County Kildare News

Minister of State for the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Fergus O’Dowd launches An Taisce’s 15th Annual National Spring Clean campaign.
 
28th March 2013: Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government Fergus O’Dowd, TD, together National Spring Clean Chairperson Patricia Oliver, model and National Spring Clean ambassador Sarah McGovern and twins Emily and Luke Darley (6), was today springing into action at the launch of An Taisce’s National Spring Clean campaign. National Spring Clean volunteers from all over the country will this year be celebrating 15 years of Ireland’s longest-running anti-litter programme by organising clean-ups throughout the month of April.
 
The National Spring Clean campaign is organised by An Taisce and funded by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Last year, more than half a million people took part in the campaign and collected over 14,000 tonnes of rubbish – that’s over 16 times the weight of the The Spire on Dublin’s O’Connell Street.
 
Minister of State Fergus O’Dowd, TD said, “It is inspiring to be a part of National Spring Clean’s 15th  campaign launch.  Each spring hundreds of thousands of volunteers who share the same love for and dedication to their communities come together to take part in the campaign and do their bit towards a cleaner and more vibrant environment that we can all be proud of.”
 
Volunteers from Kildare have already organised a number of events taking place in the coming week as follows:

• On the 6th April, Leixlip Tidy Town Association will be litter picking on all roads throughout Leixlip including all approaching roads. For more information, please contact: Carmel Lennon on 0857346253
  
• Caragh Court Residents Association in Naas are inviting all residents of Caragh Court, Caragh Green and Caragh Meadows to come out on Saturday the 6th of April at 10am and help clean-up the area. For more information, please contact: Brian Dempsey on 0876451260
  
• Kildare Sinn Fein are raising awareness of the litter and dog mess that is in the Monread area of Naas on the 6th of April. For more information, please contact: Chris Wilson on 0873218991
  
• Tir Na Móna Community Council, Rathcoffey Historical Group, Clane Tidy Towns, Prosperous Tidy Towns Newtown, Courtown & Kilcock will be having their  Annual Litter Clean Up on Saturday, 6th April in various locations, starting at 10am. For more information, please contact: Pádraig McEvoy on 086 8658262

The National Spring Clean campaign is also sponsored by the Wrigley Company and supported by Repak who supply colour coded refuse sacks for recycling the materials collected.  Local Authorities co-ordinate activity in their areas and also support their local communities.
 
Patricia Oliver, chairperson of National Spring Clean said, “Each year the National Spring Campaign gets bigger and bigger and it is truly heart-warming to see that same community spirit in volunteers today that we saw during our first campaign in 1998.  It is thanks to these dedicated volunteers that the campaign has been able to work on behalf of a cleaner Ireland for the last 15 years.”
 
Those who register for National Spring Clean are issued with a FREE clean up kit which includes information on organising events, posters, colour coded refuse sacks for segregation of waste materials, and protective gloves and tabards.  Local Authorities also provide efficient management of all waste collected without charge.
 
To celebrate 15 years of keeping your community clean and tidy, register by calling 01 4002220 or visit the website at www.nationalspringclean.org.
 
This year, An Taisce is also celebrating ‘Local Heroes’ who have demonstrated their commitment both to their communities by organising anti-litter events over the last number of years.  Join the search for the National Spring Clean Local Hero on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/NationalSpringClean.

The Local Hero 2013, who will be announced in April, will win a Spring Break in the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel.

Kildare Theatre Company are delighted to announce that having competed in Castleblayney & Rathangan Drama Festivals recently, that writer/ director Allan Clarke won both Adjudicator's Awards from both festivals for writing "Trinity".

Adjudicator's awards are given solely at the discretion of the Adjudicator and in both instances both decided to give it to Allan for his writing. Allan was also nominated as Best Supporting Actor in Rathangan. Chrissie Poulter, adjudicating in Castleblayney described the play as "writing that could still be as valid in 40 or 50 years".

Also winning on the night in Rathangan was lead male actor Niall Murphy, who plays Adam, winning Best Actor.

Naomi Mulvany who plays Evelyn, was nominated for Best Actress in both Castleblayney & Rathangan. With Kamila Dydyna who plays Lucy being nominated for Best Supporting Actress in Rathangan.

Kildare Theatre Company present "Trinity"
Moat Theatre, Naas, Kildare – April 5th & 6th. 8pm

Booking:
Moat Theatre: 045 883030
www.moattheatre.com

Getting involved with Motor Sport, whether on two wheels or four, is seen by many people as an unobtainable dream, but there are many more ways to become part of this exciting sport besides being a competitor.

