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Friday 01 October 2021

Why She’s Next Mission to support businesswomen 

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Climate Fears Our children face uncertain future  See page 14

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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Two Golds for green effort TWO Kilkenny firms, Glanbia and O’Shea Farms, have been awarded Origin Green Gold Membership following extensive auditing across a range of sustainability initiatives, at a ceremony held by Bord Bia and Origin Green. Origin Green introduced Gold Membership in 2020, recognising members who are

performing at a high level or excelling in their sustainability performance. The new scheme has driven Irish businesses to further increase their focus on sustainability issues. To attain Origin Green Gold Membership a company must demonstrate exceptional annual performance in areas such as raw material sourcing;

water and energy efficiency; waste reduction; packaging; and social sustainability. This year’s Origin Green Gold Members excelled most in the areas of energy, packaging and community engagement. Deirdre Ryan, Director of Origin Green and Sustainable Assurance with Bord Bia, said: “It gives me great pleasure

to announce that two businesses from Co Kilkenny have achieved Gold Member status this year. This achievement reflects that hard work of all of their teams. “As we look to address the urgency of climate change and the need for sustainable development, it is excellent to see companies like these, showing

leadership..” Deirdre Ryan said. At the event Origin Green launched their Progress Update Report 2021, which demonstrated progress on a range of sustainability actions. The reports highlights the significant and ongoing efforts of its members to impact positively on greener ways of farming and the adoption of more

sustainable food production methods. A survey by Origin Green of more than 11,000 consumers and 125 trade buyers across 13 key markets demonstrated the growing importance of evidence and data to back up sustainability. See also Page 22

House prices are up again The price of the average second-hand three-bed semi in County Kilkenny has increased by 5% to €232,500 in the last three months, according to a national survey by Real Estate Alliance. The price of the average threebed semi in Kilkenny City increased by 6.6% to €275,000 this quarter, with time taken to sell at just two weeks. See Page 6

Stop health crisis

Green Day: Deirdre Ryan, Director of Origin Green and Sustainable Assurance with Bord Bia, with Tara McCarthy CEO of Bord Bia prior to the awards ceremomy Photo Chris Bellew /Fennell Photography

Ryan promises students he will act over climate THE Government is listening to the message from students and young people who protested for climate action around the country today, according to the Minister for the Environment, Eamon Ryan. The demonstrators — part of a worldwide series of protests — were highlighting what they described as empty promises on the issue. They took to the streets in Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Galway and elsewhere to chants such as “Hey Hey! EVERY FRIDAY

Ho Ho! Climate change has got to go” as they insisted that the need for action has intensified. Elsewhere, the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA) has highlighted climate change in its latest annual ‘observations’ paper, on sigficant topics that managers, directors and audit committees should focus on when working on end-of-year financial statements. Meanwhile, Swedish activist Greta Thunberg opened

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a youth climate summit by lambasting three decades of government inaction, accusing world leaders of having “drowned” future generations with “empty words and promises”. Speaking weeks ahead of a crunch UN climate meeting in Glasgow, Ms Thunberg accused governments of “shamelessly congratulating themselves” for insufficient pledges to cut emissions and promises of financing. Hurling leaders’ own words back at them, the

18-year-old laid bare to delegates at the Youth4Climate event in Milan the gap between words and action. Meanwhile, children born in 2020 and this year too will also experience double the number of wildfires, 2.6 times more droughts and almost three times more river floods and crop failures than someone born in 1960, according to just published analysis in the journal Science. A Special Report on the survey findings, Page 14

Ireland is best place with Covid IRELAND has topped the monthly Bloomberg Covid Resilience List and named as the No. 1 place to live with the pandemic The country climbed from roughly 40th in early January of this year – when it had the worst rate of infection – to first this month. Bloomberg attributed Ireland’s turnaround to a strategy used across Europe – limiting quarantine-free entry to the State only to people who were fully vaccinated or could prove they had recently recovered from the virus. See also Page 19

Sinn Féin TD for Carlow Kilkenny Kathleen Funchion TD has called on the Minister for Health to take charge of the waiting list crisis and deliver major capacity boosting measures in Budget 2022. See Page 6

Age-old wisdom Eight in 10 adults in Ireland (79%) believe they learn lots from older generations, the best advice coming from those with lots of life experience, a new survey says. See Page 22

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GETTING IN TOUCH WITH THE TEAM

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

News VISA’S global programme ‘She’s Next, Empowered by Visa’ has been launched in Ireland to support women-led small and independent businesses in Kilkenny and elsewhere, many of whom have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Europe’s inaugural She’s Next programme will provide funding options for women business-owners in Ireland, with the chance to apply for one of five grants totalling €25,000. In partnership with the go-to funding marketplace for women-owned businesses IFundWomen, women entrepreneurs, across all industries and sectors, are invited to apply for one of five €5,000 grants. The businesses will also be awarded mentorship and coaching for one year to support them with moving their business forward. Even as the country reopens, small businesses in Ireland continue to struggle because of the pandemic, with women entrepreneurs finding it particularly challenging. In a recent Visa study of small business owners in Ireland, the majority of women (55%) said the past year has been a challenge for their business, while the majority of men (52%) stated it had been an opportunity. Gender inequality in entrepreneurship is not a new trend. In Ireland, there are nearly double the number of men for every woman who is an early-stage entrepreneur, which is well above the average across the OECD.

More than half (58%) of men in Ireland perceive that they have the necessary skills to start a business, compared to just 38% of women. “The pandemic has impacted all small businesses across the country, but women business-owners have been disproportionately affected,” says Dominic White, Country Manager Ireland, Visa. “Visa wants to spotlight and address the challenges faced by women and the gender imbalance that still exists in early entrepreneurship.” Owner of Irish brand ‘Moxi Loves’ and former ‘The Apprentice’ runner-up Pamela Laird explains why the She’s Next programme is such an important step in bolstering women-led businesses: “I can’t emphasise enough how valuable Visa’s She’s Next programme will be to women in business in Ireland. These grants can make all the difference to a business in its early stages or one in need of a boost. “Having access to the right mentorship is just as valuable to growing a business, so the coaching element of the programme is a fantastic benefit.” Female designers behind the Irish creative brand Jill & Gill are also getting behind the She’s Next programme. Jill Deering, co-founder of the company, says: “We are regularly approached by women entrepreneurs who are looking for guidance and advice. We welcome more structured programmes aimed at women business-owners and that is why She’s Next is

Getting down to business: Gillian Henderson and Jill Deering of Jill&Gill with Dominic White of Visa

Visa for a mission to support businesswomen such an important initiative.” Says Karen Cahn, founder & CEO at IFundWomen: “We’re confident that with continued funding and resources, each women-led business will not only recover but bounce back stronger.” To enter, applicants are asked to submit details before No-

vember 2 about their business and online presence at IFundWomen.com/VisaIreland. Applications are invited under five different categories: General awards for • Micro business: sole proprietorships or microbusinesses with no more than two em-

ployees • Early-stage business: Businesses founded and incorporated within the last 24 months • Small business: Any small business with less than 50 employees Additional two categories for:

• Innovation: Businesses in science, technology, engineering or medicine that are focused on developing new technologies. • Social impact: Small businesses and not for profit organisations that have made a positive impact on their communities.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

News

House prices up again, by 5% THE price of the average second-hand three-bed semi in County Kilkenny has increased by 5% to €232,500 in the last three months, according to a national survey by Real Estate Alliance. Homes in the county are reaching sale agreed in three weeks this quarter, the Q3 REA Average House Price Index shows. The price of the average

three-bed semi in Kilkenny City increased by 6.6% to €275,000 this quarter, with time taken to sell at just two weeks. “There is a surge of interest from buyers in Dublin and expats wanting to come home,” said Michael Boyd of REA Boyd’s, Kilkenny. “For one particular property, within three days we saw 90 mortgage-approved appli-

cations to view it. The reserve was €200,000 and it went for €280,000 at an online auction on Bidnow.ie.” Callan prices increased by 2.7% to €190,000 this quarter, and the average time taken to sell remained unchanged at three weeks. “We are still seeing a strong demand in this area as high prices in Kilkenny city are making people look for more

affordable houses outside of the city,” said Robbie Grace of REA Grace, Callan. “Poor supply is an issue for purchasers, and lack of rental properties is an issue for people thinking of placing their property on the market.” Average house prices nationally have risen by €3,500 per month since the end of June, with selling prices in commuter areas and small

towns increasing by over double the growth experienced in the major cities. The survey concentrates on the actual sale price of Ireland’s typical stock home, the three-bed semi, giving an accurate picture of the second-hand property market in towns and cities countrywide. The price of a three-bed semi-detached house across

written me off for the year because that was heading into June and All-Ireland finals were the start of September. Thankfully it eventually settled down, I got some medication that helped and I got back playing,” he said. Fennelly highlighted the importance of reaching out and asking for help. “I think sharing your story with someone is impor-

tant. There are people who can help, there’s no point feeling sorry for yourself and asking the question ‘why me’.” Arthritis Ireland chief executive, Gráinne O’Leary, said: “Ankylosing spondylitis can have an enormous physical and emotional impact on people, which can disrupt every aspect of life. Symptoms of AS frequently begin in younger

the country rose by 4.1% over the past three months to €264,056 – representing an annual increase of 12%. The biggest rises in Q3 came in commuter counties (4.6%) and the country’s large towns (4.9%) as buyers continue to move out further from the capital in anticipation of long-term remote and hybrid working situations which may well be the new normal.

Kilkenny hurling legend helping to raise awareness of chronic arthritis KILKENNY hurling legend and current Offaly manager Michael Fennelly is sharing his personal story in a short film a to raise awareness of a form of inflammatory arthritis that can take up to eight years to diagnose in Ireland. The eight times AllIreland winner and three times All-Star is supporting ‘Back In Action’, the new campaign from Arthritis Ireland, which aims to make people more aware of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Ankylosing spondylitis mainly affects the spine, but can also cause pain and/or swelling in the shoulders, hips, knees, heels, chest/ribs and small joints of the hands and feet. While back pain is very common in the general population, only a small percentage of people will have inflammatory arthritis of the spine. Fennelly was just 20

when he was diagnosed with AS and he has been living with the painful condition for the past 16 years. He initially found himself needing extra physiotherapy to ease his joints before training sessions and games. However, he didn’t realise that his pain was due to AS until his father was hospitalised with the very same condition. Over time, the stiffness and pain caused by AS in Fennelly’s back and neck began to create major difficulties, given the massive physical demands of the game. “I’d see other players going to the gym and they were getting stronger and more powerful, and you know I’d be very competitive in that side of things. But I just had to kind of take a step back really and try and keep myself as healthy as I could for training and not be injured,” he explained.

Fennelly: “I just had to kind of take a step back really and try and keep myself as healthy as I could...”

“I got huge support from the lads and wouldn’t have been able to play without their support. In 2013/14, it was really hard because it was one of those stages when my back kicked off, we couldn’t understand what was going on, it wasn’t settling. I think I lost about 9kg over those two or three months and the management and medical team could have

people, as early as the teenage years or 20s, so runs counter to the expectation that arthritis is an older person’s disease. “The situation is exacerbated by low levels of awareness of the condition, which is why campaigns such as this are important.” * See www.arthritisireland.ie or helpline, 0818 252 846.

Budget ‘must tackle’ hospital waiting list

Great ... we get a whole day to ourselves, again!

THE Sinn Féin TD for Carlow Kilkenny, Kathleen Funchion TD, has called on the Minister for Health to take charge of the hospital waiting list crisis and deliver major capacity boosting measures in Budget 2022. Her comments come ahead of the party’s Private Member’s Bill setting out measures to curb waiting lists which will be introduced in the Dáil this evening. “The hospital waiting list crisis can and must be fixed,” she said.

THE Kilkenny Catwalk 2021 is a trail of 21 Kilkenny Cat sculptures decorated by some of Ireland’s most talented artists. Pangur Bán from Cartoon Saloon’s ‘The Secret of Kells’ forms the blueprint of 5ft sculptures that will lead you on an artistic trail across Kilkenny city. Just download the app and go! Returning for the second year, Kilkenny Day will take place all around Kilkenny

“Waiting lists have spiralled out of control and now over 900,000 people are on a healthcare waiting list. There is hardly a family in the country which is not affected by this scandal. “Waiting lists are up more than 15% since the beginning of the pandemic and have almost doubled since 2014. “The health service is not fit for purpose and needs major investment to boost capacity if it is to tackle waiting lists.” Ms Funchion said that be-

hind record waiting times there were stories of pain, worsening condition, delayed diagnosis and treatment, stress, and worry. The human cost was very real and very urgent. “The Government must act now and that is why we are tabling this motion,” she said. “Government needs to sort out the management of waiting lists and introduce new centralised referral systems and an integrated waiting list management system.

city and county on Sunday, October 10. There will be events to suit all ages and interests including live music, movies, markets, children’s workshops, art performances and more. This celebration of Kilkenny is for locals and visitors alike. The Kilkenny Tourism Ambassadors will be around the city to help you find your way and the Parade and Castle grounds will be a hub of activity, with more events throughout the county.

Most events are free, but some are ticketed, An outdoor cinema at Kilkenny Castle will host a special showing of two Cartoon Saloon’s Wolfwalkers for Kilkenny Day. In association with Kilkenny Animated and introduced by Wolfwalkers producer Paul Young and co-director Ross Stewart. Watch Oscar nominated Wolfwalkers on the grounds of Kilkenny Castle in the very city the movie is set.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

News Opinion

The Fact Of The Matter PAUL HOPKINS

Student housing crisis; no key, no degree ... THE irony is not lost on me that on the day the Irish Independent publishes its Rich Politicians List — which shows 68 millionaires in the Dail and that Michael Healy-Rae’s €4.7m property portfolio makes him the richest landlord in the Dail — comes figures that show that the number of people homeless in Ireland has risen for the third month in a row. Latest figures show 8,212 adults and children without a home. The Department of Housing recorded 6,023 adults as being homeless during August, 2,189 children among them. Single parents and their children account for almost half the number of homeless. The homeless charity Focus Ireland says we face further increases in homelessness later this year as the private rental market constricts and evictions rise. Mike Allen, Focus Ireland Director of Advocacy, says: “All the indicators are that we will see a return to a pattern of

rising homelessness in the next few months unless urgent and targeted action is taken.” He says the Government’s new, and delayed, ‘Housing For All’ strategy needs to take a “twin track approach” that will increase social housing provision and improve prevention. I believe that until recent times we had a misconstrued image of the homeless person as someone who was poor to begin with or who had addictions or mental health issues or had a criminal record or was long-term unemployed. Granted, such people can be homeless, often long-term. We now know, however, that among those 8,000 plus souls without a roof over their heads are people who have had to quit their rented accommodation because the landlord wants to sell or go down the airbnb route and there’s nowhere else to rent, or single people whose sole salary makes the stringent bank rules on mortgage afford-

ability nigh on impossible. The pandemic, too, has seen people lose jobs and mortgages become unaffordable, although, thankfully, the law has changed in recent years to offer a more accommodating solution for defaulters and/or those in negative equity. When it comes to so-called ‘affordable housing’, a new report finds there is a 20% deterioration in just three months in the availability of affordable rental properties across the country, and a 27% deterioration in six months. The quarterly Locked Out report from the Simon Communities of Ireland, shows there are only 2,208 properties available to rent at any price within the 16 areas examined over the three dates in June of this year, down 20% from March last. Meanwhile, the nearly quarter of a million young people going into in third level education in recent weeks are seeing the “worst student ac-

commodation crisis ever” with student unions saying the Government was “warned it was coming but ignored it”. Students are sleeping in fields, in cars, packed into hostels, paying up to €400 a week to stay in a hotel, couch-surfing, or commuting up to five hours daily to attend lectures, says USI President Clare Austick. According to college lecturer Rory Hearne, some students have not been able to take up their first-preference course, others have deferred, and even dropped out. “This is the worst student accommodation crisis we have ever seen in this country,” he says. “Despite warnings from myself and others that this crisis was coming, the Government largely ignored it. “As a lecturer, I see in my courses the personal toll of the accommodation crisis. Students are stressed, anxious, and exhausted,” says Dr Hearne, an assistant professor in social

policy at Maynooth University. Like the wider housing crisis, the student crisis is not some ‘accident’ or force of nature. It has happened because students have been left to the vagaries of the market and questionable investor funds. And housing left to the unforeseen

‘The worst student accommodation crisis ever..

”

changes of the private market. Here’s the crux of the matter: Back in July 2017, the Government launched its National Student Accommodation Strategy based on enticing private sector (and mainly global real estate investors) to deliver purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). In reality, the so-called strategy had little funding for publicly provided student accommodation by way of the Higher Education institutes. Of the 8,229 PBSA units completed since 2016, 84% are privately delivered, and just one in six is student accommodation via public third-level colleges. And, anyway, such private investor ‘digs’ are very expensive. Rooms costing up to a €1,000 a month. What student can afford that? And now, increasingly, they are being converted into shortterm tourist accommodation! Are we having a laugh or what?

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

News

Easing of US travel ban ‘game changer’ for tourism THE relaxation of the US travel ban will be a “game changer” for Irish tourism, according to the Irish Tourism and Industry Confederation (ITIC). As travel between the US and Europe reopens, it will change the future of Irish tourism and its recovery – if it is delivered

and supported appropriately. America has been considered as a key partner in the Irish trade sector for many years. Pre-pandemic, Aer Lingus had developed Dublin as a strategic hub between the North American bloc and the European continent.

