County Kildare News

Showcasing Our Magnificent Ballroom & Magnolia Room From 2pm – 6pm - Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge, Co Kildare

The Keadeen, Set in 7 acres of award-winning landscape Gardens, presents an unrivalled backdrop for your Wedding Day Photos.

We would be delighted for you to join us to view our timeless & elegant wedding facilities, and meet our dedicated management & banqueting teams, who will be on hand to answer any of your queries.

Also Joining Us on the Day:

• Something for the Lads! Mondello Quest Events,
• Something for the Ladies! Helen Cooke, Milliner
• Something for Everybody, Shane Black, Psychological Magician
• Music By Vegas Nights

For further details please contact any member of the Sales Team on
Ph: 045 431666 or E-Mail: sales@keadeenhotel.ie
Or Check Our Website www.keadeenhotel.ie

Kildare County Enterprise Board and Bank of Ireland have a joint initiative, which is a mobile support and advice unit for budding entrepreneurs called "The Enterprise Bus". 

This joint initiative was put in place to provide free local community support and advice to people thinking about starting a business and those in the early stages of new business development.

Kildare County Enterprise Board will have "The Enterprise Bus" from Monday 31st August to Thursday 3rd September 2009. The bus will be in the following locations during that week: Athy, Naas, Newbridge and Kilcock. Please telephone (045) 861707 for an appointment.

Kildare County Enterprise Board will also be hosting FREE Business Breakfast Seminars during Enterprise Week.

To download the full timetable and schedule for the Enterprise Bus and the FREE business Breakfast Seminars please click here

Several Yoga courses are available throughout the Autumn period at Apple Yoga, Garadice, Kilcock:

Beginners & Improvers Yoga - 1st Sept to 20th Oct @ 8.30pm
Hatha Yoga class incorporating breathing /yoga postures and relaxation at end of each class. Yoga helps to stretch and tone the entire body and calm the mind. Students practice at their own level in a relaxed and friendly environment. small class size. All equipment provided. €90

Morning Yogalates - 3rd Sept to 21st Oct @ 10am
A mix of yoga and pilates to tone and strenghten, paying particular attention to the abdominals. Relaxation at end of each class to prepare you for the day ahead. Students work at their own level in  relaxed and friendly environment. Small class size. All equipment provided. €90

Yoga to tone and strengthen - 3rd Sept to 21st Oct @ 8.30pm
Hatha Yoga class incorporating breathing /yoga postures and relaxation at end of each class. Yoga helps to stretch and tone the entire body and calm the mind. this class will increase your yoga knowledge. Students practice at their own level, class can be as intensive or as gentle as you want it to be. Held in a relaxed and friendly environment. Small class size. €90

Mum & Baby Yoga - 8th Sept to 27th Oct @ 10.30am
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. €70

Yoga For Kids - 8th Sept to 13th Oct @ 2.15 & 3.30pm
2.15 pm age 3-6     -   3.30  pm age 6-12
A fun-filled class using music/song/imagery and a little imagination to create a yoga practice suitable for every child. A great way to introduce yoga to kids in a non-competitive environment. Yoga helps increase concentration, confidence and teaches kids how to relax. Yoga for the special child -available one to one or with family. Discount for siblings. €36 

 Contact Deardra Phelan: deardraphelan@yahoo.com or 086 3618348

Summer may be almost over but there’s no need to suffer from back to school blues! We have a great September line-up here at Riverbank to help you keep the Summer spirit alive and kicking for the next few weeks. Here’s a flavour of what we have to offer… 

CINEMA, CINEMA, CINEMA…Coming soon to an Arts Centre near YOU!

Starting Tuesday 1st September, 8pm Riverbank Cinema with Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day

Tired of having to trek far and wide just to watch a movie? Well, the magic of cinema has finally arrived in Newbridge. We’ve recently installed a state of the art high-definition cinema system for an unforgettable movie experience. The cinema system is capable of playing new high definition blu-ray formats as well as older formats from VHS and DVD and with regular weekly screenings, movies for children and silver screen matinees, the Riverbank cinema is sure to be welcomed by all film lovers.

Riverbank kicks off its Movie Season on September 1st with the screwball comedy Miss Petigrew Lives for a Day. Other Movies throughout September include hit Irish film Kisses and the impressive life story of the revolutionary Che Guevara in Che Part 1 and Che Part 2.

Experience the magic of cinema at every week Riverbank Arts Centre Starting September 1st, 8pm. Tickets €6. Listings and Previews of upcoming movies are available on www.riverbank.ie  Book Online or Call Box Office 045 448327.

