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kilkennytoday New Year Sales Edition

kilkennytoday DELIVERED DOOR-TO-DOOR TO HOMES

INSIDE: FREE

May 2015, 01 901t:5556/7, New28, Year Salest:Edition 056 781 7070 e: info@wicklowvoice.ie e: kilkennytoday@carlowpeople.ie

IN THE CITY AREA

12,000 COPIES

FREE

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

Cartoon Saloon in the frame for Oscar glory

By Kilkenny Today reporter THE talented Cartoon Saloon team is in the running for another Oscar nomination after the Kilkenny studio was shortlisted for this year’s Academy Awards.

The local animation FRPSDQ\œV QHZ VKRUW ¿OP ¾/DWH Afternoon’ has made a shortlist of 10 chosen from around the globe.

It is just the latest success story for the Kilkenny-based

VWXGLR ZKRVH ¿UVW IHDWXUH ¾7KH Secret of Kells’, received an Oscar nomination.

The world-famous cartoon studio now employs over 200 people in Kilkenny and their work has received Academy, BAFTA, Golden Globe and Emmy Nominations.

Co-founder Nora Twomey received the President’s Award at last month’s Kilkenny Business Awards in acknowledgement of the outstanding contribution the company has made to Kilkenny.

7KH VXFFHVV RI ¾/DWH Afternoon’ is set to further enhance Cartoon Saloon’s UHSXWDWLRQ RQ WKH JOREDO ¿OP stage.

The short was written and GLUHFWHG E\ /RXLVH %DJQDOO DQG produced by Nuria GonzĂĄlez Blanco for Cartoon Saloon.

It tells the story of an elderly woman, voiced by actress Fionnula Flanagan, as she drifts back through her memories, existing between two states - the past and the present.

The cartoon is now in the UXQQLQJ WR PDNH WKH ÂżQDO nominations for Best Animated Short at the Academy Awards, which will be announced in January. Congratulating the Cartoon Saloon team, James Hickey, chief executive of FĂ­s Éireann/Screen Ireland said: “I’m really delighted to see /RXLVH DQG WKH Âľ/DWH $IWHUQRRQÂś team make it through to this stage of the Academy Awards.

Contniued on page 6

Kate Howan and Bernie Cawley at the finishing line of Agriheadz Christmas Tractors run, Kilkenny Retail Park, in aid of this year’s chosen charities Samaritans, Irish Society for Colitis and Crohn’s Disease, and Central Remedial Clinic (Waterford). Image by Rue Photography

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news in brief Driver nabbed with â&#x201A;Ź3.6k of cannabis .,/.(11< JDUGDL VHL]HG â&#x201A;Ź3,600 worth of illegal cannabis when they stopped and searched a car being driven by a â&#x20AC;&#x153;nervousâ&#x20AC;? looking young man.

The incident occurred at a routine checkpoint in Raheen, New Ross, just after midnight last Sunday. A Garda spokesperson said the 28-yearold male driver appeared to be nervous, and the car was VHDUFKHG 2ŕľśFHUV GLVFRYHUHG a quantity of cannabis hidden under the bonnet of the vehicle.

The drugs are estimated to be worth â&#x201A;Ź3,600. The driver was arrested and taken to New Ross Garda Station where he was questioned under Section 4 of WKH &ULPLQDO -XVWLFH $FW $ ÂżOH on the matter is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

End of an era as Carlton bingo ends THE last numbers have been called out at the weekly bingo game in the Carlton after almost 60 years. The owners of the hall WRRN WKH GLŕľśFXOW GHFLVLRQ WR FDOO time on the weekly game, which has been losing money over the past two and a half years.

Denis Lahart, Susan Leeson, Rijan Dooley and Irene Lennon on their marks at the starting line of Medieval Mile Run 2018, St Francis Bridge. Image by Rue Photography

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Filthyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; chipper is shut down A WELL-known chipper was shut down after food safety chiefs found it posed a â&#x20AC;&#x153;grave and immediate danger to public healthâ&#x20AC;?.

The Blue Door take away restaurant in John Street was one of eight premises around the country hit with closure orders from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

The FSAI inspectors found the owners of the chipper to be guilty of numerous breaches of the Food Safety Authority Ireland Act 1998.

