kilkenny reporter 6th june 2011
DESCRIPTION
Kilkenny Reporter 6th June 2011TRANSCRIPT
Loughboy man now has China in his sights »P2
Planning for more local money spinners »P10 &11
Have lens will travel as Seamus conquers world
Our Festival City attracts 50,000 visitors
WEDNESDAY JUNE 8 2011
Kilkenny ReporterT: 056 7795051 E: [email protected]
HAPPY DAYS AS TWINS JOIN CELEBRATIONSBrian Hartley of Callan was joined by his four-year-old twin sisters, Lauren and Rachel at the Mother of Fair Love Debs Ball in the Club House Hotel » Story: P6
Pic: Donal Foley PHOTONEW
S
2 NEWS KILKENNY REPORTER 08 06 2011
Our ace snapper now turns focus to ChinaSeamus photographs rich and famous
As good as gold: That’s Daniel, Eoin and SileWHILE THE junior athletes completed their Kilkenny ‘A’ championships, a small but talented senior cohort enjoyed success in Scanlon Park. There were gold medal performances from Daniel Lyons in the county senior men’s hurdles and Eoin Muldowney in the senior men’s 200m. Sile Carroll won silver over 200m. From this group, Sile Carroll and Eoin Muldowney went on
to compete in the Leinster U23 championships in Scanlon. Both won gold. Sile’s triumph was over 800m; for Eoin there was the delight of gold medal in 100m (11.11 seconds) and 200m (a personal best of just under 22 seconds).James Buggy also competed in the Leinster Championships. He performed well in the U12 ball-throw, finishing in 4th place and thus just shy of a podium place. Next weekend will see competition in Tullamore. We wish Brow Rangers John Joe Kelly and St Abban’s Saragh Buggy well. John Joe
competes in junior discus, while Saragh will compete in the intermediate triple and long jumps competitions. Both represent Castlecomer Community School. ‘Comer senior athletes travel with the support of all as they endeavour to replicate their U23 success.Meanwhile, the Kilkenny ‘B’ Championships will be in Thomastown on June 15 and the local club hold their annual club sports and awards evening later in the month.
Charity cycleJune 11, in aid of Wandesforde
National School; 100 or 30 km options. Details: Pat 087-2369808 or 087-2794513.
Off to KnockNational pilgrimage is on June 24. People from ‘Comer, Clogh and Muckalee will travel. Further info: Anna Mai Mullins, ‘Comer PO.Local lottosGAA €6,050; Golf €4,100; Vaults €800.
Pioneer appealThe Pioneer Total Abstinence Association is appealing to all members to donate €10 to generate badly needed funds. Claire Duffy will send all donations to head office in Dublin.
Pictured at the event were, Sinéad O’Keeffe, Cathal Smyth
and Aisling Gill
High flying snapper: Seamus Costelloe
Happy days as State Street celebrates
Rothe Garden is in full bloom
Mercy mission to Kilmanjaro
Blooming lovely: Rothe House and Garden
NEWS 308 06 2011 KILKENNY REPORTER
Aldi, in store, accepts cash and Laser cards only. No cheques or credit cards. All Aldi special offers subject to (limited) availability. Prices correct at time of going to print. For details of your nearest store visit our website at www.aldi.ie *Check pack for warranty details.
The warranty may be available via the distributor or the manufacturer. Packaging may vary. Products purchased at Aldi are covered by a 60 day guarantee. Goods returned must be accompanied by the appropriate till receipt and in original packaging if not defective.
The Aldi refund policy does not affect customer statutory rights. Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and waste batteries must never be placed in your waste disposal or recycling bins. WEEE is taken back free of charge at electrical retail outlets on a
one-for-one, like-for-like basis. There is a bin for small batteries in your local store. Local authority civic amenity facilities also take back WEEE and waste batteries free of charge. WEEE and battery recycling is free. 2 Irish Angus Fillet Steaks 400g, €34.98 per kg.