In order for any event to take place a large number of volunteers is required and as we prepare for another busy season Mondello Park is recruiting for the year ahead. The jobs that are undertaken can be roughly split into on-track and off-track, with a wide variety of positions to suit all talents. In all cases, experience is not required as training is carried out at events and as your experience grows there is the potential to graduate into the more senior positions.

If you really want to get close to the action and don't mind a bit of physical effort, track-side marshalling is a great way to become involved. The Mondello Track Team looks after Car Events while the Motorcycle Marshals Association looks after all Motorcycle Events. Both of these groups are made up of the ultimate Motorsport enthusiasts, so there is a good cross-over between the two. Marshals primary duties revolve around keeping the track in a safe condition for racing, dealing with crashed cars and fallen riders and communicating the track or race conditions to competitors via flag signals. Beyond that basic description, the actual tasks carried out can vary widely from event to event and working as a marshal gives a great insight into just what goes into running a race meeting.

Behind the scenes there are many more jobs being carried out, many unseen by the public. From time keeping, which is carried out using sophisticated electronic timing and computer systems, through to organising the paddock and controlling access gates, with each job essential for the proper running of an event. Over time, officials can progress from the likes of race logging, which records all on track activities on a dedicated computer system, through to Clerk of the Course, which is the most senior position and the person in overall control of an event and there are many other positions in between. Furthermore, some of Mondello’s officials now work at the highest levels of the sport internationally, including Formula 1.

The Mondello Park Sports Club both organises and assists at Car and Motorcycle Racing events, both at the venue as well as events like Top Gear Live, Bavaria City Racing Dublin last year and the Phoenix Park motor races annually. Becoming a member is not a pre-requisite to assisting at an event and we invite people to come down, try it out and if they like what they see to join up. Even when you join one of our clubs, this does not require a commitment from you to assist at a specific number of events.

If you have a passive interest in Motorsport and would like more information or to join the Mondello Park family then please contact; Mondello Park on 045-860200 or info@mondellopark.ie and let us know whether it’s Cars or Motorcycles you’re interested in and whether it’s as a race official or track marshal and we can direct you from there.

TESCO MONREAD SHOPPING CENTRE, NAAS
 
BORN Clothing the ladies, gents and children’s multi brand fashion emporium, furniture and homewares store will open its doors in the Tesco, Monread Shopping Centre in Naas tomorrow (Thursday, 21st of March) at 10.00am.  The new store creates 20 new jobs and is the tenth shop in the Irish owned fashion and lifestyle retail chain.
 
The Naas store covers 20,000 sq feet and is split over two levels with ladies and children’s wear on the ground floor and men’s fashions, homeware, furniture and interiors on the first floor.
 
Established in 2010, by Joan Lynch, BORN Clothing has grown from strength to strength and now employs over 100 people.

The first 50 customers through the door tomorrow will get a whopping 50% of all clothing purchases while the first 100 customers will be given a complimentary goodie bag. The great offers and deals will continue right throughout the weekend as shoppers will be offered up to 20% off clothing until Sunday 24th of March.
Other BORN Clothing stores can be found in Galway, Limerick, Athlone, Thurles and Portlaoise.  For more information log on to www.bornclothing.net or call BORN Clothing Naas, (045) 898130, Head Office, Galway (091) 895224.

Facebook:                     www.facebook.com/bornclothing

 Twitter:                        @BornFashions

 
THE Turf Flat season swings back into action at the Curragh this Sunday, 24th March, when the first of 18 fixtures at the Home of the Irish Classics features the BetVictor Irish Lincolnshire Handicap and, the Group 3 Lodge Park Stud Park Express Stakes on a seven race programme starting at 2pm.

BetVictor sponsor the Irish Lincolnshire for the very first time and the 100,000 euro race has attracted 30 horses at today’s final forfeit stage, including last year’s runner up Ansaab, “He has been a hard horse to keep afloat and while he is a little behind, he ran a smashing race last year and the intention is to try to go one better this year,” said his trainer Kevin Prendergast.
 
The race has also attracted four British-trained entries in Anton Chigurh, Laffan and the Richard Fahey pair of Our Boy Jack and Dakota Canyon.
 