A copy of the Enforcement Order served on the Blue Door found the â&#x20AC;&#x153;entire food

SUHPLVHV´ WR EH LQ D ÂżOWK\ condition. It said the state of the premises was so bad it would provide â&#x20AC;&#x153;idealâ&#x20AC;? shelter â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and a readily available food source â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for rats.

The rear yard of the premises was â&#x20AC;&#x153;in a disorganised dirty condition with obsolete equipment, containers of dirty water and refuse stored in this area providing harbourage for rodentsâ&#x20AC;?, inspectors found.

2WKHU GDPQLQJ ÂżQGLQJV contained in the report included: *Engrained dirt and food debris on surfaces including

COMMUNITY EDUCATION Lower New Street, Kilkenny Telephone: 0567786896 Contact email: Siobhan.OBrien@KilkennyCarlowETB.ie

JANUARY 2019 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; CHILDCARE COURSES LEVEL 6 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Evening Course Begins Monday 14th January (Part of 6M2007 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Early Childhood Care and Education) Monday Evenings â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cost â&#x201A;Ź200 Module: Childhood Social Legal and Health Studies 6N1945 To apply: - https://www.fetchcourses.ie/course/ďŹ nder?sfcwcourseId=233810 LEVEL 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Evening Course Begins Wednesday 9th January (Part of 5M2009 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Early Childhood Care and Education) Wednesday Evenings - Cost â&#x201A;Ź200 Module: School Age Childcare 5N1781 To apply: - https://www.fetchcourses.ie/course/ďŹ nder?sfcwcourseId=232895 Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board can facilitate training in speciďŹ c modules where there is a minimum number of 10 learners.

All courses subject to sufďŹ cient interest. Fees will apply.

Ă&#x20AC;RRUV ZDOOV FHLOLQJV GRRUV equipment and other hand contact surfaces; *Layers of grease coating the walls and equipment in the cooking area; *Foods were stored in dirty FRQWDLQHUV DQG RQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;RRU surface with accumulations of old food debris and dirt present.

The FSAI report concluded that the â&#x20AC;&#x153;overall condition of the premises and manner of operation poses a serious risk of food contamination and presented a grave and immediate danger to public healthâ&#x20AC;?.

Short list for Saloon Contniued from front page

Âł7KLV ÂżOP WHOOV D XQLYHUVDO story which has appealed to international audiences around the world and particularly in North America. We wish them the best of luck in getting WKURXJK WR WKH ÂżQDO OLQH XS RI nominees in January,â&#x20AC;? he said.

7KH ÂżOP KDG LWV 1HZ <RUN premiere at Tribeca earlier this year, where it was awarded Best Animated Short, and was screened as part of a programme curated by Whoopi Goldberg.

It also won Best Animated Sequence in a Short Film at the Galway Film Fleadh last year and the Ifta for Best Animated Short. Ms Bagnall is an animation graduate of the National Film School at IADT DĂşn Laoghaire and is creative director at Cartoon Saloon.

She previously worked on the studioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Oscar-nominated IHDWXUH ÂżOPV Âľ6RQJ RI WKH 6HDÂś DQG Âľ7KH %UHDGZLQQHUÂś Culture Minister Josepha 0DGLJDQ DOVR RŕľľHUHG KHU congratulations, adding: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Again Irish excellence is being recognised on a global scale.â&#x20AC;?

M50 toll bill soars to â&#x201A;Ź1,500 for local motorist A KILKENNY motorist who failed to pay â&#x201A;Ź1,500 in tolls and penalties for using the M50 claimed someone else may have stolen his car registration and used it illegally to avoid the charges.

David Walshe, of Manor Walk, Rosehill, Kells Road, Kilkenny, had been ordered by the Dublin District Court to pay â&#x201A;Ź1,500 in tolls and penalties in relation to 17 passages through the north Co Dublin M50 toll.