The ITIC explains the relationship further. “Facilities at Aer Lingus and coveted US pre-clearance facilities gave Dublin, as well as Shannon, a competitive advantage over many international rivals. Effectively Europe via Ireland was the destination being sold

to Americans. Likewise, Europeans had an easy and costeffective route to the USA via Dublin’s hub. “By 2019 this had resulted in 18 different US gateways, operated by 5 airlines, with direct routes to Ireland. ” Pre-Covid, it is estimated

that American tourists were spending close to €2 billion in Ireland. Of course, all of this was put on pause when the travel ban hit in March 2020. “So. as the ban was lifted last week, people of all ages let out a sigh of relief. It was time to meet family and friends again

and get the tourism industry back up and running.” However, the ITIC suggests reopening alone cannot be enough for the tourism sector to recover. A recovery stimulus package must be introduced by the Government to support the industry.

Resolve over corporate tax not there yet, says Martin THE Taoiseach has said that negotiations on Ireland’s corporate tax rate are “not complete at all” and “far more detail” is required about the OECD proposals. Micheál Martin (pictured) told the Dáil that Ireland had “entered reservations” about the plans to increase the tax to 15% due to “the lack of certainty.” The Taoiseach said that the “key issue” for investors is that they do not want the corporate tax rate to “change every two to three years.” He was replying to the Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy who said Mr Martin’s “evolving language” suggested that he believed change was coming. She asked if that comes to pass, what would Ireland’s “single most identifable” element of industrial policy be: “What will our unique selling point be then?” Expressing concern about Ireland’s rising cost-ofliving, Ms Murphy said that Ireland’s housing costs were 78% above the EU average.

She argued that, in the absence of Ireland’s existing corporate tax rate, the high cost of living in Ireland would feature much higher in the calculations of investors considering basing themselves here. In reply, Mr Martin said that the existing corporate tax rate was not the country’s “unique selling point”. He pointed to Ireland’s membership of the European Union and also the quality of the education system. The Taoiseach said that the corporate tax rate had been important but it was not the only aspect of industrial policy.

Law on FOI is being looked at THE Cabinet has approved a plan to review the current Freedom of Information legislation. The review is expected to be completed by the middle of next year and recommendations will then be presented to Government. Approval for the review was sought by Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath. On his way in to the meeting, Mr McGrath said he wanted to reassure the

public that this review is to improve the legislation rather than “narrow or limit the scope of it”. He said it would broaden and improve the Act to ensure it meets the needs of people. The Minister said he would look at proposed legislation prepared by opposition parties in “good faith”. He said the legislation needs to be updated to reflect changes in the way we use, store and access data.

Gold Medal for Butler Gallery’s curator Anna THE President of the Royal Hibernian Academy Abigail O’Brien PRHA is pictured after awarding Anna O’Sullivan, Director and Chief Curator, Butler Gallery, Kilkenny with the RHA Gold Medal. The medal is given annually to persons who have made

a significant contribution to the arts in Ireland. It was awarded at Varnishing Day of the 191st RHA Annual Exhibition. Irelands largest and longest running exhibition of visual art, the RHA Annual Exhibition, returns for its 191st year. The Butler Gallery Col-

lection consists of artworks purchased or donated to the gallery, or on long-term loan. Their first exhibition in their new home revisits beloved favourites, showcases new acquisitions, and introduces new long-term loans. This selection reflects the broad character of the col-

lection itself and embraces a variety of genres from painting, drawing and printmaking, to photography and media works. Collectively these works convey a contemporary freshness and are a window into this ever-evolving Collection.

Housing plan opens doors to new homes THE Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, recently visited Kilkenny to officially open a number of social housing developments. Following the recent launch of the Government’s new ‘Housing For All’ Plan, Minister O’Brien joined Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny Fidelis Doherty and Cathaoirleach of the Castlecomer Municipal District Pat Fitzpatrick at Glebeside, Castlecomer to mark the official opening of 33 new homes there. Tenants Mai and Conor Lacey were delighted to welcome Minister O’Brien to their new home.

Cllr Doherty said: “Kilkenny County Council has been led by housing demand in preparing and delivering projects in our County towns, where people want to live and where they will sustain our schools, shops, clubs and services.” New housing developments have been provided in many rural towns and villages in recent months as well as in Kilkenny City and the delivery pipeline for housing will deliver many more homes over the next five years. Minister O’Brien was joined during the day by Mayor of Kilkenny Municipal District Andrew McGuinness and Minister of State for Heritage

and Electoral Reform,Malcom Noonan, at the opening of 18 apartments at Pairc Nua, Castlecomer Road, Kilkenny and 40 homes at Seville Rise, Callan Road, Kilkenny. The Minister then moved on to open the new Kilkenny Western Environs Phase 1 Infrastructure Road scheme (now known as the Breagagh Valley). This new road will service an area of 140 hectares (350 acres) of land zoned for housing, schools and social infrastructure in a location within easy reach of Kilkenny City Centre. Resulting from the investment in this project by the County Council and the De-

partment of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, it is expected that om the next three to five years up to 1,000 housing units will be provided, with sufficient infrastructure in place in the area to support the construction of a total of approximately 3,000 housing units, leading in time to the alleviation of housing supply issues in Kilkenny City. Director of Services, Mary Mulholland, remarked on the “dedication and hard work” of the staff in the Housing Department resulting in real housing solutions for many families and individuals and looked forward to delivering more homes.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

Opinion

So, where do naturists keep their mobile phones? AS I SEE IT MARIANNE HERON

IT’S not often in the current climate that a news story will make me laugh and then smile at the resilience of human nature. But an article about one of the more unexpected side effects of the pandemic did recently. The Irish Naturist Association reports a 68% increase in membership in the last two summers. As a reaction to lockdown that sure beats baking sourdough bread. Being in the buff can be a sensuous pleasure in a nice warm home but the thought of getting together in the altogether to roam a chilly Irish hillside or cycle the by-ways brings me out in goosebumps. The story didn’t reveal if the 500 strong membership wore masks or cycle helmets during their activities but it did point out that exercising in the cold minus track suits helped to burn off calories. I’m all for a spot of skinny dipping — remembering bathing in peat brown mountain streams and drying off in the sun and wind while sitting on a mossy stone. And sea bathing would be more pleasurable without all those contortions under a towel that you

have to do on Irish beaches although that can be avoided now by donning one of those dry robes. which probably could be equally useful when slurry spreading. But when it comes to baring all in public, I am a bit chicken. Having arrived on a nudist beach in France by a mistake where I felt foolish in a swim-suit I ended up lying on my front, occasionally taking a peek at fellow sunbathers and marvelling at the sheer diversity of the human form. Not that I am prudish; we didn’t cover up at home when I was a child, although my mother used to tell a cautionary tale about a small boy who was obliged by his parents to go without clothes even in the chilliest weather. He grew fur. The point of this story – no it’s not a hairy dog story — was to get me to wear my vest in winter. Apparently, the rise in naturism as a reaction to Covid is an international trend and perhaps as a reaction to being locked down, with baring it all giving a welcome sense of freedom. The trend has given rise to all kinds of activities — aside from the usual — being carried on as nature intended. There was even a photo competition for world nude gardening day. Wouldn’t be tempted to enter that one, there are far too many nettles, thistles as ell as extra thorny

roses in my garden. Somehow, I don’t imagine that the trend is going to catch on with our politicians here although the Greens might go for it. Can you imagine the kind of things that would happen, someone would

leak that one of the coalition ministers had applied for membership of the Naturist Association and a row would erupt as to whether the Taoiseach had been blindsided by the move. Aside from the fact that

nudism must have health and psychological benefits it’s good to promote body positivity and it certainly has advantages when it comes to sustainability. You can’t be consuming environmentally unfriendly

fashion if you aren’t wearing any clothes or compete with fashionistas over designer handbags costing five or even six figures. I do wonder, though, how naturists manage their mobile phones with no back pockets to put them in.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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News A CHILD born today faces living through, on average, seven times more heatwaves than their grandparents, research has found, the London Independent reports. Children born in 2020 will also experience double the number of wildfires, 2.6 times more droughts and almost three times more river floods and crop failures than someone born in 1960, the analysis says. Writing in the journal Science, the international team of climate researchers say their findings “highlight a severe threat to the safety of young generations and call for drastic emission reductions to safeguard their future”. The analysis comes just days after young people took to the streets around the world. including in Dublin, Galway and Belfast to demand more urgent climate action ahead of Cop26, the crucial global summit taking place in Glasgow in November. One of the organisers, Catherine McDonagh, said those attending the demonstrations wanted to see faster action from the Government in relation to environmental safeguards. She said the next generation of voters were watching the activities of the Coalition and needed to see definite steps being taken to address the climate crisis. The Science journal findings are conditional on countries meeting their current climate pledges, which are not ambitious enough to meet aspirations of limiting global heating to 1.5C above preindustrial levels. Study lead author Prof Wim Thiery, a climate scientist at Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium, said: “Our results show that newborns will face a seven-fold increase in exposure to extreme heatwaves across their lifetime relative to their grandparents. “We also find that people who are under 40 today will live an unprecedented life in terms of exposure to heatwaves, droughts, crop failure, and river floods - even under the most ambitious climate policies.” The researchers made estimates of lifetime exposure to six extreme conditions — droughts, heatwaves, crop failures, river floods, tropical cyclones and wildfires — for every generation born between 1960 and 2020. They examined extreme weather exposure under several possible scenarios, including one where tempera-

SPECIAL REPORT

Our children and their climate fears The average six-yearold will live through roughly seven times as many climate disasters as their grandparents ever did

tures are successfully limited to 1.5C and one where countries instead meet their current climate pledges. “If we manage to drastically reduce our emissions in the coming years, we can still avoid the worst consequences for children worldwide,” said Prof Thiery. “We can cut the intergenerational burden by at least 40% if we increase current ambition levels and limit global warming to 1.5C.” Another report just released, ‘Born Into The Climate Crisis’, uses research for 178 countries led by researchers at Vrije Universities Brussel to predict how climate change will affect children born to-

day over their lifetimes under the current trajectory of emissions. “A baby born last year in Papua New Guinea will face over 10 times as many heatwaves and double the risk of fires as their elders, while children in Vanuatu who are already recovering from a barrage of devastating cyclones over the last few years will face new challenges including three times as many droughts,” said Erin Ryan, report co-author and Save The Children’s policy and advocacy advisor for the South Pacific. The report found that low and middle-income countries will be disproportion-

ately affected, even though they contribute less to global emissions. It also found natural disasters will occur more regularly in those countries and perpetuate existing inequalities such as poverty, discrimination, access to health and education, malnutrition, and exploitation. Ms Ryan said the research found Australian children woould not be immune to the ravages of global warming either. “In Australia, the report finds that children born in 2020 can expect to experience over four times as many heatwaves, over three times as many droughts, as well as

a 30% increase in exposure to bushfires,” she said. For 15-year-old Melbourne high school student Ella Simons, that reality has already begun. Ella was one of the thousands of Australians affected by the Black Summer fires of 2020, when she had to evacuate from a camp in regional Victoria. “It just felt so real, like I know fires happen all across Australia and I know about the 2009 bushfires in regional Victoria which was really scary. “But to actually be in the thick of it and to not know what was going on, it was really scary, and it kind of just

instilled in me how urgent this is and how important it is that we all take action,” she said. Ella is Australia’s Youth Delegate at the Youth4Climate summit, the UN youth climate summit held in Milan. The event was taking place ahead of the global climate talks in Glasgow in November, where world leaders will outline how they will limit global warming to 1.5C. Ella said she and her peers are expecting their voices to be heard. “I think my generation is very angry, and we’re just so frustrated. You can’t just sit there anymore and watch nothing change,” she said.

Castlecomer playing its part in fight for climate CASTLECOMER’S Discovery Park welcomed Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council Fidelis Doherty recently to showcase some of their environmental projects being completed with the council’s waste prevention programme.

The latest project was the design of two environmentally themed banners located at the start of the pedestrian walkway leading into the park that highlights how visitors can limit their impact on the environment. “We were always keen to

improve the environmental performance of the park and teaming up with the Council’s Environmental Awareness Officer at the start of the summer has really assisted our focus,” said Kathy Purcell, the Parks Manager.

“A green charter was adopted at the start of the summer by our board and has led to a number of successful greening measures including tweaking some of our back-house operations to improve our recycling systems and prevent waste

generation,” she said. “The banners are beautifully illustrated by local artist Dominika Stoppa and remind visitors can do to minimise their impact on the park and suggests a climate change call for action.”

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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News

Belview appeal for Supreme Court AN Taisce has been granted leave to appeal directly to the Supreme Court in respect of the High Court judgement on An Bord Pleanála decision granting planning approval for a cheese plant at Belview. A spokesperson said: “An

Taisce believes the original judgment gives rise to points of law of general public importance about how the environmental impact of large projects should be assessed by planning authorities such as An Bord Pleanála.”

In its determination made by Chief Justice, Frank Clarke and Justices O’Malley and Baker, the Supreme Court noted that “bringing further clarity as to the proper approach to evidence or argument in relation to relevant

scientific matters in judicial review proceedings of this type is a matter of general public importance which arises in these proceedings”. An Taisce said it welcomed the Supreme Court decision to accept this appeal which it

believed Ould provide clarity on important points of law. The matter will return to court in several weeks following the exchange of legal submissions at which point a hearing date will be assigned.

people dealing with the addictive behaviour of others. It is hoped people from all over Ireland will take part, swimming in rivers, lakes, pools or the sea, maybe with the family, their wild swimming buddies or pool pals. “The rise in popularity of sea swimming around our coasts was a feature of the

Covid pandemic. Sadly, so too was an upsurge in addictive behaviours, as people tried to cope with lockdown, job loss and other challenges,” she said. The Rise Foundation is a registered charity founded by Senator Black in 2009. It is focused on family members of those with addictive behaviour (alco-

An Taisce, the National Trust for Ireland, is a charity that works to promote environmental awareness and action in the context of the climate and biodiversity emergencies. It was founded in 1948.

New hotel, short-let flats get planning PERMISSION sought by Veridical Limited for the demolition of an existing wholesale warehouse and the construction of a hotel and short-let apartments in the Walkin/Lower New Street area of Kilkenny City has been approved by Kilkenny County Council. The development of the site will include: (i) The demolition of existing single-storey, two-storey and three-storey wholesale warehouses, stores and associated facilities. (ii) The building of a hotel on for levels with 38 bedrooms on three upper levels over the lobby and reception, bar/ restaurant, kitchen and ancillary support services at ground level) (iii) Construction of detached short-let apartments on four levels (34 one-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units) (iv) Construction of detached single-storey service building comprising electricity substation and plant room.

City centre vandalised SERIOUS damage was caused to a section of a Kilkenny citycentre street after a steel bollard was removed from the ground. The incident occurred at Kieran Street. Cobblestones surrounding the bollard were also damaged. Gardai are investigating. Anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Kilkenny Garda Station on 056 777 5000.

Baby organs sent to waste probe AN investigation is under way at Cork University Maternity Hospital after multiple baby organs were incinerated abroad without the consent or knowledge of bereaved parents, RTÉ Investigates has learned. The incinerations occurred on two occasions last year when the organs of 18 babies were sent to Belgium along with clinical waste.

Rise, and splash out for Frances’ good cause THE renowned singer Frances Black, now a senator, launched the 2021 Rise Foundation Big Dip swim challenge, which takes place on Sunday, October 10. Participants are asked to fundraise, or to make a donation to the Rise Foundation, and then take a quick dip or a leisurely swim , wherever they are

in Ireland or around the world. The money raised will help fund the foundation’s work in support of those who have family members or a loved one with an alcohol, drug or gambling problem. The registered charity was founded by Senator Frances Black in 2009 and provides therapy and other supports for

hol, drugs, gambling, food or sex addiction). Rise (Recovery In a Safe Environment) is dedicated to helping family members free themselves from the stress and anxiety of having a loved one with addictive behaviour, and to understand the nature of addiction and the profound effects it has on relationships.

Pre-law scrutiny for Tracing Birth Bill THE Joint Committee on Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth has resumed pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2021. A meeting was scheduled with the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth will be broadcast from

Committee Room 2 of Leinster House. Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Kathleen Funchion said: “Earlier this year the committee agreed to prioritise the scrutiny of legislation aimed at bringing justice and closure to the survivors of Mother and Baby Homes, including the

Birth Information and Tracing Bill. “We have previously sought written submissions from interested groups and individuals and held a number of public meetings with relevant stakeholders. We now look forward to discussing the Heads of the Bill with Minister O’Gorman to hear the Department’s view on this

important legislation,: she said. The purpose of the Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2021 is to enshrine into law the importance of an individual knowing their origins. The Bill proposes a right to access birth certificates, birth and early life information for people who have questions in relation to their origins, and also all peo-

ple who were adopted, boarded out, the subject of an illegal birth and others with questions in relation to their identity. The legislation also proposes the establishment of a comprehensive Tracing Service and a statutory Contact Preference Register to support people wishing to make contact or share information.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

News Your Money

Getting advice on your pension BY JOHN ELLIS FINANCIAL ADVISOR

LAST week we looked at various excuses that people use to not invest into a pension plan. Now, you are one of the prudent few and your retirement date has arrived. You’ve been planning and saving for years, if not decades. You may be dissatisfied with your final pot, but anything is better than nothing. The average pension pot at retirement in Ireland is €90,000. The harsh reality is that, while €90,000 may appear to be a substantial sum, it is nothing when it comes to pensions. Assuming an annuity rate of 3.15% this will give a level payment of €54.51 a week assuming you don’t take the taxfree cash option. If you take the 25% tax free cash, you will have a pension of just €40.88 a week. Should you take the Approved Retirement route you will have no guaranteed payment, and this will leave you vulnerable to inflation and stock market crashes. Let’s assume you have a reasonable fund built up over the

years. You have an inherent problem. How can you make your money last for two, if not three, decades of retirement? And you need to face your mortality! The single most difficult part of handling your money in retirement is that you don’t know when you will die or whether you will need expensive medical intervention or care in later life. Employees in defined benefit plans have certainty about the amount of money they will receive monthly, as well as the guarantee that it would be paid until they die. However, this type of protection has all but disappeared outside of the public sector. Whichever route you choose, you’ll eventually reach retirement and receive a product providers final statement – as one advisor said, it’s like “Here’s your pension pot”, bye bye and best of luck to you.” (Others, for whatever reason hear nothing and don’t realise they have money languishing in a fund somewhere.) Will you get a lot of help? Probably not, unless you find a competent Financial Advisor who will help you through the maze of “drawdown” plans, investment possibilities, fund choice, the Approved Retirement Fund vs Annuities discussion, and when and how, or

should I collect the 25% tax-free lump payment. But none of this will make it any easier to save enough money in the first place. You’ll need to save more than €300,000 to retire on a €25,000a-year income, which includes a €12,911 a year state pension plus private pension, which many consider to be the minimum. Rip-offs have a huge chance of happening. That is why the Central Bank is at pains to

inform people of their entitlements and rights. You hear of funds that were promoted as unbelievably good value ending up bankrupt and losing clients hard earned pensions never to be regained. And sometimes you just have no idea what you have in your hand. Case in point – a client called in earlier this year. It transpired he had a paid-up company pension with a local employer who has long ceased trading.

