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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 27th February 2026

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Hogan stand unsure

Mixed feelings over Phil Hogan seeking top EU position Support is low within the Government for Kilkenny native and former Fine Gael politician Phil Hogan to head up a key UN agency, according to sources.

Mr Hogan, who is seeking support to become the next director general of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), faces a potent challenger, with the Italian Government

deciding to nominate Maurizio Martina, a former agriculture minister, for the senior FAO role.

Giorgia Meloni will ask other European Union member states to support Mr Martina’s candidacy. Ireland did the same when installing Paschal Donohoe as chairman of the Eurogroup.

Although elected three times to the position, Mr Donohoe left last November for a top job at the World Bank in Washington DC. Mr Hogan, a former EU Commissioner for agriculture, has let it be known that he wants the job, and that it would be to Ireland’s advantage if he secured it.

But the response to his candidacy in the last fortnight has been muted, with Mr Hogan’s fall from grace during the Golfgate controversy in 2020 a complicating factor. He is now a private consultant.

The Government’s position is that it has asked for expressions of interest from candidates interested in being Ireland’s ap-

plicant, and that it would be inappropriate to comment in advance of that process being completed.

Senior agriculture roles are becoming increasingly important as a result of the Mercosur deal with South America , trade talks towards a free trade agreement between the EU and Australia, and threats to food

Four years on, Ukrainians in Ireland face ‘uncertainty’

How Jessie is facing up to global fame The Irish-born Royal Academy of Dramatic Art thespian Jessie Buckley can hold a tune and command a West End stage. She’s triumphantly played a villainous US Midwestern nurse in TV’s Fargo, a Scottish singer who dreams of becoming a country star in Wild Rose, and a grieving mother in Hamnet.

She isn’t just a great actor; she’s a once-in-a-generation talent. Her ascent, marked by last week’s BAFTA, will be mission completed in next month’s Oscar awards.

She’s the first Irish actor to win a BAFTA award, a Golden Globe winner and two-time Oscar nominee.

Full story Page 14

Culleton accused of physical abuse The ex-wife of Séamus Culleton, the Irishman in a US detention camp fighting his deportation, has alleged she was physically and psychologically abused by her former husband, in sworn court documents.

Court records obtained by the Sunday Independent show that, in a separate case, Mr Culleton was also served with a harassment prevention

order, after he was alleged to have harassed a Boston resident in 2019.

Mr Culleton, from Glenmore, Co Kilkenny, initially attracted widespread sympathy when he went public a fortnight ago to seek help to fight his deportation and likened the detention centre to “a modern-day concentration camp”.

However, his campaign has been disrupted by disclosures

and crops as a result of climate change.

Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon was guarded when asked by reporters about the vacancy. “Europe has not held the position for more than 50 years, and it would be a good thing to have a united European candidate,” he said, without commenting on Mr Hogan.

from his past, including that he was facing drugs charges in Ireland when he moved to the US. In an affidavit filed on 14 November 2019, after the couple were already in the process of divorcing, Mr Culleton’s exwife in America alleged that he “began to physically, emotionally and psychologically abuse me”.

She claimed she had “docu-

mented proof of some of the abuse”.

“He constantly contacts me via social media, harassing me,” the woman claimed. “He also contacts my friends and harasses them.”

Mr Culleton entered America on a tourist visa in 2009, but remained there past the permitted 90 days. He had been living in Boston and started his own plastering business.

The 38-year-old was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers last September and taken to a facility in El Paso, Texas, where he has spent the past five months trying to fight deportation.

The Department of Homeland Security is seeking to remove him after it said he spent nearly 17 years in the US illegally.

New research launched by the Irish Red Cross on the four-year anniversary of the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine indicates that uncertainty about the future is a key concern for Ukrainians living in Ireland.

Of those responding to a nationwide survey, 64% identified uncertainty related to the ongoing conflict, as well as their future or family situation, including visa status, as a challenge.

The survey data shows that while 56% of respondents are employed, 57% have just enough income to manage basic needs and 15% struggle to afford essentials.

Despite these challenges, 80% of the 1,462 respondents expressed a desire to remain in Ireland “for a long time”, with 93% of those in ARP-hosted accommodation stating they were satisfied with their housing arrangement.

Up to 91% of ARP new hosts last year were not previously Residential Tenancies Boardregistered landlords.

Dig in search for girls ends Gardaí have ended the search operation on the search for evidence in the investigation into the disappearances of Deirdre Jacob and JoJo Dullard.

The operation at a quarry between Baltinglass and Dunlavin began on February 16.

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We need to look after our railway heritage

By Donie Butler (Railway Historian) Kilkenny Train Station was completed in 1847, with the first train arriving on May 12, 1848. It was designed by Engineer Captain Moorsom and adapted by William Sancton Wood, the architect of Kingsbridge Station/Heuston Station in Dublin. It occupies virtually the entire townland of Highhays at the junction of the Dublin and Castlecomer roads.

My lecture at the new Mayfair Library on Thursday, March 5 at 6pm will hone in on the architectural features and aspects of the station and the change of name in 1966 to MacDonagh Station, to commemorate the executed leader of the 1916 Easter Rising.

Thomas MacDonagh had been a professor at St Kieran’s College in the early years of the 20th century.

Kilkenny commenced life as a junction on the Dublin to Waterford service until 1867, when the Kilkenny to Maryborough/Portlaoise line was constructed. It returned to being a junction following the closure of the Kilkenny to Portlaoise line on December 31, 1962. The branch line from Dunmore West Junction served the Deer Park Colliery at Castlecomer from 1919 to 1962.

Many of the city’s hotels,

such as the Club House Hotel and the Royal Victoria Hotel, provided an omnibus shuttle service on a daily basis. The railway played a major role for the dignitaries who attended the opening of St Mary’s Cathedral in 1857. The Great Western Railway (British Rail) had an office at Canal Square.

Hostelries closely associated with the station were the Railway Hotel (Kilford Arms) at Upper John Street,

Woodlock’s Railway Saloon & Restaurant (JB’s Bar) at the junction of Dublin Road and Upper John Street, and Lenehan’s (Gorman’s Pub) at the junction of John Street Upper and Wolfe Tone Street.

Sadly, the vista of the station observed from the very busy junction of Dublin Road, John Street, Castlecomer Road and Wolfe Tone Street presents a pitiful and appalling sight to both locals and visitors alike.

CIE/IE moved the station services up-track to a repurposed goods store in 1997 and abandoned their responsibility in the matter of preserving and maintaining the protected structure of the Old Station, in accordance with the 2000 Planning Act. The station today fails to deliver in two key areas: firstly, in the matter of passenger capacity issues, because of the confined platform, where it

was shortened around 2010, which limits train capacity at Kilkenny to a maximum of six carriages. Secondly, CIE/IE has failed to meet the platform pedestrian passenger access needs of the public. They have failed to operate and put into service a state-of-the-art passenger platform lift provided at a cost of €100k in 2007.

The Kilkenny Railway Heritage Society was founded in March 2025 to preserve and

promote the heritage of the railway in Kilkenny City & County. A committee has been established to promote its aims and objectives.

New members are welcome.

Subscription €10. Corporate Membership €100.

Contact: Donie Butler, Chair KRHS Email: danielbutler1948@ gmail.com Tel: 087 315 6359

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Some council rents up if adult kids at home Local authorities are starting to increase rent for families who have working adult children still living at home.

With young people now moving out of the family home later in life, councils want them to contribute more to the rent if they are earning.

The move has been criticised by some local representatives, who say parents have no

control over their adult children’s income.

Figures from Eurostat suggest the average age of a young person moving out of their parents’ home in Ireland is 27.

South Dublin County Council (SDCC) is the latest local authority with plans to change its social housing rents and charge more for families

with adult children who work.

For some social housing homes in SDCC, rent is already more than €135 above the national average. This review means it could go up even higher.

Currently, the council’s system involves 10pc of a household’s overall income and a flat fee of €3.

An additional 10pc is

charged on any income from what are known as “subsidiary earners” – additional people in the household who earn over a certain salary range.

It applies to those earning more than the council’s social housing income eligibility threshold, which ranges between €40,000 and €47,000 depending on the number of family members.

Waterford City and County Council has also just removed its cap, charging a flat rate of 10pc.

To date, there is no move by Kilkenny County Council.

In Mayo, subsidiary earners pay 10pc of their income, capped at €20 a week. In Cork city, they pay 15pc of their income, capped at €23.

SDCC is the only Dublin

council that looks at a household’s aggregate income without any cap on how individual earners are charged.

The moves apply to tenancies supported by Approved Housing Bodies (AHB), those on the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and the council’s own tenants.

Most fear living costs will carry on for years Most people think we are not out of the woods yet when it comes to the price of food on the table and other costs of living, and that it could take more than another five years to get back to ‘normal’ prices.

A majority of people also expect house prices to be higher in five years’ time, according to the February Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Survey.

Consumers are now a little less nervous about the economy, but they are still feeling the pinch on household finances due to higher energy prices and Christmas bills, according to economist Austin Hughes, who oversaw the survey.

A set of questions about the five-year outlook produced some depressing views.

Consumers forecast a weaker Irish economy in five years’ time. One third of respondents believe their household finances will get worse.

The same proportion see their finances getting better, with another third expecting that their finances will stay the same.

Those who are most positive about their personal finances are the under-35s, those without debt problems and those on higher incomes.

Negative medium-term assessments were more likely to come from those having difficulty making ends meet, and those aged between 35 and 44.

The age group where negative responses were least prevalent was the under-25s, followed by those aged 65 and over.

Mr Hughes said the responses suggested current problems, such as cost-of-living pressures, were not going away.

Two in three consumers

see inflation being higher in five years’ time. Just one in 10 expects lower inflation.

Eight times as many Irish consumers think house prices will be higher in five years’ time compared with those who think they will be lower, the survey shows.

Mr Hughes said the survey results indicate there is a growing consensus among consumers that Irish house prices will be higher than they are today in five years’ time.

“It could be argued that the widely perceived lack of progress on problems affecting economic and social infrastructure may be encouraging some element of ‘permagloom’ about the longer-term growth outlook among a significant cohort of Irish consumers,” Mr Hughes said.

The Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Survey, in partnership with Core Research, shows an index reading of 65.2 for this month.

This is up slightly on the 64.7 figure recorded last month, but still materially weaker than the February 2025 reading of 74.8.

“While there is little to suggest that they are singing in the rain, Irish consumer sentiment did improve marginally for the fourth month in a row in February,” Mr Hughes said.

“The current reading remains relatively low and points to a continuing lack of confidence on the part of a nervous and, in many instances, cash-constrained Irish consumer.”

Consumers were more negative about their household finances this month than last month, the survey shows.

Mr Hughes said official figures showed inflation had eased marginally last month, but this was largely due to lower energy costs.

New York has it bad … but we’re not out of the red yet Our friends on America’s East Coast may be facing heavy, treacherous snowfalls, with traffic grinding to a halt in New York City, but we’re not done yet with our bad weather. Ireland is set to continue with intermittent heavy showers for the next 48 hours, with a risk of spot flooding on secondary roads.

The heaviest of the showers will hit southern and western counties as a large Atlantic front sends bands of rain sweeping over the country from tomorrow until Saturday.

Councils are monitoring rainfall, given the impact of the downpours of this month and last.

While river levels have eased, land is still satu-

rated in many areas.

Some parts of the southeast received four times their normal level of rainfall in the space of just one week earlier this month.

One weather station in Wexford, Johnstown Castle, has set a new trimonthly rainfall record.

In the three months between November 1 and January 31, a total of 652.5mm of rainfall was recorded at Johnstown Castle, the highest volume recorded for 85 years.

Areas of Wexford and Wicklow received over 220mm of rainfall in just 10 days between late January and early February, downpours which, combined with the fall-out from Storm Chandra, resulted in

the worst flooding seen for years across Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, and Inistioge, Graiguenamanagh and Thomastown in Kilkenny, as well as parts of Dublin, including Rathfarnham.

The east and southeast traditionally receive between 750mm and 1,000mm of rainfall over an entire year.

Parts of Dublin received their second-highest level of rainfall for January in nearly half a century.

Met Éireann’s Mark Bowe said the weather was likely to remain unsettled.

“It will be cloudy and wet, with rain clearing early in the mornings followed by scattered showers, though some of the showers may be heavy

at times during the afternoons,” he said.

Meanwhile, Met Éireann has confirmed that it will replace county-wide weather warnings with a new localised system from late 2026, marking a significant change to the national warning framework.

The forecaster said it is developing a polygonbased system that will divide the country into sub-county zones. The new approach will allow warnings to be issued for specific areas rather than entire counties. The new system would give more precise guidance.

Picture shows attempts at clearing the heavy snowfall in midtown, NYC.

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Opinion

The Fact Of The Matter Paul Hopkins

Big pay, you expect job to be well done Salary rises have just been approved for CEOs at numerous semi-State bodies. Wait for it.... they include a €100,000 pay rise for the CEO of Uisce Éireann, Niall Gleeson. Increases have been sanctioned for CEOs at Dublin Bus, CIÉ, Bus Éireann, and Iarnrod Éireann. This the same Uisce Eireann that saw more than 1,200 pollution incidents in 2025 at its water and wastewater facilities, but only seven resulted in prosecutions. Tap water in many parts of the country is not drinkable, all year round, with its awful brown discolouration – and pressure drops to a drip-drip.

Bottled water has never had it so good.

A database of incidents details problems with spillages, overflows of human waste, and hundreds of exceedances for chemicals like ammonia and nitrates. What gives, Mr Gleeson?

Then there is our public

transport. Trains delayed, leaves on the tracks; ghost buses (the ones that never show up), and the ones that do often commandeer too much road space – and our transport fares one of the dearest in Europe. Anti-social and threatening behaviour on Iarnrod Éireann and on the Dublin Luas.

Admittedly, it’s not all the transport companies’ fault.

There’s a lot of reasons but probably the biggest is our love affair with the car. Bus routes cannot be fast if roads are full of cars and people often won’t use buses unless they’re fast. The roads are full because a lot of our urban design follows the US model of zoning, rather than a mixed-use models, which has lead to generations of people growing up in a culture of driving everywhere for everything (mostly because they’ve had no choice).

Solutions are difficult but

not impossible. Take rail investment: rail isn’t impacted by car traffic mixed-use zoning. Where’s that 8.05 am?

Mistakenly, we designed modern Ireland around the private car for some unknown reason, and now slowly, and unambitiously, we’re trying to fix that.

Meanwhile, the Board of RTÉ is seeking a pay increase for Director General Kevin Bakhurst, which may bring his salary to €300,000. What now for its celebrity hosts who, after the Tubridy Affair, had their lucrative salaries maxed at €250,000. Will others now follow Claire Byrne?

Are these CEOs and DGs having a laugh or what?

All of this galls, top brass raking in another €100,000, as a new survey shows four out of 10 people say they do not have any money left at the end of the month to put into savings, according to digital bank Monzo. A survey for the

bank found that 65% of adults plan to save more this year, but a third of those who are already savers are earning no interest on their money.

The research, ­conducted by Censuswide. found that 39% of respondents said they had no money left at the end of the month.

“With food prices continuing to grow and inflation

“Are these CEOs having a laugh or what?

rising, January/February is typically the time when shoppers reset their household budgets, and this year was no different,” says Worldpanel’s Emer Healy.

“While grocery sales continued to grow, rising inflation meant that value remained front of mind for consumers.”

The retail analyst’s survey show many households were €3,000 worse off over the course of 2025, January to January.

Healy said their study also suggested that more shoppers in Ireland were finding the economic climate tough, with 31% saying they were struggling to make ends meet.

“This is no surprise.. .rising grocery inflation means that consumers are increasingly feeling the pinch,” Healy said.

After grocery spending hit a high in December, shoppers looked to rein in costs in January, a trend that would typically boost the share of

own-label food products.

Food spending and the volume sold on promotion in the latest 12-week period remained at a low of just 19.6%, suggesting shoppers were managing their budgets through everyday choices rather than increased promotional purchasing.

While that current rate is better than the 17% that was recorded at the height of the cost-of-living crisis in 2023, the latest increases are on top of the earlier hikes and the combined impact sees many households worse off. €100,000 would easily fix that ... and more.

But, sure who am I kidding?

Just 1% of Irish employees earn €300,000 a year, 12% €100,000, with 45% earning less than €40,000, according to the CSO. Meanwhile, 145,000 – 6% of workers – live below the poverty line.

Enough said...

McGuinness welcomes 12 major health projects for Kilkenny under HSE Capital Plan 2026 Leas Ceann Comhairle and Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness has warmly welcomed the confirmation of 12 significant health infrastructure projects for Kilkenny under the HSE’s Capital Plan 2026, with a combined proposed allocation of €5,926,279 for 2026.

The projects represent major investment in acute hospital services, mental health facilities, community care and older persons’ services across the county.

Deputy McGuinness said: “This is a strong and positive endorsement of the healthcare needs of Kilkenny.

These projects will significantly enhance capacity, improve patient safety, and strengthen community-based services. I have consistently engaged with the Minister and the HSE to ensure Kilkenny receives the investment it deserves, and I welcome this clear commitment under the Capital Plan 2026.”

Kilkenny Projects and 2026 Allocations At St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny, the Capital Plan includes: • New Ward Block under the Acute Inpatient Bed Capacity Expansion Plan – €112,280 • Second CT Scanner – €56,140 • New Acute Mental Health Unit – €10,000 • Phase 4 Electrical Infrastructure Upgrade Works – €30,000 • Emergency Generator Replacement – €623,154 • Ward Refurbishment with beds for delivery in 2026 – €3,649,100 • Refurbishment and Extension of the Mortuary – €84,210

In addition, the Plan provides for: Mental Health • Refurbishment of CAMHS accommodation at St. Canice’s Hospital – €673,680 Community & Primary Care • Hub 13 – New Park, Kilkenny (Enhanced Community Care Hub equipping) – €14,035 • Reconfiguration and extension of Freshford Health Centre – €561,400 • New Primary Care Centre at Ballyhale – €112,280 Older Persons Services • Replacement 95-bed Community Nursing Unit at St. Columba’s Hospital, Thomastown – PPP Deputy McGuinness stated: “The scale of investment in St. Luke’s Hospital is particularly significant. The new ward block, additional CT capacity and upgraded infrastructure will directly improve patient flow, diagnostics and resilience. At the same time, strengthening primary care and mental health facilities ensures we continue shifting care closer to home.”

Deputy McGuinness concluded: “These 12 projects demonstrate sustained investment in the health infrastructure of Kilkenny. While work remains to be done to meet future demand, this Capital Plan represents meaningful progress. I will continue to work closely with Government and the HSE to ensure these projects are delivered on time and that further investment continues in the years ahead.”

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Why future of tourism is at ‘critical crossroad' Ireland’s tourism infrastructure is at a critical crossroads, according to Irish Hotels Federation Chief Executive Paul Gallagher. Speaking at the IHF annual conference last week, Gallagher noted that a combination of prohibitive construction costs and systemic planning delays was currently preventing thousands of essential bedrooms from coming online, jeopardising the industry’s future growth.

New industry research con-

ducted by the IHF reveals that, while hoteliers across the country are eager to expand their footprint, a significant portion of these projects are stalling due to persistent development barriers. Of those hotel businesses planning to invest in additional guest rooms, whether through the expansion of existing properties or the development of new builds, 45% reported that their projects are currently on hold.

The IHF warns that these barriers pose a serious threat to the long-term competitiveness of Irish tourism. The shortage of available rooms is increasingly evident during peak periods, where occupancy levels regularly reach “compression” peaks of 90–95%, limiting the country’s ability to host international visitors and accommodate domestic demand.

Key research findings on investment barriers:

• Construction viability: 88% cited the gap between per-room build costs and return on investment (ROI) as a major (46%) or significant (42%) barrier to progression • Planning process: 72% identified the planning approval process, characterised by delays and uncertainty, as a major (31%) or significant (41%) hurdle • Access to finance: 54% identified the difficulty in securing viable financing as

a major (16%) or significant (38%) barrier to new development • Utility infrastructure: 36% cited delays in water or electricity connections as a major (16%) or significant (20%) impediment to completing projects Mr Gallagher said: “To meet the goals set out in the Government’s new tourism policy, we must ensure that the practical environment for investment is supportive. By

addressing these structural bottlenecks, we can unlock the potential of our regional heartlands and ensure Ireland remains a premier, competitive destination for years to come.”

