynn, Anna Walpole, Sarah Dunne, Niamh Ward, Katie Ryan, Rebecca Nolan 2-1, Laoise Nolan 0-3, Gráinne Glynn 0-3, Aisling Curtis 0-5, Grace Barcoe 1-2, Emma Shortall 1-1, Keara Ryan 1-2.

FRESHFORD PREVAIL Clara went down to a heavy defeat at home to Freshford in the All County Junior Hurling League on Tuesday of last week. Clara started well and had the first two points of the game through Killian Phelan and Lester Ryan. St. Lachtains responded with four points of their own, two from frees. They soon led 6-3 but three points on the trot by James Bergin (2) and Ned Langton had the game tied after 14 minutes. The Freshford men were motoring now though and notched 7 of the last 9 points to take a comfortable five point advantage into the break.

Freshford added four of the second half’s first six points before they struck for the game’s only goal. This gave them a commanding 10 point lead and from there to the end they were never troubled. Apart from a fine Harry Boyle point near the end following a searing run Clara were limited to a few James Bergin frees to keep the scoreboard ticking. It finished 1-26 to 0-14 and Freshford were full value for their victory.

Team - Ruairí Breen, Ben Murphy, Evan Whearty, Luke Whelan.

Alan Coleman, Lester Ryan 0-1, Harry Boyle 0-1. Conor Hoyne, Rory O Keeffe. Ned Langton 0-1, James Bergin 0-10, 0-7f, Killian Phelan 0-1. Alex McDonald, Sean Carrigan, Cian Kelly. Subs used Dillon Cummins.

CELTIC CHALLENGE Well done to Luke Lawlor and Philip Carrigan who were part of Kilkenny’s Celtic Challenge panel that beat Cork City in the quarter final of the competition on Saturday.

Also well done to David Barcoe who played midfield for Kilkenny minors as they beat Kildare away in the Leinster quarter final on Friday evening. And John Murphy and Conor Phelan who were part of Kilkenny seniors backroom team as

they drew with Carlow on Saturday.

CAMOGIE Well done to Keara Ryan, Emma Shortall and Grace Barcoe who were on the Kilkenny senior camogie panel as they got the better of Wexford in the Leinster semifinal in Freshford on Saturday. Also Rachel Whelan who was on the Kilkenny Intermediate panel that also defeated Wexford at the same stage of their competition.

CLUB LOTTO Lotto results for 7th May -Numbers drawn 3, 6, 19. No Jackpot winner. €30 each to Pat Boyle, Robbie McPartlan, Séamus McGarry, Ger Prendergast, Martin Treacy.

O’ LOUGHLIN GAELS BUSY WEEKEND IN O’LOUGHLIN GAELS Last weekend was a busy one in the O’Loughlin Gaels club with the Bruce Springsteen Concert taking place in nearby UPMC Nowlan Park. Thanks to the many volunteers who helped out parking cars and providing refreshments for the concert attendees. There was a wonderful atmosphere and concert attendees were very impressed with the club’s facilities and the welcome they received from members.

COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES O’Loughlin Gaels players were involved with a number of Kilkenny teams over the weekend. Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Jordan Molloy and Owen Wall all played in the Leinster Senior Championship game against Carlow.

Conor Holohan and Cian Byrne played with the Kilkenny minors in their championship victory over Kildare with Niall Bergin managing the team.

Jeff Tyrrell and Jack Walsh were part of the Kilkenny Celtic Challenge team which defeating Cork.

On the Camogie front Laura Greene and Laura Murphy and Danielle Quigley were all part of the Kilkenny team which defeated Wexford in the Leinster Senior semi-final. Ruth Crowley was a member of the Kilkenny Under 16 team which beat Limerick in the All Ireland series.

TEAMS IN ACTION It was another busy week on the field for O’Loughlin Gaels teams. The Junior team performed well in defeating Rower Inistioge 3-24 to 1-10 in the All County Junior League. The Under16’s played well but lost out to James Stephens 3-9 to 1-10 in the League while the Under 14’s defeated Young Ireland’s 5-13 to 0-7 in their League game.

CLUB LOTTO There was no winner of club lotto dated May 7th. Numbers drawn 3, 7, 11, 26 Bonus 4 Play now at www oloughlingaels.com/lotto Promotors Draw:1. Niamh Carroll. 2. Sean Morrissey c/o JJ Cullen. 3. John Grant c/o E Doyle. 4. Maura Nolan C/o E Kinchella. 5. Des Byrne C/o Mary Deegan. 6. Suzy Bryan C/o M Nolan. 7. Mary Skehan C/o J Skehan. 8. Andy O’Keeffe C/o Online. 9. Sammy Johnston C/o Online. 10. Ann-Marie Sheridan

Clara Senior Camogie Girls Won The Mount Leinster Rangers 7 Aside Blitz

C/o Online. Thank you for your continued support NOTES If you wish to have any item included in the St. John’s Parish notes please email it to pro.oloughlingaels.kilkenny@gaa.ie FRESHFORD FIRST COMMUNION Congratulations to the boys and girls of second class of St. Lachtains NS who received their first holy communion at St. Lachtains Church on Saturday morning last. The ceremony was performed by Monsignor Kieron Kennedy PP who commended the children, their parents and teachers for the manner in which they were prepared both spiritually and physically for the sacrament. Thirty children in all received the sacrament and they were blessed with beautiful sunshine for the day which added to the occasion. The following recipients received the sacrament, C.O’Kane, C.Gibbons, D.Bennett, D.Murphy, F O’Flaherty, F.Cullen, J.Ryan K.Lowry, O,Cockcroft, O Rafter Ryan, P.Webster, R.Geraghty, T.McArdle, T.J Hussey, T.Webster, A.Curley, A.Kelly, A .Bergin, A.Walshe, E.Dolan, F.Kavanagh, H.Kavanagh, I Stanley, K.M.Walshe, L.Phelan, N.Minogue, R.M. Cleere R.Burke, R.O’Sullivan,Z. Dunne.

SYMPATHY Sympathy is extended to Tina Foley of Sart, Freshford on the death last weekend of her mother Mrs. Catherine (Babs) Foley late of Newpark Lower, Kikenny. Funeral Mass took place on Wednesday morning in St.John’s Church Kilkenny followed by burial in St.Kieran’s Cemetery.

GAA Pairc Lachtain was a hive of activity this past weekend. A large crowd turned out early Saturday morning for Darkness Into Light 2024. Thanks to everyone who took part in the walk and all who donated.

Saturday also saw the return of intercounty hurling/camogie for the second weekend in a row with two Leinster camogie semi-finals taking place. Pictures can be viewed on our social media accounts.

CREDIT Huge credit goes to the newly formed clean up group and FAS workers who have the facilities in tip top condition and recent positive feedback is testament to this.

WALKWAY Family membership options for our walkway are available now.

If any local businesses or family’s would like to sponsor a light pole and help contribute towards the development cost of the walkway and further future developments in Pairc Lachtain, please contact any committee member.

SUMMER CAMP Freshfords longest running summer camp takes place again this year at the GAA Grounds under local man JJ Grace and his coaches. JJ has been running the camp for many years now and it will take place from 29th July to 2nd August this year.

For more information or for booking please contact JJ on 086 8629666 SOCCER Freshford town underage were in action at the weekend.

The U12 boys took on Evergreen in the semi final of the Plate and came out 5-1 winners with goals from Tom Dalton, Jack Geraghty(2) and Max O’Neill (2) THE u14 Boys had a good 4-2 win over Spa Utd also with Jack Marnell and Jamie Kavanagh scoring twice each.

