Kilkenny Observer 23rd April 2021

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Friday 23 April 2021

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EVERY FRIDAY

The Kilkenny

Observer Covid-19: it’s a summer of hope and of ‘wait and see’

BY KILKENNY OBSERVER REPORTER

Kilkenny rebels held on Spike Island named

THE HSE expects to administer up to 40,000 doses of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine before the end of this month as less onerous restrictions will be applied to it compared with the over-60 rule imposed on AstraZeneca. Although the European Medicines Agency (EMA) issued a rider saying in very rare cases it too can cause blood clots.

The news comes as mass vaccination centres open across the country, including Carlow and Kilkenny. Cillin Hill and the Barrow Centre at IT Carlow are now vaccinating those aged 65 to 69 who have registered for appointments. However, there is growing disquiet among a minority of that group because they are being offered only the AstraZeneca jab, predominantly associated with clots.

Despite ongoing delays in the continued supply of vaccines, Taoiseach Micheal Martin reiterated in the Dail that 80% of all adults would be vaccinated by the end of June.

See Covid-19 stories, Pages 6, 8 &10 EVERY FRIDAY

The Kilkenny

Vicky Phelan hopes to return home to her children and family by July. She says she remains as positive as ever, despite an increase in pain, although the Kilkenny woman says it doesn’t look like any new tumours, nor an increase in her tumour mass, has occurred.

See Page 6

More job losses

Two Carphone Warehouse shops in Kilkenny City are to close immediately with job losses. It is the latest pandemic-related blow to the local economy.

The outlets are at the MacDonagh Centre and Market Cross.It comes as owners Dixons Carphone announced the closure of its 81 outlets in Ireland with “immediate effect”, and the loss of 486 jobs.

Punchestown Fest Historic moment: Mayor of County Cork, Christopher O’Sullivan, watching the court scene installation at the launch of the new Cobh to Spike Island ferry and the launch of a new exhibition entitled ‘Independence’. Both launches took place on Spike Island, during which 33 Kilkenny rebels held on the island in 1921 were named Picture: Michael O’Sullivan / OSM Photo Full story Page 8

Back-to-back meetings bad for our brains THREE of every five Irish employees lose 61% of their time to interruptions, meetings, calls and emails, with 73% wanting to better manage distractions, not helped by remote working during the pandemic.

Research from Microsoft Ireland’s Human Factors Lab underscores the negative effect of back-to-back meetings on our brains, and the impact that breaks between meetings can have on our stress levels and ability to focus/engage in meetings.

The report shows: • When in back-to-backs, your

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

Fianna Fail TD Jennnifer Murnane O’Connor and farm groups are calling for the building of a massive cheese factory in South Kilkenny to go ahead, following the High Court rejection of an appeal by An Taisce.

Glanbia are proposing to set up the €140m. factory at Belview with it’s Dutch partners.

See Page 6

Vicky hopes to be home by July

June ‘too soon’

It’s a ‘wait and see’ scenario as Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said June was “too soon” for fully vaccinated Irish people to travel abroad for summer holidays, while Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said there was “good news on the horizon” for non-essential travel in the coming months. However, any concessions promised for May 10 would ‘not go any further, according to Mr Varadkar.

Meanwhile, Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, released new research that highlights the impact Covid has had on the working lives of women in business in Ireland. The findings confirm the concerns that Covid has the potential to regress hardearned progress in gender equity.

The Ibec survey, carried out in March, sought to examine the impact of Covid on women and reveals that 20% of organisations had noticed a change in the position of women in their organisations in the past 12 months, citing changes such as increased pressure and stress for women, childcare responsibilities, and access to work flexibility to accommodate childcare and/or eldercare.

Ibec also said restrictions have meant that thousands of transition year students have missed out on developing the practical, personal and social skills, and to gain insights and ideas about the world of work.

To combat this Ibec is partnering with the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals in Ireland (NAPD) to deliver ‘TY Talks 21’, an online conference for Transition Year students.

High Court gives Glanbia go-ahead

stress level accumulates over time – but 10-min breaks between meetings create a reset which means you stay in a calm and relaxed state – even after four meetings.

• Back-to-backs not only increase your stress but also reduce your ability to focus and engage while in meetings.

• The transition from one meeting to the next is a high source of stress – this could be because you’re trying to wrap one conversation and risk being late to the next, or because

you have to switch meeting attendees or subject matter quickly.

Microsoft Ireland CEO Cyril Moloney told The Kilkenny Observer that a new feature in Outlook will now allow organisations to change the default Outlook meeting settings at the company-wide level to start or end early.

“This new feature will help the millions of people who use Outlook carve out time for essential breaks between back-to-back calls,” he said.

After a fantastic five weeks of racing at Cheltenham and Aintree, the thrills and excitement gets under way at the Punchestown Festival on Tuesday, April 27. Read Eddie Scally with his selections for the week ...

See Page 16

INSIDE

Paul Hopkins.................................P4 Clair Whitty...................................P4 John Ellis.....................................P12 Andrew McDonald....................P12 Bianca Rallis................................P14 Food & Drink...............................P18 Science & Wellbeing.................P19 Travel & Leisure.........................P22 Lockdown Streaming................P24 Gerry Cody..................................P28 Community Notes......................P32 Photo Special...............................P34

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Opinion

The Fact Of The Matter PAUL HOPKINS

The long and the shorts of it, lads ...

OUR seasons are a vagary onto themselves, our reaction to their sudden, often unannounced change even more vagarious: when it’s hot, it’s “too hot”, and when it rains and the winds come, our reaction is: “Sure it’s a grand country altogether, if only we had a roof over it.”

We all have our pet hates about Irish weather, in particular Irish summers: being ‘too hot’ aside, there are those of us subjected to the ‘midgies’, sleepless nights ‘cos it’s “too hot”, the dilemma of what to do with children, every long single day of the oh-too-long school holidays, after they spending more time at home than at school the past 12 months.

And so it goes...

My bugbear are the hordes of men who don shorts at the first sign of spring. More specifically men over a certain age, an age when they really should know

better, who assail my senses with visions of knobbly knees, bow legs or flat feet, pot-bellied or worse, attired in shorts of all shades and shapes that do nothing to enhance their standing in the community.

Here’s my rationale: if we men are planning on making a century, then the age of 50 is a speed hump we just have to get over. It’s like surviving a Wednesday during the working week; you can crawl under your office desk and sob, or you can be a man and face your demons.

The best knack to getting over the middle of your life is to do it with as much grace and elegance as possible. Problem is, grace and elegance seem to be bygone words in the era of the perpetual ‘kidult’.

In days of old, teen-age boys looked up to their fathers and tried to emulate them, Nowadays, it’s the other way around,

with fathers trying to be like their teenage sons.

Okay, okay, I admit it: I have a pair of torn jeans somewhere at the back of the wardrobe and I have a collection of Converse footwear that would have been the envy of Imelda Marcos but I draw the line at donning shorts the first sign of a blue sky on this island, in the main because our springs summers are never that hot or the days never one long ray of sunshine to merit such but mainly ‘cos I know that, being of a certain age, and, unfortunately flatfooted, I would look bloody ridiculous.

I am such men every day even during that recent cold snap that lasted a week - pouncing about in their shorts at the coffee shop, walking the dog, down the harbour, over the mill, at the check-out and they look ridiculous if not downright ugly.

I am not alone in my thinking.

Fashion designer Tom Ford says men in shorts are “disgusting” and “repulsive,” and they look “ridiculous, like children” in them.

Yes, I do have a pair of shorts, heavy khaki, cargo style, but I only use them if down the Costa del What- ever or, more likely, in my beloved Africa where, in bush or on beach, they seem at home. Shorts are not at home with the pot-bellied, red-faced, fifty-something in a string vest, having a latte at the pop-up coffee shop during the pandemic.

Come on lads, you are big boys now and big boys don’t wear short pants in places of industry, culture and sophistication. If it’s a hot Irish day, find yourself a pair of light cotton chinos, or linen trousers. And as for cut-off jean shorts? Just no. Plain no.

Here’s an interesting snippet: in 1939, a Gallup poll asked

Assail my senses with visions of knobbly knees, bow legs or flat feet, pot-bellied or worse...

”

about 1,500 people the following (now, politically incorrect) question: “Do you think it is all right for women to wear shorts on the street?”

A total of 1,020 said no.

When I had hit the wrong side of 50 and was wearing torn jeans and a base-ball cap back to front, my daughter said: “Dad, don’t be daft. You think you’re cool, a legend, but... “ Then I went to one of her parties and, man, did I cringingly dance the night away and discussed Elbow, the opening of the local Nando’s, reruns of SITC (if you don’t know, don’t ask) and merits of social networking.

Some days later the same daughter said to me: “My friends think you are a legend ... now the girls in my new job can’t wait to meet you ...’’

“Neither can,” I said, “neither can I.” Out of earshot. Naturally.

Flexofytol an extract of turmeric CLAIR WHITTY

IF you’re experiencing arthritic pain, frozen shoulder, or stiff knees you might be interested to hear about some success stories from our customers.

Turmeric is the most sought-after supplement to help reduce inflammation associated with arthritis, sports injury, or from overstretched muscles. There lots of supplements to choose from.

Some have black pepper/ piperine to aid absorption.

Some supplements are extracts of turmeric called curcumin and others contain the whole plant which naturally contains curcumin. It can be difficult to know which one to take.

Flexofytol has become our go to turmeric supplement for maintenance of joint flexibility and to limit the ageing of cartilage. When you look at this supplement it is difficult to tell what it is. You have a vague idea from the name on the packet which indicates it will help with flexibility. The dosage looks small compared to other products on the shelf. A lot of customers are surprised at first when we recommend this supplement.

This is why we like it: Tillman, the makers of Flexofytol have

developed a patented process to improve the bioavailability of turmeric used in the product. This basically means that while it’s a small dose, the patented process is far more potent than the equivalent strength in a similar product that is not prepared in the same way. Up to 4,000 times more bioavailable than native turmeric yielding 1350 higher blood concentration.

The proof is in the pudding. the results that we hear about on a daily basis about Flexofytol have made this our number one turmeric product. We have heard from people who could not walk their knees were so painful, now they can move about and get out for walks again.

One lady was almost in tears telling us how much better she felt. A gentleman couldn’t

manage the hills in particular, now he can walk home from town without any discomfort.

Another told us about how it is helping their frozen shoulder.

This is only a sample of success stories.

We would have spoken to these people about diet and lifestyle changes that they could make too. And in some cases, we may have recommended other joint supporting nutrients to prevent further wear and tear..

I hope Flexofytol can help you. Call in to see us or give us a call to find out more.

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

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An Taisce may appeal in High Court ruling on Glanbia plant AN Taisce is considering whether to appeal the High Court upholding the decision

by An Bord Pleanála granting Glanbia planning permission for the construction of a cheese manufacturing plant in Belview, Co. Kilkenny. The Kilkenny plant is being promoted by the large Dutch dairy processor Royal A-ware, in partnership with Glanbia, which is to supply the milk.

In November 2020 An Taisce brought a legal challenge against the granting of planning permission on several grounds including that the environmental impact of the agricultural activity arising from the production of the estimated 450 million litres of

milk a year needed to supply the plant should have been assessed by An Bord Pleanála, particularly the impact from the resulting ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions

and the likely deterioration in water quality.

An Taisce is now considering the judgment to determine if there are grounds that warrant an application for

leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal or for an application to the Supreme Court.

Dr Elaine McGoff (pictured), Natural Environment Officer with An Taisce, said: “In this case, the judge did not find in our favour, but this does not alter the validity of our concerns. As consistently confirmed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) , all our environmental indicators are going in the wrong direction, with a drastic loss of water quality and biodiversity, and rising greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions.

Our case was that these impacts simply must be taken into account for any large dairy processing facility of the

huge scale proposed. Sooner or later Ireland is going to have to face up to its legal obligations and take the necessary action. Failure to do so will result in large costs to the State,” she told Kilkenny Observer.

“Ultimately this was not a case taken against farmers - it was a case taken for our environment and the future viability of Irish farming, which is currently endangered by planning decisions that are not compliant with our environmental legal obligations.

We need to move towards a just transition for our farmers and also achieve strong environmental legal compliance in the planning process.”

Calling all you local foodies!

Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny is inviting food and drink producers from the county to join the hugely successful Food Academy programme and follow in the footsteps of local companies, such as Goatsbridge Trout, Mooncoin Beetroot, Highbank Orchards, the Little Mill Company, Bob and Joan’s Juicy Jams and The Fig Tree which have previously taken part.

Now in its eighth-year, Food Academy is a unique food business development programme between the 31 Local Enterprise Offices, including Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny, SuperValu and Bord Bia. To apply for an application form by e-mail info@leo. kilkennycoco.ie or visit localenterprise.ie/kilkenny

Mental health: Funchion plea

Sisters Annamaria and Sara doing it for Callan and cancer DURING the first lockdown last year sisters Annamaria (11) and Sara Ventimiglia (9) started a fundraiser in order to support WWF in their fight for the survival of endangered species. They did 30 minutes of litter picking around Callan, every day for a month.

They did an amazing job that did not go unnoticed. There were some great comments and support from people in Callan and beyond.

This year, Annamaria and Sara have decided to start a fundraiser in aid of the Irish

NEWS BRIEFS

Sinn Féin TD for Carlow Kilkenny Kathleen Funchion has called for cross-party support for Sinn Fein’s emergency response plan to accelerate mental health services.

Pre-pandemic mental health waiting lists were already at crisis point, but the avalanche of depression, isolation, loneliness and anxiety since the onset of Covid-19 has overwhelmed services.

Cancer Society and do 30 min of litter picking around Callan from every day until May 3.

Says their proud mother Pauline, pictured with her two girls: “The fundraiser is called Clean Callan and the girls hope that by cleaning our lovely town they will be able to raise funds to fight Cancer and help people and their families through this difficult time.”

Awards time for agri-sector

https://www.justgiving. com/fundraising/cleancallan

Vicky has heart set on a July homecoming VICKY Phelan has said she remains as positive as ever, despite an increase in pain, although the Kilkenny woman says it doesn’t look like any new tumours, nor an increase in her tumour mass, has occurred.

In the US for cancer treatment but hopes to be back home by July. She said: “I have been in more pain lately in my lower back/

pelvis and, of course, in my head I jump to cancer and assume that tumours are growing or that I have a new tumour.

“But, thankfully, that’s to the case.”

Ms Phelan said she homes to be home in the summer to see her children and family and friends. “I got very upset as I was talking about how

much I miss my kids and how I need to see them,” she said. “ I had been struggling over the past weeks because I could not see an end in sight or countdown to a specific date in the future when I would see my kids again. At least now I know that I will be heading home sometime in July,”

Innovators and entrepreneurs in agriculture in Co. Kilkenny are invited to enter their pioneering agri-related products and services to Enterprise Ireland’s Innovation Arena Awards 2021, in partnership with the National Ploughing Association (NPA),The annual awards competition which will continue online for a second year due to the pandemic.

The best start-up and overall winner of the Innovation Arena Awards will be eligible to win up to €5,000 each.

Visit www.innovationarena. ie. Closing date is Wednesday, June 30.

Decade outlook for agri-food The Department of Agriculture has published their Agri_food 2030 Strategy which should outline the vision and objectives for the agri-food sector for the next decade, with the requirement to ensure the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the sector.

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Kate is awarded Memorial Scholarship at DCU virtual ceremony KILKENNY student Kate Minogue (pictured) was recently presented with a Memorial Scholarship award by DCU at a virtual ceremony where 22 students received awards named in honour of 14 individuals who have played a key role in the life

of DCU and in Irish society.

Kate, a former student of Presentation Secondary School and a current MSc in Digital Marketing student at DCU, was presented with the John Thompson Memo-

rial Scholarship. This scholarship honours the memory of John Thompson, former Chief Executive of Associated Newspapers Ireland and Managing Director of

The Star. This Master’s level scholarship aims to foster the connection between journalism and marketing.

