County Kildare News

The Bog of Allen Nature Centre is now taking bookings for its summer camp running from Monday 9th – Friday 13th August. 

The camp is open to students from the ages of 7-13 years and is fully supervised by experienced tutors. 

The camp will run from 10am –1pm each day and activities throughout the week will include:

•  pond dipping,
• an introduction to insect eating plants,
• woodland creepy crawlie hunt,
• nature crafts
• last day bog party. 

Places are limited.  If you are interested in a booking a place for your child please contact the Bog of Allen Nature Centre on 045-860133.   
 
Contact Details:
Irish Peatland Conservation Council.
Bog of Allen Nature Centre,
Lullymore,
Rathangan,
Co. Kildare
 
Tel: 045-860133
Fax: 045860481
 
The Irish Peatland Conservation Council is a charity set up to conserve a representative portion of Irish peatlands for future generations to enjoy.
 
The Bog of Allen Nature Centre is been developed into a centre of excellence in education, conservation and research for Irish Peatlands.

Directions to the Bog of Allen Nature Centre:

From Dublin take the Maynooth exit off the N4, turning at the roundabout onto the road marked Straffan/Clane/Naas. At the roundabout of Barberstown Castle, take the exit for Clane. Drive into Clane. Drive through the traffic lights in the centre of the town. Take the right hand turn in Clane at the Corner Pub (yellow building) onto the R403 to Prosperous and Allenwood. Drive through Allenwood. Less than half a mile outside Allenwood, take the left turn over the skew canal bridge onto the R414. If you miss this turn you will end up in Carbury. Drive for three miles. This brings you to the Bog of Allen Nature Centre on the right hand side of the road. If you get to Rathangan you have gone too far.

The show formerly known as Mondello Jap-Fest will have a new look this year as it retains its Japanese Motorsport focus but opens its doors to competition from European Car culture. The event will have the support of Media partner Modified Motors as well as leading car care suppliers Autoglym.

The Jap-Fest and Eurostyle Show is scheduled for Sunday September 5th and as usual will have a full day of track action as well as displays by Irelands top modified car clubs, web sites and trade exhibitors, alongside a collection of the best modified cars in the country.

Keeping with its Japanese Motorsport theme, Drifting, Time-Attack and Drag racing will still be the main focus of this years event, but with the addition of a Japanese V's Euro flavour. Drifting and Time-Attack continue to be dominated by Japanese Cars and with little or no Euro involvement in these areas it will be the Drag Race action where the two car cultures will go head to head.

Alongside the competitive track action being provided by round five of the Pro-Drift Series, Round 6 of the Irish Time-Attack Championship, and the Drag competition, Jap-Fest and Eurostyle will also feature track day and drifting practice sessions and some still to be announced track demonstrations. Tickets for the show will be available for sale shortly on the Mondello Park web site where entry forms for all competitions along with booking forms for stands and track sessions can also be found.

The addition of non-Japanese cars to the car displays and club stands should bring in the biggest line-up of modified metal ever seen at a Mondello Show and for 2010 this portion of the event will be organised in-house by Mondello Park. The Show 'N' Shine competition will pit the Eurostyle and Japanese cars against each other and will be judged by Autoglym. This competition will carry an impressive prize line-up with the winner receiving a Mondello Park Motor Racing School course and prizes being awarded to the top three cars. The event will also feature a strong line-up of trade exhibitors and feature stands.

For further information on Mondello Park's Jap-Fest and Eurostyle Show see www.mondellopark.ie or call 045-8670200.

Learn to Massage your baby in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.  Meet other parents from your area and share ideas and stories over a cup of tea or coffee. Full massage sequence covered also colic routine and gentle baby stretches.

Over the 4 weeks, you will learn a full massage sequence for you to use with your baby.  Oils and handouts included and mats and towels will be provided for your use.  Certified Infant Massage Instructor and member of Baby Massage Ireland Catherine Mccarney will lead the classes.

Classes are very ralaxed and we will have a cup of tea/coffee after each massage session which is a nice chance to chat and share stories with the other parents on the course.

If you would like to know more, please just contact me by phone or e-mail.  Alternatively, you can join me on facebook at Dublin Baby Massage!

Begins Sunday 4th August, 10.30am at the Springfield Hotel, Leixlip.

