Review of the Year: October

The Kilkenny People voiced their disgust with the ‘plague of rural litter’ in a column stating that the countryside is not a personal bin for illegal dumpers but a place deserving of respect and care. We said that littering and dumping should be as socially unacceptable as vandalism. 

We also looked at the ‘unprecedented demand’ from people in need of emergency accommodation in Kilkenny when in mid October there was a 22% increase in homeless presentations according to the September management report of Kilkenny County Council.  With a dearth of rental properties and a reduction in HAP properties, it was becoming more challenging for people to move from emergency accommodation in the City. Manager of Kilkenny’s Good Shepherd Centre  Noel Sherry said, “In the short term we need to increase accommodation and in the long term we need increased housing supply.”

A book of condolences was opened at City Hall in Kilkenny as a mark of respect for the victims of the Creeslough tragedy when ten people were killed in an explosion in the small Donegal village which left the entire nation shocked and grieving.

To celebrate Kilkenny Day the  Virtual Hug of young boy Adam King, which caught the public’s imagination at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic was immortalised in Kilkenny as a major piece of sculpture. Created by Adam and produced by CDS Engineering from Kilkenny,  the piece now stands at the site of the old bandstand beside the River Nore and also features seating for people to take a moment to reflect on the pandemic.