MAYNOOTH: by Bill Trapman. Agreement with the owners of Carton Estate, to cut and maintain grass and trees along Carton Avenue, to the same standard at that of the new golf course, has been reached after discussions with the Mallaghan family by Cllr Senan Griffin.
Maintenance of the Avenue has posed a serious problem for the past number of years, and therefore the willingness of the Mallaghan family to take on this task is to be greatly welcomed. One issue still to be resolved, however, is access to the avenue from the Blacklion Road entrance, which will require the approval of the County Engineer.
Low key opening ... but park party promised
NAAS: by Brian Byrne. It wasn't a big affair, but at least the threatening clouds didn't dump on the UDC officials, employees, and members and the group of parents and children who came along to the official opening of the Monread District Park last night.
And, unlike last year's opening of the railway linear park on the other side of town, there was no music or food and drink to celebrate the occasion. But before concluding proceedings, town clerk Declan Kirrane promised a 'big party' later in the summer for the residents and children of the area. Full Story.
New pool will have life of 60 years
NAAS: by Brian Byrne. The proposed new swimming pool for Naas would be provided in a state-of-the-art new building with facilities expected to have a lifespan of 60 years, according to S&P Retail and Leisure Architects, who made a courtesy presention to Naas UDC earlier this week. Full Story.
'Interest call' for Duchas festival
KILDARE: by Martin Dempsey. Dúchas Chill Dara 2001 - Kildare International Folk Arts Festival, has invited groups and individuals who are interested in becoming involved in this year's festival in Kildare Town to attend a meeting in the Carmel Hall, Kildare on Thursday 12 July at 9pm. Full Story.
KCC plans to demolish, rebuild Naas pool
NAAS: by Brian Byrne. A £4.8 million project to completely rebuild Naas Swimming Pool (above) was outlined to Naas UDC last night by architects retained by Kildare County Council. The plan, expected to be implemented from the end of this year, involves the complete demolition of the current pool premises and will take two years to complete. Full Story.
IAA to study noise at Weston, but says planners must share responsibility
LEIXLIP: by Brian Byrne. The Irish Aviation Authority is to study noise abatement procedures at Weston Aerodrome as part of an overall examination of air traffic in the region of the facility to see if improvement in the utilisation of airspace might be achieved. Full Story.
Paid parking in Naas again deferred
NAAS: by Brian Byrne. The planned introduction of paid parking for Naas has been further deferred until September 1, amid rows over resident parking in estates surrounding the town centre.
The ‘pay and display’ parking system had been originally projected for last year, then was postponed until July of this year. And the further postponement could mean a curtailment of planned UDC spending for 2001 because of reduced parking revenue expectation. Full Story.
Children's playground part of new public facilities for Newbridge
NEWBRIDGE: by Brian Byrne. A public children's playground with a variety of equipment on a safety surface (above) now looks closer for Newbridge following the completion of the public consultation process on an extension to facilities at the KCC-owned Sports Centre in the town. Full Story.
'Keep recycling facilities tidy' appeal
MAYNOOTH: by Bill Trapman. At a recent Fine Gael meeting in Maynooth, Cllr Senan Griffin urged people who avail of the various bottle, clothes and can banks to refrain from depositing their plastic bags and other cardboard boxes in the vicinity of the recycling units. Full Story.
Monread Park committee 'will not attend' official opening
NAAS: by Brian Byrne. As work proceeded this week to provide a ‘sample square’ of a completed Monread District Park in Naas, in time for Thursday’s opening of the facility by outgoing UDC chairman Pat O’Reilly, the local residents’ committee on the park is to boycott the event on the grounds that the official opening is ‘premature’. That's a view reflected by a number of the UDC's own councillors.
The official opening will take place at 7.30pm tomorrow at a location where two park seats and one litter bin have just been erected, beside a ‘headstone’ marking Cllr O’Reilly’s last official public event in office. Full Story.
Councillors hear about rail plans
KILDARE GENERAL: by Trish Whelan. Iarnród Eireann’s ‘On track’ Kildare Route Project, which allows for the expansion of rail track and services to South Dublin and Kildare, was explained in detail to members of Kildare County Council on Monday.
Due for completion in March 2005, it will provide for projected growth to 2012. Construction work is set to commence in May 2003. Full Story.
Circus-style opening to Derby festival
KILDARE: by Grace Halford. The attendance of a number of IDA clients from the US for Budweiser Irish Derby would be 'terrific for the country but especially good for Kildare', Tanaiste Mary Harney said when she opened 23rd annual Kildare Derby Festival at the weekend. The festival is taking place despite a 2:1 thumbs-down in a town referendum earlier this year and a reduction in the sponsorship money from Budweiser, sponsors of the Irish Derby itself. Full Story.
