Kilkenny Observer 7th January 2022

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EVERY FRIDAY

The Kilkenny

Observer

Hospitals now ‘critical’ KILKENNY’S St Luke’s Hospital is coming under mounting pressure from Covid-19 cases which sees a number of clinics and surgeries being postponed.

All Outpatient clinics will remain closed until further notice, apart from Oncology and Antenatal clinics. Patients will be notified accordingly, and some virtual clinics will recommence.

All Day Service procedures are postponed for at least the next four weeks apart from very urgent emergency cases, while

all routine elective surgery has been similarly deferred.

All patients affected by the above measures would be contacted directly, a spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has said it expects more hospitals will have to curtail non- essential work in the coming days, because of the high number of staff absences due to Covid-19.

HSE Chief Operations Officer Anne O’Connor said they ex-

pected the staffing situation to get worse and that it was not clear when the situation would peak.

In related developments, some classes have had to stay at home as schools reopened for the new term in the midst of the surging Omicron.

Principals are struggling with unusually high absences of teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs), who either have the virus or are a close contact of a confirmed case.

Many schools were still frantically trying to find substitute cover to allow all classes to go ahead as normal.

The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) has clarified that the Department of Education won’t be automatically providing medical-grade face masks to teachers, after earlier confusion. . Meanwhile, the Department of Health has confirmed that fully vaccinated passengers arriving into Ireland now no longer re-

quire a negative PCR or antigen test.

Finally, it was revealed that new Digital Covid Certs would be issued from next week, updated to show that people have received their booster vaccine, while the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has said that retailers are removing the Genrui SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Self-Test from sale on a voluntary basis pending further investigation. This follows reports of false positive results.

As a US judge decides the fate of Prince Andrew and socialite Ghislaine Maxwell faces the rest of her life in prison, columnist Marianne Heron ponders what her conviction for sex offences has taught us about society’s attitude to women and girls.

Omicron not as deadly as others Omicron’s high transmissibility means it will become dominant within weeks in many places. However, more evidence is emerging that the coronavirus variant is affecting the upper respiratory tract, causing milder symptoms than previous variants, a World Health Organization official has said.

“We are seeing more and more studies pointing out that Omicron is infecting the upper part of the body. Unlike the other ones, that could cause severe pneumonia,” WHO Incident Manager Abdi Mahamud said.

Covid Update, Page 14

Battered men on the rise Men’s Aid has reported a 30% increase in demand on its domestic violence support services in 2021 compared to 2020.

The charity has reported disclosures of female partners biting, scratching, kicking, slapping and stabbing and men attending appointments with visible bruises, black eyes and stitches.

Opinion, Page 12

And so to 2022

Health fears as we turn to alcohol during pandemic KILKENNY, and Ireland as a whole, faces the prospect of an alarming surge in addiction problems over future years because of a dramatic change in drinking patterns during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The warning came from one of Ireland’s most respected addiction treatment experts, Sr Eileen Fahey, who EVERY FRIDAY

founded the Aiseirí centres in Tipperary and Wexford, the acclaimed Céim Eile recovery support network and co-founded the Aislinn teen addiction treatment centre in Kilkenny.

She has expressed alarm at the surge in home drinking in Ireland triggered by the pandemic — and its potential long-term consequences for

The Kilkenny

Observer UNIT 7, FRIARY STREET, KILKENNY, R95 VHY7

individuals, families and Irish society.

“There are serious concerns at the future implications of this level of alcohol consumption,” she said.

“All the indications are that alcohol consumption in the home has sky-rocketed during the pandemic and there are many of us very worried about the long- term effects.”

Hospitality officials have also expressed concern that repeated lockdowns and the current 8pm curfew on pubs, clubs and restaurants has merely led to an explosion in house parties and the level of home drinking.

Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI) published a study which revealed a 93% increase in alcohol sales from supermarkets

and off-licenses in June 2020 compared to June 2019 as people drank at home with the closure of pubs and restaurants.

Numerous studies are underway into how that shift in drinking pattern also resulted in a surge in the levels of alcohol consumption.

Minimum pricing, Page 6

After an unimaginable and miserable two years, alternating between lockdowns and new outbreaks, are we beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel? Or see the tunnel at any rate.

Paul Hopkins, Page 8

INSIDE Marianne Heron.............P12 Paul Hopkins....................P16 John Ellis ..........................P17 Food & Drink ...................P30 TV & Streaming .............P31 Out & About ...............P34-35 Sport ..............................P39-43

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GETTING IN TOUCH WITH THE TEAM

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News

WIT courses a New Year’s resolution solution WATERFORD Institute of Technology (WIT) has a solution for those who have pledged personal wellbeing and self-care as a priority as part of their New Year’s resolutions: part-time courses starting in January.

Neil Quinlan, Head of the Department of Lifelong Learning at WIT told The Kilkenny Observer: “Personal and professional development courses can be a resolution solution. The benefits of attending a part-time course include getting to see different faces at an evening course, trying out a new skill, or taking the first step on the ladder to changing your life through an online or flexible/ blended course. We even have a Certificate in Management of Occupational Stress and Well-being.”

Applications for part-time flexible courses starting in January 2022 at Waterford institute of Technology (WIT) will close on Monday, January 10.

“There is no need to wait until September to start a course. There are many affordable and subsidised options to choose from at www.wit.ie/parttime, starting this January. We invite anyone who has decided to put themselves first in their New Year’s resolutions to explore our part-time courses,” said Mr Quinlan.

The options available include traditional part-time short courses in such as the 12-week Digital Marketing and Social Media and Introduction to Radio Broadcasting and Presenting courses to give people a flavour of the two different media worlds.

Courses that are useful for the workplace include: the 12 week Certificate in Human Resource Management and Certificate in Project Management courses and the 8-week Payroll and Computerised Accounts course.

“A short course can be a stepping stone for someone curious about pursuing a further qualification. It will

‘The ladder to changing your life...

Learning curve: pictured are students on one of WIT’s fully online part-time programmes

”

give them learning they can apply as well as the experience of returning to learning,” Mr Quinlan said.

Springboard courses that are scheduled to start at WIT in January are: a Cert in Automation Engineering, the online Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Marketing Practice, the online Higher Diploma in Science in Computer Science, online Higher Diploma in Business Systems Analysis.

Springboard+ is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Social Fund as part of the ESF programme or Employability, Inclusion and Learning 20142020.

The institute runs a number of courses aimed at nursing healthcare professionals.

It also has two courses for music lovers and music teachers: Keyboard Skills Module and Western Art Music: Baroque to Mid-20th Century. * See www.wit.ie/parttime and www.wit.ie/springboard. https://www.wit.ie/images/ uploads/News_PDF/Neil_ Quinlan_1.mp4 https://www.wit.ie/images/ uploads/News_PDF/Neil_ Quinlan_3.mp4 https://www.wit.ie/images/ uploads/News_PDF/Neil_ Quinlan_4.mp4

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Big rise in ‘battered’ men MEN’S AID has reported a 30% increase in demand on its domestic violence support services in 2021 compared to 2020.

The charity has reported disclosures of female partners biting, scratching, kicking, slapping and stabbing and men attending appointments with visible bruises, black eyes and stitches.

Three new ways to get Covid illness benefit pay AFTER a change to the guidance around PCR testing, the Government has announced that three new documents can be used to apply for Enhanced Illness Benefit.

The Department of Social Protection said it would now accept confirmation from the HSE of an antigen test order, a HSE close contact text or certification from a GP of Covid symptoms.

In a statement, the department said that people applying for Enhanced Illness Benefit had always been able to use GP certification as proof of having Covid-19.

These changes being introduced by the Department of Social Protection offer another option for customers who need to apply for this payment and should decrease the burden on GPs. The department said it recognised the pressure that GPs may feel and appreciated their co-operation at “this very challenging time for all”.

What minimum booze prices means for you THE introduction of minimum pricing on alcohol in Ireland came into force in the New Year, with the new law will largely affect alcohol sold in off-licences, shops, and supermarkets.

A breakdown of the new measures shows a standard bottle of wine cannot be sold for less than €7.40 and a can of beer for less than €1.70.

Spirits like gin or vodka with 40% alcohol content cannot be sold for less than €20.70 and a 700ml bottle of whiskey for less than €22.

The new law is expected to lead to an upsurge of crossborder sales at off-licences and supermarkets in Northern Ireland.

It also reports daily disclosures of coercive controlling behaviours; invisible abuse that family, neighbours, and work colleagues cannot see.

Emotional, psychological, verbal, and mental abuse were reported as the most harming and difficult to heal from, Men’s Aid said.

The service says that even if legal orders are in place THE Sleep Series is an online video-based service that was created by paediatric sleep consultant, Erica Hargaden (pictured). This year, her company Babogue has added lots of free content specific to twins and multiples to their suite of online programmes.

This module will guide parents on how to establish a successful sleep routine for their little ones. All customers of The Sleep Series enjoy lifetime access to their sleep programmes so each of their existing clients will benefit from this bonus content also free of charge.

Erica Hargaden helps parents overcome their children’s sleep challenges through her private practise, Babogue, which is based in Kildare. She wanted to help more families than private consultations would allow and created an affordable accessible solution in her online sleep programme, The Sleep Series.

These programmes have literally helped thousands of families all over the world with their children’s sleep via her website Babogue.com.

Approximately 1.6 million twins are born globally each year and 18% of births in Ireland annually are twins. The rate of twins being born has been steadily increasing over the past 20 years.

A recent study by the University of Oxford on Reproductive Epidemiology specifically analysed the global increase of twinning.

It highlights that since the 1980s, the global twinning rate has increased by a third, from 9.1 to 12.0 twin deliver-

such as safety, protection or barring orders, there are no consequences for breaches, as judges have not to date put a female in prison for domestic violence / coercive control crimes.

Men ranging in age from 18 to 88 used the service in 2021, from all backgrounds, Men’s Aid said.

It supported men of 25 na-

tionalities in the first quarter of 2021.

Men’s Aid also said there was an increase of more than 100% on child protection referrals to Tusla during 2021 compared to 2020.

Kathrina Bentley, CEO of Men’s Aid, said that, despite the prevalence of violence against men in Ireland, they were very disappointed that

no refuge accommodation was available to men, for fathers and children to flee abusive homes.

“We are awaiting the final draft of the Accommodation Review and are hopeful it makes invisible men visible.

“We are also waiting on the third National Strategy document which is due out in March by the Department

of Justice. This strategy will be addressing domestic violence for the next five years, including funding allocation, and it is imperative that it reflects reality with an equality, inclusion, victim centric approach,” she said. * Men’s Aid Ireland can be contacted on 01 554 3811 or at www.mensaid.ie

Hush, little baby for it’s time for you to sleep

ies per 1,000 deliveries, to about 1.6 million twin pairs each year.

Navigating twins and multiples sleep regimes can be difficult for parents, a challenge that is affecting more and more parents each year

with the rate of multiples on the increase and Erica recognised the need to strengthen The Sleep Series offering to support them.

“I’ve been working with the families of twins and multiples for many years

now, “ said Erica. “We stay very close to our parents, with over 22,000 families connected via our online community and social media platforms, it really helps us to keep an ear close to the ground on what par-

ents want and need.

“My business partner Janet Creighton is the proud mum of twins, so you could say no one is more aware of the reality of the sleep challenges faced by parents in this cohort than we are.”

Demand outdoes supply as house prices rise THE year just gone will be a standout year when it comes to property price increases.

Although the official figures had only extended to October by year-end, annual price inflation was running at a high of 13.5%.

It was the highest rate of increase in property prices in six years, at a time of year when price gains normally start to soften.

Most analysts now agree that

price inflation for the full year is likely to exceed 10%, with Davy upgrading its forecast to 13% growth in 2021.

Most analysts had expected major global property markets to be hit with recessions of varying degrees only to be proved wrong with prices increasing at a rapid pace.

Although there are many factors influencing property prices, the one major driver in Ireland is a clear supply-demand

mismatch, most analysts agree.

Supply improved through the year from the low point in 2020 when putative house vendors decided to sit the pandemic out and held off putting their properties on the market.

However, by the end of the year, there were signs that supply was back at an all time low in almost every part of the country, except for the capital.

According to a report from the property website daft.ie

just published, the total number of properties available to buy online on December 1 last was sitting below 11,500.

That was close to half of the pre-Covid average of 22,500 in 2019.

“Compared to the early 2010s, when there were more than 50,000 homes for sale around the country, it’s a different market entirely,” said Trinity Professor Ronan Lyons, author of the daft.ie reports.

However, the Institute of Professional Auctioneers & Valuers (IPAV) believes that the shortfall may not be as dramatic as the figures suggest.

It said its agents had been reporting a steady supply of stock to the market, particularly as the year came to a close, but they were not advertising them on property portals.

See also Page 22

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News Opinion

The Fact Of The Matter PAUL HOPKINS

So, what we can expect the New Year to bring?

It’s 2022, and is the coronavirus, new strains and all, at long last being put in its place? After an unimaginable and miserable two years, alternating between lockdowns and new outbreaks, are we beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel? Or see the tunnel at any rate.

Will the Pfizer pill pay off?

The new normal will not be the old normal. Ours will be a new world, with a reshaped economy, much as war and economic depression reshaped life for previous generations. Globally, thousands of companies have disappeared. Colleges and schools have been reshuffled. Outdoor socialising is more so, business trips less so. And global politics has entered a new era — with a greater divide between the developed and the developing worlds.

Okay, this is pretty much conjecture. The future is unknowable. But the pandemic

increasingly looks like one of the defining events of our time. The best-case scenarios now seeming somewhat out of reach.

The course of the virus itself will play the biggest role in the medium term. If scientific breakthroughs come quickly and the virus is largely defeated this year, there may not be many permanent changes to everyday life. On the other hand, if a wholly effective vaccine remains out of reach, the long-term changes could be profound.

This we do know: While millions of workers have returned or are returning to the office sometime soon, many others have no choice, including teachers, carers and retail workers. But for many workers, the remote-work experiment shows no sign of ending — as Microsoft puts it: “We’ve seen two years’ worth of digital transformation in two months.”

In my in-tray is a copy of The Economist’s The World Ahead 2022, a look at the important themes and trends that will shape the year ahead. Now in its 36th year, it includes a special section on emerging technologies that could have an unexpectedly sudden impact on society, as the coronavirus and its fledgling vaccines have done.

Pandemic-wise, it predicts that new antiviral pills, improved antibody treatments and more vaccines are coming.

For the developed world, the virus will no longer be lifethreatening, but will still pose a deadly danger in the developing world.

