Kilkenny Observer 20th September 2024

€1,000 Budget windfall

Income tax changes and cost-of-living payments

Most of us will be €1,000 better off after Budget 2025 when income tax changes and cost-ofliving payments are taken into account, the Finance Minister has said.

Jack Chambers TD said reductions to the Universal Social Charge (USC) would be “central” to the income tax package included in the Budget. Energy credits would also be a “strong component” of

the cost-of-living package as people still struggled with high prices.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has also said he wants to expand the eligibility criteria in the Budget to allow more people to avail of free IVF.

More than 1,000 couples have availed of the state-funded IVF programme, the Minister said.

“There are still couples who maybe they can avail of one

cycle with the State, but then may have to fund it themselves. That’s certainly an area we’re looking at,” Mr Donnelly said.

Mr Chambers said a decision on whether there would be more than one energy credit had yet to be finalised.

“What I would say is the decisions that we make on energy credits will be about protecting families and ensuring that the energy costs which are still

in our economy are mitigating through the winter period,” he said.

Mr Chambers took aim at Sinn Féin for proposing how to spend the Apple tax windfall funds, saying it had threatened to undermine that economic model. He said reductions to the USC would be “central” to the income tax package part of Budget 2025.

“So USC will be a central

component of the income tax package that I design, and we really want to target low- to middle-income earners and workers in our economy, and ensuring that we have a competitive income tax system that rewards work,” he said.

“There’ll be progressivity in how we design that, which is an important component of all Budgets that we’ve developed and I think between the

South East business man held for drugs German scoop for Kilkenny!

An Irish businessman, in his 40s, and said to be based the South East, is in Garda custody after being arrested, in a €7m coke haul and suspected of helping move drugs into country for crime gang The Family.

One line of inquiry is that the drugs came into the country from Europe onboard a lorry at Rosslare Port.

Gardai are investigating if the businessman in was working with one of the country’s biggest drug gangs to help import narcotics through his transport company which is said to employ 10 drivers..

The man is one of five suspects who remain in Garda custody last night.

Investigators seized €7m, worth of cocaine following a surveillance and intelligence operation – involving around 100 officers – in Co Wexford on Monday night, September 16 while €300,000 in cash was found in a follow-up search in Dublin.

The 100kg of coke was discovered hidden in an articulated lorry which was parked up at an isolated farm.

The businessman was one of the suspects held in Wexford. While he carried out legitimate work and charity activities, Gardai are investigating if he is an under-the-radar figure in The Family’s operation.

Eight travel journalists from Germany have been visiting Kilkenny and Ireland’s Ancient East, as guests of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.

The journalists write for a mix of newspapers and magazines, with a combined audience of 2.4 million across Germany. Their actionpacked itinerary

included a boat trip on the River Nore through Kilkenny, a guided tour of Kilkenny Castle and a visit to Smithwick’s Experience.

Pictured, journalists

Full story, Page 6

tax package and also the costof-living payments, I think average workers should benefit (by) at least €1,000.”

Asked if the USC should be phased out over time, he said any party that states they would abolish the tax “isn’t being honest about their management of the economy”. He said if €5bn is removed from the permanent tax take, they would have to “find it elsewhere”.

Motorists fail to turn up for driving test

Ireland faces a worrying increase in the number of motorists failing to show up for scheduled driving tests amid fears the number of “noshows” could soar above 8,000 this year.

A total of 6,441 motorists did not attend scheduled driving tests last year despite having paid €85 to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) for the assessment.

That involves a monthly average of 537 motorists failing to show up at test centres for scheduled appointments. The number in Kilkenny was 54 and 121 in Carlow with 155 in Wexford.

Pension plan is delayed again

The launch has been delayed yet again of the landmark autoenrolment scheme designed to provide a pension plan for thousands of workers. The scheme has been 20 years in the making and was due to be put in place by the end of this year.

However, the Department of Social Protection, led by Minister Heather Humphreys, has admitted it will be next year before auto-enrolment is put in place.

The launch of the scheme has been repeatedly promised but delayed over the last few years. The new delay comes as businesses claim higher costs are being imposed on them.

enjoying a boat trip on the Nore with Oliver Treptow, Tourism Ireland (second right); and Cliff Reid, BoatTrips. ie (right).

Nurses from SE at Chronic Disease Management day

GP Practice Nurses from across counties Kilkenny, Carlow, Waterford, Wexford and South Tipperary recently attended a Study Day hosted in Kilkenny entitled Integrated Learning: Enhancing Integrated Care in Chronic Disease Management’.

More than 100 GP practices in the South East were represented in an audience which in addition to hearing presentations from key speakers, also adjourned to workshops on particular topics and engaged with a variety of information stalls present on the from various agencies in the community and other healthcare providers.

The aim of the study say was to bring together those who are making a lasting impact on health and wellbeing in communities. The gathering enhanced work under way on shaping the future of chronic disease management, in encouraging seamless, co-ordinated care across primary and specialist settings.

One of the messages imparted in the opening address by Judy Ryan (Director, HSE’s Nursing, Midwifery, Planning and Development Unit/South East) was not to ever underestimate the impact a Practice Nurse has on a patient’s journey.

Study Day: at the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny were (from left to right): Liz Carroll (Professional Development Co-ordinator/ GP Nurses, HSE/South East Community Healthcare) and Sandra McCarthy (Director of Nursing/Nurse Lead Integrated Care Programme for Chronic Disease, HSE)

Sandra McCarthy, the HSE’s Director of Nursing/ Nurse Lead Integrated Care Programme for Chronic

Disease, was also among the speakers. She reiterated how the HSE’s Enhanced Com-

munity Care programme (ECC), of which the Chronic Disease Management

(CDM) programme is a main plank, aims to support General Practice to manage

the vast majority of CDM patients in primary care for their routine care.

In tandem, integrated care teams provide episodic care and specialist supports at ambulatory care hubs. The underlying principles of the Sláintecare strategy – right care, right place, right time – sees GP nurses playing a pivotal role in delivering the structured Chronic Disease Management programme in general practice.

Liz Carroll (Professional Development Co-ordinator/ GP Nurses, HSE/South East Community Healthcare) of the organisation team said:

“The HSE is delighted that so many GP nurses took time out of their busy practices to join us. Their commitment to advancing patient care and enhancing their skills in this vital area is truly commendable.

“We were also pleased to welcome presenters from integrated care, the HSE/ Caredoc’s Supporting Multimorbidity self-care through Integration, Learning and E-Health (SMILE) service and GP Nurses themselves who are experts in their respective fields. Educational opportunities have a crucial role in fostering collaboration within our interdisciplinary care teams and promoting a culture of shared expertise and innovation,” she said.

More women now giving birth at home, says study

Figures show 2022 was a record year for women registering for home births, w ith new report showing that 432 women, the highest on record, registered to give birth at home that year.

Tragically, there was one maternal death in 2022 and “a review is ongoing, with a report due from the HSE”.

Of the 432 women who

registered, 218 ended up giving birth at home.

“These equate to 0.8% and 0.4% of all women who gave birth in the country in 2022, respectively,” the report, from the National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre, said.

Most women interested in home birth in 2022 were in their 30s, while there were 34 women aged over 40.

Search begins again for local man, missing for nine years

Gardaí are conducting fresh searches in the Ballyfoyle area of Kilkenny near where Dean Roche disappeared nine years ago.

The 31-year-old vanished after he crashed a car that he had just purchased, Now extensive searches, which are set to continue into next week, are underway in the area where Mr Roche was last seen alive on March 22, 2015. According to his family, areas that were previously searched are being reexamined in hopes of finding something that may have been missed.

His family have asked the public to “cross your fingers and say a prayer” sharing that “over the past few days and going into the next week or two Gardai have been and are carrying out very extensive searches in certain parts of Ballyfoyle at the moment.

“Searches that haven’t been done properly in the past and more extensive searches in areas with dogs and equipment. Mountain rescue are also involved.

“Please, please may they find something this time, we would love to get a call saying something has been found.”

Dean Roche’s best friend says he was abducted by occupants of a silver car.

A previous search of the area located a red woolly Manchester United hat that Mr Roche was wearing on the day he was last seen. It is believed that the father of one is deceased but the case has not been upgraded to a murder investigation.

On the day he vanished, Dean Roche was picked up by a taxi driver at his home in Hebron Park, Co. Kilkenny at around 5pm as he was going to buy a car. Later in the evening at around 9pm the car he bought was found crashed but Mr Roche was not in the vicinity.

Following the purchase of the vehicle Mr Roche had en-

Some 136 women were transferred to hospital during pregnancy, 65 of whom were in labour.

An additional 19 women also transferred antenatally following their own request. Similar to previous years, these were more likely to be first-time mothers.

Seven women required transfer to a maternity unit

after having given birth. Of the 218 infants, 3p% needed some form of resuscitation, ranging from re quiring suction only, ox ygen or intermittent positive-pressure v entilation.

Thirteen babies who were born at home were transferred to a maternity hospital. Most of the babies were transfer red because they

were accompanying their mothers in being transferred to hospital maternity units

S ix of these infants were admitted into the special care baby unit (SCBU) and one was cared for on the maternity ward. All of them were later discharged.

Following their home birth, 79% of women re -

turned to the maternity unit on d ay three to have their ba by’s routine newborn examination, while 13pc of women went to their GP. Women who gave birth at home were twice as likely to be breastfeeding exclusively on the day of discharge. T he average time it took to transfer a woman to hospital was 28.1 minutes.

counters with numerous witnesses who lived in the area near to the crash site. He had told one person he spoke to that he crashed the vehicle because the steering wasn’t working.

At around 9.30pm a witness said she saw a light coloured car speeding by before it pulled in. She then heard someone shouting at a man to get into the car before it sped off again. She believes the man who was told the get into the vehicle was Dean Dean Roche

His best friend Damien Hipwell has campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness about Dean’s disappearance, sharing updates on social media and appearing on radio and TV to get the word out about his missing friend.

In a documentary which aired on TG4 last year, he explained the woman’s encounter with Dean Roche.

“The last person to see Dean out there and to make contact with Dean was a woman who described hearing a noise outside her house. This woman went outside the front of her house and found Dean standing in the driveway.

“She said that Dean was very confused and very disorientated so she asked him was he ok. He said he wasn’t ok and that he needed help.

“The woman then went back inside her house to grab her phone and when she came back out Dean was gone. She had a little look around, wondering where he had gone.

“Ten minutes after that, this large silver car came whizzing by her house. She could hear it screeching to a halt at the end of the road and then all she heard was this big commotion of ‘get in the car, get the f*ck in the car’.”

Damien cited his close relationship with Dean’s mother Geraldine who died in 2018 without ever finding out what happened to her son.

German journalists get the scoop on Kilkenny

Eight travel journalists from Germany have been visiting Kilkenny and Ireland’s Ancient East, as guests of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.

The journalists write for a mix of newspapers and magazines, with a combined audience of 2.4 million across Germany.

Their action-packed itinerary included a boat trip on the River Nore through Kilkenny, a guided tour of Kilkenny Castle and a visit to Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny. They stayed in the Pembroke Hotel.

Nadine Lehmann, Tourism Ireland’s Manager Germany, said:

“We were delighted to invite this group of German travel journalists to explore Kilkenny and Ireland’s Ancient East, to experience this beautiful part of our island for thems elves. There really is no substitute for being able to come here and experience what Ireland

Gambling seen as a ‘normal

Young Irish people increasingly see gambling as a normal part of sport due to the high level of exposure of gambling marketing, according to a new study. Research by academics on both sides of the Border found evidence of the pervasiveness of gambling marketing via social media, but also in conversations among young people and displays in betting shops. “These myriad forms of exposure indicate a saturation of gambling communications in these children’s lives,” the study said. While many children felt

that sport and gambling were a good fit, they were aware of the financial risks. However, the research found few understood the wider social risks relating to the harm caused by gambling.

The authors of the study, whose findings are published in the medical journal, BMC Public Health, said they aimed to explore the exposure and understanding of gambling marketing by children against a background where such marketing was ever-increasing.

The research involved six

has to offer at first-hand. The articles they write will reach around 2.4 million people across Germany, inspiring those readers to come and experience Ireland’s Ancient East, our beautiful scenery and rich heritage for themselves over the coming months and in 2025.”

part of sport’

face-to-face focus groups with 51 teenagers aged 14 to 17 in the Republic and Northern Ireland living near the Border with a declared interest in watching sports broadcasts.

One of the report’s authors, Paul James Kitchin, said understanding how exposure to gambling messages shaped the perception of young people about the relationship between sport and gambling was vital for policymakers to better shape related legislation and regulations.

Dr Kitchin said it was also important for informing

parents and educators.

Other studies have shown that 3.3% of adults in the Republic and 2.3% of adults in Northern Ireland had experienced harm from gambling.

Separate research found 23% of 16-year-olds had gambled for money in the previous 12 months, of whom one in 10 met the criteria for excessive gambling. The findings of the meetings with the focus groups showed the majority of teenagers did not consume their sports via mass media but through social media platforms.

Soaking it up: German travel journalists at Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny with Oliver Treptow, Tourism Ireland (back, second left); and Ignacio Peregrina, Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny (back, left)

The Fact Of The Matter

Paul

Hopkins

Our journey through life, accumulating clutter

A hoarding disorder is where a person gathers a huge amount of items and stores them. This is usually in a chaotic manner and results in amounts of clutter that are difficult to manage. Hoarding can be a significant problem if the amount of clutter interferes with everyday living or is causing distress or affecting the quality of life of the person or their family

I suspect men are greater hoarders than women. My father was somewhat of a hoarder. Would seldom throw anything out that he no longer had use for. Kept it for the proverbial rainy day. When he and my mother died in the Millennium year and we were clearing out the home of my upbringing, I found new shirts, still in their wrapping, that were a size too small but my father, as he told me, hoped to lose weight – it was my mother’s apple tarts – and

one day they would fit him. I, perhaps, inherited this trait from my father. While I am not an excessive hoarder to the extent of crazy clutter, I do hang on to things that have sentimental meaning. The mother of my three children will, the day after her birthday or Christmas, throw out the cards sent to her. I don’t. I have every birthday card my children have sent me down the past 30 years. I’m sentimental. My wife is not.

Birthday cards aside, I still have old mobile phones and charging cables that really need to go to the electronic dump. Clothes I no longer wear. And old newspapers and magazines, some with my byline in them. Many people collect items such as books or stamps. This is not considered a problem. The difference between a ‘hoard’ and a ‘collection’ is how they are kept. A collection is usually

well ordered and the items are accessible, whereas hoarding is a different matter.

The reasons why someone begins hoarding are not fully understood. Some reasons might be that it can be a symptom of another condition. Someone with mobility problems may be unable to clear large amounts of clutter. Someone with learning disabilities may be unable to categorise or dispose of items. None of these reasons apply to me, I hasten to add.

In his novella Franny And Zooey, JD Salinger recalls a visit to a sibling’s home: “The room was not impressively large, even by Manhattan apartment-house standards, but its accumulated furnishings might have lent a snug appearance to a banquet hall in Valhalla.”

In our journey through life we tend to accumulate

so much clutter — and I don’t mean the emotional baggage of life’s ups and downs — concrete stuff, objects, countless bric-abrac, bought, borrowed or come-upon and stored for some other day when we might just find a use for it. We never do, of course,

“Hang on to things that have sentimental meaning...

and the stuff just piles up. The stuff of furnishings, of pastimes and hobbies, the family memorabilia.

When was the last time you saw your dining room table? Or at least the top of your dining room table?

If you’re like most busy people, you know it’s there somewhere — buried under piles of old bills, stacks of unread newspapers and copies of your children’s school reports.

Maybe it’s your car (like me), hall closet or garage that’s stuffed to the gills. Clutter can easily materialise in all the corners of our living and working spaces. And the affliction gets worse as life grows busier, more crowded and faster-paced. Ironically, says my psychologist friend from Magherafelt, the very things we buy in order to make our lives ‘simpler’ and more convenient often end up exacerbating the problem.

We get bigger closets, and bigger storage bins, bigger houses and garages to put it all in. But, somehow, the stuff always keeps pace. Clutter sneaks up on us so insidiously that by the time we see all the stacks and piles and layers for what they really are, the mere thought of waging battle against them can be terrifying. That said, those old videos contain footage of my children’s first steps; those newspaper clippings copies of my early days in journalism; and it would pain me to part with old vinyl and cassettes. As for my books, well even though I may never read Franny And Zooey a third time, it would be equally painful to part with my books for, to paraphrase Samuel Johnson, no place affords a more striking conviction of the vanity of human hopes than a [man’s] library.

Letter to the editor

Dear Sir

Regarding the Pedestrianising High Street, a blessing or a course, The Last Word by Pat Coughlan, Kilkenny Observer, 13th September 2024. Our High Street has not got one set down parking spot, excluding an inadequate number of disabled spaces. It does have loading bays for truck deliveries. Would it not be possible to utilize these spaces after deliveries have been completed, say at 11.00am as in other cities, to allow for short term parking for the elderly or their carers etc., to enable them to collect their pensions from the post office, their prescriptions from a chemist, or visit a Bank or Credit Union. We are continually being told we must look after our elderly and infirm, however the Council has forgotten that we all age. It appears By Laws are all over the place in regards to these loading spaces along with the fifteen minute set down promise which has been forgotten about by the Council.

Trade on High Street has suffered due to parking tickets being issued on a daily basis which is leading shoppers to move away from the City Centre.

Surely the traders who are most affected by all this should have a say and their needs be addressed along with those of age and mobility difficulties.

City Trader Kilkenny

Scientists can cut livestock's massive carbon hoofprint

Scientists at INRAE, France's National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment, say experts have cracked genomes that influence the levels of methane a cow emits, enabling them to pick strains that release lower levels of the gas, a breakthrough they claim could cut

livestock's massive carbon hoofprint.

Flatulent cows that belch all day have long been the bane of climatologists, who point out that methane, while shorterlived than carbon dioxide, is 28 times more potent in warming the atmosphere.

Cattle are the No.1

Farm groups seek more time from EU on nitrates

Ireland's agriculture organisations, co-ops and the dairy and meat processors has requested more time from the European Commission for new measures to be enacted and their impact on water quality assessed to ensure the Nitrates Derogation can be maintained into the future.

The plea comes ahead of the visit of Commission officials to Ireland this week. The six organisations — Dairy Industry Ireland, the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society, ICMSA, IFA, Macra na Feirme and Meat Industry Ireland — have set out the process required.

Much of this process surrounds the call for recognition of the time lag associated with the implemented actions in order to have the desired impact on the ground.

"The current four-year cycle with a two-year interim review means that farmers availing of a derogation cannot plan effectively beyond a two-year period,” the group say.

"However, investments that help protect water quality, such as nutrient storage, are long-term investments often financed over a 10-year timeframe.

"It is completely unreasonable to ask farmers to undertake long-term investments

with this level of short-term policy uncertainty.”

The group insist that the removal of the derogation would have widespread consequences for Ireland's rural economy, with a potential multi-billion-euro annual impact.

They highlight that farmers availing of a derogation abide by a significant number of additional measures compared to those not in derogation.

"The Government and European Commission must acknowledge that the range of new actions undertaken by farmers will require time for their full benefits to materialise, and that the trajectories of change are uncertain,” their statement said.

"The expectation placed on the agricultural sector towards delivering good water quality must therefore be managed accordingly informed by, and trusting in, the suite of measures currently being delivered that are informed by best practice science.”

The implementation of the common objectives will deliver good water quality while also ensuring the family farm model remains not only viable but sustainable into the next decade and beyond, they claim.

Regional Assembly invites input on corporate plan

The Southern Regional Assembly is calling on the public to participate in shaping the future of the Southern Region by providing feedback on the assembly’s new Corporate Plan, which will guide the region’s development for the next five years.

The Corporate Plan outlines the assembly’s vision, goals, and strategic objectives, serving as a roadmap for sustainable growth and development in the Southern Region. The Assembly is committed to working collaboratively with

agricultural source of greenhouse gases worldwide. Each year, a single cow emits about 100kg of methane, mostly through belching and the remainder through the rear end.

A simple blood test can determine the propensity of each cow to let off methane. Such tests will be made avail-

stakeholders and the wider community to ensure that the plan reflects the needs and aspirations of those living and working in the region.

To ensure that the plan is comprehensive and inclusive, the assembly has launched an online survey, inviting residents, business owners, community leaders, and all interested parties to share their views on the future.

*Closing date is Friday, September 27 at 5pm. Link: Corporate Plan 2024 - 2029 Public Survey (microsoft.com)

able to all French farmers by next year.

"It's a revolution,” Philippe Mauguin, President of INRAE, told Le Parisien.

The new tests are part of a programme called Methane 2030 to reduce emissions of the gas by 30% over the next six years.

"It's ambitious but possible,” said Mr Mauguin, who added that genetic selection would account for a third of this reduction, with another third being achieved through diet and the remainder through farm management. Researchers have been mapping out methane emis-

sions at a special experimental farm called Le Pin in Gouffern en Auge, Normandy, which rears Holsteins, Jerseys and local Normande breeds, with the aid of a special device called a "sniffer”, initially created to avert explosions in mines and which can pick up wafts of gas.

New research commissioned by Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) has revealed that nearly six in 10 people in Ireland are either "very or extremely concerned" that their loved ones may be unable to secure nursing home care in their local community. This startling figure highlights an ongoing crisis as nursing home closures have escalated across the country since 2018.

Conducted by Coyne Research, the survey results shed light on public anxiety about access to nursing home care, particularly as increasing operational costs and the pressures on the Fair Deal scheme have resulted in the closure of at least 77 nursing homes since 2018. Last year alone, 10 homes were forced to shut, with a further seven this year, contributing to the loss of more than 2,600

beds. Most of these closures have occurred in rural areas, deepening concerns over the availability of local care.

This alarming trend comes at a time when Ireland's older population is growing rapidly. In the next 20 years, the number of people aged over 65 is projected to rise by 66%, with the population of those over 85 expected to more than double. These demographic shifts place further strain on the already stretched nursing home sector and call into question the sustainability of local nursing home care.

The survey's findings align with a broader societal issue - nursing home care in Ireland is at a critical juncture. The ongoing closures are dismantling the community-based care model and contradicting the goals of Sláintecare,

Fear for lack of local care homes

which aims to provide care closer to home. The closure of local nursing homes is forcing families apart and displacing elderly residents from their familiar communities and support networks. HIQA has also raised concerns about the impacts of these closures on nursing home residents' well-being.

NHI CEO Tadhg Daly emphasised the urgency of the situation and called on the government to take immediate action: "This is not just a healthcare issue; it is a challenge for society as a whole. Our ageing population is increasing rapidly, and we should be celebrating this fact. However, if we don't act now, the consequences will be profound. We need to save our nursing homes and ensure that they remain a vital part of our communities. The sustainability of the nursing home

Bank 'must not downgrade consumer

The idea that the Central Bank of Ireland wouldn’t have a stand-alone consumer protection unit is simply unacceptable and must be reversed immediately, according to Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher.

MEP Kelleher, a member of the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) Committee, which deals with financial consumer protection issues at European level, was com -

menting after the Central Bank confirmed that its consumer protection unit would be closed and its functions dispersed across the entire organisation.

“This is a bad move by the Central Bank. For years, I have been highly critical of the CBI’s commitment to consumer protection.

“Under the Central Bank Act 1942, which underpins the Central Bank's operations, it is clear that legis -

lators intended consumer protection to be on equal footing with financial stability and financial regulation," he said.

“Frankly, dispersing the consumer protection function throughout all departments will, I believe, result in a lower commitment to the protection of consumers engaging in banking or financial activities.

“Previously, I had written to the Central Bank when

sector must become a priority for all - government, families, and local communities. Planning now will prevent heartbreak later."

Mr Daly urged policymakers to act and encouraged collaboration across sectors.

"We hosted our Annual Conference on September 19, where we discussed these wider issues in depth. We are calling on policymakers, government officials, and the entire healthcare sector to meet the challenges of caring, together.

"The projected growth in the number of older people in Ireland means we cannot afford to delay. It’s vital that we take collective responsibility and put the necessary supports in place to ensure nursing home care is available for all who need it. We must act now before it is too late," he said.

protection'

it was clear to me that consumer protection interests were not being given enough attention or due consideration.

