County Kildare News

Dates: 10th & 17th November 2011
Time: 9.15 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 - 5.00pm
Venue: Kildare Volunteer Centre

Module 1.

Aim: To plan for volunteer involvement and design volunteer roles

Objectives:

• Reflect on how volunteers benefit your organisation
• To understand the expectations of the volunteers and of the organisations
• Examine potential costs of involving volunteers
• To understand and write a role description and person specification
• To understand an exit interview and its importance

Module 2.

Aim: To explore best practice for recruitment, selection and induction of volunteers for your organisation

Objectives:

• To understand effective recruitment and selection methods
• To design a recruitment campaign for your organisation
• To analyse application approaches
• To design suitable interview questions
• To draft an induction plan
• To examine volunteer agreements

Module 3.

Aim: To provide participants with an understanding of the role and importance of support and supervision when managing volunteers.

Objectives:

• Define supervision and its purpose
• Identify positive support and supervision skills and techniques
• Identify ways to motivate and recognise volunteers
• Explore ways of dealing with difficult situations

Module 4.

Aim: To give participants the knowledge and tools to design and implement a volunteer policy.

Objectives:

• Define what a policy is
• Identify key elements of a volunteer policy
• Consider those who need to be consulted when drafting the policy
• Draft a volunteer policy
• Plan for implementation of the policy

For Information Contact: info@volunteerkildare.ie

www.volunteerkildare.ie

Need for Additional Funding shows start up spirit is alive and well

Fine Gael TD for Kildare South, Martin Heydon, has welcomed the allocation of an additional €75,000 to Kildare County Enterprise Board as part of a national allocation to fund job creation projects in the remaining months of 2011.

Deputy Heydon stated “If we are to get out of this crisis, it is crucial that we strive in every way possible to encourage the start-up and expanding businesses that will create the jobs of the future. The County and City Enterprise Boards around the country have a key role to play in providing much-needed capital for these businesses”

 “The additional funding is provided from savings elsewhere in the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and is provided in response to requests from specific county enterprise boards who are experiencing additional demand for their services and have identified specific projects where jobs will be created.” Deputy Heydon explained

 “Deputy Heydon stated “I am delighted that Kildare County Enterprise Board has been included in today’s announcement of funding.  It is hoped that up to 19 direct jobs can be created in Kildare through the allocation of this funding.  It is very encouraging that there is sufficient demand from start up projects in Kildare for this request and I wish them well.”

 Heydon continued “the County Enterprise Boards are at the coal face of encouraging and supporting small local businesses in start up or expansion phases and I am delighted that the Government has been able to source the funds to provide them with the additional supports they need to continue that good work”

Venue: Naas Community Library

Date: Saturday 15th October Time: 9:30AM - 1PM

As part of the modern revised Leaving Certificate history students have the opportunity to undertake a research study in conjunction with their regular examination accounting for 20% of their total marks. All Leaving Cert. and Fifth Year History Students are invited to a History seminar to help prepare for their special topic.

It is an ideal opportunity for students to learn valuable tips on how to create a successful project with experienced speakers on hand including, a representative from the Dept. of Education, teacher Thomas Nelson and Local Studies Librarian, Mario Corrigan.

This is the sixth such seminar and the emphasis this year is on interaction with a chance for students to ask questions and discuss problems they might encounter in choosing and preparing their topic.

To highlight the importance of the seminar Professor Marian Lyons, Head of the History Dept., NUI Maynooth, will give a special address.

The Seminar is organised by Kildare Library & Arts Services, County Kildare Federation of Local History Groups and Kildare education Centre

For Further Information
Phone Anne McNeill 01 6271136
Or contact Mario Corrigan at 087 9871046 or localhistory@kildarecoco.ie

National Trails Day takes place on Sunday next 2nd October. In its fourth year, it is getting bigger and events are planned all over the country, North and South, including walking, cycling, equestrian and water trails. This year’s National Trails Day is expected to expand nationally from 150 events last year to 200 this year and thousands of people are expected to take part on the day.

