Kilkenny Observer 18th November 2022

There were many times in Mooncoin native Vicky Phelan’s life when the campaigner and mother of two chose to challenge medical institutions and the state.

But, the moment she was most proud of was her re fusal to sign a non-dis closure agreement which gave her the freedom to talk openly about the Cer vicalCheck scandal and ensure the women of Ire land knew.

For International Wom en’s Day 2021, Vicky Phelan spoke to the Irish Examiner about that mo ment and about what her experiences taught her. Here, we remember what she shared about her proudest moment, and her advice to other women.

“During my court case, I was asked to sign a nondisclosure agreement, which is quite common in medical negligence cases.

“I refused because I knew there were other women in the same posi tion as me.

“I just could not accept that this was being asked of me, to be quite honest. I chose to challenge that and refused to sign that agreement.”

Asked what her main learnings have been from

her experiences, the Kilkenny woman said: “Trust your body.

“As women, we don’t trust our bodies enough and I wonder why because as women we have this in nate understanding of our bodies and we know when something isn’t right for us.

“Yet often we accept what we’re being told or that it’s in our head, but you know your body bet ter than anybody else. So trust your body more, and trust your gut.”

“When you do trust your body, and you know some thing is wrong, you have to speak out.”

The campaigner said she felt there was a “huge re luctance” on the part of women to speak up.

“We don’t trust our selves... we don’t like speaking up, we feel we shouldn’t.”

“When it comes to your health, nobody knows your body better than you. It’s your life, at the end of the day and nobody is going to advocate for you better than you.”

“You only get one life, one body. Speak up.

“Speaking out is the best thing I’ve ever done.”

Please turn to Page 6

Kilkenny County Council want to hear from the citi zens of Kilkenny on how the council can shape mobility patterns in the city and how we move to, from and through the city in the future.

Transport is in a time of a transformation and options to the private car are now es sential to o er choice to all our citizens.

A Sustainable Urban Mobil ity Plan (SUMP) is a plan to address the mobility needs of people and businesses in the city and its surroundings.   e main objectives of SUMP are to improve accessibility and quality of life for the citizens and to encourage the use of more sustainable modes of transport.

is means a shift away from a city dominated by cars towards a city designed for people with more space allocated to walking, cycling and public transport.   e SUMP will also consider new innovative transport solutions such as shared bike schemes, shared cars and Park & Strides or Park & Pedal options.

e medieval lanes, slips, streets and buildings in Kilkenny provide challenges to mobility but it is against this rich tapestry that the story of Kilkenny’s history is told.  Involvement and cooperation across di erent levels of government, with citizens, stakeholders, and private stakeholders is essen tial to ensure that the heritage of Kilkenny is protected when

Have a say in your city’s future mobility

planning for our future mobil ity needs.   e sustainability, resilience and health of the city will be foremost in the planning en suring that carbon emissions, air quality, noise pollution and the greening of our city are all taken into consider ation.

is process has been designed by stakeholder and engagement rm, Connect e Dots, on behalf of Kilkenny County Council, to allow locals to be the main force driving the vision of the city.   e rst of many events, to inform the public and foster discussion around the

plan vision and objectives, will take place on Tuesday, November 22 between 4.00pm and 8.00 pm.

Áine McBeth on behalf of Connect e Dots, is encouraging the public to attend.  She said: “We want to hear the public’s perspective and gather ideas from those

who live, work and visit the city. We want to hear from people of all ages and abilities and would encourage young people in particular to attend and shape their future.”

is interactive exhibition style event in the Medieval Mile Museum will provide

the public with opportunities to have their say on the future of their City.

* Register for the event here:   https://www.eventbrite. ie/e/kilkenny-sustainableurban-mobility-planpublic-consultation-tickets-421244562827

Vicky’s wishes to be law

Legislation making it man datory for doctors and health sta to admit mistakes will be “brought to conclusion before the end of the year” Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said.

He was speaking after TDs in the Dáil paid tribute to the late CervicalCheck cam paigner Vicky Phelan.

Mr Martin said that the Pa tient Safety Bill, which was initiated in 2019, and makes

full disclosures obligatory, would be nalised by the end of the year.

An amendment to this draft law, allowing for full disclo sure of patient information, would be introduced at the nal law-making stage.

e Taoiseach also told Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald that o cials would work with “might and main” to pass the legislation — including the special dis

closure provision — before Christmas.

TDs present in the Dáil stood for a minute’s silence in Ms Phelan’s honour after tributes were paid by party and group leaders.

e Taoiseach said the new National Cervical Screening Laboratory (NCSL) at the Coombe Hospital, Dublin, would be operational by the end of the year.

He said “the new laboratory

is designed to ultimately be come the main laboratory” for CervicalCheck services. However, he said it would take time before it was selfsu cient. Samples would continue to be outsourced to labs in the United States.

A spokeswoman for the HSE said the new national laboratory was being de veloped by the HSE and the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital (CWI

UH) to become a national centre of excellence for cer vical screening.

It will be commissioned by Ireland’s screening pro gramme, CervicalCheck, to process women’s test sam ples.

e building works are n ished and it has passed all re quired building inspections.

A building and clinical equipment t-out phase is now under way to ensure the

new laboratory is ready for operation.

“ e laboratory equipment will then undergo rigorous testing, validation and veri cation before nal external quality assurance inspec tions take place,” the spokes woman said.

“Once these inspections are complete, all going well, the laboratory will be ready to begin operations by yearend.”

Her death could have been averted

Vicky Phelan died at Mil ford hospice in Co Limerick early on Monday morning, November 14, surrounded by her family – a death that might have been averted had a smear test in 2011 detected abnormalities. It gave a false negative.

A final farewell to their beloved Vicky

While funeral arrange ments for the late Vicky Phelan will remain private, her family has con rmed that there will be an oppor tunity for members of the public to pay their respects to the women’s health campaigner who died ear lier this week.

A Book of Condolence has been opened in City Hall in Kilkenny City.

In a brief statement, post

ed on social media, Jim, Amelia and Darragh Phel an said that the outpouring of grief and good wishes from far and wide are truly appreciated

“Earlier today we bade our nal farewell to our be loved Vicky.

“She was the heart and soul of our family unit and her passing will leave a void in all our lives, that at this point seems impos

sible to ll,” their message continued.

“We cherish the memo ries of a loving wife, moth er, daughter and sister, whose ability to deal with the struggles of life has in spired not only ourselves, but an entire nation. e outpouring of grief and good wishes from far and wide are truly appreciated.

e message added that her funeral arrangements

will remain private but there will be an oppor tunity, in due course, for people and members of the public to pay their respects.

e inspirational mumof-two’s death has plunged the nation into mourning.

And Vicky told back in 2021 how she believed it would be easier for her daughter Amelia, 17, and 10-year-old son Darragh if she didn’t die at home.

Speaking out to back a campaign to allow ter minally ill people to be medically assisted to die in November 2021, Vicky said she was no longer as scared of dying as she once was.

But she said that, while she wanted to go on her own terms after deciding to stop chemotherapy, she feared the process being long and drawn out.

She was diagnosed with cancer in 2014 and began treatment weeks later. A re view by Ireland’s Health Ser vice Executive discovered the mistake from three years earlier but no one told Vicky Phelan until 2017. A year later, she discovered the cancer was terminal.

She sued and won a settle ment of €2.5m without admis sion of liability from Clinical Pathology Laboratories, a Texas-based company sub contracted to assess her test. Crucially, she resisted a gag ging order and lifted the lid on a wider debacle. Inaccurate smear test results had been given to at least 208 women later diagnosed with cervical cancer. Most were not told about the revised results. At least 21 have died.

An inquiry detailed how the HSE outsourced screening to unapproved laboratories in the UK and US, failed to keep track of them and had an in adequate system for respond ing to screening errors. e inquiry excoriated “wholesystem failure” and “paternal ism” in Irish healthcare.

don’t know how this book will end, or if I will make it to the end’

In the foreword for her 2019 memoir entitled Overcoming, Vicky Phelan told the world where she drew strength from.

“For Amelia and Darragh, you are my reason for living. It has all been for you,” the cervi cal cancer campaigner wrote.

“I always knew I was strong, I just didn’t realise how strong I would need to be, especially on that day, January 12, 2018, when the horse nally caught me. Nothing could have pre

pared me for what happened next,” she wrote in Overcom ing.

“My children are what drives me, every day, and what makes me ght for any time I can have with them here on this earth.

“I don’t know how this book will end, or if I will make it to the end. But I need to tell this story, while I am here to tell it. While I have time on the clock. How this all came about. e

secrets, the trials, the tribula tions.

“And I swear I will tell you everything, as best I can. e unvarnished truth.

“I am Vicky Phelan. And this is my story.”

In July 2014, a GP sent Ms Phelan for a colonoscopy and two weeks later she got the re sults.

“I hung up (the phone). My face went white. ‘Jesus, Jim, it’s cancer’,” she wrote.

“It was like I had been robbed, robbed of even those extra 10 or 20 years that the others had had, cancer-free… I had heard so many positive stories of about people being cured. I was clinging to those. I felt sure that would be my story too. I would be one of the lucky few. I had to be.

“I was dreading the scan re sults… It was February 2015, three months since I had n ished my cancer treatment.

I sat across from the oncolo gist… ‘Everything looks re ally good, Vicky. ere is no evidence of disease,’ she said eventually.

“I felt a weight lift o me It was like a wave passing over me. I reached for a tissue as the tears rolled down my cheeks…

e cancer was gone. I could leave it behind me now. Or at least, that’s what I thought. But I soon learned, it doesn’t just go away. e remnants of that

awful disease move through your life, in ways you couldn’t even imagine possible.”

January 12, 2018, was a day “engraved” in Ms Phelan’s memory, as she was told she had “12 months to live”.

“I made a decision there and then that I would do anything I could to stay alive… ere had to be another way to stay alive. And I was going to nd it. Even if it took every last bit of me,” she wrote.

‘I

The Fact Of The Matter PAUL HOPKINS

Refugees, and a question of ‘overstretching ourselves’

ere are between 42,000 and 55,000 Ukrainian refu gees in Ireland, depending on who you talk to, with most in collective accommo dation like hotels and other wise vacant premises. Some 10,000 are working, 12,000 are in school and 1,000 at college.

With most with a roof over their heads, the argument that Ireland, in taking in these wronged and desper ate people, and in abiding by EU regulations, has “over stretched itself” seems to be, so far, no argument.

at said, and with around 200 Ukrainian refugees a day still coming into Ireland — and depending how the war rolls out, there’s no telling what lies ahead — of the 500 buildings ‘available’ to accommodate the refugees, only 10 — yes, 10 — are in use. Talk by government of cials of modular houses to accommodate the refugees is just that right now — talk.

However, as I write, there is talk of the rst such houses being “ready by the end of January of February”. We will see.

Staggeringly, up to 85% of accommodation o ered by Irish people to Ukraini ans has not been followed through by various o cials, the argument for such being largely put down to “Garda vetting”.

ere’s also lack of com munication between the Irish Red Cross and local councils.

And, Direct Provision hasn’t gone away, you know. It is the individual experi ence that proves perturbing. Some asylum seekers and refugees from Ukraine living in hotels, with one in four bedrooms being occupied, are now being told they will have to move elsewhere. Such tourists accommoda tion had a six-month con tract to provide such accom modation but, according to

sources, some outlets are saying the contract will not be renewed.

e move will be particu larly disruptive for families whose children have been attending schools in the sur rounding area — and there have been other examples of such ‘sudden uprooting’.

One letter from a hotel tells the refugees: “Due to the severe pressure on the avail ability of IPAS [International Protection Accommodation Services], we will not be in position to take requests for moves to particular loca tions.”

at hotel is just one of more than 300 hotels housing refugees where contracts will expire between now and Christ mas. Whether any others’ contracts are renewed is debatable.

It is then we will see if we have overstretched our selves.

Reportedly, county coun

cils have at least 400 shared and more than 4,000 vacant properties that could pos sibly be used but some, arguably, are too remote and have no public transport available.

Gardaí insist there are no delays with vetting, but said some applications may take longer as additional inquiries have to be carried out. “Of the 3,789 vetting applications received, 3,776 have been processed with an average vetting time of one working day,” a Garda spokesperson said.

e Irish Red Cross has previously criticised local authorities for failing to act quickly enough to co-ordi nate inspections of accom modation for suitability and such. Some councils have said they are at capacity and have no more available ac commodation, while others have shared and vacant properties.

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar says:

“

ere is no limit on the amount of compassion the Irish people have, but there is a limit to capacity.” De pending on how things pan out in the coming weeks, he may be wrong about his rst point, because Irish people’s ongoing generosity and compassion are, to judge by radio talk shows and media reports, potentially nite.

All refugees, not just Ukrai nians eeing war, dream of nding work, of nding a country that will o er them an opportunity to pay their way. Many have heard Ireland “is good at that”.

ey, in turn, can be good for us. Migrants searching for safe havens and oppor tunities bene t their host nations’ economies within ve years of arrival, sug gests an analysis of 30 years of data from 15 countries in Western Europe, including Ireland. e study, in the journal Science Advances, nds that soon after a spike

in migration, the overall strength and sustainability of the country’s economy im proves and unemployment drops. Its conclusions con tradict the idea that refugees place an excessive nancial burden on a country. en there’s the bigger picture. In the world right now, there are 51.2 million refugees. Earth’s rising pop ulation is expected to top nine billion by 2050 and 11 billion by 2100, according to the United Nations. Feeding that population will require more arable land even as swelling oceans consume fertile coastal zones, driving people to seek new places to eke out an existence.

Meanwhile, the Irish homeless gures have reached 11,000 + ...

*A airs of the Heart by Paul Hopkins (Monument Media €14.99) can be ordered online at www.monument mediapress.com

Racing Ireland doubles inspection of greyhounds

Greyhound Racing Ireland has carried out a record 2,246 welfare inspections and in spections of greyhound es tablishments during the rst 10 months of 2022.

e number of inspections conducted by RCÉ Welfare O cers for the entire year will be more than double the previous record number of inspections (1,221) carried out in 2021.

RCÉ Welfare O cers served 87 Fixed Payment Notices of €250 last year for a range of o ences, including failure to notify the sale, purchase, or death of a greyhound, under Section 10 (6) of the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011.  An additional eight Welfare Notices were served under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 with 4 Welfare Notices being served under

€200k. sees two more fire engines for Kilkenny

Minister Darragh O’Brien visited the Kilkenny City Fire Station at Gaol Road, Kilkenny where he handed over the keys of a new Fire Engine to Chief Fire O cer John Collins.

Funding in the amount of €200,000 was made available by the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage to provide one new and one second-hand re engine for the Kilkenny City Fire and Rescue Service.

Also during his visit Minister O’Brien approved funding in the amount of €242,000 for the provision of battery operated road tra c collision equipment for Kilkenny.  Both of these investments represent a signi cant commitment to continued improvement of the Fire and Rescue Service in Kilkenny and will enhance the service provided to the people of the County.

Kilkenny has bene ted from the construction of new re stations at Castlecomer and Graiguenamanagh in recent years and in December 2020 Minister O’Brien announced the Fire Service Capital Progamme for the period 2021-2025, which represents a €61m investment nationally.

Under this plan Kilkenny received funding for the provision of two new re stations, at Urlingford and Kilkenny City and for the new Fire Tender being introduced to the service

today. Together these projects represent an €8m investment in the Kilkenny Fire & Rescue Service.

e re station at Urlingford is under construction and due for completion in 2023 and the process of site selection in respect of the Kilkenny City Station is well advanced.

Welcoming Minister O’Brien to Kilkenny, Chief Fire O cer, John Collins thanked the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for its continued support and investment in the Kilkenny Fire Service . “All of these investments together allow us to provide an well trained, high quality re & rescue service to the people of Kilkenny, 24 hrs a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year,” he said.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick congratulated all associated with the provision of the new engine and re station at Urlingford and extended his thanks to the members of the Kilkenny Fire and Rescue service, which is a retained re service.

“ eir contribution to Kilkenny is immense, whether it is in severe weather or ooding events as recently experienced or in responding to house res or road tra c accidents.”

Councillor Fitzpatrick said everybody t and maintain working smoke alarms in their homes.

the Animal Health & Welfare Act 2013.

e number of Welfare Of cers deployed across the country now stands at 20, up from 17 in 2021.

Barry Coleman, RCÉ Care & Welfare Manager, said that, while compliance with legis lation and engagement with the Rásaíocht Con Éireann Traceability System (RCÉTS) remained very high, “we are

fully committed to ensuring the welfare of greyhounds across the State receives the highest level of protection.

“Our growing team of welfare o cers will con tinue to carry out extensive inspections and where nec essary, impose sanctions following investigations,” he added.

Mr Coleman urged owners and trainers to remind

themselves of their statu tory requirements under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 and their obligation to provide regular updates on their greyhounds on RCÉTS.

Updates can be provided on www.rcets.ie or by down loading the RCÉTS IOS App in the Apple App Store or the RCÉTS Android App in the Google Play Store.

Mr Coleman said that all

reports of the alleged mis treatment of greyhounds awee investigated by a des ignated Welfare O cer of RCÉ.

“Information provided to us through these channels will be treated con dentially which is important,” said Mr Coleman. “ ere is no place for cruelty or poor animal welfare practices within the greyhound industry.”

What? No Turkey for Christmas?

A shortage of turkey in the lead-up to Christmas is feared following an out break of bird u.

