See also

Glanbia share fall: farmers ‘uneasy’

GLANBIA plc’s falling share price has farmers “uneasy” about Glanbia Co-op’s €307m proposed takeover of the plc’s remaining 40pc stake in Glanbia Ireland.

Speaking ahead of this month’s online shareholder vote on the proposal, which could see farmers take full ownership of the milk and grain processor, some suppliers have voiced concerns. While most accept the move as “inevitable”, concern is growing after the recent drop in Glanbia plc’s share price to €11.90/share after trading around the €14 mark for the last six months.

Dairy farmer omas Cooke said: “It’s a necessary move rather than a good move. It’s the inevitable conclusion of what started back in 2012 when they began this process of separating the co-op from the plc.

“I don’t think farmers have much choice about it.

“ ey realise they must get away from the plc, but the problem is farmers are very concerned about the way the plc shares have tanked.

“It’s counter to everything we’d have thought because one of the main narratives over the years was the plc was being ‘dragged back’ by farmer control.

“ e real crux of our problem now is if shares stay down, they’re going to be against the nancing of the project... at this rate, farmers are paying too much for the business.”

ICMSA Farm Committee chair Denis Drennan urged the co-op to reassess its proposal, which includes a direct spin-out of Glanbia plc shares worth €168m.

“ ey have to go back and redo the gures.”

On the share price movement Glanbia company secretary Michael Horan recently said: “At this time of the year, stock markets and share prices can be volatile. ere are current investor concerns from a macroeconomic perspective related to Covid issues, supply-chain concerns, and in ationary pressures.”

According to a report in the weekly Farming Independent, it’s understood funding options for the proposed deal were to be addressed at a Glanbia council meeting.

On their bikes: how we began a recycle initiative

AN initiative that began in Kilkenny has sparked Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council together with Rotary Dublin, Rotary Ireland, e Defence Forces and e Irish Prison Service to appeal for the donation of unwanted bikes for the School Bikes Africa Initiative — a hugely successful project that really took o with Rotary Kilkenny in 2018. e project has been running nationally lead by Rotary Ireland and with the co-operation and assistance of Local Authorities, the Department of Environment Climate and Communications (DECC), the Defence Forces and the Prison Service.

Heading up the project is Jason Dempsey of Rotary Kilkenny, who oversaw the successful launch of the appeal in Kilkenny where there is a collection point at Dunmore Recycling Centre.

Wheels of good fortune: schoolgirls in Gambia, north Africa, with their bikes donated by Rotary Ireland

More than 5,000 bikes have been collected nationally, then repaired and shipped to countries such as e Gambia where school students use the bikes to access education. ey often travel distances greater than 10 kilometres to get to school.

“Rotary Ireland is delighted to see the launch of the 18th collection centre for School Bikes Africa, and to welcome Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to the team. Together we can both improve the environment and enrich lives,” said David Murray District Governor of Rotary.

If you have a bike to donate please take note of the following requirements: Strong sturdy bikes capable of withstanding rough terrain. Bicycles that would suit primary or secondary school students. Bicycles with mountain bike type-tyres. Bicycles with a minimum tyre size of 24 inches.

Jason Dempsey of Rotary Ireland said: “ e initiative is a Win, Win, Win: a win for climate change given the bene ts of repair and reuse as well as promoting sustainable transport; a win for prison inmates providing opportunities for training and rehabilitation and a win for school students in Africa in providing a better chance for availing of education.”

Supports on tap to help local business grow

IFAC, Ireland’s farming, food and agribusiness specialist professional services rm is highlighting the multiple supports available to businesses that are looking to manage the challenges they are facing and grow their business. David Leydon, Head of Food and AgriBusiness with ifac, said: “As Kilkenny business owners look to manage the challenges that Brexit, Covid-19, climate change and digitalisation present, it’s important to make sure that all available resources are being actively considered.”

Some of the latest funding available that can make a di erence for businesses includes:

EI digitalisation voucher

One of Enterprise Ireland’s latest supports is the Digitalisation Voucher. is support is becoming increasingly important as consumers now demand a streamlined digital offering regardless of the product or service.

Businesses must audit their current digital capabilities, including their internal strengths and gaps before reviewing potential external threats including cyber threats or competitor activities.

Brexit loan scheme

Some businesses are struggling to manage the repercussions of Brexit. To support these businesses, the Brexit Impact Loan Scheme (BILS) has been developed by the SBCI in partnership with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the European Investment Fund and the European Investment Bank are o ering a ordable medium-term nance to businesses that have been negatively impacted by Covid-19 and Brexit.