Out of the blue he received a letter to say he had now reached the scheme retirement date and here were his pension options. He was entitled to a lump sum of approx. €4,500 and a guaranteed pension of €4,300 for the rest of his life. He was content with the offer and asked me to arrange the drawdown. What he didn’t know was he had a traditional with-profit pension with very valuable underlying options. To cut a long story short he

received a tax free lump sum of approximately €43,000 and the balance of funds were invested into an approved retirement fund to provide a retirement income. He sold his valuable guarantees you may say. He did. But he knew what he was doing and was able to make an informed decision. It is imperative to seek good financial advice. John @ellisfinancial.ie. 086 8362633.

Deputy Funchion calls for frontline workers to be recognised BY: DEPUTY KATHLEEN FUNCHION SINN FEIN TD FOR KILKENNY CARLOW IRISH Society as a whole has been through a terrible time during the pandemic and so many suffered bereavement and loss but throughout it all we saw huge courage and acts of kindness from our frontline workers, our community and voluntary groups, our carers and countless individuals who went the extra mile to ensure their neighbours had the support they needed. Now we have the opportunity to recognise the contribution that people made. Sinn Fein have suggested a number of ways this could be done including an additional public holiday and a voucher scheme, similar to that in the north, which everyone can avail of. We had already proposed an additional holiday to mark the 1916 Rising and next year would be an ideal opportunity to bring this forward. With regard to frontline workers – of course they need special recognition and the respective Unions have put proposals on the table regarding additional leave and pay-

ments – the government need to engage in those discussions in a spirit of generosity – I have to say the approach of government so far in tackling issues like the student nurses and midwives has lacked the sort of generosity needed now.As Sinn Fein spokesperson for Children, I particularly want to commend all those working in childcare and the early years education sector for the commitment and professionalism they have shown during the pandemic. It must be pointed out that childcare and early years educators are some of the lowest paid professionals in the wider education sector and yet they were expected to resume their roles whilst their colleagues in primary and secondary schools were able to resume remote teaching. They have played a pivotal and vital role in ensuring Irelands recovery and they must be recognised for the work they did. Similarly when I meet with frontline health workers while they obviously want recog-nition for their work during the pandemic but the bigger issue for them is the

sort of health service they are going to work in in the future – they want a health service that works for patients, for those frontline workers and for our society – that means proper investment in healthcare and never having a system left so exposed as it has been over the past 18 months.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

Science & Wellbeing

How mams and dads shape their child’s ‘emotional eating’ NEW research reported by Frontiers In Psychology digs into the interplay between the way parents feed their children and what psychologist term ‘emotional eating’ by parents and children, as well as the influence the parent’s gender has on that association.

Most people are familiar with using food as a way to get through a trying time. Known as emotional eating, for some it can be a perfectly appropriate strategy for managing bad feelings, but for others it also can become a problematic way to cope.

The goal of the new research was to better understand how child emotional eating develops and prevent from becoming unhealthy. According to Futurity News, the study surveye parents and asked how often they and their child engaged in emotional

eating. The researchers then explored what roles three different feeding practices parents typically use with their children might play. Those include limiting a child’s food intake, or restrictive eating; using food to help change a child’s emotions,

known as emotion regulation; and using food to punish or reward child behaviour, called instrumental feeding. “We were really interested in comparing different ways that parents feed their children and whether those feeding practices accounted for some of the

link between parent and child emotional eating,” said Shaina Trevino, a graduate student in the College of Education at the University of Oregon who was the lead author of the study. They discovered that, overall, restrictive eating was the only feeding practice that linked parent and child emotional eating. “We actually found that restriction accounted for the relationship of parent-child emotional eating above and beyond those other factors,” Trevino says. “That was just unexpected.” And when it came to mothers, restricting their children’s food intake and a mother’s own emotional eating were the key factors influencing kids’ tendency to eat emotionally. For fathers, however, all three types of eating practices were found to play a role in emotional eating for their children. “What that means is that feeding for behavioural reasons, feeding for emotion regulation reasons, and then the restrictions, those all accounted for the emotional eating relation,” Trevino says. “There was no longer an association between a father’s emotional eating and a child’s emotional eating that was not accounted for by how fathers feed their children.” This study, which surveyed 324 mothers and 86 fathers, is more of an early exploratory look at the issue because of the lack of participation by fathers. “The main takeaway of the study is that emotional eating and feeding practices are operating differently for both mothers and fathers, and that really should influence the research in this area,” Trevino said.

Eating spinach could prevent colon cancer IN the Western world, colon cancer is the fourth-most common cancer and secondleading cause of cancer-related deaths. Previous studies have shown that eating green vegetables and fibre reduces risk of colon cancer by as much as half. According to the website Futurity News, a new study in the journal Gut Microbes explores the relationship between spinach, gut health, genes, and colon cancer outcomes. The researchers at Texas A&M University used a model of a hereditary disease called familial adenomatous polyposis, an inherited disorder that causes young people to develop multiple noncancerous growths (polyps) in their colon. Most people with this disease must have their colon surgically removed to prevent hundreds of tumours from growing in their colon as they age. The new study’s findings indicate spinach might aid in

cancer prevention in these patients by delaying the need for colon removal and prolonged drug treatment. After feeding freeze-dried spinach to an animal model of familial adenomatous polyposis for 26 weeks, the researchers observed significant anti tumour activity in the colon and small intestine. They found that the tumour suppression from spinach involved increased diversity in the gut microbiome (helpful microbes) and changes in gene expression to help prevent cancer. The researchers also found that fatty acids associated with regulation of inflammation, called linoleate metabolites, were brought up to a beneficial level after a spinach diet. Hereditary forms of colon cancer only account for about 10 to 15% of cases. The majority of colon cancers are sporadic, meaning they are not driven by a genetic predisposition inherited through a family.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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Travel & Leisure

To the manor borne … Paul Hopkins discovers the many joys of one of South Africa’s most revered holiday destinations ONCE upon a time, by the edge of the Little Karoo desert in South Africa, by the towns of George and Oudtshoorn, on a plateau between the Outeniqua Mountains to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south, one could drive past empty farmhouses whose people had decamped, leaving fronts boarded up, gates locked, uncertain of their country’s future after independence. Now, the land has been repossessed, its heirs — to the former Feather Barons who financially fell foul of the innovative automobile that served to ruffle a woman’s fashionable ostrich plume — quietly and confidently announcing themselves. Washing flaps on the line, smoke rises from the chimneys, and there is optimism, almost 30 years after the ending of apartheid, as a community thrives on its industries of timber, ostrich meat and hide, wine-

making, and tourism. I fly in from Cape Town to George, the pioneering town established by the Dutch East India Company in 1776, and drive just 10 minutes to the truly magnificent Manor House on the Fancourt Estate, a declared National Monument, lovingly set out on more than 600 hectares of manicured lawns and natural grasses. Fancourt, home to golfer Ernie Els, boasts three of the finest golf courses in the world, originally designed by Gary Player, including The Links — voted Africa’s No.1 in 2012 by Golf Digest USA, and its Montagu and Outeniqua finding places in the Top 20. Worldwide, The Links today is ranked a respectable 56th of the world’s 100 greatest golf courses that compared 464 courses from 18 countries around the globe. Fancourt also won the gong for South Africa’s Luxury Golf Resort at the World Luxury Hotel

Awards. But if this last word in luxurious accommodation has everything for the seasoned or aspiring golfer, with its mix of creative and challenging holes against a colourful aesthetic backdrop of diverse fauna and vegetation, it has so much more to offer those chasing an alternative indulgence. Or, for the golf widows among us, if holidaying en famille. Here, unashamedly, is the epitome of enjoy- ing the diversity of dynamic luxury and rustic pleasures. It’s the ideal place to base the self, with so much to offer in the environs of the Garden Route. Enjoy a safari on game drive or horseback at nearby Buffelsdrift as I do and get to meet the elephants so up-close and personal that I have one literally eating out of my hand. Take a helicopter flight and enjoy shark viewing, including the Great White, or go quad

biking by the historic Montagu Pass: explore the Cango Caves — 20m years old, putting us all in perspective — with their awesome and intricate stalagmites and stalactites. Not for the faint-hearted or unfit, for one woman, so the story goes, some years back, was stuck in a narrow passageway for 11 hours. I go ostrich hunting, or at least seek my chance to ride one of these interesting but ultimately dumb creatures who can lay eggs 24 times the size of a hen’s and are so strong they can manage even to carry my excess (it’s the Cape cuisine) baggage. I decline racing the big flightless bird, though (that’s tempting providence), opting instead for a light lunch of sizzling spiced sausage and creamed cheeses and some wine tasting at nearby Karusa (a Khoi-San word for ‘land of little water’), an ideal climate for this small winery — the first in Oudtshoorn — to give life to the most tempting

400 destinations open up to travel BY FIONN DAVENPORT

MORE than 400 destinations around the world now proudly hold the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) ‘Safe Travels’ stamp, which is a globally recognised seal of approval for Covid-safe destinations. WTTC, which has been continuously leading the private sector in the efforts to rebuild global consumer confidence and encourage the return of safe international travel, launched the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp just over one year ago.

Julia Simpson, President & CEO, WTTC said: “We are delighted that our Safe Travels stamp continues to go from strength to strength and has been adopted by destinations from every corner of the world. “From Portugal to Puerto Rico, Sri Lanka to Slovenia, Thailand to Tunisia, our stamp is now recognised around the globe. “This is testimony to the hard work and dedication of all those involved in making our stamp work for both destinations and holidaymakers. “This sets a standard of health and safety protocols so visitors can travel safe in the knowledge that a destination is following the highest standards.” According to WTTC’s 2020 Economic Impact Report (EIR), in 2019, Travel & Tourism contributed 10.4% to global GDP and supported 334 million jobs (one in 10 jobs across the world). However, following a year of

global lockdowns and closed borders, some 62 million jobs in Travel & Tourism were lost around the world, and the sector’s contribution to global GDP slumped by US$4.5 trillion (-49.1%). In other news from Ittn.ie. from 1 October, Portugal will lift most of its Covid protocols. Time limits and restrictions of numbers in restaurants and cafes, bars will be lifted, and nightclubs will also reopen. Portuguese Prime Minister, Antonio Costa, announced that the country will lift almost all remaining COVID-19 restrictions following news that over 85% of the population now fully vaccinated. Limits on operating hours in

the hospitality sector will cease and restaurants will no longer be subject to a maximum limit of people per group. Bars and nightclubs will reopen, but entrance will be subject to presentation of a valid EU Digital Covid Certificate. From 1 October, the EU Digital Covid Certificate will no longer be required to enter restaurants, tourist establishments, local accommodation, gyms with group classes, casinos, spas, and hot springs. However, it will still be compulsory for travelling to Portugal and for large cultural and sporting events. Masks and face coverings will continue to be mandatory on public transport, in large commercial areas, in nursing homes, hospitals, and at events when a two-metre distance between attendees cannot be maintained.

and complex chardonnays and succulent syrahs and cause celebre Méthode champenosie. (The farm is, incidentally, a huge exporter of fruits to Irish supermarkets But it is fabulous Fancourt itself that is the piece de resistance, offering an unspoilt world away from the weary one. There is the 115-room luxury hotel but I stay — butler, naturally, in tow — at the Manor House, transformed from the original homestead built in 1859 and rejuvenated into a sumptuous boutique experience with its combination of oldworld charm and contemporary comfort. Five star and the rest — and, blessings, no children under 16 save at the main hotel. Dinner is a wonderfully civilised affair at the estate’s Henry White’s with smoked springbok carpaccio parcels filled with cream cheese and dukkha (an Egyptian seed and spice), served with tomato and onion relish. Then a taste of the lightly curried butternut tart with cumin crème and garam masala butter. My main is the Cape’s renowned kingklip with lemon

beurre blanc, served with spinach and baby tomatoes. I choose to imbibe with the great Karusa and, all in, it picks the purse for in or around £42. Morning follows a deep and soothing slumber befitting the gods, and finds me pampering myself beyond need in the inviting bespoke bathroom before breaking fast like a king and then languidly lounging by the pool just outside my suite, in superb sun- shine (26-29°C), the utter tranquillity broken only by the call of the Namaqua warbler. I cannot leave Fancourt before escaping to the spoils of its famed spa with its complete top-to-toe treatment, with African ginger for firming and mongongo nut for detoxifying, topped off with African potato for healing and repairing. Sixty minutes of sheer indulgence for around £40, that leaves me invigorated and renewed for the next stage of my journey, carried out with soaring strength in my stride and a sated soul ... and a jar of that African potato stowed in my carry-on bag.

GETTING THERE ... The Fancourt Hotel offers the discerning visitor 115 luxurious rooms and suites. These are perfectly suited for local and international families, couples, golfers and those simply looking for a warm, relaxed and entertaining Garden Route retreat. Stay minimum seven nights and pay only €82 pps/night. • Deluxe accommodation at Fancourt Hotel • Breakfast daily • Round of golf at Fancourt Montagu or Outeniqua Golf Course per night stay • For the non-golfer, a spa voucher or dinner/beverage voucher per night stay** * Add a round at The Links at an additional charge per round **Dinner vouchers only apply to dinners at the La Cantina and Henry Whites Restaurants. ***Minimum 7 night stay required Contact one of our Fancourt specialists on 021 913 9281 or book from this page should you need any advice or alternative packages on offer. South African Airways fly London to Johannesburg daily and also to Cape Town. Before the pandemic Emirates Airways were flying Dublin to Cape Town. Check availability and prices which would vary between €500 t0 €600 return.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

News

Community groups to be rewarded THE Kilkenny Community and Voluntary awards will take place on 2nd December 2021 and is a collaborative effort between Kilkenny Volunteer Centre and Kilkenny PPN with support from Kilkenny County Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development. The aim of the awards is to recognise the commitment of the countless community and voluntary groups across Co. Kilkenny and the volunteers who work tirelessly to

provide services for the old, the young, the isolated, the lonely, and the vulnerable in our community. The awards will celebrate the vibrancy of the community and voluntary sector in Kilkenny and recognise the contribution that volunteers make to the fabric of our county. Nominations are now open, and the people of Kilkenny are being called upon to nominate community groups and local volunteer heroes who are making a real differ-

ence on the ground. According to Salena Grace, manager of Kilkenny Volunteer Centre, “While the upheaval of COVID-19 was unprecedented, so too was the inspiring response of our community groups and volunteers who went that extra mile to support the vulnerable members of our community. Both in challenging times and indeed all year round, volunteers continuously step forward to help neighbours,

friends and family while engaging with community organisations. We want to show our appreciation for all the selfless work that our community and voluntary groups carry out across Kilkenny. If you know of a group that makes a difference, please nominate them for an award”. Community groups across Co. Kilkenny can be nominated under the following categories: 1. Arts, Culture and Heritage

2. Community and Civic Pride 3. Social Enterprise 4. Environment 5. Health and Social Wellbeing 6. Social Inclusion 7. Covid 19 Group Support All shortlisted nominees will be invited to attend the awards ceremony in Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel on 2nd December and the winners of each category will receive a unique trophy designed by celebrated craftsperson Eimear Conyard and a cash prize sponsored by generous local business owners. According to Mags Whelan, Coordinator Kilkenny PPN, “This event is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the valuable contribution volunteers and voluntary groups make to our communities daily. We all lead such busy lives and sometimes the idea of giving your time, energies and efforts to a task without any financial reward may seem off-putting however, so many people give their time willingly for the benefit of their areas and other people.” “The last 2 years have been tough for the community and voluntary sector but now is the time to come back together to celebrate all that

is great about volunteerism.” There is also a Local Hero category where the outstanding efforts of an individual volunteer during the Covid 19 pandemic will be recognised. Cathaoirleach Fidelis Doherty states “The Kilkenny Community and Voluntary Awards are a wonderful opportunity to showcase the level of community spirit and civic pride across Kilkenny city and county. I have seen first-hand of the importance of volunteering and the passion and drive that Kilkenny volunteers bring to our society. The Local Hero Award is an opportunity to say thank you and show our appreciation for special volunteers who, during the past 2 years, went above and beyond the call of duty to mitigate the adverse impact of the pandemic within their community. I encourage everyone to nominate a worthy recipient” Nominations will close on October 20th at 5 p.m. To nominate a community group and a local volunteer hero, please contact: Kilkenny Volunteer Centre volunteerkilkenny.ie 087 1165658 Kilkenny PPN kilkennyppn.ie 087 2677281

