Kilkenny Reporter - 26 September 2012

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 26 2012

Kilkenny Reporterwww.kilkennyreporter.ie T: 056 7795051 E: [email protected]

A plough on the moo-ve!

A HAT-TRICK hero of the ‘59 drawn All-Ireland can inspire stars of today. Tommy O’Connell is our history-maker. See P32&33 of All-Ireland special Pic: Donal Foley

If YOU fancy wearing a jersey worn by soccer wizard, George Best, or picking up an All-Ireland medal, then Mealy’s two-day Castlecomer auction is the place for you today, Wednesday or tomorrow

A SOUTH Kilkenny farmer has come up with, pardon the pun, an udder way of tilling the land. He has moo-ved from ploughing with horses to harnessing Friesian heifers, Yes, heifers, cows, we are told, are doing a superb job. Pictured is Michael Micklis with his hard working girls

See our Big Match

Special

Story and pics P7

Pages 25-40

Story and pic P2

2 | NEWS KILKENNY REPORTER 26 9 2012

ABSOLUTELY anything is possible down on the farm.

For instance a South Kilkennyman has just given his plough horses a rest and, believe it or not, replaced them with plough heifers.

Farmer, Michael Micklis of Raheen, Piltown, now has draught heifers instead of draught horses. His Friesian Hereford cross heifers ‘Oak’ and ‘Ash’, bought as calves in March 2011, were immediately put to halter training with the aim of getting them to help cultivate the land on his bio-dynamic farm.

He said he favours cattle instead of the traditional horses and ponies as they are easier to work with and have a much nicer temperament. They also

have less of an environmental impact.“We work with their co-operation and

our own expectations and frustrations as trainers. We can’t lose our temper in case we lose the animal. They work with us as much as we work with them. Anyone who trains animals will understand,” he told The Reporter.

He said that one of the main reasons he works with cattle instead of horses is because of the economic and resource crisis the world is in.

“We have to change how we live as soon as possible or there will be nothing left of our natural resources. The present crisis is a chance to realise the bind we are in and to change how we do things,” he said.

He added that he loves cows as most of them are gentle and forgiving creatures. “Our animals are very well treated and lovingly cared for,” he said.

Now aged 19 months, Oak and

Ash are almost fully trained draught animals. According to Michael they enjoy their training and get restless at about 5.30pm every evening in anticipation of being challenged, brushed, stroked and rewarded.

“We still have a way to go in their training but we are happy with the steady progress we have made,” he said.

If anyone feels they would like to work the land there will be an opportunity to do so from March to October, 2013 in Raheen, Piltown.

Oak and Ash can be viewed at http://tinyurl.com/8mefdk9, http://tinyurl.com/94ylzyf and http://tinyurl.com/8ctv687. Michael grows a wide range of vegetables on his farm. He also has an orchard with 20 different varieties of apples that are native to Kilkenny.

‘HOT WATER Bottle’ and ‘Baby

internationally.‘Hot Water Bottle’ has been selected as

one of the Irish Short Film selection at the 57th annual Corona Cork Film Festival, It will compete against the best new Irish

Set over the course of a year in Kilkenny, ‘Hot Water Bottle’ is described as an unromantic comedy about comfort zones. It tells the story of Frank and Alice, a couple who broke up but struggle to get away from each other.

It stars Suzanne O’Brien, David Thompson, Simone Kelly and Peter McGann. It is written and directed by John Morton and produced by Alan Slattery

‘Baby Love’ has been selected for two prestigious festivals that showcase Irish

screened as part of San Francisco Irish Film Festival later this month, and in the Irish Film Festa in Rome in early December.

woman with Down’s Syndrome who takes an unattended baby in a busy shopping centre. It was written by playwright Sylvia Cullen, directed by Terence White and produced by Alan Slattery.

The cast also includes Anne Cody, Amy Dunne, Derek Dooley, Angela Barrett, Nuala Roche and Annette O’Shea.

Terence White told The Reporter: “I’m delighted that Baby Love has been selected

for these two festivals. It’s great to see the

make this project happen and huge credit is due to the local cast and crew.”

Both projects were supported by local authority arts funding with ‘Hot Water

Arts Act Grant and ‘Baby Love’ receiving an Artlinks Bursary in 2010.

Slattery and John Morton to produce short

media geared towards internet distribution.The company behind the popular webcom

AISLING [email protected]

Holy cow: Heifers are queens of the ploughHorses for courses as Ash and Oak grow!

OWNERS of domestic waste water treatment systems, including septic tanks can avail of the reduced fee of €5 before Friday.

The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 introduced a new registration and inspection system for septic tanks and other domestic waste water treatment systems.

Owners of these systems are required to register their systems with their water services authority – currently the local authority.

A once-off registration fee will apply. Fee is €5 only until Friday. It will then increase to €50. Owners need to renew their registration every fi ve years, at no cost.

People can register and pay on-line at www.protectourwater.ie or in person at County Hall, John Street; Castlecomer Area Offi ce, Kilkenny Street, Castlecomer; Callan Area Offi ce, Prologue, Callan; Newrath Area Offi ce, Newrath, via Waterford or Thomastown Area Offi ce, Thomastown. Payment can be made by cash, cheque, money order or debit / credit card.

It can also be paid by post. Application forms can be collected at the above local authority offi ces, in public libraries and Citizens’ Information Centres and sent by post with the registration fee to Protect our Water, PO Box 12204, Dublin 7.

Last chance: €5 septic tank fee fi nishes Friday

Derek Dooley in Baby Love.

David Thompson and Suzanne O’Brien

Cool baby: Hot water is a comfort zone too!

Good girls: Michael Micklis and his plough heifers

26 9 2012 KILKENNY REPORTER ADVERTISEMENT | 3


SETTING UP your own business is an exciting and daunting prospect for any entrepreneur. Establishing a food business is often a little more challenging as it is a highly regulated area whereby serious legal obligations have to be met.

Food hygiene legalisation must be adhered to and additional legislation may need to be complied with, depending

on the type of product eg nutrition and health claims.

Before trading commences,

registering with the competent authority. The nature of the food business activity will determine which competent authority the business must register with.

For example, the

(EHO) in the Health Services Executive inspects businesses

such as restaurants, delis, take-away outlets, childcare facilities. While businesses involved in animal slaughtering, meat processing, dairy production and poultry, will normally report to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.

The local authority veterinary

involved in animal slaughtering, the handling and/or processing meat, dairy products and eggs.

Food businesses will require approval to begin trading from the relevant competent authority. To gain approval the following will be taken into consideration – premises, waste management, the products and the process involved together with the competency skills of the management and employees.

A food safety management system will have an important role in the entire operation of

the food business – based on the principles of Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point (HACCP).

HACCP is not only a legal requirement but allows the entrepreneur to identify and control potential hazards in food preparation, sets control limits and establishes monitoring systems to allow for corrective action to take place immediately if necessary.

The Kilkenny County Enterprise Board is to run two food-related evening programmes ‘the EHO’s Association Primary Course

course and also ‘Simple Steps to HACCP’ both due to begin in October.

For further information check out our website www.kceb.ie or contact our 056-7752662 or email [email protected].

Starting up a food business – are you aware of what is involved?

WE can eat our way to economical recovery, a food festival chief has advised.

“A shift in spend from imported to locally grown food could help turn around our economic fortunes and create much needed jobs,” Ger Mullally of the Savour Kilkenny Food Festival said at the festival launch.

He appealed to consumers to think long and hard before buying imported food - and to make a conscious effort to substitute one foreign product a week in their food basket with a locally produced item.

Savour Kilkenny Food Festival, October 25-

Awards. It will also showcase Kilkenny Food Heroes to highlight the innovation and excellence of local artisan producers.

Are you ready for a food festival?Festival chief: ‘We can eat our way to recovery’

Pictured at the festival launch enjoying the Mad Hatters’ Tea Party were TV3’s Ireland AM chef Edward Hayden, ‘Queen of Hearts’ Siobhán Donohoe, Hannah Donohoe (2), Sara Gleeson (8), and Lauren Hennessy (12).



A MEMORIAL Stone, in honour of all babies who died before, during and after birth, will be dedicated and unveiled in St Kieran’s Cemetery on Saturday, 2pm.

pregnancies ends in miscarriage - around 14,000 women in Ireland each year have a miscarriage. This memorial

permanent marker that these lives, although short, were real. It is hoped that it will act as a focal point, enabling parents to

loss of their child - ultimately a pathway towards healing!

The Miscarriage Association of Ireland is a charitable and voluntary body set up with the support of women and men who

have been through miscarriages. One of the association’s aims

is to provide support, help and information for women, couples and their families who have had, or are having a miscarriage.

In 1999, The Miscarriage Association of Ireland placed

Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin. These memorials give all those people, who never got an opportunity to bury their babies, a place to go on those special dates, anniversaries and other occasions. The Kilkenny memorial will be the 10th Miscarriage memorial stone in Ireland.

All are welcome to this special memorial service for all people united in the loss of a child, whether the loss was recent or long ago.

SINN FÉIN representative for Piltown electoral area, John Kavanagh, has urged people across the county to check in on elderly neighbours ahead of the digital switch over on October 24

John told The Reporter: “On October 24 the basic RTÉ analogue service will be turned off and will be replaced with RTÉ’s digital TV service Saorview.

“Almost 300,000 people have yet to switch. Many are

elderly, living in isolated rural areas. Many are not aware that this switch is happening and will waken up on October 24 with no TV service,” he continued.

“This will be a big shock. Television is one of the few connections these people have with the outside world.

“I am urging people to help neighbours. Call around and explain what they need to do to keep their TV service.”

Help your neighbour: John Kavanagh

A fi tting memorial: In loving memory...

Save neighbours from shock

THE DEATH of a young person after taking drugs is every parent’s nightmare, a leading campaigner has told The Reporter.

“For years, Kilkenny Drug Awareness Week has been organised because we can never do enough to remind of the dangers of drugs,” are the chilling words of David Conway, Chair Kilkenny County Drugs Committee.

He is the leader of a group of local volunteers, service providers and concerned

persons tackling the issue of illicit drugs.

“We have read in newspapers about young people dying after taking drugs, which is every parent’s nightmare. Such tragedies are never far away, drugs destroy families, are a factor in crime and damage lives in many ways. Drugs are an ever present danger.”

Drug Awareness week is from October 1 to 6. Those interested in getting support for themselves or loved ones affected by drugs can drop into The Open Access Service, HSE Ardu, Kickham Street (Two Blue Doors Opposite the Community Care Building,

James’s Green) every Monday, between 5pm and 6.30pm.

Addiction counsellors, family support and drugs workers will be available.

On October 4 a Community Awareness Evening will be held in the Parish Hall, Mooncoin, 7pm. Same day and October 6, The Drum Youth Centre and Health Cafe host drug awareness activities for young people. Call Melissa Faulkner 086-7736976 or Kate Carroll 086 7736975 for further details

On October 6 also, Kilkenny Peer Education Guerillas will

with the theme ‘Don’t let drugs turn you into a zombie’ on the

Parade in the early afternoon.There will be acommemoration

event to remember those who lost their lives to drugs. There will be a tree planting ceremony on October 6 at at 3.15pm, John’s Quay and a Religious Remembrance Ceremony on the Parade, 4pm, supported by Kilkenny Gospel Choir.

Speakers will include community volunteers and representatives, Family Support, the Aislinn Treatment Centre and HSE Ardú Substance Misuse Team. The Mayor will lead a candlelight procession to City Hall where a balloon will be released in memory of lost loved ones.

St Kieran’s Cemetery In loving memory Pics: Donal Foley

Members of the Kilkenny County Drugs Committee

Th e nightmare of a young person’s death from drugs

JIMMY [email protected]

John O’Brien of O’Brien’s Renault Kilkenny, presents the keys of a new Renault Fluence to Finbar O’Regan, Gragara, Jenkinstown, Co Kilkenny, winner of the St Canice’s Kilken-ny Credit Union members’ monthly car draw. Also pictured is Trevor Darlington, St Canice’s CU

26 9 2012 KILKENNY REPORTER NEWS | 7

IF YOU enjoy local history, are a fan of Manchester United soccer legends, George Best and Shay Brennan, then a brilliant two-day sale at Mealy’s Auctioneers, Castlecomer, this week, is a must for you.

The sale today, Wednesday, and Thursday, should also be of huge interest to Kilkenny hurling fans as one of the delightful lots up for grabs is a beautiful plaque presented to our hurlers in 1914 by Lady Desart, in recognition of their super skills.

Today, Wednesday, there are over 700 lots, including rare books, books on local history and almanacs dating back to the 1800s, along with books on the Kilkenny Hunt.

On Thursday there are over 400 lots, including a Shay Brennan collection and a George Best jersey, postcards, posters and a collection of All-Ireland,

county and provincial medals.Expected to attract between €700

and €900, and possibly a lot more, is a watch owned by Republic of Ireland full back Shay Brennan, bought by George Best!

There is a fascinating story behind this Swiss timepiece.

George had a date and borrowed Shay’s watch for the occasion. But whatever the distraction, George returned without the watch. So he bought another for his close friend, engraved thus: Shay, best wishes, George.

A red training jersey, No 10, worn by George before the Manchester

United versus Real Madrid European Cup tie of 1968, is also on offer. Predicted price is €400-600, and time may

tell that it fetches a lot more!The Lady Desart silver plaque,

designed by Hopkin and Hopkin,

is expected to fetch between €700 and €900 and would be a prize catch for a

GAA trophy room or indeed a GAA hall of fame and history such as the Lory Meagher Centre in Tullaroan.

The Wednesday sale starts at 10am and on Thursday the start is at 12.30, with viewing from 9.30 to 11am. Both days are at the Mealy Showrooms in the Old Cinema at Chatsworth Street, Castlecomer.

