BOTH parties involved in the proposed development of the old Kilkenny Mart side on Barrack Street-Castlecomer road, Kilkenny City (Kilkenny Mart Co-operative and David Lyons of Melcorpo Ltd who make up Citymart) have expressed their disappointment with news that the joint company set up by them ) has gone into receivership.

And the mart co-operative made it clear that the move had absolutely no implications for the new mart at Cillin Hill, Kilkenny which has been ahuge success.

In a statement issued by the chairman of the mart, Michael Parsons, Kilkenny Co-operative Livestock Mart (KCLM) noted the appointment of the receiver by National Irish Bank to Citymart, a company in which KCLM has a 50% interest. It said KCLM’s involvement in the project dates from its relocation to its current site at Cillin Hill in Kilkenny.

In a separate statement from The directors of Citymart, made up of Melcorpo Ltd and the Kilkenny Co-op Mart and with Michael Parsons, again as spokesman, said it too was disappointed with the decision to appoint a receiver to its site at Barrack Street, Kilkenny. “The directors regret that the proposals presented by Citymart to the bank for viable development of the site were not acceptable to National Irish Bank,” the statement said.

Both the Co-operative mart and Citymart believe that the development of the site remained an exciting opportunity for Kilkenny city and the surrounding areas.

“Unfortunately the dramatic and rapid economic downturn has made the development of the site immensely challenging. Citymart hopes that the site will reach its full potential over time,” the Citymart statement said.

It said that KCLM, along with its 50% joint venture partner, Melcorpo, had proposed to develop the strategic 14 acre site which was formerly occupied by Kilkenny Mart.

The Mart co-op, through Mr Parsons, said it also regretted the decision taken by the Bank to place Citymart into receivership. “Notwithstanding the current economic situation Citymart had been working energetically to pursue development for the site in the belief that, despite the current financial situation, it would have been possible to ensure a viable future for the site in the longer term,” the Citymart statement said.

While the mart co-op, KCLM, believes that the site remains a viable and attractive site of strategic importance in the development of Kilkenny city. KCLM stressed that the decision had absolutely no implications for the Mart’s activities at Cillin Hill. y.

The mart co-op added that its involvement in Citymart was structured to ensure that all borrowings in relation to the project remained totally separate from the co-op and its business in Cillin Hill.

“All debts of Citymart were ring fenced to that company and KCLM is not, and will not be, liable for any debt incurred by Citymart,” the mart co-op said.

The mart co-op statement ended by stating: “Kilkenny Co Operative Livestock Mart will continue to develop its considerable business interests at Cillin Hill. These include the livestock Mart, Saturday Market, the nationally recognised Hub events centre, and a business park with many tenants, and a site suitable for further development.”

]]> 1.3549042 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:58:47 +0000 http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/need_to_spread_the_word_about_woodstock_inistioge_jane_galwey_1_3535940

THE marketing of Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum, Inistioge must be placed higher on the list of priorities with Kilkenny County Council.

After four years of hibernation, newly co-opted councillor succeeded in having a meeting of the Woodstock monitoring committee last week. “I called for the meeting because it is important to use this wonderful attraction to its full potential. Tourism is of paramount importance to the economy of Kilkenny and Woodstock is in the top ten gardens in the country and has also earned renown and admiration across the seas,” the Bennettsbridge woman said.

The group met in the tea rooms at Woodstock and discussed a range of issues from the history of the gardens to income and expenditure and future developments. All members present agreed that the marketing of Woodstock Gardens could be improved to increase visitor numbers and to inform people from near and far about what Woodstock has to offer.

“There is so much to see in Woodstock including the remains of the majestic Winter Garden, the romantic Rose Garden, the playground, the Noble Fir walkway and even the longest Monkey Puzzle avenue in Europe,” she pointed out.

“ I would urge anyone in Kilkenny who has not been to visit the gardens to go and see what you are missing. It is a cheap, healthy and fun activity for all ages,” she added.

“We need to spread the word about Woodstock so that it brings tourists to Kilkenny and when they come here our amazing attractions will keep them in the county spending and taking great memories home.

Kilkenny has an adundence of history and heritage and this is typified in the beautiful Woodstock Gardens in the picturesque village of Inistioge. We are so lucky to have this gem in our area and it is a great testament to those in Kilkenny County Council and to the local community who worked tirelessly to restore the gardens to the glorious state they are in today,” she said.

]]> 1.3535940 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:34:41 +0000 http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/two_men_found_dead_in_suspicious_circumstances_1_3548696

TWO men have been found dead at neighbouring farms near Bagenalstown in Co Carlow.