Curragh based trainer Dermot Weld has left in two horses in Tandem and the hat-trick seeking Stuccodor, while Aidan O’Brien is represented by both Triumphant and Beach Of Falesa. Top weight Custom Cut (George Kent), Sweet Lightning and Campanology (both Tommy Carmody) and the Jim Bolger-trained pair of Miracle Cure and Cul Baire and Hujaylea trained by Michael Halford are other notable entries.
 
“We are delighted to be sponsoring at the Curragh, the Irish Lincolnshire is sure to attract an ultra-competitive field for a record purse and we are proud to lend our name to the race which is sure to be a strong betting heat to mark the start of the Irish flat turf season.”  said Charlie McCann, director of Online Public Relations Victor Chandler Worldwide
 
Ante Post market from BetVictor: 6/1 Inis Meain, Tandem and Anton Chigurh; 7/1 Stuccdoor;  8/1 Ansaab;  10/1 Croi An Or;  12/1 Triumphant, Campanology and Dougal Philps, 14/1 bar
 
Beach Of Falesa has also been given an entry for the Group Three Lodge Park Stud Park Express Stakes for which a maximum of nine runners will face the starter. Also included among the entries for the one miles fillies contest are La Collina winner of the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes as a two year old, Magical Dream, Bunairgead and Yellow Rosebud.
 
Trainer Kevin Prendergast said, “La Collina is an intended runner but this will be ground dependent while Star Bright will more than likely take her chance.”

Festive Cheer, Francis Of Assisi and King Of The Romans are the three Aidan O’Brien trained possible runners among the 15 entries for the 200th running of the Gabriel Curran Memorial Madrid Handicap. Jim Bolger is also well represented here with Einsteins Folly and Wexford Opera, while Sherzam and Muaanid are two other notable entries.
 
The unbeaten and subsequent leading European juvenile of 2012 Dawn Approach launched his spectacular season in the Tally Ho Stud EBF Maiden (the opening juvenile contest of the season) and his trainer Jim Bolger is double handed this year with Heart Focus and Saburo. Aidan O’Brien, meanwhile, is responsible for five of the 13 entries and can choose between Coach House, Cougar Mountain, Craftsman, Stubbs and Wilshire Boulevard.
 
Meanwhile, trainer Aidan O’Brien once again intends to bring a string of horses to the Curragh on Sunday to work after racing. “We have done this for the past few years and the intention is to do it again,” he said. “It’s great to get the horses away for the day and it’s always been a useful exercise. We hope to issue a list of horses that will work after racing nearer the time.”
 

Heading into its third season and with continued backing from Motorcycle Insurance Specialists Adelaide Insurance, the Adelaide Masters Series is now firmly established as the premier Irish Motorcycle Racing championship, offering Riders the most attractive package of promotion and prize money in Irish Motorcycle Sport.

With Television coverage on UTV set to continue, negotiations continuing with other TV outlets and a dedicated Adelaide Masters Series web site imminent, the championship now offers Riders committing to the series an even more attractive arena in which to promote themselves and their sponsors.

Bucking the trend in other championships, prize money continues to be a major part of Adelaide Masters Series events, and the 2013 series' awards will continue at the same level as last year. The biggest change will be the removal of the Grand Final from three of the four Mondello Park events, and the transfer of the prize money to the last Superbike and Supersport championship race of the weekend. This will have the effect of allowing riders to win a similar level of prize money to 2012 without the added expense of competing in another race.

The prize fund will be distributed evenly across the Superbike and Supersport classes. Cheques will be presented for each race rather than for the combined results, as was the norm in previous years, while for the last Championship race of the weekend the amount on offer for first place will almost treble. There will be a separate prize fund for Cup competitors and this too will increase for the last race of the weekend. The Cup competitors are also eligible to win some of the main prize fund if they can manage to finish in the top positions overall.

With its mix of promotion, professional organisation, entertaining race events and prize fund, the Adelaide Masters Series continues to offer Irish Motorcycle racers and outstanding opportunity to build their careers before expanding into International competition. With the top two riders from last years series set to graduate to bigger things for 2013, the way is now open for some the next generation of stars to come to the fore. There are plenty of riders queuing up to take up the reins and an even more exciting season than 2012 is definitely in prospect.

Phoenix Krav Maga is running self defence classes using Krav Maga… One of the worlds most renowned self defence systems, it focuses on real-life, street situations, and covers everything from assaults (an attacker trying to punch and kick you) to knife threats! Krav Maga was developed by the Israeli Defence Forces and is used by law enforcement and military units around the world. It is reality tested and proven!