“If the consumer protection unit is subsumed and its functions dispersed amongst other units, with other competing interests, it is naive to think that consumer protection will be given the due attention and priority it deserves," Mr Kelleher said.

As I See It Marianne Heron

Clamping: is this form of parking punishment fair?

In England in medieval times stocks were a form of public punishment. The miscreant would be locked in a device on the village green where passing folk could hurl abuse and rotten eggs at the culprit. In the modern equivalent cars are clamped and the abuse gets hurled at clampers. Other forms of medieval punishment, torture like the thumb screw and the rack, or burning witches, have long ago been abandoned but the modern equivalent of the stocks are popular and profitable and I think, where used inappropriately, downright uncivilised.

Clamping might be understandable where a motorist has parked dangerously, but not for shoppers, parked in a supermarket forecourt who have overrun their pay and display tickets by a few minutes. The unclamping fee of €125, imposed by a private company operating for profit, seems thoroughly dispro-

portionate for a time overrun that’s worth a few cents.

My own clamping story was revealing. While struggling to get the phone-in for unclamping to work, a guy in a van drew up and the driver said: “Hi love, do you want me to release you?” Who doesn’t want to be released from immobility and the pain of parting with a large fine? “I’m going home to get a weapon, I’ll be back,” he yelled.

While I waited for the rescuer in my life to arrive passing shoppers said things like “Disgraceful, shouldn’t be allowed,” and then another knight in shining armour offered to get me out of the clamp. How? “Hacksaw,” he said, this unofficial service would have cost €40. Finally, the unclamper, who happened to be the guy who had clamped me, arrived. Passing motorists yelled abuse at him:”F---ing w----r!”, “Get a job!” Clamping clearly gener-

ates a lot of ill-will, it can’t be good for local business and I wonder if clampers suffer PTSD or suffer persecution complexes?

Parking regulations is that they can vary from place to place. Kilkenny Observer readers are lucky. In Kilkenny municipal area for instance, the council, which looks after about half the 4,500 parking places, operate parking which seems fair and clamping isn’t

used. There are a variety of options: on street pay and display, barrier parking where you pay when you leave a park area, a ‘magic’ system payable by app and one suitable for brief errands where the first 15 minutes are free and thereafter the charge is 50 cent for 15 minutes. Fines are graduated from €40 for not displaying a ticket, €60 for no motor tax, to €200 for using a disabled parking permit be-

longing to someone else.

While the Kilkenny Count Council spokesperson was happy to share information about parking, APCOA Parking Ireland, the firm responsible for clamping me, are not so transparent about their operation. Questions I sent them, including whether their operatives work on a commission basis for clamping and whether they provide any intervention to help clampers deal with abuse from the public went unanswered. APCOA incidentally, are Europe’s biggest and longest established car parking operation. The company do operate an appeals system for fines, and they also have CTV security in the car parks they manage. Unfair then that a friend who had paid and displayed was clamped and, despite appealing, only succeeded in getting half the fine back – surely CTV footage would have shown payment had

been made? Unfair too that another individual, who had paid her parking was clamped for getting one digit of her registration wrong at a Luas park and ride.

One of the side effects of clamping, given my experience, is a profitable sideline for unofficial declampers. Wasn’t he worried about getting into trouble for taking off clamps, I asked the knight with the hacksaw? No, he said, that crowd are too big to bother going to court. Maybe forms of clamping could be applied more appropriately to deal with anti-social behaviour. Using back-to-the-future stocks or personal clamps for far-right rioters and arsonists to immobilise them, perhaps, or a form of electronic clamping for far-right on-line agitators, where the punishment would be more fitting for the crime.

Meantime I think I might add a hacksaw to the emergency equipment in my car.

Support brain power with Eskimo Oil for kids

From the exciting moment of your child’s first words through to their first day at school, it’s amazing how quickly a child’s brain grows and develops. By the age of 6, the brain has already reached 95% of its peak size! We can’t overstate the importance of supporting a child’s development during this time of growth.

We need Omega 3’s in our diet to assist with brain development and cognitive function including our child’s thinking, reasoning, remembering and mental processing. Omega 3’s also contributes to overall eye health as well as having benefits for strong bones, teeth skin and immune systems.

One of the key building blocks for the brain is Omega 3 fatty acids. Naturally found in high concentrations oily fish like Sardines, Mackerel and Salmon, Omega 3s are essential fatty acids that cannot be synthesised or made in the body. There are few other foods that provide high levels of Omega 3, these would include chia seeds, flax seeds, and walnuts. Fish is considered one of the best sources.

I often get asked by parents

if I think their child is getting enough Omega-3. And the answer most times is that your child may not be getting enough through their diet alone. If your child is a fussy eater or does not like fish, supplements are a great option to make up the shortfall. One of my favourite brands is Eskimo 3. On the Irish market for over 30 years, it’s a firm favourite with Irish families. Renowned for its exceptional quality and purity, its kids’ range comes in a liquid or chewable form, in fruity flavours that kids are sure to enjoy. Choose Eskimo-3 Kids liquid for children age 1-12.

This contains a mixture of Omega-3, 6 and 9 with 5ug Vitamin D. Eskimo combine Omega 3 and 6 because a child’s brain and nervous system have different fatty acid requirements when growing. It is specifically formulated to provide a balance of Omega-3, 6 and 9 to support these needs. Eskimo Kids Liquid can be taken straight from the spoon or you can add it to a smoothie, yoghurt, fruit juice, or mix into their cereal. Kids grow up fast, and feeding their body as well as their brain with the nutrients needed to support growth may set them up for life!

CLAIR WHITTY

SPECIAL REPORT

By Margaret Barrett Managing Director Mortgage Navigators

What happens the family home is a big question for a divorcing couple during the separation process.  Agreeing that one spouse will continue to live in the home, possibly with the couple’s children, is common; but any solution is going to demand careful financial and legal planning.

A solicitor who specialises in family law and divorce will be well versed in the financial aspects, such as the costs associated with separation, spousal or child support, and the tax implications.

A financial advisor will likely be needed too, depending on the assets involved and the degree to which one partner, or the children, are financially dependent. So, too, where one party wants to secure an individual mortgage, there is a high degree of personal financial planning, and work with the lender, to be done. A mortgage broker is best to advise, and can detail various options.

Those hoping to make mortgage repayments on their own, while the other spouse is removed from the mortgage, will need a comprehensive understanding of their financial situation, including the current value of the home and the outstanding mortgage payments due.

Where spouses have a joint mortgage, both parties are equally responsible for making the repayments. This responsibility continues, even after separation, if both parties are still named on the mortgage.  So, it is crucial to maintain regular payments, to avoid credit damage.

The following steps will help assess the possibility of buying out an ex-partner, or maybe securing a new mort-

gage on your own.

1. Understand your financial situation

This is crucial for any separation settlement, and involves assessing your income, assets, debts, expenses, and credit report.  Knowing your financial health is crucial, not just when applying for a mortgage, but to move forward independently.

2. Taking on the mortgage

Removing one borrower from the mortgage and the Title of a property requires a full credit assessment of the remaining borrower. This means:

• Having a sustainable income to satisfy the Central Bank of Ireland Loan to Income Criteria (3.5 times income; exceptions are permitted based on affordability)

• Debt Service Ratio needs to be within certain criteria. Any short-term lending, like a car loan, may affect this, so, if possible, it is wise to repay loans prior to assess-

ment.

• Demonstrated Repayment Ability – you must show you can repay the mortgage from your sole income, if you have not already been making the regular monthly mortgage repayments independently.  The lender needs to see that you could afford the repayments, from your own separate finances, in the 6 months preceding the application to remove the other borrower.

• Net Disposable Income: The lender needs to ensure the mortgage will not financially stress the sole applicant, on their sole income. If there are children involved in the separation, lenders factor in monthly costs of around €250 per child.  Short term debt will also decrease the assessment of net disposable income.

• Any applicant must be up to date on current mortgage payments.

• A good payment history is important. Your mortgage loan can’t have been overdue for longer than 30 days, in the previous 12

months, and you must not have been in breach of the terms and conditions of your Mortgage Loan Offer Letter over the last 12 months.

3. Consult a mortgage broker or your lender

Speak with your mortgage lender or a broker to assess your eligibility for a mortgage.  They can help you understand the loan options available, and the financial requirements for approval.  A broker will outline specific measures to secure a new or the existing mortgage, in your own name.

4. Determine the mortgage amount

Calculate how much mortgage you will need to purchase, or retain, the marital home, including what, if any, buyout is due to the borrower being removed.  Consider the associated expenses too.  You may have an option, if you are within certain criteria, to release equity in the property to ‘buy out’ an ex-partner and cover the associated expenses.

5. Prepare documents

Gather relevant financial documents, including mortgage statements, property appraisals, and loan documents.  This is essential during any divorce negotiations or proceedings.  For a new mortgage application, you need pay slips, a salary cert, tax returns, bank statements, and proof of other income sources, to streamline the application process.

6. Budget for new mortgage payments

Create a budget that includes mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs.  Ensure you can comfortably afford these expenses, while meeting your other financial obligations, particularly over the longterm.  Explore different mortgage options, including fixed-rate mortgages.  A mortgage professional will look at the pros and cons of each, to determine the best fit for your circumstances.

7. Deed of waiver

Keep your solicitor and mortgage lender informed about the progress of divorce proceedings, to ensure a smooth transition.  A deed of waiver needs to be incorporated into your divorce agreement, and the waiver document is signed by both parties when a Decree of Divorce is granted.  It confirms that you both waive your entitlement to each other’s property, into the future, and the ownership thereof, and that you consent to all future property transactions that either of you might engage in. Divorce is difficult, and mortgages are tricky to navigate at the best of times. Now, more than ever, ensuring a roof over our heads is everyone’s priority, and crucial where a family is involved.

Some advance planning and professional guidance from a broker will go a long way to, not only identify the issues with home ownership and transfer, but to help address them too.

Higher death risk if let out of ICU at night How to plan financially for a divorce

Patients may be at higher risk of dying if discharged from intensive care at night, according to new Irish research.

D o ctors in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, and University Hospital Waterford said an examination of hundreds of patients’ records showed nearly one in 10 night-time discharges died.

This compared with a death rate of 4% among patients discharged during the day. The review was carried out by doctors in the departments of anaesthesiology in b oth hospitals and involved an audit of 866 patients, 192 of whom were discharged

during the night. “Our results were consistent with previous studies which demonstrated that the timing of discharge

from the intensive care unit can affect patient safety and mortality,” it stated.

The study pointed out that discharging patients during

the night may pose unique challenges and risks due to factors such as reduced staffing, diminished resources and potential dis-

ruptions to the patient’s circadian rhythm.

Night-time discharge was categorised as happening between 10pm and 7am.

Patients transferred to other hospitals were excluded, according to the research in the Irish Medical Journal.

The predicted mortality for daytime was 19.9% and 20.3% for night-time on admission to intensive care.

Around 6.9% of all the patients discharged required re admission to intensive care – 60 out of 866 – with no significant difference observed in both groups.

The res earchers said: “It is essential to acknowledge the complexity of patient

care transitions and the potential challenges posed by night-time discharge.

“Factors such as reduced staffing levels and resource availability during nighttime hours may contribute to the observed differences in mortality rates.

“While our study did not identify significant differences in patient characteristics between the two groups, other measured variables, such as the availability of experienced staff and the timing of c linical interventions post-discharge, could play a role in the incre ased mortality associated with night-time discharge.”

Stamp of approval for Kilkenny postcards at Ryans

On Culture night in Kilkenny city, Ryan’s on Friary Street will host Deltiology. A body would be forgiven for assuming that this is another band in the long list of wonderful bands hosted by proprietor Arthur Drohan in Kilkenny’s number one music venue.

Deltiology is from Greek meaning "writing tablet, letter"; and is the study and collection of postcards. The word originated in 1945 from the collaboration of Professor Rendell Rhoades (1914-1976) of Ohio and colleagues at Ohio State University.

A biographical sketch of Dr.

Rhoades life by his wife Nancy, was provided to the Canadian Friends (Quaker) Historical Association in 1994.  Dr. Rhoades had responded to a contest by Editor Bob Hendricks in Post Card Collectors Magazine to create a more scholarly name for the hobby of postcard collecting. In Vol. 3, No. 1,January 1945, the headline of Post Card Collectors Magazine read: "Official P.C. Name Disclosed through Research", and continued, "Through the splendid efforts of careful research by Rendell Rhoades, the authentic and official name

of

of the Postcard Collectors has been discovered. Mr. Rhoades is a Research Associate for Ohio State University, and upon being challenged to find a name for the Postcard Collectors through several contests he identified a word from the Greek language: "deltion" meaning small illustrated tablet, or card." However, it took about twenty years for deltiology/deltiologist to first appear in a dictionary. And so it is, that Deltiology makes its way to Ryan’s pub on Friary Street on September 20th thanks to a lifetime collection of postcards by Eamon O’Toole and curated by his son Paul.

In today's world of instant communication, texting, email and the web it is possible and probable that the postcard as a means of communication is overlooked. But in its inception and its use in the latter part of the nineteenth century and throughout the twentieth, the postcard represented an important step forward in world communication.

The honour of 'inventing' the postcard has been claimed by many people, but social historians agree that the idea of 'postal cards' originated separately and almost simultaneously with two Germans, Heinrich Von Stephen in 1865 and Dr Emanuel Herman in 1869. As a result of their ideas the first postcard was issued by the Austrian postal authorities on 1 October 1869; to be followed one year later by the British government, who introduced through the Post Office its own official postcard, a thin buff coloured piece of cardboard with an imprinted halfpenny stamp, which sold for one halfpenny.

Cheap advertising

The utility of the postcard was quickly grasped by the business and commercial world, who saw in it a cheaper way than hitherto of advertising, invoicing and acknowledging receipt or payment for goods. Its popularity was boosted by contemporary social and technological advances in the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early years of

the twentieth. The Education Acts of 1870, 1889, 1891, 1902 and 1906 produced a literate population at the same time that printing techniques allowed for high quality representation of famous places, people and events. The immediate and widespread response to the postcard resulted, inter alia, in a short but hard fought struggle to have the Post Office's postcard monopoly broken. Strength of opinion was such that from 1872 onwards printers and publishers could now print their own postcards, subject to certain restrictions imposed by De La Rue and Co., official printers to the Post Office. These commercially printed postcards had to resemble in size the official postcard but were to be made of a whiter cardboard and could not bear the royal arms. One side was to be given over completely to the address of the recipient, and no message was to be written on this side. Initially, these cards had to be sent to the Inland Revenue Department to be franked; later, in strict accordance with government regulations, the

printer could send batches of postcards to the department to be franked before they were delivered to his customers. Not until 1894 did the privilege of affixing an adhesive stamp to one's own postcard devolve to the general public. By that time the postcard had developed from a plain buff coloured piece of cardboard to a minor art form; for now postcard publishers were beginning to print view cards. The era of the picture postcard had arrived.

To Ryan’s with love On Culture night in Ryan’s, there will be a chance to see a rare collection of over 150 postcards, dating as far back as the 1890’s. The front and back of these postcards will be on display with unique stamps and postmarks, along with people’s stories and images of Kilkenny city and county. This collection was lovingly put together over the period of Paul O’Toole’s late father, Eamon O’Toole’s life. He travelled Ireland and collected postcards from various sales, fairs and car boot sales. The exhibition is curated by Paul O’Toole.

An old Irish postcard featuring cabbage vendors

A view

Kilkenny’s High Street which will be on display at Ryans on Culture night

Opinion

Why for some a winter of discontent is coming Your Money & You

The European Central Bank (ECB) has once again lowered interest rates, cutting them by a quarter of a percentage point for the second time this year which will have an immediate impact on both borrowers and savers across Ireland. As the ECB tries to take a balanced view between controlling inflation and encouraging economic growth, the implications of these cuts “reveal a complex economic landscape that cannot be ignored”. Unfortunately, the immediate reaction may be positive for many, but the long-term consequences are far from beneficial.

For mortgage holders, especially those on tracker rates, the news comes as a welcome relief as the cut will reduce monthly repayments. For example, someone with €200,000 remaining on their mortgage could see their monthly repayments reduce by approximately €25 and, with further reductions due

John Ellis

in December, borrowers can expect added savings before the year ends.

In fact, the ECB is expected to introduce a further technical adjustment later this month, reducing the spread between its refinancing rate and deposit rate by 0.35% which will directly affect tracker mortgage holders. In addition, variable and fixed-rate mortgage holders are likely to benefit, whenever the banks consider it fit to follow the ECB’s lead by cutting their own rates in the coming weeks.

Pity the savers though. As with every economic policy there are winners and losers, savers will face a quite different reality. Many who rely on interest from savings are watching their returns dwindle. Already, N26, the German online bank, has lowered rates by as much as 1.1% with more reductions to follow. Though competition for deposits among banks could prevent a total collapse

in savings rates, savers must act quickly if they want to secure the higher rates while they are still available.

Beyond the world of mortgages and savings accounts, Irish consumers continue to grapple with the persistent cost of living pressures, despite recent dips in inflation. Although inflation has finally fallen below 2% for the

first time in over three years, prices are still high, and families are still feeling the effects of years of soaring costs.

With winter approaching, the rising cost of energy is particularly concerning even though some suppliers have recently reduced their prices, the Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy for example is set to increase from October 1,

adding another €42.25 annually to electricity bills.

Adding to these burdens is the Government’s decision to raise the carbon tax on petrol and diesel starting October 9. This increase will hit consumers hard at the pump, further straining household budgets. The government has hinted at extending the reduced VAT rate for gas and

electricity in the upcoming budget, but it will do little to ease the broader pressure of rising energy costs. The current 23% VAT rate on everyday goods and services, such as car tyres, continues to weigh heavily on consumers.

While the ECB’s interest rate cuts provide immediate relief to borrowers, the wider impact on savers and the ongoing pressure of living costs cannot be overlooked. The upcoming Budget will need to focus on easing these burdens if real progress is to be made. Interest rate cuts may offer short-term gains, but without meaningful government intervention households will continue to struggle under the weight of runaway prices.

A review of high VAT rates is long overdue, and without significant reform, the costof-living crisis will persist.

john@ellisfinancial.ie 086 8362633

Experience the chilling tale of Ireland's first witchcraft trial at ‘Kilkenny's Toil And Trouble’ Festival

Kilkenny County Council is thrilled to unveil the launch of Kilkenny's newest festival entitled "KILKENNY'S TOIL AND TROUBLE –

Climate Change

– are we all playing our part?

Discover the spells cast on society during the Kilkenny Witch Trials." Taking place from 28th October to 3rd November, 2024, this exciting event invites visitors to step back in time to 1324 and uncover the chilling tale of Ireland's

first Witchcraft Trial.

Delve into the powerful story of Alice Kyteler, a wealthy woman accused of witchcraft and heresy by the Bishop of Ossory, Richard Ledrede. Explore the tragic fate of Petronella de Meath, the first person

in Ireland to be executed for witchcraft. By marking the 700th anniversary of these dark events, those attending the festival will dive into the societal fears, power struggles, and personal stories that shaped this infamous trial. This festival offers a perfect balance of historical education and entertainment, with engaging activities for the whole family. The launch will also feature the unveiling of the festival's website featuring images designed by the world renowned and award-winning Cartoon Saloon based in Kilkenny, where visitors can find information on all the events leading up to, during, and after the festival.

Deputy Mayor of Kilkenny Municipal District, Cllr. Joe Malone, commented: “I am looking forward to the launch of this intriguing festival and hope that everyone will join us here in Kilkenny as we commemorate this significant chapter in Kilkenny's history and immerse ourselves in the spells cast on society during the Kilkenny Witch Trials at ‘KILKENNY'S TOIL AND TROUBLE’ festival".

Details of events taking place can be accessed on the Festival website at https://kilkenny.ie

Meditation on Twin Hearts

The Meditation on Twin Hearts was created by Master Choa Kok Sui, Modern Founder of Pranic Healing and Arhatic Yoga, to help flush out negative thoughts and emotions from our mind. It is practiced in 126 countries with testimonials of positive life transformations. Meditation on Twin Hearts is an active meditation that has been scientifically validated to:

iour and memory recall.

• increase mental clarity and concentration.

• substantially reduce stress and anxiety

• increase cognitive behav-

• improve overall physical and emotional wellbeing. By regular practice of this meditation one can achieve inner peace and stillness in less than 30 minutes. Organisations, including hospitals, are now doing the Meditation on Twin Hearts as a part of their wellbeing programs for staff.

We currently offer meditations sessions all around the

Ireland in any one month. These are open to the public on a donation basis to MCKS Charity Ireland MCKS Charity Ireland donated over €87,000 to local Charities around the country, the Mission of the Charity is to” help alleviate suffering by empowering people with self-development tools through support, educational programmes, and charitable services to create healthy and resilient communities. Our aim is to provide caring and compassionate services to all regardless of cultural or religious background, utilising universal spiritual principles.

Photographs by Dylan Vaughan

PHOTO: Greg Rakozy / Unsplash

Here in our Universe as we know it, once an outcome has occurred, there’s no going back. Once you open a bag of crisps, you can never return that bag to its unopened state; the air molecules from inside and outside have already mixed with one another, even if you reseal it. Once you cut down a tree, you can never return the tree to the state it was in prior to you cutting it down. Even on a quantum level, once you measure a particle’s spin, you can never return it to its pre-measurement state. We have only the one Universe that we inhabit, and while future events do not yet have determinate outcomes, past events all do.

But what if there were copies of our Universe out there, far beyond the limits of what’s observable or measurable, that were identical to our own? Would it be possible for different outcomes to have occurred in those Universes, and what would that mean for a variety of systems: quantum particles, trees and potato chip bags, or even entire human beings?

That’s what Danny Porter wants to know, writing in to BigThinks to ask: “If the universe is infinite, and string theory suggests that strings can only vibrate in a finite number of ways to form particles, is it possible that a version of me could exist somewhere else in the universe? If another version of myself were to exist in a region of the universe with different physical constants, such as a significantly altered gravitational constant, how might such variations affect my physical appearance or biological structure?”

These are two very big ideas and concepts, and certainly worth investigating. In order to answer them, we’re first going to have to unpack what: The way to do that is to first understand what the whole notion of the multiverse is, and to recognise that when scientists talk about it, there

Is there another you out there... somewhere?

are actually two different meanings for it. First, there’s the quantum multiverse. It comes from the notion that every time two particles interact with one another, there isn’t a definitive outcome that absolutely must occur, but rather an array of possibilities that could occur. Sometimes these possibilities are discrete: an electron can be “spin up” or “spin down” when you measure it, and as long as its spin remains unmeasured, it can exist as a combination of both states at once.

Other times, the possibilities are continuous: an electron and positron, when they interact, will annihilate into two photons, each with 511 keV of energy. But those two photons, although they’ll always travel in opposite directions from one another (in order to conserve linear momentum), have no restriction on the orientation of each individual photon. They could travel in the x-direction, the y- direction, the z-direction, or any combination of the three. In quantum mechanics, we typically describe this behav-

iour probabilistically: through a wave equation. Instead of particles having definite properties (like “position”) that can be known at every step along the way — what we’re used to from a classical, deterministic view of reality — we instead can recognise that particles exist in what we call a “superposition of states,” where each possibility for its value is weighted by the probability of it having that value at that moment.

These entities propagate like waves, where they do not take on a definitive value

while they’re non-interacting. However, when we do make a measurement (or force an interaction), we then instantly determine that value, and only one such possibility is realised by that measurement (or interaction).

The big idea of the quantum multiverse is that instead of the above picture, which aligns with the standard Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics, you can instead consider an interpretation where what we observe as occurring in our Universe as a “measurement” with a

specific “outcome” instead is just one possible realisation of all possible outcomes. Those outcomes might well all occur, just in other universes from our own. Mathematically, those universes fit into a mathematical structure known as a Hilbert space. But if we want to consider a quantum multiverse, we might imagine that, somewhere far beyond our own observable Universe’s boundaries, what we might call those other “parallel universes” do indeed exist, where all of the other possible outcomes have occurred as well.

