kilkenny reporter

Fr McGrath Centre builds on its previous success »P2

Youngster’s devastating letter to An Taoiseach »P14

Proud parish leads fight in creating jobs

Evan (8): Dear Mr Cowen, why did you hurt us?

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 1 2010 T: 056 7795051 E: [email protected]

Kilkenny ReporterN

EW

S

COOKING UP A STORM WITH ‘BOROMichelle Furlong, Rose Hill with Niamh Jones, Castlecomer Road at the Dicksboro GAA cookery demonstration at Newpark Hotel

Pic: Pat Moore PHOTO

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 1 2010 T: 056 7795051 E: [email protected]

Kilkenny Reporter

2 NEWS KILKENNY REPORTER 01 12 2010

Sound of silence speaks volumes for great cause

Parish battles hard to create jobs

Kate Carroll Foroíge; Kathie Hamilton, Word Aid and Michelle Power, Foroíge

Pic: Pat Moore

JIMMY [email protected]

Stephen Murphy

Fr McGrath members with Lions Club officers and (inset) Fr McGrath

CEO Stephen Murphy

Pics: Pat Moore

‘We can either roll over, or roll up our sleeves’

01 12 2010 KILKENNY REPORTER NEWS 3

Orm Kenny, Mick Galwey, David Phelan, Alison McGrath, CEO Kilkenny Chamber; John Purcell, President Kilkenny Chamber and Fiona Macrae at the launch of the Access South East report’

Pic: Dylan Vaughan

Workers are united with owners for business fight

Grab an artisan Christmas treat, and help vunerable street children

Infrastructure is key to the jigsaw, says survey



Johnswell Road Lidl store manager, Brian Maye with Fiona Cosgrove, trainee district manager

Pic: Pat Moore

Not a Lidl, a lot: 60 now employed Bogus plumber taps pensioner in cruel scam


NEWS 501 12 2010 KILKENNY REPORTER

NEWS 6 KILKENNY REPORTER 01 12 2010


Seminar’s clear message: The arts sector is key to growth in tourism

Cheque books are out for O’Malley oeuvre

AISLING [email protected]

Some of the late Tony O’Malley’s work will go on sale at Mealy’s Auctioneers this week


Birthday gift for a lifetime of support Invitation to protest the Dáil...

Thanks a million, granddad! Life-long Fine Gael supporter, Paddy Fitzgerald being given the statue to to mark his 90th year by Deputy Tom Hayes

Paul Crilly of disabilities pressure group, Seasamh which is set to march on the Dáil

... as if you needed one, but this is a good cause

TmgLFsPFbtthyDT

NEWS 9

Here is the full text of the letter:

01 12 2010 KILKENNY REPORTER

Ireland needs its own bonfire of the quangos, argues charity boss

How great is thou art?


Scathing: GOAL boss, John O’Shea

Mayowa Famakimwa won first place for her sculpture in the Carnegie competition


Breda Raggett

WHAT comes to mind when you think of butter? First

is the lovely warm yellow colour, the wonderful taste of butter melting on toast, or in the middle of a baked potato or on top of vegetable.

A boiled egg would not taste the same without butter. It is a pure national product, it cannot be confused with spreads or margarine. It consists of cream and salt, nothing else additives.

Most of us were reared on lots of bread and butter. Did you know that if you use butter in your baking, you will not suffer so much from indigestion? Pastry is much lighter and Christmas cakes are much tastier.

But what bothers me

a lot about butter is the different prices in the supermarkets. I’ve priced it in five supermarkets and the difference in prices is amazing, with the dearest costing €2.99 and the cheapest €1.95.

That’s a difference of €1.04. If you use a pound of butter a week you could have a saving over a year of €54. Just think about what you could buy with that?

Locals will be shocked to learn that our local brand from Avonmore is the dearest in Super Valu €2.99 and Dunnes Stores €2.81. It is made in Ballyraggett, literally out the road. The farmers are not getting huge prices for their milk, so one wonders why our local butter is so expensive?

Butter melts money in our pockets!

HAT comes a lot about butter is the

Minister Batt O’Keeffe presents Jim Bergin, CEO Glanbia Dairy Ingredients with the award for its ‘Solmiko’ product, alongside Mark Fitzgerald, President, Irish Exporters (far left) and Terence O’Rourke, from event sponsor, KPMG (right)

Glanbia’s Solmiko is cream of the crop at awards dinner

Rich reward for innovative contribution to Irish export


Whopping €5k stocking filler for O’Neill Centre

Children, staff and friends of the O’Neill Centre, and (inset) Cormac Roche (3) with Emma Shore at the CD launch


Pics: Pat Moore



Go on, go on, go on... Mrs Doyle and Fr Jack lead the SOS Christmas funds drive


New local candidate says he wants effective change, ahead of election campaign launch

Independent Candidate for the Carlow/Kilkenny constituency,Noel G. Walsh invites anyone who is interested to the launch, December 9


English burialA KILKENNY woman who died suddenly in England is to be buried there on Wednesday.

Mary Russell of Clonmoran was a member of the Maher family. She lived at Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. She was 81.

