Kilkenny Observer 22nd September 2023

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Friday 22 September 2023

On The Land Time to show respect for our farmers  Marianne Heron, page 12

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For The Record What your music tastes say about you  See page 18

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

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Our winning companies Two Kilkenny companies have been awarded Ireland’s Best Managed Companies accolade at the 15th annual awards programme, led by Deloitte in association with Bank of Ireland.

Among the winning companies were local firms CluneTech and Modubuild. Both requalified this year having also been recognised in previous years at the awards.

CluneTech is a suite of companies providing industryleading solutions that simplify global business. Our technology streamlines processes such as digital sales, global payroll, tax compliance, global VAT & cross-border payments, making business better for our customers worldwide.

Modubuild specialise in rapid delivery of both modular on-

site and off site construction solutions on some of Europe’s largest and most complex high-tech projects primarily in the biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical and data centre sectors.

Deloitte recognised 130 indigenous companies at the awards representing 24 of the 32 counties across the country.

The network of companies

has a combined turnover of €17 billion and €3 billion of exports sales, providing employment for over 53,000 people across Ireland across a range of sectors – from manufacturing and tech to construction and food and beverage. A detailed judging process precedes the recognition, evaluating the entire management team and business strategy. The judges

look beyond financial performance at areas such as a company’s environmental, social and governance standards, strategic planning and talent strategy, when awarding Ireland’s top privately owned businesses.

There aWEe several other award categories with the Family Business Award going to Cork’s Musgrave Group.

Garda probe in care home death

Where few of us have gone...

A criminal investigation into the death of a nursing home resident during the Covid-19 pandemic, has been opened

by Gardai.

The inquiries relate to a nursing home in the south of the country and centre around the care and treatment given to the resident in the lead-up to their death.

A significant number of residents in the home died after contracting Covid-19.

Full story Page 6

Space Week is fast approaching, and Irish stargazers are already planning to celebrate their passion for science by attending many of the out of this world events programmed all around the country from October 4 to 10. Space Week is funded by Science Foundation Ireland and coordinated by MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory.

The festival, which aims to ignite a passion for space science and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and astronauts, coincides with World Space Week and is the nation’s premier celebration of space exploration and science. Over the week, the public can explore a space-themed festival of events and a captivating series of workshops, lectures, exhibitions, throughout the country.

Inflation hasn’t gone away, you know Inflation is to slow but keep growing up to 2025, the Central Bank predicts, with Government spending set to contribute to future prices increases.

Prices are expected to rise by 5.4% on average this year, slowing to 3.2% next year and 2.3% in 2025, the bank said in its latest quarterly economic bulletin.

Special Report Page 14

* For the full programme including events near you online at www.spaceweek.ie

History takes its toll on Kilkenny driver A Kilkenny motorist cited laws that are more than 800 years old in an attempt to avoid a charge related to seven unpaid tolls on the M50.

Stephen Delaney, of Fatima Place, Kilkenny City, was among several drivers fined a total of €379,000 in cases involving hundreds of unpaid M50 tolls.

The 26 M50 toll proceedings at Dublin District Court in-

The Best Comment & Opinion in Kilkenny

cluded a driver who used the motorway almost 500 times.

Mr Delaney cited the Magna Carta Hiberniae of 1216 and an ancient charter as he tried to get his road charges dropped. He was contesting the civil case against him regarding seven unpaid journeys on the motorway.

Mr Delaney argued that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), the state agency

Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath TD, said: “Despite challenging headwinds and uncertainty, the Irish economy continues to perform remarkably well and the contribution that these companies make cannot be understated — providing employment to over 53,000 individuals and contributing €3b. to our export sales.”

dealing with road and public transport infrastructure, did not have the authority to enforce tolls.

Mr Delaney, representing himself, referred to Earl John’s Charter to Dublin from 1192, exempting everyone under his dominion from tolls.

He submitted the Magna Carta Hiberniae of 1216 carried that over to all the king’s heirs, and those rights were

continued in the Irish Free State constitution and later Bunreacht na hÉireann.

Thomas Rice BL, for TII, counter-argued that Bunreacht na hÉireann prevented pre-independence legislation from scrutinising current laws.

He also asked the court to note that tolls had been part of Ireland’s history prior to independence.

Judge Anthony Halpin re-

jected Mr Delaney’s submissions and said his “esoteric” arguments did not trump the State’s Constitution.

He ordered him to pay the charges, which totalled €1,077, plus TII’s legal costs.

A total of 24 private car owners and two commercial van owners were among the motorists fined between €5,000 and €19,000 after they failed to come to court.

Tulsa children reports ‘deleted’ The Department of Children has said it deleted reports pertaining to the welfare of children in State care due to concerns that processing the information would breach data protection regulations.

In May, the retired Judge Dermot Simms emailed the Minister, attaching four reports that expressed concern about children taken into care by Tusla.

Three out of four reports were deleted.

PAUL HOPKINS

MARIANNE HERON

JOHN ELLIS

GERRY MORAN

Telling it like it is.

And with no holds barred

A straight shooter.

Considerate and wise words

Great advice.

Your money in mind

Quirky take on bright side of life

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

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Kilkenny Design in new fashion merger The quintessential Irish retailer Kilkenny Design has announced its collaboration with design duo Lennon Courtney. The new lifestyle brand has been unveiled by Kilkenny Design CEO Evelyn Moynihan.

Kilkenny Design which celebrates 60 years in business this year – since its humble beginnings in the Marble City – is embarking on an ambitious growth plan while remaining true to its heritage of promoting Irish design.

The celebrated Irish fashion design label Lennon Courtney was established in 2013, by designers Sonya Lennon and Brendan Courtney.

Introducing confidence, colour and comfort to stylish wardrobes, Lennon Courtney X Kilkenny Design has created a lifestyle brand, evolving into homewares and accessories too, alongside a unique new stand-out clothing collection. The planning and roll-out of the new range, is described as a distinctive signature brand for Kilkenny Design, and a bold move in Ireland’s highend fashion and lifestyle scene.

Bringing colour to lives and living spaces, the lifestyle brand dresses individuals and their homes, according to designer, Sonya Lennon.

Pricing is affordable for high quality design and fabric, with clothing from €55 for tops, while accessories start from €20 and homewares as little as €15. Lennon Courtney at Kilkenny Design is very much at the inexpensive end of the pricing spectrum for designer ‘investKilkenny was originally ment pieces’. set up as Kilkenny Design Strong demand is exWorkshops (KDW) in pected for the new Irish April 1963 by the Govdesign collaboration feaernment to help develop turing knitwear, trousers, novice Irish craft makers skirts and dresses, coats into self-sufficient entreand jackets, as well as preneurs and to create special occasion wear. sustainable design jobs in The first AW23 Lennon Ireland.

Courtney X Kilkenny The idea of a StateDesign collection will sponsored design agency arrive online and instore was quite revolutionary countrywide from 9am at the time and has since on October 26. Custombeen replicated by other ers can sign up online countries. at www.kilkennydesign.

Designers and craftscom for exclusive early people from all over access.

Ireland were asked to Also, this year, Kilkenny relocate to Kilkenny town, Design embarked on a where they shared skills, new own-brand journey, and worked collaboralaunching a first private tively to build links with label, The Heritage Colindustry and grow the lection. market for Irish design It centres on core Aran and manufacture. knitwear lines for women and men, in contemporary styling and colourways, as well as luxury throws, produced in Donegal, by McNutt.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN..

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Gardai probe nurse-home death A criminal investigation into the death of a nursing home resident during the Covid-19 pandemic, has been opened by Gardai.

The inquiries relate to a nursing home in the south of the country and centre around the care and treatment given to the resident in the lead-up to their death.

A significant number of residents in the home died after contracting Covid-19.

A team of detectives have begun taking statements from relatives of the deceased, current and former staff at the facility, funeral undertakers and other relevant parties. Inquiries are ongoing.

In a statement, Gardaí said they “are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death in a residential facility in Cork in February 2021”.

A source close to the investigation described it as a “test case” which was hoped would lead to charges.

News of the investigation

Local stores receive top honours at retail awards Three Kilkenny Londis stores won top honours when retailers from every corner of the country, including Kilkenny, descended on the Armada Hotel in Co Clare recently for the 2023 Londis Retailing Awards.

The Londis Retailing Excellence Awards have been running for more than 20 years and recognises stores that excel across all areas of store performance. This year more than 80 Londis retailers received Retailing Awards, including three stores from Kilkenny.

The Londis stores to receive Londis Retailing Awards are: • Stephen Walsh’s Londis Callan • Patrick and Sharon Holligan’s Londis College Road • Drury Stein’s Londis Castlecomer Congratulating all Londis retailers on the night, Conor Hayes, Sales Director, Londis said: “This year we are excited to see a return of the prestigious Londis Retailing Awards. These awards are recognition of the commitment and ambition demonstrated by these retailers to keep providing the highest level of service to their customers. Their focus on continually exceeding customer

expectations is a testament to the hard work of their staff, for which they should be very proud. I want to congratulate all the Kilkenny retailers and their teams on this outstanding achievement.”

In winning these awards, the stores were independently examined across a range of criteria including customer service, the quality of their fresh food offering, product range, and the store’s commitment to upholding the highest standards across all facets of their stores. This includes the addition of robust BWG Food Safety and Hygiene audits to this year’s Programme.

These exemplary Londis retailers received their award in recognition of their commitment to implementing exceptionally high standards throughout their store, thereby providing an excellent customer experience to their local community.

This year’s awards were held as part of the Londis Conference 2023 entitled Achieving Together, which was chaired by sports journalist Evanne Ni Chuillinn. Special guest speakers included legendary rugby player and coach, Ronan O’Gara, outstanding jockey Rachel Blackmore and endurance athlete and motivation speaker Gerry Duffy.

comes as families of some of those who died in nursing homes continue to initiate civil action against the private and State-run operators of the facilities.

To date, a total of 59 families are to sue the HSE for damages after their loved ones contracted Covid-19 and died while in the care

of State-run facilities and private nursing homes.

The State Claims Agency (SCA), which manages personal injury and property damage claims taken against the State and state authorities, said the claims relate to deaths that occurred in private nursing homes, community health

units and hospitals during the pandemic.

In a breakdown of the claims that have been initiated, the SCA said that 43 related to private nursing homes, six to acute hospitals and 10 to community settings. Two claims relate to the death of a healthcare worker.

Savouring the Green energy at Kilkenny’s leading food fest

Kilkenny’s Savour Food Festival is set to return from October 27-30 and the weekend is set to have most of its energy produced from bio-fuel, meaning that the festival’s sustainability will be even further enhanced this year.

Events on the scale of Savour depend on electricity from generators to power the festival and outside of the transport of visitors to festivals, diesel generators are the biggest contributor to carbon emissions of festivals.

Tipperary company, Event Power Ltd, have provided the electrical services to the festival for the last number of years and have a national reputation for providing energy services to major outdoor events.

Speaking about the making environmental changes at Savour, Festival Manager,

Marian Flannery, said that they were delighted to be able to source and use biofuel powered generators to Savour Kilkenny this year thus eliminating the use of diesel.

“We are very conscious of the festival’s huge efforts to have the lowest carbon footprint it can achieve. As a local community organisation, we are also conscious of our responsibility to ensure that the energy sources we use at our event are as environmentally sustainable as possible.

Biofuels utilise by-products from the food industry such as tallow and repurposed cooking oils to create a fuel proven to significantly diminish the reliance on fossil fuels across various sectors,” she said.

“The bio fuel to be used at Savour 2023 is HVO – Hy-

drotreated Vegetable Oil – a diesel-like fuel that can be produced without fossil resources by processing renewable waste lipids. We are delighted that our suppliers will use bio-fuels to replaces diesel which was traditionally used in power generation at Savour Kilkenny.”

Festival Chairperson, Ger Mullally, said that the festival committee were delighted with this step forward in its energy conservation: “We are very happy that this change from dieselpowered generators and what it says about the environmental commitment of our festival. The fact that the oil used comes from the food industry obviously contributes to our long-standing farm to fork approach,”he said.

“We will take action wherever possible to reduce our

own carbon emissions and support a greener, more sustainable approach and using cleaner sources of power aligns with the Failte Ireland Festivals Climate action guidelines.

“We are very conscious of the importance of environmental protection for the food sector,” he said.

“We have to play our part in ensuring that the rich food heritage of Kilkenny and the South East region continues for future generations. This switch from fossil fuels to renewable fuel is a new part our contribution to these values.”

Savour Food Festival is due to officially launch this year’s line up next week. * For further information contact Aileen Gaskin 087 7724 717 / aileen@communicationsclinic.ie

Farmers being ‘priced out of land market by investors’ An increase of non-farming land investors is driving up prices and concerning farm leaders, who fear farmers will be priced out of the market with €15,000/ac the new norm for farmland.

There are now calls for greater restrictions on who can avail of inheritance tax reliefs offered to farmers

when transferring land in a bid to prevent it being hoarded by businesses.

Auctioneers around the country, as part of a Farming Independent property price survey for the first eight months of the year, say there is growing interest from investors and people outside of farming, which is leading to

an increase in land prices.

They also say some of the non-farming interest is coming from investors leaving the housing rental sector to buy land, with the business investor now a real force in the market.

“There are a lot of businesspeople buying land and this land is not going out of

farming — they are leasing it to active farmers and are buying land in preference to residential property,” according to Kilkenny auctioneer Joe Coogan.

Meanwhile, property firm Savills said in a new report that farmland continues to be a safe haven for capital and a hedge against inflation with

capital and income returns for investors.

Speaking to the Farming Independent, IFA presidential candidates Martin Stapleton and Francie Gorman both called for greater restrictions on who should qualify for Agricultural Relief.

“It is clear for some time now that agricultural land is

becoming an ever more attractive option for people to invest in,” said Stapleton.

“I believe this attraction is driven by the combination of the income tax exemption on long-term land lease income and the Agricultural Relief on gift/inheritance tax, which can be availed of by having a suitable qualifying tenant.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

Opinion

The Fact Of OfThe Matter Paul Hopkins

It’s slowly dawning on us – road speed kills Irish roads have witnessed an inordinate number of tragedies this summer, to such a degree that Junior Transport Minister Jack Chambers will bring a comprehensive speed-limit review to Cabinet within weeks. The Government hopes this review will make roads safer and reduce deaths and injuries.

This year 127 people have died on our roads, a 25 per cent increase on the same time last year. August was a wicked month with 26 people killed on our roads, the highest in years.

On top of those tragedies, there were more than 600 ‘serious’ road collisions by the end of August, in effect people suffering life-changing injuries.

Assistant Commissioner for Roads Policing Paula Hilman says speed is a factor in the rising death rates.

More than 1,700 people were

detected speeding over the recent August bank holiday weekend, “with one person doing more than 200kmh”.

Also cited for the ongoing carnage are drink or drug driving, failure to wear seat belts and drivers being distracted by their smartphones.

As a motorist of some 45 years I have only run foul of the law twice and both while I was working and living in Belfast in the years 2007 to 2013. In one instance I was pulled over and got just a good ticking off because my car tax was a week out of date.

Then there was the time I was caught speeding – and, yes, I’m as guilty as the next person of speeding on many an occasion. The time I was caught I was barely in excess of the 60mph limit.

There was, however, according to the police officer who had copped me, a ‘get out’ clause. I had a choice.

Had I contested the matter and proceeded to court I could have faced up to a £1,000 fine if found culpable.

At the least it was going to be a 60 quid fine and three points on my unblemished licence, or I could opt for the ‘get out’ clause, which was to sign up for a four-hour course – run by the Automobile Association and the PSNI – on the inevitable dangers of ‘speeding’ and all at a onetime only, never, hopefully, (honest, from here on, I was going to be the slow guy in the hard shoulder making the 39mph trek home) tobe-repeated sum of £86.81 pence.

And I thought of all the times I had put the boot down driving in to and out of Belfast those six years and had got away with it and what would I learn from just a quick fine and penalty points? Nothing.

And, so, perhaps this four-

hour course might teach me something. Life should always be something of a learning curve and so I opted to sign up for the course.

On the day there were

“I’m as guilty as the next on speeding on many an occasion ...

about 25 of us in a room in a building somewhere in Bangor, somewhere I cannot now recall. This I do recall, however. The women there that day outnumbered us males by about two to one. I make no further comment on this fact.

My recall of the four-hour ‘lesson’ by a burly PSNI officer is one that was fascinating and hugely informative. One lesson I took away from the gathering was to always use your peripheral eyesight and anticipate the unexpected – the child with the football on the footpath and the ball rolling out on the road and the child running out in front of you; the unattended dog that may just wander onto the road.

The main thing, however, I learnt was about speeding and it was this: hit someone at 30kph and they have a 90% chance of living through the ordeal. Hit them at just

38kpm and their chance of survival is just 25%.

Meanwhile, Barry Aldworth of AA Ireland says 30kmh zones need to be implemented properly. “It’s very easy to change a speed limit or change a signpost – changing behaviour is much harder,” he says.

EU legislation requiring all new vehicles sold from July 2022 to have built-in speedometers is a positive step. Such new cars will react to the driver exceeding the limit – which it knows from ‘reading’ road signs or GPS data – and then takes steps to slow down the car.

The evidence is clear.

Higher speeds are known to make car crashes more likely because they reduce the time a driver has to react, increase the distance required to stop the vehicle, and increase the energy involved in a crash, raising the odds of fatality.

Speed kills. Period.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

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Budget needs to maximise existing digital spend Technology Ireland, the Ibec group representing the technology industry, in its submission for Budget 2024, is calling on the Government to use the Budget to maximise existing digital spending in the National Development Plan and to introduce a new multi-annual ‘National Digital Agenda Accelerator Fund’.

Following a challenging 12

months for the technology sector in Ireland, the global economy is on the brink of significant changes driven by the rapid advancement of technology. The technology sector, vital to Ireland’s recovery and resilience in the past decade, requires the Government to prioritise the goals set out in the National Digital Strategy.

Una Fitzpatrick, Director

Good news in funding for home buyers and builders Funding to help people to purchase their own homes is to be extended to those building their own homes.-From this week, the First Home scheme is to be widened to include self-builders who are constructing their first home.

The scheme was set up to help first-time buyers to bridge the gap between their mortgage, deposit and the price of a new home.

With €400m put into it, the scheme had approved 2,000 first-time buyers in its first year, with this figure set to be exceeded in year two, its chief executive Michael Broderick said.

Up to now, it has been open only to people buying new houses and apartments in private developments, and to renters whose landlords were planning to sell the property they are renting.

Extending it means that selfbuild customers can benefit from financial support of up to 30% of the total build cost of their home, to add to their self-build mortgage and deposit. Applications from self-build customers can be made online from tomorrow.

The shared equity scheme was rolled out in July last year.

It means the state body, First Home Scheme Ireland, takes a stake in the home that can be redeemed later.

Typical support for those using the scheme is €68,000.

The scheme application process runs in parallel with the mortgage application process.

Mr Broderick said this meant that self-build mortgage applications should continue to be

made separately through participating lenders.

The scheme is available to qualifying homebuyers and self-build customers who are taking out mortgages from AIB, Bank of Ireland or Permanent TSB. In its first year, almost 2,000 buyers in 24 counties were approved for the scheme and almost 500 homes in 20 counties were bought using the scheme.

Eligibility for the scheme was extended to thousands of additional first-time buyers with effect from January 1, following the widening of eligibility criteria for homes in 30 of Ireland's 31 local authority areas, with the limit for eligible homes increasing by up to €75,000.

Houses with prices of up to €475,000 and apartments with prices of up to €500,000 are currently eligible for the scheme, depending on their location.

Approximately 80p% of live approvals have been for buyers in Dublin, Cork, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow, with the remaining approximately 20pc spread across 19 counties throughout Ireland.

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien said those who were building their own homes could now benefit from this scheme, which was a particularly important development for people who live in more rural locations who may have a site but not the full level of finance they need to build their new home.

