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Not a fair cop, Minister Road deaths are up as we get just one extra Garda As the death toll on our roads continues to rise, the number of Gardaí patrolling the roads across the country is being beefed up at last. But it is not good news for Kilkenny. Carlow is to get seven more Gardaí, with just one for Kilkenny. Allocations from the new Garda recruit class have allowed the transfer of expe-

rienced officers into roads policing units (RPUs) – with further transfers planned nationwide. The new allocation of resources will provide a major boost to some RPUs as Garda chiefs have indicated a further significant allocation will follow once next year’s recruit class has been deployed.

It comes against the backdrop of rising road deaths, with this year on course to see more people die in road accidents than last year. Parc road safety group founder Susan Gray said the RPU personnel allocations was “wonderful news.” Donegal – which has one of Ireland’s highest per capita rates of road deaths – has re-

ceived an immediate allocation of eight new officers. The county’s RPU had fallen to just 21 members last August. Sligo-Leitrim has received seven new officers. That area had seen its RPU numbers fall to just 15 in August. The use of Garda recruits to sanction RPU personnel increases came as 153 people died on the roads up to Octo-

ber 25 this year – an increase of 13 over the same period last year. A total of 188 people died on the roads last year. There are mounting fears Ireland could suffer 200 road deaths this year, with November and December traditionally among the most dangerous months. A total of 45 people died on the roads

Sabrina (23) the next Einstein?

It ain’t rocket science... we need these girls! Ireland risks leaving girls behind in its AI future unless gaps in subject access and confidence are addressed, an I Wish survey has warned. With demand for digital specialists in Ireland projected to increase by 27% in the next four years, the 2026 I Wish Survey of Female Students’ Attitudes to STEM has found that just over one in four girls (27%) surveyed in single-sex schools currently have access to Computer Science at Leaving Certificate level. Pictured at the launch of the 2026 I Wish survey from left are: Caoimhe Hetherington Sheehy, Emily Nolan, Aoife Gray and Rebecca McCormack. PHOTO: Naoise Culhane

Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterski is an American theoretical physicist whose research focuses on some of the most fundamental questions about the universe, including gravity, spacetime and the behaviour of particles. According to Harvard University, her research explores connections between quantum field theory and gravity, particularly how information about physical processes can be described using mathematical structures at the boundaries of spacetime. Full story Page 6

Full story Page 4

That welcome on the mat is slipping The number of people fleeing Ukraine who have been refused applications for temporary protection in Ireland has more than doubled in the past two months, despite Russia’s huge bombing campaign targeting civilians. Rejected temporary protection applications from Ukraine hit 129 in September, up from just 56 in July. The September figure missed the last three

days of the month. The increase in refusals comes despite Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s recent criticism of Russia’s bombing campaign. He stated the country was “trying to kill as many civilians as possible” in order to press Ukraine to capitulate. In September, Mr Martin told the UN that Russia’s war in Ukraine was “more deadly for civilians than at any point

last November and December. Gardaí confirmed that over the first three days of their October bank holiday weekend safety crackdown, 40 motorists were arrested for suspected intoxicated driving. More than 200 drivers were stopped for alleged use of a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt.

since” it started in 2022. Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon accused the Government of hypocrisy over the uptick in rejections, claiming it was insulting to Ukrainians who are merely seeking safety from Russia’s bombing campaign. “What we have at the moment is just a two-faced approach where we talk big about how we recognise the horrors,

but at the same time we turn down the people who are suffering from them,” he said. “I think it is a real shame. It is a shameful hypocrisy that I don’t associate with the values of this country.” The EU added new criteria to the Temporary Protection Directive last month. The directive was activated in March 2022 as a response to the Russian invasion.

The Department of Justice said changes to the criteria meant that temporary protection could be granted only to applicants who can demonstrate they were authorised under Ukrainian law to leave Ukraine. It also means applicants are no longer eligible for temporary protection in Ireland if they have already been granted it in another EU country.

Local firm wins at Repak awards Glenpatrick Spring Water Ltd & Kilkenny Nutritional Ltd, based in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, has been announced as the winner of the Innovation in SUP Reduction or Removal at the 2026 Repak Resource Awards, Ireland’s National Environmental Awards. Glenpatrick Spring Water Ltd & Kilkenny Nutritional Ltd was recognised for its whole-business approach to circular packaging focused on lightweighting, material optimisation, recycled content and improved recyclability.

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Why girls risk losing out on a future with AI Ireland risks leaving girls behind in its AI future unless gaps in subject access and confidence are addressed, an I Wish survey has warned. With demand for digital specialists in Ireland projected to increase by 27% in the next four years, the 2026 I Wish Survey of Female Students’ Attitudes to STEM has found that just over one in four girls (27%) surveyed in single-sex schools currently have access to Computer Science at Leaving Certificate level. I Wish, the Irish not-for-profit initiative inspiring young women to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), says this risks limiting girls’ early opportunities to explore digital skills, while confidence also presents a further barrier to seeing themselves in industries such as AI, cybersecurity, data analytics and cloud technologies. Three in five (60%) identified a lack of confidence in their STEM subject ability as a barrier to pursuing a STEM career, which has risen from 55% in 2025 and 50% in 2024. Speaking at the launch of the 11th annual I Wish survey, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “Ireland’s future competitiveness depends on developing the skills our economy needs. Strong

Tomorrow’s young scientists: At the launch of the 2026 I Wish Survey of Female Students’ Attitudes to STEM from left, are Caoimhe Hetherington Sheehy; An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD and Emily Nolan

growth in demand is projected over the coming four years for digital specialist jobs, yet women make up only one fifth of this workforce. Addressing that imbalance is essential to building the talent our economy needs.”

The 2026 I Wish survey also highlights that two-thirds of female secondary students identify poor gender equality in STEM careers as a barrier, while the same proportion cited insufficient career information. Meanwhile, 61%

identified a lack of school visits by female STEM role models. To help address these gaps, 4,000 secondary school girls from across the island of Ireland will attend the 13th annual I Wish 2027 Festival on

February 4 at the RDS Dublin to meet women working in STEM, explore career pathways and experience practical demonstrations. Places are available at www.iwish.ie/ tickets. Co-founder of I Wish Caro-

line O’Driscoll said: “We ask girls to be ambitious, but ambition needs assistance. A girl may discover an interest in technology, engineering or construction, only to find her school does not offer the technical and applied STEM subjects that would help her explore it. Even when her school does offer these subjects, she may struggle to see a future for herself without encouragement, clear career information, or women she can relate to in those roles. “The growing confidence barrier we are seeing in our surveys is worrying and raises questions about whether girls are getting the support they need. Our I Wish Festival can open their eyes to what is possible, but that must be followed by opportunities throughout their education.” In the I Wish Primary Programme powered by Logitech, 93% of primary students surveyed said STEM subjects suit everyone regardless of gender. A third of students said that more hands-on experiments would make learning maths more engaging and beneficial. I Wish Co-founder Gillian Keating said: “That sense of possibility is something we need to nurture as girls move through school and begin making choices about their futures.”

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

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Pilot plan for cyberbullying A pilot system to stop incidents of cyberbullying has been suggested by the media regulator, who has approached social media platforms popular with children. Coimisiún na Meán Chairperson Jeremy Godfrey said the plan would operate when there was a child who was at “imminent risk of harm”.

Platforms currently rely on users reporting content directly through the platform’s own tools. The platform then decides whether the content breaches its rules and whether to remove it. Under the pilot, trusted organisations could present evidence that content across different platforms amounts to cyberbullying targeting a

child and escalate the case through a dedicated referral process with social media companies. Coimisiún na Meán is looking at non-offencespecific types of harmful content, in particular online bullying. Mr Godfrey said children could report cyberbullying to teachers, parents or civil

society organisations, and the pilot would establish a link between these organisations, the media regulator and various social media platforms to show “verified cases” of cyberbullying. However, Mr Godfrey said the pilot was being pursued on a “voluntary basis” with platforms, and none had fully committed so far.

In some cases cyberbullying could happen across multiple social media platforms, leaving a gap between what was happening on one platform and harm being done to a child overall through cyberbullying. “The idea is basically to have a way of raising that to the platform and saying this is a verified case of cyberbul-

lying, so please, can you take the content down, or possibly even think about account suspensions,” he said. “We’re still trying to get everything in place, but platforms, by and large, have been quite receptive to it.” Once the framework is agreed, the regulator could start operating the pilot within six weeks.

Accountancy firm Xeinadin to increase its graduate jobs in Kilkenny in 2027 Xeinadin, a leading provider of accountancy services and business advice in Ireland and the UK, has announced plans to recruit 70 graduates as part of its 2027 early careers programme, an increase of 40% from last year’s intake. The firm confirmed that opportunities are available in Co. Kilkenny. The increase in graduate recruitment comes as emerging technologies, including AI, are changing working and hiring practices across the sector, with Xeinadin continuing to invest in early-career talent alongside its adoption of new technologies. Xeinadin’s graduate programme offers practical experience across a range of accountancy and business advisory services. In their first one to two years, graduates will gain exposure to a wide range of areas including accounting, tax, bookkeeping and audit. Graduates typically gain exposure to a range of sectors and clients, particularly within Xeinadin’s core SME market. Xeinadin operates 33 offices across Ireland, with the graduate programme available across its regional network as well as in the country’s major cities. Sandra Clarke, Managing Partner, Ireland at Xeinadin, said: “AI and other emerging technologies are becoming increasingly important tools within accountancy and will continue to create efficiencies in how we work. However, we do not see that replacing our need for graduates. “Our work with SMEs is highly relationship-driv-

en. Clients want access to people; they want to meet and hear from people. The importance of building those close relationships won’t go away anytime soon. We want to be at the forefront of developing those people skills and inspiring the next generation of business advisors in Ireland.” The programme, which has seen over 150 graduates and trainees go through it in the last three years, is designed to give graduates early client-facing experience and access to senior professionals. Graduates joining Xeinadin can undertake ACA, ACCA or CTA qualifications. Ms Clarke said: “Our graduate programme is an important part of how we develop our people and build our expertise for the future. We are delighted to be in a position to increase our graduate intake this year, offering them broad experience across different clients, sectors and areas of accountancy and business advisory, as well as the opportunity to work directly with senior colleagues from an early stage in their careers. “We are also a significant regional employer, meaning graduates do not have to move to urban areas to access the opportunities of a national accountancy firm. Through our regional offices and centralised specialist teams, they can build their careers closer to home while gaining experience with clients from across Ireland.” For more information on graduate opportunities, please visit www.xeinadin.ie or follow its LinkedIn page for updates.

Is Sabrina (23) the next Einstein? Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterski is an American theoretical physicist whose research focuses on some of the most fundamental questions about the universe, including gravity, spacetime and the behaviour of particles. Born in Chicago in 1993, she developed an interest in science and engineering at an early age. At just 14, she built a single-engine aircraft and later flew it herself, demonstrating an

unusual combination of practical engineering skills and scientific curiosity. She went on to study physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), graduating in 2014 with a perfect 5.0 GPA. She subsequently earned her PhD in physics from Harvard University in 2019. According to Harvard University, her research explores connections between quantum field

theory and gravity, particularly how information about physical processes can be described using mathematical structures at the boundaries of spacetime. One important area of her work involves celestial holography, a theoretical approach that seeks to describe certain gravitational interactions using lowerdimensional mathematical theories. This could provide new ways to investigate

the relationship between quantum mechanics and Einstein’s general relativity. Her research has attracted attention from prominent physicists, including Stephen Hawking, who cited work she co-authored in a scientific paper. Her work contributes to ongoing efforts to understand gravity at the quantum level, one of the major unresolved problems in modern theoretical physics.

South Kilkenny’s Patrick our New Local Hero A New Local Hero is the flagship talent search at the heart of Irish Music Month, run by Hot Press and the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI) and funded by Coimisiún na Meán under its Sound & Vision Scheme. In the past few weeks, more than 80 emerging artists have performed live on 22 independent radio stations across the country. From those performances, 21 regional Local Heroes were

chosen. Kilkenny is represented in this year’s finale by Patrick Dowling, selected by KCLR. All 21 Local Heroes will be in attendance at the finale, and all 21 acts, including those not performing onstage, remain eligible to win the €2,500 Wildcard Award on the night. Patrick Dowling is a singersongwriter hailing from the heart of South Kilkenny. Having busked around

Ireland since the age of 16, Dowling has developed an introspective meditation on love, longing and the importance of remembering where home is. With influences from pop to hip-hop, and a touch of soul, Dowling is an up-andcoming singer-songwriter with an unwavering commitment to authenticity and vulnerability in his songwriting. Patrick Dowling released his debut EP in 2025.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

Opinion

The Fact Of The Matter Paul Hopkins

Living in hope, with my miracle drug I was nine and my mother was crying in our small kitchen, my dad trying to console her. “What’s up?” I asked. “Auntie Madge has died,” my father said and my mother cried further. “Why?” I asked innocently. My father placed his finger on his pursed lips and whispered: “Shhh... The Big C.” Young though I was, I knew what the Big C meant. Kind of. I had heard about it before. In those days we didn’t talk about someone having then-incurable cancer, like we didn’t talk about mental health, suicide or sexual preferences. It was taboo. And, besides, we just didn’t have real knowledge of such matters. Nowadays, thankfully, we talk openly about such things — about someone in “remission” or “living with cancer” because, 60 years on, medical science has come a long way in dealing with

what were once terminal illnesses. That said, despite trillions spent on research, cancer still kills around 10 million people a year and remains a leading cause of death globally, according to the WHO. Cancer research, however, continues at an unprecedented pace, with new treatments offering hope to millions. Healthcare will change at an accelerated rate in the next 10 years and beyond — a tomorrow in which medical care is increasingly personalised, digitally focused and data-driven. Although these advances are already having an impact on healthcare, they are still at their early stages; but, due to advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), the decreasing cost of gene sequencing and personalised medicine, they are fast becoming key parts of diagnostics, drug develop-

ment and patient care. Cancer treatment is moving from a one-size-fits-all model towards increasingly biomarker-driven, immunebased targeted therapy. The most consequential 2026 breakthrough is Daraxonrasib, an oral inhibitor that has nearly doubled survival in previously treated metastatic pancreatic cancer. Other major advances include personalised mRNA cancer vaccines, nextgeneration antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), specific antibodies and AI-driven diagnostics. Key breakthroughs in the last year are treatments for certain breast cancers and other rogue tumours. The Pope’s treatment is a case in point. Up to 11 reported trials this year across lung, gynaecological and colorectal cancers have shown positive outcomes, according to The Lancet. A vaccine known as

mRNA4157/V940 plus Pembrolizumab reduced recurrence risk in high-risk melanoma by some 44 per cent, while another personalised vaccine for pancreatic cancer showed long-lasting immunity, with trials showing 87.5 per cent of responders alive after six years. I have a cancer that has the potential — and I use the word carefully — to develop into more lethal leukaemia. Almost four years ago, while about to undergo minor spinal surgery, I was told I had Myelodysplastic Syndrome after a biopsy from my bone marrow was confirmed as deficient by a clinic in Lucerne, Switzerland. Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) is a group of disorders caused by blood cells that are poorly formed or don’t work properly. MDS results from something amiss in the spongy material inside your bones where blood cells are

made. And healthy red blood cells are important, as we know, in keeping one alive. Management of MDS is most often intended to slow the disease and ease symptoms like poor mobility, balance, worsening vision, dizziness and shortness of breath. Common measures include transfusions to boost blood cells. I had five in one week, after my haemoglobin dropped dramatically — haemoglobin being the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body’s tissues. In certain situations, a bone marrow transplant may be recommended. My MDS is genetic. I inherited it from my mother. Six years after her diagnosis — and monthly trips to the hospital for three-hour blood transfusions — she died of leukaemia in the Millennium year. She was 82. Medical science has come

a long way since that Millennium year. “It just needs ongoing monitoring and a monthly jab for now,” says my haematologist, a Belfast man. “Old age will likely get you before it does.” Sitting in the sterile consulting room, I say: “My mother had MDS. It eventually developed into leukaemia, of which she died 22 years ago.” The consultant smiles. “That was back then. Nowadays, we have a vaccine to treat MDS, a derivative of a drug which enhances an athlete’s performance. We’ll have you running a marathon yet!” Each month I inject into my thigh my Aranesp 300mg. (One shot costs the HSE €1,067.) The drug is a manmade form of a protein that stimulates red blood cell production. Aranesp is my miracle drug. I live in hope...

Improved water quality at Maryville Castlecomer Cllr. John Brennan wishes to advise on an update with regard to connecting customers in Maryville, Castlecomer to a more resilient water network with improved water quality. Customers in Maryville, Castlecomer are set to benefit from improved water quality and a more reliable water supply as Uisce Éireann progresses essential upgrade works to replace ageing backyard water service connections in the area. The works will involve the installation of almost 600 metres of new water main and the replacement of ageing backyard service connections. These improvements will help improve water quality, reduce leakage and provide a more reliable water supply for customers in Maryville. In some older estates across the country, water connections, typically made of iron or lead were installed to the rear of properties and are often referred to as backyard service connections. Due to their age and deterioration, this pipework can be a significant source of leakage. These shared connections often run through neighbouring properties, making leaks difficult to detect and repair, and bursts can impact multiple homes at

once, leading to issues such as low water pressure. Commentating on the commencement of the project Dave Murphy, Portfolio Manager with Uisce Éireann, said: "These works will help provide a more reliable water supply for customers in Maryville by replacing ageing backyard service connections and reducing leakage on the network. "The project will also improve water quality and remove older lead and cast-iron pipes from the network, helping to deliver long-term benefits for the local community. Uisce Èireann advised "We would like to thank customers for their patience and cooperation while these essential

improvements are being carried out. The works are scheduled are expected to be completed later this year. Customers benefiting from these works will be contacted directly regarding surveys and connection arrangements. The works will be carried out by Shareridge on behalf of Uisce Éireann. Uisce Éireann is responsible for delivering secure, safe and sustainable water services for communities across Ireland. Through its National Leakage Reduction Programme, Uisce Éireann is working to reduce leakage by repairing pipes, upgrading watermains and improving network resilience. Ireland has over 65,000 km of public water pipes, many of which are ageing. Since 2014, leakage has been reduced from 49% to 36%, with ongoing investment focused on protecting water supplies, supporting growth and ensuring a more resilient network for customers nationwide. For more information on the Leakage Reduction Programme, visit https://www. water.ie/reducingleaks. Cllr. Brennan has commended the work and advises that it is great to see some progress being made on this long standing matter.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

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Callan's Hollie wins top apprenticeship award Callan apprentice Hollie Foley has won the top ‘Agriculture, Horticulture & Biopharma’ industry award at Ireland’s National Apprentice of the Year Awards 2026. Hollie Foley, who has completed a laboratory analyst apprenticeship with MSD Carlow, was selected from 508 nominees nationwide. The award was presented at a ceremony in the RDS

Concert Hall, Dublin, attended by more than 500 guests. The award recognises 22-yearold Hollie’s skills and contributions in biopharma and STEM and highlights apprenticeship talent developing across County Kilkenny. Since graduating from the apprenticeship programme, Hollie has progressed even further in her career and is currently working as a Quality

Control (QC) Microbiology Technician at the company. Minister of State for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin TD, presented 17 awards, including the overall Apprentice of the Year award to Sapna Sian, a Manufacturing Technology apprentice with Johnson & Johnson Vision Care in Limerick.

Hollie Foley, winner of the Apprentice of the Year Award (Agriculture, Horticulture & Biopharma), said: “Winning this award is a wonderful honour and a very proud moment for me. My Laboratory Analyst apprenticeship with MSD Ireland has enabled me to combine structured learning with practical experience in the Biopharma sector, and graduating from this

programme has opened up so many exciting doors and unexpected opportunities for me. This award is testament to that, and I am so grateful to receive such a recognition. I would encourage anyone considering apprenticeships to explore the incredible career opportunities they can offer to people of all ages and backgrounds.” Apprentices can be nominated

by employers, training providers or anyone who knows an apprentice well. Nominees are judged on their skills and qualities in areas including leadership, teamwork, creativity and problem-solving. Find out more about the Apprentice of the Year Awards and 89 national apprenticeships available at www.apprenticeship.ie.

Bovine TB jab may bring new health benefits say scientists Vaccinating dairy heifers against bovine tuberculosis (bTB) could deliver major productivity and animal health spin-offs on commercial farms, according to research published in the Irish Veterinary Journal. The commercial herd trial, led by Dr Patricio Retamal and María Isabel Stevenson of the University of Chile, alongside international researchers, tracked Holstein-Friesian cows across two lactations to test the wider health and yield impacts of the Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccine. While first-calvers saw little change in milk output, the benefits kicked in during their second lactation. Across a 140-day test window (between days 40 and 180 after calving), vaccinated cows delivered over 1,000kg more milk than their unvaccinated herdmates. The news comes as more than 11,000 cattle have been removed, and 158 herds have been fully or partially depopu-

lated, in the past five years, as part of efforts to control bovine tuberculosis (TB), figures from the Department of Agriculture show. The department paid approximately €3.1m through the Depopulation Grant Scheme in the past five years. The grant is paid for each animal removed as part of a full or partial herd depopulation. Rates vary depending on herd type and animal category. Dairy farmers receive €280/ head for cows, in-calf heifers and pedigree bulls over 12 months of age, while suckler farmers receive €180/head for the same categories. All other herd types receive €120/head. The figures show the number of animals removed under depopulation measures more than tripled between 2021 and 2024, before easing back in 2025. The average size of depopulated herds in 2025 was 118 animals, a spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture said.

Now is the chance to be your own boss Ireland’s provider of employment services, Turas Nua, has announced the launch of Be Your Own Boss (BeYOB), a new national disability-inclusive entrepreneurship programme. The flexible programme – co-designed with the Entrepreneurs Academy, Simplified, AsIAm, Walk, University College Cork and Trinity College Dublin – was officially announced at a launch ceremony at the Autism Jobs Fair as part of the Department of Social Protection’s inaugural Disability Work and Skills Week. The event was attended by over 250 people. With fewer than half (49%) of working-age people with disabilities in Ireland currently in employment, compared with 71% of people without disabili-

ties, the need for alternative, adaptable routes into work remains clear. Self-employment can offer one such route, but many people face additional barriers in accessing the knowledge, confidence and supports required to take the first step. The programme aims to strengthen entrepreneurial confidence, build practical skills and provide clarity on how self-employment interacts with welfare supports, creating a flexible, accessible pathway for people with disabilities who wish to explore entrepreneurship. It will serve as a pathway for people with disabilities to explore business ideas, build foundational skills and prepare for mainstream entrepreneurship supports.

