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Friday 26 February 2021

Covid-19 Update The side effects of the vaccines, if any  See page 16

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Chill ‘n’ Netflix Armchair guide to lockdown viewing  See page 32

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

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News EVERY FRIDAY

The Kilkenny

Observer

Carers, hospitality in urgent Covid plea PRIORITY for Covid19 vaccines should be given to the thousands of family carers in Kilkenny, campaigners have insisted. Liz Collins is the mother and primary carer of a teenager with a debilitating skin condition whose worst nightmare came true when she and her husband Gary both tested positive for the virus. Now she is pleading for informal family carers to be included in priority lists for the Covid vaccine. Becoming ill left Liz (pictured) and Gary deeply concerned over who would care for their 17-year-old daughter Claudia, who has Recessive Dystrophic EB, a rare and debilitating skin disease. Liz caught Covid during the first lockdown last year and was hospitalised, while Gary also contracted it around the same time. “It was my worst nightmare – I needed someone to care for my child,” said Liz. “While all the professional carers are currently receiving the vaccine, informal family carers are not currently scheduled to get it any sooner than the general population, even though they play a vital role as primary caregivers to people who have very vulnerable immune systems.” The clinical decision by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) is that family carers be covered in other groups receiving the vaccine, but that group has not been identified. Debra Ireland is calling for the Government to outline EVERY FRIDAY

what priority family carers will be given, and a date for when vaccination will begin. Debra Ireland was set up in 1988 by families living with the painful, genetic skin condition EB who had no support and nowhere to turn. Debra Ireland joining with other organisations like Family Carers Ireland in calling for family carers to be included as a priority group for vaccinations. Meanwhile, hotel and guesthouse owners in Kilkenny Carlow are calling for an urgent review of business and employment supports for the hospitality sector following the Taoiseach’s announcement that it is unlikely to reopen before mid-summer. They are also asking the Government to intervene with the banks to ensure that appropriate supports and engagement processes are in place for business owners and their team members until Covid 19 has been suppressed. Colm Neville, chair of the South East branch of the Irish Hotels Federation, warned that failure to act now would have long-term implications that could take years to repair. Mr Neville said: “Public health must always be the number one priority and we recognise the difficult balance the Government has to achieve. “However, if the all-important summer period is being eroded, additional supports are required to safeguard businesses and livelihoods.”

The Kilkenny

Observer 1 GARDEN ROW, TOP OF WILLIAM STREET, KILKENNY, CO. KILKENNY R95X95A

A beacon of light, energy and humour is gone ... TRIBUTES have been pouring in for the former Ireland international Gary Halpin who has passed away suddenly at the age of 55. The Kilkenny native represented Ireland 11 times — including 10 starts — between 1990 and 1995. His Test career ended with the 1995 Rugby World Cup, and he scored a try in that tournament against the All Blacks. Famously, he gave New Zealand Captain Sean Fitzpatrick the two fingers after scoring his try and later expressed regret over his gesture as Ireland lost 43-19. Former Munster and Ireland star Jerry Flannery paid tribute to Halpin, tweeting: “One of my favourite players when I was a kid. You need to be a bit mental to give the the finger after scoring a try. Ballsy. “A special person; beacon of light, energy and humour gone; we’re left with very special memories.” Leinster Rugby also paid tribute, tweeting: “Leinster Rugby is deeply saddened Our thoughts are with Gary’s family, friends, and all who knew him.” Rugby Players Ireland added: “Saddened to hear of the passing of one of the

Brewhouse for the summer The Abbey Quarter’s Brewhouse in Kilkenny could be completed within the next four months, according to Colette Byrne, the Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council. The controversial project would see almost 5,000 square meters of office space built in the city, following the decision of An Bord Pleanala to grant planning permission for the development of the ‘Urban Park and Street’ in the Abbey Quarter in Kilkenny City.

Small planes fly in drugs Gardai and customs officials are investigating reports of small aircraft landing in remote fields in the southeast to deliver consignments of illegal drugs. Recently Gardai in the region were alerted to a small aircraft delivering a consignment of what they believe to have been Class A drugs. SPORTFILE

game’s great characters.” And Kilkenny Rugby said: “It’s with great sadness and surprise that we’ve learned of the sudden and untimely death of Gary.” Halpin returned from Wales to live in Kilkenny in 2015, taking up the Director of Boarding role at Cistercian College Roscrea, his friendly approach and distinct frame saw

him become a recognisable figure when walking around the City or strolling down the Parade. Cisterian College said: “The college community of staff, students, parents and monks were devastated this morning on hearing of the sudden death of our much loved colleague and friend Gary Halpin RIP. Ar dheis Dé a anam.”

INSIDE

News......................................... P3-38 Kathleen Funchion......................P8 Fact Of The Matter....................P10 Science & Wellbeing.................P28 Andrew McDonald....................P12 Bianca Rallis................................P14 Covid Update...............................P16 Gerry Cody..................................P18 Clair Whitty.................................P22 Eoin Everard...............................P26 Science & Wellbeing.................P28 Lockdown TV............................. P32

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

News

Pandemic sees role for more Civil Defence volunteers THE Civil Defence team in Kilkenny is to increase its 34 volunteers to 50 volunteers in 2021, as the demand for their services has increased in the 12 months of the pandemic. The purpose of the Civil Defence team is to be ready in an emergency to give support to the principle response agencies in the county, including An Garda Siochana, the HSE, Fire & Rescue Service and other service areas in the council. This has never been needed more than over the past 12 months. To keep their skills up the volunteers engage with the community by covering sporting and charitable events with first aid support and safety boat cover. The four main areas where assistance is given are in transport, casualty, Search and Rescue and Flood Response. The Civil Defence are called on during severe weather, to assist at community events and to back up emergency services.

Katherine Peacock, Civil Defence Officer, outlined to members of the County Council at its February meeting the part the volunteers played in the Covid-19 response throughout 2020. The volunteers completed 350 Covid-19 related duties with volunteers giving 2,112 hours of time and effort supporting their communities. Duties included packing and delivering 340 care boxes to the elderly, children with disabilities and vulnerable families, 100 medical transports to hospitals, doctors and Covid Assessment Units and administrative support to the Irish Blood Transfusion Service for five weeks. This valuable service is funded by both the Department of Defence and Kilkenny County Council. In 2020 the Civil Defence received just under €200,000 in funding which helped to secure new vehicles and equipment for an increasing number of volunteers to provide

critical community support when needed. The service will receive further support in 2021 with the addition of a full-time Assistant Defence Officer. Director of Services Mary Mulholland welcomed the increasing number of Civil Defence volunteers and thanked all those who have given their time to train and provide assistance to their communities throughout the pandemic, in particular. Future plans for the service include the addition of a Drone team, the purchase of a 4x4 ambulance and the increased numbers of volunteers. Cathaoirleach Andrew McGuinness congratulated Katherine Peacock on her dynamic contribution adding: “We look forward to the continued development of the Civil Defence in Kilkenny and acknowledge their real contribution to communities all over our County when they need it most.”

Come on, let your words flow... BUDDING poets are invited to make their submissions for the publication of the 21st issue of the Kilkenny Poetry Broadsheet. The aim of the publication is to give Kilkenny writers, born or based in city and county, a platform for their work. Kilkenny County Council’s Arts Office have announced Jessica Traynor as this year’s editor. Last year 47 writers answered the call out for submissions, sending in 91 poems for consideration. Twelve poems, by 12 poets, were selected by editor Colm Keegan for publication and a further three poets were shortlisted. Following publication, the Broadsheet is available free throughout the city and county via the library branches and other venues. Closing date for receipt of submissions is no later than 4pm on April 1st.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

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Interview

An Interview with

Rory O’Connell The below interview is with Rory O’Connell, owner of Four Star Pizza & Bun Bros Kilkenny. Rory has been working with Four Star Pizza for over 20 years and recently took over the ownership of Four Star Pizza & newly added Bun Bros in Friary Street, he opened the business in one of the most challenging years ever seen for Irish businesses. Why did you decide to open a business during one of the strangest times most of us are ever likely to see in our lifetime? The world never mind the Country was in the middle of a pandemic but when the opportunity to become a Franchisee for Four Star Pizza arose, I decided not to pass it up, pandemic or no pandemic. When asked about the decision to go ahead and open in Kilkenny Rory replied: “I’ve always loved Kilkenny I’ve been coming to Kilkenny for most of my life, it’s a great place for nights out, shopping and socialising. Also, Kilkenny is widely recognised as one of Ireland top tourist destinations so what better place to open a store.” Four Star pizza being a wellestablished Irish brand has a reputation for fresh ingredients, hand-made quality pizzas and good value; I think it has become a welcome addition for the people of Kilkenny. What was it like to open a business during a pandemic? Challenging, the decision to open the store during a pandemic was always going to pose challenges, the additional time required to get tasks completed was the biggest one of these. This meant that we opened the store much later than we were hoping to, in fact, we opened the store a month before Christmas and we were open for little over a week before the country went back into lockdown.

What has it been like working in Kilkenny? Kilkenny is normally a bustling, vibrant city with a lot of visitors, so it’s been strange not to see the city full of the daily hustle and bustle. It’s been great to introduce myself and my team to our new neighbours but we certainly missing the social interactions with the customers, as its normally one of the most enjoyable parts of the job. What you are looking forward to this year? To see some sunshine over the beautiful city of Kilkenny, people out and about in the town when its safe to do so and most of all, welcoming customers back in the store and being able to serve them in our spacious seating area and getting to know the locals better. So, what’s popular on the menu in Kilkenny? Cheese or pepperoni pizzas are always very popular, but people are looking for more variety nowadays and we have a lot of options to choose from, like our delicious sides including our ever-popular Franks Buffalo Wings to our new Vegan Pizza that is proving to be a big hit with our customers. Bun Bros Epic Burgers are also a delicious new offering, with 100% Irish beef, locallysourced Irish ingredients, and the tastiest loaded fries – we’ve had an EPIC response to them all! The most popular burger is the Hot & Spicy Bro, beef coated in spicy sriracha sauce, lettuce, tomato, pickles, jalapenos, red peppers, cheese, & black pepper ranch sauce – try it, if you dare!

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

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News

The impact the “Insurance Ripoff” is having on individuals and business needs to be addressed BY: DEPUTY KATHLEEN FUNCHION SINN FEIN TD FOR KILKENNY CARLOW THERE is little doubt that business and individuals are struggling with their insurance premiums, Sinn Féin has called on all parties to work together and support their legislation to cap the interest rates charged by moneylenders. The motor insurance industry here in Ireland have generated an average operating profit of ten per cent last year. A recent separate publication by the Central Bank shows that the insurance industry and its pricing practices over the past number of years have gone unchecked and are having a devasting impact on businesses and individuals in Kilkenny and Carlow. This report

also speaks to the failures of present and past governments, who have been quick to peddle the lines fed by the insurance industry. And it clearly shows the price-gouging activities of the industry, with insurers recording profits of €142million in 2019. The facts are clear. Since 2009, the cost of claims per insurance policy has fallen by nine per cent. Whilst at the same time, the average motor insurance premium has increased by a staggering 35 per cent. Whilst at the same time, since 2009 the total number of claims made has gone down by 45 per cent. The National Claims Information Database has again confirmed what Sinn Féin have been saying for some time. Consumers cannot afford to wait for reform. Premium costs for consumers in Kilkenny and Carlow have increased while the cost and frequency of claims for

