Kilkenny Today 21st- 31st March 2018

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It now costs â‚Ź206k to buy a house here By Jake Maxwell THE price of the average threebed semi in Kilkenny rose by 13.2% to â‚Ź206,500 in the last 12 months, according to a national survey carried out by Real Estate Alliance. And after prices increased by 1.5% across the county in WKH ÂżUVW WKUHH PRQWKV RI WKH year, local agents now report increased activity in the market.

The REA Average House Price Survey concentrates on the actual sale price of Ireland’s typical stock home, the threebed semi, giving an up-to-date picture of the property market in towns and cities countrywide to the close of last week. “Lots of parents are becoming involved in transactions, some providing up to 50% of the purchase price,� said Michael Boyd of REA Boyd’s, Kilkenny

City, where the average price has risen by 2.5% to an average RI Âź LQ WKH ÂżUVW WKUHH months of the year. “The last three months have been static but we have started to see improved activity in March,â€? said Robbie Grace of REA Grace, Callan. However, some buyers are VWLOO KDYLQJ GLŕľśFXOW\ JHWWLQJ mortgages, he added. The average semi-detached

house nationally now costs ₏229,111, the Q1 REA Average House Price Survey has found – a rise of 1.5% on the Q4 2017 ¿JXUH RI Ÿ Overall, the average house price across the country rose by 9.1% over the past 12 months – indicating that the market is steadying after the 11.3% overall rise in 2017. Continued on next page

Aisling and Naomi, 15th Kilkenny Fort Grange Scouts at the St Patrick’s Day Parade. Image by Rue Photography. More pix inside

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news in brief Why the force is strong in Kilkenny )285 .LONHQQ\ LV OLQH WR UHFHLYH RYHU .LONHQQ\ ZRPHQ DQG WZR .LONHQQ\ PHQ DUH DPRQJ PRUH WKDQ SUREDWLRQDU\ JDUGDt QRZ HPEDUNLQJ RQ FDUHHUV ZLWK $Q *DUGD 6tRFKiQD DQG DUH QRZ EHLQJ VHQW WR VWDWLRQV DURXQG WKH FRXQWU\ &ORGDJK 'R\OH &LDUiQ :DOODFH /LVD 0F1XOW\ 6RQLD %XJJ\ 0DULH 7KHUpVH 2¶1HLOO DQG .HYLQ &OHHUH FDQ QRZ FDOO WKHPVHOYHV JDUGDt IROORZLQJ D UHFHQW SDVVLQJ RXW SDUDGH LQ 7HPSOHPRUH $OO H[FHSW IRU *DUGD &OHHUH ZLOO EH JRLQJ WR 'XEOLQ VWDWLRQV ZKLOH KH¶OO EH KHDGLQJ WR :DWHUIRUG

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Jennifer’s medal of honour from Six Nations’ hero By Jake Maxwell KILKENNY hurling fan Jennifer Malone has added to her collection of great sporting moments by being given a coveted Six Nations medal by Grand Slam hero Peter O’Mahony. The gesture follows on the heels of Jennifer’s 2016 award from the GAA for Moment of the Championship in that year’s All-Ireland Semi Final. That day, Jennifer, proudly wearing her Kilkenny jersey, was spotted consoling Waterford player Pauric Mahony after his team’s defeat by the Cats. -HQQLIHU ZKR LV D ¿UP favourite with the Ireland rugby squad, and has been photographed with them before was at the historic Irish team on St Patrick’s Day. Afterwards Munster ÀDQNHU 3HWHU 2¶0DKRQ\ spotted her in the stands and presented the Kildare native with his own Six Nations medal. Her sister, Rachel posted images of the kind gesture on social media, saying: ‘Yes my sister got to lift the

Special moment: Jennifer with Ireland’s Peter O’Mahony and thre SIx Nations trophy, and (below) showing off her medal six nations trophy today in Twickenham and got Peter O’Mahony’s medal and yes I am extremelyyyyy jealous.’ Jennifer’s mother, Donna, told KCLR News that the medal was originally given on loan, but that when Jennifer went to give it back to Peter the next day, he told her she could keep it. Peter O’Mahony’s gesture shows that it’s not only on the pitch that he is a true hero.