Inflation worries will kick in, caused by supply-chain disruptions and a spike in energy demand having pushed up prices. The banks say it’s temporary, but not everyone believes them. As to the future of work, there is a broad consensus that the future is

‘hybrid’, and that more people will spend more days working from home. But dare I ask, will it be fair? Surveys show that women are less keen to return to the office, so they may risk being passed over for promotions. Debates also loom over tax rules and monitoring of remote workers.

Back to new tech. Regulators in Europe have been trying to rein in the tech giants for years, but have yet to make a dent in their growth or profits.

Now China has taken the lead, lashing its tech firms in a brutal crackdown, wanting them to focus on ‘deep tech’ that provides a global advantage, not frivolities like games and shopping.

But will this boost Chinese innovation, or stifle the industry’s dynamism?

Next up, the climate crunch.

Even as global wildfires, heatwaves and hurricanes increase in frequency, a striking lack of urgency, as Glasgow showed,

prevails among policymakers when it comes to tackling climate change. Moreover, decarbonisation requires the West and China to co-operate, but their geopolitical rivalry is actually deepening. Keep an eye, too, on a solar-engineering experiment due to be carried

‘Inflation worries will kick in . .

out by Harvard researchers in 2022.

Finally, 2022 will be the first year, according to The Economist, in which more people go into space as paying passengers, carried afar by rival spacetourism companies. I believe that space travel and other matters concerning emerging technology and ‘new realities’ are not going to change all of a sudden in just one year but over a longer course of time.

About 70% of the world population is expected to live in urban areas by 2050, according to the United Nations. Other than that, though, much of our world may not have changed that dramatically 30 years from now, never mind in one year.

Then again, it’s all conjecture.

Meanwhile, we have the Winter Olympics in Beijing and the World Cup in Qatar coming up... to remind us of how sport can bring the world together once more.

Happy New Year...

To keep schools open, government must ensure essential mitigations are in place BY: DEPUTY KATHLEEN FUNCHION SINN FEIN TD FOR KILKENNY CARLOW SINN FÉIN spokesperson on Children Kathleen Funchion TD has said that the Government must act now to ensure that schools can remain open by introducing key mitigations.

Teachta Funchion had called on Minister Foley to put in place important mitigations to ensure schools can reopen on Thursday and remain open. She warned that the government’s failure to act on these calls thus far is disappointing.

Teachta Funchion said: “It is important that schools are able to reopen safely and stay open. Schools are the best places for children to learn. Their education has been disrupted so much already in recent years and everything possible must be done to ensure schools can remain open.

“I also echo the Special Rap-

porteur on Child Protection, Dr Conor O’Mahony’s call that school closures should not be the only weapon in our armoury to combat the spread of Covid-19. School closures are incredibly damaging to children and as a State we must do everything we can to make sure then stay open.

“It is deeply disappointing that the government has thus far failed to prioritise making schools as safe as possible so that they can remain open. The Government has been dragging their heels on this issue for months now and letting down children and their families by their ongoing failure to act.

“Schools and the opposition have been raising the importance of HEPA air filtration systems, HSE led contact tracing and the substitution crisis for months now.

“In December Sinn Féin called on the Education Minister, to use the Christmas break to put in place the mitigations that were necessary to make schools as safe as possible. We urged for these changes over the Christmas

break become yet another missed opportunity by this government, which fails to give children’s education the prioritisation necessary.

“The Minister had an initial meeting on 22nd December with a stakeholder group, which was welcomed, but they are only now meeting again this week.

“I cannot understand the lack of urgency from the government. Yet again Government has left it until the 11th hour. This is putting immense pressure on countless schools, and causing huge stress for parents, school staff, and on children.

“Schools are due to reopen on Thursday, and Sinn Féin wants to see children in the classroom.

“However, I am concerned that the Government will simply announce this and then walk away again without adding the additional mitigations needed.

“That isn’t good enough, and the government cannot simply hope that this issue will go away. Many schools will find it harder than ever to find substitutes, and prin-

cipals are at the end of their tether, undertaking contact tracing and sourcing filtration systems.

“The Government must, at last, give education the priority it needs. It should be throwing the kitchen sink at this and doing everything possible to ensure schools do not only reopen this week but remain open.

“That means HEPA air filtration systems in all classrooms, with adequate guidance for principals. That means the HSE being responsible for contact tracing, not principals. That means adequate investment in schools to ensure they have enough budget for heating and other vital resources.

“We cannot take it for granted that just because schools open now that they stay open, we need to treat schools as an urgent priority to keep them open. The Government’s dithering and lax attitude only fails to protect children’s education. It’s time to make education the priority it deserves to be so schools can remain open.”

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Quick action ‘needed’ to aid critical supply chain SWIFT action is needed to avert critical supply chain disruption by simplifying isolation periods for close contact critical workers, according to Ibec.

The lobbying group is calling for: • Increasing number of businesses experiencing staffing challenges from predictable ‘pingdemic’

effects.

• Simplified isolation protocols need to be introduced for critical workers before widespread economic disruption emerges.

Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, has said that the introduction of shortened isolation periods for critical workers is urgent-

ly required given emerging staff shortages across several essential industries.

Existing isolation protocols, along with capacity constraints on PCR testing facilities and complexity around booster availability, means that many organisations are facing significant staffing challenges in the week ahead.

Ibec CEO Danny McCoy said: “Businesses across Ireland are entering 2022 with great uncertainty but are supportive of the short-term public health crisis measures.

“However, increasingly many businesses in critical supply chains are experiencing staffing shortages induced by the ‘pingdemic’

Who, where guide to that booster shot HSE South East Community Healthcare is reminding people that vaccination centres are open and fully operable.

Please check opening times of vaccination clinics at the HSE website https://www2.hse.ie/ services/covid-19-vaccinationcentres/.

Since last week, members of the public can book a booster vaccination appointment through an online self-scheduler, which is available at HSE.ie.

See https://www2.hse.ie/ screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/get-the-vaccine/ booster-booking/.

The self-booking portal shows each individual Vaccination Centre that is open. People can book up to four days in advance. Yiou can book an appointment at any clinic; if travelling over the holidays, they can book a clinic convenient to where you are.

Please see https://www2.hse. ie/services/covid-19-vaccination-centres/ to self-schedule a booster and for dates and times of Walk in/no appointment necessary clinics for the Booster COVID-19 Vaccine for those aged 30 and older at the following five Vaccination Centres: • Kilkenny (Cillín Hill Events Centre) • Carlow (the Woodford Dolmen Hotel) • Clonmel, Co. Tipperary (the Clonmel Park Hotel) • Enniscorthy, Co. Wex-

ford (the CWCW Astro Centre, Bellefield, Enniscorthy) and Kilanerin (Kilanerin Community Centre, Gorey) • Waterford (WIT Arena, Carriganore) The HSE will to continue to operate a combination of clinics, as we move through the booster COVID-19 programme. We will still have walk-in clinics and scheduled appointment clinics, in addition to these new selfscheduled clinics. We hope this new option will facilitate people in availing of the booster dose as soon as possible, to better protect themselves and their families and communities from serious illness caused by COVID-19.

People should be aware that you can avail of the booster at a Vaccination Centre using the self–scheduler only if you are: • aged 30 and older • pregnant • living in a nursing home or a long-term healthcare facility • a healthcare worker • aged 16 to 29 and have an underlying condition • aged 18 to 29 and got the Janssen single-dose vaccine during your first round of COVID-19 vaccination.

You need to wait at least three months (90 days) after your vaccine course before you can get a vaccine. If you have had COVID-19 since you were vaccinated, you should get your booster dose at least six months after your positive result.

effect of close contact guidelines. The well-documented delays in access to PCR tests and booster availability for younger age cohorts across the country are further adding to these staffing challenges,” he said.

“The Government must urgently engage in a practical, ongoing review of self-isolation protocols and restricted

movement requirements for close contacts. Failure to act swiftly will result in unnecessary disruption to manufacturing and retailing activities providing essential supply of goods and services across society.

“It is crucial now to avoid adding a short-term economic crisis to the public health crisis,” he said.

EirGrid to hold community benefit fund online workshop

EIRGRID, the national electricity grid operator, is inviting community groups and not-for-profit organisations to attend a community benefit fund workshop next week.

Communities adjacent to the Laois-Kilkenny reinforcement scheme are being encouraged to attend a virtual workshop on writing a successful grant application for the Laois Kilkenny Community Benefit Fund.

The workshop will take place via Zoom on Tuesday, January 11 at 7pm.

The Community Benefit Fund has an initial €204,600 available for community groups to apply for, and this workshop, facilitated by external community consultant John Warren, will provide information on key elements needed for the application process.

The €204,600 available represents 40 percent of the overall fund which opened for applications in November.

Speaking about the workshop, Chief Infrastructure Officer, Michael Mahon

said: “EirGrid listens and responds and we are conscious that communities and groups may need extra supports, that is why we are putting these in place to ensure applicants have the best chance possible of being successful in the process.”

“We encourage groups who wish to apply for funding to attend this workshop where all aspects of the application process will be explained. EirGrid is transforming the power system for future generations and

with this funding we also want to make sure communities benefit into the future, in tandem with grid developments,” said Mr Mahon.

A one-to-one clinic will also be available on January 12 where groups can seek specific advice about the application process.

To register for the workshop on January 11 visit www.eirgrid.ie/LaoisKilkenny To book a one-to-one clinic session on January 12 please email rjermyn@ mco.ie

We’re back on track!

Fly with special airfare deals from Emirates

The addition of a new rail freight service from Iarnród Eireann and XPO Logistics will offer Irish industry a greener and more efficient mode of transporting freight between the Southeast and West of the country.

It will see the potential for more 5,000 truck movements a year to switch from road to rail, with a resulting

EMIRATES, the world’s largest international airline, has launched a campaign to bring passengers even closer to unforgettable travel experiences in destinations including Dubai, Seychelles, Maldives and Phuket with fares from €489. The following offers are available until January 24: • Dubai: From €489 in Economy Class and €2,200 in Business Class (photo attached)

reduction in road congestion, and a 75% reduction in emissions per unit.

This new rail service will build to twice-weekly operations within just eight weeks and comes as Iarnród Éireann is finalising a new national rail freight strategy to identify growth and investment opportunities to significantly grow rail freight operations.

• Seychelles: Starting at €590 in Economy Class with Business Class from €2,500 • Maldives: Fly better in Economy Class from €670; Business Class fares start from €2,760 • Phuket: Fares from €600 in Economy Class and from €2,890 in Business Class

All fares are for return flights from Dublin and are inclusive of taxes and charges. Custom-

ers will also have guaranteed access to flexible ticket options and Covid-19 medical travel insurance for added peace of mind.

In addition to these specials, customers travelling to Dubai or considering a stopover at the holiday hotspot, can enjoy even more value-add offers from Emirates, including discounts on food and beverages at hundreds of restaurants and bars.

Customers are encouraged to check their latest government travel guidelines and ensure they meet the travel requirements of their final destination.

For more information on entry requirements for international visitors and residents returning to Dubai visit: Please see https://www. emirates.com/english/help/ covid-19/dubai-travel-requirements/

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Opinion

What Ghislaine Maxwell’s conviction shows us AS I SEE IT MARIANNE HERON

THE conviction of socialite Ghislaine Maxwell in the dying days of last year suggests that the balance in the outcomes of sex crime trials has shifted in favour of abused women and girls. And so in one sense it has. Maxwell faces up to 65 years in jail for trafficking girls for abuse by the late Jeffrey Epstein, her former boyfriend.

The usual defence ploy of discrediting the complainants so that the victims rather than the perpetrator are to blame didn’t work for the defence on this occasion. Perhaps it didn’t pay off due to altered attitudes thanks to the #metoo campaign which has called out sexual abuse by men.

Blaming women is an approach that is as old as the hills when it comes to deciding who to believe, in rape and other sex crimes. The bias against women is spelt out in phrases like ‘she was asking for it’, ‘she is no better than she ought to be,’ ‘she is only in it for the money’.

Destroying the alleged victim’s credibility has certainly worked in the past. Remember the infamous 2011 trial of

Dominique Strauss -Khan, at the time head of the International Monetary Fund who was accused of sexual assault and the attempted rape of maid Nafissutou Diallo in a New York hotel. Initially, Strauss Khan was indicted by a grand jury. Immediately a private detective, hot-shot lawyers and PR people were hired for the influential StrausKhan. The case was dismissed

barely a month later when the prosecution ‘reviewed’ their evidence due to ‘lack of credibility’ on the part of the 32-year-old migrant from Guinea. Put it another way, and the defence were ready to say that she couldn’t be believed.

Wind back to another occasion, the so-called rugby rape in Belfast three years ago. Two members of the Irish rugby

team, Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding, were accused of raping a 19-year-old girl at Jackson’s home and two other players were accused of lesser offences.

The trial last nine weeks, was sexually explicit with derogatory sexual messages by the players on social media made public, and the case divided Ireland into pro-victim and pro-player camps. In the end

the jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict.

No matter what any of us may think about the case and its outcome the experience of the alleged victim during the trial would make any woman rape victim think twice about seeking justice through the courts. The young woman involved was subjected to eight days of tough cross-examination by male barristers

and her underwear – a thong – was handed to the jury as evidence. To many it seemed the score was rugby players one, victim nil.

Sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein hanged himself in jail in 2019, Maxwell stood alone to take the rap for the procurement that fed billionaire Epstein’s appetite, and that of some of his associates, for underage girls. Although Epstein’s sex trafficking was known about for years he had only served 13 months in a county jail for lesser offences up until 2018.

Then a new investigation into his activities came about but only due to an investigative journalism series in the Miami Herald which revealed that the evidence of 50 of his victims had been set aside due to pressures from the influential Epstein’s legal team. He was arrested a year later and took his own life rather than face conviction.

No other men, none among those high fliers who enjoyed not only hospitality but engaged in sex with underage girls on offer trafficked by the man who called his private plane the Lolita Express, have yet faced arrest.

Investigation into those other abusers won’t happen. The balance may have shifted in favour of female victims but not so far yet that that the rich and influential will be prosecuted.

2022 What’s your focus? Avoiding the pain of painkillers CLAIR WHITTY

The end of the year can be a good time to reflect on the year gone by and think about any changes you would like to make for the year ahead. This could mean doing something new, or it could be something that you want to stop doing, something that you feel adds no value to your life at this point.

It might be something simple like improving your diet so that you include healthier options on a more regular basis. Maybe you want to increase how

much exercise you do. It could be starting a new course that you have been thinking about, learning a new skill, playing the piano, learning a new language.

It could be about modifying your behaviour and how you react to situations in your life.

