In recognition of its significant strides towards inclusive gender equality, South East Technological University (SETU) was presented with Europe’s first Inclusive Gender Equality Champion Award in Brussels at a special event to mark International Women’s Day. This important award recognises organisations that have developed the most innovative inclusive Gender
Equality Plan addressing intersections with other social categories such as ethnicity, social origin, sexual orientation and gender identity (LGBTI+) or disability.
Dr Allison Kenneally, VicePresident for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion at SETU, said “I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of the staff and students at South East Technological University. There are many
Mirella Glowinska, a second year software development student from SETU, is the winner of the top award for Best Game built using Software Libraries at the 20th annual Games Fleadh at TUS’ urles Campus.
Mirella proudly displays her award which she won on International Women’s Day, made all the
across our university community who have contributed to our success here today, and I would like to thank each of them for their efforts to embed inclusive gender equality across our university campuses.
“At SETU we have developed and are actively implementing a comprehensive gender equality action plan which has already made significant positive impact, and
we will continue to make strides forward.
“To receive this award is an incredible achievement for our new university and we look forward to championing inclusive gender equality across the Irish and European Higher Education sector.”
The ceremony was chaired by `Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth and
Peter Droll, Director in the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
Mariya Gabriel said: “Promoting and ensuring gender-equal and safe working environments are a priority for the European Research Area. Today, we are rewarding EU Gender Equality champions, and thanking them to be an inspiration to other organisations to close the gender gap.”
e Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has marked World Consumer Rights Day by releasing its 2022 Contacts Report. e report details the queries and complaints made by the 32,431 consumers who contacted the CCPC’s helpline last year. Issues with Vehicles & transport topped the list of consumer concerns for the second year in a row. More than 7,000 consumers were referred to the Small Claims Court for redress.
sweeter by her use of the assembly language created by computer scientist and mathematician Kathleen Booth.
Students from the Kilkenny Road Campus, Carlow took home six awards. Well done, all!
e Chief Executive of homeless charity Depaul, David Carroll, is dismayed to learn an additional 4,741 Notices of Termination were received by the Residential Tenancies Board, according to RTB’s newly published data.
Mr Carroll said Depaul believed that the decision to end the eviction ban should be reversed; however, we must now prepare for the consequences of this decision on
homelessness gures. It is still unclear how initial proposals by the Government on measures to mitigate a rapid increase in homelessness will be implemented and the devil will be in the details on how they will be delivered.
“Until we see the impact, it will be di cult to assess how many households will present as homeless.
“Of course we want the eviction ban reversed but we now
have to proceed under the assumption that it won’t be overturned and look at what action we can take in preparation for the March 31st deadline,” Mr Carroll said. “ ere needs to be a more cogent, planned approach taken to the expansion and the development of a national emergency homeless response. Following today’s publication of data from the RTB we are aware of the
amount of notices to quit on a county by county basis. We urgently need to identify what temporary accommodation may be available in each of the local authority areas. Many are not equipped with the adequate amount of temporary accommodation services at present.”
Mr Carroll said the existing proposals announced in recent weeks would require intensive and collective work
by the local authorities so that the additional measures could be implemented.
“A package of support and information must be readily available by local authorities for those households who have received notices to quit,” he said.
Tax reduction measures for small landlords must be implemented to make the private rented sector a more enticing and viable option.
CHI Environmental based in Grannagh will represent Kilkenny at the 23rd National Enterprise Awards. at the Mansion House, Dublin on June 1. e operation has grown from being a family business with a core management team consisting of Directors Bob Murphy with his sons Richard, Pat and Nicholas to having 10 employees.
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Almost two thirds (65%) of parents spend up to two hours a week thinking about their home’s energy e ciency, according to new research by Bord Gáis Energy. Of 750 parents, 56% say their children are the least energy e cient while 26% say their partner is the least mindful.
A man was arrested on Tuesday, March 14 by Gardaí investigating an alleged mortgage scam centred on former Ireland hockey international player Catriona Carey, a Kilkenny native. e suspect was being questioned at Wexford Garda Station
The next generation of Irish up-and-coming ecoconscious creators, innovators, and fashion designers competed recently at the 2023 regional finals of Junk Kouture, the world’s largest sustainable fashion competition for youth.
A total of 1,200 hautecouture designs made from 100% recycled materials by post-primary students entered the 13th year of the creative programme in Ireland. From this, 300 designs were shortlisted and aired on Junk Kouture’s YouTube and TikTok channel for the 2023 Regional Finals.
During the showcase, 80 was the magic number, as eighty creations crafted by young designers aged 13 -18 years from across the North, South, East, South-East and West of Ireland were chosen to represent their region at the Dublin City Final taking place this May.
Taking to one of Ireland’s most prestigious stages, Kilkenny’s finalist team will face stiff competition from over 70 other entries from across the country in this year’s Dublin City Final. Kilkenny City Vocational School will compete in a bid to secure a space at the inaugural World Final of Junk
Kouture where Irish finalists will compete with their fellow creative peers from
Paris, Milan, NYC, London and Abu Dhabi. The design from Kilken -
ny heading to the Dublin final is Spykes Yikes by Zoja Sokal from Kilkenny City Vo -
cational School who created from a suit, CD’s, cartons of transporting apples, bottle
tops, playing cards, cardboard, paint brush handles, old belt and a yoga mat.
Junk Kouture is a creative programme for youth that promotes the importance of sustainability. Highlighting the fact that what we view as ‘junk’ can be recycled in useful and impactful ways, it challenges young people to create beautiful and interesting fashion outfits out of materials that are normally thrown away.
Founded in Ireland in 2010 by tech entrepreneur, and CEO of Junk Kouture, Troy Armour, the competition has recruited 100,000 participants to date, produced 15,000 distinctive designs, saved 40,000kg of waste from landfill and amazed packed crowds at over 60 arena shows. Now, in 2023, Junk Kouture has a 10-year ambition to enrich the lives of a billion young people across the globe through creativity and sustainability. The Junk Kouture World Tour 2022 took place in 6 major cities, including Dublin, London, Milan, Paris, New York City and Abu Dhabi, before the World Final, overseen by a panel of influential judges, took place in the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on 11 January 2023.
During the St Patrick’s Festival, Kilkenny City and County has come alive with pageantry, craic agus ceol. Centred on the St Patrick’s Day Parade but stretching into nearly a weeklong event visitors can enjoy the thrill of American Marching Bands, a parade of local colour, creative workshops for all ages and the best in live Irish music. All in a small intimate City that’ll make you feel right at home.
e 2023 festival is a veday event beginning on Wednesday, March 15 and kicking o with the biggest of the American marching band performances, Purdue All-American Marching band from Indiana and Mountain West Conference All-Star Band. ursday sees the opening of the Festival
e Irish are famous for giving the world the feast day of our patron saint: St Patrick’s Day, the day that makes everybody look back through generations of their family history to nd that little bit of Irish heritage that will give them a good excuse to party the day away.
Yes, you can’t beat March 17 for Irish pedigree and global reach, but it’s not the only major celebration we gave the world. But there are other top internationally celebrated holidays that you might not have known to have strong Irish roots or at least some connection to the country.
St Valentine’s Day
Although executed in Rome and buried there in the 3rd century, in 1835, an Irish Carmelite priest, Fr. John Spratt, used his Irish charm to convince then
Market, the Big Wheel and the Vintage Carousel on e Parade, Kilkenny City and ends with a ery family entertainment on John’s Quay. St Patrick’s Day features the main event, the parade, and a whole host of performances, street entertainment and fun for all ages across the City. Including live music on the festival stage, festivities in Kilkenny Castle Park, and interactive family shows. On Saturday there are more marching bands, family shows and street entertainment, alongside the carnival rides, festival market and céilí, with festival favourite reworks sending celebrations into the night. e festival concludes on Mother’s Day, Sunday March 19 where the main action will be on e Parade in Kilkenny City,
alongside a hurling match in UPMC Nowlan Park and a Duck race on the river Nore. Kilkenny Castle is a cultural landmark and Kilkenny Castle Park is an active place of recreation for the whole county. is St Patrick’s Day the Castle Park will be hosting a day full of festivities for all the family. Visitors can travel through time with Vintage Car displays and Viking reenactments. Enjoy family friendly street entertainment or play dress up for the perfect pic. Creating an ideal momento of the day. Kilkenny Castle Park events are taking place throughout St. Patrick’s day beginning at 11am so it’s a great pre and post parade activity or a quieter way to spend the afternoon if Parade crowds are not your thing!
remains and take them home as a gift to his fellow Irishmen and women.
Located at
in Dublin, the burial site has since become a rm favorite for those seeking that special someone with whom to share their lives, as well as a shrine of appreciation for those loved-up
See the skies of Kilkenny light up in this celebratory Saturday night event. Ticket holders get a prime viewing spot in Kilkenny Castle Park, in the heart of Kilkenny’s medieval city.
Spectators can expect 10 minutes of truly spectacular reworks creating art in the sky with vibrant colours and magical e ects. Including pre-show entertainment and a backdrop of Kilkenny Castle it will be a visual aerial feast for all to enjoy!
Tickets cost €3 | €12 family (4) + booking fee available at https://stpatricksfestivalkilkenny.com/events/ reworks-display/
A spectacular night time
Fire Show from Alchemy Arts is suitable for all the family.
Fire ame features one
of Ireland’s foremost Fire Performers in an intimate setting, with a fully choreographed performance that includes acts with Fire Sta s, Fire Juggling, Fire Balancing, a Dragon Sta and two large Fire Bursts.
Taking place outdoors in front of the mural on John’s Quay. is show is performed in an atmospheric ring of Braziers & Lanterns with a unique soundtrack and is not to be missed!
Meanwhile, in association with Craobh Osraí Marble City and Kilkenny Tradfest, this year’s Céilí will take place in the River Court Hotel Kilkenny on Saturday, March 18. With music by the Tulla Céilí band from Co. Clare.
Entry costs €10 | Available online or at the door
New Year or Samhain, Halloween comes from the ancient Irish festival of Samhain, a day when the undead are thought to walk among the living, and we must ward o the evil spirits.
Samhain marks the end of the long days and the drawing in of winter. In the same way, the Celts celebrated Lughnasa, the festival bringing in the harvest, Samhain represents the beginning of winter, the ‘darker half’ of the year.
In Celtic legend, orange and black, the colours of Halloween, are also the colours of death.
| https://www.eventbrite. ie/e/tulla-ceili-band-ceilitickets-538784989407
Post-parade entertainment on the festival stage includes Celtic drummers the Hit Machine at 3pm and local traditional musicians Reel to Reel at 4pm. An outdoor free event at the bottom of Patrick Street.
St Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny takes place alongside Kilkenny Tradfest. A traditional Irish music festival with gigs by top Irish musicians, including Stockton’s Wing, Lisa Lambe, Tulla Céilí Band, Kilfenora Céilí Band, Emma Langford, Tulua and 90 free sessions on the Bulmer’s Music Trail.
* See the full programme at www.stpatricksfestivalkilkenny.com
the stand was devil talk. e custom of Halloween was brought to America by famine emigrants in the 1840s. e use of pumpkins for Jacko-lanterns only started in America, as they are native to the country. In Ireland, they usually used turnips instead.
Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day is celebrated on February 2, just a day after the new feast of St Bridget’s Day, a festival marking the beginning of spring.
couples wishing to say thanks to the saint that brought them together.
Halloween
Otherwise known as the Celtic
It’s no wonder that the last witch hung in Boston was an Irish slave woman named Ann Glover.
When tried in 1688, she spoke no English, only Irish, and like Cromwell who enslaved her as a girl, the judge was convinced that the language she spoke on
Most commonly it will held on February 1, or about halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.
Finally, Independence Day, the Fourth of July in the US, would never have happened if it weren’t for all those Irish generals and Declaration signatories from Ireland.
My maternal grandmother died when my Mother was just ve so she never had a lifetime to know her. When I came into this world, the rst of three, and work took my Father away a lot, my paternal grandmother came to call for an afternoon of china-cupped tea and cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut o . My Mother was thrilled to have another woman, a mother-like gure, visit, at what was an anxious time, and when she was leaving my dear Mother said to her: “Please come any time. Don’t wait to be invited.” To which my grandmother replied: “Listen here, I raised eight — I am not about to rear a ninth.”
And from that day ‘til the day she died 26 years later the Old Bat never once darkened our door again.
It goes without saying that my late Mother did a wonderful job rearing me and my two siblings. She was the very
epitome of good nurturing.
Mothers come in all shapes and sizes and degrees of ‘old batdom’. ere are professional, or homemaker ones in broad terms or fashionable, pious, simple, strict, soft, conservative, modern and, nowadays, cool mothers in personal terms. ere are mums, moms, mams and mammies, not to mention Mummy, yummy or not, e Ma or the Old Dear. And, of course, there are famous ones, Celebrity Moms. Like Angelina Jolie who travelled the world, adopting children to give them — and who are we to judge? — a better chance in life. Ditto Madonna. And brave, campaigning mothers like the late Vicky Phelan.
And then there are the ctional mothers like Mother Goose and Old Mother Hubbard. And there’s Mother Nature and Mother Earth and Mother Ireland, not forget-
ting Marge Simpson, mother to Bart, or the late Mother eresa. Or remember Roseanne who always moaned to Dan that “the kids are still here” even though we all knew that, underneath that lazy, uncaring exterior, she would die for Darlene, Becky and DJ. And what about Whistler’s Mother — who was she when she was at home?
en there’s Mother Ireland, Mother Macree and Al Jolson’s Mammy, my late Father’s party piece. (Note to self: was he paying inverted homage to the Old Bat or recognising the sel ess role of my Mother?) And there’s Single Mothers and Mothers-in-Law — but let’s not go there (see Old Bat reference).
My own Mother was not necessarily of those traits that mark celebrity in that she never wrote a book, nor composed a song, nor won a Nobel Prize, nor made a movie, nor had her name write large in
lights, nor caused an international stir. My Mother was so ordinary that she was, dare I say, extra ordinary. at’s it — my Mother was an Extraordinary Mother. Like most good mothers are, unquestioning and un inching in their love for their children.
And, of course, ‘grown’ “don’t mean nothing to a mother”, as the novelist Toni Morrison put it in her awardwinning book Beloved. “A child is a child. ey get bigger, older, but grown? What’s that suppose to mean?
In my heart it don’t mean a thing,” wrote Morrison.
My own three ‘children’ now ‘grown’ into con dent and competent young adults are testimony to the love their Mother bestowed on them and there exists between them a bond that is unknowable to me and which I can never hope to be part of. But I guess that’s being a Father.
e late Seamus Heaneysaid his Father was notably sparing of talk but his Mother “notably ready to speak out”, a circumstance which the poet believed to have been fundamental to the “quarrel with himself” out of which his poetry came forth.
I like to think the novelist Washington Irving had it succinctly when he wrote: “A mother is the truest friend we have when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavour by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.”
But let’s leave the last lines to Oscar Wilde: “All women become like their mothers. at is their tragedy. No man does. at’s his.”
Gerry Moran Page 20
A local environmental business, CHI Environmental based in Grannagh, will represent Kilkenny at the 23rd National Enterprise Awards. The family run business will compete at the awards which will be held in the Round Room at the Mansion House, Dublin on June 1. The operation has grown from being a family business with a core management team
consisting of Directors Bob Murphy along with his sons Richard, Pat and Nicholas and to having 10 employees, eight fulltime and two part-time.
CHI Environmental operate a construction and demolition waste recovery operation. The business recycles construction and demolition waste into reusable aggregate products. The business also operates a
Materials Recovery and Transfer Facility (MRTF) at a former industrial site as well as a Civic Amenity Centre.
CHI Environmental have availed of Local Enterprise Office grant assistance which has supported the growth and development of the business over the years.
In recent times, they have completed the Lean for Micro Programme to
Almost two thirds (65%) of parents spend up to two hours a week thinking about their home’s energy efficiency. That’s according to new research by Bord Gáis Energy, Ireland’s leading home energy management and services provider. The research of 750 parents finds 56% of parents say their children are the least energy efficient in the home while 26% say their partner is the least mindful of energy usage.
The research was carried out to launch See it, Solve it, a new campaign from Bord Gáis Energy which aims to help customers to imagine a better way to use energy at home and live more affordably and sustainably.
The campaign which was launched by TV presenter and podcaster Hector Ó h’Eochagáin, including a new TV ad that was a carbon neutral production, tells the story of a little girl called Nell and her dog Jackie whogo on an adventure throughout their home to find out how their family use their energy before presenting their findings to a Bord Gáis Energy expert.
Of those questioned, over a third (38%) say they have made home energy improvements to their home in recent months and have seen several positive changes including a warmer home in the winter (41%) and a reduction in energy bills (28%). The most common energy
upgrades are: 48% upgraded windows; 36% upgraded doors; 30% installed wall insulation; 23% installed solar and 18% installed a heat pump. Leaving appliances on standby has been the source of an argument for 44%. Leaving the lights on is the most common energy efficiency fail, with 83% admitting this happens in their home. This is followed by leaving doors open (68%), leaving appliances on standby (59%), leaving items plugged in (55%) and wasting hot water (44%).
Almost three quarters (73%) believe that it’s important to do their bit at home to help mitigate the impact of climate change. And to teach children likewise.
establish a documented integrated environmental and quality management system to meet with the ISO standards. The Green for Micro Scheme supported the business to obtain End-Of-Waste Approval for recycled products.
CHI Environmental has also participated in mentoring and training supports over the years including participation on
the Management Development Programme.
As part of Local Enterprise Week 2023, the Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council Pat Fitzpatrick made a presentation to the Directors of CHI Environmental and said: “We would like to congratulate CHI Environmental on their achievements to date and wish them all the best in the next stages of the competition
Aileen McGrath, Acting Head of Enterprise with the Local Enterprise Office, said: “CHI Environmental not only collect waste but are leading the way in operating a circular-economy business model as well as facilitating and enabling private, commercial and Local Authority customers to divert waste from landfill, meet environmental targets and do their bit for the planet.”
Local Enterprise Office
Kilkenny have announced that teenage entrepreneurs from Grennan College, St Kieran's College and Coláiste Abhainn Rí will represent Kilkenny at this year’s Student Enterprise Programme National Finals on Friday, May 5. The finals make a return to Croke Park for the first time since 2019. The students all took part in the Kilkenny final on Wednesday, March 8, at Lyrath Hotel. More than 1,000 students from 12 schools took part in the annual programme locally with 130 students making it to the county final.
