County Kildare News

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council are undertaking an extensive survey of the bog woodland habitat on their reserve Lodge Bog in county Kildare. “From this survey we hope to gain more knowledge of bog woodland habitats which are an EU conservation priority and a little known face of Irish bogs” says Michael Kenny, Conservation Officer with the IPCC.  This survey will also assist with the management of this habitat for biodiversity conservation in the future.
 
Bog woodland habitats are listed as a priority habitat for protection under the EU Habitats Directive. In Ireland bog woodlands are associated with intact raised bogs. The habitat is rare with documented sites in Ireland covering less than 35ha.

Bog woodlands are very distinctive and typically occur in very wet parts of a raised bog, which may seem surprising given the very acidic and nutrient-poor nature of the substrate. They are dominated by birch – mostly downy birch (Betula pubescens) – with occasional willows and scattered Scots Pine. A characteristic feature is the ground cover of Sphagnum  moss species that often form deep carpets on the woodland floor.
 
These woodlands are important for providing vertical structure, shelter and warmth in an essentially open and exposed habitat as well providing habitats for a variety of additional plant and animal species. The trees themselves provide food and shelter for numerous invertebrates and cover for scrub and woodland birds in which to breed.
 
“We are looking for volunteers to assist us with the undertaking of the bog woodland survey and to participate in all aspects of the fieldwork” says Michael Kenny, Conservation Officer. “Who knows what we will discover! he added.
The bog woodlands on Lodge bog need to be surveyed and their importance to the conservation of Irish biodiversity determined. 
 
This Bog Woodland Habitat Survey and Volunteer Training Programme has been supported by Kildare County Council under the Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2011.

NOW OPEN!! New and Exciting family recreation centre located in the heart of Newbridge. Snooker! Pool! Table Tennis! Internet! Coffee Dock! and More

Sharkx holds weekly competitions in: 6 Red Snooker, Pool and Table Tennis, Under 16's Pool, Ladies Pool

6 Red Snooker: Every Mon @ 8pm, €5 entry, All Abilities Welcome

Ladies Pool: Every Wed @ 8pm, €5 entry, All Ages & Abilities Welcome

Table Tennis: Every Wed @ 8pm, €5 entry, All Ages & Abilities Welcome

Pool: Every Thurs @ 8pm, €5 entry, All Abilities Welcome

Under 16s Pool: Every Sun @ 3pm, €5 entry, All Abilities Welcome

Business info:

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MEMBERSHIP NOW AVAILABLE

• under 21s: €15 a year, with which you recieve 3 x €10 vouchers,
• over 21s: €25 with which you recieve 5 x €10 vouchers...
• membership will entitle you to enter upcoming competitions and activities.
• It will also entitle you to pre book snooker and pool tables etc...
• Membership cards are given inside, please enquire.

SHARKX HENRY ST NEWBRIDGE CO. KILDARE IRE

Gala Evening of Entertainment In Support of the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund

Friday 3rd June 8pm

Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge

Tickets €10

On March 11, 2011, an earthquake struck off the coast of Japan, followed by a Tsunami and a Nuclear Crisis, this has left devastation across Japan.
The official death toll had been raised to 14,133, and more than 13,346 people were listed as missing. More than 130,000 people remained housed in temporary shelters; tens of thousands of others evacuated their homes due to the nuclear crisis.

Newbridge has a strong link with the people of Japan, it as their host town for the Special Olympics and for many years Newbridge was home to many Japanese students who came to study here. The Holy Family has a special connection with Japan and in particular with the Sendai area, as many of their pupils and staff took part in student exchanges.

The Holy Family School has set up a Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Sendai Relief Fund, in the Bank of Ireland Newbridge, in an effort to help the people of Sendai and to show solidarity.

Many fund raising events have been happening throughout the Holy Family and the community of Newbridge, and A Gala Evening of Entertainment in Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge is part of this fundraising effort.

This event was organised by Paula Conlan of StageWorks, and a past pupil of the Holy Family.

This Gala evening promises to be a memorable evening of Music, Dance and Song. Special guests include Fifth String,  Lorraine Nolan and Michael F Malone to name but a few. The evening will also celebrate the release of Charity CD called “Solidarity” by Ceithre Cairde. For tickets to this fundraising evening please call 045 448327 or visit www.riverbank.ie

Fetac Level 5 Certificate in Healthcare Support (DHSXX)

Course for people working or intending to work as Care Assistants, Nursing Aids, Respite Care, Nursing Homes or Day Care Centres, or looking to further their studies into a career in Nursing.

Will take place one day per week (Fridays) at the McMahon Centre, Kilcullen.

Course runs from 16th September 2011 to 16th March 2012

Contact Joanne Woodlock - 0504-54835 or 087-2542650 or jwoodlock@frstraining.com

Entry Fee: €650

Early booking advised due to limited spaces.

www.frstraining.com

The Draft Athy Development Plan 2012-2018 was published at the end of March last and the statutory 10 week period of public consultation will close next Tuesday, 7th June.

Copies of the draft plan are available to view at the offices of Athy Town Council, Kildare County Council (Naas) and the Athy Community Library. In addition, the plan is available online at www.athytowncouncil.ie

Submissions from the public are invited and should be submitted in writing to Draft Athy Development Plan, C/o. Town Clerk, Athy Town Council, Rathstewart, Athy, Co. Kildare or by email: atcdevplan@kildarecoco.ie on or before 4pm on Tuesday next.

On behalf of Athy Chamber, I write confirming our support and ongoing admiration of TriAthy.

