TV & Streaming

In From e Cold is gem among a genre

THE Net ix spy thriller In From e Cold stands out in a crowded genre for plenty of good reasons, not the least of which is its willingness to give audiences a badass, butt-kicking protagonist who also happens to be a single mother in her 40s simply trying to be a good parent to her teenage daughter.

At a time when Hollywood’s big-screen spy game often relies on older men and young women free from the shackles of typical adult responsibilities, In From e Cold has lead character Jenny Franklin juggling an angsty teen, a looming divorce, and a nonexistent social life long before her hidden past as a Soviet secret agent comes back to haunt her.

As if that wasn’t enough to handle, she also has a superhuman — but medically risky — ability to shape-shift she’ll need to tap into to stop a terrorist group’s sinister plans, too.

Sure, it might seem farfetched, but most working parents will probably nd a lot in common with the extreme level of multitasking required of Jenny, a character portrayed by Margarita Levieva (pictured) across the show’s eight-episode rst season. Whether Jenny’s ghting her way through a cadre of lethal assassins or counselLing her daughter through the latest teenage drama, Levieva’s performance grounds the role in something refreshingly familiar despite all of the high-stakes espionage and sci- twists of the surrounding story.

“ ere are so many aspects of Jenny that were so exciting for me to play,” Levieva told Digital Trends of what initially attracted her to the role. “ ere’s obviously the mother, and there is also this kickass spy who’s still alive and who’s still hungry for that. As women, and as human beings, part of life sometimes is forgetting or putting away certain parts of ourselves and saying that part no longer exists. But Jenny eventually realiSes she’s still hungry for that part of her life, and [as the story goes on] she understands, ‘Wait, I can do this better than I ever did it before, even though I’m terri ed of it.’”

Series creator and writer Adam Glass indicated that the decision to put a woman in her 40s — and a mother, for that matter — at the heart of the story was, in some ways, a refutation of Hollywood norms when it comes to leading ladies and the sort of characters they typically portray.

“We live in a society where women seemingly have an expiration date on them, and [with In From e Cold] we’re saying that’s bullshit,” he told Digital Trends. “ ey’re only getting better and stronger with age. [Jenny] is a seasoned woman who has lived a life and has had all of these experiences, and now has to come back into this world she thought she left behind.”

“[Jenny] has a great line in the pilot that I love, when they set her up to seduce someone, and she doesn’t think she can do it, saying, ‘I have cracked nipples and a C-section scar,’” continued Glass. “Her handler responds, ‘You’re giving too much credit to men,’ and she says, ‘I’m not talking about men. I’m talking about me, and who I am, and what I’ve been through. I’m a mother.’ You don’t see that in spy shows. She has a daughter and she’s working on that relationship like millions of other mothers out there trying to do. ese are the things that make the show stand out.”

Season 1 of In From e Cold is available now on Net ix.

More Tolkien coming to Amazon

THE next big Tolkien project on the horizon after the highly anticipated Amazon Prime series is an anime movie. e Lord of the Rings: e War Of e Rohirrim will be released on April 12, 2024.

War Of e Rohirrim was rst announced in June last year, and will focus on Helm Hammerhand, the ninth King of Rohan. e movie is set in JRR Tolkien’s Middle-earth universe, and will go into the history of Helm’s Deep, the famous site of the later Battle of the Hornburg during the War of the Ring, shown in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings: e Two Towers movie.

Animation work began last year, with the voice cast to be announced “imminently.” e movie is being made by New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Animation. Philippa Boyens, who worked on the Lord of the Rings trilogy 20 years ago with Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, is serving as executive producer, and it’s being made by Kenji Kamiyama, the director behind Ghost in the Shell.

“I’m in awe of the creative talent who have come together to bring this epic, heart-pounding story to life, from the mastery of Kenji Kamiyama to a truly stellar cast,” Boyens said. “I cannot wait to share this adventure with fans of cinema everywhere.” e announcement follows the release of the rst trailer for Amazon Prime’s Lord of the Rings: e Rings of Power TV series. e Rings of Power is scheduled to premiere on Amazon Prime on September 2 and will explore the 20 rings Sauron made for the races of men, dwarves and elves, along with the one ring for himself.