A ock of 3,000 turkeys in Monaghan had to be culled this week after the birds contracted highly conta gious avian u.

Fears are now growing within the Government and industry that there will be a shortage of turkeys in the run-up to the festive sea son, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue told the Cabinet.

Exclusion zones around farms and enhanced bios ecurity measures are being put in place to reduce the

spread of the bird disease.

Mr McConalogue updated his ministerial colleagues on how the disease would a ect trade and what com pensation would be avail able for farmers.

e Department of Agri culture on imposed a 3km restriction zone around the a ected farm in Monaghan in an attempt to contain any spread of the virus.

Poultry farmers with ocks located within the restriction zone are legally obliged to comply with ad ditional protection and sur veillance requirements. A 10km surveillance zone was also put in place.

Further testing on the af fected turkey ock is being carried out, with results ex pected in the coming days.

e department said it continued to advise poultry farmers to follow precau tionary measures against bird u.

Since last week, poultry farmers have been ordered to keep their ocks indoors. is followed the discovery of a dead swan with the vi rus in Co Cavan.

e Irish Farmers' Asso ciation issued a "red alert” to its poultry producer members following the positive test.

Farmers in the Cavan/

Monaghan region, who pro duce up to 75% of Christ mas turkeys for supermar kets and butchers, now face an anxious wait to see if more positive cases of bird u will be con rmed.

All poultry farmers have been told to remain vigilant for any signs of disease in their ocks and report any suspicion to their nearest department regional veteri nary o ce.

e Health Protection Surveillance Centre has said that, although the H5N1 avian u subtype can cause serious disease in poultry and other birds, the risk to humans is very low.

Phelan welcomes €10 m. to meet energy costs

Fine Gael TD John Paul Phelan has welcomed the announce ment of a €10 million fund to help community and voluntary groups all over the country meet spiralling energy costs. e fund was announced by Minister for Rural and Community Devel

opment, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State, Joe O’Brien TD.

“ e Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme will open for applica tions to groups on Monday, November 21,” Deputy Phelan

con rmed. “ e scheme is de signed to help the sector with their increased bills, which is having an impact on the opera tions of many community and voluntary groups.

“It will provide once-o sup port to organisations within

the community and voluntary sector which fall outside the parameters of other energy sup port schemes being delivered by Government such as the Tem porary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS)," he said " e scheme will open for

applications on Monday No vember 21 and close on Friday, December 2.  It is expected that payments under the scheme will begin before the end of this year and run into early 2023. Announcing the funding pack age Minister Heather Hum

phreys said: “ is new scheme recognises the pressures that our community and voluntary groups are under due to rising energy costs. is is a sector that we care deeply about and are committed to supporting them through this di cult winter.”

As I See It Marianne Heron

The Crown: never mind what really happened

Will the latest season of Ne ix’s e Crown upset the carefully rehabilitated image of Charles II and his Queen Consort Camilla? Its timing, just before Charles’ corona tion, where the series covers the period the crisis years for the monarchy during the 90s , could hardly be worse.

It will depend on how much viewers believe writer Peter Morgan’s reimag ined version of the truth.

e season opens with the ‘Second Honeymoon’ purported to heal the rift in the War of the Wales.

e couple, with Elizabeth Debicki as a hauntingly be lievable Diana and Dominic West as a more handsome version of Charles, are on a Mediterranean cruise.

ings aren’t going well, Charles is intent of touring classical ruins and Diana is hoping for some shopping

and fun. “It’s extraordinary how two people’s idea of fun can be so di erent, “muses Charles fogeyishly. Oh dear. e characters in TV series have a big advantage over people in real life. ey act according to a planned plot. ere is no such advantage for people in real life, even if they are members of the British Royal family, where chaos reigns when fate takes a hand. e challenge for the series is how to make the extraordinary goings-on in the house of Windsor believ able. e answer is you join the dots, or as Net ix puts it, you ‘factionalise’ the story and imagine what is being said behind closed doors.

Stick with what really hap pened and you get a boring documentary.

It may be a mistake to bend the truth too far, though. e storyline where Charles,

tired of waiting in the wings for the crown, meets then Prime Minister John Major to discuss getting the Queen (Imelda Staunton) to abdi cate in his favour never hap pened and has been greeted with howls of “malicious rubbish” by Sir John Major and other well-knowns.

Certainly, the season is a poignant reminder of how cruelly Diana was treated by Charles and the royal set up known as e Firm. Charles (32), having been obliged to marry a 19-year-old virgin, remained as strongly at tached to Camilla Parker Bowles as ever, to Diana’s despair, “I have tried every thing,” says Diana who is afraid her boys will be taken from her if she rocks the boat.

Although the Crown’s version of events, where Prince Philip (a less acerbic

Ukrainian nail technicians

Kilkenny College of Beauty and Sports erapy have re cently had their rst group of Ukrainian students qualify as Nail Technicians this month. is group of students have arrived in Kilkenny in the last few months, most with very little English against all adversity have worked extremely hard to make themselves highly employ able in this industry. Within 1 week of graduation most of these graduates have job opportunities stacking up. is course was run through Russian language to facilitate these students and give them an immediate opportunity here in Kilkenny to study and gain employment whilst they also engaged in English lan guage classes. e course was supported by the Kilkenny Partnership programme and in conjunction with Kilkenny college of Beauty and Sports erapy was a strategic initia tive in trying to meet the need for sta in the beauty Industry. e beauty industry is under going decreasing numbers at present and employers in County Kilkenny are having di cult times in nding sta with one salon owner stating “at the moment my business door is just been kept open and running at a loss basically due to the lack of sta in the industry “ and others saying they simply can’t take holi days due to lack of sta to take

over. With many more courses planned like the above, we will be hoping whilst giving new opportunities to Ukraini ans living in Kilkenny we will also be helping to meet the needs of our Kilkenny Salon owners.

If you are seeking sta be sure to contact info@ kilkennycbt.com who can hopefully help with more highly skilled grad uates going through.

version played by Johnathan Pryce) visits Kensington Palace to warn her o going public with the Andrew Morton book never actually happened, the spirit of what he says is all too true to royal life. “We are all in this team for better or worse and we are stuck in it.” Others are stuck too – Princess Mar garet, Princess Anne and Andrew – and stuck with a  Queen (Staunton portraying a more stolid version of Her Majesty) who rules that  duty must trump happiness.

One of the things that makes faction believable is convincing dialogue. In e Crown this tends to be more soapy than royal. In one vignette Princess Anne admires dashing equerry Captain Tim Phillips from the top of a lighthouse she has visited with the Queen. “I should stick to

lighthouses,” advises the Queen. Really? But you have to laugh when Prince Andrew, broaching the D word (divorce ) with his mother says: “I know I open my mouth and put my foot in it from time but a least I don’t put my toes in.” A ref erence to Fergie having her toes sucked by admirer Tom Bryan.

Maybe the best thing is just to enjoy the series, as a period drama like Downton Abbey without worrying about the truth. It has sec tions devoted to di erent characters like a Tolstoy novel with insights into the back story of Mohammed Fayed (who is snubbed by the Queen) and son Dodi Fayed, Prince Philip’s passion for carriage driving and Princess Margaret’s love a air with Captain Peter Townsend.

e production values are fantastic, the series is a visual treat: full of stately homes, elegant interiors, evocative costumes by Amy Roberts and the acting splendid. Above all it manages to convey an insider view of an anti quated institution intent on its own survival no matter what the cost to individuals within it.

PS: Another day, another story of child sex abuse by a Catholic order: this time the Spiritans who run Backrock College. Heinous crimes are involved but do we ever ask ourselves in the midst of all scandal  about the heavy burden of celibacy borne  by clerics. If the religious were allowed normal sex lives and marriage would even a fraction of these cases have happened?

Elderberry nature’s finest healer

CLAIR WHITTY

Elderberry is one of nature’s nest healers with a long tradition in herbal medicine. Records of its use go back as far as 460-370 BC when it was known as e Father of Medi cine. e berries have long been used for making pre serves, wines, winter cordials and for adding avour and colour to other wines. ese uses are based on Elderberry’s antioxidant properties.

Black Elderberries contain naturally occurring avo noids which are packed with antioxidants to help support the immune system. But, not

all Black Elderberry extracts are the same. Sambucol is the original Black Elder berry extract, introduced more than 20 years ago by a leading virologist. It’s the most researched Elderberry brand on the market. It can be taken as a treatment for cold, u, or respiratory chest infection. Or it can be taken as a preventa tive remedy to help strengthen the immune system through out the year.

Sambucol is Linda’s goto treatment for kids with respiratory issues. She likes the fact that it works quickly and and tastes great. She told me that Sambucol for kids can be an ideal support for kids prone to recurring chest infections or if they frequently have a snotty nose. Some kids

get a head cold and get over it quite quickly but others will end up getting a chest infection every time they get a sni e. Linda gets fantastic feedback from parents who tell her that they would not be without Sambucol.

I love the fact that Sam bucol looks after the whole family with products to suit the youngest member of the family to the oldest.

ere are several products to choose from. Sambucol Original is suitable from age 3+, it contains 3.8g Black Elderberry per 10ml. Or for younger children there’s Sambucol Kids for ages 1-12 it contains a lower dose, 1.9g of Black Elderberry per 10ml with added vitamin C. For the older child 12+ there’s Sambucol Immune Forte with 3.8g Elderberry per 10ml with added vitamin C and Zinc.

You might prefer Immuno Forte E ervescent which is dissolved in water and is ideal from age 4. Some kids love the zz and the taste. You can get gummies too. ere is something for everyone in the Sambucol range.

Elderberry, one of nature’s natural healers.

Shop online at www.natur alhealthstore.ie

Natural Health Store, Mar ket Cross Shopping Centre

Phone: 056 7764538

Email: info@naturalhealth store.ie

After copious legal issues caused years of delay the re port by the Mother & Baby Home Collaborative Forum is to be finally be published.

In an email sent to a num ber of survivors, Minister Roderic O’Gorman confirms that he has presented the fo rum’s report to the Cabinet “with a view to publishing the report immediately thereaf ter”.

The forum, which com prised survivors of mother and baby homes, was estab lished in 2018 by then-Minis ter Katherine Zappone.

The group was designed to be a consultative platform between the Department of Children and survivors on legacy issues while the Com mission of Investigation into Mother & Baby homes was carrying out its work.

Members of the forum com piled a comprehensive report detailing their concerns and recommendations. It was submitted to the Govern ment in December 2018.

However, the report was never published in full – to the dismay of many forum members.

The Government published the forum’s summary rec ommendations on April 16, 2019, but Minister Zappone said the full report could not be published – citing le gal advice from the Attorney General.

It’s understood that the re port included sharp criticism of Tusla, the child and family agency.

Many survivors questioned why the report could not have been published with any necessary redactions. Some members left the fo rum in protest over the Gov ernment’s handling of the re port and other issues.

Former members of the fo rum have expressed anger that their report is only being published now – more three years after it was completed and nearly two years after the Commission’s final report was published.

One survivor called the de lay “disgraceful”, adding that publishing the report now – after key decisions have al ready been made in relation to redress and other issues –is largely pointless.

SPECIAL REPORT

Mother & Baby homes report to see light of day after four years

Minister O’Gorman also told survivors he intended to bring a memorandum “which will seek the approval of Government for proposals to establish a new model of engagement with survivors”.

The statement said: “Sub ject to Government approval the Minister will share de tails of the new model of engagement, and the Report of the Collaborative Forum, with you after the Cabinet meeting and in advance of

the report’s wider publica tion.”

There has been wide spread criticism over the lack of communication be tween the Government and survivors in recent years – in particular since the Com mission’s final report was published in January 2021.

Some survivors have said they believe their wishes ere ignored such as redress and how the Commission han dled their testimony.

The Government’s planned redress scheme is currently making its way through the Oireachtas.

Since initial details of the scheme were announced last November, there has been much criticism of the fact it excludes people who were boarded out, a precur sor to fostering, and those who spent less than six months in an institution as a child.

All mothers who spent

time in an institution are entitled to a payment, which increases depending on the length of their stay.

Mothers who spent up to three months in an institu tion are entitled to €5,000 while those who spent up to six months are entitled to €10,000, for example.

According to the Commis sion’s final report, the aver age length of stay of mothers was 154 days – about five months.

Refined payment bands were confirmed last month, but thousands of people remain excluded from the scheme.

Women who had to work while living in one of the in stitutions can also apply for a separate payment which starts at €1,500 and also increases based on their length of stay.

The Government expects the scheme to cost about €800 million and be open to around 34,000 survivors. The scheme is due to open “as soon as possible” in 2023, missing a previous deadline of this year.

Tens of thousands of preg nant women and girls were sent to Mother & Baby homes in Ireland through out the 20th century. Their children were usually ad opted or sent to industrial schools – often without their mother’s consent.

Such homes existed in many countries but the pro portion of unmarried moth ers sent to institutions here is believed to have been the highest in the world.

Many women have tried to find their children over the years, but to no avail. Adopt ed people also struggled to find their parents, or infor mation about their early life.

These people were si lenced for decades – and when the State finally said it would investigate the sys tem via a Commission of Investigation, many of their stories were dismissed and disregarded.

€1.34 million development plan for Piltown

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced that the Kilkenny County Council’s Piltown application under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund was successful and has been awarded €1,340,000.

The works approved will include;

• The development of the old stone building, part of the original creamery, adjacent to the forthcom ing remote working hub

(funded under Town and Village Renewal Scheme), with works to deliver a so cial enterprise space and services and a community sheltered space;

• The development of dis ability and EV car parking and two cycling bays;

• Urban design and land scaping on the main street, including the development of the central junction and the installation of lighting and street furniture and;

• Planting of an avenue of trees on the main street.

All combined, these de velopments will re-create an integrated focal point in the centre of Piltown that will be viable, vibrant and will create an attrac tive location for people to live, work and visit, while also functioning as a com mercial / recreational hub.

This regeneration proj ect is funded as part of Our Rural Future, the Government’s ambitious five-year policy for rural development.

Cathaoirleach of Kilken ny County Council Pat Fitzpatrick said: “This is a fantastic announcement for Piltown. The combined and individual aspects of these works will have a number of complimen tary positive economic impacts and these devel opments are a real oppor tunity to further develop a focal point in Piltown by creating a vibrant hub of community, business, public and recreational amenities.”

‘Sharp criticism of Tusla, the child and family agency...

Black Friday: how to buy safely online Your Money & You

Black Friday is upon us again. Without doubt the biggest shopping event of the year. Millions of deals are to be had across every thing from TVs, laptops,  to mattresses, home appli ances, beauty, fashion, and toys. The sale is suppos edly the best time to bag a bargain. The average spend in Ireland is approximately €400 per person, according to research published re cently by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). It initially started in the US as a way for brands to mark the start of the Christmas shopping season the day after Thanksgiv ing. The Black Friday 2022 sale will officially start on Friday November 25 and run until the following Monday – dubbed Cyber Monday – when the sale event ends.

John Ellis

The first recorded use of the term ‘Black Friday’ was applied not to the shop ping extravaganza we now know but to a financial crisis due to the crash of the US gold market that started on September 24, 1869. Two ruthless Wall Street financiers, Jay Gould and Jim Fisk, worked to gether to buy up as much gold as they possibly could, thereby driving the price sky-high and cashing out with huge profits. The plan backfired sending the stock market into free-fall, bank rupting everyone from Wall Street barons to farmers.

The term Black Friday went through several re inventions both positive and negative over the years and, finally, in the late 1980s retailers found a way to re-invent Black Friday resulting in the idea that businesses went from the

financial red into the black thus marking the occasion when stores finally turned a profit.

Already we are inundated with adverts promising unbelievable bargains. Ac cording to the CCPC just under 40% of consumers plan on purchasing during the upcoming sales, with that average spend of €400. Of those 46% are planning to purchase electronics, with an average expected spend of €502. Laptop or tablet devices stand out as the most popular electri cal items that consumers intend to buy (37%), fol lowed by mobile phones (26%) and televisions (22%). Clothing, footwear and jewellery were the next most sought-after items (35%) with just more than half of under 25-year-olds planning these purchases. Despite the high numbers

of consumers who intend to shop in the sales, “con sumer confidence in the accuracy of advertised discounts is low”. Of those intending to buy in the sales, 49% said they do not trust the accuracy of the discount information provided. When responses from all consumers are considered (including those who don’t intend to buy in the sales), trust rates fall further with only 35% of consumers trusting the accuracy of displayed pre-sale discounts.

Trust levels are highest among young people (15 -24 years) while those aged over 55 report the lowest levels of trust in discounts.

Misleading advertising is illegal. We should be able to trust in advertised dis counts but it’s not always the case. Soon the Price

In Jail with John Lacey

BY NED EGAN

Part 1

I was running amok a fair bit in the ‘80s. Lowering the old pints like nobody’s business, throwing the remnants of a fortune about like the proverbial snu at a wake. Life then was simple and carefree. You could go to any little country pub, pull out an accordion or tin whistle, sing a song or ‘tell the tale.’ For a few hours, a little bit of magic could be snatched back from the advancing corporate maw of a deceitfully changing world.

And a royal time would be had by all.

People went for a few drinks when they felt like it, not yet bothered by vote-catching laws brought in by the greatest crowd of crims, conmen, and alcoholics in this lovely Isle - that lying scheming robbing Government mob. Whichever shower are in – they’re all thieves. e ‘robbing gene’ is in their DNA.