It’s a great time to think about your health. Maybe you’d like to improve your immune health, joint health, skin health, or perhaps you are thinking about how you could improve the overall health of your family.

For me, it’s a time to think about what health issues are most important to focus on now that I am 57 and postmenopausal. Bone health and heart health are important

areas to look after at this stage.

Plus, I noticed some hair loss this year which I am working on now. My cholesterol is high.

It was a stressful year, that’s my excuse, plus lack of exercise, hormonal changes, stress, and maybe the odd chocolate bar, would have had an impact on the cholesterol numbers.

The other area I want to improve on, is to walk more.

I tell myself that being on my feet in the shop and going up the stairs is great exercise. It is helpful, but not the solution to exercise and getting out for a good fresh air walk.

These are the areas that I will focus on for 2022. The common connection to achieving these goals are: a healthy diet, exercise, stress control, and quality sleep. I will also top up on nutrients to support the process. I will let you know how it all goes throughout the year.

In the meantime, I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year, I hope that it’s a good one.

Call in to see us at Market Cross Shopping Centre, we would love to chat and help you with your new regime.

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

ANDREW MCDONALD HYPNOTHERAPIST

SOMETIMES you hear people complaining about the “nanny state” when it comes to medication.

Somebody can’t get a pill for this or that and instantly they put the blame on the medical profession and/or the government. There are occasions when there may even be a little substance to their protests. The truth is, compared to certain other parts of the globe, the prescription drug industry and the work of physicians are heavily regulated areas.

The question is however, are we actually more rather than less lucky that we live with such a system? A docudrama recently featured on Disney+, having earlier been screened on Hulu in America, suggests the answer is a resounding yes for the former of these two options.

Dopesick, which dramatised the opioid scandal in the United States, tells the story of what can happen when regulation is weak.

Throw in a bit of corruption and the potential is there

for a desperate crisis. In the nineties, Purdue Pharma, a major American pharmaceutical company developed a drug, and drove a campaign of aggressive promotion, including intimidation of healthcare professionals, which was supposed to “end pain”.

Through trickery, manipulation and corruption they painted their medication, OxyContin, as essentially non-addictive. This was lies.

It was ferociously addicting.

So much so that it became colloquially known by the derogatory term “hillbilly heroin” as one of the areas most targetted by Purdue were the mining communities of the Appalachian region. It literally turned people into desperate addicts simply by them following their doctors’ advice. In an overwhelming number of cases, they didn’t initially abuse it, it abused them. It was even being prescribed in huge amounts for minor issues like a sore back, dental pain or headaches.

The Sackler family who owned Purdue Pharma wanted to sell their drug worldwide and made a concerted effort to get it approved in Germany. The idea was Germany, having famously tough pharma-

ceutical regulation, giving approval would make life easier to get the drug on the market elsewhere. The Germans steadfastly refused.

There is no reason to doubt that similarly vigorous regulatory authorities in Ireland wouldn’t have met the Sacklers with the same response.

Opioids are serious stuff.

Used in the right way, they have an important role to play in medicine. A weak version, codeine, is available without prescription in Ireland. Even with this much less potent opioid, pharmacists are very careful to restrict who purchases it, in what amount and will demand good reasons to sell it over a safer, nonopium based painkiller.

Even with codeine, people can become addicted very quickly. In Ireland, as elsewhere, pain medication addiction is a serious issue.

All of which leads us to another question. Should we be so quick to reach for painkillers when we’re feeling sore? Certainly there are painful ailments which call for pills, whether prescribed or over-the-counter, but others we can remedy without needing to swallow a tablet. Next week, we’ll look at some of the alternatives.

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News

‘Heparin is a widely used anti-coagulan..

A REVOLUTIONARY spray has been tested to both prevent the Covid-19 virus infecting nasal cells in the first place and to reduce viral transmission in those already infected.

An innovative clinical trial is set to commence in Australia testing whether a common blood thinning drug can prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection. The drug is administered by nasal spray and researchers believe it can block the virus from initially infecting cells in the nose.

The nasal spray is based on a hypothesis suggesting initial SARS-CoV-2 infections take hold in the nose via a molecule called heparan sulfate. The virus’s infamous spike protein binds to heparan sulfate which enhances its ability to subsequently interact with ACE2 receptors and infect human cells.

Heparin is a widely used anticoagulant, first discovered over a century ago and safely used as a treatment for heart attacks and blood clots. Gary Anderson, from the University of Melbourne’s Lung Health Research Centre, said early research had indicated that heparin is so molecularly similar to heparan sulfate that it can neutralise SARS-CoV-2 particles when administered directly to cells in the nose.

“Heparin – the active ingredient in our spray – has a structure that is very similar to heparan sulphate, so it behaves as a ‘decoy’ and can rapidly wrap around the virus’s spike protein like a python, preventing it from infecting you or spreading the virus to others,” explained Nr Anderson.

The large clinical trial testing the nasal spray will commence soon in the Australian state of Victoria. The plan is to distribute the spray to 400 houses within 24 hours of a confirmed case in each household. The trial will be blinded and placebo controlled, with each participant directed to take two puffs of the spray three times a day.

Breakthrough nasal spray to fight virus The goal will be to investigate whether the nasal spray prevents Covid-19 in close contacts of confirmed cases. Active Covid-19 cases will also be given the spray as the researchers are also looking at whether heparin reduces the infectiousness of a confirmed case.

The researchers say administering heparin as a nasal spray should not lead to broader blood thinning as it doesn’t

reach the bloodstream when administered through the nose.

Anderson also notes this prophylactic nasal spray should be effective against all viral variants.

“Importantly, this nasal spray should prove effective for all Covid-19 variants because the heparan sulphate binding site is essential for infection, and is likely to be preserved in new variants,” says Anderson. “Hep-

arin binds avidly to the omicron variant currently sweeping throughout the world.”

The trial is set to run for six months, so it won’t be known how well it works until the second half of 2022. However, if it does prove to be effective, it could be rolled out quickly as the drug is already approved for human use, doesn’t require refrigeration, and is easily distributed in plastic vials.

The treatment is not being proposed as an alternative to vaccination. Instead, the researchers suggest it will hopefully help protect those most vulnerable to severe Covid-19 and prevent onward transmission in those experiencing vaccine-breakthrough infections.

“If the treatment is proven to work in the setting of preventing progression and spread within homes, it would support

using the spray to protect highly vulnerable populations such as the elderly, pregnant women, and those with weak immune systems,” said Anderson.

“It may also prove useful to protect our front-line health care workers from illness and to preserve capacity in the health care system.”

Source: University of Melbourne

Scientists find antibodies to target all variants AN international team of scientists have identified antibodies that neutralise omicron and other SARS-CoV-2 variants. These antibodies target areas of the virus spike protein that remain essentially unchanged as the viruses mutate.

By identifying the targets of these ‘broadly neutralising’ antibodies on the spike protein, it might be possible to design vaccines and antibody treatments that will be effective against not only the omicron variant but other variants that may emerge in the future, said David Veesler, investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and associate professor of bio-

‘Overcome the virus’ continual evolution..

chemistry at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle.

“This finding tells us that by focusing on antibodies that target these highly conserved

sites on the spike protein, there is a way to overcome the virus’ continual evolu-

tion,” Prof. Veesler said.

Prof. Veesler led the research project with Davide Corti of Humabs Biomed SA, Vir Biotechnology, in Switzerland. The study’s findings were published in December in the journal Nature.

The omicron variant has 37 mutations in the spike protein, which it uses to latch onto and invade cells.

This is an unusually high number of mutations. It is thought that these changes explain in part why the variant has been able to spread so rapidly, to infect people who have been vaccinated and to reinfect those who have previously been infected.

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News

Garda hit big time by Covid COVID-19 is having a “significant” impact on staffing levels among Gardaí, according to the Vice-President of the Garda Representative Association Brendan O’Connor.

Mr O’Connor, who is a garda in Co Donegal, told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that “units are stripped down”.

Gardaí are travelling further distances to respond to callouts and some gardaí have been asked to come into work on their rest days.

Garda O’Connor said there are significant numbers of gardaí out of work due to the pandemic “and that is having an impact on our members”.

He said: “We are back to the old scenario of fewer people expected to do more, so it’s an added burden on our members.”

He also said there has been no confirmation that gardaí who are deemed to be close contacts will be asked to come to work, but it is something that has been discussed.

Members are “very concerned” about this, he added.

Meanwhile, Iarnród Éireann has said that a number of services have been cancelled due to staff shortages related to Covid-19 and close contact rules.

Details of the services affected are available on irishrail.ie The Chief Executive of Ibec has said that 15% to 18% of staff are absent due to Covid in those businesses that are open.

Danny McCoy said this rate was also “likely to be building” upwards given the scale of the case numbers and the 10-day isolation period [for those not yet boosted].

He said that critical supply chains, such as food, were im-

‘Services have been cancelled due to staff shortages ...

”

pacted in particular.

Derogations will be important in certain industries where workers must attend in person, he said.

“There’s a lot of people who are actually healthy, can work, but are getting caught up in the close contact rules,” Mr

McCoy said.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions said any amendment to isolation restrictions for close contacts “must be guided first and foremost by public health advice”.

ICTU General Secretary Patricia King said: “Congress is

acutely aware of the surging numbers of Covid-19 infections and the knock-on effect of requiring tens of thousands of workers to self-isolate as close contacts.

“We have to continue to be cautious in our approach to any moderation of these rules

given the acceleration of cases and the unremitting strain on our health services and healthcare workforce.”

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said the Government was set to consider reducing the self-isolation period from ten to five days for some

people who test positive for Covid- 19.

The Minister for Transport said these changes would impact those who test positive for Covid-19 if they were asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving.

The Government may also reconsider the rules around isolation for close contacts.

Speaking on RTÉ’s This Week, Mr Ryan said they will look at international examples, such as the recommendation from the American Centre for Disease Control, when party leaders meet tomorrow.

Any proposals on the issue will be put to Cabinet when it meets.

The minister also said that he expected all schools, crèches and colleges would reopen on schedule despite the rise in cases of Covid-19.

Mr Ryan said that each school would have different circumstances but the solution was not to shut them down.

He acknowledged that some schools may have to close if they cannot get teaching cover.

National exhibition puts Kilkenny in its Place ON New Year’s Day the annual exhibition of watercolours

by Turner opened onsite and online at the National Gallery of Ireland.‘Turner & Place: Landscapes in Light and Detail’ was cancelled in 2021 when the gallery closed, due to Covid-19, following Government advice.

This year, a group of 19 rare Irish topographical drawings

by Francis Place (1647–1728), who visited Ireland in 1698, will join the Gallery’s exquisite collection of 31 light-filled watercolours by Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775–1851).

The year 2022 is the 50th anniversary of the gallery’s acquisition of Place’s works – on display in full for the first time since 1972 – which includes an early view of Kilkenny –adepiction ofKilkenny Castle and City from Wind Gap Hill– as well as scenes from Drogheda, Waterford, Dublin and Kildare. A virtual exhibition will be avail-

able online for visitors who would like to explore the show from home.

Niamh MacNally, curator of the exhibition, said:‘“The jewel-like colours and experimental effects in Turner’s luminous watercolours are captivating, while the precise detailing in Place’s prospects, encour-

ages close inspection, with the aim of identifying what has changed, or indeed stayed the same, over time. Turner’s atmospheric watercolours can envelop the viewer, whereas Place’s carefully observed landscape studies contribute significantly to the topographical history of the cities

and towns he depicted in the final years of the seventeenth century.”

In 1900, the National Gallery of Ireland received a bequest of 31 watercolours and drawings by J. M. W. Turner from the English collector Henry Vaughan (1809–99). Vaughan stipulated in his will that the

watercolours be exhibited every year, free of charge, for the month of January, when the light is at its weakest.

Since 1901, the gallery has displayed the watercolours for the month of January, thereby upholding the conditions of his bequest. January 2022 marks 121 years since the Turner watercolours were first exhibited at the Gallery.

Place’s views are the earliest known depictions of Drogheda, Dublin, Kilkenny, and Waterford within the national collection. This fine collection of early drawings, offering a glimpse of late seventeenthcentury Ireland, was purchased exactly 50 years ago through the Gallery’s Shaw Fund. The January 2022 display provides the Gallery with an opportunity to highlight these two important collections of works on paper, both of which came into the Gallery by way of generous benefaction. It is the

first time since 1972 that the rare Place drawings will be displayed to the public as a group.

‘Turner & Place:Landscapes in Light and Detail’is on view until the end of the month.

The exhibition showcases the work of two prominent English artists, working centuries apart, who viewed the landscape at first hand, albeit with radically different results. The exhibition also highlights the importance of two key benefactors (Vaughan and Shaw), both of whom made lasting contributions to the Gallery.

A programme of online learning events to complement the exhibition will include a free curator’s talk, an Irish language conversation event, a talk byDr Helen Pierce, art historian on the work of Francis Place, and a series of online painting classes with artist Niall Naessens.

Find out more atwww.nationalgallery.ie.

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Opinion

The Fact Of The Matter PAUL HOPKINS

2

Why bother with promises that you just won’t keep And so Christmas has gone from us, just like we knew it would, and I trust you all had a good and peaceful one. From my window the avenue is still strewn with windows and doors lit up like landing strips, and only God knows the cost to the national grid.

And, so, a New Year upon us. The wretched pandemic aside, each new year brings its own surprise — and who knows what this year will bring — in some ways, the more things change, the more things stay the same, particularly at this stage in my own life, each year having a familiar feel to it, like an old well-worn favourite overcoat.

The start of a new year is seemingly the perfect time to turn a new page, which is probably why so many people create New Year’s resolutions. Of course, resolutions are much easier to

make than to keep and by the end of January many of us have abandoned our resolve and settled back into our old habits.

We humans are an odd lot. Year in, year out, like clockwork, we get the urge to reinvent ourselves. According to research by those in white coats at the Statistic Brain Research Institute — don’t ask — the most common resolutions we make to ourselves are: lose weight/healthier eating; life/self-improvements ; better financial decisions; quit smoking; do more “exciting things” (whatever that means!); spend more time with family/close friends; exercise more often; learn something new; do more good deeds for others; find “the love of their life”; and find a better job.

According to those same folk in white coats, only one in 10 of us manages to make

a New Year resolution and stick to it with some positive outcome. And most of us stubbornly make the same pledges year in, year out in quasi robotic fashion.

I was never one for making New Year resolutions, in the main because I could never see the point in making promises to myself or anyone else that I knew in my heart I could not keep. In truth, probably did not wish to keep.

Recent polls — why are polls always ‘recent’?

