Kilkenny Today 08 03 2018

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kilkennytoday March 08, 2018

kilkennytoday DELIVERED DOOR-TO-DOOR TO HOMES

INSIDE: FREE

May 28,8,2015, 901 5556/7, March 2018t:t:01 056 781 7070 e: info@wicklowvoice.ie e: kilkennytoday@carlowpeople.ie

IN THE CITY AREA

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Firms feel real cost of Beast from East

By Jake Maxwell

SMALL businesses in Kilkenny are counting the cost of Storm Emma and the Beast from the East in terms of lost business and possible damage.

One industry expert puts the cost at half a billion euro across the country, while another claims that almost €50m worth of revenue is estimated to have been lost in the restaurant sector

alone, countrywide, due to the disruption caused by the bad weather.

Business bodies say their members were well prepared for the storm, but nonetheless insisted that retail, hospitality, transportation and manufacturing sectors are worried about the loss of revenue.

Chief Executive of Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce, John

Hurley said that health and safety concerns had to be at the fore.

“There is no merit in any worker becoming ‘a hero in a hospital’ after this event has passed,” he said. ³%XVLQHVV ZLOO VX൵HU ORVW work hours and incur increased costs as they secure property in advance of the impending adverse weather and there may be further repair costs to be

borne after the event if actual damage is incurred.”

One industry expert claims that small businesses throughout Kilkenny and the rest of the country lost an estimated half a billion euro as the country ground to a standstill during Storm Emma - a cost that could have been reduced if adequate broadband was in place to allow VWD൵ WR ZRUN IURP KRPH Continued on Page 8

Eimear Walsh and Claire Curtin at James Stephens GAA’s LypSync Battles, Lyrath Estate Hotel. Image by Rue Photography. More pix inside

04| news in brief ₏6m road budget for North Kilkenny NORT|H Kilkenny is line to receive over ₏6million funding under the Castlecomer Municipal District Roadwork’s 6FKHPH IRU The allocation will allow for essential road restoration improvement, road maintenance, special works and drainage across north Kilkenny, and will include over ₏2m being spent on the N78 between Castlecomer and &UHWW\DUG Ÿ P IRU UHVWRUDWLRQ improvement; ₏538,000 for restoration and maintenance, a further ₏140,000 for signage DQG Ÿ IRU GUDLQDJH A sum of ₏180,000 has been allocated for discretionary maintenance, while ₏512,000 is to be spent on special works in the areafrom Goresbridge to Urlingford, and Urlingford to .LOPDQDJK $ IXUWKHU Ÿ has been allocated for new public lighting in Clogh and ₏9,000 for the provision of extra SXEOLF OLJKWLQJ LQ .LOPDQDJK

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kilkennytoday March 08, 2018

Mum-of-twoVicky needs help in her fight for life

By Jake Maxwell MOONCOIN mum-of-two Vicky Phelan is looking for your help to allow her access experimental treatment in the USA that could save her life.

Vicky (43), who now lives in Annacotty, Limerick, has been given 12 months to live by oncologists. Undeterred by the prognosis, the Kilkenny native has set up a GOFundMe page to raise â‚Ź100,000 to access a clinical trial in Maryland USA and meet the associated costs.

Vicky is well on the way to reaching her target, with over â‚Ź70k raised so fair. She says she is stunned by the response and by news that her native village of Mooncoin is pulling out all the stops to help, by organising a Midnight Walk in the village on April6 to raise funds for Vicky. A Lip Sync battle and a shave/dye fundraiser are also being planned.

Vicky has researched clinical trials and alternative treatments for her cancer and is hopeful of securing a place for herself on a clinical trial in Maryland, which only takes one patient per month.

Cancer battle: Mooncoin native VIcky Phelan Diagnosed with cervical cancer in July 2014, Vicky underwent an aggressive regime of radiation and chemotherapy over a ÂżYH ZHHN SHULRG 6KH ZDV cancer-free for almost three years until a routine scan last November showed a large mass of lymph nodes attached to Vicky’s aorta which is inoperable. Because she had already received the maximum dose of radiation, she cannot have more. “This trial is my best chance of surviving,â€? says Vicky. “I have fantastic family and friends who are doing everything within their power

to help me out but we cannot do this alone. Neither I nor my family have enough funds to cover my treatment abroad which will probably run into hundreds of thousands. “I am pleading with everyone to please donate whatever you can even it’s RQO\ Âź WR JLYH PH D ÂżJKWLQJ chance to watch my children grow up and enjoy the simple things in life that we all take for granted until we are faced with not being around to enjoy the little things,â€? she adds.