That “quantum multiverse” is one notion of what a multiverse can be. But there is another, and that comes to us from the world of inflationary cosmology.

According to the theory of cosmic inflation, prior to the Big Bang, space wasn’t filled with particles of matter and radiation, but was rather empty, save for energy that was inherent to space itself: field energy that was inextricable from the very fabric of space. Under those conditions, space expanded at what we call an exponential rate: where after a certain brief amount of time, all three dimensions double in extent, and then when that same amount of time elapses again, the scale of space has doubled yet again, and so on and so on. This can take even a minuscule region of space, initially, and “inflate” it to gargantuan proportions. When inflation ends in a specific region of space, that energy that was inherent to space gets converted into matter and radiation, and that signals the onset of a hot Big Bang. The theory of cosmic inflation thus provides us with an “inflationary multiverse,” or a second type of multiverse. Although the quantum multiverse had been around in some form or another since 1957 and was greatly popularised in the 1970s, it was only with the notion of cosmic inflation that these so-called parallel universes finally had a potential place to live.

The benefits of sleeping on your left side

When it comes to your health, different sleeping positions could lead to different results in the body, for good and bad. In general, people should sleep however they find themselves most comfortable. Still, if they are experiencing symptoms like back pain, jaw pain, poor digestion, and more, they may want to consider changing their bed positioning. To be more specific, they may want to consider sleeping on their left side.

Sleeping on the stomach could pressure the spine and cause aching. Side sleeping keeps the spine in

a naturally straight position and reduces the pressure in the lower back.

Sleeping on the back causes the tongue and soft palate to slide backward and partially cover the airway, causing increased snoring. It’s also a common occurrence for people with sleep apnea. But side-sleeping keeps the tongue forward and the airway clear. Sleeping on the left side, in particular, could ease some gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating, constipation, and heartburn. The stomach is on the left side of the body, so lying on that side allows

gravity to aid the digestion process.

It may also help with brain health. Many people are unaware that the brain eliminates waste during slumber. Studies indicate that side sleeping helps the brain clear metabolic waste more effectively by supporting the glymphatic system, which is similar to our lymphatic system, but in our central nervous system. This may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s Parkinson’s, and other brain diseases, according to animal studies. More research is needed on humans to expand on these concepts further.

Good circulation is crucial during pregnancy to allow blood to flow to the placenta. This is why it’s recommended that expecting women sleep in this position.

Find a pillow well-suited to your collarbone structure. Ensure the pillow is firm enough to support the neck. Mattresses must often be softer to prevent pressure from building in the shoulders and hips. Use pillows as barriers and supports Put a pillow between your knees to support your hips and lower back

You can also hug a pillow

to comfortably rest your upper arm.

Invest in body pillows to maintain your position. Although this left position could provide many benefits, it’s not for everyone, especially those who use mattresses and pillows that make side sleeping uncomfortable.

Side sleeping on too-firm mattresses could increase pressure on the shoulders, hips, and knees. However, too-soft mattresses could cause the spine to go out of alignment and also cause pain.

People with sinus congestion and glaucoma may ex-

perience painful or uncomfortable pressure in their faces when they lie on their sides. Additionally, it could worsen a tight or stiff jaw. Ultimately, people should sleep in any way they feel most comfortable. But it’s important to consider how your sleep position could affect your body, for better or worse. You could also begin your nights on your left side and allow your body to assume whatever position it prefers. Also, sleeping on the right side also comes with benefits, so don’t stress about trying to retrain yourself if it’s not coming easily.

Travel & Leisure

Seven beaches with the bluest waters

Kassiopi, located about an hour away from Corfu Town, is a charming fishing village. It is home to the third bluest water in the world. You can reach Kassiopi easily by bus or car to visit its stunning beaches, including Kanoni Beach, Bataria Beach, and Kalamonias Beach.

You can also explore Kassiopi Castle, a Byzantineperiod fortress that offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. Another must-visit is the Church of Panagia Kassopitra, a pilgrimage site for locals and tourists.

Pasqyra Beach, Albania

The bluest water in the world can be found in Pasyqra Beach in Albania. True to its name, ‘Mirror Beach’,the crystal-clear waters reflect the

sun like a mirror. The beach is just about 30 minutes from the city of Sarandë and can be accessed by bus, taxi, or rental car.

Pasqyra Beach is an ideal spot for snorkelling, diving, or even booking a boat ride to explore the surrounding waters and rock formations. To cap off your day, you can grab fresh seafood at the nearby restaurants and cafes. Soak in history by visiting the nearby ruins of Lëkurësi Castle, and enjoy panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea by Sarandë Lighthouse.

Paralia Mpoukas, Greece

Paralia Mpoukas, the second bluest water in the world, is just 10 minutes away from the town of Messini. You can relax and soak up the sun along its sands and shallow

waters. Tourists can borrow umbrellas and loungers, too, and there are restaurants and bars where they can grab some food and drink. If you’re a history buff, you might want to drop by the ruins of Ancient Messini to glimpse Greece’s rich culture.

Plage de la Vernette, France

Up next of the bluest waters in the world is Plage de la Vernette, which is in La Seyne-sur-Mer, France. This beach, just about an hour away from Toulon Hyeres Airport, is well-equipped with various amenities, including lifeguards on duty and showers. However, you might want to leave your furry friends behind, as pets aren’t allowed.

Plage de la Vernette is a

popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and engaging in beach sports like frisbee and volleyball. Make sure to visit Balaguier Fort, a 17th century fort that once protected the Toulon Harbour; if you’re in the mood for some adventure, embark on a trek to Cap Sicié Natural Park, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Kaputas Beach, Turkey Ranking fifth among the bluest waters in the world is Kaputas Beach, which was also ranked 46th in 2023’s list of 50 Best Beaches in the World. The beach is just 10 minutes away from Kalkan and can be accessed by shuttle or rental car.

Kaputas Beach is renowned for its golden sand and refreshingly cool waters,

which are fed by spring water coming down from the mountains. Make your trip memorable by booking a boat tour and exploring the nearby Blue Cave, which was once a haven for pirates.

Voulisma Beach, Greece

Also known as Golden Beach, Voulisma Beach in Crete is around 20 minutes away from Agios Nikolaos via rental car, bus, or taxi. Known for its calm, shallow waters and long stretch of golden sand, Golden Beach is a popular destination for relaxation and water activities like swimming, snorkelling, kite surfing, and paddle-boarding.

Nearby facilities offer rental equipment like loungers and umbrellas, while several restaurants provide great food and drinks. If you have

the time, you can drop by the Azorias Settlement, an ancient settlement home to the oldest olive tree in the world. For an outdoor adventure, take a 6-mile trek to the Richtis Gorge Waterfall.

Foki Beach, Greece Named after the seals that call the beach home (fokia in Greek), Foki Beach is also home to the seventh bluest waters in the world. The beach, which is perfect for swimming and snorkelling, is only five minutes away from the village of Fiscardo. For more adventure, there are also nearby caves and coves waiting to be explored. You can also hike the trail to Friskado’s old Venetian lighthouse and enjoy a scenic view of the channel between Kefalonia and Ithaca.

Back to square one with 100ml liquid ban

Including Dublin Airport, airports across the European Union have abruptly reinstated the 100ml liquid restriction for carry-on luggage. This sudden reversal, effective since September 1, has caught many flyers off guard and marks a significant setback in the EU’s efforts to streamline airport security procedures.

Cutting-edge CT scanners, part of a broader initiative to modernise airport security, had allowed these forward-thinking hubs to ease the long-standing 100ml limit.

Travellers through airports in cities like Rome, Amsterdam, and Dublin had begun to enjoy the luxury of packing full-sized toiletries

and bringing home bottles of local wine or olive oil in their hand luggage.

Several EU member states had been at the forefront of this security move:

1. Italy (Rome Fiumicino Airport)

2. The Netherlands (Amsterdam Schiphol Airport)

3. Ireland (Dublin Airport)

4. Germany (Frankfurt Airport)

5. Spain (Madrid-Barajas Airport)

These countries, among others, had invested heavily in advanced scanning technology, earning them the ability to relax liquid restrictions. Passengers moving through these hubs experienced a brief period of simplified security checks

and more spacious carry-on bags.

Just as European flyers were adapting to this new era of convenience, the aviation industry hit an unanticipated snag. Citing “temporary technical issues” with the new security scanners, the European Commission has mandated a return to the familiar 100ml limit across all EU airports, including those that had previously moved beyond it.

This reversal isn’t limited to a few member states but represents a co-ordinated move across the entire European Union. The European Commission’s decision suggests a broader concern about the reliability of the new scanning

technology and underscores the EU’s commitment to maintaining consistent security standards across its borders.

For travellers within and to the EU who had grown accustomed to the relaxed rules, this sudden change presents a range of challenges: unexpected repacking at security checkpoints; potential forfeiture of recently purchased duty-free items; increased stress and longer wait times at security; and the need to familiarise with the old liquid rules, especially for frequent flyers.

Here are some tips to help smooth your journey through EU airports:

1. Double-check your liquids: Before heading to

any EU airport, ensure all liquids in your carry-on are 100ml or less.

2. Invest in travel-sized containers: Transfer your favourite products into smaller, security-friendly bottles.

3. Utilise checked baggage: If you need larger liquid items, pack them in your hold luggage.

4. Arrive early: Allow extra time for potential security delays and last-minute adjustments, especially at major EU hubs.

5. Stay informed: Check your departure and arrival airports’ websites for the most up-to-date security information, as implementation may vary slightly between EU member states.

Opinion

Furthermore Gerry Moran

Sick-days, egg-flips ... and the Reader’s Digest

I loved being sick when I was young, when I was maybe 12 and in 6th class in Primary School. And I loved being sick for three reasons: one, I didn’t have to go to school and school was tough. We had a Brother Grennan, known as ‘Jack’ because of his resemblance to the actor Jack Palance who was a tall, fierce-looking man. ‘Jack’ Grennan was equally as tall and as fierce, more fierce when he was wielding the leather, a constant occurrence (and you’ll understand that I wasn’t always as sick as I made myself out to be),

Another reason why I liked being sick was because of the attention I got from my mother. The youngest of five the love was spread equally around but when confined to the sick bed you definitely got a lot more TLC. Egg-flips (a whipped raw egg in hot milk), beans on toast, scrambled eggs, bowls of chicken soup,

mugs of sweet, hot tea were the staple diet. Comfort food at its best. Comfort food that I still resort to (except for the egg-flips. Yuch).

The third reason why I liked being sick was because of the Reader’s Digest! On a bookshelf in the bedroom that I shared with my brother John (nine years older than me) was a row of Reader’s Digests and I liked nothing better while lolling in my sick bed than to browse through those periodicals. Indeed I’d say that I learned

those Reader’s Digests as I did at school. I learned about famous people in articles entitled: My Most Unforgettable

Character, I learned about the human body in such articles as I Am John‘s Heart, I am John’s Liver etc. And I got a giggle, or two, out of: Laughter The Best Medicine. I even developed my vocabulary as I struggled with It Pays to Increase Your Word Power. .

And so, dear readers, you will understand my affection for the Reader’s Digest. Indeed, all of our family dipped into its pages; furthermore, my oldest sister Frances, as a Christmas present, always got me a subscription to the Digest until it discontinued Irish subscriptions and I had the monthly copy put aside in the Book Centre.

And it was in a copy of the Digest, some while back, that I saw they had a Poetry Page and were seeking submissions. I duly submitted a poem and was delighted to receive a reply that the Digest would publish my poem in the June

2024 issue and would pay £30. I was delighted: delighted above all because of my ‘emotional attachment’, so to speak, to the Digest.

And so I waited patiently for the June issue of the Digest to appear in the Book Centre. June came and went and I duly asked the ever helpful Debbie about the delay. Debbie graciously googled and informed me that after 86 years (the first UK edition came out in 1938, the first American edition, where it originated, was in 1922) the Reader’s Digest had ceased publication! I could not believe it. I was shocked.

Three months on and I am still in a state of disbelief. My favourite periodical, the periodical I grew up with, that educated me – gone to the wall. And my poem gone with it! I may well need therapy to get over this.

In the meantime, here’s that poem which, like the Reader’s Digest, I have a

huge ‘emotional attachment’ to, a framed copy of which graces the sitting room wall of my son‘s home in Wales, while another copy hangs in my youngest son’s apartment in Berlin.

Lunch with my sons Students, the two of them Pale-faced, dishevelled Living on take-aways Tinned beans And God knows What junk.

But not today. Today in a plush hotel We plunder the carvery: Slabs of rare roast beef Mounds of carrots Mountains of spuds And some coleslaw Just for good measure. We chew and chaw Munch and crunch Gulp minerals and beer We don’t say much Say little at all. Perfect.

New director Rafter has major plans for Kilkenny choir

The Kilkenny Choir has appointed a new Music Director, Kilkenny native, Patrick Rafter.

Patrick is regarded as one of Ireland’s most outstanding musicians, international award-winning violinist and conductor and has toured Europe, the Middle East, South America and Asia as a soloist, director, conductor, and recitalist.

During his career, Patrick has studied with, and performed alongside some of the most outstanding performers in the world today, including Maxim Vengerov, Schlomo Mintz, Barry Douglas and John O’Connor. He has conducted many orchestras throughout Europe.

Patrick has also conducted some of Ireland’s leading choirs including Chamber Choir Ireland and the UCD Philharmonic choir. He was awarded the conducting fellow at UCD Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonic Choir.

The Kilkenny Choir returned on Wednesday 11th September. Rehearsals are held every Wednesday in the Presentation Primary School, Parnell Street, 19 30 – 21 30.

The Choir members are very much looking forward to the

new season under the baton of their new Director, Patrick. New members are always welcome. Just come along to our ‘Open Evening’ on Wednesday 25th September. You do not have to sing, but

can listen or join in as you wish. You will get a feel for what it is like to be part of a choral choir and we will chat to you during the tea-break and answer any questions you have.

Cllr Doheny welcomes new housing development in Callan

Cllr Stephanie Doheny has today welcomed the announcement that 19 new two story houses will be built in Friary Walk, Callan. Speaking following confirmation of this new development, Cllr Doheny said: “I know better than anyone the struggle it is to find housing in Kilkenny due to the absolute failure of successive Fianna Fail and Fine Gael government housing policy.

“I am really pleased to see this development will now go ahead and provide much needed homes for people in the Callan area. “It’s great to see developments like these ones

in Friary Walk getting the green light, I hope the council will consider purchasing some of these houses to alleviate the significant housing list in Kilkenny and I will be bringing this up.

“Recently my colleague in Dail Eireann, Eoin O’Broin released the a radical re-think of housing in this State, Eoin’s plan ‘would make homes affordable and bring home ownership back into the reach of working people, and that it is comprehensive, fully costed and ready to go from day one in government’.

Electrocity announces total store upgrade and substantial expansion, almost doubling store footage and enhancing the retail experience

Never one to sit idle, and on the heels of winning best technology website of the year, Electro City are now significantly expanding their Kilkenny store to provide customers with a premium shopping experience.

ElectroCity, one of Ireland's leading electrical and home appliance retailers, has started a massive project to expand its store at Ormonde Business Park, Dublin Road, Kilkenny. The store is currently undergoing a significant upgrade and expansion, bringing its total retail capacity to an impressive 10,000 square feet, further cementing its place as a premier shopping destination for electronics and kitchen appliances in the southeast region.

This substantial expansion has been driven by a commitment to offering customers an enhanced shopping experience, and will offer an extensive selection of products, and improved layout,. The newly designed store will now feature a broader range of the latest in-home appliances, consumer electronics, and cutting-edge technology, all showcased in a modern, spacious setting that will make shopping a pleasure

Key Features of the New Store Upgrade:

• Expanded Retail Space: The store's expansion to 10,000 square feet allows for a larger product range, including the latest in smart home devices,

at Ormonde Business Park, Kilkenny

high-end kitchen appliances, TV entertainment systems, and more. Get to visualize how your new kitchen appliances or entertainment products will look by seeing them first hand in-store.

• Dynamic Customer Experience: A redesigned layout ensures ease of navigation and a more comfortable shopping environment. The new store includes dedicated zones for specific product categories, allowing customers to find what they need more easily.

• Interactive Displays and Demo Areas: Customers can now experience products first-hand through interactive displays and demo areas, making it easier to choose the perfect appliance or gadget for their needs. Plus there will be even more to choose from and for all budgets.

• Sustainability Focus: As part of our commitment to sustainability, the store has also incorporated energyefficient lighting and ecofriendly materials in its design, reducing our carbon footprint while enhancing the shopping environment.

Speaking about the expansion, Bill Hackett, MD of ElectroCity, said, "We are thrilled to announce our newly upgraded and expanded store in Kilkenny. This investment reflects our

dedication to providing our customers with the best possible shopping experience, and we are excited to provide the widest range of products and expert advice in a modern and comfortable setting. We are incredibly proud of our team hear at Electrocity and the hard work and effort they have made to bring the newly expanded and upgraded store to life. The investment highlights our ongoing commitment to providing an exceptional shopping experience for our customers. At ElectroCity, we believe in combining topnotch customer service with unbeatable prices, and this expansion allows us to do just that on a larger scale. Our ‘Never Beaten on Price’ guarantee is our promise that customers will always get the best value when shopping with us. We look forward in the coming weeks to welcoming our loyal customers to visit and explore the new store in Kilkenny, where they will be amazed at the store changes and excited to find the latest innovations in home appliances and electronics. The Electrocity store at Ormonde Business Park, Dublin Road, Kilkenny, is open seven days a week, with ample free parking available for a convenient shopping experience. For more information, visit our award winning website electrocity.ie or call 056 7751717.

How the greeting card still says it all ... The Last Word

I am sure that our family was no different to any other family when it came to the sound of post dropped to the hall floor. There was a mad dash to pick it up and bring it to Mam. In later years, watching rugby I remembered those hallway tussles. Anyway Mam, having got the post examined them and normally put them, unopened, on the top shelf of the dresser. However, on occasions she would pick one out and smile. In later years we got to know these letters were from her sister, our Auntie Eileen.

Inside there was a card with lovely flowers printed on it and enclosed was a letter. Auntie Eileen’s handwriting was impeccable as is her daughter’s handwriting today.

In an age where digital communication reigns supreme, the humble greeting card continues to hold a special place in people’s hearts. These tangible tokens of affection have a rich history, dating back

Pat Coughlan

to ancient China and Egypt, where messages of goodwill were exchanged on papyrus and silk. Despite the convenience of emails and text messages, greeting cards remain cherished for their ability to convey heartfelt sentiments in a way that digital mediums often fail to capture.

The tactile nature of a card, the weight of the paper, and the personal touch of a handwritten note bridge the gap between past and present, evoking a sense of nostalgia and genuine connection.

For example, in Ireland, the practice of sending St Patrick’s Day cards is a cherished tradition, where cards adorned with shamrocks and heartfelt messages are exchanged to celebrate the nation’s patron saint. Similarly, receiving a birthday card in the mail from a family member can create a moment of joy and surprise that a simple ‘Happy Birthday!’ text message may not replicate. It is this enduring

appeal that keeps the tradition of sending greeting cards alive, even in our fast-paced, digital world. There is something profoundly intimate about receiving a handwritten note.

As Dwane in Murder In Para-

Lotto winner presentation

Well done Dave Little who became the latest winner of the Lotto Jackpot at Dicksboro G.A.A and Camogie Club taking home a substantial amount after his number selection matched those drawn at the Clubs Lotto draw on September the 5th. Development Lotto Committee members presented Dave with his winnings at a function in

the Dicksboro Clubhouse in Palmerstown. Dave was delighted with his win and was proud of the fact that his family have close connections to Dicksboro with his grandfather having previously served as Secretary of our Club in the early part of the 1900’s.

Congrats Dave and thanks for supporting the club. All in Dicksboro really appreciate

the continued weekly support from all our Lotto players and sellers which has helped the club enormously over the past 24 years. Funds raised through the club lotto go towards the continual development of the facilities which are of huge benefit to all members.

The winning ticket was sold by Tommy Hackett of Hackett's Bar.

dise says: “It’s the complete package.” The curves and lines of each letter, the slight imperfections, and the unique style of the sender’s handwriting all combine to create a tangible connection that digital messages simply cannot replicate.

When one sees the familiar script of a loved one, it evokes a sense of closeness and warmth, as if the sender is right there beside them.

Historically, this significance can be seen in the letters written during World War II. Soldiers frequently communicated with their family through handwritten correspondence, which became cherished keepsakes. These letters conveyed not just news and updates, but also deep emotions and reassurances during uncertain times.

Greeting cards have a unique ability to create lasting memories, serving as tangible mementos that can be kept and cherished for years. When one receives a card, it transforms a simple occasion into a special moment, brightening the entire day. The joy of rediscovering an old card tucked away in a drawer or a box is unparalleled. It brings back treasured memories, evoking the emotions felt at

the time of receiving it. Each card tells a story, capturing a snapshot of a particular moment in time. For instance, during the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland, many leaders of the rebellion wrote poignant notes to their loved ones as they faced imminent danger including their own execution.

Cards can be of many types. There are the ones you buy in the newsagents or supermarket or indeed the religious ones for all occasions that you can get from the Capuchin Friary in Kilkenny. Then there are the cards, crafted with care, that support local artisans and carries the weight of true emotion.

In a world dominated by fleeting digital messages, the joy and emotional resonance of receiving a handwritten card in the post remain unparalleled. Greeting cards will always matter, preserving the essence of human connection and heartfelt expression.

Motion passed unanimously Time for action on veterinary courses for SETU

Speech by Cllr. Seán Ó hArgáin, supporting motion at Kilkenny County Council Meeting 16/09/24

A chathoirligh,  Tá áthas orm tacú leis an rún seo chun cúrsaí tréadlaíochta agus poitigéireachta a lorg mar chuid d’Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta an Oirdheiscirt. Tá gear-gá lena leithéid d’ár ndaoine óga agus foghlaimeoirí eile.

I am delighted to support this motion to today’s meeting, supporting the proposals from the South East Technical University to secure Veterinary and Pharmacy courses for our regional university.

We do so particularly to support the ongoing expansion and innovation of the Kildalton College campus of the University. The quality of education in Ireland’s largest agricultural college is unquestioned and we believe strongly that the provision of veterinary courses in this setting would be hugely appropriate.

Kildalton’s focus on animal husbandry and care makes it uniquely suitable for such courses. Providing such courses in a university with

urban settings in Waterford and Carlow, but also with a firmly rural campus in the south of our county, would be a game changer, not just for our county and region, but I would also suggest for students and the profession they hope to enter.

We would urge Minister for Higher Education, Patrick O’ Donovan, to move to a speedy decision on this matter and to ensure that SETU receives clearance to proceed with these appropriate and badly-needed courses, particularly in the light of major personnel shortages in these areas.

Finally, we must also reiterate this council’s demands for the longpromised presence of a campus of the University in Kilkenny City. We recognise that Kildalton is an important part of the University’s structure, but the overwhelming support of our county and borough councils for the

University’s creation, was based on a clear understanding and undertaking that we would join Carlow, Waterford and Wexford as county towns with a real and substantial campus of our regional university. We call on the University’s Governing Body and on the Minister to ensure this

Photographed at the presentation of the Dicksboro GAA & Camogie Club's Lotto jackpot winner's cheque to Dave Little in the clubhouse at Palmerstown were Club officers and Lotto committee members.  L-R Tommy Hackett of Hackett's Bar, James's Green and Irishtown (seller of winning lotto ticket), Tom Beirne, Seamus Rochford (Club Chairman), Jim Murphy (Club Vice-Chairman), Dave Little (lotto winner), Jason Dempsey (Club Treasurer) and Declan Gough

Urlingford: Riding the wave

Written by Michael Doyle

Urlingford is a small, unique town situated in the northwest of County Kilkenny, along the border of County Tipperary. It has a population of 1,196 people, according to the 2022 Census. Located 125km west from Dublin and 129km from Cork, Urlingford is a popular rest point for people travelling between the two main cities of Ireland, while it is also an hour away from Limerick.

Urlingford is a place where locals, tourists, and passers-by can experience a town that continues to grow in its development and infrastructure, streets filled with history and a distinctive character reflected in its sense of community. As examples of the growth of Urlingford, here’s a look at the

recent infrastructural developments and additions within the town.

