Councillor Andrew McGuinness officially opens “AN CHEAD TINE”

County Councillor Andrew McGuinness o cially opened “AN CHEAD TINE” ART Organisation’s new Studios and Workspace last Saturday at No 10, Del la Salle House, e Parade, Kilkenny.

All who attended viewed the eclectic exhibition of paintings by these talented local Kilkenny based artists, Ross Stewart, Mary Doyle Burke, Graham Carew, Niamh Curry, Kate McMeekin and Jade Butler. ere was also artwork on exhibit by two of the organisations committee volunteers who are also full-time practicing artists Marco di Sante & Lena Donoghue. e exhibition spanned across the 6 studio spaces and the gallery area in the spacious stairway of Del la Salle House, a building which oozes of history and character. ere is such a beautiful calmness and light feeling in the building with sunlight ooding in the tall Georgian windows throughout the day, a perfect place and space for an artist to create.

Director Mary Doyle Burke founded the organisation, last August due to a unique need for supportive workspaces for local artists. She had studied Fine Art at Ormonde College back in 2019 and having returned to Kilkenny in 2022 after graduat- ing as a mature student at Waterford Institute of Technology (SETU) with BA Hons in Visual Art, she took up a studio in the city. After networking with a lot of local people on the ground during the Arts festival she felt there was need for space in the city to provide local artists an outlet to either create or exhibit work. With this in mind she formed the organisation. It is a not-for-pro t organisation, integral to the visual arts ecology and cultural landscape of Kilkenny. It is now run voluntarily by a Board of Directors and artists. e organisation aim is to provide a supportive working environment that addresses key points in the creative cycle by which art is made. In her speech Mary stated that “we focus on emerging artists but are also dedicated to supporting artists at all stages of career”. Also, she noted “that last September she approached manager Katie Quinn of Dunnes Stores, Kieran Street to enquire about letting the old restaurant space upstairs on their premises as a new Gallery for the organisation. Receiving a positive response here, a meeting was set up with the Dunnes Stores Head O ce in Dublin”. After months of negotiations the lease is now signed and a new venture begins for Kilkenny, soon with a new gallery to bring the best of Kilkenny art to the whole community of Kilkenny.

Back in December the organisation was awarded a grant under the Workspace Scheme from the Arts Council of Ireland to assist with the running costs of the Studios and the organisation have recently reached out in a Community Grant application to Kilkenny County Council. Andrew McGuiness noted in his opening speech that it was a major achievement for a grassroots organisation to achieve funding from the Arts Council of Ireland and congratulated the board. He stated that here tonight at the opening if felt like the beginning of something good and wished them all the success and also support from the local County Council in their venture”.

“An Chead Tine” hope with their new gallery location down in Dunnes Stores to bring art week. What has he learnt from life on the line? ‘I have learnt a lot about myself by listening to callers who just want to feel they are not alone. Callers may have a di erent frame of reference, which a ects how they view themselves and others. I always try to put myself in their shoes and listen carefully to what they are saying and how they see their situation.

‘We have a model of listen- to the community right in a setting of everyday experience. Many of their artists are already out working in the community. Graham Carew teaches with Kilkenny ETB, and paints murals in community settings right across the city and county, as does Niamh Curry. Mary is currently teaching art in designated primary schools in Kilkenny as part of the Creative Ireland funded Programme with Castlecomer Discovery Park and is working on an art project “ e Irish Bog” funded by Kilkenny Arts O ce. Jade Butler is currently teaching Still Life Painting Classes every Tuesday and ursday at our Studios and Kate McMeekin teaches to community groups in a variety of locations, Ross who is a renowned local painter is also busy working on many animation projects and also is creating work with “Cartoon Saloon”. Many of the above named artists had been working in their own collective formed last Autumn and have organised local art fairs and run workshops. e group connected with “An Chead Tine” last December and joined together. Many local artists have joined as volunteers since. From summer 2023 onwards, the organisation aim to deliver contemporary exhibitions which will be announced through an open submission call. is will provide a platform for local artists' to promote their work and practice. e organisation will also run Kilkenny’s biggest ever Winter Art Fair later in the year ing which is to connect with, spend time listening and understanding and then seek to empower the caller. is approach, particularly desiring to understand will always help me do that’ he said.