Farm partner deadline here AS the deadline looms for Registered Farm Partnerships, a properly planned partnership such as a registered or unregistered farm can assist in the farm transfer and succession process, enhance profitability and worklife balance, reduce income sax, secure 50% Stock Relief and a potential double ceiling for the new TAMS II Capital Grant. Changing farm structures is a big decision for any farmer and all Department of Agriculture, Revenue and legal aspects should be reviewed before entering. Once your accountant and /or solicitor have examined the structure and it makes financial, succession and legal sense the next step is to deal with the Department of Agriculture. The current deadline for applying for a Registered Farm Partnership number in 2021 was February 26th but,while you can 100% be in a registered farm partnership after this date, your BPS will remain in your name for the 2021 scheme year. Your accountant/solicitor must decide on the exact partners in the partnership before you apply to move your herd number to the new partnership name. However, be aware that you cannot move a herd number to a partnership if you have applied for, and have not been granted approval for, a TAMS II

grant or GLAS. You must wait until approval has been granted and then transfer the herd number. The other option is to not apply for TAMS II or GLAS in existing herd number name and wait for the Registered Partnership number to be granted and then apply using new structure – enhanced double ceiling for TAMS II. Once the herd number has been moved to the new structure and all other relevant partnership documentation is compiled and completed you are now ready to submit your partnership application to the Department of Agriculture. BPS must follow before the 15th of May. This again is a straight forward process and involves completing the Transfer of Entitlements Form and indicating you are involved in a partnership. If your partnership has been registered with the Department of Agriculture and you have received your Partnership number it is this new Registered Farm Partnership number you use to apply for BPS. If as highlighted above, you only submitted your registered farm partnership to the Dept of Agri after the 28th of February then your BPS application will be completed in either your / joint names.

insurance companies has fallen. But this is not what we have been told by the insurance companies. There is a ‘compo culture’ myth which is consistently pedalled by the industry, it is nothing more than a cover story for its own price-gouging activities. The reality is that the industry are recording profits of ten per cent last year. We cannot allow this to continue and we need to put an end to this practice. Last year, my colleague Deputy Doherty called on the Central Bank to investigate dual pricing by the industry, and he will be introducing legislation to ban it in the coming months. Sinn Fein have repeatedly called this industry out, and yet it is allowed to continue to rip At present, moneylenders are permitted to charge extortionate interest rates with APR of up to 187% trapping borrowers who are least able to pay into a cycle of unsus-

tainable debt. Ireland is an outlier when it comes to the extortionate interest these lenders are able to charge. Interest rate caps are in place in 21 EU countries, including Germany, France and Italy. Sinn Fein have introduced legislation that would mandate a statutory cap on the interest that moneylenders could charge. This legislation is a chance to tackle this issue once and for all, and cap the interest which moneylenders can charge, often against the most vulnerable in our society. These are measures that will affect all types of business across Kilkenny and Carlow. Beartas ríomhphoist an Oireachtais agus séanadh. oireachtas. ie/ga/email-policy/ Oireachtas email policy and disclaimer. oireachtas.ie/en/ email-policy/

Three-day festive shines light on our women THE SHINE Festival, possibly the biggest ever virtual gathering of inspirational Irish women in celebration of International Women’s day, kicks off on Monday, March 8th. The three-day event will see more than 80 speakers including Vicky Phelan, Laura Whitmore, Holly Cairns, Evanna Lynch, and many, many more, on topics such as mental health, mindset, career, diversity, individuality, the arts, sports, social issues, and sustainability. There will also be music, poetry, pledges, and even a treasure hunt. Last year a difficult year for organisers The Shona Project, with four scheduled events which were all cancelled due to Covid-19. In response, they upped their game to bring

SHINE – their yearly conference- online. Thanks to the SHINE Festival partners, AIB, Life Style Sports, SAP and West Pharma, SHINE will be available completely free of charge and can be accessed anywhere at any time throughout the three days. The Shona Project wants to ensure that those who would need it most can access it. Attendees will be joining the 100 schools and 20,000 female students already registered to attend the SHINE Festival. SHINE Festival is the muchneeded distraction the girls and women of Ireland need right now. The Shona Project strives to create a support system for all the teenage girls of Ireland as they navigate their way through growing up.

Founded by Tammy Darcy, from Passage East, Co. Waterford, The Shona Project’s mission is to empower today’s vulnerable girls to become tomorrow’s strong, confident leaders.

Link to SHINE Festival Website: www.shinefestival.ie Link to complimentary tickets: https://www.eventbrite. ie/e/136787060781

€1m to retrofit council houses

More than €1m is set to be pumped into retrofitting council houses across Carlow and Kilkenny. Kilkenny County Council is getting €601,706 22 with Carlow allocated €452,791. The money will be used to make the houses more energy efficient and will mean warmer, easier to heat and more comfortable homes for the residents. It comes as the Government considers bringing in a nationwide ban on smoky fuels which has led to concerns over fuel poverty.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

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Opinion

Fact Of The Matter PAUL HOPKINS

Friends through thick and thin ... and the pandemic MY first friend, the one I had known the longest, died in London the other day after a relatively short illness. Papo (Patrick) was three months short of 67, and we had known each other since forever, being next-door neighbours growing up. We had been in and out of each other’s lives down all those years: in our early days effectively sidekicks, in latter years not so much. The recession of the Eighties saw him seek better opportunities in London, and he seldom came back save for extenuating circumstances. Still, we’d phone each other every so often and would just carry on the conversation like it was only yesterday we had spoken. Down the years there were one or two reunions among our wider group of friends, 20 or so of us. But, where once we had been young men in a young neighbour-

hood drinking the pubs dry, wrestling with Nietzsche and Sartre, and dreaming big dreams, going to change the world — this was, after all, the late Sixties — now we were a bunch of old blokes, pot-bellied and balding, kids grown and gone, some of us widowed or divorced. The close friends among that 20 or so I could probably count on one hand. Good friends are indeed few and far between. That has been particularly brought home to me during the pandemic when, knowing I am effectively isolating alone, there are those who keep in close touch, my best interests at heart. And then there are those ‘hail fellow, well met’ folk who come up short when needed. The increase in the use of social media — one survey showing it up by 72% in the last nine months — has allowed friendships stay rela-

tively intact but even the best communication technologies are arguably not an adequate substitute for face-to-face interaction. We may ‘friend’ more people on social media but we have fewer real friends — the kind who would help us out in tough times, listen sympathetically no matter what, lend us money or give us a place to stay if we needed it, keep a secret if we shared one. Matthew Brashears, a Cornell University sociologist, has found that, over half a lifetime, the number of truly close friends people cite falls. On average, participants listed two close friends in Brashears’ survey — people we think of as true confidants, whom we choose to trust with our most intimate concerns. With the pandemic seeing the global rise in social media inter-action, social scientists say that Facebook and its ilk

may actually be “healthy” for us. Keith Hampton at the University of Pennsylvania found that “internet users in general, but Facebook users even more so, have more close relationships than do other people”. Facebook users get more overall social support, and in particular they report more emotional support and companionship than other people, he says. Aristotle had some interesting things to say about ‘true’ friendship and what it actually is. ‘True’ friendship, he contended, was the “friendship of virtue or the friendship of the good”. These are the people we like for themselves; indeed the people who push us to be a better person. The thinking is that you care for that person, so you strive to be the better person for them, to be the best friend they could wish for. Such friendships are hard to

Five of those 20 friends from my young days are now gone…

”

find for there are few people who make the cut at being ‘virtuous’. The great philosopher laments the rarity of such friendships but notes they are possible between two people who can invest

in the time needed to create such a bond. Five of those 20 friends from my young days are now gone. At the first of those funerals some years back we gathered to sup and celebrate and recant old tales of daring-do and poke fun at each other and I remember thinking then that’s how it always had been, the poking of fun, and it dawned on me that the other trait we brought to the table was our empathy towards each other from the time we had first stepped into each other’s lives, a lifetime ago. To live, to exist, is truly wonderful and miraculous in the first place. And then to have good friendship, like Papo’s, thrown into the bargain. I saw his imperfections but I loved him. In all our years in and out of each other’s lives, I like to think he saw mine. Rest easy my friend, for you have toiled well...

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

News

Mag’s ‘lockdown edition’ on Coping With Lockdown Covid plight of spoken word THE effects Covid-19 has had on the spoken word community is the focus of the Lockdown Edition of BND Magazine, Ireland’s first and only spoken word magazine. Edited by Melissa Ridge and Eithne Dodd, and designed by Melanie O’Donovan, the Lockdown Edition out now. The landscape of performing arts in Ireland is changing because of lockdown procedures since March of last year. Venues have closed, some never to re-open, while festivals have

been cancelled and gigs postponed. BND Magazine published by Boundless & Bare is focused solely on the spoken word artform of storytelling, rap and hip-hop, poetry, comedy and theatre. Each edition features articles, interviews, reviews, and comments on topical issues in the community. The magazine documents the Irish spoken word scene as it exists and evolves, cultivating content with the contribution of writers and performers from

around the country who write about their community. Highlights in the new issue include: Cover interview with Belfast slam poet and writer Elizabeth McGeown; Discussion with Director Maureen Kennelly on the issues facing Arts Council grants and its relationship with the spoken word community; and exclusive Q&As with rising star Galway Rapper Celaviedmai and internationally acclaimed UK spoken word poet Hollie McNish.

New online art course at the National Gallery of Ireland JOIN the National Gallery of Ireland on an online journey through the centuries at Cities and Suburbs: Life, Leisure and Landscape, a new art appreciation course beginning on March 30th. This eight-week online course with art historian Dr Kathryn Milligan takes a broad view of artists’ depictions of “city and suburb”, via paintings, drawings, prints and archival collections at the National Gallery of Ireland. Incorporat-

ing Dutch, French, Italian and Irish art, the course covers the seventeenth to twentieth centuries. Walking in the footsteps of the urban observer, participants will follow the expansion of the city into its hinterlands, taking time to relax at suburban beauty spots. Taking place on Tuesday evenings, each week’s session will cover something different: from panoramas and maps to hawkers and street markets, urban calamities to the social

city. Participants will receive a recording of each week’s session, allowing flexibility in these extraordinary times. The course is suitable for beginners and experts alike. Cost is €140 (20% discount for Friends of the Gallery; 10% discount for students and those aged over 65). Once you have booked your ticket, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. Link for Zoom event will be sent the day before the first session.

ANDREW MCDONALD HYPNOTHERAPIST

PEOPLE are really feeling this particular lockdown. It is very noticeable how many are struggling this time around. Previous periods of restriction were challenging but this one seems to be causing the most distress. Restriction fatigue is definitely raising its head. This is probably also the most difficult time of year we’ve had to face limitations on our lifestyles. The first Covid lockdown came during spring and summer when the weather was warm and even if we couldn’t go very far, it was at least possible to enjoy our gardens. This was certainly the case for many in counties like Kilkenny where most of us have a green space outside our homes. In February its far more appealing to stay cooped up indoors. Particularly with the cold spell we’ve had recently! The second period of increased regulations occurred during late autumn, early winter. The weather wasn’t a great deal different to now. However, we had Christmas to look forward to. Even if

spending time with extended family and friends was sure to be limited, we had the excitement that the festive period brings to help get us over the hump. No such luck in February. It’s still dark for much of our waking day. It’s also damp and it’s certainly cold. Despite the fact that March is around the corner with its promise of natural life being reborn and longer periods of light, it’s easy to get lost in a winter gloom. So what can we do to get us through this period with our mental health intact? A good night’s sleep has to be a main priority! At the moment, the days seem to merge into one another and this means it’s easy to neglect our need for eight hours a day. Going to bed at irregular times frequently leads to sleeping poorly, not getting enough sleep or waking up late in the day and feeling lethargic. Sleep is fundamental to both our physical and mental wellbeing. It also helps to give a routine to our lives. Vital if we want to feel ok! Another mood-lifting activity is to practise mindfulness and gratefulness. It might not seem simple at the moment but looking for the good, rather than fixating on the bad, and expressing, even internally, our gratitude

for it helps to keep us feeling good. Meditation is another easy-to-do practice which helps lift feelings of stress and tension. Spend a few minutes focusing on your breath and see the difference it makes. Perhaps most important of all, stay connected! We can’t always see loved ones in person at the moment and that is difficult. However, we live in an age where there is a plethora of technologies that means we can meet virtually and we can do it for free! Keep in mind that this has a double benefit. Not only are you certain to feel better by spending a few moments talking to family and friends but the people you contact will also be perked up! There are so many other things we can do to lift our moods during these problematic times. Over the forthcoming weeks we will look at more but, until then, try one or two of those we’ve looked at above. And one final thing... it takes fewer muscles to smile than to frown. Try it! Even something as simple as this can make a huge difference to how we feel. Andrew McDonald, Hypnotherapist www.kilkennytherapy.com 089 972 2991

