Kilkenny Observer 26 June 2026

10,000

Ní dhéanfaidh sin cúis*

1.4k primary school children in Kilkenny have no access to gaelscoil

Nearly 1,400 primary school children in Kilkenny are unable to access a gaelscoil, according to data from the Department of Education and Youth’s Primary School Survey.

The survey indicates that 13% of parents nationally would like their child’s school to operate through Irish. In Kilkenny, 13.7% of parents

voted for this option, which translates to an estimated 1,376 children who currently have no access to a gaelscoil.

At present, just one of the county’s 68 mainstream primary schools is a gaelscoil, serving only 4.2% of pupils.

An Foras Pátrúnachta is the largest patron of gaelscoileanna which have a Catholic or multi-denomi-

As young as the dinosaurs

From giant dinosaur slides and spinning rides to inclusive play equipment and improved accessibility, Jurassic Newpark is preparing for its biggest summer season yet, with a major programme of investment and enhancements rolling out from July. Located within the grounds of the Newpark Hotel, recently crowned Ireland’s Best Family Friendly Hotel for the third consecutive year, Jurassic Newpark has become one of Ireland’s most popular family adventure destinations. This summer, visitors can look forward to a host of new attractions and experiences for outdoor play, active adventure and family fun.

national ethos. Speaking on the publication of the school survey results, General Secretary Caoimhín Ó hÉaghra said: “An Foras Pátrúnachta is the largest patron of gaelscoileanna which have either a denominational or multidenominational ethos.

“Although the results show considerable unmet demand, we believe that actual

demand is significantly higher. National research published this year by government body Foras na Gaeilge (The Irish Language Attitudes Survey 2025) put demand at 45%. The disparity is a result of the much-disputed and restrictive phrasing in the Department’s survey question. Regardless of the disparity, it is clear that we need more

gaelscoileanna in order to cater for the children who do not have that option across Kilkenny.”

An Foras Pátrúnachta believes that the department needs to put in place a blueprint for the provision of Irish-medium education at primary and secondary level.

He said parents who wished to have their children edu-

We’re first with new broadband

National Broadband Ireland (NBI) and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport have announced the completion of the NBP’s main infrastructure build works in Co. Kilkenny, marking the first in a series of county completion milestones to be reached this year.

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan marked the milestone at an event in Kilkenny

last week that highlighted the role of high-speed connectivity in supporting the arts, media and creative sectors.

With Kilkenny recognised nationally and internationally for its contribution to culture, animation and filmmaking, the event explored how fibre broadband is supporting creative enterprise, digital production and collaboration in rural and isolated communities.

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan TD said:

“The focus is now firmly on completing the national rollout and ensuring that location is no longer a barrier to highspeed, reliable fibre broadband. Today’s milestone is proof of the progress that has been made and the momentum now carrying us through the final phase of delivery.”

More than 19,000 prem-

ises in Co. Kilkenny are included in the State’s Intervention Area, where NBI is delivering minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second to homes, businesses, farms and schools. As the biggest investment in rural Ireland since rural electrification, the National Broadband Plan has delivered €72 million of Government investment in Co. Kilkenny.

To date, over 8,500 premises

have already connected to the NBI network in the county.

Mr Lar Power, Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council, said: “The completion of the National Broadband Plan rollout in Kilkenny is a hugely positive milestone for the county and reflects the strong collaboration between National Broadband Ireland, the Government, local authorities and communities right across the region.”

cated in a gaelscoil were encouraged to petition the Government to make access to a gaelscoil a reality for them.

IMEASC (Irish Medium Education At School), a parents’ group, believes that the lack of legislation is the root cause that has resulted in the lack of provision of Irish-medium education.

* Not good enough

Over-the-counter contraception

Retail pharmacists will be able to give patients repeat prescriptions for contraception under proposals brought to the Cabinet by Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. The new laws will allow patients, after an initial visit to the GP, to access repeat contraceptive prescriptions in their local pharmacy without a further GP visit. The rules will not be restricted to those on the Free Contraception Scheme, which covers patients between 17 and 35.

Inflation is set to rise further

Even if some of the Central Bank’s latest doom and gloom predictions do not come to pass, Irish households are going to feel pressure on their bills when winter dawns, according to Daragh Cassidy of consumer website Bonkers.ie.

The Central Bank has revised its inflation forecast upwards, warning of the possibility of inflation reaching almost 5% next year.

Special Report Page 14

Prepare for unity, says Funchion

Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland South, Kathleen Funchion, has called on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to prepare EU leaders for Irish unity.

MEP Funchion was responding to comments made by Taoiseach Martin in relation to EU enlargement.

Jurassic: Take a walk on the wild side...

From giant dinosaur slides and spinning rides to inclusive play equipment and improved accessibility, Jurassic Newpark is preparing for its biggest summer season yet, with a major programme of investment and enhancements rolling out from July.

L ocated within the grounds of the Newpark Hotel, recently crowned Ireland’s Best Family Friendly Hotel for the third consecutive year, Jurassic Newpark has become one of Ireland’s most popular family adventure destinations. This summer, visitors can look forward to a host of new attractions and experiences for outdoor play, active adventure and family fun.

L eading the new additions is The Lost World Cyclone, a brand-new spinning ride that sends riders on a twisting and turning prehistoricthemed adventure. New life-size dinosaur arrivals will also be joining the park throughout the summer, adding even more giant creatures to the attraction’s ever-expanding dinosaur collection.

Jurassic Castle, one of the park’s most popular play areas, is also getting a host of exciting new additions. Young adventurers will be able to test their skills on a new Agility Trail Adventure

Course, climb a towering five-metre rope tower and swing with friends on a giant five-way swing. A new wheelchair-accessible carousel will also ensure that even more children can join

in the fun and play together. Among the most jawdropping additions is the Jurassic Dino Drop, a giant hillside slide built into the landscape, where children can climb up and then race

back down through the jaws of a gigantic dinosaur head, which is expected to be installed in mid to late August. Elsewhere, a new Ranger Challenge Activity Pergola and enclosed Soccer

Pergola Arena will provide even more opportunities for active outdoor play.

The investment, totalling €1 million, extends beyond the attractions alone. Families visiting this summer will

als o discover an expanded sand play area, a new aviary experience and improvements to the popular go-kart track, creating even more opportunities for children to play and interact with nature and the outdoors.

Accessibility and inclusivity have been central to the latest phase of investment. Alongside the installation of a wheelchair-accessible carousel, extensive resurfacing works have been carried out throughout the attraction, with approximately half of the park now fully tarmacked. These improvements will make it easier for families w ith wheelchairs, buggies and mobility needs to move comfortably around the park and enjoy more of the attractions together.

Jurassic Newpark is open to both day visitors and hotel residents, with complimentary access a perk for guests staying at Newpark Hotel. Families can also purchase day tickets and enjoy unlimited access to the attraction’s wide range of activities and experiences throughout their visit. Summer Family Getaway packages start from €390 a family.

*For more information, visit newparkhotelkilkenny.com

Hair-raising story of Wexford teenage girl (14)

A teenager in Co Wexford who had a habit of eating her own hair had to have two giant hairballs surgically removed from her stomach and small intestine after they caused a blockage in her digestive tract.

Doctors at Wexford General Hospital initially believed the 14-year-old girl was suffering from acute pancreatitis when

she attended the emergency department with abdominal pain and vomiting. When her condition deteriorated, however, they conducted a CT scan and discovered large, compacted masses of hair trapped in her stomach and duodenum, the first part of the small intestine.

She was diagnosed with

House costs see split as rural homes get pricier than cities

While house prices are now stagnant in urban locations, they are continuing to rise in rural areas, effectively creating a two-tier housing market.

This is largely because there is a greater supply of homes in cities, while supply continues to be constrained in rural areas, according to the latest Daft.ie sales report.

The average listed price nationally rose by 3.8% in the year to June, according to the report – down from 6.8% seen a year earlier.

Nationally, the average price of a three-bed semi-detached home in the second quarter of the year was €445,000.

However, listed prices have risen so much in the past few years that they are now an average of 44% above preCovid levels and just 8pc below their Celtic Tiger peak.

Daft.ie said transaction prices rose by just 3.2% in the year to June, the slowest rate of increase since 2023. This is based on an analysis of transactions in the Property Price Register matched to the Daft.ie database.

Transaction prices rose by 0.6% between March and June.

The typical gap between the initial listed price and the ultimate transaction price narrowed to 5.5% nationally, down from 6.8% a year earlier, as competition between buyers eased.

Ronan Lyons, author of the report and Professor of Economics at Trinity College Dublin, said early indications suggested that trans-

Rapunzel syndrome – an extremely rare condition in which a hairball in the stomach extends into the intestine. Details of the unusual case were published in the latest issue of the Irish Medical Journal.

The teenager eventually revealed a history of trichotillomania – a mental health condition involving an irre-

sistible urge to pull out hair – and trichophagia, the compulsive eating of hair.

She had emergency surgery to manually remove one large hairball from her stomach and another from a section of the small intestine.

The patient spent eight days in hospital with intravenous feeding, fluids and antibiotics. A psychology review was

declined before she was discharged and went home.

The authors of the case report noted that 90% of bezoars, or ingested hairballs, are found in adolescent girls and can remain asymptomatic for years before increasing in size and causing an obstruction.

They recommended that clinicians should consider

medical imaging at an early stage in cases where children present with abdominal pain that doesn’t respond to initial treatment.

Rapunzel syndrome is extremely rare, with fewer than 100 cases reported worldwide since the condition was first classified in 1968. It typically affects females aged between 13 and 19.

action prices were slightly lower than this time last year. This was the first annual decline in three years.

Across the four other major cities, list prices are now essentially flat, at -0.2% in the past year. By contrast, inflation remains strong outside the cities, at 4.8% in Leinster, 6.3% in Munster and 8.8% in Connacht-Ulster, Prof Lyons said. These differences were closely linked to trends in supply.

On June 1, there were just over 13,100 second-hand homes for sale nationwide, up 6% on a year ago but still only half the pre-pandemic norm of over 26,000.

The improvement is concentrated in urban markets.

Availability in Dublin is now close to its pre-Covid average, while supply remains tightest in Munster outside the cities and in Connacht-Ulster.

“The defining theme of the second quarter is a broadbased slowdown in price inflation, but it is far from uniform,” Prof Lyons said.

“We are seeing a genuinely two-speed market: cooling in and around the cities, where supply is at last recovering and competition between buyers is easing, but still running hot across much of rural Ireland, where availability remains acutely tight.”

He said that in Dublin, in particular, transaction prices had begun to edge down –the first annual fall in two years.

The second-hand market – by far the largest potential source of supply – was now effectively stuck, he said.

Last Saturday in June, it must be Inistioge

The George Brown Memorial Event, now in its 19th year, starts at noon this Saturday, June 27 in St Mary’s Church of Ireland, Inistioge. George Brown, who was born in Inistioge in 1906, was raised in Manchester where he became prominent as a social activist and a committed member of the British Communist Party, enlisted in the International Brigades in Spain in February 1937. He made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the Spanish Republic at the Battle of Brunete in July of that year.

Since June 2008 his selfless willingness to defend Democracy in the face of the rise of Fascism has been commemorated in the place of his birth.

The event begins with a brief wreath-laying ceremony at the George Brown Memorial Plaque in the graveyard adjoining St Mary’s. The speakers at the main event are Spanish Civil War historian, Harry Owens and Senator Patricia Stephenson. Harry holds a unique record in having spoken at all 19 annual gatherings. This year he

will deal with politics and society in Spain from the death of Franco.

Kilkenny-based Senator Patricia Stephenson, a member of the Social Democrats, will focus on the spread of authoritarianism and the rejection of international law in today’s world.

Following this, the gathering will assemble at the Olive Grove in the Walled Garden dedicated to the four Kilkenny men, George Brown, (pictured here being heckled), his brother, Michael, and two men from

Castlecomer, Seán Dowling and Michael Brennan, all of whom were members of the International Brigade. Craig Ó Mathúna will add to the atmosphere with a recital on Spanish guitar, while committee member, Amanda Richards, will deliver La Pasionaria’s farewell address to the members of the International Brigades on their departure from Spain. The Woodstock Gardens aspect of the commemoration will conclude with the customary planting of a specimen tree.

TB cases starting to decline throughout Ireland

TB levels are starting to decline in Ireland, with reactor numbers falling by nearly 20% compared to the same period last year, new figures from the Department of Agriculture show.

Up to mid-June 2026, there were 34,727 reactors recorded nationwide, down by almost 8,400 from 43,175 during the corresponding period in 2025.

Slaughterhouse cases, where cattle from unrestricted herds were found to have TB lesions during post-mortem inspec-

tions at meat processing plants, have declined by 10pc.

A total of 2,988 such cases were recorded, compared with 3,302 during the same period last year.

Meanwhile, herd incidence up to mid-June was 5.29pc, down from 6.42pc on a 12month rolling basis.

Minister for Agriculture

Martin Heydon previously said that there has been a “significant increase” in TB levels nationally, with over 41,600 reactors in 2024, which

was a 44pc increase when compared to 29,000 in 2023 and an increase of 24pc in 2023 from over 23,000 reactors in 2022.

Total expenditure under the TB programme fell slightly to €25.9m in the first quarter of 2026 compared to €26.4m in the same period of 2025.

The largest cost component, on-farm market valuation, rose by nearly 20pc to €16.7m, up from €14.2m last year, due to “strong” market values.

In contrast, several other

cost areas saw reductions, including veterinary fees, which dropped by 33pc to €3.08m, while wildlife-related expenditure fell by 30pc to €1.6m.

The Department began a large-scale rollout of badger vaccination in late 2019, with increasing areas designated as vaccination zones as part of Ireland’s TB eradication programme. The strategy aims to gradually reduce badger culling in tandem with expanding vaccination.

The Fact Of The Matter

Paul

Hopkins

Sibeko... and his field of dreams

Watching the climactic moments of the World Cup over the past weeks brings to mind a conversation I once had.

“You see one of your good friends do something good and you take your ball home and learn to do it yourself. Next day, you’re back and say to them: ‘Look. I can do that, too’,” I am told.

His name is Sibeko. He’s 10. I meet him on a piece of unkempt grassland, his football pitch, in the township of Athlone, a half-hour drive from the affluent suburbs of Cape Town. He is showing off to his team-mates, balancing his bare feet on the well-worn football. He is good. He shows promise. Potential.

Whether it’s Athlone, Guguletu or Khayelitsha, the townships of South Africa’s Mother City, or any township in Johannesburg or Durban, wherever there is a piece of wasteland, barren and

unkempt – and there is much of it – you will find a makeshift football pitch, rickety goalposts and all.

White South Africans may have their rugby and their cricket, but football is the all-consuming passion for Black South Africans, from the mouths of those hoping the event, back in early 2010 and with the country all set to host the World Cup, would bring in revenue, boost tourism and put the newly independent country firmly on the world stage.

But amid South Africa’s and FIFA’s efforts to ensure such an outcome, there were growing fears back then that access to the games – in nine different locations – would be well outside the remit of the ordinary South African, young boys like Sibeko for whom all this was one big dream come true.

For access to tickets was –up to the time Sibeko and I

crossed paths – only via credit card and online booking and obviously aimed at attracting hordes of overseas fans following their qualifying country to sunny South Africa. Sadly, the reality was that

online access and credit cards were not the everyday tools of Sibeko and millions of South Africans.

However, with less than a month before the World Cup came the news that the host

cities were desperately trying to come up with models to generate money to cover the ‘Ramakuela’. But what was also unnerving was that figures released that week back in 2010 showed that the number of tourists flying into South Africa for the World Cup was far removed from projected figures.

Now, though, as Sibeko kicked a ball, most of the fans filling the seats at the 64 matches at the 2010 World Cup would be, or would have to be, South Africans.

It was also reported that South Africans had snapped up tickets in a last-minute surge, with 300,000 sold in the last few weeks. But that was only because the authorities stopped online and credit card bookings being the only means to get to a game.

Hopefully, I pondered that day, it was not too little, too late for young Sibeko and his

friends, whom I watched that evening on a broken stretch of dry veld as they kicked around a busted football, aiming to be top of the world. Full of fun and joy to kick a papier-mâché-made football around, despite their abject poverty.

And, like Sibeko, they all wanted to grow up to play football for their country some day. Some, indeed, aware of the greater earning potential, had set their sights on European clubs.

Playing host to the 2010 World Cup back then made them proud as peacocks. And I wonder now if any of them that day in the township of Athlone are now among the ranks of the 2026 World Cup. Did their field of dreams come true? Did Sibeko make it to the top of his world? I pray and hope that that raggedy, friendly little boy, with the most gorgeous smile and footballing talent, did...

Plea for better home care

Local Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow/Kilkenny Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere has raised the need for practical support for older people and disabilities when it comes to home care support hours.

By way of QPL, Deputy Cleere raised this issue directly with An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, saying that constituents across Carlow and Kilkenny have contact-

More tax on cigs

‘will see

smokers go to illegal trade’, Budget warning

Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) has warned the G overnment that further increases in tobacco excise in Budget 2027 would accelerate the growth of Ireland’s illicit tobacco market, fur ther undermine legitimate retailers and contribute to significant ongoing losses to the taxpayer.

Launching its Pre-Budget submission, RAS said Ireland’s tobacco tax policy was increasingly driving consumers towards cheaper illicit and non-Irish duty paid products which are now widely available across the country.

The retailer group said the continued growth in illicit tobacco sales was having a major impact on local convenience stores, newsagents and forecourts, many of which rely heavily on tobacco sales to remain commercially viable amid rising labour, energy and compliance costs.

RAS pointed to the latest Health in Ireland data from the Department of Health, which showed smoking prevalence increased from 2023 to 2024 despite repeated excise increases in recent years. The organisation said this demonstrates that further tax increases would no longer push people towards quitting but instead displace consumers towards untaxed and illegal products.

The publication last month of Revenue’s Products Survey found that 38% of cigarettes in circulation had no Irish excise duty paid, either because they were illegal or purchased outside Ireland. In the roll-your-own tobacco market, the figure rises to 45%.

RAS estimates Ireland’s

ed his office citing ongoing challenges with home care support.

“Families across Kilkenny and Carlow are telling my office that they have been approved for home support hours but cannot be delivered because there are simply not enough carers available.

“Older people and people with disabilities are without the supports they need to live

safely and independently in their own homes. In many cases, family members are forced to step in often after a personal and financial cost."

Deputy Cleere went on to say that the situation was causing “great distress” and putting “huge pressure” on families.

“This situation is unsustainable and is causing great distress and putting huge

pressures on families, on hospitals and on residential care."

In his reply, An Taoiseach said there had previously been issues in recruitment but that the minister was making progress in relation to that.

Concluding, Deputy Cleere said that having people stay in their homes for as long as possible was the right ap-

proach but that meant little if the adequate services were not available.

“People staying in their homes as long as they can is the correct approach but that means very little if the adequate service aren’t available for them.

“We must ensure that home support hours are not just approved on paper but in practice,” he said.

untaxed tobacco market is now worth between €790 million and €845 million annually.

National spokesperson Benny Gilsenan said: “The Government is allowing hundreds of millions of euro to disappear into the black market every year because tobacco taxes here have gone completely over the top.

“You now have people buying packs of 20 cigarettes for a fraction of the price through illegal sellers, social media and products being brought in from Spain and the Canaries. Meanwhile, the local shop owner like myself trying to do things properly is being hammered,” he said.

“The w orrying thing is smoking rates have actually gone up despite all thes e tax increases. So the policy clearly isn’t working.

Criminal gangs are making money, the taxpayer is losing out and legitimate retailers are the ones taking the hit.”

In its Pre-Budget submission 2027, RAS has called on the G overnment to:

• Freeze excise tax on all tobacco and vaping products in Budget 2027

• Provide additional X-ray scanners and frontier staff at Irish ports to increase freight screening rates and target organised smuggling networks

Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) represents over 3,000 small and medium sized retailers across the country. RAS aims to generate widespread awareness among the public, media and decision makers of the impact of smuggled alcohol, tobacco products and solid fuel on legitimate local retailers in Ireland.

Kilkenny man Luke Donnelly has been promoted to Plumbing Supervisor following his graduation from the Chadwicks Heating & Plumbing Academy.

Luke joined Chadwicks in October 2024 as a sales advisor, having previously worked as a professional golfer before retiring. Since joining the business, he has quickly built his product knowledge, customer service experience and specialist expertise in heating and plumbing, leading to his recent promotion to Plumbing Supervisor. Based at Chadwicks

in Kernanstown, Luke was one of 18 colleagues from across the business to graduate from the Chadwicks Heating & Plumbing Academy, the first programme of its kind for the group. The academy was developed to support colleagues who are new to plumbing counter roles, as well as those looking to build confidence and expertise in heating and plumbing.

Originally from Ballyhale near Kilkenny city, Luke remains closely connected to his local community and plays hurling with Ballyhale

Shamrocks.

Speaking about his journey with Chadwicks, Luke Donnelly said: “I joined Chadwicks in October 2024 as a Sales Advisor having come from a completely different background as a professional golfer. The Heating & Plumbing Academy gave me the opportunity to build my knowledge and confidence in a new area and I’m delighted to have progressed into the role of Plumbing Supervisor at Chadwicks Carlow.”

Eimear O’Reilly, HR Director at Chadwicks

Group, said: “At Chadwicks Group, we are committed to supporting colleagues to develop new skills, broaden their experience and build meaningful long-term careers within the organisation.

“We are incredibly proud of Luke and all of this year’s academy graduates and we look forward to seeing them continue to grow, progress and deliver for customers across Ireland.”

• Pictured above are Luke with Chadwicks Group CEO Patrick Atkinson at the graduation ceremony

Funeral hears murder victim a ‘force of nature’

Waterford widow whose death sparked a murder investigation was praised as a force of nature with a remarkable zest for life who always saw the good in others.

The tribute came at the funeral of Noreen Daly (81) in her native Cork.

Ms Daly was found at her home at Ardsallagh on the Cork–Waterford border on Monday June 15 and Gardaí immediately treated her death as suspicious.

The retired art and design lecturer lived alone following the death of her husband Michael in 2023 after a long illness. Ms Daly was the constant companion of her late husband, who was described as “the love of her life”.

Noreen Daly, née Murphy, was from Ballygarvan and was raised in Grenagh in Co Cork. Her requiem mass took place at St Lachteen’s Church in Grenagh.

Mourners heard she was one of the first Aer Lingus

cabin crew members.

Her niece, Therese Walsh, said Ms Daly had a natural gift for making people feel seen and heard.

She had lived an incredible life and married the love of her life, Michael, in 1969 in Paris.

Two years later, she enrolled in the College of Art and Design in Kildare Street in Dublin. Her “great passion” for art led to her ultimately becoming the highly respected principal

of the College of Art and Design in Dún Laoghaire.

“Noreen’s heart was a garden of such beautiful flowers and those flowers never died even in the hardest times. She was a force of nature with a zest for life. While our hearts are heavy with grief they are also filled with gratitude and countless memories she has gifted us,” she said.

A 33-year-old man has since been charged with her murder.

Carlow

The countdown to Kilkenny's Music Festival has begun...

One of the South East's most popular summer events is set to return on Sunday, July 12th, as the Kilkenny Country Music Festival brings a starstudded line-up of country music favourites to Gowran Park Racecourse.