5

movies to watch now on Netflix

Andrew Gar eld takes the spotlight for this biographical musical drama about Jonathan Larson, the late composer behind Rent and Tick, Tick... Boom! e movie, helmed by LinManuel Miranda in his directorial debut, follows Larson’s career and the time pressure he feels to leave a lasting impression. With joy-inducing music, a meaningful narrative about the creative process and a passionate performance from Gar eld as Larson, Tick, Tick... Boom! is a graceful and feel-good tribute.

is ne British drama excavates a whole lot of buried treasure with a distinguished cast in Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily James and Johnny Flynn. It’s based on the true events around the 1939 excavation of Sutton Hoo, yielding a priceless trove of Anglo-Saxon artifacts hidden in a burial ship. Romantic, intellectual and moving, e Dig is a full sweep of elegance.

e Boys In e Band sets a new stage for an ensemble cast who all performed the classic play-by-thesame-name’s 2018 Broadway revival. Among them, Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto and Matt Bomer. e movie brings new perspectives to a birthday party celebrated by a group of gay men in 1968 New York City. e party takes an unexpected turn when a visitor from the host’s past calls in. With a cast that knows how to play o each other and compelling themes such as self-loathing and internalised homophobia, e Boys In e Band is a thought-provoking, engaging drama.

A black-and-white David Fincher tale about the unsung screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz who helped Orson Welles write Citizen Kane. Step back into Old Hollywood, with beautiful cinematography and take in the behind-the-scenes of how studio systems functioned in a di erent time. Gary Oldman and Amanda Seyfried are among the exceptional cast of this biographical drama lled with the lightness and darkness of its hero’s life.

An Aaron Sorkin drama based on a true story? e Trial Of e Chicago 7 lives up to its pedigree, following the real-life trial of a group of anti- Vietnam War protestors charged with conspiracy to incite riots. With a stellar ensemble cast, including Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen and Yahya AbdulMateen II, e Trial Of e Chicago 7 is both topical and full of compelling theatrical energy.

THIS WEEK, in our look at the recently published book of poetry and prose by e Kilkenny Involvement Centre and e Recovery College, we feature work from Kathleen Phelan, Nuala Roche and Joan Ryan

Much More Than Words

If ever a book deserved the award for ‘ e Perfect Title’ surely that accolade must go to a new compilation of poetry Much More an Words. Indeed its very title describes comprehensively the diversity of the treasures to be discovered within its covers. is volume of carefully crafted poems, interspersed with prose and enhanced with well-chosen images, is the second collection produced by e Involvement Centre Kilkenny and the rst in a joint venture with e Recovery College. e Kilkenny Observer Newspaper is delighted to promote the work of e Involvement Centre and e Recovery College, and so, will publish a selection of their work over the coming months. ‘Much More Than Words’ can

be purchased at the following Kilkenny outlets: Bargain Books, The Butterslip Khans Bookshop, James’ Street & The Book Centre, High Street. Price: €10

Kathleen Phelan Pandemic

I seldom sleep ese nights. When I do my dreams Take me To a plantation. I am picking cotton For the mask at will cover my face. And sti e my cries. My ngers Are tough now, Cheating the bolls at have raped my skin. But still Destroying my soul. I shu e out of bed Chained between Wakefulness and sleep. I was bred for slavery. I open the drawer, A puppet’s mouth, Filled with masks. Arch enemy of Covid. I Have Lost Control. I choose the one With the eur-de-lis. Pretty owers. Hot branding irons. In the mirror It looks menacing Like a most awful grimace. I think too much Or so I am told. But this virus is real. I am alone. And I am old.

Kathleen Phelan

Nuala Roche One-on-One Performances

2010: a stranger cradles my bare feet into a water basin. Kneeling, he washes, dries and oils them. I assent to his o er to kiss my naked soles. 2017: in the watch-tower the viol player performs one-on-one, within my arm’s reach. Outside in the sun garrulous ticket-holders are hushed. Shhhh. 2020: we wait in turn. One. One. e olsel bells toll the hours, announcing our longing to be sardined into gigs, crammed against one another, dizzily reaching through hot bodies to press a cheek, or a palm to the wall; a prayer of thanks.

Nuala Roche

Joan Ryan A Garden Concert

ere was a concert for the birds Sitting on a stone in the farthest corner of her friend’s garden As far away as possible from human ears To avoid ‘disturbing’ To avoid any judgement whatsoever She took out her whistle and started her concert for the birds ey didn’t pay any entrance fee ey were already present (Well then, neither did she ask their permission) And to be honest they didn’t pay much attention one way or another Kept singing their own songs Sounds notes screeches chirping Yet, they hung around Flitting from branch to branch Dropping down Flying up It felt as if she were joining their already existing moving concert there was a harmony, of sorts Or at very least, absence of discord And freedom of expression Even joy and laughter When she hit some ‘unexpected’ notes Or lost the thread of the music momentarily No bird seemed to mind And she saw that it was good And it was good.