Application for second city mosque By Jake Maxwell

WHERE HISTORY & CULTURE LIVE ON Rediscover Russborough – rich with paintings collected by the Earls of Milltown and donated to the National Gallery of Ireland in 1902, on view in their original surroundings for the fi rst time in over 100 years. The RHSI 18th century walled garden is available for pre booked groups For Family Fun there is a Maze, Fairy Trail, Playground & Tree Trail 2km Audio walking tour of the Demesne

Gift Shop &Restaurant

TO CELEBRATE 40 YEARS OF GUIDED TOURS AT RUSSBOROUGH WE ARE OFFERING A

40% discount

from 14th April to 30th April on production of this voucher * Please note: this offer does not apply to groups

OPENING TIMES: 1st March to December, 7 days a week from 10am to 6pm

Tel: + 353 (0)45 865239 Email: friedaoconnell@russborough.ie www.russborough.ie Sat Nav GPS: Lat 53.135517 Long 6.572386

* Free Coach Park * €2 Car Park Location: 20 km from Dublin off the N81 and 4.5 km from Blessington, Co. Wicklow, Ireland CP

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College to get €90k grant for new sports facility By Jake Maxwell CASTLECOMER Community &ROOHJH¶V ELG WR ¿QLVK WKH VFKRRO¶V QHZ VSRUWV FRPSOH[ KDV EHHQ JLYHQ D VLJQL¿FDQW ERRVW ZLWK FRQ¿UPDWLRQ IURP 0LQLVWHU RI 6WDWH -RKQ 3DXO 3KHODQ 7' WKDW LW LV WR JHW RYHU ¼ LQ JUDQW DLG 7KH ¼ FDVK LQMHFWLRQ KDV EHHQ ZHOFRPHG ORFDOO\ E\ )LQH *DHO FRXQFLOORU -RKQ %UHQQDQ ZKR VDLG LW ZLOO EH D PDVVLYH ERRVW WR WKH VFKRRO DQG WR WKH ZLGHU FRPPXQLW\ ³7KLV LV IDQWDVWLF QHZV DQG ZLOO DOORZ WKH KDOO WR EH FRPSOHWHG 7KH VFKRRO DQG ZLGHU FRPPXQLW\ KDV D IDQWDVWLF VSRUWLQJ WUDGLWLRQ DQG WKLV ZLOO HQVXUH WKDW HQGXUHV ´ &OOU %UHQQDQ DGGHG 0LQLVWHU 3KHODQ FRPPHQGHG WKH &ROOHJH LQ LWV VXFFHVVIXO DSSHDO IRU DVVLVWDQFH XQGHU

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It now costs €206k to buy a house here Continued from previous page 7KH UDWH RI LQFUHDVH LQ WKUHH EHG VHPL GHWDFKHG KRPH SULFHV LQ 'XEOLQ VORZHG WR MXVW LQ WKH ¿UVW WKUHH PRQWKV RI WKH \HDU $IWHU ULVLQJ E\ LQ WKH DYHUDJH SULFH LQ WKH FDSLWDO KDV LQFUHDVHG E\ MXVW ¼ LQ WKH RSHQLQJ TXDUWHU DQG QRZ VWDQGV DW ¼ ± H[DFWO\ WZLFH WKH &HQWUDO %DQN¶V ¼ PRUWJDJH GHSRVLW WKUHVKROG 7KH UDWH RI LQFUHDVH LQ WKUHH EHG VHPL GHWDFKHG KRPH SULFHV LQ 'XEOLQ KDV QRZ VORZHG WR RYHU WKH SDVW VL[ PRQWKV FRPSDUHG WR DQ LQFUHDVH RI LQ WKH RSHQLQJ WKUHH PRQWKV RI ³7KH 'XEOLQ PDUNHW KDV EHFRPH TXLWH SULFH VHQVLWLYH HYHQ WKRXJK ZH DUH VHHLQJ KHDOWK\ GHPDQG DQG JRRG OLTXLGLW\ ZLWK SOHQW\ RI PRUWJDJH OHQGLQJ ´ VDLG 5($ VSRNHVSHUVRQ %DUU\ 0F'RQDOG

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kilkennytoday March 21-31, 2018

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06| news in brief ‘Trees company’ at boardwalk planting OVER one thousand native trees were planted recently when volunteers went ‘out on a limb’ during bad weather to plant a variety of saplings, from birch, Scots Pine and Alder to Holly, Rowan, The boardwalk beside Ossory Bridge was the site chosen to plant 1200 as part of a FRPPXQLW\ WUHH SODQWLQJ HYHQW The event was organised as part of a now annual tree planting day, which is facilitated by Dan O’Sullivan of Tree Services Ireland with trees sourced from None So Hardy )RUHVWU\

