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EVERY FRIDAY

The Kilkenny

Observer FREE EDITION

Friday 24 September 2021

Parent’s Worth Stay home parents valued at €49,000 

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Covid Women How females fared in the pandemic  See page 8

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

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EVERY FRIDAY

The Kilkenny

Observer

A Golden Oldies Budget! IT LOOKS like a ‘Golden Oldies’ Budget next month as older people will be the big winners with the Government planning to increase the State pension while raising the fuel allowance. The Government will make a “big intervention” on the fuel allowance as ministers look at adjusting the means test to help more people cope with spiralling energy costs.

‘Child care in need of redress’ THE Sinn Féin spokesperson on Children and TD for Carlow Kilkenny, Kathleen Funchion, has welcomed the call by Dr Laura Bambrick of the Irish Congress Trade Union (ICTU) for childcare to be an essential public service. “Sinn Féin have long advocated for a publicly funded childcare sector. My position has always been to take a three pronged approach to address low wages, high fees and access to childcare places. “The issues Dr Bambrick’s raised in her interview on Morning Ireland, unfortunately for those, either working or using an early years’ service, are not new,” she said. “The Minister cannot continue to ignore calls by academics, unions, those working in the sector, who are underpaid and underappreciated, nor ignore parents who are facing outrageous childcare fees, any more.” Ms Funchion said Dr Bambrick made the direct correlation between Ireland having the lowest number of women in the workforce, and underinvestment in early years. One-third of women with children were not working outside the home. “I strongly believe it is completely disingenuous for the State to continue to encourage women into the workforce, yet the apparatus that should be there to support this transition is wholly inadequate,” the Sinn Fein TD said. EVERY FRIDAY

Kilkenny families are facing a series of prices hikes this winter, including paying an extra €400 for electricity and heating. With the State pension set to rise, older people may also benefit with a reassessment of the means criteria for the fuel allowance. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Government would use next month’s Budget to protect

people on lower incomes from the impact of rising energy costs. “The Government will have to decide on the specific measures but a principle of protecting those most vulnerable to price hikes around energy is one that we will subscribe to and adhere to. We wanted to protect people from the worst impacts of that,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar told the Dáil that older people and those on social welfare will be “worse off” unless there are increases. He also said that maximum price orders would be considered by Government in a bid to halve spiralling energy bills. “There will need to be a welfare package in the Budget, because people on pensions

and social welfare will ≠≠end up worse off if there isn’t an increase this year,” he said. “That will need to be done. We will also need to do something on the fuel allowance, we’ve already committed to ring-fencing some of the proceeds from the carbon tax to increase the fuel allowance.” Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys said she

Bolger for the High Court

Missing boy (4) taken abroad

A missing child who was taken from his home in Kilkenny has been brought to Pakistan by a male relative, Gardai say. Muaaz Usama (4) vanished from the Kilkenny City area on Sunday, September 19 and has not been seen since. Now it has been confirmed that the boy has been taken to Pakistan by a male relative, with both flying out of Dublin Airport to Doha International in Qatar on Sunday morning– before he was ever reported missing. Muaaz and his relative then travelled from Doha to Islamabad in Pakistan, where they remain now.

KILKENNY’S Marguerite Bolger is one of five judges to appointed to the High Court. Ms Bolger is a senior counsel specialising in employment law and is a founder member and former chairwoman of the Employment Bar Association of Ireland. She is also the vicechairwoman of the Incorporated Council for Law Reporting of Ireland, and member of the editorial boards of the Irish Employment Law Journal and the Employment Law Reports. From Blackmill Street in Kilkenny, the daughter of Elaine and the late John Bolger, an Independent councillor on both the Kilkenny Corporation and county council. He was Mayor of Kilkenny in 1999.

The Kilkenny

Observer UNIT 7, FRIARY STREET, KILKENNY, R95 VHY7

and Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath were “conscious” that welfare rates, including the State pension, have not increased the past two years as the cost of living has gone up. However, tax strategy papers from department officials issued last week found that increasing the State pension would have little impact on poverty.

INSIDE Paul Hopkins................... P8 Marianne Heron ........... P12 John Ellis ....................... P16 Health & Science .......... P18 Travel & Leisure ........... P19 Picture Special .......P26 - 27 Food & Drink................. P42 TV & Streaming ........... P43 Sport.........................P49 - 59

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GETTING IN TOUCH WITH THE TEAM

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

News

Household work still left to the woman ...

WHEN it comes to household chores, the bulk of the work still falls to women, according to a summer survey by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The research found that

women living with men believe they are still doing the bulk of household chores, even if they work outside the home. The Life at Home: Couples online survey of 10,454

heterosexual couples living in private accommodation in Ireland between May 24 and June 7 is the third in the CSO’s Life at Home series conducted as part of its Pulse Survey initiative to

get a snapshot of everyday Irish life. The survey found vast differences in perception between women and their male partners when it comes to the division of household

tasks. Sixty-five percent of women said they are responsible for household chores compared with just over a third (38%) of male partners who believe their female

partners are responsible, with nine percent of men claiming responsibility for such tasks. When it comes to shopping for groceries and meal preparation, just under a quarter of men (23%) claim responsibility, with 64% of women performing such tasks. However, men rule the roost when it comes to home and garden maintenance, with 65% saying they do such chores as mowing the lawn compared with 15pc of women. When it comes to organising social activities, women are more likely to take the lead, with 42% saying they do so compared with eight percent of men. For couples who both work full-time, six percent of men compared with 42% of women believe household chores fall to them. More than eight out of 10 women (82%) who are not employed said the burden of household chores falls to them while their partner works outside the home, but when the roles are reversed, just more than a quarter of men (27%) who are unemployed while their partner works said the burden falls to them. Responsibilities for health appointments is overwhelmingly done by women with children (78%) and to a lesser degree for those without children (43&). See also Page 6

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

News

At home parents worth €49,000 THE value of stay-at-home parents’ work is being underestimated by €20,000 a year, according to a new report. It finds it would cost €49,000 to replace these mothers’ and fathers’ duties, but the Royal London research reveals most people expect their average salary should be around €28,000 if they were paid. The survey of 1,000 people

reveals 42% have a greater appreciation for the role of stay-at-home parents following the lockdowns, but 85% grossly underestimated their “monetary value”. The calculations reveal the annual cost to employ someone to do the household jobs done by a stay-at-home parent would be an estimated €48,904. This includes childcare, cooking, cleaning, driv-

ing children to activities, gardening, teaching, and DIY. The biggest wage cost is childcare at €352 a week for 30 hours’ work, at an average hourly cost of €11.74. Taxi driving at an estimated average fare of €21 and 10 trips would cost €210 a week. Cleaning would cost €84, cooking €157, teaching €60 and handyman or woman jobs €62. Gardening was the

cheapest cost at one hour a week for €14. Interim head of proposition at Royal London Karen Gallagher said for people with children in particular, the new Monday to Friday routine has been a whole new world, particularly during the periods when no outside childcare was permitted. “These people may well have developed a deeper un-

derstanding of the range of jobs involved in being a stayat-home mam or dad,” she said. “So it is perhaps unsurprising that more than four in 10 people appreciate the role of the stay-at-home parent to a greater degree. Virtually none of our survey participants thinks less of the role now.” An estimated 454,700 people defined their main role

as looking after the home or family in the last census. Some 98% were women. However, the number of men in this role had almost doubled in the previous 10 years from 4,900 to 9,200. Ms Gallagher said while 19% of women believed the cost of a stay-at-home parent would be more than €40,000, just 12% of men and 4% of 18 to 24-year-olds felt the same.

Welcome call for Kilkenny AT the opening of Kilkenny’s new Vodafone franchise store are; Paula Lafferty, Director of The Phone Stores, Anne O’Leary, CEO of Vodafone Ireland and Pat Sinnott, Owner of the Phone Stores. Vodafone has invested €100,000 in a new store layout and will also see employment figures double to 10 jobss, further cementing Vodafone’s 20-year commitment to providing services in Kilkenny. Vodafone has also announced plans for further employment opportunities in the coming months with a Telesales hub opening above the store.

Cartoon’s mural for City art

Newpark is TripAvvisor’s No. 1 hotel, as Imported sheep ‘a Aer Lingus resumes flights to Toronto concern’

A MURAL from the awardwinning Kilkenny animation studio Cartoon Saloon is among some new artwork planned for the city. The council has been allocated over €400,000 as part of the €5 million Urban Animation Capital Inestment Scheme. The monies are expected to cover the new mural at the Watergate Performance Space, An upcycled copper tank at Brewhouse Square at the Abbey Quarter is also planned as is a sculpture adjacent to Riverside Park. Other installations will include digital Culture Screens and lighting of the Butterslip and Market Slip to encourage visitors to the new Market Square outdoor dining.

KILKENNY’S Newpark Hotel in is now ranked #1 out of 21 hotels in Kilkenny on travel site TripAdvisor. This achievement comes as the hotel prepares to celebrate 55 years in business. General Manager Paul Beehan credits the achievement to each and every member of staff at Newpark and also thanks the hotel’s past guests for taking the time to share their reviews on TripAdvisor. Meanhile Aer Lingus has resumed its direct connection to Canada’s biggest city, Toronto. EI127 will operate four times per week* from Dublin, following an 18-month hiatus.

As of September 7 Canada has been permitting entry for fully vaccinated foreign visitors, subject to meeting Covid-19 travel conditions. Aer Lingus customers can once again fly direct from Dublin to Toronto, and vice versa, upon presentation of valid travel documents. A bustling multicultural metropolis, Ontario’s capital city has so much to offer. Filled with world renowned visitor attractions including Niagara Falls, the CN Tower and Lake Ontario, Toronto packs charm in every pocket and its neighbourhoods Chinatown, Koreatown, Greektown, Little Italy and Little Portugal are well worth a visit.

Susanne Carberry, Chief Customer Officer at Aer Lingus, said: “At long last we are re-establishing our direct service to Toronto and can once again connect families, friends and businesses across the Atlantic. This is an important milestone in the recovery of our business and will no doubt be very meaningful to those with Irish-Canadian connections. “Safety remains our priority at Aer Lingus and we continue to implement measures such as mask requirements and additional cleaning, as has been in practice across the airline for the past year.” Before travelling, Aer

Lingus customers are advised to use the airline’s new online travel support tool to search by destination and retrieve up-to-date tailored travel information on vaccination status, return travel and flight connection requirements. Should plans change, customers can also avail of the ‘Book with Confidence’ flexible booking proposition until December 31. Aer Lingus offers highly competitive fares in both on its transatlantic services operating from Dublin with fares to Toronto starting from €149 each-way, as part of a return journey.

* –––www. aerlingus.com.

IFA Sheep Chairman Sean Dennehy has said farmers have not been given the assurances from the authorities that strong and robust procedures are in place around imports of sheep meat. IFA raised the issue in April last, following the importation of 23 tonne of sheep meat, which coincided with factories dropping the price of lamb. Sean Dennehy said it was up to our competent the Department of Agriculture, the Food Safety Authority and Bord Bia to assure farmers this product was not misrepresented as Irish sheep meat. “We have insisted that the three agencies audit all procedures around the importation, processing and labelling of this product to ensure the integrity of Irish lamb is protected .

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

News Opinion

The Fact Of The Matter PAUL HOPKINS

Women fare worse in time of coronavirus

ONE could be forgiven for thinking that, while all eyes are on Afghanistan and the plight of its women, all is well with the world and women elsewhere. If only it were so. Eighteen months on the Covid crisis has led to a decline in living standards for girls and women around the world, according to global watchdogs. With access to school sporadically disrupted, massive job losses, domestic violence, increasing incidents of rape and teenage pregnancy, the situation is now critical on a scale matched only by the pandemic itself. When one considers that 70% of global health workers are women, that, too, exacerbates their lot. Health, however, is not the only sector where women are overrepresented: according to a UN Policy Brief up to 60% of women work in the informal economy, making them considerably more vulnerable to the crisis. School closures, too,

and the increasing needs of the elderly have, no surprise here, led to women spending more time doing unpaid work. A report by Deloitte Global, which surveyed 5,000 women in 10 countries, finds 80% of women saying their workloads have increased because of the pandemic, while 66% report having more responsibilities at home. The common stereotype is thus being reinforced. Gender inequality is on the rise due to the crisis, says the UN. According to one brief, women are almost twice more likely than men to have lost their jobs during the pandemic, while according to an EU report, women are “forced into precarious jobs” because they can’t get affordable childcare. Girls’ access to education, one of the biggest considerations in gender equality, is also on the decline, as I wrote some weeks back. In 2020, up to 11 million girls worldwide were unable to

attend school. This return to the household for women and girls is concerning, says the UN. For woman, the pandemic has created a sharp increase in domestic violence and sexual abuse, globally, according to Amnesty International which cites copious examples from Africa to the Americas. In Ireland we cannot afford to be complacent. Women in business here have taken on more of the burden of family care, according to one survey, raising concern that the Covid19 crisis could reverse progress towards equality at work. The research for Ibec, the business lobby group, suggests the coronavirus has had a deep impact on the working lives of many women, sharpening inequalities that were already there before the coming of the rogue microbe. One in five companies of 270 surveyed reported a change in the position of women in the past 18 months, with employ-

ers citing increased pressure on female workers and more childcare responsibilities. Which prompts the question, where is that village that rears a child? Women here had more early starts, late finishes and sought more time off to look after children and elderly relations. “Historically women are disproportionately impacted by crises, disasters and societal disruption, and Covid-19 checks all those boxes,” says Dr Kara McGann, head of social policy with Ibec. “Our findings confirm that Covid-19 has accentuated long-standing gender imbalances across several dimensions, threatening hard-won markers of gender equity.” Almost half of the Ibec respondents – 48% – said more women than men had asked changes to their working patterns to facilitate ‘other’ responsibilities. Only 3% said more men than women had made

the same request. In addition, one in three respondents said that more females than males had asked for unpaid leave to facilitate caring responsibilities. Again, only 3% said more men than women sought such leave. Meanwhile research at May-

‘Accentuated long-standing gender imbalances...

”

nooth University found that one in 10 women has quit work because of the pressures of juggling a job with pandemic home life. And that in almost two thirds of families, the mother took the full responsibility with any homeschooling. And, yes, it is not just the pandemic that’s to blame. Even before Covid, Oxfam found that women in Ireland did 38 million hours of unpaid work every single week, domestic chores and care work that enabled others to go out into paid employment. Now consider this. If such women received a living wage for this invisible work it would cost the State €24bn a year. It seems all that was still wrong in Irish society before Covid has been exacerbated during the lockdowns and the only way we can learn anything is to refocus our watch on society-changing economic and social issues as we struggle to come out of it all...

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

News

Two out of three are now more eco conscious TWO out of three Irish people are more eco conscious than thy were before the pandemic according to research from the environmental organisation, Repak. We Irish are developing new habits with 64% of people saying they are more eco conscious now than

before the pandemic and 89% confident that their recycling habits are good. The research of 850 adults examined the public’s attitudes towards eco-conscious behaviour after it was recently announced that all plastic packaging waste can now go into the recycling bin. In

Ireland, we are bow exceeding the EU plastic recycling targets of 22.5%. However, achieving the ambitious targets for plastics recycling of 50% by 2025 and 55% by 2030, under the Circular Economy and EU Legislation, will require a concentrated effort by all

stakeholders. Putting all plastics in the recycling bin is a step towards making this target achievable. Repak created its Team Green initiative in 2018 to support Ireland in achieving future packaging recycling targets set by the EU. To date, more than 22,000 individu-

als have joined Repak Team Green with recycled plastic packaging tonnes increased by 9% between the start of 2019 and the end of 2020. CEO of Repak, Séamus Clancy said: “All plastic packaging waste now being accepted into recycling bins is

a very positive change as, not only does it eliminate confusion among householders about what can be recycled, it’s also an opportunity to drive a significant increase in our recycling rates.” You can join Repak Team Green at repak.ie/ teamgreen.

Make Way Day aims to make a difference EVERY corner of Ireland will be put to the test for basic access issues this Friday, September 24 when the Make Way Day campaign returns, with a testing twist! The campaign organisers the Disability Federation of Ireland, DFI, have developed an online test that campaigners can use to test and rate their local area or 5k. Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council Fidelis Doherty said: “Make Way Day focuses on individual responsibility, on looking at what we can all do immediately to help our fellow citizens get from A to B, which is a basic right. We in Kilkenny County Council are happy to work with DFI and support the roll-out of Make Way Day across Kilkenny City and county.” Groups of people with disabilities, their allies, and Kilkenny Access Group will take part. Make Way Day 21 will highlight everyday barriers on our streets that negatively affect active civic participation of the people of Kilkenny and its visitors. Kilkenny resident Aidan J.Brennan, a wheelchair user and disabled driver, said: “Drivers, including commercial vehicles, should not use the disabled parking bays with the usual excuse of ‘I’ll only be there for a second’.

Those of us with a limiting disability don’t have it for a second or minute but most often a lifetime. “Also, dog users, be mindful of leaving your dog’s waste on the street where those with mobility issues cannot avoid it and it has to be cleaned off their wheels or walking aids.” The backbone of this campaign is people with disabilities. This online test empowers them to survey their area for obstacles and rate its accessibility. It will once again give them the chance to share their frustrations by posting photos of obstacles to social platforms with the hashtag, #MakeWayDay21 The test will be available at www.makewayday. com and from partner local authorities such as Kilkenny County Council at www. kilkennycoco.ie. It is easy to use and download to a phone and will be circulated widely on the campaign’s social media platforms. The collective aim is to have all the 5ks or neighbourhoods join up, to give a comprehensive map of access in Ireland. All the results will be co-ordinated, aiming to feed them back to the right people and work together towards creating clearer streets and a more accessible environment.

Jobs for disabled lowest in EU IRISH people with disabilities have one of the lowest employment rates in the EU, a study published today shows. New research by the Economic and Social Research Institute reveals they had the fourth-lowest employment rate at only 36% of those of working age with disabilities among EU countries in 2018. Two years earlier, only a third of working age people

with disabilities said they were employed, compared with two thirds of those without disabilities. The report finds substantial variation between those with different disabilities who are at work. Only 15% of those with an intellectual disability were working in 2016, compared with 34% of those with blindness or a serious vision impairment.