"We designed this scheme to be flexible and to evolve so that it can help as many people as possible,” Mr O'Brien said.

of Technology Ireland, said: “Ireland aims to maximise its planned digital investment, but it's imperative that we double down on futureproofing digital innovation, skills, adoption, and services throughout the upcoming budgets and into the latter half of this decade.

"Ireland has a significant opportunity to enhance its

performance in innovation, digital, and AI capabilities.

This isn't solely about being a hub for scientific innovation, but ensuring both companies and individuals can adapt to new technologies, thereby enhancing our overall absorptive capacity. This encompasses skills development for all ages, backing research and development, bolstering infra-

structure, ensuring regulatory consistency and adequate resources, among other things.

It's also about positioning Ireland on a global scale, ensuring companies benefit from the discipline of global markets sooner," she said The Government should allocate resources for this pivotal investment in our future by creating a new mul-

In tune: Oscars conductor and composer Eimear Noone at the launch of the 2023 Top Security/Frank Maher Classical Music Awards for talented teens with 18-year-old Daimee Ng, last year’s winner

Top teen talent sought for €5,000 classical music annual prize Eimear Noone, the awardwinning Galway composer and conductor, has lent her support to the 2023 Top Security/Frank Maher Classical Music Awards for talented teens. With a €5,000 prize for the winner, it is Ireland’s largest classic music competition for secondary schools.

To launch the call for entries for this year’s competition, the Oscars con-

ductor took part in a photocall with the 2022 winner, violinist Daimee Ng. Eimear Noone said: “Support for young artists and creative professionals is something we need more of in Ireland.

Congratulations to the team behind the Frank Maher Awards for making a positive impact on young musicians both professionally and psychologically.”

Last year’s winner, 18-year-old Daimee Ng from The High School in Dublin achieved top honours in her Leaving Cert and has decided to forgo her university offers to pursue a career in music.

Daimee said: “It was wonderful to meet and play for Eimear Noone, she was incredibly supportive and gave me a lot of advice and encouragement. I’m now

tiannual ‘National Digital Agenda Accelerator Fund’ and by leveraging the NTF (National Training Fund).

This fund would boost our competitiveness, resilience, public services, regional development, and well-being, while also meeting our national and EU digital transition goals from 2024 to 2030 and beyond.

taking a gap year to attend masterclasses and explore the opportunities that the wider musical world has to offer before I audition for several renowned music colleges in Europe to start the next stage of my musical journey.”

The Top Security/Frank Maher Classical Music Awards were created in 2001 by Emmet O’Rafferty, chairman of the Top Security Group, to honour the memory of his late teacher, Fr Frank Maher, a pioneer in the nurturing of musical talent in secondary schools. The Awards went nationwide in 2012.

Emmet O'Rafferty said: “The Awards are now in its twelfth year of national competition, and we’re continually delighted at the calibre of teenage talent that it attracts, with many of our winners going on to make careers in this field. Thank you to Eimear Noone for lending her wonderful support to the launch of this year’s search for entries and we’re very much looking forward to meeting this year’s talented finalists.”

The award entrants are a rollcall of rising young Irish classical music talent. Past winners include pianists Kevin Jansson and Aidan Chan, violinists Julieanne Forrest and Mairead Hickey and cellists Killian White and Sinead O’Halloran.

All the winners have received national and international recognition for their achievements, and many have used their prize money as a springboard to fund their studies at some of the world’s most renowned music colleges and institutions. These include Juilliard School, MUK Vienna, Barenboim-Said Akademie, Royal College of Music, Conservatoire Nationale Superieur de Musique et de Danse and Kronberg Academy.

The Awards are open to sixth year post-primary students of string, woodwind, brass and piano. The €5,000 top prize will be used by the winner to attend a recognised place of tuition, a course of study in Ireland or abroad or on a purchase necessary for the development of their talent. The remaining finalists will each receive a €300 bursary.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

Opinion

As I See It Marianne Heron

Time to cultivate a respect for farmers My efforts at growing things to eat have not been a success this year. In fact, were we to depend on my crops to survive my patch would be declared a famine area. It wasn’t that the fruit and veg didn’t make an effort to grow – they did – but was what happened to them before I got a fork near my farmed produce.

What began as a project in the time of Covid began promisingly and my enthusiasm for growing my own ripened last year. But this year has been a lesson in horticultural humility, despite all my manuring, weeding and watering.

White caterpillars reduced the purple-sprouting broccoli to skeletons during the couple of days I wasn’t massacring the voracious pests (their revenge I suppose).

The first early spuds were

the size of marbles and the courgettes got lethal mildew The wettest July on record caused the tomatoes to split and cut flies ate all the leaves on my gooseberry bushes so that their fruit failed and the bushes died (what kind of mad insect kills off its source of food?) I could go on but you get the picture and, if nothing else, I my respect for farmers has grown massively.

Whatever the activity from dairying to tillage, farmers contend with multiple challenges aside from pests, disease and weather. Rising costs, falling prices, climate change, pressure to reduce carbon emissions, cut down on herd numbers, rewet land for nature restoration and ever-increasing regulation from Europe are all ramping up the pressure on

the sector.

In some instances, farmers are being asked to do an about-turn on previous policy, having been told to drain land, they are now being told to rewet it or, having been encouraged to increase dairy production, they now being pressured to reduce cattle numbers.

Last week the dairy sector had had enough and they revolted in protest over nitrate regulations which means that the ratio of nitrates – basically manure-to land – must be reduced.

This means that either famers need to cull their herds to reduce the amount of manure produced or else get more land on which to spread the muck. The EU had decided not to change its derogation for Ireland on nitrate rules plus, to add to farmer’s woes, farm pay-

ments were delayed.

Earlier this month it was the turn of pig farmers to voice their problems when a report showed that almost half the country’s pig farmers will be forced to quit if severe staff shortages can’t be sorted out promptly.

The blistering early September temperatures and extraordinary weather this year are a warning of future impact on crop and grass growth, never mind the effect of drought or floods, all of which involve changes to harvesting and planting dates, extra expense and the threat of new diseases.

Farmers have their own cost of living crisis; the cost of diesel and fertiliser has gone up 25% while at the same time efforts to combat the general CL crisis may impact on them, like the

recent milk price war in supermarkets.

Leaving aside the vocational aspect and satisfaction in working the land, farming facts tells its own story. Of the country’s 135,000 or so farms only 20% rely solely on farming, according to the Teagasc farm survey, Some 56% must rely on off-farm employment to make ends meet while 27% are classified as vulnerable, while the average age of farmers is 58, and the average income was just €45,809 last year. Only those in the dairy sector and tillage make above average incomes.

Food production here is geared to export feeding into a hefty €7.2bn. worth of food and drink exports and we don’t rely nearly as much on home-grown

produce, compared with our neighbours the UK and Sprain produce more than 60% of their own food needs compared with our 14.5%.

As well as respect I must say I feel a good deal of sympathy for farmers.

They seem to come under more pressure than the rest of us to take action to reduce greenhouse gasses although the call to farmers cut carbon emissions by 25% is non-mandatory and is incentivised.

Maybe it’s human nature to ‘other blame’ and point the finger at other sectors over greenhouse gasses but I suspect that farmers are more prepared to make changes than the rest of us are.

We could follow their example and respect them too.

Should you take Vitamin D CLAIR WHITTY

Vitamin D is a popular supplement for all the family. During Covid it became even more so with the government recommending that we take it to help reduce the likelihood of infection. Vitamin D is also important for your bones, teeth, and muscles, and may help regulate mood too.

Our body creates Vitamin D from sunshine when our skin is exposed to sunlight.

In Ireland we often don’t get enough sun, often just an odd week here and there in the summer. In winter the sun is too low in the sky to be of benefit to us. With this in mind I think most of us could benefit from topping up with Vitamin D. Food sources of Vitamin D can include oily fish, liver, egg yolks, and some foods will be fortified with it.

Should you start taking Vitamin D now? This year with reports of rising numbers of infections I think Vitamin D is going to be more important than ever. So, yes, I would start taking Vitamin D as soon

as possible. It is in lots of our winter supplements where it is combined with other immune supporting vitamins, antioxidants or herbs to support the immune system. You could take one of these supplements but I know that many of you prefer to take it as a standalone vitamin and lots of you love the BetterYou Vitamin D Oral Spray both for convenience and for effectiveness.

Or there’s Oral Spray with Vitamin K2 to enhance absorption of Vitamin D. I often get asked if you can take too much Vitamin D. This is rare, but possible. If you take too much Vitamin D over a long period of time it can cause too much calcium to build up. Generally, you wouldn’t know this was happening and it could weaken the bones or cause damage to the kidneys and the heart. If you have been taking Vitamin D for some time, it would be wise to test. Your GP can check. Or choose from The MyBio™ or the Wild Atlantic Vitamin D Test Kits for testing from the comfort of your own home.

Those of you who take Vitamin D seasonally should be ok to do the same this year. Let us know if you have any questions about Vitamin D. Shop online www.naturalhealthstore.ie

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

News

SPECIAL REPORT Inflation is to slow but keep growing up to 2025, the Central Bank predicts, with Government spending set to contribute to future prices increases.

Prices are expected to rise by 5.4% on average this year, slowing to 3.2% next year and 2.3% in 2025, the bank said in its latest quarterly economic bulletin.

That is down from close to 8% last year. The European Union’s target is 2%.

But inflation could speed up if energy prices, government supports or wages pick up, the risks of which are growing, the Central Bank said.

With the economy “operating at capacity”, the bank warned the Government not to fan the flames of demand with untargetted one-off measures or permanent spending increases.

“We are definitely entering a period where fiscal [policy] is now making a larger contribution to demand stimulus than had been anticipated six months ago, and it will produce inflationary pressures,” said Robert Kelly, the Central Bank’s director of economics and statistics.

He said additional measures closer to Budget Day would increase inflationary pressure, saying: “What’s the harm in having slightly higher inflation? The reality is, if that is allowed to maintain, it really does start to impact our competitiveness.”

The comments echo earlier warnings from the State’s Budget watchdog, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, which said the Government risked its credibility by breaching its own spending rule this year, thanks to a €6.4bn core budget package, plus contingencies.

The good news is that inflation is set to stop eating into purchasing power in the second half of this year, the Central Bank said,

Inflation: it hasn’t gone away, you know

thanks to slowing price hikes coupled with rising wages.

Overall, the forecast shows the economy is slowing but growing.

Modified domestic demand (MDD) is set to expand by 2.9% this year, which is far lower than was predicted in June, due to a dip in exports, particularly from foreign-owned pharmaceutical firms.

It marks a sharp slowdown

from last year, when the domestic economy grew by 9.5%.

MDD strips out transactions such as patents and aircraft leasing, and is considered a better measure of the economy than gross domestic product (GDP).

MDD is expected to keep growing next year, slowing to 2.6pc, and falling slightly to 2.3% in 2025. GDP – which includes all multinational activity – is expected to keep

pace with the domestic economy this year, growing 2.9%.

That is despite the multinational-dependent side of the economy either shrinking or barely growing.

GDP is expected to grow by 2.5% next year and almost double to 4.8% by 2025, far outstripping the domestic economy.

The bank said the domestic economy grew faster than previously thought last year

“Slowing price hikes coupled with rising wages...

– it was 3% larger than original estimates – which points to inflation risks.

All of this means the Government should raise more taxes if it wants to increase household or business supports next year, the bank said.

It warned the Government not to act at “cross purposes” with the European Central Bank (ECB), which is trying to take the heat out of the eurozone economy.

Prices fall but we’re still paying more According to research group Kantar, grocery price inflation is continuing to decline, falling to the lowest level recorded since September last year.

However, consumers are still facing double-digit price rises, according to the research group.

A survey of more than 30,000 products in Irish supermarkets sowed that shoppers paid 11.5% more for these goods in the 12 weeks to September 3 compared with the same period last year.

This was down from the 12.8% reported by Kantar in August.

Shoppers visited stores more often in the four weeks to September 3, making one extra trip to the supermarket

across the month. However, they purchased on average one item less per trip, despite making more frequent shop-

ping trips. “This is the fourth month in a row that there has been a drop, down 1.3 percentage points compared to last month, which is encouraging for both shoppers and retailers,” business development director Emer Healy says.

“Although the rate of inflation is still relatively high, it is the lowest level we have seen in the last 12 months, and we expect it to continue to fall over the coming months,” she said.

The number of items sold on promotion was down by 0.6 percentage points compared with the same time last

year, but discounts remained available for savvy shoppers.

The research found that the percentage of sales sold on promotion is currently around 24.1pc.

Demand for own-label products continues to jump ahead of the branded equivalent.

Sales of own-brand items rose by almost 12% in the past 12 weeks, while the sales growth of branded products was just 5%.

Value own-label ranges – the cheapest on offer in supermarkets – recorded the strongest growth, with sales up 17.8%.

Shoppers are spending an

additional €10.3m on value products each year in an attempt to cut costs. Ownlabel now holds a value share of 47.9% in the Irish market, while brands follow with a value share of 46.6%.

The back-to-school period contributed to a surge in purchases at the end of the month as consumers prepared for the return of the daily lunch preparation.

Shoppers spent an additional €7.4m on biscuits in the four weeks to the start of September.

An additional €1m was spent on breakfast cereals, while cheese sales rose by €2.2m.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

Opinion

Your Money & You John Ellis

I was nearly the victim of a cash scam I was off for a few days last week and on one of the days I received a supposed call from Revolut telling me that there was suspicious activity on my account – A total of €76 has been sent to an account in India, but they had reversed it and the funds were now back in my account. But they needed to confirm my details to complete the process. I quickly opened my app and there was the money in the account!

Luckily I had been listening to Liveline the day before where people recounted how they were scammed by the very call I was now experiencing. The caller asked for confirmation that I had consented to the transfer, purporting to helping me get the money back into my account. If I had said no then a process would unfold that would entail revealing my card numbers etc.

I said yes, I had consented, completely confusing the caller and he immediately

hung up. But what was disturbing was how did the money get into my account in the first place, how did they link my mobile number with the account and, alarmingly, how did they move the money in and back out of my account again as I watched?

There are at least a thousand scam calls and texts to people each day in Ireland ranging from nuisance calls to determined efforts to fleece account holders. According to recent research by telecoms regulator ComReg, there were up to 89 million annoying/irritating communications and 31 million distressing communications with more than 5,000 businesses being victim of fraud after receiving scam calls and texts costing people a conservatively estimated €300 million a year.

New research commissioned by Revolut reveals that less than a third questioned said they were extremely confident that they could

spot a scam. A total of 64% of consumers have noticed a rise in online fraud and scams in the past 12 months, with 46% admitting to personally experiencing fraud, and 47% knowing someone else who has done so in the past year.

With one in 10 respondents saying they did not know of

the methods individuals can use to protect themselves against scams, 6% said they would not be able to spot a scam generally, while 67% said they were only somewhat confident they would be able to detect a fraud.

On the basis of these findings, Revolut is taking a novel

approach to raising its customers’ awareness of scams and help them defend themselves against fraudsters, with the launch of its new course.

The course is free, and can be accessed in the Revolut app by heading to Home > Hub > Learn.

The course will include five lessons: an introduction to fraud, purchase scams, investment scams, impersonation scams, and account takeover fraud, and has been developed by Revolut’s in-house fraud experts, and covers the most prevalent types of fraud.

Each lesson will include materials explaining the different types of fraud, how customers can protect themselves, and share examples of how these scams can take place, drawing on real-life examples.

Customers can then test what they have learnt, completing the lesson.

Aaron Elliott-Gross, Head of Fraud and Financial Crime at Revolut, said: “Through

the launch of our new in-app course on fraud, we aim to use education to empower our customers to feel more aware, more in control and better armed for action to spot criminals when they come across them online, on social media or over the phone.”

According to the company, they invest heavily to protect customers, with more than a third of their workforce working in a financial crime related role. The bank analyses every one of the 500m transactions its customers make every month for signs of fraud, and when its fraud model detects a scam risk, it intervenes and warns the customer.

But we the customers must be diligent in protecting ourselves from scams, so taking this free course would be one step in self-protection. john@ellisfinancial.ie 086 8362622

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

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News

Civic Reception honours exceptional athletes Gemma Haire and Margaret Turley for their achievements at the Special Olympics World Games Photos by Vicky Comerford The Cathaoirleach, Cllr.

Michael Doyle, and the Elected Members of Kilkenny County Council, extended Civic Recognition yesterday evening to two exceptional individuals who have brought immense pride to our County through their extraordinary achievements in the world of sport. We celebrated Gemma Haire and Margaret Turley, two athletes who have displayed determination and resilience on their journey to represent Ireland and Kilkenny at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin.

The Special Olympics World Games, an event uniting athletes from 187 nations, witnessed Gemma and Margaret shine brilliantly, showcasing their exceptional talents and dedication.

For these remarkable athletes, the Games represented far more than just a competition; they symbolised the culmination of years of hard work and the realisation of dreams.

Gemma Haire, a 23-yearold native of Graiguenamanagh, made our County proud by donning the Irish Equestrian Team jersey at the Special Olympic Games in Berlin. Her impressive achievements included securing 7th place in English Equitation and an astounding 1st place in Working Trials. Gemma's 15-year journey in Special Olympics, spanning various disciplines from swimming to kayaking, exemplifies her spirit, as embodied by her motto, "you can do it." Beyond her sporting prowess, Gemma's talents extend to filmmaking and radio hosting, showcasing her remarkable versatility.

Margaret Turley, aged 33 and a native of Kilkenny, has been living independently in Dublin since 2017, employed with Ernst & Young. Her journey into sports began in 2012 at Trinity College, where she passionately participated in basketball and skiing. Margaret's roots in sports trace back to her early

LtoR: Gemma Haire and Margaret Turley with Civic Recognition Certificates which were presented to them by Cathaoirleach and Elected Members of Kilkenny County Council

years in Kilkenny, where she engaged in swimming, bowling, bocce, and athletics as a dedicated member of the Special Olympics programme during her school days. Despite a setback in 2019 due to a broken wrist, Margaret's tenacity led her to achieve her long-held dream of representing Ireland at the Special Olympics World Games in 2023, where she clinched a gold medal.

Gemma and Margaret's remarkable journeys inspire us all, proving that dreams know no bounds. They have not only achieved excellence in Special Olympics but have also become examples of what can be accomplished with hard work and determination.

We also acknowledged the invaluable support of the Special Olympic Committees, coaches, and volunteers who have tirelessly nurtured and trained these athletes.

We commend them for their dedication and commit-

ment to Special Olympics.

Furthermore, the families of Gemma and Margaret, who have been pillars of support throughout their journeys, deserve our appreciation.

In conclusion, the Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council expressed his congratulations and admiration to all those involved in these incredible journeys, with special recognition for Gemma and Margaret. Cllr.

Michael Doyle said, “Gemma and Margaret have made Kilkenny incredibly proud, and their achievements will continue to inspire future generations of athletes in our great County.

As we celebrate Gemma and Margaret's remarkable achievements, let us remember the words of the famous Olympic swimmer, Michael Phelps, "You can't put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get."

These athletes have shown us that dreams can indeed become a reality.”

Margaret and Gemma with family and Elected Members and Officials of Kilkenny County Council

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

News Science & Wellbeing Every December since 2016, Spotify has run a hugely popular campaign where users get stats on which musicians and genres they listened to the most. The virtue of the campaign lies in the fact that people think that the kind of music they listen to says something about them. Research linking personality types to music preferences suggests that they are right.

Previous studies have hinted at a biological basis for music preferences. Hormones and environment shape the music someone likes. Scientists also have previously explored the relationships between particular music preferences and personality traits. A 2022 paper published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology looks at these relationships on a cross-cultural scale.

Researchers from Cambridge University and Bar-Ilan University reported that the correlations between personality types and musical genres are largely the same for people worldwide. What sounds pleasing to an introvert in Europe is also likely to make an Asian introvert groove.

