County Kildare News

It is clear from a report by a Dáil Committee which examined the Lisbon Treaty referendum result that it is in Kildare’s best interest if Ireland continues to have a central role within the EU, according to Fianna Fáil TD Áine Brady.

“The report follows one of the most comprehensive reviews of Ireland’s relationship with its European partners. Seven weeks of hearings took pace with a various views being put forward on our future within the EU following the Lisbon result.”
 
“The conclusion that Ireland is best served by remaining at the centre of the Union is in line with a wide range of studies which show that people in Kildare and across the country have a very positive view of Europe.”
 
“However, it is clear that there is an information gap in explaining the workings of the Union and the positive benefits it has had on the lives of Kildare people. We must now work to bridge that gap.”
 
“The unprecedented events which have impacted on the global economy in recent weeks have underlined the need for a strong EU and for a Europe-wide response to the crisis.”
 
“It is in the best interests of business in Kildare to continue to have open access to one of the largest markets in the world. Our EU membership has delivered jobs into our communities, and will continue to do so.”
 
“My colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin has assured me that the report will now form part of the Government’s overall response to the issues highlighted by the Lisbon vote.”
 
“The Government will now continue its deliberations on how we can move forward to ensure that Ireland’s role within the EU is protected and that we can continue delivering for communities in Kildare,” concluded Deputy Brady.

Christmas Lights

Once again the volunteers who put up the Christmas lights in Celbridge have been hard at work and the lights are now ready for the official switching on ceremony on Monday the 8th of December at 4-30pm.

Children's Christmas Party

The switching on of the lights is the start of the count-down to the Christmas for the children in our community.  To mark this event, there will again be a party for the children in the grounds of St. Patrick’s Church in the Main Street.  Entertainment will be provided by the Gardai Band and Santa will be arriving to help switch on the lights at 4-30pm. 

More information...

Senior Citizens' Christmas Party

This party will take place on Sunday the 7th of December at Setanta House Hotel, Clane Road, in Celbridge.  This year around 300 people are expected to enjoy a traditional Christmas Dinner.  The evening will begin at 7-30pm and guests will dance the night away until midnight, to the music of Double Up. 

More information...

The IPCC’s Conservation and Reserves Officer, Cillian Breathnach was full of praise today for everyone who worked on the restoration of Lodge Bog, Co. Kildare. “I want to sincerely thank all of the people who gave their time towards the restoration of Lodge Bog this summer. Without the help of our volunteers we simply could not have achieved all that we have since work began here”.

The 70 volunteers involved helped the Irish Peatland Conservation Council carry out valuable work this summer including:

• Mapping the distribution of 172 different species of plants on the bog
• Doing a survey of dragonflies and damselflies which found two new species on the reserve: the Common Spreadwing and the Beautiful Jewelwing.
• Placing 41 dams in 1.5 km of drains on the bog
• Measuring the water table in the bog which remained quite high all year
   

“During fieldwork, IPCC staff shared their knowledge of peatlands, ecology and fieldwork methods with volunteers. The work was as varied as the weather, but spirits remained high all of the time and great friendships were formed” added Cillian Breathnach.

The site is used as an outdoor classroom to show school groups and visitors the wonders that our raised bog habitats have to offer. It makes a great addition to the Bog of Allen Nature Centre which is now recognised as a Discovering Primary Science Centre by the Department of Education and Science. In terms of flora and fauna, raised bogs offer habitat for such things as insect-eating plants, iridescent beetles, nesting birds like the curlew and captivating rare orchids. In an era full of debate on climate change and carbon footprints, some may find it interesting to know that bogs actually act as carbon sinks, storing carbon in the undecomposed plant remains that form peat. With Ireland’s peatlands decreasing at an alarming rate, restoration works such as that on Lodge Bog are becoming more and more important. By working with the IPCC, volunteers have helped protect this natural gem for future generations to enjoy.

Volunteering offers people a means of getting out into the field with qualified experts who are more than willing to share their knowledge and enthusiasm for their work. There is something for everyone, with volunteers coming from all walks of life, including interested members of the public to university graduates looking to gain experience in nature conservation. If you are interested in volunteering with the IPCC call 045 – 860 133.