Ensuring a business has adequate working capital is essential to the survival of the business, the BILS can be used by a ected companies to secure the necessary working capital.

Climate action

With businesses looking to reduce their emissions and improve their environmental focus, Enterprise Ireland has developed the Climate Enterprise Action Fund which consists of several supports including the Climate Action Voucher, GreenStart and GreenPlus.

* Check out www.ifac.ie/newsinsights to be kept up to date. If you are looking to engage with one of the supports mentioned above and need more information, contact your local ifac o ce or davidleydon@ ifac.ie.

€204,600 kick-starts community bene t fund

THE electricity grid operator EirGrid has opened the Laois Kilkenny Community Bene t Fund with an initial €204,600 available for community groups to apply for. e €204,600 available represents 40 percent of the overall fund.

e Laois-Kilkenny Community Forum and Community Bene t Fund were established by EirGrid to recognise the important part that local communities play in the development of the electricity grid and will go to bene t groups and projects in these areas.

EirGrid is proposing to reinforce the network in the general Laois-Kilkenny region and plans to achieve this through the development of a new transmission line between the two counties. e Laois-Kilkenny reinforcement scheme will address the concerns on the network in the local area and ensure that the system can comply with the grid’s technical standards. is will also ensure a reliable, high quality standard of electricity supply for the present and future needs of all users.

Communities adjacent to the line in Laois include Coolnabacky, Timahoe, Ratheniska, Spink and Ballinakill and in Kilkenny, include Ballyragget, Ballyouskill and Tinnalinton, with priority given to those areas within 3km from the countyline.

€1m. to aid women in surviving domestic violence

ALLIANZ Insurance is supporting the world’s strongest women by breaking the silence on domestic abuse in Ireland with the launch of a new three-year partnership with Women’s Aid and €1,000,000 in funding to tackle domestic abuse. e partnership will support Women’s Aid in tackling the issue of domestic abuse and support those women who are living through domestic abuse in Ireland. is is a multi-faceted partnership with nancial and non- nancial supports, including the internal training of all senior managers at Allianz, a domestic abuse policy and supports for their 650+ workforce, and nancial support for Women’s Aid consisting of a public awareness campaign, funds donated. e issue of domestic abuse can take violent and non-violent forms (coercive control, nancial abuse). e issue beame more prevalent during the last 20 months of the pandemic with more than 29,700 contacts with Women’s Aid in 2020 resulting in 30,841 disclosures, which was an increase of 43% on 2019. e selection of Women’s Aid as the chosen charity partner for Allianz Insurance followed research with Allianz employees and customers on the right cause for the company to champion. e topic of domestic abuse was chosen as having a right t with Allianz as protection is at the core of insurance and applying this lens of protection to potential issues that often arise within the home is a tting extension of that remit. e Women’s Aid partnership and campaign will be championed within Allianz Insurance by the company’s Chief Executive O cer, Sean McGrath. e selection process was overseen by leading adviser on cause partnerships, Business In e Community.

CON DOWNEY, a Nonagenerian, passed away on Sunday last 28th November. He was 95 years old. He was the last surviving member of Kilkenny AFC which was formed in 1948 when soccer was reorganised in Kilkenny following World War 2. Con, along with a small group of people such as Jimmy McAlister, Billy Walsh, Johnny Bourke, Paul Fennelly, Marty Buckley and Mick Owens took on the responsibility of organising League soccer in Kilkenny for those ‘feeder’ clubs which formed or reformed after the ‘Emergency’. Con played with his beloved Talbot’s Inch initially and subsequently Green Celtic which had been founded in 1942.

Like most of the administrators/players of the day, Con served in several posts including refereeing to help out. Con served the League with distinction. When the League folded due to apathy in 1967-68, Con decided that it was time for a new radical approach to organising local soccer. What had been considered a disaster by some at the time turned out to be a blessing in disguise? When Con retired from playing he set about both forming and coaching a youth team called Ormonde.

Con sowed the seeds of strengthening the underage side of the game in 1969. Up to that point you had just two grades at Under 16 & Minor/ Youths - U18. e concept of Kilkenny Schoolboys Soccer was born with Con, Brendan Lonergan, Mike Kelly and Eric Wilcox to the fore. e rest was history as the say. Con will always be a ectionately known as the ‘Godfather’ of Soccer in Kilkenny…….what a legacy.