LOOP CAFE The Café is a wonderful addition to the village full of character and history and your continued support would be greatly appreciated. Why not go along and meet a friend or try some of their lovely food and support a local community café. They are also looking for volunteers to help out so if you can give little bit of your time please do so.

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

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

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

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

Mass Cards Special printed parish cards are available at the Parish Office or from Annette at Tulla Church signed by Monsignor Kennedy. You can contact the Parish office on 056 8832843 or by email – freshfordd@ossory.ie. Contact Mongr Kieron Kennedy on that number or on 087 25235 21 HELP FOR

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.

JAMES STEPHENS GAA AND CAMOGIE CLUB FORMAL OPENING The formal opening of the club’s impressive clubrooms extension at Pairc Sheamuis Stiophain will take place on Saturday week, 25th May at approx 1.15pm. Long serving club president Liam Tyrrell has been honoured with the privilege of unveiling the plaque to mark the formal opening of the newly constructed meeting room, kitchen, ladies and gents toilets, shop and medical room. The plaque marking the opening of Pairc Sheamuis Stiophain almost a decade ago to the day in 2014 has been suitably repositioned to the front of the new development. The building will be blessed by Fr. Kieran O’Shea, Adm. St. Patrick’s parish. The ceremony will be preceded by the Billy Walton Blitz tournament between teams selected from the senior and junior hurling panels. At the same time there will be a juvenile blitz and a camogie blitz to honour the occasion. Copies of the recently published “135 Years of History -- In Brief” will be available to attendees. All are welcome to come along.

FIXTURE OVERLOAD On Friday evening last, due to a fixture overload, club members, families and supporters had to make choices as to which club team they would support with games fixed for four different venues. The Junior hurlers were scheduled to play Piltown in Piltown, the Minor “C” team against Lisdowney in Pairc Sheamuis Stiophain, the U-14 “B” team lined out against Galmoy/Windgap in Galmoy and the U-14 “C” team played Conahy in Jenkinstown. The good news is that all four teams won their fixtures for which much credit must go to the management teams involved for getting the very best out of their respective panels.

JUNIOR HURLING LEAGUE On Friday evening in ideal playing conditions the Junior hurlers produced a fine exhibition of hurling to inflict a narrow 2-17 to 1-18 defeat on Piltown in their 2nd round league fixture in Piltown. Both teams largely adapted the old style “man to man” marking system which produced an entertaining game with some serious exchanges and impressive point scoring.

After Piltown swept into a 0-04 to 0-02 lead inside 8 minutes, the James Stephens fight back commenced with a run of points from Noah Manogue (10mins), Jamie Byrne (11), Geoff Coyne (11) and Fionn Cody (12) before Oisin Bateman rattled the Piltown net with a stinging shot from a solo run for a 1-06 to 0-08 lead at the 22nd minute. In the 23rd minute Jacob Breslin won a penalty award from which Noah Manogue’s strike rebounded off the goalpost only for Jacob Breslin to finish off with a well taken point from an angle. Meanwhile, Piltown were showing their point scoring skills launching a number of impressive long range scores to stay in touch at 1-09 to 0-11 at half time.

On the resumption full forward Liam Rafter shot to the net from a goalmouth scramble but the Piltown response was swift, scoring 1-02 before the 7th minute. In a competitive, end to end, contest there was never any more than a couple of points between the teams but the impressive contributions from Oisin Bateman (1-04), Jamie Byrne (0-03), Jeffrey Coyne (0-03) and some outstanding defending by Noah Manogue, Sean Deely, Adam O’Connor and goalkeeper Billy O’Sullivan was enough to secure a narrow 2-17 to 1-18 victory for James Stephens.

HURLER’S CO-OP DRAW Tickets for the annual Kilkenny County Board / club fundraiser are now available from members. Tickets cost €50 each for the five draws with cars to the value of €19,000 on offer as the first prize in the 1st, 3rd, and 5th draws. There are 32 prizes descending from € 2000 to €100 in each of the five draws.

The first draw is planned to take place on Tuesday night 11th June. Support would be very much welcome for both club and county.

GO GAMES Juvenile PRO Shane O’Connor reports that the Go Games format for U-8 hurlers got underway on Sunday morning in Pairc Sheamuis Stiophain. Some 27 young James Stephens hurlers turned up to take part in the non competitive hurling development programme along with panels from Danesfort, Thomastown, and Young Irelands. Our thanks to the parents for their support in organising the event. The young James Stephens lads can now look forward to participating in the City Street League with neighbours O’Loughlin Gaels and Dicksboro.

MINOR HURLING LEAGUE After Rory O’Carroll pointed in the 2nd minute of Monday evenings 4th rd. league fixture in Larchfield, Noah Manogue

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

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 17th May 2024

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Community & GAA Notes proceeded to give a scoring exhibition tapping over five points from all angles before O’Loughlin Gaels broke through for a goal in the 10th. minute. The confident Village attacking force added a further seven points through Daniel Ring (10Min), Zac Scanlon (10,15) Conor Millea (15,19mins) and a superb score from a line ball by Noah Manogue to give the home club a 0-13 to 1-02 lead after 20 minutes. Then when Zac Scanlon delivered a sublime pass to Rory O’Connor to finish to the net in the 22nd minute followed seconds later by a three pointer from Allen Larkin following a winding a solo run through the ‘Gaels defence the writing was on the wall for the visitors. James Stephens took a 2-15 to 1-05 lead into the break. For this dominant display much credit must go to the Village defence superbly led by centre back Sean Deely, full back Daragh Behan and Tuan Hyland for keeping the O’Loughlin’s forward line largely under lock and key. Throughout the 2nd half the game followed the same pattern with James Stephens continuing to outscore their opponents to record an unexpected, too easy 3-24 to 1-09 victory. Their next fixture against Young Irelands in Gowran is scheduled for Monday, 8th July after the Leaving Certificate examinations.

U-16 LEAGUE The U-16 4th rd. league fixture on Wednesday evening was a far more competitive fixture with James Stephens emerging 3-09 to 1-10 winners after a keenly contested game played in ideal conditions at Pairc Sheamuis Stiophain. With John Barton and Oliver Phelan leading a strong defence and Paul Millea impressive at midfield the lively forwards were able to avail of a plentiful supply of the ball to deservedly claim a five point victory and leapfrog into 2nd place on the league table.

Their next outing against high flying John Locke’s is scheduled for Wednesday,10th July after the junior certificate exams are completed.

IRISH HEART FOUNDATION Loughboy librarian, Alan Dunne, is anxious to let local folk know that the Loughboy Library will host a visit from the Irish Heart Foundation’s mobile unit on Wednesday 22nd May, from 10am to 2.45pm. All are welcome to come along to visit the mobile unit for FREE blood pressure and pulse checks.

Experienced nurses will be present to supervise the checks and provide expert heart health information and give advice on how to reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes. Alan also advises that no advance booking is required.

CLUB SHOP The Red and Green shop in Larchfield is open for business every Tuesday Evening from 8 to 9pm. Supervisor Breda Manogue advises that the bargain bundle sale of a Jersey, togs and socks for U-13’s at €58 and €65 for over 13’s and small adults is still on offer.

LOTTO Last week’s lotto numbers were 3: 6:16 :31. There was no winner. The €40 consolation winners were Phil Fan Larkin, Des McGrath, Denis Carney, Claire Breslin and O. Millea.

Bridge goals were from Conor English.

SUMMER SOCCER ACADEMY A summer soccer academy for boys and girls aged 4-7 will be held in Goresbridge in June and in July. Further info from Conor English tel. 085-1321578.