Eucalyptus Honey 340g, €7.32 per kg. Irish Luxury Caramel Fudge Ice Cream 900ml, €2.54 per litre. Irish Organic Hot Smoked Salmon 130g, €30.69 per kg. Pineapple, 79c each. Green Apples 8 pack, 9.9c each. Mixed Peppers 2 pack, 39.5c each. Plums 500g, €1.58 per kg. Courgettes 2 pack, 39.5c each.
Carrots and Parsnips 500g, €1.58 per kg.
aldi.ie Spend a little Live a lot
Another Aldi store now open in Kilkenny.
60 Day GuaranteeRelax everything is covered
for details visit www.aldi.ie
Warrantiesprovide breakdown and
parts replacement cover.
Customer Helpline helps you with technical
queries and system set-up.
79C
Superb value on fruit and veg
per pack/
each
Carrots and Parsnips
500g
Plums500g
Mixed Peppers2 pack
Green Apples 8 pack
Pineappleeach
Courgettes2 pack
ALDI
6Super
WAS€1.49
WAS€1.69
WAS€1.39
WAS€1.49
WAS€1.29
WAS€1.29
NEVER ENDING DISCOUNTS
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4 NEWS KILKENNY REPORTER 08 06 2011
Ass-power is the focus as museum bucks trend
Millennium residents in 10th birthday
Seamus Lawlor, curator of the Noreview Folk Museum, arriving by donkey and cart to address tourists, early 20th-century baby’s go-cart and cast iron playpen and a Cumann na mBan member in 1930s uniform
Noreview still brings in the visitors
5NEWS08 06 2011 KILKENNY REPORTER
Burnchurch go back to go forward
Five firsts after 18 schools get Green Flags eco projects
Lisnafunchin NS
Moneenroe NS
Scoil Bhride, Lisdowney
Wandesforde NS, Castlecomer
NEWS6 KILKENNY REPORTER 08 06 2011
Super Stoney school in €3,000 Gaeilge boost
Rev Martin, 66, is appointed to Kells Parishes
The Rev Martin Hilliard Oh brother: Twins enjoy a delightful debsThe last supper: Students, parents and teachers celebrate
JIMMY [email protected]
A class act: Students and teachers from The Mother of Fair Love Pics: Donal Foley
Michelle Davis, Emily Branigan, Rose McCormack, Special Needs Assistant, Amanda Doyle and teacher, Marion Curran
NEWS 708 06 2011 KILKENNY REPORTER
8 NEWS KILKENNY REPORTER XX XX XXXX08 06 2011
From clockwise, Michelle Dooley, Roisín Kavanagh, Alice O’Hanlon, Eleanor Green, Saoirse Dawson, Viv Kenny, Lauren Martin and Hayley O’Neill, students who helped the Carers Assocaition pictured with Pat Grogan and Theresa Buckley, Jessica O’Dwyer, Kate Minogue and Linda Poyntz, Pat Grogan and Theresa Buckley of the Carers Association with Megan Morrissey Pics: Pat Moore
From clockwise: Awards time: Turlough Kelly, Roisin Power, Claire O’Dwyer (organiser), Julie-Ann Malone, Aoife Donnelly and Luke Kedney. A touch of class: The Leaving Certificate students of 2011. School principal, Pat O Hanlon, Brid Barron, Gary Neville, Emma Blake and vice-principal, Joe Hagan. Class mates: Tara Gaule and Michelle Foran, Hugginstown Pics: Donal Foley
Brilliant Ballyhale: Scoil Airigeal pupils prove they are well behaved
AISLING [email protected]
JIMMY [email protected]
NEWSXX XX XXXX KILKENNY REPORTER 908 06 2011
OBITUARY - Mrs Nellie (Ellen) Bailey
ONE of the longest and most popular residents of
Assumption Place in Kilkenny City, died in St Luke’s General Hospital on Monday of last week after a short illness.
Just four days earlier, Nellie (Ellen) Baily had celebrated her 85th birthday.
Nellie had lived for many years at No 37 Assumption Place, but for the past four years had been a resident of Strathmore Lodge Nursing Home in Callan.
A Kilkenny native, she was the youngest of a family of seven children. As a young woman she developed her talents as a dressmaker and pursued her dressmaking activities for most of her life.
