Kilkenny Today 28 06 2018

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kilkennytoday June 28, 2018

kilkennytoday DELIVERED DOOR-TO-DOOR TO HOMES

INSIDE: FREE

May 01 901 June28, 28,2015, 2018t:t: 056 7815556/7, 7070 e: info@wicklowvoice.ie e: kilkennytoday@carlowpeople.ie

IN THE CITY AREA

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St Canice’s CU hit with €210,000 fine

By Jake Maxwell ST CANICE’S Credit Union has been hit with a record €210,000 by the Central Bank.

It was also reprimanded for eight breaches of the Credit Union Act after an probe.

The Central Bank said the credit union, which has more 57,000 members, failed to properly manage the integration of a new IT system which

resulted in it being unable to reconcile its main bank account correctly.

As a result, the Central Bank said that St Canice’s was unable to ensure the protection of members’ savings, but it stressed that no losses were actually sustained.

St Canice’s also knowingly submitted incorrect returns to the Central Bank for 15 months.

The Central Bank said this

was unacceptable as it relies on these returns to assess the ¿QDQFLDO SRVLWLRQ DQG VWDELOLW\ of credit unions.

“By submitting inaccurate returns, the Credit Union compromised the Central %DQN¶V DELOLW\ WR H൵HFWLYHO\ DQG appropriately supervise it,” the Central Bank said.

The Central Bank said the level RI WKH ¿QH UHÀHFWV WKH SRWHQWLDO serious impact on members,

WKH IDLOXUH WR HQVXUH H൵HFWLYH oversight and governance; and the lack of engagement with the Central Bank.

“Regulatory failures of this nature will result in rigourous investigation and appropriate enforcement action,” the Central Bank’s Director of Enforcement and Anti-Money Laundering, Seána Cunningham, said.

Coninued on next page

Julie O’Sullivan and Shannon Nolan at the first ever BrewFest Kilkenny, Sullivan’s Taproom. Image by Rue Photography.

More pix inside

04| news in brief Family thank public for search

TEENAGER Damien Cullen’s family have thanked the public for helping them search for the \HDU ROG ZKR ÀHG 6W /XNHœV Hospital after being admitted.

Over 100 volunteers assisted the gardaĂ­, the army, the Civil Defence who were searching for the young man. Damien from &DUORZ ZDV IRXQG RQ 6XQGD\ “His family want to thank the people who gave so generously of their time and helped them LQ WKH VHDUFK WR ÂżQG 'DPLDQ ´ D senior garda spokesperson said.

Water restrictions ,5,6+ Water has warned that it may have to implement water restrictions as the country is set to swelter in a 30C heatwave this week. The utility has urged householders and businesses to conserve water as supplies are now at serious risk in parts of and Kilkenny. “Irish Water’s drought management group has been meeting regularly to assess atULVN VXSSOLHV ´ LW VDLG Met Eireann said that while some records were likely to be broken this week, it was unlikely they would match the blistering 33.3C recorded in Kilkenny in 1887.

kilkennytoday June 28, 2018

Body to be exhumed in search for missing Green for go at KSP Brendan Budding Gardeners celebrate KSP’s First Health Promoting Schools (HPS) Flag

By Jake Maxwell

KILKENNY School Project National School (KSP) has UHFHLYHG LWV ¿UVW +HDOWK Promoting Schools Flag, DZDUGHG E\ WKH +6( The achievement was celebrated on June 21 along with the school’s ninth Green )ODJ DW D VSHFLDO ÀDJ UDLVLQJ FHUHPRQ\ *XHVWV RI +RQRXU 0HDEK 0F*XLQQHVV RI WKH +6( DQG 6WHSKDQLH 0F'HUPRWW former parent and human rights activist presented the WZR QHZ ÀDJV Addresses were made to