Urlingford Fire Station:

On the 29th of May 2024, the

new fire station for Urlingford was officially opened to the public. Minister Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage led the unveiling. The new facility features a two-bay station with a training yard and staff facilities, with a drill tower, an underground water tank, and breathing apparatus compressor room installed for specific training purposes.

Urlingford Community Centre:

The Urlingford Community Centre, which has stood

as early as the 1700s, is currently going through a refurbishment project, which has been set up by the Urlingford Town Team. Much work has been completed to restore the old parochial hall to its former glory. In the First Phase of the project, the installation of new doubleglazed windows and doors, a new roof, and gutters have been successful, amongst other things.

Phase Two received a significant boost when in late April 2024, it was announced by Minister Heather Hum-

Urlingford Fire Station

Exit 4 Urlingford interior

wave of growth

phreys, Minister for Rural and Community Development and Minister for Social Protection, that funding of up to €500,000 was allocated for the refurbishment of the building, as part of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Work on Phase Two features the installation of fire and life safety systems and upgrade of existing sanitary facilities.

Exit 4 Urlingford:

On the 24th of April 2024,

Minister Heather Humphreys was present to unveil Exit 4 Urlingford, the new remote working hub based in Urlingford. Formerly the Bank of Ireland branch office, it is located just off the M8 Dublin to Cork corridor.

Exit 4 Urlingford offers a unique space for businesses, organisations or agencies to hold conferences or training within a mid-point location.

Led by the Urlingford Town Team, it is the first fully dedicated remote working hub in rural Kilkenny. This forms part of Ireland’s National Hub Network, which aims to provide people with the opportunity to live and work locally to revive rural Ireland.

Overall, Urlingford is beaming in its development, with its improved amenities for the betterment of the community. Urlingford continues to grow as a town and as a community, with its ongoing investment from locals and organisations such as Urlingford Town Team ensuring a bright and positive future for Urlingford and its people.

Urlingford Community Hall

Kilkenny’s heritage: a treasure beyond price…

BY JOHN FITZGERALD

The city celebrates a special “birthday” this month 21 years ago, Treasures of Kilkenny saw the light of day. The stunning publication offered us a look at some of the old charters and civic records of Kilkenny City, dating back to the 13th century. The Kilkenny City Archive is

the oldest set of such records in Ireland after Dublin. Its documents chart via their studiously wrought minutiae eight centuries of urban life in Kilkenny and show how it evolved through war, famine and changing times. The book was the brainchild of then Mayor Betty Manning, who was deeply committed to preserving and promoting the city’s heritage at a time when Kilkenny was still recovering from the shock of a government bid in 2000 to downgrade its status from that

of a City to a town.

That had caused a political storm, sparking outrage and large public protests, because Kilkenny had been a city since the granting of a charter by King James 1 in 1609.

Mayor Manning’s idea of opening up the ancient city documents to the public came to fruition thanks to a very special Kilkenny man: John Bradley; a historian and archaeologist at NUI Maynooth. He had already authored scores of papers and several books, his publications including numerous studies focused on his native city and county. His book Discover Kilkenny (2000) remains one of the best guides, with its mix of tourist appeal and scholarly research. He was also a joint editor of Themes in Kilkenny History (2000). Award-winning local photographer Tom Brett would provide the pictures for the large square volume with its lusciously designed hard cover.

Treasures of Kilkenny was aptly-named because the trove of documents known as the Kilkenny City Archive has been stored at the Tholsel (City Hall) since the Middle Ages. The book deals mainly with the pre-1600 documents, with Bradley providing explanations, commentary and in many instances pain-staking translations into modern Eng-

lish, and Tom Brett adding the visually striking pictures that bring history to life. Access to the archives was all the more significant and appreciated given that they’d been kept under lock and key for so long. In the Middle Ages they were stored in a jealously guarded chest within the Tholsel. This had three locks with three keys. One key was held by the Sovereign, the second by the Alderman, and the third by the City’s Senior Sherriff.  By the 17th century the archive had been moved to a wooden cabinet in the Town Clerk’s office. In the 1800s it was stored in a fire-proof safe and to this day the documents

remain in the Town Clerk’s office.

Treasures of Kilkenny tells the whole story of the city through an impeccable presentation of the documents, each chosen snippet both shown in graphic form, compliments of Tom Brett, and thoroughly analyzed by John Bradley. The book also includes pictures of the Civic Insignia: the sword, mace, and hand-maces at City hall that have long enthralled tourists and official visitors with their glinting silver and carvings. So, a huge debt of gratitude is owed to John Bradley and Tom Brett for their collaboration on this project…the endless hours of trawling through the

archives and the photographic skills applied to make the documents visible to us all.

Sadly, John Bradley passed away in 2014 at just the age of 60- a devastating loss both to archaeology in Ireland and to Kilkenny, the city he loved and whose unique mediaeval heritage he devoted his life to promoting. His commitment to conserving the remnants of the ancient City Wall in particular was outstanding, and unmatched by any of his academic contemporaries. More recently, Tom Brett also departed this world. His work as a photographer spanned decades and his memory will live on through his thousands of pictures in books and newspaper files.

Betty Manning is still thankfully with us. She recalls with pride the arrival of Treasures of Kilkenny on book shelves and believes that it will continue to serve as a vital reference for future generations, and to take its place in the homes of Kilkenny folk here and abroad.

Though retired from politics she’s as dedicated as ever to the ideal that inspired Treasures of Kilkenny. She shares a view held by many in the city and county: that the best tribute to the memory of John Bradley would be to ensure the preservation, to its utmost, of what remains of Kilkenny’s heritage and antiquities.

Treasures of Kilkenny is 21 years old this month

Mayor Betty Manning with John Bradley preparing for the launch of Treasures of Kilkenny

An early 20th century view of High Street Kilkenny showing the historic Tholsel

Heritage week: the glue th

by Pat Shortall

The Kilkenny Arts Festival had barely pulled down the blinds on a hugely successful 2024 season, when, lo and behold, the curtain went up on Heritage week. National Heritage Week celebrates Ireland’s cultural, built and natural heritage. It brings together volunteers, community groups and heritage enthusiasts to share their experience, knowledge culture and practices.

There wasn’t a puff of wind between these two occasions and thanks be to God for that

says The Observer. Culture the Arts and more culture. Keep ‘em coming. You cannot of course go to everything, so we pinpointed three events over the first few days. On Tuesday, The Observer visited the launch of the Graham Carew mural ‘The Closh Times’. On Thursday we attended the 110th anniversary of The Battle of Mons at The Great World War One memorial at The Peace Park, and on Friday night we travelled the four kilometres south -west of the city for the launch of ‘Castleinch Kilkenny

-Connections through time’. This wonderful book records the history of Castleinch parish with an emphasis on those interred in its graveyard.

Important area

A large crowd gathered at The Closh where Commandant Larry Scallan (retired) gave a brief history of Walkin Street and the surrounding area. He described Walkin Street as a medieval Street which originally started at the junction of High Street and continued past Cootes Lane. The street has received

its name

Given that Closh stands approximately 200 yards from the old Walkin Gate which allowed people to enter the Medieval City, one can understand the importance of this area of the city which was used to buy and sell livestock and other items.

This area is dominated in all early maps by Walkins lough, a spring fed lake which spread well beyond the footprint of the Closh that we know today. It would reduce in size over the centuries especially with the building of the Jail where Fr Murphy Square is today.

Addressing the large attendance Mr Scallan had

great praise for Heritage week. “Heritage week has in the last decade allowed us all to reconnect with our common interests. Heritage is in our DNA it is the glue that brings our history to life”, said Larry.

The former army man continued “I have always considered that our heritage can be assessed as parts of our past that we inherited and that we want to pass on to future generations”.

Larry continued to say that ‘The Closh Times’ was a manifestation of this belief and he praised artist Graham Carew,

Photos

because an AngloNorman man called with a version of the name Walkin.

the Keep Kilkenny Beautiful committee and Kilkenny County Council

Birdie Hayes Was At The Launch Of The Closh Mural

Pat Boyd, Keep Kilkenny Beautiful

Paula Harte (The Kilkenny Volunteer Centre) Speaking At The Heritage Week Launch Of The Closh Mural

At The Launch Of The Closh Mural Were: Cllr David Fitzgerald, Paula Harte (The Kilkenny Volunteer Centre) Larry Scallan ( Closh Committee), Siobhan O’Brien ( ETB) Cllr Maria Dollard, Tom Mcwey ( Kilkenny Credit Union) Graham Carew (Artist)

Siobhán O’Brien ( ETB), Graham Carew (artist) and Green Party TD Malcolm Noonan

Attending The Closh Mural Launch Were: Ann Cullen, Kathleen Egan, Margaret O’ Farrell, Ben And Mick Wall.

at brings our history to life

who worked with the local Closh Committee.

As the evening developed, many stories emerged signifying the importance of the community from the founding of the city to contemporary times.

Larry recalled the various pastimes enjoyed which included pitch and toss, pitch and putt and handball. Mr Scallan regaled the attendance with stories of the Gaol break in 1921, describing it as ‘the most successful break in the war of Independence’.

One group of people who never get enough credit according to Scallan were the brave women of ‘Cuman

na Mban’ and he went on to mention some of those who played a major role in Kilkenny history including, Tessie Cullen New Street, Aggie and Charlotte Bibby, High Street, Maggie Hayden

Reflection

Cllr Marie Dullard, chair of Keep Kilkenny Beautiful, told The Observer,"Keep Kilkenny Beautiful has been working for the past few years, with the Closh Committee members to develop a garden area to commemorate the Decade of Centenaries. The seven mountain ash trees planted last October represent the seven signatories of the

Proclamation. The area has also been planted with pollinator friendly plants that help us realise the concept of the Truce Garden creating a new truce with nature and commemorating the War of Independence”.

Cllr. Dullard paid tribute to The Kilkenny Volunteer Centre through Paula Harte who offered the committee the opportunity to work together to develop a mural to replace the old one at the handball alley wall. “We participated in six workshops and locals shared stories going back over memories and legends of people and events associated with the Closh from 100 years ago right up to the present day. The process was exceptionally fruitful and great fun thanks to the facilitation of talented artist Graham Carew who synthesized the entire process to come up with the fantastic "Closh Times" mural”, continued Maria. Work to plant and maintain the area has been done by Ukrainian and International Protection Volunteers from the Volunteer Centre, the Lions

Club and Keep Kilkenny Beautiful. Concluding her talk at The Cosh Maria said Keep Kilkenny Beautiful will continue to support the work of so many volunteers with the help of Kilkenny Calow ETB and Kilkenny County Council.

Special project

Artist Graham Carew said he was delighted to take on the project of depicting the history of The Closh. “It was very special for me and the interaction between residents of the area and me was really encouraging and engaging” Representing The Kilkenny Volunteer Centre, Paula Harte complimented all involved and paid special tribute to The Keep Kilkenny Beautiful Committee, and the residents of The Closh area. Paula congratulated artist Graham Carew for his wonderful artwork and praised him for bringing history to life for a new generation.

Among the attendance at the launch were Malcolm Noonan TD, Cllr David Fitzgerald, Cllr John Coonan as well as Regina Fitzpatrick (Heritage Officer, Kilkenny).

The Graham Carew Mural At The Closh

Jack Foley, Cllr David Fitzgerald, Darina O’Byrne and Tomás Turley

Cllr Maria Dollard, Larry Scallan and Donal Croghan

Jennifer Sweeney, Cllr David Fitzgerald and Elaine Bradshaw at The Closh Mural launch

Bortha Woudsma (PPN) Paula Harte (The Kilkenny Volunteer Centre) Pat Boyd ( KKB)

Section Of The Attendance At The Launch Of The Closh Mural During Heritage Week

Sisters Fiona and Grainne Quigley

At the end of her new memoir, Hillary Clinton offers up what sounds like a far-off wish: “I hope I’m alive to see the United States elect a female president.”

Turns out her book went to the printers a tad too soon. Clinton wrote that sentence before Kamala Harris became the Democratic presidential nominee, suddenly making that wish feel a whole lot more immediate. It was too late to update the print version of Something Lost, Something Gained, which comes out this week, though the audiobook now has an epilogue.

So how does Clinton feel about that wish now?

“Really optimistic,” she tells the Associated Press (AP-, praising the vice president as a candidate and in particular her recent debate performance. “I think I’m going to be around to see the first woman president!”

Clinton, 76, has written memoirs before – from Living History in 2003 up through ‘What Happened? in 2017, about the painful loss to Donald Trump that thwarted her own quest to be the first female U.S. president.

This latest feels more intimate. Inspired by the song Both Sides Now by one of her favourite musicians, Joni Mitchell, the book aims to be a snapshot of how she sees the world now, she says — rather like catching up with her over dinner.

So it goes from the macro – for example, a chapter on how she imagines the years following a Trump re-election, starting with troops patrolling America’s cities – to the micro, describing life as a grandmother or mornings at home with Bill, competing over the Spelling Bee puzzle in The New York Times.

First lady, lawyer, senator, secretary of state, and of course presidential nominee. University professor, fledgling Broadway producer. Clinton has lived many chapters, and the book’s actual chapters shift easily between eras.

She recounts in spy-novelworthy detail an operation to save threatened women in Afghanistan as the Taliban were taking over in 2021, then reflects in the next chapter on the unique “sisterhood” of former first ladies, at one point defending Melania Trump from criticism of her attire at Rosalynn Carter’s memorial service: “She came. That’s what mattered.”

But she makes no secret of her animosity toward Donald Trump. It’s clear that in the “something lost” category of her title is the election that still hurts, deeply. In one recent anecdote, she recounts running into a retired FBI official who apologized for his role in how the bureau handled the investigation over her emails, a probe that was reopened days before the election. She writes that she stared for a minute, unable to speak. “I would have been a great president,” she then told him, before walking off.

Clinton wore white,

‘I

hope I’m alive to see US elect a female president’

The book aims to be a snapshot of how she sees the world now, she says - rather like catching up with her over dinner...

honoring women’s suffrage, when she accepted the Democratic nomination; Harris did not. Clinton spoke of “18 million cracks” in the ultimate glass ceiling when she lost; Harris has not emphasised gender in her speeches. Why the difference?

Well, says Clinton, it’s been eight years. When she ran, it was so new for the country to have a female major-party candidate that it had to be a focus. Nearly a decade later, the country’s gotten more used to the idea.

”We now don’t just have one image of a person who happens to be a woman who ran for president – namely me,” she said. “Now we have a much better opportunity for women candidates, starting with Kamala, to be viewed in a

way that just takes for granted the fact that yes, guess what?

She’s a woman.”

Clinton writes that admirers often come up to her and say “You warned us, and I wish we had listened.” (She adds: “What am I supposed to say to that? Yes, I did.”)

But Clinton also writes that she takes no pleasure in hearing or feeling she was right –“in fact, I hate it” – even when she learned one afternoon in May that Trump had become the first former US president to be convicted of felony crimes, a moment she says brought “a jolt of disbelief” and “a pang of vindication” plus some tears. Asked what she is most afraid of “being right” about now, she replies: “I’m most afraid that people will not take Donald Trump seriously. And

literally.”

Old pursuits, and new ones

Not surprisingly for the woman who coined the phrase “Women’s rights are human rights” three decades ago, Clinton writes about many female activists and dissidents she’s worked with around the globe. She also tells the story of how she joined with colleagues in a secret operation to get hundreds of women out of Afghanistan – professors, lawyers, activists and their families – who were likely to be targeted by the Taliban once US troops left.

But Clinton also discusses new pursuits. Like teaching, for the first time in 50 years, at Columbia University. And Broadway producing. Clinton was among the producers of Suffs, the Tony-winning musical about women who fought for the right to vote in the early 20th century. She ends her book with a song from the show, Keep Marching.

Is there more producing in the future? “I don’t know,” she says. “I can tell you it’s been

one of the greatest experiences in my life.”

Being a grandmother “truly is the one experience of life that is not overrated,” says the grandmother of three, who dedicates her book to them.

But Clinton gets most personal when addressing her marriage, which she says brings her “new joys every day.” She does not feel the need to elaborate on her reference to past challenges. “It’s no secret that Bill and I had dark days in our marriage in the past,” she writes. “But the past softens with time, and what’s left is the truth: I’m married to my best friend.”

Asked now if she feels some people still don’t believe that, and wonder why she stayed, she replies: “I’m sure there are people who don’t get it. (But) this was for me an opportunity to basically say what I believe, which is that every life has challenges, opportunities, setbacks, disappointments, successes, achievements. And you have to make a decision almost every day about how

you’re going to live that day.” Hers, she says, were right for her.

Clinton’s schedule is organised by an aide, to the minute. A phone call might be planned for 10:14 a.m. But what does that mean about her much-documented walks in the woods near her home in Chappaqua, New York.

Clinton schedules time for those, too. Sometimes Bill comes, but his walks are more like “an ambling conversation” where he needs to chat with everyone they see. As for her, she needs to “just get out and walk as fast as I can.”

Sometimes she plans speeches while walking. Other times, she says, she thinks about absolutely nothing.

“The Japanese have this great phrase that translates to forest bathing, where you just literally walk in the woods and just take it all in.”

She advises readers to do the same when the political climate starts to overwhelm: “Put down your phone and go outside. Take a walk.”

Culture Night Kilkenny/ Oíche Cultúir

invites everyone everywhere on one joyful night to discover and celebrate all that our culture is today

Culture Night is the national collective event, for one night only, of FREE arts and cultural events taking place nationwide. It celebrates all that makes up the richness and diversity of culture in Ireland today, connecting people to cultural activities locally and nationally and opening up pathways to ongoing engagement. Culture Night Kilkenny invites you to take part in special events taking place in Co. Kilkenny on Friday 20th September from 4pm until late. This year the Kilkenny County Council are working in partnership with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Kilkenny City Night Time Economy Action Plan, to support a number of Culture Night Late events.

Conor Sweeney, Night Time Economy Advisor for Kilkenny City, said:

As a result of Kilkenny being designated as a pilot location for the night time economy, we are hosting a number of

Culture Night Late events. In delivering this programme, we are offering audiences an even greater number of options for their Culture Night experience. By fully immersing themselves in Culture Night Later across Kilkenny it also offers people the opportunity to attend venues that may not be traditionally be open after 6pm but are now animated by the exciting events taking place there.

City Events Include:

An Chead Tine Art Gallery, Dunnes Stores Mezzanine- Art Tour and Evening Of Poetry with finger food and refreshments.

The Book and Coffee ShopAn evening of classical guitar (renaissance, baroque, romantic, latin) with master guitarist and tutor Thierry Fouet.

The Butler Gallery- An evening of Culture to include art exhibition, live portrait painting demonstration of Irish presenter and podcaster James Kavanagh, Ukrainian language tour and music in the garden.

Comhaltas Craobh Osraí

Marble City Branch- present a colourful and exciting traditional show to include the very best of Irish music, song, dance and stories.

Cult Collective- Presents Is the World Still My Oyster? A short 2-person play, Beckettian in nature.

Kilkenny Uileann PipersPresent an evening of entertainment with a ‘Try The Pipes’ Session, live performances and a lecture on the history of the Uileann Pipes in Kilkenny.

Loughboy Library- A live performance by Cairdeas, the Kilkenny Parkinson’s Choir.

Artist Mary Doyle Burke- will host a Culture Tour and Walk of the sculptures based around Kilkenny City.

Rothe House- will present a lecture on Weaving History: Exploring the History and Legacy of the wool trade in Kilkenny.

Ryans Bar- will present a rare collection of vintage postcards dating as far back as the 1890’s with unique stamps and

postmarks, along with people’s stories and images of Kilkenny City and County.

Smithwicks Experience Beer Barrel Yard- a late night of live music, food and great musical performances.

St. Canice’s Cathedral- late Night entry and tour of cathedral, round tower and stainedglass window, bell tower tour and children’s workshop.

The Watergate Theatre- presents short excerpts of Kilkenny Theatre Makers Work In Progress.

Susie Lamb and Kate PowellPresent a one hour acoustic performance in the beautiful Rothe house, telling stories of love and loss.

Mayfair Library- will host a family-friendly event that complements the exhibition in the Mayfair Library’s Community Room during Culture Night week.

Kilkenny Castle- late night entry to the Period Rooms and exhibitions of Kilkenny Castle.

The Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle- host a presentation on

Alice Kyteler: Witch, Victim, or Feminist Icon by Fin Dwyer (historian & host of The Irish History Podcast).

The Medieval Mile Museumpresent a guided tour of the oldest graveyards where you can hear about the stories about the amazing characters buried there. Fun activities for all the family will be provided also.

County Events Include:

Clogh Writers- present the Wheel of Life- showcasing local and wider culture from poetry, music, dance and drama at Moneenroe Community Hall.

TADA! Theatre- present the first showcase of Gúna, a new play by Gillian Grattan at Thomastown Community Hall. Thomastown Biodiversity Garden- you are invited to enter the whimsical, enchanted world of the Upper Paddock Biodiversity Garden and attend a special lantern making workshop.

KCAT Arts Centre- will celebrate its 25th year anniversary

with a series of events from exhibitions to workshops and screenings.

Print Block Callan Workhouse Union- will host an evening of block printing fun for all young art enthusiasts. Children will have the opportunity to interact with our native plant and wildlife species through fun arts activities. For all event times and further details please visit: https://culturenight.ie/ events/?_sf_s=kilkenny We have also partnered with The Kilkenny App for Culture Night. Download it from the Apple Store or Play Store and you can view all of the events in one place! OR

Printed brochures are available from all venues mentioned above and from Kilkenny Arts Office, phone 0567794547 or email deirdre. southey@kilkennycoco.ie for your copy. https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100070402380040

KK Uileann Pipers

St Canices Cathedral

Biodiversity Garden

A night of song, music and poetry at Moneenroe

In December 2023, The Kilkenny Observer Newspaper had the pleasure of attending the launch of ‘Where I am’ produced by Clogh writers group in the Moneenroe parish hall. It was in every sense of the word, a night of nights.

Members of the group read their work and the evening was complemented with tea coffee and the obligatory brown bread. Life doesn’t get much better! What was even more important on the night was the chat at the conclusion of

the launch where likeminded scribes gathered and discussed the joys and tribulations of the art of writing. One would travel many a country mile before you got as dedicated bunch. Their writing was interesting and diverse, covering such

topics as ‘Corner Boys’, ‘Dementia’, Lost Sliothars’, journeys through the countryside and much much more.

And so, The Observer is delighted to report that the good folk at Clogh writers are hosting a special night to

coincide with Culture night. They will host a night of song, music, dance, drama and readings in Moneenroe Hall, Eircode R95ERW3, on Friday

20th September, 7.00pm. All welcome.

Further Information, please contact Jane at 0876345279 or Linda at  0863952825

Kilkenny City continues to be a major growth hub in Southern region and sustainable transport options are needed

Kilkenny City, the fourthlargest settlement in the Southern Region with a population of 27,184 as of 2022, has become the largest employment centre in the state outside of the five metropolitan areas.  Kilkenny’s strong employment growth is attributable to ongoing strong performances in the fintech, agri-food and tourism sectors. The investment by Abbott Laboratories in a major new manufacturing plant will result in the creation of over 1,000 jobs.  Population projections indicate a significant increase of 35% by 2040 on 2016 figures, underscoring the city’s growing importance as a regional hub.

To meet this anticipated growth, Kilkenny City is set to expand through the development of new neighbourhoods at Loughmacask and Breagagh Valley.  Currently, over 1,000 housing units have been approved in these areas. The new neighbourhoods are integral to Kilkenny City’s broader four-neighbourhood development strategy, which also includes the established communities of Newpark and Loughboy.  Both Newpark and Loughboy boast vibrant

The development of the four neighbourhoods based around the medieval core establishes a balanced, compact form, to facilitate easier circulation and mobility within the City and Environs.

community centres that offer essential services including retail, education, and health, helping to reduce overall transport demand by providing amenities close to residents.  The development of neighbourhoods together with ongoing development and regeneration efforts in the city, such as the housing proposals for Patrick St.

and the Butts Regeneration Plan will play a crucial role in meeting the city’s rising housing demand.     Key to ensuring a high quality of life for residents is the presence of green spaces/ parklands and safe, attractive walking and cycling routes in residential areas.  The design of the new neighbourhoods incorporates parks and

attractive active travel routes optimising the use of natural amenities such as the River Breagagh.  This will offer residents the opportunity to connect with nature as part of their daily lives and on their regular commutes.   Recognising the need for sustainable transport in light of the city’s growth, Kilkenny County Council is

in the process of developing a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan.  Historically, Irish settlement patterns followed the waterways and subsequently the rail network.  In the last few decades, the Irish transport system has been designed around the car, leading to forced car use, growing emissions and sprawling development.