She is survived by her husband Bert; daughter Colleen and son Tony. Kilkenny relatives are her brothers Paddy and Jim Maher and sister Peggy Shanahan.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated in St Canice’s Parish Church, Kilkenny on Sunday at 11.30am.

Woman dies at 92THE death has occurred of Mrs Brigid Phelan of Fatima Place, Kilkenny. A resident of Drakelands Nursing Home for the past 10 years, she was 92. She was wife of the late Jimmy Phelan, a blacksmith at St Canice’s Place, Kilkenny for his working life.

She is survived by her sons Tommy, John, Paddy and Seamie; daughters

Anna, Betty and Breda.

Let there be lightCASTLECOMER is set to enjoy the light fantastic for Christmas.

Castlecomer Traders are to turn on their lights on Thursday, 7.30pm.

Santa Claus, Christmas carols and mulled wine are on the agenda.

There will be a Christmas tree and lights in the old creamery.

Follow the Leader! KILKENNY Leader Partnership is organising a free workshop on Enhancing Farm Income for the Abbey Hall, Graignamanagh on December, 7.30pm-10pm.

The workshop will outline Farm Options, E-farming and farm accounts as well as supports for farming and rural communities through the LEADER Programme. Booking is essential: Fergus Horgan 056-7752111 or email Fergus.horgan@ cklp.ie

NEWS IN BRIEFGoods Shed Market opens at MacDonagh Junction

Treasure trove of Christmas treats to be opened by Mayor

Walking tall as shoe capital of Ireland

Junction Manager Donnie Butler


Dear Mr Cowen,

My name is Evan Tynan Geary. I am eight years old. I like school. I like my mammy and daddy. They work very hard. We have a nice house. I am very sad that you hurt Ireland. You have hurt my mammy, daddy and me. We have to pay lots of money

Evan Tynan Geary

Dear Mr Cowen, I am sad that you hurt Ireland: Evan (8)


Well, well, Wellie, just who will it be?


Hands up if you feel embarrassed: Evan Tynan Geary, who penned the heartfelt letter to An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen (left)


Award winners: Oonagh O’Shea; Tony Walsh, former Chairman, Ossory Youth and Monica O’Shea

It’s all in the game for tough competitorsJIMMY RHATIGAN

[email protected]

Youth has its day as a quarter of a centuryof caring is honoured by Ossory group

Just some of the players at Loreto Convent Gym

Pics: P Moore


Awesome Orla is Gowran Park’s big art prize winner

Orla Tynan, with her family at Gowran, is presented with her prize by Sophie O’Hare, Horse Racing Ireland

WITH ALL contestants now picked final of The Queen of the Powley, preparations are almost completed for the big night in Shortall’s on Friday.

There will also be the official launch of the 2011 Wellie Race at which this year’s personality will be named and sponsorship cards distributed.

Now in its 31st year, the Wellie Race will again raise funds for local charities. Trophies won last year must now be returned to Chubby Brennan at The Lime Tree, or to Jim Bollard’s, Barrack Street.

Me ould flower!Floral demo by Elva Holmes is in Conahy Hall on Wednesday at 8pm. All demo pieces will be raffled.

Entry cost is €10.

Anyone for bridgeClasses for beginners: Catherine 087-4121913.

Cookery demoThe golf club hold a cookery demo on December 14, 8pm.Resident chef Michael Walsh will have cooking ideas for Christmas. Tickets at the clubhouse.

Final reminderErin’s Own GAA Club hold their AGM in Aras O’Meallaigh on Friday, 8pm.

The meeting will review the year’s work; elect officers and executive; review finance and seek views of members on club and GAA.

A six-marker: Who will be the ‘Queen of the Powley’?

Chubby Brennan


17FOOD FOR THOUGHT01 12 2010 KILKENNY REPORTER

A warm sanctuary from the December cold and crowds

Pic: Dylan Vaughan

Jim Fitzsimons, InterTradeIreland; Alison McGrath CEO Kilkenny Chamber and Donal Higgins, CEO, Pro Chem at the launch of the Irish Times Awards

Artisans battle it out at RDS exhibition fair


Hurling heroes join forces at The Pembroke

&CommentOpinion

S WA bonfire of the quangos would pay for so much

AVOID THE CROWD. DO YOUR OWN THINKING

INDEPENDENTLY. BE THE CHESS PLAYER,

NOT THE CHESS PIECE— Ralph Charell

“

JIMMY RHATIGAN

FEW, IF ANY, POLITICIANS WILL BE RELISHING THEIR

CHRISTMAS DINNER, AS THE THOUGHTS OF KNOCKING ON

DOORS WILL NO DOUBT RUN THROUGH THEIR TORMENTED

MINDS. IMAGINE BEING A FIANNA FÁIL TD KNOCKING AT A DOOR WHERE A MOTHER OR FATHER HAD LOST HER OR HIS JOB, OR

HAD A SON OR DAUGHTER CONDEMNED TO THE EMIGRANT SHIP? PERISH THE THOUGHT. SO, IF FIANNA FÁIL WERE TO TAKE A

WALLOPING, WHAT KIND OF A GOVERNMENT CAN WE EXPECT

FROM THOSE WHO NOW OCCUPY THE OPPOSITION BENCHES. IS

ENDA KENNY THE MAN FOR THE TOP JOB? HOW WILL EAMON

GILMORE’S LABOUR FARE?