an assembly of almost 250 VWXGHQWV DQG VWDŕľľ RQ KHDOWK promotion and Global &LWL]HQVKLS DQG 0DULQH Environment, the theme of WKH QLQWK *UHHQ )ODJ 7KH Âľ+HDOWK 3URPRWLQJ Schools Programme’ awards schools that can demonstrate a focus on health and ZHOOEHLQJ Speaking at the event, 6FKRRO 3ULQFLSDO 0DU\ Nicholson commented, “The children and the entire school VWDŕľľ DUH WKULOOHG WR UHFHLYH RXU ÂżUVW +HDOWK 3URPRWLQJ Schools Flag and our ninth *UHHQ )ODJ 2Q EHKDOI RI WKH

school I would like to extend RXU WKDQNV WR ERWK WKH *UHHQ Schools Committee and the +36 &RPPLWWHH IRU WKHLU WUHPHQGRXV HŕľľRUW DQG HQHUJ\ in successfully completing WKHVH DFKLHYHPHQWV ´ As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability and health promotion, with the support of Kilkenny County Council’s “Waste 3UHYHQWLRQ 3URJUDPPH´ the KSP pupils and Parent Teacher Association, headed XS E\ =VRÂżD 6]RPPHU developed an organic garden on the school grounds for HDFK FODVV

St Canice’s hit by record ₏210k fine Coninued from previous page Ms Cunningham said that credit union members have an expectation that their funds will be safeguarded to the KLJKHVW VWDQGDUGV ³(྾HFWLYH safeguarding of funds is built upon robust governance and systems and controls within a credit union. The board of a credit union retains primary responsibility for these matters and therefore must adequately oversee and manage all activities of a credit union, including those outsourced to a WKLUG SDUW\ ´ VKH DGGHG 6LQFH WKH EUHDFKHV ZHUH XQFRYHUHG 6W &DQLFHœV KDV undertaken a review of its systems and procedures and has implemented a number of improvements including the introduction of an IT strategic plan, a change management policy and the appointment of DQ ,7 RྜFHU 6W &DQLFHœV VDLG LQ D VWDWHPHQW it had since undertaken a review of its systems and procedures and had implemented a number of improvements.

It added that the credit union was thriving, having lent almost â‚Ź40m to the local community.

By Jake Maxwell A BODY will be exhumed in Wales in connection with missing Irishman Joseph Brendan Dowley.

Mr Dowley disappeared in 1985 at the age of 63. No trace of him has ever been found.

He was on his way back to /RQGRQ DW WKH WLPH RI KLV GLVDSpearance but had been visiting Ireland.

Mr Dowley, who was known as Brendan, was last seen at the bus station in Kilkenny city in October 1985, where he was due to travel to Dublin and onward to Wales by ferry.

However, he never arrived KRPH WR /RQGRQ DQG KLV IDPLO\ have been searching for answers for the past 33 years.

A recent cold case review conducted by North Wales 3ROLFH DQG $Q *DUGD 6LRFKDQD has led investigators to believe that Mr Dowley’s remains may be interred in a grave in Menai Bridge cemetery in Anglesey, north Wales.

Mr Dowley’s family recently received medical records which indicate the body buried in Wales has scars that match those of the missing man.

7KH XQLGHQWLÂżHG ERG\ ZDVKHG up on a beach in Wales in November 1995 and had been in the sea for some time.

Mr Dowley’s son Alan and other family members have given DNA samples in the hopes

that it will help identify the body as their father’s.

Retired garda Alan contacted Welsh police about his father’s case after seeing how another XQLGHQWL¿HG ERG\ ZDVKHG XS LQ Wales was found to be that of missing Irish woman Pauline Finlay.

Pauline, 49, from Wexford, disappeared in 1994, while out walking her dogs on a beach at Kilmuckridge. /DVW 'HFHPEHU D ERG\ ZDVKHG up in Wales was formally identiÂżHG DV WKDW RI PLVVLQJ 3DXOLQH 7KH SROLFH RŕľśFHUV ZKR LGHQWLÂżHG 3DXOLQH )LQOD\ DUH WKH same team in charge of today’s exhumation. “We combine the latest advances in DNA technology and traditional investigative methods to help conclude enquiries VWDUWHG \HDUV DJR ´ 'HWHFWLYH Constable Don Kenyon said. “The focus of the operation is simply to identify, reunite and allow the dignity of a funeral service for family and friends to SD\ WKHLU UHVSHFWV ´

Literary festival

By Jake Maxwell .,/.(11<Âś6 International /LWHUDU\ )HVWLYDOÂśV QH[W HYHQW will take place on August 4 in the Pemroke Hotel and will feature two of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s WRS ZULWHUV RI KLVWRULFDO ÂżFWLRQ â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Michèle Forbes and Peter Cunningham, with popular .&/5 SUHVHQWHU 0DUWLQ Brdgeman, as moderator.