Free advice line for asthma sufferers $67+0$ VX൵HUHUV LQ .LONHQQ\ are being urged to avail of a free advice line being made available by the Asthma Society of ,UHODQG :LWK RYHU SHRSOH in the county with asthma, CEO of the society, Sarah O’Connor, LV XUJLQJ SHRSOH WR JHW LQ WRXFK ³:H DUH FRQFHUQHG WKDW SHRSOH in Kilkenny are not availing of the free Adviceline service and we would love to receive more calls so that we can help people with asthma feel well, keep WKHLU DVWKPD XQGHU FRQWURO ´ Call the free phone Adviceline QXPEHU RQ EHWZHHQ DP SP 0RQ )UL

kilkennytoday March 21-31, 2018

New figures show that average rent hits €800

Referral service for oncology patients

By Jake Maxwell

By Jake Maxwell

IT NOW costs €800 a month to rent a property in Kilkenny – which is a huge 20% less than the national average of €1,000 a PRQWK ZKLOH LQ 'XEOLQ WKH ¿Jure is more than €1,500, accordLQJ WR QHZO\ UHOHDVHG ¿JXUHV However, when Dublin is taken out of the survey, the national rental average is €800, which means Kilkenny is not bucking WKH WUHQG ZKHQ LW FRPHV WR UHQW 5HQWV DUH RQ WKH ULVH WKRXJK The average cost of renting in the county was up 7% in the year to last December, according to the State’s Residential 7HQDQFLHV %RDUG 57% The national average cost is now €1,054 a month (when Dublin is included), up from €990 a year earlier, according to the Residential Tenancies Board and the Economic and Social Research Institute, which comSLOHG WKH UHSRUW It now costs €1,100 to rent in the Greater Dublin Area, which takes in Meath, Wicklow and .LOGDUH 2XWVLGH 'XEOLQ WKH national average monthly rent is

CANCER patients in Kilkenny DUH VHW WR EHQH¿W IURP D streamlining of service that will see an improvement in the referral process between Cois Nore Cancer Support &HQWUH DQG 6W /XNH¶V KRVSLWDO¶V 2QFRORJ\ 'HSDUWPHQW Cois Nore team members will visit the Oncology Day Ward in 6W /XNH¶V ZHHNO\ WR WHOO SDWLHQWV the types of supports they can UHFHLYH 3DWLHQWV ZLOO EH R൵HUHG D UDQJH of emotional and psychological support to supplement the medical treatment process at St /XNH¶V +DYLQJ UHSUHVHQWDWLYHV from the cancer support team chatting to patients will be of JUHDW EHQH¿W DFFRUGLQJ WR WKH KRVSLWDO The Cois Nore centre on :DONLQ 6WUHHW R൵HUV FRXQVHOOLQJ as well as a wide range of therapies, from yoga and UHÀH[RORJ\ WR PDVVDJH DQG IDWLJXH PDQDJHPHQW There’s lots more, too, when it comes to learning the best way to talk about cancer with children, plus tips on eating and RQ FRSLQJ ZLWK DQ[LHW\

Luan set for triple header at Cleere’s

By Jake Maxwell 7:2 RI ,UHODQG¶V ¿QHVW VRQJZULWHUV DQG SHUIRUPHUV Luan Parle and Clive Barnes DERYH KDYH WHDPHG XS ZLWK 1HZ <RUN &LW\ EDVHG SRS URFN VLQJHU VRQJZULWHU DQG FODVVLFDOO\ WUDLQHG YLROLQLVW 'HQL %RQHW IRU D WULSOH ELOO DW &OHHUH¶V 7KHDWUH RQ $SULO 0HWHRU DZDUG ZLQQHU /XDQ 3DUOH KDV KDG QXPHURXV KLWV DQG DFFRODGHV +HU WRS KLW VLQJOH µ*KRVW¶ VSHQW WKUHH PRQWKV LQ WKH ,ULVK &KDUWV DQG ZDV WKH PRVW SOD\HG ,ULVK VLQJOH RI WKDW \HDU 7R GDWH VKH KDV UHOHDVHG VWXGLR DOEXPV DQG LV FXUUHQWO\ ZRUNLQJ RQ KHU ODWHVW PDWHULDO GXH IRU UHOHDVH LQ &OLYH %DUQHV LV KLJKO\ UHJDUGHG DV RQH RI WKH ¿QHVW SHUIRUPHUV RQ WKH URRWV FLUFXLW DQG KDV EHHQ JDLQLQJ D ZRUOGZLGH UHSXWDWLRQ DV RQH

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Ber Cahill (Turning Heads Hat Hire), Louise Pim, Anne Bradley & Claire Treacy ready to take on the catwalk at Only Fools & Horses Fashion Show, Langton House Hotel in support of Make a Wish Foundation. Image by Rue Photography just short of €800 in the fourth quarter of last year compared ZLWK WKH VDPH SHULRG ODVW \HDU Kilkenny has the highest rental average of its neighbouring FRXQWLHV 7KH LQGH[ VKRZHG MXVW D rise in rents in Carlow, where the rate is €737 per month, compared to €733 on the same SHULRG ODVW \HDU 2WKHU UHQWDO

