Kilkenny Observer 21st May 2021

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Friday 21 May 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021

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The Kilkenny

Observer Cllrs to get €8k. pay rise KILKENNY’S county councillors are set to get a substantial pay rise following confirmation that the Cabinet is set to approve an €8,000-a-year pay increase for the country’s 947 local politicians.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his ministerial colleagues at the Cabinet table signed off on the rise which was included in the Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Green Party Programme for Government.

It’s the biggest change affecting local councillors since hundreds of public representatives were cut by the previous Government under a public spending austerity drive.

At present councillors receive a basic salary of €17,359 a year, with an expenses allowance worth up to €5,335, and committee memberships worth up to €6,000 extra.

They can also claim vouched expenses for mobile phone bills, broadband, office costs, training and mileage for attending conferences. Mayors

Eve the young scientist...

EVERY FRIDAY

A large new development of family homes is being planned for 87 dwellings on a site at Granges Road in Ayrefield.

Full story, Page 6

or county council chairpersons get an allowance of €30,000 for the year.

The Association of Irish Local Government (AILG), which represents elected councillors, has welcomed what it said was “the long-awaited increase”.

AILG President Cllr Mary Hoade said: “The decision by Cabinet is a really welcome step in recognising the value and important role of our 949 elected members. It is imperative that councillors are provided with a proper salary, at a realistic level, which is vital to not only to attract and sustain new councillors but to also retain existing councillors to serve at Local Authority level. ”This announcement has been the result of an extensive campaign by AILG and others, over the last number of years, to ensure that our members have an appropriate salary reflective of the important work and time commitment that they dedicate to their role as a local councillor,” she said.

stand for now. Patients will be contacted by the HSE if there is any change.

Meanwhile, it’s business as usual applies at the Covid 19 Vaccination Centres in Kilkenny, Carlow, Enniscorthy, Waterford and Wexford and people can continue to register for and will receive vaccine appointments.

Returning to work, Page 6

The Kilkenny

Observer 1 GARDEN ROW, TOP OF WILLIAM STREET, KILKENNY, CO. KILKENNY R95 X95A

Two local businesses are among the 24 finalists for the 2021 EY Entrepreneur of the Year. Modubuild in Kilkenny and Carlow-based MicroGen BioTech will bid for a prize at the annual event which takes place in November.

Full story, Page 4

New houses for City

Ransom malware attack update FOLLOWING the major ransom malware attack on the HSE, updates in relation to Community Healthcare services in the South East are being maintained at www. twitter.com/SouthEastCH In Kilkenny all Community Healthcare appointments (eg. at health centres, home help, mental health clinics, therapists and support workers from disability services etc.)

Two firms eye up top Entrepreneur

In for top gong The Kilkenny Famine Experience is to compete in the Heritage category of the National Lottery Good Causes Awards on Saturday, May 29.

Full story, Page 12

You’re good to go European Union leaders have agreed to allow fully vaccinated travellers to enter the 27nation bloc—a move that will end the more than year-long, pandemic-era travel ban.

Cairn unearthed

Loreto 6th class student Eve Funge (12) who took part in the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition Primary Science Fair, in which students from Graignamanagh Boys NS also took part. Full story Page 4 PHOTO: Fennell Photography

Concerns over social housing PLANS submitted to An Bord Pleanála for the building of a 115 unit housing development on the outskirts of Kilkenny City are causing concern for local councillors.

The planning application was submitted by Denis Treacy Construction as a “strategic housing development”.

The concerns come as for the sixth time in a row, Leaders Questions’ in the Dail has been dominated by the issue of cuckoo funds snapping

up new homes and therefore pricing first-time buyers out of the market.

Under the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Ireland’ initiative, strategic housing developments can bypass the local authority planning application process if they consist of more than 100 units.

The plans were presented to local councillors at the monthly meeting of Kilkenny City Municipal District Council and questions around ownership, infrastructure and

environmental impact were raised.

Councillor David Fitzgerald called for clarity on how the houses would be allocated when finished. “I’m aware of concerns within the community that there is an over-concentration of social housing within the Margaret’s Field development,” he said.

The councillor warned that lessons that had to be learned when mistakes like that were allowed to occur back in the ’60s and ’70s.

A cairn has been discovered in Coolnacarrick, Co. Laois, less than 20km from the Kilkenny border. The cairn was discovered by two amateur archaeologists. The discovery has been reported to the National Monuments Service.

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Modubuild finalists for the top EY award TWO local businesses are among the 24 finalists for the 2021 EY Entrepreneur Of the Year award.

Modubuild in Kilkenny and Carlow-based MicroGen BioTech will bid for a prize in the programme which spans a range of sectors, including retail, consumer, technology, health and leisure.

All compete across three categories; emerging, industry and international with one selected as the EY Entrepreneur of the Year in November.

Kevin Brennan: “It’s great recognition...”

“Being names a finalist is great for the entire team,” said Kevin Brennan, Managing Director of Modubuild. “It’s not just me, there’s a team of over 400 people involved in making the company a success and it’s great that we’re being recognised as one of the leading Irish companies.

“We’re selected in the international category so it’s for Irish companies operating on a global stage in multiple, different locations which is what we’re doing so it’s fantastic to get that recognition.”

Modubuild is an international specialist contractor providing fast track modular construction services to blue chip clients throughout Ireland, UK and Europe.

The Kilkenny company operates in sectors such as data centres, biotech, pharma, food/beverage and infrastructure.

* Pictured are 6th class students Eve (12) and Caelan (12) Funge and their cousin Darragh Funge (10) from Bunscoil Loreto in Gorey Co. Wexford, ahead of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition Primary Science Fair next week.

PHOTO: Fennell Photography

Eve and the boys do the science...

STUDENTS from Graignamanagh Boys NS took part in the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition Primary Science Fair recently.

The event took place in classrooms across the country on May 18 and 19.

For more than 20 years, the Primary Science Fair has been a core component of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE), allowing younger students to develop their interest in science, technology, engi-

neering and maths (STEM) in a non-competitive environment and encouraging them to become future participants in the exhibition.

Projects from 23 schools across Ireland were showcased during the two-day

event, exploring exciting new ideas and fascinating topics in the areas of STEM. Due to school closures earlier this year, the Primary Science Fair was postponed during the virtual BTYSTE exhibition in January.

Online@Natural Health Store Natural solutions for hay fever

BY CLAIR WHITTY NATURAL Health Store has gone online, we are very excited to share this news of our new online store with you. We are a family run business, 4 siblings working together for almost 25 years.

We have two health stores, one in Wexford and one here in Kilkenny at Market Cross Shopping Centre, and now we are online too.

If you can’t come to us in Market Cross you can now visit us on our exciting new online shop at www.naturalhealthstore.ie We had always planned to bring our services online. But the pandemic and the change in the way people shop meant that we decided to go online sooner. We are glad we did, because now you can shop with us from the comfort of your own home.

We stock a wide range of supplements for health and wellbeing, foods for healthy lifestyles, vegan, and organic body care. There is a special emphasis on sourcing Irish brands and we plan to expand on that over time. We stock gifts including incense, gem stones and crystals, angels, buddhas, and dragon statues.

Take a look for yourself, you’ll find lots of the products that you love.

You can

CLAIR WHITTY

browse through the shop checking out the products that will work best for you without worrying about time, handling cash, or dealing with queues.

There are lots of fantastic special offers so check out our offers section. You’ll find some interesting blogs and recipes that we think you’ll enjoy. We aim to add new products weekly but if there are any favourites that they would like to see, let us know, and we will prioritise those products. There are always new and exciting products coming to market in natural health, we will bring you these products too.

Our staff are highly trained and are constantly keeping

up to date with the everchanging trends and new products. You won’t be disappointed with the level of knowledge that we will share with you on our online store too. So, if you have a question, send us a message, we will be delighted to help you out.

Whether that is trying to figure out an ingredient for a recipe, what’s the best skin care regime, or what supplement should you take. We can now share all that advice with you without you having to leave your home.

Nationwide delivery 4.99 and free for orders over €50.

Check us out on www. naturalhealthstore.ie

HAY fever affects thousands of people every year, with symptoms that affect the eyes, nose, and throat. Some of you will have symptoms from early March right through to late autumn; especially if your symptoms are triggered by all the various sources of pollen which can include pollen from trees, shrubs, weeds, or grass. This can make for a very long season of sneezing.

Symptoms can also be triggered by dust, animal dander, and perfume.

Hay fever happens because your immune s y s t e m thinks that p o l l e n or other airborne allergens are dangerous to your body.

So, in order to protect itself your body reacts by releasing

histamine and increasing inflammation. The combination of histamine and inflammation contribute to many of the symptoms you experience. A natural approach would be to use natural antihistamines and support the immune system so that it doesn’t overreact to pollen.

Quercetin is a natural remedy that you could try, it has natural anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antihistamine properties. It is thought to help hay fever symptoms by inhibiting the manufacture and release of histamine.

Quercetin is found in fruit and vegetables, especially onions.

Vitamin C contributes to normal functioning of your immune and system research suggests it may reduce histamine.

Vitamin C is found in fruit and vegetables.

Bromelain found in pineapple has natural anti-inflammatory properties. Including

a wide variety of these and brightly coloured fruit and vegetables in your diet ‘will help ensure that you’re getting some of these important nutrients.

For extra support take a look at Higher Nature Quercetin and Bromelain with vitamin C. An ideal combination to help support your immune system and make the most of quercetin and bromelain’s beneficial effects. It is highly recommended that you start supplements for hay fever at least four or five weeks before exposure but it is never too late, just get started on it as soon as you can. It’s suitable from age four onwards.

Certain nasal sprays can be harsh on the delicate tissues in the nasal passageways so instead you could try A.Vogel Pollinosan Luffa Nasal Spray. It works by rinsing and cleansing the nose of hay fever causing allergens. Plus, it restores fluid and moisture in the nasal passages making the nose feel soothed and more comfortable.

Don’t let hay fever slow you down when nature is here to help stop the sneezing.

Natural Health Store Market Cross Shopping Centre, Kilkenny Phone: 056 7764538 Email: info@naturalhealthstore.ie Shop online: www.naturalhealthstore.ie

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Our top entrepreneurs!

OUR Pictured Kilkenny students are all winners, having been successful at the National Final of this year’s Student Enterprise Programme scooping awards across the different categories.

The finals were broadcast virtually on Friday. May 14 from Croke Park with An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Ambassador Derval O’Rourke speaking with host RTE’s Rick O’Shea, as students and teachers watched on from across the country.

Supported by Local Enterprise Office, Kilkenny students won special merit awards in the Most Creative Business Idea’ competition which is open to senior students, Best Adaptability Award in the Covid era in the Junior Category and the Overall Award in the ‘My Entrepreneurial Journey’ competition at Intermediate level.

Mark Srouji, from Coláiste Éamann Rís, Callan was again announced a winner, this year awarded first prize in the ‘My Entrepreneurial Journey’ competition at Intermediate level. Mark set up a business called Mark’s Productions making themed table centrepieces. As part of the competition he interviewed Anne Neary of Ryeland House

Cookery School as his case study.

Last year Mark and his twin brother Evan were successful in winning a Special Merit Award in the Intermediate Category of the main Student Enterprise Programme.

In the ‘Most Creative Business Idea’ competition, open to senior students, Rachel Brennan of Loreto Secondary School was awarded a Special

Merit Award for her Covid-19 related business idea ‘Counting After Covid’. Rachel’s idea involved the development of customised framed money box containing imagery to motivate people to save for trips, adventures, etc. post Covid.

In the Junior Category, winning students Noah Cahill, Ian McDonald and Thomas Deegan from Coláiste

Éamann Rís, Callan worked under the guidance of their teacher Emer Hickey to win the Best Adaptability Award in the Covid era. Their student enterprise was called Parcel Trust, which manufactures high-quality secure outdoor storage boxes designed particularly with online deliveries in mind.

There were 72 student enterprises competing in this

year’s National Final in what is Ireland’s largest entrepreneurship programme for second level students. The initiative, funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland and delivered by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities throughout the country, saw 29,000 students from almost 500 secondary schools across the country take part.

According to the study, more than a quarter of respondents (28%) will plan their return to the workplace in line with Government advice and/or the finalisation of the vaccination rollout. A similar proportion (29%) expect to return in September 2021 and one in five organisations expect to be fully back in the workplace within the next three months (21%). If Government guidelines provide for it, it seems likely that 78% of respondent organisations could be returned to the workplace by September.

“In recent years we have witnessed emerging trends towards more flexible and remote working,” said Mr McCoy. “Our survey results confirm that Covid has accelerated this trend, with four out of five respondent companies stating that they will operate a hybrid model of remote and onsite work to a degree when their offices reopen. A total of 15% of re-

A NEW development of family homes is planned for a greenfield site in Kilkenny city, following the County Council receiving a proposal from developer Glenveagh Homes Ltd seeking permission to build 87 dwellings at Granges Road in Ayrefield.

This is Phase 1 of the development, with Phase 2 dependent on permission being granted and certain requirements being satisfied to continue with the development.

Glenveagh hope to build 87 homes on a 3.2 hectare site opposite James’s Park and the Kilkenny Greyhound Stadium. The development will consist of 21 three / four-bed homes, 48 three-bed homes, 10 two-bed homes and eight maisonette apartments.

The plans also call for the construction of a 347sqm crèche and 167 car parking spaces.

A decision on the development is expected from the local authority by the end of next month.

Tributes paid to tragic Aidan (13)

Back to work but maybe from home A NEW study by Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, reveals that businesses across Ireland are beginning their preparations for a gradual return to workplaces in the coming weeks and months. The survey findings reaffirm the urgent need for Government to provide clarity and timelines to support businesses in safely returning staff to the workplace.

Ibec CEO Danny McCoy: “Clarity from the Government on the timing of graduated workplace reopening is now key for companies in order to reignite collaboration, culture and confidence in their workforce. The Government’s roadmap must be aligned with an ongoing review of reopening timelines that reflects the risk reduction that the vaccine programme is delivering. This means a potential earlier gradual return to workplaces than the previously expected return time of September.”

Plans in for 87 new houses at Granges

spondents will ask all staff to return onsite fully and 4% will keep their staff remote working on a full-time basis.

“Almost three quarters of companies (74%) say that the use of hybrid working will increase in their organisations over the next 2-3 years. While these trends signal the need for increased ambition in the delivery of necessary infrastructure such as remote working hubs, alignment

with childcare facilities, and the National Broadband Plan, first and foremost Government must outline to organisations how and when they can begin efforts to gradually return their staff safely to the office.

“As swift a return as possible to office work is also vital in order to preserve the future of the many Experience Economy businesses in our towns and cities that rely

on office worker footfall for their survival.”

More businesses are planning on introducing supports for their employees post-pandemic, with 53% of businesses planning on introducing physical wellbeing supports indefinitely.

Alongside this, 61% of businesses plan to introduce supports for mental and emotional wellbeing on a permanent basis.

THE heartbroken family of a young Kilkenny student have paid a touching tribute after his sudden death.

Aidan Slevin passed away unexpectedly after falling ill.

The 13-year-old from Tullaroan was a first year student at Kilkenny College.

Students at the school have been given access to pastoral support following his tragic passing.

A statement from the school read: “It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of one of our First Form students in Kilkenny College, Aidan Slevin from Tullaroan on Monday. This is a terrible occurrence for a Kilkenny College family and, by extension, our school and our community.

“Aidan was a popular member of his class and year group. Aidan was an enthusiastic member of 1st form, a loving, kind and friendly person who got on easily with everyone. In school Aidan busily got himself involved in all aspect of school life including music, rugby and hockey.

“We are all grieving for the death of our student. Our prayers, our sympathy and our thoughts are with Aidan’s family in their grief, his parents Cormac and Breeda, his siblings Eva, Hugo and Rowan.”

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The Fact Of The Matter PAUL HOPKINS

Finding yourself as the lockdown eases THE vaccine roll-out and now the lifting of the so many restrictions imposed on us the past 15 months is great room for optimism. But the so-longed-for return to normality may, just may, not be what we imagine or necessarily like. The changes that have occurred globally — in societies, in economics, in science and, predominately, in our lifestyles and relationships — may be with us for some considerable time to come, with some changes here to stay. The countless deaths and illnesses and job losses and God-knows-what-else awfulness aside, the pandemic has changed the way we were and, in some instances, irrevocably.

To cite some obvious changes, technology has allowed many to work from home, Zoom being the new buzzword, whatever its drawbacks; social distancing has become a kind of norm, down with that huggy-touchy-feely sort of thing, and mask wearing the

new fashion accessory. Above all, none of us could have imagined the isolation, the stress, the loneliness, the disconnect that 2020 would visit upon us.

I have seen many I know go through their own Private Idaho, utter meltdown, quite contrary to character or expectation. The toll on people’s mental well-being is a reality we should not underestimate. We all need to reach out now to those poor in spirit.

Others have been more resilient.

My own age group have been, I would suggest, a lot more at ease with the lockdowns — as we age, it takes less to please us, perhaps — whereas the young, by nature needing to forage in packs, have suffered the most; for example, the college experience, and all the wonderful discoveries that that should entail, being confined to the box-room.

This pandemic has changed many of us, even if only in how we will now value what we previ-

ously took for granted, a change – and I’m taking a giant leap here in restoring my faith in human nature – that’s for the better. I see it in little interactions every day.

The lockdowns have given us a chance to pause and take stock and re-evaluate ourselves and our fellow travellers and what really matters — family and friends and not the dreaded daily commute or the job or must-have gizmo. Hopefully, this rethinking is not merely momentary.

Directly or indirectly, the pandemic has caused a major change in many people’s circumstances. Maybe it has resulted in a new career, perhaps family circumstances changed, or there was a reconnecting with old friends, or new ones found. And so it goes.

It might do us the world of good to be taking stock of our lives and rearranging priorities to match values, newly learned or realised. My psychologist friend

says a crisis of this scale can enable people to pull the trigger on major life decisions they had been putting off, such as moving in with a partner, quitting a job they hate for a more satisfying one, or getting married – or divorced.

The person who emerges from quarantine doesn’t have to be the same old you. Scientists say that people can change their personalities well into adulthood. And what better time for transformation than now, when no one has seen you for a year, and might have forgotten what you were like in the first place?

It was long thought that people just were a certain way, and would remain that way forever.

The Greeks, in particular the physician Hippocrates, long ago believed that people’s personalities were governed by the amounts of phlegm, blood, black bile and yellow bile that flowed through their bodies.

The pandemic has changed the way we were and, in some instances, irrevocably...

”

Modern science, of course, has long since discarded notions of bile and being good or bad humoured. And, now, it appears the idea that our personalities are immutable is also not quite true. Researchers have found that adults can readily change the five traits that make up personality — extroversion, openness to experience, emotional stability, agreeableness and conscientiousness.

Changing a trait requires acting in ways that embody that trait, rather than simply thinking about it. Richard Wiseman, a psychology professor at the University of Hertfordshire, puts it in his book ‘The As If Principle’ (Simon & Schuster) that you can behave “as if” you are the person you want to be.

And pretty soon you might find that it is that you underneath that badly needed hair-do.

Give yourself time, though. The pandemic will end, but its scars may take a while to heal.

Art It – In everyone there is a creative streak waiting to emerge DiDi’s Walk In Studio for All Ages ART It is a wonderful airy space at MacDonagh Shopping Centre run by artist DiDi Dobree-Wilson that offers a walk-in art experience for all ages. You can have fun decorating an artwork with your child or you can drop him/ her off while you catch up on your shopping.

Children from the age of 5-13 can enjoy the excitement of DiDi’s summer camps. They are always stimulating, educative and fun, and often include other activities such as sewing, cooking, crystal art, string painting and much more. For the 8-13 year children bring a packed lunch for a full day’s entertainment.

Parties at Art It are great craic and are for all ages!

Paint, glitter, gem a piece from a very wide selection of objects, draw a live model, paint pottery, paint a canvas and so much more. Pick what appeals to you, find your

inner child and have fun!

Art It also runs art classes in acrylic and oil painting, first experience classes for the young and fun art Saturday classes during the school term.

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

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Easing CAO change-of-mind pressure FOLLOWING the success of its virtual open day in March, Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) has been running a series of virtual ‘WIT Talks’ for CAO applicants of 2021.

WIT Talks will be broadcast live on set dates throughout May 2021 via YouTube and available at www.wit.ie/cao.

The CAO change of mind facility opened on May 5 and closes on July 1. WIT Talks, which has

proved hugely popular, continues at 7pm on May 25, 26, and 27.

Dr Derek O’Byrne, Registrar and Vice-President for Academic Affairs at WIT, said that doing course research now would reduce the pressure Leaving Cert students and their families in June.

“Regarding the CAO changeof-mind facility, many prospective students and their parents

will need to start thinking about confirming their CAO choices, before the July 1 deadline. WIT has a ‘right student, right programme’ ethos and students who thoroughly research their college and course options are more likely to be happier in their studies,” Dr O’Byrne said.

