Kilkenny Observer 9th February 2024

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Friday 09 February 2024

A Father's Victory Supreme Court Ruling 'redefines the family' 

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Inistioge is inn again

Two landmark pubs in village to reopen as going concerns

Two landmark pubs in Inistioge are in the process of being bought, with a view to being reopened later this year.

The Woodstock Arms pub, restaurant and B&B sold for €680,000, €130,000 above its asking price.

On the market with auctioneers, Donohoe Town & Country Ltd, This property is

beside the village’s famous square where the Dunnes Stores Christmas ad was shot and which featured in the acclaimed film Circle Of Friends’ . It measures an extensive 6,000 sq. ft., including a restaurant, bar and hotel premises.

Auctioneer Louise McKillen said: “It’s sale agreed and it’s at

contracts stage.We had a bidder at €675,000 and we got it away at €680,000.”

She said the premises was being bought by a few people, including a local business partner. “They are going to run it as is. They will develop the kitchen and be looking at the food end of things. It’s great for the village. I think it will drive

the village on a little bit as well, with the B&B and pub/restaurant enterprises coming on.”

Describing the Woodstock Arms as a well run family business, Ms McKillen said the sale should go through in the coming weeks. “It’s nice to see a fresh start at it for someone running it as a B&B, pub and restaurant.”

She welcomed news that O’Donnell’s was at sale agreed also. “It’s good news for the village and it bodes very well for things going forward. These people buying The Woodstock Arms are very eager to get in and get started, with a view to opening ahead of St Patrick’s Day.” O’Donnell’s pub has been

John Bruton: ‘a good husband, a good father... a true patriot’

This crazy little thing called love For St Valentine’s Day we all want the flowers, the chocolates, the romantic dinners. But now we know. According to the neuroscientists, love is just a whole bunch of chemicals gone haywire in your brain. On Valentine’s Day, to the tune of some €35.5bn. spent globally on flowers and gifts.

That said, in the final analysis, a tell-tale sign of a healthy love is having the ability and support to evolve independently as well as with the other person.

Enjoy time with your loved one.

VALENTINE’S REPORT Page 14

Immigration will dominate on the doorstep Immigration topped the list of issues getting the attention of voters in the past month, according to a sentiment survey

by The Irish Times and Ipsos B&A. As we head towards the local and European elections in June, there is no doubt that the issue will be raised with candidates on the doorsteps.

Fine Gael is updating its local election canvas guidebook

The Best Comment & Opinion in Kilkenny

for candidates to include further guidance on how to discuss the issue with potential voters.

As part of the party’s approach, local election candidates will be informed on how to avoid engaging with conspiracy theories around immigration.

The re-draft of the canvas guidebook comes as TDs and senators at a recent the Fine

sold for close to the guide price of €450,000.

Auctioneer Ger Walsh of Walter Walsh Auctioneer, Thomastown, said: “It’s an iconic pub. The good thing about it and The Woodstock Arms being sold is both premises are going to remain as pubs and they are in line for development.”

Gael parliamentary party meeting were given a Q&A factsheet explaining Ireland’s immigration policies.

Ireland has seen a surge in migration since the start of the war in Ukraine, with more than 100,000 refugees being welcomed to the country and accommodated since February 2022. There has also been a significant increase in the number of people seek-

ing asylum in the country in recent years, with the number of applications reaching 13,600 in 2022.

There has been an increased number of local protests against new accommodation in the past year. During the same period there has also been an increase in activity among members of the far right.

Gardaí have also been criti-

cised for a lack of arrests over a series of such arson attacks at locations earmarked (or rumoured to be earmarked) for refugees or asylum seekers.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Helen McEntee has announced that her department was expanding its list of ‘safe countries’ with a view to expediting asylum applications from people arriving from those countries.

“He was a good husband, a good father and a true patriot. We will miss him greatly,” said a statement issued by the family of former Taoiseach John Bruton who has died aged 76.

John Bruton led Fine Gael from 1990 until 2001, and served as Taoiseach between December 1994 and June 1997 as head of the ‘Rainbow Coalition’ alongside Labour and Democratic Left.

He had first been elected to the Dáil at the age of just 22 in 1969.

He rose steadily through the ranks of Fine Gael, serving two terms as Minister for Finance in the 1980s, as well as Minister for Industry and Minister for Trade.

He later served as the EU’s ambassador to the US between 2004 and 2009.

Born in Dunboyne, Co Meath, he graduated from UCD with a degree in economics and politics in 1968 before studying to become a barrister. He was called to the Bar in 1972.

He is survived by his wife Finola, son Matthew and daughters Juliana, Emily and Mary-Elizabeth; as well as his brother Richard, his sister Mary, and his extended family.

PAUL HOPKINS

MARIANNE HERON

JOHN ELLIS

GERRY MORAN

Telling it like it is.

And with no holds barred

A straight shooter.

Considerate and wise words

Great advice.

Your money in mind

Quirky take on bright side of life

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New HSE appointments for South East Having served as Chief Officer of the HSE’s South East Community Healthcare organisation since April of 2023, Grace Rothwell has moved on to take up a new role as National Director of Acute Hospitals.

This sees the taking up of the appointment as Regional Executive Officer of the new Dublin and South East Health Region by Martina Queally [pictured].

In the next few months, the HSE will transition to a new regional model. The Dublin and South East Health Region will encompass community healthcare services delivered to date by: • South East Community Healthcare (Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford).

• Community Healthcare East (East Wicklow and South East Dublin).

• The South/South West Hospital Group regarding University Hospital Waterford, Tipperary University Hospital and Kilcreene Orthopaedic Hospital (Kilkenny) and • The Ireland East Hospital Group in respect of

Here’s to health: outgoing Chief Officer of HSE/South East Community Healthcare Grace Rothwell, with Heads of Service and other colleagues after this week’s management team meeting in the boardroom, HSE offices, Lacken, Kilkenny

Wexford General Hospital and St. Luke’s General Hospital Carlow/Kilkenny, in addition to St. Vincent’s University Hospital, St. Michael’s Hospital Dún Laoghaire, The National Rehabilitation Hospital, The National Maternity Hospital, Royal Victoria Eye and Ear

and St. Columcille’s Hospital Loughlinstown in Dublin.

Having previously served as General Manager of University Hospital Waterford before taking up the Chief Officer of South East Community Healthcare (SECH) position last year, Grace Rothwell is looking forward to concentrating on her new role in the HSE. Speaking, however, when leading her final South East Community Healthcare management team meeting

in Kilkenny, Grace Rothwell said: “I would like to thank management and staff colleagues, the public and their representatives across counties Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford for their ongoing support in delivering so many ranges of Primary/ Community Care services. I have enjoyed being involved in this work to meet the needs of the people in the South East that depend on

the HSE each day.”

“In the context of ongoing implementation of the Slaintecare strategy (inclusive of progressing the Enhanced Community Care programme, Community Health and Children’s Disability Network teams, projects in line with the Healthy Ireland initiative and mental health services reflecting the ‘Sharing the Vision’ framework), I look forward to continued development of new, integrated models of

care, reduced dependency on hospital services and models of care responsive to the needs of local communities,” she said.

“I look forward to working with Martina Queally as Regional Executive Officer (REO) of the new Dublin and South East Health Region.

Indeed, on behalf of South East Community Healthcare (CHO 5) I congratulate Martina on her appointment as REO and extend a warm welcome to her.”

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300 gone in six months as eateries appeal for help Restaurant owners through the South East and elsewhere have appealed for Government support and warned that, without it, we will see a tidal wave of closures across the country.

Owners of restaurants and cafes have said the pressures facing them are like never before, and many have said they are fearful for the future.

Low margins, rising costs and (maybe surprisingly) the

housing crisis are all contributing to the perfect storm that makes doing business increasingly challenging, they say.

According to the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) more than 300 restaurants have closed in Ireland in the last six months. It says these figures are based on discussions with its members and data collected by the Companies Registration Office.

A local Michelin hopeful

closed it’s doors last November just months after opening to fanfare.

Keith Boyle at the Bridge House opened in July in the revamped building at John’s Bridge in Kilkenny city, part of the Rivercourt Hotel offering.

It won Best Restaurant in Leinster at the 2023 Food and Wine Restaurant of the Year Awards and further accolades were expected.

However,it’s now closed less

than four months after beginning business. Keith Boyle said of the closure: “Carmel and I are sorry to confirm that our time at The Bridge House in Kilkenny has been very shortlived and is now at an end.

“Unfortunately, the owners of the property decided to close the restaurant leaving us and the team out of work and disappointing guests with future lunch and dinner bookings.”

CEO of the RAI Adrian Cummins has said that multiple factors like an increase in the minimum wage, extra sick days, upcoming pension autoenrolment, increasing PRSI, a VAT hike, and rising supplier costs are all fuelling a nightmare scenario.

“Everything that is coming at us all at once has the cumulative effect of making our industry unviable,” Mr Cummins said.

More gardaí left force than were recruited More gardaí left the force last year than were recruited, new figures show.

A total of 388 gardaí were recruited while 520 left the force, the highest number in at least five years, according to figures from Justice Minister Helen McEntee.

The number of gardaí leaving the force soared last year, with 476 leaving in 2022, 405 in 2021, 337 in 2020 and 333 in 2019.

However, 388 were recruited last year; 370 in 2022; and 148 in 2021 – during the height of the pandemic.

The number in Kilkenny is 10 fewer than last year.

Last year’s figures are still lower than the 522 gardaí recruited in 2020 and 615 in 2019.

While 2,071 left the force in the past five years, 2,043 were recruited, showing it is still shrinking.

Gardaí can leave the force for many reasons, including voluntary and compulsory retirements, “cost-neutral” early

retirements, resignations, dismissals, deaths in service and members being discharged for medical reasons.

The rate of resignations in An Garda Síochána stands at around 1% and there are a total of 14,000 members in the force.

“While there were 319 retirements and 169 resignations in 2023, 746 trainees entered Templemore last year,” Minister McEntee said. “This is the highest intake into Templemore since 2018.”

She said €2.3bn was allocated in the last Budget to An Garda Síochána, which is a 23% increase since 2020. This would allow for 800 to 1,000 recruits.

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín said: “If the Government does not tackle pay, pensions, terms and conditions, this trend will continue.”

Meanwhile, a UK company is to play a “crucial” role in recruiting staff forthis year, after winning a tender advertised with a total value of €4m.

Consumers complaints facing delays up to five years Long delays for adjudications on consumer complaints have led to accusations that the free Consumer Ombudsman service “is not fit for purpose”, with some financial advisers now telling consumers who have complaints about banks and insurers to go to court to get their issues resolved.

According to the Irish Independent, the Ombudsman’s office has told one complainant it will take another three years before they can expect a decision from the office.

The complaint was submitted two years ago.

The Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman office (FSPO) is an independent and free complaint resolution service for consumers.

A state body, it is funded by levies on financial services providers and by a government grant.

Its decisions are legally binding. It was set up to avoid consumers having to go to court to get complaints about financial firms resolved.

However, staffing issues and the complexities of many of the complaints it is dealing with mean it is taking years for it to reach decisions in some cases.

One financial expert, who helps consumers with complex complaints on a pro-bono basis, claimed the service has now effectively “collapsed”.

In a letter, seen by the Irish Independent, that was sent to a consumer who first filed a complaint in August 2021, the Ombudsman’s office said it will be another three years before it can issue a preliminary decision.

The letter says: “Although some adjudications may be concluded sooner, at present, the average timeframe for the referral of a complaint to adjudication, until assignment to an adjudication officer, is 12 to 15 months.

“Once a complaint file is assigned, it takes a further 12 to 18 months on average for a preliminary decision to issue to the parties.”

The financial expert said: “They are telling this consumer that it will be another three years before they can even issue a preliminary adjudication, and that will be more than five years from the time the complaint was originally filed with the ombudsman.

“I am finding similar very, very long delays in other complaints at the Financial Services Ombudsman.”

He is now telling consumers to consider going to court as “the ombudsman scheme seems to have collapsed and is no longer functioning as a valid alternative to going to court”.

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Opinion

The Fact Of The Matter Paul Hopkins

Court rule gives credence to what family means The recent Supreme Court ruling in favour of a man who was denied access to the widower’s pension because he was not married to his longterm partner described his three-year battle to be given the State entitlement as a “fight for equality”.

In a landmark appeal judgment, the court ruled that John O’Meara, from Co Tipperary, was entitled to the benefit and unanimously granted an order quashing the 2021 decision to deny him the pension. Mr O’Meara (with three children) had launched an appeal against the refusal by the Social Protection Minister to grant the pension following the death of Michelle Batey, who was Mr O’Meara’s partner of 20 years and the children’s mother.

Mr O’Meara and Ms Batey, in their early 40s, eventually planned to marry, but she died in January 2021 after contracting Covid-19 when recovering from breast cancer.

The ruling saw justice done, but also gave further credence to what today in Ireland constitutes ‘family’ in its many guises.

Pope Francis during his visit here in 2019 made great emphasis on ‘world families’.

He also came down hard the other week calling for a global ban on surrogacy, calling the practice “deplorable” and a grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child. But, then again, just before Christmas he gave the go-ahead for same sex couples to have a church blessing.

Both my parents, in their 80s when they died in 2000, were one of eight siblings each. In the early 1980s when I wed I was told that the ‘new’ family consisted of mum and dad and 2.4 children – oh, and a dog and a goldfish. When my second child arrived in to this world, I was perplexed, panicked even, over what exactly a 0.4 child might consist of. To allay my concerns, we went the

whole nine yards and brought our third child in to our lives.

Forty years on, here’s some salient facts to consider: nowadays, children have fewer siblings, fathers are more involved and grandparents are more important than ever.

These were among the findings in a study of the modern Irish family published by academics at Trinity College and Maynooth University. The study points to an increasing diversity of family ‘types’, many of which have emerged as families come to grips with economic and social change.

Families have become “smaller, more diverse, with more involved fathers and a greater reliance on grandparent support”. The study also points to ongoing divisions in educational attainment and opportunity based on class and on single versus two-parent families.

While the traditional nuclear family continues to prevail, there are numerous other

types, including single-parent families, migrant families, mixed-nationality families, gay and lesbian families, couples with no children, living-together-apart couples and families split by emigration and long-distance commuting.

Economics, as well as greater equality between men and

“The Supreme Court ruling saw justice done...

women, underlie the changes, say the academics.

An earlier study from researchers at the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and UCD found that one in three families departs from the traditional model of a married couple both of whom are in their first marriage.

One in four children under 21 years of age lives in a family that does not conform to this model. Alternative family structures are dominated by never-married cohabiting couples and lone mothers (both never married and divorced or separated). Together with first-time marriages, these family types account for 92% of families in Ireland.

That said, many people view family as a matter of biology.

They see biological parents, siblings, and grandparents as the purest form of family, but that definition is limiting.

Foster families and adopted children who have no biological relationship are still family

— they are welcomed as an extension to a family tree.

Single parents are also no less valid because one parent is absent.

Meanwhile, something (still) as common as marriage – although many Millennialists are leaving marriage, if at all, until later in life – also undermines the definition of a biological family since there isn’t a biological link between two spouses. Stepfamilies and blended families also are more common and fall under this category. A family may then be defined as a legal union of individuals. A definition supported by the recent Supreme Court ruling.

The beautiful thing about defining family as a collective of individuals who love each other is that it fully embraces the changing dynamics of family, not only in the community, but also in individual families.

Let’s see how March 8 referenda pans out...

Climate Change

– are we all playing our part?

WEEK 55

'A lot of nature goes un-noticed'

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'Cash for trash scheme now up and running locally Consumers from across Kilkenny and Carlow can now get “cash for trash” when they recycle their used bottles and cans.

The new Deposit and Return Scheme has now been launched nationwide, whereby new machines installed in almost every supermarket across the country,

along with many convenience stores, will accept bottles and cans with the ‘Re-turn’ logo.

Green Party TD for Kilkenny and Carlow and Minister for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan welcomed the launch of the scheme and stated that it will incentivise higher rates of recycling and ensure fewer

Kilkenny's Yvonne stands by Cillian Yvonne McGuinness, the woman behind the Cork actor Cillian Murphy – tipped for an Oscar for Oppenheimer – is a 51-year-old visual artist who was born in Kilkenny, She is the niece of Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness.

She and Cillian met when he was touring with a play called Disco Pigs in 1996 – eventually made a movie starring Cillian and Wicklow-born actress Elaine Cassidy. Yvonne and Cillian married in 2004. Their sons were born in 2005 and 2007.

The couple value their privacy, and keep their two children, Malachy and Aran, far removed from the public eye.

While he eschews the limelight and keeps his family away from the cameras, the actor never misses a chance to thank his wife and children for their support.

Yvonne McGuinness’s work “encompasses film, performance, sculptural and textile elements, sound and writing,” according to her website.

The couple moved to London in 2001 so Ms McGuinness could attend the Royal College of Art, and Cillian Murphy landed his breakthrough role in Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later the following year.

In 2015, the family moved back to Dublin to be closer to their families, and now live in a house in Monkstown that’s reportedly worth around €2 million.

bottles and cans end up as litter on the streets.

"I’ve done enough litter picks and river clean ups across Kilkenny to know that a shockingly high percentage of the litter in our communities is plastic bottles and cans.

"This is frustrating because bottles and cans are one of our most recyclable waste items,

but it’s also just awful to see our beautiful city, our parks and our riverbanks ruined by litter,” said Minister Noonan.

"Currently only 23% of plastic bottles are recycled in Ireland and we want to take this to 90%.”

More than 4,000 retailers have signed up to participate in the scheme and 3,500

reverse vending machines are being installed across the country.

The scheme is funded by a deposit of 15c on plastic bottles and cans of 500ml or less and 25c on containers larger than 500ml. This deposit is claimed back by returning the containers to any participating store, even

if they were bought in a different store. Consumers can choose between receiving the deposit as a store voucher or as cash.

Supervalu and Centra stores across Kilkenny and Carlow are part of a number supermarkets and convenience stores who have signed up to the scheme.

Our businesses need redress in EU, chamber tells candidates Chambers Ireland, the voice of business in Ireland, has launched the Chambers Ireland Manifesto for Europe.

"We are calling on all the Irish candidates for the EU elections to heed the needs of businesses after a series of difficult years for the business community," a spokesperson said.

"We want the parliament and commission’s mandate for the next five years to focus on actions that will deliver on sustainability and productivity."

After five years which have seen businesses reacting to Brexit, Covid, inflation, energy shocks, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and successive supply shocks, Chambers Ireland are calling on the institutions of the EU to concentrate their activities on actions that will deliver tangible results.

According to Chambers Ireland, the last five years have seen a rapid uptick in both the amount of EU legislation that is being delivered and the pace at which this is being delivered.

One effect of this has been a reduction in the efforts to understand the impact of policies.

This has two consequences: Firstly, SMEs are getting ever more entangled in regulations, and secondly huge efforts are being put into policies which only have marginal benefits when they are finally delivered.

Chambers Ireland calls on the next EU parliament to focus on: • A strategic, continental level, energy and industrial policy for Europe that can activate the untapped energy resources off Ireland’s coasts,

• More supports to help small firms engage in trade within the Single Market, and • A stronger focus on delivering effective policies which do not circumvent the impactassessment processes, particularly for SMEs. Chambers Ireland’s Chief Executive Ian Talbot said:“Ireland is almost unique within the EU, our country is going to be one of the greatest beneficiaries of the Green Transition. Ireland will not only become energy self-sufficient, we will become a vital part of the wider EU energy system. But this will require investments at a level that we are not institutionally prepared for, and we will need EU knowledge and assistance if we are to deliver for the other 26 member states.

“Effective policies are what matter to our members. Everyone understands the necessity of delivering on the big issues like sustainability, but our members are having to respond to policies like the potential late-payments directive which is a solution to a non-problem and will increase costs for many businesses, such as the retail sector.

“Most of the growth in our exports over recent years has been within the single market.

SMEs, and Irish businesses in general, need more help if they are to begin trading with other EU members.

“Europe and Ireland need an integrated banking union and capital market so that businesses can finance the investments that they need to become more sustainable," Mr Talbot said.

Women still earn less Women were paid 11.5% less than men, on average, at Ireland's largest firms last year.

Analysis by the Irish Independent of almost 600 gender pay gap reports– the second year that large firms have been required to publish the data by law – found that men were paid more than women at 88%

of Ireland's big companies.