Running from 1pm to 7pm, the festival promises an afternoon of live music, dancing

and family entertainment in the beautiful surroundings of Gowran Park.

This year's line-up features some of the biggest names in Irish country music, including Derek Ryan, Robert Mizzell, Gerry Guthrie, Stacey Breen, Louise Morrissey, Alistair Fingleton and Kelan Browne.

Whether you're a lifelong

country music fan or simply looking for a great friends or family day out, there will be something for everyone. A large dance floor will provide plenty of room for dancers to jive, waltz and quickstep their way through an afternoon of top-class entertainment, while families can enjoy a range of activities for younger

visitors.

Located just ten minutes from Kilkenny City and the M7 motorway, Gowran Park is ideally positioned to welcome visitors from across Kilkenny and the wider South East. Festival-goers can avail of ample on-site parking, on-site bars and food facilities, while a paid shuttle bus service from

Kilkenny Castle will operate on the day, with departures at 12 noon and 1pm.

Over the years, the Kilkenny Country Music Festival has become much more than a music event. It has grown into a celebration of community, bringing together friends, families and country music enthusiasts from across the region for a day of music, dancing and good cheer.

With tickets priced at just €30, and children under 12 admitted free when accompanied by an adult, the festival continues to offer exceptional value and remains one of the most accessible family events of the summer.

For those looking to make the day even more of an event, organisers have introduced an adults-only Premium Level experience. Priced at €80, the Premium ticket offers a less hectic atmosphere, elevated views of the stage and VIP treatment. Premium ticket holders enjoy delicious grazing platters, access to a private bar and one of the best vantage points in the venue from which to enjoy a full afternoon of music and dancing.

With a superb line-up, excellent facilities and a céad míle fáilte, all the signs point to another memorable day at Gowran Park.

The Kilkenny Country Music Festival takes place on Sunday, July 12th, from 1pm to 7pm.

For tickets and further information, visit kilkennycountrymusicfestival.ie.

As I See It

Marianne Heron

Isn’t it time to stop MANaging women?

Why MANage women and make them wait at a crisis point in their lives? The question arises after Sinn Féin’s Bill to remove the mandatory three-day wait before their second abortion consultation. Thankfully, the Bill was passed by 86 votes to 70. But here’s the thing: a majority of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael members, mostly men, including Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan, given a free vote in a matter of conscience, voted no. Their reason – possibly with one eye on conservative voters – was “not to start unpicking the carefully calibrated terms of the 2018 Referendum”, as O’Callaghan put it. It would be wonderful if all pregnancies were wanted, and some may well be happy accidents. But for many women, the positive reading on a pregnancy testing kit can be a cause of consternation and dread. Unplanned

pregnancies may happen for many reasons – contraceptive failure, over-reliance on natural methods, or the sex may not have been consensual, for instance where there is coercive control or rape.

Behind a woman’s reactions may lie all kinds of problems, from relationship difficulties, financial constraints and being single, to being at a critical point in studies or career, or in a small number of cases, fatal foetal abnormality or a threat to health.

Around 50% of pregnancies are unplanned, according to the United Nations Population Fund, and in Europe and the US about 60% of those pregnancies will end in termination. In Ireland that figure appears to be lower; there were 54,125 births and 10,711 abortions last year. Women have had the right to choose and to have abortions up to 12 weeks’ pregnancy in Ireland since 2019, following the Ref-

erendum.

What was a controversial issue is now treated as an aspect of reproductive healthcare, and that mandatory wait, which applies to no other medical procedure, will end. But do these ‘nay-sayers’ believe that women can’t be trusted to know their own minds? Do they never talk to their wives, partners or daughters about reproductive matters or understand what it is like to face an unplanned pregnancy? And what about male responsibility? There is only one immaculate conception.

The vote against removing the wait runs contrary to the evidence of the Irish Family Planning Association’s (IFPA) data for abortion (2021-24), confirming “the reality that the vast majority (98%) of clients who attend for a first consultation go on to have an abortion. Nothing in our data indicates that the three-day

wait influences women’s decisions about pregnancy.”

The figures also run contrary to the findings of the 2023 review of Ireland’s abortion law and the WHO’s recommendation against enforced delays.

Aren’t those ‘no’ votes a diluted version of the shameful history of paternalistic

“Wonderful if all pregnancies were wanted...

control over women’s reproduction by Church and State? Consider how women were punished for pregnancy outside marriage. Look at the Mother & Baby Homes, forced adoption, or the lack of contraception until the Magee case in 1973. Or the Tuam scandal, with 800 unregistered baby deaths and a mass grave in a septic tank; the X Case, where a suicidal, raped 14-year-old was prevented from travelling to the UK for an abortion; and the tragic case of Savita Halappanavar, denied an abortion to save her life from sepsis, which helped to shock Ireland into holding the 2018 referendum to Repeal the Eighth Amendment.

When it comes to abortion before 12 weeks, time can be of the essence. The number of weeks in the first trimester is calculated from the end of the last period, not from conception, which is difficult

to date exactly. If a woman has irregular periods, she may not realise she is pregnant until she is already considered to be eight weeks’ pregnant. Medical abortions are available only up to nine weeks – between nine and 12 weeks, a surgical termination is required.

“We know from our service that the mandatory waiting period has material consequences: it causes stress, distress and delay, and can push women over the 12-week gestation limit for care — a consequence that causes disproportionate harm to people already facing systemic barriers and inequalities,” points out a statement from the IFPA. It’s a relief that the mandatory wait has gone, but we need more politicians to be forward-thinking and clearthinking – this wasn’t a vote about abortion but about paternalistic attitudes and stopping MANaging women.

Tips for holidays in the sun

A sunny holiday is something many of us look forward to and being prepared is key.

Let’s start with calming the nervous traveller I love the flower remedies for this and Healing Herbs Aspen is the perfect essence to aid relaxation. You simply add a couple of drops to water and sip.

One of the most important holiday essentials is a good sunscreen. Natural mineral-based sunscreens such as Biosolis Sun Milk and Biosolis Kids Sun Milk provide broad-spectrum protection using mineral filters that sit on the skin's surface and reflect UV rays. Many people choose natural sunscreens because they are gentler on sensitive skin and don’t use harmful chemicals.

If you are prone to heat rashes or urticaria (hives), you could consider Lifeplan Nettle. Nettle has traditionally been used to support the body's natural histamine response and may help some people who experience mild seasonal skin reactions. Over the years I have suggested taking it a few days before you travel and continue throughout.

Insects can quickly spoil a relaxing holiday. Incognito a proven Insect Repellent Spray is a popular natural option that helps protect against mosquitoes and other biting insects without relying on DEET. It's suitable from 6 months old.

Holiday tummy bugs are another common travel problem. Taking a probiotic that contains Saccharomyces boulardii before and during your trip may help support digestive health and reduce the risk of traveller's diarrhoea. This beneficial yeast is well researched

for maintaining gut balance, particularly when travelling.

Hydration is essential when spending time in hot climates. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and eat water-rich foods such as melon, cucumber and oranges. Hydration isn't just about what you drink, your skin also needs moisture. Weleda Skin Food Light is a lovely light cream that can help soothe and replenish skin after sun exposure, reducing dryness and discomfort.

If you experience mild sunburn, try mixing a drop or two of Tisserand Lavender Essential Oil into pure Aloe Vera Gel and apply gently to the affected area. Aloe vera cools and hydrates the skin, while lavender is traditionally valued for its soothing properties.

Flying can sometimes leave ears feeling blocked or uncomfortable. Swallowing, yawning, chewing gum and staying well hydrated can help equalise pressure during take-off and landing.

Wishing you a happy, safe, and memorable holiday.

CLAIR WHITTY

Even if some of the Central Bank’s latest doom-andgloom predictions don’t come to pass, Irish households are going to feel pressure on their bills when w inter dawns.

That’s according to Daragh Cassidy of consumer website Bonkers.ie.

Mr Cassidy was speaking after the Central Bank revised its inflation forecast upwards for this year and next and warned of the possibility of inflation reaching almos t 5% next year.

Mr Cassidy said it was already a “given” that prices would increase this year on many goods and services.

“Prices are going to go up this year and probably next,” he said. “The figure that the Central Bank has given of just over 5pc is a worst-case scenario, so it may not be as bad as that, but we don’t know because so much depends on how things pan out in Iran and whether or not we see a resolution to that conflict.

“At the moment, inflation is already back above 3pc and that is coming on the back of a very high period of inflation over the past few years, when prices overall in the economy have already increased by up to 25pc. So this increase in prices that will happen this year is coming on top of that previous increase.

“There will be some sectors, such as the grocery sector, where we could see prices go up by much more because food, for example, is very energy-intensive.

“I think that the main things we need to look out for to worry about over the next two months is going to be energy costs for gas, electricity, petrol, diesel and food.”

The financial commentator said energy is going to b e the big talking point of the winter.

“We’ve seen some pricing increases of up to €300 a year come through and the price of oil is very high,” he said. “I think some households are going to feel the pressure again this winter, just because those energy bills are so high.”

Flogas is the latest utility provider to announce an increase in its electricity and gas prices from next month.

The energy company said that residential electricity bills for customers on its s tandard variable price plans would increase by 10.9pc, an increase of €4.11 a week. Residential gas bills for customers on standard variable price plans would increase by 11.8pc, or €3.47 a week. The price increases come into effect from 20 July.

Yuno Energy, Electric Ireland, PrepayPower, Energia and SSE Airtricity have also all increased their prices.

Mr Cassidy’s prediction comes despite tentative

Inflation: it hasn’t gone away, you know

We’re

going to feel pressure on our winter bills

signs of a ceasefire in the Middle East in recent days. “Every day you wake up, there is different news,”

he said. “We’re not out of the woods yet and it’s very tough to feel confident as to what the future holds.”

Economist Dan O’Brien, however, has advised households not to panic when they see Central Bank

It’s dearest little Ireland, according to new EU data

Ireland has emerged as the most expensive country in the European Union for housing, health costs, alcohol and electricity.

New figures from the EU statistical agency show that, over a range of typical goods and services, Ireland is the second most expensive country of the 27 states that make up the EU. Overall, prices here are 36% above the EU average and Ireland is behind only Denmark when it comes to the high-cost league of shame.

The new findings from Eurostat came at a time when prices continue to soar, especially for food, energy and rent.

Central Bank of Ireland Governor Gabriel Makhlouf warned this week that the inflation shock triggered by the Iran war is likely to get worse in the coming months.

Mr Makhlouf suggested this month’s European Central Bank rate rise would not be enough to end the increase in prices now squeezing the incomes of households and businesses.

The Eurostat figures show that Ireland has by far the highest housing and health prices among the EU’s 27 countries.

Alcohol and tobacco prices are also the highest and are more than twice the average EU price.

“In 2025, housing costs, the largest item of household expenditure at EU level, varied from 190% of the EU average in Ireland to 41% in Bulgaria,” Eurostat said.

Food and non-alcoholic drink prices in Ireland are the third highest in the EU, at 16% above average.

forecasts about worst-case scenarios of 5pc inflation.

“I see exactly what [the bank’s] logic is,” he said. “They’re all saying inflation is going to be between 3pc and 4pc this year, which is their best guess, but they’re also covering themselves in case something goes wrong and oil prices go back up again or go even higher.

“The Central Bank simply doesn’t want to be in a position where, if things do g et much worse politically, geopolitically, they are accused of getting it completely wrong.”

Mr O ’Brien predicted a more positive outcome for households next year: “I think inflation will come down next year. It will come back down to close to 2pc. And that could happen even sooner if things go back to normal in the Gulf and oil starts coming out of the Strait of Hormuz. Then global prices will come back down to where they were, and this is all going

to be just a blip that’ll be forgotten about, just as the 2010 and 2011 [inflation rises] are now long forgotten.”

O n Wednesday, the Central Bank said higher energy costs are eroding household incomes and dampening consumer confidence, while also feeding through to broader cost-ofliving pressures and eating into pay increases.

When inflation is taken into account, wages will only rise by 0.5pc this year. The bank’s baseline forecast for inflation is that it w ill average 3.5pc this year and 2.9pc next year. Elsewhere, homeowners should also brace for as many as three mortgage hikes before the end of the year, with the first announced by the European C entral Bank earlier this month.

Three increases on a €200,000 mortgage could lead to as much as €1,000 extra a year in repayments.

Kilkenny tourist attractions to stay open later as part of Six After 6 - Summer Cultural Series campaign

Kilkenny City comes alive in the evening’s midweek again this summer, as six attractions throw their doors open late for the Six after 6 - Summer Cultural Series in the city. Featuring 36 free and ticketed events from June to early September, the Six after 6 - Summer Cultural Series will bring many of the city’s great attractions alive in the

evening for locals and visitors alike across the summer. Enjoy memorable events from craft workshops at Medieval Mile Museum, fusion music sessions at The Smithwick’s Experience and garden tours with tea at Butler House & Garden, to Ceoltóirí concerts at Saint Canice’s Cathedral, themed workshops and artist talks at

Butler Gallery, and intimate traditional music sessions at Rothe House and Garden.

As Mayor of Kilkenny City at this time, Cllr John Coonan, commented “Kilkenny County Council is again pleased to support the Six After 6 - Summer Cultural Series for the late opening of many of our top tourist attractions in Kilkenny City. This

collaboration underpins our commitment to showcasing our city after 6pm for locals and visitors alike, with a range of varied and inclusive events to suit many tastes.”

Night Time Economy Advisor for Kilkenny City, Feargus Dunne, remarked “I’m delighted to see the launch of a new Six After 6 - Summer Cultural Series in

Kilkenny City this summer, with many of our amazing heritage and tourism attractions opening their doors later midweek to host a range of exciting events. The collaborative efforts of the six tourist attractions to stay open later help to further strengthen our night time economy work in the city.”

The full calendar of events is

available on www.visitkilkenny.ie and The Kilkenny App. Bookings, if required, can be made directly through the website or booking link of the participating tourist attraction. The Six after 6 - Summer Cultural Series is supported by Kilkenny County Council, Fáilte Ireland – Ireland’s Ancient East and the Kilkenny Night Time Economy Pilot.

Left to right: Martina Comerford (Tourism Officer, Kilkenny County Council), Miriam McGrath (Kilkenny County Council), Valerie O’ Sullivan (Rothe House), Bryan Hogan (Butler Gallery), Debbie Mangan (Medieval Mile Museum), Feargus Dunne (Night Time Advisor-Kilkenny City), Grace Rinehart Macrae (Medieval Mile Museum), Cllr John Coonan (Mayor of Kilkenny City), Tess Kavanagh (Butler House), Lorraine Kerwick (Butler House), Ignacio Peregrina (Smithwick’s Experience), Anne Marie Hallinan (St Canice's Cathedral)

Opinion

When the working years are behind you... Your Money & You

As Kilkenny people, we’re fortunate to live in a county where community still matters. Whether it’s through GAA clubs, parish groups, farming organisations, local markets or simply keeping an eye on neighbours, most of us understand the value of staying connected. That sense of connection becomes even more important as we start thinking about retirement.

A new study by Standard Life, Bringing Retirement into Focus 2025, looked at more than 5,000 adults across Ireland. It found that being ready for retirement isn’t just about money. Financial security matters, of course, but so do social connections and having a sense of purpose for the years ahead.

One figure that stood out was that only 33% of adults know how much money they’ll actually need to live comfortably in retirement. Among people still working, financial readiness has dropped from 37% in 2021 to 30% now. Rising living

John Ellis

costs, mortgages, helping children through education and supporting adult children for longer have left a lot of families feeling the squeeze. It’s hardly surprising. For many in their 40s and 50s, retirement can feel like something to worry about another day when everyday life is already demanding enough. Yet there’s an encouraging side to the research too. People who get regular finan-

cial advice are almost twice as likely to feel positive and confident about their retirement. They tend to have a clearer idea of what they need and what steps to take. The findings on social wellbeing were interesting as well. Only 44% of working adults feel socially ready for retirement, compared with 65% of those already retired. Many working people said they didn’t feel fully prepared

from a social point of view, while retirees reported much higher levels of satisfaction. Retirement often creates space for friendships, hobbies, volunteering and community involvement that can be hard to fit in during busy working years.

In a county like Kilkenny, this is one of our real strengths. Plenty of people who retire here stay deeply involved in local life. (Read

past issues of The Kilkenny Observer for examples.)

They help out with clubs and organisations, spend time with grandchildren, do some volunteering or simply enjoy having more time for the things they care about. Those connections can make a big difference to how retirement feels.

The research also highlighted the importance of mindset. Retirement isn’t really an ending anymore; it’s the start of a new phase of life. The people who seem to handle it best are those who’ve given some thought to what they want that phase to look like. Work gives us structure, identity and routine, so replacing those things takes a bit of planning.

One comment from a participant summed it up well: people don’t simply want to get by in retirement; they want to live. Another spoke about the importance of being able to pick up the phone to a friend or meet someone for a

walk or a coffee. Simple things, maybe, but often the ones that matter most.

Retirement readiness doesn’t build gradually over a lifetime. For a lot of people, it stays on the long finger until later years, when there’s often less time to make real changes. That’s why it’s worth having conversations about retirement earlier than many of us do. Not because it’s coming tomorrow, but because having a clearer picture of the future can make today’s decisions easier and less stressful.

Financial security will always be important. But the real lesson from this research is that a good retirement is about more than the size of your pension pot. It’s about knowing where you’re heading, staying connected to people and community, and having something to look forward to when the working years are behind you.

john@ellisfinancial.ie 086 8362633

Singing in the Rain…

BY JOHN FITZGERALD

Folk singers Niamh Bury and Zoe Basha have performed at venues nationwide, telling evocative stories through music and song and never failing to pull at the heartstrings, with soulful renditions of trad, jazz, and their own compositions.

But Fennelly’s of Callan offered them a new experience. The courtyard had been set up for the gig and it was a bright summer evening. But curator Etaoin Holahan had allowed for the fickleness of our climate.

Seated under a protective canopy we applauded the two women, Zoe, who’s of French and American background, and Dubliner Niamh, as they arrived on stage.

But Zoe had no sooner started to belt out a tune on her guitar when the heavens opened.

Rain lased the ground just inches away from where she stood… at times threatening to muffle her voice and instrumentation, but never succeeding. She outdid the pelting precipitation with her songs of passionate, happy, and sadly

unrequited love: Far from diminishing her act, the relentless pounding on the canopy and the long watery strings dangling and swaying to either side of her possibly enhanced the performance. It complemented the alluring harmony of voice and guitar.

The rain had eased a little when Niamh took the stage. The sun was shining again on the lush pink flora and an array of little birds that chirped and whistled behind her.

It was an apt backdrop as she sang of ancient rebels and lost causes, women bemoaning absent husbands locked away for shooting the King’s deer, and philandering men who let women down badly with their betrayals and disloyal carry-on.

Her own songs elicited as much applause as the traditional ones that she rendered so hauntingly. The two singers showed mettle, as well as musical flair, as the rain returned, in between bursts of balmy sunlight and birdsong, to challenge their well-

proven skills. The dark, raucous interruptions acted as a reminder that the show coincided with a helping of traditional Irish weather.

But it did nothing to dampen the joyous folksy atmosphere in the courtyard. Niamh got a special cheer when she sang a song she wrote after eating an apple a few years ago in Fennelly’s. It was the most delicious she’d ever tasted. She put pen to paper to compose an enchanting song of discovery.

The show ended even as the rain itself seemed to have given up its bid to thwart it. Nobody got too wet despite the best efforts of the downpour.

The fans love the gig. They were captivated throughout, sipping wine as angelic voices lulled or stirred them in the rustic auditorium.

The songs and music held their attention from beginning to end, and even a little dog could hardly take her eyes off the performance in the alternately sun-lit and rain-spattered courtyard.

Enjoying the show at Fennellys

Zoe Basha in Fennellys Courtyard

Part two of our look back at the Mayfair ballroom

Week two of our look back at The Mayfair ballroom, and we begin with a look at some of the programme presented to attendance at the venue.

A Gaelic League Ceilidhe, music by the Army Ceilidhe Band, Adm 3/6. The Arcadian Band provided the music for the Xmas Dance, novelties, carnival effects, with dancing from 9 p.m. to 2 p.m. Buffet and milk bar Adm 5/-Popular short dance at 9.p.m. Adm 2/6. Music by Tom Tyrrell’s Band. December 31st dancing 8.45 p.m to 11.45 p.m. Music by the Arcadians spot prizes and carnival effects. Adm 2/6. A footnote to the advertisement was “Patrons are requested to wear shoes.”Not to be outdone, a grand dance was

Part two

Six shillings and danci

The Mayfair ballroom, St Stephens night , 1994

Right: Just before he was killed in an air crash, Jim Reeves played to 1700 people, said to be the biggest crowd ever at the Mayfair.

Below: Dusty Springfield

Miss Mayfair was a popular event at the Mayfair ballroom

In part 2, of The Kilkenny Mayfair ballroom, The Kilkenny walkers club look behind the scenes at the one time famous ballroom that saw not only famous bands from Ireland perform there but also well known American singers

shillings admission ng until 2am

Hectic programme

The Mayfair continued with a hectic programme of dancing: January 15th Dicksboro Social Club hosted a dance, adm 3/- The following evening Kilkenny Lawn Tennis organised a dance, adm

2/6. January 17th Kilkenny County Dance took place, Adm 12/6 catering by the Central Hotel. The Arcadians played at these three functions. The following week

Kilkenny Rugby Football Club hosted a dance for

January 24th Adm., 2/6, music by Tom Tyrrell’s band. As was the custom, dancing was suspended for the Lenten season. During this period the Mayfair ballroom was repainted and alterations carried out. The most

important alteration from the dancers point of view was the resurfacing and polishing of the dance floor. The painting and decoration was in the capable of Michael Quinn of Michael Street. The Mayfair could now be regarded as one of the most up to date ballrooms in the provinces. An attractive programme was arranged for the Easter holidays. Billy Watson’s famous dance band provided the music on the Sunday and Monday nights. Adm 3/-. The Kilkenny Hunt Ball was held on the Wednesday night, music by Phil Murtagh’s band, while the Kilkenny Choral Society held their dance on the Thursday night. It soon proved to be a most popular venue when on Sunday nights up to twelve or thirteen hundred patrons crowded into the Ballroom during the 1960s.

Crowds

The pubs closed their doors at 10.o’clock on Sunday nights and the crowds made their way to the Mayfair. The ladies gathered early and the gents arrived sometime before 11.00p.m. The admis-

sion fee was six shillings and for that, dancing continued until 2.00 a.m. The popularity of dancing at the Mayfair continued through the 50s. and 60s. The all time greats of the showband era played the venue, such as The Royal Showband, Capital Showband, Dixies, Cadets, Tom Dunphy and his band. Mick Delahunty and his Orchestra was the most popular show of the 50s and always played to full houses.Over the years the Mayfair hosted a number of well known American names, Ray Charles, The Everley Brothers, Dusty Springfield, The Treeloes, and Chubby Checker. Just before he was killed in an air crash, Jim Reeves played to 1700 people, said to be the biggest crowd ever at the Mayfair. He had four men with him, down the front holding back the crowd with brush handles.