‘Reject’ moves to harm animal welfare MEPs from Ireland must reject the motion before the European Parliament that would limit the use of animal medicines, according to IFA Animal Health Chairman Pat Farrell. “If the motion is accepted, it could be very damaging for animal health. Farmers are responsible users of medicines to treat animal bacterial diseases. Restrict-

ing them could jeopardise food safety and food security,” he said. The motion objects to the Delegated Act on the use of antimicrobial resistance. Mr Farrell said there were some instances where the use of critical antibiotics was essential as there wasn’t an alternative. “Without these medicines, the livelihoods of farmers

will be threatened because they cannot treat their animals,” he said. The Animal Health Chairman said the strict controls around the use of animal medicines should be a sufficient safeguard, without imposing further unreasonable restrictions. IFA has been in contact with MEPs ahead of the vote, pointing out that an-

tibiotics are only allowed with a prescription and only following physical examination, good husbandry and proper diagnosis. “We have also reminded MEPs that there is robust scientific backing from a range of agencies, including public health experts. Our position has always been that legislators should be guided by science,” he said.

Carlow has highest rate of Covid COUNTIES Carlow, Louth and Longford now have the highest 14 day incidence of Covid-19 in the country. They have moved above Monaghan and Donegal as the worst affected counties. Other counties with high incidences are Limerick, Westmeath and Galway. Counties with the lowest 14 day incidence are Clare and Wicklow. It comes as another 1,154 new cases were reported.

There were 297 Covid-19 patients in hospital, a rise of 19 in a week. The number of patients in intensive care remained stable at 63. A Hiqa report indicated that the wearing of face masks in secondary schools will remain unchanged for now although it confirmed its review recommended face masks for primary school pupils were not needed.

There has been an increase in the number of outbreaks in schools, according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. There were 90 outbreaks recorded in the week to Saturday the 18th, resulting in 412 confirmed linked cases of Covid-19. Of the 90 outbreaks last week, 78 were in primary schools, 11 in post primary and one in special education.

Parents and schools are confused over “contradictory” Covid-19 advice on whether to keep children with runny noses out of school. However, from Monday, 27th most primary school children and those in childcare facilities who are identified as close contacts of a confirmed case of Covid-19, but have no symptoms, will no longer have to restrict their movements, or get tested.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

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Candida what’s it’s all about? CLAIR WHITTY

CANDIDIASIS is a fungal infection caused by a yeast called Candida. We all have this organism and for most of us it doesn’t cause any problems. It’s normally kept in check with our own friendly gut bacteria. It can be triggered by exhaustion, low stomach acid, impaired immunity, contraceptive pill, HRT, and antibiotics. Or caused by poor diet, one that is high in sugar, or where there is excess alcohol. Symptoms you may experience: Aches, and pain, allergies, or skin problems. Anxiety, low mood, or depression. Bloating, or digestive disorders. Concentration, memory problems or foggy brain. Low energy, stress, and irritability. Depressed immunity, recurring urinary infections, oral or vaginal thrush. You may have one or several of these symptoms. You’ll need to do a number of things to treat Candida. Step one involves starving the organism of food, the yeast loves sugar and will flourish in an environment rich in these foods. You’ll need to avoid totally all sugars including fruit. Foods that contain yeast include breads, cakes, baked good, processed foods, yeast can also be found on the outside

of hairy fruits and some nuts. Cheese, vinegar, and alcohol should be avoided too. It’s a tough diet, but you won’t have to follow it forever, once you get it under control, you’ll be able to relax about it all. Next, you’ll need to support your gut to heal it and kill off the organism using antifungal herbs and digestive supporting nutrients. New Nordic Dida is a supplement that our customers use for gastrointestinal support and have great success with when used with the appropriate diet and lifestyle changes. You’ll need to support your friendly gut bacteria so top up with friendly microbiotics like Udo’s Choice Super 8. Ideally, you’ll need a good

strong immune system too. A healthy diet and the reduction of sugar will help here. Include immune supporting herbs like Echinacea, or Vitamin D. So, to recap, you’ll need to avoid sugar and yeast, support gut health, kill off the organism, and support immunity. Consider the underlying cause as this will have to be addressed too. For more advice and information on how you can deal with Candida why not pop in to see us, give us a call, or email us. Natural Health Store, Market Cross Shopping Centre Phone: O56 7764538 Email: info@naturalhealthstore.ie Visit our online shop www. naturalhealthstore.ie

The Orchard Salon & Day Spa @ Hotel Kilkenny

NESTLED in the lush grounds of Hotel Kilkenny, our Spa provides a calm and relaxing space to enjoy top quality treatments & Massage. Passionate about our luxurious Image & Yonka products, our experienced therapists will ensure your treatments leave you feeling nothing less than pampered. Offering a host of Skin Specific Facials, Massage with Deep Tissue optional and Beauty Specials for Nails, Tans and Group Events, we will cater our treatment options to your specific needs. TIME WITH FRIENDS Our Autumn Time Out Package is the ideal opportuni-

ty to catch up with friends after the school run. Take back your mornings, enjoying an hours treatment each, followed by exclusive access to our Relaxation Room with an Ultimate Coffee Morning Platter. This very popular Package can be booked for any morning of the week and for up to 6 people. BRIDAL PARTIES We love our Brides and our Bridal Parties are a Spa speciality! Let us pamper you all whilst you enjoy exclusive access to our Relaxation Room for last minute catch ups before the big day. Our Tan & Shellac Specials are particularly popular and we also offer

a Skin Consultation to all our Brides. This will ensure your skin is at its very best on your Wedding Day. COUPLES Our Couples Massage is the perfect gift for your loved one and our Relaxing Couples Package will ensure you both leave the Spa feeling your very best. SPA REWARDS We appreciate our Clients and offer a rewards system to gift you a free Massage on your 6th visit to the Spa and all our clients enjoy our free parking! Call us today 056 7756555 and let us start your Season Of Self Care.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

Opinion

You wouldn’t wish it on your granny... AS I SEE IT MARIANNE HERON

NO matter how welcome the Housing For All plan, I don’t believe that I am the only person to be alienated by the cavalier way Government view older people as a group to be conveniently pushed around to solve their problems. Is anyone in the corridors of power listening to what older people actually want? It’s easy to excuse the Government and civil servants for being overworked and preoccupied with the pressures of Covid, Brexit and whatever other crisis happens to hit them. But when the evidence is presented to them on a plate in fact-finding surveys, sometimes they still adopt the headless chicken approach and ignore the information which would help them make appropriate decisions. Take the suggestion in the Housing For All that older people should move from their family homes in order to help solve the housing crisis. Preferably they should move into apartments, according to Housing Minister Darragh

O Brien, encouraged by his offer of a mere half a percent reduction in stamp duty as an incentive. This completely ignores several surveys which show clearly that over 55s, (hardly half way through life when you consider that half the people born today are going to live to be 100 ) don’t want to move. A survey by TCD and DIT published this month showed that 88% of over 55s say don’t want to move for understandable reasons. They are attached to the area where they live, they like being near shops, their families and they enjoy the peace and quiet of their gardens. Does this suggest would they would enjoy being in apartments? It’s not the kind of thing that you would wish on your granny or granddad, to be made to feel that they should be pushed out the home where they raised their family in familiar surroundings and moved into anonymous flatland, to help the State solve the housing crisis. If the powers-that-be did their homework they might notice that in an earlier survey carried out in 2019 only 4% — yes 4% — of mature home owners with two or more vacant bedrooms were prepared to move home. If there were smaller purpose

built, less expensive houses, (houses not apartments) suitable for older people, the percentage prepared to move went up to 15 to 20%. This shows up clearly the glaring gap in the housing market for elders where there is a lack of options between care homes and ageing in place in existing homes. The kind of solutions like retirement villages (though these are not for everyone,)

or purpose-built housing in the community available elsewhere in the world barely exist here. There are plenty of solutions, too, which would enable owners to age in place with the assistance of grants. A previous paper on Housing for Older People lists a variety of ways in which this could be achieved from dividing homes into apartments to making them age friendly and states:” Research sug-

gests that older people wish to remain in place… and lead full and meaningful lives in their own terms.” The Minister also has his eye on the homes lying vacant because their elderly owners are in nursing home care and has proposed that the Fair Deal scheme should be amended to push these homes onto the rental or for sale market. Previously 80% of rental

from such homes had to be contributed towards the Fair Deal scheme to cover nursing homes costs. Will it work? The assumption here is that granny or granddad and family will be happy to have strangers move into the home, possibly emptied of family furniture or to sell it off while the owner is still alive. Would you wish that one on granny?

Boost your mental health by reviewing your social media use ANDREW MCDONALD HYPNOTHERAPIST

OVER the past weeks and months that I’ve been writing this column, I’ve provided bits and pieces of advice for dealing with anxiety, depression and mental wellness. Something which is rarely mentioned is the damage social media can have on how you feel mentally. Don’t get me wrong, the internet is a fantastic tool. There is so much that is good about it that you could fill several tombs, nevermind a few column inches, discussing the benefits of being online. Everything in life has two sides though and the web definitely has some very negative aspects. Let’s say you’re one of the lucky ones who has never experienced the toxicity of trolling and keyboard warriors. Even so, the chances are social media, as well as a positive, also has a negative influence on your life. Why do I say this? Open

up your Facebook or other social media account. Scroll down through your friends’ and family’s content. What do you see? Probably a whole lot of people enjoying their “perfect lives”. Now take a look at your own experience of the last days, weeks and months. Is your life A1? Do you have any worries? Anything causing you to feel down, stressed or gloomy? Certainly. How do I know this? Simple. There isn’t a single person on this planet whose life is nothing but endless joy (the good news is there are also exceptionally few of us who have nothing to be happy and grateful for either). Now look back at your friends’ and family’s Facebook feed. Do you see the negative that rational logic tells you they must have in their own lives? Probably not. What you are seeing by following what they’re up to via Facebook is a shrouded window. All the positivity is there. The parties, the meals out, the holidays. What is hidden behind the shroud are the things causing them distress. People are very slow to share these, particu-

larly online. The problem is you unconsciously compare yourself with those carefully-constructed representations of other people’s lives you’re viewing online. This leaves you questioning “why is my life not perfect when everybody else’s is?” In short, because you’re being very tough on yourself by putting your own life in comparison with a perfection which only exists in fantasyland. That’s like watching Superman and giving yourself a hard time because you can’t fly. It isn’t real. I’m not saying you should never use Facebook or other social media. It can be a great way of keeping in touch with people, particularly friends and relatives who live in other countries. Be careful not to overuse it though and keep in mind that what you are seeing online is very much a false representation of lives which, despite their online window, are very far from perfect. Next week, we’ll look at what to do with trolls and keyboard warriors and how to stop them destroying your wellness.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

News

EY Ireland creates 816 new jobs ECONOMIC analysts and advisors EY plans to create 816 new jobs, adding to its current headcount of 3,400 on the island of Ireland. Some of the new jobs will be created in its Waterford offices. This announcement will bring the headcount in EY to over 4,200 across the island of Ireland. 606 of the roles will be Dublin-based, while the

remaining 210 roles will be located in Waterford, Cork, Galway, Belfast, and Limerick . The 414 experienced hire roles will be advertised and filled by the end of EY’s current financial year, June 30, 2022, while a further 402 roles will be filled by university graduates starting this autumn. EY will now actively recruit

candidates to fill a variety of roles across its core areas of tax, audit, corporate finance and consulting as well as in new growth areas including technology consulting, digital and emerging technology, data analytics, cyber security, sustainability, law, strategy and transformation. The firm is also recruiting heavily across other growth

areas such as workforce and organisation design and planning, change management, transaction diligence, and valuations, modelling and economics. New employees at EY will have the opportunity to join the firm’s great teams who work with Ireland’s top entrepreneurs, multinationals, private and public sector clients.

Frank O’Keeffe, Managing Partner, EY Ireland, said: “The fundamental changes brought about by the pandemic, coupled with wider macroeconomic headwinds and shifting business models, have created increased demand for our services as we help our clients tackle their most complex business challenges.

Beef farm scheme a disaster, says IFA

Nestlé plans to support a better climate FOOD giant Nestlé is laying out its plans to support and accelerate the transition to a regenerative food system – one that aims to protect and restore the environment, improve the livelihoods of farmers and enhance the well-being of farming communities. Nestlé will work with its food system partners, including the company’s network of more than 500,000 farmers and 150,000 suppliers to advance regenerative farming practices at the heart of the food system. As part of this journey, the company will also initiate new programs to help address the social and economic challenges of the transition. The announcement is being made in the lead up to the UN Food Systems Summit in New York, as part of Nestle’s contribution to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. It also follows the recent report from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that shows the climate crisis is intensifying. “We know that regenerative agriculture plays a critical

“Our clients are increasingly looking to EY to help them navigate change but also to seek out opportunity to help them transform, grow and prosper into the future. “We’re looking for the best talent to join our world class teams as we support our incredible clients to unlock their full potential,” Frank O’Keefe said.

role in improving soil health, restoring water cycles and increasing biodiversity for the long term,” said Paul Bulcke, Chairman of Nestlé. “These outcomes form the foundation of sustainable food production and, crucially, also contribute to achieving our ambitious climate targets.”

Nestlé is a signatory of the UN Business Ambition for 1.5°C pledge and was one of the first companies to share its detailed, time-bound climate plan in December 2020. The company is taking measures to halve its emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050. “With our long-standing

partnerships with farming communities globally, we want to increase our support for farming practices that are good for the environment and good for people,” said Mark Schneider, Nestlé CEO. “In the spirit of enabling a just transition it is vital that we support farmers around the world that take on the

risks and costs associated with the move towards regenerative agriculture.” Nestlé is investing CHF 1.2 billion over the next five years to spark regenerative agriculture across the company’s supply chain, using three primary levers to help farmers adopt regenerative practices.

IFA President Tim Cullinan has said the Department of Agriculture’s handling of the BEAM scheme from the outset has been disastrous. “The BEAM monies were provided to suckler and beef farmers to offset the enormous losses experienced on their farms arising from Brexit,” he said. Since the money was committed, he said the Department of Agriculture had put obstacles in the way of farmers receiving the vital supports and in holding onto them. The Department of Agriculture has further compounded the difficulties for farmers now by threatening interest on money owed, and has moved ahead of this by deducting the monies from other farm scheme payments. “The inclusion of the 5% reduction in the first instance should never have been part of the scheme. The lack of detailed upto-date information for farmers in meeting this requirement; the failure to appropriately recognise the impact of TB restrictions on farmers trying to meet the 5% reduction; and the draconian penalties for farmers who just missed out on meeting the 5% reduction, all contributed to the problem,” he said. The IFA is meeting with the Department of Agriculture on this issue and has called on the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue to ensure there is an acceptable resolution to this issue.

Looking at the work of your county councillor WHAT is the job of a county councillor really like; why should more young women think about it as a career option; and what can someone with nine election victories tell us about running for election? These are just some of the questions which See Her Elected aims to answer as part of a free online event with Ireland’s longest serving continuously elected woman councillor and

Ireland’s newest and youngest woman councillor. See Her Elected will host an interview with Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh from Kilkenny (pictured) and Cllr Emer Kelly from Co. Roscommon to hear their unique perspectives on local politics. This free online event will take place on Wednesday, September 29 at 7pm via Zoom and you can register on Eventbrite with a link on www.

seeherelected.ie/events or simply email info@seeherelected. ie The online event is part of a series of educational talks in the Women Learning from Women series hosted by See Her Elected. SHE is a joint initiative between 50:50 Northwest and Longford Women’s Link. The project is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heri-

tage. Mary Hilda Cavanagh (Fine Gael) was first elected to Kilkenny County Council in 1974 and is the longest serving continuously elected councillor in Ireland. Emer Kelly (Ind) was co-opted to Roscommon County Council in April 2021 and at just twenty-two-years of age is one of the youngest councillors in the country. Dr Michelle Maher, Pro-

gramme Manager with the SHE Programme, said: “The overall aim of the SHE Programme is to empower women to engage in electoral politics. We want to see more women being elected to councils, especially in our rural constituencies.” Register now on Eventbrite with a link on www.seeherelected.ie/events or contact the SHESchool on 086 0320455 or email info@seeherelected.ie

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News

Mid-October deadline for WIT’s €5,000 bursaries WATERFORD Institute of Technology (WIT) students have until mid-October to apply for the 1916 Bursary Fund, for first years (who are first time entrants to third level education). The bursary, which is designed to support students who are most economically disadvantaged

and who are from communities significantly underrepresented in higher education, has been expanded for the 2021/22 academic year. This year there are three tiers of bursaries available. Robin Croke from WIT’s Access Office says the additional funding is

welcome. “This year the number of students the bursary supports has been expanded substantially. Each year the bursary supports 35 students to the tune of €5,000 each a year. “An additional 29 students will receive €2,000 a year of study, and a further number of students will benefit from

a once-off payment of €1,500.” • Tier 1 Bursaries: 35 students in the South Cluster will receive €5,000 per year for the normal duration of an undergraduate programme and up to a maximum of six years for a part-time programme. The bursary will also be paid if the awardee progresses to

postgraduate study. • Tier 2 Bursaries: 29 students in the South Cluster will receive €2,000 per year for the normal duration of an undergraduate programme and up to a maximum of six years for a part-time programme. • The bursary will also be paid if the awardee progresses to

postgraduate study. • Tier 3 Bursaries: A number of students in the South Cluster will receive a onceoff bursary of €1,500 for the 2021/2022 academic year only. Email 1916BursaryQueries@ soarforaccess.ie with queries. See www.wit.ie/1916-

Food & drink ‘needs cash’ from Brexit funding aid THE Ibec group representing the food and drink sector, Food Drink Ireland (FDI), has published its Budget 2022 Submission which calls for substantial funding for the sector from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. FDI Director Paul Kelly (pictured) said: “The food and drink sector is deeply resilient but now faces major disruption to its markets from Brexit while still contending with the impact of a global pandemic. “The EU/UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement has introduced significant additional costs for Irish food and drink companies at each step of production and distribution. “In addition to Brexit related transport and logistics cost hikes, Irish food and drink businesses are also experiencing inflationary pressures across most cost headings due to a combination of macro external factors which include global and domestic supply chain constraints and raw material inputs as well as Brexit and Covid-19.”he said. Mr Kelly FDI’s Budget 2022 recommendations were framed to ensure that Ireland’s most important indigenous manufacturing sector could control its cost base while also innovating and improving both productivity and sustainability. These state aid supports and funds from Ireland’s €1 billion allocation from the Brexit Adjust-

ment Reserve should be targeted as follows: • Introduce a State-supported export credit insurance scheme. • Invest €300 million in competitiveness and trade promotion. • Keep the EWSS and grant support under review including for those significantly impacted by Brexit. • Extend the Revenue Warehousing Scheme to Brexit impacted companies. • Extend the Foreign Earnings Deduction to more markets. • Extend and re-finance the ‘Ready for Customs’ grant scheme. • Other recommendation in the FDI Budget 2022 submission include: • Provide an additional €400m to drive low carbon investment in industry by scaling up and expanding industry supports. • Reduce alcohol excise rates by 7.5%, introduce a new craft cider excise exemption scheme and allow alcohol excise on bad debts to be written off. • Revamp the commercial rates exemption scheme to incentivise food business operators and cold storage companies, as occupiers of commercial property, to carry out much needed immaintenance, im retroprovements and retro fitting or energy saving investments. • The ongoing review of the Employment Inand Investment In centive Scheme (EIIS) should amend the scheme so as to enhance its support for startups in the Irish whiskey / spirits sector.