Discuss — show that one in two of us vow that 2022, pandemic permitting, will be the year they will spend more time with friends and loved ones. Good on them, I say. Apparently, the other one of the above ‘one in two’ is making a firm resolution to get fit.

The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more

health benefits than anything else known to mortal man. Studies, some recent, some not, show that getting fit reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis.

In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better. So, how can you fail not to win with regular exercise? Get cracking you lot ...

The other national obsession — as if we didn’t have enough on our plates what with Covid and going back to school and the ever-rising housing crisis — is the overwhelming urge to “enjoy life more”. Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of many of us, is it any wonder that “enjoying life more” has become a popular resolution in recent years.

It was the English philoso-

pher and Zen Buddhist Alan Watts, whom I read avidly as a young man, who said that “tomorrow and plans for tomorrow have no significance at all unless you are in full contact with the reality of the present since it is in the present and only in the

‘Each year having a familiar feel to it..

present that you live”.

However, in wishing you and yours a happy and prosperous New Year, let me leave you with some tweeted New Year resolutions that make for very odd reading, some, unfortunately, unsuitable reading for a family newspaper so I have thrown them out. Each to their own, I guess...

How about @sealionsea for: “My new year’s resolution is to randomly sew one sequin onto every piece of clothing I own.”

Or @jessiegirl who says: “My resolution is to find someone to kiss besides my dog.” (Aw, shucks).

Or @Laurallg22: “Stop using my cat as an excuse for a boyfriend.”

Back to Square One and my New Year resolution, again, is not to make any New Year resolutions.

Which is blatantly a contradiction in terms...

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 07 January 2022

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€100.00 ONE FOR ALL CARD

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The questions are eclectic, ranging from multiple choice, true or false and a riddle or two to make it interesting.

Just complete the quiz questions and fill in the attached entry form, post or drop in your answers to The Kilkenny Observer Office, Unit 7, Friary Street, Kilkenny.

The winner will be announced in our edition of January 28th.

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1. Tesla entrepreneur Elon Musk said the brain of which animal had been implanted with a computer chip, as part of his Neuralink venture?

Gertude the pig.

Thomas the bear Billy the Sheep.

2. Consumers trying to take advantage of Christmas deals temporarily crashed a company’s website in November – whose was it?

Naked Wines.

Alibaba Amazon 3. Drinks giant Diageo recalled its alcoholfree Guinness 0.0 just two weeks after launch in the UK, because: There was evidence of contamination and the possible presence of mould.

Alcohol Problems with ring pull 4. Which city does the annual Christmas busk including the likes of Bono and Glen Hansard take place? __________________________________________ 5. Which city is Die Hard set in? __________________________________________ 6. What is traditionally hidden inside a Christmas pudding?

Money A rag A ring

7. Who served up figgy pudding in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol?

Mrs Cratchett.

The Ghost of Christmas future.

Tiny Tim. 8. In what classic novel does the protagonist set sail for a sea voyage on a cold Christmas day Moby Dick Treasure Island Gone with the wind.

9. How many gifts were given in The Twelve Days of Christmas song?

364 202 187 10. Name of the fictional Christmas song that makes Hugh Grant rich from all the royalties in About A Boy? Rudolf where are you?

Santa’s Super Sleigh The night the elf danced.

11. What is Phishing?

When scammers try to obtain sensitive information from you.

When scammers hack your computer.

When you illegally download something, like a movie.

12. What is disposable income?

The amount of money you can spend after you’ve paid your mortgage payments The amount of money you don’t need to save at the end of the month The amount of money you can spend after all fixed taxes have been paid

13. What does inflation mean?

20. In the Christmas story of the Three Wise Men, what are the gifts they gave to baby Jesus? __________________________________________

Less value of money due to sustained increase in prices Prices decrease More value of money due to sustained decrease in prices 14. You reduce the risk of investing in the stock market by buying a wide range of stocks?

True False

Invest 10% of your savings Research information Make an investment plan for five years Shop for gold jewelry 16. What are the currencies of the following countries: China, Brazil, Isreal, Turkey South Korea

__________________________________________ 18. In which country was paper money first used as a currency? __________________________________________ 19. Which stock market has the Hang Seng Index? __________________________________________

Address........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Mobile................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

6.

HOW TO ENTER COMPLETE THE ENTRY FORM ABOVE YOU CAN DELIVER THE COMPLETED ENTRY FORM BY POSTING OR DROPPING IN TO, THE KILKENNY OBSERVER, UNIT 7, FRIARY STREET, KILKENNY EMAIL TO: sales@kilkennyobserver.ie

23. According to 1946’s Christmas classic It’s Wonderful Life, what happens every time a bell rings? __________________________________________ 24. A Christmas anagram - knife scanner? __________________________________________ 25. In which classic Christmas film does Bill Murray play TV executive Frank Cross?

26. And finally a riddle or two – one for Mammy and Daddy - A chicken was given €7, an ant was given €21, a spider was given €28. How much money was the dog given? __________________________________________

One for the kiddies -

I drop from the sky far more beautiful than rain. There are no two pieces that’ll ever look the same. What am I? __________________________________________

Competition Rules

County .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Email ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

22. What is the biggest selling Christmas single of all time?

__________________________________________

17. Who said: ‘It costs a lot of money to look this cheap’?

Name ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

15. Your friend tells you to invest in gold.

What should you do first?

COMPETITION ENTRY FORM

21. In which European country was the original St. Nicholas born?

7.

8.

9.

10.

This competition is sponsored by John Ellis Financial Advisor.

The closing date for entries is Friday, January 21st, 2022 – 5.00pm.

The winner will be chosen by an open draw held at the office of The Kilkenny Observer on Tuesday, January 25th, 2022 – 5.00pm.

The prize will be €100.00 One for All Card.

The prize is non-transferable; no cash equivalents may be claimed.

All competition entries must be completed on the form only The winner will be advised by phone / e-mail.

After being notified, the winner will be announced in our edition of January 28th.

Entrants will be deemed to have accepted these rules and to have agreed to be bound by them when entering the competition.

The competition is not open to The Kilkenny Observer employees or their families.

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Science & Wellbeing WHILE technology develops at exponential speed, transforming how we go about our everyday tasks and extending our lives, it also offers much to worry about. In particular, many top minds think that automation will cost humans their employment, with up to 47% of all jobs gone in the next 25 years. And chances are, this number could be even higher and the massive job loss will come earlier.

So when will your job become obsolete? Researchers at the University of Oxford surveyed the world’s best artificial intelligence experts to find out when exactly machines will be better at humans in various occupations.

Katja Grace from Oxford’s Future of Humanity Institute led the team that gathered responses from 352 academics and industry experts in machine learning. Then they calculated the median responses to come up with some concrete numbers.

In the next 10 years, we should have AI do better than humans in translating languages (by 2024), writing highschool-level essays (by 2026), writing Top 40 songs (by 2028) and driving trucks.

And, while the consensus may be that driving trucks may come by 2027, it’s easy to predict that this could happen even sooner, with top tech entrepreneurs like Elon Musk constantly pushing the envelope and promising these innovations earlier.

A chore that would take less time – folding laundry should be a breeze for AI by 2022.

Other tasks might take longer, but still within the foreseeable future. It’s likely you’ll be around for these. We should get AI-driven machines in retail by 2031. By 2049, AI should be writing New York Times bestDECEMBER marked the 30year anniversary of the first website which was in in North America.

As the World Wide Web was poised to begin its transformation of modern communications — and, well, life as we know it — a group of staff at the Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Lab at Stanford University in California saw an opportunity to vastly improve the exchange of information within large, international physics collaborations.

That inspiration led to the first website ever created.

Physicist Tony Johnson was part of the group known as the WWW Wizards for their role in the project. Today, Johnson works on the control system for the Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) Camera.

Johnson, recalling the landscape of the web’s birth, said: “At the time, I was working with some colleagues to set up what we were calling the ‘FreeHEP software library’.

The idea was to collect information about software in high energy physics and publicise it, so people would be able to

How AI will take over our jobs in next 30 years

‘Driving trucks may come by 2027...

sellers and performing surgeries by 2053.

Overall, AI should be better than humans at pretty much everything in about 45 years.

As an MIT Technology Review points out, these predictions have a way of coming earlier, AI wasn’t supposed to beat humans at the game of Go until 2027 and that happened back in 2015.

In fact, it took Google’s DeepMind just two years to come up with the necessary tech, instead of the 12 that was predicted.

On the other hand, as 40 years is an average person’s working life, predictions that extend past that might be unreliable as they are based on technology in which the experts might not have enough practical knowledge.

Interestingly, there is a difference in how experts from different parts of the world view the future. Asian researchers put the AI takeover in just 30 years, while their North American counterparts see that happening in about 74 years.

Full automation of labour is expected in under 125 years.

Finally, a sex robot that wants to be your friend The AI remembers that you are 32 years old and like to eat sushi, except on Thursdays.

Marking 30 years of the World Wide Web

reuse the work of others without starting from scratch. We had begun to set it up, but we weren’t sure how to make it easily and publicly accessible.

“Tim Berners-Lee gave one

of his first talks about the World Wide Web at a conference in the South of France at the end of 1991. I was there along with Paul Kunz from SLAC. I remember being re-

ally excited to hear about the web! That was exactly what we needed to set up our software library interface.”

“The web seemed like a perfect way to distribute informa-

tion to the physics community around the world. When I returned to SLAC, I went to talk to SLAC librarian Louise Addis. Paul Kunz had already started working with Louise

on setting up a web server, SLACVM, on an IBM mainframe for the Stanford Public Information Retrieval System (SPIRES) database.”

The internet, of course, existed long before the web.

But the tools available to use the internet, things like File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and text based e-mail and mailing lists, were aimed at nongraphical terminal users, and it was difficult to locate information if you did not already know where it existed.

The web exploited new user interface capabilities available on workstations and personal computers by adding descriptive text and graphics, plus hyperlinks, which made navigating the available information dramatically easier. Once early web search engines became available, that added yet another way to quickly locate information of interest.

The existing tools did not provide a good way to share up-to-date information about our experiments, while the web offered an intuitive, collaborative tool to develop, share, and rapidly update such information—which is why we saw it as such a game changer.

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Travel & Leisure 1. EIGG, SCOTLAND Disconnect on the impeccably green island of Eigg.

In both ethics and aesthetics, Eigg is remarkable. In sustainability terms, it’s unique: the first island, indeed region of the UK, to be self-sufficient in renewable energy. Eigg disconnected from the mainland back in 2008. By balancing solar, water and wind power, the community-owned Eigg Electric provides enough power all year round to supply the 100 or so permanent residents and the 10,000 visitors who come every summer.

The wind turbines were positioned on the slopes of Eigg’s landmark mountain, An Sgurr, not only to maximise wind exposure and minimise turbulence, but to fit into the spectacular setting. Even the solar panels on a flowery south-facing hillside look good.

Ownership of Eigg was transferred to a Heritage Trust in partnership with the Scottish Wildlife Trust in 1997, with contributions from thousands of members of the public.

With empathy and commitment, the community has organised its island so that we can enjoy it too. No visiting cars or campervans are allowed, but it’s small enough for a day trip (from Arisaig on the mainland, a onehour ferry ride). The redeveloped An Laimhrig community hub with cafe – designed by Hebridean architect Will Tunnell, will open in time for the 25th anniversary of the community takeover this summer – and the annual celebratory party takes place on June 12.

Nowhere on Eigg is more than a two-mile hike and Charlie’s taxi is usually by the pier. Next door to the cafe, the shop has a surprisingly eclectic range of goodies and essentials, and bikes to hire.

Despite Eigg’s size (five miles by three), it has several places to stay, including a guesthouse and a great hostel, and campers are welcomed. A new (sustainable) shower block and cool camping pods (from £45 sterling a night for four)by the pier opened last year, and the Isle of Eigg Brewery, a cooperative operating along impeccably green lines, will open in 2022.

The climb up An Sgurr is rewarded with one of the best views in the Highlands. Walks around Laig Bay, with views across to Muck and mighty Rum, could be taken every day, and the ethereal interplay of sand, sea and sky would still mesmerise.

Last summer I visited a lot of Scottish islands for a new photo guide to be published in the spring, but none has its act as consummately planned and holistically together as Eigg. isleofei’.org 2. SALONICA, GREECE I spent the best part of last summer lying on idyllic and isolated Greek island beaches thinking about a very different place and time: the rich and complicated urban history of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city.

British historian Mark Mazower’s thought-provoking book, Salonica: City of Ghosts, transported me from the Byzantine to the Ottoman era,

Five places worth a visit, pandemic permitting the city’s integration into the new Greek state in the early 20th century and the fallout from the second world war.

As much of the region continues to tread a dangerous path of deepening nationalist hostility, Thessaloniki’s history of diversity and coexistence is a sobering reminder that things do not have to be this way: Christians, Muslims and Jews lived side by side in peace for hundreds of years.

Salonica, as it is is also called, was the only city in Europe with a majority Jewish population – the ‘Jerusalem of the Balkans’, though few survived the Nazi occupation and Holocaust. However, Thessaloniki’s cosmopolitan and tolerant energy survives today, with a vibrant culinary and cultural scene.

It was recently named Greece’s first Unesco city of gastronomy I will be going for the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival in March on one of the high-speed trains from Athens which launch this month. From the UK, get a train to Bari or Ancona in Italy, then ferry to Patras and continue on Greek railways (OSE) via Athens to Thessaloniki (with a short substitute bus on the first, PatrasKiato, section).

3. GRENOBLE, FRANCE The city of Grenoble, in southeast France, has been named Green Capital of Europe for 2022, and while it’s well known to skiers, it makes a great destination year-round. Head there in spring, when the train via Paris whizzes through Burgundy’s blooming vineyards and on into the mountains.

Grenoble sits at the point where three valleys meet, and is surrounded by the Belledonne, Vercors and Chartreuse mountains.

Getting around is easy: the city’s cycle- share scheme, Métrovélo, has 7,000 bikes, and there are 200 miles of cycling routes in and around the city.

Visitors can ride between parks and out along paths that follow the rivers Drac and Isère.

For the best views, take the cable car from the city centre up 500 metres to the 19thcentury Fort Bastille. Hikers are spoiled for choice with trails that zigzag around the mountains. The food scene has long embraced sustainability, and several restaurants use only local produce. Book a table at Jeanette, where chefs Manon Bocquentin and Thaïs Giannetti use suppliers from within 20 miles of the

restaurant and forage for mountain herbs for their delicate and inventive dishes.