The inaugural TriAthy in 2007 was universally acclaimed as a great success and each year since TriAthy has grown and is a credit to its organisers and to our town.    Each year, our businesses, townspeople and the competitors speak highly of the event, its organisation and its promotion of our town. The event shows our town in a good light, demonstrating the attractions of the magnificent river Barrow and our other town features.  Athy is a great town in which to live, work and enjoy leisure pursuits.

This year’s TriAthy will take place over the June bank holiday weekend and Athy Chamber asks everyone to, again, come together to show the event and our town in its best light and support all those who are competing and organising the event.

Promoting our town is an ongoing requirement of our businesses and townspeople. With each year of the event, Athy Town Council and our townspeople have contributed a lot and these efforts must be repeated and renewed this year to use TriAthy as a springboard for our town to the rest of our country and to the international community.

National and international press coverage is guaranteed for the event. National and International competitors have again entered this year and the event has been designated on the Triathlon calendar as the Irish Olympics Distance Championship

Visually the town should be shown in its most attractive state, thus Athy Chamber asks that a significant clean up be undertaken immediately and that local businesses, our townspeople and Athy Town Council keep their premises clean and tidy and that the streets of the town should be cleaned before during and after the event.  This will entail the Council ensuring that litter bins and streets are kept clean b.

Athy Chamber supports the promotion of the town and for the forthcoming event, asks all its members and non members to hang a flag on their premises thus providing a colour to the town’s streets and premises.  This simple advertising promotional feature brings colour and pride to our town over the June bank holiday weekend.

We also encourage all who visit our town to frequent our businesses and our many restaurants, coffee shops, sandwich bars and hostelries and experience the great attractions in our town.

Support our town, our people, our great events and festivals.

Paul A. Cunningham.
Athy Chamber President

For more information visit www.triathy.ie

The first episode of the new RTE television series ‘The Genealogy Roadshow’ will be recorded this coming Sunday in Carton House, Kildare. The presenter is Derek Mooney.
You can come along and be in the programme. Audience and contributors wanted!

Here are some of the great stories we’ll be featuring on the show.

• Kildare's connections to a world famous explorer.
• Local heroes and villains from one of the bloodiest episodes of the 1978 Rebellion.
• A remarkable Irish connection to Napoleon on the show.
• The strange story of huge numbers of Irish people who were sold into slavery.

We'll be there all afternoon with these tales and more, this coming Sunday in Kildare’s Carton House.
 
It’s an informal, family event so all are welcome and you will get the chance to meet genealogists and historians if you have questions for them.
 
Admission is free to the public but we would ask people who are thinking of attending to get in touch because we have three blocks of filming across the afternoon. You can come along for the whole thing or just for a while. So get in touch now.
 
Call Kate on 086 237 5499 or drop us an email to genealogy@bigmountainproductions.com
 
Hope to see you there - This Sunday afternoon in Carton House from 12.30pm.

The County Kildare Joint Policing Committee and the South Western Regional Drug Task Force are pleased to announce an evening with psychologist David Coleman of RTÉ. Parenting on the Frontline is a free event for parents of children aged 10 – 17 years. It will explore some universal tips on positive parenting strategies for issues that can include suspected substance use in adolescents.

The event will take place at the Hotel Keadeen in Newbridge on Thursday 2nd June. Doors open at 6:30 pm for an exhibition followed by the debate. Spaces are limited at the Keadeen Hotel and people are asked to pre-register by texting 51444 with the word ‘Drug’ followed by your name, town and the number of seats:- DRUG  MARY BLOGGS  CELBRIDGE 2 SEATS  . Standard text rates apply.

David Coleman will be joined by a panel of experts from the HSE, An Garda Síochána and the Regional Drugs Task Force with active participation from the audience. The event follows the countywide Joint Policing Committee Forum in October 2010 where a significant number of issues raised were on how to address challenging behaviour in adolescents. The approach will focus on parenting skills that will be easily transferable to a wide range of social development issues.

David Coleman is a practicing clinical psychologist and has become best known in Ireland as the presenter of the hit RTÉ television series ‘Families in Trouble’, ‘21st Century Child’, ‘Teens in the Wild’ and most recently ‘Families in the Wild’.  All of his television programmes have dealt with aspects of family life, parenting and child and adolescent development. His public discussions audiences have proven to be very popular way to engage on the broad and sometimes challenging area of parenting.

The event is an initiative of the County Kildare Joint Policing Committee and the South Western Regional Drugs Taskforce and is supported by the Kildare County Childcare Committee and KFM radio.

Details and updates for the evening will be posted on the County Kildare Joint Policing Committee website:- http://www.kildarejointpolicing.ie

Newmarket 1000 Guineas runner up Together is one of 15 runners for Etihad Airways Irish 1000 Guineas and the Aidan O’Brien trained performer is currently the 11/4 favourite with Paddy Power for the Group 1 Classic. She is joined in the race by her stable companions Look At Me, Misty For Me and Wild Wind, who was third in last Sunday’s French 1,000 Guineas at Longchamp.

There are plenty of fast improving fillies waiting in the wings should Together fail to deliver on her Newmarket promise, not least of all the John Oxx-trained Emiyna. The latter was immediately nominated for this race following her recent success in the Athasi Stakes.  Banimpire, Chrysanthemum, Rose Bonheur and Seaharn are other Irish-trained fillies well worth their place in Sunday’s line-up.