The researchers used a widely used framework for studying music preferences.

Aptly named MUSIC, it boxes music genres into five different kinds — mellow, unpretentious, sophisticated, intense, and contemporary. While mellow features genres like soft rock and R&B, unpretentious includes country music; sophisticated, intense, and contemporary include jazz, rock, and rap music, respectively, among many others.

Personality types were also grouped into five types according to a popular model in psychology research: OCEAN. The five types are openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. As the names suggest, people with these personalities are likely to be inventive, dili-

What your music tastes say about you

gent, outgoing, friendly, and nervous, respectively.

The researchers had some hypotheses for the pairwise interactions between personality type and music preference.

For example, since openness is marked by a desire for new experiences, people with this personality type should be more likely to enjoy so-

phisticated music. Similarly, extroverts are likely to have fun listening to unpretentious tunes.

To determine if their hypotheses were correct and were applicable across the whole world, the researchers conducted two independent studies to assess musical preference. The first study analysed

data on nearly 285,000 individuals from across 53 countries.

The data was collected from an online quiz in which participants rated their preference for different genres in exchange for feedback about their personalities.

The second study used data from another website where the participants filled out a

questionnaire and rated audio clips from different genres.

The clips were sampled in a manner that lowered the chance that the participants had any prior experience with them, thereby eliminating bias. Data was collected from over 71,000 participants from 36 countries.

Music preference and per-

Why your pooch eats grass

Dogs wolf down all manner of mud, slugs, stones, nonexistent homework – and yes – poop. But have you ever wondered why they eat some of the things they do? For instance, exactly why do dogs eat grass?

Although the neuroscience of dogs is a growing field of study, scientists still can’t tell the exact motivation behind this puzzling behaviour.

“The little research that has looked into this question hasn’t been conclusive,” explains Dr Emily Blackwell, lecturer in companion animal behaviour and welfare at the University of Bristol.

“There could be a variety of plausible reasons for canine grazing – and there may be no one correct answer but several.”

So, with that said, what are the working explanations to why dogs eat grass?

First, it’s thought that eating grass could be a sign of anxi-

ety and conflict in dogs, possibly as they’re suppressing the urge to carry out another action.

“It may be a displacement behaviour – something that happens when an animal has coflicting motivations,” explains Blackwell. “It’s like when we’re sitting in the dentist’s waiting room. We may really want to run away, so we do something else like biting our nails to relieve the anxiety.”

However, in many dogs, eating grass may be a way of hounding you for affection.

“If owners react to this behaviour, then dogs quickly learn that’s a good way of getting attention,” says Blackwell.

“True, it’s not one of the most common attentionseeking behaviours, but it can develop for that reason. And if they don’t get a response from you, they may simply be grazing because they’ve not got a lot else to do.”

sonality. The authors found several interesting correlations. For instance, a listener of mellow music genres is more likely to be a woman, whereas a listener of intense music is more likely to be a man. While the preference for mellow music among women was true in all countries studied, the preference for intense music among men was split.

Men from the Western Hemisphere are more likely to enjoy intense music, whereas those from the Eastern Hemisphere, with the exception of Australia, dislike it.

Among older people, few have any tolerance for intense music, preferring to listen to mellow, unpretentious, or sophisticated genres instead.

An old person’s music preferences are similar to those of Asian people of all ages. Black and Latino people gravitated toward contemporary music.

The researchers also examined correlations between musical preferences and personality types both within and between countries. They noticed that the strength of correlations is closer for countries that are geographically adjacent. The only cluster of like-minded music fans that consisted of distant countries included Brazil, Argentina, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and South Africa. It isn’t clear what unites these countries, but the researchers suggested a warm climate as a possible factor.

While the research aimed to draw universal conclusions, that’s still not quite possible.

For example, everyone in the study listened to Western music and knew English. Further, even though the research included poor countries, it is likely that they sampled the relatively rich individuals in those countries, especially because the first study gathered data from 2003-2010 when internet penetration was far lower in many countries.

But what if your dog is feasting on the front lawn when you’re not around? Surely, that’s not a howl for attention, right? Indeed, it might – just might – be be- cause your pooch is trying to supplement their diet.

“Some have theorised dogs exhibit this behaviour to increase the fibre they eat,” says Blackwell. “However, this is only a theory. It hasn’t been tested whether dogs low in fibre and more likely to eat grass.”

What about the most worrying possibility: is your pup guzzling grass as they have upset stomach? Again, potentially. After all, it’s theorised wolves also consume grass to help purge their intestines of parasites.

However, it’s unlikely that grass causes your dog to be sick. One 2008 study found that while 68% of dogs regularly eat grass, only 22% of them are sick afterwards.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

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Travel & Leisure Much like pilots, flight attendants find themselves in a career that can take them across multiple time zones each week — sometimes multiple times a day. Couple that with long hours and irregular sleep patterns, and you’ll wonder: How do these travel professionals appear to handle jet lag, while passengers feel fatigue and insomnia almost instantly?

First, we need to understand just what ‘jet lag’ actually is.

Jet lag occurs when the body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm, is disrupted by crossing multiple time zones rapidly. The body struggles to realign its internal schedule (or your regular routine) with its new local time. There’s not one right or wrong way to adjust to your new time zone.

Everyone’s body is different.

It might take some trial and error to find out what works best for you.

Stay awake before your flight One former flight attendant says: “I operated one to three flights, one of which was a long-haul flight across the country. My schedule had me on duty for close to ten hours daily. By the time I landed in another time zone, I was ready to sleep. That nap after arrival, or overnight rest in some cases, instantly reset my internal clock.

“Now, as a business and leisure traveler, I have the luxury of sleeping (and not working the flight), so I arrive at my destination rested, but that jet lag still lurks just a few hours behind me. Try to stay awake on your flight; this will help you feel tired upon arrival and you can head straight to bed once you get to your accommodations. If you arrive earlier in the day, set an alarm and take a nap. Wake up, enjoy the rest of your day, and you should still be tired enough to sleep that evening, therefore

While there are many inspiring destinations across Europe for book lovers, Edinburgh — the capital of Scotland — is one of the best and the world’s first to be designated a Unesco City of Literature in 2004. With an impressive literary past and as a contemporary cornerstone of daily city life, Edinburgh celebrates Scotland’s most significant writers with monuments, museums, and festivals.

At the same time, it blends old classics with new talent in its many libraries and independent bookstores.

Plus, the city’s cobbled streets, stunning historic architecture, and friendly locals are just icing on the cake.

One can find tributes to literary greats throughout Edinburgh. For example, the famous Scott Monument is named after Sir Walter Scott, the author of Ivanhoe,

Ways to avoid the dreaded jet-lag

fully adjusting your body clock to the current time zone.”

Get some coffee and bananas The caffeine gives you a boost of energy and jolts you awake to either keep working or to get outside in your new time zone. For Angelo Bedford, a flight attendant, almost every work trip takes him through various time zones because of his location. When he has time off at home in Hawaii, Bedford says the beach relaxes and rejuvenates him.

But when it comes to a quick layover, he relies on “lots of water, sleep, and then coffee!”

For those who don’t drink coffee, Phil Rodriguez, a former flight attendant turned corporate airline employee, says: “Eat a banana instead.

It’s packed with vitamins and natural sugars that will give you a wake-up boost within minutes. It’ll last hours, and it won’t have you crash hard as coffee and caffeine will.”

Get outside and do some physical activity

Flight attendant Michella says she adjusts by “getting outside and walking”. She says exercise is one way to keep your body active while adapting to your new daylight hours while also tiring yourself to sleep.

Stick to one time zone To maintain a sense of consistency, many crew members play ‘make-believe’ with their time zones. Flight attendant Tamford Westeel says: “[You’re] basically making a conscious decision

Book Edinburgh: a good read between pages

to either live by the new time zone, or the one you departed from. But there’s no inbetween.”

She’s not alone. Some flight attendants don’t even try to adjust to the new time zone at all because their layover is so short — anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. They simply eat, rest, and return to the plane for their flight home.

To remember what the local time is in their base city, many crew members don’t even change the time on their wristwatches.

Finally, find strong moral support A good support system and encouragement can also help battle the effects of crossing time zones. Flight crews may have only just met each other for the first time prior to boarding, but they’re all in the same boat, well... plane. Crews make plans with each other for meals and excursions at the destination so they can encourage each other to stick to a schedule and adapt.

Rob Roy and many other classic novels. The gothic landmark in his honour stands proudly above Princess Street Gardens, and visitors can climb the 287 winding steps to the top for glorious city views.

There is another nod in Scott’s direction — Waverly Station, Edinburgh’s main train station, is named after Scott’s 1814 novel Waverly.

Also of interest to book lovers is the free Writer’s Museum, one of the best museums in Scotland, which is located in the heart of Old Town near the top of the Royal Mile.

This locale lets visitors peek at a wide range of personal items and books from three famous Scottish writers: Robert Louis Stevenson, Robert Burns, and Sir Walter Scott.

Additionally, the National Library of Scotland is the most extensive in the country and houses many

treasured works among its more than 20 million printed items.

Another favourite pastime for bibliophiles visiting Edinburgh is to explore the city’s many fantastic bookstores. Waterstones in the West End is one of the largest while a few independent gems include Lighthouse Bookshop for politics lovers, Rare Birds Bookshop for female authors, and McNaughtan’s for antique finds.

Edinburgh is also home to the world’s largest literary festival. The Edinburgh International Book Festival arrives every August and features over 500 writers and illustrators from around the world.

There’s also literary walking trails, including a literary pub tour! Edinburgh is a very walkable city, and for book lovers, what better way to explore than on a literary tour?

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

kilkennyobserver.ie

Opinion

Furthermore Gerry Moran

Getting on with – ‘getting on’,that is Hi, my name is Gerry, and I am an ‘elderly person’. I don’t want to be an ‘elderly person’ and I don’t like being an ‘elderly person’. But, time marches on, yours truly is ‘getting on’ and so, it’s an ‘elderly person’ I am. Oh, and there are two pieces of paper to prove it – one, my birth certificate and two, page 377 of my Oxford Concise Dictionary which defines ‘elderly’ as: ‘somewhat old, past middle age’ (Ouch! The truth hurts), And whatever about arguing with the Oxford Concise (and I wouldn’t dare) you certainly can’t argue with a birth cert. A birth cert is sacrosanct. A birth cert is infallible (unless, of course, espionage is your chosen profession. And good luck to you with that). A birth cert is imperative when applying for a passport or drawing down the old age pension, not to

mention free travel; best thing since the sliced-pan.

Except I am not into travel. I, who has had to be dragged to Tramore, let alone Tenerife or St Tropez.

Now, is elderly the same as old, you may well ask.

Then again you may not ask because you are a 30-something triathlon athlete for whom the words ‘elderly’ and ‘old’ are totally irrelevant.

Good for you. But they will be some day. That’s not a prophesy. That’s a fact. Of life.

Anyway, I’d rather be ‘elderly’ than ‘old’. ‘Old’ sounds – old! It sounds short and sharp. And final. Almost.

A bit too close to the bone, and the box, if you follow me.

‘Elderly’ on the other hand sounds more graceful, not a lot more graceful but more graceful than old.

I am in no frame of mind to entertain the notion of old, I’m doing rather well, I think,

coming to terms with the fact that I am elderly. Oh, a quick aside – here’s how you know if you’re old: if you slip on the street (on a banana skin, whatever) and people come running to help – you’re old.

If they laugh – you’re not old.

Not even elderly.

Following are a few pros and cons about being ‘elderly’. First, the word ‘pardon’ features regularly in your conversations – with your wife, your friends and your drinking companions.

The reason for this is because you have ‘elderly’ ears and more than likely require ‘elderly’ hearing aids. That’s if you haven’t had them installed already.

You find yourself going to funerals often. Too often. And you can’t hear the eulogy properly unless you sit in the front pew with the chief mourners. Which would not be kosher. You become

cranky. Contrary even.

Although this might be particular to this ‘elderly person’ (who was probably always

“Is elderly the same as old, you may well ask..

bordering on cranky). Your fashion-sense (if you ever had one) deserts you and you need guidance (more than likely from your wife) when purchasing socks, let alone a three-piece-suit which elderly persons have little use for. And if you do purchase a three-piece, or even a twopiece suit (for a son or daughter’s wedding perhaps) you know you’ll never wear it out!

As for the pros of being elderly – and there aren’t many –there’s the free travel pass which I’ve already covered. Also when you are travelling, on a crowded train or bus say, someone may well offer you their seat which is actually annoying because they’re mistaking you for old, which you are not!

Parking spaces for ‘elderly persons’ I appreciate and use that’s if they’re not being abused, by neither elderly nor old persons. Just last

week a young fellow pulled out of one in his souped-up Honda Civic. I was tempted to drive after this whippersnapper who, I reckon, only started shaving last week, but I wasn’t able to pull out in time. So, parking spaces for the elderly are fine but the problem we have is actually manoeuvring in, and out, of them.

Oh, and while I’m on parking – what’s with people pulling into ‘Reserved for Families’ spaces and not a baby or child in sight? I’d love to approach them and ask: “Hey, where’s the family?”

And they have no point telling me: “I have four at home or in school.” I too have four (albeit abroad) but I’m damned if I’d park in a family space.

And I’ve digressed, I realise, but that’s what happens when you’re ‘elderly’!

I may just get on with it.

Climate Change

– are we all playing our part?

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

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Opinion

Peak in demand for up to 150 work spaces at Kilkenny’s 6 rural Connected Hubs and 5 established Business Centres Quality of life, environmental, social and economic benefits for all as more professionals than ever choose Kilkenny.

Demand for Kilkenny’s six rural Connected Hubs and its five established Business Centres has increased as a growing number of professionals are now hot desking while remote working two to three days a week and enjoying a far greater work/life balance, new data shows.

More than four out of ten homes sold in the city and county in recent months were bought by people with addresses outside of Kilkenny.

One agent in the city revealed that 46% of buyers of large, detached family homes in a new estate on the edge of Kilkenny city had sold smaller semi-detached properties in the greater Dublin area to fund their investment.

According to the latest Daft. ie House Price Report for Quarter 2, 2023 the average asking price in County Kilkenny for a house is

€283,177 – 8.5% lower than the national average and 25% lower than in Dublin City Centre where the average asking price is €377,543.

Professionals who previously worked from home on remote working days are now edging back to the fully-serviced remote working bases. They’re being lured in by the superfast broadband connectivity offered, along with a dedicated working space away from distractions in the home. Data gathered by the community led Grow Remote movement also indicate that the team support provided in a more collaborative and inclusive environment, along with weekly meets ups are factors contributing to the lure of the Connected Hubs and Business Centres across the city and county.

The top-class facilities provided for the up to 150 plus remote working stations in all ten locations also help companies address staff welfare and due diligence

in terms of workplace ergonomics, separating work and home environments, while availing of secure broadband infrastructure and more, Sean McKeown, Director of Services at Kilkenny County Council, said at the launch of the “More than just a Desk” campaign: “More than just a Desk” further promotes Connected Hub and Business Centre working, gets people co-

working and networking more again and showcases what a fantastic remote working base Kilkenny city and county has to offer. The variety and quality of remote working hubs in locations across Kilkenny creates fantastic opportunities for people to live and work and hotdesk, where necessary, or even during visits here.

This, in turn, supports our small local businesses and communities as local spend

increases. It gives people more family time and fewer commutes also means lower greenhouse gas emissions. It’s a win/win for everyone.”

The physical infrastructure provided and positive business environment created is all boosting demand from employees, freelancers and the self-employed for the up to 150 individual working bases/spaces with the added bonus of being signposted to supporting bodies such as the Local Enterprise Office (LEO), Aileen McGrath, Acting Head of Enterprise with Kilkenny LEO said.

“We’ve seen that such a flexible, on-demand working environment is also a support for employees of companies that are still teasing out their remote working conditions for staff and for firms concerned with issues around staff retention and maintaining a high-level of professionalism in the working environment,” she added.

Kilkenny’s established

Business Centres include: • We Do Work Centre; • Castlecomer Enterprise Centre; • New Work Junction; • Pembroke Business Centre and • Piltown Enterprise Centre.

Connected Hubs’ are located in: • Galmoy Community Centre; • Glenmore Community Centre; • Ballyouskill Community Centre; • Crosspatrick Community Centre • Connolly’s of Dunbell and • Urlingford Exit 4 Remote Networking Hub For more information on remote working opportunities and services in Kilkenny city and county and how to book such services, check out www.belongkilkenny.ie This project is being funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development under Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

Global Report Do people still believe in democracy? This was the question asked by a recent Open Society Foundations poll, which for the second consecutive year surveyed more than 36,000 people in 30 countries around the world to hear their opinions and feelings about human rights, democracy, and other important issues facing countries around the world.

The ‘Open Society Barometer: Is Democracy Effective?’ survey, one of the largest global polls ever conducted, was conducted between May and July 2023 and the results, published in the recent runup to International Democracy Day, are surprising, to say the least.

The concept of democracy is still widely popular in every region of the world: 86% of respondents say they would prefer to live in a democratic state and 62% believe that democracy is the best possible form of government. In Italy, the results were 91% and 69% respectively.

Only 20% of people said that authoritarian states are more capable of satisfying citizens’ demands and are more efficient in dealing with major issues at home and in the international arena.

What is surprising, however, is that although trust in democracy is still high across the board, the age group that is most sceptical about its effectiveness is the youngest one, those aged 18 to 35.

If we look at the data disaggregated by age group, the percentage of citizens who consider democracy to be the best possible form of government drops to 55% among the youngest, while it is 61.4% among the 35 to 55-year-olds and 69% among those older than 56.

What is more, 42% of those aged 18-35 said that a military regime is a good way to govern a country, while 35% are in favour of a ‘strong’ leader who dispenses with elections Italy will look to Hungary – a ‘perfect example’ of how to use investment to solve the birth rate problem – to raise its currently low birth rate, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said at the recent Budapest Democratic Summit, where she met with her political ally and Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban.

Now in its fifth year, the Budapest Demographic Summit hosts heads of state, religious leaders and academics who are particularly concerned about the growing negative birth rate on the European continent – a point of interest for Meloni as Italy registered a record negative birth rate with only 393,000 new births last year.

“The crisis of the economy conditions population growth (...) The family is part of the heart of the Italian government’s policy, whose primary objective is to initiate a substantial cultural change,” Meloni said at the summit.

Orban was very much in tune with Meloni and con-

Is democracy for the political bin? and parliament. In Italy, the percentages drop to 24 and 32%, respectively.

But how did we get here – and what does it mean for the survival of democracy?

“It is really worrying that the lowest support is in the youngest group, the 18 to 35-year-olds because today we have the largest generation of young people. Half of the world is under 30,” says Natalie Samarasinghe, Global director for advocacy at Open Society Foundations.

But, she says, context is important. “It is a combination of factors. We are facing a generation that has experienced a series of shocks: economic crises, Covid-19, climate change, and it is more than proven that authoritarian states have not handled these crises well, but neither have democracies. When you grow up in an era of instability and crisis, you have little trust in politicians. So I think this translates to scepticism about the system as a whole.”

Economies depend on solving the birth crisis

In addition to the feeling that politicians have failed to deal with the major crises of recent years, there is also the impression ‘that they are worse off’ than their parents in terms of socio-economic conditions and, finally, the lack of representation: “How many young people feel that they have a say in democracy when the issues they fight for are never at the top of the agenda?,” asks Samarasinghe.

This disaffection for democracy thus stems from a gener-

al and continuous mismatch between what citizens demand and what is then actually delivered by the political class. On average, about onethird of the respondents do not trust politicians to work in their interests and address the issues they care about.

Primarily poverty, inequality and human rights, climate change and corruption.

Gianfranco Pasquino, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, agrees with Samarasinghe not only on the

socio-economic difficulties that have marked the last generations but also on the responsibility of the political class.

“Parties have become inadequate structures. Parties teach democracy, practise it and show how to practise it.