Super sale: George Best mementos and All-Ireland medals


George Best jersey

Shay Brennan watch

Lady Desart hurling plaque

8 | ADVERTISEMENT KILKENNY REPORTER 26 9 2012


OUR CATS are going to the dogs. Or, to be more precise, they are being encouraged to go to the dogs.An appeal has been launched to encourage Kilkenny knitting and crafting enthusiasts to get their needles out and start ‘purr-ling’ to create toys and coats for hundreds of homeless cats and dogs.

And, wait for it, good women, men too, who may be handy with the needles, are being asked to knit mice – as toys for cats.

No, it is not April 1, and the organisers of The Knitting and Stitching Show in the RDS, are deadly serious as they seek help with their campaign to make life more comfortable for pets.

The show from November 1 to

4, is teaming up with the Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for the ‘Pawsitive Knits’ campaign, where people are asked to use left-over yarn and wool to knit or crochet a toy for cats, or a coat for dogs, as they wait for new homes.

The Knitting and Stitching Show is the largest, family-focused textile and craft event in Ireland and is expected to attract a record 23,000 people. There will be up to 100 workshops covering areas such as hairpin crochet, hand quilting, creative smocking and braid making.

As part of Pawsitive Knits, easy-to-follow patterns for cat’s toys are available to download on the Knitting and Stitching Show website, www.twistedthread.com, and at the Dublin SPCA home page.

THE LIONS Club is to host a charity book sale in the Mother of Fair Love School, James’s Street, on October 6 and 7, 10am to 6pm each day.

The original date was changed to avoid a clash with the replay of the All-Ireland Hurling Final. Funds go to The Samaritans and the Kilkenny Women’s Refuge.

Tea and coffee will be available and the majority of books will be priced at €1. DVDs will also be available.

Samaritans are available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide.

They can be contacted at 2 Abbeybridge, Dean Street, Kilkenny, or 056-7 7 6 5 5 5 4 / 7 7 6 5 7 5 0 . Amber, Kilkenny Womens Refuge can be contacted at 056-7771404.

For more information please contact Peter O’Callaghan, 085-7133521 or visit www.kilkennylionsclub.ie

... And our Lions sell

books

Our cats play with knitted mice ...


Ready for the big knit

Kitty kat!: Kitty the happy cat


Goal king David hits four

Kilmacow 4, Ballyduff 1

The 14s other match was a wonderful victory at home to Ballyduff. It was a fairly

a goal on the stroke of half

equalised an earlier score by Ballyduff.

The second half saw Kilmacow take control and score three more goals. Even though he was ably assisted

game turned into the David Costelloe show as he scored

a fantastic achievement.

squad for this match.

Taekwando Classes resumeTAEKWANDO classes have recommenced in the

Set dancingClasses have resumed in

Tuesdays. New members welcome.

The ceili scheduled for

deferred.

Kilmacow Youth ClubThe youth club has resumed after the summer. It meets

second Friday. The club needs new leaders.

Soccer ClubThe U14 had two matches in

great wins.

Piltown ‘B’ 0, Kilmacow 2This win meant two from two for this team. They made hard work of it however. The win was ecured with goals

from Oisín O’Dwyer and Evan Duggan.Team: Anthony McNamara;

Under 12Dungarvan 1 Kilmacow 3

season away to Dungarvan who had already chalked

scoreless. The boys took the lead when Brian O’Mara

for Darragh McDonald to

home side had a chance to equalise shortly afterwards

within a few minutes when Darragh scored his second

victory.

VOLUNTEERS are being sought for Foróige DRUM Youth Project and Health Café. As a volunteer with the centre you will positively influence young people’s lives; show them how to do things; draw out their potential, and act as an example they can follow.

You will be part of achieving Foróige’s youth development purpose and share its respect for the dignity and value of each young person.

Volunteers are required for after school groups with young people aged 12-18. These groups involve helping young people to have fun, work together, participate in decision making, develop good relationships with adults, get involved in the community, listen and take turns.

Included is a developmental group for young people with varied special needs, a girls’ group, a mixed activity group for boys and girls and a youth committee.

Volunteers are required for Thursday evening and Saturday Youth Cafés with young people aged 15-18. Youth cafés are spaces for young people to chill and hang out with friends in a safe and secure environment. Young people who attend the youth café can take ownership of the activities that they participate in such as a pool tournament, a Wii face off or a big band night for young bands. Time commitment would be roughly two hours a week per group.

There are no particular educational requirements – as Foroige provide training. Potential volunteers must complete application, reference checks, Garda vetting and training.

Contact Kate Carroll on 086-7736975 or [email protected].

Foróige is Drumming up

volunteers!

Kilmacow U-16 camogie Kilmacow U-14 camogie

Goal king David hits four


THEY ARE striving to be the best students.

KILKENNY-BASED artists have until noon on October 3 to submit an application for mentoring from ArtLinks, a partnership initiative of Kilkenny Arts Offi ce in association with the Local Authority County Council Arts Offi ces.

Established in 2007, ArtLinks provides supports for artists across all disciplines to assist them develop their practice for the future.

The programme provides supports

including mentoring, bursaries, networking and professional development opportunities for professional and emerging artists in the region.

ArtLinks Clinic Mentoring is an

opportunity to have an individual two–hour session with a specialist mentor, with expertise in your art form, who will give practical advice to boost artistic practice. Clinic mentoring sessions are intended to provide the

opportunity to discuss areas such as:The development of your practice;

working in context with the wider artistic community; your professional development path; planning and developing your artistic practice;

application process development; marketing your artistic practice.

Artists interested in applying for programme support should log on to www.artlinks.ie to download an application form.

The ArtLinks Clinic Mentoring Programme is open to registered members of ArtLinks. Membership of ArtLinks is free. If you are not an ArtLinks member visit www.artlinks.ie and join today.

Artlinks: Closing date looms

September 21: 5, 7, 10, 20. Jackpot of €1,500 not won. €100 Tessie Bergin c/o Bingo; €50 Joe O’Grady, Stoneyford; €20 Aisling Gannon, Springmount, Martin Dowling, Newpark Lawn, Irma Cody, 9 William Street; promoters’ €10 Pat Byrne, fourth year CBS. Next week’s jackpot:€1,600.

Kilkenny CBS Lottery

CBS boys are best: Best dressed too!JIMMY RHATIGAN

[email protected]

The Reporter’s 16-page

hurling fi nal pullout starts

on page 25


SEVEN OSSORY Youth participants successfully complete an employment preparation course.

Kelron Health & Services, Kilkenny delivered an excellent two-week full time programme and all seven received full

,

manual handling course,

and interpersonal skills, preparation for work.

“The group were a credit to themselves and everyone involved, they were wonderful

to work with and were so focused,” said Sharon Kelly, trainer and MD of Kelron.

Ossory Youth attained funding through the European Social Fund to deliver the programme aimed at increasing education and promoting employability of young people.

“I was amazed how quickly

I picked things up and how I’ve remembered every step

because I found it so interesting and enjoyable,” participant Christopher Farrell told The Reporter.

This is the third year Ossory Youth has secured funding from the European Social Fund.

SOS KILKENNY Ltd is a voluntary organisation working with adults with Intellectual Disabilities. And it is looking for the support of Kilkenny Reporter readers. SOS on the Callan Road has been shortlisted for the ‘Coca Cola Thank You Fund’ and have a chance of receiving €25k or €10k for their ‘Active Lifestyle Project’.

Please go to their Fan Page on Facebook - SOS Kilkenny http://www.facebook.com/-pages/SOS

WEEE IRELAND is returning to Kilkenny City for the fi nal electrical collection of 2012. The trucks will be at Cillin Hill Mart on the outskirts of the city on Saturday, 10am-4pm. WEEE Ireland has completed nine Kilkenny collections this year, collecting over 83.3 tonnes of electrical waste for recycling.

In 2011, the EU WEEE collection targeted of 4kg was exceeded in Ireland with 7.88kg per head of population collected by the scheme, totaling 25,991 tonnes of electrical waste which was recycled.

In 2011, 107 tonnes of electrical waste was collected in Kilkenny so now Kilkenny Local Authorities are asking everyone to avail of this free service and clear their house of broken household electrical equipment and gather up waste batteries, CFL bulbs and fl uorescent tubes and bring them to Cillin Hill.

“To increase Kilkenny’s recycling rates compared with the mobile collections of

2011, on September 29 over 24 tonnes of electrical waste will need to be dropped off by householders to beat last year’s recycling record.

Items which are frequently forgotten about include battery-operated plastic toys and smaller items such as watches and old calculators.

“There isn’t a house in Kilkenny that doesn’t have a few waste batteries lying loose in a kitchen drawer and this is a great opportunity to clear out all the unwanted household electrical clutter,” said Bernadette Moloney, Environmental Awareness Offi cer of Kilkenny Local Authority.

WEEE Ireland is a fully approved WEEE and battery compliance scheme for the collection and recycling of all types of waste batteries and household electrical and electronic equipment.

The WEEE scheme is a not for profi t business and was established in 2005 when the WEEE Directive was introduced.

€25,000: SOS send out an SOS!

Last round up for a WEEE while!

Ossory’s Magnifi cent SevenOssory Youth: A touch of class. Back, from left, Sharon Kelly (Trainer), Dean Dalton, Christopher Farrell, Travis Fahy, Mark Morris. Front: James Macken, Nikita Delaney, Thomas Hoey



THE WILDCATS, a group of young adults with physical disabilities have new jackets sponsored by K-Bowl, MacDonagh Junction.

The 24 men and women from the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) meet once a fortnight at the IWA headquarters at Claddagh Court. They plan and organise regular nights out and trips away.

The group have been on holidays to Lanzarote, Kerry and Westport and went on an exchange trip to Greece. They also host discos, bowling, pub nights and trips to the greyhound track.

“The Wildcats is for anyone aged 18 and over and everyone is equal. They do exactly the same things as able bodied people; the normal stuff everyone takes for granted,” explained Wild Cats leader, Eileen Ireland.

Owner of K-Bowl, Shane Murphy, said he was thrilled

to sponsor the jackets. “I’m always conscious of looking after local needs. The lads from Wildcats come to K-Bowl on a regular basis. They are regular customers so that’s why I decided to sponsor jackets for them. I’m delighted to help out when I get a chance,” he told The Reporter.

Service co-ordinator Tony Coy said he was very grateful for the jackets, sponsored by K-Bowl and supplied by Sean Minogue. “They come with a heart and a half. Thank you to everyone involved,” he said.

AISLING [email protected]

Wildcats are K-Bowled overWildcat members Aisling Barry and Mary O’Shea

IWA Service Co-ordinator Tony Coy, Shane Murphy of K-Bowl and Wildcats leader Eileen Ireland

The Wildcats in their new jackets with leader Eileen Ireland, assistant PJ McGrath, Services co-ordinator Tony Coy, Shane Murphy of K-Bowl, Shay Bollard of Footfall Marketing and Sean Minogue.


A MOTHER watched from the public gallery as her daughter broke down crying when she appeared at a special sitting of Kilkenny District Court on Sunday.

Melissa Hayden, aged 20, who lives

Edward Street, Kilkenny, was before

Hayden, aged 50, 26 Assumption Place, Kilkenny, after Gardai seized nearly €2m worth of drugs in raids at two different local addresses.

The court was told that Melissa has no previous convictions. Father and daughter appeared before Judge Gerard Furlong.

Mr Hayden is facing six charges of possession of cannabis herb, cannabis resin and cocaine, for sale or supply, with an estimated street value of €1.5m.

Detective Garda Aisling Hobbs of the Garda National Drugs Unit gave evidence of arresting Melissa Hayden at 7.46pm in her mother’s home on Saturday.

Ms Hayden made no reply to either of the two charges relating to the discovery of €399,000 worth of cannabis resin after she was cautioned, Garda Hobbs told the court..

The judge was told how the drugs

nature of the evidence in support of the charges was ‘quite strong’.

Gardai objected to bail, giving evidence that Ms Hayden had ‘connections to England’ and ‘no children to keep her here’.

The defendant’s solicitor, Brian Chesser said his client had been living with her mother for the last six years and grew up in Kilkenny.

He said she had no previous convictions and was earning €100 a week on a social welfare jobs’ scheme. Mr Chesser said her mother earns €188 a week on disability allowance. Ms Hayden was granted legal aid.

Melissa Hayden gave evidence agreeing that her stepmother lived in England. She said she had last been on holidays there ‘a year or two ago’ and used to visit her father there as he had been living in England.

Judge Furlong remanded Ms Hayden in custody but consented to bail on two independent sureties of €10,000 each, with deposits of €5,000. He attached strict conditions including that the defendant live at

Garda Station twice daily.

He also imposed a curfew between the hours of 11pm and 7.30am. The defendant was ordered to surrender her passport.

Saturday with possession of €1.5m worth of drugs.

Detectives from the Gardai National Drugs Unit arrested him at Mill Road, Gowran, on Thursday. He made no reply to the charges when cautioned.

Mr Hayden’s solicitor, Elizabeth Mitrow, made no application for bail at this time. She asked for her client to be remanded in custody ‘if possible to a prison closer to this Kilkenny area’.

Judge Furlong replied that Cloverhill was the usual remand prison,. However, he said he would put the State on notice.

custody until he is due to appear before Cloverhill District Court today, Wednesday. The court heard the defendant was ‘not working’ and

was granted. Ms Mitrow said Mr Hayden had a

heart condition and the judge directed him to receive ‘all necessary medical attention’ on arrival in prison. Kilkenny Courthouse

Father and daughter in court after €2 million drug seizures

RECENTLY I wrote about the importance of balancing our mind, body and spirit. When our mind is balanced, we can think clearly, make decisions that feel right, and are kind to ourselves in our thoughts.

