Stagg knocks on Woods over psychologists

NORTH KILDARE: by Bill Trapman. Kildare North Labour TD Emmet Stagg has locked horns in the Dail with minister for Education & Science Dr Michael Woods TD, over the continuing non-provision of educational psychologists to primary schools in the area.

Following a response to a Dail Question, the minister noted that 82 educational psychologists had been appointed since the inception of the programme in 2000. But Deputy Stagg noted that at present only schools in Leixlip have the service. Full Story.

Leixlip Civic Awards are presented

LEIXLIP: by Bill Trapman. Dr Ena Hanlon was given this year's Civic Achievement Award by Leixlip Town Commission, mainly for her work in trying to get hospice services for the North Kildare area.

"She is best known as a local doctor as part of a very longstanding and caring local medical practice," Commission chairwoman Cllr Catherine Murphy said at the awards ceremony. "Through her work she has seen at first-hand the need for hospice services to be located in the North Kildare area and she has been to the forefront in her commitment to getting such services." Full Story.

Kildare's Andrew Walker competes in Oregon

OREGON, USA & NEWBRIDGE: by Arran Hussey. Newbridge man Andrew Walker competed in the 5,000 metres last Sunday at the Pre Classic in Oregon, one of the largest and best supported track and field meetings in America. Full Story.

Principal annoyed at lack of decision on school

NAAS: by Trish Whelan. The principal of St Patrick’s Community College in Naas has told Co Kildare VEC that a decision on the future of the school has been 'dragging on for too long'.

Principal Tom Keegan (left) also asked the parents of the school’s students to convey their feelings to him either in writing or by personal meetings concerning a proposed move of the school.

Speaking at the annual students’ awards ceremonies last week, Mr Keegan said that the Dept of Education had decided that the existing building will be replaced by a new school. “If it will be on this site or another site has not yet been decided,” he said. “I am somewhat annoyed the decision has dragged on and on and I put it very clearly to the VEC that I want it finalised by the coming September.” Full Story.

Kilcullen students celebrate graduation

KILCULLEN: by Brian Byrne. Young people from Kilcullen's Cross and Passion College celebrated a special Eucharist service to mark their graduation from the college last week. Full Story and more pictures.

Call for use of Irish place names

LEIXLIP: by Bill Trapman. Leixlip-based councillor Paul Kelly has called on residents associations in North Kildare to include the Irish versions of their place names when they are replacing name plaques.

"There is a wealth of history in our place names", he says. "We should make sure that we hold onto them, particularly the Irish versions Sometimes there is even more history in the Irish name than there is in the anglicized version." Full Story.

£500,000 paid for Devoy Barracks security

NAAS: by Trish Whelan. Some £500,000 has been paid to a private security firm since the closure of Devoy Barracks by the Minister for Defence.

This emerged at a recent UDC meeting when Cllr Pat McCarthy said arrangements should be made to ensure the Council does not incur unnecessary security costs after it becomes the owner of the lands at Devoy Barracks. Full Story.

County Kildare Charity Fashion Showcase

PUNCHESTOWN: by Trish Whelan. The Network Ireland Kildare Branch charity fashion show this year will feature Ireland's top models showing off off Kildare’s best fashions – from top designers including Lynn Mar, Mary Grant, Miriam Mone, Louise Kennedy to milliners like Carol Smyth and also bridal wear. Also on show will be ranges from Deborah Veale, Marina Avraam, Jackpot among others. Full Story.

Residents want to improve their playground

"Please help us add to our playground equipment," say Donie Conway, chairman of Kingsfurze Residents Assoc, and John and Pauline Kavanagh with their children, Claire, Caoimhe and baby Columb.
NAAS: by Trish Whelan. Residents of Kingsfurze Estate in Naas are keeping their fingers crossed that Naas UDC will help them fulfill their dream of re-establishing their playground area.

The residents wrote to the Council in January seeking financial help to put in swings and see-saws but say they have had no response as yet. “We didn’t even get a letter saying if they were for or against it,” said Residents Association chairman Donie Conway. Full Story.

Burial site being investigated in Kilcullen

KILCULLEN: by Brian Byrne. An ancient burial site discovered during excavations for a housing development at Kilcullen is being investigated by archaeologist Martin Byrne, pictured above planning out the site with his assistant Robert Brown.

The find of approximately 20 cremation pits in what was formerly known as Phil Lalor's Field was made during groundworks preparation for a 180-plus housing development led by local businessman Brendan O'Connell. Full Story.