And flying with us today, we have ... A LOGGERHEAD sea turtle discovered in Co. Donegal in 2019 will soon find sanctuary in the sun thanks to the combined efforts of Exploris Aquarium, in Portaferry Co. Down and Aer Lingus staff pictured repatriating the young endangered reptile on flight EI 782 from Dublin to Gran Canaria. Now three years old, Ju-

lius Caesar, ‘JC’ to friends, was found washed up on a Donegal beach in January 2019 when he was just nine months old. Thought to have been caught up in the wrong current and swept along the gulf stream, he was suffering from hypothermia, stunned by the cold water, and weighed just a few hundred grams. Loggerhead sea turtles are

an endangered species and thrive in a warm climate. Discovered by a local family, JC was named for his fighting spirit and was brought to Exploris where he has since been recuperating in a tropical tank and enjoying a diet of fish mixture, squid and gel in preparation for his voyage to Tarifa Wildlife Recovery Centre (Centro de Recuper-

Set for take off: JC, a loggerhead turtle, being repatriated to Gran Canaria aboard Aer Lingus flight EI 782

ación de Fauna Silvestrede Tarifa) in Gran Canaria. COVID-19 restrictions previously prevented the repatriation efforts but JC, now weighing 25kg. Pilot Captain Peter Lumsden said: “It is our pleasure to welcome aboard a very special passenger today and to ensure the safe transportation of JC the Turtle to Gran Canaria.”

Local history to be recorded in census ARE you interested in helping to co-ordinate the first draft of your local area’s history? The Central Statistics Office (CSO) is seeking staff to supervise the next census in Kilkenny. The State agency has reopened the Census Field Supervisor competition due to a shortage of applicants in a limited number of areas, including Kilkenny. Applications will be accepted on the CSO website. CSO Head of Census Admin-

istration Eileen Murphy said: “There are a number of census areas around the country where there is a shortage of applicants. Census Field Supervisors will work near their own locality, so it is important to have applicants from local areas.” The next census will take place on April 3 next year. Each supervisor will be based in their homes and will manage a team of 10 to 13 census enumerators.

Ms Murphy said the advertised roles are “home-based” and field supervisors will earn €564 a week plus allowances. She added: “The contract will begin in January 2022 and conclude in early May of that year. “Field Supervisors will have responsibility for interviewing and training their team as well as ensuring that their team of enumerators are successful in delivering and collecting census forms to and from every home and communal establishment.”

Next year’s census will be the 27th census taken in Ireland and is the biggest survey undertaken in the history of the State. The census provides invaluable information on a range of topics and is used by every government department and local authority in the country to help plan for our future. Census data feeds into the planning stages of most aspects of Irish life, such as schools and hospitals, transport and community services.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

News Your Money

Never too late to start a pension BY JOHN ELLIS FINANCIAL ADVISOR

MORE than 40% of Irish workers have made no pension provision and will be entirely reliant on state supports when they retire. Statistics issued by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that people tend to leave it late to start contributing to their pension. The survey shows just six out of 10 workers aged 20-69 have private pensions. Pension coverage remains lowest among younger workers. More than eight out of 10 workers aged 20-24 do not have a pension. Just under half of 25-34-year-olds have a pension, while pension coverage is greatest among workers aged 45-54, where it is nearly three quarters and a little over half of self-employed people have pension coverage. There are a range of retirement structures available for everyone, even those in unpaid occupations e.g. homemakers and are flexible enough that there is really no excuse not to make some provision for old age.

The monies invested into a pension attract tax relief at your marginal rate, if you pay tax at 20% then for every €100 you invest you receive tax relief of €20, net cost to you €80. And at the top rate – 40% for every €100 the nett cost is €60. The money invested attracts growth and this growth is not subject to tax in Ireland.Everywhere you invest money the interest accrued is taxed, but not so with a pension. At retirement you can take 25% of the total fund tax free, (up to €200,000 after which there is a

sliding scale) then depending on your income in retirement tax payable could be quite low. So why such a low uptake. There are many excuses but the validity of these is at best questionable. “I want to live for the moment and enjoy each day as it comes... I could be dead tomorrow.” Even though life expectancy is rising there is a chance you may die before retirement but then again why be disappointed in your old age when you suddenly have to live of the Old Age Pension.

“I’m too late... there’s no point me starting now,” The assumption being there is an age limit when it is too late. Even managing to put away a small amount for your remaining working life can give some lift to your income in retirement. “I’m too young... I don’t need to worry yet!” The earlier you start saving for retirement, the more time your pension has to grow. In some periods and certain funds, values can double in growth over a tenyear period. Also, the longer

you leave starting the greater the amount you must invest to get the same outcome. “I don’t have enough left over after the bills to put into a pension.” Define enough! Any amount will be of benefit when you come to retire. Take stock of your spending with a budget plan. You will be surprised where you can make savings. Do you have a Revolute account – the spending breakdown app will open your eyes! “I don’t pay tax.” This no longer holds water since the advent of the Personal Retire-

ment Savings Account. (PRSA) Through the PRSA you can save for retirement and even though you don’t get tax relief on contributions for whatever reason you still can invest into an account that grows tax free and at retirement take 25% tax free. Setting up or reviewing your pension is not all that difficult and with the help of a Financial Advisor you can be on the road to a comfortable retirement. John @ellisfinancial.ie. 086 8362633.

Luxury Accommodation | Spa & Leisure | Boyne Valley | Fine Dining | Heritage Sites & Monuments brand new state of the art equipment, free weights area, a spin room and also an aerobics studio. Additionally, the leisure centre has a 16-meter swimming pool with a kid’s pool area, as well as a sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and hydrotherapy area. Jule Beauty and Therapy is our top of the range Spa and one of 5 Spas within the Jule Beauty brand. The Spa offers a range of treatments from waxing to gel nails and everything in between. The team in Jule beauty are trained to the highest standard and offer an unrivalled experience from the moment you arrive.

The 4 Star Pillo Hotel & Spa, Ashbourne

Contemporary Luxury in the Heart of the Boyne Valley & the Gateway to Ireland’s Ancient East THE Pillo Hotel & Spa combines 4 Star Luxury with a contemporary and modern style. Conveniently located at just 20 kilometres from Dublin City and 25 kilometres from Dublin Airport, the Pillo Hotel is just minutes from

the Boyne Valley Drive and the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East. Our location is perfect for visiting one of Irelands most beautifully scenic areas. Take a journey through 9,000 years of Irish history as you discover the rich heritage of

the Boyne Valley and the lush countryside of County Meath known as the Royal County as it was of ancient home of Kings and Queens. Having recently undergone a major refurbishment in 2020, the Pillo Hotel now boasts

a brand-new Reception area to welcome our guests arriving for Staycations and Business Travel alike. We have also refurbished our Rath Ballroom to a contemporary yet warm setting, that can cater for large conferences,

private parties, gala dinners and our particular speciality, those special wedding days. Awarded the Overall Hotel Leisure Facility of the year for 2020, Clannlife Fitness consists of a full newly refurbished gym with

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

Science & Wellbeing

How chilling out can fuel anxiety

LEISURE is the prize, right? We work hard, so we want to play hard; we look forward to our time off, believing that the more leisure time we have, the better life will be. Enjoying that time – or savouring that coveted end goal – should come naturally. However, according to a BBC report, research shows that both having and deciding how to spend leisure time can be very stressful. Some people feel enormous pressure to maximise their

downtime with the best choices: researching more, anticipating and spending more money. But, as data prove, this pressure to maximise our fun might get in the way of our enjoyment of leisure itself. Additionally, some people struggle to view leisure as worthwhile at all. These individuals – often in high-stress, high-paying jobs – prioritise productivity to the extent that they can’t enjoy time off, often to the detriment of

their mental health. However different their problems with leisure, both groups struggle with enjoying time off for the same reason: the way we perceive and value leisure has changed, problematically. Understanding this evolution, and finding ways to change our attitudes, could be beneficial for everyone – and help people to start enjoying themselves again. The changing concept of leisure “Leisure has dramatically

evolved over the centuries and across cultures,” says Brad Aeon, assistant professor at the School of Management Sciences at the University of Québec in Montréal. “One thing that’s consistent about leisure, however, is that it has always been contrasted with work.” Two-thousand years ago, concepts of work and leisure were associated with servitude and freedom, respectively. In Ancient Greece, explains Aeon, most of

the labour was outsourced to slaves, while wealthier parts of society pursued other activities. “Leisure was an active state of mind. Good leisure meant playing sports, learning music theory, debating qualified peers and doing philosophy. Leisure was not easy, but it was supposed to be gratifying.” Aeon believes that a shift occurred when the Romans started viewing leisure as a way of recuperating in preparation

for more work, a transition that accelerated significantly during the Industrial Revolution. By the 1800s, the kind of leisure that signified status had shifted, too; the wealthy led overtly idle lives. A popular example is philosopher Walter Benjamin’s description of the fashion, around 1893, to walk through arcades with a turtle on a leash. Anat Keinan, associate professor of marketing at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, has conducted extensive research on the symbolic value of time. She explains today we’re seeing yet another transition: a lack of leisure time now operates as a powerful status symbol. “On Twitter, celebrities ‘humblebrag’ about ‘having no life’ and ‘being in desperate need of a vacation’,” she points out. In the workplace, being part of the long-hours working culture is still seen by many as a badge of honour. In fact, those with the most money to spend on leisure are most likely also putting in the longest hours. “Highly educated people (think surgeons, lawyers, CEOs) oRen go for well- paid jobs that require highly productive candidates willing to work long hours,” explains Aeon. “This means that those who complain the most about not having enough free time are wealthy and educated.” That fuels the idea that we must maximise leisure’s ‘hedonic utility’, or enjoyment value, when we actually do get some time off – and make every hour count. The way we chase top-notch leisure experiences has made recreation more stressful than ever. High expectations may clash with our experienced reality, making it feel anti-climactic, while trying to concoct the best vacation or leisure experience ever can fuel performance and activity.

You can stay healthy with just 7,000 steps a day MANY of us have smartwatches or apps on our phones that count the number of steps we do. Usually, we aim to reach at least 10,000 steps a day, which we are often reminded is the target to help improve our health. This target is an arbitrary number that seems to have come from a Japanese marketing campaign for a pedometer. However, it is now included in daily activity targets by popular smartwatches, such as Fitbit. When trying to get more active, it can often be demoralising when you look at your step count and realise you haven’t reached that goal of 10,000 steps. The good news for everyone is that the evidence is building to suggest that doing less than 10,000 steps is still good for your health. The most recent large study, led by the University of Massachusetts, followed over 2,000 middle-aged adults from different ethnic backgrounds

over a period of 11 years. The researchers found that those taking at least 7,000 steps a day had a 50 to 70% lower risk of dying during the study period compared with those taking fewer than 7,000 steps a day. Another interesting finding from the study was that the risk of dying was not associated with the step intensity. If two people did the same number of steps, the person doing them at a low intensity had no greater risk of dying compared with the person doing them at moderate intensity. With all research, we have to consider the design of the study and determine the limitations of the research to ensure we draw accurate conclusions. The study led by Massachusetts University collected data over a period of about 11 years. However, the step count was only measured once, over a three-day period, during 2005-06. Mortality and other health

measures were followed up in August 2018. The step count was not monitored throughout the study period, as it would be too onerous for the participants. Therefore, there was a large assumption that people’s daily step count did not change throughout the study period. But how much people can walk can change for various reasons, such as having young children, commute time to work, injury, and many other reasons, so it’s difficult to draw too many conclusions from this type of data. Earlier evidence, however, does point in the same direction The results of the Massachusetts University study builds on the results from Harvard Medical School which showed that, on average, about 4,400 steps a day is enough to significantly lower mortality of older women during the study duration.

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Travel & Leisure

No one does food like the

Big Apple

LET’S be honest: No one does food like New York City. With five different boroughs, all full of delicious food options, choosing just one can be tough. But why choose only one, when there are so many food tours to be had? One could easily spend an entire weekend eating their way through the city, and these food tours are here to do just that. Each one combines a little bit of history and culture with the food that has helped shaped generations to create something altogether unique and classic New York City. If food is the reason one is visiting New York, these are the food tours that should be on the list.

Tickets: $80 for adults, $70 for children age 11 and under

7. Brooklyn: The Original Brooklyn Pizza Tour When it comes to pizza, specifically, Brooklyn is cooking it up the way it’s meant to be. The Original Brooklyn Pizza Tour takes guests on a five-hour trip around the borough’s most notable pizza joints. The bus leaves from Manhattan and makes its way to Brooklyn, where stops are made at places like Grimaldi’s and L&B Spumoni Gardens. As an added bonus, tour-takers will have the chance to see filming locations from iconic movies such as Goodfellas and Saturday Night Fever.

5. Greenwich: Nice Guy Tours Greenwich Village may have gained some fame from Friends but, in reality, it’s one of the most beloved neighbourhoods in the Lower East Side. This tour lasts three hours and consists of stops for the city’s best falafel, bagels, pizza, and even cupcakes. The tour also includes notable Hollywood stops such as the apartment from Friends and historical stops such as the former home of Washington Irving. This is a great option for those who aren’t familiar with the city, as they’ll gain a sense of

6. Harlem: Taste Harlem Those looking for a side of history with their good eats should consider taking the Taste Harlem tour. This two-hour walking tour takes guests on a unique route through Harlem, with a knowledgeable guide educating them on the history of the area in between six delicious stops. Tour-takers will be rewarded with Caribbean and African dishes, as well as a taste of Harlem’s traditional soul food. It’s one of the rare tours that combine culture and cuisine to create a unique experience altogether. Tickets: $78 for adults, $55 for children ages 6-11

food knowledge and actual knowledge of the quieter part of Manhattan. Tickets: $65/person 4. Chelsea & The High Line: Foods Of NY Tours No trip to New York City is complete without a stop by the High Line, and Chelsea is a great neighbourhood to spend some time in. The only thing that could make it better is a food tour, which is exactly what visitors will find from Foods of NY Tours. Guests on this tour have the chance to try an authentic NYC hot dog, Brooklyn-based ice cream, and will have a thorough tour of both Chelsea and Gansevoort Market Tours: $58 for adults, $35 for children ages 3 to 12 3. Chinatown & Little Italy: Ahoy New York Tours & Tasting It goes without saying that Chinatown and Little Italy are home to some of the most iconic food stops in all of the city, and Ahoy New York Tours & Tasting is the best way to experience them both in one day. Along the way, samples of cannoli and charcuterie are to be had at Little Italy, while dim sum is on the menu for Chinatown. Tour guides are well-versed in the history of both neighbourhoods, making this an engaging experience.

Tickets: $60 for adults, $45 for children under the age of 12 2. Queens: Athens Next Door Greek Food Tour In Astoria Everyone loves Greek food and those who don’t have been turned into fans thanks to this tour through Queens. Tours start with an intimate group of only six people and last three hours, featuring formal sitdown tastings at beloved Greek restaurants. Guests will have the chance to try authentic, traditional Greek foods such as baklava, calamari, feta, olive varieties, and more on this tour, leaving no one with an empty stomach. Tickets: $119/person 1. Manhattan: Hell’s Kitchen Food Tour And Central Park Tour There’s perhaps no other neighbourhood in the city with a reputation for food like Hell’s Kitchen. If there’s anywhere a person will find a meal to satisfy their cravings, it’s here. This tour takes guests on a wild ride through both the history and flavours of this Manhattan neighbourhood, complete with a diverse range of food tastings from around the world. The tour ends with a tour of Central Park (optional), giving visitors a complete tour of the best parts of New York City. Tickets: $125/person, $100 without the tour of Central Park.

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Competition time - WIN a year’s free membership

DEADLINETODAY ✁

COMPETITION TIME

The Kilkenny

Observer WIN A YEAR’S FREE MEMBERSHIP WITH

TJ Reid Health & Fitness have kindly given The Kilkenny Observer two gift vouchers for a year’s membership for two of our lucky readers

COMPETITION ENTRY FORM

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Question: What year did Reid Health & Fitness open in Kilkenny?

6. 7.

Answer ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. HOW TO ENTER COMPLETE THE ENTRY FORM ABOVE YOU CAN DELIVER THE COMPLETED ENTRY FORM BY POSTING OR DROPPING IN TO, THE KILKENNY OBSERVER, UNIT 7, FRIARY STREET, KILKENNY EMAIL TO: sales@kilkennyobserver.ie

2. 3. 4. 5.

8. 9.

Vouchers can only be used TJ Reid Health & Fitness The closing date for entries is Friday, September 24th The winners will be chosen by a draw held at the office of The Kilkenny Observer The prize is non-transferable; no cash equivalents may be claimed. . All competition entries must be completed on the above form only. The winner will be advised by phone / e-mail . After being notified, the name of the winner will be posted in the next edition of the Kilkenny Observer. Entrants will be deemed to have accepted these rules and to have agreed to be bound by them when entering the competition. The competition is not open to The Kilkenny Observer employees or their families.

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News

Pupils can win four-day trip to European Parliament GRADUATE.IE is a free online competition for Second Level students to take part in and learn about important local and national topics. Students who complete the competition can be entered to win one of many educational

trips to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Graduate.ie’s mission is to “engage, inform and inspire young people” and this year celebrates its 20th anniversary. It is a Government, Local Government and EU funded

Citizenship & Democracy programme for secondary students. All winning students to Strasbourg will be accompanied on the trips by qualified teachers/ Garda vetted personnel. There are also many oppor-

tunities to win very valuable weekly and monthly prizes. The prizes will range in value from €2,000 down to €100 The top prize will be a free four-day educational trip to Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg, when it is deemed

safe to travel by the relevant authorities. Other prizes will include gift vouchers and monthly cash prizes. There is no cost to enter as all prizes are totally sponsored by government and

local government organisations. Logon to www.graduate. ie and register to take part in the weekly programme. All travel prizes will be for 3rd, 4th and 5th year, second level students.