Choose wisely, because we get what we deserve

“

DOWN MEMORY LANE 1901 12 2010 KILKENNY REPORTER

Even in these straitened times, it has been suggested by many

readers of Down Memory Lane that a permanent memorial be erected to honour the memory of the nearly half a thousand Kilkennymen who lost their

lives in the Great War

SEAN HURLEY

Reporter readers call forWWI memorial

The Kilkenny FallenThe final part of our list of the Kilkenny fallen by surname, first name, address (sometimes only ‘Kilkenny’ or the city parish is given), date and place of death:

Pender, James, Kilkenny, 1916-07-05, France. Perrin, George, Kilkenny, 1916-09-15, France. Phelan, Kiernan, St Patrick’s, Kilkenny, 1915-05-27, France. Phelan, Kiernan, St Patrick’s, Kilkenny, 1918-07-07, France. Phelan, John, Gowran, 1914-10-20, France. Phelan, James, St Patrick’s, Kilkenny, 1915-04-26, France. Phelan, Patrick, St Patrick’s, Kilkenny, 1915-05-14, France. Pittman, William, Thomastown, 1916-09-01, France. Popkin, Thomas Joseph, Kilkenny, 1914-11-08, France. Power, Jeremiah, Callan, 1915-05-07, France. Power, Thomas, Bennettsbridge, 1917-08-27, France. Power, Edward, Slieverue, 1915-05-17, unknown. Power, John, Gowran, 1916-04-22, France. Prout, William, St Patrick’s, Kilkenny, 1917-01-30, France. Purcell, Christopher, St John’s, Kilkenny, 1915-11-15, unknown. Purcell, Jeremiah, Kilkenny, 1916-10-03, Balkans. Purcell, James, Kilkenny, 1916-09-27, France. Purcell, Robert, Kilmanagh, 1917-02-28, France. Purcell, Richard, Urlingford, 1918-06-23, France. Purcell, John, Gowran, 1918-06-23, France. Pye, William, Kilkenny, 1918-10-15, Palestine. Quinlan, Arthur, Kilkenny, 1918-10-15, Gallipoli. Raftis, James, Thomastown, 1917-08-16, France. Reddy, Joseph,

Kilkenny, 1917-07-31, France. Reddy, John, Mooncoin, 1916-09-09, France. Redman, William Stephen, Kilkenny, 1915-05-03, France. Redmond, Patrick, Kilkenny, 1915-07-30, France. Reilly, Patrick, Johnstown, Co Kilkenny, 1916-12-13, France. Reilly, Edward, Thomastown, 1916-06-10, France. Reilly, David, Callan, 1918-09-27, France. Richardson, Henry, Kilkenny, 1916-11-13, France. Rielly, Edmond, Callan, 1915-04-15, France. Roache, Patrick, Callan, 1918-10-02, unknown. Roberts, Llewellyn, Kilkenny, 1915-05-18, France. Roche, Thomas, Callan, 1917-06-07, France. Rowe, Michael, Kilkenny, 1917-11-27, France. Ryan, Michael, St Patrick’s, Kilkenny, 1916-09-11, France. Ryan, Martin, Kilkenny, 1915-01-25, France. Ryan, Joseph, Urlingford, 1915-04-16, France. Ryan, John, Freshford, 1915-05-24, France. Ryan, John, Johnstown, Co Kilkenny, 1917-11-12, France. Ryan, John, Kilmacow, 1916-09-09, France. Ryan, James, St Mary’s, Kilkenny, 1914-08-20, unknown. Ryan, R, Ballyhale, 1918-11-06, unknown. Ryan, Joseph, Urlingford, 1915-04-16, France. Ryan, Michael, St Patrick’s, Kilkenny, 1916-09-11, France. Sarsfield, Parick, St Patrick’s, Kilkenny, 1915-02-24, unknown. Shea, Martin, Windgap, Callan, 1918-03-21, France. Shea, Patrick Joseph, Kilkenny, 1916-09-01, France. Shea, Joseph, St Mary’s, Kilkenny, 1917-11-02, Palestine. Shea, Richard, St Mary’s, Kilkenny, 1915-04-24, France. Shea, John, Kilkenny 1917-01-21, France. Shea, Michael, St John’s, Kilkenny, 1915-04-28, France. Sheehan,