Staying well online ANDREW MCDONALD HYPNOTHERAPIST

IF your friend said they spent their time deliberately annoying other people, how would you react? Be happy that their life was obviously productive and satisfying or worried that something in it was seriously missing? Now imagine they said that they do this anonymously so it can never fall back on them. Would you be in awe that they were so clever to have found a way of distressing other people in the knowledge they will never suffer the consequences of their actions? Or think they were shallow and lacking in enough courage to put their face and name to their behaviour? Most of us would like to think people who are so negative are as rare as hen’s teeth. In reality, they’re as common as rain during an Irish summer. Known as trolls, there can be few of us who haven’t had our lives affected, whether seriously or otherwise, by them. Even

if you’re not someone who actively uses social media, the chances are you’ve seen a crass comment written purely to provoke and cause upset somewhere on the internet which has rattled you, even briefly. Of course, reacting to trolls by severing your connection with the online world is like chucking the baby out with the bath water. The internet is a wonderful invention which greatly benefits us. However, like everything, there is a dark side and trolls are very much a potent part of that. They have the power to seriously compromise our mental wellbeing. Ignoring trolls is their kryptonite. Easier said than done though, particularly given that what passes for online social commentary can often be outrageously bigoted and inflammatory. However, you’re not likely to achieve anything from arguing with them other than hurting your own wellness. They’re not going to change their opinion. They haven’t gone online for that purpose. In fact, they quite possibly don’t even think what they have written which they may have done purely

to cause offence. Even if they do, the probability is they lack the courage to voice it without the shroud of anonymity or the wit to recognise their ignorance. Listening to a radio programme recently discussing this topic, I heard a particularly pertinent question. When you are online and you are reading something which disturbs you written by someone who desires your annoyance and upset like the desert craves water, ask yourself the following: “If I had to pay to react to this, would I?” If the answer is no, then query why you are spending a far more valuable commodity on it, something which, unlike money, can’t be replaced, namely your time? Or risking your most valuable possession, your health and wellbeing? If what has been written is hate speech, report it to the online platform. If it suggests the endangering of somebody, inform the Gardai. Otherwise, ask yourself are such people worth you disturbing your mental wellness over? Your health and your time are too valuable to waste on internet loudmouths.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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News

Majority gain wisdom from old folk A SURVEY by Hidden Hearing, marking Positive Ageing Week, September 27 to October 1, shows that eight in 10 adults in Ireland (79%) believe they learn lots from older generations. That 78% believe the best advice comes from those with lots of life experience and 77% say people get wiser with age.

Those under 35 are slightly more sceptical, with one in three of the younger cohort (32%) claiming older people are “out of touch” so can’t give good advice. Advice on family matters is most sought from older people, by 84%, while personal relationships (62%) and happiness and personal fulfilment

(73%) are viewed as areas in which older people are well placed to offer advice. The statement that a listening ear is the best solution to problems was supported by 78%, and 65% believe older people tend to be better listeners. Parents are cited as the main source of good advice, while

six in 10 would trust an older friend or family member most. On the advice that had a big impact, advice around finances was cited numerous times. Financial wisdom included saving for a rainy day, to budget carefully, and to remember that money isn’t everything. Seven in 10 adults claim that

“your health is your wealth” had the biggest impact on them. And 76% of people in Ireland believe that if they could speak with their younger self, they would have good advice to offer. Last week’s survey also revealed that 12% noticed their hearing had worsened in the

Fuel cash rollout as temps falling

Bringing our High Street back to life....

KILKENNY’S High Street get the treatment in Old Ireland In Colour 2 is the eagerly anticipated sequel to John Breslin and Sarah-Anne Buckley’s 2020 illustrated bestseller, which became the Irish publishing phenomenon of the year, winning the An Post Irish Book Award for Best Irish-Published Book and proving to be the most valuable single title in the Irish market. The book featured in every

national newspaper, on The Late Late Show, on Ryan Tubridy’s radio show – it even made the homepage of CNN. Now, Breslin and Buckley have delved even deeper into Ireland’s historical archives to uncover captivating photographic gems to bring to life using their unique blend of cuttingedge technology, historical research and expert colourisation. Old Ireland In Colour 2

further celebrates the rich history of Ireland and the Irish people, from all walks of life, with all 32 counties represented across the full-colour title. The book is divided into six sections under the broad headings of Politics and Revolution, Children and School, Working Life, Sport and Leisure, Ireland and the World, and Urban and Rural Scenes. With over 150 superb images, once again accompanied by insightful captions,

the book is the perfect portrait of life in Ireland throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. From the chaos of the revolutionary period to the simple beauty of the islands, from the iconic to the domestic, there is something new and inspiring to be gleaned from every single page. John Breslin is a Professor at NUI Galway, where he has taught engineering, computer science and

entrepreneurship over a twenty-year period. He has written over 200 publications and co-authored two books. Sarah-Anne Buckley is a lecturer in History at NUI Galway and President of the Women’s History Association of Ireland. She has published two monographs, four edited volumes and numerous articles. She is co-founder of the Irish Centre for the Histories of Labour and Class.

One charger for all your devices gets EU support REDUCING electronic waste and making life easier for consumers are just two of the reasons to introduce a common charger in the EU, says Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune (pictured) who has welcomed news that the European Commission is proposing the introduction of a common charger for mobile devices. The European Parliament has been seeking for the Commission to table a proposal for a common charger for many years now with a view to tack-

ling electronic waste and helping consumers. Ms Clune said: “Mobile phone chargers vary according to the manufacturer and model and there are so many different types of charges on the market. This is not just inconvenient for consumers but it is also

harmful for the environment. A common phone charger would help consumers save money while also having a positive impact on the environment. “This matter has been on the radar at the European Parliament for some time now and they h a v e strongly

past 18 months of the Covid-19 pandemic. For many people, the introduction of mask-wearing showed the extent to which their hearing had deteriorated. Often, without knowing, they were relying on lip-reading to help with poor hearing and missing out on everyday sounds.

supported the harmonisation of mobile phone and device chargers. I believe it is certainly an area where improvements can be made which would make life easier for consumers but also help the environment.” Electrical and electronic equipment continues to be one of the fastest growing waste streams in the EU. An average EU citizen produces approximately 16kg of ewaste a year. The Parliament has request-

ed that the proposed rules apply not only to smartphones but also to tablets and other mobile devices. Parliament will now be working on this legislative proposal. Ms Clune is a member of the The EPP Group at the European Parliament and the EPP Group has long demanded the European Commission draft legislation on a common charger for electronic devices. The Commission proposal will now go for approval from the Member States and MEPs.

THE National Fuel Scheme have begun rolling out, just in time for the temperatures falling. You can still apply for the 2021 / 2022 season of the means-assessed allowance which will be paid for 28 weeks to an estimated 370,000 households across the State. A total 6,980 homes in Kilkenny availed of it last season, with a further 5,843 in Carlow. Recipients will receive either the weekly rate of €28 or two lump payments of €392 each. It comes at the right time too as temperatures have dropped in both counties. Meanwhile, consumers are racing to switch energy firms as prices surge and Environment Minister Eamon Ryan warns of electricity supply issues for up to four years. A potential energy crisis is brewing, and the Irish Independent recently revealed that families could see an extra €400 on their bills this winter. Energia has announced recent increases of 15.8%, Bord Gáis will introduce hikes of 10% on electricity and 12% on gas from October 24, while Pinergy prices will rise by 7.8% on October 11. Most recent figures show the number of electricity switches in April this year was 25,017 - compared to 17,843 for the same month in 2020. “This represents a circa 40pc increase,” says the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU). It is expected that many more customers will rush to switch as they seek to avoid the worst of the price hikes this winter.. Meanwhile, emergency measures to secure the country’s electricity supply are to be taken after EirGrid has warned of a growing risk of outages in the next five winters. Back-up generators will be bought, planned outages for maintenance will be strictly controlled, and companies with large energy use will be rewarded for reducing use. The measures will be announced amid concern that there will not be enough electricity to power the country during the coldest months between now and 2026.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

News

A new remedy for Irritable Bowel Twoheartsmeet Dating Agency is CLAIR WHITTY

IF you suffer from Irritable bowel syndrome, I think you’re always on the lookout for something new to help relieve the uncomfortable symptoms. Irritable bowel syndrome is a common problem that affects the digestive system. Symptoms can include stomach cramps, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, wind, gas, pain, and spasms. Your symptoms can come and go depending on the cause and what triggers you are exposed to. But it’s nearly always an ongoing problem that often takes time to figure out what’s going on. Certain foods are associated with aggravating the problem but it could be any food. Having a food intolerance test can help you figure out which foods to avoid. Otherwise, a food diary can help, use this to track what you eat on a daily basis. You might find a pattern, it could be the bread you are eating, or it could be the butter on the bread, it takes time to figure it out. It is worth making the effort to see what foods are your triggers. A deficiency in your good gut bacteria is a common

cause of irritable bowel syndrome. There are many probiotic supplements to choose from and over the years I have talked about many of them. I am excited to tell you about a new one made by Quest. Many of you will be familiar with the brand, a lot of research goes into the products they produce. I love this new product, Tumbiotix Gold - For your Tummy. It contains three specific probiotics for gut

health, as well as Casperone, an extract from Boswellia. This has powerful antiinflammatory properties to calm an irritated and inflamed gut. The combination can help regulate the immune response and work towards reducing inflammation. If you suffer from an Irritable Bowel Disease like Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis it may be of benefit for you too. An imbalance of good gut bacteria and an overactive immune system may be contributing to your symptoms. Increased inflammation in the gut can be the cause of intense intestinal pain, cramps, and painful bowel movements. Tumbiotix Gold could be something to help ease your discomfort. The good gut bacteria are in a unique delayed release capsule ensuring that they are not destroyed by stomach acid. Tumbiotix Gold with three probiotics and Boswellia is worth taking a look at for IBS or IBD.

celebrating 10 years in business EITHNE Buckley is celebrating 10 years in business this year. She and her partner Daniel, now her husband, set up Twoheartsmeet dating agency in 2011 when Eithne was looking for a change of career. While taking part in counselling courses Eithne and Daniel made some friends with single and divorced men and women who were looking for love. They found themselves matching their respective friends and sending them on blind dates. Eithne enjoyed it so much she wondered if she could do it full time. The next obvious step was setting up a

If you have questions why not call in to see us at Market Cross Shopping Centre, we would be delighted to see you. Natural Health Store, Market Cross Shopping Centre Phone: O56 7764538 Shop on line at www. naturalhealthstore.ie

dating agency which is exactly what she did! “We did up a business plan as well as sending out questionnaires to all our friends and colleagues asking if they would be open to using a dating agency, if it was something they would seriously consider. We got a very positive response, with about 85% of them saying they would definitely use an agency if they felt they could trust the matchmaker to match them up with a genuine partner” Eithne says. “This gave us great hope as our gut instinct was telling us the same. A lot of people weren’t comfortable with internet dating and were looking for something with a personal touch. They were finding it harder and harder to meet someone, especially people on their second time around. For example, separated, divorced or widowed people in the 45 to 65 age bracket were a bit nervous of putting their photo up online. They liked the idea of having a matchmaker interviewing both the men and women. It made them feel safe about the person they would be matched with, that there was a screening

process involved” Eithne explains. So ten years later, with 23 couples after getting married and 16 Twoheartsmeet babies arriving into the world, Eithne is delighted that she took the plunge to follow her heart and set up Twoheartsmeet! The last 4 years has seen an increase in younger people joining up, singletons in their 30’s who are disillusioned with online dating. What they are telling Eithne is that a lot of people who go online are only looking for casual relationships. When people join Twoheartsmeet however, and pay a fee, they are taking it seriously and looking for long term commitment not a casual fling. With several people having more time on their hands during the pandemic, many have pondered their single status and decided they would prefer being part of a loving couple rather than being on their own. As a result, Eithne has been very busy since going back meeting and matching new clients when the counties reopened. So if you’re single, separated, divorced or widowed, aged between 30 and 75 and looking for a long term partner why not check out twoheartsdating.com or call Eithne on 085 7742444 for more information.

Community Group

Dreams can come true if you work hard enough! A life story of a Romanian woman who found success in Kilkenny and Carlow

BY ALEXANDRA LAZA

I would like to share with you the story of my dear friend Theodora Litean-Tataru, a woman that took the lemons life has thrown in her path and made sweet lemonade! Theodora (Dora as her friends call her) arrived in Ireland in 2014. After only a month, struggling to find a decent job in Dublin she almost decided to leave Ireland, but that didn’t happen. It was then when she met Mihai, her old friend form last work place in Romania. Mihai came to Ireland prior to Theodora in 2012 and they got in touch and decided to meet at the polling station organized at the Romanian Embassy in Dublin for the Romanian Presidential Elections in 2014. Little did she knew that her future was sealed, when after getting in touch with him, here in Ireland, they fell in love and Mihai asked her to move

in with him in Thomastown, county Kilkenny, as it would be easier for her to find a job there. After another 3 months Theodora finally found a job in Mount Juliet, and there she worked for a year and a half in housekeeping. But that wasn’t satisfying so during her spare time Theodora began a part time coding course that she loved. In 2016 they decided to move from Thomastown to Kilkenny, but sadly Mihai had a cruciate ligament injury in his knee and could not work for 8 months. Theodora had to cope with the financial burden. It was very hard as her wage was not good. They realized they had to act somehow and do something for their future. That is when she applied to IT Carlow to enroll to the Software Development course and the Cyber Crime course, and she was accepted. Unfortunately, while Theodora was doing her course interviews, she was diagnosed with Skin Cancer stage 2, she underwent multiple surgeries to remove the cancer formed,

and fortunately she didn’t have to do any chemotherapy treatment or radio therapy treatment. She jokes about it saying: “I am always proud that my body was so smart and strong that it kept cancer in one place. I had to leave my job also and I

wasn’t ready to lose my moral, because I’m not the kind of person to fall into depression. I am the kind of person who cries out first and looks for ways to succeed, so I decided to stay home to learn mathematics, because in high school I just didn’t excel at mathemat-

ics and I knew I would need it in college. I am not kidding when I say that I started learning first grade mathematics with the order of operations. Theodora was the top of her class in her 1st and 2nd year at IT Carlow and she also joined the Women in IT society. In her 3rd year she got an internship with an American company in Dublin, and she was also awarded Ambassador of the Women’s Society in IT. A few days before the internship began, the Covid-19 Pandemic started, and the internship was canceled. She was the only one in the class with the internship cancelled, but again she managed to prove that she was ambitious and started developing a mobile app for students which helped them to keep track of their academic progress and save time for what matters. It’s called College Diary and can be found on Google play. “My app attracted the attention of many companies, one of them being Microsoft. They invited me to several live shows to tell my story and to explain why and how I built this app.” In her last year Theodora developed a mirror integrated virtual assistant similar

to Alexa called Pixel Smart Speaker with Face Recognition as the final project, which in a way was a compromise to compensate for the cancelled internship. It is meant for elderly and people with hearing difficulties for which today’s technology is too complicated to use. Although it not in her power, Theodora hopes that one day soon, this app will become available to the public. With this project, Pixel Smart Speaker with Face Recognition Theodora won the award for Best Software Development of the year 2021, an award sponsored by IT Carlow and Netwatch. “Standout perfectly executed” -according to ITcarlow.ie/news. Today Theodora is living with her husband Mihai in Dublin and she just started her software engineer career with JP Morgan Chase & Co. “I always tell myself that the person I became today didn’t happen overnight. It happened with a lot of work and passion... One message I would like to convey would be: goals without actions, are just dreams. And ... the really important things happen when you step out of your comfort zone”.

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Community Community Group

The silent disease

AS we are growing that little bit older, wiser, and grey I may add, well especially during the lock down with no trips to the hairdressers, we have to be very cognizant of our health. Many articles are written about dementia, and so they should be, but sometimes there can be other aliments we must be on the lookout for. Osteoporosis is often referred to as the silent disease as it affects the inside of the bone, while on the outside a person can look and feel perfectly fine. It causes bones to become fragile and break more easily. Women are most at risk from osteoporosis, especially those aged over 65. The effects of undiagnosed or untreated osteoporosis can be devastating, therefore the prevention and early detection of this disease is extremely important With World Osteoporosis Day taking place on 20th October, we got some advice from Dr Máire Finn who is encouraging women over 65 to prioritise their bone health. “There are several risk factors that contribute to osteoporosis. Once there is an understanding of what these risk factors are, it makes it easier to identify

if there is anything that can be changed to help contribute to healthier bones. Unfortunately, there are some factors that cannot be controlled but by focusing on those that are, there is a chance you could greatly reduce your risk of osteoporosis.” “Diet plays a major part in bone health. Calcium and vitamin D are essential parts of a diet for healthy bones. Eating a balanced diet, containing adequate calories, and incorporating items from all food groups, can help bone strength as well as overall health.” “Exercise is also extremely important to ensure healthy bones, especially weight bearing exercises which can help with bone loss. If possible, undertake an assessment by a chartered Physiotherapist, before undertaking any exercise programme. Go for a light walk, use the stairs rather than the lift or escalator. Dancing and other low-impact exercises are also good options provided you have good balance.” This World Osteoporosis Day I would urge all women over 65 to speak to their GP about osteoporosis or contact the Irish Osteoporosis Society on 01 637 5050.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

Feature

Following reports of illegal dumping in the Cellarstown area of Kilkenny, The Kilkenny Observer travelled out to view the situation. It was not a pretty sight.