Sshhhhh….Schnitzel Comedy Presents…Reuben: Comedy without Words

Wednesday 2nd September, 8pm

"The king of comedy...This man doesn't tell jokes...his comedy stylings never fail to delight." – Hotpress

If you were one of the lucky people who secured a ticket to the sold out Maeve Higgins show at Riverbank last week then Rueben’s sneak preview of his show will have proved that this is a night not to be missed. For everyone else, here’s a brief idea of what to expect from Reuben: Comedy Without Words…

One man presents an entire comedy show without props, costumes and without speaking! Reuben plays all the characters simultaneously - it's an act that is impossible to describe - even if you've seen it. Watch a funny bald man switch from person to person at the speed of laughter; he 'tells' stories of Hen Nights and Babysitters and you should expect nothing but utter madness at all times. If you are expecting a mime in white make-up, then this is not for you. For everyone else: strap in and enjoy the insanity!

Schnitzel Comedy Club, Wednesday 2nd September 8pm. Tickets €15/€12. Book now at www.riverbank.ie or call Box Office 045 448327

 Music at Riverbank…Scullion, John Spillane and Jimmy McCarthy

Scullion

Three decades on from their formative gigs together, the legendary Scullion is a band destined to stay together. Their signature sound is as strong as ever, maturing like a good wine, gaining depth and clarity as the years go by. The voices of Sonny Condell and Philip King have taken on a seamless harmony, pioneered by the bravura guitar playing of Robbie Overson.
Saturday 12th September 8pm. Tickets €25. Book now at www.riverbank.ie or call Box Office 045 448327

John Spillane

Twice winner of the meteor award in the best folk/trad category, John Spillane has toured the country and the world spreading joy with a mix of melodic tunes, entertaining stories and poetic lyrics…Fair play to him. Friday 18th September 8pm, €15. Book now at www.riverbank.ie or call Box Office 045 448327

Jimmy McCarthy- Ride on in Song and Story

Ireland’s most celebrated songwriter.

Writer of some of the most famous Irish songs including Ride On and No frontiers, Jimmy McCarthy has provided material for artists like Christy Moore, Mary Black and Tommy Fleming among others. Now, the talented songwriter comes to Riverbank Arts Centre to perform his own rendition of these much-loved songs. Friday 25th September 8pm, Tickets €25/€22. Book now at www.riverbank.ie or call Box Office 045 448327

Visual Arts at Riverbank…September 1st-30th

Experiments in the Persistence of Vision Oonagh O’Brien

Oonagh O'Brien shows her first solo exhibition, Experiments in the Persistence of Vision at the Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Co. Kildare (1st Sept - 30th Sept).

Kildare based artist, O’Brien’s mixed media work includes the use of photography, projection and digital video. At present her work concentrates on the moment when an image becomes a moving image. The basis for this lies in early visual experiments such as those by Eadweard Muybridge in the 19th century. It is interesting to note through these works, how such moving images walk the line between artwork and experiment. Exhibition open to the public Mon-Sat 9.30-5.30 until 30th September.

All this and much more this September at Riverbank Arts Centre

For Full Programme Details visit www.riverbank.ie

Long Lashes, supplemented at a cost of 25,000 euro, is one of twelve fillies entered for the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh this Sunday. In what promises to be an outstanding race, the Godolphin owned performer is likely to be joined by compatriots Misheer and Amary, which are both trained by Clive Brittain. The home defence is headed by the highly promising Lily Langtry, who is one of three entries from the Aidan O’Brien stable. Curragh based trainer Kevin Prendergast has three to select from in Alshahbaa, Wrong Answer and Termagant, while Jim Bolger can choose between recent impressive winner Gile Na Greine, Gold Bubbles and Style Queen.

The unbeaten Arctic is one of the nineteen entered for the Group 3 Go and Go Round Tower Stakes, which also includes six from the all powerful Aidan O’Brien team. In addition, British based Kevin Ryan is likely to send Breathless Kiss over for the six furlong contest.

The Group 3 Dance Design Stakes has attracted an entry of thirteen fillies including recent Gowran Park winner Chinese White, Roman Empress and Shreyas.

No less than twelve of the seventeen entries for the Group 3 Grenzen Flying Five Stakes are trained in Britain, including Curragh specialist Benbaun and last year’s winner Look Busy. In addition, the improving Perfect Polly has been supplemented to the race by her trainer Jim Ryan.

The British trained trio Kyllachy Star, Flawed Genius and Wigwam Willie are among forty two entries for the Hackett’s Bookmakers Irish Cambridgeshire. Notable Irish trained entries include Poet, Gluteus Maximus, Dandy Boy, Slieve Mish and Via Con Dios.

