ree more interest rate hikes are likely to hit mortgage borrowers in the next months as the European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to keep the pressure on.
Another three ECB rate rises mean the typical tracker mortgage holder will have had annual repayments jump by more than €2,500 since last summer.
e ECB is expected, within days, to announce a seventh rate rise, with a hike of 0.5%
possible. And two more increases after that could see ECB rates hit 4.5% by July, from 3.5% at present, according to analyst Justin Doyle at specialist bank Investec.
Typical tracker interest rates have spiralled from 1.15% in June last year to a 4.65% average now.
More increases will also push up the cost of new xed rates, with more pressure on variables likely.
Rising xed rates will make
it more di cult for rst-time buyers to a ord a home.
About 50,000 homeowners are set to come out of xed rates in the next three years, with nancial advisers telling them to break out of these arrangements early and re- x before rates go even higher.
e good news is that rsttime buyers are managing to cut to €100,000 o what they have to borrow for new homes by combining two state support schemes.
Kilkenny students who are recipients of DCU Sport scholarships. From left, Niamh Deely, James Stephens, Harry Walsh, Dunnamaggin, Keara Ryan, Clara, Diarmuid Galway, omastown, Ava She in, Ballyhale Shamrocks, Ciaran Brennan, Bennettsbridge, Paddy Langton, Young Irelands, Gowran, Jane Cass,Dicksboro, Denis Walsh, Dunnamaggin, Billy Reid,Glenmore, Emma Shorthall, Clara, Padraig Lennon, Carrickshock, James Carroll, Dicksboro,Cathal Beirne, Glenmore, Asha McHardy, Dicksboro, and Martin O’Connell, Clara.
Buyers who avail of both the new First Home shared equity scheme, along with the Help-To-Buy tax refund, are managing to buy €320,000 homes with mortgages of just €240,000.
is may swell be driving people on to the property market, but it may also be fuelling continued rising house prices.
e €400m First Home Scheme was launched last July, and provides funding for
rst-time buyers, people who have been divorced, those who have been declared insolvent to buy a new home.
It is a shared equity scheme in which the fund pays up to 30% of the cost a new home in return for a 30% equity stake.
e average support being provided by First Home is €71,000.
Named: the 21 landord TDs
Page 6
CR Payroll Solutions, the Kilkennybased ntech company, has announced the creation of 40 new jobs in the next 18 months. e announcement was made as Minister for Financial Services, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, TD, visited the company to be briefed on their ambitious expansion plans.
Full story Page 6
As the last of Irish citizens are evacuated from Sudan and a tentative peace deal seems to be holding, an Irish citizen studying medicine in the African country said his family has lived through a “real life nightmare”.
Mostasier Ismail said he, his brother and mother decided to leave their home outside Khartoum after supplies ran low and ghting began. “ ere was many clashes in my neighbourhood, even a couple of houses were bombed.”
Global Report Page 22
Professor Veronica Campbell, President of South East Technological University (SETU), has been elected an Honorary Fellow of Trinity College Dublin. Representing a great honour and the latest recognition of a stellar academic career, Professor Campbell was one of two Honorary Fellows elected. e second was awarded to acclaimed poet Paula Meehan. ey joined seven professorial fellows, 37 new fellows and 62 new scholars elected during the ceremony.
e HSE/South East Community Healthcare is looking for Health Care Support Assistants (formerly known as Home Helps) to provide personal care to clients in their own home.
ere are permanent wholetime and permanent part-time positions available to work in community healthcare supports provided by the HSE in counties Kilkenny, Carlow,
South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford.
Candidates for the jobs will require a Further Education and Training Course (QQI)
Level 5 quali cation in the following two modules – Care Skills and Care of the Elderly.
A minimum rate of €18 an hour (and €36 an hour on a Sunday and Bank Holiday) is payable for the position. Travel expenses are paid for all mile-
age incurred from base or home (shortest distance) and are in line with HSE National Financial Regulations. Manual Handling and online training will be provided. is employment may form part of career pathway to Registered General Nursing if interested.
Bridget Farrell (General Manager/Older Persons Services, HSE/South East Community Healthcare) said: “ e overall
objective of the HSE’s Health Care Support for Older Persons service is to care for and maintain people in their own home. is involves health care support assistants liaising with public health nurses and other health care professionals. Health Care Support Assistant (HCSA) tasks include assisting clients in personal care and essential household tasks.” ose who may be interested
in position in Kilkenny, Carlow, and South Tipperary can phone (056) 778 4745 or (056) 778 4647. For Waterford and Wexford, phone (051) 848 774. Details at https://www.hse. ie/eng/sta /jobs/job-search/ patient-and-client-care/ sech23hcsar-health-caresupport-assistant-community-rolling-campaign-formerly-known-as-home-help-. html
Half of Ireland’s workers (49%) have fallen out of love with their current job, according to a new report from Matrix Recruitment.
Of those who no longer like their job, one third said that they are not being paid enough and one quarter admitted that they don’t like the company they are working for. A further 27% cited working in a toxic environment and more than one in ten want to work for a company that has implemented a four-day working week.
South East Technological University (SETU) recently held its annual Computing Showcase 2023 at SETU’s Kilkenny Road Campus in Carlow. e showcase is in its 12th year and is sponsored by Netwatch Ireland and UK, world leader in proactive video monitoring.
is is the rst showcase to take place on site since 2019 and it has provided an opportunity to celebrate the best-in-class of SETU’s nalyear computing students’ projects at honours and masters level.
e showcase creates a chance for industry leaders to witness demonstrations from student projects in cybercrime and IT security, software engineering, IT management, interactive digital art and design, and data science; exhibiting the extensive range of ideas and technologies employed by SETU students.
e event is also an excellent networking opportu-
nity for industry employers to engage with soon-to-be SETU graduates who are among the strongest emerging talent in the IT and computing spaces.
Simon Walshe, Software Development Manager at Netwatch Group, said: “ e showcase is something we have come to look forward to each year. e Netwatch Research and Development department is made up of many past students of these streams, and to see the standard of projects coming along is so encouraging. Looking at the wide array of projects working on machine learning, cyber security, games, and modern web applications is so relevant in today’s world. We get to work rst hand with some of the students through our internships at Netwatch.
“Witnessing the positive impact these students have on our business and seeing the projects that are presented by them here, the gradu-
ates from SETU are people you want on your team. We’d like to congratulate all the students involved and wish them the very best of luck in the future,” he said.
Nigel Whyte, Head of Department of Computing at SETU’s Kilkenny Road Campus in Carlow, said: “I’m very proud of the calibre of projects on show here today by our computing students. SETU graduates are consistently in high demand among employers, with a reputation for being highly collaborative and industryready after their time at the university. I’m grateful also for the continued support of our sponsors, Netwatch.
“Having the support of a globally successful company, with its origins here in the south east region, is extremely encouraging and inspiring for our students. I wish all our nalyear students every success as they embark on their careers.” e showcase culminated in a presentation of awards from Netwatch to students whose project presentations excelled in the following categories: Best in Games Development, Andrew Greenslade; Best in Interactive Digital Art and Design, Kinga Pestka; Best in Software Development, Shane Doherty; Best in Cybercrime and IT Security, Billy Irvin; and Best in IT Management, Nathan Calnan.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is among 21 landlord TDs named in Dáil amid calls for them not to vote on Bill to reduce rent.
Landlord TDs should not vote on a private members’ Bill tonight aimed at reducing rents for tenants, Opposition Deputies claimed.
People Before Pro t has tabled the draft legislation, which is doomed to fail. But
the e ort saw landlord TDs named in the Dail.
Paul Murphy TD said: “ e names of the landlord TDs who should not vote on this Bill because they have a clear con ict of interest are as follows: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of Fine Gael, Brian Leddin of the Green Party, Michael Creed of Fine Gael, John Paul Phelan of Fine Gael again, Richard Bruton of Fine Gael,
Sean Canney of the Regional Independents, Noel Grealish, Regional Independent, Matt Shanahan, Independent, Alan Dillon , Fine Gael again, Robert Troy, Fianna Fáil, Michael Moynihan, Fianna Fáil, omas Byrne, Fianna Fáil, Sean Haughey, Fianna Fáil, James Lawless, Fianna Fáil, Aindreas Moynihan, Fianna Fáil, Brendan Smith, Fianna Fáil , Michael Healy-
Rae, Rural Independents, Carol Nolan, Rural Independents, Alan Kelly, Labour, Johnny Guirke, Sinn Féin, Stephen Donnelly, Fianna Fáil.”
He added: “ ose people should not participate in the vote. To do so is to engage in a con ict of interest.”
Meanwhile, Government leaders are discussing an additional housing / construc-
tion package from Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien, which will include subsidies of up to €150,000 for developers building cost rental homes in return for the State taking an equity in the property.
e Government is also considering temporarily abolishing development levies to encourage developers to build more a ordable homes and is
CR Payroll Solutions, the Kilkenny-based ntech company, announced the creation of 40 new jobs over the next 18 months. e announcement was made as Minister for Financial Services, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD visited the company to be briefed on their ambitious expansion plans.
Founded in 2018 CR Payroll Solutions provides emergency payroll cover to an expanding range of clients including Ford, Stryker, Rehab, and JD Sports. e company was
recently awarded seventh place in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Awards, one of Ireland’s foremost technology award programmes.
Congratulating CR Payroll Solutions on their job announcement Minister Carroll MacNeill said:
“ ere are exciting times ahead for Mairead Coughlan and her talented team at CR Payroll Solutions as they continue with their exciting expansion plans. e Kilkenny based company, who plan to employ 40 additional people locally, has a well-earned reputation for
service and delivery for their customers.
“It’s great that CR Payroll Solutions are focused on growing business in the UK market and the new roles being created will back that ambition.”
CR Payroll Solutions founder and CEO, Mairead Coughlan, said: “Innovation and quality customer service are vital to the success of any ntech company. Since we were founded in 2018 we have worked hard to earn the trust of our expanding customer base. With that solid foundation laid we are
now looking at scaling our presence, especially in the UK market. at will see CR Payroll Solutions recruit another 40 sta over the next 18 months. e roles will be in key areas such as management, marketing, sales, and payroll delivery, and consultation and recruitment are already underway.
“It’s a really exciting time for the company and we are proud to be building an international brand, based here in Kilkenny.”
e company’s ambitious expansion plans are backed by Enterprise Ireland.
Féile Lachtain 2023 continued at Ionad Lachtain, Freshford with a Night of Nostalgia beginning at 8pm on Friday, April 28 at St Lachtain’s Church of Ireland. e story of Freshford’s bands and musicians was recalled with music provided by the Super Noodles and Friends.
John Barnaville recounted the story of the bands beginning with the e Lords, moving onto Backdoor Blues and the Looney Tunes and nishing with the Super Noodles,
with a mention of earlier bands including e Achourians. ere was talk, too, of he late
Paddy ‘Lang’ Barnaville who died at a young age in 1986. His contribution to local bands was recalled, with great praise. Musicians featured included Ned Delaney who played on the well known Saturday night radio programme Céilí House and the local musicians who made up the orchestra for the local pantomimes.
e museum at Ionad Lachtain is to be relaunched on Friday night. New displays this year include a wonderful collection of carpentry tools courtesy of Eilís and Kieran Costelloe and an ecclesiastical
display courtesy of Monsignor Kieron Kennedy, PP, and Richard St George.
Music will also feature in the relaunch when an eclectic collection of concert tickets, accumulated over the years by a local collector, will be unveiled.
is eclectic mix includes tickets to Joni Mitchell and U2 at the RDS, Van Morrisson at Slane Castle and a ticket to Bob Dylan at Blackbushe in Surrey in 1978, when Freshford was represented amongst, what was reputedly, the largest crowd ever to attend a Dylan concert.
part of a package of measures, which they say are aimed kick starting construction.
Senator Victor Boyhan, of the Oireachtas Housing Committee, said he had very serious concerns about any proposal to curtail or remove any nancial income levy for developers.
“Councils’ development levies are essential for infrastructure.” he said.
e price of electricity in Ireland is the highest in Europe, according to new research that is likely to put pressure on the Government for further relief for households.
e unit price for electricity is almost double the European average, according to the major study of residential electricity prices in 33 European capital cities.
Gas prices are also among the most expensive in Europe.
e cost of electricity has doubled for some Irish households in the last two years.
Pictured above are Billy Hanley, Enterprise Ireland, Mark Dobbyn, Director of Payroll Operations, Mairead Coughlan, CR Payroll Solutions founder and CEO, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Helen Dooley, Director of Sales & Marketing and Sinead Comerford, Director of Service Delivery, Karen Cohalan, Enterprise Ireland and Mayor of Kilkenny David Fitzgerald
PHOTO: Finbarr O’Rourke
e ndings are likely to heap further pressure on the Government to provide at least the same supports again for the coming winter, just a week after a surplus of €10bn in public nances was announced.
e survey found residential electricity prices, including taxes, varied from 9.2c per kilowatt hour in Hungary to 49.9c in Ireland. e EU average was 28.3c.
e survey also shows thenancial supports per capita for households and rms to help cope with the price rises are lower here than in other European countries.
Since September 2021, the supports to households and rms on a per capita basis ranged from €1,071 in Ireland to €3,732 in Luxembourg and €3,179 in Germany.
Seán Kelly, Fine Gael MEP for Ireland South, has welcomed this week’s deal to signi cantly increase o shore wind energy production in the Northern seas, but warns that bureaucratic hurdles are still generally impeding the development of renewable energy supplies.
“I welcome the Ostend Declaration by nine European countries at the North Sea Summit to signi cantly increase o shore wind energy production in the region. e aim of producing at least 120 gigawatts of o shore wind energy by 2030 and at least 300 gigawatts by 2050 is a signicant, ambitious step forward,” he said,
“We cannot underestimate the importance of Ireland’s participation in renewable energy development in the North Sea. It will play a signi cant role in laying the platform for a more sustainable future economy in line with climate targets, Mr Kelly said.
“It is also extremely welcome that the North Sea countries and the UK agreed to work together on developing sustainable and cost-e ective o shore energy. It makes sense for Ireland and the EU to have good co-operation with the UK on energy and climate, as it is in our direct mutual interests,” the Ireland South MEP said.
As we throw rolled-up sweet wrappers at each other across the newsroom floor, the production editor says to me: “Is it really that time again – another bank holiday?”
We are discussing what I will write about for this column. “Well I’m of the school of thought that all work and no play makes Paul a dull boy or, in modern-day parlance, heading for another burnout.”
The last wrapper gets me on the nose.
Since this year’s new public holiday, St Brigid’s Day – on the first Monday of February except when Brigee’s day falls on a Friday and that will be the public holiday – brings us to a total of 10 public holidays and more in line with the rest of Europe, where the number stands at about 10 to 14 a year. Some countries such as Slovakia have
an even higher number, with 15 public holidays. France, 16. What all these bank holidays actually mean for workers and employers and who’s entitled to what and how prepared are employers for these days –especially this only getting back on their feet after the pandemic I’ll leave for another day’s debate. But, hang on, what’s the difference between a bank and a public holiday? Nothing, really. They’re effectively the same thing. Technically, bank holidays are days on which banks are closed that are not necessarily nationally observed holidays. But, sure nowadays the banks are closed or shut up altogether most of the time.
Richard Boyd Barrett, of People Before Profit, believes bank holidays make for a happier, more productive workforce. The TD
says such holidays would help people suffering from work-related stress. “I actually think wellbeing and mental health are huge issues,” he says. “A happy workforce is a productive workforce and I think too many people are stressed out and I would re-emphasise that all we are suggesting is that the number of bank holidays be even further increased to the EU average.”
Deputy Boyd Barrett says workers “have gone through a hell of a lot during the Covid pandemic” and suggests extra bank and public holidays would go some way towards ‘rewarding’ them.
After an endless three years of Working From Home and juggling home schooling with other, caring responsibilities, is it any wonder most of us feel like a pile of smoulder-
ing ashes? What we need is a break. Ideally, another bank holiday. And yet another.
Roll, the music from John Carpenter’s The Fog. Burnout. A bespoke-suited worker, stumbling through town at dawn, his eyes blank and exhausted. A doctor, a nurse at the end of an endless shift, the lines from their face masks dark and draining. And then, the rest of us, everyone who has stumbled their way through the past three years, trying desperately to find, eh, ‘something of value’. Everyone else who has tried to hold on to jobs while trying to look after their families and trying to stay physically healthy in ways that didn’t make them mentally unhealthy, and trying to manage their frustration, and so on. Work-related ‘burnout’ was added to the ICD-11
(International Classification of Diseases) in 2019, and is defined by the World Health Organisation as an occupational phenomenon that results from “chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed”. People suffering from it report “feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion”, and “feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job” as well as “reduced professional efficacy, or ability to be effective at their jobs”.
Familiar?
So, yes, bring it on. The May 1 bank holiday. But, what then? What happens the following day, when we return to our desks refreshed after a day endlessly looking at our phones? We’re back to sending emails at dawn to show we are present, that we exist, updating shared documents at midnight to
show we are indispensable and, eh, really quite clever. As a newspaper man all my working life, I seldom enjoyed the luxury of bank holidays. The paper still had to come out. (In fairness I was very handsomely rewarded for working those shifts).
And, anyway, I don’t like Mondays, bank holiday Mondays. All that running around trying to do something, anything, with partner or children because... well, you just have to do something because you have the day off. Yippee! And the hordes down the pub, the excess drinking and over-jollification, and the noise. People who never darken the pub doorstep any other day of the year. Spoiling it for the professional imbibers. No, thanks. I think I’ll just stay in bed on Monday, May 1...
Up to €175 was added to the cost of car insurance premiums in the last ve years to cover the cost of compensating victims of tra c accidents caused by uninsured drivers.
New gures reveal that between 2018 and last year, close to 10,400 claims were submitted for accidents caused by those who did not have insurance.
e Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) said this has
added between €150 and €175 to the typical cost of a motor insurance policy.
e MIBI is a not-for-pro t organisation that was established to compensate victims of road tra c accidents caused by uninsured and unidenti ed vehicles.
It said that, e ectively, the expense of meeting these claims was borne by law-abiding motorists. is is because the MIBI is
Kilkenny Dyspraxia/DCD
Support Group in conjunction with EPT Clinic will be hosting a talk in the Orchard House Bar and Restaurant New Orchard Kilkenny on ursday, May 18 at 7:30pm entitled 'Transitioning to Secondary School: Dyspraxia Survival Guide'. Committee member Paul Brophy told e Kilkenny Observer: " is is the rst talk we have held since Covid and we are delighted to partner with the EPT Clinic and we have two fantastic dynamic occupational therapists in Emma McEvoy and Evana Cassidy who will be presenting on the night. " ey bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in the area of Dyspraxia or DCD (Developmental Co Ordina-
tion Disorder ) is primarily a coordination di culty but it can create di culties around planning organising and multi-tasking."
He said: "Secondary school is a big transition for any young person but those with Dyspraxia or any other additional need it can be even more challenging. is talk will provide many useful tips and strategies to help any young person with Dyspraxia or additional need and their families manage the transition. " is talk would be of interest to a wide range of people be they students, teachers, parents or anyone who has an interest in the subject of neurodiversity. We hope this talk will be the rst of many over the coming months," Mr Brophy said.
funded from a levy on motor insurers which is passed on to policyholders.
Over the ve-year period, the average motorist will have contributed between €150 and €175 to cover the MIBI costs through their motor insurance policies, the MIBI said.
Last month, the MIBI published research showing there were almost 188,000 uninsured private vehicles on Irish roads last year.
It said the Republic may now have the highest level of uninsured vehicles in the EU.
e MIBI also predicted that the number of uninsured vehicles on Irish roads could pass 200,000 in the next year to 18 months if "signi cant action” is not taken.
It wants the urgent enactment and full implementation of legislation that will give greater powers to Gardaí to identify uninsured vehicles.
e legislation, known as the Road Tra c and Roads Bill 2021, has yet to advance through the Oireachtas before it becomes law.
MIBI chief executive David Fitzgerald said the ve-year gures show that the number of claims dropped over the course of the pandemic when fewer vehicles, including uninsured vehicles, were on the roads. But this changed last year when the number of
claims relating to uninsured and untraced driving grew signi cantly again.