Address ‘platform’ workers, says Clune FAIRER conditions for platform workers such as Deliveroo drivers must be urgently tackled, says Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune. Many platform workers such as in Ireland and across Europe are classed as ‘self-employed’ meaning they miss out on benefits as employees. MEP Clune said we must focus on ensuring that workers are not ‘misclassed’ as self-employed when they have no desire to be selfemployed. Ms Clune said: “We must ensure that there are fair working conditions for people. For many people it would not suit them to be self-employed and companies like Deliveroo should ensure that they offer fair working conditions to their drivers. It is not fair to classify someone as ‘self-employed’ if they do not have the means or desire to be

self-employed, especially if they are working for a company under a certain contract.” Platform work uses an online platform to enable organisations or individuals to access other organisations or individuals to solve specific problems or to provide specific services in exchange for payment. Not all platform workers want to be employees, some like the freedom of being self-employed and they will continue to do so but everyone who works as an employee must be granted the rights of an employee if they wish. “I would like to join with the EPP Group in urging the European Commission to come up with a legislative proposal to ensure fair rights and working conditions for platform workers as soon as possible,” MEP Clune added.

400 clean-ups of beaches remove 42 tonnes of litter AFTER a break in 2020, the Big Beach Clean took place over the weekend of September 17 with Clean Coasts being overwhelmed with the incredible support and commitment shown by communities across Ireland. The Big Beach Clean is an annual call to action that takes place in September at the end of the bathing season. Volunteers around Ireland were asked to register their clean up event and take part in a worldwide citizen science project, as part of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), operated internationally by Ocean Conservancy. This year, a record number of over 400 clean-ups were or-

ganised by volunteers who removed 42 tonnes of litter across the country. In addition, more volunteers joined clean-ups facilitated by Clean Coasts officers in eight different locations around Ireland. Statistics show that the number one cause of marine litter is litter dropped in towns and cities. Thanks to the involvement of An Taisce National Spring Clean programme, the Big Beach Clean was open to all residents of Ireland, including non-coastal counties, who contributed to the problem of marine litter at its source. In Killkenny, volunteers organised clean-ups in six different locations, removing approximately half tonne of litter.

Time for women to get down to business FEMALE entrepreneurs and budding businesswomen from across Kilkenny are being encouraged to look to the future and register for this year’s National Women’s Enterprise Day after the line up for the event was announced. The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) initiative, now in its 15th year, will be hosted by broadcaster Aine Kerr. Traditionally, National Women’s Enterprise Day has taken place locally with LEO Kilkenny putting on events for businesswomen

across the county and those who may have a business idea they want to get off the ground. However, the event went online in 2020 due to restrictions and will take place online again this year. The free event, titled ‘Build The Future’, takes place online on the October 7 and will feature some of Ireland’s best known female entrepreneurs including the likes of Aimee Connolly of Sculpted by Aimee, Rachel Doyle of The Arboretum and Sharon Keegan of Peachy Lean, who was

recently supported on Dragon’s Den UK. Also speaking at the event on the day will be our nominated Leading Light Kay Lyng, promoter of K Kajoux Jewels based in Clonmantagh. K Kajoux started out as a hobby, became a side hustle, progressed to a fulltime job and is now an employer with exciting growth plans on the horizon. Covid- 19 initially hit the business very badly with all retail stockists having to close their stores. While in lockdown, Kay again

engaged with the Local Enterprise Office for supports to help increase traffic, improve SEO and content on her website. The results were fantastic, within weeks revenue was matching the wholesale business in ordinary times. The day’s programme will cover a whole host of areas on how to build the future of a business covering topics like, how to get started, internationalisation, finding new markets, trading effectively online, sustainability and innovation.

Castlecomer road safety concerns SAFETY on a stretch of the main Kilkenny to Castlecomer road needs to be addressed, according to Councillor Pat Fitzpatrick. A section of the route at Webbsborough, just north of

The Cave bar, has been the scene of numerous crashes. Cllr Fitzpatrick raised the matter at the monthly meeting of Castlecomer District and was told that Transport Infrastructure Ireland has commit-

ted to a review to see if there is an issue with the road surface. Councillor Fitzpatrick told KCLR news that must happen as a matter of urgency: “It’s imperative that the TII and Kilkenny county council investigate

this section of roadway and talk to all of the other services that have had to come to the scene, like the Fire Brigade and the Garda Síochána who’ve had to come to the scene of many an accident out there.”

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

News

Winner of the Teac Tom How to buy a home in 2021 – a Romanian couple’s journey to buying their ‘You’re a Star’ Quilt first home in Kilkenny, Ireland ( Part Two)

“After six weeks of fundraising the winner was announced last week of the ‘You’re a Star’ quilt, made by the members of the South Midlands Branch of the Irish Patchwork Society and raffled in aid of Teac Tom. The raffle raised a fantastic €2,870 for Teac Tom and with a further donation from The Kilkenny Observer, this brings the total to €3,020

which will go towards providing continued support and counselling for those affected by suicide or struggling with their mental health. The raffle was held in the garden at Teac Tom and the lucky winner of the quilt was Kathleen Mahon from Dublin. In addition there were two runner up winners who each won a beautiful cushion in the same star pat-

tern as the quilt. The winners of the cushions were Bernie Stevenson from Kilkenny and Meg O’ Hanlon from Dundalk. Thank you to everyone who supported this wonderful fundraiser for a great cause, a special thanks to KCLR, The Kilkenny Observer, Meubles and St. Canices Credit Untion and not forgetting Mary Palmer (Textile Artist).

Pictured L-R: Angela Hayes CEO of Teac Tom, Judy Byrne, Teresa Broderick and Margaret McEvoy, members of the South Midlands Branch of the IPS

WE thought that the struggle was gone, we will find a house in no time, and we can move in a month or 2, but we were struck by reality, when we sow the first house and the agent told us about the €5000 sale agreed fee and about an extra €5000 solicitors and other fees. We were not aware of such fees and our calculations were blown away a little bit. Our next step was to find a solicitor, as we needed to make sure we were taking the correct steps to insure the purchase of a house would be smooth. We were advised that the €5000 deposit fee would be taken from the 10 %( what a relief!) and that we only have to have the €5000 in fees. Well, my dears, one would say that €5000 is not a lot of money, but for us, at that moment, it was a lot I’ll be honest and say that someone loves us up there, and we had help from family and friends to gather the missing €5000. So with the above sorted, we only needed to find a house. Easier said than done, because the house prices skyrocketed from 2020 to 2021. We all thought that process would go down because of the pandemic, but because of high demand and almost no houses on the market, the prices went up 40k even 50k. So a house that used to cost €170-€180 thousand now was

€220 thousand and above. Quality was not there either. It felt like people were selling houses and they were looking for an arm and a leg in the process. Then the GEM appeared on the market. It was the best looking house we have ever seen. So clean and beautiful, you were even afraid to go inside with your shoes on. There was 2 living rooms, 1 master bedroom, and 2 large single rooms,2 bathrooms and a decent landscaped garden, the house could have been considered the best house for a new family. Sadly, we could not afford the gem…. But I am sure there is a happy family living there now. A few months have passed, and my husband and I were on daft. ie like 2 addicts. We were calling agents and trying to see every house that was in our budget. Some were nice, some were small, and some I wouldn’t have put the cat that I don’t have in… One day a nice 3 bedroom appeared online. EXCITEMENT!!! I called the agent; I booked an appointment and went to see it on a Monday afternoon. I went alone as my husband was working. I had mixed feelings as by now, I had experience in house viewings and I tried not to keep my hopes high. The house was great, clean and spacious, with 3 bedrooms and a nice living room and a big kitchen. I was sold on the spot.

I went back home and I waited for my husband to come back from work that evening so we could talk about the house. We liked the house and wanted to bid on it, but in the morning the agent called me and told me she had an offer of the same amount we wanted to bid. I was sad, but could do nothing about it. As I felt we couldn’t offer more, because I was afraid we would overbid and the price was already at the top of our budget. After a week, I thought the house would have been sold, like all the other ones before it, but I was surprised to see it was still online. I called the agent right away and told her my husband would like to see the house as well. I woke him up and I told him that this house will be ours! The next day, he saw the house and we made an offer. It took a few days for the owner to accept the bid, but she did and I am happy to say that we are only a few weeks away from living in our new forever home! It was not easy, and we are still at the paperwork phase, but I am confident that all will go well. We will celebrate our 7th year anniversary in our new home! This article was possible thanks to Romanian Twilight Communities support. If you wish to contribute and to get involved contact us by email kclw.ro@twilight.ie

as the “Knight for Hire”, dressed in a full suit of armour (no easy feat!) You will often see him around the town or visiting the market on the Parade on Thursdays and Saturdays. Malbork, twinned with Kilkenny, is a peaceful town dominated by its medieval castle (the World’s largest and truly impressive). The people are very friendly and welcoming leading to a pleasant and relaxing stay. The competition itself was hotly contested, you have to be there to get a true sense of the sheer power of these men (and women) in full suits of armour going head to head with swords, mace and axes. The sound of steel crashing on steel is mesmerising, evoking days gone by, of chivalry and derring- do. The knights fight with a vigour and ferocity that is unequalled in any other sport, but at the end of the battle show respect and genuine affection for each other. The individual fights were split into categories, long sword, sword and shield and polearm.

Dylan took part in long sword duels, fighting against 3 different opponents from Italy, Belgium and Poland. Ireland team captain Kyle won a gold medal in the polearm category and a bronze in long sword, putting up a splendid show of strength, stamina and technique. David, the third Irish team member to travel to the competition took part in sword and shield achieving 4th place, displaying an impressive talent. After the individual duels came the group fights, and this is where it really gets exciting

for spectators. Two groups of knights, armour reflecting the sun, facing off across the list. The call goes up, “Fight” and the battle begins .Who will be the first to strike? The two opposing sides charge, meeting in the middle of the list, an axe strikes a helmet……. Sheer power and force compete for dominance until there is only one knight standing, determining the winner of the melee. The Irish team -United Knights (combined Ireland/Estonia/ Italy) received bronze medals in the Buhurt (group) category. The winning is in taking part, enjoying the camaraderie of sharing a love for a sport that has survived the centuries and today provides an opportunity to travel the world meeting likeminded friends to physically challenge each other for ultimate glory. Medals were presented at the closing ceremony by the mayor of Malbork, a notable Kilkenny visitor.

Community Group

Malbork Cup 2021 KILKENNY native Dylan Nolan recently took part in the Medieval armoured combat “Malbork cup” in Malbork, Poland on 11th-12th September. The Malbork Cup 2021 was originally the 2020 IMCF (International Medieval Combat Federation) World Championship in Spain, but due to the pandemic this had to be postponed (twice) and eventually cancelled, to be scheduled for

Malbork in May 2021.Once again, postponement and rescheduling in September, but due to the lack of countries able to travel it no longer qualified as a world championship so was renamed the Malbork Cup. Dylan has been a participant in the sport of medieval combat since early 2018. Initially training in padded gear then kitting himself in full armour. He is now a member of MACI (Medieval

Armoured Combat Ireland) a well established group of enthusiasts who are constantly seeking new members. MACI is available to stage tournaments for events/festivals but is ultimately a sports club. Dylan also used his love of everything medieval to start up his own walking tour, becoming a qualified tour guide and giving tours of our beautiful medieval city of Kilkenny

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

Picture special

Colin Feehly and Dermot Donovan

Pat and Victor Young

Robert Cunningham and Joan Martin

t u o b A Out &

WITH

Robert Cunningham and Joan Martin

y n n a D art Lah

Gary Knox and Seamus Nugent

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Picture special

Eugene Barry having a chat watching the swimming.

Helen Bacon, Paul Crowley and Rory McGovern

Roisin and Jeremy Hickey

Anthony Mooney and David Ryan

Pat Boyd

Annemarie Hurley, Paula Dwan and Niamh Chadwick. 3 sisters watching the swimming

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Community Community Group

Could you show me a fiver?

IT appears the much-mooted €5 increase to the State pension has been ruled out of next month’s Budget in favour of social welfare hikes for working-aged people, according to a report in the Irish Independent today. Some years ago, we all remember the advert, ‘could yah show me a metre’ well as

this will be another without an increase in the state pension I can hear our seniors say ‘Could yah show me a fiver’ A pension hike has long been on the cards with government parties keen to add some element of positivity to an otherwise deficit-chasing budget this year. According to, senior officials

at the Department of Social Protection have analysed the potential pension hike and decided it would make little difference. That may be true if you are not relying on the state pension to survive, of €248. Age Action’s Head of Advocacy and Communications, Celine Clarke, called on the

Government to recognise that the level of the State Pension has fallen further behind the benchmark level of 34% of average earnings, and both poverty and deprivation are higher in the latest figures than they were in 2017. As of the beginning of 2021, the full contributory State Pension of €248.30 is only 28.9% of average earnings, a full €43.84 below the target level. Age Action has called for a €15 increase in the State Pension in Budget 2022, as part of a three-year plan to raise the pension to 34% of average earnings. All linked and supplementary payments also need to rise in line with this core payment. And to add insult to injury, they suggest in Tax Strategy Papers that retired people are among the least at risk of poverty. Well, I’d say! ask anyone on the State pension to see if they agree. Let’s be fair and when it comes to our senior members of society, we must ensure they never have to worry about heating, about electricity etc and have the

basis comforts of life they dede serve and decent pension. We can’t have the glaring difference between those who have and those who do not. Oddly enough where our state pension is just 28.9% and should be 34% of the average earnings, while a TD’s pension is €46,336 which is 100% of the average earnings In a recent study received by the Twilight Community Group we were horrified to learn that 2/3 of women over 75 years of age live in poverty. Now that means, lack of heat, damp walls, floorboards

that need replacing even old single glazed windows. When it comes to Ireland, we are 27th in EU Poverty league just above Greece. The Budget will see increases in fuel with the Carbon tax, therefore less for the heat our homes. I can tell you it is not a myth that seniors boil a kettle and use a flask to save ESB, put on an extra Jumper to stay warm and go to bed earlier Stop fooling around with calculators. Remember the ‘Grey Voters’ are the ones who sacrificed everything so their children and grandchildren could get wonderful education. And the same ministers will tell the world about how great young adults are educated! But won’t give a fiver to say thank you for the service you gave to the Country.

Community Group

A day in a migrant camp PART 2

THE weekend activities were one of the main reasons most of us had decided to participate on the course. On Friday morning we took the 45-minute walk through the city of Biha towards Boru i Migrant Camp and waited outside hoping to be allowed in. It had been a tough slog for our course leader to be finally allowed access with a group and it was still touch and go as to whether we would be allowed in once we arrived. As we walked up towards the camp, we noticed many people sitting around outside, we later learned that single males were not allowed to enter as this camp was designated for families and unaccompanied minors only. They were entitled to medical attention if needed but would have to find somewhere else to sleep unfortunately. We were split into three groups and brought inside the gates one at a time. Inside we were introduced to various organisations who worked on the ground in the camps. NGO’s such as Save the Children, UNHCR and local organisations provide services for the migrants. It

softened the experience (just a little) to know that all women in the camp are offered free medical checks weekly if they desire. Complete psychological services are offered to anyone who requires, and the workers report a 90% plus uptake. These services serve to even further show up our own Direct Provision system for what it is. A complete failure and a stain upon our nation. This is not a prison, people are allowed to come and go as they please once they have their camp ID card, while there is a curfew in place, whether is it enforced or not is up for debate it seems. Families spend an average of 70-90 days here; but of course, some spend much longer. Many migrants

do not want to enter the camp due to the ‘prison like feeling’ or else due to overcrowding. For them, the option is to live in the woods like the other 1500 people in this area. Bosnia is what’s referred to as a ‘transition country’. Migrants are passing through on their way to somewhere else and most are hoping to reach the Schengen area and settle in Germany or Austria. Many are fleeing persecution, and many are migrating for economic reasons. In order to reach these countries, the migrants

must “go to the game”. A moniker given to the often-perilous border crossing into Croatia. We spoke with a man who had returned to camp after his 27th attempt to enter Croatia. The all-male camp Lipa was also a grim affair, a new purposebuilt camp was sitting in the wings not yet habitable, so migrants slept crowded in army tents. The activities provided for families and kids a distant memory as groups of men stood around waiting. A shining light amongst an otherwise dismal situation

was the ‘community kitchen’. Members were cooking over giant barrels of fire and the delicious aroma lured us closer. Luckily, we had a Pakistani course participant who could translate and allow us to speak with these migrants, we learned a little about their plight; where they’d come from (on foot) and why they were pursuing a better life. Before we left, they handed over two delicious samosas they had cooked fresh for us. We thanked them and wished them luck with their journey. While Bosnia is doing what it can to provide shelter and services to the many migrants in the area, the pushbacks from Croatia are often brutal and unrelenting. Not unlike the

Irish system of trapping people in limbo, we were struck by the lack of compassion afforded to these people right at the gates of Europe. Their only crime; being born in the wrong place. ‘Till we meet again’ Our last day in Bosnia saw us reunite with tour guide Amir and join him on a trip to Štrba ki Buk waterfall. Part of the Una national park and reached by a hazardous bus journey along a narrow path, the waterfall is 25 metres high and a stunning reminder of the sheer beauty and power of nature. Crystal clear waters and a popular white water rafting spot, it is a short trip down to the viewing point for a beautiful picture of the waterfall in all her glory. Our last day ended with a traditional Bosnian feast in a local restaurant. Tour guide Amir and his beautiful wife moonlight as a time-honoured Bosnian couple complete with customary dress and historical knowledge. We sampled delicious food, tasted speciality drinks and were treated to some wonderful singing and dancing. We bid adieu to the Turkish team halfway through the evening as they had a bus to catch but the rest of us enjoyed the celebrations. A 3am bus back to Zagreb ensured the night wasn’t too late and there were many tearful goodbyes after an eye-opening week.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

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New poems I

N 2019, ‘The Kilkenny Involvement Centre’ published a book of poems with the wonderful title ‘Poems from a Kilkenny Laneway’. The ninety page publication features forty poems with contributions from members at the centre as well as work from Kilkenny’s wider writing community. In conjunction with The Involvement Centre, The Kilkenny Observer newspaper will reproduce these poems over the coming weeks. The Kilkenny Observer is delighted to promote this project and we hope you enjoy the poems. Week thirteen sees poems from Mary Woods and Patrick J Watson.