In the Junior Category, the students representing Kilkenny at the National Finals are Jane Kelly and Is-
abelle Doheny from Worry
Not at Coláiste Abhainn Rí. They sold polished stones that consumers could use for meditation or to ease anxiety by rubbing them.
Cian Holohan and Jack Dooley from HD Horseshoe Designs at St Kieran's College will be representing in the Intermediate Category. This company sold a variety of ornaments made from repurposed horseshoes.
In the Senior Category, Kilkenny will be represented by Michael Bookle, Conor Monks, Darragh Dack, Conor Kelly and Isaac Magnez from The Gaming Guard at Grennan College. An Xbox and PlayStation 5 controller accessory that helps players avoid being
kicked out of live online games made from 3-D printing.
In the 'My Entrepreneurial Journey competition two Coláiste Abhainn Rí students will represent Kilkenny in the National Finals; Ruth O'Sullivan of Shake It Up Ltd.in the junior category and Darragh Lyons from Energelz in the intermediate category.
Aileen McGrath, Head of Enterprise (Acting), of Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny congratulated the students, saying: “Our national finalists are excellent ambassadors for the programme and we wish them the very best of luck on May 5, and we will all hope to be there to support them into their future."
ere’s a breath of fresh air blowing through the tired old political corridors of the Dial brought by Holly Cairns. In a masterstroke, Social Democrat co-leaders Roisin Shortall and Catherine Murphy stepped aside and gave voters the things they have been looking for — change and choice. For those who have had enough of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael — whose roots dating back to pro and antiTreaty divisions are badly in need of a touch up — the polls have shown the choice might lie with Sinn Fein. But following the arrival of Holly Cairns, young at 33, articulate without political baggage and speaking for the ‘boxroom’ generation unable to a ord homes, there was a dramatic, overnight shift in the latest poll. Support for the Social
Democrats was up 5% to 9% and Sinn Fein, where support had already begun to drop, down a further 2%. Maybe a party with IRA history, murky criminal connections, unelected backroom decision-makers and brandishing the unity poll in place of an Armalite doesn’t look like such a good choice when there is a vibrant alternative.
e Labour Party, despite the new leadership of Ivana Bacik, and the Greens, busy with cycle paths and bent on punishing us for car use when public transport and park and ride facilities are woefully inadequate, just don’t have that pulling power.
e average age of TDs in the 33rd Dail is now over 50, only 36 out of 160 TDs are women and at the time of the 2020 election only
2% of TDs were in their 20s. With middle-aged, middleof-the-road pro les there’s an absence of the diversity that allows a wider range of views and enriched decision-making. e pro le of TDs is hardly representative of the younger electorate where, unsurprisingly, young people consistently have the lowest turnout in elections; support for FF is 8% among 25-34-years-old, 10% for 18-24s, with FG not faring much better with 25-34 at 18% and 18-24 at 15%.
A breath of fresh air, though, doesn’t necessarily develop into a wind of change. Currently Holly Cairns, a farmer and horticulturist, elected TD for Cork South West in 2020, is in a honeymoon phase. ere’s a tough road ahead in the run-up to the next
general election — about two years ahead if she, as leader, and the Social Democrats are to build on the initial bounce she has given the party. And the chances of doing so successfully depend on a number of factors.
One is organisational ability, an area where Holly, who caught the political bug while campaigning for the repeal of the Eighth Amendment, has shown she can achieve results, founding a constituency branch of the Social Democrats in South West Cork and getting elected to the local county council in 2019.
e party will need boots on the ground, strong funding and more candidates, especially younger candidates prepared to follow Holly’s example, to run in the next election if
the Social Democrats are to grow beyond their current six TDs in the Dail.
en there is the question of political alliance in a situation where another coalition is likely following the next general election. Inevitably, the Social Democrats will be courted but cosying up to Sinn Fein could lose potential support from older and middleclass voters, while aligning with FF and FG might put o the younger electorate. Never mind the question of gaining ministries in a future coalition or in uencing policy when in combination with a larger party.
One hopeful sign is the way that the Alliance Party in the North has been able to break through the mould of politics from the past.
eir support is now crosscommunity, leaving behind
the green and orange divisions and in last May’s Assembly elections the party more than doubled their number of MLAs to 17 making them the third largest party.
We will have to see if we are ready to move on here too.
A lot too will depend on the ability of Holly Cairns and her party to heal the generational divide and the urban rural division. Social values here have changed hugely, especially in the last 20 years. We have become more liberal, more inclusive of di erence, more optimistic and forward looking and Holly Cairns represents those values and appeals to people who share them. Is it not time for a renaissance and to move forward from politics and parties with their roots in the past?
haven’t worked for you, it might be worth tackling stress.
I recently talked about how stress can have a negative impact on your digestive system. I mentioned that stress can a ect your hair simply because it a ects how you absorb the nutrients from your food. Stress also depletes the important B vitamins which can help the body deal with the e ects of stress and are also important for skin, hair and nails.
I don’t think the e ect of stress on hair condition should be underestimated. If you’re experiencing lack lustre hair, hair loss or thinning hair and hair supplements
ere are lots of supplements to help with hair health. I think you could take all the supplements and eat as well as you like but if your digestive system is struggling you might not get any bene t from the supplements.
So for me when it comes to healthy hair, if you are stressed and you have digestive problems start there. Otherwise, these supplements may help: B vitamins are important for hair health, digestion, and the nervous system. Biotin is a popular B vitamin for healthy hair growth. Silica found in horsetail is great for hair. Amino acids, the building blocks of protein, an essential nutrient for hair growth is important too.
ese nutrients are all in New Nordic Hair Volume. It’s one I have spoken about before and have heard fantastic results from. If it hasn’t worked for you then think about what I have said, is it stress causing havoc with your digestive system? Maybe you need probiotics, digestive enzymes, or a good tonic for the nervous system before buying hair supplements.
Omega oils are important for hair health too, this is because every cell in your body needs omega oils. Over the years the oil that I have seen the best results for hair health is Udo’s Choice Ultimate Oil Blend. It’s a vegetarian seed oil blend of Omega 3, 6 & 9. You can add it to your food as a dressing or take it straight from the bottle, you can choose capsules if you prefer. Many customers have told me how much better their hair looks and feels when using this oil. If you have a problem with thinning hair or lack lustre hair why not give us a call, we would love to help.
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
Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune has welcomed a commitment by the European Commission to enshrine the ‘Right To Be Forgotten’ in EU law.
e ‘Right to be Forgotten’ means people don’t have to disclose previous cancer diagnoses to banks and insurance companies, provided a certain time has elapsed since
South East Technological University (SETU) was honoured to host the ‘Vicky Phelan Campaign and Portrait’ on International Women’s Day as a legacy to the University’s Honorary Fellow and former colleague Vicky Phelan.
e event focused on creating positive change and working to ensure that the powerful campaign which Vicky drove, advocating for patients’ rights and improved healthcare for Irish women, continues with momentum.
Dr Allison Kenneally, VicePresident for Equality Diversity & Inclusion, said: “Many here in SETU were lucky enough to work with and get to know Vicky during her time working here. She was and is held in such huge esteem by all who knew and worked with her, and indeed, all sta and students across the SETU community, who have such enormous respect and admiration for the work she did and the legacy she leaves. At SETU, it is our rm wish that we continue to work in Vicky’s name to uphold the values she most cherished – respect, honesty, equality and accountability.”
e University also announced the establishment of ‘ e Vicky Phelan Equality Diversity & Inclusion Award’ in honour of Ms phelan to ensure that her contribution to the university, women’s healthcare, patient rights and Irish society continues to burn bright in the minds of our sta and students for gen-
the end of their treatment.
“ is is great news for survivors of cancer and other chronic diseases,” the MEP said.
Questioned by Ms Clune at a recent European Parliament Committee meeting, John Ryan, the Commission’s Director for Public Health, Cancer and Health Security, rea rmed the commission’s
commitment to developing an EU-wide code of conduct. is is designed to prevent nancial discrimination and increase the rights of former cancer patients and survivors of other non-communicable diseases.
MEP Clune is now urging the commission to revise the Mortgage Credit Directive to include similar provisions
against unfairly penalising cancer survivors.
“It is great news for cancer patients and survivors that the European Commission will be pursuing a code of conduct for insurance andnancial service providers.
“I now want to see all the EU institutions and Member States, including Ireland press nancial service pro-
viders to develop such practices, so as not to discriminate against cancer patients and survivors and to nally level the playing eld,” she told e Kilkenny Observer.
“ is will mark the rst time the ‘Right to be Forgotten’ for cancer survivors will be enshrined into EU law but now is the time to go further and for the ‘Right to be Forgot-
erations to come. e award will made annually to the sta member or student who is judged to have made the greatest contribution to equality, diversity and inclusion in the university community.
Members of Vicky’s family were joined by university
sta and students, local representatives, students from local secondary schools and members of the public at the event on the University’s Cork Road Campus, Waterford.
e event showcased a host of speakers for the event including Prof Veron-
ica Campbell, SETU President, Tammy Darcy, founder of the Shona Project, John Wall, friend of Vicky Phelan, David Brennan, owner of Vicky Phelan Triptych Portrait, Vincent Devine, artist of Vicky Phelan Triptych Portrait, Cian O’Carroll, Vicky’s special medical neg-
ten’ to be extended to include mortgages.
“Importantly, Mr Ryan also acknowledged that the Right to be Forgotten should not necessarily be limited to cancer patients and cancer survivors, which will be of welcome news to those who su er from other non-communicable diseases,” she said.
Certain rural areas that would bene t from a scheme to fund infrastructure projects in rural areas are not included, say north Kilkenny councillors. However, any review of the Clár scheme would have to be raised carefully, they caution, as they don’t want to see new areas added to the scheme at the loss of others.
Castlecomer councillors discussed the issue at their recent meeting after work carried out in Muck-
alee had been praised by Councillor Pat Fitzpatrick.
He said work had been funded by the community and through Clár.
However, Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh said it was a “disgrace” that some areas, including Johnstown, were not in the Clár scheme.
Agreeing with her, Cllr
John Brennan said some disadvantaged areas were not in the scheme.
Cllr Brennan said he was not putting one area up against another, but
wanted more included. “Add to the scheme, don’t take areas out,” he said. Caution was urged by Cllr Fitzpatrick who said they had to be careful about how the scheme would be reviewed because areas currently included could be taken out.
e Clár programme (Ceantair Laga ÁrdRiachtanais) provides funding for small-scale infrastructural projects in rural areas.
Opened for applica-
tions in 2016, Clár aims to support sustainable development in identi ed areas by attracting people to live and work there.
e funding works in conjunction with local funding and on the basis of locally identi ed priorities.
e scheme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development. It is delivered by local authorities in consultation with groups in local communities.
ligence solicitor, Roisin Ni Chadhla, BTYS & Student Public Health Researcher and Lorraine Walsh, 221+ co-founder, friend of Vicky and cancer survivor.
Mr. David Brennan, a close friend of Vicky’s, and owner of the Vicky Phelan Triptych Portrait said: “I am delighted
to be able to bring the ‘Vicky Phelan Campaign & Portrait Tour’ back to SETU for International Women’s Day again this year. I know it means so much to Vicky’s friends and colleagues at SETU to be able to celebrate Vicky as a powerful advocate for all the Women of Ireland.”
is Mother’s Day opt for a glorious pamper session at Oasis Spa at Lyrath Estate, or select a bespoke, monetary gift voucher which can be used in part payment for a relaxing spa treatment or a luxury gift set.
e spa features a ermal Suite, with both wet and dry areas and cooling and heating body experiences which help detox the body and stimulate circulation.
ere is also an outdoor hydro pool which has powerful jets and cascading water designed to pummel tight and sore muscles.
m e Relaxation Room at Oasis Spa takes in picturesque views of Lyrath Estate’s gardens and woodlands. ere are several private treatment rooms at the spa for hands on treatments.
Access to Oasis Spa thermal suite is complimentary for one hour with spa treatments. If you wish to use this facility without having a spa treatment, pre-booking is essential. (Two-hour access to the thermal suite, €25).
For more information see www.lyrath.com or call + 353 (0) 56 7760088
‘Include more areas’ in Clár scheme
When we come to pension provision we concentrate on the growth of a fund to prove an income after retirement for the rest of your life. is in itself is a challenge as you are required to navigate the vagaries of the pension realm; investment strategies, fund choice, risk analysis, de-risking, contributions levels, in ation to name but a few. e technical term for this process is called accumulation.
But when you are facing retirement you are looking at a new set of challenges. Having matured your pension and taken your tax-free cash the task is converting your remaining fund into a reliable income stream that will hopefully last for the rest of your life.
is process is known as decumulation, and it’s an important aspect of retirement planning that has often been neglected and has become more complex.
Back in the day there was
little freedom in managing your pension. You saved into usually a ‘with pro t’ pension fund, and later unit-linked funds, as today and when you came to retirement you were required after taking your tax free lump sum to purchase an annuity at whatever rate was available at the time. You had no choice, it was one size ts all, in e ect giving control of substantial sums of money accumulated over a lifetime to pension providers for a guaranteed pension for life.
For some that was exactly what was required, a regular guaranteed income. But there were many who resented this one option only and felt they should have control of their capital, invest in a way of their choosing and be able to decide how and when to access the fund. en came the Approved Retirement Fund (ARF).
But with the freedom attaching to the ARF came decumulation. People now had to start
making choices about when and how to withdraw money from their pension pot, what kind of investments to hold, and especially how to manage risk, market volatility and longevity.
As with all things nancial
there are several di erent approaches to decumulation, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. As outlined above, continue to rely on an annuity, providing a guaranteed income stream for the rest of ones life with no
worries of the fund running out. e other approach is to use a methodical withdrawal strategy with the ARF, which involves withdrawing a xed percentage of retirement savings each year.
At retirement, depending on your age, you have to take a certain percentage of the fund each year, starting at 4%, rising as you get older.
A more exible approach than an annuity, but requires you to manage investment risk and ensure that your withdrawals don’t outpace the pot of money you have.
Decumulation requires careful planning and ongoing management. You need to consider in ation, changes in taxation law, and changes in your personal circumstances.
You will also need to consider how to manage risks such as market volatility and the big unknown, how long will you live after retirement.
All these factors having a serious impact on the success
of your retirement income plan.
One important aspect of decumulation is working with your nancial advisor who can help you develop a plan that takes into account your unique circumstances and goals. e advisor can provide guidance on investment strategies, withdrawal rates, risk management, also helping you navigate the complex tax and regulatory environment surrounding your retirement.
In retirement you need to choose an approach that meets your income needs, while also managing risk, ensuring your hard won pension pot will last for the rest of your life. By working with a nancial advisor and staying informed about changes in the retirement landscape, you can develop a decumulation plan that provides peace of mind and nancial security in your golden years.
john@ellis nancial.ie
086 8362622
A new study by Israeli scientists at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Soroka-University Medical Centre have cracked code to better understand the genetic causes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The study was published in the academic journal Nature Communications.
ADHD is one of the most common neurological disorders that usually first show up during childhood. This disorder in particular is characterised by inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity and difficulty focusing.
But what causes it?
It is obvious that there is a genetic predisposition to it. But how exactly does it work?
Which genes are affected?
According to the new study, that gene may just be CDH2, should that gene mutate.
CDH2 is a gene that encodes N-cadherin, which is responsible for helping in brain synapse activity and formation. A mutation in CDH2, however, alters this activity. This, in turn, impacts molecular pathways and dopamine levels in two specific brain structures: the ventral midbrain and the prefrontal cortex, both of which are involved in ADHD.
This was tested by using CRISPR to insert this type of mutation in homologous mouse genes, which caused hereditary hyperactivity.
The regular CDH2 gene, and the gene in mutated form was found in the Israeli family that was subject of the Ben Gurion University study, and in the mice subsequently raised.
The implications of this finding could help pave the way for further understanding how ADHD works, and how it can be treated and managed.
“We raised mice with ex-
actly the same mutation in their genes and put them through 15 behaviour tests, which show they clearly have ADHD,” one of the authors, Proffesor Ohad Birk, said in a statement.
“In addition to the scientific importance of finding a clear delineation of a novel genetic basis and molecular pathways for ADHD, both the mutant human cells and the mouse strain carrying the human mutation can serve as an effective model system for the discovery of novel medications for ADHD,” said Prof. Birk.
“These mice, and others like them, will become a standard tool for researchers studying ADHD, including those find-
ing medications.”
“Normally, it’s very hard to create a good animal model for studying ADHD, as several genes can be involved, and possibly also environmental factors. Here there’s just one gene that causes ADHD, and all the symptoms we look for are there, which is what makes ours such a reliable model.”
Some people with ADHD have fewer symptoms as they age, but some adults continue to have major symptoms that interfere with daily functioning, according to the Mayo Clinic. In adults, the main features of ADHD may include difficulty paying attention, impulsiveness and restlessness. Symptoms can
range from mild to severe. Many adults with ADHD aren’t aware they have it — they just know that everyday tasks can be a challenge. Adults with ADHD may find it difficult to focus and prioritise, leading to missed deadlines and forgotten meetings or social plans. The inability to control impulses can range from impatience waiting in line or driving in traffic to mood swings and outbursts of anger.
What’s typical behaviour and what’s ADHD?
According to the Mayo Clinic, in the US almost everyone has some symptoms similar to ADHD at some point in their lives. If your difficulties are recent or oc-
• Impulsiveness
• Disorganisation and problems prioritizing
• Poor time management skills
• Problems focusing on a task
• Trouble multitasking
• Excessive activity or restlessness
• Poor planning
• Low frustration tolerance
• Frequent mood swings
• Problems following through and completing tasks Hot temper
• Trouble coping with stress
The world is running out of energy. But, now, scientists studying a cousin of the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis and leprosy have discovered an enzyme that converts hydrogen into electricity, and they think it could be used to create a new, clean source of energy literally from thin air.
The enzyme, which has been named Huc, is used by the bacterium Mycobacterium smegmatis to draw energy from atmospheric hydrogen, enabling it to survive in extreme, nutrient-poor environments.
Now, by extracting and studying the enzyme, the researchers say they have found a new energy source that could be used to power a range of small portable electrical devices. They published their findings in the journal Nature...