Patrick, Rosbercon, Co Kilkenny, 1915-08-09, France. Shelly, John, Callan, 1915-07-23, France. Shortall, Thomas, Kilkenny, 1917-09-13, France. Smitheran, William, St Mary’s, Kilkenny, 1917-04-05, France. Smyth, Patrick, St John’s, Kilkenny, 1917-01-19, France. Smyth, William, Kilkenny, 1917-03-15, France. Somers, John, Kilkenny, 1916-04-27, France. Spillane, Patrick, Thomastown, 1916-09-09, France. Stackpoole, James, St Mary’s, Kilkenny, 1917-07-31, France. Stone, James, Castlecomer, 1918-03-21, France. Stone, George, Castlecomer, 1916-09-03, France. Strong, Albert Edward, Thomastown, 1917-08-16, France. Sullivan, James, Newtown,Callan, 1915-06-27, France. Sweeney, Charles W, Kilkenny, 1918-10-10, unknown. Talbot, Luke, Kilkenny, 1917-06-14, Bethune, France. Taylor, James, Urlingford, 1918-10-12, France. Teehan, James, St Canice’s, Kilkenny, 1916-04-17, Salonica. Tennyson, Patrick, Kilkenny, 1916-10-18, Mesopotamia. Tierney, James, Callan, 1916-04-15, France. Tobin, Edward, Paulstown, 1917-04-21, France. Tobin, Michael, Owning, Co Kilkenny, 1916-02-04, Salonica. Tobin, James, St Mary’s, Kilkenny, 1917-01-04, unknown. Tone, John, Urlingford, 1915-04-19, France. Trehy, Kiernan, Kilkenny, 1917-05-31, The Balkans. Troy, Thomas, Patrick Street, Kilkenny, 1914-08-24, France. Tudenham, Maurice, Kilkenny, 1915-09-30, France. Tynan, Patrick, Kilkenny, 1915-07-04, Gallipoli. Waldron, Francis, St John’s, Kilkenny, date and place of death

unrecorded. Walker, John, Kilkenny, 1916-10-12, France. Wall, Michael, Freshford, 1917-12-01, France. Wall, Mark, Slieverue, 1917-12-19, unknown. Wall, James, The Butts, Kilkenny, 1918-03-21, France. Wallace, William, Clough, Co Kilkenny, 1915-08-25, France. Wallace, James, Aughavillar, Co Kilkenny, 1916-09-07, unknown. Walsh, James, Muckalee, 1915-03-16, France. Walsh, Patrick, Kilmacow, 1916-09-24, France. Walsh, Patrick, St Mary’s, Kilkenny, 1914-10-19, France. Walsh, James, Kilkenny, 1916-05-26, France. Walsh, William, Mooncoin, 1916-12-14, France. Walsh, Richard, Green Hill, Kilkenny, 1916-09-03, France. Walsh, William, Thomastown, 1914-08-23, France. Walsh, Richard, Callan, 1914-12-18, unknown. Walsh, Patrick, Kilkenny, 1916-04-06, France. Walsh, John, Gowran, 1917-08-16, France. Walsh, William, Mooncoin, 1916-09-26, France. Ward, Thomas, Callan, 1915-04-24, France. Whelan, Patrick, Kilkenny, 1916-09-09, France. Whelan, John, Kilkenny, 1916-03-13, France. White, Aubrey Cecil, Gowran, 1916-07-01, Somme, France. Wholehouse, Francis, Callan, 1915-08-14, France. Willoughby, Charles, Coolcullen, Co Kilkenny, 1915-05-18, France. Willows, John, Kilkenny, 1916-02-27, France. Willy, John, Kilkenny, 1915-12-25, unknown. Woodhams, Alfred Thomas, Kilkenny, 1915-08-22, Gallipoli. Wright, Peter, Glenmore, 1918-03-21, France. Younge, Lawrence, Kilmacow, 1916-07-06, unknown.

S Last soul lost

Connie Ryan (third from left) manages a rueful smile as

his company waits on orders during the Great War

PROFILE 20 KILKENNY REPORTER 01 12 2010

BESTIN THEBUSINESS

WHEN Jim Brennan bought The Club House he was not simply purchasing a hotel. He was buying a precious bit of Kilkenny that many craved. Over the years, he has minded and cared for it like a member of his family. His son, Ian is now following proudly in his footsteps, as father and son promote the country’s oldest hotel and battle to shelter it from a ruthless recession

A

JIMMY RHATIGAN

PROFILE 2101 12 2010 KILKENNY REPORTER

BORN May 1950LIVES Prospect Park, Waterford RoadHOBBIES All sportsCIGARETTES Never smokedALCOHOL A few vodkas and sodaBIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT Buying the Club House

Hotelier Jim Brennan has never regretted his impromptu decision to buy the historic Club House Hotel. The challenge now for father and son is to operate and grow in these straitened times

Pics: Pat Moore

MY FAMILY HAS NOW BEEN IN THE CLUB HOUSE FOR

33 YEARS... I HAVE HAD A VERY

GOOD LIFE HERE I AM ESPECIALLY

GRATEFUL TO MY LOYAL STAFF, SOME OF WHOM HAVE BEEN WITH

ME SINCE MY VERY FIRST WEEK HERE

“

FACTFILE JIM BRENNAN

T

RECENTLY I had the pleasure of meeting Carla Taylor, who invited me to her

studio in Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny, to see her jewellery and art collections.

Born in South Africa, Carla has lived in Ireland with her family since 2001. A qualified draughtsman and technical illustrator with experience in newspaper, magazine and trade publishing, she has always been creative, but she has truly found her niche in creating jewellery and art.

An hour after looking at her incredible work and I wondered what I had been doing all my life. The same age as me, this woman has achieved so much in her career, as a mother and now as an artist. She has just started to create jewellery and art, and the amount of work she has produced in just a few months is simply staggering.