¿JXUHV LQFOXGH :H[IRUG ¼ ± XS 7LSSHUDU\ ¼ ± XS /DRLV ¼ ± XS DQG :DWHUIRUG ¼ ± XS 7KHVH ¿JXUHV UHÀHFW WKH FRVW RI new tenancies, and do not capture existing agreements which PD\ EH EHQH¿WLQJ IURP WKH UHstrictions on rental increases in FHUWDLQ SUHVVXUH ]RQHV Commenting on the fourth

TXDUWHU ¿JXUHV 57% GLUHFWRU 5RVDOLQG &DUUROO VDLG ³7KH continued strong economic and demographic growth combined with restricted supply continues to put pressure on the rental market and those seeking a SODFH WR OLYH ³:H VHH WKDW LQ WKH DQnual increase in new rents to the HQG RI 4 ´

Gardai offer killkennyinpictures improved support for victims A SERVICE to help victims of crime which has been in operation at Kilkenny Garda Station for over nearly three years is to be expanded and revamped to improve how gardai interact with victims of FULPH 7KH QHZ 9LFWLP 6HUYLFH 2൶FH will be situated on the ground ÀRRU RI WKH *DUGD 6WDWLRQ LQ the city, with its own dedicated SKRQH OLQH DQG UHFHSWLRQ DUHD 3HUVRQQHO IURP GL൵HUHQW Garda units – including drugs, and crime prevention – will operate a clinic-style service once a month to talk with members of the public about WKHLU FRQFHUQV RU TXHULHV 3HRSOH ZLOO DOVR EH DEOH WR ¿QG out more about how the courts VHUYLFH RSHUDWHV ,W LV KRSHG WKH service will help improve how JDUGDL LQWHUDFW ZLWK YLFWLPV Another aspect of this interaction is to, hopefully, make it easier for gardai to identify any areas locally that need to be focused on, or how their policing can be tailored to VXLW SDUWLFXODU DUHDV 7KH QHZ R൶FH ZDV R൶FLDOO\ opened this week by Chief Superintendent Dominic Hayes and retired district court Judge *LOOLDQ +XVVH\

Lilliput Montessori in the St Patrick’s Day Parade. Image by Rue Photography

St John Paul’s Polish School, St Patrick’s Day Parade. Image by Rue Photography

Teac Tom / Thomas Hayes Trust Suicide Awareness, St Patrick’s Day Parade. Image by Rue Photography

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kilkennytoday March 21-31, 2018

We’re one of the top visitor attractions By Jake Maxwell KILKENNY is listed in the top six TripAdvisor’s ranking of Irish destinations this year, and it’s the only inland destination to feature in the travel giant’s annual Top 10 Travellers’ Choice Awards. The Marble City came in ahead of Clifden, Tralee, Cong and Westport in the prestigious Top 10 list, with TripAdvisor describing Kilkenny as “an aweinspiring throng of medieval cathedrals, castles, abbeys and other massive stone buildingsâ€?. It also highlighted the county as a go-to destination for festivals. There is “an endless stream of arts festivals celebrating theatre, comedy, bluegrass and dance is constantly pumping the city with new life, toe-tapping energy and international Ă€DYRXU´ LW VDLG´

news in brief Nursing home seeks major extension THE owners of Drakelands Nursing Home on Kilkenny’s Kilmanagh road have big plans and applied to Kilkenny County Council for a two-storey, 37-bedroom extension. Chris and Anne Fleck-Byrne are seeking a 864 sq metre ÀRRU H[WHQVLRQ IRU WKH QRUWKHUQ side of the existing nursing home as well as a two-storey VTXDUH PHWUH ÀRRU DUHD extension to the South-Western side of the property. They are also seeking to extend the laundry section of the award-winning care home and to build a 36 square metre storage facility is also to be extended, subject to planning approval.

City parade for Golan Heights troops TROOPS of the 57th Infantry Group will be getting a special VHQG Rŕľľ ZLWK D PDUFK SDVW LQ WKH city tomorrow. Defence Minister Paul Kehoe will inspect local troops of the 57th Infantry Group who are bound for the Golan Heights shortly. The soldiers have been training at Stephens Barracks over the past few months in preparation for their deployment on April 4.