The body of a man in his seventies was found at a farmhouse at Ballycormack near Bagenalstown at 4am this morning. It is believed that he died from gunshot wounds. A number of hours later the body of a second man was found in a building in a nearby farm.

A full forensic and technical examination is currently taking place.

]]> 1.3548696 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:27:21 +0000 http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/the_clapper_bridge_in_ruins_who_is_responsible_1_3535498

IF ever there was a heritage gem that was hidden, forgotten about, left to deteriorate, allowed to become a dump then it is the Clapper Bridge close to Little Venice. Where you ask? For over 800 years this foot bridge had been used by the people of Graignamanagh to cross the rich and clean Duiske River as it meanders its way into the the River Barrow from Brandon Hill. It was one of the oldest standing bridges in Ireland?

How, you ask could this happen?

Disgraceful is a harsh word and one not to be used lightly. However, when you consider the history attached to this place and its crucial part in the development of one of the most beautiful towns in Ireland, it is an apt word.

There have been promises made by the County Council and by others to do something about it. Civic minded souls in Graignamanagh Historical Society like Owen Doyle and Colm Walsh, Billy Hoare and others have done their best to highlight as have politicians like Ann Phelan TD and newly co-opted councillor, Tommy Prendergast. But there protestations have had the same affect on the powers that be as the droppings of a swallow on the water levels of the Grand Cooley dam in Washington State.

It gets worse - Now it appears that the central stone of the bridge has gone. It does not appear to be in the bed of the river. Was it washed away? No one seems to know. What is really is the lack of passion among many people in Graignamanagh that an iconic piece of its past has been all but lost.

This is the fourth in our series of hidden heritage gems in the city and county and probably the most important in terms of highlighting what has happened to it and for the first time putting the facts on record.

To begin to appreciate the story of the Clapper Bridge you have to look at the long association between the town and the Cistercian monks and Duiske Abbey. Duiske takes its name from Dubh Uisce (black water) and in 1204, the Norman Cistercians from Stanley Abbey in Wiltshire, England decided to build an abbey in the deep secluded valley where the Duiske and Barrow rivers meet.

They started the mill and can you see the water which powered the Mill Wheel, diverted from the Duiske river, coming down the waterfalls made by the monks and rejoining the Duiske below Lady’s Well just yards from the bridge.

The Clapper Bridge crossed the river on the shortest, route between the 13th century abbey and its mills.

In medieval times, the monks would bring the corn from the abbey, which was 20 times the size it is today, and have it grinded in the mill, before returning with it to the abbey. Of course, a community grew up around it and these first monks lived by their three vows and a huge part of their role was providing food and alms for the local people.

Then it became the walkway for the local people and remained so for hundreds of years. While the Barrow navigational has had a major impact on the lives of the people of Graignamanagh the Duiske seems closer to their hearts and hence the name Little Venice for the homes enveloping it. Of course when it floods, the Duiske causes chaos and many houses are filled with water and silt as a result.

Just as an side, it must be heartbreaking for people in business, like Philip Cushen of Cushen’s Mills to look at the walkway from the mill to the abbey and try to comprehend how things were left to get so bad.

Absolutely nothing has been done to address the mess and plans Cushens had for a visitor centre between the mill race and the river will now probably never see the light of day because of red tape.

Grandiose sentiments have been expressed by Kilkenny County Council, to reconstruct the bridge and these are contained in the County Development Plan of 2008.

But is this part of a bigger problem? Many people think that Graignamanagh is suffering because it is on the border of the county, away from the centre of power in Kilkenny city. It may not be true but if ever there was a case for positive discrimination, it is here. And there is no point in asking the OPW to get involved because all they will do is put up a plaque stating that the monument is in the care of the Commissioners of Public Works. And how the Clapper Bridge is not already a national monument is beyond me, an outsider, and I would suggest, any reasonable person.

Would a world class heritage gem like the Clapper Bridge, the waterfall, Lady’s Well and the old walkway from Cushen’s Mill to Duiske Abbey be left in this state if it was in Kilkenny city? I know that Sean Leahy, Kieran Crotty, Peter Bluett, Sean Kerwick and Elaine Bradshaw and the other great people in the the Keep Kilkenny Beautiful (KKB) committee would have path worn to city hall land county hall demanding action.

Before people say that this is an Eamon Dunphy type rant just look at the facts and the history surrounding this structure.

The people of Ireland a huge debt to the medieval monks who populated this country and left us a built, heritage which remains in some cases, largely intact despite centuries of neglect. No where is this more obvious than in this beautiful town of Graignamanagh where Duiske Abbey stands as a testimony to the Cistercian order who built and to the local people who paid for its restitution.