This project was supported by the Heritage Council under the 2008 Biodiversity Fund.

The Castlefarm Christmas Craft Market will take place on Sunday 14th of December from 2-6pm. The Dublin 15 Hospice and Kildare Steiner School will provide the Christmas Carols. Mince pies and mulled wine will be free at the event. Dunshane’s Camphill Community and Calverstown photographer Wym will be some of the market stall holders. The Gallic Kitchen will also be selling hot pies and the Kerbside Café will be brewing gourmet coffees, teas and hot chocolates for visitors. A Charity donation will also be made to the Irish Kidney Association.

Castlefarm is an organic dairy farm half a mile from the village of Narraghmore in Co. Kildare. The farm is situated halfway between Athy and Kilcullen and a map and directions can be found on the website www.castlefarmshop.ie. There is a farm shop available which sells Castlefarm and other local Irish produce. Castlefarm Shop is open Wednesday-Saturday 10am-6pm. Castlefarm also have a stall at Athy Farmers’ Market and Craft Fair every Sunday and the upcoming Christmas Craft Fair at Castlefarm on December 14th will provide the opportunity to see what Castlefarm has on offer while enjoying the festive atmosphere.

Santa arrives at Santa South Pole Village, in the Athy Heritage Centre, Emily Sq. Athy,  on Monday 8th December at 6.30 pm to a fanfare of carol singing and elves giving out treats, and is staying until  21st December.

Just a little about the Santa South Pole Village, which brings alive the festive spirit of the public and touches the imagination of every child that enters it...

They enter through a lighted tunnel guided by an Elf who leads them to our Nativity Scene, where the child hears the story of Christmas and gets to make a wish at our Special Wishing Tree.

They then enter our Arctic Scene, where they name the husky and start their journey to reach the South Pole. After their adventures they  enter our village scene with  treats and sweets galore,  beep the horn of Elf’s car  before entering Mrs. Claus’s house, where she is busy making the reindeer dust and telling children stories. 

Our naughty and nice Post Office will make sure that special letter gets to the North Pole,  and then its on to see Santa and get their very special present.

Opening times are    Dec 8th – 21st

Monday  8th  Santa arrives 6.30 – 9.30 p.m.

Tuesday  12 – 7p.m.

Wed  12 - 6 p.m.

Thursday  12 – 7 p.m.

Friday   12 -  6 p.m.

Saturday  1 – 7 p.m.

Sunday   12- 6 p.m.

Monday   12- 6 p.m.

Deputy Emmet Stagg has condemned the Minister for Environment`s decision to cut funding to Kildare Co. Council by an effective 10% for 2009 and has stated that the reduced funding will see Council Services cut back in many areas.

In 2008 Kildare Co. Council received €28,176,862 from the Department of Environment under the Local Government Fund and for 2009 the Council will receive €26,610,812, a drop of €1,566,050 (5.5%) or 10% taking Inflation into Account.

The effect of the Cuts stated Deputy Stagg will see a scaling back on vital Council Services in the areas of emergency services, housing assistance, planning control and community facilities. The full effect of the cut backs will only be felt when the Co. Manager produces his Annual Budget for 2009 in a number of weeks time.

Deputy Stagg indicated that the Co. Manager must not attempt to recoup the lost finance by reducing services for those most in need and warned that any further attempt to curtail or reduce the benefits of the Council`s Refuse Waiver Scheme would be met with absolute resistance from Labour Councillors on Kildare Co. Council.

In conclusion Deputy Stagg stated that Minister Gormley had failed to defend the provision of Council Services to the Public when he was setting out his Departments Spending Plans for 2009 and he should be ashamed of himself given his promise on coming to Office of reforming Local Government and the provision of adequate funding to enable Council`s to provide the services that the Public demand and need.