While the average pay gap has fallen compared with 2022, it is higher than the figure for the wider economy, which the Central Statistics Office puts at 9.6%.

It means that last year, for every €1 earned by a man an hour, a woman earned €0.88.

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Opinion

As I See It Marianne Heron

House Ireland: plenty of room to improve Architect Dermot Bannon’s Room To Improve came up for mention a couple of weeks ago. I think we could do with a Dermot type to give Ireland a make- over.

The place is like a house which is stuck in a time warp and where the rooms are no longer fit for purpose.

We have outgrown the old model.

We need more room because we have more people with the one of the fastest growing populations in Europe – 5,056,935 and rising. Specifically we need more houses, affordable houses and homes which cost more than €450,000 to build in Dublin are fairly unaffordable. We need more public housing. Money isn’t the problem for the Government but we can’t get them built because there’s a capacity problem, as econo-

mist David McWilliams points out, and there aren’t enough skilled people to build them.

So what can be done?

There are plenty of young men arriving here as asylum seekers, just the kind of lads to do the job (although some of them may already be qualified in other skills we need). But what has the State done with them?

Locked them up for a minimum six months in hotels in out-of-the-way places where some of the locals will be a bit miffed because services there are already stretched and they like having hotels for their own use or for tourists.

So why not offer the new arrivals a place in apprenticeship schemes which Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris is wisely increasing, with more than

8,000 enrolled last year. Why was the apprentice system previously allowed to languish when we always need plumbers and electricians?

Do we really need existing builders to be busy with office blocks just now (these are surplus to requirement given the way many employees are WFO) when they could be building homes?

And it isn’t just the about the capacity problem either because the lack of affordable housing causes other problems, with teachers, nurses and people who might keep restaurants and hotels running can’t afford to live where they are needed.

The difficulty with countries is that, like big ships it can take along time to get them to change course.

Sometimes a tug can be used to help, like Michael

O’Leary who came up with the bright idea of buying up 40 houses in Swords, Dublin (handy for Dublin Airport) for affordable rental for Ryanair’s employees. The only snag here is though that these homes become unavailable on the market for Joe and Josephine Soap.

And, come to think of it, the State builds some student accommodation – not enough given the way some students have to commute for hours to get to college – so why not accommodation for nurses and teachers or give them special allowances so they can afford to live in expensive cities?

The Government have finally upped their problemsolving skills, which have been sorely stretched by the arrival of more than 100,000 Ukrainians and 40,000 asylum seekers in

the last two years, with plans for new reception and integration centres and have bought properties and modular accommodation on State land for asylum seekers.

But why can’t we use the same method to provide homes for the Joes and the Josephinas?

There’s another problem here and it begins with P for planning. Unbelievably, local planning authorities can and do pull down perfectly good homes, homes which can be built for as little as €50,000 to €80,000 complete with kitchens, bath rooms and services in a matter of weeks rather than months and months. If you build a log cabin on your property to house grown-up children, fed up being stuck in the box room, your local council will come and pull it

down if they dare to live in it.

No planning permission whatsoever is allowed for residential log cabins. If you chance your arm and do so your only hope is to escape notice for seven years until retention is allowed or until hopefully the planning process is reformed and planning officers retrained with a positive mindset.

That’s not to say that the Government don’t deserve recognition for coping with the aftermath of the 2008 financial crash, the pandemic and the sudden arrival of so many refugees and asylum seekers. But beyond these crises we are living with a new kind of normal where there is a need to switch from the problem focus to solution focus.

Let’s hope that we are seeing the start of an imaginative makeover.

Natural remedies for chesty cough CLAIR WHITTY

Are you struggling with a chesty cough? I know that many of you are and most of you have been telling me how difficult it is to shift. Taking a cough bottle on its own has not worked for some of you. The cough is stubborn and it is exhausting.

It can be accompanied by a high temperature and a sore throat. Most people that I have spoken to have used a variety of supplements to help deal with it. Here are some ideas of what you could try.

Echinacea is one of nature’s antiviral remedies. I would definitely suggest taking this herb to help support your immune system and to help reduce the risk of viral infection.

The most researched brand is A.Vogel Echinaforce. You take it 3 times a day in water. It is also useful for a sore throat, gargle with it three times per day.

Ivy is traditionally used in natural cough remedies. Much of the research around Ivy is related to its usefulness in the treatment of upper respiratory problems. It can help reduce inflammation and may help widen the bronchi which means that there is increased airflow. Thyme another plant from nature is also tradition-

ally used as a natural cough remedy. Ivy and thyme work well together to help reduce inflammation and excess mucous. Both are found in A.Vogel Bronchoforce one of our most popular remedies, or Ivy Thyme Complex as it was formerly known.

Mullein is another fantastic herb, it has been used for centuries for coughs and congestion. It is one of the key ingredients in another popular remedy Irish Botanica Botanical Syrup.

Garlic is a great food to help reduce mucous congestion, runny nose, and is a natural antibiotic. Helpful herbal teas include Salus Thyme, Niks Tea Mullein, or Salus Sage to help with a sore throat. Another

option is to brew Carrageen Moss with lemon and ginger and drink two to three cups per day.

There is no concrete answer as to which cough remedy will work best for you. What I can say is that you may need a combination of supplements to help clear this cough. Give us a call if you have any questions and we can have a chat to help you figure it out.

Shop online at www.naturalhealthstore.ie where you’ll be able to take a look at these brands.

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

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VALENTINE’S REPORT COMMENT: PAUL HOPKINS

Courtly love and romance has been the topic of literature throughout the ages. Love letters express the inexpressible emotions between two individuals as demonstrated by writers like Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Hemingway, Dylan Thomas, Kafka, George Sand, George Bernard Shaw, Wilde, Katherine Mansfield, and Lewis Carroll.

Once upon a time, Mills & Boon was the ultimate in escapist chic. In the depressionladen era of the Twenties and Thirties its rose-tinted tales of love and romance entertained a generation of women for whom TV soaps, real-life mags and Bridget Jones-style chick lit were far into the future.

Today, publishing houses cannot get enough romantic fiction to meet the demands for it. Mills & Boon still sell 200 million copies a year, seven million in the UK. In more literate works, the story of a romance between the hero and heroine is often idealised. And the classic best-sellers of such a genre are still Jane Eyre, Lady Chatterley’s Lover, Pride And Prejudice, Wuthering Heights and Gone With The Wind.

In poetry universally erotic musings discuss sexual love and desire and can be found through history in cultures around the world as in Egyptian love songs, Chinese classics from the Ming Dynasty, and India’s Kama Sutra.

Love actually is chemicals gone haywire in our brains

And then there is the food of love itself. Music. The great and enduring songs that celebrate love, won or lost,

like Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly with True Love, Nat King Cole’s When I Fall In Love, the Hollies’ The Air That I Breathe,

the Beatles’ Yesterday Je t’aime by Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsburg or indeed Katy Perry’s I Kissed A Girl.

The word love can refer to a variety of different feelings, states, and attitudes, ranging from generic pleasure (‘I loved that meal’) to intense interpersonal attraction (‘I love my partner’).

Love can also refer specifically to the passionate desire and intimacy of romantic love, to the sexual love of Eros the Greek god, to the emotional closeness of familial love, or to the platonic love that defines friendship, to the profound oneness or devotion of religious love.

In psychology love is depicted as a clearly definable social phenomenon.

In short, love does happen.

The renowned American psychologist Robert Sternberg has formulated what he calls a triangular theory and argues that love has three different components: intimacy, commitment, and passion.

“Intimacy is a form in which two people share confidences and details of their personal lives, and is usually shown in friendships and romantic love affairs,’’ he says. “Commitment, on the other hand, is the expectation that the

relationship is permanent.

The last and most common form of love is sexual attraction and passion.’’

Ah yes, trust sex to rear its head in the middle of such esoteric musings on the meaning of love.

For women, they say, love and sex are somewhat inseparable while for men they are two distinct entities which support their argument that the heart should not be worried about what the dangly bits are up to.

I mean SATC or Love Actually may well do it for women but for men it’s all down to (their) Basic Instinct. The late Patrick Swayze may have had it goin’ on, but when it comes to bedroom inspiration, clay-pot craft time, no matter how romantic, just doesn’t cut it. Forget the soppy romance of Ghost, Basic Instinct’s infamous (and oft-parodied) interrogation was certainly memorable but for red-blooded men everywhere, Sharon Stone’s intense womanon-top romp was well, eh ... Even 30 odd years later, men’s eyes still roll to the back of their head at the mere mention of that scene.

Meantime, neuroscience tells us that there can be a

definitive account of what love is or at least of what is going on inside of us when we fall into it. There are certain chemicals present in the brain when people fall in love.

In mature love, you can still have the butterflies but when important for both male and female sexual behaviour. Dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin are more commonly found during the attraction phase of a relationship. And oxytocin and vasopressin seem to be more closely linked to long-term bonding. And when the butterflies land, they go through another transformation to signify the growth, change and beauty of deeper love.

So now we know. Love is just a whole bunch of chemicals gone haywire in your brain. On Valentine’s Day, to the tune of some €35.5bn. spent globally on flowers and gifts.

I’ve always known the best sex was in the brain. Now it seems, judging by all these chemicals, that love, also, is all in the head.

In the final analysis, a telltale sign of a healthy love is having the ability and support to evolve independently as well as with the other person.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 09 February 2024

Opinion

Your Money & You John Ellis

Providing a work pension for 70% of us Ireland is currently the only country in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) that doesn’t operate an Automatic Enrolment or similar system as a means of promoting pension provision.

Current analysis shows that 50% of Irish workers are in a pension scheme but when this 50% is further analysed it shows that, when public service employees are taken out, as they are 100% enrolled in a pension scheme, the number of employees without a pension in the private sector is a massive 70%.

The goal then is to increase the pension coverage rate through the introduction of a “mandatory or quasi-mandatory earnings-related system”.

In 2018 a ‘Strawman’ proposal for an Automatic Enrolment retirement savings system was published proposing a possible approach to an Automatic Enrolment (AE) system and provided the basis

for a wide-ranging consultation process on the operational structure and design of the system.

At closing 107 written submissions were received and meetings were held with officials from the Department of Social Protection, The Pensions Authority, the ESRI and stakeholders from ICTU, Irish Life, IBEC, and Insurance Ireland.

When launching the report, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Denis Naughten said: “This is an important piece of legislation which is being designed to simplify the pensions decision for workers and make it easier for employers to offer a workplace pension… it signifies a shift from a system whereby employers may or may not make provision for a workplace pension scheme to one where every worker will have access to a workplace pension.

“A Call for Tender has now been issued for the provision

of” a Managed Service for the Provision and Operation of the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System”.

When the scheme is in place employees will have access to a workplace pension co-funded by the employer and the State with matching employer contributions and a State top-up on a sliding scale. It will be voluntary, in so far as

workers will have the ability to opt-out or suspend participation for periods of time. It will be open to all employees aged between 23 and 60 years who are earning at least €20,000 a year across all employments and are not in an existing workplace pension scheme that meets the minimum contributions requirements.

When the scheme is in place

it will be covered by a strong governance framework, incorporating annual reports with investment advice being offered to all members to allow them to select the most appropriate fund for their age, gender, financial position, and circumstances.

Not only will the scheme be to the benefit of employees within the framework, but it is hoped that a certain proportion of the funds to be invested will be placed in Irish pension funds as currently only 20% of investments by Irish Pension funds are invested in Irish equities and bonds. There is a suggestion that “there should be a mandatory minimum of auto-enrolment funds invested in Ireland to ensure that this country benefits economically from these very large funds”.

Regarding environmental, social, and governance issues. it is suggested that investment funds be prohibited

from investing in fossil fuels or the arms industry with a minimum percentage of the funds invested in Irish renewable energy developments to ensure our Climate Action obligations are met, for, without achieving these, the future of all pension funds will be at risk from climate change.

From discussion with employers many are setting up their own schemes and those with schemes are proposing to increase contributions in time for the rollout deadline as many see the need to carefully consider government oversight in the investment process, tax relief – as no tax relief will be available on deductions – investment options and charging structures, as setting up or enhancing a company sponsored scheme will be more beneficial especially for the higher income cohort. john@ellisfinancial.ie 086 8362622

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€3 Million for walking & cycling paths in Kilkenny Cllr Maria Dollard has welcomed the news today that Kilkenny will get a significant €3 Million in funding this year to continue the transformation that is taking place in walking and cycling infrastructure right across the county.

This means that under national active travel plans announced today, €290m will be spent nationally in 2024 to fund roughly 800 new and existing projects across the country. This means that the Government will have spent more than €1 billion on walking and cycling infrastructure since 2020 on more than 600km of cycling and walking infrastructure in Ireland.

Cllr Dollard explained how the funding will benefit the local area; “Walking and cycling are a great way to stay healthy, take cars off the roads and bring more footfall into our town centres.

Today’s funding includes projects here in Kilkenny City like works at Cootes Lane,

Greensbridge, Loughboy Park, Dean Cavanagh Place, Bishop Birch Place, Fatima Place and Poecock Valley, that will all see improvement works. Since the launch of the bike share scheme we have travelled 91,000 KM proving when the infrastructure is in place we will walk and cycle here in the city. That is why it is fantastic to see over €3 million will be invested in walking and cycling across Kilkenny this year. I welcome the €1.9 million allocated to city projects and am

delighted to see €900,000 in funding to ensure children can safely travel to school in Kilkenny. The €100,000 allocated to ensure safe crossing at points on the ring rd is a much-needed project that will help improve the safety for pedestrians and cyclists. On top of this funding we have also been allocated an additional €500,000 from NTA to improve bus stops.”

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan, said; “The Green Party is dedicated to making walking and cycling a safe and attractive option in all our cities and towns and we have shown that in the four years we’ve been in Government with record investment right across the country. Ireland is now top of the global list per capita for investment in active travel.

This plan is great for the environment, our towns and our health. We are already seeing the impact of the €1 billion investment as it is easier and healthier to travel on our roads. The best cities and towns in the world to live in are those that make it easy for people to walk around and this idea is being embraced by many towns in Ireland.”

A new era in dental care: Parliament Street Dental Merges into Dental Care Ireland Kilkenny In a move that promises enhanced dental care for the Kilkenny community, Parliament Street Dental has recently merged into Dental Care Ireland Kilkenny, situated on William Street.

This exciting development marks a new chapter in dental healthcare for Kilkenny, and local residents can anticipate continued exceptional service from familiar faces in a more advanced and centrally located facility.

Dr Maeve O’Flynn, along with Dental Hygienist Linda Maher-Dunne, have seamlessly transitioned to the new location, ensuring a continuity of care for their valued patients.

Their commitment to providing high-quality, personalised dentistry remains unwavering, and patients can expect the same dedication to their oral health at Dental Care Ireland Kilkenny.

The decision to merge with Dental Care Ireland aligns with Parliament Street Dental’s ongoing pursuit of excellence in patient care.

This strategic move allows

for the amalgamation of resources, expertise, and cutting-edge technologies, ultimately benefiting the community through a broader range of dental services.

Located on William Street, Dental Care Ireland Kilkenny offers a convenient and accessible space for patients, complete with modern amenities and a welcoming environment.

The merger not only ensures the preservation of the established reputation of Parliament Street Dental but also introduces new opportunities for growth and innovation in dental care.

Dr Maeve O’Flynn expresses her enthusiasm for the merger, stating, “I am delighted to continue serving our patients at Dental Care Ireland Kilkenny. This merger allows us to enhance our services and provide an even higher standard of care to our community. Our team is excited about the positive impact we can make in this new chapter.”

Patients can look forward to an expanded array of services, from preventative

care to cosmetic dentistry, as Dental Care Ireland Kilkenny integrates the strengths of both practices.

The collaborative efforts of Dr O’Flynn, Linda MaherDunne, and the entire dental team aim to create a positive and comfortable experience for every patient.

In conclusion, the union of Parliament Street Dental into Dental Care Ireland Kilkenny signals an exciting era for dental care in the community. With the continued dedication of Dr Maeve O’Flynn, along with Dental Hygienist Linda Maher, and the existing team of Dr Aoife McGinley, Dr Mary Coman, Dr Bishoy Wanis, and Hygienist Stephanie Purcell patients can trust they will receive exceptional care in a modern and accessible setting. The collaborative efforts of this skilled team promise to uphold the highest standards of dentistry, ensuring the continued well-being and satisfaction of every patient.

For more information, please contact Dental Care Ireland Kilkenny at (056) 7763786.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 09 February 2024

News Science & Wellbeing Most of us know that insulin is essential to the body, telling tissues to absorb sugar from the blood. However, too much of the hormone can be a bad thing because it instructs cells to engage in wanton growth with less upkeep. When insulin levels are lower, the body is more likely to break down fats for energy instead of sugars.

This releases compounds called ketones, which signal to cells that times are lean, promoting efficiency in energy production, increased apoptosis, and DNA repair.

You can reduce the amount of insulin circulating in the blood by following a ketogenic diet, simply eating less, engaging in 24-hour fasts, or consuming fewer foods that spike blood sugar.

However, too little insulin leads to high blood sugar, which results in diabetes, prompting a host of debilitating symptoms: fatigue, blurred vision, stupor, and even coma.

Yet as vital as insulin is, researchers from the University of Westminster say that it’s a double-edged sword. In a recent paper published in the journal Antioxidants, the researchers described how too much of the hormone speeds up cellular ageing.

And if you’re eating a normal Western diet full of refined grains, high sugar drinks, and sweets, chances are good that you have too much insulin.

Insulin doesn’t only encourage the necessary removal of sugar from the blood. “Insulin signals to the cell that energy is abundant, and, therefore, there is no need to be conservative with resources and run a tight ship,” the researchers wrote. “Insulin speeds up a cell’s cycle, to replicate itself faster, preventing any pauses to check if DNA copying was conducted properly, and

Your diet and your insulin levels preventing a good dose of intracellular housekeeping.”

Without this housekeeping, the rate of cellular apoptosis — programmed cell death — slows down. This process

culls cells that are damaged beyond repair, keeping organs functioning optimally.

When aged and degraded cells grow too great in number within tissues, chronic

disease can develop, as well as outward signs of aging.

So, how can we reduce the amount of insulin in the body? One way is through a ketogenic diet, where you

consume fewer than 200 calories worth of carbohydrates a day, a vast decrease from the more than 1,000 calories from carbohydrates that most Americans consume.

However, the researchers say that most people don’t need to radically reshape their diet to reduce their insulin and lessen the hormone’s influence on cellular processes. Simply eating less does the trick as well. You could also try 24-hour fasting, in which you eat only once a day, as much as you like. You could also consume more foods that don’t spike blood sugar — such as eggs, whole grains, nuts, leafy, greens, fish, and avocados — and fewer foods that do, like yogurt, juices, pasta, potatoes, and milk.

With fewer simple sugars and less insulin circulating in our blood, the body starts breaking down more fats for energy, which in turn releases molecules called ketones.

While insulin signals to cells that energy is plentiful, encouraging wanton growth, ketones signal that times are lean, promoting efficiency in energy production, increased apoptosis, and DNA repair.

This translates to “healthier cells, a healthier individual, and a chance to maximise lifespan,” the researchers wrote. Currently, clinical trials are underway to find out if taking ketones via dietary supplements can also slow cellular ageing.

Through better sanitation, improved public safety, a reduction in hunger, and advancements in medicine, humans are now living longer than ever. At the same time, we often aren’t enjoying good health during those additional years. Slowing down cellular ageing could be a solution, the researchers wrote.

“We have successfully extended ageing; our next aim should be to extend youth, and, if we can achieve that, then we may begin to push the envelope on increasing lifespan.”

Covid: should the old compensate the young?

The Covid-19 pandemic saw widespread and stringent lockdown globally. Admittedly, there was some kind of social distancing for the Spanish Flu after World War I and localised lockdowns during Ebola outbreaks in West Africa, but there is no recorded precedent for the majority of the world following quarantine policies.

Before the vaccination rollout, Covid was estimated to kill roughly 1.4% of those infected, with the immunocompromised and elderly at far greater risk. Effectively, this means that the vast majority of people in the world went into lockdown to help protect a minority of their societies.

Lockdown harmed a lot of people in a lot of ways.

Everyone felt the brunt of its isolation. But not everyone was harmed to the same de-

gree. Hundreds of millions of students fell behind in school — and many remain behind. In a recent paper published in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics, the philosopher Kal Kalewold argues that the lockdown disproportionately impacted younger age groups.