“We imagine that a Huccontaining power source could power a range of small portable devices using air, including biometric sensors, environmental monitors, digital clocks, and calculators or simple computers,” lead
author Rhys Grinter, a microbiologist at Monash University in Australia, told Live Science.
“When you provide Huc with more concentrated hydrogen, it produces more electrical current,” he said. “Which means you could use it in fuel cells to power more complex devices, like smart watches, or smartphones, more portable complex computers, and possibly even a car.”
M. smegmatis is a nonpathogenic, fast-growing bacterium
often used in the lab to study the cell wall structure of its close, disease-causing relative, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Commonly found in soil all over the world, M. smegmatis has long been known to convert trace hydrogen in the air into energy; in this way, the microbe can survive in the toughest environments, including Antarctic soils, volcanic craters and the deep ocean, where little other fuel can be found, the researchers
said.
But until now, how M. smegmatis did this was a pervading mystery.
To investigate the chemistry behind M. smegmatis’ shocking ability, the scientists first isolated the Huc enzyme responsible for the process using chromatography — a lab technique which enables scientists to separate the components of a mixture. Then, they investigated the enzyme’s atomic structure with cryo-
electron microscopy, a technique that won its creators the 2017 Nobel Prize in chemistry. By beaming electrons onto a frozen sample of Huc that was gathered from M. smegmatis, the researchers mapped out the enzyme’s atomic structure and the electrical pathways it uses to carry the electrons so that they form a current.
The team discovered that at its centre, Huc has a structure, called an active site, that contains charged ions of nickel and iron. Once hydrogen molecules (made up of two protons and two electrons) enter the active site, they become trapped between the nickel and iron ions and get stripped of their electrons. The enzyme then sends these electrons along in a cowing stream to generate a current.
“The electrons are absorbed by Huc (specifically the nickelion), and transferred to the surface of Huc (by a molecular wire formed by clusters of iron and sulphur ions),” Grinter said. “If we immobilise Huc on an electrode, the electrons can enter an electrical circuit from
curred only occasionally in the past, you probably don’t have ADHD.
ADHD is diagnosed only when symptoms are severe enough to cause ongoing problems in more than one area of your life. These persistent and disruptive symptoms can be traced back to early childhood.
Diagnosis of ADHD in adults can be difficult because certain ADHD symptoms are similar to those caused by other conditions, such as anxiety or mood disorders.
And many adults with ADHD also have at least one other mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety.
the enzyme surface and generate current.”
Further experiments revealed that the isolated Huc enzyme can be stored for prolonged periods; that it survives being frozen or heated up to 176 degrees Fahrenheit (80 degrees Celsius); and that it can consume hydrogen at concentrations as minuscule as 0.00005% of that found in the air we breathe. These attributes, alongside the microbe’s ubiquity and ability to be easily grown, could make the enzyme an ideal candidate for a power source in organic batteries, the researchers say.
“Huc can extract energy from hydrogen in the air, which is eIectively limitless,” Grinter said. “The amount of electricity that can be generated from the low concentrations of hydrogen in the air will be modest. This will limit the application of Huc in this context to devices that require a small but sustained amount of power. A complementary use of Huc would be in fuel cells where a higher concentration of hydrogen is provided.”
An enzyme that can turn air into energy!
Paris in the springtime. And you set o from the French capitol you can just about travel to most of Western Europe without every having to step inside an airport. Paris’ six busy train stations are the departure points for high-speed trains to London, Amsterdam, several cities in Italy, and Zurich, making travel in this part of the world a lot more relaxing, and often, much cheaper than ying. And if it’s Spain you want to travel to, there’s a direct, high-speed train from Paris to Barcelona, too. Once you’re done with the Ei el Tower, hop into this train and make your way to La Sagrada Família in just a few hours.
ere are up to three daily direct Train à Grande Vitesse (TVG) or high-speed train, and TGVs InOui between Paris Gare de Lyon and Barcelona Sants.
TGVs InOui are a little more modern than regular TGVs with an electrical outlet for every seat, unlimited WiFi on board, a café-bar car selling a larger variety of food and beverages, etc.
From Paris to Barcelona takes 6.5 hours. As far as price is concerned, to score a deal on your train ticket, you need to book your journey in advance on the website French railway company SNCF.
In terms of comfort, the seats and o erings on the TGV InOui beats what you’ll get in an airplane, but the trip is much longer.
Taking the train is the greener option of the two, with a much smaller carbon footprint than ying. By riding the train you emit 65 times less carbon dioxide than if you were to take the same journey by plane, the SNCF reports.
e fare for a one-way, direct, high-speed train journey between Paris and Barcelona depends on your dates of travel and the class of service you want, starting at just €39 in second class.
e TGV InOui between Paris and Barcelona has two classes of service: Second and First class.
Second class o ers adjustable seats, adjustable tray table, one electrical outlet per seat, unlimited WiFi, individual lights, access to the café-bar car. Second-class cars have two seating con gurations: side-byside seats and two seats facing each other.
First class is larger and more comfortable, adjustable seats, adjustable tray table,
1. Avenida da Liberdade
Avenida da Liberdade is a spacious boulevard inspired by Paris’s Champs-Élysées.
Shady trees, park benches, and pedestrian walkways featuring intricately patterned tile work make Avenida da Liberdade, or ‘Liberty Avenue’, one of the best places in Lisbon to take a stroll or just sit and soak up all this city has to o er. You’ll nd monuments at each end of the street.
To the north, a statue and public square situated inside a roundabout honours Marques de Pombal, the prime minister who helped Lisbon rebuild following a devastating earthquake in the mid-1700s. On the south end, the Monumento dos Restauradores obelisk commemorates the victory of the Portuguese Restoration War.
2. Rua da Bica de Duarte
Belo Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo is a must-visit street in Lisbon because of its vintage
one electrical outlet per seat, Unlimited WiFi, individual lights, access to the café- bar car. First-class cars have three seating con gurations: individual seats, side- by-side seats, and two seats facing each other.
Note that the higher the class, the better the exchange and refund conditions.
On the TGV InOui, there is no limit on the amount of luggage you can bring with you or the weight of your luggage. at said, your luggage can’t be any
more than 51.1 inches in height and 35.4 inches in width. You can also take your skis, musical instrument, surf board, and more on board without any extra charge.
e Paris to Barcelona train journey is one that allows passengers to take in the beauty of the French and Spanish countryside, including the superb Rhône Valley. e TGV InOui between Paris and Barcelona rides along the Meditarrenan coast and the Pyrenées, and stops in
surface of the Tagus in the background. e Ascensor da Bica, also known as the Elevador da Bica, is just one part of Lisbon’s broader tram and funicular network, which is not only charming but also makes it easy to get around the city.
the following cities: Valence, Nîmes, Montpellier, Sète, Agde, Béziers, Narbonne, Perpignan, Figueras, and Gérone.
Some TGVs InOui are doubledecker trains. For the best views, choose the upper deck and a seat by a window.
e high-speed, direct train between Paris and Barcelona takes 6.5 hours to reach its destination.
Where to stay in Barcelona to be near Barcelona Sants train station
For places to stay in Paris,
residents late into the night. Take it all in while staying nearby at LX Boutique Hotel.
check out Matador‘s list of Airbnbs in Paris’ coolest neighbourhood and the best boutique hotels, or take a look at the hotels near Gare de Lyon that we previously selected. Sagrada Família, and the city center. Each of the 78 guestrooms are decorated in a simple, contemporary style. e AC Lounge, the on-site restaurant, o ers a breakfast bu et and varied items for dinner, including salads, sandwiches, seasonal soups, hamburgers, and more.
funicular, a type of cable car that transports people up and down the steep hill between Rua de São Paulo and Largo do Calhariz.
Photographers love the view from the top of the
hill and often snap photos of one of the two funicular cars— one yellow, one white — that make their way up the narrow street, with colourful buildings on all sides and the bright blue
3. Rua Nova do Carvalho Lisbon’s ‘Pink Street’— o cially named Rua Nova do Carvalho — has become one of the most popular spots for a photo op in the city, thanks to its signature bubblegum-pink hue. is pedestrian-only thoroughfare is located in Cais do Sodré, which was once Lisbon’s red-light district but has since evolved into a trendy neighbourhood brimming with bars, restaurants, and nightlife. is street, which also goes by the nickname Rua Cor de Rosa, got its rosy makeover between 2011 and 2013 amid broader e orts to revitalise the area. ese days, it’s often buzzing with travellers and Lisbon
For people-watching, shopping, al fresco dining, and history, head to Lisbon’s Rua Augusta. is bustling pedestrian mall also o ers an up-close view of calçada, or the traditional style of Portuguese pavement made up of limestone and black basalt tiles laid out in decorative patterns that you also see on Avendia da Liberdade. Before the 1755 earthquake struck Lisbon, this was the site of the royal palace, or paço, and many people call it Terreiro do Paço as a nod to its former use. Today, the plaza is home to a large statue of King José I, who ruled Portugal at the time of the earthquake, as well as the Arco da Rua Augusta, an impressive arch meant to represent the city’s resilience in the wake of the disaster.
Shopping is the big draw to Rua Garrett, located in Lisbon’s Chiado district. Here, you’ll nd international brands like United Colors of Benetton, Desigual, Swarovski, Zara, and Nike — plus only-in-Lisbon shops like Bertrand, the oldest operating bookshop in the world. Named after 19th-century writer João Baptista da Silva Leitão de Almeida Garrett, the street is home to several notable cultural and historic sites. e co ee shop A Brasileira, which dates back to 1905, has long been a meeting spot for writers, artists, and intellectuals, including Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa. A bronze statue depicting Pessoa seated at a table sits on the café’s patio. Nearby, there’s also a monument to 16th-century Portuguese poet Antonio Ribeiro and a historic Catholic Church, the Basílica dos Mártires. After a day of exploring, rest up at the nearby Hotel Borges Chiado.
I asked a orist once which was the busiest day – Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day? He looked at me somewhat incredulously and said: “Gerry, everyone has a mother but not everyone has a lover.”
And so Sunday,Mother’s Day, a orist’s busiest day, is upon us but before I write about mothers let me write a little about grandmothers. To all the wonderful grandmothers, and great grandmothers, out there – happy Mother’s Day; enjoy the following quotes many of which you could well have written.
*Grandmas are moms with lots of practice.
* When grandmothers enter the door, discipline ies out the window.
* Grandmothers hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but they hold our hearts forever.
* Perfect love sometimes does not come until the rst grandchild (Welsh Proverb.
And my grandchildren are half Welsh).
* If I had known how wonderful it would be to have grandchildren, I’d have had them rst.
* My grandkids believe I’m the oldest thing in the world. And after two or three hours with them, I believe it too.
* Grandchildren are God’s way of compensating us for growing old.
* You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother
* An hour with your grandchildren can make you feel young again. Anything longer and you start to age quickly.
* I wish I had the energy that my grandchildren have -...if only for self-defense!
* One of the most powerful handclasps is that of a new grandbaby around the nger of a grandmother.
* It’s amazing how grandparents seem so young once
you yourself become one.
* Whenever I (Gerry Moran) hear the word Grandma I always think of Grandma Moses (Anna Mary Robertson Moses) the famous American artist who was born on a farm in upstate New York in 1860. A icted with arthritis in her seventies she could no longer work on the intricacies of embroidery and switched to oil painting creating scenes that re ected the simplicity of her childhood and a time gone by. Her charming, naïve art captivated the American public and Grandma Moses became an icon of American painting. She died in 1961 aged 101.
And so to mothers
Let’s start with this recent accolade to a mother from Michelle Yeoh, Oscar winner for Actress in a Leading role for Everything Everywhere All at Once. “I have to dedicate this to my mom, all the moms in the world because they
are really the superheroes and without them none of us would be here tonight, she is eighty-four and I’m taking this home (Malaysia) to her.”
* A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of apple pie for ve people, promptly announces
that she never did care for apple pie.
* Martha Roosevelt, mother of eodore Roosevelt, the 26th, and youngest, President of the United States (19011909) was once asked by a reporter: “Are you proud of your son, Mrs. Roosevelt?” to which Martha replied: “Which one?”
* According to a 2016 study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, motherdaughter relationships are the strongest of all parent-child bonds when it comes to the common ways they process emotion.
* “When I nd myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom: let it be.” Like many a Beatle fan I always assumed that Mother Mary mentioned in Paul McCartney’s song: Let It Be (quoted above) was Mary, the mother of Jesus. Not so. Mother Mary was actually McCartney’s own
mother. During a turbulent time in his life – he was drinking, doing drugs and felt that the Beatles were breaking up (which they were) – he was visited in a dream by his mother, Mary, who died of breast cancer, 10 years earlier, when he was 14-years-old. “It was wonderful for me,” McCartney said, “she was warm, comforting and very reassuring and that’s the wonderful thing about dreams because you are reunited with that person for a second.’”
e next morning, feeling restored, Paul McCartney wrote the song Let It Be, inspired by his Mother Mary.
* Finally, Dave (back living at home) is chatting with Jack, his best pal, in the pub. Jack: “So what’s it like living at home again?”
Dave: “Well, every night my mother takes my shoes o .” Jack: “When you get in?”
Dave: “No, when I want to go out!”
‘Grandmas are moms with lots of practice...BY JOHN FITZGERALD
Jack Gardiner (Callan War of Independence hero and later publican) vividly remembered some of the drovers who brought livestock to the fair, and why wouldn’t he, when they met in his pub from 1933 onwards, along with the multitude of wheelers and dealers that converged on Callan for decades on fair days; men like Paddy Dreelan, Danny Murphy, and Tommy “the Bundle” Ryan. Tommy was so-called because he was forever carrying a sack of something-or –other on his back.
Jack spoke of a Mackey from Fethard and a Hanrahan of Ballingarry, well known drovers who never missed a fair in Callan. He had recollections too of the chancers and rogues (who can’t be named!) who made bargains with buyers, only to sell them a di erent batch of cattle or piglets from the beefy bovines or plump little squealers pointed out earlier and “reserved.”
“Switching of animals was common”, Jack explained, “and it was hard to prove that
the pig you enquired about in the morning was the one the dealer gave you a few hours later. Quite a few people-even whole families- fell out over disputes of that kind.”
It was common for livestock en route to the green to nudge their way into a pub along the way, and the customers would have to shoo them out. e large front window of Shelly’s
(now Simon O’ Brien’s) in Green Street, was broken almost every month: Bullocks stampeded when they saw their re ections in the glass. And animals occasionally escaped from the green and caused minor breaches of the peace: Philip O’ Kee e (Bridge Street) told me that he’d never forget a day in the 40s when Sergeant Kilroy, armed with a Lee En eld ri e, chased a bullock that had broken from the green. He followed the animal on his bike, with one hand on the handlebar and the other grasping his gun, ring shots in the air.
People had to jump aside as the lone bovine sprinted through the town with their dedicated Sergeant in hot pursuit. He cornered the bullock in Keogh’s yard in Bridge
Street. When it refused to give itself up, he took careful aim and dispatched the animal on the spot. “Shot while attempting to escape” was the unocial unanimous verdict on the a air arrived at by drinkers in Callan’s 27 pubs. ere was no “Beef Tribunal” in those days.
A “Town Crier” walked the streets of Callan in the thirties,
forties, and fties to herald the advent of fairs and fowl markets. Soldier Walsh was the best-known crier. He also had the job of announcing lm starting times at the local Gaiety cinema. “Hear ye, hear ye”, he roared, jingling a bell to attract attention, before giving notice of the big upcoming events in the town.
Fairs involved more than exchanges of livestock. Stalls abounded. Vendors of all sorts plied their wares. Cheapjacks sold everything from a needle to an anchor. And entertainers juggled, crooned ballads, spat re, swallowed swords, and lay on beds of nails or glass. Callan played host to “the funniest clowns in Ireland”, Jack said. Bamboozlem, a travelling magician, performed tricks for the crowd...
To be continued...
In a time of rapid climate change, our seas and high need to be looked after by all concerned. By providing a legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of the biodiversity of the high seas, that is to say the area beyond individual territorial waters, the treaty recently adopted by the intergovernmental conference under the aegis of the United Nations constitutes a major step forward for the protection of a precious heritage.
Until now, it paradoxically fell into a legal vacuum. e result of long years of negotiations, the legally binding text recognises that this gigantic expanse representing half of the world’s surface and 60% of the oceans constitutes a universal issue and it is now time to address it.
Regulating human activity in a space that is both a source of wealth that arouses political and economic envy and an ecosystem that is essential to life on Earth is a challenge on the scale as huge as the oceans. Although the adoption of this international treaty on the high seas is certainly a historic step, it should not obscure the fact that it is only the beginning of a long and di cult process. Its ambition is to preserve biodiversity, limit degradation due to the e ects of climate change and protect the oceans from pollution and overexploitation. e fact that at this stage the treaty does not apply to the military sector, to deep sea shing or to the extraction of mineral resources from the seabed signi cantly reduces its scope.
One of the main advances is the possibility of creating marine protected areas beyond those existing in territorial waters. One or more signatory states may propose such areas for particularly sensitive or vulnerable biodiversity areas. e challenge will be to achieve su ciently large majorities for such projects to be adopted and to deploy the necessary means to ensure the protection of such areas, to identify possible infractions and to sanction them.
is element is particularly
important, as it lends credibility to the commitment made in December 2022 at the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP) on Biodiversity in Montreal to protect 30 % of the oceans by 2030. is goal would likely remain simply an empty promise if the high seas were not likely to even-
tually host protected areas.
e other essential part of the text concerns the implementation of rules for sharing the bene ts expected from the living resources present in the ocean, which are coveted by the pharmaceutical, chemical and cosmetic sectors. In particular,
it is planned to share with the least developed countries the bene ts derived from this exploitation, both economically and scienti cally. is treaty, which has yet to be nalised, is encouraging news at a time when geopolitical tensions are undermining the momen-
tum of multilateralism. In this context, the fact that the United States, the European Union and China have chosen to favour a common and cooperative approach must be welcomed. But regulation on the high seas risks coming into con ict with the International Seabed Authority (ISA)
initiatives.
Under the aegis of the United Nations, the ISA seeks to promote the exploitation of deep-sea mineral resources. While it is true that multilateralism has never been so necessary, especially in the environmental eld, it must above all be consistent.
e UAE’s powerful national security advisor will become chairman of Abu Dhabi’s $790bn sovereign wealth fund, a move that is likely to further blur the lines between economics and geopolitics in the energy-rich Gulf state.
Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan {pictured}, known for his trademark aviator sunglasses, is one of the top foreign policy o cials in the UAE. He often engages in shuttle diplomacy, meeting regional leaders like Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.
Taking the helm of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority will add to Tahnoun’s growing economic clout. e Emirati spymaster already chairs the International Holding Company (IHC), a sprawling conglomerate whose $236bn market capitalisation makes it bigger than Walt Disney or McDonald’s.
Analysts say IHC’s surge in value under Tahnoun’s leadership spotlights the fading lines between private and public sectors in the UAE, as the country experiences an economic boom.
Dubai has attracted the at-
tention of wealthy Russians and ex-pat western bankers. Meanwhile, Emirati state coffers have been buoyed by rising energy prices.
Tahnoun has been at the forefront of Emirati e orts to put its growing wealth to use.
IHC inked a deal in August for a Turkish renewable energy company linked to President Erdogan.
Turkey and the UAE were on opposing sides of con icts like in Libya, but the UAE has extended an economic lifeline to Erdogan amid a thaw in relations.
Tahnoun — who has a black
belt in jiu-jitsu — is one of six brothers, known as the Bani Fatima, born to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, founder of the UAE, and his third wife, Sheikha Fatima. Emirati President Mohamed bin Zayed is among them.
Tahnoun’s ascent to the top of Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund comes as Gulf states look to use their oil riches to diversify their economies away from oil and gas. e UAE is increasingly competing with its larger neighbour Saudi Arabia to attract foreign companies and Western ex-pats.
In just under one week, Lake Productions will present Moll by J B Keane at e Concert hall in omastown.
Founded in 2018, the company (named after the Lake school in St John’s parish) has already marked their spot on the theatrical map in Kilkenny.
eir productions such as Trad, After Sarah Miles and e Kings of the Kilburn High Road have all been received with much acclaim.
e company has also worked with e Kilkenny Involvement Centre, e Kilkenny Recovery College and with members of International groups living in Kilkenny from South Sudan, Poland and
Kenya.
Lake have also worked with Community radio Kilkenny city and produced three radio plays which include A River Walk by Frank Marshall, e Pink Milky Goo by Andrei Markewitz and War of the worlds By Orson Welles.
Lake Productions was part of the Kilkenny Community Radio team that won a Gold award for best commissioned programme with the Barrie Henriques scripted play ‘ e Liam Mac Carthy story’.
Lake productions company secretary and one of its founding members Emily Kelly informs me that the company is currently recording four radio documentaries on Irish
authors, as well as producing a third book of poetry.
Moll is the rst Keane play to be produced by Lake Productions and it would appear that the choice is certainly going down well.
Emily takes up the story. “We made a deliberate decision that after producing e Kings last year we wanted to lighten the tone somewhat and Moll is just the job for that. It is really a laugh from start to nish and you are not going to have to spend too long working out the plot”.
It is a play where cast and audience can enjoy the writing of one of Irelands best known authors.
Listowel native Nora Relihan, who worked as a social worker with the blind for almost 30 years, is in a unique position to give a de nitive account of John B. Keane. She played the
original Mena Glavin in John B.'s breakthrough play ‘Sive’. But rst we must take a step back in time.
In the early 1950s Bryan McMahon and Eamon Kelly founded the Listowel Drama Group.
In 1958 the group had produced a prize winning production of Joseph Tomelty’s ‘All Souls Night’.
Shortly afterward during a chance meeting on the street, John B. was to inform Nora that he was not greatly impressed by the Tomelty play and was going to write his own.
By that time, John B. was married to his wife Mary and was living in the now famous Listowel pub which they bought. It was to be in the back kitchen that ‘Sive’ was created in a few short weeks of what surely must have been
a frenzied spell of continuous writing.
Subsequent to a bald rejection by the Abbey eatre of this new play, John B. presented the ‘Sive’ script to the Listowel players. ‘Sive’ opened on February 2nd 1959 at Walsh’s Ballroom, Listowel, to an astounded audience who laughed and cried.
at production marked the beginning of the legend that is John B. Keane.
e following year, 1960 a production of Sive was staged at e Friary Hall in Kilkenny and by all accounts the local press and audience raved at the production. Indeed the Listowel author attended the nal performance and described the set as “the best he had seen in any performance of his play.
Since 1960, many groups have performed Keanes work
and to be fair there probably isn’t a village in the county where Keanes work has not been staged. Just recently Sive was performed in Goresbrige and under the direction of Mary O Brien proved a great hit.
Gay Byrne, the original and long-term host of RTE’s agship programme ‘ e Late Late Show’, once asked John B. where he got his ideas. John B. replied that he had only to stand on the corner near his pub and listen to the passersby.
His extraordinary stories, plays and books emerged from the everyday talk of ordinary people.
Keane has contributed greatly to both local and national theatrical life.
Arguably the best known and loved of all Irish playwrights, his work has been performed
in every village and town in Ireland. Local Kilkenny actor Dick Holland, who has performed in his fair share of Jon B Keane’s work, most notably as the Bull McCabe had this to say.
“His material is spot on and great for an actor to get his teeth into. His knowledge of rural life, its language and habits is fantastic. In a way, Keane, in his time, looked, listened, wrote down what people said and turned everyday happenings into magical plays, novels and letters.
Former teacher, author and journalist, Con Houlihan, gave his own reason for Keane’s success:
“John B. was blessed to have been born in Listowel and as he walked the bank of the river Feale, it consoled him. J.B. grew up in the bitter aftermath of a Civil War in a land impoverished by Éamon De Valera’s concept of Economics and John Charles McQuaid’s concept of Religion.
According to Houlihan, Keane cast a erce light on the Hidden Ireland: on a world of poverty and loneliness and sexual frustration. He was part of a rebellion. Indeed, you could say that at least in the theatre he was its healer.
As Con Houlihan said: John B. spoke of a di erent world. It was a revelation to urban dwellers. ey became acquainted with integral soothsayers and matchmakers and Bodhrán makers and men who salted life with humour.”
John B. Keane found his own true world when he left Listowel and went to work in England.
Brendan Kennelly, friend
and poet, claimed of Keane: “In exile, he discovered the world where his imagination was most at home, that is Listowel and other parts of
North Kerry. His work shows that he is as deeply and revealing at home in North Kerry as James Joyce was in Dublin. Joyce discovered
Dublin in exile John B. discovered North Kerry.”
Brendan Kennelly, poet, novelist and one time Professor of Modern Literature
at Trinity College, Dublin, remembered John B. in this way “When I think of him (which is often) I see him laughing, his head thrown back, the joy and pleasure pouring out of him.” Kennelly also remembers Keane’s temper. “He could are like a ash of lighting”. And nothing caused his temper to are like football, especially when Listowel were playing.
John B. Keane was a modern day renaissance man. His literary output was prodigious by any standards. When one looks at his range of work the sheer creative, experimental energy of the man becomes evident. It is without doubt that Keane was a true creative spirit.
He wrote more than twenty plays, several novels and collections of short stories. He also produced many poems, ballads and songs, dozens of fascinating essays and hundreds of extremely journalistic articles. Moll opens at e Concert Hall in omastown and will run for six performances. e cast includes Derek Dooley, Gemma Grant, Sean Hackett, Michael Hayes, Claire Henriques and John Whitely. Director is Gerry Cody and stage manager is Delia Lowery. Production manager is Emily Kelly.
Front of house manager is Dee Gibney. Siobhán Hegarty is in charge of set design and decoration while Brendan Maguire is technical manager. is production sees Grennan College sixth year student Cliodhna Ryan join the backroom team as assistant stage manager.
Booking is available on Eventbrite or by phoning Emily on 0879949093.
is production is being supported by ‘Arts Act Grant scheme from Kilkenny County council
Cyber-security remains a priority for many Irish businesses, with almost half planning to increase spending on cyber-security controls in 2023.
e latest Grant ornton International Business Report (IBR) found that 48% of business leaders in Ireland plan on increasing spending on cyber controls throughout the year. In addition, 52% said they have
introduced or upgraded new risk testing measures over the last 12 months, highlighting the necessity of cyber-security controls.
It also found that the estimated cost of cybercrime to be €9.6 billion, supporting the fact that businesses need to be aware of the threat.
Despite almost half of surveyed businesses recognising the importance of
Ifac, Ireland’s farming, food and agribusiness specialist professional services rm, is advising Kilkenny farmers and employers to stay ahead of the evolving legal landscape. e Top 5 employer obligations questions answered:
1. Do I need to give all my employees a contract of employment?
Employers are obliged to give their employees a statement containing the core terms of employment within ve days of the start of employment. Employers must then give their employees a statement containing the remaining terms and conditions within one month.
We recommend drafting a contract of employment containing all terms of conditions in one document before the employee commences employment. is ensures that an employer’s legal obligations are met but also provides clarity around the employment relationship for both parties, which can reduce disputes at a later stage.
2. Can my employee work over 48 hours a week during busy times?
Yes, the maximum number of hours that an adult employee can work in an average week is 48 hours. is does not mean that it can never exceed 48 hours, but it is the average that is important. Normally this is calculated over a fourmonth period, but in the case of farming, it can be calculated over a six-month period.
3. Do I need to keep a record of all my employees’ working hours?
Employers are required by
cyber investment, a signicant number do not intend to invest, with 11% citing resource constraints, and 18% believing other areas of their businesses need investment instead.
ese gures re ect the juggling act companies are facing, with rising costs of doing business and global economic instability, making it more di cult for companies to invest in
cyber protections. Meanwhile, almost one fth of businesses believe they have adequate resources in place, showing con dence in the measures they have invested in thus far.
Commenting on the publication of the latest IBR gures, Mike Harris, Partner in Forensics and Cyber at Grant ornton Ireland, said: “ e latest IBR gures re ect the increased
challenges facing Irish businesses with regards to cyber-security. It is encouraging to see that 48% of the businesses surveyed intend on increasing investment over the next 12 months, and that 52% have reported upgrading their controls and testing in the past year.
“ e recent attack on Munster Technological University re ects the urgent need for businesses to
invest in this area, and that no industry is immune from threat.”
Grant ornton’s cost of cybercrime report in 2022 showed that one in three small to medium businesses in Ireland fell victim to cybercrime between May 2021 and April 2022. One in three were also reported to have paid out to cybercriminals, with €22,773 the average pay-out.
law to keep records of daily hours worked. is should include start and nish times, breaks taken and time spent on annual leave. All employers must keep these records in a way that can be easily understood by an inspector from the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
4. How does the new Sick Leave Act a ect me? Under the Sick Leave Act 2022, paid sick leave is now a statutory entitlement in Ireland. Here’s how it works:
• Employees are entitled to up to three days paid sick leave a year. is can be taken consecutively or non-consecutively.
• An employee becomes entitled to sick pay after 13 weeks of continuous services in the employment.
• Employees need to provide and medical certi cate to qualify.
• e daily rate of payment under the Sick Leave Act is 70% of regular earnings, up to a maximum of €110 a day.
5. What risks are associated with non-compliance?
WRC Inspectors visit places of employment and carry out investigations on behalf of the commission in order to ensure compliance with employment legislation. If a breach of legislation is found, an Inspector may issue a Fixed Payment Notice to an employer. Other more serious breaches of employment law are classed as o ences, which may result in criminal prosecution.
Additionally, an employee can also submit a complaint to the WRC if they feel that their employment rights are being breached.
*For more information see www.ifac.ie or call ifac’s HR Services team on 1800
Marc Leahy, an apprentice commis chef, training with Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board with (KCETB), has been awarded a bronze medal at the National Chef Apprenticeship Skills competition held recently at CATEX, Ireland’s largest foodservice and hospitality event which took.
Place in the RDS, Dublin.
Speaking of the awards
ceremony, Mary Prior Butler, Training Services Manager at KCETB, said: “ is is a huge achievement, given that Marc has just completed his rst year of the programme; it’s his rst ever skills competition and it is at National level.
“ e commis chef apprenticeship programme is a twoyear programme, delivered by KCETB at their Hospitality Academy at Gowran Park
and at the College of Further Education (CIFE) in Carlow.
It o ers a wide range of skills training, experience in new product development and the chance to participate in the Erasmus programme,” she said.
“ is year as part of the Erasmus Programme our Apprentices will be working with our international partners the renowned Paul
Bocuse restaurants in Lyon, France for two week.”
* If you have employees that you would like to upskill in catering or hospitality area please contact KCETB Employer Engagement O cer, Gabrielle Carroll at 087 3999972 or gabrielle.carroll@kilkennycarlowetb.ie for further details.
Well, Kilkenny ... so, How Are You?
e group Mental Health Ireland has teamed up with Iarnród Éireann to invite the nation to say Hello, and ask How Are You? with meaning on ursday, March 30th. Now in its second year, the national Hello, How Are You? campaign highlights the importance of staying connected, helps tackle loneliness, creates a sense of belonging and builds relationships. It also encourages early help-seeking through reliable information on mental health support services and signposting.
Findings from a survey last December conducted by
Behaviour and Attitudes on behalf of Mental Health Ireland showed that 92% of people are
comfortable having conversation with friends about worries. However, 21% of people are
By using the following HELLO Steps you can feel supported in asking the question. Let’s make saying Hello and asking How Are You? an everyday question that keeps us connected.
H: Say Hello
E: Engage with the person
L: Listen to them
L: Learn about them and what they might be saying
O: Give them time to talk and to explore options
not con dent in knowing how to support friends with worries.
e Hello, How Are You? campaign speaks to this by o ering support, steps and resources that help with starting and having these more di cult conversations.
ere are so many ways to slow down and genuinely engage with a family member, friend or even a stranger. You don’t need to be an expert to have a meaningful conversation.
*Free resources, toolkits and all the information you need .info/resources see www.hellohowareyou.info/resources
Paul Nolan from Dawn Meats dropped into County Hall last week to meet the Chairman of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick and the Council’s Chief Executive, Sean McKeown to hear how the logistical operation was underway to distribute the packs for the upcoming environmental initiative “Let’s Team Up to Clean Up, Together for Kilkenny”
Dawn Meats together with Tirlán/Glanbia Plc, Panda, PRL and the John O’Shea Trust have provided nancial support to allow Kilkenny County Council make this initiative possible. A weekend of action across County Kilkenny, is enabling groups and local communities to litter pick their neighbourhoods over the weekend of the 24th of March. During this weekend, an estimated 5,000 volunteers will be active, removing loose litter from the environment. It’s an opportunity for neighbours to reconnect and a chance to get out into the fresh air and work as a collective to rid litter throughout the county.
Paul Nolan from Dawn Meats commented “ rough our operations, Dawn Meats is committed to continual
improvement of environmental performance and the promotion of sustainability practices are an integral part of our business culture. Being a sponsor of “Let’s Team Up to Clean Up, Together for Kilkenny” is an ideal opportunity to give back and support our local communities in a practical way. Enabling the provision of litter kits to groups in Kilkenny City and County like Mooncoin Tidy Towns who are local to our plant in Grannagh, is a chance to assist volunteers who give up their own time for the improvement of their local area. We are delighted to be part of this initiative, and we hope to see it grow in years to come.”
Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council, Sean McKeown remarked in conversation that “Kilkenny has a national reputation of being a clean environment, and its important economically that we preserve and continue to maintain this high standard.
e accumulation of litter can lower the tone of an area very quickly, and as we value our tourism product in Kilkenny and also to maintain the green image for the agricultural sector, initiatives like “Let’s
Team Up to Clean Up, Together for Kilkenny” can bring economic bene ts to the county.
Chairman of Kilkenny Pat Fitzpatrick added “that a litter
free environment can also bring positive mental health bene ts and the occasion to bring people and play a part of a community initiative also brings social bene ts
to communities across the county”.
e initiative hit its 200th registration last week and the registration portal is now closed, as focus and attention
turns to accommodate all the registered groups. Health and safety brie ng sessions are underway, these short presentations of 30 minutes allows groups to stay safe as they complete their litter picks and instructions are given regarding the presentation of litter bags for collection by the waste management sponsor Panda. e CBS secondary transition year students have lent a hand to assemble to primary school kits while the army personnel from Stephens Barracks are preparing the standard litter kit. Kits will be released, as registered groups complete their health and safety training.
Team Up to Clean Up is a great example of Communities coming together and improving for themselves the quality of life for their localities. e initiative is an opportunity to reduce the impact of litter with bene ts across tourism, businesses and our economy, mental health and wellbeing, as well as our Environment.
Team Up to Clean Up builds on National Spring Clean and the vibrant Tidy Towns movement in Kilkenny and is a wonderful opportunity for us all to play our part to say no to litter.
And in a ash – it was in her hands! ‘ is’ she thought grimly, ‘changes things. I’ll have control, I’ll have the edge, no matter who shows up or what happens.’
With no telephones, and roads going in all directions from the Five-Crossroads a few miles away, they were in with a chance. Cutely enough she’d made sure to mention her ‘Auntie May in Kildare’ a few times lately in her father’s hearing – so that’s the way they’d most likely start tracking. If they could still walk normally, that is…
One of the main facts Molly was relying on was that neither Paudhaun nor her parent had any close friends – and almost certainly none that would engage in a running chase through the dark countryside, in order to
capture two young girls who were brave enough to make a desperate break for freedom. Being a clever girl, she’d gured that most people would actually wish them well.
ey’d see it as a drama, after all – and good folk everywhere in Ireland love the idea of brave little heroines escaping grim and dire servitude. But rst, they had to get away from this wretched farm – this was the place of greatest danger. Capture here – and they were done for…
Now, at last, they turned their backs forever on the only home they’d ever known. Leaving for always the place redolent with happy, and lonesome, memories of their dead Mammy, for whom they both had a deep love – and who – in their deepest hearts – they expected to keep them safe, from her perch at ‘ e Right Hand of God.’ Aye, that’s how they always dreamt of her – and that’s where they each secretly thought she was. ey were, after all, only very young girls, with a
deep faith in the ability of Heaven-Folk to help out in an emergency. Which, as we cynics always think, is a very chancey hook indeed on which to hang your hat. But, religious thoughts can be of great solace in hard places, so we wish good luck to the girls, who believe in them. ey might need all the help they can get, from any quarter, before this night is out.
ey’ve had to leave the dear old Barker sheepdog behind. e father was, hopefully, still asleep in his room, unaware of the odyssey his little daughters were embarked on. e Paudhaun was {again, hopefully} – asleep in his rancid den. By now, the ‘ ght-or- ight’ instinct that lurks in all humans when life or safety is threatened, had quite taken over the fteen year-old. If anyone suddenly fronted up, they’d be in mortal danger. ‘Us or them,’ she thought, grimly. And quite right.