CHURCH SERVICES Masses will be celebrated in Goresbridge at 7.30pm on Saturday and at 10.00am on Sunday as well as in Paulstown at 11.30am.

Weekday mass is at 10am in Paulstown Friday and the following Tuesday and in Goresbridge on Wednesday, at 10am.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place in Paulstown every Tuesday after morning mass and lasts until 6pm.

For the month of May there is Rosary and hymns every evening at 8pm at the Grotto to the rear of the Church of the Assumption in Paulstown. A child-friendly rosary takes place each Friday in May in Paulstown church at 3.15pm.

A job vacancy for Parish Secretary-Administrator (part-time) has been posted with a closing date of Friday May 24. More information from the parish office (email ptgbparish@gmail. com) CUPLA FOCAL Weekly chatting in Irish continues over a cuppa in the Goodly Barrow this Friday at 11am.

GROUNDED IN NATURE FOREST SCHOOL A six week term starts this week with places still available Wednesday through to Friday. These sessions run from 3.30-6.00 pm and cater for children aged 5-11 years old. For information email groundedinnaturefs@gmail.com MR HEALY RIP The death has taken place of David Healy (Paulstown and Saggart, Co. Dublin) on May 8th peacefully, after an illness borne with great courage and dignity. He will be missed immensely and remembered with much love by his wife Ellen, children Pierce, David, Elaine, John, Catherine, Linda and Maura, brothers and sisters, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, and his treasured grandchildren Emma, Kian, Denis, Eva, Mark, Holly, Taylor, Grace, Harry, David, Sean, Nathan, Olivia, David, Tom, Emily and Megan. Also, sadly missed and remembered by his nieces, nephews and his many friends.

SPLIT THE POT In aid of Goresbridge Rural Development has gone online.

Simply scan the QR code or go to lottoraiser.ie TOWN TEAMS A meeting to establish a Goresbridge Town Teams takes place in Ionad Dara at 7pm on Thursday May 30. The aim is to seek membership from across the community and work towards implementing a town plan.

YOUTH GROUP (OSSORY YOUTH) This caters for first to third years. The Group meets on in the Goresbridge Health Centre every Wednesday from 2.30-4pm.

For information contact Ruth Flanagan tel. 087-3873724

GOWRAN

BENNETTSBRIDGE

GOWRAN PRELOVED CLOTHES Gowran Preloved Beautiful Clothes is opened Thursday and Saturday from 10am to 3pm. Come view the many branded outfits and enjoy tea or coffee in Molly’s tea room.

DALTON HOUSE Weekly Wednesday music session in Dalton House kicks off at 8pm . Join in for a sing song and some light refreshments for €5pp GOWRAN PARK Evening meetings kick off with a bang on Wednesday May 22nd Tickets only €10pp online - www.gowranpark.ie. Courtsey bus from the castle gates 1 hour before the 1st . Music - Shane O Dwyer live from 5pm. Outdoor Bar and BBQ !!!

BRIDGE CLEANING Bennettsbridge Community Development Group and Tidy Towns were out in force on Thursday night to carry out their annual bridge cleaning exercise. There was a great turnout and all were pleased with the result. The coping stones along the bridge got a fresh coat of white paint and weeding and sweeping was carried out on the entire area. Well done to all our volunteers who were treated to a very welcome ice cream afterwards courtesy of PJ Cullen, Centra.

CBS SECONDARY SCHOOL SUCCESS Huge congratulations to three 5th year CBS students who attended the Young Economist of the Year awards in the University of Limerick last week. Local interest centered on Sean Keogh, who took home a gold medal as well as the South East Technology University Special Interest award, for his project ‘What are the economic implications of implementing a universal basic income in a developing nation?’

Sean is the grandson of Frances Keogh, Station Road and a son of Adrian and Sarah Keogh.

Well done also to Billy O’Keefe who received a silver medal for his project ‘Is History Repeating Itself?’ and Muhammad Taha who received a silver medal for his project, ‘Sustainability- Plastic Water Bottles’.

It is a great achievement by all students to be recognised for their hard work and dedication to economics at these prestigious awards. We are extremely proud of our young economists!

CHURCH NEWS Weekday Masses this week, Wednesday and Friday mornings at 10,30am..

First Communion was held on Saturday last in St Bennett’s Church. Celebrants were Canon Pat Dalton and Canon Pat Duggan. On Sunday, Fr Dalton welcomed a good number of the children who had made their First Communion to the parish mass. The mass concluded with the Queen of the May Hymn led by Billy, Deirdre and Laura.

NEWS ON GRAVEYARD EXTENSION Planning is now in place and work will commence shortly on the extension to the graveyard. Fr Duggan thanked all associated with the preliminary work and informed parishioners that graves cannot be purchased in advance. The graves will be allotted when the need arises. He thanked people who had donated money towards the added expense of getting the new area completed. This money was very welcome and if anyone wishes to contribute, any amount would be most welcome.

GRAVEYARD MASSES THIS YEAR The dates for this year’s outdoor masses have been decided.

Tullaherin Cemetery, Saturday, 3rd August 8pm. Bennettsbridge Cemetery Sunday, 4th August 10.30am

GRAIGUENAMANAGH GRAIG NOTES If anybody wishes to submit news items, club events, announcements etc do so by emailing them to graignotes@ outlook.com.

LOTTO GAA AND SOCCER Jackpot now stands at €20,000.numbers drawn on 7 /05 /24 were 10, 11, 14, and 28. There was no winne. The following won €30 each Mary McGrath, Eleanor Doyle, Sarah Curran, Anna Brown, Pat Gill. Tickets are available from any club member.

GRAIG TIDY TOWN DRAW Winners for Draw on 09 05 2024 were First Prize €410. Michael O’Neill. 2nd Prize €50 Ann Holden, 3rd Prize, €25 Annie Hamilton. Money raised through Tidy Towns Jackpot will be used to keep the town looking well all the year round. Draw takes place at 4pm on Thursdays.

RAMBLING HOUSE The Monthly Rambling House Session is on the second Friday of the month in Newtown Hall, where you can enjoy music and song from local artists and also many from the surrounding districts also join in. The next Session is on Friday June 14th.

At 8.00pm GORESBRIDGE PAULSTOWN

Tom Healy

BADMINTON Badminton is held in Paulstown Community Hall at 8pm every Monday.

Entry is €5. New players welcome.

Further info from Tommy, Tel. 0872303495 BRIDGE UNITED Bridge United won 2-1 against Freebooters B in the McCalmont Cup Semi Final.

SYMPATHY Sympathy is extended to Eileen McGarry, Evelyn Wemyss and their families on the death of, Eileen and Evelyn’s brother, David Healy (Paulstown, Co. Kilkenny and Saggart, Co. Dublin and formerly of Butlersgrove).

CRAFTED OPEN ON SUNDAYS Patrons of Crafted Cafe are delighted with the news that the popular meeting place is now open on Sundays.

GOWRAN PRE-LOVED CLOTHES Gowran Community Council for the Elderly Association recently launched their new venture, selling pre-loved beautiful clothes.

The shop selling branded clothes will open each Thursday and Saturday from 10am to 3pm. Why not bring your pre-loved clothes to the Gowran shop where they can be sold, with an agreed percentage going to the Houses for the Elderly Funds.

ART GROUP The Art Group classes have reverted back to Mondays for their weekly meetings.