Her jewellery is novel and it’s so beautiful you

will want to buy it all — neckpieces,

bracelets, earrings, bookmarks. Each individual piece incorporates organic and recycled elements

like berries, beans, shell,

stones, corals and recycled glass.

These amazing pieces feel all the more special when you learn that the unusual elements she uses to create them were all collected when, in 2008/2009, Carla and her family travelled around the world for a year.

In Mauritius, Cuba,

Mexico, Fiji, the US, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, Carla fell in love with all the incredible beads she saw, and started to buy them. However, she was also so inspired by her journey. So much so that on her return she started a collection of artworks.

These are very hard to describe, except as truly gorgeous. Her draughting skills are never more evident than in these manipulations and sculptures of paper, pencil and watercolours.

Inspired by the beauty, colour and form of the countries she visited, these are like nothing you have seen before. They are like 3-D images created in paper, but with an artistic twist, cut with the most incredible

precision and attention to detail. You cannot help but be astonished that something so technically detailed, can be so beautiful.

Carla Taylor is an immensely talented artist and I highly recommend you go and see her beautiful work. She is exhibiting at the

following events: Avaluk Crafts, The Goods Shed, MacDonagh Junction from November 30.

The Source Arts Centre, Christmas Art & Craft Exhibition, Thurles from December 3

to January 21.Butler House

Christmas Fair, December 4 and 5.

Graiguenamanagh Library, Exhibition of Jewellery until December 16.

Carla Taylor, Goresbridge, [email protected]

LIVINGWITH CARLA TAYLOR, GORESBRIDGE, E: [email protected] (T: 086 3095235)

A wonderful world of exquisite art, jewellery sculpture and painting

Stunning pieces that come from a world of experience

ator

dTh

aall —

braeabE

eli

beston

recycTh

hard pt

d ries

followiAvThMJ

Ef

toB

ChriDecem

JANETYNAN

ARTS & ENTS 24 KILKENNY REPORTER 01 12 2010

TOP

TEN

132

5

THE recently opened Enable Ireland shop at 17 High Street is proving to be one of the most popular boutiques in town. With serious bargains to be found in both designer and high street labels this shop is definitely well worth a visit.

Everything is displayed clearly by size so finding what suits you couldn’t be easier. The shop has a good mixture of second-hand and

new items and if you are lucky you will discover a few nice surprises on the rails such as Karen Millen.

In the past they have also had handbags by Prada and Chloe. Special items like this are displayed in the window with details of when they go on sale.

All items in the shop have a shelf life of seven days before they are replaced with new stock so if you can’t find what you are looking for one day it pays to call back the next.

A NIGHT out at Tupper’s Bar at Lyrath Hotel is always a bit special. Part of Lyrath’s original 17th century home, the bar is, in many ways, the heart of the hotel. It’s everything you’d expect from a good local bar and more – a warm welcome, an open fire, a good pint and an easy chair to relax in. Tupper’s Bar also boasts a most impressive lunchtime and early evening menu.

Also at Lyrath Hotel and

exclusive to diners at La Perla restaurant is their unique Wine Cellar, a subterranean hideaway of old stone, wrought iron and magnificently carved timber found

beneath the restaurant. Browse the shelves of the walk-

in, temperature controlled wine vaults, let their Sommelier help you choose one of their fine old or new world wines, then retreat to a corner

and let the night take you and your party somewhere new and unexpected.

WHICH 50 People turned Ireland into the fecked-up country it is today? In ‘Feckers: 50 People Who Fecked Up Ireland’ writer and journalist John Waters reveals a consistent pattern of self-delusion, myopia, inferiority complex, bravado, defeatism, cynicism, sentimentalism and conceit.

He traces Ireland’s story from the cultural myopia that followed national Independence, through the post-Sixties faux ‘self-confidence’, to the meltdown of the Celtic Tiger.

Among the oldest civilizations in Europe, Ireland has ended up as a second-rate version of the England it tried to discard. It threw out baby with the bathwater.

THE full cast of ‘Scrooge - the stingiest man’ in town is taking part in a competition with RTE Lyric FM.

The Choirs for Christmas competition invites choirs to share their music making with lyric listeners throughout Christmas.

According to Music Director Jacinta Cantwell their song ‘The Birthday Party of the King’ is different to the usual Christmas songs that are entered into the competition.

Members of the Loreto Orchestra

will play with the cast. Pat Ryan will be soloist and he will be accompanied by Martin Reilly.

‘Scrooge’ is being presented by Watergate Productions and a special preview show will be held at the theatre this coming Saturday. Tickets are €10. There will be a matinee on Sunday (with no evening show) and it will run every night at 8pm up to and including Saturday, December 11. Tickets for the remaining dates are from €12.50

BASED on the cult DC Comics graphic novels by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner, RED is an explosive action-comedy starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Helen Mirren. A group of of the CIA’s best agents are now the agency’s top targets. Framed for assassination, they must use all of their collective cunning, experience and teamwork to stay one step ahead of their deadly pursuers and stay alive.

The team embarks on an impossible, cross-country mission to break into the top-secret CIA headquarters, where they will uncover one of the biggest conspiracies and cover-ups in government history.