This led Kalewold to ask a controversial question: Given the young were least at risk from Covid but likeliest to suffer from the effects of the lockdown, do the elderly owe the young compensation?

Kalewold elaborated on his position to the journal Big Think.

He presents an argument that the elderly do owe the young some form of compensation. His logic is as follows: Countries were morally justified in imposing lock-

downs, he told Big Think.

“Lockdowns were a medically and morally appropriate anti-contagion policy, given the nature of the sort of epidemiological threat

Covid-19 posed.” Policymakers must consider the costs and benefits of laws, and the lockdown’s benefits outweighed the costs.

Lockdown policies shifted

the burden of harm and loss due to Covid from the elderly to the young. In other words, a non- lockdown world would have harmed the elderly disproportionately. Lockdown, though, transferred the harm to the young.

As Kalewold put it: “The nature of school closures, not just in educational attainment but in socialisation, the displacement to industries like leisure, hospitality, and retail — these disproportionately impact younger age groups... There was a certain kind of double disadvantage, right? The young must first bear the costs of it and also then pay for the cleanup.”

Kalewold does not deny the elderly were also harmed by the lockdown; they were isolated and lived in an enhanced state of fear of

the disease. But these were lesser harms than the young endured.

If harm is shifted from A to B, then A has a duty to compensate B. In ethics and law, there is an expression called “moral remainder”.

This is where, if you harm or take something from someone, there is an imbalance that needs restitution. If I take coffee from the office kitchen, I need to put some back. If I harm you, I need to compensate for that.

In this case, when the young sacrificed themselves for the elderly, even if done voluntarily, it resulted in a moral remainder. As Kalewold put it: “Just because a cost is permissibly imposed doesn’t mean that there is no duty to compensate.”

Therefore, the elderly have a duty to compensate the young.

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Travel & Leisure

Five best museums in Paris 1. Musée National D’Art Moderne Technically, this museum is the Centre Pompidou.

The Musée National d’Art Moderne – a national modern art museum – is set within the bowels of Paris’ famed Centre Pompidou.

It covers the 20th to 21stcentury history of modern and contemporary European art, including avant-garde and impressionist art.

You’ll find a mix of different contemporary artists. Musée National d’Art Moderne covers some of the latest art history compared to other Paris museums.

Musée National d’Art Moderne is set across two floors in the Centre Pompidou, 4th and 5th. The 4th level has contemporary art from the 1960s onwards while the 5th floor has modern art from 1905 to 1965. Make sure to see Xavier Veilhan’s Le Rhinoceros and Donald Judd’s Stack, which resemble a seemingly floating Jenga-like pile of squares in the minimalism section.

This vast complex also houses a massive library and music centre in the Centre Pompidou. The building is best known for its exterior, though, with a

dramatic exterior staircase jutting up its wall. The design makes it look like the Centre Pompidou is constantly under scaffolding, with a network of criss-crossing metal bars. The Centre Pompidou is a modernistlooking building, and its architecture makes it an attraction in its own right.

You can easily snap pictures for free from the outside before visiting the National Museum of Modern Art. It is included in the Paris Museum Pass.

Address: Place GeorgesPompidou, 75004, Paris, France Opening Times: 11 am until 9 pm from Monday until Sunday, opening until 11 pm on Thursdays.

Admission Cost: €15 per person via the official site.

It is included in the Paris Museum Pass.

2. Musée D’Orsay Musée d’Orsay is nothing short of artistic magic. The grand museum is set in a former railway station, with humongous glass ceilings and one of the most famous clocks in the world. You can head directly to the top floor to peer out from behind the glass clock face – admiring

the Paris cityscape below.

Of course, people don’t just visit Musée d’Orsay for its architecture, despite this being a big draw. It is also one of the most respected Paris museums. Musée d’Orsay has a vast permanent collection of 19th to 20thcentury European art.

Musée d’Orsay hosts art spanning from the years 1848 to 1914. Guests can admire artwork by big names such as Van Gogh, Monet, and Rodin. In short, it is a collection of all the greatest names in the art world. You can also view specific pieces, like The Starry Night and Van Gogh’s iconic self-portrait.

We just had to include it.

Musée d’Orsay is exceptional, from its unique setting to its valuable exhibits. Included in the Paris Museum Pass.

Address: Esplanade Valery Giscard d’Estaing, 75007, Paris, France Opening Times: 9:30 am until 6 pm Tuesday to Sunday, staying open until 9:45 pm on Thursdays.

Closed Mondays.

Admission Cost: €15 via the official site.

3. Musée Des Arts Décoratifs Who doesn’t get blown away

by decorative arts? Musée des Arts Décoratifs is one of Paris’s most imposinglooking, palatial museum buildings – which is saying something. And inside, it hosts over 6,000 different objects in a collection of haute couture. Musée des Arts Décoratifs sits just outside the Louvre, overlooking Jardins des Tuileries. It is an accessible museum to combine with a visit to the Louvre or Musée de l’Orangerie.

Inside, there’s everything from jewellery, lighting, fine furniture, crystals, and mannequins. This Paris museum is somewhere to visit if you admire the fine things in life. Its exhibits are elegant, with a serious wow factor. Anyone interested in history, fashion, and art will appreciate this museum.

Watch for the Iris Van Herpen exhibit, which is a firm favorite.

Address: 107 Rue de Rivoli, 75001, Paris, France.

Opening Times: 11 am until 6 pm from Tuesday to Sunday. Admission Cost: €15 per person via the official site.

4. Musée De L’Orangerie Musée de l’Orangerie is

another Paris favourite. This museum houses a worldrenowned 20th-century European art collection, most famous for its Monet water lily murals. Think chunky framed paintings and a mixture of permanent and temporary exhibitions.

While this museum is only small compared to some other art museums in Paris, its compact size makes it easy for visitors. It also experiences fewer crowds than its neighbouring Louvre Museum.

The best thing to see inside the Musée de l’Orangerie is the Monet water lily murals collection.

This is a bucket-list-worthy piece for any art enthusiast.

The piece stretches around a vast curved wall – a sole exhibit in a plain white room that is said to evoke the feeling of an oasis in the middle of Paris. Musée de l’Orangerie is the place to visit if you have a passion for the arts.

Address: Jardin des Tuileries, 75001, Paris, France Opening Times: Open 9 am until 6 pm Wednesday until Monday, staying open until 9 pm on Fridays.

Closed Tuesdays.

Admission Cost: €12 per person via the official site.

5. Grand Palais The Grand Palais may be closed for renovations until later in 2024, but this art nouveau hall just had to be mentioned in this guide. The structure was created in 1900, and its bold, columned exterior and greenhouse-like ceiling are a much-loved sight in Paris.

The Grand Palais famously hosts a quickfire rotation of temporary exhibitions, from Gertrude Stein and Pablo Picasso to an exposition on Prosper Merimee. If you like the sound of an ever-evolving and shifting arts centre, the Grand Palais should be at the top of your must-visit.

You never quite know what you will expect, which is half of the allure. Check out the official site and see what exhibits coincide with your trip. We’ll excitedly await its highly anticipated 2024 reopening.

Address: 3 Avenue du General Eisenhower, 75008, Paris, France Opening Times: Temporarily closed, reopening later in 2024.

Admission Cost: N/A – varies depending on the exhibit.

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Opinion

Furthermore Gerry Moran

Thighbones, kittens, hedgehogs and civilisation!

Years ago Margaret Mead, an American anthropologist, was asked by a student what she considered to be the first sign of civilisation in a culture. The student expected Mead to talk about clay pots or grinding stones. But no. Mead said that the first sign of civilisation in an ancient culture was a femur (thighbone) that had been broken but healed.

Mead explained that, in the animal kingdom if you break a leg, you die. You cannot run from danger, cannot get to the river for a drink or hunt for food.

You are fodder for prowling beasts. No animal survives a broken leg long enough for the bone to heal.

A broken femur that has healed is evidence that someone has taken time to stay with the one who fell and has tended that person through recovery. Helping someone through diffi-

culty was where civilisation started Mead said.

We humans, are at our best when we serve others. And, although I am no anthropologist, I dare say that the corollary is true – we are at our worst when we inflict pain on others.

Like Mead’s student I was surprised by her answer.

From what I read over the years I was under the impression that civilisation commenced when Man discovered, if that’s the appropriate word, seed and learned how to sow and reap. No longer overly dependent on hunting, Man settled down and with time on his hands learned to create things from clay (pottery) and even indulged in a bit of art – hence cave drawings. But who am I to argue (and I’m not) with Margaret Mead – a very interesting woman for sure.

Born on December 16, 1901, she was a renowned

author and speaker during the 1960s and 1970s.and was married three times. She married her first husband, Luther Cressman, in 1923.

They divorced in 1928.

She married her second husband, Reo Fortune, in 1928 (Margaret wasn’t hanging about); they divorced in 1935. Her third husband was Gregory Bateson whom she married in 1936 and with whom she had a daughter Mary Catherine Bateson. They divorced in 1950. Margaret Mead, I dare to suggest, was not the easiest woman in the world to get on with. Then again, perhaps the men were equally, if not more, difficult to live with!

Mead commented on a wide range of societal issues: women’s rights, nuclear proliferation, race relations, environmental pollution and world hunger. A woman ahead of her time, for sure.

Her best known book,

‘Coming Of Age In Samoa’ was published in 1928. It’s a fascinating study of adolescent girls that transformed

“In the animal kingdom if you break a leg, you die..

Mead into an academic celebrity. Margaret Mead spent the last years of her life in a romantic relationship with anthropologist Rhoda Metraux. Mead proposed that it was to be expected that an individual’s sexual orientation may evolve throughout life! She died November 15, 1978, aged 76.

Her three husbands survived her.

Margaret Mead was right about wounded animals. We had a cat years ago and one of her kittens (a feisty little thing) got into a brawl with a big tom cat leaving it unable to walk. The mother – who I thought would nurse it lovingly – abandoned it completely leaving me with no choice but to bring it to the vet to be put down.

Mother Nature isn’t all about mothering, I’m afraid. It can be damn cruel betimes, as we well know.

Staying with the animal kingdom – two nights ago

I find the hedgehog I’ve been feeding in the last six months tucking into some cat food outside our backdoor. What the hell is going on? This little creature is meant to be tucked up in some leafy bed, hibernating for the winter. Hedgehogs, according to Mr Google, hibernate in October or November through to March!

Not ‘my’ hedgehog. Proof, if proof was needed, of climate change. Obviously there are lots of worms, slugs and millipedes around. Oh, and Gerry’s cat food. Mr Google also tells me that hedgehogs come out around 9.30 pm to forage for food, may travel up to two kilometres and will be back in bed by 5 am.

I just hope it doesn’t cross paths with any prowling beasts because, if Margaret Mead is right, and I don‘t doubt but she that is, there’ll be no one around to nurse the unfortunate hedgehog back to good health!

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News

EmpowerHER– Female Enterprise – Business Builder programme unveiled in Carlow & Kilkenny The Local Enterprise Offices in Carlow and Kilkenny County Council are proud to announce the launch of the EmpowerHER program for 2024, in collaboration with the esteemed Powerhouse Women in Business Network and Network Ireland – Carlow & Kilkenny Branch. This innovative initiative aims to empower and elevate female entrepreneurs in the region, offering a unique opportunity to enhance business efficiency and competitiveness.

"At the heart of the EmpowerHER program is our commitment to fostering collaboration and creating a dynamic synergy among participants," said Melissa Doyle, Business Advisor on behalf of the Local Enterprise Offices. "This programme goes beyond mere cost savings; it's about crafting a stable, secure, and sustainable business that can navigate the complexities of the economic landscape."

The EmpowerHER program is designed to cater to female entrepreneurs at any stage of their business growth journey in Carlow & Kilkenny.

Whether a startup founder or an established business owner, participants will

benefit from practical, handson sessions that delve into the heart of business challenges and opportunities.

Megan Manning , President of Network Ireland Carlow said "We believe that every business process contains

potential for improvement, and EmpowerHER is here to guide participants through a transformative journey, Megan continued to say.

"This initiative emphasizes the importance of refining business processes,

enhancing competitiveness, and optimizing existing capacities and capabilities."

The program unfolds through two dynamic group workshops scheduled for 9th and 16th April 2024 at Enterprise House on O'Brien Road in Carlow. Following the workshops, participants will receive four ½ days of individual support from a seasoned Productivity Coach, providing a platform to discuss specific challenges with Business Experts and implement strategic improvements.

Anne Healy , President of Network Ireland Kilkenny said "We are thrilled to offer a personalized experience to each participant, catalysing the transformation of their business and we would encourage female to Join EmpowerHER and embark on a journey that will refine your business processes, foster collaboration, and ensure sustained success."

The programme will be

delivered by Jigsaw Better Business, Allyson English, Co-Founder & CEO of Jigsaw said “EmpowerHER guides women entrepreneurs through a strategic thinking process with LEAN principles.

Join us to elevate your business—making it Faster, Better, and Together. It's about liberating yourself from non-value-adding activities and focusing on what truly drives growth and value in your business”. Allyson concluded by saying “we look forward to working with the female entrepreneurs of Carlow & Kilkenny on this programme”.

The EmpowerHER program is free of charge and valued at €2,500 per place. It is open exclusively to female owner managers in Carlow & Kilkenny. To book go to EmpowerHER– Female Enterprise – Business Builder Programme - Local Enterprise Office - Carlow or contact Melissa on 059-9129783 or John on (056) 7752662

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 09 February 2024

Global Report

Yemen: the forgotten war What began as a civil war has been fuelled by regional rivals backing opposing sides. Sunni Saudi Arabia supports Yemen’s internationally-recognised government, weak as it is. Shia Iran backs the Houthi movement, formally known as Ansar Allah (or Supporters of God).

Ten years after the conflict began, the children of Yemen bears the scars.

In September 2014, the Houthis seized Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, driving out the government. The following spring a Saudi-led coalition intervened, backed by the UK and the US. The Saudis promised a quick operation to restore the government to power. Not quite.

Ten years, and thousands of coalition air strikes later, the Houthis still hold the capital.

The Saudis now want a quick exit – militarily at least.

Most of children maimed and killed over the years have been victims of the Houthis.

Others died in airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition – in the early war years – and some were killed by government forces. All sides have blood on their hands.

Yemen’s conflict is now on a lower flame – since a UN-bro-

kered truce last year that held for six months. It’s no longer all-out war, but it’s not peace either.

Saudi Arabia and Iran have shaken hands and made up.

So far, so good. There have been talks between the Saudis and the Houthis, but sources tell us they have stalled. And there are no talks involving Yemen’s own warring factions.

The country is increasingly fragmented, like a broken jigsaw that can’t be reassembled. A separatist movement – backed by the United Arab Emirates – wants the south to be independent, as it was from 1967 until 1990. That is one more fissure in a fraying state.

Many doubt that Yemen will survive in its current form.

Many more doubt that the Houthis will make peace.

War, hunger, and poverty are intertwined here. Yemen’s children may escape one and fall victim to the others.

And they are at risk of international neglect. The horrors of Gaza and Ukraine are closer to home for many Western nations than distant suffering in the Arabian Peninsula.

Now more than ever Yemenis fear they are easy to overlook.

said to me, you know, ‘I think it’s best that a baby isn’t born into this nightmare — it was probably meant to be’. Which was just heartbreaking.”

Sarah McCammon: “For those who are able to make it to a hospital and give birth there in Gaza, what happens afterward? I mean, how long, for example, are they able to stay in the hospital after the birth?”

Tess Ingram: “Not long at all. So at the moment, because of the sheer lack of staff compared to the enormous needs, women are having caesareans and then getting a short amount of time, maybe an hour or two, in a bed before being put in a chair because they need that bed for somebody else, and then being discharged within about three hours unless there is some kind of urgent need for them to stay in the hospital.

“So mothers are leaving hours after having a seri-

ous caesarean operation, with a newborn baby, back to the streets in many cases.

We’re talking about displaced women returning to makeshift shelters of tarpaulins and blankets on the streets of Gaza, where they’re not only at threat because of the bombardments, but they also don’t have basic things like clean water or food or even clothes for the baby.

“I met one mother who was taking her newborn baby back to their tent, and the baby didn’t have any clothes,” Sarah McCammon: “We’ve learned in recent days that several nations, including the United States, have suspended funding to one of the key United Nations agencies involved in providing aid to people in Gaza.

“That’s the agency known as UNRWA. And that decision came after Israel presented evidence alleging that a dozen UNRWA employees were

involved in the October 7 attacks. How much is that development harming efforts to help infants and new mothers in Gaza?”

Tess Ingram: “The situation was already at a breaking point. When I was in Gaza, I could just see just how exhausted people are by more than 100 days of war. And nothing justifies the horrific events on the 7th of October, and these are extremely serious allegations which are being investigated, but ultimately I think what we need to keep in front of mind is what happens to the children of Gaza when they’re already at this breaking point when the major U.N. agency in Gaza is not able to fully function?

“So I think that’s the thing that we at UNICEF are thinking about at the moment and making sure that the needs of the children in Gaza can continue to be met.”

20,000 babies born in Gaza since Israeli offensive ... delivered into Hell A woman dries a baby in a towel after giving the infant a bath inside a tent at a camp for displaced Palestinians in Rafah, in southern Gaza. Delivered into Hell.

That is how Tess Ingram of the UN Children’s Fund — or UNICEF — describes the world that newborn babies are meeting in Gaza. Tess Ingram recently spent a week observing the conditions at two hospitals there.

UNICEF estimates that about 20,000 babies have been born in Gaza since Israel began its offensive there in response to the October 7 Hamas attack. Only about a third of the territory’s hospitals are still partially functioning, and Ingram says pregnant women have trouble accessing even the most basic of medical services.

She spoke to America’s National Public Radio (NPR) correspondent Sarah McCammon about what she saw

while on the ground.

Tess Ingram: “The care that people are able to receive is incredibly limited. The hospitals are so very crowded because there’s just so many people in need, both from injuries from the war but also from preexisting conditions [for which they] need to continue to receive treatment, and then, of course, women giving birth and the care that their newborn babies need.

“I spoke to one woman who was living in the middle area of Gaza. And when her house was hit, her husband was buried under the rubble for several days, and her baby stopped moving inside of her.

And she said that she wasn’t able to get a scan or any sort of assessment of the baby’s condition.

‘When I met her, it had been a month after that terrible incident. And she confirmed her husband was fortunately rescued and he was OK, but

she was sure that their baby was dead, and she was waiting for medical care. So these are the sorts of things that women are experiencing even before they get to a hospital. And then once they’re there, for example, anaesthetic is not something that’s easily available, let alone other more usual medications that women might receive,” she said.

Sarah McCammon: “And I’m sorry. The woman you just described — you said her husband was ultimately rescued, but what about the baby?”

Tess Ingram: “So she was waiting when I met her at the Emirati hospital to see a doctor. But baby hadn’t moved in about a month. And she said that she was sure that the baby was dead. And we spoke for a long time, and she was obviously distraught by the whole situation. It was her second pregnancy. But she

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Comer panto PHOTOS BY Pat Shortall The first pantomime performance in Castlecomer was on 29th December 1959 with the show, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.

It was performed by the Deenside Players under the direction of Rev. Cleary, C.C. It was a colourful, happy show, with laughs for all and songs to suit every taste.

The Castlecomer String Orchestra, under its director, Miss Nora Dooley, provided the music.

John Ryan played the lead role of Ali Baba and the excellent dame, Mrs. Baba was executed with great aplomb

by Jimmy O’Connell.

Many famous names of Comer were on stage for this momentous show.

It proved to be an impressive debut and was an instant success.

The tradition of a pantomime in Castlecomer was born and it has continued down through the years, with a few breaks along the way.

Shows continued annually for 14 years, to the early 1970s.

Among the performances were perennial favourites including Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Puss in Boots and Sinbad the Sailor.

The pantomimes were well received and many familiar faces were to be seen every year on the stage in Castlecomer.

Deenside Players revival The Deenside Players were revived in the 1980s and some pantomimes were produced in the 1980s and the early 1990s. Shows performed included Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Three Little Pigs and Sinbad the Sailor. Community Hall However, the shows stopped when the new Community Hall was being built in the 1990s. There was a new resurgence from 1996 when the Annual Castlecomer Pantomime was revived and it has thrived since then. Many familiar faces continue to be active in the Deenside Players and the next generation of families have started appearing in recent years. This family connection is an important factor in the panto in Castlecomer and it is a tradition that hopefully will continue into the future The rich tradition of Panto’ in Castlecomer continued this year with their production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

The excellent script was penned by Bennetsbridge man Joe Murray.

