122111_kilkennyreporter

Kilkenny Reporter

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 21 2011

Kilkenny ReporterT: 056 7795051 E: [email protected]

Plucky couple turn hobby into a thriving business...

Oldtown Hill Bakehouse supplies the goods for sale on Friday » P4

Love is: A farm of feather friends

Hello Dolly: Gardai hit donut trail for charity

A plucky Kilkenny family have turned a hobby into a busi-ness which brings the best of freerange food to thousands of diners all over the country. The Reporter visited ‘Kilkenny Fre-erange’ and discovered a fasci-nating story of love, passion and dedication in a small concern with a big heart. Pictured with some of their family of geese are owners Mary and Tony Walsh. Pic: Donal FoleyStory and pictures »P8

2 | NEWS KILKENNY REPORTER 21 21 2011

80,000 eye up local B&BGarda Aidan Fitzpatrick Joy Moore, Oldtown Hill Bakehouse, Cllr Betty Manning Sergeant Gary Gordon, Pauline Clavin, Special Olympics Ireland and Garda Sharon McMeel Pic: Donal Foley

It’s a Hello Dolly and goodbye Rosy’s Apples!

JIMMY [email protected]

21 12 2011 KILKENNY REPORTER NEWS | 3

On your bike: Happy group at St Canice’s Co-Ed School, Granges Road Pic: Donal Foley

Jason teaches students to stay safe on roadsSt Canice’s show the way as other schools cycle inJIMMY RHATIGAN

[email protected]


Nostalgia abounds as new book looks back at Kilkenny City soccer

Young local author has the world stageDaughter of Kilkenny launches her first novel


New chapter: Michelle Gaffney


M

Moving letter from a son of Kilkenny in the Lebanon

Above: Corporal Leo Wemyss with his MowagBelow: Corporal Wemyss on Patrol

CORPORAL LEO WEMYSS

‘Stay safe and I’ll be home in May to spoil ye all


AS THIS is the last edition of The Reporter before Christmas, I would like to wish all a very happy Christmas. Thanks to all who supported Maggie and myself throughout a very tough year for all.I would like to thank all the staff at The Reporter, especially Jimmy Rhatigan, and also the people in our community who sent me items for inclusion in my column..I would encourage people to look after the elderly during the festive season. Please call on people living alone. Make sure they have something to eat, and even more important, make sure they are warm. Enjoy the holiday and drive carefully. Looking forward to seeing you all in Castlecomer on New Year’s Day for the Wellie Race Best wishes for 2012

Local lottosGAA €10,100; Golf €9,200; Vaults jackpot €750.

Great successThe second leg of the National Cross Country Championships at the Curragh brought joy and

satisfaction to local athletes. For all who competed, there was the satisfaction of their improved ranking within the county and provincial squads. Added to that was the achievement of the 2011 U11 boys’ national title won by a Castlecomer athlete.

Conor Clarke went to the Curragh as the Leinster U11 champion. His race was over 1500m. Conor was in the leading group throughout. With 200m to go, he took the lead. He was overtaken in the chase for the line. It was here that he showed exceptional grit as he

drew on all of his resources to pip his rival on the line. He also led the Kilkenny county team to silver and Leinster to provincial silver. Team mates Killian Hogan and Nicky Connolly ran well and finished in the middle of a field of over 150.Lauren Dermody ran U15. She was the third Kilkenny athlete across the finish line, four places higher than in the Leinster Championships in Adamstown. Kilkenny finished fifth in the inter-county competition. Andrew Dowd competed U17. He was the sixth scoring runner on the Kilkenny team. He has narrowed the gap on the leading Kilkenny runners as the season has advanced.Sile Carroll, running now with Liffey Valley Club, Dublin where she is based, was part of the Kilkenny team in novice women.