Former Caragh man wins major media award
CARAGH: by Bill Trapman. Nigel Gordon, formerly of Donore, Caragh, Naas, and now living in Carlow, has won one of the media industry’s most coveted awards at PROMAX & BDA 2001 held last weekend at Miami Beach Florida.
Last Friday night Nigel was awarded a Gold Award in the Television Station Children’s Programme Promotion category for a Bear in the Big Blue House promo which he made to promote the enormously popular children's TV programme which is screened on Den 2. Full Story.
Narraghmore Pipe Band flies the flags
NARRAGHMORE: by Bill Trapman. The Narraghmore Pipe Band will hold its Annual Flag Days on Friday 29 June, Saturday 30 June and Sunday 1 July. Members and helpers will be present at supermarkets, churches and other locations throughout Co Kildare over the three days.
Lord Edward's Own Narraghmore Pipe Band recently took part in the highly acclaimed Dublin St Patrick's Festival. The opening was held on Friday 18 May, having been postponed as a result of Foot & Mouth precautions. Full Story.
Plans prepared for Leixlip bridge refurb
LEIXLIP: by Bill Trapman. Kildare County Council have prepared plans for the refurbishment of the Toll Bridge at Leixlip. Cllr Senan Griffin - who first brought the poor condition of the bridge to the attention of Kildare County Council - expressed satisfaction with the consultants proposals.
Cllr Griffin said that the proposals will be put on display for a period of four weeks with a further two week period for submissions. Those wishing to make a submission to the proposals should write to the County Secretary, Kildare County Council, St Mary’s Naas, Co Kildare.
The consultants have proposed that a new footpath to the west side of the bridge be constructed and also a part wall, part steel railing to be placed along the west side for the safety of pedestrians. The proposals will shortly be available at the Library in Leixlip.
'Turn off the fluoride tap' call
KILDARE GENERAL: by Trish Whelan & Brian Byrne. Kildare county councillor Mary Glennon says the local authority should ‘turn off the tap’ on fluoridation next month, following a report that indicated more than three-quarters of samples given by a number of councillors showed them to have fluoride intakes above 3 milligrams a day - the level from which a UK fluoridation expert says ‘is worth reducing’.
In fact, the highest level in samples tested was 7 milligrams and the lowest 1.8, but seven were 2.9 or above. The samples were given following a presentation in April to the council by Dr Peter Mansfield of the UK-based Templegarth Trust, and Robert Pocock of VOICE, the Kildare-founded environmental group. Full Story.
Athy boxing club honoured by Kildare County Council
ATHY: by Trish Whelan. With 50 national titles to their credit, including Best Club in Kildare for the last four years, St Michael’s Boxing Club in Athy was yesterday honoured with a civic reception at County Hall (some of the members are pictured above).
The young boxers together with their mentors and parents were welcomed to Kildare County Council headquarters in St Mary’s, Naas, by Council chairman Rainsford Hendy. Congratulating the club on its outstanding achievements he said all involved have brought distinction to their town, county and country. Full Story.
Blaze destroys part of old meat plant
SALLINS: by Brian Byrne. A building under demolition in Sallins was destroyed by fire yesterday in a blaze thought to have been started while steel was being cut.
Two sections of Naas Fire Brigade dealt with the blaze at the former meat plant in the centre of Sallins Village. Dense black smoke from the fire could be seen from as far away as Kildare.
Firemen using breathing apparatus took two hours to bring the blaze under control. Nobody was reported hurt. More Pictures.
Councillor will 'do a Jackie Healy Rae'
NAAS: by Trish Whelan. The longest serving FF councillor on Naas UDC says he is no longer going to support any more rezoning because he can’t get anything done for existing residents and estates in Naas who have problems because of the town’s rapid growth.
“You have to be a Mildred Fox or a Jackie Healy Rae to get anything done in this town these days,” says Cllr Charlie Byrne. “I can get sweet damn all done any more, although the UDC officials and councillors need my vote to get things done for them. But I’m not creating any more estates to create more problems. We’re getting letters at the rate of one a week from existing estates at the moment with problems and we can’t do anything for them.” Full Story.
NAAS, OPINION by John Kavanagh. We hear that Kildare County Council is making a great effort to try to redevelop the county's two swimming pools. In doing this, one would expect that the UDCs in the areas involved would be doing their best to ensure that the people they serve would be getting the best that they could get for them. The issue was raised at the Naas UDC meeting recently but unfortunately only two issues seemed to be on the minds of the councillors who raised the swimming pool issue. Full Story.
Waterways Ireland told 'change attitude'
MAYNOOTH, by Bill Trapman. At a recent meeting between Waterways Ireland and Kildare County Council, Cllr Senan Griffin availed of the opportunity to question them on their stance on Bond Bridge (above), and to the amazement of all present they adopted the same stance as Duchas. Cllr Griffin advised them that they should change their attitude and allow the new bridge to be constructed. Full Story.
