Kilkenny Today 28 02 2018

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

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kilkennytoday February 28, 2018

kilkennytoday DELIVERED DOOR-TO-DOOR TO HOMES

INSIDE: FREE

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

IN THE CITY AREA

12,000 COPIES

FREE

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Council says no to plan for Blueway

By Jake Maxwell CARLOW County Council has refused planning permission for the controversial Blueway along the Barrow and Nore, however local authorities in Laois and Kildare have given the project the thumbs up.

It means Carlow County Council is the only one to

refuse permission to Waterways Ireland for the stretch from Graiguenamanagh to St Mullins after Kilkenny County Council had previously given permission.

The council said Waterways Ireland had failed to show that there would be no environmental impact with the creation of a path surface consisting of compacted stone close within a

ÀRRG ]RQH The authority also said waterway management body had failed to show that the work ZRXOG QRW D൵HFW WKH VSHFLDO areas of conservation along the Barrow and the Nore.

Waterways Ireland have four weeks to lodge an appeal to An Bord Pleanála if they wish to.

Meanwhile, Laois County

Council’ attached 25 conditions to its decision for a 16km stretch from Vicarstown to Maganey through the county.

Kildare County Council granted planning permission for a Blueway along 47kms of the Grand Canal. The decision by Carlow County Council follows a concerted campaign by the Continued on Page 8

Emma Breslin and Miriam Blackburn enjoying Big John’s Karaoke at Biddy Early’s. Image by Rue Photography.

More pix inside

04| news in brief Schools set to get works programme TWO schools in the county are to receive additional accommodation and emergency works. The School of the Holy Spirit on the Callan Road - which is to get additional buildings to accommodate an additional class and the provision of additional toilets - and Moneenroe National School in Castlecomer, which is to undergo immediate roof works, according to Minister of State John Paul Phelan. “This investment comes as the Government has set out its expenditure plans under the Project Ireland 2040 Plan, a blueprint which also allows for further school expansions and investments, he said.

Build yourself a career with Lego BRICKS 4 Kidz Lego primary school workshops encourage thinking in 3D through a hands on-minds on approach to education. Workshop leaders will facilitate holiday camps, in-school workshops, themed birthday parties for children and even programmes for adults.

If you’re interested in being a Kilkenny Lego leader, check out bricks4kidz.ie or contact pclark@bricks4kidz.com.

Deadline is March 16.

kilkennytoday February 28, 2018

Marathon men want your help for charity challenge

By Jake Maxwell TWELVE marathons, in 12 counties over a consecutive 12 days, that’s the mighty task being undertaken by two Kilkenny men determined to raise awareness and vital funds for a children’s cancer charity.

0DUN 'X྾\ DQG -DPHV :LVH IURP .LONHQQ\ DUH embarking on the mammoth PLOH WDVN WR UDLVH IXQGV for the national children’s cancer charity Aoibheann’s Pink Tie. The 12-County Leinster Marathon Challenge starts RQ 0D\ LQ 'XQGDON DQG ¿QLVKHV ZLWK D PDUDWKRQ IURP Castlecomer to Kilkenny on -XQH The pair decided to do the event following the death of 6HDUODLW 7\ZDQJ LQ a little girl who had attended -DPHVœV ZLIHœV GDQFH VFKRRO 0DUN DQG -DPHV ZKR KDYH a combined 22 marathons completed between them, are inviting people to get involved, either by running with them RU R྾HULQJ RWKHU VXSSRUW For more information and registration, log on to the 12

Plan will bring tech university new roads and houses

By Jake Maxwell

Keep on runnin’: Marathon men James Wise and Mark Duffy County Leinster Marathon Challenge Facebook page.

They have received support in their training from local ÂżWQHVV H[SHUWV SDUWLFXODUO\ Louise Quirke in Kilkenny 6SRUWV 7KHUDS\ DQG -DFNLH Varley from Optimal Health Kilkenny, who have donated their services free of charge.

7KH PHQ WUDLQLQJ VL[ GD\V a week to prepare for the challenge – no easy task when they both have full-time jobs

and busy family lives.

6R IDU VLJQHG KDYH already signed up for free to their Facebook page to join them on their run.

0DUN DQG -DPHV DUH looking for sponsorship to help with the costs of the challenge and are also asking people interested in holding a fundraising event or wishing to donate to their Everyday Hero donation page, to get in touch.

Something to smile about on benefits...