0LFKqOH )RUEHVÂś ÂżUVW QRYHO Ghost Moth was shortlisted for Newcomer Of The Year at the

Irish Book Awards and for First Book Award at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Peter Cunningham is an award-winning novelist and columnist from Waterford, and KLV ÂżUVW WKULOOHU 1REOH /RUG ZDV released in 1986.

Further information and tickets (from â&#x201A;Ź12) for this RQH Rŕľľ HYHQW FDQ EH IRXQG DW the venueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website: https:// pembrokekilkenny.wearegifted. co.uk/kilfest-aug-4 (no booking fee).

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06| news in brief Rural projects receive â&#x201A;Ź1m RURAL Kilkenny has received a major funding boost which will address, directly, the need to support country areas. More than 40 groups and initiatives across Kilkenny have receive â&#x201A;Ź1,046,263.25 in LEADER funding, Junior Minister, John 3DXO 3KHODQ 7' KDV FRQÂżUPHG .H\ EHQHÂżFLDULHV LQFOXGH Windgap Community Development which has UHFHLYHG Âź IRU WKH provision of services to hard to reach communities and a IXUWKHU Âź IRU HQWHUSULVH development. Ballyouskill gets â&#x201A;Ź80,000, again for the provision of services for hard to reach communities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Other worthy projects and initiatives supported include Kilkenny Tourism, which UHFHLYHG Âź 6DYRXU Kilkenny which was supported to the tune of â&#x201A;Ź25,000 and U-Casadh which got â&#x201A;Ź27,000,â&#x20AC;?

0LQLWVHU 3KHODQ FRQÂżUPHG

BUYING? SELLING? t056 781 7070 ekilkennytoday @carlowpeople.ie

kilkennytoday June 28, 2018

McCreeryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clean up

Restaurant hosts quirky â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Domestic Godlessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; events

By Jake Maxwell

Jennifer McCreery and The Cleaning Concierge Team

By Jake Maxwell KILKENNYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S premium home cleaning company, The Cleaning Concierge is experiencing a bumper year.

To date they see a 25% increase for its all-inclusive home cleaning service since January.

Now in its third year, The Cleaning Concierge is the home cleaning division of McCreery Contract Cleaning, the South Eastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest professional cleaning company, bringing all the latest technology, specialist equipment, environmentally

IULHQGO\ SURGXFWV DQG VWDŕľľ training to its home cleaning service.

Having increased its workforce by 15% earlier this year, additional cleaning positions are now being ÂżOOHG WR NHHS XS ZLWK demand along with its usual recruitment drive for summer with seasonal cleaners also EHLQJ VRXJKW E\ WKH ÂżUP In response to customer feedback, additional services have been added to the range RŕľľHUHG DW 7KH &OHDQLQJ Concierge. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People are working very long days leaving the house at

7.30 am and maybe not back until 6.30 pm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this leaves very little time to cook meals, manage the family and the household maintenance,â&#x20AC;?

Jennifer McCreery, MD of McCreery Contract Cleaning and The Cleaning Concierge said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;More and more people are coming to us because they see the value in having their homes cleaned professionally.

We have seen a huge spike in demand for our home cleaning services. This frees up quality time to spend with family, friends and take a break from work.â&#x20AC;?

