Kilkenny Observer 28th October 2022

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Friday 28 October 2022

Fright Night Celtic origins behind Halloween traditions Special Report, Page 14

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Money Worries How to cope with financial anxiety Page 18

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St Luke’s: no abortion St Luke’s Hospital is among five of the country’s maternity hospitals still not providing abortion services until at least next year at the earliest, amid conscientious objection from individual obstetricians and a lack of resources.

Another two maternity hospitals are still in talks with the HSE to try to roll out termination of pregnancy services next year, three years after abortion was first legalised.

The maternity hospitals or units which are not yet providing any abortion services are: Kerry General Hospital, South Tipperary General Hospital, St Luke’s Hospital Kilkenny, Wexford General Hospital, Letterkenny General Hospital, Portiuncula Hospital, the Cavan/Monaghan hospital group and Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise.

The HSE said that “conscientious objection, recruitment,

and infrastructure” was to blame for the slow roll-out of abortion services.

It comes ahead of the 10th anniversary of the death of Savita Halappanavar.

The 31-year-old died on October 28, 2012, in University Hospital Galway when she was 17 weeks pregnant.

She was miscarrying and had requested a termination. Her cause of death was recorded as sepsis.

At the moment, abortion is available with no restriction up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Beyond this, it is only legal in cases where the life or health of the woman is at risk or in cases when the foetus has a serious condition which means it will not survive pregnancy or a month after birth.

For most of the first trimester, abortion is available through pills provided by a GP. In other cases, it is pro-

vided by maternity hospitals.

At the moment, only 11 of the country’s 19 maternity units are providing abortion services without restriction up to 12 weeks.

Earlier this year, the Department of Health said that 14 maternity hospitals would be providing abortion services by the end of this year.

Now, for our St Luke’s and 13 others that will be next year at the earliest.

‘Twas the Eve of All Hallows The tradition that is Hallowe’en originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.

In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honour all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain.

The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Hallowe’en.

We get Night-Time booze advisor

Kilkenny and a number of other key cities and towns are to get a Governmentappointed Night-Time Advisor as legislation has been announced to allow for longer opening hours for pubs, clubs, as well as additional supports to help businesses and communities adjust to licensing law changes.

Focus must now be afforded to ensuring late-night transport arrangements, events, public safety and policing and other key elements of the night-time economy are sufficient to support the amended operating hours.

See also Page 10

Better mobility plan for Marble City Kilkenny City has started the process of developing its Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) using a participatory approach.

Connect The Dots are working on behalf of the council to carry out a programme of engaging participatory events, collaborating with key stakeholders and citizens to develop SUMP. This is a strategic plan designed to satisfy the mobility needs of people and businesses in the City and its surroundings for a better quality of life.

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Special Report, Page 14

SETU a leading seat of learning

INSIDE

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD was recently joined by staff, students and stakeholders to officially launch South East Technological University (SETU).

Speaking at the ceremony which was live streamed across the university’s campuses, on-

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line and on SETU’s social media channels, Minister Harris said: “I’m delighted to be here today to officially open South East Technological University.

This is a University designed by staff, students and the people of the south east over decades.

“SETU is a university for the region but it can have a national and global reach. The vision

The Kilkenny

Observer UNIT 7, FRIARY STREET, KILKENNY, R95 VHY7

has become a reality. I look forward to supporting Ireland’s newest university become a central part of our higher education landscape.”

Prof Veronica Campbell, President of SETU, spoke of the ambition of our new university, saying: “The creation of South East Technological University, our new university

in the south east of Ireland, has the potential to be the singlemost transformative initiative in the region in several generations.

“SETU will put knowledge creation and learning at the heart of the region which will facilitate regional development — economically, socially and culturally.”

In the short time since its creation, South East Technological University has already set out its ambition to be a leading European university, with a strong international reputation and an increasing impact on the economy, society and culture of the south east of Ireland. Proving itself a leading contender.

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GETTING IN TOUCH WITH THE TEAM

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Help see lives change in Kilkenny

The Kilkenny Branch of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind is holding a volunteer drive to encourage more people to give their time to support the work of the charity which provides Guide Dogs to those who are vision impaired and Assistance

Dogs to the families of children with autism.

The date for your diary is Saturday, November 12 at 12 noon. The venue, JB’s Pub, 42 John Street Upper, Highhays, Kilkenny, R95 C2WK. The event will be an opportu-

nity to find out more about the work of the charity, the type of fundraising activities involved and to meet the local branch of volunteers. And their dogs!

The charity has more than 60 teams of fundraising volunteers throughout the country,

‘More than 60 teams of fundraising volunteers ...

many through their branch network. These teams plan and run a variety of fundraising events in their local communities including street collections, shopping centre table sales of gift items, raffle ticket sales, donation box distribution and

collection, church gate collections, fun sponsored events and sports, table quizzes, golf classics, dinner dances and much, much more. We are always looking for new ideas!

Their dogs are making an extraordinary difference in

the lives of people with vision impairment and families of children with autism. Now you can too.

Join the charity on its fundraising day if you’re interested in being part of a community which collectively strives to empower others to actively engage and participate in every aspect of their lives.

What are the benefits of volunteering?

• Experience of planning a project • Opportunity to meet and exceed the goals you set yourself • Be part of a dynamic organisation and meet new people • Make a difference to an important charity • Discover new talents you didn’t know you had *To find out more please visit www.guidedogs.ie.

Kilkenny Beauty and Laser Clinic is now open at Kilkenny College of Beauty and Sports Therapy It is the first time in over 35 years that the college has had a commercial salon and it really was worth the wait.

The Clinic is offering high end, innovative treatments at very affordable prices. The staff are highly qualified with many years of experience in the beauty industry. The clinic is run by Lynn Dowling and her many years in the beauty industry has culminated into this fabulous new clinic for Kilkenny city. Lynn has been a National Expert for Beauty Therapy Skills Competition and has run a thriving beauty college since 2017. Being in the Beauty Training business ensures the clinic only has the most highly trained therapists on its team.

The Clinic have everything to offer from anti-aging treatments like microneedling and SHR skin rejuvenation, to make-up, He Shi Spray tan and Waxperts waxing.

Microneedling and SHR are both natural ways to stimulate collagen and make the skin

appear more youthful. The clinic is also one of the first in Kilkenny to offer Dermaplaning, this is the complete removal of fine hairs and Lynn Dowling dead skin cells from the face giving ultra smooth, radiant and younger looking skin. Book a once off offer of €49 now to give it a try!

Their experienced staff will know exactly what your skin needs and can give you the best skin care advice. Recommending good skincare is to the forefront of the clinics ethos, where they use Swedish Cosmeceutical brands and Irish Brand Skinician.

Cosmeceuticals can penetrate deeper into the skin and will give you greater, longer lasting effects.

There are a variety of treatments to help you get ready for your night out including a lash lift, brow lamination, henna brows or hybrid tinting which will give you much longer lasting effects from your eyebrow shape and tint.

Not forgetting to look after your feet they have a variety of pedicures which include a callus remover treatment for that stubborn hard skin, or luxury paraffin pedicures to revive your feet.

The Clinic have a wide variety of opening offers available to give people a taste of what they have: Cliniccare Peel Facials €49, Dermaplaning €49, Microneedling €99, SHR Skin ReJennifer juvenation €79,

or Skinician Facial €39! Book Now as these treatments are for a limited time only.

We can be found at No. 4 Patrick Street on the second floor over Café la Coco, so book an appointment and pop in and meet Jennifer, our therapist, for all your beauty needs.

Bookings can be made on 056 776 1891 or 085 Alterna783 2707. Alterna Jennitively, email Jenni fer@kilkennycbt. com or scan our QR code.

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Childcare costs still hit home One in three parents have left a job or turned one down because of difficulties arranging childcare, according to a new Government survey.

Research commissioned by the Department of Children also shows most parents are not aware of the State subsidies they can get under the National Childcare Scheme (NCS).

Just three in 10 parents find

it easy to pay for childcare for pre-school children, while around half say it is difficult.

One-third do not receive a subsidy from the Government, according to the department’s ‘Childcare Survey of Parents’ by Ipsos.

The survey is based on interviews with more than 500 parents and data on 934 children.

More affordable childcare,

followed by extra childcare places and longer opening hours, top the list of changes parents would like to see.

A total of 29% of parents said difficulty arranging childcare had made them turn down or leave a job.

For 28% parents , difficulties arranging childcare prevented them looking for a job, while 40% said it stopped them taking on some study

or training. Three in five said it restricted their working or study hours.

Darragh Whelan, director of provider group Childhood Services Ireland, said the Government announced a significant uplift in childcare subsidies in the Budget that would be a monumental support for parents in reducing the cost of childcare.

“The statistics from the

Department of Children are really alarming though,” he said.

“Less than half of parents in Ireland are aware of the National Childcare Scheme and only 32% of parents who avail of childcare are receiving a subsidy under the scheme.

“This makes no sense as parents are missing out on significant reductions in their childcare costs.”

Parental care is the main form of childcare for young children not yet in school, followed by creche or breakfast clubs, according to the department survey.

The survery also noted that it was also the main form of childcare for school children before and after school and during the holidays, followed by care by grandparents or relatives.

Climate change could well see our ancient forts washed away Our ancient coastal forts could well be lost to sea-level rise and fierce storms under current climate change predictions.

Castles that have stood for centuries will suffer subsidence from crumbling soils in droughts, and heritage houses will be plagued with mould during milder, wetter winters.

The bad news comes in a warning from one of the country’s most senior scientists who warned climate change not only threatened our future, but would also steal our past.

Professor John Sweeney said

the recording of details of the country’s heritage structures should be intensified so that future generations would know they existed.

Prof. Sweeney was addressing the recent inaugural Heritage Ireland 2030 summit, a day-long focus on the country’s built and natural heritage.

He said hard choices lay ahead in deciding what to protect from the extreme weather conditions being brought by climate change.

Already the damage is clear, he said, showing examples such as Croom Castle in Limerick where part of the struc-

ture collapsed during Storm Darwin, and Staad Abbey in Sligo, which is metres from the fast-eroding shoreline.

It will soon be at risk of collapsing into the Atlantic, and the potential for archaeological finds in the grounds around it would also be lost.

“There is a need for funding to recover what information can be retrieved from threatened heritage sites before the situation becomes irretrievable,” he said.

Prof Sweeney said the positioning of so many of Ireland’s heritage structures on the coast and along estuaries made them very vulnerable.

Six of our local schools look to science prize Second-level students from six schools in Kilkenny and across Ireland have demonstrated their amazing ingenuity in tackling science, engineering and technology challenges as over 1,700 projects were entered for the upcoming BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) 2023.

Health, new technologies, agriculture, sport science, and environment are among the key trends which have emerged from the entries. After closing for entries earlier this month, the BTYSTE judges selected the 550 projects which will be showcased at the exhibition taking place from January 11 to 14 next.

Health has come out as a top issue for students this year as 24% of projects

delve into this area. Projects ranged from cancer research, allergy remedies, diet and nutrition, to ways to improve our sleep and cardiovascular health. The students also looked at new applications and technology-based solutions to improve everyday life for those living with a variety of illnesses and conditions.

The environment remains a key focus for young people taking part in the exhibition. This year 20% of the projects entered tackled environmental issues across all STEM categories.

For some students, finding solutions to coastal erosion and improving recycling methods are the main objectives, while others focus on exploring new ways to reduce carbon emissions. Students didn’t

only turn their enquiring minds to the earth’s environment, but went beyond into space, with projects looking at how meteorites, the atmosphere and space travel impact our world.

Over 10% of projects featured new technologies, applications or devices with students exploring topical areas such as road and water safety, sustainable energy usage, along with a variety of other novel ways that technology can assist and improve our daily lives. * For more information on this fantastic family event, visit www.btyoungscientist.com, or follow @ BTYSTE on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube or Snapchat (username: BTYSTE).

Top of the world Ma, says Rob A Kilkenny man who recently trekked to the base camp of K2 has described it as the ‘adventure of a lifetime’.

Rob Boyd from the Castlecomer Road in Kilkenny City recently returned from the once in a lifetime trip.

Before the expedition the furthest Rob had hiked was to the top of Mount Brandon

in his native South Kilkenny.

Rob was one of a group of five Kilkenny people who took part in the epic adventure along with Brendan, Eileen and Michael Fitzgerald from Urlingford and John Mulhall from Muckalee. The group are aged between 22 and 34 and three of them had previously trekked to the

base camp of Mount Everest.

“My friend Brendan came to me in December and told me about the idea. Eileen was the main planner of the trip and when I found out I said that I would probably never get the opportunity again so I decided to go for it,” said the 22-year civil engineering student.

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Opinion

The Fact Of OfThe Matter PAUL HOPKINS

Food, fashion, fetish: a city that never sleeps New York, New York. So good, they named it twice; the city that never sleeps; the Big Apple, Capital City of the World, the Centre of the Universe.

We’ve heard it all before, of course, but to paraphrase Samuel Johnson, he who tires of New York, tires of Life. I love great cities: Paris, Barcelona, Rio, Kuala Lumpur, Edinburgh. New York City, though, takes some beating, hands down.

Anything in the world you might fancy, be it food, fashion, or fetish, you can find it — or they’ll fetch it for you.

There’s the famous and the fabulous too, and the forlorn, the raggedy street people: stand on Bleecker and Canal or indeed 5th Ave long enough, and all humankind will traipse by.

NYC has changed somewhat since I last set wary feet on Broadway, but maintains its familiarity, perhaps, in part, because of its casting

role in TV and cinema. The Twin Towers have gone, given way to Ground Zero with its seeping shroud of sorrow and sustained shock and curiosity-seekers; bad crime is but a mild memory, thanks to onetime mayor Rudy Giuliani, with more cops on every block, posing for photos not punishing perps; and it’s a city that seems cheaper to eat and shop in than I remember.

Happy Hour is daily and runs in most bars from 4 to 8pm. I find refuge in Johnny Utah’s on 52nd, between 6th and 5th Avenues, a dive bar where the music’s loud and the beer flows. Even the outof-town visiting cowboys have changed — checked shirt and Stetson are still in tow but the denims are designer and torn or skinny and the boots have given way to Puma or Vans or Italian loafers, which lend themselves to walking a city that was made for walkin’.

The Subway is good though, cheap, and convenient, a

ride from one extremity to the other a steal at $2.50 (€2).

And there’s always, always, the buskers and late-night jazz combos on platforms, entertaining the shuffling souls that people a city 24/7.

The city’s famed yellow taxis are cheap.

In Johnny Utah’s, my draught Miller is $4 a pop, bourbon just $5, its measure solely down to the discerning young barmaid Jenny.

She and Johnny Utah give me respite when the sun’s going down and my wary, and now weary, feet are blistered from walking this city’s sidewalks, taking in the neon lights of Broadway and Times Square, the imposing Rockefeller Centre, the how-long- haveyou- got-to-spend-there Museum of Modern Art, hallowed St Patrick’s Cathedral, Radio City and The New York Times building. And then there’s the Village, SoHo, Chinatown, and Little Italy.

At Grand Central Station

— 44 platforms serving 67 tracks with 22 million annual visitors — I sit down and, if not weep, then certainly find peace and earnest reflection amid the fast-forwarding commuters quick-stepping through its main concourse.

Lunch can be Italian or Mexican with extra salt on the Margarita, or the popular Halal street food; here you

can expect long queues that move fast, like everything in this frenetic city. Or maybe just grab a 99c slice of pizza, as only Americans can make it, and keep walking, and looking up, forever gazing at the changing and captivating skyline.

Lunch will set you back $6 to $15. For dinner, a good steak in Midtown will divest Extracted from the just published book Affairs of the Heart (And Other Writings) by Paul Hopkins (MonumentMedia, €14.99) Described as a collection of stories to warm the emotions and light the soul... the very essence of what it means to be human Available at select bookstores and at www. monument mediapress.com

you of $27. I go shopping with the world and his wife on 5th Ave. I buy the lady a dress, down from $250 to $100. I go to pay. Your lucky day, says sales girl Jazz, another $30 off today.

I take a room by Central Park at the Hotel Beacon, on leafy Upper West Side. I get a suite on the 17th floor, courtesy of genial general manager Tom Travers, a regular visitor to Ireland. “Tell ‘em I said hi,” he says. And then tells me Bette Midler, when unknown, once had a residency gig at the Beacon, accompanied by an unknown piano man named Barry Manilow. And Tom tells me the Dalai Lama is in town next week at the famed Beacon Theatre next door and he and his entourage have taken the hotel’s two top floors.

Only in New York, I think: the Dalai Lama strutting his stuff on stage, the night after the awesome Drive By Truckers play town.

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Kilkenny's food for thought Two Kilkenny venues are among those chosen to celebrate the upcoming World Vegan Day on Tuesday, November 1 by Irish wedding venue website SaveMyDay. ie which has compiled a delicious list of Ireland’s Top Vegan Friendly Wedding Venues to help plant-based to-be-weds plan their special days.

Making the top list are two Kilkenny venues including Ballyhale's Mountain View and the City's Langton's Hotel. Set in the beautiful rolling hills of the Kilkenny countryside, Mountain View is private to the couple and their guests on their big day and can provide newly-weds with everything from meat free canapés, banquets and

desserts, all topped off with their vegan wine list.

Catering for intimate closeknit gatherings to large party celebrations with 342 guests, Langton’s welcomes vegan guests with a variety of delicious options including edamame bean and sweet potato croquette, roast winter vegetable tagine and ‘The Bridies Bar’ snickers

with is a peanut and caramel roll with caramel sauce, peanut brittle.

Shell Holden, Co-Owner of SaveMyDay.ie, said: “Many couples are choosing delicious, versatile and flavourful vegan fare for their wedding celebrations, be it fully plant-based menus or more meat-free options across their courses. From

swapping the roast for risotto, lamb for lentils and chicken for chickpeas, SaveMyDay.ie’s wedding venue partners and their vegan menus wow with their creative cruelty-free canapes to delectable dairy-free desserts — impressing even the most sceptical of carnivores.

"At SaveMyDay.ie, we are delighted to showcase

the best of Ireland’s Vegan Friendly Wedding Venues and help veggie-lovers plan their special day.”

All these amazing veggieloving wedding venues and many more are profiled on SaveMyDay.ie, where couples can connect with any of the venues and enquire for free about their upcoming nuptials.

Ibec: focus now on night time industry Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, has welcomed the announcement from Government to allow longer opening hours for pubs, clubs, as well as additional supports to help businesses and communities adjust to licensing law changes.

It said focus must now be afforded to ensuring latenight transport arrangements, events, public safety and policing and other key elements of the night-time economy are sufficient to support the amended operating hours for those operating in this important sector.

Ibec Executive Director, Membership and Sectors, Sharon Higgins said: “The night-time economy is a core component of the wider Experience Economy. This announcement will be key to revitalisation and growth of

the cities, towns, and villages across the country.

“Government must examine how other countries, and cities in particular, address licensing and regulations alongside late-night transport arrangements, events, public safety and policing, diversity and inclusion, and quality of life issues.

“This is an important first step in revitalising the broader night-time economy. Ibec looks forward to continuing to work with Government in implementing some of the ambitions for the Experience Economy as set out by its Night Time Economy Taskforce.

This includes the role out of night-mayors or nighttime economy advisors that can assist in coordinating the implementation of key measures, as well as promoting greater diversity in premises types."