The heritage of our past ... Kilkenny Archaeological Society, long associated with documenting the past, will also be looking to the future at its 10th John Bradley Weekend, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, October 30 and 31, honouring the notable city-born scholar who died in 2014. And in viewing both past and future they will be looking no further than their own doorstep: the medieval and iconic Rothe House complex and its magnificent gardens, restored by the society over the past sixty years

and now in the care of the Rothe House Trust. The weekend begins with a reception and a keynote address in Kilkenny Castle this Friday evening by Cóilín Ó Drisceoil, long associated with archaeological investigations in Kilkenny, and now a state archaeologist with the National Monuments Service. His talk, entitled 'A Succession of Very Curious Old Structures: Discovering the hidden history of Ireland’s best-preserved early modern townhouse', looks at thirty-five years of archaeological explora-

tion of Rothe House and Garden, unearthing an unwritten past spanning 800 years and uncovering over 3,100 artifacts. Discoveries range from evidence of the lavish diets of its Cistercian monk predecessors to that of the Renaissance-style luxury enjoyed by the Rothe family and the varied remains from the lives of occupiers of tenement dwellings and commercial premises on the site into the modern era. The excavations have successfully mapped out an early 17th-century

walled pleasure garden, exposed structural details no longer visible, and unearthed personal treasures like children's toys, dress accessories, foreign ceramics, musical instruments and even a German beer glass! These opening events of the weekend are followed by the conference dinner at The Clubhouse Hotel. Full programme details and prices are available at https://kilkennyarchaeologicalsociety.ie/ event/annual-john-bradley-weekend/

Teens changing gender rises in one year The number of 16- and 17-year-olds who have been granted a legal change of gender in a single year has tripled, as nine teenagers were granted Gender Recognition Certificates in 2025 compared with three in 2024. Over the past decade, 33 teenagers have been allowed to legally change their gender by the Department

of Social Protection through successful applications under the Gender Recognition Act 2015. There were three applications to the Social Protection Minister to revoke certificates last year — in the past 10 years, 13 revocations have been made, all from those aged over 18. There have been 2,215 adults over the age of 18 who

have been allowed to legally change their gender since 2015, when the legislation came into force. In the past decade, 55% of the applications granted to adults allowed changes from male to female. For those aged 16 and 17, the majority — 70%, or 23 people — changed from female to male. One teenage applicant and

four adults had their applications refused last year, with a total of 22 applications rejected over the last 10 years. Applications can be refused if "the person's preferred gender is other than male or female, which is not covered by the provisions of the act”, the 2025 Gender Recognition Act annual report said.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

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Opinion

As I See It Marianne Heron

Is there a doer-upper out there for you? Empty properties in a streetscape can look like a broken tooth in a smile. Sad and unattractive, they sit there empty while levies on their owners mount and the housing crisis grows. On the other hand, they can represent an opportunity for those in search of a bargain opportunity to get on the property ladder. Vacant and derelict properties were in the news last week when the Government announced new powers to collect a 7% tax on the current value of the property, to be collected by the Revenue Commissioners from 2028. Previously the levy was assessed and intended to be gathered by local authorities, but more than a third of the amount has not been collected. For anyone addicted – like me – to watching the Cheap Irish Homes TV programme, where presenter

Maggie Molloy tracks down bargain doer-uppers and modestly priced cottages or houses for prospective owners, the vacant and derelict homes sites can be like a sweet shop. There are around 80,000 vacant residential houses and 20,000 derelict residences listed nationwide (an underestimate), and you can notify your local council of unlisted, unloved properties if you have your eye on one. The icing on the cake, if you acquire a forgotten home, is that there are grants available of up to €50,000 to refurbish vacant homes and up to €70,000 for derelict properties. To be on the vacant list, properties must be empty for over two years and have been built before 2008 (the year the financial crash killed off Celtic Tiger developments). Happily, more than 7,000

vacant and derelict properties have been restored to use since the refurbishment scheme was introduced in 2022. The bad news, as far as the Government goes, is that there is €50 million in unpaid levies due from owners. Kilkenny County lists 49 derelict properties ranging from homes in towns to farm and school houses, and there is even a former railway station. There are more than 3,000 vacant properties, with more than 800 of them empty for a long time. You rarely find these doer-uppers listed by estate agents. The place to look is on the vacant and derelict sections on county council websites or on dedicated websites like derelictproperties.ie or formerglory.ie if you fancy a period property. The follow-up trail may involve writing to the owner to see if they are prepared

to sell, checking eligibility for grants and having surveys done if proceeding. And the tax owed by the owner, often amounting to tens of thousands? The previous owner is liable, which may be a disincentive to sell. “Despite the housing crisis there are thousands of vacant and derelict properties across our towns and villages as well as rural areas,” says Martin Moseley of Canice Conservation Architects, Kilkenny. “Taking on the refurbishment of a vacant or derelict building may seem daunting to some, however bringing an older property back to life can be a hugely rewarding experience and can have a wider positive impact on the local community. In sustainability terms the saying goes that the greenest building is the one that already exists.

“A Conservation Architect can provide advice in relation to grants, planning & building control requirements and appropriate work,” he says. Listed heritage properties may languish unloved, needing investment and imagination so that they can find a new use. Examples in Co. Kilkenny include the 1839 Ormonde Almshouse, formerly known as the Poor House in Kilkenny, and the former RIC barracks in Gowran. The potential offered by these kind of finds can be exciting; there are advantages like paying a lower price, fewer competing buyers and the possibility of greatly increasing the value of a property. But these projects aren’t for the faint-hearted — there are all kinds of challenges, difficulty in obtaining finance, structural problems, delays,

planning hitches, plus the fact that the money has to be spent on the property before you can avail of a grant. There should be ways to make the process of rescuing a property smoother. As part of the change under the Government’s Delivering Homes and Building Communities Plan, the idea is to speed up the collection and processing of unloved homes and buildings. County councils will still identify vacant and derelict properties, which will be on the national register. But the evidence of my eyes driving around the country suggests that only a fraction of those that could be available are registered, especially in the West. Maybe County Councils could do with help in that regard. You never know, you might find yourself a bargain doer-upper.

Feeling tired all the time CLAIR WHITTY This is a common complaint from many of you and I hear you, you are not alone. Depending on your age and your lifestyle the answer will be different. But the basic advice will remain the same for most people. A healthy balanced diet, good quality and quantity of sleep, managing stress, daily exercise will all contribute to maintaining your energy levels. Many of you are managing to get some of these areas under control but are still feeling tired. Small changes can make a significant difference to your energy. Simply adding extra nutrients to your daily diet could help. For example, Spirulina, this is a natural source of Iron, B Vitamins and Protein. This could be added to your smoothie or fruit drink and is perfect to support energy levels. Bee Pollen is a good source of Amino Acids, the building blocks of protein, they are a natural source of B Vitamins and support

Climate Change

– are we all playing our part? immunity too. Chia seeds contain magnesium, omega oils and a host of beneficial nutrients and are an easy addition. Adequate water is important, or drinking Herbal teas like Pukka Revitalise will help fluid levels. Sugar, excess carbohydrates, fizzy drinks, caffeine and alcohol are all foods that deplete energy so cut back or reduce these foods to see noticeable changes in your energy. There are lots of supplements that you could consider, one that we have recommended for over 20 years is Strath, Biostrath as it was formerly known. It is best taken in liquid form three times a day. It is a great source of vitamins and minerals. It is suitable for children, adults,

pregnant women, and the elderly. It is great too for recovery after illness. If you think your tiredness could be from low iron then consider Floradix Liquid Iron. For those of you that prefer tablets take a look at supplements that are free from fillers or binders, additives and colours, Pure Encapsulations, Viridian and Terranova are just some of the ranges that you can choose from. Flower Essences like Jan De Vries Revitalise is one to take a look at. It can help to lift your mood and boost your energy. You simply take it on those days when you need an extra boost. We are here to help you find natural ways to support energy levels daily.

Shop online at www.naturalhealthstore.ie where you’ll be able to take a look at these brands. Natural Health Store, Market Cross Shopping Centre Phone: 056 7764538 | Email: info@naturalhealthstore.ie

WEEK 192

"We live at the edge of many worlds"

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

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News

Freshford Fire Brigade takes delivery of new state of the art fire engine

(Front row L-R) Padraic Keely (Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer), Cllr Mary Hilda Kavanagh, Cllr Pat FitzPatrick, Liam Joyce (Emergency 1 UK), Jason Bowden (Station Officer, Freshford), Cllr John Brennan, Fiona Deegan (Director of Services), Cllr Michael McCarthy, Frank Dunne (Chief Fire Officer). Also shown are members of Kilkenny County Council Fire & Rescue Service – Freshford Brigade

Kilkenny County Council Fire and Rescue Service (Freshford Brigade) has taken delivery of a new Class B Fire Engine from the manufacturer, Emergency 1 – UK. The new fire engine was designed by Fire Service staff and was fully funded by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management at a manufacturing cost in excess

of €500,000. This new fire tender is designed to face the challenges posed by fighting fire in current environments and will replace a 20-yearold tender. The design has been optimised to provide the crew with protection from carcinogens, facilitate data management and provide a safe and reliable platform to fire fighters in Freshford.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

News US President Donald Trump’s approval ratings have fallen to a record low, a sign that Americans angry about rising living costs amid the deeply unpopular US-Israel war on Iran could punish his party at the upcoming midterm elections on Tuesday, November 3. Most Americans are unhappy with Trump’s performance, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll published on Monday, with more people saying they plan to vote for Democrats on November 3. Sitting US presidents have traditionally seen a dip in approval ratings around the midterms, and that has often coincided with their parties losing seats in Congress. With Trump’s ratings lower than any of his predecessors, experts say Democrats could reach their goal of flipping both the US House of Representatives and the Senate in the congressional vote. All 435 districts in the House and 33 of the 100 Senate seats are up for election. Republicans currently hold a slim majority of 218–214 seats in the House, and are also leading in the Senate, with a 53–47 majority. However, Democrats are campaigning hard to seize majorities in both houses, a scenario that could prove a major headache for Trump. Here’s what the latest polls might mean for these elections: About 31% of Americans polled by Reuters/Ipsos said they were happy with Trump’s performance – the lowest-ever figure during Trump’s two terms as president. Two weeks earlier, the number stood at 32%. When asked which party they would vote for if the midterms were held that day, 47% chose Democrats, while 35% opted for Republicans. That represents a 12-point advantage for the Democrats, the widest ever in the current cycle, and is up from the seven-point lead two weeks ago. The slide in support for Republicans came from the growing number of women choosing Democrats – about half of those polled. More voters – 40% – also said Democrats were better at managing the economy, compared with 33% who selected Republicans. The polls, which canvassed 1,679 adults, are a generic ballot providing an overview of voter sentiment, but not a state-bystate breakdown, meaning the results could still be surprising. The president and party in charge of the White House usually face some backlash in the midterms. Supporters of the nonpresidential party are often more motivated to vote in the midterms than their counterparts, according to

What poll ratings mean for Trump’s mid-terms More women voters are switching to Democrats

the University of Virginia’s Centre for Politics. The think-tank also found that in 12 of the past 20 midterm elections since 1946, the sitting president’s approval ratings worsened between July and November, the months just before the elections. Only in seven instances did approval ratings improve while in one case, during the 2006 elections under President George W. Bush, the president’s approval ratings stayed the same. With a dip in presidential ratings being the norm, a more favourable view of the sitting president still often correlates with the governing party losing fewer seats in the midterms, according to researchers. When presidential approval ratings are much lower, the party in power

Majority say America on the ‘wrong track’ A total of 71% of US adults think the country is on the “wrong track”. It’s the highest share yet in President Donald Trump’s second term, illustrating the grim national mood his party faces in the midterm elections, according to a new NBC News Decision Desk Poll powered by SurveyMonkey. Poll respondents expressed deep unhappiness over economic conditions and widespread distrust toward both major political parties, but Trump and Republicans bore the brunt. For the first time in Trump’s second term, the poll has found the “right track” sinking into the 20s. A majority of Americans view the president’s administration as uniquely corrupt, even as they look skeptically at corruption in both parties. And they say Trump is failing to improve their material financial conditions. In another warning sign, the poll found a majority (51%) of respondents “strongly disapprove” of his performance, a second-term high. Trump’s approval rating is slightly better among registered voters, 39%–61%. Registered voters said they prefer Democrats over Republicans to control Congress by a 55%–45% spread, another sign that the GOP’s House and Senate majorities are in danger in the November 3 election.

often loses more seats. In the 20 midterm elections held since 1946, the governing party lost seats in the House of Representatives in 18 instances, although a well-liked president often cushioned the effect, according to data from The American Presidency Project run by the University of California (UC), Santa Barbara. For example, Americans’ favourable view of President George Bush – 75% in the 1990 midterms – saw Republicans lose only eight seats across the two houses. But research aggregating the UC Santa Barbara data found that when presidents have approval ratings below 50%, their party was likely to have a bad election. In 1994, for example, when President Bill Clinton’s first midterm approval rating stood at 46%, Democrats lost 52 seats in Congress. But when Clinton’s approval rose to 66% by the next midterms in 1998, Democrats lost only five seats. So, what does this all mean for Trump? Researchers say Trump’s plummeting ratings amid the US-Israel war on Iran are highly likely to affect Republicans negatively. With Trump’s generally low ratings – the lowest of any president in US history, according to UC Santa Barbara’s aggregate – researchers say the odds that Republicans will keep their thin majority in Congress are very small. The question, however, remains just how badly the party could be hurt by Trump’s policies. Republicans might have some hope yet. According to the Centre for Politics, presidential approval in the past five midterms has generally been slightly higher in exit polls than in preelection polling, because those later surveys include people who have actually voted. That means the midterm results ultimately hinge on how well parties convince supporters to actually cast their ballots. According to NBC News, which conducts its own polling and provides stateby-state breakdowns, Senate Democrats are likely to win North Carolina and Maine from the Republicans. NBC also sees Alaska, Iowa and Texas as states that could go either way. In the House of Representatives, NBC predicts “possible flips” from Republican to Democrat in 15 districts. It rates four districts currently held by Republicans and three held by Democrats as “toss-up”. If the Democrats were to win all of those close contests without losing any of their current seats, they would gain a total of 22 seats in the House of Representatives and five in the Senate.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

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News

From the music room to the Mayor’s office: Andrew McGuinness returns to his old school

Mayor tells Kilkenny College students how a teacher’s encouragement helped shape his life — and why exam results don’t define their future He admitted to spending more time in the music room than on the sports field, enjoyed a bit of mischief and left Kilkenny College in 1999 with no idea that one day he would return as Mayor of Kilkenny. But when Andrew McGuinness went back to his former school as guest of honour at its annual prize-giving ceremony, he had a message for students that went far beyond his own journey: sometimes, one teacher, one opportunity or one passion can change the direction of a life. Mayor McGuinness used the occasion to pay tribute to the late David Milne, his former music teacher, whose encouragement helped turn a schoolboy’s interest in music into a lifelong passion and eventually led him to study sound engineering at third level. “David didn’t just teach me music. He helped open a door to a world I might otherwise never have discovered,” he told students. Recalling his schooldays, the

Mayor spoke candidly about his fondness for the music room, where he spent time developing his interests while other students were on the sports field. He even returned in the evenings to play music. With a touch of humour, he warned students not to take his story as encouragement to skip classes, but said there was a serious lesson behind it: discovering something you love can open doors you never knew existed. “Sometimes, all it takes is one person to recognise a spark in you and help you turn it into something more,” he said. The return to Kilkenny College was also an opportunity to remember other teachers who had left their mark on him, including the late John Bolger, his first Geography teacher, who also served as Mayor of Kilkenny. McGuinness recalled Bolger’s energetic and unconventional teaching style, including singing at school assemblies to wake up students. Years

later, in a striking full-circle moment, McGuinness led the guard of honour at Bolger’s funeral in his own capacity as Mayor. He also thanked former teacher Paul Cuddihy, who later became a colleague in local government and a friend, and remembered Mr Harrington for lessons in discipline, selfrespect and responsibility that he said had become more meaningful with age. Having spent more than 20

years working in local government and served as Mayor of Kilkenny on four occasions, McGuinness told students that his career had not followed a carefully mapped-out plan. “Life rarely follows a straight line,” he said, reflecting on how personal interests, unexpected opportunities and the influence of others had helped shape his path. His strongest message, however, was reserved for the students themselves — par-

ticularly those who might have left the prize-giving ceremony without receiving an award. “A prize is a wonderful recognition of achievement, but it cannot measure everything that makes a person who they are,” he said. He reminded students that people had different strengths and that academic results could never capture every talent, act of kindness or challenge someone had overcome. Some would become teach-

ers, engineers, musicians or tradespeople; others would find fulfilment in business, public service, raising a family or contributing to their community. The important thing, he said, was to remain curious, work hard and be prepared to explore different opportunities. “You don’t need to have your entire future figured out,” he told the students. “Be curious. Find the things that interest you. Work at them. Listen to the people who want to help you succeed, and don’t be afraid to take a chance on yourself.” Reflecting on his return to the school he left 27 years ago, the Mayor said he would always be grateful to Kilkenny College and the teachers who helped shape him. He closed with a reminder that the students sitting in the hall today might one day return to the school themselves, carrying stories of journeys they could not yet imagine. “I came to Kilkenny College as a student who loved music, enjoyed a bit of mischief, and had absolutely no idea that one day I’d be standing here as Mayor of Kilkenny. “If that tells you anything, it’s that life can surprise you.”

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

Opinion

Your Money & You John Ellis

You need to plan your pension now This is pension season. For many people, the next few weeks offer an opportunity to put money into a pension and claim tax relief. The standard Pay & File deadline is this Saturday, October 31, with an extension to November 18 for eligible taxpayers who both pay and file through Revenue’s Online Service (ROS). For everyone else, it is a timely reminder to check whether they are putting enough aside for retirement. Most people I meet understand that having a pension is important. The latest Standard Life research, based on more than 5,000 adults across Ireland, backs that up, with around three-quarters saying a pension is essential. The worry is that understanding the importance of a pension does not necessarily mean knowing whether you have enough saved. Among working adults, the proportion who feel finan-

cially ready for retirement has fallen from 37% in 2021 to 30% now. Only one in three adults say they know how much they will need to live comfortably. On average, people estimate that they will need about €2,000 a month after tax to cover essentials, rising to around €2,958 if they want money for holidays, hobbies and other spending. Those figures rise with household income, as you would expect. These numbers raise a simple question: how many people actually know what their pension will provide when they stop working? The figures suggest there is a considerable gap between recognising the importance of a pension and knowing whether you are on track. Retirement can last 25 years or more, yet many people are trying to save while paying a mortgage, raising children and covering education costs.

For those in their late 40s and 50s, there may also be financial support for adult children who are still living at home. CSO figures show that the proportion of 25- to 29-yearolds living with their parents increased from around one in four in 2011 to one in three in 2022. That can leave parents juggling their own retirement plans with the needs of the next generation. It is hardly surprising that pension contributions sometimes slip down the list of priorities. There is also a difference between men and women in how they approach retirement planning. The research suggests women are more likely to focus on immediate pressures, including the cost of living, mortgage payments and children’s education. Men are more likely to prioritise maximising their pension. It is worth asking whether this reflects a lack of interest or simply the com-

peting demands on household finances. The October/November deadline offers a useful opportunity to take stock. An additional pension contribution may reduce the income tax bill for 2025 while increasing the money available for

“And (also) financial support for adult children who are still living at home...

retirement. To qualify for relief against 2025 income, contributions must meet Revenue’s applicable payment and claim deadlines. Tax relief, subject to Revenue’s age-related limits and the earnings cap, remains a valuable incentive for eligible savers. Of course, nobody should put money into a pension that they may need for everyday bills or unexpected expenses. But if there is room in the budget, it is worth finding out what an extra contribution could achieve. This is where advice can help. The Standard Life research suggests that people who engage regularly with a financial adviser are almost twice as likely to feel positive about their finances and clearer about what they need. A conversation with an adviser can help turn a vague concern about retirement into a more useful

calculation, for example, what income might you receive from your pension, what might the State Pension provide and how much more might you need to save? You do not need to predict every expense for the next 25 years. But you do need a reasonable idea of what your retirement income could look like and whether it will support the lifestyle you want. Pension season will not solve every financial worry, but it is a good time to act. Check your contributions, review your expected retirement income and find out whether an additional payment makes sense before the relevant deadline. The cost of putting off the decision may not be obvious today, but leaving it nearer retirement is much harder to address. john@ellisfinancial.ie 086 8362633

Mayor welcomes more than 200 retired nurses to Kilkenny for 30th anniversary conference Mayor Andrew McGuinness pays tribute to generations of nurses as every county in Ireland is represented at national gathering Mayor of Kilkenny Andrew McGuinness this week welcomed more than 200 retired nurses from every county in Ireland to the city for the 27th Annual National Conference of the Retired Nurses Association of Ireland, marking the organisation’s 30th anniversary. Speaking at the River Court Hotel on Tuesday, October 20, the Mayor officially opened the conference and paid tribute to the generations of nurses whose dedication and compassion have made a lasting difference to patients, families and communities throughout the country. Kilkenny was chosen to host the national gathering for the second consecutive year, a significant endorsement of the city as a destination for national conferences and events. Addressing delegates, Mayor McGuinness said nursing remained one of the most important and respected professions in society. “At some point in our lives, almost every one of us will depend on a nurse, whether

Mayor Andrew McGuinness with local branch chairperson John Coonan

during illness, following an accident, welcoming a new baby into the world or caring for someone we love.