Speaking at the event, Joe Quinsey, CEO of DCU Educational Trust stated: “This year we have awarded

scholarships to 22 students whose talent and dedication are a tribute to those remembered through memorial scholarships at DCU. John Thompson shone brightly in his own life and made a significant mark on society, so it is fitting that his legacy will be

Enterprise Rebels held on Spike to help our Island are named retailers to open again A MOVE towards reopening for the non-essential retail sector could take place from next month on a gradual basis. While the easing of restrictions is dependent on falling infection rates and the roll-out of vaccinations, there are high expectations that there will be a move towards reopening.

To assist the local retail community, the Local Enterprise Office Enterprise Office Kilkenny is hosting a Kilkenny ‘Retail Support’ two-day workshop – Reboot and Re-Energise which will take place online on Monday, April 26 and Monday, May 10. These two short workshops are specifically designed to help businesses as the marketplace begins to reopen. They will be delivered by retail expert James Burke who has spent the last year working with retail businesses who are re-inventing and creating new business opportunities at a time of crisis in the marketplace.

The workshops are aimed at owner managers across all sectors, including traditional retail, fashion, beauty, fitness, music, books, furniture, etc as well as

THE Kilkenny Archaeological Society has just released Volume 71 of its journal, the Old Kilkenny Review.

The contents covers everything from party allegiance and local government in elections in 1920, to compensation claims resulting from the Civil War, to archaeological excavations in Inistioge.

A landscape study of Newtown Kells explores the importance of place and power, while an article on Swiftsheath uncovers the story of a series of portraits of the Swift family that were thought lost for years.

The story of Margaret Sherlock explores the tension in her marriage to Sir Richard Shee. The life of Jonas Wheeler, Bishop of Ossory, in the early seventeenth

NEWS BRIEFS

Last year we saw 183 new houses In 2020 a total183 new houses were provided by the Local Authority through construction, acquisition and leasing, the March plenary meeting of Kilkenny County Council heard.

Developments included Breagagh Place in Piltown, Nuncio Road in Kilkenny City and Hoban Park in Callan.

New footbridge at Castlecomer

food service operators e.g. cafés and restaurants and online retailers.

On Monday afternoon, April 26, the first workshop will explore what other retail businesses are doing to re-energise and reboot their business, bearing in mind the consumer is about to change yet again in their needs and demands as we move through 2021.

This workshop will also explore the tools necessary in order to ensure that your business can capitalise on the opportunities that will present. James Burke will be joined by award winning retailer and Deputy Chair of Retail Excellence Jean McCabe from Willow www.willow.ie The Day 2 workshop ton Monday afternoon, May 10, will provide participants with a checklist of effective marketing tools and techniques and is guaranteed to drive new sales into any business.

Mr Burke will be joined by Sarah Staunton, Big Picture Marketing www.bigpicturemarketing. ie who is regarded as one of the leading marketers on Irelands retail landscape, both online and traditional.

Rich historical lore in Old Kilkenny Review century, is brought vividly to life while the history of Granny Castle is wonderfully explored and illustrated.

The Old Kilkenny Review, edited

by Fergal Donoghue, also contains a number of book reviews, mostly of Kilkenny interest, that cover aspects of Freshford, Ballyfoyle, Callan and Johnstown.

Other reviews examine books on Lady Desart and Talbot’s Inch, the Lives of 99 Kilkenny men and women, Loreto Secondary School and a fascinating work of fiction by Ann Murtagh set in early 1919. The usual records of the Society are presented together with the activities for 2019-2020.

For enquiries, or to purchase (available at €20 incl p&p), email: reception@rothehouse.com

honoured and live on in a bright and gifted scholarship recipient like Kate Mingoue.”

The 22 scholarship recipients were selected based on their talent and dedication but also according to specific criteria set by scholarship donors.

The contract for construction of Castlecomer footbridge has been awarded to Kenny Civils & Plant Ltdl.

The proposed footbridge is a two-span steel structure which will traverse the River Dinin adjacent to the existing masonry arch bridge on the N78.

€1m. raised for hospice care More than €1 million was raised during coffee mornings hosted in 2020 by Hospice Coffee Morning together with Bewley’s The partnership has raised more than €40m. for since 1992.

Body in river is ‘local man in 30s’ The man whose body was taken from the River Nore in Kilkenny City of the evening of Monday, April 19 is believed to be a local. It’s understood the man was aged in his 30s.

He was discovered in the Bleach Road area before 7:30 pm. His body’s been taken to University Hospital Waterford where a post-mortem was due to be carried out.

Remembering: artefacts and items of historical importance in the new exhibition on Spike Island.

Picture: Michael O’Sullivan / OSM Photo

SPIKE Island is commemorating 100 years since the opening of a War of Independence prison on the island, which saw over 1200 Irish rebels held for their part in Irelands fight for freedom in 1921.

The ‘Imprisoning A Nation’ exhibition will include new artefacts, new prisoner diaries and new stories on information panels. Also, part of the exhibition will be a recently discovered 1985 recording of a former prisoner, describing his time in the 1921 prison.

There were 33 men from almost every town in the

county Kilkenny, held as internees on Spike Island during 1921. The internees included Thomas Barron, Hugginstown, Thomas Cahill, Callan, William Cottrell, Inistioge, Laurence DeLoughrey, Kilkenny City, William Forrestal, Jerpoint Church, John and Richard Foskin, Mullinavat, Martin McGrath, Listerlin, Michael Shelley, Callan and Timothy Hennessy. Threecastles. His brother Tom was killed in action in the Friary Street ambush in Kilkenny City, on February 21, 1921.

A link between Kilkenny and the Spike Island prison

exists in the infamous escape from Kilkenny Goal on November 22, 2021. More than 44 prisoners escaped that night through a tunnel, and at least 13 had been held in Spike Island’s cells in the months prior. Some had only arrived very recently, and must have been delighted to discover the almost complete escape endeavour.

Visitors can research the freedom fighters by name, town and county in the free genealogy section, part of the islands permanent ‘Independence’ exhibition which tells the story of the road to Irish freedom from 1914 – 1922.

CUT

Appointment to An Gaisce The Minister for Children, Roderic O’Gorman has appointed Kilkenny native Jenny Gannon to a role on the Gaisce – President’s Award Council.

Ms received a National Civic Merit Award for her contribution to volunteering with young people as a President’s Award Leader in 2019 at a ceremony at Farmleigh House.

The Gaisce Council features President Michael D. Higgins appointees Justin McAleese and Dublin GAA star Philly McMahon.

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Pandemic postpones property awards for another year ALLOWING for the real estate industry to gain traction post Covid 19, the Property Industry Excellence Awards have announced there will not be an awards programme in 2021.

However, all projects throughout 2019, 2020 & 2021 will be eligible to enter from January 1, 2022. The seventh Gala awards ceremony will be hosted in The Convention

Must ‘seize chances in tourism’, says Clune KILKENNY’S position as a leading destination for tourism must be a focus now that restrictions are lifting, says Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune (pictured) who has highlighted the need for a collective approach in ensuring our tourism and hospitality sectors continue to do well postpandemic.

She told Kilkenny Observer that MEPs had called for a new EU strategy on tourism. “They have highlighted how the COVID-19 outbreak has paralysed the EU’s tourism sector, with six out of 27 million jobs at risk. MEPs said that the tourism and travel sectors account for around 10% of the EU’s GDP. They are now urging EU countries to include these sectors in their recovery plans,” Ms Clune said.

The MEP welcomed the announcement of the establishment of a €17m fund in

Ireland which would allow businesses serving food to apply for funding to help pay for more outdoor seating.

Ms Clune said: “Measures such as these are very welcome and will certainly help the tourism and hospitality sectors recover from an awful year. However we must keep up the fight and ensure that we keep pushing ahead with any measures that will help these industries.”

“The EU Parliament said that, due to the pandemic, travellers wanted ‘safe, clean and more sustainable tourism’. They are calling on member States to fully implement common criteria for safe travel without delay.

They said these should include an EU Health & Safety protocol for testing before departure.

MEPs also said a common vaccination certificate should facilitate travel and called for swift agreement on an EU wide approach.”

Centre, Dublin on Thursday, November 24, 2022.

Jim Clery, of KPMG, the principal sponsor, said: “This last year has brought very challenging conditions for the entire real estate industry. Despite this, our sector has continued to

deliver many projects, to make bold and brave plans and to embrace the use of more technology. Projects which are currently being undertaken and planned will emerge as some of the best examples of the resilience of real estate during this crisis.

“KPMG is pleased that the awards will relaunch in January 2022 and remain a steadfast supporter.”

Paul Muldoon, of IN&M, media partner said: “The team at the Property Industry Excellence Awards is hugely excited

to prepare to re-launch this important industry forum. We are focussed on having the awards act as a way for industry participants to share their highs and key projects and to bringing everyone together, in person in 2022.”

Andrew Tobin, CEO of Stryve, outside the company’s Carlow HQ

GoalieEoin netsprivate cloudrole with Stryve

€2.5m. new look for Thomastown THOMASTOWN is set to benefit with funding of €2.5 million approved for a new modern public library and community facilities.

The money is allocated from €75 million for 24 landmark regeneration projects in rural communities across the country.

The Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr. Andrew McGuinness, welcomed the announcement saying: “This is wonderful news for Thomastown and will provide a fantastic boost for the area. This project will play an important role in the Council’s continued focus on supporting the growth of our County Towns.”

The project will further compliment the works being carried out to the public realm in Thomas-

town on Logan Street and Low Street and the upgrade of The Quay Carpark. In addition, the council are to appoint contractors to begin work on the Session House development to transform it into the new home for the School of Jewellery in partnership with the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland.

The combination of these projects will result in significant investment in Thomastown.

Cllr. Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere, Chairman of Municipal District of Callan/Thomastown said: “ The transformation of the library will result in a friendly warm space for learning and creativity. I commend all involved in successfully securing this funding.”

Eoin Murphy: looking forward to new role in IT sector.

KILKENNY All-Star hurler Eoin Murphy has joined expanding tech-company Stryve as a Business Development Manager. Eoin will work closely with Stryve’s growing clientele developing new opportunities and managing key accounts for the private cloud and security business based in Co. Carlow.

Since graduating with a Sports Degree from Waterford Institute of Technology

(WIT), Eoin has combined his busy hurling schedule with a career in sales. He has worked as a medical rep with Phoenix Labs, at SME Finance and Leasing DAC and with Michael Lyng Motors in Kilkenny.

Enthusiastic about his move into the technology sector, Eoin said: “I have always loved the interaction with people that goes with the job. I had a great mentor in

Michael Lyng and I learned a lot from the years working with him. I have spent time now immersing myself in Stryve, the products, and their partners.

“The IT sector has really sped up and people need data at the fingertips now, whether at home or in the office. They need to know that it is secure and they don’t want to lose working time with data issues. I can imme-

diately see companies that I have had dealings with in the past would benefit from the Stryve technology.”

The Kilkenny goalkeeper has learned to manage a busy work life and hurling life over the past decade. He says he is good at separating the two big demands on his time. His four All-Ireland medals and two All-Stars help him get doors opened throughout the county.

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Finance & Fitness shy away from investing, done correctly you can reap rewards and see significant returns.

So how do we avoid the pitfalls and keep our money safe?

Putting a little something away for a rainy day

BY JOHN ELLIS FINANCIAL ADVISOR

MOST people are saving for something. They’re thinking

of putting away some money for a rainy day, for their children’s education, a comfortable retirement or a dream holiday.

Thinking about investing their hard earned cash is a daunting prospect.

On one hand you could increase your funds, but there

One: Encourage restraint by having a formal, written investment policy or allocation guideline for your entire portfolio – this will cut down on impulsive decisions.

The investment policy statement helps you commit to a disciplined investment plan so that your decisions are less likely to be swayed by emotion.

Two: Establish your objectives (for example: retirement planning, education, a holiday) and your time frame – and stick to it.

is always a chance that bad decisions can lead to bad outcomes.

Once people invest they can overreact, because of fear or greed, in both falling and rising markets; selling low and buying in high and jeopardising their long term objectives.

The power of your breath ANDREW MCDONALD HYPNOTHERAPIST

DID you know one of the most powerful things you possess is your breath? No, I’m not telling you to stop eating garlic or onions! I’m talking about the fact your breath is quite literally one of the best tools you have for easing symptoms of depression and anxiety. It is also always with you and entirely free. Oh, and good luck trying to live without it!

I want you to do something. It will only take a moment. Focus your mind on your breath. What part of the breathing process does your mind get drawn to? Out of curiosity, what is your breathing habit? Do you breathe in shallowly or deeply. If the latter, you’re already onto a good thing.

If the former, don’t worry, you can learn. It’s easy.

Now I want to take you through a short breathing exercise. Try to follow these instructions as closely as possible but don’t worry if your mind wanders. This is perfectly normal. When you notice

your thoughts have wandered off from your breath, just gently bring it back to your breathing.

I want you to simply focus on the cool air entering your nostrils and the warm air exiting. Can you notice the slight change in temperature? There might even be a little tingling now you’re focusing on it.

Now I want you to see if you can notice your breath entering and exiting your throat. Then into your lungs and out again.

Finally, I want you to concentrate on your inbreath making your stomach rise and the out-breath letting it fall. Try to breathe in to fully expand your stomach and breathe out to let it fall down completely. It can help to leave your hand on your stomach whilst you do this. Do five more full in and out breaths.

Now return to focusing generally on your breath.

Do you notice any change in your breathing style?

Is it shallower or deeper than before? Is it quicker or slower? You probably answered the latter in both cases. So how do you feel now? How is your anxiety?

Your depression? Did you get temporary relief from

your symptoms?

When you are suffering anxiety or depression, or more generally stressed, the body is usually either in fight, flight or freeze mode. In other words, it’s responding to or getting ready to react to danger.

One of the main ways the body prepares for flightfight-freeze is by breathing quickly and shallowly. This enables more oxygen to be taken in so that your muscles are in the optimum condition to respond. This is useful if you’re in a confrontation, less so if you’re at home or work just trying to get on with your day. It’s positively hellish if you’re trying to get to sleep or enjoy an activity.

Your subconscious also knows that shallow, quick breathing means you’re likely in a flight-fight-freeze situation meaning your brain is on high alert. It is also the main reason why a simple breathing exercise like the one above designed to calm, slow down and deepen your breath is so effective in relaxing you, however temporarily. Your subconscious is then being sent a different message, that the imminent danger has passed, helping you, in turn, to feel calm.

Other times they are lured in by fund advertisements that feature recent high performing funds – as if the investor could somehow inherit those historical returns despite the small print insisting past performance is no guarantee of future returns.

But there is no need to

Three: Establish your Risk Profile. Three key components comprise your true risk profile: Your willingness to take risk, sometimes called ‘risk attitude’ or ‘risk preference’. Your financial ability to take risk, or ‘risk capacity’.

And your need to take risk.

Once you’ve decided what your objectives are and agreed on your level of risk, it is important to match your expectations with an appropriate investment strategy and management process.

It is not served by simply looking at the past performance of particular funds.

It is achieved through a rigorous selection process for funds. Your financial advisor can talk you through the various steps.

I recommend an investment approach where you invest across multiple asset classes.

This is where you spread your investment (diversify) in, for example, a cash fund, a property fund, a bond fund, an equity fund, commodity or an absolute return fund.

It requires a thorough analysis of many factors not least looking for a fund(s) with a strong track record which has been achieved without excessive risk taking and which is repeatable.

Once you have invested your money across the selected funds you now have your portfolio, but this is really only the beginning.

In order to benefit you need to re-balance your portfolio back to your original amounts each year.

Taking stock of your assets once a year is the best way to avoid obsessing over short term fund performance.

By following a consistent process and focusing on the nature of compounding money the investment process aims to deliver good outcomes.

But remember a good process does not guarantee success but stacks the odds in your favour and this is as much as you can hope for.