Majestic Dubawi is the sole overseas challenger. Trained by Mick Channon, she is having her first start of the season here, but she was a top filly last season and fitness is unlikely to be an issue.

Paddy Power latest betting: 11-4; Together, 9-2 Emiyna, 8; Banimpire, Look at Me, 9 Laughing Lashes, 10 Misty for Me, 12 Wild Wind, 14 Handassa, History Note, 16 Chrysanthemium, 20  Claoimh Solas, 25 Ballybacka Lady, Seeharn, 33 Majestic Dubawi, Rose Bonheur

Australian champion So You Think heads five runners for the Tattersalls Gold Cup, with the Godolphin trained Campanologist and Famous Name trained by Dermot Weld his main opposition in the Group 1 contest.

Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby entries Alexander Pope and Best Hello are among the 10 runners for the Group 3 Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes, while runners representing France, Germany and Britain, including Kasih who will be partnered by Johnny Murtagh, will compete in the prestigious President of the UAE Cup. This is the only race for pure bred Arabian horses run in Ireland.

There are eight declared runners for Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas on Saturday with Newmarket 2000 Guineas runner up Dubawi Gold and Slim Shadey who finished fourth in the race taking on a strong home trained team lead by Dunboyne Express and Roderic O’Connor

Saturday’s seven race programme also includes the Weatherbys Ireland Greenland Stakes with Hitchens and Tiddliwicks representing Britain in the Group 3 contest, while the home team includes Snaefell, Sing Softly and Croisultan. Nine runners will line up for the TP Waters Marble Hill Stakes, while Lolly for Dolly, Aoife Alainn, Obama Rule, Cilium and Emulous are among the 10 runners for the Group 3 TRI Equestrian Stakes.

The whole weekend of top class racing will have a distinctly Arabic flavour with many elements of Emirati life and culture being showcased in an Arabian Village, which will feature a variety of activities to promote the attractions of Abu Dhabi. Etihad Airways will also feature a spectacular display to showcase their association with Formula One motor racing.

All things female will be the centre of attention on Sunday with a fantastic prize of a 5 Star holiday to Abu Dhabi courtesy of Etihad Airways for the lady judged to be Most Stylish by a panel of judges that include television presenter Sinead Desmond, travel writer Karen Creed and Melanie Morris of Image magazine

Saturday 1st race 2.10pm, Sunday 1.40pm

Admission €20, seniors and Under 25s €10, Under 16s Free

With ten days to go to the biggest Motorcycle Event of the year at Mondello Park the line-up for the Bridgestone Motorcycle Expo continues to grow. Bridgestone Tyres, a strong trade area and a HB Ice Cream Fun Day in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland will be just some of the features of the event

Expo title sponsor Bridgestone Tyres will be one of the biggest exhibitors at the event with their full range of road, off-road, track day and race tyres on display as well as having their top technician's on-hand to answer all of your tyre queries. Over the course of the event they will also run a number of competitions and give-aways. Bridgestone will be a major part of the track activity as well with two races for riders from the 'Bridgestone Cup' class of Mondello Park's 'Adelaide Masters' Motorcycle Racing series and the Irish Clubman Superbike and Supersport classes.

A long list of traders have now signed up to show their wares at the Expo and the list includes an additional manufacturer to add to the five already committed. Bringing an old Motorcycling name back into the Irish marketplace are JAWA Ireland who will exhibit the latest machinery from the Czech Republic manufacturer. More than thirty five trade stands will also be on display alongside the other exhibition attractions and track activities. The latest exhibitor to commit is Ireland’s biggest motorcycling publication Bike Buyers Guide.

Full details of the event timetable are being finalised and will be released next week. The timetable will include Track Races and demonstration laps, Off Road races and trials riding demonstrations with the highlight for many being an appearance by Ireland’s top stunt rider Mattie Griffin.

To keep up to date will with all of the info about the show see www.mondellopark.ie or find us at facebook.com/BridgestoneMotorcycleExpo.

Castlefarm is now taking bookings for its children’s summer club. Set on 170 acres of real farm the Castlefarm summer club offers children and parents’ a great value package of fun, fresh air and learning. Children will enjoy treasure trails, scarecrow building, mural painting, kite making, baking. They can also help out with egg collecting, pig feeding and gardening.

According to Michelle Hourihan, Tours and Education Manager, “Children love the adventure of spending time on a real farm. They get a great buzz from helping out with everyday farm chores such as egg collecting and pig feeding. They also have healthy fun working together in teams to build scarecrows and kites. We are lucky to have a huge barn and indoor areas to play in as well as the 170 acres of farm so whatever the weather we’ll be out and about having fun!”

This year’s Castlefarm summer club will run from the 4th - 8th July, 11th – 15th July & 18th -22nd July daily from 11am – 3pm, pre-booking necessary.

For more information: Call Michelle on 086 3736402 or email tours@castlefarmshop.ie. The summer club is suitable for 5 - 12 year olds and places are strictly limited so as to ensure everyone gets the most from the club. Children can be booked in for individual days at €30 or for the full week at €100, with additional savings for multiple siblings.

 Further information contact Michelle Hourihan 086-3736402, tours@castlefarmshop.ie

 Log onto www.castlefarmshop.ie

Dunboyne Express, who will attempt to give owner John Connaughton and jockey Declan McDonagh their very first Irish Classic winner, together with the Aidan O’Brien trained Roderic O’Connor head the home trained team for this Saturday’s Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas taking place at the Curragh.