The IHF is urging the Government to implement strategic interventions to unlock the development pipeline. This is particularly vital in regional locations where tourism growth is currently capped by limited room availability.

Dead farmers go looking for grants as fraud on rise

Grant applications in the names of dead farmers, second-hand equipment being passed off as new and nonexistent projects are just some of the tactics being used to defraud taxpayers, the Department of Agriculture has claimed.

Its anti-fraud unit has compiled a list of red flags found across various schemes used by farmers to get funding.

In one scenario, inspectors failed to find machinery despite having been supplied with images of it on a farm.

The department is also concerned about sudden spikes in the amount of land being declared by some farmers.

These were just some of the issues raised by officials at a series of meetings with farm advisers and consultants in recent weeks.

The department's hardening line is being driven by increasing vigilance at a European level over fraud within the multi-billion euro farm payment system.

Officials highlighted moves by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), showcasing headlines of recent enforcement actions that have sent shockwaves through agriculture ministries across the continent.

Police have made arrests in Greece, Spain and Croatia, while assets have been seized from farmers in parts of Italy.

In Ireland, more than €2.14bn in total payments were made to farmers and fishers in 2025. Each individual adviser is, on average, submitting claims exceeding €1.5m annually.

The anti-fraud unit told them of attempts to circumvent rules or commit outright fraud across various schemes.

The most startling cases involved applications submitted for farmers who were no

longer alive.

The department found that these applications were submitted without the agents ever attempting to contact the herd owner, with documents instead being signed by a relative.

In the farming investment Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS), one applicant claimed aid for a piece of mobile equipment and provided a geo-tagged photo as proof.

However, a pre-payment inspection revealed the equipment on site was a completely different, older model than the one listed on the invoice. This case led to the suspension of the claim and a referral to An Garda Síochána.

Investigators also flagged cases where second-hand machinery was purchased but passed off as new on invoices to claim higher grant rates.

In the Organic Farming Scheme, investigators found 10 different herd numbers all using the same contact email address, with another seven herd numbers linked to a second email from the same individual.

To exploit higher payment rates for holdings under 70 hectares and to claim multiple “participation payments”, the department has detected the artificial splitting of large family holdings into smaller units.

Department officials told advisers that there is a “professional standard” associated with their role as departmentapproved advisers.

They cannot be “passive”; “just submitting because the applicant told you [to] does not absolve”, officials said.

However, it was also noted that advisers are not inspectors either, and farmers' noncompliance is not automatically an adviser’s issue.

Tie that knot at Mountain View Kilkenny is celebrating major national recognition today as Mountain View has been awarded two prestigious titles at the 2026 SaveMyDay Irish Wedding Venue Awards. The muchloved Kilkenny venue was voted both Best Family-Run Wedding Venue and Best Vegan & Vegetarian-Friendly Wedding Venue, follow-

ing a nationwide public vote from more than 700 newlywed and engaged couples.

The annual awards, hosted by popular wedding venue platform SaveMyDay, honour the most-loved wedding venues across the country, from intimate spaces to larger estates, with winners chosen entirely by the public for the first time.

Mountain View continues to stand out as one of Ireland’s most popular and heartfelt wedding destinations. Its family-run ethos, warm hospitality and commitment to exceptional food resonated deeply with voters nationwide.

Shell Holden, wedding expert and co-owner of SaveMyDay, commented:

“This year’s awards are especially meaningful because the winners were chosen directly by the people who matter most — the couples themselves. As someone who got married last year, I know first-hand how important it is to find a venue that feels personal, welcoming and true to your story.”

Jail for dentist at the root of €58,000 scam A Tipperary dentist who “brought utter ruination on himself” by defrauding the Health Service Executive of €58,000 over a 17-year period has been jailed for one year and ordered to pay €100,000.

Jerome Kiely (47), of Acraboy House, Monard, Co Tipperary, pleaded guilty last November at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to one sample count of dishonestly inducing the HSE to provide a payment of €326 for dentures on 12 May 2015.

He had originally been charged with 32 counts of

deception. On a separate bill, Kiely was sent forward on signed pleas from the District Court on 47 charges of deception between May 2008 and January 2025.

He had no previous convictions.

The Dental Treatment Services Scheme allows adult medical card holders to access dentists for care.

Two bank accounts belonging to Kiely containing about €830,000 and €667,000 have since been frozen.

Sentencing him, Judge Martin Nolan said the HSE

had placed its trust in Kiely, but this trust turned out to be “misplaced”.

“I have to accept he knew what he was doing was wrong,” the judge said.

“He is a very intelligent and accomplished man. The court is at a loss as to why he did it. It seems he had plenty of money.”

The judge accepted psychiatric evidence before the court that Kiely had mental health problems and a lengthy history of depression.

He has become more reclusive as time has passed.

A letter from his wife, the mother of his three children, was handed into court, asking the judge not to jail Kiely.

Kiely volunteers with the local Gaelic Athletic Association club and references from the club were handed into court.

Judge Nolan said it was questionable as to whether Kiely would be able to practise as a dentist again. “His reputation has been destroyed,” he said.

“Everyone will know who Dr Kiely is and what is occurring in court.”

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As I See It Marianne Heron

Turning a blind eye to sex trafficking “There’s no so blind as those that cannot see,” was a favourite saying of my mother’s, referring to those who refuse to recognise what is in plain sight. Never truer than in the case of the web of sex intrigue surrounding convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Curious isn’t it, how, following the disgrace of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, with the release of three and a half million Epstein files, Britain has been rocked by scandal bringing down former US Ambassador Peter Mandelson and nearly toppling PM Kier Starmer, the revelations in the heavily redacted files have scarcely caused a ripple in the US. Numerous high profile men with links to Epstein, from Donald Trump to Elon Musk, have denied any knowledge of the way that the disgraced financier who abused around 1,000 young women and underage girls, and used sex with

them as bait to draw people into his net. This, despite the way the locals on Epstein’s island Little St James referred to it as Paedophile Island, having seen the number of teenage girls brought there.

Epstein was first convicted with procuring a child for prostitution in 2008.

Given the reach of Epstein’s tentacles it would be surprising if they didn’t touch Ireland which he visited a number of times. Among the files is the story of a woman who was trafficked to Ireland for sex with politicians and high-ups, the claims have been raised in the Dail but so far a complaint which would allow the Gardai to investigate has not been made.

But Epstein’s activities are only the tip of the iceberg in the murky world of sex trafficking, which is a crime – as opposed to people smuggling where there is consent – and a violation of human rights.

Blue Blindfold, named for the blindfolds used by traffickers, the Department of Justice campaign dealing with trafficking and forced prostitution reported 42 cases of trafficking in 2022 involving 23 females, 17 men and five minors.

In a situation, surely very under detected, where women and girls are the most vulnerable, sexual exploitation is the most common motive for trafficking followed by labour.

Dedicated to supporting women impacted by sex trafficking and forced prostitution Ruhama Ireland experienced a 75% increase in demand for their services here last year.

The majority of their contacts come via women seeking International Protection, and where lack of work and housing drives women into prostitution.

Victims aren’t the only ones who are blindfolded, though.

It’s selective blindness by

men using them that helps to keep the crime hidden and undetected. An extraordinary study, where Ruhama Ireland took part in a EU survey, reveals just how pervasive this blindness is.

An advert was posted of a

“A woman who was trafficked to Ireland for sex ...

provocative female silhouette in Dublin 4 locations for 20 days with a phone number.

Callers initially hear a woman promising lots of sensual fun, before becoming distressed, saying that she doesn’t want to be here and asking for help.

The ad. received 759 responses, 82% of the male callers enquired about the services she offered without paying any heed to her distress call for help.

When sex is advertised or offered, it seems that most men who respond to the invitation don’t inquire how such is being made available to them. That same blindness was also in evidence in the shocking case of French woman Gisele Pelicot, whose husband drugged her and invited 72 men to rape her as she lay insensible in their marital bed. Some of the men claimed the act was consensual, others that the husband’s consent was sufficient.

While much of the focus in the fallout from the Epstein files has been salacious interest in the big names mentioned and whether they partook of his poisoned chalice of sex and sordid intrigue, attention is finally switching to victims whose identities are hidden, reduced to black squares in the redacted files.

Now the Democrats have introduced a Bill in the US to scrap the 10-year statute of limitations so that victims of sex abuse and trafficking can seek redress. The Bill is named Virginia’s Law for Virginia Guiffre, trafficked

by Epstein in the 1990s, who died by suicide last year after her claims against Andrew Mountbatten Windsor were settled.

But, unless that wilful blindness on the part of so many changes, sex trafficking will continue to prosper and cause untold misery for its victims.

Happy Mother’s Day with Trilogy Pro-Collagen+ CLAIR WHITTY Happy Mother’s Day, I hope you have a lovely day and that you are pampered in some way or other. Seeing as it is Mother’s Day and someone who loves you could be looking for something special to buy you, I wonder would you like a gift for your skin?

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There are three products including Pro-Collagen+ Neckline TLC Treatment, ProCollagen+ Power Serum, and Pro-Collagen +Milk Cream, all vegan, and are suitable for all skin types. The main ingredients include Kangaroo Paw Flower which supports

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Climate Change

– are we all playing our part?

WEEK 157

"What can I do this week?"

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 27th February 2026

News

How Jessie got to Hollywood

The Irish-born Royal Academy of Dramatic Art thespian Jessie Buckley can hold a tune and command a West End stage. She’s triumphantly played a villainous Midwestern nurse in TV’s Fargo, a Scottish singer who dreams of becoming a country star in Wild Rose, and a grieving mother in Hamnet. When Buckley is in a scene, it’s impossible to look at anything or anyone else. She isn’t just a great actor; she’s a once-in-ageneration talent. Her ascent, marked by last week’s Bafta, will be mission completed in next month’s Oscar awards.

The first Irish actor to win a BAFTA award, the Golden Globe winner and two-time Oscar nominee has a wealth of famous admirers.

“She calls bulls**t,” Buckley’s Cabaret co-star, Eddie Redmayne, told British Vogue.

“She doesn’t suffer fools. She adores a Negroni, or a martini, depending on the establishment … She’s just one of my favourite human beings in the world.”

Her Hamnet co-star Paul Mescal told Extra.ie that her portrayal of a grieving mother in Hamnet was a “forever performance.” Mescal added: “They come by very infrequently in our industry, especially at this scale, this level.”

The movie world is finally getting to know the awardsshow darling.

Jessie Buckley was born in

Killarney to a poet father and an opera singer mother. When the oldest of five children was 11, she became a boarding student at an all-girls convent school called Ursuline Secondary in Tipperary. The Wild Rose actor performed in musicals at the school and also had the opportunity to learn the piano and harp.

Despite being surrounded by the arts, her years at Ursuline were difficult. The budding actor struggled to find her place. “All of a sudden what kind of commodity you had, wearing Buffalo shoes or fake tan — both of which I did — that was kind of your ticket into the world,” Buckley told British Vogue this year.

The actor revealed she was “depressed” and “lost”.

“When you become a 12-year-old little woman, a lot of what you’re told — or what I heard, anyway — was that you need to be small, in every sense,” she said. “But I felt like I was on fire, and then sort of imploded rather than exploding.”

When Jessie Buckley was 17, she travelled to England to audition for the Guildford School of Acting, but was rejected.

However, while in the UK, she also had the opportunity to audition for an open casting call for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s BBC reality talent TV show I’d Do Anything. On the series, contestants competed for an opportunity to play

Nancy in the West End revival of Oliver!

Buckley, who is also a talented singer — she now has two solid albums to her name — made the cut and then slogged through 12 weeks of televised competition in 2008.

She made it all the way to the top two, but in the end, the Fargo actor lost the public vote to Jodie Prenger.

However, being runner-up was the least of her problems.

Buckley did not enjoy the experience of the reality TV world and admitted she was depressed during that time.

The Golden Globe winner said she experienced “a lot of body shaming” while competing on the reality series.

“I really hope that a 15, 17, whatever-age woman never has to be brutalised quite like what happened on that show,” Buckley told British Vogue.

“But I didn’t recognise it fully at the time. I just felt it, which was difficult.”

“The adrenaline rush of being in that show got me through and for a little while I could forget all [the sadness], but after the show finished, I really hit that low point again,” she told Radio Times in 2018. “I was in London, in a big city by myself, and still not well because I’d just put a plaster over it.”

Buckley is one of the many brave

public figures who have talked candidly about their mental health and depression.

Looking back on that tumultuous time, the actor knew it was the arts that helped her find her way. “That age, it’s a funny time in life, becoming a woman,” she added. “I suppose my way of channelling that was singing, and that was a saviour in many ways. I felt like I needed it. I was sad. I was really sad.”

Move over Meryl Streep — Jessie Buckley may have an Irish lilt in her speech, but she’s proved to be an absolute master of different accents. “I love doing accents — I don’t think I’ve not done one. I don’t think I’ve ever used my own accent,” Buckley said back in 2020.

The Irish actor handled a Scottish accent in the musical drama Wild Rose, a Midwestern accent for TV’s Fargo, and different British dialects for her television work in Taboo and The Last Post. In Wild Rose, she not only had to master how to speak with a Glaswegian accent, but she also had to play an aspiring Scottish country artist who sings with a Nashville twang.

“I worked my a** off [to] get that accent!” Buckley confessed to MovieMaker in 2023.

“It was so crucial to the whole story of her identity and her running away from who she was, only to realise that who she was and where she was from were the most powerful things about what she wanted to sing.”

Jessie Buckley spent about a decade living in London.

However, during the pandemic, she wanted to escape city life for greener pastures.

“I realised I was almost addicted to the city, consumed by it, constantly in a race with it,” Buckley told The Irish Times in 2021.

The actor decided to purchase a house in Norfolk (about 100 miles north-east of London) and keep the dwelling in all of its 17thcentury charm.

“It’s been there since the 1600s. Some of the walls have the original paint, pig’s blood mixed with lime, I think,” Buckley re-

vealed.

But it’s not just archaic pig’s blood that makes the property unique. “And there are marks all over the walls, from when people in the 17th century were told to write Ws above the fireplaces to stop witches coming down the chimneys,” Buckley said.

The star thinks that her country home has “character and soul”. The house’s property is also distinct. In her 2026 interview with British Vogue, she revealed that the property is littered with rosemary, marjoram, a tree orchard and honeysuckle.

Buckley’s touches were inspired by Anne Hathaway’s (William Shakespeare’s wife) childhood home in Warwickshire.

Meanwhile, Olivia Colman recommended Jessie Buckley for her breakout role in The Lost Daughter. Buckley played the younger version of Olivia Colman’s character Leda in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s 2021 film.

Prior to landing the role, Gyllenhaal asked Colman if there was anyone she had in mind for the part. Despite their physical differences, Colman recommended Buckley.

“I felt like we’re sort of kindred spirits — there’s a naughtiness we both have,” Colman, who famously played a younger version of Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown on Netflix, told Vanity Fair in 2022.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 27th February 2026

Opinion

Your Money & You John Ellis

Minding the global magic of toy time The world’s biggest toy fair just finished in Nuremberg.

In halls filled with over 2,300 exhibitors and around one million products, including about 70,000 new ones, buyers, designers, and enthusiasts discussed Christmas 2026!

This year’s fair highlighted a toy sector in recovery and reinvention. Global sales grew 7% in 2025, driven by pop culture tie-ins, collectibles, and adults buying toys for themselves.

In Europe’s major markets, adults’ share of toy spending has more than doubled from 9% 10 years ago around 25-30% in broader estimates.

Grown-ups, with higher disposable income and fewer child-related costs, indulge year-round rather than just at Christmas. Premium items, like a €1,000 Lego Star Wars Death Star, reflect nostalgia and a desire for escapism.

Toymakers are feeding this desire with limited editions, luxury collaborations, such as Hot Wheels with Gucci, and

game related purchases like Pop Mart’s “blind boxes” that add chance to collecting, thus keeping demand high.

Remember Tamagotchis?

There back with a bang. The virtual pet that fascinated millions in the late nineties, has surged again with modern

twists, touchscreens, connectivity, and collaborations, appealing to all ages especially through social media trends.

Furby? the quirky robotic creature that sold over forty million between 1998 and 2000 has returned with new interactive versions like DJ Furby, blend-

ing music, games, and calming features to charm both kids and collectors.

Yet the most disruptive force is artificial intelligence.

Chinese manufacturers proclaimed 2025 the “year of AI” for toys, and the drive continues into 2026 with talking

robots, interactive teddies, and adaptive games. These promise personalised childhoods, as in stories starring the child, custom teachers boosting literacy, or games that adjust to skill levels. In theory, AI levels the field in education with tailored lessons, even rewriting content as songs or cartoons for any child anywhere.

The promise is huge, but so are the dangers. AI can give incorrect answers, veer into unsuitable topics (one teddy famously strayed into adult territory), or fuel deepfakes and cheating. More insidiously, when working as intended, it serves up only preferred content, “stifling chance and tolerance for the unfamiliar”.

One-sided chatbot “friendships” that never challenge or demand compromise could leave children ill-prepared for real human relationships, especially amid declining sibling numbers and rising isolation.

The industry and society

must respond carefully.

Parents should vet AI toys rigorously. Regulators need robust age restrictions, unlike past tolerance with social media. Schools should prioritise in-person assessments and teach irreplaceable skills like debate, empathy, and appreciating differences.

From Nuremberg’s vibrant displays to shop shelves this Christmas, toys blend joy, nostalgia, and innovation.

Whether through Tamagotchi care routines, talkative Furbies, or AI friends, play should foster wonder. But. as personalisation deepens, the true benefits will lie in balancing technology with real-life connections, ensuring children and adults alike experience the unpredictable magic of unscripted play and genuine relationships.

The toy world needs to strike a balance. john@ellisfinancial.ie 086 8362633

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News Shingles Vaccine

Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox – the varicella-zoster virus. Once you have the virus, it remains in your body and can become active again in later life where it develops into shingles.

The risk of developing shingles is between 24% and 30% and can occur at any age but is increased if you are aged 50 years and older. The risk is also increased when your immune system weakens, which can occur due to increasing age or certain conditions and treatments.

Shingles can be very painful and the older you are, the worse it can be. Although most people fully recover from shingles, some can be left with long-term nerve pain that continues for months or even years after the blisters and rash have healed – this is called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). The older you are, the higher your chance is, of developing PHN as a result of shingles.

The shingles vaccine currently recommended in Ireland by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), is a recombinant type of vaccine given in two doses.

Local Fine Gael Councillor John Brennan has called on the Government to make the shingles vaccine free to pensioners over the age of 65. Cllr. Brennan stated that the cost of the TWO dose Shingles Vaccination Service-Shingrix is €487 (€243.50 per vaccination dose) and people with serious health issues are at greater risk. The vaccine not only helps reduce your risk of developing shingles but can lessen the severity and duration of any symptoms if you do, as well as cutting your risk of developing PHN. Cllr.

Brennan stated that is it not good enough that this is not free for those over 65 and has called on the Minister for Health to make the vaccine available urgently.

Road resurfacing works and drainage update

Councillor John Brennan has commended the start of the road re-surfacing and drainage works. He advises the public that the following roads in the Castlecomer Municipal District Road surfacing work and drainage work will commence on Monday the 16th of March until Dec 31st 2026. Road works will include: Massford Bridge to Moneenroe, Maryville Castlecomer, Chapel Lane Moneenroe, Castlewarren to Freneystown, Knocknadogue.

Traffic will be closed to the public in order to carry out the works. Local diversions will be in place and local access will be provided.

Roads will be closed for the duration of the works only. Cllr.

Brennan is delighted to have been involved in this work and to see the works commence.

New guidance document launched to support older people completing housing adaptation grant applications The Kilkenny Older Peoples Council, working as an active member of the Kilkenny/Carlow Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) Coalition, has completed a major project aimed at reducing the challenges older people face when navigating complex application forms.

With increasing reliance on online systems and multi section documents, many older people have reported significant difficulties in completing essential applications. One form identified as particularly challenging is the Housing Adaptation, Mobility Aids, and Housing Aid for Older People Grant Application issued through Kilkenny County Council.

Recognising these challenges, the Kilkenny Age Friendly Programme Manager facilitated collaboration between the Kilkenny County Council Housing Department and a dedicated subgroup of the ALL Coalition. The goal was to explore how the application process could be made

Back Row L-R: Caitriona O’Shea, Kilkenny County Council, Anne Marie Shortall Kilkenny County Council, Danielle Dunne, Family Carers, Letitia Ryan, Kilkenny County Council, Linda Kerwin, Kilkenny Healthy Age Friendly Homes Co-Ordinator, Deirdre Geoghegan, Kilkenny Carlow ETB, Ashling Slattery, Kilkenny County Council, Meg Molloy, Kilkenny County Council.

