kilkenny reporter 5th may 2011

Abbey wedding with a difference »P2

Gerry Rafter is new Federation chief »P3

Love is ‘a dish of good stuff ’ for the happyGraig couple

Our man is now VFI’s main man

WEDNESDAY MAY 5 2011

Kilkenny Reporter

ENJOYING THE SPORT OF KINGSIt was a photo finish for Larissa Boland and Ciara O’Callaghan at Gowran Park ‘s holiday race meeting

Pic: Pat Moore NE

WS

PHOTO

T: 056 7795051 E: [email protected]

2 NEWS KILKENNY REPORTER 04 05 2011

Noreen graduates from Trinity College, Dublin

Our new Aldi store brings 15 new jobs

Noreen at her conferring

Breda’s beautiful day rivals the royals for touch of class

IT WAS Graignamanagh’s answer to the Royal Wedding. On the same day as Prince William and Kate Middleton were tying the knot in Westminster Abbey in London, a local girl was marrying the love of her life in the 13th Cistercian Monastery that is Duiske Abbey.

The weddings had much in common, devoted couples, beautiful people and friendly families. But there were many significant differences too. There was no horse-drawn carriage. The Graig groom drove to the ceremony in his own truck while the bride was driven by a neighbour, in a BMW.

The menu was a little different too. Top of the bill of fare at a reception in the Rhu Glen in South Kilkenny’s Slieverue was bacon and cabbage, while some enjoyed turkey and ham or salmon.

Friday was a day to remember for Breda Murphy of Newtown, Graignamanagh and Anthony Hayes of Dungarvan, Co Waterford who first met at a sheep shearing competition in The Nire Valley five years ago.

Fr Sean Maher from Aclare, Graignamanagh, a

friend of the Murphy family, jetted in from his parish in France to marry the couple. It was a case of history being repeated as 14 years ago when Fr Sean was ordained in Duiske Abbey, the bride’s mother looked after the catering at the celebrations in The Abbey Hall.

Sixteen relatives flew from the US while three came from Spain and there were guests too from all over Ireland.

Anthony, a driver for Southern Gas, Clonmel, is son of Declan and Nellie Hayes while Breda who works in Daybreak is daughter of Joan and Michael Murphy. Bridesmaids were Breda’s sister Mary Muphy and

cousins Jennifer and Rebecca Murphy. Flower girls were Louise Murphy and Lauren Dunphy.

Bestman was the groom’s brother, Billy Hayes while groomsmen were Declan Hayes and nephew Oisin McSweeney. Darragh Kenealy and Billy Murphy were page boys.

The couple are touring Ireland on their honeymoon. They will live in a new home in Tinnapark, Graignamanagh.

JIM RHATIGANKILKENNY REPORTER.IE

Driving to happiness: Breda Murphy and Anthony Hayes; the bridal party and, below, ‘Garda’ Murphy

Pics: Donal Foley

Ann Walsh with Michelle and Nathan McMahon (15 months), seem more than happy with their bargains on Aldi’s first day

AISLING [email protected]

Groom keeps on trucking, and it’s not your average fare for wedding with a difference

Pic: Pat Moore

NEWS 304 05 2011 KILKENNY REPORTER

One for the road as popular pensioner’s life is celebrated

Gerry will lead country’s publicans for Federation

Beloved Sean Falsey given fond farewell by family and friends

The VFI’s new President Elect: Gerry Rafter

JIMMY [email protected]

Tractor Boys enjoy sun-kissed successTiny Zsoldos at Grennan GAA grounds

Pic: Donal Foley

James Falsey; Regina Walsh; Robbie Falsey; Nicholas Walsh; publican Dan Campion and son, Pax Falsey; The late Sean Falsey

Pic: Pat Moore


Former Loreto head passes away Three out of

four people unhappy with our secondary school system


Mick Greene wants to establish an ‘Educate Together’ secondary school

Pic: Pat Moore

The late Helen Renehan became head of Loreto Secondary School in 2001. She will be much missed

THRbhLSSiSbm

04 05 2011 KILKENNY REPORTER 5NEWS

It’s a King’s ransom for Homecare Cancer team

King John with his ‘subjects’and (inset) a close shave in Ennisnag

Ki J h ith hi ‘ bj t ’



Highest quality drinking water is delivered from source to destination

14 jobs saved at Fr McGrath


Minister delivers good news to Fr McGrath Centre

Big Cat owners help to drive our economy

Jaguar enthusiasts with their pride and joy at Kilkenny CastleMinister Phil Hogan with

Loreto students. (Front, L-R): Saoirse Knox, Rachel Hoyne and Sarah Keogh. (Back, L-R): Sara Donohue, Louise Kenny, Moira Prendergast and Sarah Hennessy