The first of eight races starts at 2.15pm. The ground is currently soft. Admission 20 euro, Students and Senior Students 10 euro, Children under 15 free

The magic of cinema has finally arrived in Newbridge. In response to a clear public demand for a cinema in the town, Riverbank Arts Centre has recently installed a state of the art high-definition cinema system to provide its audience with an unforgettable movie experience.

Newbridge locals have been campaigning for years to have a cinema back in the town. Having spent many hours trekking far and wide just to watch a film, the new cinema at Riverbank will help locals to enjoy a night out at the movies without having to travel outside of the town.  With plans to have regular screenings for film lovers, movies for children and silver screen matinees for older people, the cinema at Riverbank is sure to be a welcome addition at the Arts Centre.

Speaking about the new cinema at Riverbank, Technical Manager Damien Dollard said ‘The new system is very impressive with an excellent picture and sound experience. It’s a system built for future developments in cinema and is capable of playing new high definition blu-ray formats as well as older formats from VHS and DVD. The equipment has been installed to fit around the day to day running of the venue making the theatre a completely multi-purpose space.’ ‘The quality is amazing, we’re very excited to have a cinema facility here and we’re looking forward to showing it to the public on the 1st September,’ he added.

The Riverbank cinema schedule will include a broad range of popular films across all genres from commercial art house, Irish cinema and classic movies to documentaries, kid’s films and special themed screenings. Previews of upcoming movies at Riverbank are available to watch on the Arts Centre’s website www.riverbank.ie. Riverbank kicks off its Monday Night Movie season on September 1st with the screwball comedy Miss Petigrew Lives for a Day, followed by the hit Irish film Kisses on the 7th, and Che Part 1 and Che Part 2, the impressive life story of the revolutionary Che Guevara on the 14th/21st. 

Visit www.riverbank.ie for more information and experience the magic of cinema for yourself every Monday night @ 8pm, at Riverbank Arts Centre. Tickets €6. Call Box Office 045 448327 or book online.

To Celebrate Heritage Week

Kildare, Historic Town Guided Walking Tour will run a free Walking Tour on Sunday 23rd August and Sunday 30th August at 1pm outside Kildare Town Heritage Centre.

The walk is led by local historian Mario Corrigan and will last approx 1.5 hours.

For more information contact Kildare Town Heritage Centre on 045 530672

Top class racing including the opportunity to see four times Ascot Gold Cup hero Yeats attempt to add this year’s Irish Field St Leger to his list of achievements and an exciting entertainment program featuring a major tribute to legendary trainer Vincent O’Brien will highlight the Autumn Festival of Racing at the Curragh taking place on 12th and 13th September.

Saturday’s seven race program features The Irish Field St Leger. Runners in the final Classic race of the 2009 season are likely to include Yeats, Profound Beauty, Ask, Schiaparelli and Geordieland. The race day will also promote the link between The Irish Field St Leger and Emirates Melbourne Cup, including the opportunity for one lucky race goer to win a trip to include VIP treatment at Australia’s greatest sporting event, while the Emirates Melbourne Cup will be on display, and 1993 Irish St Leger and Melbourne Cup hero Vintage Crop will be guest of honour.

Recent Phoenix Stakes winner Alfred Nobel and Cape Bianco will be aiming to give trainer Aidan O’Brien his eighth success in the Ladbrokes.com Vincent O’Brien National Stakes.  This will be the inaugural year that the prestigious Group 1 contest commemorates the memory of legendary trainer Vincent O’Brien who won the race fifteen times with some of his greatest horses. A Celebration of Dr O’Brien’s life, organised by the Curragh in conjunction with Horse Racing Ireland, will take place throughout the race day including an exhibition of memorabilia open to the public and presentations to some of his closest associates.

Mrs. Jacqueline O’Brien commented: “Vincent enjoyed some of his greatest successes at the Curragh. The National Stakes was always a race held in high esteem by him as a target for his top 2 year olds. The family are delighted that the racecourse will honour his memory in this way and I know Vincent would have been very proud to have his name associated with this race.”  

A strong support program features the Group 2 Irish National Stud Blandford Stakes with entries including Classic winners Look Here and Again while other notable contenders include Mad About You, Lahaleeb and Heaven Sent.

Sunday’s feature on the track is the Irish Daily Mirror Renaissance Stakes with recent course winner Girouette expected to line up in the Group 3 contest, together with Group 1 winners, Bushranger Intense Focus while a strong British trained list of contenders include Benbaun, Lesson in Humility, Danehill Destiny, Undaunted Affair, Regal Parade and former Greek trained Ialysos. Other races include the Flame of Tara Stakes and Group 3 Solonaway Stakes, while other races will be supported by K & M Timber, Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital. The race day will also feature a major family day promotion.

