County Kildare News

Invitation to Sensational Kids Flora Women's Mini Marathon Information Evening

Sensational Kids would like to invite anybody who is interested in participating in this year’s Flora Women's Mini Marathon to their new occupational therapy centre in Kildare town on Wednesday 8th April at 8pm for an information evening, where you will have the chance to view the new facilities on offer to children with special needs at the new Sensational Kids Therapy Centre.

Sensational Kids have a very special package for those participating in this years Flora Women's Mini Marathon to raise funds for this local charity that provides services for children with special needs. As well as brand new sponsorship cards and t-shirts, participants who are raising funds for Sensational Kids will receive free assistance relating to fitness and nutritional advice regarding their training for the event from Brendan Murphy, Advanced personal fitness trainer & Nutritional therapist. "I hope people will encourage their friends to come along too. If we can gather a number of people we will be happy to provide a bus on the day for all those participating! It will be a great day out in aid of a local charity that helps children with special needs" said Karen Leigh, from Sensational Kids.

This years Flora Women's Mini Marathon will taken place in Dublin on Bank Holiday Monday 1st June. Entry Forms are available in the Evening Herald every Wednesday and Saturday. The closing date for entries is 21st April.

Anybody interested in attending the Sensational Kids Information Evening on Wednesday 8th April should register their attendance with Sensational Kids by phoning  045 520900 or emailing info@sensationalkids.ie

If you cannot make it to the information evening but would like to participate in the mini marathon please contact Sensational Kids for a Sponsorship Pack.

Help With Parenting Your Child With Special Needs

Sensational Kids, a charity that provides occupational therapy services for children with special needs, is running a six week parenting skills course. By taking part in the course, participants will learn parenting skills, that will enhance their relationship with their child, reduce their stress levels and help them feel happy and confident about their parenting. They will also learn tools and techniques that will help to sustain themselves over the years of high demands on their parenting.

This course is based on facilitating parents in a supportive environment to find the best way for them to parent their special child and will be facilities by Jennifer Little who is herself a Parent of a child with special needs, a Teacher & a Life Coach. According to Jennifer "Parenting a child with special needs is rewarding but it’s also exhausting and demoralising at times. Your child needs you so much but there is a limit to your energy, resources and patience.Where do you find the inspiration and the support to keep going?" Jennifer explains how her parenting course can help: “Parents of children with special needs do their very best but still have a feeling that they are not doing enough! Given time and opportunity on the course, parents are able to look at their own situation and see what’s working and what isn’t.This makes it easier to see what they need to do next and what makes sense in their situation.”

The course will be run at the Sensational Kids Centre in Kildare town and will commence on Wednesday 22nd April and run for six weeks until Wednesday 27th May. There are both morning & evening sessions available - the morning option runs from 10am until 12 noon and the evening option is from 7.30pm until 9.30pm.

"We are really looking forward to the Sensational Parents course," said Karen Leigh from Sensational Kids, who founded the charity along with other parents who have children with special needs. "It will provide parents who have children with special needs with an opportunity to meet other parents who are in a similar situation."

A brochure for this course, and all the other Sensational Kids workshops, can be downloaded  from the Sensational Kids website www.sensationalkids.ie under the Workshops category. Phone Sensational Kids on 045 520900 / 045 521160 for more details or to book.

Please note that the maximum number of participants on this course is seven so early booking is advised.

The Arts Service of Kildare County Council is delighted to announce the 2009 roll out of the subsidised Arts in Education initiative ‘If I had an Artist for a Day ….’ 

This innovative programme for primary schools in Kildare uses digital tools such as photography, projection and film but also traditional visual art materials, musical instruments and drama.

The programme aims are to actively involve children in creatively investigating their situations and surroundings. All workshops are designed and delivered by ‘working artists’, providing an opportunity for children to meet with professional practitioners.

But it’s not all work! We want children to have fun, to enjoy working as part of a team, while learning new skills through engaging, challenging and entertaining arts experiences. Workshops are process led - there is making and doing as well as listening and viewing!

Further details on the Arts Service website

Kildare homeowners can now apply for new insulation grants according to local Fianna Fail TD Seán Ó Feargháil. Already more than 75,000 homeowners nationwide have expressed their interest in the grants scheme.  

“The Government has provided €100 million for those seeking to make their homes more energy efficient.  The grants will be provided under two different schemes.  The Home Energy Saving Scheme is for private, middle income homes and will provide funding for people to install roof insulation, cavity wall insulation, internal wall insulation, external wall insulation, high efficiency boiler plus heating control upgrade and a heating control upgrade.”  

“The Warmer Homes Scheme is part of the Low Income Housing Programme and is aimed at those on low incomes or a social welfare allowance.  This programme provides for the install of energy efficiency measures in low income and local authority housing through community based organisations.  Energy efficiency improvements include upgrading the fabric of the building with attic insulation, cavity wall insulation, draught proofing and providing lagging jackets.”  

“Any Kildare homeowners who are interested in applying for these grants should be aware that applications will now be accepted.  There has been a huge amount of interest in the scheme and I would encourage anyone who would like to apply for a grant to do so at the earliest opportunity.”

“I’m not surprised that there has been such interest in this programme given the cost savings and environmental benefits. It is estimated that savings of as much as €700 a year can be made on household heating bills alone with the right energy efficiency measures in place.”