Panel interviews at the recent virtual open day were among the most popular events and WIT Talks will follow the engag-

ing and informative format.

The series of live interactive online events gives people the chance to learn more about courses in business, engineering, health sciences, humanities, science and computing.

Those remaining are: • May 25: WIT Talks Engineering • May 26: WIT Talks Business • May 27: WIT Talks CAO choices

Claire Holden, Schools’ liaison & Outreach Officer at WIT, said that the events would give CAO applicants interested in studying one of WIT’s 70 CAO undergraduate courses the opportunity to ask those all-important questions before confirming their CAO choices.

“During each event people will have the option to ask any questions they have by

using the live web chat facility. The panels will comprise of lecturing staff in that area who have come onboard to support their future students with discipline-specific WIT Talks.

“They are ideal for anybody who wants to understand the differences between courses or who have a few questions before they confirm their choices,” she said.

It’s our Tony O’Malley in National Galley show

A fair cop as Big Toodle helps our little ones BARNARDOS children’s charity launched Barnardos Big Toddle, supported by Pipin Pear with the help of some of Ireland’s littlest community helpers. Since it began nearly half a million toddlers – which last year included 1,655 across Kilkenny, Kildare, Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford, Meath, Westmeath, Laois, Carlow, Louth, Longford and Of-

faly – have toddled over 228,740 miles to raise vital funds for vulnerable children their own age.

The theme of this year’s Big Toddle is Community Helpers, the people who help and support us all in our communities every day. At the very heart of Big Toddle are the children who take part and raise vital funds.

Pandemic proves fine time for our drivers THE County Council issued more than 4,000 parking tickets to motorists throughout the pandemic, according to new figures.

The figures are disclosed in a report in the Irish Independent, which found local authorities across the country fined motorists more than €6.6 million after handing our over 168,000 parking tickets since March 2020.

Kilkenny accounted for the 11th highest number of fines in the country, with a total of 4,061.

This contrasts with neighbour-

ing Carlow, where just 391 car parking fines were issued in the same period.

The number of parking fines varies greatly from county to county. Wexford issued the highest number (5,602) in the south east, which was more than double the amount in Tipperary (2,627) and over five times the amount in Laois (934).

Waterford was the only local authority in the country that did not provide parking ticket figures, according to the report.

You can register today at www.barnardos.ie/bigtoddle.

Barnardos works with just under 18,000 children and families across Ireland and the funds raised will support Barnardos Early Years services.

Whether you are a crèche, a parent or a childminder you can organise your own Big Toddle anytime in June by registering at www.barnardos.

ie/bigtoddle and your support ensures that some of the youngest and most vulnerable children Barnardos works with are given the best possible start in life.

Barnardos Director of Fundraising Mary Gamble said: “We are so grateful for their support and look forward to our Big Toddle adventure together! I hope you will join us

this year, whether it’s a toddle in a crèche or a day of fun out the back garden, it will make a massive difference in the lives of vulnerable children across Ireland.”

Our picture shows, from left, five-year-olds Meadow Neville, Adam O’Meara, Saoirse Breen and Roan McDonagh with Community Garda Chris O’Callaghan.

AFTER 137 days of closure, the National Gallery of Ireland is proud to present the exhibition New Perspectives, a show comprised of acquisitions made by the gallery in the last 10 years, and it highlights two works with a Kilkenny connection: They are Callan, County Kilkenny-born artist Tony O’Malley’s The Granite Land of Cornwall Winter, 1964 and Gerry Davis’s iconic portrait of the former Kilkenny hurler: Portrait of Henry Shefflin – the winner’s commission for the National Gallery of Ireland’s annual Portrait Prize, which Davis won in 2016.

The latest exhibition will allow the public to view many of new acquisitions to the national collection for the first time. Some highlights include Cityscape by American artist Alice Neel and City Rectangle by Ilya Bolotowsky.

New Perspectives also features works that have been purchased by Friends and Patrons of the National Gallery of Ireland, including Her First Communion by John Lavery and Crayfish by Anne Yeats.

Tickets for New Perspectives can be purchased online, starting from €5. Tickets can be booked by visiting www. nationalgallery.ie.

Tomm and co. named special envoys to promote tourism FIVE celebrity ambassadors from the world of movies, TV, food and social media are set to showcase some of Kilkenny’s best adventure and outdoor holiday experiences for visitors.

The line-up includes Oscar nominated director Tomm Moore (pictured) from Kilkenny-based animation company Cartoon Saloon; celebrity chef Edward Hayden; blogger and influencer Sinéad De Butléìr; former Miss Ireland and influencer Holly Carpenter; and Niamh de Brún.

In the next weeks, each will promote their favourite places to visit from around the county from tourist attractions, towns to heritage sites and family walking trails. The aim is to highlight the very best the county has to offer in a nostalgic #MoretoExplore promotional campaign to encourage visitors to Kilkenny this summer.

Commenting on what makes Kilkenny so special for them and their favourite places to visit, Tomm Moore said:

“I was something of an outsider growing up as my family had moved to Kilkenny from the North of Ireland in the early 80s and, as a comic-obsessed ‘oddball’ in a hurling-mad school, St Kieran’s, I was bound to stand out.

“Young Irish Filmmakers was thankfully here in Kilkenny and that became the focal point of my teenage artistic life alongside my passion for comics and art.

“But Kilkenny itself soon became home and to this day

what I love most about it is that it’s a very friendly and artistic area, with beautiful scenery, historic buildings and a cosy intimate community.”

Travel, Page 48

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Where Novice drivers now stand on penalty points A NUMBER of Kilkenny ‘Learner’ and ‘Novice’ motorists have received a letter from the Department of Transport to inform them of a legal clarification on the penalty point disqualification threshold for these licence holders.

New legislation introduced on August 1, 2014, as

part of the Road Traffic Act 2014, created the concept of a novice (with the N plate) driver and changed the penalty point disqualification threshold for learner and novice drivers. Instead of the standard 12 points disqualification threshold, this was changed to seven points for “..a person who at

the time such points are endorsed is a learner driver or a novice driver”.

The interpretation by the department, based on legal advice received at the time, was that this new threshold should be applied only to people who entered the driver licensing system on or after that date.

Those learner drivers already in the system before the new legislation was introduced on 1st August 2014 should continue to be subject to the standard 12 points disqualification threshold.

As a result of further, revised, legal advice, the department says it is now applying the seven-point

Famine expo hoping to take good causes award THE Kilkenny Famine Experience is to compete in the Heritage category of the National Lottery Good Causes Awards on Saturday, May 29.

The awards honour the inspiring work and achievements of thousands of projects, clubs and individuals who, with the help of National Lottery Good Causes funding, have had an extraordinary impact on their communities.

The Kilkenny Famine Experience (pictured below) has three fundamental areas of focus. The first is a community reconnection project stemming from the discovery of 976 human famine victims found on site before redevelopment in 2005. The goal is to connect each of them to 976 living people from around the world who then leave their fingerprints etched in brass.

The second is to recount the stories of what happened in the Kilkenny Famine Workhouse and offer an audio visual tour of the building, where the centre is also now located.

The third is to honour the victims and survivors with a 12 foot bronze sculpture located at the site. National Lottery Good Causes funding assisted with the enhancement of the limestone burial crypt where

the human remains were reinterred in 2010. The space has become a place for reconnection, reflection and remembrance having welcomed descendants from all over the world.

The Awards have six categories: Sport, Health & Wellbeing, Heritage, Arts & Culture, Community and Youth. A seventh category, Irish Language, will have a special award to be announced on the night at the Awards final, in recognition of outstanding work done in the promotion of the Irish Language.

Each category winner will receive €10,000 while the overall Good Cause of the Year will get an additional €25,000 on top of this. The winners will be announced at a virtual event hosted by Grainne Seoige live from the Mansion House on Saturday May 29.

Nearly 30 cent in every €1 spent on all National Lottery games goes back to Good Causes in the areas of sport, youth, health, welfare, education, arts, heritage and the Irish Language.

In total, more than €6 Billion has been raised for Good Causes since the National Lottery was established 34 years ago.

threshold to people who were in the system before that date on the following basis.

No driver will be disqualified immediately as a result of this change. This is because a driver is legally entitled to be advised of the disqualification when they are notified of the offence that causes the

disqualification threshold to be breached.

However, should any person incur additional penalty points from six weeks after their notification date, which results in them having seven or more points on their licence while still a novice or learner driver, they will then be disqualified.

No looking back, as Ali learns to overcome anxiety

Our Ali to release debut album FANS of Ali Comerford are anticipating the release of her second single, ‘Knots’, on May 27.

The Kilkenny artist is also announcing that her debut album of the same title will be released on July 29.

Having toured the world performing viola in classical ensembles for 14 years, Ali moved back to her native Kilkenny in 2020 and has recorded her debut album of original folk based but

classical influenced songs.

“Knots is a song I wrote about anxiety, something we all struggle with at one time or another,” she says.

“At the time, I was going through a stage of intense anxiety. I worried about the fact that I hadn’t released any music, about whether people would enjoy my songs or not and also over-analysed every little thing I had ever done wrong.

“I wasn’t sleeping properly

and found I was lying awake at night replaying old conversations and feeling ashamed and embarrassed.

“Anxiety is an extremely isolating thing because you believe that you are the only person who feels like this. I think it’s powerful when people can speak about their own struggles and maybe eventually it will help us all feel less alone.”

Born and raised in Co. Kilkenny, Ali started playing and studying classical music

when just.

After obtaining a Masters of Violin Performance from London’s Royal College of Music, she relocated to New York, completing a Masters in Viola Performance at the Manhattan School of Music on scholarship.

Ali’s journey in music has seen her grace the likes of New York’s Carnegie Hall, London’s Royal Albert Hall and Dublin’s National Concert Hall, Australia, and New Zealand.

After Covid, get Creative with local artists AS the local economy begins to open-up after Covid-19, a new not-for-profit is looking to ensure that local artists and creative practitioners from Kilkenny City and County are not left behind.

“Kilkenny Creative will

meet its mission by providing opportunities for members of the local creative community to engage with the recovery through new resources, networks, and training and employment opportunities,” said Philip

Brennan, Steering Committee member.

He said they wanted their offerings to be shaped by real needs and want to hear from all members of the community to help inform the direction of the project.

“A quick five-minute online anonymous survey has been set up and they are asking all stakeholders to have their say.: The survey can be found at kilkennycreative.org/survey oPhilip Brennan

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Healing the past with your present – how it works ANDREW MCDONALD HYPNOTHERAPIST

REGRESSION therapy through hypnosis works by reassessing memories which get stored in your mind. Our mind’s spongelike quality to absorb information is a fundamental part of life because it is what enables us to learn. What do we do though when that quality means our lives get adversely affected?

Regression therapy allows you to reassess past events and their effect on you. Your experience, your feelings and how both are holding you back and preventing you from progressing. This enables you to find the conflicts, stresses, hidden pain, self-sabotage and hurdles which are connected to past events and are preventing you from fully enjoying the wonderful opportunities life and the future have in store for you.

You may never have given yourself opportunity to work through these past events

which have a huge effect on your present. To reassure yourself that things will and have worked out ok and that you are a bigger, stronger person now. Regression therapy can be your opportunity to unlock your full potential by resolving what happened in the past.

In essence, regression therapy is your gift to yourself. Your opportunity to start enjoying your present knowing you are stronger for your past. Your opportunity to resolve your past and not let it hold you back.

To reassess that past from the viewpoint of your bigger, stronger present self.

Your opportunity to prepare yourself now for the great adventures that lie ahead of you by working through past events to free yourself of their burden and enjoy living your new and best life.

One important thing to note is the controversy surrounding regression therapy. Most of this is the result of irresponsible therapists and the way they used it in the past. An ethical and professional therapist will assess your suitability long before she or he agrees to work

with you. Should you be a suitable candidate, great.

If not, such a therapist will inform you of this, why and advise you of other options which are more suitable for your situation.

Something which a good therapist is equally attentive to is the experience of the client. At no stage should any client feel as though they are reliving the traumatic experience. The purpose is not to re-experience what happened but to reassess the event and its effects with a view to being able to move on and enjoy life fully. As with all health treatments, you should ensure you trust your therapist before even agreeing to therapy.

With a good, professional and ethical therapist, regression therapy can be your opportunity to start living the best version of you. Particularly if you suffer with anxiety or depression because of past events, regression therapy through hypnosis can unlock your present and future in a way few other therapies can.

Start living your life to the full!

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Finance & Health eliminate the need to replace them with expensive steel beams or supports. This is why step 1, getting a full sense of your building, is so important.

Using light-touch design enables you to transform your home while leaving the structure of the building intact.

This, in turn, will significantly reduce the chances of costly surprises, delays and your stress levels.

Five tips to build on for home improvements

BY JOHN ELLIS FINANCIAL ADVISOR

LAST week this paper had a special supplement, ‘Home For Summer’, giving ideas on how to improve your home inside and out.

Home improvement projects are so rewarding but, that being said, it can be a timeconsuming and capital-intensive project, so you’ll want to get it right first time. Much of the success in home renova-

tion is making sure you’ve got your homework done, So, courtesy of Zurich Insurance, here are five tips to help guide your home renovation project.

1. Get to know every aspect of the property before you begin Houses are like people.

They’ve got their own unique characteristics, strong points and weak points.

Some houses have areas susceptible to damp, while others may have low water pressure.

Ensure you get to know every inch of the building before you start work. You’ll want to see

Migrants set to put Kilkenny on the global map generally, migrants come with heart to make a home, raise their families, get involved and co-create value within their BY: TOLUWANI new communities. Co-creating AKAEHOMEN and/or adding value in one’s new Country of Residence is about putting one’s shoulder STUDIES have provided empirto the wheels/hands to the ical evidence of the value that plough, using existing or new migrants add to their new comqualifications, skills, compemunities. Several white papers tencies and qualities to contribhave also been put forward ute to the wellbeing and progregarding this issue and many ress of the community in which discussions have ensued from we now live. New communithese. Generally, their purposes ties also seek to share various have been to educate, inform aspects of their own cultures and hopefully facilitate the kind with their new communities. of understanding that will In the last 2 decades shift long-held, albeit ersince the arrival of roneous, beliefs and paramost migrants into the digms that migrants come Republic of Ireland, to “take our jobs, take our they have been graduhouses, sponge off us….” ally getting involved etc. in community life While we can’t in various ways rule out the exacross the istence of 26 counthose unties. From desirsports, to able elvolunements, teering, whose to emintent ployment, and actions Rhasidat Adeleke to marriage, give the rest Photo Credit: Irish dancing and of us a bad name, Bryan Keane/INPHO

which walls need additional insulation; which walls are structural; where the plumbing goes; where the wiring is and so on.

You can be sure then that your plan is well informed thereby limiting the number of changes you need to make once it’s finalised.

2. Know your exact budget It’s vital to get a firm grasp on what the renovations are going to cost.

Remember, time spent on meticulous planning and budgeting will ultimately save you time and money once the work begins. many other activities, our lives are gradually but surely becoming intertwined. Many of us have already passed away and are buried here. Others will inevitably also pass away and be buried here. What else makes a country/county one’s home?

Since Ireland and Kilkenny have become home, it behoves us as new communities to add value with intentionality, authenticity and purposefulness. With the necessary and much needed full acceptance, support, encouragement, opportunities for involvement, acknowledgement, inclusion, and commitment by our host community, there is no limit to how much value new communities are willing to add. This is the heart of inclusion.

In the spirit of this, massive congratulations to 18-yearold Nigerian-Irish Rhasidat Adeleke, who sets new Irish 200m record, becoming the fastest Irish woman in history over 200 metres last Saturday in Manhattan. This follows the overwhelming success of Nigerian-Irish teenage girls, Joy Njekwe, 17, Rachael Akano, 15, and Margaret Akano, 17, who created Memory Haven, an award-winning app that helps patients suffering from dementia. The three girls knocked out more than 1,500 teams from 62 different countries in August 2020 to put Ireland on the STEM global map. With these kinds of records, there’s no doubt that migrants are capable of putting Kilkenny on the global map for all the right reasons.

4. Finding the best contractor for the job Word of mouth is the best approach here. Use recommendations from family and friends to help you find an architect and building contractor.

Once you’ve drawn up a shortlist ask if you can view Pricing materials from several providers is important.

Buying all your requirements from one source may be the simplest and quickest route, but it may not be the most cost-effective.

Regardless of how well you plan you will need to leave some overhead for any unforeseen costs – unfortunately, these are inevitable!

3. Consider a ‘light-touch’ design If you can avoid major building work as part of your renovations, then do so.

Working around structural or load-bearing walls will

It’s vital to get a firm grasp on what the renovations are going to cost...’

”

some of their past work. Get bids from more than one contractor asking them to break down the cost of materials, labour, and other expenses.

Once a contractor and price has been decided upon, agree a payment schedule for work, keeping 10% of the final cost back until your project has been finished to your satisfaction.

When choosing a building contractor remember the cheapest bid may not be the best.

5. Always keep your return on investment in mind Spend your money where it counts.

New windows, quality flooring and high-grade appliances will go a long way to ensuring that you get significant bang for your hardearned buck.

Things like lighting, a coat of paint and furnishings are easily changed over time and should not be your main priorities.

When it comes to appliances, research manufacturers and ensure you understand their warranty conditions.

You may pay more for an appliance with a higher energy rating, but these machines will probably last longer.

With some careful planning and by getting the basics right, your renovations will add value to your property and joy of living to your newly transformed home.

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End maternity restrictions, says Funchion SINN Féin TD for Carlow Kilkenny is calling on the Minister for Health to intervene and end maternity restrictions at St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny for expectant women and their partners “I have met with expectant mothers and their partners who are understandably angered and frustrated that their needs have not been given

any meaningful consideration during the process of easing public health restrictions,” Ms Funchion told The Kilkenny Observer.

“They have carried an unequal share of the burden during the fight against Covid-19 and now they need to be heard.”

The TD said the World Health Organisation strongly recom-

mended supporting women to have a chosen companion during labour and childbirth, including during reCovid-19 strictions.

“Instead, we hear daily sto-

ries of women going to their appointments alone while their partner has been left outside in the car park.

“Sadly, in some instances, we have been told of women being told the most awful of news with nobody there to

comfort them.

“These are real women and these are real stories, and their partners deserve more than the role of afterthought.

“The vast majority of maternity staff are vaccinated, while pregnant women are being prioritised for vaccination.”

She said this progress, with the extensive public health measures being enforced

Second level for Steiner school

Farmers ‘miss out on annual savings of up to €6,400’ ALMOST 500 dairy farmers in Kilkenny are missing out on savings of up to €6,400 a year by failing to switch electricity providers, a new survey has revealed.

Energy switching company WeSwitchU.ie also warned of the pitfalls farmers needed to look out for when seeking a better deal.

Farmers with 200 cows can benefit most by trading in their current supplier for a new one, according to the WeSwitchU.ie Index.

It reveals a €6,400 gap between the cheapest and most expensive electricity plans on the market.

For a farmer with 150 cows, the index reveals savings of €4,220 for electricity customers 10,058 versus €5,838 a year), and €2,215 for a farmer with 100 cows (€5,635 versus €3,420 a year).

“On dairy farms, the amount of electricity used depends chiefly on milk cooling equipment and the amount of hot water used, which are in turn dictated by the number of milking units in the parlour and the level of automation in the milking machine,” said Brendan Halpin, CEO of WeSwitchU.ie.

“Based on average consumption, the index clearly shows that thousands of dairy farmers can potentially

slice up to €6,400 off their bills from a premium annual cost of €14,655 to a net cost of €8,255 with the cheapest provider.

“There is huge inertia out there when it comes to switching providers but when you remove the obstacles and the perceived ‘hassle’, it can make for massive savings.”

Halpin also warns of the different pitfalls to avoid when switching providers.

“We’d always advise to stay away from tariffs with surcharges applied above 3,000kWh for day usage and 2,000kWh for night usage.

“Decline commercial tariffs over residential ones as they work out more expensive over a 12 month period. Group deals are also best avoided with the discounted unit rates offered to members lower due to sales commission.”

Research from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) shows that half of Irish people have never switched energy supplier.

With approximately 1000 dairy farmers in Kilkenny, that means 500 are potentially losing out.

“Based on the maximum potential savings per year, farmers have the power to put €533 every month back in their farms,” said Mr Halpin.

“Those who make the switch

Cut those bills: Brendan Halpin, CEO of WeSwitchU.ie

themselves benefit from the savings in their first year but need to look at the market again after that time to keep up the momentum.

“Once you sign up with WeSwitchU.ie, you do not have to search year-in, year-

out for better deals as we continue to pursue savings on an annual basis and do the switching for you.

“When your contract expires, we provide a breakdown of the best deals for your needs and switch pro-

viders on your behalf.

“By removing the main barriers to switching – hassle and time – you are guaranteed to always be on the best rates.” * More information at www.

WeSwitchU.ie/Farmers

€27,000 to upgrade busy City walkway A WALKWAY off one of Kilkenny’s busiest roads in need of urgent remedial work has been given €27,000 for its upgrade.

