County Kildare News

Local Fianna Fail TD Áine Brady has confirmed that the Christmas bonus will be paid to social welfare recipients this year.

“I was very disappointed to hear speculation that welfare recipients might not get the 100% Christmas bonus that they have received for the past nine years. This type of scaremongering was completely unfair to already vulnerable people.”

“I am delighted therefore that the Minister for Social Affairs, Mary Hanafin has confirmed that the Christmas bonus will be paid to a range of people including widows, widowers, pensioners, one parent families and the long term unemployed.”

“The Government ensured that this Christmas bonus payment would be protected as so many people rely on that extra money at Christmas and use it to plan their finances over that period.”

“Christmas is a time of financial pressure for families, especially those who rely on social welfare payments and this Government is keen to provide practical support where it can.”

“Anyone who is experiencing any financial difficulties should contact MABS for advice and assistance. Help is out there so everyone should avail of it,” concluded Deputy Brady

Maynooth Film For All, Film Club screens Lust, Caution on Wednesday 5th
November @ 7.45pm in John Hume Building JHL2, NUI Maynooth. New members
always welcome.

The supremely versatile Taiwanese director Ang Lee has collected a slew of awards, most recently the Venice Film Festival's premier prize for his latest movie, Lust, Caution. It was his second time in three years to win, following his success with Brokeback Mountain in 2005.

Both films are based on short stories written by women. In Lee's adaptation of the Annie Proulx story, the gay cowboys were driven by lust for each other and restrained by caution in a conservative era. In Lust, Caution, a story written by the late Eileen Chang, sex becomes a weapon in a murder plot.

Opening in Japanese-occupied Shanghai in 1942, Lust, Caution introduces its young protagonist, Mrs Mak (Tang Wei), as she joins affluent older women playing mah-jong, snacking on dim sum and gossiping inside a heavily guarded compound for senior government officials and their families. In contrast, out on the streets, outside their privileged milieu, food queues and fuel shortages prevail.

All the screenings are preceded by a brief introduction and some contextual information by staff from various Departments of NUI Maynooth, with a chance to engage in some lively chat and discussion afterwards.

Membership is open to all over 18yrs. and costs €39.00 for the remaining season of seven films. For joining and full membership details for Maynooth Film for all Film Club log onto www.kildare.ie/artsservice/. The Arts Service welcomes feedback and suggestions. For further information or queries concerning Arts Service programming please contact Brenda Brady Tel: 045 448328 or
Email: bbrady@kildarecoco.ie

Download Maynooth Film For all 08/09 Brochure here.

For the second year in a row Mondello Park has been honoured by its local chamber of commerce as it collected the Naas chamber award for enterprise and innovation. Having won an ‘Excellence in Business Award’ for the best small to medium enterprise in 2007 the venue has now achieved the rare feat of picking up awards two years running.

At a gala ceremony in the Osprey Hotel the 'Excellence in business Awards' ceremony was a showcase for local business as fifteen companies were nominated in five categories. The glittering ceremony was also attended by EU Commissioner for internal Markets and Services, Charlie McCreevy, who was presented with an award in respect of his contribution to Naas and the surrounding Kildare County.

Mondello Park received its award for innovation on foot of an aggressive diversification programme enacted at the circuit over recent years. The programme of business development has seen Irelands only international race track move from being a purely motorsport venue to a centre for Motorsport, Motor industry training, driver training, vehicle testing and corporate entertainment. According to the awards committee Mondello's win could be attributed to the significant publicity and business that the venue has brought to the Naas area in recent years.

Managing Director John Morris was delighted to receive the award and sees it as another major step in the growth of Mondello Park. “We have successfully managed to diversify from our core business and expand into other areas not normally associated with a race circuit. This has proved extremely successful with an added spin off for Naas and it also places less reliance on actual Motor Sport to keep the venue profitable. We’re absolutely delighted to be recognised by Naas Chamber in this regard and two awards in a row is a real honour for the circuit”

With another exciting year ahead and further product development planned Mondello Park is looking forward to making it a hat trick at next years awards.