Athletes enjoy success at the cross country championships in Curragh

CBS Lotto Chubby Brennan

A family affair: Strictly for the birds

The geese with broken hearts! Husband and wife: Jack and Tiffany

JIMMY [email protected] ‘Kilkenny Freerange’ helps to bring the goose to the table

Feather family: Mary and Tony Walsh with some of their geese

Kilkenny Freerange: Good for the goose and the gander! Wild affair: Husband and wife, Jack and Tiffany Light fantastic: Baby chicks enjoy the heat

Pics: Donal Foley

21 12 2011 KILKENNY REPORTER ADVERTISEMENT | 7

8 | ADVERTISEMENT KILKENNY REPORTER 21 12 2011


Breda RaggettBringing a splash of colour to dark winter days

T HIS IS the time of the year when you will see the

Amaryllis bulb on sale. I got mine in Lidl at a very good price. I have been buying Amaryllis bulbs for many years and I love the big flowers they produce.

They are just heavenly and and are a very welcome burst of colour in the dark days of winter.

The common name for them is Amaryllis and the botanical name is Hippeastrum hybrids. Each bulb produces one or two tall flower stalks topped with two or four huge trumpet shaped flowers.

Bright green leaves emerge from the bulb around the same time as the flower stalk and remain until the dormant period.

When you purchase the bulb it comes complete with a pot and soil to

grown it in. I have found them hugely successful first time round but the problem is to get them flowering the second year.

I looked up the Internet and found many sites which deal with Amaryllis bulbs, to discover that I have been doing everything the wrong way in trying to get my bulbs flowering again.

When the flowers die, cut off the flower stem and leave the leaves, fertilize it each month during the summer, during which time they can be left outside, until there is a danger of frost.

In autumn, the bulb must be let dry out for a two-month period. I have heard that it is a good idea to put them in the bottom drawer of your fridge, but you must not store apples there as they effect the Amaryllis. Otherwise store in a dark place. If

there are any small bulbs attached to the larger bulb, take them off and grow them separately, it will take a few years for them to come to maturity.

To get the Amaryllis to bloom again, re-pot them, making sure to leave the top third of the bulb above the soil. Bring back into a warm area and the plant will grow again once you start watering it. Amaryllis also make lovely cut flowers in arrangement, they last three to seven days if placed in water with floral food and keep in a cool area.

I hope you find these tips helpful in getting your Amaryllis to bloom again. I am now looking forward to successfully replanting my Amaryllis next year and hope you will be successful too.

I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas at [email protected]

Charity CD is a smash hitSick children will benefit from all the sales

Happy group: Singers John Travers and Murty Brennan with young stars from Jesters Stage Academy Pic: Donal Foley



Model shoppers: Karen Morrissey and Keelyn Kavanagh

Bargain hunters get ready for St Stephen’s Day sales

Boxing champion adds punch to Olympic pack

At the launch of ‘The 2012 Olympic Team in London’ classroom resource were Olympic gold medallist Michael Carruth, and Olympian boxer Darren O’Neill, Paulstown


Emma sings her way to school gloryGreat support for end of term show at Scoil Aireagail, Ballyhale

Worthy champion: Singer Emma Blake

Super comperes: Gary Neville and Roisin PowerHappy quartet: Alannah Murphy, Tanya Cody, Laura Farrell and Rebecca Dunne

Santa joins smiling students Santa agrees: Scoil Aireagail has got talent

Talented trio: James Culleton, Susan Dunphy anbd Casey Corcoran Music makers: Yonathan Naim, Clodagh Corcoran and Amy Murphy

Helpful teachers: Marie McNamara, Susan Rowe and Mirian O’Gorman

Pics: Donal Foley


&CommentOpinion

T W

Bord na Mona show way: Who will follow?

AT A TIME WHEN HUGE SECTIONS OF

OUR PEOPLE ARE UNDER WHAT WE

MAKE NO APOLOGY FOR CALLING

SAVAGE PRESSURE, WE NEED TO CRANK UP THE GENEROSITY

MACHINE

“OUR COUNTRY IS

FULL OF PEOPLE WHO DO THE WORK

OF GOVERNMENT, SAVE THE HEALTH AND OTHER SYSTEMS FROM

EXPLODING, BUT HOW OFTEN

DO WE HEAR THEM GETTING A MENTION IN THE DÁIL? AND IF THEY

DO FIGURE IN ANY DEBATES, IT IS USUALLY

TO BE TOLD THAT THEIR CARE HOURS

ARE BEING CUT

Please say the magic words: Thank you!