The court had heard the bulk of the â&#x201A;Ź1,500 had been made up of penalties. Mr Walshe had appealed to the Circuit Court ZKLFK DŕľśUPHG WKH RUGHU RI WKH lower court and directed he pay â&#x201A;Ź1,000 in legal costs on top of KLV ÂżQHV DQG SHQDOWLHV The judge said the law stated that the registered owner of a vehicle which passes through a tolled area is responsible to pay the toll. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to pay the WROO WKHQ \RX WDNH D GLŕľľHUHQW route to avoid it,â&#x20AC;? the judge said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you take a tolled route you are accepting responsibility to pay the toll and that is the responsibility of the registered

owner.â&#x20AC;? The judge said on 17 GLŕľľHUHQW MRXUQH\V WKH YHKLFOH registered in the name of Mr Walshe passed the toll and no toll charge had been paid.

7KH FRXUW ZDV VDWLVÂżHG WKDW he had received all relevant correspondence from the National Roads Authority WUDGLQJ DV (Ă&#x20AC;RZ ZLWK UHJDUG WR liability to pay.

The judge said Mr Walshe had suggested that the vehicle that had traversed the M50 toll had not been his car but a vehicle carrying his personal car registration which had been stolen and used with criminal intent to avoid payment of a toll.

However, the judge said he had heard no evidence from Mr Walshe that this had actually KDSSHQHG HYHQ WKRXJK DQ (Ă&#x20AC;RZ executive had told the court that this does happen occasionally.

There also had been no evidence of any complaint having been made to An Garda SĂ­ochĂĄna by Mr Walshe stating that his registration had been stolen.

The judge said the evidence was conclusive that Mr Walshe was responsible for the tolls.

Lucky punter turns 25c bet into â&#x201A;Ź8.25k ONE lucky local punter has turned a 25 cent bet into a whopping â&#x201A;Ź8,250.25 festive windfall.

Christmas came early for the canny Kilkenny punter who scooped the incredible win after they placed the tiny bet on the EuroMillions.

The winner is a customer of BoyleSports, and wishes to remain anonymous.

BoyleSports spokesperson $RLIH +HŕľľURQ VDLG WKH .LONHQQ\ customer took their loose change from their pocket and put it on a quick-pick the EuroMillions main draw.

The numbers chosen for the

punter were 12, 29, 42 and Âą DQG GHÂżHG FUD]\ RGGV RI 33,000/1 to secure a return of â&#x201A;Ź8,250.25 for the delighted local punter with just days to go in the countdown to Christmas.

Ms Hefron said in a statement on behalf of BoyleSports: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Christmas has most certainly come early for our Kilkenny customer who scooped an incredible â&#x201A;Ź8,250.25 for the tiny 25 cent quick pick on the EuroMillions.â&#x20AC;?

She added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wishing them all the very best whilst spending their winnings and hoping it makes for a very special Christmas.â&#x20AC;?

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kilkennytoday New Year Sales Edition

kilkennyinpictures

Pictured are John Needs Pembro’s Support Team of Edel Holmes, Judy Kearney, Margaret O’Dwyer, Kieran Conway and Louise Holmes at John Needs Pembro Live Music Fundraiser, Hackett’s Bar. Image by Rue Photography

Craig Dawson with Pablo, Chantelle Woods with Bonnie, Santa Claus, Ciara Woods with Gus and Nadine Woods at Visit Santa With Your Pets, MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre with proceeds going to Samaritans. Image by Rue Photography

Gracey, Hannah, Emily and Holly at the starting line of Medieval Mile Run 2018, St Francis Bridge. Image by Rue Photography

Conor Holohan, Casey and Kealan Delvin at Visit Santa With Your Pets, MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre. Image by Rue Photography

Wayne Dillon, Anita Hoyne and Paschal Murphy at John Needs Pembro Live Music Fundraiser, Hackett’s Bar. Image by Rue Photography

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Ferry bad news for South East as France route axed