The pedestrian steps that connect Kilkenny’s Ring Road to the Ballyfoyle Road near Glenbawn has been ringfenced for a much

needed upgrade which will be of massive benefit for the people in the are that use it daily.

Mayor of Kilkenny John Coonan said: “Following representations I have received and concerns I raised regarding the ongoing deterioration over the

across our hospitals and maternity services, overwhelmingly strengthened the argument that we must end maternity restrictions now.

“The Minister for Health must intervene and agree to minimum standards of care, and minimum standards of partner access for all hospitals and maternity services during pregnancies.”

years of this regularly used pedestrian access, I am delighted to have received confirmation from Ian Gardener, senior area engineer in KIlkenny County Council that final approval of €27,000 to carry out all necessary repairs and upgrade works

required at this very important pedestrian access.

“This pedestrian access has very significant daily use and serves access to and from several routes, including Cnoc Baun, Glendine Woods, Glendine Heights, Glendine Court,

Kilkenny Golf Club, Kilkenny College and the Model School back to the Castlecomer Road.

“This necessary safety upgrade will be widely welcome for people who use this essential pedestrian access point everyday,” Mayor Coonan said.

THE Steiner School in Kilkenny will provide secondary school education from next September The primary school has been providing education to children in the county for more than 25 years at Ballytobin in Callan and has 47 students enrolled.

From September children will have the opportunity to continue through to a secondary school. The school will, in time, cater for children aged 12 to 16 years by offering Classes 7, 8 and 9 (the equivalent of the Junior Cycle). In September we will have a combined class 6/7, for which six places are available.

According to a spokesperson for the school: “Our Steiner Waldorf model of education provides a truly holistic education by placing equal value on educating the head, heart and hands. This is achieved by having dedicated teachers who understand the importance of tuning into a student’s needs and interests and fostering their enthusiasm for learning about the world around them.

“Teachers draw from a rich and diverse curriculum and have the freedom to bring their own unique strengths and skill set into their teaching,” the spokesperson said. * For information see www. kilkennysteinerschool.com

Chinese our top takeaway ... again!

FOR the third year in a row, Kilkenny’s most popular takeaway choice is Chinese, making up 26% of total orders made.

Figures from JustEat show that Chinese cuisine has consistently grown in popularity in Kilkenny in the past decade.

The most popular five were: Chinese, pizza, fish & chips, kebabs and Italian.

In the last year, takeaway orders in Kilkenny rose by 37.49% (2019-2020) and 307.05% in the last decade (2010-2020).

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Calling all you foodies ... with a local blas ENTRIES are now open to producers all across the country for Blas na hÉireann 2021, with the very best in Irish food and drink being judged in the largest blind-tasted food awards on the island.

“The last 12 months have been like no other in the history of Blas na hÉireann,” Chairman Artie Clifford told The

Kilkenny Observer. “We could never have imagined what lay ahead when we launched last year’s awards. It is testament to our team, our partners in UCC, IT Tralee and TU Dublin, our sponsors, the resilience and innovation of our amazing producers and our wider Blas community that we were able to announce our 2020 winners

€8m. should help fire up two local new stations

THE county’s Fire Service have secured more than €8 million for the construction of two new fire stations together with a funding allocation for a new fire engine. This is a significant investment in the continued improvement of the existing fire stations and fleet of emergency vehicles within the Kilkenny Fire & Rescue Service.

Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr Andrew McGuiness, welcomed the proposed development and commended the professionalism of fire fighters throughout the county under the guidance of Chief Fire Officer John Collins, for the dedication they have shown through the years.

“It’s a good day for the people of Urlingford and all of Kilkenny to see this much needed Fire Station taking a step closer to completion.

This facility will complement the high standards of service that Kilkenny Fire and Rescue Service provides in serving the people of Kilkenny City and County.”

The old fire station in Urlingford had been in operation since the early 1970s and requires replacement as the existing station is limited to cope with the demands of a modern fire and rescue service.

The proposed new site is adjacent to Urlingford Garda station and across the road from the existing fire station. The new design is to incorporate a two-bay station with a training yard, lecture room and staff facilities, Specific training installations include a drill tower, an underground water tank and a breathing apparatus compressor room. This project received funding in the amount of €1.7m as part of the national investment plan.

Welcoming the proposed development, Cllr Michael McCarthy, Chairperson of the Castlecomer Municipal District, acknowledged the commitment and professionalism of the fire crew in Urlingford and all of the fire crews throughout the County.

“The new Fire Station was long overdue and is necessary in order to facilitate a modern Fire Service in terms of providing a training tower, breathing apparatus facilities, a deep lift tank and facilities to respond to incidents such as road traffic collisions including incidents on the M8 motorway,” he said.

The design of the new fire station is at an advanced stage and documents are being prepared for the tendering process which is anticipated to begin during July 2021.

It is anticipated that building of the new station will start this September and be completed by September 2022.

in a virtual celebration last October.”

Mr Clifford said it was with this experience under their belt that they could confidently launch Blas 2021 – knowing that “no matter what, we will celebrate the very finest Irish food and drink in the best way possible”.

He said: “With businesses

pushed to the brink, the closure of the hospitality sector left many producers without some of their key accounts. However, with many producers pivoting their business quickly and the general public getting far more interested in the quality of the food in their basket and on their plate, there were deep ties made between communities

and their local producers.

“Our goal is to build on this and ensure that when restaurants reopen, the ties made between the public and these products remains.

“We are passionate about Irish food and drink and supporting the independent producers as they build their business and we’re looking forward

to another successful year of Blas na hÉireann doing just that.”

So whether a new business has flourished in the past 12 months or an existing product is being used in a brand new way, a Blas na hÉireann gold stamp of approval could see it reach new heights and, most importantly, new customers.

Art for art’s sake: Kilkenny City street murals

Plans to paint the town get the go-ahead!

THE County Council’s Public Arts policy, approved at the monthly meeting, outlines a clear framework for public art commissioning, in collaboration with the council, artists, arts organisations and local communities.

The policy is in line with the Government’s National Guidelines on Public Art. Following the approval of the policy, Cathaoirleach An-

drew McGuinness said: “I believe that public art is a great means for us to showcase Kilkenny’s track record in providing strong support for arts and cultural. I look forward to seeing public art share public spaces with all of the people who live, work and visit our county.”

The ‘Per Cent for Art’ scheme ringfences funding that is only available for public

art projects and supports the commissioning of artists across all contemporary art forms, including visual, music, dance, theatre, opera, film, literature, architecture, traditional arts and circus and street arts. It also supports the commissioning of temporary and permanent art projects.

“The council is pleased to have this document to guide us in commissioning public

art programmes going forward,” said Mary Butler, Arts Officer, Kilkenny County Council.

“We are cognisant of how public art adds value to the cultural, aesthetic and economic vitality of a community. Also, how it contributes to a community’s identity, fosters community pride and enhances the quality of life for its residents and visitors.”

€140k. for 181 local amenities A TOTAL of €140,000 in amenity grants to 181 resident associations, tidy towns groups and community organisations across the county has been approved by the county council.

The number of applications received this year was up 10% compared to last year.

The main objective of the Amenity Grant Scheme is to support local communities to undertake small scale amenity projects from the upkeep, maintenance and enjoyment of public amenities through to landscaping and development of open spaces and small-scale improvement works.

Cllr Andrew McGuinness, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council in welcoming the allocation of funding under the Amenity Grant Scheme, said: “The Amenity Grant Scheme is a critical form of support provided by the council to a wide range of community groups across the

county.

“This year the council are making over 180 grant awards and I want to acknowledge and commend the invaluable work carried out by all of these groups in improving the amenity value and presentation of Kilkenny as a quality place to live.”

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Feature John Morton (centre front) with fellow cast members Seán Hackett, Dave Thompson, Ken McGuire and Alan Butler in ‘Wild Harvest’ by Ken Bourke which was staged by ‘Watergate Productions’. Photo by Ross Costigan

Working on stories with John Morton was like being in the middle of a huge fireworks display A KILKENNY man, John Morton, has been announced as the winner of the Edgar Allan Poe award for best television programme.

Morton, from Stephen Street in Kilkenny, is well known in his hometown both as an actor and a writer.

Back in the 90’s he was part of young Irish Film makers and Dreamstuff theatre.

Along with some likeminded theatre folk, he went on to form Devious Theatre company who performed some wonderful shows in Kilkenny and Dublin.

Devious Theatre were founded in Kilkenny in 2006.

They performed different works in different spaces for different audiences using different methods.

They performed over thirty shows , picked up awards along their way, and their work featured at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Cork Midsummer Festival, Dublin Fringe Festival, Galway Theatre Festival, to name but a few.

FEATHER IN THE CAP This particular award is a major feather in the hat of Morton.

Mind you, no one can deny that John hasn’t put in the man hours and his journey in the world of theatre has been filled with a lot of hard work.

MIKE KELLY RECALLS MORTON’S TALENTS One man who has seen Morton progress from a youngster staring out and learning the ropes to an award winning

Oscar. Now, that would really be the stuff of dreams!”

Photographed at the launch of The Devious series of plays are Devious core company members Kevin Mooney, John Morton, Niamh Moroney and Ken McGuire

writer is his long-time friend and one time mentor Mike Kelly.

Mike who has been synonymous with theatre and film making for many years spoke to The Kilkenny Observer regarding John’s award.

“Working on stories with John Morton was like being in the middle of a huge fireworks display. Ideas just exploded out of him. He wrote several scripts for Young Irish Film Makers. I remember having what we called spit ball sessions (don’t ask!) trying to come up with ideas for Suckers, a school vampire film. I had to reluctantly reject his idea of blowing up a giant water tank full of holy water that would kill all the school vampires!

When Dreamstuff Youth Theatre was created in 2000, John, who was also a fine actor, gave memorable performances in ‘Life of Brian’ and ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’. For

Kerr Logan, Michael Smiley and Eileen O’Higgins in Dead Still

Mike Kelly , who worked with and mentored John Morton in the early years of Young Irish Film Makers and Dreamstuff theatre

our first Christmas play John suggested ‘Treasure Island’. We started spit balling ideas and then both of us wrote scenes for the play. Very few of my scenes remained in the final version! I discovered that John was a born storyteller and genius, who had read every classic novel in the entire history of classic novels and he remembered all their plots!

So I was delighted to hear he won a well-deserved award for his brilliant script for the television series, ‘Dead Still’, which I suspect was heavily inspired from his Christmas 2003 Dreamstuff play, ‘Sherlock Holmes and the Cult of Dracula’! I can hear John’s voice in every character in Dead Still, but particularly the Castle detective, Frederick O’Hare, a role that John Morton should have played.

I look forward to the possibility of seeing another Kilkenny name as a nominee for an

MYSTERY WRITERS OF AMERICA The awards are issued by the Mystery Writers of America, honouring the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction and television.

Created by Morton, and starring Michael Smiley, the droll dramedy is set in 1880s’ Dublin in the Victorian era heyday of ‘postmortem photography’, when a recently deceased loved one is pictured for posterity with their family.

The six-episode first season recently broadcast on RTÉ One - follows renowned memorial photographer Brock Blennerhasset (played by Smiley) who is drawn towards a series of deaths which appear to be linked to his work.

Dead Still also stars Aidan O’Hare as Frederick Regan, an officer of the Dublin Metrpolitan Police, Eileen O’Higgins as Nancy Vickers, Brock’s niece and an aspiring actress, Kerr Logan as Conall Malloy, a gravedigger and Brock’s assistant, and Jimmy Smallhorne as Cecil Carruthers, Brocker’s carriage driver.

The Irish/Canadian coproduction is produced by Deadpan Pictures (Ireland) and Shaftesbury (Canada) in association with RTÉ, Acorn TV with Acorn Media Enterprises, ZDF Enterprises, and the BAI. Dead Still - Season 1 is available to view on the RTÉ Player.

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News Wellbeing

Golden Egg Holistic Golden Egg Holistic is a peaceful healing space and training centre close to Portlaoise, Co.Laois. Built on a hilltop, it has beautiful views of the surrounding landscape

W

hat happens at Golden Egg Holistic?

Treatments & Therapies available at Golden Egg Holistic include Reflexology, Holistic Massage, Fertility/ Well woman Massage, Indian Head Massage, Sound Healing, Hopi Ear Candling, Energy Healing, Holistic Facials, Touch therapy for Autism, Paediatric Massage, Massage/Reflexology for babies with colic/reflux.

For further details on each individual therapy/Treatment see our therapies page on our website.

ITEC Approved Diploma courses: At Golden Egg Holistic we source the most highly qualified and experienced Irish and International Holistic Trainers and bring them to Golden Egg Holistic, offering only top quality Diploma, Postgraduate and CPD approved training courses to Irish Therapists. Our Diploma courses include Anatomy,

Physiology and Pathology, Holistic Massage, Reflexology, Aromatherapy.

Golden Egg Holistic is an ITEC approved training school. ITEC is an international examination board providing high quality internationally recognised education programmes for complementary therapists.

Our ITEC Diploma courses are suitable for both beginners, and for those who would like to develop and expand and develop their current complementary therapies skills.

Post Graduate and CPD Approved Training Courses: Regular Post Graduate and CPD approved training

courses run at Golden Egg Holistic include Maternity Reflexology, Fertility Reflexology, Baby Reflexology, Reflexology for cancer care, Baby Massage Instructor Training, Touch therapy for Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Paediatric Massage Therapy, Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage, Fertility Massage Practitioner training, Hopi Ear Candling, Indian Head Massage, Massage for Cancer Care, Sound Healing, Holistic Facial, Energy Healing, Abdominal /Digestion Massage, Meditation, Pregnancy Massage etc. Our training courses are constantly updating and evolving to keep up to date with current training standards and research.

Keep an eye on our Facebook page for regular updates and additional courses that may not be listed on our website. @ GoldenEggHolistic www. goldeneggholistic.com

Welcome to Mulvarra House

Yoga, Food and More – A Magical Retreat and Workshop Centre

O

riginally a B&B, Tim and Linda

took over Mulvarra House as a workshop and retreat centre mid 2017. They both have a background in education, Tim in Ireland and Linda in the Netherlands. Tim is also a qualified yoga teacher while Linda is a real foodie. When their respective Dublin jobs didn’t work out they both decided to look for a new opportunity. The outrageous prices of Dublin houses encouraged them to look further afield and by combining their skills they found a dream solution – a workshop and retreat centre.

“The view of the River Barrow is absolutely gorgeous, it’s a magical place. The yoga studio was built in 2019 and after organising a few events, we were ready for 2020.

Unfortunately, things turned out a bit differently. We are so looking forward to reopening” Mulvarra House sounds idyllic.

There are weekend yoga retreats available which gives people the opportunity to take time off from their busy lives and spend some time in nature, practising yoga and meditation and enjoying Linda’s delicious food which is described as “fresh and mainly vegetarian, nutritious and delicious, lovingly prepared and surprisingly versatile”. Vegan varieties are always possible and Linda can work within any other dietary restrictions.

Tim and Linda have noticed that the yoga and meditation have such a restorative effect on people and the feeling of being looked after for a few days does wonders. “You can go for river walks, rent a kayak or canoe or just sit and read.” Mulvarra House hosts a range of other workshops and retreats including mandala art workshops, Pilates workshops, singing workshops and storytelling workshops.

“Anything that gives people the

opportunity to stand still and take time to restore.”

Tim and Linda have carefully started planning a few events for reopening, starting with a Food and Yoga Retreat in the first weekend of July. All through the summer, they are ready to welcome people to Mulvarra House who wish to create their own, tailor-made individual retreats. Groups will be kept small to make sure everyone feels safe and can relax. Tim and Linda have put great work into the outdoor seating areas so people can enjoy the sun and the amazing views.

It is clear Tim and Linda truly love what they do. “It is a true blessing to be in a position to create your own way of life and share that with others, even though it’s been hard going the last few months.” They believe more than anything, people need to make sure that they take the time to feel grounded and balanced. Mulvarra House seems to be the perfect remedy.

Welcoming and intimate. A magical new workshop and retreat centre in St Mullins.

Yoga-Mindfulness-FOOd-Nature Reopening on

July 1ST intimate. A ma Welcoming and

new workshop and retreat ce For bookings - contact us at info@mulvarra.com ph:051424936

in St Mullins. www.mulvarra.com For further information and to book a workshop or retreat: www. mulvarra.com / phone 051 424936

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021

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Wellbeing

You are a diamond

Look after your mind, body and soul this summer

When we speak to health we must remember that as human beings we are multifaceted.

We’ve all had a rough year.

As we head into summer and closer to some kind of normality, take the time to mind yourself Make your Appointments Everyone has been delighted to get back to the salons and hairdressers recently. Being able to sort out the dreaded lockdown hair and neglected nails has been a great lift. Don’t only think about the cosmetic though. Why not prioritise sorting out that niggling back pain caused by working from home or that dodgy knee.

We are lucky to have many local healthcare and therapeutic professionals who can help with the full range of physical issues.

Eat Better Not Less The combination of lots of time spent at home with added stressed may have resulted in unhealthy eating habits for many of us. Don’t punish yourself for this. Make a plan to try out a new healthy recipe this

week. Make a point of looking for fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables. When we don’t eat right it impacts everything that we do and a small change to eating habits can make all the difference.

Think About What You Put On Your Body As Well As In If a product sits on your skin all day, it is also absorbed into your body. It is worth thinking about switching your usual cosmetics to some natural alternatives.

There are many products now which use little or no chemicals including soap, deodorant, shampoos and even self-tan products.

Exercise Some people got really into running during lockdown, others

just can’t wait to get back to the gym. If neither of these is you, that doesn’t mean you should give up on exercise altogether.

Yoga is a great alternative and now with most teachers offering online classes, can be done from the comfort of your home.

Consider taking up something new and fun, like a dance class or team sport.

Mind your Mind After so many months of no plans it can be easy to feel overwhelmed now that going out, meeting friends and general busyness becomes an option again. Make sure you make time each week for some quietness and calm. Meditate, read, go for a walk or write in your journal.

Take the time to check in on yourself.

We have our physical self, muscles, bones, and organ tissues. We also have a complex system of biochemical reactions happening every second to maintain a balance, a homeostasis, to keep us ticking. Another facet to our complexity, is our emotional and mental health.

Every day, I support people who have physical, long standing issues and some that are deemed within the mental health realm. Majority of which I have found to stem from repressed emotions, or that people are unconsciously repressing by not being truthful and honest with themselves.

You are a diamond, to maintain a sparkly, light refracting body of happiness and energy, one must look after and shine those surfaces.

Eating good quality food,

that is made from the raw materials as opposed to processed versions.

When done this way, there is a higher likelihood of receiving the various vitamins and minerals contained within as well as the excellent, irreplaceable fibre that maintains a healthy digestive tract.

Fibre maintains movement of digesting and digested foods as well as providing a perfect terrain for our gut flora bacteria to flourish.

Sleep is a must, the old wives tale of “An hour before twelve is as good as two after” does not stem from nowhere. While we sleep our body repairs and in that horizontal state the ease of our fluids circulating our body encourages that healing and repairing. Also, it allows our brain to sort our memories and days goings ons, thus giving us

the reprieve to enable us to mentally face another day.

Owning your truth and being truthful to yourself in all situations is a must.

Though this may sound cliché, you know on an unconscious level what is wrong, and what is required is you to be truthful to yourself. Once you are, the rest starts falling into place as you can now stand sovereign and at cause for all your actions.

Lastly, keeping a gratitude journal is a very effective way of finding the good and joy of every day, a reminder to stop and smell the roses. Recommended practice is to do every night so that when you go to bed, to sleep, it is in a state of thankfulness, from which you wake each morning in that state also.

Delia Lowery - www. noretherapies.ie

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Wellbeing

Optimal Health and Performance Jackie Varley – specialist in dietary coaching for weight loss and nutrition for life Lose Weight for Good As a qualified Dietary Coach, Chef and Performance Nutritionist with over 25 years experience, I will guide you through your own nutritional journey to weight loss, vitality and better health. I use evidence-based nutrition advice, constant learning through education and research, to offer you nutritional advice you can trust. Using delicious nutritious recipes, you can expect meals that are easy to prepare, taste fantastic and are nutritionally balanced.

Other Plans; Plant Based and Vegetarian Having completed a Plant Based Nutrition Course and being flexitarian I am mindful that a vegetarian diet can be extremely healthy or the complete opposite if it is not nutritionally balanced. During the 6-week programme, you will be guided on how to reach your dietary needs with plenty of food suggestions, recipes, tips and advice on how to increase any nutrients that

may be deficient in your diet.

This package is ideal if you are serious about your health and wish to embrace a vegetarian lifestyle. Suitable for flexitarians and pescatarians or anyone who may wish to improve their health.

Healthy Eating for You and Your Time of Life As we age, we tend to lose muscle, but a balanced diet and exercise can help slow or stop muscle loss. To ensure you are eating as well as possible with a variety of nutritious foods why not avail of a dietary analysis, follow up meal plan with recipes and option to move to a dietary monitoring 6 week package with access to over 60 new recipes and ongoing feedback in your nutrition.