“Anyone interested in the schemes can apply online or get further information at www.sei.ie/Grants/Home_Energy_Saving_Scheme/ or by phoning 1850 927 000,” concluded Deputy Ó Feargháil.

As part of their remit to publish primary and secondary research material on the Internet, Kildare Library and Arts Service have added a new database of Kildare Townlands to their website. 

The aim, as with all other online resources, is to encourage people to engage in local history and genealogy as well as increasing accessibility to the fabulous Irish, Local and Archival collections in Kildare County Library.

It is hoped that material such as this will prove to be an invaluable resource for local historians, researchers, third level students, school children and anyone interested in the rich and varied history of the County of Kildare.

The new townlands index is available at www.kildare.ie/library/townlands

A list of links to some of the other online historical resources provided by Kildare County Library is available at www.kildare.ie/library/localstudies/local-studies-department.asp#resources

Blood Donation Clinics will be available in County Kildare at the following times and places in April 2009.

Leixlip Clinic
Venue: San Carlo Senior School, Confey
Date: 6th April 2009
Times: 2:30pm - 4:45pm & 7:00pm - 9:30pm

Athy Clinic
Venue: Church of Ireland Hall
Date: 6th & 7th April 2009
Times: 4:30pm - 8:30pm

Newbridge Clinic
Venue: Holy Family Secondary School
Date: 8th & 9th April 2009
Times: 4:30pm - 8:30pm
Recruitment for the bone marrow registry at this clinic.

Clane Clinic
Venue: GAA Hall, Prosperous Road
Date: 28th April 2009
Times: 3:00pm - 4:45pm & 7:00pm - 9:30pm
Platelet donor recruitment nurse will be present at this clinic.

A collection of Comic/Nonsense Verse, 'Please Do Not Encourage This Nonsense by Purchasing This Book: Poems By Paul H. Tubb'

(ISBN:  1-4251-8986-5), is now available to purchase at

 http://www.trafford.com/08-1436, and in time at other book vendors.
 
Described as, 23 Poems Not about Football, 11 that are about Football and 5 limericks. Paul Tubb has put these together, with some illustrations, into a handy book form so that they can be read at anyone’s leisure. Funny Rhyming poems that will delight Children of all ages. Poems about subjects such as Strange Christmas’s, Tone Deaf Dentists and the worlds worst stuntman among others.
 
Paul is proud and pleased to have this collection on sale,  these poems have already been read to, and appreciated by, many children in Ireland and he looks forward to hopefully, being read by many more.

Athy Heritage Centre & Museum & Kildare Library and Arts Services present:

Book Launch: ‘The Annals of Ballitore’

On Tuesday, 31 March 2009 At  8 pm  in Athy Heritage Centre & Museum

To be Officially  launched By John MacKenna

A diary and social commentary of life in Ireland and the village of Ballitore 1799-1824

This modern edition of ‘The Annals of Ballitore’ by Mary Leadbeater (1758-1826) is a compilation of the original two editions of the ‘Annals’ published in 1862 with the  addition of a description of the village of Ballitore in 1766, from the manuscript, never before published. The little-known recollection of ‘Ballitore & Its Inhabitants Seventy Years Ago,’ by Betsy Shackleton (1783-1843), Mary Leadbeater’s niece, has been included, together with the full list of over 1800 pupils enrolled through the 110 years (1726-1836) of the famous school at Ballitore.

Read about:    

• the wars with America and France 
• the bone –setters and shoe-maker surgeons 
• blacksmiths masquerading as dentists 
• great houses, nobility and gentry; of poverty, scarcity and hardship
• the Rebellion of 1798 -day by day-blow by blow

 A world made interesting by ‘news’ brought by mail coaches, messengers and all manner of visitors, high and low to the village of Ballitore. It is a world of love and romance, of Faith and hope but also a hard reactive world of crime and punishment: of cruelty, imprisonment and death; of civil strife and the day-by-day unfolding of the Rebellion of 1798; of intrigue, military excesses, rebellion and reaction. The accounts are poignant, moving, humorous, charming and sad, sometimes intensely so.

Contact: Margaret Walsh. Manager, Athy Heritage Centre & Museum, The Town Hall, Emily  Square, Athy Co. Kildare.

Phone:- 00353 (0)598633075     Email:-    athyheritage@eircom.net

Web:-    http://www.athyheritagecentre-museum.ie/

Kildare businesses will benefit from a new EU wide recovery plan agreed by European leaders including the Taoiseach, Brian Cowen and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin, according to local Fianna Fáil TD and Government Convenor of the Oireachtas Enterprise Committee, Michael Fitzpatrick.

"Ireland has emerged as a major winner in a EUR5 billion recovery plan. The new plan will deliver cheaper, cleaner power to Kildare, improve broadband access and protect jobs."

 "The EU will provide EUR110 million for an electricity inter-connector between Ireland and Wales, this will open up the energy market for businesses in Kildare and across the country. This will open up the market by reducing the need for gas imports to fuel our power stations"

 "Ireland will also get funding to improve broadband in communities across Kildare. Securing high speed internet access will ensure that businesses in our communities will be able to compete with any other location in the EU for new industry."