AN arts project which has produced banquets, installations and performances in such places as the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the derelict Hotel Bageion in the heart of Athens, the majestic Castletown House in County Kildare and even a mini-skip at the gates of City Hall in Belfast now comes to Kilkenny for two very quirky events this coming weekend. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Domestic Godlessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; comes to Fennellyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of Callan on June 30 and July 1, for a Âľ3DWDSK\VLFDO %XŕľľHWÂś IRU people on the Saturday evening and a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Porridge not Porridgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; event from 11am to 2pm on Sunday.

Both events are free but prebooking is essential. Places can be pre-booked by calling 086 RU HPDLOLQJ WKHP RQ fennellyscallan@gmail.com â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Domestic Godlessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; initiative is commissioned by Crawford Art Gallery and supported by the Arts Council Touring Award and Fennellyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s RI &DOODQ LV DPRQJ ÂżYH YHQXHV

on the tour of Ireland in 2018, local coordinator, Eilis Lavelle, explained. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Since its foundation, this initiative explores the potential of food - its taste, its presentation, its history and its cultural values as a vehicle for irreverent artistic endeavour and experimentation,â&#x20AC;?.she explained.

The Domestic Godless team will be based at Fennellyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s over two days, showcasing their world of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;pataphysical cuisineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, she added.

Fennellyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of Callan is the perfect location for such an HYHQW 7KH LQGHSHQGHQW FRŕľľHH shop and arts space is managed and curated by Etaoin Holahan (above) with food by her sister and chef, Aoife Holahan.

Average price of a house hits â&#x201A;Ź211,167

By Jake Maxwell THE price of the average threebed semi in County Kilkenny rose by 2.3% to â&#x201A;Ź211,167 between March and June, according to a national survey carried out by Real Estate Alliance.

Kilkenny prices rose by 12.6% in the last 12 months, the survey found with the county rising by 3% in the last quarter and the city increasing by 1.7% to an average price of â&#x201A;Ź252,333.

The REA Average House Price Survey concentrates on the actual sale price of Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s typical stock home, the threebed semi, giving an up-to-date picture of the second hand property market in towns and cities countrywide to the close of

last week. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Supply is still poor, the market was reasonable in March and April, but there was a slowdown in May and early June,â&#x20AC;? said Robbie Grace of REA Grace in Callan.

The average semidetached house nationally now costs â&#x201A;Ź232,441, the Q2 REA Average House Price Survey has found â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a rise of 1.5% on the Q1 ÂżJXUH RI Âź Overall, the average house price across the country rose by 8% over the past 12 months â&#x20AC;&#x201C; indicating that the market is continuing to steady after an 11.3% overall rise in 2017.

The rate of increase in secondhand three-bed semi-detached home prices in Dublin city and county was just 0.8% in the last three months, with prices fall-

ing slightly in one suburb.

After rising by 12.5% in 2017, the average price of a secondhand semi-detached house in the capital has increased by just â&#x201A;Ź5,000 so far this year and now stands at â&#x201A;Ź443,000.

The commuter counties continued their recent steady growth with a 1.7% increase in Q2, with the average house now selling for â&#x201A;Ź246,278 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a rise of Âź RQ WKH ÂżUVW WKUHH PRQWKV of the year.

The countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s major cities outside Dublin recorded a combined Q2 rise of 1.5%, with an average three-bed semi costing â&#x201A;Ź247,500.

The highest increases were seen in the rest of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s towns, which experienced a 2% rise in Q2 to an average RI Âź Âą XS Âź LQ weeks.

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kilkennyinpictures

Mary Pierce, Sharon Phelan and Anne Tyrell at Rosie Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Gradyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Revisited (70s/80s Disco Night) in aid of Homeless Mobile Run, Springhill Court Hotel

Kirsten McCormick, Alan Smithwick and Ellen Barry showcasing various beers at the first ever BrewFest Kilkenny, Sullivanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Taproom. Image by Rue Photography

Gavyn Blanchfield and Molly Martin at the first ever BrewFest Kilkenny, Sullivanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Taproom. Image by Rue Photography

Founder of Homeless Mobile Run Peter Murphy, with organisers Brendan Pierce and Liam Dunne at Rosie Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Gradyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Revisited (70s/80s Disco Night) in aid of Homeless Mobile Run, Springhill Court Hotel