Pic: Pat Moore

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTKILKENNYREPORTER.IE


Cleere’s: Finding the funny

Brilliant and brutal: Egan’s pen gives pause for thought


Search for Ireland’s best comedians in Cleere’s

THEATRE REVIEW

Digger Maguire (Paul Phelan) and Martin Sweeney (Terry Brennan) during Willie Egan’s masterful ‘The Winter of ‘69’

Top: Jack Sweeney

(Brendan Corcorcan) and Br Lazerian (Paddy

Behan); (left): Mark Sweeney (Sean Hackett)

and Mary Elizabeth (Laura Finlay); Maggie

Sweeney (Paula Drohan) hugs her son, Mark

(Colin Dempsey)

Pics: Pat Moore


Chef Edward feeds recipe book hunger

Edward with family members Anne Lanigan, Esther Hayden, `Jim Hayden, Sally Hayden, Lorraine Bolger and Bridie Holden

Pics: Pat Moore

‘Pictures at the Priory’ makes welcome return


Over 500 turn out for the launch of second book of masterchef Hayden

John Flinn’s artwork

NEWS 10 KILKENNY REPORTER 04 05 2011

THE UNTIMELY passing of Marie Coyne, Larchfield Estate, Kilkenny, was heard of with

sadness at the Bridge Club and the Active Retirement Group.

But it was in Larchfield where Marie and husband Tom had lived for many years that the loss was felt most. With son and daughter, Brendan and Fiona, who now live in Dublin, the Coynes are deservedly popular in St Patrick’s Parish.

The huge turnout at the funeral bore testimony to the esteem in which the family is held. Marie was always concerned about the welfare of her family, neighbours and

extended family. She was a quiet and unassuming woman. She was a regular at St. Fiacre’s

Church and at Requiem Mass Fr Dan Carroll spoke of her

involvement with the parish and with the Active Retirement Choir.

Marie’s children and grandchildren were a source of great pride to her and the accidental

death of a grandchild some years ago caused her

great pain. Weekends away with her husband Tom to scenic

parts of Ireland gave Marie great enjoyment.

The former Marie Quinn of Dean Street, Kilkenny was a long-time

employee of The Monster House and as a young girl she was a playing member of the now defunct Monster House Tennis Club. The couple lived for a time at James’s Green.

Members of the Bridge Club formed a guard of honour and her coffin was carried by members of the family. The Active Retirement Choir sang at Mass.

Marie’s was buried in St Kieran’s Cemetery and her Month’s Mind Mass is on May 8, 9.30am in St. Patrick’s Parish Church.

Chief mourners: Tom Coyne (husband); Brendan (son); Fiona (daughter), grandchildren: Shane, Conor and Lorna Doolan; Katie and Ashling Coyne; son-in-law Conor Doolan and daughter-in-law Maria Coyne.

OBITUARY — LARCHFIELD LOSES A GREAT FRIEND

ub and the .

d d

e o the esteem

Church andFr Dan

involparRe

gshe

desom

greatwith he

parts of Irelan

Cost Plus show how it’s done

The fantastic French ConnectionJIMMY RHATIGAN

[email protected]

Co Council Cathaoirleach, Catherine Connery with Mayor Michel Denniau; librarians, Mary Morrissey and Isabelle Savidan

Pics: Pat Moore

Minister Phil Hogan, Ann Phelan TD, Catherine Connery, Mayor Michel Denniau with local councillors, officials and French guests.

Pics: Pat Moore


FORMER tourism officer, Pat Nolan will finish up his information walks

next week in Castlecomer. Pat will offer advice on the Tidy Towns competition, point out features of the town, answer questions and discuss any topics which may arise while walking around the town.

The evening is open to all Tidy Town/Development Association Groups or individuals interested in learning more about the competition. If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to ring the Environmental Awareness Officer on 056-7794487. The walk is today, Wednesday, 7.30. meeting point is the library and the amble takes two hours.

Celebration timeCastlecomer - Penvenan twinning committee held their 10th anniversary celebration of the signingof the twinning charter in Castlecomer hall on Saturday, 11.30am. A group has travelled from Penvenan.

Parish radioSets may be purchased at Hennessy’s, Kilkenny street

SeminarsLife in the spirit seminars began yesterday, Tuesday.

Lottos GAA Lotto € 5,300; Golf €2,600; Vaults jackpot €550.

AthleticsCastlecomer Athletic Club’s young athletes highlighted their enthusiasm when a strong contingent travelled to St Senan’s. In Kilmacow were Caoimhe and Cathal O’Reilly, Aoife Cahalan, Aine Curry, Roisin Allen, Alan, Kevin and Sarah Smyth, Tommy and Molly Coogan, James and Ellen Buggy, John Kevin Malone, Ross and Nicky Connolly, and Conor and Katie Clarke.

