Opinion
Supplements to support your fitness regime
BY CLAIR WHITTY Last week I talked about getting active especially with the bright evenings here now. I mentioned protein and how much we need on a daily basis. The body needs lots of different nutrients to keep support energy, keep your muscles, bones, and joints strong and healthy so that you can achieve your …
Checking in on the future of our tourism industry
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR The tourism sector is Ireland’s largest indigenous industry and biggest regional employer with up to 254,000 people working in hospitality businesses. Its estimated that €5.3 billion,, excluding fares was spent by international visitors to the country last year with North America the biggest ‘single source’ market. The industry has demonstrated …
Asylum: why are we playing a game of drones?
AS I SEE IT BY MARIANNE HERON No prizes for naming the main issues raised on the doorsteps in the run up to the local and European elections: asylum seekers and housing. But International Protection Applicants get caught in the negative crosshairs when the crisis in immigration policy and the illogical way we think about …
An immigrant father’s unrepentant self-belief
THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS It must be 35 years ago that I first met Abbas and his wife and three young children – two boys and a girl. Abbas was from Pakistan and had come to live in the then small community where I and the mother of my three children …
Fancy being in the Street Food business?
THE LAST WORD By Pat Coughlan During The Kilkenny Observer’s six week look at the Kilkenny County Council proposed Nighttime Economy the idea of Street Food trucks was mentioned. This generated a lot of interest and now that Kilkenny County Council has sought expressions of interest from people interested in setting up a business, I …
Stress & Your Immune System
A little stress boosts immunity – but chronic stress causes problems By Paul Bolger. Chartered Physiotherapist at Nano Physiotherapy, Kilkenny (www.nanophysio.ie). Last week we looked at what stress is – a key physiological response that allows living things to survive in this world. It is perfectly healthy and normal, but it can become a problem when …
My memories of the Cat Laughs Comedy Festival
FURTHERMORE By Gerry Moran The Cat Laughs Comedy Festival is upon us and I have some great memories of it down the years. And some not so great. Take for instance the year I brought my 14-year-old to a show in Langton’s. We sat in the front row; we had to as the place was …
How much Protein do I need?
BY CLAIR WHITTY With longer days and brighter evenings, now is the perfect time of year to focus on your fitness goals. Whether it’s weight resistance training, a light jog or joining your local dance class; your body will thank you for getting your heart pumping and limbs moving. Here are some tips from Aoife …
Local Heroes…
PART 2 BY JOHN FITZGERALD The Tans again snatched Tom Barron from the village of Newmarket. An impromptu escape bid was thwarted when the enemy shot part of a wall from under him with a Lewis Machine Gun. Villagers shuddered as the weapon spat fire and sent stone and mortar flying through the air. They jostled Tom …
How your vote could shape Europe’s future
THE LAST WORD By Pat Coughlan When ever we talk about the Members of the European Parliament, or MEPs as they’re known, it’s like talking about the unsung heroes of our day-to-day. These folk have a hand in everything from the air we breathe to the safety of the food on our plates. But, let’s …