Racecourse General Manager Paul Hensey commented, “The promise of an exceptional line up of top horses in the major races over the weekend and the opportunity to remember the remarkable career of Vincent O’Brien will hopefully be a major incentive to encourage people to come racing and enjoy two of the our very best days of the season.”

Admission 20 euro Saturday, 15 euro Sunday, Seniors and Students 50% discount, children under 15 free. 20% discount off all admissions on www.curragh.ie

Nearly thirty events have been planned throughout the county to celebrate Heritage Week 2009 in Kildare. These events include a range of talks, field trips and exhibitions aimed at encouraging people to take an interest in their local heritage.

Heritage week is part of a European Wide initiative with the express aims of fostering awareness of Ireland’s built, natural and cultural heritage, thereby encouraging its conservation and preservation and increasing interest in our shared heritage.

“There is a great enthusiasm among local groups for heritage week this year, which reflects a growing interest in local history. Many local history groups have organised talks about aspects of their local heritage ” said Bridget Loughlin, County Kildare Heritage Officer.  There is a wide variety of events this year and people are urged to come along and take part.

These events include a series of talks such as “150 years of Women’s Role in the Big House” by Coletee Jordan hosted by Kilcullen heritage centre, A lecture entitled “Archaeology Uncovered” in the Athy Heritage centre, “Leixlip and Guinness 250” by Patrick Guinness hosted by Leixlip community Library and a presentation on the restoration works to Jigginstown House by Anna Dolan, Snr. Architect with the OPW.

For the more active, IPCC are looking for volunteers to assist in the blocking of drains at Lullymore West Cutaway bog as part of its conservation management and Celbridge Community Council are hosting a “Welly Walk through Castletown House Parklands”. Mario Corrigan will lead a guided tour of Kildare Town.
 
A number of exhibitions will be held throughout the county including a photographic exhibition of some of the many castles and buildings associated with the Fitzgerald’s, Earls of Kildare and Dukes of Leinster in Maynooth Castle and a photographic exhibition of people, places and events from old and modern Naas in Naas Library hosted by Naas

Many local history groups will be hosting events such as a tour of Maynooth including St Mary’s church, the town and carton Avenue, hosted by Maynooth Local History group The Landmark Trust will host a self-guided tour of Castletown Roundhouse and Gate House.

Heritage sites within the county, such as the Athy and Kildare Heritage Centre, The National Stud and Maynooth Castle have free admission or special concessions during the week. Kildare County Council has compiled a listing of these and the many other events happening around the County, which is available on www.kildare.ie or in all local libraries. To view a listing of Heritage Week events in other counties go to www.heritageweek.ie or call 1850 200978

Click the image to download the programme of events (PDF File, 1.4MB)

Saturday 7th November ‘09 @ 11am

Whatever your fitness level be one of the first to run or walk the New M9 Kilcullen-Carlow Motorway 1km Saturday 7th November ‘09 @ 11am 

• Timing chips provided
• Approved by AAI
• Accurate course measurement
• Prizes top 3 presented on day
• Fast flat new Motorway course
• Race limited to first 500 entries 
• Race-packs for all registered participants
•  Entry fee is 30eur per person (Age 18+)

All proceeds to charity - for details see website Don’t miss it!! A unique opportunity to run this stretch of new motorway before opening the road to the general public For further details and to register go online: http://www.activeeurope.com/Events/index.cfm?AC=EventDetails_V2&E=79248

With two more additions to its programme the 2009 Mondello Jap-Fest is destined to be the best yet. The annual celebration of Japanese Motorsport and Motoring culture will take place on Sunday September 6th at Mondello Park with two stunt performers now lined-up to entertain the crowds in between the Drifting, Time-Attack and Drag Racing sessions.

Making his first appearance at Mondello for a number of years will be Precision and Stunt driving maestro Paul Swift, who has been wowing audiences all over the world for almost twenty years. Following in the footsteps of his famous father Russ, Paul will bring his incredible show to Mondello Jap-Fest for the first time and will perform twice. The show which includes the speedy parking manoeuvre made famous by his father and some precision driving dance routines, will culminate in a world record doughnut attempt.

Also on hand to excite the huge Jap-Fest audience will be Irish Motorcycle Stunt King Mattie Griffin, who is currently ranked fifth in the world amongst ‘Streetbike Freestyle’ stunt riders. Mattie’s show will mark the first time that Motorcycle stunts have been featured at Mondello Jap-Fest but his skills will be well appreciated by show visitors if his recent appearance at a similar event in Singapore is anything to go by. Griffin is Irelands top Motorcycle freestyle rider and is sure to have some new tricks up his sleeve for Mondello Jap-Fest making his two appearances a must see for all show visitors.