Friendship Friendship is hard to find; and when you do, don’t let it behind. Trust each other with a little respect; add a little understanding and tolerance, Tell me, what do you get? A friendship that would last for years to come, Despite its ups and downs, this friendship has grown . Accept each other and try not to change The things that are unique and not the same. So it’s all give and take, don’t you see It’s part of a good friendship for eternity……… Mary Woods

Peace at the Asylum He was one of three thousand Men and women who filtered through our railway station, A station that was built as a result of a rebellion in ’78. Parents wept as their young departed. A station used as people departed for war. Horrible wars such as The Crimean and The Anglo-Boer. Now we watch as two of our own leave for The Great War. Young boys filled with bravado, enthusiasm and excitement. No fear. That is left to their parents to endure, As they set off to a great uncertainty Bands played, flags waved and friends gathered. A cacophony of chaotic noise reverberated. Tears mingled with parting hugs and kisses. For many their last embrace. Their journey to far off places with names we cannot pronounce: Le Pilly, Ypres, Flanders Fields, the Somme. Word came that our oldest had fallen. A Mauser cartridge cutting through his body. Hope grew with the Armistice in 1918. Once again we arrived on the platform. We witness those who survived the terrors, returned to the sanctuary of home. What of our youngest, Michael? He arrives. One of a group of 25, Each dressed in suits and holding A new cardboard suitcase, Marched under guard to the Lunatic Asylum, The destiny for those with shell shock. Peace had come. The war to end all wars they said. No peace for those in shock. No end to misery. JBS Poetry Kilkenny

For the past Thirteen weeks, The Kilkenny Observer has reproduced a selection of poetry from ‘The Involvement Centre’. Thank you to our readers for such a positive reaction. A special word of thanks to all the poets and to Task Photographic society for their input. A new publication ‘Much More Than Words’ produced by The Involvement Centre and The Recovery College is on sale at Kilkenny Bookshops.

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Feature

This month Barnstorm Theatre Company celebrate 30 years serving the people of Kilkenny

Barnstorming in Kilkenny for thirty years Boy with a Suitcase by Mike Kenny David Greene, Adam Dougal and Michelle Lucy

IN 1991 with the support of Margaret Cosgrave of Kilkenny County Council Arts Office and Barry Lynch of Ossory Youth Services Barnstorm first poked its head out. Since then: 135 productions! 3,000+ performances in local venues and in 56 venues nationwide! And international touring to Japan, USA, Canada, Australia, Spain, England, Scotland and Wales. To date more than 725,000 children have seen a Barnstorm production.

However, many local people will have fond memories of Barnstorm’s youth theatres and the Adult Theatre Club programme, from which the Barn Owl Players’ amateur drama group emerged. Communities around the county have engaged with Barnstorm through theatre spectacles like River Through Time (Kells), plays such as The ‘Comer Story (Castlecomer) and a travelling troupe’s performances of Oscar Wilde’s The Selfish Giant

The Messenger by Mike Kenny Conal O’Shiel

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Feature The Bockety World of Henry & Bucket by Sarah Argent Paul Curley and John Currivan

Monday’s Child by Brendan Murray Iseult Casey and Noelle Browne

Alice and the Wolf by Tom Swift Aoibhin Murphy, Manus Halligan, Aoife O’Sullivan, Cormac O Broin, and Julie Sharkey

on village greens, Strollers (Freshford, Graiguenamanagh, Gowran, Kells, Jenkinstown Wood, Kilkenny Castle), among other Outreach programmes. Local schools have engaged with the company through a series of Participation & Education programmes; and post-primary students have experienced the Curriculum Play Live

annually since 2016 with Translations by Brian Friel in 2016, The Plough and the Stars by Sean O’Casey in 2017, the American classic All My Sons in 2018, and The Playboy of the Western World by JM Synge 2019. During COVID-19 Barnstorm teamed up with the Barn Owl Players to create exciting new theatre produced through Zoom and presented online – ZOOM BOP: Confinement saw the creation of 9

monologues which were subsequently broadcast for radio through KCLR; and Love in Lockdown Part 1 & 2 which commissioned 10 short new plays that were produced and presented on YouTube with 36 local artists (actors, directors, and producers). The company also moved premises after 25 years behind the Good Shepherd Centre and now enjoys its new home on the river, in the centre of town above the Home Rule Club.

Big Maggie by John B Keane Steve Nolan and Delia Lowery

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Feature

BY Cois Céim and the Kilkenny Saturday walking group. Thanks to the recent work by Cartoon Saloon, Kilkenny has become known as the ‘Home of Film making’.

Lock up your daughters Quite an amount of money was spent erecting fake shop fronts for the film.

KILKENNYBASED Cartoon Saloon is a fivetime Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA and Emmy nominated anima animation studio formed by Paul Young, Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey. From award-winning shorts to feature films and TV series, Cartoon Saloon has carved a special place in the international Anima Animation industry. And we should not forget Young Irish Film Makers who were

founded in 1991. Under Artistic Director Mike Kelly, they produced such gems as ‘Under The Hawthorn Tree’, ‘D’Boyz’, ‘The Children , ‘Stealaway and many more. Before that there was small work carried out sporadically. But today’s look at film concentrates on ‘Lock Up your Daughters’, which although it never reached the dizzy heights of Oscar nominations, certainly proved to be a talking point for the people of Kilkenny .

HOLLYWOOD COMES TO KILKENNY In 1968, in the year of the Prague Spring, International student insurrection and the assassination of Martin Luther King , the local newspaper announced that “Hollywood comes to Kilkenny” because a colourful one million pound film begins, “ soldiers on horseback, per wigged gentlemen, footmen, ladies in long flowing gowns and bustles, period coaches, sedans and action galore” with a cast of

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Feature

Group of Kilkenny extras on set for ‘Lock up your Daughters.’

The famous poster advertising ‘Lock up your daughters’ shot in Kilkenny.

Unfortunately their wooing results in comedy and passion as they are drawn into intrigues, plots, counterplots, preposterous misunderstandings and miscalculations. The outdoor filming process brought great excitement to the city and county, as well a huge boost to the local economy and people still talk about it with great fondness and appreciation for the explosion of glamour and crazy cultural expression. BUXOM WENCHES REQUIRED Some locals auditioned for parts and appear in the film but some difficulties arose when recruiting extras. It proved almost impossible to persuade local women to play buxom wenches in low cut gowns, especially when rumours spread that women were being offered up to 150 pound to run naked in the streets. Some locals felt that due to the inappropriateness of

the subject matter that it was ‘not fit to be filmed and that it would result in the city getting a bad name’ and eventually extras were recruited from Dublin and England. NO OSCARS The film was not a critical success. The director Peter Coe, returned to the theatre and never worked in film again. Neither Christopher Plummer nor the screenwrit-

Kieran Street, Kilkenny, during the filming of ‘Lock up your daughters’. In the background is Callaghan and Connolly furniture shop.

some of the most impressive names in British cinema. These were the scenes to be found all over the city as the filming of Lock up your daughters began.

an urban built landscape , a place that resembled London in the 1700’s. That place was Kilkenny. The castle, narrow streets and laneways ideally suited the period settings.

It is 102 minutes long with an X certificate. It starred Christopher Plummer, Susanna York, Glynis Johns and Jim Dale and was released in 1969.

KILKENNY MET ALL THE NEEDS In the past, filmmakers had come to Ireland to film Irish stories set in vast landscapes of mountains , valleys and the sea, but Lock up your daughters is an English story, told by an English production company, who required

The film uses Henry Fieldings ‘Rape upon Rape’ and ‘The Release’ by John Vanburgh as the basis of the screenplay by Keith Waterstone, and Willis Hall. The film was directed by renowned theatre director Peter Coe and was produced by Domino Films.

WINE WOMEN AND SONG The film had a rather confused plot about 3 lusty sailors whose amorous pursuits entangle them with the corrupt Lord Flopington and Sir Tunbelly. Thirsting for wine and women they set out to look for excitement.

The Set on Kieran Street for The film ‘Lock up your daughters’ which was shot in 1968

ers include it in their filmography. Domino Productions are no longer in existence. The movie has little or no connection to the original works of Fielding or Vanburgh, But it did entertain the inhabitants of Kilkenny for a few short months in 1968. Sources: Cois Céim, Saturday Walkers Club, Rosemary Barnes, Kilkenny archaeological Society, Community radio Kilkenny city.

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Dine Me Food & Drink

Come

Four wines at Lidl

With

Roasted aubergine and tomato curry Slightly sweet with added richness from the coconut milk, this simple vegan curry is a winner. It’s also freezable if you need a quick midweek fix

Preparation and cooking time

• rice or chapatis, to serve

Prep: 15 mins Cook: 45 mins Serves: 4

Method

Ingredients • 600g baby aubergines, sliced into rounds • 3 tbsp olive oil • 2 onions, finely sliced • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • 1 tsp garam masala • 1 tsp turmeric • 1 tsp ground coriander • 400ml can chopped tomatoes • 400ml can coconut milk • pinch of sugar (optional) • ½ small pack coriander, roughly chopped

Villa Bonaga, Lambrusco di Modena Amabile 2019 A deep red, foamy wine with a touch of pink to the mousse, and offers scents and flavours that are basically Black forest gateau in a glass, all cherry and chocolate. Don’t come looking for anything profound here, but with its sweetness nicely balanced by acidity, and just 8% alcohol, a lovely summer garden sipper, or with dark chocolate desserts that are not too sweet. Around €6.99

STEP 1 Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Toss the aubergines in a roasting tin with 2 tbsp olive oil, season well and spread out. Roast for 20 mins or until dark golden and soft. STEP 2 Heat the remaining oil in an ovenproof pan or flameproof casserole dish and cook the onions over a medium heat for 5-6 mins until softening. Stir in the garlic and spices, for a few mins until the spices release their aromas.

STEP 3 Tip in the tomatoes, coconut milk and roasted aubergines, and bring to a gentle simmer. Simmer for 20-25 mins, removing the lid for the final 5 mins to thicken the sauce. Add a

little seasoning if you like, and a pinch of sugar if it needs it. Stir through most of the coriander. Serve over rice or with chapatis, scattering with the remaining coriander.

Cheesy ham and broccoli pasta Satisfy your comfort food cravings with this cheap and simple creamy pasta dish with chunks of ham and crunchy veg Prep: 10 mins Cook: 20 mins Serves: 4 Ingredients 300g pasta (we used conchiglie) • 1 head of broccoli, cut into small florets • 1 tbsp oil • 1 onion, finely chopped • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • 250g ham, cut into chunks (get a nice thick slice from the deli counter) • 300ml pot double cream • 1 tbsp English mustard • 140g mature cheddar, grated

Method STEP 1 Bring a large pan of water to the boil and cook the pasta following pack instructions, adding the broccoli florets to the pan for the final 4 mins. Drain and set aside. STEP 2 Meanwhile, make the sauce. Heat the oil in a large pan and cook the onion for 5 mins to soften, then stir in the garlic and cook for 1 min more. Stir in the ham, cream and mustard, then bring to the boil. Add the pasta and broccoli, then stir in the cheese, coating everything in the sauce. GOES WELL WITH Glazed orange carrots Peas with roasted shallots

Junge Winzer, Weisser Burgunder Baden 2020 A Pinot Blanc from the Baden region, where the variety is known as the Weisser Burgunder, there’s a photo of the winemaker on the bottle which is something we don’t always get from Lidl whose wines are often presented rather anonymously. The back label also rates it as a ‘1’, the driest of their five-step sweetness scale, and yet there’s a fair bit of residual sugar here. Other than that it is a fairly vivacious style for a Pinot Blanc, crunchy apple and pear, but quite a sparky, sherbetty liveliness to it too. Might work with spicy Szechuan or Thai cuisine. Around €8.99 Encostas de Caíz, Avesso Vinho Verde 2020 The epitome of Vinho Verde freshness and vitality, and a quality one too. The nose has the leafy green herbs, touches of dill and rosemary, and a fine citrus fruit core. On the palate it is lively and full of energy, the tiniest bit of spritz and a tangy brightness to the fruit, a little salty character adding more interest into quite a long, elegantly tapering finish. Around €8.49 CEO, Godello 2019 From Galicia in the northwest of Spain, it is a wine in a crisp and fresh, dry style. There’s a hint of fresh, briney ocean spray on the nose, as well as yellow plum and pear. In the mouth fine, a very light spritz adds to the fresh fruitiness, a tangy oranges and lemons acidity, and again that little hint of salinity to finish. Stylish. Around €8.99

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

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TV & Streaming

The best Sci-Fi on Amazon right now

crime shows worth a binge on Netflix ...

This show has a novel premise, with two FBI agents from the bureau’s Behavioural Science Unit interviewing a laundry list of real-life and well-known serial killers in order to try to find out what’s going through their heads. We’ve already seen portrayals of the likes of Ed Kemper and Montie Rissell, while the upcoming second season is expected to introduce audiences to Charles Manson.

When Sherlock launched in 2010 it immediately had the feeling of a show that would be beloved for years, as if it had already been around for decades but we’d only just noticed. Even once you know how all the crimes were committed it still bears repeat viewing for the beautifully drawn friendship between Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman.

ORPHAN Black begins with con artist Sarah Manning, played by Tatiana Maslany (pictured), witnessing a woman jump to her death in front of a train. The twist is this woman doesn’t just look like Sarah, she could be her twin. Only instead of a Clash T-shirt and jeans, she’s wearing a corporate pencil dress. What follows is a multilayered mystery involving evil biotechnology institutions, religious extremists and a

suburban soccer mom. An uptight, terrifying suburban soccer mom. Orphan Black is weird. But it’s also binge-worthy TV. Maybe you’ve come across it at some point while stuck in the endless scroll. Maybe you thought, “This sounds like a military operation... or a paint swatch.” But, luckily, Orphan Black is one of the best sci-fi series around. Not only does it explore the nature vs. nurture debate, it

explores the nature vs. nurture debate with an easily accessible comedy-thriller tone. Its tension-loaded writing, polished visuals and memorable supporting cast arrived in a fully formed package when the show premiered in 2013. Four more superb seasons followed. While the best moments are in seasons 1 and 2, the entire five-season run continues to enrich its world of scientists, police detectives

and covert military operatives. It takes surprising left turns all the way until the satisfying end. Then there’s the killer soundtrack, perfectly timing I Got You Babe over an assassin smiling back at Sarah, plotting her murder. Across the series comes an effortlessly cool parade of The Clash, New Order and local Canadian bands vibing out of their garages in the Toronto setting.

Apple TV+ plans to up its content APPLE has abandoned its plans for a low-cost Apple TV dongle and is set to significantly accelerate and expand the output of new content on Apple TV+ next year, according to The Information. Sources said to be familiar with Apple’s plans speaking to The Information have apparently revealed many of the company’s internal discussions and attitudes around

Apple TV+ in detail. The company allegedly sees Apple TV+ as a standalone business rather than a mechanism to encourage users to buy into the Apple system. The Information reported in 2018 that Apple was working on a low-cost TV dongle device as a more inexpensive alternative to the Apple TV , which starts at €149. The project was driven by Tim

Twerdahl, an Apple video and audio marketing executive, who argued that a low-cost TV device would make it more affordable for users to access Apple TV+ based on his experience overseeing similar projects at Netflix and Amazon. More senior executives reportedly overruled Twerdahl, insisting that Apple should not begin making cheap, low-margin devices due to its potential

to damage its reputation for premium products, meaning that Twerdahl’s low-cost TV device project was abandoned. Twerdahl is said to have recently left the company. Apple decided that an appropriate middle-ground solution would be to develop apps for Apple TV+ on other platforms, such as devices from Samsung, Amazon, Sony, and Microsoft.

One of the best British crime thrillers of recent years, with Idris Elba playing the growling Detective Chief Inspector who blurs the lines between right and wrong in order to get the job done. As the series develops, the crimes stretch across multiple episodes and the complications of Luther’s life become ever more tangled, making it almost impossible to watch just one episode.

If Gangs of New York had a sequel and that sequel was set in Birmingham, this is what it would be. An absolute British triumph of television starring Cillian Murphy as crime boss Tommy Shelby as he runs rackets post World War I with his flat-capped gang, The Peaky Blinders. Notable appearances from Sam Neill other big names couple together to make it one of the best things the BBC has made in years.

When the premise of Ozark was revealed — Jason Bateman and Laura Linney star as as a married couple who have to relocate their family to the Ozarks after a money laundering scheme goes awry — everyone thought the show was just going to be Breaking Bad lite, but after three seasons it is much more than that. Fantastic acting and bags of tension make this one of the best things on Netflix right now.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

News Community & GAA Notes

Kilkenny GAA clubs and Community news CLUSTER EVENING PRAYER For the first time since the Reformation, Evening Prayer will take place in St. Mary’s Abbey, Gowran on Sunday, September 26th at 5.30 pm. This is the initiative of the three parish cluster of Clara, Gowran, and Tullaherin. Bishop Denis Nulty the Apostolic Administrator will lead the prayer with readings and music provided by parishioners of the cluster parishes. All are welcome ATHLETICS Huge congratulations to Billy Coogan, who finished 2nd in the 1500m Steeplechase in the Athletics Ireland Tailteann Schools Interprovincial Championships recently. Billy has been selected for the Irish Team who will compete in the International Schools event in Derby, UK on 25th September. Best of luck Billy! SENIORS FINISH TOPS Clara senior hurlers finished top of their group and qualified directly for a quarter final by virtue of a 0-28 to 1-16 win over Graigueballycallan at a sun splashed Danesfort on Sunday. Twenty one of those twenty eight points came from play, with ten different scorers on the mark for Clara, for the second time in three games. The first half of this one was pretty even on the scoreboard, with the teams tied 1-3 to 0-6 at the water break and Clara edging ahead 0-13 to 1-7 by half time. John Murphy was conspicuous in that period and had three points to his name by the interval. Clara would have the aid of the breeze for the second half and this proved telling. John kept up his foraging runs throughout the second half and added another three points to his personal tally. He also defended very well as did all the Clara defence, who held the GBC attack to a paltry 1-3 from play in the entire game. One of Clara’s forwards, Liam Ryan, actually outscored the whole GBC attack in this game. Liam finished the game with eight points, all from play. While most of Clara’s scores came from long range, they did ping the ball around fairly accurately and built out from the back with some method and precision. It’s a huge relief not to be involved in relegation and they can now hurl with the shackles off against whoever comes their way in the quarter final. Well done lads. Team - Kevin Nolan, Bill Carrigan, Jack Langton 0-2, Sean O Shea. John Murphy 0-6, Lester Ryan 0-1, Matt Kenny 0-3f. Martin O Connell, David Langton 0-1. Paul Cody 0-1, Conor O Shea 0-4f, Liam Ryan 0-8. Peter Nolan 0-1, Chris Bolger 0-1, Conor Cody. Subs used Jim Kehoe, Joe Connolly, Paddy Ryan, Garry Kehoe. CAMOGIE Clara U14 Camogie team continued their good Roinn C Championship run with a Quarter Final win against a competitive Carrickshock in Clara on Thursday 16th September. Clara got off to a good start taking the lead and then holding on to it for the full match. In the second half Clara stretched the lead to nine points but Carrickshock bravely fought back to get within a single point. However Clara finished out the stronger in the last 10 minutes with a final score of 3-7 to 3-3. Progression for Clara to a semi final v Barrow Rangers in Paulstown Saturday 25th September. Well done to the whole team. Clara : Ava Kenny(c), Katie Boyd, Maria Hogan, Caragh Brennan, Onagh Fitzgerald, Sarah