A total of 1,739 claims were received by the MIBI last year, representing a 17pc increase on the 2021 numbers. On a county-by-county basis, over the last ve years, the highest total number of claims received was in Dublin, at 4,605. Next were Cork, at 819, and Limerick, at 617.
Mount Juliet Estate is hosting a charity walk in aid of LauraLynn on Monday, May 1, starting at 10.30 am. It will be a 5k walk that will take place around the estate
e Coeliac Society of Ireland has launched Awareness Week 2023 and is encouraging families to take a proactive approach to their health by getting tested for coeliac disease and gluten intolerance. Awareness Week will run from May 15 to 20 with a mix of online and in person gatherings throughout the country.
is year’s awareness theme is about "family and diagnosis and the society is asking all households to “Make a Promise this Awareness Week – Get Tested!". is in not just a catch phrase but is a critically important question that need to be answered and is based on the ndings of a study on "Family Prevalence" of the incurable autoimmune coeliac disease.
According to the research, only 28.8% of rst-degree relatives of su erers have been tested for coeliac disease, and 9.3% of those tested were diagnosed with the condition. Children were the most likely group of rst-degree relatives to be tested and/or diagnosed compared to other relatives, such as siblings and parents.
Coeliac disease is a genetic autoimmune disorder that a ects approximately 1.5% of the population (76,500).
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include abdominal pain, bloating, and fatigue. If left untreated, coeliac disease can lead to serious complications such as malnutrition, osteoporosis, and an increased
risk of certain types of cancer.
e Coeliac Society of Ireland is urging all rst-degree family members to get tested for coeliac disease. Currently it is estimated that 62,250 children and adults are undiagnosed coeliacs.
Sarah Keogh, Head Dietician, Coeliac Society of Ireland, said. "Getting tested for coeliac disease is an important step in taking charge of your health. It's a simple blood test that can be done by your local GP. If you have a family member with coeliac disease, it's important to get tested, as you may have a higher risk of developing the condition."
* For Coeliac Awareness Week 2023 you can register free at www.coeliac.ie
We may not be royalists in Ireland but we are conrmed British royal watchers, curious about the next episode in this real Game of rones. At Charles III’s May 6 coronation there will be will be pageantry galore, and the chance to see who is there and who isn’t (Harry will be, Meaghan won’t).
ere is the longer-term question: after his long 70 year wait to rule since he was named as heir apparent in 1953 is there any chance that King Charles III will surprise us? e answer for the oldest monarch to succeed to the throne of Britain at 74 maybe both yes and no.
ere will hardly be the same excitement that there was when his mother, Elizabeth, was crowned in 1953, an event seen on TV for the rst time by many and
which caught the public imagination after years of post-war austerity. Now, after a surfeit of royal scandals and Net ix’s Crown series, watchers are more cynical, wondering if this could be the end of the monarchy. Hardly, though, given 12,000 years since Alfred the Great became King of England in the 9th century, the stability and symbolism of a royal Head of State seems well and truly embedded in the British way of life.
You get what it says on the tin with Charles who is a mix of old-school, country squire who loves nothing better than pruning trees and shrubs when at his weekend retreat at Highgrove and someone who has a hard-working, businesslike attitude to getting things done. Since he took over the
management of the Duchy of Cornwall aged 21, the 52,000 acres private estate founded in 1337 has gone from barely breaking even to turning a £21m. pro t (mainly through investment, rather than rent). e Duchy, which will now pass to his heir Prince William, gave Charles practical outlets for his deep concerns with farming, with climate change and with heritage.
Another of his commitments is with helping disadvantaged young people succeed and, since it was founded in 1976, the Prince’s Trust has facilitated more than a million young people with training and jobs.
In a constitutional monarchy where the Head of State has neither a political nor an executive role, there isn’t
e Kilkenny County Council Decade of Commemorations Committee is seeking expressions of interest from close relatives of those directly impacted by the Civil War from County Kilkenny to attend a national memorial event.
All local authorities have been asked to nominate a limited number of relatives to attend a formal ceremony for a healing moment of reconciliation, remembering everyone who lost their lives in the Civil War.
is outdoor event, being hosted by the Department of the Taoiseach, will take place in the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin on Sunday the 28th of May 2023.
ose interested are advised to email heritage@ Kilkennycoco.ie (or phone 056 779 4923) indicating your interest and outlining your connection to an individual(s) directly impacted by the Civil War from County Kilkenny.
e deadline for receipt of expressions of interest is Wednesday 3rd May at 4pm.
Please note that the memorial event will be televised.
e Decade of Commemorations Programme for County Kilkenny is managed by Kilkenny County Council’s Decade of Commemorations Committee with the
support of the Commemorations Unit of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Decade of Centenaries 2012-23 initiative.
much room for manoeuvre.
Charles may not continue to send missives (known as the black spider memos, due to his handwriting) to minsters about his pet concerns or indulge his hobby horses like his Poundbury development in Dorset, an architectural experiment in line with Charles’ ideals set out in his book ‘A vision of Britain’. Where Charles does have the opportunity to make a di erence is in restoring con dence in the Royal’ Firm’. He has already spoken of his intention to slim down the number of royals on public duty and in the public eye.
ere are repair jobs to be done on the relationship with the Sussexes after their exit to the US and the revelations in Harry’s book ‘Spare’ and perhaps a meaningful role out of the
public eye to be found for Andrew.
e fate of Diana still casts a long shadow, though. Despite growing acceptance of Camilla as Queen Consort you could still question why Charles and Camilla didn’t stay together when they rst romanced, why Camilla chose the dashing Captain Parker Bowles instead and why she chose to remain on the scene as the third party in Charles and Di’s marriage?
It’s through in uence that Charles can be most e ective, through his relationship with the 50 plus members of the Commonwealth, many of them former British colonies, in overcoming the legacies of the past like colonialism and slavery. And also through his involvement in a multicultural Britain and through
of your stomach. Excessive wind is common, you may have odour or just noisy wind. Heartburn is a less common symptom.
inclusiveness towards the underprivileged. He has the opportunity, as former President Mary Robinson did, ‘to shine a light’. I sometimes wonder why Charles was named after his predecessors on the throne. Charles 1 was beheaded, Charles II, after years in exile, became known after his restoration in 1660 as the Merry Monarch who fathered 12 children by various mistresses. Both were Stuarts rather than Hanoverians of German origin like Charles III. It could have to do with the fact that Charles II, following Cromwell’s grim Protectorate, was one of the most popular monarchs ever.
Perhaps this may rub o on his namesake, who may turn out be THE right Charlie, and not just A proper Charlie.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the digestive system. e symptoms tend to come and go, they can last for days, weeks or months at a time. It can be managed with lifestyle, dietary changes, and nutritional support for the digestive system. A common symptom is stomach pain and cramping, which may be relieved by going to the toilet. You might also notice changes in your bowel habits, one minute you are constipated and the next you have diarrhoea. Or you may experience an urgent need to get to the toilet. Some of you have bloating and swelling
Factors that contribute to gut problems include: food intolerances, low levels of good gut bacteria and digestive enzymes, fungal overgrowth, viral infections, or a diet with too many processed foods may all contribute to gut problems. Stress can impact on gut health too. In order to manage IBS you will need to work with any of the above issues that are contributing to the symptoms you are having.
Food isn’t always to blame, but it’s a great place to start. It can be di cult to gure out what foods are causing you problems. A food diary will help as you will notice a pattern forming. Try leaving
out the suspect food to see if it will make a di erence. It could be any food but wheat, dairy, yeast, and sugar are common triggers. If stress is the trigger, relaxation, meditation, walking, exercise or supplementing with extra magnesium may help.
IBS has a wide variety of symptoms and causes; the good news is that most people learn to manage their symptoms. is may be achieved with a combination of dietary and lifestyle changes, working with a nutritional therapist, or taking dietary supplements to support gut health.
Flax, chia seeds, or psyllium husks can be used to help improve normal bowel function.
Kimchi, sauerkraut, natural yoghurt or ke r can support good gut ora. Apple cider vinegar can help metabolism and digestion. Peppermint tea is great for bloating. ere are many natural ways to help you manage IBS, for more information phone, pop us an email, or call in to see us.
Shop online at www.naturalhealthstore.ie where you’ll be able to take a look at these brands.
Natural Health Store, Market Cross Shopping Centre Phone: 056 7764538
Email: info@naturalhealthstore.ie
National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the company delivering the new future-proofed, high-speed Fibreto-the-Home network under the National Broadband Plan (NBP) on behalf of the on behalf of the Government, has announced that the rst premises in the Johnstown deployment area have been successfully connected. Overall, there are almost 1,700 premises that can order or pre-order a high-speed connection in Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny.
Up to 19,000 premises in County Kilkenny are included in the State’s Intervention Area, which will see NBI deliver minimum speeds of 500 megabits a second to homes, businesses, farms and schools. As the biggest investment in rural Ireland since rural electri cation, the County will receive €72 million of Government investment under the NBP.
Half of all premises in the Kilkenny intervention area are now able to connect to high-speed bre on the National Broadband Ireland network and more than 90% of the rollout in the county is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
Peter Hendrick, Chief Executive O cer of National Broadband Ireland, said: “National Broadband Ireland is delighted to announce that almost 1,700 premises in the Johnstown deployment area in Kilkenny are ready to either order or preorder high-speed broadband on our network.
“We are calling on residents in the Kilkenny deployment area to visit nbi.ie to check their Eircode to see if
they can get connected and register for updates. It is our goal to give homes and businesses throughout Ireland the opportunity to experience the life-changing bene ts that high-speed broadband provides. We understand the role that high-speed broadband now plays in everyday lives and want to give the people of Ireland every opportunity to avail of it,” he said.
“Since the pandemic, there has been an increase in the amount of people looking to work and interact remotely. at is why, for families like the Wall family, having a highspeed connection at home is vital for both professional and personal use.”
Pat Wall, one of the rst customers in the Johnstown Deployment Area to be connected to the NBI network, said: “ e bre broadband had been a great boost to the whole family for both work and play. Since the outset of the covid pandemic I have worked almost exclusively from home and this involves a lot of remote interactions in terms of meetings, presentations and transferring datasets every day.
“ e additional bandwidth and stability that the bre connection provides means that the experience is now like working in the o ce and I can be much more e cient with my time,” he said.
“For the home, bre also means we can now watch movies and tv on demand and my son loves the 10ms ping time and low latency for gaming and the speed at which updates for his PlayStation games are downloaded. We also don’t
have to worry about exceeding a daily data limit which is an added bonus!
Selecting Aptus as our Fibre provider was a no-brainer for me. ey have provided us with an excellent wireless service for the past three years and I cannot speak highly enough of their sta who are always very friendly and knowledgeable with their support.”
Fergal Kearney, CEO at Aptus Broadband – the Retail Service Provider selling services on the new bre network in the area –said: “Aptus and are delighted to be able to upgrade customers like Pat, who live in rural Ireland, to bre broadband services with speeds up to 2G. e availability of NBI Fibre in rural Ireland has been very well received with a big demand for this new high-speed service. Aptus is proud to be an o cial retail partner of NBI and feels they have a lot in common with NBI who run a very professional organization with customer service at the heart of everything they do.”
As a wholesale network operator, NBI does not sell bre broadband directly to end users, rather it enables services from a range of broadband providers or Retail Service Providers (RSPs).
As a wholesale provider, NBI will make the new Fibre-to-the-Home network available to all RSPs operating in the Intervention Area. Some 61 RSPs have already signed up to sell services on the NBI network and 48 are certi ed as ready to start providing connections as of today. To see the retail
National Broadband Ireland (NBI) is designing, building, and operating the new high-speed bre broadband network for rural Ireland on behalf of the Government.
NBI brings together some of the most talented individuals in Ireland and across the world, with deep knowledge and experience in delivering projects to the scale of the National Broadband Plan (NBP).
is includes developing, designing, building and operating networks and co-ordinating all elements required to nance and deliver a project of the size and complexity of Ireland’s NBP.
broadband providers that are currently licensed to sell on the NBI™ network, visit NBI.ie/buy
NBI contractors have been on the ground since January 2020 surveying townlands across the county. is involves physically walking the routes and documenting images, notes and measurements of the poles, cables and underground ducts in each area, and enables design solutions for the provision of the bre network.
Under the National Broadband Plan, 559,000 premises nationwide are included in the Intervention Area, which was established by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications to identify areas where commercial operators are not currently providing access to high-speed broadband or do not intend to.
In advance of the Fibre-to-theHome rollout, the NBP provides for the delivery of Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) nationwide.
574 of these sites, including Public
BCPs, are now ‘live’. Public BCPs – which include sports clubs, community centres and tourist sites – will provide free public access to high-speed internet in the rollout area. Other BCP categories include schools and marts.
BCPs will pave the way for rural communities to receive the bene ts of broadband, from mobile working, e-learning and mobile banking, to digital tourism. You can view BCPs at https://nbi.ie/bcpmap/. An example of some of the locations of Broadband Connection Points in Kilkenny include the Crosspatrick Community Hall, Ballyouskill Parish Hall, and Muckalee Handball Club. Primary schools in the Intervention Area are also being connected for educational access as part of the NBP.
NBI is encouraging people to check their eligibility and register for updates at www.nbi.ie to receive regular noti cations related to their own premises as works progresses in their area.
businesses
I presume you are very aware of the e ect that high energy prices and the cost of living are having on you, your family and your business. You will be glad to know that the Government is “acutely aware” of your predicament and to alleviate these challenges the Government has agreed a package to put money in your pocket to help with the bills you are facing.
In a recent statement the Taoiseach said: “We know the cost of living remains very high and that people are under pressure. is package is about helping families who are struggling with the cost of living, helping businesses with their energy costs, and helping those on xed incomes like pensioners and people on social welfare including carers and people with disabilities.”
e package will also be helping families with young and school going children. e Back-to-School
Clothing and Footwear Allowance will give a once-o €100 in July and child bene t will receive a bonus of €100 in June. A payment of €200 is being paid to those on the Working Family Payment, lone parents, low-income families, carers, those on disability payments, and pensioners among others. Lower VAT and excise rates continue on gas, electricity, petrol, diesel and marked gas oil until October.
Businesses are given a lifeline in that it will be easier to apply for TBESS to help with electricity and gas bills. LPG or kerosene business users can avail of a new grant and the special reduced 9% VAT rate for hospitality businesses continues to August.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said: “ is Government remains committed to helping protect the most vulnerable, families and businesses from the rising cost of living caused primarily by
Russia’s immoral and illegal invasion of Ukraine. is comes on top of a substantial package of supports in Budget 2023, and while energy in ation shows signs of moderating, it is important people and workers don’t face a cli edge on fuel and energy costs in the coming months ahead of another Budget in October.” Minister Eamon Ryan said: “ e brutal invasion of Ukraine has caused prices to increase across the board but it’s clear that some people are nding it extremely di cult right now. It is only right that children, families and those relying on social welfare payments should be the focus of this latest round of supports. e Government had promised it would help people to weather these rising costs and that is exactly what we are doing”.
Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys said: “ e cost-of-living pressures are continuing to
a ect people right across this country. In February, I was delighted to secure Government approval for over €410million in additional supports to be paid to families in the coming months. is package of measures, in addition to the €2.2billion of supports secured as part of
Budget 2023, underlines our continued commitment to address the increased cost of living being experienced by our citizens.”
It is di cult to see how these measures will help in the long run as, according to the recent CSO report for March, prices on average, as measured by the CPI, were 7.7% higher in March 2023 compared with March 2022. Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels up 20.8%, food and non-alcoholic beverages up 13.1%, restaurants and hotels up 8.9% and clothing and footwear up 6.7%, giving an overall CPI increase of 1.1% for the month.
And regarding gas and wholesale electricity prices, they have been falling here and in Europe since hitting a peak late last year, but Irish suppliers say “hedging” deals prevent them from passing these cuts on to customers.
And what is the Electric Association of Ireland doing?
Very little it seems other than giving “in debt” customers some space to pay their arrears and a promise that customers who engage with them will not be cut o .
Dara Lynott, Chief Executive of the Electricity Association, in a recent Irish Times article conceded that they may have “hedged badly” and as a consequence locked themselves into forward contracts at high prices that may take time to unwind. “It’s only in hindsight that you can tell,” he said. “It really comes down to decisions by traders on the basis of the company that they’re in and its appetite for risk.”
Maybe they should feel a little more pain? Hopefully the Government approved draft legislation that will implement the windfall tax will get through before the summer recess.
john@ellis nancial.ie 086 8362622
“Electricity Association may have hedged badly...
Some ground-breaking ideas in the treatment of cancers are being examined closely by medical scientists who met recently in Orlando, Florida, at the American Association for Cancer Research annual conference, where more than 6,500 scientists shared their work and their hopes for improving the lives of cancer patients.
One subject being discussed was what if radiation treatments could be given in a handful of seconds rather than weeks of treatments?
What if surgeons could actually see tumour cells rather than simply hoping they got rid of them all?
And, what if scientists could come up with new ways to detect, treat and understand tumours?
e rst potential breakthrough is ‘Flash’ radiation, which concentrates weeks of treatments into a few days; the second, an imaging technology that lights up cancer cells to help surgeons track them down.
“Two of the most fundamental tools, cancer surgery and cancer radiation, are undergoing before our eyes fundamental changes in their technology,” said Dr Robert Vonderheide, who directs the Abrahamson Cancer Centre at the University of Pennsylvania. “ ey are each promising better success.”
A third line of research is providing insights into the role of the nervous system in cancer, which could eventually be used to help patients sleep better, heal faster and live longer.
Researchers typically focus on a tumour, but there are “systemic signals that might tell us how best to treat a patient or that a patient actually has a lurking cancer,” Dr Vonderheide said.
Like the immune system, which has increasingly been manipulated to help ght cancer over the last decade, the nervous system monitors the body and remembers
Scientists studying hair follicles in mice may have nally uncovered a mechanism behind how and why hair turns grey, which could one day lead to potential new ways to stop or reverse the process.
On a basic level, we already know that hair goes grey when specialised pigment-producing cells called melanocytes are in short supply. But we still don’t fully understand why or how that happens – or if there’s a way to prevent it.
A new study now adds some extra detail while challenging previous ideas about how melanocytes develop.
Melanocytes are derived from melanocyte stem cells (McSCs) in the hair follicle, and it’s these stem cells that the latest research focuses on.
what it encounters. “ e immune system is probably the rst system to know that cancer exists. And probably the nervous system is the next one,” he said.
“Maybe there’s new inroads in early detection if we focus on neurological health and immune health.”
None of these new approaches is readily available yet, but Dr Vonderheide thinks they’re among the advances worth watching.
Flash radiation could mean cancer treatment in seconds, not weeks.
At least half of patients with solid tumours endure radiation at some point during their treatment. Radiation typically takes about 15 min-
utes, though sessions can last an hour or more and are scheduled every weekday for three to nine weeks – requiring a total of 15 to 40 visits.
Patients may su er skin burns, dry mouth, di culties eating and swallowing, and exhaustion. ey must upend their lives and often a loved one’s to get to treatment so many times.
In what could be a ‘big shift’ for cancer treatment, mRNA vaccine shows promise
Radiation therapy is traditionally delivered in small doses over weeks so it can e ciently ght against melanoma, kill tumour cells while being less toxic to surrounding healthy tissue, said
It seems that as we get older, these precursors to the pigment-producing cells get ‘stuck’ in a region
called the follicle bulge, and stop developing into melanocytes in su cient
Constantinos Koumenis, a Professor of Radiation Biology at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine.
But as many radiation patients can attest, treatments still do plenty of damage to normal tissue.
Instead, Prof. Koumenis and dozens of other research teams have been testing ‘ ash radiation’ which uses ultra-high dose rate beams of energy to zap tumour cells. Patients might get the same amount of radiation in just two to four sessions of less than a second each.
“ e vulnerability of the tumour cells is essentially the same,” Prof. Koumenis said. “What’s di erent is the nor-
mal tissue is more resistant to the ash radiation.”