With the on-track programme almost full to capacity the show organisers are continuing to seek out Irelands best Modified Japanese Cars under the watchful eye of the ‘Modified Motors’ team. Only the best will do for the biggest Japanese car show on the Irish calendar and no stone is being left un-turned in an effort to find cars worthy of that title. Anyone interested in showing off their creation should contact Modified Motors, on 01-2405536, paul@hotwire.ie or see their website. Entries are also being taken by Modified Motors for the show’n’shine section of the event, where competitors vehicles will have an expert eye cast over them to pick the best turned out vehicle of the show.

With a big crowd expected for the 2009 show spectators can avoid the queues and avail of discounted prices by booking in advance through the Mondello Park web-site, or by contacting the Mondello Park office. For information on all of the show attractions and competition entry forms, see www.mondellopark.ie.

Irish premiere of 'Breathing Corpses' in Project Arts Centre

17th - 29th August 2009 | 8.15pm | Tickets: 01 8819613 or www.projectartscentre.ie 

Crooked House Theatre Company presents the Irish premiere of BREATHING CORPSES by Laura Wade.

Tuesday 18th - Saturday 29th August 
8.15pm
Tickets: €18 / €14 (concession)
Preview on Monday 17th August. Tickets: €14.
Matinee on Saturday 29th August at 3.00pm.  Tickets: €14.

'Breathing Corpses' is a tragi-comedy about discovering dead bodies and the impact it has on those who discover them.

Amy has found another body in the hotel bedroom. Jim and Elaine can’t ignore any longer the smell coming from one of their self-storage units. And Kate stumbles upon a murder victim while walking the dog in the park.  Laura Wade’s powerful and award-winning play is about people who have lost all happiness, and about how one death can cause another, and another, and another. Told in a daisy-chain of five scenes, one connected to the next by the dead body in each, the play is a murderous jig-saw puzzle and a very black comedy.

“Wade creates a temporal puzzler - jumping back and forward in time - and turns domestic tragedy into a thriller. The clash between the tone of sadness and the tricksiness of the play’s structure gives the evening its undeniable edge. If the writing in Wade’s 'Colder Than Here' was too polite, here it throws off all restraint and is as dangerous as piranhas and as noisy as barking dogs.” The Stage.

Cast: Jill Bradbury, Keith Burke, Nick Devlin, Amy Fleming, Steve Gunn, Niall Moore, Cathy White.

Directed by Peter Hussey.

Designed by Ciaran Aspell.

Breathing Corpses is the second play by Laura Wade, young British author of 'Colder Than Here'. She won the Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Most Promising Playwright 2005 for Breathing Corpses and Colder Than Here; the Pearson Playwrights Best Play Award for Breathing Corpses 2006; and was the joint winner of the George Devine Award for Breathing Corpses 2006. She was an Olivier Award Nominee for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre for Breathing Corpses and Colder Than Here 2006.

Costume and Props - Kate Connaughton.
Stage Manager – Treenie Curran.
Assistant Director - Soazig Metrope.
Graphic Design - Luciano Licciardello.
Production Team - Ian Armstrong, Anthony Davidson, Eliza Kelly and Beibhinn Jones.
Film and Trailer Production - Mo Kaddem.
Music and Sound - Ross Mac Mahon.

Prior to its Dublin premiere, 'Breathing Corpses' previews for local audiences in The Moat Theatre, Naas on Saturday 15th August at 8.00pm. Tickets 045 883030.

View trailer of this production on Facebook - Breathing Corpses.
Link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=89442787485&ref=ts

Comedienne and star of RTE's Naked Camera, Maeve Higgins is set to play an unmissable show at Riverbank Arts Centre on Wednesday 19th August.  The hilarious Maeve Higgins is a regular contributor to the Ray D'arcy Show, and is known and loved for her quirky role in the candid camera style RTE show, Naked Camera. Now, thanks to the Schnitzel Comedy Club Season at Riverbank Arts Centre she will take her side-splitting comedy to Newbridge.

Since beginning stand up four years ago, Maeve has performed in comedy festivals around the world, including Edinburgh, Melbourne, Adelaide and Kilkenny and is fast becoming a household name on the Irish comedy scene. In her 2006 debut show, Ha Ha Yum, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Maeve did stand-up while her sister Lilly made cakes- just a sample of the eccentricities of this comedienne. The show went on to a season in Dublin’s prestigious Andrews Lane Theatre, followed by a sold-out stand-up tour around Ireland. Never afraid to share her most embarrassing moments, Maeve's down to earth style of comedy is filled with hilarious, occasionally controversial but always hilarious observations on everyday life- guaranteed to have everyone in stitches.

