Kilkenny Today

Page 1

kilkennytoday DELIVERED DOOR-TO-DOOR TO HOMES IN THE CITY AREA

INSIDE: FREE

May 28, 2015, t: 01t:901 December 6, 2018 0565556/7, 781 7070 info@wicklowvoice.ie e: kilkennytoday@carlowpeople.ie

12,000 COPIES

FREE

t: 056 781 7070 e: kilkennytoday@carlowpeople.ie

Christmas Experience :ULWH \RXU OHWWHU LQ WKH (OYHV 3RVW 2IÀFH EDNH FRRNLHV ZLWK 0UV &ODXV EHIRUH PHHWLQJ 6DQWD LQ KLV HQFKDQWLQJ JURWWR Adults (16+) - €10 Children (2-15) - €15 Children (under 2) - €10

Family (2 adult+2 children) - €47 (2 adult+3 children) - €60

Booking essential

www.norevalleypark.com

+() ',5 "-!5 '- €10 per child, Adults FREE €18 for two children

€25 for three children €32 for four children

*includes visit, photo and gift. No booking required

h udolp R t e Me e and th om ls fr anima re No Park Valley

02|

kilkennytoday December 6, 2018

kilkennytoday DELIVERED DOOR-TO-DOOR TO HOMES

INSIDE: FREE

May 28, 2015, t: 01t:901 December 6, 2018 0565556/7, 781 7070 e: info@wicklowvoice.ie e: kilkennytoday@carlowpeople.ie

IN THE CITY AREA

12,000 COPIES

FREE

t: 056 781 7070 e: kilkennytoday@carlowpeople.ie

Not guilty: husband is cleared of killing Rita By Kilkenny Today reporter A MAN who was charged with murder despite telling gardai that his partner fell down the stairs of their county Kilkenny home has been acquitted of her murder by a jury at the Central Criminal Court. Justice Tara Burns thanked the jury of eight men and four women and told Rehars Veigulis: “You are free to go.” Mr Veigulis (32) of Bridge Street in Freshford was charged

with murdering his partner Rita Apine (29) at their home on or about May 14, 2017. Mr Veigulis, a Latvian national, maintained from the outset that he was playing with his daughter and heard a “boom, boom, boom”. When he looked into the hallway he saw his partner at the bottom of the stairs with blood coming from her head.

A pathologist said Ms Apine’s injuries were not consistent with a simple fall down the stairs and that she had never seen some of the injuries caused by such a fall. Mr Veigulis’s defence barrister Michael Bowman SC, instructed by Tony Collier Solicitors, asked the jury not to convict on the basis that the

pathologist had not seen such injuries before. “You fall down stairs in as many ways as there are people who fall down stairs,” he said. The jury took 10 hours and 21 minutes to reach their verdict, ZKLFK ZDV ¿QDOO\ GHOLYHUHG ODVW Friday. An emotional Mr Veigulis wiped his eyes and hugged his lawyers following the not guilty verdict. Continued on next page

Catherine Walsh and Kay Foley enjoying the festivities at An Evening of Song and Festive Cheer with Arís Choir, Ormonde Hotel. Image by Rue Photography

04| news in brief Keep your pets’ poop off our streets KILKENNY County Council has launched a new campaign to urge dog owners to keep ‘poop Rŕľľ RXU SDYHPHQWVÂś As part of the campaign pet parents are being encouraged to post pictures of their pooches using the 3RRS2ŕľľ2XU3DYHPHQWV KDVWDJ to be in with a chance of winning four â‚Ź50 Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce Gift Vouchers. The vouchers are redeemable in up to 150 stores across Kilkenny city and county.

Shop local this Xmas THE Parade was lit up in festive style last weekend as .LONHQQ\ÂśV RŕľśFLDO &KULVWPDV celebrations got underway. Municipal Mayor of Kilkenny, Cllr Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere, was the master of Christmas ceremonies as he switched on the Christmas tree lights – but with the assistance of a few little helpers! Cllr Cleere gave a warm festive welcome to the large crowd who gathered for the event and urged everyone to support local retailers and charities between now and Christmas. The theme of this year’s Kilkenny Yulefest is #shopkilkenny.

kilkennytoday December 6, 2018

St Luke’s keeping patients off their Couple found dead at home trolleys Sisters Alice Brannigan, Kathleen Barnaville, Pauline Fitzpatrick and Helen Devline at An Evening of Song and Festive Cheer with Arís Choir, Ormonde Hotel. Image by Rue Photography

GARDAI are awaiting the toxicology results on an elderly couple who were found dead at their Kilkenny home late last month. The bodies of Michael Hurley (83) and his partner Mary Holohan (79) were discovered by a relative at their home in Kilderry, Johnswell at around 7pm on Wednesday, November 21. Some media reports have speculated the couple may have died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. However, the cause of their deaths has not yet been established. For the moment,

gardai are treating the deaths as a tragic accident. Post-mortem examinations were carried out on the couple’s remains at University Hospital Waterford, but gardai are awaiting the results of a toxicology exam before determining the course of their investigation into the deaths. Local Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick described Michael and Mary as “a lovely couple� with whom he would regularly meet while shopping at the local Eurospar. Cllr Fitzpatrick said: “The

whole community here in Johnswell is deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the deaths. Michael and Mary were well known and were a great support to the local community.â€? In a statement released shortly after the couple’s bodies were discovered, the *DUGD 3UHVV 2ŕľśFH UHOHDVHG D VWDWHPHQW FRQÂżUPLQJ JDUGDL are investigating the deaths, adding: “GardaĂ­ attended the scene and they were both pronounced dead a short time later. It’s understood they may have been in the house a number of days.â€?