 "This package is a clear example of the direct benefit Kildare and Ireland receives by being at the heart of Europe. My colleagues the Taoiseach and Minister Martin are working to ensure we continue to have a central role in Europe so as we can continue benefiting from investments and supports such as this. By working together the EU will be ensure the best outcome for our peoples during this time of economic uncertainty.

 "Over the coming weeks both men will be working to help secure the strongest possible guarantees to address the concerns of voters in Kildare about the Lisbon Treaty. Minister Martin assures me that the Government's priority is to get robust guarantees to address issues such as neutrality, taxes and workers rights."

 "The Government remains on track to secure those guarantees by the middle of the year."

 "I will be remaining in close contact with both the Taoiseach and the Foreign Affairs Minister during this period to ensure that concerns of people in Kildare are addressed before we vote in a new referendum," concluded Deputy Fitzpatrick.

Become a qualified IT Tutor in just 24 weeks, and have the certification to prove it!
 
300Euro Booking Deposit, followed by as little as 44Euro weekly installments.

Training takes place at:

Forus Training,
Forus House,
Dublin Road,
Naas,
Co. Kildare.

Limited Places Available ~ Book Now! 

Call 045 901509 Today

www.forustraining.ie

Leixlip Town Council invites nominations for its annual Civic Awards.

The nomination may be for someone who is a good neighbour, someone who works hard in a voluntary capacity, or someone who excelled at sport.

There are six categories:

• cultural,
• sporting,
• young person,
• social,
• business and
• non-resident.

The award scheme is to promote and foster a community spirit in Leixlip. The purpose of the awards is to recognise and honour a contribution to the community in Leixlip and/or exceptional achievement in any of the categories.

The town council will host a civic awards night on 8 May 2009 in Leixlip House Hotel.

Application forms can be got by phoning the Town Council offices at 01 6245777.

Alternatively you can download the civic awards nomination form here.

Nominations must be returned to the Town Clerk, Siobhán Barry, Newtown House, Captain’s Hill, Leixlip on or before 2nd April 2009.

The Moat Club presents The House of Bernarda Alba by Federico Garcia Lorca, directed by Anne Mekitarian.  Lorca's masterpiece about life in an Andalusian family homestead for a family of five daughters and their overbearing mother recently widowed, is filled with the tension arising from repressed emotions and passions, which inevitably erupt.

Tuesday 31st March to Saturday 4th April, nightly at 8pm.  The Moat Theatre, Naas, Co Kildare.  Tickets €15 from 045 883030

For more information, visit the Moat Theatre website

The excitement continues to build as the first Mondello Masters of the ’09 season approaches. With twenty six of Irish motorcycle racings’ top names already confirmed, the battle to grab some of the events’ €6,500 prize fund will be one of the most intense yet seen at the Co. Kildare circuit.

Organised by the Leinster Motor Club the race meeting kicks into gear on Saturday with qualifying and racing for the first Irish Superbike Championship rounds of the season. The fastest ten riders from the Superbike and Supersport races will then be given the opportunity to join the invited riders for Sunday’s single ‘Mondello Masters’ qualifying session. The thirty six invited riders will then compete in qualifying on Sunday morning to earn one of the coveted thirty places on the grid for Sunday afternoon’s 'Masters' race.

Promoted by Mondello Park, with the assistance of Motorcycling Ireland’s Short Circuit Committee, The ‘Mondello Masters’ is designed to attract the biggest names in Irish Motorcycle Racing, backed up by occasional overseas entries, in order to create a highly spectator friendly event. The Masters succeeded in attracting the biggest crowds to attend Mondello for an ISB race meeting in many years, at the final event of ’08, and with a highly attractive entry list an even bigger crowd is expected for this weekends races. To add to the excitement most of the Masters entries will warm up for the big money race by taking in the concurrent Irish Superbike and Supersport races which will run over Saturday and Sunday.

In addition to the winners purse of €3,000 and significant prize money being paid down to sixth place, new for 2009 is the introduction of a €250 reward for the rider who takes pole position and €250 reward for fastest race lap while the bonus for winning two ‘Masters’ races remains at €3,000. Dunlop Tyres continue to support their customers competing in the ‘Masters’ with a full set of tyres going to the first Dunlop rider home, a rear tyre for second and a front for third.

The top five earners from 2008 will all return looking for another piece of the Masters pie. Alastair Seeley’s domination of the results last year came at the expense of second and third highest earners Marshal Neill and Jack Kennedy both of whom expected to finish the series much richer than they eventually did. Fourth in the money list was the ‘Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing’ team, who made two trips to Mondello last season and were disappointed not to take a stronger challenge to Seeley. Fifth was Declan Swanton who produced a fantastic giant killing act with his Supersport machine to take second place at the first ever Masters. One man who was extremely disappointed with his ’08 showing was Brian McCormack and the reigning ISB champion returns this year as part of BSB Team ‘Malcolm Ashley Racing’, who are the first English based team to challenge for the ‘Masters’.

As attracting spectators is the prime motivation behind Mondello Park’s Masters initiative, the circuit have put a number of measures in place to ensure that those attending get the best value for money in Irish racing. To improve viewing and the amount of racing which takes place in full view of spectators, the event will run on the Mondello Park national track. This will allow the number of laps to be increased to fifteen while creating closer racing on a circuit which suits the less powerful Supersport machinery being run by many of the field.