Catch Maeve Higgins on Wednesday 19th of August at the Schnitzel Comedy Club, Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge. To book tickets go to www.riverbank.ie or call 045 448327. Advance booking advised.

The Royal Whip Stakes is the feature event on a splendid programme of racing at the Curragh next Sunday 16th August and the Group Three contest has attracted a high quality field. Included among the 11 entries are Casual Conquest and Curtain Call, while Aidan O’Brien has a five-strong entry.

Casual Conquest proved a big disappointment when, sent off at odds on, he could only manage third place behind She’s Our Mare and Lord Admiral at Leopardstown last time, but prior to that Dermot Weld’s four-year-old showed his true colours when landing the Group One Tattersalls Gold Cup over this course and distance in May. Curtain Call, fourth in the Irish Derby here last year, landed a Group Three event over this course and distance back in May and has been far from disgraced in two subsequent outings.

Aidan O’Brien can choose between Peter Tchaikovsky, Post, Red Rock Canyon, Rockhampton and Set Sail. The first mentioned looked on good terms with himself when landing a conditions race at Limerick last month on his seasonal reappearance and he could prove best of the Ballydoyle quintet. Jim Bolger has entered two in the hat-trick seeking Shreyas and Via Galilei, while Lord Admiral and Deauville Vision complete the line up.

Regular visitor Benbaun tops the list of 14 entries for the Group Three Patrick P O’Leary Memorial Phoenix Sprint Stakes. Kevin Ryan’s sprinter is a multiple winner at the venue over the years and bids to land his second successive success here following his Group 3 victory in late June. Benbaun is one of five British-trained entries for the six furlong contest and is joined by Doncaster Rover, Icelandic, Orpsie Boy and Strike The Deal. The home team, meanwhile, is headed by recent course winner Girouette, Snaefell and Miss Gorica

The Group 3 Desmond Stakes is probably the most competitive contest on the seven race programme and has attracted an entry of 22, including three from Britain in Border Patrol, Bushman and Lovelace. Aidan O’Brien has entered seven for the mile contest, while Dermot Weld has entered his fast improving four-year-old Famous Name. The latter was most impressive when landing a Group Three contest here last month and Weld will be hopeful that the son of  Dansili can continue his progress on Sunday.

The first of seven races at the Curragh on Sunday commences at 2.15 pm and the ground is currently yielding.

Dr Mark Hamilton from RTE's 'How Long Will You Live?' returns to the screen, this time for the brand new TV series 'HEALTH OF THE NATION' .

Dr Mark Hamilton and Dr Nina Byrnes will be taking a mobile clinic around the country and inviting members of the public to drop in for a diagnosis. They will be tackling general ailments, worries and concerns and you are welcome to visit the clinic with any medical issue.

The doctors will also be looking at more specific conditions and illnesses.
They will be examining these issues in the following towns and we would love to hear from you if any of these affect your health and you’d like to take part:

• obesity in Dundalk
• stress in Naas
• skin cancer in Cork
• asthma and allergies in Waterford
• digestive disorders in Limerick
• alcohol in Galway
• heart conditions in Sligo
• smoking in Longford

For an application form please contact the HEALTH OF THE NATION team at Waddell Media on:

Tel: 04890 427646
Tel: 00 44 2890 427646
E-mail: info@waddellmedia.com

The Wet Paint Gallery Officially Launches.

The "Wet Paint Gallery" in Emly Square in Athy will be hosting a Launch of the experimental project on Friday Night August 14th. at 7.30pm

The Gallery, which has caused a great deal of excitement in the town already, is open to local artists of all media and styles. The project is entirely staffed by volunteering artists and is seeking to promote art in the area.

Local Artist and Curator of "Wet Paint" Andrew Farrelly said "we have been inundated with people interested in what we are doing here, it has been a very exciting time for art in Athy and for the Wet Paint Gallery."   

The Project was the brainchild of the "Shop Athy" group, in a bid to enhance the cultural life of the town centre, and the gallery has certainly lived up to and exceeded that aspiration.

Painters, Photographers, Sculptors, Video Artists, and many more are represented in the gallery collection, all of which is for sale at recession beating prices.

Andrew Farrelly makes the point that in difficult financial times we all need something to cheer us up and is looking forward to cheering up a lot of people at Fridays Launch party.

Johannah Lyons, Linda Holligan, and other local artists are using the Gallery as Studio space during the day, making an interesting visit an exciting one.

Ken Walshe, Shop Athy Chairperson said "The Wet Paint Gallery has been a fantastic success since opening its doors on the Tri Athy weekend, and has recieved an unprecented amount of positive feedback from members and non members of the Shop Athy Group"  "We at Shop Athy are  very excited by the development of the Gallery and look forward to greater things to come."   