Simultaneously, public transport has been under resourced resulting in inadequate and unattractive services. As Kilkenny City’s population grows, continued reliance on cars will exacerbate issues such as congestion, noise, air pollution, and inequity in access to transport. To enhance the liveability of the city it will be necessary to reallocate greater public space to amenities, sustainable urban drainage systems, greening, increased space for walking and cycling and social uses.

To provide for the mobility needs of a larger population and reduce the dependency on cars, Kilkenny County Council is committed to firstly reducing overall transport demand through the four-neighbourhood concept and providing

alternative transport solution to reduce the reliance on cars.  Solutions include accommodating an improved public transport system integrated with safe walking and cycling infrastructure.  Park and Stride and Park and Ride facilities will cater for those with car dependency such as rural commuters.  Although greater priority will be given to pedestrians and cyclists in the city centre it will still remain accessible by car, particularly for those with mobility issues and the emphasis will be on the reduction of through traffic. Other key projects in the planning stages that will contribute to improved mobility in the city are the northern extension of the Ring Road, additional road links for the western environs, safer crossings of the existing Ring Road, and enhanced pedestrian and cyclist facilities throughout the city with particular emphasis on junctions and routes around schools.

These initiatives are designed to support Kilkenny City’s sustainable growth and ensure that its transport infrastructure can meet the demands of a thriving, expanding city in a sustainable manner.

Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick, Willie Joe Meally And Cllr Johnny Brennan At The Launch Of Clogh Writer Book

‘Where I Am’

Reading Her Poem At The Launch Of Clogh Writers Book Was Nancy Geoghegan

Jane Meally , Clogh Writers Co-Ordinator

Clogh Writers Group Member Kevin Dowling

Jim Mansfield, A Regular At Clogh Writers

Food & Drink

Come Dine WithMe

Slow cooker

coq au vin

Prep: 30 mins

Cook: 4 hrs

Serves: 4

Use budget-friendly chicken thighs in this delicious slow cooker coq au vin as they make the best cut for slow cooking. Enjoy with mash or tagliatelle. Ingredients

Ingredients

• 8 sk in-on, bone-in chicken thighs

• 30g but ter

• 140g smoke d bacon lardons or diced smoked pancetta

• 400g pe arl onions or small shallots peeled and left whole (see tip, below)

• 2 lar ge or 4 small carrots, peeled and cut into chunks

• 2 gar lic cloves, crushed

• 3 tbs p plain flour

• 1 tbs p tomato purée

• 300ml chic ken stock

• 600ml re d wine

• 2 bay leaves

• 1 lar ge thyme sprig

• 300g but ton chestnut mushrooms, kept whole, larger ones chopped

Vegan tiramisu

Prep: 30 mins Cook: 25 mins plus at least a few hours cooling and chilling Serves: 6

Make this easy vegan tiramisu for a simple but impressive plant-based dinner party dessert. It’s rich, thick and creamy and filled with classic coffee flavours.

Ingredients

• 250ml pot whippable plant cream

• 1 tbsp icing sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste

• 2 tbsp coffee liqueur, or dark rum

• 100ml coffee, cooled

• 1½ tbsp golden caster sugar

• 2 tbsp cocoa powder

For the sponge

• 100g dair y-free spread, plus extra for the tin

• 200ml dair y-free milk

• ½ tbsp cider vinegar

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 125g golden caster sugar

• 200g self-raising flour

• ½ tsp baking powder

Method

STEP 1

Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/ gas 4. First, make the sponge. Using a little dairy-free spread, butter and line a 20cm x 30cm tin (or 25cm square).

STEP 2

Put the dairy-free milk in a jug and stir in the vinegar and extract, and leave for a few minutes to thicken. Beat the dairy-free spread and sugar together until creamy, then beat in the thickened milk mixture, flour, a

pinch of salt and the baking powder until you have a smooth batter.

STEP 3

Scrape the batter into the tin and bake for 20-25 mins until lightly golden and risen, and a skewer comes out clean when inserted into

• handful of p arsley leaves, chopped (optional)

• mash or b uttered tagliatelle, to serve

STEP 1

Season the chicken. Melt half the butter in a deep frying pan or large flameproof casserole over a medium heat and cook the chicken, skin-side down, for 10 mins until deep golden. Flip to seal the fleshy side for a few minutes – you may need to do this in batches. Put in the slow cooker.

STEP 2

Tip the bacon into the same pan and fry for 5-6 mins until crisp, then add to the slow cooker. Tip the onions or shallots and carrots into the pan and fry in the bacon fat for 5 mins until starting to colour. Add the garlic, cook for 1 min more, then sprinkle over the flour and cook for 1-2 mins until you have a sandy paste. Stir through the tomato purée and cook for 2 mins more. Bring to the boil, then turn down to a simmer for 2 mins.

STEP 3

Tip the contents of the pan over the chicken. Pour the stock and wine into the pan, bring to the boil, then pour into the slow cooker. Nestle in the bay leaves and thyme, season, then set the slow cooker on high for 3-4 hrs, 5-6 hrs on medium or 7-8 hrs on low, stirring once or twice, until the chicken is tender.

STEP 4

While the chicken cooks, heat the remaining butter in a clean pan and fry the mushrooms for 4-5 mins over a medium heat. Tip into the slow cooker about an hour before the end of cooking and stir. At this stage, the coq au vin can be cooled and kept chilled for up to three days or frozen for up to three months. Defrost and reheat in a pan over a medium heat until piping hot. Scatter over the parsley, if using, and serve with mash or buttered tagliatelle.

the middle. Leave to cool in the tin for 10 mins, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

STEP 4

Whip the plant cream with the icing sugar and vanilla bean paste until softly whipped. Mix the liqueur, coffee and caster sugar in a bowl. Cut the cooled sponge into 16-18 sponge fingers.

STEP 5

Add half the sponge fingers to a small serving dish (about 15cm x 20cm), breaking them up to fill any gaps. Using a pastry brush, brush the sponge with some of the coffee mixture. It won’t absorb as much as regular sponge fingers, so add gradually until they are lightly soaked. Spoon over half the cream mixture, then add the remaining sponge fingers. Brush again with the coffee mixture, then add the remaining cream and chill for a few hours or overnight. Sieve over the cocoa powder to serve.

Mindhunter (Netflix)

Simply the best crime shows to stream

Led by the master of Hollywood crime cinema, David Fincher (Seven, Zodiac), Mindhunter made an almighty mess of the Netflix crime scene when it arrived on the streamer in 2017. A true crime series of rare poise, it tracks the founding of the Behavioral Science Unit in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which saw detectives picking the brains of imprisoned serial killers to try and get an angle on open cases. Lamentably cancelled after two seasons, it’s now widely accepted as one of the finest examples of the format.

True Detective (NOW)

The ambition shown in True Detective season one’s casting, writing, and directing has proved impossible to repeat – and not just by the show’s makers. If there’s a single season of television that can match it anywhere, you’ll have to remind us in the comments below. Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson play two mismatched Louisiana detectives hot on the trail of a serial killer across two decades. Their efforts are frustrated by a wider conspiracy and dark elements of the occult, not to mention their own simmering differences and personal failings.

The Wire (NOW)

The Wire is one of several shows on this list to be in contention for the title of best TV show ever, regardless of genre. Created by former police reporter David Simon following his work on Homicide: Life on The Streets, it takes an even more forensic look at the relationship between the police, the illegal drug trade, politics, and the media using the US city of Baltimore as a Petri dish. The show doesn’t pull any punches with its grim assessments, yet it also provides a whole cast of compelling characters from either side of the law.

Breaking Bad (Netflix)

Has there been a more compelling character arc in all of television history than that of Walter White? Bryan Cranston’s defining role started out in season one as a bumbling science teacher brought low by cancer and professional failure. By the time season five rolled around he had morphed into a ruthless drug kingpin, all but unrecognisable to his bewildered family. What’s remarkable about Breaking Bad is the way it treads so lightly and assuredly between such wild extremes. Each episode has shades of light and dark, as slapstick humour mixes with shocking violence and unbearable tension.

The Sopranos (NOW)

You can’t discuss the truly great TV shows without a nod in the direction of The Sopranos. To many commentators, it’s barely up for discussion. James Gandolfini stars in arguably the defining show of TV’s golden era, portraying the fascinating figure of Tony Soprano. This New Jersey mob boss is duplicitous, murderous, dishonest, and thuggish, yet some part of you sympathises with him throughout this impeccable six season run. Funny, heart-breaking, postmodern and psychologically insightful, The Sopranos hits different to any other crime show on TV.

Better Call Saul (Netflix)

Imagine a world where someone dared to make a spin-off of The Sopranos or The Wire based on one of the minor characters. Now imagine that said series turned out to be a match for the main series, and arguably even grew to exceed it. That’s precisely what happened with Better Call Saul, which takes the sleazy lawyer from Breaking Bad and details his own Shakespearean fall from notquite-grace. Bob Odenkirk excels as the fast-talking Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman, and is ably assisted by Rhea Seehorn, Michael McKean, and Jonathan Banks.

Fargo (Prime Video)

In Fargo, creator Noah Hawley does two incredible things. Firstly, he manages to capture the quirky spirit of the eponymous Coen Brothers film, without borrowing any of its characters or production talent. For another, he manages to pull the trick off five times in a row. This is an anthology crime series that brings together a fresh Hollywood who’s who of acting talent for 10 episodes of funny, violent, incredibly tense drama set in the American Midwest, then does it all over again from scratch.

Dexter (Paramount Plus)

In a bold inverse of the classic crime show formula, Dexter essentially has you rooting for the bad guy. Michael C. Hall’s Dexter Morgan is a complicated man – a forensic technician working for the Miami Metro Police Department who just so happens to be a deeply traumatised serial killer. The key to the show keeping a mainstream audience onside for eight seasons is the way in which our antihero channels his thirst for killing by targeting only his fellow murderers who otherwise appear to have escaped justice.

The Shield (Apple TV+)

The Shield was a quietly revolutionary show, putting the fledgling US FX channel on the map. It did so by tracking the chaotic reign of a decidedly unheroic protagonist at around the same time The Sopranos was doing its thing over on HBO. In this case our antihero was Michael Chiklis’s Vic Mackey, a corrupt detective in an experimental division of the Los Angeles Police Department. The show was also notable for its phenomenal cast, with Glenn Close, Walton Goggins, Michael Peña, and Forest Whitaker all making appearances across its seven seasons.

Ozark (Netflix)

You can spot Ozark’s key influence

from space, arriving as it did directly in the wake of Breaking Bad. At first glance, Jason Bateman’s chino-wearing accountant, who fatefully keeps the books for a Mexican cartel, is a character type we’ve seen before. However, he never quite breaks bad to the same extent as Walter White, meaning you never quite know where you stand with him. Meanwhile his politically astute wife, played by Laura Linney, grows to become a far more formidable and unpredictable force, while Julia Garner’s brainy hillbilly Ruth Langmore is a star-making role.

Sherlock (NOW)

It’s impossible to overstate what a huge deal Sherlock was when it arrived in 2010. This modern day reboot of the classic Arthur Conan Doyle detective stories effectively wrote the style book for a decade (and more) of glossy British TV productions, and had a pretty huge influence on US television into the bargain. It’s also the thing that helped break Benedict Cumberbatch (as genius detective Sherlock Holmes) and Martin Freeman (as his ex-military companion John Watson) into the big time, not to mention Andrew Scott as a formidable Jim Moriarty.

Justified (Disney Plus)

Calling Justified a police procedural doesn’t quite seem to do it justice. Yes, it concerns a US Marshal solving a variety of crimes in eastern Kentucky. But there’s so much more going on here, not least Timothy Olyphant’s timeless performance as Raylan Givens, a laconic gunslinging lawman who seems to have strolled directly in from the Wild West, only to collide with the complexities of modern life. The writing and characterisation is also top notch, doing full justice to the show’s origins as an Elmore Leonard short story.

The Killing (Disney Plus)

Hee’s the series that sold a thousand chunky-knit jumpers, and sold us all on Scandi-noir crime thrillers. The first season in particular is a tight and twisting crime story about the brutal killing of a teenage girl. Focusing on the dark, dank side of Copenhagen, it also presented us with Sofie Gråbøl’s iconic turn as Detective Inspector Sarah Lund, a police officer with plenty of personal complications to go with her undoubted skill. Somewhat unusually, it also committed plenty of screen time to the bereaved family of the deceased, as well as the impact on a local politician.

Peaky Blinders (Netflix)

This British period drama [pictured] sports the kind of specific setting and unique tone that sets it apart from pretty much every other crime show on the market. It concerns a tight knit criminal gang operating in Birmingham shortly after the First World War, and features a formidable ensemble cast led by Oscar-winning actor Cillian Murphy as gang leader Tommy Shelby. When a show can attract such supporting talent as Tom Hardy, Adrien Brody, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Stephen Graham, you know it’s had some impact.

Law & Order (Buy at Apple TV)

Having a top quality crime show is no guarantee of longevity, as the rest of this list will attest to. That’s why Law & Order’s 20-year uninterrupted run is so remarkable. Not only that, but after running ceaselessly from 1990 to 2010, it then picked up again for several more seasons from 2022. Featuring an unusual revolving door approach to casting and a unique two-half structure to its episodes (the first half for police work, the second covering the court work), Law & Order would be viewed as extraordinary if it hadn’t become part of the crime show furniture

White Twine and Old Suitcases

The Kilkenny Involvement Centre and Recovery College South East have produced a wonderful anthology of poetry and prose. ‘White Twine and old suitcases’ comprises of 128 pages and 60 authors and is complemented by some wonderful photos and artwork by TASK camera club. It is printed by Modern Printers. It is definitely recommended reading for all lovers of poetry. The Kilkenny Observer is happy to run the poems each week to promote creative writing and to highlight these wonderful centres. Available in all Kilkenny book shops. €10

The Woman Who Turned into a Tree

Her girth thickened, Imperceptibly at first.

And then her arms – so used to reaching in dance or despair chose to stay with cupped palms upward and fingers splayed.

And soon she was happy where she was.

And the birds sang in her and other shy creatures nestled into her.

And she spent her time taking it all in and giving oxygen.

Frances Moore

Technophobia

I haven’t the face

For Facebook

And I don’t have

The gift of the Blog

I couldn’t tweet

If you paid me

And I don’t understand

The iPod

TikTok’s a bit

Of a mystery

As is this thing

They call Skype

I’m not smart enough

For a Smartphone

Guess I’m just not

The technical type

My own mobile phone’s

Antiquated

And is really

Just fit for the bin

Still, we have lots of text

Which isn’t

As yet

A mortal or venial sin.

Oh, there’s nothing wrong

With my text life

I’ll have you all

To know

When it comes to a quickie

I’m furious & fast

And a hell of a man

To go

But, hey

I’m not a text maniac

Like some of the youngsters

I see

They’re having text

Morning, noon & night

Over breakfast

Dinner and tea

And if they’re not texting

They’re tweeting, Downloading or surfing

The net

Or maybe they’re blogging

Skyping or snogging

Some cyber-space friend

They’ve just met!

Me, I just can’t

Comprehend it

All this techno stuff ’s

Over my head

As long as I live

I won’t get it

And for sure

I won’t get it when dead!

Which reminds me……

When I die

I want this on my headstone

Carved clearly

Under my name

He had lots of text

But as for the rest

It damn near

Drove him insane!

Gerry Moran

Castalia

She was there that September like dove light hovering about the art room, her mermaid hair moving in crinkles and curls down beyond her shoulders tipping her waist.

She was there that following Spring before me on the side-path, sprinkling glitter from her fingers that touched every part of my body and lingered for days.

She was there for early summer too and we had hoped, all of us, against hope and then she was gone.

Celebrate the passing, came her wishes bring wildflowers if you can let it be Dia de Los Meurtos.

And then… she lay on Castalia’s octagonal floor that became a sea of orange and rust and yellow marigolds.

Sugar skulls abided to ritual, the Prague child at the altar adorned her willow casket while friends when they glimpsed her Derby hat and boots wept for the palpable presence of her soul.

Beyond, in the amphitheatre

fire dancers circled with flaming sticks timed by the drum, a lament to her passing.

And all that afternoon I searched along the hedgerows for the wildflowers, for her wishes, and then, she was gone.

Claire Mulcahy

Photo by TASK camera club

Photo by TASK camera club

Art by Claire Mulcahy

Kilkenny GAA clubs and Community news

CLARA

CLARA A BRIDGE TOO FAR

Clara and Bennettsbridge met in the replay of their U14 championship first round encounter. A large crowd gathered in Bennettsbridge for this one, such was the quality of the drawn epic after extra time. While this one mightn’t have quite reached the same heights, it was nevertheless another hugely entertaining battle, which again went to extra time.

Clara were better early on and a Michael O Keeffe goal put them four points up after 10 minutes. But inevitably the Bridge were soon level and there was seldom more than a point or two in it. In fact this contest was level on eight occasions, following the pattern of the original contest. A Sam Corr goal and a second point by newly sited Matthew Cooke at centre half forward gave Clara a 2-5 to 1-6 lead at halftime. Clara had made a number of positional switches from the first game and these seemed to be working quite well. Bennettsbridge for their part had learned lessons too and really kept a close eye on danger man Aaron Carrigan here, sometimes double marking him. Aaron and Mícheál Meany from frees and Jack Byrne from play had provided the other Clara first half scores.

Bennettsbridge tied the game up quickly in the second half but then Dara Leamy struck for a goal in the eighth minute. Frees were exchanged and twelve or thirteen minutes elapsed and Clara’s three point lead was still intact. But then the Bridge struck for a goal and were it not for a super save by Ciarán Gibbons and some staunch defending by Liam Treacy would have had another one less than a minute later. As it was they took the lead with a point by their centre forward with about five minutes to go and it was left to Dara Leamy to force the match to extra time with a last gasp equaliser.

After Bennettsbridge scored first in the first half of extra time Clara went ahead again through points by Mícheál Meany and Dara Leamy and held that advantage to the interval. Less than a minute into the second period of extra time the Bridge struck for the crucial match winning goal. A free then gave them their biggest lead of the match and three points and although Aaron Carrigan reduced the deficit with a point the required goal just wouldn’t come. Clara forced a 65 and when that was batted clear excellent referee Willie Kearney signalled the end of a long saga between two very evenly matched teams.

With most of both teams underage again next year we can look forward to many more epic battles between these neighbouring clubs. 3-12 to 3-10 was the final score. As well as those already mentioned Liam O Callaghan, Oliver Butler, Jake Brett and Oliver Butler were very good. Jack Allen and Rory Treacy also featured prominently in attack and Rory also hurled well when brought back to keep tabs on one of the Bridge sharpshooters. Subs Raphael Scanlon and James McDonald also brought real energy to the fray when introduced. Much credit must go to the management team of John Leamy, Martin Carrigan and Joe Treacy for having the team primed to battle to the bitter end , which is the main trait needed going forward.

Team - Ciarán Gibbons, Liam O Callaghan, Liam Treacy, Oliver Butler. Jake Brett, Mícheál Meany 0-2, 0-1f, Robert Coogan. Sam Corr 1-0, Jack Byrne 0-1. Aaron Carrigan 0-3, 0-2f, Matthew Cooke 0-2, Rory Treacy. Michael O Keeffe 1-0, Jack Allen, Dara Leamy 1-2. Subs used Raphael Scanlon, James McDonald.

SEASON OVER

Bennettsbridge piled on more misery on their Clara neighbours on Saturday in Thomastown when ending their interest in this year’s senior hurling championship. What made it all the more galling was the fact that Clara led this contest until the sixty second minute. Against the odds they had outplayed Bennettsbridge for long periods but never put enough daylight between the sides to be comfortable.

Clara scored the first five points of the game when wind assisted and led by 3 at halftime. They pushed the lead out to six in the second half and with 10 minutes to go they pushed it out to five again and scores were hard to come by. But Clara failed to score again and Bennettsbridge scored seven straight to edge home 0-16 to 0-14. Four of those seven came from long range frees by David Blanchfield who tore the heart out of Clara with his accuracy. It was a brave but valiant effort by the Clara men and credit is due to their management team of Jim Lyng, Fintan Deegan, Johnny Shortall and Brian Phelan. See People Sport for full report.

CLUB LOTTO Lotto 10th September. Numbers drawn 8, 10, 18. No Jackpot winner €30 each to, Sandra Brennan, Margaret O Keeffe, Michael Dreeling, Siobhan Curtis, Michael Denieffe.

O’LOUGHLIN GAELS

SENIOR HURLING LEAGUE WINNERS

Congratulations to O’Loughlin Gaels senior team on winning the St. Canice’s Credit Union Kilkenny Denior Hurling League final In UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday last. They defeated Tullaroan in the final by 4-24 to 1-18. See sports section of this paper for match report. Attention now turns to the championship quarter-final against Dicksboro on the weekend of 28th/29th September.

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP WIN

The Junior hurlers from O’Loughlin Gaels opened their championship campaign with a convincing victory over Shamrocks Ballyhale in Danesfort on Sunday evening last under lights on a score of 4-25 to 0-10. The next round will see the team meet Erin’s Own.

CAMOGIE UNDER 16’S DRAW

O’Loughlin Gaels Under 16 camogie team played out an exciting draw with neighbours James Stephens at Páirc Sheamuis Stiofáin in the Roinn B championship quarter-final. O’Loughlin Gaels 3-9 to James Stephens 2-12. UNDER 11’S TOURNAMENT WIN

It was a case of another weekend on tour for O’Loughlin Gaels Under 11 squad. This time the boys travelled to the Killeagh GAA Club in Cork for an Under 11 tournament. It proved a great day again for this amazing group. They qualified for the final of the tournament after some high quality hurling matches against Valley Rovers, Cork, Blackrock, Cork, Sarsfields, Cork and Dicksboro, Kilkenny and then defeated tournament hosts Killeagh GAA in the cup final. Well done to everyone concerned.

JOHNSWELL ROAD HURLING

The very popular Johnswell Road Hurling competition returns on Saturday 21st September. Registration is at 4pm. Teams of three. The cost is €10 adults and under 14 €5. A barbecue will follow the competition. It promises to be great fun.

CLUB LOTTO

There was no winner of O’Loughlin Gaels club lotto (September 10th). Numbers drawn 2, 5, 16, 26 bonus 18. Play now at www. oloughlingaels.com/lotto Promotors Draw. 1. Sarah Moron c/o Ml. Doran. 2. David Goulding c/o Dan Driscoll. 3. Michael Kinchella c/o Ml Kinchella. 4. Benny c/o Mary Cody. 5. Ann Murphy c/o B Murphy. 6. Jimmy and Ann Doyle c/o E Maher. 7. Maura Nolan c/o E Kinchella. 8. James O’Keeffe c/o online. 9. Luke Leydon c/o online. 10. Chris McGrath c/o Online NOTES

If you wish to have any item included in the St. John’s Parish notes please email it to pro.oloughlingaels.kilkenny@gaa.ie

FRESHFORD

GERRY WATSON RIP

The people of Freshford and surrounding areas were shocked and saddened last week to hear of the death of Gerry Watson late of Wood View, Freshford. In his late fifties, Gerry was a member of well know family in the village. Although he had been unwell recently his passing caused widespread regret and sorrow. He was predeceased by his father Michael, his brothers Michael Jnr and Nicky. A friendly and jovial character Gerry always had a word for everyone and was well known in the county as he ran a very successful driving school for some time with a great success rate. He loved music and played the accordion and had

Lachtains 0-14.