news in brief â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Time to get behind brewery site plansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; /2&$/ &RXQFLOORU 0LFKDHO 'R\OH KDV KLW RXW DW REMHFWRUV ZKR GHUDLOHG SODQV IRU D WHPSRUDU\ FDUSDUN RQ .LONHQQ\¶V ROG EUHZHU\ VLWH .LONHQQ\ &RXQW\ &RXQFLO UHFHQWO\ RSWHG WR ZLWKGUDZ WKH FDUSDUN SODQV DIWHU WKH SODQQLQJ SHUPLVVLRQ ZDV FKDOOHQJHG DQG WDNHQ WR WKH +LJK &RXUW RQ HQYLURQPHQWDO JURXQGV 7KH FRXQFLO DUJXHG LW FRXOG KDYH IDFHG D SURWUDFWHG DQG FRVWO\ OHJDO EDWWOH +RZHYHU &RXQFLOORU 'R\OH VDLG WKH FRXQFLO VKRXOG QRW KDYH EHHQ IRUFHG LQWR WDNLQJ VXFK DFWLRQ +H WROG .&/5IP LW¶V WLPH SHRSOH ³JRW EHKLQG SODQV´ WR GHYHORS .LONHQQ\¶V EUHZHU\ VLWH ³UDWKHU WKDQ REMHFWLQJ WR HYHU\ PRYH WKDW¶V PDGH´ &RXQFLOORU 'R\OH DOVR ZDUQHG WKDW SHRSOH DUH UXQQLQJ WKH ULVN RI QRWKLQJ EHLQJ GRQH LI WKH\ REMHFW ³MXVW IRU WKH VDNH RI REMHFWLQJ´

Medieval Mile fun 75$)),& FDPH WR D VWDQGVWLOO LQ .LONHQQ\ FLW\ FHQWUH UHFHQWO\ IRU DURXQG KDUG\ UXQQHUV RI DOO DJHV DQG VL]HV DV WKH\ SRXQGHG WKH SDYHPHQWV IRU WKH <XOHIHVW 0HGLHYDO 0LOH 5XQ 2UJDQLVHUV VDLG WKH HYHQW ZDV D KXJH VXFFHVV ZLWK UXQQHUV ZDONHUV DQG KDQG F\FOLVWV DOO MRLQLQJ WRJHWKHU XQGHU WKH JODUH RI .LONHQQ\¶V &KULVWPDV OLJKWV

150 bodies found during dig THE remains of more than 150 bodies dating back to the 13/14th Century have been uncovered and subsequently excavated as part of archaeological work on the site of the Evanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home project in Kilkenny City.

The dramatic discovery was made during the course of completing gas connection works along Barrack Lane.

The south wall of the nave of WKH FKXUFK ZDV DOVR LGHQWL¿HG LQ WKH ¿QG Kilkenny County Council said the gas main installation

works were halted for about ¿YH ZHHNV ZKLOH WKH UHPDLQV were archaeologically H[FDYDWHG E\ D FUHZ RI ¿YH archaeologists.

All works associated with the excavation were completed under licence of the Department of Heritage.

It is understood the burials all date back to the 13th/early 14th Century.

St Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Priory dates back to the 1240s. Barrack Lane formed part of the original cemetery of The Priory.

A detailed report on the

VLJQL¿FDQW DUFKHRORJLFDO discovery will be issued over the coming months.

In an update on the project, Kilkenny County Council FRQ¿UPHG WKDW VLJQL¿FDQW works have been completed in recent months.

The works are expected to be completed by October 2019. Over the past three months the raking and repointing of the building walls of St Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Priory has been largely completed. Internal JURXQG Ã&#x20AC;RRUV KDYH DOVR mostly been replaced.

.,/.(11< DQG WKH HQWLUH 6RXWK (DVW UHJLRQ KDV UHFHLYHG D PDMRU EORZ ZLWK WKH DQQRXQFHPHQW WKDW ,ULVK )HUULHV LV D[LQJ LWV 5RVVODUH WR )UDQFH URXWH QH[W \HDU ,ULVK &RQWLQHQWDO *URXS ,&* WKH FRPSDQ\ EHKLQG WKH IHUU\ ¿UP KDV FODLPHG SDVVHQJHUV KDYH H[SUHVVHG D SUHIHUHQFH IRU WUDYHOOLQJ IURP 'XEOLQ ³,ULVK )HUULHV ZLVK WR LQIRUP RXU FXVWRPHUV WKDW ZH¶UH XQOLNHO\ WR RSHUDWH D VHUYLFH EHWZHHQ 5RVVODUH DQG )UDQFH LQ ´ WKH FRPSDQ\ VDLG LQ D VWDWHPHQW ³:H FRQWLQXH WR NHHS WKLV VLWXDWLRQ XQGHU UHYLHZ ´ ,)* DOVR FRQ¿UPHG LWV QHZ :% <HDWV VKLS ZLOO RSHUDWH IURP 'XEOLQ WR &KHUERXUJ 9HURQD 0XUSK\ SUHVLGHQW RI WKH ,ULVK 5RDG +DXODJH $VVRFLDWLRQ KLW RXW DW WKH DQnouncement and said it made no VHQVH ³7KHUH¶V DEVROXWHO\ QR UHDVRQ ZK\ WKH :% <HDWV FDQ¶W RSHUDWH IURP 5RVVODUH ´ VKH VDLG 0V 0XUSK\ VDLG KDXOLHUV ZRXOG QRZ ORRN DW XVLQJ D GLIIHUHQW RSHUDWRU 6KH DUJXHG WKDW VLJQL¿FDQWO\ PRUH WUD൶F ZRXOG EH IRUFHG RQ WR WKH 0 DQG