Movie of the week

Book of the week

Pub of the week

4

Shop of the week

Theatre of the week

ARTS & ENTS 2501 12 2010 KILKENNY REPORTER

Top ten 687

10

A GORGEOUS new coffee bar has just opened its doors at 4a Patrick Street in the city. Cafe la Coco offers a a delicious range of wraps, pastries, Lavazza coffee, desserts, Dilmah tea, soup, sandwiches, bagels, hot foods, grilled paninis, hot breakfasts, a selection of salads and crepes.

Diners can chose to either sit down or take

away their orders.The staff are super friendly

and smiley too so a visit to the restaurant can really brighten up your day.

They also claim to serve the best coffee in Kilkenny so if you want to judge for yourself you can pay them a visit Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 5pm or from 10am to 5pm on Sunday. Keep an eye out for their pink and white flyers as presenting one with your order will get you a 10% discount.

RUNNING at the Little Ghost Gallery, Dean Street until Saturday, December 4 is an exhibition by Victoria Cody.

The artist graduated from Limerick School of Art and Design with a Degree in Fine Art Printmaking in 2009. She said she fell in love with collage making through making stencils while studying printmaking in college. “Every aspect of collage making is appealing to me. I love the rummaging and collecting. Searching

for images in second-hand shops and vintage magazines is an exciting part of the process,” she said.

She finds that working with collage on paper is the perfect medium as it enables constant transformation.

“The images I find are sliced up and recombined to form new images with new meaning. The work is strongly influenced by Victorian art and working on paper conveys the frailty that underlies the tragic and romantic themes in my work.”

LOOKING for the perfect present idea? Then have a peek at Oxfam Unwrapped.

Whether you are looking for great gift ideas for Christmas presents, birthday presents, unusual gifts for a wedding or special occasion, Oxfam Unwrapped is the answer to all your present ideas dilemmas.

So change that predictable present you were going to buy – you know the one you’re still not convinced about (socks, crystal, golf balls) – to an Oxfam Unwrapped gift. You will

be giving a better gift and changing the future for someone living in the developing world.

The range includes three bags of seeds (€7), turkey (€20), feed a family (€23), mum and baby (€36), teach a teacher (€45), pair of rabbits (€25), emergency kit for a family (€39) and an Unwrapped Gift voucher.

The Oxfam Kilkenny shop is at 48 High Street, Kilkenny. Pop in, call 1850 30 40 55, or visit www.oxfamireland.org/unwrapped

GALWAY band Big Generator are back in Kilkenny on Sunday night for a gig in Paris Texas, High Street.

The popular four piece rock band has toured extensively in the UK, Sweden, Holland, Germany, Belgium, America and Ireland where they have built up a huge legion of followers. The band has enjoyed a considerable amount of success and all of it was achieved without the backing of a major label. The guys have also shared the stage with

names like Ocean Colour Scene, Big County, Whitesnake and Joe Satriani. Their albums ‘On The Line’ and ‘The Unreleased’ received rave reviews in Ireland and abroad and they have also enjoyed three top twenty hits and fourteen years playing together as a band.

The line up consists of Paul Cantillon (vocals/bass guitar), Barry Conboy (lead guitar), Liam Martin (vocals/guitars/keyboards), Robbie Casserly (vocals/drums).

IT’S time to get your skates on and head to Kilkenny’s Christmas ice-rink at Cillin Hill.

This is definitely an event that all the family can enjoy.

The ice-rink is one of the most advanced available anywhere in Europe and was sourced in Belgium. It is housed in a marquee measuring 25mtrs x 50mtrs, which gives you ample space to watch the safety video,

put on skates and try out the rink. Or, if you’re there with the kids and don’t want to skate, then you can sit in comfort sipping a coffee or a hot chocolate.

The skating experience is fully

supervised by Ice Marshals, making it safe for kids to get the most out of their 60 minute skating session.

There will also be a cloakroom

available so people can leave their belongings with staff knowing that they will be safely returned to them. If anyone gets peckish there is also a shop in the marquee selling minerals and sweets.

Something for Sunday

Restaurant of the week

Abdiooctbpac

e

9

Exhibition of the week

Gig of the week

Fundraiser of the week

ARTS & ENTS KILKENNY REPORTER 01 12 2010 26

Saint Etienne to play one-off gig at Set Theatre


Night to remember with Kieran Goss

ARTS & ENTS01 12 2010 KILKENNY REPORTER 27

Monday 29After Dark, Matt the Miller’s @ 10pm

Tuesday 30 Cellar Sessions, Matt the Miller’s @ 8.30pm The Kilkennys, Paris Texas @ 9pm Kiwi Paddy, The Field @ 9pm

Wednesday 1 Des Bishop, The Set @ 8pm Open Mic Nite, Ryan’s @ 9pm Always Read the Label, The Pumphouse @ 9pm Movie Nite, Billy Byrne’s @ 8.30pm

Thursday 2Des Bishop, The Set @ 8pm Pete Fagan and Band, Matt the Miller’s @ 10pm Na Fianna, Lanigan’s @ 9pm Trad Nite, Ryan’s @ 9pm

Friday 3Divil the Bit, Lanigan’s @ 9pm

Saturday 4Kieran Goss, The Set @ 8pm Swinging Bluecats, The Left Bank @ 4pm

Sunday 5Scrooge, Watergate Theatre @ 3pm The O’Dwyer Brothers, Kyteler’s Inn @ 6pm The Kilkennys, Lanigan’s @ 6pm The Barflies, The Pumphouse @ 9pm

Monday 6Scrooge, Watergate Theatre @ 8pm The Briars, The Field @ 9pm Trad night, Cleere’s Bar @ 9pm.