By Jake Maxwell THERE has been a sharp increase in the number of selfemployed people claiming free WUHDWPHQW EHQHÂżWV DFFRUGLQJ WR Fine Gael Junior Minister, John Paul Phelan, TD. “Minister for Employment $ŕľľDLUV DQG 6RFLDO 3URWHFWLRQ Regina Doherty, has revealed to us that she has seen a surge in uptake from self-employed people with the new dental cleaning and supply or repair of glasses being particularly popular. “Consequently, more than 330,000 claims have been processed and paid in the three months from November 2017 to January 2018, representing a fourfold increase on the same period a year ago. “This is a welcome boost for self-employed people, including many farmers, who previously TXDOLÂżHG IRU QRWKLQJ “Such treatments are very important. I’m delighted that RYHU SHRSOH ZLOO EHQHÂżW from these measures,â€? he added.

FUNDING for the delivery of a Technological University of the South East, more local authority housing and improved radiology facilities and a new MRI at St Luke’s General hospital as well as plans for improved road access to both Tipperary and Limerick all augur well for Kilkenny and the south east as a whole, Junior Minister, John Paul Phelan says.

The government’s long-awaited 2040 plan includes plans for improved road access between Waterford and Cahir as well as Cork and Limerick, investment which will improve commuting times for residents of south Kilkenny in particular, Minister Phelan said. “The Project Ireland 2040 report shows that this government is committed to the future development of Kilkenny and the south east region. The Technological University of the South East is listed as a priority project, as is improved access to Limerick and to Tipperary. “This will be good news for so

many people in this region. For far too long, we’ve seen a relentless brain drain to colleges in Cork, Limerick, Dublin, Galway and elsewhere. “Providing a Technological University of the South East will allow students who want access WR 8QLYHUVLW\ TXDOLÂżFDWLRQV WR UHPDLQ LQ WKLV UHJLRQ 6LJQLÂżFDQW new buildings will be provided in IT Carlow and WIT as part of the Higher Education Public Private Partnership programme. “The improved roads access planned will be a Godsend to people of this region, particularly those living around Kilmacow, Granny, Mooncoin and Piltown. “Their commuting distances will be cut and their quality of life will be much improved,â€?

Minister Phelan added.

The blueprint for development also provides for the development of 1,500 additional local authority homes – 38 of which will be provided in Kilkenny.

The radiology department in St Luke’s, Kilkenny will be extended and a new MRI will be provided.

Rose hopefuls gather

Everything’s looking Rosey: Rose of Tralee hopefuls and sponsors at the launch in the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel. The competition to find the Kilkenny Rose is on April14.

kilkennytoday February 28, 2018

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06| news in brief â‚Ź4.4m STEM fund to help local projects A Âź P IXQG LV VHW WR EHQHÂżW STEM projects in Kilkenny.

The investment is aimed at improving understanding of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Locally, CoderDojo groups (which teach young people computer coding), the STEM centre for the South East and the Girl Guides will also be receiving cash injections worth thousands of euro.

There are at least six Coder Dojo groups in Carlow and Kilkenny.

kilkennytoday February 28, 2018

Yes from Laois and Kildare but Carlow says No

Nurses in protest over staffing level and overcrowding

By Jake Maxwell

Concern over illegal dumping at Piltown

From page one

THERE is growing concern RYHU WKH OHYHO RI OHYHOV RI À\ tipping in South Kilkenny after it was found that bags of rubbish had been illegally dumped near Slieverue and then hit by cars.

At a meeting of Piltown Municipal District, councillors H[SUHVVHG FRQFHUQ DW VWDྜQJ levels when it comes to litter management and that swift action be taken to recover LQIRUPDWLRQ IURP À\ WLSSHG rubbish which could result in prosecutions. Councillors called for back roads to be monitored as part of the Litter Management Plan.

the Save the Barrow Line group, which posted over 100 objections to the project to Carlow County Council earlier this month.

Speaking at a meeting organised by the campaign group, chairperson of Save The Barrow, Olivia O’Leary, said the plan would degrade the areas natural landscape, and pointed out that Waterways had not answered the criticism that the proposed new surface would become pot-holed and damaged E\ WKH UHJXODU ÀRRGLQJ RI WKH river.