National Trails Day is an all-Ireland event organised by Coillte, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council, Local Sports Partnerships and Fáilte Ireland along with the Countryside Access & Activities Network in Northern Ireland and is aimed at increasing awareness about the fantastic recreation opportunities in the Irish countryside and encourage people to experience a trail in their locality.

John Treacy, CEO of the Irish Sports Council is issuing a strong call to all Irish households to partake in National Trails Day and said “it is an opportunity to see the impact simple outdoors activity like walking and cycling can have in improving our general health”.

There are three events taking place in Kildare, organised by Kildare Sports Partnership and Kildare County Council, with an informative talk on the trail and area involved also happening –

• The Barrow Towpath Walk, Athy,

Commencing at 2 p.m. Starting location- At the back of the Courthouse, Emily Sq, Athy.

• The Curragh Walk,

Commencing at 2 p.m. Starting location – The Curragh Racecourse.

• The Green Loop Trail,

St. Catherines Park, Leixlip, commencing at 11 a.m. – Starting location- The Car Park (Fingal side).

A full listing of events is on www.nationaltrailsday.ie

The 2011 Adelaide Masters Series reaches its climax this Saturday and Sunday at Mondello Park. Ireland's biggest Motorcycle Racing series, which is sponsored by Motorcycle Insurance specialists Adelaide Insurance, will be decided by three championship rounds over the two day event in both the Superbike and Supersport categories.

The event will mark the end of the first season of the series and is expected to be a thriller with a number of championships still to be decided and the prospect of a no holds barred battle in the big money Adelaide Masters Final, which also carries the 'Race of the Year' title. Adding an extra element to the weekend's racing will be a visit by the Eastern Airways British F1 Sidecar Championship which will also have its season finale at the event.

While the Adelaide Masters titles will be sorted out amongst the regular series contenders, some star riders wil! l also be on hand to spice up the action. A number of Irish competitors, who normally compete on the British Superbike Championship programme, will take to the grid with the aim of lifting the €3,000 top prize. British Superstock riders Marshall Neill and Gerard Kinghan along with rising Superstock 600 racer Cody Nally will go head to head with local hero Jack Kennedy who beat Cameron Donald last time out to win the Masters Final. Also rejoining the battle will be Brian McCormack who returns to the series following a summer spent Road Racing.

In pole position to take the Superbike championship is Kirk Jamison who currently sits top of the points, but has been struggling at recent Mondello events. Jamison will have to contend with his closest rival Damien Byrne who is on top form and the improving Matthew Percy. The Bridgestone Cup for Clubman riders using Bridgestone tyres has almost been secured by Daniel O'Connell following the absence of previous series leader Pau! l Swords from the last Mondello event.

In the Superspor! t class Keith Farmer leads, but having received a call up to go to the World Superbike Event at Magny Cours, the way is open for both Gary Jeffers and Richie Ryan to overhaul him. In the Bridgestone Supersport Cup Sean Hurley will arrive at Mondello looking to take a clean sweep to add to his 100% win record so far this season. While Hurley has dominated all year the fast improving Joseph Loughlin has been getting ever closer and almost beat Hurley last time out.

The remainder of the programme will be taken up by the British F1 Sidecars which will have three races to decide the destination of their 2011 title. The Lightweight Supersport, Supertwins, Pre '97, Two-Strokes and the Irish Sidecar class will also support the main event with three races each.

The feature events of the weekend will get underway at 14:00 on Sunday and will include the last races of the weekend, for Superbike, Supersport and the F1 Sidecars, and the climax of the event, the Adelaide Masters Fina! l.

Admission for each day is just €10.00 with under sixteen's admitted free of charge.

For further information and a timetable see www.mondellopark.ie/masters.

Volume of Retail Sales Declines Again
 
North Kildare Chamber has today (28/09/11) called on the Government to commit to not increasing the rate of VAT in the forthcoming budget. The call was made as the Retail Sales Index for August 2011 shows that the volume of retail sales decreased by 3.6% in August 2011 when compared with August 2010 and a monthly decrease of 0.4%.
 
Allan Shine, Chamber CEO said,

“Consumer confidence is fragile. In the lead up to Christmas, traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for many retailers, consumers need to know what to expect in Budget 2012. An assurance that VAT will not be increased can help to protect against a further decline in retail sales. Stability is needed in order to restore confidence and increase domestic consumption.”