Proton beam machines are gigantic, hugely expensive and not widely available, he said, but they can also deliver ash radiation at 1,000 times the dose rate of conventional radiotherapy. While the X-rays used in conventional radiation damage normal tissue on the way to and from the tumour, proton beams are stopped by the tumour, so only a ect healthy tissue in one direction, he said.
Prof. Koumenis and teams in Europe have been testing ash radiation in pets. ey’ve shown that they can e ciently and safely deliver these high-dose rate beams
forced ageing process the number of hair follicles with McSCs lodged in the follicle bulge increased from 15 percent to almost half.
ese cells were no longer regenerating or maturing into cells that could make pigment and were staying stuck as McSCs instead.
“Our study adds to our basic understanding of how melanocyte stem cells work to colour hair,” says dermatologist Qi Sun from New York University. “ e new-found mechanisms raise the possibility that the same xed positioning of melanocyte stem cells may exist in humans.”
in dogs and cats with sarcomas and head and neck cancers.
e rst human trial, which started about two years ago, showed that the approach was safe and feasible in 10 patients whose cancer had spread to their bones. Additional human trials are ongoing or are being planned in the next two to three years.
“In my 25 years in radiobiology research, this is the most excited we’ve been in this eld,” said Prof. Koumenis. Many more studies were needed, Koumenis said, but he hoped using ash radiation in head and neck cancer, for instance, might better preserve the taste buds and salivary glands, and enabling the patient to maintain the ability to taste and swallow.
“We could keep the same dose, achieve the same control of the tumour, but now spare these senses,” he said.
In other cases, when the radiation isn’t aimed at critical organs, patients might be able to tolerate higher doses “and perhaps achieve better control of the tumour and better survival because we’re not causing unacceptable side e ects,” Prof. Koumenis said.
Meanwhile new imaging could help surgeons remove more of the tumour.
When surgeons go to take out a tumour, they use their instinct and years of experience to know when they’ve cut out enough.
en they send frozen slides to the pathology lab to quickly assess if they’ve gone safely beyond the tumour, creating a negative or clean margin.
But time and again, patients whose surgeons thought they got everything nd out they didn’t.
“Positive margins kill people,” said Dr Eben Rosenthal, Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.
McSCs, unlike other stem cell types, can switch between a pure stem cell state and what’s known as a transit-amplifying (TA) state: this is a sort of halfway state between a stem cell and a full melanocyte cell.
It seems this TA state is important for McSC health and the continuing production of hair colour, but the team found that being able to switch into TA mode depends on signals from speci c locations – which the cells get cut o from when they’re stuck in follicle bulges.
numbers to ll the growing strand of hair with colour.
In tests on mice, after a
“If so, it presents a potential pathway for reversing or preventing the greying of human hair by helping jammed cells to move again between developing hair follicle compartments.”
e researchers found that
All of this still needs to be observed in human hair follicles of course, but it’s possible that the same mechanisms are at play in our own hair. Further down the line, this research could even o er a way of treating hair to make sure it doesn’t lose its colour.
1. Island Adventures
In e Maldives
ere’s a common misconception that the Maldives is just for couples on their honeymoons. But you don’t need a spouse to thoroughly enjoy this country that boasts incredible snorkelling, diving, sur ng and many other ocean-related activities. Additionally, visitors here will nd the most luxurious (and ‘Insta-worthy’) hotels in the world.
Most resorts here, like the upscale yet eco-friendly Coco Bodu Hithi and Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, are located on their own private islands, so solo travellers can enjoy blissful privacy (and you don’t need to ask anyone to watch your stu on the beach while you go for a swim).
2. Australia’s Tropical North Queensland
Aussies like to say that a stranger is “just a mate you haven’t met yet.” Locals in Tropical North Queensland are especially warm and welcoming, and they have a wicked sense of humour, too. is northern region of Australia is incredibly stunning, as it’s home to the Daintree Rainforest, considered the oldest in the world. It’s also the gateway to the planet’s largest coral reef system, e Great Barrier Reef. Solo travellers nd it easy to make friends while staying in the city of Cairns, a backpacker hotspot with many hotels and hostels at great price points. Solo travellers can also join tours for day trips to explore the area with a group.
3. Backpack Around ailand
ailand is famous for beautiful beaches and friendly residents — Photo courtesy of Katie Jackson e country of ailand, known as ‘ e Land of Smiles’, welcomed 40 million annual
visitors pre- pandemic, many of whom were solo travellers. As tourism ramps up once again, solo travellers are returning. is country o ers a ordable prices for visitors, so it’s easy to nd three-star hotels for about €30 a night, dinners for €3 a plate and scooter rentals for €6 a day. In other words, it’s the kind of place where you don’t need to split costs with someone to make it a ordable. And since it’s on the backpacker circuit, it’s easy to make friends everywhere — whether you’re staying in Chiang Mai or on the islands.
4. Learn To Tango In Argentina Argentina is a wonderful destination for solo visitors,
as it’s also relatively easy to navigate. Public transportation is reliable, and there’s a robust network of hostels catering to solo travellers — whether they’re looking to learn to tango in Buenos Aires (partners can be provided), climb a mountain in Patagonia or sip a glass of wine at a vineyard in Mendoza.
At the moment, the country’s currency favours travellers who are on a budget, because the exchange rate is low.
5. A Safari In South Africa
While South Africa has 11 o cial languages, almost everyone knows English — making it the best gateway country to the African
continent. Of course, it’s the ideal place to begin travel if you’re planning to embark on a safari. If your goal is to photograph animals in the wild at Greater Kruger National Park, just know that some safari lodges will waive the single supplement if you ask politely.
Nearby, gated properties like Future Found Sanctuary in the Western Cape make for a great (and safe) home base for exploring Cape Town, enjoying guided hikes, visiting white sand beaches and experiencing the neighbouring wine country.
6. Make Friends In Copenhagen, Denmark Don’t like to eat out alone? In Denmark, you’ll nd that
communal dining is often celebrated. In fact, one of Copenhagen’s coolest restaurants and social spaces is Folkehuset Absalon. It hosts many events throughout the year, including weekly meals for international solo travellers.
It’s also the birthplace of ‘hygge’ which is the cozy contentment that’s a big part of Danish culture. Not surprisingly, Danes are known to be very down-to-earth and welcoming to travellers. ( ey are also required to learn English at school, so communicating is easy for travellers too).
7. e Cosmopolitan Cities Of Canada
As the second largest country
in the world, Canada’s size can feel quite intimidating. However, Canadians have a reputation for being some of the nicest and most welcoming people in the world. As long as you don’t attempt to tackle all 10 provinces in the same trip, it’s de nitely doable. e biggest challenge is deciding where to visit. Canada truly o ers something for everyone, so if mountains and wilderness are your thing, start with beautiful Manitoba or British Columbia. If you want European vibes, head to Montreal. If you prefer a big, East Coast city, go to Toronto. World-famous Niagara Falls is always a popular destination for travellers all year long.
While beer has historically been a central part of the economy of Gothenburg Sweden, it wasn’t until 2005 that craft production really became something to pay attention to in the city. Prior to the early 2000s, the Swedish government had a monopoly on alcohol called the Systembolaget, which imposed limits on the alcohol content of beers and other types of alcohol, making it nearly impossible to import beers for sale in the country, and incredibly di cult for brewers to produce full- avoured beers associated with the craft movement. However, once Sweden joined the European Union, Systembolaget dissolved and craft brewing took o . Today, the country is home to over 300 breweries — over 10 times more than there were in ‘05 — and over 40 can be found in Gothenburg.
No visit to the city is
complete without a trip to Dugges, one of the city’s rst craft breweries, which runs a tasting room in Landvetter, a 15-minute drive away from
the city’s centre Meanwhile, tucked away in the rolling landscape of the Swiss Alps is Bern, a haven for craft beer enthusiasts that
should de nitely be on the radar of passport-carrying drinkers. e craft brewing industry in Switzerland is 40 times larger now than it was just 30 years ago. Today, the country is home to over 1,200 craft breweries — the highest density of breweries per capita in the world — with over 200 of them calling Bern home, earning the city the uno cial title of craft brewing capital of Switzerland.
Travellers looking to experience the Bern beer scene can order a voucher online that provides a map for a walking tour between breweries and pubs with an audio accompaniment. If walking tours aren’t for you, stop in at Felsenau Brewery. Founded in 1881, it is the oldest brewery in Bern, and currently operated by the family’s fth generation. Felsenau is also famous for producing Bärner Müntschi — which translates to “kiss
from Bern” — the most popular Bernese beer in Switzerland. Visitors can follow 45-minute tours of the brewery where they can sneak a peek at the brewing process as well as participate in a guided tasting.
ough Spain may be more acclaimed for its wines, and the things the nation does with this wine — hello, sangria — the country’s beer scene is not to be overlooked. As the world’s second-largest beer consumer per capita behind only the Czech Republic, the Spanish undeniably love their brews. Largely fuelling Spain’s thirst is the region of Catalonia, home to over 100 craft breweries, a number of which are, unsurprisingly, located in the region’s capital city: Barcelona.
If you’re tired of drinking Estrella while gallivanting the streets of the beautiful city, pop into BierCaB, a beer bar located in L’Eixample
that’s regarded as one of the world’s best. Visitors can choose from a selection of 30 draft pours that span from local Catalonian and Spanish brews to imports from Germany, France, Switzerland, the U.K., Sweden, and Estonia. Pop into CocoVail Beer Hall for a more traditional long-table drinking experience.
On the brewery front, schedule some time to visit BlackLab Brewhouse, a family business featuring four staple, year-round beers in addition to 16 experimental and seasonal brews, and two guest taps. One-hour tours are also available for 27 euros and include a tasting of four beers plus one pint of the visitor’s choosing. If a trip to any of the tasting rooms can’t be squeezed into the itinerary, look out for local brews around Barcelona bars and restaurants.
Go for the beer... stay for the beer
It happened some 55 years ago, or more, and I’m still seeing red over the black! And it happened on the green baize of the snooker table in what was the CYMS in William Street.
It was the nal of the schoolboys snooker championship and yours truly was at the table having made it through numerous knockout rounds to reach the grand nale.
e best of three frames, my opponent and I had won one frame apiece as the nal frame came down to the very last ball on the table – the famous black.
My opponent took his shot, the ball rolled silently towards the right bottom corner pocket. And stopped. Not just short of the pocket but right on the lip. It hung there precariously for what seemed like a brief eternity. If you blew on the ball it would have gone in. e black was
now ‘stuck on’, and a ‘tapin’, in snooker parlance; a simple ‘tap-in’ for me to win the game and become the schoolboys’ snooker champion. ‘Tap-in’ or not it’s still a tricky shot. For sure, a mere tap will sink the black and it’s game over. Miscalculate that tap, however, and the cue ball (ie. the white ball you hit with your cue) goes in after the black and it’s game, set and match – if I may mix my sporting metaphors – to your opponent.
And so, yours truly, chalked his cue, assessed the scenario – one that he’d known many times before – and carefully shot. But not carefully enough. Sure enough I potted the black. And the white! Game over and I had not just lost, but thrown away, the schoolboys’ snooker tournament trophy.
I still have nightmares about it, as my moment of glory, my
moment of schoolboy fame (my name and photo in the local paper) was blown away with one careless cue shot. Sport is cruel.
All of this comes to mind as the Snooker World Championship is taking place in the famous She eld Crucible eatre as I write (it may well be over by the time you read this) And I am especially reminded of one of my all-time favourite sporting moments (apart from any Kilkenny
All Ireland victory) which was the famous Black Ball World Snooker Final of 1985 between Northern Ireland’s Denis Taylor and England’s Steve Davis.
A nal that also ended with the last ball on the table, the infamous black ball, except in this case the World Title was on the line not to mention £60,000 in prize money (the largest prize money up to then).
Steve Davis, three times
world champion, was red hot favourite and proved his form by leading from start to nish, or rather to the very last frame (at one stage he led Taylor by 7 to 0) e match was the best of 35 frames, rst to 18 claiming the title. At 17 frames all, people who had no interest in snooker tuned into this engrossing match between Denis with the jam-jar glasses and Steve with the cute ass (he won ass of the year once, there’s more to snooker, folks, than balls!) Anyway that famous nal came down to the very last ball of the nal (which went on way past midnight, with half of the United Kingdom, and Ireland, staying up to watch it, including my wife (heavily pregnant with our rst child) who had no interest whatsoever in snooker but was captivated by this epic encounter.
Finally, Davis missed a relatively easy pot (nerves get to
everyone, even world champions). In stepped Taylor and the rest is snooker history.
Denis Taylor won the World Snooker Championship title by potting the last ball of the match, the black ball, after 35 gruelling frames of snooker, and the only time Taylor went ahead in the game!
I was absolutely thrilled for him, so thrilled that I considered calling my soonto-be-born son, Denis, but my missus had other ideas.
As for snooker being a sign of a ‘misspent youth’ tell that to the nalists of this year’s World Snooker Championship in She eld who are playing for half a million sterling rst prize!
And tell that to Ronnie O’Sullivan, Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry all millionaires thanks to their ‘misspent youth’!
In the meantime I’m still seeing red over that black.
As diplomacy continues to ensure the safe evacuation of Irish and other citizens in Sudan – many working as teachers and aid workers – continues, the country is rapidly being consumed by almost two weeks of con ict between two warring factions.
e strategically important country in northeastern Africa sees Sudanese eeing from their land and many countries are evacuating their personnel — but many people are stuck.
When rival generals transform a city of ve million people into an arena for their personal war, as two of them have in Sudan, civilians pay a heavy toll.
In the capital, Khartoum, gunshots have erupted outside apartments and rockets have screamed across city blocks, trapping people in their homes as food supplies dwindle. At the airport, smoke billows and ames roar as commercial planes come under attack.
Sudanese and foreigners alike are eeing the battle zones if they can.
Evacuations of diplomatic sta and the United Nations, by air and over land, have been stepped up over the weekend. American special operations troops on heli-
copters airlifted almost 100 people, mostly U. Embassy employees, out of Khartoum.
As two generals with a longstanding rivalry vie for dominance, the clashes between a paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Army have reordered the city with breathtaking speed.
ey have also dashed hope that a country that appeared to be on the cusp of democracy will be able to usher in civilian rule any time soon. Even a cease- re, despite repeated promises, has so far been out of reach.
Most of the ghting appears to be taking place in Khartoum, but clashes have been reported across the vast country — Africa’s thirdlargest by area, with more than 45 million people.
e civilian death toll from the ghting rose to more than 400, with more than 3,500 injured, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). e real toll by now is probably much higher, o cials say.
In Khartoum, the ghting has left many people stranded at home without electricity or water, and doctors and hospitals say they are struggling to cope. Fighting has been reported near the presidential palace, and
it was still not clear who — if anyone — was in control of the country.
Aid workers and diplomats, who were often able to stay out of the Sudanese fray in past tensions, have this time found themselves targets. e leader of one of the two main rival factions is General. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, a powerful military commander who has for years been a de facto leader of Sudan.
Little known before 2019, General al-Burhan was closely aligned with Sudan’s longtime ruler, President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, and rose to power in the tumultuous aftermath of the uprisings that led to the ousting of the widely despised leader.
Before that, General alBurhan had been a regional army commander in Darfur, in western Sudan, when 300,000 people there were killed and millions of others displaced in ghting from 2003 to 2008 that drew worldwide condemnation for its human rights violations and humanitarian toll.
After civilians and the military signed a power-sharing agreement in 2019, General al-Burhan became the chairman of the Sovereignty Council, a body created to oversee the country’s transi-
tion to democratic rule. But as the date for the handover of control to civilians got closer in late 2021, he proved reluctant to relinquish power; that October, he and other military leaders carried out a coup.
General al-Burhan’s main rival is Lieutenant General Mohamed Hamdan, who leads the country’s Rapid Support Forces, a powerful paramilitary group.
Of humble origins, General Hamdan, widely known as Hemeti, rose to prominence
as a commander of the notorious Janjaweed militias, which were responsible for the worst atrocities of the con ict in Darfur.
In October 2021, General al-Burhan and General Hamdan united to seize power in the coup, making them e ectively the leader and deputy leader of Sudan.
But in recent months, they have fallen out, clashing in public and quietly deploying extra troops and equipment to military camps in Khartoum and across the country.
Sudan is just south of Egypt and borders some countries also threatened by instability. ere are fears that the new chaos could draw in those neighbouring countries. In one murky episode, General Hamdan’s forces captured at least 30 Egyptian soldiers and seven warplanes at an air base in Merowe, about 200 miles north of Khartoum.
Egypt said the soldiers were in Sudan on a training exercise.
A relative of General Hamdan’s said by phone that the detained soldiers were mostly pilots and aircraft mechanics who had come to Sudan to carry out airstrikes on behalf of the Sudanese military. ose claims could not be veri ed, but the
events made clear the volatility of the con ict.
Already, the violence has spread deep into Darfur, a region in the western part of the country that for 20 years has been tormented by its own cycle of con ict. Darfur is home to several rebel groups that could get sucked into the ght, and it has also been a base for the Wagner, the private Russian military out t.
In recent years, as Sudan has inched from decades of isolation toward democracy, the US lifted Sudan’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
In recent months, a host of foreign o cials from the United Nations, the African Union, the Arab League and the European Union, as well as the US, had tried to negotiate an agreement between the two generals and pressed them to allow a transition to a civilian-led government.
Russia also has had interests in Sudan, where the Kremlin- a liated Wagner group has advised the military-dominated government and has gotten access to lucrative gold mining operations. Russia has also been pressing Sudan for permission to allow its warships to dock on the country’s Red Sea coastline.
‘Aid workers and diplomats have this time found themselves targets....
Callan teenagers Sean Holden and Seamus O’ Brien watched from different vantage-points as the ball was thrown in for the 1939 Senior Hurling AllIreland between Cork and Kilkenny and the two teams appeared on the pitch.
Seamus felt the sky coming to earth as storm clouds gathered, but neither he nor Sean gave a thought to the big historical events in motion elsewhere, with the world hurtling towards conflict on a epic scale.
The game got under way. The two teams excelled, and it looked as if they might hold each other to a draw, so close was the scoring. Then the heavens opened. Day turned to virtual night, as a malevolent sky seemed about to fall to earth.
A ferocious thunderstorm erupted, interspersed with continuous flashes of lightning. Seamus and his pal Sean were drenched to the skin, shivering and gnashing their teeth as the game continued unabated.
Behind him, Seamus heard dark murmurings. War had been declared, an elderly man rasped to his friend. “Is that right”? the second fan quipped, “Well, jeepers I hope they don’t call off the feckin’ match on the strength of that!”
At the mercy of the elements, Seamus wondered nervously what the rumours were about. War…? Who was fighting whom, and where?
He imagined that Dublin might be under siege at that very moment, with bombs falling everywhere, except on Croke Park, which he supposed might have been excluded under some agreement on account of its special status in the heri -
tage of the nation. From his vantage point in the Hogan stand, Sean Holden viewed the mag -
nificent battle of wits and brawn with mixed feelings. He nurtured similar broodings to those preoccupying
Seamus. The boy who was destined to transform forever the social and economic fortunes of Callan was in the grip of All-Ireland fervour, his vociferous howling of support and reprimand part of the mammoth wave of passion sweeping over the Gaelic Athletic sporting arena. But he had a gut feeling that something bleak and ominous was unfolding.
On the pitch, the game was reaching a dramatic climax. Croke Park seemed as dark and shadowy as the Callan cinema…not the Gaiety, which hadn’t opened yet, but the smaller one that preceded it. Fans depended on the flashes of lightning to illuminate the scene.
With the sides level, Jimmy Kelly sent the ball hurtling over the bar and the final whistle blew. Kilkenny had
triumphed. Talk of war was quickly forgotten as the fans went wild; sending up a cheer that Seamus thought must have pierced the black clouds and maybe even the veil that separated Heaven from earth.
He noticed too a rare sight that has been recalled in many an historical and sporting review: The rain had washed away the bright red dye from some of the Cork jerseys.
On the train back to Kilkenny, passengers mixed commentary about the match with forebodings and jokes concerning the likely consequences of war in Europe. Some speculated that the Germans would drop poison gas from aircraft on the whole of Britain and maybe Ireland too, “and kill the whole lot of us”. Others bewailed the plight of Poland, which was that very day being pulverised by German tanks and planes.