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News

Romanian Involvement with Twilight Community Group

BY BIANCA RALLIS

Twilight Community Group is a not-for-profit organization established for the promotion, integration, and social inclusion of communities, focusing on the needs of immigrants, ethnic minorities, disadvantaged and disability groups. The organization covers Kilkenny and the Southeast region of Ireland, providing support for education, exchange programs, festivals, exhibitions, workshops, arts training, and other cultural events. They support other partners throughout Europe, ensuring that they, too, adhere to the Twilight ethos.

In 2015 the Twilight Community Group developed their Integration Network Protocols which are now the accepted standard by all the groups with whom they are working locally, nationally, and internationally.

Those Protocols cover the following areas: • Community Interests.

• Exchange Programs • Commerce • Arts & Cultural • Sport • Citizens Involvement Programs • Youth Groups • General Advice Agencies (Locally and Nationally) • Funding Streams (Locally, Nationally and European) The Romanian involvement with the Twilight Commu-

nity Group (TCG) started in 2017, when Martin Brennan, the chairman of TCG, invited Liviu Iftime to adhere as TCG’s associate consultant. Several months later, Liviu accepted the invitation and then started, with the Twilight Community Group, to support the involvement of other Romanians from Kilkenny City. Liviu has been a part of important projects and events. We will mention the most important ones: On the 16 of October 2018, members of the Twilight Community Group Philip Brennan, Liviu Iftime and Ania Adamowska paid a visit to the Romanian Embassy, where they met her Excellency Mrs. Manuela Breazu, Ambassador of Romania to Dublin at the time. At the suggestion of her Excellency to connect Kilkenny City with the Romanian Sichisoara City, based on the medieval region’s similarities, Liviu identified an organization AUM Sighisoara (formerly Wild Carpathia).

In 2019, at TCG’s invitation, Alexandra Negrei and Florentina Marcus, the heads of AUM Sighisoara, visited KiIkenny City and signed the friendship agreement (a new partnership) between the two organizations.

In 2018, Liviu had a place at the Hotel Kilkenny International Conference “Stigmatization of Migrants” part one, and the second part in 2019. During the second part of the Conference, Romanian born Mrs. Daniela Kocis Fitzgeral spoke about the support received from EU and about women empowerment.

For the Connecting Culture Program, several Romanian

youngsters w e r e invited to attend a personal development program in Kilkenny together with youths from five other countries, and Liviu Iftime, as a TCG leader, delivered a Fishbone Analysis learning initiative and a demonstration of Romanian Cuisine.

In March 2020 Mr. Frank Cody, TCG Leader, and Liviu Iftime traveled to Romania, to Sighisoara City at AUM’s invitation to sign the new Charter of Friendship Agreement.

Another important achievement for the Romanian Community of Kilkenny, one that was possible with the help of Mr. Martin Brennan, the Chairman of TCG, was the polling station for Romanian National, Presidential, and Parliamentary Elections. At the invitation of Liviu Iftime, the chairman of Kilkenny County Council, Mr. Andrew McGuiness, visited the polling station, through a video chat, encouraging the Romanian community to exercise their voting rights on both occasions.

Spring 2021 came with another great opportunity for the Romanian Community in Kilkenny. The Kilkenny Observer Newspaper, together with support from TCG, has offered an entire page to the Romanian Community for articles. Liviu Iftime, together with Mrs. Bianca Filip Rallis, who volunteers to write the articles, brings a perspective on the Romanian

community and its importance in local life.

Another aspect that we would like to mention is that on several occasions Liviu Iftime, along with Cornel Pometcu, Cristina and George Musat, as well as the two Sighisoara AUM Leaders Alexandra Negrei and Florentina Marcus, had appearance in the local radio stations KCLR and Kilkenny Community Radio, as well as the Kilkenny People newspaper, raising awareness of the positive aspects of the Romanian community in Kilkenny and Carlow.

In the end, what we should understand is that to have a fully integrated socially inclusive society we must engage with all the communities separately and collectively. By doing this we can remove the labels which we now place on our international communities, migrants, immigrants, refugees, alyssum seekers, disadvantaged, etc. The Romanian Community in Kilkenny would like to say a big thank you to the

Twilight Community Group for all their support. We are looking for many more projects and events to be actively a part of.

COMMUNITIES ARE STRONGER WORKING TOGETHER..

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

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Punchestown Racecourse

Countdown to Punchestown

PUNCHESTOWN

SHOWDOWN

BY EDDIE SCALLY

AFTER what has been a fantastic five weeks for Irish Jumps Racing with a total domination at the Cheltenham Festival & a spectacular first five home in the Aintree Grand National all attention now switches to the season ending Punchestown Festivals where many crowns will be put on the line & some Kings or Queens will be crowned.

Without question the biggest name in jumps racing presently is Rachael Blackmore, on the back of a leading rider title at Cheltenham Rachael then became the first female ever to win the Grand National on the Henry de Bromhead trained Minella Times. Her achievements cannot be overstated, and Rachael will try everything to end this already wonderful year with a first Irish jumps Jockeys title as she battles out a tight finish with current champ Paul Townend. Paul picked up an injury at Fairyhouse a few weeks back, but I am hopeful he will have recovered in time for the 2021

Punchestown Festival. This setback has given Rachael a chance and currently Paul leads by 8.

In the amateur ranks an even more thrilling battle is taking place between Jamie Codd & Patrick Mullins who at time of print are currently tied at the top of the leader

Rachael Blackmore

Rachael Blackmore & Paul Townend

board, both have the backing of large trainers & owners which will make this battle one to savour as I think it could go down to the very last ride of the festival.

On the track the

Patrick Mullins

Jamie Codd

action will be as exciting as ever all be it with the lack of the usual huge crowds to cheer home the winners. Racing gets under way on Tuesday April 27th & runs until Saturday May 1st.

My selections for the week are as follows: Paul Townend & Al Boum

>>> TIPS TUESDAY 4:15 – Appreciate It 5:25 – Chacun Pour Soi 6.30 – Monkfish WEDNESDAY 5.20 – Vanillier 5.55 – Al Boum Photo 6.30 – Sir Gerhard

Jamie Codd & Envoi Allen

THURSDAY 5.25 – Sire Du Berlais 6.35 – Envoi Allen FRIDAY 5.25 – Honeysuckle 6.00 – Bob Olinger

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Food & Drink

Dine Me Come

More on the 9 styles of wine

With

Herby spring chicken pot pie Prep: 10 Mins.

Cook: 30 Mins.

Serves 4 Minimise your washing-up with this delicious one-pan chicken pie with spinach and herbs and topped with crispy filo pastry. It’s ideal for busy weeknights INGREDIENTS • 2 tbsp olive oil , plus a little extra for brushing over the pastry • bunch spring onions , sliced into 3cm pieces • 250g frozen spinach • 6 ready-cooked chicken thighs (or see tip, below) • 350ml hot chicken stock • ½ tbsp wholegrain mustard • 200g frozen peas • 200ml half-fat crème fraîche • ½ small bunch tarragon , leaves finely chopped • small bunch parsley , finely chopped • 270g pack filo pastry METHOD

STEP 1 • Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Heat the oil in a large, shallow casserole dish on a medium heat. Add the spring onions and fry for 3 mins, then stir through the frozen spinach and cook for 2 mins or until it’s starting to wilt. Remove the skin from the chicken and

6. LIGHT-BODIED RED WINE

discard. Shred the chicken off the bone and into the pan, and discard the bones. Stir through the stock and mustard. Bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 5-10 mins.

STEP 2 • Stir in the peas, crème fraîche and herbs, then remove from the heat.

Scrunch the filo pastry sheets over the mixture, brush with a little oil and bake for 15-20 mins or until golden brown.

• • • •

350g mascarpone 75g caster sugar 1 lemon, zested 2-3 lemons, juiced (about 90ml)

METHOD STEP 1 • Crush the digestive biscuits in a food bag with a rolling pin or in the food processor. Melt the butter in a saucepan, take off heat and stir in the brown sugar and biscuit crumbs.

Tangy Lemon Cheesecake Prep: 20 mins.

Cook: 5 mins.

Serves 6 Need a simple, zingy dessert

you can make with minimal fuss? Try this creamy lemon cheesecake, made with just a few basic ingredients.

5. ROSÉ WINE

Rosé is a true winemaker’s wine because it’s made by ‘dying’ a wine for only a short time with the skins of red wine grapes. Rosé wines were first popularised in the late 1700’s when French wines imported in England were called ‘Claret’ to describe their pale red colour. Today, you can find rosé wines of all styles (sweet or dry) made from many different grapes from Cabernet Sauvignon to Zinfandel (known commonly as White Zinfandel) Instead of the sweet version, try a more dry style Rosé to taste its subtle elegant flavoirs.

Some of the most classic versions of dry rosé come from Southern France in Provence and the Pays d’Oc region. The varieties used to make these wines include Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvèdre, all of which are red wine varieties!

INGREDIENTS • 110g digestive biscuits • 50g butter • 25g light brown soft sugar

STEP 2 • Line the base of a 20cm loose bottomed cake tin with baking parchment. Press the biscuit into the bottom of the tin and chill in the fridge while making the topping.

STEP 3 • Beat together the mascarpone, caster sugar, lemon zest and juice, until smooth and creamy. Spread over the base and chill for a couple of hours.

Light-bodied red wines are typically pale in colour (you can see through them in a glass) and have very light tannin. FYI, tannin tastes astringent in wine and dries your mouth out in the same way that putting a wet tea bag on your tongue would. For this reason, light red wines are some of the most coveted wines in the world.

The classic light red wine that most people know is Pinot Noir but, besides that, Gamay Noir is another great wine to try in this category.

Gamay is most known by the name of a region where it grows called Beaujolais.

7. MEDIUM-BODIED RED WINE

Medium red wines are ‘food wines’. They offer up tons of flavour with a balance of zesty acidity which makes them match with a wide variety of foods (from zesty salads to rich and cheesy lasagna).

There are many varieties that span the midweight red wine category so, to name a few familiar ones, check out Grenache, Sangiovese, Merlot, Zinfandel, Montepulciano, Cabernet Franc and Barbera.

8. FULL-BODIED RED WINE

Full-bodied red wines are the deepest darkest and most tannic of all the red wines. Tannin might sound weird and bitter but the tannin in wine binds to proteins in our saliva and it has a palate-cleansing effect. This is why a bold red wine pairs so wonderfully with a juicy, fatty steak.

Bold reds include Syrah/Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and even Pinotage, all perfect examples of how bold a wine can be.

9. DESSERT WINE

Dessert wines today now range from dry to sweet and are some of the boldest, most intensely flavoured (and aromatic) wines in the world.

There are many different types to explore.

However, if you can start with a Port or a Sauternais-styled wine (a late harvest white wine), you’ll have a great preview of what dessert wines can offer.

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Science & Wellbeing

Why mental health may not be all in your head THE coronavirus aside, when you are laid low with a common cold, a sense of hopelessness can set in if the wretched thing drags on for a few days.

You know the feeling. It is hard to remember what feeling good felt like or how you could ever full of the joys of spring again.

In short, for a few days, you probably felt a lot like someone with depression. And, increasingly, scientists believe it no coincidence that a mental illness feels like a physical one.

A growing body of research on conditions from bipolar disorder to schizophrenia to depression is starting to suggest a closer link than was previously thought between setbacks of the mind and of the body. Activation of the immune system seems to play a crucial role in both.

An immune response, including inflammation, new research

suggests, may help explain why: • Brain conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease all affect mood; • About one in four people hospitalised with schizophrenia had a urinary tract infection when admitted to the hospital; • Mothers with auto-immune conditions such as lupus are more likely to have a child on the autism spectrum; People with higher rates of inflammation are more likely to show signs of depression than those with healthy immune function.

According to a report on BigThink.com, a study in mice presented earlier this month at the Society for Neuroscience’s annual convention showed that the immune changes came

before the emotional ones.

“One of the things we need to stop thinking is that mental health is just a disorder of the brain,” says researcher Georgia Hodes, of the Icahn Medical Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital, who conducted the mouse study. “There’s plenty of evidence in a number of different mental illnesses that they have components to them that relate to the entire body,” she told BigThink.com And this mind-immune system connection might help explain why mental health treatments don’t work for some people. Perhaps, researchers now think, those people would be better off with approaches that target their immune systems rather than their brain chemicals.

For those with schizophrenia and urinary tract infections, for instance, acute psychotic

symptoms often improve after a few days on antibiotics, according to Brian Miller, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Georgia Regents University in Augusta, who is studying the connection between the conditions. This isn’t to suggest that all people with schizophrenia should be on antibiotics, Miller says, but patients with both might get as much or more relief from antibiotics as antipsychotics.

The immune system’s role might also fit into the “secondhit” idea of mental illness, where two or more factors, such as genetics, immune challenges and, say, a hit to the head, combine to cause brain problems. That may explain why traumatic brain injuries often lead to depression.

What is clear, the report says, is that the body and mind both influence one another.

It seems money can buy you happiness after all THE more money you earn in your job or career, the more confident and contented you will be, according to a new survey from the University of Singapore.

The study also found that current income can predict the types of emotions people may feel over the long-term.

Financial wealth predicts better psychological health, with past studies revealing that income shapes the way people think about their

lives. However, it was unclear whether income reliably affects how they feel.

The researchers analysed data from five studies, including a survey of more than 1.6 million people across 162 countries. They found consistent evidence to show that income reliably predicted greater positive selfregard emotions (eg. pride, confidence, determination) and lower negative selfregard emotions (anxiety,

sadness), and that sense of control mediated the relationship between i n c o m e and such emotions.

T h e analyses which are the most comprehensive to date, also included a category of emotions people feel toward

others, such as love, gratitude, compassion, and anger.

While higher i n c o m e was associated with self-regard emotions, there was no robust evidence that it was associated with these otherregard emotions.

Out of Africa: that’s where our earliest ancestor came from...

A NEW study from Australia says an area called the Makgadikgadi-Okavango wetland, shared by the modern-day countries of Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe in southern Africa is most likely the birthplace of we modern humans (Homo sapiens) about 200,000 years ago.

Scientists from Australia’s Garvan Institute of Medical Research discovered that our earliest ancestors appeared in that area and lived there for about 70,000 years. Eventually, they were forced to move on and outward by the climate changes in Africa.

Professor Vanessa Hayes from the Garvan Institute, who is also associated with the University of Sydney and the University of Pretoria, highlighted the significance of their find: “It has been clear for some time that anatomically modern humans appeared in Africa roughly 200 thousand years ago,” said Prof. Hayes. “What has been long debated is the exact location of this emergence and subsequent dispersal of our earliest ancestors.”

Scientists looked at the mitochondrial DNA of modern-day residents of the

area which allowed them to compare the DNA code (or mitogenome) of different people to figure out how closely related they are.

They were able to use collected blood samples to put together a much improved catalogue of the mitogenomes of early humans.

What they found was that the maternal lineage of humanity emerged in what they dubbed a “homeland’ area south of the Greater Zambezi River Basin region.

This “homeland” includes all of northern Botswana stretching into Namibia to the west and Zimbabwe to the east.

That area once contained Lake Makgadikgadi – Africa’s largest-ever lake system. Once the lake started to drain due to shifts in the tectonic plates underneath, it left behind a fertile wetland, which was favourable for sustaining life.

The ecosystem was home to the early humans for 70K years until about 130 to 110 thousand years ago, when people started venturing out northeast and southwest from the area, while a group stayed in the area (with their descendants still found there today.

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Poetry

New poems on the

‘Poetry Phone’

Kilkenny County Council Arts Office’s a poetry phone is back with a wonderful new collection of poems selected by Deirdre Southey from the Arts Office

E

VERYONE is welcome to the poetry phone. Just dial 1800 272 994 to listen to one of ten wondrous poems written

by Kilkenny poets; Nora Brennan, Kevin Dowling, Mary Malin, Michael Massey, Nuala Roche, Mike Watts, Noel Howley, Carmel Cummins, Angela Kehoe and Kathleen Phelan. The poems are beautifully recited by Kilkenny actors Susie Lamb, Ger Cody and Nuala Roche.