Molly Coogan and Katie Clarke were finalists at U9/10 while Conor Clarke was second over 80m and first over 300m at U11. Training involves sessions at The Community School and at Scanlon Park.

Brow Rangers John Joe Kelly, representing Castlecomer Community School, won gold in junior shot putt and silver in discus, while Tommy Quirke won bronze in minor discus at the South Leinster Schools Championships.

Fancy a two-hour ramble around glorious ‘Comer?

Chubby BrennanDouble delight as ‘Comer flies the flag for local game


Free Fest for our youth

Castlecomer U16 girls (main); Chloe Tyrrell, Laura Greene, Kelly Doyle, Rachel Lenihan and Orla O’Neill enjoy their success (right)

Pics: Pat Moore

NEWS KILKENNY REPORTER 04 05 2011 12

Take a bow, lads. That’s some achievementFirefighters’ legs stand up to gruelling charity challengeAISLING HURLEY

[email protected]

Eoin (6) and Aoife Melanophy (4) get a lift from Sub Officer, Paul Lanigan; Karen Devane, being ‘rescued’ by the charity climbers


Rosemary’s hat is ahead of the rest!

The Brennan bash was a rival for any Westminster partyRight royal time had by the elegantly attired


&CommentOpinion

K W

Attend the Church of your choice

NEVER CUT A TREE DOWN IN WINTERTIME.

NEVER MAKE ANEGATIVE DECISION IN THE LOW TIME. NEVER

MAKE YOUR MOSTIMPORTANT DECISIONS

WHEN YOU ARE IN YOUR WORST MOODS. WAIT. BE PATIENT. THE STORM WILL PASS. THE

SPRING WILL COME— Robert H. Schuller

“WHEN TED WAS

ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL, THE PRAYERS OF HUNDREDS

OF FRIENDS WILLED HIM WELL. BUT, IT WAS NOT TO BE AS HE

PASSED AWAY AT ICU AT LUNCH TIME ON EASTER MONDAY. AT

HIS FUNERAL TO ST FIACRE’S CHURCH, LOUGHBOY, AND

BURIAL AT FOULKSTOWN CEMETERY, MANY OF THE SAME

PEOPLE WHO CELEBRATED HIS RETIREMENT WITH HIM AT

KYTELER’S INN TURNED UP TO PAY THEIR FINAL RESPECTS TO A

FORMER COLLEAGUE AND FRIEND

‘Doctor’ Ted truly was a patient man

“

JIMMY RHATIGAN

H

Dan McEvoy and the Blacksmiths

Wilkinson’s Sword

Smithies UniteBig Operation

DOWN MEMORY LANE 1504 05 2011 KILKENNY REPORTER

Remembering Kilkenny’s forges — the industry and social structures that were at the very heart of our agricultural history for hundreds of years

Forging memories of the glorious past

SEAN HURLEY

Forged in fire: Kilkenny had many forges, keeping the ‘Beasts of Burden correctly shod for their hard work in the fields

Pics: Mike’s Miracles

GINGHAM GLORYNOTHING screams summer more than gingham so why not brave the heights of these little beauties and look classy as well as stylish this season.

At 13cm high they are not for the feint hearted but they offer such a striking silhouette they are well worth it.

These shoes are very well finished with a gingham fabric upper and an adjustable ankle strap that not only looks pretty but also gives the wearer great stability for walking.

These wedges would look equally good with a dress or a pair of this season’s peg leg trousers. They are €90 on http://ie.schuh.co.uk/

BEACH BEAUTY

BEACH weather is finally here and there is nothing more scary than having to strip off and bare your body to the world after a winter of woolly jumpers and opaque tights.

This great swimsuit from www.asos.com will do wonders to hide your wobbly bits and make the most of the best parts of your figure.

With a bandeau style it means you will get a smooth tan without strap marks and the tie at the waist will allow you to cinch it in and give yourself the curvy contour

you have always dreamed of.

The playful tropical print

also works well to project a summer look while also giving you some

camouflage.

HAIR THERAPY

ITCHY scalp conditions can drive you mad and leave you wanting to tear your hair out. Help is at hand however, with Capasal therapeutic shampoo. It contains three active ingredients - coal tar, coconut oil and salicylic acid.

Coal tar has mild antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects, and relieves itching.

Salicylic acid works by breaking down keratin, a protein that forms part of the skin structure and coconut oil helps to soften the skin.

Simply massage it into wet hair and the scalp for several minutes until a rich lather is produced. Rinse thoroughly and say goodbye to problems associated with psoriasis,

seborrhoeic dermatitis or dandruff. Capasal is available in most chemists.

LIGHTEN UP

BRING a gentle glow to your room

with these coloured glass lanterns from

Matthew Williamson. The soft colours light up beautifully as the gold rim, candle holder and handle brings a bold flair to these stylish lanterns.