TXHVWLRQHG KRZ WKH QHWZRUN ZRXOG FRSH ZLWK WKLV /DERXU OHDGHU %UHQGDQ +RZOLQ DOVR FULWLFLVHG WKH SODQ +H VDLG WKH GHFLVLRQ WR DEDQGRQ WKH VKRUWHVW VHD URXWH WR )UDQFH MXVW DV %UH[LW NLFNV LQ ZDV ³LQH[SOLFDEOH´ ,&* KDV FODLPHG PRVW RI LWV FXVWRPHUV KDYH D ³FOHDU SUHIHUHQFH´ IRU WKH PRUH FHQWUDO ORFDWLRQ DQG HDV\ DFFHVV RI 'XEOLQ -XQLRU 7UDQVSRUW 0LQLVWHU %UHQGDQ *UL൶Q KDV DVNHG KLV R൶FLDOV WR ³HQJDJH ZLWK WKH FRPSDQ\´ JLYHQ WKH LPSRUWDQFH RI WKH VHUYLFH IRU WKH 6RXWK (DVW UHJLRQ ³)URP D WRXULVP SHUVSHFWLYH ZKLOH LW PDLQO\ IDFLOLWDWHV ,ULVK WRXULVWV KROLGD\LQJ LQ )UDQFH LW DOVR EULQJV )UHQFK DQG RWKHU (XURSHDQ WRXULVWV WR WKH 6RXWK (DVW UHJLRQ ´ /DVW \HDU XS WR SDVVHQJHUV KDG WKHLU KROLGD\ SODQV WKURZQ LQWR GLVDUUD\ DIWHU WKH FRPSDQ\ DQQRXQFHG GHOD\V WR WKH DUULYDO RI WKH :% <HDWV IHUU\ 7KH ¼ P VKLS ZDV GXH WR VWDUW VDLOLQJ EHWZHHQ ,UHODQG DQG )UDQFH DQG WKH 8. IURP -XO\ ODVW \HDU EXW DOO VDLOLQJV XS WR 6HSWHPEHU ZHUH ODWHU FDQFHOOHG

TD hits out at closure of three local post offices THE forced closure of post of¿FHV LQ .LONHQQ\ LV KDYLQJ D VHULRXV GHWULPHQWDO NQRFN RQ H൵HFW RQ ORFDO FRPPXQLWLHV .LONHQQ\ 7' %REE\ $\OZDUG KDV VDLG 'HSXW\ $\OZDUG KLW RXW DW WKH *RYHUQPHQW IRU IDLOLQJ WKH SHRSOH RI UXUDO ,UHODQG WKURXJK ZKDW KH GHVFULEHG DV LWV ³LQDGHTXDWH UHVSRQVH´ WR WKH FORVXUH RI ORFDO SRVW R൶FHV 7KH )LDQQD )iLO 7' VSRNH RXW DIWHU KH DVNHG WKH 0LQLVWHU IRU 5XUDO $൵DLUV DQG &RPPXQLW\ 'HYHORSPHQW 0LFKDHO 5LQJ DERXW KLV SODQV WR HQVXUH WKH YLDELOLW\ DQG VXVWDLQDELOLW\ RI WRZQV DQG YLOODJHV LQ UXUDO DUHD LQ D UHFHQW H[FKDQJH LQ WKH 'iLO 'HSXW\ $\OZDUG WROG WKH PLQLVWHU WKDW WZR FRPPXQLWLHV LQ 6RXWK .LONHQQ\ KDYH UHFHQWO\ ORVW WKHLU ORFDO SRVW R൶FHV ± ZLWK D WKLUG HDUPDUNHG IRU FORVXUH RYHU WKH FRPLQJ PRQWKV ³7KH GLVPDQWOLQJ RI WKH UXUDO SRVW R൶FH QHWZRUN FRQWLQXHV