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

News

Ifac shortlisted for top Martisor: The Romanian emerging firm award Celebration of Spring IFAC, Ireland’s farming, food and agribusiness professional services firm, operating from over 30 locations across Ireland, has been shortlisted for the Emerging Firm of the Year: Ireland award in the Xero Awards UK & EMEA 2021. Founded in 2006 in New Zealand, Xero is one of the fastest-growing software as a service’ companies globally. The Xero Awards recognise UK and EMEA companies that have gone above and beyond to make a difference while faced with adversity. The Emerging Firm of the Year award recognises an emerging Xero accounting or bookkeeping partner who has made a big impact in a short period. In the past year, ifac launched its new advice-led FarmPro service using the latest technology from Figured, New Zealand. The service was developed to help farmers make

better decisions and have more control over their finances and the running of their farms, which will drive a step-change in farm efficiency and help promote improved financial capability among Irish farmers. Since the launch of FarmPro, ifac has experienced robust demand and growth for this innovative service and its clients now account for the largest number of farmers on a Figured platform in Europe. John Donoghue, Chief Executive of ifac said: “As one of Ireland’s Top 10 professional services firms, we are delighted to be shortlisted for Xero’s UK and EMEA Awards for our quality FarmPro service that we launched at the height of the pandemic last year. “FarmPro combines proven technology from Figured, a New Zealand based Agri software company, with up to date farm account-

ing data, and ifac financial management expertise in budgeting, forecasting and benchmarking to help farmers run better, more profitable farms and build more resilience into their operations, strengthening their viability and long-term sustainability. “Ifac offers a full range of financial services to support our clients’ business needs and we employ over 400 people throughout Ireland. Like so many other businesses across the UK and EMEA, we are doing our best to maintain our services and support our people so we are very humbled by this recognition. “We would also like to congratulate all of this year’s finalists for their outstanding achievements.” The winners of the 2021 Xero Awards UK & EMEA will be announced at the winners’ ceremony online on the 3rd of March 2021.

Local theatre gets €8,500 to boost stage acoustics THE Kilquan Players in North Kilkenny have been granted €8,500 from LEADER. The money will be used to improve the sound system in Coon Hall, where they rehearse and stage their popular plays. Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick said the group were extremely worthy of the funding, as they had made huge contributions to their community. “I want to congratulate them and congratulate all the efforts that they make on behalf of the community

because in all their productions they’ve always donated an awful lot to charities throughout North Kilkenny, so again Kilquan Players and I want to acknowledge the contribution of LEADER to this funding as well,” he said. “Everyone looks forward every year to their new production. You’d hear about what they were rehearsing and it going on for months in Coon Hall and then the great time would arrive. It is always a packed house in Coon for the annual production.

“It’s an absolutely brilliant drama group who have been going for a long, long number of years and always people look forward to their productions. They have so many community involvement, everyone in the community of Coon gets in and works with them and the parish right across North Kilkenny, all the different parishes, come to support and people are always asking, be it from Ballyragget or Mooneenroe, ‘what are they producing?’, what’s the production this year?’, ‘what’s happening’?”

It’s countdown to the county’s annual Cruinniú na nÓg APPLICATIONS are invited for the Kilkenny County Council Creative Ireland & Cruinniú na nÓg Grant Scheme 2021. The aim of the scheme is to provide financial support to local and community groups and individuals, artistic and creative practitioners, event organisers and those involved in creative, cultural and heritage activities and projects, in order to encourage cultural participation throughout Kilkenny. This scheme also includes funding for projects which will help deliver the Cruinniú na nÓg programme in Kilken-

ny. Cruinniú na nÓg (June 12th) is the national day of free creative activity for children and young people up to 18 years of age, and is part of the national Creative Ireland Programme. Speaking about the grant scheme, the Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr. Andrew McGuinness, said: “Kilkenny is renowned for culture and creativity, which we value now more than ever, and I encourage people to get involved.” All initiatives funded from this scheme must adhere to

the public health advice and guidance, laid down by the HSE and the Government, with regard to the Covid-19 pandemic. The scheme is co-funded by the National Creative Ireland Programme. Application forms, criteria and details are available from Community and Culture Section, Kilkenny County Council. Email: sinead.dunphy@ kilkennycoco.ie; Tel: 0567794910. The closing date for completed applications is March 15th.

BY BIANCA RALLIS

According to the Roman calendar, the first of March was the day when people celebrated what was called “Matronolia,” a holiday consecrated to Mars, the god of war, of the forces of nature, of the spring season, and of agriculture. It is not known for sure when this tradition, known in Romania as “Martisor,” really started, but it is estimated to have began a few thousand years ago. In its origins, this tradition was correlated with the renewal of nature (the very begining of the spring season) and proof of its existence has been found all around the Balkan territories. In Romania, archeologists found proof of the existence of this spring holiday, dating to approximately 8000 years ago in Mehedinti County (the Schela Cladovei site was discovered on the left bank of the Danube, chronologicaly belonging to the late Mesolithic and early Neolithic period). This proof consists of small river stone necklaces painted in red and white. Other historical data shows that our ancestors (the Dacians) wore these springtime amulets around their necks. The red color symbolized the blood, the Sun, and life (feminine energy), while the white color represented the clarity

of water and male winsdom. The string to which the amulet was fastened was made by putting together these two colors, and symbolised the harmony between masculine and feminine energies. During the time of our ancestors, the Dacians, these amulets were believed to provide protection from the Sun, as well as bring beauty and fertility to the women. They were worn until the first trees bloomed, at which time these amulets were tied to branches of fruit trees.

P re s e n t l y “Martisor” (which is also the name of the red and white string along with its hanging trinket) is a celebration at the beginning of spring, on the first of March, in Romania, Moldova, and in all territories inhabited by Romanians. The word “martisor” is the diminutive of Mart, the old folk name for March (Martie, in modern Romanian), and thus literally means “little March.” Nowadays on March first Romanians buy silky red

and white threads tied into a bow, to which a small trinket is attached, and offer them, along with a bouquet of snowdrop flowers (another important symbol of spring in Romania), to their female family members, friends, and colleagues to show friendship, respect, and admiration. As a symbol of the coming spring, the “martisor” is worn by both women and men, pinned to their clothes, close to the heart, until the last day of March. The very old popular belief says that the person who is wearing a “martisor” will be protected for the rest of the year, and that the women will keep their beauty and good health and will have good fortune in love matters. In Romania, this spring holiday is a national and cultural symbol, however, the traditions may be different in each region of the country. For example, in Ardeal, the area where I am from, people hang the “martisor” at their gates, windows, or even to their cattle’s horns, playing a protective role against evil spirits. In the West of the country, in Oradea City, for example, the people believe that if they wash their face with fresh rain water on the first day of March they will be in good health for the rest of the year. Similar spring Holidays can be found in other Balkan cultures. For example, the Bulgarian culture celebrates “ Martenitsa,” while the Albanian and Macedonian cultures celebrate “Lidhka.”

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

Covid update

Covid-19 vaccines: Everything you want to know about possible side effects, if any AS the Covid-19 vaccines roll out there are reports of temporary side effects such as headaches and fevers. Much of this was expected, with clinical-trial data for the vaccines authorised suggesting such. But now that, globally, millions of people are vaccinated, compared with just thousands enrolled in early studies, reports of some rare, allergic reactions are surfacing, and questions are arising about whether any deaths are linked to the vaccines. There is no question that the current vaccines are effective and safe, according to a report in Nature. The risk of severe reaction to a Covid-19 jab, say researchers, is outweighed by the protection it offers against the deadly coronavirus. Studies are also under way to determine whether shots can also stop people from getting infected and passing on the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Vaccines that prevent transmission could help to bring the pandemic under control if they are given to enough people. Preliminary analyses suggest that at least some vaccines are likely to have a transmissionblocking effect. But confirming that effect — and how strong it will be — is tricky because a drop in infections in a given region might be explained by other factors, such as lockdowns and behaviour changes. Not only that, the virus can spread from asymptomatic carriers, which makes it hard to detect those infections. Nature has been looking at what scientists are learning about the frequency and nature of side effects as people report their reactions to their GPs and through safety-monitoring systems, such as smartphone apps. For the two available messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines — one made by Moderna at Cambridgein Botosn,US, and

the other developed through a collaboration between Pfizer in New York City and BioNTech in Mainz, Germany — a significant portion of people experience non-serious reactions, such as injection-site pain, headache and fatigue. These vaccines deliver bits of RNA that code for coronavirus proteins, which the body mounts a response against. According to reliable scientific data about 372 out of every million administered doses of the mRNA vaccines lead to a nonserious reaction report. This number is lower than would be expected from clinicaltrial data, which indicated that at least 80% of people would experience injection-site pain. Researchers running trials monitor patients closely and record every reaction. Healthcare workers and vaccinated individuals are also relied upon to self-report side effects. So far, reactions to the mRNA vaccines are similar. These vaccines are administered in a two-dose regimen: the first shot triggers an immune reaction, and the second is a ‘booster’ that strengthens the body’s ability to fight the coronavirus. For the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine, which has been in use longer than the Moderna vaccine and therefore has generated more data, side effects increase with the second dose. The vaccine, developed by the University of Oxford and pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca, also requires a two-dose regimen, contains an inactivated cold-causing adenovirus

with genetic instructions for making coronavirus proteins to trigger immunity. According to UK safety-monitoring system the Yellow Card Scheme, about 4,000 doses out of every million administered lead to adverse reactions. Again, clinical-trial data suggest that a higher frequency is more accurate: around 50% of participants had injectionsite pain, headache or fatigue, according to data reported to the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Few people have received a second dose of the Oxford– AstraZeneca vaccine because the United Kingdom used its supplies to administer a first dose to as many people as possible, but clinical-trial data presented to the EMA suggest that side effects of the second shot are milder than those caused by the first. Safety data for shots rolling out in other parts of the world, such as the COVID-19 vaccines in China, are harder to come by. Preliminary data from clinical trials of the adenovirus-based Sputnik V vaccine in Russia suggest its most common side effects include flu-like symptoms and injection-site reactions. At least for the mRNA vaccines, GPs are seeing more side effects than for flu shots, says Helen Chu, an infectiousdisease specialist at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, who directs the Seattle Flu Study. In clinical trials for the Pfizer– BioNTech vaccine, for instance,

75% of participants reported a ‘systemic reaction’, such as headache, fever or chills. In a clinical trial for the common influenza vaccine Flubok Quadravalent, around 34% of participants aged 18–49 had a systemic reaction. Side effects were even less frequent in study participants who were at least 50 years old. Prof. Chu says the mRNA Covid-19 vaccines generate a particularly strong immune response that increases the risk of side effects, although this also means that the vaccines are working. She notes that her second dose of the Pfizer– BioNTech vaccine made her ill. “I got the vaccine, and six hours later, I had chills, a high fever, muscle aches and I went to bed for 24 hours,” she says. “Then by 36 hours later, it was totally over

‘The risk of severe reaction to a Covid-19 jab, say researchers, is outweighed by the protection it offers against the deadly coronavirus...’

