VIDEO: Going nuts for conkers at the Irish championships

Playing conkers is a childhood memory of many but did you know that there is an Irish conker championship in Co Kilkenny? Jonathan de Burca Butler reports

AILEEN DOOLEY was always destined for greatness. When the stork of serendipity flew over Kilkenny some 30 and a bit years ago, it knew exactly the village that was right for this future champion.

“I was born in Freshford,” says Aileen recalling her childhood, “And my house overlooked the green there that is basically covered in chestnut trees. When I opened my bedroom window I could see 52 horse chestnut trees every morning.”