Front Row L-R: Michael Delahunty, Chairperson Kilkenny Older People’s Council, Mary O’Hanlon, Vice chairperson Kilkenny Older People's Council, Ian Gardner, A/Director of Services Kilkenny County Council

more accessible for older people.

Although the group established that the national application form itself cannot be amended, the collaborative review highlighted an opportunity to develop

a user friendly guidance document to support applicants in completing the form with greater ease and confidence.

Drawing on insights from Housing Department staff and the Healthy Homes Co

ordinator, both of whom have extensive experience assisting older applicants, the subgroup identified key barriers older people encounter, including locating necessary information and navigating multiple sections

within a single form.

To address these challenges, the new guidance document introduces: • Colour coding, with distinct colours assigned to each of the three grant types included in the form.

• Icons and symbols indicating where personal information can be found (for example, using an image of a PPS card to show where to locate a PPS number).

• Clear step by step support to reduce stress, confusion, and delays in completing the application.

This practical and accessible guidance will now be issued to all applicants and is expected to make the process significantly less daunting for older people, enabling them to complete the form more independently and in a timely manner.

The project would not have been possible without the strong collaboration between the Kilkenny County Council Housing Department, the Healthy Homes Co ordinator, and members

of the ALL Coalition. Their combined expertise ensured that the lived experiences of older people, many of whom have struggled with the form in the past, were central to the redesign effort.

In addition to supporting older applicants, the guidance document will also assist staff across the Carers Association, Disability Services, Healthy Homes Programme, and other partner organisations who regularly help individuals with the application process.

The Kilkenny Older Peoples Council extends sincere thanks to all members of the ALL-Coalition Subgroup, including representatives from: Kilkenny Carers Association, Adult Learning Network, Disability Services, Ossory Youth, Kilkenny/ Carlow ETB, Kilkenny/ Carlow Transition Year Coordinator, and the dedicated staff of Kilkenny County Council Housing Department and the Healthy Homes Co ordinator.

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St Patrick’s Day Parade MC George Chanler with influencer Black Paddy

Former Person of the Year named Grand Marshal for 2026 St Patrick’s Day Parade St Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny has named well-known local personality George Candler as the Grand Marshal for the upcoming St Patrick’s Day Parade.

Mr Candler is no stranger to the St Patrick’s Day celebrations, having served as the Master of Ceremonies for Kilkenny’s national celebration for several decades. In recognition of his contribution to Kilkenny and local life, Kilkenny County Council is proud to

offer Candler the coveted leading role in this year’s proceedings.

A former recipient of the Person of the Year award, George Candler is a highly respected local livestock auctioneer. His stellar reputation and expertise in cattle, sheep, horse and pedigree livestock sales were built over nearly 55 years in the agricultural mart sector, earning him national recognition.

Originally from County

Roscommon, where his father was the founding chairman of Roscommon Mart in 1959, Candler moved to Kilkenny in 1972 as a trainee auctioneer.

He quickly became immersed in local life, joining the Friary Folk Choir, later the Kilkenny Gospel Choir and Kilkenny Musical Society, as well as Kilkenny Rugby Football Club, where he played and coached for many years. He has been a member of the Kilkenny Lions Club for over 30 years, has given his time

to multiple local fundraisers, and was honoured with a Humanitarian Award.

Professionally, he faced many challenges, including the 2001 Foot-and-Mouth crisis, declining livestock numbers, and the digitisation of sales systems over the years. In his personal life, Candler shared his cancer diagnosis in 2017 and became an advocate for men’s health and a supporter of the Relay for Life cancer charity locally. Thankfully,

Candler is in full health today.

Candler brings a unique perspective to the St Patrick’s Day Parade, having stood centre stage as MC for more than 30 years. He said he was ‘flabbergasted’ to be asked.

“Well, it’s a great honour, and Kilkenny is a special place for me, and it’s a nice thing to be asked; so I said yes.” Grand Marshal, George Candler, commented.

Reflecting on changes to the Parade over the years, he said, “There’s far more work and creativity going into the floats now than there would have been in the past. Years ago, you might have had tractors, fire brigades or ambulances taking part, but today you see such imaginative designs, people in costume, and walking floats, with groups really adding their own flair and ideas. There’s a strong creative element, and I’ve no doubt we’ll see a few topical themes this St Patrick’s weekend!

The days of a tractor and trailer with someone sitting on a bale of straw are gone.

The parade has improved enormously and, in my view, it’s now one of the best in the southeast. Maybe I’m a little biased, but the development of it over the years has been remarkable.”

Festival Chairperson, Cllr.

John Coonan, Mayor of Kilkenny City, commented, “We are honoured that George Candler will lead

this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade in Kilkenny. George is a hugely respected figure in the community, with a long-standing connection to the parade and its traditions.

He brings a wonderful combination of experience, sharp wit and good humour to the role, and I know he will add greatly to what promises to be a fantastic celebration.

We are all looking forward to March 17th and to welcoming the people of Kilkenny, along with visitors from near and far, to enjoy the vibrant programme of events we have planned.”

The dynamic team behind KCLR’s The Saturday Show, Edward Hayden and Aisling McDonald, will MC the Parade this March, stepping into the role established by the formidable George Candler, for one year only.

The parade will take place on Tuesday, March 17th at 1.30 pm, weaving through Kilkenny’s medieval streets.

This year’s theme, “Together – Le Chéile”, celebrates the local community, with colourful floats, local clubs and businesses, stilt walkers, puppeteers, theatrics, music, colour and pageantry.

The celebrations continue throughout St Patrick’s Day with free live music on the festival stage, street entertainment and the popular festival market on Parade Plaza. For more details, see www. stpatricksfestival kilkenny.com

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Opinion

Furthermore Gerry Moran

Tammy, Matt ... and my YouTube debut!

“Hi, dad.” “Hi, Rich” – my son Richard phoning me from Berlin where he lives. “Dad, did you know you’re on YouTube?” “What?” “You’re on YouTube, dad.”

“Doing what – sharing my unique recipe for melt-inyour-mouth meringues?”

Rich laughs. He know, as his three siblings do, only too well that my culinary skills extend no further than frying a sausage. And maybe a rasher. “Explain, Rich.” “Dad, you’re on YouTube singing in Cleere’s Bar.” Now, I’ve been part and parcel of the Monday night session in Cleere’s for more than 25 years. But not as a singer. I am sometimes introduced as the ‘resident poet’. I’m not. I’m the resident versifier – I recite some humorous verse of mine. As to the song I’m singing – The Parting Glass – I sing it on rare occasions when a staff member is leaving or, as

was unprecedented in 2025, when three of our Monday night performers – Joe Butler, Johnny Rhatigan and Kevin Barry – departed Cleere’s, and this earthly realm, in the space of six weeks!

How I came to be singing The Parting Glass on YouTube is another story entirely and has to do with two American tourists – Matt and Tammy, a former body builder (with photos to prove

it) and now in the beauty business. Matt and Tammy’s flight to Ireland was diverted to Newfoundland due to a passenger taking seriously ill (they recovered). Stranded in Newfoundland they made friends with His Eminence, Cardinal Timothy Dolan (former Archbishop of New York 2009-2025) a passenger also on the plane and were delighted to receive his blessing. To cut a long story

short they eventually made it to Kilkenny. I’ll let Matt take it from here – an edited version of a long email he sent to his future motherin-law (they were getting married the following July, second time round for both) about their adventures in Newfoundland and Kilkenny. Here’s the Kilkenny episode: “In Kilkenny, we found the most wonderful bed-andbreakfast, the Zuni Restaurant and Townhouse. Later we walked to Cleere’s pub which was filled with incredible music and beautiful people. This was a traditional session where it wasn’t just music. There was poetry.

There was storytelling. There were instrumentals and there was much beautiful singing.

Then we met the most remarkable man, Gerry Moran, (and don’t you just love the Americans – well some of

them) a retired headmaster.

During a break in the music Tammy told Gerry about our Newfoundland adventure and made a request for the musicians to play The Parting Glass, my favourite song.

“So for the last song of the evening, Gerry stood up and spoke a little about Tammy and me. Even though Gerry was not one of the singers, he sang one of the most beautiful, heartfelt renditions of The Parting Glass ever in the universe’s history (I really do love the Americans). I’m generally not emotional, but tears streamed down my face – the gloam of the fireplace, and the unbelievable warmth of the people in Cleere’s pub were extraordinary.

“Later, Gerry insisted that Tammy and I come to his home for a nightcap. The liquid was flowing liberally and Gerry wanted to know all about us, as we wanted to know about him. It couldn’t

have been a more perfect evening. We stayed at Gerry’s until almost 4 o’clock in the morning, enjoying each other’s company before returning to Zunis.

“So now as I write this, I sit with a gorgeous full Irish breakfast in front of me and wonder, was this all a dream?”

No dream Matt, but sleep was eagerly embracing us as we parted. One month later a beautiful invitation to Matt and Tammy’s wedding arrived in the post, an invite my wife and I had to decline.

We did, however, send them our best wishes including my favourite Irish wedding wish: “As you slide down the bannister of Life together, may the splinters always face the right way.”

And so I made my debut on Youtube thanks to Tammy and Matt, two of the most likeable, and positive, people I have ever met.

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Tradfest UPsheFlew

Kilkenny Tradfest back for 14th festival Kilkenny Tradfest, now in its fourteenth year, is set to host its annual launch on Wednesday, 25 February in Paris Texas.

The festival begins on Friday, 13 March and runs until St Patrick’s Day on Tuesday, 17 March. This year’s programme is packed with the best of traditional Irish music, sean-nós and dance, with an impressive line-up of headline acts and the popular Bulmers Music Trail featuring 100 free gigs across the city.

This small festival prides itself on consistently attracting some of the biggest and best names in Irish traditional music to Kilkenny city. This year’s headliners include Mundy, Frankie Gavin, Emma Langford, Clare Sands, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Cormac McCarthy, Aoife Ní Bhriain, Pádraig Jack, Séamus & Caoimhe Uí Flatharta, How I Became a Wave, Brian Leach and Jerry Fish.

The festival team is also happy to announce

the addition of The Blackwater Céilí Band from Co. Tyrone. They will perform for ‘An Céilí Mór’ at the Rivercourt Hotel on Sunday, 15 March at 3pm.

The full programme and tickets are available at www. kilkennytradfest.com.

The Bulmers Music Trail, also known as the ‘trad trail’, forms an integral part of this festival.

Consisting of over 100 free gigs, both plugged

and unplugged, it offers an opportunity for everyone to experience Irish trad in some of Kilkenny’s favourite venues.

Anthony Morrisson, Kilkenny City Vintners, said, "The trail is the heart and soul of the Tradfest, filling the streets with the sound of music and bringing together local musicians with the very best from around the country in a celebration of our shared heritage and, of course, the unique place of our public houses in Irish culture. We are pleased to offer locals and visitors a chance to get up close to the music that is so deeply rooted in our heritage and to bring this fantastic line-up together once again.”

This year’s trail headline gigs include Abbeyfolk, Burnchurch, Up She Flew, Buíoch (Laois), Briars (Cork) and Two Time Polka (Cork). Organisers say people should start planning their trail today, as space is limited.

Songwriting masterclass, bodhrán and sean-nós workshops As part of the festival, those looking to get hands-on can enjoy a range of engaging and exciting workshops and Clare Sands talks. Festival

favourite Tommy Lanigan returns with his bodhrán workshop in Rothe House on Saturday 14 March at 4.30pm. Emma Langford will follow up her headline gig in Cleere’s with a songwriting masterclass in the Pembroke Hotel on Sunday, 15 March at 1pm. Sibéal Davitt, a nationally acclaimed dancer, will host back-to-back seannós dancing workshops in Rothe House on Saturday 14 March at 12pm (children) and 1pm (teens and adults).

A unique addition to the programme this year is an intimate gig in Rothe House with Cork maestro Brian Leach. He fuses contemporary and electronic music with traditional Irish music and is a champion of the hammered dulcimer, a type of percussion-string instrument. Presented by Scattered Sessions, this event will feature a pre-show talk and takes place on Sunday, 15 March at 3pm.

Japanese trad band Pinch of Snuff will play The Set Theatre on Friday, 13 March at 8pm.

They are supported by the up-and-coming Connemara group Clada. The Kilfenora Céilí Band will return to the Watergate Theatre on St Patrick’s Day at 8pm, for what is becoming an annual tradition.

Tickets are available now from www.kilkennytradfest. com. Stay up to date by following the festival on its social media channels.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 27th February 2026

Opinion

Choices Shape Your Future

By Judith Ashton

Freedom to flourish: How to claim bodily autonomy in changing times?

Am I my body? Where in my body does my consciousness abide? These are interesting questions to ponder and are deep spiritual considerations which have occupied philosopher’s thoughts since time immemorial.

However, more recent questions have arisen which include: What are my bodily rights? Why can the state dictate issues concerning my body? What can I do or not do regarding my own body?

Some of these were central during the “pandemic” regarding individuality and choice. “To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That was the question” and fortunately, despite governmental pressure, there was a level of choice. A lot of media pressure was exerted on everyone and those who chose the “wait and see” approach felt “othered” by the majority and endured the restrictions and exclusions imposed on them.

Everyone suffered the imposed national

restrictions: lockdowns, limited excursions, inability to visit the dying, limited funeral attendance, clandestine removal of body bags from hospitals, kids forced to wear masks, terrified of killing granny with a hug, believing death was stalking them at every turn and more besides.

What happened to choice?

This nightmare is never mentioned. We’re expected to move silently on.

It’s now proven that many of these impositions were neither safe nor effective. Many individuals experienced significant mental health challenges and a number still have not completely healed from the resulting trauma.

Unresolved grief still hangs thickly in the air for many who can’t move sorrow on. Collective mind and body healing needs to be addressed.

It is likely, and it’s not a question of “if” but “when” there will be an emergency health declaration by The

World Health Organisation and E.U. announcing there is another pandemic. It is likely that legal obligations are to be followed by everyone without question along with unconsented considerations. Brand new vaccinations may well be mandated, individual choices overridden and all the other so called safety measures will be rolled out and compliance expected, without question, by the population, like it or not!

Will opposition to such legal mandates be tolerated if it means breaking the law and penalties are imposed? No! Freedoms can be quickly eroded, as seen recently in USA where many democratic rights are under enormous threat, with some legislation threatening women’s bodily autonomy. Abortions are now illegal in many states and in some, it is difficult to access contraception.

In El Salvador women can face up to 40 years prison for homicide, even in cases of still birth or miscarriage!

Worldwide, 14 countries deny women access to such services. In some countries women don’t get appropriate medical attention, because they are women! They have no bodily control or rights!

While we have much to be grateful for in Ireland, I have often emphasized

“Freedom flourishes when we claim our bodies

that we should never take freedoms for granted. We don’t have to hide our hair or conceal our bodies under voluminous robes but it wasn’t so long ago that Irish clerics and state dictated women’s bodily autonomy.

No divorce, no abortion, no contraception. Hard won choices and bodily freedoms were denied to our grandmothers and mothers.

Regarding the kidnapping in Arizona, of Nancy Guthrie, elderly mother of a celebrity. With few leads, the police are desperate. I’m just waiting for some tech bro to suggest it would be a great idea to microchip us all (like our dogs) so that missing persons can be easily reunited with loved ones!

Many people will no doubt agree saying it’s a great idea and that all kids should be microchipped. Personally, I would never agree to such an intrusive bodily procedure, despite any safety assurances it’s a data store, that could be hacked, do damage to long term

health and be an instrument of surveillance. Another step towards an increasingly dystopian reality that Margaret Attwood, George Orwell and co prophesised.

Wait and see!

We are on the cusp of great global change: AI, individual freedoms, politics; all the things we believed were stable, are now shaking.

I’m not an astrologer, but according to the current state of the stars, Humanity now faces a monumental decision: we can either dramatically advance human consciousness or risk losing the qualities of goodness, truth, love, and kindness that are deeply embedded in our hearts. Let’s treasure not trash who we are! Let’s honour and trust ourselves enough to make our own choices regarding our precious bodily autonomy.

My body, my choice. Change starts with questions. No questions…. no change, no choice, no consent! www.judithashton.com

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Opinion

Annie Keating:

Poet of the People

thousand miles away, to follow in her footsteps across the bridge of time as she wrote My Native Town of Callan Here are some of the verses. The full poem can be read in Callan through the Mists of Time.

Behind the bridge I see the Walk With tall and stately trees, Where oft we gathered chestnuts ‘Mid ferns up to our knees.

The Convent where the good nuns dwell Is standing quiet nearby: Its belfry there I plainly see Dark against the sky.

And now I’m up in West Street, And there is Ivy Lodge, The hideout when boys mitched from school, Where pursuers they could dodge.

I now look in Molloy’s stone yard, There are statues there galore.

And further down I see the cars Drawing grain to Pilsworth’s store.

Part two The grotto at the Friary Church in Callan that Annie Keating loved to visit

BY JOHN FITZGERALD

Annie Keating’s younger sister Madge Kelly of the sweet shop in Bridge Street, had a famous budgie as I mentioned last week. Apart from the locals, thousands of emigrants sang his praises.

Mention of his name elicited many a smile and meandering yarn in the Irish Diaspora. Misty-eyed exiles in places like Boston, New York, Brisbane or London stayed up all night talking about their memories of “Budgie Kelly/” Budgie insisted on the speaking of correct English at all times. If you tried to

hold a conversation with him, you had to be very careful to avoid any significant grammatical errors: He spotted these immediately and reprimanded you severely by squeaking, shrieking, and correcting your mistakes.

His accusing look made you feel guilty and you had to say, “I beg your pardon” if you got it wrong.

Madge was endlessly excusing the bird’s resort to less than flowery language in his darker moods. The local Parish priest or curate blushed whenever the bird swore about foul weather, the price of spuds, or whatever ailed him.

Budgie became a national celebrity when a top Radio Eireann anchorman called to Madge’s residence in Bridge Street to interview

him. There was excitement in the town the day RTE arrived to record the words and wisdom of a bird that had truly put Callan on the map.

Stunned audiences all over Ireland listened to the feathered prodigy pontificate on a wide range of local and academic topics.

“Budgie Kelly” was more than a talking bird: His use of words and difficult phrases bordered on the intellectual. He sang the Soldiers’ Song whenever he heard that a veteran IRA man from the locality had died.

Madge taught him to shed a tear at the mention of Michael Collins being shot, though his performance was deemed by locals to be more than mere habit or repetition. The wily bird, they

Monumental sculptor Michael Molloy outside his West Street Callan premises in 1935

swore, seemed to grasp the acute political and historical importance of that event.

Budgie was learning Latin at an advanced age- according to Madge- when he sadly passed away. He was the only budgerigar in the county ever to have his obituary published in the local newspaper.

Dusting off old memories Annie Keating is best remembered in Callan for her verses, in which she re-opened long forgotten pathways to the past, and dusted off the old memories and snippets of folklore for the benefit of present day townsfolk.

Her poetry appealed especially to people who had travelled to foreign shores.

One of these Callan exiles

was Dixie Funchion. He wrote to Annie in 1958 and asked if she wouldn’t mind penning a poem that he could treasure as a memento of the town he had grown up in and that he might never see again.

Moved by his letter, Annie composed one of her most evocative “Look Backs” on the town.

In a covering note to Dixie, she said she hoped the “few auld verses” that had popped into her mind upon receiving his letter would please him, and take the homesick Callan man back into “every nook and corner…from the Commons to the Green…from Powlshawn to the Big Bridge…from the cross to the border with Tipp”.

She invited Dixie, three

Cars fording the Callan river in 1950

I see the Brothers’ big brown doors Where we went in for years, The best days of our lives, no doubt, Whatever about the tears.

I hear the sound of Nolan’s saw Buzzing o’er the town, I watch the dear old creamery cars Jogging up and down.

There by the churchyard railings I see the little school, And the old familiar houses, From there down to the Cool.

There’s Cass’s with its apple trees Across at the other end: The Mecca of the schoolboys Who had a coin to spend.

And now I’m up in Green Street There by the Concert Hall.

And o’er the road is the Parish Church Where the priest baptised us all.

The barracks and the courthouse, And the Terrace with its steps, I could never say how many, For we took them in broad leaps.