Joan Ryan

Kilkenny GAA clubs and Community news

ATHLETICS Pia Langton of Clara, representing Kilkenny City Harriers, delivered a stunning winning performance in the U16 800m indoors final at the Leinster championships held in Athlone on Sunday week last. Pia is a daughter of Eddie and Niamh. Great achievement Pia! HANDBALL Well done to Rory Glynn of Clara who had a comfortable Leinster semi final win in the U17 four wall championships in O Loughlins on Saturday. Rory, who plays his handball for O Loughlins, was more familiar with the court, and was never really troubled by his Laois opponent Jack Dunphy. He now goes on to meet a Wexford man in the final. Good luck with that Rory.

CONGRATULATIONS - LOTTO WINNER There was a WINNER to this week’s Club Lotto. Congratulations to Peggy O’Keefe and Sue Jordan. C/o Promotor Brian Murphy. Numbers Drawn were 7, 14, 22, 24 Bonus 7 Next Week’s Big Prize will be €6,000. Play now at www. oloughlingaels.com/lotto Thank You for your continued Support SCOR NA NOG 2022 If you’re U17, can sing, can dance or can tell a story, then why not represent O’Loughlin Gaels at this year’s O icial Kilkenny GAA Scór na nÓg. Contact Brian at 087 9984853 for all the info. Be on the O’Loughlins Team MEMBERSHIP Membership Renewal for O’Loughlin Gaels GAA and O’Loughlin Gaels Camogie is now live and online at www.oloughlingaels.com/membership Log in for all the details and options to pay. Installments are also available. Players need to be registered prior to any return to training which is all happening very soon. So do it now. Hon the Loughs! SOCIAL DANCE CLASSES Every Tuesday Night from 8pm to 9:30pm there will be Social Dance Classes held at Johnswell Community Hall. Learn to waltz, foxtrot, quickstep and much more in a fun, social and relaxing way. Contact Yvonne at 0872448535 for more details 2022 SEASON Lots of preparations are being made in the meeting rooms at St. Johns Park to ensure a busy season ahead for our playing Gaels. GAA, Camogie and Handball are busy making plans and organising volunteers. If you want to get involved put your hand up and volunteer ,just contact any committee member or existing coach and they’ll point you in the right direction. Playing numbers at St. Johns Park are increasing every year and help is needed in coaching, first aid, sponsorship, fundraising, stewarding, maintenance, grounds keeping and team mentors. Over the coming months there’ll be plenty of training sessions, tournament blitz, league, championships at all ages, Easter Camp, Summer Camp, School’s day and social events - so every o er of help will be accepted. Gaeil Uí Lochlainn Abú

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 February 7th prize fund was: €6,500. Jackpot: €4,500. Numbers drawn: 9, 17, 27, 28, bonus no 1. No winner and two match three winners: Thomas Kavanagh and Helena Guilfoyle. Promoters prize: J. Tynan. Five lucky dips of €20 each: Nellie Lacey, B.H.L.M, Pat Peters, Anna Mockler Ryan, B. Joyce. Next draw takes place on Monday, February 14th in the Clubrooms. Results next week. MILL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE LTI Pathway to Employment course QQI Level 4: LTI is recruiting for the new programme 2022. If anyone is interested in completing this full-time course, please contact the Centre for an expression of interest form. BTEI Healthcare Course QQI Level 5: Healthcare QQI Level 5 course places available for new programme starting September 2022. If interested in completing this course you can contact the Centre. Senior Alert: If you need to apply for a Personal Alarm, please contact Sue or Josephine in the Centre. Counselling Services: Our low cost Counselling Services, includes One-to-One, Family & Teens, aged 12 plus.General Counselling: Bereavement, stress, anxiety and depression. Other Counselling Services available: Drug, substance and gambling addiction. Please contact Sue in the Centre for more information or to make an appointment. Appeal for Clothes Donations .Any clothes donations would be appreciated in aid of the Centre’s counselling services. Donations can be le into the Centre, please call before dropping o . Art Classes: Free Art Classes beginning soon, please contact the Centre if interested in taking part. Contact number for the Centre 056 8838466. URLINGFORD ARMS SPLIT THE POT This week’s winner of Split the Pot was Therese Healy who won €461.Congrats Therese! Tickets €2 on sale in participating businesses in town and is in aid of Urlingford National School Parents’ Association for next week’s draw. Be in it to win it!! 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.