Nothing stirred along ahead, in the shadows of the skeochs and ash saplings. Babs brought up
the rear, glancing back, constantly. No worries anymore about the Banshee - or the previously dreaded ‘Tub O’ Guts’ –that odorous green Slimelled Ghostie-blob spectrewho {allegedly} empties the contents of his unspeakable intestines over the heads of nocturnal wanderers. As he reputedly only assailed ‘bold boys’ – so tagged by fed-up Mammys – he was thankfully o the list of this night’s terrors...
A thought suddenly struck Molly. She stopped, turned, and looked at ‘little sis’, who eyed her back, levelly – as per usual. “Babsie” she said wonderingly, “do you not feel the cold? I expected, given these old thin duds we’re wearing, our teeth’d be chattering to beat the band - yet I’m still at least as warm as I was in the house. You seem to be the same! Did you twig it that you’re warm, in spite of the frost?” e wee one thoughtfully rubbed her hands together, and felt her ears. “You’re right, sis – I don’t feel any chill at all. I didn’t notice that until you said. Maybe it’s down to the worry and care that’s on top of us. Maybe we’ll only feel it later. But one of us should surely be shaking – and that’s me. I’m always froze. No, this isn’t usual, Mollers.”
Molly fell silent for a few seconds. en she said, slowly: “I think it’s Mammy helping us, Babs. I thought the cold would bite our bones as soon as we were out the window. Yet ne’er a shiver. Have you been saying prayers, Babs, by any chance?” A grin from the small soldier: “I’ve said more tonight than in all my ten years, Moll – for both of us! I included you – cos I’ll never be a piano-star - if you don’t get us through!”
Molly suddenly knew that they would get to their destination. With the courage of the little one, and the help of the Mammy – they’d get through.
e pair have now almost reached the old salleyapple tree that Molly had earlier mind-marked as the point where she’d change course for the TreeBridge.. is would mean an unavoidable crossing of the open eld, still palely lit by a faint moon glow, and made far more visible by the hoar frosted make safer their escape over the Dungratton River. e famous ‘Tree Bridge’ was nothing but the narrow bole of a long-fallen white ash tree. Ne’er a rail or branch to help you. Keep your balance – in the frosty glim of the Milky Way – or in you go. We can only surmise her reason
for bringing this strange concoction. No doubt we’ll nd out...
With her small - but brave – sister, Babsie, who is watching the rear. {A dote is the Babs: but a wilful wee crank, too, when thwarted!}
Molly has in her hands a Four Ten shotgun { e ‘Ladies Gun’ - the ‘Poachers Gun’} – which Bridie’s brother Simon had taught her {secretly} how to use. I’m sure he never envisaged her sending leaden messages towards anything other than a rabbit or a pigeon...
Hearing the steady trot of the Babsie close behind, Molly knew that sharp small lady would keep a very close watch to the rear. ‘After all’ she smiled to herself, ‘a certain budding piano-star’s future career depends on us coming out on top this night!’
Just as she thought this, the smile was wiped o her face by a sudden violent commotion!
From a small gap in the ditch on the left, a large gure burst out in front of her!.....
To be continued….
Disclaimer e opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not re ect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of e Kilkenny Observer.
omas Glendon, Letter Cutter and Stone Mason, visited St Mary’s Cathedral on 9 March to carve the inscription of Bishop Coll’s name on the list in the North Transept. is list stretching back to St Kieran was compiled by Bishop Moran in the 1880s. Bassett’s publication of 1884 on Kilkenny City and County makes reference to the two tablets that were in preparation at their time of publishing.
omas uses chisels and hammers that are especially design to insure a delicate touch to the letterform.
Commenting on the original work, omas said that the type and design of the inscriptions are beautifully carved. He notes a change in design and details from 1884 when start and nish dates
were included.
omas continues this form in completing the details of Bishop Dermot Farrell (now archbishop of Dublin) and those of Bishop Coll.
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 45 mins plus 30 mins soaking
Serves: 2
Forget turning on the oven to cook the big Sunday meal –make the main elements in an air fryer. Use a microwave to heat the gravy rather than on the hob.
Ingredients
• 2-3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
• 3 tsp vegetable, olive or rapeseed oil
• 1 large or 2 small chicken breasts, skin-on
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into batons
• 100g frozen peas
• gravy, to serve
Method
STEP 1
Soak the potatoes in water for 30 mins, then drain and rinse. Heat the air fryer for 2 mins. Dry the potatoes thoroughly, then put in a bowl, drizzle over 1 tsp of the oil and season with salt and pepper. Using your hands or a spoon, coat the potatoes in the oil, then put into the air fryer basket, in one layer if possible. Cook for 10 mins at 190C.
STEP 2
Meanwhile, coat the chicken
Potato & spring onion breakfast pancakes
Prep:15 mins
Cook:30 mins plus cooling
Makes 6 pancakes is breakfast, brunch or alternative side dish is based on ‘boxty’, or potato cakes.
Ingredients
•140g oury potatoes (weighed after peeling), cut into large chunks
•50g self-raising our
•½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
•3 large eggs
•5 tbsp milk
•3 spring onions, nely chopped
•2 tsp sun ower oil, plus extra if needed
•knob of butter
•6 rashers streaky bacon (smoked or unsmoked)
in another 1 tsp oil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Once the potatoes have been in for 10 mins, move them to the sides and lay the chicken in the centre of the basket. Cook for 10 mins.
STEP 3
Coat the carrots in the remaining oil. After the chicken has cooked for 10 mins, remove it from the basket and add the carrots, mixed in with the
potatoes, then move both to the sides and put the chicken back into the centre. Cook for 10-15 mins, still at 190C. At this point, the chicken should be cooked – check by inserting a knife into the thickest part and checking the juices run clear. Alternatively, a meat thermometer should read 70C. If it’s not quite done, cook for a further 5 mins. Remove the chicken and rest it under a piece of tented foil.
STEP 4
Put the peas in a small ovenproof dish or mug with 2 tbsp water and cover with foil to prevent any moisture escaping. Put in the air fryer basket where the chicken was and cook for a nal 10 mins at 190C. e potatoes should be golden and crisp, the carrots tender and the peas warmed through. Slice the chicken breast and serve with the vegetables and gravy.
STEP 2
Put the cooled mash in a bowl with the our and bicarb. Whisk 1 egg with the milk, season, tip into the bowl and whisk until smooth. Stir in the spring onions, reserving some to serve.
STEP 3
In a non-stick frying pan, heat half the oil and butter until sizzling, then spoon in half the pancake batter to make 3 pancakes. Cook for 1 min or so on each side until browned and set underneath, then ip and cook the other side. Keep warm in the oven while you make 3 more pancakes.
STEP 4
Mix gin with cherry brandy, Benedictine, Angostura bitters, pineapple and lime juice to make this classic cocktail. Garnish with pineapple and a cherry.
Enjoy a classic dry martini. is is a good example of how ice is an ingredient in its own right. Take time stirring and tasting it until it’s to your liking.
We like this classic vodka cocktail made with fresh cream – the Kahlúa liqueur adds a co ee-infused nish.
Kick back and enjoy a New York sour. With whiskey, red wine, orange bitters and lemon juice, one sip will whisk you away to a Manhattan cocktail bar.
Get a taste of summer with our take on this classic Italian cocktail. Mix up this Aperol spritz using just three ingredients: Aperol, prosecco and soda.
1
Put the potatoes in a large pan of salted water and boil until
tender. Drain well, tip back into the pan, shake for 1 min over a gentle heat to dry them o , then mash and leave to cool.
Wipe out the pan, add the bacon and sizzle until almost crisp. Push to one side and crack in the 2 remaining eggs – with a splash more oil if needed. Fry to your liking, then serve with the pancakes and bacon, sprinkled with the remaining spring onions.
Master the art of a classic tequila sunrise, with grenadine, tequila, triple sec, orange juice –and of course a cocktail cherry and umbrella as garnish.
Mix a jug of this classic cocktail for a summer party. It’s made with equal parts of vodka, gin, tequila, rum and triple sec, plus lime, cola and plenty of ice.
Where the Crawdads Sing is based on the best-selling book of the same name by Delia Owens.
The film is set in North Carolina and tells the story of Kya (the wonderful Daisy Edgar-Jones) who is accused of the murder of a popular man in town, Chase Andrews (Harris Dickinson). The film follows the trial and also flashes back to moments throughout Kya’s life.
2.
When All Quiet On The Western Front had its premiere back in September 2022, there was little to suggest it was about to wage an all-out campaign for Oscar votes.
Last week the movies picked up four Oscars, for Best International Film, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design and Best Original Score.
The German-language World War I film comes from Netflix, which had a roster of far more expensive ‘prestige’ movies primed for Academy Award pushes,
from Oscar-winning director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s Bardo to the starstudded Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.
But, while those largely fell by the wayside, with one nomination each, All Quiet On The Western Front emerged from the crowded trenches of awards season hopefuls as an Oscars front-runner, with nine nominations, including for much coveted best picture honours.
“It really feels like a wave of joy and luck that has come over us,” said director
Edward Berger, days before his film won seven prizes at Britain’s Baftas, including best film.
Indeed, Berger’s film is the third screen adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s seminal novel about naive young German soldiers confronted with the horrors of war – but the first shot in the author’s native language.
Had he been asked, the director “would have immediately said no” to making another Englishlanguage version.
Luckily, the decision to
flip the script was helped by Netflix’s wildly successful expansion into new global markets with recent subtitled hits such as South Korean series Squid Game and Oscar-winning film Roma.
The movie’s eventual US$20 million price tag was comparatively small change for the streaming giant, but a huge sum in the German film industry.
“We wouldn’t have got the type of budget that you need to make this film five years ago,” said Berger. Highly recommeneded.
It’s one of aviation’s greatest mysteries. On March 8, 2014, an everyday commercial aircraft, a Boeing 777, took off from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing only to vanish off radar screens. So, did they ever find Malaysian Airlines Flight 370? And if not, what are the prominent theories surrounding its disappearance?
It’s the subject of Netflix’s three-part docu-series MH 370: The Plane That Disappeared. The documentary, has debuted nine years after
the Boeing 777 seemingly dropped off the face of the earth with 12 crew members and 227 passengers onboard.
A multi-national investigation into the incident was launched and the streaming giant interviewed aviation journalists and online sleuths to deliver their opinions.
The bulk of the plane’s hull has never been found but pieces of debris that washed up on an Australian beach in October 2020 were believed to be pieces of MH370. Parts of
the wreckage have also been found on African coastlines and Islands in the Indian Ocean. In January 2023, British aerospace engineer Richard Godfrey completed an analysis of such debris and confirmed it to be pieces of the missing plane.
“Considering that MH370 ended its flight in the South Indian Ocean, the location of a recent find on a beach in Madagascar is consistent with the drift path modelling.
The plane took off from
Kuala Lumpur at 12.41 am local time and around three minutes later, it lost all contact with traffic control. Officials say the plane’s transponder was turned off over the South China Sea. The last voice contact was at 1:19 am Malaysian time and at 2:22 am, about 230 miles from Penang, it disappeared.
In the Netflix documentary, there are four prevailing theories and each one as compelling as there next. A compelling view.
The movie tells the story of Debbie (Reese Witherspoon) and Peter (Ashton Kutcher).
The pair hooked up a long time ago, but then they became best friends despite living on opposite coasts. When Debbie needs to go to New York for a weeklong conference, Peter flies out to watch Debbie’s son, Jack (Wesley Kimmel). Things don’t go as planned. There’s so much to like about this movie, despite its few flaws. Witherspoon and Kutcher are great together in this movie, too.
3. The Strays
The Strays picks up in a small, seemingly perfect town where Neve (Ashley Madekwe), a working mother with a great career and family. Everything is going well in her life until two strangers show up in town and start causing problems for Neve.
The film is well-made, and the performances are quite great. The critical approval rating from Rotten Tomatoes is decent at 67%, while the audience approval score is below 30%.
4. The Woman King
The Woman King is set in the 1800s and tells the story of Nanisca (Viola Davis) who leads a group of female warriors against slave traders and other threats. Davis is outstanding in this movie. It’s so lame that she was snubbed for an Oscar nomination. I really feel like The Woman King and Davis should have been nominated. There are not many newer movies as good as The Woman King on Netflix right now.
5. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Detective Benoit Blanc is invited to an exclusive gathering/ murder mystery party at the private island of billionaire tech bro, Miles Bron. They are joined by his inner circle of influencers, actors, executives, and politicians. That’s where the mystery begins to unfold. It’s a lot of fun, especially with Daniel Craig involved.
LOTTO
Lotto results 7th March. No jackpot winner. Numbers drawn - 3, 8, 29. €30 consolation prizes to Caroline Cli ord, Conor Phelan, Bill O Kee e, Kieran Tobin, Jim Murphy. Thanks to all for the support. Be in to Win!
ATHLETICS SUCCESS
Clara athletes performed very well in the All Ireland Schools Cross Country at SETU Arena, Carriganore, Co.Waterford on 11th March. This was held on a tough hilly course which soon turned to muck in wet and windy conditions.
Robert Coogan finished 8th in the second event of the day, the Minor boys which had a large field of 105 entrants. Pia Langton finished 33rd in the Senior girls event and was part of the Loreto Kilkenny team that won gold in the teams section of this event. Billy Coogan finished 4th in the Senior boys event as underfoot conditions deteriorated badly leading to many falls and withdrawals. Congratulations to all. A week earlier Pia Langton had been crowned Leinster indoor U17 800m champion while Aaron Carrigan had won the U13 600m at the same meet so Clara athletes are really leaving their mark on the sport.
KILKENNY WIN
Well done to selector Conor Phelan and co-trainer John Murphy for their parts in Kilkenny Senior hurler’s 2-25 to 1-17 win over Dublin in round 4 of the National Hurling League in Nowlan Park on Sunday. A victory over Waterford or a draw in their final game of the campaign on Sunday will see Kilkenny safely through to the semi final of the competition.
CLUB LOTTO
There was no winner of club lotto (March 7th). Numbers drawn were 2, 4, 10, 17 Bonus 12 Next week’s top prize will be €17,200 (March 14th). Play now at www.oloughlingaels.com/lotto
Promotors Draw. 1. Eileen Kinchella. 2. Holly & Eileen.
3. Kay Kelly. 4. Anthony Hanney c/o N Loy. 5. Naoimie & Serina c/o A Fogarty. 6. Ann Doran. 7. Brenda McPartland
8. Nigel Skehan c/o online. 9. Tracy Brannigan c/o online. 10. Ailish O’Hanlon c/o online
Thank you for your continued support
JUVENILE CAMOGIE RETURNS
O’Loughlin Gaels Camogie Club Juvenile Training returns to St. John’s Park Saturday at 10am. We look forward to seeing our existing players and welcome the new.
Register now your full membership - all the details at www.oloughlingaels.com/membership
A huge thanks to Camogie Club Sponsors MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre for their continued support.
ST PATRICKS DAY PARADE
Our young Gaels will take part in Fridays St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Boys and girls and mentors are asked to meet at the Courtyard entrance to MacDonagh Junction Shopping centre, adjacent to the Social Welfare o ices on the Hebron Road, at 12:45pm wearing your club colours. Please line the parade route and support our young Gaels
PLAYER NEWS
Well done to all our players representing their schools and county over the next few weeks. In particular best of luck to Aoife Shealy and Mark Holohan with their respective schools Loreto and St Kieran’s College as they bid for All-Ireland glory.
LETTERS FROM THE FRONT
A little bit of something di erent to pencil into your Diary. A musical drama set during World War I, it features two of our own - Rachel Leydon and John Joe Cullen. Please support and good wishes to Rachel, John Joe and all the cast.
Watergate Theatre, 21st to 25th of March
DARTS CHAMPS
The final of the Freshford and District A League took place on Sunday evening last in Seanies of Tullaroan when Farrells A took on rivals The Valley Inn A in an eagerly awaited game. The local side took a good lead and despite their opponents pulling two games back, they came out winners on a 5-2 scoreline. It was sweet revenge indeed as their opponents had beaten them in the previous two finals and were going for three in a row. The player of the match went to Stephen Farrell. The winning team is S.Farrell, L.Ryan, D.Lanigan, P.Lanigan, P.Dermody, E.Cli ord, N.Walsh and E.Walsh
The C final on Friday night saw Killeens C claim the League when they defeated Farrells C which was made up of one family of three generations, Michael Brophy of Clone ( the oldest player in the Competition), his sons and grandsons . Ricky Burke got player of the tournament on the night.
The B semi finals are on in the coming week with Kavanaghs B taking on Killeens B and Farrells B facing
the Rock Bar B.
BIRTHDAY GIRL
Special birthday wishes go out to local lady Juliette Denie e, Moate, Freshford who celebrated a very special birthday at the weekend. Juliette marked her big birthday at a party with family and friends in Kavanaghs bar on Saturday night last.
AWARDS
Congratulations are extended to the owner and sta of Brennan Sister’s Takeaway who won an award last week for the second year in a row. The business which has been providing splendid food for the past decade in the village won three at last week Irish take away awards They got the award for the best Kebab of the year in Leinster , Takeaway team of the year in Leinster and overall winner of Team of the year Takeaway. Well done
to Rahim and his sta and keep up the good work.
SYMPATHY
Sympathy is extended to Ms. Teresa Doyle of Woodview, Freshford and all her family on the recent death of her son Oliver Doyle late of Rathealy, Tullaroan. Funeral mass took place in Tullaroan Church followed by burial in Tullaroan Cemetery.
Sympathy is also extended to Hazel and Michael Kavanagh and her extended family on the death last weekend of Hazels mum Mrs. Eileen O’Neill late of Parkmore Terrace Gowran. Burial took place on Sunday last in Gowran Cemetery.
CAMOGIE
Congrats to local young girl Abbie Whitty of Poulbawn, Freshford who was on the Kilkenny U16 camogie panel which defeated Laois at Ballacolla on Sunday last.
The death occurred last week in Dublin of James Molloy late of Lucan, Co. Dublin and formerly of Clintstown Road, Freshford where he and his family lived for some years. The family would be remembered by many in the village while his late father was a Garda in the village. Funeral mass took place in St. Mary’s Church Lucan followed by burial in Esker Cemetery.