Local GAA clubs asked to wear the pink...

UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre, Breast Cancer Ireland and the GAA/GPA have partnered together to promote Breast Health Awareness in GAA clubs across the country, through seminars nationwide to club members in their own community. This follows on from the partnership agreement launched in UPMC Nowlan Park earlier in the year.

Research from earlier this year by Breast Cancer Ireland indicated worryingly low levels across all age groups of self-checking behaviours and knowledge of the eight signs and symptoms of breast cancer, prov-

ing the sheer scale of the challenge when it comes to driving awareness and education. Key findings show: 75% of women still do not know how to properly check their breasts 33% say they don’t know all of the signs and symptoms they are looking for 46% of women say they simply don’t make time to check their breasts regularly With these findings in mind, the aim is to encourage and educate women and men of all ages about good breast health so that cancer can be

detected early and patient outcomes improved. The educational presentations will be delivered to GAA Clubs using a medical mannequin to educate participants on how to perform a self-breast examination.

Commenting on the launch of this exciting initiative, Mary Hickey, Director of Oncology, UPMC in Ireland, said: “We are a cancer care partner to the HSE, various hospital groups, the oncology service for the South East and organisations that support patients throughout their cancer journey. As official healthcare partner to the GAA/GPA, this programme

is a natural fit and will help hundreds of thousands of people in our sporting communities to live healthier lives.”

Olivia Carpenter, Outreach Co-Ordinator at Breast Cancer Ireland, added: “UPMC and Breast Cancer Ireland have partnered to deliver educational sessions to communities close to where they live since the start of the year. We are delighted to expand it to GAA clubs across the country."

Breast cancer will affect one in nine women during their lifetime, with someone in the world being diagnosed every nine seconds.

Early detection is key.

That's smart! AI NewsHub launched CeADAR, Ireland’s National Centre for Applied AI, has launched AI NewsHub, a smart and easy-to-use digital news platform for reliable information on global developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

CeADAR’s aim is to inform the AI community in Ireland and worldwide by providing free, reliable, and up-to-date

information anywhere and anytime. AI NewsHub in itself uses AI to source information on AI and related topics to make accessing accurate and fresh information about AI simple and straightforward.

The AI system developed by CeADAR employs natural language processing to automatically summarise each article, saving readers time.

Up to now, any business or individual trying to keep abreast of developments in AI has had to engage in laborious searches that often yield poor quality or inaccurate information.

By only sourcing information from reputable outlets, AI NewsHub maintains a tight quality control on the information it provides to its users.

All original sources of the material will be acknowledged and all stories will be linked back to the original publishing source.

The global AI market was worth $328 billion in 2021, and it has a 39.4% CAGR forecast for 2022 to 2028. AI is also expected to touch 85 million jobs and add 95 million jobs to the global economy.

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Opinion

As I See It Marianne Heron

I’ve look at clouds from both sides now...

Clouds can put a damper on life can’t they? Remember the deluge they dumped on the Electric Picnic this summer? And just think of the number of times in this rainy country of ours we pray for clouds to stay away from a special event. But there is another way of looking at the cottonwool vapour that floats above us: Ireland is a paradise for cloud spotters.

Enjoying dinner in the garden in late summer I could see four different types of clouds backlit by the evening sun. They were high lacy cirrostratus, made of veils of ice crystals, honeycombs of cirrocumulus, wispy lines of contrails left by air traffic and low fluffy cumulus, the kind that saints and cherubs sit on in paintings. The high clouds were moving in a different direction from the lowest ones, demonstrating the

way winds vary at different altitudes.

One man who set out to change our attitude to clouds is Gavin Pretor–Pinney, author of the bestselling ‘The Cloud spotter’s Guide’, who founded the Could Appreciation Society. Within a year there were 1,800 members in 25 different countries and there are now more than 50,000 members.

Cloud appreciators believe that clouds are unjustly maligned and that life would be immeasurably poorer without them. They view clouds as poetry in motion and practice pariedolia, that is recognising shapes in the ever -changing cloud forms.

The Irish Cloud Appreciation Society (TICAS), founded by Hans Wieland Sally McKenna in 2010, reported an uptake in cloudspotting enthusiasm during the pandemic.

Ireland’s mobile weather system can make it an excellent place for watching clouds in motion and for seeing the layers of clouds associated with frontal systems. Ireland ranks 16th out of 76 countries for cloud innovation on the Global Cloud Eco system Index.

The western coast can be especially good for watching approaching layers of cloud heralded by wispy Cirrostratus clouds, often mistakenly associated as a sign of fine weather. It may be temporarily fine, but these high clouds mean deterioration in the weather is on the way and they will be followed by Altostratus and Nimbostratus rain clouds.

Surprisingly clouds were only classified 200 years ago

by British amateur meteorologist Luke Howard who divided clouds into 10 basic groups with various species

within those groups. These can be sub-divided into three groups: low clouds which start below 6,500 feet, Cumulus, Cumulonimbus, Stratus (those nasty featureless blankets of cloud) and Stratocumulus , middle altitude clouds, Altocumulus, Altostratus and Nimbostratus between 6,500 and 23,000 feet and the high altitude clouds Cirrus, Cirrocumulus and Cirrostratus between 16,500 and 45,000 feet..

Apart from the occasional fantasy about riding on those cotton wool clouds (Cumulus) or admiring the towering cauliflower shapes of thunderclouds (Cumulonimbus) I was clueless about clouds. Now I am a total convert to clouds and their amazing nature.

Can you believe that the water droplets in a medium sized Cumulus weigh about as much as eighty elephants

(one elephant equals about seven tons), that mature a Cumulonimbus thundercloud can grow taller than Mount Everest, The biggest of these formed in the tropics contain energy the equivalent of 10 Hiroshima bombs. Clouds are also good weather indicators, knowing what type they are and what they are up to can help you read the weather.

Some clouds are formed of droplets of moisture, the more droplets the denser they appear, while others like high altitude Cirrostratus are made of different kinds of ice particles which appear to be white or milky. The droplets in the water vapour of clouds have to reach a certain size before they fall to the ground and in order to grow they need some kind of nucleus to collect around. When they are between one to five millimetres across they reach

precipitation point and come to earth as rain.

Clouds are formed in a variety of different ways: puffy cotton wool Cumulus clouds take shape due to convection, where rising plumes of air known as thermals carry warm moist air upwards into cooler air where it condenses. Mountains and hills cause orographic clouds which form where air is forced upwards to pass over them, like Table Mountain’s famous tablecloth.

Once you start to appreciate clouds there is no end to the possibilities: from simply lying on your back on the ground and admiring the passing parade to collecting clouds in various forms.

To me a sky without clouds is like a face without expression, clouds — leaving out boring old stratus — really do have a silver lining.

Gifts at Natural Health Store CLAIR WHITTY

At Natural Health Store, on the main street in Wexford we have opened a new department. It’s downstairs.

We opened it in June but lots of people don’t know it’s there so I thought I would let you know more about it. Especially seeing as you might be looking for gift ideas.

It was my niece Megan’s idea. We have always stocked crystals, wind chimes, dream catchers and incense sticks and Megan realised that she could do so much more with the idle space in our building.

Moving downstairs meant that we could expand on the ranges. For example, we now have well over 100 different incense sticks for you to choose from. That’s right, over 100. It might take you some time to choose one.

You have anything from Lavender, Nag Champ to White Sage. We also stock hand rolled Be Kind Industries Incense made in our very own County Wicklow.

We’ve expanded our crystal and gem stone selection and Megan will be happy to help you choose one.

We have selenite cleans-

ing bowls, crystal towers, crystals, and gem stones.

Our selection of gemstone bracelets and chains has grown too. Crystals are traditionally used for healing purposes; it’s believed they can help cope with stress and anxiety. For example, blue lace agate is said to calm an overthinking mind or lepidolite to ease anxiety and help with sleep. For protection you might choose black tourmaline. Or tiger’s

eye for courage. Children and adults love crystals and gem stones.

There are interesting things like sage and palo santo sticks, cleansing or scented room sprays, Evil Eye talisman key chains and bracelets, candles, wind chimes, and hanging crystals for the window. Worry dolls to help hold your worries for you so you don’t have to.

Megan has chosen a lovely selection of oracle cards ranging from angels, archangel, crystals, animal, shaman, and spiritual for you to choose from.

It is difficult to do this new department justice without you seeing it for yourself.

Megan has managed to get some of the products up for you to see on our website.

You might find something you like there.

But the best thing to do is to pop in to see us. If our Kilkenny store suits you better, we have gifts there too. If we haven’t got what you are looking for let us know and we can get it for you from our Wexford store.

Shop online at www.naturalhealthstore.ie Natural Health Store, Market Cross Shopping Centre Phone: 056 7764538 Email: info@naturalhealthstore.ie

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News The tradition that is Hallowe’en originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honour all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Hallowe’en.

Over time, Hallowe’en evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.

For the Celts, November 1 marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. The Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort during the long, dark winter.

To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities.

During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other’s fortunes.

When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.

In the course of the 400 years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain.

The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honour Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple, and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of bobbing for apples that is practiced today on Hallowe’en.

On May 13, 609 AD, Pope Boniface IV dedicated the Pantheon in Rome in honour of all Christian martyrs, and the Catholic feast of All Martyrs Day was established in the Western church. Pope Gregory III later expanded the festival to include all saints as well as all martyrs, and moved the observance from May 13 to November 1.

By the 9th century, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands, where it gradually blended with and supplanted older Celtic rites. In 1000 AD, the church made November 2 All Souls’ Day, a day to honour the dead. It’s widely believed today that the church was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a relat-

SPECIAL REPORT

The origins of things that go bump in the night ed, church-sanctioned holiday.

To us here in Ireland, Hallowe’en seems to be a bigger and better celebration each year, more ‘Americanised’ if

you like. In the second half of the 19th century, America was flooded with new immigrants. These new immigrants, especially the millions of Irish

fleeing the Famine, helped to popularise the celebration of Hallowe’en throughout the US. Borrowing from European traditions, Americans began to

Classic Hallowe’en movies Scary Hallowe’en movies have a long history of being box office hits. Classic Hallowe’en movies include the ‘Hallowe’en’ franchise, based on the 1978 original film directed by John Carpenter and starring Donald Pleasance, Nick Castle, Jamie Lee Curtis and Tony Moran.

In ‘Hallowe’en’ a young boy named Michael Myers murders his 17-year-old sister and is committed to jail, only to escape as a teen on Hallowe’en night and seek out his old home, and a new target. A direct sequel to the original was released in 2018, starring

Jamie Lee Curtis and Nick Castle. A sequel to that —’Hallowe’en Kills’, the 12th film in the franchise overall — was released in 2021.

Considered a classic horror film down to its spooky soundtrack, ‘Hallowe’en’ inspired other iconic “slasher films” like ‘Scream’, ‘Nightmare On Elm Street’ and ‘Friday The 13th’.

More family-friendly Hallowe’en movies include ‘Hocus Pocus’, ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’, ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’.

dress up in costumes and go house to house asking for food or money, a practice that eventually became today’s ‘trick-ortreat’ tradition. Young women believed that on Hallowe’en they could divine the name or appearance of their future husband by doing tricks with yarn, apple parings or mirrors.

In the late 1800s, there was a move in America to mould Halloween into a holiday more about community and neighbourly get-togethers than about ghosts, pranks and witchcraft. At the turn of the century, Hallowe’en parties for both children and adults became the most common way to celebrate the day. Parties focused on games, foods of the season and festive costumes.

Parents were encouraged by newspapers and community leaders to take anything “frightening” or “grotesque” out of Hallowe’en celebrations. Because of these efforts, Hallowe’en lost most of its superstitious and religious overtones by the beginning of the 20th century.

The tradition of trick-or-treat-

ing probably dates back to the early All Souls’ Day parades in England. During the festivities, poor citizens would beg for food and families would give them pastries called “soul cakes” in return for their promise to pray for the family’s dead relatives.

The distribution of soul cakes was encouraged by the church as a way to replace the ancient practice of leaving food and wine for roaming spirits. The practice, which was referred to as ‘going a-souling’ was eventually taken up by children who would visit the houses in their neighbourhood and be given ale, food and money.

The tradition of dressing in costume for Hallowe’en has both European and Celtic roots. Hundreds of years ago, winter was an uncertain and frightening time. Food supplies often ran low and, for the many people afraid of the dark, the short days of winter were full of constant worry.

On Hallowe’en, when it was believed that ghosts came back to the earthly world, people thought that they would encounter ghosts if they left their homes. To avoid being recognised by these ghosts, people would wear masks when they left their homes after dark so that the ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits.

T keep ghosts away from their houses, people would place bowls of food outside their homes to appease the ghosts and prevent them from attempting to enter.

At Hallowe’en we avoid crossing paths with black cats, afraid that they might bring us bad luck. This idea has its roots in the Middle Ages, when many people believed that witches avoided detection by turning themselves into black cats.

We try not to walk under ladders for the same reason. This superstition may have come from the ancient Egyptians, who believed that triangles were sacred (it also may have something to do with the fact that walking under a leaning ladder tends to be fairly unsafe).

And around Hallowe’en, especially, we try to avoid breaking mirrors, stepping on cracks in the road or spilling salt.

But what about the Hallowe’en traditions and beliefs that today’s trick-or-treaters have forgotten all about?

Many of these obsolete rituals focused on the future instead of the past and the living instead of the dead.

In particular, many had to do with helping young women identify their future husbands and reassuring them that they would someday — with luck, by next Halloween — be married. In 18th century Ireland, a matchmaking cook might bury a ring in her mashed potatoes on Halloween night, hoping to bring true love to the diner who found it.

In Scotland, fortune-tellers recommended that an eligible young woman name a hazelnut for each of her suitors and then toss the nuts into the fireplace.

The nut that burned to ashes rather than popping or exploding, the story went, represented the girl’s future husband.

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Opinion

Your Money & You John Ellis

A pension is not only a vehicle for tax relief It’s that time of year again when people are considering how much they can afford to put in their pension. For so many people the only benchmark is how much needs to be invested to get the maximum relief for the tax year.

Unfortunately for many the view is if there is no tax relief it’s not really an option, forgetting that not only is tax relief available on contributions but that the fund in the pension grows tax free ie. no income tax, PRSI, USC or capital gains tax.

Of course, you will have to pay tax on the proceeds of your pension when you retire but 25% is tax free up to €200,000 and the remaining funds invested will be taxed as it is drawn down. But it can be less that you might think.

Pension provision is more than a tax planning vehicle.

For many people it is the means to a change of pace rather than the ending of the

working life with most wanting to continue working even if financially secure in retirement.

This indicates that financial security is important but it’s not the only ingredient for a happy retirement. We value our mind just as much as our money and we want to feel connected which is a realisation that has formed for many after the pandemic To give retirement planning new meaning, we need to really understand what it means for retirees of today and future generations. And so, Standard Life regularly conducted research to “identify and better understand all aspects of the retirement process, from people’s attitudes, expectations and behaviours to our present retirees’ lived experience”.

The research was conducted through the Retirement Pulse; a nationally representative and independently administered

online survey. They interacted with up to 1,150 people across Ireland including all age ranges, social backgrounds, and levels of financial security.

According to the research many people are looking forward to retirement and there’s plenty of evidence to illustrate how holistic planning ahead of time has a profoundly positive impact. People who own and engage with their pension are more likely to feel confident, optimistic, and empowered in retirement.

But with many young people, Millennials, their mindset isn’t focussed on pensions due mainly to struggling with the housing market and evidence shows that they are less likely than others to own a pension. More than three fifths do not have a pension and, of those that do, a quarter confirmed they don’t take an active interest in it, nor do they take advantage of the tax relief available on contributions.

They need to listen to their elders, as with the benefit of hindsight many retirees regret not giving more thought to their pensions throughout their working life.

Unfortunately, due to current crisis and the continual talk of poor State pension prospects many are feeling anxious, with 42% of 18–24-year-olds saying that thinking about retirement makes them feel anxious or scared leading to feelings of apathy in those in their late 20s and early 30s. These emotions resurface from the age of 45 and while “the scales tip towards a more empowered disposition, with more Gen Xs and Baby Boomers rejecting the suggestion that retirement is scary, there’s still a significant number that are fearful as the prospect of retirement looms closer”.

The report shows that, despite female pension ownership growing, they still track behind men overall (45%

versus 55%). When analysed by pension type (public, occupational and personal) women are far more likely to own a public pension and less likely than the national average to own an occupational pension. They are far

‘How we view retirement needs to change ...

less likely to take an active interest in their pension (27% disagree to taking an interest versus 16% of men). Therefore, they’re far more likely than men to say they don’t know how their pension is performing (30% versus 11% of men).

To overcome these and other problems outlined in the report Alan McCarthy Head of Distribution in Standard Life says: “The lens through which we’ve traditionally viewed retirement needs to change because the way in which people experience retirement continues to change.

The study elevates this understanding by identifying the spectrum of attitudes and exploring the range of factors that influence how we feel about and plan for retirement.”

So, the idea that pension provision is only a vehicle for tax purposes needs to change. john@ellisfinancial 086 8362622

Sporting days and the Majorettes…

BY JOHN FITZGERALD

The band’s debut appearance at Croke Park coincided with a match there involving the Kilkenny Camogie team. The girls, who scooped an All-Ireland victory, received a great morale booster from the presence of the band in Dublin. When the team returned to Kilkenny, the Camogie players formed a guard of honour with raised hurleys for the band on the Parade.

The James Stephen’s GAA Club formed a special bond with the band at an early stage. After the parish team won its first championship in 1924, the band led the triumphant lads back from St. James’s Park to The Village.

And the club aided the band too, especially by helping to build a new Band hall in the late 1940s.

This was only one example of how the goodwill and community spirit of The Village kept the band alive against the odds. It had survived RIC baton charges, and so too it withstood the icy winds of economic recession and increasing costs of keeping its show on the road.

In the late thirties, the demolition of the old band hall on the

Kells road left St. Patrick’s without a HQ…until Johanna Larkin came to the rescue. Hailed as “Mother of the Band” owing to her years of dedicated service and advice, she allowed her house to be used both to store the instruments and for practise sessions.

In late 1970, money was scarce and the band faced a seeming crisis as many of its vital musical instruments were beyond repair.

A cloud of gloom and doom hovered over St. Patrick’s Parish.

Was this the end of its beloved brass band?

No chance! A meeting was called of all band members and supporters, past and present, and an action group was formed to save the band. The small, dedicated committee initiated a worldwide appeal. The plea went out to people of Kilkenny

extraction everywhere.

And the call did not go unheeded.

Donations came pouring in from every part of the world where a proud Kilkenny heart ticked in forced or voluntary exile. Soon, the hard-pressed members had sparkling new silver instruments. The band was back on the road, marching with a new confidence and the professionalism that had distinguished its long and often turbulent history The Majorettes In late 1970, with its financial crisis out of the way, the band soared to new heights of fame and popularity with the formation of the Corps of Majorettes.

The band chose twenty-five glamorous girls from hundreds of potential female recruits. The vetting process was ruthless but fair.

Only the most committed applicants could be considered.

Kilkenny Military Barracks was the scene for much of the tough training course the women had to undergo before “passing out” as Majorettes.

