Aisling Hurley tweetz:
How many Phil Hogan’s does it take to save a medieval city from destruction? 52?
Previously: Saving Kilkenny
Aisling Hurley tweetz:
How many Phil Hogan’s does it take to save a medieval city from destruction? 52?
Previously: Saving Kilkenny
KIlkenny this afternoon.
G’wan the kayaks.
Earlier: Taking It To The River
Thanks Lisa Massey and Aisling Hurley
Piledriver.
Versus people.
Darragh Byrne writes:
“In Kilkenny right now protestors in river stop work to build bridge before review…”
More as we get it.
Previously: Saving Kilkenny
Kilkenny this afternoon.
Lisa Massey writes:
“Trucks gone in at the peace park! Very disappointed!”
Mmf.
A red line runs through it.
Darragh Byrne writes:
“A video I made for the #savekilkenny Protest against a new bridge being built. The people of Kilkenny are getting ready to put their bodies in front of a piledriver and get arrested. This is a protest of pensioners and mothers, rich and not so rich, locals and blow-ins but each of them ready to sacrifice their freedom to protect the beauty of Kilkenny….”
UPDATE:
Kilkenny gardaí ‘escort pile-driving equipment at 4am’ despite residents protests (BreakingNews)
Pic via Kilkenny Weather
Meanwhile:
Kilkenny Central Access Scheme (top): a synposis
By Des Doyle
1. The CAS route [see top pic] will involve the construction of a 4.5km road and bridge across the River Nore, through the most historic and archaeologically sensitive area of the city.
2. The road was given planning permission by An Bord Pleanala in 2009 despite objections by all national heritage bodies including the Heritage Council, the Royal Society of Antiquaries, An Taisce and Kilkenny Archaeological Society.
3. To date, a local campaign group opposed to the construction of the road have collected nearly 7,000 signatures from people within the city who are against the scheme. An estimated 1,000 people took to the streets in Kilkenny in September of last year to protest against the road.
4. A complaint in relation to alleged deficits in the EIS undertaken for the scheme by Kilkenny County Council is currently being considered by the Environment Directorate of the EU Commission.
5. All three houses due for demolition are listed on the Record of Monuments and Places. Number 20 is listed on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. The terrace sits within the St Canice’s Area of Conservation and within a designated Area of Archaeological Potential.
6. An Taisce have made a formal request to the Minister for the Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht for the designation of the buildings due for demolition as National Monuments under the relevant legislation. The body is currently awaiting a response.
7. Construction began in June and was halted by the presence of an the Save KIlkenny Group who have formed a cohesive group since the beginnings of works at the site on both sides of the river. The group comprises 150 protestors plus extra public attendees and to date have successfully repelled the majority of deliveries of materials and work activity at the site. Their presence has been a coordinated presence 24 hours a day at the site since the beginning of works.
8. There is a Council Meeting on Monday next at which Green Party local Councillor Malcolm Noonan has tabled a motion for review of CAS & discovery of detail relating to contract.
9. This needs a vote of 13 councillors to stop work on the site Pending review. Currently 9 councillors (Green, Labour, Sinn Fein and two Fianna Fail) have declared that they will vote for a review. The remainder will vote no, abstain or vote yes.
10. FIGHT!
(Kilkenny Archaeological Project)
Thanks Padraig O’Ceallaigh
Metropole Hostel, Kilkenny High Street this morning.
Ru writes:
“Good morning! Fancy a shower? Grim stuff Think I’ll wait until I get home…”
Who suffered a prank at the hands of John Bishop, Dave Gorman, Ricky Grover and Karl Spain?
Which unexpected place did George Wendt encounter Dylan Moran?
And just why was Dom Irrera almost never invited back to the festival?
For the weekend that’s in it.
Andrew Mickel writes:
“We’ve just published a book on on the Cat Laughs’ festival. kilkenny Secrets is 224-page guide brings together contributions from Irish funnymen including Jason Byrne, Ardal O’Hanlon, Graham Linehan and Mark Doherty [see extract below]. American contributors including George Wendt, Dom Irrera and Harland Williams and UK talent including Fred MacAulay, Simon Munnery and Comedy Store Players Steve Frost and Andy Smart.
The book also tells the story of the festival’s development from a late-night pub chat to an internationally-renowned brand. AND There’s a discount of 25% for the €4 ebook to Broadsheet readers using the discount code thebroadsheet2014 HERE
Otter Madness
“I think the year was 1998. It was the Sunday, and I was in the hotel bed with a hangover. It was before children, when you could indulge in a hangover – enjoy it, even – and just wait.
So there I was, half-awake, half-asleep, drifting, when the door burst open. Ross Noble stood facing me, with an otter. A stuffed otter. Under his arm. He stared at me. I stared at him. It’s hard to find the words sometimes. Was there really a man there? With an otter? My brain was poisoned, but doing its best. It’s unusual a man breaks into your room with an otter. But it’s Ross Noble. It’s unusual, but…
At last, I had a sentence ready. So did he.
“What are you doing in my room?” one of us said.
“It’s my room.”
He gave the room a quick scan. “Or I’m on the next floor up.”
And he left. And I went back to sleep.
I couldn’t find Ross that evening to confirm or deny the scene. But the following day, I was leaving for Dublin. Out on the main street, Eddie Bannon and Ross were standing at the traffic lights, Eddie with a bucket of water, and Ross with the otter. Each time the lights turned red, Eddie threw soapy water on the windscreen of a car, and Ross polished and dried it with the otter. Then Eddie gave the driver a coin, as payment.
So it did happen.”
Actor/comedian/director Mark Doherty
Secret Kilkenny (SuchSmallPortions)
Meanwhile…
Naoise writes:
“Lovely piece following George (Norm from Cheers) and Bernadette Wendt on the Wild Atlantic Way ahead of the Sky Cat Laughs Comedy Festival which started last night….”
Hen party 21 women arrived into Springhill Hotel in Kilkenny; some with blow up doll wandered into count centre not knowing what happening
— Damien Tiernan (@damienrte) May 24, 2014
That’s how they electoral roll.
Donal Moloney writes:
“A car graveyard down in Kilkenny. I spotted it from the main road on my way to a shoot in Waterford last week. It’s tricky to get at and it’s just about visible from the main road. I took the exit into Mullinavat and the locals gave me directions to the yard.”