“The Government must also remain mindful of the impact of VAT rates on trading in border regions in particular. The VAT changes applied in 2008 in the Republic had a disastrous impact on trading in the Border region in particular and were a strong contributor to the significant declines in VAT revenues in the period thereafter. Such an occurrence must be avoided at all costs in order to support businesses in the border region as they compete with their counterparts in Northern Ireland, particularly in the lead up to Christmas,”

A 3 year plan will insure clarity and increase consumer confidence.  The Chamber constantly urge our members to forecast and plan their business going forward, now we urge our Government to produce a plan which details a roadmap for business over the next 3 years”, Shine concluded.

Beginner and Improver Classes - Eight week course.

Tue 4 Oct - Tue 22 Nov  2011 @ 7pm

Fee: €50

Venue: Athy College , Athy, Co. Kildare

Contact Athy College:

Email: mail@athycollege.ie  Website: www.athycollege.com

Information evening Tuesday, 27th September at 7pm.

Time: 13 October · 19:30 - 21:30

Location: All Class Kitchens, Unit W1J Toghers Business Park, Naas, Co Kildare

With Chef Yvonne Carty - Hey Pesto! www.facebook.com/HeyPesto

Places limited to 20

€30: includes Demonstration, Tastings and Recipes

To book contact Johnny (045) 409082/ (045) 409083

email: johnny@allclass.ie

www.allclasskitchens.ie/ 

The following schedule has been announced for this year's Ernest Shackleton Autumn School in Athy. More information can be found at www.shackletonmuseum.com

Download Booking/Registration Form

Friday, 28th October

Official Opening & Exhibition Launch - 7.15pm in Athy Heritage Centre – Museum.

 7.45pm Book Launch

In association with the Erskine Press the school will host the launch of Simon Beaufort's book 'The Nimrod Murders'

Exhibition Daily Exhibitions – Athy Heritage Centre - Museum
10.00am – 5.00pm - Cold Recall-Reflections of a Polar Explorer, Roald Amundsen

The exhibition was developed by the Fram Museum, Oslo, Norway to showcase images from the lantern slides that Roald Amundsen used in public lectures about his expeditions through the Northwest Passage and to the South Pole with particular emphasis on Amundsen's expedition to the South Pole. The texts in the exhibition are primarily abridged versions of Amundsen’s own manuscripts from these lectures. The exhibition is also complemented by Amundsen material from a number of private collections

Antarctic Adventurers – the Antarctic adventurers will recreate a three man sledging party from the early years of Antarctic exploration.

Saturday, 29th October

 Lecture Series Athy Heritage Centre – Museum

10.00am “Notes from a Shackleton Scholar: Heritage Tourism in the South Atlantic” Emma Jane McAdam - Admission €7

11.30 “'Murder on Shackleton's Nimrod:Writing Antarctic Fiction' ” Beau Riffenburgh & Liz Cruwys - Admission €7

2.00pm “Roald Amundsen’s and his crew members’ South Pole diaries” Geir Kløver - Admission €7

Book Launch Athy Heritage Centre - Museum

3.00pm In association with the Collins Press the school will host the launch of 'Ordeal by Ice: Ships of the Antarctic' by Rorke Bryan

 4pm “The Lost Photographs of Captain Scott” David Wilson - Admission €7

Dinner
8pm Autumn School Dinner in Carlton Abbey Hotel, Athy

Sunday, 30th October Athy Heritage Centre – Museum

Lecture Series

10.00am “The Cinematic Race to the Pole” Jan Anders Diesen - Admission €7

Book Launch Athy Heritage Centre - Museum

11.00am In association with Reardon Publishing the school will host the launch of 'Edward Wilson's Antarctic Notebooks' by David & Christopher Wilson

12 noon “Did Shackleton Care about Science" Dr Edward J Larson - Admission €7

Film Athy Heritage Centre – Museum

2.30pm “The Great White Silence.