Murder accused cleared

Continued from previous page *DUGDL ZHUH ÂżUVW DOHUWHG WR 0V Apine’s death when Veigulis called emergency services and said: “Hello can I talk with Kilkenny ambulance. Please, my wife has fallen down the stairs.â€? During the trial, paramedics gave evidence of attending the scene at Ms Apine’s “heavily bloodstainedâ€? home. On call doctor Leonard de Villiers told the jury that he observed a “big gashâ€? to the right hand side of Ms Apine’s head. Both of her eyes were swollen shut and there was bruising to a cheek of her face and one of her hands. The jury heard that paramedics resuscitated Ms Apine at the scene and took her to hospital but she died later that day. GardaĂ­ launched a murder investigation when forensic experts found blood spatter on the walls and Deputy State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan said Ms Apine’s injuries were not consistent with a “simple fall down the stairsâ€?. She said the deceased died from massive blood loss as a result of blunt force trauma to the head.

THE number of patients treated on trolleys at St Luke’s General Hospital last month was almost half the number recorded for the same period last year. A new analysis by the INMO reveals our local hospital is bucking an alarming national WUHQG ZLWK WKLV \HDU RྜFLDOO\ the worst November on record for hospital overcrowding. A total of 9,679 admitted patients were forced to wait on trolleys and chairs for beds last month, according to the INMO. St Luke’s treated a total of 200 patients on trolleys last month. This is almost half the 398 recorded in November 2017, and still considerably less than the 360 and 339 treated on trolleys at our local hospital during the same period in the previous two years. Last weekend no patients were recorded as being treated on trolleys at St Luke’s, according to the INMO’s Trolley Watch list. This is in stark contrast to a much gloomier overall picture that is emerging in other hospitals across the country. Nationally, there has been an

11pc increase in the numbers of patients on hospital trolleys, crossing the 100,000 mark for WKH ÂżUVW WLPH RQ UHFRUG DQG making 2018 the worst-ever year for overcrowding. INMO General Secretary Phil NĂ­ Sheaghdha warned the situation is likely to get worse as Christmas and the New Year approaches. “January and February are typically the worst months, so nurses and midwives will be looking to the New Year with a sense of dread,â€? Ms NĂ­ Sheaghdha said. “But this isn’t just a winter problem anymore, it’s a yearround problem. The health service needs more beds. Extra beds require extra nurses, but the HSE simply can’t hire enough on these wage levels.â€? Five hospitals treated over 500 patients on trolleys in November: Cork University Hospital (932), University Hospital Galway (676), Letterkenny University Hospital (581), Tallaght University Hospital (559) and the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore: (549).

New Aldi store in Graiguenamanagh ALDI opened its fourth store in Kilkenny last week. Twenty new jobs have been created with the opening of the Aldi ‘Project Fresh’ store in Graiguenamanagh. The new store opening also provided a very welcome boost for the town’s Abbey Hall as Aldi donated â‚Ź5,000 to help support this vital local amenity IRU WKH EHQHÂżW RI WKH ORFDO community. Mayor of Kilkenny, Cllr Peter Âľ&KDSÂś &OHHUH RŕľśFLDOO\ RSHQHG the store as store manager David Rossiter welcomed customers who had queued from early to see inside the new store.

The Mayor, a Fianna Fail Councillor for Kilkenny Area East. said: “Aldi coming to Graiguenamanagh will be a huge help to those who have to travel out of town to do their shopping, meaning that more money will stay in Graiguenamanagh, with shoppers in turn picking up extras in the town centre.â€? He added: “This is very much a ‘win-win’ situation for Graiguenamanagh, as Aldi has PDGH VLJQLÂżFDQW FRQWULEXWLRQV to the access area around Well Lane, including new public lighting, tarmac and railings which will be a huge and welcome addition to the town.â€?

|05

kilkennytoday December 6, 2018

HUGE SELECTION OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL DOORS & FLOORS

AT OUR

NEW SHOWROOMS ASK ABOUT OUR ATTIC & STAIRS REFURBISHMENT SERVICES

06| news in brief Butler House makes Blue Book top list .,/.(11<œ6 %XWOHU +RXVH has been included in the 45th Anniversary Edition of Ireland’s %OXH %RRN D SUHVWLJLRXV collection of country house hotels, manor houses, castles and restaurants. %XWOHU +RXVH ZDV RQH RI VL[ new additions to the famous book that were announced at a UHFHSWLRQ LQ 'XEOLQœV 0HUULRQ Hotel recently to celebrate 45 years since the collection was ¿UVW SXEOLVKHG LQ 7KH Kilkenny venue is now one of SURSHUWLHV OLVWHG LQ WKH %OXH %RRN %XWOHU +RXVH *DUGHQ nestled in the heart of medieval Kilkenny, is the Dower House of Kilkenny Castle and dates back to 1786.