How quickly this ignorant shower of land-snatchers, stand-over merchants, and wife beaters saw t to lie down supinely and let the Europeans dictate what we Irish could do or drink. e bloody boring tight-arse Continentals! Christ on a bike! A funny German? But at least they’ll buy their round – not like the snotty snooty French mob. An entertaining Austrian? Get lost!

e very idea that this most Nobel-Prize-for-Literaturesaturated population should be straitjacketed into disastrous social changes by that mob is too boring to be anything at all.

So, for a nation that was deep in recession, and once more under the cosh of emigration, the most the peabrained dinosaurs in Leinster House could come up with was - a Breath Test.

e youth of the country were once again running for the boats - and all our dreadful toadying gobshite Government rocky horrors could do was lick the arse of the most dangerous destructive and murderous harridan the British Isles have ever seen. No - not Myra Hindley - but the atcher Kalefactress.

And while young men and

women in the North were murdered and tortured by her blood-crazed brigades, there wasn’t a peep out of the pollies, cardinals, or the dire lickspittle so-called Press in our benighted little {alleged} democracy.

Yes, the solution to all these problems was the Breath Test! Why? Like the tossed-o anti-smoking ban brought in recently by a smirking political and intellectual midget - it got the public’s attention away from Government evil doing - or evil nothing doing.

Did anyone seriously think that a middle-aged man, driving a tractor, was a danger to the public? Because he’d had two pints? How about cancer cases left to die in agony for lack of beds and medical helpwhile ignoramus Soapy Joe hick pollies built highroads to nowhere in their own territory - in order to hang onto a few votes?

Anyway, I ramble. I always do. But I love it!

Late on in the 80’s I ran foul of these new drinking laws. A few times. Well, many times! As a result of which “crimes” I was sent o to the Brig - the Glasshouse - the Pokeywell, the Jail.

No, I hadn’t injured or even

collided with anyone. I just had a small amount of beer . e intellectual capacity of the wimpy judge who sent me down can be ascertained by a study of his {unchallenged} statements in various Circuit Courts.

I will not bore you with more than one specimen of his deathless prose. Stand by for the literary Oscar Wildeism of this jennet - peddled into print by a manurebasted home-page of a local newsrag.. “ e crime wave in Kilkenny” {intoned Judjus Roy Beanus Lynch-Je reys - in a reedy squawk like a trapped and dying fart in a bottle} “has now reached academic proportions”!! Not epidemic - not at all: –academic!

One had visions of worthy Tutors from St Kierans College drunkenly fondling buxom barmaids, or Doctors of Literature and Divinity batin’ the shite out of handy tourists with hurleys and llets of frozen rabbit.

“Academic”, howaya.

Yes, here was Irelands answer to Socrates and Solomon. One plank sitting on a bench.

Anyway, I nished up being sent to an open prison in Wicklow, a place called Shelton Abbey. It was a most

Indication Directive will be brought in tightening up the rules on sales advertis ing and permit the CCPC to take enforcement action when businesses mislead consumers through dis count advertising. Busi nesses need to play their part in building consumer confidence. They need to provide clear and transpar ent pricing history during sale periods.

In the meantime, keep safe out there. If shopping on line purchase from an EU website as you will have more protection and rights should something go wrong. Unfortunately UK websites due to Brexit are no longer covered and a website with a ‘.ie’ domain is not a guarantee that the company is based in Ireland.

Use a credit card instead of a debit card for even

humane establishment, and the sta , right from the Governor down, were sound - decent people.

Arriving there, I was told it was up to me to set my own boundaries. I would not be watched or ordered about, but if I chose to act the maggot, a van was available to take me somewhere that was much less hospitable. Within ten minutes.

Having been in an Armed Force of some severity for several years, I saw the sense in this arrangement - and the folly of not tipping along handy between its fault-lines.

I was allocated a bed up on the second oor, in a dormitory of about twelve fellows.

e rst night I was there, they all made themselves known to me, and a fair enough bunch they were, too. Chocolate and whatever little goodies they had were pro ered, as a sign of friendship.

Needless to say, all of these pillars of society were completely innocent, having been led into trouble and strife by bad men, and left holding the baby - or the swag – by totally dishonest characters - when the wallopers put in their usual unscheduled appearance.

Observing closely these blameless paragons of goodness, propriety - and no doubt lustless Pioneerism - I decided to join them. I alleged that I, too, had

more protection. There are a number of online bank facilities which allow you to use a “one time only debit card” once used is destroyed giving  even more protection.

It’s all about getting the best deal possible. However, too many just latch onto the first deal they see whether in the shop or online. Compare offers and focus on the” selling price” rather than the “advertised discounts”. And always look for the hidden fees and charges like postage/shipping.

Finally, in all the excite ment have a plan of action, a budget and a clear idea of what you want because as Alexander Graham Bell said “preparation is the key to success”.

john@ellisfinancial.ie 086 8362622

been “framed”, and was a guiltless victim of luckless circumstance. is was a great career move, and I was straight away admitted to their pristine pure brotherhood. e fact that I’d been involved in innocent brawling events featuring Mitchelstown cops was deeply appreciated, and my acceptance was assured.

As is the way of things, the average human nds some kind of level in whatever high or low society he or she may suddenly nd themselves catapulted into. In the next few days, I struck up a friendship with ‘ e Farmer’ {who had quite mistakenly sold several of his neighbours cattle - and his tractor} and also with the main subject of this book – John Lacey.

John was di erent to anyone I’d ever met, in several respects. e one that struck me immediately was his frankness, and lack of ‘side’. e rst night I was talking to him, I asked him what he was ‘in’ for.

He opened his big eyes in honest surprise! “What am I in for, Ned?”…….. To be Continued.

Ned E Disclaimer

e opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not re ect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of e Kilkenny Observer.

Science & Wellbeing

Toward the end of the 20th century, there was a lot of dissent and argument over the scienti cally robust evi dence that showed the Earth is warming.

e evidence of global warming is so strong that even if we begin in the year 2000, it’s robust at the 7-sig ma level, with less than 1-in100 billion chance of it being a statistical uke. We’re now at the point that we have to ask ourselves when we want Earth’s hottest year of the 3rd millennium to be? We’re capable of determining the answer.

Despite sounding the alarm, the past three de cades have led to a far more dire situation. As identi ed in 2021’s 6th IPCC report, carbon dioxide concentra tions now sit at 412 ppm, Earth’s average temperature is a full 1.3 °C (2.3 °F) above pre-industrial levels, and our global carbon emissions have increased to a new alltime high: nearing 40 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, up from 22 billion in 1990. e best time to act was long ago, but the second best time to act is now. Here are the truths of the matter that everyone who’s vested in following what the science shows should know.

e Earth, at present, is indisputably a warmer planet today than at any point in all of recorded human history.

is isn’t because of the Sun; it isn’t because of Milankov itch cycles; it isn’t because of volcanic activity. It’s directly due to the human-caused emission of greenhouse gases, with the concentration of carbon dioxide being the dominant driving factor in increasing the Earth’s tem perature.

e Sun outputs energy, the Earth orbits at a speci c distance from the Sun, where it absorbs some of that sun light and re ects the rest, and then re-radiates its absorbed heat back into space. If we

A kind of plain man’s guide to warming

more we’ll re-absorb and re-absorb and re-absorb that heat, over and over, before nally emitting it back into space for good.

All attempts at geo-engi neering a solution without simultaneously reducing carbon dioxide emissions, including re ecting sunlight back into space before it’s incident on the top of Earth’s atmosphere, seeding clouds to re ect sunlight back into space, injecting aerosols into the stratosphere of Earth, sequestering carbon in either natural (ie. trees) or arti cial (ie. captured car bon) stores, and enhancing the alkalinity of the ocean, are stopgap measures at best, where the underlying cause of the problem continues to be exacerbated.

Meanwhile, sea levels will rise throughout the third mil lennium by anywhere from 2 meters to up to 22 metres, depending on our current and near-future actions.

simply accounted for these factors and ignored Earth’s atmosphere, including cloud cover, greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor, and the transparent-in-visible-light but absorptive-in-infraredlight properties of those gases, we’d calculate that Earth’s average temperature should be 255 Kelvin (-18 °C / 0 °F).

Instead, owing to these e ects, Earth’s average tem perature is 288 Kelvin (15 °C / 59 °F).

If we only look at global temperatures

since 2000, the signal is robust, signi cant, and ter rifying.

It took over 100 years from the time when global average temperatures began being measured back in 1880 be fore a robust, 5 signal (with less than 0.0001% chance of it being a statistical uke) dem onstrated that the Earth was, in fact, warming. e start of the 21st century has shown an alarming increase in this rate of warming. In fact, since the year 2000 global average temperatures have increased by 0.47 °C (0.84 °F), which is triple the average 20th cen

tury warming rate, with a “no warming” scenario excluded at a whopping 7 signi cance already (1-in-300 billion odds of being a uke).

ings are not only getting worse, but the rate at which they’re getting worse is in creasing substantially.

We may be the rst species in history to scienti cally realise how our activities are impacting, polluting, and damaging our environ ment in an existential way. It remains to be seen whether we’re up to the challenge of addressing it.

e key to stopping further,

future warming relies on decreasing human-caused carbon dioxide emissions.

One of the key things you have to realise is that what we call “the greenhouse ef fect” is a little bit of a misno mer; it’s actually more like a “blanket” e ect. e heattrapping gases in our atmo sphere behave like blankets, keeping the heat our planet emits here on our planet for longer than it would’ve been kept here in the absence of those gases. e more gases there are — ie. the more “blankets” we continue to put onto our planet — the

e biggest risk, of course, is that an abrupt and colos sal change will occur: what we’ve traditionally called a “tipping point”. Two of these are intimately related to the seas: ice sheet collapse and abrupt changes in ocean cir culation. Most climate pro jections result in 0.5–1.0 me ters of sea level rise through 2100, with an acceleration occurring in the moderate and high-end emissions scenarios. However, a desta bilised Antarctic ice sheet will lead to an ensuing cata strophic rise in sea levels.

A combination of sea level rise, tidal cycles, and shift ing ocean currents could transform what were oncein-a-century ooding events in the 1900s into annual events by 2100. One report also warns that the combina tion of deep ocean warming and ice sheet melt will likely, with high con dence, result in elevated sea levels for mil lennia.

Fountain of youth may halt bone weakening

When getting older, there can be an impaired function of the bone-marrow stem cells, which are required for the maintenance of bone integrity. is can cause our bones to become thinner, we su er fractures more of ten, and bone-diseases such as osteoporosis are more likely to occur.

Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing and CECAD Clus ter of Excellence for Ageing Research at the University of Cologne have now shown that the reduced stem cell function upon ageing is due to changes in their ‘epig enome’. ey were able to reverse these changes in isolated stem cells by add ing acetate. is fountain of youth for the epigenome

could become important for the treatment of diseases such as osteoporosis.

Ageing researchers have been looking at epigenetics as a cause of ageing pro

cesses for some time. Epi genetics looks at changes in genetic information and chromosomes that do not alter the sequence of the genes themselves, but do a ect their activity. One possibility is changes in proteins called histones, which package the DNA in our cells and thus control access to DNA.

e Cologne research group of Peter Tessarz has now studied the epigenome of mesenchymal stem cells. ese stem cells are found in bone marrow and can give rise to di erent types of cells such as cartilage, bone and fat cells.

“We wanted to know why these stem cells produce less material for the devel opment and maintenance

of bones as we age, causing more and more fat to accu mulate in the bone marrow.

To do this, we compared the epigenome of stem cells from young and old mice,” explains Andromachi Poui kli, rst author of the study. “We could see that the epig enome changes signi cantly with age. Genes that are im portant for bone production are particularly a ected.”

e researchers then in vestigated whether the epig enome of stem cells could be rejuvenated. To do this, they treated isolated stem cells from mouse bone mar row with a nutrient solution which contained sodium acetate.

e cell converts the ac etate into a building block that enzymes can attach to

histones to increase access to genes, thereby boost ing their activity. “ is treatment impressively caused the epigenome to rejuvenate, improving stem cell activity and leading to higher production of bone cells,” Pouikli said.

To clarify whether this change in the epigenome could also be the cause of the increased risk in old age for bone fractures or osteoporosis in humans, the researchers studied hu man mesenchymal stem cells from patients after hip surgery.

e cells from elderly patients who also su ered from osteoporosis showed the same epigenetic chang es as previously observed in the mice.

1.Belfast

Northern Ireland’s two cities of Belfast and Derry are a ‘must’ visit. A mashup of grit and gentility, Belfast has much to keep visitors engaged. Black Taxi Tours provides an overview, while museums and attractions interpret di erent eras of history. Other cities have Titanic exhibits but none like Titanic Belfast, set within feet of where the doomed ship was built. It brings to life the construction of Titanic and untold stories of her designers, labourers and passengers.

e city also has three Michelin-starred restaurants, plus Maddens, a raucous pub where you should grab a pint and tap your toes to traditional tunes. Titanic Hotel and charmingly idiosyncratic Harrison Chambers of Distinctions are good lodging choices.

Check out, too, its arty Cathedral Quarter (pictured).

2. Derry

Many of us rst saw Derry in Net ix’s binge-worthy ‘Derry Girls’, but better yet is to visit in person. Derry (aka Londonderry) has been the setting of horri c sectarian battles, from the infamous siege in 1689 to Bloody Sunday in 1972. Stroll atop the ancient walls to get the lay of the city – and nd the Derry Girls mural. Martin McCrossan City Walking Tours delve into local history, as do Tower Museum and Guildhall. e emotionally charged Museum of Free Derry is the most powerful, tackling events leading to the Bloody Sunday massacre.

But Derry is more than its dark days. Walk across the Peace Bridge, a striking physical ode to hope and peace spanning the River Foyle. Get a brew and bite at Walled City Brewery. Find Irish art and goods at Craft Village o Shipquay Street. Later, mosey down Waterloo Street and stop wherever the music moves you. One

Eight places worth a visit in the North

lodging option: centrally located Bishop’s Gate Hotel.

3. Giant’s Causeway

It’s fun to imagine that mythical giant Finn McCool tossed Giant’s Causeway into existence in a t of fury, as lore has it. Pragmatic scientists insist some 40,000 massive black basalt columns erupted out of the sea more than 50 million years ago, forming the coastal cli s. Whatever its origins, the geology is stunning. As you follow the trails, search for formations such as the Giant’s Boot, e Camel and Wishing Chair where, obviously, you should sit and make a wish.

4. Crosskeys Inn Crosskeys Inn, near Toomebridge in the rural interior, is Ireland’s oldest thatched-roof pub, dating to 1654. It exudes history and Old World ambiance in its cozy, relit rooms. You can qua an ale or whiskey while listening to traditional tunes played by local musicians, who gather to celebrate and share Ireland’s vibrant musical heritage.

ere’s no regular food service but there are seasonal events.

5. Seamus Heaney Home Place

Nearby, Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy presents wide-ranging exhibits about his work, and a garden with interactive components and connections to speci c poems. Heaney’s writing made the rural landscapes and everyday experiences of life here feel intimate and familiar to readers. HomePlace encompasses acres of land Heaney knew and wrote about, so visit inside but also walk the boardwalk and trails where the line between land and literature all but disappears.

6. Beaghmore

Stone Circles Farther south, wildly di erent experiences stir the senses. It’s easy to miss Beaghmore

Stone Circles, o a winding road northwest of Cookstown, at the edge of the Sperrin Mountains (don’t count on Google Maps). ese ancient circles and cairns have a palpable presence. Whether or not you feel it, the site is a peaceful place to walk and ponder who lies beneath the cairns and who so long ago meticulously arranged the stones.

7. Woodlab Distillery Gin School

At rst, Woodlab Gin School in Moy seems more lecture than fun gin tasting. Be patient.

Dr. Ulrich Dyer – an organic chemist who worked for 30 years in the pharmaceutical industry and has since produced award-winning gin –has encyclopaedic knowledge of avour pro les, molecules and infusion processes. Turns out it’s all fascinating, even for non-science types.

Not to worry. ere’s lots of tasting, too, plus dozens of ingredients and combos to test as you make your own proprietary spirit.

8. Rostrevor

We all know Narnia lies through the wardrobe, but it also lies through the Mountains of Mourne to Rostrevor in the southeast. Literary giant C. Lewis said so. Fittingly, a Narnia Trail creeps through the woods in the town’s Kilbroney Park, where places and characters from the books wait to be discovered.

ere’s also Fairy Glen, a leafy brookside trail best for sauntering, not hurrying. Stop at the Church Café before or after for tasty food and drink.

Northern Ireland is ever evocative with its verdant green spaces, castles, cli s and cities that span the centuries. It’s a place where religion dominates but folklore and mythology remain deeply rooted. While the past still informs the present, contemporary Northern Ireland sits squarely in the 21st century.

Airbnb is introducing more price transparency, rolling out a feature to display total costs, including fees, and urging hosts to implement “reasonable” checkout requests.

Starting next month, the company will display a booking’s total pricing allowing guests to see the nal cost of a listing, including fees, an Airbnb spokesperson con rmed to Travel + Leisure.

Fees often include a cleaning fee and service fee.

e company will also prioritise the total price over the basic nightly rate in the search ranking algorithm, ranking listings with the best total prices higher in search results, according to Airbnb.

e total price will include fees before taxes and will be displayed in search results and on the map, lter, and listing pages.

Travellers can currently

More transparency coming to Airbnb

see the total price for a property by hovering over a ‘greyed out’ number, but

going forward it will be the only number they see for a listing. e expansion of

Total pricing is also available in Australia, Canada, and Korea.