NOV 22 - DEC 29

Gig Guidewith Ciara Gilbert

Red Door opens for John SpillaneJohn Spillane will play The Red Door Theatre, at The Bridgebrook Arms, Thomastown

Des Bishop plays The Set

ARTS & ENTS KILKENNY REPORTER 01 12 2010 28

FILM The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s NestDirector Daniel Alfredson

THIS is the final installment of Stieg Larsson’s very successful novels and once again Daniel Alfredson

is at the helm of this Swedish phenomenon. Though it betrays its TV mini-series roots it is much superior to any thriller our American friends have cooked up recently. Indeed the fact that David Fincher, their most talented director, is remaking the first film shows how bereft they are of any decent plots.

The story begins where ‘The Girl Who Played With Fire’ finished up - Lisbeth Salander has been shot and left for dead after placing an axe in her father’s head. This leaves the film makers with two conundrums - how to dramatize a narrative where the central and more interesting character is left stationary for much of the film and if the main villain has been decommissioned who is the antagonist in the plot?

Their solutions to the first of these is solved by Noomi Rapace whose enigmatic facial expressions

can project a whole plethora of suppressed feelings. She is only given snatches of dialogue and flashes of emotion to demonstrate her skills. This minimal approach allows us to wonder if she is brain damaged and when she goes to court in her full punk outfit it provides the greatest thrill of the

film. I feel sorry for Rooney Mara who David Fincher has cast in the remake since nobody can inhabit this role as completely as Rapace.

The second question is answered by weaving a conspiracy thriller from the book. The enemy this time is the State and many in Ireland will relate to a tale of a

country which has been destroyed by an evil elite. Michael Blomkvist the campaigning journalist this time must battle his most frightening foe yet- a secret cell of spies within the government who want to keep a lid on Lisbeth and her father’s revelations about them. There is a wonderful

paranoid feel to the whole scenario where everybody is bugging everybody else and nowhere is safe or private.

There are some wrong footed scenes in the movie- Alfredson is a rather prosaic action director. A fight scene in a restaurant and the final showdown between Lisbeth and her brother are functionary at best. However it is extracting the central message of Larsson’s books about the oppression of women by men that it really scores. There are some really poignant looks between Lisbeth and her allies who are ironically all men. Her coldness towards even them is explained in the graphic but not exploitative flashbacks to her mistreatment at the hands of their gender.

You will be left like all fans of any franchise with a sense of loss for its much-loved characters. There will also be a satisfaction that Swedish TV have captured as much of the story as they could without the huge budget or famous cast that Hollywood can conjure.

Taking the three parts as a whole it makes for a very useful document of how states in our age conspired against their citizens especially the most vulnerable. Noomi Rapace will also hopefully be given more roles that will match the iconic creation of her spiky heroine.

— BY DARRAGH BYRNE

Clive Barnes hits Cleere’sAISLING HURLEY

[email protected]

COMPETITION

THE first two people to call into The Kilkenny Reporter office at No.1 The Parade (above Rinuccini Restaurant) or to call (056) 7795051 and tell us the name of Clive Barne's most recent album will win

a pair of tickets to the gig on Friday and a copy of 'The Ghost Country'.

ARTS & ENTS 2901 12 2010 KILKENNY REPORTER

Fred showcase album at Cleere’s

Woodturners show their skill

Clockwise from top left: Alan Doyle as Hans Christian Andersen is held at gunpoint by Aidan Byrne, as Dick Whittington; Connie McAde Walsh as Sleeping Beauty and Aidan Byrne disguise themselves as ice statues; Hans (Alan Doyle) carries Ariel (Ruth Phelan)

Behind the scenes of a promising production

KILKENNY REPORTER 01 12 2010 30 MOTORS

NISSAN JUKE TICKS ALL THE BOXESOllie Walsh finds Nissan’s new breed of SUV and coupé to be unashamedly sporty

W TEST DRIVE

The Juke comes with a three-year or 100,000 km warranty, also with three-year Roadside Assist. It is available now at Barlo Nissan, Dublin Road

3101 12 2010 KILKENNY REPORTER MOTORS

32 KILKENNY REPORTER 01 12 2010CLASSIFIED

3301 12 2010 KILKENNY REPORTER CLASSIFIED

SPORT 34 KILKENNY REPORTER 01 12 2010

ELECTRICAL contractor, Shem Tynan, played with now defunct St Finbarr’s and Bonnettstown. A lifelong supporter of GAA, as an administrator with Dicksboro, ticket seller and steward at Nowlan Park. He seldom misses a hurling game.

Podge Butler, retired Board of Works employee, although well into his 70s, still togs out as a linesman and has no difficulty keeping up with play. He played with Dunnamaggin, played football with Kilmoganny and Clanna Gael. He played for Kilkenny in football and hurling. He was held in high esteem as a referee.