Con was never a stickler for the rulebook or red tape, his motto was to let as many children play the game as was physically possible, even it meant 20 a-side games. He was never a fan of the ‘Dublin Brigade’ e.g. o cialdom. He always enjoyed bending the rules a little bit to suit the needs of all the kids who wanted to play the game. Birth certi cates were expensive to get in those days!!!

Con’s brainchild of the schoolboy league has paid rich dividends over the past ve decades with so many players coming from the schoolboys and juvenile ranks into youths, junior and senior soccer. Domo Connolly became the rst Kilkenny Player to be capped at Schoolboy International level for Ireland. So many others were to follow like Jimmy Donnelly, Michael Walsh for example. Michael Reddy (Sunderland) & Seanie Maguire (Preston North End) to mention but some became International players and played professional football in England.

Kilkenny’s success at Inter League level ranks among the best in the country with success at schoolboy, youth and junior levels. Evergreen & Freebooters are ranked amongst the top junior clubs in the country. e list of Kilkenny players who have been capped at International level and who have played senior soccer with League of Ireland clubs is endless now. Con’s pivotal role in all of this success should never be forgotten. e foundations were right and his legacy is being enjoyed by thousands of players across the Kilkenny & District League today.

Con was also renowned for his charitable work in Kilkenny city and St Canice’s Parish in particular. He helped many struggling families in his native parish in many ways. A founding member of Sunday night Bingo at St Canice’s Hall at the Butt’s Green where he helped to raise thousands for so many local families. He was also instrumental in setting up St Vincent de Paul house at the Butt’s Green. He played a huge active role in supporting the Fr McGarth Centre which provided so many children’s services to the local community.

Con was a great humanist too and is noted for his voluntary work in his native parish St Canice’s and is the stu of legend. He had a particular a nity with the people of e Butt’s. Con enjoyed open access to the people’s homes in the Butt’s. e Waterbarracks soccer pitch was his ‘Mecca’ and he loved nothing better than to see up to forty children playing an impromptu soccer match there.

Con served for many years on the Kilkenny Sports Stars Awards committee, having been invited to do so by his great friend Alderman Tommy Martin, Mayor of Kilkenny in 1974. He transcended all sports and cultural societies and believed in the maxim of ‘Sport for All’ ever before the phrase was coined. He singlehandedly organised the annual Santa Christmas appeal through the columns of the Kilkenny People newspaper. He spent hours on end in the days leading up to Christmas organising the recycled presents for less fortunate children in St Canice’s parish and the wider community.

Con’s legacy to the game of soccer could be best summed up by saying that he had the common touch with people and he never failed in his unstinting support for a game and people that he truly loved and especially his beloved St Canice’s Parish. He enjoyed great success winning several Leagues, Cup and Shield titles on the eld of play with Green Celtic. He took great pride in his children’s success in soccer too. He will be sorely missed by his wide range of friends in Kilkenny Soccer as well as his many friends in his native community and further a eld.

On a personal note, Con also enjoyed the social side of things, together with his great friend Michael ‘Moc’ Lawlor RIP he entertained us royally on many District League social occasions especially at the League Cabaret nights and Referee outings. He was a truly wonderful character who loved people. Con is now gone to his eternal reward and no doubt he is organising a game in Heaven with the Man above and many of his past great loyal soccer friends, like the late Marty Buckley, Billy Walsh, Terry Cullen, Milo Grogan, Paddy Henderson and Moc Lawlor.

Sincere sympathy from the Kilkenny Soccer fraternity to his children Geraldine, John, Eugene, Eileen, Mary and Una and their families on their sad loss of a wonderful father, grandfather, person and just a great human being. Con was so proud of the achievements of his children both on and o the playing elds. He was predeceased by his beloved Gertie and the late baby Gerard a number of years ago. It was Gertie who enabled Con to do all of his volunteerism with a smile on his face. Con worked all his working life at Mahon and McPhilips, where his leadership talents lead him through the ranks to a management position. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.

DB

Ever working for the local community, Con Downey (third from right) pictured in 1992 with residents of Talbot’s Inch when they were working on restoring the steps from Talbots Inch to The Weir . (Photo Pat Brett)

Con Downey An appreciation

The late Con Downey pictured with his wife Gertie. (Photo Pat Brett)

Con Downey, with lifelong friend Mike Kelly, pictured at the celebration of the 50th anniversary of founding of the ‘Kilkenny and District schoolboys League’ ( 1969- 2019)

Photo : Paul Kelly

Famed local farm is restored to its former splendour

BUILDINGS at the birthplace of former Kilkenny All-Ireland winner Jimmy Kelly have been conserved under the Green, Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) traditional farm buildings restoration scheme.