They will face a strong British trained challenge with Newmarket 2000 Guineas runner up Dubawi Gold, who is the current favourite for the race with Paddy Power at 7/4 and Slim Shadey, who finished fourth in that race, both making the trip to the County Kildare venue for the first Group 1 Classic of the Irish flat racing season.

Aidan O’Brien will also be represented by Oracle and High Ruler, while Zabarajad trained by John Oxx and the John Murphy trained Foolproof make up the 8 runners.

Paddy Power: 7-4 Dubawi Gold, 9-4 Dunboyne Express, 3 Roderic O'Connor, 7 Zabarajad, 20 Slim Shadey, 25 High Ruler, Oracle, 200 Foolproof

The whole weekend of top class racing will have a distinctly Arabic flavour with many elements of Emirati life and culture being showcased in an Arabian Village, which will feature a variety of activities to promote the attractions of Abu Dhabi. Etihad Airways will also feature a spectacular display to showcase their association with Formula One motor racing. Sunday will be Ladies Day.

The first of seven races takes place at 2.10pm. Admission €20, seniors and Under 25s €10, Under 16s Free

Mondello Park 'Become A Racing Driver' competition winner Sean Hynes from Foxford Co. Mayo, made a very impressive start to his motor racing career at Mondello Park on Sunday May 15th. Driving in the opening Mondello Park round of the 2011 Formula Sheane Irish Championship, Hynes qualified seventh and then sensationally finished fifth in his first ever motor race, against a field of highly experienced racers.

Hynes arrived at the track for testing on Saturday to have his first taste of the Mondello Park International track at the wheel of the full-spec Formula Sheane single seater used in the Irish championship. Previously the Mayo man had only driven this track in the less powerful Mondello Park Motor Racing School version. Adapting quickly to the car and track, Hynes was soon getting close to the pace of his rivals and showing signs of the ability which had seen him come out on top in the 2010 competition and secure a free season's racing in Formula Sheane.

Following Saturday's practice there was just a single qualifying session on Sunday morning to decide the grid for the afternoon's race. The mechanical engineering student was now in at the deep end, as he had just six laps to get the best from himself and his Sheane car, on the notoriously tricky International track. Improving all the time, Hynes turned in a very respectable effort, qualifying seventh and within touching distance of the three cars immediately in front of him.

Good as his qualifying was, the Mayo man was to go even better in the race, quickly dropping his times to within a second and a half of the front runners. Having tagged on to the leaders at the start, Hynes was driving like a veteran and may have remained with the lead group if it was not for having to avoid a spinning car which almost brought him to a standstill. Getting back into his stride after this interruption he continued his progress to record a very impressive fifth place finish.

Speaking after his début Hynes was delighted with his progress, saying, “I was a bit nervous arriving for testing on Saturday and took a little bit of time to get used to the car. I made a big leap forward in qualifying and then another in the race and was delighted to finish up fifth. It was a fantastic experience and totally different from the racing school, due to how competitive it was. I have to thank Mondello Park and David Sheane of Sheane Cars for this opportunity, as without this prize I would never have been able to go racing. I'm glad I was able to pay them back with a good first performance and hope to go even better next time out.”

Hynes next race will be back at Mondello Park in June with a race on the shorter and more familiar National track where he clinched the competition win which gave him his Motor Racing opportunity

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council are hosting two free biodiversity workshops at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre, Lullymore, Rathangan, Co. Kildare during Biodiversity Week 2011. 

The first workshop will be held on 24th May from 9.30am-1pm and is ‘An Introduction to the Butterflies of Ireland’.  This workshop will explore the variety of butterflies we have in Ireland and includes a guided walk to Lullymore West Bog in Co. Kildare where participants will take part in IPCC’s National Biodiveristy Data Centre butterfly transect. 

 The second workshop is entitled the ‘Marsh Fritillary Butterfly’  This workshop will be held on Thursday the 26th May from 9.30am-1pm at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre.  The Marsh Fritillary is an endangered butterfly in Europe and this workshop aims to introduce the lifecycle and habitats requirements of the butterfly to participants and includes a walk to a local nature reserve where it is hoped participants will see the butterfly. 

Booking is essential by calling 045-860133 as places are limited. 
 
The Irish Peatland Conservation Council is grateful for the funding supplied by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, through the Irish Environmental Network.

TOGETHER ran the race of her life when narrowly edged out by Blue Bunting at Newmarket and the Aidan O’Brien-trained filly is sure to be all the rage when she attempts to go one better in the Group One Etihad Airways Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Sunday. The daughter of Galileo, currently 9/2 second favourite with Paddy Power,  is one of 16 entries for the fillies Classic which takes place on Ladies Day and could be joined in the race by her stable companions Why, Look At Me, Misty For Me and Wild Wind who was third in last Sunday’s French 1,000 Guineas at Longchamp.

There are plenty of fast improving fillies waiting in the wings should Together fail to deliver on her Newmarket promise, not least of all the John Oxx-trained Emiyna who has been installed as 4/1 by Paddy Power . The latter was immediately nominated for this race following her recent success in the Athasi Stakes.  Banimpire, Chrysanthamum, Rose Bonheur and Seaharn are other Irish-trained fillies well worth their place in Sunday’s line-up.

Majestic Dubawi is the sole overseas challenger. Trained by Mick Channon, she is having her first start of the season here, but she was a top filly last season and fitness is unlikely to be an issue.