and I was back to normal.” But Chu would rather be temporarily ill from a vaccine than deal with Covid-19, “a potentially mortal disease that could kill me”, she says. Although some have questioned whether the vaccines have led to deaths, none have been directly attributed to a Covid-19 jab. After 33 elderly care-home residents in Norway died within six days of receiving the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine, investigations by both the Norwegian Medicines Agency and the World Health Organisation concluded that these deaths were in line with normal death rates in this age group and that the vaccine is still safe for older people. India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reported 27 deaths in the country, but none of these have been linked directly to a COVID-19 vaccine either. It is “extremely difficult” to definitively link a death to the vaccine itself, says Hilda Bastian, a writer and scientist who specialises in validating evidence-based health claims. That is partially because the deaths reported so far have occurred days or weeks after an injection, making it hard to rule out other circumstances. Another reason is that, right now, clinicians are prioritising vaccines largely for a population of older people with underlying health conditions. Most of those who have died after vaccination have been in this group, according to reports from the United Kingdom and the US. The Moderna vaccine elicits about three anaphylactic reactions per million doses administered, and the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine triggers five reactions per million doses, according to data. This is a higher rate than most other vaccines — including annual flu shots, which trigger anaphylaxis for only one

out of every million doses administered2. For the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine, 30 cases of anaphylaxis have been confirmed overall when there was little more than three million administered doses. Vaccine specialists expect that these rates might change as more shots are administered. Although some people have required hospitalisation, all have fully recovered. Publichealth officials advise people with a history of allergies to any of the vaccines’ ingredients not to get a Covid-19 jab. Unlike Covid-19, anaphylaxis is treatable with drugs such as epinephrine if caught quickly, Most of the people who experienced anaphylaxis had reacted to other substances before: about 80% of people who reacted to the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine, and 86% to the Moderna vaccine, had a history of allergies, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The specific cause of the anaphylactic reactions remains unknown, but the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told Nature in an e-mail that the agency has designed a clinical trial to determine the underlying mechanism, but did not specify when the trial would begin. Some researchers have had their eye on polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the anaphylaxiscausing agent in the mRNA vaccines. The Moderna and Pfizer–BioNTech vaccines use hollow lipid nanoparticles to store and then deliver their mRNA payload to cells. PEG is linked to the lipids in these particles and, under normal circumstances, helps them to sneak by the immune system. Although PEG-linked molecules are found in a variety of products, such as laxatives and gout medicines, they have been known to cause allergic reactions3. Follow-up studies in people who experienced anaphylaxis could help to determine whether PEG is the culprit, says Samuel Lai, a pharmaco-engineer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. If blood samples from these people contain anti-PEG antibodies, it could be an indicator, says Lai, but it is as yet unclear how long these proteins remain in the bloodstream after anaphylaxis. Vaccines that don’t use PEG — such as the not-yet-authorised shot from Johnson & Johnson, which also uses an adenovirus to trigger immunity to the coronavirus — might be a way to vaccinate people with a sensitivity to the polymer, he adds. Because mRNA vaccines have shown such promise, Ulrich Schubert, a polymer scientist at the University of Jena in Germany, thinks now is the time to invest in developing vaccine-compatible polymers that don’t cause allergic reactions. At the German Research Foundation-funded collaborative research centre PolyTarget, where Schubert works, these studies are already in progress. “If we want to be ready for the next pandemic — which will come — we have to start now,” he says.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

News

The Friary Street Ambush RESEARCH BY: COMMANDANT LARRY SCALLAN COMPILED BY: GERRY CODY MORE OFFENSIVE ACTION FOLLOWS ARREST OF LEADING IRA MEMBERS The story of the Friary Street ambush starts in Delaney’s tailoring shop, in the Watergate area of Kilkenny, towards the end of 1920. A much depleted Brigade HQ staff meeting was taking place. The recent arrest of Ernie O’Malley at James Hanrahan’s farm close to Inistioge and the capture of his classified notebook, filled with critical information, had led to widespread arrests of prominent IRA commanders. Peter Deloughry the Brigade Commander, James Roughan, Officer Commanding the very active 7th battalion, and many other active volunteers were arrested and imprisoned. George O’Dwyer, the newly appointed Brigade Commander, had recently received a dispatch from Army Headquarters requiring more action to be taken in his area of operations. A number of options were discussed at the meeting, but no final decision was made regarding what the target would be or how soon it would happen.

In early January, O’Dwyer, along with Patrick Bryan of St Kieran street, the Brigade Quartermaster, had a meeting with Timothy Hennessy in Bryan’s home. O’Dwyer was annoyed about the tactical situation and he wanted more offensive action and soon. O’Dwyer came to realise that the situation in Kilkenny had become very complex with fragmented leadership issues. He then developed a mission command style of military leadership, which was derived from the Prussian-pioneered mission-type tactics doctrine, promoting relatively decentralised command, freedom and speed of action, and initiative, within certain constraints. Tim Hennessy knew he was required to activate the members of his 1st Battalion, select a suitable target and implement a plan to attack some part of the Crown Forces in Kilkenny City. He was informed that a ration party of the Devonshire Regiment brought fresh rations to the military guard at Kilkenny Jail every day. He decided that this would be a good target for a planned future operation. Tommy Nolan (Outrath) was selected to assist him with all the planning and, like Hennessy, Nolan was a veteran of the Hugginstown attack. As the plan was being developed, Martin Mulhall Danville

Garagan’s stone cutting yard : selected location of the attacking volunteers.

was tasked with reconnoitring the patrol route and observing the deportment and drills used by the soldiers when they were carrying out this routine daily patrol. Mulhall reported the following: the patrol consisted of seven soldiers deployed in three groups; the advance guard was made up of two private soldiers; The main guard was made up of three soldiers two privates – one being the driver and one an NCO. The patrol route never changed. The patrol left the barracks at the Ballybought Street gate, moved down onto John’s Street, over John’s Bridge, up Rose Inn Street, onto the Parade, turning up High Street and then turning left onto Friary Street, veering right at the top of Friary Street, up the Jail Road, arriving at the Jail entrance. He also reported that when the advance guard was in line with Hackett’s pub at the top of Friary Street, the main group were in line with Garagan’s stone cutting yard and the rear party were in line with the Friary Church. These positions were selected to be the locations of the attacking Volunteers when the final plans were made for the attack at Battalion Headquarters. Three rural

Peter Deloughry , the Brigade commander. Bitter disagreement grew between the Kilkenny Brigade and O’Malley.

The arrest of Ernie O’Malley and the capture of his classified notebook filled with critical information led to wide spread arrests of prominent IRA members.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

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News In all, eighteen volunteers were on active service on the morning of the 21st February, ‘21. However, only fourteen were on Friary Street, which gave the attackers a 2:1 numerical advantage over the Devonshire patrol. This might sound like a good advantage, but a good ‘rule of thumb’ is that attackers should plan to have at least a 3:1 advantage and it is very preferable to have an even higher advantage when planning an urban operation in a built up area. In fact, when Thomas Treacy attacked the Hugginstown RIC barracks he had a tactical advantage of 10:1. Above: Dohertys pub today was once named Hacketts and a key point for the ambush. Left: Commander George O’Dwyer of the Kilkenny Brigade.

companies were selected for the attack. Tim Hennessy appointed Martin O’Brien from Kells as the operations commander. Volunteers from Kells, Threecastles and Bennetsbridge were chosen for the attack. RULES OF ENGAGEMENT ENFORCED ON THE DAY PREVENTED ATTACKERS USING LETHALFORCE It was decided that the objective of the mission would be to apprehend the troops, gain possession of their arms, ammunition and documents, disable the soldiers and withdraw to a safe area where they would disperse into the local population (like fish swimming in the sea of the population). At the same time, the rules of engagement enforced on the day prevented the attackers from using lethal force, except for self-protection. It is important here to discuss the implication of this most important mission. It is a tactical imperative that attackers triggering an ambush use the element of surprise to neutralise the enemy with lethal force. The limiting of the ambush party to use of force for selfprotection only was to have very damaging effects, as will be seen.

Right: Monument erected at Tulla graveyard in memory of Tom Hennessy and Michael Darmody who lost their lives at the ambush .

Members of the ambush party met a few days before the attack where elements of the action were rehearsed at Shines Hill on the Callan road. Tim Hennessy was happy about the chances of success after the rehearsals. The final Order of Battle was as follows Kells Group James O Brien Commander Thomas Walsh Jim Torphy Paddy Hoyne Michael Brennan Bennetsbridge Group Johnny Greene Ned Gooley Paddy Murphy Dick Fitzgerald Danny Murphy Threecastles Group Thomas Hennessy Michael Dermody Ned Dunne Dick McEvoy Logistical support Tom Kearney Tim Gaffney Philip Dillon Scout Dennis Mulhall

AMBUSH PARTIES TAKE UP POSITIONS All of the ambushing party arrived in the city by bicycle that morning. The Threecastles men parked their bikes at St Mary’s Cathedral. The Bennetsbridge and Kells groups parked their bikes at the bottling store (now Brennan’s Public house, Walkin Street). The Threecastles men deployed at the Friary. Thomas Hennessy and Michael Dermody took up position in Garden Row laneway, while McEvoy and Dunne took up position in the Friary porch. The five Bennetsbridge men positioned themselves at Hackett’s pub. Ned Gooley and Danny Murphy were lying in the doorway of the pub with Dick Fitzgerald standing behind them. Tommy Murphy and Johnny Greene were on the street, one reading a paper and the other pretending to be fixing his bicycle. UNFORTUNATE TIMING OF CIVILIAN INTERVENTION TURNS THE TABLE ON THE LOCAL BRIGADE The Kells group were in position in Garagan’s stone cutting yard. Jim O Brien checked and confirmed that all of the groups were in position. The ambush would be activated from his whistle blast which he would give when the main party were in line with his position. Martin Mulhall was already performing his task, reconnoitring the location of the Devonshire patrol. That morning he cycled through the patrol, confirming that they were deployed correctly. He then doubled back and noticed that the patrol looked relaxed and were just a little behind time. He cycled up Friary street where he noticed two things: A lady was leaving a house directly across from Garagans , and a man was leaving the Friary church heading past the soldiers. The advance guard and the main party passed the Friary. Dunne and McEvoy were tense and ready for the signal to launch the attack. ATTACK FROM THE REAR Suddenly they noticed Hennessy and Dermody moving from their position into the street. They moved and met in the centre of the street. Hennessy then made a snap Continued on page 20 >

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

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News > Continued from page 19 decision to send Dunne and McEvoy back to the porch of the Friary, while he and Dermody would move to disarm the rear guard who looked relaxed and were chatting to each other. They walked passed the soldiers, then turned and attacked them from the rear. There was still no whistle blast as the main party were not yet in line with Garagan’s yard. Jim O’Brien didn’t know what was going on down the street as he was concealed from view of the ration party. The lady on the street screamed “Soldiers, you are being attacked!”. FOUR SHOTS FIRED Immediately, the two soldiers from the main party turned around and took cover. They took aim and fired at least four shots in quick succession. Dermody and Hennessy who were struggling to disarm the rear guard fell to the ground wounded. The remainder of the attacking force became aware for the first time that the attack had gone wrong. The Bennetsbridge group then fired a number of shots at the cart which had bolted up the street. One of the mules dropped somewhere in line with the Fair Green. CONFUSION AS ATTACKERS ESCAPE The attackers managed to escape into the country side during the confusion that followed. On Friary Street, Tom Hennessey lay dead and Michael Dermody was badly wounded, but a further thirty yards down the street lay a Mister Thomas Dullard, a corporation worker and farther of four who just happened to be in the wrong place in the wrong time. He would die of his wounds. The fact that the Threecastles men attacked the Devonshire rear guard with no numerical advantage meant that the struggle was always going to be protracted and the early warning given by the lady on the street compounded the situation. Well trained soldiers

The grave of Council worker Thomas Dullard , at St Patricks graveyard, Kilkenny. Mr Dullard was an innocent victim in the Friary street ambush.

engaging targets from less than twenty five yards with modern rifles meant that there was no doubt about the outcome of the action. CORRECT DECISION TAKEN Jim O’Brien made the hard but right decision not to sound the whistle blast and activate an already compromised action. The early triggering of the rear group meant that all of the Devonshire soldiers were on high alert and it would have been tactically unsound to attempt an attack when all of the advantages now lay with the soldiers. The engaging of the ration cart by the Bennetsbridge men allowed the attackers to escape during the confusion. The dead and wounded were all searched and pistols were found in both Hennessy’s and Dermody’s pockets. Both were loaded. Father Patrick from the Friary anointed all of the men as they lay on the street. Doctor John Mitchell came out of the dispensary and administered first aid to the wounded men before they were removed to Kilkenny military hospital. Thomas Dullard would die shortly afterwards and Michael Dermody would die of his wounds in military custody on 4th March, ‘21. BURIED AT TULLA Tom Hennessey was buried in Tulla Church and adjoining cemetery. His brother Tim, the overall commander of the operation, was arrested at the funeral and a British officer removed the Tricolour from Tom Hennessey’s coffin as it was carried from the church. Michael Dermody would be interred along with Hennessy less than two weeks later. While it is easy to pass judgement on the actions of volunteer soldiers fighting for the noble cause of Irish freedom, the bravery involved in accosting well trained, professional soldiers, armed with modern

firearms, cannot be overestimated. Thomas Hennessy and Michael Dermody are rightly remembered with a plaque in Friary Street. There were many follow up operations carried out by the Crown forces over the following days. All sections of the RIC were involved as well as soldiers from the Barracks. Jim O’Brien was not found to be responsible for the failure of the operation and, as already recounted, it was a combination of many things which accounted for the outcome. There was an IRA inquiry which found no fault in the commander. He followed the plan and was never in a position to launch the attack.