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Homes & Gardens

Garden jobs for the month ahead GARDEN NOTES Easter Island Garden Centre

Bright ideas for every room

INTERIORS

Sunday marks the first day of March, and Vicky Power of Easter Island Garden Centre in Kilkenny is here to share the essential jobs to tackle during the month ahead…

March is an especially exciting month in the garden. As ground temperatures begin to rise and the evenings gradually grow lighter, it’s the perfect time to plan upcoming tasks and start preparing the soil. Following February’s rainfall, take care not to overwork any waterlogged areas. During drier spells, clear away debris from beds and incorporate compost or well-rotted farmyard manure to improve drainage and overall soil structure.

As the grass starts to grow again, lawnmowers make their seasonal return. Mow lightly when the soil is dry and firm to prevent compaction. March is also an ideal time to apply an all-in-one lawn feed, weed and moss treatment to encourage healthy growth.

Early March is best suited for planting bare-root and rootball trees and shrubs before soil temperatures rise further, allowing roots to establish ahead of vigorous spring growth. This is also the right time to transplant larger trees and shrubs, helping to minimise stress on the plants.

By mid-March, established hedges, trees and shrubs will benefit from feeding. Roses should be pruned back by one-third for general shaping, or to around 10 inches for more intensive pruning of hybrid tea varieties. Remove old, woody stems to promote strong new flowering shoots. Keep an eye on emerging leaf buds and protect tender growth from late frosts.

Late summer-flowering shrubs, such as Buddleia and Hydrangea paniculata varieties, can also be pruned during March. Cut ornamental grasses back to approximately 15cm above ground level before fresh spring growth appears. This is also an excellent time to divide ornamental grasses and overgrown perennials like Hostas, Astilbes and Rudbeckia to rejuvenate plants and improve performance.

March is a productive month for sowing. Plant seed potatoes and a range of vegetable seeds. Start cabbage, lettuce, peppers and tomatoes in a greenhouse, while hardier crops such as carrots, parsnips and onions can be sown directly outdoors.

Tip: Lightly mist newly emerged indoor seedlings to maintain moisture levels and prevent damage or displacement that can occur with heavy overhead watering.

With a little effort and attention, March paves the way for a productive garden in the months ahead. For more plant advice, drop in to the garden centre on the Dublin Road. easterislandgardencentre.ie

Good lighting does more than brighten a room; it shapes how a space feels and functions. Whether you’re working from home, cooking, reading or simply relaxing in the evening, the right lighting choices can make everyday life more comfortable, efficient and inviting.

The key is layering. Relying on a single ceiling fixture often creates harsh shadows and flat light. Instead, combine three types: ambient lighting for overall brightness, task lighting for focused activities and accent lighting to add warmth and depth.

When these layers work together, a room feels balanced rather than overly bright or dim.

In a workspace, position task lighting so it falls across your desk without casting shadows over your screen or paperwork. Adjustable table or floor lamps offer flexibility, allowing you to direct light exactly where it’s needed. If space is tight, wall-mounted fittings can free up valuable surface area while keeping the look streamlined and uncluttered.

Bulb choice matters too.

Cooler white tones tend to support concentration and clarity, while warmer hues

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create a softer, more relaxed atmosphere in living areas and bedrooms. Dimmable fittings are particularly useful, giving you control over light levels as natural daylight fades and helping rooms transition smoothly from day to night.

Elsewhere in the home, consider how lighting highlights features. A well-placed lamp can draw attention to artwork, shelving or architectural details. In kitchens, under-cabinet lighting improves visibility while adding a subtle glow that enhances both safety and style. Hallways and stairs also benefit from thoughtful lighting, im-

proving comfort and reducing glare.

Practicality should guide decisions. Energy-efficient LED bulbs reduce running costs and last significantly longer than traditional options. Cordless and rechargeable lamps are increasingly popular, offering flexibility without adding cluttered cables.

Ultimately, lighting should feel intentional. By thinking beyond basic overhead fittings and introducing layered, adjustable sources, you can transform the atmosphere of a room, making it not only brighter, but better suited to how you live.

Storage that doesn’t feel like storage HOME HACKS Clutter has a way of creeping in quietly. Shoes gather by the door, paperwork piles up on kitchen counters and wardrobes strain at the hinges. Yet good storage isn’t about hiding everything away; it’s about creating systems that make daily life smoother.

The most effective storage starts with observation.

Which areas of your home feel busiest? Hallways, utility rooms and kitchens often carry the heaviest load. Adding slimline shelving, wall hooks or built-in benches with concealed compartments can transform these high-traffic zones without major renovation.

In living spaces, consider

furniture that works twice as hard. Ottomans with hidden storage, beds with integrated drawers and coffee tables with shelving beneath help reduce visible clutter while maintaining style. The goal isn’t to minimise personality, but to reduce visual noise.

Vertical space is frequently underused. Tall bookcases, over-door organisers and wall-mounted cabinets free up floor area and draw the eye upward, making rooms feel larger. In smaller homes especially, thinking upwards can be more effective than expanding outwards.

Clear storage boxes, labelled baskets and drawer dividers also make everyday tasks easier. When everything has a defined place, tidying

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becomes less of a chore and more of a habit.

Ultimately, smart storage supports calm living. A wellorganised home doesn’t need to be minimalist - it simply

needs to function. With thoughtful planning and a few strategic additions, even the most compact spaces can feel orderly, efficient and welcoming.

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Health & Beauty Thriving well after

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Five signs you’re run down HEALTH

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WELLBEING As winter finally loosens its grip, many of us in our 40s and beyond notice that low energy, achy joints and disrupted sleep linger longer than they used to. While there’s no magic fix, simple, steady changes can make a real difference - and they’re backed by common-sense advice from the HSE. A gentle daily walk in daylight can do more for your mood and sleep rhythm than you might expect. Exposure to natural light helps regulate

HEALTH For years, menopause was something women were expected to manage quietly.

Hot flushes were joked about, mood changes were misunderstood and many simply pushed through workdays running on poor sleep and determination.

Thankfully, that silence is lifting.

For women in their 40s and 50s, symptoms like brain fog, anxiety, night sweats and fatigue can affect confidence and performance. Concentration may dip. Patience can feel thinner. A night of broken sleep can make the next morning’s meeting feel twice as long. None of this reflects ability or commitment - it reflects biology.

Opening up conversations in the workplace doesn’t mean oversharing; it means creating understanding. A simple acknowledgement that menopause can affect sleep, concentration or comfort can make it easier to ask for small adjustments - whether

your body clock, something many of us over 40 struggle with after long winter nights.

Even 15 or 20 minutes can help clear the head and loosen stiff muscles that feel tighter at this time of year.

Hydration plays a surprisingly big role, too. Sip water regularly throughout the day and pair it with protein-rich meals and gentle movement.

Balancing meals with protein, fibre and healthy fats is something health experts say supports muscle maintenance and steadier energy levels.

Skipping meals or relying on

quick fixes often makes afternoon slumps worse.

For skin care, season changes are a good excuse to rethink your routine. As we head into spring, you might switch from heavier winter creams to lighter hydrators - and importantly, use SPF daily, even on cloudy Irish days.

If sleep is elusive, routines help: calming down screens an hour before bed and keeping regular sleep and wake times can often help more than any expensive overnight solution.

At midlife, wellness isn’t about drastic overhauls or chasing the latest health trend; it’s about learning, adapting and keeping sensible habits that genuinely support your body and mind.

Small, consistent wins really do add up over time. And if symptoms like persistent fatigue, ongoing sleep disruption, or noticeable mood changes are worrying you, don’t ignore them; your GP can help rule out any underlying issues and offer practical, tailored advice that fits your individual needs and lifestyle.

Not every dip in energy needs a dramatic explanation. Sometimes the body is simply asking for a bit more rest and routine.

Being run down doesn’t always look obvious. It can show up as snapping over small things that normally wouldn’t bother you, or waking in the morning feeling as though you never properly slept. You might find yourself reaching for sugary snacks by midafternoon, feeling stiff as you move around the kitchen first thing, or struggling to concentrate on tasks that are usually straightforward.

Before assuming it’s something more serious, it can be worth returning to basics for a couple of weeks. Going to bed even half an hour earlier, eating a little more protein during the day, getting outside for regular walks and cutting back on late-night scrolling can gently reset your system.

If things don’t improve, a chat with your GP is sensible, but often, small steady habits are enough to restore balance.

What your hands reveal SKINCARE Rawpixel

Menopause: Let’s keep talking about it

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that’s flexible hours after a bad night, access to cooler spaces or just patience during a tougher week.

At home, the conversation matters just as much. Husbands and partners often want to be supportive but may not fully understand what’s happening. Hormonal shifts can

influence mood, libido and energy levels. Honest discussions reduce misinterpretation and resentment. They replace “What’s wrong?” with “How can I help?”

Irish health guidance encourages women to seek support and speak with their GP about options, including

lifestyle changes or treatments like HRT where appropriate.

But emotional support is just as important as medical care.

Menopause isn’t a weakness.

It’s a life stage. And like any life stage, it’s easier and healthier when we stop whispering about it and start talking openly.

We tend to focus skincare efforts on the face, but hands are often the first place to show wear and tear. Constant washing, cold weather and everyday tasks leave skin dry, cracked or more sensitive than we realise.

Unlike the face, hands are frequently exposed to sun without protection. Over time, this can lead to pigmentation and thinning skin.

A small shift, like applying SPF to the backs of your hands when you do your face, can make a noticeable long-term difference.

Moisturising regularly is less about luxury and more about maintenance. Keeping a hand cream by the sink or in the car makes it easier to use consistently. Look for ingredients like glycerin or ceramides to support the skin barrier.

If skin becomes persistently sore or cracked, particularly in winter, it may be worth speaking with a pharmacist. Often, though, steady care and protection are enough to keep hands comfortable and resilient year-round.

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What’s On

Your picks for this week

Rossano aka Bud Care - Wikimedia Commons

TOP SHOWS, BOOKS, MUSIC, GAMES AND MORE—OUR QUICK GUIDE TO WHAT’S WORTH YOUR TIME THIS WEEK What to Watch: Sci-fi thriller Cold Storage offers a chilling premise and a darkly comic edge. Starring Joe Keery (Stranger Things), Georgina Campbell and Liam Neeson, the story follows an unlikely trio racing to contain a fast-spreading biological threat before it spirals out of control. Blending suspense with sharp humour, the film offers brisk pacing, eccentric characters and plenty of tension for audiences looking for something a little different this week. IMC Cinema

A portrait of Presley BAZ LURHMANN’S EPIC ELVIS PRESLEY IN CONCERT | IMC CINEMA CINEMA There’s nothing understated about Elvis, and that’s exactly the point. Director Baz Luhrmann brings the story of Elvis Presley to the big screen with colour, pace and plenty of swagger; a fitting tribute to a performer who never did anything by halves.

From the outset, the film throws you into the frenzy that surrounded Presley’s rise. The early concert scenes are particularly powerful, capturing

both the excitement and the shock that greeted his nowlegendary performances. You can almost feel the energy of the crowd as Elvis takes to the stage, changing popular music and youth culture in the process. The soundtrack blends original recordings with new interpretations, giving the music a fresh edge while still respecting the source material.

The story is told largely through the eyes of his longtime manager, Colonel Tom Parker, and this framing

highlights the complicated relationship between artist and industry. As Elvis’ fame grows, so too does the sense of pressure and control. The bright lights of Las Vegas, while glamorous, begin to feel confining, a contrast to the raw promise of his early days. The film doesn’t shy away from the personal toll that relentless touring and expectation can bring.

Luhrmann’s style is bold and fast-moving, which won’t suit everyone. At times it feels

more like a concert than a conventional biopic. But perhaps that’s the right approach. Elvis wasn’t quiet or restrained he was larger than life.

For those who grew up with his music or simply know the hits the film serves as both reminder and a rediscovery.

It captures the spirit of a performer who left a lasting mark on music history. Love it or find it overwhelming, one thing is certain: this Elvis doesn’t fade into the background.

Emma Doran live at The Set EMMA DORAN: EMMACULATE | THE SET THEATRE | SUNDAY, MAR 1 COMEDY Stand-up fans are in for a lively night this weekend as Emma Doran brings her latest show, Emmaculate, to The Set Theatre.

Known for her razor-sharp observations and no-filter honesty, Emma has built a loyal following through sold-out tours, hit podcast appearances and viral social media sketches that capture the chaos of modern Irish life.

From parenting mishaps to relationships, body image to the small absurdities of everyday conversations, nothing

is off limits - and audiences wouldn’t have it any other way.

Emmaculate promises a fresh hour of candid storytelling, quick-fire punchlines and the kind of crowd interaction that keeps every performance feeling spontaneous. Emma has a knack for turning relatable frustrations into laughout-loud moments, often saying exactly what the rest of us are thinking but would never quite dare to admit.

Her rise through the Irish comedy scene has been steady and well-earned, with previous tours earning strong

word-of-mouth and packed venues nationwide. Whether you’ve followed her from her early online sketches or discovered her more recently on stage or screen, this new show showcases a performer at the top of her game - confident, fearless and unapologetically herself.

The intimate setting of The Set Theatre should make for an electric atmosphere, with audiences close enough to feel part of the action. If you’re in need of a night out filled with sharp humour and relatable chaos, Emmaculate looks set to deliver.

What to Read: Edel Coffey’s In Glass Houses is a characterdriven novel about family bonds, buried secrets and the pull of reinvention. Set among vivid landscapes, the story follows lives reshaped by loss, love and hard-won self-understanding.

Coffey writes with empathy and sharp, natural dialogue, creating an intimate world that still feels wide and lived-in. A thoughtful pick for readers who enjoy contemporary Irish fiction with emotional depth, and quietly hopeful moments throughout.

What to Stream: Paradise returns for its second season on Disney+, continuing the story of Secret Service agent Xavier Collins as he ventures beyond the bunker in search of his wife and confronts a changed world.

Inside Paradise, tensions deepen among survivors while buried secrets resurface. The new season expands the post-apocalyptic drama with fresh characters, shifting alliances and higher emotional stakes for viewers as danger looms ever closer outside the fragile sanctuary.

What to Listen To: I Might Just finds Bruno Mars in confident, feel-good form, blending slick production with his signature smooth vocals. Built around a tight groove and an instantly catchy hook, the track leans into charm and swagger without losing its pop polish. There’s a relaxed, late-night vibe running through it, balanced by crisp rhythm and playful lyrics that showcase Mars’ effortless hitmaking instincts once again for listeners everywhere this season and beyond.

What to Play: Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf returns with a cinematic sci-fi adventure that deepens the bond between Lana and her loyal companion. Expanding on the original’s painterly landscapes and puzzle-platforming, the sequel introduces new creatures, stealth mechanics and environmental challenges.

Blending gentle storytelling with moments of tension, it promises an atmospheric journey through a fragile world fighting for survival. For players seeking emotional depth and visual beauty.

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Big Maggie

Big Maggie proves a triumph at Thomastown The Polpin family at the graveyard in ‘Big Maggie, performed by Barn Owl Productions

Words: Ger Cody Photos : Céire Hoey photography When asked by his family, how he would like to be remembered, John B. Keane said: “I’d like to be remembered as the man who scored the winning goal in the North Kerry Junior Football final against Duagh in 1951.”

He further added that after that decisive goal he was lifted shoulder high off the field. John B., for all his plays, novels, essays and poems, was a humble man who loved his native town of Listowel. He claimed that just living there gave him all the material he needed.

Hardly a week goes by, when some theatre group announce that they are staging a JB play.

And so it was last week when local group Barn Owl productions staged ‘Big Maggie at the Thomastown concert hall. Under the direction of Philip Hardy, the group staged one of their finest productions, with excellent casting. In the title role, Mags Whitely played a blinder, capturing every nuance that was needed. Set in Ireland of the1960’, when women were expected to be subordinate to men and were repressed by church teaching, Keane gave Big Maggie the opportunity to be sharp, volatile and hard hitting. Whitely did this. And some.

The eleven strong cast displayed wonderful talent and the ensemble playing was a joy to behold.

‘Maggie’ shows how a widow takes over the reigns following the death of her husband. In doing so she manages to fall out

with each of her children.

Understanding Keane To understand Keane’s love affair with writing we must take a step back in time. In the early 1950s Bryan McMahon and Eamon Kelly founded the Listowel Drama Group.

In 1958 the group had produced a prize winning production of Joseph Tomelty’s ‘All Souls Night’.

Shortly afterward during a chance meeting on the street, John B. was to inform the group that he was not greatly impressed by the Tomelty play and was going to write his own.

By that time, John B. was married to his wife Mary and was living in the now famous Listowel pub. It was to be in the back kitchen that ‘Sive’ was created in a few short weeks of what surely must have been a frenzied spell of continuous writing.

Subsequent to a bald rejection by the Abbey Theatre of this new play, John B. presented the ‘Sive’ script to the Listowel players. ‘Sive’ opened on February 2nd 1959 at Walsh’s Ballroom, Listowel, to an astounded audience who laughed and cried. That production marked the beginning of the legend that is John B. Keane.

‘Sive’ drew back the veil on Ireland of the 1950s, a hidden Ireland and a world of poverty, loneliness and sexual frustration.

Former teacher, author and journalist, Con Houlihan, gave his own reason for Keane’s success: “John B. was blessed to have been born in Listowel and as he walked the bank of the river Feale, it consoled him. J.B. grew up in the bitter aftermath of a Civil War in a land

Mags Whitely played the role of Big Maggie with determination and resilience

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Big Maggie impoverished by Éamon De Valera’s concept of Economics and John Charles McQuaid’s concept of Religion. It was a society with the Puritan vices but not the Puritan virtues”. What made this son of Listowel write such roles as Big Maggie Polpin?

According to Houlihan, Keane cast a fierce light on the Hidden Ireland: on a world of pov-

erty and loneliness and sexual frustration.

He was part of a rebellion. Indeed, you could say that at least in the theatre he was its healer.

As Con Houlihan said: “What critics failed to understand about John B. was that he was essentially a Bogman. He loved the vast moorland that lies between Listowel and Castleisland. You will find no brighter people than its inhabitants.”

Catriona Bambrick and Jim Carroll who added great fun in Big Maggie

Barry Rafter and Kathy Hession, who performed in Big Maggie

Women’s roles John B.’s understanding of the role of women in society is clearly highlighted in his female characters.

One very strong reason for John B’s admiration for women was his mother who was a member of Cumann na Mban . Reports tell of a time when The Black and Tans caught and challenged her while pointing a rifle in her face. She said, “go ahead and fire”.

According to his daughter Joanna, it was also her father’s work as a chemist’s assistant that allowed him such an understanding.

This experience shaped his views about women and would have deepened his insightful interest into the female psyche.

From his study at A.H. Jones Pharmacy, William Street, Listowel, he observed the vagaries of the male/female relationships and was often infuriated at how men treated their sexual counterparts. At the same time, he wasn’t naïve and he knew that some men were victims of merciless female manipulation and dominance.

This helps to understand some of his female characters. Look at the matriarchal tyrant of female control of ‘Big Maggie’ for instance. A marriage proposal to Maggie is met with flippant wit: “I would sooner be buckled to a baboon than to be buckled to you” In ‘The Change in Mame Fadden’ he delved into the angst of menopause. In ‘Sive’ he looked at the juxtaposition of innocent maidenhood and sexual exploitation and he exposed virulent female betrayal in the ‘Chastitute’.

Barn Owl Productions played to packed houses in Thomastown with a mixture of ‘old hands’ and some newer members, showing the strength of amateur theatre in Kilkenny. Cast included: Mags Whitely, Megan Kelly, Kathy Hession, Barry Rafter, Ben Nunan, Eoin Nangle Ryan, John Whitely, Kelly Croke, Nicola Ryan, Jim Carroll, Catriona Bambrick. Direction was

by Philip Hardy with lighting design by Vincent Dempsey. Stage management was by Catriona Bambrick and Michael Cotter.

NOTE: Congratulations to the Thomastown Concert hall for their promotion of the arts in Kilkenny and their very busy programme.

Kathy Hession and Eoin Nangle Ryan who were part of the Barn Owl productions show at Thomastown

John Whitely who played ‘Byrne’ in the Barn Owl show

Kelly Croke, who appeared in Big Maggie at Thomastown concert hall

Megan Kelly in Big Maggie

Stand off! Mags Whitely and Nicola Keating have a stand off in the Barn Owl production of Big Maggie

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Food & Drink

Creamy Wild Mushroom

Freepik

RECIPE Freepik

Earthy mushrooms, fragrant thyme and a crisp, buttery pastry make this savoury tart a perfect centrepiece for a relaxed lunch or elegant starter. It pairs beautifully with a simple green salad and a chilled glass of white wine.