No doubt the recent highly successful Kilkenny Animated can now be added to that list. The Travellers’ Choice Awards, now in their 16th year, are determined based on “millions of reviews and opinions collected in a single year from TripAdvisor travellers worldwideâ€?, the travel review and planning website says. TripAdvisor highlighted Kilkenny Castle, Jerpoint Park and St Canice’s Cathedral and Round Tower as being particularly worth a visit. Reviews on the travel site were full of praise for what’s on RŕľľHU LQ .LONHQQ\ 5HIHUULQJ WR Jerpoint Park, a woman named Eileen gave a glowing review. “Jerpoint Park is a must see for all. Especially for any parents who are trying to bring history to life for their children. We not only learned a lot, but enjoyed the experience on multiple levels.â€?

Another tourist, Buzz K, loved Kilkenny Castle (above): “Absolutely stunning. Such a ULFK KLVWRU\ RI WKLV VLJQLÂżFDQW Irish City. A must see for history DQG RU DUFKLWHFWXUDO EXŕľľV ´ TripAdvisor’s Top Six listing is proof if it was ever needed that Kilkenny is punching above its weight in the tourism sector. Dingle came ahead of us at QXPEHU ÂżYH RQ WKH OLVW EXW ZH might overtake them next year. Dublin tops the list of Irish destinations, but no fewer than seven of Ireland’s Top 10 destinations are on the west coast. The list reads as follows 1) Dublin City; 2) Killarney, Co. Kerry; 3) Galway City; 4) Cork City; 5) Dingle, Co. Kerry; 6) Kilkenny City; 7) Westport, Co. Mayo; 8) Cong, Co. Mayo; 9) Tralee, Co. Kerry; 10) Clifden, Co. Galway. Dublin also ranked 23rd on TripAdvisor’s list of top European destinations.

killkennyinpictures

Back row - Louise Bagnell, Aine McGuinness, Laura Moreno, Martin Quaden, Tatiana Mazzei, Louise McCague. Front row - Clodagh Murphy, Nicole Storck, Emmanuel Asquier and RocĂ­o GarcĂ­a Ledo, Open Conversation on the 8th Amendment, Clubhouse Hotel. The conversation is facilitated by a member of National Women’s Council of Ireland’s Team, is non-directive and does not “tellâ€? people what to think. Image by Rue Photography Richie, Kim and Laura Norton at the Only Fools & Horses Fashion Show. Image by Rue Photography

Eoin Murphy, Pat Neary and Kris Timusk at the Only Fools & Horses Fashion Show, Langton House Hotel in support of Make a Wish Foundation. Image by Rue Photography

Ross’s doodle seen Court upholds all over the world ₏106k award for

injured worker By Jake Maxwell

Google Doodle: Ross Stewart’s St Patrick’s Day illustration By Jake Maxwell ARTIST Ross Stewart had a St Patrick’s Day to remember when his work was viewed by hundreds of millions of people on March 17. The Kilkenny artist, who has worked on three Oscar-nominated movies – ParaNorman and Cartoon Saloon’s Song of the Sea, and the Secret of Kells. Google asked him to create an illustration for their search engine home page for March 17 to celebrate Ireland’s history and heritage. Ross came up with a wonderful concept. According to Google: “Standing in for the Google “L� is a tall stone that pays homage to Ireland’s earliest form of writing: ogham.

“The edge is marked with a series of ancient carvings, each group representing a letter of the ogham alphabet. See if you can read what it says (hint: it goes left to right, bottom to top!). “Meanwhile, a determined stonemason is hard at work against a backdrop of peaceful greens and blues. “In the foreground, a sprinNOLQJ RI QDWLYH ZLOGĂ€RZHUV rounds out Stewart’s ode to the isle’s vast, natural beauty – sheepish onlooker included.â€? Google’s illustrations, or ‘Google doodles’ as they are known, are used to represent VLJQLÂżFDQW FXOWXUDO PRPHQWV and are developed by a team of doodlers, illustrators, graphic designers, animators and classically trained artists.

A FORMER supermarket worker who injured herself when she fell while operating a pallet truck and had to be taken to St Luke’s for treatment has had a ₏106,000 award over the accident upheld by the Court of Appeal. Pamela Phoenix (37), who is now living in Canada, fell heavily on her bottom and back when she attempted to manoeuvre a pallet truck backwards in 2006. Ms Phoenix, who claimed she VX྾HUHG FKURQLF EDFN SDLQ GXH WR the accident, sued Dunnes Stores and, in 2016, was awarded ₏105,929. However, the supermarket chain appealed the award, arguing the award, claiming that it was excessive and disproportionate. On behalf of a three-judge Court of Appeal, Mr Justice Gerard Hogan upheld the award saying while it was probably in the upper range of what is appropriate. Mr Justice Hogan said that X-rays taken of Ms Phoenix in

Accident: Dunnes Stores lost their appeal against costs St Luke’s Hospital did not show any bone damage and she was later discharged with some painrelieving medication. The court heard that her pain became so severe that Ms Phoenix was unable to cope with the work and, ultimately, lost a new job she had taken in 2017.