Contact Catherine McCarney CIMI

086 0536853 or dublinbabymassage@gmail.com

Unique Prize Drive Announced by Mondello Park and Sheane Cars

Mondello Park and Sheane Cars, Irelands most successful Racing Car Constructor, today announced the biggest ever Motorsport Prize to be made available in Ireland to novice racing drivers. For the first time drivers with no previous motorsport experience will be offered the chance to 'Become a Racing Driver' with the total prize package on offer valued at over €15,000.

The 'Become a Racing Driver' competition will be run at Mondello Park over the remaining months of this year with the winner walking away with the incredible chance to Race in the Irish Formula Vee championship, free of charge, during 2011. As part of their prize the winner will have the use of a Sheane Formula Vee for all Mondello Park Formula Vee races during next season. The remainder of the prize package will see their car prepared, transported and maintained by the Sheane factory in Wicklow, while Mondello Park will provide free entry to races and test days, along with expert coaching and all of the racewear and other facilities required to go racing.

The competition is open to any driver who has completed a Mondello Park Motor Racing School course over the ten years in which the school has operated. Drivers will be required to enrol on a specially designed race school course where they will receive tuition in a race prepared Mazda 3 Hatchback before progressing on to a Formula Sheane single seater. Each competitor will be assessed throughout their course and from each day that the course is run at least one driver will be selected to go forward to the second round. The cost for round one is a very affordable €235, while the final will free of charge for those selected.

Becoming the winner of this exciting prize will be tough. Drivers will be assessed by Mondello Park's expert panel of Motor Racing instructors as well as representatives of Sheane Cars. The panel will be looking for more than just speed. Drivers ability to follow instruction, drive consistently and safely and to understand the theory behind the techniques they have been thought, will all be taken in to consideration. For the final PR will also be a factor as candidates will have to undergo an interview to assess their media abilities as well as their suitability to represent both Sheane Cars and Mondello Park.

The 'Become a Racing Driver' competition is now open for entries and with more than 25,000 people having enjoyed the Mondello Park Motor Racing School experience there should be no shortage of takers. The competition will get underway during August and will continue through to the end of 2010. Anyone interested in finding out more can get all the details at www.mondellopark.ie/driver_search or by calling 045-860200.

NUI Maynooth appoints Professor Tom Collins as President for interim period
 

The Governing Authority of NUI Maynooth has appointed Professor Tom Collins to the post of President of the University on an interim basis, following the resignation of Prof John Hughes.  Professor Collins will assume the post of President from Oct 1st 2010 until the date of appointment of the new President by the Governing Authority following a selection process.  Professor Collins is currently Vice President for External Affairs within the University.

In order to maintain continuity in the University’s senior management team, the Governing Authority also extended the appointment of Professor Jim Walsh as Deputy President and Vice President – Innovation for a period of two years, and of Dr David Redmond as Registrar for one year.

The Chairman of the NUI Maynooth Governing Authority, Dan Flinter welcomed these appointments saying “The next year will be extremely important for NUI Maynooth which has a number of important projects in the pipeline, and for the third level sector as a whole with the publication of the Hunt Report and the need for strong management during the ongoing fiscal challenges. The Authority is confident that these appointments will ensure that the University continues to have strong and effective leadership.”

In accordance with the University’s Statutes, the Governing Authority also appointed the Search Committee to commence the process of appointing a new President. The Search Committee will be chaired by former NUI Galway President, Dr Iggy O’Muircheartaigh and comprises two NUI Maynooth academic members, two members of the Governing Authority and two senior figures who are external to the University. It is anticipated that the Governing Authority may be in a position to appoint the new President early in 2011.

Times and places of Blood Donor Clinics in County Kildare for August 2010:

Dates: 3rd - 4th August 2010

Venue: Holy Family Secondary School, Newbridge

Times: 5.00 -8.30pm

Date: 4th August 2010

Venue: St. Raphaels, Clane Road, Celbridge

Times: 5.00 -8.30pm

Date: 4th August 2010

Venue: Kilcock G.A.A. Sports Centre

Times: 5.00 -8.30pm

Information: www.giveblood.ie

July 12th saw the inaugural meeting of the KLCK (Kildare, Laois, Carlow, Kilkenny) Bloggers Network in the Clanard Court Hotel, Athy. The Network set up by Amanda Webb of Spiderworking.com (www.spiderworking.com) and Lorna Sixsmith of Garrendenny Lane Interiors (www.garrendennylane.ie) is designed to bring together businesses to share knowledge and help each other with their online presence.