Face to Face is a lavish combination of pioneering polar photography and modern portraiture, and a unique collection of historic photographic equipment.

This stunning exhibition and publication will be shown for the first
time in Ireland at the Athy Heritage Centre & Museum, Co. Kildare, in
October, at the  official opening of the 8th Shackleton Autumn School. Also enjoying its launch in Ireland is the unique book by Huw Lewis-Jones, ahead of its official release date in England.

From the small town of Athy it will go to London, New York, Scotland
and Los Angeles. It is a great honor for a small heritage centre &
museum in county kildare to host such a prestigious exhibition. 

The exhibition opens on 24th October, and runs for four weeks before its
international tour.

Showcasing images from 1845 to the present day, Face to Face: Polar Portraits features historic images that include the very first polar photographs, the first portraits of explorers, some of the earliest photographs of the Inuit, and rare images never before published from many of the Heroic-Age Antarctic expeditions. These extraordinary portraits are contrasted with an intriguing mix of modern images by Martin Hartley, who has captured men and women of many nations, exploring, working, and living in the Polar Regions today, whether they be one of the world's greatest explorers, or a humble cook.

Almost all the historic imagery - daguerreotypes, magic lantern slides, glass plate negatives and images from private albums - that have been rediscovered during research for this project have never been before the public eye. In addition to 25 historic, and 25 modern polar portraits, the exhibition features a unique collection of historic photographic equipment, such as cameras owned by Captain Scott, Herbert Ponting, Sir Wally Herbert and Sir Ranulph Fiennes. 

Kildare Sports & Leisure Facilities Ltd is constructing, and will subsequently operate, the Kildare Sports & Leisure Facilities at Naas & Athy. Both facilities are due to be completed in early 2009. The Company will also manage and operate other sports and leisure facilities to be determined by way of management agreements with Kildare County Council.

The Naas facilities will include:

• 6 lane deck level 25m swimming pool
• Separate teaching pool
• Sauna and steam room
• Fitness suite gym
• Aerobic studio

The Athy facilities will include:

• 6 lane deck level 25m pool with moveable floor
• Sauna and steam room
• Fitness suite gym
• Aerobic studio

Prior to the opening of the Naas and Athy Leisure Facilities they are inviting applications for the following positions:

• Facility Manager
• Duty Manager
• Membership/Administrator
• Fitness Gym Instructor
• Pool Lifeguard
• Receptionist
• Cleaner

Visit their website at www.kildareleisure.ie for more information.

There will be a 2-day workshop in Leixlip on Sat & Sun, Nov 29-30 2008, at The Healthy Way, Ralph Square, Leixlip.

The Alexander Technique is a method of personal education which involves self awareness and releasing muscular tension.

This excessive tension slowly accumulates over many years of stressful living and often starts in childhood and, if left unchecked, can give rise later in life to common ailments such as arthritis, neck and back pain, migraine, hypertension, sciatica, insomnia and even depression.

 Vast amounts of money are being spent on the treatment of these illnesses, to say nothing of the pain and discomfort that is felt by the patient, yet every year the number of patients carries on increasing.

Once you have acquired this amazing tool it is yours for life.

For information visit www.thehealthyway.ie

The Jondol Furniture Junior Rallycross championship for fourteen to sixteen year olds, had its first Mondello Park race of the season on Sunday with local drivers dominating right up till the finals.

The championship which sees young drivers compete in near standard cars of up to 1000cc has been an exciting addition to the Irish rallycross calendar for the last two seasons with the numbers taking part seeing a significant increase this year. Junior rallycross is already doing its job as a stepping stone for underage drivers into senior rallycross as former junior driver Liam Doran proved in the Supercar final at Mondello by taking second overall.

Mondello's event was the second round of the 2008/2009 Irish Winter Rallycross season with the first event having taken place at Pembrey in Wales two weeks previously. At round one UK resident Dan O'Brien came out on top of the Irish series contenders ahead of Kildare racers John Quinn and Sam Kinirons, to lead the championship as it headed back to Mondello.