The poems were selected for their ability to speak to the reader and to evoke memories of a certain time and place. These memories merging with your own, give a sense of solace and comfort while providing a moment to travel to afar places, unreachable in our present times.

They reflect the beauty of the ordinary and the real understanding and connection between people and place, how it is experienced in the small things. The tasks and jobs that we do together, our daily companionships, gentle encouragements, the very everyday of human life and the beauty in these simple, quiet and ordinary things.

The Arts office join forces with The Kilkenny Observer newspaper to reproduce these poems over the coming weeks.

This week we feature the poems of Nora Brennan, Noel Howley and Carmel Cummins.

Nora Brennan biography

Noel Howley biography

Nora Brennan lives in Kilkenny and writes poetry and creative non-fiction. The natural environment around Kilkenny and the rural landscape of her childhood have are the inspiration for much of her writing. Her work as been published in various journals and anthologies, and also broadcast on RTE Radio. Her first poetry collection, The Greening of Stubble Ground, was published in 2017. She has been the recipient of grants and bursaries from the Arts Office of Kilkenny County Council and was awarded a place on Words Ireland National Mentoring Programme 2020.

Noel Howley originally from South Kilkenny now living in Waterford.

Noel has been writing poetry since he was a teenager. In 2011 he was shortlisted for the Listowel Writer’s Week Poetry Collection Competition and commended in the Patrick Kavanagh Manuscript competition and was runnerup in the Cork Literary Review Manuscript Competition 2002. He has had poems published in various journals and broadsheets including the Kilkenny Broadsheet, The Waterford Review, Cork Literary Review and Revival Literal Journal. His poems also appeared in the Colony Online and Silver Streams online journals. In 2019 he won the Waterford Poetry Prize. He has read his poetry at various events including Cuirt International Festival of Literature, Kilkenny Arts Week, Limerick Writer’s Centre, Garter Lane Arts Center and Tigh Filí Cork as well as many local venues in the south east and is currently a member or Waterford Writers.

Scattering the Dark I wanted words to bud and blossom, fill the page with memories of you.

Nothing came but the stark fact of your going.

In the dead of night Kavanagh’s flat, flat grief of defeat breaking you, you reached for an exit and walked through, leaving no footprints.

I turned my gaze, saw a song thrush bounding across the grass.

She paused, tilted her head then scurried towards my window and stared. Days and weeks she came scattering the dark.

And when I walked with sorrow it was the song of the mistle thrush that kept me company.

Shy bird of childhood: blue eggs nesting in the mossy green mouth of a stone ditch, her presence now so stark in its fluency, her loud melodious sound released into the summer air as if to say you have not gone into the dark but into the light.

Nora Brennan

Brief Encounters with Kingfishers (for Mark Roper) Once in the school corridor In a glass case Perched ready for flight Against a painted background Once in a poem In the linen drawer, dead Keeping the clothes Fresh One in a dream Assuring you That all manner of things Will be well Once and only once Where the bird should have been Pointed out to you In the dappled shade by the river In the park So blue It could have been behind glass In a poem From a dream Noel Howley

Carmel Cummins biography Carmel Cummins lives in Inistioge. She writes non-fiction and poetry in Irish and English Her poems in English has been published in national magazines, in The Kilkenny Anthology,(1991) Inkbottle, New Writing from Kilkenny,(2001)and in a chapbook, Woodstock Promenade, (2009), also in Science meets Poetry 3, eds Jean Patrick Connerade and Iggy McGovern (2012), and and The Stony Thursday Book(2013) (ed. Paddy Bushe). She was awarded first prize in the Black Diamond Poetry Prize in 2010 and was shortlisted for the Listowel Poetry Collection Award in 2013. Other publications include, for prose, Townlands, a habitation, (2012,) Meitheal na bPáirceanna, (2016) both edited

by Alan Counihan, and a script for a short film Naming Ground (2017). For the past seven years she has written mostly in Irish and her work has been published in the Irish language magazine Feasta (2014-2021) and the Kilkenny Broadsheet.

She has a particular interest in how local environment influences artistic expression. This interest has been expressed in her work based on Woodstock Gardens, the Kilkenny Fieldnames Recording Project and it influences her poetry in Irish which draws on the rich Irish language heritage of country Kilkenny.

Tá Carmel Cummins ag scríobh filíochta le seacht mbliana anuas. Tá cónaí uirthi in Inis Tíog. Tá a chuid dánta foilsithe san irisleabhar Feasta agus sa Kilkenny Broadsheet. Taobh leis a cuid dánta, tá prós (neamhfhicsean) i mBéarla agus i nGaeilge scríofa aici. Tá sí ina ball den ghrúpa scríbhneoireachta in gCill Chainnigh agus bhí sí gniomhach i Meitheal na bPairceanna(Kilkenny Fieldnames Recording Project) freisin.

Cín Lae 1827 Le breacadh an lae is siosarnach meidhreach na gealbháin ti Sa chloigtheach agus sa seanchaisleán seo thall.* 2017 I lár an lae, an londubh is an chéirseach ag alpadh faoi mhahonia.

Blas-bolaidh na bplandaí mór-thimpeall.

Sa contráth, an chailleach dhubh ag iascaireacht. gan fainne ar a muineál.

Fíochán cíorach ar an abhainn.

Istoíche, mar thaibhse sciatháin leathana bána na scréachóige reilige.

Réalt na nóna an solas is gile. *Sliocht as Cín Lae Amhlaoibh Uí Shuilleabháin (1780-1838), scríofa i gCallainn Carmel Cummins

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Travel

What Kilkenny has to offer now that 5k limit has been eased

Child’s play... a day out at Kilkenny never disappoints

FOR FAMILIES

Nore Valley Park At Nore Valley Park, you will find everything from pet farms, archery, mini golf, go karts and tractor rides across the lush green lands of the farm! There is a packed timetable of events which includes interactions with animals like lambs, baby kids, chickens, ostriches, and rabbits, some of which children get the opportunity to bottle feed!!

Set against the beautiful backdrop of this scenic valley, with acres of parkland and woodlands to explore, Nore Valley Park provides hours of amusement for the family.

Walk the 3km nature trail or test your skills on their giant chess board! Visit: www. norevalleypark.com

Castlecomer Discovery Park For families who love an adrenalin filled day, then Castlecomer Discovery Park is the ideal place. The 80-acre activity park features a wide range of exhilarating activities for all ages, from the fun and challenging tree-top walk high amongst the sycamore trees to archery and zip lines. For the younger children, there’s a playground, an elf and fairy village, a giant bouncing net and a Junior Woodland Adventure Course where children navigate a series of low-risk challenges, balancing and steering their way through the obstacles. Visit: www. discoverypark.ie

Woodstock Gardens & Arboretum The stunning Woodstock Gardens are located in the south east of Kilkenny just outside the picturesque village of Inistioge. The gardens, overlooking the River Nore Valley, offer visitors a wide variety of attractions and are a relaxing and beautiful environment in which to spend a day with a picnic!

There are picnic tables around the gardens, a playground and an Arm in arm: Jerpoint Abbey can prove romantic

orienteering course for the more adventurous families.

Visit: www.woodstock.ie Kiltorcan Raceway Kiltorcan Raceway Karting Circuit operates a 1000 metre, super smooth, all weather, floodlit track and supply everything visitors need for a fantastic driving experience.

Karting, at any level is challenging, exhilarating fun and extremely safe. Kiltorcan also provide 15 or 30 minutes ‘practice sessions’ for individuals

or smaller groups. Visit: www. kiltoran.com

FOR CULTURE

Jerpoint Abbey An outstanding Cistercian abbey founded in the second half of the 12th century, this church with its Romanesque detail dates from this period. In the transept chapels visitors can see a 13th to 16th century tomb sculpture, the majestic tower and its cloister Included in the admission fee, is a free guided tour of the partially

restored monastic ruins with its magnificently sculptured cloister arcade and exhibition centre is an exemplary experience of Ireland’s Ancient East.

Jerpoint Park Jerpoint Park in Thomastown will take you on a tour of the footprints of a deserted 12th Century Medieval town dating back to 1200AD. Your local guide will delve into the history and importance of this once thriving town called Newtown Jerpoint. Jerpoint Park also offers Angling for wild Salmon and wild brown trout, or why not try something completely unique and come watch their sheep dog demonstration, showcasing man and dog working together as one. www.jerpointpark.com

Kells Priory Pack a lunch and head 15km outside Kilkenny city, where visitors will find the Augustine priory of Kells situated alongside King’s River beside the village of Kells. Explore the priory’s most striking feature, a collection of medieval tower houses spaced at intervals along and within walls which enclose a site of just over three acres. It consists of a church, a chapel, prior’s residence or sacristy and a number of domestic buildings for visitors to explore.

Ireland’s Medieval Mile A mosey down the Medieval Mile is as much an immersion in the sights, smells and sounds

of the modern city as the heritage that set it on its way.

The Medieval Mile is a discovery trail through Kilkenny, linking the 13th-Century St Canice’s Cathedral and a stunning Anglo-Norman castle with all sorts of medieval sights inbetween.

Stepping through the centuries, you will see historic buildings, cobblestone streets and hidden slipways. From a visit to a recreated medieval garden to St. Canice’s Round Tower where you can take a glimpse inside the lives of the Butler family at Kilkenny Castle, there is plenty to explore!

Commenting on the forthcoming re-opening, Chairperson of Kilkenny Tourism, Ciaran Conroy said; “This week’s announcement has brought about a much needed ‘air of optimism’ for the tourism sector that will see us once again start to re-open our doors to visitors safely and securely. It has been a difficult few month for many businesses in the sector, but this is certainly a positive step closer to a full re-opening in the Summer months.

He added “We hope the people of Kilkenny take full advantage of the reopening as well as the easing of travel limitations to get out and enjoy our outdoor sites and attractions this Summer. The opportunity to explore and discover the very best Kilkenny has to offer now presents itself as restrictions start to lift.

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Lockdown streaming

5 for the children on Disney+ 1. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (1991)

An enchanted French castle, a clever young maiden, and a spell in need of breaking. Beauty And The Beast is a classic for a reason.

With witty songs like ‘Be Our Guest’ and ‘Gaston’, wistful handdrawn animations, and heartgrabbing emotional depth, it hits all the right notes. What’s not to love about a sweeping romance that’s just as entertaining as it is memorable?

2. THE LION KING (1994)

The Lion King was a staple for ‘90s kids, so why shouldn’t it be a must- see for today’s children?

The musical has kid Simba running away on the belief that he caused his father’s death — but as an adult, he must find the strength to journey back to Pride Rock and claim his rightful place as king.

A few reasons to love it: sunny animations, music created by Elton John, approachable characters, themes of redemption, and a fine-tuned script. Need we say more?

3. THE LITTLE MERMAID

The Little Mermaid is among Disney’s dreamiest fairy tales.

More than 30 years after its initial release, this story of a mermaid who wants to become human still makes a splash. Not only does it feature spunky heroine Ariel and likable side characters like Sebastian, Flounder, and Eric, but it’s also home to bops like ‘Under The Sea’ and ‘Kiss The Girl’ from composer Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman.

The hand- drawn animations are eye-catching, and the narrative is captivating.

4. FROZEN (2013)

Frozen is probably a lot better than you remember. Sure, maybe “Let It Go” was overplayed. But that doesn’t change how lovable the original movie actually was.

The frosty fairy tale has Anna (Kristen Bell) trying to save Arendelle from an eternal winter after her queen sister Elsa (Idina Menzel) accidentally misuses her magic ice powers. This sends Anna on a song-filled journey through a beautiful snow-covered landscape. Plus, the musical’s final twist is both sweet and feminist.

5. ALADDIN (1992)

Aladdin is Disney’s most popular underdog story for good reason.

It follows a scrappy street rat who, after finding a genie inside a magic lamp, is granted three wishes that could turn his life around.

Its strengths include memorable songs like ‘One Jump Ahead’ and ‘A Whole New World’, a brilliant Robin Williams performance, and the adventure-filled land of Agrabah. While the magic enchants kids, the ‘90s pop culture references get older viewers laughing. * All streaming now on Disney +

Back from the dead, Dexter revival plan WHEN Dexter first came to an end in September 2013, viewers were confused and disappointed in the titular character’s lumberjack route. Among the unsatisfied was lead actor Michael C. Hall (pictured), who said he hopes the upcoming Dexter revival will right the wrongs of the finale.

The eight series tell of a serial killer, Dexter, who by day works with the Miami police but at night runs riot but killing only the baddies who have got away with murder.

“People found the way

that show left things pretty unsatisfying, and there’s always been a hope that a story would emerge that would be worth telling,” the Shadowplay and Six Feet Under actor said in an interview with the Daily Beast. “I include myself in the group of people that wondered, ‘What the hell happened to that guy?’”

Hall also explained the process of doing a possible Dexter revival. He told the Daily Beast that it took years’ worth of convincing for him to agree to reprising his character. After

noting that he’s excited to jump back into the Dexter universe, Hall said “the story that’s being told is worth telling.”

The actor added that the criticism around the lackluster ending was reasonable, though said that it was “justifiable for Dexter to do what he did.” Given the negatively-received finale and other underwhelming series endings, he said that television audiences have higher expectations.

“We certainly do live in an era where the bar is very

high as far as the simultaneous surprise, satisfaction and closure that should go along with a series finale.”

Showtime announced the Dexter revival back in October 2020. In addition to Hall reprising in the title role, Clyde Phillips will return as showrunner. Showtime handed the series a 10-part run that is set to go into production by summer this year with a tentative premiere date set for later this autumn.

The revival will most likely stream on Amazon Prime next year.

Why James Bond will never make it to Netflix FOR big blockbusters streaming simply cannot match cinemas. The new James Bond movie, No Time To Die, is a case in point. The film, to be distributed by MGM in America and Universal in the rest of the world, has been postponed repeatedly because of the pandemic. In October 2020, rumours (which MGM denied) began to circulate that the studio was shopping the film around to streaming platforms

for $600m; no one bought it because it was way too expensive.

It’s questionable whether streaming will ever bring in enough revenue to make blockbusters like Bond, which could gross more than a billion dollars, a viable proposition.

The rise of Netflix, then, has warped the media industry, and forced major studios to adopt a business model. But it is a model, that at the very least, has question marks hanging

over its longterm viability.

One long-term change we may see as a result of the pandemic is in the length of release windows. Both Paramount and Warner Bros. have announced a maximum of 45-days exclusivity for cinemas – half the typical 90 – going into 2022.

This is a coup for studios.

Streaming will also continue to change the industry profoundly, particularly as companies like Netflix and Amazon

finance more and more films for their platforms – Sony has agreed an exclusivity deal with the latter – and Disney continues to tinker with the most profitable way to release its films (Cruella, out next month, will come to Disney+ at the same time as cinemas).

The billion-dollar question that remains, then, is whether there is an appetite for consumers to return postpandemic.

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Feature

Prepared for The Kilkenny Observer by Cois Céim and The Saturday Walkers Club

Dean Vignoles .A dispute between the Bishop and Vignoles led to seven years exile in France

On his return to Kilkenny, Dean Vignoles immediately started the restoration work that transformed the Cathedral into what we see today. ( photo jbs Kilkenny)

The present day St. Canice’s Cathedral owes a great deal to Dean Vignoles side aisle arches reopened.

The present state of the Cathedral owes much to Vignoles and his associates.

Along with a local clergyman, James Graves was in the forefront of a new wave of antiquarians and were cofounders of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society.

Excavations conducted by the two in the 1840’s uncovered the foundations of the earlier Romanesque Cathedral of Saint Canice taken down in 1210 for the construction of the present Cathedral.

EDITED AND COMPILED BY: GERRY CODY CHARLES Augustus Vignoles was born in Portarlington County Laois on the 25th July 1789. A fourth generation French Hugenout, his father was also a clergyman.

His sister Elizabeth Anne Vignoles married George Grey and was mother of Sir George Grey 11th Premier of New Zealand.

Vignoles was a Nineteenth century Church of Ireland dean, specifically the Dean of Ossory, and the dean of the Chapel Royal Dublin.