To donate to Vicky’s GoFundMe page, visit https://www.gofundme.com/ savevickyphelan

We’re No.11 in county ‘rich list’, says CSO

By Jake Maxwell KILKENNY is the eleventh richest area in Ireland, according to the annual ‘County Incomes’ report from the Central Statistics 2ŕľśFH The national average disposDEOH LQFRPH ÂżJXUH IRU which is calculated by taking all the income sources and excluding all the taxes, is Âź Kilkenny has an average disposable income of â‚Ź19,227 which puts it eleventh on a table of 28 regions due to Tipperary EHLQJ VSOLW LQWR QRUWK DQG VRXWK 7KH ÂżJXUH PHDQV WKDW WKH monthly disposable income for people in Kilkenny is on average of just over â‚Ź1,600 per month - a sizable 340 less than is available to those living in the FDSLWDO Dubliners have the most disposable income of any people across the country, with an average per person of â‚Ź23,298, or MXVW RYHU Âź SHU PRQWK 7KH ÂżJXUHV GR QRW LQFOXGH UHQW mortgage or other obligations a SHUVRQ PD\ KDYH

Dangerous lane leads to demands for merging of schools

By Jake Maxwell A CALL has been made for the amalgamation of two Kilkenny schools after it was claimed that they had ‘outgrown’ their area, leading to a risk to children’s OLYHV GXH WR KHDY\ WUDŕľśF Councillor Malcolm Noonan said that St Patrick’s De la Salle National School and St John of God National School (which are both adjacent to Cootes Lane), which have a total student body of 760 pupils, should merge into RQH VFKRRO Councillor David Fitzgerald DJUHHG VD\LQJ WKDW WKH WUDŕľśF levels surrounding the school had never been envisaged and that an amalgamation of the schools would remove the need IRU VFKRRO WUDŕľśF WR WUDYHO XS Cootes Lane – a practice that is currently putting children’s lives DW ULVN The calls come as county engi-

neer Simon Walton described a ‘chaotic disregard’ for the rules of the road in the vicinity of the two Kilkenny schools which FRXOG OHDG WR D IDWDOLW\ Parents were using the lane to drop children at school and were showing disregard to good drivLQJ SUDFWLFH Mr Walton was speaking at a meeting of Kilkenny City Municipal District at which bad driving practices along Cootes /DQH ZHUH UDLVHG He said that the movement patterns of the 760 pupils travelling to and from school will be assessed and parties from both the schools and the council would look at solutions ranging, from ZDONLQJ WUDLQV WR F\FOLQJ Councillor Patrick McKee said the narrow lane is not suitable for public access for parents to drop children at school and called for the practice to stop before a child LV NQRFNHG GRZQ

Hurling hero Eddie gets his Freedom...

By Jake Maxwell CONGRATULATIONS to hurling hero Eddie Keher who was granted the Freedom of Kilkenny City in front of over 100 family, friends and colleagues at Kilkenny Castle UHFHQWO\ Speaking at the ceremony, Eddie (inset) said: “I’m so proud of our city and county, which makes this honour really exWUD VSHFLDO IRU PH ´ The hurling legend from Rower-Inistioge, has a raft of hurling honours to his name, including winning six All-Ireland medals, 10 Leinster hurling medals, three National League WLWOHV ÂżYH $OO 6WDU DZDUGV DQG QLQH 5DLOZD\ &XS PHGDOV

Speaking at the ceremony, Lord Mayor Michael Doyle said: Eddie Keher is a remarkable man that has given a great deal WR .LONHQQ\ RQ DQG R྾ WKH ¿HOG ´ VDLG /RUG Mayor Michael Doyle, who pointed out that Eddie (76) had scored a total of 35 goals and 336 points, with an overall scoring tally of 211 goals and 1,426 points with Kilkenny and was the leadLQJ VFRUHU IURP WR ´ Eddie also jointly coached Kilkenny to win the 1979 All,UHODQG ¿QDO DQG KDV FRDFKHG QXPHURXV WHDPV RYHU WKH \HDUV 7KHUH FRXOG EH QR PRUH ¿WWLQJ recipient of the City’s freedom than the remarkable and inspirLQJ (GGLH .HKHU