Fast-track your career into the healthcare profession â&#x20AC;Śwork 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 â&#x20AC;&#x153;longed forâ&#x20AC;? 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.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We train people from all walks of life and all agesâ&#x20AC;? exSODLQV -HQQLH (DJOHWRQ RŕľśFH manager. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had shop assistants, receptionists, beauticians and dental nurses, as well DV WHOHVDOHV VWDŕľľ XQHPSOR\HG school leavers and the retiredâ&#x20AC;? 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 â&#x20AC;&#x153;on the ladderâ&#x20AC;? 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. â&#x20AC;&#x153;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&#x20AC;?.

If you would like to know more about phlebotomy as a career or to book a place on the August course visit Geopace Trainingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website at www.geopace.com.

Bridget Murphy and Val Quirke at Rosie Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Gradyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Revisited (70s/80s Disco Night) in aid of Homeless Mobile Run, Springhill Court Hotel

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14 | WILDLIFE with Justin Ivory

kilkennytoday June 28, 2018

ninenottomiss BOOK BOOKof ofthe theweek week

TV TVSHOW SHOWof ofthe theweek week FILM of the week

Hummingbird invasion HOROSCOPES

Hummingbird Hawk-moth feeding. Pic: Justin Ivory WHILE counting butterflies and bumblebees on recent trips to Kilruddery Gardens in Bray and Mount Usher Gardens in Ashford I was brought to a halt by the sound of humming and then the sight of an unexpected creatures flitting from flower to flower – Hummingbirds!

Similar reports have been flooding in from all over the country.

Hummingbirds in Ireland!

You’ve got to be kidding!

Well yes and no is the answer.

These particular aeronautical masters are not birds at all but one of the coolest, most amazing insects you are likely to encounter in Ireland. They are in fact Hummingbird Hawk-moths (Macroglossum stellatarum).

This day flying moth resembles a hummingbird as it hovers with an audible hum in front of flowers feeding on the nectar with its long tongue or more correctly proboscis.

It is particularly fond of Red Valerian as well as Fuschia, Jasmine and Campion and many other species.

BEAT

By Rowan Somerville

NO COUNTRY FOR WOMEN RTÉ Player

THE HAPPY PRINCE Out Now

In the midst of the Second Intifada, two acts of extreme violence lead to an act of extraordinary humanity. A suicide bomb was detonated outside a nightclub in Tel Aviv, killing twenty-two people, mostly young Israelis. In an apparently retributive act of violence, an Israeli settler shot Palestinian pharmacist, Mazan Al-Joulani in the neck, rendering him brain-dead. From the ashes of these events, rose an incredible act of generosity as one man donates his heart to a dying Israeli.

No Country for Women is a new landmark television two part documentary series on RTÉ One which explores Irish women’s lives since achieving the vote 100 years ago. In the 100th anniversary year of women’s suffrage, these documentaries travel through time, seeking historical answers in the journeys of a number of Irish women today. Asking the question of how much has really changed for women in the last century, the film comes up with some uncomfortable answers about the impact of government, legal and religious control over women’s lives.

Labours of love rarely come more superbly wrapped than Rupert Everett’s engrossing biopic of the final years of the legendary Oscar Wilde. Written and directed by, and also starring Everett, this latest celluloid look at Wilde’s life skips past his days as a hugely successful playwright of late-Victorian London, and concentrates on his post-prison period, after being convicted of gross indecency.

Everett is pretty flawless as Wilde, but he’s closely followed by Colin Morgan, who is unrecognisable as the duplicitous Bosie. Colin Firth and Emily Watson both put in good shifts.

WINE BAR of the week

HOSTEL of the week

RESTAURANT of the week

ARIES- This week is a 7 Investigate your opportunities. Another gets through where you can’t.

Call ahead to avoid running all over town.

TAURUS- This week is a 6 Review resources, and store provisions for the future.

Public obligations interfere with private time. New possibilities abound.

GEMINI- This week is a 7 Misunderstandings delay the action; don’t make wild promises, and do what you said you would. Negotiate and compromise.