MARY BURKE RIP The people of Freshford and surrounds were saddened last week to learn of the passing of a popular local lady Mary Burke late of Woodview, Freshford. Although she had been unwell for a time her passing caused widespread sorrow and regret. In her early 70s Mary was well known and respected in the village. Formerly from Paulstown, Mary and her husband Michael have lived in Freshford for the past 40 plus years and reared four sons. A true lady, gentle and ino ensive, kind and good living, that was Mary. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother Mary was friendly and kind to everyone whom she met. She loved bingo over the years and the trips with the Day Care Centre to Donegal, Killarney and several other places. She will be dearly missed by her family, neighbours and friends. Her remains were removed to St.Lachtains Church on Friday evening last. A guard of honour from the local GAA Club Soccer Club and Gun Club flanked the hearse on the way to the church. Funeral mass took place on Saturday morning followed by burial in St.Lachtains Cemetery. She is deeply mourned by her husband Michael, sons Gerard, Paul, David and Fergus, her six grandchildren, her sisters, brothers, sisters in law, brothers in law, nephews, nieces and extended family and friends to whom sincere sympathy is extended. CAMOGIE This week, St. Lachtain’s Camogie Club enjoyed a celebratory evening with the presentation of medals to our 2021 U14 Shield winners and U15 Féile Division B winners. A huge thank you to G&O Masonry who sponsored gearbags for the U14 panel. Thanks to Mags Kavanagh Hickey who presented the awards, and to all who helped in any way to make the evening so enjoyable for everyone. Well done to all of our players, who make the club so proud. Roll on 2022. St Lachtain’s Camogie Club Registration for the coming 2022 season is now open. Registration is online via Foireann. https://www.foireann.ie/. For any new members that may be unsure of how to navigate the system please don’t hesitate to contact Emma Hickey (Registrar) (086) 1930214 for any assistance. They Look forward to seeing you all back on the pitch over the coming weeks! BIRTHDAY BOY Special birthday wishes go out to local lad Cathal O’Leary of Nuenna Court who celebrated his 21st birthday last week. Cathal who is an ardent member of St.Lachtains GAA hurling teams since his schoolboys days and also of Freshford Town soccer club celebrated at a party with family and friends in Kavanaghs bar on Saturday night last. PLAYGROUND The Freshford Playground Committee got some good news recently with the announcement that Planning Permission has been granted for the long awaited village playground. This will be a great addition to Freshford and Great credit goes to the Committee and their hard work in this project. SOCCER Freshford Town Junior side had another good win on Sunday last when they defeated one of the table toppers River Rangers on a 3-1 scoreline. In the schoolboys section, recently the U15 boys were beaten by Dean Celtic on a 4-1 scoreline with Cian Donnelly getting the Freshford goal.The training sessions for U8s started back recently and will continue each Saturday morning from 12noon to 1pm at the Sportfield at Woodview. All boys from 5 to 8 years old are welcome so go along and join up. CLOTHES COLLECTION Freshford Town Soccer Club are organising a Clothes collection. Bags can be dropped o at the Clubrooms on this Wednesday 16th February from 7 -9pm. You can donate all clean unwanted clothes, bed linen, towels, curtains, shoes, bags, belts and so toys. If you cannot make any of these times you can contact any of the Committee members. DEATH Sympathy is extended to the family of the late Michael Hurley late of Ballycarron Threeecastles who died last week. The deceased who was in his 90s was widely known and respected in the area. Funeral mass took place in Jenkinstown Church followed by burial in Tulla Cemetery. MACRA NA FEIRME Macra na Feirme are looking to establish a new club in the Freshford area. Macra na Feirme is an organisation for young people between the ages of 17 and 35 who are interested in getting involved in sports, travel drama, debating or just want to meet new people and have some fun. To be a member of Macra you must join a Macra club in your area. This will open the door to new fiends and new activities. There are hundreds of clubs across Ireland bursting with activity who always welcome a new face. For more information please contact Training and Development O icer – Michael Wall on 0868359891 or email him at mwall@ macra.ie GAA Two of St.Lachtains hurlers were part of the Kilkenny Senior Hurling side which were defeated by Tipperary on Sunday last. James Maher and Darren Brennan were both on the subs bench. AGM St Lachtains Gaa club held their AGM recently at the Clubrooms with a good attendance. The following o icers were elected, President; Fr. Pat Comerford Vice Presidents; J.Dermody, P Butler Clashacrow, Tom Hayes and Paddy Butler Cooleshall. Chairman; John Fitzpatrick, Vice Chairman – K.Dalton, Secretary – S.Killelen, Ass.Secretary – P.Donnelly, Treasurer- B.Kavanagh , Ass.Treasurer- JP Kavanagh,PRO – B.Quinn/S.Donnelly, Co Board Rep. – P.White, Irish O icer – L Kennedy Player Rep- P Campion/P Killeen The Clubs shop is open and 2022 range is soon to be uploaded onto the O’Neills club shop. Details can be found on St.Lachtains Social media pages or by O’Neills sportswear and searching for St.Lachtains GAA. PARISH NEWS Attendance at indoor settings are now back to full capacity and attendance at Mass almost back to normal Mass in the Parish Church each Wednesday morning at 9.30am and on Sunday morning at 11am. wiith Mass in Tulla church on Saturday evenings at 8pm. Some Safety measures remain in place which includes wearing of masks, sanitising and you have the option to be seated without any seating restrictions in the top section of the church or with seating restrictions. This year is the 1400 year celebration of St.Lachtain and there are lots of events being planned in our church and village and there will be more info closer to the time. The restoration of the Stations of the Cross in the Church continues with ten now completed and just four more to go. In order to continue the work you are invited to sponsor one of the stations maybe with your family or a group of your friends. The sponsors will be included in a special roll of honour displayed in the church as a lasting legacy. For further information re same you are asked to please contact Monsignor Kennedy NOTICE The parish newsletter is available on their website every week and also on the website you are free to pay your dues and make donations or any other contributions and you can find out more about it on the website or feel free to contact Jennifer in the Parish O ice. Please note community notices for the parish newsletter should be le in or emailed to the Parish O ice by 11am on Thursdays. MASS CARDS Special printed parish cards are available at the Parish O ice or from Annette at Tulla Church signed by Monsignor Kennedy. You can contact the Parish o ice on 056 8832843 or by email – freshfordd@ossory.ie. Contact Mongr Kieron Kennedy COMMUNITY ALERT Freshford/Threecastles Community alert group remind you again that the annual text alert scheme membership is now due. It cost just 10euro per phone number and you can pay membership to any committee member. If unsure or for more information please call Jacinta on 0877658671 or Anna on 0858277965. New members are always very welcome and the group wish to thank you all for your continued support. With winter here and the dark evenings and nights you are reminded to take care of yourself and take care of your elderly neighbours or friends. PILGRIMAGE Pilgrimage to Lourdes will be held from 9th to 13th May 2022. Staying at the four star Hotel Astrid. The trip costs €645 pps (single room supplement payable). Accompanied by spiritual director. Includes return direct flights from Dublin to Tarbes, coach transfers, breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, full religious programme, services of a Marian pilgrimage guide, mass daily and spiritual activities, all taxes and travel insurance. For more details contact C.Flynn on 089 4638769. HELP FOR ALL Are you struggling with anxiety or depression or finding life di icult or feeling isolated at this time GROW is there to help you. Their Mental Health support Groups are free and confidential and open to all no referral or booking is needed. For more information on same you can contact Mary on 087 284342. If you can’t cope and need support text HELLO to 50808. SAMARITAN - Whatever you’re going through a Samaritan will face it with you – available 24 hours a day 365 days a year – Freephone 1161. Alone is available for older people who need support and you can call them on 0818 222024 (8am to 8pm). AMBER KILKENNY WOMENS REFUGE – is available for