She also had a passion for gardening and the garden at the rear of her Assumption Place home was populated by many plants she had propagated from slips collected from the gardens of
family and friends around the country.
A woman of strong views and beliefs, she had a healthy interest in community life. She also had a keen interest in politics and got very involved in supporting
the foundation of the Progressive Democrats.
However, looking after the welfare of her family was her main interest.
But she received two devastating blows – the untimely passing of her husband Jack Bailey and the death of her eldest son John in a road traffic accident in December 2009.
Mrs Bailey’s remains were removed from Johnston’s Funeral Home to St John’s Church on Wednesday evening, and following Requiem Mass on Thursday, interment was in St Kieran’s Cemetery. Officiating on both occasions was Father Frank Purcell.
Mrs Bailey is survived by her sons Liam and Declan, her daughter Marie Delaney, son-in-law Pat Delaney, daughters-in-law Ann Bailey and Marion Bailey; grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Callan’s Jamie Doheny ambled the streets of his native town on a Vox Pop mission with Reporter snapper, Donal Foley. His findings make interesting reading....
Voice of the people
Jim Brennan Frances Brennan Tess O’Sullivan
Frankie Nolan Kathleen Funchion Joe O’Brien
Pensioner Kit fears a fall outside her family homeShe calls on our City Fathers to keep her safe
JIMMY [email protected]
Kit Delaney at her garden gate and, right, the cracks in the footpath at her house Pics: Donal Foley
NEWS 10 KILKENNY REPORTER 08 06 2011
Festival City: 50,000 visitors get a warm welcome from Cats and sheep!More festivals on way as sister events prove to be a smash hit
Laughing with the Cat
Happy Cats: Sarah Costigan, Ailish English, Sheena Darcy, Diane Corcoran
Happy Valley girls: Hazel Dunphy, Rose O’Connell and Valerie Cullen Mary and Ann Ryan, Thomastown Darren Donaldson, Padraic Keogh and Colm Lynch
Inistioge Fest: Fiona and Una O’Neill with pet, Bobby
All pics: Donal Foley
NEWS 08 06 2011 KILKENNY REPORTER 11
Welcome boost for education
Have you heard about the Big Strong Man?
Husband and wife entertain
Shear delight!
Black sheep: Suzanne Crampton, Bennettsbridge with Naoise and
Daniel Brennan, Crettyard
Clan Langton: Diarmuid, Thomas, Joseph, Stella, Laura, Patrick and David Langton
Queuing for the barbers!
AISLING [email protected]
AISLING [email protected]
12 ARTS & ENTS KILKENNY REPORTER XX XX XXXXKILKENNY REPORTER 01 06 2011
&CommentOpinion
W P
Th e human touch in the ‘beautiful game’
OUR MESSAGE IS THAT WHEN PEOPLE
EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO CRITICISE,
THEY SHOULD BE MORE SPECIFIC,
CAREFUL NOT TO LUMP ENTHUSIASTIC
KIDS IN THE FAIR GREEN WITH SOME
PROFESSIONALS WHO ENGAGE IN HIGH
JINKS, OR WORSE.
“THE REALITY
IS VOLUNTEERS MAKE A MORE
POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO
IRISH LIFE THAN ALL OF OUR POLITICIANS
PUT TOGETHER. A SWEEPING
STATEMENT, YES, BUT ONE THAT IS NOT TOO DIFFICULT TO BACK UP
Volunteers show our politicians the way
“JIMMYRHATIGAN
ARTS & ENTS 13XX XX XXXX KILKENNY REPORTER
Freney the robber - one of our great local folk herosSEANHURLEY
D
08 06 2011 KILKENNY REPORTER DOWN MEMORY LANE 13
There have been many tales on the legend of folk hero Freney
14 LIVING KILKENNY REPORTER XX XX XXXX
LIVINGWITH AISLING HURLEY [email protected]
KILKENNY REPORTER 08 06 2011
From fruity frocks to travelling in style...