Our body is the vehicle that carries us through life. It needs sufficient inputs of energy and care to perform our daily ac-tivities such as working, walk-ing, cleaning, cooking, playing and so on. We all want a body that serves us well and delivers health and well-being.

Our spirit is the part of us that knows what we love to do. It is our passion, our purpose and our very life force. We feel more connected to mind and body when we tune into our spirit.

Deep within our being there

is an infinite well of love, joy, inner peace and inner wisdom. This is true for everybody. No-body is exempt. Yet how often do we tune into this part of us? We are all too busy running, some of us racing, and some of us not even having any idea where to start.

When we are unbalanced like this, negative thoughts can take over, sometimes without us even being aware. These negative thoughts can have ill effects on our racing mind and depleted body.

We all have feelings as we are sensory human beings. But if we are blocked emotionally, then we cannot or do not know

how we feel. It may also be that we have blocked what we feel so effectively that we become emotionless, thus creating negativity, and, in time, even a physically diseased body.

We all deserve to feel good. Our thoughts, our beliefs, our emotions and our feelings are all part of an invisible world that has a direct influence on our physical body. When we become aware of this signifi-cant influence – and when we set aside a little time daily to work on balancing the differ-ent aspects of ourselves – then our life and the world around us can become a better place to be.

Balance in all things

BREDA GARDNERCOMPLEMENTARY HEALTH THERAPIST

0872025753

Find the correct balance in life


BACKGROUND from last week’s Part One: Dan has returned late to the house, after discussing a dowry with the father of Katie’s ‘intended.’

When Katie spoke, it was in her usual straight forward fashion: “Daddy, we’re walking round each other a bit now, in big circles. There has to be a problem – I can tell that. Was there trouble? Talk, daddy, please.” But in her heart she was thinking: ‘That rotten dowry! Surely that bloody thing can’t ruin everything. Can it?’

“Aye, we got round to the dowry after the tea,” said her father. “Old Seamus go - ‘whatever you think is a fair thing, Dan.’ I didn’t know young Mattie was going to be staying, sitting in at the other end of the table, listening – it wasn’t that way with Mona’s or Nora’s men. I thought it a bit odd. But I got round to the main point, anyway, and said: ‘I gave my other girls £500 each, Seamus. What do you think of that?’ Before he could reply, Mattie stood up and said: ‘You’re dealing with me now, Dan – not my father. It is I who’ll be marrying Katie, and I know you have plenty, so the least I will accept is £1,000. And I’m not going to argue about it, either.’

“I must admit I was very surprised, Katie. Though the demand was high - it was the look on his face that really shook me. It was the face of a very hard man – one I had never dreamt existed in the frame of young Mattie McCann. A face that told there’d be no ‘go-back’ in that quarter.

A matter of misjudgement“STILL, I put my point of view. I told him that my other two girls, not all that long married, had each received half of what he was now asking, and there’d never been a wrong word about it. As a matter of fact, their future husbands had been delighted, not expecting so much. So, I go - keeping civil and friendly - ‘now, Mattie - how am I going to face those men, and tell them you’d be getting as much as both of them together? And this farm here that you’ll have is a lot bigger than those of my sons-in-law.’ But I could see that I was up against it. Now, had I given the others a thousand each, I couldn’t complain about his demand. But we can’t change the past. So I continued,

Mattie. I’ll have a word with Katie, and see how it goes,’

“At this, he stood up and said, in a very tight, cranky voice: ‘I don’t see what it has to do with Katie, Dan. You came up tonight to discuss the dowry – it’s got nothing at all to do with her.’ At this, I got a bit nettled, and said: ‘Well, if that’s the way with you, Mattie - I was actually invited up for a chat; nobody mentioned the word ‘dowry.’ And if Katie is to be ruled out of the bargaining - why not you, too?’

“This seemed to really annoy him, and he said, in a very sarcastic old tone: ‘Well Dan, we obviously have very different ideas about the value of your daughter.’

“I stood up then, and told him straight out that ‘my daughter is of the greatest value to me, and that I’d raise £10,000 for her – if only she could locate a man who was worth that much.’ At this he gave a start, seeming to realise for the

walked. But before he could reply or recover, I said ‘goodnight, men’ and let myself out the door.

“Seamus came after me down the

Dan and Katie Artwork: Kevin Breslin

The courting of Katie EarlsPART II

Ned Eganlane, expressed regret at what had happened, and said he ‘had no idea how Mattie was thinking,’ and hoped – genuinely - that it wouldn’t affect our life-long friendship. I said I sincerely hoped not. But I wasn’t a bit sure anymore. About any of the McCanns! How could I be?

Decision time soon…“SO there you have it, Katie. I have no doubt Mattie will be a successful farmer. He’s a good worker, and he’s fond of you, so he should make a sound husband. The only way I can see around the problem is to gather in some ‘rainy day’ money, and pay the other lads up to what I give him. I have no option. Mona and Nora – and their husbands – will not be made little of - so everyone should be happy about things, in the end.”

Katie was stunned. Heart-sick. As the old song went – ‘her world turned upside down.’ She believed every word her father said. The dreamy feelings and romantic thoughts of just a short time ago seemed suddenly of another age – another century – another life. We can only surmise about her misery. But, a strong girl she surely was.

“Father,” she said – using the form of address she only ever reverted to in a crisis – “I will comply with what you suggested to Mattie – I will make the decision. You are a wonderful parent to me – to all of us. But if you thought any of your three daughters would be any happier by just getting more money - you’d be as far out as the lighthouse.

Katie shows the metal“WE girls have lived a lovely life in this house – with the odd row and riot breaking out, of course – but that’s the way with all young women of spirit. We often laugh about your only rebuke to us – no matter what the provocation - or weather: ‘go out into the haggard, girls, for the luvva God, and do ye’re bloomin’ screechin’ out there!’

“But I’m not asking Mona or Nora – nor you and mam – for advice. This is about me, my future, my happiness – or otherwise. I am very fond of Mattie, so I’ll think long and very hard about what happened this night in McCann’s kitchen.

“If you hear me moving around during the dark hours, don’t worry: I’ll just be up and down for cups of tea. I won’t sleep much, I’m sure of that. But I want the problem solved in my head before daylight. Mewling and whining

isn’t the way of this family - so you’ll never hear me weep about this dowry crux - no matter what.

“There are three things I know right now, father. One is that if I do wed Mattie, he’ll get the very same money as Mona and Nora. No more, no less.

“Two is that – whatever happens – I’ll never discuss tonight’s affairs with anyone – nor do I want them mentioned to me - ever.

“Three is that you accept whatever I decide, without any question. If you do – everyone else who matters to me will.

“Good night now, father, and don’t worry about me. I’m made of Earls’ stock – and they don’t come any tougher.” This with a little smile!

She then put her arms round Dan, and gave him a great big loving hug – another break with the order of things, with the times, on this strange night, in good old South Tipperary.

We will leave Katie now to her night of soul-searching, and unhappiness. We wouldn’t pry into her little tragic damaged heart – even if we could. Haven’t we all faced nights of misery? It’s part of our destiny. No, we wouldn’t gloat.

End gameTHE next morning broke bright and sunny, and Katie cooked the breakfast, and was – to all appearances – her old self. At about three o’clock she told her mam that she was walking down to the village to post a letter. No questions were asked by anyone; no explanations were given. Normality lay about … like an iron blanket…

Next day, about noon, there was a loud knock on the door. Ann went out, spoke to somebody, and called Katie.

When she went outside, Mattie McCann was still agitatedly showing something to Ann. On seeing Katie, he started towards her, and made to speak – but she lifted her hand, and cut him off – looking him straight in the eyes as she did so.

“Would you mind going inside, mother?” she asked; and walked behind Ann as far as the door. Katie then swung round, standing in the doorway, facing out into the white of the day. Saying nothing! Still as a statue!

Mattie – looking shaken, smashed - moved close up to her, mumbling something like “dear Katie , I…”

She stepped back, and slammed the door in his face.

Her mother, interested always in her daughter’s welfare and safety, observed from a side-window, as, through blurred eyes, Mattie looked down at his hands.

Which held an envelope!Containing: a letter?No. No letter!Just a cheap tin ‘mock-wedding’ ring!

* The above story is based on an actual event. The girl concerned made a very happy marriage later on. Her husband, I do believe – though he knew nothing of the just-related tale – refused a full dowry – and only accepted £200 so as to avoid giving insult to Dan. And he gave that to Katie to do as she pleased.

Of Mattie McCann’s fate I have no knowledge.

Let us hope he had a long and happy life.

But it’s doubtful if he ever forgot sweet Katie Earls, or the delight and

the sunlit-dusted gold of a summer


A WONDERFULLY friendly Kilkenny woman spent over 60 years of her life in England.

The sprightly pensioner is living proof that absence makes the heart grow fonder.

When it was time to return home to her native place, her beloved Butts at the heart of Kilkenny City, she sought out a home for her leisure years.

“I was offered accommodation in another parish,” Bridget Grattan told The Reporter. “I turned it down, that wasn’t for me. That’s wasn’t my birthplace. I was then offered a home at Troy’s Court in St Canice’s Parish. I couldn’t have found a better place. I came back in 2008 and I am so happy here in Troy’s Court.”

Bridget is as snug as the proverbial bug in a rug in her own home, sweet home, one of 20 houses in an independent living complex, a mere stone’s throw from the Butts Green.

She is happy, content, and when The Reporter spoke to her on Thursday she said she also felt safer than ever.

We met Bridget at the launch of personal monitor alarms which mean that all 20 residents of the housing scheme will now have a 24/7 ‘Guardian Angel’.

Every man and woman will carry a necklace of sorts which will give them access to a

Snug as a bug in a rugand now very safe too

At the offi cial opening/fi rst birthday of Ruby Reds Hair Salon, Dublin Road, were, from left, Tanya Anderson, Mairead Buggy, Co Council chair, Marie Fitzpatrick, Claire Taylor and Jessica White

Local woman, Mary Dermody, Bennettsbridge, second from right, winner of a €50 voucher in a competition run by King’s Shoes and AIB. Also pictured are Paul Kiernan, AIB, Ann Marie O’Mahony, manageress King’s Shoes and Elaine Edward, AIB

Troy’s Court: A home from home for our elderly

TROY’S COURT homes for the elderly were originally run by the Little Company of Mary Sisters who helped to make it one of Kilkenny’s fi nest centres for our elderly.The nuns are no longer in charge but the retired Sisters Catherine, Noreen and Mechtilda are still happy to be actively involved.

Residents have their own homes where they are helped with cleaning and household chores by Kilkenny Care Support Workers, a wing of FAS.

Four-course meals are enjoyed at the centre 365

days a year and as well as experiencing the care and support of Frances Gilligan and her immediate staff , residents also support each other, ensuring that home is the important word in any reference to the Troy’s Court complex.

The big plus is that the residents, most of whom spent their teenage and working years in St Canice’s Parish, are now enjoying independent living in their senior years, and many are within walking distance of family and friends.

Troy’s Court, a model for independent living

Troy’s Court manager Frances Gilligan gives advice

[email protected]

service where a push of a button will bring help in the event of illness, a fall, an attempted burglary or an intruder. Or they can simply push and chat.

Gemma McDonnell, national Telecare co-ordinator of Task Community Care, spoke to residents about the light and easily worn security systems, and reminded that it was important to wear the necklaces at all times, even in the shower.

“A shower is one of the more likely places for an accident in a home so it is vital to continue to wear the battery powered alarms.”

Pressing an alarm can bring the Gardai, an ambulance, a staff member at Troy’s Court, a neighbour, friend or family member in record time.

“Make sure and wear it at all times,” Troy’s Court manager, Frances Gilligan, emphasised as she spoke to men and women with whom she obviously has an excellent rapport.

A caring and exceptionally well organised young woman, Frances paid tribute to all involved in the security scheme, with special mention

of Kilkenny/Carlow Contact boss, Eleanor Doyle, whose ‘befriend an elderly person’ group secunded grant aid for the group scheme.

“This is a very progressive move for us,” Frances told The Reporter. “It makes me really happy to see our residents wearing their personal monitor alarms and I am delighted that we have signed up to the Senior Alert Scheme which means our people are safer than ever.”

Giving their support to the project were Garda Tadhg Mohally, Eleanor Doyle, St Luke’s General Hospital ambulance chief Pat Drennan, Maeve O’Flynn of the Lions Club ‘Message in a bottle’ plan, Fr Kieran O’Shea and Troy’s Court board member, Angela Hanrahan.

The organisers and those who will help to make the security plan work were bubbling with enthusiasm.

And the senior citizens, ranging in age from 65 to 92, were delighted with their new safety friend.

We said goodbye to Bridget Grattan, a women we had met

was so thrilled to be home, and pleased too to see her wearing her security necklace.

Her delight mirrored the attitude of the users of a marvellously fresh and spotlessly clean centre which is home to one big, happy family.

* The monitors have a radius of 150 metres.

Safe and sound: Bridget Grattan

The dream team: From left, Pat Drennan, St Luke’s General Hospital, Centre boss, Frances Gilligan, Contact boss, Eleanor Doyle, Garda Tadhg Mohally, Angela Hanrahan, Troy’s Court, Board, Fr Kieran O’Shea and Gemma McDonnell, Task Care

18 | PROPERTY KILKENNY REPORTER 26 9 2012

26 9 2012 KILKENNY REPORTER PROPERTY | 19

&CommentOpinion

TO BE brutally honest, many press releases sent out by, or in the name of politicians, are at best, poorly written or, at worst, haphazardly put together. Most are humdrum, some are pathetic

and a majority, barring a few notable delights written by good journalists, are simply not newsworthy, no matter what way they are twisted or turned.