Additionally, Airbnb will provide ‘guidance’ to hosts on what checkout requests are considered ‘reasonable’ and require them to be displayed before guests book. e updated guidance comes as memes of over-the-top checkout requests have circulated on the internet, comparing the company’s short term rentals to hotels.

“Guests should not have to do unreasonable checkout tasks such as stripping the beds, doing the laundry, or vacuuming when leaving their Airbnb,” the company wrote in a statement.

“But we think it’s reasonable to ask guests to turn o the lights, throw food in the trash, and lock the doors — just like they would when leaving their own home.”

this tool comes after Airbnb rolled out total pricing in some markets in 2019,

including in Europe and the UK and also Ireland, the Airbnb spokesperson said.

World Cup 1966 and the Dream Team! Furthermore Gerry Moran

At last it has come round, the famous, or rather infa mous, Qatar World Cup; the most written about World Cup in Christendom, and in Arabdom, I guess, and it hasn’t even kicked off (at least not as I write) This Qatar World Cup comes to us under a cloud, not of desert dust, but a cloud of racism, homophobia and financial shenanigans.

Be that as it may I want to write about another World Cup – the World Cup of 1966 played in England and which England won (under a cloud also but I’m not going there). I have written about this before and aired it on national radio but I never tire of retelling it, and never will.

It was the summer of 1966 and, just as this World Cup holds us in thrall, World Cup soccer held

the nation in thrall back then thanks to the arrival of black and white televi sion which introduced us kids to such soccer legends as Bobby Charlton and Eusebio. As school boys we were not just in toxicated with soccer, we were inspired to form our very own football team, EMFA, a team that, 21 years later, would win the League of Ireland First Di vision Shield, beating Finn Harps, 4- 2, in Oriel Park and a team, subsequently renamed Kilkenny City, that reached the semi-final of the FAI Cup, in 1991, losing to Shamrock Rovers in Tennypark by the only goal of the game.

But those ‘glory’ days were decades into the future, a future that few of us school kids could have envisaged back in 1966

when, thanks to the World Cup on TV and the enthusi asm, and leadership, of our school mate, Jimmy Rhati gan, we formed a soccer team and entered the U18 Kilkenny & District Youth League; one small step for a soccer team but one giant step for a bunch of pimply, soccer-mad, teenagers.

But first, our newly formed team had two urgent requirements – a name and some jerseys. Yours truly suggested EMFA, a combination of the first two letters of Emmet Street and Fatima Place where many, though not all, of the team hailed from. And EMFA we became.

Acquiring jerseys, however, proved more challenging. Having zero funds in the kitty (there was no kitty) to purchase any,

someone suggested that we wear all-white on the assumption that everyone could come up with a white T-shirt. So white it was. And we were happy in white as Leeds United, riding high in the English First Division at the time, togged out in an all-white strip also. Indeed, our goalkeeper, John Cleere took it upon himself to write to Don Revie, the then manager of Leeds United, enquiring if there was any old gear going a begging. To this day, John wryly remarks: “Don Revie hasn‘t an swered me yet.” That allwhite strip later changed to claret and blue and to black and amber, true Kilkenny colours, when the team was renamed Kilkenny City AFC.

I played at outside right with EMFA until studies

in Dublin took me away. I did, however, return home regularly to play for the Kilkenny B team in James’s Park alongside my old maths teacher, the late Tony Henderson. Never comfortable calling former teachers by their first name it was not unusual to hear me shout ing: “Down the left wing, sir”, or “Down the middle, sir.” much to the bemuse ment of the onlookers (all 20 or 30 of them).

EMFA didn’t win much, won nothing actually, in those first fledgling outings in the Kilkenny & District Youth League but I have fond memories of a team that sported characters, personalities and some great players. One of those characters was the late Billy Cleere, one of four broth ers involved with the club.

Billy manned the EMFA goal and was renowned, not so much for keeping his net in tact but, for keeping a comb at hand to keep his hair intact!

Local author and sports writer Enda McEvoy pub lished a fanzine about EMFA with the tongue-incheek title based on the letters EMFA – Every Man A Football Artist. And we were, each and every one of us, in our own peculiar way! Indeed down the line five players would go on to represent Ireland at U21 International Junior level. EMFA, later Kilkenny City, resigned from the League of Ireland in January 2008 after 42 years of soccer; years of ups and downs and memorable achievements and all thanks to a bunch of school kids who dared to dream.

In declaring himself a run ner for the 2024 US presiden tial elections, Donal J Trump, the twice-impeached former president, has been eager to declare his candidacy, hoping to get ahead of likely rivals and potential criminal charges facing him.

Trump has been eager to reclaim the spotlight and pressure Republicans to line up behind him, inviting prominent party leaders to his launch event and keep ing track of who attended. Advisers spent much of the year lobbying Trump to hold o announcing until after the midterms, arguing that he might motivate Democratic voters or get drowned out by election news. He nally agreed to promise a “very big announcement” and stuck with that plan despite further e orts to convince him to wait until after next month’s runo for a Georgia Senate seat.

“ is comeback starts right now,” Trump said at his Mara-Lago resort, the site three months ago of an FBI search warrant to recover records he took from the White House, including some that were highly classi ed. He added later, “In order to make Amer ica great and glorious again, I am tonight announcing my candidacy for president of the United States.”

Trump’s attorneys have led paperwork with the Federal Election Commission for a newly named “Donald J. Trump for President 2024” committee. e ling said the new campaign would co-or dinate with an existing Trump Save America Joint Fundrais ing Committee, allowing him to potentially raise money at the same time for other politi cal e orts.

Trump’s urgency to an nounce also comes from wanting to get ahead of a po tential indictment in any of the several ongoing criminal investigations into his con duct. He and close associates are under multiple criminal investigations: by the Justice Department for the e ort to submit phoney electors claim ing Trump won key states in

THE CANDIDATE

Trump, who as President fomented an insurrection, is running in 2024

the 2020 election and for the mishandling of classi ed doc uments recovered from Mara-Lago; and by an Atlantaarea prosecutor for pressuring Georgia o cials to overturn that state’s election results.

His company is also in the middle of a trial for criminal tax fraud and the New York at torney general led a lawsuit that could freeze the compa ny’s operations, already win ning the appointment of an independent monitor.

A defeated former president running for election again while facing potential crimi nal indictment is unprec edented in US history. Trump becomes the rst former pres ident to run again since eo dore Roosevelt, and the rst since Grover Cleveland to do

so after losing re-election. He is the only president to be im peached twice, and the only one impeached by a biparti san vote.

Almost two years on, Trump’s divisiveness has re mained a de ning feature of American politics, reshaping the Republican Party in his image as much as he has mo bilised Democrats against him and strained the checks and balances in every branch and level of government.

In exit polls by AP VoteCast, 54% of voters said they had an unfavourable view of Trump, including 44% who were “very unfavourable”. e same sur vey found 34% of midterm vot ers said they cast their ballot to express opposition to Trump, with 22% who said they were

voting as an expression of sup port for him and 41% who said he wasn’t a factor.

e GOP’s disappointing midterm results have height ened e orts within the party to move on from Trump. Da vid McIntosh, president of the conservative Club for Growth, said the group’s research showed Trump’s attacks on other Republicans are taking a toll on his support and had joined calls for him to delay his announcement until after the Georgia runo . Many of the party’s top donors, who were often not Trump’s big gest fans to begin with, have begun private conversations about how best to sideline him for a new generation of leaders, according to people in touch with them.

Trump, born on June 14, 1946, would be the oldest president to enter the White House at the age of 78 and about seven months in Janu ary 2025. Biden, born on Nov. 20, 1942, entered o ce in Jan uary 2021 at the age of 78 and about two months.

Despite his vulnerabilities, Trump enters the presidential race with clear advantages. He has amassed a roughly $69 million war chest that he will be legally barred from using to fund his campaign but could route to a super PAC to sup port his candidacy without direct coordination. He can also bene t from the massive database of donors that his old group built up and he remains the party’s best fundraiser, fre quently appearing in solicita

tions for other candidates and committees.

He is also the party’s big gest draw for rallies, rou tinely packing events with thousands of fans, and his endorsements proved deci sive in many primaries, even if many of those candidates went on to lose in November.

In the AP VoteCast exit polls, 66 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning indepen dents said they considered themselves to be supporters of the Make America Great Again movement.

Trump has already begun attacking his likely GOP ri vals, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Trump views DeSantis especially as a threat, according to his advis ers, even before the governor’s landslide re-election but tressed his esteem with many of the party’s top donors and campaign professionals.

In a closed-door speech at the governors’ meeting, for mer New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, once a close Trump adviser, criticised the former president and other divisive candidates, saying the party would lose if it kept nominating unelectable peo ple and emphasising that vot ers “rejected crazy,” according to sources. More surprising than Christie’s remarks, they said, were the rounds of ova tion they received.

Trump has made clear that former Vice-President Mike Pence would not return as his running mate. Accord ing to testimony to the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol, Trump profanely lambasted Pence for refusing to overturn the electoral col lege results, sympathised with rioters chanting for Pence’s hanging and never called Pence to check on his wellbeing. At recent rallies, Trump has mocked Pence’s singledigit standing in early primary polls.

“I really do believe we’ll have better choices,” Pence told a TV interviewer last week when asked if he’d support Trump in 2024.

Why Russian army withdrew from Kherson

e decision by Russia to withdraw from the Ukrai nian city of Kherson was de cided on by sound military logic. Russian control of the city could only be main tained at a high cost to sol diers and arms. Strategically, the withdrawal is an unam biguous Russian defeat.

When Ukraine launched its countero ensive against Kherson at the end of August its military knew it lacked the combat power to storm the city. However, strikes on the bridges over the Dnipro river limited Russia’s abil ity to supply its troops with heavy equipment, while the river protected Ukrainian forces from counterattack. is favourable battle eld

geometry allowed Ukraine to create a killing area in which its artillery could in ict heavy casualties on Russia’s most motivated and competent units.

Despite the battle eld fa vouring Ukraine, over time the Russian military found itself politically xed. With drawal was initially viewed as politically dangerous, especially after the backlash from Russian imperialists over the collapse of Rus sia’s western group of forces near Izium and a chaotic Russian mobilisation. As the only major city success fully seized intact during the invasion, its loss is hard to spin as anything other than a defeat.

The Kremlin saw that it could more easily handle the political fallout from an orderly withdrawal than from eventually abandon ing the city after more months of losses. In doing so Putin has approved a shift in Russia’s strategy; one that seeks to wear out Ukrainian offensive op erations against a newly constructed defence line, letting economic warfare exhaust Western will and munitions stocks, while regenerating new forces for next year.

For Ukraine the liberation of Kherson is a major victo ry. It allows the concentra tion of forces in the northeast and demonstrates to

western allies that picking smart fights can bring about the liberation of ter ritory without the need to deliberately assault every Russian-occupied town.

At the same time Russia’s withdrawal does present Ukraine with some chal lenges. Russia now has a narrower front to defend and Ukraine no longer has the opportunity to kill large numbers of Russian troops that have a limited capacity to strike back.

Meanwhile, Putin’s gener als and their army continue to unleash missile across Ukraine aimed mainly at civilian targets. Reports say electric power in “many cit ies” is cut off.

Housing For All comes home to Kilkenny

Clúid

Minister O’Brien was on a visit to Kilkenny to o cially open a number of so cial housing developments.

Orchard Close, Kilkenny, is a new development of 23 three-bed semi-detached and terraced houses close to the town centre with access to recreational, educational and social amenities.

ere are 12 three-bed semi-detached and 11 three-bed terrace houses. e scheme was construct ed as a developer design and build project by Byrne and Byrne.

ere were o cially 656 households on the so cial housing waiting list in Kilkenny in November last year, according to gures from the Department for Housing. Residents of Or chard Close were housed from Kilkenny County Council’s housing list and they received their keys in July.

All 23 families have now moved into their new A2 rat ed homes and the scheme is now managed by Clúid’s award winning housing managers.

Minister O’Brien TD said: “Housing For All continues to deliver for the people of Kilkenny. I want to com mend Clúid Housing and Kilkenny County Council on their collaborative e orts,

supported by my Depart ment, to supply 23 families with these brilliant new homes.

“Despite the numerous challenges we are facing, home-building is continu ing at pace and this year we will exceed our overall tar gets for 2022.

“My department will con tinue to provide supports to local authorities and Ap proved Housing Bodies like Clúid to further increase supply into 2023 and be yond.”

Aoife Corcoran, New Busi ness Manager at Clúid, said:“It’s important that we continue to deliver A-rated homes to our residents. e current cost of living crisis is putting immense pressure on everyone, and the Clúid

team is focused not only on the environmental sustain ability of our communities, but also the social and nancial sustainability of our residents.”

“Partnership is at the heart of the success of this scheme. Combining forces is the only way to create more housing and move families o the waiting list and into energy e cient homes. We worked close ly with Kilkenny County Council and the Depart ment for Housing, Local Government and Heri tage on this project, and we thank them for their commitment to delivering homes like these.”

Clúid has debt nanced the development of these units using the Capital

Advance Leasing Facil ity (CALF) from the De partment of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Agency and the Housing Finance Agency (HFA).

Clúid Housing is an in dependent, not-for-pro t charity, and is the largest approved housing body (AHB) or housing associa tion in Ireland. Established in 1994, Clúid leads the way in providing high quality, a ordable rented homes to people in housing need. We work in partnership with local authorities to provide housing to those on social housing waiting lists.

Clúid own and manage over 9,000 properties pro viding a home to almost 24,000 people.

€50k. grants for derelict properties

e launch of the expanded Croí Cónaithe Vacant Proper ty Refurbishment Grant now includes eligible vacant prop erties in more remote rural areas of Kilkenny (in addition to those in towns and villages, which have been eligible since July). e scheme’s expansion will help bring vacant and derelict properties back into residential use and ensure the existing housing stock is used to the fullest extent possible. It

will also help limit emissions from residential construction and add vibrancy to Kilken ny’s rural areas.

Under the Croí Cónaithe Va cant Property Refurbishment Grant €30,000 is available to homebuyers to refurbish a home which they will live in.

Where a property is derelict, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 will be available, bringing the total grant available for a derelict

property up to a maximum of €50,000. e grants can also be combined with the SEAI Better Energy Home Scheme that covers works of up to €26,750.

e grant, provided through the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund, is a key action under Housing for All, the Govern ment’s housing plan, and sup ports the aims of the Our Rural Future policy. Over 420 ap plications have been made

since the grant was initially launched on 14 July 2022.

Announcing the scheme’s expansion, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan TD said: “ e expanded grant provides a fantastic opportu nity for even more people — from every part of Kilkenny — to refurbish vacant properties with the aim of converting them into their homes, en abling them to live in cities,

towns, villages and rural ar eas.

“ is scheme provides real practical help. It helps address vacancy through sustainable reuse of buildings It helps re vitalise our communities and, most importantly. It helps more people to own their own home. e scheme has proven to be extremely popular since it was st established in July with over 420 applications re ceived by Local Authorities .

Death of a talented teen in fall from tree

e funeral of a talented and athletic 13-year-old boy who died after falling from a tree has taken place in Carlow.

Daniel Butler is said to have been playing football with friends shortly before he climbed a tree in a housing estate in the town.

It is believed he fell from the tree on to concrete.

Daniel was taken by ambu lance to St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny where, despite des perate e orts by medical sta to save him, he died from his injuries.

e teenager, from Castle Oaks, Carlow town, is sur vived by his parents, Rich ard and Iwona, and his sister Lucy.

Daniel was known for being a talented athlete and was a member of Carlow Karate Club.

He won karate tourna ments, including rst place at the IKF International Karate Competition in Waterford in 2020.

He was a student at Pre sentation College and a pastpupil of St Joseph’s Boys Na tional School

New guide to gender pay gap

Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, has published a new guidance report to sup port businesses in gender pay gap reporting. It comes as mandatory Gender Pay Gap reporting requirements for employers with 250 or more employees will begin in De cember.

e main focus of the guide is that it shows employers how to interrogate their data and consider appropriate actions to address their gender pay gap. As the report outlines, it is important to understand that gender pay gap reporting does not indicate discrimination or bias within an organisation, or even an absence of equal pay for equal value work.

What it does report is a gen der representation gap and whether women are equally represented across an organ isation.

Speaking at the launch Ibec Head of Social Policy, Dr. Kara McGann said: “It is clear that, despite women making up over half the world’s popula tion, they are not ful lling their potential in measured economic activity, growth and competitiveness, with serious macroeconomic consequenc es. E ectively addressing the gender pay gap will contribute to addressing gender imbal ance.

Housing recently wel comed Minister for Hous ing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD to a recently opened development in Orchard Close, Kilkenny.

Advertisesment

The Market Cross was a monument which was erected in 1335 in the centre of the market-place, to mark the dedication of the community to the service of the Christian Deity and also to remind the traffickers, in the midst of their buying and selling to inculcate silently but forcibly the lesson of honesty and integrity in the fulfilment of their bargains and the regulation of their business transactions. The

Cross naturally became the usual scene of public religious ceremonies. It stood in the centre of High Street, between the Butterslip and the Tholsel, and appears to have been an exceedingly light and elegant structure. The Cross was 57 feet high (17.4 metres) and was very wide at its base. Several old writers have left us descriptions of it which give us an idea of what it may have looked like. Though, it

is not the writings that make us imagine its beauty, but the drawings taken from various viewpoints. The drawings not only give us a glimpse of the monument, but they give us a look at the High Street as it would have looked in the 1700s.