kilkennytoday March 08, 2018

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kilkennytoday March 08, 2018

kilkennytoday March 08, 2018

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08| news in brief Ladies’ Night Out for Women’s Day THE women of Kilkenny will get their ‘gladrags’ and hit the town tonight at a special event to celebrate International Women’s Day. The ‘Night Out for Ladies’ is being held in Pegasus in the Kildford Arms Hotel and NLFNV Rŕľľ DW SP ZLWK D JODVV RI Prosecco on arrival, canapes, RSHQ EDU '- DQG D UDྡH IWD promotes women’s rights and celebrates women’s achievements in cultural, HFRQRPLF VFLHQWLÂżF DQG SROLWLFDO ÂżHOGV .

Time to recognise ‘historic’ Irishtown IRISHTOWN should have its signage and shop front made bilingual, according to the Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council.

David Fitzgerald says it’s time we recognised the unique place of Irishtown “in our history and in our city�.

Speaking on KCLRfm, he said the area, located close to St Canice’s Cathedral, and which wss once outside the old city walls, is known to have held a large native Irish population.

Mr Fitzgerald siad it deserves VSHFLÂżF UHFRJQLWLRQ DIWHU EHLQJ neglected for so long.

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kilkennytoday March 08, 2018

Paramedics brave snow storm in a classic tale of beauty and the Beast

By Jake Maxwell THE Beast from the East will stay long in our memories but it will be a time never to forget for one Kilkenny woman who had to have her baby born by the side of the road during the height of the bad weather.

The ambulance the mum-tobe was travelling in became stuck in snow, leaving the two paramedics inside no option but to deliver a healthy baby girl on the roadside.

The drama unfolded last Wednesday morning when the ambulance crew based, in Carlow town, received an emergency call to bring a woman who had gone into labour to St Luke’s hospital.

Advanced paramedic Martin Gorry and his paramedic colleague Derry O’Toole, tried to reach the woman’s apartment, situated on a hill in the Weir’s apartment complex in

Special Delivery: Paramedics Martin Gorry and Derry O’Toole Graiguecullen.

However, despite several attempts to reach the woman, the ambulance became “bogged downâ€? in the snow and ice. The paramedics, were eventually, IRUFHG WR FDOO ÂżUH VHUYLFHV LQ Carlow to help get them out of the snow.

Fire services raced to the scene DQG LW WRRN XS WR ÂżUH RŕľśFHUV around an hour, to release the

ambulance from the snow. The woman, who is from Nigeria and already a mum of three, was comforted by the paramedics as her contractions continued durLQJ WKH KRXU LW WRRN WKH ÂżUH FUHZ to arrive and free the vehicle.

However, once it was free, the icy conditions made driving YHU\ GLŕľśFXOW DQG WKH DPEXODQFH KDG WR SXOO LQ DERXW ÂżYH NLORPHtres from Kilkenny city, close to

WKH ÂżYH VWDU /\UDWK +RWHO “We did our best to get the lady to the hospital in time but driving conditions were so bad.

The closer we edged our way to Kilkenny it was obvious the lady’s baby was arriving faster than we could make it to St Luke’s,� said Mr Gorry. “We knew that time was of the essence because her contractions were quite close together.

We were working with the lady to keep her calm and controlled.

The paramedics, who were concerned about the length of time it was taking to reach the hospital, decided to stop the ambulance and deliver the baby there and then.

The paramedics then managed to get mum and baby, a beautiful little girl who has been called Caoimhe, to St Luke’s, where they were cared for.

Martin and Derry were delighted that everything worked out in the end.

Students put junk on the catwalk...

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By Jake Maxwell KILKENNY students have been dressing to impress lately and have managed to secures spots in the regional ÂżQDOV RI -XQN .RXWXUH WKH competition which challenges youngsters to design a dress RXW RI HYHU\GD\ UXEELVK \RX PLJKW ÂżQG LQ D ELQ The aim is to inspire FUHDWLYLW\ LQ \RXQJ SHRSOH DQG MXGJLQJ E\ VRPH RI WKH HQWULHV WKHUHÂśV SOHQW\ RI WKDW JRLQJ DURXQG 5HJLRQDO ÂżQDOV WDNH SODFH LQ /LPHULFN WRPRUURZ $PRQJ WKH UHJLRQDO ÂżQDOLVWV are Castlecomer Community School Transition Year VWXGHQWV 0ROO\ &RRJDQ MĂŠadbh Walsh and Emma %UDQQLJDQ IRU WKHLU GHVLJQ Âľ$HOOD &U\VWDOOLVÂś Âľ:KLUOZLQG RI &U\VWDOVÂś ZKLFK LV PDGH RI SODVWLF ZDWHU ERWWOHV DQG