The lack of competition experience among the Jondol championship field was no barrier to close racing as the heats got underway, with the top four competitors separated by less than a second a lap after the first run. Naas teenager Quinn headed the field in his Jondol backed Mini, with fellow Mini driver and championship leader O'Brien second. Mark Francis from Co. Down came home third with Prosperous resident Padraig Leeson fourth, while the second Naas based championship challenger, Kinirons, found himself back in seventh.

Run two was unusually spread out with O'Brien taking a comfortable four second win over Leeson with Quinn a further five seconds in arrears. Kinirons suffered another bad run dropping back to ninth place. The final heat saw Quinn back on top with a two second win over Nissan drivers Francis and Leeson, who finished just 0.4 of a second apart. Two top spots out of three was enough to give Quinn pole position for the final ahead of series leader O'Brien and Mark Francis.

The competitive nature of the championship was highlighted in the finals as the tightly bunched group jostled for position. With cars from both the British and Irish championship mixed together Quinn came off worst as he was hit by British series regular Samantha Thom, who was competing in her last event before moving up to the senior ranks. Thom showed little regard for her now surplus to requirements Mini as she removed Quinn and two other cars from the equation on her way to victory.

Quinns demise left the way open for O'Brien who finished top of the drivers registered for the Irish series. Best of the locals were Leeson and Kinirons who recovered from his poor results in the heats to pick up a good haul of championship points and stay in touch with series leader O'Brien. The remainder of the Jondol Junior Rallycross championship now takes place at Mondello Park over the winter months with the next event on November 2nd and the seven round series finishing in March.

For details of Feile Na Samhna 2009 visit the listing on Kildare.ie Events
Or view more details on the FADA website which contains a List of Activities

Feile na Samhna 2008

Feile na Samhna will raise spirits in these gloomy days of economic storms and uncertainty.

This festival has been organised in collaboration with  FADA, VOICE, Culture factory and with the assistance of members of the Bealtaine committee.  

For hundreds of years, harvest festivals have brought neighbours together as a community, to talk, trade and celebrate the plentiful food before the beginning of the long nights of winter. We need to bring back just that kind of community network, traditional skills and local food that festivals used to celebrate, and so FADA and several other community groups are hosting a Halloween Festival, Feile na Samhna, at the Ryston Social Club in Newbridge Saturday, Nov. 1.

The one-day, family-friendly event will feature traditional hand crafts and skills, informative talks on sustainable living, facilitated discussion forums, low-tech kids entertainment, a heritage exhibition compiled by local students, local artists, dancers, performers and musicians.

For more information contact FADA, a local voluntary organization seeking local solutions to global problems. For more information visit www.kildare.ie/FADA or attend one of our twice-monthly meetings in the Parish Centre, Charlotte Street, Newbridge.

For information about the group you can also contact Brian Kaller at 087-299-4552 or at briankaller@yahoo.com. 

The Mayor of County Kildare, Councillor Senan Griffin, will welcome the pleasure of your company at the launch of Clocha Rince Community Library by Mr. Michael Kitt, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, in Clocha Rince National School, Clocha Rince, County Kildare, on Tuesday 21st October 2008 at 11.30 a.m.

Also presenting, "Home: Portraits from Clocha Rince", paintings of residents from Ardcarraig, by Artist Christopher Banahan.

Are you looking for some fun activities for your children during the Halloween midterm break? 

The Bog of Allen Nature Centre will be holding a Halloween Creepy Crawlie Fun Camp for students aged 7-13 years. 

The camp will be held on Thursday 30th October between 10am and 1pm.

Activities on the day will include pond dipping, creepy crawlie hunt in our insect hotel, bat crafts and a visit to our flytraps exhibition. 

All activities will be fully supervised by experienced instructors.  The cost of the camp is 15 Euro and booking is essential, as there are limited places.  

If you would like to make a booking contact the Bog of Allen Nature Centre on 045-860133.

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) extends warm thanks to everyone who took part in this summer’s fundraising effort by buying or selling tickets in the Save the Bogs Annual Draw.

“We had a terrific response, raising over €8000 for our programme of restoration on Lodge Bog in Co. Kildare. I can’t remember the last time we had such an enthusiastic response” says Oscar Duggan, Supporter Care Manager at IPCC.