Part of that heritage of Graignamanagh is the Duiske river which provided the water for the Mill constructed and rum by the monks.

Between the two most important sites is the River Duiske and the first bridge over it, The Clapper Bridge.

It was the main crossing for the Cistercian monks as they made their way from what is now Cushen’s Mill to Duiske Abbey. It also boasted Lady’s Well. The well is now full of silt and needs to be cleaned out. It is not that long ago since people used the water from the well as their drinking water, knowing that it was filtered bythe rocks and graveland on its way down from unpolluted Brandon Hill.

Someone needs to lead a campaign to bring this disgraceful situation to an end. If this area was brought back to life it would reflect well on the community, would draw people and could do what the last government’s urban renewal scheme failed to do, spark a revival in the centre of the town. Why not a trail of the Duiske from where it rises in majestic Brandon Hill, the highest point in County Kilkenny (Brandon Hill will feature later in this series) to the mill and then the Abbey, That might appeal to a lot of tourists.

Over the years many promises have been made to the people of Graignamanagh that something would be done. Nothing has happened and the place is a shambles. Local people are partly responsible and the rubbish left at the site is generated locally. Looking at Graignamanagh as a whole, it has not received the official TLC it requires. On Mondasy of this week, The Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan has given a commitment to visit the site in the next two weeks and on Tuesday morning, the Minister for Heritage, Arts and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan TD has undertaken to ask officials in his deaprtment to provide him with a brief of what can be done.

EVEN in death, James “Duff” Tynan continued to give as he had during the 25 years he spent on this earth - Brightening the lives of every person with whom he came into contact.

and so it was on Monday night, a number of ambulances waited at the emergency entrance South Tipperary General Hospital in Clonmel to transport his heart, lungs and other organs to terminally ill people waiting on a miracle and a transplant. His parents Delores and Pascal, his sisters Elizabeth, Jacqueline, Nuala, Kay and brother Neil and his girlfriend Fiona Morrissey aswell as nephews, nieces, and cousiibs were present for the final blessing before the life support machine was switched off and his organs harvested for the benefit of others that he did not even know. Ther sirens lit u in the ambulances and the body parts were transported to Dublin and overseas.

Only last Friday, the kind 25-year-old had told his heartbroken girlfriend and best friend Fiona, that he wanted his organs donated if the unthinkable happened. This was prompted by the untimely death of a young Gortnahoe man last week, Stephen Barnaville who had cystic fibrosis.

James died after falling and hitting his head off the pavement in a totally unprovoked assault in the centre of Thurles at around 1.30am on Sunday morning.

There has been an unprecedented outpouring of grief for the Tynan family since the tragic events of early on Sunday morning. Blessed with an outgoing and warm personality like his father, he loved to sing and was extremely popular with people of his own age and with everyone in the North Kilkenny area. Blessed with a placid personality he has left his loved ones with precious memories.

His nickname of Duff came because he followed Chelsea Soccer club in England and at one point, the Irish Republic international, Damien Duff played for them. James’s friends thought he looked like Damien Duff so they called him Duff. The sobriquet stuck and James didn’t mind at all.

And while it was harrowing for his family to watch as the life support machine, aiding his breathing, was turned off, they had some little comfort knowing that James, as he had requested, had given the gift of life to others and provided them with a second chance.

James worked with his father Pascal and brother Neil in the family business Tynan Meats and he will be remembered there for his kindness and good humour by his fellow workers.

A post mortem was carried out on his body yesterday (Tuesday) in association with the garda enquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The funeral arrangements will be announced once James’s body is returned to the family following the autopsy carried out by a member of the State Pathologist’s office who came from Dublin to carry out the examination.

The gala fundraiser held in Langton’s of John Street, Kilkenny on Valentines night in aid of the Carlow Kilkenny Home Care Team was an overwhelming success and completely sold out.

Events like these don’t just happen. Lots of hours of work go on behind the scenes trying to get sponsors, items for auction and spot prizes. The Committee of Áine Fitzgerald, Kevin Fennelly, Dave Matthews, Carolanne Buckley and Mary Harrington thanked everyone who helped them and Pamela Farragher Sheridan of PF Design and Print designed and printed up the posters and tickets.

Langton’s pulled out all the stops with a fantastic menu, delicious food, served up efficiently and to their normal high standard. Fast Lane Audio Visual had set up a big screen with a slide show of everyone who helped out, listing sponsors, donations, auction items and spot prizes. They had also lit up the whole room in red so that it looked like something out of a bridal magazine. Signiatec were the main sponsor. Mr. Simms donated a chocolate truffle for each guest. Specsavers donated a free eye test for everyone who attended also. Flowers by Lucy donated a flower to every woman. “The women were thrilled as for most of them it was the only flower they got for Valentine’s Day,” organiser Mary Harrington claimed.