Australian champion So You Think created a huge impression when landing the Group Three High Chaparral EBF Mooresbridge Stakes at this venue just over two weeks ago on his debut for Aidan O’Brien and is the one they all have to beat in the Group One Tattersalls Gold Cup. The son of High Chaparral has been installed as 1/3 hot favourite by Paddy Power having oozed class that afternoon when coming home hard held to beat Bob Le Beau by 10 lengths. Admittedly he faces stronger opposition (Await The Dawn 7/1, Famous Name (7/2), Campanologist 10/1 and Jan Vermeer 16/1 are also entered) on this occasion, he looks well up to the task.

The Group Three Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes has attracted 13 entries, including the Richard Hannon-trained Moriarty. Champion trainer Aidan O’Brien holds a strong hand here with four entries in Alexander Pope, Last Crusade, Robin Hood and Why, while John Oxx can choose between Adilapour and Swampfire.

The President of the United Arab Emirates Cup is another feature on the racetrack as some of the world’s leading Arabian horse’s line up in this prestigious contest with 11 entries featuring runners from Britain, France and Germany.

The whole weekend of top class racing will have a distinctly Arabic flavour with many elements of Emirati life and culture being showcased in an Arabian Village, which will feature a variety of activities to promote the attractions of Abu Dhabi. Etihad Airways will also feature a spectacular display to showcase their association with Formula One motor racing.

Glamour and style will also be a key ingredient on Sunday with Ladies Day featuring a spectacular prize for the lady judged to be Most Stylish of a 5 star holiday in Abu Dhabi courtesy of Etihad Airways. Judges include Sinead Desmond, travel writer Karen Creed and Melanie Morris of Image Magazine

The first of eight races at the Curragh on Sunday gets under way at 1.40pm. The ground is currently good to firm and watering commenced this morning.

DUBAWI GOLD has been supplemented to the Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh next Saturday, 21st May at a cost of €32,500 and has been installed as 7/4 favourite by Paddy Power for the first Irish Classic race of 2011. The Richard Hannon-trained colt will bid to go one better in the Group One contest following his second placing behind Frankel in the Newmarket equivalent and is one of 11 probables at today’s entry stage.

Slim Shadey, fourth in the Newmarket Classic, is set to renew rivalry with Dubawi Gold and any easing in the ground between now and then will be to his advantage according to his trainer Stan Moore. Ashva, who is trained by Michael Dods, is the other overseas challenger.

Champion trainer Aidan O’Brien has entered five horses for Saturday’s first Classic of the year, including Roderic O’Connor who never got in a blow when finishing 11th behind Frankel at Newmarket. That was his first start of the season, however, and he is likely to do better this time. O’Brien has also entered High Ruler, Oracle, Master Of Hounds and Zoffany.

Dunboyne Express was one of our best juveniles last season, and the Kevin Prendergast-trained colt warmed up for Saturday’s task with a comfortable success over Exodus in a Group Three contest at Leopardstown in late March. Zabarajad, only just touched off by Imperial Rome over seven furlongs here at the beginning of the month, and Foolproof are the other likely contenders.

The Group Three Tri Equestrian Stakes has attracted 13 horses including the supplemented Cilium. Agony And Ecstasy and Kinky Afro are the two overseas challengers here while Lolly For Dolly, Emulous and Aoife Alainn head the home defence.

A total of 18 have been entered for the Group 3 Weatherbys Ireland Greenham Stakes with six of them hailing from Britain. Interestingly Aidan O’Brien has also entered Zoffany for this six furlong contest. Meanwhile, the Listed T P Waters EBF Marble Hill Stakes has attracted an entry of 18 including four from the Mick Channon stable in Britain.

The first of seven competitive races gets under way at 2.10 pm on Saturday and the ground is currently good to firm.

The whole weekend of top class racing will have a distinctly Arabic flavour with many elements of Emirati life and culture being showcased in an Arabian Village, which will feature a variety of activities to promote the attractions of Abu Dhabi. Etihad Airways will also feature a spectacular display to showcase their association with Formula One motor racing and sponsor Ladies Day on Sunday.

The Final of the Heineken Cup between Leinster and Northampton will be shown on screens throughout the racecourse.

Nas na Ri Singers invite all music lovers to their Annual Summer Concert in The Pavilion, Punchestown Racecourse on Sat 21st May at 8pm. This year they will be joined by the successful Ardee Concert Band to perform “Music of the Movies”. The choir is thrilled to collaborate with such a versatile and accomplished band on many well known and loved musical pieces. “Alan Kelly, our Musical Director, has filled us with enthusiasm for this concert “, (said Anne Stewart PRO).

Alan, who is also Associate Conductor of the band, has in addition arranged a number of the pieces being performed”. Movie goers can look forward to music from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Mission and Ghost among others. Song lovers will recognise Moon River, Unchained Melody, Nella Fantasia and the theme from The Vicar of Dibley. The Ardee Concert Band’s repertoire will include music from Morricone and the Beatles. Don’t miss out on this musical feast! Tickets cost €20 and are available from choir members, Barker and Jones, Naas Credit Union and O’Reilly’s Pharmacy or contact 087 4095248. Proceeds from the concert will benefit The Samaritans.

The Nas na Ri Singers wish to thank all the music lovers who supported their Christmas concert. Despite severe weather and the ensuing postponement of their concert the choir donated €1800 to the local branch of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul. This was accepted on behalf of the society by Mrs. Kate Conway.

In January The Nas na Ri Singers were among 170 musicians and singers at a special event in the Moat Theatre to mark the presentation of instruments from the Kildare Music instrument Bank. The choir was the happy recipient of a keyboard and amplifier from the Kildare Instrument Bank coordinated by Kildare Arts in Context Ltd.