Team: D.Brennan, C.Donnelly, L.Kennedy, S.Rafter, J.Bergin, C.Hickey, P.Donnelly, J.Hickey, A.Rafter, D.Maher, P.Killeen, C.Dalton, A.Rafter, L.Hickey, C Daawson, Subs – J Fistzpatrick,P. Campion, C.Power, C.Leahy, M.Durnan

The U16 boys saw off the challenge of Graiguenamanagh in the C quarter final on Saturday morning last. The boys played against a strong breeze in the first half and were able to use the elements to their advantage after the break to pull away and come out winners on a final score of St.Lachtains 6-8 Graiguenamanagh 0-12 The minors take on James Stephens in the C semi final on Saturday next.

BINGO

The weekly bingo sessions was cancelled last week as a mark of respect to the late Gerry Watson. The bingo will resume again this Friday evening in Freshford Community Hall at 8pm and continue each Friday evening at 8pm with some good prize money and raffle each week. All proceeds goes to the Irish Wheelchair association. The Committee would like to thank all the people who have turned up each week so far and ask you to please support this weekly fundraiser and tell your friends and spread the word around.

CAMOGIE

Congratulations to St Lachtains U14 girls who won the final of the Lisdowney 7 aside tournment last weekend defeating Lisdowney in the final by 7-3 to 3-1. The girls won all their games against Conahy, St.Brigids and Clogh/Ballacolla

Meanwhile the minor girls were beaten by Mooncoin in the Minor B County final on Sunday last in Clara LOOP CAFÉ

Why not go along and improve your computer skills at the Loop café. Kilkenny Adult Learning services are offering everyone in the area FREE classes in basic and intermediate computer courses. Classes start at 9.30am in the Green Room at the Loop café on Tuesdays. Everything you need including laptops are provided. So why not go along and improve your knowledge and skills. For more information please contact 056 7763149 or email info@ KilkennyAdultLearning.ie

With summer holidays behind us and community activities starting up again, the Loop Community Café is looking for more pairs of hands to help out. Chopping veg, washing plates, cleaning counters, making coffee – you name it, we need it! If you can take part any time from Monday to Saturday, even for an hour or two, please stop by or call the café at 056 8832650

SOCCER

The soccer season has now resumed. The Junior side have no games for the next few weeks but underage were already in action. The Club are looking for additional players to sign up for the U12 girls as they are short players at the moment. So go along and put down your name if you are interested in playing, if they don’t have sufficient numbers they will not able to put in a team.

IONAD LACHTAIN

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

SPLIT THE POT

Last week’s winner of split the pot was Tony O’Neill, Kilkenny Road who won €259. This months split the pot proceeds was in aid of Freshford Coursing Club. Entry cost just €2 and envelopes are available in all local shops and pubs. Please support your local clubs.

KNIT AND KNATTER

started to learn the banjo in more recent times and loved to sing the odd song also. He was an ardent member of North Kilkenny Wheelchair Association which his mother Patricia was President of for many decades. He drove the group on trips and tours all over the country and was always willing to help out. He was one of the main organisers and it was actually his idea to bring back the weekly bingo game to Freshford as a fundraiser for the Irish Wheelchair association. He will be sadly missed by his family and all who knew him. The crowds which turned up at his family home and at his funeral was a testament to the esteem in which he was held. His funeral mass took place on Thursday last in St. Lachtains Church, Freshford followed by cremation in Cork. He is mourned by his wife Sandra, son Daniel, his mother Patricia, brothers, sisters, step children and extended family to whom deepest sympathy is extended.

AT PLOUGHING MATCH

Uppertown aka Mick Jagger owned by local men Gyll and David Condon will be busy this week at the National Ploughing Championships at Rathineska County Laois. He was selected to represent the Irish Charollais Sheep Society, an amazing achievement for this ram. He represented the breed last year as the All Ireland Hogget Champion and qualified as senior all Ireland ram this year. The lads will be there along with other members of the society to chat and answer any questions on the breed or society.

WEDDING

Congratulations and best wishes go out to Paul Phelan, Woodview and Grace Gaffney from County Westmeath who were married last week. They are wished all the very best in their married life together.

GAA

St Lachtains Junior hurlers were defeated by Windgap in the JJ Kavanagh and Son Premier JHL final in Tom Ryall Park on Saturday last in a disappointing encounter. There were a number of changes to St.Lachtains team ahead of the championship quarter final in two weeks’ time. Windgap started the game well but St.Lachtains got more into the game with the aid of a strong wind and there was little between the teams at the interval. In the second half Windgap had the aid of the wind and pulled away to win well at the final whistle on a scoreline of Windgap 2-17 St.

Every Wednesday morning in the Loop Cafe there is a knit and knatter session from 10am to 11am. Fee is €6 per person which includes tea/coffee and sweet treat. No experience is necessary and guidance is given. New members are always welcome so why not go along and gain a new skill and more importantly have fun.

TRAD MUSIC

Lisdowney Traditional music group resumed on 15th September at 7pm in Community Hall Lisdowney and continues each Thursday. Children from six upwards are all welcome.

PARISH NEWS

Mass is held in the Parish Church each Wednesday morning at 9.30am and each Sunday morning at 11am. Mass in Tulla Church on Saturday evenings at 7.30pm. and 11am Mass in St.Lachtain’s Church on Sundays. The parish newsletter is available on their website every week and also on the website you are free to pay your dues and make donations or any other contributions and you can find out more about it on the website or feel free to contact in the Parish Office. Please note community notices for the parish newsletter should be left in or emailed to the Parish Office by 11am on Thursdays. Parish office hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 1pm. Mass Cards

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

O’Loughlin Gaels St. Canice’s Kilkenny Senior Hurling League Champions 2024

Four sets of brothers lined out on Saturday for O’Loughlin Gaels successful Under 11 boys at Killeagh in Cork. Congrats to Noah and Neesha Power, Ollie and JJ Wall, Dylan and Eoin McGee and Andrew and Michael Gibbo

Community & GAA Notes

JUNIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

On Sunday night the Junior hurlers put in a powerful second half performance to carve out a deserved 2-21 to 1-17 victory against a strong Dicksboro lineout in a highly competitive Junior section B championship quarter final under lights on a well prepared Muckalee playing surface. From the throw-in Dicksboro were fast out of the blocks, and, leading by 0-05 to 0-01 before Sean Casey passed to Miky Drennan who finished to the net in the 10th minute and immediately added a further point to level the game at 1-01 to 0-04. Dicksboro hit back immediately with a three pointer in the 12th minute and went on to take a 1-09 to 1-07 lead into the break. The scoring difference could have been greater but for some trojan work by a highly effective Village defence that suffered the loss of impressive performers David Hennessy and James Tyrrell through injury. Responding to those setbacks the backs redoubled their efforts with top showings by Oisin Bateman, Adam O’Connor, Eoin Deely and Dinny Stapleton to minimise the scoring potential of a lively Dicksboro attack. After Dicksboro opened the 2nd half with an early point the James Stephens defence took a firm grip of proceedings delivering a stream of ball to the buoyedup Village forward line. With the defiant ‘Boro men still holding a narrow 1-15 to 1-13 lead at the 22nd minute full forward Liam Rafter fielded a high delivery and his blocked shot for goal was finished to the net by Jacob Breslin. Over the closing 10 minutes centre forward Micky Drennan continued to trouble the Dicksboro defence firing over six points -- 1-12 in total -- with help from Sean Casey (0-03) and Liam Rafter (0-03) to deliver a convincing 2-21 to 1-17 victory for the Village.

SENIOR HURLING

On Sunday afternoon, in John Locke’s Park, a youthful James Stephens team went toe-to-toe with the Ballyhale Shamrocks in a highly competitive first round championship fixture before eventually going down 4-19 to 1-19 to a late surge of point scoring over the final quarter by the Ballyhale men. From the start the Village, inspired by team leader Cian Kenny, went score for score with the finely tuned Shamrocks side until Eoin Cody broke through to raise the green flag in the 8th minute. Unfazed, James Stephens replied with two long range scores from Edward McDermott before he was forced to retire injured. Cian Kenny, thanks to his accuracy from hard earned frees, kept The Village in touch knocking over seven points before T.J. Reid crashed the sliothar to the net from a rebound off the post on the stroke of halftime to give the southern club a 2-10 to 0-13 lead. Despite conceding the late score defenders Noah Manogue, Diarmuid Cody and Sean Bergin, in particular, did well in curtaining the powerful Shamrocks attacking force.

In the early minutes of the 2nd half full back Diarmuid Cody unfortunately slipped as he was about to make a clearance resulting in a turnover which delivered a third three pointer for Shamrocks to increase their advantage at 3-11 to 0-13. Continuing to do battle in the 10th minute Eoin Guilfoyle blocked a Shamrock’s clearance and from the resultant schmozzle he finished to the net to bring James Stephens back into contention at 3-11 to 1-15. Two points from Cian Kenny and a single score from Eoin Guilfoyle levelled the game at 3-12 to 1-18 but in the 16th minute after Gavin Costigan dived to save a T.J. Reid penalty the sliothar was tipped over the line to put the Shamrocks in the driving seat once more. From there with the James Stephens players unable to keep up the pressure on their opponents the Ballyhale men went into overdrive hitting over seven unanswered points to claim a place in the championship quarter finals. A relegation final against Glenmore awaits the men in Red and Green in the next few weeks.

JUNIOR CAMOGIE

On Friday evening in their league fixture the club’s Junior camogie team got off to a flying start with two goals from Gemma Larkin and 4 points from the camán of Kate Larkin. However, a setback occurred when Gowran struck back with a goal against the run of play but a point each from midfielders Molly Burke and Tara

On Thursday Week, 26th September, Loughboy Library will host a workshop on Food Shopping with Denise Walsh. The workshop looks at the tissue of food waste especially in relation to milk. For instance, to help eliminate waste Denise will look at a recipe for a simple cheese, paneer and will bring a dish for tasting that includes paneer as part of the recipe. As places are limited, phone the Library at 056 7794176 to book a slot for the event.

CULTURE NIGHT

There will be a performance by Cairdeas, ‘Kilkenny’s Parkinsons Choir’ at Loughboy Library on Fri. 20th. Sep. from 6:30 to 7:30, as part of Culture night celebrations. Cairdeas choir have sung in major performance venues in Kilkenny and beyond and have become known for their interactive, joyful delivery. They will perform some new pieces and will provide a varied program which includes poetry reading, a beautiful soprano soloist, and of course, the heavenly harmonies of the Cairdeas choir. As places are limited, phone 056-7794176 OR email loughboy@ kilkennylibrary.ie to book a place.

LOTTO

Last week’s numbers were 1, 19, 23, 31. There was no winner. The €40 consolation winners were Tom Keane, Mary Tierney, M. Butler, Des McGrath, Marian McCormick.

GOWRAN

Denny Cordell Day at Gowran Park 2024. Tickets available now at www.gowranpark.ie. First race at 2.15pm. Buses available from Kilkenny Castle gates at 1.15pm.

GOWRAN AC

Well done to the senior members and friends who were competing over the weekend in Kilkenny. Matt Ryan, Eamon Kelseys and Pat Lennon ran in the 30km Medieval Marathon, with impressive times by all.

walking.

We will be supplying Activator Walking Poles (similar to Nordic Poles) as these help us to stretch, walk in a nice upright way and they’re also useful for balance and for doing some light exercises when we’re finished our walk. You don’t have to use the poles if you don’t wish. ALL levels and abilities are welcome to join in the programme and we look forward to seeing you there. Nobody will be left behind. Come out, walk and chat. The link to register is https://www.krsp.ie/krsp-events. Participants must register and pay in advance. If you need help to do this call Seamus on 087 3567884 or call the office on 056 7794991. We can get you registered in 5 minutes!

BENNETTSBRIDGE

CENTRAL STATISTICS OFFICE

Do you live in or near Bennettsbridge? Bennettsbridge has been selected to participate in the Census Pilot Survey 2024. The Census Pilot Survey will test new census questions and ways of collecting census information. Census 2027 will be the first census in Irish history where you will have the option to fill in your census form online. The Census Pilot Survey will test how well this online option works. For details on how to participate: GO to https:// www.censuspilot.ie/

MASS TIMES

Weekday Masses, Wednesday And Friday,10.30am

CATHEDRAL DRAW

McGuire and two from the free-taker Jenna Larkin gave The Village a 2-08 to 1-03 half time lead. Throughout the 2nd half the James Stephens backs were under constant pressure and conceded a goal and a point early to the Gowran girls. In spite of heroics from captain Niamh Butler, Keri Hennessy and Sophie Meagher the Gowran girls claimed a third goal to leave just a point between the sides with time running out. Players who also shone during a tightly contested fixture were Anna Bergin, Molly Purcell, Ciara McDonald and Lucy McGrath. To seal the result just before the final whistle Jenna Larkin converted a free to give the relieved James Stephens girls a 2-09 to 2-04 victory. U-16 HURLING SEMI-FINAL

On Saturday morning the U-16 “A” Kilkenny championship semi-final between two evenly matched sides James Stephens and Erin’s Own produced a classic encounter at the end of which the Village lads came up short on a 1-22 to 0-22 scoreline. Played at a whirl wind pace with plenty of tough close marking by both defences resulting in an abundance of fouls which were converted by in form free takers Andrew Brennan (0-06) for The Village and Eoin Brennan (0-05) for Erin’s Own. A brave save by Cian Dermody in the James Stephens goal just before the half time whistle kept the score at 0-09 to 0-08 in favour of James Stephens. After Rory Power expertly drove a sideline strike over the bar in the 3rd minute of the second half the see-saw effect continued with the sides level on five occasions. A reflex save by Sam Coogan from Rory Glynn in the 15th minute denied James Stephens a goal. In the 25th minute with James Stephens holding a single point lead at 0-16 to 0-15 Erin’s Own finally broke through a dogged James Stephens defence for a game changing three pointer. Nevertheless, the Village responded with two frees from Andrew Brennan to level the game at 0-18 to 1-15 at the close of normal time. In the 4th minute of extra time Diarmuid Behan gave James Stephens supporters hope with a long range strike over the black spot but Erin’s Own responded with three quick points to take a 1-19 to 0-20 lead into the break. Over the final 10 minutes with the intensity of the exchanges players on both sides were struck with cramp and exhaustion but the physically stronger Erin’s Own defence continued to weather a storm of James Stephens attacks which yielded points from Paddy Purcell and Rory Power but still had enough in reserve to hit back and hold out for a 1-22 to 0-22 victory. Sometimes the bravest of efforts aren’t always rewarded. U-16 CAMOGIE QUARTER-FINAL

The U-16 camogie team lined out against O’Loughlin Gaels in the championship quarter final and were unlucky not to advance instead having to settle for a draw after a late comeback by their city rivals. After a slow start which saw O’Loughlin race into a 1-01 to nil lead before Laura Leahy and Maura Barton sparked a response with three points to bring James Stephens back into contention. With Lucy Commey and Mia Dunne exerting control from midfield the O’Loughlin’s defence conceded frees which Mia Dunne converted to give James Stephens a 1-08 to 1-03 halftime lead. Despite playing against the wind the Village increased their lead to 8 points thanks to a fortuitous goal from a free. With wind advantage the O’Loughlin’s girls fought back and broke through for two late goals to level the match with minutes left on the clock. In the nerve- wracking closing minutes both teams forfeited scoring chances resulting in a replay.

SYMPATHIES

The sympathies of the membership are extended to the Flynn and the Hennessy families on the death last week of Mrs. Nora Flynn, Furzehouse. Nora passed away peacefully in her home with her family at her bedside, having fought a long battle against her illness. To her husband Joe, sons Ian and Mark and their families we extend our sincere sympathies. Nora’s sons played soccer with Freebooters F.C., while the Hennessy family has a long association with the James Stephens club. Nora’s brother Martin was a Kilkenny senior championship and All-Ireland club medal winner while her nephew David lines out with the club’s junior team in the current Kilkenny championship. Nora was laid to rest in Foulkstown cemetery following Requiem Mass in St. Joseph’s Church on Saturday afternoon. “Air dheis Dei go raibh a anam dilis”.

NEWS

Sunday saw Gowran AC represented with a senior ladies and mens team competing in the Half Marathon in Charleville. The ladies team of Katie O’Brien, Kathryn Kennedy and Orla Clear were an impressive 8th team home in the ladies O35. The men’s team of John Coady, Marty Mosely and Paddy O’Keeffe were 17th in the O35 category. Mick Walsh had another great run placing 6th in men’s O70 category. Fantastic running by everyone again this weekend.

GOWRAN LITTLE THEATRE

Tickets now on sale at Gowranlittletheatre.com. Lá Lughnasa for its upcoming production of “Dancing at Lughnasa” by Brian Friel.

LISDOWNEY STRIKE LATE TO DENY YOUNG IRELANDS

LEAGUE HONOURS

A last gasp goal and winning point from Lisdowney denied Young Irelands League honours, following a titanic battle in The Intermediate League Final in UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday. Young Irelands appeared to be on the verge of victory when a Diarmuid Langton goal in the 57th minute followed by a Sean Carey point gave the Gowran men a three point lead (2-19 to 2-16), but a goal from Lisdowney sub Eibhann McEvoy brought them level (2-19 to 3-16) as extra-time appeared most likely.

However, Lisdowney were awarded a free from about halfway, and goalkeeper and captain Aidan Tallis stepped up to strike over the winning point as they snatched victory by a solitary point. 3-17 to 2-19. In one of the games of the season and with silverware up for grabs, both teams gave it everything in pursuit of victory.

Lisdowney made the brighter start and they led 0-8 to 0-4 in the first quarter, before a superb goal by Seamus Farrell gave them a 1-8 to 0-8 lead by the midway point of the half. Aidan Tallis replied with a goal from a penalty to level proceedings (1-8 each), and at half-time they regained the lead. 1-11 to 1-10.

The Teams were level up until the end of the third quarter (1-15 each), before a Luke Holohan goal gave them a three point lead. 2-15 to 1-15. However, Young Irelands kept plugging away and with 5 minutes remaining they trailed by just a solitary point(2-16 to 1-18).

A Diarmuid Langton goal followed by a Sean Carey point gave them a three point lead with victory within their grasp. 2-19 to 2-16. However, there were further twists as Lisdowney struck late to snatch victory out of Young Irelands hands. It was a heartbreaking way for The Gowran lads to lose, and they now turn their attention to their Intermediate Championship Quarter-Final next weekend against near neighbours Blacks and Whites.

Young Irelands Scorers - Sean Carey (0-8, 0-6 frees); Seamus Farrell (1-1); Diarmuid Langton (1-0); Pat Farrell, Ted Drea, Padraig O’Neill (0-2 each); Mikey Carey (0-2, frees); Jimmy Lennon, Jack Brennan (0-1 each)

MINOR HURLING

The Young Irelands Minors qualified for The County Minor Roinn A Semi-Final following a 2-20 to 2-19 win away to Thomastown after the Quarter-Final replay last Monday night week.

The Gowran Minors recovered from a 10 point deficit midway through the second-half of the drawn match to force a replay, and they now play Dicksboro next Saturday morning at 10.30am with a venue to be confirmed.

CAMOGIE

The Young Irelands Senior Camogie Team are scheduled to play their Championship Quarter-Final match next weekend. The Gowran Team won their three Group games and they lost out to Piltown on a place in the League Final.

Check out The Kilkenny Camogie website or Kilkenny Camogie/ Young Irelands Camogie Facebook pages for further details.

Meanwhile, The Young Irelands Juniors lost 2-9 to 3-4 against James Stephens in Gowran on Friday night in the first round of The Junior Championship, while The U-16s lost 4-5 to 1-11 at home to St. Annes in The Roinn C Championship Quarter-Final.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS FOOTBALL

The Gowran Primary Schools Team lost 2-2 to 0-5 against St. Canices.

WALKING GROUP FOR ALL

Come and walk with us on this tutor led programme each Friday morning at 10.00-11.00am. The programme is 10 weeks long from September 26th to December 6th with no walk on November 1st (mid term / Halloween). Meet at the Coffee Shop in Kilkenny Castle Park each Friday morning for 10am start. The Castle Park is a safe, protected space where we can all enjoy nature while

The St Mary’s Cathedral Restoration Fund Draw will resume in September with a monthly draw taking place on the last Wednesday of each month. Bishop Niall has thanked all who have supported the draw and has asked priests and promoters to continue to enroll people to support this. Since it was introduced over nine years ago the draw has raised over €750.000. The first draw will take place on Wednesday, 25th September. Contact usual promoters or Fr Pat Dalton.

VISIT OF RELICS

Ceremonies are taking place to honour the relics of St Bernadette, over the weekend of 21st and 22nd September in St Mary’s Cathedral.

WORK ON WOODLAWN PATHS

The paths on part of Woodlawn Estate are currently undergoing a make-over which is welcome, with particular attention being paid to the entry leading to the Community Hall.

SYMPATHY

Sympathy is extended to Paschal Bergin and family on the death of Paschal’s brother, John Bergin, Claude Road, Whitworth Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 and formerly of Dean Street and Rioch Street, Kilkenny City. John passed away on 6th September 2024, following an accident in Sardinia, Italy.

John is survived by his brothers Paschal, Michael, Stephen, David and sister Clare. John will be deeply missed by his loving family, sisters-in-law Tara, Cathy, Angela and Paschal’s fiancé Cinty, nephews and nieces James, Martha, their mother Grace,Jem, Éala, Fionn, Fíadh, Síomha, Anna, Ed, Evie, Max and Kate, uncles Johnny Hennessy, Brendan Bergin, David Bergin, cousins and extended family. He will also be sorely missed by his work colleagues in Fingal County Council, Local Government Management Agency and a wide circle of friends and neighbours. John is predeceased by his parents Lorcan and Margaret, uncles Eddie, Tom, Phil, his aunt Nellie and his faithful friend Butch the dog.

SUZANNE SHERIDAN (MAHER) RIP

The community was saddened to learn of the untimely death of Suzanne Sheridan Maher, Gowran, Kilkenny / Stoneyford. Suzanne spent seventeen years in Bennettsbridge where she operated a very successful hair salon.

Retired teacher in Ballyhale Vocational School and Ormonde College, Kilkenny. Suzanne passed away on Tuesday (10th September 2024), peacefully, following a short illness, surrounded by her loving family in the tender care of St. Vincent’s University Hospital. Predeceased by her parents Felix and Bridget (née McHugh) and her brother John. Suzanne will be sadly missed by her heartbroken daughter Iris, Iris’ fiancé Conor and her father John, brothers Noel and Donal, sister Marie, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins and a wide circle of treasured friends and wonderful neighbours.

Family, friends and neighbours came in large numbers to her brothers’ residence in Ennisnag where she lay in repose. Vigil prayers were recited. Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Assumption, Gowran, followed by interment afterwards in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Danesfort.

CAMOGIE

Bennettsbridge Minor camogie girls are County Champions after an incredible performance against the Blacks and Whites in Gowran at the weekend. A massive well done to girls and coaches, Dom, Ray and Eamon on completing the double to top off a great season.

LOTTO

No winner of Jackpot last week. Numbers, 2, 8, 9, 19. Consolation Prizes, Iris Cleere, Woodlawn, Leanne Simpson, Tullaroan, Kiera and Lucy, c/o McEvoy, Teresa, c/o Crafted, Judy Farrell, c/o Centra. CARDS RESULTS

September 3rd. First Prize, Marty Hanlon/Toddy Skehan and Pat Hanlon/Mary Whelan ( 11games). Table Prize Vinnie Horgan/ Andrew Barcoe.

September 10th. First Prize Three way divide Brian Ireland/Pat Savage, Brian Blackmore/Annie Lehane, Mickey Fitzpatrick/Lar Gibbons ( 10 games ) Table prize Bridget Murphy/ Tommy Hayes

KILKENNY VOLUNTEER CENTRE

The Kilkenny Volunteer Centre has a number of opportunities for volunteers at the moment. These include Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership (aka KRSP) organises a Volunteer Swim Buddy 2024 programme for children with disabilities. They are looking for volunteers of transition year students in local secondary schools and often participate as part of their An Gaisce award. Information fromwww.volunteerkilkenny.ie.

Kilkenny Volunteer Centre is proud to support Hygiene Hub Ireland. The Hub’s aim is to eradicate hygiene poverty. Please donate essential everyday items if you can. Those include essential

JAMES STEPHENS GAA AND CAMOGIE CLUB

St Lachtains Camogie U14s Girls Winners Of Lisdowney 7s At The Weekend

hygiene, personal care and household cleaning items.