Black rubbish bags litter the countryside

Dumping of ru causing blight Kilkenny coun

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Feature Indiscriminate dumping causing a major health problem

bbish on tryside

THE area around the environs of Cellarstown was, in the past, the first choice of many city dwellers when deciding on a stroll through the country-side. The many attractions the area boasted became most obvious throughout the amble. It commenced with the landmark that was Hebron House. Landscaped with many tree varieties, most notably tall imposing oaks that adorned the surrounding. Hedges seemed to be maintained on a daily basis, they looked symmetrical during every season. Amongst its denizens, the house was once home to the Helsham, Murphy and Mansfield families and was built soon after 1750. Passing or visiting the area at any time, one couldn’t help but notice the five-bay structure reflecting on the nearby tributary to the river Nore. Enjoyment of the country air was immediate as the roaming progressed outward from the city. The wind whispering through the summer barley and the ripe lush meadows could inspire those of a poetic tendency to compose a line or two. Further along the peaceful road, approximately one mile from Nowlan Park, another beauty spot was arrived at, in the form of a boreen. A wide open expanse set in off the roadway with direct access at one time to its parallel sister, the Johnswell Road. In former years the lane was a busy thoroughfare and is credited with a rich history. It was a picturesque right-of-way up the 1960s. It is known to possess at least three names. Hannah Keeffe’s Bosheen, the Mile Bush and Paul Lanigan’s Lane. Not to labour too much on

the vistas and riches of nature unin Cellarstown, but this un spoilt beauty continued to the foothills of Clara and beyond. But that was then. In recent years all has changed and the changes occur with regularity. An ugly blot is now most evident at almost every curve and bend in the road. Like many other areas and byroads of Kilkenny, the once aesthetically pleasing rural countryside has fallen victim to the rubbish dumper. On our visit to Cellarstown, we met three different residents who pointed out the rubbish being left in the area. One lady, who asked not to be identified, said she was gobsmacked that people would deliberately dump rubbish around other people’s homes. “I am sick to my stomach,” she said.

RUBBISH DUMPED EVERY WEEK Almost every week the local community witness at least one black rubbish bag dumped on some part of their road. “People seem to think dumping their household waste wherever they wish is some sort of victory”, said another resident. The attitude would appear to be:-‘the car boot is empty, I win again and the beauty is, it cost me nothing’. How convenient the laneway dedicated to Hanna Keeffe and others was, to the person on a recent fly tipping expedition, who parked at the open expanse, relieved their vehicle of seventeen black refuse sacks of domestic rubbish. The pile included paint cans, a child’s bicycle, at least three dozen alcohol bottles and a

An empty gas cylinder dumped in a ditch

vacuum cleaner. All are part of the illegal collection dumped without a single thought or care for the environment. How convenient also, to bring a car to a stand-still and deposit bags of cat litter on the roadside at regular intervals. The utter disregard by some visiting individuals, has brought the once beautiful area to shame and disgrace. To describe the sorrow and annoyance felt by local residents is difficult, suffice to state that exasperation at the regularity of the dumping, has finally set in. Alas Cellarstown cannot be included or be part of any prize-giving awards for tidiness, as tidy town’s judges would be shocked and horrified should their remit extend outside Kilkenny city.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

Community Community Group

Twilight’s courageous conversations IT started during the Covid 19 lockdown when people were in isolation and many subjects of some ‘awkward’ topics, not aired pre-covid were being discussed on social media and regular print and TV Platforms. So, what is a courageous conversation? ‘What Mental Health needs is more sunlight, more candour, more unashamed conversation.’ —-Glenn Close—The Courageous Conversation Programme is aimed

at using the proven power of communication to collectively, courageously and with determination address critical issues in an increasingly diverse community, with the objectives of achieving integration, inclusion, and a sense of belonging for every citizen within the wider Kilkenny community. It is also about creating an empowering, enabling, and conducive environment, where members of our community, both migrant and

indigenous, can safely and courageously share their thoughts, experiences and knowledge about the challenges, barriers, limitations, and opportunities of co-existence. It is also about actively listening to one another. Courageous Conversation has the following elements — 1. Discomfort 2. Intentionality 3. A growth mind set 4. Inclusion and belonging

5. Embracing Innovation and Creativity Like many committees and steering groups, opportunities to meet in person has not been possible. Zoom calls no matter how good they are staged, are no replacement for Person-to-Person interaction. “The courageous conversation programme is based on citizen’s interaction” the chairperson of the Toluwani Akaehomen told the Kilkenny Observer. “We have an excellent steering group in place with representatives from across the diverse communities now living in Kilkenny. We have top class professionals including Gina Delaney Mental health Ireland contributing to the Twilight initiative. Courageous conversations will provide a safe place for people to openly and freely discuss topics that may otherwise be considered off limits. Not in this project, everyone is encouraged to talk about what it is that they need to ask about and to get the views of others. It is a nonjudgemental informal setting where your opinion is always as important and of value to

the overall programme. The next step is a Courageous Conversation Café or drop-in service. This will be a co-production through collaboration between interested

groups who wish to ensure no stone is left unturned to have the Twilight Kilkenny’s example to become the template for other counties to follow.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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HALLOWEEN

Art It – In everyone there is a creative streak waiting to emerge ART It is a wonderful airy space at MacDonagh Shopping Centre run by artist DiDi Dobree-Wilson that offers a walk-in art experience for all ages. You can have fun decorating an artwork with your child or you can drop him/her off while you catch up on your shopping. Children from the age of 5-13 can enjoy the excitement of DiDi’s summer camps. They are always stimulating, educative and fun, and often include other activities such as sewing, cooking, crystal art, string painting and much more. For the 8-13 year children bring a packed lunch for a full day’s entertainment. Parties at Art It are great craic and are for all ages! Paint, glitter, gem a piece from a very wide selection of objects, draw a live model, paint pottery, paint a canvas and so much more. Pick what appeals to you, find your inner child and have fun! Art it runs Saturday art

classes during the school term for children age 7 plus, Wednesday art classes for younger children and Friday oil painting classes for children ages 10 - 18

To check us out you can either call DiDi at 086 3085270, Facebook us at Art It Kilkenny, Instagram us at artitkilkenny, website us at www.artit.ie or look DiDi up at www.contemporaryartandpaintings.com.

Kilkenny pumpkin picking 2021

KILKENNY Pumpkin Picking will open to the General Public on Friday the 15th of October till Sunday the 31st of October

2021. The pumpkin patch will be located at Hughes Farm in Kells, Kilkenny. Entry to the patch will be via ticket only which

can be purchased online. Tickets are 4e per person with children under 12 months free. Pumpkins medium or large can be

purchased on site at an additional cost of 3-5e. Each session will last approx 1 hour e.g. book your ticket for 2 to 3pm. There

will be no pods, segregation etc just a great big open field allowing families and friends to book together bearing in mind

social responsibility. Tickets will be available online from our event brite site. It promises to be a great event this year.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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HALLOWEEN

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

HALLOWEEN

Things that go BOOM in the Night AS the daylight fades and the Twilight hour melts into the darkness of the midnight hour will things BOOM in the night. As the sun slips lower on the skyline, the leaves fall from the trees, many eerie shadows and shapes may catch your eye. Are they just your imagination or are they the demons and spirits that make the hair stand on the back of your neck? Or make you sense there might be someone watching or even walking closely behind you as the silvery moon light now shines brightly though the bare branches of the leafless trees. Irish folklore tells us of the wicked dwarf that possessed powerful magic and who was said to terrorise villagers near where he lived. Then, after reaching their wit’s end, the villagers convinced a local chieftain to kill the dwarf. The search didn’t take long. The chieftain (some believe it was Fionn Mac Cumhaill) who found and killed the dwarf and then buried him upwards in a field. The villagers were overjoyed. But the happiness was short-lived – the following morning, the dwarf arrived back. It had escaped its

grave and had returned with a fury that terrified the villagers. Word was sent to the great chieftain, and he returned and killed the dwarf for a second time. He buried the dwarf again and again, the villagers were relieved. However, the very next day, the dwarf escaped again. This time, he spread his terror right across Ireland. The chieftain was puzzled and decided to consult a local druid. The druid explained that the chieftain must kill the dwarf and bury him upside down. The chieftain tried this, and it worked… finally or did it/ for many of our historians believe it could be this evil dwarf that watches us through the trees and slowly creeps up on you as you walk home during the winter darkness. Have you ever heard that cry in the middle of the night that makes you wake in a cold sweat? If you have it maybe the cry of the Banshee! Depending on who you ask or what you read, the true form of the Banshee tends to change. Some will tell you that Banshees take on the form of a spirit, while others say that it’s a fairy, of sorts. It’s

believed that the scream of a Banshee is an omen of death. It’s said that the scream or wail is a warning that there is death approaching. Some believe that if you hear the scream of a Banshee, a member of your family will pass away shortly. Others believe that each family has its own Banshee. The Banshee’s sound is one that causes fear in Ireland and in parts of the UK where the myth also extends to. The sound is said to be a loud wailing that can be heard for miles around. Some say that the Banshee also sings, she appears as a tall woman wearing a grey cloak over a bright green dress. A Banshees eyes are said to be roaring red, caused by her constant tears. The description is that of an old, hunched woman that would appear outside your home in the darkest of night. Her face veiled, her hair long, black and billowing in the wind and her clothing old and tattered. Like many of the tales from Irish folklore, the existence of the Banshee is… a grey area. Some will swear blind that they saw the spirit of a female wail-

ing down their garden and that death followed soon after. Others will tell stories of a terrifying wailing that they heard but that they couldn’t find where it came from. One theory is that many people mistake the scream of a rabbit or a fox for the Banshee. In particular, the sound of a rabbit ‘screaming’ is particularly frightening if you’ve never heard it before. Now, belief in the Banshee has dwindled rapidly over the years. A hundred years ago, things were difdif ferent, naturally enough. People were more superstitious, for one thing. Personally, I think this one’s a Celtic myth… I hope it is, anyway!

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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HALLOWEEN

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St. John’s Parish Street League Finals

t u o b A Out &

WITH

y n n a D art Lah

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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St. John’s Parish Street League Finals

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

Community Community Group

Friends for life

KILKENNY is twinned with 6 cities across the world. One of those cities is Malbork Poland. What are twinned cities and what benefits can we get from having them at all? The benefit of a wellrun Twinning is immeasurable. The connections should not be just the once-a-year trip for the current Mayor to have a perk of the job trip abroad, but to make

tangible connections with the sister city. In 2016 Murty Brennan, chairperson of the Twilight community group was approached by the then and now late The Polish Ambassador to Ireland Ryszard Srakowicz and his deputy head of missions Piotr Rakowski to look at the Twinning of Kilkenny and Malbork. Both have world

renowned Castles and are medieval cities with thriving tourist industry. Having reviewed the process and what a Twining meant to a city, its communities and citizens, Murty decided to write Twinning Protocols and present to the Kilkenny Local authority Twinning committee then chair Mr Brian Tyrell and they are now the recognised tem-

plate for Twining of our Municipal district. “when looking at the possibility of Twining with the Polish city of Malbork, it was important that we built it from the bottom up, a twining has to have community involvement and access for all to benefit from any agreement” Having got the support of the then Mayor and who is now the current Mayor Andrew McGuinness the process began, and the agreement was signed in Kilkenny on March 17th 2017 and subsequently in Malbork May 2nd of the same year. The idea of bottom-up approach of a twining is clear between Kilkenny and Malbork. While Mayors of Kilkenny have visited Poland’s medieval city more importantly so have members of the Community. The CBS primary school Stephens Street have been invited to Malbork to perform on two occasions and are now close and ‘twined’ friends of the Balbiny Arts and drama performing of the arts group, who have been in Kilkenny on 3 occasions. “This has allowed the exchange of students as young as 13 to experience life in both our cities,” Murty told the Observer. “We also had the leading European Secret gardens choir in Kilkenny on several occasions. This is what makes our twining such a success as we have ongoing interaction and to have a successful relationship, we must have

vibrant and regular contact” One of the deciding factors to open the Polish consulate in Kilkenny and appointment of Murty Brennan as Hon Polish Consul General to the Republic of Ireland is the strong relationship the city has with Malbork, and of course the large diaspora located in the Southeast of Ireland. Can we continue to develop this relationship? Most definitely says Murty. “We can continue to grow the community aspect of the twining but with a little bit of imagination grow connections of commerce and tourism. Without doubt last week’s participation by Kilkenny man Dylan Nolan in the Medieval world combat games is another boost to our interaction. Next year the world championships are in Iceland why not bring them to Kilkenny? We all remember the incredible excite-

ment of the jousting in the Castle during Arts weeks a few decades below, Insurance I hear you say? Surly the benefits to the city would out weigh that argument and I doubt they had no insurance in Malbork this year or next year in Iceland?” Twinings when community based and from the bottom up are of tremendous benefit both culturally and economically to our citizens. Castlecomer have one with Prevance in France without political interference just good community spirit. Let’s continue to grow all our twinnings by using our imagination. Europe is open for business and easy access for all our schools and communities and cost effective to travel too. With English as the language of all European programmes let us reap the benefits of Twinnings like Malbork and Kilkenny’s Community based Agreement

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

Feature IRELAND of 1968 was a much different place than the Ireland of today. It was a year when Taoiseach Jack Lynch and Terence O’Neill met for talks in Dublin: When Minister for Education Donogh O’Malley died while campaigning in County Clare and when a seat to commemorate the poet Patrick Kavanagh was unveiled beside the Grand Canal in Dublin. On the Arts scene we saw the first English-language production of Samuel Beckett’s ‘Come and Go’, while Tom Murphy’s plays Famine and The Orphans were first produced in Dublin. Wexford beat Tipperary in the All-Ireland hurling final; George Best and Tony Dunne became the first Irish footballers to collect European Cup winner’s medals, and Down beat Kerry in the Football final. In Kilkenny, one news story that made news was that SOS was launched. Leading the project was Bishop Peter Birch. He called a meeting in Sion House with a few interested people who formed a committee with the vision of providing care, employment, and accommodation for people with a learning disability. That vision has taken root and SOS has more than fulfilled its dream. The Kilkenny Observer spoke to three of the original committee members -Michael Hogan, Vivian Good and Paddy McAlinney. All three agree that it was the forward thinking of Peter Birch that kick started the idea. Paddy McAlinney spoke of the former Bishops drive in every project that he undertook. GROWN IN LEAPS AND BOUNDS Fast forward fifty years, and today, SOS has grown beyond peoples wildest dreams. SOS Kilkenny CLG has been operating in Kilkenny City and County for over fifty years. They support adults with intellectual disabilities and autism to develop their talents and interests. They help to build and maintain meaningful relationships, to enjoy opportunities for further education and employment and to feel a valuable part of their local community. SOS Kilkenny strives to tailor their supports to meet each person’s needs. Based on the Cllan road, SOS now boasts over twenty community houses in various neighbourhoods around Kilkenny and a variety of locations where people spend their days

Vivian Good and Paddy McIlinney, who were on the original committee in the setting up of SOS Kilkenny

Dreamtime radio a jewel in the crown at SOSkilkenny

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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Feature

Gemma Haire on Air

Trevor Colclough Exhibition Image

in Kilkenny City and its environs, in addition to autism specific services in Cahir. JEWEL IN THE CROWN One section of SOS, which, for many is the jewel in the crown, is Dreamtime Radio. The radio started in 2009 when a few people attending SOS Kilkenny services said they want to do radio, and when funding became available, SOS approached the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland about a license to broadcast. It all went well and Dreamtime Radio was born. The Kilkenny Observer met up with Pat Ryan who heads up the team. We asked Pat how it all began “We began with 6 or 7 presenters and over the years it became more and more popular. It now has 30 presenters who have developed many skills and experiences in radio broadcasting and are very proud of the radio”. Dreamtime Radio is a licensed campus based radio station that reflects the lives and interests of its listeners; the people it supports at the campus, family and the community. The station aims to develop the skills of the people involved, offering experience of running a radio station while also providing a local news and entertainment service to people on campus. Pat explained that programming comprises a mix of music request shows, chat shows, news and event guides that inspires people to tell their story, changes peoples beliefs and understanding, communicates life experiences that everyone can connect with and offers an opportunity for people to feel listened to, giving a voice, on a larger scale, to people. This, according to Pat allows for selfempowerment, independence and a means for self-advocacy. When asked about the various off shoots at the centre, Pat pointed out that, “We develop podcasting, live radio, community vox-pop, photography, film making and social media content as a means to make stronger community connections. Guided by the belief that empowerment of the people who attend is the most effective means of ensuring a person cantered service, it also challenges preconceived ideas that ordinary citizens may have about people with disabilities.” Some of the supports that Dreamtime provide

are playlist development, ensuring a fresh developing show, understanding genre and song mixing and show structure, research for speech content, IT skills, linking and speech development, presentation skills, fun and authenticity, understanding and education in relation to using technology. For example mixer desk/ audio recorders, planning and preparation, recording and editing, working to deadlines, interviewing and other community based content and skills development, current affairs, news and sport and promoting local and national artists. Mr Ryan was particularly pleased to tell the Observer that currently they have a presenter who has stepped up to Community Radio Kilkenny City. “He plays a fantastic dance show on Friday evenings at 8.30pm, which is a great achievement for him and rewards the hard work and determination he has demonstrated”, boasted Pat. Another broadcaster is Kilkenny man Brian Manning. When asked by The Obsever what his work at Dream time meant to him, Brian replied: “It gives me experience of being a Radio Presenter and it lets me do what I love, it’s my dream job. There is a great buzz in the radio and I learn a lot from being there and involved in everything it offers. I’ve done many interviews and have met lots of interesting people.” Brian went on to explain that they have also created a few films which have won national awards and that he is also involved in producing the SOS magazine called Rewind. “I feel important in the radio and I look forward to coming in here every morning”, Brian said. Giving us a guided tour of the premises , with Covid rules adhered to, Pat Ryan pointed out that the team also aim to stimulate creativity with their photography programme called Focus, Dreamtime Studios film making, in which they have won the ‘National Able Vision Ireland Festival’ on two

Dreamtime Radio Team_L-R_Cian Doolan, Billy Culleton, Emily Quirk and Pat Ryan

occasions. The bi-yearly magazine called Rewind is a means for people to express creativity and ability while also enabling the SOS a means to communicate across the service and to family and friends all the great stories

and achievements over the previous 6 months. Dreamtime Radio broadcasts on 92.6fm on a limited range and also internet radio. if you would like to experience Dreamtime Radio for yourself just go to

www.soskilkenny.com scroll down and hit that play button, weekdays 10am to 4pm or drop a line to dreamtime@ soskilkenny.com, also check out their youtube channel at www.youtube. com/dreamtimestudio.