The proceeds from the draw will assist IPCC’s ongoing conservation work on Lodge Bog, adjacent to the Bog of Allen Nature Centre in Co. Kildare. The bog, which is accessible by boardwalk, is a major visitor attraction and local amenity as well as being used for an ‘outdoor classroom’ as part of IPCC education programme for schools etc.

Prizes in this year’s draw were sponsored or donated by businesses in Ireland and further afield. Ballymaloe Cookery School, Coca-Cola Bottlers Ireland, CJ Wildbird Foods Ltd, EirEnergy, Fota Wildlife Park, the Office of Public Works, Patagonia, Tullamore Court Hotel and Walker Books Ltd all generously contributed to make the draw a success.

The draw took place on Monday 6th October at IPCC’s head office at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre The tickets were drawn by IPCC volunteers Ariane Celeyron and Rachel Kempson. The winners were:

1st Prize:  Two Nights B&B and One Evening Meal at the Tullamore Court Hotel, Co Offaly – M. Startup, Bettystown, Co. Meath

2nd Prize: Afternoon Cookery Demonstration and Lunch for two at Ballymaloe Cookery School, Co. Cork – A.Hyde, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway

3rd Prize:  Stainless Steel Barbecue – H.S. Lidwill, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary

4th Prize: OPW Family Heritage Visitor Card – S.F. O’Sullivan, Castletownbere, Co. Cork

5th Prize: Family Day Pass to Fota Wildlife Park, Co. Cork - E. Brennan, Stonepark, Longford.

6th Prize: Premium Large Adventurer Feeder from CJ Wildbird Foods – C. Hatton, Kingswood Heights, Dublin 24

Runners-up Prizes: Ladies and Gents Fleece Jackets from Patagonia, Exchequer Street, Dublin 2 – A. Kenneally, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford; J. Bergin, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary; E. & R. McHugh, Greystones, Co. Wicklow; P. Desmond, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

Ticket Seller Prizes from Walker Books – L. Mongan, Castlebar, Co. Mayo; J. Curry, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford; B. Jacob, Sallins, Co. Kildare; V. Feehan, Glenageary, Co. Dublin; J. Fenton, Fairview, Dublin 3; C. Walker, Killygoan, Monaghan

Coca-Cola Bottlers Ireland and EirEnergy kindly sponsored the printing costs associated with the raffle.

If you would like to support next year’s Save the Bogs Draw (expected launch date is May 2009) by buying or selling raffle tickets, or if you would just like to be kept informed about IPCC’s fundraising activities, simply send your name and address details by e-mail to bogs@ipcc.ie with the words ‘Mailing List’ in the subject heading.

If you or your company would like to donate a prize for future raffles (an unwanted gift perhaps?) you can do so by contactiing IPCC on 045 860133.

Kildare County Council has announced the launch of OPEN…for ideas, a programme of review, research and consultation for Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Co Kildare.

OPEN…for ideas will engage stakeholders, artists, arts organisations and local communities. The aim of the research is to broaden access to, and develop new and existing audiences in, all art forms through an inclusive programme relevant to the needs of the local community whilst remaining sensitive to contemporary art practice.

Led by arts consultant, Úna Collins assisted by Susan Boyle, a graduate in performance studies, OPEN…for ideas will take place from 2nd October to 19th December 2008. A comprehensive programme which will include, arts-based interventions, site-specific performances and once off events, will be used to gather views of individuals and organizations around the county with particular expertise or interest in the arts as part of the consultation process.

The consultation will also include formal questionnaires, focus groups, interviews and an ideas wall in Riverbank Arts Centre. A full schedule of events will be announced shortly.

Visit the website for more details

Kildare North Fianna Fail T.D. Michael Fitzpatrick has reminded farmers of the deadline for applications for the Farm Waste Management Scheme.

“Applications for the Farm Waste Management Scheme must be with the Department before the 31st of December 2008. A receipt from the Department or a certificate of registration of postage must be able to be produced for a claim for payment to be produced.”