Murray scripted a number of scripts over the years including, plays, short stories and poetry.

His stage experience over the last forty plus years ensuring his script was finely tuned and had all the right ingredients for the stage.

The Kilkenny Observer met up with The Pantomime Chairman Chubby Brennan who said that the committee could not be happier with the production.

“It is always great to see a show come together and click on opening night,” said Mr Brennan.

Chubby continued: “It is very much a community effort , and without the support of the people of ‘Comer it just wouldn’t happen”.

The show was executed with great precision and a lot of its success is due to the production team of John Coogan ( director) Sarah Brennan, (director), Michelle Wise (Choreographer), Ollie Hennessy and Jimmy Byrne (music).

A special feature of the show were the backdrops painted by Eugene Conway.

And where would you be in pantomime without children?

This Panto saw 90 young children take to the stage and their enthusiasm and smiles was worth its weight in gold.

Snow White was played by Akira

All the right chords hit as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs entertains in ‘Comer

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Comer panto

Cox who, in her first leading role wowed the audience. Akira’s mother Nicole was superb as the magic mirror.

The seven dwarfs did what was expected. They treated the audience to a wonderful evening of comedy.

Yet another new cast member was Liam Brennan who played the role of Prince Hugh and made the part his own.

Michael Dowd and Chubby Brennan are a joy to watch and they bounced off of each other echoed by great laughter from the audience.

Lisa O’Rourke who is well known for her stage work took on the role of Queen Grimilla and played in with her usual panache and style.

Mary O’Brien as the crone was perfection personified, while John Coogan as Dame Bakewell showed his usual style and stagecraft to carry off another super performance.

Roll on Pantomime 2025.

We enclose some wonderful shots of the Castlecomer Pantomime compliments of Pat Shortall.

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Opinion

Part four

Old time fun and games

BY JOHN FITZGERALD

The sports days at Ballyclovin, near Callan were legendary. Peter Roughan, who penned the weekly Callan Man Looks Back column, recalled how in one memorable outing, local teacher Tom Frisby took a set of china after beating all rivals in a race. Jack Commons came second, and had to be content with a cruets stand.

But later in the day, Jack finished in front of Tom, and won a squeezebox, leaving the Mohober man with a set of carving knives.

A tailor in Callan had to take Tom Myles’s measurements when he won a “suit length” of his choice for winning the tough and arduous half-mile open race. Dan Larkin was thrilled with the mirror he won for coming second. He promised he would admire himself for the rest of his days in the stateof-the-art looking glass.

Spectators gasped and cheered as Paddy Meehan cleared 7ft 10 inches in the pole jump. This earned him a medal. But Ned Holmes of Great Oak had to settle for a scarf pin for his jump of 7ft 4inches. Elated by his own achievement, Paddy compared himself to Jesus.

“Didn’t he clear the Temple in Jerusalem?” he shouted.

Ned and Paddy easily beat off competition from veteran Tipperary pole jumpers who had underestimated the local talent.

George Minogue won three of the four cycling events. The Ballymack man proved unbeatable at many a Ballyclovin sports day.

He excelled in the riding of penny-farthing bikes. He was an acknowledged expert on the machine, and could be seen at all hours of the

day and night practising on roads and laneways, honing his legendary riding abilities.

Blindfolded, he could take the machine apart and put it back together again with pinpoint accuracy.

Peter Roughan described George’s remarkable performance at the 1903 sports day event: “George collared nearly all the first prizes. He won a set of carvers in the mile; he beat Paddy Brett and left him with an inkstand. In the threemile he won a lamp, and left Ned Holmes to go home with a set of cutthroat razors.

“George got something to carry his winnings in when he won a portmanteau in the five miles, again leaving Ned Holmes on edge with a set of cutlery. Paddy Murphy of Redhouse got a writing desk for beating Jimmie Stapleton in the two-mile race. Jimmie had to be content with…a handbag!”

Blushing, but pleased with his performance, Jimmy explained that he had “a lady in mind” to whom he would, in due course, present the unmanly item.

Some of the local prime boys in Ballymack tried hard to topple George Minogue from his saddle. Their motive was partly fun, but the odd fellow might also be a little jealous of the man who could turn his bike on a plate.

While most riders had cranky old contraptions to convey them along the highways and byways, George was Cock of the Walk and Monarch of all he surveyed as he cycled past his envious contemporaries, a proud look on his face, and a haughty greeting for anyone he passed.

Lying in ditches on dark nights, the boyos waited to ambush the “penny-farthing man”. For each attempt, they would stretch a rope across the road ahead of the uncoming bike.

Concealed from view on ei-

Callan knitwear staff 1947. Pictured are: Back Row: C. Corcoran, Maureen O’ Brien, Peggy Walsh, Julia O’ Reilly, Mary McGrath.

Front Row: Kitty Mackey, Poll O’ Brien, Mary Fitzgerald, Joan Fitzgerald, Frances Doheny, Peggy Freaney, Mary Butler.

ther side of the road, the lads pulled tight on the rope when George was just yards away… but he never succumbed to their mischievous antics. His eyesight was top-notch and he could reputedly see in the dark in much the same way as Special Forces troops nowadays who wear infrared goggles.

Once he spotted the rope, his mind reacted with the speed of fork lightning. With just seconds to spare, he managed to halt his pennyfarthing and avoid embarrassment or even possible serious injury with his superb demonstrations of riding skill that impressed the prime boys in the ditches.

His narrow escapes were the talk of Callan and Bally-

mack, and the topic of many a fireside storytelling session in the long winter evenings.

Political correctness was unheard of those days, so nobody objected when the over-60s Walking contest at Ballyclovin was referred to as the Auld Lad’s race. Paddy Lyons of Ballyline won a twomonths supply of tobacco after he struggled past the finishing line, pipe in mouth, sweat pouring out of him, and a well-deserved smile of

triumph on his face.

Paddy Bergin of West Street won the donkey race, beating the nearest of his fifteen rivals by a nose to scoop the much sought-after prize of a new suit. The ass was taken out for a meal in the adjoining field.

Jack Minogue, whose donkey had been hotly tipped to take the honours, came second.

He had to settle for a football and the ass got nothing.

The day ended with a recitation by Jimmie Stapleton of

John Locke’s patriotic poem Dawn on the Irish Coast, which received loud applause from the crowd.

To be continued...

(More stories of those bygone times can be read in my book Callan in Words and Pictures, which is available from Amazon)

Mill Street 1917

Crowraddie Hurling team 1935. Pictured are: Back Row: Ned Hennessy, W. Madigan, J. Walsh, J. Brien, T. Croke, J. Burke, J. Corcoran, L, Maher, M. Madigan, D. Hoyne, J. Lyons.

Middle Row: P. Hogan, J. Power, J. Madigan, T. Power, F. Maher, W, Lyons, M. Joyce.

Front Row: J. Foley, W. Purcell, S. Walsh, P. Casey, P. Reilly, P. Leahy.

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Clogh Writers Group

In November of 2023, Clogh Writers group launched ‘Where I am’, a collection of poetry and prose from eleven different writers.

As co-ordinator of the writers group Jane Meally said: “Where I am” is a publication where each writer communicates their passion to the reader.”

Having attended the launch in Clogh, The Kilkenny Observer Newspaper was quite taken with not only the publication, but the work ethic of the writers group. Over the next 11 weeks we reproduce some of that work, and are delighted to work hand in hand with this North Kilkenny writers group.

WEEK 1: This week we feature the work of Willie Joe Meally

Dying Trade They come, delph rattling Buy a couple of mugs ma’am lovely plates goin’ chape, lovely basin, there’s a bargain now!

My mother hands him holed enamel buckets and jugs, he sits on a three-legged stool and hammers with delicate tools, warning us not to touch any, That’s a leprechaun’s hammer.

He talks all through his work, there are so many roads in Ireland and frogs flew at night, Go on ma’am take something what about these lovely plastic cups, bend them or bang them hop them off the flags they won’t break, don’t lave them on the hob, what do ya mane no money, give me a sup of milk for baby and the blessing of God on you.

They’re done now, they’ll last if minded, this is a dying trade lad, there’s more money on scrap heaps!

She hands him silver coins, he praises the strong tae and brown bread God bless you ma’am.

He pulls on the reins, the delph, hooves and lingering voices echo beyond the bend of the road.

A Night At Lacy’s In the criss-crossing moments, our lives mingle, distance and memories cupped, our voices wade through the flames. Porter and whiskey, museum pub, artifacts of coal mine pictures of miners, old farm tools bayonets from 1798, dusty calendars dating back to the 40’s, posters of winning Kilkenny Hurling teams, a rope chair, a settle bed.

Conversations turn and twist, lead to disagreements, Wind power or fossil fuels Who wants one in your back garden? Think of the air You might as well have geese and ganders roaring What’s the alternative?

More porter flows, the accordion tune begins handclaps encourage a song, feet tap and sway.

There’s a pretty spot in Ireland, the Clare man sings one we never heard before the girl from Ardmore sings Bobby Magee.

Wind power and fossils become a symphony, forget the arguments linger the night dreaming up old melodies.

He adds more logs to the dying embers, they crack and spit sap before surrendering.

Old voices seem to murmur in the singing kettle Sweet Chariot Coming for to Carry me Home almost brings the crickets back to the hobs.

No longer strangers, we sit and stare into the fire, shadows close around us.

The Culm Dancers Willie-Joe Meally

‘Dance!’ she tells them, ‘dance harder. Throw more water on there. More yellow clay. Fill in the edges. When the mixture is finished, make bumbs and lay them in the sun to dry.’ Another batch is being prepared and the dance continues. The children splash to their ankles in sticky mud in their bare feet. They laugh and sing until the batch is ready for bumb making. ‘Oh, it’s great to be young and agile,’ comment the older women sitting around the batch.

The Angelus Bell rings in Moneenroe and the world stops for a while. It is lunch time; the children wash their hands and feet in the stream and joyfully sit on forms around a wooden table, tucking into soup and new potatoes. Their Aunt Maureen reads a story to them from an old Reader’s Digest that came in a Hope trunk from Boston, USA. The story is about a runaway train heading into the desert, her tone of voice, rising and falling as the train flashes and struggles through the terrain. The children grip the edges of the table and sway as if they are on the train. The train approaches a cliff edge. The children scream. Suddenly there is a loud clap. The book is closed. ‘Let’s get back to work,’ says Aunt Maureen.

The next job is collecting yellow clay from the bank mounds in Larue. The buzzer blows in the Deerpark, sending a shrill message across the Colliery. Cattle race into bushes, afraid of the gadfly; their tails stick up like spears. John Blake mows the swamp field. A green-yellow frog leaps between the horse’s legs. Aunt Maureen and the children carry the yellow clay home in enamel buckets.

Aunt Maureen empties twenty buckets of coal dust onto the yard, followed by four buckets of yellow clay. They mix it dry first; then water is added. The dance begins again. Their bare feet pound the fine mixture until it becomes a sticky culm and the batch is ready for bumb making. Some of the older women, sitting round the batch, join in the bumb making.

A black cloud appears over Loon. ‘It looks like rain,’ says one of the older women. They carry the freshly made bumbs into the house and gently place them on the hot hobs to dry. The sun lowers.

Jim brings home the cows to be milked. Jack lays a whitethorn hedge between two pastures. Blood seeps into his white shirt from a tear of a briar. A corncrake pitches her voice across the Long Meadow.

When supper is over, the rosary is recited. The forms are placed around the hearth flag. The paraffin wick is lowered and stories begin; stories about the mines, stories about haunted houses, or the deep. Blue and yellow sparks disappear up the chimney. The wind swirls around the kitchen door. The moon shines through the lace curtains. ‘Everyone to bed,’ interrupts Aunt Maureen, ‘we’ll have more dancing and stories tomorrow.’

The children run into their beds. The glow from the paraffin lamp sends shadows around the house.

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Events/Occasion

St. Patrick’s Festival returns to Kilkenny this March 15th – 18th March 2024 Enjoy several days of festival fun, with American Marching Bands, Street Entertainment, Funfair, Festival Market, Children’s Shows, Workshops, Live Music, Special Events and of course the St. Patrick’s Day Parade!

Celebrate Ireland’s national holiday in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East with a BIG FESTIVAL IN A SMALL CITY! Kilkenny will come alive with pageantry, craic agus ceol this March 15th to 18th. Enjoy free events and scale the heights on the ‘big wheel’, glory in the sight of Kilkenny Castle as it lights up in green, enjoy American bands and performances, indulge in festival street food, ignite your senses with Traditional Irish Music and the main event – The St. Patrick’s Day Parade where families and visitors gather to watch the bands, dance troupes, artistic and colourful floats and so much more.

This year’s Parade theme is Kilkenny Cats: Tales and

Legends. From ancient tales to present day legends, celebrate the history, culture, and heroes of Kilkenny with a colourful Parade through

Kilkenny’s medieval streets.

It is widely known that Kilkenny is home to Ireland’s best festivals, combining culture, the arts, comedy with

culinary and festive themes.

Kilkenny pride themselves on creating a big festival atmosphere in a small city.

Their return to the streets in

2022 saw 100,000 people visit the city and attend events across the 6 day festival. For 2024 St. Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny are continuing to build on this and are welcoming – musicians, street performers, theatre groups to enhance the entertainment and festive atmosphere in the city for the thousands of spectators.

Join in the fun at St. Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny 2024! Whether you’re a local community group, a marching band from abroad,

a group from our twinned towns or a theatrical group from anywhere, they want you to spend St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland and take part in the St. Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny.

For music lovers, the St. Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny takes place alongside Kilkenny Tradfest, a traditional music festival with gigs from some of the best Irish Musicians offering everything from live music sessions, sing-alongs, from trad to folk and ballads. See kilkennytradfest.com for more details.

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated all around the world, but there is nothing quite like celebrating it in Ireland. Kilkenny is an intimate city, with medieval streets and a 900 year old castle, full of warmth, culture, heritage and fun. It’s the kind of place where you’ll easily bump into the same person twice! With so much to see and do, and so many things happening around the St. Patrick’s Festival, Kilkenny it is the perfect place to be!

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Stylists Chris Kavanagh, Fiona Foley and Marietta Doran at Gowran Park

This year’s 2024 Connolly’s RED MILLS Race Day promises to be the biggest and best yet with a feast of fringe activities to compliment the top class racing & fashion, and a special appearance from celebrity singer songwriter Jake Carter!

Photos: Anthony Woods

T

he fashionistas will be out in full force at Gowran Park on the 17th February for the return of the annual Red Mills Race Day and Style Event. Connolly’s Red Mills have sponsored this much loved race meeting for over 40 years, and the Style event which was added in recent years is a wonderful opportunity to get dolled up and be in with a chance to win some pretty amazing prizes.

There will be live performances from The Lady Desart Choir as you arrive, followed by ‘Peter & Paul’ in the Thyestes Bar, ‘Just Jane’ in Blinkers Lounge and ‘Sean Mc’ on the Balcony bar.

The much loved Best Dressed Style Event will be hosted by stylist and presenter Marietta Doran and racegoers can enjoy fashion shows, style advice and the Red Mills Store pop-up where you can shop ‘til you drop.

Celebrity Guest Judge for this year's Best Dressed Competition will be none

other than singer/songwriter and all round stylish gent - Jake Carter! Jake will be working with the assistance of Style MC Marietta Doran to choose the Best Dressed Lady and Gent on the day – with some truly amazing prizes up for grabs including: • An overnight stay for two in the Hunters Yard at the fabulous Mount Juliet resort including dinner on the evening of their stay • A €500 voucher to spend on ladies and menswear at the Red Mills Store in Kilkenny • A leather or suede bag of your choice from the Fairfax & Favor range in the Red Mills Store • €100 gift card for The Lord Bagenal Hotel & Restaurant in Loughlinbridge Après racing you will be entertained by the legends that are After Dark in the Party Marquee – keeping the

Jockey Donagh Meyler with Stylist Marietta Doran

party going for two hours after the last race.

And for those looking for racing tips the team from Champ.ie will be hosting a

morning line live from the parade ring at 12 noon and this will be beamed out on the course TVs throughout the day.

Stylists Marietta Doran and Fiona Foley at Gowran Park

Tickets to the Red Mills Race Day are free when you register online at gowranpark.ie – numbers are limited so stayed tuned to

social media for updates on ticket release information.

Visit @redmillsonline on Instagram or @gowranpark on facebook.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 09 February 2024

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 09 February 2024

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Dubarry of Ireland Dubarry is an iconic Irish brand offering country and marine footwear, alongside lifestyle clothing and a variety of accessory and gift items.The brand started in County Galway, along Ireland’s Atlantic coast, during the 1930's, manufacturing hand stitched moccasins. Since then, the company has developed its heritage and expertise, combining generations of skilled craftsmanship with the finest in modern technology, to produce genuine world class products.

Today, Dubarry features a truly unique and varied collection of products for both the customer who requires style and function, and the customer who appreciates aesthetic and quality.

Most famous for their Gore-Tex Country Boots, Dubarry is a staple in any country boot room or country influenced wardrobe.

Available nationwide at leading stockists including Connolly's Red Mills.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 09 February 2024

Connolly’s Red Mills - D This article was written

by Michael Doyle, student at Ormonde College of Further Education on work experience with The Kilkenny Observer

C

onnolly’s Red Mills are a family-run business situated in Goresbridge, Kilkenny. Originally a grain mill, Connolly’s Red Mills has gone on to become a striving business, ever-expanding their range of equine, agriculture, animal feed and clothing products. They’ve had much success extending their equine products overseas, in places such as the UK, China, And Japan. As their ethos goes, ‘Naturally wholesome food, from our family to yours’. Here, we take a look at the history of Connolly’s Red Mills down through the years from its humble beginnings to the modern day.

History of the Business In the 1840s, the Connolly family settled in Bagenalstown, Carlow. Unfortunately, they faced the difficult times of the Great Famine and the repeal of the Corn Laws. This caused Michael Connolly to leave Ireland and move to Long Island, America in 1849. During his

time there, Michael worked as a head lad for a French horse trainer.

In 1866, Michael returned to Bagenalstown and inherited the family business, a bakery that was run by his aunt. It would be much later in 1908 when he purchased a mill on the River Barrow that was built in 1758 by Englishman John Handy. He saw the potential in using the mill as a source of flour for his bakery. The mill was bought for his youngest son, William, and would be named William Connolly & Sons Ltd. William painted the roof of the mill red. He did this to make Connolly’s stand out from the rest of the other mills in the area that would produce similar products to them. This is how Connolly’s would later be known as Connolly’s Red Mills.

Down through the generations Afterwards, William handed down the business to his son, Liam. During his time, he oversaw huge changes in the introduction of the mill’s connection to the national electricity grid in the 1950s which resulted in advances in technology and milling techniques. In 1963, Liam Connolly and Pad-

Early 1900s - William Connolly & Sons

dy Mullins met by coincidence, and this led to the development of a new division inside the company: the horse feed division. This was created as Paddy Mullins had a horse that refused to eat, so Liam took up

the challenge, creating a new nutritional yet tasty formula of horse feed. This results in the first horse success story, when Vulpine wins the 1966 Powers World Cup and the 1967 Irish Grand National while feeding

on Connolly's Red Mills new horse feed. They would later go on to start exporting feed to the UK in the 1980s.

The year 1992 took them back a step, as a devastating fire occurred, causing huge

damage. A rebuilding process ensued, allowing the business to introduce more advanced technology, a silver lining I suppose!

Modern Milestones

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Down through the ages 2017 - Red Mills Store opens its doors

1952 - Liam Connolly’s makes major technological advances

2006 - Red Mills’ first year on the Asian market, when they started exporting to Japan.

2012 - Red Mills began trading in the Chinese equine market.

2013 - Red Mills acquired the successful ownership of Foran Equine, merging the equine expertise of Connolly's nutritionists with Foran

Equine’s leading supplement range.

feed, supplements, and grooming supplies.

2017 - Red Mills launched their new store, The Red Mills Store, at Cillín Hill, Kilkenny.

The Business Today Five generations later, the Connolly family still run Connolly’s Red Mills. The Connolly family has persisted in innovating and leading the animal nutrition sector as a global leader in feed production which has earned them the respect, confidence, and support of their clients across the world.