Kilkenny dogs are early safe bet for TV ($5/< PRUQLQJ JUH\KRXQG UDFLQJ LQ .LONHQQ\ ZLOO EH broadcast into thousands of EHWWLQJ VKRSV DFURVV ,UHODQG DQG WKH 8. RYHU WKH FRPLQJ ZHHNV 7KH PRUQLQJ PHHWLQJV Âą WKH ÂżUVW RI WKHLU NLQG LQ WKLV FRXQWU\ Âą ZLOO VWDUW DW .LONHQQ\ QH[W month and at Kilcohan Park in Waterford city in the New <HDU DQG ZLOO VHH UDFLQJ JHWWLQJ under way at 8.18am. 7KH Âż[WXUHV ZLOO EH DYDLODEOH LQ ,ULVK EHWWLQJ RŕľśFHV DQG PRUH WKDQ VKRSV LQ WKH 8.

kilkennytoday December 6, 2018

John eyes FF top job

Margaret, John, Ellie and Emma McGuinness enjoying family time at An Evening of Song and Festive Cheer with Arís Choir, Ormonde Hotel. Image by Rue Photography KILKENNY TD John 0F*XLQHVV KDV FRQ¿UPHG KH ZLOO SXW KLV QDPH IRUZDUG IRU WKH )LDQQD )iLO OHDGHUVKLS ZKHQ 0LFKHiO 0DUWLQ HYHQWXDOO\ VWHSV GRZQ 'HSXW\ 0F*XLQHVV DOVR VDLG WKHUH LV ³QR VXSSRUW´ DPRQJ )LDQQD )iLOœV JUDVVURRWV IRU D UHQHZDO RI WKH FRQ¿GHQFH DQG VXSSO\ DJUHHPHQW ³:KDW ZH DUH ORRNLQJ DW KHUH QRZ ZH LV WKH ¿QDO ZDOW] RI WKH HYHQLQJ ZKHUH WKH WZR SDUWLHV HLWKHU JR WRJHWKHU RU JR GL྾HUHQW ZD\V DQG TXLWH

IUDQNO\ WKHUH LV QR VXSSRUW IRU DQRWKHU FRQÂżGHQFH DQG VXSSO\ DUUDQJHPHQW ´ KH VDLG LQ DQ LQWHUYLHZ ZLWK Independent.ie Âł:H DUH LQ opposition but we can’t be DQ RSSRVLWLRQ :H DUH QRW LQ JRYHUQPHQW EXW ZH SUHWHQG WR LQĂ€XHQFH JRYHUQPHQW DQG WKHLU SROLFLHV DQG ZH DUH JHWWLQJ WKH EODPH IRU HYHU\WKLQJ DQG WKH JRYHUQPHQW LV JHWWLQJ WKH FUHGLW IRU WKH DVSHFWV ZKLFK DUH SRVLWLYH ´ KH DGGHG 7KH .LONHQQ\ 7' DGPLWWHG

KLV UHODWLRQVKLS ZLWK KLV SDUW\ OHDGHU LV ³SROLWLFDOO\ QRW ZKDW LW VKRXOG EH´ %XW KH LQVLVWHG KH LV KDSS\ ZLWK KLV UROH LQ WKH SDUW\ DQG ZKDW KH KDV DFKLHYHG GXULQJ KLV FDUHHU LQ SROLWLFV +H DOVR FRQ¿UPHG KH ZLOO EH SXWWLQJ KLV QDPH IRUZDUG IRU WKH )LDQQD )iLO OHDGHUVKLS RQFH 0LFKHiO 0DUWLQœV WHQXUH GUDZV WR D FORVH ³, DP LQWHUHVWHG LQ WKH OHDGHUVKLS RI )LDQQD )iLO , PDNH QR ERQHV DERXW WKDW ´ KH VDLG

County’s finest toasted at 2018 Business Awards CARTOON Saloon’s Nora Twomey received the President’s Award at this year’s .LONHQQ\ %XVLQHVV $ZDUGV LQ DFNQRZOHGJHPHQW RI WKH RXWVWDQGLQJ FRQWULEXWLRQ VKH KDV made to Kilkenny, and on the LQWHUQDWLRQDO VWDJH The world-famous cartoon VWXGLR QRZ HPSOR\V RYHU SHRSOH LQ .LONHQQ\ DQG WKHLU work has received Academy, %$)7$ *ROGHQ *OREH DQG Emmy Nominations. Nora’s award was just one of WKH KLJKOLJKWV RI WKLV \HDUœV JOLWWHULQJ JDOD HYHQW DW WKH /\UDWK Hotel, which was attended by RYHU SHRSOH UHSUHVHQWLQJ HYHU\ ZDON RI EXVLQHVV OLIH WKURXJKRXW WKH FLW\ DQG FRXQW\ Rudolf Hetzel, whose name is synonymous with Irish deVLJQ ZDV JLYHQ D VWDQGLQJ RYDtion as he was announced as WKH UHFLSLHQW RI 7KH /LIHWLPH Achievement Award. +XJKHV )DUPLQJ WKH G\QDPLF DQG JURZLQJ .HOOV EDVHG FRPSDQ\ ZKLFK HPSOR\V SHRSOH ZRQ WKH 2YHUDOO %XVLQHVV RI WKH Year Award. /RFDO EURDGFDVWHU .&/5 IP was named Service Provider of