An elderly man quipped: “Tis a terror. Kilkenny won the match, and we’re delighted, but someone always has to lose. Cork were beaten today, and Poland will be beaten before long.”
A joker sitting in the carriage alongside Seamus laughed resignedly and moaned: “well, we’ve had the storm, now I suppose we’ll get the troopers!”
(Extract from my book Are we invaded yet?
A ban on the slaughter of healthy calves within the rst eight weeks of their life will come into e ect before the end of the year. is includes on-farm slaughter, approved slaughterhouses and the intentional abandonment or knowingly transferring them for the purposes of slaughter.
e price of farmland is to rise by 8% on average in 2023, underpinned by a strong dairy sector, according to a new survey by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI), who say prices will be driven by the constrained supply of land for rental and higher anticipated demand, particularly from the dairy sector due to new environmental regulations.
However, experts from Teagasc note that milk prices have fallen back somewhat this year.
One respondent told the survey: “Demand has continued to outstrip supply for land, dairy farmers are cash rich and if there is opportunity to buy land locally, they are in a position to make signi cant o ers on land.”
is common response suggested dairy farmers are also going to continue to require more land due to nitrate and environmental changes.
e 2023 leasing market is beginning to see signs of rental value increases settling, however it is still expected national rental prices will continue to increase at an average of 14%.
Looking at 2022, the survey found national average nonresidential farmland prices last year ranged from €5,564 per acre for poor quality land — up 5% from €5,308 in 2021 — to €11,172 pan acre for good quality land — up 2% from €10,962 the previous year.
According to the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland/ Teagasc Agricultural Land Market Review and Outlook Report 2023, the Central Statistics O ce data shows that the share of agricultural land, which transacts for sale annually, is only around 0.5pc and this is one of the main reasons
e ban is part of an interim update to the Bord Bia Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS), as seen by the Farming Independent. According to the report: “It is the responsibility of the herd owner to take all reasonable steps to implement the provisions of this criterion.
“If a non-conformance has
been raised, a calf breeding and management plan must be put in place and implemented. is plan should be equivalent to the Bord Bia Calf Breeding and Management template.
“ e plan must be acknowledged by the milk purchaser representative and completed on an annual
basis until issues are resolved,” the report says.
Producers are also now required to immediately inform Bord Bia if the herd receives an animal welfare enforcement action under the Animal Health and Welfare Act. Bord Bia warned scheme membership may be suspended in the event of a
non-conformance with the new measures.
Latest data from the Department of Agriculture shows that 28,955 calves have been slaughtered so far this year. Of the 1.53 million dairy calves born on Irish farms this year, approximately 1.89% were sent to slaughter.
for the strong agricultural land letting market which exists here.
In Munster, where land rental values increased on average by 13% last year, prices per acre ranged from €241 for grazingonly to €383 for potato crops. In Leinster, rental values increased on average by 9% and ranged from €248 for grazingonly to €439 for potatoes. In Connacht/Ulster, land for grazing, meadowing and silage increased by 5% to €176 per acre and for grazing-only by 1% to €162.
According to the survey of 134 auctioneers and valuers from all over the country, the volume of land sold last year was similar to 2021, with executor/probate sales providing the main source of farmland sales.
Peter Murtagh, Chair of the SCSI’s Rural Agency Committee, said strong demand for good quality land from dairy farmers is driving the market.
“Eighty three per cent of agents in our survey believe there is likely to be an increase in demand from dairy farmers to purchase farmland in 2023 and they are continually ranked throughout the survey as being the most likely purchasers of land across the country.
“However, as outlined in this report, it’s also likely that changes to the European Nitrates Directive, particularly measures aimed at protecting water quality, will have an impact on land prices, especially rental prices.”
Mr Murtagh also said that last year was also a good year for tillage farmers and Leinsterbased auctioneers and valuers said demand for good arable land or land close to any sizeable dairy farms attracted strong interest and competitive bidding.
e event 100K in 30 Days has teamed up with the Marie Keating Foundation to support their vital breast cancer services and organisers are calling on the people of Kilkenny to sign-up for the June event of covering 100 kilometres in 30 days.
Marie Keating lost her life to breast cancer 25 years and her son Ronan Keating will be running 100K across the 30 days of June to raise awareness and show support for the foundation he and his siblings set up in her name.
Joining Ronan in the challenge is his wife Storm, children Missy and Jack, Dancing with the Stars
Judge Arthur Gourounlian, Today FM presenter Dara Quilty, broadcasters Glenda Gilson, Norah Casey, Laura Woods and Anna Daly, to name but a few.
is is the fourth year of the event and to date more than €4 million has been raised for breast cancer services in Ireland, including the state-of-the-art Clinical Trial Centre in the new Breast Centre at Beaumont Hospital.
Ronan Keating told e Kilkenny Observer: “We are delighted to team up with 100K in 30 Days in aid of e Marie Keating Foundation’s vital breast cancer services. We lost Mum 25
years ago, she was just 51. Mum’s cancer was one of the most curable forms of breast cancer but unfortunately she didn’t know enough about it. at’s why it’s crucial that we get the message out there of the importance of early detection, it can save your life!
“So much money has been raised by so many people over the last three years and e Marie Keating Foundation are very grateful to be the chosen charity for the 2023 100k in 30 Days challenge, and we will do all we can to make this the best year yet.”
Liz Yeates, CEO of the Marie Keating Founda-
tion and a breast cancer survivor, said: “Some of the breast cancer services provided by the Marie Keating Foundation that will bene t from this year’s event include our community nursing service, Schools Cancer Awareness Programme, , Comfort Fund, BRCA Peer To Peer Support, Survive and rive Programmes and Positive Living Workshops.”
Steven McKenna, CEO of Sherry FitzGerald, said: “Our 550 employees from over 100 o ces around the country eagerly anticipate this event in June.”
* Registration now open at www.100kin30days.ie
Irish beef is back in the Chinese market with the rst shipment from Ireland having arrived into Shanghai.
In January the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine con rmed the resumption of Irish beef exports to China following a suspension in May 2020 due to an isolated case of atypical BSE.
e lifting of the suspen-
sion by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) has paved the way for an extensive relaunch and promotional campaign by Bord Bia’s Shanghai o ce for the coming months.
Speaking from Shanghai, Bord Bia’s China Manager Conor O’Sullivan said: “We are delighted to welcome Irish beef back into the Chinese market after a
suspension of almost three years. Bord Bia is now engaged in an Irish beef relaunch campaign focusing on trade seminars, chef demonstrations, and media engagement. Over the next month, we will be exhibiting at two major international meat trade shows in China – the China International Meat Industry Exhibition (CIMIE) and SIAL China in
May– to showcase Irish beef .” Foodservice remains the primary channel for beef consumption in China, with frozen beef making up an estimated 60% of the total consumption.
Bord Bia’s Insight and Planning Specialist for Asia, Evelyn Chiang, said a key trend emerging was the preference for chains of restaurants to use imported beef.
Photos: Kilkenny Observer newspaper
On Friday of last week, e Kilkenny Observer received an invitation to attend a co ee morning at St Mary’s Day Care Centre at Haughney Green. An invitation we were delighted to accept. e invite came from former Brewery employee Eamon Corcoran, who, along with his wife Mary were raising funds for Kilimanjaro direct.
Kilimanjaro Direct (KD) is a charity that has built 14 houses and a primary school in the foothills of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. e school is run on donations alone. KD provides food and education for twenty two impoverished children. e ethos of the
charity is that 100% of all donations go directly to the running of the school and not one cent is taken for expenses or administration fees.
e driving force behind the charity is former Presentation convent teacher Sheila Ryan, who now spends her time fundraising for, and working with those in need.
In 2007 and the charity, Kilimanjaro Direct, was born. Since then a school, the Liberty English Medium Primary School, has been set up and 14 homes have been built.
A message was sent on the morning from Sheila which read: “I am so grateful to people for their support and donations”, thank you all.
One of the rst to arrive at the co ee morning was
Mayor David Fitzgerald. David said that it never ceased to amaze him how so many people are prepared to help others. “Such is the case here at Mary’s Day care centre with this co ee morning for Kilimanjaro Direct” said the mayor and he congratulated all involved for both organising and supporting the cause.
Organiser of the event Eamon Corcoran thanked all who attended and said that both he and Mary were thrilled with the response.
Mary thanked Supervalu and Lidl from Loughboy for their support and also Marguerite Walsh, Marie Dowd and Laura Mealy for their assistance on the day Mary Wong and Ben Delaney sold Marys fab jewellery which contributed to the co ers.
Well, as described many times, it was a bitter frigid night out in the bleak Five Acre. And now, for Mikey Connolly, it had turned into Siberia.
Be that as it may, he’d have to try something.
“Babsie, I’ll be going soon. You girls must have a plan, and I know nothing of it. It’s no good me carping – your minds are made up. You, the Mollers, and the cat –you’ll all be gone. I don’t deserve anything muchand I can’t complain. I’m being paid out. His brain in turmoil, MC suddenly took an incautious step forward. Suddenly, the phantom Barker’s deep bass voice dropped much further down - to an ominous rumbling pitch: and from this Mikey would swear he sensed –felt - that the
unseen head and jaws turned towards him! All of a sudden, he thought again of his straw-tick bed in the cold house –with terrific fondness! Now, the Babsie spoke again: “Now Mr Connolly, you’d better go, and let us get on with our journey.”
“Speak no more to me. No ‘goodbyes’ – leave them out –and leave now”. Talk to the Mollers, if she’ll let you. Then go straight back to the house. This unseen supernatural lad will shadow you all the way. Don’t even dream of cutting through the Dacent’s fields to warn or gang up with him. You’re a dead little dadser if you do – isn’t that so, Mr Madra?” A rumble like savage October thunder suddenly shook even more icicles of dark chill into the iron-frosted air of the Five Acre! His racketing flying thoughts are now interrupted by the calm {but chilly} Mollers, who simply flings over her shoulder: “Golden good, Babs! You have Mr Connolly dead to rights!”
Then, to the downcast dadser: “I’ll treat you better than you would me, father – if the boot was on the other foot. So have a last word, if you want to. Be sharp, and keep your distance.”
Silence for a few seconds, then Mikey spoke. No aggression, just a weary, beaten voice. “Molly, you’ll hardly believe me when I say I regret how I’ve treated you two. I can’t stop you now – and I won’t try again. You can cross me off the list of the dangers that surely face you. But I want to warn you about the Paudhaun: he’s very dangerous. And that mother of his? A pure serpent! She has no fear of any law – she’ll hunt him after you.
“So don’t rule out another ambush, somewhere along whatever lonely road you girls take. He’s got a ‘Twelve Bore’ shotgun – much bigger than that Four Ten. Would he use it? Don’t know. Believe me, I’m desperate ashamed for ‘selling you
off’ to him. You may not know, but he’s pals with ‘Wild Jiminy’ Finnigan –who built that fast car to go with his racing pony. That gig can outrun any trap, jarvey car, or carriage in the country. And he’ll loan it to the Dacent – they’re pally. That Jiminy’s a caution: but he’s not bad - just mad. The Dacent is both. “Now, Mollers, you mightn’t believe me, but I don’t want that Paudhaun to catch you. I told you about Jiminy Finnigan’s gig – and how fast it is. Whether you’re heading for Queenstown to catch a ship, I don’t know – don’t want to. Dublin to Liverpool is the obvious way: which means you should head in the opposite direction - towards Cork! The Dacent’ll have to choose. But I tell you – if he guesses right, he’ll run you down. If I were you, I’d tip along as handy as I could until just before daylight, then hook it up a side road, and hole up in a haybarn. Plenty of them, everywhere. If dogs bark, go to the next one. Get up top of the ‘spans’, go right to the back, burrow down. Then pull wisps over yourselves, and don’t even whisper.
I couldn’t protect you Mollers if you’re brought back. Even the RIC wouldn’t interfere because of the dowrypaper I signed. “However, if you make it, and stay away until you’re twentyone, then the Dacent can do nothing. But he’s dangerous, Mollers – I can’t tell you that enough times. He’ll do anything to get you. I didn’t just sign you away for the gold, Moll – I was afraid of the Dacent. I thought he might burn the house down and kill us all.”
“Right-oh, father, you’ve had your say. Pity it’s the first attempt you’ve made to put anything straight. But it’s rather a late try, don’t you think, go now while you still can.
Now, as big sis stood silent, Babsie thought on, in silence. She knew that the defeated dadser must be almost home, and though feeling wretched over the breakup, Molly’d still ordered him to light the oil lamp – their Mammy’s treasured possession, and put it in their bedroom window - to prove he was back in the house. She’d also warned him to put the light out and relight it every few minutes – to make sure he wasn’t after sloping off
to warn the Dacent about where he thought his runaway children were heading.
After Molly gave him the ‘lamp signal’ instructions, Babsie had slipped in a few quiet words. “Heed the Mollers, Mikey: my magic hound here will be only the shake of a tail behind you. He knows the way back there, so don’t get tricksy - don’t get dangerous ideas.
“Well, Babsie, it looks like we’re on our way at last, out of this freezing Five.
Are you ready to make a cut for the Tree Bridge? It’s open ground to there, no cover at all. And I only have one cartridge left for this Four Ten.
“I can’t see much, but things don’t look too bad out there in the open, Babs” said Molly, “we have no option, anyway –time is moving on – and we won’t sprout wings. Let’s head for the river, right now.” …….
To be continued….
Disclaimer
On ursday 20 April, Bishop Aidrian Wlikinson , his wife Jacqui, and members of e Church of Ireland community assembled at city hall. e occasion was a reception, hosted by the Mayor of Kilkenny David Fitzgerald to welcome Adrian to the city in his role as the new bishop of the Church of Ireland.
e attendance listened as various speakers paid tribute to the newly elected bishop and welcomed him to Kilkenny.
Mayor Fitzgerald spoke of the wonderful kindness shown to him and his fellow councillors over the years and said that no matter what the occasion, they were always met with kindness and friendship when they attended various events at St Canice’s cathedral.
Bishop Wilkinson spoke of the welcome he had already received from people he had met and he had no doubt that both he and his wife Jacqui would feel very much at home in Kilkenny.
Adrian Wilkinson, succeeds the Rt Revd Michael Burrows, who was translated as Bishop of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe on 14th April 2022, following his election to that role in January of this year.
e Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland, said: ‘I am delighted that Archdeacon Wilkinson has been elected Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory. Ahead lies a most fruitful time for the bishop to get to know the clergy and people of the diocese and to establish him in the wider community of Kilkenny, Waterford and the South East. May God guide and equip Bishop Adrian in the days and months ahead as he embarks on his episcopal ministry in the Church of God.’
Speaking after his election Bishop Wilkinson said : “I am humbled and honoured to have been elected Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory. While I will be sorry to leave Cork, a place where I have served very happily for over twenty years, I look forward to this new chapter in ministry. My childhood years were spent in Cashel, Ferns and Ossory and I look forward to working with the clergy and people there in the years ahead, as we proclaim our faith in word and action.’
Bishop Wilkinson is married to Jacqui, who is lecturer in teacher education at the Church of Ireland Centre at Dublin City University, and they have three grown–up children – two sons and a daughter. He graduated in geography and sociology from Trinity College Dublin before training for ordination, and his interests in his free time are walking, travel and reading.
pink/purple owers and is generally associated with freshwater habitats.
It is one of our most aggressive invasive plants and has taken over large areas of river bank in the Nore catchment. Each plant produces 100s of seeds which disperse by a dramatic explosion and spread quickly. Seeds can stay viable for two years.
Plants die back in winter time and appear again from April onwards. It has a very small root system and that coupled with the winter die back means that it o ers very poor bank stabilization and adds to erosion. It also blocks out our native river bank plants such as Yellow Cress and Summer Snow ake
Nore Vision has been working over the last few years to manage the species with a number of community training events. is year we are asking everyone in the Nore and its tributaries to report stands of the plant to us via invasives@norevision.ie
We will work with volunteers and communities to coordinate the removal of the plants in accordance with guidelines from the National Parks and Wildlife Service. e window for removing the plants is relatively small as the seeds start to appear in July and its best not to touch the plants from then on as it may cause additional dispersal of seeds.
Himalyan Balsam (known as Kiss me on the Mountain in some places) is an invasive species brought to Europe from Asia by the Victorians. It is Native to Pakistan, India and Nepal and was introduced to Ireland as ornamental Plant. It has an attractive
announcing a one-o payment for older people, which is a short-term solution that does not protect older people from the e ects of in ation going forward, including lost spending power on their pension that will add up to €1,242 in 2023,” said Celine Clarke, Head of Advocacy and Public A airs, Age Action.
“Many older people have low, xed incomes, and most rely heavily on the State Pension as the foundation of their income. When the State Pension is not adjusted to keep up with in ation or changes to average earnings, we see more older persons falling behind, including thousands falling into poverty,” said Dr Nat O’Connor, Policy Specialist at Age Action.
and indexed
to keep up with in ation and average earnings. e below-in ation €12 increase in the State Pension announced in the Budget 2023 was a political choice to cut the living standards of older people. Age Action raised concerns with the government
When you consider the amount of time and energy our now senior citizens gave to make Ireland one of the richest nations in the world we believe it is an embarrassment and an indictment to all the governments that we have had in this nation as they kept putting the pension crisis on the long nger or should we say like everything else ‘kicking the pension can down the road’.
e gap between those who have and those who have not is increasing yearly. e reason many of us have to live just on the OAP is because during our working lives the cost of the pension contributions were too high. Do I pay a private pension contribution or put the food on the table?, help our children to go to third level education so they could have a better life than ours? And who controlled the costs we had to pay? and I remember the days of 17%+ interest rates.
We supplied the young adults who now attract the multi nationals to Ire-
land. Maybe consider diverting this incredible windfall from corporation tax to the state pension co ers. I have often heard our public representatives talk about the pension time bomb. One in particular, who will remain nameless went to New York on a speaking engagement. During his talk he stated the time will come when Ireland will not be able to pay the state pension. It seemed to slip his mind that he has a lifelong Public servant, now with a EU Pension, and UN salary plus Pension to come is actually claiming his Irish public service pension from the same dwindling pot. Why did he not say “the time will come when Ireland will be unable to pay the very generous pensions to our past positions and ministers“, or are they exempt from the coming re-sale. Here are some interesting and worrying statistics
Key Findings of the SILC Survey
SILC 2022 shows that overall risk of poverty in Ireland in 2022 was 13.1%, but it was 19% for older persons (aged 65+). is means that over 140,000 older persons are living at risk of poverty, at least 55,000 more than the previous year.
One in three older persons living alone (33.6%), the majority of whom are women, were at risk of poverty, up from one in ve in 2021 (21.5%). Enforced deprivation among older persons rose by more than half, from 8.4% in 2021 to 12.7% in 2022. Consistent poverty among older persons rose by a third, from 2.5% in 2021 to 3.3% in 2022.
Let us ensure no matter who is our next government our ‘Grey Vote ‘ will be heard and our Pension raised and indexed linked Twilight Community Group Seniors Group
WHAT de nes a small business?
Google tells us
“Small business is de ned as a privately owned corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship that has fewer employees and less annual revenue than a corporation or regular-sized business”. Is that all? No, there is so much more. It’s the personal touch, that extra attention to detail, the friendliness, and the little things they do to make you want to do business with them again.
Be it your local neighborhood shop, the ever present shop or service on your main street, the trades person you can depend on or the craftsperson, service provider you can turn to and know you are getting the best from the best and being looked after.
Being local means that the small business or enterprise depends on local support to survive. ey are mostly family owned or friends in partnerships, who decided to forgo the relative safety of being an employee and took (and take every day) the uncertain step to being self-employed. ey are risk takers, and they are also your family, friends, and neighbors who go about their business every day to help make your life a little easier,
more comfortable, rewarding and happy. It could be the convenience of the location of their premises, the hours they work, their availability, and the personal touch you know you will get. All these things matter but you know you will get a smile and acknowledgement, and gratitude from these people because they care and you are important to them.