AADVERTISING FEATURE
Lush teethGIVE your mouth a blast of freshness with this innovative solid toothpaste from Lush! The revolutionary tooth cleansing tabs will clean your teeth and leave your mouth minty fresh. Dirty Toothy Tabs are made with spearmint to freshen your breath and foaming agents to scrub your pearly whites clean. The new patented tech-nology will save hundreds of toothpaste tubes heading to landfi ll and the fact that they are solid means they are ideal for travel.Just pop a tab into your mouth, crunch it up and start brushing. In no time at all you will have clean gnashers, a big cheesy grin and fresh breath!
Ten minute face liftAS we get older our muscles shrink causing surrounding fat and tissue to take on a drooping appearance which can be very ageing.By rebuilding the muscle mass to its previous state the face is fuller and benefi ts from a visible lift which can be retained with regular treatments. This full, health-ier look also helps reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. The Genie Take
Ten is a perfectly natural way to exercise facial muscles and is known as a personal trainer for the face.Available at Kieran O’Gorman Beauty and Day Spa, St Kieran’s Street in single ten minute treatments or a course of ten.
Good enough to eat!LOOK good enough to eat in this lemon print sun-dress from Penneys. Fruit print is one of the hottest looks this summer and this juicy number will set you back only €6. Team it with a pair of fl at shoes or sandals or even a pair of chunky wedges and you will be good to go.Better still bring it on holidays as nothing shows off a tan bet-ter than yellow. If it gets a bit chilly it will still look just as good with a cardigan or even wrap thrown over your shoulders.
Gadget loverSTART your day on the right note with Aldi’s iPod Speaker Dock with Alarm Clock Radio. It would make a funky addition to any bedside table! Whether you like to wake up to the sound of an alarm, radio or your favourite iPod track, Aldi’s nifty gadget lets you do it all for only €24.99.It would also make an ideal gift for a gadget-loving friendIt will be available in your local Aldi store from June 12.
Goodbye to dull skin!Uriage skin care products have been developed over the years by leading dermatolo-gists usingunique thermal water that respects the in-tegrity of skin cells. The products are suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive and reactive. Shed goodbye to dull worn out skin with a deeply hydrating face & body scrub. Uriage Gommage Integral €14 will gently cleanse the skin and eliminate any dead cells from the surface of the body while also stimulating cell renewal due to the exfoliat-ing micro-beads and hibiscus fl ower AHA - Vitamins E and C – Glycerin. It’s ideal to use before fake tan or before you go sun a sun holiday.
Travel in styleTRAVEL in style with this multi car Orla Kiely cabin suitcase. It is part of a collection of functional travel pieces designed by the Irish designer. The collection perfectly encapsulates Orla’s ec-centric, quirky signature style.� It’s lightweight, has two wheels with retractable trolley handle system a leather top and side handle.� It’s beautifully fi nished with packing straps, internal zip and gathered pockets, front zip pocket and Italian full grain chocolate leather trims� It also has a removable leather luggage tag and combi-nation lock. Available from www.debenhams.ie.
REPORTER WISHLIST THESE ARE A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITE THINGS...
LIVING 15XX XX XXXX KILKENNY REPORTER 1508 06 2011
FESTIVALFEVER
F
EssentialsA/wear animal print
sunglasses €8A/Wear Straw hat with
pink fl ower €15Baby wipes
Penneys Black Floral
Welly €11 Penneys Poncho Mac in a
Sac €10Converse Chuck Taylor 2
Strap Hi Shoes, Black
Get yourself prepared for outdoor partying
Top, River Island
Below, F&F tesco - Top (worn as dress) £12.50 and Waistcoat £12
Left, Dunnes Ditzy Mac €22/£19, Denim Mini €12/£10, Leggings €8/£7, Suede Weave bag €13/£11, Glitter Wellie €11/£9
Right, Dunnes Floral Top €12/£10, Printed Trim Short €13/£11, Frill Jacket €27/£23, Soft Floral Bag €11/£9, Braided Sandal €16/£14
16 ARTS & ENTS KILKENNY REPORTER XX XX XXXX
TOP
TEN
13245
TREATS by Cramers Grove is a dairy bar in MacDonagh Junction that serves scrumptious frozen desserts, ice creams, sorbets and frozen yoghurts that can be scooped, shaken, sculpted and swirled.Delicious award-winning fl avours, creative toppings, striking displays, take-home tubs, occasion cakes and themed-party specials are available so go on and treat yourself!Treats by Cramers Grove is the next step for Nigel and Carol, who started their artisan frozen dessert business four years ago on
their family dairy farm just outside Kilkenny. Their emphasis has always been on making top quality, satisfying products, using their own milk and cream and other quality local and natural ingredients. They have won several awards for the excellence and unique fl avour of their ice creams and are looking forward to having a
new retail outlet where their customers have easy access to enjoy the full range of Cramers Grove products.