“

KILKENNY REPORTER 21 12 2011

JIMMY RHATIGAN

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W

Our City Hall - built for the price of a good dog’s kennel!

SEAN HURLEY

STANDING PROUD: The City Hall on the High Street

LIVINGWITH AISLING HURLEY [email protected]

Indoor and outdoor creature comforts

REPORTER WISH LIST THESE ARE A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITE THINGS...

KILKENNY REPORTER 21 12 2011

Life’s too short!WRITTEN not for the wine expert but for the enthusiastic layman. Simon Hoggart’s infectious pleasure in sourcing good affordable wine is behind the popularity of this book.With humorous cartoon illustrations throughout the book, ‘Life’s Too Short To Drink Bad Wine’ is an excellent gift for that hard-to- buy-for person we all know.Just €14.95 from Yesterdays, Patrick Street.

A fruity ideaA CLEVER idea for serving freshly cut fruit or salad after Christmas dinner. The powder blue 9” bowl and 7” plate are as you see but what is less obvious are the holes at the

bottom of the bowl to allow excess water drip safely onto the plate below.Also available at Yesterdays, Patrick Street for €29.95.

Perfect skin for ChristmasGET perfect looking skin for Christmas for less than a tenner with Catrice. The make-up range offers a wonderful selection of handy products that do exactly what they say on the tin.For flawless foundation prep your skin with ‘Prime & Fine Smoothing Refiner’ €5.49. The refiner provides a smooth base and long lasting finish and will leave your skin looking gorgeous. Apply a little ‘Re-Touch Light Reflecting Concealer’ €4.49 on the inside corner of the eye.Next apply your foundation and you are good to go!Catrice is available from White’s Pharmacy, High Street.

Winter warriorBELOW-zero temperatures and freezing winds signal winter is well and truly here and along with it, dry, flaky and even sore skin. If you suffer from oily skin it can be difficult to find a winter

moisturiser to suit. The Handmade Soap Co. has created a winter warrior especially for oily skin. Using only the best of nature’s natural apothecary it is a light and delicate cream made using calendula and sweet almond. It adds a moisturise boost for oily skin leaving it blissfully soft and ready to handle any weather. Available from Bridie’s General Store; Jerpoint Glass; Nicholas Mosse; The Good Earth, St Kieran’s Street and Newpark Shopping Centre.

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

TRISH Summerville, the woman behind the costumes for one of the year’s most eagerly awaited films, David

Fincher’s version of ‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’, has created a women’s collection for H&M, full of pieces inspired by the film’s anti-heroine, Lisbeth Salander.Wrap up warm and cosy for during the worst of the coming ice and snow with this warm knitted snood or make a strong fashion statement with these tribal inspired earrings.

Polar expressRED wine, Christmas food, coffee and smoking all take a toll on your teeth. ‘PolarWhitePro Teeth Whitening

Glaze’ (€24.99) is a fuss-free treatment to keep teeth looking healthy and dazzling white.This smile saver is a safe, pain free way to whiten and brighten teeth. Hailed by beauty editors as the ‘touché éclat’

for your teeth it dramatically whitens teeth on the go

- at work, at home, or on your travels. It can also be popped in a purse or

in your pocket. Available from www.

polarwhitepro.com

21 12 2011 KILKENNY REPORTER LIVING | 21

Keeping Well

Take pleasure

with a pretzel

LIVINGTOGETHERby Franc Micklem - [email protected]

Chance to join the crew

22 | TOP 10 KILKENNY REPORTER 21 12 2011

TOP

TEN

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THE Market Cross Shopping Centre has been catering to the shopping needs of Kilkenny for more than 16 years.With more than 40 stores under one roof it’s an ideal spot to do all your Christmas shopping in one go.Flagship stores include Penneys, Heatons, Superquinn, Monsoon, Wallis, Vero Moda, Peter Mark, Radical, Dubray Books and Happy Times.From health, beauty, fashion, footwear, sports and leisure and mobile phones to home-made

icecream and weekly groceries the shopping centre has something for everyone. Santa is open from 12 noon to 6pm every day except Christmas Eve when he will close at 4pm so he can get his sleigh and reindeer ready. A luxury hamper is also available to be won until tomorrow (Thursday).