The presence of the Liam McCarthy and Sam Maguire cups added to the occasion and people queued to get photos with them. Thanks to Noreen and Dave Murphy who brought Sam along and to Rackard Cody for the McCarthy Cup. Donations were received from Andy O’Keeffe Auctioneer, Doheny Wheelie Bins and Recycling Limited, Jim Denieffe in Highway Safety Development, Ballyhale Gun Club. Brendan Hennessy was the MC for the night and also the auctioneer. He kept everything running smoothly and with his hawk eye there were no bids missed during the auction!

All auction items were sold and over €30,00 was raised at the auction. Items were - 4 Ball in Mount Juliet; 2 Nights B&B in Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa in Clonakilty, Co. Cork; 2 Nights B&B in Lyrath Estate Hotel; 2 Nights B&B in the Fitzwilton Hotel in Waterford; 2009 Grand Slam Jersey with 16 signatures on it; 2 Premium tickets for the Ireland v Italy match (were sold prior to auction); a service for a trailer/GPS tracking device from SMS Trailers; a service for a car from Eoghan Farrell and Darragh Phelan of Gowran Motors at Morrissey Motors; a Pendant from Jackie and Ed Keilthy; a voucher for a headpiece from Rebekah Patterson Milliner; Vouchers for Top Oil; Guided Tour around the Rhythm and Hues Animation Studios in Los Angeles.

There was 39 Spot Prizes on the night which consisted of a JVC CD player from Mrs. Brophy; a Rudolph Heltzel voucher; two tickets for the Blue Light Ball; Hot Stone Massage from Lilac Lodge; 1 Night B&B in Bewley’s Ballsbridge; Lunch for two in Zuni; Voucher for two in Yindees Downtown; Chocolate Hamper from the Little Coffee House in Carlow; Hamper from Broderick Brothers; Hamper from Kilkenny Design Centre, Green fees at Callan Golf Club; Green fees at Mountain View Golf Club; a Pandora Bracelet from Murphy Jewellers; a piece of Jewellery from Belle in William Street; Dublin Tourism Passes; Country Life Voucher; a voucher for a birthday cake from Cafe 1; a voucher from Falcon Travel; a voucher from Dick Dooley Butcher; a Spray Tan at home from Caroline; 2 tickets for the Visual Arts Centre in Carlow; Voucher for Lohs Restaurant; a Voucher for Cafe Sol, a voucher from Blueberry; a voucher from Boots; bottles of wine; a Marble City Tea Rooms gift card; a voucher for Dubray Books; a Voucher from K Bowl; biscuits, sweets and wine from Eddie and Frances Kennedy; Sam McAuley Hamper; Box of Chocolates; Lunch for tw in the Talbot Hotel.

The Marble City Sounds provided the music and it is no wonder their reputation is that of being the best band in the area, the floor was packed from the time the first note was played. Pat Treacy followed the band with a disco and anyone who was still there definitely had sore feet going home in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

]]> 1.3544059 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:34:44 +0000 http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/two_injured_in_crash_1_3548037

TWO people were taken to hospital following a crash on the Freshford Road earlier today (Wednesday).

The accident, which involved two cars and a tractor happened at 8.30am. Emergency services were at the scene within minutes and two people were brought to St Luke’s Hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be serious. Traffic diversions were in place for a short period of time but the accident has now been cleared.

]]> 1.3548037 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:13:19 +0000 http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/grange_bridge_finally_gets_green_light_1_3539761

THE long wait is finally over and residents who live in close proximity to Grange Bridge, Ballyragget. A start up date has been set. The funding of €255,000 had been in place since 2009 but numerous difficulties had to be overcome. Cllr Maurice Shortall said that a contractor, Mr. John Cradock had been appointed and that work will commence in June.

Kilkenny Design Centre is currently undergoing an exciting re-development, involving the refurbishment of the restaurant and the opening of a new foodhall.

The Foodhall will be a wonderful new venue for Kilkenny’s coffee lovers providing flavoured coffees, herbal teas and freshly-made sweet and savoury treats in a beautiful and historic setting. They will stock a carefully-selected range of high quality Irish food products and by providing regular tastings and cookery demonstrations we hope that the Foodhall will provide inspiration for our customers in their own kitchens.