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EH PDGH DYDLODEOH WR SRVW RI¿FHV SODFHV OLNH 0XOOLQDYDW DQG *OHQPRUH ZRXOG KDYH KDG WKH FKDQFH WR LQFUHDVH WKHLU IRRWIDOO DQG PD[LPLVH WKHLU FRPPHUFLDO YLDELOLW\ ´ 'HSXW\ $\OZDUG DUJXHG WKDW LQ RUGHU IRU $Q 3RVW WR WKULYH LW VKRXOG EH SURYLGLQJ PRUH DQG EHWWHU VHUYLFHV WR ORFDO FRPPXQLWLHV UDWKHU WKDQ OHVV $QG KH VDLG HOGHUO\ SHRSOH LQ LVRODWHG UXUDO DUHDV UHO\ KHDYLO\ RQ WKHLU ORFDO SRVW R൶FH IRU EDVLF VHUYLFHV WKDW ZRXOG RWKHUZLVH IRUFH WKHP WR WUDYHO ORQJ GLVWDQFHV ³7KH PRUH VHUYLFHV ZH SURYLGH LQ WKH SRVW R൶FH WKH PRUH SUR¿WDEOH LW ZLOO EH ³,W VDGGHQV PH WR WKLQN WKDW HOGHUO\ SHRSOH LQ SDUWLFXODU DUH EHLQJ GLVHQIUDQFKLVHG DQG WROG WR WUDYHO ORQJHU GLVWDQFHV WR JHW WR WKHLU ORFDO SRVW R൶FH RU EHLQJ WROG WR JR RQOLQH ZKLFK RIWHQWLPHV LVQ¶W DQ RSWLRQ IRU WKHP ´ 'HSXW\ $\OZDUG DGGHG

kilkennytoday New Year Sales Edition

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opinion&comment

Let me gaze into my crystal ball

A

t this time of year we all spend some time taking stock of the year that is ending, but also looking ahead to the coming year.

None of us can see into the future, so what we expect or guess 2019 will bring is just that â&#x20AC;&#x201C; pure guesswork.

Make your predictions now â&#x20AC;&#x201C; JRRG EDG RU LQGLŕľľHUHQW Âą DQG take the piece of paper out next Christmas and see how much you got right or wrong, and how much you simply couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have been expected to predict.

One thing I predicted at the start of 2018 that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m patting myself on the back about now was that Bitcoin wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t last the pace, but that the distributed blockchain database technology on which it and the other cryptocurrencies (Dogecoin, IOTA, Litecoin and thousands more) were based would be the real thing to marvel at.

I reckoned these currencies were at the stage in 2018 where they needed the greed of the bandwagon jumper to keep the bubble from bursting, just like a

Brian Quigley

Ponzi scheme. Looks to me like the bubble is bursting.

January 14 looks like being WKH ÂżUVW ODQGPDUN QHZV GD\ in the 2019 calendar, with the Brexit vote in the House of Commons likely to take place that day.

Regardless of the result, the fact that the vote will take place will ensure that all involved can move on and plan for what to do next.

If the vote is carried well and good, if it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t then we still have to wait and see what will unfold later in the spring â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a Hard Brexit, a second referendum an abandonment of Brexit

Back row - Willie and Pauline Byrne, Ann-Marie Ireland, Mary and Billy Byrne. Front row - Kate, Lisa, Sarah Byrne and Orla Ireland at the starting line of Agriheadz Christmas Tractors run. Image by Rue Photography altogether or an extension of the withdrawal process.

My guess is that May will try â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and fail â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to get the vote through by making it attractive to enough to the Labour backEHQFKHUV WR FURVV WKH Ă&#x20AC;RRU DQG that we will get an extension of the withdrawal process coupled with another referendum.

Whatever happens with Brexit, let us hope that our own government keep on top of things.