After the Restoration of the monarchy Bishop Williams (1661-1673) returned to re-roof and restore St Canice’s Cathedral in Kilkenny.

In the 1750’s, Bishop Pococke carried out much work. When Dean Vignoles arrived in the 1840‘s the

The tomb of Dean Vignoles at St. Canice’s Cathedral Kilkenny ( photo jbs Kilkenny )

Cathedral was suffering from another of its cycles of neglect. He set about re-

pairing and restoring and removed the choir screen, had the roof altered, and the

SKELETONS EXAMINED In 1847 the removal of accumulated rubbish that had filled up in the lower part of the round tower to within 0.7m of the entrance door was overseen by Graves who reported that the base of the tower was paved and built on a 0.6m deep stone plinth foundation that itself rested on a considerable depth of thickly populated graveyard.

Four skeletons were exam-

ined by Graves -two children one male and one female in a wooden coffin and two adult males.

Most of the bones were placed back in the tower but the skulls were retained and housed in the Kilkenny Museum and are now presumably in the National Museum.

The Cathedral town wall rampart, a section was cut through the North end of the earthen rampart inside the town wall. The layers that formed were of the 18th Century and comprised mainly of graveyard soils with an abundance of human bones, funerary fragments and stones. The dating suggests it is not a town wall rampart but a handsome terrace walk described in 1748.

DISPUTE BETWEEN BISHOP AND DEAN RESULTS IN EXILE The Dean immediately set about clearing the grounds, the diggings being as much

archaeological as functional.

He uncovered the foundations of the previous Irish stone church and fragments of Bishop Ledrede’s great 14th century East window which had been destroyed by Cromwell.

Inside he cleared out what he regarded as junk, but a running battle ensued between Bishop and Dean as to who had the authority in these things. The Bishop won the case but Vignoles never accepted the ruling and eventually led to seven years exile in France. On his return all seems to have been forgotten and he immediately started the restoration work that transformed the Cathedral into what we see today. The choir stalls were completed in 1900 long after Vignoles’ death in office. He died on the 18th October 1877 and was laid to rest in the Cathedral grounds. It is rare to find a church restored to its original form and to have had such a pure original with which to start.

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Community & GAA Notes

Kilkenny GAA clubs and Community news Clara GAA BEREAVEMENT Sympathies are extended to current club chairman Mickey Prendergast and to his entire family on the sudden death of his brother John in Cork on Tuesday week last. John hurled with the club in his younger days and won a U21A title in 1968 as a 16 year old half back, with his brothers Dick, Michael and Davy also to the fore. The following year he won a junior county title with Clara, their first adult title.

His early promise was lost to the club when he entered the Missionary Fathers Kiltegan shortly thereafter.

John died at his home in Ballinhassig and is survived by his wife Iris and a huge extended family. He is predeceased by his brothers Anthony and Jimmy.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

RETURN TO PLAY Our underage players are due back in training pods from Monday 26th April on nights allocated to them & weather permitting. Have you registered on FOIREANN for 2021? All players & coaches must be registered to return to play & also need to complete Return to Play Health Questionnaire.

Please follow the guidelines on the Clara GAA Club website.

O’ LOUGHLIN GAELS O’LOUGHLIN GAELS CLUB LOTTO www.oloughlingaels.com/lotto Our club lotto, powered by Clubforce, is sponsored by local business Perfecto Print & Design on the Dublin Rd. Club lotto is the main driver of our club upkeep, making sure our players have enough hurls, sliotars, footballs, cones, poles, bibs and Jerseys.

It also contributes to the maintenance of our extensive clubhouse facilities ..without lotto bills just could not be paid. Over the last 12 months much of our other fundraising revenues have had to be dropped. For a time club lotto had to be dropped for the first time ever, thanks to our supporters at Perfecto Print we were able to relaunch it online and it has helped us considerable over the last few months for facilities upkeep.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT Now we must ask for more help. For the coming year it seems restrictions imposed will prevent much of our planned fundraising. We therefore request all our followers, new members and supporters to play our online lotto. Sign up to only €5 per week for the special deal of three lines ... Or €10 for 5 draws ..or even €100 for the full year (52 draws), with

Jackpot prizes ranging from €6,000 right up to €20,000.

RETURN TO PLAY We look forward to seeing you Gaels return to action at St. John’s Park from Monday April 26th. We advise all to please to take heed to our covid officers when arriving at your designated time slot. All age groups will be advised by their managers of the protocols in place to ensure a safe return to play. It is important that players are registered in advance. Registration details and how to sign up for new and returning players can be found at www.oloughlingaels.com/ membership.

O’Loughlin Gaels GAA and O’Loughlin Gaels Camogie look forward to an enjoyable return to Gaelic Games POKER NIGHT O’Loughlin Gaels Camogie will hold a virtual poker night on Saturday 24th April at 7pm . Details from Eimear at 087 2796522 or Martin 083 3530745 Game will be played on the pokerrr2 app (Strictly over 18s) PITCHSIDE SPONSORS We are very grateful to all our pitchside sponsors as they continue to support us at St. John’s Park. Any local business wishing to have a bill board pitchside please email pro. oloughlingaels.kilkenny@gaa. ie.

NOTICES If you wish to let is know about your community event or activity please email pro. oloughlingaels.kilkenny@gaa. ie and we will share your news on our club pages.

FR ESHFOR D DEATH The death took place recently of Mrs. Mary (Jib) Dalton late of Threecastles. Jib as she was affectionately known to all was in her late 80s. She was predeceased by husband John. She was an ardent member of the ICA over the years. She was a keen supporter of GAA and Camogie and her granddaughter Ann Dalton was former Kilkenny camogie stalwart. Funeral mass took place in Tulla Church last weekend followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. She is mourned by her six sons John, Tommy, Dick, Denis, Pierce and Paul, her daughter Ellen, brothers Tommy and Dinny, sisters Kit and Sr.Pauline, grandchildren, great grandchildren, son in law, daughters in law, nephews, nieces and extended family to sympathy is extended.

SCHOOL ENROLEMENT St.Lachtains NS have recently been taking enrolments for the school year 21/22. You were

asked to phone the school on 0568832400 or email at stlachtainsns@gmail.com for packs or for assistance.

These were also available to download from the school website: freshfordns.weebly. comawith forms asked to be returned by 31st March.

St.Lachtains NS hosted an evening, via Zoom before the Easter break – for parents of all children preparing to celebrate the sacrament of both Holy Communion and Confirmation.

Mgr. Liam Bergin led a reflection on the importance of preparation for and the celebration of the sacrament DR. MARTIN The man currently giving evidence at the trial of Derek Chauvin Dr. Martin Tobin has strong Freshford connections.

Dr. Martin is a pulmonary and critical care specialist in USA and hails from Freshford. His family ran the Brennan Sisters Drapery shop in the village for many decades and he is widely known amongst the local community.

SYMPATHY Deepest sympathy is extended to Mrs. Pat Anderson Woodview Freshford on the death of her sister Mrs. Bea O’Donovan late of Geraldine, Callan recently.

Funeral mass took place in the Church of the Assumption Callan followed by burial in Kilbride Cemetery Callan POSTPOINT Local corner shop – O’Sheas Newsagents announced recently that they are now agents for An Post Postpoint.

You can buy your stamps there, top up with Vodafone,3Three,ie An Post mobile,Lyca mobile or Eir,or pay your bills. Over 130 bills can now be paid at O’Sheas Newsagents and this is a great service for the Community of Freshford and surrounding parishes.

CLOTHES COLLECTION St.Lachtains Camogie Club will host a Clothing Collection on Saturday 8th May in St.Lachtains GAA Grounds.

You can drop off bags from 10am to 12 noon on the 8th only. They will take rewearable items of clothing, paired shoes, handbags, belts, towels blankets and curtains. NO DUVET OR PILLOWS PLEASE. Please donate any unwanted of the above items and support your local club. Covid protocols will be in place. Drop off only.

LOOP WALK Cllr Michael McCarthy has said that quotations have been sought for Trail upgrade works for the Loop walk in Freshford.

It is hoped that these works will commence in the next couple of weeks. The area from the stile across under the

wood will be the main area to be addressed The walk has been very beneficial to the local community and to visitors alike in recent years and any work carried out will greatly benefit and enhance its use according to Cllr McCarthy.

DEATH The death occurred last week of Patrick Joseph Kennedy late of Tubrid Barna. He was well known and respected in the locality especially amongst the farming community . He was predeceased by his sister Mai. Funeral mass took place in St.Patricks Church Graine on Thursday last followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. He is mourned by his wife Teresa, his sons, daughter, grandchildren, son in law, daughters in law, sisters, brothers in law, sisters in law, nephews nieces and extended family to whom sympathy is extended.

FUNDING Local Cllr Michael McCarthy recently welcomed news of the awarding of €100,000 for Freshford under the Active Travel 2021 scheme.

This money will be used for pedestrian improvements and bus access and Cllr McCarthy acknowledged the assistance of the Area Engineer and the Senior Roads Engineer.

zoom with link available in St Lachtains Gaa Facebook page.

Why not join in & ask a friend to join in. Great way to keep active from the comfort of your own home while also brushing up on your Irish. Suitable for all levels of fitness.

DI CKSBOR O RETURN TO PLAY 1 week today to the 26th, parents please ensure you have downloaded ClubZap and joined the relevant team communications for your child’s team. More details on return to play protocol to come soon.

MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION Registration is now due and should be in place prior to resumption of play. https:// www.dicksborogaa.com/ membership_products

TELLY BINGO Mace store in Freshford sold a lucky Telly bingo ticket recently and the holder of the lucky ticket went on the show and won €5,000. Congrats and well done to the lucky winner

CLUB LOTTO We are encouraging every Dicksboro family to support the Clubs Fundraising efforts by signing up to the Club Lotto. https://dicksborogaa.com/ categories/lotto/products

ONLINE BINGO St.Lachtains GAA club have teamed up with Kilkenny Bingo to bring you Sunday Bingo each Sunday evening at 8pm.

You can buy your book and sheets from Clubforce app.

Games can be played through Zoom. Zoom starts at 7.30pm with games starting at 8pm. sharp and they hope to see you all there. Both Clubforce and Zoom apps will be needed in order to play. Fantastic prizes and great fun guaranteed. All details will be available on the St.Lachtains GAA page and Kilkenny Bingo page on Facebook. Online Sunday games between now and then will not be in direct link with St. Lachtains GAA Club. For more info., please contact Club Secretary Sheila Killeen or Brian Kavanagh.

CLUB MAINTENANCE Grounds upkeep and maintenance is in full swing at present getting Palmerstown and James park in top condition. Thanks to the volunteers for their hard work and commitment to the club.

FITNESS CLASSES Looking for a fitness session “as Gaeilge. Fantastic new online fitness class this coming Wednesday & Thursday via zoom. The Wednesday classes will be held for children while Thursday classes will be focusing on adults. Class will be given as Gaeilge via

SUMMER CAMP SAVE THE DATES DICKSBORO SUMMER CAMP 5 Day Summer Camp open for Boys and Girls.

JULY 26th -30th AUGUST 16th - 30th Come for one week or both.

BOOKING SYSTEM LAUNCHING SOON on Clubzap Link CLUB DEVELOPMENT Great to see the next phase of our club development plans have started with the pitch drainage works on no. 2 pitch in Palmerstown.

PITCH SIDE BUSINESS ADVERTS Should your business want to arrange an advertising hoarding at our Club grounds click here for details: https:// www.dicksborogaa.com/ products

For any queries contact any committee member. https:// www.dicksborogaa.com/ contact (Camogie contact runai Ted Carroll (086) 837 6544)

KI LMANAGH VERA MOYNAN Our parish community would like to extend condolences to the Trayer families, Kilmanagh on the death of Elizabeth’s mother, recently.

ROAD WORKS CLLR Michael McCarthy welcomes the vital restoration improvement overlay that is taking place this week on the LS 5033 and LS 5158 Damma Lower and Ross Damma.

These significant works measuring 2KM will benefit the local people and will be delivered by Kilkenny County Council staff. These works are part of the overall plan for the area formulated in 2018.

Local people are asked to cooperate and comply with necessary diversions while the works are being carried out.

CLLR McCarthy would like to acknowledge the Area Engineer and his staff.

MASS ON THE INTERNET Mass can now be provided via the internet from Kilmanagh Church. Pat Brennan, Kilkenny Communications installed a broadband connection from the parish house to the church, and Church Media Services will provide the equipment and internet space for streaming.

We hope to have this installed by next weekend.

TRÓCAIRE BOXES You can return your Trócaire box to the parish house any time from now on. If you are returning notes only, you can place it in the locked boxes in Ballycallan Church. Trócaire is a church sponsored charity that works in third world countries, assisting people in need.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS Kilmanagh Church is now wheelchair accessible, thanks to a new ramp at the side door.

There is also a new hand-rail fitted at the front door to assist elderly worshippers negotiate the front steps. This work was carried out by Mr. Dom Delaney.

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

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Opinion & News

Community & GAA Notes KILLALOE CAR PARK We have extended the car park at Killaloe Church to make more space for parking.

As many of you will know, at major church events (weddings, funerals etc.), the roadway would often become blocked and a hazard to both drivers and people. When we re-open, we encourage people to use the new car park. An entrance has been created in the wall to allow easy access from the new section to the church.

KILMANAGH CHURCH Over the last few weeks, a number of young people have begun to ‘hang out’ around the church front and rear. We have no problem with this as long as there is no rubbish discarded around the church. Also, please note, there is no cycling allowed on church grounds and especially on the steps. Thank you for your cooperation.

BALLYKEEFFE CEMETERY MASS This would normally take place in May but will again be cancelled for this year on account of the virus.

RING A LINK Ring a Link is a community not for profit company that provides rural transport. Ring a Link provides a service every Tuesday from 9.00 am covering areas such as Callan (surrounding area), Ballingarry, Kilmanagh, Ballycallan, Tullaroan with the last stop in Dunnes Stores Kilkenny and return approximately at 1pm. All free travel passes are welcome, and, for non-free travel pass holders, fares are €6 return for adults, €4 return for under 16s and under 5’s travel free. For many of our services, pre-registering & pre-booking is required and if the customer is not already registered, they can log on to our website to register: https://www.ringalink. ie/register/. If you need more information on the service, you can log on to https://www. ringalink.ie/bus-services/bustimetable/470/.

PARISH NEWS Anyone wishing to submit news items, events, announcements etc. can do so by email only to elanigan18@gmail.com. If you have any photos that you would like included, please send as an attachment.

UR LINGFOR D SHAPE THE FUTURE OF URLINGFORD Following a very productive workshop recently with Kilkenny County Council in relation to Urlingford’s future development, we are trying to keep everyone informed and engaged in the Health Check Process.

If you would like to keep up to date with the Health

Check or get involved, please join the group by following this link: https:// chat.whatsapp.com/ F7xFh8sCoMu2DipjDJbdOW EMERALDS GAA CLUB Split the pot: Every Sunday night at 8pm. Get your envelopes in local shops for your chance to share half the pot.

Last Sunday’s winner was Mags Webster, who won €190. Well done Mags.

URLINGFORD TIDY TOWNS National Spring Clean this Saturday, May 24.

Meet at the Old School at 10am.

We need as many volunteers as possible, each family will collect rubbish in their own bubble as we adhere to Government guidelines.

Feel free to collect bags and gloves at the Old School and collect rubbish from your own area as you are getting your steps in. See you all on Saturday!

MILL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE We will be open to the public from Tuesday, May 4. For everyone’s safety we ask that you continue to wear a mask, use hand sanitiser and observe social distancing when you attend the Centre.

Community Garden and Allotments: Just a reminder that the Community Garden and Allotments Area remain closed to the public due to Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions.

They will re-open as soon as restrictions allow. If you have any queries, please contact Sue at 056 8838466.

Courses: We will update information regarding Courses inline with covid-19 restrictions.

Senior Alert: If you need to apply for a Personal Alarm please contact Sue or Josephine on 0568838466.