2020 - Carr & Day & Martin, the oldest horse care product company, is acquired by Red Mills. As a result, Red Mills grows into a major global supplier of horse

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COMPETITION TIME

WITH

The Kilkenny

Observer

Red Mills Race Day and Style Event FEBRUARY 17TH 2024

WIN a €300 voucher SPONSORED BY THE KILKENNY OBSERVER

Connolly’s Red Mills have sponsored this much loved race meeting for over 40 years, and the Style event which was added in recent years is a wonderful opportunity to get all dolled up and be in with a chance to win some pretty amazing prizes.

The Kilkenny Observer are holding a competition to mark this great occasion.

The prize is a €300 voucher for Connolly’s Red Mills Store at Cillín Hill, Kilkenny.

Just complete the entry form below with your details and answer to the competition question to be in with a chance to win this fabulous prize. You will have the opportunity to shop at Connolly’s Red Mills Store who feature brands such as Schoffel, Fairfax & Favor and Dubarry.

Good luck everybody.

✁ COMPETITION ENTRY FORM

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

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

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

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

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

Question: What date is Connolly’s RED MILLS Race Day 2024?

Answer..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

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This competition is sponsored by The Kilkenny Observer The prize will be a €300.00 Voucher for Connolly’s Red Mills Store at Cillín Hill The closing date for entries is Wednesday, February 28th 2024 at 5.00pm.

The winner will be chosen by an open draw held at the office of The Kilkenny Observer on Friday 1st March 2024.

After being notified the winner will be announced in our edition of March 8th.

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

All competition entries must be completed on the above form only.

The winner will be advised by phone / e-mail .

After being notified the name and photograph of the winner will be published in the next edition of The Kilkenny Observer.

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.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 09 February 2024

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BY MICHAEL O’LEARY

F

ollowing on from another hugely successful Thyestes Day, attention has turned to the upcoming Red Mills Day that takes place tomorrow week on Saturday 17th February.

For the third consecutive year, Connollys have generously sponsored the day with Free Admission for all spectators, & at time of writing a Second batch of Tickets has been completely sold out with more Tickets possibly distributed ahead of next weeks meeting.

Rachael Blackmore was the toast of Gowran following her victory in The Thyestes aboard The Henry De Bromhead trained Ain’t That A Shame, and Red Mills Day has been a most happy hunting ground for her over the last 5 years.

In 2019, she rode a treble that included Monalee, which was the first of her three victories in The Red Mills Chase.

Further victories in The Red

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 09 February 2024

Mills Chase came courtesy of Chris's Dream in 2020, while last year she was aboard The Willie Mullins trained Janidil that gave The Champion Trainer his 7th win in The Grade 2 feature.

Victory for either Rachael Blackmore or Paul Townend in this years race would give them a 4th win overall, making them the most successful jockey to have won The Red Mills Chase as both have won the race three times previously along with Ruby Walsh.

Willie Mullins's

WP Mullins

Rachael Blackmore Thyestes

Red Mills Day 2024

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 09 February 2024

Danny Mullins

charges as usual come into peak form at this time of season with The Cheltenham Festival just over a month away, and the majority of his Cheltenham leading hopes were in action at last weekends Dublin Racing Festival in Leopardstown where he completely dominated.

Willie trained the winner of all 8 Grade 1 races including last years Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs who gave another excellent performance in winning The Irish Gold Cup. Last Saturday was a day to remember for Gowran native Danny Mullins who rode a hat-trick of Grade 1 triumphs in the opening three races.

Danny got the ball rolling courtesy of 16/1 shot outsider Dancing City in the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle, before fol-

lowing up aboard the highly fancied Kargese (7/2) in the McCann Fitzgerald Spring Juvenile Hurdle, while the hat-trick was complete when IL Etait Temps (6/1) prevailed in a thrilling finish to win The Goffs Irish Arkle Chase.

With the wealth of resources at his Uncle disposal, Danny will have plenty to look forward to at The Cheltenham Festival in a months time and he is firmly an important part of The Team.

The Champion Trainer had a treble at The Thyestes meeting and that included the most welcoming return to the winners enclosure of Monkfish - Twice Cheltenham Festival winner and an ante-post favorite for The Cheltenham Gold Cup - who produced a highly impressive performance in landing The Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle.

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He leads the way in both Red Mills races having trained The winner of The Red Mills Hurdle on 6 occassions, while on 7 occassions his stable has led the way in winning The Red Mills Chase.

Willie will be attempting to win The Red Mills Chase for the 4th consecutive year having won it the past three years with Bacchasson(2021) - Run in Fairyhouse - Melon (2022) and Janidil(2023), and their is a possibility he could be represented by Classic Getaway bred by Gowran man Daniel Fogarty in this years renewal providing he is none the worse for his recent exertions at The Dublin Racing Festival.

Both The Red Mills Hurdle and Red Mills Chase have produced an illustrious roll of honour throughout the 40 plus years in the staging of the event, and without ques-

tion the most popular winner on Red Mills Day was Danoli winning The Red Mills Hurdle in 1996 that attracted a record attendance to Gowran Park - 28 years ago exactly to the day tomorrow week on 17th February 1996 -.

Danoli was owned by Dan O'Neill and trained by Tom Foley, and the horse was called after The Owner along with his Daughter Olivia who sadly passed away just under a forthnight ago.

Olivia was a fanatic about horses and racing, and she was well known in Camogie circles having given amazing service to her Club Myshall having won over 20 County titles along with Leinster and All-Ireland Medals.

Deepest Condolences to all her family at this most difficult time.

The racing action is scheduled to start about 1.40pm with The Sea Moon & Jukebox Jury At Burgage Stud Maiden Hurdle, and that will be followed by The Red Mills Hurdle.

Race 3 will be a Handicap Hurdle that is a qualifier for The Punchestown Festival in late April. and that will be followed by The Red Mills Steeplechase that will take place at about 3.30pm.

Afterwards, The Gowran Park Golf Club Beginners Steeplechase will be followed

by The Careys Cottage Cup Handicap Steeplechase, before the action concludes with The Ronan Lawlor Memorial Mares Bumper.

The Mares Bumper is run in honour of Ronan Lawlor who died tragically in an accident in the stables of Trainer Pat Fahy back in 2010, and it's a race that Patrick Mullins would love to win dearly having been a close friend of Ronan.

Patrick won The race twice previously in 2015 aboard Kate Appleby Shoes, and he followed that up 12 months later in 2016 when partnering The Mags Mullins trained and owned She's Otto to a resounding 13 length victory.

This is the 44th year in suc-

cession that Red Mills have sponsored since they began in 1981, and there continued sponsorship makes them one of the longest running sponsorship of not just a race meeting but a Sporting event around the world.

It's a wonderful day out that always brings out a huge attendance, and gets great support from those that only have a casual interest in the sport.

Apart from The Racing, their will be plenty of Style, Fashion & Glamour on show on the day featuring a fashion event with a dedicated style marquee with fashion shows and Best Dressed prizes.

It's a busy week in Gowran as The annual Pantomime takes place next week.

Indeed, many people will flock from the racing to watch Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs later for what should be another superb show.

A superb days entertainment lies in store in what is one of The biggest days of the year in Gowran Parish.

Finally, one man who will most certainly be remembered and in the thoughts of many on Red Mills Day is Ollie O'Neill who was long serving employee with Red Mills.

Ollie sadly passed away last Friday morning following a illness bravely borne, and he was most known in Boxing circles both locally and nationwide.

His son Darren gave tremendous to the Sport having won Gold and Silver Medals in The EU Championships and a Silver Medal in The European Championships in 2010, while he was also Captain at The 2012 Olympics in London.

Ollie was also well known in GAA circles as a well regarded and well respected referee in both Hurling and Camogie.

Thinking of his wife Carmel, Sons Darren, Aidan and Daniel and all his family at this most diffiult time.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 09 February 2024

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Get dolled up for All at Connolly’s Red Mills Store - Great personal Style, Comfort and final touches

I

t’s nearly Valentine’s Day, love is in the air and the Red Mills Race Day is the perfect opportunity for couples and groups alike to get the glad rags on and head to the race track.

If ever there was a good excuse to get dolled up, the Best Dressed Event as part of Red Mills Race Day is it. Not only can you give your best outfit a great day out, but you could also be in with a chance to win some great prizes – including a stay at the fabulous Mount Juliet Estate, a €500 voucher to shop ‘ till you drop, a designer handbag and more!

The main event is of course the Best Dressed Lady, and every year the style just gets better and better, with colour, glamour and super chic accessorising. Making the difficult decisions on the day will be celeb guest judge Jake Carter, with help from style MC Marietta Doran.

So what will the judges be looking for? In a nutshell – Great personal Style, Comfort and final touches.

Personal Style Choosing an outfit that lets your personality shine through is always a winner. You will know yourself which colours and styles suit you and make the most of your best features. The simplest of outfits can be transformed with the right hairstyle, accessory, and colour mix.

And we can’t over emphasise how important a bright smile is on the big day!

Comfort Let’s face Dubarry Women's Darkhedges Tweed Jacket in Burren

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Connolly’s Red Mills Race Day it, we are still in the throes of winter weather, and not quite ready to pack away the coats and boots just yet! The judges will be keeping an eye on the practicality of the outfit – leave the goosebumps and blue toes at home and pack your fancy gloves and extra layers so you can feel comfortable while looking super stylish.

Final touches It’s the little details that can make all the difference. A feather in your fedora, a fab fascinator, an eye catching bag, clutch, belt, hairpin, stole – just some examples of accessories which can all help to elevate your race day look and work together with the main pieces to create the ultimate race day outfit.

Bear in mind that if you want to really experience the thrill of your horse thundering past the post in first place, you’re going to be outdoors quite a bit.

In addition, you’ll Matching Skirt Dubarry Women's Buckthorn Tweed Skirt in Burren

be on your feet standing in the one spot in the fresh February air.

Layers are your best friend here.

Whatever your outfit is on the day, the option to peel off a layer as you move from the parade ring to the lounge is a must.

We’ve chosen a few of our favourite pieces from Red Mills at Cillin Hill in Dubarry Women's Sligo Country Boot in Walnut

Kilkenny – rooted in Equine history for their success at feeding some of the world’s most elite racehorses, Red Mills opened their flagship store at Cillin Hill in 2017 and have arguably the finest selection of racing appropriate ladies and menswear in the country. With exclusive brands such as Fairfax & Favor, Schoffel, Dubarry and Barbour, shoppers travel from up and down the country to browse this unique mix of lifestyle brands.

Registration for the Best Dressed event

opens at 12.30pm in the Style Marquee at Gowran Park on Sat 17th Feb. There will be lots going on throughout the day including fashion shows, a pop-up style shop and of course the main event – the crowning of the Best dressed winners with Jake Carter and Marietta Doran.

Schoffel Women's Portree Tweed Jacket in Oak Herringbone Tweed

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 09 February 2024

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Dine Me Food & Drink

Come

With

Prawn and harissa spaghetti

Prep: 5 mins Cook: 15 mins Serves: 2

Try our spaghetti dinner for two, with king prawns and harissa dressing. It only takes 20 minutes to make and is healthy too – great for a midweek meal.

Prep:15 mins No cook Serves: 4-6 If you’re on prescribed medication, have a kidney or digestive disorder (including gall bladder issues), are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your healthcare professional before drinking these shots.

Ingredients • 100g long-stem broccoli, cut into thirds • 180g dried spaghetti, regular or wholemeal • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 large garlic clove, lightly bashed • 150g cherry tomatoes, halved • 150g raw king prawns • 1 heaped tbsp rose harissa paste • 1 lemon, finely zested STEP 1 Bring a pan of lightly salted water to the boil. Add the broccoli and boil for 1 min 30 secs, or until tender. Drain and set aside. Cook the spaghetti following pack instructions, then drain, reserving a ladleful of cooking water.

Ingredients • 60g ginger, skin left on • 400ml fresh apple juice • ½ lemon, juiced STEP 2 Heat the oil in a large frying pan, add the garlic clove and fry over a low heat for 2 mins. Remove with a slotted spoon and discard, leaving the flavoured oil.

STEP 3 Add the tomatoes to the pan and fry over a medium heat for 5 mins, or until beginning to soften and turn juicy. Stir through the prawns and cook for 2 mins, or until turning pink. Add the harissa and lemon

zest, stirring to coat.

STEP 4 Toss the cooked spaghetti and pasta water through the prawns and harissa. Stir through the broccoli, season to taste and serve.

Creamy cheese and potato bake Prep: 25 mins Cook: 1 hr and 10 mins Serves: 6-8 A comforting cheesy potato bake is the perfect accompaniment to a hearty meat dish in cold weather.

Ingredients 1½ kg King Edward potato, Desiree, or similar, peeled 1 onion, finely chopped knob of butter, plus extra for greasing 100ml white wine 300ml milk 400ml double cream 3 sage leaves, finely chopped 50g gruyère, grated Method STEP 1 Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas

Ginger shots

5. Boil the potatoes for 3 mins to soften a little, then drain. When cool enough to handle, slice into 5mm pieces. Cook the onion in the butter in a pan until softened, about 5 mins, then pour over the wine, milk and cream and heat through. Place the potato slices into a large bowl, pour over the cream mixture, sage leaves and half the cheese. Carefully stir until the potato slices are coated.

STEP 2 Grease a large baking dish (about 20 x 30cm) with a little butter, then tip the potatoes in. Smooth over the top, scatter over the remaining cheese and season with black pepper. Cover with foil and cook for 30 mins, then uncover and cook 3040 mins more until a fork slides in easily and the top is golden brown.

Method n STEP 1 Chop the ginger into small chunks. Tip into a blender with the apple and lemon juice and blitz for a few minutes until very smooth.

STEP 2 Set a very fine sieve over a jug.

You could also line a regular sieve with a piece of muslin or a clean, thin tea towel. Tip the juice into the sieve and leave it to drain, then press the remaining pulp with the back of a ladle until dry. If you’re using a cloth, twist to squeeze all the juice out. Drink straightaway or decant into a bottle. Will keep chilled for up to four days. Shake well before serving.

Tip Make as much as you want: We tried many different quantities of ginger to liquid and the amount we liked most for a shot that was still very gingery but not overpowering was 15g ginger per 100ml liquid.

This makes a 100ml serving or two 50ml shots. Use these proportions to make as much or as little ginger juice as you’d like.

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4

Advertisement Advertisement TV & Streaming

to stream right now on Netflix 1. One Piece

A fantasy adventure series, if you love manga and anime, you’ll want to check out One Piece. Adapted from the manga series of the same name by Eiichiro Oda, it’s a liveaction interpretation of the story about a group known as the Straw Hat Pirates and their explorations in search of something known as the One Piece. This mysterious item is reportedly a treasure that will transform the ship’s captain into “King of the Pirates.” But to locate this potential treasure, the group must navigate dangers on land and at sea.

2. My Life With The Walter Boys

New docuseries about Alexander the Great Between Netflix and the History Channel, there’s been a whole lot of docuseries that combine expert interviews with extensive scripted re-enactments. It’s a hybrid format that aims to give context to the dramatic scenes that are playing out, but what ends up happening is that neither the experts nor the drama get enough space to really breathe.

A new series about Alexander The Great is in this format. Will it solve the problem the other series like this haven’t?

Alexander: The Making Of A God is a six-part docuseries that examines the rise of Alexander The Great from his brief exile from his home in Macedonia, to becoming the ‘boy king’ of the country at 20, to his eventual conquest of the massive Persian Empire.

The story is told via expert interviews and extensive scripted reenactments.

As we see real-life scenes of Dr Calliope LimneosPapakosta presiding over an archaeological dig in Alexandria, finding new treasures from Alexander The Great’s ruling period, we encounter Alexander (Buck Braithwaite) in Illyria in 334 BC; the year before he exiled himself from Macedonia.

There, he associates with his two closest confidants: Ptolemy (Dino Kelly) and Hephaestion (Will Stevens).

In fact, the experts discuss how close Alexander and Hephaestion were, explaining that same-sex relationships were common in ancient Greece, and there was no real distinction between same-sex and opposite-sex pairings.

Alexander is called back to Macedonia to attend his sister’s wedding; his father, King Philip (Christopher Sciueref ), is marrying the sister off to a local warlord. His mother, Olympias (Kosha Engler) was the supreme ruler over all of Philip’s wives, and held a lot of sway over Alexander.

Philip talks of reconciliation, but is stabbed by one of his guards before the reception is over.

With his father’s crown almost literally thrust on his head, Alexander becomes the new king and vows to fight the Persians, whom he is almost sure are behind the assassination.

In Babylon, Darius (Mido Hamada), the powerful Persian king, decides that the tumult in Macedonia provides him an opening to attack and conquer. One of Alexander’s generals, Attalus (James Oliver Wheatley)

is battling the Persians on the edges of Persian territory, and he starts to question his loyalty to Macedonia.

Alexander: The Making Of A God brings to mind other hybrid historical docuseries, like Queen Cleopatra.

And Oliver Stone’s 2004 epic Alexander takes an even more bonkers approach to the same material.

The Making Of A God seems to do a good job of balancing the expert talking head sequences with the scripted dramatic reenactments. But, just like the other series we’ve seen of this type, we wonder if the topic of Alexander The Great would have been better served by making the show either a documentary or a drama.

The performances, especially Braithwaite as Alexander, are well-modulated; the actors play these people as real humans instead of something out of a Shakespeare play.

But using the interviewbased narrative to drive the scenes gives the series no plot momentum; while the acting in the series is generally good, and the dialogue is actually not cringeworthy, the scenes are still disjointed because the connective tissue between them isn’t there.

Because Alexander’s story is extensive and sprawling, it’s also hard to keep track of who is who in the story if you’re not a scholar in Greek history. This, of course, is part of the narrative problem. By the end of the episode, we find out just where Attalus’ loyalties fell, but the story has gone in so many different directions at this point, we lost the thread on that part of the story and had to remind ourselves why he had to die and just who was killing him at the end of the episode.

Another victim of the disjointed storytelling is Alexander’s relationship with Hephaestion. While the concept of sexual fluidity in ancient Greece is discussed, and we see Alexander and Hephaestion get romantic with each other, we’re not sure if and when that topic will be explored later in the series. It feels like it’s there because it needed to be addressed, but doesn’t really lend itself to whatever story the scripted part of the series is trying to tell.

Alexander: The Making Of A God is one of the better of this strange docuseriesscripted hybrid shows we’ve seen, but these kinds of shows always seem to end up being unsatisfying to watch.

You might not be into My Life with the Walter Boys, but if you have teen or tween daughters, chances are this is a show they’ll actually want to sit with you and watch.

It’s your typical teen drama, fitting right in with the usual themes of coming-of-age, making friends, and finding love. But it begins with a dark premise: Jackie (Nikki Rodriguez) moves to Colorado following a fatal car accident that has killed her entire family. Just 15, she joins the Walters, a large family of seven sons and one daughter.

Already renewed for a second season, My Life with the Walter Boys is one of those shows that critics, well, criticize, but fans just love. If you’re looking to spend more time with your kids, opting to watch this show might help you achieve that goal. It falls in line with other popular shows like The Kissing Booth.

3. Skull Island

If you’re in the mood for something animated, check out Skull Island, which serves as a sequel to the 2017 live-action film Kong: Skull Island. Several explorers wind up shipwrecked on the titular island. While there, they come face- to-face with prehistoric creatures, including the island’s guardian, Kong. Set in the 1990s, Skull Island features the voice-acting talents of Benjamin Bratt, Mrs. Davis star Betty Gilpin, and YouTuber Nicolas Cantu.

Positively reviewed by critics, Skull Island has largely become lost in the shuffle of more high-profile Netflix shows. There’s reportedly already a script for a second season

4 . Wrestlers

Did you love watching wrestling as a child? Maybe you still love it now. Whether you watched back when Hulk Hogan, Rick Flair, and The Undertaker were ruling the roost or were fans during the days of The Rock and John Cena, you’ll appreciate delving deeper into the world of the highly entertaining, very physical sport. you’ll find it’s far more nuanced than you might realise.

Wrestlers is a documentary series that follows professional wrestler Al Snow as he tries to resurrect the flailing Ohio Valley Wrestling promotion.