This 6-week guided coaching is designed to help reduce cravings, increase energy levels and promote better quality sleep. You will be provided with

a meal plan, weekly analysis of your diet ongoing, tips to eat the correct foods.

Do you want to improve your performance as an athlete?

At Optimal Health and Performance we can help you to be your best through optimising fuelling, hydration and supplementation practices to enhance your ability to train, recovery and compete.

Performance nutrition is the use of dietary interventions to impact and improve athletic performance and training ability. The strategies used are different for each athlete and are developed by discussing your goals.

Fully insured and a member of the FNTP, Jackie is a qualified, experienced, professional. www.optimalhealthand performance.ie

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021

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News

New plans to make a clean sweep of our litter problem A THREE-YEAR ‘litter plan’ by Kilkenny County Council proposes upgrading and expanding the council’s network of recycling centres, continuing the roads sweeping programme and investigating illegal dumping through to supporting the Green School Programme, Tidy Town groups and the installation of new litter bins.

Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr Andrew McGuinness, said: “We all have a part to play to ensure we leave no trace and I am pleased with the ambitious actions contained in this Plan. The Council will continue to work with Schools, Community Groups, Tidy Towns Groups, the

business sector and the general public to tackle the scourge of litter throughout our beautiful County.”

The plan reveals that cigarette litter, followed by packaging, sweet litter, food related litter, paper and dog foul are the main types of litter to be found throughout Co Kilkenny with pedestrians and passing motorists being the main sources of litter.

The new measures are intended to help combat the increasing trend in the number of litter complaints being received by the council for investigation in the past 12-months. Breaches of the Litter Pollution Act such as leaving or throwing litter in a public place, is subject to an ‘on the spot’ fine of €150 and the council issued over 220 such fines last year.

The Council’s Environmental Awareness Officer, Ms Bernadette Moloney, proactively engaged with a range of stakeholders in developing initiatives for inclusion in the plan, including the Council’s four Municipal Districts and Strategic Policy Committee for Environmental Protection, as well as the Public Participation Network and the Tidy Towns Forum.

The plan was also placed on public display and all submissions received were taken into account before it was finalised and adopted by the council.

Raising awareness of a rare disorder MAY is PWS Awareness Month worldwide, and an Irish charity is working hard to raise awareness of this rare disorder all over the country.

Prader Willi Syndrome Association Ireland (PWSAI) are calling on people in Kilkenny to show their support by wearing orange on Friday, May 28 and doing a 5K run or walk between Friday, May 28 and Sunday, May 30.

Many have already signed up at www.PWSAI.ie to help spread the word about Prader Willi Syndrome and raise vital funds for the charity.

Prader Willi Syndrome is a complex genetic disorder that typically causes low muscle tone, restricted growth, learning difficulties, problem behaviours, and a chronic feeling of hunger that can lead to excessive eating and life-threatening obesity.

It affects approximately 110 children and adults in

throughout Ireland.

PWSAI, which is mostly run by volunteers and family members of people living with Prader-Willi Syndrome, are encouraging people to take part to create a greater understanding of this complex condition among the general public.

Gary Brennan, PWSAI National Development Manager said: “It can be challening for the dividuals affected, and their families and carers, to explain their needs and get access to appropriate supports.

“We hope that by raising awareness of the condition, we can make this journey a little easier for all. “ The charity was founded in 2014 by Emma and Rory Tierney, who’s son Henry lives with PWS. It has to date raised €25,800 to support people and families living with PWS in Ireland.

High flyer: Vicky Phelan doing well, despite ongoing treatment for her cancer

Twins offered $24m. tuition A pair of identical twins in Louisiana was offered more than $24 million in scholarship offers from the scores of colleges to which they applied.

Denisha and Destiny Caldwell, who are preparing to graduate at the top of their class from Scotlandville Magnet High School in Baton Rouge, said they received offers from more than 200 colleges and universities around the world.

Obviously, a bright pair...

Big Mac and a toy to go...

Vicky in great form as she and friend visit Washington DC VICKY Phelan has reunited with her Limerick friend for an “amazing” weekend in Washington DC. The cervical cancer campaigner faced a tough goodbye when she told everyone she would be away for six months to take part in a clinical trial — but later revealed she’d actually be away for a year.

Taking to her Instagram, Vicky shared her fun-filled weekend with her followers and told how there was “no hospital visits and no vomiting”.

The mother-of-two enjoyed

her tour around the city with her friend, as the two women explored the sights of Oldtown, Washington DC and Georgetown.

The Mooncoin native said: “I had the most amazing weekend! My friend, Jen drove all the way from New York to spend the weekend with me.

“Jen visited me in Bethesda a couple of months ago but ended up turning around after landing at my apartment to drive me into the hospital and waited for hours in her car (no visitors allowed in the hospital)

until I got pumped with fluids to drive me back home to my apartment and sit with me and make me tea until a bit if colour came back in my face before driving back to New York “So, this time round there were no hospital visits and no vomiting...just two friends spending time together and seeing the sights of Oldtown, Washington DC and Georgetown.”

In January Vicky had travelled to Maryland in the US to take part in an immunotherapy clinical trial in the national Institute of Health.

Book ‘em baby, here’s a boost for early readers A TOTAL 88 early learning and care settings, including registered childminders in Co Kilkenny, will receive free book bags under the ‘First 5 Little Library’ Initiative.

The Initiative aims to develop little libraries in early learning and care service settings and build a consistent link with their local library to encourage a love of books and reading among young children.

As part of our National Right to Read Literacy programme, which promotes literacy and reading development for people of all ages and backgrounds, Little Library packs containing books, library membership cards and literacy resources will be delivered to our

local libraries, who will contact the registered early learning centers and care settings to arrange collection.

“We are delighted to have received over 680 books for childcare facilities around the county,” said Executive Librarian, Aisling Kelly. “Providing a literacy rich environment and access to books from a young age is a significant factor in helping prepare

children for success in school and throughout life.”

Colette Byrne, Kilkenny County Council Chief Executive on behalf of the public library sector, said: “Library staff have helped to grow ‘Right to Read ‘over the past few years, offering events and resources for children, families and individuals throughout the year.

“It is wonderful to know that children in early learning and care settings will also now benefit from the programme in that environment and from all the positive effects that reading brings such as greater self-esteem and well-being, greater social and health outcomes and an overall better quality of life as they grow up.”

The Guinness World Record holder for the largest collection of fast-food toys said his collection has now doubled to 20,000 toys.

Percival Lugue of Apalit, Philippines, was awarded a Guinness World Record in 2014 when his collection of kids’ meal toys from eateries. including McDonald’s, Burger King and Jollibee, was tallied at 10,000 items.

Food for thought, maybe ...

Sweet moment in Spanish history Confectioners in Spain used about 1,102 pounds of chocolate to create an edible version of Pablo Picasso’s 1937 painting Guernica.

Chocolatiers and pastry chefs hailing from Basque created the 24.6-foot-by-11.4-foot version of the painting to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the April 26, 1937, bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. Just desserts, perhaps...

It pays to sleep on the job ...

A company announced it is seeking “nap reviewers” to get paid $1,500 each to take daily naps for 30 days and document the experience.

EachNight.com, which offers comparisons of mattresses, bedding and other items, said it is researching the “pros and cons of napping” and is seeking a team of “nap reviewers” to document their mid-day rests.

Talk about sleeping on the job ...

Wine from space sells for $1m.

Auction house Christie’s announced a bottle of French wine that spent more than a year ageing on the International Space Station is expected to sell for around $1 million.

Christie’s said the bottle of Petrus 2000 was one of a dozen bottles of wine that were launched into orbit in 2019 and spent nearly 440 days in space before being brought back to earth.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021

kilkennyobserver.ie

Picture special

Enya Kennedy

Dave Rhatigan

Dick Fanning

t u o Ab Out &

WITH

Dannryt Laha

Sean Casey

Con Crean

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021

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Picture special

Derek Maher and pip and David Tobin and pixie

Trina and Kathleen Egan John Cuddihy and Maurice Droham Janice Culleywith her son’s Seth Culley’s art

Nice to see Kilkenny coming alive again

Protest in Support of Palestine

John Dempsey and Martin Muldowney

Kevin Spratt

Mario Mikulandra

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021

Food & Drink

Dine Me Come

How to read that label

With

Courgette caponata with thyme and chicken garlic A SICILIAN inspired vegetarian sauce with capers and sultanas, this version is served with lean, griddled chicken.

When looking for who made the wine, famous brand names will of course stand and be easy to spot. But some wines are actually named after the producer, which is when you see the château and estate appearing in the name.

For smaller or lesser known winemakers, the most prominent wording on the label may actually be the grape variety or the wine region, with the producer name in small print.

Serves four Prep 20 mins Cook 55 mins INGREDIENTS • 4 garlic cloves , thinly sliced • few thyme sprigs, leaves picked • 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 red onions , finely sliced • 3 celery sticks, thickly sliced on the diagonal • 4 courgettes , halved lengthways and cut into chunks, on the diagonal • 400g can chopped tomato • 2 tsp caper • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar • 3 tbsp sultana • 4 skinless chicken breasts METHOD STEP 1 • Put one-quarter of the garlic, the thyme and some seasoning in 2 tsp of the olive oil and set aside.

STEP 2 • Heat the remaining oil in a pan. Tip in the onions and celery, and cook for around 10 mins until soft. Add the courgettes and the rest of the garlic, and fry for a few mins to soften. Add the tomatoes, ½ can water, capers, vinegar, sultanas and seasoning.

Gently simmer for around 20 mins until the juices have thickened and the vegetables are tender.

Millionaire’s shortbread Get the right balance of biscuit, caramel and chocolate to bake the perfect millionaire’s shortbread. Enjoy with your afternoon tea or coffee.

Makes: 20-24 Prep: 15 mins Cook: 1 hour INGREDIENTS For the shortbread • 250g plain flour • 200g unsalted butter , chilled and chopped • 100g golden caster sugar • ¼ tsp vanilla extract • For the caramel layer • 90g butter • 379g can condensed milk • 2 tbsp golden syrup • 2 tbsp dark brown sugar • For the chocolate topping • 300g dark chocolate • 50g butter • 25g white chocolate , melted (optional)

DON’t feel intimidated by wine labels. The information on such can be broken down into four key segments: • The brand or producer (who) • The country or region (where) • The grape variety (what) • The vintage (when)

METHOD STEP 1 • Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 4. Line a 20cm x 30 cm tin with baking parchment. Rub the flour and butter together with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs then stir in the sugar, vanilla and pinch of salt.

STEP 2 • Tip the mixture into the prepared tin in an even layer, then press the mixture down firmly with the back of a spoon. Bake for 45-50 mins or until light golden brown. Leave to cool completely in the tin.

STEP 3 • For the caramel, put the butter,

STEP 3 • Meanwhile, cut the chicken breasts in half to open up like a book. Place them between 2 layers of baking parchment and flatten a little by bashing gently with a rolling pin.

Heat a griddle pan and rub the chicken with your flavoured oil, discarding the garlic. Cook for around 3 mins each side, or until cooked through – you may have to do this is batches, depending on the size of your pan. Cut the chicken into strips and serve alongside the courgette caponata.

condensed milk, sugar and syrup in a pan with a pinch of salt. Heat gently until simmering, then whisk for 6 mins until thick and fudgy. Be careful as the caramel will be very hot. Leave to cool for 5 mins, then pour the caramel over the cooled shortbread. Leave to cool completely.

STEP 4 • Stir the dark chocolate and the butter in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water until melted (alternatively heat in the microwave, stirring after every 30 sec blast to make sure it doesn’t burn). Once melted and glossy pour the chocolate mixture over the caramel. To decorate, go to the next step, or leave to cool completely then cut into squares or triangles.

STEP 5 • For extra flourish, put melted white chocolate into a piping bag and pipe straight lines over the full length of the shortbread after applying the dark chocolate layer. Turn the tray 90° and drag a skewer through it in long strokes up and down the rows to create a feathered design. Gently shake the tin to settle the chocolate then leave to set completely.

Cut into squares or triangles.

WINE REGION Geographical Indications (GI) are very common on wine labels, and they tell you that a wine was produced in a designated vineyard area within a country, such as Rioja in Spain.

Not only can they denote a certain standard by association with a region’s reputation, they are important for understanding that the grape variety in the bottle will have a flavour and style unique to the location it was grown in (everything from weather and soil type to bottling and winemaking techniques will influence it!)

Several countries have their own wine labelling systems and terms in place, which you may come across on a bottle.

Denominación de Origen (DO) is the wine certification system used in Spain, and the Rioja wine region is recognised as a DOCa (an area with a Qualified Designation of Origin).

GRAPE VARIETY There are many different grape varieties out there, which we discussed in a previous article. each possessing their own characteristics and flavours. The type of grape used plays a big part in the wine’s make-up, as some grapes have higher levels of sugar (for fermenting into alcohol) than others, different skin colours, tannins, flavours and levels of acidity. And these are all affected by the climate they’re grown in too. So a Chardonnay from northern France won’t be the same as a Chardonnay from Australia.

VINTAGE The ‘vintage’ is the year the grapes used for a particular wine were harvested, and it’s usually stated on the label. The vintage can be used as a measurement of quality and also as an indication of when to crack open the wine to drink it at its best.

For wines that are better when younger and fresh, the vintage simply tells you how old the wine is rather than signifying a particular level of quality. For more prestigious wines and those that develop in flavour as they age, the vintage stated on the bottle carries much more significance.

Don’t get too caught up on age though!

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News

Farewell Manuela Breazu: Achievements of the Romanian Ambassador to Ireland

older people.” (Official Website of the Romanian Embassy in Dublin)

BY BIANCA RALLIS

EVEN geographically, Romania and Ireland are at different corners of Europe and for long periods of history we knew too little about each other. However, the two countries have developed close links because of their joint membership in the European Union, which facilitated the arrival of a significant number of Romanian citizens to work in a wide variety of occupations in Ireland, which helped to cement their relationship.

But it seems this connection between Romania and Ireland goes back much further if we look through history. In the 1930’s, Ireland and Romania both held the post of President of the League of Nations in the dismal and crisis filled days of that decade. As Nicolae Titulescu represented Romania as president of the League, Eamon De Valera was president of Ireland. It was Titulescu who said, in September 1931, that “hardship creates the brotherhood of nations.”

Diplomatic relations between Romania and Ireland were established in 1990’s and the resident Irish Embassy in Bucharest was opened in 2005. The Romanian Embassy in Dublin opened in 1994.

The Romanian Embassy in Ireland (Dublin) The Embassy plays an important role in fostering the strong and close relationship that exists between Ireland and Romania in the political, economic, and cultural fields.

The two Governments have and continue to work together on many issues. As we are both members of the EU, we continue to work in solidarity with one another, and with our fellow EU Member States to ensure a sustainable and efficient economic recovery in both countries, and in the European Union as a whole.

The Romanian Ambassador The ambassador of the embassy of Romania in Dublin is the highest Romanian official in Ireland, acting as the chief diplomat and spokesperson for the government of Romania. The current Ambassador of Romania in Ireland is H.E. Mrs. Manuela Breazu who presented her credentials to President Higgins on the 23rd of November 2013.

On Monday, February 22, 2021, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis signed several decrees recalling ambassadors. Among them are the Romanian ambassador Mrs. Manuela Breazu as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to Ireland.

In this context, we would like to take a retrospective view of her diplomatic activity during her years spent in Ireland. I will mention a few of the most important events such as meetings with the relevant Irish officials, representatives of the business community, media and the cultural environment and, of course, with the members of the significant Romanian community in Ireland.

Manuela Breazu’s achievements are as follows: 2019 • “On 14 January 2019, Ms. Manuela Breazu, the Ambassador of Romania to Ireland, chaired, for the first time in Dublin, the first monthly meeting in 2019 of the EU Heads of Mission accredited in the Capital of Ireland, as the representative of the EU Member State that took over the Presidency of the Council of the European

Union. On this occasion, the Ambassador of Romania presented the priorities of the Romanian Presidency to the Council of the European Union. It also highlighted, in the same framework, the remarkable progress made in Romania over the past decades, culminating in the holding of the rotating presidency of the Council of the Union for the first time since its accession to the EU.” (Official Website of the Romanian Embassy in Dublin) • “On 16 May 2019, the Embassy of Romania in Dublin, with the support of the Romanian community in Dublin, organized a cultural event to mark ‘The Homage Year of the Romanian Village,’ titled ‘My Village, Dear Garden.’

On this occasion, Mrs. Manuela Breazu presented a speech in which she referred to the overwhelming importance given by the Embassy to the relations with the Romanian community in Ireland, the relevant projects promoted by the Embassy in this field, such as the extension of the ‘Romanian Language, Culture, and Civilization’ course in Dublin educational institutions, the special significance of maintaining the Romanian language and traditions, especially among the young generations of Romanians living abroad.

The program, organized in a traditional room of a Romanian village, specially designed within the premises of the Embassy for this event, featured poetry, folk songs and traditional customs, such as spinning, sewing, knitting, etc.”

(Official Website of the Romanian Embassy in Dublin) 2017 • “On 31 January 2017 the Ambassador of Romania participated at the reception offered

by Mr. Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland, for the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Ireland, at the beginning of the year. The event was attended, likewise, by Mrs. Helen McEntee, Irish Minister of State for mental health and

2016 • “On 7 December 2016, Mrs. Manuela Breazu, Romanian Ambassador to Ireland, met with Mr. Micheal Healy-Rae, Chairman of the Joint Commission for European Affairs of the Irish Parliament.” (Official Website of the Romanian Embassy in Dublin) • Romanian Ambassador awarded diplomas of excellence to the Romanian Students in Ireland who achieved outstanding performance in the latest edition of the national competition of science projects “BT young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.” (Official Website of the Romanian Embassy in Dublin) 2014 • “The Romanian Ambas-

sador to Ireland met the CEO of Enterprise Ireland on 3 March 2014. The two officials discussed the trends in bilateral trade and investment, the possibility to further develop economic links and to foster new partnerships between Romanian and Irish companies.” (Official Website of the Romanian Embassy in Dublin) • “Meeting of the Romanian Ambassador to Ireland with Mr. Joe Costello, TD, Minister of State for Trade and Development at the Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Manuela Breazu, the Romanian Ambassador to Ireland met Mr. Joe Costello, TD, Minister of State for Trade and Development at the Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade on 9 January 2014. The most recent developments in bilateral relations, new opportunities to further develop trade and investment were the

main topics discussed on this occasion.” (Official Website of the Romanian Embassy in Dublin) Since 2013, Manuela Breazu has proved that she was up to the task of nurturing the bilateral relationship between Ireland and Romania. Furthermore, she proved that she was more than competent in this endeavor. The Romanian community in Ireland would like to give a big thanks to her for all she has done on behalf of Romania and Romanians.

She built strong and sturdy bridges that will only serve to benefit both peoples. We have faith that Breazu’s successor will do all they can to maintain this essential infrastructure we now share.

This article is supported by the Romanian Twighlight Community Group Contact: kclw.ro@twighlight.ie

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021

Feature

Forgetting to Remember:

The Civil War Executions of John Murphy and John Phelan EDITED AND COMPILED BY: GERRY CODY A FIRING party assembled on December 29, 1922 in the exercise yard of Kilkenny Military Barracks. At 8.15am, on command, a volley of shots rang out. Commandant Mooney stepped forward, examined the bodies, and confirmed that Republican volunteers John Murphy and John Phelan, members of the 5th Battalion Kilkenny Brigade Irish Republican Army, were dead.

The divisive and calamitous Civil War had impacted Kilkenny in a major way. The genesis of this conflict lay in the signing of the Treaty on December 6, 1921, which created the Irish Free State. Michael Collins believed this decision offered “the freedom to achieve freedom” and persuaded a majority of the Dáil into ratification. Éamon De Valera rallied the anti-Treaty side. The scene was set for the catastrophe that would have a generational impact on the Irish political landscape.

On February 7, 1922, Brigadier General George Dwyer swung into action. A pro Treaty supporter and a close friend of Michael Collins, he took charge of Kilkenny Military Barracks from the withdrawing Devonshire regiment. This site was subsequently a focal point of National Army operations until hostilities ceased in June 1923.

Overall command of the National Army in Kilkenny fell to the safe hand of Tipperary native General John Prout. He had gained extensive military experience as an officer in the American army during WW1. Prout proved a moderate and capable leader. There was praise for his handling of pre-Civil War attacks in Kilkenny City by anti-Treaty forces on May 2 and 3, 1922.

Prout ensured these sorties did not escalate into full scale war.

The anti-Treaty ‘Irregular Forces’ were locally led by Commandant Brennan. He had commandeered six strategic locations: the RIC Barracks; Wilsdon’s, John Street; St Canice’s Tower; The Workhouse area; Kilkenny Jail; and Kilkenny Castle. A two day gun battle ensued. Concerted military action saw the rebels defeated. Occupation of the Castle ended when a National Army armoured car was driven through its gates. The resultant assault saw Kilkenny Castle retaken. The Noreside attempt to ignite a war had failed.