A great American political scientist wrote a book in the early 1940s saying that parties are born with democracy and democracy is born with parties. Consequently, democracy dies if parties die.”

gratulated her governing coalition on its achievements: “Here in Budapest, never would one have believed that Italy would have a patriotic and pro-family government (...) To our brothers in Italy, we say go ahead guys!” he said.

The Hungarian model has been hailed by both Meloni and the Pope as a “perfect example” of how to solve the birth rate problem through investment.

The Hungarian demographic policy model, implemented by the Hungarian Government since 2010, aims to combat the declining birth rate through financial incentives for families, increased support for early childhood education and care, work-family balance measures, and the promotion of traditional family values.

The Hungarian demographic policy model has been credited with some success in reversing the country’s declining birth

rate. The fertility rate has increased from 1.21 in 2010 to 1.56 in 2022.

However, the model has also been criticised for being discriminatory against single parents and same-sex couples.

In Italy, however, the government’s ideas on how to increase the birth rate have not yet been put into practice, and the number of births continues to fall.

“There are richer nations where fewer children are being born, we need to mobilise resources to support the family as it is (...)

In Hungary, the declining trend in birth rates has been halted, jobs have increased, and female employment has also increased. `’A great battle is needed to defend families, God, and all the things that built our civilisation,” Meloni said.

But Italy’s low birth rate is something that 74% of Italians consider to be an urgent problem, according to the FragilItalia report.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

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Opinion

BY JOHN FITZGERALD

Wellesley Bowes Prendergast of Listerlin was a delebrated horse deal and winner of prizes at agricultural shows, but in his treatment of tenants in the townland of Listerlin, he showed his dark side.

In December 1862, he descended like the wrath of Heaven on 36 families who dwelt in cabins spread out across a field called Garraina-Stra. These people had entered into a leasing arrangement with him known as "tenant at will."

This one-sided contract allowed the landlord to evict them at any time of his choosing. A "Notice of Distraint" entitled Prendergast to seize their possessions in lieu of rent if they failed to pay up. So he held all the cards.

On that bleak December day, the Sheriff, Chief Inspector Bodkin, and a strong force of armed militia accompanied him to Garrai-na-Stra.

One by one, the families were evicted from their cabins.

The soldiers helped the crowbar men to eject the tenants, inflicting injuries in the process and creating scenes of almost unbearable suffering and trauma. As the militia followed his instructions, the landlord strutted to and fro amidst the wrecked homes on his prize stallion. He lashed out with his whip at tenants who seemed reluctant to move away from their stricken abodes.

Before the empty cabins were torched, Prendergast ordered all furniture to be removed. He had a use for it; he informed the evicted families that eyed him with a mixture of fear and searing hatred: "It’ll fetch a good price for firewood on the quays of New Ross."

Many of the evicted tenants, including children, died of hypothermia in the frost and snow. Some managed to find shelter; but the remainder sought refuge in Ross Workhouse…It was that or a lingering demise.

Prendergast remained a hate figure in Listerlin for decades after his death.

Thoughts and acts of ven-

The crowbar and the battering ram

Aftermath of an eviction

Part two

Another home shattered

geance overshadowed his funeral. Locals gathered to block the passage of the cortege, which was flanked by riders of a dozen or more prestigious foxhunts, on its journey to the church at Mullinarrigle.

The gates leading into the church were blocked. After a standoff lasting several hours between mourners and local protesters, his body was taken instead to the Old Cemetery at Listerlin. Hunting horns were blown at the graveside and a Master of Foxhounds read the Ode to John Peel.

His upper-crust friends had not deserted him.

People power tackles the bullies...

Not all evictions were as brutally one-sided as the ones at Brownsford and Listerlin.

In 1885 tenants and other locals in Ballyfacey banded together and pledged to resist

the crowbar gangs. On the morning of August 27th, more than 100 constables gathered in Mullinavat under the joint command of RIC divisional inspectors O’ Hara of Thomastown, Byrne of Callan, and O’ Brien of Kilkenny.

The large force was to accompany crowbar men to Ballyfacey to evict tenants on the instructions of landlords Tighe and Crawford. Weeks earlier, a number of evictions had taken place in the locality.

But across South Kilkenny hundreds of men and women decided to resist the bullies this time around. The chapel bells of Mullinavat rang out a warning that the crowbar men were on the way to Ballyfacey. The call to resistance was echoed by the bells of churches in Glenmore, Ballyhale, Rosbercon, Thomastown, Bigwood, Tullagher, and Mullinarrigle.

A party of men on horseback

Patrick Street Kilkenny

raced from Mullinavat to alert the Ballyfacey community to what faced the hapless

tenants.

The police contingent appeared on the fringes of Ballyfacey. Facing the constables and crowbar men were over a thousand determined locals.

People from all walks of life stood shoulder to shoulder… to show solidarity with the families about to be evicted.

They held pitchforks, shovels, sprongs, and ash plants, and had a plentiful supply of stones. The police, armed with rifles and batons, moved cautiously onto a lane in the village towards the phalanx of protesters. A barrage of stones and other missiles greeted their arrival.

A Resident Magistrate then read the Riot Act and the

police were authorised to remove the snap caps from their rifles. They were prepared to open fire if necessary. The PP of Mullinavat, Fr. Neary, intervened in an effort to prevent bloodshed. After some heated discussions between the priest and the landlords' men, the planned evictions were called off, allegedly for technical reasons.

The agent responsible for enforcing the evictions had forgotten or misplaced writs authorising the legal expulsion of the tenants from their homes. Or so he claimed.

Tension eased, and the police returned to Mullinavat.

People Power had triumphed at Ballyfacey.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

History of Urli

Along the border of County Tipperary in the northwest of County Kilkenny is the town and civil parish of Urlingford.

Its ruined church and castle has helped uncover the history of this little town.

The only remaining structures from the historic town of Urlingford are the church and castle, which are located on the north and south banks of the River Goul. The historic ford, Áth na nUrlainn (after which Urlingford takes its name), also known as the ford of the lawns or greens, has been replaced with a bridge. The foundations of the ancient town are likely covered by the unevenly paved area south of the castle.

The current town of Urlingford is thought to have been

constructed on bogland in 1755, taking the place of the previous town, which had most likely collapsed into

ruin. Strong local legend has it that the Mac Giolla Phádraig Chieftain of Ossory and the O'Brien troops of Munster

engaged in a deadly fight at the ford after the Vikings were routed at Clontarf. It appears likely that this ford was protected from very early times.

The church consisted of a vast nave, likely its original construction from the 15th century, to which a 30-foot chancel was later added.

The timeframe of when the church was abandoned is unknown. In the 16th century, the Mountgarret Butlers acquired control of the Urlingford Manor.

Originally, the castle on the other side of the River Goul must have been fairly imposing, with a sizable bailey or encircling wall equipped with protective turrets. The adjacent mill was constructed using a large portion of it.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

ingford This region's history is lim limited. Up to the 16th century, it was the MacGiolla Phádraig Chieftain of Ossory's domain.

One must presume that this formerly strong tribe constructed the castle because it has been dated to the 15th century. The invading Norman rulers put a lot of pressure on MacGiolla Phádraig, and by the 15th century, the son of Patrick's servant had been forced into Upper Ossory and was forced to take the name Fitzpatrick.

Even these holdings were taken from him a century later by Piers Butler, 8th Earl of Ormonde, who gave them to the Viscount Mountgarret, his second son. The Mountgarret Butlers kept what they

won for a number of years, staying true to the Butler legacy. John Rothe Fitzpiers of Rothe House, Kilkenny, was their tenant for the town and lands of Urlingford in 1622.

In his testament, John Rothe bequeathed Urlingford to his three unmarried daughters.

In the 1830s, Urlingford established itself as the primary location for the production of coarse stuffs, flannels, and worsteds while also engaging in a significant retail trade with the local communities.

Today, Urlingford serves as a bus hub. Urlingford, which is located 125kmfrom Dublin and 129km from Cork, has long served as a rest stop for people travelling between the two main cities in Ireland.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

News

Join KRSP for an activator poles 4 week taster sessions in Kilkenny libraries

Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership (KRSP) and Kilkenny County Council Library Service have joined forces to provide you with a new and exciting physical activity opportunity. You can now borrow a set of activator poles from four designated

libraries in Kilkenny: Loughboy, Castlecomer, Ferrybank and Graiguenamanagh.

ACTIVATOR Poles are an adaption of Nordic Walking poles and have been developed to promote balance and improve mobility. “Ciara Kelly, Community Sport De-

velopment Officer with KRSP, commented that: Our aim is to create local opportunities for everyone to enjoy the lifelong benefits of physical activity. Our activator pole programme is particularly suited to people with balance concerns or mobility

issues as they offer enhanced stability and support when walking. The poles may be suitable for those with post hip/knee surgery, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Osteoarthritis, Fall Prevention and for overall fitness levels. ”

Kilkenny Healthy Ireland at your Library Coordinator, Majella Byrne commented “We are delighted to partner with Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership on this Activator Poles Project.

Our national ‘Healthy Ireland at your Library’ initiative contributes to improving the health, wellbeing, and overall quality of life of communities and individuals at all life stages, providing access to Activator Poles helps to fulfil this aim. These FREE 4 week taster sessions with Activator Pole trained tutors will help you get started, just contact your local library to join in.”

To be eligible to borrow a set of activator poles you must have a FREE library membership. Library staff at your local library can help you to sign up as a member, just bring along ID and proof of address. If you’re already a library member no further action is required just pop

into the library.

Activator Poles 4 Week Taster Sessions starting in your local library on the following dates Loughboy - Tuesday 26th September 12.30-130pm Booking Link - https:// KRSPandLoughboyLibrary. eventbrite.ie Ferrybank - Wednesday 27th September 3-4pm Booking Link – https:// KRSPandFerrybankLibrary. eventbrite.ie Graiguenamanagh - Thursday 28th September 3-4pm Booking Link - https:// KRSPandGraigLibrary.eventbrite.ie Castlecomer - Wednesday 18th October 10-11am Booking link - https://KRSPandCastlecomerLibrary. eventbrite.ie Alternatively, you can contact your local library to book a place.

Weather permitting. Please wear comfortable footwear.

Poles will be provided.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

Kilkenny History

The recent death of Ned Kennedy brought immense sadness to the Kilkenny population recently.

Ned was a native of Freshford and a long-time member of the Kilkenny Archaeological society. His published works include : Tullaroan, Memories of the Second Millenium(2002) With Ned Young; The Land Movement in Tullaroan County Kilkenny,( 2004); Friggers Alley (stories , songs and poems and history of entertainment in Freshford ( 2018); In Slips, The history of coursing in Freshford ( 2020) with Ned Cuggy and John Meagher : Edmund Fitzpatrick: artist and Illustrator ( 2022) .

The Kilkenny Observer , enjoyed many conversations with Ned and prior to his death had discussed his recent publication for print in our paper.

Today we print part two of Michael Egan (1895-1956) Playwright and author

Kilkenny-born playwright and author Michael Egan 1895-1956

By Ned Egan Part 2 In May 1938 Michael formed a Playgoer’s Club in London.

The object of the club was to offer its members the means of purchasing tickets at reduced prices.

He had previously formed a company to produce plays so, from his two business ventures, Michael showed his concern for the most important people connected with theatre, namely, the actors and the audience.

In this new venture he received, through a letter, the private blessing of none other than George Bernard Shaw even though, because of reasons of perception, Shaw was unable to publicly support him.

In December 1938 another new play by Michael, titled TO LOVE AND TO CHERISH, was presented at St. Martin’s Theatre in the West End. This play was groundbreaking in that it tackled the thorny issue of remarriage by divorced persons. With the title of one play THE DOMINANT SEX and divorce the subject of another, it is clear Michael’s plays would not have passed the censorship regime in 1940s Ireland and there is no record of his plays being staged here.

In May 1940 a new play FIND THE LADY was premiered at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool. It was described as “…brightly written….”

Michael chose an entirely new situation for his next play SALT OF THE EARTH which opened on Thursday, July 9, 1942 at the Vaudeville Theatre on the Strand in the West End.

It was set in Normandy during the war, ongoing at that time, showing the pressure brought to bear on a French family by the Nazi occupation. One critic wrote: “It suggests authenticity” but added: “It would be even more exciting if it were not quite so long.”

It is noticeable now that this was the second play by Michael to actually premiere in the West End which was a tribute to his drawing power.

We have to wait until September 1943 to hear of Michael again when his play PAINTED LADIES was produced at the Empire Theatre in PENGE in south east London. A critic wrote: “….. Taken as an innocuous piece of light-hearted Irish banter, it certainly has its merits. Much of the dialogue is delightfully racy of the soil and the author has built up a fine character in the free and easy manservant who is seldom off the stage……”

This part was specially written for the Irish-born actor Arthur Sinclair. They proved a productive team as it was the second time that Michael created a role for him.

We jump to 1947 to hear from Michael again. In August it was announced that his play CUPID IN CLOVER would be staged at the Empire Theatre in Peterborough. Described as a “clever comedy,” the newspaper report was headlined as a “Peterboro’ Premiere.”

On Christmas Eve 1947 it was announced that Michael’s new play, BRED IN THE BONE, would be premiered in Cardiff in January and would then open at the Lyric in

Courtesy Kilkenny Archaeological society

Title page of Michael Egan’s book with dedication to his sister Poppy

Hammersmith in London.

The Cardiff critic suggested that the play had echoes of Ibsen, high praise again. The theme was about heredity, environment and class and the critic continued: “…..This interesting play is remarkably free of the political bias which might so easily have clouded the issue and is a genuine attempt to set forth again a recognised problem, though it leaves this unsolved.”

After a remarkable output over fourteen years, beginning in 1934, Michael Egan is no longer heard from in the newspapers after January 1948 until his death which occurred, after an illness, on 26 July 1956. His obituary in The Stage highlighted the 642 performances of his first play THE DOMINANT SEX. His press protégée, George Fearon, wrote a particularly kind obituary alluding to

Michael’s generosity to him after the war. He recalled that, anticipating peace in 1943, Michael recreated his theatre publicity organisation and then handed the job over to Fearon two years later on his return from war. In fact during the war Michael was himself a very active Air Raid Precautions warden where he lived in Hampstead in London.

In another obituary in The Times, a well known theatre

and film critic, Ernest Betts, wrote of Michael’s generosity, charm and intellectual vigour: “…..To those who knew him best, in fact, he was a deeply religious man, thirsting for knowledge and of an intensely independent spirit…..”

Back home, the Kilkenny People quoted The Times obituary in its report of his death.

During his lifetime, three of Michael’s plays, THE DOMINANT SEX, TO LOVE AND TO CHERISH and PRIVATE COMPANY were published by the Gollancz publishing company, a major British publishing house of the twentieth century.

A year after his death, TO LOVE AND TO CHERISH was adapted for television and was broadcast by the BBC on Thursday, 17 October 1957. This was the second of Michael’s plays to be filmed.

Michael Boetius Kieran Egan is interred in Streatham Vale in London. He was survived by his wife Greta Ida May. For his output of nine plays and his influence on theatre in the West End, throughout Britain and beyond, between 1934 and 1948, this Kilkennyborn man of letters deserves to be remembered with the Banims, Francis MacManus, Thomas Kilroy, et al.

Sources • Kilkenny Families in the Great War, Kilkenny 2012.

• British Newspaper Archive.

• http://www.playbill.com/ thedominantsex • The Boys’ Wireless Annual, London, c. 1925, ed. Michael Egan.

• Kilkenny People Archive, Kilkenny Archaeological Society Library.

• Francis McEvoy, “Patrick M,. Egan 1843-1903” in “Kilkenny Through The Centuries”, 2009, eds.

John Bradley and Michael O’Dwyer.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

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Carlow Little Theatre

News Heiligenstadt rehearsal (left) Jamie Dockery as Ludwig Van Beethoven and (right) Zoë Hayden as Countess Josephine Deym

Carlow Little Theatre presents a weekend of one-acts Carlow Little Theatre Society are delighted to present the world premiere of two exciting new plays, the winner of our 2023 International One-Act Playwriting Competition, ‘Lox and Loaded' a comedy by US writers William A. Smith and Andrew R. Looney, and our entry to the All-Ireland One Act Festivals 2023, 'Heiligenstadt', a drama by Kilkenny native Mark Cradock.

This will be a special weekend of not-to-bemissed theatre at Barnstorm Theatre, at the Home Rule Club in Kilkenny on Saturday 30th September and Kilkennyman Mark Cradock, author of ‘Heiligenstadt’

Sunday 1st October.

Performances start at 8pm, with tickets priced at €15 (including booking fee).

Early booking is advisable as capacity at the venue is limited.

Full details for both plays can be found below and in the event bright booking link underneath: https://www.eventbrite. ie/e/carlow-little-theatre-society-presents-aweekend-of-one-acts-tickets-715209710497 All are welcome to a weekend of drama and comedy, so please spread the word!

DETAILS Carlow Little Theatre Society presents the world premiere of two exciting new One-Act plays, Lox and Loaded and Heiligenstadt, at 8pm on Saturday 30th September and Sunday 1st October.

Lox and Loaded • Written by William A. Smith and Andrew R. Looney • Directed by Charles Houghton • Produced by special arrangement with Next Stage Press, Inc. Winner of Carlow Little

Theatre Society's 2023 International Playwrighting Competition, Lox and Loaded tells the tale of best friends, Bernie Bloomberg and Sol Rabinowicz who have operated their own hardware store in New York, for 50 years. It all comes apart after Bernie defaults on a loan from mobsters.

Sol pretends they are themselves mobsters and sets about threatening to kill the local kingpin, "Joey Legs."

It's no surprise, then, when Sol and Bernie end up in the witness protection program in Texas, they have some difficulty "fitting in."

CAST • Bernie Bloomberg: Rory Moran • Sol Rabinowicz: Paddy Behan • Run time: Approximately 40 Minutes Heiligenstadt Heiligenstadt is Carlow Little Theatre Society's entry into this year's One-Act, All Ireland Circuit, where the play will feature in six festivals in Counties Kildare, Kilkenny, Donegal, Mayo, Cork and Dublin.

Written by Mark Cradock Directed by Deirdre Fleming

Lox and Loaded rehearsal (left) Rory Moran as Bernie Bloomberg and (right) Paddy Behan as Sol Rabinowicz

Produced by arrangement with the author.

In 1802, Ludwig van Beethoven is still a young man who had yet to compose his great masterpieces.

However, his personal life and musical career are in crisis. He retreats to a small village outside Vienna, Heiligenstadt, where he faces his inner demons and makes one last attempt to address his issues, in the most pivotal moment of his life.

Cast • Ludwig Van Beethoven: Jamie Dockery • Countess Josephine Deym: Zoë Hayden • Karl Van Beethoven: John Jennings • Johan Van Beethoven: Scott Cooper • Dr. J A Schmidt: Paul Dunne • Run time: Approximately 45 Minutes ENQUIRIES Paul Dunne, PRO Carlow Little Theatre Society: (085) 725 4280 | carlowlittletheatre@gmail.com Mark Cradock, playwright, Heiligenstadt: 087 223 7198 | mcradock@maventm.com

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

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Music Generation

Music Generation Kilkenny Set to launch an exciting new afterschool music hub in South Kilkenny!

Parents and students who are interested in learning more about the programme are encouraged to register by scanning the QR code

(19th September 2023, Kilkenny) — Music enthusiasts and young talents in south Kilkenny are in for a treat as an exceptional after-school music hub is set to launch in October with Music Generation Kilkenny,

in partnership with Coláiste Cois Siúire, Mooncoin.

The initiative aims to provide a dynamic platform for local youth to immerse themselves in the world of music, fostering creativity, music skill development, and a lifelong

appreciation for the arts.

The programme will offer a diverse range of music educa-

tion opportunities, catering to various interests and skill levels, thereby ensuring that

­

the chance to explore their musical potential.