Amongst the attendees were those who write professionally, those with popular blogs, those who were just taking the first steps of blogging and those who were on the cusp of getting started.

Blogging can be an extremely effective marketing tool for business, improving Search Engine Optimisation and by using it in conjunction with Social Media can improve customer retention and acquisition.

The group will meet on the second Monday of each month, alternating between the four counties. Each meeting will involve two presentations from members, sharing their expertise on blogging, social media and Internet marketing with the group, the aim being for all members to maximise their web presence.

The next meet up is on August 9th at the Talbot Hotel Carlow. Paula Sheridan from ‘Candle Designs’ will be talking about using Flickr for business and Ruairi Brown from ‘Kro IT Solutions’ will be showing beginners how to get started with a Wordpress.org blog.

All are welcome, even those who have no experience blogging and those from outside the four counties.

It is free to attend but those interested in attending should RSVP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/klckbloggersnetwork#!/klckbloggersnetwork?v=app_2344061033 or contact Amanda at Spiderworking.com Phone: 01 442 9410 Email: amanda at spiderworking dot com

Dublin, 21st July 2010 – Datapac, Ireland’s largest indigenous ICT solutions provider, today announced the completion of a VMware virtualised private cloud and high-speed network as part of a contract worth more than €100k with The AA Five Red Star Kildare Hotel, Spa and Country Club (The K Club). Datapac will act as The K Club’s strategic technology partner and is providing consultation and a wide range of next-generation and sustainable IT solutions to the resort. This virtualised solution will provide major cost and power savings for The K Club and will play a key role in its plan to become carbon-neutral by 2020.

Set amid 550-acres on a mile long stretch of the river Liffey in Co. Kildare, The K Club is Ireland’s first AA five Red-Star Hotel. The luxury resort includes a hotel, spa, restaurants, retail outlets, clubhouses and two leading international golf courses which have hosted the 2006 Ryder Cup and the Smurfit European Open tournaments. Its prestigious reputation and facilities enables it to attract world-class sporting and business events to The K Club and Ireland.

The K Club has introduced a policy of using the most advanced and sustainable technology available to underpin all of its hotel, retail, conference and leisure facilities. Datapac was awarded a contract to consult and provide solutions for the core ICT infrastructure upgrade. This has included reducing the number of physical servers by more than 90%, running VMware’s cloud operating system. The new solution is driving enhanced application performance, higher levels of service availability, and significant carbon and cost savings. Projected savings over the next five years include power savings of €90k, a 30% reduction in ICT maintenance costs and offset hardware procurement costs of circa €50k.

In addition to the virtualised solution, The K Club has rolled-out a new ultra high-speed network across the resort with Datapac. The Cisco IP fibre guarantees internet speeds of between 100 mbps and 1 gigabit. This improves the speed and performance of many applications at the resort, including the Property Management and Food & Beverage systems. It also enables some of the world’s Fortune 500 corporate guests to hold major international conferences at The K Club and be able to run bandwidth-intensive applications such as high-definition video conferencing.

The K Club’s ICT upgrade also helps to safeguard the availability of the hotel’s data, business critical applications and network infrastructure. All critical business and customer data is continuously replicated and backed-up to an offsite location. In a disaster recovery situation, system downtime has been reduced from 24 hours to just 10 minutes. This minimises The K Club’s potential for loss of revenue and customer dissatisfaction in the event of an emergency.

The K Club has some further interesting technology developments in the pipeline including looking to harness the power of the river Liffey to create its own electricity supply for the estate and already has much of the relevant infrastructure in place.

Mojtaba Akbari, Head of IT for The K Club, said, “As one of the world’s leading business and leisure destinations, we have to continually invest in the most advanced technology systems to facilitate the high expectations of our members and guests. Datapac understands our commitment to excellence and have provided us with a next-generation network and private cloud infrastructure, helping us meet our stringent targets and service levels. Their solution also provides us with many benefits including improved management of our entire ICT infrastructure, significant cost savings and a major reduction in our carbon footprint.”

Pat O’Leary, Business Development Manager at Datapac, said, “For almost thirty years, Datapac has been providing technology solutions to clients throughout Ireland. We are always particularly delighted to work closely with a client like The K Club who is competing at the highest level on the international stage. Its focus on high-quality and sustainable IT solutions is a major part of their success. We believe that our strategic IT partnership with The K Club plays a crucial role as they continue to innovate and grow.”