RESULTS OF CARD GAME 20th April. First Prize Nicky Fitzpatrick/Lar Gibbons ( 10 games ). 2nd Prize Two way divide Bridget Cottrell/Andrew Barcoe and Brian Blackmore/Annie Lehane (9 games) Table Prize Mary Whelan/Pat Hanlon 7th May. First Prize Andrew Barcoe/Vinnie Horgan (11 games ). Second Prize two-way divide Tom Drennan/Jack Bolger and Lar Gibbons/Michael Kenneally ( 10 games ) Table Prize Michael Phelan/Frank O’Neill LOTTO 7th May, No winner of Jackpot. Numbers, 2, 12, 15, 24. Jackpot now €7,900.00. Consolation Prizes, Say Again ℅ Fr Duggan, Eanna Cleere, Station Road, Declan O’Reilly, Norewood Heights, Shangarry Syndicate, Shangarry Syndicate.

GATHERING There was a full attendance at the weekly gathering on Wednesday. Councillor Deirdre Cullen paid a visit to the club. It proved to be a very interesting and informative hour and many questions of local interest were discussed.

Councillor Cullen took the opportunity to wish her fellow Councillor, Patrick O’Neill every good wish for the future. They had worked well together and the community benefited greatly from their work. Patrick is not running in the forthcoming local elections.

MENS SHED Meetings continue each Wednesday. Councillor Deirdre Cullen dropped into the meeting last week and got a good reception.

Many local issues were touched on and the councilor filled the men in on news of upcoming work in the area including the proposed pedestrian bridge.

KILKENNY VOLUNTEER CENTRE National volunteering week is fast approaching and the theme this year is “ Uniquely Us “ - This is an opportunity to celebrate the unique volunteers we have and the diversity of our volunteering roles in County Kilkenny.

National Volunteering Week : 20th - 26th of May 2024 “Bees for Biodiversity Project” - Just in time for, National Biodiversity Week visit our creative installations in St. Canice’s Credit Union Window ( R95 VW29) and John’s Green House Gallery window at, Kilkenny Arts Office ( R95 CX92 ) - Volunteers have been knitting and crocheting bees, flowers and insects , this

work, we hope will inspire conversations about biodiversity.

“Volunteer Coordinators Coffee Morning” -Butler Gallery Learning Centre Tuesday 21st of May 11.30am -1.30pm. Do you coordinate volunteers in your community group? Join Kilkenny Volunteer Centre for a coffee, chat and a chance to network with other Volunteer Managers. Please RSVP info@ volunteerkilkenny.ie.

“Calling Kilkenny Volunteers” -MacDonagh Junction - Goods Shed Wednesday 22nd of May from 11am. - 2pm Learn to weave a star and find out how you can help the project. We will also be revealing our current star count for Kilkenny!

“Kilkenny Welcome Team” Thursday the 23rd of May - 2-4pm in Kilkenny Volunteer Centre. Kilkenny Welcome Team is back for Summer 2024 come join us and The Kilkenny Council Team to find out how you can get involved as an ambassador this year!

“Closh Mural” - Throughout the week the Wall of the Closh will be painted by:-Artist Graham Carew and Kilkenny Volunteer Centre Volunteers. This is a joint project funded through KCETB and in collaboration with the Closh Committee and Keep Kilkenny Beautiful.

To find out more contact us on, www.volunteerkilkenny.ie or call 089258 4946 GAA Leinster Championship. Good luck to the Blanchfield brothers and the Kilkenny team in action against Dublin this weekend.

David played half back in the draw with Carlow last weekend with Liam a sub for the game. Well done to Reuben Morrissey who represented Bennettsbridge national school at half time during the Carlow game showing some great touches.

ALL IRELAND BASKETBALL WIN Local girls Kayla Wall and Amy Hughes were part of the Presentation Secondary School basketball team that travelled to Limerick last weekend to compete in the All Ireland A schools competition. Joint captains for the competition the girls made history by leading the school to a first ever 1st year All Ireland title for a Kilkenny school by winning all of their matches which finished with a comprehensive win against a strong Malahide side.

Huge congratulations to both girls on this monumental achievement Club Games. Our senior team defeated Danesfort in the second round of the Byrne cup while our junior E team lost out to St Martins in the league. Our junior B team defeated Tullogher in the league third round. Our minors completed the first phase of the league with a good two point win over St Lactain’s. The under 14 team played Shamrocks away in their opening round and put in a great display of second half hurling but lost out in the end in a high class game. Please see the Kilkenny GAA website for details of upcoming fixtures and fixture changes.

Best wishes to all ‘Bridge teams .

NIGHT AT THE DOGS AND BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN CONCERT Huge thanks to all who supported our dog night fundraiser at the Kilkenny track last Friday night. Thanks to all who bought and sold entry tickets and raffle tickets. Particular thanks to the committees of the three clubs for their trojan work. A great and successful night was had by all. Thanks also to all who volunteered their Sunday to run the St Kieran’s car park for the Springsteen concert. Thanks again to all for your help.

SPLIT THE POT

Kilkenny Primary School children played during half time in the Kilkenny Carlow match includes Reuben Morrissey, Bennettsbridge and Jeffrey Cleere, James Stephens

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 17th May 2024

Community & GAA Notes

Kayla Wall and Amy Hughes were part of the Presentation Secondary School basketball team that won the first ever 1st year All Ireland title for a Kilkenny school.

The Working Party Carried Out Some Excellent Work On The Bridge

Volunteers Painting The Coping Stones On The Bridge

Well done to Brian Whelan who won 110 euro, Janelle O’Brien who won 30 euro and to Anne Marie Moran who won 20 euro.

Thanks again for the continued support.

CLUB SPOT The club has adopted a new app for all GAA business going forward, replacing clubforce. We ask as many people as possible to download this new club spot app. Details are on the club’s Facebook page. This is a great way to communicate club business. Membership, split the pot etc and all club business can be done on this so it is vital for as many as possible to download the app as soon as possible.

MEMBERSHIP 2024 Important reminder, that this year’s membership can now be paid to registrar Samantha McGarry or to any club committee member. Membership fees are the same as last year. Forty euro for non playing members, eighty euro for student players and 120 euro for adult players. Early payment would be most appreciated. Membership can also be paid on the new club spot app. Please see the clubs Facebook and twitter pages for details.

O’NEILL’S CLUB SHOP New items of club gear have been added to the online O’Neill’s shop. Simply put Bennettsbridge in the search box on the website to see all the gear.

DICKSBORO

Sandra Byrne, Winner Of Signed Kilkenny Jersey At The BB Dog Night

CLUB LOTTO Dicksboro GAA Club LOTTO Results 9th May 2024. Nos: 8 9 12 18. Jackpot: €17,000 Not Won. Draw Prizes, €50: John Corr c/o Jimmy Murphy. €25 each Matt Corr c/o Jimmy Murphy €25 each Katherine Byrne c/o Online. €25 each Eddie Holohan c/o Online. Hurlers Co Op Gillian Doheny c/o Online. Promotors prize Pat Cody We encourage all Dicksboro Families to sign up and play weekly for €2 per draw and we thank everyone who is currently doing so.

ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC We are delighted to launch the Dicksboro GAA and Camogie Club Annual Golf Classic at Kilkenny Golf Club which will be held on Friday 12th July. Book your tee time early as they will fill up quick. Contact Seamus Rochford for more details. Also there are limited Juvenile Tee Times at discounted prices.

SUMMER CAMP 2024 Save the Dates. Our fantastic Summer Camp will be back again and we can’t wait. Two fun weeks packed with activities for all to enjoy. Monday July 15th to Friday July 19th and Monday Aug 12th to Friday Aug 16th JOHNSTOWN

Sean Keogh, KIlkenny, took home a gold medal as well as the South East Technology University Special Interest award at the Young Economist of the Year Awards in Limerick

CHURCH NEWS If anyone wishes to send petitions to Lourdes, a box will be left on the altar in Urlingford Church before and after Mass next weekend. Ossory Youth helpers from the parish travelling to Lourdes will bring them with them.