confidential support relating to domestic violence, call them on 1850 424244 (24/7) or on 056 7771404 or email into@amberwomensrefuge.ie.

LOCAL LOTTO Local Lotto Results for Draw 7th February 2022. Winning numbers : 4.9.17. No Winner. Winners of Draw for 5 x € 30. Ella Moore (Townsends). A and T Paice (Cis Ryan), Jimmy Kehoe (Jimmy Kehoe),Sarah Davis (Anne Hickey), Philip Tallon (Malachy Hogan). Jackpot for next week February 14th is €5,500. Draw takes place in Delaney’s Kells at 9pm. All welcome. DUNNA DASH Dunna Dash is BACK on Sunday March 6th. Dunna Dash isn’t just for runners, it’s the perfect chance to get on your walking shoes, grab a friend and get out the door for a stroll or power walk around our scenic Dunnamaggin loop!! Registration at St Leonards NS at 11am. Adults €10, Children €5, Families €20. Prizes for first male, female and juvenile. This year will see the return of the “Kiddies 1km Dash”, for school children from 3rd class down and will start at 11.45am. All children will receive a medal for this event. The main Dunna Dash will start at 12 noon. Refreshments a erwards in the school. DUNNAMAGGIN DEVELOPMENT GROUP Dunnamaggin Development Group are delighted to see the return of our Fortnightly Community Gatherings in The Old School. The first one took place last Sunday February 13th and it was wonderful to welcome everyone back a er almost two years. The next intergenerational gathering that consists of tea and co ee and a chat with friends and neighbours for the adults and a children’s corner with juice and crayons and colouring books will take place on Sunday 27th. Looking forward to seeing you all then. The monthly markets will return to Madge’s Garden in April and continue until December. Our AGM will take place on Sunday March 13th as part of that week’s Community Gathering. The Vision for Dunnamaggin is being completed and will be launched soon. DUNNAMAGGIN LADIES FOOTHBALL CLUB Dunnamaggin Ladies Football Club: LIDL STAMP REWARDS FOR LGFA CLUBS are back!!! Please support Dunnamaggin LGFC when shopping in Lidl. WINDGAP CAMOGIE Congratulations to Kilkenny camogie Minors who have qualified for a quarter-final spot at least a er a 0-15 to 0-10 win over Clare on Sunday in the Tesco Ireland Minor A Championship. The referee deemed the pitch in Fr McNamara Park unplayable before throw in so the game had to be moved to Killmaley. Well done to Nathania Jackson and Ali Kennedy on the panel. Congratulations also to DCU and especially to our club player Gillian Costello in their comprehensive win over UCD in the third level camogie Ashbourne Cup Final DCU: 1-14 UCD: 0-5. FIRST RESPONDER COURSE Certified Community First Responder Course! The Voluntary emergency services group are holding a Community First Responder training day delivered by Kilkenny Civil Defence, Order of Malta and The Irish Red Cross.The following topics will be covered. Adult and Child CPR and using a Defibrillator. Basic life support of victims of Heart Attack, Cardiac Arrest and Choking. Recognising signs of a stroke.Numbers are limited so please email: kilkennycivildefence@gmail.com with your name/ group and contact details to secure a place by 21st February The proceeds are going to the upkeep of Kilkenny City Defibrillators. SAINT CHRISTOPHER’S CANCER CARE TRANSPORT SERVICES This is a service o ered to people from Kilkenny/ Waterford and Tipperary We are a non for profit patient transport service run by volunteers from all of the Emergency Services to support members of the community who have a cancer diagnosis and need extra help to get to essential appointments and for patients on their final journey home. The facebook link is @christopherscommunity. Contact details for the service are saintchristophersts@gmail.com LIVING WELL Living well programme 2022 - bookings now open!Living Well is a free group Self-Management programme for adults living with long-term health conditions or caring for someone with a long-term health condition. The programme runs online for six weeks. A key part of Living Well is setting goals that you want to achieve. Each week you learn how to reach these goals by making an action plan. You also get support from the group to problem solve. The programme for people in County Kilkenny starts on Saturday 19 February 2022 If you are interested in taking part in this programme or would like more information, please call Catriona Renwick 087 2939881 or email catriona.renwick@ hse.ie CONSULTATION MEETINGS Healthy rivers and catchments benefit biodiversity, climate and communities and this is your chance to have a say. The Local Authority Waters Programme will host a series of online consultation meetings which will provide you with information on the water quality in Kilkenny’s rivers, with time for discussion on local issues. The Kilkenny sessions will take place on Tuesday 22nd February @ 7.30pm for the Kilkenny, Thomastown, Castlecomer and Callan areas Further details/registration at https://lawaters.ie/rbmp-publicmeetings-2022/ or contact your local Community Water O icer Ann Phelan at aphelan@lawaters.ie or LAWPRO Head O ice at 052 616 6237.