“At those moments, nurses provide far more than professional expertise. They offer reassurance, patience and

compassion when people need them most.” The Mayor said the contribution of retired nurses deserved lasting recognition, highlighting the difference they had made to countless lives throughout their careers. “To the retired nurses in this room, you have spent your careers making that difference to countless individuals, families and communities across Ireland. You have every reason to be proud of that contribution, and we have every reason to be grateful.” He said the impact of nursing was often found in the smallest gestures of kindness, which could mean everything to patients and their families during difficult times. “Sometimes, the greatest difference a nurse makes is not measured in a treatment or a procedure. It is a reassuring word, an extra moment spent listening, or the kindness shown to somebody who is frightened or in pain.” Mayor McGuinness also highlighted the importance of protecting the interests and entitlements of retired

nurses, saying their years of service should be matched by fairness and security in retirement. “A lifetime spent caring for others deserves to be met with fairness and security in retirement,” he said. He praised the Retired Nurses Association of Ireland for providing a collective voice for retired nurses, supporting members and ensuring their concerns continued to be heard. The Mayor congratulated the association on its 30th anniversary and acknowledged the work of National President Kevin Igoe and conference coordinator Deirdre Kavanagh. He also paid particular tribute to Kilkenny Branch Chairman John Coonan for his work in supporting the association locally and helping bring the national conference back to Kilkenny for a second consecutive year. The conference programme included the association’s annual general meeting, discussions on members’ interests, and guest speakers addressing safeguarding,

planning ahead and the impact of lifestyle on mental health. Delegates also attended an ecumenical service and conference dinner, with music provided by The Checkers. Welcoming visitors to the city, Mayor McGuinness said Kilkenny was proud of its history and heritage, but that its greatest strength lay in its people and its sense of community. Concluding his address, he thanked the retired nurses for their contribution to Irish society. “You have brought comfort when people were afraid, reassurance when there was uncertainty, and compassion when it mattered most. That is a legacy that goes far beyond a career. It is a legacy of humanity, kindness and service, and one that deserves to be celebrated.” The Mayor formally declared the 27th Annual National Conference of the Retired Nurses Association of Ireland open, wishing all delegates a successful conference and an enjoyable stay in Kilkenny.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

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McGuinness calls for State apology to Jadotville veterans after powerful account of the battle they faced when they came home Carlow-Kilkenny TD and Leas Ceann Comhairle says Ireland must acknowledge the decades of suffering endured by the 156 members of A Company and their families. Carlow-Kilkenny TD and Leas Ceann Comhairle John McGuinness has called on the State to fully acknowledge the suffering endured by the men of A Company, 35th Infantry Battalion, following the Siege of Jadotville in September 1961, including the decades of stigma, trauma and family hardship that followed their return to Ireland. Mr McGuinness attended a special event in the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny, last Wednesday, organised by Post 8 of the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA), which brought together veterans, families, researchers and members of the public to reflect on the siege and the continuing campaign for recognition. He said the most powerful part of the evening was the opening address by MC and event coordinator Eugene Doyle, who focused not only on the five-day battle in the Congo, but on the very different battle the soldiers faced when they came home. “The men of Jadotville endured extraordinary circumstances in the Congo, but for many, their ordeal did not end when they returned to Ireland. They came home to a country where the word ‘surrender’ overshadowed their actions and where, for decades, many were labelled as cowards rather than recognised for their courage and military skill.

tion and suicide. “The suffering extended beyond the soldiers to their wives, children and wider families, who carried the burden for decades. “When people serve their country, the State has a responsibility to recognise their sacrifice, treat them fairly and provide appropriate support. That responsibility must continue long after their service ends.”

The introduction brought home the human cost of that treatment. It asked us to look beyond the battlefield and consider what happened to these men, their wives, their children and their families in the years that followed. “These were Irish soldiers who had served their country and the United Nations. Yet many were left to carry a stigma that affected their dignity, their relationships and their ability to speak openly about what they had experienced.” A second battle that lasted a lifetime The Siege of Jadotville took place in September 1961, when 156 Irish UN

soldiers in the Congo faced sustained attacks from a much larger force. Under Comdt Pat Quinlan, A Company held out for five days before surrendering, with all personnel surviving. Mr McGuinness said the soldiers demonstrated extraordinary courage and discipline, yet returned home to decades of stigma, silence and a struggle for recognition. “These men survived an incredibly dangerous ordeal, only to find their reputations questioned and their service misunderstood,” he said. He highlighted the devastating consequences experienced by some veterans and their families, including alcoholism, family breakdown, isola-

The State must acknowledge the harm and apologise Mr McGuinness said further action was needed to address the treatment of Jadotville veterans, despite the awarding of the Bonn Jadotville Medal. He highlighted outstanding bravery and gallantry recommendations involving 34 members of A Company, only five of whom are understood to remain alive. “These men served with extraordinary courage, yet endured decades of misunderstanding, damaged reputations and suffering that extended to their families,” he said. Mr McGuinness called for outstanding medal recommendations to be addressed and for a formal State apology acknowledging the treatment of the veterans. “An apology cannot undo the past, but it would acknowledge the injustice endured and restore dignity to these men and their families. “They served their country with distinction and deserve recognition, respect and justice.”

Remembering the men and their families Mr McGuinness also acknowledged the contributions made during the evening by Comdt Leo Quinlan (Retd), son of the late Comdt Pat Quinlan; Lt Col Dan Harvey (Retd), author of Jadotville: Benchmark for Bravery; and Tom McCaughren, former RTÉ Security Correspondent and author of The Peacemakers of Niemba. He paid tribute to the events hosts Post 8 IUNVA, particularly Comdt Larry Scallan (Retd), for hosting the gathering. He also extended his sympathies to Ellen Hoyne and the family of the late Corporal Noel Hoyne, the Kilkenny peacekeeper whose service in the Congo formed part of the wider story of Irish military involvement in the country. Mr McGuinness concluded: “Wednesday evening was an important reminder that Jadotville is not simply a military episode from 1961. It is also a story about how people were treated when they came home, the impact on their families and the responsibility we have to acknowledge suffering when it becomes clear that people have been failed. “We owe it to the surviving veterans, to the families of those who have passed away and to future generations to ensure that the full story is told. “The State must address the outstanding questions, acknowledge the human cost and offer a formal apology. The men of Jadotville deserve recognition, dignity and justice.”

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

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Thomastown Concert Hall

The advertisement poster for a dance in October 1963 that honoured the four Thomastown hurlers ― Oliver Gough, Ollie Walsh, Tom Walsh and Cha Whelan ― who featured in Kilkenny’s 15th Senior triumph

PM O’Sullivan The walls of Thomastown Concert Hall come alive with the music of many decades. Just the photographs, just the calm care of arrangement. Here are the individuals who contributed right across this community’s spheres. You could even say centuries. One image shows Grennan Castle on its mound, ruined but implacable, attending the hurling pitches. Here is the 13th century, still keeping watch. “It’s nice to have some kind of archive in a place,” Séamus Quigley notes. “Thomastown has an amount of history. The Hall is here since 1910. It’s always easier to lose things than to hold on to them. I suppose I have always been a person for trying to hold on to things.” I am struck by one poster, framed and perfectly preserved. The advertisement was for a dance in October 1963 that honoured the four

Thomastown’s walls of history Thomastown hurlers ― Oliver Gough, Ollie Walsh, Tom Walsh and Cha Whelan ― who featured in Kilkenny’s 15th Senior triumph. My parents, not long turned eighteen and newly given to each other, were there. Countless people danced within these walls. This individual? Best possible guide. Séamus Quigley is a fresh man in his sixties, active and energetic. Chairperson of Thomastown Community Centre and Manager of the facility, he walks me around the building, endlessly courteous and patient. There is much to see. From outside, you cannot appreciate this place’s scope. The Concert Hall now counts as only one element in an array of resources. The Darwin Room lies adjacent at the front. “A meeting room,” Quigley clarifies, “and named for Storm Darwin, back in 2014.” We turn left and walk on towards the Clifford Room, a remarkably ample space, a perfect auditorium in its own right.

As part of The Music in Kilkenny programme, The Dutch Trio (Sato, Chai & Roudier) performing at Thomastown Concert Hall on Sunday 8 November at 4 pm

“This facility was built first in 1979,” he recalls. “As a sports hall and a dance hall. A lot of the bands would have played here. We’ve renovated in partnership with Thomastown’s new library.” Keen thought drives all decisions: “We’re calling it the Clifford Room for a particular reason. We didn’t want it known as ‘The New Hall’, because the Concert Hall would then become ‘The Old Hall’. The Concert Hall is young again, after the refurbishment.” Quigley elaborates: “I love history. I love going back and thinking of where things came from. This ground was originally in the Clifford Estate. The Carricks, another landlord family in Thomastown, would have owed the Cliffords money. Instead, they gave them property, including the ground here, where the playground and the car park now is. “In 1976, that ground was transferred [by the Cliffords] to Thomastown Community Council, to build the original sports hall. So this room is part of the Clifford Estate’s history.” The Lindsay Room, another meeting room at the building’s rear, similarly references an important historical figure. “Kathleen Lindsay was the driving force behind the original Hall’s construction,” he explains. “She was part of the Butler family and did a lot of good work around here.” We move next door to a key resource. Séamus says with quiet pride: “It’s a commercial kitchen. It was a gents toilets before we got it all reconstructed, in 2013. We can

The Mammy of the crew. Mary Butler one of the long time volunteers at Thomastown hall receives a piece of Jerpoint glass from Seamus Quigley and a bouquet of flowers from Mary Wallace in recognition of her service to Thomastown Concert hall

cater for anyone and anything. Next December, for instance, will be the eighth Christmas Day Dinner we put on for locals. Anyone can come in and join us.” Over tea and a scone, Séamus details what happened. Nothing whatsoever stood given. Focus and hard work offered the only route. And chance, more or less, delivered his presence: “I got involved in 2004. People like Tom and Alice Dack, Séamus O’Brien, PJ Whelan Joe Jagger Weyms were the driving force that kept it going for 25 years. For years and years, they were only

patching holes. Water was coming in everywhere. The floor of the Concert Hall was rotten. You’d go down through it… “There was no funding there to do anything big. But one day, out of the blue, Séamus asked me aboard: “Do you want to do some work for us?” He was then the Chairperson. Little did I know what he had in mind for me…” Quigley continues: “I had an accident in work in 1998, to my right foot. And I suppose it took me two years to recover. It’s not as though we planned it all. Sometimes life has a

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

Thomastown Concert Hall “I’ve been really fortunate in the support my wife, Joan, and our daughters, Niamh and Laura, have given me over the years. I’m originally from Newtown in Kells. I met Joan, a girl from Legan, up the Kilkenny Road, and I came to live in Thomastown in 1992. We got married that Whit Monday.” Necessary work proceeded in four phases: “We started on the 30th of August 2011. We formed a limited company called Thomastown Community Centre Limited, and the freehold of the site was transferred into that company. It’s entirely vested in the community but we can do what’s needed to keep past and present together. “First, we restored the Concert Hall and did the meeting rooms, with the aid of Kilkenny Leader Partnership funding. Then, in 2015, we did the kitchen and the concourse area, with some Kilkenny County Council ‘Community and Cultures Facilities’ funding.” The locality swung firmly behind this project’s growth: “There was tremendous community support. One gentleman gave us 23 thousand towards this kitchen. Just out of his own pocket, like. Phase 3 was redeveloping the balcony. Another Admission ticket 1938 gentleman gave 15 thousand towards that work. Local families sponsored the way of showing you what the seating. Phase 4 was the next step is going to be.” Clifford Room, which started Once aboard, he found in 2024 and is now complete. capable colleagues: “So “It’s such a community myself and Ailish Hayes facility. And to date we can and Mary Wallace and say that there’s no debt on this Carol Whelan became the facility after spending almost Management Committee with 600 thousand.” a board of directors. I am the Difficult pasts, handled Chairperson since September deftly, can unfold thriving 2009. Carol is Treasurer. Ailish futures. This achievement is Secretary. And I manage this now offers a yardstick for facility, on a voluntary basis. comparable ambitions. I could give 50 hours a week As Quigley details: “We here. The Kettle Crew. Front row. Ber Minogue, Marie Dempsey, Kate Creed, Mary Wallace, Seamus Quigley, Christene Quinn, Breda Mc Evoy. Back row: Sue Dillion. Theresa Hayes

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have groups coming from all over. Kilkenny Leader Partnership and Kilkenny County Council would have said to them: ‘Before ye start any work on renovating yere old halls, you’ve got to visit Thomastown.’ We honestly believe we have set the bar here for what you can do with facilities, because this was so rundown.” The future shimmers. Séamus remains grateful to each and every participant: “In fairness to Lake Productions and Ger Cody, they have really put this venue on the map for theatre goers. We have drama groups coming from all over as well, from the Vat Pak in South Kilkenny to groups in Carlow and Laois. We have the Fionn MacCumhaill Players from Fethard in County Tipperary.” This venue keeps on coming into its own: “Music Network in Kilkenny have four concerts planned for the autumn and winter. They all love coming here. Particularly for the acoustics out in that Hall. Sometimes the piano is on the stage. Other times it’s on the floor. So we can put the seating in a half moon on the floor. “And it’s just… The ambience… It’s just a facility that’s second to none. And to have it here in Thomastown… Especially with the train there. People can come out to the concerts on the afternoon train ― they start at four o’clock, those concerts ― and get back in on the evening train.” He summarizes in compelling fashion: “We’re a theatre today, we’re a cinema tomorrow, we’re hosting a humanist funeral the next day. We’ve had four or five of them at this stage. People are delighted with the facility. We go above and beyond to make sure that everyone is welcome here. The kettle is always boiling. “This facility is multi purpose. The real sense of community is in this building. We cater for so many different groups. Doesn’t matter: colour, religion, sexual orientation… Doesn’t matter.” Thomastown nub: “We cater for everyone.”

Regular performers at Thomastown are Lake Productions. Photo shows cast of The Kings of the Kilburn High Road. Michael Hayes, Eoin Fingleton, Declan Taylor, Alan Grant and Detrek Dooley

1910 First Committee, Walter and Lady Kathleen Lyndsy from Mount Juliet Estate. R. J. Pillsworth , Miller. James Ryan, Patrick T. Kelly, J. B. Hodgert. As time went by, those involved included: Joe Prendergast, Paddy Murphy, Sean Ryan , Michael O Brien, Edward Ryan, Denis Treacy, Larry Flynn, Johnny Minogue, Jim Walsh, Paddy Carroll, Julia Stapleton, Cathleen Finan, Andy Farrely, Bobby and Annie Power, Angela Barrett, Antionette Dunphy, Rita Kirwan, Jimmy Dunne, Mrs Dempsey Chapel Hill, Pim Dunphy Sally Flood and Christie Keating.

Bereavement

The power of listening: How accompanying the bereaved enriched my own life

People from all walks of life offer their time and energy to volunteer in various organisations and clubs. The Kilkenny Observer spoke to one such person who gives her time to The Kilkenny Bereavement Support group. This is her story. “I had a happy life, nicely busy, but I was keen to work in a voluntary capacity. I won’t lie - it was partly for the "feel-good" factor. I knew that by doing voluntary work, my own life would be enriched. Then, I heard that Kilkenny Bereavement Support was looking for new volunteers, and I was immediately interested. Having experienced the loss of people I loved, I knew the immense value of having good friends walk beside me on that lonely road of grief. The support from people who were simply good listeners was invaluable. Whether I felt sad or angry, they took me exactly as I was that day. I could talk to them knowing I wasn’t being judged - I wasn’t shocking them or wearing out their patience. When I saw the advertisement for volunteers for KBS, I knew this was work I would value. I was particularly drawn to it because the role included comprehensive training in listening skills. The work of a volunteer is entirely about providing support through the act of listening as a person speaks about their loss. The training itself was wonderful. Meeting up with other trainee volunteers brought great hours of learning and connection with the incredible spirit of the service. It left me feeling wellprepared to join the team and take on the important task of listening to those who come to us. Furthermore, we receive monthly supervision for ongoing support and guidance, and advice is always just a phone call away. Since then, I have also completed an online refresher course. It was terrific and helped me refocus on the art of listening and the skills of accompanying people as they navigate life after a significant loss. This voluntary work is a privilege. I have been involved for over four years now, and it is one of the best decisions I have made. Yes, it gives that feel-good factor of supporting a kind cause, but I could never have foreseen the wealth of personal enrichment that comes from sitting with the bereaved as they articulate their grief. It is an honour to be present with someone as they struggle to make sense of heartbreak. Our meeting place is the tranquil Villa Maria. Whenever I leave the quiet meeting room and step into the convent garden - watching it change through the seasons behind its old stone wall - I always feel a strong sense of gratitude. I am grateful to have the opportunity to meet people at their loneliest, and quietly walk with them on their way.” Team Kilkenny Bereavement Support is currently recruiting volunteers to help us continue providing free, one-to-one bereavement support to people of all ages. If you want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those experiencing grief, we want to hear from you. Phone: 086 0670566 Email: director@kilkennybereavementsupport.com Web: www.kilkennybereavementsupport.com

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Opinion

Furthermore Gerry Moran

Mary, queen of theatre ... and of castle I wrote this poem about Kilkenny’s witch, Alice Kyteler (and her four unfortunate husbands) for one of Kilkenny’s leading actors, directors, and producers, Mary Cradock. Mary recited it in a seductive French accent wearing a black mini-skirt at an event called ‘King of the Castle’ Alice I’m called – most folks know my name Dame Alice Kyteler, late of Low Lane You think of me in a cape and tall hat With a broomstick, cauldron and mischievous cat Well honestly, folks, that’s a load of old thrash For, I was a lady and cut quite a dash. A witch they called me – good God what a shame For really I didn’t deserve such a name Oh, I dabbled in money and cast the odd spell But is that any reason to

condemn me to hell? So, I had four husbands who “departed” from me But really that’s not such a great mystery. Yes, it’s high time, I think, to set the record straight Regarding my past – before it’s too late. The year was thirteen hundred I guess And I was an innocent, single lass Of French descent, intelligent, good-looking To my door every man in Kilkenny came flocking Well really I didn’t quite know what to do So, like any girl would, I dated a few. Now William Outlaw he quite took my fancy Richest man in the city, a Banker, Financier Well William and I we strolled down the aisle Oh, I was so happy with my sweet, bridal smile,

But things didn’t work out - I have to admit For William, you see, was a terrible twit All he could think of was money and gold And into the bargain he was feeble and old And that’s not all, just to make matters worse He was thrifty and mean and held on to the purse So, I turned sweet William into five, crisp pound notes And spent my dear husband on some new petticoats! The next fellow I met was really quite dashing A French man called Le Blound – ooh he was smashing He asked if I would and I said: “I do” But very soon after things began to fall through Le Blound, you see, was simply a bore And to add to my troubles all he did was snore A decent night’s sleep I never

once got With his snorting and snuffling and God knows what Well I got to wondering what can I do? So I turned him into an Irish stew! Indeed I offloaded him that very same day As an early-bird special with a tasty soufflé My next encounter was with a gent called De Valle Who I married as he was my “bosom pal” But a fortnight after the wedding, I think, My pal, De Valle, really took to the drink Boozing, carousing, out every night Well honestly, girls, it just wasn’t right Said I to myself: “I’ll just have to stop it” I turned him into a frog and boy did he hop it! John Le Poer became

husband the fourth God he was sweet, he was really a dote But too sweet to be wholesome – as every girl Put John’s poor head in a terrible whirl So, seeing how he fancied the birds so much I gave him his very own cage and perch I turned him into a budgie, you see Which fairly kept him under lock and key! Well naturally rumours began to go round And next thing I knew it’s the Bishop I found Standing below there in Kyteler’s Inn Loudly accusing me of: “grave mortal sin”. Said he to me: “Woman, make no mistake But for these crimes you’ll burn at the stake” Well I can assure you, I had no intention

Of grilling or frying at some public convention And so I did the sensible thing I skipped off to London and had me a fling. But this is the point that I want to make I didn’t deserve to be burned at the stake Nor is it fair – how folks ME condemn For simply getting rid of – four useless men! Now honestly, girls, wouldn’t you do the same With four silly husbands, driving you insane? I think it’s wrong, absurd and quite daft To accuse me, a lady, of all things WITCHCRAFT! Why it’s crystal clear from my very own name That I am no hag – but a titled DAME. Rid of four husbands, all the hardship and hassle I reckon I’d make a great “Queen of the Castle”!

Palestine – The road forward

Kilkenny Community Palestine Solidarity Group is holding an open “Questions and Answers” event at the Club House Hotel in Kilkenny on Sunday November 8th. Eman Elhaj Ali, a Palestinian author and journalist, will be on the panel along with Ghadeer, a Health Services worker, and Ned Byrne, of Carlow IPSC. Eman will talk about life in Ghaza under bombardment and siege, on Palestine and on her hopes for the future. The panel will discuss events in Palestine and surrounding states, and the Irish people and Governments’ responses to the genocide in Gaza and the West Bank. The Irish Government’s current proposal to abolish the Triple Lock – ending Irish neutrality – is also on the agenda - as it could mean direct action or “peace enforcement” by Irish troops alongside international military in the Lebanon, acting in an intervention aligned with Israeli strategy,

leaving the IDF free to continue the devastation of Southern Lebanon. The gathering in the Club House is to bring different perspectives and ideas together, and reflect on how to go forward, “walking, where the road has been destroyed.” Everyone is welcome to come, and bring questions. Eman’s publications include an illustrated ‘Zine’ “The Mirror of Memory: What Remains and What Must Be Remembered”, and she will be signing copies after the meeting. Doors will open at 6.45 p.m. and the meeting will start at 7 p.m. Sunday, 8th November at the Club House Hotel. Everyone is welcome to come along and entry is free. This event is being hosted by Kilkenny Community Palestine Solidarity Group. The KCPSG supports the weekly Vigil for Palestine every Wednesday 5.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Parade, Kilkenny, now in its third year.

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News

Rain, resilience, and record sales: Savour Kilkenny marks 20 years as chairperson, Ger Mullally steps down after 18 years of service

One of Ireland’s premier culinary celebrations, Savour Kilkenny Food Festival, has officially marked a two-decade milestone over the October Bank Holiday weekend. Originally established two decades ago to celebrate the end of the harvest and showcase the vibrant food culture of Ireland’s Ancient East, Savour Kilkenny has evolved from a local food festival into one of the country’s leading regional food festival destinations. This landmark staging drew tens of thousands of food enthusiasts, top chefs, and families into Kilkenny City and County for a multi-day feast, featuring exclusive dining and drink events, talks, tours, workshops, and a bustling Festival Quarter filled with cookery demonstrations, live entertainment, and the iconic Savour Market. The 20-year milestone also marked the conclusion of Ger Mullally’s 18-year tenure as Chairperson. The token of recognition of Mullally’s work took place on stage during Edward Hayden and Anne Neary’s packed cookery dem-

Chairperson Ger Mullally with Ian Brennan who was recognised for his many years of service to Savour Kilkenny

Chairperson of Savour Kilkenny, Ger Mullally with his family at the presentation

onstration. Reflecting on his time as Chair, an emotional Mullally shared: "To have my family here today means everything, because passing on this spirit of community is truly why I’ve been involved for all these years. Beyond my deep pride in Kilkenny and what we’ve built together, I am above all proud of my family, especially my wife, Valerie, whose patience and steadfast support over these 18 years made it all possible.

lation of the highly anticipated A Samhain Spectacle in Sound and Flame featuring world-renowned Irish folk group Kíla in UPMC Nowlan Park, which will be rescheduled for a later date. Sunday proved to be the ultimate triumph of the weekend, with the Festival Quarter recording its best single day in the festival's history. Bright skies and enthusiastic crowds descended upon the stalls, resulting in

Thank you all so much for your support." Despite the weekend's celebrations, severe weather conditions on Saturday presented significant operational challenges for festival organisers. High winds and adverse weather forced the safety-led decision to postpone the headline Castle Park Concert to the following evening. A status yellow weather warning in place for Monday also led to the unavoidable cancel-

record-breaking sales and attendance numbers for market traders. Reflecting on the phenomenal turnaround, local businessman Brian Walsh of The Cookie Co-Op shared: "Sunday was without doubt the busiest day of trading we’ve ever seen since we started the business six years ago, Savour Kilkenny is always a phenomenal showcase of what Kilkenny has to offer and what the festival means to local businesses."