NKWA
The North Kilkenny Wheelchair association held their annual dinner dance at the Avalon Hotel, Castlecomer recently and a great day was had by all. The Association welcomed back their chairperson Patricia Watson a er her long illness. The group were entertained by Danny Webster and there was also a wonderful performance of Irish dancing by Rachel McNally. The committee would like to thank the management and sta of the Hotel for providing them with all the facilities required for their members and thanks also to Margaret Barnaville and Martin Travers for their hard work in organising the event. A special thanks also must go to Coon Drama Group and the Castlecomer Wellie Race committee for their very generous donation to the branch which was very much appreciated.
CAFE
The Community Cafe at Buncrussia Street which opened just before Christmas is proving to be very popular in the village and surrounds. The Loop Café is serving some beautiful homemade food. The Café which is run on a voluntary basis is open Tuesday to Saturday each week from 9.30am to 4pm, so why not go along there and meet your friends for a tea, co ee or a snack and have a chat as well as supporting the new local business.
FITNESS SESSIONS
Fitness sessions Boxing/fitness sessions at Community Hall Freshford – Have you had a diagnoses of Parkinsons; Alzheimers or other neurological condition? If so maybe you are keen to get some level of fitness back or work on you balance or upper body strength. If so, these classes are just what you need. Classes take place each Tuesday from 11am to 12 noon - sessions cost just €10 each and are facilitated by a boxing coach. They will also give you the chance to socialise and meet other people.For more information or to sign up please contact Brenda Cooper on 0871369253
COMMUNITY ALERT
Freshford /Threecastles Community Alert Group remind people that the annual text Alert deadline was the 28th February. It cost just €10 per phone number for this service and to enroll or pay your fee you can contact any of the following committee members: Shem O’Donnell, John Bergin, Jacinta Power, Anna Morrissey, Mick Cormack Bernadette, Terry Campion and Frances Mullan
PLAYGROUND
Work is well underway on the new Playground at Kilkenny Road. It is hoped that the playground will be ready for use this summer. Much credit is due to the hard working committee who fought so hard for this amenity over the last couple of years
GAA
St.Lachains GAA Club will once again host an Easter camp this yea. The camp will run from Monday 10th April to Thursday 13th from 10am to 2pm at GAA Grounds. The camp will be for all boys and girls from 6 -13 years old and great fun is guaranteed with Top quality coaches. Fee is €50 per child or first 2 children per family and €40 for third child and upwards. Places can be booked online.
SOCCER
Freshford Town Junior side had no game last weekend and have only one game le in the league. There were no games in the schoolboys section either.
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 O ice. Please note community notices for the parish newsletter should be le in or emailed to the Parish O ice by 11am on Thursdays. Parish o ice hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 1pm.
Mass Cards
Special printed parish cards are available at the Parish O ice or from Annette at Tulla Church signed by Monsignor Kennedy. You can contact the Parish o ice 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 di icult 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.
Are you interested in submitting community/GAA notes for your community/parish. It would involve gathering contributions from local clubs (GAA, Bridge, Handball) associations (Guides, Scouts ) Community entities (Tidy Towns, Madge’s Garden), notices of upcoming events within the areas of Dunnamaggin, Kells and Kilmoganny. All you need to do is forward any notes to jack@ kilkennyobserver.ie before Tuesday of any week for inclusion in our free edition the following Friday. Why not contact me for more details?
HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY TO ALL
As the big day approaches, just a reminder of the Annual Irish Dancing Display on St. Patrick’s Day in the Community Centre. This event is a collaboration between Stella Carroll School of Dancing and Bennettsbridge Ladies Club. Dancers will compete for the Kathleen Conway Memorial Trophy. Proceeds will go to the Carlow Kilkenny Homecare Team.
Ra le prizes will include Jerpoint Glass, Candles from Moth to a Flame, sponsorship of wine and chocolate from PJ Cullen, Centra and other donated prizes. It is worth noting that the much loved picture of St Patrick which hangs in the Community Hall (originally the National School) is of great historical significance as the schoolchildren of the time collected money to purchase same.
Happy St Patrick’s Day to all, especially anyone away from home!
LOTTO
No winner of Jackpot last week. Numbers, 3, 13, 18, 27. Jackpot now €5,800.00. Consolation Prizes, Noel Skehan, Woodlawn, Moira Hackett c/o P.O., BB Syndicate, May Croke, Woodlawn, Rosie, C/o Fr. Duggan.
CHURCH NEWS
Masses during the week. Bennettsbridge, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (St Patrick’s Day) 10.30am. Tullaherin Vigil Mass (St Patrick’s Day) Thursday 8pm
FIRST COMMUNION
Preparation Mass for First Communion children was held on Sunday last. Fr Pat Duggan celebrated, music was by Deirdre and Billy. Children and parents took part in the liturgy. Children brought their special candles and these were placed on the altar during mass. First Confessions for the children were held on Tuesday Night.
ART GROUP
Weekly meetings of the Art group are progressing well under tutor, Julie Moorhouse. Some of the members are exploring techniques in oil painting for the first time. It is hoped to have an exhibition during Kilkenny Arts Week.
GATHERING GROUP
Some new members were welcomed to the group last week. Gentle chair exercises are proving very popular. This coming week some bowling enthusiasts are returning to weekly sessions. A number of talks are in the pipeline also a trip to the Danesfort group is being pencilled in for April. A shopping trip to Li ey Valley is being organised for April 26th and the visit to John B Keane’s play, Moll on 23rd March in Thomastown Concert Hall is much anticipated.
BASKETBALL
Well done to four local girls who were part of the Kilkenny Stars Kelts Basketball team that qualified for All Ireland Club championships a er a 44-18 win over Old Leighlin. The girls now go forward to compete against the top teams in the country in Gormanstown on Saturday 25th March. Bennettsbridge girls involved, Kayla Wall, Katie Holden, Katie Mulcahy and Amy Hughes, managed by Anthony Wall. Great achievement for girls that are playing up an age by competing in the u14 southeast league.
GAA
Membership for 2023 is now being collected by registrar Samantha McGarry or any committee member. Membership remains the same as last year. 120 for adult players, 80 for student players and 40 euro for nonplaying members. Early payment would be most appreciated as the bills for 2023 start to come in.
BUY A BRICK CAMPAIGN
We are in our fourth year of our Buy a Brick campaign. Thanks to everyone who has supported so far. Anyone new who wishes to contribute please see BBGAADEV@ gmail.com. All contributions go towards club development and repayment of the loan on the club house as quickly as possible.
COLLEGES AND INTERCOUNTY HURLING
Timmy Kelly and James Hughes and all the St Kieran’s panel who will play Athenry in Croke Park on St Patrick’s day in the All Ireland final. Well done to David Blanchfield who came on for Kilkenny against Dublin in the national league win on Sunday.
ON LINE DRAW
The first online draw of 2023 is now live. 100 tickets only will be sold with 700 euro going to the winner. Tickets cost 10 euro. Please see the clubs Facebook and twitter pages for details of the link to play. The draw will take place as soon as the tickets are sold. Thanks for the continued support.
CPR AND BASIC FIRST AID TRAINING
There will be a CPR and First Aid training upstairs in the clubhouse on Saturday March 25th. This is open to the whole community. Places are limited to 10 people and cost is 80 euro per person. If interested please contact Andrea on 087 1226882 to book a place.
SCRAP COLLECTION
The club is planning to do a Scrap Collection fundraiser in April so if you have any scrap to get rid of we will gladly take it. Full details will follow later this month.
SPLIT THE POT
Congratulations to Cathy Waugh who won 134 euro, to Maura Shiel who won 30 euro and to Tracey Walsh Brennan who won 20 euro. Entry envelopes are available around the village. If you want to play online with club force please see the clubs Facebook page for de-tails. Thanks again for the continued support.
3rd to 10th prize - €100. Tickets only €10 and available for the local committee, local shops/pubs or DM their Facebook page. Draw is taking place Easter Sunday 9th April in Cleere’s Bar
YOUNG IRELANDS CONTINGENT GO IN SEARCH
OFALL-IRELAND GLORY
Very Best Wishes to Padraig Naddy, Ben Phelan and Michael Walsh who go in search of All-Ireland glory for St. Kieran’s College on St. Patrick’s Day (Friday) against Presentation Athenry (Galway) in Croke Park.
Padraig was one of St. Kierans leading performers in The Semi-Final victory, while Ben has been part of The Squad throughout their campaign.
Michael is part of The Management Team which is managed by Kilkenny Senior Camogie Manager Brian Dowling, and has been involved as part of previous St. Kieran’s College Management Teams that won AllIrelands in recent years.
Throw-in on St. Patricks Day (Friday) is at 3pm.
JUNIOR DRAWS
The Draws were made last week for The Junior Leagues and Championships, and both Young Irelands Teams know their fate as to who they will be playing.
The Young Irelands Junior A Team have been drawn to play St. Patricks, Ballyragget, Tullaroan, Graigue-Ballycallan and Carrickshock in The League, while in The Championship they will have home advantage against The Ballyragget Men.
Meanwhile, The Junior F Team have been drawn with Mullinavat, Mooncoin, Carrigeen, Windgap and Dicksboro, and they will host Mullinavat in The Championship.
The Leagues are scheduled to start in Mid-April with The Championship commencing in The Summer.
EILEEN O’NEILL RIP
Deepest Condolences to The O’Neill family on the very sad and untimely passing of Eileen O’Neill last Thursday.
Her two sons David and Alan featured for The Young Irelands Team that won a historic 1st County Senior Title in 1996, while her two daughters Hazel and Shirley played Camogie for Young Irelands.
Hazel is married to 8-Times All-Ireland Senior Medal winner Michael Kavanagh.
Funeral service took place on Sunday in Grange-Sylvae Church, Goresbridge at 2 O’ Clock with Burial a erwards in Gowran Cemetery. May She Rest in Peace.
CAMOGIE
Julie Lennon started Centre-Forward as Kilkenny won by a point 1-11 to 2-7 against Tipperary in the opening round of The All-Ireland Minor Championship in Thomastown on Sunday.
Meanwhile, it’s a very early start for Ste i and Ti anie Fitzgerald and Ciara O’Kee e with The Kilkenny Seniors next Sunday Morning as they host Cork in their penultimate game of The Group stages of The League. Kilkenny got their first win of the League last time out against Dublin and they need another win on Sunday to keep their League hopes alive in what is a repeat of last year’s All-Ireland Final.
on Sunday. This was part of Kilmacud Crokes Tour across The County where they featured in various clubs in Camogie and hurling from U8 to U12.
CLUB LOTTO LOTTO Results 9th March. Nos: 10 11 15 17. Jackpot: €8000 Not Won Draw Prizes €50: Charlie Phelan c/o Jimmy McGarry. €25 each Martin Doheny c/o Doherty’s Bar. €25 each Eugene Begley c/o Kathleen Begley. €25 each Tim Casey c/o Joe Phelan. Hurlers Co Op Martina Lynch c/o online. Promotors prize Jim Murphy. Thank you for your continued support.
CLUB REGISTRATION
Members can now renew their membership directly through ClubZap for the 2023 season and instalment options are available. The club asks that all members renew their membership as soon as possible and in particular before teams return to training or games over the next few weeks.
EASTER CAMP
Registration now Open for our Easter Camp. Skills and drills and lots of fun. For ages 5-12. €30 1 Child. Discounts for Multiple Children from same family. 10am to 1pm. 3rd, 4th & 5th of April. See ClubZap to secure your booking or go to https:/www.dicksborogaa.com/ products
CONDOLENCES
Condolences to John Marnell and the Marnell Family on the passing of their brother Pat Marnell late of Newpark Kilkenny. And to Lucinda Gahan Senior Camogie Player and the Gahan Family on the passing of Lucinda’s Dad Walter Gahan. May they Rest In Peace.
KILMACUD CROKES
The Boro u8’s welcomed Kilmacud Crokes to Palmerstown last Sunday morning. Well done to all involved a great mornings hurling and a huge thanks to Kilmacud for travelling down.
CLUB LOTTO
The numbers drawn in the Conahy Shamrocks GAA Club Lotto were 2, 24 and 31. There was no jackpot winner so the consolation prize winners were Kathleen Guinan, Teilo Maher, Kay Mooney, Jimmy Tierney and Maura Hovey. The promoters’ prize winners were Julie Jackman, Peter Mulhall and Larry Bergin. This week’s jackpot now increases to €2,400.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
The members of the Conahy Conference of St Vincent de Paul wish to remind all in the local community that if anybody finds themselves in di iculty, please do not hesitate to contact them on (086) 0519893 in strictest confidence.
EMERALDS GAA CLUB
Mega Bingo: Every Sunday, 4pm at Urlingford GAA pitch. Gates open at 3pm. Single books and one sheet €10; Double books and two sheets €15. Extra jackpot sheet €3 or two for €5. Please support.
EMERALDS URLINGFORD AND GRAINE LOTTO March 6th prize fund was: €11,900. Jackpot: €9,900. Numbers drawn: 1, 9, 14, 23, bonus no 15. No winner and four match 3 winners: Jack Kavanagh, Mary Power, K. Cleere, Cyril Cleere. Five lucky dips of €20 each: Mary O’Leary, Dougie Phelan, Damien Fitzgerald, Luke Kelly, Georgia Quinlan. Promoters prize: P. Kavanagh.
MILL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE
DEFIBRILLATOR
Please note that there is a defibrillator located in the Mill Family Resource Centre if and when it may be required.
SENIOR ALERT
If you need to apply for a Personal Alarm, please contact Sue or Josephine.
COUNSELLING SERVICES
Our low cost counselling services, includes one-to-one, family and teens, aged 12+.
General Counselling: Bereavement, stress, anxiety and depression. Other Counselling Services available: Drug, substance and gambling addictions. Play therapy is now also available. Please contact Sue for more information or to make an appointment.
HAIR BEAUTY AND STYLE AWARDS
Congratulations to Sarah Dreeling who won Best Make Up Artist and Best brow artist at Brian Cunninghams Hair, Beauty and Style Awards. The event was hosted by Brendan Courtney.
CLEERS
Big John Karaoke next Sunday night on Mother’s Day from 9pm till late.
GOWRAN COMMUNITY HUB DRAW
All funds go towards Gowran’s new community playground/park, 550 metre walking track and multi purpose ballcourts. 1st prize - €1,000, 2nd prize - €500,
Throw-in next Sunday Morning is at 11.30am and it will form as the curtain raiser for Kilkenny’s Hurling League clash against Waterford(1.45pm)
GAELIC FOOTBALL
The Young Irelands Junior Footballers finished their League campaign on a high following a 1-11 to 1-6 win against Windgap in Gowran last Saturday, while the U-13s enjoyed an emphatic 5-11 to 1-2 win against St. Martins on Sunday morning.
U-12 HURLING
The Young Irelands U-12 hurlers played Graigue-Ballycallan and Kilmacud Crokes in a Three-Way-Challenge
Appeal for Clothes Donations: Any further clothes donations would be greatly appreciated in aid of our counselling services. Donations can be le into the Centre, please call before dropping o . Contact number for the Centre 056 8838466.
SET DANCING
Due to refurbishments in Urlingford Community Hall, Set Dancing will take place in Graine Hall for the foreseeable future, every Tuesday at 8.30pm. Dancing to live music with Danny Webster. Sets called by Paddy Martin. Come along for a great night of dancing!
URLINGFORD ARMS SPLIT THE POT
This week’s winner of Split the Pot is Ruth Moriarty who will receive €457. Congrats Richard. Tickets €2 on sale in participating businesses in town with proceeds this
week going to Urlingford Arms Darts Club, thanks to everyone for their support.
SUPERVISED STUDY
In Graine Hall every Saturday from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. Cost: €5 half day, €8 full day. For enquiries, please contact Siobhan 087 2601490.
URLINGFORD / GRAINE DEFIBRILLATOR GROUP
In case of emergency, call: 085 2726396.
URLINGFORD NEWS
Anyone wishing to submit news items, club events, announcements etc can do so by emailing urlingfordnotes@gmail.com. If you have any photos you wish to include, please forward them to the email address.
CHURCH NEWS....
Masses for St. Patrick’s Day Thursday 16th Urlingford
6.30pm, Johnstown 8pm, Friday 17th Crosspatrick 9am, Galmoy 10.15 am, Graine 11.30am.
Lenten o erings are now due. A service of Reconciliation for Lent will be held in Galmoy Church on Tuesday March 21st at 7.30pm. Its a great opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament in preparation for Easter.
DAFFODIL DAY
Kathleen, Margaret and Breda will host a co ee morning for Da odil Day in St. Kieran’s Hall on Saturday March 25th from 10am onwards. This is the first co ee morning since Covid and the ladies are delighted to be able to meet all the loyal supporters of this event over many years. Money raised will go to the Irish Cancer Society and the Carlow/Kilkenny Home Care Team.
FENIANS HC Dinner Dance will be in Langton’s on Thursday evening next March 16th. Still time to get tickets which need to be purchased in advance as the hotel needs to know the numbers. Music by Sweet Freedom and DJ Michael Glendon.
YOGA MONDAYS.
Yoga Mondays in conjunction with the ICA are holding a six week block in Graine Hall March 20th to April 24th 7.30 to 8.30pm.€5 drop in class. All levels welcome, booking essential contact Trisha 0877634280.
JOHNSTOWN HERITAGE GROUP
Johnstown Heritage group will shortly be erecting a stone Monument honouring all hurlers and camogie players who brought such credit to the Johnstown/ Crosspatrick area since hurling was first mentioned as being played at Ballyspellan Spa in 1742. The group are aware that many people would wish to make a contribution to the project and they would greatly welcome any support, including from people living away from the parish. A letter and envelope will be delivered to all houses in the near future and committee members will collect the envelopes. Your support would be greatly welcomed. A model of the monument can be viewed in Molly Burke’s window. (Tynans)
NORTH KILKENNY WHEELCHAIR ASSOCIATION
North Kilkenny Wheelchair Group held their annual dinner dance recently at the Avalon Hotel, Castlecomer. Great to see Patricia Watson, a staunch member, out again a er a long illness. Many thanks to Danny Webster for the music, Rachel McNally for Irish dancing, Margaret Barnaville and Martin Travers for their trojan work, the Avalon for a beautiful meal and Coon Drama Group and the Wellie Race Committee for their generous contributions.