Abbey Dance

The Black Abbey dance on the Tuesday before the Lenten close down always drew a packed hall. Dancing continued at the Mayfair up to the early 1970s when the doors finally closed. Smithwick’s Brewery acquired the premises, and for a time the dancing area was used for basketball, indoor soccer, badminton and various activities. The building itself provided more office and canteen space for the staff, until the final close down of the Brewery happened in 2013. The Star Theatre on John Street, to the rear of Lewis, was the venue for dancing, films, and concerts. It was a very popular venue in the early 1900s and had its heyday during the second world war period. Lady Ellen Desart at her own expense had the Desart Hall built in 1914 for the citizens of Kilkenny. It contained a ballroom with a stage, kitchen and cloakrooms. From the outset it was a great asset for the citzens. Local bands

such as the Continentals, Arcadians, Ossory and Tom Tyrrell provided the music. It was a popular venue for Soccer clubs, who organised the dances as fund raisers. The introduction of the Carlton Ballroom in the late 1950s drew a younger generation and set the local band The Black Aces on their way to fame. The band started out as a skiffle group, rehearsing in the old band hall of Patrick Street. The home grown bands schedule was gruelling the Black Aces playing five nights a week for many years. The group bought the body of a truck and had it custom built including aeroplane seats. Their popularity grew and in 1962 they toured the Irish Heartlands of America.

New beginnings

Minister Heather Humphreys officially opened The Mayfair Library to the public on the 24th of April 2024. This facility, previously home to the Mayfair Ballroom, has been transformed into a major public facility with more than 1,800square metres of community library space available over two floors. The project was funded by Minister Humphreys Department of Rural and Community Development and Kilkenny County Council representing an investment of just under €7.2m.

Thanks

The Kilkenny Observer newspaper wish to thank all who took the original photos. We don’t have names for all photographers but wish to thank the following for their contribution and help in locating those used. Tom Brett, Josephine Coyne, County librarian, Eddie Dullard, Eddie the Snapper, Mick Walsh. Thanks to Pauline O’Connell who completed an historical research on the Mayfair in 2024 for her assistance with artwork and photos.

Minister Heather Humphreys officially opened The Mayfair Library to the public on the 24th of April 2024. This facility, previously home to the Mayfair Ballroom, has been transformed into a major public facility with more than 1,800square metres of community library space available over two floors.

Photo jbs

One of the greatest Kilkenny bands, The Black Aces. The introduction of the Carlton Ballroom in the late 1950s drew a younger generation and set the local band The Black Aces on their way to fame.

The wonderful ‘Jim Cantwell big band’, always a popular choice at the Mayfair

Opinion

Paddy Phelan: school pal, friend, gentleman Furthermore Gerry Moran

I’m looking at an old black & white photograph; on the back is written: My Leaving Cert Class, CBS, 1967/68. And there he is, Paddy Phelan, in the middle row, looking, as he always looked throughout his adult life, quite dapper in shirt and tie with yours truly to the left in the front row.

And now another old black & white photo – scribbled on the back, CBS Primary, June 1960? And there we are again, Paddy and myself in, what I reckon was 4th class, though it could have been 5th. The last photograph I’m looking at is of the Black Abbey altar boys from around the same time. In our starched soutanes and surplices, all 16 of us, including Paddy and myself, look positively angelic. And we were ,although we weren’t averse to robbing apples from the Abbey’s orchard after serving Benediction.

Paddy Phelan [pictured] passed away on June 17.

Paddy and myself grew up together, played together and went through the entire school system together. Sometimes after school we’d pop into Paddy’s house when his mother, God bless her, an absolute lady, would make us tea accompanied by some Marietta biscuits. And then Paddy and I would take out our drawing copies and, wait for this, patiently copy the

holy pictures on the walls –the Sacred Heart, of course, and our Blessed Lady (to whom Paddy, I learned from the funeral, was devoted to right up to the end). Innocent or what!

Another school memory – the night of the Leaving Cert results, we were feeling relieved, elated and in a celebratory mood. So, what did we get up to? Around about

11pm. we entered the grounds of St Canice’s Catholic Church and rang the church bell (when it was publically positioned there) vigorously, repeatedly and ran off. And not a drop of drink taken. And that’s a fact. Were we wild or what? As I mentioned Paddy and I played together – hurling, of course, but later on soccer with Emfa. Had to be Emfa as Paddy hailed from Emmet Street and I from Fatima Place, the name Emfa being a combination of the first two letters of each address (as written about in last week’s column). Needless to say, Paddy, because of his height and strength was a force to be reckoned with in the back line. But ever before Emfa, we used to kick a football around the green, not a leather football (a rarity) but a solid, plastic one. And it’s worth mentioning that even plastic footballs were not 10-a-penny back

then. Paddy Phelan, however, was the proud owner of one. During those four-a-side, kick-abouts arguments arose as to what was, or wasn’t, a deliberate handball and potential penalty. Usually those disputes were settled amicably. That said, it was not uncommon for Paddy, if he was unhappy with the outcome, to pick up his ball and head on home, leaving us high and dry and proving for sure the old maxim: possession is ninetenths of the law. Ah, but we forgave Paddy, we had to if were to play with his football again! The game that Paddy really took to in later years was golf. I have no doubt but he was an accomplished exponent of the game but his greatest accomplishment was establishing a golf classic, 30 years ago, to raise much needed funds (€400,000 raised to date) for the Carlow/Kilkenny Home Care Team. This came about

after Paddy’s brother, Michael, passed away in 1996 having received unwavering care and compassion from the Home Care Team, care and compassion given to Paddy in his final months and days. Karma, one could say.

Fr PJ Sommers, Paddy’s cousin and Fr Dan Carroll who concelebrated the funeral mass, summed up Paddy in some succinct words, and sentences: his love of family, wife Irene, daughter Niamh, son Conor and his adored four grandchildren; his integrity, ambition, his Christianity, warmth, gentleness and generosity. Paddy was a doer, got things done without fanfare or fuss and no plaudits expected.

Paddy, I wish we had met up more in latter years (apart from funerals) because you were undoubtedly one of the loveliest men I have ever known.

Rest in peace, Paddy Phelan.

Paddy Phelan presenting a cheque to Brian Kelly, Homecare Chairman, along with Tom O’Connor

IFA launch a Refer a Friend competition returns for 2026 Kilkenny Pride Festival

The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) is delighted to announce the launch of its Refer a Friend Competition, giving members a fantastic opportunity to help grow the Association while being in with a chance to win some incredible prizes.

When an existing IFA member successfully refers a friend who joins the Association, both the member and their friend will be entered into a draw to win:

• A brand-new Toyota Hilux

• A €2,000 FBD Insurance voucher

• A one-year subscription to the Irish Farmers Journal, including both print and digital access

In addition, participants will have the opportunity each month to win one of eight annual print and digital subscriptions to the Irish Farmers Journal.

IFA Kilkenny County Chair, Brendan Hickey said:

"This competition is a great opportunity for our members to showcase the strength of our Association and the many benefits of being part of the IFA.

IFA has maintained a membership base of more than 2600 in voluntary members in Kilkenny through its constant representation of farmers across all sectors, the supports it provides, and its compre-

hensive membership benefits package.

We invest significant time and resources in supporting our members and ensuring their voices are heard at every level. This new Refer a Friend initiative is an innovative way of encouraging our existing members to help attract new members to the Association and strengthen our collective voice. I would encourage all members to get involved and start referring today. To refer a friend, simply visit ifa.ie/raf, generate your unique referral link, and share it by email, text message, or WhatsApp with friends, family, and fellow farmers."

IFA National Treasurer, Patrick McCormick, added: "We encourage our mem-

bers to bring their farming friends into the fold. Every new member strengthens our organisation and enhances our ability to advocate effectively for farmers across Ireland. The stronger our membership, the stronger our voice."

The Refer a Friend Competition reflects the IFA's ongoing commitment to strengthening the Association and ensuring that farmers have a powerful and united voice at local, national, and European level. Together, we are stronger.

How to Participate

To find out more about the competition and start referring your friends, visit ifa.ie/ raf or contact your local IFA office.

Terms and conditions apply.

June is Pride Month, a month to celebrate LGBTQIA+ culture around the globe; however, in Kilkenny, the celebration extends throughout July.

The Kilkenny Pride Committee are pleased to announce the second year of the Kilkenny Pride Festival and Pride Parade taking place from the 23rd to 26th of July in venues around the city and county.

Following the success of last year's festival and the city’s first Pride Parade, patrons can expect a vibrant lineup of community events including visual arts, film, queer céilí, music gigs, comedy, education, and family-focused activities over the four-day festival. The full programme is available on kilkennypride.ie.

The focal point of the festivities will be Saturday’s Pride Parade, under the theme "Express Yourself," in conjunc-

tion with Kilkenny County Council. Last year, over 1,000 people turned out to participate and support Kilkenny’s first Pride Parade. This year, once again, the parade will start at Kilkenny Castle, make its way through High Street, and continue on to Bateman’s Quay. A post-parade familyfriendly free event at the Butler Gallery will follow, with music, food, drink, performances, and family activities. All are welcome to attend.

Niamh Morgan from Kilkenny Pride commented, "We are delighted to confirm Kilkenny Pride is back for 2026. We are planning a celebration of diversity, inclusion and community that will bring people together from across Kilkenny and beyond. Pride is an opportunity to celebrate how far we have come, while continuing to champion equality, visibility

and community for LGBTQ+ people and all minorities. We look forward to welcoming everyone to join us from 23rd to the 26th of July 2026 for a programme of events, celebration and solidarity.”

Get involved

Kilkenny Pride is seeking artists, acts, singers, bands, and DJs to play at the family fun day at Butler Gallery, sponsored by Walsh Toyota, on the 25th of July and for the night-time ‘Séid’ events, sponsored by State Street, over the Kilkenny Pride Festival weekend.

Kilkenny Pride 2026 will take place from Thursday, July 23 to Sunday, July 26, 2026. For the latest updates, programme of events, and volunteer opportunities, check the Kilkenny Pride Official Website or follow the Kilkenny Pride Instagram.

Choices Shape Your Future

By Judith Ashton

Holding on and letting go of stuff

Most of us have many unnecessary possessions that we no longer use, and clutter bogs us down. We put off dealing with it and “I’ll get round to it” is a familiar mantra. There are now plenty of creative ways to declutter your home by simply and generously moving stuff along or by making some money in the process. Today we are all living longer and have the capacity to accumulate so much stuff.

The Swedish word “döstädning” roughly means “death cleaning”. It refers to decluttering now so that others are not left with the burden after one’s death. It’s a very sensible idea and a good lesson to learn.

It surprises me when people put things into storage instead of letting them go. Of course, storage can be necessary when moving house, but for many people it simply reflects an unwillingness or inability to

make a clear decision. Ask yourself, “What stops me letting go of stuff?” “Where does the attachment come from?” If it’s sentimental value, remember, the feeling will remain long after the item has gone. So how can we lighten our loads, make more space, revitalise our energy and hopefully make the world a better place?

I’m in several WhatsApp groups where people look for items they need or offer things they no longer want. It’s a brilliant idea and a great example of the saying, “One person’s rubbish is another person’s treasure.” One of these groups has many young families looking for children’s items and household essentials. Others are often glad to give these away for free. Everyone benefits. Naturally, charity shops are also great places and Kilkenny has many. Cast-

off clothes are increasingly valued as a sustainable and environmentally friendly way to shop. Secondhand purchases create a circular economy, are more sustainable, create less waste and are simply the right thing to do.

Not so long ago there was a stigma about wearing charity shop goods. Now it’s almost seen as a badge of good practice. I have a particular friend who, years ago, wouldn’t have been seen dead in second-hand clothes, but now everything she wears comes from one charity shop or another. She searches for good labels and good quality and has found many bargains. Charity shops sometimes sell wedding dresses. Oxfam has a special outlet for these and it’s a wonderful way to pass on something that you will possibly never wear again.

“Vinted” is a multi-millioneuro business selling pre-

loved clothes. Started by two Lithuanian people in 2008, it is now Europe’s leading marketplace for secondhand fashion and pre-loved items. Its mission is to make second-hand the first choice worldwide.

Car boot sales are another way to move things on and

“Let go of clutter and make room for life

make a bit of money. Adverts. ie and DoneDeal are great for furniture and household items.

It can be very daunting to think of decluttering every room in the house. That is not the way to go about it. “Start small”, according to Marie Kondo, the decluttering queen. Tackle one shelf or one drawer at a time and set a limit on how long you will spend at it. The idea is that even ten minutes is better than nothing.

Gradually, you get through one room at a time. The more you get rid of, the more energy and space you’ll have. By being organised and managing less stuff, you create more space and more time for enjoyment. How do you go about it? What do you no longer need?

Books, clothes, possessions, letters, photos ... what else? Have a rule: if you put something in a box to go, then don’t fish it out later! Start by eliminating all the unnecessary things you own. If you haven’t

used it in a long while, you don’t really like it or it brings back bad memories, out it goes! Keep only the beautiful or useful things that you love. We all need help sometimes. Decluttering can be fun with a friend. A helper will be more ruthless, less attached and sometimes that’s exactly what’s needed.

Who could help you? When can you ask them? When can you start?

Once you get started, ask friends or family if there’s anything they want to take first. Gift precious things to special people in your life. Give away clothes or jewellery and it will give you pleasure to see them being used.

The main thing that contributes to happiness is helping others. Maybe the things you no longer need are just what they are looking for. Remember, “What goes round, comes round!” and everyone benefits.

Health & Beauty

When tiredness needs attention

HEALTH

Everyone feels tired from time to time. A bad night’s sleep, a busy week, family worries, work pressure or simply doing too much can all leave us running on empty. Most of the time, a bit of rest and a quieter few days can help us feel more like ourselves again. But sometimes tiredness is more than ordinary tiredness. If you feel exhausted most days, struggle to get through normal tasks or find that sleep

does not seem to refresh you, it may be worth paying attention. Persistent fatigue can have many causes, and not all of them are serious, but they are still worth checking. Medical experts say common reasons can include poor sleep, stress, low mood, anxiety, anaemia, thyroid problems, menopause, low vitamin levels or the aftereffects of illness. Long-term conditions can also leave people feeling drained. Sometimes there is more than one

thing going on at once, which is why it can be hard to work out by yourself. The important thing is not to panic, but not to ignore it either. If your tiredness is unusual for you, has lasted for several weeks, is getting worse or is affecting your work, family life or mood, speak to your GP. A conversation and some simple checks may help identify what is happening. It can also be useful to notice patterns. Are you sleeping

Glow without the gamble

SKINCARE

A golden glow may be part of the summer look, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of skin health. We know about the risks linked to sunbeds and overexposure to UV rays, which is why fake tan has become a safer way to get a holiday glow without spending hours baking in the sun. The good news is that modern self-tanners have come a long way. Forget the old giveaway orange finish and biscuit smell. Today’s gradual tans, mousses, drops and lotions are easier to apply, more natural-looking and often include moisturising ingredients to help skin look smooth as well as bronzed. The trick is in the preparation. Exfoliate gently the day b efore, paying attention to elbows, knees, ankles and wrists, where tan can cling. Moisturise dry areas before

applying and use a mitt to avoid stained palms. For a softer result, a gradual tan can be a good choice, especially for fair skin or anyone ner vous about going too dark.

Aftercare matters too. Once your tan has developed, keep skin well moisturised to help the colour fade evenly rather than turning patchy. Avoid very hot baths, harsh scrubs and heavy exfoliation for the first few days, as these can lift the tan more quickly. When it does begin to fade, gently buff the skin and start again rather than layering fresh tan over old colour. Don’t forget, fake tan doesn’t protect against the sun. Even if your skin looks bronzed, you still need SPF when you’re outdoors, particularly during bright spells, on holid ays or when you’re gardening, walking or sitting outside.

badly? Feeling breathless? Losing weight without trying? Feeling unusually low? Struggling with heavy periods? Waking up exhausted? These details can help a healthcare professional decide what to look at.

Tiredness is often brushed off as just part of modern life, especially by people who are used to pushing through. But your energy levels are part of your health. If your body keeps asking you to slow down, it is worth listening.

Stand and deliver

Getting healthier doesn’t always have to mean joining a gym, buying new trainers or setting aside an hour for exercise. Sometimes, the simplest place to start is by sitting a little less. National guidelines are asking us to move more and break up long periods of sitting, and the good news is that small changes count. Stand up while taking a phone call. Walk around while waiting for the kettle to boil. Stretch during television adverts. Take the stairs when you can, or get off the bus a stop earlier if it suits.

These little movement breaks may not feel like much, but over the course of a day they can help reduce stiffness, lift energy and make activity feel more natural. The aim isn’t to turn every spare minute into a workout. It’s simply to give the body more chances to move.

Sit less, move more and start small.

Know your numbers FITNESS HACK

HEALTH HACK

High blood pressure is often called a silent condition because many people don’t feel unwell and may have no obvious symptoms. Yet, left unchecked, it can increase the risk of serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. That’s why a simple blood pressure check is worth making time for, especially if you’re over 40. The HSE advises everyone in this age group to have their blood pressure checked every year. It’s quick, painless and can usually be done through a GP, pharmacy or community health setting.

Knowing your numbers doesn’t mean something is wrong. It simply gives you and your healthcare provider a clearer picture of your health. If blood pressure is raised, lifestyle changes, monitoring or treatment can help reduce future risk.

It’s one of the easiest checks to put off, but one of the most important to get done.

Vitaly Gariev

Yuliya Gvaladze

Freepik

Callan PP chases courting couples...

BY JOHN FITZGERALD

Last week I recounted how the bells in Callan parish church rang out for all the sad and happy occasions... tolling to remind people of their religious obligations.

But other bells rang out an altogether different, less welcome message. They were the ones that jingled on Canon Carrigan’s pony and trap when he set off on his morality patrols in Callan and district.

The Canon ruled the roost in the 1920s twenties and early thirties. Peter Roughan remembered him coming to Callan.

He reminisced: “this uncommonly zealous man was of farming stock, like many of the Ossary priests, and this made him feel at home in the town. He was affectionately known as Father Pat, and his kindly voice and light-hearted sense of humour tempered his stern look and overtly conservative image.

“He was a great lover of the horse, and a good judge of one too. I was a junior clerk at Pat Grainger’s office when Fr. Carrigan dropped in, asking my boss to sell him a suitable Aylesbury trap. They were all the go in those days.”

Pat Grainger sold him the best trap that money could buy. And the devout priest, who rose quickly through the ranks of the Church to become a Canon, put his mode of transport to what he considered excellent use. It saw service in hundreds of morality patrols. Not content with ser-

monizing about ethical behaviour and Christian values, he felt the calling to enforce, where possible, the teachings of the Church.

In particular, he had a concern for the immortal souls of young couples that he knew were meeting at isolated locations around Callan.

He feared that the effects of drink might cause good Catholic lovers to disobey the Church’s rule on abstaining from the “joys of marriage” until the official knot had been tied at the altar. To ignore that rule was a grave sin, he warned. He was determined to stamp out all after-dance liaisons by direct clerical intervention. This he hoped to achieve by literally patrolling the Callan district, sometimes alone, though mostly accompanied by helpers, and reprimanding any unmarried couples he found acting suspiciously.

As can be imagined, young lovers came to loathe the sound of jingling bells on dark nights or evenings. They knew it could herald the arrival of the Canon and his band of Inquisitors.

Yet the bells were a blessing in that they forewarned couples of impending discovery. The cry: “The bells… It’s the Canon,” continued to echo in the minds

and hearts of Callan folk long after the Man of God had passed to his Eternal Reward.

When they heard the jingling, and the accompanying sound of horses’ hooves, the couples beat a hasty retreat to escape a harsh and relentless tellingoff. If caught by surprise, they would apologise profusely and beg forgiveness, according to the Canon’s occasional “progress reports” to the Bishop.

The Black and Tans, who were stationed for a brief period opposite the Big Chapel, took a serious dislike to the Canon. They frequently sprayed the church belfry with machine gun fire to record their displeasure with his wayward apostolic activities.

But a Lewis gun was no match for a Canon. He saw the bullet holes in the belfry as a “Sign from God” that he was on the right track. The Tans had a lot to answer for!

In his quest to eradicate immorality, he concentrated mainly on isolated or unfrequented spots, but fields, laneways, ditches, certain stretches of riverbank, and roadsides were all deemed potential sinning venues, as were the Fair Green, the Abbey Meadow, the shell of the old Augustinian church, and a number of derelict buildings.

Towards the end of his twenty-year tour of duty in Callan, he predicted that a day would dawn when the “Sanctity of Marriage” would “come under a more severe attack than even the one we have seen thus far in this parish.”

He believed that communists, liberal thinkers, and anarchists would lead the Irish people astray and persuade them to disregard Catholic teaching. He wondered if all his morality patrolling had been in vain.

Canon Carrigan chased courting couples out of the ditches in Callan

The Tans found that a Lewis Gun was no match for the Canon

Callan Parish Church

Homes & Gardens

Woolly good idea

GARDEN NOTES

If you have leftover natural wool, such as old jumper scraps, untreated fleece or wool packaging, it can be used as a moisturesaving layer in pots and hanging baskets. Place a thin layer near the base of the container before adding compost. Wool can hold water and release it slowly, helping compost stay damp for longer during warm spells.

It can also add a little insulation around roots, which is useful for containers exposed to sun and wind. As it breaks down, natural wool may return small amounts of nutrients to the compost too. The key is to use real, untreated wool rather than synthetic fabric, which will not decompose in the same way. Do not pack it in too tightly, as roots still need air and drainage. Think of it as a soft reservoir, not a plug.

Scent and sensibility

HOME HACK

A room can feel cleaner when it smells fresh, but you don’t always need a plug-in or spray. Put a few drops of essential oil on the inside of a cardboard toilet roll tube, then place it on the holder as normal. Each time the roll moves, it gently releases the scent.

It’s a subtle trick for toilets and bathrooms, and it’s easy to refresh when the fragrance fades. Lavender, lemon, eucalyptus or peppermint all work well, depending on the mood you want. Keep the oil on the cardboard rather than the paper itself, especially if anyone in the house has sensitive skin.

You can use the same idea inside a bin liner, on a cotton pad tucked behind a radiator, or in the bottom of a wardrobe. A little goes a long way, so start with just one or two drops.

HOMES

When you’re planning an extension, it is easy to focus on the extra space you’re gaining. But how much natural light the new room gets can make just as much difference to how it feels day to day.

Many extensions, especially flat-roof kitchen or dining extensions, can end up feeling a little darker in the middle of the room. The new space may stretch out from the back of the house, meaning daylight from the garden doors or windows doesn’t always reach

every corner. This is where a roof light can be a really effective addition.

By bringing light in from above, a roof light can help make the whole room feel brighter, fresher and more open. It can lift a kitchen worktop, brighten a dining table or make a family living space feel more comfortable to spend time in. On dull days, that extra daylight can make the room feel less closed in, while on brighter days it helps create a lovely connection with the sky outside. Roof lights can also work

well with modern extension designs. Flat glass options give a neat, simple finish and do not have to dominate the room.

There are now plenty of options for different types of extensions, from fixed flat glass rooflights and opening models to lanterns, domes and sun tubes. For a home extension, a flat glass rooflight is often a good choice if you want a clean, contemporary look.