“The Farm Waste Management has proved to be very successful. The Scheme was introduced in February 2001 under the National Development Plan.”

“Irish farmers have responded well to the Farm Waste Management Scheme and this further funding will assist in completing the work and ensuring that Ireland meets our requirements under the EU Nitrates Directive.”

“So far this year, Irish farmers have benefited from €181.8 million under the Farm Waste Management Scheme.”

“It is vital that we continue to provide practical support to Irish farmers and this funding is an essential part of that support,” concluded Deputy Fitzpatrick.

The biggest Rallycross event of the season takes place this weekend at Mondello Park organised by the County Kildare Motor Club. Sunday’s event, which is the second round of the Irish championship, kicks off the Mondello winter calendar and also counts as the final round of the 2008 Kumho Tyres British Rallycross Championship.

The combination of two events in one always produces the biggest entry and closest racing of the season, and this year’s example should be even more tense as three drivers still have a chance of leaving the Kildare track as British champion.

In the Supercar Division, London based Limerick man Ollie O’Donovan (Peugeot 306) is the reigning British champion and he leads the scoring from Ulster Rallycross stalwart Lawerence Gibson (Metro 6R4). These two are just a single point apart with Englishman Steve Hill a further fifteen points off Gibson in third. While Hill is a long shot for the crown, the Mitsubishi Evo driver took his first ever championship win at Mondello this time last year and will be a strong contender this weekend. For Hill to lift his first ever British title however, he will have to hope that the two former champions ahead of him do not finish.

The Irish series had its opening round in conjunction with the British championship at Pembrey in South Wales a couple of weeks ago, and now moves to Mondello for six further events over the winter. Englishman Kevin Procter was the top points scorer in the first round, but does not plan to drive his Ford Focus ST at  round two, leaving the way open for Escort Cosworth mounted Tommy Graham and Derek Jobb, and the Ford Focus of Eddie Kinirons, to cut his championship advantage before he returns to Mondello at the next event.

Among the championship's supporting classes, James Bird has already secured the British SuperModified title for two-wheel drive cars, but the Stock Hatch and Junior championship both remain to be won and lost at Mondello. The battle between the British and Irish drivers in the modified and Stock Hatch classes is always close, with some of the top modified drivers capable of qualifying for the Superfinal and running with the 4wd Supercars. Best of the Irish 2wd challengers will be Michael Coyne with his Nova and the rare Volvo of Ulsterman Don Shannon.

Sunday’s event will also see the first home appearance of the season for Irelands latest Rallycross superstar Derek Tohill. Tohill recently became the first Irish driver to win a round of the European Rallycross championship in any class, as he took division 2 honours in Poland. Tohill brings his Honda Civic Type R to Mondello as the only European spec. division 2 runner, but he will be looking to continue his good run against the more powerful 2wd cars in the modified finals.

Event details
Sunday October 12
Kumho Tyres MSA British Rallycross Championship Round 7
Motorsport Ireland Winter Rallycross Championship 08/09 Round 2
Mondello Park, Naas, County Kildare
Racing starts at 10.00
Adult admission €15, accompanied under 16s free.

TIMETABLE
 
09:15
 Practice Commences
 
10:00
 Practice Finishes
 
10:15
 Heats Run 1
 
11:45
 Heats Run 2
 
13:15
 Lunch Break
 
13:45
 Heats Run 3 
15:30
 Finals

Local Fianna Fail T.D. Aine Brady has welcomed the launch of Enterprise Ireland’s strategy for the accelerated growth and international development of Ireland’s prepared consumer foods industry but has called for resources to be focussed towards Kildare.

The Strategy was launched by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan TD and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD.

“I understand from An Tanaiste that the Government through Enterprise Ireland expect to provide around €30 million over the next five years to companies in the prepared consumer food sector through its R&D and Growth Funds.”

“This significant funding could be of great assistance in securing jobs and industry in north Kildare where we already have companies such as Green Isle, Dawn Farm Food and Tara Vale Foods.”

“This new Strategy will help companies like Green Isle, Dawn Farm Food and Tara Vale to reach their full potential for growth and export by giving practical support and assisting with funding for R&D, innovation and productivity improvement.”