Day and night they practiced and rehearsed. On bleak winter days, they drilled endlessly on the parade ground. On dark evenings, military commands directed at the turbo-charged young women pierced the

winter air above the barracks.

“Do they ever get a rest at all?” an admiring soldier asked his mates as he eyed the twentyfive trainees through a frosted window in his quarters.

A high-ranking army officer who witnessed them being put through their paces in the middle of a snowfall remarked that even regular defence force training was “a synch” compared

to what these elite ladies had to endure to reach the impeccable standards set by the band…

Pictures show 1) The Majorettes parading through Enniscorthy in 1973; 2) the Patrician Year Band (1961), and 3) the Lord Mayor of Dublin presenting Majorette Teresa Walsh with an award.

To be continued...

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 28 October 2022

News & Wellbeing Science With the ongoing rise in the the cost of living, the energy fiasco and shares and investments taking a knocking, many of us are most like suffering financial anxiety to some degree or other.

Indeed, to put it bluntly many families are downright scared of how they will be able to handle their money in the coming winter m months, despite Government aid.

Even mild levels of financial worry can negatively impact your mental and physical well-being; anxiety affects your concentration, decision making, sleep, hormones, and immune system.

What’s more, excess anxiety reduces your ability to focus and get your finances on track. Lindsay Bryan-Podvin, a social worker and financial therapist, explains this irony: “Anxiety can lead to perfectionism and procrastination.

Anxious people often freeze.

They feel overwhelmed and struggle to get started.”

So, how can you spot whether you are experiencing financial anxiety? Set aside a few minutes to reflect on your feelings about money and how it affects your life.

Consider physical and emotional signs, such as whether concerns about money have ever led to: trouble concentrating or sleeping; feeling guilty or overwhelmed; sweating or racing heart; or fatigue or psychosomatic pain like tension headaches, muscle tightness, or upset stomach.

Also consider behavioural signs like: avoiding the topic of money; overspending, obsessing about spending, and short-sighted or risk-averse spending (like taking some guaranteed money immediately versus more money later); risky behaviour like gambling or excessive alco-

How to deal with financial anxiety

hol consumption; or social problems, like conflict in relationships or isolating yourself.

Given the causes and consequences of financial anxiety, what can individuals do to get their anxiety under control and improve their financial security?

First, make a plan for when acute anxiety kicks in. Nearly

everyone has moments of intense anxiety. What’s important is to ensure that acute anxiety does not become chronic or lead to poor decisions.

To tackle acute anxiety, decide in advance how you will tackle it next time it starts. Simply having a plan substantially increases your chance of success. Some

science-backed possibilities include exercise, calling a friend or family member, and practicing mindfulness or meditation.

Also, take a moment to reflect on when you tend to experience financial anxiety.

Are there certain environments or times when you tend to start thinking negative thoughts, tense up, or

feel your heart racing?

You might find it useful to briefly “check in” with yourself daily. Ask yourself how you are feeling, whether you had any anxiety episodes, and what might help during these situations in the future. Consider engaging a trusted family member or partner to help you reflect and provide social support.

Second, cultivate a more positive relationship with money.

The goal here is to decrease your anxiety and boost your confidence by highlighting how you can control your financial situation.

To begin, drop any guilt.

Bryan-Podvin notes that our culture often shames people for making money mistakes.

But nearly everyone — regardless of background — has made financial mistakes.

Most of us were never taught financial literacy growing up. Many others historically lacked access to financial resources or simply aren’t paid enough to make financial stability easy.

Instead, aim to repeatedly engage with money in a neutral or positive way — what psychologists call desensitisation. Here are a few suggestions: Identify what purchases are truly beneficial to you, and plan ahead to savour them.

Reflect on one positive financial decision you made each day. Practice simply thinking about your income, spending a minute or two at a time acknowledging and accepting any thoughts or feelings that may arise.

Recognise that money is not your identity. Instead focus on your strengths and values.

Third, take small active steps to regain your financial confidence. You want to pick goals that are reachable.

When possible, highlight your small successes. You could store your daily savings

in a glass jar where you can see your savings grow each month before you deposit it, or you could keep a journal of good choices.

Also, consider learning more about finances in general — how to budget, various savings options, how to prioritise debts, and so forth.

Financial literacy reduces financial anxiety in part because literate people make better decisions.

Finally, create a longerterm money plan. Planning increases the belief that you have enough money to fullfil your wants and needs, and the likelihood that you’ll actually reach your goals.

Take a moment to think about your personal values, goals, and lifestyle. Start small. Instead of trying to make a perfect, life-long plan, begin by identifying the goals and timelines that are most important to you right now.

This might mean identifying only one goal, like creating an emergency savings fund or paying off a high-interest loan.

Develop a budget consistent with your needs and values After identifying your goal, draft a budget. The general idea is to clarify your income and then plan how you will spend it. As much as possible, make your budgeting automatic. This way you don’t have to practice any self-discipline, and everything is taken care of for you.

For example, if you want to save $100 per month in a retirement fund, establish that your employer or bank will directly deposit the funds to the retirement account each month.

Finally, take a deep breath and get going: With a few small changes you will be on your way to reducing financial anxiety and improving your financial well-being.

Cancer breakthrough with Covid vaccine Husband and wife team, Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci, are the founders of the German vaccine firm working on the exciting medical advancement, and during the Covid-19 outbreak, the pair partnered with Pfizer to create the messenger RNA (mRNA for short) Covid vaccine.

Before the pandemic hit, scientists Şahin and Türeci were already focusing on exploring cancer immunotherapies and potential vaccines. However, during the global emergency, the firm put their cancerrelated work on hold and turned to developing Covid vaccines.

Now, the couple claim that their success with Covid vaccines over the past couple of years has helped with the development of finding a possible future cancer cure.

Their company currently has several vaccine treat-

ments in clinical trials, including one where patients with a cancer diagnosis are given a personalised vaccine, to prompt their immune system and attack their disease.

Prof Türeci, BioNTech’s

chief medical officer, told the BBC’s ‘Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg’ how the mRNA technology that was used in their Covid vaccine could one day work to protect the immune system and attack

cancer cells too.

“What we have developed over decades for cancer vaccine development has been the tailwind for developing the Covid-19 vaccine, and now the Covid-19 vaccine

and our experience in developing it gives back to our cancer work,” Prof Tureci said. “We have learned how to better, faster manufacture vaccines. We have learned in a large number of people how the immune system reacts towards mRNA.” Using mRNA technology helped pioneer Covid-19 jabs, and as Türeci explains, Covid vaccine technology could potentially be the answer to crack down on cancer.

Charity, Cancer Research UK has already partnered with Vaccitech to trial one of the world’s first therapeutic vaccines for lung cancer. Dr Rupal Mistry, Research Information Manager at the charity, explainsed to Cosmopolitan UK how a future cancer vaccine would work: “Messenger RNA cancer vaccines are made with bits of ‘RNA’ that are usually found in can-

cer cells. They can be injected into the body to make the cells of the immune system better at responding to and destroying cancer cells.

“Just as science was our route out of the pandemic, science is our route to beating cancer. We’re optimistic that, in the future, we will see mRNA technology and other exciting vaccine approaches giving doctors more treatment options to help beat cancer.”

Despite the positive progress, medical professionals are still cautious that there is still not a cure for cancer – at least not just yet. The BioNTech founders admit that there will most likely be hurdles ahead. “As scientists we are always hesitant to say we will have a cure for cancer,” Türeci said. “[But] we have a number of breakthroughs and we will continue to work on them.”

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Travel & Leisure Appreciate a 360° view of the city below from a rooftop bar with a cocktail in hand...

1. Cielo Terrace at Hotel de la Ville Piazza Di Spagna €€€ Hotel de la Ville is one of the many 5-star hotels with rooftop bars in Rome. And, just like the hotel, the Ciela Terrace offers top-notch service and products. Its drinks are inventive and a treat for the eyes as much as the tongue, with cocktail flavours inspired by fables, myths, and Greek gods.

Try the Venere cocktail dedicated to the god of beauty, love, and desire with pink vodka, pineapple extract and golden cherry. Or, for something more robust, try the Vulcano cocktail made with actual volcano gin and smokey clouds.

2. Zuma Piazza di Spagna €€€ What do you get when you mix sake, a rooftop bar, and Rome? You get the luxe Japanese restaurant and bar that is Zuma Rome.

As this terrace bar includes a Japanese restaurant, you can expect authentic yet modern East Asian flavours incorporated into traditional cocktails which taste amazing, and Zuma turns up the theatrics to a hundred.

The Oni cocktail, for example, gets served in a box filled with smoking dry ice.

Zuma is very popular – not only because it offers amazing sunset and nighttime views of the Piazza di Spagna but because the bar sits atop one of the most luxurious fashion houses in Italy — the Palazzo Fendi.

3. Les Étoiles Terrace Atlante Hotels Rome Piazza Delle Vaschette €€€ Les Étoiles rooftop bar, Rome is the place to be for rich rooftop blooms and views of iconic Rome landmarks.

Surrounded by the sweet and fruity smells of the cheery

When in Rome: rooftop bars with a view

flowers, you can enjoy a 360° view featuring Saint Peter’s Basilica and Vatican City.

The bar is open every day from 10 am to 1 am, alternating between serving coffee, cocktails, wine, and champagne at the appropriate times (although, it’s never too early for a glass of wine, in my opinion).

The bar sells all the classic cocktails, so you can still enjoy your go-tos.

4. Minerva Roof Garden Grand Hotel de La Minerve Piazza Della Minerva €€€ Just a stone’s throw away from The Pantheon is where you’ll find the Grand Hotel de La Minerve and its Minerva Roof Garden Bar. High above the city on the hotel’s eighth floor, this al fresco rooftop garden is open every summer night. It has an unobstructed panoramic view of some of the best landmarks

– you won’t need binoculars to spot Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and Navona square from new heights with Prosecco in hand.

Or, if you prefer, enjoy a fun apple or chocolate mojito while Maestro Antonio Nasca entertains the crowd with his live music.

5. Hotel Forum Terrace American Bar Forum Romanum €€

These incredible camps in Botswana offer top-notch amenities, breathtaking views, and well-appointed interiors that would rival those of any five-star resort,.

Mashatu, Kalahari DesertMashatu is on the eastern fringes of the Kalahari Desert so water is its most precious re- source.

The luxurious camps being close to water, and in thickets of remarkable vegetation, transport the visitor into an enclave enriched and populated by birds and animals, of which there are so many species and varieties that it would take a wanna-be David Attenborough a lifetime of learning to keep up.

Mashatu Lodge (Main Camp), where I stay, is an oasis among the undulating and seemingly endless

The sustainable, solarpowered lodge features 12 individually designed suites, all of which incorporate superb interiors and artwork from more than 80 pan-African artists.

From safari game drives and dining in the bush to art tours and stargazing, there’s something for every kind of traveler here.

On safari in Botswana plains of the wild. Fourteen luxury suites lie along the camp’s perimeters to allow for absolute privacy and communion with the Botswanan bush and its wondrous inhabitants.

At night, on my decking,

in solitude, I listen to the rustlings out there in the darkness made visible under a starry sky, and the strange, yet oddly familiar, sounds of its community, a cacophony that soothes my very soul.

This classic and elegant hotel juxtaposes the ruins of landmarks in Italy, like Capitoline Hill and the Roman Forum. Although hard to imagine, it works and lends a hand in offering some of the most breathtaking a hand in offering some of the most breathtaking views of the city’s history.

Hotel Forum’s American Bar is a cosy yet classic-style terrace bar, and it’s a great place

Xigera Safari Lodge, Okavango Delta Deeply rooted in the Okavango Delta and surrounded by indigenous trees, Xigera Safari Lodge rests in the wilderness of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Duke’s Camp, Okavango Delta This just-completed camp is the epitome of luxury and old-world glamour.

Design-lovers will swoon over the adorable scalloped tent edges, layered Persian rugs and kilims, and handcarved furniture.

Meals are also a lavish affair in an elegant Persian tea tent—the vintage table is laden with crystal and antique silverware, and guests dine on fine food

to have a laid back drink. The expert bartender duo Paolo and Flavio will surely take you under their wing and guide you to the best cocktails, grappas, and long drinks for your palette.

Hungry? Downstairs is a roof garden restaurant where you can catch a bite to eat before heading to the bar for a nightcap under the stars.

6. Mater Terrae Bio Hotel Raphael Piazza Navona €€€ The Bio Hotel Raphael is an opulent 5-star hotel, so it’s no wonder it has a Michelin-star vegetarian restaurant with one of the best rooftop bars in Rome.

Mater Terrae is a fantastic place to go for a mid-day drink or late-night cocktail, no matter the weather. Half of the bar is under a roof, while the other allows al fresco dining and drinks. You‘ll be happy to know that this hotel and bar are for the environment and serve an extensive list of vegetarian and vegan drinks and wines.

For a seriously luxurious afternoon, opt for the champagne cocktails with fresh in-season fruits and juices. Of course, there are also classic alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available too. But when in Rome..

7. Tiziano Terrace Monti Palace Hotel €€ This contemporary and stylish terrace is one of Rome’s best rooftop bars. And they’re trying to keep it as a hidden gem. So, we suggest you stop by before the masses find it.

The Tiziano Terrace is open Monday to Saturday, serving its patrons 180° views of the Monti district. It also serves them assorted platters of cheeses and meats with their specially crafted cocktails, aperitifs, and fine wines.

If, on the off chance, the weather isn’t as great, simply move inside to the modern indoor lounge. While indoors, it still offers partial views of the city through the floor-to-ceiling glass doors

and wine amidst flickering lanterns. During your stay, don’t miss fly-camping on a remote, lantern-lit island.

Jack’s Camp, Makgadikgadi Pan If you were to dream a safari camp, it would be Jack’s Camp ... beautiful fabric paneling, layered Persian rugs, and a draped four-poster bed. This classic, 1940s-style East African safari camp is located in Makgadikgadi Pan, a massive flat white salt pan, where you can spot archaeological sites of giant zebra and hippo.

During the wet season, 35,000-70,000 zebra and wildebeest migrate here (along with predators like lion and cheetah), along with thousands of flamingoes. This camp is a true bush hideaway with all the creature comforts of home.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 28 October 2022

Opinion

Furthermore Gerry Moran

A winning banquet to savour and remember It’s Savour Kilkenny weekend and I am remembering a meal, a banquet actually, that I shall never forget and one that I most certainly will always savour.

My wife and I were in Stockholm in Sweden, the birthplace of Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite who left his vast fortune to fund the Nobel prizes. I was in Stockholm’s City Hall, where the prize winners always assemble for a banquet after the prizegiving ceremony in the Concert Hall.

The prize-giving and banquet always take place on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death in 1896 at the age of 63.

What I was doing in Stockholm’s City Hall, however, had less to do with Nobel Prize winners and more to do with hunger. My wife and

I were there for dinner. It’s our last night in Stockholm and we decide to go somewhere different for our last supper, so to speak.

Browsing through our tourist guide we come upon the following: “Stadshus Kallaren – found in the basement of City Hall, come here to savour a Nobel Banquet. In fact your dinner will consist of the menu and wines served to the Nobel Prize winners the previous December 10.”

Perfect, I tell my wife.

Perhaps if I eat what the great Nobel Prize winners of literature ate, I might write a Nobel Prize winning piece myself.

“A cheap bestseller will do fine,” my wife quips as we head for Stockholm’s City Hall.

The Stadshus Kallaren is long and spacious, the walls and ceiling are elegantly

decorated with frescoes, and it resembles an ornate place of worship.

We are handed our menus

by Crister, a silver, longhaired, elderly gentleman, who is a dead-ringer for the actor Michael Gambon.

Crister would slot easily into an Agatha Christy murder mystery or eerie horror movie.

He prepares a table for us, a table that replicates in detail, from the candelabra and gold plated plates to the gold plated cutlery and glasses, the exact table setup for the Nobel banquet that will take place, upstairs in the Blue Room of Stockholm’s City Hall on December 10.

The laying of the tables for the 1,300 plus guests, including the King and Queen of Sweden, will occupy 28 people for eight hours; 38 cooks will be on duty, 228

waiters will serve the food and five people will work flat out uncorking bottles of champagne and wine.

No such fuss tonight as Crister uncorks a bottle of Montaudon Brut Reserve champagne which is served with our first course — mosaic of salted salmon and scallops with bleak roe (Swedish caviar) served with cucumber and apple salad. It is delightful, as is the champagne, and Crister, God bless him, is not slow to refill our glasses.

The main course is a favourite of mine — lamb, herb baked back of lamb with olive glazed vegetables, potato and Jerusalem artichoke puree, served with port wine sauce.

It is scrumptious and is accompanied by a red Backsberg Pumphouse Shiraz from South Africa.

And, again, Crister is not

found wanting when it comes to a refill.

Three different menus are prepared each year and are tasted by members of the Nobel foundation at a trial dinner. The selected menu takes into account the different cultural backgrounds of the guests while incorporating a typical Scandinavian flavour.

Back in 1995 the late Seamus Heaney, our Nobel Laureate for literature, tucked into west coast special, salt cod with sorrel apple salad for starters, herb fried fillet of red deer with ragout of mushrooms, zucchini, bacon, black currant sauce and potato cake for main course and Nobel ice-cream parfait with spun sugar for desert.

Our desert tonight is pineapple parfait on almond and cinnamon biscuit served with sugar glazed,

mint flavoured pineapple salad, accompanied by a glass of Sauternes desert wine. We finish off with coffee and a chocolate replica of the gold medal that the prize winners will receive from the King of Sweden, Carl XV1 Gustaf, along with their diplomas and substantial cheques.

What this year’s Nobel Prize winner for literature, French author Annie Arnaux, and her fellow prize-winners. will tuck into is anyone’s guess but, I guarantee this, it will be tasty and it will be served with style and panache and perfect timing. Our Nobel banquet was not cheap but it was by no means as expensive as some of Dublin’s renowned eateries.

Was it worth it? But, of course, and already I’m working on my Nobel prizewinning speech!

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Opinion

Jake, Sunday Mass, bacon, and cabbage

BY NED EGAN

Part 1 Sunday Mass was a great time for me, back in the 40s, when I was about ten. No, I didn’t go but lots of other people did. Including well-off farmers in our area. I had a gambling clown of a father. Aren’t all gamblers clowns? The only solution for a gambling waster is to increase his weight suddenly – by one ounce!

Of lead! This parent of mine caused the deaths of three daughters -- . The rest of us had nothing – except TB. All week I’d look forward to Sunday, when the gullible went into the local church to hear the dreadful old fraud - - Father O’Keefe – or ‘O’Thief ’ as I nicknamed him - drone out his lies and feeble imaginings to a captive crowd. {I got many a beating when it

was discovered I had so nicknamed the old fossil.} My own fault; a little braggart was I! {But there was also a gentle muchloved curate in the village, a Fr Cullen.} Anyway, back to my love of the Sunday Mass. Most farmers used go to Second Mass, having milked the cows during the First. The whole family would hop into the ‘trap’ {gig} and off to the Temple of the Trogs.

I’d be hiding in a nearby ditch, observing; and counting heads. If all the family were on board, I’d be up to the house door in no time; any watch-dog downfaced by my sturdy ash plant. Into the warm kitchen then, and the smell of cooking bacon like Chanel Number 5 in my nostrils.