They would look equally stunning dotted around a garden for a late evening garden party or barbecue as the tealights would be well protected from the elements.

They are available from www.debenhams.ie for €9 each so you could afford to buy one in every colour. Available in green, pink and blue they would brighten up any home or make an ideal present for someone special.

EYE TRANSFORMER

THIS brilliant ‘Eye Transformer’ eye shadow will convert your shadows into brand new shades. With four opalescent shadows to choose from you can wear them alone, under, over or in combination with your other makeup. The opal tones transform your dark colour into a new shimmering hue. You can have great fun experimenting with all the colour combinations that are possible. You can by ‘Eye Transformer’ from elf (eyes lips face) www.eyeslipsface.co.uk for only €4 plus postage. They have many amazing offers on the site with eyeshadow, lipstick,

foundation, powder, blusher and nail varnish starting at only €1.70. And don’t be put off by the low prices – these products really work!

BANISH FAKE TAN SMELLSLOVE summer but hate the smell of fake tan? This revolutionary new product from Xen Tan will really change your life.

Scent Secure is a breakthrough product in tanning technology that will

lock out the unpleasant smells associated with any fake tan product. It contains a special molecule which surrounds the active tanning ingredient DHA that causes the traditional ‘fake tan smell’.

It is enriched with powerful ingredients and a firming complex which leaves skin feeling wonderfully nourished, lifted

and firm so it is a real treat for the skin.

Providing oil-free moisture and hydration for all skin types, it can be used both before and after self-tan application.

Xen Tan products are availablefrom www.debenhams.ie or www.xen-tan.ie.

SUN SENSE

IF you suffer from sensitive skin it can be difficult to find a suncream for your face that doesn’t sting or bring you out in a rash. If you have yet to try La Roche Posay you might be surprised at how gentle it is on your skin yet ultra powerful against the damaging rays of the sun.

When it comes to protecting your face you should consider wearing as high

a factor as possible as sun damage can not be undone and can be very

ageing in later years.This Anthelios XL SPF 50+

Fluid Extreme offers ultra UVA and UVB protection. Although it is incredibly light on the skin it is also water resistant which is a bonus if you tend to sweat a bit in the heat. La Roche Posay is available in most Kilkenny chemists.

CAVEMAN TRAINING

RELEASE your inner strength with some Caveman Training by Ireland’s Strongest Man, James Fennelly.

Caveman Training will not only make you fitter, stronger and improve your endurance, it is also great fun.

It involves a calculated mix of traditional and novel strength and conditioning exercises and prides itself in its specificity as much as its difficulty. It produces fast and measurable results whether you are seeking muscle mass and definition or looking to boost performance in a particular sport or activity.

Classes are held at The Training Rooms at 11 O’Loughlin Road. Contact James at 086 8771604 for details.

LIVINGWITH AISLING HURLEY [email protected]

KILKENNY REPORTER 04 05 2011

Get yourself summer ready in simple steps

REPORTER WISHLIST THESE ARE A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITE THINGS....

LIVING

EVERYBODY has a story about hair, whether it’s a bad haircut or colour they received, a radical

hairstyle that caused them to get into trouble, falling out hair, unmanageable hair or the decision they made to either go grey or resort to dye.

A wonderful exhibition entitled ‘Roots’ in Kilkenny Design Courtyard Gallery tapped into this notion of what hair means to individuals and how their identities are built up and sometimes torn apart by their hair.

A large mountain of hair that was a mixture of curly, straight, frizzy, black, grey, red, brown and blonde hair provided the main focal point of the exhibition. The hair was collected from Kilkenny salons in the month leading up to the exhibition.

A lonely looking bunch of dreadlocks lay on a windowsill. They were donated by 20-year-old Kilkennyman Darren Scanlon who said he sees dreadlocks as a sign of wisdom. With his hair in dreadlocks he said he felt individual and often had his hair touched by people, especially children.

After a year and a half he began to find his dreadlocks hard to maintain and sometimes they

invited judgements from members of the public. “One morning I decided to let them go as they were just getting too heavy. Now I feel much better, lighter and more airy with less dandruff and no judgemental comments. My head is clutter free both inside and out,” he said.

Another brave participant, 49-year-old Colette Edwards, shaved her hair and wrote about how it made her feel. “When I looked in the mirror I got a shock. It’s strange to see the shape of your head,” she said.

“The nakedness of the head brings a kind of compassion and kindness towards the self because the head feels vulnerable and the rest of the body wants to protect it,” she explained.

She said her identity as Colette and as a woman seemed to lessen and her connection to spirit increased. “I recognise myself as

a human being. Ego is diminished. Being 49 means I am less interested in physical appearance. Life forces you to get less vain as you get older.”