The Derek Watson Show

‘Rewind’ Cover

‘Nun Left’ Film Poster

The Keith Costello Throwback Thursday Show

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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Online

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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Dine Me Food & Drink

Come

Your wine glossary: Part 1

With

Slow cooker chicken tikka masala Preparation and cooking time

Prep: 20 mins Cook: 4 hrs and 30 mins - 7 hrs and 30 mins Serves 4 Ingredients • 8-12 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, each cut into 3 chunks • 2 tbsp veg or rapeseed oil • 1 large onion, chopped • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • thumb-sized piece ginger, finely grated or chopped • 3 tbsp tikka curry paste • 500ml passata • 1 tbsp tomato purée • 1 tbsp malt vinegar • 1 tbsp light brown soft sugar • 1 cinnamon stick • 5 cardamom pods • 100ml double cream • handful chopped coriander • cooked basmati rice, lime wedges and naan bread, to serve (optional)

• Method

STEP 1 Heat the slow cooker. Season the chicken, then put the oil in a wide frying pan and, once hot, add the chicken. Don’t overcrowd the pan – you may want to do this in batches. Cook over a high heat until the chicken is browned, then transfer it to the slow cooker. Add the onion, garlic and ginger to the pan and cook for a few mins until softened. Add a splash of water and scrape any bits from the bottom of the pan, then tip everything into the slow cooker. STEP 2 Add the remaining ingredients, except the cream and coriander, then season well and cover with a lid. Cook on low for 5-7 hrs or on high for 4-5 hrs.

STEP 3 Add the cream and check the seasoning, adding more vinegar, sugar or salt if needed. Cook for another 10-15 mins until

• 175g plain flour, plus extra for dusting • 150g cold butter, cubed • 1 egg, beaten

Prep: 10 mins Cook: 20 mins Serves: 4

Method STEP 1 First, make the pastry. Blitz the hazelnuts and sugar in a food processor until finely chopped. Add the spelt and plain flours, butter and a good pinch of salt, and blitz again until all of the butter has been incorporated and the mixture is sandy. With the motor running, drizzle in 1-2 tbsp cold water until the dough starts to form in clumps. Squeeze a little between your fingers – if it feels like it will come together, tip the mixture onto your work surface and knead briefly into a ball. Shape into a disc, wrap and chill for 30 mins or overnight.

Ingredients • 50g light brown soft sugar, plus extra for sprinkling • ½ lemon, zested and juiced • 1 tbsp cornflour • 1 tbsp maple syrup • 3 Bramley apples, peeled, cored, halved and thinly sliced • 20g hazelnuts, roughly chopped • double cream, to serve For the pastry • 80g hazelnuts • 2 tbsp icing sugar • 125g spelt flour

STEP 2

Acidification Adding ACIDITY during winemaking to compensate for grapes which have over-ripened. Alcohol Ethanol is produced as a by-product of fermentation. The alcoholic strength of a wine is a measure of its concentration of Ethanol. Balance A tasting term. A wine is balanced when all of its characteristics work together in harmony, with no single element of fruit, TANNIN, ACIDITY, ALCOHOL – overpowering anything other. Bâtonnage French term for stirring of the LEES. Body Tasting term for the weight and texture of a wine on the PALATE The ‘mouthfeel’ of the wine. A combination of ALCOHOL, EXTRACT and glycerol.

hot. Ladle between bowls and garnish with the coriander. Serve with rice, naan bread and lime wedges, if you like. DON’T HAVE A SLOW COOKER? You can cook this dish on the hob or in the oven instead. Follow the recipe up to the end of step 1, putting all the chicken

Apple & hazelnut galette Satisfy your comfort food cravings with this cheap and simple creamy pasta dish with chunks of ham and crunchy veg

Acidity One of the essential elements in both grapes and finished wines. Acidity is necessary to keep any wine fresh. Ironically, acidity is perhaps most important in sweet wines, where it prevents then from being merely sickly-sweet.

If the pastry has been chilled for longer than 30 mins, let it come to room temperature for 20 mins before rolling. Mix the brown sugar, lemon zest, cornflour and maple syrup together in a large bowl. Add the apples and toss well. Set aside while you roll out the pastry. STEP 3 Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Dust a sheet of baking parchment large enough to line a large baking tray with flour, then roll the pastry out to a roughly 30cm circle on top of the parchment. The pastry will crack and crumble a little as you roll it, but just keep pushing the edges back together – don’t worry if it looks rustic. Slide the pastry on its parchment onto the baking tray. Pile the apple slices into the centre of the pastry circle using your hands, letting any excess

Botrytis A fungus to which grapes are prone. Often it is bad news in the vineyard where it destroys grapes, but in a few places conditions allow it to develop beneficially as ‘Noble Rot’. Botrytis draws the water content from the grape and leaves concentrated sugary juice that makes luscious sweet wine.

back into the pan. Cover with a lid and cook on the hob or in an oven set to 160C/140C fan/gas 3 for 2 hrs, or until the meat is tender. Remember to stir every now and then to prevent the sauce burning, and add a splash of water if it’s looking dry.

syrup drip back into the bowl as you do (save the syrup for later). Be sure to leave a clear 2cm border around the edge. Use the baking parchment to help you lift the edges of the pastry over the apples, leaving the most of the apples exposed. Pinch together any cracks around the edge to make a rustic pastry border. STEP 4 Brush the pastry edge with some beaten egg, sprinkle with a little extra brown sugar and scatter over the hazelnuts. Bake for 50-55 mins until golden brown. Meanwhile, pour any leftover syrup from the apples into a small saucepan and bubble for a few minutes until syrupy. When the galette is cooked and still hot, brush the syrup over the top. Leave to cool for at least 30 mins, then serve warm with cold cream. Will keep in the fridge for up to two days, or freeze in well-wrapped slices for up to two months.

Brettanomyces Or just ‘brett’ to some wine buffs. A controversial fault in wine caused by a rogue strain of YEAST. It imparts a ‘mousey’ aroma that some find repulsive, some find adds character, particularly in Rhône and Burgundy reds. Cap The bubbling mass of skins and pips that floats to the surface during FERMENTATION of red wine. It must be submerged regularly. Carbon Dioxide Another by-product of FERMENTATION, winemakers take great pains to make sure none is left in the wine before bottling, unless they are making a sparkling wine. Carbonic Maceration A special FERMENTATION technique where whole berries are starved of oxygen so fermentation begins within the grape. Common in Beaujolais, it makes soft, fruity wines not made for keeping. Chaptalization Named after its inventor Jean-Antoine Chaptal who suggested adding sugar to under-ripe juice before FERMENTATION so that more ALCOHOL could be produced. Cold Stabilisation A process in which white wine is chilled to precipitate tartaric acid as small crystals which can then be removed before bottling. Wines that have not been cold stabilised may throw these crystals at a later stage. They are harmless, but donâ€™t look very nice in the bottle. Corked A ‘corked’ wine suffers from a specific fault where a mouldy cork (or faulty processing of the cork) has caused a chemical called trichloranisole to form, imparting a dirty aroma and flavour to the wine. Continues next week

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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TV & Streaming

Remake of blood thirsty ‘90s gore

to watch now on Apple+ Tv

Stars Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherpoon and Steve Carell are all on top form as members of the on-screen team that makes up The Morning Show, a popular TV breakfast news show. The Morning Show doesn’t waste any time getting going, straight away showing you co-anchor Mitch Kessler (Carell) being dismissed amid accusations of sexual misconduct. From then on, the show explores the ramifications of a MeToo scandal and you can’t accuse anyone involved of not giving their all to the weighty subject matter.

On paper, Ted Lasso sounds terrible. The inconceivable story of an American football coach who has never watched a game of soccer somehow landing himself a job as coach of the (fictional) Premier League club, AFC Richmond, and hopes can make up for his total lack of any of the requisite qualifications by being a nice guy. Sounds unwatchable, doesn’t it? And yet, Ted Lasso has captured the hearts and minds of viewers on both sides of the pond with its large-as-life cast and irresistibly wholesome messaging. Worth watching for Nick Mohammed’s performance alone.

AMAZON Prime Video have shared the gory trailer for their new series, I Know What You Did Last Summer. Here’s everything you need to know about the horror reboot of the year. Get ready for some serious nostalgia. Under Her Eye Prime Video have announced the latest TV horror series coming to our screens – and somehow making the blood-thirsty 1990s gore we know and love edgy.

Featuring a breakout cast of relatively unknown actors, I Know What You Did Last Summer will undoubtedly modernise the bloody original that helped launch the likes of Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe and Freddie Prinze Jr into Hollywood, while promising to honour the same chilling premise. Prime Video horror “Everyone is guilty. No one is safe” the series’ ominous strapline promises.

I Know What You Did Last Summer will be dialling up all the slasher tropes we know and love As the official synopsis reads: “One year after the fatal car accident that haunted their graduation night, a group of teenagers find themselves bound together by a dark secret and stalked by a brutal killer. As they try to piece together who’s after them, they reveal the dark side of their seemingly perfect town – and them-

selves. Everyone is hiding something, and uncovering the wrong secret could be deadly.” Written and executive produced by Sara Goodman, the series will be based on Lois Duncan’s 1973 novel, which was also the inspiration for the iconic 1997 slasher film. Goodman is somewhat of a teen drama dignitary, having come up on Gossip Girl before writing for shows like Outsiders and Preacher.

Late-night sci-fi that’s strictly weird IF your love of watching psychologically twisted films can only compete with your penchant for reading late-night social media theories about their endings, pop on Amazon Prime and watch 2013’s lowbudget sci-fi flick Coherence ASAP — it’s free for subscribers, right now. I know. The 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 fly overhead. It begins as many indie movies do, with a troubled love story, tension between exes and witty banter. Then the power goes out. It gets weird. Act two. Inexplicable events ensue while the ensemble of characters 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. This isn’t a movie about longtime pals’ small talk. It’s a tale about them coming face-toface with the terrifying truth of their reality. The next hour or so overflows with plot twists that could rival those of 2010’s Shutter Island. The film also expertly alludes to scientific — and rather

philosophical — concepts that have probably crossed the mind of the late Stephen Hawking. Coherence ties together the social, personal and existential consequences that would arise from a complex theory of space and time with a heartthumping mystery. Coherence is arguably one of the most mind- bending sci-fi films I have ever seen.

An all-too-rare example of a video game TV show that really works (see also the UK’s Dead Pixels on All 4), Mythic Quest is one of the best new workplace comedies of the last few years, with its half-hour episodes hitting that bingeable sweet spot. It follows a fictional game studio known for its World of Warcraft-like MMO, Mythic Quest, though the thrust of the show isn’t the game itself, but the relationships between the people who make it.

Based on Isaac Asimov’s book series of the same name, the dizzyingly ambitious Foundation stars Jared Harris as Dr Hari Seldon, a maths professor who, along with his loyal followers, is exiled for predicting the oncoming end of the galactic empire that rules over them. It looks incredible, and while the show can suffer under the weight of its enormous scope, this Game of Thrones-in-Space wannabe is still one to check out.

From Asif Kapadia (Amy, Senna, Diego Maradona), this positions music as both a reaction to and a reason for cultural and political upheaval at the time, and as you’d expect from anything Kapadia is involved in, is absolutely rammed with incredible archival footage that you have almost certainly never seen before

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

News Community & GAA Notes

Kilkenny GAA clubs and Community news COUNTY FOR CONOR Congratulations to Conor Phelan of Clara who managed Mount Leinster Rangers to their second Carlow county title on the trot last Sunday in Dr. Cullen Park. They defeated St. Mullins in the final. U14 CAMOGIE Clara U14’s Camogie Roinn C Championship semi final against Barrow Rangers ended with a great hard fought win for Clara. The match was played in Paulstown on Saturday 25th in front of a good crowd of supporters for both teams. Clara showed their intent and determination from the start. After conceding the first point of the match, Clara scored a well worked goal to go ahead. Then the battle really started. This was a tough, no quarter given, hard fought, attritional match. Neither team were able to enjoy any period of dominance as every loose ball was fought for, every pass challenged. In the second quarter Clara increased their advantage with two quick goals, leading 3-1 to 1-2 at half-time. Although Clara proved more effective at converting their scoring chances, it was the incredible Clara tackling, defending and goalkeeping that kept Barrow Rangers to a minimum of scores. At the start of the fourth quarter Clara’s lead was up to 8 points, but the defensive effort put in by the Clara players was taking its toll. Barrow Rangers kept the pressure on and brought the game back to a 3 point margin. Clara however rallied and finished out the game with a final score from a free to win the game by four points. The Clara coaches could not be any prouder of the girls performances, particularly the way they defended from the forwards all the way back to the goalkeeper and also the way they took their scoring chances when they got them. So progression for Clara to a Final v Ballyhale Shamrocks on Saturday 9th October. Well done to the whole team. Clara - Ava Kenny(c), Katie Boyd, Maria Hogan, Caragh Brennan, Onagh Fitzgerald, Sarah Dunne, Ceola Leamy, Pia Langton, Lucy Boyd, Aoibhe Callery, Jessica Brennan, Amy Bergin, Aoibhe Callery, Danica Tervit-Krueger, Aoibheann McDonald, Moya Kelly, Lucy Kealy, Brooke Flynn, Orla Carrigan, Aisling Hayes, Faye Morrissey. MINORS BOW OUT This Minor A championship has been targeted by this particular group of players for a few years but those close to the scene would have known that everything would have to go right to pull it off. Unfortunately that didn’t materialise and it was an injury ravaged 15 that lined out on Saturday against Dicksboro in Clara. With just 15 healthy players it would have been easy for these girls to go through the motions here and when the Boro raced into a 0-8 to 0-0 lead after ten minutes, it looked like that was what was happening. But these girls are made of stern stuff and back they came. Midway through the second quarter they had closed the gap to four points and a great goal chance was missed to cut the deficit even further. The Boro broke down the field and a long speculative shot from Amy Clifford went all the way to the Clara net. This propelled the Boro into a 1-11 to 0-7 half time lead and again most observers believed that the game was up for Clara. Again these warriors fought back and by the time the second half water

break was called it was back to a four point game. The first score of the last quarter was going to be crucial and unfortunately the first two points fell to the Boro. They had fresh legs to call on that made a difference and had a little more overall athleticism in their team. But again Clara refused to wilt and when Keara Ryan rifled home a late goal we just craved one more chance to get our noses in front. However the final whistle sounded immediately and Clara were left licking their wounds after a 1-16 to 1-14 defeat to the one team that they have yet to beat. We all know that these girls won’t rest easy until that happens. Every one of this team fought as hard as they could to win this one and someday they will get the breaks that their efforts deserve. Lining out with their first fifteen healthy and having one or two subs is vital for a country club but to even be able to compete at Roinn A is a tribute to them. Huge credit too to the management team of David Shortall, Eamonn Rafter and Joe Casey. Team - Grace Barcoe, Anna Walpole, Katie Ryan, Alva Power. Rachel Brickell, Rachel Whelan, Laoise Nolan 0-2. Gráinne Glynn, Siobhán Treacy. Emma Corr 0-1, Keara Ryan 1-6, 0-6f, Niamh Brickell. Peig Carrigan, Emma Shortall 0-5, Katie Agar. SENIORS WIN OPENER Clara enjoyed a 3-11 to 2-7 win in the opening round of this years senior Camogie championship against Tullaroan/St. Anne’s in Clara on Sunday. Although Tullaroan opened the scoring, Clara quickly seized control and four points from play had them 0-4 to 0-1 ahead at the sos uisce. Siobhán Curtis pulled on a ground ball to goal early in the second quarter and, when Tullaroan responded with two points, Siobhán broke free to grab another goal. This gave Clara a 2-4 to 0-3 half time lead. Just two scores were exchanged in the third quarter but importantly the Clara score was a goal by Margaret O Connell. This left them 3-4 to 1-4 ahead. Four fast points at the start of the fourth quarter put this game to bed and although Tullaroan fought to the end Clara ran out deserving winners. Team - Jane Flynn, Aisling Curtis, Rachel Whelan, Katie Ryan. Tamsin English, Claire Nolan, Laoise Nolan. Aisling Nolan, Rebecca Nolan. Catherine Murphy, Keara Ryan 0-1, Mary O Connell 0-6, 0-2f. Emma Shortall 0-1, Siobhán Curtis 2-3, Margaret O Connell 1-0. Subs used Lucy Cody, Niamh Byrne, Aoife Glynn, Catherine Murphy, Anna Walpole . LOTTO There was no winner of this week’s Club Lotto (September 21st) Next weeks Jackpot (Septenber 28th) will be €7200. www.oloughlingaels.com/lotto Numbers Drawn were 2, 18, 20, 26 Bonus 16 Promotors Draw: 1. Michael O’Halloran 2. Jim & Bridie Tynan c/o Hugh Mahon 3. Bobby Woods c/o Paddy Greene 4. Sammy Geoghegan c/o Paddy Greene 5. Alice Walshe c/o Mick Nolan 6. Noreen Curry c/o John Joe Cullen 7. Jim Byrne c/o John Joe Cullen 8. Dierdre Malone c/o Online 9. Brian Dowling c/o Online 10. Sean Butler c/o Online