With art, dance, music, drama and more, so far this Summer, Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge has hosted a variety of unusual, interesting and fun-filled workshops for children and teenagers. Pictured here are particpants of EXPERIMENT and weeklong art workshop with artist Sinead McGeeney. Throughout the week students worked with various materials such as UV light, balloons, graffiti, origami paper and more. Dance fans were also treated to a weeklong crash course in contemporary dance with the Irish-American company expandance last week which culminated in a live performance on Friday afternoon.

The fun is not over yet however, teenagers with an interest in recording, performing and producing music will have an opportunity to take part in a special Summer Songschool from August 3rd to 6th at Riverbank, Summer Songschool is designed for those interested in writing & recording songs, making a video and learning about music technology. They will have the opportunity to meet people who love music as much as they do, not to mention forming bands & having fun. All Summer Songschool students receive a CD of songs written and recorded, a DVD of videos produced and a Songschool IMRO certificate of participation. Summer Songschool takes place from the 3rd to the 6th of August, 10am to 4pm. Price €60 for the week or €85 including daily lunch. For further information visit www.riverbank.ie  or www.songschool.ie

Kildare Town Youth Project is happy to invite you to the launch of the Dream Depot group's new Website.

The launch will take place in the Kildare Heritage Centre

at 4.30pm on Tues 27th July 2010

The Dream Depot have spent the last 6 months working on this project, which includes filmed interviews with older residents of Kildare Town, on growing up in Kildare.

They have made an interactive magazine on the history of Kildare Town, its heritage and natural resources. The photos of Kildare Town are animated and narrated.The website will be a part of the County Kildare Community Network on www.kildare.ie 

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Kildare Youth Srvices and Pobal for the facilities that were used in the making of the CD.

Contact Kildare Youth Project for more information:

Units 1 & 2
Fairview
Kildare Town

Phone: 045 520412

Open Car Track Day - Bank Holiday Monday, August 2nd

International Circuit - Reduced 2010 Prices - Spaces Filling Fast

Bank Holiday Monday, August 2nd is the date for our next Open Car Track Day on the International Track following a number of recent events on the National Circuit.

As this is a stand alone day the event will return to the almost exclusively 'Open Pit Lane' format introduced late last year. With the reduction in numbers on track and the increased track time offered by this format along with reduced 2010 prices Mondello Park track days are currently offering the best value they ever have.

2010 PRICE REDUCTIONS
Full Day price 2009 was €300 - NOW ONLY €200
Half Day afternoon price 2009 was €200 - NOW ONLY €150
Half Day morning price 2009 was €150 - NOW ONLY €120

These new prices have stimulated significant interest so booking in advance is advised. New drivers are always welcome but must register with Mondello Park prior to taking part in their first track Day. Registration is simple and can be arranged by contacting the Mondello Park office (see below).

Spectators are welcome and Adult Admission to the event is €10.00 with under 16's admitted free.

For further information on Car Track Days CLICK HERE.

To book your place or register to take part in Car Track Days contact Sharon or Jackie on 045-860200 or info@mondellopark.ie.

Naas Film Club was set up in 2008 so that people can select and see classic and modern movies that are not shown in local cinemas.

We show 16 movies each year between early September and the end of the following May and our programme consists of 10 new movies and 6 introduced classic movies.

The movies are shown at the Moat Theatre in Naas, normally on one or more Mondays of each of these months. Come along and join the fun.

Please email: nfc.membership@gmail.com for further information

 Relax,Rejuvenate and Enjoy

Catriona Mc Cormack has been practicing yoga for over 17 years and has a wealth of knowledge she'd like to share with you.Catriona teaches Hatha Flow yoga which incorporates all aspects of yoga,the breath,movement,relaxationa and meditation.Yoga can enrich your life on so many levels as well and help you to manage tension,stress,illness and so many other challenges we face.Yoga Ireland was formed 10 years ago and the studio in Dublin thrived.Catriona is also a Yoga Therapist and works with people on a one to one basis to help bring you to a place of well being whether it be stress induced,structure imbalances,recurring injuries to name but a few.

