Review of the year: December

Another Kilkenny/Tipperary border piece was about TD Martin Browne highlighting the issue of underfunding at PAWS in Mullinahone. Deputy Browne said that the pressure on animal welfare organisations is growing. He also  urged people not to buy pets but to go to the shelter and adopt a dog, a message echoed in a campaign by Kilkenny Co Council later in the month. 

Junior Cycle students finally got their exam results. The results normally issue in mid-September, but a shortage of examiners and exceptional Covid-related arrangements for Leaving Cert 2022 added to the delay. 

A  rural Kilkenny community who cooperated to protest against litter louts throwing litter from moving vehicles in their neighbourhood featured on the Eco page. Under the leadership of  artist Valerie Blake, the Kilbline eco activists discussed making discarded cans, bottles and wrappers into sculptures to highlight the issue of rural litter.

Rents in Kilkenny continued to rise with a report that they had increased by 14%  and that the average rent was now €1288. 

On a happier note, Abbott received approval for construction of a medical device manufacturing building at Kilkenny IDA Business and Technology Park, in Loughboy. It is hoped Abbott will create 800 jobs at the site but where they will live could be an issue as housing remains in short supply in Kilkenny City and County.