Daniel O’Brien took his fourth win of the season and his third in a row at Mondello Park to strengthen his hold on the top spot in the ‘Jondol’ Junior Rallycross championship for fourteen to sixteen year old racers. The win increased the UK drivers’ championship lead over main rival Naas resident John Quinn who spun out at the first corner in the ‘A’ final and finished down in sixth place.

With the Jondol Furniture backed series attracting a record entry for the third event in a row, fourteen drivers would line up to do battle over three runs of heats to decide the grid positions for the finals. Close racing was the order of the day with the minor placings being decided by tiny margins and the championships first ever dead heat being recorded.

In the first round, heat one saw the top two championship contenders go head to head with the Mini of O’Brien taking a three and a half second win over the similar car of Quinn who was well clear of third placed Paul McArdle’s from Dundalk with his Micra. The second heat was much closer with Meath resident Aaron Clarke’s Micra holding off the Nissan of Ulster’s Mark Francis by two tenths of a second while third, fourth and fifth places were decided by two thousands of second as three cars crossed the line side by side. In terms of times O’Brien was quickest from Quinn followed by Clarke and Francis.

Heat one of run two produced a repeat of the first race but this time Quinn was much closer getting the gap down to under two seconds as once again the rest of the field were left to squabble over third. In heat two it was Francis who came out on top from Newry’s Andrew Patterson, in another Micra, and Clarke. When the two heats were combined it was again O’Brien from Quinn with Francis and Padraig Leeson from Prosperous next up.

The third round of heats once again saw O’Brien and Quinn dominated Heat one, but this time the gap between the top two was less than second. Behind them a fantastic scrap went the way of Jake Byrne from Naas with his Suzuki Swift who held off his more experienced rivals to take third with only a tenth of a second to spare.

Race two saw a fantastic scrap between four cars with Mini drivers Patrick Donoghue (Meath) leading from Sam Kinirons (Naas) and Mark Francis. Behind them Aaron Clarke was on a mission and as Kinirons took over in the lead Clarke moved his way up into third and then quickly into second. Going into the final corner Clarke was on the tail of the Mini and dived for the inside, hit Kinirons and pushed him wide, before winning the drag race to the flag. Clarke was excluded from the results but the incident slowed the field enough to mean that race winner Kinirons was only fifth fastest in run three behind O’Brien, Quinn, Byrne and Leeson.

Seven drivers qualified straight into the ‘A’ Final with the remaining seven racing in the ‘B’ Race for the final place on the grid. In a relatively uneventful encounter Patrick Donoghue quickly passed pole sitter Paul McArdle and eased away to an almost eight second win.

The grid for the final saw O’Brien line up ahead of Quinn and Francis. Quinn got the better start and tried to turn across his UK rival on the entrance to the loose surface section at turn one but misjudged his manoeuvre, and following a slight touch with O’Brien, spun his way back to last place. In the confusion Francis took over in the lead but by the start of lap two normal service was resumed. As O’Brien eased away to his easiest win of the day, Francis was a lonely second while behind him the battle for the last podium place raged. On the last lap Padraig Leeson and Aaron Clarke’s race long fight came to a head as they tangled at Dunlop corner and then raced to the line side by side. Neither the timing system or the finish line judges could separate them, as they recorded the junior championships first ever dead heat.

The order at the end was O’Brien ten seconds clear of Francis. Leeson and Clarke were awarded joint third just ahead of fifth placed Donoghue while Quinn recovered to sixth, helped in part by the demise of Sam Kinirons on the penultimate lap, with Jake Byrne the final finisher in seventh.

The Jondol Junior Rallycross championship takes a winter break now before reconvening at Mondello Park in early February.

Josephine Hardiman is well known for her beautiful watercolours and calligraphy. At her studio in Naas Co. Kildare Ireland, Josephine produces Fine Art Paintings, Drawings and Calligraphy work. A new exhibition of Josephine's work will open for special preview on Sat 22nd Nov. 12.00 midday to 9.00 pm, with the exhibition thereafter running daily until the 21st December from 2.00 - 8.00pm. The exhibition will take place in the Fine Art Gallery, Punchestown,  Naas. The special preview this coming Saturday will provide people with the opportunity to meet the artist and see her new work for the first time. Joesphine has completed many commissions, the most recent being a A Triptych of Celtic Mythology commissioned by Kildare County Council which will soon hang in the County Council building, Áras Chill Dara, Naas.