Kelly scored the winning point in the 1939 ‘ under and Lightning’ nal and won a second title in 1947.

His son Michael who now farms the land at Castlebanny, south Kilkenny, used the buildings for cattle until recently before building a modern housing facility. e restoration will breathe new life into the buildings as they will now be used for storage of feed and materials.

Situated on high ground, the name Castlebanny means ‘castle of the milk’ or ‘milking.’ ere is a hamlet marked on the 1829 Ordinance Survey (0S) maps and the some of the buildings marked on the map are now being restored, according to Michael.

“ is hamlet consists of four homesteads/farmyards, an example of an architectural style exclusive to south Kilkenny. ese settlement types consist of a unique clustering of houses, outbuildings and haggards. Ownership boundaries can be blurred, and the land associated with the holdings can be some distance away and intermixed with other holdings,” according to Michael Kelly.

A large barn built in 1910 is also being restored. is features brick arches and lintels and a wrought iron gate. Works are limited to restoration of the roofs and limited repair to some of the doors.

“ e stone walls are an example of the outstanding craftmanship of the time and save for some outward leaning from the pressure of the roof, are in excellent condition,” Michael said. e work is being carried out under the supervision of the Heritage Council and Michael contended that without its assistance and that of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), as well as acceptance into the traditional farm buildings restoration scheme, the works may not have taken place.

Michael quali ed for the scheme as a participant of the GLAS environmental scheme.

Covid finds itself on the wrong side of the law

THE majority of Irish law rms are optimistic about the year ahead with some experiencing improvements in the last 12 months, but Covid-19 is continuing to have a negative impact on the sector with two-thirds reporting turnover to be below pre-pandemic levels. ese results form part of a new report from professional services and wealth management rm Smith & Williamson, in its 10th Annual Survey of Law Firms in Ireland, carried out by market research consultancy, Amárach. is year has seen a signi cant reduction in rms concerned about the economy, down from 94% last year to 35% of rms this year. e report also indicates that some con dence has returned to the sector with two in three rms (63%) anticipating an improved outlook for the sector in the next twelve months.

As we emerge from a challenging nancial period, 39% of rms reported seeing revenues recovering and increasing over the last year, with this gure rising to 53% among the Top 20 rms. However, just under half (49%) of smaller Dublin rms also experienced a downward impact on fees due to competitive pressures.

Maintaining pro tability has been a huge concern for all rms, big and small. More than half of all rms that reported increases in revenues showed growth in excess of 10%. But, over half of rms (58%) reported that pro ts are still below pre-Covid levels and over one quarter (29%) experienced a signi cant reduction in revenue.

A signi cant number of law rms continued to avail of Government supports during 2021, as half of all rms (48%) reported their continued use of the Government’s wage subsidy schemes, down from 70% in 2020. For the Top 20 rms, there has been a similar reduction with 47% using Government support this year, down from 60% in 2020. More than one in three regional rms (36%) have stated that sta continued to use the Pandemic Unemployment Payment in the last year, down from 50% in 2020. In terms of tax, 29% of rms used tax warehousing and deferral of tax payments this year, down from 43% in 2020.

As we emerge from the complete shutdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, recruitment and retention of sta has now become the key concern for all Top 20 rms in Ireland, and 70% of all rms in Dublin. e Law Survey has highlighted that one in three (35%) rms increased sta numbers over the last twelve months, increasing from 22% reported in 2020, whereas 23% of rms had reduced sta numbers. ere also now appears to be a disconnect between how employees and employers see the workplace in the future, with employees reprioritising their own work/life balance in favour of a greater focus on life outside of work. e “new normal” working arrangements are a key issue with most rms becoming more exible.

Most of the Top 20 rms reported that they are facilitating remote working going forward, but approximately one in three regional rms and one in ve smaller Dublin rms state that they are unlikely to do so.

However, it has been identi ed in the report that the decisions by employers on remote and hybrid rules are key issues for employees and may result in a potential movement of talent. SUPPORTING academic and innovative excellence in Irish students, the Naughton Foundation Scholarship Awards are an investment in the future of Ireland’s reputation as a country with outstanding graduates promoting the study of engineering, science and technology at third level.

Founding patrons Dr Martin Naughton and his wife Carmel (pictured above) recently announced the winners of the 2021 awards with Kilkenny student Maria Comerford receiving a scholarship worth €20,000.