Every Monday and Tuesday evening with Catriona Mc Cormack of Yoga Ireland.
Venue:The Educate Together School- Maynooth Rd, Celbridge. (Approx. 5 mins from Celbridge,5 from Maynooth and 30 from Naas centre)
Time:
Mon - 7.00pm (beginners)
Tue - 8.00pm (More experienced)

Catriona is available for group,corporate,one to one classes and work shops.
 
Dip:Yoga Teacher,Yoga Therapist,Reiki 1,Indian Head Massage.Feldeinkrais.
 
To learn more about Catriona or to book a class/session contact details are below:
www.yogaireland.ie
catriona@yogaireland.ie
T: 01 6102604
M: 087 6811240

anxietyireland.com is a newly launched support community for sufferers of anxiety and depression.

It supplies a platform for them to communicate and support one another.

The site includes a number of discussion forums and:

•  tips on how to cope with anxiety, panic and depression,
• a forum to introduce yourself to the community,
• meet so many other Irish People suffering with symptoms just like your own,
• gain insight into your condition from their experience
• let them help you find your path to recovery.

Visit www.anxietyireland.com

SUMMER SONGSCHOOL - August 3rd to 6th

Want to Write & Record your Own Songs & Music?

For 13 to 18yrs

Price: €60 or €85 with lunch

Want to write, record and perform your own songs and music? Summer Songschool is designed for secondary school students who are interested in writing & recording songs, performance, making a video, learning about music technology, meeting people who love music as much as they do, not to mention forming bands & having fun!

BOOK NOW: To Book Tickets see www.riverbank.ie or call Box Office on 045 448327

Wonderland’s World of Drama

Wonderland Productions present this weeklong workshop for budding performers. Participants will immerse themselves in Wonderland’s world of drama, music and song-writing, dance, clown, comedy, site-specific performances and theatre design. From backstage to centre stage this workshop will offer every child a chance to shine.

**Book today- LAST REMAINING PLACES**

BOOK NOW: To Book Tickets see www.riverbank.ie or call Box Office on 045 448327

16 fillies, the largest number of entries since 1976, will face the starter at the Curragh this Sunday for the Darley Irish Oaks.   A strong international challenge for the Group 1 Classic includes the Epsom Oaks winner Snow Fairy trained in Britain by Ed Dunlop, Royal Ascot winner Hibaayeb (the mount of Frankie Dettori) and French Oaks runner up Rosanara trained by Alain Royer Dupre. The home team is lead by the Jim Bolger trained Akdarena and Remember When trained by Aidan O’Brien.

Other notable entries include Epsom Oaks runner up Meeznah, Eldalill runner up in the Ribblesdale Stakes, Brazilian Beauty and the Godolphin owned Miss Jean Brodie

14 of Ireland’s leading lady riders are set to compete in the Thalgo Ladies Derby, while a select field of four will line up for the Jebel Ali Racecourse and Stables Anglesey Stakes including the Jim Bolger trained Glor Na Mara and Samuel Morse trained by Aidan O’Brien.  The Kilboy Estate Stakes will be one of the most competitive races over the weekend with 18 runners going to post including last year’s winner She’s Our Mark and the Aidan O’Brien trained Famous.

Racing also takes place on Saturday with the featured www.thetote.com Minstrel Stakes attracting 9 runners including Rayeni, Free Judgement, Croisultan and Air Chief Marshall.

All other sporting action including Golf and GAA will be shown on screens throughout the racecourse and in the Tote Sports Lounge on both days

1st race on Saturday is 2.10pm and on Sunday is 2.05pm

Admission Saturday €15 Under 25s and Seniors €8 Children under 16 free

Admission Sunday €20 Under 25s and Seniors €10 Children under 16 free

Two new BMW M3s supplied to be in use as Safety Car and Course Car on the track.

BMW Ireland and Mondello Park are proud to announce the continuation and extension of their long standing Course Car association with the introduction of two BMW M3s to the venue. The new cars will replace the BMW 116i Sport Hatch and BMW 120d Performance Coupe which were used at the circuit throughout 2009.

The two BMW M3s began their duties already at the National Championship Car Race Event a few weeks ago. One of the cars is fitted out as the circuits Safety Car, while the other is used on race days as a Course Car and during the week to show guests and corporate clients around the venue.