Small businesses are the backbone of our society,
they create a local economy, support local neighborhoods. Generate jobs and training for our workforce. Pass on skills, experience and know how. As they invest in their business they invest in our society, generating revenue for local and national Government agencies, which is what keeps our country going. Running a small business is not easy but it can be rewarding. With rewards beyond
nancial, the rewards can include the pride that is felt in knowing you are doing something special for someone be it making a cup of co ee or making a gift, or making somebody feel special or good about themselves.
Small businesses are everywhere, in our towns, cities, villages and countryside. ey provide services from the creative to the everyday, the essential to the mundane . ings
we need daily, things we need occasionally to things we hope we never need but know they are there when we do and are glad of the support.
e personal touch small business provides is what helps make them unique, their willingness to help, their eye to detail, that freedom to go beyond what is expected, their willingness to listen and get things right. e small things, the big things, all that is
necessary to create an experience that you will be part of to enjoy, savor and bene t from.
Many small businesses are interwoven one business providing the raw materials, goods or services for the other. In the end they have you in mind working in unison to provide an end product for you the consumer. eir skills are many and varied but all have an end goal of providing the very best service or product that they can. eir abilities are wide ranging they not only practice their profession but will have had to master an ability to understand and know many skills involved in running a business. Although they will engage other skilled people to carry out certain duties, the small business owner will have the capability to multi task in their daily operations and have a willingness to take on any job that is necessary to complete their end goal. Small business owners are a big part of our economy, a bigger part of our daily lives. ey are the people who go a big way to help us every day. ey are the glue that holds our society together, without them we would not function as an economy. ey are the “go to people” we will need in our lives, always.
Gwen Walsh is a trained local Milliner. She has run her own full time Millinery business for the last 18 years, based at her studio at Mullins Mill, Kells, Co. Kilkenny. Side by side with Millinery, Breathnach Designs provides an outlet for many local artists and craftspeople at the shop in Mullins Mill.
With inspiration from the King's River and current trends, Gwen creates individual Ladies Headpieces which are all hand sewn using the highest quality materials. Her designs are ever evolving, incorporating a nostalgic twist, while maintaining a feminine vintage style.
Breathnach Designs is a name fast becoming synonymous with classic glamour and high quality bespoke headwear. For occasions such as weddings, christenings, race meets, and other formal events, Breathnach Designs has an option for everyone!
Hat Hire is now available starting at only €30! Gwen also runs her own Millinery classes on a regular basis, in which booking is essential. For a free consultation please phone Gwen at 083 454 4484 to set up an appointment.
e Cookie Co-op are excited to soon launch e Cookie Co-op Retail Experience at their premises at Unit 2, Regency Court on Friary Street. e retail experience will cater for on-the-go breakfasts, lunches, co ees and other beverages, as well as a wide selection of their ever-popular sweet treats!
At e Cookie Co-op, artisan confectionery is hand-crafted with nesse and care. is attention to detail and time spent perfecting the signature taste has led to their products becoming well-known and much-loved by their customers.
e Cookie Co-op is a family business, led by local Kilkenny man Brian Walsh.
e business rst began trading in July 2020 at the local Farmers’ Market in Kilkenny. From there, they have developed a wholesale supply business for cafés across the South East and beyond, as well as introducing a nationwide next-day delivery system. Using DPD, the cookies can be enjoyed by customers all across the country. eir online shop on their website has
become a popular option for those wishing to gift loved ones anywhere in Ireland with a treat box of delicious goodies.
e business trades weekly at Kilkenny Farmers’ Market on a ursday and Saturday, as well as at Mountain View Markets in Ballyhale, County Kilkenny on a Sunday. You may have seen their brand at many of the major celebrations in Kilkenny City, with their treats being a regular feature at festivals such as St. Patrick’s Festival, YuleFest
and Savour Kilkenny. Brian and all of the team are looking forward to welcoming you through the doors of e Cookie Co-op very soon. Keep an eye on their social media for announcements about opening dates and further details!
Social Media: @the_cookie_co_op Website: www.thecookiecoop.ie Get in touch: info@thecookiecoop.ie
Rosedale is a voluntary nonpro t organisation with Board of Management comprising of members from the local community and was founded in 1986 to provide care for the elderly of the area who could no longer live safely at home. Rosedale Residential Home is registered as a support home for the elderly and is regulated by HIQA.
e Complex is managed by a competent and professional team of carers providing a high level of personal support and companionship in a family-oriented atmosphere and o ers:
1. Assisted Living for up to fteen low dependency residents needing help with the activities of daily living, but still wishing to live as independently as possible.
2. Sheltered Housing facilities comprising sixteen independent living homes especially designed to suit the needs of elderly tenants. All homes are semi-detached and single storey, opening onto well-manicured gardens. Rosedale provides a warm, safe and caring environment for each resident, while they are being helped with the activities of daily living. e quality of personal care assures families that they are doing their very best for their elderly parents or relatives. Rosedale certainly delivers on its mission of providing a ‘home from home’ residence for low dependency older persons in a friendly, caring, and sharing environment.
Association
Park View Drive. Michael, whose
ing career was spent in the Department of Agriculture, was a great in uence in many theatre groups across
the country as an actor and director and even performed as the Bull McCabe in J.B Keane’s “ e Field” alongside the Ceann Comhairle Seán O Fearghail many years ago. He was also an active inspirational participant in the Kilkenny Toastmasters group.
Michael’s friends, neighbours and colleagues attended the unveiling in large numbers with Michael’s wife Geraldine Fennelly-Casey overwhelmed that he would be so greatly honoured with
the memorial bench in this way in his local community.
e Residents Committee were delighted to have Mayor David Fitzgerald and Fr. Jim Murphy there for the unveiling, and would like to express their appreciation to everyone who has been involved in the project. Also a special thanks to the children that attended and to Saoirse Hayes for reading a beautiful poem and Kate Cunningham on presenting owers to Michael’s wife Geraldine.
health and well-being.
Can’t host a tea day this year? You can still support dementia care and services by making a donation on teaday.ie
The ASI and Ambassadors
Bryan Murray and Una Crawford-O’Brien call on the people of Kilkenny to have the most powerful cup of tea of the year on Thursday, May 4th.
Actor Bryan Murray was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease three years ago and he and Una are asking everyone to get involved with local Tea Day events in their homes, gardens, workplaces, schools, local community centres or somewhere special. There are an estimated 1,413 people living with dementia in Kilkenny.
Each Year more than 11,000 people develop the disease across the country – at least 30 people every day. Raising a cup and some money allows People Living With Dementia like Bryan to continue to live in their communities.
Many of the ASI day care
centres nationwide will celebrate with Tea Day parties in May.
ASI services provide necessary reprieve for people with Dementia and their families, and allow family carers time for themselves for their own needs and
For more information, contact the ASI Communications Manager, Hugh O’Donoghue: hugh.odonoghue@ alzheimers.ie or telephone 085 8567143/The ASI Communications Officer, Niamh Burke at Niamh. burke@alzheimers.ie or telephone 086 0295634
Prep: 40 mins
Cook: 40 mins
Slices: 8
A crisp pastry case and a just-set creamy lling, quiche is a good solution to any meal dilemma from dinner parties, suppers, picnics and even afternoon tea.
Ingredients
• 25g butter
• 500g small onion, (about 5 in total), halved and nely sliced
• 2 eggs
• 284ml pot double cream
• 140g mature cheddar, coarsely grated
For the pastry
• 280g plain our, plus extra for dusting
• 140g cold butter
Method
STEP 1
To make the pastry, tip the our and butter into a bowl, then rub together with your ngertips until completely mixed and crumbly. Add 8 tbsp cold water, then bring everything together with your hands until just combined. Roll into a ball and use straight away or chill for up to 2 days. e pastry can also be frozen for up to a month.
STEP 2
Roll out the pastry on a lightly
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 1 hr
Serves: 16
is recipe tastes even better with homegrown rhubarb.
Ingredients
• 1 quantity Barney’s roasted rhubarb (see recipe, below method)
• 250g pack butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
• 150g ready-made custard
• 250g self-raising our
• ½ tsp baking powder
oured surface to a round about 5cm larger than a 25cm tin. Use your rolling pin to lift it up, then drape over the tart case so there is an overhang of pastry on the sides. Using a small ball of pastry scraps, push the pastry into the corners of the tin (see picture, above left).
Chill in the fridge or freezer for 20 mins.
STEP 3
Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. While the pastry is chilling, heat the butter in a pan and cook the onions for 20 mins, stirring occasionally, until they become sticky and golden. Remove from the heat.
STEP 4
Lightly prick the base of the tart
with a fork, line the tart case with a large circle of greaseproof paper or foil, then ll with baking beans. Blind-bake the tart for 20 mins, remove the paper and beans, then continue to cook for 5-10 mins until biscuit brown.
STEP 5
Meanwhile, beat the eggs in a bowl,
then gradually add the cream. Stir in the onions and half the cheese, then season with salt and pepper. Carefully tip the lling into the case, sprinkle with the rest of the cheese, then bake for 20-25 mins until set and golden. Leave to cool in the case, trim the edges of the pastry, then remove and serve in slices.
STEP 2
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 250g golden caster sugar
• icing sugar, for dusting
Method
STEP 1
Make the roasted rhubarb rst, carefully draining o the juices
before you let it cool. Butter and line a 23cm loose-bottomed or springform cake tin. Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4.
Reserve 3 tbsp of the custard in a bowl. Beat the rest of the custard together with the butter, our, baking powder, eggs, vanilla and sugar until creamy and smooth. Spoon one-third of the mix into the tin, add some of the rhubarb, then dot with one-third more cake mix and spread it out as well as you can. Top with some more rhubarb, then spoon over the remaining cake mix, leaving it in rough mounds and dips rather than being too neat about it. Scatter the rest of the rhubarb over the batter, then dot the remaining custard over. Bake for 40 mins until risen and golden, then cover with foil and bake for 15-20 mins more. It’s ready when a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Cool in the tin, then dredge with icing sugar when cool.
One of the biggest and best shows on Netflix is getting a new season, more than two years after the second season aired.
Lupin is one of the most popular nonEnglish shows on Net ix. Its rst season currently stands in the top 10 all-time list, at number 9 with a huge 316,830,000 hours watched.
Given the likes of Squid Game, Money Heist and All Of Us Are Dead are above it, it shows just how high the quality is that’s it’s competing against.
Lupin is a French drama, inspired by the adventures of Maurice Leblanc’s Arsène Lupin and follows gentleman thief Assane Diop (Omar Sy) who is out to avenge his father.
It has been a long wait for the third season of Lupin – or Part III as it is being called – with Part II having aired way back in June 2021.
We’ve just had con rmation, though, that Part III is coming, with Net ix tweeting a picture of Diop with the tagline: “Guess who’s back in the city of light?”
is con rmation comes after the bright bods at What’s On Net ix cracked a code about the release date that Net ix was teasing over its social channels – it’s clever stu how they did it and well worth a read. News of a new season of Lupin comes soon after con rmation about what e Du er Brothers will be doing after Stranger ings – the good news is that they are staying with Net ix.
It also comes at a time when Net ix has revealed that it is cracking down on password sharers, hoping to get more people paying for the service.
Lupin is, quite rightly, in our best Net ix shows of all time list – we are big fans and can’t wait for the show to head back to the small screen soon.
Production of a Net ix drama about the ‘news interview of the decade’ with Prince Andrew, Scoop, and starring Gillian Anderson, Keeley Hawes, Rufus Sewell and Billie Piper, has got underway.
It is based on former Newsnight Producer Sam McAlister’s memoir
According to Net ix the drama is about “the inside track of the women that broke through the Bucking-
1.Iris
is romantic spy thriller follows best friends Kim Hyun-jun and Jin Sa-woo who are soldiers in an elite military unit. Separately, they’re both scouted by National Security Service agent Choi Seung-hee who becomes their boss and strikes up a forbidden romance with Hyun-jun. e guys’ friendship is tested as they both fall in love with her. All the while, they’re learning how to become spies for a top-secret organisation that does whatever it takes to protect against threats to South Korea. On Net ix.
2.Kleo
Kleo, a German series that’s also about a female assassin, has a really appealing visual sensibility, and will surprise you with its weird sense of humour.
e fast-paced series follows Kleo Straub (Jella Haase), a young woman who works as an o -the-books contract killer for the Stasi, the East German secret police, in the waning years of the Eastern Bloc. She’s betrayed and arrested for an act of treason she didn’t commit. She spends a few years in prison, but is released after the Berlin Wall falls. Once she’s out, she uses the techniques the Stasi taught her against the former friends who wronged her. On Net ix.
3. Mission: Impossible
Mission: Impossible is the rare franchise where the remake has eclipsed the original, but the original is still totally enjoyable. e 1966 series doesn’t have anything as wild as Tom Cruise hanging o the side of a plane while it takes o , but it will still suck you in if you start watching. It was one of the best shows of its era — it won the Drama Series Emmy twice — and is worth rediscovering if you’re on the hunt for a cool old show with a lot of episodes. e episodic formula should be familiar to anyone who has seen a Mission: Impossible movie. An agent from a mysterious, clandestine spy organisation gets a deathdefying mission, should they choose to accept it.
On Paramount Plus.
4.Patriot
For All Mankind’s Michael Dorman stars as John Tavner, a depressed intelligence agent who moonlights as a singer-songwriter. He goes undercover by getting a job at a Milwaukee-based industrial engineering rm that frequently does business in Luxembourg, where he is to pass along money to support the CIA’s preferred candidate in an upcoming Iranian presidential election. Of course, things do not go as planned — the mission quickly spirals out of control after John’s bag of cash is stolen. His desperate e orts to get the mission back on track never, ever go how you expect them to.
On Amazon Prime Video.
ham Palace establishment to secure the scoop of the decade that led to the catastrophic fall from grace of the late Queen of England’s ‘favourite son’.
From navigating Buckingham Palace vetoes to breaking through to Prince Andrew’s inner circle, the high stakes negotiations and rehearsal intensity – to the jaw- dropping interview itself – Scoop is the insider account of the inner workings
of the palace and the BBC, twin bastions of the British Establishment, spotlighting the journalists whose tenacity and guts broke through the highest of ceilings – and into the inner sanctum and calculations of a man with everything to lose.
Gillian Anderson (Sex Education, e Crown) stars as Emily Maitlis, Newsnight’s former lead presenter who conducted the now infamous television exchange.
Keeley Hawes (Bodyguard, It’s A Sin, Stonehouse) stars as Amanda irsk, former Private Secretary to Prince Andrew. Billie Piper(I Hate Suzie, Collateral, Secret Diary Of A Call Girl) stars as Sam McAlister, who negotiated and secured the bombshell booking. Rufus Sewell ( e Diplomat, e Marvelous Mrs Maisel) stars as Prince Andrew.
Emmy and BAFTA winner Philip Martin ( e Crown).
5.Queen Sono
Queen Sono is a slick spy thriller that was one of Net ix’s rst South African shows. e title character, played by Pearl usi, is an agent for the Special Operations Group, a clandestine organisation that carries out high-stakes missions in Africa. She’s also the daughter of a revered freedom ghter who was assassinated when Queen was a child. So while Queen works to bring down a private military company/crime family, she’s also trying to nd out who killed her mother and bring them to justice. Oh, and her ex-boyfriend Shandu (Vuyo Dabula) works for the evil company now. On Net ix.
As we see it, our youth do not respect their elders, we have asked why? Is it even true?
Now, one of the rst things I noticed is, the next-door neighbours becoming Johnny or Molly? We would never refer to our next-door adult neighbours by their rst names but as Mr and Mrs, when we were kids. When we saw that creeping in, should we have read the tea leaves and saw what was to come? Or this generation would probably google it and get some fancy over quali ed professor to express his opinion of the youth of the day while living in a mansion where the gardener keeps the lawns manicured all year round, and his
of line, hence the phrase “your face looks like a well slapped arse”. Now today, if little Mary has a nervous breakdown in the supermarket when she can’t have the popcorn, zzy drink, or Heineken 00, which is the best example, probably, you have to reason with the child, talk to her/him in a calm and low voice of comfort and listen to try and understand the poor three year olds state of mind. Well, Good Holy God, as the man who sells duck eggs in Glenroe might say, and I am sure he and Miley had numerous heart to heart talks when he wanted a Giftie bar in Micky Macs shop on the main street of the village! Are yah having a laugh? his arse would be more scorched than the faces of our young troopers on their ‘Reward Holiday’ for getting through the Leaving Cert, in Ibiza, after a night sowing their wild oats and now asleep on the beach praying for a crop failure.
as they save to help their parents to cover the fees and more so the accommodation costs. at’s initiative, and initiative is what all business needs, to know you can work remotely and without day to day supervision as remote working is looking like becoming the o ce of the future. It helps personal development. By parents promoting these activities, it is preparing our youth for when they nally leave the nest. at cohort will ring Mam and Dad and invite them over for dinner while our molly coddled generation will probably ring to ask Mam over to do the washing up and Dad to explain why there is no light from the bulb in the bedroom because it has always worked?
own sons lay idle playing with their computers and the 5000 imaginary social media friends.
Now when we were growing up, we played outside together. Imagine that young readers, we played with real people! We went to youth clubs, youth discos, had real girlfriends not reality girlfriends. We learnt about life and we had a living experience, be it good or bad. Let’s just call it the birds and the bees. Today! OMG, it’s full on porn and movies that would make Debbie from Dallas blush! and then the Saturday nights where the boys think that’s what the girl wants and the girl thinks this is what she must do to keep little Johnny happy! and then when Johnny
discovers the little blue pill, he thinks he is the big man on the prowl. Have we stood idly by while we watched standards drop? Or was it because we were told the old way was not the right way to raise our kids. Now, how many of us can remember the red cheeks we got for stepping out
Now, not all are as bad as I have been making out. I see many a young man or woman who are a credit to their parents and the way they have been raised. I understand the issue of slapping a child does seem a bit aggressive, or grounding and making them help around the house with daily chores. Discipline is necessary, and yes, at the right level. But also, is growing up, becoming mature and if we continue to molly coddle our younger generations we will have graduates with more letters after their name that have never worked a day in their life, even part time, and as was reported recently could not gure out the change for a pint when handed a tenner without using their mobile phone calculator.
I admire the young third level student who takes a part time job in a local supermarket, hotel or restaurant
In closing I don’t want to sound too hard on the younger generation but I do believe we have too many dogooders’ who believe it is not right for their child, their opinion and believes are now what is required by Law. at’s a slippery slope. Do we want a certain group of parents telling us that because a book is not suitable in their opinion for their children, no other child can read it? We see the cases in Florida where school libraries have had their books removed. Teachers afraid to suggest, read a passage from a book, in fear of losing their job. Recently it came to Ireland and now we have local Politicians seeing this as a way to get publicity and some national attention.
I remember once reading the following:‘People burn books, and that they ban books, is in a way, a good sign. It’s a good sign because it means books have power. When people burn books, it’s because they are afraid of what’s inside them… ~ Marcus Sedgwick.
One of the great sport, racing and social occassions takes place this week, as e Punchestown Festival brings the curtain down on another National Hunt Season in which Willie Mullins has once again been the dominant force.
e Champion Trainer and Goresbridge native has had another memorable season that culminated with a second consecutive Champion Chase courtesy of Energumene plus a third Cheltenham Gold Cup with Galopin Des Champs on St. Patricks Day. At time of writing both Energumene and Galopin Des Champs were expected to run at the Kildare track on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Willie has been a most dominant force at e Punchestown Festival especially in more recent years, and his most successful Festival came in 2021 where he trained an unprecedent and record breaking 19 winners to Festival glory.
e Punchestown Festivals in 2017 and 2018 saw Willie snatch victory from Gordon Elliott in e Race to be Champion Trainer in which Elliott appeared certain to win in both years.
During the Autumn of 2016, e Champion Trainer su ered a huge blow as he parted ways with the Gigginstown Stud.
However, similar to the Kilkenny hurlers and Brian Cody who bounced back to win All-Irelands in 2006 and 2011 after they were somewhat written o following defeats in the 2005 All-Ireland SemiFinal to Galway and having been well beaten in their quest for 5-in-a-row to Tipperary in the 2010 All-Ireland Final, Willie Mullins displayed adversity and perseverance throughout his most testing period. With Mullins and Gigginstown
One of the more famous races occured back in 2005, when Rathgar Beau trained by Graiguenamanagh native Dusty Sheehy lowered the colours of the great Moscow Flyer in e Punchestown Champion ChaseTwice Cheltenham Champion Chase winner in 2003 and 2005 - following an epic photo nish.