Other exhibits included a baby’s first curl, hair dressing implements, a video vox pop of people talking about their hair and what it means to them and a wall where people

were invited to post comments.Organisers of the exhibition Trish

Fox, Marie Costello, Cathy Power and Vered Zur met at a ‘Building Cultural Communities’ course at the Drum Centre, McDonagh Junction.

Roots was a fringe event of Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots Festival 2011.

1704 05 2011 KILKENNY REPORTER

Creative Hair Design, High Street, have a great special offer

available for clients during May with the introduction of a brand new natural hair treatment from the ‘Maria Dowling’ range.

The ‘Ritual Hair and Scalp Clay’ treatment is like a ‘facial’ for the hair and scalp and is designed to counteract lacklustre, unmanageable hair caused by external aggressors, stress, over-styling and product overload. It is also excellent in reformulating scalp conditions such as dandruff and psoriasis.

This intensely cleansing and revitalising masque, boasts a unique combination of natural, powerful ingredients used in the highest concentrations to deliver results you can see and feel even after just a single treatment.

The May special offer includes a free ‘Ritual Hair and Scalp Clay’ treatment worth €20 for all clients of the salon. New clients can also avail of 25% discount on their first appointment.

Owner Maria McEvoy provides a professional

one-to-one service for every client. She trained in many of the top salons in the country and has an in-depth knowledge of colour, colour

correction and the most up-to-date techniques.

Contact Maria on 087 2210619 for an appointment.

Exhibition explores the Roots of our feelings about hair

The Maria Dowling treatment is available at Creative Hair Design throughout May, go on, what are you waiting for?

Pic: Creative

Musician, Kairen Waloch gets some attention to her hair from Marie Costello and Chloe Cantwell (7) (left); Three of the organisers, Marie Costello, Trish Fox and Cathy Power

Pic: Pat Moore

Treat yourself to this ‘facial’ for your hair with the Maria Dowling range

U

McCarthy Motors

John Tobin

18 BEST IN BUSINESS KILKENNY REPORTER 04 05 2011

HISTORICURLINGFORDATH NA NURLAIDHE

19

The Forge

Da Enzo’s Italian Restaurant Ray McCarthy

Electrical Contractor

J.J. Kavanagh And Sons

Thurles Credit Union

BEST IN BUSINESS04 05 2011 KILKENNY REPORTER

All photography: Pat Moore

Da Enzo’s Italian Restaurant, Main Street, Urlingford

The Forge is owned and run by Julio Caschera

Pics: Pat Moore

ARTS & ENTS 20 KILKENNY REPORTER 04 05 2011

TOP

TEN

132

5

YESTERDAYS on Patrick Street in the city is probably one of the prettiest shops in Ireland. Running since 1987, the shop seeks to source and promote design-led products for the home. Yesterdays’ reputation has been built on an ability to rediscover the forgotten beauty of the past.

A visit to the shop offers a little slice of luxury, with covetable products adorning every shelf.

Prices are reasonable but they also have great sales so if you have

your eye on something you’d never know you might get lucky.

Why not visit their beautiful website www.yesterdays.ie where you can bag yourself a ‘Tick Tock’ offer. Every day a selection of pieces is added to the list and Yesterdays reduce the price until the items sell. As items sell a limited number of new items are added to the list.

Products include mirrors, lamps, candles, pictures, lifestyle books, photo frames and household items.

THE Rock Bar on the Freshford Road has been hosting customers for more than 100 years.

Facilities include an extensive beer garden that would be perfect for any type of outdoor social function. It also offers a children’s playground, a BBQ area, a live music area, outdoor lighting and a spacious seating area.

It’s roomy and would be an ideal venue for a marquee. Catering can

also be provided for small private parties.

A popular sporting pub, The Rock regularly show live sport on large flat-screen tvs.

Situated just outside the city, it overlooks lush green fields and is a nice retreat from busy city life.

This warm and inviting pub has earned its popularity by taking great care of its customers and by adopting a praiseworthy motto - ‘To serve a good pint in a clean pub at a fair price’

FROM one of Ireland’s best known and most listened to radio programmes comes a wonderful new selection of original Irish writing, ‘Sunday Miscellany - A Selection from 2008 – 2011’ by Clíodhna Ní Anluain.

First broadcast by Sunday Miscellany on RTÉ Radio 1, these essays, reports, poems, travel writings and personal accounts of events by an eclectic mix of contributors are sure to delight and fascinate readers. Sunday Miscellany is the prime forum for emerging and established writers today, and this selection includes writing by John F Deane, Pat Boran, Mary Kenny, John McKenna and Joseph O’Connor.

‘FROM Page To Stage’, a variety show by ‘Stagedoor’ comes to the Watergate Theatre at 8pm on Saturday, May 7 and 3pm on Sunday May 8.