Thankyou for your continued support O’LOUGHLIN GAELS DRESSING ROOMS The local community surrounding St. John’s Park were all invited to celebrate another milestone in the clubs development. Over the last eighteen months volunteers at the city club pulled together to extend and refurbish it’s dressing rooms to accommodate increasing numbers of players and panels playing Gaelic Games there. Joined to mark the occasion were City councillors Andrew McGuinness, Eugene McGuinness, Joe Malone, John McGuinness TD,and Kilkenny GAA county board secretary Conor Denieffe . Fr Dan Carroll provided a blessing over the dressing rooms and all it’s users. The celebrations began with the clubs u9’s and u10’s boys and girls playing out their street leagues finals over an 8 game blitz on the front pitch. This was a culmination of several weekends of street leagues in which over 100 young players were involved. The huge work by mentors was commended by Juvenile Chairman Brian Fox as he addressed the large gathering at the end of the games. Chairman Johnny Holohan welcomed all members and guests as he outlined the superb work that has gone on at the club since it’s foundation in 1969, and that this was just the latest addition to what is still a beacon in the St. Johns Parish community. He acknowledged the work of all volunteers headed by development chairman Sean Hogan. He invited Breda Leydon, wife of the late Lou Leydon, to cut the ribbon and officially open the dressing rooms. Flanked by the Leydon family Breda proudly did the honours and hundreds of children flooded the rooms for their first glance and dream about big days getting ready with their teams in the future. The evening continued with a camogie / hurlers exhibition match that saw the winning captain accept the Leydon Cup from camogie Chairwoman Joan Galwey. Congratulations to everyone at O’Loughlin Gaels GAA & Camogie, a bright future is secured. U15s COUNTY FINAL Hard luck to the u15s who were bettered by a good Village side for the County Title at Dunmore last Saturday. A great crowd gathered to watch the two best teams compete for top honors. The Gaels got off to a flying start when Tadhg Crowley opened the scoring with a fine point for the St. Johns outfit. The village followed with two consecutive points before good work from Cian Byrne provided Greg Kelly with the opportunity to convert and equaliser the game. Eoghan O’Brien added a third and the game was taking shape by the 1st water break with the village edging ahead 0-5 to 0-3. However the James Stephens lads got a foothold in the game in the 2nd quarter and their physical dominance took hold. Three points in quick succession gave them a five point cushion before Kelly added a free. The Village added two more points and Dan McCormack landed a beautiful point from 40 yards to keep the Gaels ticking over. But just before the break the Village pounced with a killer blow and hit the net on thirty two mins. It was out of context in the game at that point as the O’Loughlins lads were making good ground. James Holohan was immense in midfield and shifted some strong tackles to dominate his area. Jack Johnson, Luke Hanrahan

and Josh Owens all soaked up the pressure in the rear guard while Jeff Tyrrell was playing a stormer at centre back flanked by the two wings Conor Murphy and Luke Quigley. The second half saw the village batten down the hatches. Scores were less frequent as every attack was stifled by big hits and strong tacking. Both teams powering into the game. Both sets of players determined not to be bettered. Ruarc Sweeney came out to midfield and was rewarded for his efforts by scoring a fine point midway through the half. Greg Kelly would add another before a sniping run through the defence called him to offload the ball to substitute Eoghan O’Callaghan who took his goal well. It was the final score of the game and it was just reward for O’Callaghan who had a great year. Hard luck to all the boys but it a credit to the club to see thirty four u15s all tog out on a county final day. It’s a loss they’ll hurt from but no doubt will drive them on to better themselves again next year. Well done to all the mentors involved, the players and their families. Sponsors : McCarthy’s Eurospar , Newpark Shopping Centre COUCH TO 5K O Loughlins Camogie and GAA Clubs invite all members to join us! Mamogie Night becomes Couch to 5k and Walking Group for the winter! Monday Nights at 8pm commencing on October 4th. Meet at club carpark with your hi-viz vest. NEW STATION MASTER Congratulations to local man Jason Bowden of Woodview Freshford who was recently appointed Station Master for Freshford Fire Services. Jason has been a member of the local Fire Service for the past Number of years and is wished all the best in his new role. He replaces Tom McGrath who retired recently. DEFIBRILLATORS FOR FRESHFORD Freshford Acorn Club in Freshford recently provided two new defibrillators to benefit the local community. The new defibrillators were funded from a bequest to the Club by the late Gerry O’Reilly. Gerry was a co funder and secretary of the Acorn Club. One of the defibrillators is located at the Freshford Town Soccer Club for its benefit and the benefit of Woodview and the surrounding estates. The second is located at Carroll’s Pharmacy in the centre of the village. A training programme was also funded by the Acorn Club to train 12 persons in the use of the defibrillators recently in the Community Hall at Threecastles. The Club already supported Prague house and is actively involved in the funding of projects at St Lachtains Church and Heritage Centre and St.Lachtains National School. The Club also contributed a sum of €2,000 to Freshford Heritage & development towards the resurfacing of the pathway in the local Millennium Park recently. SYMPATHY Sympathy is extended to Mrs. Margaret Barnaville of Urard Urlingford on the recent death of her brother Billy Moriarty late of Carrick on Shannon and formerly of Urard Burial took place in Fenor Cemetery. Margaret is Secretary of North Kilkenny Branch of Irish Wheelchair Association for past number of years and her and her family are well known in this locality.

WELL DONE THOMAS Congrats and well done to popular young local man Thomas Fortune of Ard Lachtain Freshford who completed his first 10km race at Blessington lakes recently finishing in a very good time. Thomas took part in his very first race /triathlon type event recently and received a medal afterwards. Thomas is now keen into fitness and also took part in charity night walk in support of the Night Nurses around Kilkenny. All donations go directly to the Irish Cancer society He would like to thank all those who donated and said it means so much to support such a great service. IONAD LACHTAIN St.Lachtains Church Museum and Arts Centre reopened recently weekend and will open each Saturday and Sunday from 11.30 to 4.30 on Saturdays and from 12.30 to 4.30pm on Sundays. New display cabinets have been installed and filled with a host of interesting artefacts and some beautiful craftwork is also on sale. So why not drop in and see for yourself TIDY TOWNS Freshford tidy towns committee thank all their loyal volunteers who helped out over the past weeks on Church Street clearing weeds along the pavement on each side. The seat opposite the local butchers was painted in vibrant red. Almost all the street furniture throughout the village has now been painted in their trademark vibrant red since the group returned after the pandemic. If you spot a seat that has not yet been painted please let them know. SOCCER NEWS Freshford Town had a couple of teams in action at the weekend. The U5 boys travelled to Thomastown on Friday evening and came out on the wrong side of 3-2 score. Freshford goals came from Cian Donnelly and Michael Bergin The U13 boys took on Freebooters in their first game in a home game on Saturday morning losing out on the day. U8s The training sessions for U8s will resume on Saturday next at the Sportsfield at Woodview from 12noon to 1pm with Gary in charge as usual. All boys from 5 to 8 years old are welcome so go along and join up. The Club are at present looking for new members to join their U9, UI10 U13 and U15 teams. Registration can be paid through the Clubforrce app or you can get in touch with the Club for further details. The clubs facebook page has all the details. As well as boys underage The Club is intended to enter girls’ soccer teams also in U9s and U11s. For U11 – born in 2011/2012 and for U9 those born 2013/20114. Anyone interested should get in touch with the Club on Facebook page or freshfodtownfc@ gmail.com. Going forward the Club hope to have U9, U10, U11, U13, U15 and U17s with registration opening in the coming week or so. So keep an eye out on the Clubs Facebook page for updates. Membership Membership is now due for all Juniors and underage players and you can contact any committee member re same. KILKENNY HERITAGE An exciting new project is underway at St. Lachtains Church Freshford to enhance interpretation facilities upgrade the solar heating system and survey the unique 11th century

doorway. The select Vestry of St.Lachtains are delighted to have received funding from the community Monuments fund and welcomed the team to Freshford. GAA NEWS St.Lachtains Intermediate hurlers had their final game in the league championship on Sunday afternoon last when they travelled to Ballyragget to take on The Fenians of Johnstown in the final game. A tight game throughout played in tough conditions the Johnstown side took an early lead but the local lads got into the game more and come out winners on a 2-14 to 2-10 score line. Next up is the championship when they take on John Lockes of Callan at a date and time to be confirmed. Team: D.Brennan, P White, H.Burke, P.Donnelly, J.Cleere B Quinn, S.Rafter, J.Fitzpatrick, C.O’Leary, A Rafter, D.Maher, C.Dawson, L.Hickey, S.Donnelly J.Maher - Subs. M.Donnelly, P.Campion and P Killeen. On Saturday the County U14 hurling final was played at Pairc Lachtain with St.Patricks of Ballyragget coming out winners over neighbours Lisdowney. HERITAGE AND DEVELOPMENT NEWS Freshford Heritage Group are delighted to announce that the path resurfacing in the Millennium Park has now been completed. Hopefully this work will prove to be a more pleasant walking experience for everyone who uses the park. The committee acknowledge the grant received from Kilkenny County Council under the Community Enhancement Programme from the Department of Rural ad Community affairs. Also thanks to the acorn Club for helping to fund the shortfall in funding required. They would appeal to the public to manage any dog fouling in the park, especially on the paths and to use the facilities (scoop, brush & bin) located inside the entrance gate. PARISH NEWS There is an increase in attendance at Masses up to 50 per cent of the capacity now since the lifting of further restrictions on 8th September .Mass in the Parish Church each Wednesday morning at 9.30am and on Sunday morning at 11am. with Mass in Tulla church on Saturday evenings at 8pm. While the obligation to attend Sunday mass is still suspended you are encouraged to return. At this time all safety measures will remain in place which includes wearing of masks, social distancing and hand sanitising and full sanitation of the Church after every celebration First Communion The boys and girls of last year’s second class had their First Penance in the school last week and will receive their First Holy Community at Mass in St.Lachtains Church at 10.30am on Saturday 2nd October with each family limited to 6 attendees . Some updates to the safeguarding contacts have been made. Notices 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 Office. Please note community notices for the parish newsletter should be left

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

kilkennyobserver.ie

News Community & GAA Notes in or emailed to the Parish Office by 11am on Thursdays. As part of the 1400 year celebrations plans are being put together for a montage of photographs of the Church and Parish through the years. If you have any photographs that you think would be appropriate for such a display please call or get in touch with the Parish Office. The plan is to copy the photographs so be assured all original photographs will be returned to its owner. Mass Cards Special printed parish cards are available at the Parish Office or from Annette at Tulla Church signed by Monsignor Kennedy. You can contact the Parish office on 056 8832843 or by email – freshfordd@ ossory.ie. Contact Mongr Kieron Kennedy on that number or on 087 25235 HELP FOR ALL Are you struggling with anxiety or depression or finding life difficult or feeling isolated at this time GROW is there to help you. Their Mental Health support Groups are free and confidential and open to all no referral or booking is needed. For more information on same you can contact Mary on 087 284342 If you can’t cope and need support text HELLO to 50808. SAMARITAN - Whatever you’re going through a Samaritan will face it with you – available 24 hours a day 365 days a year – Freephone 1161Alone is available for older people who need support and you can call them on 0818 222024 (8am to 8pm) AMBER KILKENNY WOMENS REFUGE – is available for confidential support relating to domestic violence - call them on 1850 424244 (24/7) or on 056 7771404 or email into@ amberwomensrefuge.ie. DUNNAMAGGIN GAA September’s GAA Development Fund lotto syndicate monthly winners were: Sabrina and Conor Bass, Victor Costello €100 each. Sean and Amy Connery, Louise Proctor €50 each. Congrats to our winners and thank you all again for your support. U6 & U7’s last hurling training for the year. A huge well done to all our under 6’s and under7’s who finished up for the year yesterday . They were fantastic all year with a great improvement in their hurling skills. They are a great team and lovely kids to work with. Minor Hurlers advance to County Final. The Dunnamaggin Minor hurlers reached the Roinn B County Final on Saturday last 25th September after they contested the Semi Final against Tullaroan in MW Hire Centre Dunmore. Tullaroan who won the toss choose to play against a strong breeze for the first half. Dunnamaggin opened the scoring with a point from play from Joe Fitzpatrick which was quickly followed up with ones from Ross O’Neill and Cathal Buckley before Tullaroan opened their account with a point. Cathal added a further two with Cathal Walsh also getting in on the action. Then came a period of dominance from Tullaroan with Gearoid Dunne adding two points to their tally before Ross O’Neill added another. Water break Dunnamaggin 0:7 Tullaroan 0:4. The opening exchanges after the resumption cancelled each other out but it was midway through when Dunnamaggin finally opened a bigger gap with four unanswered

points one each from Mikey Thomas and Cathal Walsh were particular fine efforts. As we headed to the half time break both sides exchanged points but Dunnamaggin maintained the six-point lead Dunnamaggin 0:14 Tullaroan 0:8. Gearoid Dunne and Joe Fitzpatrick each added points for their teams in the opening minutes but with the wind now behind Tullaroan backs and their Keeper Niall Holland landing the sliotar between his opposition 45 and 21 meter line it was only a matter of time before Tullaroan reaped reward. It is said goals win matches and Tullaroan hit two in quick succession from Ciallin Brennan just on the 9th minute into the half they also added two points to go from six points down to two points up and turn this Semifinal on its head. Cathal Buckley got a very important point to narrow the gap for Dunnamaggin but Gearoid Dunne cancelled that out with one of his own. Dunnamaggin had steadied the ship and when Joe Fitzpatrick , Tom Lodge and Cathal Walsh slotted points from play Dunnamaggin went into the water break one point to the good despite the Tullaroan scoring spree. Dunnamaggin 0:19 Tullaroan 2:12. Tullaroan got one back straight after the resumption to draw the game but Captain Ruadhiri Holden and Cathal Buckley added further points to give back Dunnamaggin the advantage. Then another sucker punch for Dunnamaggin when Cathal Russell pulled on a loose ball to score Tullaroan’s third goal and sneak his team one in front as we headed for the final whistle. The Dunnamaggin Men however were not about to allow this semifinal slip away from them. Up stepped Joe to level matters with a long range free and Ruadhiri put over a close in free to edge Dunnamaggin in front by one. Mikey Thomas then raced onto a loose ball and calmly put over what was to turn out to be the winning score as Gearoid got one back for Tullaroan just before the final whistle blew. Full time score Dunnamaggin 0:24 Tullaroan 3:14. A super exciting game of hurling. Panel :- Thomas Deegan, Sean Lawton, Eoin Shiel, Mark Mac Eneaney, Aaron Moore, Joe Fitzpatrick, Killian Tallon, Mikey Thomas, Cathal Walsh, Tom Lodge, Ruadhiri Holden, Ross O’Neill, Cathal Buckley, Craig Drennan, Noah Gilmore, Tim Doherty, Nathan Stanton Treacy, Gavin McMahon, Jamie Tallon, Ciaran Hickey, Pierce Costello, John Hayes, Noah Cahill, David Moore, Sean Rossiter, Liam Davis, Conor Alyward, Sam O’Shea, Jake Butler, Shay Delaney, Conor Lawton. DUNNAMAGGIN DEVELOPMENT GROUP Last Sunday saw our fifth market in Madge’s Garden with thirteen traders from art and crafts to vintage clothing, buttons, jams and lovely candles. As usual our Café was open and Eamon was behind the BBQ. The weather wasn’t as kind to us as it has been but we still had a great day with an Apple Tart competition and a wonderful array of scary scarecrows made by local families for a fantastic prize of a hamper of vegetables from Herithy’s, a jar of fresh Irish honey, locally produced Eggs and a voucher from Hughes Farm for Pumpkin Picking in October. Our next market will take place on October 31st in the Old School Hall just in case the weather is against us again. Hope to see a big crowd for a feast of Halloween. The village also hosted a run on Saturday September 25th for some very fit people who left

Some of the Scarecrows entered into the Scarecrow competition at the September market in Madge’s Garden Dunnamaggin last Sunday