WKH <HDU DQG LW ZDV DOVR D QLJKW WR UHPHPEHU IRU %DOO\NHHIH 'LVWLOOHU\ ZKR VFRRSHG WZR VHSDUDWH DZDUGV 7KH 6RFLDO (QWHUSULVH RI WKH Year award went to Castlecomer Discovery Park, Yvonne Ros Jewellery was named Craft Producer of the Year, Paris Texas received the Excellence in +RVSLWDOLW\ DZDUG ZKLOH 5RFKH ,QMXU\ &OLQLF ZRQ WKH (PHUJLQJ 1HZ %XVLQHVV FDWHJRU\ (OVHZKHUH KXUOLQJ VWDU 7- 5HLG entertained the crowd with his unique take on the Haka, while 0LQLVWHU -RKQ 3DXO 3KHODQ JDYH his tux a dry run ahead of his ZHGGLQJ WR KLV ¿DQFp &ODLUH McTernan, later this month. $ QHZ 6KRS.LONHQQ\ LQLWLDWLYH ZKLFK KDV EHHQ VSHDUKHDGed by Kilkenny Chamber of &RPPHUFH ZDV DQRWKHU SURPLQHQW IHDWXUH RI WKH JDOD HYHQW which was hosted by RTE star Mary Kennedy. )LWWLQJO\ WKH QLJKW ZDV ZUDSSHG XS DV 0DU\ OHG WKH VWURQJ DXGLHQFH LQ D URXVLQJ UHQGLWLRQ of The Fields of Athenry to toast Ireland’s incredible victory over WKH $OO %ODFNV HDUOLHU LQ WKH HYHQLQJ

Just one-in-100 new jobs created in South East LESS than one in every 100 new jobs created in Ireland last year were in the South East. 1HZ ÂżJXUHV UHOHDVHG E\ WKH &HQWUDO 6WDWLVWLFV 2ŕľśFH SURYLGH D VWDUN UHPLQGHU RI KRZ HPSOR\ment in the South East continues WR ODJ EHKLQG RWKHU UHJLRQV Overall, a total of 66,700 jobs were created nationally in the 12 PRQWKV WR WKH HQG RI 6HSWHPEHU this year. Dublin and the Mid East commuter belt counties around the FDSLWDO VZDOORZHG XS PRUH WKDQ SF RI WKH QHZ MREV However, just 600 new jobs were created in Kilkenny, Carlow, Waterford, Wexford DQG 7LSSHUDU\ GXULQJ WKH VDPH SHULRG :KLOH WKH FRXQWU\ LV FRQWLQXLQJ WR HGJH WRZDUGV IXOO HPSOR\PHQW WKH ÂżJXUHV UHYHDO D PDMRU XUEDQ UXUDO GLYLGH LV GHYHORSLQJ $Q DQDO\VLV RI WKH ODWHVW ÂżJXUHV VXJJHVWV WKH UHFRYHU\ LV KHDYLO\ ZHLJKHG WRZDUGV WKH FDSLWDO

ZKLFK DOVR WDNHV SF RI DOO QHZ tech jobs. 7KH ÂżJXUHV HPHUJHG DV WKH Government unveiled details RI LWV Âľ)XWXUH -REVÂś SURJUDPPH ZKLFK ZLOO UHSODFH WKH Âľ$FWLRQ 3ODQ IRU -REVÂś VHW XS GXULQJ WKH recession. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar acNQRZOHGJHG WKH ZLGHQLQJ UHJLRQDO LPEDODQFH VD\LQJ “History is littered with exDPSOHV RI UHJLRQV WKDW WKULYHG economically at one time or anRWKHU EXW ZHUH FRPSODFHQW DVVXPHG WKHLU FRPSHWLWLYH DGYDQWDJH ZRXOG ODVW IRUHYHU DQG IHOO into decline.â€? +H DGGHG Âł:H FDQ VHH H[DPSOHV DFURVV WKH :HVWHUQ ZRUOG the consequences of that failXUH 3HRSOH DQG SODFHV WKDW IHHO IRUJRWWHQ OHIW RXW DQG ZKR DUH VHGXFHG E\ SRSXOLVP DQG WKH SROLWLFV RI WKH HDV\ DQVZHU DQG someone to blame or hate. We know where that ends.â€? The Taoiseach added that the

SHRSOH WRZQV FLWLHV DQG FRXQWULHV WKDW ZLOO EHQHÂżW IURP DXWRPDWLRQ RU ELJ GDWD DUH QRW QHFHVVDULO\ WKRVH WKDW DUH GRLQJ ZHOO today. “In the same way that the LQYHQWLRQ RI WKH VSLQQLQJ MHQQ\ DQG PHFKDQLVHG WH[WLOH SURGXFWLRQ FKDQJHG WKH ZRUOG RI ZRUN forever - automation, the interQHW RI WKLQJV DGYDQFHG URERWLFV DUWLÂżFLDO LQWHOOLJHQFH DQG ELJ data will transform our century,â€? he said. However, Fianna FĂĄil warned WKH *RYHUQPHQWÂśV QHZ MREV SODQ LV OLNHO\ WR EH DQ ÂłRSWLFDO LOOXVLRQ´ XQOHVV LW XUJHQWO\ DGGUHVVes the two-tier recovery. )LDQQD )iLO EXVLQHVV VSRNHVSHUVRQ %LOO\ .HOOHKHU ZDUQHG Âł$ODUPLQJO\ 'XEOLQ DFFRXQWHG IRU QHDUO\ KDOI RI WRWDO HPSOR\PHQW JDLQV DQG WKH *UHDWHU 'XEOLQ $UHD DFFRXQWLQJ IRU RYHU SF 7KLV LV FOHDU XQDPELJXous evidence that the two-tier reFRYHU\ LV VWLOO EHLQJ H[SHULHQFHG E\ UHJLRQDO DQG UXUDO ,UHODQG ´