Popular chef, Edward Hayden, has joined forces with the team at the Kilkenny Design Centre to develop a great concept for the new space; incorporating a café and foodhall where Kilkenny Design Centre’s “Take Home” range will be available. The idea is simple quality, fresh food for you to take home and enjoy with family and friends. Be it a simple chowder or a tasty Beef Bourguignon, or a cake from the bakery area for tea. A selection of high quality Irish made products such as Mileeven honey, Goatsbridge Farm trout, fantastic chutneys and jams from Dunbrody Country House and of course Edward Hayden’s wonderful orange marmalades will also be available.

Wexford artist Simone Walsh will be displaying a selection of her large, vibrant canvases on the walls of the Foodhall. While the original works will be available for purchase, those with more modest budgets may buy high-quality prints of Simone’s work in the Design Centre store.

Upstairs, the award-winning restaurant has gone from strength to strength. There is a full drinks license in place and flexible seating for up to 200 people with fantastic views of the Castle and the Castle Yard. The culinary team has developed an impressive celebration buffet menu, making the restaurant at the Kilkenny Design Centre the perfect venue for family and corporate events.

The new foodhall will be ready for business on February 22 and will be open seven days a week from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm. An exciting calendar of events such as tastings, cookery demonstrations and musical evenings will also take place over the coming months. The upstairs restaurant will also be open for private functions. Keep an eye on the Kilkenny Design Centre’s Facebook page and website for news.

]]> 1.3540173 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:52:11 +0000 http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/kilkenny_farmer_convicted_following_major_fish_kill_1_3544468

AT last week’s Kilkenny District Court, Mr Paul Madigan of Graigue, Windgap was prosecuted by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) following investigations into a fish kill on the River Glory which took place as a result of the discharge of silage effluent.

Mr. Patrick Kilfeather Senior Fisheries Environmental Officer with IFI told Judge David Anderson that following receipt of a complaint on Monday, June 13, 2011, Inland Fisheries Ireland carried out detailed investigations on the River Glory over a number of days, and had established that in excess of 1,100 fish including trout and salmon as well as invertebrate life had been killed over a distance of 5.1 kilometres from below the outfall from Mr. Madigan’s farm to Clone Bridge.

Giving details of sampling and analysis undertaken, Mr. Kilfeather confirmed the discharge from the farm to a roadside watercourse and thence to the Glory had seriously elevated ammonia, orthophosphate and BOD levels. He said that on the evening of June 13, 2011, he instructed Mr. Madigan to immediately terminate discharges, and remove all remaining effluent residues from the watercourse.

However, when he returned to assess progress on the following afternoon, discharges were still occurring, and he had to speak again with Mr. Madigan concerning the lack of effectiveness of the steps taken. In reply to Mr. Laurie Grace, Solicitor for Mr Madigan, Mr Kilfeather confirmed that by 9pm on the Tuesday night when he again inspected the farm area, discharges had been terminated, and subsequently the watercourse had been cleaned out using an excavator.

Mr. Grace who had earlier told Judge Anderson there was a plea in the matter said that the discharge occurred as a result of the failure of an electric pump, and as soon as this had come to Mr. Madigan’s attention, he had taken steps to keep an effluent storage tank alongside his silage pit emptied.

He sought leniency on behalf of his client, who he said had invested heavily in the provision of silage storage facilities, and said that Mr. Madigan’s Single Farm Payment had, following the incident, been reduced by €2,000. Judge Anderson convicted Mr. Madigan and imposed a fine of €500 and awarded legal costs of €1.611 and expenses of €2,828.53 to Inland Fisheries Ireland.

The expansion of the milk production sector when the EU quota comes to an end in 2014 could bring a boost of €50 million per year to the Kilkenny economy, according to the county manager.

“The biggest economic capture that the county could potentially make,” Mr Joe Crockett said at Monday’s meeting of Kilkenny County Council.

“It could add €50 million per year into the Kilkenny economy.

“That is being researched at the moment,” he said as part of an update about the county’s Invest Kilkenny economic development strategy.

Nationally, the Department of Agriculture has set a target of a 50% increase in the production of milk and milk products by 2020.

That goal is set out in “Food Harvest 2020,” a “strategic plan drawn up by a committee of industry representatives for the development of the sector over the coming decade.”

Published in 2010 by the Department of Agriculture, the report “outlines the positive prospects for the dairy sector over the medium to long term, and sets an ambitious target of a 50% increase in milk production by 2020.”

THE first phase of the €23 million Belview Strategic Water Supply Scheme which will facilitate industrial development and job creation in South Kilkenny and the South East is to be officially opened on Friday by Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan; IDA CEO, Barry O’Leary and Chairman of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr Paul Cuddihy.

The Belview Strategic Water Supply Scheme is an important economic infrastructure which will service 240 hectares of industrial land near Belview Port, and allow for the building of 10,000 additional houses in South Kilkenny and Waterford between now and 2031.