The centre is open seven days a week but will close Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Day.

KEOGH’S Bar, Callan celebrated 30 years in November. As the longest

serving publican in Callan, Kevin Keogh has witnessed many

seminal events at the pub including the Liam McCarthy Cup being lifted and the crushing of Ireland’s Italia ‘90 world cup dream.The pub has run many charity nights and supported events at The

L’arche Community, John Locke’s GAA club and Callan

Golf Club.

Staff partied with the cast and crew of Neil Jordan’s ‘Breakfast on Pluto’ and have shared in the joy of many weddings.Kevin said it warms his heart to think back over all the years of great customers, stories and dancing to excellent musicians.“Thinking back it’s hard not to get excited about what the future holds. I can guarantee, with my loving family by my side, our doors will always be open, the fire will keep burning, the music will keep playing and as always everyone is welcome,” he said.

WATERGATE Productions present ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarves’ as the annual panto for2012. Written and directed by Don O’Connor, the classic tale will see much loved characters brought to life on the Watergate stage. The cast includes a host of talented local performers including Nicola Brennan as Snow

White and Kevin Reade as Prince Charming. Derek Dooley will play Dame ‘Lady Gaga Charming’, while Dee Gibney will play to role of the wicked Queen Brangomar. The hilarious Seven Dwarves will be played by Fergus Heffernan, David Heffernan, Fergal Miller, Liam Conway,

John Whitely, John Kelly

and Alan Hayes.The show runs from Sunday, January 8 to Sunday, January 15 at 8pm. Matinee shows 3pm on bothSundays. Please note there are no evening shows on the Sunday performances. Tickets €16/€12Matinees €10 are available from the theatre box office at (056) 77 61674.

Shop of the week

Pub of the week

Theatre of the week

can get his sleigh The

Book of the week

Product of the week

ARE you tired of having to take off your gloves to use your iPhone or iPad? Then these touch screen gloves for iPhone and iPad are just what you need. The woollen anti-scratch gloves are compatible with most touch screens. One size only. No more cold

hands every

time you need to

make a call or check a text message. They would make a great Christmas present for the person who already has everything.Order yours for €14 plus delivery from www.pixmania.ie.

IN ‘Solace’ by Belinda McKeon Mark Casey leaves the rural Irish community where his family has farmed the same land for generations, to study for a doctorate in Dublin. To his father, Tom, who needs help baling hay and ploughing fields, Mark’s pursuit isn’t work at all.

His life is without focus or responsibility, until he meets Joanne Lynch, a trainee solicitor whom he finds irresistible. Joanne too has a past to escape from and for a brief time she and Mark share the chaos and rapture of a new love affair, until the lightning strike of tragedy changes everything.

JJKeKeK

21 12 2011 KILKENNY REPORTER TOP 10 | 23

Top ten 68910

SWANS Chinese Restaurant at The Parade, Kilkenny offers authentic oriental cuisine at its best. Choose from delicious starters including ‘Minced prawn stuffed mushrooms’, ‘Cantonese spare ribs in Mandarin sauce’ and ‘Crispy Chinese samosa’. Main dishes include ‘Swan’s sunshine honey plum chicken’, ‘Swan’s sizzling dynasty beef’, ‘Swan’s xiendo prawns’, ‘Trio of seafood with cashew nuts’, ‘Swan’s special black tiger jumbo prawn’ and ‘Deep fried tofu in Malay satay sauce’

Opening hours are Monday to Wednesday 5pm to 11.30pm, Thursday and Friday 12.30pm to 2.30pm and 5pm to 11.30pm and Saturday and Sunday 12.30pm to 11.30pm.A delivery service is offered seven days a week from 5pm to 11pm.Service here is swift and friendly guaranteeing you will be back again for another visit.

They are also very accommodating and are great with recommendations if you do not see anything on the menu to suit.