Other memorable moments include the ever popular Limestone Lad with Paul Carberry onboard winning e Champion Stayers Hurdle in 2002 for the Bowe family in Gathabawn, while e Legendary Paddy Mullins - Dad of Willie Mullins - has had great days to remember also in Punchestown.
Paddy's very rst winner as a Trainer came 70 years ago in 1953 when Flash Parade won e famous La Touche Cup.
He was Trainer of the iconic Dawn Run, and who will ever forget the famous match race in 1986 when having just won e Cheltenham Gold Cup, she came out on top with Tony Mullins on board against e Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Buck House.
Paddy trained Noble yne to win e Champion Bumper in 1996 with his son Tom on board, while his son Tony Mullins also trained the winner of e Champion Bumper in 2002 courtesy of Supreme Developer.
Noble yne subsequently defeated Istabraq on his hurdling debut in Punchestown later on that same year(1996), and he was one of only three Horses - Including Limestone Lad - to have defeated e Legendary ree Times Champion Hurdle winner.
e Veteran Trainer also won e Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle with Castlekellyleader in 1996.
Punchestown also hold special memories for Graiguenamanagh native Enda Bolger, as he has won the iconic La Touche Cup over Banks on several occassions both as a Trainer and Rider.
parting ways and losing 60 of his charges to other trainers, Gordon Elliott emerged as a major rival, and he bene ted greatly by picking up most of the Champion trainer's previous brigade.
roughout the 2016-2017 season, Elliott was leading the trainer's Championship all season, and he was Champion elect heading into the end of season Punchestown Festival.
However, that all changed on the penultimate day of the Festival as Willie and his son Patrick combined for a treble which included double Grade 1 success with Wicklow Brave and Bacardys.
ose victories changed the complexion of the outcome completely, as Willie snatched the Championship from his main rival in the most unlikely circumstances, and in the process won a 10th consecutive trainer's title.
A similar outcome transpired 12 months later in 2018, as the Champion trainer enjoyed the most incredible of weeks.
A staggering 18 winners at the
Punchestown Festival which included 9 Grade 1s, and an astonishing 6 winners on Day 2Wednesday - saw him completely overhaul Gordon Elliott as he surged clear on his way to defending the Championship once again.
Two of the old stagers Un De Sceaux and Faugheen were the stars of an amazing week, as they were the most impressive and hugely popular winners of the Boylesports Champion Chase and Champion Stayers Hurdle respectively.
As mentioned, Willie has dominated e Punchestown Festival particularly in recent years, and he has had a particular dominance of e Grade 1 featured races.
Prior to e start of e Festival last Tuesday, he trained e winner of e Champion Chase on 7 occassions, e Gold Cup 6 times including Kemboy in 2019 that provided Ruby Walsh with the perfect nale as he announced his retirement afterwards. Willie has dominated e
Champion Bumper training the winner 11 times with his son Patrick on board for four of those wins.
Meanwhile, he trained the winner of e Champion Stayers Hurdle on 9 occassions with e Brilliant Mare Quevega - e only horse in history to win at e Cheltenham Festival 6 years in succession - winning e Race 4 years in a row from 20102013.
Today's (Friday) featured event is e Champion Hurdle in which Willie has won on 8 previous occassions including Twice Cheltenham Champion Hurdle
Hurricane Fly who won e race in four consecutive years also from 2010-2013, while part of tomorrow's(Saturday) featured action is e Mares Champion Hurdle that has been won 7 times over e last 10 years by e Champion Trainer.
e Punchestown Festival has thrown up many memorable moments over the years, with plenty of local triumphs in the featured Races.
Among the winners were 7 times winner Risk of under owned by the famous actor Sean Connery in which he rode to victory on three occassions(1997, 1998 and 1999).
On e Fringe was one of the best horses that Enda trained and in 2015 and 2016 with Nina Carberry on board, he acheived the unique feat of completing a hat-trick of Festival Hunter Chase victories in Punchestown having also won in Cheltenham and Aintree.
Jiving Jerry was also a Festival winner in 2021 for Jimmy Barcoe and Yvonne Hennessy from Gowran, while Viking Flagship who won twice in the space of 48 hours at e 1993 Festival was Bred in Co. Kilkenny by his orginal trainer Eithne C Holdsworth.
He was mostly trained by David Nicholson and subsequently went on to win consecutive Queen Mother Champion Chases in 1994 and 1995 among a host of other featured races. Having long ago secured a 15th consecutive Trainers Championship, Willie Mullins can expect to nish another superb season on a high with further Grade 1 Triumphs at e Punchestown Festival to add to his ever increasing collection.
WORK AVAILABLE
If anyone is interested in cleaning work in Clara NS, please contact the school at o ice.clarans@gmail.com or at 0567759736.
SUPPORTERS CLUB
Kilkenny GAA Supporters Club. For anyone wishing to join or pay their membership renewal please contact Martin Nolan of Clara at 0862343254. Thanks for the support.
LOTTO
Lotto Results 18th April Numbers drawn. 4, 15, 16. No Jackpot winner. €30 each to Caroline Hoyne, Pam Cummins, Mark Galvin, Caitriona Corr, Bill O Kee e. Thanks to all for your support.
MINOR HURLING
The Clara minors gave their best performance of the season in Muckalee on Monday of last week. However it still wasn’t enough to earn the win as the host club clung on to record a 2-17 to 1-16 victory. A er a Conor Hoyne free had cancelled out the opening Muckalee score, the home side went on a scoring spree and hit an unanswered 2-2 to put them in a very comfortable position. A Tommy Delaney point was then answered by two more Muckalee points and they led by nine. Clara then hit four in a row through Conor Hoyne (2), Dillon Cummins and Bill Kealy. The Muckalee response was emphatic- four in a row of their own against a lone Luke Lawlor e ort. Hal ime Muckalee 2-9 Clara 0-7.
Luke Lawlor found himself more space in the second half and had Clara’s first two points but these were matched by the St. Martins lads. Then Conor Hoyne found the net from a 21 yard free, followed up with a peach of a point and suddenly the gap was down to four. Muckalee pushed it back out to 6 but four Clara points in succession, 3 by Conor Hoyne and one by Eoin Corr, had the deficit down to 2. Some fresh legs might have made a di erence at this stage but unfortunately Clara had the bare 15 players available to them here and Muckalee scored the last two points to seal the win.
With just four players up to the age and small numbers Clara will struggle to gain wins in the Roinn A league this year. But they are gaining ground and come championship time they could cause an upset or two if the draw is kind to them. Best here were goalkeeper Padraic Meany, defenders John Bergin, Hugh Kelly and Alex Firbank, midfielder Conor Hoyne and centre forward Luke Lawlor had a good second half, while Tommy Delaney tried very hard but the ball didn’t run too kindly for him. Team - Pádraic Meany, John Bergin, Hugh Kelly, Tom Murphy. Daniel Ryan, Philip Carrigan, Alex Firbank. Conor Hoyne 1-8, 1-4f, Dillon Cummins 0-1. Bill Kealy 0-1, Luke Lawlor 0-4, Joe Power. Tommy Delaney 0-1, Eoin Corr 0-1, Conor Galvin.
JUNIOR
Clara opened their campaign with a win in Urlingford over the Emeralds. Joe Connolly opened the scoring and although the Emeralds equalised it was soon evident that Clara were the sharper team and four points in a row through Joe Connolly (2), Rory Glynn and Peter Nolan had them cruising even though they were playing against the breeze. Peter Nolan finished the half with 1-3 from play and further points from Killian Phelan and Joe Connolly le Clara 1-9 to 0-4 ahead at hal ime. They were helped in no small measure by 8 bad Urlingford wides, but Clara themselves had seven wides racked up by that stage too.
The poor shooting continued from both sides in the second half but now the Emeralds were much more competitive. In fact a fortunate Peter Nolan goal was crucial in helping Clara stay ahead and when Jim Kehoe finally found the range for the second time in the half to push the lead back to five points it looked like Clara had finally broken their resistance. But the next Emeralds score was a goal and the lead was down to two. Up stepped Killian Phelan to ease the pressure and two more points from Rory Glynn and Ned Langton saw Clara seal a 2-14 to 1-12 victory. Both sides finished with 16 wides and will hope to improve their shot selection in the coming weeks.
Four of last year’s minor team started here for Clara and four more came on and all hurled well. There is a nice mix of old and young in the squad and they could blend into a nice team if they start getting the ball to the man in the right position. Peter Nolan was the star man on show here and the hope is that others will similarly step up in the forthcoming games.
Team - Jason Barcoe, Evan Whearty, Lester Ryan, Zach Lawlor. Alan Coleman, Stephen Quinlan, Brandon Ryan. Jim Kehoe 0-2, Rory O Kee e. Peter Nolan 2-3, Killian Phelan 0-2, Harry Boyle. Sean Carrigan, Joe Connolly 0-4, 0-1 x 65, Rory Glynn 0-2. Subs used Bill Cody, Ben Murphy, Ned Langton, Cian Kelly, Alex McDonald.
SENIOR FOOTBALL
Clara qualified for the senior football championship semifinal by beating Mooncoin 1-11 to 0-12 in top class conditions at home on Sunday evening. This was a thoroughly enjoyable game of football played honestly by two teams that were very evenly matched. Referee Julian O Dwyer contributed handsomely to the spectacle with a very sensible display of whistling. Clara raced out of the blocks and were five points to the good a er 12 minutes. Kevin Nolan, Alan Coleman, Kevin again, Killian Phelan and Sean Carrigan were the scorers and all of them were kicked from play. However Mooncoin came roaring back with five of their own, the first two of them from frees. Sean Carrigan then gave Clara some breathing space, first pointing and then crashing a shot to the roof of the net a er being put in the clear by John Murphy. Mooncoin responded with a point to leave the interval score 1-6 to 0-6. Mooncoin kicked 3 in a row at the start of the second half to tie the game and suddenly seemed to have all the momentum. But Clara got their second wind and four points on the bounce from Peter Nolan, Liam Ryan(2) and impressive substitute Ned Langton put some daylight between the teams again. But Mooncoin came again and two points by them le Clara with that dreaded two point lead with five or six minutes still to play. Clara’s first pointed free of the day by Joe Connolly settled nerves momentarily but another Mooncoin free (they scored five in all) le nerves jangling again. However Clara doggedly defended for the remaining minutes and were thankful also for a great Ciaran Prendergast save earlier in the half when he dived to his le to deflect one out for a 45.
As well as the scorers mentioned, Clara were well served by the Langton cousins Jack and David, Shane Staunton, Tom Ryan, Martin O Connell and Dara Glynn while Sean O Shea and Cian Kelly were great relief for the tired legs they replaced.
Team - Ciaran Prendergast, Tom Ryan, David Langton, Shane Staunton. Liam Ryan 0-2, Jack Langton, Martin O Connell. Alan Coleman 0-1, John Murphy. Dara Glynn, Kevin Nolan 0-2, Killian Phelan 0-1. Joe Connolly 0-1f, Peter Nolan 0-1, Sean Carrigan 1-2. Subs used Sean O Shea, Ned Langton 0-1, Cian Kelly. Harry Boyle, Ben Murphy, Alex McDonald.
COUNTY Well done to Clara’s David Barcoe who starred in Kilkenny minors’ win away to O aly on Sunday in Kilcormac. Davy even managed to score a point from corner back! Kilkenny now face Wexford in the Leinster semifinal. Good luck in that one Davy.
Well done also to co-trainer John Murphy and selector Conor Phelan as Kilkenny seniors romped to an easy win over Westmeath in Nowlan Park on Saturday. Bigger fish to fry next weekend when Galway come to town. Good luck lads.
LOTTO
There was no winner of club lotto (April 18th). Numbers drawn were 2, 7, 11, 17 Bonus 25
Play Now at www.oloughlingaels.com/lotto
Meanwhile, Cian Phelan was introduced as a late sub as Kilkenny won 2-15 to 0-14 against O aly to qualify for a Leinster Semi-Final next weekend.
DISAPPOINTMENT AS MINORS LOSE ALL-IRELAND SEMI-FINAL
Disappointment for Julie Lennon and Aisling Fitzpatrick who were part of The Kilkenny Minor Camogie Panel as they lost 2-8 to 1-7 against Waterford in The All-Ireland Semi-Final in Nenagh on Sunday.
Julie was part of the starting 15 and she was one of Kilkenny’s better performers scoring 0-2 from play.
SIX OF THE BEST AS EMPHATIC MINORS MAINTAIN PERFECT
START
The Young Irelands Minor A Hurling Team maintained their perfect start to The Roinn A League following a 24-point demolition of Mooncoin in Gowran last Monday night week as they won 6-18 to 0-12.
Thomas Langton grabbed the first of Young Irelands goals and they were always in control with Jake Byrne superb in leading The Young Irelands attack. Jake scored 0-7(0-4 frees 0-1’65) as they built up a 14-point lead at half-time. 2-14 to 0-6.
The Second goal came in the 29th minute when Jake Byrne dispossessed an intented Mooncoin clearance to set-up the ever dangerous Mikey Keating, who broke free of two Mooncoin defenders to rifle an unstoppable shot for a brilliantly taken goal. Kieran Timmins added a third goal early in The Second Half to stretch Young Irelands lead further(3-14 to 0-6), before further goals arrived from Mikey Keating again in The 43rd minute and Jake Byrne in The 49th minute with a sensational e ort from an acute angle down by the endline.
A 6th goal arrived late as Young Irelands maintained their perfect start to the season. They faced their toughest test of the season so far as they played Dicksboro away from home on Monday night.
The City Club have won The Minor Roinn A Championship for the past 4 years. Meanwhile, there was also good fortune for The Young Irelands B Team last week as they won 4-10 to 1-8 against Conahy Shamrocks.
U-15 HURLING
The Young Irelands U-15 Roinn Hurling Team had their first defeat of The League as they lost out in a high scoring thriller (4-18 to 2-18) to Erin’s Own of Castlecomer in Gowran last week.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS HURLING
The Gowran Primary School Hurling Team had a 3-5 to 1-3 win away to Gaelscoil Osrai in the latest round of matches in The Roinn A League.
TABLE QUIZ Table Quiz in aid of Gowran National School Sensory Garden on Friday May 5th @9pm in Loughlins Bar, Gowran. Tables of 4, €40 - €10 per person - with Ra le and Finger food on night. Please support this worthy cause.
CHURCH NEWS
FIRST COMMUNION MASS
welcome except Refrigerators. If you need any large items collected please contact Leo 086-8861906 or Tim 086-3441652 and they will arrange collection.
SPLIT THE POT
Well done to Margaret Kelly who won 162 euro, Ann Lennon who won 30 euro and Mick and Ann Dobbyn who won 20 euro. Envelopes are available around the village. If you want to play online with club force please see the clubs Facebook page for details. Thanks again for the continued support.
FUND RAISER
Debra Ireland Fundraiser at the Wheel Inn on May 5th with music by Sean Keane.
TIDY TOWNS
Many thanks to all who are taking on this great endeavour in the town, this week’s task was Castle Street and it is shining a er their work. Thanks also to those carrying out works in other parts of the town in their own time.
GAA AND CAMOGIE
St. Patrick’s GAA- the Minor side had a good win over O Loughlin Gaels but lost to James Stephen’s at home. The Under 21 side played Mullinavat at home in the opening round recording a win at 2-26 to 1-10. The Junior side played Slieverue at home in the All County League losing 2-18 to 0-19. The Junior A side will play Tullaroan at home tonight. The lotto jackpot stands at €20,000 tickets are on sale locally or online. Naomh Brid Camogie Junior team recorded a draw with Erin’s Own in the first round.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
The First Holy Communion is on May 13th this year wishing all making it the very best.
HURLING
Both the minor and under-15 hurlers were in action over the last week in their respective leagues, but unfortunately su ered defeat in both cases. Young Irelands (Gowran) were too strong for the minor side on Tuesday night last in Gowran. Despite an early goal from Eoin Dunne to lead at half-time, the home side soon took control in the second half and recorded a 4-10 to 1-8 victory. The under-15 side were second best to Lisdowney on Tuesday night last in Lisdowney
MINOR TEAM: Tommy Mulhall, Tadhg Hennessy, Conor Hennessy, Killian Lacey, Rory Rhatigan, John Kennedy, Darragh Horgan, Jake Dooley, Andrew O’Connor, Ben Duggan, Eoin Dunne, Jack Rhatigan, Patrick Kennedy, Daniel Mooney, David Ring, Adam Morrissey, Brian Phelan, Finn Sherman, Joe Boland, Billy Rowe, Neil Webster.
Promotors Draw.
1. Mags and Dinny. 2. Jim Rohan c/o Neil Loy. 3. Pat Carroll c/o Brian Murphy. 4. Michael O’Halloran. 5. Margaret Cummins c/o Mick Nolan. 6. Michael Murphy c/o Mick Nolan. 7. Tash and Robbie c/o Paddy Greene. 8. Derek Cleere c/o online. 9. Niamh Carroll c/o Online.
10. Lisa Brett c/o Online. Thank you for your continued support
U13s COUNTY CHAMPIONS
Our latest County Champions. Well-done to our u13s and Management Team who won the Roinn A Football Championship Final on Friday evening at Danesfort. A huge performance insured a comfortable win in the end resulting in a very happy St. John’s support. With a taste for success we look forward to what these lads can bring to the summer season ahead. Hon the Loughs. Sponsors: McCarthy Eurospar Ireland
PLAYER NEWS
We’ll done to all our players who continue to line out with Kilkenny Teams at various grades. This weekend the u16s Camogie Leinster Champion’s draw to a close and we wish u16 Players Ena Lawlor and Síofra O’Leary the best of luck when their team take on Wexford on the A Final on Monday at the Kells Rd. Iveta Vasiliuskaite lines out in the Shield Final against Carlow in Fenagh on Sunday a ernoon. The best of luck to all our players and continued success in the black and amber jersey.
THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
Congratulations to the 76 children of 5th and 6th class who made their confirmation.
BINGO
Sunday nights in Cleere’s pub at 7pm. €6 a book.
BROTHERS LEAD SEVEN GOAL JUNIORS TO LANDSLIDE WIN
JJ Kavanagh and Sons Junior A Hurling League Round 2. Young Irelands Gowran 7-22 Carrickshock 1-15
The Young Irelands Junior A Hurlers got their season o to a superb start following a 25-point annihilation of Carrickshock on Sunday, as The Carey brothers Dylan and Killian led the way with a combined total of 4-12.
Dylan scored 3-7(0-4 frees), while Killian’s 1-5 included three long distance frees.
The opening quarter was even with Carrickshock leading 1-4 to 1-3 as Dylan scored the first of his goals early on, but once Killian pounced for Young Irelands Second goal in the 20th minute they took control a erwards, and they led 2-10 to 1-7 at half-time with Gavin Manning, Jimmy Lennon and Diarmuid Langton also on target.
The trio, in particular were central to Young Irelands resounding victory. Diarmuid (A Minor last year) was exceptionally dominant in midfield as his driving runs caused Carrickshock endless amount of problems, with Jimmy Lennon’s gra ing providing the perfect back-up.Gavin Manning operating at Centre-Forward scored 0-3 from play, while his general play all round was superb as he o en dropped back to play The Quarter-Back role to perfection. He was the perfect playmaker.
Daniel Manning grabbed himself a brace of goals early in The SecondHalf as Young Irelands put the match beyond Carrickshock’s reach. 4-10 to 1-8.
Another of last years Minors Ben Phelan came to the fore during the second-half as he scored 1-3, with the goal coming in the 41st minute.
Young Irelands 6th goal in the 50th minute was a spectacular e ort from distance by Dylan Carey, before Dylan completed his hat-trick of goals and Young Irelands 7th overall in injury-time. Davy Holland also got his name on the scoresheet a er coming on as a substitute.
Meanwhile, The Young Irelands Junior F Team bounced back from the disappoinment of losing to Mullinavat with a convincing 4-15 to 0-9 win in Carrigeen last Friday night.