Critics have showered Wrestlers with praise.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 09 February 2024

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 09 February 2024

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Sport

Kilkenny Sport Focus Michael O’Leary

Jeremy Duncan Jeremy Duncan is part of the Ireland International Hockey Squad that will be travelling to Paris in July for The Olympic Games, after the Irish team booked their path to the French Capital following there final Olympic Qualifier in January that was held in Valencia, Spain.

The Kilkenny native made his debut for Ireland 10 years ago in 2014 against England, and a month ago on 14th January he won his 100th International Senior cap in some style.

Jeremy was among the goalscorers as the Irish got their Olympic qualifying campaign off to a winning start by demolishing Ukraine 5-1.

Ireland lost 4-2 to Belgium, but bounced back to winning ways in their final Group game as they won 1-0 against Japan to qualify for the Semi-Final of The Qualifying competition and keep their Olympic hopes alive.

They lost 2-0 to Spain in the

Semi-Final, but the Irish had a chance for redemption as they played South Korea in the 3rd/4th place play-off.

In a thrilling nailbiting contest, the Irish prevailed 4-3 in a 7 goal thriller and their Olympic ticket to Paris was booked.

Unfortunately, The Irish Ladies lost out on qualifying having lost 2-1 to Great Britain in The

3rd/4th place play-off after losing on penalties to Spain in The Semi-Final.

Prior to The Olympic qualifying tournament in January, Ireland had to negotiate a separate qualifying tournament last year that was held in Dublin.

That qualifying tournament was a European Championship for second Tier Teams, as Jeremy played a leading role in helping the Irish win The Championship in style.

Ireland scored 31 goals in total throughout their 5 games with the Kilkenny man on target in three of the matches.

In the opening group game of the competition, he was a goalscorer in the 9-0 trouncing against Czech Republic and

Kilkenny libraries want you to Get Lost … in a Good Book - Ireland Reads celebration of reading back for 2024 Libraries throughout Kilkenny are taking part in Ireland Reads a campaign to get the whole country reading this month in the lead up to a national day of reading on Saturday, February 24th.

Irish libraries have teamed up with publishers, booksellers, authors, and others for the campaign, which is part of the government’s Healthy Ireland programme and aims to celebrate reading and all the benefits it can have for wellbeing and enjoyment.

The campaign is asking everyone to ‘Get Lost in a Good Book’ during February and especially on Ireland Reads Day, Saturday, February 24th.

Join an Ireland Reads event Events for all ages to celebrate reading, books and literature are planned throughout the Kilkenny.

In Kilkenny, Ireland Reads events include storytimes, an adult book club masterclass and a live online event with

our Virtual Remote Readers Book club. Check out the library website on www. kilkennylibrary.ie for details on all these events and more.

IrelandReads.ie The Ireland Reads website also offers book recommendations suited to a person’s interests and the time they have available. There are more than 1,500 recommendations from librarians all around the country for all interests and reading levels.

A website user can simply enter their favourite type of book and how long they would like to read each day and the website will offer the perfect book suggestion and work out how long it will take to complete – so you can set yourself a challenge if you’re finding it hard to get back to reading.

You can also recommend a book to a friend through the website.

Urging everyone in Kilkenny to get involved in Ireland Reads County Librarian Josephine Coyne said:

“Getting lost in a good book is one of the best things you can do, at any age. Reading is great for your wellbeing; a good book can relax you, it can teach you, it can take you places you’ve never been and introduce you to people you’ve never met.

Kilkenny Libraries hopes we can get the whole of Kilkenny reading this month, especially those who might not be avid readers right now. If you don’t read or you haven’t read in a while, this is the perfect time to give it a try.”

A number of well-known campaign ambassadors are on board to help promote the campaign, including Booker Prize winner, Paul Lynch, Marian Keyes, Colm Tóibín, Rick O’Shea, Liz Nugent and more. You can find out what reading means to them and why they support the campaign at www.irelandreads.ie.

Find out about all that’s happening for Ireland Reads or to get or share book recommendations at www. irelandreads.ie or visit www. kilkennylibrary.ie for more on what’s happening local to you.

following a 7-0 hammering of Ukraine, Jeremy was on the mark again in the 6-2 win against Portugal while a 4-1 win followed against Scotland in the Semi-Final where he scored his third goal of the tournament.

That Semi-Final win against Scotland secured their path to the Final Olympic qualifying tournament in Valencia in Spain having qualified for The Final of The European Championships in Dublin last Summer, and Ireland won the final outright as they defeated Ukraine 5-2.

Qualifying for The Summer

Olympics in Paris is all the worthwhile for Jeremy and his International colleagues, after losing a sudden death shoot-out to Canada in an attempt to qualify for The Tokyo Olympics.

The Kilkenny native plays his Club Hockey in the IHL (Irish Hockey League) with Monkstown in Dublin where he is working as a Physiotherapist.

For a few years, Jeremy was playing his Club Hockey in Belgium with both Antwerp and Brussels before returning to Ireland, and Belgium will be one of Ireland's opponents in

Group B of The Olympic Tournament in the summer.

Belgium will be the only European opposition that Ireland will play in The Group stages as India, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina have also been drawn in the same Group.

It's a magnitude of the tough task that awaits the Irish in Paris, but Jeremy and his teammates have acheived the dream of qualifying for The Olympics and they will relish the challenge of playing The Worlds best Teams in the biggest sporting event in The world.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 09 February 2024

Community & GAA Notes

Kilkenny GAA clubs and Community news CLARA MEMBERSHIP As we start off the 2024 GAA season, membership is now due for Clara GAA, Camogie and LGFA Clubs. Membership fees have increased to reflect increased running costs. This is the first such increase in over 10 years.

Along with the increased running costs many improvements have been made to the facilities in the meantime including walking track, floodlit training area and dressing room improvements, and recently the club was granted planning permission for the next phase of development including an astro pitch and gym, we look forward to progressing the development of these facilities in the coming years to benefit all.

Your support is greatly appreciated towards the running and development of our club. Membership is now open on Foireann. Thanks - Clara GAA Executive Committee.

CLUB LOTTO Lotto results 30th January.Numbers drawn - 17, 28, 30. No Jackpot winner. €30 each to Sharon Kelly, Dan McDonald, Sinead Murphy, Jimmy Cody, Sadie Knox.

Thanks for your support.

BEREAVED Clara GAA club would like to extend their condolences to all in neighbouring Paulstown on the death of the extremely popular Ollie O Neill. Ollie was a fantastic sportsman, most notably in boxing and GAA and was an absolute gentleman to boot. He will be some loss to the community. Particular sympathies to Ollie’s wife Carmel and sons Darren, Aidan and Daniel. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

FRESHFORD NOT FOR THE BIRDS Cllr. Michael McCarthy is pleased to announce that a new AntiSeagull bin has been installed on the Green in Freshford. “It will replace the existing bin and is a timely and targeted measure to prevent birds from dislodging rubbish and spreading it in the immediate area. This should now end the littering in that area which was a major issue during the summer months. Great credit is due to the Area Engineer, his staff, and the Environment section for their help in addressing my concerns and maintaining overall cleanliness in the town.” Says Cllr. McCarthy.

GAA Walking Group: The walking group will meet every Tuesday at 7PM. This group is open to all the community both young and old.

Membership is now open for 2024. There are various options available for the year including family and walkway options.

There is a small charge for walkway membership to go towards construction and maintenance costs. The walkway was 2/3 grant aided with the club covering the rest of the cost. Our walkway is open to all the community. Contact any committee member or see our ClubZap page for details, download the ClubZap app and search for St Lachtains.

On Senior panel. Local hurling star Darren Brennan was sub goalkeeper on the Kilkenny Senior Hurling side on Sunday last when they took on Wexford at Nowlan Park.

BIRTHDAY GIRL Special birthday wishes go out to local lady Breda McGree who celebrated a very special birthday at the weekend. Breda celebrated the big 40 at a party with family and friends at the family pub, Kavanaghs Bar, on Saturday night last.

DEGREE Congratulations and well done to local man Brendan Bowden who has just completed the Bachelor of Fire Engineering degree and also won best Fire Engineer project. Brendan is a member of Freshford Fire Fighters and runs a woodturning and furniture restoring business in the village.

DEATH The death took place last weekend of Jim Crosby, Castle Gardens, Ballyragget and Formerly from Freshford, Jim who was only in his 60s had been unwell for some time but nevertheless his death caused widespread shock and regret. He was a member of local well known family in the area and was predeceased by his brother Michael and sister Ann. His funeral mass took place in St.Patricks Church, Ballyragget followed by burial in St.Finnans Cemetery. He is mourned by his wife Eileen, son, daughter, brother Liam, sisters in law, brother in law, nephews nieces and extended family to whom deepest sympathy is extended.

CAMOGIE Well done to the local girl Ciara Hickey who was part of Loreto camogie side on Friday last but unfortunately they were defeated by St.Pat’s Maghera in the All Ireland A semi final.

SOCCER Freshford Town Youths team had a good win over Evergreen B on Saturday last coming out 1-0 winners with the winning goal coming from Bobby Darcy. The U12 boys also beat an Evergreen side on a convincing 4-0 scoreline with goals from Tom Dalton (2) Iarla Carroll and Max O’Neill. The Junior had no game at the weekend.

BRIDGE Freshford Bridge Club is held on Mondays at 7.30pm in Tulla Hall, Threecastles. New members are very welcome. For further information please contact Olive on 087 9257610.

COMMUNITY ALERT Freshford Threecastle Community Alert held their AGM recently

in the Community hall. The following officers were elected for the forthcoming year; Chairperson – John Bergin, Secretary – Jacinta Power, Treasurer – Ml Cormack, PRO – Anna Morrissey.

The Freshford Community Alert annual fee is now due. You are asked to please pay as soon as possible as they will be removing unpaid members after the 1st February. Envelopes are available from Community members and new members are very welcome to join up.

IONAD LACHTAIN St. Lachtains Church Museum and Arts is open every Saturday and Sunday from 11.30 to 4.30pm.

PARISH NEWS Mass is held in the Parish Church each Wednesday morning at 9.30am and each Sunday morning at 11am.wiith Mass in Tulla church on Saturday evenings at 7.30pm.

Notices The parish newsletter is available on their website every week and also on the website you are free to pay your dues and make donations or any other contributions and you can find out more about it on the website or feel free to contact in the Parish Office. Please note community notices for the parish newsletter should be left in or emailed to the Parish Office by 11am on Thursdays. Parish office hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 1pm.

Mass Cards Special printed parish cards are available at the Parish Office or from Annette at Tulla Church signed by Monsignor Kennedy. You can contact the Parish office on 056 8832843 or by email – freshfordd@ossory.ie. Contact Mongr Kieron Kennedy on that number or on 087 25235 21 HELP FOR ALL Are you struggling with anxiety or depression or finding life difficult or feeling isolated at this time GROW is there to help you. Their Mental Health support Groups are free and confidential and open to all no referral or booking is needed. For more information on same you can contact Mary on 087 284342 If you can’t cope and need support text HELLO to 50808.

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

JAMES STEPHENS GAA AND CAMOGIE CLUB SENIOR FOOTBALL On Saturday afternoon the senior footballers got their season off to a positive start with a workmanlike performance to outscore O’Loughlin Gaels 1-05 to 0-04 in an entertaining 2nd round league fixture in Pairc Sheamuis Stiophain.

Playing a quick passing game in the slippery conditions wing forward, Ross Whelan opened the scoring for the Village with a well taken point from a difficult angle in the 2nd minute.

O’Loughlin’s levelled the game with a quality score of their own, in the 9th minute. Minutes later Eoin Deely was unlucky when his bullet-like shot rattled the crossbar but Sam McEvoy and David Hennessy compensated with points in the 12th and 14th minutes to give The Village a 0-03 to 0-02 lead. The defining score came in the 21st minute when the two corner forwards combined, with Fionn Cody neatly slotting the ball into the corner of the O’Loughlin’s net from a precision Allen Larkin pass. Ross Whelan again kicked over a point in the closing minutes to give James Stephens a 1-04 to 0-02 half time lead. Attacking defender Sam McEvoy increased the Village lead at 1-05 to 0-02 in the 2nd minute of the second half with a well taken point before O’Loughlin’s fought back with points in the13th and 21st minutes. Persistent O’Loughlin’s pressure was managed by a resilient Village defence led by centre back David Hennessy fronting the safe handling netminder Anthony Corr with solid back up from Luke Murphy, Stephen Power-Kellett and the inside trio of James Tyrrell, Sean Ruth and Sam McEvoy. Ben Lawlor and Eoin Deely worked tirelessly throughout with invaluable help from roving full forward Jamie O’Keeffe in a fast moving fixture. The ever young Eoin Larkin led the forward line with purpose which benefited his hard grafting forward colleagues as they worked to build a winning lead from limited opportunities. A good start to the campaign but next up is a 3rd round fixture against high flying Tullogher-Rosbercon in Tullogher on Saturday next.

MEMBERSHIP Members of the hurling and camogie sections of the club should note that their annual membership fees are now due.

The fees can be paid through the official GAA website http:// www.Foireann.ie by scrolling down to the James Stephens site where the different fees are displayed. For players to secure protection under the GAA Players Injury scheme it is important to note that memberships must be paid in advance of lining out for club teams.

KILKENNY A job well done for the club’s only representative Cian Kenny who played a leading role in Sunday’s dramatic first round national league fixture against Wexford which saw the Slaney men snatch a dramatic draw at 2-16 each with a goal in the 72nd minute and in doing so claimed a share of the league points. Not included in the selected line up for the game, Cian

was a late replacement for the Emeralds, Killian Doyle and justified his inclusion from the throw-in with arguably his finest display at midfield in the black and amber jersey and scoring the first point of the game. Beavering around the centre, Cian was in the thick of the action from the start disrupting the Wexford men’s attacking efforts and cleverly distributing the sliotar to the Kilkenny forwards over a physically demanding hour’s hurling until his energy levels dropped and was called ashore in the final minutes to avoid further stress to an existing muscle injury.

SYMPATHIES At Wednesday night’s management meeting a vote of sympathy was passed to the Drennan family on the death of Liam Drennan, St. Fiacre’s Place. A lifelong resident of Fiacre’s Place, Liamy, as he was popularly known, came from a family with a strong musical and sporting tradition. Liam, himself was a gifted saxophone player and was band leader with the popular Black Aces showband in their heyday during the 1960/’70’s.

Liam was also a valued member of the St.Patrick’s Brass and Reed band over many years. Liam’s brother Larry Drennan won a number of All-Ireland Billiards titles while his grandson Mikey Drennan won an All-Ireland U-14 Feile medal with the club in 2008. Liam’s wife Mary predeceased him some years ago. We extend our sympathies to his daughters Annette and Molly, his sons David and Jimmy and the extended Drennan family.

Members of St. Patrick’s Brass and Reed band paid a musical tribute to their colleague Liam during his Requiem Mass in St. Patrick’s Church after which he was laid to rest in Foulkstown Cemetery. “Air dheis Dei go raibh a anam dilis” DIARY DATE On Friday night,19th April, a fundraising “Night at the Dogs” has been booked for Kilkenny Greyhound track. Organiser, Richie Manogue assures us that it will be a family friendly fun night with attendees having the opportunity to “own” a greyhound -- hopefully a winning one -- for the night. There will also be a super prize on offer for one ticket purchaser in a draw during the meeting. Contact Richie 087 2573697 for further information.

SYMPATHIES Our sympathies are extended to the O’Neill family, Paulstown on the death of the respected sportsman Oliver (Ollie) O’Neill, last Thursday. Ollie was a much respected officer of Paulstown GAA club, going on to enjoy a long association with the Gaelic games through a refereeing career that lasted decades. He was also influential in promoting boxing with the Paulstown Club, a club that produced many All-Ireland boxing champions including his son Darren who went on to compete in the Olympics. Our sympathies are extended to his wife Carmel and his sons Darren, Aidan and Daniel and the extended O’Neill family. “Air dheis laimh Dei go raibh a anam dilis” LOTTO Last week’s numbers were 5 : 9 : 17 : 32. There was no winner.

The € 40 consolation winners were Judy Brennan, Tomas O’Dowd, Rosa Pesce, Catherine Davis and Martin Wall. You can enter this week’s draw on Clubforce, before 6pm on Tuesdays GRAIGUENAMANAGH GRAIG NOTES If you want to submit news items, club events, announcements etc you can do so by emailing them to graignotes@outlook. com. Deadline is Saturday 6pm.

LOTTO GAA AND SOCCER Numbers drawn on the 29/1/2024 were 6, 23, 24, 31. there was no winner. The following won €30 each Anthony Timmons, Mary O’Brien, Hellen Ryan, Mary Butler, Kevin Kirwin. Tickets are available from any Committee member GRAIG TIDY TOWN DRAW 1st February First prize €500, Pat and Bro C/O Mick Ryans, 2nd Prize €50 Andrew Foley, 3rd Prize €25 Billy Dunne ,The Following 4 Receive €25 Each Walter and Breda, Bernie Carroll, Mary Doyle ,Ruby and Charlie CLINIC Cllr. Peter Cleere will hold his Clinic on Saturday mornings from 9 am at his Office in Main St Graiguenamanagh.

RAMBLING HOUSE The Monthly Rambling House Session is on the second Friday of the month in Newtown Hall, where you can enjoy music and song from local artists and also many from the surrounding district’s also join in. The next Session is on Friday February 9th at 7;30 pm. CONFIRMATION Confirmation Dates for Graiguenamanagh Parish for 2024 are Skeaughvosteen Church on Sunday May 19th at 9.30 am, and followed at Duiske Abbey Church Graiguenamanagh at 11am.

GRAIG LIBRARY NEWS Join us for an advanced chess class at Graiguenamanagh Library with Ruairi rom Red Chess on Thursday February 15th from 2 pm to 4pm .Suitable for experienced chess players, aged 9 and upwards, Book Essential---Email graiguenamanagh@ kilkennylibrary.ie or call 056 7794178.

GORESBRIDGE PAULSTOWN DEATH OF OLIVER O’NEILL The death has taken place of Ollie O’Neill (Paulstown, Co. Kilkenny). He is sadly missed by his wife Carmel and sons Darren, Aidan and Daniel as well as the community of Paulstown and beyond. Ollie was a founding member of the Paulstown Boxing Club and coached many fighters of national

and international acclaim from their base at the Paulstown Community Centre.

BARROW RANGERS GAA AND CAMOGIE CLUB The club is taking part in the Irish Life Every Steps Counts challenge! The challenge runs until February 12th. It is very simple to take part: 1. Download the Irish Life My Life App 2. Register 3. Select Challenges under social tab and select Barrow Rangers Camogie Club under Leinster Challenge.

For anyone looking for company while running or walking there is a meet up at Applegreen every Monday and Thursday at 7pm.

For the weekly Lotto online tickets are available at www.lottoraiser.ie/BarrowRangers The Camogie Association’s Introduction to Coaching Gaelic Games Coaching Course schedule for 2024 is now available to view and enroll on the Gaelic Games Learning Management System. See https://learning.gaa.ie/ICGG GORESBRIDGE CREDIT UNION Goresbridge Credit Union held its primary school’s table quiz on Saturday 27th January, involving the schools in its area of operation – Paulstown, Goresbridge, Gowran, Borris, Newtown, Ballymurphy and Skeaghvasteen. The community hall, Ionad Dara, held the hundred or so participating students and a good contingent of parents and teachers from the various schools.

A high standard, despite the challenging questions, was achieved by all the pupils with the following results: Category A (under 11) 1st - Gowran NS - Noah Kenny, Pat Doheny, Eli Hayes, Louis Madden. 2nd - Gowran NS – Patrick Drennan, Noah Grimley, Fionn Smith, Orla O’Keeffe. 3rd - Borris NS - John Kealy, Sean Kelly, Jenny Barron, Kara Whitford.

Category B (Senior pupils) 1st - Gowran NS - Mia Kennedy, Meabh Farrell, Peter Grimley, Emily O’Keeffe. 2nd - Paulstown NS - Luke Whelan, Oren Penieffe, Faye Bolger, Ryan Phelan. 3rd - Paulstown NS - Cormac O’Connor, Anya Havelin, Ross Hutton, John Walsh.

The winners of the two categories will go forward to regional finals later this year and we wish them the best of luck. The youngest participant, Eli Murphy, from St Michael’s Newtown NS, Co Carlow was given a special prize.

The quiz presentation team on stage were dramatically backdropped by the set for the Kilcumney Players staging of The Sea Farer in February.