The sweet grub would be simmering away, to be ready for the hungry ‘Saved Ones’ when they returned. I knew I’d h ave at least an hour, so I needen’t hurry or worry - but I made sure the back door was always ‘on the latch’, in case of a required ‘quick run.’ Mind

you, I never raided the house of a decent family like the Brennans, Codys, or Treacys. The mean bauhocs were the ones … and they always had a good Sunday dinner on the go – for themselves.

Which suited me no end.

I’d get a big knife from the drawer, and hack off a fine slab of bacon, and grab a bit of cabbage, and a spud.

When I’d sit down to this feast, I felt like the King of Ireland!! I’d have cut the meat off sideways, so had fat and lean. Removing all the fat would have made the eagle-eyed Missus suspicious. Having consumed this gorgeous grub, I would clean plate,, knife and fork, and return them to exactly where I’d found them. Because the Missus would spot everything, if she copped anything. I never took too much, only having a small belly.

Also, I stole not a penny.

That would have doomed future visits, as anyone having a bit of cash in those tough days knew exactly how much – or little – they had. I would

snaffle a few ‘cuts’ of bread – never taking a loose slice – but cutting them off the ‘heel.’ Loose slices would likely be missed.

On the way out, I would visit the henhouse.

Always just taking two or three eggies. That few wouldn’t be missed. My old Mammy loved an egg on her toast of a morning.

She never queried their sudden appearance.

Probably guessed!

One Sunday when I was wiring into a great feed, I got a fair shock.

The back door opened suddenly, and there was I, a tattered mendicant child – spooning illegally got victuals into my face!!

A big fellow stood in the doorway, watching me, as surprised as I was. “And who” he go, “have we got here?” Realising I was snagged, I told the truth.

“I’m from up the road a bit, my name is Neddie Egan.”

“Ah, an Egan” he replied, musingly. “Ye haven’t much up there at the Cross of Baurscoobe, have ye?” To which I replied

“Naw, the bookie eats our food, every day.”

He came and sat down across from me. Big enough to put me in his pocket. “I suppose Cate [the Missus of the house] – wouldn’t know about your little visit, Neddie?

She’s not one for throwing grub around. My sister, but a tight one. I live in England, and when I come home, I give her a few pounds to cover my stay.

I only come back here to walk the fields and talk to the animals. Not much good with people, me.

That’s probably why the wife ran off, a good while ago. But you needn’t fear me, Neddie –- eat as much as you want - I haven’t even seen you!” That, with a grin!

Well, that was a good one! It turned out he always came to the area at night, by hackney car, up from Waterford Port. Same when he left. Only walked the home-farm lands, spent his days sitting by hedges or dykes or ditches, or walls, leaning against trees. Happy.

Never answering anyone’s

greeting, just a wave of the hand, and a friendly smile.

Acting mute, which he certainly was not. “ You know, young Egan, I was born in this house.”

This was news to me. “I pulled out early in life.

Went away to England, and got ready for what I always wanted to do. But first I had to learn a bit about electrics, and also bricklaying. So I worked as a labourer in those trades for a few years, and watched everything that the tradesmen did.

Having a natural sharp memory, I would soon be ‘helping’ the main man, which would suit us both!

And do you know what I wanted to be, Neddie E? Three guesses!” So I thought, out loud……… to be continued.

Ned E Disclaimer The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of The Kilkenny Observer.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 28 October 2022

Global Report Who is Rishi Sunak and what sort of leader of the UK might he be?

Over the summer, Mr Sunak’s campaign messaging had been primarily focused on one issue: the worsening state of the UK economy, and his plan to sort it out.

During that contest, Mr Sunak had told the BBC he would rather lose the Tory leadership race than “win on a false promise”.

It appeared to be an attack aimed at tax cuts promised by Liz Truss, who at the time accused Mr Sunak of “scaremongering” and “Project Fear”.

Then, almost two weeks ago, almost all of the proposed tax cuts were withdrawn in a bid to stabilise the financial markets.

Mr Sunak, who has not commented on the recent turmoil, said he was standing as PM to fix a “profound economic crisis” as well as unite his party.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is backing him, saying he would make the “choices necessary for our long-term prosperity”.

Rishi Sunak encouraged the British public to ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ during the Covid pandemic, a government campaign to help hospitality firms that was later linked to a spike in infections He became chancellor in February 2020 and within weeks found himself having to steer the UK economy as the pandemic and its lockdowns began.

For quite a few people, this teetotal millennial — he had his 40th birthday during the first lockdown and will be the UK’s youngest Prime Minister in more than 100 years — appeared to be a reassuringly steady hand at the tiller.

When he pledged to do “whatever it takes” to help people through the pandemic in the spring of 2020 — and unveiled support worth £350bn — his personal poll ratings went through the roof.

In April, some Conservative critics questioned whether the millionaire had grasped the scale of the cost-of-living

The life and times of Rishi Sunak squeeze facing struggling households.

In that month, the finances of Mr Sunak and his family came under intense scrutiny, with the tax affairs of his heiress wife Akshata Murty placed in the spotlight.

She later announced she would start paying UK tax on her overseas earnings to relieve political pressure on her husband.

Labour posed a number of questions about his finances, including: had Mr Sunak ever benefited from the use of tax havens?

Mr Sunak’s parents came to the UK from east Africa and are both of Indian origin.

He was born in Southampton in 1980, where his father was a GP, and his mother ran her own pharmacy.

He attended the exclusive private school Winchester College — and worked as a waiter at a Southampton curry house during his summer holidays — then went to Oxford to study philosophy, politics and economics.

While studying for an MBA at Stanford University he met his wife Ms Murty, the daughter of Narayana Murthy, Indian billionaire and co-founder of IT services giant Infosys. The couple have two daughters.

During the previous leadership campaign, he often mentioned his daughters in the context of climate change.

Answering a question on climate change during a BBC TV debate, Mr Sunak said he took “advice from my two young daughters, who are the experts of this in my household”.

Mr Sunak’s wealth and private school background came into focus in other TV dede bates.

From 2001 to 2004, Mr Sunak was an analyst for GoldGold man Sachs and was later a partner in two hedge funds.

He is thought to be one of the richest MPs but he has not commented publicpublic ly on how much he is worth.

Since 2015 he has been the Conservative MP for RichRich mond in Yorkshire and bebe came a junior minister in Theresa May’s government before being made chief secretary to the Treasury by her successor, Boris Johnson.

He was promoted to chancellor in FebruFebru ary 2020 and was a vocal supporter of Mr Johnson at first, but resigned saying he felt his own approach to the economy was “fundamentally too differ-

ent” to that of the PM. Mr Sunak campaigned for Leave in the EU referendum, telling the Yorkshire Post he believed it would make the UK “freer, fairer and more prosperous”.

He said changing immigration rules was another key reason for his Leave vote: “I believe that appropriate immigration can benefit our country. But we must have control of our borders.”

Mr Sunak belongs to a generation born in the UK but with origins elsewhere.

This identity matters to him, he says.

“My parents emigrated here, so you’ve got this generation of people who are born here, their parents were not born here, and they’ve come to this country to make a life,” he said in an interview with the BBC in 2019.

“In terms of cultural upbringing, I’d be at the temple at the weekend — I’m a Hindu — but I’d also be at [Southampton Football Club] the Saints game as well on a Saturday — you do everything, you do both.”

In the interview he said he had been fortunate not to have endured a lot of racism growing up, but that there was one incident that had stayed with him.

“I was just out with my younger brother and younger sister, and I think, probably pretty young, I was probprob ably a mid-teenager, and we were out at a fast food restaurant and I was just looking after them. There were people sitting nearby, it was the first time I’d experienced it, just saying some very unpleasant things. The ‘P’ word.”

“And it stung. I still rememremem ber it. It seared in my memory.

You can be insulted in many different ways.”

However, he said he “can’t conceive of that happening today” in the UK.

How 1989 changed everything for China At first glance, the parallels between China’s strongman Xi Jinping [pictured] and the legendary Mao Zedong are striking. Chairman Mao, as he was known, was the defining political figure of 20th Century China. He ran the Communist Party — and the country — from the republic’s founding in 1949 until the day he died in 1976.

No other Chinese leader has since come close.

Until now.

Xi Jinping has became the first leader since Mao to be chosen as party chief for a third term. In his decade at the top, he has centralised power in his own hands, ruthlessly eliminated rivals, promoted a cult of personality, shut down criticism, and had his ideology — Xi Jin-

ping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era — enshrined in the constitution. He is known, only half-jokingly, as the Chairman of Everything.

But it’s still a mistake to draw a straight line from Mao to Xi because it dismisses all that came in between

— and the Chinese who dreamed or fought for a different country.

The truth is Xi’s path to power was far from inevitable. And it’s defined as much by his ambition as it is by the party’s failure to prevent what they did not want — a repeat of Chairman Mao’s

disastrous one-man rule.

In the 1980s, when the debates about China’s future were huge, significant, and consequential. The party itself was involved in those debates. But 1989 shut that down.

In 1989 — as the Soviet Union was breaking up — China’s hopes for change were crushed by tanks and automatic gunfire.

The country was still recovering in that decade or so following Mao’s death. Tens of millions had died on his watch — first from hunger because of his devastating mission to industrialise China overnight; and then in the violent, paranoid purges of rivals, dissidents, intellectuals and ‘class enemies’.

Mao’s mantle eventually

fell to Deng Xiaoping, who had survived two purges, and insisted on collective leadership that would change every 10 years.

By 1989, that included General Secretary Zhao Ziyang, a reformist.

In the spring of that year hundreds of thousands of students and workers occupied central Beijing to protest against corruption and rising prices, and demand reform. Behind the high walls of the Communist Party’s leadership compound, Zhongnanhai, the party’s top rung split.

Moderates led by Zhao tried to use the protests to push further reform. Hardliners, led by Premier Li Peng, believed the students’ goal was to overthrow the

party, and wanted the protests quashed.

The hardliners won. Early on the morning of June 4, the tanks rolled in. The massacre at Tiananmen Square ended debate about political reform. Instead, the Communist Party turned to economic reform.

Estimates of how many died in the military crackdown at Tainanmen Square range from hundreds to thousands In 1992, Deng — who had remained China’s ‘paramount leader’ — declared that the party should allow “some people to get rich first”. It does not sound too dramatic, but it was another decisive break from Maoism.

Revolutionary austerity had been shown the door.

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News All photos: Vicky Comerford

Let’s Team Up to Clean Up, Together for Kilkenny “Let’s Team Up to Clean Up, Together for Kilkenny” saw over 50 groups registered to participate

in the 1st environmental day of action, with 600 litter pickers distributed along with 6,000 flowering bulbs to neighbourhoods

across Kilkenny City.

Unfavourable weather on the morning of Kilkenny Day led many groups to postponing their litter pick, and have been active over the past two weeks, when dry spells enabled groups to assemble. Bernadette Moloney, Environmental Awareness Officer with Kilkenny County Council, commented “I’d like to thank all the groups who litter picked their neighbourhoods over the past few weeks, its been incredible experience and the litter packs provide the tools for future litter picks and the planted spring bulbs will stand as a yearly reminder of the community spirit, present in their neighbourhoods”.

Mayor of Kilkenny, Cllr David Fitzgerald greeted volunteers at various events. The Mayor commented, “I was delighted that “Lets Team Up to Clean Up, Together for Kilkenny” pilot event took place during my term of office, while Kilkenny City is known for its litter free status, engaging the community and enabling them to look after their own neighbourhood is a positive step in assisting Keep Kilkenny Beautiful, the city’s tidy town group to retain their gold medal and strive for another national title”.

Sean McKeown, the Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council greeted the participants gathered the Volunteer Centre on the event morning. “The

pilot event complemented Kilkenny Day, and it helped us to gain logistical experience in advance of

running the much larger event next spring, that will incorporate both the city and county. I am very

grateful to our sponsors namely PRL, Dawn Meats, John O Shea Trust and Glanbia PLC/Glanbia Coop together with our waste management sponsor Panda. They have been instrumental to allow this initiative to become a reality by providing the necessary financial support for the next three years to cement this environmental day of action into the county’s community calendar. I must also thank, Commandant Stephen Mac Eoin and the army personnel from Stephens’ Barracks who very kindly provided their logistical expertise to assist the Council to arrange the community litter packs, as large amount of supplies were ordered and distributed out to the neighbourhoods around Kilkenny City via Stephens’ Barracks.”

The next event will coincide with St Brigid’s Day, the new public holiday on the first weekend in February 2023. Registration is now open for next year’s event, sport groups, community groups, schools and resident associations are welcome to participate by registering via https:// cleanup.kilkenny.ie/.

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News

Netflix: now, you’ll have to pay for sharing password Netflix has confirmed the date when Irish people using someone else’s password will have to pay extra fee.

Earlier this year, the streaming giant tried out new technology to crack down on people living at different addresses logging into the same account.

The service has confirmed that people using someone

else’s passwords will now have to pay that extra fee from Sunday, October 30.

Earlier this year, the streaming giant tried out new technology to crack down on people living at different addresses logging into the same account.

Account and password sharing is against Netflix’s terms of service but to this point, the

company had taken a relaxed approach to enforce the rule, despite an estimated 100 million users doing it.

In a recent email to subscribers, Netflix urged people to take up ‘Profile Transfer’ which they say “makes it easy for anyone using your account to transfer an existing profile – including recommendations, viewing

history, My List, settings, saved games and more – to a new account.

And it won’t be long before they enforce the new rule regardless.

The feature will automatically be enabled on Sunday, October 30.

Meanwhile, Apple + is raising the price of its Apple TV+ sub-

scription streaming service for the first time.

Apple TV+ will jump from $4.99 a month to €6.99 a month under the new pricing structure, while the annual plan will jump from €49 a year to €69.

“We introduced Apple TV+ at a very low price because we started with just a few shows and movies,” Apple said in a

statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “Three years later, Apple TV+ is home to an extensive selection of award-winning and broadly acclaimed series, feature films, documentaries, and kids and family entertainment from the world’s most creative storytellers.”

This week’s streaming Page 43

Climate moves: Government ‘must consider’ famers’ health The Government has been urged to “be very conscious” of “shocking” new research findings on farmer mental health when framing legislation on climate change.

The President of the Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA), Pat McCormack, said the “nonstop scapegoating” of farmers for “perceived wrongdoings” against the environment was having “a seriously depressing effect on farmers”.

His comments follow the publication of a HSE-funded study, conducted by UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, which found almost one in four farmers were considered “at risk for suicide”, while over 50% experienced “moderate to extremely severe depression”.

The report’s finding were published in last week’s The Kilkenny Observer.

The project, which included a national survey of 256 farmers plus interviews and focus groups, also found almost 40% of farmers experienced moderate to extremely severe anxiety and stress. The Government’s policies to reduce climate change, outsiders not understanding farming, and concern over the future of the farm were

the key triggers of stress among participants, according to authors Dr Tomás Russell and researcher Alison Stapleton.

On the findings, Mr McCormack said they “confirmed what anyone around farming already strongly suspected”.

“My own opinions are anecdotal, but I’ve no doubt the non-stop and often vicious scapegoating of farmers for all of society’s perceived wrongdoings against nature and the environment is having a seriously depressing effect on many farmers, as is the constant flow of new regulation which has no regard for the farmers concerned.

“This ‘blame game’ is relentless and as unfair as it is unjustified. Government can’t ignore these findings and they need to be very conscious of this issue when framing legislation,” he said.

IFA Farm Family Chair Alice Doyle described the findings as “shocking” and “very, very serious”. “Most farmers were good caregivers to the environment and anything they’ve done in the last 50 years was under the best scientific guidance of the time,” she said. “Now farmers are being told ‘everything you’ve done for the last 50 years is wrong.”

Fatalities on the land are the lowest to date The lowest number of farm fatalities ever reported to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) was recorded last year with 11 people dying in a work-place incident in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing sector. This is half the number of people who died in the sector the previous year.

The 11 deaths represent 29% of all work-place fatalities in 2021. Almost three-in-four (73%) were self-employed and almost half of those who died were 65 years or older.

Three of the deaths involved loss of control of a means of

transport, two involved a fall from a height and two involved an object from above falling on the victim.

Loss of control of an animal accounted for two deaths while being attacked by an animal accounted for one death. One fatality was caused by ‘other loss of control’.

Almost half of all fatal incidents in the last five years occurred in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing sector while there has been a total of 197 fatal incidents in the last decade.

New chapter” Editor PJ Cunningham with Tommy and Therese Coady from Kilkenny at the launch at Croke Park of ‘Grassroots The Second Half – Stories from the Heart of the GAA’ Photo: Aishling Conway

People with inside stories of GAA grassroots Kilkenny GAA fans have been told a new publication on life within the association highlights the 98% of the people who make up the association — the grassroots.

GAA President Larry McCarthy said “grassroots people” seldom got the spotlight for what they do but by writing their own accounts as part of this series of books, their story-telling would become part of the social and cultural history for the present and future generations.

The president was speaking as he launched ‘Grassroots: The Second Half, Stories From the Heart of the GAA’ at Croke Park which was edited by renowned author and

journalist, PJ Cunningham.

It features amusing, entertaining and dramatic tales from members and followers of the GAA at every level with gripping contributions also from such well-known sportspeople as former Antrim All-Star hurler, Sambo McNaughton, former rugby star Ollie Campbell, snooker star Ken Doherty, Kerry playwright John B Keane and Galway All-Ireland winner John Connolly.

“I’m not sure if there is some poetic licence in some of them,” the president joked.

“However, I do know I’ve enjoyed the two volumes that I’ve read and I hope there is more to come because these

books are shining a mirror into how and why the GAA has become such a pillar within Irish society.

“The reach and influence of the GAA and the focal point it provides in so many communities ensures it has attained a special status in the lives of so many.

“The GAA is essentially about people and places and these two powerful ingredients feature in many of the stories submitted for publication.”

Editor PJ Cunningham said it was fitting that Croke Park was the setting for the launch because the writers’ stories were being acknowledged at the very highest level by the

GAA. “The contributors have unearthed a treasure trove of local stories which would die out if not put in book form and these can broaden the understanding of what the GAA means,” he said.

“They used to say it was the Catholic Church, Fianna Fail and the GAA which was the at the core of Irish life – the first two have shrunk in terms of influence but the GAA’s continues to grow.”

The book is published by Ballpoint Press and retails at €19.99. It is available at ballpointpress.ie and in all good bookshops nationwide.

Farm lobby member ‘misled’ on land drain A witness whose presentation to an Oireachtas committee caused outcry among farmers has admitted presenting misinformation.

The witness — from an EU farm lobby group — told the Agriculture Committee that a proposed EU nature restoration law would require massive amounts of land drained for

agriculture to be rewet.

His warning caused uproar over the threat this move would pose to farmers, and in particular the smaller operators working on traditionally poorer land.

The witness, Niall Curley of the Copa-Cogeca group which represents EU farmers and agri-co-ops, has now written to

the committee to say he got his figures wrong.

“I humbly apologise for misleading you in my presentation and discussion, and I withdraw my remarks,” he wrote.

“My x==intention was to inform and to build understanding of the law, and in truth I have done the opposite through my testimony on this

issue. I accept my mistake, and I hope you can accept my apology.”

Mr Curley’s mistakes were brought to the attention of the committee by MEP Mick Wallace who said he had studied the law as a member of the European Parliament’s Environment and Public Health Committee.