SeniorLine freefone 1800 80 45 91 10am-10pm 365 days a year www.thirdagireland.ie For information contact Anne Dempsey 087-7450721 and have plans to give workshops throughout the year. Many thanks to all who have donated to our Go Fund Me Page and also to all local business who have sponsored or become friends of the association so far, e Fig Tree Café, High Street Kilkenny, Paris Texas, High Street Kilkenny, Urlingford Arms Hotel, Urlingford Co Kilkenny, Pembroke Hotel, Patrick Street Kilkenny and Crafty Bride at Kilkenny Retail Centre, James St, Kilkenny. Also a special note of thanks and gratitude to proprietor Marion Kilbride of Crafty Bride who also generously sponsored the drinks reception for our opening night. is Saturday 21st May on National Drawing Day “An Chead Tine” Art Studios are creating an Outdoor Open Drawing Studio in collaboration with Kilkenny Castle. It will take place on the Castle grounds. Gazebo provided for shelter. You can drop-in and stay for as long as you want, try out di erent drawing techniques, have access to art materials and a variety of subject matter. All welcome, beginners and experienced. ere will be two separate groups, one for Adults and one for U12s

You can avail of one-to-one guidance from our professional artists Mary Doyle Burke, Niamh Curry and Marco Di Sante.

Get some drawing tips or improve your technique. Artist Niamh Curry will be hosting a live portrait drawing demonstration using charcoal at 12pm.

LOTTO

Lotto Results 9th May. Numbers drawn - 22, 24, 26. No Jackpot winner. €30 each to Pat Campion, Siobhan Carrigan, Lorraine Bambrick, Ann Mullen, Hugh Kelly. Thanks to all for your support.

SUPPORTERS CLUB

Kilkenny GAA Supporters Club. For anyone wishing to join or pay their membership renewal please contact Martin Nolan of Clara at 086-2343254. Thanks for the support.

PILTOWN DRAW

Hurlers co-op member draw tickets (Piltown tickets) are now available from Executive, Camogie and LGFA committee members, senior hurlers and camogie players or contact Dermot Nolan 0879206998. This is an important fundraiser for our club and your support is appreciated. First draw takes place on June 13th.

LEO IN YOUR COMUNITY

The Local Enterprise O ice Kilkenny will be holding a FREE business advisory clinic open to anyone in Clara and surrounding areas considering a new business start up or currently operating a small business. A clinic will be held in Castlecomer Library on Friday the 19th from 10am-12pm. For more information or to book an appointment see www.localenterprise.ie/ Kilkenny/Online-Bookings or call 056 7752662.

SENIOR HURLERS WIN

The Clara seniors began their 2023 campaign with a hard earned one point win over neighbours Young Irelands of Gowran on a beautiful Saturday evening in Clara. It was the visitors who gained the upper hand in the first half and they led 2-9 to 0-9 at hal ime. Liam Ryan and Paul Cody had contributed two points each, while Martin O Connell, Harry Boyle, Conor O’ Shea, Killian Phelan and Dara Glynn had each provided a point. Remarkably only one point in the entire half had come from a free, that a Gowran one by Tommy Phelan, as referee Eamonn Larkin’s unfussy style allowed for free flowing entertaining hurling. Clara pride and resilience came to the fore in the second half as they set about reeling in their opponents. Paul Cody was Gowran’s tormentor in chief and he added four more points to his personal tally. Although Clara never looked like scoring a goal, the points flowed with regularity. Liam Ryan added two more and Dara Glynn chipped in with two frees and a 65. Sean Carrigan helped himself to a brace and Shane Staunton, Martin O Connell, Chris Bolger and John Murphy each notched one. They scored six in a row at one stage as Gowran seemed to run out of steam around the middle segment of the field. A Killian Carey goal tied the game again following Clara’s six point burst but the home side rode their momentum and John Murphy struck the winner from distance a er a Diarmuid Langton point seemed set to ensure a share of the spoils for the visitors. Overall a good tight entertaining game that both sides will take plenty of positives from.