The festive spirit carried right through to Bank Holiday Monday as dog lovers and foodies gathered for the beloved Madra Monday and Mini Market, bringing the weekend to a joyful and relaxed conclusion. Meanwhile, Sunday evening had delivered a high-energy climax as crowds filled Kilkenny Castle Park for the rescheduled Castle Park Concert. Local pop artist and social media sensation Robert Grace took to the stage to warm up the audience with his hit tracks, setting the perfect tone for the night. The celebrations reached a triumphant crescendo as Oasis tribute band Morning Glory delivered a high-energy headline performance, bringing two decades of culinary and cultural excellence to an unforgettable close under the lights of Kilkenny Castle. Savour Kilkenny Food Festival returns the October Bank Holiday weekend in 2027; save the date and keep up to date on social media and their website, www.savourkilkenny. com

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

Opinion

Choices Shape Your Future By Judith Ashton

When ancient spirits come out playing Cultures around the world honour their ancestors and the dead, and Ireland’s distinctive traditions have spread worldwide. Before the Catholic Church, Celts and ancient Britons celebrated Samhain to mark the end of the long, light, warm summer days, the harvests and the start of long, cold, dark winters. In these times, families lived off the land, survival was precarious and they were often sharing their meagre dwellings with animals. Food could be scarce, temperatures freezing. Life was short, fraught, cold and betimes hungry; the long, dismal, half-light days were tough. Superstition abounded, people’s worlds were inhabited by the supernatural, little folk, nature spirits, fairies, elves, gnomes, pixies, witches and wizards. Spells and curses were common parlance. Stories and tales entertained and frightened; one such tale was about

Stingy Jack. Jack had tricked the devil out of some money. At death, he was welcome neither in Heaven nor Hell but sentenced to roam the world in darkness for eternity with only a small ember to light his way, so he hollowed out a turnip to make a lantern… To scare off Stingy Jack’s wandering tormented soul, it became a tradition to carve out turnips, beets or potatoes, put small tallow wicks or beeswax candles inside to make a lamp. A Jack o’ Lantern. Whilst Samhain marked the end of summer and the start of New Year on Nov. 1st, folks believed this was a time that the veil between the worlds of the living and dead was very thin and porous, thus allowing souls to move easily between worlds. In the 8th Century the Catholic Church moved All Saints’ Day to Nov. 1st. All Saints’ Day was a celebration of all the Catholic saints.

October 31st then became All Hallows’ Eve or Halloween and some traditions from Samhain continued to supposedly protect the living from the roaming souls of the dead. People wore disguises as protection from ghosts and evil spirits. Bells were rung, fires were lit, green plants with protective powers were taken into homes, as were burning torches and carved lanterns were placed on thresholds. As you can imagine simple folk were afraid, nervous and full of imagination and tales of Stingy Jack would have terrified both young and old. “There’s something haunting in the light of the moon,” wrote Joseph Conrad. As Irish people emigrated so did their folklore; habits that reminded them of home persisted and became part of their new lives and those of their neighbours. The traditions of Halloween and carving turnips arrived in America. Turnips were not

so available but pumpkins harvested in the autumn were. Pumpkins are soft and easy to carve and hollow out and became symbols of Halloween and autumn harvests. Gradually, like

“All the spirits, good and evil, fairy and pixie, witch and wizard, on this night will sure be stirring!”

all good things, Halloween became commercialised, and its ancient roots have become lost in the mists of time. Children now think of sweets, dressing up and having scary fun-times wearing throwaway costumes made in China! Trick or treating was originally an ancient tradition in Britain. It was called “souling”. Poor people went from dwelling to dwelling and were given special, little spicy cakes called “soul cakes”. Each spicy cake symbolised the soul of a deceased and the callers, who were known as “The Messengers of The Dead”, promised, in exchange for a cake, to offer prayers for the departed. Watch out! On this night of witches’ gatherings. There surely will be spirits and ghouls wandering the misty reaches of the county and beyond and no less than in Thomastown, along the quay and under the cliff there will be a very spooky meeting of little people who will bring

their offerings of carved pumpkins to be placed in every nook and hollow of the cliffs to protect and light the town on this short and dark night. Come along if you dare! “It’s Halloween! It’s Halloween! The moon is full and bright and we shall see that can’t be seen on any other night!” There will be a witches’ brew of hot chocolate for the brave and pizza for the famished. The cliffs will flicker with shadows and who knows what will happen? “Pumpkins in the Park” Sunday, Nov. 1st, 6pm, Thomastown, is a new spooky tradition which brings joy, revels and light to the community. Everyone is welcome and the incredible carved pumpkins are a sight to behold. There will be grotesque scary pumpkins and beautiful intricate ones. Please, carve a pumpkin, bring it along and make it a ghoulish evening to remember!

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

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Kilkenny Poetry Broadsheet

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Opinion

Billy Boland: Man of a thousand stories BY JOHN FITZGERALD

Part one

There was a time when every town, village, and stretch of road in Ireland had a character that enlivened the district around him or her. Billy Boland of Glenmore was one such

Bringing milk to the creamery in the old days

Billy Boland

individual. He was known and loved across the length and breadth of South Kilkenny, and in neighbouring counties too, for his story telling. In the autumn of his years, you’d be sure to find him at a fireside, or in the local Glen Bar, or at any one of his favourite local haunts…spinning yarns and recalling days of yore from his vast repertoire of stories and golden reminisA horse drawn plough in Billys young days

cences. He was in constant demand at parties and get-togethers for his ability to weave webs of verbal intrigue and rustic magic to crowds big and small. "Well, there was a fellow once in these parts…" he might begin…and his audience would be hooked straightaway by his tale of wonder and yesteryear. Local radio got to hear of Billy’s talent. It featured spellbinding interviews with him, each one of which drew scores of rave reviews from delighted listeners. Billy had a way of tapping into the hidden reservoirs of memory and salvaging the little gems that all too often are lost to future generations. There was something for everybody in what he had to say or relate of times past and gone. When he opened up the forgotten, labyrinthine corridors of time to reveal joys, woes, and quirky happenings, he touched a chord with anyone who heard him. Speaking on radio in 1987, Billy offered a revealing insight into life in the hard times of his youth and early manhood. Born in 1913, he lost both his parents when he was very young. He had to fend for himself. He recalled sleeping at the age of nine on a sheet of corrugated iron, with a few empty flour or meal bags serving as blankets. He told the radio interviewer that when he awoke next morning, he had tracks on him "that you wouldn’t see on a zebra." When he was old enough to work, he toiled on farms in the parishes of Glenmore and Tullaroan. In the majority of cases, the farmers never even hinted at money. You worked for your keep or the nourishing meals you got at the tables of those rough and ready farmsteads. Billy accepted the lifestyle of the time because it was all he knew. But he was upset at the treatment of servant girls in the 1920s. He saw them being verbally savaged and humiliated in front of guests in fine mansions by elegant lords and ladies. For so little pay, they had to endure a work regime that people nowadays would find offensive in the extreme. And he was on the receiving end of some harsh

treatment himself. One farmer who offered to employ him for a week took the precaution of locking Billy into a barn at night. "There was a huge lock on the door", he recalled, "It was as if he was afraid I’d scurry off in the middle of the night and kill sheep, like an old stray dog." Thinning turnips or mangolds in fields that seemed to stretch to infinity was another part of Billy’s farm labouring routine. In freezing weather, he found himself on his knees thinning while bemused livestock looked on. There were days when he arose…struggling to his feet…after hours of crawling along the wintry ground, and stood in front of a ditch to warm his hands against the steaming breaths of cattle. A job he rather liked was standing on wynds of hay and trampling it as labourers forked it up. What he didn’t like about it was occasionally having to pull the butts of the hay wynds. "My hands used to get ripped to pieces by briars and thistles", he recalled with discomfort. Billy had a memorable showdown with a wayward donkey another day when he set out to help a neighbour convey his milk to the creamery. When he arrived at the house, the farmer in question was ill in bed, so Billy reckoned he would have to yoke one of the asses all by himself to pull the cart containing the milk churns. Unfortunately, he picked an "unbroken" ass that happened to be the wildest and most unmanageable donkey in Glenmore parish. He had just climbed into the cart with the two twelve gallon churns when the ass leapt on its hind legs and ran like hell down the road with the startled youngster aboard. At great speed (for a donkey) the ass and cart rounded a sharp bend in the windy road. Desperately, Billy tried to halt the runaway donkey. Milk was spilling and splashing in all directions. On ran the donkey for what seemed like hours, though Billy confirmed on radio that it probably happened rather quickly. (To be continued) Extract from my book Kilkenny-A Blast from the Past

Motors

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Motors

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

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LET OUR READERS KNOW ABOUT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESS: NEWS, LAUNCHES OR EVENTS ACROSS HOMES & GARDENS? CONTACT: FEATURESEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

Homes & Gardens

Make a calmer bedroom HOME HACK Franco Debartolo

If your bedroom feels more like a dumping ground for laundry, paperwork and all the things you haven’t got around to putting away, you’re not alone. But a few simple changes can turn even the busiest bedroom into a peaceful retreat. Start with the colours: Soft, muted shades such as sage green, warm beige and gentle blues can help create a restful atmosphere. You don’t have to redecorate the entire room either; a change of bedding or a few carefully chosen accessories can make a big difference. Lighting matters too: Swap harsh overhead lights for bedside lamps with warm bulbs, and think about hanging blackout curtains to keep early morning light at bay. Clutter is another culprit: Keep bedside tables relatively clear and find a home for clothes, books and anything else that tends to pile up. Finally, think about texture: Soft throws, comfortable cushions and natural materials can make the room feel inviting. And if possible, leave work and screens at the bedroom door. Your bedroom should feel like a place to unwind, not another extension of your to-do list.

Tulips are worth the wait GARDEN NOTE Roger Starnes Sr

Let sleeping bats lie

Trevor Gerzen

HOME With Halloween almost upon us, bats are popping up in windows, hanging from ceilings and decorating front doors across the county. Of course, most of these spooky visitors are made of paper or plastic, but for some homeowners, the real thing might be hiding just above their heads. Finding an unexpected visitor in the attic can be unsettling. Finding one with wings is enough to send some of us straight for the phone. But if bats have moved into your roof space, the good news is that they’re usually much less troublesome than you might imagine. Unlike

mice or rats, they don’t chew through wiring, damage roof timbers or tear up insulation to make nests. They’re generally quiet, keep themselves to themselves and spend their nights feeding on insects. During the colder winter months, bats go into hibernation, although they may occasionally wake and move around during milder spells. In fact, many of us share our roof space with bats for years without even realising they’re there. Of course, that doesn’t mean everyone is delighted to discover they have bats living in their attic. And when one suddenly appears in the house, it’s understandable that you might not know quite what

to do. It’s a situation that’s more common than you might think. According to a report in the Irish Examiner this week, Bat Rehabilitation Ireland has dealt with more than 400 cases so far this year, with many enquiries coming from householders. And there’s one important thing to know before reaching for the ladder: bats are protected by law in Ireland, along with the places they use to roost. The Bat Conservation Ireland reminds us that bats aren’t rodents. They don’t gnaw through wiring, chew roof timbers or build nests in your insulation. They feed on insects, making them rather

useful neighbours when it comes to midges and mosquitoes. You might never actually see your attic visitors. Often the first clue is a scattering of small, dark droppings, which are dry and crumble easily, or bats emerging near the roof at dusk. If you suspect there’s a roost, resist the temptation to seal gaps around the roof or move the bats yourself. Even when bats aren’t visible, their roosts can remain protected. Anyone planning insulation, roof repairs or a loft conversion should seek advice from the National Parks and Wildlife Service before starting work, as some jobs may need special permission.

After the storm: 5 things to check in your garden GARDEN The garden might be losing its colour as winter approaches, but now is the best time to plan a little colour for next spring. Tulips are a great choice, and late October through November is an ideal time to get the bulbs into the ground. They come in almost every colour imaginable, from soft pinks and creamy whites to rich purples and vibrant reds. And you don’t need a big garden to enjoy them. Tulips look just as lovely in pots by the front door as they do in flowerbeds. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil and plant the bulbs pointed end upwards, at a depth roughly three times their height. For a more natural display, plant them in little groups rather than straight rows. If you’re using containers, make sure they have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Then it’s simply a matter of waiting. Come spring, you’ll be glad you made the effort.

After a week of wild weather, your garden might be looking a little worse for wear. Fallen branches, battered plants and the odd overturned flowerpot are all familiar sights at this time of year. But once the wind has died down, a quick inspection can help prevent small problems becoming bigger headaches over winter. 1. Check trees and branches: Look for broken or hanging branches, particularly near paths, sheds and the house. Smaller twigs can be

cleared away, but leave large or damaged branches to a professional. 2. Give fences and sheds a once-over: Strong winds can loosen fence panels, posts and shed roofing. Check for anything that has shifted or become unstable before the next spell of bad weather arrives. 3. Clear leaves from drains: Autumn leaves have a habit of collecting exactly where they’re least welcome. Check outdoor drains, gullies and gutters for blockages that could cause water to back up during heavy rain. Leave any

work at height to a professional. 4. Look after waterlogged plants: Heavy rain can Daniel leave pots Silva sitting in water and flowerbeds thoroughly soaked. Empty saucers beneath containers, check drainage holes and avoid walking on very wet soil, which can become compacted.

5. Rescue battered plants: Check climbing plants, young trees and taller perennials for broken stems or loose supports. A little careful pruning and retying now could save further damage. And finally, don’t forget the garden furniture. If there’s one thing autumn storms are good at, it’s reminding us which chairs we forgot to put away.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

Wex-Art Festival group exhibition Two Kilkenny-based artists, Oisin Bourke and Susanne Horsch, have been selected to exhibit in Art as Alchemy, the annual Wex-Art Festival group exhibition, following an open call that attracted almost 100 submissions. Curated by Shannon Carroll, the exhibition brings together eight artists from across Wexford and the surrounding south east. Alongside Bourke and Horsch, the other selected artists are Veronica Dooley, Natalie Doyle, Dara Griffin, Trish Kavanagh and Anne Martin Walsh from Wexford, and Terry Lawless from Wicklow. The exhibition opened at Westgate Heritage Centre on Saturday, 10th October, with a brilliant turnout for the opening reception. It runs as part of the wider Wex-Art Festival, supported by the Arts Council of Ireland, the Arts Office of Wexford County Council and Wexford Arts Centre. Set within the historic Westgate Tower, Art as Alchemy reflects on the relationship between past and present, and the ways in which places and artistic practices evolve over time. Coinciding with Samhain, a time of sea-

Visitors enjoying the art on the walls

Kilkenny Artists amo competitive Wex-Art

Oisin Bourke and Susanne Horsch selected from ne Curator of the exhibition, Shannon Carroll, gives the opening speech

sonal transition and change, the exhibition explores how, through the slow labour of attention, artists can transform thoughts, ideas and experiences into some-

thing new and tangible. Dating from the 13th century, Westgate Tower is the last surviving of the six towers and gateways that once formed part

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Wex-Art Festival group exhibition

ng eight selected in Festival open call

early 100 submissions for annual group exhibition

Above: Kilkenny-based artist Susanne Horsch with her sculptural installation Left: Kilkenny based artist Oisin Bourke with his oil painting 'Holy Well'

of Wexford town’s defensive walls. Now restored alongside its adjoining coach houses, the historic site provides a distinctive setting for contemporary art. Particular care

The Exhibiting Artists at the Opening of Art as Alchemy. From left to right: Veronica Dooley, Natalie Doyle, Terry Lawless, Susanne Horsch, Anne Martin Walsh, Oisin Bourke, Dara Griffin, Trish Cavanagh

was taken during the preparation and curation of the exhibition to remain mindful of the building’s heritage. Art as Alchemy continues at West-

gate Heritage Centre, Westgate, Wexford, until Saturday, 31st October 2026. The exhibition is open Wednesday to Saturday, from 12 noon to 5pm.

EXHIBITION DETAILS Art as Alchemy Curated by Shannon Carroll Westgate Heritage Centre, Westgate, Wexford, Y35 X2DK 14th–31st October 2026 Wednesday–Saturday, 12 noon–5pm For further information: wexfestartists@gmail.com

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

Blankets for St Lukes

Members of St Mary’s Day Care centre with Margaret Ryan from St Lukes hospital. All members volunteered their time to make hand knitted blankets for patients on a palliative care journey. at St Lukes

St Mary’s Day Care help patients on palliative care journey St Mary’s Day Care Centre was established when Dick Roche the then Minister for Environment, Local Government and Heritage, cut the red ribbon on the Haughney Green premises. With volunteerism at its core, the centre is a hive of activity and caters for many people, most in their senior years. Two days out of the seven, residents and visitors alike can avail of a wonderful lunch, followed by some social activities. The centre also provides a menu of bingo, community singing, and yoga. And now there is something new. Following

a chat between some of the volunteers at the centre, talk about patients at St Lukes hospital sparked a desire to help those who were going through a difficult time. Mary Corcoran, a long time volunteer takes up the story. “We discovered that amongst our volunteers, many of us enjoyed knitting”, said Mary. Mary went on to say that there was a strong desire to help those who were going through a tough time while in hospital. “We decided to put our talents to work and so the idea of making blankets was born” concluded

Mary. Margaret Ryan (end of life co-ordinator at St Luke’s) said she was delighted with the offer from St Mary’s and was thrilled with the quality of the work. “St. Luke’s General Hospital is a Hospice Friendly Hospital, committed to embedding hospice principles within acute hospital care to ensure that patients and their families receive compassionate, high-quality end-of-life care”, said Margaret. Ms Ryan said that this is particularly important given that approximately 43% of people in

Marguerite Walsh, Terri Tobin, Terri Butler and Breda Griffin pictured at St Mary’s Day Care Centre with a newly made blanket which was created for St Luke’s hospital, Kilkenny

Ireland die in acute hospital settings, making hospitals a key environment for the delivery of dignified, personcentred end-of-life care. Thanking the group of ladies at St Mary’s Day Care, Margaret commented: “Through the generosity, creativity, and dedication of the ladies of St. Mary's Parish Centre, a collection of hand-knitted blankets has been created for patients on a palliative care journey. These blankets will be gifted to patients, bringing warmth, comfort, and a tangible expression of compassion at the bedside during a significant stage of life”. Speaking to the Kilkenny Observer , Terri Butler manager at St Mary’s Day Care said that the whole idea of doing work for those on Palliative care was supported all the way. “ We were only too happy to help out”, said Terri. Beyond their practical purpose, the blankets represent a meaningful connection between the hospital and the community it serves. Through the shared act of creativity and kindness, this project strengthens community engagement, supports the Compassionate Communities ethos, and demonstrates how simple acts of care can provide comfort, dignity, and human connection at the end of life. Take a bow St Mary’s Day Care Centre.

Eileen Butler, Marie Dowd and Laura Scott ( asst manager at Day Care Centre) show off their newly made blanket which they donated to St Lukes

Terri Butler, manager at St Mary’s Day Care Centre , Kilkenny, Margaret Ryan, St Lukes hospital and Mary Corcoran( volunteer)

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

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Food & Drink

Homemade Toffee Apples

reason why mashed and roasted potatoes shouldn’t share the same plate, and it’s difficult to argue with their logic. Gravy presents another dilemma, with a modest drizzle satisfying the more cautious diner while the rest of us believe a proper Sunday dinner should come with enough gravy to require flood defences. There’s invariably someone who reaches for the gravy boat before they’ve even tasted what’s on their plate. Stuffing is equally contentious, particularly when it

comes to those delicious crispy bits around the edges, which have been known to cause more than a little competition when the serving dish makes its way around the table. As for the vegetables, carrots, parsnips, cabbage and broccoli all have their supporters, although certain family members continue to regard them as an unnecessary obstacle between themselves and another helping of potatoes. Perhaps the greatest test of character, however, comes when just two roast potatoes remain in the serving dish and everyone must decide whether to politely offer them around, quietly take one or grab both while nobody is looking. Of course, the real pleasure of a Sunday roast has never been about getting every detail perfect, but rather the familiar smells coming from the kitchen, the gathering around the table and the good-natured arguments over who has been given the biggest portion. And despite the inevitable declarations that nobody could possibly manage another mouthful, there’s usually a remarkable change of heart when somebody mentions dessert. If there happens to be enough left over for Monday’s dinner, all the better, because a cold slice of roast meat, a few rescued potatoes and a spoonful of stuffing can make the beginning of the working week considerably more bearable. Long live the Sunday roast.

should appeal to readers interested in traditional cooking methods and the growing enthusiasm for making everyday

foods from scratch, even if few are likely to follow Nara’s example quite so enthusiastically.

RECIPE Francesco Ungaro

In praise of the great Sunday roast FOOD

With Halloween falling this weekend, there’s still time to make one of the season’s best-loved treats, the traditional toffee apple. Long before supermarket shelves were filled with Halloween sweets, these shiny, crunchy apples were a familiar sight at parties and autumn fairs. There’s something particularly satisfying about biting through a crisp, sweet toffee coating into a fresh apple, although anyone who remembers eating them as a child will also remember the challenge of getting that first bite. For the best results, choose small, firm apples with a slightly sharp flavour, such as Granny Smith, which provide a welcome contrast to the sweetness of the toffee. Makes: 6 toffee apples Preparation: 15 minutes Cooking: 15–20 minutes, plus cooling Serves: 4 Ingredients • 6 small apples • 300g caster sugar • 100ml water • 1 teaspoon lemon juice • 2 tablespoons golden syrup • A few drops of red food colouring (optional) • 6 wooden lolly sticks or sturdy skewers Method 1. Wash the apples thoroughly in hot water to remove any waxy coating, then dry them completely, as the toffee won’t stick properly to wet fruit. Remove the stalks and push a wooden stick firmly into the top of each apple. 2. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper and lightly oil the surface to prevent the finished apples from sticking. 3. Place the sugar, water, lemon juice and golden syrup in a heavy-based saucepan over a medium heat, stirring gently until the sugar has completely dissolved. 4. Once dissolved, stop stirring and allow the mixture to boil until it reaches 150°C on a sugar thermometer, the hard-crack stage. Add the food colouring if using. 5. Carefully tilt the saucepan and dip each apple into the hot toffee, turning until evenly coated. Allow the excess to drip back into the pan before placing the apple on the prepared tray. 6. Leave the apples to cool and harden completely before serving. A word of caution: Boiling sugar becomes extremely hot, so this is a job for adults, although children can certainly help decorate the finished apples once the coating has cooled. Best enjoyed on Halloween night, preferably after the trick-ortreaters have called and with a good scary film on the television.