GOWRAN BINGO Bingo in Gowran Parish Hall on Thursday’s at 8.30pm. Jackpot €700 in 42 calls GOWRAN PARK Red Mills Day takes place on Saturday, 19th February. Ticket registration is now live at gowranpark.ie/racing. MOLLY’S TEAROOM Molly’s Tea Room has a selection of party food available for catering for your special events. Call 056 772 6718 if you would like to place an order. GOWRAN AND DUNGARVAN COMMUNITY ALERTS The annual subscriptions for the Gowan and Dungarvan Community Alerts are due by end of February. €10 per mobile number. How to Join/Pay: If you were a subscriber in 2021 you can pay online at www.communityalerts.ie. If you’d prefer to pay ‘o line’ or if you are new to this group and want to join just take a dedicated envelope from Pat Hennessey’s Garage or Billy Carroll’s Pharmacy, complete it and drop it back to either locations. Feel free to take an extra envelope for a neighbour you feel, might like to join the community alerts group. GOWRAN AC Gowran AC sent a juvenile team of 32 athletes to compete at the Leinster indoor championships in Athlone. By the end of the two days, Gowran had 25 top 5 finishes in the Leinster championship, which is an excellent club result. Congratulations to all the athletes and everyone involved. Gowran came away with two 1st, five 2nd, four 3rd, nine 4th, and six 5th. Eleven athletes now progress through to the All-Irelands next Month. 60M Sprint: Rachel Du (U13G) finished 2nd (8.52 seconds) in what was a Kilkenny 1,2,3. She won her heat and her semi-final. Odhran Prendergast (U14B) also finished 2nd (8.26 seconds) and won his heat en-route. Darragh Carroll (U13B) got through his heat and semi-final, and finished 5th in the final. Gowran had 12 other fast athletes competing in the short 60M sprint, Emily O`Kee e (U12G), Laura Beatty (U12G), Oren Denie e (U12B), Eimear Cottrell (U13G), Lucy Cunningham (U13G), Kate Hayden (U14G), Charlie Ryan (U15B), Rachel Gardiner (U16G), and Chloe Lynch (U16G). Long Jump: Aoibhlinn Steger (U14G) came 1st, winning by 2cm in a field of 35 athletes. Darragh Carroll (U13B) finished 2nd with a 4.1M jump. Odhran Prendergast (U14B) was 5th, Ailbhe Steger (U15G) 7th, Evan Ryan (U13B) 8th, all made it through to their respective final jump o s. Gowran had lots of other super jumpers competing, Lucy Cunningham (U13G), Grace Roberts (U13G), Eimear Cottrell (U13G), Aaron Carrigan (U12B), MJ Carroll (U12B), Aidan Corrigan (U12B), David Carroll (U12B), Oren Denie e (U12B), and Joe Hayes (U14B). 60M Hurdles: Aaron Carrigan (U12B) was 2nd in heats, and 3rd in the final, narrowly pipping MJ Carroll (U12B) who was 1st in heats, and 4th in final. Tomas Carroll (U14B) was 2nd in heats, and 3rd in the final. In the U13 Boys, Gowran had 3 athletes that qualified through the heats to the final – Evan Ryan finished 2nd in heats, and 5th in the final, Dara Leamy finished 4th in heats, and 6th in the final, Michael O`Kee e was 3rd in the heats, and 8th in the final. Gowran also had some future stars hurdling, Emily O`Kee e (U12G), Heidi Ryan (U12G), Kate Hayden (U14G), Ceola Leamy (U15G). Pole Vault: Ceola Leamy (U15G) was 1st a er clearing 6 height increases. James Kelsey (U15B) finished 3rd. Chloe Lynch (U16G) finished 2nd. 600M: Aaron Carrigan won his heat by a significant margin, and finished 2nd in the final, he was later disqualified on a harsh technicality, but ran superbly. Darragh Carroll (U13B) finished 3rd in heats, and 4th in final improving his time by 5 seconds. MJ Carroll finished 2nd in the heats, and 7th in final. Gowran had many other middle distance stars of the future running, Emily O`Kee e (U12G), Heidi Ryan (U12G), David Carroll, (U12B), Aidan Corrigan (U12B), Daisy Coomey (U13G), and Orlaith Carroll (U13G). High Jump: Ailbhe Steger was 3rd (U15G), while Joe Hayes and Tómas Carroll shared 4th (U14B), while James Kelsey (U15B) set a new PB in coming 4th also. Orlaith Carroll (U13G) finished 5th as did Dara Leamy (U13B). Gowran had 4 other vertical jumpers competing, Daisy Coomey (U13G), Aoibhlinn Steger (U14G), Ceola Leamy (U15G), and Chloe Lynch (U16G). 