‘Stagedoor’ is a stage school in Stoneyford, Co Kilkenny that caters for five to sixteen year olds.

The cast will perform songs from various decades of music including the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s right up to present day hits from the likes of Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Adele, Alexandra Burke,

and Glee. Younger members of the group will invite the audience along on their ‘Big Adventure’ while the senior class will perform a mini panto with a very modern twist.

Produced by Sheila Raggett and Rose Kelly with choreography by Shauna Kelly and costumes by Teresa Lee, the show offers a great night of entertainment for all the family. Tickets from the Watergate Theatre (056) 77 61674.

WITH water shortages becoming part of everyday life and the introduction of water charges imminent, now is the time to put an Uisce Bagga in your toilet cistern.

Uisce Bagga is a user friendly water saving device that when filled with water and placed into your toilet cistern will save one litre of water per flush - every flush. It costs €4.50, is maintenance free and lasts forever.

We all use the toilet an average of six times per day. This equates to an annual saving of 5,000 litres of water in a two-toilet house. On a national scale this adds up to 10 billion litres.

Log onto www.uiscebagga.ie to get yours.

Product of the week

Book of the week

Pub of the week

4

Shop of the week

Theatre of the week

ARTS & ENTS 2104 05 2011 KILKENNY REPORTER

Top ten 687

10

TREAT yourself or your family, friends, work colleagues and clients to a special dining experience at the beautiful Riverside Restaurant in The Rivercourt Hotel. It offers award winning modern cuisine with a hint of the Mediterranean.

The spacious restaurant is designed to reflect the classic beauty of Kilkenny Castle and its surroundings with plenty of natural light, elegant Georgian style furniture and extensive

views of the river, framed by large windows.

Their team of highly trained chefs offer a broad menu of

international cuisine, with an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients.

At the Kilkenny River Court Hotel they believe a great hotel should offer more than just a comfortable bedroom and a good night’s sleep. It should create an environment that will awaken your senses. This is one of the many intangible qualities you’ll experience there, making the Kilkenny River Court Hotel as individual as its location.

ARTIST Jen Castle is holding ‘Re-cycle’ morning mosaic workshops from 10am – 1pm on Monday, May 9; Wednesday, May 11 and Friday, May 13.

Bring along a broken treasured piece of crockery or broken plates or cups sourced from charity shops.

The course costs €75, including materials and tea and coffee. Email [email protected].

Jen is also taking part in an open studio weekend entitled ‘Recycled And New’ at The Studio’

Bennettsbridge. Other contributing artists include Cristina Gracia - felt art; Ciara O’Sullivan - ceramic art and Tunde Toth - paper art.

The exhibition is open from 11am to 5pm on Saturday May, 14 and Sunday May 15.

Jen has a background in fine art and degrees in architecture from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban, South Africa. Now living in Kilkenny, she works from her studio space, Castlerin Studios and workshops, at ‘The Studio’.

THE Alzheimer Society sale which was to have taken place at Cillin Hill market on April 30 will now be held this coming Saturday from 10am to 3pm. The sale of a wide range of items – good quality cosmetics, new clothes, ornaments, household goods, books, DVDs and home-made confectionery – will be in aid of the Alzheimer Day Centre

and Alzheimer Home Care on the Waterford Road. For further information or to donate items or unwanted gifts, please call Ruth or Catherine on (056) 7771230.

Staff and friends of the Centre are also taking part in the Stoneyford

10km challenge on Sunday, May 22.

They are looking for more people to join up so get your sponsorship card by calling Ruth or Margaret at (056) 7771230. The run/walk

leaves Stoneyford Village at 12.30pm and should appeal to all including the seriously competitive athlete to the casual jogger, the dedicated walker or carefree stroller

DON Mescall will record his album ‘The Growing Years’ live in the intimate surrounds of the Hole In The Wall this weekend. Since releasing his debut album ‘Innocent Run’ in 2006, Don’s reputation as a songwriter has sky-rocketed with his songs being snapped up by a diverse range of top pop, country, folk and even classical artists and reaching the top of the charts on international shores.

Don has worked with many leading names in the music industry, such as

The Backstreet Boys, Ronan Keating, Francis Black and many more.

Special guests include Aishling de Clair (Friday night) and Shea Healy (Saturday night). Don will play an afternoon gig open to all ages at the venue on Sunday. Doors: 3pm

Tickets €15 are on sale from Rollercoaster Records, St Kieran’s Street. Both Friday and Saturday night shows are already sold out. Doors: 7.30pm. Tickets for the Sunday show are also available on the door.

TAKING place on Sunday May 15 at 4pm in Castalla Hall, Ballytobin, Callan is a concert by mezzo soprano Bridget Knowles and pianist Malcolm Proud.