“The arrival of sports legends like these M3s will lift the profile of Race Events and the venue as a whole. The supreme performance level of the cars is ideal for the race track and these new BMW M3s will be of huge value for Mondello Park. We couldn’t be more thrilled”, says John Morris, Managing Director at Mondello Park.

“The BMW M3 wrote one of the most successful chapters in the history of the automobile and in international motorsport alike. The BMW M3 has always felt confident in both worlds – on the street and on the track. We are pleased that we can this year supply Ireland’s most important race track with a type of vehicle that has been of huge influence for the racing scene and for car enthusiasts around the world for the last 25 years. No other car would be a better fit for Mondello Park,” says John Ives, Managing Director BMW Group Ireland.

The pedigree of the BMW M cars as race track vehicles is well established with the M range in use as the official cars of MotoGP for the last twelve years. The cars supplied to Mondello Park are similar to the M3s used by MotoGP and will carry a similarly striking colour scheme.

Mondello Park and BMW Ireland have worked extensively together for years. BMW and their motorcycle division BMW Motorrad have used Mondello Park as both, a training centre and a venue for various model launches in the intervening period. In 2009 BMW also began displaying cars at the venue commencing with a three car exhibit celebrating 50 years of the MINI.

With the supply of the two new BMW M3, BMW Ireland commits to further strengthen its relationship with Mondello Park

This Sunday (18th July 2010) at Mondello will be a day of firsts as the new Irish Touring Car Championship (ITCC) has its first ever double header and the Ginetta Junior Ireland series has its inaugural race. The ten race programme will be run by the Carlow Car Club and it also features Formula Vee, Global Lights, Historic Racing Cars and Formula Libre.

The ITCC has been the sensation of the Irish Motor Racing Scene this season as it has steadily grown in popularity. The season got off to an excellent start in April with eighteen cars taking the start and three events later it is heading towards a full grid with thirty cars expected for Sunday's pair of races. The championship has proved popular with spectators as well as competitors with full grandstands greeting every ITCC race.

Ginetta Junior Ireland supported by Michelin is a new championship which will see fourteen to seventeen year olds competing in Irish circuit racing for the first time. This weekends championship opener is sponsored by 'The Grid' and will see ten cars compete over two races. Many of the drivers have graduated from the Jondol Junior Rallycross championship which previously was the only racing opportunity for these youngsters. The championship is a proven winner having run in the UK for a number of years and now looks likely to be extremely successful in Ireland too.

Of the remaining classes, Formula Vee and Global Lights will both race twice while the Historics and Formula Libre will have a single race each. The two Formula Vee encounters will be a qualifying race and a final, making up a single championship round while the Global Lights sportscars will have a pair of points scoring races. The Historics will also count their single race towards their championship points while the Libre event will be non-championship.

Sunday's event gets under way with the first race for Global lights race at 11:40 followed by the Vee qualifier and the first races for the ITCC and Ginetta Juniors. The remaining six races will take place from 14:15 after a lunch break.

Regular Adult admission for Sundays races is €15.00 with children under 16 admitted free. Two special offers on admission prices are also available. Individual admission can cost just €10.00 with a voucher printed from the special offers page of the Mondello Park web site, see www.mondellopark.ie/specials whilst groups of spectators arriving together can gain admission for the bargain price of just €20.00 per car and up to five passengers.

Kildare born artist John O’Connell has been announced as the recipient of this year’s Location One Fellowship award by the Arts Council of Ireland.

Location One is a not-for-profit art centre in New York devoted to convergence between visual, performing and digital arts. It operates an international residency programme where emerging and established artists can experiment with new forms of artistic expression. The Arts Council offers an annual fellowship to one artist to facilitate his/her participation in the international residency programme at Location One for 10 months, in order to develop his/her practice and create new work. In addition to the studio space, support and resources provided through Location One, the fellowship includes accommodation and a monthly stipend. The overall value of the award is in the region of €40,000.

John O’Connell’s work was recently exhibited at Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge. The Visitor, an installation of projections, film, sound and drawings by John O’Connell, ran from June 10 until July 1st and the artist himself was present at the opening of the exhibition. John’s work involves an interest in cycles of time, the study of cosmology and curves into unknown worlds of dreams, fantasy and the supernatural.  He develops his initial ideas by combining a number of processes and approaches but usually it starts with a drawing.  Through drawing, the characters, structures and landscapes are visualized and teased out.  The form and composition of these miniature worlds begins to materialise populated with strange and unusual objects.  John then merges this process with film, projection and sculptural installations to give the viewer the full experience of his altered environments and spaces.