Kinia is an education-focused non-profit, charity, and social enterprise running a Reading Buddy program in Irish primary schools. They are looking for volunteers to read with students either online or in-person twice a week for eight weeks. Training and support will be provided.

Big Brother Big Sister matches a young person (10-18 years), in need of friendship and support, to a caring adult youth mentor volunteer. Meetings are once a week, for an hour or two, and the initial commitment is for one year. Matches are supported by professional staff and made based on shared interests and hobbies.

Vision Ireland (formerly National Council for the Blind) preloved clothing boutique are welcoming to all new volunteers. Vision Ireland Shop Volunteers are needed in Kilkenny City and Castlecomer to be a part of their dynamic team. Every hour volunteered counts!

ALONE is looking for Telephone Befriending Volunteers. To provide companionship and support to elderly people living alone through weekly phone call. Full training will be provided.

No Name Club in Thomastown is looking for Adult Leader Volunteers. As Adult Volunteers you will help the running of the club for Two hours a week to help to facilitate the club and engage with young people.

Information fromwww.volunteerkilkenny.ie.

BORD NA NOG

On Tuesday the 10th September the U14 boys faced Clara for their Replay. Again another ferocious battle between these two teams. After full time they were level. Extra time AGAIN. An incredible ef-

into the last ten minutes and the ‘Bridge had to dig deep to finish strongly and get the last few points to win the game. We have now qualified for the quarter final and will play Tullaroan the weekend after next.

Underage Games. Our under 14 A team had another titanic struggle with Clara in the championship first round replay. The teams couldn’t be separated again after extra time in Bennettsbridge last Tuesday evening. Eventually the ‘Bridge lads came out on top by two points to qualify to play. Well done to both teams who played two excellent matches.

Our under 16 team played Conahy in the championship first round last Saturday morning, again there was very little between the teams but Conahy finished that little bit stronger to win out on a score line of 1-17 to 1 -14. Well done to all the lads who gave it their all.

Our under 12s played very well against O’Loughlin’s and Mooncoin in their Go Games finals on Saturday.

Bennettsbridge hosted the annual Mickey Kelly (Captain of the 1957 Kilkenny All-Ireland Winning team tournament on Sunday morning last. Despite the inclement weather some great hurling was played by all participating teams. The teams involved were Graig Ballycallan, Barrow Rangers, Holy Cross, Tullaroan, Erin’s Own and Bennettsbridge. Barrow Rangers won the cup. Bennettsbridge won the A shield and Graig Ballycallan won the second shield. Well done to all.

Lucky Dip Raffle. The senior players are running a fundraiser at the moment. Tickets cost 1 cent to 20 euro in a lucky dip, for example a ticket pulled could cost you one cent or up to 20 euro maximum.

Prize money is 1000 euro first prize, 500 euro second prize, 300 euro third and 200 euro fourth prize. Please contact Michael Shiel on 0868856810 or David Blanchfield on 0860529386 if you would like to take part.

Split the Pot

Well done to Ivan Kelly who won 109 euro, Adam Barden who won 30 euro and to Darragh O’Gorman who won 20 euro. Thanks again for the continued support.

Club Shop

A new range has been added to the Bennettsbridge on-line shop on the O’ Neill’s website. Simply enter Bennettsbridge into the search box to access the full range of adult and kids club gear.

GRAIGUENAMANAGH

GRAIG NOTES

Should you wish to submit news items, club events, announcements etc you can do so by emailing them to graignotes@ outlook.com. Deadline is Saturday 6pm.

LOTTO GAA AND SOCCER

The numbers drawn on 9/09/24 were 02, 05, 09, 20, there was no winner. The following won €30 each, Arla O’Donnell, Bryan Harberland, Annette Barry, Tammy Clifford, Moling Grennan. Tickets are available from any club member.

GRAIG TIDY TOWN DRAW

The lucky winners for the Draw on 12/09 2024, were First Priz€433, Dranagh Knockean Bally Roughan, Second Prize € 50 Irene Kinsella,third Prize €25 Andy Brophy. Money raised through Tidy Towns Jackpot will be used to keep the town looking well all the year round. . Draw takes place at 4pm on Thursdays.

RAMBLING HOUSE

The Monthly Rambling House Session is held on the second Friday of each month in Newtown Hall, where you can enjoy music and song from local artists and also many from the surrounding district. The next Session is on Friday October 11th at 8.00pm.

MASS TIMES FOR DUISKE ABBEY GRAIGUENAMANAGH

Monday to Friday 10.00 AM, Saturday 7,30 PM, Sunday 11AM

CLINIC

Cllr Peter Chap Cleere will hold his clinic on Monday Evenings from 7pm at his office in Main Street Graiguenamanagh.

GORESBRIDGE AND PAULSTOWN

fort from the boys got them over the line beating Clara by 2 points in the end. Well done boys and management .Full-time score Bennettsbridge 3-12. Clara 3-10

A tough day for the U16s losing out to Conahy Shamrocks for a place in the championship semi finals. It was neck and neck throughout the match with the boys leading by 2 points at halftime but unfortunately it wasn’t to be. Huge disappointment for the lads. Before the match the boys were presented with their new jerseys sponsored by Morgan Mc Kinley Careers. Full time Conahy Shamrocks 1-17 Bennettsbridge 1-13.

MENS SHED

The mens shed continues in the Community Centre each Wednesday from 2 to 4pm. All are welcome.

ART GROUP

Art Group resumed after the summer break and classes will continue each week. Arrangements regarding the programme will be finalized in the coming weeks.

GATHERING

The weekly gathering was well attended. Gentle chair exercises were enjoyed. Plans were discussed further regarding the Christmas Shopping Trip and Christmas meal. Tea, chat and weekly bingo followed.

GAA

Senior Hurling. After a very tough game Bennettsbridge seniors defeated Clara by 16 points to 14 in the senior championship first round in Thomastown last Saturday. Clara had first use of the wind and led 8 points to 5 at half time. They held the lead

Hurlers Co Op James Phelan c/o J Phelan. Promotors prize Seamus Rochford LOTTO WINNER PRESENTATION

Development Lotto Committee members presented recent Jackpot winner, Dave Little, with his winnings at a function in the Dicksboro clubhouse in Palmerstown. Dave was delighted with his win and was proud of the fact that his family have close connections to Dicksboro with his grandfather having previously served as Secretary of our Club in the early part of the 1900’s. Congrats Dave and thanks for supporting the club. All in Dicksboro really appreciate the continued weekly support from all our Lotto players and sellers which has helped the club enormously over the past 24 years.

JUVENILE HURLING RESULTS

Well done to our u14 Hurlers and their Coaches who had a great win against neighbours O’Loughlins in the Duggan Steel u14 Roinn A Championship Semi Final. The lads will now have a County Final to prepare for against Danesfort on Sunday 22nd of September Venue and time to be confirmed. Congratulations all round to both our u16 Teams in Roinn A and D who both won their Championship Semi Finals over the weekend. Both teams will look forward now to a County Final in two weeks time.

SENIOR HURLING

On Sunday afternoon in Freshford our Seniors had a comprehensive win over GraigueBallycallan on a scoreline of 1-24 to 1-11. The team will now play O’Loughlin Gaels on the weekend of 27/28th of September in the Quarter Final Stages.

JUNIOR HURLING

On Sunday evening in Muckalee our Junior Hurling Team unfortunately lost out to James Stephens. Hard luck to all involved.

PALMERSTOWN CLUBHOUSE

Dicksboro Clubhouse Bar is opened every Thursday from 8.30pm. Thursday nights is Lotto Draw and Cards Night. All are welcome out for a social drink, a chat and if there is interest, a beginners card table. We would be delighted to see you out to the club for a chat. We have a selection of non-alcoholic beers, barista coffee is also available so come along and enjoy.

BALLYRAGGET BALLYOUSKILL

GAA

St Patrick’s Ballyragget Junior side ended their 2024 set of games in a roughly fought contest against Piltown in Tullaroan. The Under 16 side were defeated by Ballyhale Shamrocks on Saturday last on a scoreline of 2-25 to 0-12. The minor side will play Ballycallan at home on Saturday morning at 10.30am.

BINGO

Bingo continues on Wednesday nights in the CYMS Hall at 8pm. All are welcome, with great prizes to be won.

CANCER SUPPORT

Cois Nore Cancer Support Centre Kilkenny have an Outreach Service available for the community of Ballyragget and the surrounding areas every Monday morning. Call in for a chat, support, and registration to The Cois Nore Cancer Support Centre in Kilkenny. The Cois Nore Outreach service will be held at Dr Hogan’s Rooms on the square in the morning - from 10 am to 12 pm. Please do not hesitate to drop in or, for an appointmentcontact 087-4833941.

CAMOGIE

Naomh Bríd Junior side lost by the narrowest of margins last Friday night under lights in Ballyragget. After a strong performance, they were just pipped at the post in the final moment of the game to lose by 1 point 2-6 t 0-13 The juniors will take on Mooncoin in their final league championship game at home, time and date to be confirmed.

Naomh Bríd U14 girls took part in the Lisdowney 7s on Sunday. The U10s team competed in a Camogie tournament in Mullinavat on Saturday morning. The Club hosted their last U8 blitz on Saturday morning.

BARROW RANGERS

Rangers won 0-17 against Kilmacow (1-10) last Saturday in Dunnmaggin.

BRIDGE UNITED Coaches needed for girls Under-12s. Contact Alan at 087 9572680. Welcome back to our Under-8’s, Training is on Saturday mornings 10-11am. Anyone wishing to join please contact Dave 087 1134864

CHURCH SERVICES

Weekend masses will be celebrated in Goresbridge at 7.30pm on Saturday and at 10.00am on Sunday as also in Paulstown at 11.30am on Sunday. Weekday mass is at 10am in Paulstown on Friday and on Tuesday and in Goresbridge, Wednesday, at 10am. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place in Paulstown every Tuesday after morning mass and lasts until 6pm.

SPLIT THE POT

In aid of Goresbridge Rural Development has gone online. Simply scan the QR code or go to lottoraiser.ie

TAR ISTEACH SHOP

Quality dresses for Autumn/Winter wear as well as cardigans, tops, jumpers, handbags household items are welcome.

YOGA

In Paulstown community hall has started each Monday from 7-8pm. Contact Caroline 087 9371939.

ZUMBA FITNESS

Zumba Fitness is back from Wednesday 18th September at 7.30pm for 6 weeks. €10 pay as you go. Dance your cares away, it’s fitness, it’s fun and all are welcome!

DICKSBORO

CLUB LOTTO

Dicksboro GAA Club LOTTO Results 12th September 2024. Nos: 3 4 11 16. Jackpot: Not won. Draw Prizes – €50: Paddy Phelan c/o Paddy Maher. €25 each Michael Kennedy c/o Online. €25 each Gina Gaule c/o T Hackett. €25 each Martin Hanrick c/o online.

After the long trek to Tullogher, Naomh Bríd U12s came out on top with a super team performance and the result. The Naomh Brid Street League will take place on the 24th and 27th of September. CHOIR

The Parish Choir resumed on September 18th in the Canon Malone Hall at 7.30pm. New members welcome.

TRADITIONAL MUSIC

Traditional Music lessons resume for kids on Thursday 26th September at 7pm (registration at 6.45pm) at Lisdowney Community Centre, County Kilkenny. R95 NN93, with our new Adult Trad music lessons section starting at 8pm (registration at 7.45pm) on Thursday 26th September. Instruments taught are Tin Whistle, Fiddle, Flute, Banjo, Mandolin, Bodhrán, Button Accordian and Concertina. Lessons are €10.00 per night. Lisdowney Traditional Music Group is a not for profit local community group.

MEN’S SHED

The Men’s Shed continue to meet on Tuesday mornings at the GAA pitch and Thursdays in the Cannon Malone hall while they continue to work on their own premises. They will shortly commence a lifestyle course which will include cooking and exercise information. All welcome.

TIDY TOWNS

The tidy towns committees work continues with maintaining the many floral beds and litter picking. Thanks to all who help out to keep the town looking so well.

BRIDGE CLUB

Freshford Bridge Club will resume on Monday 23rd September at Tulla Hall, Threecastles, at7.30 p.m. Bridge Classes for beginners will be arranged from October, if enough numbers are interested, contact 087-2369535. New members welcome.

NOTES

Should you wish to have an item included in the notes please forward same to the email address. ballyraggetballyouskill2021@ gmail.com . Many thanks.

JOHNSTOWN

BRIDGE Freshford Bridge Club will resume on Monday Sept 23rd at Tulla Hall at 7.30pm. Bridge classes for beginners will be arranged from

Bennettsbridge Minor Camogie Champions

Bennettsbridge U12s competed in the Go Games finals Mooncoin.

Bennettsbridge U16s runners-up to Conahy Shamrocks for a place in the championship semi finals.

Bennettsbridge Irish Dancers entertained the spectators at the Lovestock Festival in the Nore Valley Park recently

Tom Healy

Community & GAA Notes

October if enough people are interested. Contact 0872369535.

COIS NORE

An outreach service is available for the surrounding areas every Friday morning at The Mill Family Centre, Urlingford from 10 am to 12 noon. Drop in or make an appointment at 0874833941.

LIBRARY

The Chess Club resumed on Thursday September 19th at 6pm. Practise your strategy and learn from each other.

An Eco Art Workship for adults (Mandala making) will be held at the library on September 24th at 11am under the guidance of Edelle Nolan. Materials provided leaves, grasses, twigs, stones seeds, etc or bring something natural from your own garden. For more information on both events contact the library on 0567794182 or email urlingford@kilkennylibrary.ie.

SYMPATHY

Sympathy is extended to the Phelan and Tone families, Dublin Road on the untimely death of their cousin Jerry Watson, Woodview, Freshford.

CATHEDRAL DRAW

Should you wish to join the new draw please contact Caroline Phelan or Breda Campion by September 22nd.

RELICS

The relics of St. Bernadette will be in St. Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday and Sunday next September. 21th and 22nd. A programme of ceremonies has been arranged to venerate the relics.

KIDS CAMP

A Kids Camp for Halloween will be held in St. Kieran’s Hall on October 29th and 30th. The camp will be facilitated by art teacher Aaliyah Stapleton and artist Louise Walsh from 10am to 2pm each day and for children ages 5 to 13 years. The Camp activities include art/craft suplies, multiple Halloween arts and crafts activities, games and an exhibition at the end to show the wonderful spooky creations. For more information contact Louise on 0851150715 or Aaliyah on 0857449496.

SPA UNITED AFC

This week’s results; U12 girls division 1A Spa 2 Deen Celtic 6, U14 girls league division 1A Spa 5 Clover Utd 0, U16 girls league division 1 Spa 6 Freebooters 1, U12 boys league division 1A Spa Red 1 Callan Utd 1, U13 boys league division 1A Callan Utd 4 Spa Green 0, U14 boys league division 2 Spa boys 1 Evergreen 5.

SPA DEVELOPMENT/FENIANS LOTTO

This week’s winning numbers 2,5,14,25, one match three John Quinlan. Well done John.

MILL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE

ST KIERAN’S HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY

Applications are invited for the Vacant Tenancy of a one-bedroom house at St Kieran’s Place, Urlingford. To be eligible to apply you must be on the Kilkenny County Council Housing list. Applications are available from the Centre.

LOCAL TRAINING PROGRAMME L.T.I.

Free L.T.I. Course, which includes Driving Theory/Driving lessons starting soon, contact us for further information.

COIS NORE

Outreach Advice Clinic, at the Mill every Friday Morning from 10am to 12pm

COUNSELLING SERVICES:

Our low cost Counselling Services, includes One-to-One, Adult and Teens. General Counselling: Bereavement, Stress, Anxiety and Depression. Other Counselling Services available: Drug, Substance and Gambling Addictions. Play therapy is now also available. Age 4+. Please contact Sue for more information or to make an appointment.

SENIOR ALERT

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

DEFIBRILLATOR

There is a defibrillator located in the Mill FRC if and when it may be required.

APPEAL FOR CLOTHES DONATIONS

Any clothes donations would be greatly appreciated in aid of our counselling/play therapy services. Donations can be dropped off during our opening hours. Please call before dropping off.

JOBS – TRAINING BOARD

We have a Jobs Board, feel free to call in and take a look, we also offer help and support with CV’s and cover letters if required. For further information please contact us here at the Centre on 056-8838466

GORTNAHOE GLENGOOLE

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Glengoole Wednesday 10am to 2pm, Gortnahoe Thursday 10am to 1pm. The Rosary is recited before Mass in Glengoole every Saturday evening.

RELICS OF ST BERNADETTE OF LOURDES

These relics will visit every diocese this autumn. This very special event will provide an opportunity for people to experience the special gifts and charisms in Lourdes. Her relics will be at Holycross Abbey this Thursday the 19th & Friday the 20th. The relics will be in Holycross at 9.30am on Thursday and will leave Holycross on Friday at 12 noon for Ossory Diocese.

WAY DOWN UNDERGROUND

A Miner’s Life through song and story - this Friday 20th September in Glengoole Hall at 8pm, doors open at 7.30pm.

MEN ON THE MOVE CLASSES

Men On The Move Classes will take place every Monday morning 11:15 - 12:15 in Millenium Family Resource Centre Glengoole. Gentle fitness with a focus on Men’s Health, Nutrition Advice, Maintaining Mobility Levels and Positive Ageing. To book contact Alice at 083 1014313

YOGA CLASSES

Yoga classes are taking place on Monday’s and Wednesday’s from 7-8pm in Gortnahoe Community Hall. 4 week block €50 or €15 drop in fee. Booking essential, contact Jenny via text/Whatsapp 0879420826.

GORTNAHOE BINGO

Gortnahoe Hall are celebrating the 27th anniversary of playing bingo. This special bingo will take place this Saturday 21st

September at 4pm, doors opening at 3pm. Over €4,000 in prize money on offer including a special game for €500 and an anniversary special game for €800. There will be Split the Pot which include hamper prizes. It would be great to see a big turnout from the parish. It will be a great evening of entertainment for all.

SPLIT THE POT

Congratulations to Dolores Lawlor, who won €183 in the Split the Pot draw last Sunday. Envelopes are available at the usual outlets, you can also Revolut to 0876777220. For the month of September Split the Pot will be in support of Ballysloe Community Group. The draw takes place each Sunday at 12pm in Gortnahoe Hall. Your support would be appreciated.

VACANCY

A vacancy in MFRC Community Preschool for an AIM Support Worker- part time 15 hours per week/temporary position. Full details from Julie O’Halloran on 083 1008075 or email julie@mfrc. ie - closing date for applications this Friday 20th September 12 noon.

GORTNAHOE COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT SCHEME

Is looking to recruit a full-time paid supervisor. Details of the position and application are on Jobs Ireland. Participant vacancies on the scheme for Caretaker, Maintenance Operative and Eldercare Kitchen Assistants are also on Job Ireland.

TIMOTHY CLEARY RIP

The death has occurred of Timothy Cleary, Beechmount, Newtown Hill, Tramore, Co. Waterford, London and formerly Gortnahoe, September 9th, peacefully at home in the presence of his family. Predeceased by his brothers and sisters and survived by his last sister Josephine. Sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife Mary, sons Timothy, Mark, Lorcan and Ronan, daughters Siobhàn, Fìona and Colleen, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and a wide circle of friends. Timothy reposed at Doyle’s Funeral Home, Urlingford last Friday evening. Removal took place on Saturday morning to the Church of the Sacred Heart, Gortnahoe arriving for Requiem Mass. Interment took place afterwards in the Good Shepherd Cemetery, Gortnahoe. May he rest in peace.

CATHERINE CORCORAN RIP

The death has occurred of Catherine (Kitty) Corcoran (nee Coady), Highfield Grove, Clonmel and formerly Gortnahoe. Kitty passed away peacefully in the tender care of the Waterford University Hospital Oak Ward on Friday morning surrounded by her loving family. She is pre-deceased by her brothers Richard and Michael and her sisters Moll and Biddy. Beloved wife and mother she will be sadly missed by her husband Pat, sons Shane, Emmet and Brian, daughter Niamh, grandchildren Alanna, Jack, Owen, Niall, Leah, Dylan, Conor, Caelan and Croía, sister Peggy, brother Johnny, son-in-law Stephen, daughters-in-law Gillian, Eimear and Niamh, nephews, nieces, extended family and friends. Kitty reposed at Condons Funeral Parlour, Clonmel last Monday evening. Removal took place yesterday to St Oliver’s Church for funeral Mass. Cremation will take place afterwards in The Island Crematorium Cork. May she rest in peace.

KILMANAGH

ADRIAN FOXALL

Adrian Foxall, son of Margaret and the late Geoff has died recently in the U.K. following a long battle with cancer. He will be sadly missed by his wife Angela and twins Isabelle and George, his brother Frank, sister Alison, nieces and nephews, cousins, friends and his mother Margaret. May Adrian rest in peace.

ST. MICHAEL’S PATTERN

The annual pattern (Rosary, blessing of graves), will take place on Sunday, 29th September at the cemetery in Michaels Church.

LORETO SECONDARY SCHOOL

First Year Enrolment, Autumn 2025. Closing day for applications for 1st Year is 22nd October, 2024. Applications via school website at www.loretokk.ie. An Open Night for 6th Class girls will take place on Thursday 26th September 2024. Further information on our website (above).

FLOWER ARRANGING

Flower arranging course with Eva Holmes on Thursday, 17th October for four consecutive Thursdays, 6.30 to 9.30. Cost €20 per person. Contact Siobhán on 087 288 7292.

CLEAN UP

Ahead of the forthcoming Running Club 10k and5k Races, the organisers are having a litter clean-up of the village and the route. Join them next Saturday, September 21st, at 10am in the car park.

MINOR HURLING

Graigue Ballycallan minors had a good First Round win over Clara recently in the Minor B championship. They won on a scoreline of GBC 0-17 Clara 0-11. Cormac Neary was the difference on the day scoring 12pts. Strong displays from Sean McGrath, Aidan Comerford, Michael Tynan, Paidi Egan, Eoghan Cahill and Cormac. They now play St. Patricks Ballyragget in the quarter final on Saturday 21st at 10.30am in Ballyragget. All support welcome.

BRIDGE

Freshford Bridge Club will resume on Monday 23rd September at Tulla Hall, Threecastles, at 7.30 p.m. Bridge Classes for beginners will be arranged from October if enough numbers are interested, contact 087-2369535. New members are always welcome.

SINGING CIRCLE

School House Singing Circle returns on the last Saturday of each month, starting on Saturday September 28th. 7.30-9.30pm in Naomh Aodhán Community Centre, Kilmanagh. €2 on the door and refreshments served. Musicians, singers, storytellers and spectators welcome.

DANCING WITH DECLAN

Social Dancing lessons in Ballycallan Hall on Monday nights.

Total Beginners from 7-8pm. Others from 8 -9.30 pm. Details from Declan on 085 708 9128.

BODY CONDITIONING

Body conditioning classes, set to music, starts on Wednesday October 2nd from 7-8pm in Ballycallan Hall. Details from 087 916 1996. SET DANCING

Set Dancing classes return to Ballycallan Hall on Friday 27th of September from 6.30pm. Details from Mary Dunphy 086 401 0914.

WIND TURBINES

A community meeting will be held on Thursday 26th September in Ballycallan Hall at 8:15pm to update everyone on the proposed wind turbine development in the area.

BINGO

Bingo continues each Tuesday at 8.15pm in Ballingarry Community Centre. Great prizes assured.

DEFIBRILLATOR TRAINING

If there’s enough interest, we plan on running a defibrillator training course in the near future. If you are interested in taking part please text your name to Annette Wall at 086 835 3993. The course is planned for the end of September.