Children's day at Dunlavin Festival
DUNLAVIN, by Brian Byrne. Today was children's day at Dunlavin Arts Festival, which will include poetry and short story readings later tonight, an ongoing art exhibition in the Library, and various concerts and other musical items tomorrow.
But today it was clowns, buskers, acrobats, hippies and jugglers. And, of course, the children of Dunlavin. More pictures.
Cars blaze after explosion at county dump
KILCULLEN, by Brian Byrne. An explosion and fire at the Kildare County Dump at Silliott Hill resulted in three units of Kildare Fire Service being brought in this afternoon to fight the blaze. The explosion happened when a dumped car was being moved and petrol left in the tank was ignited. Full Story.
Stagg demands protection for Liffey
KILDARE GENERAL, by Bill Trapman. Kildare North TD Emmet Stagg has demanded that minister for arts, heritage, gaeltacht and the islands Sile de Valera TD reverse her decision to exclude the River Liffey and its tributaries from the Special Areas of Conservation for Salmon list which she is about to announce. Full Story.
Monread Park to be opened next week
NAAS, by Trish Whelan. The formal opening of Monread District Park is planned for Thursday, 28 June 2001. The opening ceremony will be performed by UDC chairman Cllr Pat O’Reilly before he leaves office.
But the long promised playground planned for the park will not be one of the attractions on the day. Funding of £100,000 is already in place to provide the Council’s first playground, planned for Monread District Park. Full Story.
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It has come to our notice that people whose emails have appeared on KNN are receiving emails from a person in Lagos, Nigeria, apparently soliciting help in ‘moving’ money for an imprisoned aide to a dead Nigerian dictator. We should point out that this seems to be just a more high-tech version of a scheme which has cropped up regularly by fax or letter over recent years, by which the writers try and get people to give them bank account details in return for a 15% commission on all money moved through the account. We suggest you ignore it if you have received such an email. |
Kildare adopts housing strategy
KILDARE GENERAL, by Bill Trapman. Kildare County Council has adopted a draft housing strategy under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000.
The strategy applies to the entire county of Kildare, including the Urban Districts of Naas and Athy and it covers the period 2001-2005. Full Story.
'Ring road' to be dug up and re-routed
NAAS, by Trish Whelan. Residents of The Gallops estate on the Dublin Road in Naas have succeeded in their efforts to have a portion of a ring road re-routed away from their estate. The route will now be moved closer to the race course.
This was revealed during a presentation by a representative of the Roads & Design Dept of Kildare County Council at a recent meeting of Naas UDC. Full Story.
Grants for protected structures conservation
KILDARE GENERAL, by Bill Trapman. Applications are invited for the Conservation Grants Scheme for the year 2001.
The purpose of the Scheme is to assist the owner or occupier of a protected structure to undertake necessary works to secure the conservation of the structure. The scheme is not intended to assist in carrying out routine maintenance, alterations or improvements.
Kildare County Council invites submissions from interested parties who seek support for Conservation Works. The closing date for receipt of applications is 30th June 2001.
Naas UDC meets justice minister over local issues
NAAS, by Trish Whelan. A deputation from Naas UDC has met with Justice Minister John O'Donoghue to voice concern over a number of local issues including the need for new laws on trespass to deal with traveller convoys, CCTV cameras and the need for more Gardai on the street.
The deputation of Cllrs Pat O'Reilly (right), Seamie Moore and Anthony Egan met the Minister in the Dail on Tuesday last week. Full Story.
KCC to proceed with Bond Bridge realignment
MAYNOOTH, by Trish Whelan. On receipt of legal advice, Kildare Council has written to Duchas, the heritage body, advising them of their intention to proceed with the Bond Bridge Realignment project.
The Council has advised Duchas that their objections to the project were received outside of the statutory period and in such circumstances cannot be considered. If Duchas fail to respond within two weeks, the Council will presume that they accede to the Council’s proposal. Full Story.
Straffan station may reopen
STRAFFAN, by Trish Whelan. Iarnrod Eireann is to look at the possibility of reopening Straffan Rail Station.
The company made a presentation to the Celbridge Area Committee of Kildare County Council on June 8 in relation to the Kildare Route Project which involves increasing the capacity of the existing rail services between Heuston and Kildare Stations. Full Story.
Loads of fun for all at Athy Community Library
ATHY, by Josephine Coyne. Puppet shows, theatre, arts and crafts, flower arranging are just some of the festivities which will feature in the library this summer as part of our annual week-long Arts Festival for Children.
This is the fourth year we have been running this event which has proved a great success with children of all ages flocking to the library to become involved. Our aim is to make a wide variety of of art events available for everyone.
Due to the popularity of the festival and the high levels of attendance, numbers will be limited in some events, so advance booking will be required. Full Story.