With National Roast Dinner Day (November 4) almost upon us, there can be few better excuses to celebrate a meal that has been bringing Irish families together, and occasionally causing a fair amount of argument, for generations. Forget politics, religion or whose turn it is to wash up, because the real dividing lines at the Sunday dinner table are drawn over potatoes, gravy and whether Yorkshire puddings have any business ap-

pearing beside roast chicken. The roast dinner is more than just a meal in many Irish households; it’s a weekly ritual, a test of patience and, depending on who’s doing the cooking, something resembling a minor military operation. Take the potatoes, for instance, where some people are perfectly content with three or four golden roasties, others regard anything fewer than seven as a personal insult. Then there’s the mash brigade, who see absolutely no

Homemade:

bringing the kitchen back to basics COOKBOOK For anyone who has ever wondered whether everyday kitchen staples might taste better made from scratch, Homemade, the debut cookbook from Nara Aziza Smith, offers plenty of encouragement to roll up your sleeves and give it a go. Nara, who has attracted millions of followers on social media with her beautifully filmed cooking videos, has built a reputation for preparing almost everything herself, from bread and pasta to sauces and family meals. Her approach has fascinated viewers, particularly when she tackles foods most of us would simply pick up in the supermarket. In Homemade, she brings that philosophy into the kitchen with recipes designed to show readers how familiar dishes and everyday favourites can be prepared using fresh ingredients and a little

patience. There’s an emphasis on the pleasure of cooking rather than simply getting dinner on the table, with Nara encouraging readers to rediscover techniques that have largely disappeared from busy modern kitchens. Of course, making everything from scratch isn’t always practical, particularly when time is short and there are hungry mouths to feed. But that’s part of the appeal of a book like this: you don’t have to embrace the entire philosophy to enjoy trying something different. Nara’s painstaking approach has attracted its share of scepticism, with critics questioning how realistic her elaborate cooking routines are for ordinary households. It’s a fair point, given the time and effort involved in preparing foods that are readily available in shops. Nevertheless, Homemade

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

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What’s On

Your picks for this week TOP SHOWS, BOOKS, MUSIC, GAMES AND MORE - OUR QUICK GUIDE TO WHAT’S WORTH YOUR TIME THIS WEEK What to Watch: When a flock of crows snatches her baby brother, teenager Prue McKeel ventures into a forbidden forest to bring him home. Joined by classmate Curtis, she encounters talking animals, dangerous bandits and a sinister ruler with secrets of her own. Directed by Travis Knight, Wildwood is a stop-motion fantasy from the studio behind Coraline. Based on Colin Meloy’s bestselling novel, it combines painstaking handmade animation with a darker adventure story.

Resident Evil unleashes fresh horrors MOVIE The hugely popular Resident Evil franchise is back on the big screen, and this time it’s returning to its horror roots with a fresh story, frightening creatures and plenty of edgeof-your-seat suspense. Directed by Zach Cregger, the filmmaker behind acclaimed horror hits Barbarian and Weapons, the latest instalment promises a relentless journey into a world where danger lurks around every corner. At the centre of the action is Bryan, played by Austin Abrams, an unsuspecting

medical courier whose routine late-night delivery takes a horrifying turn. Tasked with transporting a mysterious package to a remote research facility near Raccoon City, Bryan soon finds himself caught in a nightmare far beyond anything he could have imagined. What begins as an ordinary journey quickly spirals into a desperate fight for survival, as terrifying creatures, sinister secrets and unexpected dangers turn one night into a living hell. Inspired by Capcom’s legendary video game series, the new film takes a different

approach from earlier adaptations, which starred Milla Jovovich and placed greater emphasis on explosive action. Instead, Cregger has set out to recreate the tension, uncertainty and sheer terror of playing the original games, where every dark corridor and unexpected noise could signal something deadly. The film also stars Paul Walter Hauser, Kali Reis and Zach Cherry, bringing together an intriguing cast for a story that blends survival horror, dark humour and some seriously gruesome encounters. Rather than revisiting familiar characters, this instal-

Inistioge welcomes Samhain with music and tradition FESTIVAL Inistioge will mark Halloween with two days of music, storytelling, traditional crafts and remembrance as Féile Samhain returns to the village this Saturday and Sunday. Organised by Keep Her Lit, the festival celebrates the ancient traditions of Samhain, when communities gathered to mark the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. Saturday’s highlight is the Awe na Mná concert at St Mary’s Church, featuring acclaimed singer Karan Casey alongside Clare Sands, Inni-K and Sligo harpist BRÍDÍN. The

concert begins at 8pm. On Sunday, the celebrations move outdoors, with the village square hosting apple pressing, traditional turnip carving, willow weaving and a Strawboy session with Up She Flew. There will also be sean-nós singing and dancing at Cois Abhann, storytelling workshops, traditional music sessions and lantern making for families. The weekend concludes on Sunday evening with a remembrance lantern procession, led by Maura Brennan and Paddy Doyle. Beginning at 5pm, the procession will travel from

the village square towards the riverside, giving participants an opportunity to remember loved ones who have died. Keep Her Lit was established in 2022 in memory of two stalwarts of Irish music and culture, musician Dave

ment introduces an original protagonist, making it accessible to newcomers while offering plenty of recognisable touches for longtime fans of the gaming phenomenon. First launched in 1996, Resident Evil has become one of the world’s most successful survival horror franchises, spawning numerous games, films and television adaptations. With its atmospheric setting, disturbing monsters and frantic pace, this latest cinematic version is an epic horror show served with a generous helping of adrenaline. Harpist, BRIDIN will perform at the Awe na Mna concert

Donohoe and publican Johnny O’Donnell, who both died before their time within six months of each other. The festival continues that connection through music, community gatherings and the sharing of local traditions.

What to read: From ordering a round in the pub to handling awkward conversations at work, Hector Ó hEochagáin wants to get us speaking Irish. Published by Gill Books on Thursday, October 29, Irish Words for Every Occasion is the third and final book in his bestselling language trilogy. This time, the broadcaster moves beyond individual words to everyday exchanges, offering practical phrases for situations where a little Gaeilge might come in handy. What to stream: Chris Pratt returns as Navy SEAL James Reece in the second season of The Terminal List, streaming on Prime Video since Wednesday, October 21. Based on Jack Carr’s novel True Believer, the eight-part thriller finds Reece pursued by the CIA and drawn into a mission against a resurgent terrorist group. His search takes him from Africa to Europe, uncovering a conspiracy linked to his own family. Constance Wu also returns. What to listen to: Bach’s monumental Mass in B Minor fills St Canice’s Cathedral on Saturday, October 31, as the Irish Baroque Orchestra and Chorus perform under director Peter Whelan. Completed shortly before the composer’s death, the work moves from hushed reflection to jubilant choral passages. Soloists include soprano Rowan Pierce, mezzo-soprano Rebecca Leggett and countertenor Alex Potter. The special Halloween concert begins at 7.30pm, with tickets priced from €15 to €20 each. What to play: War breaks out on the Korean Peninsula in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, released on Friday, October 23, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC. The campaign follows a South Korean soldier fighting an invasion while Captain Price pursues a separate mission. Players can expect battles in Korea, New York and Paris, alongside 12 new multiplayer maps and the returning DMZ extraction mode for squads.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

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Community & GAA Notes

KilkennyGAA clubs and Communitynews CLARA CLARA CLUB LOTTO The results for 20th October are a little disappointing as we had no jackpot winner. We’re not even going to tell ye the numbers drawn. But well done to Mary Manning, Michael Langton, Blaithin Breen, Martina Firbank Fiona Delaney, here is €30 Lucky Dip and thanks for trying. Everyone else can try again best of luck to all who enter! CONCERT Mike Denver and Philomena Begley will be giving it loads on December 3rd. in St. Mary’s Cathedral. Tickets on sale from committee members or online - https://sl1nk.com/getyourtickets Funds go to our Development Fund. Please share information or share our social media posts. Spread the word. concert tickets are now available in Freshco Shop, call in and get yours, and get yourself a sticky bun while your there (you know you deserve it!) IT’S TEA PARTY TIME! Mark your calendars for Friday, November 6th, as the much-loved annual Camogie American Tea Party returns for another fantastic evening of fun, friendship and entertainment. This popular event continues to grow in success each year, bringing people together for a wonderful social occasion filled with laughter, good company and plenty of community spirit. Whether you would like to host your own table or simply join one, everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy what promises to be another memorable evening. For enquiries, contact Eamonn Dunne on 087 922 7890. MEETING All Members are invited to a club Meeting on 30th Oct at 20.00 in the Club House, to discuss the Club Development Plans and Grant Applications. Hope to see you there. CAMOGIE AGM The AGM of Clara Camogie Club is on Fri 27th Nov at 20.00. We invite all members to submit nominations for the Camogie Committee using this online form https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/pXCdTJETva Please submit all nominations by Fri 13th Nov. If you’d like to get involved with the club in any capacity, please speak to a current committee member or express your interest through the form. New faces, fresh ideas and helping hands are always welcome! Thanks for your continued support. LGFA Clara’s first foray into Leinster championship football ended in an honourable defeat at the hands of home team Ratoath of Meath on Saturday in the worst conditions one could imagine. Incessant rain and strong winds made the game into a complete lottery but two committed teams made it into a very entertaining game. Although Clara had the aid of the elements in the first half it was the Meath side that sprung from the traps here. They had the benefit of a preliminary quarter final win over the Wexford champions under their belts and hit the ground running with an unanswered 1-2 in the first six minutes. But once Niamh Ward opened Clara’s account with a pointed free the Clara girls started stringing together some terrific football. Keara Ryan added a point and although Ratoath converted a free to extend their lead some strong Clara pressure resulted in Gráinne Glynn burying a ball in the corner of the net to leave the minimum between the sides. Clearly rocked, Ratoath recovered to get the last three points of the half to bring a 1-6 to 1-2 cushion to the dressing room. It looked like Clara had a mountain to climb when they emerged to face the elements and it looked even bleaker when Ratoath grabbed the next score to lead by five. But Clara refused to wilt and for the next 20 minutes they took the game to their opponents and really had them rattled. Aobha O Gorman had been introduced at halftime and made an immediate impact. A Niamh Ward free was followed by a cleverly flicked goal by Aobha and when Claire Nolan lashed over the equaliser a huge shock looked to be on the cards. Clara were dominant but on a day that scores were so hard come by they hit seven wides to Ratoath’s four. Ratoath edged in front again, but Lucy Coomey quickly regained parity. Then a couple of promising Clara attacks were disrupted by a couple of strange refereeing deci-

sions and valuable momentum was stalled. Ratoath hit the front again with just six minutes left on the clock and went on to add another 2-3 in the closing minutes to take a very flattering 3-12 to 2-5 victory. Clara had no more to give but it was an admirably valiant effort from a bunch of girls that can be very proud of their season and their efforts here. Huge credit is due and thanks to their management team of Diarmuid Walsh’s, Alan Coleman, Anne Queally, Caitriona Corr, John Leamy and Catherine TrevorKruger. Team - Sarah-Jane Codd, Danica Trevor-Kruger, Mia Murphy, Katie Ryan. Aisling Nolan, Ailbhe Galwey, Ónagh Fitzgerald. Niamh Ward 0-2f, Claire Nolan 0-1. Gráinne Glynn 1-0, Caragh Brennan, Lucy Coomey 0-1. Maria Shortall, Keara Ryan 0-1, Annie Dunne. Subs Aobha O Gorman 1-0, Caoimhe Bennett, Kyla Byrne, Laoise Nolan, Daisy Coomey. Also Anna Walpole, Millie Molloy, Kate Murphy McDermott, Katie Scriven, Katie O Connell, Moya Kelly, Doireann Corr, Sarah Dunne. JUNIOR D CAMOGIE Clara had a very gutsy win over Callan on Bank Holiday Monday in Clara in the quarter final of the Junior D championship. It looked bleak for the home side at halftime as the teams retired to the dressing rooms on even terms, despite Clara having played with the aid of a strong wind. But the grit and determination that was needed to dig out a victory was shown in abundance during a second half that saw Clara concede no score by giving a defensive clinic. Gráinne Glynn opened the first half scoring with a point and after Callan had broken away for a goal Gráinne responded almost immediately with a Clara goal. Callan then settled to play the better hurling and a further goal, and a point had them 3 clear. After Emily Phelan scored a point for Clara the Callan girls responded and restored their three point lead. But crucially the Clara girls rallied before the break and three points by Gráinne Glynn (a free), Niamh Ward and Siobhan Treacy ensured that the game was level after 30 minutes. It really looked like Callan were in prime position to kick on in the second half but it was a re-energised Clara that took the game to their opponents. However as the weather worsened scoring became increasingly difficult and wayward shooting prevented Clara from drawing clear. They did manage two points from Moya Kelly and Onagh Fitzgerald and remarkably these were the only two scores of the second half. At the other end the Clara backs were outstanding but throughout the field the Clara work rate was off the charts. Even though they had 11 wides to Callan’s 5 they also had eight scores to Callan’s four and ran out 1-7 to 2-2 winners. The defiance showed by the Clara girls in this win was very admirable but they were also helped by some astute repositioning by mentors Jennie O Brien and Kevin Shortall. Each of their changes had the desired effect and helped greatly in securing this win. Team - Catherine Murphy, Anna Walpole, Aine McDonald, Aoife Treacy. Katie O Connell, Grace Barcoe, Margaret Kehoe. Aisling Nolan, Ónagh Fitzgerald 0-1. Niamh Ward 0-1, Gráinne Glynn 1-2, 0-1f, Emily Phelan 0-1. Róisín Kealy, Siobhan Treacy 0-1, Moya Kelly 0-1. Subs used Katelyn Shortall, Olivia Power, Alice Kennedy. NORTH v SOUTH Hurling and Camogie games take place in Nowlan Park on Saturday 31st October. This is a fundraiser for Kilkenny GAA and Camogie with 20% of funds raised being split between Cois Nore and Dillon Quirke Foundation. Shane Staunton, Rebecca Nolan and Siobhan Curtis will represent Clara. The Hurling and Camogie clubs must raise €500 each, all money above this comes back to the clubs. Online donations include entry into a jersey draw. https://kilkennynorthvsouth.netlify.app/ Entry fee to the double header is €10. O’LOUGHLIN GALES MIKEY CAPTAINS THE IRISH TEAM Congratulations to O’Loughlin Gaels Mikey Butler who had the honour of captaining the Irish team in last Saturday’s Hurling-Shinty International against Scotland at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The final score was Ireland 2-17, Scotland 4-12 as Zander Michie pointed a last-gasp penalty to give Scotland

O’Loughlin’s Mikey Power and Jake O’Neill from Kells who won the All Ireland Minor Hardball Doubles

their first shinty-hurling international victory over Ireland since 2019 after a thrilling contest. CLUB LOTTO There was no winner of O’Loughlin Gaels club lotto dated October 20th. The numbers drawn were 7, 9, 11 and 28. The bonus number was 12. Winners of the Promotors Draw were: 1. Margaret Brennan c/o P Greene. 2. M and M c/o G Buckley. 3. Ollie c/o D O’Driscoll. 4. Katrina Fitzpatrick. 5. Mags Cahill c/o Ml Nolan. 6. Mary Skehan. 7. Ml Hayes c/o N Loy. 8. Lisa Buckley c/o Online. 9. Martina O’Keeffe c/o Online. 10. Noreen Ryan c/o Online Thank you to all participants for your continued support. KILKENNY NORTH V SOUTH Mark Bergin (hurling) and Kate Furlong (camogie) will represent O’Loughlin Gaels in the Kilkenny North v South games, both lining out for the North teams at UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday 31st October alongside players from every club in Kilkenny. The day is in aid of Kilkenny GAA, Kilkenny Camogie, Cois Nore and the Dillon Quirke Foundation. The target for each club is €500 and everything above it comes back to the club. Back O’Loughlin Gaels here: https://kilkennynorthvsouth. netlify.app/?code=hurling&utm_source=kilkennygaa&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=northv-south-2026&utm_content=hurling #NorthVSouth #BackYourClub FRESHFORD IONAD LACHTAIN Ionad Lachtain centre was open last weekend and people got a chance to support local crafters and volunteers who run the museum and shop. On Sunday next 1st November the annual Ned Kennedy memorial lecture will take place at 2.30 pm

with Professor Padraig O’Machain. POOL The Jimmy (Crowley) Brennan memorial cup and the Peter Dawson memorial shield singles pool tournaments are under way at the moment in Kavanagh’s Bar with a good number of participants. SYMPATHY The death took place recently of Mrs Catherine Doyle late of Purcell’s Gardens Threecastles and formerly of Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny and Ballymurphy Co Carlow. She was a jolly friendly and good living lady. She moved to the area some years ago and made many friends and acquaintances. She was predeceased by her husband Michael and son Fran. Funeral mass took place in Tulla church followed by burial in Calvert cemetery, Graiguenamanagh. Sympathy is extended to her family on their sad loss. GAA At Lachtains minor hurlers beat Glenmore in the Roinn C championship semi final on Saturday last at Pairc na Seamrog. The boys went in five points up at the break despite having played against a strong wind in the first half. They continued in the same way in the second half, dominated the game and came out winners on a final score of 2-16 to 0-8 and now await a place in the final. L Kenny Landers, J Walsh, A Walsh, T Bolger, A Dowling, C O’Connor, B Darcy, H Carroll, P McCarthy, M Hickey, D Ryan, J Marnell, J Kavanagh, N Walsh, C Kavanagh(inj) C Dalton, D Greene, F Martin, C Bergin, P Bergin, P O’Connor, S Loo and S Eardley. Theu16 boys will play in the Robin A semi final next weekend (please check social media page for details). The Philip Kinane Cup and Colin McGree shield which is held each year in memory of the two lo-

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

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

Community & GAA Notes during horse of 9.30am to 1.30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays or by calling to the office during those hours. MASS CARDS Mass Cards and Mass Bouquets are available in the Parish office and also from Annette at Tulla. VISITS Fr. Mark is happy to visit the sick and if you would like to receive a visit from Fr. Mark, you can contact him by phone or through the parish office. LOOP CAFE The Loop Community Café is open Monday to Saturday, from 9.30am to 4pm, offering a warm welcome to everyone in the village. Whether you fancy a tasty homemade treat, a cup of coffee, or simply a friendly chat, why not call in, support your local café and catch up with friends and neighbours? The Loop is more than just a café, hosting a range of community activities that help bring people together and strengthen local connections. New faces are always welcome, both among customers and those willing to lend a helping hand. Volunteers are particularly welcome to help maintain and develop these valuable community services. If you would like to get involved, please phone 056-883-2650 and ask for Rhiannon. MABS The Money Advice and Budgeting service is a free confidential and independent money Management and Advice service. MABS assist people in dealing with their existing debt problems who have difficulty paying a mortgage or those facing legal action because of debt. They also provide information and access to Insolvency services including free Debt Relief Advice under the Personal insolvency options. For more info or for an appointment contact MABS on 0818072610.

Mikey Butler, O’Loughlin Gaels who captained the Irish team in last Saturday’s Hurling-Shinty International against Scotland

JAMES STEPHENS GAA AND CAMOGIE CLUB

cal young boys commenced on the bank holiday Monday last in Pairc Lachtain and will continue over next week or two. CHARITY FUNDRAISER Kilkenny GAA and Camogie club are running a charity exhibition with North v South hurling and Camogie matches on October 31st at Nowlan Park. St Lachtains will be represented by one player on each team. Local girls Michelle Killeen and Ciara Hickey will represent St Lachtains. LOTTO There was no jackpot winner in the weekly lotto last week. The lucky dip winners were, Ann Marie Dowling (€50). Suzanne Moric and Selena Grant (€25 each). Tickets are €2 and can be purchased online on Clubzap or you can get your paper ticket from the ticket sellers and the club thank all for their continued support BAPTISM Baby Cillian Cullen was baptised on Sunday last in St Lachtains church Freshford and congrats to the proud parents Jenny and Liam Cullen, Woodview and big brother and sister Freddie and Erin. FOROIGE Freshford Foroige youth club reopened recently. The club will meet each week on Monday evening from 6.30pm to 8pm and Tuesday evening alternatively. The group caters for all 12-17 year olds and new members are very welcome. The group had a pumpkin competition last week for Halloween with the prize for best pumpkin going to Lily Burke Dawson and Charlotte Hussey finishing in second place. The group had a fire safety training night also recently and last Friday evening they went bowling to Kbowl Kilkenny where their new members joined them along with members from other Foroige groups for a great night of fun and laughter as well as making new friends. Thanks to leaders Barry, Noelle and Roseanne for organising the event and giving their time to the group. For more information please contact Aidan Gleason on 086 0674485 or aidan.gleeson@foroige.ie or Barry Flynn on 087458115 SOCCER NEWS Freshford town U 13 boys were defeated in SFAI competition by a strong Bunclody side on a scoreline of 5-0. The Junior side has no game last weekend and were unlucky to be beaten the previous week by

Clover Utd in their home league tie on a 2-1scoreline. Jordan Burke scored for the home side. Training takes place each Wednesday evening and new members are always welcome Anyone interested in signing up can come along to the training field or contact the club secretary or the manager. ASTRO PITCH The astro turf pitch is now open for bookings through sportskey online portal or Contact committee member or social media page for more details. BRIDGE Summer bridge continues each Monday evening in Threecastles hall (R95WK45) at 7.30pm new members are always welcome. SPLIT THE POT Split the pot proceeds for the month of October goes to Freshford Foroige group. The winner of last week’s draw was Rachael McGree who won €129. Foroige is a voluntary group for young people between the age of 12-17 and they thank all those who support them throughout the month. The proceeds go to different local group each month. Tickets are just €2 and can be purchased in any of the local pubs or businesses. PARISH NEWS Masses each Tuesday and Friday morning in St Lachtain’s church at 9.30am (c unless otherwise stated) Mass on Sunday morning at 11am. Mass in Tulla Church every third Saturday evening. WEBCAM The mass webcam has been installed by Church Media Ireland. All masses in at Lachtain’s church will be livestreamed through the webcam at Https// church media.ie/st-lachtains-church-frffreshford. OUTREACH CENTRE Cois Nore Outreach Centre visits Ballyragget every Wednesday. It’s located at Dr. Hogan’s rooms, The Square from 11am to 1pm. All those seeking cancer support are very welcome. For appointment phone 087 4833941. RADIO If you wish to listen to live broadcast of mass on Tuesdays, Fridays or Sundays from Freshford Church you can tune in to 105fm on your radio. NEWSLETTER The parish newsletter is available every week and it is also on the website. Any anniversaries or parish office business or community notices for the parish newsletter can be done by phoning the office