The Department of the Environment teamed up with Kilkenny County Council and the IDA to develop the water scheme.

With phase 1 completed the Belview Strategic Water Supply now provides 3,300 cubic metres or 725,000 gallons of water per day, primarily for industrial and enterprise use and also for the people and community of South Kilkenny. When all phases are completed, 15,000 cubic metres or 3.3 million gallons of water a day will be available, of which 9,000m³ or 2 million gallons will be available for industrial use - a major strategic capability.

The total investment for this phase of the scheme is €13 million of which €11 million was provided by the IDA and €2 million by Kilkenny County Council and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.

The water supply infrastructure is matched by wastewater infrastructure with a wastewater treatment plant provided at a cost of €37 million by Waterford City Council, with capacity of 190,000 persons equivalent which the IDA has also supported.

Belview is four miles from Waterford City and a mile and ahalf from the village of Slieverue and incorporates 265 hectacres of zoned land including a Strategic IDA land bank, the Marine Point Business Park and Belview Port.

This scheme will be of important strategic benefit for the region by:

• Facilitating the development of water-intensive industry at Belview Industrial Park.

• Alleviating pressure on the domestic supply, which resulted in some water shortages over the past few years.

• Allowing for future housing development in the region.

The Belview Strategic Water Supply Scheme is one of the largest water supply schemes in County Kilkenny. It serves approximately 11,000 customers through 169km of pipework in the towns and villages of Mooncoin, Mullinavat, Kilmacow, Ferrybank, Slieverue and the surrounding areas.

Belview Port is the nearest deepwater major Irish port to mainland Europe, providing to shippers of both time and fuel while being a natural hub for the integration of port, shipping , road and rail freight services.

Two third of the Irish domestic market lie within a 160km radius of Belview with direct access to the mainland national rail network . The surrounding industrial area boasts substantial warehousing.

Kilkenny City and County Manager, Joe Crocket, says the water and wastewater infrastructure combined with port and rail services, the IDA Strategic Landbank, and other serviced and zoned lands make Belview a superb business opportunity.

Mr Crockett said the Belview Water Supply is an important development under the Invest Kilkenny programme, launched in 2010 to promote the area on its fast global access, high calibre workforce, and a great quality of life with a city steeped in a rich culture and heritage.

With the recent opening of the new M9 motorway, Kilkenny is only 70 minutes from Dublin Airport, and 30 minutes from Waterford with its regional airport and the Belview development zone, including Belview Port.

A Business Support Unit has been established to support the Invest Kilkenny initiative and a website www.investkilkenny.ie launched which includes a property finder and details of local business success stories.

GREAT ploughing on a fantastic site made Sunday one of the most memorable of all Gowran Ploughing Matches. And afterwards there was a carnival atmosphere in Connolly’s of Dunbell where an excellent meal was laid on by hosts, Jim and Theresa Connolly.

And the president of the National Ploughing Association was caught up in the excitement. james Sutton from Dublin spoke gloweingly of the site owned by Jim and Alive O’Neill at Grove, Dunbell and of the excellent manner in which the event was organised. It attracted 55 plough men from all over the South East, Tipperary and Cork.

Results: Senior two furrow: 1 John Treacy, Garryhill, Bagenalstown 107; his son Eamon from Corries, Bagenalstown was second with 103; 3 Willie Ryan, Tullogher 101; 4 Cathal Brady, Gowran 100. Under 28, two furrow: 1 John Cotterell, Tullogher 92; 2 Thomas Hartley, Glenmore 91.

Under 21 two furrow: 1 Tony McGrath, Mooncoin 106; 2 Mark Walsh, Tullogher 100; 3 William Kehoe 99. Three furrow standard: 1 Edward Forristal, Tullogher 77; 2 Ned Conway, Tullogher 75; 3 Liam Cassin, Maddoxtown 73.

Single furrow vintage: 1 Oliver Power, Waterford 149; 2 Peter McDonald, Mullinavat 139. Two furrow mounted vintage: 1 John O’Brien, Cahir 150; 2 John Somers, Wexford 145; 3 Paddy Doyle, Wicklow 144.

Senior reversible, John Whelan, Gussserane, New Ross; 2 Brian Ireland, Danesfort 112; 3 Garry Ireland, Danesfort 110.

Three furrow standard reversible: 1 Robert Madigan, Firhouse 96; 2 Daniel Dwyer, Johnstown 89.

Johnstown-Urlingford-Galmoy match on Sunday, February 26 at Bawn, Johnstown on land owned by the Duggan brothers.

