The last month has seen a lot of positive events take place in our community. Great relief and delight was expressed in Kilcock and surrounding areas with the decision by An Bord Pleanala not to allow the building of the toxic waste incinerator in Kilcock. Great credit is due to all who worked so hard to ensure the success of the objection.

Well done to Gail Maher on being elected to the County Development Board and also to Morna Hosey for her excellent organisation skills.

Our "Friends of the Forest" float took special prizes in both the Kilcock and Enfield St Patrick’s day parades. Well done to all the children who took part.

It’s nice to be able to bring good news and as always we invite you to join up in any of the Tir Na Mona working groups.

Have a nice Easter

Liam Holton

Again we entered a float in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Kilcock and Enfield. This years theme, the environment and Donadea forest, proved to be a winning combination as we again took prizes in both parades. The Donadea Bears, Holly and Ivy, the Strawboys, the old woman of the woods, the children feeding the compost bin.(The compost bin was kindly lent by K.C.C), the boys carrying our banner, our musician friends and our re-cycling expert all helped create this fun filled day. A special thanks to those concerned for the use of the lorry and trailer on the day. We hope to repeat our success at the Easter Parade in Naas

Self-employment is one possible option for people interested in rejoining the workforce. In order to facilitate would-be business people OAK Partnership runs a 6 month Business Development Programme with funding from FAS.

The next such course starts on Monday April 3rd and 12 places are available. If you ever contemplated starting a business this could be the course for you.

Among the benefits from participation on this course are:

Trainees receive comprehensive training for 8 hours a week in each of the 2 weeks of the programme.

Business advice is available from the course co-ordinator for at least one hour a week. Sufficient time is available for trainees to do some business over the 6 months and check the viability of their businesses.

Trainees receive a FAS Community Employment payment for the duration of the programme. If you are interested in participating on or getting more information about this progranune you should contact Eamonn Henry (Enterprise Support Worker), OAK Enterprises. over the Library. JKL Street Co. Offaly Tel: 0405-33027 or Jimmy Todd (Enterprise Officer) OAK Partnership, Edenderry Business Park, Edenderry, Co. Offaly 0405-32688.

Transport Seminar

1. To provide information and advice to Community Groups undertaking transport projects/initiatives.

2. To share experience of established community transport projects with community groups in North Offaly and North West Kildare.

3. To identify pilot projects for funding under the National Development Plan.

Anyone interested in taking part in this seminar and would like a booking form please contact Ann Marie Conneely at 045-870573.

Committee Skills Programme

Congratulations to all the participants who completed the Committee Skills Programme which finished in Robertstown Hotel on Thursday l6~ March 2000. Well done to all.

Ann Marie Conneely is the new Development Worker with North West Kildare. She is always available to meet with organisations or groups and she can help with Applications for funding or any assistance or advice groups would need.

5th April St. Mochua’s Hist. Society lecture, Kelly’s Bar 8.30p.m.

6th April Mobile Library in Staplestown at 11.15 a.m.-12.30 p.m.

11th April Mona AGM St Kevin’s at 9.00 p.m.

15th April OAK transport seminar, Edenderry, 9.30 a.m.-1.00 p.m.

26th April Mna Na Choille open night, Muintereas Hall, 8 p.m.

26th April Final date for articles for May issue of MONA

28th April Table Quiz, Kelly’s Bar, 9 p.m.

3rd May Coffe Morning at Anne Smyth’s house at 10.00 a.m.

5th May Poker Classic, Kelly’s Bar, 9.30 p.m.

7th May Coffee Morning & Bring & Buy, Newtown Hall, 10am-6pm

Staplestown, Mary Murphy 869416,

Timahoe, Hugh Maher,

Timahoe, Sonia Higgins,

Timahoe, Bernard Owens 863676,

Coill Dubh, Rosaleen 860023 (school),