Learn to protect yourself and others using this renowned system in a safe and controlled environment. Lose weight and get fit while learning valuable, realistic self defence skills! Krav Maga is suitable for men and women. You don’t need to be fit to start, but you WILL get fit using it!

Regular classes are enrolling now! Classes will be held at Excel Gymnastics, Unit 6, Celbridge Industrial Estate, Celbridge, Co. Kildare (next to Tesco).

Learn Krav Maga from an Israeli trained instructor who is fully certified by the International Krav Maga Federation (IKMF), the original and most veteran Krav Maga organisation in the world!

About Phoenix Krav Maga

Phoenix Krav Maga is owned and operated by Matt Comerford. Matt has been practicing Krav Maga for over 6 years. He is Israeli trained and received his instructor certification from some of the top Krav Maga practitioners in the world. Phoenix Krav Maga is fully licensed and affiliated with the IKMF.

The goal for Phoenix Krav Maga is to deliver quality, realistic self defence training in a safe, controlled environment.

Please visit www.phoenixkravmaga.ie
Or send an email to: mail@phoenixkravmaga.ie

Your Space, Your Place!
 
FREE Personal and Community Development workshops brought to you by Kildare Library & Arts Services
 
Venue: Kilcock Community Library
(Corner of School Street and Butler’s Lane, just off Shaw Bridge)
 
Workshops and Dates
 
Personal Health; healthy eating for all – A talk on Nutrition
Tuesday, 9th April. 9:30 – 11:30 am
 
Community; snapshots of lives and times in Kilcock 1913 – 1963
Tuesday, 16th April. 9:30 – 1130 am
 
Personal Creativity; through art: using pencil, charcoal and acrylic paints
Tuesday, 23rd April, 9:30 – 11:30 am
 
Community; exploring nature and wildlife in Kilcock
Tuesday, 30th April, 9:30 – 11:30 am
 
Personal Well-being; stress busting and relaxation techniques
Tuesday, May 7th. 9:30 – 11:30 am
 
If you are interested in signing up for the series of workshops, please contact: kcntraining2012@gmail.com  / 085 860 6870
Or call in to the Old Post Office, The Mall, Kilcock
 
A focus group for feedback on the workshops from participants will take place on Tuesday, May 14th

With just weeks left before the bell rings for the start of the first Mondello Park Superbike School, Mondello Park and Bike2Bike Rider Training have added some of Ireland's most qualified teachers to their staff.

The new recruits will now join the existing Bike2Bike trainers in providing advanced tuition to Ireland's Motorcycle Racers and advanced Track Day riders, on the County Kildare Circuit's new Superbike School courses.

Former British Supersport championship contender and World Supersport Star, Jack Kennedy, is the latest addition to the line-up joining the highly experienced Declan Swanton and Ronan Shanahan. Between them these riders have won an enormous number of races and championships and are some of the best known names in Irish Short Circuit Racing.

Kennedy is a former Irish Clubman Supersport champion who has been racing successfully in the UK for a number of years. Last season he was cruelly robbed of an historic British Championship victory by a mechanical failure at the final event of the season, when all he had to do was finish. This season Kennedy has graduated to the World stage where he started his season by running at the front of the opening Supersport race of the season in Australia.

Swanton is also a former champion and is making a concerted effort this season to win the Adelaide Masters Supersport title. The Corkman's experience includes Superbike and Supersport competition both at home and abroad. Shanahan is another multiple race winner and the current Adelaide Masters Series 250cc class champion.

The Superbike School is designed to improve riders cornering ability and therefore their lap times. Concentrating on each individual aspect of a corner, from braking to throttle control at corner exit, the course will teach riders how to get the most from themselves and their machines.

The addition of top circuit racers to the teaching roster, alongside the highly respected existing coaching staff, can only benefit those riders looking to constantly improve. Whether you are looking to get closer to the front of races or just to make the most of your track day outings, the Mondello Park Superbike School is now even better placed to teach you what you need to know.

Store opens 10am. First 50 people in the store on opening day will get 50% off all clothing!