All at Riverbank Arts Centre wish to congratulate John on this prestigious and highly deserved award, and wish him the very best for his future endeavours.

John holds an MA from the Royal College of Art, London and a BA from the National College of Art and Design, Dublin.  He has exhibited extensively in Europe, Ireland and in the USA employing a variety of working methods from drawing to sculpture and film. John O’Connell’s recent projects include: The Visitor, Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge (2010); Material Worlds-Contemporary sculpture from Ireland and the UK, F.E. McWilliam Gallery, Northern Ireland (2010); Clear Skies Above, SIM House, Reykjavík, (2010); Nothing Matters When Your Dancing, Stiftung Starke, Berlin (2009); Futures 09, Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin (2009); Big Pink,  Goethe Institute, Dublin (2009); and The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, Berlin (2009).

Please see www.jroconnell.com or visit www.artscouncil.ie

The inaugural Lifetime in Racing Achievement Race Day at the Curragh this Saturday is the first of an exciting two day Darley Irish Oaks weekend when the Group Three www.thetote.com Minstrel Stakes is the highlight of a seven race programme. The seven furlong contest has attracted 20 entries which includes three from Britain in Jeremy Noseda’s Arabian Gleam and the Clive Cox-trained pair of Beacon Lodge and Dunelight.

Trainer Jim Bolger, who landed this prize 12 months ago with Three Rocks, has entered both Free Judgement and Kitty Kiernan in a bid to follow up, while Aidan O’Brien is also strongly represented with Air Chief Marshall, Emperor Claudius, Beethoven and Encompassing. Local trainer Kevin Prendergast is also well represented and can choose between Mujaazef, Velvet Flicker and Zayaan.

The Barbara Collins Lifetime In Racing Nursery is another really interesting contest up for grabs. The five furlong dash has attracted 16 entries with Belleau, Rocha’s Cross and Snow Mountain likely to be among the market leaders. In addition to the nursery, there are three really competitive handicaps for punters to get their heads around and landing the Tote Jackpot (which is guaranteed for 5,000 euro) will be no easy task.

The Irish Trainers, Jockeys, Stable Staff, Breeders and Owners Associations were invited to nominate one person who they felt were deserving to be honoured with a Life Time in Racing Achievement Award.

The nominees are:

Irish Trainers Association                                Mick O’Toole

Irish Jockeys Association                               Stephen Craine

Irish Stable Staff Association                          Joe Feane

Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association      Sir Edmund Loder

Association of Irish Racehorse Owners         Barbara Collins

Racing at the Curragh on Saturday commences at 2.10pm and the ground has been described as good.

Entries for Darley Irish Oaks Day on Sunday will be published tomorrow (Tuesday)

You are invited to join the Irish Peatland Conservation Council from 2pm-5pm on Sunday 25th July at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre, Lullymore, Co. Kildare to celebrate International Bog Day. 

This worldwide event is celebrated in 2010 alongside the Bog of Allen Nature Centre’s celebrations for the International Year of Biodiversity.   Tadgh O’Corcora, IPCC’s Conservation Officer will introduce you to IPCC’s new peatland conservation action plan.  This plan calls for a holistic approach to the management of Ireland's remaining peatland resources with the overall aim of halting the loss of peatland biodiversity. 

 Visitors are also invited to join IPCC on a guided walk of Lodge Bog an example of an intact raised bog close to the centre where you can see some of the ongoing conservation work being undertaken by IPCC staff and volunteers.  For young visitors, a pond dipping session and froggy search will provide entertainment and the peatland museum and wildlife gardens will be open all day for visitors to browse at their leisure.  All welcome, admission free, bring a picnic and for those visitors intending on going on the bog walk bring strong footwear. 
 
 
These events have been supported by the National Parks and Wildlife Service under their Notice Nature campaign for the International Year of Biodiversity and Kildare County Council.

Mundy takes to the stage at Riverbank Arts Centre on Saturday 17^th July.

The boy from Birr, Co Offaly offers us a wealth of super pop songs such as July, Mexico, Gin and Tonic Sky or who could forget the most downloaded song of 2007 & 2008 Galway Girl. With some many great songs under his belt, Mundy’s latest album, Strawberry Blood, also shows another side to this artist. Mundy’s songs are beautiful and uplifting, a true tonic for the times.