Mr Walshe also expressed the hope that local people would see the commercial benefits to the town that such an intiaitive undoubtedly brings, "Athy is a beautiful town with huge potential, it's image as a relatively untouched market town makes it very desirable for people to visit, the addition of a high profile Art Gallery serves only to enhance the reputation of the town as a tourist destination".

The Launch of the Wet Paint Gallery on August 14th will see a range of new and exciting artists in various fields exhibiting for the first time, Entertainment for the evening will be equally varied and exciting. Mr. Farrelly was remaining tight lipped about rumours relating to the centerpiece for the launch, "watch this space" was all he would say.

The Wet Paint Gallery can be contacted by e-mail on wetpaintgallery@gmail.com or telephone 086-8696391 or by calling into the Gallery during opening hours which are 10am to 6pm during the week; the Wet Paint Gallery tends to be open until about midnight during the weekends making it an ideal spot to drop in on an evening stroll.

Due to phenomenal demand Riverbank Arts Centre has added an extra Artzone Workshop, August 17th to 21st, 10am to 2pm.

Squeeze some more fun into the last weeks of the Summer holidays... Artzone: Where art is fun!

Design and make your own collage, door plaque, magical masks and more with this fun and creative workshop for kids. Using a variety of materials, participants will learn different techniques and skills, such as use of colour, tones and mixed media, while creating interesting items of their own design. Let your imagination run wild and see what you can do!

Artzone Workshop: August 17th to 24th

Age Group 4 to 7yrs: 10am-2pm  Price €65

Age Group 8 to 12yrs: 10am-2pm Price €65

Places are limited, BOOK NOW to avoid disappointment. Call Riverbank Arts Centre Box Office on 045 448327.

Click here to download the Riverbank Arts Centre Summer Programme

or visit www.riverbank.ie

The following list produced by the HSE, shows County Kildare  pharmacies continuing to be available to dispense medicines to patients and clients under the Medical Card and other State Drugs Schemes.

The list was effective from 9.00am on 5th August 2009 and is subject to change. Please refer to the HSE Website for updates or ring the helpline number 1850 24 1850

1. Blake's Pharmacy, Main Street, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare
2. Ryan's Pharmacy, Derrinturn, Carbury, Co. Kildare
3. Walsh Pharmacy, Main Street, Celbridge, Co. Kildare
4. Walsh Pharmacy, Tesco Shopping Centre, Celbridge, Co. Kildare
5. Fadden's Pharmacy, Abbeylands Centre, Clane, Co. Kildare
6. Callagy's Pharmacy, Main Street, Kilcock, Co. Kildare
7. Harbour Pharmacy Ltd, The Harbour, Kilcock, Co. Kildare
8. Bernard Berney Ltd, Main Street, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare
9. Burke's Pharmacy, 2 Hillcrest, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare
10. Connolly's Pharmacy, Main Street, Kildare Town, Co. Kildare
11. McHugh's Chemists, The Square, Kildare Town, Co. Kildare
12. Whelan's Pharmacy, Kildare Shopping Centre, Kildare Town, Co. Kildare
13. Riverforest Pharmacy, Riverforest Shopping Centre, Leixlip, Co. Kildare
14. Hickey's Pharmacy, Manor Mills Shopping Centre, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
15. St. Patrick's Pharmacy, Greenfields Shopping Centre, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
16. Boots the Chemist, Dublin Road, Naas, Co. Kildare
17. Burke's Pharmacy Limited, 3 North Main Street, Naas, Co. Kildare
18. Daly's Pharmacy, 17 South Main Street, Naas, Co. Kildare
19. Monread Pharmacy, Monread Avenue, Naas, Co. Kildare
20. Naas Pharmacy Ltd, The Crossings, Dublin Road, Naas, Co. Kildare
21. O'Reilly's Pharmacy, Fair Green, Naas, Co. Kildare
22. Poplar Pharmacy, Unit 4, Poplar Square, Naas, Co. Kildare
23. Unicare Pharmacy, Hazlemere Shopping Centre, Naas, Co. Kildare
24. Vista Pharmacy, Vista Primary Care Campus, Naas, Co. Kildare
25. Bergin's Pharmacy, Courtyard Shopping Centre, Newbridge, Co. Kildare
26. Canning's Pharmacy, Ballymany Shopping Centre, Newbridge, Co. Kildare
27. Cosgrove's Pharmacy, Edward Street, Newbridge, Co. Kildare
28. Hickey's Pharmacy, Main Street, Newbridge, Co. Kildare
29. Unicare Pharmacy, Newbridge Shopping Centre, Newbridge, Co. Kildare
30. Youngs (Life) Pharmacy, 1 Charlotte Street, Newbridge, Co. Kildare
31. Ryans Pharmacy, 1 River Court, Rathangan, Co. Kildare
32. Mangan's Pharmacy, Unit 3, Block D, The Waterways, Sallins, Co. Kildare
33. Sallins Pharmacy, Main Street, Sallins, Co. Kildare
34. Madden's Pharmacy 51 Leinster Street Athy Co. Kildare
35. Glen Easton Pharmacy Ltd Glen Easton Lodge Shopping Centre Leixlip Co. Kildare
36. McCormack's Pharmacy Main Street Maynooth Co. Kildare
37. Moore's Pharmacy 6 Duke Street Athy Co. Kildare
38. McHugh Pharmacy 39 Duke Street Athy Co. Kildare
39. Doyle's Pharmacy 59 Leinster Street Athy Co. Kildare
40. Callagy's Pharmacy Glenroyal Shopping Centre Maynooth Co. Kildare
41. Blake's Pharmacy The Ideal Shopping Centre ProsperousCo. Kildare
42. Blake's Pharmacy 2 Oak Grove Allenwood Co. Kildare
43. Conroy's Pharmacy Tesco Shopping Centre Maynooth Co. Kildare
44. O'Rourke's Pharmacy Ltd The Shopping Centre Rathangan Road Monasterevin Co. Kildare
45. Gaffney's Pharmacy Pound Street Leixlip Co. Kildare
46. Blake's Pharmacy Main Street Celbridge Co. Kildare
47. Castledermot Medical Hall Main Street, Castledermot Co. Kildare