The recital will commemorate the centenary of Gustav Mahler’s death in 1911 and will include the sing cycle ‘Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen’ and works by Hugo Wolf, Madeleine Dring and Henry Duparc.

The beautiful rich mezzo soprano voice of Bridget Knowles has

graced many top national and international stages including the National Concert Hall, the Queen

Elizabeth Hall in London and the Händel-Halle in Germany. She leads the vocal studies programme of the Music BA at Waterford IT and is director of WIT Chamber Choir.

Malcolm proud made his BBC Proms debut as harpsichord concerto soloist with Sir John Gardiner and the English Baroque Soloists in 2010. He is a founder member of Camerata Kilkenny.

Tickets: €15 (€10 oaps and students).

Something for Sunday

Restaurant of the week

i f th i f d b l

9

Exhibition of the week

Gig of the week

Fundraiser of the week


Launch of Poetry Broadsheet 11

Monday 2Roots & Rye, Rafter Dempseys @ 3pm The Barflies, Ryan’s @ 7.30pm Little Miss Higgins, Cleere’s @ 4pm Stacie Collins, Paris Texas @ 9pm

Tuesday 3Cellar Sessions, Matt the Miller’s @ 8.30pm The Kilkennys, Paris Texas @ 9pm

Wednesday 4Wallis Bird, The Set @ 8pm Movie Night, Billy Byrne’s @ 8.30pm Open Mic Night, Ryan’s @ 9pm

Thursday 5Pete Fagan and Band, Matt the Miller’s @ 10pm Trad Night, Ryan’s @ 9pm Na Fianna, Lanigan’s @ 9pm

Friday 6Divil the Bit, Lanigan’s @ 9pm

Saturday 7Paddy Casey, The Set @ 8pm ‘From Page to Stage’ presented by Stagedoor, Stoneyford, Watergate Theatre @ 8pm

Sunday 8‘From Page to Stage’ presented by Stagedoor, Watergate @ 3pm The O’Dwyer Brothers, Kyteler’s Inn @ 6pm The Barflies, The Pumphouse @ 9pm The best of American folk with the Duvets, Cleere’s @ 7pm

Monday 9The Briars, The Field @ 9pm After Dark, Matt the Miller’s @ 10pm Trad Night, Cleere’s @ 9.30pm

MAY 2—9

Gig Guidewith Ciara Gilbert

SEAN [email protected]

Spillane returns in glory

The 11th edition of the popular Kilkenny Poetry Broadsheet will be launched at the Upstairs Gallery of the Watergate Theatre on May 12

The Cream of Kilkenny Jazz Cats take to ‘Gate

Trinity of joy with Mescall

Jazz Spectacular at The Watergate Theatre, May 13

Don Mescall will record his album live during the gigs

ARTS & ENTS

FILM THORDirector Kenneth Branagh

THE blockbuster season has kicked off with this loud fun piece of bombastic fluff - ‘Thor’ is everything you to

want to help your popcorn digest.In this comic adaptation the

arrogant Marvel hero is flung from Asgard by Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and ends up in our world where he is crashed into by Natalie Portman. The usual gags about an alien lost in a strange realm are made as he flings coffee cups and people about the place in his search for his hammer so he can return to his rightful throne.

Meanwhile dark forces are plotting against Odin and he will have to come to the rescue.

At the helm of this film is Kenneth Branagh a strange name to see on this type of movie. Long the darling of Shakespearean adaptations the producers must have thought he would bring some gravitas to proceedings.

Thankfully he goes in the opposite direction and plays it ‘tongue in cheek’ reveling in the absurdity of the set-up and characters. Much like Jon Favreau’s first ‘Iron Man’ film this sure-footedly knows when to giggle and when to blow things up.

He is helped in no small part by the casting of an unknown- Chris Hemsworth. In bravely picking someone that we are not familiar with there is no baggage. He plays it with such commitment that it makes it all the funnier when he is at odds with his situation.

Natalie Portman seems too to be having a ball with a character that is actually well written with some of the best lines where she shows real comedic timing. Anthony Hopkins though is worth the admission alone - he is not so much eating the scenery as Odin but devouring the furniture and kitchen sink too.

All in all a joyful mess. Like all recent blockbusters it is overlong and the third act is like watching someone else play a video game there are so many effects.

For a director from a theatrical background it is really surprising how shoddy looking a lot of

the sets are but otherwise the producers must be pleased with Branagh’s work

He has managed the difficult task of making a good second division super hero flick .With the imminent arrival of another Marvel franchise- ‘The Avengers’

as well as ‘Captain America’ and the ‘Green Lantern’ its seems that they are going for the more niche comic books this summer. The test will be if they can explain their characters to ‘newbies’ as well as this film.

So if you want a silly night out

at the cinema to take your brain off your troubles this is the perfect cure. Both geeks and people who wouldn’t know one end of Thor’s hammer to the other will enjoy this campy romp.