Admission to the event is just €15 for Adults or €25 for a rider and pillion passenger, and this price includes free admission to the grandstand and paddock and a free event programme. The Masters race is scheduled for 16:00 on Sunday at which time competitors will have their championship races completed and will be able to concentrate solely on the big race.

Ladbrokes have agreed to sponsor the National Stakes. The €250,000 race is Ireland’s premier race for 2 year olds and will take place on Saturday 12th September as part of a “Super Saturday” programme which features The Irish Field St Leger.
 
First run in 1849, the impressive list of previous winners of the Group 1 contest include New Approach, Teofilo, George Washington, Sinndarr, Danehill Dancer, El Gran Senor,  Roberto and Sir Ivor, while 2008 winner Mastercraftsman was crowed Champion 2 year old of Europe following his hard fought victory in the race last year.
 
Joe Lewins, Managing Director of Ladbrokes Ireland commented, “We are delighted with the opportunity to continue our long-standing relationship with The Curragh Racecourse and to further expand our sponsorship portfolio to include the prestigious National Stakes. This sponsorship deal serves a dual purpose for us, as it allows us to continue our support of the racing industry in 2009, and to further compliment our association with quality Irish racing at The Curragh”
  
Ladbrokes, who manage the on course betting shop at the Co. Kildare venue, will also continue to sponsor the Rockingham Handicap taking place on Sunday 12th July.
 
“The Curragh has enjoyed a very good association with Ladbrokes in the past and I am delighted that they have agreed to upgrade their sponsorship by supporting one of our major races of the year,” said racecourse General Manager Paul Hensey.
 

Leaving and Junior cert students in Kildare and across the country can now avail of Mocks.ie, a new online exam and correction service developed to help students prepare for their exams.

The first service of its kind in Europe, Mocks.ie is a new online learning and examining tool that enables students to sit exams online, and to submit them for correction by fully qualified teachers.  The service aims to be an affordable way for students to self assess and improve their technique, timing and performance through continuous examination.

Mocks.ie is the brainchild of Ailish and Eoghain Ryan and David Collins, three engineers from Galway.  The trio developed the revolutionary service after a culmination of five years research in the e-learning and online examination business.

The service allows students to sit exam papers by choosing either a past paper, randomly generated paper or a paper by topic.  “The system is simple and easy to use, the student basically logs on to Mocks.ie, sets up an account, chooses their paper, sits the exam, submits the paper and waits for their result” explains Ms. Ryan.  All maths results are given instantly and in addition Mocks.ie provides pupils with a breakdown of blunders and slips and provides solutions to all questions examined. For all other subjects, pupils receive their results and a report card indicating areas of strength and weakness within a week.  All marking is carried out by fully qualified teachers who have years of combined teaching and marking experience.

Almost 4,500 students in Kildare sat the Leaving and Junior Cert examinations last year. Now with Mocks.ie, students have an easy and effective way of ensuring they are ready for their exams. For just €40 students can sit as many Maths papers as they like for a full month. Prices for all other subjects start at just €13.95 so students can choose to take as many online Mock Exams as they wish to ensure they are fully prepared for their Leaving & Junior Cert exams.  With 24/7 access online, loads of exams tips and a points calculator available, mocks.ie is a godsend for exam students.

Both Ailish and her brother Eoghain hold a BE from NUIG, and a Masters from University Of Ulster, Jordanstown.  They set up Ryan & Associates engineering company in 2006.  The three combined their knowledge to set up Mocks.ie when they discovered a niche in the market for such a service. 

For more information, see www.mocks.ie

An impressive line-up of Ireland’s top riders and teams will line-up at Mondello Park next Sunday for the first of this seasons two Mondello Masters races. More than twenty top riders have been confirmed for the race, which takes place on Sunday 22nd March, with a further ten spots in qualifying still available. The two day event also includes a full Irish Superbike Championship and support race programme.

Last seasons undoubted Mondello Master, Alastair Seeley, returns with his eye on snapping up the top prize once again. Seeley won all three races last year, while setting an ISB lap record on the full international track and an outright lap record on the national circuit, the same track which will be used for both ‘Masters’ events this season. All of the top names will be back to try and stop Seeley with, British Superbike support series riders Jack Kennedy, Brian McCormack and Marty Nutt and last season’s closest rival to Seeley on the National circuit, Marshall Neil, all in the hunt.

Adding an international flavour to the event will be two teams from the British Superbike paddock, TAS and MAR. Top Ulster team TAS will bring their Relentless Suzuki’s back to the circuit to try and make up for their defeats at the hands of Seeley last season. Ian Lowry will have his second run at Mondello on a TAS Superbike while BJ Toal will back him up on a Superstock machine. Malcolm Ashley’s team MAR, will run Brian McCormack on their BSB privateers cup machine with the reigning ISB champion looking to make up for his disappointment at not defeating Seeley during the Masters series last year.

Top road racer Keith Amor will be another overseas visitor with the Scot hoping to finally make it on track at the Masters following machinery problems at Mondello on his last visit. Road racing will also be represented by Michael Dunlop on the Street Sweep Supersport machine and he will have his team mate Mark Lunney alongside him.