They have played it well so far, but we need to be wary of both the UK and the EU so that we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get played from both sides. We are going to lose out no matter what; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a question of minimising the damage.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m expecting there will be no election here in 2019. This is the right way to proceed.

The agreement between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael needs to be maintained in the national

interest. To many they are one and the same thing now, and going forward they will either go into a full-on coalition or possibly merge.

2019 is going to have to be the \HDU IRU SHRSOH WR ÂżQDOO\ OHDUQ how to compromise and build consensus.

The path forward isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to be anyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preferred path but one that sees all involved give some ground. This applies

to Brexit, international trade, climate change and whatever else youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re having.

We are all going to have to adapt and change in all aspects of our lives. We are all going to have to play our part.

The biggest challenge â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for the individual right up to nations â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is being able to not see ourselves as existing in silos but as entities that depend on others and on whom others depend. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d imagine weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d have already learnt this by now!

It will also will be a big year for sport - hopefully we can win the Rugby World Cup! Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m quiHWO\ FRQÂżGHQW ,ÂśP TXLHWO\ FRQÂżGHQW WRR WKDW Katie Taylor can end the year with a full set of belts. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m less FRQÂżGHQW DERXW TXDOLI\LQJ IRU Euro 2020 in soccer but my guess is that Mick might just do it â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we picked the right man there.

More than anything else I hope that my family stay healthy in 2019, and continue to seek to achieve things and reach their potential. I wish health and happiness to all of you too and your families.

See you in 2019!

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kilkennytoday New Year Sales Edition

WILDLIFE with Justin Ivory

BOOK of the week

Robin Redbreast

TV SHOW of the week

FILM of the week

HOROSCOPES

Robin (Photo Justin Ivory) AFTER Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reindeer the most iconic animal associated with Christmas must be the Robin.

Images of our favourite, cheeky little bird are everywhere this time of year - cards, cake decorations, tree decorations, ornaments, wrapping paper â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the list goes on.

How did the Robin come to be associated so much with Christmas?

Well, the answer, believe it or not, is to do with postmen delivering Christmas cards.

The sending of Christmas cards really started in Victorian times in the mid-18th century, 1843 to be precise, and was the brainchild of a civil servant called Sir Henry Cole.

The postmen who delivered the cards wore bright red coats and became known as â&#x20AC;&#x153;robinsâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;redbreastsâ&#x20AC;?.

As Christmas cards became more popular, Nativity scenes gave way to snow scenes with Robins on them.

The snow scenes, initially, were a reminder of the very bad winter of 1836 and the robins represented the postmen who deliver the cards.

Although known as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;redbreastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; if you look closely at a Robin the breast is actually orange.

So how come we call it Robin Redbreast?

Well until Tudor times and the first oranges were brought back by explorers there was no word in English for the colour orange. Prior to that the AngloSaxons used the word Ruddock for the Robin, which means â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;red birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. From the late Middle Ages it became known as the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;redbreastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Christmas for many centuries has primarily been a Christian feast and there are many stories associating the Robin with Christianity and how it got its red breast.

Legend has it that a Robin flew to assist Christ on the cross and tried to pull out the thorns in his head. In doing so the Robin pricked itself and got stained in blood.

As a remembrance of that kind act all Robins ever since have had a red breast.

On that note I would like to wish all the readers of the column a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

MIND, BODY, SOUL JOURNAL

by Andrea Hayes

CELEBRITY HOME OF THE YEAR RTE 1, Wednesday January 2, 9.35pm

MARY POPPINS RETURNS ROI rating: PG

Have you ever been in the position where you want to make changes in your life? Do you feel you are missing your a calling? When try to start to make positive changes in your life, do you find yourself too exhausted to even think about it? Or maybe you just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what to focus on first? Well, Andrea Hayesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new book Mind Body Soul journal might be exactly what you need as we start reading this year. The Mind Body Soul Journal is a timeless book, beautifully illustrated with pages for journaling - an indispensable companion if you want to live a more focused, positive life.

Available now in all good book stores.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s somethign very enjoyable abo7t getting a glimpse inside someone elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home, especially that of a celebrity. this one-off special gives viweres a peak at the glamorous abodes of five famous faces, as they compete to claim teh coveted title.