To rest weary limbs after hiking and biking, check into the bright and modern Okko Grenoble Jardin Hoche Hotel (doubles from €98 room-only) in the ecodistrict of Zac de Bonne. The first of its kind in Europe, it’s a former military brownfield site that was transformed into a sustainable community.

4. MOLISE, ITALY Molise, a sparsely populated region of southern Italy, is so off the radar that many Italians joke that ‘Molise non esiste’ (Molise doesn’t exist). But after visiting for the first time in 2019, I realised the mockery is unfair.

Molise contains the very best of Italy, from the scenery to the food. But best of all, it feels like uncharted territory.

Being someone who enjoys travelling by train, I am now looking forward to returning in 2022 on board the Molise Express, a vintage train that will show visitors the best of the region’s mountains, coastlines and ancient villages.

“Molise is among the leastknown regions in Italy,” said Fabrizio Minichetti, president

of Le Rotaie-Molise, the association that helped launch the initiative. “But we have mountains, the sea, wonderful scenery and many beauty spots that deserve to be discovered.”

The service will be rolled out this year and take passengers through the Biferno valley, from the coastal town of Termoli to the regional capital of Campobasso, stopping off at the villages of Casacalenda and Larino before returning to Termoli. The day trip, costing €24, will give passengers ample time to explore the historic towns, including a trip to the Kalenarte open-air contemporary art museum in Casacalenda. The train carriages, with wooden interiors, date back to the 1920s.

The initiative is one of several vintage train routes planned in Italy as the country seeks to promote train tourism.

In 2023, the Dolce Vita train will be launched: it’s a luxurious sleeper that will show passengers the best of the Italian landscape, from north to south, with stops in more than 100 cities. The service plans to introduce visitors to lesserknown spots, such as the Sila mountains in Calabria.

5.PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC It’s one of the greenest cities in Europe when it comes to parks and open spaces, but Prague has been sluggish on the uptake of sustainability – aside from the newly installed pink city bikes and a sprinkling of zero-waste grocery stores. That’s what makes the B evnov Monastery such a great spot. Founded in 993, this still-active Benedictine friary is a fascinating U-shaped complex, enveloped in a tangle of trees, lakes and winding little paths.

The embedded Adalbert Hotel (doubles from €75 B&B) is an award- winning guesthouse, and its recent eco-revamp has seen it embrace a number of sustainable, planet-saving practices, such as waste reduction, energy saving and using environmentally friendly products. As well as the hotel and monastery (tours available), the complex also rather brilliantly houses a brewery – the oldest in the Czech Republic, no less.

You can sample their lagers, IPAs and wheat beers from the bottle shop-cum-beer hovel, or even better, head to their rustic, fire-heated tavern opposite and combine it with a bowl of delicious mushroom soup.

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Anything is possible according to Nicholas Ryan Purcell NICHOLAS Ryan Purcell pictured with his recently published book ‘Anything is Possible’ which details his life growing up in Ireland and living with autism. It is a wonderful insight into his life and deals with the trials and tribulations attached to autism. The book, which has received many positive comments, tells his story from childhood to manhood, and how with the help of family and friends, Nicholas has taken ownership of his life and his autism.

A review of his book appeared in The Kilkenny Observer on December 21st.

COMPETITION WINNER Congratulations to Ann Marie

Thank you to all who entered the draw to win a gift voucher sponsored by The Kilkenny Observer.

Congratulation to Anne Marie O’Hara, Station Avenue, Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny who won the €200.00 gift voucher for Caulfield’s SuperValu, Loughboy, Co. Kilkenny.

The gift voucher was presented to Anne Marie by Lorna Fletcher, Features & Advertising Consultant with The Kilkenny Observer.

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News

Spike in cigs and alcohol black market in 2021 A SIGNIFICANT spike in major seizures of cigarette and tobacco products in 2021, suggests that the black market being exploited by crime gangs is more lucrative than ever. That’s according to Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) reflecting on 2021 as one of the busiest years for Revenue which announced 57 major tobacco seizures in the past 12 months, 14 of which had an estimated retail value of more than €1 million.

Commenting on the impact felt by registered and legitimate retailers, National Spokesperson for Retailers Against Smuggling, Benny Gilsenan said: “The sheer magnitude of seizures reported by Revenue this year vindicates our concerns that tobacco smuggling is on a sharp rise.

This is resulting in a rapidly growing black market which retailers like myself simply cannot compete against.

“It’s clear that criminal gangs

‘One for all’ phone plug is urged by MEP Clune HAVING a common phone charger for all devices could help save consumers money and reduce electronic waste, according to Deirdre Clune MEP. The European Parliament and its Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee have been asking for a common charger solution for the last decade, continuously calling on the Commission to act. The legislative proposal was finally tabled in September 2021.

The proposal requires that mobile phones and similar devices, such as tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld video game consoles and portable speakers, that are recharged via a wired cable, be equipped with a USB Type-C port, regardless of the device brand.

This revision of the Radio Equipment Directive is part of a broader action to address the sustainability of products, in particular electronics on the EU market, and to reduce e-waste.

Ireland South MEP Ms Clune said: “This proposal would benefit everyone — the environment, consumers, and businesses. Electronic waste is a problem, and reducing charger production and disposal will save thousands of tons of electronic trash per year and help reuse old electronics.”

Figures show that mobile phone chargers are responsible for around 11,000 to 13,000 tonnes of e-waste every year.

There is no legislation currently to encourage manufacturers to provide a common charger for all devices sold. However in 2009 at the request of the Commission, major producers signed a voluntary memorandum of understanding which was aimed at guaranteeing commonality between chargers and mobile phones on the EU market.

This did result in some unity on the matter however this memorandum of understanding expired in 2014 and a new one has not been signed since.

Ms Clune said: “Mobile phone chargers vary according to the manufacturer and model and there are so many different types of charges on the market.

This is not just inconvenient for consumers but it is also harmful for the environment. A common phone charger would help consumers save money while also having a positive impact on the environment.

“This matter has been on the radar at the European Parliament for some time now and they have strongly supported the harmonisation of mobile phone and device chargers.” she said.

are taking advantage of the tidy profits that can now be made from illicit tobacco while undercutting legitimate retail prices. The large consignments we’re seeing seized, primarily at our major ports, is just the tip of the iceberg.

“We know that the majority of illicit product being smuggled into the country is finding its way onto the black market hitting the bottom line of registered retailers,” he said.

A RAS analysis of Revenue an-

nouncements made via press release in 2021 vs 2020 shows: • A total of 57 major seizure announcements were made in 2021, up 24.

• 14 of these seizures were valued over €1 million, up four.

• Over 50.2 million cigarettes were seized, up 2.1 million from last year.

• Over 35.5 tonnes of loose and roll your own tobacco was seized, up 28.4 tonnes.

• 28 major seizures were made at Dublin Port and Rosslare Europort, up 15.

• The total estimated retail value of seizures to date is over €57.1 million, up €24.4 million.

Mr Gilsenan said: “The discovery of 906kg of tobacco linked with last month’s €9.8m drugs seizure at Dublin Port clearly indicates the type of organised crime gangs behind large-scale tobacco smuggling.”

Portrait paints a thousand words for our Vicky CERVICAL smear campaigner Vicky Phelan headed from Limerick home to Mooncoin recently to help unveil her portrait which was sold at auction for close to €60,000.

The Cervical Check campaigner unveiled the painting originally on RTE’s Late Late Show before she headed to America for treatment.

And it is now being shown to locals in Vicky’s childhood home of Mooncoin where it will now be displayed forever.

Taking to Instagram, Vicky said: “Not long back home in Limerick after a magical couple of days down home in Mooncoin with my family, culminating with the unveiling (FINALLY!!!) of my portrait by the seriously talented artist, @vincent-

devineart and bought at auction by my very good friend, @davybrennan79 with ALL proceeds of the sale of the painting, some €58,000 going to @heroes_ aid_ireland “It is almost one year to the day when I unveiled the painting on the @latelaterte, and two days later I left Ireland to head to America, into the unknown.

“I had barely had a chance to view the painting for myself at @rteone studios before my interview with @ instatubridy “And so...today was a very, very special day for me, for Davy, for Vincent and for my family to be able to share this amazing painting with the people of Mooncoin, the place where I grew up, the place I still call home, the place where my

painting now calls home.

“Unfortunately, due to bloody Covid, it was not possible for people to mingle and have a cuppa and enjoy the painting. I would have loved nothing more than to get around and chat to everyone who came today to support me and my painting,” the Mooncoin native said.

“We will organise another viewing when we can freely socialise and hug and laugh and cry together and not have to maintain our distance from each other.

“Today was simply about giving my painting a send off from its home before it starts it’s tour of Ireland starting tomorrow with a month-long stint at the @ solascancersupportcentre in Waterford to mark Cervical Cancer Awareness month.

“Thank you to all who came to view my painting and to hear Vincent tell the painting’s story.

“Thank you to Davy, who bought my painting, for his vision for my painting now and long after I am gone.

“Thank you to @billy.keane.520 for driving up from Listowel and almost being mauled by an Alsatian, when he decided to take a leak by the side of the road somewhere near Slievenamon, for introducing Vincent.

“And finally, thank you to the artist and my good friend, Vincent Devine for capturing my likeness so unbelievably well but, more importantly, for telling my story. There is so much truth in the saying that a picture paints a thousand words,” she concluded.

Kilkenny still keeps it clean!

House prices at seven times average income

A RECENT winner and consistently high performing town, Kilkenny continues to score very well with eight out of the 10 sites surveyed getting the top litter grade. Great care has been taken with the presentation and maintenance of the Main Street. Friar’s Bridge has been lovingly preserved and maintained.

“Both approach roads and

ASKING prices for property rose by almost 10% in 2021, according to an analysis by the property listings website, myhome.ie.

Asking price inflation came in at 7.4% in the capital, but at 10.6% elsewhere around the country.

Quarterly prices also rose by 1.3% nationally in the final three months of the year with Dublin

the train station create a positive first impression for anyone arriving by car or train,” says the citation. One site does require attention – a derelict Site beside Rothe House – while the building has fallen into a state of disrepair it was the accumulation of bags of discarded rubbish beside the bins which brought down the litter grade.

asking price inflation hitting 1.7%.

It was at 1.1% outside of the capital.

The mix-adjusted asking price for a property nationally stood at €311,000 at the end of 2021, the report showed.

In Dublin, it stood at €421,000 while elsewhere around the country it came in at €263,000.

“The unwelcome message

from this quarter’s MyHome report is that there is little sign of conditions easing,” Conall Mac Coille, Chief Economist at Davy and author of the myhome.ie report said.

“This reflects the market grinding tighter, with the stock of homes listed for sale having fallen to a fresh historic low of just 11,300. In addition, Ireland’s labour market is performing ex-

ceptionally well, adding to housing demand,” he said.

He explained that the shortage of stock for sale or rental is most acute outside the capital, which is also evident in a marked decline in the average time to sale agreed to just three months nationally.

Mr Mac Coille said price inflation forecast for 2021 and 2022 would likely now be beaten.

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Much More Than Words THIS WEEK, in our look at the recently published book of poetry and prose by The Kilkenny Involvement Centre and The Recovery College, we feature the work of Jane Meally, Willie Joe Meally and Maria Murray.

Thanks to T.A.S.K, jbs, John Coffey and Danny Brennan for art and photos.

If ever a book deserved the award for ‘The Perfect Title’ surely that accolade must go to a new compilation of poetry Much More Than Words.

Indeed its very title describes comprehensively the diversity of the treasures to be discovered within its covers.

This volume of carefully crafted poems, interspersed with prose and enhanced with well-chosen

Jane Meally

images, is the second collection produced by The Involvement Centre Kilkenny and the first in a joint venture with The Recovery College.

The Kilkenny Observer Newspaper is delighted to promote the work of The Involvement Centre and The Recovery College, and so, will publish a selection of their work over the coming months.

Willie-Joe Meally

‘Much More Than Words’ can be purchased at the following Kilkenny outlets: Bargain Books, The Butterslip Khans Bookshop, James’ Street & The Book Centre, High Street.

Price: €10

Maria Murray

Our Table

Story Teller

Empowerment

This rectangular piece of carved light oak bought in the 1950s to hold the food of a growing family, having fulfilled its duty was stored away.

Now returned stately placed in our kitchen, old and polished prepared to share blessing and bounty, to muse upon.

Our table connects us through passing days and nights.

Lingering moments rest here engrained in lines shaped with love.

All those nights you told us stories in the kitchen sitting on forms and stools, the paraffin lamp flickering on smoke stained pictures.

We listened.

Your words sent our young heads wild in the adventure of a world unknown outside of these walls.

You took us on journeys across oceans to depths of darkness in ghost roaming coalmines, to fierce battlefields dodging bullets and bayonets.

You took us to the skies arriving home on an eagle’s back.

You took us through laneways, through deep valleys and forests.

You brought us to fairy raths we heard their music and their feet dancing on rocks you made it that good.

You entertained us under a thatched roof and flag floor all ten of us staring into an open coal fire, our feet touching the warm hearth flag.

The years raced by – your stories now told to smaller audiences and the crickets in the hot hobs.

For me this was asking for help, realising along with daily activities I could no longer cook the dinner.

So I get meals delivered, three days a week, by the lovely lady.

Jane Meally

Willie-Joe Meally

Maria Murray

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Food & Drink

Dine Me Come

With

Spicy seafood spaghetti Prep: 10 mins Cook: 25 mins Serves: 2

Indulge in this simple seafood pasta dish for two.

Rich, bold flavours that you can create in just half an hour. Feel free to vary the seafood to include your favourites such as prawns or crab.

Ingredients • 1 tbsp olive oil • 2 fat garlic cloves , crushed • 2 red chillies , deseeded and finely chopped • 150ml white wine (optional) • 2 x 400g cans plum tomatoes • 175g dried spaghetti (or pasta of your choice) • 140g mussels , washed and beards removed (you can ask your fishmonger to do this for you) • 140g clams , washed • 100g cooked lobster meat • chilli oil or olive oil, for drizzling • ½ small pack parsley , roughly chopped Method STEP 1

Put a large saucepan of salted water on to boil and cook the spaghetti following pack instructions. Heat the oil in a deep pan, add the garlic and chilli, and fry for 1-2 mins over a medium heat. Pour in the wine (if using) and simmer for 3-5 mins until it reduces by a third. Tip in the tomatoes, burst them with a wooden spoon and bring to a gentle simmer. Season well.

Winter warming cocktails

Indulge in a warming cocktail or a crowd-pleasing punch with some of our best ever winter drinks.

Spiced apple syrup with clementine & cloves Mix this syrup into hot apple juice or wine for a sweet and fiery burst of Christmas flavour. It’s also delicious drizzled over ice cream for dessert.

