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Parents are facing childcare chaos as some providers are planning two days of closures next month to try to broker a new Government funding deal. Elaine Dunne of the Fed- eration of Early Childhood Providers said the small and medium-sized services would shut on November 11 and She said the move was to “take a stand for small pro- viders who are forced to close

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Travel & Leisure

Travel & Leisure

Post-pandemic world sees majority of charities suffer

Businesses are being urged to support charities through the current funding crisis by providing funding to meet essential needs, according to a new report by the Benefact Group, which owns Ecclesiastical Insurance in Ireland. e report explores the last 12 months for the charity sector in Ireland and the UK, from the end of lockdown, to the Ukraine con ict and cost of living crisis and o ers practical advice and tips on how to foster genuine two-way relationships with corporate partners. e ndings draw on insight from bene ciaries of last year’s Movement for Good awards, who took part in two virtual roundtable discussions, as well as a survey of 250 charities. e report nds that charities are struggling to fundraise while facing increasing demands for their services – leading to a cash ow crisis.

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In response, 81% of charities want corporates to provide unrestricted funding so they can use the money to meet essential needs, such as the recruitment and retention of sta , like salaries and welfare bene ts. Many corporate partners require charities to submit a bid for funds linked to a speci c project or outcome. By lifting restrictions on how funds can be used, corporate partners can further aid charities.

Siobhán Geoghegan, Director at Common Ground Ireland, one of the winners who took part in the roundtables said: “We have to report on a lot of the same things that larger organisations have to report on, but that’s a huge burden for us. Finding funding is essential to keep our services going.”

Among the issues cited by charities includes the challenge of recruiting sta (75%) with over a third (34%) saying that they have struggled to recruit over the past six months. is is despite improving their employee packages, including 43% o ering a bonus scheme and two in ve (40%) o ering permanent exible working.

Farmers get offered ‘sweet deal’ to aid housing crux

Farmers with land close to urban areas are being encouraged by one of the country’s largest homebuilders to enter into new partnership deals for property developments in an attempt to increase the supply of land for housing.

Glenveagh Properties, which hopes to build up to 4,500 housing units this year, has launched a campaign to get farmers to enter the deals due to “a huge fall-off” in the amount of development land coming to market.

Local authorities are set to release maps in the coming weeks outlining which landowners will face a new zoned land tax which is set to be introduced next year.

Glenveagh investment director Eoin Hughes said the new tax was going to be “crucial’ to all owners of residential land and said it was something which they were “very mindful of”.

“The land tax has been coming for a while. It remains to be seen what impact it will have, but I would imagine that land owners across the country, if they get written to by the local authorities, are going to seek to do something about it,” he said, and that Glenveagh believed it could maximise the value of the land should they wish to sell or develop it.

“Development land is the key raw material we need to develop homes for families. We are looking for landowners to come forward and we would like to partner with them.”

Traditionally, development land only becomes available when landowners decide to sell suitable land either privately or on the open market. Developers then buy the land and build houses.

Glenveagh is now seeking landowners to partner with them further through the development process.

It claims such partnerships are a ‘win-win’ for the landowner and the developer.

“If the farmer sold the land today with issues in place (planning or lack of services), it would sell for x. Whereas if they come on the journey with us and we add value through the planning process or services, they will be paid a different figure as that value is added to the land,” Mr Hughes explained.

He said the value for Glenveagh was that it was not paying for that land up front and risking the planning not being approved, while he said the landowner was getting maximum value for his land and could still farm it until it was ready to be developed.

Dedicated litter warden likely to be appointed

A dedicated litter warden for Kilkenny is likely to be appointed.

Members of the city municipal district were told that there is a proposal for a warden speci cally for the city centre.

Councillor Joe Malone, who had made a call for such a role, said: “I think that’s a start, let people be aware, and it’s not about giving people les on the spot, it is to a point but at the same time there’s an education process going on in the schools and that kind of thing,” said Joe.

Kilkenny creative course launched by Trinity

Design & Crafts Council Ireland has teamed up with Tangent, Trinity College Dublin’s Ideas Workspace, to launch a Postgraduate Certi cate in Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship in Co. Kilkenny. e part-time course, which runs over 21 weeks from January to June 2023, will be hosted in Kilkenny city centre. It is designed for creatives who are interested in establishing their own entrepreneurial venture and those already established who want to develop their businesses and skills.