In the seventeenth century there were several private crosses, like that a portion of which still exists at the Butts, erected in different parts

of Kilkenny by the wealthy inhabitants, as tributes to the memory of departed friends and relatives, but there were two crosses of a different character, of more imposing proportions. The lesser one, known as Croker’s Cross, hav ing been placed as a military trophy (Croker’s Cross was erected in the year 1407, in commemoration of the victory gained over the Burkes and O’ Carroll’s, at Callan, by Sir Ste phen Scrope, the lord deputy, in whose army the burgesses of Kilkenny served, under the leadership of their sovereign, John Croker.), whilst the greater cross was founded in the midst of the High-Street of the city, the Market Cross. We are afforded an interest ing notice of the situation and general appearance of both those monuments by a manu script preserved amongst the Clarendon papers in the Brit ish Museum, which appears to have been a fragment of a his tory of Kilkenny, written in the beginning of the seventeenth century, and never finished nor published. The writer - whom there is reason to believe was David Rothe, the then Roman Catholic bishop of Ossory, a gifted scholar and antiquary - states that: “Towards the south the city is divided into four ways, and in the centre of the intersect ing streets was erected a marble cross, which they call Croker’s Cross, elevated on a four-square base of many steps of which one side looks

to the street of St. Patrick (now Patrick Street, the second to the Castle-street (now the Parade), the third to St. John’s (now Rose-Inn Street), and the fourth to the High-town (now High Street); almost in the centre of the High-town stands prominently forth another cross of similar material, but of more beautiful and mag nificent fashion, from whose square graduated base rises a vault supported by marble pillars, and at its apex a grace ful cross of polished marble; above which, at the point where it’s gablets diverged, were originally sculptured the statues of the saints to whose guardianship and patronage the city was of old commit ted. These are St. Canice, St. Kieran, St. Patrick, and St. Brigid the Virgin. At the time at which this cross was erected, it is recorded in the archives, that many of the inhabit ants made pious vows for the safety, prosperity and protec tion of the newly founded municipality - nay, some are even said to have burned the sign of the cross with glowing iron into their flesh, in order to their making the pilgrimage to Jerusalem, that God might condescend to prosper the undertaking of that commu nity and town.”

John Clyn, a Franciscan friar of Kilkenny, living at the period of the event in 1335, described what happened in his ‘Annals of Ireland’:- “The same year, on Thursday, the morrow of Lucia the Virgin, the great

cross was put up in the centre of the market-place in Kilkenny, at which time many persons, flying to the cross, were marked on naked flesh with the sign of the cross, with a red hot iron, that they might go to the Holy Land”.

The Market Cross was the scene to many gruesome encounters, and there are records of heads being decapi tated and hung from the cross for all to see circa the 1640s by Cromwell. Three of these heads were actually uncovered quite recently with excavation works at James Green. In 1650, much damage was inflicted on the cross by the muskets of Cromwell’s soldiers after they used the cross on top for target practice. This was after the surrender of Kilkenny to his forces. This damage was later repaired. It was deconstructed in 1771, when it was calculated to weaken the sympathies of the civic council for monu ments of the kind, also it was due to the thoroughfares being impeded by the large gradu ated bases of the Market Cross and of Crokers Cross and they also removed it due to many mischievous subjects meeting beneath the Cross to conduct illegal business

If High Street was ever pedes trianised, something like this should be placed at the centre of it. A detailed drawing with exact dimensions of the Cross is on display in the National Library of Ireland making it possible to construct an exact replica.

The Market Cross is better known in Kilkenny today as a shopping centre, but where did the name come from?

SuperValu Market Cross -

At the heart of Kilkenny city for over 25 years

We are a large supermarket in the heart of the com munity, supporting many charities while catering for all your shopping needs.

We stock Fresh and Local produce in store and con tinue to deliver exceptional quality, value and customer service.

We have some of the best meat in the county! Our butchers can cut to your liking and provide you with cooking tips. So whether it’s a Sunday roast or our pre pared in store range, ready to pop straight into the oven for those busy evenings, SuperValu Market Cross has you covered.

You can either shop in store or online. For online shopping, simply go online and choose SuperValu Kilkenny for home deliv ery. Alternatively, you can choose our click and collect

service. One of our dedicat ed shopping team will treat

your shopping list like it was their own.

Drop in this festive season and order your Christmas Turkey and Ham before 16th December to be in with a chance to win your order for FREE!

Call 056 775 2444 or visit our website for more infor mation: supervalu.ie SuperValu Market Cross Kilkenny. Shop Local, Shop Irish.

Specsavers Kilkenny opens new state of the art audiology units

SPECSAVERS Kilkenny has recently undergone an expan sion and has introduced new state-of-the-art audiology rooms to support the local community with all of their hearing needs.

Speaking about the expan sion, Lisa Hanrahan, audiology director of Specsavers Kilkenny says: ‘Specsavers Kilkenny are delighted to have a new audi ologist who will run the second audiology room. The team are committed to providing expert audiology care seven days a week to those who need it.’

It comes as research show that more than one in four adults believe their hearing has deteriorated since they started working from home – due to a rising use of head phones.

A study of 2,000 people who work from home found they now wear headphones for an average of three-and-a-half hours on a typical day – an hour longer than before the pandemic.

The research was commis sioned by Specsavers who found that 36 per cent have noticed an increase of earwax build up in the last two years.

Specsavers Kilkenny offers free wax checks and microsuc tion wax removal. Microsuc tion is the quickest and safest method of earwax removal, in

cluding hard or impacted wax. The process is comfortable as it avoids touching the sensitive skin of the ear canal and has no contact with the eardrum. The medical suction device will quickly and carefully remove the earwax, while constantly maintaining vision of the ear canal using a microscope. So, Specsavers Kilkenny are able to ensure wax removal quickly, comfortably, and with minimal risk of further complications.

Specsavers Kilkenny are aware that hearing loss is ex perienced by around one in 12 Irish adults and affects people of all ages. Your hearing changes over time and for dif ferent reasons, which is why people experience different types of loss at different stages in life. Despite this, many people often ignore the signs of hearing loss, concerned

about being judged by others. Following changes to the PRSI scheme last year, those eligible for the benefit can now avail of a pair of hearing aids up to the value of €1,000 or put their PRSI contribution towards the cost of a more expensive pair of hearing aids at Specsavers. Even with a Medical Card, many will also have PRSI entitlements which would make them eligible for a free pair of hearing aids. Getting a hearing aid is all about finding what’s right for you, understanding your hearing needs, your lifestyle and your budget. Specsavers Kilkenny offers a wide range of hearing aids, including its own Specsavers Advance range. Advance hearing aids feature some of the latest technology, at Specsavers prices. Features can include background noise reduction, mobile audio streaming from a device such as a phone, wireless connec tivity, app connectivity, and rechargeability.

At Specsavers Kilkenny, cus tomers are always guaran teed expert hearing services, exceptional choice, and outstanding value for money. To make an appointment call +353567807020 or visit https://www.specsavers.ie/ stores/kilkenny-hearing.

The History of the Market Cross of Kilkenny

History has many references to the Market Cross of Kilken ny over the years, some of which are dark stories, show ing us the nature of our grisly past. In 1642, at the time of the Confederation, following the slaughter of detachments of government troops by the large Confederate Army near Ballyragget, the heads of two officers and five others were hung on the Market Cross on the next market day, before burial in James’ Green.

Clergy found the cross a convenient place to preach to the citizenry. In 1645, when the city welcomed the papal nuncio Rinuccini with a large procession, the Nuncio

recorded in his memoirs that they stopped at the very high cross in the middle of the city, where a prayer was recited, before going on to the Cathedral. In 1680, a local Jesuit, Father Archdecan, wrote a graphic account of the damaging of the cross by Cromwellian soldiers in 1650 and concluded by saying “But behold the wrath of an aveng ing God quickly pursued the authors of this sacrilege. A mysterious malady seized them, so that none survived it more than a few days”. He didn’t mention the Plague, which was rampant in the city at the time.

After the Williamite excesses

at the end of the 17th century, there was a new Corporation, and their attitude to remem ber monuments of this kind had changed. Among the bur gesses, much of the respect for the cross and its purpose was lost. It became a haunt for idlers and dissolute char acters who frequented the markets and it was a scene of gambling and mischief.

In 1771, the chief magistrate was Alderman William Blunt Junior, a man of strong Puri tan disposition. He set about clearing the idlers congre gating around the cross. He was wont to pounce on card players, arrest them and have them carried through the city in ludicrous costumes with high peaked paper caps bearing images of the ace of spades. This behaviour reflected more upon the magistrate than upon the card players.

Without the authority of the Corporation, he pulled down the superstructure of the cross, leaving only the base. Cut stones from the monu ment were stated to be stored in the yard of the Alderman’s house at the coal market and ultimately were used for com mon building purposes. Was it his intention to re-erect it in the Parade, as some people had said? Or did he just knock it down as part of his campaign against its misuse? The story is a fascinating one, surely one to ponder over as you amble through our bril liant Market Cross Shopping Centre today

A Magical Christmas Experience at Market Cross

This Christmas, Market Cross will be trans formed into a glorious Winter Wonderland! We aim to go bigger and better than ever before, bringing you a magnificent array of events with a sensational wonderland experience. Lesley Cleere, Centre Manager came up with the concept and recruited Daniel Woods to help her build and follow through with the dream of a magical winter wonderland.

We would like to start by giving a huge welcome to River Nore Music Academy who has joined the neighbourhood! You can welcome them at the ‘Santa Launch Party’ as Lilian and her students will perform for all to hear. Black Gambit, an Xtreme Card Manipu lator will also be performing at the launch party. He will show you the most astonishing and mind-blowing card tricks that will leave you questioning your own eyes. Prepare to be amazed!

Fantasy Face Art will be here every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm - 3pm starting the first week in December. Whether it be Jack Frost, Rudolph or even Frosty the Snowman, become a festive piece of art that Santa would be proud of!

Finish off the lead up to Christmas on a mellow note. Join us at 6:30pm on Thursday the 22nd December for a very special evening of music with the Lady Desart Choir. Sit back with a cup of hot chocolate and listen to the beautiful and angelic sounds of a choral Christmas.

This year, we have a very special surprise! We are raising money for charity in the most unique and festive way. We will have a selec tion of Christmas trees, which are available for

you to buy. All the money gathered from these sales will be donated to the Children’s Diabetes Ward in Our Lady’s Children Hospital Crumlin, a charity close to our hearts. This distinctive concept of fundraising will not only enrich the lives of these children, but it will add value to the homes of the people who have purchased these trees for Christmas.

Start off the Christmas cheer with a jolly good time at our fabulous ‘Santa Launch Party’ at 12:30pm on Saturday the 26th November. Make sure you’re there when Santa arrives with Mrs Claus and his trusty little elves, they will expect to see you there to greet them!

Our very own Winter Wonderland in the centre of Kilkenny, it’s something not to be missed!

The Kilkenny Beer Festival

BY JOHN FITZGERALD

e craic to end all craics.

at was the Kilkenny Beer Festival… one of the biggest and brightest projects of its kind ever attempted in Ireland. Its main instigator was a Mr. Bill Finnegan, who was elected Chairman of the Festival com mittee that helped to organise the Marble City’s annual booze-up and carnival-style outpouring of joy and hoopla that became world famous.

Inspired by a similar event in Munich, Germany, Kilkenny’s rst beer festival was held from May 10th to May 18th 1964.

Mr. Finnegan had promised that he and his committee would give Kilkenny a week to remember…and he kept his pledge (well, more or less).

A German band was own over from Bavaria to join local bands that would play into the early hours of each morning for the duration of the festival. What a week it turned out to be. Almost 200,000 people converged on the city. An estimated 50,000 of these passed through the hectic beer tent that accommodated up to 6,000 drinkers at a time if you included standing room.

Smithwicks provided a spe cial brew for the occasion, a lighter beer to suit the drinking taste- and capacity- of men and women not accustomed to wielding double pint glasses

of the type used in Munich.

Nobody who sat at a table in the palatial beer tent – or took his tankard of ale standing- has ever forgotten the helter-skel ter atmosphere of the nightly

sessions. Or the dazzlingly colourful Bavarian costumes that the musicians wore. e band played heart-stirring tunes and haunting melodies, to which the teeming crowds swayed, clapped, and sang. e clinking of glasses became an integral part of the music sessions.

Among the favourites were Roll out the Barrel and Lily Marlene. ere was no short age of beer. Smiling maidens in pretty Germanic attire and dainty aprons swirled about the tent with glasses of frothy ale to keep sobriety at bay and the lads and lassies well tanked up. eir winning ways worked well with the male sec tion of the swaying throng. ey loved the sight and texture of the barmaids who swished past or hovered over them. Attempts to grab the women were gently and laugh ingly brushed o . Passions had to be suppressed. Wives and girlfriends eyed their men jeal ously as the lads gaped lascivi ously at the imitation Frauleins who really looked the part.

As the night wore on, the mood changed and oscillated as laughter mingled with argu ment and sobbing; and wild, joyous singing was punctuated by spontaneous though often confused outbursts of melan choly whistling or crooning of sad ballads by severely “under

Tips to stay safe this winter

Last week we started our ‘lets get winter ready’ cam paign for our seniors in the community. e Twilight community group have

a number of Initiatives ongoing with plans for 2023 well under way. Over the next couple of additions, we will concen

trate on certain areas where not just our seniors but all members of our community can take care. Always re member ‘Communities Are

Stronger Together’

Take extra care

To date our weather has re mained mild but even as we write this piece the tempera

the weather” drinkers. Tears owed, but these were tears of release and nostalgia. Feel ings of gloom and doom had been washed away by rivers of soothing alcohol.

And the patrons of this mega-boozing session hailed from all walks of life. Hitch hiking students and seasoned pub philosophers rubbed shoulders with well-heeled businessmen, o -duty clerics, female o ce workers and “society people.” A truly demo cratic drinking experience.

Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the city, Kilkenny Castle courtyard echoed to the steps of Bavarian-style folk danc ers. eir costumes recalled a more innocent age when maidens and sturdy young fellows danced at the cross roads or in the middle of rustic villages. Accordion music accompanied their elegant homage to the past.

e dancers spilled out of the

tures are taking a dip and the nights are getting cooler Everyone, especially older or more vulnerable people, should remember to take extra care during a cold spell. Elderly people should not venture outdoors in severe weather if possible. e public are asked to make a special e ort to keep in contact with their neigh bours and relatives, particu larly those living alone.

Remember: • keep warm, eat well and avoid unnecessary travel • call on elderly relatives and neighbours and ensure they have su cient supplies of food and of any prescription drugs they may need

• ensure that older people have su cient fuel sup plies to maintain adequate heating in their homes

• Preventing falls and trips

Emergency Departments around the country can be busy in severe weather, dealing with sprains and fractures as a result of slips and falls on icy roads and footpaths. While both young and old present to Emergen cy Departments as a result of falls on ice, as we get older a fall can result in broken bones, a loss of con dence, loss of mobility and fear of leaving the home. Many falls can be prevented and by making small changes we can reduce the chances of falling.

Accidents do happen but many slips, trips and falls are

courtyard onto the Parade and into the network of City streets. Street lighting illuminated their impeccable impromptu performances. Crowds gath ered wherever they danced.

Delighted revelers lined the footpaths to admire the splash of colour, a rare musical treat, and breath- taking choreog raphy.

Singing and dancing erupted all over the City. Ballad groups played at every street corner, wooing the inebriated crowds with their banjos, guitars, tin whistles, and accordions.

Hearty shrieks of “Fine Gerrl Y’are” electri ed the already highly charged atmosphere. Continental visitors miscon strued these throaty allusions to the quintessential Irish Colleen as Celtic greetings and ancient Irish battle cries.

(Pictures show: heading for the tents, revelers, and festival dignitaries…)

To be continued…

preventable. A lea et, ‘Keep Safe is Winter – Prevent ing Falls and Trips’, is avail able at the bottom of this page with lots of helpful tips on how to be safe in your home and outdoors this winter. You can also contact your Local Health O ce for more advice.

Fall prevention in your home:

• leave a low energy light on at night time, preferably one with a high light output

• use a non-slip shower or bath mat

• make sure wires or cords, such as from lamps or tele phones, do not trail where you walk

• arrange furniture so that you can easily move around all your rooms

• keep the oors clear from items such as papers and books that could cause you to trip

• remove rugs or use nonslip tape or backing so rugs will not slip Consider install ing hand rails on both sides of the stairs

I hope you found this in formation useful and maybe make us all think more about the hidden dangers we encounter on a daily basis.

Next week the Twilight Community Group will con tinue with our campaign of ‘Let’s Get Winter Ready’ in conjunction with Free Newspaper Kilkenny Ob server

Heading for the tents

Happy Days at the Beer Festival

Dignatories at the Beer Festival

Fr. Tommy MurphyMuch loved priest and hurling legend

e death occurred on Monday morning of Canon Tommy Murphy. A long time cleric at St John’s parish in Kilkenny, he was a GAA legend.

Tommy Murphy won two senior All Ireland medals, four Leinster, an All-Ireland minor medal and a county senior title.

An iconic leader and a successful coach he was the driving force behind the formation of the O’Loughlin Gaels GAA club.

He was also a founding member of e No Name Club.

Having played in four All Ireland nals- 1963, 1964,1966 and 1969, Tommy Murphy had the unique record of never playing a league game for Kilkenny.

His absence from league hurling was all down to the regulations governing seminarians and clergy at the time.

