Editorial: Gourmands Savour the flavour in Kilkenny once again

One of the highlights of Kilkenny’s festival calendar, Savour Kilkenny, returns this weekend, promising a feast for the senses and drawing in gourmands from near and far.

Tens of thousands of people will swell the city’s streets, taking in the over 100 foodstalls along the Parade, and attending the various different talks, cooking demonstrations, tastings and other events lined up.

To their credit, festival organisers are encouraging the public to travel sustainably where possible, by walking, cycling, or using public transport to access the festival quarter and event partner locations. Visitors are also asked to park responsibly and make use of designated carparks.

Savour Kilkenny is also championing sustainability, supported by Kilkenny County Council, across its operations from waste reduction and recycling initiatives to supporting local food producers and low-impact travel.

The festival fun will continue in the coming weeks, with the return of Keep Her Lit in Inistioge, Hallowe’en, Kilkenomics — set to be the biggest one yet — and Subtitle Film Festival, before Yulefest comes bearing gifts in the run-up to Christmas. Lots to enjoy.

JOHN HAYES
The family of a Kilkenny man who was killed in a bomb attack 50 years ago deserve a renewed investigation into what happened.

John Hayes, who was from Coon, was a baggage handler at Dublin Airport when a bomb exploded in November 1975, killing him and injuring eight others.

The incident is among those being examined by Operation Denton, an independent UK police inquiry set up to investigate the actions of the so-called Glenanne Gang. The operation is soon expected to release a report on the UVF-linked group.

John’s son Brendan feels that there has been no effective investigation into the killing of his father. The family deserves the support of the powers-that-be, and whatever sense of justice and closure can be gained from a proper investigation.