Weekend results U17 boys division 1A Callan Utd 3 Spa
2, U14 boys league division 2 Spa 2 Stoneyford 0, U13 boys league division 1 Freebooters 5 Spa 0, U14 girls league division 2 Spa 0 Dean Celtic 5, U12 girls league division 1 Lions 0 Spa 1, U12 girls league division 2 Spa
2 Stoneyford 1. U11 boys Doran Shield quarter final Spa
5 Lions 1, U11 boys Doran Plate quarter final Spa 2 Freebooters 2, Freebooters won 3-1 on penalties.
CHURCH NOTES
Eucharistic Adoration will continue on Wednesday in Glengoole church from 10.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. and on Thursday in Gortnahoe Church from 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p,m. All are welcome to come and spend even 5 or 10 minutes in quiet prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.
SAINT PATRICK’S DAY MASS
St. Patrick’s Day Mass will be celebrated in Glengoole Church on Thursday evening the 16th of March at 6pm and 10.30am in Gortnahoe Church on the 17th of March.
SAINT PATRICK’S WELL
The rosary will be recited at 2pm on St Patrick’s Day in Ballinalackin Cemetery near Glengoole.
TROCAIRE BOXES
Boxes are available at the back of both churches. Please support trocaire because it is only when we work together that we can build a truly just world.
PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
Cashel and Emly Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. The annual pilgrimage will take place from the 17th - 22nd June 2023, anyone interested in the Parish please contact the Parish council for further information.
HEART TO HAND APPEAL
Thanks to all who supported the collection over the last two weeks in aid of the Turkey/Syria earthquake victims. Donations to Heart to Hand Gofundme on Facebook.
Contact PJ Gleeson 086 2111647 or Carmel Troy 087
6449674
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 night St. Patrick’s weekend at 7.00pm with doors opening from 6.00pm and will continue each Saturday night at the same time. Over €2,660, in prize money on o er including a special €500 game. We look forward to the many visitors and family members home for the long weekend, it will be a great night’s entertainment for all.
SPLIT THE POT
Congratulations to Keith Holohan from Ballysloe, who won €192 in last Sunday’s draw. Envelopes are available at the usual outlets. Split the Pot is in support of the Gortnahoe Community Playgroup. The draw takes place each Sunday at 12pm in Gortnahoe Hall. Your support would be appreciated
SAINT PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
Any groups, businesses or individuals wishing to enter the Littleton parade which takes place at 10.30am on St. Patricks Day please contact Chairman Cllr Sean Ryan at 087 4581455.
RUBBISH COLLECTION
It was great to see individuals and groups picking up
rubbish on the side of the road throughout our parish over the last 10 days. It would be great if people would volunteer to pick up rubbish in their own area to keep our parish tidy. We would appeal to motorists to refrain from throwing litter out of cars as plastic items, etc can be harmful to the enviroment and does nothing for the beauty of our countryside.
SAINT PATRICK’S DAY MASSES
Thursday evening at 6.30pm in Kilmanagh, Friday morning at 9am in Killaloe and 10:15am in Ballycallan.
ICEBREAKER
With climate conditions likely to fluctuate more frequently local Cllr. Michael McCarthy has very welcome news for the residents of Kilmanagh village. Following personal representations by Cllr. McCarthy, in consultation with both Kilkenny and Castlecomer Area O ices, a commitment is now in place that will see the street in Kilmanagh included in the Kilkenny Area Priority 3 Salting Route. “This positive commitment, where the salting will be carried out on an ongoing basis, is most welcome and should ease the minds of our older residents in particular. I wish to thank all the sta and o icials of Kilkenny County Council for their co-operation.” Said Cllr. McCarthy.
SAINT JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIEST’S SOCIETY
A branch of the SJYPS was formed in our parish in 2009. 12 members joined and the main aim of the society is to pray for vocations and help towards the formation of future priests.
The branch ceased its meetings when covid struck but there are plans to restart the local branch again and work toward promoting vocations especially here in our diocese of Ossory. Anyone interested in joining please contact Mary Egan.
ATHLETICS CLUB
Graigue-Ballycallan Athletics Club, in conjunction with St. Aidan’s NS parents council, will hold a 5k fun run/ walk and a chipped 10k run on Sunday 19th March at 11am. With chipped 10k entry there are bespoke medals and bu s. Prizes for 1st place men and women for 10k distance. Entry fees are €20 chipped 10k, €10 individual 5k, €20 family ticket for 5k fun run/walk. Registration and number collection on the day from 9am. Booking can also be made on www.njuko.net/ graigueballycallanac10k2023. Refreshments served a erwards in St. Aidan’s Primary school.
TRAD NIGHT
A Trad Night will be held in The Pound on 16th March in aid of Cois Nore Cancer Support & Craobh Osraí branch of Comhaltas, starting at 9pm - Adm €5. Contact Mary Dunphy for details 086 401 0914. Musicians welcome.
RIVER RANGERS SOCCER NEWS
U13 Report: River Rangers 0 Dean Celtic 2 River Rangers faced Dean Celtic at home. They started well and little separated either team. Dean Celtic went 1 up a er 20 minutes. Both teams didn’t create many chances and it was 1-0 at half time. David Walton switched with Will Cody, and again there were little to separate the two teams. With 15 minutes to go Dean Celtic scored a second and ran out 2-0 victors. River Rangers were unlucky not to get anything from the game as again they put in a very good performance. Best for Rangers were Charlie McCluskey, Leo Clarke, Billy Ronan and Bill Guiry.
Team: Will Cody, Charlie McCluskey, John Hoyne, Leo Clarke, Conor Egan, Billy Ronan, James O’Connor, Charlie Teehan, Tommy Butler, David Walton, Harry Butler, Bill Guiry, Martin Wall, Joey Young.
U15 Report: River Rangers 2 East End 0
River Rangers won their first match of the season 2-0 away v East End. We started with 10 men for the first 15 minutes and went in front through a Shane Hogan header in the 10th minute. Reinforcements arrived soon a er and we took control of the match with Ben McEvoy scoring a fantastic goal a er beating a number of defenders early in the second half. Ben was unlucky not to add another 2 goals.
Team: Killian Murphy, Cian Ronan, Sean East, Rory Buckley, Shane Hogan, Reggie Carthy, Sean O’Dea, Andrew Tector, Ethan Russell, Keelan Lynch, Oran Hoyne, Cian Dermody, Cormac Neary, Ben McEvoy.
Junior Pat Maher Shield Semi-final River Rangers 0 Freebooters 1 AET
Our Juniors were very unlucky against Premier Division outfit Freebooters on Saturday night. A er some great football from River Rangers, extra time was needed. Unfortunately Freebooters got the winning goal 2 minutes before extra time was up. We could not have been prouder of our lads, they absolutely gave it everything they had.
Team: Tommy Manogue, Charlie Cleere, Jack Doyle, James Gleeson, Shane Murphy, Willie Brennan, Darragh Egan, Tom Dunphy, Ryan Bergin, Stephen Keoghan, Richie Keoghan, Jack Walton, Philly Doheny, Ben Young, Paddy Foley, Billy O’Neill, Dylan Lanigan and Scott Lawlor.
SOCCER FIXTURES
Saturday 18 March : Under 14 League Division 2 River
Rangers v Spa United AFC in Clonard Park at 12:00
Sunday 19 March : Junior Division 2 League River
Rangers A v Stoneyford United in Clonard Park at 11:00 Junior Division 3 Emerald Tiles League. River Rangers B v Evergreen 46 in Clonard Park at 14:00
KILMANAGH NOTES
Anyone wishing to submit news items, events, announcements etc. can do so by email only to elanigan18@gmail.com. If you have any photos that you would like included, please send as an attachment.
MASS TIMES
Aghaviller Parish: Hugginstown: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, at 9.30a.m. Vigil - Thursday 16th. at 8.00p.m. Friday 17th. at 10.00a.m. Vigil Saturday 18th. at 8.00p.m.; Sunday 19th. at 10.00a.m. Stoneyford: Vigil -Thursday 16th. at 6.30p.m. Vigil - Saturday 11th. at 6.30p.m.Friday 17th. Feast of St. Patrick. (Patron of Ireland) Holy Day
PRAY FOR
Anniversary Masses. Mai Carroll Kilkeasy Mass in Hugginstown Church on Friday 17th. March at 10.00a.m. Patrick Foley, Old Pallas; Mass in Hugginstown Church on Sunday 19th. March at 10.00a.m.
ROTA
Rota for next week-end: 18th. and 19th. March 2023 . (Fourth Sunday of Lent)
Readers. Stoneyford: Saturday 6.30p.m. Parents. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Deirdre Rohan, Sunday 10.00a.m. Parents.
Eucharistic Ministers. Stoneyford: Saturday 6.30p.m. Bernie Grace. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Teresa Broderick; Sunday 10.00a.m. Lillian Carr.
Rota for 16th. and 17th. March: As on 11th. and 12th. March if possible please.
FIRST COMMUNION PREPARATION
All children and families are invited to attend the weekend Masses during Lent as part of this preparation. Parents will be involved in the Readings and the Communion Reflection while the children will be involved in the Prayers of the Faithful and the O ertory Gi s. Mass in Stoneyford Church on Saturday 18th. March at 6.30p.m. Mass in Hugginstown Church on Sunday 19th. March at 10.00a.m.
TROCAIRE
Every year during Lent, Trócaire asks for your help to fund lifesaving programmes around the world. Please collect a Trócaire Box which is available in Church Porch. You can contribute Online at www.trocaire.org or By Phone: 1850 408 408. The contents of each and every Trócaire Box, no matter how small, come together to make a significant di erence.
OSSARY PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
Lourdes Pilgrimage will take place from May 23rd. to 28th. this year. Accommodation in the Agena, Solitude and Padoue Hotels. Price includes return bus journey to/from Loughboy Shopping Centre Car Park to Dublin Airport. Return flights from Dublin to Lourdes; Transfer to/from Airport to Hotel; Full board and hotel accommodation for the 5 nights. For further information and bookings contact niamh@jwttravel.ie or Phone 01 685 2244
LENTEN STATION COLLECTION
Envelopes for the Lenten Station Contribution are available in the Church. Your contribution is for the support of the priests of the Parish and the Diocese. (To donate directly.) Use IBAN: IE19 AIBK 9330 9000 0561 20 (BIC: AIBKIE2D).
All Parish Property and Accounts are registered under the (Diocese of Ossory, Reg. Charity No. 20015831)
LOTTO
Lotto: - Aghaviller Parish and Carrickshock G. A. A. Draw: Monday 6th. March 2023 Numbers: 26; 09; 15; 05. No
Winner First 3 Numbers Drawn: No Jackpot Winner: 5 x €30.00. Winners:Margaret Murphy, Derry, Liam Aylward, Aghaviller, Siobhán Irish, Kyleva, Rose Egan, Dunnamaggan, Barry Hudson, Ennisnag. 3 x €15.00 (Sellers): Breda O,Meara, James Irish, Caitlin Roche.
SAFEGUARD CONTACTS
Diocesan Designated Liaison Person: Ms. Kathleen Sherry Tel: 087 100 0232.
Aghaviller Parish Representatives are: Teresa Broderick and Carmel O’Toole
ONLINE LENTEN RETREATS
The Priory Institute is delighted to o er a free of charge Online Retreat ‘Reflecting on the Sunday Gospels of Lent as Stepping Stones on our Journey to Easter. Visit the website prioryinstitute.com or click on this link https://bit.ly/3DWrTkx to register/find out more.
STONEYFORD ACTIVE RETIREMENT
Stoneyford Active Retirement Group is planning a 5 day/4 night holiday to Dundalk from 11th. September 2023. Bus to/from Stoneyford; Tours every day; Nice relaxing Itinerary. For further information visit www. stoneyford.ie
SOUTH KILKENNY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Annual General Meeting of the South Kilkenny Historical Society will take place on Thursday March 23rd. in Mullinavat Parish Hall (opposite St. Beacon’s Church) at 7.30p.m. The A.G.M. will be followed, at 8.00p.m, by a night of Remembrance for the late Mary O’Shea, Raheen, Piltown. All are welcome.
A beautiful old photograph of Green Street Callan appeared on the Historical Callan Facebook page last week. It shows a scene from circa the early 1900’s with lots of people on the street. First what is noticeable is the lack of tra ic of any sort on the street including a horse and cart. The only sign of that nature is perhaps a person or persons pushing a cart of some type. What is also noticeable in the photograph are the amount of business premises. Concentrating on the le side of the photo it is noticeable the first building is partially hidden apart from the sign showing the word ‘O ice’. That was where the old post o ice was situated. The same building today is where The Edge Salon is. The shop beside it appears to be Kerwick’s and for many of us of a certain vintage would remember Mrs. Rose Kerwick running the shop, her husband Tom Kerwick had passed away in the 1960’s. The shop would more than likely would have been Tom Kerwick‘s family business and he would have inherited the shop from them. Beside Kerwick’s is another shop which was later Paddy and Babe Cuddihy’s. Babe came from Clonmel to work at that shop ( if someone can let us know the owners names) and inherited it. She closed the shop in the early 1960’s and converted the shop into a living room. Beside that again was Egan’s shop which remained in the family right up to the mid 1970’s until Christy and Helen Vaughan bought the shop. Egans in the photograph shows a clear footpath in front of it, but with more and more cars appearing on the roads in the 1930’s and especially a er the Second World War petrol
pumps were installed. Without dwelling and naming all the shops it is fair to say Callan was a thriving town right up to the demise of the Cattle Fairs on the Fair Green in the late 1950’s when the Cattle Mart opened on Mill street where Brett’s Hardware is situated today. A fair day in Callan brought farmers and their cattle from all around the area of Callan with almost all been walked to Callan. Callan boasted nearly twenty pubs during those thriving times and there was as many grocery shops as well as many butcher shops. But with more and more cars appearing on the roads as well as a good bus service from Nolan’s, Kilkenny city became more attractive for shopping. The Cattle mart closed in the mid 1960’s and so the farmers stopped coming to town except to the Creamery or Farmers Store. With cars and tractors a plenty they got their work done quickly and it was home again to the farms. Wouldn’t it be wonderful it that photograph could talk, it certainly would tell stories of sad times no doubt as it was in the region of only a little over 50 years a er the famine and the Workhouse at the top of Green Street was still open and would not close until 1922. That photograph is certainly a di erent world away now.
JOHN LOCKES
John Lockes GAA club are back again to run the championship forecast competition for 2023. Last year was the first attempt at it and proved very successful so they will be hoping it will inflate the clubs earnings yet again.
Forecasts feature both the Leinster and Munster championship games at a cost of only €10 per forecast draw. It’s a bit
of fun, but it is also serious because the prizes are very attractive. 1st prize is €500, 2nd prize €300 and 3rd prize is €200. It will get you thinking also, trying to predict actual scores as well as trying to calculate the amount of goals. Members of the club have prediction sheets available and you can also enter on line by clicking this link on the clubs Facebook page and website, http;//forecaster.johnlockes.ie.
L’ARCHE
L’Arche Callan is collecting black bags of reusable clothing as a fundraiser. It might be time to do a spring clean and declutter your wardrobes. They can accept only good quality clothes, please don’t include damaged or soiled items. If you have any bags, please deliver them to the workshop in Callan on Fair Green Callan, R95FP27. Thanks in advance.
MOUNT CARMEL
The following are the recent draw results from Mount Carmel; The results of the March Draw €200 Nora and Kevin Blackmore Piltown, €100 Lar McGrath Mullinahone Co-Op, €30 each to Noel Carroll Tinnamona, Pierce Barry Mount Carmel Bungalows, Maeve Connolly Castlecomer, Kitty Delaney Tullaroan, Cait Barry Coolagh, Ivy Corcoran Scaugh, Sheila Moore Minauns, Tommy Dermody Slade, Marian Doran Graigue, Sinead Cleary St Luke’s. Promoters €15 each to Laurie Grace, Mona Lyons, Goretti Bradshaw.
April Draw€200 Brian Kinsella Westcourt, €100 Maria and Pierce Landy Windgap. €30 each to Caroline McLoughlin Callan, Padraig Moran The Meadows, Mary Walsh Westcourt Dem,
Peggy and Tommy Saunders Windgap, Helena O Connor Kilmanagh, Mairead McCormack Drangan, Anne Keating Callan, Fergus and Susan Murray Knockulty, Nicky Murray Windgap and Luke Burke, Promoters prizes Tom Maher, Michael Maher and Lena Saunders.
SCHOOL STORIES
As we approach Saint Patricks Day its only right we look back on school essays from the 1930’s when times were so much more simple , when there was no marching bands and bit expensive floats. There is no know author of the first story. The Second one is a simple but very observant young lady called Teresa Coyne. Her short observation of our National Feast day which was very much of the time and typified the regime we lived under in Ireland at the time where the Catholic Church had a big influence on having pubs closed on Saint Patricks Day, so much so that rule remained in place right up to the 1970’s.
SAINT PATRICKS DAY
This was a day that was looked forward to years ago as the people then hadn’t such chance for amusement as now. A er mass on Saint Patricks day the local band out and its members paraded the village and played national airs for a couple of hours. At 3 oclock the young people went to the crossroads where platforms were usually laid. There they danced and enjoyed themselves until cow time at seven o clock. The older people generally went for a drink and sometimes came home nice and merry. It was hard to blame them as the drink that time was so
cheap porter was only 2 1/2d a pint and whisky 2d a glass. Very o en the young people were so anxious for the dancing that they o en neglected to go to mass on that day. A story is told of a band fiddler who was a bit tough about going to mass when any body was around who was anxious to dance to his music. One Saint Patricks day the curate who had heard of the dance starting at Goats Bridge surprised the dancers who ran in all directions. The blind fiddler all unconscious of what had happened Continued on with the playing. the curate went up to him very indignant and said to him. Do you know the third commandment. The fiddlers answer was. whistle it for me first Another local character was going home a er a good spree he was staggering from side to side. The priest met him and said you have a long road before you John The man replied it is not the length that bothers me atall Father its the breath.
Saint Patricks day is celebrated every year on the 17th March. On that day the People wear the Shamrock on their coats. Long ago the People used to get drunk. They thought they were honouring Saint Patrick. The law of the land now will not allow public houses be open on this day. So that the people cannot get drunk. The people have a better way of honouring Saint Patrick now. They play some national games such as hurling, playing football.