Art Mooney, of the Carlow

Plan: Carlow has rejected the Blueway plan along the Barrow Barrow Users group, told the meeting: “Waterways admit WKDW RI WKH WRZSDWK Ă€RRGV So, 60% of the track will be potholed. “They say it will take 10 years for the wildlife and its habitats to recover from this development, but they also say this surface only has a life of ten to twelve years. So, there will be constant disturbance from maintaining it.,â€? he added.

Designated by the EU as a candidate special area of conservation, the Barrow is, according to locals, home to protected species including NLQJÂżVKHUV DQG RWWHUV

THE ongoing crises of RYHUFURZGLQJ DQG VWDŕľśQJ levels in our hospitals were brought home recently when psychiatric nurses in Kilkenny and Waterford refused to carry out non-nursing duties as part of a campaign of industrial action to highlight the issues.

The Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) said industrial action in Waterford DŕľľHFWHG WKH 'HSDUWPHQW RI Psychiatry at University Hospital Waterford and in residential units at Grangemore, St Aidens and Ard na Deise.

The dispute hit the acute psychiatric unit at St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny where, according to the PNA, 50 patients were residing in the 44-person unit. The move occurred following a vote by nurses in both counties for action

Action: PNA members protesting at Waterford hospital up to and including strikes.

31$ LQGXVWULDO UHODWLRQV RŕľśFHU Michael Hayes said nurses had been left with no choice in order to protect service delivery to patients and ensure the safety of ERWK FOLHQWV DQG VWDŕľľ LQ VHUYLFHV across Waterford and Kilkenny. “These vital services cannot be delivered adequately and safely in facilities that are regularly RYHUFURZGHG DQG XQGHUVWDŕľľHG They certainly cannot be run on

the basis of an almost continuous UHGHSOR\PHQW RI VWD྾ XVH RI DJHQF\ VWD྾ DQG RYHUWLPH DQG reliance on the sheer goodwill of RYHU VWUHWFKHG SHUPDQHQW VWD྾ ´ he told the Irish Times.

The HSE said it is conscious of the demand on the acute psychiatric inpatient services question and it is working to address the problem. It apologised to anyone who had been inconvenienced.

Council in move to ban horses from city streets

Chic: Brian O’Driscoll and Amy Huberman in her Folkster dress

Amy shops local for her Iftas showstopper

By Jake Maxwell THE folks at local trendy boutique Folkster were thrilled to bits when they saw that actress and author Amy Huberman had opted for one of their stylish numbers to wear to the recent Irish Film and Television Awards. (Iftas).

The shop, which has a branch in Patrick Street and another in Dublin, proudly took to Instagram to reveal that the star had chosen their ‘Erica’ dress (â‚Ź129), plus their exclusively made beaded belt and clutch bag.

Hubby Brian doesn’t look too bad either...

HORSES look set to be excluded from certain areas of the city. Exclusion zones are to be established in Kilkenny City & County in a bid to curb sulky racing and also in the wake of several incidents involving cruelty to animals.

Councillor Andrew McGuinness had tabled a motion calling for the local authority to liaise with gardai on the issue.

Kilkenny County Council director of services Sean McKeown has spoken to Garda Chief Superintendent Dominic Hayes about the issue, and also obtained legal advice on the matter.

New by-laws will need to be passed to exclude horses from certain areas, particularly those areas where there have been problems in the past.

The council will be further liaising with gardai with regard to drafting new by-laws.

The motion includes a provision for exemptions for special occasions such as funerals and weddings, and uses such as Garda horse patrols.

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kilkennytoday February 28, 2018

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08| news in brief Buses on city service could be electric THE proposed city bus service could be using electric buses and may start by the end of the year it has emerged.

The service, which is being overseen by the National Transport, will be subsidised by the State for a period of four to ÂżYH \HDUV )DUHV DUH H[SHFWHG WR cost between â‚Ź1.20 and â‚Ź1.50 per trip across a Green and Red Route. Each route will be serviced by two buses.

It is believed the service will run at half hour intervals from Monday to Friday, 7am10.30pm.

Grants of ₏314k for disabled people GRANTS totalling ₏314,792 were issued last year by Kilkenny County Council through the Disabled Persons’ Grants scheme for adaptations to social housing, according WR ¿JXUHV UHOHDVHG E\ +RXVLQJ Minister Eoghan Murphy.

The DPG scheme supplies grants for wet-rooms, showers, stair-lifts, ramps and grab-rails, as well as funding for extensions such as the installation of a downstairs bedroom.