BORN Clothing the ladies, gents and children’s multi brand fashion emporium and homewares store is set to open in the Tesco, Monread Shopping Centre in Naas on Thursday, 21st of March. The first 50 people through the door on opening day will get a whopping 50% off all clothing while the first 100 people will also be given a complimentary goodie bag. The new store will create 20 new jobs and is the tenth shop in the Irish owned fashion and lifestyle retail chain. Having recently opened in Limerick, BORN Clothing is quickly becoming the department store synonymous with modern, cool and funky fashion whilst also catering to the more mature customer.

The Naas store covers a massive 20,000 sq feet and is split over two levels with ladies and children’s wear on the ground floor and men’s fashions, homewares and interiors on the first level.   Ladies labels will go from size 8 -22 and there will be a mix of brands to suit young girls and teens from 16 years to 65.

Established in 2010, by John Curley and Joan Lynch, BORN Clothing has grown from strength to strength and now employs over 100 people. “We offer good quality, international labels at inexpensive prices,” said Joan Lynch. “ Our clothing ranges start from just €9.95 for a tee shirt or top with the most expensive item priced at €79.95 and that is for both our men’s and ladies offerings.  We pride ourselves in providing, functional, high street clothing at prices that won’t break the bank, our brands are stylish and on trend and the range of labels means we have something for all ages.  We are the ultimate one stop shopping destination!”

Fabulous female youth and teen labels available at BORN Clothing, Naas will include Little Mistress, Glamorous and TFNC while the older ladies will love the ranges by Vesper, Closet, Jessica Raff and Purple Rose.  Men’s labels include Jack and Jones Gasoline, Diesel and Kangol.  The ‘name it’ range of children’s clothing will also be available at the Naas store and offers, fun colourful and trendy designs for children from 0-10 years.  The clothing is fun but also functional and practical, adjustable waistbands on skirts and pants are great for growing children while the baby and new born ranges are made from soft and comfortable materials.

The homeware and furniture department will stock large pieces including sofas and occasional furniture, soft furnishings and accessories such as mirrors, frames and lamps.
BORN Clothing at the Tesco, Monread Shopping Centre will open at 10.00am on Thursday the 21st of March.  The great offers and deals will continue right throughout the weekend as shoppers will be offered up to 20% off all items until Sunday 24th of March.

Other BORN Clothing stores can be found in Galway, Limerick, Athlone, Thurles and Portlaoise.  For more information log on to www.bornclothing.net or call BORN Clothing Head Office, Galway (091 – 895224)

Facebook:    www.facebook.com/bornclothing

 Twitter:    @BornFashions

It’s Your County, Your Heritage, Have Your Say!

Kildare County Council and Kildare Heritage Forum are beginning the process of writing a new Heritage Plan for County Kildare and would like to hear your views on what actions should be contained in the new Plan.  If you are a member of a community group, tidy towns group, historical society or wildlife group or an individual interested in the heritage of County Kildare you are invited to make a submission to the new Plan by the 12 April 2013.

If you make a submission you are ensuring that the specific views of the people of Kildare are considered in writing the plan.  The submissions made will feed directly into the draft Heritage Plan.

Heritage can be considered to be our inherited traditions, monuments, objects, and culture.  Heritage is both the tangible and intangible. It is how we identify ourselves and define a sense of place.  Heritage includes natural heritage such as flora, fauna geology, wildlife areas, landscape waterways and biological diversity.  It includes built or man –made heritage such as demesne houses, vernacular architecture, monuments, archaeology, heritage gardens and parks and cultural heritage can include local history, folklore, traditions, museums, archives, place names and genealogy.

A County Heritage Plan is a series of actions compiled from input from organisations and individual who have an interest in the heritage of County Kildare.  It is a five year document, which details how heritage in the county shall be managed and protected on a partnership basis. It is an opportunity to identify heritage issues and heritage needs at a local level and to address them locally within a national framework.  The writing of a heritage plan is overseen by the County Kildare Heritage Forum, which is made up of organisations or individual with in the county who work in the area of heritage or have an interest in heritage. 

“We all have the responsibility of looking after Kildare’s heritage and helping to make sure it is around for the next generation” said Bridget Loughlin, Heritage Officer.  “This is why we are encouraging everyone to get involved in the new plan by making a submission”

Submissions can be made by completing the submission form, available online below, in local libraries, or from the Heritage Officer by writing or email the heritage officer at heritageofficer@kildarecoco.ie or 045 980725.

So, if you have an opinion or an idea as to how Kildare’s heritage should be promoted, protected, managed, explained then let us know so we can include it in the new County Heritage Plan.