WALKING GROUP FOR ALL

Come and walk with us on this tutor led programme each Friday morning at 10.00-11.00am. The programme is 10 weeks long from September 26th to December 6th with no walk on November 1st (mid term / Halloween). Meet at the Coffee Shop in Kilkenny Castle Park each Friday morning for 10am start. The Castle Park is a safe, protected space where we can all enjoy nature while walking. We will be supplying Activator Walking Poles (similar to Nordic Poles) as these help us to stretch, walk in a nice upright way and they’re also useful for balance and for doing some light exercises when we’re finished our walk. You don’t have to use the poles if you don’t wish. All levels and abilities are welcome to join in the programme and we look forward to seeing you there. Nobody will be left behind. Come out, walk and chat. The link to register is https://www.krsp.ie/krsp-events/. Participants must register and pay in advance. If you need help to do this call Seamus on 087 3567884 or call the office on 056 7794991. We can get you registered in 5 minutes!

IRISH DANCING CLASSES

McAliskey School of Irish Dancing will hold Irish Dancing Classes in Naomh Aodhan Community Centre on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 starting in September. Open to children aged 3 years and above. Contact Seána on 083 8638436 to enrol.

RUNNING CLUB

To celebrate their 10th Birthday the Running Club (in conjunction with St Aidan’s National School Parents Association) will host a number of events, in Kilmanagh, on Saturday, September 28th. 5k Family Fun Run/Walk starts at 11.10am (€10 individual entry/€20 for families), on the day registration. 10k Chipped Run starts at 11am, register online at eventmaster.ie/event/JkLmHpvHRk. Refreshments will be served. Bib collection on the day. AI Permit Granted, number 23/95. Note : 10k open to Over 18s only, 5k not chipped, children must be accompanied by parents/guardian.

NAOMH AODHAN COMMUNITY CENTRE

The Naomh Aodhán Community Centre in Kilmanagh is available to hire for meetings, social occasions, etc. Contact Naomh Aodhán on 083 3413 024 for details of availability.

BALLYCALLAN COMMUNITY HALL

Ballycallan Community Hall is also available for hire and events. Contact Jimmy Lynch, or any of the committee members for details.

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.

CONAHY

HURLING

The intermediate hurlers lost out by a single point to St. Martin’s in the opening round of the Michael Lyng Motors Intermediate Championship in Ballyragget on Sunday afternoon last. In a really close game all through, a late pointed free gave St. Martin’s a 0-21 to 0-20 victory. The result means Conahy face into a do or die relegation final with Carrickshock on the weekend after next to see who will drop down to the junior grade in 2025.

TEAM: Karl Downey, Ciaran Rice, Philip Cass, Liam Cass, Donal Brennan, Brian Healy, Davy Healy, Darragh Hennessy, Eoin Cahill, Tom Phelan, James Bergin, Tom Rice, Rob Ring, Kieran Mooney, Mark Gunner. Subs.: Darragh Dooley, Bill Murphy.

The under-16 boys qualified for the county semi-final with a hard fought win over Bennettsbridge in the Roinn C championship in Jenkinstown on Saturday morning last. There was little between the sides all through with Conahy holding a narrow 1-7 to 1-6 lead at half-time. It was nip and tuck all the way to the end until a succession of Conahy points before the end saw them prevail on a 1-17 to 1-13 score line.

TEAM: Neil Webster, Rory Dunne, Tadhg Hennessy, Bobby Dooley, Darragh Horgan, Patrick Kennedy, Finn Sherman, Rory Rhatigan, Billy Rowe, Adam Morrissey, Jack Rhatigan, Joe Boland, M.J. Buggy, Brian Phelan, Rory Sherman. Sub.: James Byrne.

The under-14 hurlers fought a high scoring battle with James Stephens in the Roinn C championship quarter-final. The scores were close until the final quarter when the city side managed to pull away to win. However, Conahy can be really proud of their efforts for such a young team, and credit goes to all the boys for their hard work throughout the year.

TEAM: Padraig Murphy, Noah Meaney, Jack Gamble, Aaryn Kenehan, Ethan McEvoy, James Byrne, Diarmuid Quinn, Mikey Hurley, Richie Rowe, Cian Rhatigan, Bobby Dooley, Ben Byrne, Ciaran Quinn, M.J. Buggy, Brandon Maher.

CAMOGIE

The junior camogie girls scored a good win over Lisdowney in their most recent game in the Junior C Cup. A fine team performance saw Conahy win out on a 3-15 to 2-2 score line.

TEAM: Molly Trait, Aoife Gamble, Aislin Comerford, Grainne Comerford, Hannah Murphy, Amy Morrissey, Sarah Webster, Aisling Maher, Evelyn Phelan, Siofraidh Kennedy, Grace Mulhall, Molly O’Dornan, Robyn Morrissey, Emma Cahill, Naomi Kerr, Megan Hurley.

GREYHOUND NIGHT

Conahy Shamrocks GAA and Conahy Shamrocks Camogie Club are hosting a Greyhound Night in St. James Park on this Friday, September 20th. Tickets cost €10 for adults and children under-14 are free. All in the community are asked to support and attend as all funds raised will go towards the development of the Polo Grounds in Jenkinstown.

CLUB LOTTO

The numbers drawn in the most recent GAA Club Lotto were 4, 5 and 28. There was no jackpot winner, so the consolation prize winners were Padraic Healy, Hennessy Family (Toor), Declan Downey, Nora Delaney and Ron Saunders. The promoter prize winners were Teresa Dollard, Nora Delaney and John Carroll. Many thanks to everyone who supports the GAA Club Lotto.

BRIDGE

Conahy Bridge Club resumes on Thursday, September 26th, in Conahy Hall at 7.30 pm. New members welcome. Freshford Bridge Club will also resume on Monday, September 23rd at Tulla Hall, Threecastles at 7.30 p.m. Bridge Classes for beginners will also be arranged from October if enough numbers are interested. Please contact 087-2369535 if you wish to take part. New members are always welcome.

COIS NORE CANCER SUPPORT

Cois Nore Cancer Support Centre Kilkenny have an Outreach Service for the community of Ballyragget and the surrounding areas every Monday morning. Call in for a chat, support, and registration to The Cois Nore Cancer Support Centre in Kilkenny. The Cois Nore Outreach service will be held in the morning from 10 am to 12 pm at Dr Hogan’s Rooms, The Square in Ballyragget. Please do not hesitate to drop or, for an appointment contact 087-4833941. Cois Nore Outreach is also available in Castlecomer on Monday mornings at The Old Courthouse, Kilkenny Street, Castlecomer from 10 am to 12pm.

STONEYFORD

HUGGINSTOWN NEWMARKET

MASS TIMES IN AGHAVILLER PARISH

Hugginstown: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9.30a.m. Vigil – Saturday at 8.00p.m, Sunday at 10.00a.m. Stoneyford, at 7.00p.m. Vigil, Saturday at 6.30p.m. Saturday 21st. Feast of St. Matthew (Apostle and Evangelist) PRAY FOR

Suzanne Sheridan, Gowran and late of Ennisnag. Anniversary Mass Neddy and Joe Dwyer, Croan, Mass in Hugginstown Church on Saturday 21st. September at 8.00p.m. ROTA (25TH. SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME) Readers, Stoneyford, Saturday 6.30p.m. Neill O’Grady. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Valerie Farrell. Sunday 10.00a.m. Noreen Kenneally. Eucharistic Ministers, Stoneyford: Saturday 6.30p.m. Barbara Smolen. Hugginstown, Saturday 8.00p.m. Mary Cahill, Sunday 10.00a.m. Kay Power. ST. MARY’S CATHEDRAL RESTORATION FUND DRAW

The first draw for St. Mary’s Cathedral Restoration Fund 2024/2025 year is due to take place on Wednesday 25th.September 2023. The draw year 2024/20225 will run from September 2024 to August 2025. Draw will be held at 8.00p.m on the last Wednesday of each month. Tickets are available at the Parish House, Hugginstown: Telephone contact 056 776 8693. All Tickets to be bought by Monday 23rd. September if you wish to be part of the First Draw on Wednesday 27th. Subscription €10.00 per month: Prize Money €5,000.00 per month.

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

STONEYFORD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

Stoneyford has registered for the “Let’s Team Up to Clean Up Together for Kilkenny” initiative 2024, which takes place over the weekend of the 20th. to 22nd. of September. After some terrific initiatives this past spring and summer, the Development Association and Tidy Towns groups would be delighted to welcome some new hands on deck on Saturday September 21st from 10.00a.m. at the Community Centre to do a final autumn clean up. Bring weather appropriate clothing and a smile, they will provide a cuppa and anything else you may need!

ST. BERNADETTE OF LOURDES:

The Diocese of Ossory will host a visit of the Relics of Saint Bernadette of Lourdes on next weekend of 21st and 22nd September in St Mary’s Cathedral.

On Saturday, 12.00Noon. Formal Reception with Mass, 3.00p.m. Rosary 6.00p.m. Ceremony of Water,7.30p.m. Ceremony of Light and Concluding Prayer.

On Sunday, 11.00a.m. Sunday Mass. 3.00p.m. Rosary, 5.30p.m. Sunday Mass. 7.30p.m. Bishop Niall Coll leads a Farewell Ceremony

FAITH SEEKING UNDERSTANDING

A Course over the winter months in St. Kieran’s College to allow people the opportunity to understand their Faith. The course is free. Further information from 056 776 8693 or email afd@ossory. ie. Applications close on 20th. September ‘24

LOTTO

Aghaviller Parish and Carrickshock

G. A. A. Draw: Monday 9th. September 2024 Numbers: 23; 06; 08; 05. No Winner First 3 Numbers Drawn. No Jackpot Winner: €30.00. Winners. Matty Duggan, Mullinavat. “Blue” c/o Catherina Roche. Tessie Maher, Kyleva. Orna Murphy, Rockhall. “The 4 of Us”, Rathduff. 3 x €15.00 (Sellers). James Irish; Eamon Irish, Mary Carroll.

OLDER PEOPLES INFORMATION SERVICE

Kilkenny Older Peoples Council has arranged a series of information presentations, to be professionally provided, for people aged 55 and over, in the Mayfair Library, Parliament Street, Kilkenny. The Presentation given by (Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership) on “What does being Physically Active mean for an Older Person?” on Friday 20th. September. Time 11.00a.m. to 1.00p.m. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers and a cup of tea. Booking is not required. When there, why not avail of an opportunity to see the new modern Library facilities that Kilkenny has to offer? All are welcome.

LORETO SECONDARY SCHOOL

First Year Enrolment for September 2025. The closing date for applications for a First Year places is 22nd. of October 2024. Applications can be made via the school website www.loretokk. ie.. An Open Night for Sixth Class Girls will take place on Thursday, 26th. September 24. Further information will be on our website also www.loretokk.ie

Kilkenny Sport Focus

Michael O’Leary

Donagh Meyler

The Galway Races went under the radar this year, with The Olympic Games in Paris taking centre stage highlighted by the wonderful success of the Irish.

One man who enjoyed a memorable week in the West was Donagh Meyler from Kilmacow, as he won his secondnd Galway Plate in a thrilling finish following victory on The 20/1 shot Pinkerton trained by Noel Meade.

It was a second Galway Plate triumph for Donagh after he partnered the Gordon Elliott trained Lord Scoundrel to win in 2016 in what was also an Olympic year.

Donagh rode his first winner under rules on March 1st 2015 in Navan, when he partnered the Tony Martin trained Anibale Fly to a bumper victory. He would enjoy further glory on Anibale Fly in one of the most prestigous handicaps, The Paddy Power Chase at The Leopardstown Christmas Festival in 2017.

Anibale Fly would go on

BY PAUL BOLGER

We humans like stability. We create rules and routines. Structure, routine and predictability are all important. However, a level of variability seems to be essential for health and resilience in a wide range of systems.  Today, we will explore a few different examples of this, and relate it to our own health, specifically to back health.

A Robust Economy

An economy that is reliant on a small number of industries is vulnerable to collapse. Consider a country that is hugely reliant on one resource or industry. While times are good in that particular sector, the economy will be flying it. But even a small crisis can cause the whole economy to fall asunder.  Healthy economies are diverse and have a wide range of industries and resources – they have wide variability. If there is a downturn in one area, the economy remains strong as it is held up by others. It is more resilient to changes and much healthier. There is even greater innovation in these diverse economies – cultivating further

to perform very well at the highest level, as he was placed twice in both The Cheltenham Gold Cup and The Aintree Grand National in 2018 and 2019.

He was a staying on thisrd in The 2018 Gold Cup, before finishing 2nd behind the Willie Mullins trained Al Boum Photo in 2019.

Tiger Roll won The Aintree Grand National in both years that Anibale Fly was placed, and The Kilmacow man would enjoy big race success on the dual National winner in The Munster National at Limerick in 2016. That Munster National triumph in 2016 reignited Tiger Roll's career, who had lost his way after winning the Triumph Hurdle in 2014 for the first of his five victories at The Cheltenham Festival.

Tiger Roll would go on to win The National Hunt Chase in 2017 with Lisa O'Neill in the saddle, before winning The Cross Country Chase in 2018, 2019 and 2021.

Donagh quickly established

himself as one of the leading conditional riders earlier on in his career, and the Karl Thornton trained Colms Dream was a great money spinner as he won five races.

His first Cheltenham Festival winner came in 2018 when he partnered the Gordon Elliott trained Blow By Blow to win the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle.

He enjoyed a big race tri-

umph at The Listowel Festival in 2019 when partnering Razoul for Dunnamaggin trainer Ray Cody to win The Liam Healy Lartique Handicap Hurdle, while the 2020-2021 was his best with 26 winners. Donagh only rode 15 winners in the 2021-2022 season, but he enjoyed a day to remember in Fairyhouse on New Years Day with his first ever treble.

He would end 2022 on a high with a big race victory, also in Fairyhouse as he partnered

The Emmet Mullins trained Merlin Giant to win The €100,000 BarOneRacing.Com Handicap Hurdle ahead of the recent Galway Plate winner Pinkerton that Donagh was on board.

Further success came for the Emmet Mullins stable at last years Punchestown Festival, as

Variability is healthy

Variability is an important aspect of health in many systems in life

resilience.  Famine  Reliance on one staple crop can leave a population vulnerable to famine. Our history here in Ireland is overshadowed by the great hunger of the mid 1800s –when the potato crop that people relied on repeatedly

failed for years. Catastrophe ensued.

Biodiversity  We have all heard of the importance of biodiversity. Ecosystems need variety of life for health. This includes sustained and varied interactions between a wide

variety of plants, animals, fungi, bacteria and other microorganisms. Diverse ecosystems are much healthier and more tolerant of changes that they encounter.  When variability is reduced, an ecosystem is more vulnerable to ill-health and collapse.

Donagh won his first Grade 1 aboard Feronily in The Champion Novice Steeplechase.

Following on from his recent Galway Plate triumph, Donagh was in the winners enclosure again in the West the following week in Roscommon as his victory aboard Le Grand Vert was the 175th in his career.

One has to have great admiration for the South Kilkenny man, as his hard graft over the past decade has seen him deservedly rewarded for his hardworking efforts. It's difficult in the sense for him and others to shine on the big stage considering the dominance of Willie Mullins, and also leading trainers like Gordon Elliott and Henry De Bromhead regularly supplying contenders for the featured races.

However, Donagh has kept plugging away and a 2nd Galway Plate is testament to his persistence and hard work that rewarded him with one of the highlights of his career. Donagh will be hoping to keep the partnership with Pinkerton intact, if they lineup in The Kerry National at next weeks Listowel Festival.

their back, they cut back on many activities, they avoid certain places and postures. Variability is reduced and they are restricted to fewer and fewer options – closing their world in around them.  All of this may be useful in the short-term following an injury or during a pain flare – allowing time and space to recover. But it can cause serious problems in the long term.

With recovery, growing out of this restriction and cultivating variability is essential. This might include varying how we lift, move and sit. It might also mean varying the activities that we do, slowly opening ourselves back up to the lives we previously enjoyed.

At Your Own Pace

Variability & Back Health

Our bodies are no different – variability is key for health and resilience. Back health is a good case in point. Often when people suffer from back pain, they begin to restrict themselves in many ways. They reduce movement of

Some people will be able to return to their usual ways quite quickly. Some will need to take a slow and steady approach –gradually building the variability back into their lives. Others, generally a minority, might need help and guidance from a trained healthcare professional – like a physiotherapist or an occupational therapist.  This is just one example where we know variability is important for health, resilience and quality of life. Can you think of other ways variability is important in your life?

Jockey Donagh Meyler with Stylist Marietta Doran

Hurling matters - St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League & Championship

Sport

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

The club hurling picture became a little clearer following last weekend’s action, which saw League matters concluded and the first round of championship action completed. Current county champions, O’Loughlin Gaels powered past Tullaroan to claim the league title, running out 15-point winners in the second game of the doubleheader played at UPMC Nowlan Park. The curtain raiser which was contested between Thomastown and Mullinavat saw the latter crowned Shield winners, a magnificent result for the Vegas Boys.

For many, the final instalment of weekends’ action was the big game which saw a clash of two giants on Noreside, James Stephens and Shamrocks Ballyhale. Somewhat surprisingly, this was a relegation semi-final as both sides have struggled for form and the ability to get their first choice XV on the pitch during the league campaign.

A big crowd made their way to John Locke Park in Callan for the relegation battle, and they were treated to an entertaining contest with some decent scores and plenty of effort from both sides. The encounter was close for long periods, but Shamrocks greater quality on the pitch made the difference as Jimmy Meagher’s charges had nine points to spare at the long whistle.

Brian Cody’s outfit opened the scoring in the second minute, courtesy of a free from Cian Kenny after the county star had been fouled by Darragh Corcoran. They doubled their lead less than a minute later when Luke Scanlon split the posts from way out the pitch. Shamrocks got off the mark from the restart, when the ball was worked to Killian Corcoran who had peeled off into space and sent over a fine score. Village number 10, Ross Whelan then fired over before Niall Shortall collected the ball, turned and rifled over a cracking point. Eoin Cody, who was back in the starting line-up then combined some hard work with a touch of his class to notch a lovely score to level matters on 6 minutes.

Niall Shortall who was looking lively in the early exchanges, then gave a pass to John Fitzpatrick who pointed to give the South Kilkenny side lead for the first time. The lead was short lived, as Cian Kenny scored from a placed ball after Evan Shefflin had halted Luke Scanlon illegally. The game’s first major was then registered with eight minutes gone. Another returnee, TJ Reid took a trademark catch and headed for goal. As the veteran county legend powered forward, he popped a pass to Adrian Mullen who stepped inside before rifling the sliotar past Gavin Costigan in The Village goal. Shamrocks then built on the major with the next score, a sweet effort from Niall Shortall way out on the left, who was picked out superbly by Paddy Mullen’s long pass. Cody’s men responded with a quality score from Ed McDermott who beat Joey Holden before splitting the posts. Eoin Cody then registered his

second point of the game from the left-hand side, before another placed ball effort from Cian Kenny reduced the deficit to three points. Killian Corcoran then found Paddy Mullen in space on halfway, and the latter struck over a booming point for his first of the afternoon. The impressive Ed McDermott then notched another quality score, from a tight angle out on the left, having shaken off the attention of his marker once more. A brace of successful placed balls from Cian Kenny saw the Shamrocks lead cut to the bare minimum, but TJ Reid replied with a free of his own, having been fouled by Niall Mullins. The ever-threatening Eoin Cody then collected the ball close to the endline and used his pace and movement to create a kinder angle before dispatching his effort between The Village posts. The accurate Cian Kenny then added to his growing tally with another free, after referee Gavin Quilty decided that Brian Butler had taken about ten steps to many

as he made his way out of defence! Adrian Mullen then set up TJ for another quality score from play to push the Shamrocks lead back out to three points with the same amount of time remaining in the first half. Brian Cody was then forced to make a change, when their most lively forward, Ed McDermott was replaced by Eoin Guilfoyle, after appearing to catch his studs in the grass. Evan Shefflin then lost his latest tussle with Luke Scanlon, who drew the foul, which allowed Cian Kenny to notch another point. Then came the second of Shamrocks four majors. Eoin Cody picked out Adrian Mullen whose shot struck the post, but thankfully for his side, TJ was alert as ever and he collected the ball before firing to the net. A big score, and a psychological blow to James Stephens. To their credit, The City side finished the half strongly, with that man Kenny, sending over another brace of placed balls to reduce the Shamrocks lead to three

points at the short whistle. second period, much like the first, registering the first score, another free from Cian Kenny, but the classy Adrian Mullen hit back for Shamrocks

TJ. No doubt that Brian Cody would have spoken about ensuring no further goals being conceded during his halftime talk, but unfortunately for his side, a third green flag was soon being raised in John Locke Park. Richie Reid collected the

Eoin Cody drives forward and attempts to take possession

Shamrocks click to sink Village

‘Bridge, ‘Boro & Erin’s Own advance to QF’s as Clara, GBC and Glenmore bow out

ball out on the right sideline and launched it forward in the direction of Eoin Cody. Diarmuid Cody in his eagerness to avert danger, left his namesake to try and nick the ball, but dropped his hurl and ended up trying to collect the sliotar with his hand. Unfortunately for The Village full back, the ball evaded him and was pounced on by Eoin. The former

Guilfoyle collected the sliotar and made his way into space before unleashing an unstoppable shot, to leave just one point between the sides with about twenty minutes left to play in Callan. When your radar’s in, it’s in and Cian Kenny confirmed this when he split the Shamrocks posts from deep inside his own half to deadlock matters to the delight of the James Stephens supporters in attendance. Shamrocks Ballyhale, importantly for them, got the next score, a classy point from Adrian Mullen who caught Mason’s puck out before dispatching his effort between The Village posts. Joey Holden, who was having his biggest test since returning to these shores was then beaten to the ball by the impressive Guilfoyle who rifled over from a tight

With the game seemingly in the melting pot, Shamrocks struck the final major of the relegation clash. Niall Shortall showed a great turn of pace to leave his marker in his wake. as he got close to goal, he

was bundled to the ground by a combination of Larry Cody and Mikey Byrne, stonewall penalty. Up stepped TJ, he struck his effort hard and low, but Village netminder Costigan was equal to it and managed to block the effort, however Paddy Mullen reacted quickest and batted the ball across the goal where TJ applied the finishing touch. If at first you don’t succeed....

This three-pointer appeared to be a shot in the arm of the Shamrocks players, as they turned the screw on their opponents for the remainder of the game. Eoin Cody, Paddy Mullen (2) and a brace from TJ saw Jimmy Meagher’s men finish strongly. Paddy’s brace were both booming efforts from distance, but the final Shamrocks score of the game from Liam Barron was one of the best of the day. The sub picked up the ball close to the right sideline before firing over off his left side for a terrific point to cap a much better performance from Shamrocks Ballyhale. Final score, Shamrocks Ballyhale 4-19, James Stephens 1-19.

TJ Reid Keeps his eye on the ball as hes challenged by Niall Mullins

Shield BattleJay Burke goes down to gain possession tackled by Ger Malone

League winners! OLG’s Jordan Molloy wins his battle with Mossy

Planning notices

MARGARET COMERFORD 1ST ANNIVERSARY

In loving memory of our Grandmother

Margaret Comerford, late of 34 Stephen Street, Kilkenny whose 1st Anniversary occurs on 28th September 2024.

MARY O’BRIEN 1ST ANNIVERSARY

In loving memory of our Grandmother

Mary O’Brien, late of 42 Assumption Place, Kilkenny whos 1st Anniversary occurred on 31st August 2024

Missed so much

Our Special Grandmothers

We’ll think of you both at sunrise As beautiful as your smiles

We will hear your voices in birdsong And remember you all the while

Loved and sadly missed your grandchildren Jennie, John and Paul.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. M.M

PETER GAULE 23RD ANNIVERSARY

In loving memory of Peter Gaule, late of 3 Kenealy Avenue whose anniversary occurs at this time.

As each day dawns We think of you As each night falls We pray for you And throughout our lives

No matter where In our hearts, You are always there.

From your friends Des and Carmel

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. A.B.

PETER GAULE 23RD ANNIVERSARY

In loving memory of Peter Gaule, late of 3 Kenealy Avenue whose anniversary occurs at this time.

A butterfly came floating by and I thought I knew its face It landed just in front of me and spread its wing of lace As it winked and flew away I’m sure I heard it whisper I’m with you ever day

Loved and remembered always by Gerry and Marian

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. M.B.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. A.R.

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. A.S.

The Miracle Prayer