— DARRAGH BYRNE.

2304 05 2011 KILKENNY REPORTER

JP Ryan to play Hole In The Wall with new albumJP Ryan, Friday, May 13 at the Hole In The Wall

25MOTORS04 05 2011 KILKENNY REPORTER

R

O’Briens Kilkenny is lo-cated on the Kilkenny Retail and Business Park, Water-ford Road, Kilkenny. Opening hours are Mon - Fri 8:45am - 5:30pm and Sat 9:30am - 5:00pm (car sales only).

LCVS TOP BEST SELLERSRenault’s Light Commercial Vehicle range benefits from commercial scrappage scheme as quality shines through

RENAULT LCVsWARRANTY Five-year unlimited mileage

MARKET SHARE 9.7% in combined passenger and LCV markets

SCRAPPAGEContinuing on both passenger and LCV range

OFFERS O’Brien’s are offering all the latest deals on new and used

KILKENNY REPORTER 04 05 2011 26 MOTORS

27MOTORS04 05 2011 KILKENNY REPORTER

KILKENNY REPORTER 04 05 2011 28 CLASSIFIED

04 05 2011 KILKENNY REPORTER CLASSIFIED 29

SPORT 30 KILKENNY REPORTER 04 05 2011

Sky blue celebration as the black and amber see only redCats suffer in the sun after losing Larkin as Dubs fire themselves to league glory

Kilkenny: David Herity, John Dalton, Brian Hogan, Noel Hickey; Paddy Hogan, Jackie Tyrrell, J.J. Delaney; T. J. Reid,

Michael Rice, Cha Fitzpat-rick; Matthew Ruth, Eoin Larkin, Colm Fennelly, Ed-die Brennan, Richie Hogan.

Dublin: G. Maguire, N. Corco-ran, T. Brady, P. Kelly; J. Mc-Caffrey (captain), J. Boland, S. Durkin, A.McCrabbe, L.

Rushe, C. Keaney, R. O’Dwyer, C. McCormack, D. Plunkett, D. O’Callaghan, P. Ryan.Referee: Michael Wadding

(Waterford).Man of the Match: Ryan O’Dwyer (Dublin and formerly of Tipperary).

Dublin 0-22Kilkenny 1-7

SEÁN ÓGKILKENNYREPORTER.IE

All photgraphy: Donal Foley

SPORT 3104 05 2011 KILKENNY REPORTER

Hat-trick shows that Jennifer was more than Reddy for final


FRIDAY, MAY 6Division 3 cupClover United ‘B’ v Evergreen ‘C’, 6.3

Rico’s of Gowran Division 1Bridge United v Thomastown United, 6.30Saturday, May 7

Henderson Youths Shield FinalFreshford Town v Evergreen ‘A’, 6pm, Derdimus

Rafter Dempsey’s Youths Division 1Thomastown United v Freebooters, 2.30

Fix and Build Division 1Lions ‘A’ v Bridge United, 11am

Ken & Michael Byrne Memorial Cup Division 2 semi-finalBridge United ‘B’ v Tullaroan, 6.30 Sunday, May 8 St Canice’s Credit Union Premier DivisionFreebooters ‘A’ v Freebooters ‘B’, 11am Division 1River Rangers v Callan United, 11am

Division 1 cup preliminary roundThomastown United v Highview Athletic, 2.30

Ken & Michael Byrne MemorialClover ‘A’ v Thomastown ‘B’, 11am

Division 3 cup semi-finals

Evergreen ‘C’ or Clover ‘B’ v Urlingford, 2.30 Brookville v AC Kilkenny ‘B’, 11am Tuesday, May 10 Buckley Youths CupEvergreen v Thomastown United, 6.30

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11Division 1 womenEast End v Bridge United, 6.45 Thomastown v Tullaroan, 6.45

THURSDAY, MAY 12Youths Division 1 Thomastown United v Freebooters, 6.45 Evergreen ‘A’ v Callan United, 6.45

KILKENNY DISTRICT UMBRO LEAGUE FIXTURES

Jennifer Reddy produced a super hat-trick to fire Thomastown United to Women’s Cup glory at Derdimus Park

Pic: Pat Moore

NEWS KILKENNY REPORTER 04 05 2011 32

No mini entry for caring runners

Director of Operations, Shane Kelly, Head Chef Ken Harker and Chief Executive Cormac Rowe in The Nore


New angle to dining out for Mount boys

Di t f O ti Sh K ll H d Ch f K

kilkenny reporter 5th may 2011

Documents

kilkenny reporterone

news kilkenny reporter

kilkenny reporterenjoying

happygraig coupleour

vfis main man

pat moore news photot

ciara ocallaghan

difference p2gerry rafter