COUNCIL WORKER DULLARD WAS AN INNOCENT VICTIM A few words now about Thomas Dullard. His wife was called Mrs Bridget Dullard they had four children aged fifteen, five, two and six months. He was a corporation supervisor at the sandpits on Wolfe Tone Street. He had returned home for breakfast after an early start and was seen by Dick McEvoy leaving the church just before the action started. FURTHER ASSAULTS FOLLOWED The armed struggle would continue in Kilkenny. Around three weeks later, there was an attempt to assassinate County Inspector F. Whyte just off Friary Street, close to the Tholsel. Actions in Uskerty, Garryricken, Sinnott’s Cross and Coolb a w n would exemplify the

On February 21st, 1921, Thomas Dullard entered the Friary church for confessions. As he left the church on his way back to work at Kilkenny County Council he was shot and died. Mr Dullard was an innocent victim in ‘The Friary street ambush’. 100 years later on February 21 2021, his grandchildren, John Dullard and Kitty Phelan called to the church to remember their grandfather before laying a wreath in his memory.

planning and offensive spirit at Brigade level and the quality of leadership at Battalion and Company level as well as the determination of all members of the Kilkenny Brigade IRA. HENNESSY TO THE FORE Tom Hennessy planned the operation having been at the receiving end of a number of severe beatings from the Auxiliary division Royal Irish Constabulary. Major Bruce, who

Commandant Larry Scallan who researched the Friary St ambush.

was known as a loose cannon, appointed as a platoon commander in A Company Auxiliary Division, had threatened to shoot him during one search of the premises he managed in Ennisnag. He probably imposed the rules of engagement on the operation because he had very real concerns about what would happen to the city should any of the crown forces have died on Friary Street.

Donal Croghan, who laid a wreath at the grave of Thomas Dullard, at St Patrick’s cemetery, Marking the 100th year of his death.

100 YEARS LATER

One hundred years to the day, The First Battalion of the Kilkenny Brigade reenactment group, laid wreaths to remember all three who died at ‘The Friary Street Ambush’ Having first called to St Patrick’s graveyard, where they laid a wreath on the grave of Thomas Dullard, The small group then travelled to Friary street, where those who lost their lives were remembered. Fr Dan Carroll said a prayer at the site, and following a few words from Commandant Larry Scallan, a minutes silence was held. John Joe Cullen acted as M.C Covid rules were adhered to at both ceremonies.

Commandant Larry Scallan, Kilkenny Military Barrack, spoke briefly at the spot on Friary Street where three men lost their lives in ‘The Friary Street ambush’

Fr Dan Carroll, St John’s parish, who said a prayer for the repose of the souls of the three men At the commemoration of ‘The Friary Street Ambush’.

John Joe Cullen (First Battalion Kilkenny Brigade, Re-enactment Group) acted as MC at the laying of wreaths at St Patrick’s Graveyard and Friary Street.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

News

Lockdown pets sees vets work and incomes rise THE Covid-19 pandemic resulted in higher turnover for almost half of Irish veterinary practices last year with an increase in pet ownership contributing to greater demand for vet services, according to a new report by accountants HLB Sheehan Quinn. As vets continue to work long hours, achieving better work/ life balance continues to be the top aspiration of both practice owners and their employees. With increased growth in the veterinary sector, there is a strong trend with over a third of veterinary practice owner respondents (34%) planning to sell their practice within the next three years. Key findings in the report include: • Almost half (47%) of survey respondents said their turnover increased in 2020, partly due to an influx of new pet owners and people working from home having more time to interact with their pets during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown • Achieving better work/life

balance is the top aspiration of 60% of veterinary practice owners and 85% of employees with many of our survey respondents reporting that their workload increased during 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic • 43% work more than 50 hours a week and almost 1 in 4 (23%) are putting in more than 60 hours a week. Those working the longest hours tend to be practice owners • Staffing issues are the top challenge facing veterinary practices and most respondents (63%) plan to recruit additional vets or veterinary nurses in the next 12 months • The number of incorporated practices is up by 12% when compared to last year. While the majority of practice’s remain unincorporated, 60% of those surveyed indicate that they would consider incorporating their business • With regard to corporate activity, more than 20 practices have been purchased by the

corporates operating in Ireland. Feedback is positive and there is no indication that the practice of veterinary medicine has been negatively impacted. Commenting on the findings, HLB Managing Partner Mark Butler said: “Like many businesses across Ireland, veterinary practices had to find new ways of working in 2020 to cope with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Those who fared best adapted their working practices, finding ways to overcome difficulties and take advantage of emerging opportunities like the influx of new pet owners. “Our research shows that more than a third of veterinary practice owner respondents plan to sell their business within the next three years. As part of their due diligence, potential buyers will examine a practice’s financial track record,” Mr Butler said. “Obtaining advice well in advance of any transaction will give practice owners time to identify and address potential problems and ways to enhance value.”

Our Victoria lands agriculture bursary STUDENT Victoria Woods (pictured), a past pupil of Kilkenny College, Co Kilkenny is one of two students at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) to be awarded an agriculture work placement bursary, the Seedtech/ASA/IFJ Placement Bursary. The third year student is studying agricultural science. She is a daughter of Robert and Jill Woods and is from Tinahely, Co Wicklow. Each year the Agricultural Science Association (ASA) teams up with the Irish Farmers Journal, Glanbia and Seedtech to provide placement bursaries to students in the BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Science and BSc in Agriculture to support costs associated with farm/industrial placement. Programme leaders Dr Michael Breen and Dr Tony Woodcock, thanked all of the interviewers for giving their time and expertise so generously. “Placement is an integral part of the agscience/agriculture programmes here in WIT and

it is great to have the continued support of our industry stakeholders in awarding the placement bursaries,” said Dr Woodcock. Dr Breen added that “The interviewers were very impressed with the broad knowledge of the agri food sector that the students displayed as well as their eagerness to learn from their forthcoming placement.” Seedtech’s Denise Stuart said: “Unfortunately, due to Covid 19 restrictions, the students cannot travel abroad for their work placements. However, we hope that the bursary will go to good use, either for internal travel expenses or is hived away for when we can all travel abroad again. Seedtech was very impressed with the quality of the candidates again this year and we wish the applicants/winners every success in the coming year.”

In the bursary application Victoria outlined: her interest in agriculture as an industry, and how the opportunity of being offered a placement position at Teagasc Johnstown Castle research centre in Co Wexford, has enabled her to grow her knowledge of the industry, particularly in the area of research.

Harry Potter and the GAA go Online at Fonsie Mealy IMPORTANT GAA and other sporting memorabilia and antique weapons and military artefacts are among 650 lots going under the hammer at Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers on Wednesday, March 3rd. The auction will take place at the Chatsworth Auction Rooms, Chatsworth Street, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny. While their auction rooms are closed to the public for viewing and on the sale day because of Covid-19 restrictions, viewing and bidding are available online through www.

easyliveauction.com / thesaleroom.com Highlights of the sale include: a selection of Harry Potter books (including some 1st and signed editions) lots 160 – 167; A rare ticket from the infamous ‘Bloody Sunday’ Challenge Match 1920 (lot 610) plus a wide range of sporting memorabilia and GAA match programmes; a selection of jewellery (lots 506 – 561), offers plenty of gift ideas for loved ones; an important section on antique militaria ie. swords, Flintlock weapons (lots 460 –

504); and a collection of posters for the cinema buff (lots 639 – 665) There are some items of specific Kilkenny interest: Lots 19, 61, 113, 370, 574, 587, 589, 590, 595, and 633. The auction offers an eclectic and wide ranging plethora of items with something for all discerning collectors, young and old. For more information please contact: Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers +353 56 4441229 info@fonsiemealy.ie

Find your happy place by trying Stressveva CLAIR WHITTY

ARE you frazzled trying to work from home or study for exams and feeling stressed? Studying for exams at any time can be stressful but I can’t imagine the stress some of you are experiencing this year. The space you normally study or work in is possibly noisier, more crowded, or maybe you don’t have a dedicated space. Concentration might be a little more difficult. Life is challenging for many of you at the moment. Let’s assume that you’re sleeping fairly well and your diet is good, then what else can you do? I spoke recently about a supplement called Stressveda. It contains a unique blend of Organic Ashwagandha Root plus plant-sourced B Vitamins. These contribute to normal mental performance and normal function of the nervous system. Ashwagandha belongs to the nightshade family and is known as an adaptogenic herb - it may

help the body to adapt to various emotional and physical stressors. It’s traditionally used as a tonic, for lack of energy, mental fatigue, and for those with excessive thinking. Stressveda also contains vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and Folate. B vitamins can have a direct impact on your energy levels and cognitive function.

B vitamins are found in a lot of foods. For example meat, seafood, chicken, eggs, dairy, legumes, and green leafy vegetables so you might be getting lots of them. But B vitamins are water soluble and this means that they are not stored in the body. Stress depletes levels of B vitamins so while you might be eating plenty it’s no harm at all to top up on a few extra B’s. I think Stressveda is an excellent combination to help you feel less stressed. Customers have been telling me how good they’re finding it. They are amazed at how much happier they feel, calm in the face of chaos, and able to get more done in a day. It would be a shame if stress or feeling frazzled held you back from getting the results that you’re aiming for in work or exams. Don’t give up. Why not give it a try and see if Stressveda can help you find your happy place. For more information call into see us at Natural Health Store at Market Cross Shopping Centre. Phone: 056 7764538 Email: info@ naturalhealthstore.ie

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Local-based crafts aim to ‘get creative’ under Covid MANY of Ireland’s craftspeople and makers are bringing their talents into homes and communities across the country as part of an inspirational nationwide campaign unveiled by Kilkennybased Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI). A giant glass quilt ‘sewn together’ by makers across the country, community benches forged by blacksmiths and online workshops for children

and adults are just some of the creative projects inspired by the Government’s ‘Keep Well’ campaign. The projects are the result of an innovative Sláintecare-funded collaboration between the DCCI and Healthy Ireland. As part of the Government’s Plan for Living with Covid-19, the DCCI is focusing on the campaign’s strand ‘Switching off and Being Creative’. This pro-

HSE welcomes findings on SE mental health inpatient units THE ‘positive assessment’ by the Mental Health Commission of acute inpatient units in Kilkenny and Waterford has been welcomed hy the HSE. The Mental Health Commission (MHC) recorded 86% compliance to all regulations at the Department of Psychiatry (DoP) located on the grounds of University Hospital Waterford (UHW) and 94% at the unit located on the grounds of St Luke’s General Hospital in Kilkenny. Regarding the 44 bed DoP in Kilkenny (which serves the Carlow-Kilkenny/South Tipperary catchment area), the MHC reported a 21% rise in compliance there when comparing to its 2019 findings. The comparative rise in compliance found by the MHC at the 44 bed unit at UHW (which serves the Waterford/Wexford catchment area) was 29%. Both units are in the remit of South East Community Healthcare, as the designated approved centres for acute mental inpatient services and where teams of professionals (including medical, specialist and other support staff) are in place to serve the needs of all those who require treatment and support. Responding to the MHC’s findings, the Head of Service/Mental Health for HSE/South East Community Healthcare (SECH) David Heffernan said: “Patient care remains a priority focus for SECH, throughout all the components of our service delivery.