More supermarket competition for Newbridge

NEWBRIDGE: by Brian Byrne. Supermarket competition will hot up in Newbridge from a month's time, when the continent-based Lidl group open their new store in the shopping centre developed by local businessman Tom Treacy.

Mr Treacy confirmed to KNN that the new store has received all its permissions and work by Lidl is well underway and expected to be completed by July.

The group already has a growing number of stores in Ireland, including Longford, Mullingar, and Portlaoise. Its national distribution centre is already based in Newbridge, on the industrial estate behind Wyeth. Full Story.

Kilcullen factory target of 'traveller incursion'

KILCULLEN: by Brian Byrne. Swift action on Saturday night by a Kilcullen factory owner may have prevented the town from being the latest target of traveller merchant invaders.

When three caravans moved onto private property adjoining the King Koil bed factory on the KDA Industrial Estate, the factory owners immediately brought in a security company, and set up barriers with articulated trucks. Full Story.

Naas young people in big canal cleanup

NAAS: by Trish Whelan. A group from Naas Youth Parliament (above) who who set about a major clean-up of the canal area discovered a 'pit of rubbish' over the wall at Tandy's Bridge. Full Story.

Leixlip Festival 2001 ready for go

LEIXLIP: 21 May 2001: by Brian Byrne. Leixlip Festival 2001 begins on Thursday week next (31st) and runs right through the June Bank Holiday weekend. Among the events planned is a fireworks display, free music on the streets and in pubs, and walks of historic properties. Last year, the now-famous Viking pageant attracted a lot of attention. Full Story.

Wildlife programme for Kilcullen

KILCULLEN: by Brian Byrne. A five-year wildlife conservation plan under way in Kilcullen may well be a unique undertaking amongst Kildare's smaller communities.

The project is one of a number under the aegis of Kilcullen Community Action, a new community group evolved from several local organisations and individuals, including the Tidy Towns Committee.

The plan has been drawn up by a sub-committee led by Duchas conservation ranger Roy Thompson (right), and will include assessment of existing habitats as well as identifying those which can benefit from management schemes. Full Story.

Bridge restructuring to go ahead

LEIXLIP: by Brian Byrne. A £350,000 improvement programme for the Liffey Bridge at the Salmon Leap in Leixlip will include a new cantilevered footpath and parapet.

A report on the bridge says its condition is 'reasonable' given its age and the volumes of traffic it carries, but says a number of elements are 'in very poor condition'. Full Story.

Gladiator Timmy's education motion falls to death of a thousand 'buts'

NAAS: by Brian Byrne. 'Your proposal is good, even laudable, but you force us to cut you down at the knees.'

With that consensus from his fellow gladiators, Timmy Conway's motion that an education fund be set up for the young people of Naas was left limbless and bleeding terminally on the floor of the Naas UDC arena last night.

Sometimes there is little difference between the brave and the foolish. Sometimes they are absolutely the same. But losing blood is losing blood, and if the wounded can't, or won't, stanch the flow, there can only be one result.

And if the protagonist makes the first cut on himself, it is even harder to reach a point from where the battle might be won. Full Story.

Kilcullen welcomes visitors without litter

KILCULLEN: 16 May 2001: by Brian Byrne. The problem of littering related to school lunchtimes in Kilcullen has resulted in a number of initiatives by the Litter sub-committee of Kilcullen Community Action.

"We've approached students at the schools, and we have organised the provision of wheelie bins at the back of schools," says Bernadette Burke of the committee. "We've also asked businesses in the town to try and minimise the packaging used with their products."

Meanwhile, another anti-litter initiative was completed last night, when a sign commissioned by KCA was erected at the south entrance to the town. The 'Welcome to Kilcullen' sign, which exhorts visitors to keep the town tidy, was produced by local artist Cordelia von Clot. Full Story.

Landfill Information Evening

KTK Landfill in Kilcullen will be hosting its next public information night at Berneys on Wednesday, 23 May. These bi-annual meetings are designed to provide an opportunity for any interested party to learn more about any aspect of KTK's development and operations. Time 7-9pm. Everybody welcome.


Naas youth first in anti-torture week

NAAS: by Trish Whelan. Naas Town Hall was recently declared a Torture Free Zone for a few hours.

Members of Naas Youth Parliament stole a march on the rest of the country when they set up stall outside the Town Hall to draw awareness of instances of torture taking place in a number of countries around the world. Full Story.