Worst of all are the releases in which a local politician, of any level or hue, welcomes a particular decision made by a certain Minister, with the local minion supplying a metaphorical pat on the back for his or her senior. What poppycock! Who cares whether or not junior welcomes a

Purpose no doubt is to keep the snout or at least

the name of a particular minion to the fore – and that is particularly important now with local elections 2014 edging closer – or it could be simply reminding the party faithful, whoever they may be, that councillor, senator or deputy so and so remains loyal to the cause and will always be content to be a puppet on a string.

Far too many press releases are not worthy of space in any self respecting publication.

In another era a majority of press releases would have ended up on the spike, a strong piece of wire which, were it used in a classroom, would have

has, for the most part, just like hot metal and good shorthand notes, faded into the history books of newspaper journalism. But the spike has a worthy successor called a dustbin!

The sad reality is that the oft useless utterings of some politicians, are but a waste of what could, with a little effort and honesty, be words of wisdom. Yet, despite, their woeful content, the said press releases more often than not make their way into some publications, often unedited.

So what does all this say about our politicians and some sections of our press? Lack of interest, laziness, lack of ability and shoddiness are common.

to mind. Public representatives are always happy to take up column inches, free of charge of course, and it is a real plus if they happen to make page

that happens too, tales that are sometimes unedited and poorly written are presented to the public as the big news of a particular period.

We are often reminded that we deserve the politicians whom we elect. Hardly an enlightening observation but interesting nonetheless as the message, although a little vague, is, in a strange way, loud and clear.

On the one hand we have politicians who court the media, local or national, for electioneering purposes, and on the other we have weak journalists and editors who encourage them, not necessarily because they wear the same political shirt but because it is much handier to get someone

It is a sad scenario, one which has given us far too many pathetic politicians and, through complicity, has led to a regional press, once the pride of provincial Ireland, being downgraded and ignored as lethargic. Gone in many instances is the oxygen of advertising as businesses and readers vote with their feet.

The dirty game that is politics badly needs an overhaul. The whip system needs to be sent to Coventry, to Hell or to Connacht, and, dare we say it, to be quickly followed, with a one-way ticket, by those who have for years curtsied or tipped their hats as they pledged their undying loyalty to a particular Pied Piper.

The provincial press is now in a rut, laidback, even lazy, content to wallow in shoddy standards

scene and a bland press continue to be pals under a pitiful cloud of disrespect and lack of dignity, which, if both groups are not careful, will carry them into oblivion.

bit for provincial journalism. We are happy to accompany our ever growing readership on an exciting, thinking outside the box, reading journey and we are honoured to be accompanied by our local business community who have discovered that we are bucking the trend.

Thave an opportunity to extricate ourselves from a storm of woe and indulge ourselves in a wonderful world of fascinating entertainment.

We can lock politicians out of our lives, forget about bullying and threatening and embrace our super hurlers. Our hurlers are our shining lights in a bog of pressure and despair.

For years, they have been our saviours, our reason to smile, our champions of delight, role models

smash and bash, our sporting masters of the camán are living proof that good will always triumph.

Last week we reached a new low when arrogant politicians and their minions tried to use the children we are supposed to cherish as a means to punish their protesting parents. It smacks of warring armies using children as shields.

On Sunday we can look forward to a new high as the Tribesmen of Galway and our hurling maestros clash again. It will be another clash of giants, a meeting of two great teams of hurling artists.

Only a few weeks ago these sides served up a classic, a game of unbelievably brilliant hurling craft, combined with a superbly high standard of athleticism, a game to set hearts racing. Fittingly, it ended level.

This is not the place to guess or indeed forecast who will bring home the bacon. Croker will be packed to the rafters as the West will no doubt be wide awake while our Cats will display the type of hurling which has earned us the title of hurling capital of Ireland.

It is always a privilege to boast of being a

is something special about wearing the black and amber. It is an occasion when members of the

their new homes, some by choice, and others because of the greed and arrogance of bold as brass public representatives, many of whom still brazenly deny that they helped to drag us into the gutter.

We are looking forward to another hurling feast and we have no doubt but that is what will be served

character and courage, some in maroon, others in

leadership and common sense by lowering ticket prices. Cutting prices was a good decision, a sign that there are decent men and women in the bowels of Croke Park.

By their actions they have shown respect for the people who help to keep their games alive, they have acknowledged support and thanked fans for

a hit and reminded that by showing respect and decency you can bring people along the road with you.

Contrast that with the bullying and threatening of politicians who have lost contact with their bosses, ie the people who elected them and pay their wages, and shown scorn and disrespect for good citizens.

Government 0.

GAA whip the Government in today’s match!

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO

ANOTHER HURLING FEAST AND WE

HAVE NO DOUBT BUT THAT IS WHAT

WILL BE SERVED UP. WE WILL ENJOY

ARTISANS IN FULL FLIGHT, MEN OF

CHARACTER AND COURAGE, SOME IN MAROON, OTHERS

IN BLACK AND AMBER, FIGHTING

FOR A COVETED CROWN BUT UNITED

IN HIGHLIGHTING ONE OF OUR FINEST

FIELD GAMES.

“ON THE

ONE HAND WE HAVE

POLITICIANS WHO COURT THE MEDIA, LOCAL OR

NATIONAL, FOR ELECTIONEERING

PURPOSES, AND ON THE OTHER WE HAVE WEAK JOURNALISTS AND EDITORS WHO ENCOURAGE THEM,

NOT NECESSARLIY BECAUSE THEY WEAR THE SAME POLITICAL

SHIRT BUT BECAUSE IT IS MUCH HANDIER

TO GET SOMEONE ELSE TO FILL A PAGE

OF A NEWSPAPER THAN TO HAVE TO

WORK AT FILLING IT YOURSELF

Unlikely bedfellows will be caught napping

“

KILKENNY REPORTER 26 9 2012

JIMMYRHATIGAN

KILKENNY REPORTER 26 9 2012 DOWN MEMORY LANE | 21

TO MARK the 21st birthday of Kilkenny’s Barnstorm Theatre Company, Mayor Sean Ó hArgáin hosted a celebratory reception for the professional theatre group in the

Council Chamber of City Hall.The Mayor lauded the company for their

consistently exacting standard of performance over the years and particularly for their work with and for young people and the schools in Kilkenny.

And Barnstorm’s Artistic Director Philip Hardy compared the journey of the company to the life of a person. “Barnstorm has gone through infancy, childhood and adolescence”, he said, “and now at the age of 21 it is fully grown.”

Barnstorm is the brainchild of Philip, a man driven by a passion to bring challenging, high-quality and well-thought-out theatre to young audiences, an audience largely forgotten in theatre circles.

Dublin-born Philip discovered theatre as a young adult. At the age of 18, bored of life and looking for something different, he took to the Golden Pages and found a listing for the Brendan Smith Academy of Acting. And on joining the academy, his life was irrevocably changed.

Within three months Philip made his stage debut in the ‘Murder at the Vicarage’, playing the leading role. And the acting bug took an immediate hold. Following his time at the academy, he travelled to London to train at the Guild Hall.

On his return, he worked as a professional actor, winning a number of roles in some of Ireland’s best-known theatres. He alternated working in the Abbey, the Gate and the Gaiety, performing in plays such as ‘Many Young Men of Twenty’, and working with TEAM, an educational theatre company that travelled the country bringing theatre to schools and children’s groups.

He admits to initially not enjoying schools’ theatre but was guided into seeing its merits by Martin Drury, who helped him understand the wide scope and reach of children’s theatre. And soon he began to feel that working in venues such as the Abbey was “heartless”.

A New DirectionDIRECTING was something Philip never thought he would try, but he began “helping out”, and as he says “doing a little bit of this and that”.

He travelled to Australia to direct at a festival and on his return home he formed a group, Crooked Sixpence, for actors to rehearse audition pieces.

His directing skills developed as did the group which began to encourage young female writers to write for the stage. A young Marina Carr, and her insistence that she work with Philip, led a to a successful career break for the young director, culminating in him becoming Assistant Director

Lughnasa’ at the Abbey. Philip travelled to London with the show but a

family tragedy a few months later, forced him to return to Ireland.

Barnstorm seedsHOWEVER, that return was to become local theatre’s gain. Philip moved to Kilkenny to be close to family and the seeds of Barnstorm were sowed.

In 1991, supported by Margaret Cosgrave

to Ossory Youth Services. From there it moved

old Loreto premises on Church Lane became available to rent.

Philip recalls that he could feel “the whispers of the past” and he knew without doubt that the building was the perfect location for the company. A staff of 17, with just one computer,

the building has become fondly known.Originally catering for adult theatre, Barnstorm

Pielmeier, in Cleere’s Pub Theatre and was then

Theatre with a production of ‘Crimes of The Heart’ by Beth Henley.

With a repertoire that included comedy, farce and tragedy, Philip came to the awareness “that Kilkenny didn’t need Barnstorm to produce adult

that need.Children’s theatre and community projects

became the new remit for Barnstorm and the rest is history, as the saying goes. The company has become renowned for producing challenging, thoughtful pieces for the younger generation.

The Adult Club IN the mid year of 2000, a decline in amateur adult theatre prompted Philip to introduce the Adult Drama Club, which has since become the Adult Theatre Club.

This two-year workshop programme has resulted in the formation of the Barn Owl Players, an amateur group which operates with the support of Barnstorm.

Philip is involved with the group and enjoys the opportunity of directing adults on a regular basis observing “it’s good for me”. He also says it gives him the chance to still “create theatre with adults, for adults”.

National and internationalAS chairperson of Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA), Hardy is actively involved in children’s theatre on a national and indeed international level.

Constantly striving to raise awareness of the need for youth theatre to encourage “the communication of the story to the audience”, Philip believes that exposure to the arts makes for “more rounded adults”. And he loves to create theatre that presents children with “challenges

He says that young people’s theatre in general,

“the fall hasn’t affected it much”. Adult theatre “has always struggled” but he

says optimistically: “we are storytellers, theatre will survive”.

Much to doAT Barnstorm’s grand age of 21, Philip Hardy is not ready to rest on his laurels. The question of what’s next has been Philip’s driving force throughout his career.

years at the helm of the theatre company, rather a succession of small successes that have all built up into the legacy of Barnstorm, or rather a work in progress.

The “constant need to experiment, to explore, to expand” sees a vision for him in the future: a new home for Barnstorm, which Philip describes as being like “Piccadilly circus” during busy season.

He wants to see a dedicated, spacious building complete with a coffee shop and library that would allow for rehearsal, production and presentation.

the public could be part of the process while, as he says, “having their sandwich”.

With Philip’s attitude based around “striving for new stuff, and constantly being challenged”, his vision may yet come true.

But regardless of the premises, one thing is for certain. With Philip Hardy as Artistic Director, Barnstorm Theatre Company is sure to enjoy its ‘Twenties!

Civic reception in City Hall as Barnstorm comes of age

SEAN HURLEY

Philip Hardy and inset, Barnstorm on stage

Let’s get digital - your guide to the great TV switchover

SAORVIEW is a free digital television service you receive with an aerial. It brings you all your favourite Irish channels, in digital quality, for free.

SAORVIEW replaces the current free analogue TV signal which you receive through your aerial. That analogue TV service will be switched off on October 24 2012.

Do I have to buy a new television?You do not need to buy a new television to get SAORVIEW. If you want to keep your existing TV, you will need a SAORVIEW Approved set-top-box to connect to your TV and aerial. For more information go to Switch to SAORVIEW

Do I need a SAORVIEW Approved set-top-box if I have a SAORVIEW Approved TV?No, you need a SAORVIEW Approved set-top-box if

SAORVIEW is a free digital television service you receive with an aerial – and it’s coming to a sittingroom near you on October 24

26 9 2012 KILKENNY REPORTER SAORVIEW| 23

you want to upgrade your existing TV – you will also need a UHF aerial. If you have a SAORVIEW Approved TV, you just need an aerial and you are ready to enjoy SAORVIEW . The SAORVIEW Approved TV has a decoder built in so you do not need a separate set-top-box.

What channels do I get on SAORVIEW ?TV Channels: RTÉ One, RTÉ Two HD, TV3, TG4, RTÉ News Now, 3e, RTÉjr, RTÉ One+1

Radio Stations: RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ 2fm, RTÉ lyric fm, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, RTÉ Choice, RTÉ Pulse, RTÉ 2XM, RTÉ Gold, RTÉjr, Radio 1 Extra

What if I want more than just Irish channels?It is possible to combine SAORVIEW with free-to-air satellite services or other Pay TV services to give you a broader range of channels and services. If you are interested in combining SAORVIEW with other services we suggest you seek advice from specialist retailers or competent local TV installers.

Can I get SAORVIEW in my apartment block?Usually the selection of a TV provider in apartment

blocks is made by the initial property developer or the building management company. The National Consumer Agency has useful information for residents regarding television services on their website.In August 2009 the Competition Authority also issued a guidance note for residents regarding television services in apartments.

Can I get subtitles with SAORVIEW ?Yes, all SAORVIEW Approved equipment, both TVs and set-top-boxes must be capable of displaying subtitles. To access subtitles, press the “subtitle” or “sub” button on your set-top-box or TV remote control. Usually the text “SUBTITLE” will appear at the top right of the screen when subtitles are on.

Will my aerial work with SAORVIEW?The best way to get SAORVIEW is with a rooftop UHF aerial. Most people who use an aerial to receive TV at the moment already have a UHF aerial. If you currently receive RTÉ One, RTÉ Two, TV3 and TG4 with your aerial, that aerial is likely fi ne to get SAORVIEW . If you don’t, go to Your Aerial

Can I get SAORVIEW with

my satellite dish?No, SAORVIEW is not a satellite service. You need a standard UHF aerial to get SAORVIEW .You can access RTÉ services on satellite with SAORSAT. For more information go to SAORSAT

How much does switching cost?For most households currently receiving analogue television through a rooftop aerial the costs of switching will simply be the cost of a SAORVIEW Approved set-top-box or TV.

