January in Kilkenny: Busy hospital, wellie race and annual Thyestes at Gowran started year off

The arrival of 2018 was accompanied by the all-too familiar increase in the number of people waiting on trolleys and corridors at St Luke’s Hospital.

On Thursday, January 4, the INMO reported a total of 57 patients in its Trolleywatch figures. There was plenty of fun and colourful characters at the always well-attended Castlecomer Wellie Race (see across) while our front page that week carried a wonderful photograph taken by Pat Moore of ‘Bishop Brennan’ on the receiving end of a boot from ‘Father Ted’.

There was good news as two new babies were born at the local hospital on New Year’s Day — one a boy and one a girl.
Hundreds took part in a charity tractor run in Ballyragget for ‘Light Up the Night’.

Concerns were sparked among some local residents when a list of ‘responsibilities’ was issued by Kilkenny County Council.
Castlecomer Community School had plenty of reasons to be proud as their students geared up to take part in the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. Of 15 Kilkenny entries, five were from the ‘Comer school.

There was a warm welcome in Kilkenny for the new Bishop of Ossory, Msgr Dermot Farrell when he was announced in the role at St Mary’s Cathedral.

Hundreds of people, including Government Ministers, Presidents and an ambassador attended the IFA Dinner Dance in the Newpark Hotel.

Members of Kilkenny City Municipal District agreed plans to restore the Tholsel’s iconic clock.
Our front page story on January 26 highlighted the shocking situation faced by a number of patients at the Department of Psychiatry at St Luke’s. Some were sleeping on makeshift beds, and staff said they were fearful of harm due to overcrowding.

Nominated
In this month, local animation studio Cartoon Saloon received its third Oscar Nomination, this time for latest film, The Breadwinner.

As always, January saw a great crowd turn out for the Goffs Thyestes at Gowran Park. Monbeg Notorious provided trainer Gordon Elliott with his first victory in the local fixture, with Jack Kennedy in the saddle.