“North Kildare, Naas in particular, has real potential to become a ‘home’ for the production of consumer foods and this Strategy will assist in this.”

“The consumer food companies we have in north Kildare have great potential and I am hopeful that they will expand to realise this and in the process secure jobs and industry for the area and put Naas on the food map,” concluded Deputy Brady.

Four classes of local schoolchildren were entertained by Derek Landy, creator of the clever skeleton detective, Skulduggery Pleasant. Children and teachers alike were spellbound by Landy’s tales of growing up 'with a head like a potato' and meetings with Stephen Spielberg.

He is on first name terms with the world famous director - in fact he calls him Ste! He spoke to the children about his new house guarded by ferocious cats and partook in a lively question and answer session.

Derek Landy has two Skulduggery Pleasant books, with the latest one, 'Playing with Fire', just released. Packed with adventure, fun, humour, and magic, the characters he creates all add to the rush of excitement that greets any reader of these books.

The characters include

• Skulduggery Pleasant, Detective
• Stephanie Edgley, Student. Adventurer
• Ghastly Bespoke, Tailor
• Tanith Low, Professional trouble-maker

Visit Dereks website - www.skulduggerypleasant.co.uk

Labour Party T.D. for Kildare South, Jack Wall T.D., has called on the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner to urgently consider the place of Community Gardai in his Constituency of Kildare South as they draw up the guidelines for the new Kildare Garda Division. This follows the further receipt of information from the Minister of Justice that shows, despite the fact that 215 extra Community Gardai have been allocated to Community Policing since previous replies received in February 2007, Kildare South still has no Community Police Officers and in fact the entire county of Kildare has 2 less officers than in the previous reply.   

"When you consider that in total, there are 697 Community Gardai in the country, it is a poor reflection on the 4th largest County in Ireland that we have only 4."

Deputy Wall went on to say that “If we are to be serious about tackling Anti Social Behaviour and the growing threat of drugs within our Communities then we need Community Gardai in Kildare South. We need to see Gardai back in our Communities, patrolling our streets and roads, developing relationships with our various Community groups, tackling crime with the help of the Communities that they are based in. The reply states that the most recent report from the Garda Commissioner states that community policing is a fundamental policing philosophy and that there is a strong foundation for it in Ireland, there is no doubt that such a foundation exists and the foundation in Kildare South is now waiting for the Officers to complete the building.”

On Monday 29th Sept, Minister O’Keeffe announced 25 major new school building projects.

One of these projects, which is to prepare to go to site before the end of 2008, is the construction of a new school, PE hall and autistic unit - 4,843m² to cater for 400 students at Athy community College.

The campus will contain state of the art facilities with a PE hall, lecture theatre, playing fields, technology and computer rooms and will completed within 18 months.

FREE LIBRARY MEMBERSHIP WHEN YOU JOIN THE FILM CLUB!!

Film Club Membership as follows:

Full membership €45.00 - 8 movies

Concessions: €20.00 per season

Students €2.00 per screening with valid student card

Admission for non members - on the night €8

The first screening of Maynooth Community Library's Film for All is on Wednesday 8th October @7.45pm. This features the hypnotic tragi-comedy Garage. Pat Shortt is a revelation as Josie, the caretaker of a crumbling petrol station on the outskirts of a small town in the mid-west of Ireland. "A coming of age for Irish cinema" Sunday Tribune

Other highlights include Lust Caution, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Kings and You Kill Me.

The venue for the club is in the comfortable surroundings of the JHL2, lecture hall in the John Hume building, North Campus Maynooth College.

Kildare & Meath County Enterprise Boards have organised a Women in Business Conference and Exhibition for the second year. It will allow local entrepreneurs and businesses to showcase their products and services and share their experiences with others who may be seeking information and who may benefit from hearing about the successes and problems faced by other businesswomen.

The Conference will take place from 1:00p.m. to 6:00p.m.on Sunday 19th October 2008 in the Marriott Johnstown House Hotel, Enfield, Co. Meath.