BRIDGE UNITED The last man/woman standing competition is back starting on 17th February. To enter contact Jim on 086 3841726. €10 per entrant.

The Premier Division match took place on Sunday 28th with a 3:2 win for Clover United v Bridge United. Bridge scores by Conor English (2) and Nicholas Llanas (1).

The under-13 team won against De la Salle in Waterford. They now progress to the last 16 in Ireland in The SFAI Trophy. Scores

by MJ Carroll, Michael Fitzgerald (2), Josh Pratt and Mark Byrne.

The latest jackpot was on Monday 5th February and was worth €6,325.

LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS A clothing collection in aid of Scoil Bhríde N.S, Goresbridge by the parents’ association will take place on Saturday 10th February. Items may be dropped in from Tuesday 6th.

Scoil Bhríde is now accepting enrolments for the 2024/2025 school-year. Parents may contact the school office between 9am and 1pm on 059 9775168 for further information or email the office at office@goresbridgens.ie For applications for admission to Scoil Bhríde, Paulstown see the school website https://www.paulstownns.ie/home CHURCH SERVICES Saturday 10th / Sunday 11th February: Mass in Goresbridge at 19.30, 10.00 and in Paulstown at 11.30am.

Sacred Heart Prayer Group meets on Fridays after 10am mass in Paulstown.

Legion of Mary Thursdays at 3pm in Paulstown. New members welcome.

Church of Ireland services Sunday 11th:: Morning Prayer at 11.30am in Grange Sylvae church, Goresbridge. Further information from the Dean of Leighlin at 087 276 7562.

YOGA CLASSES Every Monday from the 12th of February at 7pm in the Community Hall in Paulstown and continues for 5 weeks. €50 for the course. Contact: Emma Flavin 083 0464823. Funds are in aid of Danny’s Fund for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis through autologous haemopoietic stem cell transplant (AHSCT) in Moscow.

DANCE FIT Dance Fit is running every Tuesday at 8.30pm in Paulstown Community Hall. Contact Stephanie Lennon on ‘Dance Fit’ on Facebook or instragram where you can sign up via Google forms link. Cost is €8 per class.

There is, also, a special Dance Fit in aid of Danny’s MS fund on Saturday 17th February at 11.30am in the Paulstown Community Hall. Cuppa afterwards.

BRIDGE LESSONS Paulstown Bridge Club is holding lessons in playing bridge in a relaxed informal setting. Further information available from

Tom Phelan

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Community & GAA Notes The Gowran team, winners of category A, the under 11 years old

The Paulstown team, winners of category B, the senior pupils

Jerpoint Glass Studio, with sales assistant, Noah at Showcase in the RDS

Mary Quinn 086 1704459 or Mary Purcell 086 1659779 PIONEER NEWS The Carlow Regional Dinner dance with band (Theresa and the Stars) takes place on Sunday 25th February at 13.30 in the Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow. Tickets are at €30. There will be a raffle with tickets selling at €2 each or €5 for three. First prize: a food hamper. Information from Eileen at 086 1664471.

TAR ISTEACH The shop is openly daily Monday to Saturday in the mornings.

Funds go towards local development. Good quality clothes and bric-a-brac are accepted.

COMPUTER AND PHOTOGRAPHY CLASSES Computer classes take place every Wednesday from 10am in Ionad Dara in Goresbridge. The course caters for basic computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and Publisher plus support on use of smart phones and tablets. Course participants may build on typing skills as well as learn how to prepare accounts or design creative cards and booklets. Photography skills are included as a related part of the course and may be taken separately. The courses, which are free of charge, are sponsored by Kilkenny Carlow Education and Training Board for all Digital Literacy and basic literacy needs. More information from Carmel or Thomas at 056 7763149.

THE SEAFARER Kilcumney Players are looking forward to presenting The Seafarer by Conor McPherson on Thursday 8th, Friday 9th and Saturday 10th February 2024 at Ionad Dara in Goresbridge.

Doors open from 7:15. The play is a 2006 play by Irish playwright Conor McPherson. It is set on Christmas Eve, 2006 in Baldoyle, a coastal suburb north of Dublin city. Be advised that the play contains strong language! The production team has been working away on sets, decoration, props, furniture, costumes, lighting, sound, publicity and all other aspects of the presentation.

In the Goresbridge production, the central part of Sharky Harkin will be played by Paul Daly with Paul Behan in the role of his cantankerous brother Richard Harkin. Their long-time family friend Ivan Curry will be played by Graignamanagh man Nathan Dunne while Joe Meaney takes on the part of Nicky Giblin. To complete the cast, John Whitely will portray the enigmatic Mr. Lockhart.

The backroom team in Goresbridge has been very busy. The set was built by Johnny Doran and Gerry Kavanagh. Finousa Hanlon is in charge of props, costumes and make-up and is doing an outstanding job as always. Stage Manager Yvonne Devitor has been planning and organising all the production details along with Ann Lennon. Zoe Joyce will be in charge of Sound and Lighting again after doing a sterling job since she joined the group in 2022. Mags Whitely and Margaret Coady are taking a break from acting this year and will be very busy

working backstage. Other members of Kilcumney Players will help with Front of House, Box Office and other duties. The Seafarer is directed by Mary Meaney.

Kilcumney Players look forward to the usual great support from the local community and hope that everybody will enjoy the play as much as they have. Tickets cost €12 for Adults and Concessions are €8.

CHURCH CHOIR Have you a talent for singing for playing a musical instrument?

New adult and children members welcome to the Paulstown church choir. Contact the parochial office (059 9775180) FOROIGE Would you like to volunteer with Foróige to support young people in Paulstown For more information contact Aidan Gleeson (aidan.gleeson@foroige.ie) CUPLA FOCAL Would you like to brush up or practice your Irish over a cup of coffee? All welcome! Weekly Friday chatting in Irish over a cuppa in the Goodly Barrow this Friday 9th February at 11am.

Whether it is a few words or many, it doesn’t matter. Contact Ann on 085 7529485 for further information. Fáilte roimh chách.

GOODLY BARROW Goodly Barrow Museum and café (next to the river Barrow in Goresbridge). Open Wednesday to Sunday. A great place to meet up and chat as well as to savour delicious cooking or just a cuppa.

SHANKILL CASTLE The gardens at Shankill are open on weekends (11am-16.00) for the month of February for visitors to enjoy the snowdrops as part of Carlow Snowdrop Month.

DEFIBRILLATOR AEDs are a crucial aid in enabling individuals to survive an Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest. A unit is located outside Maher’s Shop in Goresbridge as well as inside the Ionad Dara community hall in Goresbridge.

No winner of Jackpot last week. Numbers, 2, 7, 11, 13. Jackpot now €5,800.00. Consolation Prizes, Ann Shanahan, Gowran Road, Lila Ryan, Woodlawn, Breda McEvoy, Gowran Road, Kathleen Daly, Thomastown, Sharon Phelan Hillview.

GATHERING GROUP Gathering group continues each Wednesday morning. Plans are in the pipeline for a trip to the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre next month. Meanwhile, members are enjoying their morning get-togethers for tea, chat, bingo, cards and chair exercises.

MENS SHED Wednesday is Mens Shed Day and the response to the venture has been very positive. Plans are afoot for a visit to nearby Gowran Park for breakfast on a date to be decided.

SYMPATHY Sympathy is extended to Eileen McGovern on the death of her sister, Mary Dargan, Ballycomey, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny who died in the loving care of the Staff at Tinnypark Nursing Home, Kilkenny. Mary was daughter to the late Jeremiah and Ellen Dargan.

She is survived by her brothers Pierce and Richard, sisters, Eileen, Joan and Margaret, brother-in-law JJ, sisters-in-law Frances and Breda, nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, cousins, friends, relatives and neighbours. Predeceased by her brothers-in-law Billy and John.

Sympathy is also extended to the Cullen family, on the death of John Cullen, Ballyreddin. John passed away on 27th January

2024, peacefully, at his home in the loving care of his family.

Beloved husband of Eileen and much loved father of Austin.

John will be dearly missed by his wife and son, family and friends.

Requiem Mass was celebrated in The Church of the Assumption, Our Lady’s Island, Co. Wexford and Interment took place afterwards in Our Lady’s Cemetery.

CAMOGIE The Bennettsbridge Camogie club is very proud of the great year that the U 16s had and offers a huge well done to all the panel and management.

The U16s camogie team reached the Roinn D county final where they came up against a very good Emeralds side on the 3rd of December. The ‘Bridge girls took an early lead and were then 5 points down at half time. The BennettsbridgeB side then scored 1-2 at the start of the second half to level the match but couldn’t hold out and eventually lost 3.8 to 2.5. It was a fantastic year for this bunch who are mostly underage for next year.

GAA National Hurling League Bennettsbridge was represented by Kevin and David Blanchfield in the National League game versus Wexford in Nowlan Park last Sunday. Liam Blanchfield was also named to start but was injured in training prior to the game. Best wishes to the three lads and the Kilkenny team away to Cork next Saturday night.

Junior football Bennettsbridge junior football team defeated Young Irelands in round two of the league in Gowran on Saturday last on a score line of 3-8 to 1 -8. The team will play Galmoy this Saturday at 1.30 in round three.

Club Spot The club has adopted a new app for all GAA business going forward, replacing Clubforce. We ask as many people as possible to download this new club spot app. Details are on the club’s Facebook page. This is a great way to communicate club business. Membership, split the pot etc and all club business can be done on this so it is vital for as many as possible to download the app as soon as possible.

Drug Information Night We hosted a drug information night in the clubhouse on Monday night last. Guest speakers were former Kildare footballer Conor Harris and members of the Garda Siochana.

Thanks to Andrea Kelly and the healthy club committee for organising the event and thanks to all who attended.

GAA Healthy Club step challenge Join team Bennettsbridge for the Irish life step challenge 2024.

There is still time to join this year’s challenge. It started on January 8th and will end on February 12th. Simply download the ‘My life app’ to join. Team Bennettsbridge is registered so please join us to complete our 4,000 km challenge. Those that have participated before just need to join team Bennettsbridge.

Keep up the good work for the remaining couple of weeks.

Membership 2024 This year’s membership can now be paid to registrar Samantha McGarry or to any club committee member. Membership fees are the same as last year. Forty euro for non-playing members, eighty euro for student players and 120 euro for adult players.

Membership can also be paid on the new club spot app. Please see the clubs Facebook and twitter pages for details.

Split the Pot Well done to Noel Skehan who won 201 euro, Kevin Davey who won 30 euro and Agnes Kane who won 20 euro. Thanks to all for the continued support.

Club Shop Some new items have been added to the online O’Neill’s shop.

Simply put Bennettsbridge in the search box on the O’Neill’s website to see all the gear.

Camogie Table Quiz All support welcome for the Camogie Club Table Quiz in O’Donnell’s tonight at 8 pm. Teams of four cost 20 euro with raffle prizes, finger food and a DJ included on the night.

Schools Handball Congratulations to Robbie Dobbyn and Conor McCormack, representing Bennettsbridge national school who were crowned Leinster champions in the Cumann na mBunscoil Leinster final handball day in Croke park last week. Well done also to David

Bennettsbridge Camogie U16s

BENNETTSBRIDGE CHURCH NEWS Once again there was a large attendance at the preparation mass ahead of the Confirmation next month. Celebrant was Fr Pat Dalton and children and parents took part in the Liturgy and Offertory Procession. Music during the mass was by Billy Molloy and Deirdre O’Brien.

ST BLAISE Many parishioners attended the traditional Blessing of Throats for the feast of St Blaise in Tullaherin and Bennettsbridge.

MASS TIMES Thursday and Friday, Mass at 10.30am.

LOTTO

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 09 February 2024

Community & GAA Notes Rohan on reaching the semi-final of the singles event. Well done lads!

DICKSBORO CLUB LOTTO Dicksboro GAA Club LOTTO Results 1st February 2024. Nos: 1 3 17 31. Not Won Draw Prizes – €50: Eamonn Moore c/o Online . €25 each Michael Rafter c/o Online €25 each Catherine Peters c/o Online €25 each Tom Casey c/o Joe Phelan Hurlers Co Op Draw Pat Holohan c/o Dohertys Bar. Promotors prize Ned Buggy We encourage all Dicksboro Families to sign up & play weekly for €2 per draw and we thank everyone who is currently doing so.

U22 COUNTY CHAMPIONS 2023 The Dicksboro Girls added another title to their 2023 success when they captured the 2023 Gaeltec Camogie u22 Roinn A Championship following a very hard fought game against Thomastown played at Piltown GAA grounds on Sunday Morning. Final Score Dicksboro 1-13 Thomastown 2-7. Congratulations and well done to the Panel of girls and their Management Team.

EASTER CAMP There will be a three day Hurling and Camogie Camp held on March 25th-27th 2024. Skills and Drills and lots of fun. For ages 5-12 Only. €30 for 1 child discounts available for multiple children from same family. See ClubZap for more details or follow link https://Dicksboro GAA.COM/PRODUCTS JOHNSTOWN COLLECTION A collection is being held for the Sacristan at St. Kieran’s Church, envelopes for same at the back of the Church.

ST. KIERAN’S NATIONAL SCHOOL Saint Kierans National School is now enrolling for September.

24/25 for junior infants and all classes. Information and application forms from the school or on line 0568831611 email Johnstownns@gmail.com.

GALMOY GAA Galmoy GAA are holding a Monster Auction of top quality firewood (Beech, Ash etc.) in Galmoy Village at 11am on Sunday February 18th. Also on offer there will be turf, bales of hay, silage and straw as well as many attractive vouchers including Fertiliser, Beef Nuts, Farm Implements etc. Great Bargains. All welcome. Don’t be late!

FENIANS GAA Fenians GAA are hosting a “Health and Wellness Evening” in St. Kieran’s Hall , Johnstown on Monday Feb 12th at 7.30pm. Guest speaker Conor Harris. Conor is a recovering drug addict, a footballer from Kildare, he went into recovery at 19 after a life of ups and downs. He is now more than four years clean and he will share his story of experience, strength and hope.

BINGO Bingo continuing each Wednesday Night in St. Mary’s Hall including Split the pot which for the month of February will be for St. Kieran’s National School.

URLINGFORD LIBRARY Beginners Chess class on Tuesdays 4.30 to 5.30 for six weeks.

Chess club for children beginning Feb 13th 4.30 to 5.30pm.

Adult chess club Tuesdays 6 to 7pm.

SPA UNITED AFC Weekend results. U13 boys Schoolboys/Schoolgirls football Association of Ireland National Trophy Douglas Hall 3 Spa 2 (Aeden Sumner 2), Youths League Division 1A Spa 3 Brookville 2, U16 boys league division 1A Evergreen 3 Spa 3, U12 boys league division 2 Stoneyford 1 Spa 3, U10 boys Gerry O’Reilly Cup Evergreen 1 Spa 3, U10 boys Jagger Wemyss Shield Spa 2 Thomastown 0, U14 girls league division 1 Southend 0 Spa 5, U12 girls league division 1 Highview 0 Spa 4.

SPA DEVELOPMENT FENIANS LOTTO.

This week’s winning numbers 2,19,21,22 four match threes Jacquie Ryan, Aoife Whyte, Sandra Grace and Cora Hughes.

BALLYRAGGET BALLYOUSKILL SYMPATHY It was truly a sad week in Ballyragget parish this week and Condolences to Teresa Culleton and family on the passing of her brother Ollie O’Neill, Paulstown.

To the O’Shea Family Greenview on the passing of Martin Buddy O Shea to his son Michael daughter Linda Dempsey son in law Martin, brother Tom, sister Biddy, sister in law, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

To the family of Jim Crosby, Castlegardens his wife Eileen daughter Gillian his brother Liam, brothers in law, sisters in law, Darren, nieces and nephews and wide circle of friends.

To the family of Ellen Nellie Kelly Knockroe to her husband Seamus (Shady), her sons Shem, Tom and Paul, daughters Siobhan and Miriam sons in law Patrick and Gavin, daughters in law Marion and Yvonne and Shem’s partner Sandra her sisters Mary and Margaret, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

May they all rest in peace.

GAA MEMBERSHIP St Patrick’s GAA - Thank you to everyone who has already renewed their membership again this year. Your support is great appreciated. For those of you who have not yet got a chance to yet, please see details and payment links below. It can either be done through the Foireann app, by cash to Tomás Healy, Martin Bergin or Enda Mooney, or by the relevant payment links Adult Non-player €50 https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QS3CY3OA Adult Family couple Non-player €90 https://pay.sumup.com/ b2c/Q54SU0YF Adult non-player + Piltown Ticket €90 https://pay.sumup.com/ b2c/QHD8X49Z Adult Family Membership 3 or more adults €140 https://pay. sumup.com/b2c/QEL8O57E Thanks again to everyone for their support.

FOOTBALL The Intermediate football side will be in action against the Rower Inistigoe next Sunday in the Rower. The lotto numbers for Monday the 29th were 3,5,7,28. This week’s draw was held on Wednesday the 7th having being postponed as a mark of respect for the recent bereavements.

GORTNAHOE GLENGOOLE

2023 Gaeltec Camogie U22 Roinn A Champions

Jane Cass Captain of the U22 Roinn A Champions

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Glengoole Wednesday 10am to 2pm, Gortnahoe Thursday 10am to 1pm COLLECTION The collection for both sacristans will be taken up this weekend, the 10th and 11th February. The parish are very fortunate to have two excellent Sacristans and it is important to be generous in the weekend collection.

YOGA CLASS Yoga with Jenny at Gortnahoe Community Hall, Morning and Evening Classes from 10am - 11am and 7pm - 8pm. Commencing Monday, 12th February. 4 week block is €50. Contact Jenny on 0879420826. All Welcome.

TUESDAY BRIDGE Bridge is being played each Tuesday night in Gortnahoe Hall at 7.30pm. If you would like to join or find out more information please contact this number 089 4349106 GORTNAHOE BINGO Bingo continues this Saturday evening at the earlier time of 4.00pm with doors opening from 3.00pm and will continue each Saturday evening at the same time. Over €2,660 in prize money on offer including a special €500 game.

SPLIT THE POT Congratulations to the last weekends winner of Split the Pot draw. Envelopes are available at the usual outlets, you can also Revolut to 0876777220. Split the Pot for the month of February will be in support of the Prayer Garden beside Gortnahoe Church. The draw takes place each Sunday at 12pm in Gortnahoe Hall. Your support would be appreciated TRAINING COURSE A Course for Eucharistic Ministers for the four parishes within the Group Pastoral area will take place on Tuesday 27th February in Lámh Cúnta, Bothar-na-Naomh. Thurles from 7:309:30pm. Fr. Pat Burns and the Pastoral Office will be facilitating the course.

CONAHY GAA MEMBERSHIP GAA Club Membership for 2024 is now due and can be paid online via the club’s Clubforce platform over the coming weeks.

Alternatively, a number of membership collection nights will be held in the GAA Clubhouse over the coming weeks, with dates to be announced very soon. Please check the club’s social media for the various rates of membership available and club players in particular are reminded that membership must be paid prior to starting training and the playing of matches to ensure appropriate injury cover.

GAA Bórd na nÓg membership for 2024 is also due for all under-age players at this time. The cost is €50 per player and can also be paid via Clubforce prior to the start of training.

Further details on this are also available on the club’s social media.

FOOTBALL The intermediate footballers will play host to Piltown in their latest game in the JJ Kavanagh and Sons Intermediate Football League on Saturday at 1.30 p.m. in Jenkinstown.

EVERY STEP COUNTS CHALLENGE Conahy Shamrocks GAA Club have just started the “Every Steps Counts 24 Challenge” for club members and parishioners. The challenge began on January 8th and runs up to next Monday,

February 12th, with the goal of this challenge to collectively hit 4,000km for the Club to be entered into the provincial draw.

To join, participants can download MyLife from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, and when downloaded, go to Social > Challenges > MyLife’s Every Step Counts Challenge. Search for “Leinster” and then “Conahy Shamrocks GAA Club”. All support for this initiative would be appreciated.

CLUB LOTTO The numbers drawn in the most recent GAA Club Lotto were 5, 20 and 21. There was no winner of the €1,400 jackpot, so the consolation prize winners were Brendan Griffith, James and Mary Brennan, Lisa Butler, Liam White and Paddy and Kate Rafter. The promoter prize winners were Peter Mulhall, Seamus Óg Brennan and Toddy Lacey. This week’s jackpot now increases to €1,600.