St Kieran’s Homes for the Elderly: Applications are invited for Vacant Tenancies, one-bedroom accommodation at St Kieran’s Place.

Application forms are available from the Mill Family Resource Centre and Aidan Curran.

Completed application forms should be returned to the Mill Family Resource Centre no later than Monday May 17. Please contact the Mill FRC 056 8838466 or Aidan Curran 0568831519.

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

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

GOWR AN GOWRAN PARISH Mass is being streamed every morning, Monday to Friday at 9.30am and Sunday mass at 11.30am on Gowran Parish Facebook page.

YOUNG IRELANDS GAA The return to play for Juveniles is due to resume from April 26th, it is necessary to have membership paid prior to this.

We will have further details around this return in due course. Meanwhile membership for all age groups can be paid online https://bit.ly/3dEQKxj or download the Clubforce app and pay through this.

GOWRAN DEVELOPMENT Kilkenny County Council is involved in a regional campaign to tackle the issue of dog fouling. Dog walkers must be responsible and keep their community clean. The message is simple “Bag It, Bin It”, there are no excuses. If there is no litter bin on your walking route, bring it home for proper disposal.

GOWRAN AC Training returns for athletics from the 26th of April. Training details coming soon on the club app. Sign Up to the app at https://gowranac.com/spond/ Registration is open for all https://gowranac.com/join-us/ and new members are always welcome.

Leinster Outdoor Championships 2021, will take place subject to government restrictions in place at the time of the event on the following dates: (16/04) - July 3rd & 4th Leinster Junior Senior & Master Championships - Tullamore July 10th - Leinster Juvenile U12-U19 Championships Day 1 - Tullamore July 17th & 18th - Leinster Juvenile U14-U19 Championships Day 2&3 Tullamore July 24th & 25th - Leinster Children’s Games (U9-U11) + Juvenile U12-13 Championships - (Sub Regionally event, Medals to be Award in each Subregion, top 3 in Leinster will go forward to Nationals in Pairs & U12+U13 600m, top 4 otherwise) Sat 24th IT Carlow: Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford & Wicklow.

GOWRAN ON THE MOVE Gowran Task Force and Gowran Rural Development working with local Councillor, Denis Hynes have secured €80k for footpath improvements for Gowran.

CONTENT FOR INCLUSION If you have any images or content that you would like to include in the Gowran note’s section please email gowrannotes@gmail.com

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

Kathleen Funchion calls for emergency response to mental health crisis in Kilkenny KATHLEEN FUNCHION SINN FEIN TD FOR KILKENNY CARLOW SINN Féin TD for Carlow Kilkenny, Kathleen Funchion, has urged cross-party support for Sinn Fein’s emergency response plan to accelerate mental health services.

Pre-pandemic mental health waiting lists were already at crisis point, but the avalanche of depression, isolation, loneliness and anxiety since the onset of Covid-19 has overwhelmed services.

Teachta Funchion said: “Sinn Féin has engaged with service providers, service users and advocacy groups in County Kilkenny. What we are witnessing here in Kilkenny is being mirrored across the state - alarming increases in depression, isolation, loneliness and anxiety.

“As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, access to mental health services has gone from a crisis to an emergency. Prepandemic, mental health care waiting lists within the public system were at crisis levels but are now at unprecedented emergency levels.

“Now more than ever we need to ensure that mental health services are accessible for all those who need them. Nobody should be left behind.

“There are extraordinary pressures on mental health services, which have suffered years of underinvestment and, as a result, are wholly unprepared and underresourced to deal with this emergency.

“We now have 2,551 children and young people waiting for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, 8,893 children waiting for primary care psychology, and 1,553 adults waiting on primary care psychology treatment with the HSE. “Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health recently published our proposals to tackle this crisis and we are now urging gov-

ernment to deliver an emergency response.

“Sinn Féin’s motion calls on government to:

• Create funding streams to support trainee counselling psychologists during the pandemic;

• Establish an emergency talk therapy fund to provide an additional 128,000 sessions with accredited counsellors/ therapists in the private system for those in need of immediate support on referral from a GP;

• Establish a 24/7 Care Public Crisis De-escalation, Multi Agency Triage Team Ambulance Service in every CHO area;

• Remove GP and medical cards accessibility barriers to deliver universal access to counselling in primary care; • Recruit 138 additional child/adolescent psychologists and 138 additional adult psychologists to provide additional capacity in every primary care facility; • Assist community organisations to continue to provide mental health supports;

• Maximise surge capacity within all private hospitals with acute mental health beds in accordance with the ‘surge capacity’ agreement currently in place.

“Sinn Féin is calling on all TDs to support our motion. The government urgently needs to step up the plate. Failure to deliver an emergency response to this crisis will set back ser vices, and those in need of them, for a generation.”

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 23 April 2021

kilkennyobserver.ie

News Lindsey, Aria and Stephanie Cahill

Jachinta Whearty, Chloe and Jackie Mulcahy

Sorcha O’Boyle and her dog Poppy

Donagh Meyler and Kilkeny hurler Richie Reid looking forward to the hurling starting again

t u o Ab Out &

WITH

na Hayden and Cathy Hyland and Rosie the dog

Dannryt Laha

Patricia Kealy Murphy Sheila and John Cahill

Billy Lanigan and Noel Comerford

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 23 April 2021

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News Joe Carton A heron feeding on the Lacken weir

Keith Mooney and Christine Healy Teresa and Kevin Brennan with their beautiful dogs

David, Joan and Peter Dukelow

Pat Hickey

Roisin Crumlish and Joanne Hegarty

Rory and Frances and buddy

Martin Kelleher

A stich in time with Adrian Cashin

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 23 April 2021

News

Polska Eire House

March 2nd, 2020 ,The polish consulate opened in Kilkenny City. This is the first Consulate to ever open in Kilkenny city at it was a proud moment for all the Polish diaspora living in the region and the people of Kilkenny

A LOCAL man was appointed Honorary Polish Consular to The Republic of Ireland will now be the link between two governments in culture, cooperation, history, arts and entertainment.

Ebullient Murty Brennan,

aka Martin who is originally from Newpark was ratified at the official opening of the Polish Consulate for the south of Ireland at Hebron House, Hebron Business Park. His appointment was rubber stamped by our Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney and his Polish counterpart Jacek Czatutowicz. A seal of approval also came from Polish Ambassador to Ireland Ms Anna

Sochanska who performed the official opening of Hebron House which is immediately off the Hebron Road as you head out from the city. The house is also the headquarters of The Twilight Community Group, headed by Board of management based on their ethos of Interculturalism , a body that has been working closely with the Polish Community among others since 2014.

The Polish community and the Irish community join forced each year to create the Polska Eire Festival. This year will see the festival go virtual as all the programmes will be recorded and broadcast on the new TWILIGHT COMMUNITY NETWORK (TCN) YouTube Channel and other social media platforms.

We are now looking for people from both Communi-

ties to assist and take part in the filming and the organising of this year’s festival that is set to go live in June. If you are a business owner who may wish to promote your reopening after the pandemic or the continuing great services, you have shown to the citizens of Kilkenny over the past 12 months we would like to hear from you.

We will have programmes on Arts, Culture, Heritage, History and of course Sport and fun activities for our young and young at heart.

We need your help and support so why not drop in or call to the Polish Consulate, 15A Hebron House, Hebron Business Park, Kilkenny 0567813105

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Observer

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 23 April 2021

Senior living After a lifetime of working and caring for others, your senior loved ones deserve the physical and mental well-being of a happy retirement. From hearing aids to stairlifts, healthy eating to assisted living options; read on to discover how you can help them enjoy a full and productive lifestyle in older age.

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Senior living

Is it time for F a stairlift?

Many people suffer from reduced mobility; this can be due to ageing, a medical condition or because they have had an accident or operation.

OR many, one of the most challenging parts of getting around can be climbing up and down the stairs. If using your stairs has become difficult or unsafe, it may be time to consider getting a stairlift.

Installing a stairlift is a practical, cost-effective, and longterm solution that ensures you don’t need to move your bedroom to the ground floor.

The stairlift you require will depend on your staircase and your requirements, so it is advisable to consult an Occupational Therapist to ensure you get the best stairlift for your current and future needs.

Beechfield Stairlifts, based in Portlaoise, offer a free noobligation stairlift survey.

During this survey, the stairs are accurately measured using specialist software to decide which rail suits and if any preparatory work (such as an extra power point) is required. Once the measurements are complete, the Beechfield Stairlifts representative can discuss the options available including additional features, upholsteries, and rail colours, allowing you to customise the stairlift to suit your style.

How do I pay for my stairlift?

The Mobility Aid Housing Grant Scheme is a grant that is available from your local County Council. The maximum amount available

is €6,000 and it may cover the cost of installing a stairlift in your home. If you are considering applying for a grant, visit Beechfield Stairlifts where you will find all the relevant information to assist with your stairlift grant application.

If you are purchasing privately, Beechfield Stairlifts have straight stairlifts from only €1599. Beechfield Stairlifts have also partnered with Flexi-Fi to offer finance options that allow you to spread your payments.

Important considerations Size matters: The size and footprint of a stairlift is a major consideration for most people. The Handicare 1100 is the slimmest straight stairlift and the Handicare twin-tube curved stairlift offers the tightest bend on the market.

VAT registered: It is vital to use a reputable company that is VAT registered and can supply a VAT clearance certificate. County Councils will only approve grants from VAT registered installers with a VAT clearance certificate.

Insist on a stairlift survey: A stairlift survey ensures an accurate quote and that you get the right stairlift to suit your stairs and more importantly, your needs.

If you are considering installing a stairlift, call Beechfield Stairlifts on 057 8682304 or email info@beechfieldstairlifts and book your free no-obligation home survey.

How Green is Maureen O’Hara’s Seniors Valley Now! In 2010 the Kilkenny Older Peoples forum was formed.

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n the day the great Hollywood star Maureen O’Hara launch the initiative and over the past twenty-two years the group has become a very strong advocacy for the rights of our seniors. What started out like small acorn it has grown into today’s great Oak tree of the ‘Green valleys’ of Kilkenny city and County. In 2016 the Forum was renamed the Seniors Forum as it was felt the term Older was not the appropriate title for such an active group of members of society and in 2019 it was changed back again to the Seniors’ Council. As one of more senior members of the new ‘Older’ people’s council told me “ with all this political correctness gone mad the corpo won’t be able to call it a manhole anymore it will have to called be a person’s arse!for feck sake” Many great people were present at the first meeting in Hotel Kilkenny or Rose Hill Hotel it was called then. Nicky

Brennan whose passion for the cause has never wavered and even today provides access to airways at Kilkenny Community Radio with the Tonic programme. The first chairperson elected was Nora Webster. She devoted her time and energy by caring for and developing the seed of an idea into the strong and powerful group now keeping an eye out for all senior or is that older! members of today’s society.

Unfortunately, the seeds of time caught up wth Nora and she has since left us. But I am sure she’s probably now on to St Peter that the pearly gates need a pedestrian crossing as its not safe for the senior citizens of heaven.

The numbers of people now living longer into their senior years is growing year on year.

Apart from this putting a strain on the Public purse strings it also requires the Powers that be to provide the necessary services required to enhance the Twilight and Autumn years of our Citizens lives.

The Age Action groups like

ALONE, Age Action Alliance and our very own Kilkenny Seniors Forum now work together to give advice service and lobby the relevant bodies to provide these services on an ongoing basis Michael Delhaunty the former Senior Executive Officer, Community Department, Kilkenny County Council, the Kilkenny Age Friendly County Programme Co-Ordinator has recently joined the Older peoples’ council. Michael has been instrumental in the works done and the work to do to “make Kilkenny a great place to grow old in” the forums motto.

Since taking up the position in 2017 He was the leading force behind the Thomastown’s drive to becoming and Age Friendly town. Following many late nights and long days working with the stake holders in Thomastown they now have a template covering the areas of interest that were highlight during the Consultation period. These issues have now been raised

with the Local Authority and are currently being addressed and he was adamant that Thomastown will receive its Age friendly status this year.

One of our county’s other thriving towns is Callan. It to is working its way, with the backing of the local communities to become another age friendly town.

The propose of the Older Peoples’ council is to advocate for the rights and services of the Seniors in Kilkenny City and County. This is done by members holding seats on the Special Purpose Committees of the Local Authority, working closely with the PPN. The forum works with St Luke’s Hospital holding seats on the Patient Partnership Forum and St Luke’s Steering group. Our Hospital has in

place their GEMS programme which guarantees the best service available to any of our seniors who enter the hospital.

This service ensures that they will be seen by all the relevant specialist to during their stay to give a full health check. This ensures the patient receives the highest standard of care and also limits their stay to the appropriate length which allows

them to spend more time at home with Family and Friends which is the best environment for a speedy recovery to full health.

The Council has members from all the electoral districts and at their Monthly Meetings garner the feedback form these representatives on the Executive committee where policies and representations to the relevant bodies are formulated.

The Age Alliance Kilkenny City & County Seniors Forum is a voluntary organisation and is free to join. The forum now has 400 members and all are welcome to join. Forums head office is Hebron House, Macdonagh Junction and new members can get the members application form from any of the Committee members.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 23 April 2021

Senior living

A memory for us all Sunday Stroll

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ODAY if you ask the younger members of the household what do you want to do for the afternoon? the replies would range from “ Splash world” “Bowling” “ Pat Carrolls!” and of course “Nuthin…. Im tired”. In the days when those places were not even in the planning stage or on the minds of the Mothers of Newpark , they had it all planned out. These were the days when we had breakfast in the morning, Dinner in the middle of the day and your tea in the evening. Now after we have been inflicted, or infected, by American and Aussie soaps a yogurt or smoothie kicks start your day and then brunch, which is half breakfast half lunch, followed by your lunch at, dinner time, and your dinner at tea time, or takeaway where you normally had warm milk before going to bed ! Confused yet?

So after the Sunday dinner, where all the family sat around the table and ate what was on the plate, as we all knew the next meal was not till the tea, which we already tried to explain, was served around 6 in the evening. The table was cleared, dishes were washed in the sink, and dried by hand as the idea of a Dishwasher was in the realms of the Twilight zone, and viewed by all as fanciful and a notion of grandeur. The only tools of the trade were a pair of rubber gloves, rag and table cloth for drying before placing the dried cutlery on the kitchen dresser, where the set of willow pattern was displayed proudly for all visitors to view.

The big Pram was pushed out the front door with one child in it, one sitting on it and a third told to hold tightly on the handle. These Prams had wheels as big as those seen on

the black Morris Minor Car Mrs Brett drove. The depth of the Cross Pam often doubled up as a wheel barrow when it was used to carry home a bag of coal and a bale of briquettes if no one was home when the Work horse of Ned Breen’s coal cart called on the Saturday morning. We all ran after him as he did his deliveries, hoping to be allowed to sit on the back when the load of bags reduced enough for your small arse to sit on the edge of the coal cart.

Out the front gate, closed behind her, and the stroll started. The compulsory multi and bright coloured head scarf on top, no matter what the weather, in some cases covering the rollers that were in for a planned night out in Lenihans having a Smithwicks Barley wine while the hubby had a large ale and a half one. As the “stroll” progressed more of the mothers arrived with their Prams and children in line. Off to Coogan’s shop, where they would wait for a few minutes to make sure everyone who was going were present, and all the children accounted for.

Then they were off. Up the hill on the Johnswell Rd like a wagon train hitting the Oregon Trail in to the Wild West. The children were allowed to run on ahead as very rarely would a car arrive around the winding corners that were the norm on the old road unlike today’s wide two-way carriage. Passing by Bolger’s farm, where cut price Germany hyper market lidl has one of its two city stores today, came the first stop at the Pump.

A few up and down pulls on the handle and crystal clear cold spring water gushed out as we cupped our hands to slurp up a refreshing drink. Then, unlike today, we drank our water neat.

No washing of hands or sterilising the drinking bottles with

boiled water, all which helped us to build up a strong immune system when a visit to a Doctor was once a year not like todays once a week.