INGREDIENTS • 200ml apple juice • 1 cinnamon stick • 1 tsp whole allspice • 1 mace blade • 2 whole cloves • small strip fresh ginger • 1 clementine , zest finely peeled with a vegetable peeler • 100g golden caster sugar METHOD STEP 1 Heat the apple juice with the whole spices, ginger, zest and sugar. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 10 mins.

STEP 2 Remove from the heat and leave to cool, then strain the syrup into small bottles.

MULLED WINE Make perfectly spiced mulled wine at Christmas with our easy recipe. Use a good quality red wine like an unoaked tempranillo or try a twist with a dash of sloe gin.

STEP 2 Discard any broken or open clams and mussels, then add to the tomato sauce and cover with a lid. Cook for about 3 mins until the shells open.

Remove any mussels or clams with their shells still shut using a slotted spoon. Stir through the lobster meat.

INGREDIENTS • 750ml bottle red wine • 1 large cinnamon stick, or 2 small ones • 2 star anise • 4 cloves • 2 strips lemon zest, pared using a vegetable peeler • 4 tbsp caster sugar

STEP 3 Drain the spaghetti, reserving a little cooking water and add to the pan. Toss the spaghetti with tongs to coat in the sauce. Serve in big bowls with a drizzle of chilli or olive oil, a scattering of parsley and a good grinding of black pepper.

METHOD STEP 1 Put the red wine, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, lemon zest and sugar in a large pan. Cook on a low heat for 10 mins.

STEP 2 Remove from the heat and cool, leaving to infuse for about 30 mins.

Mexican bean soup with guacamole Prep: 10 mins Cook: 20 mins Serves: 2 This warming, spiced vegetarian soup packs in goodness and is filling too. The quick-to-assemble guacamole topping tastes as good as it looks.

Ingredients • 2 tsp rapeseed oil • 1 large onion, finely chopped • 1 red pepper, cut into chunks • 2 garlic cloves, chopped • 2 tsp mild chilli powder • 1 tsp ground coriander • 1 tsp ground cumin • 400g can chopped tomatoes • 400g can black beans • 1 tsp vegetable bouillon powder • 1 small avocado • handful chopped coriander • 1 lime, juiced

• ½ red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped (optional) Method STEP 1 Heat the oil in a medium pan, add the onion (reserving 1 tbsp to make the guacamole later) and pepper and fry, stirring frequently, for 10 mins. Stir in the garlic and spices, then tip in the tomatoes and beans with their liquid, half a can of water and the bouillon powder. Simmer, covered, for 15 mins.

STEP 2 Meanwhile, peel and de-stone the avocado and tip into a bowl, add the remaining onion, coriander and lime juice with a little chilli (if using) and mash well. Ladle the soup into two bowls, top with the guacamole and serve.

STEP 3 To serve, heat without boiling, stir in the sloe gin (if using, see tip below) and pour into mugs or heatproof glasses.

WINTER WHISKY SOUR This classic bourbon cocktail takes a festive turn with a splash of orange juice and edible gold glitter - perfect for Christmas parties.

INGREDIENTS • crushed ice • 50ml bourbon • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice • 1 tbsp fresh orange juice • ½ tbsp sugar syrup • 2 slices of oranges • To decorate • honey • gold edible glitter METHOD STEP 1 Using a small paintbrush (or your finger), brush some honey around the rim of two tumblers and use another small paintbrush to stick edible gold glitter around each.

STEP 2 Fill each glass with crushed ice. Put the bourbon into a cocktail shaker with the lemon juice, orange juice and sugar syrup. Shake and strain into each glass, and serve with an orange slice and short straws.

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TV & Streaming

The 7 most exciting Netflix series coming in 2022 After the pandemic of 2020 ravaged the globe, there was a sincere sense of hope for 2021. Sadly, it turned out that we weren’t quite in the clear yet. Although we are still trying to be optimistic, nothing apart from films and series can provide solace as we head into 2022.

With quite an interesting lineup for 2022, the upcoming Netflix Original series this year seems to be more promising than the last. After 2021 had a series of interesting series including The Maid, Squid Game, Hellhound, Sex Education and more, 2022 will see more such exciting releases.

Grab some popcorn and show some excitement for the best that is yet to come. With a very interesting line-up of Netflix Original series yet to arrive in 2022, here are seven that deserve your unhinged attention.

Lauren Schmidt Hissrich worked with writer Declan de Barra to bring to the fans of the expanding Witcherverse, the story of the original, first-ever Witcher when “the worlds of monster, men and elves merged into one”. Set nearly 1,200 years before Henry Cavill’s Geralt of Rivia, this prequel series will explain how the witchers came into existence.

Unlike Geralt’s world where witchers are considered an abomination, the series will record how “the world was much more of a Golden Age than what we see in The Witcher years later,” according to Hissrich.

Cast members include Sir Lenny Henrey, Michelle Yeoh, Laurence O’Fuarain, Sophia Brown, Nathaniel Curtis, Mirren Mack, Jacob Collins-Levy, Francesca Mills, Lizzie Annis, Zach Wyatt and Amy Murray.

Working in close collaboration with the man behind the titular bestselling comics – AKA Neil Gaiman himself – Allan Heinberg will present a ten-episode series with an extra ending episode to establish the story of the titular protagonist. According to Gaiman’s repeated promises, the show will not steer away from the original source material despite being staged in the present time, nearly three decades after the events of the original comics.

Starring Tom Sturridge, Boyd Holbrook, Charles Dance, Roderick Burgess, Gwendoline Christie, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Vivienne Acheampong and others, this Netflix adaptation will most likely live up to the high standards set by the comics that brims with vulnerability, sins, madness and engrossing narratives.

It will be a delight to see Gaiman’s extraordinary talent in creating anthropomorphic ideas out of mythological and metaphysical elements be brought to the fore.

The eponymous Capcom game from which the series has been adapted marks Netflix’s foray into the gaming world. With eight one-hour-long episodes starring Lance Riddick, Ella Balinska, Tamara Smart, Siena Agudong and Polo Nunez in prominent roles, the series has already generated quite the buzz before its release. In the new teaser trailer, it released on Twitter, the premise already looks promising and intense.

It will take place over two different timelines. Allegedly, it will mainly explore the dark secrets of the Umbrella Corporation and the outbreak of the deadly T-virus that leads to the establishment of new world order. There is a lot worthy of intrigue to unpack with high-strung action sequences and suspenseful elements all designed to bring the glorious game to the silver screen.

Following his successful stints on Netflix with The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor and Midnight Mass, Mike Flanagan is back with yet another new Netflix Original horror series that will be based on Christopher Pike’s eponymous novel that has grabbed the unhinged attention of horror aficionados.

With 10 episodes on their way, the cast members include Adia, Iman Benson, Ruth Codd, Igby Rigney, Heather Langenkamp, Annarah Cymone, Zach Gilford, Matt Biedel and more.

The series will revolve around seven terminally ill young adult residents of the Rotterdam Home hospice that is helmed by a charming doctor. These people meet every night to tell each other scary horror stories.

At this meeting, one night, they agree upon a bizarre deal where the one who succumbs to their illness first will be responsible for communicating with the others, thus leading to a series of uncanny, supernatural events.

The upcoming 10-episode limited series will be adapted by Studio Trigger who are already popular for their brilliant work in animes like Neon Genesis Evangelion, Live Witch Academia and more. Adapted from Cyberpunk 2077, the series will witness Netflix expanding the gameverse, forming a ripe ground for the production of a sequel.

It shall have no overlap with the sequences of the video games except having the same premise of being based on a street urchin’s survival in a futuristic Night City that is obsessed with body modifications and high-end technology.

The child can choose to be an agile and mercenary rebel known as the cyberpunk and the subsequent edge runner in this riveting setting.

After M. Night Shyamalan’s disaster of a live-action 2010 adaptation, Netflix is here to set the record right and break the curse of adapting the fan favourite TV series. More than a decade after the end of the television series, it has still managed to keep the buzz among fans alive due to its status as a cultural phenomenon.

Despite some obstacles, in the beginning, the show is in its early stages of development. The cast members include Elizabeth Yu as Azula, Maria Zhang as Suki, Yvonne Chapman as Avatar Kyoshi, Daniel Dae Kim as the Fire Lord and others in major roles.

In his collaboration with the Davies following their successful Johnny English stint, legendary British comedian and actor Rowan Atkinson, most popularly known as Mr Bean, will be seen in a 10-episode riotous series as a man battling the noxious and pestilent bees at a mansion he is tasked with housesitting.

Chaos ensues as he indulges in a fight with the bees to fend himself against their wrath.

Atkinson is popular for immortalising Mr Bean with his hilarious physical comedy and antics. He will be seen as a grumpier and older version of the iconic character.

We cannot wait to see what this new insect comedy has in store for us and whether Atkinson’s new character will manage to reign supreme in our hearts much like Mr Bean.

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movies to watch now on Netflix

This coming-of-age 2021 musical drama is based on the true story of teenage British schoolboy Jamie Campbell, who secretly dreams of becoming a drag queen. Peppered with songs from the stage musical’s original score, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie will lift you up with optimism, hitting all the right feelgood beats.

This 2019 tale comes from the minds of a stellar team, including Donald Glover, his brother Stephen Glover and Atlanta collaborator Hiro Murai. Donald Glover voices the free-spirited Deni Maroon, a musician who lives with Kofi, voiced by none other than Rihanna. Dani encounters various obstacles on his mission to hold a music festival for his island community, exploring big themes such as capitalism through the film’s short, 56-minute runtime. Note that Rihanna doesn’t sing, but overall this musical is just catchy and sweet enough to warrant a look.

Benedict Cumberbatch stars in this 2021 biopic about English artist, inventor, entrepreneur and caretaker Louis Wain. Set at the end of the 19th century, it follows a man who, after taking in a stray kitten, creates surreal cat paintings that made him wold famous. They also seem to reflect his own declining sanity.

A feel-good drama with a typically gripping central performance from Cumberbatch, this warm portrait is filled with whimsy, even if it’s a little uneven.

A sublime anthology that doesn’t drop the ball across its five films.

Small Axe, from 2020, is a collection of distinct stories about the lives of West Indian immigrants in London from the ‘60s to the ‘80s. They’re all directed by Steve McQueen, who’s working at his exquisite best (when doesn’t he?), crafting stories such as courtroom drama Mangrove, based on the 1971 trial of the Mangrove Nine and starring Black Panther’s Letitia Wright. Take a seat and devour this massive achievement.

Sound of Metal (2019) scored a bunch of Oscar nominations, including best picture and best actor for the outstanding Riz Ahmed. (It won in two categories: best sound and best film editing.) He plays Ruben, a punk- metal drummer who unfortunately starts to lose his hearing. As well as struggling with a drug addiction, Ruben is forced to settle into his new life in the deaf community and to learn American Sign Language. The film’s stunning sound design immerses you in Ruben’s suspenseful story and the experiences of those around him.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 07 January 2022

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 07 January 2022

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 07 January 2022

Picture special Huijiao and Emma Eoche and Ben their dog

Ger Brophy playing a few tumes in the town hall

Joe Carton and Liam Connolly

Noreen and Amy Brennan and Luna their dog Scott and Ella Nixon enjoying a stroll around Kilkenny.

t u o b A Out &

WITH

y n n a D art Lah

David Ryan and Irina Semikrasc

The Ennis family from Leixlip

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 07 January 2022

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Picture special

Eoin Croghan and Ben Leydon

TheJacob family

Sean Casey

The White family

Edel and Con Crean

Martina Byrne, Paul Curran and baby Margot

The Skelly family from Dublin enjoying the new year in Kilkenny

The Bolger family

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 07 January 2022

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 07 January 2022

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Ladies of the Dragons Lair

Zoe Hogerty, Anita Brennan, Bonnie Fennelly, Danielle Brennan, Orlaith Brennan and Emma Brennan The Brennan Family: Danielle Brennan, Orlaith Brennan, Emma Brennan, Anita Brennan and Jamie Brennan

ON Saturday the 4th of DeDe cember at the Dragons Lair dojo the Kilkenny Jiujitsu club held a grading for both junior and senior students. This was a special one for the club and a pivotal moment in its twenty-year history as a group of female students graded for brown and black belts. The grading was overseen by international instructor and head of the Jiujitsu International Federation, Hanshi Olu Bamgbose 9th dan Jiujitsu.

The club is known as a family club with lots of members being related, there are father/ son, father/daughter training duos, and one special case of four sisters all training together. On the day of the grading the Brennan family from Clogh, Co. Kilkenny stepped onto the mat to grade for their respective belts. Anita and Danielle were first to begin training in the club many years ago and were ready to take on the challenge a black belt grading, they passed and were awarded their black belts.

Their sister Emma graded for

her green belt and youngest sister twelve-year-old Orlaith graded for her junior purple belt with both passing the test.

On the day the youngest member of the family, five-year-old Jamie Brennan graded for his yellow tag belt and was excited to watch his mother Danielle grade for her black belt. The girls are avid jiujitsu enthusiasts and train up to three times a week. They bring a great energy to the class and often the ones to get the students pumped up for class. As is custom now that the girls have received their black belts, they have earned the title of Sensei and begin the next phase of the jiujitsu journey on becoming instructors.

The grading took six hours to complete with everyone getting their chance to shine and impress the judging panel.

Along with the Brennan family on grading day Sensei Bonnie Fennelly earned her 3rd dan in Jiujitsu, she has also earned black belts in Taekwondo and Yamabushi Ryu Kenjustu (art of the Samurai sword). Bonnie

has been a part of the club since she was a teenager, her goal was to learn self-defence which progressed to her starting the jiujitsu syllabus and grading for every belt in the book until she had completed it. Years later she is still to be found on the mat instructing and training with the students that pass through the doors.

Two other teenage girls also graded on the day, Zoe and Guste progressed to brown belt level, and as mentioned before the club aims to have a family atmosphere with both girls having family members that train. Zoe and her father Martin are both brown belts, and Guste has two younger siblings that train in the kid’s class.

The club has gone out to teach self-defence in several schools in the city and county, the goal of these being to take care of oneself if a situation arises. There are also women’s self-defence classes held at the club for any lady who wishes to learn to protect and defend herself. The Dragon’s

Lair is a not-for-profit club and all proceeds made go back into the club to buy equipment, recently the club received a sports grant award that will be used to buy new safety mats, equipment for the Kyujutsu club (Japanese archery), punch bags, and grappling dummies. The Kyujutsu club is part of the Dragons Lair and has a group of ladies that train regularly. Pre Covid, they had taken part in international competitions and won in their respective categories and hope to do so again in the future, senior brown belt Nicki Kenny is currently training for her black belt. Before Covid hit the club members travelled all throughout Europe to Jiujitsu and Kyujutsu seminars to enhance their training and learn new techniques that can be brought back and taught to the students. These trips were often full of eager students of all grades as the club has fostered good friendships with several clubs in Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, and Sweden.