HUGGINGSTOWN NEWMARKET STONEYFORD MASS TIMES Hugginstown: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9.30a.m. Vigil - Saturday 10th. at 8.00p.m. Sunday11th. at 10.00a.m. Stoneyford: Wednesday at 7.00p.m.

Vigil Saturday at 6.30p.m.

PRAY FOR Anniversary Masses. Christopher Lodge, Kells. Mass in Stoneyford Church on Saturday 10th. February at 6.30p.m. Allice and Mikie Murphy, Lismatigue: Mass in Hugginstown Church on Saturday 10th. February at 8.00p.m.

ROTA Week-end, 10th. and 11th. February - (Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time) Readers. Stoneyford, Saturday 6.30p.m. Sheila Lennon. Hugginstown, Saturday 8.00p.m. John Barron. Sunday 10.00a.m. Mary Foran. Eucharistic Ministers. Stoneyford, Saturday 6.30p.m.

Pat Kenny. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Teresa Broderick.

Sunday 10.00a.m. Kay Power CONFIRMATION 2024 Confirmation will be celebrated for Aghaviller Parish in Hugginstown Church on Thursday 22nd. February at 11.00a.m.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION For Stoneyford School on Sunday 12th. May in Stoneyford Church at 11.00a.m.

For Monroe/Newmarket Schools on Sunday 19th. May in Hugginstown Church at 11.00a.m.

PREPARATION FOR MARRIAGE Weekend Residential courses available. 26th. to 28th. April and 20th. to 22nd. September 2024. Details: www.grasta.org or at info@grasta.org CARRICKSHOCK GAA The Club invites all to join ‘2024 Light up Ireland’ every Wednesday at 7.30p.m. at the “Waterboys Walkway” Hugginstown: Walk and Chat; All are very welcome.

LOTTO Aghaviller Parish and Carrickshock G. A. A. Draw: Monday 29th. January 2024 Numbers: 31; 11; 29; 09. No Winner First 3 Numbers Drawn: No Jackpot Winner: 5 x €30.00 Winners: Walshe Family, Lawcus; Rita Long, Stoneyford. Eugene O’Donovan, Clone; Maureen Kenneally, Cotterstown; Ellie Moran, Coolmore.

3 x €15.00 (Sellers): Walter Broderick; Jimmy Sheehan; Sean Raggett.

STUDY THEOLOGY ONLINE The Priory Institute provides online Theology courses to degree level. Attend Saturday lectures in Tallaght or from the comfort of your own home. Register before February 14th. Find out more on our website, prioryinstitute.com.

MEDJUGORJE IRISH CENTRE PILGRIMAGES Pilgrimages from April to October 2024: 7 Nights Apartment B and B from €273 per person sharing. Airport transfer available on request. Contact us for details and book the dates that suit you. Tel. 01 443 4510 or Email: reservations@med-irishcentre. com: website www.med-irishcentre.com MILL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE COUNSELLING SERVICES Our low cost Counselling Services, includes One-to-One, Adult, Teens and Children’s Play Therapy. Counselling Provided, Bereavement, Stress, Anxiety and Depression, Drug and Substance and Gambling Addictions. Play therapy, Play Therapy is now available for children aged five and upwards. Please contact Sue for more information or to make an appointment.

SENIOR ALERT If you need to apply for a Personal Alarm, please contact Sue or Josephine.

DEFIBRILLATOR Please note that there is a defibrillator located in the Mill Family Resource Centre if and when it may be required.

APPEAL FOR CLOTHES DONATIONS Any clothes donations would be greatly appreciated in aid of our counselling/play therapy services. Donations can be left into the Centre, please call before dropping off.

JOBS TRAINING BOARDS We have a Jobs Board here at the Centre, feel free to call in and take a look, we also offer help and support with CV’s and cover letters if required.

COMPUTER CLASSES Computer classes will be commencing here in the centre from 10.30am-12.30pm from Tuesday the 27th February- Tuesday March 26th. Duration of course is 5 weeks.

For further information please contact us here at the Centre on 056-8838466

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

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 09 February 2024

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News Camogie

Sport

Ciara Foskin Kilkenny Lisa Firman Wexford

By Aoife Lanigan, PRO

Very League Division 2B Round 2 Kilkenny 1-8 Wexford 3-9 Unfortunately, Kilkenny Intermediates suffered their second defeat in the Very League Division 2B game against neighbours Wexford played in Graiguenamanagh last Saturday Grace Roche opened the scoring with a point from play for Wexford in the first minute, Aisling Prendergast equalised for Kilkenny with a point from play in the 2nd minute Ellen Gunner tagged on a pointed free for Kilkenny before Afton Grace fired to the net after minutes to put the hosts 1-2 to 0-1 ahead Wexford hit the next three points through Emer Hunt, Caoimhe Byrne (f ) and Lisa Firman to reduce arrears to just a single point.

Caroline Kennedy and Caoimhe Byrne (f ) traded points, before Grace Donovan added a point for Wexford which was sandwiched between two pointed frees from Ellen Gunner for Kilkenny With 31 minutes elapsed in Graiguenamanagh, Lisa Firman struck for Wexford’s opening goal.

A massive turning point before the break, as Wexford marginally took a 1-6 to 1-5 lead to the break On the resumption of play, substitute Riona Crowley was quick to level matters. Caoimhe Byrne pulled the strings for Wexford adding two points from frees. Ellen Gunner fired over a point from play for the stripey women Emer Hunt had her first goal in the 57th minute for Wexford, which moved them 2-8 to 1-7 clear.

A pointed free from Grace Roche extended the lead. Ciara Foskin pointed for Kilkenny to narrow the gap to four, before Emer Hunt got in for her second goal right at the death to leave the final score 3-9 to 1-8 in favour of the Slaneysiders Kilkenny play rivals Cork in a Cork venue on Saturday 17th February Scorers – Kilkenny – Ellen Gunner 0-4 (3f), Afton Grace 1-0, Aisling Prendergast, Caroline Kennedy,

Model Neighbours take points on Noreside

Kellyanne Whelan Kilkenny

Rebels next up for Intermediate Ladies Riona Crowley, Ciara Foskin 0-1 each Wexford – Emer Hunt 2-1, Caoimhe Byrne 0-4 (4f), Lisa Firman 1-1, Grace Roche 0-2 (1f), Grace Donovan 0-1 Kilkenny – Kellyanne Whelan, Mairead Corcoran, Rachel Brennan, Sofia Kerr, Eimear Leahy, Mairead Kennedy, Hannah Scott, Aoife

Cantwell, Ciara Foskin, Aisling Prendergast, Ellen Gunner, Emma Mulhall, Afton Grace, Caroline Kennedy, Aoife Moore

Tara Murphy, Carlise Comerford, Ellen Purcell, Lauren East, Kate McCluskey

Subs – Riona Crowley for Aoife Moore, Niamh Crowley for Emma Mulhall, Chloe Mullally for Sofia Kerr, Laura Phelan for Eimear Leahy, Aine Phelan for Afton Grace, Aine Rohan for Aisling Prendergast,

Wexford – Keeva Steadmond, Clodagh Jackman, Roisin Cooney, Kellyanne Dempsey, Lorna

Niamh Crowley Kilkenny

Ellen Gunner Kilkenny

Furlong, Muireann Fitzpatrick, Marie Claire Morrissey, Grace Roche, Clodagh Fitzhenry, Grace Donovan, Caoimhe Byrne, Ciara Butler, Orla Redmond, Emer Hunt, Lisa Firman Subs – Ciara Bridges for Ciara Butler, Katie Smyth for Grace Donovan, Leah Furlong for Clodagh Fitzhenry, Ciara O’Connor for Lisa Firman, Aoife McCrea for Orla Redmond, Lizzie Dempsey, Amy Cahill, Sinead Furlong, Rebecca Fanning, Donna Delahunty, Leah Nolan, Eabha Farrell, Kiera Dempsey, Sadhbh Buttle, Emma Dempsey.

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kilkennyobserver.ie

Hurlng matters - Review

Sport

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

Allianz National Hurling League UPMC Nowlan Park, Kilkenny 2-16, Wexford 2-16 A share of the spoils for both sides following an intriguing battle at UPMC Nowlan Park.

A stop-start first half dominated by the wind provided no indication of what was to come after the short whistle as this Allianz League game came to life and gave the 8,000 plus crowd in attendance value for money. Four goals and thirty-two points shared between Kilkenny and Wexford will have given both managers plenty to ponder before the next round of fixtures.

There were two changes to the Kilkenny team named on Friday, with Dicksboro’s Harry Shine replacing Liam Blanchfield while Cian Kenny was in for Emerald’s Killian Doyle.

The home side played with a very strong wind in the first half and got off the mark early on thanks to a placed ball from Eoin Cody in the first minute after Mossy Keoghan was caught high.

Former two-time winner of the Young Hurler of the Year award got his second of the day in the third minute after Dublin whistler Thomas Gleeson blew for a foul hand pass. Both sides then battled as the game struggled to flow in the tough conditions at UPMC Nowlan Park.

Wexford captain Lee Chin got the visitors up and running in the 8th minute from a close-range free after All-Star keeper Eoin Murphy was blown up for taking the odd extra step.

Keith Rossiter’s team were level shorty after following a wellworked team move that ended with Rapparees Kevin Foley splitting the posts, much to the delight of the large Wexford following in attendance.

That point highlighted the style that the Yellowbellies were employing as they tried to counter the elements with a strong-running game.

Young Dicksboro star, Harry Shine then set up Tullaroan’s Mossy Keoghan for Kilkenny’s first point from play after fifteen minutes of windy action in UPMC Nowlan Park.

Naomh Eanna’s Cian Molloy became the second Wexford player to pick up a yellow card for a few slaps on Cats captain for the day, Conor Heary.

Eoin Cody duly popped over the free and struck another placed moments later to put the home side 3 points up on 19 minutes.

Former County captain Cody then got his 3rd point on the bounce a minute later from a ‘65 after Adrian Mullen’s effort was deemed to have taken a touch on it way wide. One of the points of the half was then registered by Askamore’s James Byrne, who took a lovely catch before turning and striking a fine point.

Eoin Cody then popped over another placed ball to push the Cats lead to 4-points. Despite playing with a

Kevin Blanchfield Gets Away from Corey Byrne Dunbar

All square in League opener Billy Drennan hits 2-3 in second half cameo significant wind advantage, Derek Lyng’s men appeared reluctant to put long balls into their forward line. When they did, they looked dangerous, and that danger led to a point for Graigue Ballycallan’s Billy Ryan.

Wexford’s main man, Lee Chin was living off scraps, and was having to roam very deep to get on any ball, but it was his scores mainly, that were keeping his side in the game, and he struck another placed by on 26 minutes from about 45 metres out. Oylegate-Genbrien’s Seamus Casey then twisted and turned before sending over a cracking point,

before Adrian Mullen capped a hardworking first half with a sweet score after nice approach play by Harry Shine and Eoin Cody to leave the half-time score at UPMC Nowlan Park, Kilkenny 0-9 Wexford 0-5.

When play resumed, Cian Kenny got the scoreboard moving in the opening seconds of the second half, but Wexford’s response was instant, with Lee Chin stroking over another placed ball. Bennettsbridge’s Kevin Blanchfield who had some good moments in the opening period then struck over a cracking point to leave the home side’s lead at 5-points.

Horeswood’s Conor Foley then

burst up the field from full-back before hitting a lovely score, that any forward would have been proud of. One of Wexford’s rising stars, Corey Byrne-Dunbar then rifled over a stunning effort to further enhance his reputation before Captain Chin added another placed ball. Rossiter’s charges were gaining serious momentum and they rubberstamped this with a flowing team move that saw Cian Molloy strike a great point to leave just one point between the sides.

Billy Ryan, who was operating a little further out the pitch in the second period, then gave a lovely

pass to Eoin Cody and the Shamrocks Ballyhale man made no mistake to register a good point. Wexford then withdrew the disappointing Jack O’Connor and replaced him with Tomas Kinsella, while Derek Lyng replaced Kevin Blanchfield with Erin’s Own’s Conor Fogarty. Cian Molloy then found more space before notching his second point of the game. Kilkenny made their second change of the game with Galmoy’s Billy Drennan entering the fray in place of Harry Shine.

Then came what was to be the first of four majors in an actionpacked second half. Kilkenny, who

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 09 February 2024

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Hurling matters - Review Jordan Molloy finding it very difficult under pressure from Lee Chin

Eoin Cody looking for support about to be challenged by Charlie Mc Guckin

from over. The Noresiders wanted maximum points and went on the attack in search of a winning score.

Billy Drennan stormed forward and slipped the ball to the on-running Billy Ryan. The Graigue Ballycallan man looked primed to off load a shot but has fouled. Penalty!!!

One of Wexford’s best performers on the day, Damien Reck picked up a second yellow card and left the field, leaving his teammates to finish the game with 14 men.

Again, Billy Drennan stepped up and rifled the effort beyond Fanning to the net. Surely the 3-point lead would be enough to cling to in the closing stages? 3 minutes of additional time was signaled, and Keith Rossiter’s men weren’t finished.

Lee Chin, who wasn’t his usual influential self; powered forward and struck his shot which Eoin Murphy partially blocked, but Cian Byrne was on hand to tap in the rebound. The sides were level again. Kilkenny did have a chance to nick it deep into injury time, but Billy Drennan’s longrange free dropped short and was

cleared away from danger. Referee Thomas Gleeson sounded the long whistle, spoils shared at UPMC Nowlan Park, Kilkenny and Wexford 2-16 a piece.

Kilkenny: E Murphy; P Moylan, D Corcoran, T Walsh; D Blanchfield, R Reid, J Molloy; C Kenny (0-01), K Blanchfield (0-01); A Mullen (0-02), E Cody (0-07, 5f, 65), C Heary; B Ryan (0-01), H Shine, M Keoghan (0-01) Subs: C Fogarty for K Blanchfield (47); B Drennan (2-03, 2-00p, 0-03f) for H Shine (48); C Buckley for C Kenny (65); M Carey for R Reid (71).

Wexford: M Fanning; N Murphy, C Foley (0-02), E Ryan; C McGuckin, D Reck, C Hearne; C Byrne Dunbar (0-01), C Molloy (0-02); J O’Connor, L Chin (0-04, 4f); K Foley (0-01); J Byrne (0-01), R Lawlor, S Casey (102).

Subs: S Reck for C Hearne 40th min; T Kinsella (0-02) for J O’Connor 45th min; C Byrne (1-01) for C Byrne Dunbar 55th min; C Dunbar for J Byrne 63rd min; S Donohoe for K Foley 69th min.

Referee: T Gleeson (Dublin)

>> SHERRY SAYS..

had almost been caught out in the opening half with short re-starts, were punished when Kevin Foley broke the ball to Seamus Casey who made no mistake in finishing to the net. 49 minutes gone at UPMC Nowlan Park and the Slaneysiders were now leading by two points. The Cats needed a response, and they got it from Billy Drennan.

The Maynooth University student hit a brace of placed balls before he found himself standing over a penalty after Mossy Keoghan’s strong run was halted illegally. Drennan stepped up and struck his shot past Mark Fanning in the Wexford goal. Having

only been on the pitch a matter of minutes, the Galmoy man had 1-2 to his name and more importantly had helped put his side back in the lead.

Askamore’s Tomas Kinsella then got a lovely point to settle the Wexford nerves, but Drennan struck his third placed ball effort of the second half over the bar to keep his team 3 points ahead with about 10 minutes remaining. Cian Byrne, who had replaced Corey Byrne-Dunbar, then rifled over a sweet effort off his right side before Lee Chin popped a lovely pass to Seamus Casey who splits the posts to leave just the minimum between the neighbours.

Fresh from his lung bursting run early in the second period, Conor Foley drew the sides level with another fine point with 5 minutes of normal time remaining. Not content with this, the Yellowbellies then took the lead thanks to a second point of the day for Tucker Kinsella. The Kilkenny faithful in UPMC Nowlan Park were stunned and fearing a repeat of the Walsh Cup result in Callan.

With two minutes left, Adrian Mullen struck a lovely score to deadlock matters and the home supporters found their voices inside the ground. The drama was far

A cracking second half at UPMC Nowlan Park served up by both sides in difficult conditions, and I don’t think either manager will be too unhappy with the points shared.

For Kilkenny, Jordan Molloy had a decent debut in the black and amber, and will no doubt pick up more appearances as the season wares on. Eoin Cody had a decent game, and like sub Billy Drennan, was accurate from placed ball efforts in TJ’s absence.

Darragh Corcoran performed well at full-back, while Cian Kenny, back after hamstring trouble was lively throughout.

Attention will now turn to our trip to tomorrow’s trip to Supervalu, sorry, Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The Rebels came up short against Clare last weekend, undone by a 3rd quarter display that yielded only 1 point to the Banners seven.

As ever, Cork will look to their TJ, Patrick Horgan. The big man hit 1-7 in the defeat to Clare and will be a threat as ever from placed balls.

Shane Kingston and Conor Lehane are dangerous players and will need watching, while Shane Barrett will be pushing for a start after coming on to score 0-2 last week. Robbie O’Flynn was back after injury and will be all the better for those minutes, while manager Pat Ryan will hope to have Mark Coleman in his panel for the game, depending on Fitzgibbon Cup commitments.

Going down to Leeside is never easy and Derek Lyng will need his experienced heads to stand up and show their leadership if the Cats are to get the better of the Rebels.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 09 February 2024

Planning notices

Planning notices KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Peter Farrell hereby intend to apply for planning permission to Kilkenny County Council for the construction of a new slatted cattle shed and associated site works at Glencoum, Skeoughvosteen, Co. Kilkenny R95 FN12.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: - Peter Farrell

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

Planning Permission is sought by Ian Foran and Eimear Nic Conmhaic for the construction of a new dwelling house and garage, the construction of a vehicular site entrance and formation of a new driveway, the installation of a new wastewater treatment unit & percolation area and to carry out all associated site development works at Garrincreen, 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.

Signed: Gittens Murray Architects Ltd., No. 5 William Street, Kilkenny.

Tel No: 056-7753933. web:www.gmarch.net

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

We, John and May Treacy, shall lodge significant further information to Planning Ref 2360098 for permission for the retention of Detached One Bedroom Dwelling Unit ancillary to existing Dwelling House on site and all associated site works at Coolrainy, Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny.

The significant further information consists of retention permission for the location of septic tank and percolation area and permission to upgrade sightlines at existing entrance and all associated site works .Significant Further Information/Revised Plans has/have been furnished to the Planning Authority in respect of this proposed development, and is/are available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the Offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours of 9:00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the Planning Authority within a period of 2 weeks from the date of receipt of the revised public notices.

A submission or observation must be accompanied by the prescribed fee of €20, except in the case of a person or body who has already made a submission or observation and such submission or observation will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Byrne & McCabe Design Ltd, Architecture and Engineering Services (059 9725684).

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

NOTICE OF FURTHER INFORMATION / REVISED PLANS SUBMITTED UNDER PLANNING REFERENCE NUMBER: 23-60403 Planning Permission is sought by Eoin Lyons and Arlene McGrath to construct a single storey dwelling house, domestic garage, provision of a new treatment plant & percolation area, new vehicular site entrance and all associated site developments works at Grange, Ballyragget, 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

RE: Outline Planning Permission is sought by David O’Connell and Hazel Ryan to construct a two-storey with a single-storey section to the rear of the proposed new dwelling house, detached garage, private well, sewage treatment unit and percolation area, upgraded existing site entrance and all associated site works at Blanchvilleskill, 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.

Signed: Gittens Murray Architects Ltd., No. 5 William Street, Kilkenny.

Tel No: 056-7753933. web:www.gmarch.net

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

JOSEPHINE BARCOE 1ST ANNIVERSARY In loving memory of a dear sister Josephine Barcoe, late of Skeoughvosteen, Co. Kilkenny whose 1st Anniversary occurs February 11th.

There is a lady in Heaven So precious and so rare That lady is my sister Josephine The best beyond compare Call her name Lord And when she looks your way Tell her we love and miss her Every single day From your sister Brid McCabe and family

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer.A.S.

The Miracle Prayer

The Miracle Prayer

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. M.B.

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.B.

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

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

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

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

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer. 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. M.M.

54

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 09 February 2024

Classifieds Motors

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

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 09 February 2024

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Classifieds Motors

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Contact: 087 3466626

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 09 February 2024