Team - Kevin Nolan, Sean O Shea, Lester Ryan, Evan Whearty. Jim Kehoe, Shane Staunton 0-1f, Conor O Shea 0-1. Martin O Connell 0-2, Liam Ryan 0-4. Harry Boyle 0-1, Paul Cody 0-6, Peter Nolan. Sean Carrigan 0-2, Killian Phelan 0-1, Dara Glynn 0-4, 0-2f,

0-1 x 65. Subs used John Murphy 0-1, Chris Bolger 0-1, Brandon Ryan, Stephen Quinlan, Joe Connolly.

SENIOR CAMOGIE

The Clara girls endured a tough morning in Kilmanagh on Sunday when they were easily put to the sword by a young, hungry St. Brigid’s outfit. Missing over half their team through injury and emigration, the Clara side tried hard but were no match for the home team. Clara had the bare 15 players and actually had to finish the game with 14 as Tamsin English picked up a bad knee injury that she simply couldn’t continue with.

Points from Emma Corr following a great Niamh Ward catch, Grace Barcoe (free) and a superb Róisín Kealy e ort le Clara 1-7 to 0-3 adri at hal ime. They had shown great resilience up to this point and it seemed that they had wind advantage to come for the second period. But the wind had other ideas and seemed to change direction during the interval.

Playing against the elements again in the second half really took its toll on the Clara girls. St. Brigid’s replicated their 1-7 first half total and Clara could only manage a Grace Barcoe free. There were some great individual performances from the likes of Sarah Dunne and Emma Corr but St. Brigid’s had too much firepower for them. Others who showed well for Clara were goalkeeper Aoife Glynn, Katie Ryan, Laoise Nolan, Rebecca Nolan and Gráinne Glynn but they had to give way to a superior St. Brigid’s team.

Team - Aoife Glynn, Aoife Treacy, Katie Ryan, Sarah Dunne.

Tamsin English, Laoise Nolan, Margaret Kehoe. Emma Corr 0-1, Rebecca Nolan. Gráinne Glynn, Grace Barcoe 0-2f, Niamh Ward. Maria Shortall, Aoife Ward, Róisín Kealy 0-1.

U9 CAMOGIE

Clara U9 camogie participated in the Annual Diocese of Ossory U9 Hurling and Camogie Blitz in St Kierans College on Saturday 13th May. They competed against teams from Barrow Rangers Dicksboro and Windgap. Some fantastic skills were on show from all players. The matches were refereed by Kilkenny senior hurlers David Blanchfield and Eoin Cody. The medals were presented by the Bishop of Ossory Niall Coll.

U12 CAMOGIE

Clara hosted their first U12 Blitz of the year on Saturday 13th May. The weather was fantastic for the games and the grounds in Clara were in fine condition throughout. Teams from Graiguenamanagh and Dicksboro provided some fantastic games. For many of the girls this was their first experience of playing on a bigger pitch and plenty of skill and determination was on show. Well done to all the girls and thanks to the Clara parents for providing some well deserved treats for the girls and visiting supporters a erwards.

CLUB LOTTO

There was no winner of the club lotto dated May 9th. Numbers drawn were 18, 22, 23, 24 Bonus 3. Play now at www.oloughlingaels.com/lotto

Promotors Draw. 1. Rose Ann Byrne c/o N Loy. 2. John Skehan. 3. Joan Corkery. 4. Ann Marie Healy c/o D O’Connell. 5. Rose Hayes c/o Esther Maher. 6. Rose Hayes c/o Paddy Greene. 7. Mags and Dinny c/o John Joe Cullen. 8. Amy Bryan c/o Online. 9. Claire

O’Dwyer c/o Online. 10. John Purcell c/o Online. Thank you for your continued support

LEINSTER CHAMPION

Congratulations to Laura Murphy who helped Kilkenny camogie to a Leinster Senior title on Saturday. Well done also to manager Brian Dowling. The very best of luck to both and Kilkenny Camogie for the All-Ireland series.