The Dragons Lair Jiujitsu club has been running in Kilkenny for over twenty years under the watchful eye of Shihan Larry McEnroe 7th dan Jiujitsu instructor, 5th dan Kyujutsu instructor, and 1st dan Yamabushi Ryu Kenjutsu instructor. His achievements in the martial arts are many but his main goal is to teach people of all ages self-defence and Jiujitsu. The club has had thousands of students pass through the doors over the years with many earning various belts, however the coveted black belt requires a commitment that only very few are willing to make. Make no mistake getting a black belt in the Dragons Lair means that you have earned it as those who have done it all say it is one of the toughest physical days you will go through however the achievement of completing a dan grade and having the black belt put around your waist is a rare moment that only few will experience.

The Dragons Lair club is

open to new members, classes run for adults on Monday and Wednesday from 8pm to 9.30pm and Friday 7pm to 8.30pm. The children’s classes are run on Monday and Wednesday from 7pm to 8pm and on Saturday morning from 10am to 11.30am. The Kyujutsu (Japanese archery) is on Monday 8pm to 9.30pm and Friday 7pm to 8.30pm.

This is open to new members and is for anyone who would like to try a martial art but feel they wouldn’t be able to take a fully physical form of exercise.

We have a full twenty-meter archery range and provide all equipment needed for class.

The club is run in accordance with the government guidelines on covid, so we do require masks to be worn within the club and proof of covid certificate is needed to train. If you would like to try something new for yourself or a family member please contact Larry McEnroe, head instructor at the Dragons Lair for more information on 087 246 5442.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 07 January 2022

Community & GAA Notes

Kilkenny GAA clubs and Community news

SQUASH CLUB Freshford Squash Club held their Annual Christmas draw again this year and they wish to thank all those who supported their fund raiser and all those who sponsored the prizes.

The following were the lucky winners: 1st prize 200€ - Robbie Webster, 2nd prize - €100 – Charlie Hamilton, 3rd prize - €100 – Leah Williams 4th prize - €100 – Nicky Downey, 5th prize- €100 – Mark Dalton, 6th prize - €50 – Avery Walsh, 7th prize - €50 – Declan Killeen, 8th prize - €50- Kieran Neary and 9th prize - €50 – Richard Byrne.

ANNUAL WALK The Gathabawn Annual St Stephens Day Sponsored Walk took place on St.Stephens Day The group were delighted to welcome all walkers back after the year of covid restrictions.

This year the walk followed strict covid guidelines and took place on the Gathabawn loop with many people liking to walk off the turkey and ham while meeting up with old friends at this annual event .Walkers had three options: walk 1 is 12km long Gathabawn Loop up the Culllahill road and across country roads and farmland.

Walk 2 is 7km Gathabawn short loop was similar and takes approx. 1-1.5 hrs. The first 2.5 country roads after which the main cross country loop is re-joined.

Walk 3- all road loop was from Gathabawn village up the cullahill road, through Coolcashin Ballygooney around to Foyle Bridge and back to Gathabawn 6km family and buggy friendly and taking approx. 1.5 hrs.

The walk started from Gathabawn village between 11am and 12 noon with registration beforehand outside Mackey’s pub .Hot soup was once again served free of charge on return of walkers by kind donation of Glanbia Ballyragget. Thanks to all who took part and all who helped out with organising the event.

ST. VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY Thanks to all who contributed to the annual Christmas collection for the St. Vincent de Paul Society recently. Please note that donations can be made anytime in the blue SVP envelopes which each household has received through An Post. These envelopes can be left in the parish collection box in the porch at Freshford Church or in the collection basket at Tulla Church.

SOCCER Freshford Town had no teams in action over the Christmas and the annual St.Stephens Day tournament was once again called off due to Covid. The Junior side recorded a great win on in their last game out before the Christmas break when they travelled to Durrow to take on the Lions in an away league tie. They came out winners after a great game on a 3-2 scoreline with Jack Cleere getting a hat trick.

The training sessions for U8s finished up for the Christmas holidays and will resuime in the new year. All boys from 5 to 8 years old are welcome so go along and join up.

RAFFLE The Soccer Clubs Christmas draw for the beautiful hamper was held in Kavanaghs bar at the New year and the lucky winner was young Freddie Cullen who was home on holiday with his grandparents for the Christmas.

MACRA na FEIRME Macra na Feirme are looking to establish a new club in the Freshford area. Macra na Feirme is an organisation for young people between the ages of 17 and 35 who are interested in getting involved in sports, travel drama, debating or just want to meet new people and have some

fun. To be a member of Macra you must join a Macra club in your area. This will open the door to new fiends and new activities. There are hundreds of clubs across Ireland bursting with activity who always welcome a new face.

For more information please contact Training and Development Officer – Michael Wall on 0868359891 or email him at mwall@macra.ie BIRTHDAYS Special birthday wishes go out to local lad Paul Dermody of The Square who had a special birthday last weekend. Paul celebrated the big 30.

Also belated birthday wishes go out to another local lad Tommie Condon, The Square who also reached the big 30 recently.

GAA -AGM St Lachtains Gaa club AGM will be held on Friday the 21st January 2022 at 7.30 pm in the clubrooms. All nominations and motions should be with the secretary by Friday 7th January.

All updates on all activities st Lachtains GAA can be followed on our social media pages both on Facebook & Twitter.

SYMPATHY Sympathy Is extended to Brenda Kavanagh Buncrussia Street Freshford and all her family on the death at the weekend of her sister in law Mrs. Ellen Maher late of Brittas Tullaroan.

Funeral mass took place on Tuesday morning last in Tullaroan church followed by burial in Tullaroan Cemetery.

PARISH NEWS Attendance at Masses at present are at 50pc capacity Mass in the Parish Church each Wednesday morning at 9.30am and on Sunday morning at 11am.wiith Mass in Tulla church on Saturday evenings at 8pm. While the obligation to attend Sunday mass is still suspended you are encouraged to return. Safety measures remain in place which includes wearing of masks, social distancing and hand sanitising and full sanitation of the Church after every celebration There was Mass on Christmas Eve at Tulla Church and in Freshford Church at 9.30pm.

Mass on Christmas Day at Freshford Church at 11am with some beautiful music and solo singing and Ms.Moira Maher giving her beautiful rendering of “Oh Holy night” at both masses in Freshford Church.

The restoration of the Stations of the Cross in the Church continues with ten now completed and just four more to go. In order to continue the work you are invited to sponsor one of the stations maybe with your family or a group of your friends. The sponsors will be included in a special roll of honour displayed in the church as a lasting legacy. For further information re same you are asked to please contact Monsignor Kennedy NOTICES The parish newsletter is available on their website every week and also on the website you are free to pay your dues and make donations or any other contributions and you can find out more about it on the website or feel free to contact Jennifer in the Parish Office.

Please note community notices for the parish newsletter should be left in or emailed to the Parish Office by 11am on Thursdays.

MASS CARDS Special printed parish cards are available at the Parish Office or from Annette at Tulla Church signed by Monsignor Kennedy. You can contact the Parish office on 056 8832843 or by email – freshfordd@ossory.ie. Contact Mongr Kieron Kennedy on that number or on 087 25235 COMMUNITY ALERT

Freshford/Threecastles Community alert group remind you that the annual text alert scheme membership is now due. It cost just 10euro per phone number and you can pay membership to any committee member. If unsure or for more information please call Jacinta on 0877658671 or Anna on 0858277965 . New members are welcome and the group wish to thank you all for your continued support. With winter upon us now and the dark evenings and long nights you are reminded to take care of yourself and take care of your elderly neighbours or friends.

HELP FOR ALL Are you struggling with anxiety or depression or finding life difficult or feeling isolated at this time GROW is there to help you. Their Mental Health support Groups are free and confidential and open to all no referral or booking is needed. For more information on same you can contact Mary on 087 284342 If you can’t cope and need support text HELLO to 50808 .

SAMARITAN Whatever you’re going through a Samaritan will face it with you – available 24 hours a day 365 days a year – Freephone 1161Alone is available for older people who need support and you can call them on 0818 222024 (8am to 8pm) AMBER KILKENNY WOMENS REFUGE – is available for confidential support relating to domestic violence - call them on 1850 424244 (24/7) or on 056 7771404 or email into@ amberwomensrefuge.ie.

Dunnamaggin GAA - Round up To all our Members, Supporters and Sponsors we wish you all a peaceful and safe holiday and a Prosperous New Year.

2021 has been another incredibly busy year in the club. On the Development side of things the Juvenile Pitch redevelopment was completed. Work also started on the clubs next development plan with both walkways around the GAA pitches in Dunnamaggin and Kilmoganny being completed in only a few days. This was a massive undertaking for a small country club. Thank you to all who sponsored a load of stone, machinery and volunteered their time, kept the crews refreshed and fed or helped in any way to make this happen in such a short space of time. The Club have also been granted planning permission for a new Gym and ball wall which hope to be completed in 2022.This is all made possible with the support of our members through the Development lotto syndicate and their support of other fundraising activities.

On the pitch it was also extremely busy for the club.The U5 - U11 section of the club continues to grow with good numbers and the pitch on a Saturday morning is a real buzz of activity.

Special shout out to the U10’s who contested the Ayward cup shield final in Ballyhale and the U11’s who brought home the Slieverue shield this year. On the competitive side of things we contested two Hurling Championship SemiFinal, One League Final, One Feile Shield Final and Four County Finals.

Our U15’s were first to contest a final, that being the Roinn B Hurling league final against Piltown.

After a super game Piltown won it by the slimmest of margins Dunnamaggin 3:17 Piltown 2:21. Our Lads had to quickly put that defeat behind them as they competed in the Feile Hurling competition.After a loss to Dicksboro in the opening game,wins against St.Martins and Windgap/Galmoy placed them in a Shield final against city side O’Loughlins. After a very close

game the lads were victorious to lift the John West Feile Division 1 Shield title O’Loughlins 1:2 Dunnamaggin 3:2. 2021 saw history being made in the club when we fielded a third adult Hurling team. This reflected the growth of the club over the last number of years. Both our Junior A’s and Junior F’s made their way through to their respective Championship finals. The Junior F’s were first up against Piltown in Hugginstown and in what was an absolute cracker of a game they were victorious Dunnamaggin 2:17 Piltown 1:17. The very next day our Junior A’s lined out in Nowlan Park in their Final against Mooncoin and in a very tight and tense game Mooncoin just edged it 1:16 to 0:21.Our Intermediate team did not have the season they wished for after the concession of a lastminute goal in their 1st round game saw they play Gowran in the Relegation Semifinal which they won. Next up was our Minor Hurlers who were reigning Roinn B champions. After a truly titanic match against Tullaroan in the Semi they won their way through to the Co.Final again. Danesfort were stronger in the finish and won out Danesfort 0:17 Danesfort 1:10. Our U13’s Suffered a cruel defeat in their Hurling Championship Semi Final against GraigBallyCallan when after a really super game they were tied after normal and extra time and the game was forced to a penalty shootout which they lost. Our last final of the year was the Roinn B Hurling which saw a repeat of the league final pairing again played in Dunmore. Piltown opened brilliantly with the wind and owned the first 20 mins but slowly the Dunnamaggin lads steadied the ship and drew Piltown back in. They took their scores when they were on and with some titanic defending in the second half overturned the League final defeat to be crowned champions a Great victory. Dunnamaggin 2:13 Piltown 1:12. Our U19’s won their way through to a Roinn A Co.Semifinal having beaten city side James Stephens in the quarter final. They faced Thomastown in Danesfort in the Semi. Both sides found scoring difficult in the first half.

Things opened up in the second half and saw Thomastown run out winners 2:15 to 0:15 Local Lotto Draw: Winning Numbers for December 20th : 2, 17, 36 No Winner Winners of Draw for 5 x € 100 Eliz Lawton ( Mags Cahill ),Vinny O Keeffe ( Malachy Hogan ),John Gorey ( Malachy Hogan ),Ray Townsend ( Ray Townsend), US2 +1 ( Kathleen Kirwan ) Promoters Draw €50 :Pat Comerford,Pauline Flynn,Maud Doherty,Michael O Sullivan,Mags Cahill, Joan Phelan ,Breda Smyth,Nellie Maher,Paddy Butler, Niamh O Donovan, Jimmy McCormack Jackpot Next Week December 27th € 4,450 Draw in Townsend’s Dunnamagginat 9pm. All welcome. Wishing all our supporters a happy and Peaceful Christmas.

Dunnamaggin Development Group: Thank you to all who have supported us in 2021. Wishing all in the Parish of Dunnamaggin a peaceful, healthy and happy 2022.

HAPPY NEW YEAR I would like to take this opportunity to wish all readers of these notes a very happy and healthy 2022. God knows the last couple of years have been challenging for everybody and it is almost hard to remember life before masks and just being mindful of where we go and who we meet. Hopefully 2022 will be the year that we say goodbye to Covid and revert back to life as we knew it.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 07 January 2022

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Sport

Athletics Ireland Women in Sport strategic plan 2021-2024

Jacqui Mulhall MSB AC

Mia Cullen & Una Farrell St Pats AC Tullow

Nuala Quigg Star of the Laune AC Michelle Finn Leevale AC Iseult ODonnell Raheny Shamrock AC Jacqui Mulhall MSB AC Saragh Buggy St Abbans Fiona Kelly Newport AC Mary Behan St Pats Tullow

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS NATHAN CAFOLLA Ireland is proud to announce the launch of our Women in Sport Strategic Plan 20212024, during the week of the 6th of January coinciding with Nollaig na mBann.

This plan is designed to both expresses our commitment to women in sport and our vision of inspiring the nation to be active, healthy and to perform through athletics.

Athletics Ireland is continuing to advocate, contribute and support greater female representation at all levels of our sport. This strategic plan has been in development under Athletics Ireland Women in Sport Officer, Lilly-Ann

O’Hora and supsup in conporters. junction It is an with an extensive extenplan that sive supplies a consultaroad map Athletics Ireland Women in tion process for the hard Sport Lilly-Ann O’Hora to finalise the work ahead plan. to achieve the Athletics Irestretch of objectives land will ensure that our and future opportunities actions, programmes, and identified for Women in initiatives are memberSport. centred, with a commitment to promoting female athletic “While athletics has a long endeavours. This plan puts history of promoting gender women at the heart of the equality and empowering organisations strategic direcwomen and girls, it is a sign tion whist continuing the of leadership that an organgrowth of female representaisation can recognise the tion across our membership, areas where improvements participants, partnerships, can still occur. Sport Ireland

welcomes and congratulates Athletics Ireland on the development and launch of its Women in Sport Strategic Plan, and we look forward to supporting the ongoing strides the organisation makes in its commitment to women in sport.”