kilkennytoday December 6, 2018

|07

08| news in brief UK lord gets â‚Ź571k bill for unpaid rent 7+( +LJK &RXUW KDV JUDQWHG summary judgment for some â‚Ź571,000 against a British lord who once owned and later UHQWHG .LONHQQ\ÂśV &DVWOHWRZQ &R[ The judgement against Lord George Magan was over a prolonged dispute about rent arrears for the mansion and its DFUH HVWDWH &DVWOHWRZQ &R[ LV ZLGHO\ FRQVLGHUHG WR EH RQH RI ,UHODQGÂśV ÂżQHVW *HRUJLDQ mansions.

Get Kilkenny growing &20081,7< JURXSV DQG voluntary organisations across Kilkenny have been invited to apply for â‚Ź75,000 of funding as part of a new Energia Get ,UHODQG *URZLQJ DQG *,< IXQG 2019. Groups and organisations have until January 18, 2019 to apply for grants, which will enable them to start or further develop a community foodgrowing project in their area.

School works boost 7:2 ORFDO VFKRROV ZLOO EHQHÂżW IURP WKH *RYHUQPHQWÂśV (PHUJHQF\ :RUNV 6FKHPH Funding will be provided for a special needs project at Scoil Bhride in Ballyragget. Emergency funds have also been put in place to pay for structural improvements at Duiske &ROOHJH LQ *UDLJXHQDPDQDJK

kilkennytoday December 6, 2018

Abbey Quarter gets extra â‚Ź4.7m funding THE regeneration of the .LONHQQ\ÂśV $EEH\ 4XDUWHU LQ the heart of the city-centre was given a major boost after the project received almost â‚Ź5 million in extra funding. Minister and Kilkenny TD -RKQ 3DXO 3KHODQ FRQÂżUPHG WKH â‚Ź4.764,000 million funding as SDUW RI WKH *RYHUQPHQWÂśV 3URMHFW 2040 National Development )XQG 7KH UHYDPS RI WKH $EEH\ 4XDUWHU ZLOO WUDQVIRUP WKH IRUmer brewery site. Minister Phelan said: “The funding is now in place for this transformative site right in the heart of our medieval city. “This critical city-centre site is .LONHQQ\ÂśV IXWXUH ,W ZLOO KRXVH families. It will include city centre parks and leisure space that will open onto the River Nore. It will be a hive of industry, of innovation, of culture and of HGXFDWLRQ $QG LW ZLOO EUHDWKH OLIH LQWR RXU FLW\ RXWVLGH RI RŕľśFH hours.

“People have talked about this site for long enough. Now we have action, we have the funds. Our ambitions to be a world OHDGHU LQ WK OHYHO ,&7 DQG DJricultural research can and will be realised on this site. Today is a landmark day for Kilkenny and the kick-start this project needs,â€? Minister Phelan added. .LONHQQ\ &RXQW\ &RXQFLO RULJLnally approved the masterplan IRU WKH $EEH\ &UHDWLYH 4XDUWHU back in July 2015. The extra Governing funding will enable construction to EHJLQ LQ WKH ÂżUVW WKUHH PRQWKV of next year. This will include infrastructural works at the Brewhouse, on Horse Barrack Lane, the Linear Park, the Mayfair Public Realm and the &XOWXUDO +XE Enabling project works, which include lots of street paving, will continue in tandem. 7KH &DWKDRLUOHDFK RI .LONHQQ\ &RXQW\ &RXQFLO &OOU

(DPRQ $\OZDUG ZHOFRPHG the announcement of extra Government funding. &OOU $\OZDUG VDLG ³:LWK 3KDVH 1 of the development, the redevelopment of the Brewhouse and the associated public realm areas, expected to commence LQ 4XDUWHU RI WKLV LV D VLJQL¿FDQW ERRVW ,W LV JUHDW WR see the years of planning being rewarded.�

7KH $EEH\ 4XDUWHU ZLOO EH a mixed-use development comprising commercial, retail, educational and residential uses, DORQJ ZLWK VLJQLÂżFDQW DUHDV of public realm, including a riverside park and a two and half acre urban park around St )UDQFLV $EEH\ 7KHVH SURMHFWV will be delivered in keeping with the Masterplan and Design Guidelines, previously

Sheepdog and lambs ‘hijacked’