On the “Pram Train” would go. A few more corners there it was! our destination for the afternoon………..Geal Mo Croi.

The stone bridge crossing over the majestic flowing Pococke river. For us it was as wide as the Majestic Shannon. We

would slip down by the side of the bridge and to the river bank. We had come prepared.

The Jam Jars with a string tied to the top and we fished for the Collicks and Brickeens. While we tried to lure the “Jaws” and “Moby Dicks” into their new homes, the women would lean over the small hump back bridge while chatting away about the stories of the day while puffing on the 20 packet

of Carroll’s, the popular choice of the day.

Then it was time for the return journey. Head count, and one , two , three .. we were off. Back down the Johnswell road. Everyone a little quieter.

The catches of the day were held tightly in little hands, making sure not to rock the boat too much in case the Jar would slip and their fishes would end up on the hot sticky

black tar. Even though we all knew they would end up floating on their side, dead, by Tuesday evening. Everyone sticking close together, especially the youngest, as they fear a repeat of the brothers Grimm’s fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel when they were left behind in the deep dark woods.

Around the final corner and on to the final stretch, little legs now aching with the pains of tiredness, the home was now in sight. Jars of the little Brickeens and the bigger Collicks placed on the back window of the scullery. Tea was served at “Irish Time”. Usually of sandwiches made from the leftovers of the meat of the day’s earlier dinner served at “Irish Time” and a nice Cuppa Tae, or My Wadi orange, before the tired weary bodies lay down on the floor to watch the Telly and then departing to bed without a mummer as all what was on our minds was sleep.

The older members were let stay up a bit longer to watch the going ons of Mary and Tom and the love life of their son Benji and Maggie of the Reardon’s, who we were all led to believed lived and drank just a few miles out the road in Shirley’s of Kells , renamed ever Sunday as Micky Macs Pub by Wesley Burrows.

As the sun set on another weekend of the housing Estate of Newpark everywhere was quiet with silence only broken now and then by an odd bark of the many dogs that slept at the back door, or if it rained, in the dryness of the shelter which every house had to its front.

Guarding the family of the castle of his Master, tired like us all, after the “Sunday Stroll” too “Gael Mo Croi”, the light of my heart.

A Degree from the University of Life

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N today’s busy world of the life of our students and graduates while striving to achieve success in their chosen fields of their ambitious careers. Them chasing degrees and master’s degrees, year after year. Finally, leaving university with an education that was not available to our current seniors of society. Their chosen careers were decided by the needs of the family unit, the family farm and sometimes in the unfortunate case of a sick and ailing parent. They had to become the main breadwinner of the house sometimes as young as just becoming a teenager.

So while the men and women of today have more letters after their names than in their names themselves!

Head out into the working world of today, the one degree they lack, the one that you can only get while you travel through life. A degree from the “University of Life”.

This degree is possibly the most important lesson anyone can gain. It is what our elders have in abun-

dance. Our masters and degree holders could do a lot worse to improve their education than go and seek advice from students of the “University of Life”. As they head out ready to run down every avenue left and right why not stop! Take a breath!

Go ask the advice of those who have travelled all the roads and avenues that you are now about to embark on. Wise heads can direct you down the right road and avoid the roadblocks and obstacles that they encountered on their journey. Our students of today have acquired skills that they could trade in exchange for this advice.

While our seniors will tell you how every motor runs, every plant or vegetable grows. In return our graduates can pass the necessary that will help our seniors expand their knowledge of technology that can be an incredible help to all in the senior years.

All our degrees are valuable to the one who holds

it, and to the employer who wishes to hire you for the knowledge you have learnt as you passed through all levels of our excellent education system. But, imagine how valuable you would be to the workforce and your society in general if you also had a degree from the “University of Life”. Where your lecturers are

more than willing to educate you as these seniors you see and pass everyday have a wealth of knowledge no book or computer can teach you.

Talk to the seniors in your neighbourhood and towns to get the most valuable degree of all, “A Degree of Life”.

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Senior living

6 Ways to be fit and healthy in retirement Hopefully with vaccines on the way we can begin to look at getting back to normality.

EOIN EVERARD

WITH that being the case I think it is important to look at ways to stay fit and healthy in retirement.

Without good health while in retirement, you may find yourself spending more time in doctors’ offices and resting at home than doing what you planned.

The good news is that you can do many things to take care of yourself in retirement to enjoy it to the fullest. I have developed a list of 6 things I would recommend.

1. Get your vaccines I think Covid has really highlighted this but even with the flu, studies have shown that up to 85% of flu related deaths occur in those over 65. In addition, speak to your doctor about other vaccines for illnesses such as shingles and types of pneumonia when you retire. Moreover, you will want to wash your hands and take other common sense steps on a daily basis to avoid the spread of germs. This includes

taking the proper vitamins that your doctor recommends. Just like they have been telling us during the lockdown, this kind of preventative maintenance can go a long way in reducing sickness during your retirement and keeping it a happy and healthy one.

2. Exercise The benefits of exercise for people who retire is well documented. It can help regulate mood, manage stress, and increase self-esteem. In addition, exercise can prevent disease and help improve circulation of blood to the extremities. It also helps keep bones strong and improves balance to help lessen the chance of a fall. And exercise does not have to be scary or vigorous. A nice brisk walk around the town or down to shops is a good start. Also, if you can arrange it with a friend it is even better which I will talk about next.

3. Do classes and have a set routine There is a good quote “ The problem with retirement is that there are no days off!”. While this is a funny line, there is a little truth in it. It is important to slow

down and enjoy retirement, but habit and routine are essential to keeping active and good mental health. When lockdown finishes make it a point to try some classes to help structure your day. These do not have to be fitness related but having activities that keep routine in your week is vital. Warren Buffet had a line about how much money he is going to leave his kids when he dies and says “Enough so they can do anything they want but not so much they can do nothing!”. This is true for a happy and healthy retirement; you can do anything but not nothing!

4. Socialise According to the senior citizen association of America, lack of socialisation in retirement can lead to negative impacts on health and mental well-being.

Doing classes in addition to improving your fitness can also increase your socialising.

Sometimes retirement can be a little isolating, so it is important to make new ties and bonds.

Like I say in a previous point, maybe arrange a set walk each week with friends. Join or create a book club, join a club or do a class. In particular, when you are

newly retired, it is important to set these habits early.

5. Eating healthy food The benefits of eating healthy and nutritious food are well researched and wide reaching.

Eating healthy promotes energy and helps reduce the risk of heart disease. It also helps with weight control, which is important as we age. Being less active and gaining weight at an older age can lead to higher chances of heart-related diseases such as strokes and type 2 diabetes. These can hamper any plans in retirement permanently. Eating well does not have to be complicated.

Try to get a mix of food on your

plate from all food groups at each meal and start small. Try eliminating one thing or adding one thing at a time. In retirement you might have a little more time to focus on cooking healthy and tasty dinners so try a few new recipes out.

6. Stay safe While this may be a consideration many overlook, safety is important when you retire. This does not mean learn karate or carry a hurl around with you! This means preparing your home with an alarm if it is just you in the house or other emergency alert equipment, make your home comfortable and especially have good lighting

as well as a clear and clean floor to avoid accidental slips. I did an Emergency First Responder course recently and could not believe how cheap a defibrillator is to buy. My parents bought one from Ce-Tek Medical (www. ce-tekmed.ie) for about €1,000.

It really gives you peace of mind.

No one wants to think of the worst but with a little training on this it could be the best thing you ever spend money on.

Follow these tips above and enjoy what research tells us is the time we can feel happiest in our lives.

Contact me on: eoineverard@ gmail.com or visit everardpilates.com

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Senior living

Feel good on the inside

These silver surfers prove you’re never too old to become digital savvy

Natural Health Store, a household name in natural health in the South East. Proud to be part of a great selection of stores in Market Cross Shopping Centre.

A lot of you will have heard Clair on KCLR Radio and Community Radio, Kilkenny. Here is a little glimpse of what’s inside our store in Market Cross.

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atural Health Store is a family run health food store in the heart of Kilkenny.

You’ll find us on the upper floor at Market Cross Shopping Centre. Our family has worked in natural health for over 20 years and we have a combined total of almost 100 years of experience between

us. We are delighted to have staff that are trained and knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic; they love what they do. We pride ourselves on great customer service.

We are open for business and ready to help you with any health concerns that you may have. We stock a wide range of food, supplements, body care, household prod-

ucts, and a selection of gifts.

There is no question too small, silly, or embarrassing. We are happy to help you find solutions and to help you achieve optimum health. If you can’t make it in to us, we would be delighted to chat with you on the phone, or by email if you prefer. You can avail of our free postal service for orders over €50.00.

You’ll find a large range of foods like porridge, breakfast cereals, prune juice, cider vinegar, jams, tea and coffee.

There’s a selection of dairy free, sugar free, and gluten free foods for anyone on a restricted diet. If you’ve been

diagnosed with a condition that needs dietary changes then we can help. This could be high blood pressure, cholesterol, or diabetes.

Our staff can help you with food choices that will be beneficial in controlling the problem.

Flexofytol is one of our most popular supplements to help with arthritic pain and stiff-

ness. Better You Vitamin D Spray is our customers favourite supplement to support immunity. Our customers love Better You Magnesium Spray for restless legs or leg cramps.

Natural Health Store is more than just a shop, it’s a centre of excellence. It’s a place where you can come for information and advice about a health concern. Our advice might be something like adding linseeds to your porridge to help with constipation. Or if that doesn’t work, we could talk about a supplement to help. Either way we are here to help.

If you’re in Kilkenny call in to see us, our store is big, bright, and spacious. We are following all Covid guidelines.

We would be delighted to see you and to help you achieve your health goals.

The Aging Foot Medical Attention when required: Common foot conditions like bunions, corns, calluses and discoloured toenails may seem harmless but are always worth getting checked out with a professional to prevent harmful developments such as infections.

AGING takes a toll on our feet. Over time, feet flatten and become wider. The fatty padding naturally wears down and leaves the bones and joints of the feet more exposed to wear and tear.

Injuries such as a blister can impair mobility, balance and overall function.

Skin breaks, ingrown toenails and neuropathy could lead to a cascade of health conditions. To keep aging feet healthy and reduce the risk of health issues indirectly caused by foot problems, use these essential senior foot care tips.

6. Address pain: Feet are often the first part of the body to show symptoms related to conditions such as diabetic neuropathy and arthritis. Also, may be affected by conditions such as plantar fasciitis.

Professional opinion should be sought to prevent complications.

1. Keep Feet Clean: Good Hygiene is critical to prevent fungal, viral and bacterial infections.

2. Moisturise: Dry skin is more prone to cracking, flaking and breaking, which is why moisturising is so important for prevention of open foot sores, especially for the older adult whose skin is drier.

3. Trim nails: Keeping toenails trimmed is an important element of footcare. If they get overgrown it can cause pain and interfere with stable walking.

4. Monitor sores: The most common site for bedsores is on the heels of you’re feet.

Prevent this by propping the ankles up so the feet rest suspended without touching anything.

5. Properly fitting shoes: Feet should be measured and sized by a specialist prior to buying shoes. Too big or too small can cause blisters and other foot ailments.

7. Promote Circulation: Peripheral Artery Disease, Diabetes or conditions limiting mobility may cause reduced circulation in lower legs and feet.

Circulation can be improved by leg elevation, massage and if needed your GP will prescribe compression hose. All this helps in prevention of blood clots Catriona Gibbons Community Foot Care

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 23 April 2021

Senior living

St Joseph’s Home Dignity - Peace - Security

St. Josephs Supported Care Home is a supported care facility in the picturesque village of Kilmoganny, Co. Kilkenny. We provide low to medium dependency long term and respite care to individuals who wish to avail of these supports in a home away from home environment.

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he home itself can cater for up to 20 residents. There is 16 single bedrooms and 2 double shared bedrooms.

It promotes independent

living in a safe and comfortable environment for the older people of the parish and surrounding parishes and is established as an integral part in the provision of a comprehensive service to

the elderly in the community.

We provide dinners for the community through the meals on wheels scheme devised by the HSE Home Packages for those vulnerable in the community. Our dinners are freshly cooked every day with the finest and freshest produce and ingredients.

We have a daycare service every Wednesday for the elderly local parishioners that will reopen again once HSPC guidelines allow.

There are garden areas on 1 acre of land with seating available for residents to sit and relax outside and we are a short walking distance to all amenities in the village.

The residents who reside here enjoy daily activities

The Twilight Years Now when a community comes together there is nothing that can stand in its way.

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he combined efforts of neighbours and friends can only bring good to everyone’s life. The Twilight Community Group has had seniors and their twilight years at heart since its inception in 2014. The group’s management team have held seats to this day on the Kilkenny Older people’s council, St Luke’s hospital steering group, and age alliance.

In 2016 the Newpark Housing estate held its 60th anniversary, though some say 61st as keys for the first houses were handed out in 1955 and they remained in 1956, and that is not the only mystery!

60 and 61 are missing. Some people find this fact funny while others take a dim view on when it is mentioned in public. A strong committee was set up and they all worked together, or so I heard, and a great night was had by all over Danny Macs field in ‘The Gaels’ fantastic GAA facilities as O’ Loughlin’s are never found wanting when communities are in need of a venue. They came from far and wide, the four corners

of the island and even some travelled by air, rail and sea to meet their childhood friends and neighbours.

One of the major results of the night was the financial success it was with €3,500 now available to the community to kick start their Resident Association. The AGM was held and Frank Cody was elected to the Chair and remains there till this day.

Frank just goes about his duties without fuss and not hassling others, not looking for recognition as sometimes is the case. Now that is not to say that many others are not involved. Michael Deegan, Jody Campion and team look out for the upkeep and planting which saw the estate take second prize in the Tidy Towns 2020.

So, what can a strong community do? Get the 60 year old footpaths upgraded,

one way street and traffic calming measures.

Each Christmas the senior members of society are treated to a deserved dinner to recognise their contribution to their community, trips to the Seaside and other day excursions. Bingo and fun nights in the Orchard House courtesy of John Murphy and the Twilight senior’s forum.

Prizes? Yes, but the main aim is fun and interaction for all.

And the ring master is once again Mr Frank Cody.

We must all remember that ‘Communities Are Stronger Together’.

that vary from bingo, bowling, art classes, music, pet therapy, flower arranging and many more hobbies and interests.

St Josephs Supported Care Home was recently involved in the “One Million Stars to End Violence” project that was organized locally in association with Amber Women,s Refuge, Kilkenny. The residents were very proud to hear of their stars being displayed in McDonagh Junction shopping centre.

St. Josephs Home is funded by a grant from the HSE, resident’s fees and fundraising in the community. The home relies greatly on fundraising and in recent years we have been able to install new windows, paint interior areas, purchase infection prevention items for the staff and residents, update the bedrooms and maintain our gardens.

St. Josephs home prides itself on providing local employment to the area and we always try to support our local businesses and trades people.

Community is

extremley important to the staff and residents and we are always very grateful for the continued support of the people of Kilmoganny and the entire parish of Dunnamaggin.

We also are very grateful to our residents and

their families who continue to champion our work which is so important to us as an organisation.

If people wish to receive any further information about the home, please do not hesitate to contact Nurse Manager, Ms. Lisa Prendergast or our Staff Nurse, Ms. Nicola Brophy on 051-648091 or email, sjhome15@gmail.com.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 23 April 2021

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Senior living

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 23 April 2021

Senior living

Making the county more friendly for the elderly

Workhouse square at MacDonagh Junction shopping centre.

Age-friendly initiatives to assist older people are being investigated and implemented across Kilkenny

I

T might sound like a small thing to those of us who are fit or under 60, but a strategically placed bench or two, on a walking route to the shops can open up a world of independence for an older person.

It means they can confidently leave their home, visit the shops, meet up for a cup of tea with friends or just get some exercise knowing that should they feel a little shaky, or out of breath while they’re out and about, there will be somewhere for them to sit and rest awhile.

No more feeling isolated because of mobility problems, no more relying on lifts, just freedom to head out the front door when they want to, like the rest of us.