Dunnamaggin early in the morning completed 30Km run by 11am. We also had runners and walkers on a 10Km and5 km circuit. Afterwads they were treated to tea/coffee and buns where spot prizes were handed out to a lucky few. Thanks to Adele of Adelle’s Gazelles and Amy for organising. LOCAL LOTTO Local Lotto Draw Results for 20th September 2021. Winning Numbers: 2 , 16 , 22. No Winner. Draw for 5 x € 30. Michael Walsh ( Petes ),Jim Dog ( Pat Comerford ),Dhc ( DHC),JOIE ( Mags Cahill ), John Walsh ( Townsends) Jackpot next week (September 27th) € 2500. Venue: St Leonard’s Hall every Monday night @ 9.00 pm, all welcome. DROICHEAD FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE Droichead Family Resource Centre is delighted to be reopening fully over the coming weeks. We are bringing back community classes starting with a Women’s Group on Tuesday mornings, plus our parent and toddler and parent and baby groups. For more information on these please contact Jess on 085 8564950. Our Counselling and Play Therapy services are now taking new referrals. If you or your child is struggling with any issues and you’d like support we may be able to help. Contact Olive on 056 7755660. Callan Men’s Shed is back at Droichead FRC and is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings for anyone interested in joining to drop in. Droichead FRC is running a Saturday Morning Club for children aged 6-12 years with Dyspraxia/DCD. Booking is via Eventbrite. Contact Olive for more information 0567755660. Droichead After Schools has places available at the moment. Working families can get financial support through the new National Childcare Scheme. Droichead After Schools picks up from BunScoil McAuley Rice and is available until 6pm. Contact Lorraine on 087 3413970 or email afterschool@droicheadfrc.ie for more information. Kells Community are organising a fundraiser for a number of Afghan families living in Kilkenny, whose families come from Kabul and the Panjshir valley region in Afghanistan which have been affected by the recent takeover by the Taliban. The Nearly New/Car Boot/Table Top sale will take place in the creche car park in Kells on Sunday October

3rd from 10.30am to 3.30pm. The organisers are appealing for stall holders, volunteers to assist with the fundraiser, and to donate saleable items for the raffle. Also on the day there will be an ‘almost new’ clothes stall and book stall. Any items for donation can be dropped to The Kings Mill Restaurant Kells and will be stored in the mill. Raffle tickets will be on sale in Bobs shop Kells. Prizes include Hampers, vouchers, and a Paul Christopher Flynn original print. For details contact Stephanie (086 336 8135) or Tanya (087 919 1179) CONSCIOUS CUP CAMPAIGN Information session- 30th September, at 7pm online. In Ireland we dispose of a staggering 547,945 coffee cups every day. Did you know that this 5 minute “take away treat” has a substantial negative environmental impact. Take away cups impacts our natural resources such as trees, water & energy, creates carbon dioxide (CO2 ) and contributes to our growing litter problem across our island. Kilkenny and Carlow County Council are inviting you to meet Sorcha Kavanagh from the Conscious Cup Campaign who will help us to understand how we have a positive impact on climate change, one sip at time. Sorcha will explain What the Conscious Cup Campaign aims to achieve, How to get involved, The single use plastics directive and the Current policy - The Irish Context For further information contact Bernadette.Moloney@kilkennycoco. ie THE STORYTELLING SERIES Free Communications Training for Community and Voluntary Groups The Storytelling Series is an exciting FREE training series which will enable us all to feel confident about communicating our value! Public awareness is vital to maximising the work we do, and this series is all about amplifying our impact. Whether you’re a large charity or a voluntary group with limited time and no budget, this training is open to you! Making Videos: Basics of Scripting & Filming with Jack Deacon (spunout. ie) | Weds, 29 September, 11.00am - 12.30pm Making Videos: Basics of Film Editing with Tommy Flavin and Kevin O’Regan (The Reelists) | Thurs, 30 September, 11am – 12.30pm Easy Graphic Design with Canva with Ronny Hermosa (Canva, Fair Trade Connection) |Weds, 13 October, 10.30am - 12noon How to Be a Spokesperson for your Organisation with Eleanor Kelly (UCD Innovation Academy, Open Society Foundations) | Weds, 20 October, 11am – 12.30pm. All workshops are delivered online and are free of charge. Any queries, please email Claire McGowran: claire@wheel.ie. OUR RURAL FUTURE Social Enterprise opportunities for Rural Development - 30th September There are limited tickets still Dunnamaggin U6’s & U7’s at training

available to this online event that will offer advice on building social enterprise in rural Ireland and how social enterprise can support the development of rural communities: There will also be an opportunity to virtually visit three social enterprises to see the impact they are having in their communities. The event will take place on 30th September at 11am and is brought to you by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Western Development Commission. Book your place on eventbrite. KILKENNY TRAVELLER PRIDE Local Traveller Pride is being held from the 27th of September until The 3rd of October. Pierce Keoghan The late Pierce Keoghan, who died recently, was a popular member of our parish community for some years. He farmed extensively at Dowrath, Ballycallan before retiring, and together with his wife Mary, lived the remainder of his life at Drakelands. He was born in Tullaroan and Pierce never forgot his roots. The people and hurlers of his native parish (Tullaroan) were his number one. His requiem mass was celebrated in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Kilkenny with interment afterwards in St. Mary’s cemetery, Ballykeeffe. Our sincere sympathy is expressed to his wife Mary, sons Francis and Pierce; daughters Kathleen and Mary, Sister Lily, brothers Fr. Michael, John and Frank. Ciss O’Brien. Sympathy is also expressed to Catherine Burke, Ballycuddihy and the immediate family on the death of their beloved sister, Ciss O’ Brien, Enniscorthy, Wexford. RIVER RANGERS SOCCER Fixture: Saturday October 2 - Under 12 Schoolboys League: River Rangers v Spa United at 10.30am BINGO Bingo will return in Ballingarry on Tuesday, October 26. Further details nearer the time. MOBILE LIBRARY The next monthly visit of the Mobile Library to our parish is on Wednesday October 6. Kilmanagh & St Aidan’s School 10.55am 11.40am; Ballycallan 11.50am - 12.10pm. For further information call 056 779 4160, email info@ kilkennylibrary.ie, website www.kilkennylibrary.ie MUSIC LESSONS Instrumental lessons have recommenced in the Old School, The Commons. For Tin Whistle and Accordion, contact Martina on 087 684 5810 and for Guitar contact Billy on 086 196 0157. 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. Dicksboro Online Shop Following on from our new partnership with UPMC, we are delighted to announce Dicksboro GAA and Camogie gear can now be purchased online. You can now

purchase directly from our O’Neills club shop online and at Hennessy Sports our local retailer of Dicksboro products based in the Newpark Shopping Centre. Senior Hurling The Senior Hurlers will play Lisdowney on Sunday in Freshford in the first round of the Championship. Best of luck to the players and management. Junior Hurling The Junior Hurlers had a fantastic battle with city neighbours James Stephens on Friday night in Dunmore. This was the Section B League Final. Our lads finished strong in extra time with three Sean Boyd points to win 0-24 to 1-18. Both sides were evenly matched throughout the 80 minutes hurling. Our lads start their Junior campaign in a couple of weeks time. Minor Hurling A fantastic display of hurling from our B team in the Roinn C Semi final on Sunday v Barrow Rangers in Paulstown. Our lads lost 0-15 to 0-09 but showed great heart and determination against strong opposition. All roads lead to UPMC Nowlan Park next Saturday for the Roinn A Final v a strong Tullogher team. Best of luck to all the panel and management. U15 Hurling Well done to the Boro U15 Roinn C hurlers who defeated John Lockes on a scoreline of 5-11 to 2-03 in the championship quarter final saturday morning in Palmerstown. Palmerstown Clean Up Thanks to our cleaning helpers who helped on Saturday Morning in Palmerstown cleaning our clubhouse inside & out in preperation for our reopening next weekend. Plans next weekend to reopen the bar in the club. All are welcome. Denis Philpot Tournament Our U11 Denis Philpott tournament took place on Sunday. The Cup comp was played in James Park in the morning & the shield comp in the afternoon in Palmerstown. Many thanks to everyone who came out and supported what was always a super days hurling in memory of Denis. Many thanks to all the bakers who contributed in the cake sale. CLUB LOTTO Dicksboro GAA Club LOTTO Results September 25th Nos: 14– 21– 24 – 10 Jackpot: €4600– not won Draw Prizes – €50: Ciaran Hughes c/o online €25 each Adrian Keogh c/o online €25 each Ciara McDonald c/o online €25 each Kay Walkin c/o Paddy Maher €25 each Martin Foley c/o joe phelan Promoters prize - Anne Kerwick Next week’s (September 29th) Jackpot – €4,700 We are encouraging every Dicksboro family to support the Clubs Fundraising efforts by signing up to the Club Lotto. https://dicksborogaa. com/categories/lotto Pitch Side Business Adverts: Should your business want to arrange an advertising hoarding at our Club grounds contact: https://www. dicksborogaa.com/products. For any queries contact any committee member: https://www.dicksborogaa. com/contact. (Camogie contact Ted Carroll 086 837 6544 )

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

Hurling matters

Sport BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

In this year’s competition, the first round of the championship will also act as relegation quarter-finals with losing teams from each fixture dropping out of the competition before entering the relegation semi-finals. All-Ireland club winners Ballyhale will be eager to claim their fourth county title in a row, and the bookies seem to agree with many punters as the holders are best priced at 4/6 to get their hands on the silverware once again. The teams that are seen as the most likely challengers to the Shamrock’s crown by the punters are O’Loughlin Gaels and last year’s beaten finalists Dicksboro, best priced at 11/2. Senior newcomers, Lisdowney are the rank outsiders in betting circles. You can get 66/1 on last year’s intermediate winners.

St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Championship Round One fixtures: Ballyhale Shamrocks vs Graigue Ballycallan Saturday 2pm. Venue: John Locke Park Referee: Sean Cleere

Tasty ties ahead as club championship takes centre stage Following Bennettsbridge win over Rower-Inistioge on Saturday that sets up a league final clash against Clara, the draw took place for the St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Championship Four-in-a-row title chasers, Ballyhale Shamrocks will play Graigue Ballycallan after they finished fourth and fifth respectively in their groups. Shamrocks, under the management of Déise native James O’Connor, had a difficult start to their league campaign. The All-Ireland club champions lost their opening two games to Bennettsbridge and James Stephens. They managed to steady st the ship in their final group game with an 18-point win over Tullaroan. Graigue Ballycallan lost narrowly to O’Loughlin Gaels in their first game, before securing their only point of the league, next time out in a dra draw with Erin’s Own. Their final league outing saw them lose heavily to Clara.

VERDICT – No stopping Shamrocks

Dicksboro vs Lisdowney

Sunday 3pm Venue: Páirc Lachtain Referee: John Kennedy

Erin’s Own vs Tullaroan

Sunday 4pm Venue: UPMC Nowlan Park Referee: Michael O Sullivan

O’Loughlin Gaels vs Rower-Inistioge Saturday 4:15pm Venue: Thomastown Referee: TBC)

Speaking of Tullaroan, Padraig Walsh and his teammates will fac face a repeat of last year’s championship, ‘when they face-off against Erin’s Own, who wh emerged 1-point winners following second-half goals from Shane Feehan and Eoin Brennan. Tullaroan’s league campaign saw them share the spoils with Lisdowney, before befor a comprehensive win over Rower-Inistioge. Their final outing was a massive disa disappointment, with that crushing defeat at the hands of Ballyhale. Opponents Erin’s Own will not want to dwell on their league for form, and will certainly be hoping that the championship will see an up-turn in performances. performa Defeats to Dicksboro and Mullinavat were separated by a share of the sp spoils with Graigue Ballycallan.

VERDICT – Tullaroan to avenge last year’s defeat

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

kilkennyobserver.ie

Hurling matters

Following their promotion to the senior ranks, Lisdowney have been drawn to face last year’s beaten finalists Dicksboro. Interestingly, both sides sid lost only once during this year’s league. Lisdowney picked up credible draw’s agains against Tullaroan and James Stephens, those results either side of a defeat to a much-improved Bennettsbridge much-impro side. Dicksboro began their league campaign with victory over Erin’s Own, before finishing level in game number two with Clara. The rounded things thin off with a Park, beaten by poor performance against rivals O’Loughlin Gaels in owlan Park -points.

VERDICT – Dicksboro to deliver

The last tie drawn of the opening round pits O’Loughlin Gaels a against Rower-Inistioge. The city side lost once in the league, to Mullinavat. This defeat came between wins def over Graigue Ballycallan and Dicksboro. They will come into the th championship in Rower-Inistioge who are decent form, the same which can’t be said of opponents Rower-In the only side without a victory in this year’s St. Canice’s Cre Credit nion Senior urling securing wins. It will League. James Stephens, Tullaroan and Bennettsbridge all secur take more than Richie Leahy to deliver a knockout blow here.

VERDICT – Gaels to prevail

St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League Final: Clara vs Bennettsbridge Sunday 1pm - enue PMC owlan Park Referee John Dooley This could prove to be a close affair, but perhaps Bennettsbrid Bennettsbridge’s group games may stand them in good stead. They will look to the win over Ba Ballyhale and look to produce a similar performance against Clara.

VERDICT – Bridge to edge it

St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Shield Final: Mullinavat vs James Stephens Saturday pm - enue Bennettsbridge Referee Sean McMahon nbeaten James Stephens will take on a Mullinavat side that has proved to be somewhat ‘dark horses’ this season. They should provide a toug tough test for the illage, but the 1 county finalists will be out to lay down a marker as they are one of the teams fancied to give Ballyhale a run for their money mone this year.

VERDICT – Village to power through

SHERRY SAYS... IT’S all about the club now. As Brian Cody gets set for a record breaking 24th season in the Kilkenny hot-seat, he and his backroom team will no doubt cast more than a glancing eye over the St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Championship which is due to get underway this weekend. Ok, let’s get it out there... Ballyhale Shamrocks – the 4-in-a-row seeking hurling machine. Manager James O’Connor will know his charges will be the scalp that all opponents seek. Shamrocks will look to build on a mixed league campaign, where they showed glimpses of their capabilities. Once again TJ Reid will lead an attack that is blessed with everything you could ask for. The Cody’s - Eoin and Brian, county captain Adrian Mullen etc... In defence they will look to Joey Holden, Daragh Corcorcan and the fastimproving Evan Shefflin to limit the opposition attacks. In the opposite corner will be Graigue Ballycallan. Billy Ryan will have to shoulder much of the scoring burden for the underdogs. I expect there to be a real battle when Tullaroan and Erin’s Own meet again. There was no quarter given last season, in a tense ferocious encounter and I get the feeling this could be repeated during this instalment. Erin’s Own will look to the Conor’s for inspiration – Fogarty and Delaney. Tullaroan, backed by the Walsh’s will not be found wanting. With forwards of the caliber of Shane Walsh and Martin Keoghan, they will certainly trouble the oppositions back line. One of the teams being talked about as serious contenders to dethrone the almighty Shamrocks are O’Loughlin Gaels. They certainly have defenders capable of restricting any forwards they come up against. Huw Lawlor and Paddy Deegan will be a match for most. In attack, O’Loughlin’s will look to Eoin O’Shea and Owen Wall to keep the score board ticking over. Expect some twists and turns as the club championship develops. It’s still Ballyhale’s to lose.

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Under 15’s County Final

Sport All images: Danny Lahart

Under 15’s County Final

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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Under 15’s County Final

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

News special Picture

All pix: Danny Lahart

Blessing of the O’Loughlin Gaels dressing rooms THE local community surrounding St. Johns Park were all invited to celebrate another milestone in the clubs development. Over the last 18 months volunteers at the city club pulled together to extend and refurbish it’s dressing rooms to accommodate increasing numbers of players and panels playing Gaelic Games there. Joined to mark the occasion were City Councillors

Andrew McGuinness, Eugene McGuinness and Joe Malone, John McGuinness TD, Kilkenny GAA county board secretary Conor Denieffe and Fr Dan Carroll provided a blessing over the dressing rooms and all its users. The celebrations began with the clubs u9s and u10s boys and girls playing out their street leagues finals over an 8 game blitz on the front pitch. This was a culmination of several

weekends of street leagues in which over 100 young players were involved. The huge work by mentors was commended by Juvenile Chairman Brian Fox as he addressed the large gathering at the end of the games. Chairman Johnny Holohan welcomed all members and guests as he outlined the superb work that has gone on at the club since it’s foundation in 1969, and that this was just the

latest addition to what is still a beacon in the St. Johns Parish community. He acknowledged the work of all volunteers headed by development chairman Sean Hogan. He invited Breda Leydon, wife if the late Lou Leydon, to cut the ribbon and officially open the dressing rooms. Flanked by the Leydon family Breda proudly did the honours and hundreds of children flooded the rooms

for their first glance and dream about big days getting ready with their teams in the future. The evening continued with a camogie/hurlers exhibition match that saw the winning captain accept the Leydon Cup from camogie Chairwoman Joan Galwey. Congratulations to everyone at O’Loughlin Gaels GAA & Camogie ...a bright future is secured.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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Picture special News

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

Motors Classifieds

Classified section To advertise your business in our classified section call in or telephone: 056 777 1463, or email: accounts @kilkennyobserver.ie

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

Memoriams/Miracle Planning notices prayers

Planning notices KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL Planning Permission is sought for a single storey extension to the front of the residence comprising a bay window and entrance revision including roof window and elevational alterations with all ancillary and associated works at Goslingstown, Callan Road, Co. Kilkenny The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. Applicant: Bríd and Mairtín O’Riordan.

CONTACT US: Call to our office at: Unit 7 Friary Street Telephone: 056 7771463/086 2395370 Email: sales@kilkennyobserver.ie

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

T O MMY FA N N IN G 4 4 T H A N N IV E R S A R Y In loving memory of Tommy, late of 104 Newpark Close who died on October 2nd 1977. We are sending a dove to heaven With a parcel on its wings Careful when you open it It’s full of beautiful things Inside are a million kisses Wrapped up in a million hugs To say how much I miss you And to send you all my love I hold you close within my heart And there you will remain To walk with me throughout my life Until we meet again Always loved and remembered by your wife Marian and your son Tommy.

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. L.M

A prayer to the Blessed Virgin

(never known to fail). O most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful vine, Splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, O Star of the sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. O Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to grant my request. (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

The Miracle Prayer

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 October 2021