It is 90% funded by the Department with 10% from each local authority’s own resources.

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kilkennytoday February 28, 2018

Tributes are paid to two of the county’s greatest music men

By Jake Maxwell THE ‘local’ will be to the forefront in this year’s sixth Kilkenny Tradfest on the St. Patrick’s weekend when topnotch national traditional artists will be joined by the very best of local acts on the Bulmer’s Music Trail and local hero and one of the festival founders, the late Willie Meighan will be honoured with a special tribute gig.

It’s not the only honour for the music stalwart. Last week, Willie was awarded the IMRO Outstanding Contribution to Live Music accolade at the national awards in Dublin.

The former proprietor of Rollercoaster Records on Kieran Street, Kilkenny and music promoter was just 48 when he died in November after a long battle with cancer.

Chairperson of Tradfest Malcolm Noonan said the very special free gig by local group Whiskers of Lichen and friends on March 15 will be a chance to honour Willie Meighan, a man so central to the beginning and continued success of the festival

Honour: Eleanor McEvoy of IMRO presenting the award to Willie’s widow, Aisling and Davy Holland of Rollercoaster Records. Below, WIllie Neighan. Right, ‘Mog’ O’Grady

“Willie never settled for anything less than the best for the music supporters and promoters in Kilkenny and we believe that this festival programme is one he would continue to be proud of. His great friends in Whiskers of Lichen will give us all a chance to raise a glass in his honour and NLFN Rŕľľ WKH ZHHNHQG LQ VW\OH LQ Ryan’s of Friary Street.

The Tradfest line-up includes

legend Finbar Furey, Brian Kennedy, Donal Lunny, Måirtín O’Connor and young and emerging artists like Ye Vagabonds and Moxie.

See kilkennytradfest.com Meanwhile, one of the FRXQW\œV ¿QHVW PXVLFLDQV keyboard player Michael (Mog) O’Grady, will be honoured with a tribute night in Set Theatre on March 2. Many of the bands and musicians that Michael played

with during his music career will be performing on the night.

Brendan Ryder and Gay Brazel, from Tweed, will perform with The Backyard Band.

Trad/Folk/Rock band Reel to Reel are reforming especially for this gig while Billy Barrons Contraband are also on the bill. Andy Murray and Willie Maher, from The 5th Degree, will perform as will Kilkenny

Council solving a knotty problem...

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Historic: Talbot’s Tower old city walls could soon reopen

By Jake Maxwell THE knotty problem of Talbot’s Tower could soon be sorted after Kilkenny County Council organised a survey to determine the extent of an infestation of Japanese Knotweed at the site.

Talbot’s Tower – which dates back to the 13th Century – represents the only surviving complete defensive tower of the City Wall circuit – has been closed to the public since 2015 following discovery of the Knotweed.

At a recent meeting of Kilkenny City Municipal District, members received an update on the tower and the adjoining city walls.

The survey indicated that the Knotweed problem was FRQÂżQHG WR RQH ERDUGHG area and a treatment plan is now being implemented to eradicate it.

Japanese Knotweed is highly invasive and can cause huge damage to houses and to gardens. It is also extremely GLŕľśFXOW WR UHPRYH LI LW JHWV established.

It is expected to take up WR ÂżYH \HDUV WR FOHDU WKH Knotweed from the tower.

Once lighting and footpaths are installed at the historic site, it should then be made open to the public, possibly on April 13, which is the International Day of Monuments and Sites.

guitar legend Dave Prim.

Michael or Mog O’Grady DV KH LV D྾HFWLRQDWHO\ NQRZQ began his musical career in 1968 when he joined The Nomads Showband from Kilkenny. From there he went on to play with The Jim Cantwell Big Band and following that went on to form the band Tweed, which went on to be one of Ireland’s top bands.

He continued to play keyboards with many bands over the years. He also served 10 years on the Kilkenny Arts Festival Committee, and was a great supporter of Rockfall Music Festival in Kilkenny. $OO SURÂżW IURP WKLV 7ULEXWH night will be donated to the Kilkenny branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association. Doors 8.30pm. First act 9pm. Tickets â‚Ź10.00 available from Langtons.

Motorcycle garda to patrol bus ‘drop’ points GARDAI are set to get on their bikes under a new initiative intended to monitor new GHVLJQDWHG ÂľGURS R྾œ SRLQWV IRU buses bringing revellers into the city and ensure they are being used properly.