On Good Friday the Nas na Ri Singers performed The Crucifixion by Stainer in the Church of Our Lady and St. David Naas. Proceeds from this performance will benefit The Christians of The Holy Land. We wish to thank all our loyal followers for their continued support and are looking forward to our 40th Anniversary in 2012.

Kildare Sports Partnership are inviting all teenage girls to a Come & Try Sports Taster Day on Saturday 21st of May in Naas Sports Centre & K Leisure fro 12 noon to 4.00 p.m.

Free Of Charge.

Activities include Cycling, Dance, Martial Arts, Athletics and many more. Plus information stands on a wide range of fun sport and activity programmes.

For more information contact 045 980546 or email ksp@kildarecoco.ie or Register @ www.facebook.com/kildaresportsparthersip

The fourth episode of the new historical walking series, Coiscéimeanna presented by journalist and keen walker, Harry McGee on Sunday, May 22nd at 8.15pm on TG4 (Repeat Friday, May 27th at 11.05pm) features a fascinating walk in Kildare.

In this programme, Harry follows in the footsteps of Daniel O’Connell and the Mullaghmast Monster Meeting in South Kildare in 1843.
 
During the 1840s, Daniel O’Connell spearheaded a massive political campaign to repeal the act of union and have a parliament established in Dublin. The movement involved a number of mass meetings called monster meetings attended by more than 700,000 people across the four provinces of Ireland. O’Connell picked locations with historical connections, hosting the two biggest ones at Tara, Co. Meath on August 15th 1843 and at Mullaghmast, Co. Kildare on October 1st 1843.
 
On his journey, Harry explores the events of the mass meeting at Mullaghmast, which is important because it is the last. Due to its success and huge attendance, the next meeting to be held at Clontarf was banned by the British government.
 
Harry’s walk retraces the journey of Daniel O’Connell from newspapers and contemporary accounts as he made his way from Kilcullen in Co. Kildare to the meeting near Ballitore. O’Connell and his associates left Dublin about half past two in the afternoon on Saturday 30th September 1843 and rapidly proceeded to Kilcullen where they was hosted by the Catholic parish priest, Rev. Mr J. Murtagh. From early on Saturday, repealers from every corner of Ireland converged on the small town and the district around Mullaghmast. Every form of transport was pressed into service and every available place of boarding within a ten-mile radius of the meeting place was booked out. There was little sleep for the thousands gathered in and around Kilcullen and people seemed to be milling around all night.
 
On the morning of the mass meeting, the procession passed through Old Kilcullen, Calverstown, Halverstown, Blackhall and Narraghmore en route to the Rath of Mullaghmast, a distance of over 20 kilometres. The roadsides were lined with cheering crowds along the whole route, mostly women and children, as the men were on foot heading for Mullaghmast from an early hour.
 
A large platform was built in the meeting field by locals in the weeks before the huge event. During his speech, O’Connell explained why he chose Mullaghmast for the meeting place.
 
“At Mullaghmast (and I have chosen this for this obvious reason), we are on the precise spot where English treachery - aye, and false Irish treachery, too - consummated a massacre that has never been imitated. . . . I thought this a fit and becoming spot to celebrate, in the open day, our unanimity (both Protestant and Catholic) in declaring our determination not to be misled by any treachery.”
 
A banquet was held after the meeting at which 700 people sat down to a hot meal. Daniel O’Connell was rated as one of the finest orators in the House of Parliament in his day. This episode is due to air on May 22nd and coincides with the visit of President Barack Obama, another great orator, to Ireland on May 23rd. There are a number of comparisons made in the programme between O’Connell and Obama!

On his journey, Harry meets with locals and historians alike, such as local historian, Eamon Kane who was heavily involved in the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the Mullaghmast meeting in Kildare 1993. He meets local woman, Bridie Martin who tells him about the story about 1577 massacre at Mullaghmast and even takes a detour to Castledermot for a pig race!

The writer and director of the series, Bláithín Ní Chatháin (Kane) and also the daughter of Eamon Kane has strong Kildare roots. Hailing from Castledermot she says, “I was very excited to film in my native county, we filmed all over the country from Kerry to Donegal, but we got some of the nicest weather in Kildare and all the crew, including Harry were amazed at how scenic south Kildare was!”

Bláithín grew up hearing about the Monster Meeting at Mullaghmast from her father and helped him with the 150th celebrations when she was a young girl, “It felt very special to bring that story to television”.

The Kildare walk was filmed last Summer.

In only its second year, Mondello Park's Bridgestone Motorcycle Expo is already building into one of the biggest motorcycle events on the Irish calendar, as traders and motorcycle manufacturers confirm their participation in the May 29th event.

Having begun last year with four manufacturers on board this year's event has already outstripped that with five makes confirmed and more still in the pipeline. BMW, Honda, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha, will all be represented at the 2011 event, where they will show off their latest motorcycles. The Trade area was a major part of last year's show and this section is also set to grow with bookings already up by 25% on last year with two and a half weeks still to go to the Expo.

The most important part of the show for most visitors is the non-stop live action, whether it is on the main Mondello Park track or in the Off-Road section. More details of the track activity have now been confirmed with two races for 'Bridgestone Cup' competitors heading the bill. These races will be only be open to Supersport and Superbike riders who normally compete in the 'Cup' class of the Adelaide Masters Series where competitors must run on Bridgestone tyres.