Dunne, Ceola Leamy, Pia Langton, Lucy Boyd, Aoibhe Callery, Jessica Brennan, Amy Bergin, Aoibhe Callery, Danica Tervit-Krueger, Aoibheann McDonald, Moya Kelly, Lucy Kealy, Brooke Flynn, Orla Carrigan, Aisling Hayes, Faye Morrissey. U16s Clara u16’s Camogie - Clara played Emeralds on Sunday 19th September in Urlingford in first round of Roinn C/D Championship. In what proved to be a very competitive game between two evenly matched sides, the Emeralds got the better of the Clara girls with a final score of Clara 1-12 to Emeralds 5-5. Goals win matches and Emeralds were more successful in converting their goal chances. The Clara girls fought bravely but despite creating the greater number of scoring chances struggled to beat a very impressive Emeralds goalkeeper. Clara can now look forward to a Roinn D quarter final, date to be confirmed. Clara team - Ava Kenny, Danica Tervit-Krueger, Rachel Brickell, Katie Agar, Sarah Dunne, Emma Corr, Lucy Boyd, Pia Langton, Jessica Brennan, Faye Lannen, Aisling Hayes, Claire Murphy, Brooke Flynn, Samantha Tervit-Krueger. CLUB LOTTO There was no winners of Tuesday’s Club Lotto Sept 14th. The Jackpot will be €7,000 for Sept 21st’s Draw. Draw takes place at 9:30pm every Tuesday night. Tickets can be purchased online at. www.oloughlingaels.com/lotto Thank you for your continued support U15s COUNTY FINAL We wish all involved with our u15s team the very best of luck in this weekends County Final v James Stephens. The game throws in at 11am at MW Hire Dunmore. We ask all in the community to please go out and support these lads. Thanks to team mentors Eoin Lawlor, Bryan Skehan, Brian Hogan, Brian Fox, Darren Kelly, Sheamie Cummins and Conor McGabhan. It’s also a great day for our new juvenile Sponsors McCarthy’s Eurospar at Newpark Shopping Centre. OFFICIAL OPENING OF CLUB DRESSING ROOMS Saturday September 25th from 2pm. Come join us for the Official Opening of our newly refurbished Dressing Rooms and celebrate the clubs continued efforts in developing our facilities for players. We invite all community members to come along and share another great milestone in our clubs development. There will be Juvenile street leagues A happy group of young Gaels supporting their team at Nowlan Park

finals. The culmination of a series of street leagues weekends involving our young hurlers and O’Loughlin Gaels Camogie Club players at u9 and u10. And there will be an mixed players exhibition match. Facilities will be open so members, visitors and neighbours can see what is on offer in your local community. The ceremony includes a blessing of the rooms by religious leaders in our community. All are welcome. SYMPATHY Sincere sympathy goes to the Kavanagh family, Church View, Urlingford on the death of Pierce Kavanagh (Senior). Pierce passed away on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family, following an extremely long and bravely fought battle with illness. Predeceased by his wife Anne, greatgranddaughter Holly, brother Dickie and Sister Eleanor. Deeply regretted by his adoring family John, Helena and Pierce, daughters-in-law Anne and Caoimhe, son-in-law Philip, grandchildren, great-grandchild, brother, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, his great friend Catherine Coady, relatives and a wide circle of friends. May he rest in peace. EMERALDS GAA CLUB Mega Bingo: Every Sunday, 6pm at Urlingford GAA pitch. Gates open at 5pm. Single books and 1 sheet €10; Double books and 2 sheets €15. Extra jackpot sheet €3 or two for €5. Please support. Piltown tickets: Are available from the usual sellers or any committee member. Total prize fund of €115,000. First draw takes place on September 28th. Split the Pot: Purchase an envelope for €2 for the next four weeks for the Hurling Field Development for your chance to share the pot. EMERALDS URLINGFOR AND GRAINE LOTTO September 13th prize fund was: €4,500. Jackpot: €2,500. Numbers drawn: 14, 16, 17 and 21, bonus no 7. No winner or match three winner. Promoter prize: B. Tobin. Five lucky dips of €20 each: Brian Gleeson, Theresa Dollard, E. Broderick, Julia Minogue, Ben Power. Next draw takes place on September 20th in the Clubrooms. Results next week. URLINGFORD ON THE MOVE WALKING TRACK Works are commencing shortly for Urlingford on the Move’s new Community Walking Track in Emeralds GAA Club grounds, Urlingford, Co Kilkenny. The walkway consists of: Walking surface, lighting, fencing, wheelchair friendly and own access gate. Our vision is to provide a facility in Urlingford where everybody has the opportunity to be welcomed, to participate, to grow and be inspired to continue with a lifelong engagement in our community. Urlingford on the Move have been successful in raising funding from various sources but there is still a shortfall, therefore we need and value your support. You can support this wonderful amenity by donating €20 on their GoFundMe page https://gofund. me/84e0e081 for your chance to win one of three prizes: 1st: €2021; 2nd: €200; 3rd: €50 Donate €50 - three chances to win; donate €100 - seven chances to win

a prize. Envelopes have also been distributed to households in the locality; please return these envelopes to the Post Office. Draw takes place on October 3rd. Thanks: We would like to thank everyone who supported Split the Pot for the walkway over the past number of weeks and congrats to all the winners. MILL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE Courses Beginning Soon: QQI Level 4 LTI, Pathway to Employment course: We are currently enrolling for the QQI Level 4 LTI course which will be commencing in October. Please contact the center on 056 8838466 for further information. The Mill Youth Club: Will be closed on Wednesday, September 22nd and will resume on Wednesday, September 29th from 5-6.30pm. Community Bank Savings: Are available at the Centre. Please contact the Centre for more information on opening an account Senior Alert: If you need to apply for a Personal Alarm, please contact Sue or Josephine on 056 8838466. Counselling Services: Adult addiction support, teens from age 12 upwards, and family low cost counselling services are available, please contact Sue for more information or to make an appointment on 056 8838466. Appeal for Clothes Donations: Any clothes donations would be appreciated in aid of teen addiction and general counselling services. Donations can be left into the Centre. Contact Sue on 056 8838466. Services that the Mill FRC provides to the public are: Family Support; One to One Support; Drop in IT Support - computers / laptops & mobile phones; Senior Alert; Community Savings; Room Rental; Social Welfare, HSE, Tax, Garda & Government Forms and advice on completing all forms; Internet Access, Printing & Photocopying, Emailing, Scanning, Typing Service, CV / Cover Letters; Homes for the Elderly. URLINGFORD ARMS SPLIT THE POT Draw takes place every Sunday evening in the Urlingford Arms Hotel. Last Sunday’s share of the pot was €525 and was won by Edward Doran, well done Edward! Next week half the pot goes to Hurling Field Development and the other half could be yours. So don’t miss out, get your envelopes in businesses in town or from any member of the Walking Track committee. 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. TWO DEFIBRILLATORS FOR FRESHFORD Freshford Acorn Club in Freshford has provided two new defibrillators to benefit the local community. The new defibrillators were funded from a bequest to the Club by the late Gerry O’Reilly. Gerry was a cofounder and secretary of the Acorn Club. One of the defibrillators is located at the Freshford Town Soccer Club for its benefit and the benefit

of Woodview and the surrounding estates. The second is located at Carrolls Pharmacy in the center of the village. A training programme was also funded by the Acorn Club to train twelve people in the use of the defibrillators and it took place last week at the Community Hall at Threecastles. The Club has already supported Prague House and is actively involved in the funding of projects at St Lachtains Church and Heritage Centre and St.Lachtains National School. The Club also contributed a sum of €2,000 to Freshford Heritage and Development towards the resurfacing of the pathway in the local Millennium Park. NEW BABY Congratulations to Liam Hickey and his partner Alana on the birth of their baby boy recently. This is the couple’s third child, they already have a son and daughter. CONGRATS THOMAS Congrats and well done to popular young local man Thomas Fortune of Ard Lachtain Freshford who completed his first 10km race at Blessington lakes last weekend, finishing in a very good time. Thomas took part in his very first race /triathlon type event recently and received a medal afterwards. Thomas is now keen into fitness and recently took part in charity night walk in support of the Night Nurses around Kilkenny. All donations go directly to the Irish Cancer Society .He thanks all those who donated and said it means so much to support such a great service. CAMOGIE St.Lachtains U12 girls travelled to Callan on Sunday morning last to take on John Lockes in the semifinal. Despite giving a good account of themselves, the girls were well beaten in the end. Well done to local girl Sinead Farrell Kilkenny Street who was on the Kilkenny Intermediate Camogie team who were defeated by Antrim in the All IrelandFinal at Croke Park recently. Sinead was in goal and played well despite been beaten. Another Freshford/Lisdowney player Laura Hegarty was also on the team with another local girl Marie O’Connor, Clashacrow also involved as a selector. IONAD LACHTAIN St.Lachtains Church Museum and Arts Centre reopened last weekend and will open each Saturday and Sunday. The times are 11.30a.m to 4.30p.m on Saturdays and from 12.30p.m to 4.30pm on Sundays. New display cabinets have been installed and filled with a host of interesting artefacts and some beautiful craftwork is also on sale. So why not drop in and see for yourself. TIDY TOWNS Freshford tidy towns committee

thank all their loyal volunteers who helped out over the past weeks on Church Street clearing weeds along the pavement on each side . The seat opposite the local butchers was painted a vibrant red colour. Almost all the street furniture throughout the village has now been painted in their trademark vibrant red, since the group returned after the pandemic. If you spot a seat that has not yet been painted please let them know. CLASHACROW GARDENS Local couple Peter and Frances Theloke, Clashacrow had their Gardens shown on the weekly TV Show recently. Some areas of the gardens were shown but there were many other areas which weren’t shown on the programme. WELL DONE ANNE MARIE Well done to local lady Anne Marie Walsh(nee Butler ) Cooleshall Freshford who led the Agricultural Science Association for the past year and did so with confident and pride . Ann Marie who worked for the Ulster Bank wishes the Association continued success. She takes up a new role with Teagasc in the near future. SOCCER NEWS With the season now started, the first game of the season for Freshford Town saw the U15 boys take on Stoneyford at home recently coming out winners on a 3-2 score line. Scorers for Freshford Town were Cian Donnelly getting two and Colin McGree getting the other one. U8s The training sessions for U8s will resume on Saturday next at the Sports field at Woodview from 12noon to 1pm with Gary in charge as usual. All boys from five to eight years old are welcome so go along and join up. The Club is at present looking for new members to join their U9, UI10, U13 and U15 teams. Registration can be paid through the Clubforrce app or you can get in touch with the Club for further details. The clubs Facebook page has all the details. As well as boys underage The Club is intending to enter girls’ soccer teams also, at U9s and U11s. For U11 – born in 2011/2012 and for U9 those born 2013/20114. Anyone interested should get in touch with the Club on Facebook or freshfodtownfc@gmail. com. Going forward the Club hope to have U9, U10, U11, U13, U15 and U17s with registration opening in the coming week or so . So keep an eye out on the Clubs Facebook page for updates. MEMBERSHIP Membership is now due for all juniors and underage players and you can contact any committee member re same. KILKENNY HERITAGE An exciting new project is underway at St. Lachtains Church Freshford to enhance interpretation facilities

Members of Freshford Acorn Club and staff of Carrolls Pharmacy with one of the new Defibrillators

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

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News Community & GAA Notes upgrade the solar heating system and survey the unique 11th century doorway. The select Vestry of St.Lachtains is delighted to have received funding from the community Monuments fund and welcomed the team to Freshford. GAA NEWS St.Lachtains Intermediate hurlers who were narrowly beaten recently in their second league championship game by neighbours Conahy Shamrocks will face The Fenians of Johnstown in their final game of the league on Sunday next. The game will be played in Ballyragget with a 2.30pm throw in. All support would be greatly appreciated and Club asks all supporters to wear the back and amber St.Lachtains GAA gear where possible. PILTOWN DRAW Piltown tickets are now on sale. To be purchased for you or your club any member of the committee can be contacted HERITAGE AND DEVELOPMENT GROUP Freshford Heritage Group is delighted to announce that the path resurfacing in the Millennium Park has now been completed. Hopefully this work will prove to be a more pleasant walking experience for everyone who uses the park. The committee would like to acknowledge the grant received from Kilkenny County Council under the Community Enhancement Programme from the Department of Rural ad Community affairs. Also to the acorn Club for helping to fund the shortfall in funding required. They would also appeal to the public to manage any dog fouling in the park, especially on the paths and to use the facilities (scoop, brush & bin) located inside the entrance gate. PARISH NEWS In the next weeks there will be an increase in attendance at Masses up to 50per cent of the capacity. This increase began from Wednesday 8th Sept.., at 9 30 am mass in the Parish Church and Tulla church on Saturday evenings. While the obligation to attend Sunday mass is still suspended you are encouraged to return. At this time all safety measures will remain in place which includes wearing of masks, social distancing and hand sanitising and full sanitation of the Church after every celebration FIRST COMMUNION The boys and girls will make their first Confession in the local school on this Wednesday and will receive their First Holy Community at Mass in St.Lachtains Church on 10.30am on Saturday 2nd October with each family limited to 6 attendees. NOTICES The parish newsletter is available on their website every week and also on the website you are free to pay your dues and make donations or any other contributions and you can find out more about it on the website or feel free to contact Jennifer in the Parish Office. Please note community notices for the parish newsletter should be left in or emailed to the Parish Office by 11am on Thursdays. As part of the 1400 year celebrations plans are being put together for a montage of photographs of the Church and Parish’s through the years. If you have any photographs that you think would be appropriate for such a display please call or get in touch with the Parish Office. The

plan is to copy the photographs so be assured all original photographs will be returned to its owner. Mass Cards Special printed parish cards are available at the Parish Office or from Annette at Tulla Church signed by Monsignor Kennedy. You can contact the Parish office on 056 8832843 or by email – freshfordd@ ossory.ie. Contact Monsignor Kieron Kennedy on that number. DUNNAMAGGIN DEVELOPMENT GROUP A very busy weekend this Saturday and Sunday - On Saturday September 25th join us and the lovely members of Adele’s Gazelles for a 5km Run (or Walk) Registration is at 9.30am in the Old School, Dunnamaggin. Bring a friend, meet others and enjoy the fresh air and Dunnamaggin countryside. There will be spot prizes and refreshments afterwards. (The run/walk is limited to adults & teens). Then on Sunday September 26th our Harvest Festival and Market takes place from 11am to 4pm with a Scarecrow competition for families and individuals to enter, an apple tart competition, stalls with food, crafts and other goods, Eamon will be behind the BBQ as usual and Madge’s Café will be open for tea/ coffee and cakes. Come along and join the fun. We are always looking for new members so if you are interested in being involved please message us on our Facebook page and we’ll be in touch. DUNNAMAGGIN GAA Dunnamaggin GAA: Golf Classic result: The Dunnamaggin Golf Classic Committee would like to thank Callan Golf Club, all our sponsors, players and volunteers for their contribution to a very successful and enjoyable day. Winners Overall 1st Prize Brian Hudson, Barry Hudson, Mattie Hanrahan, James McGrath. Ladies Team Winners Margaret O’Shea, Eileen Cuddihy, Marie O’Riordan, Margaret Comerford. 2nd Prize Brian O’Donnell, Brian Tierney, Karen Co., Roger McLoughlin. 3rd Prize John Doyle, Evelyn Murphy, Paul Foran , Tom Walsh.4th Prize James Holden, Jamie Tennyson, Anthony Larkin, Harry Wallace. 5th Prize John Hayes, Shane Dalton, Vinnie Coonan, John Murphy. 6th Prize Benny Butler, Brian Hennessy, Tom Walsh, John Glendon. 7th Prize Shane Sinnott, Dermot Dwan, Michael Fogarty, Bob Moore. 8th Prize Alan Foxe, John Malone, Niall Griffey, Birdie Ryan. 9th Prize Joe Tierney, Ted Walsh, Philip Cunningham, Eddie Cunningham. 10th Prize Dan Hartnett, Eamonn Maher, Billy Fogarty, P.J. Maher.11th Prize Coleman Loughnan, John Ryan, Michael Dempsey, John Proctor. Prize for Nearest the Pin: Ladies - Ellen O’Shea: Mens - Coleman Loughnan. Prize for Longest Drive: Ladies - Eileen Cuddihy; Mens - Sean Millea. Dunnamaggin Golf Classic 11th September 2021 Raffle Prize Winners 1st Prize 2 nights B&B for 2 Guests, Perry’s Hotel, Limerick Dermot Fennelly. 2nd Prize €50.00 Voucher Goatsbridge Trout Farm Espen Jahnsen. 3rd Prize Volvo Jacket Stella Tennyson. 4th Prize Volvo Jacket Vinnie Coonan. 5th Prize Michael Lyng Jacket Roger McLoughlin. 6th Prize €50.00 Voucher Colin Barry Farm Shop John Ryan. 7th Prize Bottle of Whiskey JJ Drennan. 8th Prize Bottle of Whiskey B. Sweeney. 9th Prize 2 bottles Cono Sur Wine Brian O’Donnell.