Since its establishment 2008, scholarships worth over €4 million have been awarded to more than 330 students. e scheme started in three counties and has continued to expand annually to become a nationwide scheme. ere is one guaranteed scholarship (€20,000) for each participating county, with some counties awarded more than one scholarship. Each scholarship is worth €5,000 a year for each year of a student’s three or four year undergraduate degree.

Traditionally the awards are presented by Martin and Carmel Naughton at a ceremony with the students’ schools and families in attendance but as a result of current restrictions this event was unfortunately deferred again for this year.

A former student of Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny, Maria Comerford has accepted a place in Trinity College Dublin studying Pharmacy. Maria joins 37 exceptional Irish students who were awarded third level scholarships towards their studies in the areas of engineering, science, technology and maths.

More than 200 schools have also bene ted from this prize to date with some schools receiving it on more than one occasion. Maria’s former secondary school Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny, received a prize of €1,000 towards their school’s science facilities, for their support of these students.

Speaking about the growth of the programme in the past 12 years, Dr Naughton said: “ After the di cult academic year that 2021 was, we are particularly delighted to announce this year’s scholarship winners and their schools. We are both really looking forward to welcoming them to our growing community of Scholars and Alumni.”

Our student Maria receives €20,000 Naughton bursary

Fishermen reel in €1 million in shared funding

KILKENNY shermen have been urged to reel in up to €1 million in shared funding from a Government conservation scheme. e funding is part of Inland of a Fisheries Ireland’s Habitats & Conservation scheme for 2022.

Allocating up to €1 million, applications for funding will be available for shery owners, angling clubs and other stakeholders around the country.

Priority will be given to projects focusing on sh habitat conservation and rehabilitation, such as the improvement of water quality and sh passages.

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan welcomed the funding call and encouraged all eligible Kilkenny people stakeholders to apply.

“ e Habitats and Conservation Scheme is a great example of how we can encourage and support the stewardship role of managing our natural resources across the country. is important environmental scheme supports angling clubs, shery owners, and stakeholders – in helping them to improve damaged habitats, water quality and sh passage,” the Minister said.

“ e works and studies supported by the scheme in the future will also recruit in wider bene ts for the environment. As the funding call is now open, I would encourage any eligible group or stakeholder in Kilkenny to contact Inland Fisheries Ireland and express their interest in applying for this grant before the deadline.”

In 2021 a total of €785,604 was allocated to fund for 18 projects based in Kilkenny Galway, Laois, Donegal, Cork, Roscommon, Limerick, Mayo, Westmeath, Wicklow and Wexford. Examples of these projects included the construction of rock ramp passages to provide upstream or downstream travel for sh, as well as the installation of alternative sources of drinking water for livestock.

Suzanne Campion, Head of Business Development at Inland Fisheries Ireland, said that sh protection and conservation played a crucial role in the protection of the country’s eco-system.

Kilkenny Street Christmas window blues

In the Build up to Christmas, e Kilkenny Observer newspaper will publish four short stories by Kilkenny authors. Each story will have a Christmas theme, and will, we hope, spark some beautiful memories for our readers. e Observer is delighted to promote the arts in general, and we wish to thank the four writers for their contributions. e writers include Willie Joe Meally ( Clogh), Joe Brennan ( Callan) Catherine Cronin (Cellarstown) and Patrick Gri n ( Loughboy, Kilkenny city) is week’s contribution comes from Willie Joe Meally.

A CHRISTMAS STORY BY WILLIE JOE MEALLY

It was 1959. e weeks leading up to Christmas were very special. As I walked through the streets of Comer, on my way to the Boys School, the shopkeepers were busy preparing their windows. I was eager to go to school early, just to have a longer look in the windows, not just a glance.

As Christmas drew nearer all the windows were decked out fully. At lunch break there was a mad rush down the street, and every school child gathered around the windows to have a look at the toys on display. I chose the early morning, for my personal viewing, if the window wasn’t all fogged up.

I knew what I wanted. Right there in the corner was a complete cowboy out t. Yes, that was mine. I imagined myself walking down e Old Road in Moneenroe, two guns in the holster, loaded with full rolls of caps, ready to draw on anything or anyone that moved. I practised well on my way home from school, dreaming of becoming the fastest gun around. Well not as fast as Audie Murphy or Annie Oakely or the Cisco Kid. To make matters o cial, I told my school pals of my intended Christmas gift. Word spread. Now and then, a lad would challenge me, “Ok cowboy, go for your gun?” On a few occasions, I had to fall.