GOAL Miles will be held in Kilkenny this year on December 26 at Mullinavat GAA at 11am; St Joseph’s Athletic Track, Rosbercon at 12 noon and from the church gates at the top of Market Street, Thomastown at 12.15pm.Over the past three decades, the GOAL Mile has grown to become one of Ireland’s most popular annual fundraisers. This Christmas, in what will be

the event’s 30th birthday, Goal are asking you to take part in a Mile near you.

The event has grown substantially since 1982; the flagship GOAL Mile attracts an

attendance in excess of 4,000 each year. It has become an integral part of Christmas and St Stephen’s Day for participating families and individuals who want to support GOAL’s work on behalf of the poorest of the poor. Support your local mile by turning up on the day and taking part. For any queries email Karen at [email protected].

MUCH loved ‘A Slice of Heaven’ have launch a new range of products for the festive season. The Piltown-based company’s new festive range includes beautifully handcrafted and presented yule logs, chocolate biscuit trees and selection boxes featuring festive chocolate mallows; Christmas pudding cupcakes with brandy butter cream; mince

pies; mini-Yule logs and chocolate biscuit cakes.Founded by Mary McEvoy, formerly of L’Ecrivain and Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel, ‘A Slice of Heaven’ supplies handcrafted wedding and

occasion cakes, and its delicious cupcakes

are enjoyed in café’s and outlets across Kilkenny and the

South East. ‘A Slice of Heaven’s’ new

festive range is available at the

company’s stand at Mount Juliet’s

‘Christmas Village’ from now until

December 23. Each cake is made with great attention to detail. All ingredients used are 100% natural and sourced locally where possible. Any dietary requirements, food intolerances or allergies can also be catered for. Call Mary McEvoy on 087 9533870 or see www.asliceofheaven.ie.

Food of the Week

Fundraiser of the week

Restaurant of the week

Exhibition of the week

Gig of the week

GUITARIST Mark Anthony McGrath will mark the first anniversary of the launch of his critically acclaimed album ‘Champagne and Onions’ with a gig in Cleere’s Theatre on Thursday, December 22.The album was launched at Kilkenny’s Set Theatre on December 22, 2010 and has already

received widespread critical acclaim and considerable airplay on RTE Lyric FM and BBC Radio Scotland.Described as ‘an unquestionably gifted, always inventive guitarist’ by Hot Press magazine, Mark’s appearance in Cleere’s will feature his unique interpretations of music from the harp

tunes of O’Carolan to the chansons of Jacques Brel, including baroque lute music played on 13 string guitar.Mark Anthony will celebrate a year of ‘Champagne and Onions’ and other delicacies on 6 and 13 string guitars on the night.Show 9pm. Admission €5.

0pm to 11.30pm.e is offered seven

They are also very

7 WELL known local photographer Ross Costigan has his first ever print exhibition ‘Coming Soon: An Exhibition Of Fake Movie Posters’ running at The Upstairs Gallery at Kilkenny Watergate Theatre until Friday, January 13.‘Coming Soon’ showcases a series of fake Hollywood-

style movie posters based in Kilkenny and features a host of local actors and familiar faces. The cast were shot against a green screen allowing the artistic photographer to replace and stylise the backgrounds with familiar Kilkenny landmarks and locations.The cast includes Jack

O’Leary, Alexandra Christle, Ken McGuire, Brendan Corcoran, John Morton, Ruth Phelan, Aoibhín Murphy, Thomas Flood, Sara Begley, Gemma D’Alessandro, Sarah Dreeling, Alan Dawson and Thomas Donoghue.For more details go to www.costiganphoto-graphy.ie.

24 | ARTS & ENTS KILKENNY REPORTER 21 12 2011

21 12 2011 KILKENNY REPORTER ARTS & ENTS | 25


Stage a great gift with vouchers for theatre

A chance at being Edith Piaf


Pic: Ray O’Brien

DAVID GALSTER

Watch out for talent that could be Evan sent

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21 12 2011 KILKENNY REPORTER MOTORS | 35

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122111_kilkennyreporter

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