Nationally, the occupation of the High Court by anti-Treaty forces caused consternation.

This group ignored a Government ultimatum to evacuate. On June 28, bombardment of the High Court by the National Army ignited the Civil War. The ‘band of brothers’ forged in the fire of 1916 and strengthened between 1919 and 1921 was torn asunder. Much bloodshed followed as family, neighbours and friends diverged over Free State and Republican sympathies.

Michael Collins assumed control of the National Army on July 11, becoming its first Commander in Chief (C in C). Confrontation lines got clearly drawn. The media, largely controlled by pro Treaty editors, were directed to refer to ‘the Irish Army’ or ‘the National Army’. Their opponents were always to be called ‘Irregulars’, ‘armed men’ and so forth. The success of this propaganda campaign is emphasised by a report in The Kilkenny People in July 1922: “The National Army conducted a successful assault on

Oliver Cromwell was an English general and statesman who, first as a subordinate and later as Commander-in-Chief, led armies of the Parliament of England against King Charles I during the English Civil War, subsequently ruling the British Isles as Lord Protector from 1653 until his death in 1658

Prisoners being released from detention from Kilkenny Military Barracks in 1922.

Following the Battle of Kilkenny, many anti-treaty men and women were detained in Kilkenny Military barracks (now James Stephens Barracks). On May 6 1922, all prisoners were released following an agreement between the opposing sides. Taken just prior to their release, the image shows antiTreaty prisoners behind the railings of the church where they are cordially shaking hands with their Free State jailers. Civil war broke out two months later. (Courtesy of Kilmainham Gaol museum)

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021

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Feature John Murphy

John Phelan

Waterford City taking the city with minimum loss of life and forcing the retreat of the irregular forces”. The same report noted: “Government forces would pay for supplies”. The ability to pay was important because Irregular forces had neither the money nor the ability to pay suppliers for food, fuel, vehicles and any other items.

The results of the June 16 General election in Carlow Kilkenny gave overwhelming support to pro Treaty Sinn Féin.

They garnered 86% of the vote and won all four seats. AntiTreaty Sinn Féin secured only 14% and failed to have a candidate elected. Allied to the support of the banks and the Church, strong leadership and resounding victories achieved

by General Prout in the early stages of the Civil War ensured Kilkenny was perceived by General Headquarters as a secure pro Treaty county. The hearts and minds of the people supported the National Army.

These early setbacks forced the antiTreaty side into guerrilla warfare, even though such tactics were ill suited to their purpose. County Kilkenny lacks the requisite forests, woodland, mountainous areas or large tranches of ground cover necessary for hiding places. If you cannot, during guerrilla warfare, fight and hide, you cannot survive.

Initially, though, these tactics seemed successful. Throughout August, National Army casualties mounted. The rebel approach gained further credence when Callan, Thomastown and Mullinavat fell to Republican forces under the command of Dan Breen.

But the intensity began to take its toll. Both sides were prolifically involved in ambushes, demolition of roads and railways, seizure and destruction of lands, individual killings, and so called ‘unofficial executions’. Kilkenny swung in chaos.

Continuing their campaign, Republican forces mounted a number of military operations throughout the county. John Murphy and John Phelan were members of an active service unit that carried out a raid on Sheestown House, on the city’s periphery. The unit carried off goods to the value of £189. The raid was reported to the authorities by Lt Col Shee, the owner.

On December 13, John and Patrick Murphy along with John Phelan found themselves arrested at the Murphy family home in Barronslands, Bennetsbridge. The three men were brought, under escort, to Kilkenny Military Barracks. Quickly, over the following days, General Prout convened a Court Martial Board, in accordance with rules and procedures defined

by Judge Advocate General Cahir Davitt. The officer in charge of legal advice for the trial’s conduct was Commandant Joseph Mooney.

Prior to December 22, the three officer Court Martial Board found John Murphy and John Phelan guilty of being in possession of arms and ammunition without authority and of taking part in a recent raid when £189 worth of propA staged reenactment of the assault on Kilkenny Castle

The cells where John Murphy and John Phelan were detained. Outside the window is the yard where both men were to lose their lives

erty was taken. They were sentenced to death.

This sentence was ratified by two members of the Army Council, abiding by the rules governing the conduct of a Court Martial at that time.

However, General Davitt, in his witness statement, recalls: “When the proceedings in the case of Phelan and Murphy came to me for advice as to confirmation, I found them to be unsatisfactory. I cannot now remember what was wrong; but I know that, while technical, it was sufficient to induce me to advise against confirmation. My advice was not adopted, however; the findings and sentences were confirmed.”

Remarkably, the recommendation of General Davitt, senior legal advisor to the military authorities, was completely overruled. This scenario possibly attempted to ensure the Emergency Powers Act was seen as an effective deterrent. Choosing Kilkenny, a safe county under National Army control, to test public reaction to executions might be viewed as a wise choice by the authorities. Executions in Dublin were having little effect ‘down the country’ and so these decentralised executions impacted on a local community much more.

On the evening of December 28, John Murphy and John Phelan were informed that they were to be executed the following morning. They both took the opportunity to write a final letter.

From the condemned cell, in the fading light, John Murphy wrote: “Dear mother, do not be downhearted, God is good, I do hope the news won’t cause too much trouble, so cheer up and keep a brave heart.” John Phelan addresses “All My Comrades of the Irish Republic” and begins: “Goodbye to all, I am meeting the finish

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021

Feature

News

New Support for Volunteers and Community Groups Comes to Co. Kilkenny

The wall (right) at James Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny, where the executions took place. The area is now renovated as a remembrance space

without any fear and still true to the Republic.

Thank God I have received all the rites of the church and die at peace with all men.”

These men showed courage and fortitude in accepting their fate. The next morning, they were accompanied by Fr Kavanagh, Administrator of St John’s Church, and by Fr Drea CC, Army Chaplain. John Murphy and John Phelan were executed. After Commandant Mooney confirmed the deaths and signed the certificates, the two Republican volunteers were buried in an unmarked grave within the Barracks walls.

Fr Drea visited the families and handed over the letters. Both men asked that Fr Drea be afforded the utmost respect, even though he wore the uniform of the National Army. Their communications make clear that neither man bore any ill will towards the National Army.

Also patent is their undiminished belief in a 32 county Irish Republic.

The vagaries of life are strange and fleeting.

October 1924 saw the remains of John Murphy and John Phelan returned to their families during a military ceremony on the Barracks Square in Kilkenny. They had a massive funeral and were interred in St Mary’s Cemetery in Thomastown. The graveside oration was given by Republican TD Martin Shelley.

Today, as Kilkenny displays a measure of maturity and compassion in acknowledging our brothers and sisters that perished on foreign battlefields, a question must be asked: is it not time to revisit the story of John Murphy and John Phelan, men who still lie in unmarked graves? It is said that your memory perishes twice: first, when you die; second, when the last person that remembers you dies. John Murphy and John Phelan have been forgotten far too long.

Let us not forget to remember. Throughout our land, Civil War casualties are honoured with memorial gardens and specially commisA postcard showing James Stephens Barracks Kilkenny, circa 1920’s

The detention barracks where John Murphy and John Phelan were detained before their execution

sioned sculptures. Not so for Republican Army volunteers John Phelan and John Murphy. No headstone or plaque marks their final resting place.

As the legacy engendered by the Civil War slowly dissipates, perhaps 2021 is an opportune time for a mature society to remember them. Doing so might go some way towards making our political institutions more agreeable and more inclusive.

The Kilkenny Observer is currently researching files and papers with Larry Scallan on how both Mrs Phelan, wife of John Phelan, and Mrs Murphy, mother of John Murphy fared when they applied for pensions from the Irish State. The outcome makes interesting reading and The Kilkenny Observer will publish that story in the near future The Kilkenny Observer newspaper wish to thank Steven Scallan for his contribution and research to this article. We also acknowledge the help and advice received from former Commandant at James Stephens barracks, Larry Scallan. The Kilkenny Observer thank Kilkenny Military Barracks for access to the area for photographic purposes.

Entrance to Military Barracks, 2021

KILKENNY Volunteer Centre is launching on 17th May. The centre will join a network of 29 Volunteer Centres located across the country funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development which fulfil a simple but critical role in the community –promoting and enhancing volunteering and invigorating communities by building connections between volunteers and local organisations that involve volunteers across the county.

According to Salena Grace, Kilkenny Volunteer Centre Manager, “In Kilkenny, we are lucky to have such a strong culture of volunteerism.

Kilkenny Volunteer Centre is a new service which aims to harness this energy and community spirit for the benefit of both the people and communities in Kilkenny. We are essentially a one stop shop for all things volunteering related in Kilkenny.”

Kilkenny Volunteer Centre offers supports to both people who wish to volunteer and local non-profits who engage volunteers.

For people who want to volunteer, the service provides information and guidance.

Individuals can get in touch to discuss their options and the centre keeps a comprehen-

sive database of local volunteering opportunities on their website volunteerkilkenny.ie.

This means people interested in volunteering can find out what opportunities are available and apply for them across the county at any given time.

For local organisations that involve volunteers, Kilkenny Volunteer Centre will advertise their volunteering vacancies and provide a free volunteer referral service.

“It has been a really difficult year for so many of our community groups,” says Salena.

“Many community organisations have had to close their doors and look at new ways of delivering their invaluable services and involving volunteers in a safe manner. As we approach the next stage of Reopening Ireland, our community groups can now begin to look forward to opening their services again and will be in dire need of volunteers to help as we navigate this new period together. Kilkenny Volunteer Centre is here to support these groups, so I strongly urge them to get in touch with our centre”.

The Centre also provides advice, training, and consultancy to local organisations on a range of issues relating to best practice in volunteer management and delivers a Garda Vetting service for local

non-profits.

“Volunteerism is an integral aspect of our community identity. It has fast become the heart blood of our rural communities in particular who have faced many challenges in recent years. Becoming a volunteer has so many benefits not least for the community and organisation you give your time and efforts for, but it is also incredibly beneficial for the individual. You learn, you experience, you nurture and develop new relationships and networks. It opens doors and opportunities for all involved. Having a volunteer centre here in Kilkenny will support the many individuals, groups, organisations and communities in both the city and county who want to enhance and better their respective communities.” Margaret Whelan Chairperson of Kilkenny Volunteer Centre.

Kilkenny Volunteer Centre launches on 17th May to kick off National Volunteering Week.

For more information: Salena Grace Manager of Kilkenny Volunteer Centre Ph: 087 1165658 Email: salena@ volunteerkilkenny.ie W: www.volunteerkilkenny.ie

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021

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Advertorial

Waterford Greenway Just a 45 minute drive from Kilkenny City, plan a great day out this summer taking in the sights on a leisurely cycle along Ireland’s longest greenway

T

here was once a railway line connecting almost every city and town in Ireland. While most are no longer in use, some areas have really made the best use of the old railway structures. The Waterford-Dungarvan railway is one which has been converted into a truly stunning cycle and walking route now known as the Waterford Greenway. The 46km long route follows the coastline with some inland sections and offers breathtaking views as it follows old railway lines from the pretty harbour town of Dungarvan, through the foothills of the Comeragh Mountains and onto the lively Waterford City. Open since 2017, it is the longest greenway in the country and features 11 bridges, 3 viaducts and a tunnel.

Waterford Greenway Cycle Tours & Bike Hire offers premium bike hires, breakdown assistance, and a Greenway shuttle bus service covering the full Waterford Greenway. They have two key bike pick up locations in Kilmacthomas and Dungarvan and all shops have direct Greenway access. You will not encounter any traffic which is very important with families for safety and peace of mind.

They have a wide range of bikes for hire which means that you can pick the perfect bicycle for you, your friends, or your family.

Available are mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrids, electric bikes, kids’ bikes, and trailers for young children. Treat yourself to Kalkhoff Electric Bikes which are among Europe’s most recognised and trusted electric bicycle brands.

These bikes come fitted with an

award-winning Impulse system, which provides more acceleration and more consistent assistance than other e-bike power systems.

With a battery capacity to make 150-kilometre rides possible, you don’t need to worry about power on your cycle along the Waterford Greenway.

Along the Waterford Greenway, there are some stunning sights: - The world-famous Mount Congreve Gardens (directly accessible from the Greenway) - The Durrow 7-arch Viaduct - The Kilmacthomas 8-arch stone viaduct - The Ballyvoyle brick-lined tunnel - The lovely town of Dungarvan, with its stunning views across Dungarvan Bay You can walk part of the way, cycle in both directions or cycle one way and get the bus back to Dungarvan or Kilmacthomas from Waterford with plenty of pit-stops and trailside attractions along the way. Exploring the 46km route really is a perfect short break. The Waterford Greenway is divided in 6 sections, each of which comes with its own set of sightseeing spots. As it is mostly flat, even if you are not an experienced cyclist, this is truly a great way to see the sights with no worries about rough terrain or busy roads. Cycling the Waterford Greenway is a terrific day out for all the family.

Don’t forget to contact Waterford Greenway Cycle Tours and Bike Hire on 085 7858932 to make a booking and redeem your discount voucher attached below. www.waterfordgreenway.com

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021

kilkennyobserver.ie

Community & GAA Notes

Kilkenny GAA clubs and Community news CLARA GAA CAMOGIE Well done to Mary O Connell who featured well in a winning Kilkenny performance on Saturday in Callan, as the Cats opened the senior league with a 1-8 to 0-6 victory over Dublin.

The Kilkenny Intermediates went down 1-18 to 0-14 to Wexford in Enniscorthy and Aisling Curtis and Claire Nolan represented Clara on this squad.

There are a good few Clara girls doing minor county trials at the moment also - 6 in total - and good luck to all of them with that.

HURLING DRAWS All of the local club draws were made in Kilkenny on Saturday and Clara seniors face tough opposition in the shape of Mullinavat, Dicksboro and a young and improving Eugene Cloonan managed Graigue Ballycallan in their opening three league games. Two victories would be necessary to avoid the dreaded relegation battles and will take a bit of doing.

The Clara minors will be the first team from the club to be in action in this year’s league competition when they face Thomastown at home on June 14th. It will be the first of 9 league games for a young, promising squad, who have just one player up to the age this year.

The week before that last year’s U13s will be out in the 2020 county semi final and they are preparing well for that under the tutelage of Stephen Lawlor, John Carrigan and Tom English.

O’LOUGHLIN GAELS O’LOUGHLIN GAELS CLUB LOTTO www.oloughlingaels.com/lotto Our club lotto Jackpot now exceeds €15,000. It’s worth a chance.

Our club lotto , powered by Clubforce , is sponsored by local business Perfecto Print & Design on the Dublin Rd. Club lotto is the main driver of our club upkeep, making sure our players have enough hurls, sliotars, footballs, cones, poles, bibs and Jerseys. It also contributes to the maintenance of our extensive clubhouse facilities ..without lotto bills just could not be paid. Over the last 12 months much of our other fundraising revenues have had to be dropped. For a time club lotto had to be dropped for the first time ever, thanks to our supporters at Perfecto Print we were able to relaunch it online and it has helped us considerable over the last few months for facilities upkeep.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT Now we must ask for more help. For the coming year it seems restrictions imposed will prevent much of our planned fundraising. We therefore request all our followers, new members and supporters to play our online lotto.

Sign up to only €5 per week for the special deal of three lines ... Or €10 for 5 draws ..or even €100 for the full year (52 draws), with Jackpot prizes ranging from €6,000 right up to €20,000.

SOCIAL CAMOGIE So for a bit of fun and after some requests, O’Loughlin Gaels Camogie Club are going to start camogie for Mammys and others who want to join for a bit of craic!! It will start in June for a few months and see how things go. It’s just for fun and to get out of the house! Its also a chance to get to know one another.

Its open to both the hurling & Camogie mams & others, everyone welcome!

Contact Orla if interested 087 948 9975

JUVENILE JERSEY SALE. O’Loughlin Gaels GAA have new juvenile Sponsors in McCarthys Eurospar at Newpark Shopping Centre.

With that comes new jerseys and the club is offering a specially reduced price for a short time only. Orders will be taken this Sunday (May 23rd) from 10am to 12pm and jerseys are at the special price of €30 and €35.

OLD EQUIPMENT BANK! If you’ve old equipment that’s no longer in use because your family has grown out of them O’Loughlin Gaels GAA would love to take them and have available for our new members. We are looking for helmets, good hurls and even old club tops that are taking up space in your cupboards, dump rooms or from under the bed!! Just leave into any team manager or drop in on Sunday mornings (10:30am) or Thursday evenings at 6:30pm to our juvenile sessions.

SUMMER CAMP 21 Registration for Summer Camp 21 this Sunday at the club from 9:30am to 10:30am. Register early and don’t miss out. We’re looking forward to an action packed two weeks with lots of Gaelic Games Activities, loads of fun for the Boys and Girls of O’Loughlin Gaels and likely a few special guests appearing.

We welcome our new Juvenile Sponsors Eurospar Ireland .

It’s going to be Lovely Hurling

FRESHFORD SOCCER NEWS With the easing of some restrictions recently Freshford Town remind us training has resumed for all underage teams including U9,U10, U12 and U14 with strict adherence to the guidelines and pods of 15. U9 soccer training takes place Friday at 6.30pm at the soccer pitch. New players, boys and girls, most welcome from all surrounding areas. Contact Derek 0877126952 for more information U8 Sessions - The weekly sessions for U8s resumed recently under Gary Barnaville who has been doing this for decades now. The sessions will continue each Saturday from 12noon to 1pm at Sportsfield at Woodview for 5 to 8 year olds in pods of 15 . All boys from 5 to 8 year olds are welcome and new members are also very welcome to come along and join up.

COMMEMORATION The organisers of the Knocknagress Commemoration in Tullaroan have announced that the 100th Anniversary Commemoration has been postponed until further notice because of COVID restrictions. They hope the event will go ahead later in the year.

SYMPATHY Sympathy is extended to Jason Kennedy Woodview and all his family on the recent death of his father Justin Kennedy late of Friary St., Kilkenny and late of Glasnevin Dublin. A humanist service took place on Friday last followed by cremation.

TIDY TOWNS NEWS Freshford Tidy Towns are delighted to launch their Community Action for Biodiversity workshops. The highly educational, practical and enjoyable workshops take place with Eva Holmes and commence Wednesday 19th May. Interested participants should gather in the Millennium Park at 7pm. The course will look at suitable pollinator plants for hanging baskets and we will use these skills to plant the village hanging baskets.

All covid procedures will be followed.

This course is free to all

BIRTHDAY BOY Very special birthday wishes go out to local man Patsy Brennan of Ard Lachtain Freshford who celebrated a very special birthday recently. Patsy is wished all the best from all who know him with the celebrations put on ice for the present.

CAMOGIE NEWS St.Lachtains Camogie Club were well represented on the camogie front at the weekend. Kilkenny took on and beat Dublin in The Senior ranks on Saturday last and local player Lydia Fitzpatrick was on the sub bench and introduced in the second half and Claire Phelan also from St.Lachtains/ lisdowney club also on the winning team. Meanwhile St.Lachtains were represented on the intermediate panel that faced Wexford on Saturday. Local girl Sinead Farrell was on the Kilkenny panel.

DEATH Kathleen Hickey (nee Dunne) late of Gortnahoe was formerly from Threeecastles, Co,Kilkenny, and sister of Eamon Dunne of Threecastles.

Funeral mass took place on Friday morning last at Church of Sacred Heart Gortnahoe, followed by burial in Aglish Cemetery.

WORKS Preliminary works, including drainage have taken place on the LS 5005 and the LS 5008 at Clashacrow and Sart, Freshford,in preparation for a full Macadam overlay which will take place in the coming weeks. Local Cllr. Michael McCarthy would like to acknowledge the Area engineer and his staff for their help.

GAA NEWS St.Lachtains GAA club ran online bingo for the past months each Sunday evening during the lockdown. There will be online bingo for the foreseeable future during the summer anyway and it is hoped that with lifting of inter county travel and some other restrictions that Drive in Bingo will return shortly With the GAA season kicking into gear there will be a lot more numbers in the hurling pitch and St.Lachtains Club would like to emphasise the need for everyone to take extra care and keep safety the top priority while in the grounds.

LAST MAN STANDING All at St. Lachtains would like to thank everyone for the great support shown in the recent Last Man Standing competition for the national hurling league.

ON KILKENNY SIDE St.Lachtains player Darren Brennan was on the Kilkenny Senior Hurling side who defeated Antrim on Sunday last at UPMC Nowlan Park.

MEMBERSHIP With the start of the GAA year in sight it is very important to have membership paid up. Having membership will mean all will be included into potential draws for upcoming GAA fixtures if crowd limits are brought in as a rule. Membership can be paid to any Committee member.

PARISH NEWS With the lifting of some Covid 19 restrictions recently Masses and Church services are one of the restrictions to be lifted. During lockdown the church has always been open for private prayer each day. Mass resumed on Wednesday last at 9.30am and on Sunday last at 11am with a limited number of 50 people. Mass resumed

in Tulla church on Saturday evening last at 8pm with numbers limited to 25 due to social distancing requirements.