VZHHW ER[HV 7KH SXSLO VD\ WKH dress represents the strength DQG SRZHU RI ZRPHQ 0HDQZKLOH .LONHQQ\ &LW\ 9RFDWLRQDO 6FKRROÂśV HQWU\ Âľ3ODVWLVHDÂś KLJKOLJKWV WKH GDQJHU RI SODVWLF LQ RXU VHDV while Presentation Secondary School have two entries Âľ7LH WKH .QRWÂś DQG Âľ:DYH RI +RSHÂś The latter was designed by students Lena Parcell DQG (PPD 0RO\HQDX[ DQG LV PDGH RXW RI ZHW VXLWV WR KLJKOLJKW WKH LVVXH RI UHIXJHHV Âľ7LH WKH .QRWÂś ZKLFK LV DERXW PDUULDJH ZDV PDGH E\ 0HJDQ +RXJK DQG 5RVH &RWWHU 7KH RQOLQH YRWH PDNHV XS RI WKH UHJLRQDO ÂżQDO VFRUH 7R YRWH JR WR WKH ÂľYRWH QRZÂś VHFWLRQ RI ZZZ MXQNNRXWXUH FRP 7KH .LONHQQ\ GUHVVHV DUH LQ WKH Âľ6RXWKÂś UHJLRQ

Irish Water still working on supply at Ballyragget ISSUES surrounding the restriction of the water supply to Ballyragget have still not been resolved but Irish Water have assured that a plan will soon be implemented to sort out the ongoing problem.

Due to the detection last month of higher level of nitrates in the supply, the HSE advised that babies under six months of age should not drink the water from the supply.

Since the restriction came into HŕľľHFW ,ULVK :DWHU KDV ZRUNHG with the Council to install a process to treat the nitrates at the Ballyragget reservoir.

The work is expected to take four weeks to complete, followed by a further three weeks of monitoring - done in conjunction with the HSE - to ensure the process has been a success. “We now have a plan in place to address this issue, with a timeline of four weeks to implement,� said Neil Smyth, Water Operations Lead with Irish Water.

Bottled water will continue to be provided to any families who need it. To arrange delivery, IDPLOLHV FDQ FDOO

Households to benefit from energy scheme AS HOUSHOLDS get back to normal after the Storm Emma and the Beast from the East, home-owners across Kilkenny city and county with houses built in the ’60s or ’70s, or who DUH VWUXJJOLQJ WR KHDW LQHྜFLHQW more modern homes, are being urged to group together and DSSO\ IRU D QHZ UHWUR¿W VFKHPH ZKLFK R྾HUV EHWZHHQ DQG RI JUDQW DLG The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) scheme is only open to householders, local authorities RU DJHQFLHV ZKR JURXS ¿YH RU more homes together and make a joint application. They can be part of housing associations or local authority schemes or neighbours, family or friends who own their own homes.

The application deadlines are June 6, 2018 for group ZRUNV RYHU Âź RU -XO\ 27 for group works under that threshold.

While qualifying householders will be able to recoup half the cost of works in three, stage SD\PHQWV WKRVH FODVVLÂżHG DV ‘fuel poor’ may qualify for JUDQW DLG 7KH FRVW RI GHHS UHWURÂżWWLQJ D W\SLFDO KRPH generally ranges from â‚Ź30,000 to â‚Ź40,000.

kilkennytoday March 08, 2018

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kilkennytoday March 08, 2018

opinion&comment

‘Snow’ surrender to the Beast!

M

a n y column inches have been written about the snow from before, during and after the arrival of ‘’the Beast from the East’’ but I’ll add another few anyway.

Sure what else would there be to write about in the week that’s in it!

To say we have just been through one of the most bizarre weeks of our recent history is an understatement. It certainly reminded me of 1982, a snowfall I remember vividly, having been 13 at the time. It dwarfed 2010, which was the only reference point my own children had.

I think as a country we planned for, reacted to and dealt with everything the week threw at us quite well. Obviously there are things that could have been done better, but in general the situation was managed well, ZLWK SHRSOH JLYHQ VX൶FLHQW information, warnings and advice to get them through

Brian Quigley a chain of events that we are unused to here.