A SHEEPDOG who was in a Jeep that was stolen along with a trailer-full of lambs RXWVLGH D ÂżOOLQJ VWDWLRQ ZDV eventually found safe in the Clogh area of county Kilkenny. The incident occurred just moments after farmer James .HDO\ VWRSSHG DW D ÂżOOLQJ station in Graiguecullen, Carlow at 4pm on November 23. When he came outside he discovered someone KDG PDGH Rŕľľ ZLWK KLV 2009-registered Ford Ranger Wildtrack and trailer, along

with his beloved sheepdog Jess and 60 lambs. After a public appeal, gardai later FRQÂżUPHG -HVV DQG PRVW RI the lambs were found safe and well. Mr Kealy (51), from Stradbally, Co Laois, said he was paying for diesel at the station when his vehicle and animals were stolen. “The sheepdog was in the jeep, she’s eight or nine years old. “ At this stage I’d probably miss the dog more than I’d miss the sheep.â€?

DGRSWHG E\ WKH &RXQFLO 7KH announcement includes funding IRU 3KDVH RI WKH $EEH\ 4XDUWHU SXEOLF UHDOP ZRUNV including the riverside park and skateboard park. The funding will also complete the public realm along the Medieval Mile down to St &DQLFHÂśV 3ODFH LQ ,ULVKWRZQ DQG OLQN URXWHV LQWR WKH $EEH\ 4XDUWHU 7KH ZRUN LV GHVLJQHG to bring tourists along the Medieval Mile and, in time, will help to bring unused properties back into economic use and regenerate the area. .LONHQQ\ &RXQW\ &RXQFLO &KLHI ([HFXWLYH &ROHWWH %\UQH VDLG “The announcement is a national endorsement of the project, which is to be welcomed and is timely, as we are ready to go to tender in the next couple of weeks for a contractor to deliver the redevelopment of the Brewhouse and the public realm areas surrounding it.â€?

Hurlers are now a protected species: John Paul HURLING is akin to a religion in Kilkenny, and now the sport has been given a coveted world status thanks to a decade-long campaign that begun locally. Minister and self-confessed hurling fanatic John Paul Phelan has expressed his delight that a mission he began almost 10 \HDUV DJR KDV ÂżQDOO\ ERUQH IUXLW The Kilkeny TD wrote to the United Nations Educational, 6FLHQWLÂżF DQG &XOWXUDO 2UJDQL]DWLRQ 81(6&2 LQ the immediate aftermath of his unsuccessful European Election campaign in 1999 and suggested the national games included on its coveted list of intangible cultural heritage. Last week the Government FRQÂżUPHG WKDW KXUOLQJ KDV EHHQ LQFOXGHG LQ 81(6&2ÂśV OLVW RI protected cultural activities. Hurling and camogie join other FXOWXUDO JHPV VXFK DV %UD]LOÂśV 6DPED %HOJLXPÂśV &DUQLYDO of Binche and the Sardinian Pastoral Songs of Italy on the 81(6&2 KHULWDJH KRW OLVW

kilkennytoday December 6, 2018

|09

10 |

kilkennytoday December 6, 2018

opinion&comment

Lucky to avoid Euro death group

T

he recent Euro 2020 draw saw the Republic of Ireland eventually land in a favourable group after a momentary scare. Initially we looked like we were being put into the ‘group of death’ with Germany and Holland but the draw rule that no more than two of the 12 host nations could be in the same pot saved us and we landed in the next group, alongside Switzerland, Denmark, Georgia and Gibraltar (and consigned Northern Ireland to the ‘group of death’). That’s not to say that our group will be easy. Switzerland are number eight in the FIFA Rankings, and Denmark are also in the top 10. While we have reason to groan at facing Denmark again, after playing them so often recently, the plus side is that we know what we have to do to stop them playing and get something from those games. Second place in the group is achievable. No disrespect to Gibraltar but that

Caroline Morton, Ger Kavanagh, Christina and Darren Morton, Annette Walsh and Keith Morton at Abbaesque’s concert, Springhill Court Hotel. Image by Rue Photography should be six points in the bank without breaking a sweat. Georgia might see us have to break a sweat but again anything less than another six

points would see us undeserving RI D TXDOLÂżFDWLRQ SODFH We will need to punch above our weight and play our hearts out against Switzerland and

Denmark. Mick McCarthy is the man to get the players up for these type of games. He’ll have their heads right for the occasion and will ensure they

leave nothing on the pitch. The Danes and the Swiss will know they have been in a game after these occasions. We were always going to be

the third-best team in our group and were always going to be up against it. This isn’t McCarthy’s fault – it’s the legacy himself and Terry Connor have been left with courtesy of the decay and decline under Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane. The games will come thick and fast between March and November next year and there will be no time for experimentation. Mick and Terry will need to look at the players and potential players (both in England and domestically) and decide who they are going with and what kind of system they will play. Then they need to trust their judgement and hope for the best. There remains the potential safety net of a Nations League SOD\ R྾ EXW WKLV LVQœW JXDUDQWHHG and given how poorly we did in that competition it would be a bit of mockery of the system LI ZH XOWLPDWHO\ TXDOL¿HG WKDW way. Of course, if it comes to that we will take it but it would be much more preferable to safely negotiate the Euro 2020 group. - Brian Quigley

kilkennytoday December 6, 2018

|11

12 |

kilkennytoday December 6, 2018

kilkennyinpictures

Pasquinna Sida, Vicky Samuel, Veronica Akello and Ester Achan at Festival of Cultures, a celebration of the diverse cultures living in Co. Kilkenny, hosted by Kilkenny LEADER Partnership, Millennium Court Community Centre. Image by Rue Photography