It is however most important that we continue to wear masks, maintain social distancing and sanitise our hands and it is very important that you do not attend if you are experiencing any symptoms of Covid 19. Freshford Parish website is now live and can be found at www.parishoffreshford.com.

They will continue to add content in the coming weeks and if you have any suggestions as always just send an email to the Parish office and thanks to all those who have contributed to date.

Cross and The Order of Malta has developed an EMERGENCY CARD SCHEME for family carers. When a family carer has an unplanned hospital admission there is a risk that the person who needs their care and support could be left at home alone and uncared for .The Emergency Card scheme is intended to give peace of mind to family carers as well as ensuring that the person they care for remains safe in such emergencies For more details on the Scheme visit their website on www.familycarers. ie or call their Freephone careline on 1800240724

NOTICES The parish newsletter continued to be issued each week during the restrictions. A The Parish office is open each morning 9.30am to1pm (except Wednesdays).

If you have a community notice you would like included in the weekly newsletter you should submit details of same in person to Freshford Parish office before 1pm on Thursdays or you can email same to Freshford@ossory.ie 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 2523521.

There will be no celebration of First Communion or Confirmation for months to come Children of second class due to receive their first Communion may wait till later in the year.

GROW Are you struggling with anxiety or depression or finding life difficult or feeling isolated at this time GROW is there to help you. Their Mental Health support Groups are free and confidential and open to all no referral or booking is needed. For more information on same you can contact Mary on 087 284342

FITNESS CLASSES Fitness classes are resuming outdoors on Mondays and Wednesday evenings catering for all levels of fitness.

Individual and group sessions available also. For further information please contacted Tommy on 083 1069291.

MASKS With some coved restrictions being lifted in the coming weeks the wearing of masks and social distancing etc., which will be with us for the foreseeable future is still as important as ever and we are reminded about wearing our mask at all times in all shops, and crowded places and on public transport. Masks can be purchased locally while supporting a very worthy charity. Washable face masks are being made locally and are available at Dooley’s Electrical shop at The Square, Freshford with all proceeds being donated to the Charity ALONE. Alone manage a national support line and additional supports for older people who have concerns or who are facing difficulties relating to the outbreak of Coved 19. Professional staff are available to answer queries or give advice and reassurance where necessary. The support line is open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm. You can call them on 0818 222024. If you are experiencing a personal crisis are unable to cope and need support text HELLO to 50808.

Amber Kilkenny Women’s Refuge; If you need confidential support or information relating to domestic violence you can call their helpline on 1850424244 or 056 7771404 or email info@amberwomensrefuge.ie FAMILY CARERS IRELAND – CARD SCHEME Family Carers Ireland in partnership with An Garda Siochana, the National Ambulance Service Community First Responder Schemes, The Irish Red

DICKSBORO UNDER AGE HURLING Great to see Palmerstown and James Park buzzing this evening with our youngest hurlers back in the Boro! Well done everyone involved. Parents are advised to download Clubzap App to follow the Covid Protocols. Please see relevant clubzap groups for training schedules.

CLUB LOTTO Dicksboro GAA Club LOTTO Results May 13th 2021 Nos: 19– 24– 23–27 Jackpot: €2,700– not won Draw Prizes – €50:nicola walsh (c/o online) €25 each joan o connell c/o tom beirne €25 each david sheppard /o online €25 each pippa ryan c/o tom o donoghue €25 each noreen mary corcoran c/o f & e morrissey Promoters prize - rita long Next week’s (may 20th) Jackpot – €2,800 RETURN TO PLAY HURLING It was great to see the return to play, for all our Senior and Junior Hurlers in Palmerstown last week. Both training sessions had huge numbers which was great to see. The Seniors have been drawn against Erins Own, OLG and Clara in the Senior league. The Juniors face the Rower. Dates and times will be later on in the summer.Well done to Cillian Buckey who played agaimst both Dublin and Antrim in the National Hurling League. please ensure you have downloaded ClubZap and joined the relevant team communications for your team.

MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION Registration is now due and should be in place prior to resumption of play.

This needs to be paid before entering the pitch. https://www.dicksborogaa. com/membership_products CLUB LOTTO We are encouraging every Dicksboro family to support the Clubs Fundraising efforts by signing up to the Club Lotto. https://dicksborogaa.com/categories/ lotto/products SUMMER CAMP SAVE THE DATES DICKSBORO SUMMER CAMP 5 Day Summer Camp open for Boys and Girls.

JULY 26th -20th AUGUST 16th - 20th

Come for one week or both.

BOOKING SYSTEM LAUNCHING SOON on Clubzap Link Pitch Side Business Adverts: Should your business want to arrange an advertising hoarding at our Club grounds click here for details: https:// www.dicksborogaa.com/products For any queries contact any committee member. https://www.dicksborogaa. com/contact (Camogie contact runai Ted Carroll (086) 837 6544)

KILMANAGH SCRAP METAL The, by now, annual, Scrap Metal Collection in aid of the Naomh Aodhán Community Centre restoration fund, will take place this year on Saturday July 10 & Sunday July 11. Full details nearer to the date.

NAOMH AODHAN MEETING An outdoor, socially distanced, committee meeting of Naomh Aodhán, to discuss the Scrap Metal Collection and other related items will take place on Thursday evening, May 20.

FRIENDS OF CBS CALLAN In advance of the amalgamation between Coláiste Èamann Rís & St Brigid’s College Callan, the boys school are preparing a book recording the history of the school since its foundation. They would love to collate a colourful book of stories & fond memories. Please consider sharing anything you have from your time there for inclusion. Contact the school on 056 772 5340 for how we can help you in this or send any articles/ photos etc to schooldays@cbscallan.ie.

ANNUAL KNOCKNAGRESS MONUMENT COMMEMORATION CEREMONY The annual commemoration ceremony at the Knocknagress monument in New England, Tullaroan is postponed until further notice due to covid restrictions.

PARISH MASSES A warm welcome back to all our parishioners as we gather for public worship once again. It’s been a long lock-down but hopefully it’s the last one after all our efforts to suppress this virus.

And we are far from out of the woods just yet. Measures are still in place to insure people are protected from infection. So please note the following: · A maximum of 50 people are allowed in our three churches. · Face coverings are still required, whether you’ve had a vaccine shot or not. · Please listen to the advice of the stewards, they are there for everyone’s benefit. · Please sanitise before and after you leave the church. · Funerals and weddings are limited to 50 indoors. Baptisms are limited to just 6 until at least June.

REMEMBRANCE MASS FOR THOSE WHO DIED DURING COVID PANDEMIC The Ossory Middle Deanery Pastoral Council has arranged a Remembrance Mass for those who died in the Deanery during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Bishop Denis Nulty will be Principal Concelebrant at the Mass which will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 7.30pm on Friday, 28th May 2021. The Mass will be broadcast on the cathedral webcam at stmaryscathedral.ie.

All that have lost loved ones,

We welcome all GAA Club and Community notes for publication in The Kilkenny Observer email to sales@kilkennyobserver.ie

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021

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News Opinion

Community & GAA Notes neighbours, parishioners and friends during the past fifteen months - this is an opportunity for those in the Middle Deanery to celebrate the lives of the deceased at a special Remembrance Mass. During the Mass a “Remembrance Candle” and “Tree of Life” will be blessed for each parish and returned to the parish after the Mass.

The Middle Deanery Pastoral Council is made up of representatives of the fourteen Parish Pastoral Councils in the Middle Deanery.

will be well underway by then and there will be less risk of infection from our gatherings. However, there will, most likely, be restrictions on numbers gathering indoors, even in September, so families should plan accordingly.

LOURDES PILGRIMAGE The Ossory Lourdes group have organised a Rosary for each evening of the days that the pilgrimage to Lourdes would take place in normal times. This will begin on Sunday May 23rd at 8.00 pm and will continue up to and including Thursday May 27th at the same time each evening and can be watched and participated in via webcam at https://churchcamlive.ie/ johnstown-parish-live-stream/

PARISH NEWS 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.

ANNUAL CEMETERY MASS The annual cemetery mass at Ballykeeffe Cemetery will again be cancelled for this year on account of the virus.

PARISH LOTTO RE-LAUNCH The Lotto, which was run jointly

by Ballycallan Parish and GraigueBallycallan GAA Club over the last twenty five years was an enormous success. However, due to the Covid 19 Pandemic it had to be suspended to ensure the safety of all those involved.

Now, after considerable co-operation between the Parish, the original committee and new volunteers, the Lotto is back, and the first draw will be on June 7th. The weekly jackpot will be a guaranteed €3000 per week.

Ballycallan Parish have generously agreed that Graigue-Ballycallan GAA and St. Brigid’s Camogie will be the sole beneficiary of the lotto proceeds for the next two years. This kind gesture will see the entire proceeds go towards completion of the ambitious development at Tom Ryall Park which will see construction of a new two-story building, incorporating a gym and multipurpose area, and the addition of a 900m fully illuminated walkway, to be enjoyed by all sectors of the community. In the past Graigue-Ballycallan GAA and St. Brigid’s Camogie have thrived as a result of widespread support from the Kilmanagh-Killaloe-Ballycallan population and to bring this development to fruition, the clubs are calling on everyone, far and wide to support the Re-Launched Lotto in its new format. A group of fifty promoters are now distributing an information pack to all houses in the Parish, (while observing all Covid and Public Health guidelines) which contains details of how to join, and a newsletter outlining the Development Vision and Financial Position to date. Graigue-Ballycallan GAA and St. Brigid’s Camogie are appealing to everyone to support this initiative which will see Tom Ryall Park progress through its next stage of development which will enhance the work that was first undertaken over twenty five years ago by a group of ambitious, forward thinking and dedicated band of members. It is now our turn to secure our future. Thank you.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION The following dates are planned for the Sacraments this year: · Tullaroan Confirmation: September 18th at 11am in Tullaroan. · Ballycallan First Confession: Tuesday September 21st at 7pm Kilmanagh. · Ballycallan First Holy Communion: Saturday, September 25th at 11am (venue to be decided) · Tullaroan First Confession: Tuesday September 28th at 7pm in Tullaroan. · Tullaroan Holy Communion: Saturday October 2nd at 11am in Tullaroan.

Our hope is that the vaccine rollout

EXAMS MASS We are planning a Mass for Thursday May 27th for exam students. We are limited in capacity, but it will be broadcast online. More details in the coming weeks.

URLINGFORD EMERALDS GAA CLUB Split the pot: Every Sunday night at 8pm. Get your envelopes in local shops for your chance to share half the pot.

This week Joe Deegan won €227, well done Joe! EMERALDS CAMOGIE CLUB Fundraiser in aid of St Anne’s / Emeralds Intermediate Camogie Club.

13 Hour Spinathon starting June 5 at 8am and finishing at 9pm.

Girls will be spinninig in Johnstown and Urlingford.

Sponsorship cards available from all players. Please support.

MILL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE Courses: Health Care Level 5: We are recruiting for new learners for the Health Care Level 5 course commencing in September 2021.

Pathway to Employment Course, Level 4: We are also recruiting for the Pathway to Employment Level 4 course which will be commencing in September 2021.

Please contact Sue or Kevin in the Mill Family Resource Centre for more information on these courses and application forms on 056 8838466 Youth Club Project: The Mill Youth Club Project, for children aged 9-12years, is now currently running every Wednesday evening from 5pm6.30pm. For any queries please contact Sue on 056 8838466 Community Bank Savings: Savings has now recommenced at the centre.

Please contact the centre for more information, if required.

Senior Alert: If you need to apply for a Personal Alarm, please contact Sue or Josephine on 056 8838466.

Counselling Services: Teens from age 12 upwards, adult and family low cost counselling services are available at the Mill Family Resource Centre, please contact Sue for more information or to make an appointment on 056 8838466.

Crochet Class: Our weekly crochet class will resume at the Mill Resource Centre from Wednesday, June 2 from 2pm4.30pm. New members are welcome.

COMMEMORATION The Annual Commemoration Ceremony at the Knocknagress Monument in New England, Tullaroan is postponed until further notice, due to covid restrictions.

URLINGFORD / GRAINE DEFIBRILLATOR GROUP In case of emergency, call: 085 2726396.

URLINGFORD NEWS Anyone wishing to submit news items, club events, announcements etc can do so by emailing urlingfordnotes@ gmail.com. If you have any photos you wish to include, please forward them to the email address.

GOWRAN GOWRAN AC Congratulations to Peter Dunne who

came 5th in the Senior Pole Vault at at AAI Micro Meeting in Munster Technological University last weekend.

Peter also receives athlete of the year in CBS Kilkenny this year which is a great honour in his final year in CBS Kilkenny.

Well done, Peter.

Athletics training has returned for all age categories. Training has now returned for U12-U18 at the Watershed.

Please Check the Club App SPOND for details. Registered members only permitted on track.

GOWRAN PITCH & PUTT The course is now open for visitors and greens fees.

Green fees can be paid at Hennessey’s Circle K in the village before arriving to the course.

Please adhere to all Covid guidelines in place and remember to repair any pitchmarks/ball marks on the greens.

Reduced membership rates for 2021 until year end: Family €80 Adult €60 Over 70 €40 Student €30 Juvenile €20 GOWRAN PARK Good Enuf To Eat Banqueting have opened a takeaway coffee dock serving teas, coffees, minerals, sandwiches, toasted sandwiches, wraps, muffins, pastries & bars so whether you are out enjoying a round of golf or just a leisurely stroll don’t forget to drop by for a delicious treat.

GOWRAN PARISH Mass is being streamed every morning, Monday to Friday at 9.30am and Sunday mass at 11.30am on Gowran Parish Facebook page. Re-opening of Churches for public masses from the 10th of May. Wearing of facemask and social distance apply.

GOWRAN PARISH CHURCH Monday the 10th of May at 9.30am Wednesday 12th at 9.30am Thursday the 13th at 9.30am Friday the 14th at 9.30am Sunday the 16th at 11.30am

Have you tried this for your back pain?

EOIN EVERARD

IT’S not uncommon for low back pain patients to reduce their activities in an effort to avoid their pain. Unfortunately, it’s likely their core muscles—the muscles that help support their midsection—will become deconditioned over time due to inactivity, which may only increase the risk of further injury. Therefore, to effectively improve one’s low back pain status, he or she must first strengthen and keep their core muscles strong! Think in terms of one to three sets of ten reps for ease of application and ALWAYS release the exercise SLOWLY— don’t just drop back from the end-range of the exercise.

The ABDOMINAL muscles include four groups: the rectus abdominis (they attach our rib cage to our pelvic area, and the fibres run straight up and down), overlapping on the sides are the internal obliques (fibres run down and inward), the external obliques (fibres run down and out), and lastly, the transverse

abdominis (the fibres run horizontal and attach to the fascia in the low back).

If we think of three levels of exercise difficulty, an easy (or Level 1) ad exercise can be just lie on your back and lift your arms and legs up in the air. A more difficult (Level 2) ab exercise would be to lower one heel to the ground while keeping the knees and hips at 90 degree angles while performing the ‘dead-bug’ exercise, while a more difficult (level 3) ab exercise could be lowering opposite arm and leg. You can employ an “abdominal brace”, or holding the stomach muscles firmly as if someone is going to punch you in the stomach, in any position or activity during the day. Remember to still be able to breathe throughout all core exercises.

DEADBUG You can strengthen the LOW BACK extensor muscles using a number of effective exercises including (but not limited to) the “bird-dog” (kneeling on “allfours”) straightening the opposite arm and leg separately (Level 1) and then simultaneously and switching back and forth (Level 2). Level 3 could be longer hold times, drawing a square with the hand and foot, or increasing the

DEADBUG

repetitions.

Another low back strengthener is called the “Superman”, which requires laying on the stomach (prone) initially lifting one arm and then the opposite leg separately (Level I); then opposite limbs at the same time (Level 2); and finally raising both arms and legs simultaneously (Level 3). Placing a roll under the pelvis/abdomen can make it more comfortable.

You can strengthen the SIDES OF THE CORE, or lateral trunk stabilizers, using a side-bridge or plank (laying on the side propped up between the elbow and feet, with the hips up and off the floor). Level 1 could be a six-second hold from the knees, Level 2 a six-second hold from the feet, and Level 3 could be a twelvesecond hold between the elbow/ forearm and feet. A modification could include slow repetitions of lowering the pelvis to the floor and back up. Mix it up.

SIDE PLANK ON THE KNEES There are MANY more exercises, but these should keep you going for a while! Remember, stay within “reasonable pain boundaries” that you define, release each exercise SLOWLY, and most importantly, have fun!

Email everardpilates@gmail. com to get our free book Secrets to a Healthy Spine or for more information about back Pilates and availing of a free trial. Visit everardpilates.com/ backfreetrial.

Our Shared Future

DUNGARVAN CHURCH Tuesday the 11th of May at 9am Sunday 16th at 9am A Memorial Mass will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Kilkenny on Friday 28th May at 7.30pm for the dead of the 14 parishes in the Ossory Middle Deanery who died since the Covid pandemic was declared where the funeral mass attendance was restricted due to public worship guidelines.

The Gowran Parish commemoration mass will be celebrated in Gowran Parish church on Sunday, 30th May at 2pm. The tree will be planted in the surrounds of Gowran church after the mass.

An invitation will be sent to the family of each deceased person detailing the number of representatives that will be able to be in attendance in the church for that mass. There have been 19 deaths in the parish during that period March 27th, 2020 until the present.

GOWRAN PRESCHOOL The Preschool will open back up for afterschool this coming September.

The hours of operation will be 2pm to 5.30pm - places will be limited and must be booked in advance.

Afterschool will be provided as per Gowran National School Calendar and will be operating the NCS Childcare scheme. Please contact Deirdre/ Mags on 056 7733667 or email gowranpreschool@gmail.com to discuss further.

WITH the Advancement of Science and Health care we are all living longer. Therefore, as a community we must put in place the services that are required to ensure we have towns, cities and communities that develop age friendly environments. It is a proven scientific fact that we all wish to remain in our own home if we can. It is after all is our ‘own’ private space with many happy and some sad, but memories all the same. In 2020 the government stated “The government will work to ensure that our ageing population has a range of options for living independently and that alternatives to long-term residential care to support ageing are in line with the policy statement ‘Housing Options for Our Ageing Population”.

It was titled (Programme for Government: Our Shared Future – July 2020) As our ageing population continues to grow, we now must look to the future and ensure, security warmth, comfort, and companionship in the way we live. Housing that fulfils the 4 objectives for senior happiness with their living standards.

Age friendly Housing special-

ist roles were to be introduced in the Local Authorities with the following duties.

Act as a Key Point of Contact for Age Friendly Housing Queries Provide information on Best Practice and available Guidance Documents. (Typically – Lifetime Homes / Universal Design / Accessibility) Work closely with Age Friendly Programme Manager and AF (To help implement Age Friendly Strategies at a Local Level) Some of the actions proposed include to develop a Design for life rating mechanism for homes that will measure the energyefficiency and agefriendliness of homes to enable them to be truly sustainable. Other actions include based on demographic projections to 2031, investigate the potential of the following three settlement types to meet the housing and associated service needs of older people: 1. A small / medium sized town 2. A suburban area 3. An inner city / urban centre It is hoped and the discussions have taken place with the Private developers and Kilkenny Local Authority to build such an ‘Urban Village’ on the Kilkenny

Brewery Abbey Quarter. This would provide a secure senior living environment with suitable accommodation and access to all our amenities Kilkenny city has to offer within walking distance.

The Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme is a new initiative that aims to enable older people to continue living in their homes or in a home more suited to their needs, live with a sense of independence and autonomy, be and feel part of their community, and support the avoidance of early or premature admission to long term residential care.

Over the next two years, it is anticipated that 4,500 older people will benefit from the support of this programme.

This new programme will be jointly led across 9 Local Authority areas, Cork County Council, Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, Galway County & City Council, Limerick City & County Council, Longford County Council, South Dublin County Council, Tipperary County Council, Westmeath County Council.

We hope Kilkenny local authority will one day become part of this great age friendly Initiative

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Discover Bundoran

Bundoran ready to embrace staycationers From the famous Fairy Bridges to the stunning Tullan Strand to being the surf capital of Ireland, Bundoran, County Donegal is the ultimate family destination this summer for your staycation! Nestled in the southern most tip of Donegal, beautiful bracing Bundoran by the sea has become synonymous with its tradition of hospitality right across the seaside resort for many centuries.

E

njoying stunning views of Donegal Bay, the first stop in the county on the Wild Atlantic Way has something for the whole family who are looking to fill every moment or that someone who just wants to relax and let the world go by. Five hotels, numerous self catering apartments and holiday homes, B&Bs and hostels ensure that every budget is catered for while attractions and entertainment options won’t leave you

wanting for something to do.

Check out our impressive Fairy Bridges and make a wish on the Wishing Chair.