Last year, a Joint Policing Committee noted that up to 20 buses were entering the city centre on weekend nights. The designated points for buses to deliver passengers are aimed DW LPSURYLQJ WKH WUDŕľśF LVVXHV associated with this service.

At a recent meeting of Kilkenny County Council, it was revealed that gardai had applied to the Department of -XVWLFH IRU D PRWRUF\FOH RŕľśFHU to patrol the areas where buses will be ferrying weekend revellers.

Concern was made to ensure that access to toilet facilities was made available to those alighting from buses. Reference was also made to the public toilets on the Parade, which are being damaged by vandals.

Green Party councillor Malcolm Noonan called for improved public lighting in that area to help with the operation of CCTV.

kilkennytoday February 28, 2018

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kilkennytoday February 28, 2018

opinion&comment

Brave Emma is an inspiration

T

he recent posts by Wi c k l o w - b a s e d novelist Emma Hannigan(inset) were heartbreaking to read.

Announcing that she is near the end and is ‘taking a bow’ because all avenues in treating her cancer KDYH ÂżQDOO\ EHHQ H[KDXVWHG E\ her medical team, Emma has accepted her impending death with dignity, gratitude for her life and family and not a trace of bitterness. Truly inspirational.

Emma has battled cancer more than 10 times in the last dozen years. In 2006 she discovered she had a rare gene (the BrCa1 gene) that left her with a hugely-increased chance of developing breast and ovarian cancer. She had preventative surgeries to try to forestall the disease but unfortunately was still diagnosed with cancer soon afterwards. The following years have been a roller-coaster of treatments, recoveries and returns of the disease.

Throughout it all she has kept positive and kept writing her wonderful books which will

Brian Quigley live on long after she passes.

Cancer is a horrible disease. It kills indiscriminately regardless of status or age – we have recently lost footballer Liam Miller to the disease, and to see children like Gavin Glynn, Merryn Lacy or Bradley Lowery pass away makes you despair. How in this day and age can we not cure WKHP" ,WœV VR GLྜFXOW WR WUHDW with medicines often only able WR H[WHQG WKH OLIH RI D YLFWLP With all our knowledge and resources, how long before we can win the battle against

Emma Aherne, Joseph and Ciaran Doyle, Aoife McFeely, Roisin Corcoran and Zachary Holmes from St Luke’s Hospital enjoying Big John’s Karaoke at Biddy Early’s. Image by Rue Photography it, in the same way as that we got on top in the war against AIDS, or in the VDPH ZD\ DV D GLDEHWHV VX྾HUHU can endure a full and healthy life with the correct medical intervention and management?

I work in the pharmaceutical LQGXVWU\ 2QH RI WKH ÂżUVW projects I worked on in my career was the scale-up to commercial production of 7D[RO D EUHDVW DQG RYDULDQ cancer drug (it was a drug used

in Emma’s treatment at one stage).

The medicine proved VXFFHVVIXO LQ H[WHQGLQJ DQG enhancing the lives of many, many people.

Over the years subsequent medicines produced by the industry have moved away from being chemical-molecule based to utilising biotechnology more, with a view to harnessing the body’s own immune system WR ¿JKW WKH GLVHDVH

An outright cure remains elusive though I have no doubt it will one day be achieved.

5HFHQWO\ , ÂżQLVKHG UHDGLQJ WKH most recent volumes of poetry

by Clive James, a man perhaps most famous as a television presenter in the 1980’s and 90’s.

James’ health broke down in 2010, when he was diagnosed with emphysema and kidney failure. A year later he was diagnosed with cancer (B-cell chronic lymphocytic

OHXNDHPLD DQG ZDVQÂśW H[SHFWHG to live long.

He wrote a volume of poetry (‘Nefertiti in the Flak Tower’) in 2012 that sought to put his life in perspective and was meant to be his swansong but he remains alive in 2018 thanks WR DQ H[SHULPHQWDO FDQFHU GUXJ called Ibrutinib, and has added further swansong volumes of poetry in 2015 (‘Sentenced to Death’) and 2017 (‘Injury Time’) and, retaining his sense of humour in the face of his impending death, even wrote a book (‘Play All’) about all the ER[ VHWV KH KDV ZDWFKHG ZKLOH he has been housebound and going through his treatments.