Farmers who bought last week’s Farmers Journal cannot but be impressed with the photograph of their mart Cillin Hill. The front page photograph showed over 600 farmers who attended a special seminar on Profitable Suckling Farming.

The speakers included Simon Coveney Minister for Agriculture, John Bryan President of the IFA, Director of Teagasc Prof Gerry Boyle and many more. All speakers were positive as to the future of farming and stated that prices should remain stable for the next few years .The Minister stated the importants of suckler farming to the Irish economy .He stated where as over 17,000 are involved in Dairy Farming over 100,000 are suckler farmers and this sector is the heartbeat of rural Ireland and should never be a byproduct of the dairy sector. With the arrival this week of Xi Jinping the next reported leader of China plus a large delegation of food experts it is hoped that this enormous market might develop for both meat and dairy products. If this happens job numbers will start to be increased in the food sector and confidence will start to soar in all Agri Business. Before I leave the subject well done to Terry Carroll and all the Teagasc team on organising such a successful conference.

Our Dairy sale of last week attracted almost 100 head with a top call of €2,020 on two occasions for freshly calved heifers. With customers coming from Monaghan, Galway, Wicklow and of course neighbouring counties there are plenty of customers for quality dairy animals. Also taking place on Monday is our calf sale which last week saw continental bulls selling to a high of €475 with heifers to €415 these prices show terrific confidence for the future which hopefully will be justified .Farmers should note that Dairy and Calf sales will be taking place every Monday until further notice. The calf sale starts at12.15pm with Dairy at 1.30pm.

The sheep sales are very small with prices steady .Most butcher type hoggets are ranging from €120 to €125 per head with a top call of €130 for 60kg hoggets.Even though numbers are small factory agents state the product is hard to sell in the present climate

On Thursday trade for all cattle remained strong with lots of customers for all types. A special sale of sucklers saw a top call of €1750 for a cow with a calf at foot .Light store bullocks and heifers are attracting lots of interest with prices as high as €3.20 per kilo. The question been asked is will these animals leave a profit. Since most of these animals will not be sold for at least another year the answer to that question is sometime away.

Until next week good buying,good selling and good luck

Sheep and calves

Smaller sale of sheep with trade similar to last week. Over 100 calves on offer with Cont Bulls selling to €450 per head. Dairy stock slightly easier with a top call of €1960 for a fresh calved heifer.

Butchers Lambs €68 to €80 over the kilo

No. Wt.(kg) €/kg Price(€)

20 56 €2.29 128

11 55 €2.45 135

22 52 €2.38 124

23 51 €2.37 121

Factory Lambs €62 to €72 over the kilo

No. Wt.(kg) € / kg Price(€)

10 Ewes 47 €2.55 120

20 45 €2.58 116

8 43 €2.49 107

10 41 €2.66 109

Store Lambs €40 to €62 over the kilo

No. Wt.(kg) Price(€)

12 42 €2.33 98

11 41 €2.49 102

10 35 €2.29 80

12 32 €2.25 72

Cast Ewes €45 to €135 per head

Breeding Ewes - Ewes with lambs at foot €245 to €265 per Ewes with Lambs at foot €245 to €265 per unit.

Calves

Friesian Bulls €120 to €320 per head; Continental Bulls €330 to €450 per head; Continental Heifers €300 to €435 per head; A.Angus/Hfd Bulls €280 to €380 per head; A.Angus/Hfd Heifer €200 to €310 per head Dairy Stock; freshly Calved Fr Cows and Heifers €1400 to €1960; in-calf Friesian Cows and Heifers €1200 to €1500; Fres Maiden Heifers suitable for service €720 to €850 per head.

Cattle

600 kg + €600 to €1040 over the kilo

No. Breed Wt. €/kg Price(€)

1 Cont 760 €2.37 €1,800

1 Fr 815 €1.88 €1,530

1 Herf 760 €1.86 €1,410

3 Lim 605 €2.64 €1,600

500 - 600 kg €500 to €920 over the kilo

No. Breed Wt. €/kg Price(€)

3 Sim 590 €2.21 1,305

2 Fr 570 €1.98 1,130

4 Lim 560 €2.64 1,480

1 AAX 510 €2.26 1,155

400 - 500 kg

No. Breed Wt. €/kg Price(€)

1 Cont 480 €2.15 €1,030

6 Char 450 €2.70 €1,215

2 Fr 445 €1.94 €865

6 Cont 445 €2.73 €1,215

Under 400 kg €315 to €705 over the kilo

No. Breed Wt. €/kg Price(€)

2 Lim 395 €2.78 €1,100

1 BB 380 €2.83 €1,075

3 Fr 355 €1.89 €670

4 AA 290 €2.45 €710

Cull Cows

No. Breed Wt. €/kg Price(€)