It covers elements such as design thinking, idea development, opportunity generation and venture planning tools to help bring innovative products and services to the economic market place. e Trinity Postgraduate Certi cate in Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship will provide ambitious individuals in the region with the opportunity to gain a postgraduate quali cation at level 9 on the National Framework of Quali cations from Ireland’s leading university. e course will equip learners with the creative con dence and skills required to translate creative ideas into commercial solutions, with course content covering everything from theories of creativity and innovation to market analysis and customer segmentation. e certi cate is funded by the Higher Education Authority under the Springboard+ initiative, meaning it is free to eligible unemployed applicants, or 90% funded for successful applicants currently in employment, with just 10% fees at €312.50 payable. Classes will be delivered through a mix of online and in-person teaching on a part-time basis, and the course is now open for applications.

Rosemary Steen, CEO of Design & Crafts Council Ireland, said: “Being based in Kilkenny, the course re ects our aim to make more opportunities available to our community who are based all over Ireland. It is an excellent and timely programme that will provide additional tools to a sector that has proven its adaptability in overcoming adversity to positively impact Ireland’s economy, society and culture.”

Sean McKeown, Acting Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council, said: “I am delighted that Trinity and Tangent have chosen Kilkenny, the creative heart of Ireland, to run this postgraduate course. e creative arts are important to our national identity and cultural distinctiveness.”

* Design & Crafts Council Ireland and Tangent invites potential applicants based in Kilkenny and surrounding counties to its upcoming open evening on Monday 24 October 24 at 6pm. To register, visit: tcd.ie/tangent/events

Councils pay out €150m for bad trips

Local councils have paid out almost €150m in compensation claims relating to trips and falls on footpaths and roads in the last ve and a half years.

Nearly 10,000 personal injury claims have been brought against local authorities, which equates to ve people suing every day, with one council paying out nearly €50 million since 2017.

Figures provided to the Irish Independent reveal which counties have the most hazardous pathways.

Counties Waterford, Tipperary, Dublin, Limerick, and Louth have had the largest number of claims, while Co Longford has one of the highest rates of claims despite having one of the smallest populations in the country.

In Dublin, four of the capital’s councils have paid out just over €66m between them. ere have been nearly 5,000 claims against Dublin City Council, which paid out €49.8m for trips and falls since 2017.

Some counties with bigger populations have had fewer claims than smaller counties.

In Co Kildare, 240 claims were brought in a population of over 246,000. By comparison, there were 337 claims in Co Tipperary where 167,000 people live. Some of the counties with the lowest number of claims are Laois, Leitrim and Cavan.

Best smaller estate winner Glendine Heights

Keep Kilken ny

Annual Tidy To wn Awards 2022

Speakers

• KKB Chairman Pat Boyd • Malcolm Noonan TD Minister of

State - Department of Housing, Local

Government & Heritage • Cathaoirleach Kilkenny Co Co • Mayor of Kilkenny

e Entrepreneur award

• Kilkenny Cycle Tours

Hidden Gems

• Antoinette Quigley, Rioch Street • Ms. Gulnahar Qureshi, 37 St Kieran’s

Crescent • Delia Lowery, Nore erapies, 7 William

Street • James Lawlor, 31 Glendine Heights • Lynch Family, Kennyswell Road • Kilkenny Hero Pat O’Donnell

Fitzpatrick Shield for community e ort

• St Johns Priory, John Street.

Private garden pollinator award

• Judy & Jimmy Rhatigan, Riverside Drive

Community pollinator award

• Melville Heights, Bennettsbridge Road

Best commercial ower display

Winner:

• Langton’s, John Street (Trophy certi cate)

Highly commended:

• Biodecus, James’s Green (certi cate)

Most improved commercial premises

Winner:

• Paris Texas, Mary’s Lane

Highly commended:

• Lenehan’s, Barrack Street, Castlecomer

Road

Best Shop front

Winner:

• Haven, John O’Connell’s Pharmacy, Rose

Inn Street

Highly commended:

• Iris, Parliament Street

Best signage

Winner:

• Brennan’s Bottling Hall, Walkin Street

Highly commended:

• Tynan’s Bridge House bar, Bateman Quay

Overall Winner Private garden award Toni Hayes Glendine Heights

Highly commended:

• Fanad House, Bennettsbridge Road

Private Garden awards

Highly Commended

• Heather & Pat Wood, Pearse Street. • Liam McCormack, Green eld Court • Mary & Noel Deevey, Riverside Drive • Pat & Michael Shortall, Riverside Drive • F Barry, Walkin Street • Maurice Brennan, Glendine Heights • Una ornton, Larch eld • John Lacey. Riverview • Ena Du y, Fr Delahaunty Tce. • Joan O’Sullivan, Riverview • Dave Ryan, New Building Lane • Karen Bradley Monaghan, Fr Murphy’s