Yvonne and Romiy Moriaty, Liz Cleere and Ying Lui at Abbaesque’s concert, Springhill Court Hotel. Image by Rue Photography

Florence Abalo, Angela Loku and Margaret Stephens at Festival of Cultures. Image by Rue Photography

Aylin Sahin, James Meeke, Vincent Fahey, Ina Bremenkamp (UCC Swing Theory) who lifted the Mixed Plate trophy, with event coordinator Benny O’Regan at the first ever Kilkenny Spartans Inaugural Christmas Volleyball Tournament, The Watershed. Image by Rue Photography

kilkennytoday December 6, 2018

| 13

14 |

kilkennytoday December 6, 2018

WILDLIFE with Justin Ivory

BOOK of the week

Killer Dolphin Alert

Orca or Killer Whale (picture from wikicommons) APOLOGIES for the sensational, tabloid, click-bait style headline but it got your attention though! As I write this the wildlife story of the week has to be the sighting of two killer dolphins off North County Dublin! Of course I am referring to killer whales (Orcinus orca) or in Irish Crain Dhubh which are the largest member of the dolphin family. The sighting of the pair of killer whales by trawlerman James Mac Cluskey and his crew took place over a two hour period 6 miles east of Rockabill on the afternoon of Saturday 17th November. The animals were so close to the boat at times the crew were able to capture decent video footage of them on their phones. James believes that one of them was an individual known as John Coe (W01). John Coe is part of the Scottish West Coast Community group from the Hebrides. Animals from this group are recorded in Irish Waters most years. Given that James indicated in his report to the IWDG (Irish Whale and Dolphin Group) that he believed the killer whales he observed were actively hunting either seals or harbour porpoise this would strongly suggest that they belong to the Scottish group. Killer whales in the North Atlantic come in two forms or ‘ecotypes’. One ecotype preys predominantly on fish and the other ecotype prey exclusively on other marine mammals such as seals, porpoises, dolphins and whales. The Scottish pod is of the second ecotype. Killer Whale sightings in Irish waters are not that unusual with 216 validated sightings in the last 25 years and certainly there is plenty of killer whale activity in our waters that goes undetected. This current sighting is the second in three weeks from Dublin with a sighting of a pair of killer whales 22 miles east of Skerries by fisherman Rory Wilde on the 30th October.

TV SHOW of the week

FILM of the week

HOROSCOPES

THE ICE MONSTER by David Walliams

DEATH & NIGHTINGALES BBC 2, Wednesday November 28 , 9pm

ROBIN HOOD ROI rating: 12 A

David Walliams fans, are you ready for an absolute MAMMOTH of an adventure? In just a few weeks David is releasing his biggest and most epic adventure yet! When Elsie, an orphan on the streets of Victorian London, hears about the mysterious Ice Monster – a woolly mammoth found at the North Pole – she’s determined to discover more… A chance encounter brings Elsie face to face with the creature, and sparks the adventure of a lifetime – from London to the heart of the Arctic! Heroes come in all shapes and sizes in David Walliams’ biggest and most epic adventure yet!

Based on Eugene McCabe’s modern Irish classic, Death and Nightingales is a riveting story of love, betrayal, deception and revenge, set in the beautiful haunting countryside of Fermanagh in 1885 when all of the country is an undivided province of the British Empire. A haunting tale of love and deception, it is a place where neighbours observe each other and inform; a world of spies, confessions and double dealing; where a pervading sense of beauty is shot through with menace and impending doom.

Action-adventure film directed by Otto Bathurst, based on the tale of Robin Hood, it follows his training by John to steal from the Sheriff of Nottingham. Robin of Loxley / Robin Hood, a war-hardened Crusader and his Moorish commander mount an audacious revolt against the corrupt English crown in a thrilling action-adventure packed with gritty battlefield exploits, mind-blowing fight choreography, and a timeless romance. Taron Egerton stars as Robin Hood alongside Jamie Foxx as Little John, Eve Hewson as Maid Marian, Jamie Dornan as Will Scarlet, and Ben Mendelsohn as the Sheriff of Nottingham.

TRIP of the week

EXPERIENCE of the week CONCERT of the week

ARIES - This week is a 7 Explore, investigate and learn this month. The Full Moon also initiates a new phase in communications, and intellectual discovery. TAURUS - This week is a 9 Lucrative collaborations arise with the Sun in Sagittarius. Work together for shared goals. Track cash ÀRZ GEMINI- This week is an 8 3DUWQHUVKLS ÀRZHUV XQGHU the Sagittarius Sun. This Full Moon in your sign illuminates new personal growth. CANCER- This week is a 6 Nurture your health, energy and work. This Full Moon shines on a spiritual fork in the road. Ritual and symbolism provide peace. LEO- This week is a 7 Romance and fun are favored this month, with the Sun in Sagittarius. A new social phase as friends come and go.