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Winter is coming

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 28 October 2022

Feature

Challenge to power: Nixie Boran, freedom and the Castlecomer coal miners On Wednesday 12 October Anne Boran spoke to packed room at the Home Rule Club, Kilkenny City, about the remarkable life of her father Nixie Boran.

She began by outlining his background in the small town of Castlecomer, north County Kilkenny.

The town was at the centre of the Wandesforde estate.

Originally from Kirklington, North Yorkshire, they took possession of 22,000 acres of O’Brenan lands in the early 17th century.

The Wandesfordes owned most of the mines on the Leinster coalfield for three centuries until the Deerpark, the last major mine, closed in 1968.

Apprenticeship to life – 1904- 1922 Nixie Boran was born in Massford in 1904.

He was the first son of a small tenant farmer, George Boran, who was also a carter.

His grandfather, after whom Nixie was called, benefited from the Wandesforde sale of land after the Wyndham Land Act in 1903, gaining 31 acres just before he died in 1912.

In the first phase of his life Nixie came to terms with what was offered to him in the Castlecomer Coalfield.

He first had to face the loss of his mother, who died immediately after the birth of her fifth child in five years.

Although relatives were

very supportive, Nixie felt his mother’s loss very deeply.

His options were farming, carting, mining or emigration.

When he was twelve his school was visited by a De le Salle brother recruiting for the brotherhood and he decided to try it out.

He spent two years there and his exposure to reading and focused education served him well later.

He rejected a clerical life, however, and returned home, aged fourteen, to farming and mining.

He went into mines in 1918, first in Modubeagh and then nearer home in Glenmullen.

It was an unsettled period in Ireland politically and socially.

Nixie was too young to participate in the War of Independence but unemployment in the mines forced him, aged eighteen, to join the Free State army in June 1922. That was after the Treaty and just before the outbreak of the Civil War. Unfinished Business – 1922-1927 Thus began the second phase of his life. The army sent him to Tipperary to fight Republican forces led by Dan Breen, Dinny Lacey and Seamus Robinson.

After some months he became appalled by the state’s harsh punishment and execution of republicans.

He defected to the other side on 20 December 1922 and joined Dan Breen’s men.

First Committee ITGWU 1935 Back Row (left to right) John Fitzgerald, Frank Dormer, Jack Kavanagh, Ned Brennan (Darby), John Fitzgerald, James Phillips, Tom Brennan (Halad), Joe Fitzgerald Front Row (left to right) Michael Delaney, James Walsh, Joe Brennan (Long), Nixie Boran (Chairman), James Kelly (Branch Secretary), Martin Brennan (Roe), Michael Loughlin Jimmy Carroll (RIP), Deerpark Miner

Ann Boran speaking to the attendance at The Home Rule Club Kilkenny

Eleven months’ strike, 1949-1950. Deerpark miners meeting

Nixie and Tom Brennan Roe (Chairman of Castlecomer Branch and member of Congress)

Nixie Speaking at an ILO Conference in Geneva 1957

An eventful life followed and he built up a strong physical constitution, able to weather all conditions.

He found Dan Breen’s behaviour unnecessarily harsh, one example being the shooting of a young Free State soldier in the middle of an act of contrition.

But then Nixie was shot and injured in an ambush at Soloheadbeg.

He was brought to St. John’s Hospital in Limerick under the assumed name of James Ryan.

His backstory that he was a farmer and had fallen and cut himself on a hay knife, but he was unmasked when the Bishop of Limerick visited, wanting details of where he came from and who had confirmed him. He had to escape with the help of Cumann na mBan, Dan Breen

and Dinny Lacey.

Finally arrested in the Glen of Aherlow on 8 May 1923, he was court marshalled and sentenced to death, but he and three others then made a daring escape through the roof of the guard room at Emmet Barracks, Clonmel.

He went on the run for several years, escaping several encounters with the Gardai who had a search warrant out for him.

The Radical Phase – 19271935 Nixie finally returned to Castlecomer in 1927, aged 23.

While on the run he had identified with left wing thinkers in the IRA and felt little had changed for workers after Irish independence.

He wanted to change things.

He began to organise the

miners and set about creating their own union.

Through contacts in Dublin a representative of the Kilkenny miners was invited to attend the Red International of Labour Unions conference in Moscow in August 1930.

The miners wanted to see how communism worked in practice and they raised money to send Nixie.

Refused a passport, he stowed away on a cement ship to Russia and after an eventful journey he met important labour leaders of the day from around the world, travelled around to see practice in the mines and collectives and returned to Ireland full of ideas.

The miners then set up the Mine and Quarry Workers union and also a Revolutionary Workers’ Group in Moneenroe in the heart of the mining district.

Needless to say, this was like a red rag to a bull as far as the Church was concerned and a campaign was mounted against the union, the RWG and the Workers’ Voice, a communist newspaper that published the miners’ grievances.

A strike was called in 1932.

With few resources they were nevertheless supported by Peadar O’Donnell and by Jim Larkin Jnr. After six weeks they achieved modest success but the Church, State and employer got to work to bring the union down.

Bishop Collier visited Moneenroe to condemn the miners from the altar and published a pastoral letter in January 1933 stating that the miners could not be Catholics and Communists at the same time.

This was instrumental in killing off the union because of divisions within the local community and within families.

Realism and Industrial Struggle – 1935-71 Having failed to sustain their union, the miners joined the IT&GWU later in 1933.

Nixie made a realistic appraisal of the realities of Ireland and decided to join the Labour Party in 1934.

He remained a member for the rest of his life.

The IT&GWU had the resources to support the miners in their struggles.

They secured baths and drying facilities at Deerpark in 1939 and a welfare society with medical and hospital care benefits.

They also had three strikes for better wages and conditions - an eleven-week strike in 1940, a one-week stay down strike in 1943 and finally an eleven-month strike in 1949.

Despite massive opposition from the employer, they eventually secured a generous pay rise across all categories of workers in the mine.

It brought an era of stability in the mines.

Nixie was elected to the executive of the IT&GWU and took on the battle for legislative changes. Pneumoconiosis was declared an industrial disease in 1956, better holidays were gained to reflect their harsh conditions of work in 1963, and safety at work addressed in the Mine and Quarries Act 1965.

This came just at the time of crisis in mining and Nixie led the fight to delay closure and bring more employment into the area.

The final loss of jobs at the mine was 340.

Nixie’s story was one of great courage and tenaciousness, both on his part and that of the workers he inspired.

He died in 1971 but he is remembered with pride and affection in north Kilkenny and beyond right up to the present day

Author: Anne Boran, Challenge to Power, Nixie Boran, freedom and the Castlecomer miners. Geography Publications, Dublin. Book available through the Publisher and in the Book Centre, Kilkenny and Bargain Books

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 28 October 2022

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News

The World’s First Festival of Economics and Comedy returns to Kilkenny Kilkenomics Festival - November 3rd - 6th, 2022

After a pause of three years, the world’s first festival of economics and comedy returns to Kilkenny’s medieval city with a vibrant programme of discussions and debates on economics, finance, politics and culture hosted by comedians.

This year’s line up features

former Greek Finance Minister, Yanis Varoufakis; ad man, Rory Sutherland; Black Swan author, Nassim Taleb; Ha-Joon Chang who’ll talk to Chef Ross Lewis about Edible Economics; former PIMCO boss, Paul McCulley; Caribbean economist Marla Dukharan;

Jargon Busting, include Dylan Moran, Barry Murphy, Colm O’Regan, Fiona Frawley, Kevin McGahern, Kevin Gildea, Alison Spittle, Bill Badbody (Waterford Whispers News) and Paddy Cullivan and there’s a special show from Paul Howard who presents “Affluenza: Ross O’Carroll Kelly’s guide to Economics”.

Topics under discussion at the event include: Crypto After the Crash; Ireland’s Next Government; The Irish Housing Crisis; The Economics of Rus-

“Reconnect” as the attendees had an opportunity to meet old colleagues and new entrants to the industry for the first time after managing their businesses through the pandemic.

Local woman Marion Acreman, MacDonagh

leading economists, financial analysts and media commentators with some of our funniest, sharpest standup comedians: it’s been called “Davos with jokes” but it’s much more than that. The aim of Kilkenomics has always been to take economics out of the conference room and academia and make it accessible to ordinary people’s lives.

Kilkenomics - Kilkenny, Ireland - November 3rd - 6th, 2022. www.kilkenomics.com

create spaces that will entice them back into the physical shopping environments.

She described how over the past two years the industry’s leaders had shown skill, resilience, and positivity to navigate uncertain times and thanked the association for being a great peer support network. She told the crowd of over 200 that the conference committee were looking forward to gathering, reconnecting, and learning to help deliver better performances for their own businesses. As well as a full expo of relevant suppliers, many of which offering disruptive technology solutions that enhances the work of commercial property management businesses, there was a full schedule of speakers. Keynote speaker for the event was Breege O’ Donoghue, Board Member & former Group Director for Business Development & New Markets at Primark. Breege spoke warmly and knowledgeable about “Inspiring Leadership” from her own life’s journey. She amused the room with a story that described an unfortunate mix up in a UK airport which led to her minding a full suitcase of paraphernalia that was a potential source of embarrassment as she opened a new store in the UK many years ago.

In addition, a presentation was delivered by Professor Alan Hallsworth (Visiting researcher, Portsmouth Business School at University of Portsmouth) who spoke about

the cycle of shopping centres, the importance of sequential planning in towns and surmised on the future of shopping centres and the need to “outpace the lion”.

Justin Young, Centre Director of Mahon Point Shopping Centre, Cork and SCMAI member, gave a most interesting insight into the sustainability programmes in Mahon Point to deliver the ESG agenda there, including PV solar, market days, zero landfill, in-house water and future plans to eliminate gas heating.

Justin also spoke on green leases and enhanced asset values as benefits to these green projects.

Gerry Duffy- MBS -International Speaker, finished the day by presenting the crowd with simple effective tips on communication and public speaking, an important element of the role of every shopping centre manager on a frequent basis. This practical workshop left attendees feeling more confident in delivery of spoken word.

After the formalities of the day ended, attendees were treated to an evening of fine food and entertainment. Described as the best conference ever put on by the Shopping Centre Managers Association over the last 20 years, delegates left the event inspired, with new connections, ideas and tips to enhance their asset performance, streamline processes, welcome customers and connect with teams ahead of the busy Halloween and Christmas season.

Carolina Alves; Taiwan expert Angelica Oung; Leah-Rose Downey; and Aditi Sahasrabuddhe among many others including festival co-founder, David McWilliams.

Comedians who will host the talks as well as the hit comedy description show,

Local business leader chairs Shopping Centre Managers Association Managers National Conference October 18th 2022, Slieve Russell Hotel, Golf & Country Club Co. Cavan – The SCMAI (Shopping Centre Managers Association of Ireland) officially hosted it’s eleventh Shopping Centres Ireland Conference & Expo. The conference theme chosen was

sia’s War on Ukraine; Fantasy Finance Minister: How to Start a Country and Fund it; The Great British Break-Off - the UK After Brexit; Why Women Are Poorer Than Men; Qatar, Corruption and Cash - The Economics of Sport; Scorched Earth: The Economics of Climate Change; China’s Path to Global Domination; and 40 more fascinating discussions with wit and levity included!

Kilkenomics, which was founded in 2010, brings together some of the world’s

Junction Shopping Centre, Kilkenny in her role as conference chair, opened the SCMAI conference & Expo by welcoming all the delegates, special guests and speakers who travelled from all over Ireland and the UK to share their industry knowledge and

experiences.

Marion spoke about how today’s consumer shopping patterns are changing, driven by global economic impacts forcing shoppers to change their habits and the importance of knowing how to connect to customers and

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 28 October 2022

Community

Courageous conversation – It’s good to talk and learn!

The Twilight Community Group hosted an inclusive Courageous Conversation workshop in Newpark Hotel on Wednesday 19th October that was facilitated by Helena Power, Kilkenny Traveller Community Movement (KTCM) and Rebecca Harold, Translife, Kilkenny. Attending were the diaspora from the Polish, Romanian and Ukrainian communities. Also attending were minority members of the Traveller and LGBTI+ communities.

This intercultural and intergenerational programme was designed and developed

by Twilight Operations Manager Stephen Mungovan to initiate inclusive dialogue and to promote community awareness and understanding.

The open and inclusive workshop provided the platform for participants to tell their own stories in a safe, secure, non- judgemental environment. The diverse stories highlighted the discriminatory attitudes that are prevalent in society, and are affecting all sectors.

Resonating throughout this co-production was the similarity of attitudes affecting all communities and people.

It was striking that both Muslim and Traveller participants could identify with the prohibitive barriers that were erected, by officious gatekeepers, determined to prevent inclusion.

Many of the obstacles faced were consistent across all sections. These included housing, finance, language and culture. The cross -cultural and intergenerational

engagement of the event was designed to help break down barriers and to tackle preconceived ideas thus strengthening positive community interactions.

By challenging negative perceptions, participants had an opportunity to understand and acknowledge the person that often remains hidden behind assigned societal labels. Disputing labels and confronting obstacles and barriers prevent the discriminatory issues from arising, that are left unchallenged, can escalate and progress inexorably to stigmatisation and exclusion. By working together throughout the project participants came to understand that for a society to exist as fair and just, all members of the community must be respected, included and treated equally, regardless of sexual orientation, race or gender.

The success of the Courageous Conversations workshop validated the concept and has already opened new avenues of participation and inclusion that will see further similar programmes produced throughout the coming months.

Twilight Studio Ten in the Community Twilight brought their Studio TEN to MacDonagh Junction last Sunday afternoon. The purpose of the visit was to give the public the opportunity to give their opinions on subjects that the Twilight Community group are working on at present.

In Kilkenny’s and the Southeast’s premier shopping centre Angelika Mosja interviewed members of the public while camera engineer Yona Samuel kept the film rolling for the afternoon. The event was photograph by Iniyan C Balakrishnan who speaks one of the oldest languages in the world Tamel and has a dedicated Youtube channel for speakers of this wonderful language.

The purpose of the day was to talk to the people of Kilkenny about the programmes that are available to the Youth of Kilkenny.

Twilight youth Inclusion (TYI) group members avail of the Erasmus + programme for 13 to 18-year olds. This

gives opportunities for its members to travel to Europe and meet with likeminded organisations and experience the different cultures of the European Union and the ascension states. The older group Twilight Young Adults have the benefit of educational programmes and to avail of studying abroad through the Erasmus + programme.

The TYI and TYA are open

for enquires to join our ever expanding membership and get more information on all our programmes.

On Sunday next 30th October our team of volunteers will be once again in MacDonagh Junction so please call and say hello to Twilight Community Group stall and find out more information where you can avail of the Erasmus+ and other European Programmes.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 28 October 2022

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 28 October 2022

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Food & Drink

Dine Me Come

With

Halloween brownies

Prep: 25 mins Cook: 45 mins plus cooling and setting Serves: 12

Forget packets of sweets – if you want a real treat at Halloween, these decadent spooky brownies will do the trick. Both kids and adults will love them.

Ingredients • 200g butter • 200g dark chocolate, roughly chopped • 4 large eggs • 350g caster sugar • 100g plain flour • 50g cocoa powder • 100g milk chocolate, chopped • 100g white chocolate, chopped • 12 créme-filled chocolate sandwich cookies • 12 sugar-coated chocolates • red and black icing pens Method STEP 1 Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/ gas 4 and line a 24 x 20cm brownie tin with baking parchment. Melt the butter and dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a small pan of just simmering water. Stir until completely smooth, then leave to cool for 10 mins.

STEP 2 Beat the eggs and sugar with an electric whisk until thick and pale – the mixture should double in

volume and leave a trail when the beaters are lifted. Pour the cooled dark chocolate mixture around the edge of the bowl. Sift over the flour and cocoa, add the milk chocolate, and gently fold everything together with a spatula or large metal spoon.

Pour into the prepared tin and bake for 35-40 mins.

STEP 3 Meanwhile, make the ‘eyeballs’. Melt the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl over the pan of just simmering

water. Stir until smooth. Dip each cookie into the chocolate to cover one side. Stick a sugar-coated chocolate in the centre of each, then leave to set.

When the chocolate is fully dry, pipe a pupil and red veins onto each eyeball using the icing pens.

STEP 4 Remove the traybake from the oven, and immediately push the eyeballs into the surface in even rows – do this gently, so they’re just pushed in slightly. Leave to cool completely. Cut into 12 squares.

Pumpkin pie Prep: 40 mins Cook:1 hr and 30 mins Plus chilling Serves: 8 Fill a sweet shortcrust pastry tart case with lightly spiced squash to make a traditional treat.

Ingredients • 750g/1lb 10oz pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and cut into chunks • 350g sweet shortcrust pastry • plain flour, for dusting • 140g caster sugar • ½ tsp salt • ½ tsp fresh nutmeg, grated • 1 tsp cinnamon • 2 eggs, beaten • 25g butter, melted • 175ml milk

• 1 tbsp icing sugar

cool slightly.

Method STEP 1 Place the pumpkin in a large saucepan, cover with water and bring to the boil. Cover with a lid and simmer for 15 mins or until tender. Drain pumpkin; let cool.

STEP 3 Increase oven to 220C/200C fan/ gas 7. Push the cooled pumpkin through a sieve into a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, salt, nutmeg and half the cinnamon. Mix in the beaten eggs, melted butter and milk, then add to the pumpkin purée and stir to combine. Pour into the tart shell and cook for 10 mins, then reduce the temperature to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Continue to bake for 35-40 mins until the filling has just set.

STEP 2 Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and use it to line a 22cm loose-bottomed tart tin.

Chill for 15 mins. Line the pastry with baking parchment and baking beans, then bake for 15 mins.

Remove the beans and paper, and cook for a further 10 mins until the base is pale golden and biscuity.

Remove from the oven and allow to

STEP 4 Leave to cool, then remove the pie from the tin. Mix the remaining cinnamon with the icing sugar and dust over the pie. Serve chilled.

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5

A Disney+ horror fest for Halloween frightnight

Advertisement TV & Streaming

new ones to stream on Netflix 1. Robbing Mussolini

The heist movie we alluded to above is Robbing Mussolini, coming on October 26, from director Renato de Maria and starring Pietro Castellitto, Matilda De Angelis, and Isabella Ferrari.

Set in 1945, the story finds a Milanese entrepreneur assembling a crew to pull off a daring heist: Stealing treasure from Milan’s fascist headquarters that belonged to dictator Benito Mussolini. A nightclub singer also gets roped into the scheme, which the misfits want to try and complete before Allied Forces arrive.

2. Cabinet Of Curiosities

1. Hocus Pocus 1 and 2 A new release that hit Disney+, Hocus Pocus 2 tells the story of three young women who accidentally bring back the Sanderson sister witches to modern Salem, Massachusetts, and they need to figure out how to stop the witches destroying the world. The new movie stars Sarah Jessica Parker; Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Doug Jones, who were all in the original film.

The original Hocus Pocus can also be streamed on the platform.

2. Twitches This 2005 Disney channel original, based on an eponymous book series, is about two young witches separated at birth, taken to another dimension. They are then adopted by different families meeting on their 21st birthday. They must use their superpowers to save

the world in which they were born.