- Nora Stapleton, Women in Sport Lead, Sport Ireland.

will ensure that we have a structured development of participation and leadership opportunities and ensure that more women are involved in all sectors of our sport.”

- Brid Golden, Deputy President of Athletics Ireland & Chair of the Coaching & Development Committee.

“The contribution of women to athletics as athletes, coaches, officials and administrators has been immense. Athletics Ireland is committed to providing equal opportunities to women to achieve their potential and enjoy all the benefits of our sport. Our Women in Sport Strategic Plan

“From being an athletics administrator, official and parent of athletes, female role models in our sport are vital to inspire more women to get involved, with a strategic plan we can connect, communicate, empower, encourage and support women and provide them with more opportunities to increase

Iseult ODonnell Raheny AC Nuala Quigg Star of the Laune AC Lilly-Ann OHora WIS Michelle Finn Leevale AC Fiona Kelly Newport AC Jacqui Mulhall MSB AC Mary Behan St Pats Tullow AC Saragh Buggy St Abbans

their visibility.”

- Aisling Hoey, Munster Schools Athletics Secretary, Munster Athletics Juvenile PRO, County Tipperary Registrar & IT Manager.

“As CEO I’ve had the privilege of seeing first-hand the impacts Women have had across all levels of our sport, particularly in key decisionmaking roles. This strategic plan provides a road map for our organisation to attract, retain and support our female members to develop within athletics across the many roles available. This is an exciting time for our sport.”

- Hamish Adams, CEO of Athletics Ireland.

Una Farrell St Pats AC Tullow Saragh Buggy St Abbans Fiona Kelly Newport AC Iseult ODonnell Raheny Shamrocks Michelle Finn Leevale AC Mia Cullen St Pats Tullow

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 07 January 2022

kilkennyobserver.ie

GAA

Sport

All pix: Danny Lahart

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

It has been a very strange eighteen months across the world, mostly related to the ‘P’ word.

Yes, the pandemic, COVID-19 has cost all of us so much. During these dark times, the GAA has somehow managed to lift our spirits, and through our Hurling, Camogie and Football we have had a glimpse of what normality was like.

Games without supporters was not something that we could ever have imagined, but our players ensured that we had something to cling to. As restrictions eased, we started to see fans returning to our grounds, and this had an energising effect on games.

LADIES FIRST. The season began with our senior camogs as All-Ireland champions and our senior hurlers with lofty ambitions of getting their hands on Liam again.

The leagues would be the training ground for their assaults on O’Duffy & McCarthy.

Brian Dowling’s ladies’ team went through their Littlewoods league campaign with relative ease, but never quite managed a complete 60-minute performance as they marched to the final showdown in Croker against old foes Galway. For me, the 2-8 registered by Denise Gaule in the semifinal victory over Tipperary at UPMC Nowlan Park, was key to the stripey-women reaching the decider. Goalkeeper Aoife Norris was also impressive in their run to the final, along with her clubmates, Aoife and Kellyann Doyle.

It was fitting that our national broadcaster had decided to televise the league decider live from Croker.

With this match also acting as a ‘test event’ for the reintroduction of spectators, following the easing of COVID restrictions, 3,000 lucky Gaels were in attendance and witnessed an unbelievable advert for the women’ game.

‘Keeper Aoife Norris was outstanding, pulling off a string of fine saves. Denise Gaule, supported by others kept the scoreboard ticking over, but Aoife Doyle’s second half goal was a thing of beauty. The speed, the control, but most importantly the finish – BOOM! A blistering start to the 2nd half saw our ladies turn a three-point deficit into a five-point advantage.

They weren’t to be beaten and had three points to spare on the long whistle. Winning is a good habit and this team were showing all the traits necessary of champions.

The ladies first taste of championship action came against the women of Clare. As expected, Dowling’s charges saw off the challenge of Ger O’Connell’s side, and then found themselves on the road to Mullingar to face Westmeath. This game would lead bainisteoir Dowling to call it the worst performance during his time in charge – but importantly, his side ran out 9-point winners, despite trailing by four at the short whistle. Along with Denise Gaule, it would be St Martin’s sharp shooter, Katie Nolan that was carrying the major threat to opposition defenders.

The Final group game saw the Tribeswomen of Galway rock up to Callan. Games between these two are notoriously tight, and this encounter proved no different. Despite having a numerical advantage for the majority of the match, our ladies came up just short by the minimum on the long whistle. The westerners topped the group, and Dowling’s side would have to navigate a tricky quarter-final trip to Pairc Ui Chaoimh to face-off against neighbours Wexford. A super first half from those in black and amber gave the ladies a platform to rack up a decent winning total of 3-19 and see them over the line by the banks of the Lee. A little trip to headquarters was next up, and the small matter of an All-Ireland semi-final against the Rebels of Cork. Despite a second-half comeback, Brian Dowling’s side fell to a late point from Cork captain Linda Collins.

While many had earmarked Kilkenny as favourites for the semi-final tie at headquarters, the rebels desire to reach their first final in three years was evident.

It was a rip-roaring affair, that could have gone either way, but over the course of the near 65 minutes, Cork probably just about deserved their victory.

At Intermediate level, John Scott’s side navigated their way to an All-Ireland final, where there came up just short against a slick Antrim side. There was much to admire about our intermediate ladies’ efforts over the season, Sophie O’Dwyer, along with Danielle Quigley, Eva Hynes and Ciara O’Keefe all showed up well, and more will be expected in 2022.

The brightest spark in 2021 was undoubtably Mike Wall’s minor ladies. A fantastic campaign saw his charges claim their first minor crown since 2015 – and guess who was in charge then? Yes, you guessed it – Mr. Mike Wall!

The campaign began with an entertaining draw against Waterford, before the minor ladies upped the ante in Thomastown in a 6-point win over Wexford. The Model victory set-up an All-Ireland quarter-final tie with Limerick in Fermoy.

The ease with which our minor’s dismantled the opposition sent warning signs to all other remaining competitors. Amy

Kilkenny co-captains Niamh Phelan and Sarah O’Donnell lift the cup

KK manager Mike Wall

The Right Man! Ladies manager Brian Dowling

Intermediate manager John Scott

Ladies & Gen 2021– A Mixe

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 07 January 2022

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GAA St Martins Sharp-shooter Katie Nolan

Sarah Barcoe - a scintilating talent

Clifford hit 1-14 as Mike Wall’s team romped to a 19-point victory. Next up was a semifinal meeting with Galway in Abbottstown. This game would test the nerves of all involved.

The tie ebbed and flowed and had a little bit of everything, but it would take a goal of real quality from rising star Sarah Barcoe to force extra-time. Thomastown attacker Barcoe would register further scores and finish with a tally of 2-5 to help see her side home by 2 points.

LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick would be the venue for the final showpiece against the minor ladies of Cork. We started well, had a 4-point lead at the short whistle. Cork battled hard, but a second green flag raised by Emma Shortall in the 52nd minute ensured there would be no nail-biting finish to this game. Mike Wall had delivered what he set out to, another Síghle Nic an Ultaigh Cup for the Noresiders.

Sarah Barcoe.

Wow. What a talent. The scintillating Thomastown attacker, I believe, has the camogie world at her feet.

Dicksboro duo Asha McHardy and Amy Clifford excelled also, the latter deadly accurate from play and vitally, the placed ball. In many ways she reminds me of a young Denise Gaule. Throw Clara’s Emma Shortall into the CONTINUED >>> AOIFE NORRIS Dowling’s Numero Uno!

Thomastown’s Aine Kirwan

tlemen... d Bag!

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GAA

Sport

Luke Scanlon showed well for The Village

... CONTINUED

mix, and it’s a potent forward line. In defence, there was great discipline shown throughout the campaign. Niamh Phelan and Aine Kirwan just two of the stand-outs here. James Stephens clubwoman Emma Manogue found her way to midfield and put in stellar performances. The bench was crucial to the successful season, with St Brigids Claire Doheny impressing when called upon. The future’s bright – the future is black and amber.

ABOUT A BOY......

Kilkenny senior hurlers had a largely successful league campaign, topping Division 1B. As no league final was scheduled in this season’s calendar, the title was shared between both Galway and the Cats.

The league saw captain Adrian Mullen return to action and allowed Brian Cody to shuffle his pack game to game. It became clear early on in the league campaign that Glenmore’s Eoin Murphy was a keeper of the highest quality. Murphy would go on to have a great season, and this was duly recognised with an All-Star award in the number one position.

Victories over Dublin, Antrim, Laois and Wexford would come before a final league game against Clare. Perhaps it was the trip to Ennis that helped put some perspective on the shape Brian Cody’s team were in. Clare racked up 4-20 in their home win, as doubts surrounding the Kilkenny defence resurfaced. The Banners win continued their winning streak against the Noresiders – making it six games without a loss.

It was TJ, yet again who finished top of the league scoring charts for Kilkenny – hitting 1-34 across the campaign and making him the only black and amber player in the ‘Top Ten’ Scorer’s list. The reliance on the Ballyhale legend continues.

As we all know, the league’s for playing. It’s the championship that gets the Gael’s going. As Leinster got under way, Cody’s panel watched with interest as their semi-final opponents were confirmed. As expected, Davy Fitz & co prevailed against Laois in Nowlan Park, setting up what was to be his final dig at the cats with the yellowbellies.

In arguably the greatest game of Hurling this year so far, the lads took fans on one hell of a rollercoaster. In front of 8,000 fans at headquarters, both sides provided a fantastic spectacle. In a game that ebbed and flowed for its entirety, Wexford somehow managed to force extra-time by hitting three late scores. The Kilkenny faithful feared the worst when keeper Eoin Murphy was sent to the ‘bin’ for a foul.

Wexford scored the penalty and the cats trailed by the minimum at the interval in extra-time.

Our boys would go to the well again and finish the game strongly, hitting 1-6 without reply in the second period, including a lovely goal from Walter which saw them claim a final berth against the Dubs.

The Leinster decider was never going to live up to the semi-final spectacle, the home side lost some players to COVID-19 in the buildup, and despite their best efforts, Kilkenny claimed a 73rd O’Keefe cup in front of 18,000 Gaels. Leinster was done. Cody knew a bigger, stronger challenge lay ahead, if the cats were to end the wait for Liam.

Kilkenny continued their preparations in their quest for the ultimate prize. Once Cork overcame Dublin in the quarter-final, Cody could focus on what was to prove to be the last match of the season.

Another extra-time affair. Another visit to the well. Ultimately the well ran dry in the final ten minutes of the semi-final battle.

Cork’s pace and running game won the day. Semi-final defeat and heartache for our boys. Our leader and legend, Brian Cody admitted the better team won on the day. As usual Kilkenny went down fighting. They will return hungrier than ever when 2022 season gets under way.

Eoin Cody, named young hurler of the year for the second season running, will no doubt be brimming with confidence for the next campaign. His clubmates, Joe Cuddihy, Ronan Corcoran and Dean Mason could also find themselves seeing some inter-county action in 2022.

Other names in the mix include, Eoin Wall, Luke Scanlon and Cian Kenny.

From the juvenile ranks, we should keep a close eye on the Dicksboro lads – there are a few tasty talents plying their trade in Palmerstown. Harry Shine, Liam Moore, Timmy Clifford and Cillian Hackett to name but four. Thomastown minor captain, Peter McDonald looks like a leader and a real gem.

The club championship has shown Brian Cody that there is plenty of talent around the county. It will be up to our legendary leader to integrate some of this talent into his senior inter-county panel in the pre-season competition and national league.

2022 – Bring it on!

Ronan Corcoran has been instrumental in Ballyhale’s club campaign

TJ Reid vital to the Kilkenny cause

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 07 January 2022

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 07 January 2022

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GAA Eoin Murphy clears his lines

Rise & Shine Harry Shine has a big year ahead Owen Wall O’Loughlin Gaels nippy forward

Adrian Mullen will hope to be involved in 2022

A watching brief - Brian Cody has been keeping a close eye on the club scene

Eoin Cody will hope to blaze a trail in 2022

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 07 January 2022

Motors Classifieds

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

NOW OPEN SATURDAY MORNINGS 9.30am to 12.00pm

CAR WASH – 056 7726289 TYRE BREAKDOWN SERVICE

DENTAL NURSE WANTED

EXPERIENCE PREFERABLE BUT NOT ESSENTIAL AS FULL TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED.

EXCELLENT RENUMERATION AND SUPPORT FOR THE IDEAL CANDIDATE, EMAIL:

DENTALNURSEKILKENNY@GMAIL.COM

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 07 January 2022

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Classifieds Motors

Advertise your Legal Notices/Licence Applications with us at The Kilkenny Observer.

Call: 056 7771463 / 086 2395370 or email: sales@kilkennyobserver.ie for extremely competitive rates.

Glass & Glazing Services Window + Door Repairs Units, Hinges, Locks Repaired or Replaced Mirrors Cut Toughened Glass/Security Glass All Domestic & Commercial work undertaken

Call Jerry 0894976758 jerharding66@gmail.com

Call 056 7771463 for all your classified advertisements.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 07 January 2022

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

The Miracle Prayer

Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.

This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).

Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. S.M

The Miracle Prayer

Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.

This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).

Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. M.M

The Miracle Prayer

Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.

This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).

Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. S.M

The Miracle Prayer

Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.

This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).

Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. M.M

The Miracle Prayer

Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.

This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).

Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. S.M

The Miracle Prayer

Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.

This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).

Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. A.ON

The Miracle Prayer

Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.

This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).

Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. M.D

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. P.B

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 07 January 2022

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Memoriams/Miracle prayers

Planning notices KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL We, Tim & Aimee McSherry intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Planning Permission to build a dwelling house incorporating a garage, entrance to public road, private bore well, septic tank and percolation area and all associated site development works at Damerstown East, Muckalee, 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.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL We, Tony & Helen Greene intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Retention Planning Permission to retain existing extension to the rear of existing dwelling house, garage, store and all associated site development works at Dungarvan, 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.

TO PUBLISH PLANNING APPLICATION, CONTACT US: Call to our office at: Unit 7 Friary Street Telephone: 056 7771463/086 2395370 Email: sales@kilkennyobserver.ie

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News Planning notices

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 07 January 2022