Pat Mulrooney is a member of a highly regarded hurling family from Clara. Tremendous worker for the GAA and a regular supporter of Kilkenny hurlers. Was manager of the county Gaelic football team for a term. A regular official in Nowlan Park.

Liam Dewberry, former GAA referee, a regular now at all games, usually at the programme stand. Very involved in administration with the now defunct Ye Faire Citie hurling club. Played with St John Bosco

juvenile hurlers. In charge of GAA website.

Jim Cantwell/Francis Cantwell are dedicated supporters, who love hurling Originally from Fatima Place in the city, these brothers could be described as ‘the salt of the earth’ in the GAA family.

Jackie Banim, Greenshill, a keen follower of Kilkenny hurling, was a star forward on a CBS team which won the Rice Cup in the 1960s. Played with St John’s and was a fringe player on the Kilkenny minor hurling team. A highly regarded corner forward.

During the lean times of Kilkenny hurling it was dedicated supporters who followed the black and amber through thick and thin. We had not won an All-Ireland senior final between 1947 and 1957, were knocked out of the Leinster Championship two years in a row by Laois, 1948 and 1949, with Wexford on top in Leinster during the 50s.

Pictured are a group of followers in the early 50s outside Brennan’s Bottling Store, New Street, before setting out to support our hurlers. Most have gone to their eternal reward but a handful are thankfully still supporting hurling.

Shem Tynan is one of the bright sparks of Dicksboro

Unsung Heroes

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4FAI Youths CupEdenderry Townh v Evergreen, 2pmFreebooters v Tullamore Town, 2pmRafter Dempsey’s Youths, Division 1 (2pm)Highview Athletic v ThomastownDivision 2 (2pm)AC Kilkenny v Deen CelticClover United v Freshford TownEvergreen ‘B’ v Ormondevilla

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5Oscar Traynor TrophyKilkenny League v Waterford League, Scanlon Park, 2pmFix + Build Division 1 (2pm unless stated)Thomastown ‘A’ v Freshford Town

Highview Athletic ‘A’ v Callan UnitedStoneyford v Newpark United ‘A’, 11amEamon Maher Coach Hire Division 2 (11am)Clover United ‘A’ v Lions ‘B’Spa United v Bridge United ‘B’Deen Celtic ‘B’ v Thomastown ‘B’Duiske Glass Division 3 (2pm unless stated)AC Kilkenny ‘B’ v Clover ‘B’Newpark ‘B’ v BrookvilleEast End ‘B’ v Evergreen ‘C’, 11amUrlingford v Clifden United, 11amRico’s of Gowran Women’s LeagueFreshford Town v Callan United, 11amKnocktopher v Evergreen, 11amClover United v Thomastown, 2pmTullaroan v East End, 2pm

KILKENNY DISTRICT UMBRO LEAGUE FIXTURES

Castlecomer face St Leinster Senior Colleges’ League ‘A’ HurlingCastlecomer CS 3-9Kilkenny CBS 0-10

Scorers for Castlecomer: Stephen Daly (2-2); Luke Maher (1-2); Eoin Bergin (0-3); Charles Dwyer and Robert Moran (0-1) each. CS: David Breen (Muckalee), Kevin Delaney (Cloneen), David Moran (Erin’s Own), Robert Healy (Ballyragget), Ruairi Kinsella (St Martin;s), Brian Cahill (Cloneen), Declan Dunne (Erin’s Own), Padraig Keating

(Erin’s Own), Robert Moran (Erin’s Own), Andrew Carron (Erin’s Own), Eoin Bergin (Ballyragget), Sean McDermott (Erin’s Own), Luke Maher (St Martin’s), Charles Dwyer (Ballinakill), Stephen Daly (Erin’s Own). Subs: Noel Callinan for K Delaney; Eoin Brennan for S. McDermott; Gary Dunne for A. Carron.

Kilkenny CBS: Brian Cantwell, Mark Grogan, Ciaran Doyle, Evan Cody, Shane Cassin, Jack Langton, Eoin McGrath, Eoin Fennelly, Matthew Houlihan, Mason Clifford, Shay Cuddihy, Dan Lenihan, Patrick Kickery, Willie O’Connor, Joe Keohane.

With Seán Óg

SPORT 3501 12 2010 KILKENNY REPORTER

All pics: Donal Foley

Another tough ‘Oscar’ test

Kieran’s in a Leinster cracker

NEWS KILKENNY REPORTER 01 12 2010 36


Hope for residents over ghost estates

Warning as further sleet and snow predicted


Ben MacCaoilte and Dearbhla O’Farrell, who were married in Foulkstown Church. A reception was held in Zuni.

Pic: Ross Costigan Photography

NEWS

PH

OTO

St Canice’s and snowy scenes at Riverside Drive, as forecasters warn of further heavy snow this week

Cllr Malcolm Noonan has said the problem must be tackled incrementally, at the council meeting

kilkenny reporter

Documents

d juhdwerrvw

fuhfkhsurmhfwzklfkvwduwhg

news kilkenny reporter

newpark hotelpic

castlecomer road

rose hill

niamh jones

taoiseach p14proud parish