Some residential designs also come with pre-built upstands or kerbs, which can make specification and installation

more straightforward.

Before choosing a roof light, check whether you want a fixed or opening design. Fixed rooflights are ideal for adding daylight, while opening versions can help with ventilation, especially in busy kitchens or family spaces where cooking, heat and everyday activity can make the room feel warmer.

Check the practical details early on, including size, positioning, ventilation, safety, thermal performance and compliance with building regulations.

Sweet success Let there be roof light

GARDEN

Strawberries are one of the easiest fruits to grow at home, and you don’t need a large garden to enjoy them. A sunny border, raised bed, hanging basket or patio pot can all provide enough space for a small crop, making them a good choice for beginners as well as keen gardeners. The key is to give plants plenty of sunshine and freedraining soil. Strawberries like a sheltered spot where they can soak up the warmth, so choose the brightest part of the garden if you can. If planting in the ground, work in compost first to improve

the soil. In containers, use a good multi-purpose compost and make sure there are drainage holes, as plants will not enjoy sitting in water. Plant strawberries so the crown, where the leaves meet the roots, sits just above the soil surface. Water well after planting and keep the soil moist, especially while flowers and fruits are forming. A liquid fe ed every week or two during the growing season can help encourage a better crop. As the fruits begin to develop, place straw, mats or mulch around the plants to keep the berries clean and away from damp soil. Netting

Once picked, strawberries are best eaten fresh, ideally

a little care, plants should crop year after year, and runners can be pegged down to make new plants for free. For a simple summer pleasure, few things beat home-grown strawberries.

A flat roof solution from Keylite Roof Windows

Henry Ravenscroft

New Mayor sets out his stall

As Kilkenny’s new Mayor settles into his busy role, Andrew McGuinness looks forward to the coming twelve months with energy and ambition. He has already shown that he does not need any honeymoon period or training, he has done this before, four times.

In his first week he hit the ground running, opening An Chead Tines gallery in Dunnes Stores, launching Kilkenny’s Arts Festival, presenting medals for the Nore Swim and an unexpected speech in front of a packed St Canice’s Cathedral. No notes, no briefing, just straight in. And we can’t forget his heartfelt address to his chil dren Jack and Phoebe. But there seems to be a new twist. We haven’t seen a selfie yet from the Mayor that made selfies obligatory. Instead, it looks like he has his own secret camera crew following him around. He has been posting impressive videos of his work and his first week in office, gaining thousands of views and supportive comments. It looks like he is taking us all along for the journey and opening up the office of Mayor to everyone. It’s refreshing and honest.

Speaking to the Kilkenny Observer about the year ahead, Mayor McGuinness said, “I’m just extremely grateful and

excited to be back as Mayor. It’s a job I absolutely love doing for many reasons but mainly because I love been out with people and I love being involved in the different community events. So much happens in Kilkenny and when you’re Mayor you get to see firsthand all of the great work that people do in Kilkenny.”

“It’s my intention this year to celebrate and promote everything that is great about Kilkenny. We have so much to be proud of. We are a city of music, art, culture, history, sport and heritage. We are the festival capital of Ireland and we are surrounded by creative people who add colour and magic to our city every day. I want to highlight, promote and harness all of that,” he said.

“In terms of projects to look forward to, I’m very excited about reopening City Hall or the Town Hall as people call it. The last reopening was after the fire in 1985 and that was done by my late Grandad who was Mayor at the time. To get the same honour he got 40 years later is pretty special to me and I wish he could see it. I’m sure he can.

“It’s also special because I feel like I grew up in that building and I know how important it is to the people of Kilkenny City so I’m excited that we will have such a great building reopened for all to enjoy. It will remain the centre of democracy in the city but it will

also be open for all to see and visit and share that history we have in that building.

“I’m looking forward to the reopening of Kieran Street and hopefully the new performance area at the Market Yard. An exciting project that will enhance the city centre and further improve the platform Kilkenny gives to artists and musicians.

“I do see plenty of issues on the horizon also. I see a particular need to work with our local business community, to ensure the issues they face are resolved, such as parking and movement around the city. We need to protect and enhance High Street, John Street, our core city centre while also embracing the new opportunities presented in the Abbey Quarter.

“The list is endless and the only promise I ever give is that I will do my absolute best. I want an energetic, busy, positive year ahead and I w ill highlight all the great things about Kilkenny while also working hard to make progress and to improve what we have. I want people to feel like they can contact my office anytime and I will make myself available at all times. If there’s an event you would like the Mayor to attend or speak at, an issue I can help with, a person you believe should be acknowledged, whatever it is, please contact my office at 056 77 70672 or me at cllrandrewmcguinness@gmail.com

Mayor Andrew McGuinness, his daughter Phoebe and gallery curator Mary Doyle Burke, officially opening the Cead Tine gallery in Dunnes Stores

How Kilkenny County Council s

Written by Michael Doyle

On Friday 26th June, local authorities across the country are celebrating Your Council Day, a national event to promote and celebrate local government’s role in Irish life. It’s a chance for people to give thanks to their Councils and their respective Councillors for their time, work, and representation on their behalf. Your Council Day is also an invaluable opportunity to promote the people behind the services that support our communities every day and increase public awareness of the broad range of work undertaken by local authorities. Coordinated by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), and supported by Ireland’s 31 local authorities, this year’s theme is “Supporting Communities Every Day”, reflecting the over 1,000 essential services provided by local authorities – from essential everyday services delivered behind the scenes, supporting communities, and shaping places for the future, to nurturing cultural and tourism activity, and enabling local democracy. To celebrate Your Council Day 2026, this article draws attention to the functions of Councillors, their roles and responsibilities, and local developments led by Kilkenny County Council. So, what are Councillors?

Councillors are democratically elected representatives who serve as the policy-making arm of local government. They attend regular, annual, budget, and special meetings to debate and vote on policies that shape the way the local authority carries out its work. Policy decisions are made by majority resolutions passed by Councillors during Council meetings. The Council has sole responsibility for certain decisions, known as ‘reserved

functions’, which are set out in legislation and include things like: Passing an annual budget, approving county development plans, adopting policies on housing and environmental protection, adjusting the rate of Local Property Tax (LPT) and approving the sale of land owned by the local authority.

Councillors’ have a wide-ranging list of roles and responsibilities to carry out, from managing budget and planning to making tough decisions and advocating on behalf

of constituents. A Councillors’ roles and responsibilities include:

Housing – Provide social housing for people who cannot afford their own accommodation, rent houses and apartments to eligible applicants, and maintain the stock of accommodation they own.

Roads – Ensure regional and local roads are improved and maintained. This includes the responsibility of speed limits, street lighting, and gritting roads during very cold weather.

Recreation and amenities –

Operate public libraries, provide funding for youth, arts and sports services and maintain public amenities such as swimming pools, parks and monuments.

Planning – Oversee planning permission for new buildings,

upports communities every day

some extensions to existing buildings, and changing the purpose or use of a building.

In addition to Councillors, each council has a Chief Executive who is employed to manage their local authority and performs the executive functions of the Council.

They supervise, co-ordinate, manage and pay the employees and officers of the Council. They also make contracts on behalf of the Council and affixes the official seal of the Council on documents.

Kilkenny County Council are committed to developing

its local areas, updating local infrastructure and renovating old buildings for modern use. Notable developments in recent years include the completion of Mayfair Library in 2024 and Thomastown Library in 2026, with both providing a modern community

facility, digital services and areas for workshops, community engagement and cultural events. The St Kieran's Street and Market Square Urban Enhancement Scheme aims to renew the Street, Market Square and the northern part of Market Yard into a highquality public realm area, with works currently progressing on the Street. Lastly, Kilkenny County Council received funding of €3.98 million for the sustainable adaptive reuse of Carnegie Library through THRIVE – the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme. This project will transform Carnegie Library into a local studies’ cultural hub and will become “The Stories of Kilkenny – Welcome to Your Past, Present & Future”. Kilkenny County Council are passionate about the environment and safeguarding the area and its people now and for future generations. Along with standard Council roles such as collecting waste, monitoring local emissions and the air and enforcing noise pollution laws, Kilkenny County Council are actively working on their climate action and biodiverse projects. Their Climate Action Plan (2024-2029) sets out the actions that the Council will take over the next 5 years to address climate change. This Plan focuses on how the Council will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy use across its own buildings, fleet and

assets and how the Council will influence, facilitate and support the community, businesses, and other sectors in the county to take climate action. In addition, Kilkenny County Council is among the first counties in Ireland to launch their Biodiversity Action Plan 2025-2030, a strategic, five-year roadmap aimed at protecting, enhancing, and restoring biodiversity across the county. Developed by Kilkenny County Council and The Heritage Council, it sets 41 specific actions designed to embed nature into local governance and everyday operations.

In conclusion, Councillors represent and serve their area and their people to the best of their ability. Whether it is through providing supports, advocating for improvements, or protecting the environment, Councils strive to foster happy, safe, and prosperous environments in its cities, towns, and villages; for the present and the future and for the people of today and tomorrow. We look forward to the completion of ongoing developments and the introduction of exciting new projects and initiatives that benefit the community and its people. Wishing all Councillors and Councils continued success in their commitment and dedication to supporting communities every day.

Kilkenny County Council highlights everyday support for communities as part of Your Council Day 2026

Kilkenny County Council will highlight the essential role it plays in supporting people and communities every day as part of Your Council Day 2026, taking place this Friday, 26 June, under the national theme, Supporting Communities Every Day.

Your Council Day is the national campaign that showcases the integral role city and county councils play in supporting everyday life, from services people rely on daily but may not always see, to community initiatives, local democracy and long term planning that shapes places and futures.

Co ordinated by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) and supported by all 31 local authorities, the 2026 theme, Supporting Communities Every Day, focuses on the practical, behind the scenes and lived impact of council services, including community supports, infrastructure, planning, arts and culture, environmental services and democratic engagement.

Local authorities across the country will be highlighting how these contribute to strong, connected communities.

The public is encouraged to follow the day’s activity on Kilkenny County Council's social media accounts, @kilkennycoco on Facebook and Instagram,

and join the conversation using the hashtags #YourCouncilDay / #DoLáSaChomhairle.

Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council, Lar Power commented: “Your Council Day is about proactively highlighting the essential services and work carried out by local government in Ireland. It celebrates the role of county and city councils and the dedication of their staff. Under the theme Supporting Communities Every Day, we are showcasing and explaining the services people depend on daily, often without realising it, as well as the community initiatives that support life across Kilkenny City and County. Your Council Day offers an opportunity to raise awareness of the work of local authorities and why it matters.”

Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council. Cllr. Mary Hilda Cavanagh added: “Your Council Day provides an important opportunity to recognise the wide range of work carried out by our local authority and the positive impact it has on our communities. It also recognises the commitment and professionalism of our staff, who provide essential services and work closely with communities to support local needs. Often behind the scenes, their work is vital to quality of life across Kilkenny City and County.”

Kilkenny County Council helps festivals thrive year after year

Kilkenny has earned a reputation as one of Ireland’s leading festival destinations, and much of that success is supported by the ongoing commitment of Kilkenny County Council. Through annual funding schemes, marketing support, tourism initiatives and practical assistance, the Council helps ensure that festivals of all sizes continue to flourish across the city and county.

Each year, Kilkenny County Council allocates significant funding to support festivals and events that enhance tourism, celebrate local culture and bring communities together. In 2026 alone, the Council approved funding for 26 festivals and events through its Festival and Event Grant Scheme, recognising the important role these events play in the local economy and visitor

experience.

The festival calendar begins in spring with Kilkenny Tradfest and the St. Patrick’s Festival celebrations. These events showcase Ireland’s rich musical heritage and attract visitors from across the country and beyond. Traditional music sessions, concerts, cultural events and the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade help create a vibrant atmosphere throughout the

county.

As summer arrives, Kilkenny’s festival season moves into full swing. Smithwick’s Kilkenny Roots Festival, held over the May Bank Holiday weekend, has become one of Europe’s most respected roots music festivals. It attracts acclaimed performers and music lovers from around the world, bringing a unique blend of folk, Americana, bluegrass and roots music to venues throughout the city.

Another major highlight is the Kilkenny Cat Laughs Comedy Festival. Since its foundation in 1994, the festival has grown into one of Ireland’s most celebrated comedy events, welcoming leading Irish and international comedians while generating significant economic benefits for local businesses. The festival regularly attracts tens of thousands of visitors to Kilkenny each year.

August brings the internationally acclaimed Kilkenny Arts Festival. Founded in 1974, the festival transforms the city into a cultural

hub for ten days, featuring music, theatre, literature, visual arts and performance in some of Kilkenny’s most historic venues. The event has become one of Ireland’s most prestigious arts festivals and continues to attract artists and audiences from across the globe. The autumn festival programme is equally impressive. Savour Kilkenny celebrates the county’s rich food culture, showcasing local producers, chefs and artisan food businesses, while Kilkenomics combines economics, current affairs and comedy in a unique format that has gained international recognition. These festivals do far more than entertain. They support local employment, boost tourism, showcase Kilkenny’s creativity and strengthen community pride. Through its continued investment and support, Kilkenny County Council plays a vital role in ensuring that festivals remain at the heart of life in Kilkenny, helping to make the county a vibrant destination throughout the year.

Local Councillors at the forefront of defending local democracy, says Ó hArgáin

Your Council Day, which takes place this Friday, June 26th is a time to celebrate the role of our local councils and the role of the elected councillors, according to local Labour Party councillor and former Mayor of Kilkenny City, Cllr. Seán Ó hArgáin.

This Friday is a chance to celebrate all the fantastic work that our local council does and to thank all of the 750 workers who work in every area from housing to parks and street maintenance to protecting the environment. It is also important however to note the hard work done by the 24 elected councillors from the city and all parts of the county who work daily on behalf of local citizens and communities.

Cllr. Ó hArgáin was speaking after attending the first Summit of the Cities event in Belfast City Hall this week, where the keynote speaker was former Mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio:

‘Bill de Blasio delivered a superb defence of the role of local Mayors and Councillors in being ‘the ultimate line of defence of democracy’ in a time when peoples’ confidence in national governments is breaking down. He reminded us that being a public servant in local government is like a vocation, whether as elected members or staff and that we are protectors of democracy and restorers of hope.

In the two years since I was honoured to be elected to Kilkenny County Council I have done all I can to defend those democratic values. I believe in open debate on local and national issues and I have argued strongly for that openness to include live streaming

Former Mayors Meet. Cllr. Seán Ó hArgáin, former

of our meetings, signage reflecting the work we are doing and excellent consultation on everything we do.

I have also fought for excellence in the way we present our city, ridding us of cheap plastic signage and vape shops and calling for new facilities like a public dog park and bike pump track in the city. I have also continued to fight for a city that prioritises public transport and walking and cycling facilities for all.’

Cllr Ó hArgáin said he would continue to be a clear voice for a better city and county and urged local citizens to demand their right to be heard.

Savour Kilkenny

Tradfest

Mayor of Kilkenny, meets

Bill de Blasio, former Mayor of New York City at the Summit of the Cities in Belfast City Hall this week

Kilkenny County Council protecting local biodiversity

Woodpeckers and the importance of biodiversity

The sight and sound of a woodpecker tapping away at a tree trunk is one of nature’s most distinctive experiences. In recent years, reports of woodpeckers being seen in County Kilkenny have generated considerable interest among birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. While still relatively uncommon,

these sightings highlight the importance of protecting and enhancing biodiversity across the county. Woodpeckers are fascinating birds and are often regarded as indicators of a healthy environment. They rely on mature trees, woodland habitats and a plentiful supply of insects

to survive. Their presence suggests that an area is capable of supporting a wide variety of wildlife. The appearance of woodpeckers in Kilkenny demonstrates how wildlife can benefit when suitable habitats are available and protected. Woodpeckers play an important role in woodland

ecosystems. By feeding on insects hidden beneath tree bark, they help control pest populations naturally. They also create nesting holes in trees, which are later used by other birds, bats and small mammals. In this way, woodpeckers contribute significantly to the overall health and diversity of woodland habitats.

The appearance of woodpeckers in Kilkenny serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and enhancing natural habitats. Healthy woodlands, native tree planting, hedgerows and wildlife corridors all provide essential resources for birds and other species. Protecting these habitats requires longterm planning and commitment, which is where the work of Kilkenny County Council’s Biodiversity Department plays a vital role.

Through its Biodiversity Action Plan, Kilkenny County Council is working to protect, restore and enhance habitats throughout the county. The Council supports a range of initiatives designed to encourage biodiversity, including native tree planting, pollinatorfriendly projects, habitat restoration and community

engagement programmes. These efforts help create a landscape where wildlife can thrive and where species such as woodpeckers have the opportunity to establish themselves.

The Biodiversity Department also works with local communities, schools, landowners and environmental groups to raise awareness of the importance of nature conservation. By encouraging people to value and protect local habitats, the Council is helping to build a stronger connection between communities and the natural environment.

Woodpeckers depend on healthy ecosystems, making them a powerful symbol of biodiversity. Their presence shows the value of protecting trees, preserving habitats and ensuring that nature has the space it needs to flourish. Every woodland, hedgerow and green corridor plays a part in supporting wildlife.

The growing number of woodpecker sightings in Kilkenny is an encouraging sign. It demonstrates that when habitats are protected and biodiversity is prioritised, wildlife responds positively. Thanks to the continued efforts of Kilkenny County Council’s Biodiversity Department and the support of local communities, the future for biodiversity in Kilkenny looks increasingly bright.

Woodpeckers spotted in a local garden in Kilkenny

Refurbished St. Kieran’s Community Hall officially opened in Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny

Minister Dara Calleary officially opened the newly refurbished St. Kieran’s Community Hall in Johnstown on Monday, marking a significant investment in community infrastructure and local development.

The refurbishment project, with a total investment of €410,877, was delivered through funding from the Community Centres Investment Fund, Kilkenny County Council, and the continued support and commitment of the local community. Works included essential upgrades to the building’s roof and external walls, supported by €94,020 under the 2024 Community Centres Investment Fund.

Speaking at the official opening, Minister Calleary said: “Today marks an important milestone here in Johnstown as the refurbished St. Kieran’s Community Hall is opened following enhancement works. These works, totalling over €94,000, have improved the fabric of the building, ensuring its continued role in community life in the area. Since 2022, over €280,000 has been provided to this facility under the Community Centre Investment Fund. I am delighted to see that the numbers in the community using this facility have increased by over 50%, demonstrating that this was money well spent.”

Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr. Mary Hilda Cavanagh, described the project as a testament to the strength and spirit of the Johnstown community. “It is a great honour and pleasure to officially open this wonderful facility,” she said.

“This project truly reflects

the pride, commitment, and shared vision of the people of Johnstown. It stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved through partnership, cooperation, and community determination.”

Cllr. Cavanagh paid particular tribute to the John-

stown Town Team, elected in 2021, whose leadership and dedication were instrumental in bringing the project to fruition. She also highlighted the importance of the Health Check Survey, which received over 580 responses and clearly identified the refurbishment of the hall as

a key community priority. “People wanted more than just a building – they wanted a focal point where the community could once again come together. Today, we see that vision realised,” she said.

Chair of the Johnstown Town Team, Fiona O’ Suileabhain said “We are

proud to say as a small rural community we now have our community building restored and functional and it is very busy - it is the meeting hub for all the Community activities for all ages in the community for now and for years to come."

The refurbished hall will serve as a central hub for community life, hosting cultural, social, and recreational activities for all age groups. The project has also carefully preserved the building’s historic character, including the restoration of the iconic balcony dating back to the 1920s. A strong emphasis has been placed on accessibility and inclusion, ensuring the facility is welcoming to all members of the community. New volunteer groups and committee members, including young families, are already playing an active role in shaping its future use.

Cllr. Cavanagh concluded by congratulating everyone involved. “This hall is once again a vibrant space where people can gather, learn, and celebrate together. It will play a vital role in the life of Johnstown for many years to come.”

The official opening marks not only the completion of a major refurbishment project, but also the beginning of a new chapter for St. Kieran’s Community Hall as a thriving centre of community life.

Minister Dara Calleary officially opening the newly refurbished St. Kieran’s Community Hall in Johnstown

Freshford Town AFC

Community celebrates opening of new Freshford Town AFC facility

There was a fantastic atmosphere in Freshford on Bank holiday weekend as Freshford Town AFC officially op ened its new all-weather training facility following more than three years of planning and development.

The event attracted a large attendance from across the local community, with club members, players, parents, supporters and invited guests gathering to celebrate a significant milestone in the club’s ongoing growth.

Former Republic of Ireland international Glenn Whelan and Kilkenny TD Peter “Chap” Cleere were on hand to officially open the facility.

The day offered something for all ages, with football activities, a penalty shootout competition, bouncy castles and family entertainment

creating a vibrant community atmosphere. Irish freestyle football champion Conor Reynolds gave live demonstrations of his skills while Glenn Whelan gave training workshops to all age groups , while Republic of Ireland mascot Macul proved hugely popular with younger supporters.

Speaking on the day, Freshford Town AFC

Chairman Brian Meagher described the opening as a proud moment for the club.

“This facility is the result of years of hard work and dedication from many people. It represents a major investment in the future of fo otball in Freshford and will provide opportunities for players of all ages for many years to come,” he said.

He paid tribute to the many volunteers, sponsors, funding partners and community supporters who helped make the project a reality. Special acknowl -

edgement was given to Cllr Michael Mccarty,Kilkenny county council , Kevin Staunton Lenztech Engineering, PST Sport and Marnell Groundworks for

their contribution to the successful completion of the development. The opening of the new facility marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for

as

continues to

en its role in

and w ider kilkenny community and provide first-class facilities for future generations.

Freshford Town AFC

the club

strength -

thelocal

Coaches and committee at Freshford, where former Republic of Ireland international Glenn Whelan and Kilkenny TD Peter “Chap” Cleere were on hand to officially open the facility. Left-Right : Peter chap Cleere, John Meagher, Glenn Whelan, Frankie Brennan, Eoin Morrissey, Mark Bowden, Mary McGree, Ritchie Grant, Finley Cullinane, Bottom :left to right: Graham o Flaherty, Derek O Neill, Liam Hickey, James Kavanagh, Keith Grant, Brian Meagher, Tommy Kennedy, William Looby, James O’ Rourke, Keith Hughes

Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere, T.D, John Meagher, Glenn Whelan and Brian Meagher, were just some of the large attendance from across the local community who attended the official opening of the new all weather facility at Freshford

Jack Cleere, Macul (Irish team mascot ) and Eoin O Donnell enjoying the day at Freshford

Freshford Town AFC officially opened its new all-weather training facility following more than three years of planning and development and picture shows the cutting of the ribbon with committee members

Academy players with with former Irish international player Glenn Whelan

Food & Drink

Hibernian - Best City Bar in Leinster

DRINK

The Hibernian Bar is celebrating after being named Best City Bar in the Leinster region at the Irish Bar and Cocktail Awards earlier this week.

The Kilkenny bar had already marked an impressive achievement ahead of the awards, having been shortlisted across several categories, including Best City Bar, Best Cocktail Bar, Best Hotel Bar, Best Traditional Bar, Best Whiskey Bar, Outstanding Customer Service – The Dream Team, and Best Bar Manager for Liam Donnelly.

