Archive - 'You might as well be in Vietnam', says councillor in relation to Kilkenny road

Here's what made the front page of the Kilkenny People fifty years ago this week (January 3, 1973):

Recent slashing attacks by Kilkenny Corporation members on the local Tenants Association were answered at a special meeting of the four parish committees of the Association.

The Corporation’s discussion on the present rent and rates strike was described as ‘an exercise in some kind of bluff to frighten tenants’. But the tenants wouldn’t be frightened so easily.

There was considerable criticism of the Corporation for devoting so much time to their discussion on the strike. It was remarked that they must not have much to do.

Throughout the meeting it was stressed the Association and the tenants had no dispute with the Co Manager or the Corporation.

Their dispute, they said, was with the Minister for Local Government and they were, in fact, doing the Corporation a favour.

Youth Award
A Kilkenny City Leaving Certificate student and a Co Kilkenny art student have shared the Kilkenny People-Macra Youth of the Year award.

Chris Bateman, Fr Hayden’s Road and Nora Bergin, Windgap divided the award after the longest judging session since the competition started five years ago.

New tech lets researchers retrace lost Kilkenny town

The judges found it very difficult to come to a final decision and finally it was agreed to divide the award for the first time ever when the final vote brought three each.

Previous winners of the award were Seamus Reade, Granges Road; Mary Manning, Palmerstown; John Knox, Clara and Breda Larkin, Callan.

Road Like Vietnam
“You might as well be in Vietnam,” commented Mr T Waldron at Monday’s Co Council meeting when he referred to the state of ill-repair of a road at Inch, Freshford.

Mr Waldron said the road had been done up to a farm but there were 200 further yards of roadway up to a cottage which badly needed repair.

He proposed the work be done and Mr T Hogan seconded.

Bands on Radio
Two Kilkenny bands were featured in an hour-long programme on Radio Éireann on Christmas Eve.

They were Graignamanagh Brass Band and St Patrick’s Brass and Reed Band, Kilkenny. The programme was devoted to Irish bands and their history.

It was very pleasant to learn that the Graig band is the second oldest in Ireland. The commentator, Ian Fox of Telefis Éireann, paid a fine tribute to the two Kilkenny bands.