Crosspatrick Church are looking for volunteer readers to join the reading group, reading at 9am Mass on Sunday. Contact Phil on 0872627120.

Rosary will continue this week on Upper Ballyspellan Lane at 8pm.

MR. NOEL POWER RIP The death has taken place peacefully at Borris Lodge Nursing Home of Noel, late of The Square, Johnstown. Predeceased by his parents William and Letitia, his sister Lily, brothers Jack and Paschal, he will be sadly missed by his brothers Patrick and Kevin, sister Letitia O’Grady, sisters in law Ann and Nancy, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, relatives and many friends. Noel was buried in Johnstown Cemetery after Requiem Mass in St. Kieran’s Church.

MRS PAM MULHAIRE, (nee Hughes) RIP Pam , Knockeven House, Rushbrooke, Cobh and late of Church Road, Johnstown died in Marymount Hospice after a short illness. Predeceased by her husband John and parents Paddy and Dil, she will be deeply missed by her family Nicola, Muriel and John siblings Paddy, Frances, John, Annette, Tom and Martina and extended families. Pam was buried in the Old Church Cemetery, Cobh.

MRS YVONNE REID RIP Yvonne (nee Holohan), Donoughmore, Johnstown died unexpectedly recently. Yvonne was born in Ballyragget and came to Johnstown on her marriage to Joe. She was a well-respected member of the parish community, a great singer, who was part of the church choir for many years. Yvonne suffered an illness earlier in her life but she never let it define her and with the help of her husband and family she succeeded in living a full life up to the time of her death. Predeceased by her mother Mary (Deegan), she will be greatly missed by her husband Joe, son Kevin, daughter Helen, grandchildren Jody, Siobhra, Paidi, daughter in law Katherina, Helen’s partner Billy, father Michael, brothers Bill, Ollie, John, Niall, aunt, uncles, nephews, nieces and friends. Yvonne was laid to rest in Johnstown Cemetery after Requiem Mass in St. Kieran’s Church.

HERITAGE GROUP TRIP A group trip will be held by the Heritage Group on July 4th 2024, if you are interested then please contact 0863272288.

SPA UNITED Results U14 boys League Division 1A Spa 5 River Rangers 2, U14 boys League Division 2 Spa 2 Freshford Town 4.

SPA DEVELOPMENT/FENIANS LOTTO Winning numbers 17,23,24,28 No jackpot winner, two match three Jacqui Ryan and Rosemary Kratschmar.

URLINGFORD EMERALDS CAMOGIE Well done to Emeralds U15 camogie girls who won the Division B Féile recently. A fantastic achievement. They now go on to represent their club and Kilkenny on June 22nd in Cahir. Best of luck girls!

EMERALDS URLINGFORD AND GRAINE LOTTO May 7th prize fund was €18,000. Jackpot: €16,000. Numbers drawn: 3, 11, 24, 27 bonus no 26. No winner and one match three winner, Paula Scott.

Five lucky dips of €20 each: GDA, Amy Leahy, Mary B. Hughes, Janet Cullen, Ciss Fitzpatrick. Promoters prize: Bingo.

EMERALDS GAA Champion Unraced: Semi-final night (in conjunction with Emeralds GAA Club Field Development fundraiser) at Kilkenny Greyhound Track, James Park on Friday, May 17, first race 7.30pm. Tickets €10, accompanied U16’s are free. Raffle on the night. Please support.

SET DANCING In Graine Hall every Tuesday at 8.30pm. Live music, sets called

by Paddy Martin. All are welcome. Contact Phil Fogarty 086 8638782; Mary Webster 087 7936113.

URLINGFORD ARMS SPLIT THE POT May 12th winner of Split the Pot is Patrick Ivors jnr who will receive €480. Congrats Patrick on behalf of St Vincent de Paul.

Tickets €2 on sale in participating businesses in town. Thanks to everyone for their continued support. Next week’s draw will be for St Vincent de Paul.

GRAINE CARDS Graine progressive 25 card game every Wednesday night at 8.15pm in Graine hall. All are welcome.

URLINGFORD / GRAINE DEFIBRILLATOR GROUP In case of emergency, call: 085 2726396.

URLINGFORD NEWS Anyone wishing to submit news items, club events, announcements etc can do so by emailing urlingfordnotes@gmail.com. If

We Wewelcome welcomeall allGAA GAAClub Cluband andCommunity Communitynotes notesfor forpublication publicationin inThe TheKilkenny KilkennyObserver Observeremail emailto tosales@kilkennyobserver.ie sales@kilkennyobserver.ie

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 17th May 2024

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Community & GAA Notes

Emeralds U15 Camogie Girls Who Won The Division B Féile you have any photos you wish to include, please forward them to the email address.

GORTNAHOE GLENGOOLE EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Glengoole Wednesday 10am to 2pm, Gortnahoe Thursday 10am to 1pm FIRST HOLY COMMUNION Congratulations to the 18 children of 2nd Class from the 3 parish schools of Gortnahoe, Ballysloe and Glengoole who received the sacrament of First Holy Communion last weekend.

Congratulations to all involved in preparing them for what was a beautiful ceremoney.

PADRE PIO National Pilgrimage 2024, in Holy Cross Abbey on Sunday 26th May with ceremonies beginning at 1.30pm and concelebrated Mass at 3pm. All are welcome.

ROSARY Rosary for the month of May will be said at Our Lady’s Grotto, Glengoole on weekday evenings, at 7.30pm, Saturday before 6pm Mass and Sunday 12 noon.

PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES The annual pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from June 14th to 20th. Any enquiries please contact Fr.Walton or any member of the Parish pastoral group.

TUESDAY BRIDGE Bridge is being played each Tuesday night in Gortnahoe Hall at 7.30pm. If you would like to join or find out more information please contact this number 089 4349106 GORTNAHOE BINGO Bingo continues this Saturday evening at the earlier time of 4.00pm with doors opening from 3.00pm and will continue each Saturday evening at the same time. Over €2,660 in prize money on offer including a special €500 game.

SPLIT THE POT Congratulations to last weekends winner of Split the Pot draw, Gerry Corcoran, Glengoole, who won €326. Envelopes are available at the usual outlets, you can also Revolut to 0876777220. For the month of May Split the Pot will be in support of Gortnahoe National School. The draw takes place each Sunday at 12pm in Gortnahoe Hall. Your support would be appreciated.

MARTIN PROUT RIP The death has occured of Martin Prout, Garryclough, Gortnahoe, May 5th. 2024, peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family in his 94th year. Predeceased by his darling wife Nellie, parents Robert and Mary-Ellen, brothers John and Michael and sister Mary-Bridget. Sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his family Mary, Robert, Siobhàn, Helen and Brian, daughters-in-law Patricia and Anne-Marie, sons-in-law John Collins, John Dunleavy and John Sheedy, grandchildren Rory, Neidìn, Jake, Bobby, Karl, Zach, Rachel, Hannah and Ellen, great-grandson Rowan, brother-in-law Tom, sister-inlaw Rita, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and a wide circle of friends. Martin reposed at his home last Tuesday evening. Removal took place on Wednesday morning to The Church of the Sacred Heart, Gortnahoe, for Requiem Mass.

Interment took place afterwards in Boulick Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

BALLYRAGGET BALLYOUSKILL BALLYRAGGET GAA Wednesday last the under 16’s played the Rower Insitogoe ending on a score line of 2-16 to 1-22 to The Rower. The Junior a side played Dunnamagib at home, Dunnamaggin 3-20 to St Patrick’s 0-9. Monday May 6th Fenians Blacks and White minor against St Patrick’s finished St Partricks 1-20 to 1-17. Upcoming fixtures the Junior A side play Young Irelands at home on Sunday.