Other Masters regulars from last season Declan Swanton, Denver Robb and Rory Clarke will be joined by fellow ISB stars James Dickson, Kirk Jamison and Gerard Kingham and all of these could be in contention for a podium finish, with Swanton in particular the one to watch out for if the circuit is wet. Two more ex-BSB support riders, Paul Barron and Mark Pollock are also making their Mondello return at the event on Supersport machines.

This seasons Masters series will be a very attractive one for spectators, not only due to the quality and the quantity of entries being received. The event represents fantastic value for money with single admission being kept at the regular race event level of €15.00 with a reduction to €25.00 for a rider and pillion passenger. In addition racing will take place on the National circuit which offers better spectating, more laps and closer racing and both events will be part of an ISB round so there will be plenty of on-track action. For the Masters race the difference between the faster Superbikes and the Supersport machinery will be reduced due to the tight and technical nature of the track which should improve the show still further over last season. The grid interviews, guest commentators and post race podium presentations will continue as per last year in what will be the biggest Short Circuit Motorcycle Race event of the season.

Friday, 20th March @ 8pm, in Lumville House, The Curragh.

Specialist speakers will be discussing legal & care issues connected with Alzheimer Disease.

Issues for discussion will include: Making a will, Probate, Enduring Power of Attorney, Respite and Long Term Care, Carers Allowance, Respite Packages  etc.

Speakers will include: Sean Power, Minister for State plus representatives from Social Welfare, the Legal Profession plus a Clinical Nurse Manager for Dementia.

Further information is available from Mary Bolger, Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Athy on Tel No: (059) 863 2906 and Email: asiathy@alzheimer.ie.

www.alzheimer.ie

Kildare farmers in receipt of the Single Farm Payment are set to benefit from a refund in respect of Modulation according to local Fianna Fail TD Seán Ó Feargháil.

“The Minister for Agriculture, Brendan Smith TD has announced that payment of refunds worth in excess of €24 million to over 122,000 farmers around the country will begin this week.”

“Over 2,200 farmers in Kildare should benefit.”

“Kildare farmers are not liable for modulation reduction on the first €5,000 of their Single Farm Payment but EU rules compel the Department of Agriculture to make the reduction and then to make a refund later.”

“This has led to unnecessary additional red tape and has had a negative impact on cashflow. Minister Smith recognised this and had pushed for change. Under the recently concluded Health Check negotiations the Department will not longer be required to make deductions for Modulation in respect to the first €5,000 of the Single Payment.”

“I know that this change will be welcomed by Kildare farmers,” concluded Deputy Ó Feargháil.

Getting the Mondello Park car race season under way at an earlier date than usual will be this Sunday’s ten race programme organised by the County Kildare Motor Club. The event features a varied mixture of single seater, saloon, Sportscar and historic action with something on the programme to suit all tastes.

If you prefer you’re racing with open wheels then the Formula Vee and Formula Ford encounters are sure to impress. The usual full grid of Vee’s will race twice over the course of the day with a qualifying race, which will decide the grid positions for the final, kicking off the days action. Following the Formula Vee final later in the day the Formula Ford’s will make their single appearance, to round out the single seater races.

Sportscar racing will be represented by a double header for the Stryker’s which have become one of the most entertaining series since their switch to more powerful 1800cc engines a couple of years ago. The class has made a change for this year to Yokohama tyres and lap times are expected to drop significantly making this class one of the ones to watch this season.

The Saloon action will be provided by two races for the ‘Saloon Car Challenge’ which kicks off its second season with a double header while a combined grid Fiat Punto’s and Uno’s will have a single race race. The Historic grid will feature the usual variety with everything from Jackie Cochrane’s mighty 4700 cc Sunbeam Tiger to Leo Nulty’s, ex David Hall 998cc Modified Saloon Imp.

The event kicks off with qualifying from 9:30. Racing commences with the Formula Vee qualifier at 11:30 and finishes off with the second saloon challenge race at 17:00. For further information see www.mondellopark.ie or to keep up to date with news of events at Mondello Park subscribe to the circuit’s free text and email alerts service at www.mondellopark.ie/alerts.

Event Details
Sunday March 15thMI Championship Race Meeting
Mondello Park, Naas, County Kildare
Practice commences at 09.30
Races start at 11:30
Adult admission €15, accompanied under 16s free.
Family Admission €25

Growth in students applying to Science, Engineering and Computer Science Courses

CAO application figures received by NUI Maynooth this week show that the number of students who nominated NUI Maynooth as their first choice for university has grown for the third year in a row.

While recently launched degrees in Law and Arts, Business and Law, and Product Design remain popular, NUI Maynooth has seen strong growth in the number of students applying to study Science, Computing and Engineering.

Commenting on the figures, Mr. John McGinnity Assistant Registrar said: “We are pleased with the reaction to our science, computing and engineering offerings – a positive sign, given recent industry calls for more graduates in these areas. Coming on the back of the strong growth achieved over the last 2 years, this is continued recognition of the world class academic staff and courses here at NUI Maynooth which are attracting great interest.

He continued: “Our objective at NUI Maynooth is to provide the range and quality of degrees that students want and to ensure they have a great personal experience on campus while studying here with us.”

Castletown House and CHC at the West Wing restaurant will re-open for the Summer Season on Saturday the 14th of March 2009.