"At Music Generation Kilkenny, we are dedicated to nurturing a love for music within the community," remarked Sinéad Blanchfield, Music Generation Kilkenny development officer. "We're excited to partner with Coláiste Cois Siúire and provide young musicians in South Kilkenny with a supportive environment where they can learn, grow, collaborate musically with their peers, and develop friendships through their shared musical experience. The vision is that the South Kilkenny Music Hub will enhance the local music education landscape and contribute to the vibrant cultural fabric of the community.

Enrolment for the afterschool music hub is now open. Parents and students who are interested in learning more about the programme are encouraged to register on the following link: https:// forms.office.com/e/eGeuPreig7

every participant can find their passion and flourish in a supportive environment.

Speaking about the new music hub in south Kilkenny, Conor Power, Principal of Coláiste Cois Siúire Mooncoin said "We are thrilled to launch this after-school music hub in partnership with Music Generation Kilkenny. This initiative will undoubtedly enrich the lives of our students and the wider community in South Kilkenny, offering them a platform to discover their talents and express themselves creatively."

As part of the hub, students will have the chance to explore a range of instruments from acoustic and electric guitar to drums, singing and piano/keyboard with more instruments catered for as the music hub develops. The after-school music hub will also emphasise the importance of collaboration and teamwork through ensemble experiences. Students will have the opportunity to participate in bands helping them develop crucial interpersonal skills while creating exciting music together. There will be performance opportunities through concerts and community events with a programme designed to be inclusive and accessible to all interested students, regardless of their previous musical experience or background. Music Generation Kilkenny believes that every young person deserves

or phone: 056 7786896.

About Music Generation Kilkenny: Music Generation Kilkenny is a pioneering music education programme providing high-quality, subsidised music tuition to thousands of children and young people in Kilkenny. The programme is part of the Music Generation national initiative, co-funded

by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Skills, and Local Music Education Partnerships. Locally, Music Generation Kilkenny is led by Kilkenny and Carlow ETB in partnership with Kilkenny County Council.

About Coláiste Cois Siúire Mooncoin: Coláiste Cois Siúire is a post primay co-educational school located in Mooncoin, Kilkenny dedicated to providing holistic education and fostering the talents of its students. The school takes pride in nurturing a supportive and inclusive learning environment that encourages exploration and growth. Coláiste Cois Siúire is a Kilkenny and Carlow ETB school.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

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Seamus O’Rourke

EXTRA SHOW ON DECEMBER 1ST

Dealing with mental illness at the core of O’Rourkes indigestion This play has been described as sensitive, hilarious, intelligent, absolutely compelling and refreshingly forthright. A man, whose name we never hear, tells us his story of a life, always slightly out of his control...

By Ger Cody Earlier this year, I travelled to Smock Alley theatre in Dublin to see Seamus O’Rourke in his one man show ‘Eclipsed’ O’Rourke is an award-winning actor, writer and director, and following his performance at the Dublin venue it is very easy to see why.

One man shows (or one woman shows for that matter) are not everyone’s cup of tea and people have a fear that they may not have the same pizazz as a show with a bigger cast.

Most theatre people will have memories of going to see one person shows, with varying degrees of praise.

My own stand out one man shows include ‘The man in the woman’s shoes’ performed by Mikel Murfi; ‘Catalpa’ with Donal O’Kelly, ‘Silent’ by Pat Kinevane, and Tom Crean with Aidan Dooley.

Locally it would be remiss not to mention Donal O’ Brien in ‘The Brother’, Ann Hurley in Red Biddy and more recently Jimmy Rhatigan in ‘Where Old Ghosts meet’.

All aforementioned were class.

Now Leitrim man Seamus O’Rourke can proudly stand with others presenting a top one man show with his production of ‘Indigestion’.

He brings his new one man show Indigestion to the Barnstorm theatre venue at The Home Rule Club, Kilkenny on October 6th.

Although it is a story that can frequently be funny, it is a story with mental health and serious topics under the surface.

The show depicts a man, whose name we never hear, telling the story of a life always slightly out of his control.

It is the story of a simple rural man who is shipped off to London at the age of 17, who goes through bouts of depression, obesity and anger issues, who finds and loses love, comes back to Ireland to more

misfortune and mayhem but in spite of everything it shows: ‘There is hope for all of us, no matter how bleak things might seem’.

“It’s basically about a man who has some anger issues. He doesn’t drink but he has a problem with food and becomes very overweight when he’s over there (in London) so he has all these demons and he’s trying to sort them out and he eventually gets sacked and has to come back to Ireland.

Speaking prior to his visit to Kilkenny O’Rourke said: ”It’s a thin line going between humour and the subjects that I’m dealing with because people watch it on different levels.

Some people find the humour and craic of it great and that’s okay, and then other people see the other side of it, a man dealing with all sorts of mental issues and depression. People don’t want to go to a play about depression but they have no problem going to a play that has lots of fun.”

“It’s a strange time and this (Indigestion) character doesn’t have any inkling of being PC or saying the right thing, he’s just saying what is in his head which a lot of people have said is very refreshing because we’ve all become so clean and trying to say the right thing which means saying very little.

“Nobody’s going out to offend anybody or any of that, we want to tell a story but I want to have a reality about it. Pretending that we are all squeaky clean is not going to do anybody any good. Within the character I can say certain things that wouldn’t be PC but I’m not saying them, the character is saying them.

“The character that I play is not aware of all of that so he may say things that may not be the proper way to say it but that’s the character.

“The problem with mental illness and any subject with our mental health is that we end up coming up with this clichés like ‘it’s okay not to be okay’ and ‘it’s good to talk’ and we love to throw these clichés out there and then leave it alone.

“But I suppose what I’m trying to say is that it’s not that easy and you just have to depend on a little bit of luck along the way and certain people and work your way out of it but the hope is you can get out of it, you can get back to some sense of normality and that fun and laughter and friendships are all part of that.”

MENTAL ILLNESS “At least when you’re physically sick you can point to the spot and say ‘that’s what’s wrong with me’ but mental illness, some people aren’t happy with the way they look or not happy with loads of different things, “For me I always had a problem- you might laugh but- I was never very comfortable in social circumstances and then I get up in front of 300 people and bare my soul for an hour which seems a very strange thing but sometimes it’s probably easier to do that as a character than to actually talk about yourself.

“I try to channel that into theatre and plays, I suppose there’s a personal story there as well.”

The show will be performed at The Home Rule Club on October 6th and December 1st Ocober 6th is sold out.

Seamus O’Rourke is an award-winning writer, director and actor from County Leitrim. He tours Ireland regularly with his own self-penned shows.

Seamus has over two million hits on YouTube and Social Media with his collection of short stories, recitations and sketches.

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Recruitment

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

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Food & Drink

Dine Me Come

Four vodka martinis

With

Rainbow fried rice with prawns and fried eggs Prep: 10 mins Cook: 20 mins Serves: 4

Encourage kids to get creative in the kitchen with our rainbow fried rice recipe – it’s been designed to be easy for children to follow.

• Prep: 5 mins • Serves: 1 Shake 50ml vodka, 50ml cloudy apple juice, 1 tsp lemon juice and 1 tsp maple syrup in an ice-filled shaker until the outside of the shaker feels very cold.

Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a slice of apple.

Ingredients • 1 bunch of spring onions • 1 pepper (any colour) • 80g sweetcorn (frozen or canned) • 2 garlic cloves • 3 tbsp vegetable oil • 4 eggs • 1 tbsp ginger purée • 300g raw king prawns • 2 x 250g pouch microwave rice • 3 tbsp low-salt soy sauce • 1 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted, to serve Equipment • chopping board • sharp knife • garlic crusher • wok • measuring spoons • small bowl • fish slice • kitchen paper • foil • wooden spoon Method STEP 1 Before cooking a stir-fry, prepare all the ingredients. Peel the papery skins off the spring onions, then trim the root ends and cut the onions into 3cm pieces along their length. Chop the pepper into small chunks, about the size of a

Appletini

Moscow mule • Prep: 5 mins • Serves: 1

Pour 50ml vodka into a metal mug, julep tin or tumbler. Load up ¾ full with crushed ice then fill to the top with ginger beer, stir gently to combine. Add a few dashes of ginger bitters, a slice of lime and a sprig of mint to serve.

Screwdriver 50p piece. Drain the sweetcorn, if using canned. Peel the garlic cloves and use a garlic crusher to crush the cloves into a paste.

STEP 2 Set a wok on the hob and turn the heat to high. Measure 1 tbsp vegetable oil into the wok. Crack one of the eggs into a bowl and carefully tip it into the wok, then repeat with a second egg. Fry two eggs at a time until crisp at the edges with a runny yolk, about 3 mins. Use a fish slice to

remove the eggs to a sheet of kitchen paper and cover with foil to keep warm. Heat another 1 tbsp vegetable oil in the wok and fry the remaining two eggs in the same way.

STEP 3 Add the remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the wok and turn the heat down to medium-high.

Scatter in the chopped spring onions, pepper, sweetcorn, garlic paste, ginger paste and prawns, and fry until the vegetables have

softened and the prawns are starting to turn pink, about 2-3 mins. Keep stirring with a wooden spoon to make sure everything cooks evenly.

STEP 4 Tip in the pouches of rice and the soy sauce, then season with a little salt and pepper. Continue stirfrying for another 2 mins until the rice is piping hot. Divide the fried rice between four bowls, then top with the fried eggs and sesame seeds before serving.

Roasted cauli-broc bowl with tahini hummus Prep: 10 mins Cook: 30 mins Serves: 2 A simple quinoa bowl you can put together in 10 minutes and enjoy al-desko. It’s vegan, healthy and gluten-free.

Ingredients • 400g pack cauliflower & broccoli florets • 2 tbsp olive oil • 250g ready-to-eat quinoa • 2 cooked beetroots, sliced • large handful baby spinach • 10 walnuts, toasted and chopped • 2 tbsp tahini • 3 tbsp hummus • 1 lemon, 1/2 juiced, 1/2 cut into wedges

Method STEP 1 The night before, heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the cauliflower and broccoli in a large roasting tin with the oil and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Roast for 25-30 mins until browned and cooked. Leave to cool completely.

STEP 2 Build each bowl by putting half the quinoa in each. Lay the slices of beetroot on top, followed by the spinach, cauliflower, broccoli and walnuts. Combine the tahini, hummus, lemon juice and 1 tbsp water in a small pot. Before eating, coat in the dressing.

Serve with the lemon wedges.

• Prep: 10 mins • Serves: 1

Squeeze the juice from 1 large or 2 small oranges and 1 clementine and set aside. Put a handful of ice cubes into a tall glass and pour over 50ml vodka followed by the fruit juices. Stir gently to combine then add a few dashes of Angostura bitters and a wedge of orange to garnish.

Caipirovska • Prep: 5 mins • Serves: 1

Cut 1 lime into small chunks, then put it into the bottom of a sturdy tumbler and add 2 tsp golden granulated sugar.

Crush really well with a muddler – or do this with a pestle and mortar. Top up the tumbler with crushed ice then add 50ml vodka. Stir well to mix all of the ingredients together and serve.

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5

Advertisement Advertisement TV & Streaming

to stream right now on Netflix 1. Extraordinary Attorney Woo

Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022) hasn’t even finished airing its first season on Netflix, and it’s already a runaway winner. Its unique concept: A woman who has autism becomes a lawyer in South Korea, elevated by her brilliant and unexpected ways of approaching cases. An inspiring heroine, Woo Young-woo (Park Eun-bin) brings extraordinary representation to the screen. Charming, heartwarming, and as radiant as the sun,

2. Borgen

The Burial: A rousing courtroom drama Maggie Betts’ The Burial is set in 1995, and shot with enough wit and confidence to sell the illusion that it was made around the same time, Betts’ unexpected follow-up to the severe nun saga Novitiate relishes in the simple pleasures of its own nostalgia from almost the moment it starts.

And, yet, the movie proves to have a more complicated relationship with that nostalgia than it initially appears.

For another, more immediately relevant point: This true-enough story about the friendship that develops between a soggy white Mississippi funeral director and the hotshot Black attorney he hires to defend him from out of state might be steeped in some of the same tropes that made the likes of Green Book feel so forced, but The Burial gradually reveals itself to be more in touch with the past than the

rest of its ilk, and therefore also more reflective of the present.

Rather than trying to pretend as if Tommy Lee Jones and Jamie Foxx bonding over Tony! Toni! Toné! might be the magic bullet we need to solve racism forever, Betts’ film leverages its warm and fuzzy legalese into a (fun, entertainmentforward) story about the depth to which racism is entrenched in the soil of American life.

On the surface, it starts with the most charismatic and high-energy performance of Foxx’s career, as the Collateral actor brings his swaggy best to the reallife role of Willie E. Gary, a Florida personal injury attorney who practices law with the same Baptist theatricality he brings to the pulpit of his church on Sundays.

Gary believes in God but mostly he believes in only

taking cases that he can win (which tend to be cases in which he can preach his form of justice to a majority Black jury).

Biloxi funeral homeowner and World War II veteran Jeremiah O’Keefe would seem to be a very different kind of man. Style isn’t exactly one of his strengths (he’s always dressed for, well... you know). Tommy Lee Jones plays him with all the enthusiasm the actor might display if you asked him to be in your TikTok,.

But his faith is complicated, too. He’s a religious man, and despite what his experiences at home and abroad have taught him about the awful things God’s children are capable of doing to each other, he believes that a better tomorrow is possible for those willing to fight for it — for all those willing to fight for it.

And so the stage is set for a Mississippi courtroom

movie that seems to be less compelling for the stakes of the trial at hand than for the people litigating it.

The Burial grapples with the larger role that race might play in a courtroom drama where the litigant and defendant are both white, and the judge, jury, and trial lawyers are all Black (the hilarious scene where Ruck tells his majority-Black legal team that he’s “working on” not dehumanizing them is the stuff of Succession – worthy cringe).

The movie’s is a wry, politically inclusive approach to illustrating how burying America’s heartache without a headstone only guarantees that the pain will continue — allows for a verdict that feels damning and hopeful in equal measure.

The Burial it will be available to stream on Prime Video starting Friday, October 13.

Dear Child is a chilling must-watch A day after new Netflix show Dear Child (Liebes Kind) started streaming on Netflix, we billed it as one to watch – and just a week later ShortList’s prediction has come true, with the show hitting the No. 1 spot globally.

The crime drama’s plot is as follows: A mysterious woman’s escape from her harrowing captivity points investigators toward the dark truth behind her un-

solved disappearance 13 years earlier.

While reviews were thin on the ground when first released, the German-language show now sits at a very high 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and FlixPatrol has the show at No. 1, globally - currently 3rd in Ireland and 2nd in the US. This is the current global top 10: 1. Liebes Kind 2. One Piece 3. Virgin River

4. El cuerpo en llamas 5. Who Is Erin Carter?

6. Top Boy 7. Spy Ops 8. A Time Called You 9. Selling The OC 10.Destined with You Dear Child is a six-episode show, based on the best-selling book of the same name.

Co-writer and co-director Julian Pörksen spoke to Netflix about the show – which has been likened to The Room

and Gone Girl – explaining: “These are all damaged characters: people who are severely scarred by a crime and deal with it very differently.

“The perpetrator is often the focus of such series and is glorified as a mysterious, dark force. That’s not the case with us. And there is a main character who is extraordinary in every way. A girl who has a special view of the world, a special way of speaking, thinking and experiencing.”

Denmark’s bleaker answer to the West Wing. Borgen (2010—) is the epitome of sophisticated political dramas, chronicling the inspiring fictional underdog story of how, against all odds, Birgitte Nyborg Christensen (Sidse Babett Knudsen) becomes the first female prime minister of Denmark. Produced by the same company behind The Killing, Borgen is four influential seasons of one woman’s complicated, intricate rise to power.

3. Unorthodox

This miniseries from 2020 is based on a memoir and told primarily in Yiddish with painstaking detail. Almost a thriller, Unorthodox follows 19-yearold Esty Shapiro, who escapes her arranged marriage in an ultra-Orthodox community in Brooklyn. She ends up in Berlin, exploring a new life outside the strict beliefs she grew up in, but her community doesn’t let go that easily. Featuring a stunning performance from Shira Haas, Unorthodox lets you take a step into a relentlessly compelling world.

4. Godless

This miniseries from 2017 carves itself firmly into the Western genre, with a female-led cast boasting Merritt Weaver and Downton Abbey’s Michelle Dockery. With its 1880s New Mexico vistas swirling around it, Godless draws up the violence in a tale that sees an outlaw on the run from his boss seek refuge with an outcast widower.

Oh, Jeff Daniels is in this too, if the show wasn’t enticing enough.

5. Arcane

One of the best TV shows of 2021 was an animated series.

That’s right -- if you’re animation-unfriendly, Arcane is the show to change your mind. The action- adventure introduces us to the steampunk world of Piltover and Zaun, two cities grinding on opposing values and fortunes. Then there’s Violet (Hailee Steinfeld) and Jinx (Ella Purnell), two sisters torn apart by tragedy and fighting to survive. Arcane is the kind of moving portrait that gets under your skin on a par with Pixar. The characters will draw you to tears.

A must-watch.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

News

European Mobility Week inspires Kilkenny residents to embrace sustainable transport and Mayor Joe Malone invites all residents to join a cycle for Car-Free Day on Friday, the 22nd of September

Mayor Joe Malone, was joined by Minister Malcolm Noonan, the City Councillors and school children, for the inaugural city cycle

European Mobility Week is here, and Kilkenny is joining cities across Europe in a collective effort to take stock of current transport challenges and progress towards sustainable transport choices.

Kilkenny residents are encouraged to start with small

changes by replacing car journeys with sustainable alternatives, such as walking, cycling, public transport, carpooling or perhaps remote working.

The global challenges of climate change, transport poverty, air quality and noise pollution call for immediate

action, and European Mobility Week offers a perfect opportunity for Kilkenny residents to make a difference.

By opting for eco-friendly modes of transportation, we can reduce our carbon footprint, improve air quality, and enhance the liveability of

our beautiful city. Walking, cycling and wheeling have the added benefits of helping us meet the physical activity guidelines as part our daily activities.

Kilkenny has always been a hub of culture and heritage, and now it's time for us to showcase our commitment to a sustainable future. By making small changes to our daily routines, we can collectively create a positive impact.

Here are some ways in which you can get involved: Embrace Active Travel: Walk or cycle for short trips. Kilkenny boasts picturesque streets and beautiful green spaces that are best appreciated on foot or by bike.

Support Public Transport: Take advantage of Kilkenny's new city buses. Buses are efficient, affordable, and environmentally friendly options.

Share the journey: If you have longer journeys or need to use a car, consider carpooling or sharing lifts with friends, neighbours, or colleagues or walking the last part of your journey.

Sharing lifts not only reduces emissions but also saves you money and time.

Plan Your Trips: Combine journeys and plan your routes efficiently to reduce the number of trips you need to make.

As part of the festivities, the Mayor Joe Malone will host a cycle on Friday, the 22nd, World Car Free Day. He expressed enthusiasm for Kilkenny's participation in European Mobility Week, saying, "We have a beautiful city, and it's our responsibility to protect it for future generations. Let's use this week as an opportunity to show our dedication to a cleaner, healthier, and more vibrant Kilkenny. I would like to invite schoolchildren and members of the community to join us for a second Mayor’s city cycle on International Car-Free Day. After a hugely successful inaugural cycle, we are going to try and make this a regular event to show people some of the attractive routes in the city. People can join us at 12 noon in County Hall on Friday 22nd and we will look forward to some of the school groups joining us along the route".

Kilkenny County Council, together with BOLT are offering free trips on the E-Bike

share scheme and BOLT commercial for companies.

Aisling Dunne, Head of Policy with BOLT Ireland, said “Car-Free Day is an ideal opportunity to try an e-bike. To avail of a free trip, download and sign up to the BOLT app, find your nearest bike and scan the QR code to start your journey. We are now delighted to offer BOLT commercial in Kilkenny. This provides companies with an opportunity to allow their employees to travel sustainably for journeys across the city and manage this through the BOLT commercial platform, this is just one more step in progressing towards a sustainable city.”