The reporting and coverage of the extreme weather was spot on and the print and broadcast media are to be commended for balancing the danger and seriousness of the situation with the novelty it presented us with.

On one level snow is a pleasant diversion that we rarely see here, especially in the urban areas of the east coast, but on the other hand such hazardous weather inevitably results in cases of hardship and tragedy.

If you are to believe what the experts tell us about global warming, and I’m one of the believers, then the collapse of the polar vortex is going to lead

The whole crew of James Stephens GAA’s LypSync Battles, Lyrath Estate Hotel. Image by Rue Photography to us potentially having events like this every other year, rather than once every few decades.

That being the case, then we need to invest in preparing ourselves for dealing with these situations better.

We need to be able to quickly get and keep our roads cleared so that at the very least public transport can continue to operate, allowing people get to

work and keep business ticking RYHU 7KH ¿QDQFLDO ORVVHV WKDW occurred this week due to closures are not sustainable. If the weather is going to deliver a situation like this every year then we need to be able to work through them.

Obviously people shouldn’t be put in danger, but if it’s a case of dealing with a heavy snowfall then we should look at what

other countries do, countries that don’t shut down when hit with much heavier snowfall and lower temperatures than what we saw this week. The economics of everything shutting down should mean that we look to invest in keeping everything up and running.

The Emergency Services are to be commended for their H൵RUWV WKLV ZHHN 7KHLU H൵RUWV

were seen by everybody and impressed everybody. Let’s not forget that they are providing WKLV NLQG RI H൵RUW DOO \HDU URXQG In particular, those working with the homeless really stood out. If anybody hasn’t had their eyes opened to the plight of the homeless then I’d ask them to try to imagine how on earth they think anyone can survive in the freezing temperatures we have had this week, or why anyone should have to be on the street at all in a supposedly modern, ¿UVW ZRUOG HFRQRP\ The week had its lighter moments. The whole thing about the bread was really funny, a classic example of Irish humour. What I found funniest about the week was when I brought my children to the local park [which has a hill] to do some snowboarding.

We came equipped with a few canvas bags which worked well but the array of sliding equipment that passed me by as I stood watching the slipping and sliding included election posters, tea trays, baking trays, bin lids and even a little boy in a frying pan!

kilkennytoday March 08, 2018

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kilkennytoday March 08, 2018

kilkennyinpictures

Sean Walsh, John Richardson, Seamus Dwyer, Peter Butler and Wayne Scanlon performing Tom Jones at James Stephens GAA’s LypSync Battles, Lyrath Estate Hotel. Image by Rue Photography

Margaret and Pat Butler, Bridgid Dooley at James Stephens GAA’s LypSync Battles, Lyrath Estate Hotel.

Image by Rue Photography

Eamonn Tyrell, Gillian Hennessy, Olivia Brennan and Tony Scanlon at James Stephens GAA’s LypSync Battles, Lyrath Estate Hotel. Image by Rue Photography

Shane Walker and Jessica White at Langton House Hotel Wedding Showcase. Image by Rue Photography

Aine Buggy and Shaun Gleason at Langton House Hotel Wedding Showcase. Image by Rue Photography

kilkennytoday March 08, 2018

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14 | news in brief American artist has arm broken in attack GARDAI are checking CCTV IRRWDJH IURP -RKQ 6WUHHW DIWHU D PDQ VX൵HUHG D EURNHQ DUP when he was attacked in the last Sunday morning.

The man, a visiting artist from America who was here for the inaugural Kilkenny Animated festival, was punched and knocked to the ground during the unprovoked assault.

The assault occurred between Langtons and the RiverCourt hotel, at around 2.30am on Sunday.

Anyone with information on the incident should contact Kilkenny Garda station on 056 7775000.

Call for pedestrian crossing at school THERE is urgent need of a controlled pedestrian crossing on the N77 to facilitate pupils from Scoil Bhride, in Ballyragget, to access the school, according to local councillor Maurice Shortall..

Speaking at Castlecomer Municipal District, the councillor pointed out that the safety of the 108 children is paramount and that the installation of a controlled crossing needs to be explored given the heavy volume of WUD൶F

kilkennytoday March 08, 2018

Cartoon Saloon miss Oscar glory for a third time

Local companies get bitten by the Beast from East Continued from front page

Academy Awards: Cartoon Saloon’s The Breadwinner

By Jake Maxwell THE luck of the Irish didn’t hold up at the 90th Academy Awards last Sunday, but we all know that the people at animation studio Cartoon Saloon are real winners anyway.