Detail of Children of Lir by Josephine Hardiman, recent work for Kildare County Council. 

More information about Josephine and her work can be found on her website - www.kildare.ie/josephinehardiman

www.itsyourtime.ie has been shortlisted for a Golden Spider Award 2008 under the category "Best E-Government Website".  As one of the eight finalists the itsyourtime website will be put forward for further judging with the category winner announced at a lavish awards ceremony to be held on the 20th November in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin.

The Golden Spider Awards, now in its 12th years, are an annual event honouring Irish individuals and organisations for their outstanding achievements online and celebrating the successes of the Irish internet and digital media. The Golden Spiders have become the most prestigious internet awards in Ireland and are widely recognised, having become a benchmark of excellence and distinction for the industry and web based business strategies.

The "Best E-Government Website" category is open to Government departments which are bringing cost efficient public sector services to a wider audience through innovative website processes which satisfy demanding usability and accessibility standards.

The new Garda Division for Kildare is currently being established and will come into force on the 1st of January according to local Fianna Fail TD Áine Brady.

“A three District Division has been approved by the Garda Commissioner. Naas District will be realigned to comprise of Naas, Clane, Robertown, Kilcullen, Kill and Ballymore Eustace.”

“Kildare District will include Kildare, Newbridge, Athy, Rathangan, Monasterevin, Castledermot and Balitore. This District will loose Carbury to Leixlip and Robertown to Naas but will take over Athy and Castletowndermot sub-districts from Carlow.”

“Leixlip District will be made up of Leixlip, Celbridge, Maynooth, Kilcock and Carbury. This is a new district in Kildare.”

“I am confident that these changes will ensure a more effective policing service for Kildare.”

“It was necessary to change the way in which Kildare was policed as the population has grown so quickly in recent years. Population has increased by over 40% since 1996 and almost 14% between 2002 and 2007.”

“While these District changes are welcome, I have also written to the Commissioner to request that Leixlip station be open on a 24 hour basis to reflect the population there and the local need. I have lobbied for this change over a long time and remain convinced that it must happen as a matter of priority,” concluded Deputy Brady.

Groups who provide marriage, child and bereavement services have been urged to apply for grants by Kildare North Fianna Fail TD, Michael Fitzpatrick.

“The grants will be provided through the Family Support Agency for 2009.”

“Last year over €11 million was provided to over 600 organisations nationwide.”

“Letters have been issued to organisations who received funding last year, but any organisations providing these type of services in Kildare can also apply for funding.”

 “The services provided by groups who provide marriage, child and bereavement counselling are vital for families and people in severe distress and emotional difficulty and these grants provide practical support for that excellent work.”

“Full details and application forms can be found at www.fsa.ie. I would encourage any organisations who think they might qualify to apply for a grant,” concluded Deputy Fitzpatrick.

President Mary McAleese today officially accepted the deposit of the Strokestown Estate Archive at the opening of the new OPW-NUI Maynooth Archive and Research Centre at Castletown House, Celbridge. The new research centre will facilitate the storage, conservation and study of a range of historical records with a special emphasis on Irish landed estates and their inhabitants, and the decorative arts.

The Strokestown Estate Archive, previously housed at the National Famine Museum in Strokestown, consists of approximately 6,000 documents and provides a unique glimpse into the Anglo-Irish lifestyle of the Pakenham Mahon family in County Roscommon, during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Incorporating both family and estate papers the documents include correspondence, photographs, farm accounts and other financial material, estate maps, property deeds, architectural drawings, labour returns, pamphlets, and press cuttings.

The paper archive reflects both the private and public lives of various members of the Pakenham Mahon family, addressing a variety of different subjects, including marriage and family life, war, estate management, rent collection, evictions and emigration, agrarian outrages, and local education.