Adding a less serious but no less competitive aspect to the track action this year will be two races for Honda Fifty type motorcycles. The races will be open to riders from the annual 'Nifty Fifty' charity endurance race where any 'Step-Through' motorcycle up to 90cc is allowed. These racers will take to the track twice for what may be two of the slowest but also two of the most entertaining races ever seen at Mondello Park.

With new additions to the exhibitor and live action line-up being added every day, further information on the 2011 Bridgestone Motorcycle Expo will continue to be announced as the show date approaches. To keep up to date with all the news and announcements, see www.mondellopark.ie, the Bridgestone Motorcycle Expo facebook page, or sign up to Mondello Park's free text and email alert service at www.mondellopark.ie/alerts.

Creative Workshops for Adults - 4 Days of Art and Crafts for Beginners

at Cranbrook Studio, Caragh, Naas, Co. Kildare

Friday 8th -  Monday 11th July 
Or
Wednesday 12th - Saturday 16th July

Explore your creative side and learn new skills in a relaxed and informal atmosphere in the heart of the countryside.

Workshops available:

• Exploring your creativity – Taking time and space to explore the natural surrounding and respond with a variety of media
• Hot Textiles - Learn to decorate fabric using heat tools and recycled materials.
• Dry Felting – using an embellisher machine to create beautiful fibre pieces
• Enamelling – learn to enamel on copper, using an enamelling kiln to make small wall pieces and/or jewellery pieces
• Basic printmaking – mono printing, dry point and carborundum using a printing press.
• Painting in acrylics - Suitable for absolute beginners

Cost: €300 for 4 days of workshops

There is a 10% discount ( €270)  if booking deposit of €100 received on or before Friday 17th June

For further information and application form you can contact:

• Mary at 087 6912496 or 043 432613
• Ros at 086 8326432 or 045 897573 
• Contact email address:  rosalind@chuffeymedia.ie
  

Last February, local Naas girl, Sharon Sexton, donned her producer hat, along with her fiancé Cillian O' Donnachadha, as they put their wedding fund on the line in order to stage what has undoubtedly been their most challenging production to date. 

Somewhere Under The Rainbow – The Liza Minnelli Story  has been  a work in progress for the past 2 years, devised, written and produced by the couple. Telling the tales of Liza's colourful life, interspersed with well recognised songs from Liza's song book, this musical won the hearts of many musical theatre fans during its last outing as part of The International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival last summer, where Sharon picked up the Eva-Gore Booth award for Best Female Performer, for her portrayal of Liza. 

When approached by management of Dublin's Olympia Theatre and offered the opportunity to stage the show in the prestigious venue, the couple jumped at the chance, funding the whole production themselves. "In this day and age, money for the arts is extremely scarce. Producers don't want to take a risk with their money, but we had absolute confidence in the piece and so we took the gamble".

And the gamble paid off. After what could only be described as a magical evening of entertainment, the performance was greeted by an amazing audience reception, with the Olympia Theatre packed out to the rafters (literally!)

Producer, Donal Sheils was in the audience that night and is now staging the first national tour of Somewhere Under The Rainbow this summer. "We are delighted that we can take this show on the road", says Sharon, "Liza is such an icon and has had the most astonishing and colourful life, both professionally and personally. It really is a pleasure to tell her story. And it's such an uplifting and emotional show; I don't think I'll ever get tired of performing it".

Having trained as a youngster with Mona Conroy, Brian Brady and Naas Musical Society, singing and performing were always Sharon's passion. An ex-pupil of St. Mary's Colllege, Sharon performed the title role in the school's 5th year musical production, Calamity Jane.  Upon leaving school, she went on to train in Drama and music at Dublin Institute of Technology and has been working professionally in the entertainment industry since. 

So what is the show about, what is life like living somewhere under the rainbow? Beneath the surface of sequins, feathers and razzle dazzle that is so often associated with Miss Liza Minnelli, lies a truly captivating character, who has lived one of the toughest, most fascinating and remarkable lives in show business! Sharon presents an outstanding portrait of Liza, 'The Musical Theatre Sensation'.

Join Liza in the intimate setting of her dressing room as she performs pieces from her infamous musical catalogue and shares the secrets, stories and memories that make up a mesmerising career, including the memories of what was undoubtedly the most demanding role she ever played, that of "Judy Garland's Daughter". Featuring the hits "Mein Herr", "Some People", "Cabaret", "Maybe This Time", "New York, New York" and more. If you love Liza, this is one you don't want to miss.

Sharon Sexton is delighted to have the opportunity to perform Somewhere Under The Rainbow – The Liza Minnelli Story closer to home this time with the show playing at Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge on Saturday 21st May. Tickets are currently on sale at Riverbank Box Office on 045 448327 or www.riverbank.ie 

 WHAT THE CRITICS SAID....

"Electrifying!"

"Sharon Sexton's uncanny resemblance to a young Liza is striking. But her capacity to get under the skin of her icon is her real skill. ...I am almost certain I saw the 'real thing'".

Mondello Park's Classic Car Live enters its fourth year with an exciting new addition, as an official Classic Motorcycle area and Classic Motorcycle Racing join the show for the first time. The June 19th event will also be a celebration of 50 years of the MG Midget and thirty years of the MG Enthusiasts Club and will once again be supported by Irish Vintage Scene Magazine.

The MG celebrations will centre around the diminutive Midget with cars on static display and parade laps. Midgets will also feature strongly in the Historic Car Race demonstrations. A large collection of MG cars, of all types, will be brought to the show by the MG Enthusiasts Club members, but the show organisers are also inviting all other MG owners to come along and add to what could be the biggest ever gathering of MG's in Ireland.