Clive James has been lucky WR KDYH WKRVH H[WUD \HDUV 0RVW people with cancer either don’t JHW DFFHVV WR H[SHULPHQWDO drugs or else don’t respond to them. It shouldn’t have to come down to getting lucky though.

It is one of my greatest hopes in life to live to see the day when we can beat this disease. In the meantime, as Emma Hannigan said in her recent posts, we should enjoy every day we are healthy and be grateful for it.

kilkennytoday February 28, 2018

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kilkennytoday February 28, 2018

kilkennyinpictures

Happiness Okonkwo, Ber Keane and Victor Oduleye at Supreme Events’ annual club night Heaven Sent, The Rafter Dempsey’s. Image by Rue Photography

Geraldine, Finnuala, Vonnie Brennan and Mary Lynch from Castlecomer enjoying Smokie Live at Lyrath Estate Hotel. Image by Rue Photography

Adrian McEvoy, Mary and Myles “Elvis” Kavanangh, Pam McLoughlin enjoying Smokie Live at Lyrath Estate Hotel. Image by Rue Photography

Michael O’Gorman and Ingrid Baker from Ballyragget enjoying Smokie Live at Lyrath Estate Hotel.

Image by Rue Photography

kilkennytoday February 28, 2018

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kilkennytoday February 28, 2018

kilkennytoday February 28, 2018

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16 | WILDLIFE with Justin Ivory

Drums in the Deep!

Male Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pic: Justin Ivory) IF YOU GO down to the woods today you’re sure of a big surprise! Well maybe not sure of a big surprise and definitely not teddy bears having a picnic, but you could well hear the sound of drumming! Is it some woodland hermit or shaman performing an ancient druidic ritual or a rock band making an al-fresco promo video? Nope!

So who or what is producing this unusual sound? Listen closely. Try and hone in on where the sound is coming from and look up into the trees. There you see a quick movement of black and white in the upper branches. Wait patiently. More drumming close by. And what’s that now – a more distant drumming in response. Keep watching and suddenly a small black and white bird with a distinctive undulating flight, flicking its wings in and out shoots across a clearing in the trees.

kilkennytoday February 28, 2018

ninenottomiss BOOK of the week

TV SHOW of the week

FILM of the week

HOROSCOPES

THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW

by A. J. Finn

ANT & DEC’S SATURDAY NIGHT TAKEAWAY Channel 3, Sturdays, 9pm

It’s been ten long months since Anna Fox last left her home. Ten months during which she has haunted the rooms of her old New York house like a ghost, lost in her memories, too terrified to step outside. Anna’s lifeline to the real world is her window, where she sits day after day, watching her neighbours. When the Russells move in, Anna is instantly drawn to them. A picture-perfect family of three, they are an echo of the life that was once hers. But one evening, a frenzied scream rips across the silence, and Anna witnesses something no one was supposed to see.

The entertainer duo return with their regular weekend variety show, featuring audience surprises, outlandish stunts and celebrity guests. Kylie Minogue gets proceedings under way by opening the show with a studio performance, and Olly Murs swaps his rotating chair on The Voice for a seat in the announcer’s booth. Amanda Holden becomes the first famous face to fall victim to the pair’s latest round of Undercover pranks, and Stephen Mulhern is back to preside over another Ant Versus Dec contest.

EXHIBIT of the week

SIGHTS of the week

GAME NIGHT Out on March 2 Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams star as Max and Annie, whose weekly couples game night gets kicked up a notch when Max’s charismatic brother, Brooks (Chandler), arranges a murder mystery party, complete with fake thugs and faux federal agents. So, when Brooks gets kidnapped, it’s all part of the game...right? But as the six uber-competitive gamers set out to solve the case and win, they begin to discover that neither this game nor Brooks, are what they seem to be. The friends find themselves increasingly in over their heads as each twist leads to another unexpected turn.