Essentially, this context meant that Tommy could only represent the county during his holidays from St Kieran’s college.

Although, when the rule impinged on a prospective championship appearance, he circumvented it by not reporting back until after he had played in the 1964 All Ireland nal.

CLERICAL ERROR?

When interviewed for e Stripy Men book ( 2008)

Tommy laughed as he recalled that nobody seemed to notice his absence.

“It must have been a clerical error”, he quipped drily.

Tommy was remarkably philosophical when re ecting

on that period.

“I never though too much about it to be honest” he mused. “ at’s the way things were, and I just accepted it”.

O tempora, O mores. e young Tommy Murphy regularly travelled, as he put it “down the road to ‘Ross’ to see the Wexford team of the 1950’s.”

“A mighty team and mighty men”, Tommy recalled.

Tommy spoke about Ollie Walsh as being the only Kilkenny hurler he would see.

Ollie was driving a milk lorry at the time and when

he came to the village we’d gather around and watch him hurl milk churns all over the place”

In 1963, after impressing in an intermediate match against Kildare, he received a call to join the senior panel (also getting the nod at that time was Tom Walsh from omastown).

Tommy made it clear that going to train with the seniors was a nervous time for him.

“I was the rst man from my end of the parish, e Rower, to make the team, and I was in awe of all these stars”. But

as he said “I was determined to do my best and see where it got me”

His best must have been su cient, for later in the year he played a vital role when he scored 2-1 in Kilkenny’s All- Ireland victory over Waterford.

It was indicative of his innate ability that Tommy Murphy, despite the restrictions placed upon him, continued to thrive locally and nationally. While always extremely modest about his achievements, he is recognized by his

contemporaries as one of the foremost scoring forwards of that era.

A WONDERFUL LEGACY

During his lifetime Fr Tommy Murphy was central to many innovative programmes that helped support and strengthen the community. He displayed patience and rare diplomatic skills as he negotiated with the various stands of St John’s Parish from Johnswell, Dunmore and the City as he set about forming O’Loughlins GAA club. Dealing with

the collective minutiae was a complicated and an onerous task but Fr Tom’s determination saw the task completed, successfully and the club was founded in 1969. eir rst under age success in 1972 when Kevin Robinson captained the club to Minor hurling success was followed quickly with Junior football success in 1974 and Junior hurling success in 1975 when Mick Dooley captained the team that beat Ballyragget. Since then the club has progressed and is now recognised as a shining example of an inclusive sports organisation incorporating all sections of the community from youth to seniors.

As O’Loughlin’s continued to progress, Fr Tom became perturbed by other societal concerns. e abuse of alcohol among teenagers worried him and after consultations with his good friends Eddie Kerr and Eamon Doyle, together they founded the NO Name Club in 1978. is club would be a place where young people would make the decisions and help to organise positive alternatives to alcohol-based activities. is club resonated with the community and it grew and spread at a rapid pace. Today the No Name Club is active throughout the country.

As a long -time curate in St John’s Parish Fr Tom’s priestly interactions were lled with decency, kindness and generosity. His endeavours on behalf of parishioners allied to his a able nature allowed him to gain the respect of the community and to develop long lasting friendships.

Fr Tom was a visionary whose enthusiasm helped invigorate community groups allowing them to take control of their own a airs and wellbeing.

With understanding and humanity, he helped to implement changes that brought improvements. It is a testament to his life’s work, that this rural priest, had such major impact on Irish society. It is no exaggeration to state that Fr Tom’s in uence has permeated our country and that successive generations have bene ted from his endeavours and commitment.

Seasonal offers for Black Friday from Irish company; The Sweater Shop

online store. e family has kept its niche o ering current by continuing to remain true to the core values that the company was built on 35 years ago - Value, selection and quality knitwear.

Support Irish companies this winter and shop local, shop quality and shop stylish at e Sweater Shop. A family run and with a vast range of beautiful premium products, quality is always at the fore front of the business.

e Sweater Shop is a family run business which was es tablished in 1986 by Dom Byrne. e Sweater Shop is truly a family a air with Dom’s son Paul, daughter Laura and daughter in laws Kate and

Eileen Louise running the busi ness today. Specialis ing in Irish Aran knit wear at a ordable prices, the Sweater Shop has 5 locations across Ireland with two shops on Nassau Street in Dublin, two in Galway and one in Kilkenny city as well as a busy

e Sweater Shop is a wellknown and highly regarded brand for wardrobe staples such as Aran knits for men and women, beautiful baby clothing such as mini-Aran sweaters, booties and pin afores. Classic men’s clothing such as grandfather shirts, chunky warm knits and ac cessories in a vast range of colours, as well as evergreen items such as 100% Irish wool slippers that have become a must-have for the cold months! For the home makers, e Sweater Shop’s premium luxury throws will be wellreceived and come in a large selection of colours and patterns.

BLACK FRIDAY OFFER (24th - 28th No vember): Up to 50% o in store and online on selected items! All items are available in e Sweater Shop outlets nationwide as well as online at www.sweatershop.com. Worldwide shipping avail able

Barry’s was surely Kilkenny’s smallest shop

is article rst appeared in e Kilkenny Standard in 1980

As you walk down the very narrow High Street in Kilkenny these days, near the end of the street at its junction with James Street, you can see a small stone plaque on the wall where “ e Gourmet Store” currently trades. e stone plaque reads;

BY GEOFF ROSE

‘High Street founded AD 1200 Widened AD 1883. John Hogan Mayor.

As you stand reading this historical plaque, avert your eyes to the right and you will see where one of Kilkenny’s smallest shop was, up to recently, trading as “Cuts and Curls”, but for decades of Kilkenny people, it had the name BARRY over the door, as indeed it does to this day.

Barry’s Vegetable shop traded in its High Street premises for over 40 years. Originally, before the Barry family started to trade there, it was a butchers shop, run by the Doheny family, who had a slaughter house in St Kieran’s Street, behind the High Street shop/.

Kilkenny’s Smallest Shop Walk down High Street any morning and as you approach the lower end, you cannot but help notice the bright and attractive display of vegetables outside what must surely be the smallest shop trading in Kilkenny, if not Ireland.

Next September, Barry’s Vegetable shop will have been selling fresh produce to the community for a staggering 35 years from

their premises that measures 14 feet by a 7 feet in, width, by 8 foot high, and it was in this same shop that Patrick and Mary Barry started in 1945, with little or no capital, and a lot of determination, their son, Fananhan, is now in charge of the shop, and his friendly disposition towards all his custom ers makes shopping there a very pleasant chore. Despite its smallness, the walls of the shop carry an array of produce that is mouth watering and inviting at the same time, and the colours of the rainbow protrude from the shelves with crisp celery, ravishing radishes, mouth watering melon, cool cucumber, and the tempting tomatoes, all vying with crisp rm heads of red cabbage, snow white cauli ower, and a wide variety of household fruits, apples, oranges, pears, peaches, and even the occasional exotic pineapple, all waiting to be purchased.

When the shop is packed, and as Fananhan says “our capacity is between 8 and 10, things can get a little hectic, but all our regular customers tend to help themselves, and every thing works out satisfactorily.” In some ways the shop is not unlike entering the confessional box, because of the intimate nature of the shop, with ‘Fr’ Fanahan dispensing vegetarian goods for the betterment of our ‘souls’. e shop has been featured in

the very successful “Ballymaloe Cookbook” by Myrtle Allen, and was the subject of an article in a Swedish magazine a couple of years ago. Here’s to the

next 35 years.

A postscript to the article.

When Barry’s Vegetable shop ceased trading it was converted into a Hairdressing salon by Ms Kay Barry, a daughter of

Paddy & Mary Barry, and sister to Fanahan Barry, thus keeping the BARRY name on the High Street for more than 75 years, or more than three quarters of a century.

(77 years approx)

What Mayor John Hogan would have made of the current state of High Street, is a matter of speculation and opinion.

MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre partners with MCR Group to embark on a green journey

MCR Group, one of the largest providers of outsourced sta and services in Ireland, Mac Donagh Junction Shopping Centre, Kilkenny’s premium residential, commercial busi ness and leisure quarter and Bannon, Ireland’s largest domestically owned Com mercial Property Consultancy have collaborated to achieve their sustainability goals.

MCR Group launched ÍON,

their environmentally friendly service o ering in 2019 and Bannon was one of the rst clients to fully implement ÍON practices on site at Mac Donagh Junction Shopping Centre. MacDonagh Junction, with the help of MCR Group, is committed to adopting completely paperless pro cesses, single use plastic free, using biodegradable chemi cals and materials and only

integrating energy e cient, reusable, long-lasting equip ment made of recycled ma terials. In 2021, MacDonagh Junction installed electric car charging stations within their car parks. In addition to this, MacDonagh Junction have partnered with Cycle Kilken ny Cycle Kilkenny to create a Smarter Travel Programme which includes covered bike parking, borrow a bike lock

and bike repair stands in order to promote cycling in Kilkenny City.

After completing a carbon footprint assessment, Mac Donagh Junction decided that sustainability was an upmost priority and by involving MCR Group, MacDonagh Junction have reduced their energy consumption by 44%, reduced water consump tion by 50% and recycle 65%

of waste streams. Currently, MacDonagh Junction are creating a pedestrian link to Kilkenny Train station to strengthen connectivity and encouraging use of public transport.

Centre Manager Marion Acreman stated “ e team at MacDonagh Junction are con stantly identifying ways to de crease our carbon footprint, from LED lighting upgrades,

careful management of waste and energy resources and recently, our collaboration with MCR to drive a greener cleaning service at the centre. We will continue to be careful with our business activities to make our environment clean, safe, and sustained for future generations”. For more information on their sustain ability initiatives visit www. MacDonaghJunction.com

Food & Drink

Me Come Dine With

Salt-baked lamb shanks

Prep: 45 mins

Cook: 4 hrs

plus 1 hr resting Serves: 4

Slow roast lamb shanks in a salt-dough crust and impress your dinner party guests with tender, succulent meat.

Ingredients

• 4 lamb shanks, French trimmed, trim reserved (see tip)

• 8 garlic cloves

• olive oil, for drizzling

• For the salt-crust dough

• 1kg plain our, plus extra for dusting

• 300g  ne sea salt

• 3 egg whites

Method

STEP 1

First, make the salt-crust dough. Mix the flour and salt together in a large bowl. Add the egg whites and 400ml water, and stir together with a wooden spoon to form a firm dough – add a little more water if needed. Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 mins or until smooth. Wrap in cling film and set aside to rest for 1 hr. (You can also make the dough in a freestanding mixer with a dough hook attachment).

STEP 2

Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3 and

Carrot and parsnip soup

Prep: 20 mins Cook: 35 mins Servies: 4-6

Create a batch of creamy parsnip and carrot soup for a warming lunch or supper. Serve with crusty bread and freeze any leftovers you have for busy days.

Ingredients

• ½ tbsp olive oil

• 2 onions,  nely chopped

• 2 celery sticks,  nely chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

• ½ small bunch thyme, leaves picked

• 3 large carrots, peeled and roughly chopped

• 2 large parsnips, peeled and roughly chopped

• 1 litre vegetable stock

• 100ml double cream

• ¼ bunch parsley,  nely chopped (optional)

line a baking tray with parchment. Divide the dough into 4 even-sized pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each into a circle almost 1cm thick. Place a lamb shank in the centre of each disc of dough and tuck 2 garlic cloves underneath. Brush the edge of the dough with a little water, then gather it up and around the lamb shank, leaving the bone exposed. Make sure all the meat is covered and the pastry is well sealed. Transfer to the lined tray. Can be assembled 1 day ahead and chilled. Put the lamb in the oven and bake for 3

hrs 30 mins, by which time the crust will have turned a dark brown.

STEP 3

Once the lamb is cooked, leave it to rest for 30 mins. Using a bread knife, open the crust and very carefully remove the shanks and the softened garlic cloves, then discard the crust. Place the shanks on a baking tray and drizzle with a little oil. Blowtorch the lamb (see tip) to give it a crisp, toasty nish. Serve the lamb with the garlic cloves, Soused red cabbage and Beer-braised Puy lentils (see Goes well with for the recipes).

Espresso martini

Prep: 5 mins Cook: 5 mins Serves: 2

Learn how to make this classic co ee cocktail. Our easy recipe uses freshly brewed espresso, a dash of co ee liqueur and a simple sugar syrup.

Ingredients

For the sugar syrup

• 100g golden caster sugar

For the cocktail

• ice

• 100ml vodka

• 50ml freshly brewed espresso co ee

• 50ml co ee liqueur (we used Kahlua)

• 4 co ee beans (optional)

Method STEP 1

Start by making the sugar syrup. Put the caster sugar in a small pan over a medium heat and pour in 50ml water. Stir, and bring to the boil.

STEP 2 Turn o the heat and allow the mixture to cool. Put 2 martini glasses in the fridge to chill.

STEP 3 Once the sugar syrup is cold, pour 1 tbsp into a cocktail shaker along with a handful of ice, the vodka, espresso and co ee liqueur. Shake until the outside of the cocktail shaker feels icy cold.

STEP 4 Strain into the chilled glasses. Garnish each one with co ee beans if you like.

Gooseberry gin

Prep: 10 mins plus steeping Makes 1 x 700ml bottle

Make the most of those gooseberries you’ve been growing and turn them into gooseberry gin. Drink neat, with tonic, or mix with sparkling water and mint.

Ingredients

• 400g gooseberries

• 150g-250g caster sugar

• 700ml bottle gin

You will also need

• 1l wide-mouthed, ip-top jar, sterilised

Method

STEP 1

Wash, then top and tail the gooseberries, discarding any leaves or stalks. Cut each berry in half, then put the fruit into the sterilised 1-litre jar. Add the sugar – 250g for green gooseberries, 150g for sweeter, red gooseberries, then pour over the gin. Seal the lid and shake until most of the sugar dissolves. Reserve the emptied gin bottle for later.

STEP 2

Keep in a cool dark place, and give the jar a shake every day if you can, or every couple of days. e gin will be ready after three weeks, but can be kept for up to three months with the fruit in for a stronger avour. Don’t keep the gooseberries in the gin for any longer than three months or the avour will start to deteriorate.

Method

STEP 1

Heat the oil in a large saucepan and fry the onion and celery for 10 mins, stirring occasionally until softened. If they start to catch, add a small splash of water. Add the garlic, thyme and ½ tsp black pepper and cook for 2 mins. Add the carrots, parsnips and stock and bring to the boil. Reduce to

a simmer and cook for 20 mins until the vegetables are soft, stirring occasionally.

STEP 2

Blend using a stick blender until smooth. Add the cream and blitz again until combined, then taste for seasoning. To serve, ladle into bowls and scatter over a little chopped parsley, if you like.

STEP 3

Decant a little into a glass, and taste. When you’re happy with the avour, discard the fruit, and strain through a ne mesh cloth or muslin, back into the original, or another, clean bottle. e avour will keep developing over time, store in a cool dark place. Drink on its own, mix with tonic or drink with sparkling water and mint for a refreshing summery cocktail.

Gripping sci-fi that’s also a heart-thumping mystery

Are you looking for an exis tential sci- ick that’ll force you to question the fabric of reality? Check out Coher ence on Amazon Prime Video. e initial premise of Coherence is fairly simple. A few friends meet up for a dinner party the same night a mysterious comet is scheduled to y overhead. It begins as many indie movies do, with a troubled love story, tension between exes and witty banter.

en the power goes out. Inexplicable events ensue while the ensemble of char acters scramble to restore the power. Nothing is as it had seemed. Some start to doubt where they are, others are more concerned with who they are. is isn’t a movie about longtime pals’ small talk. It’s a tale about them coming face-to-face with the terrifying truth of their reality.

Even the onscreen confu sion is potent enough to force you to question your own sanity. (Ok, we’re mild ly exaggerating).

e next hour or so over ows with plot twists that could rival those of 2010’s Shutter Island. e lm also expertly alludes to scienti c — and rather philosophical — concepts that have prob ably crossed the mind of the late Stephen Hawking.

Coherence ties together the social, personal and ex istential consequences that would arise from a complex theory of space and time with a heart-thumping mys tery. Speckled with red her rings and a few ambiguities, Coherence is arguably one of the most mind-bending sci- lms.

And this despite the fact that Coherence, which oc casionally verges on horror, was made with a scant bud

get of just $50,000 and shot over a mere ve days. For context, Alfonso Cuarón’s 2013 lm, Gravity, was made with $100 million.

Interstellar may have of fered the striking image of a giant, iconic wave that nearly wipes out the main characters to the tune of Hans Zimmer. e Martian likely stole your heart with its stunning portrayal of an arid Mars amid a blanket of fog. And Arrival might’ve been the rst time you cried over a shadowy alien do ing some inky-looking sign language.

But Coherence elegantly tells the story of a group of friends grappling with actu ality, navigating the fright ening turns that reality can take heart-thumping mys tery and without the help of CGI, from only one location and with just the sounds of the actors’ voices.

Director James Ward Byrkit even decided to forgo a script for the quietly ex perimental lm. “Each day, instead of getting a script, the actors would get a page of notes for their individual character, whether it was a backstory or information about their motivations,” he told IndieWire.

With the actors being left in the dark about how the story unfolds, any stress and perplexity in their perfor mances is authentic. e lm’s chaotic disarray was actually happening during the movie’s lming. Coherence will keep you guessing along with the actors, elicit audible gasps and make you feel a bit like a sci- spy. Hours after the credits roll, you might well experience chills as previ ously overlooked clues and nuances slowly wash over you.