Serves 4–6 Ingredients • 1 sheet ready-rolled shortcrust pastry • 300g mixed mushrooms (chestnut, oyster, shiitake), sliced • 1 small onion, finely diced • 1 garlic clove, minced • 1 tbsp olive oil • 25g butter • 3 eggs • 150ml cream • 50g grated Gruyère or mature cheddar • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves • Salt and freshly ground black pepper Method Preheat the oven to 190°C (170°C fan). Line a 23cm tart tin with the pastry, pressing gently into the edges. Trim any excess and prick the base with a fork. Line with baking parchment, fill with baking beans and blind bake for 12–15 minutes. Remove the beans and bake for a further 5 minutes until lightly golden. Set aside.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil and butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute. Increase the heat slightly and add the mushrooms. Sauté until they release their moisture and turn golden - about 6–8 minutes. Stir in the thyme and season well. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and cream. Stir in the grated cheese and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Spread the mushroom mixture evenly over the tart base. Pour the egg mixture gently on top, making sure it fills the gaps. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until just set with a slight wobble in the centre.

Allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature for an effortlessly impressive dish.

Kids bombarded by junk food ads online FOOD Children in Kilkenny are being exposed to unhealthy food and drink advertising online at a rate of almost one post every four minutes, according to new research from Safefood.

The report, Our Kids’ Exposure to Unhealthy Food Marketing Online, found that in Ireland, children and teenagers see between 15 and 19 food marketing posts per hour while using social media. The research, launched this week in Dublin at an event examining the impact of digital food marketing, is the first of its kind on the island of Ireland and used screen capture tech-

nology to monitor real-time exposure.

The findings suggest the scale of influence is substantial. A child spending two hours a day on social media could be exposed to almost 11,000 unhealthy food marketing posts annually. For teenagers online for 4.5 hours daily, that number rises to more than 30,000 advertisements each year. Alarmingly, almost 96 per cent of the products shown did not meet World Health Organisation nutrient guidelines for marketing to children.

Safefood said the findings indicate that children “frequently respond to digital

food-marketing examples with feelings of hunger or thirst, and with pleasure, enjoyment or enthusiasm”, and that parents are “largely unaware of this high level of exposure, often believing their children are largely immune to the effects of such marketing”.

Safefood CEO Joanne Uí Chrualaoich described the results as worrying, noting that such constant exposure can influence children’s food preferences, purchase requests and long-term dietary habits.

The study found that young people frequently reacted to online food marketing with feelings of hunger, thirst and

enjoyment.

Influencer marketing proved particularly powerful. According to Aileen McGloin, Director of Nutrition at Safefood, teenagers viewed influencer food posts for significantly longer than traditional paid advertisements and often did not recognise them as commercial content.

The report also found that many parents underestimate the scale of digital food marketing their children encounter. Safefood says the findings provide important evidence for policymakers as digital advertising techniques continue to evolve beyond existing voluntary codes.

Kilkenny’s sacred roots of brewing DRINK Kilkenny’s historical relationship with wine was dominated by the importation of French and Spanish wines in the medieval period, rather than local production. Wine was shipped to nearby ports and transported upriver, where it was often (allegedly!) pilfered by local fishermen.

While brewing and distilling have deeper, more established roots in Kilkenny - dating back to the 14th-century Red Book of Ossory - early monastic sites occasionally attempted vineyard cultivation.

Long before modern breweries and artisan producers defined Kilkenny’s food and drink scene, monastic communities were quietly laying its foundations. In medieval Ireland, monasteries were centres of agriculture, innovation and self-sufficiency, and

in Kilkenny, their influence extended to both brewing and, quite possibly, the culture of wine.

Founded in the 12th century, Jerpoint Abbey became one of the region’s most important Cistercian houses. The Cistercians were renowned across Europe for their disciplined farming methods and careful land management. On the continent, their monasteries were closely associated with vineyards and winemaking, particularly in regions of France and Germany where many of Europe’s great wine traditions were shaped by monastic hands. While there is no surviving record confirming a vineyard at Jerpoint, the order’s expertise in horticulture makes it plausible that vines may have been cultivated experimentally on sheltered, south-facing plots for sacramental wine.

Brewing, however, formed

Wikimedia Commons

a more established part of monastic life in Ireland.

Ale was a daily staple, often safer to drink than water, and monasteries refined brewing techniques that would influence generations. In Kilkenny

city, the medieval St. Francis Abbey later became the site of Smithwick’s Brewery, linking the county’s religious past with one of Ireland’s oldest commercial brewing traditions.

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Camogie Champions 2026

Loreto Kilkenny All Ireland Senior Colleges Camogie Champions 2026

Loreto Kilkenny completed a 4 in a row of Senior A Schools Camogie Titles on Saturday after defeating Ursuline Thurles on a scoreline of 4-13 to 0-09 in a wet & windy Gortnahoe.

Lucy Boyd was named player of the match after a fine display chipping in with 2-4 from play. The Loreto had stars all over the field and cemented their position on top of the roll of honour with 11 titles.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 27th February 2026

Community & GAA Notes

KilkennyGAA clubs and Communitynews CLARA CAMOGIE Saturday was a great day for a few Clara camogie girls. First Lucy Boyd and Onagh Fitzgerald collected All Ireland medals as the Loreto, Kilkenny won their 4th colleges senior title on the trot in Gortnahoe when they easily beat Ursuline, Thurles 4-13 to 0-9. Lucy tallied 2-4 from play and collected the Player of the Match award. The same two teams will meet in the Junior All Ireland final on Friday when Clara’s Emily Phelan will be hoping to emulate her club mates’ achievements.

In Freshford the Kilkenny senior camogie team backed up their opening day league win up in Galway by defeating Tipperary in round 2.

Emma Shortall started and contributed two points to the 0-14 to 0-9 victory.

CAPTAIN David Barcoe captained St. Kieran’s to a great win over St. Raphael’s, Loughrea in Toomevara on Saturday. The Saints found themselves in bother with fifteen minutes to go when trailing by five points, but a strong finish saw them claim a nine point win. David had been joined on the field at that stage by fellow Clara men Joe Power and Luke Lawlor. They now face Harty Cup champions Nenagh CBS in the semifinal in a fortnight.

Hard luck to Padraic Meany who was on the Kilkenny CBC panel which went down to St. Flannans in Bansha on Saturday.

PRESENTATION NIGHT Clara GAA had a lovely gathering in Langton’s Set Theatre on Saturday night as medals were presented to the camogie U22 county final winners (2023 and 2025) and the U21 winning hurlers of 2024. Mai Brennan and Mickey Prendergast did the presentation honours and Camogie Chairman Eamonn Dunne was MC for the evening. Thanks were given to Langtons for the use of the venue and for their sponsorship and to Freshco for their continuing camogie sponsorship.

CLUB LOTTO The Lotto Results for 17th February were as follows, the numbers drawn were 3, 6, 27. There was no Jackpot winner. €30 Lucky Dip went to Peter Nolan, Michael Dreeling, Caitriona Corr, Richie Nolan and Jack O Keeffe.

covers your hotel stay, a donation to the Dillon Quirke Foundation, support for O’Loughlin Gaels facilities, plus all refreshments and event logistics.

Every kilometre cycled supports youth sport and promotes cardiac awareness, your effort truly makes a difference.

Training Made Simple. Our easy-to-follow 9-week training plan begins February 21st (8 weeks building + 1 taper week). Suitable for all levels, it gradually builds your fitness with optional group spins for extra encouragement.

If you can cycle 38–45 km with short breaks, you can do this. For more information, call 0860304449.

COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES Well, done to O’Loughlin Gaels’ players Mikey Butler, Paddy Deegan and Jordan Molloy along with substitute Luke Hogan on their contribution to Kilkenny Senior hurling team’s win over Waterford in the Allianz Hurling League last weekend. Also, on the camogie front well done to Laura Greene and Laura Murphy as they were part of Kilkenny’s League success over Tipperary last weekend.

HANDBALL SUCCESS O’Loughlin’s Handball Club’s success continued during the last week on the courts with Dylan Mc Gee winning the Under-13 Kilkenny singles in Kells defeating Talbot’s Inch in the final while Lauren Daly and Chloe Collins won the Under-15 doubles in Kilfane. It was on to Croke Park for the Leinster finals at the weekend as eight of the club’s juveniles represented Kilkenny, Ollie Morrissey, Leon and Jonny Delaney, Stephanie and Clara Cooney, Lory Hogan, Liam O’ Brian and Callum Bourke. Congratulations to Liam O’Brien, Cailim Burke and Ollie Morrissey who were all successful in their age grades at the Leinster finals and will now contest All Ireland semi-finals in the coming weeks.

CLUB LOTTO There was no winner of O’Loughlin Gaels club lotto dated February 17th. The numbers drawn were 11, 14, 19 and 24. The bonus number was 6. Play Now at www.oloughlingaels.com Thank you for your continued support.

Promotors draw winners were: 1. Joan Corkery.

2. Lennon c/o B Murphy. 3. Dinny and Mags c/o John Joe / Dinny. 4. Donal Gibbons c/o B

O’LOUGHLIN GAELS OFFICIAL OPENING Excitement is mounting with the official opening of O’Loughlin Gaels new Ball Wall and Astroturf area taking place on Saturday 28th February at 6pm. The club members are delighted that the opening will be performed by the President of the GAA, Jarlath Burns. An open invitation to the opening is extended to all club members, supporters and members of the local community.

PEDAL TO THE SEA 2026 WE RIDE AGAIN O’Loughlin Gaels Pedal to the Sea is back. On May 1st, the O’Loughlin Gaels Peloton rolls out from St. Johns Park for a 2‑day adventure to Dungarvan and back. It’s more than a cycle, it’s community, purpose, and great craic.

What’s Involved. Take on an unforgettable cycling challenge with a fully supported 200 km round trip, complete with refreshment stops along the way to keep you fuelled and motivated. Prefer a shorter distance? Choose the Pedal-Lite 100 km option along the beautiful Greenway, starting from the Deise Greenway Bilberry Carpark.

Your experience also includes an overnight stay in Lawlor’s Hotel with bed & breakfast and an evening meal provided, the perfect way to relax and celebrate your achievement. Everyone who donates to your journey will be entered into a spot-prize draw, with winners announced on May 2nd.

Fundraising. Each cyclist is asked to raise €500.

Last year, participants reached this target with ease using our iDonate QR system, and sponsorship cards are also available. Your fundraising

O’Loughlin Gaels new Ball Wall and Astro Turf area

Walsh. 5. Nuala Bryan c/o D O’Driscoll. 6. Emily Parsons c/o E Kinchella. 7. Chris Goulding c/o D O’Driscoll. 8. Denis Brett c/o Online. 9. Michael Treacy c/o Online. 10. Ann Morrissey c/o Online.

New Players are welcome.

EASTER CAMP O’Loughlin Gaels GAA and Camogie Club’s Easter Camp is fast approaching and it’s not to be missed. Sign up and register now so as not to be disappointed. Easter Camp will take place from Monday 30th March to Friday 3rd April. The

cost per child is €55 with reductions for families with 2 or 3 children participating. Deadline for registration is March 20th. Camp Coordinators are Stephen Murphy and Paddy Deegan.

Register on Google Forms or contact Stephen at 085-7181325 for details.

CLUB MEMBERSHIP O’Loughlin Gaels GAA and Camogie Club members are reminded that 2026 membership fees are now due. Payment can be made via the www.foireann.ie website. Follow the guidelines to the O’Loughlin Gaels section where the different membership categories and prices are displayed.

NOTES If you wish to have any item included in the St. John’s Parish notes please email it to COMMUNICATIONS.OLOUGHLINGAELS.KILKENNY@GAA.IE FRESHFORD

President of the GAA, Jarlath Burns

SQUASH IN GERMANY Congratulations and well done to young local lad Nathan Walsh who travelled to Germany last weekend with the Irish team to play in u17squash competition. Well, done to Nathan and his team. Nathan won four of his six matches.

SYMPATHY Sympathy is extended to the Fitzpatrick family of Gathabawn on the death of Tony Fitzpatrick in Australia. Tony and his family emigrated to Australia several years ago, but he was a regular visitor back to the area.

LIAM BRENNAN (RIP) The death took place last weekend of Liam Brennan late of Picketstown Tullaroan. Liam who was in his 92nd year was well known in the locality. He was predeceased a by his daughter Martina and son John Oliver. He was married to his wife Millie for 63 years. He worked in ESB for over 40 years and was a very well known and talented musician. He was a very friendly and good living gentleman and loved to chat and to joke. His funeral mass took place in the church of the Assumption in Tullaroan followed by burial in Tullaroan cemetery. He is mourned by his wife Millie his sons Patrick and Liam, his daughters Annette, Millie, Catherine, Teresa, Jackie and Nicola, his grandchildren, brother,

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

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Community & GAA Notes sisters, sons in law, daughters in law, nephews, nieces and extended family to whom deepest sympathy is extended.

SOCCER Freshford town junior side earned a 1-1 draw with Spa Utd on Sunday morning last in a home league tie. The Freshford goal came from Alan Rafter In the underage section the u12 boys finished all square with Stoneyford, with Jack Costelloe getting the goal for the Freshford side.

Work is due to commence this week at the sports field at Woodview. The weather has been a disaster and it is hoped to get the ground work started which will go on for some weeks.

GAA St Lachtains footballers were in action on Sunday morning last when they took on St Patrick’s at Ballyragget and were defeated on a final score of 4-8 to 2-7. They take on Windgap on Saturday next in Pairc Lachtain MEMBERSHIP Membership is now due for the 2026 season and can be paid to any committee member or through Clubzap or Foireann. Please look at club’s social media page for details SPLIT THE POT February split the pot proceeds goes to Threecastles Community Hall. This week’s winner was Carmel Burke who won herself €175. Tickets are just €2 are available at all local pubs and businesses so be in to win and support local clubs.

PILGRIMAGE The Ossory pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place 25th to 30th May. 5 nights from €995 per person, all bookings through Joe Walsh tours on 01 2410800 or online at pilgrimage/groupdiocesan-pilgrimages or by post to JWT Harcourt Street Dublin 2. Assisted pilgrims should contact Fr O’Connor on 0872517766.

OUTREACH CENTRE Cois Nore Outreach Centre visits Ballyragget every Wednesday. It’s located at Dr. Hogan’s rooms, The Square from 11am to 1pm. All those seeking cancer support are very welcome. For appointment phone 0874833941 BRIDGE Freshford Bridge club is held each week in Threecastles Hall 7.30pm. New members are very welcome. Bridge Classes are also being held for anyone interested in learning how to play bridge and you are most welcome to attend these classes. For further information contact Anne Maria on 087 2271136 if you are interested in joining PARISH NEWS Mass times for Freshford, Tullaroan and Ballycallan. Saturday evening- Killaloe -6pm Tullaroan 730pm. Sunday – Ballycallan 9.30am Freshford 11am. Killaloe, Tulla and Kilmanagh will share the 6pm Mass on a 1, 2, 3 basis. Weekly masses Monday 9.30am Kilmanagh, Tuesday and Friday –Freshford -9.30am and Thursday –Tullaroan at 9.30am. Confirmation will take place in St Lachtains church on Wednesday 22nd April at 11am RADIO If you wish to listen to live broadcast of mass on Tuesdays, Fridays or Sundays from Freshford Church you can tune in to 105fm on your radio.

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

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

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

LOOP CAFE The Loop Community Café is open Monday to Saturday from 9:30am to 4pm and is a welcoming hub in the village. They’re always happy to see more people on both sides of the counter, so why not drop in to support your local café, meet a friend, enjoy a chat, and savour some delicious homemade food? Along with great

refreshments, The Loop hosts a variety of community activities that bring neighbours together.

The café is also seeking volunteers to help keep these services thriving. If you’re interested in getting involved, please call 056-883-2650 and ask for Rhiannon.

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

JAMES STEPHENS GAA AND CAMOGIE CLUB 2026 KILKENNY HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP GROUPS At the draw for the 2026 Intermediate hurling league/championship campaign James Stephens has been drawn in group B with St. Martin’s, Tullogher Rosbercon, Blacks and Whites, Lisdowney and Barrow Rangers. The first-round fixtures will take place on the weekend of 25th26th July when James Stephens will line out against Blacks and Whites. In the 2026 Junior league/championship section B campaign the club is included with Mooncoin, Dicksboro, Young Irelands, O’Loughlin Gaels and Thomastown. The first-round fixtures will take place on the weekend of the 18th-19th July with James Stephens scheduled to play Mooncoin B on that weekend.

JUNIOR FOOTBALL The Junior footballers continued their unbeaten run on Saturday afternoon with a hard-fought draw against Ballyhale in the Kells Road on a scoreline of 1-08 each. In a fiercely contested encounter, the Village showed tremendous resilience, particularly when reduced to 13 men following two black cards. During that challenging period, the defence stood firm. Adam O’Connor delivered a commanding performance at full back, while Eoin Larkin displayed great leadership by dropping back from centre forward to help shore up the rearguard. Shane Campion, Josh O’Rourke, Luke Murphy and Cathal Mulhall all demonstrated excellent work rate and determination, helping to repel sustained Ballyhale pressure. Up front, the Village attack produced a well-balanced scoring return.

Larkin and Stephen Minogue contributed from both play and placed balls, while Conor Byrne and Ronan Delahunty also added important scores. A superbly taken goal from Paul Ryan early in the second half provided a significant boost and kept the Village firmly in contention.

At midfield, Dara Behan worked tirelessly, transitioning seamlessly from defence to attack and providing a vital link between the lines. From centre back, James Tyrell’s attacking instincts and intelligent support play created numerous opportunities throughout the contest. The full forward line combined effectively all afternoon, with Ryan, Bill Kavanagh and Shane Guilfoyle constantly posing a threat. As the game entered its closing stages, substitutes James Walton, Tommy Walton and James Gladney made valuable contributions, helping secure a well-earned point and maintain the team’s unbeaten record.

A determined and disciplined display overall ensured the Village remain firmly on track as the campaign continues.

MUSIC AND CRAIC On Saturday night next, 28th February local musical favourites, Rough and Ready will be on stage for a night of music and craic for weekend revellers. Why not leave your worries behind, come along and enjoy the weekend entertainment with friends and neighbours in the club’s comfortable Larchfield setting. All are welcome.

ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE Bainisteoir Derek Lyng’s Kilkenny “Kats” tested the nine lives theory having waited to the 6th minute of extra time to clinch a nerve tingling 1-21 to 1-20 victory over Waterford in a pulsating 4th round National League fixture in UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday afternoon. It fell to clubman Cian Kenny to deliver the critical score

from a long distance free in a swirling wind from the sideline to secure the match winning score.

In a game where every score mattered, his clubmate Ed McDermott chipped in with a point from an angle having been introduced in the 50th minute of a stamina sapping contest. Their next outing is against the 2025 National league championship, Cork, on Sunday next 1st March in UPMC Nowlan Park.

KILKENNY CAMOGIE After a disappointing 2025 season the Kilkenny senior camogie team’s resurgence continued with a fine 2nd round National Camogie League 0-15 to 0-10 victory over Tipperary in St. Lactain’s Park on Saturday afternoon. Emily Smith making her senior inter county debut, at wingback, played her part with a strong display alongside her experienced Village club mates, centre back Niamh Deely and Michelle Teehan at full back. The team is also benefiting from the coaching of club officer Kieran Brennan who is also a team selector.

ST. PATRICK’S BAND On Sunday next, 1st. March, the congregation will be treated to a selection of Sacred Music provided by The St. Patrick’s Brass and Reed Band at the 11.30am Mass in St. John’s Church.

VOLUNTEERING The Kilkenny Volunteer Centre are seeking volunteers to help out as Telephone Support and Befriending Volunteers with Alone. This is a free friendly support and information telephone service for older folk. Also, the Fr. McGrath Resource Centre is seeking volunteers for a Homework club/study for students in 1st-3rd year. For more detailed information on the above services contact Daryna Kolesnyk at the Volunteer Centre via info@volunteerkilkenny.ie.

LOTTO (CRANNCHUR) Na huimhreacha don seachtain seo caite ná 9, 10, 30, 32. Ni raibh aon buaiteoir (No winner). Na mionduaiseanna €40: Phil Gargan, Mick Dren-

nan, Aidan O’Dwyer, Joan Cody agus Majella McCormack. Go raibh maith agaibh as bhur dtachaiocht. Many thanks for your continuing support.