Naas UDC agrees to 'cut-price' sale of property to developer
NAAS, by Trish Whelan & Brian Byrne. 5pm UPDATE - More Detail on 11.55am story. Naas UDC councillors have agreed to sell an asset with an estimated £1.5 million value to Newbridge-based developer Tom Treacy for a figure believed to be considerably less than that valuation. KNN has learned that the suggested sale price to Mr Treacy is somewhere between £500,000 and £800,000, although no confirmation has been available from the UDC office today of the actual figure. Full Story.
Sheltered housing project officially dedicated
KILCULLEN: by Brian Byrne. A four-home Sheltered Housing Unit was officially dedicated in Kilcullen on Friday evening by the minister for finance, Charlie McCreevy TD. Full Story.
'Supermama' cat helps orphaned kittens
NAAS: by Brian Byrne. Vet Nikki Caddle, Mary Glennon and Janet McCallum are pictured with the 'supermama cat' who has mothered nine kittens in the Barrack Gate Veterinary Clinic, five of them not her own.
The mother was brought to the clinic with her four kittens and the Clinic has been trying to find homes for them. When staff managed to wean the four kittens, her services were required for four orphaned kittens left in to be put asleep as well as an abandoned kitten taken to the Clinic.
Over £3m in sports grants for County Kildare
KILDARE GENERAL: by Trish Whelan. Some 38 sports grants for County Kildare totalling over £3m have been announced by Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy TD.
This year’s allocation is the largest ever single allocation for sporting and community facilities. They afford special priority to the development of sports and recreational facilities in designated disadvantaged areas.
The Minister said the level of commitment to sport which is shown throughout the country by people who give their own time voluntarily should be rewarded. In areas such as Kildare, this year’s allocation will go some way towards acknowledging the importance of sport in this area, he said. Full Story.
Tourism Task Force meeting
NEWBRIDGE: 8 June 2001: by Trish Whelan. A Taskforce on Kildare Tourism was held in Hotel Keadeen, Newbridge, last Friday. The Taskforce is comprised of Kildare County Council, KELT, County Kildare Failte, Midlands East Regional Tourism Authority and CERT. Full Story.
Historic flag returned to Naas Town Hall
NAAS: by Trish Whelan. An historic flag stolen from Naas UDC c1919 is now back where it belongs, thanks to a local historian.
In a surprise gesture, Stan Hickey presented the green embroidered flag, previously owned by the Irish Volunteers, to the UDC. It was formally accepted by UDC chairman Cllr Pat O’Reilly. Full Story.
Money allocated for upgrading in Celbridge
CELBRIDGE: by Trish Whelan. The sum of £216,000 is to be provided for the continuation of the upgrading of the Main Street in Celbridge. This funding will be provided under the Urban and Village Renewal Programme. Full Story.
Housing co-operative to seek tenders
NAAS: by Trish Whelan. Naas District Housing Co-Operative Society Ltd held their AGM on May 29. Those elected for the year ahead were chairperson, Donal Corcoran; vice chair Denis O’Connell, secretary, Paddy MacNamara, Treasurer Tina O’Kelly and PRO John Brickley. The management committee also includes Bernard Thompson.
Arrangements are advancing for a £5.5m housing development consisting of 54 houses and a community building on the Caragh Road. These houses are for people currently on the housing list and are for rental only - eventually to be managed by the tenants. The co-operative society will be inviting tenders shortly.
Book on Naas history revised, republished
NAAS: by Trish Whelan. “Between the covers of this book lives an entire century of the history of Naas,” a co-author of the reissued ‘Nas na Riogh - From Poorhouse Road to the Fairy Flax’ told those present at the launch of the second edition of the book in Naas Town Hall.
The updated book is produced by the Naas Local History Group and was formally launched by UDC chairman Cllr Pat O’Reilly. Full Story.
Tesco moves to defuse parking penalty row
NAAS: by Brian Byrne & Trish Whelan. Tesco in Naas moved swiftly last Saturday to deal with an apparent inequality in the treatment of customers who park incorrectly on the store's property. The shop management's action was taken after KNN made inquiries when a customer received a parking 'ticket' because her car straddled the white line on a parking bay. Full Story.
Be sure to vote in Nice referendum!OPINION: by Mike Parle. The latest polls show that 1 out of every 4 people have not made up their minds as to what way they will vote- against or for the Nice Treaty? I believe that this vital group will decide the outcome of the referendum on next Thursday June 7th. |
Musical societies gain record nominations
KILDARE GENERAL: by Trish Whelan. Musical societies around the county are celebrating after County Kildare achieved an unprecedented number of AIMS Awards nominations from the Association of Irish Musical Societies for their various musical productions.
Naas Musical Society was nominated for the best overall show for its production of The Gypsy Baron (some of the cast are pictured above). Full Story.
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