Fr Cull Cows €1.05 to €1.75 per kilo

Cont Cull Cows €1.65 to €2.00 per kilo

Beef Heifers €500 to €920 over the kilo

No. Breed Wt. €/kg Price(€)

1 Char 730 €2.26 €1,650

1 Char 665 €2.08 €1,380

2 Lim 645 €2.22 €1,430

1 AA 610 €1.80 €1,100

Butcher Heifers €400 to €720 over the kilo

No. Breed Wt. Price(€)

2 Char 505 €2.26 1,140

1 Cont 480 €2.33 1,120

3 Char 460 €2.52 1,160

1 BB 450 €2.56 1,150

Store Heifers €350 to €620 over the kilo

No. Breed Wt. €/kg Price(€)

1 Lim 415 €2.48 €1,030

4 AA 370 €2.22 €820

2 Char 280 €2.79 €780

2 AA 270 €2.48 €670

Sucklers - in-calf Sucklers €850 to €1300 per head; cows with calves at foot €1360 to €1750 per unit

]]> 1.3544533 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:39:30 +0000 http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/participants_sought_for_national_pyjama_day_1_3539155

Providers of early childcare and education services in Kilkenny are invited to don their “onesies” in support of National Pyjama Day on March 23.

Last year, 15 Kilkenny services raised over €3,500 Pyjama Day, and organisers are hoping to raise a total of €350,000 this year. The funding from the National Pyjama Day will help to support a dedicated hospice home care service for children.

Anyone involved in the early childhood care and education sector can take part in National Pyjama Day by registering through www.earlychildhoodireland.ie and clicking on the Pyjama Day logo on the home page; emailing nationalpjday@earlychildhoodireland.ie for a registration form; or calling 087 275 5675.

THE communities of Johnstown and Urlingford have been numbed by the death of James”Duff” Tynan from Johnstown yesterday evening. His family and girlfriend Fiona Morrissey were by his side when the life support machine, which was aiding his breathing, was turned off at South Tipperary General Hospital in Clonmel. He was assaulted outside Hayes’s Hotel, Thurles at around 1.30am on Sunday morning and never regained consciousness in what gardai believe was an unprovoked assault.

It brought back memories of another assault on a Johnstown man in 1999 when Kilkenny hurler, PJ Delaney was left for dead after an attack close to where James Tynan was assaulted.

Parish priest of Johnstown, Fr Frank Maher said the tragedy had devastated the Tynan family and appealed for an end to violence on the streets. “James never knew this man and he just isn’t the kind of person who would be in trouble like that,” he said. A 22-year-old man, understood to be from Co Tipperary, was released from custody on Monday night without charge after being questioned by gardai. The dead man was an uncle of Kilkenny People photographer, Eoin Hennessy.

FUNDING has been approved to carry out works on a number of dangerous junctions on the Callan bypass.

Cllr Tom Maher welcomed the announcement that €280,000 had been allocated by the National Roads Authority for safety measures on the bypass.

“The first thing to do is to put ghost islands on all the right hand junctions. These junctions are highly dangerous and there have been serious accidents in the past,” said Cllr Maher.

Diageo should donate its St Francis Abbey Brewery site to the city of Kilkenny after brewing operations cease there at the end of 2013, local councillors say.

Cllr Joe Reidy (FF) made the proposal at Monday night’s meeting of Kilkenny Borough Council, where he compared the situation to the sale of Kilkenny Castle to the city for a nominal amount in 1967. “When the Butlers left Kilkenny, they gave us the castle for about a pound,” he noted.

And while the St Francis Abbey Brewery site would have been worth much more during the Celtic Tiger years, it would fetch a far smaller sum in the current climate – an amount that would be “only a pimple on the balance sheet of Diageo,” Cllr Reidy said.

“I think we should approach Diageo and ask them to donate that site to the people of Kilkenny,” Cllr Reidy said. “They made millions out of there and most of the families of Kilkenny have had somebody working there. It would be a great gesture to do that and it would make no difference to their balance sheet.”

The proposal was supported by Cllr John Coonan (FF), who said: “There is no reason why we should not be positive and pro-active, and engage to see about the possibility of Diageo finding it within themselves to give us the site.

“It might seem out of the ordinary, but out-of-the-ordinary things to come to be reality as well,” Cllr Coonan said.

Members agreed to include the suggestion in their proposal to seek consultation with the company about the future of the site and the compensation that will be paid to the workers who are losing their jobs.

Cllr Paul Cuddihy (FG) said, however: “We have to also remember that companies make millions and millions, but one of the reasons they do that is they don’t give things away for free.”