LEINSTER CLUB HURLING With celebrations following the club’s historic Kilkenny Intermediate championship victory over The Rower-Inistioge last weekend put on hold for the moment, the team management has put the playing panel back into serious training mode for the upcoming Leinster Intermediate club quarterfinal fixture against the Wexford champions, Cloughbawn on Sunday 8th November in UPMC Nowlan Park. The Cloughbawn club has a rich history in Wexford hurling and are sure to provide a serious test of the club’s ambitions to win the Leinster Intermediate club title for the first time. Best of luck lads. JUNIOR B CAMOGIE A storming closing ten minutes to the Junior “C” Camogie championship semi-final by James Stephens saw them claim a deserved 3-13 to 2-09 victory and a place in the upcoming 2026 county final against Thomastown. Battling against the stormy conditions throughout the 1st half the Village girls fought bravely to hold Young Irelands to a manageable lead to give themselves a chance to overhaul the Gowran club team in the 2nd half. Having opened the scoring with a Jenna Larkin free in the 2nd minute Young Irelands broke through for a goal to take a 1-00 to 0-01 lead at the 5th minute. In the testing conditions the James Stephens back line stood firm thanks, in particular, to defiant defensive displays by Emily Lauhoff, Cady Boyle, Lucy Coomey, and safe goalkeeping by Lucy McGrath. Nevertheless, the Gowran girls chalked up a halftime lead of 1-06 to 0-03. In the 2nd minute of 2nd half, Young Irelands bulged the Village net from a goalmouth scramble following a mishit free to increase their substantial lead at 2-06 to 0-03. A hard-earned Lucy Coomey point in the 6th minute together with in-form free taker Jenna Larkin’s (5th &10mins) points kept the James Stephens girls in touch. In the 11th minute Laura Leahy won possession from a ruck and drove the sliothar to the net to lift James Stephens spirits at 2-07 to 1-06. Gaining in confidence the Village girls started to dominate play and points by Laura Leahy (13 & 17mins) and Jenna Larkin (14min) arrived before an outstanding solo run by Tara McGuire which she finished to the Gowran net to level the match at 2-09 each at the 19th minute -- a game changing moment. Over the closing 10 minutes a fast-tiring Young Irelands side failed to register a score as the visitors, finding their true form, added 1-04, the goal coming from Maura Barton for a decisive victory at the final whistle. This was a hard-won victory which looked out of reach for the Village girls for much of the game but to their credit a fierce determination and quality support play has deservedly earned them a shot at the county title. Well, done to manager Derreck Brennan and his team for their commitment to this

panel of players over the season. CRANNCHUR (LOTTO) Na huimhreacha don seachtain seo caite 11, 18, 28, 32. Ni raibh aon buaiteoir. Na mion duaiseanna €40: Richard Condron, Des McGrath, Ciaran Walsh, Chris Hickey agus Joe Pattison. Mar is gnath go raibh maith agaibh go leir as bhurdtachtaoicht. (As always, our thanks for your continued support.) BENNETTSBRIDGE CAPTAINS HONOURED Sunday last was a special day for Captains of Kilkenny winning all Ireland Senior Hurlers from 1963, when they were honoured during half time at the County Final between Shamrocks Ballyhale and Tullaroan. Bennettsbridge had three representatives on the day. The captains were introduced by Mary Morgan, Kilkenny County Communications Officer who included a short career summary of each player. Seamus Cleere, Captain 1963, was represented by his son, Tony, the late Jim Treacy, Captain 1967 was represented by his son David and grandson Olly. the third ‘Bridge player was Noel Skehan, Captain,1972. Refreshments were served in Nowlan Park prior to the game and later in Springhill, each player received an inscribed Galway Crystal Trophy, sponsored by Springhill Hotel. Thanks to Kilkenny County Board for the recognition. OCTOBER STATIONS October Stations can still be handed in at masses. Thanks to all who have contributed so far. It is much appreciated. NOVEMBER OFFERINGS It is now time for the November offerings. MASSES Wednesday 10.30am. Friday 10.30am. Sunday 10.30am. Tuesday 7.30pm. Tullaherin Saturday 8pm. LOTTO There was no winner of Jackpot last week. The numbers drawn were 2, 3, 22, 27. Consolation Prizes, Bill Lanigan, Bennettsbridge, Caroline Comerford, ℅ R, Comerford, Say again ℅ Fr Duggan, Joey McGee, ℅ R. Comerford, Marie Dempsey, Thomastown. CARDS RESULTS 6th October, First Prize Rory O’Donnell/Liam (12 game). Second Prize Pauline Keating/Martin Clarke (11 game). Table Prize Jack Kavanagh/Ger O’Neill 13th October, First Prize Michael Kenneally/Mike Fitzpatrick (12 games). Second Prize Pat Savage/ Brian Ireland, Brian Blackmore/Anne Lehane (10 game ). Table Prize Richie Proctor/Richie O’Keeffe. 20th October, First Prize Pat O’Neill/ Bridget Cottrell, Jack Kavanagh/Jack Bolger, Tommy Hayes/Bridget Murphy (10 game ). Table Prize Ann Carroll/Bill Carroll THANKS Huge thanks to card players from near and far who came to support the game in aid of the Kilkenny Women’s Refuge Centre. It was a great success and was much appreciated by the group. SYMPATHY SR ANN Sympathy is extended to the Breen family on the death of Sr Ann Breen (Columban Sisters), Magheramore, Wicklow, formerly Ballyreddin, Bennettsbridge, Co. Kilkenny, Philippines and Ireland. October 21st 2026, in the loving and wonderful care of the Sisters and staff at Loughshinny Residential Home. Predeceased by her parents John and Mary (Molly), sister Mary (Joyce), brother Eamonn, brother-in-law Pat, sister-in-law Mary, her niece Maura and nephew Kevin. Sadly missed by her nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, extended family and friends, her community and Columban Sisters worldwide Funeral Mass was celebrated in the Convent Chapel, Magheramore, Wicklow, followed by burial in the Convent Cemetery. Sr Ann was well known in the village and was a regular reader at masses in Bennettsbridge. Rest in peace Sr Ann. SYMPATHY Sympathy is extended to the Brady family on the death of Billy. late of Kilree, Bennettsbridge who passed away on 22nd October 2026, in the kind care of the staff at Gowran Abbey Nursing Home. Beloved husband of the late Georgina and much loved father of the late Olwen and infant Amanda Jane. Billy will be deeply missed by his loving sons Trevor and Niall, daughters-in-law Caroline and Liz, grandchildren Jenna, Evie, Alice, Anna and Grace, brother Noel, sisters Mary, Kathleen, Helen and Chrys, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and friends. Billy was predeceased by his siblings Margaret and

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Community & GAA Notes John. Billy lay in repose in Johnston’s Funeral Home, John’s Green with Prayers at 8.30pm. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St. Bennett’s Church, Bennettsbridge. Interment afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Billy was widely known through his work as a mechanic and this was reflected in the attendance at his funeral and in the on-line condolences. Rest in peace Billy. ART GROUP The Christmas Art Fest, organised by the Art Group will take place on Sunday, 29th November. The yearly event has been proving very popular with the parishioners. There will be hand made decorations and gifts also you will be able to see some of our artists at work. The Christmas Card Project is now in place with cards in the local shop. The cards feature some local scenes and are the work of the artists and some local photographers. A number of new scenes have been added to the large range available. Thanks to the local businesses who have been stocking the cards for a good number of years. The Carlow Kilkenny Homecare team will share in the profits as usual. GATHERING GROUP Members of the group are looking forward to their annual Christmas shopping trip. The venue this year is the Liffey Valley Centre. Regarding the Christmas meal it is fixed for the Hoban Hotel and date to be confirmed. GAA The under 16s will play their quarter final at home to Fenians/ Ballyragget on Saturday, October 31st. Best wishes and all support greatly appreciated. Good luck to all ‘Bridge players participating in county and college trials at present. NORTH VERSUS SOUTH FUNDRAISER Shane Byrne has been selected to represent the club in the upcoming North v South game on October 31st with proceeds to Cois Nore, the Dillon Quirke foundation , Kilkenny GAA and Camogie. Donations are ten euro with all monies over 500 euro raised returned to the club. Please support Shane who has been one of our most consistent hurlers over the past number of years. On the camogie side Holly Ryan and Erin Morrissey have been selected with the same format in place. All support will be greatly appreciated. IT COULD BE A SIGN Bennettsbridge GAA Club continues to promote its Pitch Signage Campaign, offering local businesses a wonderful opportunity to advertise while supporting their local club. There are still advertising spaces available, and the club would like to sincerely thank all the business owners who have already come on board. Their generous support is greatly appreciated and plays an important role in helping the club continue its activities and development. Local businesses interested in getting involved are encouraged to make contact. It’s a great way to promote your business while supporting grassroots sport. For further information, please contact Alan Flynn or Alan Morrissey. GRAIGUENAMANAGH DUISKE COLLEGE Needle Felting Classes at Duiske College! Parents and guardians are invited to join us for FREE dry needle felting classes every Thursday from 5th–26th November, 10am–12 noon. Come along, get creative and enjoy trying something new. To reserve your place, contact Teresa, HSCL, on 087 2916646 ROWING CLUB Join us for a very special evening as we celebrate 25 wonderful years on the water! This milestone occasion promises to be a memorable night, bringing together friends, members and supporters to reflect on the past 25 years, share fond memories and look forward to many more exciting adventures ahead. The celebrations will take place on Saturday, 14th November 2026, at Gowran Racecourse, commencing at 6.00pm. Tickets cost just €35 per person, including a delicious main course, dessert and tea or coffee. Tickets are now on sale! Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to celebrate 25 years of friendship, memories and achievements together. Tickets can be purchased at training sessions, including Saturday mornings, with cash, Revolut and card payments accepted. Alternatively, message our Club PRO or President to arrange tickets. Past and present members, family and friends are all warmly welcome as we celebrate 25 years of memories, friendships and rowing.

Tight contest as both sides show their determination

DUISKE PLAYERS The Duiske Players are back in the rehearsal room and are delighted to announce their play and cast for their spring production. Director Peter Prendergast will be bringing you the black comedy, “Caramba’s Revenge”. Looking forward to seeing you all at this production in the spring. TIDY TOWNS A huge thank you to Hugh Byrne who kindly offered to clean up the plaque and sand blast the pump free of charge on the Fair green. Bringing them both back to their former glory. We really appreciate the kind gesture. Thanks also to Sean Connolly for painting the pump. CAMOGIE CLUB We are delighted to announce that our club player, Rebecca Hayden, will represent Graiguenamanagh at the “North v South” Fundraiser, lining out for the South in UPMC Nowlan Park at 12:30pm on Saturday 31st October alongside players from every club in Kilkenny. The day is in aid of Kilkenny GAA, Kilkenny Camogie, Cois Nore and the Dillon Quirke Foundation. The fundraising target is €500 and all funds raised in excess goes back to our club. In addition, every €10 donated will earn you an entry into a draw for one of four match jerseys. Fundraising progress for each club can be viewed on the website throughout the campaign. Let’s get behind Rebecca PRIDE OF PLACE We Did It Together! What a fantastic achievement for Graiguenamanagh! We are absolutely delighted to be bringing home the trophy from the Pride of Place Awards, a wonderful recognition of our community and everything that makes our town so special. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who played a part in showcasing the very best of Graiguenamanagh. From our dedicated volunteers and community groups to local businesses and residents, this success belongs to everyone. Your hard work, enthusiasm and community spirit have truly paid off. This award is a celebration of our wonderful town and the people who make it such a special place. GAA Hard luck to the Clubs Junior hurlers who came just short against Conahy Shamrocks in the County Final. (See sport pages for more coverage.)

GORESBRIDGE PAULSTOWN BARROW RANGERS Congratulations to the Match 3 winner, Lorraine Kealy, in the lotto of 20th October. Enjoy a Great Night at the Greyhound Races. Looking for something different to do this Friday evening? Why not enjoy an exciting night of greyhound racing on Friday, 30th October, with the action getting underway at 8pm. Bring along your family, friends or work colleagues for a lively evening filled with racing excitement, friendly competition and a fantastic atmosphere. Whether you’re a regular racegoer or experiencing the thrill of greyhound racing for the first time, it promises to be an enjoyable night out. With admission costing just €10 per person, it’s an affordable way to enjoy an entertaining Friday evening. Everyone is welcome! Cardiac screening will take place at the club on Saturday, 28th November 2026, from 9:30am–5:00pm. Open to adults, as well as anyone aged 12–17 years old. Participants aged 12–17 must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: €80 per person. Health insurance discounts may also apply. BRIDGE UNITED Well, done to the Under-23s who had a great win last Sunday against St John Vianney club in The Leinster Junior Shield. Congratulations to the winners in last week’s lotto draw (of 19 October): P + L Gardiner, Caroline Gardiner and Nicola Skelton. The Halloween Soccer Camp will take place at 10am-1pm on 27-29 October for children aged 4-14. To register phone Conor 085 132 1589 or Ellen 083 432 1145. CHURCH SERVICES AND PARISH EVENTS Mass Times; Goresbridge: Saturday 7.30pm; Sunday at 10.00am. Paulstown: Sunday at 11.30am Weekday Masses; Goresbridge: 9.30am on Wednesday [change of time just this week]. Paulstown: Thursday, and Friday at 10.00am Church of Ireland, Holy Communion at 10am in Shankill, Paulstown. Morning Prayer at 11.30am in Tom Healy

Borris. CREDIT UNION The new building of the Goresbridge Credit Union was officially opened by Brendan Jenkins President of the Irish League of Credit Unions on Sunday 18th October. The new building marks a new chapter for the Credit Union and its members. The modernised premises have been thoughtfully designed to provide a welcoming, comfortable and accessible environment for everyone. This includes full wheelchair accessibility, a dedicated members’ reception area, a private meeting room offering a confidential space for members and an on-site staff car park. The Credit Union would like to extend its sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to bringing this project to life, including our dedicated Building Committee, staff, management team, architects, builders, tradespeople, engineers and all those who worked behind the scenes. CHRISTMAS FARE (GORESBRIDGE) Will take place at Ionad Dara from 12pm on Saturday 12 December. All small businesses crafters and vendors welcome. If you would like to book a table call Claire Barcoe on 085 7453605 or Nicola Skelton on 087 9152942. AG CAINT AS GAEILGE Is ciorcal comhrá Gaeilge é “Cúpla Focal” a chuirtear fáilte roimh chách ann, agus a bhíonn ar siúl gach Aoine i gCaifé an Goodly Barrow. Tugann an grúpa deis do dhaoine an Ghaeilge a labhairt i dtimpeallacht chairdiúil, shuaimhneach, cur lena muinín sa teanga agus bualadh le daoine eile a bhfuil suim acu sa Ghaeilge agus sa chultúr Gaelach. Tá fáilte roimh chách, idir thosaitheoirí iomlána agus chainteoirí líofa. Díríonn an grúpa ar chomhrá neamhfhoirmiúil, ar spreagadh agus ar fhoghlaim trí ghnáthchomhrá laethúil. Cibé acu atá tú ag iarraidh an Ghaeilge a d’fhoghlaim tú ar scoil a athbheochan, do líofacht a fheabhsú nó tráthnóna sóisialta a chaitheamh le Gaeilgeoirí eile, cuireann Cúpla Focal deis thaitneamhach agus thacúil ar fáil chun an Ghaeilge a úsáid go nádúrtha. TALKING THE TALK “Cúpla Focal” is a welcoming Irish language conversation circle held every Friday at the Goodly Barrow Cafe. The gathering provides a relaxed and friendly environment where people can practice speaking Irish, improve their confidence, and meet others with a shared interest in the language and culture.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

Community & GAA Notes Open to everyone from complete beginners to fluent speakers, the group focuses on informal conversation, encouragement, and learning through everyday chat. Whether you want to revive your school Irish, sharpen your fluency, or simply enjoy a social evening with fellow Gaeilgeoirí, Cúpla Focal offers an enjoyable and supportive space to use the language in a natural way. JIVE AND LINE DANCE CLASSES IN PAULSTOWN Get your dancing shoes ready. Jive and Line Dance classes are now underway every Friday evening at 7.30pm in Paulstown Community Hall. Whether you’re an experienced dancer or simply looking to try something new, these classes offer a wonderful opportunity to enjoy music, exercise and great company. Dancing is a fantastic way to stay active, meet new people and have some fun along the way. Come along on Friday evening and enjoy a lively, sociable night of dancing in Paulstown. MENS SHED The next Mens Shed gathering will take place on Tuesday, 3rd November, in the cabin at Paulstown Community Hall. The group provides a welcoming and friendly environment where members can meet, enjoy a chat, share interests and take part in various activities. It is a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and become involved in the local community. New members are always welcome, so why not come along and join in? SPLIT THE POT Support Goresbridge Rural Development by taking part in Split the Pot. Entries are available in Maher’s and online. Simply scan the QR code or visit lottoraiser.ie. Congratulations to Louise McGuire, Liz Kealy and Niamh Connolly in the recent draw of 25th October. TAR ISTEACH Donations Welcome at Tar Isteach Shop. The Tar Isteach Shop in Goresbridge is appealing to the local community for donations of good quality bric-abrac and household items. Unwanted gifts, toiletry sets, delph, dishes, cutlery and other useful household goods are all greatly appreciated. Donations of quality handbags are also particularly welcome. All items should be clean, in good condition and suitable for resale. Your generosity can make a real difference by helping to keep the shop stocked with a wide variety of affordable items. If you are having a clear-out at home, please consider donating your unwanted goods to the Tar Isteach Shop. RELAX, STRETCH AND UNWIND WITH YOGA A six-week Yoga course gets underway on Tuesday, 3 November, at 10am, offering a wonderful opportunity to relax, unwind and enjoy some gentle exercise. Whether you’re a complete beginner or already familiar with yoga, all levels of ability are welcome. The classes provide an enjoyable way to improve flexibility, balance and general wellbeing while taking a little time out from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The cost is just €50 for the full six-week course. Why not give it a try? For further information or enquiries, contact Caroline O’Hare on 087 9371939, who’ll ensure you’ll enjoy it or is that stretching it a little? KILMANAGH WEEKLY MASS SCHEDULE October 31st – Kilmanagh. November 7th – Killaloe. November 14th – Tulla. November 21st – Kilmanagh. November 28th – Killaloe. December 5th – Tulla. THOUGHTFUL REMINDER As we approach the Fireworks season, please remember the distress that loud fireworks can cause for older people, those who are vulnerable and our beloved animals. A little consideration and understanding can make a real difference. Let us be mindful of others and show respect and kindness to all members of our community. And remember they are illegal and very dangerous even in the hands of a responsible adult. TABLE QUIZ Kenya Immersion Table Quiz will take place in Ballycallan Hall on November 6th at 8 pm. This is in aid of our local students from Colaiste Abhainn Ri, Callan who are travelling to Kenya at Easter. Raffle and shop on the night. Teams of 4 - €20 per table. SOCCER RESULTS U18 Schoolgirls League – Highview Ath 5, River Rangers 1. U18 Schoolboys League – Thomastown Utd 5, River Rangers 0. K & DL Division One – Deen Celtic A 7, River Rangers A 1. SOCCER FIXTURES Saturday October 31st; U16 Schoolboys League – Deen Celtic v River Rangers. U14 Schoolboys League – River Rangers v Freebooters. Sunday November 1st: K&DL Division One – River Rangers

A Tullahought Village sign that caught the adjudicators eye

v Callan Utd. K&DL Division Four – River Rangers v Highview Ath. HALLOWEEN RAFFLE River Rangers Halloween Raffle draw will take place on Sunday, 1st November 2026, in Ryans Bar, Kilmanagh. Just €2 per line. Fantastic prizes to be won. 1st Prize €250; 2nd Prize €150; 3rd Prize €50. Also vouchers and many more great prizes. Raffle tickets available from committee members. Tickets will also be available at Spar Callan on Saturday, 31st October, from 8am to 2pm. Pop over, grab your lines and support your local club. CALENDAR 2027 Naomh Aodhán Community Centre, Kilmanagh will be producing their annual Calendar again for 2027. Your business or organisation can be included amongst the advertisements for only €70. Please support this annual fundraiser. The calendar is distributed, for free, widely amongst the locality, and is a great way to spread the word. For details talk to Chris Doheny on 086 251 7030 or Eileen Lanigan on 086 373 9983. CHRISTMAS ACORN Christmas Acorn 2026 will be available in early December. If you have any items, photographs, stories, parish events etc. that you would like entered in this year’s edition please send in as soon as possible to lanigan.eileen@gmail.com or contact 086 373 99 83 for further information. CHRISTMAS WREATH MAKING WORKSHOP Naomh Aodhan Active Ladies Group will once again host a Christmas Wreath Making workshop on Monday 30th November this year. This workshop is open to everyone, you do not have to be a member of the group to attend. All materials will be provided. There will also be mulled wine and festive nibbles available on the night. If you are interested in attending, please contact 086 373 9983 as numbers will be limited. The cost is €30 and there are only a few spaces left. MOUNT CARMEL TRACTOR RUN RAFFLE RESULTS 1st Prize: €100 fuel voucher – Mickey Brennan. 2nd prize: €100 fuel voucher – James Somers Saunders. 3rd: Hamper – Josie Ryan. 4th: Hamper – Paul Drennan. 5th: €50 Inver voucher – John Carroll. 6th: €50 One for All voucher – Mickey Brennan. 7th: Hamper – Caroline Healy. 8th: Richie Hogan Sliotars – Jane & Bubs O’Brien. 9th: €25 Callan Coop Voucher – Jim Rowan. 10th: €25 Callan Co-op voucher – Jane & Bubs O’Brien. 11th: €25 Callan Co-op voucher – Willie McCormack. 12th: €25 Callan Co-op voucher – Richie Proctor. 13th: €20 butchers’ voucher – Brendan Grace. 14th: €20 voucher Tech