Join us in making Kilkenny a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable place to live. Let's start with small changes, because even the smallest steps can lead to significant positive impacts. Together, we can make a difference!

For more information and updates on European Mobility Week in Kilkenny, please visit https://mobilityweek. eu/home/ or see the updates on Kilkenny County Council socials.

lodged, loose or missing tiles or slates and getting these fixed by a reputable roofer.

As we have already noted, the leaves are turning brown and as the wind blows their days are numbered, as shortly, they will be lifeless on the ground and in the gutters of our homes. Cleaning these gutters now will be of great benefit when the rain comes. We do not want any of our seniors doing a Del boy on it and getting up on a

step ladder with a few steps missing and stretching up to the gutters. Get help from a neighbor or volunteer or if needs be a professional, no point in having a half-cleaned gutter and a broken leg for Christmas.

The roof space is one of the area’s most often overlooked when it comes to ensuring pipes are properly lagged – an essential precaution against frozen pipes and fittings, and the inevitable escape of water when they burst, and remember, all these pipes are part of the heating system that you will need working properly when the temperature drops a few degrees.

Checking the central heating is a job we all think of, and in many cases, can perform ourselves. We all know the way an air block or even to open the valves on the wall mounted radiators can reduce the efficiency of the whole system. Again, maybe get an expert or a good volunteer to spend an hour or two with you and who knows he/ she might become a regular caller during the winter to check your pipes and heating.

Over the next few editions we at Twilight will continue to get our seniors and not so seniors winter ready. Stay in touch with us through The Kilkenny Observer and if you or your friends wish to volunteer and build the new activities in our new Cultural HUB, call 0863255840 or email adm@ twilight.ie

Indian monsoon follows Indian Summer They say a week is a long time in politics, however, after the last seven days we can include a week is a long time in the weather. Seven days or so ago we were basking in an Indian summer. The mercury rose to some of its highest points on the thermometer for the year.

Then the rains came, and kept coming and coming so much so our Indian Summer turned into an Indian Monsoon season with status yellow flood alerts across the country.

How a season can change within 7 days, and we all know the Irish saying of “you can have all the four seasons in an Irish Day”, means it is time to get winter ready. Now we will see the evenings close in rather quickly whichmeans that the winter is not far away. As a ‘legend in his own mind’ once said about the Irish soccer team prior to a world cup ‘fail to prepare, prepare to fail’ and then took the only match ball the squad

had home to Manchester.

Well the same is true for the winter season to come, we must prepare.

So, what little jobs can we now do that will make the transition to the shorter and colder days of winter smoother.

The roof is first port of call as we start at the top and work down, since your roof is likely to be taking the worst of any battering this winter; that means checking for dis-

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

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Motors

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

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Sport

Kilkenny Sport Focus Michael O’Leary

South Kilkenny Run

hampers for the raffle.

Tickets for the raffle will be available on Sunday, and there will be prizes for the first three finishers in the 10 Mile Race in both Male and Female.

For first placed there will be €150, for second placed there will be €75, while the third placed in both sections will pick up a €50 voucher from Alfie Hale Sports.

There will be plenty of Prizes to be won on Sunday, and there will be a free Medal for all participants, while a free race t-shirt will be given for the first 50 registered in The 10 Mile or 10KM. It will be €25 to run either The 10 Mile Run or 10KM Run, while for The 5KM Run, it will be €10 for Adults, €5 for Kids and €25 for Family.

You can register online at www. justrunevents.com ahead of Sunday or check out The South Kilkenny Run page on Facebook for further details.

All proceeds for Sunday's event will go towards the development of a new clubhouse in Ballyhale Shamrocks GAA Grounds.

Refreshments will be provided afterwards, and a fun filled morning/ early afternoon is in store as the community gathers together for what should be a memorable day in a family friendly atmosphere.

It's a big day in Ballyhale this coming Sunday September 24th as The South Kilkenny Run takes place. There should be a very good turnout particularly among families as races take place in three different categories starting from 10am.

The 10 Mile Run starts at 10am along with The 10KM Run, while The 5KM Walk/Run starts at 11am.

Plenty of Businesses from The Ballyhale Community and surrounding areas have come on board as sponsors for Sunday's Event, with a number of those Businesses generously providing Prizes including

Kilkenny City and County Bridge results Ormonde Castle Bridge Club – Monday Night at 7.15p.m.

New members welcome Results 18th September 1st Prize – Sheila O’Mahony/Margaret Knowles 2nd Prize – Ellen Dowling/Maura Holden 3rd Prize – Canice Corr/Michael Langton

Kilkenny Bridge Club – Tuesday Night Results 19th September 1st Prize – Michael Delahanty/Maura O Mahony 2nd Prize – Catherine Mc Goff/Margaret Knowles 3rd Prize – Ellen Dowling/Maria Troy

Rothe Bridge Club – Monday Night 7.30 p.m.

New members welcome Results 11th September 1st Prize – Catherine Lynch/Joan Murphy 2nd Prize – Kathleen Ferguson/Kathleen O’Shaughnessy 3rd Prize – Maureen Sheehan/Ann O’Shaughnessy

Bridge every Tuesday evening . New members most welcome.

Contact Secretary 086.6050075 . Please be seated by 7:15pm

Club 17 – Tuesday Morning - 10.15 a.m.

New members welcome Results 12th September 1st Prize – Margaret Mullins/Mary O’Reilly 2nd Prize – Kathleen Ferguson/Kathleen O’Shaughnessy

Any club in Kilkenny City or County that want their bridge club results included please email them to marion.kilbride@ gmail.com before lunchtime Tuesdays the latest. Any results received after that will be included in the following week.

Improvers Classes Improvers classes beginning early October.

Further information Phone Margaret 086 838 7702

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Community & GAA Notes

DOG NIGHT The Parents Association of Clara school are holding a Dog Night in Kilkenny Dog Track this Friday September 22nd to raise funds for a Sensory Garden to compliment the new SEN Base being built. All support on the night would be appreciated.

CLUB LOTTO Lotto Results 12th September. Numbers drawn 6, 17, 18. No Jackpot winner. €30 each to - John Corr, Jimmy Cody, David Shortall, Martin Kelly, Caroline Hoyne. Thanks to all for your support.

CAMOGIE The Clara seniors enjoyed a 3-11 to 3-9 win over Ballyhale in a challenge game in Clara on Sunday morning. The game was tied coming down the stretch and two late points by the Ryan twins Katie and Keara secured the win for the home team.

Clara were very flat in the first half and trailed 2-7 to 1-7 at halftime. However two cleverly taken goals by Niamh Byrne early in the second half gave Clara the upper hand and they remained in control for most of the second half. Ballyhale fought back near the end with a goal and a point to tie the match but Clara kicked on again with those two points to clinch the victory.

Team - Aoife Glynn, Tamsin English, Rachel Whelan, Aine McDonald. Margaret Kehoe, Laoise Nolan, Katie Ryan 0-3.

Rebecca Nolan, Gráinne Glynn. Niamh Byrne 2-0, Grace Barcoe, Emma Corr 0-1. Keara Ryan 0-5, 0-2f, 1x 45, Emma Shortall 1-2, Niamh Ward. Subs Sarah Dunne, Joanne Comerford, Rachel Brickell, Anna Walpole, Aoife Ward.

CLUB LOTTO There was no winner of club lotto (September 12th). Numbers drawn were 4, 15, 17, 27 Bonus 28. Play now at www.oloughlingaels.com/lotto Promotors Draw. 1. Mary Tierney c/o Mick Nolan 2. Matt and Mary Feighery C/o Hugh Mahon. 3. The Sunday Six 4. Mick and Mags c/o Gerry Buckley. 5. Finn and Anna c/o Damien O’Connell. 6. Rose Hayes c/o Esther Maher. 7. Molly, MJ and Tom Cloney c/o Ml Nolan. 8. Linda O’Leary c/o Online. 9. Andy Comerford c/o Online. 10. Debbie Hayes c/o Online SENIORS IN LEAGUE SHIELD FINAL The Senior Hurlers will face James Stephens at the weekend in the Shield Final after a strong league campaign sets them up to advance to the championship Quarter Final in a couple of weeks. Well done and best of luck to team and management. Please support.

MINOR HURLERS BOW OUT Unfortunately the Minor Hurlers met a very strong James Stephens opponents in Sunday’s Championship Semi-Final.

There wasn’t much they could do against a side playing on the crest of a wave except keep on going. Our lads are fighters to the end and never stopped hurling. We thank players and management for their hard work and commend our players for their attitude. It will stand to them as they go forward SUPPORT OUR TEAMS The u15s and u13s hurlers will negotiate the next obstacle on their championship journeys this coming weekends and we ask all members to get out and support club teams At camogie our u12s, u14s, u16s and Minors also all continue in their league championships over the coming weeks and your support is appreciated always. All of our young players and mentors out in huge efforts throughout the summer for these games so let’s show our appreciation.

INTERMEDIATE CAMOGIE LEAGUE FINAL Well done to our intermediate camogie team who after a tough battle in sticky conditions defeated opponents Mooncoin to advance to this year’s league final. This will be the club’s first Final at Intermediate level and the girls love the support. Details of fixture to be confirmed so keep posted to the club’s social media pages.

MAURA PASSES AWAY IN 101ST YEAR The area lost one of its oldest citizen. Maura Dowling (nee Kennedy) late of Balleen, passed away in her 101st year after a long and fruitful life. She looked forward to celebrating her 100th birthday and received her medal from the President.

She was out and about until the time of the pandemic. She was a devoted and loving mother grandmother and great grandmother. She loved a game of cards, attending the Day Care Centre and going on trips over the years. She was predeceased by her husband Joe a number of years ago and recently predeceased by her son Sean. Her funeral mass took place in Clontubrid Church on Saturday morning last followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. She is mourned by her sons Richard, James, Frank, Joe and Noel, her daughter Bridget her grandchildren, great grandchildren, son in law, daughters in law, nephews, nieces and extended family to whom deepest sympathy is extended.

SOCCER NEWS With the soccer season now starting back Freshford Town would like to remind parents that training begins for boys and girls every Saturday at 9.30am at Woodview. You can contact Eoin or Graham for more info on 087 7672040 or 087 2639770

The Colin McGree annual tournament was held last weekend.

With a large number of boys and girls taking part. This is the 26th year of the tournament which has been run each year in memory of Colin who died at the ae of 17 years and was a talented soccer player. It is organised by two of his team mates from their school boys days John Flynn and Darren Burke and great credit to the lads for their continued work in his honour. The semi finals saw Cian Dalton’s team face Jack Marnell’s team with Cian’s side coming out winners on 3-1 scoreline. In the second semi final Nathan Walsh’s side faced Sam Looby’s side with Nathans side coming out winners on penalties after a very exciting 2-2 game. The final was a fantastic game with Cian’s side coming out on top in a high scoring game finishing on a 7-4 score. Liam McGree was on hand to present the trophies with Miriam Walsh in attendance also. Liam thanked all who contributed to making the event a success, to Kavanagh’s Pub for providing refreshments, to the kids who took part, to the soccer club for the use of their facilities and refreshments and to John and Darren for the organisation and for keeping the memory of Colin alive throughout the past 26 years.

Teams P.Mc Crthy (Capt )M.Hickey, S.Walsh, L. McCarthy, C.Gleeson A.Cihal (capt) M O’Neill, B McGree O.McDonad S.McCarthy C.Dalton(capt) L.Dermody, A.Dalton, C.Byrne. J.Costeloe B.O;Gorman N.Walsh(Capt) P.O’Connor C.Grant, J.Curley C.O’Gorman, C.Grant S.O’Gorman (Caspt) N.Flynn, T.Dalton, M.Ryan, R.Geraghty S.Looby (capt) A Walsh B,Looby F.Condon, J.Geraghty J.Kavanagh J Marnell (Capt) S.Eardley, R.Dalton, S.O’Neill J Kavanagh S.Geraghty.

PRIDE OF PLACE Freshford was nominated recently for a Pride of Place award and this is a very prestigious 32 county competition and is a great honour for the village. The Judges visited Freshford on Thursday14th last and the Freshford.ie umbrella community group thank everyone for the enormous achievement to get to this stage and thank all those people who made a special effort to have the place looking so well.

SYMPATHY Sympathy is extended to Josephine Bergin, Cooleshall and all her family on the death last week of her Mother, Mrs Eileen Tynan, late of Gaulstown, Tullaroan. Funeral mass took place in Church of the Assumption Tullaroan followed by burial in Ballinamara Cemetery.

Sympathy is also extended to Mona Dooley, Georges Tree and all the Dooley family on the death last week of John Dooley late of Seskin, Lisdowney. Funeral mass took place in Lisdowney Church on Thursday evening last followed by burial in Aharney Cemetery.

DEER ON R693 The annual deer hunting season has opened with thousands of licensed hunters entitled to shoot male animals in areas for which they have permits. The season opened at 5.30am on September 1st and hunters are allowed to stalk and shoot sika, fallow and muntjac deer species throughout the State. Hunting for male deer is permitted until the end of the year and hunting of female deer opens on 1 November and continues until the end of February.

Local Cllr. Mick McCarthy says a cull is important, wild deer are affecting biodiversity, land management and road safety. Referring in particular to the R693 Freshford to Johnstown road where there have been far too many incidents in the past number of years.

DEATH Mrs May Collins (nee Corbett) late of Garryglass, Templederry, Co. Tipperary who died last week was formerly from Bohergloss, Freshford. Funeral mass took place in Templederry Church followed by burial in Dolla Cemetery.

BRIDGE Frehford bridge club resumes play on Monday next 25th September at 7.30pm in Tulla Hall, Threecastles. New members are very welcome. For further information please contact Olive on 087 9257610.

GAA NEWS St.Lachtains minor hurlers and U13 hurlers had both good championship wins over the weekend to see them through to the next round of their respective championships. The Minor side got the weekend off to a good start with a comprehensive win over Blacks and Whites on Saturday last to sets up a meeting with neighbours Tullaroan in the final with date and time to be confirmed.

On Sunday The U13 boys had a good win over Emeralds to go through to the semi final of their championship again with date and time to be confirmed.

No date or time for Junion league final has been fixed as yet.

SPEEDY RECOVERY Good wishes and speedy recovery are wished to two St. Lachtain’s players present and past, Shane Dawson and Davie Brennan both recovering in hospital are wished all the very best from their team mates and friends.

IRISH CIRCLE The Irish Circle returns on the 27th of September at 8.30 to Kavenagh’s on the green. Come along and enjoy pleasant conversation in a relaxing atmosphere .everyone is welcome.

FUNDING Kilkenny Local Community Development Committee recently allocated a number of grants to the County. The Communi-

ties Support Fund is supported through the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Community Enhancement Programme. Successful local applications were, Freshford Community Café €12K ; Freshford Squash Club €6K ; Woodview Residents Committee €3.159K ; Freshford Boxing Club €1.1K ; Threecastles Community Hall €1K ; Freshford Heritage Group €700 ; Freshford Day Care Centre €1K. ATHLETIC CLUB Nena Athletics club have launched fit4life. In the Freshford area. All abilities are welcome from walkers wanting company to runners training for marathons and everyone in between.

Very experienced leaders are leading a program established

by Athletics Ireland that caters for all experience and abilities.

They meet each Tuesday morning and Wednesday evenings in Freshford GAA club. If you are interested please contact us on nuennaac@gmail.com or call Caoimh on 0874175550 LOOP CAFE Loop Café Summer Raffle for a beautiful painting “Jenkinstown Blues” kindly donated by local artist Michael Cantwell was held last week and the lucky winner of the painting was Lynn Venables. Thanks to Michael and to all those who supported the raffle. The autumn raffle will now be on sale in The Loop Café. The Loop Café is a wonderful addition to the village full of character and history and is open from Tuesday to Saturday each week from 9.30am to 4pm. Why not go along and meet a friend or try some of their lovely food and support a local community café. They are also looked for volunteers to help out so if you can give little bit of your time please do so.

FITNESS SESSIONS Fitness sessions Boxing/fitness sessions at Community Hall Freshford. Have you had a diagnoses of Parkinsons; Alzheimers or other neurological condition? If so maybe you are keen to get some level of fitness back or work on you balance or upper body strength? These classes are just what you need.

Classes take place each Tuesday from 11am to 12 noon sessions cost just €10 each and are facilitated by a boxing coach. They will also give you the chance to socialise and meet other people. For more information or to sign up please contact Brenda Cooper on 0871369253 PARISH NEWS Mass is held in the Parish Church each Wednesday morning at 9.30am and each Sunday morning at 11am.wiith Mass in Tulla church on Saturday evenings at 7.30pm.

Notices The parish newsletter is available on their website every week and also on the website you are free to pay your dues and make donations or any other contributions and you can find out more about it on the website or feel free to contact in the Parish Office. Please note community notices for the parish newsletter should be left in or emailed to the Parish Office by 11am on Thursdays. Parish office hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 1pm.

Mass Cards Special printed parish cards are available at the Parish Office or from Annette at Tulla Church signed by Monsignor Kennedy. You can contact the Parish office on 056 8832843 or by email – freshfordd@ossory.ie. Contact Mongr Kieron Kennedy on that number or on 087 25235 21 HELP FOR ALL Are you struggling with anxiety or depression or finding life difficult or feeling isolated at this time GROW is there to help you. Their Mental Health support Groups are free and confidential and open to all no referral or booking is needed.

For more information on same you can contact Mary on 087 284342 If you can’t cope and need support text HELLO to 50808.

SAMARITAN - Whatever you’re going through a Samaritan will face it with you – available 24 hours a day 365 days a year – Freephone 1161Alone is available for older people who need

support and you can call them on 0818 222024 (8am to 8pm) AMBER KILKENNY WOMENS REFUGE – is available for confidential support relating to domestic violence - call them on 1850 424244 (24/7) or on 056 7771404 or email into@amberwomensrefuge.ie.

MINOR SEMI-FINAL At the end of Sunday afternoon’s minor county semi-final James Stephens ran out unexpected easy 6-18 to 0-13 winners over O’Loughlin Gaels in MW Dunmore Park. From the start there was no indication that such an emphatic victory was on the cards as both teams went toe to toe for the first 14 minutes and were level at 0-03 each. After peppering the ‘Loughlin’s goalmouth on a number of occasions Ed McDermott finally rattled the net in the 15th minute but the defiant ‘Gaels kept coming back matching James Stephens score for score in a tense out field battle to win possession.

After Sean Bergin raced through the O’Loughlin’s defence for a point in the 28th minute Ed McDermott again finished to the net following a tough goalmouth struggle driven by his hard grafting forward colleagues. This gave the Village a 2-12 to 0-09 lead at the break. Stalemate prevailed for the first 8 minutes of the 2nd half until Zac Scanlon delivered a perfect pass to the inrushing Ed McDermott who sent the sliothar to the net. A fourth goal followed in the 13th minute from a rasping shot by substitute Allen Larkin to put the result beyond the reach of the St.John’s parish club. Further three pointers were added by the impressive Bill McDermott (1-05) and brother Edward to complete his personal tally of 4-07 thanks to the intense work rate of their teammates. In truth this was a complete squad effort, set up by an uncompromising defence led by captain Noah Manogue, Sean Deely, James Bergin, and midfielders Diarmuid Behan and Ed Lauhoff who closed down a potentially formidable O’Loughlin Gaels attack giving the forwards plenty of scoring opportunities over the hour.

SENIOR CAMOGIE On Saturday evening the senior camogie team suffered a disappointing 3-22 to 1-07 loss to Piltown in their county camogie league semi-final fixture in Danesfort. From the start the hugely focused Piltown side set about their task with an impressive display of fitness and accurate passing that the clearly “out of sorts” James Stephens girls could not match.