Square • Catherine Du , Glendine Heights • Joyce Nolan. Old Callan Road • Joe Maher, Edenvale Close • Noel Frawley, Cashel Avenue • Canice & Maura Hickey, Newpark Lower • John Butler, Glendine Heights • Mary Prendergast, Walkin Street

Overall Winner Private Garden awards

• Toni Hayes, Glendine Heights

Residential Estates

Highly Commended

• Millennium Court • Hebron Park • Dukesmeadows • Lakeside • Clarnwood • Sycamores /Aylesbury • De la Salle place, • Rosehill • Cashel Downs

Best larger estate

Winner:

• Old Newpark

Runner up:

• Robertshill

Best smaller estate

Winner:

• Glendine Heights

Runner up:

• St Kieran’s Crescent

Litter Pick Champion’s Award

• Kilkenny Lions Club

Most Sustainable Business Award

• e Cutting Vedge, Ormonde Street

Outdoor Education Award

• e Acorn Project - Maire Ni Braoinan

Sustainable Travel Activism Award

• Sean O’hArgain

Brendan Lawless Memorial award

Presented for Excellence in Environmental Service

• Fred Morton, Michael Delaney & Michael

Slattery

Kilkenny Street of the Year Award

• Ormonde Street

Community Activists Awards

• Frank Cody, Newpark • Martina Ralph, Hebron Park. • Gladys Bowles, Hebron Park • Jenny O’Connor, Newpark Close • Connor Folley, Rothe Tce. • Sean Hickey,Newpark. (8000 Trees coordinator) • Pat O’Donnell, Tree Planting Champion. • Enda Malone, St Kieran’s College.

Keep Kilken ny Beautiful

Annual Tidy To wn Awards 2022

Fitzgerald Shield for Community E ort. St Johns Priory

Most Sustainable business award The Cutting Vedge

Best larger estate winner Old Newpark Community pollinator award Melville Heights

Best Shop front Haven, John O’Connell’s Pharmacy Rose Inn St.

Best hospitallity Newpark Hotel

Entrepreneur award KK cycle tours Best sinage Brennan’s bottling store Private garden pollinator awar 16 Riverside Drive

Entrepreneur Award – Winner Jason Morrissey Kilkenny Cycle Tours

Kilkenny Hero – Pat O’Donnell

Private garden pollinator Award – Winner: Judy Rhatigan

Community pollinator Award – Winner: Melville Heights

Keep Kilken ny

Annual Tidy To wn Awards 2022

Fitzpatrick Shield for Community E ort – Winner: St. Johns Priory, John Street

Best commercial flower display – Winner: Langtons, John Street Most improved commercial premises – Winner: Pat Crotty, Paris Texas Best shop front – Winner: John O’Connell, Haven Pharmacy (O’Connells), Rose Inn Street

Keep Kilken ny Beautiful

Annual Tidy To wn Awards 2022

Private garden Award – Overall Winner: Toni Hayes, Glendine Heights

All pix: Amanda Burke

Litter Pick Champion’s Award - Winner: Kilkeny Lions Club

Best smaller estate – Overall Winner: Glendine Heights Most Sustainable Business Award – Winner: Helen Costello, The Cutting Veg

Best Signage – Winner: Brennans Bottling Store, Walkin Street

Best hospitality – Highly Commended: Fanad House, Bennettsbridge Road

Be safe online!

e Twilight Youth Inclusion group is providing information days for their members. One such workshop recently was on the inherent dangers to our teenagers while online. e activities of all teenagers are now all-over social media. Many different platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Tic toc and What’s app are open to the scourge of Bullying. We have met people who have experienced on-line bullying and have witnessed the devastating a ect it has had on the recipient. We have heard the news of teenagers taking their own lives because of the bullying they have received from continuous vile messages and pictures that are so far from the truth, we often wonder why other teenagers spread and share these bullying posts.

At TYI’s last workshop Community Garda Andy Neil addressed the members. e Group has developed ‘ e Seven Steps of Social Media Security’. is includes all the aspects about staying safe while on line. is coupled with Andy’s recollection of actual incidents of Bullying online.

‘Don’t give out your personal details online’

‘Do not send comprising Photos to anyone, even friends’

‘Never meet someone in person that you met on line’

‘Beware that the person claiming to be a teenager maybe an imposter’

‘Do not share information that you are not sure is true’

And remember,

‘What you think is harmless banter maybe o ensive to the receiving person’

Garda Andy Neil is a true professional and his friendly personality ensures that the gathering of teenagers are captivated by his presentations and real life experiences.