As is customary Classic Live will feature demonstration races for Historic Racing Cars of all ages, high speed laps for performance classics and more sedate parade laps open to all show visitors. The Mondello Paddock will also feature displays by classic car clubs and individual owners, with something to suit every taste and interest. Trade stands and Autojumblers will also have their own area and the show will continue to have the support of the IVVCC, the umbrella body for classic motoring and motor clubs in Ireland.

With two wheeled classics added to the show for the first time, Classic Live will have an even busier track than in previous years along with an even more jam-packed paddock. The Irish Classic Racing Association along with the Dunboyne Motor Club will provide the exhibits within their own separate motorcycle area. This area will feature more than just motorcycles as it will be dressed with many features which will give it the feel of a bye-gone era. The machinery on display will include a number of bikes of important Irish historical interest, while on track the famous bikes will be joined by famous classic riders. Six times Manx GP winner Chris McGahan and the rider with the greatest ever number of TT starts, Dave Madsen Mygdal, will both travel from the Isle of Man and they will be joined by the top local Classic racers for at least three races.

The single day Classic Live show at Mondello Park is now firmly established as one of the top classic shows on the Irish calendar and with the addition of classic bikes the show will attract a whole new audience. Entries to the show are now open for clubs and individuals, while bookings for the high speed track sessions are also being taken. For all the information, and to book your space, contact Mondello Park on 045-860200 or see www.mondellopark.ie

What do people do when the law prevents them from protecting themselves?  The Pipe, a documentary film on the small Irish village that stood up to Big Oil…

On Thursday 12th May, Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge will host a special screening of the award-winning film The Pipe. Based on the ongoing battle over the controversial decision to allow the Corrib gas pipeline to go ahead, this is a powerful story of community.

A compelling, documentary film four years in the making, The Pipe tells the story of the small Rossport community which has taken on the might of Shell Oil and the Irish State.

The discovery of gas off this remote coastal village has led to the most dramatic clash of cultures in modern Ireland.  The rights of farmers over their fields, and of fishermen to their fishing grounds, has come in direct conflict with one of the world’s most powerful oil companies. When the citizens look to their State to protect their rights, they find that the government has put Shell’s right to lay a pipeline over their own.

Already 5 locals have spent 94 days in jail rather than let the proposed Shell pipeline cross their lands.  This once tranquil area is engulfed in turmoil, as huge numbers of police drafted in.  Normal policing has broken down following baton charges, surveillance, arrests, and a hunger strike by a local schoolteacher.  With the imminent arrival of the world's largest pipelaying vessel, the Solitaire, a massive security operation is put into action by the State to ensure that the pipe is laid without interference.  When all hope seems lost, events take a dramatic turn...

Following the personal experience of three main characters at the height of local tension, The Pipe is a story of a community tragically divided, and the prospect of a pipeline that can bring economic prosperity or destroy of a way of life shared for generations.

This powerful film continues to make an impact both nationally and internationally and comes highly recommended. See it at Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Co. Kildare on Thursday 12th May, 8pm. Tickets only €6 available from Riverbank Box Office 045 448327 or www.riverbank.ie

 
Top class Motorcycle Racing returns to Mondello Park this Saturday and Sunday (7-8 May 2011) with the second event of the new 'Adelaide Masters Series'. Following on from a very successful season opener in early April, Ireland’s top short circuit racers are back for three more rounds of the twelve race series which is sponsored by motorcycle insurance specialists Adelaide.

The Adelaide Masters Series is Ireland’s first televised Short Circuit racing championship with coverage of both the Superbike and Supersport classes being shown on UTV, and this along with a healthy prize fund has attracted all of Ireland’s top Superbike and Supersport racers. The first event of the season saw Superbike wins for Marshall Neill and Kirk Jamison while 'British Supersport' and occasional 'World Supersport' competitor Jack Kennedy dominated the Supersport class. In the grand final it was however former European Superstock racer Mark Pollock who took home the biggest prize of the day having come from behind to beat the works Aprilia of Neill.

This weekends event will once again see qualifying and a single championship race for each class take place on Saturday. Sunday's main race day will see two more races for each class with the second Superbike and Supersport races of the day, along with the Grand Final, being the focus of the timetable. The three feature races will include pre race grid interviews, the 'Adelaide Grid Girls' and podium presentations for the overall winners and the top riders in the Bridgestone 'Cup' class.

Admission to either day of the event is €15.00 for adults with under sixteen’s admitted free of charge and all admission includes a complimentary event programme. Cut price admission of just €10.00 is available through the special offers section of the Mondello Park web site. For further information, championship points and a timetable for this weekend’s event see www.mondellopark.ie/adelaidemasters.

Athy Town Council is seeking expressions of interest from appropriate organisations to enter into a lease agreement in respect of the Council’s community building at Meeting Lane, Athy.

Applicants should be:

1. Organisations involved in the provision of community based services for young people and the elderly;
2. Applicants with a strong track record (i.e. three years experience) of providing services to relevant groups; and
3. Applicants that demonstrate their project is substantially ready to progress.

Interested organisations should write to the Town Clerk, Athy Town Council, Rathstewart, Athy. Co. Kildare outlining details of current/previous work and proposals for use of building on or before 4pm on Tuesday, 17th May, 2011.

Requests to view the facility can be arranged (on request) with interested parties by contacting 059 8631444 or email: info@athytowncouncil.ie