For full details on the conference please download the brochure here:
Women in Business Conference & Exhibition

British Supersport Championship race winner Ian Lowry will make his Superbike debut at Mondello Park this weekend as he gets his first opportunity to race the 'Relentless Suzuki By TAS' Superbike normally campaigned by team-mate Michael Laverty. Lowry is the latest addition to this weekends star studded 'Mondello Masters' finale which will see Irelands top Superbike riders competing for the biggest prize in Irish short circuit racing with a top prize of €7,000 on offer.

Lowry has been one of the stars of the British Supersport champiosnhip for the last two seasons riding for the Tandragee based TAS team. Having finished runner-up to Laverty in '07 he is on course to pick up third place in the championship this season, with two race wins to his credit. His performances so far for TAS have earned him a chance to show what he can do at Mondello on a Superbike, and he should start as one of the favourites to challenge Alastair Seeley's dominance at the Kildare Track, where he took his first race win back in 2003.

Also added to the entry list this weekend is Michael Dunlop whose Supersport machine is eligible for both the Irish 600cc championship and the 'Masters' race. Dunlop will join Lowry, Seeley, round two runner up Marshall Neil, Irish Superbike championship leading lights Denver Robb and Brian McCormack, Lowry's British Supersport competitors Jack Kennedy and Marty Nutt, and occasional UK competitors Declan Swanton and Mark Pollock to make up as strong a top ten as will be found at any Irish championship event.

The remainder of the grid will be filled by the fastest competitors from the ISB and Supersport championship races on Saturday who will all go into the single 'Mondello Masters' qualifying session on Saturday evening. The one-off Masters race will be run at 16:00 on Sunday where all eyes will be on Alastair Seeley's efforts to make a clean sweep and pick up the €5,000 bonus for winning all three races.

For further information and event running order see www.mondellopark.ie

The change in the weather of the last few days turns our attention to what the season ahead holds in store. As the days get shorter and with winter drawing in, Christmas is the time of year when the wildlife that surrounds us needs us most. Leaving out food for the birds, tidying up around your garden in anticipation of the spring rejuvenation, or simply spreading the conservation message by choosing to send wildlife-themed cards and gifts to family and friends are just some of the ways that we can all play our part.
 
“The Save the Bogs Cards and Gifts Catalogue from the Irish Peatland Conservation Council carries over 125 products for nature enthusiasts of all ages and is a must for the environmentally conscious shopper. All profits from sales are recycled back into the Save the Bog Campaign, helping IPCC to achieve its conservation goals for the last remaining areas of intact bogland in Ireland” says Oscar Duggan, Supporter Care Manager at IPCC. Click here to view some of the range available from IPCC's Save the Bogs Collection — http://www.ipcc.ie/enviroshopcat.html.
 
Pauline Bewick, Vera Bowe and Seamus Heaney are among the artists whose work is featured. Wildlife themed Christmas cards include the perennially popular Winter Robin motif. The 2008 edition of the Wild Ireland Calendar will see in the new year in style. A beautiful set of wildlife mugs, exquisitely designed with paintings of our most popular garden birds — robin, blackbird, song thrush and blue tit — is another highlight from this year's catalogue collection. They are a must have gift for nature-lovers this festive season, retailing for just (Euro) €4.99, or you can have the whole set for under (Euro) €20. Gardening products, recycled stationery and children’s toys are also among the gift ideas that IPCC has assembled to ensure that there is something for everyone.
 
If you want to surprise someone this Christmas with a gift that is out of the ordinary IPCC has some cheerful ideas to help you in this regard.
 
A Symbolic Share Certificate in an acre of Irish bog is a gift that doesn’t cost the earth. These handsome certificates can be framed to make a nice addition to your home, office or reception area. The certificates are personalised and can be sent to family, friends and loved ones at home or abroad. They also make ideal gifts for weddings and other special occasions. Prices start at (Euro) €45 for one-sixteenth of an acre. Click here to find out how you can make your Christmas gift count for more — http://www.ipcc.ie/sharecert.html.
 