TYNAN’S Bridge House Bar is one of Kilkenny’s most popular attractions.
Known the length and breadth of the country it has lured many
curious travellers into its cosy interior only to fi nd
themselves settled in for the rest of their stay. It also attracts an eclectic local crowd who love its reputation as a pub where you are
guaranteed a fun and lively conversation.
The building itself is over 300 years old. It has been a pub since 1919. Before that it was a pharmacy and grocery shop. Some of the original fi ttings such as the old spice drawers, marble counter top and elegant gas lamps remain. It is a superbly preserved example of an Edwardian-style hostelry.The pub won the coveted Black and White Bar of the Year award on two occasions in 1977 and 1981 and a visit there will let you see why.
SANDRA Mara got a taste for the intrigue of the PI world from her father, Ireland’s fi rst PI. Despite his warning that it was ‘No Job for a Woman’, she became the top Private Investigator in the country.‘In No Job for a Woman’, Sandra opens her case fi les for the fi rst time to reveal some enthralling cases, providing a fascinating insight into the real world of the private investigator – a world of bugging, surveillance, long cold nights and very real danger. She describes dramatic encounters with criminal gangs or shadowy fi gures like Martin ‘The General’ Cahill, Tony Felloni and Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch.
BOOK your tickets now for Dancewise Academy’s ‘Bright Light Big City’ which is running at The Watergate Theatre June 23, 24 and 25.The show promises excitement, fun and fantastic talent incorporating diff erent styles of dance including tap, jazz, hip hop, freestyle disco, contemporary and Irish.Dancers from the ages of four to 18 will be performing wonderful choreography to chart toppers such as Justin Bieber and Usher, and
Broadway classics such as Fame and Dirty Dancing.Dancewise will also welcome two of Michael Flatley’s ‘Lord of the Dance’ principal dancers for an unforgettable performance.‘Bright Lights Big City guarantees a display of fantastic talent from students of all ages and includes an audience participation number at the end. The show runs at 8pm nightly and at 3pm on the Sunday. Tickets are €12 for adults and €8 for OAPs and children.
HOW often do you put your keys down and forget where you left them? If you are like most people that’s probably quite often. There’s nothing worse than being late and having to tear the house apart searching for keys.This olive green glass key plate from Yesterdays on Patrick Street will sit neatly on a hall table to catch the eye and encourage good habits. The glass plate is gently curved on the edges for safe keeping. Once you get into the habit of using it the daily dash around the house searching for keys should be over. It’s available for €12.95 and costs just €2 to post. Visit www.yesterdays.ie
Shop of the week
Pub of the week
Product of the week
Book of the week
Theatre of the week
08 06 2011
ARTS & ENTS 17XX XX XXXX KILKENNY REPORTER
Top ten 687910
FOLLOWING in the fi ne tradition of its predecessor Fredericks Restaurant, Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel’s latest culinary off ering is ‘Savour’. A light-fi lled and inviting space, ‘Savour’ continues in the multi-award winning standards of food and service off ered by Executive Chef Mark Gaff ney and his team. Whether it’s a hearty Irish breakfast and a morning newspaper, a tantalising lunch with colleagues or a sumptuous dinner, Savour is already gaining many new fans.