Approved set-top-boxes currently cost from €60 to 100.

start at €120 for the smallest size.

How much does an aerial installation cost?A standard installation of a new aerial should cost approximately €140 – €160. This is an indicative price, prices will vary depending on your home and the total amount of work required. You should contact a competent local installer for a quote.

Will the Television Licence increase because of SAORVIEW ?No. There is no increase in the licence fee for the move to SAORVIEW .

24 | SAORVIEW KILKENNY REPORTER 26 9 2012

26 9 2012 KILKENNY REPORTER ALL-IRELAND FINAL | 25

26 | ALL-IRELAND FINAL KILKENNY REPORTER 26 9 2012

SUNDAY’S All-IRELAND decider will be akin to a game of poker between a school of sharp card players.

It will be what we might call the rubber between the teams, with Galway, thanks to their Leinster Final win and their Liam McCarthy draw, better equipped with aces.

But, beware of the poker faces from the banks of the Nore, due to circumstances beyond their control they did not always enjoy the option of playing their best cards up to now. The chips will be down this time, it will be winner take all and our belief is that Galway will be left with the joker.

It should be another fascinating battle of tactics with the more defensive minded Tribesmen hoping to put the shackles on a Kilkenny strike force which to date has not been

A close and hard-fought classic is on the cards and much will depend on whether or not stars who have been somewhat quiet of late, come up trumps.

We think in particular of

brilliant players like Richie Power, Eoin Larkin, Michael and Colin Fennelly, and if even three of that four were to play as we know they can perform then Galway’s Alamo-like rearguard will be under siege.

It took the Cats some time to get to grips with Galway in the

was Kilkenny who called the shots and had they been able to turn superiority into scores then there would have been no need for a replay.

In soccer lingo, Galway tend to play a ‘sweeper system’, a

itself is a sign of the high regard in which they hold the Kilkenny

apart, our big boys have not been big shots. Were that to change, and the likelihood is

Another cracker in store: And we hold the best trump cards!

Forward march can win title 34 for our brave Cats

JIMMY RHATIGANJRHATIGAN@

KILKENNYREPORTER.IE

The heat of battle

Super Walsh: Our Tommy (red helmet) in the thick of the action Pics: Donal Foley


that it will, then the celebrations will be in Nowlan Park on Monday night.

Pub chatterNO doubt much of the pub chatter in the next few days

tit-for-tat verbals which started with former Galway boss John McIntyre throwing in what we might call a ‘low ball’ when he accused our Henry of trying to

Verbals boomeranged across the River Shannon, with the legendary Eddie Keher very gallantly climbing on to his soap box to defend the Shamrocks hero. All this is about as serious as a squabble between two long time love birds after they have

about nothing but it makes for entertaining bar talk and is great

who may be having a quiet day.The reality is that John, Henry,

Eddie and Galway’s manager, Anthony Cunningham, and

whoever, all have respect for each other and the utterings of recent times will have damn all to do with what is always

Ireland Sunday.Those who are long enough

in the tooth to remember Tolka Row on RTE will recall the ‘oul wans’ with curlers gossiping over garden hedges. Enough said!

Time outTHEalso that Galway like to play the game at their pace and no doubt would be happy if, ala basketball, they could call ‘time out’ when they come under

tended to slow down the game when needed. Keep your eyes peeled on Sunday and you will see exactly what we mean.

Again, that is an aside. What matters is which team gets control, and more important, is able to hold on to it.

Galway are somewhat

inexperienced, with a few excellent exceptions. But they are learning fast. Kilkenny are old hands, the aristocrats of the game, the Cats are living proof that who dares wins.

Perhaps, the best way to sum up the game is to remind that Kilkenny have the craft to do the business, they are teak tough but fair, and courage is

players.Galway have beaten us and

drawn with us in recent times. If they have the temerity to do better than that then fair play to them.

Kilkenny showed in the second half of the last game that they can boss their opponents. If they can do that for 70 minutes then title 34 will be in the bag.

Our hunch is that Kilkenny will do the business. We will leave it to the ‘experts’ to tell us exactly what will happen.

day out on Sunday.Up the Cats!

Fantastic fans: Loyal to the last

Our ball, says Brian on the line

A LOCAL man is happy that he is doing his bit to rally the black and amber army for the replay.

For almost 10 years, he has cobbled together messages of support which leaves no one in doubt as to which county he favours.

This year is no diff erent. Seamus Quigley has decorated Smithstown Lane, Thomastown, and his great wish is that his contribution towards the Kilkenny cause will help the boys over the line.

Seamus was at the fi rst game and he is happy that a draw was a fair result.

As chairman of the South Kilkenny branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association, he will be on the road from cock crow on Sunday.

“Our day will start at 7.30am when our wheelchair bus will pick up members of the association in Lukeswell, Mullinavat. Our wheelchair users are huge hurling supporters and it is great that we can now park at the back of the Cusack Stand,” said Seamus.

“My great wish is that we will win the game for King Henry. He dragged us up by the socks when we badly needed a lift in the drawn game,” said Seamus.On the ball: Seamus Quigley in Thomastown

A sign of the times: For our King Henry







PATRICK STREET publican, Seamus Delaney, is one of our better known purveyors of porter.

And, with respect, he should also be an honorary life member of the ‘Bus Conductors Association of Ireland’, if such an august body exists.

For a lifetime, the bar tender whose favourite sports include hurling, Gaelic Football and boxing, has been bussing supporters to Croke Park.

Since 1963 in fact when the famous hurling transport became known colloquially as ‘Delaney’s Buses’ and ever since, the convoy, which must now be numbered in thousands, has been on the road for League and Championship matches.

In the early days it was buses

which travelled to Dublin. In the grandeur of modern lingo, these vehicles are better known as coaches.

Delaney’s had fi ve buses, sorry coaches, in Dublin for the drawn All-Ireland Final. And, when we spoke to Seamus at the weekend, he was

forceasting that at least as many would travel again on what has become a popular pilgrimage.

Seamus’s fi rst game as a Croke Park spectator was the 1950 National League Final in which Tipperary beat Kilkenny. That was to be the start of a lifelong love aff air with Gaelic Games.

He was at the 1959 All-Ireland Hurling Final and he has the stub of the ticket to prove it, pictured.

The Delaney family have mixed feelings about this year’s decider as Seamus is fi rmly behind the Cats while his wife, Girlie, is a Galway woman who always has pride in her roots.

Seamus is cautious about the outcome of the replay. “Kilkenny,” he says, “if all the lads play up to scratch.”


A pint for Kilkenny: Publican Seamus Delaney is optimistic

Seamus Delaney: Pint to point Pic: Donal Foley Heading to Belfast with Delaney’s

A 49-year pilgrimage on Delaney’s buses

On the road again

Seamus’s ticket in 1959


JIMMY RHATIGANJRHATIGAN@

KILKENNYREPORTER.IE

IT WOULD not be at all surprising to see Tommy O’Connell running out with the Kilkenny team on Sunday.

He has all the credentials, he is a proven goal scorer and he is as

And his boyish looks and athletic aura suggest he may still have a few goals in his locker.

Tommy is one of an elite trio who have scored hat-tricks in

His partners in excellence are Eddie O’Brien of Cork and Tipperary’s Lar Corbett.

Pensioner Tommy is only 72 and his love of hurling is as

a sliotar in Johnstown in his school years.

And he can still strike a

swing too.The Reporter met Tommy at

the home of his second sporting love, the game of golf. But hurling is his pride and joy, his opium, a lifelong pastime to which he still has amazing devotion.

And while he has played in

Kilkenny, he doesn’t have a winner’s medal to display.

That is one of the injustices of the great game as Tommy is an acknowledged master of the camán, but he has the distinction of playing in four

with his beloved Fenians of Johnstown, winning two against Bennettsbridge and James Stephens, and losing two to the same opposition, between ‘69 and ‘72.

Only a boyHIS claim to fame is that he scored three goals in the 1959 All-Ireland Final against Waterford. He was only a boy

who had already built up a huge reputation. That game ended Kilkenny 5-5, Waterford 1-17. The replay before an attendance of 73,707 saw Waterford triumph by 3-12 to 1-10.

“I have to admit that Waterford were the better side in both games,” said Tommy. “I was delighted to score the hat-

one of my goals was of the easy variety,” he added with refreshing honesty.

Tommy was born in Romford, Essex, England, of Crosspatrick, Johnstown parents. His love of hurling was nurtured in what was then called Johnstown Tech. His family came to live in the city when he was 15 and he played U16 with the City Tech, minor with St John’s and junior

His team mates in Newpark included Seamie Maher, perhaps better known as a

one of the great characters of the game, the talented Bosco Buckley, now living in England.

He recalls that when The Fenians, the team of his roots which he joined in ‘69, beat the ‘Bridge in ‘72, the famed North Kilkenny Club blooded a young player called Billy Fitzpatrick

said Tommy.Before the Fenians he had

played with Eire Óg, a one time famous club which boasted stars like Jim Langton. He joined in ‘58 and played for 10 years.

A huge difference“THERE is a huge difference in the game nowadays,” Tommy explained. “In my day lads would take lumps out of you, butchering would not be too strong a word to use. If Jim Langton were playing today there would be no end to what he would score. The modern game is better, faster and a joy to watch. I love it.

“Monsignor Tommy Maher was my manager, a good man. We were part of the old regime where it was one to one all over the park. In those days it was the team which won most personal duels that triumphed. If you were corner forward as I was, then that was where you stayed and played. There was no swapping and switching.”

Tommy went to the drawn

describes it as edge of the seat stuff. He enjoyed every minute of it from his Hogan Stand seat.

points down at half time. But we rallied well. Galway are excellent in defence, young and

strong. It will be nip and tuck again on Sunday but if I had to part with a €100 bet I would back our own lads.”

be together again. Pre-match will be a few pints in Jury’s Hotel and the return journey will be broken by a pit stop in Carlow for a meal. “And please God another title will be added to our great tally.”

It was in 1969 that Tommy took up golf. He was soon a successful swinger at that too and reached a six handicap. “I am a 16 handicap now,” Tommy grinned. “I enjoy my golf at Kilkenny but hurling is the real thing. The All-Ireland Championship is great and I love the local scene too, where the Fenians will always be my club.”

A gentlemanIT was only when snapper, Donal Foley, photographed him with his hurley that Tommy, almost apologetically, said ‘this is the hurley I played with in ‘59’.

It is always smashing to meet a great hurler and a true sportsman .

Tommy has another wonderful plus factor.

He is a gentleman to boot.

Kilkenny scorers in the first game in ‘59 were T. O’Connell (3-0); R. Carroll (1-2); W. O’Dwyer (1-1); P. Kelly (0-1); S. Clohessy (0-1).Replay scorers: W. O’Dwyer (0-5); D. Heaslip (1-1); E. Keher (0-2); S. Clohessy (0-1); M. Walsh (0-1).

PS: For the record, Tommy says his toughest opponent was Dublin’s Des ‘Snitchy’ Ferguson, whom he describes as a brilliant defender.

Brave, brilliant: Tommy, is the boldest swinger in townOur super Fenian warrior may have more goals in his locker

O’Connell’s feat: Hat-trick hero, Tommy Pic: Donal Foley O’Connell Street: Young Kilkenny fans in Dublin in 1959, from left, John Rhatigan, John Myles, Jimmy Rhatigan, Davy Foley







GALWAY DID themselves proud in the drawn game and probably would have won but for the fantastic leadership of King Henry.

However, the sun that shone over The Claddagh a couple of weeks ago is about to go down. The Connacht hurling heroes had their chance to take the title but it now appears that they have ‘blown it’.

I base this belief on the fact that Kilkenny had not enough

from the Tipperary game and also our forwards hit an uncharacteristic ‘off day’, which is unlikely to happen again.It is ‘heresy’ to criticise the manager and his excellent assistants who have performed hurling miracles for us, but even the greatest might just err on occasions. We wondered at the placing of Richie Hogan

Danesfort man didn’t look comfortable in, and a few more ‘hurler on the ditch’ observations

were also murmured.However, I have the greatest

trusted hurling warriors will deliver a victory on Sunday. Croke Park will be packed. Incidentally, it is much appreciated by ardent hurling supporters that the GAA has

admission prices.

Closed doorsDESPITE training for the replay being behind closed doors, I am reliably informed that several

fringe players are showing really well. Could we see a relatively new face or two on the starting 15? Word is that Carrickshock’s John Tennyson in particular is looking very sharp.

our senior panellists who played in the U21All-Ireland did not have the star games we expected.In the Leinster Final the Cats only came to life in the second

In the drawn All-Ireland it was something similar – 23 minutes had passed and Kilkenny had

scored only one point from play from a total of two points on the scoreboard.

Granted, Kilkenny upped their play considerably in the second half of both games, but an early start would make life far more comfortable for players and supporters.On the last occasion that Kilkenny played a draw in a senior hurling All-Ireland – against Waterford in 1959 – we lost the replay.

We must not let that happen again. And we

won’t! The bookies still have Kilkenny as favourites to win – and let’s face it – the bookmakers are shrewd boyos.I expect Kilkenny to win by

senior replay the one-time all-conquering ‘Cats’ will face a complete ‘whitewash’ as our minor, intermediate and U21 hurlers have all been beaten this season

Enjoy the game, I certainly will, on the couch, in the company of my fellow pensioners.

THE PARTY to welcome home our hurlers will be in Nowlan Park on Monday, GAA Co Board chairman, Paul Kinsella has confi rmed.