From increased public seating, age-friendly parking spaces, footpath improvements, increased public lighting, bus shelters, an outdoor gym, and an age-friendly business recognition programme; a wide range of initiatives aimed at making life easier for older people, are being implemented in County Kilkenny.

In fact, Kilkenny City has Ireland’s first “age friendly” shopping centre, MacDonagh Junction.

It’s all part of the Age Friendly Ireland strategy.

Towns and cities all over the country have been carrying out ‘walkability studies’ to determine whether the street-scape is age-friendly - and in-depth community surveys to determine the needs of older people. Communities are examining their amenities and facilities in terms of everything from infrastructure to housing to see how they can be made more age-friendly.

This emphasis on age-friendly facilities is a global initiative driven by the World Health Organisation to take account of the fact people are living longer — and the need for societies to respond effectively to the requirements of a growing population of over-65s.

In 2006, around 11% of the Irish population, or about 467,900 people, were aged 65 and over. In the intervening decade, according to the Central Statistics Office, the number of people aged 65

and over has increased by around 54,000. It is projected that this sector may increase to around 25% of the population by 2026.

The programme is implemented in conjunction with local Age-friendly Town groups, who address issues in their local areas.

Thomastown has been chosen by Kilkenny County Council to be an Age Friendly Town.

Murey Healy, a member of the Thomastown Age-Friendly Committee said, “This initiative is to ensure that Thomastown will have the facilities to ensure a healthy, active, aged community. Able to live - not just exist - in their community.”

To discover what is needed to achieve that, a group was asked to undertake a walking study of Thomastown.

“It was a surprise to find the simple things that make life better for people,” says Murey. “Parking near to the bank, shops and services, a seat in a suitable spot to catch their breath and smooth pavements.”

With lots of input from older members of the

community an action plan for Thomastown has been drawn up, and is underway.

“An age-friendly parking space has been allocated in Market Street and a seat on the way to the railway

station. Two businesses, O’Keefe and Healy’s Pharmacy, have staff members who attended an Age Friendly seminar and are now Age Friendly Champions, implementing changes

in their business locations.

“Other plans will take a little longer to achieve as they require planning permission, for example, a bus shelter on Market Street,” said Murey.

Ireland’s first Age Friendly Shopping Centre

W

hen it comes to being first Kilkenny always puts their best foot forward. We are always there or there about when it comes to being first in Hurling.

We have our first foreign Government’s political headquarters with the Consulate of the Republic of Poland in our environs.

And when it comes to having an Age Friendly shopping centre, local lady Marion Acreman ensured Kilkenny was the first.

Pat O’Neill, Mary O’Hanlon, Marion Acreman, Deirdre Shine and a rep from the Age Friendly Alliance

Marion Acreman is the Centre Manager at MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre and has been at the Centre for over 11 years. She is responsible for adopting the Age Friendly Business Accreditation Programme for the Centre back in 2016, making it Ireland’s First Age Friendly Shopping Centre and last year launched the award-winning visitor attraction the Kilkenny Famine

Experience. She took on the role of President of Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce in May 2016 and was in place for a two-year term.

Marion has introduced some incredible initiatives for seniors. She is the driving force behind the Age Friendly retailer’s recognition programme and many of the stores in MacDonagh Junction offer seniors discounts every Wednesday 9am to 1pm.

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Senior living

A Home from Home

ROSEDALE Residential Home is located in the upper village of Kilmacow in County Kilkenny, just Kilometres from Waterford City.

It is set on 3 acres of gardens within walking distance of all amenities, including Church, Post Office, Sports Grounds, Supermarket, Bar, and Community Centre.

Rosedale is a voluntary nonprofit organisation with Board of Management comprising members from local community and was founded in 1986 to provide care for the elderly of the area who could no longer live safely at home.

Rosedale Residential Home is registered as a support Home

for Elderly and is regulated by HIQA. The Complex is managed by a competent and professional team of carers providing a high level of personal support and companionship in a family-oriented atmosphere and comprises: 1. Rosedale Home offers assisted living for up to fifteen low dependency residents needing help with the activities of daily living, but still wishing to live as independently as possible.

2. Sheltered Housing facilities comprise of sixteen independent living homes especially designed to

suit the needs of elderly tenants. All homes are semi-detached and single storey, opening onto well-manicured gardens.

Rosedale provides a warm, safe and caring environment ensures that each resident.

The quality of personal care assures families that they are doing their very best for their elderly parents or relatives.

Residents are helped with the activities of daily living.

Rosedale certainly delivers on its mission of providing a ‘home from home’ residence for low dependency older persons in a friendly caring and sharing environment.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 23 April 2021

Senior living

Games People Played As we live now in days where most of our children’s games are interactive on computers, laptops, and now even on our phones as we walk to school, on the odd day that the family car is not available for the school run.

W

HO forgets the games people played when all you had was what was at hand and more importantly free. These were days when the streets were clear of cars.

We used them as playgrounds that gave us hours upon hours of fun and laughter, and in a unique way kept us fit, trim, and slim.

Greens were always full.

Playing the games we saw

on TV or heard on the radio where we had to use our imagination to visualise the picture of the game that now we take for granted on the colour 52inch TV that is the focal point of every family room of today’s homes.

These were the days all you needed was a piece of chalk, a good flat stone and you had the ingredients for the game “Hop-scotch”. All we did was draw the squares of the game and off we went hopping

up and down the squared grid, picking up our little flat stone and back to start and take you place in line as the number of children playing was not restricted but for all who ventured out that day to play a game that was used by the Romans to improve their balance and strength for the battles they fought.

From a game that began with a string and the fruit of the trees, of which we had plenty, came the game of

We all remember the local shop and of course the shopkeeper. It was the community hub of its day.

The Corner Shops

L

ong before there was the internet or 175 channel TVs each community had a corner shop. The place for supplies and gossip.

Yes, the corner shop was the google search engine of its time.

In an era when the small corner shop was the housewife’s choice of the day in Newpark we had three of the best. Each shop serving their own area of the estate. We had Coogans on the junction of the Johnswell Road, Mulhalls across from the Pump beside Paddy Graces and Meaney’s down at the end of the street where the “The Back” road and the street that split the two blocks of the estate

met as a T junction.

One of the regular callers to the Coogan Sisters was Jack Rowe. Now Jack would drive down the Golf links road on his way to deliver his churns of Milk to the Creamery and all the kids would be waiting as he tossed apples from the sack beside him on the seat of his Horse and Cart. On his return home he would call to the sisters where a big mug of strong tea, so strong you could trot a mouse on it, served with two slices of homemade bread and a thick layer of strawberry jam. The Coogans had one of the many Orchards in the estate so more than likely the Jam was also homemade.

Meaney’s was considered the “modern shop”. Bigger than the other two with its original big long brown wooden counter where as a child you place your two little hands and pulled your chin above it to see what was the going ons behind. Expansion and modernisation was their plan. Shop was made bigger, shopping aisle added, meat counter and Newpark now had its first Super Market.

Friday was the piggy bank night where the families of Newpark set aside a few shillings for the Christmas that was to come. At one stage rumours were spreading like the wild fires we used

conkers. Boring a small hole through the centre of the conker and sliding a string, usually a shoe lace from an old worn out shoe that was stored under the stairs just in case there might be one more wear left in that paper thin sole. Now you had all you needed to join the rest of the gang who had done the same to play the game of the day. Most of the conkers came from the trees of the HB at the top of the Golf links road and the junction of Lovers lane. Now Lovers lane was the place where once a year the colourful caravans and the horses parked up for a fortnight. These were the real Tinker families who travel the countryside repairing pots and pans and plied their wares to all who dare venture down pass the compulsory black and white Sheepdog and closely followed on his heels by the Jack Russell who thought he was a wolf and willing to prove his point by picking a fight on anything that moved.

But the conkers were the game of skill, strength and aim. You held yours out straight and hoped when your opponent swung with all his might that yours survived and you got your opportunity to strike back and smash his to smithereens and cry “Conker One” and on to the next challenger.

We had the game of playing Marbles. Here there was a number of games. Dropping from on high to try and hit the marbles in the circle drawn

to witness on a regular basis in our famous bog, that a chip shop was on the way.

Unfortunately, it failed to materialise.

Mulhall’s was the typical corner shop of the day. Nicky and May manned the counter morning, noon and even the nights after the front door was locked. If a household ran short of the essentials of milk for the tea, sugar, butter or bread and sometimes depending on her form, sweets from under the counter, we would knock on the hall door and make our request.

Imagine that happening today?

“Me mammy wants a carton of Milk……and she’ll be up Friday to pay ya”!!!!!

Now as we all know and did, and no one can deny! Shops like these were open to little light fingers. Mulhall’s was, I am told, a four man job. One would go and do the purchasing and distracting of whoever was behind the counter, “How much is one of them and 2 of them?”, “Can I get two of them on the shelf behind ya?”. That was the signal for number two to get in and down below the counter out of view and well let his and her sticky little fingers get a prize or when caught a surprise of a good kick up the arse!

“I’ll take 2 penny giftie bars, please Mrs Mulhall.”

Transaction completed. “Before you go lads” and we are now stuck to the floor with fear. “Yes Mrs Mulhall?” “Pick the fruit up

in the dry dust which was everywhere during the long hot summer holidays. Trying to strike your friends marbles out of the same circle with yours deflecting out again or it became a target for you buddy, or now enemy, to hit out and put in his pocket.

Remember the bobular?

That’s right, one of them was worth ten marbles.

When the group was bigger and the boys and girls gather together the games became what you would called today unisex sports. (including Spin the Bottle where you tried to get your arse on the ground across from the girl you fancied which in some cases became the prime seat of the game).

Two chains joined hand in hand and the cry would go out “Red rover, Red rover we call ……… over. Now the named person had to break through the chain of arms or remain with that team, but if you broke through you brought back a prisoner who now joined your chain. On and on the calls would go till one chain was too strong for the other.

Rounders’ was our version of baseball. One ball and usually a hurl, or if the ball was a football your fist. Hit it as far and wide as you could and running flat out to the next jumper on the ground as a marker of the safe spot where you could not be hit and called “OUT” by the opposing team. Round and Round we would run and every time we completed a full circle your

off the floors boys and if any of them rolled out the door when they ‘fell’ off the counter bring them back in, I’d hate to tell your mammies you thought you found them on the road?”

Something tells me she was always more than one step ahead all the time.

These were the shops that you could get cigarettes sold in ones and twos and it also had the benefit of the “car road” or lane, that gave access to the fine big back gardens that you would never see today in any of the Celtic Tiger Housing estates, where you could puff away on the cancer sticks.

The corner shops were not just somewhere that you purchased your supplies for the family, but somewhere that the gossip of the day was spread. It was ok to hear but only if they were not talking about you or your family. The shopkeepers knew everyone by name and also what you normally bought so items were held aside for the regulars if there looked like a shortage. Mulhall’s had a direct line to the top sellers of the day with Nicky working in the Cash and Carry.

Today is so different. Large stores in some cases covering acres of land with cut cost prices that may be good for the consumer, but it hammered the final nail in the coffin of the local corner shop. Coogan’s closed first, then Nicky and May Mulhall’s and finally Newpark’s first supermarket

team got one point. When your team was all out the other team now had to try and beat your score before you got them all sitting down and out of the game by hitting them while on the run from the safe jumper marked spot of home and safety.

All you needed for skipping was a rope, a single game by yourself to get fit like Ali or Foreman or three for the team game and more for doubles. Another game I have heard tell of was Thunder and Lightning, where thunder was the bang on the door and the lightning was where you ran as fast as your little legs could carry you before the neighbour opened the door. It sounds like a good fun game but I can’t remember playing that one or any of my friends, we would not do that, would we?

Oh the games people played are many and varied but were free and carried out in the open spaces of the greens that were the Field of Dreams for us all as we grew up in Newpark. There is many more that today we did not mention but I am sure you the reader will recall more and added them to the list for us all to remember and relive the days we played for hours and hours before heading home tired, weary and up the stairs to bed to get ready again for another fun filled day playing street games, where the screen never goes black with the writing stating “Game Over”.

Games on the streets are never timed out.

Meaney’s closed its doors. Now we have a Shopping centre on the site of Sundown’s Home and Barn.

While we must all move with the times and we can’t stand in the way of progress.

We can’t help wondering was it better when profit and greed was not the target of the day but to provide the services that your friends and neighbours required. You could call next door for the cup of sugar, jug of milk, or whatever you were short of, to see you through till the shop opened again which was usually early enough to catch the first shift of Padmore and Barnes boot factory. Who could forget their Hooter as we were called to the Machines?

We all knew each other by name, and if anyone was caught not paying their way and pocketing the odd sweet, it was dealt with a chat in the parent’s ear and a good crack to yours, no need to call the Garda and end up ruining someone’s future for a minor mistake or just the recklessness of youth.

I wonder what is the next step for local shopping in communities like Newpark?

Probably internet shopping, delivered to your home, a knock on the door, faceless delivery guys, closing the door behind you and back to the curtain pulled windows and that computer screen that controls our lives?

Bring back family run corner shops.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 23 April 2021

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

KATHLEEN SHORTT 7TH ANNIVERSARY In loving memory of my dear friend Kathleen, late of Ballybough Street who died on April 25th 2014.

RIP We never knew that evening What the angels had in store They took from earth to heaven The friend that we adored

The Miracle Prayer

The Miracle Prayer

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. M.M

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. D.C

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.C

The Miracle Prayer

The Miracle Prayer

The Miracle Prayer

God called your name so softly That only you could hear And no one heard the footsteps Of angels drawing near It broke our hearts to lose you But you did not go alone For part of us went with you The night God called you home Sadly missed & remembered always by your friend Marian.

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.J.M

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. J.C.B

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. A.B

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Motors Classifieds

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

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Classifieds Motors

NOW OPEN SATURDAY MORNINGS 10AM TO 1.00PM

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Call Siobhan on 056 7771463 or 086 2395370 for all your classified advertisements.

DESIGN OF CLASSIFIED ADVERTS ARE FREE OF CHARGE

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Memoriams/Miracle prayers

News Planning notices

Planning notices KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL Planning Permission is sought by Nigel Pratt and Elizabeth Lawlor-Pratt for retention of as constructed domestic extension, which has a pitched roof to match the existing house, previously approved flat roof, and a smaller floor area then previously approved under planning consent 18/607 at Stangs, Gowran, Co. Kilkenny.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, 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.

Signed: Gittens Murray Architects Ltd., No. 5 William Street, Kilkenny. Tel No: 056-7753933. web:www.gmarch.net KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL I, Martin Hanlon, shall lodge significant further information to planning application 20/620 for permission for the erection of an extension to existing dwelling and alterations to internal layout of existing dwelling to create a granny flat and all associated site works at Ballysallagh, Johnswell, Co. Kilkenny. The significant further information includes permission to upgrade the existing septic tank to a treatment system and sand polishing filter and all associated site works.

Significant Further Information/Revised Plans has/have been furnished to the Planning Authority in respect of this proposed development, and is/are available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the Offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours of 9:00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the Planning Authority within a period of 2 weeks from the date of receipt of the revised public notices. A submission or observation must be accompanied by the prescribed fee of €20, except in the case of a person or body who has already made a submission or observation and such submission or observation will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Byrne & McCabe Design Ltd, Architecture and Engineering Services (059 9725684).

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL I Sharon O’ Brien intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Planning Permission to build stables, dungstead, horse walker, lunging ring and all associated site development works at Annamult, Bennettsbridge, Co. Kilkenny.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9.00 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.

KILKENNY CO COUNCIL I Liam Whelan, hereby apply to the above Planning Authority for Full Planning Permission to carry out alterations to my existing house to include for new 14.75M2 single storey extension to the front of the existing house, for minor alterations to the existing dormer roofs and fenestration together with all associated site works to my property located at Danville, Bennettsbridge Road, Kilkenny R95EY6W 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.

Michael Condon MRIAI, Architect, MRC Design Ltd – 1 City Wall, James Street, Kilkenny Ph. 087 2032869

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