The studio’s movie, The Breadwinner, a beautifully animated tale of life for a little girl under the Taliban, was pipped for the Best Animated Feature Oscar by Pixar’s Coco, a movie based around the Mexican tradition of the Day of the Dead.

It’s the third time that Cartoon Saloon missed out on an Oscar, but the studio is clearly making waves and becoming a compa-

Q\ RI LQÀXHQFH $QJHOLQD -ROLH ZRUNHG ZLWK WKH .LONHQQ\ ¿UP to produce The Breadwinner.

The company’s recent highly successful Kilkenny Animated event brought the eyes of the DQLPDWLRQ ZRUOG ¿UPO\ RQ RXU county. With their innovative approach to the industry, it can only be a matter of time before Cartoon Saloon achieve an Academy award.

Commiserations also to Carlow actress Saoirse Ronan, who lost out in the Best Actress category to frontrunner Frances McDormand at the awards.

Saoirse also has three Oscar nominations. There’s no doubt that her day will come, too.

Director of the Small Firms Association, Sven SpollenBehrens, estimated the loss to small business at half a billion euro. µ7KH LQVX൶FLHQW EURDGEDQG coverage in Ireland outside of the bigger urban areas means that working from home in situations like this is not a realistic option,’ he said. µ:KLOVW LW LV YHU\ GL൶FXOW DW this stage to say what the exact economic impact of the current weather phenomenon is, the loss of business on top of additional costs is likely to be higher than €500m.

Convenience stores reported strong trade as many shoppers stocked up on essentials, with sales of bread, milk and eggs reported to be strong.

Mr Spollen-Behrens said many of the group’s members in

Snowed In: A Castlewarren local assesses conditions the retail, hospitality, transportation and manufacturing sectors were very concerned about the loss of revenue and the additional pressure this puts on their businesses.

The Restaurant Association

of Ireland claimed that €50m in revenue was lost across the country due to Storm Emma and the Beast from the East.

“The weather disruption will cost about €50m in lost revenue for the restaurant sector in Ireland, with many businesses closing due to Government advice,” Restaurants Association of Ireland chief Adrian Cummins said.

“We will be seeking a meeting with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to highlight the cost to business and its hugely important that the 9pc vat rate is kept for years to come.

Many shopping areas either did not open at all or were forced to close early due to the deteriorating weather conditions around the arrival of Storm Emma. These factors, combined with the cancellation of public transport last week, hit businesses hard.

Getting to grips with dementia A DEMENTIA awareness community meeting is to be held in Graiguenamanagh Library as part of an initiative to create better understanding and awareness about the condition.

The meeting, which is free to attend, will be hosted by 1XUVHV 0DU\ +LFNH\ DQG -RDQ McDonald who both work with people living with dementia at the Kilkenny Memory Clinic based in St Columba’s Hospital, Thomastown.

Approximately 4,000 people, or an average of 11 people every day, develop dementia in Ireland each year, and there are over half a million people who have had a family member with dementia, yet research shows that many of us do not fully understand the condition.

“This meeting is about providing people with a better awareness of dementia, the signs and symptoms, the supports available, and how as a community there are things that we can all do ito make life better for family, friends and neighbours living with dementia, said Nurse HIckey.”

The meeting is on Tuesday March 13 at 7pm.

Some of the Duiske Players cast from Arsenic and Old Lace

Murderous antics in Graigue black comedy

By Jake Maxwell GRAIGUENAMANAGH residents are urged to be on the lookout for a murderous and quite lunatic family in the vicinity this weekend.

Running from tonight until Saturday, the Duiske Players stage the black comedy Arsenic and Old Lace, which revolves around the “well-todo” Brewster family, a bunch of homicidal maniacs.

Spinster sisters Abby & Martha Brewster (Edel Bolger & Stas Bolger) have developed

very bad habits with their homemade, and quite lethal, elderberry wine.

Their nephew Teddy Brewster (Paul Hickey), who believes he is Theodore Roosevelt, also lives with the sisters and assists them in their daily duties and is on hand to help when his brother Johnathan (Peter Prendergast) and his alcoholic accomplice, Dr. Einstein (Pat Kavanagh) come to visit.

Admission is €10 and doors open inAbbey Hall at 7pm.