The squad and team offi cials will arrive by coach at 6pm. They will then climb on to an open top bus outside Kilkenny Castle and a hoped for victory parade will be across John Street, Hebron Road and into GAA HQ.

The fi nal training stint before the Sunday showdown will be in Nowlan Park on Friday when supporters will be welcome to attend the 6pm session.

Another sizeable army of Kilkenny support is expected in Croker for the replay. The Kilkenny allocation of 12,000 tickets is expected to be sold out and another 1,000 season ticket holders will also be accommodated.

It’s Nowlan Park on Monday

Th e sun is set to go down in Galway Bay!

Vicky Comerford’s ‘Little People’ will cheer on the CatsBennettsbridge art

THE COUCH POTATO

Grand spot for a quiet chat!

Thumbs up: Kilkenny supporters show their colours C’mon the Cats: Clara Walsh voices her support for Kilkenny Pics: Donal Foley

Black and amber battalions


In Urlingford with The Reporter

KILKENNY REPORTER 26 9 2012 NEWS | 41

IT IS a classic case of a love divided. Kathleen and Mick Long would always have their hearts in the Tipperary dressingroom.

But no one can dispute the love they showered on their home place, the North Kilkenny town of Urlingford as they kept Tidy Towns (TT) alive there for a lifetime.

Mick is now in his mid-eighties while Kathleen

admits to being 21 plus VAT, and together they have given decades to the TT cause.

A get-together in Doyle’s Bar, Main Street, marked the couple’s retirement and it was no surprise that there was a full house for the occasion. Many tributes were paid and the pair were thanked for their continuous work of planting fl owers, weeding and spraying.

Martin Colleton presented

them with a beautiful picture of themselves, with a tribute and a poem for the retired.

Kathleen and Mick live at Togher Road and there is no doubt but that they will continue to support the TT in the town, an organisation which seen Urlingford gain 19 marks since 2009, a magnifi cent feat.

Pardon the pun, but locals remind that they will be forever

grateful for the Long service given to the town by the couple!

And Kathleen and Mick are wished every health and happiness in their retirement.

THE MILLTHE Mill Family Resource Centre has thanked the following agencies for their participation in the Golden Years Information Afternoon

on Thursday:Saorview, Active Retirement

Group, Bluebird Care, Task Community Care, Urlingford Public Health Nurse, Age Action, Kilkenny Carlow Contact and Urlingford and Graine Community Alert.

The afternoon proved to be very informative for all who attended and the Mill Family Resource Centre appreciated

the contribution of each agency.

SAORVIEWAS the October 24 deadline for Saorview is fast approaching the family resource centre can provide the necessary information people need to switch over. If you require information or support please do not hesitate to contact the centre, 056-8838466.

Devoted couple give Long years to their town! Mick and Kathleen Long in full voice

Thank you: Tidy Towns chair Martin Colleton makes a presentation to Kathleen and Mick

Kathleen with Rita O’Dwyer and Margaret Doyle


In Castlecomer with Chubby Brennan

Remember the daysAnother great panto this year: Oh yes we have...

Local lottos

Best of luck, lads

Dear Padre Pio

Cantwells and Brennans from Maryville

Launch: Today FM Broadcaster, Matt Cooper with Aidan Gough of InterTrade Ireland

THE SEARCH is on for the most innovative organisations in Kilkenny. The trail started with the launch of the fourth annual Irish Times InterTradeIreland Innovation Awards.

Last year, three Kilkenny companies entered and this year the awards’ judges are calling for more entries from the most innovative organisations in Kilkenny.

The awards aim to recognise and promote the best innovations within organisations of all sectors and all sizes. The closing date for applications is December 3, 2012. For more information visit www.irishtimes.com/innovation

Search is on for local innovators


44 | TOP 10 KILKENNY REPORTER 26 9 2012

THIS autumn why not learn a yoga routine that will enable you to stay in shape physically, spiritually and mentally. Improve your strength, stamina and fl exibility, use your breathing to beat stress, work your muscles more eff ectively and most importantly, learn how to relax properly.

The Kilkenny School of Yoga, Crossleigh House, Collier’s Lane,

High Street. provides all the main styles of yoga.

As well as this they provide nutritional information and workshops/seminars on yoga and all aspects of healthy living. They also act as a place of further training for existing yoga teachers, bringing world class teachers to the city.

They off er classes in hot yoga which is great for amateur and

professional sports people who need to see results quickly and for those who want to lose weight.

Call 056-7756570 or 087-6609654 for a full list of classes.

KEITH Barry brings his brand of magic and mind reading to The Hub, Cillin Hill, on Saturday. Go to this show and you will be left dumbfounded by this superb entertainer. ‘8 Deadly Sins’ is also a great show in terms of value for money as it includes nearly two-and-

a-half hours of tricks and gags. He is a past master at manipulating his audience. It is based on the seven deadly sins and from gluttony to lust he brings his punters on an amazing, funny and at times raunchy journey. This Waterford native has appeared on the

Ellen Degeneres Show and his TED talk was seen by millions on the internet. Anyone who hasn’t experienced him live should book tickets straight away. Be warned though - he does like to pick people randomly to come on stage and nobody is safe from his reach. Tickets: €30.

Business of the week

Event of the week

Theatre of the week

Book of the week

13245

Product of the weekWITH the decor of ‘Mad Men’ being mined for ideas by every interior designer why not look at this new range of Vintage Kellogg ceramics for your home? These are very on trend with a collection that includes plates, cups, sandwich trays,

teapots, pitchers and egg cups. Unleash your inner 1950s housewife with these products which are beautifully monographed with images that recall the artwork of Norman Rockwell. These colourful pop art items are a nostalgic splash of colour with

that famous Kellogg’s red lettering that will cheer up any kitchen. For both the trendy house owner and those who have fond memories of gone by eras these are a superb present for a friend or family member. Available from www.kilkennyshop.com

TOP

TEN

FOR MANY, ‘The Smiths’ were the greatest to ever play together. Morrissey’s lyrics and Johnny Marr’s guitar work were the most important combination of musical artists since John Lennon bumped into Paul McCartney at school.

The famous day the former pair met and how they wrote within hours some of the most seminal indie rock ever is recounted in ‘A Light That Never Goes Out’ by Tony Fletcher. The Smith’s meteoric rise in the ‘80s and the way they stood out from the rest of the

synthesizers and bad fashion of that decade is told in painstaking detail. With Moz’s own biography coming out in December it is a good time to recap all on the facts before he unleashes his poisonous pen on their disputed break up.

THE archaeology, wildlife and oral history of the River Nore will be explored at an information meeting at 8pm tonight in Lenehan’s Bar, High Street, Inistioge. A study of the River Nore was commissioned by the Heritage Offi ce of Kilkenny County Council and was co-funded by the Heritage Council. This is now nearing completion after three years of work. So far, the project has documented and mapped over 1,000

archaeological sites and discovered over 750 which were unknown along the 66km of river in Kilkenny. Kilkenny Archaeology and Blackthorn Ecology who undertook the study are now looking for anyone with any further information on the heritage of their next section of investigation. This reaches from Ossory Bridge outside Kilkenny City and the meeting of the Nore with the

Barrow to the north of New Ross. If you can’t make it to the meeting but would like to contribute any data please contact Cóilín Ó Drisceoil, Kilkenny Archaeology, 12 Parliament Street, Kilkenny, [email protected] or phone 086 8392148.

26 9 2012 KILKENNY REPORTER TOP 10 | 45

Top ten

Food of the Week

Fundraiser of the week

Website of the week

Exhibition of the week

Gig of the week

68910

7 ‘TO ARRIVE where we started’ is an exhibition of drawings, prints and mixed media works by Judy O’Sullivan at the Upstairs Gallery, Watergate Theatre. The exhibition runs until October 26.In these new works, Judy experiments with her drawing processes and extends her creative boundaries through

photography and print. Focusing on what used to be her family home, she explores the Japanese idea, ‘mono no aware’, literally ‘the pathos of things’, the awareness of their impermanence and transience and the wistfulness of their passing.Through a process of photographic documentation

followed by drawing and collage she exploresthe familiar yet often overlooked spaces of everyday life. The fabric of a room holds an imprint oflives lived, the layered imprint of the years.The vehicle for discovery is the work she is trying to create.

THE SUSIE Long Hospice Fund Memorial Walk is on October 7 at 12 noon in Kilkenny Castle Park. The walk is suitable for all ages and levels.It‘s a wonderful opportunity to remember loved ones who died from cancer and raise money for a hospice.To celebrate the life of

her mum, Áine Nic Liam will take part on the fi fth anniversary of Susie Long‘s death. Kilkenny Rose Aoibhín Murphy will walk in memory of her

cousin, Marie Reeves, who died from cervical cancer. Mayor Sean Ó hArgáin will walk in memory of his aunt‘s husband, Tim Maher.

As the fi fth anniversary of Susie Long‘s death approaches it is more important than ever to continue the campaign for a hospice.A massive €617,000 has been fundraised to date. Registration forms from Rollercoaster Records, Sol Bistro, Thomastown and Café L‘Arche, Callan.

FUTURE Proof Kilkenny is part of the Transition Town movement, a growing network of cities, towns and villages around the world who are facing up to the challenges of peak oil, climate change and economic uncertainty.There are over 40 such towns within the Irish Transition Network and numbers are growing all the time. The focus is on small-scale

positive solutions that strengthen communities, promote local food production and create economic resilience.Their programme of events tackles the head, the heart and the hands of the transition process and they hope that there is something for everybody. They are always looking for volunteers, donations, support and suggestions.

A localised, more self-reliant future is both inevitable and desirable and Future Proof Kilkenny believes it is up to us to make the transition. Their website www.futureproofkilkenny.org is fi lled with local news and details of past and upcoming events.

TWIN SISTER acoustic harmony group ‘Heathers’ come to the Set Theatre on October 5. The popular duo is most famous for the song ‘Remember When’ from their debut album ‘Here, Not Here’. This was featured on a Failte Ireland advert which subsequently led to much radio airplay. They have recently released a new album ‘Kingdom’ which is getting fi ve star reviews so

they are defi nitely worth catching. A key infl uence is ‘Simon and Garfunkel’ and they have the same melding of two voices into one while their recent work recalls the lo-fi indie of Moldy Peaches and Surfjan Stevens.

Their youth belies their talent. Their fi rst album was recorded during their Leaving Certifi cate and unlike the millions of young artists bamboozled by X-Factor it is great to see that Heathers put original music ahead of the fame game. Tickets are €10 so instead of staying in to give Simon Cowell more of your soul, support this pair of real musicians.

KILKENNY’S FOOD festival ‘Savour Kilkenny’ is bringing back its popular Food Market to the Parade Plaza this year. Featuring stalls from the best of local and regional food suppliers, the market is a wonderfully vibrant pop-up venue where you can taste, sample and buy the most delicious, fresh and wholesome food

produce.Open on October 27, 10.30am-5.30pm and October 28, 10.30 am-5.30pm, Savour Kilkenny’s Food Market is the perfect place to spend your October Bank Holiday weekend. Featuring all types of food, as well as cooking demonstrations, the

Kilkenny Chef’s Table and much much more, soak up the incredible atmosphere and immerse yourself in all that Savour Kilkenny has to off er.Most companies sell their wares from the stalls or off er samples so you can stock up on supplies or your evening meal while you are there.

LIVINGWITH AISLING HURLEY [email protected]

KILKENNY REPORTER 26 9 2012

REPORTER WISH LIST THESE ARE A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITE THINGS...

Fleur power!THESE days it’s easy to track down clothing and accessories that don’t incorporate leather, suede or any animal products in their make-up. Many modern vegetarian/vegan products look just as good as their leather counterparts and last just as long. These gorgeous red ‘Fleur Boots’ are from www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk/ who have been selling amazing animal-free products for more than 21 years.These comfortable women’s zip-up boot are perfect for everyday wear and are lined through-out with lightly-

padded, woven m i c r o - f i b r e m a t e r i a l . Made with a s t i t c h - d o w n c o n s t r u c t i o n and attached to comfy rubber and cork sole

units.

Unisex vintage bootsTHESE ‘Vintage Boots’ in olive green are unisex. Made from soft and supple fake suede they would look great worn in winter or summer.The classic pattern lace up boots have an antique fi nish with matching eyelets and rivets and stitching detailing on the toes and heels. The hard resin soles with padded insoles make for a very pleasing boot wearing experience!Use spray-on type proofer, the same as would be used for suede shoes, to increase water-r e s i s t a n c e .Also available from www.v e g e t a r i a n -shoes.co.uk/.

Belt up!THIS hardwearing and practical belt is made from Lorica, an entirely synthetic material that looks and feels like leather.Lorica was designed to satisfy the wide-ranging and demanding requirements of the current market in an environmentally-friendly way. The products used in the

various Lorica manufacturing phases are neither toxic

nor harmful to man or the environment. Lorica is an innovative material that scores excellent results in bio-medical tests.The belt is available in small, medium and large from www.ethicalwares.com.

It’s in the bag!THIS stunning ‘Melie Bianco’ tote bag is completely vegan

but looks just as stylish as a leather bag. Ethnic-inspired bright colors and playful patterns come

together to make a bag that’s as fun to carry as it is to look at.A nice touch is the wrapped tri-colour that looks great but is also very comfy to carry. It features a zip pocket inside and a mobile phone slot with a popper top fastening.Available from w w w . f a s h i o n -conscience.com.

Bag it!JUST the job for snapping up bargains, this mock croc shopper

w a s b o r n to shop! With its a p p e a l i n g

boxy shape, on-trend colourways,

and an interior large enough for just one more thing, Almaplena’s faux leather shopper is the perfect pal for a day of

retail therapy. Fully lined for style, it shows

its practical side with an internal zip pocket and pouches, a handy external zip pocket and a zip-up top too for added security.Available from www.bagsanddarts.com.