3. Just Beyond Based on graphic novels by RL Stine, this film tells the story of 14- year-old activist Veronica Vanderhall, who becomes trapped in a ghostly drama.

4.Werewolf By Night The screenplay by Heather Quinn and Peter Cameron is directed by Michael Giacchino and stars Gael Garcia Bernal, Laura Donnelly and Harriet Sansom Harris.

The movie is about a collective of monster hunters that emerges after its leader dies. The hunters compete for a powerful relic.

Inspired by horror films of the 1930s and 1940s, the new Marvel movie special aims to provide plenty of scares.

5. The Haunted Mansion Comedian and movie star

Eddie Murphy headlines this 2003 fantasy film. He plays a real estate agent who becomes trapped in a haunted mansion with his family.

6. Muppets Haunted Mansion Everyone’s favourite ensemble of puppets returns to a situation in which Gonzo is challenged to spend one entire night in the Haunted Mansion. It is based on both the Muppets and Haunted Mansion Disney offerings.

7. The Nightmare Before Christmas This Tim Burton directed animated horror fantasy is a fan favourite. It tells the story of zombie skeleton Jack Skellington, aka the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, whose Christmas obsession leads him to kidnap Santa Claus.

8. Halloweentown

In this film, the Piper children follow their Grandma Aggie back to Halloweentown, a magical places where ghosts, monsters, werewolves and witches live separate from humans.

Other films in the Halloweentown series, including Halloweentown High, can also be streamed on Disney+.

9. Don’t Look Under The Bed Another Disney channel original film, Don’t Look Under The Bed shows a teenager calling on her imaginary friend, Larry Houdini, to tackle a prankplaying bogeyman who is trying to frame her for his pranks.

10 Frankenweenie Stranger Things’ Winona Ryder and Shitt’s Creek’s Catherine O’Hara star in this film about a boy who revives his dead pet after it is hit by a car.

Cautionary tale about human existence The Peripheral is a cautionary tale about human existence and its increasingly complicated relationship with technology.

The Peripheral on Amazon Prime is set in 2032. Because it depicts civilisation a mere 10 years away, the themes presented in the series hit particularly close to home in relation to how humans interact with technological advancements. Chloë Grace Moretz plays the central character Flynne Fisher.

Struggling to pay for her mother’s mounting medical bills, Flynne plays virtual reality video games on behalf of

wealthy clients who pay her to level-up their character, using an avatar she and her brother Burton (Jack Reynor) share (this kind of thing already exists for online games like World of Warcraft; it’s called paid level boosting).

When Burton is offered the chance to test out beta VR technology, Flynne plays in his stead, and she’s tasked with stealing a valuable secret from the mysterious Research Institute. But the assignment goes awry and Flynne realises this is unlike any game she’s ever played.

Using a simple headset, someone has managed to

open the door to Flynne’s consciousness and she awakens in London nearly 70 years in the future. Everything she sees and feels is real. As beguiling as London is, it also comes with risks to Flynne’s life and that of her loved ones.

If multiple timelines, philosophical questions and the pitfalls of technology sound familiar, it’s because The Peripheral is brought to you by Westworld creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy as executive producers.

London in the year 2099 is where we meet Cherise, the cold and calculated head of this secretive organisation

who will go to any lengths to reclaim what was stolen from her. She possesses “the power of Facebook”, ie. the ability to wield more power than one person should.

If you’re familiar with Westworld, you’ll understand the feeling of watching a few episodes packed full of details you tend to ignore, only to realise how important they were upon reflection or a rewatch.

Expect similar storytelling in The Peripheral, so pay attention; this is not a show you want to watch while mindlessly scrolling through your phone — in fact, that would actually be a little ironic.

Guillermo Del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities is a collection of sinister stories, told by some of today’s most revered horror creators - including the directors of The Babadook, Splice, Mandy, and many more.

That’s the same idea behind his new Netflix release, for which eight directors were chosen to present different stories that explore what the idea of “horror” means — stories that encompass everything from internal demons to otherworldly creatures.

3. From Scratch

Another of the recent Netflix releases adapted from a book, meanwhile, is From Scratch — a cross-cultural romance starring Zoe Saldana that’s now streaming.

In this film, Saldana plays an American student, Amahle ‘Amy’ Wheeler, who’s studying abroad in Italy. There, she falls in love with a Sicilian chef named Lino, which leads to a whirlwind romance that’s eventually threatened by Lino’s health challenges.

4. High: Confessions Of An Ibiza Drug Mule

In this four-part docuseries, we follow the story of how Michaella McCollum went from being a teenager in Northern Ireland to working as a cartel drug mule, and eventually trying to smuggle cocaine worth almost $1.7 million through an airport in Lima.

5. Dubai Bling

Netflix continues to bling out its growing slate of reality series, with the forthcoming Dubai Bling adding an Arabic perspective to the same kind of lavish lifestyle and wealth porn that’s front and center in a Netflix series like Bling Empire. Whereas the latter is set in LA, however, this new Netflix release introduces viewers to the 1 percenters of Dubai who fly private jets, enjoy lavish parties, a high-flying social circle, and must-have fashions.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 28 October 2022

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News Community & GAA Notes

LOTTO Lotto Results. Numbers drawn - 1, 16, 27.No jackpot winner. Next week’s jackpot €5,900 Winners of €30. Caroline Clifford, Joe Farrell, Vincent Whelan, Francis O’Carroll, Aoife Glynn. Thanks for supporting the local lotto.

MASS Clara GAA Club Mass for deceased members and friends will take place on Sunday 6th November 2022 at 10.00, in St Colman’s Church.

If you would like to be part of this celebration please let me know.

Caroline Clifford 087 2330026.

U19s TAKE REVISE.IE CROWN Clara won their second county title in the space of a week by a two point margin in Ballyraggett on Saturday when their U19 hurlers replicated the win by the club’s U13s the week before. This time the Fenians of Johnstown provided the opposition and, as was always the case with this proud club, they did not surrender easily.

An early point by Tomás Sharkey saw the Fenians take the lead for the only time all game. Harry Boyle levelled matters and Ned Langton, Conor Hoyne from a free and Harry again consolidated the lead.

Owen Sumner reduced the deficit before two monster Conor Cody strikes and two frees by Conor Hoyne all found the mark. This gave Clara an 0-8 to 0-2 lead but given the strength of the breeze it didn’t seem enough. The Clara management then took the decision to introduce the injured Rory Glynn and Rory announced his arrival immediately with two quickfire points. Harry Boyle made it a nine point game before the Fenians hit something of a purple patch with four in a row, including one from the ever dangerous Darragh McCormack.

Harry Boyle stopped the rot with his fourth point of the half but Tomás Sharkey from a free and a Darragh McCormack goal just before the interval gave the Fenians a huge boost. They headed for the dressing room with a pep in their step, facing only a 0-12 to 1-7 deficit and with a strong breeze to come.

The Clara lads were asked by management for a big second half effort and boy did they respond! The Fenians scored two fast points to level the game but still Clara refused to wilt. Zach Lawlor and Tommy Delaney were put under severe pressure by the Fenians use of a two man full forward line of Darragh McCormack and Rory Garrett, both county minors, but both stuck manfully to their task and kept their illustrious opponents scoreless for the rest of the game. Conor Hoyne, whose skilful play provided the perfect foil for midfield partner Conor Booth’s industry , edged Clara ahead again with a peach from play.

Johnstown equalised again but then Clara hit their own purple patch and three Rory Glynn points along with one each from Harry Boyle and Conor Hoyne surged them five points clear. The defence of Alex McDonald, Noelie O Brien, Ben Murphy and outstanding captain Conor Cody was crucial at this stage. So too was the ball winning ability of the superb Ned Langton and Adam Harding in the half forward line, who were found time and time again by pinpoint Cian Kelly deliveries.

And yet the Fenians came again! Four points in a row by them cut the margin to the bare minimum and Clara were hanging on for dear life.

Sean Carrigan eased the pressure a little when he was fed by Rory Glynn and converted but Tomás Sharkey replied almost immediately with a free. Alex Firbank brilliantly kept his composure not to foul a ball while under extreme pressure and that man Sean Carrigan again, as he had done for the minors all year, came up with the final point of the game to provide the 0-20 to 1-15 victory. Nick O Keeffe’s willingness to work and defend from the front was contagious and was also carried on by late substitutes Dillon Cummins and Luke Dunne and Boru Bergin has to be really commended for his first half effort when the team was going really well.

This was a victory for sheer grit and determination and could not have been achieved without every man putting his shoulder to the wheel and giving everything in the tank. Eight second half points, all from play, was some return into a really strong wind. They were helped somewhat by a lot of Fenians wides but sometimes when you work as hard as the Clara men did and apply that pressure you get the rub of the green. The manager Barry Power and his selectors Chris Bolger, Noel Kehoe, Trevor Cummins and Brian Glynn were extremely proud of the effort produced and needed to get over a very game and sporting Fenians outfit. Conor Cody kept his speech making to the minimum and hoisted the Revise.ie Cup to the approval of the Clara faithful. A great days work lads!

Team - Cian Kelly, Tommy Delaney, Zach Lawlor, Alex McDonald.

Noelie O Brien, Conor Cody(c) 0-2, Ben Murphy. Conor Hoyne 0-5, 0-3f, Conor Booth. Boru Bergin, Ned Langton 0-1, Adam Harding. Harry Boyle 0-5, Sean Carrigan 0-2, Nick O Keeffe. Subs Rory Glynn 0-5, Alex Firbank, Dillon Cummins, Luke Dunne.

LGFA Our Clara U16 LGFA team played Railyard in the county Roinn B football final on Sunday last in Castlecomer. Heavy ground conditions did not prevent it from being a good close contest. Clara led at half time by 1:05 to 0:05. A very strong last 10 minutes from Railyard saw them prevail by 3:07 to 1:07. It has been great to see many of the younger Clara players improving their skills as the year progressed.

Twelve of the starting team are eligible again next year.

Overall this has been an enjoyable year for this group, winning Féile Div3 in Kilkenny, and getting through to the Leinster final. They also got to the final of the U14 league, and won the U14B shield championship. Well done girls!

U16 Panel: Brianna Connolly, Kate Murphy Mcdermott, Danica TervitKruger, Grace Byrne, Moya Kelly, Sarah Dunne, Caragh Brennan, Kyla

Byrne, Pia Langton, Kate Kelly, Katie Scriven, Lucy Boyd, Jessica Brennan, Ava Kenny, Samantha Tervit-Kruger, Zoe Korthout, Nessa Dalton, Ceola Leamy, Caoimhe Bennett, Maria Hogan, Lucy Coomey, Lydia Murphy, Emily Ryan, Lily Lynch, Rachel Lakes, Georgina Dunne.

Coaches: Anne Quealy, Brian Dunne, Catherin Tervit-Kruger, John Leamy.

CLUB LOTTO There was no winner of this week’s club lotto (October 11th) Numbers Drawn were 1, 10, 15, 18, Bonus 4. Next week’s big prize will be €13,200 Play now at www.oloughlingaels.com/ lotto Promotors draw. 1. Kay Kelly c/o Paul Cleere. 2. Isla Greene c/o Paddy Greene 3. Damien Sweeney c/o Margaret Hanlon. 4. Catherine Coyne. 5. Liam and Aoife c/o Damien O’Connell. 6. Finny & Mags c/o John Joe Cullen.

7. Kate Nolan c/o Mick Nolan 8. Ger Foley c/o online. 9. John Purcell c/o online. 10. Derek Tobin c/o online Thank you for your continued support U21 A CHAMPIONSHIP A great result for the boys at St. John’s Park on Saturday morning with a quality win over opponents James Stephens. Alex Sheridan hit 2-4 from play in an assured performance up front while goalkeeper Declan Murphy and Centre Back David Fogarty pulled the strings in a solid defence. Great work by all the panel as they now contemplate a semi-final. Well done to all involved.

U16 COUNTY FINAL POSTPONED The scheduled u16 Camogie County Final between O’Loughlin Gaels and Ballyhale Shamrocks has been rescheduled to Nov 5th. Full details closer to the time.

HALLOWEEN JUVENILE PARTY The end of season Juvenile Party was a spooky affair with nearly 300 young boys and girls from our juvenile teams packing the hall for an afternoon of festive games, dancing and spooky dress. There were witches, goblins, zombies and vampires a plenty - and that was just the coaches. Well done to all the organisers and of course to the young Gaels for providing a very enjoyable afternoon.

REFURBISHED BAR The newly refurbished bar at O’Loughlin Gaels Club is complete and reopened for patrons. Please come in for a look and a social gatherin and enjoy the club facilities. Well done to all involved in making it happen.

EMERALDS GAA CLUB Mega Bingo: Every Sunday, 6pm at Urlingford GAA pitch. Gates open at 5pm. Single books and 1 sheet €10; Double books and 2 sheets €15.

Extra jackpot sheet €3 or two for €5. Please support.

U15 WIN Well done to our U15 team who beat Conahy Shamrocks 2-16 to 2-06 in the Duggan Steel U15 C Hurling Championship final on Saturday in MW Hire Dunmore.

Thanks to club sponsors Kavanagh Travel and the committee for new sets of jerseys for the juvenile teams earlier this year. Thanks to Joe Deegan who gave sponsorship towards the cost of the tops for the team for the County Final and thanks to the committee for providing a celebratory meal. Well done to all involved.

EMERALDS URLINGFORD AND GRAINE LOTTO October 17th prize fund was: €10,000. Jackpot: €8,000. Numbers drawn: 13, 22, 26 and 28, bonus no 1. No winner and no match 3 winner. Five lucky dips of €20 each: B.G. Neary, S. Minogue, Kia Cleere, K. Guilfoyle, Conor & Margaret. Next draw takes place on Monday, in the Clubrooms. Results next week.

MILL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE Save the date: Knitting and Crochet Christmas Fair and Coffee Morning on Friday, December 2 in the Centre, Main Street, Urlingford from 11am–1pm. Hope to see you there.

LTI Pathway to Employment course QQI Level 4: LTI is recruiting for the new programme in the Centre. If anyone is interested in completing this full-time course, please contact us for an expression of interest form. More details can be found on our website www.millfrcurlingford.com Defibrillator: Please note that there is a defibrillator located in the Mill Family Resource Centre if and when it may be required.

Senior Alert: If you need to apply for a Personal Alarm, please contact Sue or Josephine.

Youth Club: Please note that the Mill Youth Club has reached capacity and cannot currently accept any new members.

Mindfulness: Can help reduce anxiety and stress and improve overall mental health. We are running a 5-week Mindfulness programme beginning Thursday, November 3 from 11-12 noon in the Centre. If you would like to attend please contact us at the number below.

Counselling Services: Our low cost Counselling Services, includes oneto-one, Family & Teens, aged 12 plus.

General Counselling: Bereavement, stress, anxiety and depression.

Other counselling services available: Drug, substance and gambling addictions.

Play therapy is now also available.

Please contact Sue for more information or to make an appointment.

Appeal for Clothes Donations: Any clothes donations would be appreciated in aid of our counselling services. Donations can be left into the

The victorious Clara squad and mentors following their hard-fought win over the Fenians in the Revise.ie U19 county final

Emeralds U15 County Final champions Centre, please call before dropping off.

Contact number for the Centre 056 8838466.

SET DANCING Set dancing in Urlingford Community Centre, starting Tuesday, November 1st, at 8.30pm. Dancing to live music with Danny Webster.

Sets called by Paddy Martin. Come along for a great night of dancing!

URLINGFORD ARMS SPLIT THE POT This week’s winner of Split the Pot is Benny Hawkes who won €377.

Congrats Benny!

Tickets €2 on sale, in participating businesses in town with proceeds this week going to Urlingford Christmas Lights, thanks to everyone for their support.

URLINGFORD / GRAINE DEFIBRILLATOR GROUP In case of emergency, call: 085 2726396.

URLINGFORD NEWS Anyone wishing to submit news items, club events, announcements etc can do so by emailing urlingfordnotes@gmail.com. If you have any photos you wish to include, please forward them to the email address.

WELL DONE NATHAN Congrats and well done to young local boy Nathan Walsh of Boherkyle who took part in the East of Ireland Junior Squash open in Sutton last weekend. Nathan was competing in the U13 section. He played four games in all, winning his first game 3-0 his second game 3-1 He won his third game 3-0 and was beaten in the semi final by Suttons No.2 seed in a very tough game. Nathan finished 3rd overall after been seeded No.11 going in the tournament. This was a fantastic result for Nathan who hadn’t played much squash this year and the future ahead is looking bright for him.

SYMPATHY Sympathy is extended to Mrs. Ann Dawson, Bridge street Freshford and all her family on the death last week of her mother Mrs. Catherine (Rena) Cuddihy last of Bracken, Jenkinstown. The deceased was also sister of Kevin Dalton, The Mills Freshford. Funeral mass took place on Saturday last in Our Lady of Perpetual help Church Jenkinstown followed by burial in St.Colemans Cemetery Conahy.

GAA NEWS RACE NIGHT St.Lachtains GAA will host a race night on Friday 28th October in Kilkenny Greyhound Track. First race at 7.30pm. All support would be greatly appreciated with great prizes to be won on the night. Tickets are €10 each and are available from any of the players or committee members.

U21 HURLING The u21s start their campaign on Sunday next when thy take on Tullogher Rosbercon at Pairc Lachtains with Throw in at 1.00pm U15 HURLING The U15 boys lost out to a stronger Rowe Inistioge side r in the County final on Wednesday evening last at Dunmore U13 HURLING Unfortunately the U 13 boys lost out to Clara in the county final recently, also on Saturday at Dunmore in a close game throughout the local young boys were defeated by 2pt margin on a final score of 1.13 to 0-14.

Team: J.Walsh, P.Brennan, A.Walsh, A.Dowling Carroll, M.Hickey, P.McCarthy,D.Ryan, C.Kavanagh, C.Dalton, N.Walsh, J.Marnell, P.O’Connor, J.Flynn, J.Kavanagh . Well done to all involved and the management of K.Dalton, E.Ryan, K.McCarthy, M.Kavanagh and N.Walsh LATE FR.O’FARRELL RIP The local people and surrounds were shocked and saddened last week to hear of the unexpected passing of Fr. Patrick O’Farrell PP Lisdowney and formerly of Knocktopher. Concelebrated mass took place in St.Brigids Church Lisdowney on Friday last followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. He is mourned by his sister, brothers, and extended family and his neighbours, friends and parishioners to whom sympathy is extended.

AUTUMN TALKS Threecastles Community Hall Committee are putting on their short Autumn series of Talks at the moment. The first Talk was on “Recycling in the Home and being clever with your electricity” it took place on Wednesday 19th October at 7.30pm. The talk was given by Bernadette Moloney, Environmental Awareness officer with Kilkenny County Council.

The second talk on “Home Insurance – the dos and don’ts – was held on Wednesday the 26th October and was given by Sean Manicle, Manicle Property Insurance Claims.

The 3rd event is “Easy yoga to get you moving“ and will be on Thursday 10th November at 7.30pm given by Brigid Keoghan. (There is a charge of €5 for this event to go towards the upkeep of the hall) The Committee look forward to welcoming everyone to one or all of their events which take place in Threecastles Community Hall Tulla Road, R95WK46 and parking is available DAY CARE CENTRE Freshford day care centre recommenced recently and continues each Wednesday in the GAA Centre at 2pm. New members are most welcome CAMOGIE NEWS The Annual Peggy Dowling U13 Camogie tournament kicked off on Saturday last at Pairc Lachtain. The Semi finals, Shield final and Cup final will be held on Saturday 5th November from 10am to 12 noon.