6HDWLQJ RQ D ¿UVW FRPH EDVLV

kilkennytoday March 08, 2018

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16 | WILDLIFE with Justin Ivory

Emma and the Beast!

Fieldfare – a winter visitor (Pic: Justin Ivory) PHEW! What a wicked and wild start to spring that was as Emma and the Beast from the East came together to embrace and twirl each other across the dancefloor of Europe in a winter waltz of epic proportions. Snow and ice, blizzards and high winds, flooding and freezing temperatures were left in the wake of this whirling dervish duo. Not to be undone the moon and the sea joined forces and sent exceptionally high spring tides our way for good measure!

While for most of us this meant time off work and school and the opportunity to build snowmen, have snowball fights, re-enact the Winter Olympics or sing songs from Frozen, but how did our wildlife fare?

kilkennytoday March 08, 2018

ninenottomiss BOOK of the week

Well many of you reported huge numbers of both our ‘usual’ and some less usual birds foraging in your gardens and hedgerows, their numbers having been boosted dramatically by hundreds of thousands of winter refugees that flooded west from the continent in a vanguard action in advance of the harsh weather hoping to find warmer climes, easier food sources and shelter on our fair isle.

There were unprecedented numbers of birds such as Redwing, Fieldfare, Woodcock and Snipe turning up in our parks and gardens. Starving foxes were encountered and fed by many of you. Please continue to feed the birds and mammals as nature’s larder is pretty bare at this time of year. Even with all your help thousands of birds and mammals have perished during this cold snap.

FILM of the week

HOROSCOPES

ASYMMETRY

By Lisa Halliday

Stetsons and Stilettos RTÉ One, Tuesday 7pm

PACIFIC RIM UPRISING Out on March 23

At Heathrow airport, Amar, an Iraqi-American economist en route to Kurdistan, finds himself detained for the weekend. What draws these characters together, and how do their lives connect?Playful and inventive, tender and humane, Asymmetry is a novel which illuminates the power plays and imbalances of contemporary life - between young and old, West and Middle East, fairness and injustice, talent and luck, and the personal and the political. It introduces a major new literary talent, writing about the world today with astonishing versatility, acuity and daring.

From singing Reverends and truck-driving women, to Nathan Carter obsessed pigs and Ireland’s first country music festival wedding, Stetsons & Stilettos is back for another series looking at the unique world of Irish Country Music. There’s love in the country air as thousands of young singles descend on a festival dedicated to country music and romance. With bad wifi out in the sticks, the best way to meet a partner is face to face on the dance floor, but as some hopefuls find out, if you can’t dance you might have trouble finding a soulmate.

The globe-spanning conflict between otherworldly monsters of mass destruction and the human-piloted super-machines built to vanquish them was only a prelude to the all-out assault on humanity in Pacific Rim Uprising. John Boyega stars as the rebellious Jake Pentecost, a once-promising Jaeger pilot, he has since abandoned his training only to become caught up in a criminal underworld.

But when an even more unstoppable threat is unleashed to tear through our cities and bring the world to its knees, he is given one last chance to live up to his father’s legacy.

LAUGH of the week

VISIT of the week

SIGHTS of the week

ARIES- This week is a 7 Consider priorities, and plan your upcoming action.

Professional advice comes in handy. Attend to shared ÂżQDQFHV RYHU WKH QH[W WZR days.

TAURUS- This week is an 8 &ROODERUDWH ZLWK \RXU SDUWQHU WRGD\ DQG WRPRUURZ Stick to familiar routines.

GEMINI- This week is a 7 Practice your moves before a performance. The possibility of mechanical or technical error is high.

CANCER- This week is a 7 Love blossoms over the QH[W IHZ GD\V (QWHUWDLQLQJ distractions abound; take FDUH RI EXVLQHVV ÂżUVW ([SUHVV \RXU DUWLVWU\ DQG creative ideas.

LEO- This week is a 7 Discuss home renovations RU FKDQJHV ZLWK \RXU IDPLO\ RYHU WKH QH[W IHZ GD\V *R over options. Don’t touch savings. Work up your budget.