In a post shared when the shortlist was announced, the Hibernian team said the recognition was “a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our entire team, and the loyalty of our wonderful customers”.

The hotel is part of the iNUA Hotel Collection, which paid tribute to the team following the win, saying: “Awards like this are never just about the room, or the pour - it is about the people who bring it to life, and who we could not be more proud of!”

A fresh taste of Kilkenny

FOOD

Kilkenny Food Tours is inviting visitors and locals to discover the city through its food, stories and independent businesses.

We caught up with the team after six months in business to find out what guests are responding to and why we locals might still find something new on our own doorstep.

What has most surprised you about bringing a food tour to Kilkenny?

The thing that has most surprised us is how incredible the reception has been from the town itself. We have been continuously blown away by the positivity and enthusiasm of the people in Kilkenny. The connections and friendships

that have been established in such a short time have filled us with joy.

After six months, what have people been reacting to most on tours?

Our tour offers guests an opportunity to meet and chat with local business owners who are so passionate about what they do. The connections people get to make with the incredible advocates of the Kilkenny food scene create a really special experience that guests have been responding so positively towards.

What do locals discover that they may have walked past for years?

So many things! A lot of people tend to find a place

Cook safer BBQs this summer

that they like and stick to itwe are creatures of habit after all. Not only do people get to experience new places on tour, but they will often return to them later on. We’ve met people who have added our stops to their rotation, and that makes us so happy.

What gives the Kilkenny tour its own personality?

Our group sizes tend to be quite small and intimate, which means our guides get to develop a lovely, personal connection with guests. Often this leads to tours running on longer, as they end up chatting for ages! Guests also often get the opportunity to meet local business owners during the tour.

How do you choose the

FOOD

As barbecue season gets underway, Safefood is urging us all to dust down the meat thermometer to make sure burgers, sausages, chicken and kebabs are cooked safely.

The reminder comes after a new Safefood survey found

that just 16 percent of respondents use a meat thermometer when cooking burgers, 10 percent use one for sausages and 26 percent for chicken breasts. While many people are concerned about food poisoning, Safefood says a lack of confidence can lead to meat being overcooked “just to be sure”.

The survey found that almost nine out of 10 people admit to cooking meat or poultry for longer than necessary, which can result in dry or tough food.

Joanne Uí Chrualaoich, CEO of Safefood, said a meat thermometer can help people cook with more confidence.

“Our survey confirms that there’s a real desire among

businesses and producers that feature on the route?

Showcasing local, independent and culturally significant vendors is the backbone of what we do with Kilkenny Food Tours. Thankfully, there is absolutely no shortage of incredible venues in Kilkenny. Our vendors never fail to deliver on hospitality, quality of product and Kilkenny charm. What would you say to a local who thinks they already know Kilkenny’s food scene?

Think again! There is always something new to be discovered, and there is nothing like being a tourist in your own town. Experience the magic of Kilkenny with our wonderful guides and leave with a full stomach and a happy heart.

people to cook safely, but maybe a lack of confidence which can often lead to overcooked meals, especially when using a barbecue,” she said.

“This summer, we want to help everyone to cook confidently, and a meat thermometer is your best friend. By ensuring the temperature of the meat reaches that crucial 75°C, barbecue favourites like chicken, burgers and sausages will be both safe and tasty.” To use a meat thermometer, take the meat off the heat, insert the thermometer into the thickest part and check it has reached at least 75°C.

If you do not have a thermometer, Safefood advises cutting into the meat to check it is piping hot, with no pink meat and that the juices run clear.

More barbecue safety advice is available at safefood.net.

What’s On

A new girl of steel

CINEMA

The new Supergirl movie is set to give DC fans a fresh look at one of its best-known heroes. Milly Alcock, who many viewers will recognise from House of the Dragon, takes on the role of Kara Zor-El, Superman’s cousin. But this does not look like a simple copy of a Superman story. Instead, the film seems to be focusing on Kara as her own character, with her own past, personality and problems. The story is expected to show a tougher side of Supergirl. Unlike Superman, who gr ew up on Earth with a loving family, Kara experienced the destruction of Kr ypton first-hand. That means she carries a lot more pain and anger, and the film is likely to explore how that has shaped her. This could make her feel more human and relatable, even though she has extraordinary powers. The film is based on the comic Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, which sends Kara on a journey through space with a young girl called Ruthye, who is looking for justice after her family is killed. Along the way, Kara faces danger, difficult choices and enemies who test what

COMEDY

Tom O’Mahony returns to Kilkenny Comedy Club this June with his hit show O’My Honey, and it is easy to see why he is one of the club’s most-requested acts. Known as the “Bansha RoastMaster”, Tom brings a sharp, lively and very Irish style of comedy that has made him a regular favourite on the stand-up circuit.

In O’My Honey, Tom takes a look at the strange world we are all trying to make sense of at the moment. After a year spent building a house, losing more hair than expected and collecting more aches than he feels he deserves, he is left wondering what the next move should

kind of hero she wants to be. There should still be plenty for superhero fans to enjoy, including action, space adventure and the appearance of Krypto the Superdog. Jason Momoa is also expected to appear as Lobo, a wild and violent b ounty hunter who could bring a very different energy to the film. W hat makes Supergirl interesting is that it ma y not present Kara as a perfect hero. She could be angry, stubborn and unsure of herself at times, which might make her more believable. If the film g ets the balance right, it could offer something a bit different from the us ual superhero blockbuster.

be. A trip to Turkey? A new career on OnlyFans? Or just trying to survive modern life with a sense of humour intact?

Audiences may know Tom from The 2 Johnnies Podcast, Damo & Ivor, Bridget & Eamon, R epublic of Telly and more. He has also supported big names including Tommy Tiernan, Deirdre O’Kane, Neil Delamere and The 2 Johnnies, while performing at major festivals and comedy clubs in Ireland and abroad.

The late Rik Mayall once called him “psychotically funny”, while Deirdre O’Kane described him as “wild comedy gold”. Those quotes give a fair ide a of what to expect: big energy, bold stories and plenty of laughs.

Your picks for this week

TOP SHOWS, BOOKS, MUSIC, GAMES AND MORE - OUR QUICK GUIDE TO WHAT’S WORTH YOUR TIME THIS WEEK

What to Watch: Minions and Monsters brings together silly chaos, colourful creatures and plenty of family-friendly fun. When the Minions stumble into a world packed with strange monsters, their usual mischief quickly turns into a wild adventure. Expect slapstick laughs, surprises and a few heartwarming moments as the unlikely heroes try to save the day. Bright, fast-paced and fun this looks like an easy crowd-pleaser for younger cinema fans this summer. IMC Kilkenny.

What to Read: Michael Connelly returns to Catalina Island in Ironwood, a tense crime thriller featuring Detective Sergeant Stilwell. Far from the mainland, Stilwell’s supposed quiet posting is disturbed by drugs, danger and a cold case buried beneath the island’s surface. As threats close in, Connelly mixes sharp police work with atmosphere and suspense, proving paradise can hide plenty of darkness. Fans of Nightshade should find this a gripping, satisfying followup as well.

What to Stream: House of the Dragon returns to Sky for its third season with the Targaryen civil war finally burning at full force. As rival claims to the Iron Throne tear families apart, dragons become weapons, alliances shift and old loyalties are tested. Expect political scheming, brutal battles and plenty of tension as Rhaenyra and Aegon’s supporters fight for power in a darker, bigger chapter of the saga for fans this summer.

What to Listen to: ABBA’s timeless pop magic will glow in a stunning new light as ABBA by Candlelight comes to St Canice’s Cathedral on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Beneath the cathedral’s soaring arches, classics including Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia and Waterloo will be reimagined in a beautifully intimate candlelit setting. Expect sparkling harmonies, nostalgic melodies and an unforgettable evening celebrating one of pop’s most beloved groups. Tickets are available from boxoffice.com

What to Play: Star Fox blasts players into the Lylat system as Fox McCloud leads Falco, Peppy, and Slippy against Andross’s forces. Its polygonal 3D visuals, fast rail-shooter action, branching routes, and memorable radio chatter made it a Super Nintendo landmark. Today, the original can be played on Super Nintendo Entertainment System hardware, Super NES Classic Edition, Nintendo Switch via Nintendo Switch Online, and supported Nintendo Switch 2 systems for retro sci-fi thrills.

Community & GAA Notes

Kilkenny GAA clubs and Community news

CLARA

CLUB LOTTO

The results for 16th June produced the following numbers drawn 6, 8, 16. But it did not produce a winner. So, Alice Manning, Charlie Kennedy, Sinead Murphy, Eve Brennan and Declan Gleeson each get €30 in the Luck Dip. If you’re in it, it’s easier to win it.

RETIREMENT MASS

There was a huge turnout in Clara school last Friday as the community gathered in their hundreds to celebrate the contribution of retiring principal Richard Mulrooney to the school and parish. Richie spent 29 years in his role, and he now has kids in his care whose parents he taught when he first arrived in Clara. The mass was celebrated by Fr. Paddy Carey, and many stories were recounted of Richie’s impact over the years. Among the speakers were former All Ireland winning captain Lester Ryan who was on one of the many school teams that benefited from Richie’s mentorship during his time in Clara. There were several presentations made and everybody was fulsome in their praise of the outgoing principal. In a strange twist it emerged that Mary Murphy, who will succeed Richie as principal, was once taught by Richie in St Canice’s Primary School. We all join the attendance in wishing Richie a happy and healthy retirement and thank him for running such a great ship at Clara N.S. over the last three decades.

DAY

FIELD

Clara GAA, LGFA and Camogie clubs held a very successful Field Day on Saturday at Clara GAA pitch. The beautiful weather brought out large crowds and great fun was had by all. Well done to all the organisers and anyone that contributed in any way to this event.

FREEDOM OF THE

CITY

Clara man Eamon Langton was conferred with the Freedom of the City recently by Kilkenny County Council. This was in honour of his immense contributions to life in Kilkenny over the course of his over 50 years in business in the city. Eamon joins such luminaries as Countess Markievicz, Eamonn De Valera and Brian Cody in receiving this accolade and it is well deserved. Congratulations to Eamon and Trish, and their children Eddie, Conor and Tracy who helped them celebrate at the function held in the Set Theatre.

JUNIORS WIN

Clara had a comfortable 3-21 to 2-9 win over hosts Tullaroan. Fielding almost at full strength they put this one to bed fairly early despite a sticky start. Tullaroan had the ball in Ben Murphy’s net in the first minute and added a pointed free almost immediately. Then Peter Nolan finished a brilliant Killian Phelan pass to the net and within another minute he finished to the net again, this time courtesy of a sweet Ciarán Prendergast pass. After David Langton had pointed, Peter then turned provider as Ciarán Prendergast took a pass and duly rifled to the net. A Joe Connolly point then left Tullaroan seven points adrift with scarcely 10 minutes played, despite their dream start. The Clara dominance continued and the lead had stretched to ten points by halftime 3-12 to 2–5.

The scoring rate dipped for the second half as torrential rain fell but Clara maintained a healthy lead all the way through and won that second half 0-9 to 0-4. The scores came from a variety of sources as all six forwards scored from play, as did Philip Carrigan, David Langton and the evergreen Lester Ryan. Lester’s brother Tom added two points for good measure when introduced. Overall, it was a very fluent display by the Clara men.

Team - Ben Murphy, Paddy Ryan, Zach Lawlor, Paddy Bolger. Luke Lawlor, Lester Ryan 0-1, David Langton 0-3. Philip Carrigan 0-1, Sean O Shea. Liam Ryan 0-5, Joe Connolly 0-1, Joe Power 0-4, 0-3f. Peter Nolan 2-1, Killian Phelan 0-2, Ciarán Prendergast 1-1. Subs used Bill Carrigan, Alan Coleman, Tom Ryan 0-2, Brandon Ryan.

CAMOGIE

Clara were given a clear indication of the standards they need to reach to challenge for a championship in Kilkenny. Reigning Kilkenny and Leinster champions Dicksboro rolled into Clara and proceeded to dish out a 3-20 to 1-10 beating to a Clara side that had been in a good vein of form themselves. From the first minute when a defensive mix, up left a ground ball languishing in front of goal before being swept to the net the Boro girls showed they

meant business and they cut through the Clara rearguard on numerous occasions with slick passes and running off the shoulder. Clara found it hard to deal with such pace and power, but they had their moments too and, after the Boro added a point to that early goal, Aisling Curtis replied with a point and then Mary O’Connell converted a penalty after Siobhan Treacy had been unceremoniously taken down.

The Boro response was decisive. They hit four points in a row before Keara Ryan broke their momentum with a pointed free. Clara were struggling to gain any traction and only had a point each from Aisling Curtis and Mary O’Connell to add to their tally by halftime. By this stage a rampant Dicksboro were 1-10 to 1-4 to the good.

The onslaught continued unabated at the start of the second half. Two points were quickly scored and worse was to follow in the shape of two goals. Clara could have been forgiven for packing up shop at this stage but to their credit they scored the game’s next four points and kept the deficit respectable for the rest of the game. The result left them in no doubt as to the work needed to get to the standards of their opponents but there was also enough evidence that, with a full panel to pick from, they can get much closer.

Team - Aoife Glynn, Ónagh Fitzgerald, Katie Ryan, Aine McDonald. Laoise Nolan, Aisling Nolan, Gráinne Glynn. Rebecca Nolan, Keara Ryan 0-3, 0-1f. Mary O Connell 1-4, 1-0p, 0-2f, Aisling Curtis 0-3, Lucy Boyd. Róisín Kealy, Niamh Ward, Siobhan Treacy. Subs used Caragh Brennan, Moya Kelly. SCHOOLS CAMOGIE

Clara N.S. and Kilmanagh N.S. met in the Primary Schools Roinn A final in Nowlan Park. This was a repeat of the 2025 final, which Clara won. This time it was the turn of the Kilmanagh girls to come out on top, and they deservedly took the title. They were the better team throughout, but the Clara girls went down swinging and kept it interesting to the end with the spirit they displayed. Kilmanagh started crisply and scored the game’s first two points. Then a mazy run by Clara captain Lydia Phelan resulted in her firing to the net and it was game on. Kilmanagh gained control again and scored the next 1-3 to take a five point lead. However, Lydia Phelan pounced for another goal and when she followed up with a point the deficit was down to the minimum. But the Kilmanagh girls again gained the ascendancy and another unanswered 1-2 gave them a half time lead of 2-7 to 2-1.

The Player of the Match Casey Cleere hit Kilmanagh’s third goal on the restart and the same player added a point to stretch the lead out to 10. Clara could have been forgiven for throwing in the towel, but these girls are made of sterner stuff and a Tara Boyd goaled free gave them hope again. They kept up the fight to the bitter end and another Tara Boyd goal from a free along with a great Pearl Treacy point kept them in the hunt. But Kilmanagh closed out the game with the last three points and were nine points to the good when excellent referee Vivienne Holmes blew the full time whistle. It was a gallant fight by the young Clara team and many of them will hope to get another shot at this next year.

Team - Rioghnach O Sullivan, Mary Kate Curran, Sarah Mulrooney, Abbie Carrigan. Laoise Moseley, Pearl Treacy 0-1, Katie O Sullivan. Lydia Phelan 2-1, Grace Mannion.Saoirse Meany, Tara Boyd 2-0f, Bríd Nolan. Rachel Comerford, Niamh Carrigan, Katie Shortt. Subs Ava Kehoe Hamlin, Christine Comerford, Elena McPartlan, Millie Hearne, Kate Kennedy. COUNTY CAMOGIE

Well done to Emma Shortall who started for Kilkenny as they put Clare to the sword in Nowlan Park on Saturday. By winning this top of the table clash Kilkenny qualified for the All Ireland quarterfinal with a game to spare. Emma notched a point for her county in this win.

O’LOUGHLIN GAELS

MINOR A LEAGUE SUCCESS

Congratulations to O’Loughlin Gaels minor hurlers on winning the Kilkenny Vehicle Centre Minor Roinn A League title. The final was played in the MWH Training Centre on Friday last where they defeated Erin’s Own by 4-22 to 3-10.

Well done to all concerned on a great team performance. The winning team was Ronan Treacy, TJ Comerford, Esosa John Dowling,

Kyrrell Mtinsi, JJ Cahill, Luke Mc Donald, Andrew Holohan, David Mc Gee, Cian Byrne, Conor Holohan, Adam Maher (Captain), Harry Egan, Adam Quigley, Sam Mc Kenna, Conor Mc Cormack. Subs: Eldon Sheridan, Diarmuid Considine, Enda Mc Loughlin, Souley Toure, Shane Comerford, Ruairí Hanrahan, Shea O’Meara, Felix Fwamba, Ryan Farrell, Dan O’Brien, Conor Manogue, Rian Delaney. Manager: Martin Comerford, Selectors: Michael Holohan, Pat Buggy, Gary Kelly, Trust Mtinsi, Jamie Malone.

HANDBALL ALL- IRELAND TITLE

Congratulations to O’Loughlin’s handballer Johnny Delaney on winning the All Ireland Under 12/13 60x30 doubles title for Kilkenny in Tuamgraney, Co. Clare on Saturday last. Johnny’s partner was Tadgh Coady who plays handball with Talbot’s Inch and hurling with O’Loughlin’s. Well done to both on a great achievement.

MODEL SCHOOL SUCCESS

Well done to Kilkenny Model School on winning the Cumann na mBunscoil Roinn E schools final in UPMC Nowlan Park last week. It was great to see that 16 of the 18 players on the panel were O’Loughlins players. Well done to team manager and teacher Andy Kearns who introduced and continues to promote GAA games in the school.

CLUB LOTTO

There was no winner of O’Loughlin Gaels club lotto dated June 16th. The numbers drawn were 5, 15, 18 and 24. The bonus number was 9. Play now at www.oloughlingaels.com Promotors draw: 1. Mags Lanigan c/o D Lanigan. 2. Searlait Doyle c/o E Doyle.

3. Eoin Croghan c/o N Loy. 4. Mae Doyle c/o E Doyle.

5. Ber Maher. 6. Philly Holohan c/o G Buckley. 7. Patrica Nolan c/o B Maher. 8. Michael Twomey c/o Online. 9. Fiona Noonan c/o Online. 10. Pauline Murphy c/o Online. Thank you for your continued support.

HANDBALL SUCCESS IN THE USA

A huge well done to Rebecca Mulholland on winning the woman’s A nationals in Arizona last weekend. Rebecca was a great juvenile player for

NOTES

If you wish to have any item included in the St.

O’Loughlin’s in her younger days and is still flying the flag for the club stateside. Congratulations Rebecca on a great achievement.

Kilkenny Model School, winners of the Cumann na mBunscoil Roinn E schools final.

O’Loughlin Gaels Minor Hurling

Adam Maher captain of O’Loughlin Gaels Minor Team receives the Minor Roinn A League trophy from Bord na nÓg Chairperson Meave Hogan

John’s Parish notes, please email it to communications.oloughlingaels.kilkenny@gaa.ie

FRESHFORD

CHAMPION HANDBALLERS

Congratulations to young local lad Michael Ryan, Kilkenny Road, Freshford who was part of the Kilkenny u12/13team that won the All Ireland in Tuangraney Co. Clare last weekend. The team defeated Tipperary in the final, which makes it all the sweeter! Well done to Michael and all his teammates and coaches.

ALL IRELAND CHAMPION

Massive congratulations to local lad Gyll Condon, Freshford who claimed first place at the Irish Charolais sheep all Ireland Championship on Sunday last. Gyll claimed first in the ram lamb class with his homebred ram lamb Gill Vale Empire who won overall male champ and then went on to claim the really supreme champion. Congratulations also to his dad David who got 2nd in the group of three, 4th in the ram lambs’ class and 5th in the ewe lamb’s class.

SCHOOLS FINALS

Best wishes to St. Lachtains primary school hurling team when they play against Kilmanagh in the Roinn B final In Nowlan park this week also to the camogie girls who take on Coon/Muckalee. NS in The Roinn B camogie final.

SOCCER

With soccer season now over all is quiet on the playing field.

Well done to the club and committee on the great work they have done at the facilities at Woodview in recent months. The astro turf pitch is now open for bookings through sportskey online portal or Contact committee member or social media page for more details

NEW SHOP

A new vegetable shop opened recently in the village. Local lad Fintan White is providing organic vegetables and produce in the shop, and he is wished the very best in his new venture and you are reminded to support local.

GAA John Lockes of Callan defeated St Lachtains in the minor Roinn A league cup play off in Pairc Lachtain last week. This result means st Lachtains will now play in the league quarter final against Dicksboro in Palmerstown on Friday evening at 7 pm

The junior B hurlers bowed out of the league at the semi final stage when they were defeated by James Stephens

The U 24 boys earned a hard fought draw against Mullinavat in Mullinavat in the Roinn B league recently. They were out again on Friday evening in Coon when a late goal for Muckalee sealed victory for the home side on a score of st martins 4-13 at Lachtains 2-17.

RACE NIGHT

The club will hold their annual race night at Kilkenny greyhound stadium at James Park on 17th July you can contact any committee member for purchase of tickets or sponsorship details.

LOTTO

There was no winner of the jackpot last week. Numbers were 3,4,15and18. The lucky dip winners were. Mark Kavanagh (€50) Selina Grant and Ger Dalton (€25 each) Tickets are €2 each and you can play online through Clubzap or from any of the local sellers.

INJURY

Best wishes go out to local stalward Noel McGree, Woodview who is wished a speedy recovery after he suffered Achilles injury last week in training. Noel has been a stalward at Lachtains GAA since his schoolboy days and has given years of service and dedication and is wished a speedy recovery.

BRIDGE

Summer bridge commenced in Threecastles hall (R95WK45) recently at 7.30pm and will continue each week. All are welcome.

SPLIT THE POT

Split the pot proceeds this month is going to Freshford Tidy Towns and last week winner was Erin Cullen, Woodview €126. Tickets are just €2 and can be purchased in any of the local pubs or businesses and they would appreciate your support throughout the month.

CAMP

Freshford’s first and longest running camp will take place again this year under the helm of local man JJ Grace and his helpers. This camp has been running for almost 20 years and will be held from the 27th to 31st July at and has a wide range of activities for all kids from junior infants to 6th class places

available. For more information pls contact JJ on 086 8629666.

PARISH NEWS

Masses each Tuesday and Friday morning in St Lachtain’s church at 9.30am (unless otherwise stated). Mass on Sunday morning at 11am. Mass in Tulla Church every third Saturday evening.

CEMETERY MASS

The annual cemetery mass will take place in St Lachtain’s Cemetery Freshford on Friday 3rd July at 7.30pm. The annual mass in St Nicholas cemetery Tulla will take place on Saturday 1st August at 6pm. People are reminded to clean up their family graves and maybe tidy up other graves that there is no one left around to look after.

WEBCAM

The mass webcam has been installed by Church Media Ireland. All masses in at Lachtain’s church will be livestreamed through the webcam at Https// church media.ie/st-lachtains-church-frffreshford.

OUTREACH CENTRE

Cois Nore Outreach Centre visits Ballyragget every Wednesday. It’s located at Dr. Hogan’s rooms, The Square from 11am to 1pm. All those seeking cancer support are very welcome. For appointment phone 0874833941.

RADIO

If you wish to listen to live broadcast of mass on Tuesdays, Fridays or Sundays from Freshford Church you can tune in to 105fm on your radio.