Scratch free gadgetsKeep your gadgets scratch-free with a cruelty-free fabric case, handmade by Toggle. Made from sturdy brown vegan leather, lined with a blue cotton fabric for a snug fi t. To fi t: iPhone, iPhone 4, Samsung Wave, Nokia E500 and similar sized phones.Order yours from www.vivashop.org.co.uk.

26 9 2012 KILKENNY REPORTER LIVING | 47

Decision NOW would be a good moment to make the crucial decision to focus only on solutions. It doesn’t matter if you do not know yet exactly what they are.

Keep remembering this decision and do not let yourself drift back into focusing on the problem. A problem has a completely diff erent vibration to its solution. They do not even cohabit the same part of the mind.

However closely you look at a diffi culty, you will never fi nd the inspiration within it to change it. You will simply expand the problem, by giving it more attention and more of your energy. Worse again, you are putting yourself in the wrong mental state for trouble shooting. You render yourself depressed and powerless, which can only invite more of the same bad buzz.

When you decide not to put yourself down anymore and commit yourself to keeping your eyes peeled for opportunities, then they will arrive thick and fast.

A practice to develop might be lateral thinking, such as

jotting down twenty money making ideas. The fi rst six will be the ones you always come up with, squeezing the next fourteen out will generate much amusement and no

doubt some surprising nuggets

of possibility.

For energy healing courses

and energy healing sessions

call Frances at 083 1443978.

LIVINGWELLby Franc Micklem - [email protected]

Patently gorgeous!THIS Riley vegan clutch bag is minimal and chic, with patent shine making it the perfect accessory for most day and evening outfi ts.It would also make a great gift for any ethical fashion conscious people in your life. It would look great teamed with a polo neck

sweater, p e n c i l skirt and v e g a n skyscraper h e e l s .M a d e from vegan m a t e r i a l s it features m a g n e t i c

e n v e l o p e closure, lined

i n t e r i o r and an internal divider and zip pocket.Available from www.fashion-conscience.com.

Natural skincareNATURMATICS is an Irish skincare brand that makes

organic and vegan products. Their skincare range is inspired by the past and made for the future!They manufacture 14 certifi ed organic face and body cosmetics. Their ethos is a simple one, they respect mother nature and the wonderful raw materials she provides, so that they may formulate the most heavenly skin care products. They are a truly responsible manufacturer and don’t use false marketing to sell their brand. They will not sell products or packaging that will compromise health and wellbeing.Check out the full range at Kilkenny Design Centre.

48 | KILKENNY FASHION WEEK KILKENNY REPORTER 26 9 2012

SPECS-APPEAL has offi cially entered the fashion lexicon following the news of eyewear collections by two of the world’s most popular fashion icons.

Proving that even the rich and famous can’t ward off changes in eyesight, Victoria Beckham and the Kardashian sisters are set to launch debut optical collections.

Style icon Victoria Beckham’s range comes after a confession that she’s near-sighted, while the Kardashians have recently ditched their trusty oversized sunglasses for regular specs.

With Mrs Beckham’s designs commanding some truly ‘posh’ prices, and the Kardashian range only available across the pond, Specsavers Kilkenny is highlighting its own designer eyewear collections, so specs wearers can sidestep the waiting list and save the pennies, but still match the global trendsetters’ style.

Specsavers Kilkenny are also off ering eye-tests for only €10 during Kilkenny Fashion Week which runs from October 10-13.

As part of the line-up for Fashion Week, Specsavers, along with Kieran O’Gorman, are presenting Fab Facewear Looks at the SPECtacular Styling with Karen Morrissey at the Left Bank on The Parade, October 12.

Kilkenny Fashion Week kicks off on October 10 with a show in Lyrath

involving 20 Kilkenny retailers followed by the Fabulous Fashion at Fifty in the Pembroke Hotel, October 11.

Meanwhile, in the Club House Hotel, the Kilkenny Fashion Week Student Scholarship fi nalists will

battle it out in front of competition judges – Grafton Academy’s Colin Atkinson, international model Karen Morrissey and Oasis fashion manager Lorna Fennelly.

Those who can’t make a fashion show will have the show brought

to them on Saturday as the Fashion Train will bring pop-up fashion shows to various bars, restaurants and shops from noon to 5pm.

Specsavers Kilkenny brings an aff ordable off ering of over 1,100 frames from designer brands such as Tommy Hilfi ger, Red or Dead, Karen Millen and Missoni.

These fashion forward frames off er luxury quality, individuality and eff ortless, polished glamour. Specsavers has also radded 13 new frames to the GW by Gok Wan range, designed personally by Gok Wan and sold exclusively in Specsavers stores for €149.

For a more classic look à la Kardashian, you should try the heavier, acetate tortoiseshell style by Osiris. The diamante butterfl y detail on the arm will ensure you’re one show-stopper away from bagging your own reality TV show.

Specsavers Kilkenny is encouraging specs wearers to visit the store at 4 The Square, Market Cross Shopping Centre, to speak to a frame stylist, who will help choose the best pair of specs to suit your face shape and colouring. What’s more, with all frames included in Specsavers’ current two-for-one off er, savvy specs wearers can rest assured knowing that they are getting a slice of high-fashion style without the couture price tag.

Wednesday, October 10

7.30pm ‘till late – Kilkenny Fashion Week Gala Fashion Show,

Lyrath Estate Hotel

Thursday, October 11

2.30pm-5.30pm – Fashion Fades, Style is Eternal / An event for senior fashionistas, The Pembroke Hotel, Patrick Street

3.30pm – 5pm – Kilkenny Fashion Week Student Scholarship Award, The Club House Hotel, Patrick Street

6pm – 8pm – Kilkenny Fashion Week Late Night Shopping

9pm – 11pm – Kilkenny Fashion Week Cocktail Competition, Set Theatre, John Street.

Friday, October 12

7.30pm – SPECtacular Styling with Karen Morrissey, Left Bank, The Parade

Saturday, October 13

12pm-5pm – KKFW Fashion Train, various bars, restaurants and retail outlets

6.30pm-8pm – TweetUpKKStyle, The Pembroke Hotel, Patrick Street

Fashion week highlights A feast for the eyes

Fashionistas to make spectacles of themselves as glasses take centre stage

SPECS-APPEAL: Victoria Beckham and the Kardashian sisters are set to launch debut optical collections

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MOST interviewers will give you an opportunity to ask questions after they’ve finished grilling you, so

be prepared to make the most of it. Try to concentrate on issues that are important to you and combine an interest in the company with an interest in the job.

With a wide variety of interview styles and structures, there’s every possibility that everything you want or need to know about the job will have been covered over the course of the interview. There is always more information available though and if you don’t have at least five questions prepared, you’ll come across as passive rather than curious and interested.

Regarding role specific questions, look through the job description to see if there are any areas that you would like more information about. Here are some good examples of the questions you could ask about the role:

Why has the position become available?What are the main objectives and

responsibilities of the position?How does the company expect these

objectives to be met?What are the measures used to judge how

successful I am in the role?What obstacles are commonly encountered

in reaching these objectives?What is the desired time frame for reaching

the objectives?What can I expect from you in terms of

development and support?What aspirations do you have for me at the

company?Where will the job fit into the team structure?

Good interview preparation should have given you an insight into what it’s like to work for a company, but it’s good to get answers straight from the horse’s mouth in case you’ve misinterpreted anything.

These questions are a good place to start:

What’s the best thing about working at your company?

What is the main thing the organisation expects from its employees?

How do you build good relationships within teams?

What is the turnover of staff like throughout the company?

Are there any plans for expansion?How would you describe the company

culture and management style?

TO show your interest and knowledge of the industry the company operates in, it’s also a good idea to have a question ready regarding a current event or issue in the market. For example, “How do you think the recent merger between your two main competitors will affect the future of the industry?”

How well your interviewer reacts and answers your questions gives you a great insight into the company. The interview isn’t just for them to see if you’re the right fit for the organisation – if you’re confident about your skills and ability to do the job, you should also be making sure they’re the right fit for you.

Generally, it’s not a good idea to ask about pay or benefits, as this can make you seem more interested in what the organisation can do for you, rather than what you can do for them.

Asking the right question in interviews

Good preparation should have given you an insight into a company, but it’s good to get answers straight from the horse’s mouth

Show an interest: Make the most out of the opportunity to ask questions after the interview Questions: What are the best questions to ask?

26 9 2012 KILKENNY REPORTER EDUCATION | 61

Invest in your employees and it will pay-off handsome dividends

We l l - t r a i n e d employees are the key to your small

business success. They’re the cream of the crop, often having the strongest stake in the company’s future.

In an ideal world, you would be able to hire people who already possess the exact skills your business needs. But in today’s competitive labour market, demand for skilled workers far exceeds supply.

That’s where training comes in. Not only does instruction arm your employees with needed professional or technical skills, but it also shows that you are invested in them and interested in bringing them with you into the company’s future. This helps keep workers motivated and involved.

To successfully launch an employee training program in your own company, follow these 10 helpful tips:

1. Stress training as investmentTHE reason training is often considered optional at many companies is because it is thought of as an expense rather than an investment. While it’s true that training can be costly up front, it’s a long-term investment in the growth and development of your human resources.

2. Determine your needsAS you probably don’t have unlimited time or funds to execute an employee training program, you should decide early on what the focus of your training program should be. Determine what skills are most pertinent to address current or future company needs or ones that will provide the biggest payback. Ask

yourself, “How will this training eventually prove beneficial to the company?” Repeat this process as your business needs change.

3. Promote a culture of learningIN today’s fast-paced economy, if a business isn’t learning, it’s going to fall behind. A business learns as its people learn. Communicate your expectations that all employees should take the necessary steps to hone their skills and stay on top of their professions or fields of work. Make sure you support those efforts by providing the resources needed to accomplish this goal.

4. Get management on board ONCE you have developed a prioritised list of training topics that address key needs within your company, you need to convince management to rally behind the initiative.

5. Start out smallBEFORE rolling out your training program to the masses, rehearse with a small group of users and gather their feedback. This sort of informal benchmarking exposes weaknesses in your training plans and helps you fine-tune the training process.

6. Choose quality instructors and materialsWHO you select to conduct the training will make a major difference in the success of your efforts, whether it’s a professional educator or simply a knowledgeable staff member. Having the right training materials is also important — after the training is over, these materials become

valuable resources for trainees.

7. Find the right space SELECT a training location that’s conducive to learning. Choose an environment that’s quiet and roomy enough to spread out materials. Make sure the space is equipped with a computer and projector, so you can present a visually stimulating training session.

8. Clarify connectionsSOME employees may feel that the training they’re receiving isn’t relevant to their job. It’s important to help them understand the connection early on, so they don’t view the training sessions as a waste of valuable time. Employees should see the training as an important addition to their professional portfolios. Award

people with completion certificates at the end of the program.

9. Make it ongoingDON’T limit training solely to new employees. Organised, ongoing training programs will maintain all employees’ skill levels, and continually motivate them to grow and improve professionally.

10. Measure resultsWITHOUT measurable results, it’s almost impossible to view training as anything but an expense. Decide how you’re going to obtain an acceptable rate of return on your investment. Determine what kind of growth or other measure is a reasonable result of the training you provide.

Studies have shown that the most successful, productive employees are those

who have received extensive training. Our feature tells what to look out for ...

Training your workers can be a tremendous drain on your time and resources. But before

you dismiss the idea of helping your employees learn new skills, consider the ways that skill-based training can positively affect your employees and your company.

Training increases employee productivityIN addition to learning how to complete new tasks and take on more responsibility, employees can

learn advanced techniques to help them complete everyday tasks more efficiently. For example, sending your bookkeeper to an advanced Excel class may help him or her learn shortcuts to simplify the accounting processes.

Training reduces turnoverEmployees who don’t receive guidance or have difficulty learning the ropes are much more likely to leave your company. Employees are less likely to leave if they have the

opportunity to learn new skills and keep up within their industry.

Training improves job satisfactionINVESTING time and money in employees’ skills makes them feel valued and appreciated, and it challenges them to learn more and get more involved in their jobs. Higher job satisfaction ultimately results in reduced turnover and higher productivity.

Training aids in the recruiting processIF you’re committed to training, you’ll be more willing to hire a desirable candidate who lacks a specific skill. Training also makes your company more attractive in the eyes of potential employees because it shows them that they have room to grow and accept new challenges. In addition, training existing employees could reduce the need to hire new staff.

Training rewards long-time employeesYOU’LL be more willing to promote existing employees who have learned new skills and are ready to take on new challenges.

Training reduces the need for employee supervisionNOT only does skill-based training teach employees how to do their jobs better, but it also helps them work more independently and develop a can-do attitude.

The Benefits of Skill-Based Training

The more training you give your employees, the more productive they are

Reporter Rugby

Kilkenny 17 Enniscorthy 7

KILKENNY U13s opened in the South East League with a hard fought win over a determined Enniscorthy in ideal conditions at Foulkstown on Saturday.

The home side opened strongly, moving the ball

wide at will but failed to turn possession into points. William Ashe Doyle looked to have opened the scoring but was denied in a tight call.

As half-time approached a midfi eld break by the visitors saw them get behind the Kilkenny defence to score a converted try under the posts.

The score was 0-7 to Enniscorthy at half time. Kilkenny had the bulk of

possession in the opening half but failed to open up a resolute Enniscorthy defence, more accuracy was required.

In the second half, Kilkenny took the game to the visitors. Conor Rowe repeatedly pilfered opposition ball at the lineout while Alex Hatt, Andrew Stone and Jack Brennan stretched the Enniscorthy defence with hard running.

In the end the pressure had

to tell and Brennan, with a trademark sidestep, jinked his way over for a try converted by Alex Hatt.