Judge Hugh Wallace, interior designer Deirdre Whelan and architect Peter Crowley, have the job of picking a winnner from the homes of artist Robert Ballagh, broadcaster and entrepreneur Ramona Nicholas, writer Jon Boyne, meteorologist Jean Bryne and singer Eleanor McEvoy.

American musical fantasy film directed by Rob Marshall, and a story by Magee, Marshall, and John DeLuca. Now an adult with three children, bank teller Michael Banks learns that his house will be repossessed in five days unless he can pay back a loan. His only hope is to find a missing certificate that shows proof of valuable shares that his father left him years earlier. Just as all seems lost, Michael and his sister receive the surprise of a lifetime when Mary Poppins -- the beloved nanny from their childhood -- arrives to save the day and take the Banks family on a magical, fun-filled adventure.

GIG of the week

WORKSHOP of the week

SHOW of the week

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DAVID KEENAN Set Theatre, Kilkenny, Friday, January 4th T: 056 7721728 E : set@langtons.ie

MANTRAS AND MUDRAS WORKSHOP Kilkenny School of Yoga, Canal Square, Rose Inn Street. Friday 4th January 7.30 - 8.00pm

FROZEN SOLID Watergate Theatre. T: 056-7761674.

2nd January - 13th January

Since a video of him singing in a taxi garnered national attention, singer/songwriter David Keenan has his sights fixed on an international career. Earlier this year, Dundalk cabbie â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Maxi Taxiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; uploaded a video of David performing in the front seat of his car.

Half the country thinks they can belt out a tune once theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had a few drinks, but this video showed a young singer with raw, genuine talent. As a result, the clip was picked up by media outlets and has since amassed almost 40,000 views online. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going all the way, see him first at Set Theatre.

How to choose and enjoy the benefits of these beautiful practices that can help to focus and reprogram the mind bringing gratitude and joy daily. Journey a little deeper into your Yoga practice! Some of these practices will be incorporated into a slow-flow asana practice, designed to be a moving meditation, to enable you to deepen your inner awareness. It is suitable for all levels of student. Discover mudras that affect different areas of breathing, and also those that relate to each chakra.

The Watergate Theatre are excited to present the coolest family panto in town: Frozen solid.

The creative team will be led by Director Christine Scarry (well-known to Kilkenny audiences for award winning shows including Michael Collins, Parade, The Full Monty) with Musical Director Emer Hartnett (Sister Act), Choreography by Lea Carroll (The June Rogers Show), Set Design by John Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Donohoe, Lighting Design by Gerry Taylor with Production and Stage management by Dee Gibney and written by Richie Smith.

Children under 12 months go free.

TRIP of the week

GIG of the week

CONCERT of the week

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KILFANE WATERFALL AND GLEN Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny www.kilfane.com/

LOVE GHOST Cleereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Theatre Bar, Kilkenny, Wednesday 02 January 2019

THE THREE AMIGOS Tuesday 08 January 2019 Lyrath Estate Hotel, Kilkenny

Kilfane Glen and Waterfall is a pristine example of a romantic era garden dating from the 1790s. Untouched for 200 years, it is a picturesque paradise with a waterfall tumbling its way to a rushing stream and woodland paths leading to a cottage ornĂŠ.

Tiny bridges sit among ancient trees, wild fox-gloves, ferns and other historically correct 18th century planting. As an amenity it covers about 15 acres of easily accessible natural landscape.

Love Ghost is an alternative rock band from Los Angeles. While young in age (two of them are seniors in high school), these musicians have a genuine and developed grunge rock sound. The band released their first fulllength album â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lobotomyâ&#x20AC;? on June 17th.

Their sound has been compared to Alice in Chains and Smashing Pumpkins, amongst other throwback rock greats. Their music is influenced by the teenagersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; personal experiences of addiction, mental illness, heartache, love and coming of age.

The Three Amigos concept, which was the brainchild Joe Finnegan, has to date been seen by thousands and the guys have guested on every major Irish TV and radio show including The Late Late Show, Ireland AM and all The Prime Time Shows on UTV and BBC Northern Ireland. There is no doubt that the chemistry between them on and off stage is infectious. Featuring a mix of well-choreographed comedy sketches and lively banter with selection of the hits that catapulted them onto the music landscape.

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kilkennytoday New Year Sales Edition

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kilkennytoday New Year Sales Edition

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