Repairs – Mickey Brennan. 15th: Lyons Greengrocers Voucher – Willie McCormack. 16th: Brett Bros jacket and hat – Jane & Bubs O’Brien. 17th: Eardley Machinery jacket – Darren Fitzpatrick. 18th: Eardly Machinery O’Neills jersey – Eileen Millea. 19th: Signed Kilkenny hurl Kevin McGarry – Pauline Barry. 20th: Bottle brandy – Mount Carmel. 21st: Bottle brandy – Kathleen Browne. 22nd: bottles of wine and chocs – Jack Lennon. Winner of Tractor Draw – Robert Laffan. OLLIE ON THE MOVE TRACTOR RUN A fundraising tractor run will be held on Saturday 7th November in aid of local child Ollie Brennan. It starts from Castleinch Venue (R95 DW92), registration from 11:00 am and departure at 1:00pm. €20 entry fee per vehicle. Monster raffle, music, refreshments and a visit from Santa on the day. Tickets for the raffle will be available on the day or contact Emma on 086 1600245 or Padraig on 089 489 6401. MOUNT CARMEL MONTHLY DRAW The first draw of the new year was held recently in Mount Carmel. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone for the support. €200 Kevin Fennelly, Kells Rd, €100 Lucy Doheny, Callan, €30 each to Bridie Madigan Callan, Jim Mullins Ballymack, Anne Hennessy Callan, Dick Walsh Newtown, Jackie Jackman Callan, Ian Dalton Callan, Leah Murray Coolagh, Paul Norris Callan, Ann Byrne Collins Pk, David Fitzgerald Kilkenny. Promoter’s prizes €15 to Frank McKenna, Rachel Murray and Tom O Shea. ACTIVE LADIES CLUB Naomh Aodhan Active Ladies meet on Monday evenings from 7pm – 9pm. New members are always welcome. If there is any event or occasion happening in the community and you need some extra help, please contact us as we will always have some people available to help. Contact 086 373 99 83 for further details. LOTTO Results for 19th October. Numbers drawn were 4; 7; 15; 17. There was no winner. Lucky Dip Winners were Jack Butler, Barrett Family and Ann Nugent. Sellers’ Prizes went to Willie O’Connor and Adrian Ronan. Next week’s jackpot will be €5800. KILMANAGH NOTES Anyone wishing to submit news items, events, announcements etc. can do so by email only to elanigan18@gmail.com. If you have any photos that you would like included, please send as an attachment. WINDGAP TULLAHOUGHT BACK TO BACK GOLD

Tullahought Tidy Towns retained its inaugural Gold Medal and rose to second place in County Kilkenny after receiving its very first Highly Commended Award. The group also captured the South East Region Pollinator Award for Villages and Small Towns at the SuperValu Tidy Towns Awards ceremony, held in Croke Park on Friday. Having made the breakthrough to Bonn Óir status in 2025, after thirty-four years of dedicated community effort that transformed the area, Tullahought has continued to build on its remarkable achievement. The announcement was made by the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Darragh Calleary, who spoke of the passion and dedication of these volunteers, which is the embodiment of everything that is good in communities nationwide. Margaret Barron, the Chief Marketing Officer of the sponsors SuperValu, commended the commitment and quiet determination of over 31,000 volunteers across a record 936 entrants who gave over one million hours to their communities, in making a lasting, positive difference to their local area. Back home, as Storm Austen knocked trees and scattered leaves and winter debris around the award-winning village, there was great excitement among those following the results online and eagerly awaiting updates from Croke Park. An early AI-generated result briefly caused some concern before the official results confirmed Tullahought’s outstanding success. One of twenty-five entrants, down three from County Kilkenny, Tullahought continues with Inistioge and Kilkenny as the county’s three Gold Medal recipients, along with nearby Kilsheelin in County Tipperary. The group that was led on the day by their Runaí, Richie Walsh, were awarded thirteen additional points in the ceremony, compered by Marty Morrissey. STEP BY STEP The achievement prompted reflections on the countless volunteers whose dedication over many decades laid the foundations for today’s success. Special memories were shared of those who carried the baton from one generation to the next, including the Egan family, Mary and Paddy, Pat Purcell, Johnny Duggan, and Fr. Robert Raftice, local stone masons, machinery drivers, residents, and all those who generously donated their time, skills, and materials. There was also great recognition for Kathleen Duggan, Eamon Doyle, and Frank Callery, who attended previous awards ceremonies, along with those who, through work or family commit-

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Community & GAA Notes funds are in aid of Cois Nore Cancer Support Centre and the Dylan Quirke Foundation. There is a dedicated website for donations. All support welcomed. MULLINAVAT

ments, were unable to make the journey on the day. Their combined commitment, vision, and hard work helped shape Tullahought Tidy Towns into the award-winning community it is today. That legacy continues through the current generation of volunteers, whose efforts and community pride ensure that Tullahought remains a model village. WINNERS ALL ROUND It was winners all round as the results reflected the tremendous work being undertaken across the wider region, with significant increases in marks achieved by all of the neighboring communities. Amongst the notable performances gaining national and local acclaim were: Ahenny-Clashnasmuth with an increase of (12) points; Ballyneale (12); Callan (11); Carrick-on-Suir (14); Dunnamaggin (13), plus the Kilkenny Endeavour (most improved) Award. Faugheen (11), Grangemockler (13), plus their second Tipperary South Endeavour Award in three years, Kells (12), Kilcash (15), Kilmoganny (9), Kilsheelin (11), plus a Gold Medal, Tipperary South Second and Highly Commended Award, the National Tree Project Award, the South East Regional Water and National Communities Award, the Dementia Inclusive Community Village—Small Town Runner-up Award, and the Young Persons in Tidy Towns South East Regional winners Award. Mullinahone (11), Owning (10), Piltown (11), Tullahought (13), plus a Gold Medal, County Second and Highly Commended Award, plus a South East Region Pollinator Award for Village/Small Town, and Windgap (12) additional points. Collectively, the achievements highlight the dedication of volunteers across the Lingaun Valley and the surrounding areas, whose efforts continue to transform their communities and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. The individual village reports can be found at tidytowns.ie/the-competition/results. ADULT IRISH CLASSES Windgap GAA are hosting a series of six Irish lessons for adults. They commenced in the club rooms on Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For details, contact Shane on 087 6227603 KAROKE NIGHT Windgap GAA Club are holding a Halloween Karaoke fundraising night of music and craic in Walsh’s Bar on this Saturday, 31st, at 8pm. Halloween costumes are encouraged. SCHOOL DRAW A weeklyonline Scoil San Nioclás, fundraising school draw has commenced with all the money raised being used to directly support children’s education. COFFEE MORNING

A coffee morning in aid of Breast cancer will take place on Friday October the 30th in the tearooms. LINGAUN VALLEY The next meeting is set for Tullahought on Wednesday, 4th November TRACTOR RUN The John Smyth Memorial Tractor Run will take place in Windgap on Saturday, 14th November. SPLIT THE POT Recent winners in the Windgap GAA and Camogie Club Split the Pot Draw were Fiona Kennedy who received €162.00. and Mikie Saunders, €151.50. CAMOGIE AGM The AGM of Windgap Camogie Club will be held in the Clubrooms on Friday, November 13th, at 8pm. KILMACOW TABLE QUIZ The next table quiz in the monthly series of table quizzes in the Fox’s Den will be held at 8.00pm on Monday, 2nd November in aid of Kilmacow Camogie and LGFA. The cost per table of four is €20. All support welcomed. KILMACOW LOTTO The winning numbers in last week’s lotto were 2, 9, 21 and 26. There was one Match 3 winner. SCOUTS Adult volunteers are needed to start a Scout Group in Kilmacow. Please e-mail jwalsh@scouts.ie or ring 087 699 0304 for more information. MUSIC CLASSES Music Generation will host tin whistle classes after school on Tuesdays in Coláiste Cois Siúire, Mooncoin. Contact musicgeneration@kcetb.ie or ring 087 176 5493 for more information. CHAIR AEROBICS Mooncoin Parish Hall will host Chair Aerobics from 1.00pm to 1.45pm on Thursdays. Please call Lisa on 087 655 8716 for more details. BUILT CONSERVATION GRANTS The closing date for the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and Historic Thatch Building Scheme is this Friday, 30th October. The closing date for the Historic Structures Fund which offers grants from €5,000 to €200,000, up to 50% of eligible costs for projects which show a clear community benefit is Friday, 27th November. Please contact the Conservation Section of Kilkenny County Council for more details. SUPPORTING AFTON Afton Grace will represent Kilmacow in the Kilkenny North v Kilkenny South fund-raising match in Nowlan Park at 12.40pm on Saturday, 31st October. The

MULLINAVAT LOTTO The winning numbers in the lotto on Monday, 19th October were 5, 12, 13 and 24. There were five Match 3 winners. TEMPORARY RELOCATION OF DOCTOR’S PRACTICE Dr. Ronan Cleary’s practice has been relocated to Ferrybank Primary Care Centre for the duration of works at the Health Centre in Mullinavat. The telephone number, 051 511834, will remain unchanged. RUAILE BUAILE The five-piece traditional music group, Ruaile Buaile, supported by Nothing’s Perfect, will appear in the Community Centre, Mullinavat on Saturday, 7th November as part of the fund-raising initiatives for an astro-pitch. There will be a full-bar facility. All support (over 18) welcomed. TALK ON THE LEAVING CERTIFICATE The next South Kilkenny Historical Society event, a lecture on ‘100 Years of the (Dreaded) Leaving Cert, takes place in Mullinavat Parish Hall (opposite St. Beacon’s Church) this Friday October 30th. The speaker will be well known historian Eoin Walsh and it begins at 8pm. Admission is €5 for nonmembers. ROUNDERS Mullinavat GAA is trying to gauge the interest locally in setting up GAA Rounders. Please contact Breda Maddock on 087 969 4420 to express an interest in the idea. TOWN AND VILLAGE RENEWAL Kilkenny County Council is inviting Expressions of Interest in the Town and Village Renewal Scheme ’26. The scheme is designed to revitalise rural Ireland by focusing on village centre economic and social regeneration. The closing date for Expressions of Interest is Friday, 27th November. NOELEEN’S TRACTOR RUN The run will be held in Glenmore on Sunday, 8th November. Registration (costs €20 per vehicle) will take place from 11.30am and the run will commence from Glenmore GAA Centre at 1.00pm. All vehicles must be taxed and insured. There will be refreshments and a raffle afterwards in the Glen Bar. Contact 087 413 3814, 087 793 9708 or 087 984 8527 for more details. All funds raised will be devoted to projects in Glenmore. FERRYBANK GREENWAY UPDATE A temporary car park facility, which is part of the North Quay project, has been made available by Waterford City and County Council to those using the Greenway. There will be no charge for the moment, but a parking charge may be payable at a later stage. In the longer term a car park facility will be available at the trailhead for the Greenway off the link road from the Belmount Roundabout to the Abbey Round Roundabout. NORTH QUAY PROJECT Waterford City and County Council has made a recommendation for the grant of permission under Planning Application 26 60108 which was lodged by Hopcast Ltd. last February. The recommendation is for modifications, subject to five conditions, to a previous planning application 24 60304 which now permits 430 apartments in Block C-H on the North Quay. The recommendation will come into effect at the end of the appeal period, if no appeal is taken within that period. PINK ROCK CYCLE LOOP AND AMENITY TRAIL The period for submissions on the Pink Rock Cycle Loop and Amenity Trail is now closed. The submissions will be considered and a follow up report will soon be presented to a meeting of Kilkenny County Council. FRCDG MEETING The next meeting of Ferrybank Residents Community Development Group will be held in the Hillsfield Centre from 2.00pm to 3.00pm this Wednesday, 28th October. New members are welcome to come along. JOHNSTOWN OCTOBER OFFERINGS October Offerings for the priests are due now. Thank you. KILKENNY BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT Kilkenny Bereavement Support provides free one

to one listening support to people who have been bereaved. They are looking to recruit volunteers who are willing to commit one to two hours per week at a time to suit themselves. Induction training provided and all four sessions must be attended Saturday. November. 7th 10am to 12 noon, Tuesday November 10th 7pm to 9pm, Tuesday November 17th 7pm to 9pm and Sat. Nov. 28th 10am to 12 noon. Call 0860670566 or email director@kilkennybereavementsupport.com. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE EMERALDS Congratulations to The Emeralds Intermediate Camogie team on their fantastic victory over Mooncoin in the county final. This well-deserved success is a wonderful achievement for the players, management and everyone involved with the club. Their hard work, commitment and determination throughout the season have been rewarded, and they can now look forward to a new challenge as they step up to the Senior ranks for 2027. Best wishes to the team as they prepare for the next chapter in their camogie journey. The whole club can be immensely proud of this memorable achievement! ROSARY The Rosary will be recited in St. Kieran’s Cemetery each Sunday during November at 2.30pm. HALLOWEEN FANCY DRESS FUN IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY There will be plenty of Halloween fun and entertainment in the coming weeks, with fancy dress parties and a special children’s disco planned for the local community. McCarthy’s Bar will host an Adult Halloween Fancy Dress Party on Saturday, October 31st, starting at 10pm. Everyone is invited to dress up for what promises to be a great night of fun, music and entertainment. There will be a prize for the best costume, so get creative and start planning your Halloween outfit. Music on the night will be provided by DJ Tracey Edwards, ensuring plenty of entertainment for everyone. Earlier that same day, children can enjoy their own Halloween celebrations at the Kids’ Halloween Disco in McCarthy’s Bar from 5pm to 7pm. There will be a prize for the best Halloween costume, along with goodies and lots of games to keep the youngsters entertained. It promises to be a funfilled occasion for children to enjoy the Halloween spirit with friends. SPA DEVELOPMENT/FENIANS LOTTO The winning numbers were 16,20,21,29, there was no jackpot winner, there aws three match threes Paschal Ryan, Caroline Cahill and Kathleen Webster. SPA UNITED AFC Results for the week Junior League division 2 Spa 1 (J.J.McLoughlin) Thomastown B 2, Youths league division 2 Spa 5 Thomastown 0, U15 girls league division 1 Freebooters 2 Spa 0, U15 boys league division 1 Lions 4 Spa 1. SYMPATHY Spa United would like to express their great sadness at the passing of Johnny Keegan, Rathdowney. Johnny represented the club with great distinction in the 70’s and 80’s winning league titles before returning to Clover Utd. His contribution to Spa will always be remembered and appreciated. Sympathy to his family, friends and all who knew him. THE MILL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE There is a free SNA course for Level 5 and 6. Free Every Monday and Wednesday morning from 10am to 1pm, spaces are still available and it’s free. Maths Grinds start from the 4th November 2026, every Wednesday 5 to 6pm. Contact centre for more information and to book your place. The Knitting and Crochet Circle Christmas Fair will take place at The Mill Family Resource Centre on Friday, December 4th, from 11am to 1pm. There will be a wonderful selection of handmade items available to purchase, including beautiful blankets, dolls, teddies and a variety of festive Christmas creations. It promises to be a great opportunity to pick up something special while supporting the talented members of the group. The Mill Family Resource Centre continues to be an important hub for the local community, providing a wide range of services, supports, activities and opportunities for people of all ages. The Centre offers a warm and welcoming place where people can meet others, learn new skills, improve their wellbeing and enjoy a friendly social environment. A Local Training Initiative (LTI) Programme will be starting shortly. The free programme includes Driving Theory and Driving Lessons, providing participants with valuable practical skills which can help improve confidence, independence and employment opportunities. A wide range of courses is available through the

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

Community & GAA Notes Centre, including SNA QQI Levels 5 and 6; Childcare and Computing QQI Level 4; Early Learning and Care Certificate and Advanced Certificate QQI Level 5; LTI QQI Level 4; Office Administration and Payroll QQI Level 5; and Basic Computers. Anyone interested in finding out more about these courses, including application details, is encouraged to call into The Mill Family Resource Centre or contact the Centre directly. The popular Youth Club has also returned and takes place every Wednesday evening from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. The club is open to young people aged 10 to 12 years and provides a great opportunity to meet friends, enjoy activities and have some fun in a safe and welcoming environment. Hot news from The Mill Family Resource Centre is that the Thursday Club is being revived and reenergised! The club is looking forward to welcoming back old members while also encouraging new members to come along and join in the fun. A great selection of activities is planned, including art, crafts, chair yoga and music, with, of course, plenty of time to relax and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a chat. The Thursday Club meets every Thursday afternoon at 2pm at the Mill Centre. It is a great opportunity to get out, meet people, try something new and enjoy a friendly afternoon in good company. Everyone is welcome, and the organisers are particularly looking forward to meeting both new and old members. Simply call into the Centre or contact Sue or Josephine for further information. There are also plenty of bargains to be found on the Centre’s clothes rail, so why not drop in and see what is available? But don’t go on Thursdays, they will make you do chair yoga. For further information on any of the activities, courses or services available at The Mill Family Resource Centre, contact 056 8838466.

Bingo will continue this Saturday evening at 4.00pm with doors opening from 3.00pm and will continue each Saturday evening at the same time. Over €2,660 in prize money on offer including a special €500 game. We had a huge crowd for the Halloween bingo last Saturday and we were delighted with the support from the parish. Please continue to support us this Saturday and every Saturday. It is a great afternoon’s entertainment. DANCE CLASSES Dance Classes: Learn to jive, foxtrot, waltz, etc in Gortnahoe Hall at 8pm on Thursdays. €10 pay as you go. Contact Sally at 087-7931308. SPLIT THE POT Congratulations to Sienna and Lettie Cummins who won €207 in the Split the Pot draw last Sunday. Envelopes are available in Cahill’s Gortnahoe, Hogans Grange, Gortnahoe Hall and any member of the committee, you can also Revolut to 0876777220. Split the Pot for November is in aid of the Christmas lights. The draw takes place each Sunday at 12pm in Gortnahoe Hall. Your support would be appreciated. TUESDAY BRIDGE Bridge is being played each Tuesday night in Gortnahoe Hall at 7.30pm. Former members would be very welcome to come on the Tuesday night and if you would like to join or find out more information, please contact this number 089 434910 POPE JOHN PAUL II AWARD Calling all 16–18-year-olds! Get active, get involved and make a difference in your local parish and school community through the Pope John Paul II Award. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet others, develop your skills and put your faith into action. To find out more or take part locally, contact the parish council or Fiona, Youth Coordinator, at youth@cashel-emly.ie. Applications close this Friday 31 October.

GORTNAHOE GLENGOOLE

CONAHY

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Glengoole Wednesday 10am to 1pm, Gortnahoe Thursday 10am to 1pm. The rosary is recited before Mass in Glengoole every Saturday evening. ALL SOULS REMEMBRANCE All Souls Remembrance Service, Lay Led Liturgy with Holy Communion on Monday, 2nd November at 7.30pm in Gortnahoe Church. Candles will be lit in memory of all those who have died since this time last year. All are welcome to join us as we pray for our departed loved ones. CHOIR Gortnahoe Glengoole Parish Choir Welcome back all choir members to a new season. Our next choir practice will be today Wednesday 28th October at 7.30pm in Gortnahoe Church. New members are hugely welcome to join us. We practice once a month usually on a Wednesday for the Family Mass on the first Saturday and Sunday of the month. LAY LED LITURGY Lay Led Liturgy with Holy Communion will be held weekly during Fr Walton’s Sabbatical Glengoole Church every Wednesday at 9.30am followed by Eucharistic Adoration Gortnahoe Church every Thursday at 9.30am followed by Eucharistic Adoration NURSING HOME SUPPORT Nursing Home Supports and Fair Deal Scheme information talk on Tuesday, 3rd November, 11:30am to 1pm in MFRC, Glengoole. Nicola Haverty will provide valuable information and how it can help with the costs of nursing home care. All are welcome, refreshments provided. Booking contact Alice Teehan 083-1014313 400 CLUB DRAW The parish 400 Club Draw for 26/27 has now commenced and the promoters are distributing tickets throughout the parish. The first draw will take place on 17th November. See local notices for details or contact your local promoter. DATE FOR YOUR DIARY The Hall Committee has announced the following events. Christmas draw in support of the hall will take place on Sunday 20th December and there will a special bingo held on St. Stephen’s Day at 4pm. PILATES WITH RUTH Pilate classes continue in Glengoole Hall every Monday at 6.30pm. €10 pay as you go. To book, message 0872049418, Instagram @pilates_ruth. Bring mat and water. YOGA CLASSES Yoga classes will commence with Jenny in Gortnahoe Community Hall on 2nd November for four weeks. Times 7.30pm to 8.30pm, €50 per session. Suitable for everyone. Text or Whatsapp at 087 9420826 to book. GORTNAHOE BINGO

JUNIOR COUNTY FINAL AND ASTROTURF PITCH OPENING It was truly a weekend to remember for all involved in Conahy Shamrocks as the junior hurlers captured the JJ Kavanagh Premier Junior county title with a deserved victory over Graiguenamanagh in UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday afternoon, and preceding this, the club held the official opening of the new Astroturf pitch in the Polo Grounds on Friday evening last. The junior hurlers had to contend with very difficult weather conditions, but with the benefit of

the breeze in the first half, they led by 0-11 to 1-5 at half-time. The locals fought really hard in the second half to keep the Graig men at bay, who did manage to level the scores. Two late points from an Edmond Delaney free and a well taken score from Karl Downey ensured a fourth county junior title for the club on a 0-16 to 1-11 score line. Team captain Ciaran Rice accepted the cup following great excitement after the final whistle. Huge congratulations to all the players on a fantastic achievement. They will now go on to the Leinster Junior Club Championship, where they will play Shamrocks (Offaly) in the quarter-final in Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore, on Sunday November 8th at 1.30 p.m. The junior panel in full is: Pádraic Delaney, Padraig Gunner, Philip Cass, Liam Cass, Ciaran Rice, Darragh Hennessy, Jack Rhatigan, Darragh Horgan, Edmond Delaney, Patrick Kennedy, Eoin Cahill, Tom Phelan, Thomas Rice, James Bergin, Mark Gunner, Tommy Mulhall, Karl Downey, Jack Murphy, Bill Murphy, Rob Ring, Harry O’Mahony, Darren Cuddihy, Sean Brennan, Conor Duggan, Eoin Carroll, John Kennedy, Billy Mulhall, Brooklyn Synott, Justin Brophy, Conor Hennessy, Daniel Mooney, Frank Gunner, Ben Duggan, J.P. Gamble. ( A further report on this match can be read in the Sports section of this newspaper). There was a huge attendance of Conahy Shamrocks members and supporters on Friday night last for the official opening of the new floodlit Astroturf pitch. The official opening was made by Martin Byrne (Chairperson, Leinster Council GAA) and Brian Molloy (Camogie Association President), with a blessing also made by Fr. Maher, P.P. Many thanks to everyone who brought the project to fruition, and who organised the whole night, which was a great success. MINOR HURLING The attention of Conahy Shamrocks supporters now turns to the minor hurlers who face Carrickshock in the Kilkenny Vehicle Centre Roinn B county final on Sunday next at 11.00 a.m. Best of luck to all the players involved and the management team of James Bergin, Padraic Nolan and Martin Fitzpatrick. GAA CLUB LOTTO The numbers drawn in the most recent GAA Lotto draw were 2, 4 and 30. There was no winner of the €7,200 jackpot so the consolation prize winners of €30 each were Esther Carroll, Catherine Connery, John & Margaret Bergin, Eoin Carroll and Murt Phelan. The promoter prize winners were Larry Bergin, Nora Delaney and Margaret Buggy. Many thanks to everyone who continues to support the