After sharing points over the first 12 minutes a goal in the 10th minute opened the floodgates as the clinical Piltown girls went on a scoring spree to end the half with an unassailable 2-11 to 0-04 lead. A well taken Anna Doheny goal in the 5th minute of the 2nd half failed to ignite a James Stephens revival as the southern girls went on to claim an easy victory and a place in the league final. The result offers a timely reminder for the team management and players alike that a lot of work lies ahead if the ambition for a successful championship campaign is anticipated.

PADDY’S BIG 70 Congratulations to former chairman, Paddy Neary who celebrated a Big 70th birthday in the clubrooms on Sunday night in the company of his wife Maria and a large gathering of the extended Neary family and grandchildren. Present also to celebrate with the former hard tackling cornerback from the club’s golden era of the 1970’s who won Kilkenny, Leinster and All-Ireland club titles in 1975/’76 and 1982/’83 were many of his team mates from those memorable years. A great night of music, chat and reminiscing with old friends and colleagues was enjoyed by all as the celebration continued into the night.

Now that his “Neary” hurley and referee’s whistle have been long retired we understand that Paddy keeps himself fit with an odd round of golf and a spin on his bike as he enters his

Under Tens on Tour

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

Community & GAA Notes eight decade. We can only wish Paddy many more years of health and happiness with his wife, Maria and family.

U-19 COUNTY FINAL After sharing the lead on three occasions over the opening 14 minutes of Wednesday evening’s 2023 U-19 county final between James Stephens and Dicksboro on a damp MW Dunmore Park playing surface the championship favourites reeled over five unanswered points to build an impressive 0-08 to 0-03 lead by the 22nd minute of the half. From there it became apparent that despite the best efforts of the Village attack to make an impact on the scoreboard huge pressure was placed on the shoulders of an overworked James Stephens defence superbly marshalled by Noah Manogue, Sam McEvoy and Sean Deely, in particular, to restrict the ‘Boro forwards firepower. Dicksboro held a 0-09 to 0-05 lead at the break. James Stephens opened brightly in the early minutes of the 2nd half, knocking over points by Stephen Manogue, Sean Casey and Jack Kelly, reducing the Dicksboro lead to two points at 0-10 to 0-08. It was short lived, however, as Dicksboro sprung back into action forcing an impressive save from Daniel Power before finally hitting the Village net in the 15th minute for a 1-12 to 0-09 lead. Continuing to force the pace the ‘Boro increased their grip on the game with a run of points before Noah Manogue doubled on the sliothar from a neat Stephen Manogue pass for a late James Stephens consolation goal as Dicksboro deservedly claimed back-to-back Kilkenny U-19 county titles with a 1-17 to 1-11 victory.

CLUB PODCAST On Thursday last, presenter Liam Kelly O’Rouke released the latest Club Podcast featuring reports on a busy week of championship hurling including analyses on the senior hurlers dramatic draw with Ballyhale Shamrocks, the minor championship victory over Dicksboro and the U-19 county final defeat at the hands of the same club on Wednesday evening. Also featured is an interview with club senior star Cian Kenny and, from the archives, a nostalgic chat recorded some years ago with the late legendary club coach, Sean “Georgie” Leahy. Be sure to tune in to enjoy an interesting programme involving chats across the generations.

U-10’s ON TOUR Our thanks to U-10 coach, Nicholas Downey and the many family members and supporters who travelled to Glen Rovers (Cork) for the Brendan Walsh tournament on Saturday last.

Invited participants included Blackrock, Erin’s Own, Ahane (Limerick) and the host club Glen Rovers. Both the Red and Green James Stephens teams, performed superbly throughout a long day’s competition at the end of which the J.S. Green team claimed the trophy after a hard fought victory over Blackrock. The J.S. Red were unlucky not to qualify for the shield final losing out on points difference. Nicholas reports that the young Village stars enjoyed the experience of wearing the famous Red and Green colours of James Stephens and were a credit to themselves, their families, and the club both on and off the field of play. Our thanks to the mentors and parents who travelled to supervise the trip to the famous Glen Rovers club, Cork ensuring a safe return for all.

LINE DANCING: Organiser, Deirdre Cullen reminds all that it is not too late to come along and join her recently started Line Dancing class for beginners in the St. John of God School on Wednesday evenings between 6.30 and 7.30pm. Deirdre confirms that there has been a good response from folk anxious to enjoy an evening of light entertainment while exercising the limbs to the rhythms of the energetic line dancing music. Deirdre also states that new members are always welcome.

LOTTO Last week’s numbers were 5 19 25 31. There was no winner.

This week’s jackpot will be €8,000. The €40 consolation winners were Catherine Kinsella, Joe Pattison, Mark Cashin, Dolly Walsh and Seanie Brown.

GOWRAN PARK RACING Two race meetings coming up. The Pat Walsh Memorial Race Day on Friday 29th September 2023. The First Race is at 2.05pm. PwC Champion Chase Day is on Saturday 30th September 2023. First Race is at 2.15pm. Complimentary Shuttle Bus service will leave from Kilkenny City Centre (just above the gates of Kilkenny Castle) one hour before the first race.

GOLF Congratulations to Gowran Park Golf winners of the Revive Active All-Ireland Ladies Four Ball final at Knightsbrook Golf Club at the weekend.

PITCH AND PUTT CKW Juvenile Regional Matchplay was played recently in Bagenalstown. The club was represented by 6 players. Aidan O Connell, Jack McShane, Eoghan Morrissey Tomàs Carroll, Harry Concannon and Conor Carroll After group stages the competition was spilt into three sections.

Tomàs Carroll played Hugh O Brien from Bagenalstown in the final and after a great game with some fabulous play Tomàs took the win on a 3 and 2 margin. In the Shield Conor Carroll battled all the way to finish runner up to Jason Kelly from Bagenalstown.

Well done to the CKW Regional Board for running the competition, Bagenalstown for the preparation of the course and refreshments and to the prizewinners and all the players who played some brilliant pitch and putt all day.

SAVE THE DAY Cois Nore Choir in concert in St Colmcille Church Inistioge Friday the 20th of October at 8pm. Donations on the night for Rower Inistioge Vincent de Paul. Refreshments afterwards.

Revise.ie u19 A County Champions 2023

GOLF The Bennettsbridge Golf Society Captains Prize Jim Dunphy was held recently. Winners were, Aidan Cleere, 37 points, Mick Dillon, 35 points and Mick Fitzpatrick, 35 points.

Some local golfers featured in the Gowran Park Golf Club Revived Active All –Ireland Final held last weekend. Acquitting themselves well were mother and daughter duo, Helena and Orla McCormack and Katharine Hennessy. Joint managers of the Gowran Park team were Keelin Walsh and Eileen Tobin.

LOTTO Results 11th September. No winner of Jackpot . Numbers, 8, 19, 23, 25. Jackpot now €2,950.00. Consolation Prizes, Rosie, c/o Fr Duggan, Healy family c/o Aine Murphy, Jessie, c/o Olive Morrin, Nuala Bolger, Gowran Road, Breda Walsh, Main Street, Bennettsbridge.

CATHEDRAL DRAW The Cathedral draw begins again this month and anyone who wishes to support this important fundraiser for the restoration work on St Mary’s Cathedral can contact Joan Cleere or Kay Cody. The draw is held on the last Wednesday of each month in the Chapter Room in the cathedral. Entry fee is €10 per month and there are substantial money prizes to be won.

LOURDES PILGRIMAGE The 2024 Ossory Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes led by Bishop Niall Coll will take place from Tuesday May 21-Sunday May 26 inclusive. With places for pilgrims in need of assistance, youth helpers, support staff and able-bodied pilgrims.

More later.

CHURCH NEWS MASS TIMES Weekday mass times Wednesday 10.30am. Friday 10.30am.

Weekend Masses. Tullaherin Saturday 8pm. Bennettsbridge Sunday 10.30am ART GROUP Following a very successful Exhibition held during Kilkenny Arts Week, classes have now resumed and are held every Monday in the Community Centre. Members will be discussing plans for the coming months and exploring new ideas.

GATHERING GROUP Meetings have now resumed following the summer break.

Last week, a six week long gentle yoga programme began and it was well received by the members.

GAA Senior Hurling Best of luck to our senior hurlers who take on Tullaroan in Nowlan Park in the championship first round next Sunday at 3 pm. All support greatly appreciated.

Under 15 County Final Best of luck to the under 15 team who play Glenmore in the county final in Dunmore next Sunday at 10.30. All support welcome as the lads to bring home the cup.

Under 13 Hurling Well done to out under 13 team who won a thrilling battle with Clara in the championship quarter final in Clara last Sunday. This game went to extra time and both teams gave everything with the ‘Bridge lads winning out by a goal in the end .They now face St Lactain’s in the semi-final. Well done to all involved.

CLUB SHOP New additions of a training top and shorts have been added to the Bennettsbridge O’ Neill’s club shop. To access the full range of club gear simply go to the O’ Neill’s website and enter Bennettsbridge in the search box.

SPLIT THE POT The next draw takes place this Friday a 6 pm in the clubhouse.

The competition can also be entered online using club force.

Please see the clubs Facebook page for details of how to enter on line. Envelopes are available in the usual spots around the village. Thanks for the continued support.

€25 each Tim Horan c/o Paddy Maher. €25 each John Fitzgerald c/o online Hurlers Co Op Draw Kay Walkin c/o Paddy Maher. Promotors prize Declan Gough Thank you for your continued support U19 COUNTY CHAMPIONS Huge Congratulations to our U19 Hurlers and their Management Team on a great win against James Stephens GAA in miserable weather conditions to be crowned Revise.ie u19 A Co Champs 2023. Well done to all involved.

SENIOR CAMOGIE Our Senior Ladies secured a place in the League Final after a fantastic display of hurling on Saturday afternoon in Tullaroan beating Windgap 2-17 to 1-5. Well done all.

JUNIOR CAMOGIE Our Junior Camogie Team gave everything they had to just fall short in extra time in the League Semi Final against John Lockes/Bennetsbridge. A fantastic match that had it all. We wish John Lockes/ Bennetsbridge the best of luck in the League Final.

U14 CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI FINAL Hard luck to our girls & well done to the Rower Inistioge who were deserving winners in a great game of Camogie Sunday Evening in Bennetsbridge. We wish the Rower Inistioge the very best of luck in the Final. Thanks to our Girls & their Management Team for all their hard work and commitment in 2023 & we look forward to seeing back in Palmerstown for the 2024 Season.

CONDOLENCES Dicksboro GAA and Camogie club would like to send our Deepest Sympathies to the Gittens Family, Shellumsrath, Kilkenny on the sad and sudden passing of Mary Gittens. Mary was beloved Mam to James Gittens a club trainer and mentor.

May She Rest In Peace.

CATHEDRAL DRAW

Names of those wishing to join the new draw to Caroline Phelan or Breda Campion before September 27th.

COMMUNITY HALL 500 CLUB The second monthly draw of the 500 club will take place on Saturday Sepember. 30th. Tickets €10 per month and can be got in the local shops or any committee member.

SYMPATHY Sympathy is extended to Martina Holohan, Foulkscourt, who has been bereaved by the death of her brother Tony Grant (RIP), Lisronagh, Clonmel and late of Urlingford.

SPA UNITED AFC Weekend Results. Junior league division 3 Spa 3 Brookville 0, U14 boys league division 2 Spa 3 Clover Utd 1, U12 boys division 1A Spa 2 East End 1, U12 boys league division 2 Spa 2 Dean Celtic 1, U12 girls league division 1 Spa 5 Evergreen 0.

SPA DEVELOPMENT/FENIANS LOTTO Congratulations to “the Friday Blues” who won the lotto jackpot. Numbers drawn 7,14,18,20.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Glengoole Wednesday 11am to 2pm, Gortnahoe Thursday 11am to 1pm PARISH PRIEST The installation of Fr Walton as Parish Priest of Gortnahoe Glengoole will take place in Gortnahoe Church with Mass at 7pm on Friday 6th October. All are welcome.

TUESDAY BRIDGE Bridge is being played each Tuesday night in Gortnahoe Hall at 7.30pm. If you would like to join or find out more information please contact this number 089 4349106 GORTNAHOE BINGO Bingo continues this Saturday night at 7.00pm with doors opening from 6.00pm and will continue each Saturday night at the same time. Over €2,660 in prize money on offer including a special €500 game. We look forward to the many visitors and family members home with their family, it will be a

Cup Presentation

CLUB LOTTO Dicksboro GAA Club LOTTO Results 14th September 2023. Nos 2 6 15 23. Jackpot: €12,050. Not Won Draw Prizes – €50: Joe Dwyer c/o Jimmy Murphy. €25 each David Pollard c/o Online

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

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Community & GAA Notes great nights entertainment for all.

SPLIT THE POT Congratulations to last weekend’s winner, Alannah and Charlie Russell, from Urlingford who won €169 in the Split the Pot draw. Envelopes are available at the usual outlets.

Split the Pot for the month of September will be in support of Ballysloe Sensory Garden. The draw takes place each Sunday at 12pm in Gortnahoe Hall. Your support would be appreciated THURLES CATHEDRAL REROOFING PROJECT The Priests’ from the Diocese of Down and Conor in Northern Ireland, will perform in the Cathedral of the Assumption on Friday September 29th. Tickets are available in the Parish office or Bookworm.

BALLYRAGGET BALLYOUSKILL Set Dancing classes started in the Wheel Inn Ballyouskill Co. Kilkenny. Thursday 21st September. All are welcome, starting time 9pm. Contact Paddy at 0858607256 or Francis at 0857157694 for details. Please spread the news CYMS COMMUNITY HALL Zumba Returned Tuesday 12.09.2023 at 7pm. Contact Rebecca 085 1403387 Irish Dancing has returned Thursday 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

Contact Ashling 085 7780763 Bingo in the CYMS Hall on Wednesday nights.

Parish choir will resume in the Cannon Malone Hall on Wednesday 13th September new members are always welcome.

Dance and Acro Wednesdays 3pm to 4pm suitable for ages 6+ to book email royal22.houseofdance@gmail.com also you can book the Toddler Dance Class for ages 2-5 Wednesdays 2.30 to 3pm also in the CYMS hall.

MOBILE LIBRARY Kilkenny Mobile Library-visited Croía Early Learning Centre, O’Gorman House & Brookhaven House, Ballyragget Tuesday and the next visit is scheduled for Oct 3rd. Full details of the timetable and how to register for library membership are available on www.kilkennylibrary.ie. Tel Library Headquarters 056 7794160 CARD GAME Progressive 25’s, every Sunday night @ 8pm in the GAA Club Jenkinstown. All welcom ST PATRICK’S GAA The junior side were in action against Cloneen on Saturday securing a win on a scoreline 1-16 to 0-13.

The lotto jackpot was once again won this time it was Billy Bradley Snr many congratulations. The jackpot stands at €3,000.

HURLING The intermediate hurlers have deservedly advanced to the quarter finals of the Michael Lyng Motors Intermediate championship following a hard fought win over O’Loughlin Gaels in Muckalee on Saturday evening last. A James Bergin goal on the stroke of half-time proved to be the key score as Conahy took a 1-7 to 0-8 lead going into the break. The exchanges were tough and tight throughout the second half but Conahy kept their composure to win out by 1-17 to 0-16. Following the quarter-final draw made on Sunday evening, the locals drew Lisdowney, with the match taking place this coming weekend, with the time and venue to be confirmed at the time of writing. Best of luck to all the panel and management.

The minor hurlers bowed out of the Kilkenny Honda Centre Roinn C championship when they were defeated by a strong Tullaroan side in MW Hire Centre, Dunmore, on Saturday last.

Conahy started well and led by 0-10 to 0-9 at half-time. But with the strong wind at their backs for the second half, the Tullaroan men took over the game and their greater strength soon told, eventually resulting in them winning out by 1-22 to 0-13. The locals deserve great credit for their huge effort throughout the year. Well done to all the players and the coaching team of Ger Byrne, Seamus Óg Brennan, Padraig Hally, Sean Brennan, Ciaran Muldowney and Eoin Carroll.

TEAM: Tommy Mulhall, Tadhg Hennessy, Conor Hennessy, Rory Rhatigan, Darragh Horgan, John Kennedy, Jack Rhatigan, Ben Duggan, Andrew O’Connor, Evan Staunton, Eoin Dunne, Joe Boland, Jake Dooley, Daniel Mooney, Finn Sherman, Michael Lawler, Billy Rowe, Neil Webster.

CAMOGIE Congratulations to the under-14 girls who qualified for then Gaeltec E County Final with a dramatic 2-5 to 2-4 victory over Lisdowney on Sunday last. The girls will now face Graignamanagh in the county final, with a time and venue to be confirmed at the time of writing.

DEVELOPMENT FUNDRAISER Conahy Shamrocks GAA Club have launched a major development fundraiser, and are seeking the support of everyone in the community to ensure its success. The fundraiser will involve a ticket draw, with the winner receiving a new Hyundai Tucson car or €35,000 in cash. Tickets for the draw will be €25 each, or three for €65, or five for €100. The club is appealing in particular to all GAA club members, parents of children involved in Bórd na nÓg activities and parents/ player members of Conahy Camogie club to assist as much as possible with this fundraising draw, either in buying or selling as many tickets as possible. Tickets have and will continue to be given to club members to sell amongst their friends and relations. A website that will allow the purchase of tickets for the draw will be live in the coming weeks, and the draw will also actively be promoted on social media platforms. All support would be greatly appreciated for what will be a development to benefit both young and old in the community.

CLUB LOTTO

The numbers drawn in the Conahy Shamrocks GAA Club Lotto were 8, 17 and 37. There was no jackpot winner so the consolation prize winners were Eva Kennedy, Liam White, Larry Bergin, Jimmy Tierney and Christy and Marie Kennedy. The promoters’ prize winners were Nora Delaney, Larry Bergin and David Maher. This week’s jackpot now increases to €5,100.

DATE FOR THE DIARY The ABBA tribute band “Abbaesque” will play in Conahy Shamrocks GAA Club House on Saturday, October 6th. Tickets may be purchased from Garrett Comerford on 087-2560343 or Kevin Healy on 086-8389490, the GAA Clubhouse or on the door on the night.

PROGRESSIVE 25’S Progressive 25’s are continuing every Sunday night at 8.00 p.m. in the GAA Clubhouse. All are welcome.

EDDIE LANIGAN The untimely death has taken place of Eddie Lanigan, Poulacapple and formerly of Graiguehayden, after a short illness.

Eddie spent his younger years in Graiguehayden with his five brothers and seven sisters. He lived for many years in Clonmel before moving to Poulacapple. Eddie was a qualified driving instructor and ran his own business. He was also a bee keeper and made his own organic honey. He was also very interested in growing his own vegetables. A celebration of Eddie’s life was held in the Community Hall in Mullinahone and the following day he was removed to the crematorium in Cork.

Our sympathy is extended to his partner Stasia, sons Kieran, Brian, Owen and Cian, daughters in law, grandchildren and also to the extended Lanigan families.

EILEEN TYNAN The death has occurred of Mrs. Eileen Tynan, Gaulstown, Tullaroan. Eileen was born in Bawngarrif, Ballycallan where she spent her youth until her marriage to Dan Tynan, Gaulstown, Tullaroan. She was a very popular personality who took part in many aspects of life both farming and parish. She died at Dean Maxwell C.N.U., Roscrea. Her requiem mass was celebrated in the Church of the Assumption, Tullaroan with burial afterwards in Ballinamara cemetery. Sympathy is expressed to her daughters Mary, Josephine, Frances, Rose and Eileen, sons William, Dan, Edward, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sisters Sr. M. Brigid, Pauline, brothers Christy, Paddy and Neddy Finn.

MARY GITTENS The death has occurred of Mary Gittens, Clonmoran, Shellumsrath. She was born in Ballycallan where she spent her youth. Great sorrow is being felt not alone by her family, her immediate relatives and many friends. Her requiem mass was celebrated in St. Mary’s Cathedral with burial afterwards in Paulstown. Our sincere sympathy is expressed to her husband Larry, children Elaine, Anita and James, sisters Bridget, Geraldine, brothers Kieran, Sean, Nicholas and Michael, grandchildren Lorcan, Olivia and Daniel.