BENNETTSBRIDGE MASSIVE LOTTO JACKPOT The was no winner of the Jackpot. The numbers drawn were, 4, 6, 23, 27. A jackpot of €12,000.00 is still available for some lucky punter. Consolation Prizes went to, Katie Mulcahy, ℅ D. Power, Trish Dowling, Marian Place, Shangarry Syndicate, TJ and Ella ℅ Mandy, Rosie ℅ Fr Duggan.

MASS TIME Bennettsbridge, Tuesday evenings - 7.30pm.

Thursday and Friday 10.30am. Sunday 10 30am Tullaherin Saturday 8pm.

CONFIRMATION PREPARATION MASS On Sunday last the Confirmation Preparation Mass was held with children and parents involved in the liturgy.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION Next Preparation mass will be held on Sunday; 15th March at 10.30am. First penance will be in St Bennett’s Church on Wednesday, 4th March.

LENTEN STATION ENVELOPES Lenten Station envelopes have been delivered, and parishioners are encouraged to return them in the usual way. As always, your contributions are very much appreciated.

TROCAIRE BOXES Trocaire Boxes are available in the church porch for the traditional lenten donations.

OSSORY PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES The Ossory Pilgrimage to Lourdes for 2026 will take place on May 25th to May 30th. All bookings through Joe Walsh Tours at 01-2410800. Or by post to JWT, 89 Harcourt Street, Dublin, 2.

DO2WY88.

Special assisted/sick section pilgrims who would like to travel should apply to, Anna Col-

Congratulations to Holly, Erin and Katie. Bennettsbridge girls on the winning Loreto team

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

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 27th February 2026

Community & GAA Notes leton at a.colleton@cbskilkenney.ie. Acceptance for travel is subject to the approval of the Pilgrimage Medical Board.

BRIDGE FILM/ DOC It is expected that many of the groups in Bennettsbridge will feature in some way in the hour long documentary/film being constructed in the village at the moment. Tutor Gillian Grattan is being helped by a number of local enthusiasts, and there is much interest in the proceedings. It is expected that sporting history will play a part together with various groups which contribute to village life.

GATHERING GROUP The weekly meetings continue each Wednesday from 11am till 1pm. Activities include chair exercises, tea and chat, bingo and rings. All are welcome!

MENS SHED This popular men’s group is continuing to attract great numbers each week, and new members are very welcome.

SYMPATHY Sympathy is extended to Felicity Gay and family on the death of Felicity’s husband, David Gay, 5 Marian Place, Bennettsbridge, Co. Kilkenny and formerly of “White Rock”, Church Road, Carrigaline, Co. Cork.

David passed peacefully at his home with family on 19th February 2026. Beloved husband of Felicity and much loved father of Simon and Debbie. David will be dearly missed by his wife, son and daughter, grandchildren Max, Sam, Faye, Marcus and Sarah, daughter-in-law Lydia, son-in-law Andrew, sister-in-law Hazel, brotherin-law Nick, cousins, nephews, nieces, extended family, friends, neighbours and by his loyal companions Billy and Archie. David is predeceased by his brother Cecil and sisters Heather and Deirdre. David reposed at his home in Marian Place. His Funeral Service took place in St. Peter’s Church, Ennisnag, Co. Kilkenny followed by a private Cremation. Felicity was a popular member of the Bennettsbridge Art Group for a number of years and condolences go to her and her family at this sad time. Rest in peace David.

KILKENNY VOLUNTEER CENTRE The Kilkenny Volunteer Centre is looking for people who may be interested in getting involved in various activities in the community.

Kilkenny Volunteer Centre is seeking for a new Member of the Board of directors with a focus on human resources or legal governance expertise. The role involves playing an active role in the organisation’s governance and strategic direction, while taking a leading role on human resource matters. Required approx. 10 hours per year for board meetings.

Fr. McGrath Family Resource Centre is seeking volunteers for a Homework club/study group for students in 1st-3rd year. The work will involve helping students with their homework and with studying. The group runs Monday and Tuesday evenings. You will have 4 staff members supporting also.

No Name Club in Thomastown is looking for Adult Leader Volunteers. The role as an adult leader will be to organise and facilitate club meetings, providing a safe and fun environment where young people aged 15-18 years can feel welcome. Adult volunteers offer approximately 2 hours a week.

Upper Paddock Biodiversity Garden Volunteers are needed in Thomastown. Volunteers will meet on a Monday / Wednesday / Saturday at 10.30am -12.30pm. Tasks include general maintenance and upkeep of the garden. Volunteers with all levels of gardening skills are welcome.

Get Involved in the Great Wheelbarrow Parade in Thomastown! Thomastown Community Network is seeking an enthusiastic, communityminded individual who would like to come on board in 2026, learn the ropes this year, and take the lead in 2027. No previous experience needed – just energy, ideas, and a passion for community events. Full support and handover provided.

If you find a volunteering role that interests you, visit our site to register or apply www.volunteerkilkenny.ie or contact us by info@volunteerkilkenny.ie.

CAMOGIE NEWS Loreto Kilkenny are the Champions, beating Ursuline Thurles in the All Ireland Senior A post

primary schools final today. Final score Loreto Kilkenny 4-13, Ursuline Thurles 0-9. Massive congratulations to our Bennettsbridge girls on the Loreto team, Holly, Erin and Katie.

NATIONAL LEAGUE. Well, done to David Blanchfield who had a fine game at mid-field for the Kilkenny seniors who defeated Waterford in the National League in Nowlan Park last Sunday. Best wishes to all against Cork next weekend.

MEMBERSHIP 2026.

Membership for the coming season is now open and can be paid to any committee member or online via clubspot. For non-playing members the membership remains at 40 euro. Adult players membership is 150 euro and student players, 100 euro. Early payment would be greatly appreciated as the bills for 2026 start to come in.

COLLEGES HURLING AND DEVELOPMENT SQUADS We wish the very best of luck to all ‘Bridge players trying out for Kilkenny squads and with various second and third level colleges at the moment. Best of luck also to the underage football teams who are getting the season underway in the next couple of weeks.

EASTER CAMP The 2026 Easter Camp will be held from March 30th to April 2nd in the club grounds. Please see the clubs Facebook page for details or contact Cormac Wafer or Enda Morrissey.

SIGNAGE CAMPAIGN Bennettsbridge GAA club continues to promote the Pitch signage campaign. There are still places available and many thanks to all the business owners who have supported so far. If interested, please contact Alan Flynn or Alan Morrissey.

New signs have been added in the past couple of weeks with room still available.

SPLIT THE POT Well, done to Shane Egan who won 114 euro, Katie McGrath who won 30 euro and to Diane Walsh who won 20 euro. The draw can also be entered online on the club spot app under fundraising. Thanks again for the support.

GOWRAN GOWRAN PANTO Take a bow, huge congratulations to Gowran Panto on an amazing week. The hard work and talent really shone through. Well, done to the whole team.

GOWRAN AC It was another great weekend of athletics at the Leinster Indoors recently, where all four of the club’s walkers took home silverware, with three securing National qualification for next month’s All-Irelands. For some athletes, it was their first time competing at indoor and provincial level; others achieved new personal bests, and all gained valuable experience (and new Leinster jumpers). The club is extremely proud of everyone who competed and represented them so well across the weekend.

A special mention goes to Cian Shortall, who competed in three events on Saturday, winning silver in the walk. He then travelled to Abbottstown on Sunday for the National B Championships, where he ran an outstanding race to claim a bronze National B medal — a fantastic achievement in one weekend.

Full results were as follows: Girls U12. Emma Hayden: 60m – 8th Final; 600m – 14th Final; Long Jump – 12th Aoife Dalton: 60m – 6th Semi-final. Boys U12. Conor Maher: 600m – 8th (Heat 4). Girls U13. Anna Fenlon: 60m – 7th (Heat 9); Long Jump – 37th. Roisin Corrigan: 600m – 7th (Heat 4); Shot Put – 8th. Boys U13.

Cian Shortall: Walk – silver; 60m – 7th Final; Long Jump – 13th. Girls U14. Sarah Mulrooney: High Jump – 8th; 60m – 7th (Heat 7). Lydia Phelan: High Jump – 19th; 60m – 4th (Heat 6).

Pearl Treacy: High Jump – 17th; 60m – 7th (Heat 6). Robyn Goodwin: Walk – bronze. Boys U14.

Ted Kelsey: Walk – bronze; Shot Put – 9th. Mason Phelan: Shot Put – 7th. Cian Larkin: 60m Hurdles – 5th (Heat 2); 800m – 10th (Heat 1); Long Jump – 11th. Jay Pollock: 800m – 8th (Heat 2); Long Jump – 18th. Girls. Laoise Glynn: Walk – bronze.

Hannah Phelan: Long Jump – 21st. Boys U15.

Sean Farrell: 60m – 5th (Heat 1). Girls U16. Holly Kelly: 60m Hurdles – 5th (Heat 1); 200m – 5th

(Heat 1). Boys U16. Oren Denieffe: Shot Put – 7th.

National Cross Country, Abbottstown. Boys U13 – Cian Shortall: 12th (bronze). Girls U15 – Mia Kennedy: 64th. Inter Men – Sean Morrissey: 28th.

GOWRAN PARK The Shamrock Chase takes place in Gowran on March 7th. Early Bird Tickets on sale now https://www.gowranpark.ie/racing/buy-tickets/ YOUNG IRELANDS GAA This year’s event is raising funds for the Young Irelands GAA and Camogie Club community development project, including new community spaces, meeting rooms and a gym that will benefit players, families and the entire parish for years to come.

The club is also proudly supporting Gowran National School’s “Bí Cineálta” kindness corner, helping to transform the school shed into a warm, welcoming space for students.

The fundraising goal is €35,000, and every euro raised will help build better facilities and support the next generation in the community.

Donate here: https://www.idonate.ie/event/ YoungIrelands24hrwalkathon� WALKATHON DATE: The 24-hour challenge runs from Friday, 20th March to Saturday, 21st March. There’s still plenty of time to get involved! Gather friends, family, or colleagues and form a team, or simply join one that’s already registered. Don’t miss your chance to take part in this exciting event.

GRAIGUENAMANAGH DUISKE PLAYERS We are changing things up this year with our spring production, we are delighted to be performing 2 One Acts Plays on Thurs 26th, Fri 27th and Sun 29th March in Graignamanagh Abbey Hall.

Both plays are comedies but that is where the similarity ends, the cast are as follows: “Dead Mans Bells” by Meabh de Brun. Eldest.

Edel Bolger. Middle. Rebecca Murphy. Youngest.

Caroline Cotter.

“Last Tango in Little Grimley”. Gordon. John Meaney. Bernard. Nathan Dunne. Joyce. Naomi Coady. Margaret. Margaret Whelan Peter Prendergast is back in the director’s chair this year and will direct both plays. We look forward to seeing you all on the night.

LOCAL LOTTO There was no winner jackpot, the numbers drawn were 1, 6,9,24. Consolation prizes of €30 went to Eddie Doyle and John Walsh. Dara Fenlon. Anthony O’ Brien. Marian Murphy. Stephen Walsh (online) GOLF SOCIETY The Golf Society Annual General Meeting will be held tonight Friday 27th at 8:00 PM in the Scout Den. All members are invited to attend this important gathering to discuss society matters, share updates, and plan upcoming events. Your participation and input are highly encouraged.

CAMOGIE CLUB Only two weeks left to purchase your ticket for the GAA National Club Draw and Graiguenamanagh Camogie Club are adding a bonus draw of: 1st €200, 2nd €100, 3rd €50 for all who purchase a ticket through the Club.

You will also be in with a chance of winning a brand new Toyota Corolla Hybrid Car as 1st prize, exciting weekend packages to the thrilling All-Ireland Finals, a holiday voucher worth €2,500 and many more. Tickets are €15 and can be purchased from any committee member.

Registration for the 2026 season is now open.

Create, renew or manage your membership before 31st March via https://www.foireann.ie/.

HIGHVIEW Our under 16 girls had a very convincing win away to Evergreen, some great football on display as the girls deservedly came out on top.

Goals from Mia Farrell, Chloe O’Reilly, Rosanna Doyle, Emily Cleere and Eabha Farrell Harristown played host to a cracking FFA encounter as Evergreen faced Highview Athletic FC, two giants of the local FFA game. Great players on display from both sides with Ruben in goal for Highview pulling off some superb saves.

Special mention to our captain, Kayden Flynn who had a fantastic game.

GAA CLUB Registration for Graiguenamanagh GAA Club or

Club and Gym membership is open. For insurance purposes, all patrons must be members of the GAA Club and age 16+ to join/use the gym.

Gym membership is January 1st to December 31st.

To become a Club or Club and Gym member, download the Graignamanagh GAA App (and select the Memberships option from the Menu at the bottom right. Please take note of the Player and Non-Player options.

KILMANAGH KAY MURPHY The family of Kay Murphy (nee McDonald) late of Williamstown, Waterford, and formerly of Michael’s Church Ballycallan, would like to express their appreciation and thanks to all who attended her funeral mass in Waterford and her removal and burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery Ballykeeffe. To all who sent messages of sympathy and Mass Cards. Also, a sincere thank you to the Committee of Ballycallan Community Hall for providing much welcome food and refreshments on such a cold day.

TEXT ALERT We are trying to reactivate the text alert system in the community. This system is there to notify you of any suspicious activity in the parish. If you have been on the list previously you will just need to pay the annual subscription of €10 to have your number reactivated. If you want to join the list, please give your €10 plus name and phone number to any of the committee members or Revolut 086 373 99 83 with your details.

Some members of the committee that you can contact are Eamon Phelan, Eileen Lanigan and Jerry Ryan.

TIMBER AUCTION Ballycallan Community Hall committee would like to sincerely thank everyone who helped make our recent timber auction a huge success.

To the landowners who donated timber, to the men who gave so freely of their time to cut, load and deliver timber, thank you. To everyone who attended on the day of the auction, Godfrey Greene and John Dunphy who were our auctioneer and clerk and to the people who purchased the timber on the day, we couldn’t have done it without you all. Our plans going forward are we hope to build a shed for equipment and surface the carpark to make the space more accessible for the Community.

EASTER CAMP The Graigue Ballycallan Camp is back this Easter. Four fun days of activities including: hurling, camogie, football, music, games, arts and lots more for boys and girls aged 5-13 years.

On Wednesday 18th March, there will be a registration evening in Tom Ryall Park from 7pm to 8pm. Contact Darragh Egan on 087 271 64 31 for more information.

TABLE QUIZ Naomh Aodhan Active Ladies Group will hold a Table Quiz in Ryan’s Pub, Kilmanagh on Friday 20th March at 8:30pm. Table of 4 for €20. Lone quizzers also welcome €5 per entry. A raffle will be held on the night with some great prizes.

Gerry Dunne will have his usual eclectic mix of questions. All are welcome.

FAMILY FUN RUN Graigue/Ballycallan Athletic Club, in association with St Aidan’s NS Parent’s Association, are holding a 10k and 5k Family fun run / walk on Sunday 8th March, at 11am starting in Kilmanagh village, R95 XN76. The cost is €20 for a chipped 10k, €10 for unchipped 5k and a family ticket for the 5k is also €20. You can register on the day, or you can register online prior to the event if you look up our athletic club social media pages, all the details are there.

HURLING AND CAMOGIE TRAINING With the 2026 season just around the corner, we wish to extend the invitation to any children who would like to come and join the U6 hurling or camogie teams. It’ll be a great environment to make new friends, learn new skills and have some fun. Also, any parents who would like to help with coaching are more than welcome.

Please contact either Noel Dermody on 086 054 0385 or Tom Ryan on 086 198 2955 to sign up your children to play or if you’re looking for any information regarding training or coaching.

OLD SCHOOL BOYS

We Wewelcome welcomeall allGAA GAAClub Cluband andCommunity Communitynotes notesfor forpublication publicationin inThe TheKilkenny KilkennyObserver Observeremail emailto tosales@kilkennyobserver.ie sales@kilkennyobserver.ie

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 27th February 2026

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Community & GAA Notes There is a weekly gathering of men, of varying vintage, in Naomh Aodhán Community Centre, Kilmanagh. Join them for a cuppa and a chat, each Friday morning from 10am to 12 noon.

ACTIVE LADIES GROUP Active Ladies Group meet each Monday evening from 7pm to 9pm in Naomh Aodhan Community Centre, Kilmanagh. If you wish to join the group or need any further details, please contact 086 373 99 83 or come along any Monday evening. For the next six weeks we will be having a Tai Chi session. If you are interested in joining in, please contact 086 373 99 83.

LOTTO RESULTS Results for 16th February. Numbers drawn were 7; 20; 25; 27. There was no winner. Lucky Dip winners were Kayleigh Brett, Linda Hayes and Gerard Doheny. Sellers prizes went to Adrian Ronan and Mark Hogan.

SOCCER RESULTS U13 Schoolboys League – River Rangers 5, Paulstown 0. U16 Schoolboys League – River Rangers 2, Evergreen 3. McCalmont Cup (1st Round) – East End 2, River Rangers 2 SOCCER FIXTURES Saturday, February 28th – U17 Schoolboys League – River Rangers v Evergreen. Sunday, March 1st – K&DL Div Two – River Rangers v Bridge Utd. U13 Schoolboys League – Newpark v River Rangers.

VOLUNTEERING If you are interested in volunteering the following vacancies have arisen: Kilkenny Volunteer Centre is seeking for a new Member of the Board of directors with a focus on human resources or legal governance expertise. The role involves playing an active role in the organisation’s governance and strategic direction, while taking a leading role on human resource matters. Required approx. 10 hours per year for board meetings.

Telephone Support and Befriending Volunteer with ALONE Kilkenny. It is a free friendly, support and information telephone service for older people. It provides personal daily or weekly contact to ensure that recipients are safe and well in their home. Time commitment is a minimum of one 1-hour shift per week (Monday – Friday: 10am – 4pm).

Fr. McGrath Family Resource Centre is seeking volunteers for a Homework club/study group for students in 1st-3rd year. The work will involve helping students with their homework and with studying. The group runs Monday and Tuesday evenings. You will have 4 staff members supporting also.

Foróige Junior Youth Club in Castlecomer is looking for volunteers to attend youth club once a week on Thursday evenings for 90 minutes.

The young people are aged 10 to 12 years and interacting and building relationships with them will be the main aim. Volunteers will be there for general support that can range from simply making tea to ordering in pizza, to organising interclub events with other Foroige clubs.

Big Brother Big Sister Volunteers (Youth Mentor) are needed in Castlecomer. Big Brother Big Sister matches a young person (10-18 years), in need of friendship and support, to a caring adult volunteer mentor. They meet once a week, for an hour or two, and the initial commitment is for one year. Matches are of the same gender and are supported by professional staff.

Castlecomer Community First Responders are volunteers who are trained to attend certain types of emergency calls in the area where they live or work. Their aim is to reach a potential life-threatening emergency in the first vital minutes before the ambulance crew arrives.

First Responders will train to respond to Cardiac Arrest, Stroke & choking emergency calls with a 5km radius.

The Vision Ireland Clothing Boutique in Castlecomer is currently seeking volunteers to join its team and become a true community champion.

Tasks will include sorting, tagging and displaying stock attractively, promoting special offers and charity initiatives. Time commitment is flexible and required 2 hours weekly. Callan Community First Responders are volunteers who are trained to attend certain types of emergency calls in the area where they live or work.

Their aim is to reach a potential life-threatening emergency in the first vital minutes before the

ambulance crew arrives. Callan First Responders will train to respond to Cardiac Arrest, Stroke & choking emergency calls with a 5km radius.

Foroige Kilkenny are looking for Adult Leader Volunteers who are interested in starting a club in Callan. Your role as an adult leader will be to organise and facilitate club meetings, providing a safe and fun environment where young people can feel welcome. The young club will work with young people aged 10-18.

No Name Club in Thomastown is looking for Adult Leader Volunteers. The role as an adult leader will be to organise and facilitate club meetings, providing a safe and fun environment where young people aged 15-18 years can feel welcome. Adult volunteers offer approximately 2 hours a week.

Upper Paddock Biodiversity Garden Volunteers are needed in Thomastown. Volunteers will meet on a Monday / Wednesday / Saturday at 10.30am -12.30pm. Tasks include general maintenance and upkeep of the garden. Volunteers with all levels of gardening skills are welcome.