To celebrate our re-opening and also to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day come and join us on Tuesday the 17th of March for the following fun activities, where all the family are welcome:

12.30 – 2.30pm  Enjoy traditional music from “Push for Porter” who will provide 'craic agus ceol' for all the family during our pre-parade concert.
12.30 – 2.30pm Story telling – West Wing.
12.30 – 2.30pm Face Painting -  West Wing.

For more information on tours or events in Castletown House please contact 01-628 8252

For restaurant enquiries and bookings please contact 01-627 9498 or e-mail chcatthewestwing@gmail.com

Hewlett Packard have announced the creation of 500 new jobs at their plant in Leixlip.

“At a time when the economy is contracting it is very encouraging that these jobs are coming to north Kildare.”, said local Fianna Fail TD Michael Fitzpatrick.

“These jobs are high quality and are a reflection on the local workforce.”

“I know that the Government, in particular the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise and the IDA are working hard to secure all possible investment for Ireland. It is not easy with the global economic downturn but it is a statement of confidence in Ireland and north Kildare that HP have expanded here. I am sure that our local workforce, combined with excellent local road and rail network would have been a positive influence on their decision.”

Fianna Fail TD for Kildare North Áine Brady has also welcomed the news.

“This is great news for the local people and also for local businesses that will see the knock on effect of new people employed locally.”

“I am delighted that the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan TD and the IDA have been successful in securing these jobs for north Kildare. At a time of severe economic downturn and loss of jobs it is encouraging to see that investment can be generated and new jobs can be created.”

“The 500 jobs will be created over the next 12 months in the areas of technical support, R&D and training. Recruitment for 300 positions will begin immediately.”

“HP have stated that they chose Ireland for expansion because of access to a highly skilled workforce and I know that HP will not be disappointed.”

"North Kildare has had a long and successful relationship with HP and they invested more than half a billion euro in the site in Co. Kildare, expanding their operations to include their sales and services division, their financial services, the ink-jet supplies manufacturing and the Global Service Desk Operation."

“I would like to wish HP every success with their endeavour and their continuing investment in north Kildare,” concluded Deputy Brady.

The Government Convenor of the Oireachtas Enterprise Committee and Fianna Fail TD for Kildare North, Michael Fitzpatrick, has welcomed the announcement by An Taoiseach that steps are to be taken to assist the enterprise sector.

“An Taoiseach has announced that each County Council will establish a ‘Business Support Unit’ as a point of contact to ensure a quick, co-ordinated response to businesses when dealing with local authorities.”

“An Tanaiste will meet with local authority managers shortly with the Minister for the Environment to discuss how they can increase their level of support to start-up enterprises and how conditions for running businesses can be improved locally.”

“I hear from local businesses in Kildare and beyond that cash flow is a major problem for them. In response to this, the Minister will shortly announce a number of improvements to reduce regulatory burdens to local small and medium enterprises. The Government is committing to reducing the payment period for businesses from Central Government from 30 to 15 days. This may be extended to the local authority, health and education sectors depending on the results of an assessment at the end of April.”

“Details of additional measures will be announced shortly.”

“It is vital that every practical support possible is given to the small business sector. They form a vital part of our economy and are valuable employers. In these tough economic times we must try to protect and promote small enterprise,” concluded Deputy Fitzpatrick.

The Jondol Junior Rallycross championship reached its climax at Mondello Park on Sunday with Daniel O’Brien crowned champion, despite not competing, and local driver Padraig Leeson taking his first win of the season with his Nissan Micra.

The day had started with a very slippery track thanks to a short but heavy snow fall. Thankfully the Junior Drivers did not get the worst of the conditions however, as a number of other heats had run prior to their hitting the track, clearing away the worst of the conditions. The fastest five runners from the first round of heats all came from heat two which was run later in the programme in slightly more favourable conditions. Bunclody’s Darragh Morris took his first ever win in Heat One holding off regular front runner Co. Down’s Mark Francis, with the two Micra drivers crossing the line side by side. In Heat Two Carlow’s Seamus Curran took the win ahead of Eamonn Blake from Blessington with Bradley Bailey the first of the UK visitors in third place. The star of the previous event Simon Quinn could only manage fifth place after an off while leading.

The second run saw the Micra of Prosperous driver Padraig Leeson move to the front of the first heat ahead of the Mini of Sam Kinirons, from Naas, and Mark Francis. Heat two was again the quicker putting race winner Bailey on top of the pile ahead of Quinn in a Mini one-two. Third placed Micra driver Paul McArdle from Dundalk also was within a second of the winner at the flag, in one of the closest finishes of the day, and slotted in ahead of Leeson to take third overall.

Mark Francis really upped his game in the final run to take Heat One but despite setting a time ten seconds quicker than his previous best, finished second to Quinn in the overall times. Francis had finished well clear of Leeson and Sam Kinirons in an unusually spread out Heat One, but in Heat Two Quinn got a similar break and with a clear track was able to pip Francis to fastest time of the day and take pole position for the ‘A’ Final.