Enjoy a stroll on the Rougey Walk and embrace that sea air. Settle down for the day on our Blue Flag beach or spend the afternoon experiencing the fun of the fair at Bundoran Adventure Park including the View Wheel lifting you to a height of 36 metres above ground.

For the sports enthusiast there’s surfing with our surf

schools showing you how to get to your feet and facilities for beginners, intermediates and professionals right across the coastline. The golfer is looked after with our 18 hole championship links course and with sea, lake and river fishing close at hand the angler in your life is well catered for as well!

How about a horseback ride across a golden strand and through sandy dunes? Look no further than Bundoran. On calm days you can experience

the coastal nooks and crannys from a sea kayak on the Atlantic.

Nearby there’s hill walks and hikes and Bundoran provides the perfect base for an adventure to explore the surrounding areas including the Gleniff Horseshoe, Mullaghmore, Ireland’s Oldest Town – Ballyshannon, Donegal Town and further west to the highest accessible sea cliffs in Europe – Sliabh Liag.

When the hunger pangs

are at you, you’ll find many of Bundoran’s cafes and restaurants open for takeaway from your traditional fish and chips to your full dinner with options from Irish to European, Chinese to Indian.

Many will have outdoor dining in place this year too.

Finally, end your day with a loved one and take in one of Donegal’s stunning sunsets across Donegal Bay. Want to check it out before you get here? See our brand new webcams streaming live 24/7

at discoverbundoran.com/ webcam and when you get here, we’ve made it even easier for you to upload that treasured photo memory with free wifi at our Main Beach and Tourist Office.

Things will be a little different this year and some things may be subject to change, but we are gearing up this year to give you a staycation to remember – for more see www.discoverbundoran.com and check us out on social media.

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Discover Bundoran

Ireland’s surf capital

With stunning coastline and world class waves it’s no surprise that Bundoran is widely regarded as the top destination for surfing in Ireland

I

reland has become increasingly popular as a surfing destination, due to our exposed location on the turbulent Atlantic seaboard. We have 3,172 km of coastline, and our southern and western shores are constantly battered by waves which have originated in the North Atlantic. Although we don’t consider Ireland to have a warm and balmy climate, sea temperatures rarely dip far below 10ºC making for surfable conditions most of the year round. The numerous beaches, reefs, headlands and coves along the west coast of Ireland serve as popular surf spots. Ireland has played host to international events since the 1960s, and is home to many surf shops, schools and clubs.

Bundoran or “Bun Dobhrain” as it is known as Gaeilge, meaning the foot of the little water has long been recognised as a holiday destination in Ireland but what has made it the unofficial (or official, depending who you ask) surf capital of Ireland?

Bundoran has hosted the European Surfing Championships three times.

In 1985 the European Surfing Championships came back to Ireland, hosted in Bundoran and Rossnowlagh. In 1997

it was back again. It is said that the surf was flat for the first seven days of the ten day event however it picked up on the eighth day and due to the efficiency of the event management team the entire competition was run in two and a half days and regarded as a huge success.

In 2011, Bundoran once again held the European Surfing Championships. 14 countries from all over Europe descended on Bundoran to experience not only the waves but also the hospitality that the town is famed for. Top Surfers from all over Europe surfed for a title that was eventually won

by Portugal.

There are many recognised surf spots in the area including Bundoran Main Beach, Rossnowlagh and Tullan.

Bundoran Main Beach is located right near the town and is a very popular surfing spot.

It attracts visitors from near and far as a sandy beach facing Donegal Bay and the Atlantic.

There are lots of activities to get involved in and many restaurants, cafés and hotels like the Grand Central Hotel just a short stroll away.

Rossnowlagh beach is about a 20 minute drive from Bundoran, and has soft, golden sand and exceptional views,

Rossnowlagh is very popular with both local residents and tourists. This beach also attracts walkers, swimmers and sailors as well as surfers of course. The surf here is perfect for beginners and the local surf school offers tuition and equipment rental.

Tullan Strand is one of Ireland’s most renowned surf beaches. It is 2km long and begins at the north end of Bundoran Town to the Erne Estuary at Ballyshannon. You can see panoramic views over Donegal Bay when approaching Tullan Strand, which has an extensive network of sand dunes and is framed by a back-drop of the Sligo-Leitrim Mountains. There is a surf school here providing rentals and lessons right from the beach.

The mentioned beaches are just a taste of what the area has to offer for the sport, whether a budding beginner or seasoned surfer. Beginners are always advised to be aware of the rocks, reefs and currents.

It is always recommended to check with locals about conditions and dangers. There is an abundance of surf shops and schools who will be happy to advise on equipment and recommend the right spot for your level.

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Discover Donegal

Discover Adventure in

Donegal

Donegal is one of Ireland’s most spectacular counties. It has a dramatic coastline with impressive sea cliffs and sandy beaches. The rugged mountains provide a stunning backdrop. The colourful towns and An Gaeltacht are full of culture. Donegal is a welcome escape for anyone this summer and well worth the journey to this gem of the Wild Atlantic Way Slieve League (Sliabh Liag)

Sliabh Liag, or sometimes known as Slieve League is a mountain on Donegal’s Atlantic coast. Although not as famous as the cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Slieve League’s cliffs are actually almost three times higher.

This mountain was regarded sacred and holy for over

1,000 years. Boat-trips leave from Teelin Pier so you can enjoy the cliffs from below, just wrap up well! There are also walking trails on Slieve League making it a hiker’s paradise. Various trails allow for different skill and fitness levels. From the summit of the cliffs you can enjoy unrivalled panoramic views of the Donegal and Sligo coastlines.

Fanad Head Lighthouse

Ards Forest Park

Voted one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the world, Fanad Head Lighthouse has been a working lighthouse since 1817. The lighthouse is located on a rocky head at the mouth of Lough Swilly. You can take a tour to follow in the footsteps of past light-keepers.

There is a climb of 76 granite steps to the top of the tower.

Glenveagh National Park and Castle

Book your staycation along the Wild Atlantic Way in Donegal Town

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et the Central Hotel or Abbey Hotel be your “Home away from home” with guestrooms overlooking Donegal Bay, all within steps of the hotels enjoy strolls along the Pier, the Bank Walk, tour Donegal Castle, visit Triona to see how Donegal Tweed is made. Cruise along the Bay on Donegal’s Waterbus and receive shopping discounts in Donegal Town.

Explore the 1134km of rugged Wild Atlantic Way during your stay, ensure you

visit the highest sea cliffs in Europe; Sliabh Liag, the views are sure to impress. We highly recommend a boat ride with Sliabh Liag Boat Trips and sail in the Wild Atlantic Way looking up at the cliffs. Donegal Golf Club is just 10mins away from the Hotels with a fantastic 18 links golf course. Donegal has 12 Blue Flag Beaches, ensure you bring your camera to capture the magical memories.

Enjoy culinary pleasures during your stay with a choice of dining options from Gourmet

Burgers in Blazers Burger Bar, Casual Dining in the Abbey Bar, Thai Fusion at Chapman’s Restaurant, Grab & Go Picnic options at The Food Hall & Steak & Seafood at the Market House Restaurant all located within the hotels. Donegal Town was recently awarded Foodie Destination in Ireland.

Check out Room Only Rates in addition to Bed & Breakfast online www. abbeyhoteldonegal.com & www.centralhoteldonegal. com

The 16,000 hectares of Glenveagh National Park is a haven for wildlife set in the shadow of Mount Errigal deep in the Derryveagh Mountains.

The park has a large herd of red deer as well as mountains, lakes, valleys and woods. You can explore the park by bike or foot. Glenveagh Castle, a 19th century castellated mansion which was built as a hunting lodge is also well worth a look.

Tory Island

A magical place with a rich heritage, Tory Island is steeped in ancient myths and legends. Located 11km off the north-west coast of Donegal, the island’s remote location has probably helped the locals to preserve old Gaelic customs, such as the

appointment of an island king. The rich heritage and deep sense of community has prevailed throughout the ages.

You can experience a unique way of life with a trip to Tory.

Ferry times are dependant on the weather, the tide, and the time of year, and run from Magheroarty and Bunbeg.

Ards Forest Park is a lush green reserve with over 481 hectares of biodiverse woodland and beaches. It is the perfect place for a family day out or romantic walk.

There is a variety of walks as well a picnic and play areas.

Salt marshes, sand dunes, beaches, salt water lakes, rock faces and coniferous and deciduous woodlands make up this oasis of tranquility.

Many hours can be spent exploring this wonderful park. With this amount of diverse habitats the park is also home to a wide selection of birds and animals. It’s not just animals and wildlife that feature, there are also a number of historical and archaeological features, including the remains of four ring forts, a holy well and a mass rock.

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Science & Wellbeing

Paving the way to safer pregnancies THE drive to create safer, more successful pregnancies is one of the top goals of modern science.

While pregnancy is better understood today than ever before, with improvements in technology helping to lower the risk of negative outcomes, researchers still don’t know much about a vital part of the pregnancy process: uterine fluid.

Secreted by glands in the womb during pregnancy, uterine fluid is believed to play an important role in supporting a developing embryo by sending information from the uterus to the embryo, along with a host of other speculated functions. studying this fluid But in women presents many dilemmas, given that studies might require invasive monitoring or experimentation during an actual pregnancy.

However, in a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers have found a way to study uterine fluid and avoid any invasive procedures during pregnancy, while at the same time developing a potential model

for using precision medicine to improve pregnancy outcomes.

“Using what are called stem cell-derived organoids, we were able to isolate a sample of uterine fluid in the lab,” says Constantine Simintiras, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Missouri.

“For such an understudied element of human pregnancy, being able to grow and study this fluid in the lab makes it much easier to advance our understanding of this important function of the womb.”

Simintiras and his colleagues used ‘organoids’—simplified versions of the tissue that forms the lining of the uterus, grown from stem cells—as the source for a fluid that closely resembles uterine fluid. Inside the body, uterine glands secrete this fluid to support sperm migration and the early development of embryos.

This scientific breakthrough paves the way for a precision medicine approach to maintaining a healthy pregnancy.

The hope is that by obtaining stem cells from expectant

mothers, even before they conceive, researchers could study the composition of their uterine fluid to determine if there are any potential problems.

“We know the composition of uterine fluid is extremely important, so we need to understand how that composition is regulated,” Simintiras says. “In women it is likely influenced by hormones, but are there other factors at play? This model for lab study gives us a means to tackle such questions, and in the future, this could help us detect and correct problems with uterine fluid before they lead to complications.”

Life may have begun in space, as bacteria A NEW study from Japanese researchers confirms the possibility of what are called ‘panspermia’, the possible spread of life throughout the universe via microbes that attach themselves to space bodies.

The scientists showed that bacteria on the outside of the International Space Station can survive in space for years. The team also concluded that the bacteria used in the experiment could even make the journey from Earth to Mars, hinting at the likelihood of our own extraterrestrial beginnings.

To understand how bacteria can withstand the harshness of space, scientists sent bacterial cell clumps to the International Space Station. Once there, the specimen, around 1mm in diameter, were attached to the outside of the station on aluminum plates. During the

course of three years, bacteria samples were sent back from space to Earth for further study.

What the researchers found is that, while the outer layer of the clumps was killed off by the strong UV radiation, layers on the inside survived. They were essentially protected by the dead bacteria in the outer layer.

Once in a lab, they were able to fix damage to their DNA and even grow further.

The researchers estimate such bacteria could survive in space for up to eight years.

Akihiko Yamagishi from Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences in Japan, who was involved in the study, shared that their work proves that bacteria can not only survive in space but may also be the way life spreads throughout the universe, through panspermia.

Smile, and the world smiles with you WE have all noticed that our own judgements can depend on how we feel —and we are certainly aware that the judgements of others vary with their moods, too.

Being in a good or bad mood can have a major

effect on people’s judgments. The Australian psychologist Joseph Forgas has published around 100 scientific papers on the subject of mood. Some of Dr Forgas’s research confirms what you already think: People who are in a

good mood are more approving of people, they are more generous and helpful, and their judgments are more upbeat.

Negative mood has the opposite effects. As Dr Forgas writes: “The same smile that is seen as friendly

by a person in a good mood may be judged as awkward when the observer is in a negative mood; discussing the weather could be seen as ‘poised’ when the person is in a good mood but ‘boring’ when that person is in a bad mood.”

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Advertorial

Successful slimmer?

Your loss could be Kilkenny’s gain SLIMMING experts in Kilkenny are celebrating a successful year after helping so many people lose weight in lockdown. Now as they prepare for the gradual return to in person groups, they have launched a campaign to recruit more people with a passion for helping others for the “best work in the world” with a special Slimming World careers Opportunity Event taking place virtually On Thursday 3rd June and Thursday 17 th June at 6pm.

Ellen Doolan who manages a team of 13 Consultants who run Slimming World groups in Waterford, Wexford and

Kilkenny says: “We’re going through a period of change as we prepare to return to our venues as restrictions ease. In 52 years, millions of people have changed their lives with Slimming World’s brilliant combination of a hungerbusting eating plan, increased activity and weekly group support. “Now, sadly due to the pandemic obesity is at an all-time high – the demand for our unique warm and friendly approach has never been larger. At Slimming World, we have the best eating plan in the world where members can, and do, lose weight without ever having to go

hungry,” says Ellen “We have the best understanding of the psychology of slimming and we choose Consultants for their empathy, warmth and understanding. We have the best training in the business too. Every Consultant who comes on board goes through an in-depth training programme and is awarded diplomas in nutrition and the psychology of weight management, as well as successfully running their own slimming business.”

Slimming World is looking for people who have lost weight themselves with the organisation, people who can share their own weight-loss success to build a fabulous career. There are also vacancies for experienced managers to help co-ordinate the work in the area and ensure that our unique support is available in every community. Ellen adds: “Every Slimming World group helps members achieve long-term success through healthy lifestyle changes.

Food Optimising is a unique and healthy eating plan which satisfies the biggest of appetites. It encourages people to fill up on unlimited amounts of satisfying foods such as meat, fish, poultry, vegetables,

fruit, eggs, pasta and much more, and to enjoy meals with the whole family. Meals like curry and rice, lasagne, Sunday roasts and even fish and chips. Members love the fact that they aren’t restricted.

“Just as importantly, we provide support 52 weeks of the year and our members know from the minute they first walk through the door or log on to our weekly sessions this past year, often when their self-esteem is at its lowest, that they will never be judged, that their details are completely confidential and that they are with people who understand them – because we’ve all been Slimming World members ourselves,” says Ellen.

Slimming World Consultants are all former members. The role is part-time, with the potential to earn €100- €400 a week for working 10-20 flexible hours as a self-employed franchisee. In-depth training is offered with a well-respected and recognised brand that has been established for more than 52 years, and all Consultants get the benefit of excellent support from more than 300 head office staff based in Alfreton, Derbyshire. Slimming World provides administrative support, centralised marketing

and PR, stock services, a host of up-to-the-minute website support plus nutrition and research expertise. Slimming World magazine, which is produced at Head Office, is the highest selling title in the diet and health sector.

Anyone looking for a career that offers opportunities for growth and development and flexibility around family life could find that opening a Slimming World group offers the perfect solution. There are opportunities across the whole of Ireland.

• Slimming World is the largest and most advanced slimming organisation in the UK. Margaret Miles-Bramwell (OBE, FRSA) founded the Company in 1969 and there are now over 16,000 groups held weekly nationwide via a network of over 4,000 Slimming World trained Consultants.

• Almost one million members attend Slimming World every week and achieve outstanding success.

Slimming World pioneered referral schemes in the UK and actively supports the building of partnerships

with the NHS and local authorities to develop effective strategies to manage overweight and obesity in the community.

Slimming World works with university researchers and specialists in an active research programme to further knowledge of the causes and treatment of obesity.

• Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, Food Optimising®, and the principles behind Slimming World’s philosophy are based on a deep understanding of the challenges faced by overweight people.

Slimming World integrates practical, up-to-date dietary advice with a highly developed and powerfully motivating support system.

• Slimming World Consultants receive specific training in dietary aspects and the role of physical activity in weight control. The highly developed training focuses on facilitating behaviour change in a positively motivating group environment, acknowledged by experts as being the most effective way to support long- term weight management.

For more information contact Ellen on 083 1273095 or go to www. slimmingworld.co.uk/ careers

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021

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News

It’s a long long way from Poland to Kells WHEN the Rybak family Agata, The Mam, and Wojciech, The Dad, and their amazing kids, Nikola and Alex. set out from Poland to Ireland the village of Kells was far from their mind.

Kells is a wonderful community-based village just a small drive from KiIkenny City. To many of us from a certain vintage Kells was the place where Tom and Mary Reardon went for a pint in Micky Macs pub and Benjy and Biddy began their lifelong love for each other.

Recently the actor and a gentleman Tom Hickey left us and may he rest in peace.

Kells people are immensely proud of their village & surroundings. They have always been proactive in seeking to improve their amenities & raising the profile of Kells as a destination of choice for tourists & those with an interest in heritage & history. The progress of some projects has been temporarily stalled due to Covid, but all systems will commence in due course.

The village is steeped in history dating back to the foundation of the Augustinian Priory in 1193. Kells Priory is Irelands largest walled monastic settlement & indeed the people of Kells are immensely proud to be the custodians of this rich heritage.

Kilree Tower & Church can be found just a short distance from the village...this date back

to 1100AD & is well worth a visit also.

The addition,6 years ago, of Kells Recreational Playground was a great bonus for all families in the area, creating a parkland area of safe play, including picnic facilities.

Having such a vibrant community which includes an excellent Childcare facility, flourishing National School, a strong Scout Group, numerous hard working committees, so many local services, excellent bars,

well stocked shop & Kings Mill Restaurant, Kells is undoubtedly a place worth a visit and like the Rybak Family maybe to even to stay permanently.

Wojtek as a historical buff and an adventurous explorer visited Kells first time in 2014 After moving from Dublin he was driving on a tour of the surrounding monuments , planned to see Kells priory but on the way he saw the Mullins mill and he was so fascinated by the history and the location-

that he spent a few hours there. every weekend he came back to this majestic town and finally after few years the Rybaks got a chance to rent a house in Kells , and after just a few years managed to make our dreams come true in the mill.

He is also an accomplished entrepreneur and we both wanted to open a company together. We are also passionate about Mediterranean cuisine, so last year the Rybak’s decided on opening a restaurant.

Pandemic hit the globe which of course made the pair hesitant, but they decided to follow their dreams and finish our project. It was both a challenge and a great opportunity. We rented the whole floor in an old, XVIII century mill and revitalised it. We are proud and excited seeing this place gaining a new character and serving the community again. “ The Kings Mill” is an Italian restaurant, at the moment for obvious reasons serving takeaway orders only. It was opened in January.

“The Kings Mill” is a restaurant and a meeting spot you can be proud of. Offers unrivalled levels of Mediterranean dining while breathing new life into an XVIII century mill. We did our best to preserve the character of this place.

Both ……. And Agata have the community ethos at the heart of their new venture. So much

so over the past few months the held raffle for the Kilkenny based Charity ‘Twilight Community Group’ Agata reminds us that their new venture can only be a success if it is support by the surrounding communities and it is her belief that they must also return some of their good fortune to the community.

Recent the draw for the Prizes was held in the Kings Mill restaurant, attended by Murty Brennan, Chairperson of the Twilight Community Group and first out of the drum was local Kells resident Olivia Moran who won the fantastic 1st prize of a midweek trip to Romania. As the draw went on for a vast array of prizes it was very striking the spread and draw the Rybak’s new food community café has with winners as far away as

south Kilkenny’s Mooncoin and North Kilkenny’s Ballyragget and the City in between picked from the drum by Nicola & Alex . the Rybak children.

Plans see the Introduction of Polish dishes and a Polish Cuisine Cooking demonstration that will be broadcasted on YouTube during the Polska Eire festival 2021 The Kings mill restaurant will be a great addition to the already visitor attractions of the Kells Priory offering a place to rest and eat in the wonderfully surroundings of the Mill House settings. With planned expansions of a garden seating by the Kings river visitors to the Kells will want to return and return again and again for what we now hope will an outdoor summer to remember

WINNERS OF THE DRAW 1. Trip to Romania - Olivia Mooran Kells 2. Samsung Mobile Phone Maria O’Brien 3. €50 voucher Iris Floral Design - AMY Caroline 4. Dinner for two in The Kings Mill Restaurant -Joan Fennely 5. Dinner for two in Pembroke hotel - Lucjan Syldalk 6. Family Pass to Irish National stud - Mary Breen 7. Management session Mary Hayden - Nancy from Ballyraget 8. Management session Mary Hayden -Tanya Thomas 9. Happy Pottery box - Declan Dunen 10. Happy Pottery Bag - Ned McDonald 11. Two tickets to guinessstore Dublin N.Donovan Stoneyford 12. Garden Daragh Keane 13. Hamper from Lidl - Brien Odonel kilkenny 14. Voucher Ania zumba &Fitness Lauren Hughes 15. Hamper from the Bob Shop XL - Milena Goncalez

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021

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Travel

Travel bubble likely for Ireland and UK IRISH residents could be allowed to travel to Britain on holiday without restrictions within weeks as part of plans to open a travel bubble between Ireland and Britain.