Of particular importance, however, are documents dating from the period of the Great Irish Famine (1845- 1850). These papers were recovered from the estate office at Strokestown Park House, and provide a truly moving account of Ireland’s greatest social disaster on record, whilst offering a voice to its many victims.

The collection includes many haunting pleas from starving tenants on the estate and documents the responses they received. One of the records discovered contains a request from one of President McAleese’s ancestors, Mary Lenahan of Elphin Street in Strokestown, who applied for food relief during the Famine. Her name appears on a list of individuals who received meal on Strokestown Estate in 1846, as part of the Archive.

Speaking at the opening, President McAleese said, “Thanks to Desmond Guinness, to the OPW and to NUI Maynooth, this big House now has a very big heart and a culture of respectful care for the source materials which bring our past to life in the present.”

The OPW-NUI Maynooth Archive and Research Centre at Castletown house is the product of a unique and ongoing collaboration between the OPW and NUI Maynooth. The location of the centre at Castletown House was an essential part the project. The house is Ireland’s largest and earliest Palladian style house built between 1722 and 1729 for William Conolly, Speaker of the Irish House of Commons and the wealthiest commoner in Ireland. After decades in the care of Desmond Guinness and the Castletown Foundation, it passed into State ownership in 1994. The Office of Public Works has since refurbished Castletown, and in 2007 reopened it as a major cultural and community resource and is the perfect location and surroundings for the research centre. The centre will occupy a suite of rooms in Castletown House and will open to scholars in the summer of 2009 once the professional work on the archives has been completed.

Speaking at the opening, Professor John Hughes, President of NUI Maynooth said, “Today’s event is a landmark in collaboration between our University and the wider community. We are very honoured to accept this important archive to our new Archive and Research Centre. The collection that we welcome to our Centre today is an important part of our national inheritance. Our University now has a serious responsibility to maintain and catalogue these documents for future generations”

For Parents, Grandparents & Child minders with babies and pre-school children.

Get to know other parents in the community....

...Enjoy seeing your children play with other children of a similar age.

Get out & about with your little ones!!!

..drop in for a cuppa & a chat!

All Welcome!!!

Every Wednesday morning:

10:30am - 12:30pm

Clane Parish Centre, Main Street, Clane, Co. Kildare.

Contact Caroline Mullally 087 7600068

www.freewebs.com/clanetoddlergroup

Payments under the 2008 Suckler Welfare Scheme will begin on Monday the 17th of November according to local Fianna Fail TD Michael Fitzpatrick.

“The payments of €80 per cow will continue on a rolling basis for calves born in 2008 as additional animals become eligible.”

“Payments will begin now and continue into 2009.”

“Eligible farmers should complete and return their forms, either paper or on-line as soon as possibly to ensure speedy process and payment.”

“The Minister for Agriculture has assured me that his Department are now issuing letter to farmers where there are any queries and that every effort is being made to clear outstanding cases.”

“Any farmers in Kildare who need clarification or have any queries should phone the lo-call number 1890 252 707,” concluded Deputy Fitzpatrick.

Kildare North Fianna Fáil TD Áine Brady has made an appeal for people to check the register of electors before the deadline at the end of this month to ensure that they are registered to vote in next year's Local and European Elections.

"To ensure that details are correctly entered on the Register of Electors I would like to encourage everyone to check the register before the deadline on November 25th."

“This is particularly important for those who have turned 18 in the last year and for people who have moved home."

"In order to secure your vote in next June's Local and European Elections it is vital that the information on the Register of Electors is correct before the upcoming deadline."

"There are a number of ways people can do this. The register is available for checking in all post offices, public libraries, Garda stations and County Council offices. It is also available online at www.checktheregister.ie."

"The Local and European Elections are due to be held in June next year, but in order to ensure that your vote is secure I would like to urge everyone to check it before the November deadline to ensure that their details are correct," concluded Deputy Brady.

Best wishes are sent to Paula Mangan this week as she represents Kildare in the 44th Annual Queen of the Land Festival hosted in Tullamore, which takes please this weekend, 14th -17th Novemember

Paula, a 25 year old childcare worker from Kilshanroe , Carbury was delighted when chosen to represent kildare at this event.