Mundy was born Edmund Enright in the rural town of Birr, County Offaly, in 1976. At age 18, Mundy moved to Dublin and began performing on infamous busker haven Grafton Street, and at open-mike nights at the nearby International Bar. Less than two years later Mundy signed with Sony subsidiary Epic Records, and released his debut single, "To You I Bestow," on New Year's Day 1996. The presence of Youth, founding bassist with post-punk pioneers Killing Joke, is notable in the Smiths-like bounce of the single, and he was an equally important influence upon the album that followed, the appropriately titled Jelly Legs. Shortly before the album was released in October 1996, "To You I Bestow" was licensed for inclusion on the soundtrack for Baz Luhrmann's Shakespeare adaptation Romeo + Juliet, alongside tracks by Radiohead and Garbage. The soundtrack went on to sell 11 million copies; Jelly Legs sold a respectable 50,000 worldwide.

Strawberry Blood, Mundy’s fourth studio album is possibly his most accomplished to date. Recorded in Grouse Lodge, Co Westmeath and the Cauldron, Dublin by Joe Chester, Strawberry Blood features an intriguing cast of contributors including Shane McGowan (Love is Casino), Gemma Hayes (Fever) and Interference man Fergus O’Farrell (Pepper in My Dreams). The result is a beautiful and uplfiting album

As an added bonus for music lovers, Rhob Cunningham of Our Little Secrets will play support for Mundy on Saturday night. Having just toured the length and breath of the country as special guest opening for various acts including Cathy Davey, Villagers, Lisa Hannigan and James McMorrow, Rhob Cunningham's musical project has piqued the interest of just about anyone who's heard it. Rhob has spent the last few years playing songs and breaking E strings in every venue imaginable in Ireland. His consistent talent has led to support slots with many artists including Bell X1, Mundy, Mick Flannery and the late John Martyn, as well as backing vocal duties on Hannigan's debut album 'Sea Sew'. Performing song from his new self-titled album, you won't want to miss the Our Little Secret's set.

This is the perfect Summer gig and a great way to beat the post-festival blues. Mundy (acoustic) at Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge. Saturday 17th July 8pm. Tickets €20/€18. Call 045 448327 or book online www.riverbank.ie

The Learning Clinic – Parents’ Workshop

A 3 hour workshop for parents of struggling readers.
 
A workshop designed to assist parents in helping children develop reading confidence and success.
 
During the workshop parents will be taught strategies and will be given the tools needed to assist their children with the reading process. Different aspects of reading development will be identified and discussed. Barriers to reading such as dyslexia will also be explored..
 
This workshop promises to offer insight and relief for parents of children who are struggling to read.
 
The workshop will include 

• Phonemic awareness skills.
• Decoding strategies
• Sight word vocabulary building
• Fluency strategies
• Comprehension Techniques
   
   
  Venue:                 The Learning Clinic, Co Kildare                      
  Date:                   20th July
  Time:                   10 am to 1pm
  Cost:                    €50
  To book:            email:  learningclinic@gmail.com 
   
  Contact:             086 8575636 / 046 9732770 and www.thelearningclinic.ie
  

On Saturday July 10th people of all ages and experience levels will be banging a drum and learning the rhythms of the world with bodhran player Robbie Harris.

In what will be a highly entertaining afternoon, this interactive workshop will introduce participants to rhythms from all over the world and will teach them to explore their own abilities through a hands- on drumming experience.

Robbie Harris is a bodhrán player and percussionist. Over the years he has performed and recorded with artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Bob Geldof, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Moya Brennan, Brian Kennedy, Damien Dempsey, Finbar Furey, Eileen Ivers, Emer Mayock, Celtic Woman and The High Kings.

Robbie will teach Rhythms from a wide variety of locations including Ireland, Africa, Latin America and Asia as well as a range of ensemble drumming pieces.
 
No experience is needed and anybody, any age can benefit enormously from drumming. Take all the family, gather some friends and have some fun with Rhythms of the World Saturday July 10th at Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge. The workshop runs from 2.30pm to 4.30pm, Price €15/€10. Percussion instruments will be provided for all participants. To book call 045 448327 or visit www.riverbank.ie
 
"The uniqueness of this rhythm workshop is everybody gets to play a percussive instrument and is free to let go and have as much fun as possible."