NEWSLETTER

The parish newsletter is available every week and it is also on the website. Any anniversaries or parish office business or community notices for the parish newsletter can be done by phoning the office during hours of 9.30am to 1.30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays or by calling to the office during those hours.

MASS CARDS

Mass Cards and Mass Bouquets are available in the Parish office and also from Annette at Tulla.

VISITS

Fr. Mark is happy to visit the sick and if you would like to receive a visit from Fr. Mark, you can contact him by phone or through the parish office.

LOOP CAFE

The Loop Community Café is open Monday to Saturday from 9:30am to 4pm and is a welcoming hub in the village. They’re always happy to see more people on both sides of the counter, so why not drop in to support your local café, meet a friend, enjoy a chat, and savour some delicious homemade food? Along with great refreshments, The Loop hosts a variety of community activities that bring neighbours together. The café is also seeking volunteers to help keep these services thriving. If you’re interested in getting involved, please call 056-883-2650 and ask for Rhiannon.

MABS

The Money Advice and Budgeting service is a free confidential and independent money Management and Advice service. MABS assist people in dealing with their existing debt problems who have difficulty paying a mortgage or those facing legal action because of debt. They also provide information and access to Insolvency services including free Debt Relief Advice under the Personal insolvency options. For more info or for an appointment contact MABS on 0818072610.

JAMES STEPHENS GAA AND CAMOGIE CLUB

50th CELEBRATIONS

On Sunday,15th March 1976 a milestone in the club’s history was forged when James Stephens broke the Munster teams stranglehold on the AllIreland senior hurling club title when defeating the Cork champions, Blackrock 2-10 to 2-04 in Semple Stadium. Renowned Cork Examiner reporter Jim O’Sullivan wrote of the Village performance that “with the more impressive combination of skill and determination they were shaping like champions at the end of the first quarter”. Fifty years later on Saturday night,19th September next that monumental achievement will be honoured with a celebration night in the club’s Larchfield premises. Plans are already well advanced, and invitations will be posted to the playing panel, the backroom team, club officers and support committees from that era in the coming weeks.

JUNIOR B LEAGUE

On Tuesday evening the Junior B hurlers registered an impressive 1-22 to 1-07 victory in their league semi-final league clash with St. Lactain’s in Pairc Sheamuis Mac Stiophain. The players were inspired by strong leadership from veteran stars Jackie Tyrrell and Eoin Larkin ably supported by the younger

brigade of Rory Glynn, Luke Hickey and ace free taker Fionn Cody.

U-16 “D” LEAGUE

On Thursday evening the U-16 “B” hurlers were in action against O’Loughlin Gaels in the Junior “D” League and came away with a merited 3-14 to 0-10 victory. The first half was a keenly fought affair, but it took a well executed goal by Darragh McDermott late in the half to level the game at 1-06 to 0-09 at the break.

The young Village lads took a firm grip of the game throughout the 2nd half and with goals from Harry Dempsey and Max Kealy ran out comfortable winners at the final whistle to claim a place in the league semi-finals. Over the hour strong performances were also to be seen from Liam Daly, David Morrison, Jeffrey Cleere and Syd Harkin. Well done lads.

PADDY MULLEN TOURNAMENT

Liam Mullen has confirmed that the annual Paddy Mullen tournament will take place on Sunday, 28th June in Pairc Sheamuis Mac Stiophain. With hurling suspended for the month of June due to the Leaving cert examinations, the tournament is viewed by team managers as ideal preparation to get their panels up to competitive speed for the upcoming championship season. The tournament in memory of the late juvenile officer Paddy Mullen has been running since 1991 with only a few interruptions due to unavoidable circumstances over the decades. Competing for the Paddy Mullen Trophy this year along with James Stephens will be Young Irelands (Kilkenny), Glen Rovers (Cork), St. Vincent’s (Dublin), Gortnahoe (Tipperary), Ballyboden St. Enda’s (Dublin) and Blackrock (Cork). After a busy schedule of group games and semi-final fixtures, the shield final is scheduled for 3p.m, and the battle for the Paddy Mullen Cup trophy will commence at 4p.m. Our thanks to Mrs.Theresa Mullen and her family for their continuing sponsorship of this highly regarded minor tournament.

GOLF SOCIETY

Played in brilliant summer sunshine the 21 members of the James Stephens Golf Society enjoyed testing their golfing skills against the challenging layout of the Athy Golf course on Saturday week last. The overall winner of the Society’s 2nd outing of the season was Padraig Larkin with a score of 37 points. The Category A winner was Richie Manogue on 34 pts beating Dean Smithwick on the same score with a better back 9 nine score. The Category B winner was Michael Phelan with 36pts, edging out Paddy Neary on 34 pts. Nearest the Pin1 prize went to Padraig Larkin and Paddy Neary claimed the Pin 2 honour. The society’s next outing will take place in Gowran Golf Club on Thursday 9th July.

CEMETERY

MASS

The annual St.Kieran’s Cemetery Mass for deceased family members and friends will be celebrated on Friday evening 26th June at 7.30pm in the cemetery. Over the years large numbers of folk from around the city and further afield gather at their family plots to remember loved ones who have passed away and often renew acquaintances with families at adjoining graves. Throughout the week prior to the ceremony the dedicated cemetery staff devote much time to tidying up the graves and surrounding areas.

HURLER’S DRAW

Congratulations to the club’s four prize winners in the first draw of the 2026 Hurler’s Co-Op draw which took place in Piltown. The lucky winners were club officer Eamon Tyrrell who scooped €500, Pat Cody (Castle Road) won €400, Mary McGuire’s (Larchfield) ticket came out for €300, and Miriam Moore (Glendine Court) won the 15th prize worth €200. The next draw will take place on Tuesday 30th June. The club’s Finance Committee would like to thank all who supported the fundraiser so vital for the financial wellbeing of both the club and county board.

BONUS BALL

The June Bonus Ball number is 46. Congratulations to the winners Darren Hickey and Jamie Brennan who will each receive a cheque for €500 in coming days. As always, our thanks to all for your continuing support for the fundraiser.

CRANNCHUR (LOTTO)

Na huimhreacha don seachtain seo caite 1, 5, 8, 10. Ni raibh aon buaiteoir. Na mionduaiseanna €40. Marian Hennessy, Brigid Barton, Claire Doyle, Doreen Funchion and Elaine Hurley. Mar is gnath go raibh maith agaibh go leir as bhur dtachtaoicht. (As always, our thanks to all for your continuing support).

BENNETTSBRIDGE

GATHERING

The Gathering Group had a very successful and enjoyable outing on Wednesday last. The Japanese gardens were the highlight of the day. There was time for some shopping in Kildare and a few breaks for welcome food. Thanks went to the organisers for their help during the year. A visit to Crafted on Wednesday last for coffee will be the last event before the summer break.

LOCAL CLUBS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN MAJOR ART INSTALLATION

St Canice’s Cathedral is calling on local clubs and groups to participate in Peace Doves, a major collaborative art installation created by sculptor Peter Walker. The artwork will feature thousands of white paper doves suspended from the Cathedral crossing, as a symbol of hope. Local organisations in Bennetsbridge are invited, free by appointment, to write messages of hope, peace, and unity on one of the 10,000 doves expected to make up the installation.

The installation will go on public display at St Canice’s Cathedral this September for eight weeks, transforming the 800-year-old interior into an uplifting space that reflects the community’s hopes and creativity. Groups interested in contributing to the artwork can contact Catherine McEntee, Head of Education and Interpretation at St Canice’s Cathedral, at explore@stcanicescathedral.com.

BENNETTSBRIDGE RAILWAY STATION

A special meeting relating to Bennettsbridge Railway Station will be held in the Community Centre on Tuesday 30th June at 7.30 pm. Donie Butler Kilkenny Railway Historian will chair the meeting. The Bennettsbridge Station was opened in 1865. Donie is hoping to gather information from anyone who may have worked in Bennettsbridge or members of their families. Further information from, kkrailwayhs@gmail.com or call 0873156539. All are welcome.

LOTTO

There was no winner of Jackpot last week. The numbers drawn were, 9, 12, 24, 25. Consolation Prizes, Sam Carroll, The Ring, Rachel Adams, ℅ Centra, Páidí and Séimí, ℅ Richard Comerford, Sue Doyle, The Ring. Shangarry Syndicate.

CARDS RESULTS

2nd June. First Prize Rose Hayes/Paul Gurrie (11 games). Second Prize Ricky Proctor/Brendan Malone (10 games). Table Prize Tommy Hayes/ Bridget Murphy. 9th June. First Prize John Drennan/Declan Twomey (10 games). Second Prize Brian Ireland/Pat Savage (9 games). Table Prize Johno and Marie Reid. 16th June First Prize Pat Galvin/Micky Fitzpatrick (13 games). Second Prize Brian Blackmore/Anne Lehane (12 games) Table Prize Ann Carroll/Billy Carroll CHURCH NEWS BENNETTSBRIDGE

Masses during the week. Bennettsbridge. Wednesday and Friday 10.30am. Sunday 10,30am Tuesday 7,30pm. Tullaherin, Saturday 8pm. CEMETERY MASSES

The dates for the Cemetery Masses have been announced, Tullaherin Cemetery, Saturday, 1st August. Bennettsbridge Cemetery, Sunday, 2nd August 10.30am.

GOWRAN PARISH MASS TIMES CHANGE

The Gowran parish Mass times have been changed from the 1st week in July 2026. Sunday mass in Gowran will be at 9.am. Saturday evening mass in Dungarvan at 5.45pm. No evening mass in Gowran. SYMPATHY Sympathy is extended to Mary Skehan, Woodlawn on the death of her brother, Liam Scott Keatingstown, Freshford Road, Kilkenny and formerly of Knockmannon, Lisdowney.

Liam passed away on 11th June 2026, at The Hermitage Clinic, Dublin after a short illness. Beloved husband of Kay and much loved father of Elaine, David and Maria. Liam will be dearly missed by his heartbroken family, sons-in-law Mark and Paul, his cherished grandchildren Alastar, Tom and Oscar, sisters Mary (Skehan) and Josie (Murphy), brothersin-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family, in special way David G., kind neighbours and friends.

SCOUTS

Just a reminder that the 14th Kilkenny Bennettsbridge scout group are having their 30th anniversary get together on Sunday July 5th in the hall from 11am to 12:30. All past and present participants are invited for tea, cake and a reflection of the last 30 years of scouting in Bennettsbridge.

CAMOGIE NEWS

Huge congratulations to Erin Morrissey and Holly Ryan on a fantastic achievement. We are incredibly proud to see our club girls named on the Minor Team of the Year. All of their hard work, sacrifice,

Community & GAA Notes

and dedication have paid off. This recognition is so richly deserved. Massive well done to the girls. What an effort from the U14 girls to get it over the line and make it into the U14C league final. Every player counted and fought hard against a strong Mullinavat team. Massive well done to the girls.

League final date and venue to be confirmed. Best of luck to the team and management.

The U8 team were delighted to welcome Kilkenny Senior Camogie Captain, Caoimhe Dowling, to Bennettsbridge. The girls were absolutely thrilled to learn from one of Kilkenny’s finest. It’s not every

supported the scheme so far. If interested, please contact Alan Flynn or Alan Morrissey.

SPLIT THE POT

The next draw takes place this Friday at 6 pm in the clubhouse. Thanks again for your support.

GRAIGUENAMANAGH

LOCALOTTO

The numbers drawn were5, 14, 22, 25. These numbers did not create a winner. Consolation prizes of €30 went to Mark Bolger (online). Orla Kehoe (online). Damien Bolger. Lillian Bolger. Emer Challenor (online).

CAMOGIE

Well done to our U10s who travelled to Erin’s Own Camogie on Saturday 13th June to take part in the next round of their GoGames Blitzes. The girls are progressing really well and showed off their camogie skills while having fun participating in all the games.

FERRY BRIDGE

Local people should be aware that the Ferry Bridge is due to close for repairs. The closure is set to begin June 24th and is expected to last until the end of August. Local Diversions will be in place.

HIGHVIEW ATHLETIC

It’s that time again for our highly successful Michael Carey Golf Classic Fundraiser. This year’s event will take place on Saturday June 27th at Borris Golf Club. This is our largest fundraiser, and funds will go directly into supporting the running of our club every year from equipment to jerseys etc. If you or someone you know may be interesting in supporting, please use the information below to do so. To enter a team, contact Lee on 086 061 4667. To be a Gold Sponsor, to sponsor a tee box or for more information on sponsorship, contact Dean on 085 835 9023

OVER 35 RESULT

Village FC 0 - 6 Highview AFC, Dean Broaders (hattrick) Mick O’Neill, Philly Moylan, David Broaders. It was a big win away to Village FC in Leighlinbridge for our 35s team. Some fantastic football played and plenty of goals in a very entertaining game.

GAA

Our U17s had a great day on Sunday 14th at the Bridie and Jimmy Farrell U17 Tournament hosted by Thomastown GAA Club. Well done to Barrow Rangers who won the Cup and hard luck to our young men who lost out to Young Irelands GAA in the Shield final. Well done Young Irelands. Thanks to Thomastown GAA for hosting a great tournament and to our management team and supporters.

ABBEY HALL

FAR certificate first aid course running in the hall on 6th, 7th and 8th July. Cost €220. There are three places available. WhatsApp 085 8011781 if interested.

GRAIG’S HERITAGE GOES DIGITAL

day you get to train with a superstar. A massive thank you to Caoimhe for giving her time, sharing her expertise, and inspiring the next generation of camogie stars. It was really appreciated.

FÉILE 2026

Our under 15 team represented Kilkenny in the division 2 Féile competition last weekend in Moyle Rovers GAA club in Tipperary. The lads did themselves and the club proud and played some great hurling. In the group they defeated Lucan Sarsfields, lost out to Thurles Sarsfields and defeated Kilconerian of Galway. This left us second in the group and qualified us for the cup semi-final where we faced Roscrea. After a great battle the ‘Bridge lads finished strongly to win by six points after extra time. The final proved a game too far as Thurles Sarsfields got two second half goals to win on a scoreline of 2-8 to 4 points. Well done to all the players and management on a great performance. The same group will now play in the football Féile next Saturday in Wexford. Best of luck to all.

UNDERAGE GAMES

The under 14 team played Tullogher away last Monday. Our under 16 team lost out to Gowran in the Roinn B League semi-final last Monday week. Our younger age groups are now in action in go games. Best wishes to all involved.

PILTOWN DRAW

The first 2026 Piltown draw took place on the 18th of June. Bennettsbridge didn’t have a winner in the first draw. Thanks again to all who bought and sold tickets again this year and hopefully we will have some success in the second draw which takes place on June 30th.

SIGNAGE CAMPAIGN

There are still places available in the Bennettsbridge GAA club’s Pitch signage campaign. Many thanks to all the business owners who have

We are delighted to announce that with the help of funding from the Heritage Council, together with Tidy Town funds, Graigs heritage trail and monks trail can now be accessed and followed by phone. The newly installed interpretative panels beside the Globe and at the Dry Dock (on the foot entrance to the Hub) have a QR code which launches the trails, audio guide and some lovely imagery of the town in times past.

A huge thank you to the people who helped us with this; Abarta Heritage, Signiatec, the Heritage Council, Graignamanagh Historical Society, Kilkenny County Council and the Tidy Towns Committee.

A huge thanks also to Miriam Cushen and Brenda Foley for making this happen.

Looking forward to seeing locals and visitors exploring our town and discovering our hidden gems.

HUB

Once again, this year we are linking up with Munster Chernobyl Aid “Another Journey Of Hope” to bring much needed supplies to the orphanages and hospitals in Belarus this September. We would greatly appreciate any donations of sanitary products, clothes, hygine products etc. All items can be dropped to the Hub before September. This is a very important Humanitarian Aid mission as things in Belarus have become increasingly difficult.

GORESBRIDGE PAULSTOWN

BARROW RANGERS

There was no overall winner of the jackpot lotto draw of 16 June. There was no Match 3 winner. The next draw will be for €10,450. BRIDGE UNITED A summer camp for 4-14 year olds will take place 7th-9th July

Tom Healy

Gathering Group enjoying the Japanese Gardens

Bennettsbridge Féile Hurling Cup Runners up 2026

Church at Ballinamorahan

in Goresbridge. Information: Conor English 085 132 1589.

CHURCH SERVICES/EVENTS

Mass times: Goresbridge, Saturday at 7.30pm, Sunday 10am; Paulstown: Sunday, 11.30am. Weekday Masses: Goresbridge on Wednesday at 10am; Paulstown on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 10am. Adoration (concluding with Benediction) every Tuesday from 10.30am-6pm in Paulstown church. The Legion of Mary meets each Thursday at 3pm in the parish hall, Paulstown. New members welcome. The Sacred Heart prayer group gathers every Friday after 10am mass in Paulstown. Advance notice of Wells Cemetery mass: Friday 3 July at 7.30pm.

Church of Ireland services on Sunday 28 June: Morning Prayer at 11.30am in Grange Sylvae (Goresbridge).

CROSS COUNTRY RUNNING

Congratulations to Daniel Greene for his success in the minor boys’ Leinster Schools final 800 metres race in Tullamore. He goes on to the all-Ireland Schools Track and Field Championship

TALKING THE TALK

“Cúpla Focal” is a welcoming Irish language conversation circle held every Friday at the Goodly Barrow Cafe. The gathering provides a relaxed and friendly environment where people can practice speaking Irish, improve their confidence, and meet others with a shared interest in the language and culture. Open to everyone from complete beginners to fluent speakers, the group focuses on informal conversation, encouragement, and learning through everyday chat. Whether you want to revive your school Irish, sharpen your fluency, or simply enjoy a social evening with fellow Gaeilgeoirí, Cúpla Focal offers an enjoyable and supportive space to use the language in a natural way.

MENS SHED

The next get together of the Mens Shed will be on Tuesday 30th June with a day trip to Johnstown Castle.

MRS HOLMES

The death has occurred of Jenny Holmes. Peacefully in her 85th year and following a short illness. Surrounded by her loving family, friends and neighbours.

SCOIL BHRÍDE (GORESBRIDGE)

The Board of Management, the Parents Association along with the Parish Community of Gorsebridge, joins with the entire Scoil Bhríde School Family in saying farewell and expressing a sincere and heartfelt thanks to two very special members of the school community Nora McDonald and Mary Murphy as they retire after many years of dedicated and loyal service. Nora served as Principal for many years.

SPLIT THE POT

In aid of Goresbridge Rural Development is also online. Simply scan the QR code or go to lottoraiser.ie

KILMANAGH

MASS SCHEDULE

Mass will be celebrated at 6pm on June 27th in Kilmanagh and July 4th in Killaloe.

COMMUNITY TEXT ALERT

Just a reminder if you have not already paid your 2026 subscription, please do so as soon as possible to any of the committee members or Revolut to 086 373 99 83 in order to keep your phone number on our text alert system. Annual subscription is only €10.

CLOTHES COLLECTION

Naomh Aodhan Community Centre will be holding a Clothes Collection over the coming weeks. If you are thinking of doing a summer clear out, please think of us. We can take clothes, duvet covers, pillowcases, sheets, handbags, shoes (in pairs only), belts. We cannot take duvets or pillows. If you want any further information, please contact 086 373 99 83.

ANNUAL SCRAP METAL COLLECTION

Naomh Aodhan Annual Scrap Metal Collection will take place on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July at Bryan Harris’ Yard in Kilmanagh R95 V050. All proceeds in aid of the continual upkeep and maintenance of Naomh Aodhan Community Centre. No fridges, beer kegs, freezers or PVC windows but we can take washing machines and microwaves. Collection can be arranged if needed. For further information contact Chris on 086 2517 030 or Bryan on 087 2545 556.

LOTTO

The Results for 15th June were as follows numbers drawn were 10; 11; 16; 28. There was no winner. Lucky Dip winners were Eileen Heafey, Julie and Anna Robinson, Billy Ryan. Sellers’ Prizes went to

Philip Cody and Michele Comerford. Next week’s jackpot will be €10,000.

BALLYKEEFFE AMPHITHEATRE EVENTS

June 27th. Mick Flannery and Susan O’Neill (SOLD OUT). July 18th, Heaven Can Wait, Meat Loaf Experience. July 25th, Rebel Rebel, David Bowie Tribute. Aug 8th. Hothouse Flowers. Aug 15th, Derek Ryan and Guests. Aug 22nd, Cry Before Dawn. Tickets, ballykeeffeamphitheatre.com

KILMANAGH NOTES

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

KILMACOW

BOOK LAUNCH

Rosedale (Forty Years Caring and Sharing) by Liam Dalton will be launched in Kilmacow Community Centre at 8.30pm on Friday, 26th June. This fantastic read captures the heart of Rosedale, its people, milestones and spirit which shaped forty years of care and community. Everyone is welcome to attend.

GOLF CLASSIC

Marfans Heart Research Foundation will host a golf classic at Waterford Golf Course on Friday, 26th June. The cost per team of four is €120. Contact Anita on 087 794 3817 for details and a tee time

GRAVEYARD MASS

The Graveyard Mass in St. Senan’s Church will be held at 7.30pm on Friday, 26th June.

LOTTO

The winning numbers in last week’s lotto were 8, 11, 16 and 19. There were three Match 3 winners.

KILMACOW HERITAGE

The working group for the older graveyards will be carrying out maintenance work in Ballinamorahan from 2.00pm on Saturday, 27th June. Building on the church at Ballinamorahan began in 1792. It was built with a gift of £500 from the Board of First Fruits on land granted by Samuel Boyce of Bishop’s Hall. It was a typical Board of First Fruits church with a simple nave, a crypt and substantial tower built in local stone. It became the protestant church for the Union of Dunkitt/Gaulskill after its consecration on 5th July 1807. Records indicate repairs were carried out on the church is 1837. The church closed in 1893 when the congregation stood at four people. The graveyard contains 12 gravestones and tombs. Major conservation works were carried out on the church between 2009 and 2012 through grant assistance from Kilkenny County Council and the graveyard has continued to be maintained by members of Kilmacow Heritage since. All offers of help will be welcomed.

HURLING AND CAMOGIE CAMP

The Clubs will host a camp for boys and girls born in 2010, 2011 and 2012 from 10.00am to 2.00pm on Monday, 15th July to Wednesday, 17th July. It will include match preparation, athletic development, diet and nutrition, skills and games coaching and tactics.

Places are limited. The cost per player is €60. Please text 086 280 5954 or e-mail secretary.kilmacow.kilkenny@gaa.ie for more details.

ARTS AND CRAFTS AT THE IVERK SHOW

The Iverk Show will have 105 classes in its Arts and Crafts Section this year. Entries can be from all ranges of arts and crafts including painting, knitting, woodwork, stained glass etc. Online entries will open in July. The Iverk Show will be held on Saturday, 22nd August. Contact the Iverk Show at 051 644621 or e-mail secretary@iverkshow.ie for more information.

MULLINAVAT

MULLINAVAT CONNECTIVITY LOOP WALK

A public consultation evening for Mullinavat Connectivity Loop walk was held in the Community Centre last Wednesday, 17th June. Details of the proposed scheme are on display in the Community Centre, the District Centre in Ferrybank and on the Council’s consult website. Submissions on the scheme can be made on the consult website, by e-mail to ferrybank@kilkennycoco.ie or submitted to Mary Mulholland, Director of Services, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny. The closing date for submissions is this Friday, 26th June.