And if you don’t want a full sit-down meal you could consider the Castle Lounge which has gained a reputation for excellent service and equally impressive food and beverages. An imposing, light-fi lled space and deep-seated armchairs are the fi rst indication of coff ee with a diff erence. Sit back, relax and let the friendly staff look after you. Enjoy a hot chocolate with marshmallows, a chai latte or fi ll up with an open sandwich, chicken goujons or spinach and ricotta tortellini.
A GROUP of 13 students who have just completed a FETAC Level 5 Digital Photography course in VTOS are hosting an exhibition in the Ormonde Hotel.‘The Way We Saw It’ offi cially launches in the Kilbride Suite of the Ormonde Hotel at 11am on Friday and runs until Friday, June 17.For all enthusiastic photographers the
exhibition off ers an insight into what can be achieved by completing the
FETAC accredited digital photography course under the guidance of Donal
Costigan. Having fi nished the course the group are now at the stage where they are ready to present their work which includes some 26 images in a variety of themes. The 16 x12 images are beautifully framed and mounted for viewing.You can follow VTOS on twitter or log onto VTOS Kilkenny on Facebook for more information.
KILKENNYMAN Aengus O’Hanrahan is setting off on a fundraising cycle in aid of the Susie Long Hospice Fund this coming Sunday.He is taking on the gruelling challenge of the ‘Wicklow 200 cycle’. That’s 200k in the lovely Wicklow mountains with a not so lovely 1740m total ascent. Aengus is hoping to fi nish in approximately eight hours if the weather is kind to him.You can donate by logging onto
http://www.mycharity.ie/event/aengus_ohanrahans_event/ or just go to the mycharity.ie main
page and searching for Aengus O’Hanrahan.Don’t forget, anyone can get involved in raising money for the the Susie Long Hospice Fund which aims to provide the highest possible quality of end-of-life care for patients and their families through the establishment of a 10-bed hospice close to Carlow/Kilkenny General Hospital. Log onto www.susielonghospice.com to register your event and your details.
VOTED one of the ‘Top 10 Best Irish Bands Of All Time’ in a recent TV3 series, ‘The 4 Of Us’ hail from Newry, Co Down. The multi-award-winning band have seven fi ne albums under their belt and a back catalogue of
memorable songs that have featured on American, British and Irish TV and fi lm soundtracks. To this day, their smash hit ‘Mary’, remains one of the most played tracks on Irish radio and currently features on ‘SingStar’, one of Sony PlayStation’s most popular games.Founding members and brothers, Brendan and Declan Murphy have been captivating audiences on their recent tours of Germany and Ireland with their superb acoustic performances. ‘The 4 of Us’ play the Hole In The Wall this coming Saturday. Support on the night is from Bill Coleman. Tickets, €20, are available from Rollercoaster Records, St Kieran’s Street. Doors: 7.30pm sharp.
A VISIT to Kilkenny Car Boot Sale at Castleinch just off the main Callan Road is a great way to spend a Sunday.No matter what you are looking for they will almost certainly have it and for a reasonable price too!You will fi nd antiques, collectables, clothes, furniture, tools, toys, books, coins, electronics, household items, CDs, DVDs, VHS videos, video games, plants, jewellery, crafts and
framed artwork.Open every Sunday from 8am to 4pm the Kilkenny Car Boot Sale has plenty to entertain the whole family. Serving full Irish breakfasts, sandwiches, soup, chips and drinks you could even make a day of it.If you have a lot of clutter in your home why not consider renting your own stall for a day. Get the whole family to help out and it could be a fun day out or could even help pay for a summer trip away.