Social Media security will become even more important as we move deeper into digital era Employers are now using Social Media to review candidates for positions they have advertised. erefore, a post you put online, a funny incident may not be what you think and could be interpreted by the company as inappropriate and have an adverse e ect on your job application.

Once you put it on the Web it is practically impossible to remove. Always be aware of what you are posting. ink twice before pressing send.

Fire Safety Week

No matter which way you look at it, it’s true and we try and remind people of this immensely important point every October during Fire Safety Week which starts on the 17th of October. It has such importance and potential to save your life that it featured for the rst time in the 2022 National Census

ere’s a widely held belief that if your home catches re, the smell of smoke will wake you up. Nothing could be further from the truth as inhaling smoke and other toxic gases can put you in a deeper sleep. Brain death occurs when the brain is deprived of oxygen for as little as three minutes.

A working smoke alarm buys you time by alerting you to the presence of smoke and giving you a chance to escape from injury and potentially death. If you haven’t got a working smoke alarm, consider tting one today. If you have a smoke alarm then please check it to make sure it’s in good working order (smoke alarms may be tested by pressing the test button with the handle tip of a oor brush).

Now as we return to the Twilight Community Groups Protecting Assisting Senior Services (PASS) programme which includes an excellent section on re safety in the home for our Seniors. Our Kilkenny Fire Chief John Collins and his team explains to the senior groups what the dangers are and part of PASS is the o er by the Fire Services to call to our seniors homes and install FREE OF CHARGE a smoke alarm that could be the product that saves your life. ey will also provide an ‘Arm’ that is used to press the test button to ensure the batteries are working. And as was pointed out at our last event it is also a great ‘back scratcher’! Oh, the ingenuity of our seniors. e PASS programme will be holding a rural event and the nal event will be in Newpark hotel where all seniors are invited to attend for a morning chat and to get the ‘users’ feedback on the programme.

Twilight Community o er all its programmes free of charge and the Newpark event will be no exception. e day will include the following contributors. e Fire Services, e Garda Community Section, Newpark Family Law, St. Canice’s Credit Union and Money Advice Bureau. e day will include lunch for all. e date of this Spring event has yet to be decided but when it is, we will contact the Seniors groups to give you the opportunity to book your place. e dates will be published in advance in the Kilkenny Observer Newspaper

Saint John’s Priory and Two Houses on John’s Quay

is week e Kilkenny Observer, in association with Cois Céim and e Kilkenny Saturday Walkers group, take a look at the history of Saint John’s Priory .

e Priory’s history is an interesting one. By 1200 the Augustinians had a hospital at St Mauls dedicated to John the Evangelist.

In1202 Bishop Felix O’Dullany granted one tenth of the provisions of Kilkenny Castle to the Brethern of the Hospital of St. John. It had been a long standing custom that one tenth of all provisions going to the household of the King of Ossory, went to the widows and orphans. e Earl Marshall honoured the old custom which had been instituted in 974 by Donnachadh Mac Ceallaigh, the King of Ossory.

In 1211, William Marshall the elder, Earl of Pembroke granted a site to build a house of religion in honour of God and St, Jo hn. e building of the new priory included a church, the Lady Chapel, cloister rooms and refectory. Due to the number of windows the Lady Chapel was known as the Lantern of Ireland. According to the annals of the priory, mass was rst celebrated on the high altar of St. Johns in 1220 and in the Lady Chapel in 1290.

Before moving on to further history of the priory, some notes on the Knights of St John and their association with Kilkenny.

e Knights Hospitallers of St John of Jerusalem

e Priory in John Street has always been associated with the Knights of St John. e Knights grew out of a group of pious Italians who founded a hostel in Jerusalem for poor pilgrims sometime before 1100. In turn the Knights took on a military role to protect pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. ey built large hospitals in Jerusalem, Cyprus and Rhodes. When the Crusaders lost control of Jerusalem, the Knights also had to leave. In time the Turks drove them from Cyprus and in 1522 from Rhodes. Charles V of Spain in1530

The remains of The Cloister room. (jbs photos)

e Knights Hospitallers of St John of Jerusalem

e Priory in John Street has always been associated with the Knights of St John. e Knights grew out of a group of pious Italians who founded a hostel in Jerusalem for poor pilgrims sometime before 1100. In turn the Knights took on a military role to protect pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. ey built large hospitals in Jerusalem, Cyprus and Rhodes. When the Crusaders lost control of Jerusalem, the Knights also had to leave. In time the Turks drove them from Cyprus and in 1522 from Rhodes. Charles V of Spain in1530

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