Captain Scott described Herbert Ponting as 'an artist in love with his work', and after the expedition's tragic outcome Ponting devoted the rest of his life to ensuring that the grandeur of the Antarctic and expedition's heroism would not be forgotten - the images that he captured have fired imaginations ever since. The BFI National Archive - custodian of the expedition negatives - has restored the film using the latest photochemical and digital techniques and reintroduced the sophisticated use of colour. The alien beauty of the landscape is brought dramatically to life, showing the world of the expedition in brilliant detail.

Presented by Luke McKernan - Admission €7

4.30pm Open Forum chaired by Bob Headland

Drama Athy Community Arts Centre

9.00pm “Catalpa”
Based on the true story of the daring whaleship rescue of six Irish prisoners from Fremantle penal colony in 1876, Catalpa is a story in the great epic tradition of Moby Dick and Gone With The Wind - with a passing glance at The Great Escape. Donal O’Kelly plays over thirty characters in this one-man epic, including the mastermind of the Catalpa mission - Kildareman John Devoy.

Written and performed by Donal O’Kelly, with live music by Trevor Knight.

Admission €10

 Monday, 31st October 2011

 Field Trip Assemble at The Heritage Centre – Museum

 10.00am Bus tour through Shackleton country. A Visit to Ballitore and the home of Mary Leadbeater, writer and ancestor of Ernest Shackleton, the Quaker Meeting House and the Shaker Store.

Fare €10

Information on Contributors

Emma Jane McAdam

A Falkland Islander by birth, Emma Jane returned to the Islands to carry out the research for her undergraduate dissertation in the Falkland Islands Archives. In 2000, Emma Jane was awarded a Shackleton Scholarship to carry out the research for her postgraduate degree in the Islands, focusing on the potential for heritage tourism in the Falklands. Her work and subsequent report was instrumental in the establishment of the Visitor Centre in Stanley. As a museum professional, Emma Jane has worked in the Scottish museums sector for almost 10 years and is currently Curator at the University of St Andrews.

 Dr Beau Riffenburgh

 Dr Beau Riffenburgh is a historian affiliated with the Scott Polar Research Institute at the University of Cambridge. His research specialises in the history of exploration, particularly that of the Antarctic, Arctic, and Africa. A native Californian, he had a successful career in publishing before moving to Cambridge, where he earned his PhD and then served for 15 years as the Editor of Polar Record. His books about exploration include the critically acclaimed Myth of the Explorer; Nimrod, the account of Ernest Shackleton’s first expedition; and the award-winning two-volume Encyclopedia of the Antarctic. He has more recently published two books about Douglas Mawson and his Australasian Antarctic Expedition.

Dr Liz Cruwys

Dr Liz Cruwys is a marine biologist from the University of Cambridge, whose academic research investigates environmental contamination in pinnipeds. She has also conducted research into medieval history and architecture, and has written books on castles and cathedrals. This medieval background and her experience on the Leeds police force have given her important insights for the 25 mystery novels she has published under the pseudonym Susanna Gregory. Including her scholarly works, she has written or contributed to more than 60 books, including nine novels with Beau Riffenburgh under the pseudonym Simon Beaufort.

 Geir O. Kløver

Geir has been the director of the Fram Museum in Oslo since 2005. He has recently edited and published the diaries of Roald Amundsen and 14 of the other crew members of the Norwegian South Pole Expedition 1910-12. He is currently editing the collected diaries of Fridtjof Nansen and the crew members of the First Fram Expedition. From 1997 to 2005, Geir worked as project director in a Norwegian human rights NGO providing media and communication support to Nobel Peace Prize Laureates. He worked primarily on projects related to Tibet, Burma, East Timor, the Korean peninsula and the AIDS issue.

Dr David Wilson

David is a great nephew of Dr Edward A.Wilson, who perished with Captain Scott's polar party David has a long association with polar matters. The author of a numbers of books, his most recent is The Lost Photographs of Captain Scott. He makes frequent trips to the Antarctic as a historian and ornithological field guide and he is currently Chairman of the Scott 100 Centenary Committee.