‘It’s a great honour to be picked to be the Kildare Queen; I just hope I can do the county proud.’

Paula, a member of the Balyna/Carbury Macra club for several years, was picked from a county round over the summer. The Farmers Journal sponsored event is one of the most anticipated by macra members as it’s the last hoorah before the Christmas period.

This year in the competition sees the introduction of escorts for all the 27 queens that will be taking part from all around the country.

With an active weekend ahead for all the queens and their supporters every best wish is sent to Paula.

Hope you have a great weekend!
Kildare Macra.

With all that going on just in Kildare why not come along and see what macra is really all about?

For more information why not log onto www.Macra.ie or Contact Jacqueline Walsh,  Training & Development Officer for Kildare Macra Na Feirme.
Phone: 087 773 5659
E-mail: jwalsh@macra.ie

www.Kildaremacra.bebo.com

The annual Barretstown Corporate Quiz will return to the Guinness Storehouse on Wednesday November 26th and is guaranteed to be a great night out for you and your colleagues, clients or mates whilst raising much needed funds for children's charity Barretstown.

This hi-tech quiz is open to teams of five and companies can enter as many teams as they wish. By booking before November 7th, you can book at 750 per team. The fun packed evening will be hosted by TV3's Martin King and kicks off at 6.30 pm with a buffet dinner with wine. There are super prizes to be won on the night, not forgetting the Barretstown Corporate Quiz Champions Trophy, which was claimed by Nokia last year.

All profits raised on the night will go towards bringing more children with cancer and other serious illnesses to Barretstown, where they will participate in the camp's unique programme of therapeutic recreation.

Last year's event was a sell out so to book your team early! Contact The Events Office on info@theeventoffice.ie or 01 2842687.

The Turf Club has taken the decision to postpone its project to redevelop the Curragh Racecourse in the light of the current unprecedented economic conditions.  In making the announcement they said that they felt it would be inappropriate to proceed at this time.  They said that the project would be kept under review with a view to reinstating it once economic conditions become more favourable.

The project which is budgeted to cost approximately €100 million to be financed by grant aid from Horse Racing Ireland, industry donations, bank borrowings and the Turf Club’s own resources.  Phase one of the project has been successfully completed.  The second and major phase was scheduled to commence in July 2009.

Commenting on the decision Nick Wachman, Senior Steward of the Turf Club, said that the decision had been taken following consultation not alone with the Turf Club’s professional advisors but also with a number of senior people in the racing industry. He said that everyone consulted was in agreement that the best course of action was to postpone the project at this point in time.  He did stress, however, that the project remained a priority for the Turf Club. 

Mr Wachman said that he would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has been so supportive of the project.  “Happily everyone in Irish racing understands that there is a real need to develop the Curragh in order to create facilities that are commensurate with the world class racing that this wonderful track produces.  We are confident that the project will recommence at an appropriate time”.

“On behalf of the Turf Club I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone associated with the project and in particular to reiterate our thanks to H.H. The Aga Khan whose generous gift was the catalyst for the project.  I would also like to thank the Government and Horse Racing Ireland whose financial support is critical to developing our plans.  I must put on record my thanks to the many people in the racing industry for their support both in terms of enthusiasm for the project and also in terms of financial support. “

“I hope that when the time is right to reinstate the project that everyone will again come on board to deliver a project that we believe is crucial to the future of the Irish racing industry.”

Mr Wachman noted that as part of the plan had been to close the Curragh during the redevelopment, Curragh fixtures for late 2009 had been allocated to other courses.  He said that the Turf Club would shortly be meeting with Horse Racing Ireland to discuss these fixtures.

The Naas and District Community Alert are to receive Government funding of €4,200 according to local Fianna Fail TD Áine Brady.

“This funding is vital for the Naas and District Community Alert in their work to support older people in the community.”

“This funding comes from the Community Support for Older People Scheme which is administered by the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.”