The six car ‘B’ Final was won by Sam Kinirons with his Mini ahead of the improving Darragh Morris. Back in third and fourth place were the unusually off-song Patrick Donoghue, with his Mini, and Andrew Patterson, who had shown so well previously with a Micra, and was now struggling with his newly acquired Mini. Kinirons win gave him the final slot on the ‘A’ Final grid which lined up with Quinn on pole, from Bailey and Francis with Leeson and McArdle making up row two.

When the lights turned green Bailey got slightly the better start but Quinn held on through turn one and showing no sign of his in-experience had a healthy lead going into the second lap. A wild slide for the Jondol mini driver saw his lead evaporate and despite gathered the car up brilliantly Quinn now had Padraig Leeson who had come out best in the first lap sort out between himself and front row starters Bailey and Francis, right on his tail. Despite surviving one sideways moment at turn one the leader was off again at the second corner letting Leeson and Paul McArdle through.

Next time through turn one, Quinn once more suffered a high speed slide but despite controlling the brilliantly was unable to hold onto his third place losing the position to Francis. After the race it was discovered that Quinn had a puncture which was causing his handling difficulties so the relative newcomer did well to complete the remainder of the race in fourth place. On the next lap Francis nipped past McArdle as both closed in on Leeson, but they could do nothing about the Kildare driver as he became the first other than Daniel O’Brien to take a win during the current season.

In the championship Leeson secured the runner-up spot from Francis, with Patrick Donoghue fourth and Sam Kinirons fifth. John Quinn Jnr. held on to sixth in the standings despite only competing half a season before moving into the rally car class, where he was Sunday’s ‘A’ final winner. With only three of the seven races completed Simon Quinn still managed tenth in the championship and will now look forward with some confidence to a season competing in the UK Junior Rallycross series.

Learn Yang Style Tai Chi, discover Inner Balance, Well-Being, Health and Fitness.

FREE  Introductory class Thursday 2nd April 8pm - 9.30pm at The Abbey Hall, Clane (see website for Location).

Register on the night for the Course or Pre Register by email to info@wulonghealing.com

 Or contact Brian McDonald 086 3527527

Water Safety Classes & Surf Lifesaving in Naas Swimming Pool

Classes Age 7+, €6 per class

Water Safety session for Juniors (Age 7 to 13) Saturday Evenings New Naas Swimming Pool   5.30pm to 7.00pm

This session will  combine: - Swims & Safety Awards  and Surf Lifesaving  will start Saturday evening March 7th at 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Cost €6, (10% discount if you pay for 10 weeks upfront) Registration for this session will take place on the first night of the course approx 15 mins before the start. 10-week course.  

Water Safety -Basic & Advanced Rescue Techniques, Stroke correction , Simple Water Safety Skills -Threading water , Surface diving, Non-contact and Contact swimming rescues, Basic Life Support.   Surf Lifesaving -Lane Swimming Coaching, Stoke correction, Use of the rescue can and tube, U/water swimming & surface diving, preparation for water safety competitions and surf events such as : Surf race ,Board race ,Relay , Flags, Ironman /Iron woman, Rescue tube, Board rescue, Beach sprint, Ski, Taplin relay   Juniors need to be able to swim without the aid of armbands.

Age 14+, Adults €6 per class

Water Safety session for Seniors (Age 14+), Adults Thursday evening New Naas Swimming Pool   9pm to 10.30pm

This session will  combine: -

Rescue 1,2,3,4 and Surf Lifesaving  will start Thursday evening March 5th at 9.00pm to 10.30pm. Cost €6, (10% discount if you pay for 10 weeks upfront)

Registration for this session will take place on the first night of the course approx 15 mins before the start. 10 week course  

Water Safety -Basic & Advanced Rescue Techniques, Stroke correction , Simple Water Safety Skills -Threading water , Surface diving, Non-contact and Contact swimming rescues, Basic Life Support.   Surf Lifesaving -Lane Swimming Coaching, Stroke correction, Use of the rescue can and tube, U/water swimming & surface diving, preparation for water safety competitions and surf events such as : Surf race ,Board race ,4x90 relay , Flags, Ironman /Iron woman, Rescue tube, Board rescue, 90mt sprint Ski, Taplin relay

Contact: Leo 086 8146261 info@kildarewatersafety.ie

www.kildarewatersafety.ie

Courses are available at Apple Yoga, Garadice, Kilcock.

Sessions take place at 10.20am. Night classes also available 8.30 pm.

The tone of the class is gentle and relaxed and all of babies needs are accommodated. A chance for you to tone while having fun with your baby.

Opportunity at the end of class to connect with other mums over coffee. no yoga experience necessary.

80 Euros for a course of 8 lessons.

For more information contact Deardra Phelan 086 3618348 or email deardraphelan@yahoo.com

PRESENTED BY: ABC Bookkeeping Solutions In association with the Kildare Enterprise Board Women in Business Network

PRESENTER: Naomi Dunleavy, Bsc. Management of Credit

ATTENDEES: Businesswomen in Kildare and Meath running their own business, thinking of starting their own business or interested in entrepreneurship

CONFIRMATION OF ATTENDANCE : Places are limited so attendance should be confirmed by emailing  info@kildareceb.ie for Kildare Venue 

TOPICS COVERED : 

• Definition and elements of cash flow 
• Importance of cash flow and implications of poor cash flow 
• Importance of good record keeping 
• Key to healthy cash flow – Tips on how to improve your cash flow and reduce your bank overdraft

For further details on the Enterprise Board Women in Business initiative, visit http://www.kildareceb.ie/content/view/13/30/

ABC Bookkeeping Solutions are bookkeeping and cash flow specialists, for further details, visit http://www.business-solutions.ie or phone 086 854 1189   or   046 95 49817

VENUE: Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge

Nuala Madigan, Environmental Education Officer with the Irish Peatland Conservation Council, has recently been accepted as a Heritage and School Specialist. 