Christmas Eve arrived and I went shopping with my mother, promising to carry the shopping bags for her. I couldn’t wait to get down Kilkenny Street to my favourite window. “Mother, mother, I have something to show you here in this window,”

“Oh, what is it now?

I looked in the corner of the window. ere was an empty space. I was speechless, no cowboy out t, just a broken derailed train set, a few scraggy dolls, a few boxes of jigsaws and Snakes and Ladders and in the corner a little red mouth organ.

“Well, what is it you want to show me? asked mother.

“ ere it is, that little red mouth organ, could I have that please mother?” “Can you play it?”

“No, but I could learn.”

“You’d have to take it down the elds to play it, until you learn it, you can’t bring it into the kitchen, sure it would annoy us all. Well, I’ll see what I can do. We may hurry now as it will soon be getting dark.”

Mother gathered up another few messages. We headed for home, over e Big Bridge. It started to snow again. We came upon a carman, he was hammering frost nails into the horse’s hooves. We stopped to have a word with him and he said, “I’ll be needing them by the time I get to Coon, I hope to be home before Santy arrives.”

We walk slowly, my heart breaking for the cowboy out t. I wondered who got it. We rested at the rst Black and White Wall. Mother halved a bar of Cadbury’s Cream Chocolate, and handed me one half, it was delicious.

“ ere’s your mouth organ and for God’s sake, don’t tell the others how you got it. Tell them you found it.” It had a case to hold it, with blue and green stripes. Horner was inscribed on the mouth organ.

I took it out, gave it a few blows. It sounded good. I would have blown it all the way home only my ngers were getting numb. e snow stopped. At e Black Path Stile a burst of evening sun lit up around us. Blackbirds picked haws on Comerford’s hedge, Sammy Bradley’s white mare rested under the beech trees.

“We’re nearly there, a mhac, I hope the kettle is singing.” Willie-Joe Meally

Willie Joe Meally, founding member of Clogh writers group Western Heroes for young boys growing up in the ‘60’s Will Hutchins, Peter Brown, Jack Kelly, Ty Hardin, James Gardner, Wayde Preston and John Russell

* Willie-Joe Meally is from Moneenroe, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny and is now living in Kilpatrick, Clogh. Married to Jane, he is a founder member of Clogh Writers (1995). He has published at local, national and international level, and has also has read his work at literary events and workshops throughout the country. He writes mainly poetry and short stories. His work re ects a local theme, rooted in a mining heritage. One of his stories was adapted for a short lm and was well received in Ireland and abroad. He was very involved in Clogh Writers’ organisation of four Culture Night events and welcomes visiting writers from near and far.

Pat’s Vegan and sugar free Christmas pudding

Patrick, my brother, was the Christmas pudding maker with our mam when we were young. Back then she made several puddings for her siblings. He helped her every year, he was the only one of us who had any interest in all of the stirring, mixing and wishing. It’s no surprise then that it was Patrick who went to the trouble to nd a sugar free pudding recipe that would taste amazing. Best of all, he says it’s easy to make and it’s vegan too. We trialled the pudding with our customers previously and they gave it their thumbs up. Now he wants me to share the recipe with you as he feels there are lots of you who are looking for a tasty sugar free or vegan Christmas pudding.

INGREDIENTS:

• 100g Doves plain white our • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg/ mixed spice, and ground cinnamon • ½ teaspoon salt • 75g True Xylitol • 40g breadcrumbs • 100g Suma vegan suet • ½ teaspoon Doves baking powder • 6 tablespoon brandy • zest and juice of 1 orange and 1 lemon • 100g each of True raisins, sultanas, and currants • 50g mixed peel • 50g cherries • 100g of dates. Chop and soak for thirty minutes beforehand • Combine all the other ingredients and mix well with a wooden spoon. Use enough liquid so the mix drops from the spoon. • Grease your pudding bowl. I used a 1.2lt bowl. • Leave about 2cm from the top to allow pudding to rise. • Cover with greaseproof paper then tinfoil and secure with string. • For an easier option you could get a plastic pudding bowl with a lid. is works perfectly well too.

STEAM FOR 6 HOURS.

• Place pudding in a saucepan and ll halfway with boiling water. Keep an eye and top up as necessary. • Let the pudding cool. Once cooled pop out of the bowl and wrap with greaseproof paper and store in a cool place until ready to eat. • Best served warm with your favourite vegan topping.

Enjoy! • Shop online at www. naturalhealthstore.ie