Pat McLoughlin was elected chairman; Jane Carlyle was elected secretary; Siobhan Harrington was elected treasurer and Dolores Kennedy was elected p.r.o.

The working groups, namely friends of Donadea Forest, the water scheme, Mona newsletter and community alert are all continuing and are making good progress in their projects.

The Community Alert is extending to include the area from Mount Armstrong to Blackwater bridge.

Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 5^th of October 1999 at Connollys Pub, Ballagh at 8.30 p.m. please support

Work is almost concluded on the Nature Trail and on the long distance walking route, now named the Alymer walk. Local contractor Paul Grogan is to be commended on a job well done.

Work is about to commence on the fully accessible route and lastly the new internal signage and information/interpretation panels will be erected.

Literature on the nature trail and park with information input from Mr. Dick Warner, Ms Anne Behan and ourselves will be available in the future.

DONADEA AREA ART EXHIBITION

All artists interested in exhibiting any medium please contact

045-869138 or 045-870210

Before 8pm Tuesday 26^th of October 1999

Paintings, sculptures, bog oak, wood turning, stain glass, leaded glass, pottery etc. all welcome.

There will be a small commission charge on each sale. A raffle will be held on the night.

Activity on the playing field has ceased for the year with the exception of the under age teams taking part in the North Kildare league and Bord Na mBun Scoil competitions. We would like parents to become more involved with the under age teams both in their training and whenever possible in supporting them at games. We wish to express our thanks Connolly’s of Ballagh, Paul Towell, Cappagh, and Paddy and Martin Byrne of Ballagh for their recent sponsorship of playing gear for adult and under age teams.

CAPPAGH CAMOIGE CLUB

The under 18 and under 21 teams are currently preparing to defend their county titles. They wish to thank Byrne Bus Hire, Kilcock for sponsoring skirts for the under age teams.

ST. COCA’S

St. Coca’s minor footballers put up a brilliant display in the county final but unfortunately were beaten Leixlip in a high quality game. Special mention to the two Cappagh representatives Alan Morrin and Edward Hopkins who performed with distinction throughout the season.

The annual weekend away was organised to commence on Friday 27^th September with an early start for participants. This year venue was to Clonee Strand Hotel, Dungarvan, a beautiful hotel situated near the coast with plenty of amenities for both golfer and non-golfer alike. Three days of golf was organised and unfortunately Saturday proved a bit of a challenge with severe weather conditions. This did not prove to be an obstacle to those golfers who battled the winds to play a game. The difference in the weather on Sunday was amazing, with bright warm sunny weather, which provided excellent conditions for the game of golf. The hotel accommodation proved it’s weight in gold and the faculties it provided for its guests included a swimming pool, gym, snooker & pool so there was plenty of entertainment and activity for non-golfers. The cuisine was outstanding, mouth watering and to the highest standards. The weekend was enjoyed by a party of over 60 including both golfers and non-golfers. Our thanks to members of the Woodlands Social Club for organising this weekend and also to the staff at the Clonee Strands Hotel for making it so memorable.

From a golfing point of view the month of October sees the end of the 18 holes competitions for 1999. The Lillian Behan Cup for Saturday 9^th & Sunday 10^th October has been changed to a 9 hole competition. The last presentation night for the 18 holes competition will take place on October 10^th.

Our captains, Noel O’Conor and Mary Cradock, are busy with the organisation of their upcoming Captains Dinner Dance on the 13^th of November in the Ambassador Hotel in Kill. It commences at 8.30pm with a beautiful catered meal after which there will be an entertaining night with music provided by the Freaks. So don’t forget your dancing shoes! Tickets are available now, price £22.

Rosa Costello was post mistress at Donadea for 45 years and passed away in 1994. Thomas Larkin from Coill Dubh/Donadea CE project, died last June at only 46 years of age. Rosa’s children, Colette, Edward, Nicholas, and Paddy were present. Thomas’s two brothers John and Martin and his sister Mary were also in attendance.

Liam Holton, chairperson of the Donadea Development Group acted as MC for the occasion. He explained that the island at the cross has become an eyesore after three trees were removed for safety reasons ten years ago Donadea Development Group accessed funding to landscape the island from Oak Partnership in Edenderry . The local FAS project, Coill Dubh/Donadea CE project together with local volunteers carried out the work. Kildare County Council were also very helpful. Local stone from Staplestown quarry was used and nurseries in the area donated most of the shrubs. Liam thanked Bernard Groome, a local headstone artist for his work on the Donadea name stone. He also thanked, George Hipwell of Coillte, Sean Flannery, Larry Doran, Albert Doran and Sean Ward for their donations. Further thanks were made to the FAS CE team of workers, Mary Lynch- co-ordinator, Martina Dempsey - trainer, Josh Rose, the Mackey family Ronnie Harris, Alan Mooney and Kit and Ann Ward. Liam then proceeded to pay tribute to Rosa Costello’s considerable contribution to the local community over 45 years, her interest in local history and her love for music.

Mary Lynch, local FAS co-ordinator spoke of Thomas Larkin as being a special person who made every one he came into contact with happy, and also spoke of his endless enthusiasm and hard work for Coill Dubh village. He died before the island project was completed and all the workers put in extra time to finish it before his funeral. John Larkin and Edward Costello then spoke on behalf of both families .