CANCER- This week is a 7 Expand your physical boundaries and limitations with practice over the next few days. Focus more on actions than talk; words can get tangled.

LEO- This week is a 7 Avoid controversy, risk or expense. Relax and spend easy time together. Listen more than you speak. Have fun with someone sweet.

BEAUJOLAIS WINE BAR Market Yard (St Kieran’s St), T: 0876807885 twitter.com/#!/BeauJoWineBar facebook.com/kilkennyWine Step back in time and enjoy Beaujolais’s authentic and rustic atmosphere. Wine and dine at the exciting and sophisticated wine bar in the heart of Kilkenny city, serving sublime wines and tasty foods. Beaujolais is an exciting and sophisticated wine bar in the heart of Kilkenny City. They open Thursday, Friday and Saturday Nights from 5pm. Sublime wines, tasty foods. A simple proposition that we think you’ll enjoy.

FUN IDEA of the week

KILKENNY TOURIST HOSTEL 35 Parliament St, (0)56 776 3541, info@ kilkennyhostel.ie

ANOCHT RESTAURANT Kilkenny Design Centre, Castle Yard Kilkenny , www.anochtrestaurant.ie 056 77 22118

In an 18th century Georgian Townhouse, Kilkenny Tourist Hostel is right in the centre of Kilkenny, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Ireland. There’s Free WiFi and free computer access. Our Kilkenny City Centre hostel also has a great Self Catering kitchen and a lovely Sitting Room with an open turf fire. Choose between Dorms, Private Family Rooms, Triples, Twins and Double rooms.

Prices from as little as €14 per night.

Established in 2012 after the enduring success of Kilkenny Design Centre’s day-time restaurant, Anocht offers a unique fine dining experience in one of Kilkenny’s most beautiful rooms.

Serving modern Irish & European cuisine with added style using the finest local ingredients, Anocht caters for dinner, group bookings and private dining. Built in the 1760s as grain stores for the Earl of Ormonde’s horses, the Kilkenny Design Centre was originally part of a large complex of buildings attached to the castle that housed a dairy, stables, coach houses and accommodation for grooms..

PLAY of the week

SHOW of the week

VIRGO- This week is a 7 Enjoy domestic arts, crafts DQG EHDXWL¿FDWLRQ SURMHFWV Handle chores and routines.

Share the fruits of your labours.

LIBRA- This week is a 5 7KHUH¶V D GL൵HUHQFH of opinion. Beware contradictions and trite solutions. Avoid gossip. An answer is elusive.

SCORPIO- This week is a 9 Slow down to untangle misunderstandings before they grow. Update schedules and keep everyone in the loop.

SAGITTARIUS- This week is a 7

Listen before you advance, or risk breakdowns. Note emotion as well as logic.

Distractions cause mistakes.

Spread your wings.

Hummingbird Hawk-moth – a blur of wings! Pic: Justin Ivory Not only is this moth day flying, studies have shown that they often return to feed at the same patch of flowerbed at the same time each day.

As well as behavioural clues, it is also instantly recognisable from its orange hind wings, and black and white chequered pattern on the abdomen.

The Hummingbird Hawkmoth is an irregular migrant to Britain and Ireland from mainland Europe in varying numbers.

2017 seems to be a bumper year for this wonderful creature so get yourself to a garden and try and see one for yourself.

Even non-wildlife nerds are amazed by these fascinating insects.

CASTLECOMER DISCOVERY PARK 056 4440707, www.discoverypark.ie Castlecomer Discovery Park is nested in the charming and tranquil village of Castlecomer and is less than 20km away from Kilkenny city and just 30 minutes from M7, M8 and M9 motorways. Castlecomer Discovery Park adventures includes it famous walk through the treetops, with views of the River Deane below. For the more adventurous, we have Ireland’s longest, over water, zip-line (300 meters), or try the Octagon, our high ropes challenge course. The Park comprises 80 acres of natural woodland and lakes.