THE KILKENNY WAY Lanigan’s Bar & Restaurant 28/29 Rose Inn Street Kilkenny. T : 056 7721718

SMITHWICK’S EXPERIENCE KILKENNY Saint Francis Abbey Brewery 44 Parliament Street, Kilkenny . T : 056 778 6377

A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS Watergate Theatre Kilkenny. T : 056-7761674 Wednesday, December 5th

Take a 2 hour trip down the ancient Irish Sporting heritage of Hurling. We provide a unique sporting experience giving you an insight into the worlds Oldest (3000 yrs) and fastest field game in the true Home Of Hurling Champions - Kilkenny. Join us for two Hours of Hurling fun in the Home of the Famous Kilkenny Cats. Tours Daily 2pm Monday Friday, 12pm Saturday & Sundays Experience the pride, passion, glory and the intensity of Hurling - The Kilkenny Way

Located in the heart of Kilkenny, Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny is a multi-sensory experience that immerses you in the history of Ireland’s oldest ale. Get a flavour for how our famous ale has been crafted over generations and finish with a cool refreshing pint in the comfort of our Smithwick’s Experience Bar. Audio guides also available in French, German, Spanish and Italian. Watch holograms of Franciscan monks brewing their tasty beers and gain insight into the Smithwick family name.

Back by popular demand is ‘A Country Christmas’ at the Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny. Get your dancing shoes on for what promises to be one the Fesive Season’s highlights. Sing along and trip the light fantastic with Ireland’s top country entertainers: Philomena Begley, Paddy O’Brien, Trudi Lalor, TR Dallas, PJ Murihy, Marc Roberts and the Ryan Turner Band. Book your tickets now at just €25 to avoid disappointment as this is going to be a real Christmas Cracker.

GIG of the week

ACTIVITY of the week

RUN of the week

VIRGO- This week is a 7 Domestic renovation VDWLV¿HV ([HFW D FDUHHU shift toward current passions. Finish projects before beginning a new professional phase. LIBRA- This week is a 7 Experiment with new concepts. Travel reveals new perspectives. Take notes. &RPPXQLFDWLRQ ÀRZV ZLWK ease this month. SCORPIO- This week is an 8 Your income rises this month. Shift directions with VKDUHG ¿QDQFHV RYHU WZR weeks. Work things out together. SAGITTARIUS- This week is an 8 Reach a turning point in

a partnership. Compromise and collaborate for shared commitments. You’re strong and growing stronger.

MEDIEVAL MILE RUN www.yulefestkilkenny.ie 7.30pm, Friday 7th December,

LITTLE GREEN CARS 71 John Street Lower Kilkenny T : 056 776 5133

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMES Butler Gallery, The Castle, Kilkenny. T : 056 776 1106 info@butlergallery.com

Yulefest Kilkenny Christmas festival has a wide range of experiences for everyone. Get your Christmas up and running with one of our active events; the Medieval Mile Run. Runners, joggers, walkers and hand cyclists of all ages and abilities are invited to complete Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile under magical Christmas lights, with fire performance artists at the finish line! Sponsored by UPMC and organised by Kilkenny Recreation & Sports Partnership, all proceeds go to Cois Nore Cancer Support Centre. Cost: €10 timed

Little Green Cars were formed in Dublin in 2008. They are Stevie Appleby on guitar and vocals, Faye O’Rourke on vocals, Adam O’Regan on guitar, Donagh Seaver O’Leary on bass and Dylan Lynch on drums. Since signing with Glassnote Music, the band has enjoyed success in America and the UK including a performance of their single Harper Lee’ on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. They also played at the SXSW music festival in Austin, Texas, the Coachella music festival in California and Lollapalooza in Chicago.

Naughty or nice we’ve got lots to keep children happy this Christmas. Suitable for children aged 5-12 years, activities will begin with a visit to The Augury, where children will be encouraged to share their thoughts, ideas and opinions about selected works on view. Then they will have the opportunity to make their own work. Facilitated by professional artists, these activities encourage children to express their opinions, learn about art and use a variety of interesting and exciting materials to create their own art works.

CAPRICORN- This week is a 6 Prioritize rest, planning and organization. Switch up your physical health and ¿WQHVV URXWLQHV $UH \RX having enough fun? AQUARIUS-This week is a 7 Enjoy socializing and teamwork. Change directions with a romance, passion or creative endeavor. Shift perspectives. PISCES- This week is an 8 Domestic changes require adaptation. Support your household through this new phase. The Sun in Sagittarius shines on your rising career.

| 15

kilkennytoday December 6, 2018

Assembly Available

Free Parking - Behing The Store

Free Next Day Delivery*

SALE NOW ON

ORDER YOUR NEW SUITE TODAY FOR PRE CHRISTMAS DELIVERY

Worchester

Paige

Padstow

OSCAR

Ashford

Torquay

Owen Parnell

Street Kilkenny Q

6WLUPUN /V\YZ! 4VU [V :H[ HT WT :\U )HUR /VSPKH`Z WT WT 3VJH[PVU! 7HYULSS :[YLL[ 2PSRLUU` ,PYJVKL 9 @ ,! OLSSV'SV^Y`ZTVKLYUSP]PUN PL >OPSL :[VJRZ 3HZ[

Eton

*HSS <Z ;VKH`!

16 |

kilkennytoday December 6, 2018

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.