The following teams are taking part: TEAM A: Saoirse Hickey (C), Keelin Walsh, Abigeal O’Kane, Kate Walsh, Eimear Murphy, Lola Boyle, Phoebe Dunne, Katie Ryan, Róisín Hickey.

TEAM B: Sarah Hickey (C), Hayley McCabe, Lily Kennedy, Muireann Flynn, Isabelle Carroll, Charlotte Hussey, Kate Hickey, Grace Dunphy, Aoibh Carroll, Ella McGree.

TEAM C: Holly Hughes (C), Mia Phelan, Nessa Gibbons, Lucy Dalton, Caoimhe Butler, Mai-Lan Loh, Niamh Butler, Eimear O’Connor, Cera Gibbons.

TEAM D: Cara Bergin (C), Kate Dalton, Maddison Walshe, Chloe Gleeson, Faith Long, Olivia Marnell, Caoilinn O Rourke, Aoife Garry, Lily Daly.

CABARET St.Lachtains Camogie Club held their annual Cabaret on Saturday night last in Kavanagh’s Bar. It was a fantastic success, supported so generously by club members and the community as a whole A special thanks to all at Kavanagh’s Bar, and a big thank you to all who sponsored raffle and door prizes - including Dent Fitness, Rathdowney Golf Club, Castlecomer Discovery Park, Paris Texas, Langtons, Glanbia, Intosport and Top Oil. SPLIT THE POT This weekly lucky winner of Split the pot draw was Kay O’Sullivan, Johnstown Road who won €87. The previous weeks winner was Murty Kennedy, Kilkenny Street won won €104 and kindly donated his winnings back to the community. The draw takes place each Wednesday. Tickets are just €2 and the winner gets half of the takings.

The draw is held each Wednesday and boxes and envelopes can be found in Kavanaghs Bar, Mace, O’Shea’s corner shop, Girls & Guys Hairdressers, Oasis Creche, Freshford Creamery, Freshford Butchers and Prague House. Please support this fund raising draw and Big thanks to all for their continued support.

PARISH NEWS Mass is held in the Parish Church each Wednesday morning at 9.30am and on 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.

CAMOGIE AGM St. Lachtain’s Camogie Club will hold it’s AGM on Friday 11th November 2022 at 8pm in the St. Lachtain’s Club rooms.

LOOP CAFE The committee of the Loop Café held a very successful coffee morning on Saturday last and they wish to thank all those who supported the event or donated or baked for the occasion. Big work is ongoing at the Community Cafe at Buncrussia Street and it is almost ready to be open. Huge credit is due to the volunteers who have worked so hard to get all the work done.

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 8) 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.

KILMOGANNY BRIDGE CLUB Kilmoganny Bridge Club results for 19/10/2022: 1 Philip Brennan and Josie O’Gorman. 2 Rita Houlihan and Mary Comerford. 3 Elizabeth Lanigan and Grace Landy. Bridge is every Wednesday night at 7.30pm in St. Eoghan’s Centre, Kilmoganny. All welcome.

TABLE QUIZ Emer Fitzpatrick from Kilmoganny will take on the huge challenge of climbing Kilimanjaro on Feburary 4th 2023 in aid of Cancer Treatment.

Emer will host a Table Quiz in Dunphy`s Lounge, Kilmoganny on Saturday the 5th November at 7.45pm.Table of 4 is 40euro.There will also be a raffle and small auction. Great prizes and refreshments.

Later there will be music by the fabulous `Midnight Run`. Please come along and support Emer and this worthy cause.

CALLAN LIBRARY Callan library are hosting an exhibition of paintings by local artists Anna and Michael Byrne for a month from this week. All paintings are in mixed media and were hand made by Anna and Michael. All proceeds going to Enable Ireland, Kilkenny. You can phone Michael if interested at 087 6382706.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 28 October 2022

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kilkennyobserver.ie

News Community & GAA Notes FOREVER LIVING ALOE VERA EXPERIENCE Ann Doherty is hosting a FOREVER LIVING ALOE VERA EXPERIENCE on Thursday 27th October 2022 @ 8:00pm Old School Dunnamaggin EVERYONE WELCOME for further information please contact Ann Doherty 086 3815836 DUNNAMAGGIN GAA Please note the Dunnamaggin GAA Club AGM will take place on Friday 25th November time and venue TBC closer to the time. Mark the calendar the GAA club will host a Dinner Dance on Sat 26th November in Hotel Kilkenny. Something to look forward to as the nights draw in.

DUNNAMAGGIN HALLOWEEN FUN Dunnamaggin - October 30th 11.30am to 4pm - Halloween Fun. There is lots of fun planned for the kids so you can just sit and chill with a bowl of spicy chicken curry, have a hot drink and even a cake or two …

We were so overwhelmed with the effort the kids went to last year with dressing up, it made the day. This year we invite you all to do it (adults).

We have very special guest judges joining us from the 501st Irish Garrison to pick a best dressed child and adult. Fab prizes to be won.

Photo opportunities available for all. Smile Photography will be doing her mini Halloween Photoshoots again. Get creative with those pumpkins, Valerie from Kilkenny pumpkin picking will be joining us to pick out the Winner. If you need a pumpkin get booked into Kilkenny pumpkin picking for a fun family day out.

We have a new addition to our stalls. We are very excited to have Sweet Scents by Lisa joining us for all your personalised item needs and someone told me a secret that I’m going to share with Dunnamaggin, she will have personalised LATE LATE TOY SHOW products available on the day. Feel free to pre order any of her items using the link below. https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100063648484886 COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARDS The fourth Community Spirit Award will be awarded in November.

This year, as last, we have a nomination process in place for people to nominate someone they feel should be acknowledged for their voluntary work and contribution to the parish of Dunnamaggin which encompasses the three villages of Kells, Dunnamaggin and Kilmoganny. Nominations can be sent via private message to our facebook page (Dunnamaggin Community News) saying why your nominee should receive the award. Nomination forms available in local shops or come to the spooktacular Halloween event next Sunday and fill in the form then.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Saturday December 3rd in Madge’s Garden - turning on the Christmas Lights with Mince Pies and Hot Chocolate - Sunday December 4th our annual Christmas Market with Santa and Mrs Claus 11.30am to 4pm.

A new Whats App Group has been set up Parish News and Events to inform the whole community of forthcoming events across the three villages of Kells, KIlmoganny and Dunnamaggin. If you wish to be added please text 087 9665020 or 087 7565376 to be added to the group. It is an information only group so admins are the only ones that can post but there are admins from the three villages so if you have some event to highlight or news to impart you contact one of the admins and they will post for you.

LOTTO Local Lotto Results Winning Numbers 17th October for 1, 4, 8. No Winner. Winners of Draw 5 x € 30. Frankie Prendergast ( Malachy Hogan ), Edel ( Mags Cahill ),Frances Hennebry ( Jimmy McCormack), James Moylan ( James Moylan), Pamela Walsh (Pauline Walsh ) Jackpot next week € 3,100. Venue for draw is Townsend’s Bar at 9pm.

All Welcome FREE TRAINING WORKSHOPS FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS Kilkenny PPN are undertaking a series of workshops throughout the month of November. 1. Setting Up and Running a Small Non-Profit Organisation (On-site) Wed 2nd Nov 7-9pm Guidance on how to establish and run a small non-profit organisation, including writing your Constitution, deciding on your legal structure and committee roles. Trainer: Maighread Kelly.

Location: St Canice’s Neighbourhood Hall, The Butts, Kilkenny. R95 X72P. 2. Good Governance (On-site) Tues 8th Nov 7-9pm Understanding what good governance means. Adhering to your purpose and constitution. Board meetings, agendas and minutes. Decision-making.The difference between governance and management. Trainer Michael Quirke. Location: Fr McGrath FRC, St Joseph’s Road, Kilkenny 3. Writing Funding Applications (On-site) Wed 16th Nov 7-9pm. What makes a good grant application? Articulating the need for funding.

Attendees will have an opportunity to see a sample grant application and to submit questions during the Workshop. Trainer: Evelyn Fitzpatrick. Location: St Canice’s Neighbourhood Hall, The Butts, Kilkenny.

R95 X72P. 4. Developing a Business Plan (Online) Tues 22nd Nov 7-9pm Key components of a business plan. Using business models to underpin plans for new initiatives. Tailoring business plans to meet specific stakeholder needs. Trainer: Donal McKenna. Register in advance for this online meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ tZ0ocumhrT4rG9VrB-LxQYAL3aaKXIHkoiG5 Anyone who has an interest in one or all of these workshops should register with Bortha or Mags via email: ppnkilkenny@kilkennycoco.ie or call 087 1731634.

UKRAINIAN BORSCHT CAFÉ Ukrainian Borschst Cafe - Home rule Club 29th October 2022. The Ukrainian community in Kilkenny with the support of Kilkenny Leader Partnership invite you to a special opportunity to sample typical Ukrainian casual food at our Borscht Cafe pop up in The Home Rule Club. Join us for typical mid-morning pastries, cakes and coffee from 10.30am to 12.30pm and for lunch our famous Borscht! All prepared

by Ukrainian chefs and served by members of the newly arrived Ukrainian community. Join us for food, music and conversation!

Morning coffee and cake will be served from 10.30am – 12.30pm at a cost of €4* Lunch will be served from 1pm-4pm at a cost of €7* Tickets should be purchased ahead of time through the ‘book now’ link on this page. Ukrainian Borscht Cafe @ The Home Rule Club Tickets, Sat 29 Oct 2022 at 10:30 | Eventbrite

would be gratefully accepted. Items can be left into Dalton House or to Nellie Brett Main St. Receipts will be given. Molly’s Goodwill Shop will open in November on Saturday only, as it will be voluntary staffed.

Please consider helping.

GOWRAN DEVELOPMENT Spooktacular is back on Halloween Night, 31st October from 17:30 to 18:30. Costume / Fancy Dress and FUN is compulsory, so get creative .This event is being organised to raise funds for Christmas Lights for Gowran village so your support is greatly appreciated. People can donate anything big or small. Donations can be given on the night, dropped into Hennessy’s Garage, Glasrai & Goodies or Gowran Pharmacy or donate online.

GOWRAN LITTLE THEATRE Congratulations to the cast and team on a wonderful production of Brian Friel’s ‘The Communication Cord.

GOWRAN AC Well done to all the Gowran AC runners who competed in Bellurgan Park in Dundalk at the Leinster even-age Cross County.

Highlights included: Aaron Carrigan winning an individual silver medal in U12 boys. Aaron was just pipped when finishing after leading for all the course. Also a medal position for team mate MJ Carroll finishing 10th. U12 club team finished 1st with Aaron, MJ, Daniel Greene and David Carroll.

In the U14 boys, medal for Conor Carroll 5th Top finishing positions for Tommy Carrigan and Orla O’Keeffe in the U10 races First Leinster race for Aoibheann Brennan and Daniel Greene County Team medals for Emily O’Keeffe, Heidi Ryan, Aaron Carrigan, MJ Carroll, Daniel Greene, Kate Hayden, Orlaith Carroll, and Conor Carroll Eamonn and Ted got the marquee up in a record-breaking 6 mins as the rain pelted down Joe Hayes managed a thumbs up and smile for the camera in the middle of a gruelling 3k Well done to all the juveniles listed below who ran in the torrential rain and mucky conditions, it wasn’t easy and they all did a super job.

Thanks to parents and coaches too getting the juveniles ready. It’s great to have parents so eager to help out and work together to get everyone to the line!. The qualifiers will compete in Donegal on the 20th of November in Rosapenna Golf course, Downings in Donegal.

Girls U12. 9th Club Team. 3rd County Team 16 Emily O’Keeffe*. 28 Heidi Ryan*. 77 Kate Mulrooney. 79 Mia Kennedy. 89 Aoibheann Brennan Girls U14. 11th Club Team. 2nd County Team 27 Kate Hayden*. 35 Orlaith Carroll*. 55 Daisy Coomey. 94 Anna Kelsey Boys U12. Gold Club Team. 1st County Team 2 Aaron Carrigan*. 10 MJ Carroll*. 20 Daniel Greene*. 44 David Carroll.

48 Bobby Coomey 60 Aidan Corrigan. 71 Sean Farrell Boys U14. 5th Club Team. 1st County Team 5 Conor Carroll*. 55 Joe Hayes. 58 Evan Ryan. 64 David Timmins. 72 Darragh Carroll Tomás Carroll (had to pull out near the end but had a fantastic race up to that) Boys U16. 40 James Kelsey. Michael Holland (had to pull out due to illness) *scoring for county team

CLUB LOTTO Dicksboro GAA Club LOTTO Results 20th October. Nos: 2, 25, 28, 31, Jackpot: €5150 Not Won. Draw Prizes – €50: B Kavanagh c/o Dohertys Bar. €25 each Eileen Hogan c/o Joe Phelan €25 each Ann Scott c/o Anne Tynan. €25 each Marie Gough c/o Declan Gough Promotors prize Jim Murphy. New weeks draw €5309. Thank you for your continued support U15 ROINN A COUNTY FINAL On Saturday afternoon in MW Hire Dunmore our fantastic u15 Hurlers were crowned Co Champs after defeating local rivals James Stephens 1-12 to 0-10. A fantastic game of hurling by both sides. Well done to these young Hurlers on a fine win and to their coaches for all their hard work.

U19’s Well done to our u19 Hurlers who are now progressing to the County Final after defeating Mooncoin Saturday afternoon in Palmerstown.

Well done to all involved.

CAMOGIE U22 COUNTY FINAL After nearly a year of waiting our u22 camogie team played their 2021 Co Final in Piltown Saturday evening against Piltown and came out victors on a fine display of hurling. Well done to the girls and their coaches. And a special mention to our Senior Camogie Player Kirsty Maher who presented the cup to club captain Aobha O’Gorman!!!!

U12’S The u12’s Camogie girls finished up their year on Saturday morning in Sunny Palmerstown with goodie bags presented by Boro Senior Stars Caoimhe and Aoife. Thanks to all the coaches and the girls for their hard work and efforts this year and we look forward to seeing you all in 2023.

PALMERSTOWN CLUBHOUSE Dicksboro Clubhouse Bar is open every.Thursday from 8.30pm.

Thursday nights is Lotto Draw and Cards Night. All are welcome out for a social drink, a chat and if there is interest, a beginners card table.

We would be delighted to see you out to the club for a chat. We have a selection of non-alcoholic beers, barista coffee also available so come along and enjoy.

Captain Donncha Hennessy receiving the Winners Cup

SINGING CIRCLE AND CEILI A wonderful new initiative is about to begin in our parish. On the first Saturday of each month, join Liam Ronan and friends for a singalong, tell a story or enjoy a waltz or half set, or just come along to listen and enjoy. The first night will begin on 5th November from 7:20pm to 9:20pm in Naomh Aodhan Community Centre (formerly Old School), Kilmanagh. All are welcome. Lifts can be arranged for any local senior citizens who might like to attend. Tel: 086 395 7425. Refreshments will be served. €2 donation.

JIMMY KENNY The untimely death of Jimmy Kenny has caused great shock to many people in our parish community. Jimmy was born in Pottlerath, Kilmanagh where he spent his childhood and early years. He went and lived in Ennis until his death on the 14th October. Our sympathy is expressed to his partner Jackie, sons, brother Michael, sister Joan, relatives and many friends. Many people from our parish attended on both occasions of his obsequies which took place in Ennis.

OSSORY PILGRIMAGE TO ROME The Adult Faith Development in our diocese is planning a pilgrimage to the eternal city from March 9th to 14th 2023. The cost of this trip is €710 per person. See all the major sights of Rome and learn the rich history of our church. A €300 nonrefundable deposit is required to book your place. Contact Kieran and Laura Troy on 057 935 5050 or email info@myriam.ie.

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.

MASS TIMES AGHAVILLER PARISH 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: Mass on Wednesday 7.00p.m. Vigil - Saturday 29th. at 6.30p.m.; Friday 28th. Feast of St. Simon and St. Jude (Apostles). Saturday 29th.

Feast of St. Colman.

PRAY FOR Fr. Pat O’Farrell, Lisdowney and late of Kicural, who died on Tuesday 18th.October Breda Callanan (nee Wallace), Thurles and formerly Stonecarthy who died recently.

ANNIVERSARY MASSES In Hugginstown Church on Saturday 29th. October at 8.00p.m. Jim and Mary Barron.

ROTA Rota for next week-end: 29th. and 30th. October (Thirty First Sunday in Ordinary Time) Readers: Stoneyford: Saturday 6.30p.m. Sheila Raggett. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. John Barron; Sunday 10.00a.m. Marie Ryan.

Eucharistic Ministers:Stoneyford: Saturday 6.30p.m. Barbara Smolen.

Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Teresa Broderick; Sunday 10.00a.m. Lillian Carr.

REMEMBRANCE MASSES Remembrance Masses for the Faithful Departed will be celebrated on Saturday 5th.November, In Stoneyford Church at 6.30p.m. and in Hugginstown Church at 8.00p.m. We will remember all who have lost a family member during the past twelve months. Families will be invited to bring a candle to the altar in remembrance of their loved ones during Mass.

SAFEGUARD CONTACTS Diocesan Designated Liaison Person: Ms. Kathleen Sherry, Telephone: 087 100 0232 or email: dlp@ossory.ie. Aghaviller Parish Representatives are: Teresa Broderick and Carmel O’Toole PARISH CONTRIBUTIONS Collection in aid of “The Missions” will be held after all Masses this weekend 22nd./23rd.

OCTOBER STATIONS October Station Envelopes 2022 are available at the Church Porch.

Your contributions are for the support of the priests of the Parish and the Diocese. Your contribution can be left into the Collection Boxes at the Churches or you may donate directly - Use IBAN: IE19 AIBK 9330 9000 0561 20 (BIC: AIBKIE2D).

PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDS

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will make a much welcome return having been suspended during the pandemic. The dates for the 2023 Pilgrimage are Tuesday 23rd. May to Sunday 28th. May 2023. Further information available later.

TAIZE YOUTH PROGRAMME 2023 A youth trip to Taizé in France organised by Ossory Youth will take place from Sunday 25th. June to Sunday 2nd. July 2023. A week in the Taizé Community is an opportunity for reflection and contemplation and a little step back from daily life. But bringing people together is also the essence of Taize and it is a week of meeting young people from different countries and cultures where new friendships are made. Tens of thousands of young people from around the world, including 25 from Kilkenny, will made the trip to Taizé next year.

The programme, which runs from November 2022 to July 2023 is open to Transition Year, 5th. Year and Leaving Cert students. Closing date is Friday 11th. November. For additional information, including cost and application forms contact Patrick Bookle, Ossory Youth at 056 776 1200, or 087 212 9006 or pbookle@ossoryyouth.com LOTTO Aghaviller Parish and Carrickshock G. A. A. Draw: Monday 17th. October 2022. Numbers: 20; 22; 10; 15. No Winner First 3 Numbers Drawn. No Jackpot Winner: 5 x €30.00 Winners: Margaret Corcoran, Lawcus; Eugene O’Donovan, Kimoganny; Katie Grace, Ballycaum; Lucy Mc Bride, Hugginstown; Deirdre Rohan, Carraigetna.