According to The Irish Times, it is understood that Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin (pictured) is due to present to the

THE island of Malta is willing to pay you to come and visit.

The coronavirus pandemic has put a huge dent in tourism, the most important economic factor in Malta.

But with most travel restrictions expected to be lifted before August, government and tourism officials are offering cash incentives to put Malta in your summer plans.

Here’s how the plan works: The Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) and participating hotels will pay any visitor booking a three-night stay at select properties on the island. You’ll get £200 for a five-star hotel, £150 for a four-star hotel, and £100 for a three-star property.

Tourists who visit Malta’s smaller island of Gozo will get an additional 10%.

The plan is open to “free individual travellers,” meaning those who book packages or work through a travel agent will not be eligible.

The MTA hopes to attract up to 35,000 visitors through the programme.

“The scheme is aimed at putting Malta’s hotels in a very competitive position as international tourism restarts,” said Clayton Bartolo, Malta’s minister for tourism and consumer protection.

The nation, located south of Italy in the Mediterranean Sea, attracts more than two million visitors each year.

But that number fell by more than 80% in 2020, putting a huge dent in the nation’s economy.

According to estimates from the government, tourism accounts for 27% of the economy.

Malta has been one of the biggest success stories in battling the pandemic. It has one of the highest vaccination rates in Europe, with more than 42 percent of its citizens having received at least one dose. And its number of COVID cases is among the lowest in the world, with a 2.6 positivity rate among those tested.

The island nation is very budget-friendly (it’s one of the cheapest Eurozone countries out there). It’s difficult to really spend a lot of money.

Government a tourism advisory group’s report that contains a number of recommendations aimed at getting the State ready to restart the embattled inbound tourism sector.

The report by the Recovery Oversight Group for Tourism calls for the Government to publish a plan no later than the end of May

that would specify when curbs on inbound travel would be relaxed.

It also recommends the removal of restrictions on UK visitors, thus effectively also allowing residents of the Republic to travel freely to Britain.

The plan would sit independently of any European Union ‘green certificate’ travel scheme, which is due to be discussed at Cabinet next Tuesday. It is thought likely that this scheme could open up foreign travel to participating countries by Irish citizens

by the end of June or possibly mid-July.

The rationale being considered by the Government for British travel is that from May 17th, non-essential travel between Britain and the North resumed under UK rules in any event. With an open border between the Republic and the North, those visitors would be able to freely travel throughout the island anyway.

Meanwhile, Ryanair has also called on the Government to lift travel restrictions for travel to and from the UK and the

EU, labelling mandatory hotel quarantine as “unique and failed”.

In a statement it said that all travel restrictions should be removed from the end of May, saying that there were less than 100 patients in Irish hospitals suffering the Covid-19 virus and that all of Ireland’s high-risk groups (the elderly, health service, nursing homes, etc.) have now been vaccinated, eliminating any Covid risk of our hospitals and health service being overwhelmed.

It also pointed out that first

dose vaccination rates in the EU were now approaching 40% of all adults, while in the UK up to 60% of the adult population has received its first dose.

It also highlights an inconsistency in the restrictions for travel to and from the UK: “UK visitors that fly to Ireland are still required to quarantine for 14 days, when visitors from Northern Ireland can drive across the border with no restrictions whatsoever, and Irish citizens can travel to the UK without any quarantine.”

Pack your bags: Malta will pay you to visit

Island in the sun: Malta is one of the biggest success stories in battling the pandemic

BA trialling new 25 second Covid test

BY FIONN DAVENPORT

BRITISH Airways has become the first airline in the world to trial a potentially game-changing new technology that can detect Covid-19 in less than 25 seconds.

The Pelican COVID-19 Ultra Rapid Test uses saliva to detect both the S and the N proteins with 98% sensitivity and 100% specificity. The airline is trialing the new test with flight and cabin crew but, should the trials be successful, it could be instrumental in the efficient resumption of international travel.

Users simply take a sample

of their saliva into a disposable sensor unit, shake and insert it into a re-usable digital reader which is connected to a blue-tooth enabled device like a smartphone, and then wait for the results that appear through a mobile app.

Recently approved for use in Europe and UK, the test is currently going through FDA approval in the US.

Sean Doyle, British Airways Chairman and CEO, said: “We think this new ultrarapid test is a game changer so we are delighted to work with the team at Canary to begin initial trials with our flight and cabin crew, before exploring what role it could play as a customer testing option.”

British Airways is the first

airline in the world to conduct a trial with medical tech company Canary Global, to assess how its Pelican Covid-19 Ultra Rapid Covid-19 test, which displays a result within 25 seconds, can play a role in opening up travel. * Full story at https://ittn.ie/ news/british-airways-firstto-trial-covid-test-that-delivers-results-in-25-seconds/

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021

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Lockdown streaming

5 top shows to check out now on Netflix 1.THINGS HEARD & SEEN

Amanda Seyfried stars alongside British actor James Norton in this psychological horror movie. The two play Catherine and George, a couple who escape New York City for the country, where the isolation and the bad vibes Catherine starts to get from their farmhouse call into question both her sanity and their relationship.

2. PET STARS

The reality series Pet Stars centres on a talent management company that only works with clients who meow, bark, slither, and hop. Check this one out if you’re looking to turn your furry best friend into a big name — or if you need something totally mindless and adorable to tune into.

3. THE INNOCENT

Friends Reunion has a release date IT”S official! A date has been announced for the Friends Reunion Special. If you’re a Friends fan, chances are you’ve been counting down the days until the highly anticipated reunion special.

After being put back because of the coronavirus pandemic, David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Perry, Courteney Cox, and Matt LeBlanc will officially reunite for Friends: The Reunion, which will start streaming in the US on May

27 on HBO Max. Seventeen years on since the last episode aired, the six actors will come together for the special reunion episode.

The reunion is not another episode of the comedy.

Instead, it will show Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer revisit the original set and share behindthe-scenes footage.

“In order to avoid any misunderstanding about what this special is, we want

to make it very clear that this is not a new, original episode of the series,” HBO Max said in a statement.

“The cast will be appearing as themselves, not as their beloved characters.”

It is likely Sky and Now TV will screen it here in late Summer.

‘Friends: The Reunion’ will feature the original cast reuniting on the show’s original soundstage, Stage 24, on the Warner Bros.

Studio lot in Burbank, Los Angeles as they reminisce about the show and look

back on the impact it has had on a whole generation.

And, alongside the original cast, the reunion special has a pretty impressive list of guest stars.

Among the guest stars are Tom Selleck, James Michael Tyler, Maggie Wheeler, Reese Witherspoon, Christina Pickles, Elliott Gould, Larry Hankin, Tom Lennon, all of whom guest-starred on the original Friends.

The much-loved TV series ran for 10 years from 1994 to 2004, an incredible 235 episodes.

Netflix ‘next big thing’ set in Japan NETFLIX says its ‘next big thing’ is a Japan-set actionthriller entitled ‘Kate’, starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead as a killer with a big problem.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Kate is a ruthless assassin who is on a job in Tokyo, and she gets poisoned. She finds out she has 24 hours to live before the poison kills her, so she sets out on a mission to find out who poisoned her and

kill them before she dies.

Along the way, she forges this bond with this teenage girl named Ani (Miku Martineau), and they end up taking on this mission together. It’s a heartfelt, brutal, assassin story, says Netflix.

According to director Cedric Nicolas-Troyan (The Huntsman: Winter’s War), the toughest of the film’s action set-pieces to film was a close-quarters

face-off between Winstead’s hitwoman and a similarly dangerous character played by the Japanese actor and musician Miyavi.

“The hardest one to shoot was the one with Mary and Miyavi inside the apartment,” says the filmmaker. “We couldn’t shoot that with stunt doubles, so they had to do it themselves. You had two actors that are doing very, very

close-contact stunt work. We thought something bad could happen there. This one was definitely making me nervous.”

The film costars Woody Harrelson as Kate’s handler.

The cast of Kate also includes Tadanobu Asano, Michiel Huisman, and Jun Kunimura.

The film is written by Umair Aleem and produced by Bryan Unkeless, Kelly McCormick, and Patrick Newall.

To get totally tuned into a mystery, press play on The Innocent, a Spanish limited series adapted from the Harlan Corben novel. (It’s part of the author’s big deal with Netflix that will see lots more of his writing turned into series and films.)

The less you know going into the show, the better, but we’ll tell you that the action kicks off with a bar brawl and an accidental death that upends the life of a man named Mateo (Mario Casas). It’s dubbed in English.

4. HEADSPACE GUIDE TO SLEEP

This one’s less for entertainment and more for wellness and self-care. Headspace Guide Yo Sleep is a creation of the popular meditation app, which also has a lot of tools, music, and stories to help users drift off. Every episode of the Netflix show offers tips and debunks sleep myths and even ends with a guided wind-down, so it’s a must-see for insomniacs. Put it on whenever you’re ready to hit the hay.

5. SHADOW AND BONE

Check out the long-awaited adaptation of the popular ‘Grishaverse’ YA book series

by Leigh Bardugo. It follows a young woman (Jessie Mei Li) who is plucked out of obscurity when she discovers a previously hidden power that may enable her to destroy a deadly dark shadow divide that slices through her country. The show is also accessible to new fans.

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Kilkenny v Antrim roundup

Sport

Heavy rainfall, Covid protocols and no crowd did little to dampen the spirit of the match

At the match

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021

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News Kilkenny v Antrim roundup

MATCH REPORT BY MATEO HERNANDEZ-POWER

WALKING down John Street to Nowlan Park in the rain last Sunday before the 1.30pm throw in, you wouldn’t have been sure there was a match taking place at all. Compared to a normal match day in Kilkenny there was a distinct lack of buzz around town. There were no pre-match pint drinkers spilling out of the pubs, no kids with hurls heading up to try and grab a stray micro chipped yellow sliotar that might come over the nets. There was no black and amber clad crowd with their plaits and hats. There were no northern accents, no buses from Antrim and there was no sea of saffron supporters. It would have been an optimistic sea of saffron after Antrim’s heroic display the previous weekend when they beat Clare in Round 1 of the National Hurling League. Hopes would have been high and surely were for the Antrim Team when they arrived at Nowlan Park to take on their Kilkenny counterparts.

Arriving at Nowlan Park you would usually be thinking which turnstile to head for to get the best seat. Last Sunday we were directed in through the Old Stand, straight up the stairs and shown where to sit by the stadium volunteers. Both teams were warming up on either side of the pitch and the coaches instructions could be heard throughout the otherwise silent stadium. The Kilkenny team used the stand to get ready while Antrim opted for the dressing rooms underneath The Old Stand. It was sunny, then raining, with more rain and then sun. This indecisive weather was to continue throughout the game. Amhrán na bhFiann was played as usual before throw in. Only a low hum could be heard from the spectator group of Gardaí, photographers, journalists, umpires, camera crew and stadium volunteers.

Kilkenny lined out with a strong side minus their talisman TJ Reid. It was strange that every word between players, backroom teams and referee officials could be heard by the minimal spectators. A bit of a hectic start led Conor McCahn from Antrim to open the scoring with a well worked point. By the first water break however, Kilkenny had retaliated with 6 unanswered points including a few by James Bergin and Alan Murphy who were both in flying form. The Antrim backroom team appeared to have people on each side of the pitch, loudly supporting every move from their team, yet Antrim couldn’t get a foothold in the game. Eoin Cody from Ballyhale Shamrocks scored a low shot underneath Antrim goalkeeper Ryan Elliot giving him a goal in the 25th minute. In the 30th minute Conor Browne lost his hurl and took down an Antrim player who was running in on goal, now automatically resulting in a trip to the sin bin and a penalty. Ciarán Clarke, on frees for Antrim, stood over the penalty without a run up looking like he would go for a point. Surprising us all, he went for the goal which was at the perfect height to be saved by Darren Brennan. The first half finished with a score of Kilkenny 1.11 to Antrim 0.6.

During half time the Kilkenny subs were out having a puck around, while the Antrim subs did a bit of sprinting. The Kilkenny

team then went back up to the stand and Antrim headed for the dressing room. You’d be thinking Brian Cody wouldn’t want to be giving his team talk too loudly as it might have echoed through the stand. At the start of the third quarter Conor Browne had another five minutes left in the sin bin and Liam Blanchfield from Bennettsbridge was taken off for Thomastown player John Donnelly.

Around the time Conor Browne came back on, it was evident Kilkenny had slipped into a false sense of security, allowing Antrim two goals in two minutes. First, Clarke took down a long ball in from Michael Bradley who let his hurl fly out to the side almost slicing through his management team. The Cú Chullain club man Conal Cunning got this ball and drove it into the net. Neil Mc Manus had a shot which was well saved by Darren Brennan. Ciarán Clarke then got on the end of the rebound leading to Antrim’s second goal, bringing the game to a draw and putting Kilkenny under sudden pressure. Kilkenny responded with seven unanswered points, three of them frees taken by Alan Murphy who was great in TJ Reid’s absence. Kilkenny were back in the driving seat from the 55th minute onwards. Antrim came back and scored three points, two from frees and one from James McNaughton.

Antrim manager and ex-Tipperary goalkeeper Darren Gleeson had been taking issue with Kilkenny’s hand passes throughout the entire match and a few minutes into the fourth quarter, the game was stopped and Gleeson was issued with a yellow card. The 62nd minute saw Neil McManus rifle a goal into the top right corner of the Kilkenny net followed by a KCLR commentator being overheard saying; “we’re not going home yet lads”. Kilkenny didn’t let it get the better of them and kept tipping away, building up point by point keeping Antrim at a comfortable arms length.

Kilkenny won by an easy seven points and must be generally happy with the performance but that lapse in concentration during the third quarter allowed Antrim back into the game. Antrim were sharp enough to capitalise on that window of opportunity. After their win against Clare and giving Kilkenny such a good game they should be feeling fairly confident ahead of next weekend. They will certainly put up a challenge to Dublin next Saturday in Parnell Park. On the Kilkenny side, Cillian Buckley and Padraig Walsh were moving very well and we saw some great running and fielding from Conor Browne. Cillian Buckley ensured the Antrim midfield stayed out of the game.

In TJ’s absence Adrian Mullen certainly had some pressure on him being only back from an injury. John Donnelly came on from half time and really contributed to the game – he surely will be starting next weekend against Wexford. Thankfully the Kilkenny lads held on to the win, though they can’t afford to give Wexford any opportunities to get ahead next Sunday.

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Hurling Matters

Sport Wins over Dublin and Antrim achieved as ‘Davy Day’ looms

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

AS the league begins to settle down and Division One Group B takes shape, the Cats will be hoping to make it a hat-trick of wins when Brian Cody’s men welcome Wexford to UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday (throw-in 2pm).

In this, his 23rd season ina-row in charge, Cody will be hoping to lay down a marker against the Model County and maintain their unbeaten start to the season, in this dress rehearsal for a possible Leinster SHC Semi-Final.

With both teams unbeaten, somethings got to give.

The Kilkenny faithful don’t take kindly to opposition victories on home soil, and will be praying that Wexford’s Nowlan Park victory in 2017 is not repeated this time round.

Indeed, the two sides most recent league meeting during ‘Storm Dennis’ in February last year, saw the Slaney-siders hold on for a hard-fought 2-point win at a windswept Wexford Park.

No doubt the Yellow Bellies manager, Davy Fitzgerald will have his team pumped up for this derby clash, and Kilkenny’s discipline will undoubtably be tested to the limits by the Clare native’s charges.

Cody will no doubt want to tighten things up, having conceded 3-15 at home to the Saffrons, again the Cats suffered in the third quarter, before pulling away.

At the time of writing, the starting XV hasn’t been announced, but it is likely that barring injury, talisman TJ Reid will return to the team, having been rested for last week’s win over Antrim. The manager may decide to rotate

the net minders position again, and if he does so, expect Eoin Murphy to be given the nod ahead of Darren Brennan, who despite a fine penalty save saw his line breached on three occasions by the Ulstermen.

Paddy Deegan will be key in the full-back line, as the Cats defence looks to snuff out the Wexford attacking threat, likely to be spear-headed by starman Lee Chin, Mikie Dwyer and the promising Conor McDonald.

At Centre-half-back, Tullaroan club-man Padraig Walsh fresh from an imperious display last week, can set the tempo and dictate play while also notching the odd score or two. The engine room of midfield will once again prove vital, and manager Cody will

Cody’s Cats seek model victory

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021

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Hurling Matters

be looking to Cillian Buckley and possibly Richie Reid to dominate this sector while keeping tabs on the free running Diarmuid O’Keefe.

Winning the midfield battle should provide a platform for the Kilkenny forwards to trouble a Wexford defence that only conceded 10 points in their opening round win over Clare.

Should 2019 young hurler of the year and this year’s

team captain, Adrian Mullen continues his comeback following injury, it would be hoped that his partnership with TJ will begin to reap reward.

Following on from his opening round tally of 1-4 against Dublin at Parnell Park, Martin Keoghan will hope to keep the scoreboard ticking over, along with Alan Murphy, who notched an impressive 13 points in the 7-point win last Sunday.

Both sides will again look to their respective benches to provide a spark as the game progresses, and the NoreSiders should hold the upperhand here. This could prove decisive.

VERDICT – Kilkenny to march on

SHERRY SAYS........

AN Armagh Gael once said to me “The League’s for playing....

The Championship’s for winning.”

There’s no doubt that getting your hands on Liam McCarthy is the mecca.

Following the gut-wrenching semi-final loss to Waterford last November, whispers started, the rumour mill was in full effect... Was the 2021 campaign to be the last at the helm for the Cats supremo Cody?

With DJ gone from the backroom team, tactics being questioned, and worries over the development of underage hurling in the county rife, what was to become of the future for the black and amber? Wins over Dublin and Antrim are not admired, but demanded.

The answers to some of these questions may not be known until later in the year, but a league victory over the Model County and quieting down Davy, may restore some faith in what may be a final season hurrah for Cody, the James Stephens clubman.

Appointing rising star Adrian Mullen as captain, isn’t without risk. Returning from injury and finding your rhythm is hard enough without the pressure of leading the most successful county in hurling history – the presence of fellow Ballyhale man TJ Reid will be crucial in Mullen’s development at inter-county level as he seeks to become the ‘main man’ for Kilkenny for the years to come.

Kilkenny expects.

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O’Loughlin’s camogie juvenile team

Sport

t u o Ab Out &

WITH

Dannryt Laha

O’Loughlin’s camogie juvenile team in training

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021

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O’Loughlin’s camogie juvenile team

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Motoring

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021

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Motors Classifieds

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

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

JOHANNA (HANNAH) BYRNE BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE 4th Birthday Away From Home Johanna (Hannah) Byrne whose birthday occurs on 22nd May. Today always meant so much to me Now it only brings me tears I wish that God could have spared you For just a few more years

MAM Thinking of you always Mam, especially today ANGELA QUIGLEY 10TH ANNIVERSARY In loving memory of our dear Mother and Grandmother who died on 24th May 2011.

I’m thinking of you today Nan I know that’s nothing new You were my thoughts of yesterday And you’ll be in tomorrows too

As it is ten years since he took you in his arms to Heaven, Our memories are like bright stars in the sky, They sparkle through our darkest times; to make us laugh, And know that you are with us each day.

The memories I’ll treasure forever They always make me smile I just wish I could hold you again If only for a while

We love and miss you so very much And we will never forget you Mam, Your love will be with us always, until we are together again.

But until the day that we unite When we’ll no longer be apart But until that day, remember Nan You are always in my heart

With love Patricia, John, Eamonn, Anthony, Elizabeth, Deirdre, Clare, Trisha, Emma, Rebecca, Con, Mary and Paul nieces and nephews.

Happy Birthday Love your Grandson Joseph XXX

The Miracle Prayer

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.OB

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. K.H

The Miracle Prayer

The Miracle Prayer

Angela’s 10th Anniversary Mass is being celebrated on Sunday 23rd May 2021 at 11.30am St. Canices Church, Kilkenny.

MAY YOU REST IN PEACE MAM; IN GOD’S EXTERNAL LOVE

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

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.K

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021

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Memoriams/Miracle prayers

News Planning notices

Planning notices KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL Dive and Marine Contractors Limited have applied for Planning Permission for a single storey office building including services and new foul water treatment system, landscaping with all ancillary services and associated site works at Newtown, Bonnettstown, Co. Kilkenny – Planning Reference P20/726 refers.

Significant further information / revised plans have been furnished to the Planning Authority in respect of this proposed development and is available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours of 9:00am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 4:00pm The Significant Further Information includes for revised boundary, revised internal car parking, revised percolation area details and associated works. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the Planning Authority within the period of 2 weeks from the date of receipt of the revised public notices. A submission or observation must be accompanied by the prescribed fee of €20, except in the case of a person or body who has already made a submission or observation and such submission or observation will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Applicant: Dive and Marine Contractors Limited

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 21 May 2021