SYMPATHY Sincere sympathy is sent to the Reid and Holohan family on the passing of Yvonne, to her father Michael, brothers Bill, Ollie John and Niall. Her husband Joe, son Kevin daughter Helen and grandchildren. May she rest in peace.

PLANTS AND COFFEE Plant sale and coffee morning taking place in the Canon

Malone Hall on Sunday 26th May, 10-30am to 12-30pm. If anyone has any plants they are dividing or an overflow of seedlings all donations would be greatly appreciated. All proceeds to the tidy towns.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION The First Holy Communion was held on Saturday May 11th.

Congratulations to all who made it.

CEMETERY MASSES Cemetery Masses for this year are as follows, St Finan’s Cemetery Friday 7th of June at 7.30pm. Ballyouskill Saturday 8th June at 6.30pm. Rosconnel Friday the 14th of June at 7.30pm. Donaghmore Friday 21st of June at 7.30pm CARD RESULTS Ballyouskill Cards Results for 26/4. Noel Cummins and Charlie Delaney. Dick Brennan and Paudie Brennan 11 games each.

Runners up. Percy Phelan and Jimmy Ryan. J. Gannon and S. Brennan. P. Holohan and M. Phelan. T. White and P. Loughlin.

Thanks to Daltons Mills for sponsorship of the raffle. Winners.

Percy Phelan Tom Farrell.

All proceeds on the night went to the African missions. Thanks to all those who gave donations. Next game on 31/May. All welcome.

CONAHY FOOTBALL Congratulations to the intermediate footballers who were crowned the JJ Kavanagh and Sons Intermediate County Champions, following a great victory over Glenmore in Thomastown on Saturday afternoon last. Conahy led by 1-5 to 0-6 at the half time break thanks to a goal from Rob Ring. When a second Conahy goal from Bill Murphy almost midway in the second half saw them open up a 2-8 to 0-8 lead, it left the locals in a great position for victory. But the Glenmore men fought back, and managed to reduce the deficit to a single point (2-8 to 1-10) at the final minutes approached. Indeed, this could have been far worse for Conahy had their defence and goalkeeper Karl Downey not held the Glenmore attack at bay on more than one occasion. The victory was finally sealed when Bill Murphy grabbed his second goal and Conahy’s third to ensure the final score 3-8 to Glenmore’s 1-10. Congratulations to all players involved and their management team of John Brennan, Declan Buggy and J.J. Grace.

TEAM: Karl Downey; John Paul Gamble; Thomas Nolan; Padraig Gunner; Ciaran Rice; Darragh Hennessy (Captain); Eoin Carroll; Eoin Cahill: James Bergin; Rob Ring; Brian Rossiter; Thomas Rice; Bill Murphy; Darragh Dooley; Billy Mulhall. Subs (Used) – Kieran Mooney; Liam Cass; Geoffrey O’Shea; Stevie McNamee.

HURLING The under-16 hurlers lost out to a strong Emeralds side in their latest game of the Duggan Steel Roinn C League in Urlingford.

The home side hit some fine scores throughout the game, though credit to the Conahy lads for battling gamely throughout. In the end, Emeralds were deserving winners by 1-20 to 1-12.

TEAM: Neil Webster, James Byrne, Tadhg Hennessy, Rory Dunne, Bobby Dooley, Patrick Kennedy, Darragh Horgan, Rory Sherman, Billy Rowe, M.J. Buggy, Rory Rhatigan, Finn Sherman, Brian Phelan, Jack Rhatigan, Adam Morrissey, Subs.: Diarmuid Quinn, Camryn Kenehan.

BÓRD NA N-ÓG FUNDRAISER Conahy Shamrocks Bórd na nÓg will hold a Race Night fundraiser on Friday, May 24th. Race Night cards are currently being shared around the parish and any and all support would be welcome. Everyone in the locality is also welcome to come and enjoy on the night.

CLUB LOTTO The numbers drawn in the most recent GAA Club Lotto were 24, 31 and 32. There was no jackpot winner, so the consolation prize winners were David Dunne, Joe Crennan, Conahy Ladies Club, Mary Meighan and Kathleen Nolan. The promoter prize winners were Nora Delaney, Helen Cahill and Shay Healy.

This week’s jackpot now increase to €1,300. Many thanks to everyone who supports the GAA Club Lotto.

ROSARY There will be Rosary each Wednesday night at 7.30 p.m. in Jenkinstown Church for the month of May. All are welcome.

KILMANAGH CEMETERY MASS The annual cemetery Mass will take place on Sunday, 26th May at 7pm in Ballykeeffe.

CEMETERY CLEANUP A general cleanup on Ballykeeffe Cemetery will take place, next Friday, 17th starting at 7pm. Anyone who can volunteer some time, please do. Bring your own brush and shovel.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION First Holy Communion in our parish will take on Saturday, 25th May at 11am in Kilmanagh.

NAOMH AODHAN CLASSES Beginners’ computer classes, a 4 week course will began on Wednesday 15th of May from 10:00 - 12:30. Cost €20.

Crochet /Craft classes, a 4 week course in crochet / crafts will began on Thursday 16th May. 10 - 12.30. Cost €20.

If you would like to attend any of the above classes, contact Pat Brennan at 083 3413 024. Courses are supported by Kilkenny and Carlow ETB. CAKE SALE Murphy families Ballydunne Annual Cake Sale, Coffee morning and raffle on Sunday 26th May in Ballycallan Community Hall after 10.15 mass in Ballycallan in aid of Cois Nore Cancer support centre. Raffle tickets are available in O Connor’s Shop, Kilmanagh. The first prize in the raffle is a trailer load of sticks.

KNOCKNAGRESS COMMEMORATION The Knocknagress Commemoration will take place on Friday 17th May at 8.00 pm at the monument in New England, Tullaroan, Co. Kilkenny. This is a get together to say a decade of the rosary to commemorate the lives of the two lads shot in the ambush during the war of independence.

PARISH LOTTO Results for 06/05/24. Numbers drawn were 3; 11; 22; 24. There was no winner. Lucky Dip Winners of €50 each were Amanda Dawson, Mary B Dunphy and Cora, Joe and Sadie Bourke.

Sellers prizes went to Miriam Purcell and James Ryall. Jackpot next week will be €20,000 with reserve jackpot of €6,000. Next draw will take place on 13th May at 9 pm.

FUNDRAISER St. Brigid’s Camogie Club Committee have organised a night at the dog track on Friday 31st May 2024 at 7.30pm as the clubs main fundraiser this year. An event for all the family. Some great raffle prizes on the night also. Promise to be a great night.

Entry fee of €10 includes Race Card. Accompanying children are free.

MOUNT CARMEL DRAW Results for June - €200 Dermot McCabe, SuperValu, €100 David Lovell Ballinspittle Cork, €30 each to Rita Lacey Keatingstown, Ethel Lyons C/O Londis, Marian Dunphy Westcourt Demesne, Bridget Mullally Lismolin, Frank McKenna Kilkenny, Canice Hickey Dunnamaggin, Chrissie Lynch Newline, David Bryan Skeaugh, Roisin Crosse Westcourt Demesne, All the Youngs Tinnamona. €15 promoter’s prizes to Mary Egan, Jim Ryan and Ethel Norman.