“The funding will be used to improve the security of older people in their homes with grants available towards the costs of installing socially monitored alarm systems, security lighting, window locks, door locks, door chains and smoke alarms.”

“These extra security measures can often make the difference in older people remaining in their own homes and at the heart of their communities.”

“I would like to congratulate the workers and volunteers of Naas and District Community Alert for their hard work and dedication,” concluded Deputy Brady.

Local Fianna Fail TD, Seán Ó Feargháil, has welcomed a funding boost for Kildare under the largest ever Rural Development Programme.
“Cill Dara ar Aghaidh Teo will receive €12,282,448 from the Department of Community, Rural, Gaeltacht Affairs.”

“The funding is channelled through the Cill Dara ar Aghaidh Teo to support and facilitate the development of local rural communities.”

“They will distribute funding to local community groups for non-agricultural activities, supporting business creation, to encourage tourism, develop services for the rural population, renew and develop villages, to upgrade and conserve rural heritage and to provide training.”

“The projects will begin in November.”

“Under the Rural Development Programme, funding of €425.4 million will be provided to support rural communities, 55% from the European Union and 45% from the Exchequer.”

“This is almost treble the amount available in the last Programme (2000-2006), and the largest ever package for rural development.”

“Funding from the Rural Development Programme is vital if we are to develop and maintain vibrant rural communities.”

“This practical assistance ensures that the funding is going directly to those groups and communities who need it most.”

“I would like to wish all of those workers and volunteers who will benefit from the funding all the best in their work,” concluded Deputy Ó Feargháil.

Funding of €100,000 has been allocated by Clane Area Councillors and Kildare County Council to improve the condition of the Irish Heart Foundation’s former Sli na Slainte in Derrinturn, in an effort to get the route reinstated on the foundation’s list of approved walking routes.

The Sli na Slainte was removed from the Irish Heart Foundation’s list of approved routes on it’s website last March after concerns were raised about pedestrian safety.

Cllr Daragh Fitzpatrick has told this paper that the 4 Clane Area Councillors, himself, Cllr Liam Doyle (FF), Cllr Brendan Weld (FG) and Cllr Tony McEvoy (Ind), had approved  the combined use of €60,000 from their Discretionary Funds to meet the cost of the works.  The additional €40,000 is being provided by Kildare County Council.

The Clane Area Councillors are committed to seeing the route reinstated by the Irish Heart Foundation. Walking is enjoyable, the whole family can take part, and it is a great way to keep fit and enjoy our lovely countryside, added Cllr Fitzpatrick.

The 'Jondol Furniture' Junior Rallycross Championship continued its impressive growth as Ireland's top Motorsport feeder class, with a grid of thirteen cars for round three of the 08/09 championship. The Junior Rallycross series is open to fourteen to sixteen year olds driving near standard cars of up to 1000cc and is designed to give young drivers an inexpensive way to get involved in motorsport prior to graduating to the full rallycross championship.

Mondello's latest round took place on Sunday November 2nd and proved to be another exciting advertisement for this relatively new initiative. The first run of heats saw English visitor Daniel O'Brien take fastest time by less than a second from Naas racer John Quinn Jnr. These two had a three second advantage over Patrick Donoghue from Drumree who was a further second ahead of fellow Meath resident Aaron Clarke.

In the second runs it was again championship leader O'Brien out front and this time his unusually comfortable six second victory was enough to secure pole position for the final. Second to fourth places were fought out between a very tight bunch of drivers with Padraig Leeson from Prosperous, ahead of Donoghue, Quinn and Ulster's top representative Mark Francis.

A driver's best two results from three runs are counted to decide the grid but even though he had the top starting position secured O'Brien went out again for the third heats to achieve a whitewash. Heat three saw him three seconds up on Mark Francis while the next four drivers Eamonn Blake (Blessington), Quinn, Leeson and Sam Kinirons (Naas) were covered by just 0.7 of a second.

On a very competitive day Kinirons was the only one of the top championship contenders to miss out on direct qualifying for the final and he was left to try and take the last qualifying position as 'B' Final winner. This he did from pole position despite the close attentions of Dundalk's Paul McArdle to join the seven direct qualifiers in the main race of the day.