VISIT of the week

TAURUS- This week is a 7 Grab a chance to make VRPH H[WUD FDVK 0LQLPL]H ÂżQDQFLDO ULVNV DQG KROG Rŕľľ RQ VRPHWKLQJ \RX GRQÂśW UHDOO\ QHHG GEMINI- This week is an 8 .HHS SHUVRQDO GUHDPV WR \RXUVHOI IRU QRZ 6DYH HQHUJ\ IRU H[LVWLQJ UHVSRQVLELOLWLHV DQG NHHS SORWWLQJ CANCER- This week is a 6 /D\ ORZ DQG UHFXSHUDWH )LQLVK \RXU ZRUN LQ SULYDWH /HDUQ D YDOXDEOH WULFN 7DNH WKLQJV VORZ DV WKH SRVVLELOLW\ RI HUURU LV KLJK LEO- This week is a 7 6XSSRUW D IULHQG ZKRÂśV JRLQJ WKURXJK D URXJK SDWFK 3XOO WRJHWKHU LQ D FRPPXQLW\ HŕľľRUW +DYH SDWLHQFH ZLWK PLVXQGHUVWDQGLQJV

ANOCHT RESTAURANT at Kilkenny Design Centre, The Castle Yard, Kilkenny Castle For reservations, see www.kilkennydesign.com/ anocht-restaurant Anocht Restaurant at The Kilkenny Design Centre is overlooking the cobbled courtyard of historic Kilkenny Castle. Inspired by the wealth of the Kilkenny food trail, the upstairs restaurant is opened each evening from Thursday-Saturday 6.30pm-9.30pm. Sample its award-winning food in a unique space for fine dining, with its broad oak beam ceiling and with menus inspired by great Irish ingredients.

ADVENTURE of the week

KILKENNY ROAD TRAIN TOURS For times and range of price options see www.kilkennyroadtraintours.com

JERPOINT PARK Contact 00 353 86 6061449 or info@jerpointpark.com

This is a fantastic way for all the family, young and old, to view the city’s finest sites is to take the Kilkenny Road Train Tour. The tour starts off beside Kilkenny Castle (on the castle side) and brings you on a 30-minute narrated tour of the fascinating buildings Kilkenny has to offer. You can even enjoy a sing-along to many favourite traditional songs and music played on board while you take in all the sights of the mediaeval area.

Unearth the unique history in Jerpoint with a guided heritage tour of the footprints of a deserted 12th Century Medieval town – you will be immersed in the importance of this once thriving town called Newtown Jerpoint (situated near Jerpoint Abbey). The site contains the Tomb Effigy of St. Nicholas (Bishop of Myra - the original Santa Claus!).

There are tea rooms, angling and sheep dog demonstrations all available. Booking is required and no dogs are allowed as Jerpoint is also a working farm.

GIG of the week

THRILL of the week

Male Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pic: Justin Ivory) It is a Great Spotted Woodpecker and this is the time of year when they are at their most vocal as they look for mates, setup territories and defend breeding sites by “drumming�, a sound produced by rapidly hitting it’s bill off hard wood. New research suggests that individual Great Spotted Woodpeckers may be identified by their drum roll pattern.

Up until about ten years ago a woodpecker drumming is not a sound you could have heard in Ireland but since colonising from the UK they have spread rapidly through our eastern counties with the woodlands of Wicklow the best location to see and hear these stunning looking birds. Drumming can typically be heard from February to May.

ARIES- This week is a 7 Focus on the job at hand.

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PURE ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES www.pureadventure.ie Choose from full day and multi-day experiences along the River Barrow, one of Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest navigation routes. Experience historic canals and locks, the beauty of the native wooded valley and the exhilaration of the weirs and rapids. Trips can be taken in canoes or kayaks and also by stand up paddle board. This area offers an abundance of heritage, wildlife and adventure all in one pristine location. There are fishing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking and cycling trips to choose from. See website for details.

IN TUA NUA Watergate Theatre, March 2 www.watergatetheatre.com

THE NATIONAL REPTILE ZOO Demesne Road,Gowran 10am-6pm, every day www.nationalreptilezoo.ie

In Tua Nua will be bringing their show to the Watergate Theatre in Kilkenny on Friday March 2nd 2018 and will feature many of their hits, including â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Seven Into the Sea, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Fear Me Nowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;All I Wantedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and many more.

The show will be recorded for the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Irish Music Show (iMS)â&#x20AC;&#x2122; on KCLR and hosted by its award winning presenter, Roddie Cleere.

Why not visit Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only dedicated reptile zoo, giving you the unique opportunity to come face to face with some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most amazing animals, including giant pythons, monitor lizards, snapping turtles, tortoises, alligators, tarantulas and more. Have a hands-on, interactive experience through the hourly animal encounters. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also indoor and outdoor picnic area, snack bar, souvenir shop and soft play area.

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kilkennytoday February 28, 2018

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kilkennytoday February 28, 2018

kilkennytoday February 28, 2018

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kilkennytoday February 28, 2018