GAA WALKWAYS Our new walkways are proving very popular and a huge addition to our facilities. Please note no dogs allowed on any of our grounds due to health and safety issues. Thanks again to all who helped in any way to get the walkways in place. LOTTO DRAW Local Lotto Draw for 13th September. Winning Numbers: 9, 24, and 32. No Winner. Winners for Draw for 5 x € 30. Dan Breen ( Dan Breen ),Maud Doherty ( Maud Doherty ),Kitty Kehoe ( Jimmy Kehoe ),Diarmuid Burke ( Jim Dalton ),Breda Smyth ( Breda Smyth). Jackpot for 20th September € 2,350 . Each week the draw is held in St. Leonards Hall Dunnamaggin at 9pm. All Welcome. KELLS FUNDRAISER Kells Community are organising a fundraiser for a number of Afghan families living in Kilkenny, whose families come from Kabul and the Panjshir valley region in Afghanistan which have been affected by the recent takeover by the Taliban. The Nearly New/Car Boot/Table Top sale will take place in the crèche car park in Kells on Sunday October 3rd from 10.30am to 3.30pm. The organisers are appealing for stall holders, volunteers to assist with the fundraiser, and to donate saleable items for the raffle. Also on the day there will be an ‘almost new’ clothes stall and book stall. Any items for donation can be dropped to The Kings Mill Restaurant, Kells and will be stored in the mill. Raffle tickets will be on sale in Bobs Shop Kells. Prizes include hampers, vouchers, and a Paul Christopher Flynn original print. For details contact Stephanie (086 336 8135) or Tanya (087 919 1179) KNITTED TOGETHER PROJECT In 2020 and 2021 the Arts Office ran a fabulous project called Knitted Together. Communities and volunteers around the County were asked to knit or crochet squares resulting in hundreds of volunteers knitting and crocheting at home during the Covid-19 restrictions. In 2021 lots of beautiful blankets and hundreds of squares were collected and created into more gorgeous blankets. All of these fabulous blankets have been donated to the various charity shops in Kilkenny to help raise much needed funds for some great causes. So, don’t miss out, one of these beautiful locally made blankets could be yours. Go visit your local charity shops to purchase a beautiful blanket for yourself or a loved one. List of Charity Shops - Enable Ireland (St. Kieran’s St), Irish Cancer Society (Parliament St), NCBI shop (High St, Kilkenny and The Square, Castlecomer), St. Vincent de Paul (Butts Green), The Samaritans (St. Kieran’s St) and Jack and Jill Foundation (Friary St) KILKENNY ‘SEPTEMBER SOUNDS’ Local emerging and professional musicians will take to stages at four venues (Woodstock Gardens, Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre, the Courtyard of Butler Gallery in Kilkenny City and the last one on Kilkenny Day to be announced soon!) in the coming weeks as the sounds of classical, jazz, pop, rock, indie, folk and traditional music will take place across beautiful city and county settings. The funding to make all this happen comes from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and is being delivered locally by Kilkenny County Council’s Arts Office and the Watergate Theatre. The concerts will be free to attend but those attending

will have to have tickets which are available from Wednesday 8th September online through www. watergatetheatre.com. You can find all the information including line up on this website. CONSCIOUS CUP CAMPAIGN INFORMATION SESSION 30TH SEPTEMBER, AT 7PM ONLINE In Ireland we dispose of a staggering 547,945 coffee cups every day. Did you know that this five minute “take away treat” has a substantial negative environmental impact? Take away cups impacts our natural resources such as trees, water & energy, creates carbon dioxide (CO2) and contributes to our growing litter problem across our island. Kilkenny and Carlow County Council are inviting you to meet Sorcha Kavanagh from the Conscious Cup Campaign who will help us to understand how we have a positive impact on climate change, one sip at time. Sorcha will explain What the Conscious Cup Campaign aims to achieve, How to get involved, the single use plastics directive and the Current policy - The Irish Context For further information contact Bernadette.Moloney@kilkennycoco. ie OTHER NOTICES Droichead Family Resource Centre is holding a Woman’s Group on Thursday mornings throughout autumn. If interested in joining us for fun social activities contact Jess on 085 8564950. Kilkenny County Council Mobile Library Service. The mobile library is returning, following an absence of eighteen months. On October6th, November 3rd, Dec ember1st, it will visit Kilmoganny from 3.30p.m4.00p.m and Kells from 4.10p.m4.30p.m Membership is free. Just bring ID. The staff are looking forward to meeting all the locals. Enquiries to Library Reception (056) 7794160. The Storytelling Series. Free Communications Training for Community and Voluntary Groups The Storytelling Series is an exciting FREE training series which will enable us all to feel confident about communicating our value! Public awareness is vital to maximising the work we do, and this series is all about amplifying our impact. Whether you’re a large charity or a voluntary group with limited time and no budget, this training is open to you! Pitching to Press: How to Get your Story Out There with Claire Brennan (BBC, Irish Daily Mirror, Donegal Post) | Weds, 22 September, 11.00am 12.30pm Making Videos: Basics of Scripting & Filming with Jack Deacon (spunout. ie) | Weds, 29 September, 11.00am 12.30pm Making Videos: Basics of Film Editing with Tommy Flavin and Kevin O’Regan (The Reelists) | Thurs, 30 September, 11am – 12.30pm Easy Graphic Design with Canva with Ronny Hermosa (Canva, Fair Trade Connection) | Weds, 13 October, 10.30am - 12noon How to Be a Spokesperson for your Organisation with Eleanor Kelly (UCD Innovation Academy, Open Society Foundations) | Weds, 20 October, 11am – 12.30pm. All workshops are delivered online and are free of charge. Any queries please email Claire McGowran: claire@wheel.ie. Recovery College SouthEast is offering workshops to improve your mental health in September. All are free but you need to book. See their timetable at https://www. recoverycollegesoutheast.com/

workshops.html or call them on 086 1746330 Pattern Makers - Free Intercultural textile printing workshops for women in Callan, Thomastown and Ferrybank Woman with children who work from home in Callan, Thomastown and Ferrybank are invited to take part in a series of free textile printing workshops. The workshops and creative activities will be led by artist Liz Nilsson and explore pattern making and our sense of place. Workhouse Union extends a special invitation to women from the Syrian Community in County Kilkenny. Places are limited. If you are interested in taking part please contact Hannah McCormick to book a place: hannah@workhouseunion. com or on 0874497868 GOWRAN BOYS STORM BACK TO REACH COUNTY FINAL Young Irelands Gowran 3-9 RowerInistioge 1-11 A Superb Contest saw the Young Irelands U-13 Boys produce a storming finish as they fought back to defeat Rower-Inistioge in a thrilling contest in Thomastown on Sunday morning to qualify for a County Final showdown with Graigue-Ballycallan. The Gowran Boys scored a 14th minute goal to lead 1-2 to 0-4 at the first Water Break, & they maintained that advantage when leading 1-5 to 0-5 at the interval. However, Rower-Inistioge started the Second-Half strongly and a goal within seconds of the restart drew them level. 1-5 apiece. Buoyed on by that goal, RowerInistioge began to gain the upper hand & they had a 1-9 to 1-6 lead inside the final 10 minutes. However, Young Irelands found inspiration and they fought back to grab the levelling goal in the 53rd minute. 2-6 to 1-9. Both sides exchanged points in the 54th and 57th minutes respectively, before Rower-Inistioge restored the lead with a pointed free entering the final few minutes. 1-11 to 2-7. Extra-Time looked an increasing possibility, as the Gowran Boys pointed to restore parity in the 50th minute (1-11 to 2-8), but there was a thrilling final act of drama to come. Young Irelands managed to conjure up an all important goal that proved to be the winner, and they added a point for good measure to run out four point winners to set-up a County Final showdown with Graigue-Ballycallan who defeated Dunnamaggin in the Semi-Final on a penalty shoot-out. Meanwhile, the Intermediate Team have a must win encounter next Sunday Afternoon against St. Martins in Clara at 2.30pm in their final group game of the League. Having drawn and lost both of their matches, a win is essential to avoid a potential relegation scenario. U-14 GIRLS QUALIFY FOR SEMI-FINAL Very Well done to the U-14 Camogie Girls who qualified for the County Championship Semi-Final following a 5-3 to 3-7 win against Lisdowney in Ballyragget on Friday Evening. They will now have another trip to North Kilkenny to look forward to next weekend, as they travel to Urlingford to play Emeralds on Saturday Evening with a 5.30pm throw-in. The two Teams met during the summer in the Group Stages of the League with the Urlingford Club winning by a solitary point. 5-1 to 4-3. Unfortunately, there was major disappointment for both the Minors and U-16s who both suffered heavy

defeats in Championship QuarterFinal action. The Minors lost 5-13 to 1-7 against Piltown having trailed 5-9 to 0-2 at half-time, while the U-16s lost 6-10 to 1-5 against John Lockes of Callan having trailed 4-5 to 0-2 at the interval. On Monday Night, the U-12 A Team were in Skeoughvosteen for their League Quarter-Final clash away to Blacks and Whites, while on Wednesday, the U-12 B Team travel to Canon Kearns Park, Castlecomer for their League Semi-Final contest against Erins Own/Naomh Brid. Finally, there is a Clothes Collection in Young Irelands GAA Grounds next Monday Evening 27th September between 6.30p.m - 8pm in aid of Young Irelands Camogie Club. Following on from our new partnership with UPMC, we are delighted to announce Dicksboro GAA and Camogie gear can now be purchased online. You can now purchase directly from our O’Neill’s club shop online and at Hennessy Sports our local retailer of Dicksboro products based in the Newpark Shopping Centre. SENIOR HURLING The Senior Hurlers lost their third game in the League Championship v O Loughlin Gaels on Sunday in Nowlan Park. Both sides traded scores throughout the 60 minutes in a tight affair. O Loughlins scored a late goal to win by 6 points in the end, 2-17 to 1-14. MINOR HURLING A fantastic second half display of hurling was enough for Dicksboro Minor Team to win the Kilkenny Honda Centre Roinn A semifinal versus James Stephens in Dunmore on Saturday morning. Our lads trailed 2-05 to 0-06 at half time, but turned the game around dramatically in the second half to win by six points, 3-15 to 3-09. Next up for our lads is the final Saturday week versus Tullogher. U13 HURLING The U13S had a terrific match on Saturday in Dunmore versus Erins Own in the Roinn A Final. Both teams were well matched and this encounter was nail-biting from minute one. Our lads lost in extra time by the narrowest of margins, 0-18 to 1-12. A hugh well done to all involved this year. We had three u13 teams competing at different grades. CLUB LOTTO Dicksboro GAA Club LOTTO Results September 17th 2021 Nos: 3– 18– 23 – 14 Jackpot: €4500– not won Draw Prizes – €50: Canice Kelly c/o Paddy Maher €25 each Siobhan Nolan c/o online €25 each Ashley o Lucy c/o Liam Barry €25 each J & P Cody c/o P & J Cody Promoters prize - Ian Fitzgerald, K& E Begley Next week, September 25th Jackpot – €4,600 We are encouraging every Dicksboro family to support the Clubs Fundraising efforts by signing up to the Club Lotto. https://dicksborogaa. com/categories/lotto 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 Ted Carroll (086) 837 6544).

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

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

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Sport

Golf NOTES

CASTLECOMER GOLF CLUB The President’s Prize is highly regarded in our club. There is always an impressive entry and this year was no different. Many club members showed their support for our current president Mr. Michael Doheny by playing the event. Michael is a long-standing member of Castlecomer Golf Club. He has sat on many committees and served as Captain in the year 2000. In addition, Michael involves himself in the voluntary work carried out in the club on a weekly basis. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience which he is more than willing to share. Mr. President Michael is a constant presence in the club and always has a kind, friendly word for locals and visitors alike. Men’s and Lady Captain, John Lacey & Patricia Brennan and all Members would like to wish Michael and his wife Patricia health

and happiness in the years ahead. Michael is a wonderful ambassador for the club, and we hope he enjoys his role as president going forward. Results: 1.Kieran Bergin (14) 40pts (b9) 2.Dick Farrell (20) 40 pts (b9) 3. Adrian O Neill (8) 40 pts Gross. Padraig Curry (-1) 35pts 4. Pat Comerford (19) 39pts Class 1. Colin Dunne (4) 37 pts (b9) Class 2. Mikey O Neill (17) 38 pts (b9) Class 3. Evan O’ Carroll (19) 38 pts (b9) Over 60 Christy Comerford (15) 38pts Student 1 Cormac Phelan (16) 36pts (b9) Student 1 Cian Rothwell (16) 36pts (b9) Ladies Results Delia O’ Donohoe PH (27) 37 pts (b9) Noreen Kinsella PH (31)37 pts Gross Maria Downey 23 pts Maureen Norton PH (18) 36 pts

LC Patricia Brennan PH (29)35 pts The ladies are looking forward to the upcoming outing to Rosslare GC on Saturday September 25. A large group is expected to play this prestigious links course. We extend our good wishes to incoming Lady Captain Helen Murphy and hope the event is an enjoyable and memorable occasion. As the season draws to a close, we await the winners of the Singles and Plate Matchplay Competitions. Good luck to all the participants.

Club President Michael Doheny with Men’s & Ladies winners Kieran Bergin and Delia Donohue

CALLAN GOLF CLUB Ladies Results Tuesday September 14th 18 Hole S/F Competition 1st Bridget Holohan 37pts 2nd Claire Hendriques 37 pts 9 Hole Competition 1st Deirdre Holden 19 pts 2nd Patsy Murphy 18pts Seniors Competition Thursday September 16th 1st Ellen O Shea 29pts 2nd Caroline Somers 28pts 3rd Mary Grace 28pts 4th Mary Manning 27pts 5th Jean Grace 27pts The Senior Ladies Trip will take place on Wednesday/ Thursday this week, when they will head to Wexford. Hope The Sunny South East lives up to its name. Results O’ Dwyer’s Men’s Open Singles Great score by Niall

O’Sullivan with a 3 under par Gross. Overall winner David Connolly (17) 39 pts Back 9 Gross Niall O’Sullivan (0) 39 pts Monthly Medal Overall Eoin O Sullivan(10) 64 Div 1 Pat Parle(9) 67 Gross Patrick O Hara (1) 73 Div 2 Micheal Kavanagh (20) 65 Lotto 16 th September Numbers Drawn 4, 15 and 9 No Winner Match 2 €30 Each,

Paul Roche, JJ Egan, Tom Fitzpatrick, Maura Holden, Jim Manning, Michael Grace, and Liam Gleeson Upcoming Events Wednesday 22nd September O’ Dwyer Men’s Open Singles Course Development Fundraiser is being held over next weekend from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th . It is intended that this money would be used specifically for improvement works to the course to enhance the facilities for members and

visitors. The first prize for this event is overnight accommodation with Breakfast in the Granville Hotel in Waterford and a fourball of Golf in Waterford Golf Club, and a fourball of Golf in Faithlegg. This would be an ideal min break now that the restrictions are easing. Other prizes including fourball of Golf in Carlow and many other Golf Prizes. €15 for members and €20 for Visitors. We welcome the support of our members and the many visitors.

Your guide to interval training EOIN EVERARD

Want to train yourself to run faster? Intervals are hard but these example sessions could be just what you need to run better times. If you really want to improve your running speed then interval training is the key. Whether focusing on short sprints or longer repetitions, interval running will seriously improve your running times. Running interval sessions will make you faster Interval running is the single best form of running activity you can do. A runner who always runs at a steady pace will only ever be good at running steadily. By steady running you improve your endurance capacity, toneup and often lose weight, but you don’t get faster. The key to improving your speed is to run at speeds faster than you would race at. The key to improving your

speed is to run at speeds faster than you would race at. However, you can only run at these speeds for small periods of time. This is why you should break up the distance in which you intend running at the faster pace. For example, if you normally go for a steady 5 mile (approx. 8km) run you could change it to 5 lots of 1 mile efforts, running the 1 mile at a significantly faster pace than you would if you were running the whole 5 miles in one go. The important thing about interval running is to pick the pace up and force yourself to increase the leg speed. Then you will need to recover, as you won’t be able to keep it up for too long. The recovery period will vary depending on your fitness level and what type of interval session you are running. Naturally, most beginners will need a lot more recovery than seasoned runners and the longer the interval run, the longer the recovery period will have to be. All the energy pathways should be involved in

interval training, making it very similar to the race situation: Short sprints with long recovery involve the pure sprint system. Longer repetitions, which are run quickly with a short recovery, involve the lactate system (burning legs syndrome). Consistent steady running, strides and recovery stages, involve the oxygen system (you can talk during these sections). Interval sessions do not need to be run flat out all the time. You should aim for one structured interval workout a week and one unstructured one. The structured one will be set in advance with set intervals to run and set recovery times. The unstructured one can be decided on the day depending on where you are running (on or off road, or on hilly terrain.) Interval training example sessions Below are a few interval sessions you can have a go at — aimed at beginner, intermediate, and advanced runner. Remember, interval

sessions normally make you work a lot harder than just steady running so take this into account and start on a lower grade for the first few attempts. Remember to warm-up for at least 10 minutes before the interval session and cool-down for the same amount of time after the running session. Beginner runner interval session • 10 x 1 minute with 3 minutes walk recovery. • 5 x 2 minutes with 2 minutes walk recovery. • 3 minutes, then 2 minutes, then 1 minute, with 3 minutes walk recovery between repetitions. Do this three times with 5 minutes between sets. • 3 x 5 minutes with 4 minutes walk recovery. • 10 x 45 seconds uphill running with a walk back down recovery. Intermediate runner interval session • 12 x 1 minute with 90 seconds recovery. • 6 to 8 x 2 minutes with 60 seconds recovery. • 4 x (3 minute/2 minute/1 minute) with 2 minutes

and 1 minute recovery between repetitions and 3 minutes recovery between sets. • 5 x 5 minutes with 2 minutes recovery. • 10 to 15 x 60 seconds uphill running with a jog back down as your recovery. Advanced runner interval session • 15 x 1 minute with 60 seconds recovery. • 10 x 2 minutes with 60 seconds recovery. • 5 x (5 minutes/4 minutes /3 minutes/2 minutes/1 minutes) with 4 minutes/3 minutes/2 minutes/1 minute recovery between repetitions and 3 minutes recovery between sets. • 5 to 8 x 5 minutes with 90 seconds recovery. • 15 to 20 x 60 seconds uphill running with a brisk jog back down as your recovery. For more information like this you can download my book and audiobook version at www. everardpilates.com/book.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

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Camogie news

Sport BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR

Emma Shortall scores a goal

SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

WHEN Mike Wall was appointed as Kilkenny minor camogie manager in December of last year for the second time, hopes were high and the feeling was that the experienced bainisteoir could end the six-year wait for the All-Ireland minor title. Wall’s backroom team consisted of coach Damien Donohue and selectors Paula and Mary Murphy. Their first task was assembling a panel of players to challenge the country’s finest minor camogs. A difficult task at the best of times, but navigating through the challenges of COVID-19 made the process especially problematic. In his first interview following his appointment, Wall was clear on the road ahead. “Our first objective is to run trials and to get a panel together for the upcoming season”. Having guided the young cats to their last All-Ireland crown in 2015, the next question was

Minor maestro Mike – Kilkenny’s wonderWALL!

Kilkenny manager Mike Wall

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

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Camogie news answered with typical vigor. Wall said: “Hopefully we can win it again. It would be great and it’s our aim.” When the minor panel was announced in May this year, there was definitely as sense of optimism in Kilkenny. However, the optimism had to be put on the back-burner, as the first championship fixture for Wall’s new panel was scheduled for August. ALL SQUARE IN DÉISE CLASH Wall and his charges headed to neighbours Waterford to begin their quest for the title. The WIT arena was the setting for a game that end in a share of the spoils, not the win the manager would have hoped for. The game started brilliantly for the young stripey-women with the first of two green flags raised after just 45 seconds of play, Dicksboro forward Asha McHardy striking home. Over the course of the first half, both sides were guilty of some wasteful shooting, but this was probably down to a little bit of rustiness, given the lack of competitive action in 2021. The second half was only some six-minutes old when Kilkenny breached the Waterford net for a second time. Some great play from Asha McHardy and Laoise Nolan find Clara’s Emma Shortall, who raised away towards goal, before unleashing a thunderous shot that the Waterford keeper could only parry, only to see the on-rushing Sarah Barcoe strike the rebound to the back of the net. To their credit, Waterford rallied and then enjoyed their best spell of the game. When the final whistle sounded, the sides couldn’t be separated. The score line read; Kilkenny 2-11, Waterford 1-14.