GEORGE BROWN MEMORIAL

The 19th Annual George Brown Memorial event will be held in Inistioge on Saturday 27th June starting at 12 noon in St. Mary’s Church and from 2.30pm in Woodstock where a wreath will be laid at the Olive Grove followed by a Spanish Guitar recital and a tree-planting in the grounds. George Brown was born in Inistioge in 1906 and enlisted in the International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War. He died at the Battle of Brunete in July 1937.

MULLINAVAT LOTTO

The winning lotto numbers on Monday, 15th June were 10, 11, 18 and 28. There were three Match 3 winners.

SUMMER CAMP

A self-defence summer camp for ages 11 to 14 years organised by Personal Safety Ireland will be held in the Community Centre from 9.00am to 12 noon from Monday, 17th August to Wednesday, 19th August. The cost per participant is €50. Please ring Alex at Personal Safety Ireland on 085 778 2105 for more details.

COUNCIL WORKS

Please note that road resurfacing works on the R448 under the Restoration Maintenance Programme from Rossinan to Ballykeoghan are scheduled for the week beginning Monday, 29th June.

ATHRÚ PROJECT

Athrú, an exciting new project, funded by Creative Ireland and run jointly by County Kilkenny Heritage Office and University College Dublin’s School of Geography, is working to record and preserve Kilkenny’s living heritage.

Starting in late May, the Athrú team of Dr Arlene Crampsie (UCD), Dr Matthew O’Brien (UCD), and Regina Fitzpatrick (Kilkenny Heritage Officer) conducted community conversations in Kilkenny City, Urlingford, Mullinavat, and Thomastown. The purpose of these community conversations was to get a better understanding of the aspects of Kilkenny’s living heritage that are important to people living in each visited area. Living heritage encompasses the practices, traditions, skills, crafts, and knowledge of our county and city; this information cannot be found in books but rather it comes from individuals and communities and is often passed down across generations.

On May 26th, a beautiful summer’s eve in Mullinavat, residents gathered in the community centre to participate in the South Kilkenny event. Following a brief presentation that featured excerpts from the School’s Folklore Collection gathered in the 1930s, participants then had their say on aspects of living heritage in the Mullinavat both past and present. This conversation featured traditions on calendar holidays, as well as local cures, flora and fauna, and discussion on local fairs, sporting events, and fishing practices to name a few. The responses were recorded and will be transcribed by the project team as they work to assemble a database of living heritage for Kilkenny. It is antici-

pated that this work will pioneer new methods of cataloguing living heritage in Ireland more broadly with Kilkenny at the frontier of this novel research. The project team wish to extend their thanks to all the organisers and participants, which included several local councillors, that helped to make the event in Mullinavat a success.

FERRYBANK

CLOVER CENTRE

The closing date for submissions on the Masterplan, which can be made on the consult website, by e-mail to cloverfield.ferrybank@kilkennycoco.ie or by post to the Planning Department, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, is Friday,

FERRYBANK GREENWAY MURAL A HUGE HIT

The new Ferrybank Greenway mural has been receiving a fantastic reaction from residents and visitors since the opening of the South East Greenway. Stretching for approximately 160 metres along the Greenway, the mural celebrates the heritage, culture, community spirit, and natural beauty of Ferrybank and Slieverue.

What many people may not realise is that the mural was developed following a community consultation process led by Kilkenny County Council. Residents, community groups, and local representatives were invited to share ideas and suggestions on what should be included, helping to ensure that the artwork reflected the unique character of the area. The project was funded through the Creative Ireland Programme, with Kilkenny County Council engaging Street Art Ink to transform the ideas gathered during the consultation process into the wonderful mural we see today.

The result is a colourful and vibrant piece of public art that celebrates local heritage, community pride, sustainability, and the many things that make Ferrybank and Slieverue special. A huge thank you to Kilkenny County Council, Street Art Ink, the Ferrybank Community Development Residents Group, Ferrybank Women’s Shed, Ferrybank Tidy Towns and all of the local residents who contributed ideas and feedback throughout the process. It’s fantastic to see so many people stopping to admire the artwork, take photographs, and enjoy this wonderful addition to the Greenway. Well done to everyone involved.

FERRYBANK CAMOGIE

The club’s fund-raising camogie blitz will take place on Saturday, 11th July. It is now known as the Aoife Oates and Ailbhe Bird Memorial Blitz. Teams from Waterford, Kilkenny and Meath will take part in the blitz. There will be a raffle to coincide with the event. All support will be welcomed.

FERRYBANK RESIDENTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GROUP

The next meeting of the group will be held in the Hillsfield Centre at 2.00pm today, Wednesday, 24th June. New members welcome to attend.

APPLICATION TO AN COMMISIÚN PLEANÁLA Kilkenny County Council has given notice under Section 177 (Planning and Development Act) to seek approval from An Commisiún Pleanála for upgrade works on the L3412 from the existing eastern IDA Ireland roundabout to provide access to the IDA Ireland landbank at Kilmurry, Belview, Slieverue. A copy of the plans can be viewed on the consultation website consult.kilkenny.ie/en, in the Planning Section in County Hall, Kilkenny, in the Municipal District Office in Ferrybank and in An Commisiún Pleanála, Dublin. The closing date for submissions to An Commissiún Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin DO1 V902 is Wednesday, 5th August.

One of the panels of the Greenway Mural in Ferrybank

Community & GAA Notes

JOHNSTOWN

CHURCH NEWS

Cemetery Masses: Sunday June 28th Graine Church

11,30am, Thursday Julu 9th Johnstown Cemetery 7.30pm, Friday July 10th Fertagh Graveyard 7.30pm and Friday July 17th Galmoy 7.30pm. June collection for the priests now due.

END OF YEAR GRADUATION MASS

Pupils and teachers and parents gathered last week in St. Kieran’s Church for their end of year and graduation Mass. We wish the children of 6th class all the very best in the next step of their education.

ST. KIERAN’S COMMUNITY HALL 500 CLUB DRAW

It’s that time of year again when the 500 club draw is launched. This draw provides invaluable revenue for the day to day upkeep of the hall. Tickets € 10 per month for six months, available from any committee member of Morrissey’s, Sharkey’s and the Paddock Vet. Clinic. First draw before the Bingo on Wednesday. July 1st. Your support is greatly appreciated.

SPA UNITED AFC

Summer camp in Johnstown August 10th to 13th, 10am to 3pm daily. Cost € 85 per person ages 5 to 14. Open to boys and girls, all skill levels. UEFA qualified coaches, free kit.

ROINN D COUNTY FINAL WINNERS

Congratulations to the boys and girls on the St. Kieran’s School team who won the Roinn D County final against Slieverue recently.

DILLION QUIRKE FOUNDATION

The Fenian Club have organised for the Dillion Quirke Foundation to come to the club and screen some of the juvenile players 12 to 18 year olds for both hurling and camogie players. screening will take place in the Community Hall on Tuesday July 14th and is being sponsored by Abbot, Clonmel. The club has set up a donate page for donations to the Dillion Quirke foundation as a thank you. The club will also run one week of Split the Pot for the same cause.

SPA DEVELOPMENT/FENIANS LOTTO

The winning lotto numbers were 4,16,17,27. Did you have them? No, you didn’t, as there was no jackpot winner and no match three winners. The four lucky dips went to Ger Tynan, Paddy Beehan, Julie Fitzpatrick and Paul Dermody.

MILL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE

The Mill Family Resource Centre continues to provide a wide range of supports, services, and activities for individuals and families within the local community. The Centre is a welcoming and inclusive space, offering opportunities for learning, wellbeing, and social connection for people of all ages.

One of the upcoming opportunities available is the Local Training Initiative (L.T.I.) Programme. This free L.T.I. course will be starting soon and includes Driving Theory and Driving Lessons, providing participants with valuable life skills that can support employment and independence. Anyone interested

in applying is encouraged to call into the Centre or make contact directly for further details and application information.

The Youth club is back every Wednesday from 5.30 – 6.30pm. For Ages 10yrs – 12yrs

The Mill Family centre is offering free courses for September, SNA level 5 and 6, Childcare and computer QQ1 level 4, Early learning and care cert. and advanced cert. QQ1 level 5, LTI level 4 and Office admin. and payroll QQ1 level 5.

A variety of essential community services are available through the Mill Family Resource Centre. These include the provision of Senior Alert Alarms, which offer peace of mind and safety for older members of the community, as well as clothes donations for those in need. The Centre also facilitates a Youth Club, community allotments, and the Cois Nore Advice Clinic, ensuring access to practical advice and supports close to home.

Counselling services are available for both adults and teenagers, offering a confidential and supportive environment. Counselling supports include bereavement counselling, addiction support, and general counselling, helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with professional guidance. In addition, Play Therapy is available for young people aged 4 years and over, providing a child-centred approach to emotional wellbeing and development. Come along and browse our clothes rail, where you’ll find plenty of fantastic bargains at affordable prices. Whether you’re looking for everyday essentials, stylish outfits, or hidden gems, there’s something for everyone. Shopping from our clothes rail is a great way to save money while supporting a worthwhile cause. By choosing pre-loved clothing, you’re also helping to reduce waste and support sustainable fashion. Bring your friends and family, enjoy a browse, and discover some amazing deals while making a positive difference.

The Centre’s Active Retirement Group meets every Thursday from 2pm to 4pm. This group offers a relaxed and social setting where members can enjoy activities, conversation, and companionship. New members are always welcome, and the group continues to grow as a valued part of the Centre’s weekly programme.

GORTNAHOE GLENGOOLE

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Glengoole Wednesday 10am to 1pm, Gortnahoe Thursday 10am to 1pm. The rosary is recited before Mass in Glengoole every Saturday evening.

CEMETERY MASSES

The following dates has been set for the annual cemetery masses in the parish. All mass times will be at 7.30pm. Aglish cemetery, Thursday 25th June, Thursday 9th July, Good Shepherd cemetery, Tuesday 28th July, Fennor cemetery and Tuesday 18th August, Boulick cemetery.

GARDEN OPEN DAY

In support of Mo Chara Animal Rescue, this Sunday, June 28th at Marjorie and Joe’s, Clonoura (E41 K765) from 1pm onwards. Refreshments will be provided.

PARISH CHOIR

Gortnahoe Glengoole New Hymns Workshop will take place this Saturday morning, June 27th, in Gortnahoe Hall from 11am - 1.30 pm with break for refreshments and chats. Everyone is welcome, for any part of the event, including new members.

LOUGH DERG

Three Day Lough Derg Pilgrimage takes place on June 29th, 30th & July 1st. Contact Fr Martin Murphy (Drom and Inch) 086-3868877 for further details

400 CLUB DRAW

The results for June. 1st prize €200 Peg McGarry, Fennor, 2nd prize €100 Karen Gleeson, Coole. Other prize winners were Liam and Georgina Lanigan, Clonamondra, Bobby and Mary Barnaville, Rathbeg, Mona Coady, Urlingford, Ann Raleigh, Glengoole South, Geraldine Bartley, Graigue, Nonie English c/o Mary Fitzgerald, Glengoole, Biddy Coady, Gortnahoe and Mary Ann Fogarty, Longfordpass. Promoters prize winner was Mary Phelan.

PILATES WITH RUTH

Pilate classes continue in Glengoole Hall every Monday at 6.30pm. €10 pay as you go. To book, message 0872049418, Instagram @pilates_ruth. Bring mat and water.

GORTNAHOE BINGO

Bingo will continue this Saturday evening at 4.00pm with doors opening from 3.00pm and will continue each Saturday evening at the same time. Over €2,660 in prize money on offer including a special €500 game. We had a packed hall for our summer solstice special last weekend and we appreciate the support from the parish.

SPLIT THE POT

Congratulations to Biddy Coady, Gortnahoe who won €216 in the Split the Pot draw last Sunday. Envelopes are available in Cahill’s Gortnahoe, Hogans Grange, Mary Willie’s, Gortnahoe Hall and any member of the committee, you can also Revolut to 0876777220. Split the Pot for June is in aid of Gortnahoe Playschool. The draw takes place each Sunday at 12pm in Gortnahoe Hall. Your support would be appreciated.

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

We wish the children of the three parish schools (Gortnahoe, Glengoole and Ballysloe) all the best as they begin their summer holidays this weekend and that they may return next September, refreshed and renewed. We also wish the 22 graduates of 6th class all the very best as they begin a new stage in their lives.

CONAHY

HURLING

Hard luck to the Conahy Schools hurling team who were defeated by the Model School in the Cumann na mBunscoileanna Roinn E Final in UPMC Nowlan Park. The locals battled as hard as they could, but the city school were physically strong and were able to win out on a 3-5 to 0-3 score line. However, all involved with Conahy can be very proud of their efforts in getting to the final, with huge improvement as the year went on. Well done to all the boys and girls.

TEAM: Conor Horgan, Ella Ryan, Charlie Redmond, Noah Meaney, Brandon Maher, Cian Rhatigan, Ciaran Quinn, Rory Kiernan, Lucy O’Neill, Owen Phelan, Brooke Fogarty, Dara Kennedy, Billy Hickey, Isabel Flynn, Rebecca Staunton, Josh Byrne, Daniel McEvoy, Cian Nolan, Bella Buggy, Tommy Murphy, Rory McDonald, Adam Flynn, Eoin Kennedy, Cillian Nolan, Charlie Dunne, Ethan Maher, Blaine Kenny, Mason Tynan Leavy, Padraic Russell, Ryan Dunne. The under-16 hurlers enjoyed a good win over Blacks and Whites in the Duggan Steel Roinn C shield quarter-final in Jenkinstown on Monday week last. Some good scores from the forward line, particularly in the first half, saw Conahy on their way to a 4-18 to 1-13 victory. At the time of writing, the locals were due to face Naomh Bríd in the shield semi-final last Monday night. Full information on this will be given next week.

Team: Padraig Murphy, Jim Synnott, Evan Buggy, Darragh McGee, Diarmuid Quinn, James Byrne, Will Clarke, Bobby Dooley, Mounir Zouaoui, Sam Connellan, MJ Buggy, Jack Buggy, Ben Byrne, Richie Rowe, Ethan McEvoy.

CAMOGIE

The junior D camogie girls played host to Glenmore on Friday night last in the Junior D League. The locals put up a creditable performance, but the visitors won out in the end on a 4-13 to 2-11 score line.

GAA CLUB LOTTO

The numbers drawn in the most recent GAA Lotto draw were 13, 31 and 32. There was no winner of the jackpot so the consolation prize winners of €30 each were Conor Hennessy, Mary Coogan, Mona Dooley, Grace Maher and Ann O’Regan. The promoter prize winners were Nora Delaney, Toddy Lacey and Margaret Buggy. Many thanks to everyone who continues to support the GAA Club Lotto.

FUTURE STARS SUMMER CAMP

Registration is now open for the annual “Future Stars” GAA & Camogie Summer Camp taking place from Tuesday, August 4th to Thursday, August 6th in the Polo Grounds, Jenkinstown. Any child attending primary school in August 2026 is welcome to attend. Each day runs from 10.00 to 1.45 and the cost per child is €40. Check out the ClubZap app or the club’s social media channels for further information.

SUMMER FUN RUN AND WALK

Conahy Shamrocks GAA and Camogie Club are holding a Summer Fun Run and Walk for all the family on Sunday, July 5th, starting at 2.00 p.m. There will be routes for those who want to run and for those who prefer to walk or are with children, taking in the beautiful scenery of Jenkinstown Wood along the way. Registration costs €10 per adult and €5 per child and can be paid via the club website (https://conahyshamrocks.com/categories/ fundraising/products) or through the ClubZap app (Clubhouse -> Club Shop -> Fundraising). Refreshments and a Raffle will also take place after the Fun Run in the Clubhouse in the Polo Grounds, Jenkinstown. All are welcome.

KNOCK SHRINE PILGRIMAGE

The annual local Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine takes on this Saturday, June 27th. A bus will leave Freshford at 7.30 a.m., going to Jackman’s in

Jenkinstown for 8.00 a.m., and on to Ballyragget for 8.15 a.m. If interested in travelling, names as soon as possible to 056-7767676 or 086-3655418. The bus fare is €30.

NEWMARKET HUGGINSTOWN STONEYFORD

ALL SAINTS PASTORAL AREA

Parishes - Aghaviller; Ballyhale; Mullinavat. Priests in the Pastoral Area: Sean O’Connor (Ballyhale)Parish Priest of the three Parishes in the Pastoral Area). Telephone 056 776 6696 or 086 389 5911: Email: rsoc1973@gmail.com. Liam Cassin (Hugginstown). Telephone 087 231 2354: Email: liamcassin@ossory.ie. Liam Barron (Mullinavat). Telephone 087 272 2824: Email: mullinavat@ossory.ie. Peter Hoyne (Newmarket - Retired). Telephone 056 776 8678 or 086 373 8492

MASS TIMES IN AGHAVILLER PARISH

Hugginstown: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday at 9.30a.m. Vigil - Saturday at 8.00p.m. Sunday at 10.00a.m. Stoneyford Vigil –Saturday at 6.30p.m:

ANNIVERSARY MASSES

Ollie Roche, Lawcus; Mass in Stoneyford Church on Saturday 27th. June at 6.30p.m. Dick O’Gorman, Hugginstown; Mass in Hugginstown Church on Sunday 28th. June at 10.00a.m. ROTA (THIRTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME)

Readers: Stoneyford: Saturday 6.30p.m. Sheila Lennon. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Pat Power. Sunday10.00a.m. Mary Carroll. Eucharistic Ministers: Stoneyford: Saturday 6.30p.m. Pat Kenny Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Mary Cahill. Sunday 10.00a.m. Ruth Crowley. New Rota Available for Hugginstown Church; please collect in Sacristy. PASTORAL AREA PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK Fr Sean O Connor will lead the Pilgrimage to Knock on Saturday July 11th. and returning Sunday July 12th. Bookings are now being taken, please contact, Larry Cody 087 983 4031; Eamon Murphy 087 294 0598 or Pat Bradshaw 086 456 7852. Travel agenda will be issued closer to the time. ST. PATRICK’S MISSIONARY SOCIETY

We welcome Fr. Thomas O’Connor for a Mission Appeal for the ‘Kiltegan Fathers’ to our parish this weekend 20th/21st. June. Fr. Thomas will speak during all Masses and in his appeal will invite us to continue to support their Missionary Work by our Prayers, enrolling in their Mission Circle, or subscribing to their Africa Magazine; or contributing to other initiatives.

DAY FOR LIFE 2026:

This Sunday 21st. June, the Church across Ireland celebrates Day for Life on the theme ‘The humanity of the unborn child’, which invites us to reflect on the wonder of human life from the moment of conception. We remember how the Lord Jesus Christ Himself sanctified and experienced the beginning of life in the world as an unborn child, hidden in the womb of Mary. Mary knew that she was carrying the Son of God (God and man) as soon as He was conceived. John the Baptist leapt in his mother Elizabeth’s womb when Mary greeted her. Our Lady treasured Our Lord in her heart and womb until His birth. To read the full bishops’ message visit www. councilforlife.ie

CEMETERY MASSES

Mass in Stoneyford Cemetery on Friday 3rd. July at 8.00p.m. Mass in Hugginstown Cemetery on Saturday 4th. July at 8.00p.m. Mass in Sheepstown Cemetery on Friday 10th. July at 8.00p.m. Please help to clean and tidy the Cemeteries by taking away all old wreaths and withered flowers. Please try to cut weeds and grass around your family graves. Your help is much appreciated. LOTTO

Aghaviller Parish and Carrickshock G. A. A.

Draw: Monday 15th. June 2026. Numbers: 12; 22; 09; 05. There was no winner of First 3 Numbers Drawn. There was no Jackpot winner. €30.00. Winners: Teresa Long, Stoneyford; Lyndsay McMahon, c/o Eamon Irish. Eddie Fitzpatrick, Lismatigue, Mary Irish, c/o James Irish, John and Ann Power, Lawcus. 3 x €15.00 (Sellers), Mary Doyle, John Power, Breda O’Meara.

JUNE COLLECTION

The “June Collection 2026” for the support of the priests of the Parish and the Diocese will be taken up during the months of June/July. Envelopes for this collection are available at the back of the Church. (To donate directly.) Use IBAN: IE19 AIBK 9330 9000 0561 20 (BIC: AIBKIE2D). All Parish Property and Accounts are registered under the (Diocese of Ossory, Reg. Charity No. 20015831)

JJ Kavanagh Junior Hurling E League Final 2026 Sport

St Martins 2-17; Danesfort 2-15.

John Power at Freshford GAA Grounds

St Martins claimed the JJ Kavanagh Junior E League title on Friday night in Freshford, edging out Danesfort by two points after a hard-fought and entertaining final played in difficult weather conditions. The victory continued a successful period for the Coon-Muckalee club, who previously won the Junior D League in 2022 and the Junior E title in 2024. This latest success represents a third league crown in four seasons and underlines the strength of the club at junior level. Conditions were far from ideal as light drizzle at the start developed into heavy rain, making handling and underfoot conditions increasingly challenging, particularly in the second half. Despite the weather, both sides produced an excellent contest that remained in doubt right up to the final whistle. Danesfort made the perfect start when ace forward Stephen McKenna found the net in the opening minute. The early goal gave his side an immediate boost and helped them settle into the game. St Martins responded well, however, gradually working their way into the contest

through disciplined play and accurate shooting. The first half was closely contested, with little separating the teams. Danesfort looked dangerous in attack, while St Martins relied on teamwork and strong work rate to stay in touch. A crucial spell arrived during the second quarter when St Martins struck for two goals in the space of five minutes. The first came from Padraig Buggy after good

work by Darragh Quinlan, who supplied the final pass. Buggy finished confidently to the net to bring his side right back into contention. Shortly afterwards, Ronan Shore raised a second green flag for St Martins following another well-worked move. The quickfire goals shifted momentum in favour of the northerners and ensured they remained level with a Danesfort side that continued to score steadily.

Despite conceding the goals, Danesfort remained composed and finished the half strongly. Their efforts earned them a narrow 1-12 to 2-8 advantage at the interval, leaving the destination of the title finely balanced.

Danesfort again made the ideal start to the second half when McKenna struck for his second goal within a minute of the restart. It was a major boost and appeared to leave his side in a strong position. However, St Martins responded impressively and gradually took control as the conditions worsened. Their ability to adapt to the rain and maintain composure proved a significant factor in the outcome.

Tommy Quirke played a key role during this period. Danesfort conceded a number of physical and technical fouls and Quirke punished them with a series of accurate frees. His reliability from placed balls kept the scoreboard moving and helped swing momentum back towards St Martins.

From the moment of McKenna’s second goal until the finish, St Martins dominated the scoring exchanges. They outscored Danesfort by 0-9 to 0-3, showing greater efficiency and composure during the closing stages. Even then, the result was not secured until

the final minutes. Danesfort continued to battle and launched several late attacks in search of a decisive score. However, the St Martins defence stood firm under pressure, repelling every challenge and protecting their slender lead.

When the final whistle sounded, St Martins were deserved winners. Their ability to recover from conceding early goals in both halves, combined with Quirke’s accuracy from frees and a determined defensive display, ultimately proved decisive.