The final saw O'Brien joined on the front row of the grid by Leeson and Quinn. Donoghue and Francis made up row two while the last row was filled by Blake, Clarke and Kinirons.

Away from the lights O'Brien held off Quinn and the fast starting O'Donoghue to lead the first of four laps. Quinn tried his best to keep with the flying English driver's Mini but could not keep up with the reigning British Champions pace. Behind the leading duo O'Donoghue, Leeson and Francis were involved in a battle over third place. Francis took the place on the first lap with Leeson following him past O'Donoghue. Two laps later Leeson got by Francis and the finishing order was settled.

O'Brien cruised a two second win over Quinn who was four seconds up on the third placed battle between Leeson and Francis while O'Donoghue faded away in fifth ahead of Eamonn Blake and Aaron Clarke who swapped places on the final lap and crossed the line together well clear of Kinirons.

O'Brien now heads the Jondol Championship following the first three rounds with Quinn lying second from Leeson and Kinirons. The final round of 2008 takes place at Mondello Park in two weeks time before the championship takes a break until February. The final three races will then follow over a six week period in February and March.

NUI Maynooth has announced the appointment of Dublin native, Dr Martin Curley, Global Director of IT Innovation and Research at Intel, as a Professor to the University. Dr. Curley brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in the IT sector and his appointment further strengthens NUI Maynooth’s place at the forefront of University-Industry collaboration in Europe.

The University also announced that world renowned finance Professor Gregory Connor, has joined the Economics, Finance and Accounting Department of the University from the London School of Economics where he was a Professor of Finance for over six years.

As Professor of Technology and Business Innovation Dr Curley will lead advanced research in the area of IT Innovation and entrepreneurship, working to improve predictability, probability and profitability from IT Innovation investments. Dr Curley has an extensive body of work in this area and has published a number of books on the subject including “Deploying IT for Business Value” and “Managing Information Technology for Business Value”. He has also given more than 100 lectures on all five continents on the subject.

In his current role at Intel, Dr Curley is responsible for the development and adoption of emerging technologies and Innovation Practice in support of new business solutions. Previously he has held IT engineering and senior management positions at General Electric and Philips.

Dr Curley was earlier today awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (Arts) by NUI Maynooth for his thesis, “The IT-CMF, a theory for continuously improving the value delivered from IT capability”. He has a degree in Electronic Engineering and a Masters in Business Studies from University College Dublin.

Professor Gregory Connor is one of the world’s foremost academics in the area of risk management systems and portfolio risk management and has joined the Economics, Finance and Accounting Department of the University. He has previously been the Director of Research at BARRA Inc. and was Assistant Professor of Finance at the University of California at Berkley and at Northwestern University.

NUI Maynooth President Professor John Hughes said, “Dr Curley and Professor Connor are recognised as the leading thinkers in their fields. Their additions will continue the commitment of this University to bringing in the best and most respected individuals to carry out research and help our students prepare for their future careers. NUI Maynooth is committed to providing a first class education to all who attend our university”.

NUI Maynooth and Intel already have strong established links through the Innovation Value Institute (IVI), of which Dr Curley is a Co-Director. IVI was set up in 2006 as a partnership between the college and the Intel Information Technology Innovation Centre in Leixlip. It is a multi-disciplinary research and education institute which develops frameworks to help organisations achieve sustainable economic value from IT and to quantify and understand the true business value of strategic IT investments. Among the companies currently working with IVI to inform their own IT investments and those of their clients are Intel, Chevron, The Boston Consulting Group, ESB and Ernst &Young.

Originating in 1795, NUI Maynooth is Ireland’s second oldest university. The university has seen significant growth over the last decade – from 3,400 students in 1997 to 8,400 registered students in 2007. Current CAO figures show that NUI Maynooth is Irelands fastest growing University for the second year running. NUI Maynooth has been awarded University of the Year 2008 by the Sunday Times University Guide and is ranked 4th in the overall league of Irish Universities by the Sunday Times.