Download Consultation Form

Kildare County Council is pleased to announce the community Heritage Grant Scheme 2013.  Applications are invited from groups/organisations or individuals who are carrying out local heritage projects.  The closing date for applications is Friday 5th April 2013.  Applications forms can be downloaded from http://kildare.ie/CountyCouncil/Heritage/Grants/.

Heritage can include monuments, archaeological objects, heritage objects, architectural heritage, flora, fauna, wildlife habitats, geology, heritage gardens, parks and inland waterways.  All projects funded must have a community benefit and applicants must organise an event during Heritage Week 2013 (17th to 25th August 2013).

Projects which have been funded in the past have included the creation of a wildflower meadow in Castledermot, habitat survey, Clane Heritage Seminar, Conservators assessment of collection, development of bog walk archaeological research, heritage signage and canal biodiversity boards.

For further information including application forms visit http://kildare.ie/CountyCouncil/Heritage/Grants/ or contact Noelle Boland at nboland@kildarecoco.ie or 045 980725.

Castletown House, Celbridge is available for school tours and private groups throughout the year, advanced booking is essential.
 
Castletown House is open to the general public, Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays from the 15th March until the 31st of October 2013 (last admission to the house is at 4.45pm).
 
Access to the house is by guided tour only.
 
The tour covers all aspects of the history of Castletown House, from 1722, when it was built, right up to the present day and the recent work which has been undertaken.  The diverse and fascinating Conolly family members who lived in the house are explained, and visitors get a chance to view the fine architecture, original furniture and vast collection of paintings within Castletown.
 
For group bookings or enquiries please telephone +353 1 628 8252 or e-mail castletown@opw.ie
 
Please note there is no wheelchair access to the main house.

The Integrated Services Programme (ISP) is an interagency initiative of Kildare County Development Board. It involves state agencies, voluntary organisations, local businesses and local community representatives working together. The ISP aims to make a real difference to the infrastructure, services, supports and lifes of people in the towns that the ISP is targeting.

In 2012 Kilcock was launched as an ISP town following months of preparation and work to engage with the community, and all interests. A Research and Action Plan 2012-2016 mapped out the key priorities for the coming years. It was initially agreed to focus the work of the ISP on the following three priorities:

• Health
• Community Facilities
• Enterprise & Employment

The plan is overseen and implemented by a Project Implementation Team (PIT). This involves local community interests alongside state agencies and voluntary sector organisations. A full time Co-ordinator is in place to support the work for two years. Elected representatives receive regular updates and input into the process through the Clane  Area Committee.  Significant progress has taken place since the plan was launched. A small sample is outlined below:

The ISP has worked with over 30 community groups and agencies  to achieve its main aims and objectives including:

• Kilcock Community Network (representing 45+ local organisations)
• Kilcock Business Association
• Kildare County  Council (Community & Culture, Clane Area Committee, Clane Area Office, Parks & Leisure)
• County Kildare LEADER Partnership (LEADER funding and supports)
• HSE (Primary Health Care, Health Promotion Unit, Children & Family services)
• VEC
• An Garda Siochana
• South West Regional Drugs Task Force
  

OPW Castletown House are delighted to announce that Mr. Thomas Pakenham will lead a Tree Walk in the Historic Landscape which will take place on Sunday 10th March at 3pm.

Meet at the front steps of Castletown House. Remember to wrap up warmly and wear appropriate footwear. We will walk for about an hour along the newly restored pathways to meet some 'remarkable' trees. All are welcome to come along and join in the walk.

Contact Pauline Kennedy OPW on 086 6062729/01 6288252

email: castletown@opw.ie
web: www.castletown.ie

An Taisce celebrates 15 years of the National Spring Clean with a call for registrations for 2013

Model and National Spring Clean ambassador Sarah McGovern, together with hip-hop dancers Haus of Funk, are calling for volunteers from Kildare to stomp out litter and register for this year’s National Spring Clean campaign.  Ireland’s largest anti-litter initiative, the National Spring Clean campaign is organised by An Taisce and funded by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Wrigley Company.
 
Established in 1998, the National Spring Clean campaign is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year.  The campaign takes place throughout the month of April each year with community groups, youth organisations and volunteers taking part in clean-ups across the country.  National Spring Clean has grown from strength to strength over the last number of years with over half a million people taking part including thousands of volunteers from Kildare and collecting nearly 14,000 tonnes of litter last year–sixteen times the weight of The Spire on Dublin’s O’Connell Street.
 