Thomastown Scout Group is seeking Adult Scout Leaders. For adults in Scouting there is a clear opportunity to work with the young people in their community from all age ranges from 6 right through to 20. This opportunity will allow you to help develop the future of these young people and their future contribution to your area and will also be a lot of fun!

Get Involved in the Great Wheelbarrow Parade in Thomastown! Thomastown Community Network is seeking an enthusiastic, communityminded individual who would like to come on board in 2026, learn the ropes this year, and take the lead in 2027. No previous experience needed – just energy, ideas, and a passion for community events. Full support and handover provided.

If you find a volunteering role that interests you, visit our site to register or apply www. volunteerkilkenny.ie or contact us by info@ volunteerkilkenny.ie. If you are an organization in need of volunteers, please get in touch to see how we can support you too.

Kilkenny Volunteer Centre is developing a brand-new Strategic Plan for 2026–2030, and we’d love your voice to be part of it. Please take a minute to share your views on volunteering and community support in Kilkenny in our survey. Please find it in www.volunteerkilkenny.ie.

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

GORESBRIDGE PAULSTOWN ACTIVE RETIREMENT The Active Retirement Group meets next on Thursday 5 March at 11am in the community hall, Paulstown.

AUCTION SALES (GORESBRIDGE) The next auction will take place on April 20th.

Suitable items are now accepted. Contact Martin on 087 2569496 or email goresbridgeantiques@gmail.com BARROW RANGERS The Club Dinner Dance will take place in The Lord Bagenal Hotel at 7pm on Saturday 28th February.

BRIDGE UNITED Well, done to the Under-11 girls last weekend on another great win against Callan. Best of luck to Ollie Maher and Ronan Slye on their journey with CK United. Well, done to the Under-11 girls who put in a huge performance against a strong Lions team. The girls won 3-2 in their first cup game with goals from Adie Maher (2) and Grace Hanlon (1).

Congratulations to the winners in the lotto draw of 16th February: €50, each, to Craig Wall €50 Teresa Barcoe.

If you would like to win the Women’s signed Irish goalkeeper’s jersey in the fundraiser for underage development contact Claire 085 7453605.

Tom Healy

CHURCH SERVICES/EVENTS Mass times: Goresbridge, Saturday 7.30pm, Sunday 10am; Paulstown: Sunday 11.30am.

Weekday Masses: Goresbridge at 10am on Monday and Wednesday; Paulstown – Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 10am.

TALKING THE TALK Cupla Focal is an Irish language conversation circle that meets every Friday in the Goodly Barrow Cafe. It offers a relaxed, friendly space to practice speaking Irish, build confidence, and connect with others interested in the language, from beginners to fluent speakers, through casual conversation and shared learning.

KILCUMNEY PLAYERS The comedy “Arsenic and Old Lace” will be presented on Fri 27th and Sat 28th of February in Ionad Dara, Goresbridge at 8.00pm. Tickets at the door: Adults €15.00. Seniors and Students €12.00. Children €5.00. Family (2 Adults and 2 Children) €30.00.

MENS SHED The next meeting is Tuesday 10 March at 11am in in the cabin by the Paulstown Community Hal (R95 NY93. New members welcome.

MR BRENNAN The death has occurred of P J (Paddy)Brennan of Doninga, Goresbridge peacefully in the tender care of his family. Deeply regretted by his loving children Maeubh and John and their mother Sarah, his sisters Kathleen, Esther and Alice and his brother Ger along with the wider family circle, work colleagues in the Lord Bagenal Inn and his many friends.

MRS BRENNAN The death has occurred of Brenda Brennan, Paulstown. Predeceased by her parents Jim and Betty Brennan and nephew Stephen. Sadly missed and cherished by her loving sisters Mary, Kathleen, Helen and Mag, brothers Tom, Eddie and Seamus (China), sisters-in-law Tess and Nicky and brother-in-law James, her nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, relatives, extended family and the Staff and residents of Caomh Nua Kilcreene Kilkenny.

SPLIT THE POT Split the pot in aid of Goresbridge Rural Development is also online. Simply scan the QR code or go to lottoraiser.ie The results of the lotto draw for 15 February were: 1 Tommy Wall (€100) 2. Tia and Ruth (€20) and 3. Anne Whitford.

ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE St Patrick’s Day Parade starts at 3.30pm in Goresbridge on St Patrick’s Day. All floats can gather at 2pm in Tirlan yard.

STROKE SUPPORT Meetings both at the Kilkenny and the Carlow Stroke Support Groups are open to Stroke survivors and carers. The Carlow meeting takes place every second Friday of the month in St Dympna’s Hospital, Carlow from 2pm to 4pm.

For further information text/call Lynda 087 7814697.

ZUMBA Zumba Fitness in Borris Town Hall on Tuesdays from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Adults only. All welcome, all fitness levels. €10 pay as you go. More information text Sinéad on 0862294546.

ST MARY’S PARISH ART AND ARCHITECTURE - A PILGRIMAGE EXPLORING GOD’S GIFTS Next year the Adult Faith Development Group are holding a pilgrimage to Northern Italy (Padua, Venice and Bologna) March 20th-26th exploring faith by means of reflecting upon some of the many wonderful pieces of art scattered throughout these cities. Italy is blessed with a remarkable array of religious art - frescos, paintings, sculptures, mosaics and stuccos.

This pilgrimage will explore the religious and catechetical meaning of some of these masterpieces. Details in parishes on posters or by email afd@ossory.ie or 057 93 55050.

CATHEDRAL CAFE Have you been to the Cafe that is re-opened here at the Cathedral. They are open each Saturday and Sunday and they are being well supported - why not stop down after Mass or the next weekend when you are in town. Profits there support the work of Teac Tom and those working there always have a smile and a warm welcome for visitors.

LEGION OF MARY The Legion of Mary Meet each Wednesday at 7.30pm in the Chapter House, St Mary’s Cathedral. All Welcome.

QUESTIONS DURING LENT - THREE MONDAY NIGHTS During Lent we invite you to reflect on some questions that touch on our faith. The Adult Faith Development Group in the Diocese has invited expert speakers to help us reflect on these questions. Please join us for these three short evenings of conversations: Reflecting on the search for a Synodal Church - led By Fr Declan Hurley, Chair of the National Synodal Team, St Kieran’s College Monday 2nd March at 7pm Rising to the Challenge: Confronting Poverty and Injustice in Our Time - led by Sean Farrell CEO of Trocaire, St Kieran’s College Monday 9th March, 7pm Guns and Policing - Enforcement or Fear - led by Prof Tobias Wright, former police office in USA, St Kieran’s College Monday 16th March 7pm LENTEN ENVELOPES Envelopes are now ready for distribution and can be collected at parish office. Thank you to all who distribute our envelopes. It is much appreciated.

DIOCESAN DRAW The February draw will take place next Wednesday 25th February in the Chapter House at 8.00pm. All welcome.

OSSORY PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES The Ossory pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from May 25 to May 30, 2026. All bookings should be made through Joe Walsh Tours by telephone 01-2410800, or online www. joewalshtours.ie/pilgrimages/group-diocesanpilgrimages/ or by post to JWT 89 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, D02WY88. SPECIAL ASSISTED/ SICK SECTION Pilgrims who would like to travel with the Special Assisted Section should apply to Anna Colleton at a.colleton@cbskilkenney. ie This special section is accommodated at the Accueil. Acceptance for travel with the special section for the sick is subject to the approval of the Pilgrimage Medical Board. Early booking is advisable as space is limited to one plane load.

CHAPTER HOUSE BOOKSHOP St Mary’s Cathedral, Chapter House Bookshop is open Monday-Friday 9.30am-5.00pm. Beautiful selection of First Communion, Confirmation, Wedding, Baptism gifts. Cards for all occasions.

ROTA Readers Next Weekend 11.00am – J. Meredith, 5.30pm – K. Meighan. Eucharistic Ministers 11.00am – B. Quinn, D. Quinn, J. Campion: 5.30pm-T. Lawlor, K. Lawlor.

YOUR PARISH SAFEGUARDING REPS Sr Betty Cagney, Martina Lawlor. Contact: safeguardingstmarys@ossory.ie LET’S BE FRIENDS Invite your family members to support the Cathedral FRIENDS OF ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL at www.stmaryscathedal.ie/friends.

BALLYRAGGET BALLYOUSKIL KEEPS ON DANCING Our Bally Belle truly impressed as always on Dancing with the Stars on Sunday night topping the leader board with a perfect 50 point full marks for her Viennese Waltz. Please continue to vote for Katelyn each Sunday by texting Katelyn to 53125.

LOURDES INVALID FUND The Ballyragget/Ballyouskill Lourdes Invalid fund wish to invite worthy candidates to put their names forward in writing for the annual Ossory Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Please contact any of the Ballyragget/Ballyouskill committee members who are John Kennedy, Mary Kennedy, and Noel Cummins (Ballyouskill) and Catherine Quirke and Aileen McInerney (Ballyragget). Please note that the closing date for written applications is the 10th of March 2026.

CHARITY TABLE QUIZ A charity table quiz in aid of Ballyragget Development Association and Tidy Towns will take place on Saturday 14th March at 7.30pm. The cost is €20 per team of four. There will be a raffle on the night, followed by music from Billy White.

All proceeds will go towards local enhancement actions within the town. All support would be

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

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 27th February 2026

Community & GAA Notes greatly appreciated.

FLOWER ARRANGING Ballyragget Active Retirement group are hosting an afternoon of flower arranging with Eva Holmes in the Canon Malone Hall on March 9th at 2.30pm. All are welcome to join entry fee of €15 for non-members.

GAA St Patrick’s GAA are delighted to introduce our new All Stars Inclusive Programme, which will begin in May 2026. This programme has been designed to provide inclusive Gaelic games for children aged 5–12 years with additional needs, including (but not limited to) autism, ADHD, sensory differences, or coordination challenges.

Our aim is to create a relaxed, supportive, and fun environment where every child can take part.

KILMACOW KILMACOW ICA The local guild meets in the Community Centre (Barrow Room) at 10.30am on the first Thursday each month. The next meeting will be held at 10.30am on Thursday, 5th March. New members welcome.

KILMACOW LOTTO The winning numbers in last week’s lotto were 9, 13, 19 and 21. There were two Match 3 winners.

The Jackpot for next Thursday night is €3,600.

GRAVEYARD IN LOWER STREET Kilkenny County Council has submitted a Strand 2 application to the Department of Heritage for funding under the Community Monuments Scheme to undertake a Conservation Management Plan at St. Mochua’s Graveyard in the Lower Street, Kilmacow. The outcome of the application should be known by the end of April.

PARISH CHOIR Practice is held in St. Senan’s Church from 6.00pm to 7.15pm each Wednesday. New members are welcome.

TABLE QUIZ The next table quiz in the monthly series in the Fox’s Den will be held at 8.00pm on Monday, 2nd March in aid of the Marfan Research Foundation. The cost per table of four is €20. All support welcome.

CARDS Kilmacow Community Centre hosts Cards in the Barrow Room every Tuesday from 7.45pm to 10.00pm Everyone welcome.

LOCAL ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMME This grant scheme is now open for applications to support community groups to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to their facilities. An application form can be downloaded from the Kilkenny County Council website, by contacting Kelley Murphy at 056 779 4264 or by e-mailing communitygrants@kilkennycoco.ie.

The closing date for completed applications is today, Friday, 27th February.

FERRYBANK LEO BUSINESS ROADSHOW Kilkenny Local Enterprise Office in partnership with Kilkenny Carlow Education & Training Board, County Kilkenny Leader Partnership and Kilkenny Intreo Office will be holding a Roadshow at the Library in Ferrybank from 6.30pm to 7.30pm on Wednesday, 11th March. The Roadshow provides an opportunity to connect with a network of support that can help navigate challenges of running a business.

Attendees will have a chance to speak directly with funding and support agencies representatives who can answer specific questions, provide advice and help to identify the support and grants that are available to those already in business or with an ambition to start a new business. It is also an opportunity to hear firsthand experiences from entrepreneurs based locally. The Business Roadshow is open to anyone who is considering a new business start-up or who is currently operating a small business in County Kilkenny.

FERRYBANK FRAMEWORK PLAN The material alterations to the draft Ferrybank Framework Plan went on public display on 30th January. A copy is available in Ferrybank Library. The four-week period for submissions closes on Friday, 27th February.

NEIGHBOURHOOD PARK A new disability friendly swing was installed in November in the Neighbourhood Park by Kilkenny County Council. A new Communication Board will be erected by the Council in the park in the coming weeks. It will be particularly beneficial to children with autism who are nonverbal or who have speech impairment. As soon as the weather improves sufficiently enough the Parks Department will undertake works on the large beds in the park, including tidying up the beds and replanting.

NEW ATM Ferrybank lost its ATM in Fountain Street following the closure last year of the supermarket. A new ATM has since been installed at Tesco in Ross Abbey.

AMENITY GRANT Kilkenny County Council is inviting applications from community groups for projects under its Amenity Grant Scheme ’26. Eligible projects include maintenance of open spaces, conservation of natural amenities, upkeep of walkways, planting of trees and shrubs, insurance etc. Completed application forms should be returned by Friday, 27th March to Amenity Grant Scheme, Parks Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny or by e-mail to amenitygrants@kilkennycoco. ie. Please contact Sinéad on 056 779 4441 for further information.

FERRYBANK LIBRARY The library will host a Special Ireland Reads Storytime at 12 noon this Saturday, 28th February. All are welcome to this fun Storytime and Craft session. No booking is necessary. Please contact the library at 051 897200 or e-mail ferrybank@kilkennylibrary.ie for more details MILL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE The Mill Family Resource Centre continues to provide a wide range of supports, services, and activities for individuals and families within the local community. The Centre is a welcoming and inclusive space, offering opportunities for learning, wellbeing, and social connection for people of all ages.

One of the upcoming opportunities available is the Local Training Initiative (L.T.I.) Programme.

This free L.T.I. course will be starting soon and includes Driving Theory and Driving Lessons, providing participants with valuable life skills that can support employment and independence. Anyone interested in applying is encouraged to call into the Centre or make contact directly for further details and application information.

The Centre also offers weekly Maths Grinds, which are currently taking place on-site. These grinds are suitable for students preparing for the Junior Certificate as well as 5th year students and provide additional support to help build confidence and understanding in mathematics.

Parents and students seeking more information are invited to contact the Centre for times, availability, and fees.

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

Counselling services are available for both adults and teenagers, offering a confidential and supportive environment. Counselling supports include bereavement counselling, addiction support, and general counselling, helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with professional guidance. In addition, Play Therapy is available for young people aged 4 years and over, providing a child-centred approach to emotional wellbeing and development.

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

The Youth Club has now returned and takes place every Wednesday from 5pm to 6.30pm. It is open to boys and girls aged 8 to 12 years, and new members are always encouraged to join.

The club provides a safe, fun, and supervised space for young people to socialise, take part in activities, and build friendships. For further details, please contact Sue at the Centre.

Community gardening is also supported through the Centre’s allotments, with free beds available in the polytunnels for anyone interested in growing their own produce. The cost is just €15 per year, making it an affordable and rewarding activity. Those interested should get in touch with the Centre.

Finally, there is an open invitation to any men interested in setting up a Men’s Shed in the area.

This initiative would provide a valuable social and practical outlet, and anyone interested is asked to contact Sue at the Mill Family Resource Centre on 056 883 8466.

For more information on any of the services or activities available, please contact the Centre directly.

JOHNSTOWN ST. KIERAN’S NATIONAL SCHOOL A tractor run will take place on Sunday March 8th in aid of the school. Registration in the church car park from 12 noon with the start of the run at 2pm sharp. € 20 per vehicle.

CLOTHES COLLECTION Gathabawn National School are holding a clothes collection at the school on Saturday March 14th and Saturday. March 21st from 10am to 4pm. Acceptable are clothes, paired shoes, handbags, soft toys and curtains. A donation from the proceeds will be made to Laura Lynn Childrens ‘Hospice.

ST. KIERAN’S HALL A womens’ wellness and self care workshop will

take place on Monday March 2nd from 7.to 8pm.

Contact 0852237234.

LOURDES The annual Ossory Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2026 will take place from May 25th to 30th. All bookings through Joe Walsh Tours at 012410800.

Pilgrims who would like to travel with special assisted section contact Anna Colleton at anna. colleton@cbskilkenny.ie.

SPA UNITED AFC Results Junior League Division 1 Freshford 1 Spa 1 (Sean Tobin), U14 girls league division 1 Bridge Utd 0 Spa 5, U12 girls league division 1 Spa 0 Lions 4, U14 boys league division 1A Deen Celtic 3 Spa 5, U14 boys league division 2 Newpark 3 Spa 0, U13 boys league division 1A Spa 2 Southend 0, U12 boys league division 1 Highview 1 Spa 1.

Also in action the U9s played against Freshford Town while the U10 boys hosted Fort Rangers and the U10girls played Freebooters at home.

SPA DEVELOPMENT/FENIANS LOTTO The winning numbers 5,7,12,22. There was no jackpot winner and three match threes Vincent Bergin, James Carroll and Michael Ryan (Rathlogan).

MULLINAVAT CARDIAC SCREENING Mullinavat GAA club has arranged with Advanced Medical Services for Cardiac Screening to be available in the Community Centre from 9.30am to 5.00pm on Saturday, 28th February. It costs €80 per person. Booking is necessary. To book please check the QR Code on the Mullinavat GAA Club webpage or ring 0818 333 120.

KILBEACON GRAVEYARD Kilkenny County Council has submitted a Strand 3 application to the Department of Heritage for funding under the Community Monuments Scheme to complete works on the boundary walls at Kilbeacon Graveyard. The outcome of

Congratulations to Holly, Erin and Katie. Bennettsbridge girls on the winning Loreto team

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

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Community & GAA Notes CONAHY

New Artwork in Mullinavat Playground

the application should be known by the end of April.

DOG RACE NIGHT The Dog Track at James’ Park, Kilkenny will host a race night in aid of the Lourdes Volunteer Fund on Friday, 27th February. The first race starts at 7.30pm. Admission with race card is €10. All support welcome.

TABLE QUIZ Piltown Community Centre will host a table quiz in aid of Parish Funds at 8.00pm on Friday, 27th February. The cost per table of four is €20. All support welcome.

MULLINAVAT PLAYGROUND The Committee would like to acknowledge with thanks the support received from Kilkenny County Council who recently installed new gymnastic equipment in the playground. The Committee would also like to acknowledge the funding for the mural by Street Art Ink which was completed just before the year end in 2025.

COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL FACILITIES CAPITAL GRANT SCHEME Kilkenny County Council has opened this grant scheme for community-based projects. Grant funding is at the rate of 90% of the cost of the project subject to a maximum grant of €50,000.

Applicants must first contact the Community Development Officer for South Kilkenny is Lianne Kelly (056-7794345). Applications must be returned to the Community Section of Kilkenny County Council by Friday, 6th March.

MOONDHARRIG PLAYERS The Moondharrig Players will present The Field

by John B. Keane, directed by Liam Hoban, in Mooncoin Parish Hall at 8.00pm on the 27th and 28th February and from 6th to 8th March. Admission is €15. Everyone welcome.

GORTNAHOE GLENGOOLE EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Glengoole Wednesday 10am to 2pm, Gortnahoe Thursday 10am to 1pm. The rosary is recited before Mass in Glengoole every Saturday evening.

TROCAIRE BOXES Trocaire boxes are available in the Church porches. The Trocaire Theme for this year is: “Strength and Honour are her Clothing” and the box features a three-generational family in rural Rwanda. Through their story, we are invited to reflect on the Gospel call to justice, resilience and care for our common home, and to connect faith with action in response to the climate crisis and its impact on vulnerable communities FUNERAL MINISTRY TRAINING The final round of Funeral Ministry training will be available in Tipperary Town on March 5th, 11th and 18th. Anyone from any parish in the diocese who would like to avail of this opportunity to train for this ministry are invited to let their local parish priest know and for registration.

Venue has yet to be decided as this will depend on numbers attending.

CASHEL AND EMLY ARCHDIOCESAN The pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from June 12th, (five nights) led by Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly. For information and booking contact Joe Walsh Tours @ 01 2410800. Assisted pilgrims contact Fr Joe Tynan, 087 2225445, New Helpers contact Jacqueline 089 4913351. Email lourdespilgrimage@cashel-emly.ie COME AND SEE DAY In Pallottine Centre, Thurles on Saturday. 11th April 11 am to 4.30 pm (including Eucharist). A day to explore Priesthood, talks, time for prayer and answering your questions. Booking through National Vocations Office. Contact carol.king@ vocations.ie ARTS AND CRAFTS Arts and Crafts classes in Gortnahoe Hall started Tuesday 3rd February from 9.45 to 11.45am for 5 weeks. €25 for the full block. Contact Millennium Family Resource Centre to book – 083 1008075.