Building boost for schools TWO schools in the county are to be improved through the Government’s Accommodation and Emergency Works scheme,it has been revealed.. Clara National School is to get an additional classroom and funding has also been approved for emergency works at a primary school in the city, Minister John Paul Phelan has FRQÂżUPHG The growing Clara school just outside the city is to get an 80m-squared extension, 0LQLVWHU 3KHODQ FRQÂżUPHG Several extensions have already been added to the school which serves the catchment area of Clara, Dunbell and Castlewarren and also draws pupils from closer to the city and down towards Gowran parish. “I am also informed by the Department that funding is to be provided for emergency mechanical works at St John of Gods Girls Primary School. “Both of these investments are critical and a welcome boost WR WKH SXSLOV DQG WHDFKLQJ VWDŕľľ to the school boards and to the wider community,â€? the minister said.

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D Weddi Sunda

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he Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow has been delivering four decades of excellent service to generations of wedding couples. Experienced DQG IULHQGO\ VWD྾ XQEHDWDEOH atmosphere and incredible service are all part of the hotel’s reputation. The hotel is synonymous throughout the community and enjoys a loyal customer base, who fully appreciates the hotel’s place in the heart of Carlow. The team at the Seven Oaks Hotel have over 60 years’ experience ensuring your wedding day is one to remember for you and your guests. The Seven Oaks Hotel is delighted to announce that they are undergoing extensive bedroom refurbishments for 2018 & 2019, we have recently completed refurbishment of our elegant and stylish ballroom. We are currently re-landscaping new gardens for photographs and our wedding garden will have new

additions to make your wedding photos even more special. We are launching new wedding packages at our Wedding Workshop, “We feel that our new packages are very competitive, whilst looking after the Bride & Groom’s needsâ€? said Michael Walsh our long established General Manager. “We can adapt and tailor any of our packages to suit a couples individual requirements. We are here to deliver excellence in service and quality and make it a day for everyone to remember.â€? 7KH KRWHO LV RŕľľHULQJ DOO LQFOXsive wedding packages starting from just â‚Ź39.00 per person, which includes such extras as a drink of choice or half bottle of wine per person for your toast, wed-

ding bow sash’s, chair covers, champagne and red carpet DUULYDO DQG HYHQLQJ EX྾HW reception. In addition there are a range of services with our compliments, including personalised souvenir menus, personalised table plan and refreshments for your wedding guests on arrival. 7R FHOHEUDWH \RXU ¿UVW DQQLversary you will be invited back for a complimentary nights stay to include Dinner, Bed and Breakfast. At the end of your wonderful day the Seven Oaks Hotel spacious and comfortable bedrooms will cater for all your guests needs. This year we are doing someWKLQJ GL྾HUHQW D :HGGLQJ Workshop, Inglot Makeup are giving a Bridal Makeup Tutorial and Faith Amond LV R྾HULQJ KHU VW\OH DGvice for Mother of the Bride. )DLWK ZLOO DOVR R྾HU her expert advice on choosing the correct wedding dress style. Our newly refurbished ballroom will be partially set for a wedding banquet to showcase its elegance. For our Wedding :RUNVKRS ZH DUH R྾HULQJ DOO Brides and Grooms that book and pay their deposit by the 30th of April Free Themed Evening %X྾HW R྾ WKHLU :HGGLQJ Package and six months Free Gym Membership. We will also be giving away a door prize for Dinner for Two in TD Molloy’s Restaurant with a bottle of wine.

EXCELLENT SERVICE FOR OVER FOUR DECADES

kilkennytoday March 21-31, 2018

Don’t miss our ing Workshop on ay April 8, 2-5pm

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Planet Cool!

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ninenottomiss BOOK of the week

TV SHOW of the week

FILM of the week

HOROSCOPES

LAST Thursday March 15, the world’s first permanent visitor centre dedicated to climate change, the Cool Planet Experience (CPE) officially opened its doors at Powerscourt House, Enniskerry. Somewhat ironically it took three attempts for the CPE to finally open its doors to the public as the first two attempts had to be cancelled due to extreme weather conditions! The centre in Wicklow is the first of 10 that are planned to open around the globe over the next 3 years.