Patricia Oliver, Chairperson of the National Spring Clean said “The National Spring Clean campaign is a demonstration of the goodwill of people all over Ireland who volunteer year after year to improve their local community and environment. We have recently seen numbers surpass half a million volunteers and now, as we celebrate 15 years of the National Spring Clean we hope to see even more people signing up to help stomp out litter in their local areas.  The campaign represents the sense of community that can still be found all over the country and it continues to bring people together in a positive way”.
 
All volunteers registering for the National Spring Clean campaign are issued with a FREE clean up kit which contains important information, posters, colour coded refuse sacks for segregation of waste materials, protective gloves and tabards to keep participants clean.  An Taisce also liaises with Local Authorities to ensure that all rubbish and materials collected will be collected and disposed of without charge. All Kildare residents wishing to take part in the campaign should register on www.nationalspringclean.org
 
The National Spring Clean is also supported by Repak who supply colour coded refuse sacks for recycling materials collected and Local Authorities who co-ordinate activities in their communities.
To register for the National Spring Clean call 01 4002219 or visit the website at www.nationalspringclean.org.

The Bog of Allen Nature Centre will be holding its Easter Froggy Fun Camp on Wednesday the 27th March between 10am—1pm.

This nature camp is fully supervised and gives children a great opportunity to get outside and explore their outdoor environment.

The camp will include a pond dipping session for mini-beasts such as the great diving beetle and water boatman, a frog and newt search will take place in the wildlife gardens along with a visit to the greenhouse to discover insect eating plants.

The activities will also include an arts and crafts session to make paper easter egg bunting for children to decorate their homes, and to finish an easter egg hunt in the wildlife gardens.

This camp is very popular and booking is essential by calling 045-860133 or e-mailing bogs@ipcc.ie. The cost is €15 for the first child and €10 each for subsequent children in your group that you book on the camp.

Bingo continues Sundays in Leixlip Amenities Center.

Sundays @ 8.30pm  €2500+  in Prize's; Jackpots €840 & €350, Lucky Line €200 Plus Free Spot Prizes & Easter Giveaways.

New Players Welcome. Come along, have a great night's fun and  win some €€€. 

Books only €6

Athy's programme of festivals and events for the Gathering 2013 was officially launched by local ambassadors Anna May McHugh and Frank O'Brien on Thursday last in the Athy Heritage Centre Museum. Over the coming months, the South Kildare town will welcome thousands of national and international visitors as it hosts an array of events - including the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, Waterways Festival, Tri Athy Triathlon, Bluegrass Festival, Kildare County Show and Shackleton Autumn School.

In addition, a selection of the newer events continue to be developed by local organisers and will include the Trad Athy Music Festival, Dragon Boat Regatta, Stone Mad Ultra (Multi Stage Marathon) and Christmas Streets & Treats Festival in December. Events and listings are updated on the town's new portal website www.athy.ie
 
As part of the launch, the Athy Town Promoters Group has developed an attractive series of 4 postcards. Each postcard depicts photographs from recent festivals in Athy and are available free from the following locations: Athy Heritage Centre Museum, Emily Square; Athy Library, Emily Square; and Athy Town Council, Rathstewart, Athy. The group is asking everyone with a local connection to share the 'Celebrate Athy' theme to friends and families at home and abroad.
 
The postcards were sponsored by Athy Town Council and printed locally by DataPrint.ie  The Town Promoters Group wish to acknowledge the following for kind permission to use photos and imagery: Gordon Thomson, Robert Redmond, Colm Walsh, Athy Photographic Society, the Kildare Nationalist, Kildare County Show, the Leinster Leader, AthyPhotos.com, Shay Curran and DataPrint.ie

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny today (1st March 20130) launched the Newbridge Grassroots Festival at the Curragh Racecourse.

Born out of last year's extremely successful Newbridge 200 celebrations led by Newbridge Chamber, this September Festival will now be a feature of the Newbridge community calendar.

The Newbridge Grassroots Festival will have a different theme each year, commencing with 'The Gathering' for 2013, 'Dan Donnelly' for 2014, 'The Horse' for 2015 and 'The Soldier' in 2016.

It will be a four-day event from 12th - 15th September 2013. An Taoiseach complimented the voluntary committee which is already working hard to deliver an action packed programme, saying it provides another great reason to gather in County Kildare this year!