LITTLE WOMEN Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre June 29

CHRISTY MOORE September 7, Visual Carlow, €40

The summer season at Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre starts on June 29 with Chapterhouse Theatre Company’s production of the timeless Little Women. Louisa May Alcott’s tale of four sisters - Jo, Beth, Meg and Amy - and their lives during the American Civil War is a story full of romance, love, and friendship; a story where hope will always outdo heartache and hardship if you have the courage to follow your dreams. Little Women is retold in a brand-new adaptation from Chapterhouse.

VISUAL is delighted to welcome back the legendary Christy Moore and fans can expect all the old favourites from Christy’s huge repertoire, spanning 50 years. Christy’s latest double CD “On The Road” was released in November and features new live recordings of some of his most popular tracks. “We have chosen 24 tracks from 17 different venues recorded over the past three years,” says Christy. It’s a pity he’s not playing in Kilkenny as no gigs have been announced so far.

CAPRICORN- This week is a 6 Find a quiet, private thinking place. Rest and recuperate. Slow down and avoid irritation at delays and misunderstandings. Let it all blow over.

AQUARIUS-This week is an 8 All for one and one for all.

Stick to the rules or risk a foul. Avoid controversy or jealousies. Diplomacy pays R൵ PISCES- This week is an 8 Maintain grace despite awkward communications or misunderstandings.

Clarify scheduling and watch for delays.

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kilkennytoday June 28, 2018

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kilkennytoday June 28, 2018

insideback

Greatest season in Irish Rugby

T

he FIFA soccer World Cup has been great so far but the rugby series between Ireland and Australia â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which culminated in Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Third Test victory for Joe Schmidtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s men in Sydney â&#x20AC;&#x201C; has been a welcome distraction.

Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 20-16 win had it DOO (ŕľľRUW GUDPD KHURLVP DQG euphoria. With one win apiece going into the game, there was a real Cup Final atmosphere in the stadium for the decider.

Good and all as this Irish team is I thought it would be too much of an ask to win the Test Series against the Wallabies on their home turf. I shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have doubted them.

With Ireland leading 12-9 at half-time having had the majority of territory and possession in WKH ÂżUVW SHULRG , IHOW ZH QHHGHG to be further ahead. We struggled to convert our dominance into points and I felt this was going to come back to bite us.

You just knew the Australians were going to come at us hard in the second period, and that

Aisling Ruessmann, Kevin Shore and Lorraine Brett savouring craft gins at the first ever BrewFest Kilkenny, Sullivanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Taproom

Brian Quigley they did. Relentless pressure was applied on the tourists and with only a point in the game twenty minutes from time I really didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think we could withstand wave after wave of DWWDFNV %XW ZH KHOG ÂżUP IRU D IDPRXV YLFWRU\ DQG D ÂżUVW VHULHV win down under in 39 years.

The records will show CJ Stander got the try and Sexton NLFNHG ÂżYH SHQDOWLHV EXW WKLV ZDV D WHDP HŕľľRUW ,W KDV EHHQ D WHDP HŕľľRUW DOO VHDVRQ DQG ZKDW a gruelling season it has been.

Eleven tough games and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s RQ WRS RI WKH SOD\HUVÂś HŕľľRUWV IRU their club sides. But it has ended with a Grand Slam in the Six Nations and now a series win over the Wallabies.

So has this been Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best year ever in rugby? Quite possibly, but it has been coming under Joe Schmidt. The provinces â&#x20AC;&#x201C; who contribute the vast majority of the players to the Irish panel â&#x20AC;&#x201C; deserve their share of the plaudits too.

If the Rugby World Cup was this year you couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see anyone beating Ireland. But whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to say this Ireland squad canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t improve even more, or maintain their current brilliance through to the tournament in autumn 2019?

What they must do now above all else is get some well-earned rest. It must be a great feeling WR URXQG Rŕľľ WKH VHDVRQ LQ WKH manner they did. It certainly has felt great to watch their magQLÂżFHQW SHUIRUPDQFHV VR , FDQ only imagine how good it feels for the players to be displaying their talents to the rugby and sporting world at large in such style.

kilkennytoday June 28, 2018

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kilkennytoday June 28, 2018