DANCE CLASSES Dance Classes Step it out with Sally—Learn to Jive, Foxtrot, Waltz, Quickstep and Line Dance.

Group lessons, no partner needed. Every Thursday at 8.30pm. €10, pay as you go. Contact Sally 087 7931308 IN OUR HANDS “Preserving Thurles Cathedral” fundraising campaign to support the re-roofing project by donating towards the cost of the slates. Brochures in Church porches.

PILATES WITH RUTH Pilate classes continue in Glengoole Hall every Monday at 6.30pm. €10 pay as you go. To book, message 0872049418, Instagram @pilates_ruth.

Bring mat and water.

GORTNAHOE BINGO Bingo will continue this Saturday evening at 4.00pm with doors opening from 3.00pm and will continue each Saturday evening at the same time. Over €2,660 in prize money on offer including a special €500 game. It was great to see some extra people coming from the parish. New support is always appreciated.

TUESDAY BRIDGE Bridge is being played each Tuesday night in Gortnahoe Hall at 7.30pm. If you would like to join or find out more information, please contact this number 089 434910.

SPLIT THE POT Congratulations to Mary Dunne, Graigue who won €369 in the Split the Pot draw last Sunday.

Envelopes are available in Cahill’s Gortnahoe, Hogans Grange, Mary Willie’s, Gortnahoe Hall and any member of the committee, you can also Revolut to 0876777220. Split the Pot for March is in aid of the Prayer Garden beside Gortnahoe church. The draw takes place each Sunday at 12pm in Gortnahoe Hall. Your support would be appreciated.

FOOTBALL The senior footballers played host to Thomastown in their second game of the JJ Kavanagh and Sons Senior League on Saturday last in Jenkinstown. Despite a decent performance, Conahy lost out on a 5-9 to 3-8 score line.

TEAM: Karl Downey, Billy Mulhall, Padraic Gunner, Conor Hennessy, Darragh Horgan, Eoin Carroll, Ciaran Rice, Eoin Cahill, Darragh Hennessy, Mark Gunner, James Bergin, Sean Brennan, Brian Rossiter, Jack Cleere, Bill Murphy, Darren Cuddihy, Tommy Mulhall, Kieran Mooney, Paul Buggy.

The minor footballers enjoyed better fortune when they got the better of Graignamanagh in the Kilkenny Vehicle Centre Roinn B championship quarter-final in Jenkinstown on Sunday morning last. In a tough and tight game, the locals finished stronger in the final minutes to win out by 0-9 to 0-7.

TEAM: Joe Boland, Camryn Kenehan, Tadhg Hennessy, James Byrne, Bobby Dooley, Jack Rhatigan, M.J. Buggy, Darragh Horgan, Rory Rhatigan, Brian Phelan, Billy Rowe, Sam Connellan, Padraig Quinn, Neil Webster, Ben Byrne, Jack Gamble, Mikey Hurley.

GAA & CAMOGIE CLUB MEMBERSHIP 2026 Membership for Conahy Shamrocks GAA & Camogie Club is now available to purchase via Clubzap or via the club’s website www.conahyshamrocks.com. The various membership rates are also outlined in both locations. Club members, particularly players, are encouraged to pay membership fees in a timely manner.

GAA CLUB LOTTO The numbers drawn in the most recent GAA Lotto draw were 10, 22 and 27. There was no winner of the jackpot so the consolation prize winners of €30 each were Graham Teeling, Shay Healy, Patrick Walsh, Michael and Mairead Bergin and Ann Burke. The promoter prize winners were Nora Delaney, Larry Bergin and Margaret Buggy. Many thanks to everyone who continues to support the GAA Club Lotto.

CAMOGIE Congratulations to Siofraidh Kennedy who was part of the Loreto Kilkenny panel who won the All-Ireland Post Primary A Camogie Final on Saturday, defeating Ursuline Thurles.

Well, done also to Ellen Gunner and Emma Mulhall who were part of the Kilkenny Senior Camogie panel who have enjoyed two good wins over Galway and Tipperary respectively in the National Camogie League in recent weeks.

CASTLECOMER LIBRARY EVENTS Design your own Bookmark - On Saturday February 21st from 11.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., help us celebrate Ireland Reads Day by creating your very own bookmark! All materials will be provided, just bring your imagination and enjoy a fun creative day out at the library for all the family, no booking required!

If you want to find out about more events at your local Library, visit www.kilkennylibrary.ie to find more information.

My Open Library - The “My Open Library” service allows people to access the library 7 days a week, 365 days a year. This might suit families who wish to use the library outside of staffed hours. If you are looking for a quiet place to study in the evenings or wish to bring the kids to the library at the weekend, you can register for a My Open Library card. Anyone who wishes to use this service is required to complete an induction session with a staff member. To book your induction session, phone 056 4440561 or email castlecomer@kilkennylibrary.ie NEWMARKET HUGGINSTOWN STONEYFORD ALL SAINTS PASTORAL AREA Parishes - Aghaviller; Ballyhale; Mullinavat.

Priests in the Pastoral Area: Sean O’Connor (Ballyhale) - Parish Priest of the three Parishes in the Pastoral Area). Telephone 056 776 6696 or 086 389 5911: Email: rsoc1973@gmail.com. Liam Cassin (Hugginstown). Telephone 087 231 2354: Email: liamcassin@ossory.ie. Liam Barron (Mullinavat).

Telephone 087 272 2824: Email: mullinavat@ ossory.ie. Peter Hoyne (Newmarket - Retired).

Telephone 056 776 8678 or 086 373 8492

MASS TIMES IN AGHAVILLER PARISH Hugginstown: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9.30a.m. Vigil - Saturday at 8.00p.m.; Sunday at 10.00a.m. Stoneyford: Vigil - Saturday at 6.30p.m.

PRAY FOR Anniversary Masses: James and Ellen Dalton, Boolyglass, Mass in Hugginstown Church on Saturday 28th. February 8.00p.m. Margaret Cleary, Hugginstown. Mass in Hugginstown Church on Sunday 1st. March at 10.00a.m.

GUIDELINES FOR LENT Abstaining from meat or some other food on Fridays; Abstaining from alcoholic drink or smoking; Making a special effort at involvement in Family Prayer; Visit to the Blessed Sacrament; Making the Stations of the Cross; Helping the poor, the sick, the old or lonely.

SAFEGUARDING CONTACTS Diocesan Designated Liaison Person: Fintan Fanning. Tel: 085 802 1633. Aghaviller Parish Representatives are Deirdre Rohan and Catherina Roche.

FIRST PENANCE 2026.

For Stoneyford School on Wednesday 18th.

March in Stoneyford Church at 7.00p.m.

LENTEN STATION COLLECTION: Envelopes for the Lenten Station Contribution are available in the Church. Your contribution is for the support of the priests of the Parish and the Diocese. (To donate directly.) Use IBAN: IE19 AIBK 9330 9000 0561 20 (BIC: AIBKIE2D).

All Parish Property and Accounts are registered under the (Diocese of Ossory, Reg. Charity No. 20015831) TRÓCAIRE Every year during Lent, Trócaire asks for your help to fund lifesaving programmes around the world. Please collect a Trócaire Box which is available in Church Porch. You can contribute Online at www.trocaire.org or By Phone: 1850 408 408. The contents of each and every Trócaire Box, no matter how small, come together to make a significant difference.

ROTA (SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT) Readers: Stoneyford: Saturday 6.30p.m. Catherina Roche. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m.

Deirdre Rohan; Sunday10.00 a.m. Noreen Kenneally. Eucharistic Ministers: Stoneyford: Saturday 6.30p.m. Mary O’Grady. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Mary Murphy. Sunday 10.00a.m. Ann Power.

OSSORY PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2026 Pilgrimage will take place this year from May 25th. to May 30th. Early booking is advisable as space is limited. All bookings should be made through Joe Walsh Tours by calling 01 2410 800 or by post to JWT, 89 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2. Special Assisted/Sick Pilgrims who would like to travel should apply to Anna Colleton at a.colleton@cbskilkenney.ie. Acceptance for travel with the special section for the sick is subject to the approval of the Pilgrimage Medical Board.

STONEYFORD SCHOOL The school is now taking enrolments for Sept.

2026. Please contact 056 772 8393 FOROIGE YOUTH CLUB An expression of interest is sought from any adults interested in volunteering with a Foroige Youth Club in Hugginstown, please contact Aidan 086 067 4485 or Mary 087 212 8834.

LOTTO Aghaviller Parish and Carrickshock G. A. A. Draw: Monday 16th. February 2026.The numbers drawn were 27; 19; 11; 20. There was no winner of first 3 numbers drawn. There was no jackpot winner. €30.00. winners: Geraldine Brennan, Keatingstown. Ber Doyle, “On-Line”. Norah O’Dwyer, “On-Line”.Niamh Rohan, Carricketna.

Anne Power, Lawcus. 3 x €15.00 (Sellers) Ger Carroll, Teresa Fitzgerald, James Irish.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE: A call has gone out for local organisations to join this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade! As part of the ongoing celebrations of St. Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny, organisers are calling for local community groups and clubs to be part of the celebration in this year’s grand parade on March 17th. All application https://stpatricksfestivalkilkenny.com/participate/

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

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 27th February 2026

kilkennyobserver.ie

Hurlng matters - Review

Sport

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

Allianz Hurling League Roinn 1A Kilkenny 1-21 Waterford 1-20 Hitting the last three scores of this Round 4 clash on Noreside, saw Kilkenny return to winning ways in Division 1A of the National Hurling League with a hard-fought victory over Waterford in UPMC Nowlan Park last weekend. Cian Kenny’s late placed ball, in the sixth minute of additional time, was the score that edged the Cats ahead and secured the vital win, ahead of three tough tests that start with the visit of Cork this Sunday. On the evidence of this game, Derek Lyng’s side will need to find another gear or two if they are to collect further points on the board in this league campaign.

There was one late change to the Kilkenny line-up, with former AllStar keeper Eoin Murphy coming in for his first start of the year, replacing Lisdowney’s Aidan Tallis between the sticks. The first score of the game came from the hurl of the returning David Blanchfield.

Emerald’s Killian Doyle took a quick sideline and the Bennettsbridge man steadied himself before striking over a booming effort from distance.

The home side had a chance to double their lead moments, later but Cian Kenny’s first placed ball of the day was pulled wide to the surprise of many in Kilkenny headquarters. The Deise got off the mark after 4 minutes of play, thanks to a ‘65 from Ballysaggart’s Stephen Bennett. Some good work from Timmy Clifford saw the ball fall to clubmate Liam Moore and the ‘Boro man split the posts for a tidy score.

Then came a big moment for the Cats. Waterford had the ball and were trying to move it across the back line, but the busy Mossy Keoghan had other ideas as he cleverly dispossessed Aaron O’Neill.

The Tullaroan star sprinted towards goal and while his initial effort was stopped by the foot of Deise keeper, Billy Nolan, the Roanmore man couldn’t prevent Mossy’s follow up which hit the net. The Cats four ahead after 8 minutes in UPMC Nowlan Park. The lead was pushed out to 5 points when Killian Doyle’s pass was collected

by Eoin Cody, who spun his marker before popping the ball over. A foul on Sean Walsh by Cian Kenny saw Stephen Bennett get his and his team’s second point of the afternoon. While Village star Kenny was at the heart of lots of his sides play, his free taking was letting him down, as he pulled another one wide after Fenian’s Rory Garrett had done well to emerge with the sliotar from a ruck of players.

Liam Moore then showed a clean pair of heels to Conor Keane and raced away before striking over for a lovely point. An even nicer

Late show see’s Cats pip Deise in Nowlan thriller Lyng’s charges back to winning ways ahead of big tests

score then followed for the visitors.

Towering forward, Sean Walsh collected the ball near the endline and came back out before turning Mikey Carey and popping over from a tight angle. The home side’s placed ball problems continued, even with a change of taker. Eoin Cody was fouled, and he stood over the free, but again the sliotar tailed off and wide was signaled again, a fifth wide of the opening period for the black and amber. A long ball into the danger zone saw Mossy fouled by Deise captain Mark Fitzgerald. The shouts of Cats manager Derek Lyng on the sideline were clear for all to hear; “Cian, Cian, get on it”. The James Stephens man did as instructed and popped the free over to push the lead out to 5 points.

Cian Kenny had another free.

This time he played it quickly along

Mikey Butler gets in his clearance as Charlie Treen can only watch

the ground, having spotted Mikey Butler’s run. The O’Loughlin’s man collected the ball and showed his attacking nous, splitting the posts from tight to the sideline.

Further poor wide’s followed for Waterford, by the 24th minute, then had converted three of twelve chances, while the hosts had success with seven of their fourteen, improvement needed.

Peter Queally’s skipper must have realised that leadership was needed.

Fitzgerald raced out to claim the ball ahead of Stephen Donnelly and as he reached his own ‘65, he let fly and the sliotar sailed between the Kilkenny posts. This score gave some belief to the men in blue. A misplaced pass from Paddy Deegan was collected by Shane Bennett who sent over a stunning score. A third cracking score then arrived; this time Ballygunner’s Paddy Leavey

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Hurling matters - Review Cian Kenny and Mark Fitzgerald clash

Martin keoghan and Mark Fitzgerald in a tussle for possession

ahead of another placed ball effort from Cian Kenny. Then came the games second major. Stephen Bennett showed tremendous pace as he raced clear of Garrett and Clifford and headed for goal. The Ballysaggart man then popped a pass to Sean Walsh who rifled his effort beyond Eoin Murphy in the Cats goal to level matters at UPMC Nowlan Park. Sub Patrick Curran and Mossy Keoghan swapped points before Derek Lyng made a double change, John Donnelly and Ed McDermott replacing Timmy Clifford and the ineffective Stephen Donnelly.

The Village’s Ed McDermott got off the mark quickly just ahead of a booking for Paddy Deegan. Fellow sub John Donnelly got on the scoreboard in between a pair of points from Bennetts, Stephen

joined the long-range club with a beautiful strike. Just Mossy’s goal between the rivals now.

Abbeysides Michael Kiely then struck a fierce effort just over the Cats bar, as the Waterford purple patch continued. The home sides lead was reduced to the bare minimum when Jamie Barron rifled over from the centre of the pitch to the cheers of the Deise faithful in attendance. Cian Kenny stopped the visitors scoring run when he struck over a lovely effort from out the park, and this was built on when Timmy Clifford pounced on a loose ball before firing over. A foul on Eoin Cody, Cian Kenny converting the resulting free, the lead back to four points. The industrious Jamie Barron then notched his second of the day, before O’Loughlin’s duo Mikey Butler and Jordan Molloy combined for the latter to strike a

lovely score. Waterford then went on another run, striking the games next four scores, Charlie Treen, Reuben Halloran and a brace from Sean Walsh levelling matters in the 34th minute.

The home side completed the first half scoring, thanks to a free from Cian Kenny to leave the hosts with a slender lead at the short whistle.

When the second half got underway, David Blanchfield did the honors again, notching his second point of the game, just

Darragh Corcoran finds it difficult to get away from Jamie Barron

and Shane. A quickfire brace from captain Darragh Corcoran and Eoin Cody gave the Cats a 2-point lead on the hour mark, but again Stephen Bennett showed his importance to Waterford by adding to his personal tally. Richie Reid then replaced Mikey Butler, just ahead of a trio of points from the Deise, Sean’s Mackey and Walsh and another for their top scorer Bennett to give Peter Queally’s men a 2-point lead with time running out. Cian Kenny then popped over another placed ball effort as the game entered 5 minutes of added time. The Sash’s Mossy Keoghan struck over a lovely point to deadlock matters, and a share of the spoils seemed likely, but some steely determination from John Donnelly close to the sideline saw the Thomastown man make ground before being halted illegally. Step forward, Cian Kenny. Despite some earlier misses, the James Stephens man showed great character to send his effort between Billy Nolan’s posts. There was a huge sigh of relief felt across Noreside when Sean Stack sounded the long whistle, Kilkenny by the skin of their teeth.

Scorers for Kilkenny: C. Kenny (0-7, 6 frees); M. Keoghan (1-2); L. Moore, D. Blanchfield, E. Cody (0-2 each); M. Butler, T. Clifford, J. Molloy, E. McDermott, J. Donnelly, D. Corcoran (0-1 each).

Scorers for Waterford: S. Walsh (1-2); Stephen Bennett (0-5, 2 frees, 1 65); S. Mackey (0-3); J. Barron, Shane Bennett (0-2 each); M. Fitzgerald, P. Leavey, M. Kiely, C. Treen, R. Halloran, P. Curran (0-1 each).

KILKENNY: Eoin Murphy; R. Garrett, M. Carey, M. Butler; K. Doyle, D. Corcoran (c), P. Deegan; J. Molloy, D. Blanchfield; C Kenny, E. Cody, L. Moore; T. Clifford, M. Keoghan, S. Donnelly.

Subs for Kilkenny: J. Donnelly for T. Clifford (43); E. McDermott for S. Donnelly (50); R. Reid for M. Butler (64); M. Brennan for L. Moore (68); L. Connellan for J. Molloy (70+6).

WATERFORD: B. Nolan; A. O’Neill, M. Fitzgerald (c), C. Keane; P. Leavey, I. Daly, Shane Bennett; C. Lyons, J. Barron; M. Kiely, Stephen Bennett, R. Halloran; K. Mahony, S. Walsh, C. Treen.

Subs for Waterford: S. Mackey for C. Lyons (31); P. Curran for C. Treen (h-t); J. Prendergast for C. Keane (40); D. Hutchinson for K. Mahony (53).

Referee: S. Stack (Dublin)

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 27th February 2026

Planning notices

Planning notices KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

We, Butler and McBride Limited, hereby intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for (a) Retention Permission for Material Alterations comprising of internal and external alterations and associated site works (b) Planning Permission for a Change of Use of the existing commercial premises to hostel accommodation comprising of (1) part of the Ground Floor level of No.49 and the First Floor level of No.49 (2) the Ground & First floor levels of No.50 (3) part of the Ground Floor level of No. 51 (4) the First floor level over commercial units 51/52 (Kilkenny Shopping Mall) and all associated site works at No’s 49, 50, 51 and 52 John Street Upper, Kilkenny.

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

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

Planning permission sought for development of a new building containing; 4No. own door residential units, (consisting of 2No. units at ground level and 2 No. units at first floor and attic levels), basement retail unit with side access to street. The development will also consist of associated siteworks, ancillary related works and the demolition of the existing retail unit at 88 Maudlin Street, Kilkenny. Applicant: Garry Wall.

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

Architects: BLUETT & O’DONOGHUE www.boda.ie

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL I Aidan Kelly Agricultural Design & Planning Services (085 7466211, www.adps.ie) intends to apply to Kilkenny County Council on behalf of my clients Loughmerans farm ltd . Permission for Construct of (i) roof over existing slatted tank (ii) Calf shed and all associated site works. Permission for Retention of (I) cubicle shed with slatted tanks (ii) slatted tank and all associated site works at Loughmerans, Dunmore, 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.

056 777 1463

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

Maher: on 4 th February, Johnny passed away peacefully in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, aged 93 years.

Husband of Myra, Dad of Andy and Claire, Grandpa of Molly, Tom and Henry.

Manager for many years of the 32 Club in

PAULINE BRENNAN

The Orchid, The Hibernian and the Yankee

3RD ANNIVERSARY

Clippers.

In loving memory of Pauline Brennan, 12 Archers Court, Loughboy, Kilkenny who died on 28th February 2023.

Dearly loved by all his family and friends.

Funeral service to take place at St. Gregory’s R.C. Church, Stratford-uponAvon on Tuesday 17 th March at 1pm.

Flowers welcome, or donations, if preferred for MIND may be left at church or sent to A.E. Bennett & Sons, 34, Sheep Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6EE. Tel. +44 1789 267035.

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. L.S.

You were my favourite Hello And our hardest Goodbye No longer with us But forever in our hearts Sadly missed by your husband Michael, sons John, David and Michael, daughter Niamh, granddaughter Laura Mae sisters Tess and Kay. Paulines Anniversary Mass will be held in St. Fiacres Church, Loughboy on Saturday 28th February at 6.15pm.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. S.M.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. M.M.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. C.P.

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.K.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 27th February 2026