YOUNG IRELANDS JUNIOR A TEAM V CARRICKSHOCK: Peter Hutchinson, Michael Lennon, Emmet Byrne(Captain), Eoin Walsh, Charlie Fitzgerald, Sean Middleton, Martin Carter, Jimmy Lennon(0-2), Diarmuid Langton(01), Patrick Brennan, Gavin Manning(0-3), Ben Phelan (1-3), Daniel Manning(2-0), Dylan Carey (3-7 0-4 frees), Killian Carey(1-5 0-3 frees),
PADDY PLAYS PART AS U-20S WIN AGAIN
Paddy Langton played a solid match and scored an important point during the Third Quarter as Kilkenny held o a late revival from Dublin to win 1-21 to 2-16 in a thriller in UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday.
The final First Communion Preparation Mass was celebrated on Sunday. Celebrant was Canon Pat Dalton, PP. He thanked all who helped arrange the masses and took an active part in the celebrations. First Communion will be held on Saturday 13th May in St Bennett’s Church.
MASS TIMES
Wednesday and Friday 10.30am.
SYMPATHY
Sympathy is extended to Seamie Kelly and his wife Kathleen on the untimely death of their daughter, Eva. Formerly from Killarney Cross, Seamie and his family lived in Kilmacow.
Eva passed away peacefully on Sunday, at University Hospital Waterford. Sadly missed by her loving son Darragh, parents Seamus and Kathleen, brother, Alan, sister-in-law Kate, nephew Henry, niece Lorna and the extended Kelly and Walsh families and her cherished friends.
LOTTO
No winner of Jackpot last week. Numbers, 3, 21, 22, 25. Jackpot now €6, 700.00. Consolation Prizes, Breda Ryan, Blackwell, Will Leahy, Kilkenny, Tara Murphy, Bohergaddy, Shangarry Syndicate, David Phelan, Hillview.
ART
Art sessions continue each Monday in the Community Centre under tutor Julie Moorhouse.
GATHERING GROUP
The Bennettsbridge Gathering group paid a visit to neighbouring Danesfort Going Strong. It was a very enjoyable get together and they were made very welcome.
CAMOGIE
Congrats to the Bennettsbridge girls who represented Kilkenny at the weekend in the U14 development squads. Erin and Holly played on the Amber squad and Katie on the Stripes squad both winning their matches in Wexford. Lauren played on the Black squad who lost out to Waterford. Well done to all the girls.
GAA
Intercounty Hurling. The club was represented by David Blanchfield in the senior and Bill Hughes in the under 20 championships last weekend with both teams having good wins, best wishes to the lads in the upcoming games next weekend.
Club Hurling. The junior B team had a very good win away to Fenians in the league, the junior E team drew with Emeralds las Tuesday night. The minors lost out to Tullogher and The Rower. Our under 11 team played very well in the CBS tournament in Dicksboro at the weekend. The seniors begin with a Byrne cup game against Clara at home next Saturday. Please see the Kilkenny GAA website for all club fixtures and changes.
MEMBERSHIP 2023
Membership for 2023 is now being collected by registrar Samantha McGarry or any committee member. Membership remains the same as last year. 120 for adult players, 80 for student players and 40 euro for non-playing members. Early payment would be most appreciated as the bills for 2023 start to come in.
BUY A BRICK CAMPAIGN
We are in our fourth year of our “buy a brick” campaign. Thanks to every-one who has supported so far. Anyone new who wishes to contribute please see BBGAADEV@gmail.com. All contributions go towards club development and repayment of the loan on the club house as quickly as possible.
ONLINE DRAW
The first online draw of 2023 is still live with less than ten tickets le . 100 tickets only will be sold with 700 euro going to the winner. Tickets cost 10 euro. Please see the clubs Facebook and twitter pages for details of the link to play. The draw will take place as soon as the tickets are sold. Thanks for the continued support.
CAMOGIE NIGHT AT THE DOGS
The camogie club is running a Dog Night in Kilkenny track on Friday 12th of May. This is the clubs main fundraiser for the year. All support greatly is appreciated.
SCRAP COLLECTION Bennettsbridge GAA club are having a scrap metal collection on Saturday 6th May. You can drop o your unwanted scrap metal/copper from 10am to 12pm at the GAA grounds. All scrap metal items are
UNDER-15 TEAM: Neil Webster, Rory Dunne, Tadgh Hennessy, Rory Rhatigan, Ceirin Murphy, Finn Sherman, Darragh Horgan, Rory Sherman, Patrick Kennedy, Joe Boland, Jack Rhatigan, Billy Rowe, Adam Morrissey, Michael Lawler, Brian Phelan, Padraic Quinn, Camryn Kenehan, Bobby Dooley, James Byrne, MJ Buggy.
In adult hurling action, the Junior E side played Erin’s Own in Canon Kearns Park on Sunday last and recorded their first win of the year. Three first half goals set Conahy up for victory and a fourth goal late on from Billy Mulhall ensured the win on a 4-9 to 0-18 score line.
TEAM: Andy O’Kee e, Peter Harding, Tom Nolan, Cian Harding, Damien Cuddihy, Darragh Hennessy, Kieran Brennan, Frank Gunner, Sean Brennan, Padraig Conway, Declan Buggy, Tom O’Shea, Billy Mulhall, Michael Bergin, Brian Rossiter, Jack Kelly, Conor Brennan.
BÓRD NA NÓG AND CAMOGIE FUNDRAISER
Conahy Camogie Club and Conahy Shamrocks Bórd na nÓg are jointly hosting a “Bring and Buy” Sale on this Saturday morning, April 29th from 9.00 to 12.30. All are welcome to donate any unwanted hurls, helmets, playing gear. Donations of a minimum of €5 are welcome from those who buy any items available.
CLUB LOTTO
The numbers drawn in the Conahy Shamrocks GAA Club Lotto were 4, 7 and 28. There was no jackpot winner so the consolation prize winners were Laura Dalton, Eoin Carroll, Danny Webster, Michael Molloy, Michael Harding. The promoters’ prize winners were Margaret Buggy, Larry Bergin and Helen Cahill. This week’s jackpot now increases to €3,000.
FEILE LACHTAIN 2023
All roads lead to St. Lachtain’s Church of Ireland on Friday night for a Night of Nostalgia. Freshford’s bands and musicians will be remembered with an emphasis on the performers over the last fi y years including The Lords and Looney Tunes. Music will be provided by Super Noodles and Friends. The relaunch of the museum will also take place during Friday’s event when new displays will be unveiled. Admission is free with an 8.00 p.m. start.
FLEADH CEOL
The annual Fleadh Cheoil was held in Freshford last weekend. It started on Friday evening with set dancing and sean nos competitions and Ceili in Community Hall followed by kitchen session in Kavanaghs bar. On Saturday there was free music therapy workshop and ceili dance workshop. Multi instrumental workshops also for junior musicians and Irish entertainment show with local and visiting artists in St.Lachtains church of Ireland followed by session in McGraths Bar. On Sunday there was free entertainment on The Green and music session in Farrell’s that evening to close the event. Overall it was a great success and much credit is due to the organising committee for their work.
BAPTISED
Baby Ella Ann Farrell was Baptised at St.Lachains Church Freshford on Sunday last. Congratulations to the proud parents Michael and Susanne Farrell.
OPENING TIMES
Iona Lachtain Heritage Centre. Ionad Lachtain Church, Arts and Heritage Centre is open every Saturday and Sunday from 11.30am to 4.30pm. Gi s on sale to suit every occasion.
NEW BOOK CLUB
There are plans to set up a monthly book club, based at the Loop Community Café, Freshford. An introductory meeting took place in the café on last Thursday. Dates and times for the book club to be further discussed. The meeting was facilitated by Kilkenny County Library sta and sets of books and support will be provided FREE by the library service. Everyone This is a great opportunity to meet other readers in a relaxed social setting and thanks to Katie & the sta of The Loop Café for their support.
CAMOGIE AND GAA
St.Lachtains Juniors had the first outing of the year when they took on Thomastown in the all county league in Freshford on Friday. The local lalds came out winners in the end on a score line of 0.18 to 0.13. Team: J Burke. C Donnelly, l Kennedy, A Dawson, J Bowden, C Bergin B Quinn, D Maher, J Hickey, A Ra er, C Power, P Donnelly, P Killeen, C O’ Leary, A Ra er
The Junior F had their second outing of the year and came out victorious against neighbours Lisdowney in Freshford on Sunday
Team; R Dowling. C Bowden, M Nolan, J Cantwel, J Bergin, J Bowden, J Hickey, J Campion, P Maher, C Leahy, D Quinn, J O’ Connor, M Durian, D Killeen, E Landers
Keep up to date on all games St Lachtains by following St Lachtains GAA on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Congratulations to St Lachtain’s player Mark Donnelly who was part of Kilkenny U20 squad who defeated Dublin 1-21 to 2-16 in UPMC Nowlan Park last Saturday Kilkenny Intermediate Camogie side were beaten by Cork in the replay on Saturday last. Sinead Farrell is the sub keeper with the team.
FITNESS SESSIONS
Fitness sessions Boxing/fitness sessions at Community Hall Freshford –
Have you had a diagnoses of Parkinsons; Alzheimers or other neurological condition? If so maybe you are keen to get some level of fitness back or work on you balance or upper body strength, then these classes are just what you need. Classes take place each Tuesday from 11am to 12 noon - sessions cost just €10 each and are facilitated by a boxing coach. They will also give you the chance to socialise and meet other people for more information or to sign up please contact Brenda Cooper on 0871369253
PARISH NEWS
Mass is held in the Parish Church each Wednesday morning at 9.30am and each Sunday morning at 11am.wiith Mass in Tulla church on Saturday evenings at 7.30pm.
Notices
The parish newsletter is available on their website every week and also on the website you are free to pay your dues and make donations or any other contributions and you can find out more about it on the website or feel free to contact in the Parish Office. Please note community notices for the parish newsletter should be left in or emailed to the Parish Office by 11am on Thursdays. Parish office hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 1pm.
Mass Cards
Special printed parish cards are available at the Parish Office or from Annette at Tulla Church signed by Monsignor Kennedy. You can contact the Parish office on 056 8832843 or by email – freshfordd@ossory.ie.
Contact Mongr Kieron Kennedy on that number or on 087 25235 21
HELP FOR ALL
Are you struggling with anxiety or depression or finding life difficult or feeling isolated at this time GROW is there to help you. Their Mental Health support Groups are free and confidential and open to all no referral or booking is needed. For more information on same you can contact Mary on 087 284342
If you can’t cope and need support text HELLO to 50808.
SAMARITAN - Whatever you’re going through a Samaritan will face it with you – available 24 hours a day 365 days a year – Freephone 1161Alone is available for older people who need support and you can call them on 0818 222024 (8am to 8pm)
AMBER KILKENNY WOMENS REFUGE – is available for confidential support relating to domestic violence - call them on 1850 424244 (24/7) or on 056 7771404 or email into@amberwomensrefuge.ie.
JOHNSTOWN
CROSSPATRICK TRACTOR AND VINTAGE RUN
A tractor and vintage run will be held on Sunday April 30th in aid of the Irish Cancer Society. Starting in Crosspatrick Village leaving at 1.30pm sharp. Registration at 12.20pm. Fee €20. BBQ, raffle and live music. Contact Larry 0861658151 or Declan 0879564520.
MR. ALAN QUINLAN RIP
Alan, Urlingford and late of Tullyvolty, Johnstown died peacefully at St. Luke’s Hospital recently. Alan, although he hadn’t a long life, had a very colourful one. He spent some time working at the funfairs of the Hope and McCormack families all over Ireland, he worked on sheep farms in Johnstown and Rathdowney, spent time in Dublin and Birmingham and lived his later years in Urlingford. Predeceased by his parents John and Nancy and his brother Clive, he will be sadly missed by his brothers Milo, John, Jim and Leslie, his sisters Marion and Tina, nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts, grandnieces and grandnephews, cousins, relations and many friends. He was laid to rest in Johnstown Cemetery after Requiem Mass in St. Kieran’s Church.
JOHNSTOWN HERITAGE GROUP
Information leaflets and envelopes for contributions to the proposed monument honoring the hurling and camogie players of the area, since hurling was first mentioned as being played at Ballyspellan Spa in 1742 are now being distributed to all the houses. This is a project by the Heritage Group and your support would be greatly appreciated.
TRIP
Laois ICA have arranged a three night break from Tuesday August 29th to Sept.1st at the Broadhaven Bay Hotel, Belmullet, Co. Mayo. Dinner, B/B, music each night and trips during the day to places of interest are included. € 279 pps. Information Noreen Byrne at 086 8389590.
ANOTHER BREAK
A break is being organized this time to Westport Woods Hotel and Spa from Sunday June 18th to Friday June 23rd. B/B and dinner. €550 pps, single supplement €20 per night . Information 0868173843.
TEXAS MUSIC SHOW
Texas Music Show in The Crosspatrick on Friday April 28th featuring Dusty Moats, Brad Russell, Jesse Jennings and Jake Williams. No cover charge, all welcome.
FENIANS HC BINGO
Fenians HC are back on the Bingo Trail from Wednesday May 17th and each Wednesday, in St. Mary’s Hall, Johnstown at 8.30pm. Prize money €2,000, proceeds in aid of the Hurling Club.
SPA UNITED AFC Weekend results.. Junior Divisional Cup East End 3 Spa 1, U16 boys league division 1A Spa 2 Fort Rangers 3, U15 boys league division 1A Spa 1 Callan Utd 4, U13 boys league division 1 Spa 0 Evergreen 1, River Rangers 0 Spa 3, U13 boys league division 2 Spa 0 Evergreen 0, Freebooters 3 Spa 0, U12 boys league division 1 Freshford Town 0 Spa 2, U12 boys league division 2 Spa 5 Callan Utd 0, U14 girls league division 1 Evergreen 3 Spa 1,U12 girls league division 2 Spa 0 Callan Utd 2.
SPA DEVELOPMENT/FENIANS LOTTO
Lotto winning numbers 1,4,5,21 five match threes Vincent Dermody, Denis Tobin, Eugene Grehan, Jim Quinlan, Sophie O’Gorman.
GORTNAHOE BALLYGOOLE
COLLECTION FOR FLOWERS
There will be a second collection for the flowers this Sunday the 30th April in Gortnahoe Church. We are very grateful to the flowers group for all their work and generosity throughout the year with the beautiful displays.
MASS TIMES
Parish Pastoral Combination Weekend Mass Times - St. Patrick and Oliver Church Glengoole - Saturday 6pm, Sacred Heart Church
Gortnahoe - Sunday 10.30am. Cathedral of the Assumption Thurles - Saturday 7pm, Sunday 9am & 11am. St Josephs and St. Brigid, Bohernanave - Sunday 10am & 7pm, St. Peter in Chains Church Moycarkey - Saturday 6.30pm, St. James Church Two Mile Borris - Sunday 10.30am and Our Lady, St. Kevins Church Littleton - Sunday 12 noon, St. Marys Church Moyne - Saturday 7.30pm, Sacred Heart Church TempletuohySunday 11am
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Glengoole Wednesday 11am to 2pm, Gortnahoe Thursday 11am to 1pm
CASHEL AND EMLY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
The annual pilgrimage will take place from the 17th - 22nd June 2023, anyone interested in the Parish please contact the Parish council for further information.
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 4349106
GORTNAHOE BINGO
Bingo continues this Saturday night at 7.00pm with doors opening from 6.00pm and will continue each Saturday night at the same time. Over €2,660 in prize money on offer including a special €500 game. We look forward to the many visitors and family members home with their family, it will be a great nights entertainment for all.
SPLIT THE POT
Congratulations to Patricia Purcell from Ballysloe who was the winner of €190 in the Split the Pot draw. Envelopes are available at the usual outlets. Split the Pot for the month of April will be in support of the Gortnahoe Senior Citizens. The draw takes place each Sunday at 12pm in Gortnahoe Hall. Your support would be appreciated BALLYNONTY COMMUNITY HOUSE Cookery and Nutrition class over 6 weeks from Tuesday 18th AprilTuesday 23rd May. 2 hours per week, 10.30am to 12.30pm. Tutor Eileen Bowden. Contact Rena O’Connor 0868490843 for information.
DICKSBORO
CLUB LOTTO
Dicksboro GAA Club LOTTO Results 20th April. Nos: 2 7 24 27. Jackpot:
€8900 Not Won
Draw Prizes – €50: Liam Barry c/o Liam Barry. €25 each Dermot Eardley c/o Deirdre O’Reilly €25 each Mag and Donny c/o Jim Murphy. €25 each John McCormack c/o P and J Cody. Hurlers Co Op Marian Noonan c/o Rita Long. Promotors prize Jim Murphy.
Thank you for your continued support.
CLUB GAMES
Our Senior Ladies played ACL Friday evening against Conahy Shamrocks and had a fine win. The Junior A team beat Mt Leinster Rangers Friday evening in Palmerstown 4-11 to 1-8. The Minor C Team who have had a great campaign in the League so far emptied the tank in the 2nd half and made it a draw match in a great game against St Lachtains Sunday in Freshford. Unfortunately our Junior A Hurlers fell short to a strong St Martins in Coon Sunday afternoon.
KILKENNY GAA AND CAMOGIE
Well done to all our club players representing Kilkenny over the weekend. Kilkenny GAA had good wins at Minor, u20 and Senior levels.
Great to see Dicksboro well represented at these levels. Hard luck to Kilkenny Intermediate Camogie team who were beaten by a strong Cork side in the Very National League Replay. And to our Minor Girls who lost out to Waterford in the Electric Ireland All Ireland Semi Final. We have fantastic girls representing our Club at County level. All in the club are very proud of them and their hard work and commitment.
CBS SECONDARY TOURNAMENT
On Saturday, Palmerstown hosted the Annual U11 Blitz. Thanks to CBS Secondary School, Club Mentors, Parents and all the young hurlers for a fantastic morning of games. We look forward to seeing you all again soon.
JUVENILES
On Saturday morning our U8 girls travelled to O’Loughlins where they took part in their first ever games for 2023 they had a great morning and showed off all their skills they have been learning at training. In the afternoon Palmerstown welcomed St Sylvestors of Malahide where our u10 hurlers got to play. Thanks to all the mentors for organising a great afternoon of hurling. On Sunday our u8 girls travelled to Abbotstown where they played games against Kilmacud Crokes, Naomh Olaf and St Sylvestors. Another great day for our Juveniles and we thank all who organise these days out for boys and girls.
KILMANAGH
COFFEE MORNING/CAKE SALE
The Annual Coffee morning and Cake sale run by the Murphy Family of Ballydunne, in aid of Carlow Kilkenny Homecare Team, will take place on Sunday 7th May in Ballycallan Community Hall after 10.15am Mass in Ballycallan. Donations of cakes would be greatly appreciated. Tickets can be purchased from Josie Ronan (086 274 0366), O’Connors shop, Ryan’s Pub or The Pound. Please support this worthy cause.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
First Holy Communion will take place on Saturday, May 20th at 11am in Kilmanagh.
BAPTISM CHANGES
From June onwards, baptisms will be at 2pm on Saturdays and more emphasis on sharing a baptism date will be presented to families. Where a baptism is booked on a particular Saturday, anyone else wishing to have a baptism on that weekend, will be asked to share that baptism. In practice, whatever church has been booked by the first couple, will be
the venue for all baptisms that weekend. As usual, families living outside the parish should have their children baptised in their own parish where they are living and attending church. This change does not affect baptisms already booked.
CEMETERY MASS
The Ballykeeffe Cemetery Mass takes place on Sunday 28th May at 7pm. Last year I asked for feedback on this new time (it was 7.30 previously), and no one replied. The earlier time will suit those travelling. Please let those outside the parish know about this date and change.
LOTTO RESULTS
Results for 17th April. Numbers drawn were 9; 20; 24; 26. There was no winner. Lucky Dip winners were Theresa Young, Sophia Malone and Aisling O’Dea. Sellers’ prizes went Mary Murphy/Michael Malone and Michael Teehan.
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.