We strive at all times to adhere to the rules and regulations relating to provision of mental health services. “We continue to work closely with the Mental Health Commission to ensure that the DoPs in Waterford and Kilkenny comply with applicable guidelines.” He said. “We always welcome observations made by the Mental Health Commission, including when they outline challenges for our services – as would have been the case previously in regard to the DoPs in Waterford and Kilkenny.” “Our dedicated staff, in both instances and during both nonCovid times and the difficult environment applicable since the declaration of the pandemic in March of last year, are very committed to the provision of a quality and safe mental health service to the population we serve. “Consequently, it is heartening to see the highlighting of references in both these Reports to ‘safe and dignified care in a clean environment’. That is our aim at all times,” Mt Heffernan said. “Working with my colleague the Chief Officer of SECH Kate Killeen White and our diligent cohorts of mental health staff across community, residential support and inpatient settings, I look forward to continuing to meet the expectations set for us by the Mental Health Commission.”

Gardai issue fresh scam alerts throughout county GARDAI have issued another alert over text and online scams following a rise in reports from residents across the county. The scams are via text messages, direct calling and emails, hoping to obtain your personal information. A local Garda spokesperson said: “Be suspicious of text mes-

sages received out of the blue that claim to come from a reputable organisation, such as a bank or credit/debit card issuer. “Be cautious of text messages that prompt you to call a phone number or visit a website to resolve an issue or verify your details urgently. Do not respond to text messages.”

gramme encourages people at home to switch off, get creative and learn something new. It offers people of all ages and abilities an opportunity to engage with free creative activities that are all designed to promote wellbeing and resilience as the country copes with life under the Covid-19 restrictions. Funding has been allocated to nine creative projects involving DCCI guilds, associations,

networks and societies (GANS) which will be developed between now and April. These include: *Online workshops operated by the Irish Patchwork Society to teach people patchwork and quilting. *Members of the Irish Artist Blacksmiths Association from across the county are coming together to forge a bench that will be donated to a residential care unit.

*Glass Society of Ireland members are coming together to make a giant glass quilt made from several individual glass patches ‘sewn together’ in a collaborative glass installation. The society is also hosting a series of online workshops from community leaders, inspiring artists to make individual responses using innovative new techniques and ideas.

*Feltmakers Ireland are hosting a series of three online tutorials to members of the public, with participants contributing to a stained glass inspired felt piece to submit to the Evie and Us exhibition. *The Quilters Guild of Ireland is engaging with quilters and members of their friends and family to make quilts to benefit projects that support women and promote mental health.

NEWS BRIEFS Executive move: the hospitals group UPMC has announced the appointment of Eamonn Fitzgerald as VP for Health Services in Ireland. He will also become a member of the International Executive Management Group (IEMG) for UPMC International.

Man arrested after fatal collision A man in his 30s has been arrested following a fatal collision on the Callan Road on Sunday, February 21st, in which a motorcyclist in his 40s died. The two vehicle collision happened at Tinnypark on the Callan Road at around 11:30am.

School to get an extra classroom Plans to build a new one classroom extension at Scoil Bhríde National School in Lisdowney have been approved by the local authority. The 76-pupil school, which opened in 1989, has three mainstream teachers, a shared learning support teacher, a part-time resource teacher, as well as three special needs assistants.

Local man proves food for thought

Pandemic thwarts 48 new homes plan THE pandemic has temporarily put paid to plans to build 48 new homes in a Kilkenny village. Developer John Staunton lodged an application with Kilkenny County Council in July seeking permission to build the housing development at Moate Road in Ballyragget. Late in October, the local authority returned to Mr Staunton requesting more details about

certain aspects of the plans. The developer has now sought an extension to the time period to provide the information due to issues arising from ongoing work challenges experienced by the design team as a result of Covid restrictions. The local authority agreed to the request. It granted the developer and design team a further three months to provide infor-

mation regarding a number of points of clarification. John Staunton is hoping to create a development consisting of 14 four-bed homes, 30 three-bed homes, three two-bed bungalows, and one two-bed mid-terrace house. A decision on the development has now been put on hold while the council awaits further detail.

Virgin Media Television new series starting on Wednesday, March 3rd called Eating With The Enemy sees strangers with extreme opposite views paired together for a meal to see whether they can click with each other. The first episode features a gentleman from Kilkenny who’s opinions are quite controversial, we are told!

Pupils set their sights on Mars School students across Kilkenny and Carlow could be studying new findings from Mars in a few years time. That’s the hope of space journalist Leo Enright speaking to KCLR after the Mars Rover landed on the planet last night- ending its sevenmonth journey from Earth.

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Thanks Amy and Leo, #MadeLocal campaign is to get a reboot Designs of the time: Amy Huberman and Leo Varadkar at the #MadeLocal campaign launch

PLANS to reboot its successful #MadeLocal campaign this summer are to go ahead, according to the Design & Crafts

Council Ireland (DCCI). The national agency says almost nine out of 10 retailers who took part in the campaign

reported a rise in sales as a result of the nationwide promotion. The campaign was launched

Improve Speed on the pitch EOIN EVERARD

THIS article is for our runners and hurlers who think just doing a lot of sprinting will make you fast. WRONG. Becoming quick is much more complex than that. We are training students to have degrees in strength and conditioning because there is so much science behind what you have to do to get quick, strong, powerful AND STAY HEALTHY. First step in getting you quicker, understand that speed does not come down to one thing. What stage of running are you struggling with? What do I mean? Well is it the first 10 metres that your man gets away from you, is it from 10 to 20 metres that other players are catching up or is it that your all out speed is not up to scratch? Maybe it’s all three!! I will answer how to work on all these questions (even if it is all 3). The first thing to recognise is that these 3 categories require different training to improve. Slow off the mark (0-10 metres): This requires that you work on acceleration. Off the mark speed is all about FORCE. How much force can you push into

the ground. How much force can your muscles generate. This requires that you get strong. Split squats, heavy squats and single leg deadlifts are good exercises to use here. The goal is to get your muscles to produce more force. Think about it like a car. This first stage is all about how much horse power you have. If you don’t have much horse power then it will be difficult to get your car to go fast. Maximum speed (10-20 metres): In a 100m sprint this is phase is longer but for a match example this is generally seen running 10 to 20 metres. This portion is not about strength, you should have good strength from the last phase. This phase is about power, which is the ability to use your strength quickly. Your foot is only on the ground for split seconds and so you need to be able to generate force quickly. Think about our car, we might have a lot of horse

power in the engine but if that horse power does not spin the wheels quickly then the car will not be that fast. To improve your power I recommend weighted squat jumps. Get into a squat position holding 2 10kg dumbbells, try jump as high as you can. Another great thing to do here is push a car (or sled at 12.5% your bodyweight if you have proper equipment) for 10 seconds. Both of these get you using the strength you have quickly. This will really improve your maximum speed capacity. Finally maintaining speed: This is about putting it all together. In this phase it is about being specific. You should not really use weights in this phase. Instead do lighter sled runs, try to bound across a pitch or do 10 single leg hops each side and then into a sprint. You need to teach your body how to use the new strength you have given it. In conclusion to improve your speed first you have to improve the capacity of the engine (maximum amount of strength you can generate). Then you have to improve the engine power output so that all the cylinders fire at once (generally through jumps with weight). Finally you need to make sure all the power from the engine converts to speed on the road. For more tips and training visit everardpilates.com

last summer by Tánaiste and Enterprise Minister Leo Varadkar and actor Amy Huberman as part of DCCI’s drive to boost sales and revenue for makers and local retailers during the pandemic. It was reignited again last winter to encourage shoppers to buy quality Irishmade products in the countdown to Christmas. The vast majority of retailers (87%) reported a positive impact on sales, which came as a welcome boost as COVID-19 restrictions significantly impacted the sector. Meanwhile, almost two thirds (64%) of makers and designers reported an increase in sales. Figures published by DCCI confirm the campaign generated almost 10 million online

impressions between last summer (3.8 million) and winter (5.7 million) and featured in a wide array of national and regional media outlets in print, broadcast and online. A total of 170 retailers took part in the summer campaign, with a further 241 outlets joining in the countdown to the festive period. Some 801 DCCI clients representing every design and crafts discipline, from jewellery, goldsmithing and furniture design to textiles and stone craftspeople, weavers and candlemakers, featured in the initial summer campaign. A further 977 makers and designers joined the winter campaign. Ten industry Guilds, Associations, Networks and Societies

(GANS) initially took part in the #KeepWell campaign, with a further 30 joining in winter. Commenting on the figures, DCCI Market Development Director Brian McGee said: “Like every section of society, the design and craft sector has not been immune to the effects of this unprecedented public health emergency. Design & Crafts Council Ireland is committed to supporting our makers and designers and to bolster public confidence in the sector we launched the Made Local campaign last summer, bringing together the craft and design sector together with the common purpose of encouraging consumers to support local enterprises.”

Solar farm given another five years A SOLAR farm in C0. Kilkenny has been granted an extra five years to complete the development. Kilkenny County Council granted Power Capital Renewable Energy the signicant extension to develop the 5MW solar farm on lands at Grange Lower in Goresbridge. Power Capital originally received planning for their renewable energy project in 2016, but the period of that planning was due to expire in October. When completed, the de-

velopment will consist of a 5MW solar farm, comprising photovoltaic panels on ground mounted frames. The farm will cover 28 acres and will include four transformers, four auxiliary transformers, four inverters, a distribution network, a communications building and an ESB substation. As part of the plans, Power Energy will create a new site access road that will connect to the existing R702. In 2016 Kilkenny County Council gave the green light

for Power Capital Renewable Energy to develop a 5MW solar farm on lands at Grange Lower in Goresbridge. A 5MW solar farm, comprising photovoltaic panels on ground mounted frames was approved at the time. The development on the 28 acre site was granted permission for the construction for four transformers, four auxiliary transformers, four inverters, a distribution network, a communications building and an ESB substation.

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Science & Wellbeing

Go easy on the coffee if you’ve a baby on the way

Why being told to stay positive can be so annoying LOOKING on the bright side doesn’t actually work for everyone. It’s cold outside, it’s Covid inside, I haven’t gotten my pandemic payment yet, and none of the responsible parties have appropriately atoned for being awful to poor Britney Spears. Things are pretty awful right now, and you may feel bad accordingly. You may even feel bad for feeling bad. It was the Monty Python crew who maintained that looking on the bright side can help banish a bad mood. There are countless self-help books, and indeed newspaper articles this this one, and countless counsellors out in the world, arguing that you just have to “think positively” in order to be happier (and, eh, more productive). But that’s easier said than done. If you’re struggling — and the idea of just grinning and bearing it is enough to bring on an involuntary eye twitch—don’t worry for the experts now say a socalled ‘positive mindset’ is way overrated. The harsher life gets, the more you’re supposed to have that ‘stiff upper lip’. That, plus all the feel-good stuff that came along in the 60s and 70s added to the cultural mandate to suck it up — but it’s a double whammy. You have to suck it up, and you have to act happy while you’re doing it. That’s what Professor Barbara Held calls “the tyranny of the positive attitude”. Prof. Held’s research in the field of positivity has led her to

become a vocal critic of that “tyranny”. She thinks pretending to feel good in order to stop feeling bad isn’t the one-stop remedy we’re led to believe. “Thinking positive doesn’t bring good things to you automatically, just like worrying doesn’t bring bad things to you automatically. That’s nonsense,”says the professor of psychology and social studies at Bowdoin College Some people genuinely benefit from positive thinking — it’s just that if grinning and bearing it means clenching so hard you crack a molar, that strategy clearly doesn’t work for you. Prof. Held says people who benefit most from focusing on the positive tend to be low in what is termed ‘trait anxiety’ defined in psychology as the tendency to experience “fears, worries, and anxiety across many situations,” regardless of actual danger. Focusing on the best outcome of a stressful situation is a more viable strategy for coping with stress or hardship for people in these worrying times. Prof. Held says that thinking of the worst outcomes and making a plan to deal with them usually makes for an effective coping strategy. “For some people, so-called ‘negative thinking’ helps them cope better. I’m one of those people,” she says. “If I’m facing something that’s upsetting me, thinking about what can go wrong in advance and how I’ll cope if those things happen helps me calm down and reduces my anxiety, and I function better.”