Probably the best streaming VPN

ere are plenty of VPNs out there that can unlock extra content on popular streaming platforms like Net ix and Prime Video, but few can compete with ExpressVPN. is streaming-friendly service can reliably bypass even the toughest of georestrictions to access extra content from around the world.

ExpressVPN hides your real IP address and con

nects you to a secure serv er in another location.

is process is quick and easy with ExpressVPN, and tricks leading stream ing sites into thinking you are based in another country.

at means when you visit sites like Net ix, you get access to all the content that is normally locked to that location.

ExpressVPN o ers strong connection speeds and

powerful encryption, with a built-in password man ager and fast servers in 94 countries.

Subscribers get apps for every operating system, with ve multi-logins meaning you can stream securely on all your de vices at the same time.

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for around (depending on currency conversion rates)€100 and includes

an extra a year of free un limited cloud backup and a pretty generous 30-day money-back three months for free — 49% o for a limited time. is dis counted plan also includes guarantee, so you can recover your investment if you’re not totally satis ed.

We don’t think it will come to that though, be cause ExpressVPN leads the way when it comes to streaming.

movies to watch now on Netflix 5

1. Moxie

Vivian is a shy and introverted 16-year-old teen who prefers to go unnoticed by all. However, inspired by her mother’s badass streak in the past as well as with the arrival of a new student at her school, Vivian de cides to bring attention to the blatant sexism that goes on in her school yet goes unchecked and unnoticed. With a strong feminist voice and sen sitive subjects being explored, the lm deals with an interesting way of calling out harassment and sexism.

2. Bombay Rose

Containing the essential aesthetics of Bombay lms and visually stir ring, it is a dark and twisted tale of love amidst hostility and is sprinkled with melodrama, musically charged emotions and a sweeping sense of detachment from reality. Flower girl Kamala escapes a child marriage and elopes to Bombay with her fam ily where she works as a bar dancer. Kamala keeps on dreaming about a torrid love a air with a Muslim prince before discovering the Mus lim ower seller Salim harbouring a crush on her.

3. Army Of e Dead

After a fatal collision on a highway right outside Los Angeles leads to a zombie escaping from the carrier, a zombie outbreak overtakes the city with failed military intervention. e city of Los Angeles is quarantined and is overrun by the virus with a handful of survivors who resort to tactics to stay alive. Casino magnate BlyTanaka makes ex-mercenary Scott Ward an impossible o er to carry out a dangerous zombie heist before a military nuclear strike in ex change for a whopping $50 million.

4. I Care A Lot

Con dent and wily, Marla Gray son is a con artist who acts as a legal guardian for the elderly from whom she seizes wealth employing suspiciously legal methods. Along with her partner and lover Fran, she decides to extort money from their latest target, the heirless, retired Jen nifer Peterson. Peterson, however, unbeknownst to the duo, has shady connections to a gangster and soon Marla has to face a bigger and more cunning enemy than she could have possibly fathomed. With Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage and Dianne West as some of the main cast mem bers.

5. e Woman In e Window

Adapted from Dan Mallory’s epony mous 2018 novel, the lm revolves around an agoraphobic child psy chologist named Anna Fox who remains holed up in her Manhattan home, estranged from her daughter and her husband. She sees e Rus sells move into the apartment across the street and soon befriends the mother and son. One night, she sees the abusive Russell patriarch mur dering his wife which remains undis covered by the police and leads Fox into an unending spiral of darkness, mystery and sinister familial ties; Fox ends up getting much more than she bargained for. Starring Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, and Julianne Moore.

LOTTO

Numbers drawn 3,5,20. No jackpot winner. Next weeks jackpot €6350. Winners of €30. Aine McDonald, Mick Crotty, Trevor Cummins, Declan McCann, Michael McDonald. Thanks for supporting the local lotto.

GAA AGM

Clara GAA Club’s AGM will be held on Friday 25th Nov at 19.30 in the Club House. Notice, Nomination forms and Motion forms are now on the Club’s website. If you have any queries please contact Caroline Cli ord 0872330026.

BORD NA nÓg

Our GAA Bord na nÓg AGM will be held on Sunday 27th November at 12pm in the Club House. Notice, Nomination forms and Motion forms are now on the Club’s website (no password required), if you have any queries please contact Theresa Aylward 086 0743442.

LGFA

Clara Ladies Gaelic Football Club AGM will take place on Thursday 24th November at 8pm. Link to nomination form is below. Please return form by 18th of November. We welcome new members on the committee and members in terested in running community initiatives and catering for new age groups. www.forms.o ice. com/r/ieq0w7cwJ0

CLUB LOTTO

There was no winner of this week’s club lotto (Nov 8th). Numbers drawn 17, 24, 26, 27 Bonus 1. Next week’s prize will be €13,800 (Nov 15th). Play now at www.oloughlingaels.com/lotto

Promotors Draw : 1. Maurice Nolan. 2. Patsy Phelan c/o Hugh Mahon. 3. Mary Kearns c/o Damien O’Connell. 4. Madeline Geoghegan c/o Paddy Greene. 5. Alice Walsh c/o Mick Nolan. 6. Martin Greene c/I Paddy Greene. 7. Ann Loy c/o Neil Loy. 8. Lisa Brett c/o Online. 9. Con Moore c/o Online. 10. John Mallon c/o Online

U21s BOW OUT

Hard luck to our u21s who were knocked out of the Roinn A championship by a good Mooncoin side on Sunday last. The home team took full advantage of a strong wind in the opening half to rack up a big lead. The wind favoured the Gaels for the second period but by then the winners had the hatches battened down and there was no way through despite the honest e orts of the city lads. Hard luck to all involved. Thanks to sponsors Pat Carroll for all the support of our adult hurling teams throughout the year.

AGM

The O’Loughlin Gaels GAA AGM will take place December 15th. All registered members are invited to attend. Nomination, recommenda tions and motion papers will be sent out in due course

U22 CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP

Our u22s will play the first round of the Camogie Championship in St. John’s Park this coming Sunday at 11am versus Windgap. Support our club teams.

EMERALDS GAA CLUB

Mega Bingo: Every Sunday, 4pm at Urlingford

GAA pitch. Gates open at 3pm. Single books and one sheet €10; Double books and two sheets €15. Extra jackpot sheet €3 or two for €5. Please support.

EMERALDS URLINGFORD AND GRAINE LOTTO

November 7th prize fund was: €10,300. Jackpot: €8,300. Numbers drawn: 1, 2, 8, 19, bonus no 20. No winner and two match 3 winners: Ivan Leonard and Noelle Fitz. Five lucky dips of €20 each: Danny Ryan, Squash Club, John Guilfoyle Jr, William Lowry, Margaret Tynan. Promoters prize: Butlers. Next draw takes place on Monday, in the Clubrooms. Results next week.

50TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER DANCE

The Club is delighted to host an anniver sary dinner dance, celebrating 50 years, on December 17th in the River Court Hotel, Kilkenny with ticket and other details to follow. The Club are looking to have a constant slideshow of photos and videos on in the back ground and are asking anyone that has photos, be it from this year or the first year of the club, to send them to emeralds50yearsphotos@ gmail.com, or alternatively send them to the Facebook or Instagram pages.

SAVE THE DATE

Knitting and Crochet Christmas Fair and Co ee Morning on Friday, December 2nd in the Centre, from 11am-1pm. Hope to see you there.

ST

KIERAN’S

HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY

Applications are invited for Vacant Tenancies, one-bedroom and two-bedroom accommoda tion at St Kieran’s Place. Application forms are available from the Centre.

Completed application forms should be returned to the Centre no later than Friday, November 25th. Please contact us for further details.

LTI PATHWAY TO EMPLOYMENT

LTI Pathway to Employment course QQI Level 4: LTI is recruiting for the new programme in the Centre. If anyone is interested in complet ing this full-time course, please contact us for an expression of interest form. More details can be found on our website www.millfrcurlingford. com.

DEFIBRILLATOR

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

SENIORS ALERT

If you need to apply for a Personal Alarm, please contact Sue or Josephine.

COUNSELLING SERVICES

Our low cost counselling services include oneto-one, family and teens, aged 12+.

General Counselling: Bereavement, stress, anxiety and depression.

Other counselling services available: Drug, substance and gambling addictions.

PLAY THERAPY

Play therapy is now also available. Please contact Sue for more information or to make an appointment.

CLOTHES DONATIONS

Appeal for Clothes Donations: Any clothes donations would be appreciated in aid of our counselling services. Donations can be le into the Centre, please call before dropping o . Contact number for the Centre 056-8838466

SET DANCING

In Urlingford Community Centre, every Tuesday at 8.30pm. Dancing to live music with Danny Webster. Sets called by Paddy Martin. Come along for a great night of dancing!

URLINGFORD ARMS SPLIT THE POT

This weeks winner of Split the Pot is Tommy Kavanagh who will receive €644. Congrats Tommy! Tickets €2 on sale in participating businesses in town with proceeds this week going to Urlingford Christmas Lights, thanks to everyone for their support.

SUPERVISED STUDY

In Graine Hall every Saturday from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. Cost: €5 half day, €8 full day. For enquiries, please contact Siobhan 087 2601490.

GUIDANCE COUNCELLOR

Co Kilkenny Adult Guidance Service Outreach Day! Meet an adult Guidance Counsellor in Url ingford Library on Tuesday, November 29 from 10am to 4pm. Ask anything about education, training or employment. All welcome. Contact Orla: orla.reddy@kcetb.ie for more informa tion.

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 you have any photos you wish to include, please forward them to the email address

LOTTO WINNERS

Dunnamaggin GAA: Lotto Syndicate Draw Winners: Congrats to our September lotto Syndicate winners. Declan Donohue, Derek and Martina Delaney €100 each. Hugh and Danielle McEneaney, Conor and Sabrina Bass, Martina Mitrasch, Willie Kearney €50each. Congrats to our October lotto Syndicate winners - Helen and Pat McLoughlin, Sally Phelan €100 each. Pat Hoban, Ann Phelan, Oliver Herity, Malachy Hogan €50 each. Congrats to our November lotto Syndicate winners - Aoife Fitzpatrick,Tony and Aine Walsh €100 each. Pat Delahunty, Joe Sheridan, Margaret Hayes, Roger and Tanya Thomas €50 each. Thanks again to everyone for their continued support. Don’t Forget your Dinner Dance Tickets - Saturday 26th November available from Jim Hickey (087)9667739, Philip Tallon (087)2831590, James Rossiter (087)2755091 and Ciaran Moore (086)8395693. On the night the 25th Anniversary of Senior Hurling Victory 1997 will be celebrated with special guest Marty Morrissey. Cost €45.

LOCAL LOTTO RESULTS

Winning Numbers for November 7th : 25, 28, 36. No Winner. Winners of the Draw for 5 x € 30. Young Kink Cole ( Pat Comerford ), Ado and Oj ( Helen Fennelly Martin ), Carol Power ( Pauline Walsh ), Patrick Barron ( Jimmy McCormack ), Nikki McCormack ( Jim McCormack ) Jackpot next week € 3550 Draw in Townsend’s Bar, Dun namaggin @ 9pm. All Welcome

KILMOGANNY BRIDGE CLUB

Kilmoganny Bridge Club results for 9/11/2022: 1 Josie O’Gorman and Philip Brennan. 2 Catherine Burke and Kitty Meagher 3 Elizabeth Lanigan and Grace Landy. Bridge is every Wednesday night at 7.30pm in St. Eoghan’s Centre, Kilmoganny. All welcome.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN DUNNAMAGGIN

Three important events taking place between now and the end of the year. This year’s winner of Dunnamaggins Community Spirit Award will be announced at a special ceremony next Sunday November 20th at 12noon in the hall of the National School St Leonard’s. All welcome to attend - tea, co ee, music and fun.

Saturday December 3rd will see our first Christmas Lights event in Madge’s Garden at 7pm followed by our fourth Christmas Fair on December 4th where Santa will make his usual visit for the kids and adults alike. Thank you to everyone who volunteers at our events, who helps with the flowers in the village, who supports the work being done in the village and community.

DROICHEAD FRC

Droichead FRC are delighted to announce the return of our annual Senior Citizens Christmas Party on the 7 th December 2022. This year’s party will be held at Edmund Rice Centre, Westcourt. There will be a 2 course dinner, ra le and lots of entertainment on the day. Places are limited and it is advised to book early, call Droichead on (056) 775560 EXT 1 to book.

KINDLING FOR SALE

Callan Men’s Shed have kindling for sale, one bag €2 or three bags for €5. They will be at Bank of Ireland every Saturday from 11am-2pm. Please support Callan Men’s Shed.

INCLUSIVE PILATES

Inclusive Pilates with Shane Whelan, a 6 week programme to improve core strength, flex ibility and mobility begins in Droichead FRC on Tuesday 8th November from 11.30am-1pm. The programme costs €20 and for more info or to book a place contact Carmel (083) 2098069 or familysupport@droicheadfrc.ie .

KILKENNY PPN PLENARY

The second Kilkenny PPN Plenary of this year will be held on 30th November in the Ormonde Hotel from 6pm with festive food upon arrival. There will be a line up of speakers and plenty of time for community engagement. Details will follow closer to the time. In the meantime, can you please let them know if you will be attending by emailing ppnkilkenny@kilkenny coco.ie Max 3 people per group.

L’ARCHE KILKENNY EVENTS

The L’Arche Christmas Fair is taking place on Sunday November 27th, 10am - 4pm, Green Lane Callan. The Fair will include a Santa’s Corner, handmade cra s, ra le, baked goods, gi ideas, tea and co ee etc. The L’Arche Christmas Concert will be taking place at the St Eoghan`s Centre/Community Hall, Kilmogan ny on Friday 2nd December at 7.30pm. Small admission cost to the event with tea and co ee available on the night. A night of fun, songs and entertainment

FREE TRAINING WORKSHOPS

FREE training workshops for community groups Kilkenny PPN are undertaking a series of workshops throughout the month of November.

Developing a Business Plan (Online) Tues 22nd Nov 7-9pm

Key components of a business plan. Using business models to underpin plans for new initiatives. Tailoring business plans to meet specific stakeholder needs. Trainer: Donal McKenna. Register in advance for this online meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ tZ0ocumhrT4rG9VrB-LxQYAL3aaKXIHkoiG5

The Charities Governance Code (On-site) Tues 29th November 7-9pm What is the Charities Governance Code? The five principles. Core standards and additional standards. Actions and evidences. How to comply with the Code. Resources available to help with compliance.

Trainer: Michael Quirke. Location: Kilkenny Volunteer Centre, Irishtown, Gardens, Kilkenny R95 KHR6

Anyone who has an interest in one or all of these workshops should register with Bortha or Mags via email: ppnkilkenny@kilkennycoco.ie or call 087 1731634.

TWENTY FIVES IN COOLAGH

All welcome to Coolagh Hall this Thursday and every Thursday for the popular game of “25’s”. A great way to pass the long wintry nights. The games begin at 8pm

INVITATION TO CONTRIBUTE TO SETU STRATEGIC

PLAN

The South East Technical University are currently developing their first strategic plan which will cover over a 5 year period. They are eager to gain input from as many stakeholders as possible, including individuals (e.g. parents, alumni, students, members of the community) and organisations (public sector, private enterprise, schools, cultural and community groups).and as a result, they are hosting an online meeting on the 21st of November at 6.30pm - see link - Launch Meeting - Zoom They are also inviting online submissions before 25th of November. They seek your views on the university’s role, function, activities, and impact in support of the development of the plan. Please complete the form below and address the questions asked, as relevant. The final comment box will allow you to make any additional comments or suggestions.

See the link below South East Technological University Strategic Plan 2023-2028 (cognito forms.com)

KILKENNY SUSTAINABILITY URBAN MOBILITY PLAN

Public consultation on the Kilkenny Sustain able Urban Mobility Plan - 22nd November! Kilkenny County Council has started the Kilkenny SUMP process. On 30th September a variety of stakeholders including Kilkenny PPN attended the first co-design focus group on the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) for Kilkenny City faciltated by Connect the Dots. The first public consultation event on this topic will take place in the Medieval Mile museum on 22nd November from 4pm to 8pm. The event will take place in an informal, drop-in format. Information will be shared through an engaging exhibition style. Canvas boards will be used for citizens to share their thoughts on the content and on the vision of the SUMP. Experienced facilitators will help to foster dis cussions and draw insights from those who attend. You can register for the event here via eventbrite To help explain the process please watch a summary video of the first stakeholder meeting https://youtu.be/QfdjRLDIpFA To receive the summary report of the discussions at the first stakeholder meeting please contact ppnkilkenny@kilkennycoco.ie

BENEMERENTI MEDAL

On Saturday evening, November 6th, a joyful and very moving celebration took place in Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Kilmanagh when Mary Egan received the Benemerenti Medal

from Pope Francis for her many years of service and dedication to the Church in the parish.

Fr. Liam Taylor, P.P. celebrated the mass, who in his homily outlined the various organisa tions, orientated towards the spiritual life of the parish and which, undoubtedly with Mary involved, proved successful. Many thanks to all who helped in any and every way in making the celebration a night to remember. Mary’s family were the participants of the liturgy. Many thanks to Fr. Liam for his prayerful celebra tion of the mass and to the Aluna Choir for their singing of appropriate hymns. A special thank you to all Mary’s relations and friends, too numerous to mention, who attended this wonderful celebration. Many thanks also to Naomh Aodhan Community Centre for the use of the premises and to Mary Dunphy for the catering.