Results for July - €200 PJ Coady Moonarch, €100 Elizabeth Grace Coolalong, €30 each to Catherine Power Tullamaine, Helen Murphy Tullamaine, Bidsy Croke Mill St, Michael O Neill Mount Carmel Bungalows, Graham Doheny Callan, Nicky Hawe Windgap, Kevin Moore Greenshill Kilkenny, Peggy Lyons Bauntha and Lily Corrigan Bauntha. €15 each promoters’ prizes to Lena Saunders, Elaine Bryan and Tom O Shea.

That leaves the last two draws for the current year which we will be held at the end of May, as that will give time to our promoters to collect for the new year during the summer months and long evenings. I would like to thank all of you who have supported Mount Carmel over the years, we really appreciate it.

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

HUGGINSTOWN, NEWMARKET STONEYFORD MASS TIMES Hugginstown: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and

Friday at 9.30a.m. Vigil – Saturday at 8.00p.m. Sunday 19th. at 11.00a.m. Stoneyford, Wednesday 15th. at 7.00p.m. Vigil Saturday 18th. at 6.30p.m.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION For Monroe School and Newmarket School will be celebrated on Sunday 19th. May at 11.00a.m. in Hugginstown Church. No 10.00a.m. Mass in Hugginstown Congratulations to the Pupils from Stoneyford School who will receive their First Holy Communion on this Sunday 12th. May. Many thanks to the Teachers and Parents who helped in the preparation.

PRAY FOR Sheila Ryan, Annamult, Stoneyford who died in England Anniversary Mass Fr. Jimmy Walsh, Edward Walsh, Ballagh.

Mass in Hugginstown Church on Saturday 18th. May at 8.00p.m.

ROTA Rota for next week-end: (Feast of Pentecost) Readers:Stoneyford: Saturday 6.30p.m. Sheila Lennon. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Valerie Farrell, Sunday 11.00a.m.

Parents Eucharistic Ministers, Stoneyford, Saturday 6.30p.m. Natalia Smolen. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Trisha Barron; Sunday 11.00a.m Ruth Crowley EASTER OFFERINGS Many thanks for your Easter Offerings during the past few weeks. This offering is for the support of the priests of the Parish and Diocese. Thank You. PADRE PIO NATIONAL PILGRIMAGE: Pilgrimage to Holy Cross Abbey, Thurles on Sunday 26th. May. Ceremonies will begin at 1.30p.m. If interested in travelling please contact: Kay Power on 086 168 7073 or Lily Burke 056 776 8008 INTERNET AND PHONE SAFETY On Friday 17th 2024, at 8.00p.m: Parents Talk on Internet and Phone Safety with Alex Walsh, Personal Safety Ireland in Scoil Aireagail, New Building. This talk is not just for parents of Scoil Aireagail students but is open to all parents in the locality. This is one not to be missed.

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

LOTTO Aghaviller Parish and Carrickshock G. A. A. Draw: Monday 6th.

May 2024 Numbers: 31; 03; 08; 02. No Winner First 3 Numbers Drawn: No Jackpot Winner: €30.00. Winners: Pat Power, Condonstown; Kevin McNamara, c/o Teresa Fitzgerald. Michael Mullaney, Lismatigue: Michael Irish, Hugginstown: Garry Comerford. 3 x €15.00 (Sellers): Jimmy Sheehan; Kathleen Fennelly; James Irish.

STONEYFORD 10K. AND 5K: Step up for fitness and community spirit at the Stoneyford 10k.

Challenge on Sunday, 19th. of May at 11.00a.m. This event, a fundraiser for Stoneyford National School, features a 10k. run for those over 16’s and a 5k. family run. Enjoy the scenic route, vibrant atmosphere, and post-race refreshments. Register today through www.stoneyford.ie to support a great cause and be part of this memorable day. Whether aiming for a personal best or enjoying family time, your participation makes a difference. See you at the starting line!

THE PRIORY INSTITUTE: Theology Open Day, is this for you? The Priory Institute provides online Theology courses to degree level. Attend Saturday lectures in Tallaght or from the comfort of your own home. Visit our website prioryinstitute.com to find out more about our Open Day on Saturday 25th. May or Phone Frances O’Loughlin on 086 8510769.

MILL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE COMMUNITY GATHERING CHAT MORNING There will be a community gathering chat morning here at the centre on Wednesday morning the 22nd May from 11am to 1pm. All are welcome.

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

LOCAL TRAINING PROGRAMME L.T.I. Names been taken for L.T.I. Q.Q.I. Level 4 due to start soon.

COUNSELLING SERVICES: Our low cost Counselling Services, includes One-to-One, Adult and Teens. General Counselling: Bereavement, Stress, Anxiety and Depression. Other Counselling Services available: Drug, Substance and Gambling Addictions. Play therapy is now also available. Age 5+. Please contact Sue for more information or to make an appointment.

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

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

APPEAL FOR CLOTHES DONATIONS Any clothes donations would be greatly appreciated in aid of our counselling/play therapy services. Donations can be left into the Centre, please call before dropping off.

JOBS, TRAINING BOARD We have a Jobs Board here at the Centre, feel free to call in and take a look, we also offer help and support with CV’s and cover letters if required.

For further information please contact us here at the Centre on 056-8838466

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 17th May 2024

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Hurlng matters - Review

Sport

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Round 3, Netwatch Cullen Park Carlow 1-20 Kilkenny 1-20 The 2024 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship continued its unpredictable nature last weekend with Carlow stunning neighbour’s Kilkenny to register their first point of the campaign courtesy of a late equaliser by Martin Kavanagh. The result leaves this year’s provincial table wide open after three rounds of action, with Dublin the main benefactors of The Cats inability to put Carlow to bed.

The Kilkenny management, players and supporters will have been scratching their heads for a few days following this performance, knowing that they will need to up the ante in the two games remaining, first up, Dublin tomorrow, and then another tricky fixture at home to Keith Rossiter’s Wexford a week later.

Three changes to the starting lineup saw Jordan Molloy, Darragh Corcoran and Killian Doyle come in for Richie Reid, Paddy Deegan and Tommy Walsh, respectively. The inform Martin Keoghan got Kilkenny off the mark with a nice point from play after a couple of early wides from Billy Ryan and TJ Reid, misses that characterised much of the Noresiders afternoon at Netwatch Cullen Park, which would see them finish with 14 men and a staggering seventeen wides.

After Mossy’s opening score, came the first major of the contest. A lovely delivery out of the Cats defence from David Blanchfield was collected by Owen Wall. The O’Loughlin’s man burst clear of a couple of defenders, made a better angle for himself before firing an unstoppable shot past the returning Brian Tracey in the Carlow goal. The home side got up and running a couple of minutes later, when a well worked sideline was sent over the bar by Chris Nolan.

Billy Ryan then fired over after good work from Glenmore’s Shane Murphy. Chris Nolan replied for the Barrowsiders, before a quickfire double from Owen Wall and Cian Kenny extended the visitors’ lead to five points. Again, the Carlow response was another fine point from Mount Leinster Rangers Chris Nolan.

Derek Lyng’s charges then hit a trio of scores without reply, Kenny and Wall from play, alongside a placed ball from TJ Reid. Playing against the breeze, Kilkenny were seven points ahead and looking primed for the expected victory, but how quickly things can change in a game of hurling. As Championship debutant Killian Doyle attempted to pass the sliotar out of defence, he took a bump from Chris Nolan and responded with a jab to the Carlow players ribs with his hurl. Dublin

Mouse strikes late to deny Cats victory 14-man Kilkenny held in Carlow whistler Chris Mooney spoke with his umpires and issued the inevitable red card to the Emeralds man with 21 minutes on the clock. Martin Kavanagh fired over from the placed ball, the first of his 9-point haul.