What would Keats have had to say about Covid-19? DRINKING coffee during pregnancy can change important brain pathways that could lead to behavioural problems later in life, according to new research. Researchers analysed thousands of brain scans of nine and 10-year-olds, and revealed changes in the brain structure of children exposed to caffeine while still in the womb. “These are sort of small effects and it’s not causing horrendous psychiatric conditions, but it is causing minimal but noticeable behavioural issues that should make us consider long term effects of caffeine intake during pregnancy,” says John Foxe, director of the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, and principal investigator of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development or ABCD Study

at the University of Rochester. “I suppose the outcome of this study will be a recommendation that any caffeine during pregnancy is probably not such a good idea.” Elevated behavioural issues, attention difficulties, and hyperactivity are all symptoms that researchers observed in these children. “What makes this unique is that we have a biological pathway that looks different when you consume caffeine through pregnancy,” says Zachary Christensen, a MD/ PhD candidate in the Medical Science Training Programme and first author of the paper published in the journal Neuropharmacology. “Previous studies have shown that children perform differently on IQ tests, or they have

different psychopathology, but that could also be related to demographics. This gives us a place to start future research to try to learn exactly when the change is occurring in the brain.” Scientists analysed brain scans of more than 9,000 nine and 10-year-old participants in the study. They found clear changes in how the white matter tracks — which form connections between brain regions — were organised in children whose mothers reported they drank caffeine during pregnancy. “It is important to point out this is a retrospective study,” says Foxe. “We are relying on mothers to remember how much caffeine they took in while they were pregnant.” Previous studies have found

caffeine can have a negative effect on pregnancy. It is also known that a foetus does not have the enzyme necessary to breakdown caffeine when it crosses the placenta. This new study reveals that caffeine could also leave a lasting impact on neurodevelopment. The researchers point out that it is unclear if the effects of the caffeine on the foetal brain varies from one trimester to the next, or when during gestation these structural changes occur. Current clinical guidelines already suggest limiting caffeine intake during pregnancy — no more than two normal cups of coffee a day,” Christensen says. “In the long term, we hope to develop better guidance for mothers, but in the meantime, they should ask their doctor as concerns arise.”

WHEN the poet John Keats died 200 years ago this month, he was just 25 years old. Despite his short life, he’s still considered one of the finest poets in the English language. Yet, in addition to masterpieces such as Ode To A Nightingale and To Autumn, Keats’ legacy includes a remarkable concept: what he called “negative capability”. The idea – which centres on suspending judgment about something in order to learn more about it – remains as vital today as when he first wrote about it. Keats lost most of his family to the infectious disease tuberculosis, that would also take his own life. In the same way the Covid-19 pandemic turned the worlds of many people upside down, the poet had developed a

deep sense of life’s uncertainties. Keats was born in London in 1795. His father died in a horseriding accident when Keats was eight, and his mother died of TB when he was 14. As a teenager, he began medical studies, first as an apprentice to a local surgeon and later as a medical student at Guy’s Hospital, where he assisted with surgeries and cared for all kinds of people. After completing his studies, however, Keats decided to pursue poetry. In 1819, he composed many of his greatest poems, though they didn’t receive widespread acclaim during his lifetime. By 1820, he had contracted tuberculosis and relocated to Rome, where he hoped the warmer climate would help him recover. He died a year later.

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Employers – update your anti-bullying policies before it’s too late NO matter how big or small a business is, all employers have an obligation to preserve their employees’ safety, health, and welfare while at work. Bullying can have a detrimental effect on an individual’s physical and psychological health, so employers must do all they can to create a workplace culture where bullying is not tolerated. The negative consequences of bullying can also extend to the organisation as a whole. It can mean lost productivity, low morale in the workforce, and even litigation. When it comes to bullying in the workplace, prevention is obviously better

than cure. Such is the key message of the newly published Code of Practice for Employers and Employees on the Prevention and Resolution of Bullying at Work, which offers advice and guidance on how to prevent, identify and deal with an allegation of bullying in the workplace. It now makes sense for employers to critically review their existing anti-bullying policies and bring them in line with the new advice from the government. The newly updated policies should be communicated to all staff. Training should be arranged which will equip teams with the knowledge they need to identify and

deal with an allegation of bullying. Support contacts should be appointed where possible, and a panel of investigators formed. It is important to remember that any investigations into an allegation of bullying must be impartial. For this reason, it can often make sense to look for a trusted third party to maintain the integrity of the investigation. While not following the new Code of Practice is not a legal offence, it is admissible in evidence should an allegation of bullying result in litigation. Employers should therefore be aware of this and look at their existing practices with a critical eye.

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Help us help those in need REMEMBER meeting friends for a coffee or lunch during the week, a couple of pints on a Friday evening after work, meeting friends, old and new on a Saturday night, singing along to the live entertainment. A weekend away with the family or a loved one for some wellearned rest and relaxation, it all seems a distant memory. We’re all craving for somewhere to go, something to do and somehow bring some sort of normality back to our lives. It’s a struggle to even remember what it was like. This pandemic has affected us all in some way. The people that brought this escapism to us, week in week out are struggling and in some cases individuals and families are on their knees, particularly those who earned their livelihood from the hospitality sector. These people are now out of work for nearly a year. The Village Childcare and Community Services, incorporating “Kilkenny Offering A Helping Hand” are appealing to the public

WHAT WE NEED LADIES & GENTS CLEAN CLOTHING: *Fleeces *Hoodies *Jumpers *Polo & T-shirts *Track Bottoms *Jeans *Leggings *Socks

*Men’s Boxers *Ladies Briefs *Coats *Runners/Footwear (NB Flat)

FOOD:

At the moment we mainly cater for single people. Keep small portion sizes in mind, for example rice pouches instead of big family rice bags, small tins of beans, peas etc.

*Cereal *Sugar *Jam *Honey *Wraps *Carrot/Veg in Jars/ Tins *Beans Tin *Sweet Corn *Soup Tin *Tinned Soup *Meatball Tin *Tinned Meat *Custard Carton *Ambrosia Rice *Fish Tins

*Tea Bags *Pasta *Rice & sachets *Bolognese sauce big & small.

TOILETRIES:

*Toothpaste *Toothbrush *Roll on deodorant *Shampoo *Conditioner *Ladies sanitary Towels *Body Wash *Razors

and business alike who are in a position to help, for clothing and non-perishable foods, to help us help those in need. We urgently need the following so we can continue to help those individuals and their families and those who have fallen on hard times. To facilitate this, James Stephens GAA have kindly given us access to the clubhouse in Larchfield, Kilkenny. We will be there Saturday and Sunday the 27th & 28th of February from 11am until 6pm. OR alternatively, donations can be dropped off to any of our volunteers on the Town Hall, on Monday, Wednesday or Friday nights between 7pm and 9pm. The Village Childcare & Community Services is a fully registered charity CHY 11038. We will ensure that all donations are distributed to individuals and families in Kilkenny only. If you have any questions or queries, please contact Martin on 087 7914867.

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Lockdown streaming

Watch 5 Great Oscar winners 1. INCEPTION

Won: Best Cinematography, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, Best Visual Effects at the 83rd Academy Awards

Whether the ending haunts or delights you, Inception is always an experience to watch. From Hans Zimmer’s transcendent score to the rotating hallways and city streets of the dream world, Inception kept us gawking and guessing throughout. From director Christopher Nolan, it’s a thriller, a VFX smorgasbord, and a high-stakes heist that always has us riveted.

2. THE SOCIAL NETWORK

Won: Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score at the 83rd Academy Awards

The thought of watching a movie in any way related to Facebook.com might make your jaw clench in the year 2021, but The Social Network remains a compulsively watchable product of its time. Even in its more sympathetic portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg from 2010 we see the seeds of the site and its creator as we’ve now come to know them. Director David Fincher and writer Aaron Sorkin’s film thrums with youthful restlessness.

3. ROMA

Won: Best Director, Best Foreign Language Film, Best Cinematography at the 91st Academy Awards

Alfonso Cuarón’s Oscar-winning drama follows Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio), a housekeeper working for a wealthy family in Mexico City. Thanks to Cuarón’s writing, direction, and cinematography (each of which garnered its own respective Oscar), the film is remarkably immersive, enveloping us in Cleo’s world in a way most movies strive for and can never even touch. We feel the comfort in her mundane day-to-day, the sting of her boyfriend’s betrayal, and blinding panic and trauma in the film’s final act. It’s a stunning piece of cinema that should be talked about for decades to come.

4. MARRIAGE STORY

Won: Best Supporting Actress (Laura Dern) at the 92nd Academy Awards

Writer-director Noah Baumbach’s tense tale of a couple ending their marriage divided audiences, with some viewers reporting they were surprised by whose “side” they ended up on. But critical reception for the film was almost universal in its praise of the story’s execution and impact, with leads Scarlett Johannson and Adam Driver singled out for their magnetic scene work. This artful depiction of intimacy remains a triumph of romantic storytelling.

5. AMERICAN FACTORY Won: Best Documentary Feature at the 92nd Academy Awards

This 2020 Best Documentary Feature winner takes viewers inside a shuttered General Motors factory in Ohio, recently purchased and re-staffed by a Chinese billionaire, for a stunning look at worker exploitation in the modern age. A complex presentation of multiculturalism and its impacts on the global economy, American Factory is an uncomfortable watch that remains steadfastly objective from start to end but still manages to make its point. *All five available on Netflix

It’s official! Bridgerton to get a second season IT”S look a lot like there will be another season of everybody’s favourite Regency bodice-ripper Bridgerton on Netflix. An official announcement confirming a second season of Netflix’s hotly devoured period drama really qualifies as good gossip. For some of us, our Twitter timelines have essentially devolved into steady streams of Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page). The streaming platform has been teasing the news for days. But the perceived obviousness

of Netflix maybe wanting to hold onto their Regency-era golden goose a little while longer hasn’t precluded Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews) from announcing the renewal with all the pageantry you’d expect from the Shondaland hit. “The ton are abuzz with the latest gossip, and so it is my honour to impart to you: Bridgerton shall officially return for a second season,” Netflix’s announcement reads. “I do hope you stored a bottle of ratafia for this most

delightful occasion.” The announcement goes on to confirm that production will begin this spring and that season two’s focus will land squarely on Lord Anthony Bridgerton, played by Jonathan Bailey. The entire cast is confirmed to return for the next round of bodice-ripping and societal faux pas with creator Chris Van Dusan continuing to lead the way. Adapted from a series of novels by Julia Quinn, Bridgerton has remained one of Netflix’s most streamed

properties since its Christmas debut. According to The AV Club’s series review by Lady Whistledown herself: “Bridgerton has a soapy, compelling way about it. Although I think highly of myself (for obvious reasons), I would never deign to consider my writings great literature, and I doubt that the keepers of Bridgerton view their stories that way either. Nevertheless, people run toward my creative outputs, and I suspect that viewers of Bridgerton will likely do the same.”

Six words you should never say to your streaming other half NETFLIX and chill has pretty much become a nightly occurrence, thanks to the pandemic. However, if there’s one thing we’ve learned from our new hobby, it’s to never say these six words to our viewing partner: “I think I figured it out!” According on online Purewow.com, we’re taking about the “aha!” moment that occurs when you think you know how a TV show or movie may end. While it can be tempting to say,

“I think I figured it out,” or “Oh, I know how this movie ends,” we highly recommend keeping those phrases to yourself while watching Netflix. Since binge-watching is considered a bonding activity for many couples, unwanted predictions can lead to major problems down the line. Real-time theories can be extremely frustrating for two key reasons: 1. If you’re correct, your partner might experi-

ence animosity if he/she didn’t put two-and-two together as quickly. And 2. Your partner might have a hard time relating to the storyline if he/she has a preconceived notion of what’s going to happen, even if your theory is wrong. And you don’t want them resenting you for ruining their streaming experience. We’re trying to spread the word, especially since bingewatching has become a go-to

activity for couples during this time of social distancing. Don’t believe us? Well, almost one third of the participants in a recent study claimed they spent “all or most of their time with their partner watching Netflix,” so you do the math. Besides, no one wants to be known as the person who always blurts out the ending before other viewers have a chance to process what’s happening.