The Cool Planet Experience at Powerscourt (Pic: Justin Ivory) Being a lifelong wildlife and environmental nut and having spent over 2 decades actively involved at various levels in relation to many aspects of biodiversity, conservation, sustainability and by default global warming and climate change it was with much anticipation I awaited the opening of CPE and hot footed it along to experience the Experience for myself!

MARTIN MCGUINNESS: THE MAN I KNEW By Jude Collins

HARDY BUCKS RTÉ Two, Thursday 10.35pm

MARY MAGDALENE Out Now

Martin McGuinness: The Man I Knew, released to commemorate the first anniversary of the passing of one of Ireland’s most iconic politicians, allows the world the opportunity to learn what people both sides of the divide really thought of the former Northern Ireland deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander. Collins shows how, to some, McGuinness was a terrorist, a figure of hate, while to others he was a hero who helped bring about lasting peace in his journey from freedom fighter to respected politician. The book eschews both extremes and seeks to provide a portrait of a real person.

The Hardy Bucks are back again, and life is just rosy as far as Eddie Durkan is concerned. He’s happily living rent free in Buzz’s house what could be better, living with his best mate and having his certified nymphomaniac girlfriend Ciara,coming over to stay a few nights a week? The problem is, as Ciara see’s it, the place is a dosshole and she wants Eddie to step their relationship up a gear. As in, move out to a place of their own. Meanwhile, the Viper arrives in town driving his latest business – an ice cream van he is using as a front to peddle hash.

Directed by Garth Davis and set in the Holy Land in the first century C.E., a young woman leaves her small fishing village and traditional family behind to join a radical new social movement. At its head is a charismatic leader, Jesus of Nazareth, who promises that the world is changing. Mary is searching for a new way of living, and an authenticity that is denied her by the rigid hierarchies of the day. As the notoriety of the group spread and more are drawn to follow Jesus’ inspirational message, Mary’s spiritual journey places her at the heart of a story that will lead to the city of Jerusalem.

ESCAPE of the week

VISIT of the week

THRILL of the week

ARIES- This week is an 8 Read, write and edit. You’re especially good with words today and tomorrow. Express what’s in your heart. TAURUS- This week is a 9 Keep showing up. Perform to the best of your abilities. You’re earning accolades and valuable reward. Spend within the budget to get what you need. GEMINI- This week is a 9 Allow more time for personal matters over the next few days. Nurture yourself with a new look. Indulge your own passions and enthusiasms. CANCER- This week is a 6 Slow down to consider options. New circumstances could change the game. Look for hidden opportunities.

BUTLER HOUSE GUESTHOUSE Upper Patrick Street www.butler.ie

CASCA SA CHOILL Castlecomer Discovery Park www.discoverypark.e

KILKENNY AIRSOFT Wallslough Village www.kilkennyairsoft.ie

Butler House is a beautiful four-star guest house Kilkenny City, boasting contemporary furnishings combined with magnificent original features. The stunning Georgian residence features sweeping staircases, magnificent plastered ceilings, marble fireplaces and a charming walled garden. Explore the unique features of the guesthouse including the Butler Walled Garden, a charming Georgian garden which has been restored to its former glory and boasts its own entrance to Kilkenny Castle.

Cåsca sa Choill – an Easter family celebration will take place at Castlecomer Discovery Park from March 24 to April 8. The celebrations will take place over a twoweek period and will include a Woodland Hunt is back again, an Easter themed woodland trail which takes families around some 80 acres of woodlands and lakes, bringing you through the magical elf and fairy village as you hunt for clues. The activities are suitable for children up to ten and this is the perfect way to get a day of fresh air and screen-free fun.

Kilkenny Airsoft is the first fully automated airsoft indoor shooting range in the whole of Ireland. The facilities are there to cater for everyone, from experienced shooters to those who have never held a gun before. Special packages are on offer for families (all participants must be eight or older), birthday parties and even hen and stag parties. Food is of course available, and the location in Wallslough Village is both convenient – just 3km from Kilkenny city centre – and beautiful.

SPORT of the week

PLAY of the week

MEAL of the week

LEO- This week is a 7 Show up for your friends and they do the same for you. Share resources, information and comfort. Teamwork provides especially valuable today and tomorrow. VIRGO- This week is an 8 A professional prize is within reach over the next few days. Forge ahead and go for it! Your team is with you. Create opportunities. LIBRA- This week is an 8 7KH QHZV FRXOG DŕľľHFW \RXU decisions. Study your route and destination. Leave VXŕľśFLHQW WLPH WR PDNH \RXU connections. Explore and investigate. SCORPIO- This week is a 7 Handle paperwork and ÂżQDQFLDO OHJDO RU LQVXUDQFH matters today and tomorrow. Monitor and contribute to shared accounts. SAGITTARIUS- This week is an 8

You and a partner cook up something delicious over the next few days. Compromise and stay receptive to another’s view.