3 x €15.00 (Sellers). Walshe’s Shop; James Irish; Walter Broderick..

Next Draw on Monday. Please submit returns by 8.30p.m. Draw at 9.00p.m WINTER BURGLARY PREVENTION Winter Burglary Prevention: by the Crime Prevention Officer, Kilkenny and Carlow, As we approach the time of year when the clocks are set to go back, we are once again appealing to people to secure their homes and premises and to Lock Up and Light Up during the winter months.

Traditionally Burglaries increase by 20% over the winter months of October to March. Some simple methods can make your home and premises less vulnerable to Criminal Attack.

Lighting around the house on a sensor or photocell: Lighting inside on timers: Natural Surveillance- trim shrubs down to 1m and trees up to 2 m.: Use Bogus Caller Cards: Close Curtains during hours of Darkness.

What Attracts the Burglar: Signs of being unoccupied: Open Windows: Hidden keys: A build up of Post /Milk, etc. No alarms: High vegetation: Ladders or tools in easy reach: Easy access to the rear of your house: Poor lighting or house lights on at the wrong time.

See www.garda.ie for Home Security Tips and Advices.

ST. MARY’S CATHEDRAL GIFT AND BOOKSHOP The Chapter House Bookshop is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9.30am to 5.00pm. The shop has a wide range of books and gifts suitable for Confirmation and First Holy Communion.

Children. Bibles, Rosaries and Prayer Books all suitable for young people are available.

END OF SEASON PRIZES Thankfully after a week of heavy downpours mixed with thunder and lightning the ever popular End of Season Prizes took place on Saturday last.

On the advice of head greenkeeper Tommy it was decided to play it over 12 holes rather than 18 to protect the course which was in great shape lending to some good scoring for the time of year.

With a full timesheet and the sun shining all day it lent to a great atmosphere on the golf course to finish off a very successful golfing season.

Shining brightly Anna Starr took the top prize with Rita O’Neill who has had a super season coming in 2nd place. Miriam Fennelly took the third spot on a count back of three with the same score.

The presentation of prizes took place in the clubhouse following the game. Lady Captain Anne Croke congratulated the prize winners and thanked all on what was a very successful golfing season. On receiving her prize Anna expressed her delight and thanked the Lady Captain Anne, the officers and all the committee for their great work throughout the season.

Results: Winner Anna Starr 26pts. 2nd Rita O’Neill 24pts.3rd. Miriam Fennelly 22pts c/b 4th. Maria Gorey 22pts. 5th. Betty McGrath 22pts. 6th. Eilish Ahearne 21pts c/b 7th. Teresa Phelan 21 pt. 8th. Rose Brophy. 21 pts. 9th Bridget Holohan 21 pts 10th. Pauline Donovan 20pts. 9 Hole Winner. Susan Higgins 11 pts Tuesday 18th October 9hole. 1st Marie O Riordan. 2nd Ann Hickey 18Hole 1st Mary Manning. 2nd Noelle O Driscoll. 3rd. Berna Walsh Senior Ladies October 13th. Winner Mary O Hanlon 23 pts. 2nd Berna Walshe. 22pts 3rd. Carmel O Sullivan 21pts. 4th Ann Hickey 21 pts. 5th. Shiela Kirby 21pts

MOLLY’S TEA ROOMS Christmas order book is now open. Christmas Cakes, puddings, mince pies, chocolate puddings and many more delightful treats are available to order.

Molly’s Goodwill Thrift shop at Dalton House is requesting good quality used clothes, bags, scarfs and other saleable items for Molly’s Goodwill Trift Shop.

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Dicksboro U12’s

Prize winners Front L to R Rita O Neill, Anne Croke L.C. Anna Starr.

Back L to R . Rose Brophy, Maria Gorey, Eilish Ahearne, Bridget Holohan, Miriam Fennelly, Betty McGrath

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 28 October 2022

Hurling matters

Sport

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Kilkenny Intermediate Championship Final UPMC Nowlan Park Danesfort 1-36 Thomastown 4-25(AET) The ‘Fort are back! Having suffered relegation in 2020, Danesfort will mix it with the best next season, having overcome a stubborn Thomastown side to clinch the Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Kilkenny Intermediate Championship title after extra-time.

Two points separated the sides when Ballyhale whistler Michael O’Sullivan called time on a game that at times looked as if neither side wanted to emerge victorious. In truth, the game only came to life mid-way through the second half, but for the remainder of normal time and the extra periods, this game kept spectators guessing right to the death.

The first two scores of the day came from Danesfort, one from their chief protagonist, Richie Hogan, the other from young midfielder Cathal Kearney. Thomastown got the scoreboard moving thanks to a placed ball from the ever-reliable Robbie Donnelly. The men in stripes hit back immediately with a nice point from wing-forward Colm Phelan, the first of his 3-point tally on the day.

During the early exchanges, a couple of key match-ups were developing; Richie Hogan was being marshaled by Thomastown No.9, Brian Staunton, while Danesfort captain Des Dunne had the difficult task of marking county man John Donnelly. The latter was some battle across the game, as both parties gave as good as they got with some big hits going in. Neither Dunne nor Donnelly shirked throughout the game, but you got the sense that Dunne was getting the better of his vastly experienced opponent.

Danesfort’s early 1-point lead was soon gone, as Thomastown vice-captain and score-in-chief, Robbie Donnelly sent a long delivery into the danger zone where young Jack Holden was loitering. Holden struck the sliotar beyond Paddy Hogan to the net, not the cleanest of strikes – but they all count!

Former All-Ireland winning defender in both codes, Paul Murphy then struck a lovely point having been afforded the freedom of UPMC Nowlan Park. The next four points were shared, the pick of them being a lovely effort from out on the sideline by Jack Bruton. As the mid-way point of the opening period arrived, U20 star Peter McDonald fired over a great point, following some nice work by wing-back Johnny Barron.

Two placed balls followed, one from Robbie Donnelly after Des Dunne was harshly adjudged to have fouled John Donnelly, the other won and converted by Richie Hogan after Ned Kirwan tried to halt his progress.

Thomastown were up by the minimum, 1-6 to 0-8. Paul Murphy was being employed as a sweeper in front of his full-back line and was picking up lots of loose ball around the park. One example of this was when he collected a mis-hit pass and arrowed a lovely ball into his full-forward Robbie Walsh who split the posts to level matters.

Stevie Donnelly and James Mullally then exchanged points before three points on the spin from Danesfort gave them some breathing space.

The first of this trio of scores came from Colm Phelan after great work by his captain Des Dunne.

Richie popped over another free before midfielder Philly Cooney powered through the middle and rifled over a fine score.

The final score of an interesting if not enthralling first half came from Thomastown, as a well-worked sideline cut by Luke Connellan was finished superably by John Donnelly. The short whistle

Thomastown fall at final hurdle after extra time defeat

Danesfort earn their stripes in epic final victory!

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 28 October 2022

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Hurling matters JonJoe Farrell challenged

by Diarmuid Phelan

Paul Murphy has JonJo Farrell on his back!

sounded and Danesfort went into the changing room 2 points to the good, 0-13 to 1-8.

Thomastown had notched nearly as many wides as they had points in the opening period – 7, whiles the ‘Fort were far more economical in front of the posts in a game that hadn’t fully taken off and appeared to lack the intensity you would expect from a championship final.

The second half started with a further two missed opportunities for Thomastown. These would prove crucial come the end of proceedings.

Danesfort turned their opponents over with Des Dunne leading the way. The ball was moved to Richie who did the needful. The Town got their first score of the second period via the dangerous Stephen Donnelly before St Kieran’s College pupil, Ben Whitty fired over a cracking score, the first of three efforts after the interval. Robbie Donnelly hit his 4th score of the game from a free to bring the gap back to two points.

A seventh point of the day from Philly Cooney gets in his shot watched

by Robbie Donnelly

Richie along with another sweet point from Jack Bruton left the 2011 Intermediate Champions four clear with about 37 minutes on the clock. Thomastown threw on their second sub of the day with the promising Zach Bay Hammond replacing Adrian Burke as they sought to fight their way back into the game. They needed the next point and they got it, a good score from their captain Jonjo Farrell.

Niall Bergin’s side responded; Robbie Walsh played a lovely pass to the impressive Mullally who split the posts for a fine point.

Then came one of the best scores of the game. Paul Murphy played the pass to Ben Whitty and the youngster went in a mazy run, weaving inside and out before dispatching a fantastic point worth the admission price alone!

Games can change in a flash and Thomastown got themselves back into it with their second major of the day. Danesfort full-back Diarmuid Phelan was blown –up for fouling Stephen Donnelly. Up stepped Robbie D, who struck his CONTINUED >>>

Jack Bruton gets a helping hand as he attempts to get possession

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 28 October 2022

kilkennyobserver.ie

Hurling matters

Sport

Intermediate Champions Danesfort

>>>CONTINUED

shot past Paddy Hogan. Robbie Donnelly would get the next score also from a free, we now had a 1-point game.

Zach Bay Hammond then won a handy free which Robbie Donnelly converted to level matters with 47 minutes played. 2-13 Thomastown, 0-19 Danesfort. Game on.

Danesfort then re-took the lead with a well-taken Daire O’Neill point after some excellent buildup play involving keeper Paddy Hogan who found brother Richie who in turn made the crucial pass to O’Neill.

The lively and impressive Jake Cullen was then sprung from the bench in the 50th minute by Danesfort as they sought to build on their 1-point lead. Cullen had been instrumental in his side’s run to the decider and they hoped he would continue his fine form.

The next point in the final would come from those in stripes, as the impressive Jack Bruton struck over a fine score having got the better of his marker, Peter Connellan. Less than a minute later, playmaker Robbie Walsh played in Richie Hogan who fired over his sides 23rd point of the day. Thomastown’s first substitute, Eddie Donnelly then recycled the sliotar well before finding John Donnelly who pointed.

One of Thomastown’s favourite sons was then sprung from the bench – Tucker O’Hanrahan.

Some lovely play between Ben Whitty and Robbie Walsh resulted in Jake Cullen notching a lovely point. The dangerous Bruton then got his third of the day as the Danesfort lead was stretched to five points.

Thomas O’Hanrahan then got in on the scoring act with a classy point – typical Tucker! Then two other substitutes combined for the next score – Brian O’Hanrahan passed to Eddie Donnelly, who made no mistake. Cathal O’Neill was then blown for a foul on Stephen Donnelly, and brother Robbie punished the indiscretion.

The Danesfort lead was down to just two points.

Then came the additional time announcement – 4 minutes. The next score was a cracker. Richie Hogan showed great vision and awareness to lay the ball off to the marauding corner-back Daire O’Neill who struck over a fine score. There was now a goal between the sides. Could the men in blue find a 3rd major of the day?

Another long ball in and around the house caused a little chaos in the Danesfort defence. As the ball broke Jack Holden struck his shot beyond Paddy Hogan and raised his second and his sides third major!

The Thomastown supporters cheered wildly.

Richie Hogan then slotted over another placed ball to edge his team ahead. Thomastown restored parity when John Donnelly found Jack Holden who rifled over. James Mullally who had been roaming all over the park for large parts of the second half, then hit a lovely point – number 28 for Danesfort. Play was then held-up for a number of minutes following a nasty looking

Robbie Walsh and Peter Connellan in a battle for possession

leg injury to Darren Booth. The Danesfort medical team tended to the corner-back for almost 6 minutes, before the stricken player left the UPMC pitch on a stretcher.

Richie Hogan Scores a point for Danesfort

Play resumed with a free to Niall Bergin’s men on their own ‘65.

After some discussion during the stoppage between the Hogan boys, Richie stepped up and struck the

free. His effort dropped short and Ned Kirwan emerged with the ball.

The sliotar was worked to Stephen Donnelly who slung over a brilliant point to bring the sides level. That

would be the last action of normal time, Thomastown 3-19, Danesfort 0-28. Extra-time beckoned.

Extra-time began with an excellent Danesfort score, courtesy

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 28 October 2022

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Hurling matters inspiring performance. The vastly experienced duo of Paul Murphy and Richie Hogan then combined for the latter to notch his 12th point of the day.

Jake Cullen then gave a lovely hand-pass into Jack Bruton who fired over for his 6th point of the day to put his side 7 points clear.

Another final defeat loomed for Thomastown. Robbie Donnelly hit a brace of points before John Donnelly popped over one to reduce the arrears to 4 points.

Cathal Kearney then burst forward from midfield and capped a good day at the office with a second point from play and extend the lead to 5 points. There would be no way back for Thomastown, but they did get the final score of the game and it was a fourth goal this time from captain Jonjo Farrell, but it was too little too late. Referee Michael O’Sullivan sounded the long whistle. Danesfort were 2022 Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Kilkenny Intermediate Champions – and more importantly, had secured a return to the senior ranks, in this their 100th year.

Final score, Danesfort 1-36, Thomastown 4-25.

SCORERS Danesfort- Richie Hogan (0-12, six frees), Jack Bruton (0-6), Jake Cullen (1-1), James Mullally (0-4), Ben Whitty, Colm Phelan (0-3 each), Daire O’Neill, Cathal Kearney (0-2 each), Paul Murphy, Philly Cooney, Robbie Walsh (0-1 each)

Thomastown- Robbie Donnelly (1-9, six frees), Jack Holden (2-1), Jonjo Farrell (1-1), John Donnelly, Stephen Donnelly (0-4 each), Luke Connellan (0-2), Peter McDonald, Eddie Donnelly, Zach Bay Hammond, Thomas O’Hanrahan (0-1 each) TEAMS DANESFORT- Paddy Hogan; Darren Booth, Diarmuid Phelan, Daire O’Neill; Des Dunne, Paul Murphy, Cathal O’Neill; Philly Cooney, Cathal Kearney; Colm Phelan, James Mullally, Ben Whitty; Richie Hogan, Robbie Walsh, Jack Bruton.

SUBS- Jake Cullen for Cooney 49 mins, Philly Walsh for Booth 66 mins, Philly Cooney for O’Neill 76 mins, Dylan Dunphy for Bruton 78 mins, Ciaran Mullen for Mullally 78 mins.

THOMASTOWN- Diarmuid Galway; Peter Connellan, Richard O’Hara, Ned Kirwan; Johnny Barron, Peter McDonald, Adrian Burke; Robbie Donnelly, Brian Staunton; Luke Connellan, John Donnelly, Dylan Waugh; Stephen Donnelly, Jack Holden, Jonjo Farrell.

SUBS- Eddie Donnelly for Waugh h-t, Zach Bay Hammond for Burke 37 mins, Brian O’Hanrahan for Barron 52 mins, Thomas O’Hanrahan for Farrell 54 mins, Brian Murphy for Staunton 65 mins, Jonjo Farrell for Holden 75 mins.

REFEREE- Michael O’Sullivan (Shamrocks Ballyhale).

>> SHERRY SAYS...

of James Mullally. The ‘Fort also hit the next two points, a wonderful 5th from play from the mercurial Richie Hogan, and another fine effort from Ben Whitty. John

Donnelly Cullen who the drew a rifled a bullet foul from of a low shot his marker past Diarmuid and Robbie Galway.

Donnelly Bergin’s men took full were four to the advantage good, surely that from the would be enough, placed ball. given the tired The pacey Zack limbs cramping all Des Dunne Bay Hammond over the park.

- happy then sent over a Having experienced captain! lovely point off his left so much final heartbreak side, the Danesfort lead over the last few years, was back to 2 points.

Thomastown were rocked.

Danesfort then struck a huge To their credit they never gave blow to Thomastown’s title hopes. up and hit back with a nice Robbie Walsh who had been a key point from Luke Connellan, but link in all that was good about his Danesfort cancelled this effort sides play in the final managed out, via a lovely point from Jack to offload to the supporting Jake Bruton, his 5th of the day in an

80-odd minutes of hurling, drama, excitement, goals, points. You name it, this game had it.

Think it’s fair to say that this final took a while to catch fire, but when it did, it kept those in attendance wondering who was going to prevail in the Intermediate final.

Let’s start by congratulating Danesfort. Back to the top table, where no doubt they will ruffle some feathers next season, especially if they can keep the talisman Richie Hogan fit.

How the aul hands like Richie & Paddy Hogan, Robbie Walsh and the super-fit Paul Murphy blend with the younger players like Ben Whitty, Jack Bruton, Tom Mullally, Jake Cullen etc. Has been a large part of this successful campaign and bodes well for their provincial series and indeed, next season.

For any teams to rack up scores like Danesfort & Thomastown did last Sunday is remarkable, given the elements, the conditions underfoot. The grounds staff at UPMC Nowlan Park deserve a lot of credit for the pitch.

Thomastown, what can you say? Sunday’s defeat will be a very bitter pill to swallow. To score 4-25 in a county final anywhere on the island in October and not secure victory will take a while to get over. Coupled with a tendency to fall just short is a heavy weight to bear for the men in blue. The Donnelly’s did what they could, Jack Holden too. Their seven wides in the first half proved costly.

Back to the champions, Danesfort. There was one point from Ben Whitty during the game – absolute quality. The St Kieran’s College man has a bright future ahead, as do a few of his fellow club men. Jack Bruton was announced as MOTM afterwards, but it could have been Whitty, it could have been Richie Hogan, it could have been James Mullally, it could have been their captain Des Dunne.

A brief word on the Junior final. Congratulations to Black & Whites who came out on top in the junior decider against Windgap. A first half goal by half-forward Emmet Foley was crucial, along with 0-9 from Ryan Murphy.

Eddie Scally’s men were full value for their win and will have enjoyed the last week, before they turn their attentions to provincial matters.

Blacks And whites Junior Hurling Champions

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 28 October 2022

Motors Classifieds

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Planning notices

Planning notices KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL:

Planning permission is sought by John Murphy for a material change of use of 30 square meters of an existing ground floor ancillary storage area for the bar/restaurant to a new short-term holiday accommodation lobby and bedroom, and both internal and external alterations to same unit. Permission is also sought to construct a new 53 square meter single-storey extension to the side of the existing ancillary storage accommodation comprising a second short-term holiday accommodation bedroomed unit with ensuites for both bedrooms plus additional new storage space and all associated site development works at Orchard House, New Orchard, Kilkenny. R95 XRC4 The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

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

TO PUBLISH PLANNING APPLICATION, CONTACT US: Call to our office at: Unit 7 Friary Street Telephone: 056 777 1563/086 2395370 Email: sales@kilkennyobserver.ie

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 28 October 2022

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 28 October 2022

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

A prayer to the Blessed Virgin

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.F.

(never known to fail).

O most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful vine, Splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, O Star of the sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. O Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to grant my request.

(Please state request). There are none that can withstand your power. O show me herein you are my Mother. I place this cause in your hands (three times). Thank you for your mercy towards me and mine. Amen.

This prayer must be said for three days and after this the request will be granted. This prayer must be published immediately. M.F.

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer.M.M.

The Miracle Prayer

The Miracle Prayer

The Miracle Prayer

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. M.M.

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. R.C.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. A.S.

St. Anthony Prayer,

O Holy St. Anthony gentlest of Saints, your love for God and charity for His creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers.

Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me (request).

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

The gratitude of my heart will ever be yours.

Amen M.R.

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. S.B.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 28 October 2022