TJ Reid popped over Kilkenny’s 9th point of the game from a free before the classy Fiachra Fitzpatrick struck over a beauty, the first of a two-point return for the MLR player.

Once again TJ converted from a free which the home side cancelled out via a brace of place balls from Naomh Moling’s Kavanagh.

Making the most of his first start in

championship hurling, Owen Wall tagged on another tidy score which TJ added to from a free to make it double scores as the game entered stoppage time. Tom Mullally’s men made the most of these minutes, registering two further points, thanks to John Michael Nolan and that man Kavanagh to leave the home side trailing by five points at the short whistle.

Carlow made three changes for the second period, with Conor Kehoe, Ciaran Whelan and Paddy Boland entering the fray, while Derek Lyng sacrificed Billy Ryan to get a defender

on the pitch to make up for Killian Doyle’s dismissal in the shape of Tommy Walsh. The first score of the second half came from the home side and it was another classy effort from Fiachra Fitzpatrick.

Kilkenny then wrestled back full control of proceedings with four scores on the trot, a brace from Conahy’s Tom Phelan and further efforts from Cian Kenny and Mossy.

A second change by the visitors saw the Cats withdraw Jordan Molloy and send on Erin’s Own’s Conor Fogarty. The home side then mirrored their opponents and hit 4

scores in succession, thanks to points from Kavanagh, Kevin McDonald, Chris Nolan and sub Paddy Boland to reduce the Cats lead to just four points.

Then one of the points of the game, and it came from an unlikely source.

Cian Kenny gave a pass to stand-in captain Huw Lawlor, who powered forward down the left side of the pitch before striking over an absolute beauty from distance. Glenmore’s Shane Murphy then added his name to the scoresheet with quality score to push the Cats lead to six points.

Tom Phelan then saw his goal-bound

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Hurling matters - Review Owen Wall gaining possession ahead of Paul Doyle

Conor Kehoe. His Naomh Moling teammate burst through and picked out Paddy Boland with a clever pass. Boland’s attempted shot was blocked by the diving Eoin Murphy, but Kehoe reacted quickly to finish to the Kilkenny net. A goal of major significance, crafted in South Carlow to leave Mullally’s charges just one point behind.

Tullaroan’s Mossy Keoghan then rifled over his third point of the day, but the Barrowsiders replied with two of their own from Kavanagh and Donagh Murphy to level matters as the Carlow supporters dared to dream.

TJ slotted over another placed ball before dispatching a magnificent effort from halfway to nudge the Cats two ahead in additional time.

Another of the Carlow subs, James Doyle pulled one back and to most it looked like it was going to be another valiant defeat for the team at the foot of the Tom Phelan Strikes for goal as Dion Wall attempts Leinster table. to block Then came the final act of an intriguing contest.

Carlow launched the ball forward, one last attack as the final whistle loomed. A foot race between Tom Phelan and Donagh Murphy was one by the Kilkenny player, but in winning it he went over the sideline. Possibly in an act of gamesmanship, the Conahy man threw the sliotar into the crowd, and as a result the resulting sideline cut was upgraded to a free. Step forward Marty Kavanagh. The St Mullin’s man struck his placed ball high, and it curled just inside the Kilkenny posts. All square in Netwatch Cullen Park. Final score, Carlow 1-20, Kilkenny 1-20.

Cian Kenny gets away from Scott Treacy

shot saved by Carlow netminder Tracey who also prevented Mossy converting the rebound. The everreliable Kavanagh then sent over a pair of frees to make it a two-score game as the game entered its final ten minutes.

Despite being outnumbered by the travelling Kilkenny supporters, the Carlow faithful had given great backing to their side over the first hour, and the noise level was about to get a little louder.

Fiachra Fitzpatrick sent a nice pass into Marty Kavanagh, who gave a lovely lay-off to the on running

Scorers for Carlow: M Kavanagh (0-9f), C Nolan (0-4), C Kehoe (1-0), F Fitzpatrick (0-2), K McDonald (01f), J M Nolan (0-1), D Murphy (0-1), J Doyle (0-1), J Nolan (0-1) Scorers for Kilkenny: TJ Reid (0-6, 0-5f), O Wall (1-3), M Keoghan (0-3), C Kenny (0-3), T Phelan (0-2) B Ryan (0-1), S Murphy (0-1), H Lawlor (0-1) CARLOW: B Tracey; P Doyle, D Wall, N Bolger; T Lawlor, K McDonald, F Fitzpatrick; S Joyce, R Coady; J Nolan, C Nolan, M Kavanagh; J McCullagh, J M Nolan, S Treacy.

Subs: C Kehoe for S Tracey, P Boland for JM Nolan, C Whelan for

Joyce (all ht), J Doyle for Coady (58), D Murphy for J Nolan (62) KILKENNY: E Murphy; M Butler, H Lawlor, S Murphy; D Blanchfield, D Corcoran, K Doyle; C Kenny, J Molloy; M Keoghan, J Donnelly, T Phelan; B Ryan, TJ Reid, O Wall.

Subs: T Walsh for Ryan (HT), C Fogarty for Molloy (40), B Drennan for Wall (58) Referee: Chris Mooney (Dublin)

> SHERRY SAYS...

We did say that the 2024 Leinster championship was proving unpredictable and a little strange. That trend continued at Netwatch Cullen Park last Saturday afternoon. Derek Lyng will no doubt have been frustrated and possibly a little angry at his sides showing. Killian Doyle’s dismissal should have been the wake-up call, but that indiscipline, coupled with 17odd wides left the door open and Carlow pounced. Credit to Tom Mullally’s outfit, but Tom Phelan shouldn’t have given Marty Kavanagh the chance to level matters, deep into additional time. Let’s hope the lesson has been learned.

Next up, Dublin, tomorrow evening in Parnell Park (throw-in 6pm). Another road trip, another potential banana skin. Micheal Donoghue’s boys in blue currently sit top of the table in Leinster and will take great confidence from this after three rounds of action.

Kilkenny and Dublin games are usually tense, close, hardfought affairs, and tomorrow’s clash could well be more of the same. The players will need to shake themselves before running out in the Capital on Saturday evening. The prospect of defeat, ahead of a tricky home clash with the Yellowbellies is not something that Noreside Gaels want to contemplate. We need the real Kilkenny to stand up in Parnell Park. Let’s sharpen the claws Cats.

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

JOHANNA (HANNAH) BYRNE BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE 7th Birthday Away From Home Johanna (Hannah) Byrne whose birthday occurs on 22nd May 2024 Today always meant so much to me Now it only brings me tears I wish that God could have spared you For just a few more years I’m thinking of you today Nan I know that’s nothing new You were my thoughts of yesterday And you’ll be in tomorrows too The memories I’ll treasure forever They always make me smile I just wish I could hold you again If only for a while But until the day that we unite When we’ll no longer be apart But until that day, remember Nan You are always in my heart Happy Birthday Nan Love your Grandson Joseph XXX

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. C.P.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. M.M.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. C.P.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. M.M.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. C.P.

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. C.P.

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. B.P.

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. B.P.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. S.M.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. D.B.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. S.M.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. M.B.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. J.C.B.

A Prayer to the Blessed Virgin (never known to fail).

O most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful vine, Splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, O Star of the sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. O Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to grant my request.

(Pleasestaterequest).Therearenonethatcanwithstand your power. O show me herein you are my Mother. I place this cause in your hands (three times). Thank you for your mercy towards me and mine. Amen.

This prayer must be said for three days and after this the request will be granted. This prayer must be published immediately. M.B.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. D.C.

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