Archive - Residents of Kilkenny housing estate on the warpath! (1974)

The residents of Bishop’s Meadows are to intensify their campaign to have a proper entrance provided to their homes.

A packed quarterly general meeting in the Metropole Hotel decided that all rates may be held back if no action is taken by March 31.

The incomplete and unsafe entrance is annoying the residents so much that at their next meeting they will vote on a rates strike if nothing is done.

The Association appealed to the Council to erect concealed entrance signs on the Freshford Road as a matter of priority as three accidents have occurred there.

THE CHALLENGE IS ON!

The Seville Lodge challenge was launched on Sunday.

The plans for the former Holy Family Novitiate on the Callan Road, which go to make up the most ambitious project ever undertaken in Kilkenny, were outlined by a panel of distinguished speakers.

Despite the first weekend sunshine almost for months, crowds thronged the Lodge’s large assembly hall. People unable to gain admission listened in the halls.

They heard of plans to establish an institute of adult education where people may learn about the EEC, about music, television and literature appreciation, where farmers might learn about keeping accounts and foreign languages may be taught.

Plans were outlined for the erection of a sheltered workshop costing £56,500 which would employ 25 people initially, 50 within three years and 100 in about 10 years.

A prominent Dublin child psychiatrist spoke about a treatment centre and school for emotionally disturbed children which is to be provided at Seville Lodge this year. The centre will be the first of its kind in Ireland.

Those present got a run-down on how the two special schools in Kilkenny operate and how Seville Lodge has a role to play.

They also heard about what happens at those special residential courses for school leavers and how these can be extended for other groups of people such as parents, teachers and young marrieds.

Most Rev Dr Birch, who recently purchased Seville Lodge from the Holy Family Order, said that what was being done was being planned in faith, hope and trust in one another and in God.

He appealed for the help of the community in achieving their aims. But he said he was confident they would succeed in their endeavours.

“We have had a number of headaches,” he said, “but they are getting fewer.”