It was the final Saturday of the Kilkenny Arts festival. The city was alive with arts in all shapes and sizes.
St John’s priory entertained with Mari Samuelson on violin with Julien Quentin on piano. Fictions picture company were preparing to light up the castle later that evening.
Meanwhile the Kilkenny alternative art festival (AKA) had every space utilised with craft stalls, music, photographic and art exhibitions.
The 37th Irish International Goldwing Owners Club of Ireland rode through the town drawing applause from those who stopped to watch this wonderful International drive through. They were based in Gowran Park for the weekend and were celebrating 40 years in existence.
If nothing else, Kilkenny proved that art, in all its manifestations comes in different guises.
And if further proof were needed to back up that statement, the good people of the Butts community added their own panache and pizazz to the day.
An end of Summer barbecue was held at the Fr McGrath Centre. The event was organised by ‘the young leaders group at the centre in conjunction with ‘Tar Isteach housing’. It was very much community based with, what looked like, every man woman and child from the area supporting the ‘chill and grill’ afternoon. The best of food, music, tug o war and a sports day were all there to be enjoyed. Mick Cummins from Kilkenny Community radio was broadcasting live for the radio station.
Mayor Andrew McGuinness was in attendance and told the Observer that he has long been an admirer and supporter of the Fr McGrath centre and the work they do. “The body of people here at the centre are an example to all, of what community work is about”, said the mayor. Andrew continued: “It is refreshing to see so many young people take on the role of leaders, and that is what we are seeing here today”
Tirlán Staff & Don Bosco:
The Butts Young Leaders group who partnered up with the Good Shepherd team to organise the day had just returned from Malta where they took part and were inspired by young people working on Summer programmes for children organised by the Don Bosco Salesians, famed for their training work with young leaders. Director at the centre Steve Murphy said: “The training opportunity given to these local young teenagers by the Tirlán staff fundraising resulted in them having the experience of their life time and inspired them to work with their community’s younger children on this and other projects.
The Butts Young Leaders group are now taking part in a yearlong pilot training project that is hoped to result in them forming a Butts Youth Council to give a voice to young people in their housing community.
Stephen continued: “This family event or young leader training programme couldn’t happen but for a partnership with Tirlán staff, Good Shepherd, Don Bosco and local business support.”
Mr Murphy thanked Community Radio for their attendance and also Mayor Andrew McGuinness.
Great turnout
Aiden Quigley, housing manager with ‘Tar Isteach’ said he was delighted with the turnout of so many people to the fun day and thanked the local business community for their help in making the day a success.
Aiden went on to say that the event was met with great enthusiasm from both the tenants of Tar Isteach and the wider community and it was truly uplifting to witness such strong participation and involvement from all.
“At Tar Isteach Housing, we greatly value our tenants, and Saturday’s event was organised as a gesture of appreciation for that” said Mr Quigley.
“We believe that events like these play a crucial role in strengthening the bonds within our community, fostering positive tenant engagement, and creating a warm, welcoming environment for all and we will continue to build a strong and vibrant community” continued Aiden.
The Butts Young Leader Co- Chairpersons, Lillian Long and Joseph Donovan, thanked the staff and volunteers of The Good Shepherd Centre for their incredible effort in making the ‘Chill and Grill’ day such a success. Lilian and Joseph also took the opportunity to thank the Tirlán staff for their recent sponsorship that made their youth training experience in the Don Bosco youth club in Malta possible.