Something for Sunday
Fundraiser of the week
Restaurant of the week
Exhibition of the week
Gig of the week
08 06 2011
KILKENNY REPORTER ARTS AND ENTS
Monday 6After Dark, Matt the Miller’s @ 10pmTrad Night, Cleere’s @ 9.30pm
Tuesday 7Declan O’Rourke, The Set @ 8pmCellar Sessions, Matt the Miller’s @ 8.30pmThe Kilkennys, Paris Texas @ 9pmTrad Night, The Pumphouse @ 9pm
Wednesday 8Movie Night, Billy Byrne’s @ 8.30pmOpen Mic Night, Ryan’s @ 9pm
Thursday 9Lisa Hannigan, The Set @ 8pmSt.John’s Senior School Concert, Watergate Theatre @ 8pm
Pete Fagan and Band, Matt the Miller’s @ 10pmTrad Night, Ryan’s @ 9pm
Friday 10FMC Tour – Adebisi Shank, Heathers, O EmperorThe Set @ 8pmDivil the Bit, Lanigan’s @ 9pm
Saturday 11Gold Soundz, The Set @ 10pmD.J Colm , The Pumphouse @ 9.30pm
Sunday 12The O’Dwyer Brothers, Kyteler’s Inn @ 6pmThe Barflies, The Pumphouse @ 9pm
Monday 13The Briars, The Field @ 9pmTrad Night, Cleere’s @ 9.30
Centre is Drum-ming up business for youngsters
Mary Swander
Poet’s drama on farming lifeGrants to keep you creative
Gig Guidewith Ciara Gilbert
June 6–13
The River Valley Band
Thomastown online to promote local talent
KILKENNY REPORTER
FILM X-Men - First ClassDirector Matthew Vaughn
T The team behind last year’s ‘Kick Ass’ Matthew Vaughan and Jane Goldman return with this reboot
of The X-Men series. It however neither explodes with a bang like Bryan Singer’s original films nor disappoints with a whimper like the dreadful X-Men 3.It tells the creation tale of how Professor Xavier and Magneto were once friends before they became deadly rivals. It brings in many historical events from the Holocaust to the Cuban Missile Crisis offering an alternative history to our world where the mutant’s story is entwined with our own. Xavier and Magneto must save the day from Kevin Bacon’s villain who wants to destroy everything so that he can be in charge. They recruit a whole host of new mutants to help them and this is really where the film comes apart. The casting of these young actors is particularly weak and none of them really make an impression. Whether this is through the fault of Jane Goldman’s rather obvious script or their inept talents it is hard to tell. One cringe inducing scene where they show off their powers to each other is actually reminiscent of an episode of Big Brother.The other thing which doesn’t work is the way they keep hammering home the parallels between mutants
and Civil Rights Movement. This comic book was created in the 60’s to reflect the different politics of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King which are represented by Magneto and Xavier respectively. The references to this are lade on with a trowel and it becomes really tiresome after a while to hear how
hard done by the mutants are. The performances of James McEvoy and Michael Fassbinder are worth paying the admittance alone but this film really feels cobbled together in a rush. Even Fassbinder’s accent slips slightly towards the end and you get the impression that this was a very hurried affair. The art direction
is borrowed wholesale from Mad Men and the CGI doesn’t feel as organic to the movie as it did with Bryan Singer. The action sequences are pretty decent however and Vaughan shows he has the chops to direct fight scenes with multiple antagonists.Fans of the first movies will all flock
to see this and it is in a sense critic proof. However if Vaughan and Goldman get a chance to make another episode I would advise them to take their time next time around. And please kill off those annoying young brats in the first scene or at the very least recast.
- DARRAGH BYRNE
ARTS AND ENTS
Budding snappers in the frame
ARTS & ENTS 20 KILKENNY REPORTER 08 06 2011NEWS
VILLAGE GAA NEWS
Green light for Kells Road work
Vandals have a smashing time at shopping centre!
JIMMY [email protected]
ARTS & ENTS 2108 06 2011 KILKENNY REPORTER MOTORS
ARTS & ENTS 22 KILKENNY REPORTER 08 06 2011CLASSIFIED
ARTS & ENTS 230806 2011 KILKENNY REPORTER CLASSIFIED
24 NEWS KILKENNY REPORTER 14 04 2010KILKENNY REPORTER 08 06 2011
Ducksy’s delight, climbers conquer Croagh Patrick
Hardy climbers show true gritHardy climbers show true grit
Brilliant boy band, Pat Shortis, aged 90, and Jim Coady, aged 82 Pic: Donal Foley
Boy band brilliance: Night the recession left Kilkenny!
JIMMY [email protected]