Sarah Barcoe POTM

MODEL VICTORY TAKES CATS TO QUARTERS Next up for our minor’s was a home game with Wexford. Thomastown was the venue as Mike Wall’s side went in search of the muchneeded win. There were some changes to the starting XV, largely as a result of a Covid outbreak in the camp, following the opening day draw with Waterford. The game started at a fast tempo, and the yellowbellies thought that they had taken a first minute lead when firing to the net, only for Cork whistler Andy Larkin to rule the effort out due to an earlier infringement. Kilkenny would find the net a few minutes later, when a shot from Asha McHardy was parried by the Wexford keeper, however the cats recycled the sliotar, and Clara’s Shortall’s vicious shot hit the net. The cats would raise their second green flag of the day after just 12 minutes when joint captain and Young Ireland’s Sarah O’Donnell hit a high shot into the danger zone. James Stephens Emma Manogue

claimed possession, turned towards goal and was then brought to the ground. Stonewall penalty. Dicksboro’s Amy Clifford stepped forward and made no mistake from the spot. This game was effectively over at half-time, with Kilkenny leading by 8 points. The second half saw Sarah Barcoe add to her personal tally on her home turf. Despite Wexford hitting a goal, the cats kept the score board ticking over and never really looked in great danger of giving up their lead. Wexford would point a penalty, but the last score of the game would come in the 53rd minute. On the long whistle from referee Larkin, Kilkenny had run out convincing winners on a score line of 2-13 to 1-7. This victory sent Wall’s team to an All-Ireland quarter-final with the Treaty County. NO QUARTER GIVEN IN TREATY ROUT Fermoy was the next stop for the minor bus as the cats looked to secure a semi-final berth. The squad appeared to be in better health following the covid situation which had affected the build-up to the Wexford game. Kilkenny would romp to a 19-point win over Limerick, the black and amber showing unstoppable power and pace in their dismantling of the Shannonsiders. You wouldn’t have known that our girls had been playing against a stiff breeze in the first half, as they again had the game in the bag on the short whistle. The forward class of Clifford, Barcoe and Shortall was simply too much to handle for the greens. Kilkenny took a 13-point lead into the interval following their ruthless opening period. While Limerick attempted to close the gap during the second half, Mike Wall was never going to allow his young ladies to rest on their laurels. Half-way through the second period, the impressive Amy Clifford added to her everincreasing tally, when she fired to the net. A late consolation goal from the opposition did little to bring respectability to the score board. final score Kilkenny 1-27, Limerick 1-8. With a personal haul of 1-14, Dicksboro’s Amy Clifford was undoubtably the brightest star on show. CAT’S SHINE IN EXTRA TIME The semi-final would take Kilkenny on the road to Abbottstown, where they faced-off against the ladies of the west, Galway. Two years previous, the sides had met at U16 level, and the tribeswomen had sauntered to a double-digit win over the cats. After the opening exchanges, our players must have feared that history was repeating itself, as Galway raced into a 6-point lead, 1-3 to no score before Emma Manogue hit a lovely individual score to open the Noresiders account. The westerners appeared to be in total control, with only Sarah Barcoe really troubling the opposition defence. At the first water break Kilkenny trailed by 5-points. The short break was clearly needed and Mike Wall’s words were certainly heeded by his troops as they began to compete during the second quarter. Both sides notched scores and our girls went into the half-time interval still trailing by five. Further words of encouragement CONTINUED >>

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

Camogie news Kilkenny’s Amy Clifford with Meabh Murphy and Aoife Healy of Cork

>> CONTINUED must have been echoing in our team’s ears, as they started the second-half with a much higher tempo and a greater desire. This was rewarded with a much-needed goal from substitute Claire Doheny. Galway responded with further points, and as the sides battled towards the second water break, a key moment, Thomastown’s Sarah Barcoe rifles to the net, to raise a second green flag for the cats. Clifford was again proving her worth with a brace of points reducing the deficit to the minimum. Galway responded. Asha McHardy, now deployed at midfield, then hit a couple of nice scores to leave just one between the sides. The tribeswomen’s star player Gilchrist pointed along with one from Rabbitte to push the maroons three ahead. With time running out, Wall’s team gave one last push. A great ball into the lively Sarh Barcoe saw the forward get past her marker and rifle to the net. The sides were level. Extra-time would be required to settle this one. Two minutes into extra-time, Kilkenny would take the lead for the first time in the game, the deadly Amy Clifford pointing from a free. Galway then rattled over scores to leave the score 1-23

to Kilkenny’s 3-16 at the interval in extra-time. The second period of additional time would see the cats outscore their opponents 0-5 to 0-2. Points from substitutes Sarah O’Donnell and Conahy Shamrocks Ellen Gunner along with the amazing Sarah Barcoe saw Mike Wall’s team over the line and secure a coveted All-Ireland final berth. Final score, Kilkenny 3-21, Galway 1-25. Take a bow Sarah Barcoe – 2-5. Semi-star! BRILLIANT BARCOE BLASTS CATS TO FINAL VICTORY All roads would lead to Limerick for the All-Ireland Final. LIT Gaelic Grounds the venue for the showdown between Kilkenny and old foes Cork. In advance of the game, manger Wall referenced the history between the sides and spoke of how special games between the counties are. The game started at championship final pace, with both sides trading scores early on, Thomastown’s Barcoe and Clara’s Shortall registering early for the cats as the game settled down. As both teams wrestled for supremacy, a great ball into Sarah Barcoe saw the phenomenal forward control, turn and shoot – the result, a goal! Kilkenny took the lead, one which they would not relinquish. Barcoe’s strike appeared to breath extra confidence into the Kilkenny team, and they dominated their opponents in the second

quarter, holding the rebels scoreless, while they kept the score board ticking over. Further points from yes, you guessed it, the brilliant Barcoe and a couple from Dicksboro’s Amy Clifford saw Mike Wall’s charges lead on a score line of 1-5 to 0-4 at the short whistle. Cork made a couple of changes at the interval in a bid to change their fortunes, but it would be the Kilkenny defence, led superbly by Niamh Phelan and Aine Kirwan that ensured the cats lead remained intact. It would be James Stephen’s Emma Manogue that would hit the first score of the second

Thomastown’s Aine Kirwan

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

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Camogie news period, but this appeared to be the catalyst for Cork to awake from their slumber. The rebels hit four points without reply, to leave just one between the sides. Sarah Barcoe pointed to relieve the pressure, but as the game entered its final period, the Síghle Nic an Ultaigh Cup was very much up for grabs. The manager’s calming words during the second water break appeared to again do the job, as his side came out of the blocks with a real energy on resumption of play. Kilkenny actually registered 1-4 without reply in the first six minutes after the water break.

Kilkenny cocaptains Niamh Phelan and Sarah O’Donnell lift the cup

Points from Asha McHardy, Amy Clifford, Emma Shortall and one from impressive substitute, Claire Doheny pulled the cats clear, as they sensed victory. The result was put beyond doubt when in the 52nd minute a sublime pass from Thomastown’s Barcoe found her Clara attacking partner Emma Shortall who made no mistake and raised her county’s second green flag of the day. Cork battled in vain to the end, but when referee Ray Kelly blew the final whistle, the minor stripey-women had one Kilkenny’s first All-Ireland minor title since 2015. A minor win of major significance.

>> SHERRY SAYS... THE appointment of Mike Wall, I believe was hugely significant in building a minor panel capable of dining at the top table again. As the last manager to bring the title to Noreside, Wall was a smart choice when the appointments were being made. Undoubtably Mike and his backroom team assembled a hungry and talented group of camogs. It may have taken a couple of games to find the right blend and positions for his players, but by God did they shine once all settled down. I don’t think anyone would begrudge me for highlighting just a few of the panel for a little extra priase. We’ll start with Sarah Barcoe. Wow. What a talent. The scintillating Thomastown attacker, I believe, has the camogie world at her feet. Dicksboro duo Asha McHardy and Amy Clifford excelled also, the latter deadly accurate from play and vitally, the placed ball. In many ways she reminds me of a young Denise Gaule. Throw Clara’s Emma Shortall into the mix, and it’s a potent forward line. In defence, there was great discipline shown throughout the campaign. Niamh Phelan and Aine Kirwan just two of the standouts here. James Stephens clubwoman Emma Manogue found her way to midfield and put in stellar performances. The bench was crucial to the successful season, with St Brigids Claire Doheny impressing when called upon. The future’s bright – the future is black and amber.

Danielle Quigley action

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O’Loughlin Gaels v Dicksboro

Sport

Late surge sees O’Loughlin Gaels win A STRONG finish by O’Louglin Gaels saw them overcome Dicksboro in UPMC Nolan Park on Sunday. The game started off at a lively pace and with marking being tight and time on the ball sparse, the quality of hurling to begin the game was hindered. A good ball worked well out of defence to Liam Moore led to the first score, a point for Dicksboro. A great save by Brian Minogue in the O’Loughlin Gaels goal from a shot by Andy Gaffney led to a free in, after a wild pull by David Fogarty. The free was pointed by Shane Devlin. A further free by Mark Bergin after five minutes brought the score to 0:2 -0:1 in favor of Dickboro. A puck out collected by Evan Carroll and passed to Mark Nolan led to another point for Dicksboro. Excellent fielding by Robby Buckley where he scored a point from distance left O’Loughlin Gaels trailing by the minimum with six minutes gone. Dicksboro were winning the long ball but with both sides showing strong in defence, there was very little between the sides, Dicksboro perhaps showing a little brighter. Bill Sheen scored a point after good work by Evan Cody. Dicksboro looked to be finding the target a little easier at this stage. O’Loughlin Gaels replied with a point by Mark Bergin from 45m out after getting a great pass from Gordon Molloy. O’ Loughlin Gaels still finding scores hard to come by because of the pressure Dicksboro were putting them under. Dicksboro again worked the ball out of defence well which led to a point by Andy Gaffney. The ball was returned to the O’Loughlin Gaels back line from the puck out leading to a free which Mark Bergin pointed .The game was very even all over

the field with play being dominated by both defences. A point from play by Mark Bergin brought the game back level, but a good score by Liam Moore, his second of the day gave Dicksboro the lead again. Good play by Liam Moore after surviving a huge hit from Huw Lawler, he supplied the pass to Aiden Nolan who fed Andy Gaffney to score a great goal just before the water break. The Score now Dicksboro 1: 6 - O’Loughlin Gaels 0: 5 CONFIDENCE The goal gave Dicksboro great confidence and knocked O’Loughlin Gaels back somewhat, O’Loughlin Gaels needed to start the second quarter stronger and wrestle the game back from Dicksboro who now had the upper hand. A free for Dicksboro from their own 45m taken by Shane Stapleton broke to Andy Gaffney but his effort was cleared off the line and O’Loughlin Gaels breathed a sigh of relief as that score could have been enough to close out the game. Dicksboro continued to break out of defence causing O’Loughlin Gaels problems but wasted a lot of chances. A Stephen Murphy free which was caught by goal keeper Brian Minogue ended up in the net, put there by Jack Nolan, after the goal keeper’s hand pass was dropped by one of his defenders. The match turned on this piece of play, as Dicksboro were gaining in confidence and O’Loughlin Gaels looked to be in trouble, the goal instilled new life into the O’Loughlin Gaels team and another point by Mark Bergin put the scores even at 1:6 apiece. With seven minutes remaining of the first half new urgency developed in both

teams and a sharper edge could be seen in each side’s efforts. In the twenty forth minute Shane Stapleton scored a point from the half way line to give Dicksboro the lead again however slender. Although Dicksboro were working the ball well O’Loughlin Gaels were doing the hard work and were starting to get the better of their opposition. The game tempo had picked up and the intensity had increased. A fowl created by over carrying the ball while it was being carried out of defence gave Dicksboro an opportunity to extend their narrow lead with a point by Shane Stapleton going into additional time. The balance of play was slightly with Dicksboro but both sides were battling hard. O’Loughlin Gaels were back in with more of a chance after the way they reacted after they scored their goal. A good move saw Mark Nolan score a point followed by a pointed free by Shane Stapleton and a point from play by Huw Lawlor ended the scoring for the first half. Dicksboro 1:9 - O’Loughlin Gaels 1:7 The second half started with the intensity you would expect with both sides trying to put down a marker. Points by Mark Bergin and Huw Lawlor brought the game level. Stephen Murphy’s long puck out to Robbie Buckley brought a great save out of Brian Minogue when he turned the ball into the side netting. Mark Bergin put the resulting 65m over the bar. A fabulous move by Dicksboro involving Timmy Clifford, Aidan Nolan and Evan Cody resulted in a free which Shane Stapleton pointed. Two wides by Mark Bergin and a wide by Shane Stapleton suggested that the pressure and intensity of the game was showing in both sides, with

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

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O’Loughlin Gaels v Dicksboro All images: Danny Lahart

O’Loughlin Gaels forwards losing out slightly to the Dicksboro backs .A point by Shane Stapleton after ten minutes was the highlight of the next seven minutes a period of “play” best forgotten not only for the three yellow cards given out but also for the ones not shown, as the referee took back control of the game. Shane Stapleton scored two points to take the game to the second water break. The start of the third quarter saw both sides work hard and a pass by Conor Heary to Eoin Wall created a point which O’Loughlin Gaels needed. A quick free by Molloy and good work by Robbie Buckley led to a point by Mark Bergin, this with brilliant work by Huw Lawlor brought O’Loughlin Gaels back into the game. This was followed by another pointed free by Mark Bergin which leveled the game at1:13 each. O’Loughlin Gaels were now back in a game that Dicksboro had looked to be well in control of. Dicksboro worked hard in defence and a lay off by Conor Doheny to Tim Clifford led to a fine score from distance with ten minutes left. A second goal for O’Loughlin Gaels scored by Jack Nolan after Dicksboro’s goalkeeper Stephen Murphy made a brilliant save from Paddy Deegan after great work by Robby Buckley. Mark Bergin followed this score with a point and now Dicksboro looked out of sorts after that goal against the run of play. O’Loughlin Gaels lifted their efforts and instilled new urgency in their play and an Eoin O’Shea point added fire to the O’Loughlin Gaels challenge and Dicksboro looked to be tiring. Dicksboro’s Robby Murphy got red carded for an off the ball action which further damaged Dicksboro’s chances with only two minutes of normal time to play. Dicksboro needed a big score going into additional time but a huge defensive effort by O’Loughlin Gaels ensured Dicksboro returned from the well empty handed. A final point by Eoin O’Shea saw O’Loughlin Gaels turn around a game that Dicksboro had control of for long periods. The last fifteen minutes were all O’Loughlins and this was the difference in the teams. A final score O’Loughlin Gaels 2:17 –Dicksboro 1:14. SCORERS O’Loughlin Gaels; Mark Bergin 0:10 (0:5 frees 0:1 65m) Jack Nolan 2:0 Eoin O’Shea 0:3 (0:1free) Huw Lawlor 0:2, Owen Wall 0:1, Robbie Buckley0:1 Dicksboro; Shane Stapleton0:7 (0:7 frees) Andy Gaffney 1:1, Mark Nolan 0:2, Liam Moore 0:2, Timmy Clifford 0:1 Bill Sheehan 0:1. TEAMS O’Loughlin Gaels. Stephen Murphy, Tony Forrristal, Mikey Butler, David Fogarty, Jordan Molloy, Huw Lawlor, Cian Loy, Jack Nolan, Conor Heary, Paddy Butler, Eoin O’Shea, Owen Wall, Robbie Buckley, Paddy Deegan, Mark Bergin. USED SUBS; Sam Johnston, Jamie Ryan, Conor Kelly. Dicksboro. Brian Manogue, Conor Doheny, Alan Phelan, Evan Carroll, Evan Cody, Cillian Buckley, Tom Kenny, Timmy Clifford, Joe Sheehan, Andy Gaffney, Shane Stapleton, Aiden Nolan, Bill Sheehan, Liam Moore, Mark Nolan. USED SUBS; Chris Kavanagh, Robbie Murphy, Oisin Gough.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

News Masters swim team Kilkenny

Kilkenny hosts 3rd ann Marble City Mile Swim

All pix: Danny Lahart AFTER taking a year off due to the Pandemic, 2021 saw the third annual Marble City Mile with entries in from nationwide and the day was marked by glorious sunshine to welcome the event back to its home in the Nore under Kilkenny Castle. Kilkenny has a long and proud tradition of open water swimming with the stunning views of the river under the

castle as seen from under John’s Bridge being a sight that is difficult to beat in Ireland. 2020 and 2021 has seen an explosive growth in interest in open water swimming and this year over 75 swimmers of all ages and swimming traditions who braved the Nore to compete in an 800M, 1600M (and for the very hardy both swims), as well as a team relay under the sight of the castle.

Local swimmers competed strongly with wins in their categories for Niamh Richardson, Colin Feely, Stephen Dermody and the relay team of Niamh Richardson, Mary Liz Lenihan, Helen Bacon and Nikki Reid rounded out some of the local wins. They were further joined by the current National Masters 5K champion Boyd Freeman, first home in the

1600M, and Channel swimmer Adrian Healy first in the 800M amongst many other strong swimmers. The event is run by the Kilkenny Masters Swimming Team with strong support from all of the active swimming community in Kilkenny. Water safety was provided by Kilkenny Water Safety & the Kilkenny Sub Aqua providing further support should any

swimmer require it. Team Chairperson Aaron Keogh thanked all of the swimming community and volunteers who help run the event safely, particularly with the additional Covid precautions this year. “The team are grateful to all volunteers and participants who combined to make it such a special event and one that showcases Kilkenny in the light it should be seen in”.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

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Kilkenny Masters swimNews team

ual Event

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

News

Memoriams/Miracle Planning notices prayers

Planning notices

EVERY FRIDAY

The Kilkenny

Observer The Kilkenny Observer are delighted to announce that we are now an approved newspaper to publish planning applications covering the entire county of Kilkenny. – Approved by Kilkenny County Council – Contact us: Call to our office at Unit 7 Friary Street Telephone:- 056 7771463/086 2395370 Email:- sales@kilkennyobserver.ie

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

The Miracle Prayer

Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours. This time I ask you this special one (mention favour). Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen. Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted. Never been known to fail. Must promise publication of prayer. C.M

The Miracle Prayer

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 24 September 2021