CHRIS KENT Friday, March 9, 8pm Set Theatre Tickets â‚Ź15 Cork comedian Chris Kent presents his 5th solo show, Moving On. Returning with his charming and surreal style, Chris has a new perspective on life. Having moved to the UK and recently becoming a dad for the first time, adult life is leaving him more confused than ever... ‘Original hilarious material... Among the best acts I’ve seen’ The Mirror ***** ‘Carefree, comedic bulls-eye’ The Dubliner Magazine ‘ Fresh and original material, extremely endearing performer’ Broadway Baby

A dead Black-tailed Godwit – victim of the Arctic conditions (Pic: Mark Collins)

TV SHOW of the week

FREEBIE of the week

MEDIAEVAL MILE MUSEUM Kilkenny City

NEWPARK FEN AND ECO PARK Behind the Newpark Hotel

Set in the heart of the city and the centre of Ireland Medieval Mile. The setting is the 13th century St Mary’s church with its heritage of medieval style tombs.

Discover stories of power and wealth written and preserved in magnificent stone carvings.

Our High Cross exhibition introduces the High Kings of Ossory and the foundation of the monastery of Kilkenny by St Canice. The displays describe how Kilkenny has the finest stone sculptural tradition in Ireland extending from the Neolithic period of 5,000 years ago to the modern era.

Located approximately 2km north-east of Kilkenny city, and covering an area of 9.7 hectares (23.7 acres), this multi award winning game and bird sanctuary and amenity area is well maintained and offers unique opportunities to view many different species of birds as well as a wide range of fauna. The Marsh has no less than 49 different species of birds identified to date and more than 70 species of plants, trees and shrubs. It includes a bird feeding area, wildlife information boards, a 2km pathway and a wheelchair accessible walkway.

RESTAURANT of the week THRILL of the week

VIRGO- This week is an 8 A creative undercurrent ÀRZV WKURXJK \RXU ZRUN Anticipate resistance.

Present your argument tactfully.

LIBRA- This week is an 8 Focus on moneymaking for D IHZ GD\V 1RW HYHU\WKLQJ goes as planned. Keep H[SHFWDWLRQV UHDOLVWLF DQG VFKHGXOLQJ ÀH[LEOH SCORPIO- This week is a 9 You’re creating a buzz.

(QMR\ D WZR GD\ VHOI FRQ¿GHQW SKDVH (QFRXUDJH another’s enthusiasm. You FDQœW EH WZR SODFHV DW WKH same time.

SAGITTARIUS- This week is a 7

Concentrate on organizing and cleaning today and WRPRUURZ /LVWHQ PRUH WKDQ \RX VSHDN 6RUW ÂżOH DQG discover buried treasure.

Make repairs and handle messes.

KILKENNY CASTLE PARKLAND The Kilkenny Castle Parkland boasts both formal and informal gardens. Set in Kilkenny City, the estate overlooks the Nore River and includes mature trees and shrubs as well as an ornamental lake. All areas are free of charge.

The 12th century castle remodelled in Victorian times and set in extensive parklands which was the principal seat of the Butler family, Marquesses and Dukes of Ormonde.

Tours of the park available by prior booking.

Contact: Colm Mangan, Tel. +353 87 634 9153.

E-mail: colm.mangan@opw.ie

CAMPAGNE RESTAURANT Gashouse Lane www.campagne.ie

KEITH BARRY MAGIC MADHOUSE Saturday, March 10, 8pm The Hub at Cillin Hill Tickets â‚Ź31 (inc booking fee)

The award-winning Campagne Restaurant, under Garret Byrne (above), serves modern French food using only the very best of local and Irish produce, establishing itself as one of Kilkenny’s most popular restaurants. Located under the old railway arches close to John’s Street and McDonagh Junction train and bus station. The menu is guided by the seasons and its produce. Our inspiration comes from regional France and its cuisine.

In this brand new show, Keith will bring never seen before magic illusions to life while delivering his unique blend of comedy, magic, mentalism and hypnotism. MAGIC MADHOUSE will put Keith firmly in charge as all around him descends into mayhem. Performing to over 1,000,000 people over his 15-year career to date, Keith has starred in over 40 international television shows becoming a household name in the UK.

CAPRICORN- This week is an 8 &RQIHU ZLWK DOOLHV RYHU WKH QH[W IHZ GD\V )LQG agreement on some tough issues. Cultivate leadership.

AQUARIUS-This week is an 8 Consider career opportunities through WRPRUURZ 6HHN RXW lucrative possibilities.

PISCES- This week is a 7 *HW LQWR D WZR GD\ DGYHQWXURXV SKDVH ([SORUH near or far. Study and investigate. Costs can YDU\ ZLGHO\ 'RQÂśW ZDVWH funding.

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