The County Kildare Folklore Project - 'Living Memories - Tall Tales from the Short Grass,' was launched in Kilcullen Heritage Centre on Thursday 23 July 2009

Over a period of 3 months in early 2009 the project was devised and undertaken as a means of recording the living heritage and history of Co. Kildare. Some 30 people were interviewed from all walks of life and their memories of growing up in Kildare, of working and of participating at local level in their communities will now provide us with an invaluable archive for future generations.

Initially the plan was to identify the main themes that identify Kildare as a unique county such as the horse industry, canals, bogs etc. but this broadened in scope in an attempt to target the unique individuals that can be recognised throughout the county and preserve their memories and experience. The Library Service contacted Larry Breen of the County Kildare Federation of Local History Groups and the rest as they say is history.

The Federation is uniquely placed to identify those particular individuals that exist in each local community and retain an understanding of their area and the changes that have taken place over the years. Each Local History Group (18 Groups in all) provided a person from their area and this forms the backbone of the present project. The County Kildare Archaeological Society also provided a representative and representatives of Kildare Co. Council, Bord Na Mona and the Turf Club helped to develop the collection into a truly important and unique archive.

The recording and collecting of material was undertaken by Maurice of Keeffe of 'Irish Life and Lore' and copies will be available in the near future for borrowing from the Kildare branch library network. Individual copies (and indeed the complete collection) can be purchased directly from Irish Life and Lore. Kildare Co. Council and Irish Life and Lore share ownership of the material and copies of the original disclaimer forms have been lodged with the Library.

Already the collection has been bought by other major repositories such as Trinity College and the strength of the work lies in the actual preservation of the memories of the interviewees in the various archives.

Kildare Library and Arts Services is grateful to all who helped make this project possible, especially the Co. Manager of Kildare Co. Council, Michael Malone, Co. Librarian, Breda Gleeson, the interviewees, Larry Breen and the Kildare Federation. As a way of saying thanks to the people who gave up their time and who have allowed us into their lives the Library Service presented the interviewees with a copy of their interview on CD.

Amended list of talks and events for the remainder of 2009:

Saturday, 8 August: Celbridge Mill at 2:30 pm: Commemoration of feast day of St. Mochua. Talk by Seamus Cullen on St Mochua in Celbridge, then a brief Q&A session, followed by tea.

Monday, 31 August: launch by Bridget Loughlin, Heritage Officer Kildare County Council, of oral history CD "The Celbridge Chronicles". Event coordinated by Anne McNeill. Library, 7 pm.

Monday, 7 September: Talk by Ann Downey on "The cinema-going experience in Ireland in the first half of the last century". Library, 8pm.

Monday, 5 October: Talk by Tony Doohan, author of The History of Celbridge. Title of the talk: "Celbridge in Pictures and Story". Library, 8pm.

Monday, 2 November: Talk by Dr. John Olley, Landscape Architect, on survey for Kildare County Council of "Landscaping of Castletown and Donaghcomper". Library, 8pm.