HUGGINSTOWN NEWMARKET STONEYFORD
MASS TIMES
Hugginstown. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9.30a.m. Vigil - Saturday 29th. at 8.00p.m. Sunday 30th. at 10.00a.m. Stoneyford. Wednesday at 7.00p.m. Vigil - Saturday 29th. at 6.30p.m
PRAY FOR Michael Maher, Hugginstown. Nora and Kathleen Sadlier, Baysrath. Anniversary Masses. Seamus Connolly, Stonecarthy, Mass in Stoneyford on Saturday 29th. April at 6.30p.m. Paddy Farrell, Kyleva, Mass in Hugginstown Church on Saturday 29th. April at 8.00p.m. Kathleen and John O’Neill, Mass in Hugginstown Church on Sunday 30th. April at 10.00a.m.
ROTA
Rota for next week-end: 29th. and 30th. April 2023 . (Fourth Sunday of Easter) Readers. Stoneyford, Saturday 6.30p.m. Tom King. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. John Barron; Sunday 10.00a.m. Mary Carroll. Eucharistic Ministers. Stoneyford. Saturday 6.30p.m. Natalia Smolen. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Mary Cuddihy. Sunday 10.00a.m. Ann Power.
OSSARY PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2023
Lourdes Pilgrimage will take place from May 23rd. to 28th this year. Accommodation in the Agena, Solitude and Padoue Hotels. Price includes return bus journey to/from Loughboy Shopping Centre Car Park to Dublin Airport. Return flights from Dublin to Lourdes; Transfer to/from Airport to Hotel; Full board and hotel accommodation for the 5 nights. For further information and bookings contact niamh@ jwttravel.ie or Phone 01 685 2244
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
New Eucharistic Ministers needed in both Hugginstown and Stoneyford Churches for weekend Masses. Preparation Training can be done on-line in your own home with just a meeting in the local church for practical help. Please let me know if you can help. It is also recommended that Present Eucharistic Ministers be involved in this training.
SAFEGUARDING CONTACTS
Diocesan Designated Liaison Person. Ms. Kathleen Sherry Tel: 087 100 0232. Aghaviller Parish Representatives are: Teresa Broderick and Carmel O’Toole.
EASTER OFFERINGS
Many thanks for your Easter Offerings during the past few weeks. This offering is for the support of the priests of the Parish and Diocese. Thank You.
DATES TO REMEMBER 2023
First Holy Communion. For Stoneyford School on Sunday 14th. May at 11.00a.m. in Stoneyford Church. For Monroe/Newmarket Schools on Sunday 21st. May at 11.00a.m. in Hugginstown. Cemetery Masses. Calvary Cemetery on Friday 2nd. June at 8.00p.m. Stoneyford Cemetery on Friday 7th. July at 8.00p.m. Hugginstown Cemetery on Saturday 1st. July at 8.00p.m.
CONVERSATION WITH WOMEN IN THE BIBLE
This Conference due to be held on 13th. May 2023 in the Pembroke Hotel, Patrick Street, Kilkenny has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
LOTTO
Lotto: Aghaviller Parish and Carrickshock G. A. A. Draw. Monday 17th.
April 2023 Numbers: 13; 25; 32; 17. No Winner First 3 Numbers
Drawn. No Jackpot Winner:€30.00. Winners. Deirdre Rohan, Carricketna, Ellana and Michael Irish, c/oJames Irish; David Ivors, Ballingarry, Liam Cassin, Hugginstown Eddie Fitzpatrick, Lismatigue. 3 x €15.00 (Sellers).
Teresa Fitzpatrick, Mary Doyle, Tommy Murphy.
SOUTH KILKENNY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
A Lecture on ‘Liam Lynch: Life of an Irish Revolutionary, 1892-1923’ will be given by Gerard Shannon, (author of the recently published ‘Liam Lynch: To Declare A Republic). Lecture on Friday, April 28th. at 8.00p.m. in Mullinavat Parish Hall.
THE STONEYFORD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
The Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 3rd. May at 8.00p.m. in the Community Centre, Stoneyford. Membership and nomi-
nation forms are available on www.stoneyford.ie. You can also request these forms by texting “AGMFORMS” to 087 255 6722.
AGHAVILLER PARISH FINANCE COMMITTEE
Finance Committee Meeting will be held in the Parish House, Hugginstown on Thursday 4th. May at 8.00p.m.
ANAM CARA
The Organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding its monthly Parent Evening for bereaved parents on Wednesday 3rd. May at 7:15pm in the Clayton Hotel, Briarhill. This event is free and open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death, or whether their death was recent or not. We also offer a free online service. For further information call: 01 404 5378
TUBORG PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS
The Tuborg Premier League in conjunction with Gerry Comeford Well Drilling and Adrian O Conner Red Oak Window Cleaning
What a great night of darts in Andy’s Bar Ballyhale last Friday night. Before I mention the lads I want to talk about the Ladies, 3 turned up to play in the tournament on Friday night and they all threw Super Darts, Annmarie Vallely hit scores, 121 / 135 and 140, she also finished 115 hitting 20 Treble 19 and Double 19. Gez Quiruga took out 2 legs with some brilliant finishing, she took out 104 and 96, the 96 she finished it in 2 darts for a brilliant game. Liz Byrne was the 3rd Lady to play and play she did, Liz was in hard luck not to make it out of her group she finished on the same amount of points as Nicky Kelly but lost the head to head by 3 legs to 2. Liz hit 3 scores of 140 and her finishing was fantastic, she finished 3 legs taking out 87 92 and 97 all with 2 darts. If there are any Ladies who want to play in the League come out to Andy’s before 8pm next Friday night.
On to the last 16, Connor Fennelly V Nicky Walsh played the first game, Connor played great darts to beat Nicky, Mickie O Keeffe V Tommy Dalton was our 2nd game, Tommy Dalton could not get going in this game and Mickie made him pay by throwing very good darts to win the game. Our next game was between Eric Power and Billy Murphy, Eric played brilliant darts in the group stages, but Billy threw unbelievable darts to win the game. Mick Kelly beat Robbie Van Geisko, Robbie played great, he hit 2 180’s and finished 138 but Mick threw very good darts to go on and win the game. On to the next game in which Johnny Meaney played Trevor Vallely, Trevor played just too good for Johnny and won. game number 6 was between Mick O Dwyer and Eric Boczan, all though Eric didn’t play as well as he can, he could not keep up to Mick who outscored him and finished well. The penultimate game was between Pat Dalton and Sam Dunphy, Sam threw great darts in this game hitting 140 140 140 and finished on Double 16 for a brilliant 13 dart leg, Pat Dalton who is only at his 2nd night of the league is playing at a great standard, he went on to win a great game 3 legs to 2 legs. The last game of the last 16 was between Michael (Sully) O Sullivan and Ritchie O Hanlon, Sully played very well, he hit most of what he went for and really outplayed Ritchie, Ritchie who threw great darts in the group just could not find the form he played with earlier. The first Q / Final was between Connor Fennelly and Mickey O Keeffe. Connor played very good darts against Mickey finishing 136 in the leg he won but Mickey’s experience came through and he went on to the S/Final. The next game saw Billy Murphy and Mick Kelly face off, Mick Kelly is playing some fantastic darts at the moment, he was on his game against Billy, and though Billy had a great leg in which he had a 13 dart leg, he didn’t get any chances in the other 3 legs. Trevor Vallely and Mick O Dwyer gave us a fantastic game in the 3rd game, Mick went 1 nil up, Trevor then took the next 2 games, Mick responded under great pressure and went on to win the last 2 legs. on to the last Q / Final, Pat Dalton and Sully played another super game, Sully got off to a great start by winning the first leg but not to be outdone Pat won the next 2, Sully played a great 4th leg to make it 2 all but Pat threw a brilliant last leg, he took it out in 14 darts. The first S / Final was between Mickey O Keeffe and Mick Kelly, it proved to be a fantastic game, Mickey hit a 180 in the first leg and ended up with a 14 darter, brilliant leg of darts, Mick Kelly didn’t let it bother him as he won the next 2 games throwing great darts, he hit a 180 and finished a brilliant 135, he hit 25 followed by a Treble 20 and then the Bulls Eye, a great finish under pressure, Mickey put up a great fight in the next leg but he didn’t get a shot at a Double, he was on Double 16, when Mick took out 107 to win the game, very hard luck to Mickie O Keeffe who played great all night. the next and last S / Final was between Mick O Dwyer and Pat Dalton, Pat Dalton who played brilliant darts all night got off to a bad start in this game, he went 2 nil down to Mick, and all though he won the 3rd leg throwing a brilliant leg of darts, he finished it in 13 darts, Mick had the throw in the next leg and he made it count, he had a great 14 dart leg finishing 97 with 2 darts. on to the Final, Mick Kelly and Mick O Dwyer contested a very good game, Mick Kelly jumped into a 2 nil lead before Mick O Dwyer got going, he saved the game with a brilliant set up shot to leave Double 12, he hit a 165, Treble 20 T 20 and T 15 to leave the Double and he didn’t miss it when he got chance, Mick Kelly then played a very solid leg, he scored nothing under 85 and wrapped up the game with ease.
I hope some more Ladies come to Andy’s Bar in Ballyhale next Friday as they will be surprised at the set up and the Friendly People
will know that much sterner tests lie ahead this season.
BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
UPMC Nowlan Park
Kilkenny 0-29
Westmeath 0-7
Derek Lyng’s rst Leinster Championship game as Kilkenny senior hurling manager ended in victory as his side made light work of the Westmeath challenge. ere were no goals for the crowd in attendance, but the Cats put on a shooting exhibition as they ran out 22-point winners over their Lake County opponents. e game was already over as a contest when the visitors had Charlie McCormack black-carded following a foul on Adrian Mullen in the 49th minute, as the former captain made for goal.
TJ Reid made his rst start of the season in his beloved black and amber, and top scored for the Cats with 0-9 with four lovely points from play in his total. is was the perfect game for the Shamrocks Ballyhale veteran to aclimatise to inter-county action, but both player and manager
From the throw-in, the home side dominated, and Joe Fortune’s charges found it impossible to lay a glove on their hosts, as the Kilkenny attacking unit clicked on a dull and damp evening in the Marble City.
Five of the starting six forwards scored in the opening ten minutes as the Cats cruised into a 6-point lead. Some smashing points from John Donnelly, Eoin Cody, Dicksboro’s Timmy Cli ord and a brace from Adrian Mullen.
Westmeath’s highlight of a disappointing opening period came
from Darragh Clinton who sent over a majestic sideline cut just before the 20-minute marker. e home side kept knocking over the points and it took a good save from Westmeath goalkeeper Noel Conaty to prevent skipper Eoin Cody raising a green ag. When Dublin whistler Chris Mooney blew for half-time, the scoreboard in UPMC Nowlan Park read 0-17 to 0-4. e visitors would only add a further 3 points to their rst half total, while their hosts tagged on another 12-points after the short whistle. Westmeath boss Fortune would have hoped for a bit of a kick
from his charges in the second half, but they didn’t really lift their rst half performance a great deal for the next 35 minutes. TJ Reid opened the second half scoring from the placed ball while Cillian Doyle replied for the Lake County men. ey was some wayward shooting after the interval, but Graigue Ballycallan’s Billy Ryan split the posts with a ne e ort to cement his sides dominance.
en came the best chance for a major. In the 49th minute Adrian Mullen went on a trademark direct surge through the Westmeath defence, before Charlie McCormack
upended the Shamrocks man. Referee Mooney had no hesitation in awarding the penalty and it was double punishment for the visitors as McCormack was shown a black card. With Billy Drennan absent through injury, TJ Reid stepped up and struck his shot, but it was brilliantly saved by Noel Conaty.
TJ then struck 3 points to further build on the Kilkenny lead, the pick of which was a typical ‘TJ point’. He elded the sliotar brilliantly, turned to his left and ri ed the shot between the posts, typical TJ Reid. Manager Lyng made some changes and got an impact from the bench with Mossy Keoghan and Niall Brennan both getting on the scoresheet. is augmented further scores from John Donnelly, Eoin Cody, and the very impressive Adrian Mullen. Veteran Westmeath legend Derek McNicholas got his team’s second point from play of the second half, but it was merely consolation, as Darragh Corcoran slotted over a point for his rst championship score in the black and amber.
With the rain coming down referee Chris Mooney brought proceedings to a close at UPMC Nowlan Park with Derek Lyng’s side claiming maximum points on a scoreline of Kilkenny 0-29, Westmeath 0-7.
Teams and Scorers
Kilkenny- TJ Reid (0-9, three frees and two 65’s), Adrian Mullen (0-6), John Donnelly (0-4), Eoin Cody, Martin Keoghan (0-2 each), David Blanch eld, Padraig Walsh, Darragh Corcoran, Timmy Cli ord, Billy Ryan, Niall Brennan (0-1 each) Westmeath- Ciaran Doyle (0-4, three frees), Joseph Boyle, Darragh Clinton, Derek McNicholas (0-1 each)
Kilkenny- Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; David Blanch eld, Richie Reid, Padraig Walsh; Darragh Corcoran, Paddy Mullen; Timmy Cli ord, Adrian Mullen, John Donnelly; Billy Ryan, TJ Reid, Eoin Cody.
Subs- Cian Kenny for P.Mullen 46 mins, Martin Keoghan for Ryan 47 mins, Cillian Buckley for P.Walsh 56 mins, Niall Brennan for A.Mullen 61 mins, Conor Delaney for Lawlor 64 mins.
Westmeath- Noel Conaty; Darragh Egerton, Conor Shaw, Johnny Bermingham; Robbie Greville, Tommy Doyle, Aaron Craig; Davy Glennon, Shane McGovern; Shane Clavin, Joseph Boyle, Eoin Keyes; Kevin Regan, Ciaran Doyle, Darragh Clinton.
Subs- Cormac Boyle for McGovern h-t, Charlie McCormack for Clavin h-t, Derek McNicholas for Clinton 48 mins, Jack Gillen for Keyes 56 mins, Gary Greville for Egerton 67 mins. Referee- Chris Mooney (Dublin)
BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
Galway are the next visitors to UPMC Nowlan Park this weekend, and a much tougher challenge can be guaranteed when Henry brings his charges to faceo against the Cats on Sunday. e opening round win over Westmeath won’t have given Derek Lyng any great insight as this weekend’s opponents promise a much higher level of skill and physicality.
While Kilkenny dispatched the Lake County with little di culty last weekend, Galway also took maximum points from their rstround encounter with Wexford, despite conceding two early goals, they ran out 6-point winners in Salthill.
Kilkenny’s defence wasn’t really tested to any great degree in the win over Joe Fortune’s men, but they’ll need to be on their toes this Sunday, as Galway possess a couple of useful weapons in attacking areas. eir win in Salthill was relatively comfortable in the end, the star of the show was Evan Niland who nished the game with an impressive 0-13, seven of which came from play. e Clarinbridge clubman will take a wee bit of watching in Nowlan Park.
Killimordaly’s Brian Concannon is normally the focal point at the edge of the square, and will no doubt relish his potential battle with O’Loughlin’s Huw Lawlor. Derek Lyng will no doubt hope that the service into the Galway full-forward line is restricted, but the Kilkenny faithful will be happy to see Lawlor guarding the square. Five out of their starting six forwards got on the score sheet against the Yellowbellies, and it’s a uid unit that can swap positions as games develop.
Captained from centre-back by Daithí Burke, the Tribesmen have a strong and potent half-back line that will look to dictate matters and set the tempo for those further up the pitch. Last week Burke had Padraic Mannion and Joseph Cooney anking him. is line in the Galway team is a lovely blend of strength and skill.
Standing between the sticks will be Eanna Murphy. e Tommy Larkins player has been a permanent xture for the Westerners over the last few seasons and is one of the best keepers around. Murphy was at his best in the win over Wexford and
made a vital penalty save from Conor McDonald when the game was in the melting pot.
Henry She in’s men had a mixed Allianz league campaign, winning 3 games and losing two. Wins over Wexford, Clare and Westmeath were balanced by defeats to both Cork and Limerick. Like their provincial opener, Evan Niland was key to most of their scoring totals. St omas’s Conor Cooney was also prominent in scoring and creating for the men in maroon. Tom Monaghan is a player who has performed well against Kilkenny in recent seasons, and he will de nitely feature on Sunday.
As mentioned, Derek Lyng won’t have learned too much from their easy win over Westmeath. His team lined out without the services of injured due Billy Drennan and Paddy Deegan. Both these players had excellent league campaigns and we hope to see them back in the stripes before the end of the round-robin
stage of the provincial competition. Speaking after the Westmeath game, the Emerald’s clubman referred to both the aforementioned missing players. “ e only thing is that they’re not long term, which is the only ‘positive’ if you like. But they’ll miss the next two or three rounds, and hopefully they’ll be back then.”
With Drennan absent, the returning TJ Reid resumed free-taking duty and nished the day with 0-9. Two players who stood out with excellent shooting performances were omastown’s John Donnelly and Shamrocks Adrian Mullen. e latter notched 0-6 with a couple of classy scores amongst his total, while the hard-working Donnelly hit 0-4. While it’s still early in the championship, the back six is beginning to look like one which could establish itself in the black and amber. With Mikey Butler and Tommy Walsh anking Huw Lawlor in the last line and David
Blanch eld and Padraig Walsh keeping Richie Reid company in the half-back division, it would be nice to see these players get a good run of games together. One thing is certain, goalkeeper Eoin Murphy will bene t from a settled six in front of him. e engine room will be of huge importance as usual. Derek Lyng may shu e his pack again in the area, with Conor Fogarty possibly coming into the mix here. is game to me marks the real start of championship action. Henry will be out to rain on Derek Lyng’s parade and this one could be a cracking encounter.
So, Leinster is up and running. A routine win over Westmeath will now be followed by an altogether different and more difficult task – Henry’s Galway. There will certainly be a bigger crowd in attendance at UPMC Nowlan Park for the visit of the Tribesmen.
If last year’s clashes are anything to go by, there should be an edge to this one. Eoin Cody and his team will need to stand up to the physical challenge that Galway will bring. Win this and you can then play your hurling.
Billy Drennan’s untimely injury could see further minutes for TJ Reid. TJ shook the rust off last week and more minutes might be useful for the legend. I’m looking forward to seeing more of Adrian Mullen following his 0-6 against Westmeath. Also, Thomastown’s John Donnelly in continuing his good recent form also.
Evan Niland is definitely one to watch in the visitors’ line-up. His seven points from play against Wexford were of the highest caliber.
Both teams opening round wins sets this up nicely and topping the table may rest on this result.
• Congratulations to our U20 hurlers who secured their place in the Leinster Hurling Championship semi-final with a hard-fought 2-point win over a very good Dublin side. Tullaroan’s Gearoid Dunne scored top for the Cats with 0-6.
KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL
I, Richard Walsh intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for planning permission for a Proposed new single storey side and rear extension to existing dwelling, Demolition of existing garage, stormwater soakaways, landscaping and all associated site works at Tullaroan, Co. Kilkenny.
The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. Signed: Nextgen Design, www.ngdb.ie.
KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL
I, Catherine Deevy intend to apply to above authority for permission for the following at Tower Road, Jenkinstown, Co. Kilkenny.
(a) Erection Of Dwelling House
(b) Installation of Waste Treatment and Disposal System
(c) New entrance from Public Road
(d) Associated Works
The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.
Catherine Deevy
We, Niall & Emma O’ Gorman intend to submit Significant Further Information to Kilkenny County Council, subsequent to Planning Application Ref Number 23/42, for revised site layout plans and all associated site development works at Granges Road/Dunningstown Road, Kilkenny, R95 PFF9.
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 2 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.
Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.
This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).
Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen. Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted. Never been known to fail.
Must promise publication of prayer.M.M.
Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.
This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).
Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen. Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.
Never been known to fail.
Must promise publication of prayer.M.M.
Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.
This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).
Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen. Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted. Never been known to fail.
Must promise publication of prayer.A.P.
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.C.
Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.
This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).
Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.
Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.
Never been known to fail.
Must promise publication of prayer.JCB.
Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.
This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).
Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.
Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.
Never been known to fail.
Must promise publication of prayer.A.B.
Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.
This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).
Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.
Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.
Never been known to fail.
Must promise publication of prayer.A.S.
Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.
This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).
Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.
Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.
Never been known to fail.
Must promise publication of prayer.J.M.