MEMORIAL MASS

A memorial mass will be held on Thursday, November 24th at 7pm in St. Brigid’s Church, Ballycallan. On this special occasion all those who have died in the past year from the parish will be remembered.

MOUNT CARMEL HOME

The first draw of the Annual Draw will take place at the end of this month. Promoters Caroline Murphy, Veronica O’Halloran and Josephine Ronan are collecting funds at the moment for the draw.

COMMUNITY ALERT TEXT

BKK Community Alert will cost €10 from 1st January 2023. Pay your membership to any of the following committee members: Gerry Ryan (garage), Padraic Flaherty, Bridget Brennan, Danny Butler, Eamonn Phelan or Johnny Dermody. Please note that we will not be calling to your house for membership fees this year. With winter upon us and dark evenings we advise you to stay in the system. Only paid up members will get text alerts from 1st January 2023.

SR. REGINA BYRNE

A zealous and dedicated member of the Pre sentation Order in the person of Sr. Regina Byrne has died. Sr. Regina was born at Bal lykee e in the parish of Ballycallan where she spent her childhood and youth. In time she trained and subsequently qualified as a teacher in August 1960. Margaret, as she was known to her family, neighbours and friends, decided that religious life was to be her vocation and so entered the Presentation Order. For some years she taught in various schools of the order where she was loved and respected by pupils and parents. A er a fulfilled forty six years of dedication and love of teaching, Sr. Regina retired to the presentation convent, Kilkenny. For sixteen years her life was one of prayer, peace and joy. She loved the Franciscan Friary where she attended morning mass and other ceremonies which took place from time to time, until illness forced her from going outdoors. On Friday, October 21st, Sr. Regina entered eternal life. Many members of her order, her family and many friends attended both occasions of her obsequies. Her requiem mass was celebrated in St. Mary’s Cathedral by Fr. Willie Purcell and co-celebrant, a member of the Franciscan Order, with burial a erwards in St. Mary’s cemetery, Ballykee e. Sr. Regina is predeceased by her parents Edmond and Catherine, brother Jackie, sisters Brigid and Judith. Sympathy is expressed to her sister Nellie Bates, brother Paddy, nieces and nephews, sister in law Brigid Byrne, brother in law Frank Murphy, cousins, relatives

and members of the Presentation Order. May the Peace and Love of the risen Lord be with Sr. Regina forever.

FR. JAMES STAPLETON

The parish community express our sympathy to Nellie Ryall, Kilbraghan, to her family, relatives and friends on the death of her brother Reverend Fr. James Stapleton, CSSP, which occurred recently in Dublin. Fr. James was a member of the Spiritan Order (formerly Holy Ghost Fathers) and served as a mission ary priest in Africa. A native of Moyne, Co. Tipperary, his obsequies took place in Dublin. May his gentle soul rest in the peace of the risen Lord.

DEFIBRILLATOR COLLECTION

The defibrillator collection recently raised €868. Thanks to all who sponsored the appeal. As church goers are only one part of the parish, we will now be making representations to other groups for support. The parish will also be making a contribution. This is a crosscommunity initiative that benefits everyone. Incidentally, one machine costs in the region of €1400, while batteries are around €300 each. There will always be ongoing maintenance costs involved. In the New Year, we will be o ering training to volunteers in the use of these machines.

SINGING CIRCLE AND CEILI

The next session of the Singing Circle and Ceili will be on Friday, 2nd December at Naomh Aodhan Community Centre (formerly Old School) in Kilmanagh from 7.20pm to 9.20pm. Join Liam Ronan and friends for a singalong, tell a story or enjoy a waltz or half set, or just come along to listen and enjoy. All are welcome. Li s can be arranged for any local senior citizens who might like to attend. Tel: 086 395 7425. Refreshments will be served. €2 donation.

OSSORY PILGRIMAGE TO ROME

The Adult Faith Development in our diocese is planning a pilgrimage to the eternal city from March 9th to 14th 2023. The cost of this trip is €710 per person. See all the major sights of Rome and learn the rich history of our church. A €300 non-refundable deposit is required to book your place. Contact Kieran and Laura Troy on 057 935 5050 or email info@myriam.ie.

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.

November. Feast of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe)

Readers: Stoneyford. Saturday 6.30p.m. Neill O’Grady. Hugginstown. Saturday 8.00p.m. Tommy Murphy; Sunday 10.00a.m. Noreen Kenneally.

Eucharistic Ministers. Stoneyford. Saturday 6.30p.m. Pat Kenny. Hugginstown. Saturday 8.00p.m. Mary Murphy. Sunday 10.00a.m. Kay Power.

NOVEMBER OFFERINGS

November O erings Envelopes 2022 are available at the Church Porch. Your contribu tion can be le into the Collection Boxes at the Churches or you may donate directly –Use IBAN: IE19 AIBK 9330 9000 0561 20 (BIC: AIBKIE2D).

Roman Catholic Diocese and Parishes of Ossory – Registered Charity No. 20015831

PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will make a much welcome return having been suspended during the pandemic. The dates for the 2023 Pilgrimage are Tuesday 23rd. May to Sunday 28th. May 2023. Further information available later.

ORDINATION

Pope Francis has appointed Fr. Niall Coll, a priest of the Diocese of Raphoe, to be the next Bishop of Ossory. He will be ordained as Bishop on Sunday 22nd. January 2023 at 3.00p.m. in St Mary’s Cathedral. We look forward to this historic and welcome Diocesan celebration.

SCRIPTURE CONFERENCE

Totus Tuus Scripture Conference 2022 is live on Radio Maria Ireland from 2.00p.m. on Saturday 19th. November. Speakers include Sr. Caitriona Kavanagh OP., Brian O’Driscoll (paving the way home), Fr. John McCarthy (Cloyne Diocese) and Fr. Terence Crotty OP. Radio Maria Ireland can be listened to by downloading the radio maria ireland app, saorview channel 210 or listen live at 01 4373277

ONLINE ADVANT RETREAT

The Priory Institute is delighted to o er an online retreat ‘Word becomes Flesh’: an Advent Retreat. Visit our website prioryinstitute.com to register or for more information.

SAFEGUARDING CONTACTS

Diocesan Designated Liaison Person: Ms. Kathleen Sherry, Telephone: 087 100 0232 or email: dlp@ossory.ie. Aghaviller Parish Rep resentatives are: Teresa Broderick and Carmel O’Toole

MASS TIMES

Mass Times in Aghaviller Parish: Hugginstown: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9.30a.m.

Vigil - Saturday 19th. at 8.00p.m. Sunday 20th. at 10.00a.m.

Stoneyford: Wednesday 16th. at 7.00p.m. VigilSaturday 20th. at 6.30p.m.;

PRAY FOR

Months Mind Mass: St John Donovan, Lawcus Fields. Mass in Stoneyford Church on Saturday 12th. November at 6.30p.m Anniversary Mass Mary and Richard Aylward: In Hugginstown Church on Saturday 19th. November at 8.00p.m.

ROTA

Rota for next week-end: 19th and 20th.

LOTTO

Lotto: Aghaviller Parish and Carrickshock G. A. A.

Draw: Monday 7th. November October 2022. Numbers: 29; 03; 17; 28. No Winner First 3 Numbers Drawn. No Jackpot Winner: 5 x €30.00 Winners. Richard and Edel, c/o James Irish. Fred Malzard, Stoneyford. Larry Dalton, Boolyglass. Michael Walsh, Rathdu . Kitty Dwyer, Baysrath.

3 x €15.00 (Sellers). John Power. James Irish. Pauline Doyle.

Next Draw on Monday 21th. November. Please submit returns by 8.30p.m. Draw at 9.00p.m. Next week: Match 3: €500.00; (First 3 Numbers Drawn) Jackpot: €6,100.00. (4 Numbers)

Hurling matters Sport

No TJ – No problem!

Ballyhale advance to semi-final showdown with Naas

stop for Shamrocks

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR

Ballyhale after they cantered to an easy win over Castletown Geoghan at UPMC Nowlan Park last Sunday.

By the time the long whistle sounded the gap was 25 points, and that margin of victory was achieved without the services of TJ Reid, who missed the game with what’s believed to be a minor muscle injury.

TJ’s place was taken by Niall Shortall, who took his opportunity and nished the quarter- nal with 1-2, and had good company in the forward division with Colin Fennelly notching 2-3 and county star Eoin Cody registering 2-9. Castletown Geoghan hit the rst score of the game with intercounty star Niall O’Brien opening his account from the placed ball after Shamrocks were penalised for a high challenge in the opening 40 seconds.

e current holders of the provincial crown’s response was

emphatic. A lovely team move involving Adrian Mullen, Ronan Corcoran and Eoin Cody saw the ball worked to Colin Fennelly who made on mistake in raising the rst green ag of the day. e south Kilkenny side hit the next two scores, with ne points from Niall Shortall and captain Ronan Corcoran. Between those two points came a ne save from Shamrocks keeper Dean Mason, who saved brilliantly from Castletown forward Peter Clarke. Clarke was then fouled and Niall O’Brien made no mistake as he

split the points to reduce the gap to 3 points. Wing-back Darragh Corcoran then played a nice pass to Kilian Corcoran out on the sideline who ri ed over a super score for his sides 3rd point of the day.

e very lively Jack Gallagher then struck a point from over the shoulder before young fullforward David O’Reilly pointed to make to a 2-point game. Aaron Glennon was then adjudged to have pushed Adrian Mullen and Eoin Cody slotted over the free. Joe Cuddihy then picked up the

Niall Shortall looked sharp in the dismantling of the Westmeath side

around mid eld before striking over a lovely point. Castletown had struck 5 wides in the opening 12 minutes, and this number would continue to rise and ensure that the Westmeath champions could never compete with this Shamrocks Ballyhale side.

Jack Gallagher then struck his

second point of the day before Killian Corcoran did likewise for the Shamrocks. Adrian Mullen then claimed a Dean Mason puck-out before ri ing over a lovely point. Castletown Geoghan then hit two bad puckouts that resulted in Ballyhale points, one for Eoin Cody and for Colin Fennelly. Pat Hoban’s charges had now struck 1-9 to their opponents 0-5. Evan She in was then blown-up for a push and Niall O’Brien punished the defenders indiscretion.

Castletown Geoghan’s main attacking threat from play, Jack Gallagher then struck his 3rd point of the day after taking advantage of a collision between Evan She in and Richie Reid, to reduce the de cit to ve points. Eoin Cody who had been placed on free taking duty following TJ Reid’s late withdrawal, then struck over a ne placed ball from his own ‘65.

Colin Fennelly then played the ball into Eoin Cody who saw his shot saved by Kieran Glennon, but the ever-alert Niall Shortall was on hand to stab in the rebound.

Shamrocks now led by seven with some 24 minutes played. Adrian Mullen and the impressive Colin Fennelly then tagged on points before Peter Clarke hit a much-needed point for the Lake County side.

Eoin Cody and Niall O’Brien then swapped free’s before Carlow whistler Pat Murphy brought the rst half to a close with the scoreboard reading Shamrocks Ballyhale 2-13, Castletown Geoghan 0-9.

Pat Hoban will have been happy with his team’s opening 30 minutes, Colin Fennelly was physically imposing himself on

the game and was like a wrecking ball as he caused much havoc in the Castletown defence.

Youngsters, Niall Shortall and Killian Corcoran were putting in mature performances, while Eoin Cody continued to display his talents. e Westmeath side were not helped by some wayward shooting in the opening period, had they have taken the chances presented to them, the de cit may only have been 3 or 4 points.

Like the rst half, Niall O’Brien opened the scoring with another ne free as he got a muchneeded point. e Lake County star then struck an even better point from play from way out the UPMC Nowlan Park pitch, but Alan Mangan’s team saw their lively start to the 2nd half wiped out minutes later when Eoin Kenneally found Colin Fennelly and the bustling No.14 made no mistake as he notched his 2nd major of the day.

e next score was another major from Shamrocks. Niall Shortall found Eoin Cody who showed some nifty stick-work before beating the helpless Glennon in the Castletown goal. Any doubts about the result gone in the blink of an eye. e score line now read, Shamrocks Ballyhale 4-13, Castletown Geoghan 0-11.

Cody the added another free after another foul on the unmarkable Fennelly. Ronan Corcoran then notched his second point before a seventh score of the day from Niall O’Brien and a fourth from play by Jack Gallagher gave the travelling Westmeath supporters something to cheer.

Niall Shortall then struck a lovely point before being withdrawn and being replaced by Eoin Reid. Kevin Mullan also replaced his brother Darren at the same time. Shamrocks then hit 3 points in quick succession via Killian Corcoran, Joe Cuddihy and that man Fennelly.

Jack Gallagher then registered his fth point of the day, all from play before Evan She in got in on

the scoring act, hitting a nice point from distance for his sides 20th point of the game. Another foul on Fennelly, another free shot for Eoin Cody.

Pat Hoban then made more changes, e Barron’s Stephen and Liam, and Dara Mason replacing Darragh Corcoran, Joe Cuddihy and Brian Butler. e bene ts of putting the opposition to the sword early in the game.

Another foul on Fennelly – and guess what? Another Eoin Cody point from the placed ball. e twice crowned young hurler of the year then picked up possession,

Hurling matters

raced forward and despite being fouled, found the net for goal number ve. Shamrocks now had 5-22 on the board. Colin Fennelly then hit another point, to take his tally for the day to 2-3. Niall O’Brien then struck his eight point of the game and his 3rd from play as he completed Castletown Geoghan’s scoring.

Two further scores followed from Ballyhale, both from Eoin Cody, one from a free and one from play has he added a touch more gloss to the score board.

e referee sounded the long whistle and brought a hard day at the o ce for the Westmeath champions to an end. Final score, Shamrocks Ballyhale 5-25, Castletown Geoghan 0-15.

Shamrocks Ballyhale : Dean Mason; Darren Mullen, Joey Holden, Brian Butler; Evan She in (0-1), Richie Reid, Darragh Corcoran; Ronan Corcoran (0-2), Killian Corcoran (0-3); Adrian Mullen (0-2), Niall Shortall (1-2), Eoin Cody (2-9, 0-7f); Eoin Kenneally (0-1), Colin Fennelly (2-3), Joey Cuddihy (0-2).

Subs: Kevin Mullen for Darren Mullen (46 mins), Eoin Reid for Niall Shortall (46 mins), Stephen Barron for Darragh Corcoran (49 mins), Liam Barron for Joe Cuddihy (52 mins), Dara Mason for Brian Butler (53 mins).

Castletown-Geoghegan: Kieran Glennon; Naoise McKenna, Brandon Carey, Aaron Glennon; Conor Kane, Liam Varley, David Lynch; Plunkett Maxwell, Joe Clarke; Peter Clarke (0-2), Aonghus Clarke, Shane Clavin; Niall O’Brien (0-8, 0-5f), David O’Reilly, Jack Gallagher (0-5).

Subs: Conor Murphy for David O’Reilly (40 mins), Mick Heeney for Joe Clarke (41 mins), Eoin Quinn for Brandon Carey (41 mins), Morgan Gavigan for Shane Clavin (50 mins), Conor Lynch for Aonghus Clarke (51 mins).

Referee- Patrick Murphy (Carlow)

>> SHERRY SAYS...

at UPMC Nowlan Park.

Without wanting to sound arrogant, the result was never in doubt, before or after the throw-in.

TJ felt a twinge and Niall Shortall started the game. Shortall is really blossoming in the Shamrocks senior setup. He hit 1-2 and looked lively throughout. Killian Corcoran started in midfield alongside captain Ronan Corcoran and hit 3 fantastic points from play.

Eoin Cody assumed free-taking duty and hit 0-7 from the placed ball, but his roaming style of play and strong running show him also notch two goals in a good display.

For me the performance of Colin Fennelly was really impressive. The full-forward’s physicality and game intelligence was a joy to watch. No Castletown defender could cope with the big man’s game on the day.

Could Fennelly still bring something to the inter-county scene? Let’s just say that there’s not a full-back that would relish battling against the Ballyhale bomber!

Naas are up next for Pat Hoban’s charges next week – at Croker.

There’s no doubt that the Kildare champions will provide a sterner test of Ballyhale’s credentials, and with Kilkenny man Tom Mullally on the sideline for their next opponents, it should prove an interesting sub-plot for the lastfour clash. Naas accounted for Glenmore at intermediate level last season and Shamrocks will be keen to avoid a similar fate.

Unfortunately for Kilkenny hurling, Danesfort bowed out of the provincial championship following a narrow defeat to Meath intermediate champions Trim. That will have been a blow to Niall Bergin’s men, but they will now turn their attention to next season and a return to the senior ranks.

At Junior level, Eddie Scally’s Blacks and Whites secured a semi-final berth following an exciting extra-time win over Westmeath’s Ringtown. The Kilkenny junior champions got home by 9-points after the additional periods and will now face Dublin side Commercials next weekend.

Plenty to play for still at both junior and senior levels. Ahhhh.... winter hurling!

Killian Corcoran hit

3 fine points from play

David Lynch unable to prevent Colin Fennelly from scoring Ballyhales fourth goal

T J should be fit for Croker trip

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. M.K.

St. Anthony Prayer,

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

Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me (request).

O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms. The gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen M.R.

A prayer to the Blessed Virgin

(never known to fail).

O most beautiful ower 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. (Please state request). There are none that can withstand 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. B.B.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted. Never been known to fail. Must promise publication of prayer. M.M..

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. S.B.