Wants different kind of street lights

LEIXLIP: by Brian Byrne. Cllr Catherine Murphy has undertaken to provide Kildare County Council with a number of locations in estates where a new form of public lighting might be introduced on a pilot basis.

The sites would then be evaluated in conjucntion with the ESB as to cost. Cllr Murphy is concerned that a number of 'dark spots' occur where the upright type of lighting is obscured by growing trees. She suggest that an 'overhanging' type of lighting be used.


Naas woman missing

NAAS: by Trish Whelan. Gardai in Naas are appealing for information on the whereabouts of a 34-year-old woman who is missing from her home in Lacken View, Naas.

Ann Kelly has been gone for over a week. She is 5 feet 2 inches in height, of strong build, and with ginger hair. When last seen she was wearing a dark green three-quarter length jacket, a multi-coloured jumper and black trousers. Anyone with information is asked to contact Naas Garda Station.


Recycling facility planned for Kilcullen

KILCULLEN: by Brian Byrne. Recycling facilities are to be brought back to Kilcullen by the provision of a recycling collection area beside the town library (above). Full Story.

Athy houses to be refurbished

ATHY: by Brian Byrne. Fifty-four houses in Carbury Park/Town Park in Athy are to be refurbished by the town's UDC under the Department of the Environment's Remedial Works Scheme.

The refurbishment will include windows and doors replacement, upgrading of heating, electrical and plumbing systems, replacement of fascias and soffits, relining of chimneys, insulation and other repairs as well as environmental and site works.

The news from the minister for housing and urban renewal Bobby Molloy TD has been welcomed by Senator John Dardis (right).

Kilcullen reinvents itself. Again. And again.

KILCULLEN: by Brian Byrne. There's a certain amount of deja vu about it. Certainly for people who have lived through the various reincarnations of Kilcullen over the past 30 years or so. And even further for those who have childhood memories, or passed-on memories of earlier times when Kilcullen reacted to having its back against the wall. Full Story.

Alcohol bye law in place in Kilcullen

KILCULLEN: by Brian Byrne. New bye laws to control possession and consumption of alcohol in public places in Kilcullen (above) have been put in place.

The bye laws are similar to those which have been enacted for other towns in the county and forbids consumption or possession of an unsealed container of alcohol in any public place in the town. Full Story

Deputy calls for town improvement scheme to be completed

CELBRIDGE: by Bill Trapman. A call for Kildare County Council to complete the remainder of the Celbridge Town Improvement Scheme has been made by local councillor Emmet Stagg TD.

A report relating to the current state of play in terms of work already done and outstanding will be considered at a meeting of local area councillors on Friday next. Full Story.

New Fire Station now in operation

NAAS: by Trish Whelan. It was out with the old and in with the new for Naas firefighters when as they moved into their new state-of-the-art fire station on the Newbridge Road on Wednesday last.

After being in temporary premises for over 35 years, it was time for the crew to celebrate having a pad of their own.

And what a pad it is for full-time station officer Anthony Doyle and the 11 retained firefighters in Naas. Full Story.

Council replaces 'barrel sculpture' signs

KILCULLEN: by Brian Byrne. Congratulations to Kildare County Council for their work at replacing the 'Stop' signs on the offramp on the Kilcullen junction of the M7. Shortly after our story on the 'sculpture barrels', KNN was informed that the signs would be repaired. A promise made and fulfilled.

Council will 'act immediately' on swimming pool for North Kildare

NORTH KILDARE: by Bill Trapman. Kildare County Council is to seek to have a public swimming pool provided for the north of the county, following the passing of a motion by Cllr John McGinley at the last meeting of the council.

Cllr McGinley took the opportunity to move his motion when the Council was debating a consultant’s recommendation to construct two new Swimming Pool Complexes in Naas and Athy at a cost of over £9m. Full Story.


Ploopluck footbridge plans scrapped

NAAS: by Trish Whelan. Plans to build a £300,000 footbridge beside the Ploopluck Bridge on the Caragh Road in Naas have been scrapped in favour of a path over the bridge and shuttle traffic lights to allow only one-way traffic at a time.

Waterways Ireland, which now has responsibility for the canals, say any new bridge should match the existing stone bridge. They say the bridge is too narrow to take two-way traffic and Naas UDC now hopes to have shuttle traffic lights in operation at the bridge by the autumn, at a cost of £10,000. Full Story.

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