The Heritage and Schools Scheme is a collaborative programme which is funded by the Heritage Council and administered by the Irish National Teacher’s Organisation (INTO). 

The scheme envisages to generate interest and appreciation of our heritage in primary schools in a practical and teacher-friendly way.  Nuala, who specialises in the wild boglands of Ireland, is available for half day or full day visits to schools. 

The visits are designed to bring bogs to life in the classroom and activities include nature crafts, peatland formation, freshwater invertebrates, peatland flora and fauna and much more. 

A visit to a peatland can also be arranged.  If your school would like more information on the scheme visit www.into.ie or alternatively contact Nuala Madigan at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre on 045-860133 to arrange a visit today.

Contact Details:
Nuala Madigan
Environmental Education Officer
Irish Peatland Conservation Council
Bog of Allen Nature Centre
Lullymore
Rathangan
Co. Kildare
Ireland

Tel: +353 (0)45 860 133
E-mail: bogs@ipcc.ie
www.ipcc.ie

In a major change from its traditional October date the British Rallycross Championship will kick off its 2009 season at Mondello Park this Sunday at the circuit’s final Rallycross event of the 08/09 winter season. While the British drivers will be opening their 2009 campaign the Irish championship will come to an exciting climax with a number of titles still up for grabs.

A healthy twelve car Supercar entry has been received so far by the Co. Kildare Motor Club with the possibility that this could be swelled by additional runners before Sunday’s event. In the modified division the addition of the UK cars has ensured that more than twenty five cars will fight it out for the fifteen available positions in the finals, while in Stockhatch just four overseas entries were required to push this always impressive grid to over the thirty mark.

In the top division, Tyrone’s Derrick Jobb has sown up the championship and will now turn his attention to beating the increased competition provided by the UK visitors and trying to secure the overall Irish title where he currently trails modified division leader Michael Coyne from Naas. The British entry will be led by reigning champion Lawerence Gibson with his Metro 6R4, the Father and son team of Pat and Liam Doran with their Fiesta’s, Welsh man Mike Manning’s Puma, and 2007 Mondello winner Steve Hill with his rare Mitsubishi Supercar. The Irish entry includes runner-up to Jobb in the Irish Supercar division, Eddie Kinirons, who will return with his Focus after a couple of events with his Rally-spec Celica, and Tommy Graham who is aiming to finally debut his new Fiesta.

In the modified division The UK visitors will have their work cut out to beat local hot-shoes Michael Coyne and his brother Willie. The two Vauxhall Nova drivers have been so quick this season that they currently lead the overall Irish championship. Unfortunately for Willie after the mandatory discounting of each drivers lowest score he drops from the top spot down to third behind Michael and Derrick Jobb. In their own division however the Coynes are virtually guaranteed the top two spots with Michael the most likely to become champion. Of the UK visitors two of the 2008 top three will again be present in the form of reigning champ James Bird’s Clio and Mike Howlin’s Fiesta. Also entered are some un-conventional but extremely quick machines such as Antrim based Don Shannon’s Volvo S40, the Vauxhall VX220 of Mike Turpin, Michael Boak’s Audi TT and the Lotus of John Smith.

The Ten-Tenths.com Stockhatch championship still remains to be decided and with some very quick UK visitors in the field anything could happen. Three drivers are still in contention, with Michael Duke leading Noel O’Brien and Junior championship graduate Robert Critchley. Of the British Championship runners Phil Chicken has always performed strongly at Mondello and he should make it difficult for the locals. The Junior division of the British championship does not travel to Mondello for this event, so it is left up to the Jondol championship regulars to provide the entertainment here. The title has already gone to UK raider Daniel O’Brien, who has taken six wins form six events, but with the English youngster not in attendance this weekend the way is open for a new Junior star to emerge.

Sunday’s event gets underway with practice at 09:15 and following three rounds of heats the finals are set to take place from 15:30 onwards.

Event details
Sunday February 8th

• Motorsport Ireland National Rallycross Championship 08/09 Round 7
• Kumho Tyres MSA British Rallycross Championship 2009 Round 1
  

Mondello Park, Naas, County Kildare
Practice commences at 09.15
Races start at 10:30
Adult admission €15, accompanied under 16s free.
Family Admission €25

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
 
17:00
 Prizegiving
 
 

Irish conversation classes for all levels with native speaker.

• Are you out of practice in speaking Irish?
• Are you afraid of losing it or have you lost confidence in speaking it?
• Do you love speaking it but get little opportunity to do so?

If you fit any of these then come along to Brady's in Maynooth on Wednesday nights, 8.30p.m. starting 25 March 2009 for relaxed conversation as Gaeilge with a native speaker from Conamara.

Only €50 for 10 weeks.

For more information contact Kate - 086 8530264 or email kate.fennell@nuim.ie