Danesfort played their part in an excellent final and pushed their opponents all the way, but on the night St Martins were the stronger side overall and fully deserved to add another league title to their growing collection of recent successes.

SCORERS

ST MARTINS

Tommy Quirke 0-11, 0-9 frees), Padraig Buggy (1-1), Ronan Shore (1-0), Patrick Coughlin (0-2), Daragh Quinlan, Ronan Shore. Daragh Quinlan (0-1 each).

DANESFORT

Stephen McKenna (2-8, 0-4 frees), Oisin Barry (0-2), Coleman Dunne, James Cunningham, Mark Fitzpatrick, Charlie Sheehan, Timmy Corr (0-1 each).

TEAMS

ST MARTINS

Niall Shore, Daragh Coughlin, Jack Nolan, Damien Tynan, Thomas Lawler, Colm Kealy, Adrian Farrell, Ciaran Fitzpatrick, Jack Dooley, Patrick Coughlin, Shane Fahey, Tommy Quirke, Ronan Shore, Padraig Buggy Daragh Quinlan (C) Substitutes, Used - Jack Farrell for Damien Tynan, Cormac Quirke, Shane Rice, for Ciaran Fitzpatrick, Daragh Purcell for Daragh Coughlan, Rest of PanelDarragh Fahey, Hugh Quirke, Tom Davies, Chris Kealy, Josh Dempsey, Cormac Quirke, Paddy Nolan, Shane Rice, DANESFORT

John Doheny, Tom Sheehan, Bill Smith (C) Jack Doyle, Cian O’Reilly Joe Cowhig, Padraic Barragry, Oisin Barry, Charlie Sheehan, Stephen Duncan, Mark Fitzpatrick, James Cunningham, Stephen McKenna, Peter Donohoe, Coleman Dunne. Substitutes: Used - Paddy Kelly for Tom Sheehan, Jonathan Kennedy, Conor O'Keeffe for Padraic Barragry, Conor Dillon for Mark Fitzpatrick, Timmy Corr for Stephen McKenna. Rest of Panel - Bill Clune, Cillian Maher, James Reddy, Aidan McGree, Leon Brown, Jack Deegan, Ronan O'Mahony, Austin Dovle, Conor Dillon, Ronan O'Mahony, Referee: Patrick O’Reilly.

JJ Kavanagh Junior E League Final Winners

No holding back

Danesfort captain Bill Smith and St Martins captain Darag Quinlan with referee Patrick O’Reilly before the Junior E League Final.

The chase is on

Cloneen 2-17; Graigue Ballycallan 1-15.

By John Power at Ballyragget GAA Grounds.

Cloneen captured a historic first title in the club’s history when they claimed the Junior Hurling A-F League crown with a deserved five-point victory over GraigueBallycallan in Ballyragget on Saturday afternoon. The triumph marked a landmark day for the Skeogh-based club, which was only established in 1984 and remains the youngest hurling club in Kilkenny. Over four decades after its formation, Cloneen finally had silverware to celebrate at adult level, and they did so with a performance full of determination, skill and resilience against a spirited Graigue-Ballycallan side.

Played in warm and humid conditions, the final produced plenty of entertainment, quality scores and no shortage of drama before Cloneen eventually emerged worthy winners. The eventual champions made the perfect start and were ahead almost immediately. Just two minutes had elapsed when full-forward Michael O’Keeffe announced his presence in emphatic fashion. Winning possession close to goal, he turned sharply, created a yard of space and unleashed an unstoppable shot to the net, giving Cloneen an early cushion and settling any nerves among their supporters.

Graigue-Ballycallan responded positively. Eoin Egan opened their account with a well-struck free before Padraic “Podge” Dunphy added another point to reduce the deficit. However, Cloneen quickly regained control through the influential Cathal Barry. Barry struck two excellent points from play, either side of a Michael O’Leary effort, helping his side move into a 1-3 to 0-2 lead and setting the tone for an impressive opening quarter. Graigue-Ballycallan refused to allow their opponents pull away. Midway through the half they drew level in dramatic fashion. A free dropped short into a crowded danger area and Jimmy Murphy reacted quickest, finishing to the net from close range. Eoin Egan followed up with another pointed free and suddenly the sides were back on level terms.

JJ Kavanagh Junior Hurling

Cloneen, however, responded like a team determined to make history. Their scoring threat came from several areas of the field, with free-taker Ciaran Cooney proving particularly effective. Cooney converted a series of placed balls while his brother Padraig also chipped in with an important point. Another score from the lively Cathal Barry helped Cloneen establish momentum once more. Their dominance during this spell was rewarded in the 25th minute when Barry struck for a crucial goal. After a well-worked attack, the dangerous forward found space and finished clinically to the net, extending Cloneen’s advantage to six points at 2-8 to 1-5.

To their credit, Graigue-Ballycallan rallied strongly before the break.

Podge Dunphy, Adam O’Brien and Eoin Egan all found the target during an encouraging four-minute spell that reduced the deficit considerably and ensured the contest remained

D League Final 2026

finely balanced. Nevertheless, Cloneen finished the half strongly and carried a 2-10 to 1-8 lead into the interval.

The second half never quite matched the scoring pace of the opening period. The humid conditions took their toll on both teams, while a number of injury stoppages disrupted the flow of the game. In one unusual incident, even the referee required treatment after suffering a blood injury following an

accidental collision, adding another delay to proceedings. GraigueBallycallan began the second half brightly and threatened to mount a comeback. Points from brothers Eoin and Paidi Egan narrowed the gap to just three points and left their side within touching distance. At that stage the momentum appeared to be swinging their way. However, Cloneen responded impressively when it mattered most. Over the next fifteen minutes they produced arguably their best spell of the game, outscoring Graigue-Ballycallan by 0-6 to 0-1. Their defence remained solid under pressure while their forwards continued to find scores at crucial moments, ensuring their opponents were unable to close the gap any further. As the final whistle approached, Cloneen maintained control and managed the closing stages effectively. Their supporters could finally sense that history was within reach. When the whistle eventually sounded, celebrations erupted among players, management and supporters alike as the club secured a memorable and thoroughly deserved victory. The occasion was made even more special during the presentation ceremony. In a fitting conclusion to a memorable afternoon, Junior Board Chairperson Paddy Cooney had the

honour of presenting the trophy to his son, Cloneen captain Padraig Cooney, a moment that perfectly captured the community spirit and family connections at the heart of the club.

For Cloneen, this success represents a significant milestone in the club’s development and a reward for years of dedication from players, mentors and supporters. Their blend of attacking flair, teamwork and determination proved decisive throughout the final, while GraigueBallycallan can take pride in a wholehearted performance despite falling short.

Ultimately, Cloneen were deserving winners after an entertaining and competitive Junior League Final, and their first-ever title is one that will be remembered for many years to come.

SCORERS

CLONEEN

Ciarán Cooney (0-5, 0-4 frees), Cathal Barry (1-2), Kieran Whelan (0-3), Michael O'Keeffe (1-0), Chris Phelan (0-2), Francie Ward (0-2), Michael O’Leary, Padraig Cooney, James Love (0-1 each).

GRAIGUE BALLYCALLAN

Eoin Egan (0-5, 0-4 Padraic Dunphy (0-3), Paidi Egan (0-3, 0-1 frees), Jimmy Murphy (1-0), Dermot Heafey (0-2), Adam O'Brien, James Ryall (0-1 each).

TEAMS

CLONEEN

Sean Moffatt, Gearoid O'Neill, Malachy Flaherty, John Kelly, Breanainn Buggy

Brian McDonald, Chris Phelan, Francie Ward, Ronan Lynch, Ciarán Cooney Padraig Cooney (C) Kieran Whelan, Cathal Barry, Michael O'Keeffe, Michael O'Leary.

Substitutes: Used - Michael Doyle, Adam Buggy, James Love. Rest of Panel - Padraic Delaney, Jamie Hurley. Fionn Kavanagh, Cian Young, Eoin Phillips. Injured - Aidan Barry, Ashley Kerr, Harry Lawlor.

GRAIGUE BALLYCALLAN

Michel Hoyne, Brian Sheridan, Peter Boland (C) Aidan Comerford, David Hoyne

Tom Brennan, George Murphy, Paidi Egan, Peter Murphy, Padraic Dunphy, Adam O'Brien, Eoin Egan, Jimmy Murphy, James Ryall, Dermot Heafey. Substitutes: UsedPhilip Heafey for Eoin Egan, Frank McCluskey for James Ryall, Eoin Burke for Jimmy Murphy. Rest of Panel - Eoin Delahunty, Luke 0'Brien, Shane Comerford, Keith Coffey, Aidan Cahill, Pat Purcell, Brendan Dunne, JJ Ryan, Dermot Ryall, Daniel Cahill, Micheal Harrison, Dylan Teehan. Injured - Joey Corcoran, Ger Teehan, Ger Doheny. Referee: Gay Rafter.

JJ Kavanagh Junior D League Final Winners

Graigue Ballycallan captain Peter Boland and Cloneen captain Padraig Cooney with referee Gay Rafter before the Junior D League Final

Moving it forward

Robbed of possession.

Waiting for the breaking ball.

St Martins 2-12; Emeralds 1-14.

John Power at Jenkinstown.

St Martins capped a great weekend for the club by achieving a second league title for the club, grasping victory from the depths of defeat in Jenkinstown. When Liam Grant polished a penalty with aplomb for Emeralds on 24 minutes that side were four points clear, 1-14 to 2-7.

St Martins adapted a never say die attitude, and a sequence of five unanswered points, the last controversially in the 35th miniue, gave St Martins victory.

The start of the comeback was a 120-metre monster score by Tony Farrell on 25 minutes. Then a Michael Keane free (27 mins), a Ross Downing point (29 minute) and another Keane free (32 minutes), and against the run of play it was now all square.

Emeralds went on the attack, a stalemate ensued, before referee Owen Beehan gave St Martins a free out. Emeralds disputed the decision and as per the new rules, the referee moved the sliotar forward thirty metres for dissent. Now this became a long, but scoreable free. Michael Keane kept calm and pointed from beyond midfield. From the puck out Emeralds had one last scoring chance, an attack from which nothing came, and the Coon Ballyfoyle club were victorious.

Iverk Produce Junior Hurling C League Final 2026

This was a highly competitive Roinn C League Final, fought in a tough but fair manner, in the testing 24 degree summer sunshine, before a sizeable crowd.

Liam Grant opened the scoring with an Emeralds free, equalised a minute later by Michael Keane.

Michael Keane from another free, and the excellent Adam Barnaville gave Emerals a two poinr lead, before Padraig Buggy got a St Martins goal on 11 minutes, when he ran on to a breaking ballin the square. Keane added a free a minute later to leave St Martins 1-2 to 0-3 ahead.

Emeralds dominated the scoring in the next five minutes with a Liam Grant free, two points from Adam

Barnacle and a Darragh Hickey score, to go 0-7 to 1-2 ahead on 19 minutes.

A 21st minute free from Michael Keane reduced the lead to one point, before Ross Dowling got a second St Martins goal in the 23rd minute when he caught an incoming high ball and scored.

Two further Emeralds

frees by Liam Grant levelled matters 0-9 to 2-3 at the interval.

Liam Grant for Emeralds (free) and Michael Keane (SM) exchanged scores in the opening minutes of the second half.

Emeralds went two points clear from Adam Barnaville and a Liam Grant free by the 13th minute, scores replied to by a Keane free and a Ross Dowling point on the quarter hour.

Emeralds got two of the games next three points, before the penalty success left them 1-14 to 2-7 clear. This was a tough loss to take for the Urlingford club. They will be disappointed for letting the game slip, while on the other hand in three days

St Martins had recorded a C and E league double.

SCORERS

St Martins

Michael Keane (0-9, 0-8 frees), Ross Dowling 1-2,

Padraig Buggy 1-0, Michael Ruane 0-1.

Emeralds

Liam Grant (1-8, 0-8 frees, 1-0 penalty), Adam Barnaville (05), Darragh Hickey (0-1).

TEAMS

St Martins

Niall Shore, Paddy Nolan (capt), Ollie Walsh, Bill Dowling, Jack Farrell, Michael Ruane, Matthew Shortall, Michael Keane Adam Morrissey, Jamie Morrissey,

Cormac Quirke, Ross Dowling, Patrick Coughlan, Padraig Buggy, Aaron Farrell.

Substitutes:

Used - John Mulhall for Adam Morrissey, Brian Byrne for Ross Dowling. Res o Pnl - Ciaran Brennan, Damien Tynan, Darragh Quinlan, Michael Keane, Ronan Shore, Colm Kealy, Geoff Dooley, Tadhg Gill, Tadhg Power, Tom Shore, Adrian Farrell, Jack Nolan, David Walsh, Hugh

Quirke, Chris Kealy, Ciaran FitzpatricK, Tommy Quirke, Noel Darcy, Russell Kealy, Darragh Purcell, Ted Healy.

Emeralds Brendan Cleere, Jack Kavanagh, Niall O'Gorman, Tomas Cussen, Simon Zhang, Tony Farrell, Darragh Hickey, Killian Rafter Adam Barnaville (C), Jimmy Cleere, Liam Grant (VC), Johnny Doyle, Daniel Tobin, Cathal Walsh, Oisin Quinlan

Substitutes: Used - Cian Hickey for Jimmy Cleere, JJ McLoughlin for Cathal Walsh, Craig Barnaville for Oisin Quinlan Rest of Panel - Ollie Kenny, Nathan Barnaville, Kieran Norton, Cormac Burke Ciaran Phelan, luke Phelan, Calvin Ryan, Conor Gibbons, Rory Hyde, Gavin Moriarty (Injured).

Referee: Owen Beehan.

Close quarters

Closing in from all quarters

Still anybodys ball

Iverk Produce Junior C League Final 2026 Winners

St Martins captain Paddy Nolan and Emeralds captain Adam Barnaville with referee Owen Beehan before the Junior C League Final

Dispossessed.

St Aidan's, Kilmanagh complete remarkable schools double

Congratulations to the St Aidan’s, Kilmanagh camogie team who recently won the Roinn A Primary Schools County Camogie Final title with an impressive victory over Clara. The achievement capped a remarkable season for the talented group of players, who also completed the coveted Roinn A schools double by winning both the county camogie and LGFA titles. Their success is a testament to their dedication, teamwork, skill and determination, as well as the support of their coaches, teachers and families.

Kilkenny through knockoutto stages

Kilkenny secured their place in the Quarter Finals of the Glen Dimplex All Ireland Senior Championship after they cruised to a home win over Clare last Saturday in UPMC Nowlan Park. It took eight minutes for the opening score, and it came from Clare’s substitute Caoimh Carmody who had been introduced early for Danielle Griffin who went off injured after just four minutes. Sixty seconds later, Kilkenny struck for the first goal with Sarah Barcoe getting onto a pass from Steffi Fitzgerald and blasting the ball to the net. Fitzgerald slotted over a point and Kilkenny lead by three on a 1-1 to 0-1 scoreline. The Banner responded immediately with an Andrea O’Keeffe delivery into the square met by Roisin Begley, flicking the sliotar into the Kilkenny net levelling the game for the one and only time.

Aoife Prendergast converted a 45’ after Clare’s goalkeeper Doireann Murphy made a great save from a goal bound shot from Sarah Barcoe. In the eighteenth minute, Aoife Prendergast hit a shot towards the O’Loughlin Gaels end of the Stadium and Steffi Fitzgerald made an amazing double on the ball in the air, and it flew into the back of the net. Fitzgerald followed this with a white flag,

the

lead was back to five.

Clare then showed character and hit three unanswered points, a fine Ziyan Spillane score from play, a converted Roisin Begley free and a long range Clare Hehir free. Kilkenny hit the closing two points of the half, from Caoimhe Keher Murtagh and Sarah Barcoe, as the teams headed to the dressing rooms, with Kilkenny leading by four points, 2-5 to 1-4.

On the resumption of play, the visitors stormed out of the blocks and fired over the first two scores inside the opening three minutes and suddenly the deficit was down to just two. Kilkenny steadied the ship though and from there to the finish it was all the home side.

Taking complete ownership of the contest with six unanswered points, five of them from play (Sarah Barcoe, Aoife Prendergast (f), Laura Greene (2), Claire Doheny & Emma Shortall) with only a Roisin Begley free in reply, the Cats lead stood at seven by the end of the third quarter on a 2-11 to 1-7 scoreline.

Any notions of a Banner fightback were ended soon after with substitute Katie Nolan needing just thirty seconds after her introduction to blast to the net, this coming after a Laura Greene’s point attempt cannoned off the up-

right and fell to Nolan. Roisin Begley slotted over the Banner’s last score from a placed ball in the 52nd minute.

Kilkenny then hit 1-3 unanswered, the goal coming from Steffi Fitzgerald and points from Laura Greene, Laura Murphy (f) and substitute Emma Mulhall, winning out on a score line of 4-14 to 1-8, to make it four wins out of four for the inform Cats.

Kilkenny head to Chadwick Wexford Park next Saturday 27th June to face Wexford in the last Group game. Throw in is at 3.30pm

SCORERS

Kilkenny, Steffi Fitzgerald 2-2, Sarah Barcoe 1-2, Laura

Greene 0-3, Kate Nolan 1-0, Aoife Prendergast 0-2 (2f), Laura Murphy 0-1 (f), Caoimhe Keher Murtagh, Emma Shortall, Claire Doheny, Emma Mulhall 0-1 each Clare Roisin Begley 1-3 (3f), Caoimhe Carmody 0-2, Clare Hehir 0-1 (f), Ziyan Spillane, Roisin McMahon 0-1 each

TEAMS

Kilkenny: Aoife Norris, Ava Brett, Tiffanie Fitzgerald, Caoimhe Dowling (Captain), Angela, Carroll, Niamh Deely, Laura Murphy, Laura Greene, Rachel Dowling, Aoife Prendergast, Caoimhe Keher Murtagh, Asha McHardy, Emma Shortall, Steffi Fitzgerald, Sarah Barcoe.

Subs, Claire Doheny for Rachel Dowling, Katie Nolan for Aoife Prendergast, Aisling O’Sullivan for Asha McHardy, Emma Mulhall for Emma Shortall, Miriam Bamrick for Caoimhe Dowling, Ellen Gunner, Maria Brennan, Laura Phelan, Emily Smith, Rachel Phelan, Sofia Kerr, Ciara Dunne, Leah Brett, Ciara O’Shea, Una Duggan.

Clare: Doireann Murphy, Muireann Scanlon, Sinead O’Keeffe, Niamh Mulqueen, Lynda Daly, Abby Walsh, Clare Hehir, Roisin McMahon, Danielle Griffin, Jennifer Daly, Andrea O’Keeffe,

Aoife Anderson, Clare McNamara, Roisin Begley, Ziyan Spillane

Subs, Caoimhe Carmody for Danielle Griffin (inj), Ellen Casey for Jennifer Daly, Aine O’Loughlin for Clare McNamara, Aisling Cooney for Ziyan Spillane, Laoise Ryan for Roisin McMahon, Sophie Cullen, Ciara Grogan, Michelle Powell, Meave Millea, Susan Daly, Aoibhin McNamara, Cliodhna Queally, Caoimhe Lally, Caoimhe Ryan, Lorna McNamara. Referee: Cathal McAllister, Cork

By Aoife Lanigan, PRO

Kilkenny

Emma Shortall takes her point

Sarah Barcoe gets her shot away for Kilkenny's first goal

Kilkenny's Ava Brett is first to the ball ahead of Clare's Roisin Begley

Kilkenny's Niamh Deely gathers the ball ahead of Clare's Aine O'Loughlin

Tiffanie Fitzgerald clears her line

Kilkenny's Steffi Fitzgerald flicks the ball into the net

Planning notices

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

We, Southend United FC Kilkenny intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Planning permission for a proposed new allweather synthetic playing pitch with a high perimeter fencing & a low retaining wall, stormwater soakaways, landscaping and all associated site works at Ballyhale, Co. Kilkenny.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

We, Sean and Nicola Doyle apply to Kilkenny County Council for planning permission for the construction of a new singlestorey side extension and single-storey rear extension to their existing house together with all associated site and ancillary works at Ennisnag, Stoneyford, Co. Kilkenny R95 H328.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. www.briandunloparchitects.com

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Josie Doheny intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Retention Planning Permission to retain existing extension and domestic shed to the rear of dwelling house and all associated site development works at 35 Collins Park, Callan, Co. Kilkenny R95 XK5T.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

Planning permission is sought by Rose Walsh and Richard Geraghty for development at The Hollow, Coolcullen, Coon, Co. Kilkenny, R93 V3Y0.

The development will consist of (a) alterations to existing two-storey, two-bedroom, detached dwelling, (b) construction of twostorey extension with associated elevational treatments, (c) retention of sunroom to existing house and (d) all associated site works.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Gittens Murray Architects Ltd., No. 5 William Street, Kilkenny. Tel No: 056- 7753933. web:www.gmarch.net

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

Planning Permission is sought by Michael Barcoe and Courtney Kehoe for development at Coppenagh, Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny.

The development will consist of the construction of a three-bedroom residential dwelling, including rooflights and a detached single-storey domestic garage. Other works as part of the development include an on-site wastewater treatment system and percolation area; soakaway; vehicular entrance; landscaping; boundary treatment; borehole well; and all associated works to facilitate the development.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Arnoldas Navickas, hereby intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Planning Permission for a new vehicular entrance, domestic wastewater treatment system and all associated site works at Kilmanagh, Co. Kilkenny. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Brendan Moore Architects, 38 St. Kieran’s Street, Kilkenny, 087 4120718.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Hung Thai, hereby intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Planning Permission for a change of use of an existing shop to restaurant and takeaway, internal alterations, external signage and all associated site works at Unit 3 (formally O’Brien’s Butchers), Market Yard, St. Kieran’s Street, Kilkenny R95 RP21.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Brendan Moore Architects, 38 St. Kieran’s Street, Kilkenny, 087 4120718.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

I, William Wallace, intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Planning Permission to a). refurbish existing house, b). remove bay window to western elevation and replace with triple-glazed window, c). install four triple-glazed roof-lights, d). block existing door to eastern elevation, e). install a glass roof and triple glazed doors to green house/sunroom, f). repair walls, roof, windows, gutters and downpipes where required, g). develop fencing, parking, gravel and concrete paths and gravel driveway, landscaping and all associated site works at Stonecarthy, Stoneyford, Co. Kilkenny, R95 XH11

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the Planning Authority on payment of the prescribed fee 20 euros, within the period of five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Micheal Moloney wish to apply to the above authority on behalf of Sean Burke for:

Retention Planning Permission of:

1. As-constructed Dormer dwelling

2. As-constructed entrance and roadside boundary

Full Planning Permission to:

1. Carry out alteration to external door opening to side of dwelling

2. Construct a new replacement boundary to north eastern site boundary

All works at Blackstaff, Callan, Co. Kilkenny R95 WN97

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted. Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. M.R.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted. Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. M.M.

St. Anthony Prayer

O Holy St. Anthony gentlest of Saints, your love for God and charity for His creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me (request).

O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms. The gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen M.R.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. A.B.

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.R.

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. D.C.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted. Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. M.M.

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. J.M.