SUPPORT CLUB TEAMS

Please support all our teams at O’Loughlin Gaels GAA & Camogie. We thank our sponsors Pat Carroll’s, (Adult hurling) McCarthy’s Eurospar (Juvenile Hurling) and MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre (Camogie) for their continued support of our teams. Please support our sponsors and them businesses.

MARY COLCLOUGH RIP

The local people of Freshford area were shocked and saddened to learn last week of the death of Mary Colclough late of Bohergloss, Freshford. Mary celebrated her 80th birthday recently and although she had been unwell for some years nevertheless her passing caused widespread shock and regret. A native of Johnstown she was a quiet and good living lady. She was a loving and caring mother to her ten children and to her grandchildren and loved them all dearly. She will be sadly missed by them all. Her funeral took place on Friday last in St. Lachtains Church followed by burial in St. Lachtains Cemetery. She is deeply mourned by her sons, Martin, Charlie, Anthony, Stephen, Vinnie, Joe, Robert and Ollie, her daughters Mary and Majella, her grandchildren, and extended family to whom sympathy is extended.

FIRST COMMUNION

The boys and girls of second class of St.Lachtains NS received their First Holy communion on Saturday last in St.Lachtains Church Freshford at 11am mass. The mass was o ered by Monsignor K Kennedy PP the children were blessed with beautiful sunshine to add to their special day. Monsignor Kennedy paid tribute to the children and to their parents and teachers for the way in which they were prepared both spiritually and physically for the day.

The following received the sacrament: A.McCabe, A.Mackin,A. Murphy,C.O’Kane,ER Fox Franks,E Bergin,I.Cleere Walsh, Kand L Deacon, L.Kelly, L.Di Ruscio L.Stanley, S.Byrne, S.O’Rourke, S.McCarthy, Z.Thorpe Butler, F.Cullinane Doyle, B.Nolan, DJ Treacy Walsh,F.Carroll, J.Doheny, J.O’Gorman,L.Kelly, R.Carroll,R. Bolger, BIRTHDAY BOY

Special birthday wishes go out to local man Martin Maher of Freshford who celebrated a very special birthday recently. Martin marked his 50th at a party with family and friends in Farrell’s Bar on Saturday night last.

SQUASH

Congratulations to local man Pat Morrissey of Ard Lachtains, Freshford who was on the Irish over 40’s Squash team recently which finished second overall in a competitions held in Belfast. IONAD LACHTAIN HERITAGE CENTRE

Ionad Lachtain Church, Arts and Heritage Centre is open every Saturday and Sunday from 11.30 to 4.30. Gi s on sale to suit every occasion.

GAA

St.Lachtains Junior B defeated Barrow Rangers in the third round of the league last week in Pairc Lachtain coming out winners on a final score of 0-22 to 0-15.

The Junior F beat The Rower Inistoge in the third round of the league at Freshford on Sunday evening last on a scoreline of 1-16 to 2-9. They were victorious against neighbours Lisdowney in Freshford the previous week. Keep up to date on all games involving St Lachtains by following St Lachtains GAA on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

FITNESS SESSION

Fitness sessions Boxing/fitness sessions at Community Hall Freshford. Have you had a diagnoses of Parkinsons, Alzheimers or other neurological condition? If so maybe you are keen to get some level of fitness back or work on you balance or upper body strength? These classes are just what you need. Classes take place each Tuesday from 11am to 12 noon - sessions cost just €10 each and are facilitated by a boxing coach. They will also give you the chance to socialise and meet other people, for more information or to sign up please contact Brenda Cooper on 0871369253

PARISH NEWS

Mass is held in the Parish Church each Wednesday morning at 9.30am and each Sunday morning at 11am.with Mass in Tulla Church on Saturday evenings at 7.30pm.

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 1161Alone is available for older people who need support and you can call them on 0818 222024 (8am to 8pm)

AMBER KILKENNY WOMENS REFUGE – is available for confidential support relating to domestic violence - call them on 1850 424244 (24/7) or on 056 7771404 or email into@amberwomensrefuge.ie.