A Tullahought Village sign that caught the adjudicators eye

GAA Club Lotto. PROGRESSIVE 25’S Progressive 25’s continues each Sunday evening at 8.00 p.m. in the GAA Clubhouse for the coming weeks. All are welcome to attend. NEWMARKET HUGGINSTOWN STONEYFORD ALL SAINTS PASTORAL AREA Parishes - Aghaviller; Ballyhale; Mullinavat. Priests in the Pastoral Area: Sean O’Connor (Ballyhale) Parish Priest of the three Parishes in the Pastoral Area). Telephone 056 776 6696 or 086 389 5911: Email: rsoc1973@gmail.com. Liam Cassin (Hugginstown). Telephone 087 231 2354: Email: liamcassin@ossory.ie. Liam Barron (Mullinavat). Telephone 087 272 2824: Email: mullinavat@ossory.ie. Peter Hoyne (Newmarket - Retired). Telephone 056 776 8678 or 086 373 8492 MASS TIMES Hugginstown: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30a.m. Vigil - Saturday at 8.00p.m. Sunday at 10.00a.m. Stoneyford, Vigil Saturday at 6.30p.m. PRAY FOR Johnny O’Grady, Stoneyford: Mass in Stoneyford Church on Saturday 31st. October at 6.30p.m. Tom and Kathy Noonan, Aghaviller: Mass in Hugginstown Church on Saturday 31st. October at 8.00p.m. Bill and Nellie Barron, Croan: Mass in Hugginstown Church on Sunday 1st. November at 10.00a.m. ROTA (THIRTY FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME) Readers: Stoneyford: Saturday 6.30p.m. Tom King. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Pat Power. Sunday 10.00a.m. Deirdre O’Shea. Eucharistic Ministers: Stoneyford: Saturday 6.30p.m. Bernie Grace. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Mary Murphy. Sunday 10.00a.m. Ruth Crowley. NOVEMBER REMEMBRANCE MASSES Mass for all who have died in our community during the past year will be celebrated on Saturday 7th. November in both Stoneyford and Hugginstown. PREPARATION FOR MARRIAGE |AND MARRIED COUPLES COURSES “Grásta” is a voluntary group of Married Couples based in Ireland, who for over 25 years have been facilitating Pre-Marriage Courses for couples getting married in the Catholic Church. We are holding Pre-Marriage courses on the following dates:13th. to 15th. November and 26th. to 28th. February. We also organise courses for Married Couples. The dates for our Married Couples courses are 14th. – 15th. November 2026 and 27th. – 28th. February 2027 For further Details: www.grasta.org or at info@ grasta.org OCTOBER STATIONS The October Station Envelopes 2026 are available at the Church Porch. Your contributions are for the support of the priests of the Parish and the Diocese. Your envelopes 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). LOTTO Aghaviller Parish and Carrickshock G. A. A. Draw: Monday 19th. October 2026 Numbers: 22; 08; 10; 11. No Winner of First 3 Numbers Drawn. No Jackpot Winner: 5 x €30.00. Winners: Ann Cahill, Knocktopher: Emmet Dunphy, “On-Line”; Alison Cahill, Laois; Daniel Hoyne Westmoreland; Eugene O’Neill, “On-Line”. 3 x €15.00 (Sellers): James Irish; John Power; Eamon Irish. CHURCH SAFEGUARDING If you have a child safeguarding concern or wish to raise a matter from the past you may contact: - Diocesan Designated Liaison Person, Mr. Fintan Fanning, 087 100 0232 email dlp@ossory.ie; Tusla Tel. 059 911 5570 or www.ossory.ie/safeguarding Parish Safeguarding Representatives: Deirdre Rohan and Catherina Roche. SOUTH KILKENNY HISTORICAL SOCIETY A Lecture on ‘100 Years of the (Dreaded) Leaving Cert’ will take place on Friday, October 30th. at 8.00p.m. in Mullinavat Parish Hall (opposite St. Beacon’s Church). The Speaker will be Eoin Walsh. Everyone living in Ireland today has heard of it, if not sat, the dreaded Leaving Certificate. It has recently passed a milestone of 100 years of existence. But how did it come about? And why do we still get nightmares about it as adults?

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

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Sport

Conahy Shamrocks claim Bob Aylward Cup Conahy Shamrocks 0-16 Graiguenamanagh 1-11 By Jim Whelan Conahy Shamrocks lifted the Bob Aylward Cup for the fourth time in their history, and for the first time since 2020, following a hard-fought victory over Graiguenamanagh in the 2026 Kilkenny Premier Junior Hurling Championship Final at Nowlan Park on Saturday last. Played in the midst of Storm Boleo the contest was always going to be a difficult encounter, with the challenging weather conditions making life uncomfortable for both teams. However, despite the elements, both sides served up a fiercely contested final, with Conahy ultimately proving more adept at handling the conditions. Graiguenamanagh made an excellent start despite playing against the wind. Michael Bolger and Mark Gunner exchanged early points before the

No quarter given between Ivan Bolger(G) and James Bergin(C)

Tight contest as both sides show their determination

Barrow boys struck the game's only goal. Centreforward Jack Ryan produced a superb effort from the 14-yard line, sending the large Graiguenamanagh following into raptures and giving their side an early boost. Conahy responded impressively, however, with four unanswered points from James Bergin (two), Tom Phelan and Eoin Cahill. Graiguenamanagh continued to battle bravely against the elements, and points from Steven Kinsella and Jack Ryan restored their advantage after 15 minutes. At this stage, the Graig men would have been

Graiguenamanagh take possession

reasonably satisfied with their efforts. However, the northern side began to gain the upper hand, with the influential Tom Phelan, the equally impressive James Bergin and the accurate free-taker Edmond Delaney leading the charge. Conahy gradually took control of proceedings, registering six points while restricting Graiguenamanagh to just two. Their ability to make the most of the wind gave them a valuable cushion, and they went to the dressing rooms holding a threepoint advantage, leading by 0-11 to 1-5. Despite trailing at the interval, Graiguenamanagh had plenty of reason for optimism. The conditions would now be in their favour for the

second half. Conahy, meanwhile, may have wondered whether some missed opportunities in the opening period would come back to haunt them. The second half began with Graiguenamanagh determined to make their advantage count. Points from Richard Foley and Steven Kinsella reduced the deficit to the minimum, bringing renewed hope to the Barrow boy’s supporters. Conahy, however, refused to surrender their lead. Points from Delaney and Thomas Rice restored their three-point advantage, leaving Graiguenamanagh with work to do once again. The Graig men have shown tremendous resilience throughout this year's championship campaign, recovering from difficult Sean Walsh(G) tackles Darragh Hennessy(C) as Joe Dowling(G) moves in

Cian O'Shea(G) is dispossessed by Edmond Delaney(C) as Tom Phelan(C) begins his challenge

positions on more than one occasion. Once again, they dug deep when it mattered most. With 10 minutes remaining, points from Kinsella and substitute Terry Dreelan brought the sides level, setting up a tense finish. The Graiguenamanagh supporters sensed that another memorable comeback might be on the cards. Conahy responded to the challenge, with Edmond Delaney finding the target to put his side two points clear. Graiguenamanagh refused to give up, however, and a point from sub Nicky Ryan reduced the deficit to the minimum. When referee Brian Fox indicated five minutes of additional time, the Graig faithful knew there was still an opportunity to snatch a draw and force the contest into extra time. However, Conahy had other ideas. Substitute Karl Downey delivered a crucial score, putting the result beyond Graiguenamanagh's reach and ensuring that the Bob Aylward Cup would be heading north. The final whistle confirmed a 0-16 to 1-11 victory for Conahy Shamrocks, who had weathered both the storm and a determined Graiguenamanagh challenge to secure the Premier Junior Hurling Championship title for 2026. The weather conditions undoubtedly made this a difficult afternoon for both teams, but Conahy deserve great credit for the manner in which they adapted to the elements. Their ability to build a first-half lead and maintain their composure when Graiguenamanagh fought back proved decisive. James Bergin and Tom Phelan were outstanding contributors to the Conahy effort, while Edmond Delaney's accuracy from placed balls and open play proved invaluable. The northern side showed the composure required to close out a tight championship final when the pressure was at its greatest. For Graiguenamanagh, there will inevitably be disappointment at falling just short of the ultimate prize. Nevertheless, they can look back on their championship campaign with considerable satisfaction. Their fighting spirit, determination, and ability to battle back into contention were again evident in Nowlan Park. The experience gained by this young Graiguenamanagh side throughout the 2026 campaign should stand to them in the years ahead. Having pushed Conahy all the way in difficult conditions, they have plenty of positives to take from the season and can approach the 2027 campaign with great hope. Conahy Shamrocks were however deserving winners and can look forward to the club All Ireland campaign with great confidence. TEAMS Conahy Shamrocks: Padraig Delaney; Padraig Gunner, Philip Cass, Darragh Horgan; Ciaran Rice, Darragh Hennessy, Liam Cass; Jack Rhatigan, Edmond Delaney; Patrick Kennedy, Tom Phelan, Thomas Rice; Eoin Cahill, James Bergin, Mark Gunner. Subs: Darren Cuddihy Karl Downey Graiguenamanagh: Colin Bolger; Owen O’Brien, Ivan Bolger, Dylan Cahill; Joe Dowling, Richard Foley, James Meaney; Sean Walsh, Cian O’Shea; Pierce Blanchfield, Jack Ryan, Steven Kinsella; Seamus Kavanagh, Ted Dunne, Michael Bolger. Subs: Terry Dreelan Jack Browne Sean Hamilton Tomas Ryan Nicky Ryan. Referee Brian Fox.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

Hurling matters - Review

Sport BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Championship Final 2026 Shamrocks Ballyhale 2-24 Tullaroan 0-8 This was a game that promised much and had great build-up, but defending champions Shamrocks Ballyhale produced an excellent performance to retain their Tom Walsh crown by their biggest winning margin to date. From 1-15, and beyond, the Holden Plant Rental’s sponsored side dominated matters from start to finish and will now look forward to a tough provincial campaign. For Tullaroan, the wait for a 21st county title continues, as they failed to produce anywhere near the level that they are capable of and needed to deliver when facing the awesome men from the south of Kilkenny. The Sash opted to play against the elements and only registered two points in the opening period, the first coming after 14 minutes, from a placed ball, by which time Mark Aylward’s side had 1-6 on the scoreboard thanks to a goal inside 30 seconds from Adrian Mullen. Eoin Cody, like Adrian was playing out the field, went on a great run and rifled his shot towards goal, but the seriously impressive Niall Holland got his hurl to the goal bound effort, but was powerless to prevent Adrian Mullen sweeping the sliotar home. Former two-time Young Hurler of the Year Cody, then fired over from distance, while the eldest of the Mullen brothers did likewise after good work from Killian Ryan and Brian Cody. Eoin Cody then notched his second point, taking a short

Catch 22!

Shamrocks steamroll Sash by 22, to claim No.22

sideline, swapping passes and striking over from tight to the sideline. Some good pressure from the Shamrocks saw them work the ball out of defence to Evan Shefflin, who from centre field, split the Tullaroan posts, having had the freedom of UPMC Nowlan Park. TJ opened his account in the 11th minute, after Niall Shortall had been fouled and the early dominance was cemented when Brian Cody scored, having been nicely played in by TJ and Ronan Corcoran. Having already registered a few wide’s, Dave Mulcahy’s outfit got off the mark courtesy of Shane Walsh, who overall had a day to forget on the biggest stage. Niall Shortall and TJ added to their sides tally, before Evan Shefflin added to his earlier point, thanks to a great catch and pass from the evergreen and classy Joey Holden, who was immense throughout the decider. Another of the Ballyhale

veterans, TJ added a quickfire brace of scores to extend the Shamrocks lead to thirteen points. Tullaroan’s search for a second score ended int he 24th minute, thanks to a nice effort from John Walsh, but The Sash’s touch was alluding them as those in white hunted them down and forced errors, which inevitably led to scores, and this was illustrated soon after when TJ who worked tirelessly throughout, forced a turnover and the ball was switched to Evan Shefflin who collected point

number three for himself. Aylward’s charges tightened the screw a little more, and tagged on further points from Ronan Corcoran, Adrian Mullen and Eoin Cody ahead of the short whistle which saw them head to the changing rooms with a phenomenal 16-point lead. No doubt, there would have been two very different team talks during the interval, but Dave Mulcahy would have wanted his Sash team to play with pride in the second half and at least win the scoring battle over

the next 30 – odd minutes. When play resumed, it would be Eoin Cody that got the scoreboard moving, cutting in from the left before tapping over, all too easy. Tullaroan were dealt a further blow when injury forced the classy Padraig Walsh to leave the field, the former All-Star in tears as he trudged off to be replaced by Ciallin

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

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Hurling matters - Review

Brennan. Richie Reid, who had swept up brilliantly then got on the scoresheet, again, finding himself in space before letting fly. Things were about to get worse for The Sash. Joey Holden dived full length to deflect the sliotar way from Mossy Keoghan. Liam Barron found TJ, who picked up possession out on the left and arrowed a pass into Eoin Cody, who looked to be bottled up, but somehow managed to offload to TJ who moved the ball to Jake Mullen who rifled the sliotar beyond Niall Holland to push the Shamrocks lead out to 21 points at the

midway point of the second period. Tullaroan appeared devoid of ideas on how to halt what appeared to be a smooth-running Shamrocks train, and the train kept on track, Adrian Mullen showing his class once more, finding space and firing over off his left side. Dylan Simpson then took over placed ball duties and

converted a ‘65 for his sides first score after the interval. Mark Aylward’s team then raised the tempo once more; Jake Mullen denied a second major by the agile Niall Holland. The Sash netminder was soon called into action again, somehow denying Eoin Cody and then Adrian Mullen in quick succession to prevent the hammering getting even worse. TJ then settled that passage of play with a ‘65, while Mossy

Keoghan, who had been on the periphery of the game, showed good skill to fire over. Another player with skill in abundance is Eoini Cody, and he showed a lovely slight of foot before setting up Darragh Corcoran who split the posts. Dylan Simpson then fired over a brace from distance, while Shane Walsh despite a tight angle, scored, but points were not making any inroads into the Shamrocks lead. Niall Holland then somehow managed to prevent another certain goal, denying Eoin Cody again. The holders then went back into point scoring mode, Darragh Corcoran, the hardworking Liam Barron and sub Dylan Aylward all raising white flags for the soon to be crowned 22 times champions. Tullaroan keeper Niall Holland then showed his scoring power from the placed ball, striking over a booming effort as the game entered additional time. There was still time for one more score; Barron to Barron and Mikey applied the finish. Final score, Shamrocks Ballyhale 2-24, Tullaroan 0-8.

Teams and Scorers Shamrocks Ballyhale: Adrian Mullen (1-4); TJ Reid (0-4, 3fs, 1 ‘65); Eoin Cody (0-4); Jake Mullen (1-0); Evan Shefflin (0-3); Darragh Corcoran (0-2); Niall Shortall, Brian Cody, Ronan Corcoran, Richie Reid, Liam Barron, Dylan Aylward, Michael Barron (0-1 each) Tullaroan: Dylan Simpson (0-3, 1f, 1 ‘65); Shane Walsh (0-2, 1f); Niall Holland (0-1, 1f); Martin Keoghan, John Walton (0-1 each) Shamrocks Ballyhale: Dean Mason, Killian Ryan, Joey Holden, Liam Barron, Evan Shefflin, Darragh Corcoran, Killian Corcoran, Ronan Corcoran, Richie Reid, Brian Cody, Eoin Cody, TJ Reid, Adrian Mullen, Jake Mullen, Niall Shortall. Subs: Brian Butler for Ryan, 43 mins, Cathal Coogan for J.Mullen,49 mins, Dylan Aylward for R.Corcoran, 54 mins, Cian Cullen for R.Reid, 55 mins, Michael Barron for B.Cody, 55 mins. Tullaroan; Niall Holland; Joe Coughlan, Tomas Dunne, Charlie Cleere, Tommy Walsh, Padraig Walsh, Bill Walton, Martin Walsh, Bill Gaffney, Martin Keoghan, Peter Walshe, Dylan Simpson, Shane Walsh, Gearoid Dunne, John Walton. Subs: Ciallin Brennan for P. Walsh, 36 mins, Mark Simpson for J.Walton, 40 mins, Eamon Holland for Cleere, 53 mins; Jim Moore for Walshe, 53 mins, Tommy Walton for Coughlan, 56 mins. Referee: Owen Beehan (Fenians)

>> SHERRY SAYS... Come in number 22! The latest Tom Walsh Cup decider was probably one of the easiest that the great Shamrocks Ballyhale had. Truth be told, the game was probably over at the short whistle, 16 points ahead, Mark Aylward’s charges kept the momentum going in the second half, registering 1-9 to Tullaroan’s 0-6. Adrian Mullen started the rout, and several others contributed handsomely as they retained their crown. The men from South Kilkenny were simply too good in all areas for a Sash side that failed to deliver on the biggest of occasions. Nothing went right for Dave Mulcahy’s team, wayward shooting, uncharacteristic errors trying to complete the most basic of tasks. However, in Niall Holland they had a real ‘live’ contender for POTM; their netminder had an outstanding day, preventing the Shamrocks goals column from reading 5 or 6. Joey Holden rolled back the years and was outstanding throughout, while Richie Reid was exceptional, sweeping and reading the play brilliantly all afternoon. Killian’s Ryan and Corcoran defended with assurance, while Evan Shefflin and Darragh Corcoran were magnificent, defending and attacking with real vigor. Aylward’s troops flooded the middle third, Ronan Corcoran, Adrian Mullen, Cody’s Brian and Eoin all swarming round the engine room to great effect. TJ’s support play was top notch, laying on scores for many teammates, while contributing plenty to the scoreboard himself. Deserved celebrations had at the start of this week, but the focus will quickly turn to a Leinster campaign beginning next weekend. First up for the pride of Noreside will be a visit to Laois Hire O’Moore Park to take on first time champions The Harps. If Shamrocks can negotiate that tricky away day, a mouth-watering clash against the winners of Kilmacud Crokes and Mount Leinster Rangers is the prize; the latter heavily fancied to lift the provincial title this year.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

Planning notices

Planning notices KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

WE, the National Transport Authority, intend to apply for Permission to replace the existing double-sided lightbox within the bus shelter with an advertising display area of 1.8m x 1.2m on each side with a double-sided unit that includes a digital advertising display area of 1.6m x .93m on each side, along with all associated works and services on the public footpath at Bus Stop 10299 Loughboy Retail Park (opp Volvo), Kilkenny. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny City Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours (9.00a.m.- 1.00p.m and 2.00pm – 4.00pm) Monday to Friday and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application , and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

We, Tom and Mairead Murphy apply to Kilkenny County Council for planning permission for the demolition of existing house and construction of a new dormer style dwelling, shed and all associated site and ancillary works at Forest Hill, High Street, Inistioge Co. Kilkenny. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. www.briandunloparchitects.com

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Michael McGrath, hereby intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Planning Permission for fire safety upgrade works, internal alterations and replacement of 5 no. upper-level external windows at 52 High Street, Kilkenny R95 T685. The proposed development consists of works to a protected structure (Protected Structure Ref: B66 Kilkenny City and NIAH Ref. No. 12000080) and is located within the City Centre Architectural Conservation Area. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. Signed: Brendan Moore Architects, 38 St. Kieran’s Street, Kilkenny, 087 4120718.

WE, the National Transport Authority, intend to apply for Permission to replace the existing double-sided lightbox within the bus shelter with an advertising display area of 1.8m x 1.2m on each side with a double-sided unit that includes a digital advertising display area of 1.6m x .93m on each side, along with all associated works and services on the public footpath at Bus Stop 10273, Dublin Road, at Leggetsrath Business Park, Kilkenny. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny City Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours (9.00a.m.- 1.00p.m and 2.00pm – 4.00pm) Monday to Friday and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL WE, the National Transport Authority, intend to apply for Permission to replace the existing double-sided lightbox within the bus shelter with an advertising display area of 1.8m x 1.2m on each side with a double-sided unit that includes a digital advertising display area of 1.6m x .93m on each side, along with all associated works and services on the public footpath at Bus Stop 10333, Castlecomer Rd, Kilkenny. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny City Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours (9.00a.m.- 1.00p.m and 2.00pm – 4.00pm) Monday to Friday and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

EVERY FRIDAY

The Kilkenny

Observer

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Brendan Moore, hereby intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Planning Permission for alterations, upgrading and refurbishment of an existing 3 storey building and its change of use from shop to office including internal modifications, elevational changes, new rooflights, external signage and all associated site development works at 53 High Street, Kilkenny R95 HE28. The proposed development consists of works to a protected structure (Protected Structure Ref: B66 Kilkenny City and NIAH Ref. No. 12000079) and is located within the City Centre Architectural Conservation Area. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. Signed: Brendan Moore Architects, 38 St. Kieran’s Street, Kilkenny, 087 4120718.

TO PUBLISH A PLANNING APPLICATION, CONTACT US: Call to our office at: Unit 7 Friary Street | Telephone: 056 777 1463 / 086 239 5370 | Email: sales@kilkennyobserver.ie

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

PATRICIA (TRISH) MAHER 3RD ANNIVERSARY

KATHLEEN MACKEY 1ST ANNIVERSARY

In loving memory of Trish Maher Canverstown, Tullaroan, Co. Kilkenny whose 3rd Anniversary occurs on 3rd November.

In loving memory of our Dear Mother, late of Mellows Park, Callan who died on November 3rd 2025.

If I Listen…… If I listen really close In the silence of the night I hear your voice to comfort me And say that you’re alright But it’s often hard to understand Why certain things must be And the reason why they happen Are so often hard to see But I find comfort in the knowledge That God is always there To keep the one I loved so much Forever in His care. I’m Free Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free I took His hand which I heard Him call I turned my back and left it all If my parting has left a void Then fill it with remembered joy My life’s been full, I savoured much Good friends, good times A loved one’s touch A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss Ah yes, these things, I too, will miss Perhaps my time seemed all too brief Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief Life up your hearts and share with me God wanted me now, He set me free Sadly missed and lovingly remembered Mum, Daddy, Michael, Jenny, Terri, John, Emma and Billy Nieces and nephews Family and friends Anniversary Mass for Trish in the Church of the Assumption, Tullaroan on Saturday 7th November at 7.30pm

They say there is a reason They say time will heal Neither time or reason will change the way we feel. Gone are the days we used to share But in our hearts, you are always there The gates of memories will never close We miss you more than anybody knows Love and miss you everyday Till we meet again Always loved and remembered by her loving family, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Anniversary Mass on Saturday 31st October at 6.00pm in the Church of the Assumption, Callan, Co. Kilkenny.

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. R.MCD.

The Miracle Prayer

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

Classifieds

Classified section To advertise your business in our classified section call in or telephone: 056 777 1463, or email: accounts @kilkennyobserver.ie

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026

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Classifieds

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30th October 2026