Saving planet earth at CPE (Pic: Justin Ivory) What can I say - so enjoyed my visit. This place is Ăźber cool and pushing itself to the head of the vanguard of the sustainability zeitgeist. Like a naughty threesome of Blade Runner, David Attenborough and Erin Brockovich, CPE delivers its message using futuristic methods with a familiar, easy and engaging assurity while not backing down on the hard hitting facts. Do yourselves a favour and visit this place asap! P.S. Vists are via timeslots so advance booking via the CPE website is advisable.

KILKENNY FOOTGOLF www.pocockegolfcentre.com Pococke Golf Course is a mature 12-hole Parkland course, open to the public and which is just five minutes from Kilkenny City Centre. Footgolf is played on an 18-hole golf course using a football. Rugbygolf... the new sport in Ireland is played over nine holes, using a rugby ball and kicking tee. If there are any Ronaldos or Jacob Stockdales out there who think they also have the accuracy of Rory McIlroy, then this is the sport for you.

ON GOLDEN POND Watergate Theatre www.watergatetheatre.com March 29- 31, Tickets â‚Ź18/â‚Ź16

ZUNI RESTAURANT BAR & BOUTIQUE HOTEL 26 Patrick Street Tel: 056 7723999 www.zuni.ie

Watergate Productions presents ‘On Golden Pond’, the a tale of family strife which focuses on an aging couple’s annual summer vacation on a lake called Golden Pond, where the calm surroundings belie more turbulent emotions beneath the surface. Stars Mary Craddock, Brendan Corcoran, Alan Butler, Elaine O’ Hara, Declan Taylor and OĂ­sin O’ Reilly.

Situated on Patrick Street, Zuni serves great food for lunch or dinner seven days a week since 2000. Arrive early for a cocktail in their chic new cocktail bar. It has been listed in the in the Bridgestone Guide top 100 restaurants in Ireland for the past 8 years and listed in the Michelin guide since 2001. Lunch is served from 12.30pm to 2.30pm daily while Dinner is served from 6pm to 9.30pm daily (except 6pm to 9pm on Sunday’s).

CAPRICORN- This week is an 8 (QHUJ\ ÀRRGV \RXU ZRUN KHDOWK DQG ¿WQHVV SUDFWLFHV Keep in motion to maintain momentum. AQUARIUS-This week is an 8 Integrate new faces into your circle of family and friends. Spend time with someone attractive. PISCES- This week is a 7 Home sucks you into its seductive enchantments. Create an inviting atmosphere.

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Fast-track your career into the healthcare profession ‌work as a phlebotomist! Advertorial THIS August sees the return of Geopace Training to Dublin with their two day phlebotomy training course. An increasing demand for skilled healthcare professionals has led to a shortage of allied healthcare workers, especially phlebotomists - the skilled healthcare professionals who take your blood. Demand is high within hospitals as well as many clinics and surgeries and RŕľľHUV D JROGHQ RSSRUWXQLW\ IRU that “longed forâ€? career change! If you have good people skills, good manual dexterity and like the idea of working in a busy hospital or clinic, a phlebotomist job may be just the right job for you! Many people enter this profession when they are looking for a career change or a fresh start. Phlebotomists often work part time (mornings) but some do work full time as well as weekends and holidays. Blood samples are usually collected in the mornings and then analysed in the Path Labs in the afternoon.

“We train people from all walks of life and all agesâ€? exSODLQV -HQQLH (DJOHWRQ RŕľśFH manager. “We’ve had shop assistants, receptionists, beauticians and dental nurses, as well DV WHOHVDOHV VWDŕľľ XQHPSOR\HG school leavers and the retiredâ€? says Jennie. Once on the healthcare career ladder ambition often drives people to progress to working in the labs and to other specialised departments. Internal promotion is much easier once you are “on the ladderâ€? and have some experience. Many hundreds of Geopace trainees are now working as phlebotomists and a few have even chosen to work abroad where there is often a shortage

and growing demand for this specialised skill. If you like the idea of a career in healthcare then this may be just the job for you! Training takes place over two full days and culminates in the award of a UK nationally recognised DQG DFFUHGLWHG FHUWLÂżFDWH Âł:H SUDFWLFH RQ DUWLÂżFLDO DUPV´ VD\V Jennie. “And all our students have a lot of fun learning. We get a great deal of satisfaction when we later learn that they are working in their local hospital or GP Surgeryâ€?. If you would like to know more about phlebotomy as a career or to book a place on the August course visit Geopace Training’s website at www. geopace.com.

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