As full time approached a draw looked on the cards but some indiscipline from the visitors, allied to quick thinking from Alex Hatt, saw the Kilkenny fl y half take a quick tap penalty and scramble over for a try.

He dusted himself down to nail a diffi cult conversion from the touchline to give Kilkenny a seven-point lead. Enniscorthy came back strongly but with time running out their discipline cost them again as the referee awarded Kilkenny another penalty.

Captain Cian McCormack coolly indicated a shot at the posts and Alex Hatt stepped up

to complete a kicking display that sealed the win.

Kilkenny: Cian McCormack (captain), Mitchell Synnott, Glenn Gormley, Conor Rowe, Darwish Bourke, Brian Harrington, Seamus Farrell, Ultan Conroy, Simon Walsh, Alex Hatt, Andrew Stone, William Ashe Doyle, Killian Fitzpatrick, Jack Foley, Jack Brennan.

A FATHER and son are going to the dogs as they get into shape for a local hospice walk.

Along with their mutts, Deputy John and Councillor Andrew McGuinness are in training for the Susie Long Memorial Walk at Kilkenny Castle Park on October 7.

They will walk tall, with dogs in tow, in memory of their late

Fianna Fáil colleague, Brian Lenihan, and to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

John is a regular walker with his original German Shepherd, Mikey, who is 10 months old. Andrew has a Samoyed Husky which is eight months old. Roxy, a real family pet, accompanies him to work every day. She sleeps under his O’Loughlin Road desk.

“Brian was a remarkable man,” John told The Reporter. “He knew he was dying but he

stayed working to the very end. He had the ultimate thrown at him, he was told that his cancer was not operable, there was no way out, yet he worked until his

To date, The Susie Long Hospice Fund (SLHF) has raised over €617,000, to provide a hospice for the people of Carlow and Kilkenny.

The walk is the latest fund raising drive. It will be led by RTE broadcaster, Joe Duffy, and our Mayor, Seán Ó hArgáin.

AFTER SIX events, involving 63 male and 49 female players, Ireland’s Benny O’Regan who is from Kilkenny City, and

in the 2012 Northern Ireland Men’s Beach Tour rankings.

They beat Northern Ireland’s

points each while Nick scored 600.

USA’s Erin Madden was crowned champion of the 2012 Northern Ireland Women’s Beach Tour in style as she won

Ballymoney.Benny and Jonathan went

Beach Tour leading Nick by

ahead of Wright they would be champions.

For Wright to top the rankings, he and partner Wilson Greenlee

one place ahead of the O’Regan/Whitty pairing.

Fifteen teams competed in the Ballymoney Open where O’Regan/Whitty met Wright/

in the losers bracket. It was a crucial match as the loser would be knocked out of the tournament and the winner would effectively be crowned Men’s Tour Champion.

O’Regan/Whitty easily took

cruising in the second at 19-

level in the set only to lose

match 2-0. This eliminated Wright/Greenlee and crowned

O’Regan/Whitty as joint Men’s Beach Tour champions.

O’Regan/Whitty were beaten

third.

women’s tour, seven teams competed in high winds and Erin Madden was crowned Women’s Beach Tour champion.

Benny is setting up a fun session on Thursday in Loreto Sports Hall at 8pm. All are welcome.

U13s show character in great win

John and Andrew and their beloved mutts

Father and son go to the dogs

Life truly is a beach for our Benny and friends


Sports drop outs are a real concernLAST SPRING a pilot programme for teenagers in Kilkenny was launched. Fit 4 Life for Youths was an eight-week introduction to running in a non-competitive and fun environment.

The programme was run as collaboration between Athletics Ireland, Kilkenny City Harriers, Fit 4 Life Kilkenny and the Watershed Sports Complex.

Research shows that there are huge drop out levels in all sports amongst teenagers. While some kids are getting too much activity, others are not getting enough. Having an environment where there is no pressure to compete could be the answer to the drop out problem.

The emphasis in Fit4Life for Youth is on fun and learning to run at a pace that is comfortable for the individual. Indeed, running is now seen as a life skill. With so many pressures on teenagers, it is important that they have an outlet for relaxation.

Running and keeping fi t can be that outlet and help maintain the delicate balance between physical and mental health.

New participants are encouraged to go along on Wednesdays to the Watershed for the 6-7pm session and on Saturday mornings to the Castle Park, 11am to 12noon.

There is a one off €10 insurance registration fee and then sessions are €2.

Local hero is on the ball

Beach champions: Benny, Jonathan and Erin

26 9 2012 KILKENNY REPORTER SPORT | 63

Kilkenny GAA ResultsJ. J. Kavanagh and SonsJunior HCO’Loughlin Gaels 1-14, Mooncoin 1-12Clara 2-21, Dicksboro 2-14Bennettsbridge 1-16, Piltown 1-15Slieverue 3-14, Graignamanagh 1-10Thomastown 2-14, Windgap 0-11Blacks and Whites 2-15, Cloneen 2-8Lisdowney 0-16, Kilmacow 1-10

Duggan Steel U16 HC Roinn ‘A’ FinalJames Stephens 2-28, Rower Inistioge 2-9

Duggan Steel U16 HC Roinn ‘B’ FinalTullaroan 1-12, Conahy Shamrocks 2-6

Duggan Steel U16 HC Roinn ‘C’ FinalJames Stephens B 3-11, O’Loughlin Gaels B 2-8

Duggan Steel U14 HC Roinn ‘D’ Semi FinalFenians 7-12, Windgap 2-11

Duggan Steel U14 HL Roinn ‘B’ Shield Semi FinalMooncoin 5-9, St Lachtain’s 1-5

Toymaster FL Roinn ‘A’Kilkenny CBS 6-2, Tullogher Rosbercon 3-2Scoil McCauley Rice 0-7, Inistioge 1-2Thomastown 1-6, Clara 1-4

Top Oil Roinn ‘B’ FL NorthLisdowney 6-9, Conahy 4-6

Top Oil Roinn ‘B’ FL North CentralCastlecomer 4-12, Gaelscoil Osraí 2-1

Top Oil Roinn B FL SouthMooncoin 6-4, Glenmore 0-4

Top Oil Roinn ‘B’ FL South CentralDunnamaggin 3-7, Carrickshock 3-3Mullinavat 3-5, Graigue/Skeough 0-9

Corn na Tuaithe Country Cup FootballUrlingford 6-8, Clogh/Mooneenroe 1-7Mullinavat 3-5, Graigue/Skeough 0-9Coon/Muckalee 1-5, Piltown 0-2Thomastown 1-9, Mooncoin 1-5Scoil McCauley Rice 2-12, Ballyragget 1-7

THE THIRD week of the Irish

programme, October 1 to 7, will focus on healthy ageing.

This is to tie in with Positive Ageing Week and to celebrate that 2012 has been designated Year of Active Ageing by the European Union. There is a full schedule of free events and

talks to inspire people to take on the Healthy Town challenge Please go to www.irishtimes.com/healthytowns for further information.

Dr Tadgh Crowley, GP and Kilkenny hurling team doctor, will talk on ‘Planning for Healthy Ageing’ on Tuesday

October 2, 7pm in Langton’s Hotel. Register on www.irishtimes.com/healthytowns or call 01-6690298.

Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership, along with the HSE in Kilkenny host the City Walk Series which continues on October 1. The

walk starts at Canal Square, 7pm.

The KRSP will host an Older Adults Fest with free taster activities on October 4, 10am-1pm in the Watershed, including bowling, skittles and pilates. On October 5, there will be free pool-based activities,

2pm-3pm, Watershed. The KRSP Meet & Train

Group meets on the track at the Watershed on Wednesday mornings, 10am and Friday mornings, at 9.30am. Parents and buggies are welcome. There is a fee of €2.

Further information: www.krsp.ie or 056 7794990.

THE WHEARTY family, one time parishioners in Clara, but now living in Kilkenny City, should have a football in the home which they didn’t have before the weekend.

Brothers Chris and Dylan certainly

Evergreen’s 5-3 Leinster Cup win over Wexford’s St Joseph’s at Evergreen Park.

Chris banged in four, two from headers and two from penalties, while kid brother, Dylan, promoted from the ‘B’ to the ‘A’ team this season, grabbed the other.

It was an excellent win for the home club who have never won a national or provincial competition at junior level but went oh so close many moons ago when they lost 1-0 to Dublin’s Beggsboro in the FAI Junior Cup Final.

Freebooters who at one stage looked as if they were going to take ownership of the Leinster Cup, have three titles to their credit, and they are still there with a chance of making it four following their convincing 4-1 home win over another Wexford Club, Duncannon.

Des Hayes (2), Paul O’Brien and Damien Raggett scored for the Blues who led 1-0 at half time and went on to dominate the second half.

At the same time, another city club, Newpark had their best game for some time when they disposed of visitors Suncroft from Kildare, 5-1, with goals by Mark Flynn (48 and 58 minutes), John Hayes (75 minutes), Ray Meagher (25 minutes) and Sean Falsey (90 minutes). Kevin Lanigan got a Suncroft

As is customary, there will be no junior

the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final replay. There is a full programme of schoolboys’ games on Saturday.

Kilkenny Schoolboys’ FixturesSaturday, September 29U8 Barnaville Print & Graphics LeagueFort Rangers v Freebooters, 11am; Bridge United v Thomastown United,

11am; Lions v Deen Celtic, 12.30pm.

U10 LeagueCallan United v Bridge United, 2.30; East End v Fort Rangers, 1pm; Deen Celtic Hawks v Evergreen City, 2pm; Deen Celtic Eagles v Evergreen United, 2pm; Freebooters ‘A’ v Newpark, 2pm; Freebooters ‘B’ v Thomastown United, 3pm; Lions v Clover United, 11am; Highview Athletic v Paulstown United, 1pm.

U12 SFAI Danone CupClonmel Celtic v Freebooters, 12 noon.

U12 12 Glanbia Division 1 (11am)Deen Celtic v Evergreen ‘A’; East End v Freshford Town.

U12 Division 2Callan United v Evergreen City, 1pm; Freebooters ‘B’ v Paulstown 06, 3pm.

U12 Division 3 (11am)Evergreen United v Thomastown ‘B’; Highview Athletic v Freebooters ‘C’.

U14 SFAI CupSt Michael’s v Ormondevilla, 1.30pm.

U14 Bennettsbridge Parts Division 2Callan v Fort Rangers, 11am; Freshford Town v Deen Celtic, 2pm; Freebooters ‘B’ v Paulstown 06, 1.30.

U16 SFAI CupFreebooters v Ballinroad, 11am; Bunclody v Evergreen, 1pm; St Michael’s v Bridge United, 11.30; Ormondevilla v Bohemians,11am.

U16 TC Tyres Division2 (11am)Freshford Town v Clover United; Southend United v Freebooters ‘B’.

because of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling replay.

Junior resultsLeinster Junior CupSandyhill Shangan 6, East End 0; Greenpark FC 1, Fort Rangers 2; New Oak 3, AC Kilkenny 1; Thomastown United 3, Blessington 4;’ Newpark 5, Suncroft 1; Southend United 1, Edenderry Town 3; Stoneyford United 2, The Woods 3; Evergreen 5, St Joseph’s 3; Bridge United 3, Swords Celtic 4; Freebooters 4, Duncannon 1; Lions 3, CK United 1.Eamon Maher Coach Hire Division 2Freshford Town 4, Brookville 4.Pat Maher ShieldClover United 2, Clifden United 0.

Healthy Town focuses on Positive Ageing

Oh brother: What a win for Evergreen

[email protected]

SOCCER with

CONNOLLY’S Red Mills is teaming up with some of the country’s top professionals, golfi ng enthusiasts and other big-hearted businesses for a major golf event to raise a minimum of €10,000 for Saplings Special Schools in Kilkenny and Carlow.

Gary Murphy, Damien McGrain, Philip Walton and David Higgins as well as PGA Captain Phil Collins and Mark Staunton are among the big names in Irish golfwho will play in the 18-hole ‘Connolly’s Red Mills Charity Pro-Am’ at the magnifi cent Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Country Club.

The Connolly brothers and fellow golfi ng enthusiasts are digging deep for the major event at Mount Wolseley on this Thursday. They’ve guaranteed the school that the gala event will raise at least €10,000.

Bill Connolly said: “We are delighted to be in a position to facilitate this event and in doing so raise much needed funds for the Sapling schools in Carlow/Kilkenny. The school is a much needed resource and the support provided for the pupils is crucial to them and their families.”

Saplings runs two schools in the

area – one in Goresbridge, Kilkenny, the other in Graiguecullen, Carlow. Mairead Ryan, Director of Saplings Kilkenny said: “A young sapling if properly nurtured can grow into a strong tree. So too for children with autism who can grow into the most endearing people you’ve ever encountered.

“Unfortunately hard work and committed eff ort from all involved is diffi cult to maintain without the support of constant fund raising. Thanks for helping our children grow.”

The Saplings Special Schools in the region support children with autism and other complex needs and their extended families. The highly regarded schools assist each pupil to achieve to their full potential and participate in their community life.

The dedicated and caring staff s provides a holistic, evidenced-base service for pupils, celebrating each individual child’s dignity, uniqueness and right to an optimal education. As the schools rely heavily on fund raising by parents and the local community, initiatives such as the Connolly’s Red Mills golf event are a major boost.

Teeing up for the Connolly’s Red Mills Charity Pro-Am areTed Higgins, Mount Wolseley, Bill and Joe Connolly, Red Mills, Lisa Morrissey, Mount Wolseley and Evan Ryan, Saplings School, Goresbridge.

It’s Red Mills Tee-time and support is pouring in

64 | ADVERTISEMENT KILKENNY REPORTER 26 9 2012

Documents

Kilkenny Reporter - 26 September 2012