An Annual Visitor Pass to the Bog of Allen Nature Centre allows 5 individuals or a family of six full access to the Habitats, Gardens and Museum at the centre for just (Euro) €25. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm, not including public holidays. A visit to the centre is a fun day out for all the family and includes informative exhibiton panels and audio-visual displays. The gardens at the centre boasts Ireland’s largest collection of insect-eating plants from all over the world. Picnic facilities are also available. Click here to find out more about the Bog of Allen Nature Centre, including visitor orientation and directions on how to get there — http://www.ipcc.ie/BOAorientation.html.
 
A Friend of the Bog Gift Enrollment costs (Euro) €45 and lasts the whole year. Friends of the Bog receive a welcome pack, car sticker, a copy of Peatland News published twice a year and can also avail of free access to the Bog of Allen Nature Centre and to six peatland nature reserves around the country. Friends of the Bog share in the knowledge that they are helping IPCC’s work to make people more aware of the wildlife, culture and heritage of our bogs. Click here for details on how to join — http://www.ipcc.ie/howtojoin.html.
 
To obtain your free copy of the Save the Bogs Cards and Gifts Catalogue phone 045 860133, e-mail bogs@ipcc.ie with the world ‘Catalogue’ in the subject heading or order online at http://www.ipcc.ie/enviroshopcat.html. The entire range of wildlife-friendly cards and gifts are also available from The Nature Shop at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre, Lullymore, Co. Kildare. You can combine your shopping spree with a tour of the bogland museum and wildlife gardens. Th entry fee to the visitor centre is (Euro) €5 per adult. Entry to the Nature Shop is free.
 
IPCC will endeavour to get your orders out to you promptly in order to beat the Christmas rush.
 
To facilitate shoppers a special Christmas Fair and Open Day will be hosted at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre on Sunday, 30th November between 12 am and 4 pm. A programme of seasonal events and bog-related walks, talks, exhibitions and tours will also be included. Make a note in your diary. More details to follow.

The Irish Heart Foundation is marking World Heart Day on Sunday, October 5th 2008.  World Heart Day aims to focus attention on the importance of developing and maintaining a healthy heart.  Approximately 10,000 people die each year from cardiovascular disease. It is the most common cause of death in Ireland, accounting for 36% of all deaths.

Supporting this event, Deputy Michael Fitzpatrick T.D. is asking everyone to come along to Donadea Forest  on Sunday October 5th at 3pm and walk along the wonderful Slí na Sláinte route.

"The focus of the day is Walking For Fun, while highlighting how enjoyable it is to be physically active and there is no nicer a place to walk than Donadea Forest Park", says Michael.

Please meet at the Carpark at 3pm.

The events lined up in County Kildare are listed below.

Maynooth

Date: Sunday 5th October 2008
Start Point: Digby Bridge
Start Time: 2pm
Walk Group: Kildare Irish Country Womens Association. All are welcome and there will be a picnic after the walk.
Walk Details: There will be a picnic after the walk. All are most welcome.
Contact Details: For Further details please contact Margaret Houlihan on 087 2054854

Donadea Forest Park

Date: Sunday 5th October 2008
Start Point: Car Park, Donadea Forest Park
Start Time: 3pm
Walking Details: Walking Donadea Forest Park Slí na Sláinte route. Walk will be led by Michael Fitzpatrick TD and will take approximately 1.5 hours. All welcome!
Contact Details: For Further details please contact Michael Fitapatrick TD on 086 2706150

Monasterevin

Date: Sunday 5th October 2008
Start Point: Hazel Hotel, Monasteravin
Start Time: 2.30pm
Walking Details: 3.5km walk
Contact Details: For Further details please contact Dick Somers on 045 529258

Leixlip

Date: Sunday 5th October 2008
Start Point: Springfield Hotel Leixlip
Start Time: 12pm meeting and walk starts at 12.30pm
Walking Details: 8 -10 Km route - and all are welcome
Contact Details: For Further details please contact Anne Maher 087 2701617

Visit the Irish Heart Foundation website for more details and information - www.irishheart.ie

The Irish Heart Foundation is Ireland's only national charity for heart health and is working to reduce premature death and disability from heart disease and stroke.