200M Sprint: Darragh Dunne (U16B) finished 2nd in heats, and a close 4th in the final. Rachel Gardiner ran well and finished 6th in heats. Shot Put: Rachel Gardiner (U16G) came 2nd, a mere 0.03M from 1st place, and a long distance clear of the rest. Heidi Ryan finished 4th (U12G), Anna Kelsey 8th (U13G), Evan Ryan 4th (U13B), Dara Leamy 6th (U13B), Aoibhlinn Steger 7th (U14G), Ailbhe Steger 5th (U15G), Noah Denie e 4th (U15B), Charlie Ryan 6th (U15B) all made it through to their respective final group throw o s. Gowran had other powerful throwers competing, Oren Denie e (U12B), David Carroll (U12B), Orlaith Carroll (U13G), Daisy Coomey (U13G), and Joe Hayes (U14B). 800M: Tomas Carroll (U14B) was 3rd in heats, and finished 12th in final. Cillian Dunne (U19B) finished 4th in the final. Gowran also had Kate Hayden (U14G), and James Kelsey (U15B) running the 4 lap event. Best of luck to the 11 Athletes that qualified for the indoor All-Irelands next month – Rachel Du , Aoibhlinn Steger, Ceola Leamy, Ailbhe Steger, Rachel Gardiner, Chloe Lynch, Aaron Carrigan, Tómas Carroll. Darragh Carroll, Odhran Prendergast, James Kelsey. THE KILKENNY COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL The festival is back this year in Gowran Park, and it will take place on Sunday 3rd July featuring a host of top-class Country Singers. Performing on the day will be Mike Denver, Cliona Hagan, Robert Mizzell, Trudi Lalor, Jimmy and Claudia Buckley with backing band The Conquerors. Tickets now on Sale and for further information, check out kilkennycountrymusicfestival. ie or email kkcountrymusic@gmail.com SEAN NOS WORKSHOP The dancing workshop will take place with Laura Ganley on March 6th from 2pm to 4pm at Ionad Dara, Goresbridge. Entry is €10. For more information, please contact Majella on 086 354 3539. YOUNG IRELAND’S GAA Following on from the recent AGM, a Club Meeting took place in Young Irelands GAA Grounds in Gowran last Friday Night Week (4th February) to finalise O icers and Management Teams ahead of the 2022 Season. Christine Carey is the new Secretary, and she has taken over from long serving Secretary Eddie Power who has stepped down, while Niall Walsh has filled the position of Treasurer and he has taken over from Patrick Farrell who has stepped down a er 10 years. Thanks to Eddie and Patrick for their superb work over the years and wishing them all the very best. The O icers for 2022 are as follows:Chairperson: Denis Quinlan. Vice-Chairman: Ciaran Phelan Secretary: Christine Carey. Assistant Secretary: Bridie Comerford. Registrar: Mary Holden Treasurer: Niall Walsh. Assistant Treasurer: Billy Carroll. PRO: Michael O’Leary. Health and Wellbeing O icer: Joe Loughrey. Children’s O icer: Michael Walsh. Health and Safety O icer: Liam Walsh County Board Delegate: Joe Kavanagh. Team Management 2022 are as follows. Intermediate: Tom Coogan, Shane Lanigan, Ollie Carter, Joe Langton . Junior A: Tom Drennan (Manager), Martin Carter, Christy Delaney GAA ROUND UP Mikey Carey started at Wing-Back and played the full match as Kilkenny lost out narrowly by a point to Tipperary(1-19 to 1-18) in Round 2 of the National League in Semple Stadium, Thurles last Sunday. Mikey scored a point and hurled extremely well in general as he continues to establish himself as a regular in the Kilkenny starting team. His Dad DJ is Coach of IT Carlow who plaed University of Limerick in the Semi-Finals of the Fitzgibbon Cup (Thursday) at 7.30pm. The Carlow College got their revenge on UCC from the 2020 Final when winning last week’s Quarter-Final clash 1-17 to 0-14. Meanwhile, there was Heartbreak for former Young Irelands Hurler James Fitzgerald, who was part of the Ballyhale Shamrocks Management Team that lost out to a last gasp Ballygunner goal with the last puck of the game in last Saturday’s All-Ireland Senior Club Final.