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Lucy Glendenning All pics: Danny Lahart

Shane O’Rourke

John Donovan

Eugene Barry and Ger Lanigan

Out and about in Kilkenny City with Danny

Grit Metsch

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David Bower and John Kennedy

Enya Kennedy and Stephen Mullally

Tom O’Shea, Sean O’Dwyer, Kevin Kelly and Paul Cleere

John Byrne and James Malone

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

News

‘Communities are Stronger’ EVERY year across the World Poland’s Great Orchestra Christmas raises millions of euro for children Hospitals in Poland. This is an opportunity for all the Polish diaspora to come together and have fun while supporting a great charitable cause 2020/21 despite Covid 19 once again showed the generosity of the Polish Diaspora across the globe and Kilkenny was no exception. This year was the second year the Polish Community came together through business sponsorship and under the guidance of Ania Adamowaska made 2020/21 event a success. Each year the organising committee call to all businesses, not just the large number of Polish Businesses in Kilkenny that are contributing to our economy but local and Irish companies to support their ‘Charitable Call’

The Polish Community Have become an important demographic in Kilkenny. The Polska Eire festival has many of its roots in Kilkenny . Members of the Kilkenny Polish community were members of the Original Polska Eire Organising committee 2015 and the 2016 event’s national launch was held here in the Marble city. Despite what some may say the Polish community are fantastic in coming together to organise their community and build a strong a vibrant group to arrange and support activities that is a benefit for their diaspora. In Kilkenny we have a strong Polish school Polska Szkoła im. św. Jana Pawła II w Kilkenny. In Kilkenny ,under the guidance of the Polish Consulate Kilkenny, we wish to now set up a Polish Community Committee / Working Group to

make Kilkenny a ‘Home from Home’ and make Kilkenny a city where the Polish diaspora can work, rest and play. It is the time to ensure we have activities right across the age profile of our diaspora and have a say in the policies that are been discussed by our Local/ National Government. Jest nas tutaj tak wielu, że właśnie za pomocą FB postanowiliśmy poinformować ,iż chcemy uaktywnić jeszcze mocniej Polonię w Kilkenny. Czy zadaliście sobie kiedyś pytanie jak bardzo efektywna będzie nasza praca bez Was?? Ciężko jest podejmować decyzje, gdy nie znamy oczekiwań i potrzeb. Dlatego też chcemy, aby każdy miał wpływ na to, co jest organizowane dla Polonii, poznać Wasze pomysły, priorytety itd. Każdy z Was ma tutaj

możliwość by wyrazić swoją opinię, a przede wszystkim sam zadecydować , zaangażować się i przejąć inicjatywę! W tak trudnych dla wszyst-

kich czasach, nie bądźmy obojętni. Czekamy na Wasze wiadomości, pomysły i chęć do działania. Dziekujemy.

Mr. Murty Brennan HON Polish Consul Consulate of Poland 15A Hebron House Kilkenny R95DD22

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

News

Two locals graduate amid the pandemic KILKENNY students Conor Gleeson and Alan Mc Cabe graduated from Foróige’s Leadership for Life Programme accredited by the National University of Ireland Galway. They were among 342 young people from North and South of Ireland who were awarded with a Foundation Certificate in Youth Leadership and Community Action from NUIG having completed the Foróige Leadership for Life Programme. The event took place online with 310 young people in attendance. There were a number of inspirational speakers, including Minister Roderic O’Gorman and Jim Gavin, the former Dublin Gaelic football manager. Minister O’Gorman credited the graduates for their innovation and resilience to drive their projects forward amid such a turbulent time. Rizwan Zahid (18) said: “I started reaching for things that I never thought were in my reach before Leadership, I learnt to go big or go home and now I’m going big every time.” Jim Gavin delivered some

inspirational words to the graduates, and ended by saying: “There’s people who make it happen, there’s people who watch it happen and there’s people who say how did it happen? I know here today that I’m looking at young people who make it happen!” Barbara Daly, Chairperson of Foróige’s board, said: “As the programme title suggests, the skills and knowledge imparted during the programme are designed to be lifelong – today’s graduation is but a first step on the journey.” Seán Campbell, CEO of Foróige said: “The Leadership for Life Programme is a once in a lifetime opportunity for young people. It helps them acquire accredited leadership skills that will guide them through life. They come away from the programme with skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, empathy, resilience, self-reflection and teamwork.” * To learn more about the programme visit www.foroige.ie/leadership

€16.8m grants for local roads ALMOST €16.8m in funding for Kilkenny roads has been granted by the Minister for Transport for 2021. The breakdown of the grant sees €8,328,000 going towards improvement works with €1,392,500 for restoration maintenance. In addition, funding in the sum of €35,000 has been allocated for Thomastown Culvert Remedial Contract, €200,000 for Bridge Rehabilitation Works, €373,000 for Safety Improvement Works and €400,000 for former National Roads. Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Coun-

cil, Cllr. Andrew McGuinness, on hearing the announcement said: “This funding will enable improvement works to be carried out to roads across the city and county with additional funding allocated for bridge rehabilitation works, specific improvement grant and safety improvement works. “I am delighted to welcome this 2021 investment as it will go a long way to improving and maintaining the quality road network that is so important to Kilkenny business and tourism sectors.”

Valuable guide to all your grants

Cutting-edge tech turns trad craft-making online APPLICATIONS are being sought for an exciting new programme that will integrate cutting-edge digital technologies into traditional craft-making. The iAtelier programme is a core activity of the Crafting Europe project, which is led by the Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) and supported by Creative Europe. Applications are being sought for 20 participants for the European Union funded programme, which is hosted by Limerick School of Art and Design, LIT, in partnership with the DCCI. Originally planned for 2020, iAtelier was postponed until this spring due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. DCCI European Programme Project Manager Nikola Tomić said: “The iAtelier programme was originally envisaged as a studio-based residence to include hands-on technical learning and encour-

age mobility among master craftspeople and younger generations. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, each partner in the Crafting Europe project had to adapt the programme to their respective national Covid-19 restrictions, and most partners moved all or the majority of the programme’s elements online. That is why we renamed the programme ‘iAtelier Online.” The programme is being led by Digital Design and Fabrication Lecturer, LSAD, Michael McLaughlin and will be implemented across eight European countries. Mr McLaughlin said: “iAtelier aims to create a craft innovation springboard by providing participants with training, access to new tools, and opportunities to network with designers, craftspeople and experts from across each host country. By exploring the intersection of traditional and digital tools and techniques, the partici-

pants will be encouraged to develop a myriad of creative and innovative projects.” Applicants from a digital design or traditional craft background are invited to apply for the programme. The iAtelier Introduction Series will take place in April 2021, where participants from both digital design and traditional crafts backgrounds will introduce their work and explore future design collaborations. To be eligible participants will need to form a collaborative partnership of two or more participants. The collaborative partnership will be asked to create a digital craft project proposal and five of these partnerships will then be selected by the Crafting Europe team to develop their project through the Maker Workshops at Limerick School of Art & Design, LIT. Application forms for the programme can be accessed at www.craftingeurope.com

KILKENNY County Council has developed its 4th edition of the Community Grants booklet. This is a follow on from the very popular first three printed editions that came out in the last three years. The new grant booklet once again outlines the key elements of council and other national community grants, relevant contacts and the types of works eligible for funding. Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr. Andrew McGuinness, welcomed the 4th edition of this very popular grants booklet and the new innovative interactive version of the booklet by saying: “The Community Grants Booklet has become a valuable source of information over the last three years and given the times we live in under Covid-19, this new initiative means that communities can now access grant information without requiring the printed copy of the booklet. “This allows the council to reach more groups throughout the county who may not be aware of the various grants and community supports available and making it easier for groups to access the information all in one place. I commend all involved with this project.” Coinciding with the printed copy of the booklet, was an online launch last week of the new interactive version of the booklet. This interactive version gives the public easier access on remote devices to all the information regarding, so they don’t have to rely on having a printed copy. The redesigned interactive version will allow viewers to navigate the booklet online by clicking on links that will take viewers to the grants details, contacts, application forms etc. The interactive grants booklet also incorporates a new information video that will show how to use this new format. This version can also be downloaded to your home computer or your mobile device. Simply visit the council website www.kilkennycoco.ie click on the ‘’Grants’’ green button on our homepage and this will take you to the 2021 interactive grants booklet. Colette Byrne, Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council, said: “Kilkenny County Council continues to look at new ways to communicate to the public the numerous grants and programmes available both locally and nationally and this grants booklet compliments the online one stop shop for grants currently available on the council’s website. “I encourage all community groups to become familiar with the variety of supports that are available.” The Grants booklet is available to download on the Council’s website at www.kilkennycoco.ie

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

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Motoring

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

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Motoring

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

Motors Classifieds

Classified section

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

GERALDINE RYAN 7TH ANNIVERSARY In loving memory of Geraldine, late of Greenfields, Freshford Road, Kilkenny who died March 3rd 2014 R.I.P Your life was one of kindly deeds A helping hand for others needs Sincere and true in heart and mind Beautiful memories left behind Always loved and much missed Anne, Fran, Phil, Richard and Martin children, Eoghain, Niamh and Niall daughter-in-law Jen and grandchildren Eilbhe and Rían.

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

MICHAEL (MICK) BROPHY 12TH ANNIVERSARY With loving thoughts of Mick, late of Derdimus, Callan Road, Kilkenny, who left our home on 6th March 2009. No words we write could ever say How much we miss you everyday Life goes on, we know that’s true But we can’t get over losing you Sometimes we laugh Some days we cry Remembering you And the things we used to do You are forever in our hearts We will always love you Siobhán & Jack XX

PADDY DELANEY 36TH ANNIVERSARY In memory of Paddy Delaney, late of Walkin Street, Kilkenny who died on 1st March 1985. Gone from us that smiling face The cheerful pleasant ways In bygone happy days A life made beautiful by kindly deeds A helping hand for others needs To a beautiful life comes a happy end He died as he lived, everyone’s friend. Always remembered by his daughters Kathleen, Theresa and family.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

The Miracle Prayer

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News

Reconnect with nature with Blooming Native Wildflower Seeds

SINCE the beginning of the current coronavirus crisis, people have been turning to nature to seek comfort. To feel the soil on their hands, finding ways to keep grounded while we wait for this moment to pass. Having been asked several times, why

she launched a wildflower seeds business in the middle of a global pandemic, Julie Power responds that it is about the hope and joy they bring. Wildflowers Seeds have been at the heart of the Power family history since 1859, when her great great great grandfather, William Power, opened his first nursery, florist, and seed merchant’s business in Waterford. Since then, the Power family business has been centred on quality seed production and continues to operate a successful agricultural seed business. With a passion for the environment, Power wants to share how wildflower seeds can play their part in biodiversity and reveal the joy of native wildflowers in our ecosystem. ‘I am grateful to be able to harness my family expertise in seed and continue this tradition as the sixth generation of the Power family. ‘Sowing wildflower seeds will provide

a habitat for pollinators, seeds for wild birds, support biodiversity, promote our wellbeing and bring us joy. ‘Blooming Native wildflower mixes can be used anywhere, and the Butterfly and Bee mixture is proving popular with gardeners whether for a patio pot or wildflower border. We are also seeing a trend towards creating meadow lawns which means less mowing and more time to enjoy the new life these seeds will bring, a beautiful bloom, butterflies, and bee. Our wildflower seed gift pockets have proven very popular. They are a lovely way to connect with family and friends. The wildflower seeds gift cards have space for a message inside and use sustainable packaging,’ said Julie Power. Wildflower seeds will reward in so many ways. May the summer come soon. For more information, see www.bloomingnative.ie Email info@bloomingnative.ie or call +353 86 8032583.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021

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Memoriams/Miracle prayers

News Planning notices

Planning notices KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL I, Morgan Doyle intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Planning Permission to extend existing shed and all associated site development works at Carrig Airt, Dublin Road, Kilkenny. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL I, Geraldine Power intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Retention Planning Permission for existing garage and all associated site development works at Redeen, 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 9.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL We, Ray & Kate Coffey intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Planning Permission for change of name on existing planning permission ref. no. 18/453 at Ennisnag, Stoneyford, Co. Kilkenny. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL I, Johanna Kavanagh intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Retention Planning Permission to retain existing sheds and all associated site development works at 32 St. Francis Terrace, Kilkenny. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 26 February 2021