The FA Cup has produced so many memorable moments and giantkilling acts over the years, and this year the fairytale story has been League Two outfit Grimbsy Town reaching the Quarter-Final after they returned to The Football League following victory in The National League PlayOff Final last year.
As a result, they were the first fourth-tier side to reach the quarter-finals since Cambridge United in 1990.
Kilkenny man Gavan Holohan has been central to Grimbsy Town’s path in reaching the last 8, and he scored two goals from the penalty spot as they shocked Premier League strugglers Southampton 2-1 in their own back yard in St. Marys.
Grimbsy Town play High Flying Premier League outfit Brighton away from Home in The Quarter-Final on Sunday Afternoon with a 2.15pm kick-off, Live on BBC One.
Gavan first went CrossChannel to Hull City in 2008 as a 16-year-old where he stayed four years with The Tigers and after a year with Alfreton Town, he returned home to Ireland in 2013 where he had a profitable five years with four different clubs.
First he was with Drogheda United in 2014 and he was named The Supporters Player Of The Year following a successful season where he helped The Louth Club qualify for The FAI Cup Quarter-Final.
However, at the end of that season he was on the move again as he moved to Cork City.
He was part of The Leesiders Squad that won The FAI Cup in 2016, although he was an unused substitute in The final as fellow Kilkenny Man Sean Maguire scored The winning goal in extra-time. Also in 2016, Gavan along with Maguire was on The scoresheet as Cork City won The President’s Cup Final 2-0 against Dundalk.
From Cork City he moved West to Galway United, but suffered relegation with the Westeners and after a year he was on the move again.
Gavan made the move close to home ahead of the start of The 2017 League of Ireland Season, as he signed for Waterford United who were heading in the opposite direction to Galway United.
The Blues got promoted back into the top flight, and an excellent season followed as they finished 4th that under normal
Gavan made a terrific start with Hartlepool United to The 2021-2022 season as he scored the winning goal in two of their early matches against Crawley Town and Carlisle United.
Unfortunately, it went downhill afterwards as he suffered with injuries that halted his momentum and also saw his first team appearances restricted.
Inevitably, he decided to move on and around this time last year he joined up with Grimbsy Town and was following in the footsteps of Michael Reddy who played for 3 years with The Mariners back in The Mid-2000s.
Grimbsy Town like Hartlepool United the previous year were plying their trade in The NonLeague, and for the second consecutive year he was playing in The National League Play-offs.
Playing against Notts County in The Play-Off Quarter-Final, Gavan came to the rescue with a last gasp equaliser in the 96th minute to force extra-time.
Grimbsy Town scored The winning goal in extratime, and they also endured extratime when prevailing 5-4 against Wrexham in an epic SemiFinal battle to qualify for a PlayOff Final showdown with Solihull Moors.
circumstances would have qualified for The Europa League 1st Qualifying Round.
However, Waterford United were ruled by UEFA to have not passed the “three-year rule” as the club were reformed in 2016
and after having spent less than two years in The South East, Gavan returned CrossChannel in early 2019 where he joined up with National League outfit Hartlepool United.
He had a most profitable time with “The Pools” as
he scored 20 goals in 94 appearances, with the highlight coming at the end of the 2020-2021 season to help them win The PlayOff Final against Torquay United to gain promotion back to The Football League.
Once more, Grimbsy Town prevailed in extra-time as they won 2-1 and for The Second consecutive year, Gavin had won promotion back into League Two having started The Final.
The Mariners have had a remarkable run to The Quarter-Finals as they won in 5 rounds of The competition, and in each round they were victorious against opposition from a higher Division.
In the first round in November, Grimbsy destroyed high-flying League One outfit Plymouth Argyle 5-1 before defeating another League One Team Cambridge United 2-1 away from home in Round 2.
Burton Albion were another League One Team that were accounted for as they won 1-0, before Gavan was on the mark as they drew 2-2 away to Luton Town in Round 4 (Last 32), before upsetting the odds once more with a 3-0 win in the replay.
That victory brought a Last 16 Trip to Southampton, The first Premier League Team they played in The competition. Could they somehow pull off another shock?
Amazingly, they did taking advantage of The Saints struggles and woes and the Kilkenny Man was on the mark with a brace of penalites either side of halftime as they pulled off a most famous triumph.
Gavan was not the only Kilkenny Man playing in that Semi-Final, as Thomas O’Connor from TullogherRosbercon was playing for Wrexham.
Wrexham enjoyed a great run in this years FA Cup where they reached The 4th round, and Thomas was among the goalscorers in a 3-3 draw against 10-Man Sheffield United as they conceded an injury-time goal to be denied a famous victory.
Sheffield United won The Replay before defeating Tottenham Hotspur to setup a Quarter-Final clash at home to Blackburn Rovers on Sunday at 12 noon.
Last years National League Play-Off Final was played in The London Stadium - West Ham United’s home ground - in front of an attendance of just under 23,000 and again extra-time was required.
Grimbsy Town have been The story of The FA Cup with their remarkable progression, and now the stakes are higher with another trip on The South Coast to play Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday.
The Seagulls have been one of The Teams of The Season, and they are riding high in The Premier League currently lying 8th in The Table with games in hand of teams above them.
Unquestionably, they are strong contenders for a European place Via The League and they will represent a major step-up for Grimbsy Town from what they have faced so far.
However, they have defied the odds in all of their games and they certainly won’t fear their trip to The Amex Stadium.
If they can manage to pull off another Cup shock, Dreams of Wembley will become a reality and it would certainly be a dream for Gavan Holohan as a Manchester United supporter were he to somehow play against The Red Devils.
BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
Kilkenny 2-25
Dublin 1-17
Kilkenny put Dublin to the sword last Sunday with an impressive shooting display at UPMC Nowlan Park, as Galmoy’s Billy Drennan had another ne game in the black and amber, nishing the day with 0-13 to his name, with ve wonderful points from play in the young attacking star’s total.
A brace of majors in the second half from captain Eoin Cody ensured that the Cats romped home by 11 points on a bitterly cold March afternoon on Noreside as the Shamrocks Ballyhale man notched 2-2 as a hungrier and more determined home side deservedly took maximum points from this round four encounter.
Dublin battled better in the second period, but a sloppy rst half left them too much to do after the short whistle. As ever, Na Fianna’s Donal Burke was star of the show from the metropolitans, hitting 0-11, including some classy points from play in his display.
ere was just one change to the Kilkenny starting line-up, with Cillian Buckley coming in for his Dicksboro club mate, Evan Cody. Dublin lined out as selected.
e visitors almost got o to the perfect start I the rst minute when Eoin Murphy’s attempted clearance was blocked down by Alex Considine, but the Kilmacud man’s shot only found the side netting. From the restart, referee Johnny Murphy spotted some holding going on in the Dublin defence and signaled for the free. Billy Drennan stepped up and slotted over what would be the rst of 13 scores for the day.
Drennan then found himself on the left and picked up possession before scanning and nding the unmarked Paddy Mullan at the top of the ‘D’.
e Shamrocks man had time to recover from a slip, before splitting the posts for the home side. Just a minute later, Padraig Walsh operating at corner back, then struck over a fantastic long-range point to put the Cats 3 nil up after just four minutes of play.
Limerick whistler Murphy then adjudged Kilkenny to have touched the ball on the ground and this call gave Donal Burkle his rst opportunity of the game and the Na Fianna man made no mistake in opening his sides account at UPMC Nowlan Park. Graigue
Ballycallan’s Billy Ryan then hit the second ‘sighter’ from play with a booming e ort, as the home crowd sensed the hunger in their teams play.
O’Loughlin’s Paddy Deegan, operating in the half-forward line then went on a great run, showing skill, strength and power, before
being fouled. Drennan ri ed over the free to leave the Cats 4 points clear.
e boys in blue then got a sideline cut all wrong and Billy Drennan punished the error by splitting the posts for a nice point. From the restart, Kilkenny won the ball and Drennan ri ed over from some 70 metres, much to the delight of the home faithful. e visitors won another free out on the left and Donal
Burke duly popped it over for his and his team’s second score of the game after 15 minutes of action.
Eoin Cody, who was roaming all over the Nowlan Park pitch, was then crudely upended as he burst clear of a couple of Dublin markers and Billy Drennan slotted the placed ball. ere was a touch of frustration in that tackle, and more was to follow.
Paddy Mullen then got sandwiched
between a couple of sky blues and some hands were raised after the ref sounded his whistle for the free. e result of this shemozzle was yellow cards for both Paddy Mullen and Dublin centre-forward Danny Sutcli e. e next score was one of the best engineered on the day. Kilkenny worked the ball out of defence and a lovely pass down the left sideline
found Billy Drennan who showed great skill and composure to split the posts to increase the home side’s lead to 7 points. Dublin were then forced into a change when Na Fianna’s Sean Currie left the eld to be replaced by Lucan’s Paul Crummey. Micheál Donoghue’s side needed scores and they got a nice point from Alex Considine from way out on the left. Billy Drennan then
bene ted from a clever knock down and galloped away from the Dublin defence and struck over another ne point from out on the left side. A long ball deep into the Kilkenny defence saw Dublin full-forward Cian O’Sullivan booked for making contact with Cats netminder Eoin Murphy’s face. e Glenmore man required medical attention before play resumed. Oliver Plunkett’s Cian Boland then showed great strength before ring over a lovely point.
Billy Drennan then slotted over two monster free’s from distance to restore order for the home side.
e next Kilkenny score came from great interplay between Mossy Keoghan and Paddy Deegan, which resulted in the latter striking over a ne point. Kilmacud’s Alex Considine then showed great battling qualities in beating two men in black and amber before ri ing over from a tight angle. Dublin followed this point up with another, this time from the recently booked mid elder Chris O’Leary who continued the trend of stunning long-range scores. Eoin Cody then set up a chance for e Village’s Cian Kenny who obliged by ring over from out on the right.
Derek Lyng’s charges then hit the next three points on the bounce.
e rst two were outrageous scores from their own half by Paddy Deegan and this was followed up by another quality strike, e Sash’s Padraig Walsh with his second of the day. Captain Eoin Cody then red over from a very tight angle despite being put under erce pressure. St Brigid’s Cian O’Sullivan then slotted over to reduce the de cit to 10 points. e men from the Capital then almost raised a green ag. Substitute Paul Crummey cut in from the endline before striking a erce shot that Cats keeper Eoin Murphy did well to turn behind for a ‘65. Donal Burke was successful from the resulting ‘65 and the short whistle sounded with Kilkenny 9 points to the good, 0-17 to 0-8.
When the Cats emerged from the home changing room, they had made two changes. St Lachtains Darren Brennan was in for Eoin Murphy while Walter Walsh replaced Mossy Keoghan.
Donal Burke got the opening score of the second period, again from the placed ball, before his nemesis, Bily Drennan did likewise for the home side after Eoin Cody was again halted illegally. Richie Reid then took a ne catch before striding forward.
As the Shamrocks man popped the pass o , he was crudely obstructed by wing-back Daire Gray, who joined those on yellow cards. Billy Drennan popped over the free and the lead was out to 10 points.
e rst of two Kilkenny goals then arrived after 44 minutes of action. Conor Fogarty found Paddy Deegan who picked out Eoin Cody with a lovely pass and this season’s captain made no mistake in re ling past Dublin keeper, Eddie Gibbons. Donal Burke then dispatched a ne strike from distance, but you felt that Dublin would have needed 10 more ‘Donal Burke’s’ to halt the Cats dominance.
Dicksboro’s Timmy Cli ord was then introduced in place of Shamrocks Paddy Mullen, a move which saw Paddy Deegan switch to the engine room. Billy Drennan then intercepted a Dublin pass and punished the error by slotting over. Richie Reid then found Paddy Deegan and the O’Loughlin’s action man red over another quality score.
e visitors then struck for goal in the 48th minute. A long ball into the Kilkenny defence saw Paul Crummey gather possession and head for goal.
e Lucan man cut-in along the endline before creating an angle to ri e his shot past Darren Brennan in the Cats goal. Micheál Donoghue’s charges had their tails up and got the next score, again from the free-taking exploits of Donal Burke. e gap was back to 11-points. Burke repeated this feat shortly after, when Timmy Cli ord was yellow carded for a slap on his opponent’s arm.
Billy Drennan then showed he was human when he missed his rst placed ball of the afternoon. en came the nal ‘major’ nail in the Dublin co n. Billy Ryan was fouled from behind and as the Dublin defence jogged into position, Ryan took the free quickly having seen Eoin Cody make a clever run through the middle of the ‘D’. Cody collected the pass, twisted and turned away from his marker, before ring past Kilmacud’s Gibbons.
Micheál Donoghue was then shown a yellow card by ref Johnny Murphy to ironic cheers from the home crowd. His talisman Burke red over another free, before Kilkenny made two further changes, with Ronan Corcoran replacing Conor Fogarty and Bennettsbridge’s David Blanch eld coming on for the impressive Cillian Buckley who hobbled o the Nowlan Park pitch.
Donal Burke and Eoin Cody then swapped points, both really classy e orts, as the crowd in attendance
were treated to some stunning scores.
Billy Ryan and John Donnelly then tagged on two further stunning points, e omastown mans in particular, a sumptuous score. e Dubs hit the next three scores, two from Donal Burke and a second point of the day from Cian Boland. Cats Captain Eoin Cody and Dublin defender Paddy Smyth were then shown yellow cards for a bout of wrestling and holding, the Shamrocks player’s jersey in a bad way after the tussle. e Clontarf player then lost control and picked up a second yellow card moments later, meaning he spent the last couple of minutes in the dugout.
Fittingly, it would be Galmoy’s Billy Drennan that struck the nal score of an entertaining game to bring his tally to 0-13. Johnny Murphy brought matters to a close with the home side running out 11-point winners on a scoreline of Kilkenny 2-25, Dublin 1-17.
Kilkenny Scorers: Billy Drennan 0-13 (8fs), Eoin Cody 2-2, Paddy Deegan 0-3, Billy Ryan 0-2, Padraig Walsh 0-2, Cian Kenny 0-1, Paddy Mullen 0-1, John Donnelly 0-1.
Dublin Scorers: Donal Burke 0-11 (6fs, 1 65), Paul Crummey 1-0, Alex Considine 0-2, Cian Boland 0-2, Cian O’Sullivan 0-1, Chris O’Leary 0-1.
Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Tommy Walsh, Conor Delaney, Padraig Walsh; Cian Kenny, Richie Reid, Cillian Buckley; Conor Fogarty, Paddy Mullen; Billy Ryan, John Donnelly, Paddy Deegan; Billy Drennan, Martin Keoghan, Eoin Cody.
Subs: Darren Brennan for Murphy (HT), Walter Walsh for Keoghan (HT), Timmy Cli ord for Mullen (45), Ronan Corcoran for Fogarty (59),
David Blanch eld for Buckley (61).
Dublin: Eddie Gibbons; Andy Dunphy, Eoghan O’Donnell, Paddy Smyth; Conor Donohoe, Conor Burke, Daire Gray; Ronan Smith, Chris O’Leary; Donal Burke, Danny Sutcli e, Cian Boland; Sean Currie, Cian O’Sullivan, Alex Considine.
Subs: Paul Crummey for Currie (20), Paddy Doyle for Smith (45), Diarmuid O’Dulaing for O’Sullivan (51), John Bellew for Dunphy (53), David Keogh for Sutcli e (64).
Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick).
A comprehensive 11-point victory for Kilkenny over the men from the Capital. From start to finish, this was a pretty good performance from Derek Lyng’s charges. Eoin Cody’s 2 goal salvo was superb. This year’s captain was clearly targeted by the Dublin defence and was unlucky not to win a few more free’s across the 70-odd minutes of action.
Padraig Walsh, Paddy Deegan, Richie Reid and Cillian Buckley all had impressive games for the Cats. Walsh and Deegan were warriors throughout, while Richie snuffed out danger and swept up nicely across the back line. Cillian Buckley did lots of good work and covered lots of ground quietly and efficiently. Let’s hope that the injury sustained isn’t serious.
Billy Drennan has been nothing short of sensational since joining the senior ranks this season. Racking up 0-13 against the Dubs was yet more great experience for the Galmoy youngster. 99% perfect from the placed ball, Drennan also showed his worth in open play with a couple of fine points.
The story of the day was some fantastic long-range shooting from both sides, with the afore mentioned Deegan and Padraig Walsh striking over beautiful efforts from deep inside their own half.
One more round of this season’s Allianz Hurling League remaining. We have the visit of the Deise to look forward to. Derek Lyng will be keen to keep the momentum going and hopefully secure another vital win as we build towards the championship.
Don’t forget, TJ Reid, Adrian Mullen, Huw Lawlor and Mikey Butler amongst others could come into the starting XV.
Let’s finish the league with a win over Waterford and we can then assess where we are. Things are ticking along nicely.
KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL
I Christopher Buggy intend to apply to above authority for permission for the following at Massford, Castlecomer, Co.Kilkenny.
(a) Erection Of DwellingHouse
(b) Erection of Garage
(c) New entrance from Public Road
(d) Associated Works
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.
Christopher Buggy
KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL
Planning permission sought for the erection of a detached single storey temporary demountable building containing community and office facilities, associated site works and ancillary related works at Newpark Close, Kilkenny. Applicant: Newpark Close Community Development CLG
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. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.
Architects: BLUETT & O’DONOGHUE www.boda.ie
KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL
I, Michael O’ Mahony intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Retention Planning Permission to retain existing extension to rear of dwelling house and to retain existing porch to the front of dwelling house and all associated site development works at Kyle, Kilmoganny, Co. Kilkenny, R95 N5Y4.
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.
I, Olive Hennessy intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Retention Planning Permission to retain existing shed/store, pergola, wastewater treatment system and soil polishing filter and all associated site development works at Lissballyfroot, Tullaroan, Co. Kilkenny, R95 YN92.
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.
In loving memory of James Brennan, late of Drakelands, Kilkenny who died 19th March 2021.
Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.
This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).
Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours. This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).
O Holy St. Anthony gentlest of Saints, your love for God and charity for His creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers.
Always loved and remembered by your wife Chris, daughters Trish, Christine and son John
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.I.L.
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.
Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me (request).
O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms. The gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen M.R.
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.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.M.
Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.
This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).
Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.
Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.
Never been known to fail.
Must promise publication of prayer.M.M.