Congratulations to Emer Phelan and Emer Stynes

CLUB LOTTO LOTTO Results February 11th. Nos:6–3 – 27– 26. Jackpot: €7,750 – not won Draw Prizes – €50: Ber Long c/o P & J Cody . €25 each Catherine Peters c/o Online €25 each T McGrath c/o Gina Gaule. €25 each Gordon Dowd c/o Online Co op draw ticket Pat Carroll c/o Online Promotors prize Joe Phelan . New weeks draw 7,900 17th of feb 2022 CLUB HOUSE Dicksboro Clubhouse Bar is reopened. Thursday from 8.30pm and every Thursday going forward. Thursday nights is Lotto Draw and Cards Night. All are welcome out for a social drink, a chat and if there is interest, a beginners cards table. We are o ering a particular welcome to all of our senior citizens members, it’s been a di icult past two years and we would be delighted to see you out to the club for a chat. We have a selection of non-alcoholic beers, barista co ee and all the usuals. We look forward to seeing you all CLUB REGISTER 2022 We are delighted to announce that Registration for Dicksboro GAA and Camogie Club for 2022 is now open. There are a number of ways for existing and new members to register with the club. Click on the link below ( For existing members enter your e mail address to retrieve all details from last year’s registration process ). Go to the membership page on Clubs App and sign up, https://dicksborogaa.com/membership_signup DICKSBORO DEVELOPMENT 2022 We are delighted to get the news today that we have been awarded €59k in Sports Capital Grant Funding. This is a very generous grant and along with our earmarked development funds will support the further upgrading of our pitches, walkways and lighting in Palmerstown. Thanks to development chairman Sean Moore for all his hard work on this. ASHBOURNE CUP Congrats to DCU on winning the Ashbourne Cup. Four Boro girls started the final and helped DCU to their first ever Ashbourne title. Well done Caoimhe Dowling, Ciara Phelan, Ciara O’Shea and Jane Cass FR. MEAGHAIR CUP Congrats to UCC on winning the Fr Meaghair Cup. Two Boro girls were part of the panel. Congrats to Emer Phelan and Emer Stynes.

Well done Caoimhe Dowling, Ciara Phelan, Ciara O’Shea & Jane Cass