RINGS TOURNAMENT River Rangers presents Halloween Rings Tournament on the 29th of October at 6.30pm. Entry is €20 and draws will be made in advance. It is a doubles competition with large cash prizes. To enter contact Linda Hayes on 087 686 14 18, Brendan Hayes on 087 971 87 46 Or Revolut to revolut.me/ jasond1 with name and mobile number Or https://clubnua. ie/.../eb4c128a-57bc-4ff2-8cdf-23856e34ea88.

FOROIGE YOUTH CLUB DEVELOPMENT Foroige are actively looking for adult volunteers to get involved with Foroige youth clubs right across Kilkenny and county. Our goal is to create opportunities for young people, to grow, develop, connect, socialise and be part of the community across Kilkenny, but your young people need your help to make it happen. Please email me with your expression of interest, I would be delighted to hear from you aidan.gleeson@foroige.ie 086 067 4485.

MAC ON ICE Cllr. Mick McCarthy has welcomed the continuation of the salting of the street in Kilmanagh village in 2023. “Last year I was pleased to facilitate the salting and thanks to the support of the Kilkenny Area Office, former GS John Shortall and Castlecomer Area Office I am pleased to announce agreement has been reached to have the Village salted again this winter.

With fluctuating weather conditions now recurring at an alarming rate this is indeed good news for the community, school children and those attending Our Lady, Queen of Peace, Church.” said Cllr. McCarthy.

LORETO ENROLMENT The closing date for applications for a First Year place in the Loreto School is 23rd October. Applications can be made via the school website: www.loretokk.ie. An Open Day will take place on Thursday, 28th September. Further information will be on our website also.

ST. MICHAEL’S PATTERN The pattern (rosary and blessing of graves) will take place on Sunday, 1st of October at 7pm at St. Michael’s cemetery. If anyone would like to read at this pattern, please let Fr. Taylor know.

COIS NORE CHOIR The Cois Nore coir will be in Concert on Friday 22nd September at 7.30 in Callan Parish Church. Admission free, donations on the night go to Cois Nore Cancer Support Centre.

CHOIR FEST Kilkenny Choir Fest, Saturday 23rd, Castleinch Venue R95 DW92. Featuring Cois Nore Choir. Tickets, adults: €10, 13-17 yrs. €5, 12 and under, free.

LOTTO RESULTS Results for 04/09/23. Numbers drawn were 3; 6; 20; 27. Lucky

Dip winners were Ryan Cody, Eileen Ronan and Adrian Bourke. Sellers’ prizes went to Michelle Comerford and James O’Connor.

Results for 11/09/23. Numbers drawn were 1; 11; 16; 23.

Lucky Dip winners were Kay Muldowney, Tom Brennan and Mary Ryan. Sellers’ prizes went to Ann Young and Patricia O’Halloran. Next week’s draw will take place on 18/09/23 at 9pm.

SOCCER RESULTS Tullaroan 4 River Rangers A 1 River Rangers were short a few players for this away trip to their rivals Tullaroan. A very positive start to the game as Rangers kept their shape and kept Tullaroan at bay. 25 mins in Jake O Brien was pulled down for a free outside the Tullaroan box. Eric Keogh stepped up and took an excellent free kick that was heading to the top corner only for a top class save from the Tullaroan keeper. Things were 50/50 at this stage, an unfortunate event just before the end of the half saw Rangers shot stopper shown a red card by the ref, penalty to Tullaroan. Ben Young stepped up to go in the goal and pulled over a brilliant save to deny Tullaroan the lead.

0-0 at half time. Second half started off well with Rangers defence of Shane Murphy and Murt Doheny leading the line.

Tullaroan took the lead after 15 mins in and got a good hold on the game. Rangers broke out on the counter attack and got themselves a corner. A great delivery by Jake O Brien was met on the head by Ben Hayes 1-1. Being down to 10 men unfortunately did not help the Rangers cause and Tullaroan went on to score 3 more goals, final score 4-1 to Tullaroan.

River Rangers battled courageously throughout the game, managers Willie O’Neill and Derek Hally were happy with the team’s effort and style of play.

Team: Cathal Dermody, James Gleeson, Shane Murphy, Murt Doheny, Ben Young, Jack Fitzpatrick, Martin Murphy, Jake O’Brien, Andrew Gleeson, Patrick Foley, Ben Hayes, Philly Doheny, Pat Purcell, James Casey, Jack Hayes, Eric Keogh and Daniel Lawlor.

Highview B 2 River Rangers B 3 First league match of the season for the lads in sunny Graiguenamanagh. Rangers started well with some nice passages of play and clever football. A throw-in where Ben Hayes made himself available and knew what was around him, managed to control the ball turn and lob the keeper with a fine finish.

Rangers kept pushing forward trying to make chances count.

Small mistakes led to Highviews equaliser and the next goal which was a good break was finished well to put Rangers 2-1 down. Dean and Jake O’Brien were lethal on the left wing and caused Highview lots of problems where they combined and got taken down inside the box to win a penalty which Eric Keogh slotted away with a well-placed penalty. 2-2 at halftime which management was very content with and happy with what they saw. In the second half Rangers were working really hard for each other with some great tackling from midfield duo Jack Fitzpatrick and captain Martin Murphy. Andrew Gleeson was energetic and with some great runs was relentless in his work ethic up and down the pitch.

Derek Hally was stand in goalkeeper for the day and pulled off some great saves. Chris McDonald got onto a ball with his back to goal and somehow managed to loop the ball over the keeper who could only watch in awe as the ball dropped from the sky and hit the inside of the post for a sensational finish to put Rangers 3-2 up. For the next 20 minutes Rangers were outstanding with Patrick Foley playing a sweeping role, was very mature for such a young age the way he played and attacking with blistering pace. Conor Hogan played a leader’s role very solid and very little getting through. The couple of subs used added freshness and helped the cause. At the final whistle Rangers were well worth the win.

Team: Derek Hally, Eric Keogh, Patrick Foley, Conor Hogan, Dean O’Brien, Jack Fitzpatrick, Andrew Gleeson, Martin Murphy, Jake O’Brien, Ben Hayes, Chris McDonald, James Casey, Eric Roberts, Jack Hayes, Daniel Lawlor, Pat Purcell, Dylan Kelly.

KILMANAGH NOTES Anyone wishing to submit news items, events, announcements etc. can do so by email only to elanigan18@gmail.com.

If you have any photos that you would like included, please send as an attachment.

MASS TIMES Hugginstown: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9.30a.m. Vigil - Saturday at 8.00p.m. Sunday at 10.00a.m. Stoneyford. Wednesday. at 7.00p.m. Vigil - Saturday at 6.30p.m. Saturday 23rd. Feast of St. Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio).

PRAY FOR Anniversary Masses Neddy and Joe Dwyer, Croan. Mass in Hugginstown Church on Saturday 23rd. September at 8.00p.m. Toddy Tennyson, Mabbistown, Mass in Hugginstown Church on Sunday 24th. September at 10.00a.m.

ROTA Week-end: 23rd24th. September (Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time) Readers. Stoneyford, Saturday 6.30p.m. Tom King. Hugginstown, Saturday 8.00p.m. Pat Power. Sunday 10.00a.m. Mary Foran. Eucharistic Ministers, Stoneyford. Saturday 6.30p.m.

Pat Kenny. Hugginstown. Saturday 8.00p.m. Teresa Broderick.

Sunday 10.00a.m. Kay Power.

ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL RESTORATION FUND DRAW The first draw for St. Mary’s Cathedral Restoration Fund 2023/2024 year is due to take place on Wednesday 27th.

September 2023. The draw year 2023/20224 will run from September 2023 to August 2024. Draw will be held at 8.00p.m

on the last Wednesday of each month. Tickets are available at the Parish House, Hugginstown: Telephone contact 056 776 8693. All Tickets to be entered by Monday 25th. September if you wish to be part of the First Draw on Wednesday 27th.

Subscription €10.00 per month: Prize Money €5,000.00 per month.

Roman Catholic Diocese and Parishes of Ossory - Registered Charity No. 20015831 THE COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT SCHEME Stoneyford Development Association is looking to recruit a Caretaker for the area around Stoneyford. Duties to include: Maintaining the hall/rooms at the Community Centre, preparing same for users, up-keep and cleaning of community areas, cutting grass, hedge cutting and litter removal. If you are interested, please contact the Supervisor, Paul Kealy, Telephone 087 958 2709. at St. Canice’s Community Employment Training CLG. Eligibility to participate on CE Scheme is generally linked to those who are 21 years or over and in receipt of a qualifying Social Welfare Payment. Payment for over one year or more.

LOTTO Aghaviller Parish and Carrickshock G. A. A. Draw, Monday 11th. September 2023 Numbers: 30; 22; 20; 01. No Winner First 3 Numbers Drawn. No Jackpot Winner: €30.00. Winners, Angela Barron, Romansvalley, Karen and Liam Walshe, Lawcus.

Bernie Grace, Stoneyford, Walshe Family, Lawcus, Mary Brady Bennettsbridge.

3 x €15.00 (Sellers),Caitlin Roche, Catherine Duggan, James Irish. From Monday 4th. September 2023 the price of a Lotto Ticket is €2.00.

OSSORY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2024 The 2024 Ossory Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes led by Bishop Niall Coll will take place from Tuesday May 21st. to Sunday May 26th. The organising committee are confident in offering places to pilgrims in need of assistance, youth helpers, support staff and able-bodied pilgrims. The youth section is organised through the head of R.E. in Secondary Schools and places are limited. A follow up announcement and posters on Church Notice Boards will carry further details.

SYNOD GATHERING In advance of the first assembly of the Universal Synod, which begins on 4th. October 2023, an Ecumenical Prayer Vigil is taking place in Rome to unite us all in praise and worship. In extending this invitation to “Together-Gathering of the people of God” Pope Francis reminded us that ‘the path to Christian unity and the path of synodal conversion of the Church are linked’. In a special way, young people from across the world, are asked to take part. In our Diocese on Friday September 22nd. we will join with Pope Francis and the young people invited to Rome by holding an Ecumenical Taizé Prayer in The Blessed Sacrament Chapel in St Mary’s Cathedral at 7.00p.m. with a special invitation to all the young people of the Diocese. Then on Sunday 24th.September will gather as the People of God in Ossory at the 5.30pm Mass united with the People of God across the world to pray for the Universal Synod. People from all across the diocese are invited to attend.

COUNSELLING SERVICES Our low cost Counselling Services, includes One-to-One, Family and Teens, aged 12 plus.

General Counselling: Bereavement, Stress, Anxiety and Depression. Other Counselling Services available: Drug, Substance and Gambling Addictions. Play therapy is now also available. Age 5+. Please contact Sue for more information or to make an appointment.

ST KIERANS HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY Applications are invited for the Vacant Tenancy of a onebedroom house at St Kieran’s Place, Urlingford. To be eligible to apply you must be on the Kilkenny County Council Housing list. Applications are available from the centre.

DEFIBRILLATOR Please note that there is a defibrillator located in the Mill Family Resource Centre if and when it may be required.

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

APPEAL FOR CLOTHES DONATIONS Any clothes donations would be greatly appreciated in aid of our counselling services. Donations can be left into the Centre, please call before dropping off.

SAVE THE DATE Friday 1st December we will be having our Christmas Fair. Full details to follow.

ART CLASSES We are running Art Classes every Thursday morning from 10am to 12pm. Places are limited, if you are interested please contact us here at the centre.

Contact number for the Centre 056-8838466

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

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

Hurling matters

Sport

Shane Murphy can drive his team on against ‘Boro

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League Final Dicksboro Vs Glenmore Saturday, 3pm, UPMC Nowlan Park Referee: Patrick O Reilly UPMC Nowlan Park will play host to an intriguing battle between unbeaten Dicksboro and Glenmore tomorrow, as both clubs go in search of silverware in the form of the senior league title. As we approach the business end of the Kilkenny club season, momentum is crucial, and these sides will aim to put down a marker as teams jostle to dethrone six-in-a-row seeking Shamrocks Ballyhale.

Managers Michael Walsh and Bob Aylward have been round the block long enough to know that from this point onwards, every game matters.

Once the league decider is done and dusted, it’s knockout hurling only and that’s when the real pressure will be on the contenders for the County title.

Group A winners Glenmore arrive in the league final having lost just one game during the

Silverware at stake, but bigger days ahead Glenmore and Dicksboro do battle for league title

Ian Byrne & co will be out to secure the leage title

group stages. That was a surprising defeat to Graigue Ballycallan in round 4, but the men from the deep south regrouped and put in a decent display to shoot down Bennettsbridge last time out. Bob Aylward’s charges dealt an early season blow to Shamrocks, when they ran out 3-point winners in the All-Ireland club champions own back yard, and this victory laid the foundations for an entertaining campaign.

A narrow win over The Village coupled with a 10-point thrashing of Erins own in horrible conditions

has seen Glenmore serve notice that they are a team to be reckoned with.

They will arrive in UPMC Nowlan Park tomorrow, knowing that whatever type of game develops, that they are in a good place to come out on the right side of the result.

Backboned by the Murphy clan, Glenmore, like their final opponents, have a lovely blend of youth and experience and this has resulted in their fine performances to date. County netminder Eoin Murphy has looked very comfortable at centre-back, and having the powerful running power

of Shane on the wing allows the Pairc na Ratha men to build a great platform in defence for those further forward to do real damage. Alan Murphy covers every blade of grass and is a hardy buck. When the going gets tough, he loves to battle, but don’t let his feistiness overshadow his skill on the ball and ability to strike from distance. Alan is also entrusted with placed ball duty, and he’s normally very reliable in this area.

Ex-County man Ger Aylward provides a real cutting edge at the top end of the pitch. Ger possesses

really clever movement, turns on a six-pence and never gives defenders a second’s peace during the game!

Glenmore can usually rely on him to lead the attacking unit with great purpose and determination while his knack of pointing from almost impossible angles is a joy to behold.

The young trio of Ian Byrne, Cathal Beirne and Dean Croke give their side many outlets to provide and take scores.

Beirne in particular has been mightily impressive this season, possibly the standout player in this Glenmore side. His powerful

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

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Hurling matters

Alan Murphy’s accuracy could be crucial

hitting 5-18 to secure a 13-point win. ‘Boro returned to the same venue the following week to topple O’Loughlin Gaels by once score in a very entertaining encounter.

Danesfort were the next team to be overpowered by Michael Walsh’s charges, before Mullinavat made them work much harder in Dunnamaggin, just 4-points separating the sides at the long whistle. Dicksboro completed group matters with a 4-19 to 0-16 win over Tullaroan in Ballyragget to finish top of the table with ten points.

Like Glenmore, Dicksboro appears to have a great blend across all areas of the pitch. Bill Sheehan leads his side well in the attacking third, and it’s around him that this team really shines, literally. Yes, young Harry Shine is an explosive talent of real quality.

You can’t take your eyes off him, otherwise he is likely to punish you. Add in the experienced Andy Gaffney and Mark Nolan and this inside line can pose problems for any defence.

Liam Moore has been a regular in this side for a while now and is an intelligent hurler who links the play well in the final third.

Aidan Nolan has looked in decent nick this season, while Cillian Hackett usually delivers consistent performances for his club. County men at different end of their careers, Cillian Buckley and Timmy Clifford have been used in multiple positions at club level and are key cogs in Michael Walsh’s ‘Boro machine. Clifford appears to be enjoying his club hurling and has put in some good shifts in recent games and can take a score or two himself also.

At the back, Dicksboro has some quality defenders, Stephen Dermody, Niall Rowe and particularly Padraic Moylan are sticky markers and will relish trying to shackle the likes of Ger Aylward, Ethan Phelan and co. Moylan is an All-Ireland U20 winning captain and possesses great quality and leadership and appears to be flourishing under the guidance of Michael Walsh.

It has all the ingredients to be a cracking league final, and it could go either way, but you can bet that both these sides will have a big say in where the Tom Walsh Cup ends up in a few weeks’ time.

Weekend Fixtures

St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League Final (Finish on day) Dicksboro v Glenmore Tomorrow, 3pm, UPMC Nowlan Park, Referee: Patrick O Reilly

St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Shield Final (Finish on day) James Stephens v O’Loughlin Gaels Tomorrow, 1pm, UPMC Nowlan Park, Referee: Raymond Byrne

St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Relegation Semi Final / Championship 1st Round (Finish on day) Shamrocks Ballyhale v Danesfort Tomorrow, 5pm, John Locke Park, Referee: Maurice Flynn

and purposeful runs from deep cause untold problems for the opposition and he likes to trouble the scoreboard as well. Ian Byrne, a county panelist himself can sometimes be a mercurial type character. Another player that has the ability to glide past defenders with ease, Byrne is a really talented hurler who has plenty to offer his club, and no doubt the black and amber for years to come. Young Dean Croke adds something new to the Glenmore attack. His work rate is excellent, as are his clever runs and he loves little flicks to bring others into the game. Croke is definitely one to watch.

At the back, goalkeeper Mikey

Kirwan is solid custodian between the posts but for me, it has been his restarts that have caught the eye.

Kirwan seems to know exactly when to go short or send a booming puck out way down the pitch. In front of the netminder, Eoin Aylward and Sean Duggan have been the main protagonists in the Glenmore defensive unit. Along with the Murphy’s, Billy Reid is another player that has put in some cracking displays so far this season. Factor in Richie Hennessy, Ethan Phelan and the returning Robbie Fitzpatrick and you can see that all looks good in Glenmore.

Glenmore’s opponents tomorrow, Dicksboro can lay claim to having

the best record in the league this season. Unbeaten after five rounds of action, Michael Walsh’s men were also the highest scorers across both groups and just as importantly, had the tightest defence. Put all this together, and it’s not hard to see why many think Dicksboro could be potential championship winners.

The Palmerstown based side will hope to build on what’s been an impressively consistent season to date by lifting the league title at UPMC Nowlan Park tomorrow afternoon. The men in maroon got their group campaign off to a flyer with victory over Clara in a high scoring affair at Pairc Sheamuis Stiophan back in early August,

St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Championship First Round (Finish on day) Clara v Graigue Ballycallan Sunday, 12 noon, Pairc Sheamuis Stiophan, Referee: John Kennedy

Tullaroan v Bennettsbridge Sunday, 2:30pm, St. John’s Park, Referee: Peter Burke

St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Relegation Semi Final / Championship 1st Round (Finish on day) Erins Own v Mullinavat Sunday, 5pm, Danesfort, Referee: David Hughes

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

Motors Classifieds

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

JOEPARSONSGARDEN MAINTENANCE SERVICES INCLUDE • Hedge cutting • • Grass cutting • • Power washing • • Dry rubbish removal • • Tree pruning •

CONTACT JOE: 086-8587568

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

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Classifieds Motors

Call 056 7771463 for all your classified advertisements

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Planning notices

Planning notices KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL I Christopher Buggy intend to apply to above authority for permission for the following at Massford Castlecomer Co.Kilkenny (a)Erection Of DwellingHouse (b)Erection of Garage (c)New entrance from Public Road (d)Associated Works The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.

Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations 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.

Christopher Buggy

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

PATRICK (PADDY) DAWSON

MARY (MAY) DAWSON

22ND ANNIVERSARY

12TH ANNIVERSARY

In loving memory of May and Paddy, late of Collins Park, Callan, Co. Kilkenny, whose anniversaries occur at this time.

Sadly missed along life’s way Quietly remembered everyday No longer in our lives to share But in our hearts, you are always there Sadly missed by your loving sons, daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Anniversary Mass on Sunday, September 24th Church of The Assumption, Callan.

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. CMG.

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. S.M.

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.CMG.

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. S.M.

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.D.

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. C.H.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. A.L.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 September 2023