Christopher Wilson

Chris is a great nephew of Dr Edward A. Wilson. Before taking early retirement, Chris worked for the National Parks and Wildlife Service, serving as warden of Ireland's premier wildfowl reserve, 'Wexford Wildfowl Reserve'. He regularly contributes to a wide number of wildlife magazines, makes radio and television programs and is an accomplished photographer. His publications include: High Skies - Low Lands - An Anthology of The Wexford Slobs and Harbour and 'Wildfile' - A Guide to Irish Wildlife. Chris lectures extensively on birds and other wildlife groups of Antarctica, Ireland and Australia.

 Rorke Bryan

Rorke Bryan has had a lifelong interest in Antarctica, triggered by seeing 'Scott of the Antarctic' as an eight-year old in his native Dublin. The son of a merchant mariner, he has visited many parts of the world during his career with the British Antarctic Survey and in environmental conservation, forestry and development at the Universities of Alberta and Toronto. His interests include sailing, mountaineering and skiing.

 Dr. Jan Anders Diesen

Professor of film history at Lillehammer University College, Norway, Jan Anders is an expert on silent Norwegian films and on documentary films. For the last 5 years he has been researching the silent films from polar expeditions, and has published books and articles on Roald Amundsen´s films. To put these Norwegian films into an international context, he has over last three years visited polar archives around the world. He is currently working on a book on explorer´s films from Borchgrevink, Fiala and Bruce to Amundsen, Nobile and Byrd.

Dr Edward J. Larson

He is the Professor of History and holds the Hugh & Hazel Darling Chair in Law at Pepperdine University. His many books include Summer for the Gods - The Scopes Trial and America's Continuing Debate over Science and Religion for which he received the Pulitzer Prize in History: Evolutions Workshop: God and Science on the Galapago's Islands and he has just published An Empire of Ice: Scott, Shackleton, and the Heroic Age of Antarctic Science.

 Luke McKernan

Luke McKernan is Lead Curator, Moving Image at the British Library. He is a film archivist and a historian of early and non-fiction film, with a particular interest in films of travel and exploration. He has written books on newsreels, 1890s film and Shakespearean film, and his polar publications include a chapter on Antarctic filmmaking in South: The Race to the Pole and the commentary on the BFI DVD release of South: Sir Ernest Shackleton's Glorious Epic of the Antarctic.

 Bob Headland

Bob is a senior research associate of the Scott Polar Research Institute of the University of Cambridge. He specialises in the history and geography of both polar regions. His work with the Antarctic Heritage Trust involves the preservation of the historical huts and other aspects associated with the exploration of the discovery of the Antarctic. His most recent publication is A Chronology of Antarctic Exploration.

Donal O'Kelly

Donal O’Kelly is a writer and actor. His plays include his solo shows Catalpa, Jimmy Joyced! and Bat the Father Rabbit the Son. Other plays are The Cambria, The Adventures Of The Wet Señor, Vive La, Operation Easter, Asylum! Asylum!, The Dogs, Farawayan and The Hand. As an actor, he has appeared in Translations, Juno and the Paycock and The Tempest in the Abbey, played Lucky in the Gate Theatre’s Waiting For Godot, and on screen played leading roles in Kings, The Van and Spin The Bottle, as well as RTE’s Paths to Freedom and Fair City.

 
Antarctic Adventurers

The Antarctic Adventures are a group of British re-enactors who specialise in recreating the world of Shackleton, Scott and Amundsen. They perform regularly for museums and English Heritage. They recreate a three man sledging party of the 1901 – 1913 period with clothing, sledges and equipment of the time used by Scot and Shackleton.

We are delighted to announce that the new season of events at Riverbank Arts Centre for October to December is now available.

They have a packed season ahead with many things to see and do for all ages and interests.

If you're not already on their mailing list, simply sign up online (http://www.riverbank.ie/mailing-list) or call on 045 448327. You can recieve a copy of the brochure in the post and subscribe for regular email updates from Riverbank, so you'll never miss out on a great night.

Have a look through it and see what interests you...

Enjoy!

The finale of the first ever Adelaide Masters Series, supported by Motorcycle insurance specialists 'Adelaide Insurance', takes place at Mondello Park on the weekend of October 1st & 2nd and with just over a week left to the event British Championship Stars Jack Kennedy and Marshall Neill are the first big names to confirm their participation. The event will feature a quality line-up of Ireland’s best short circuit racers from home and abroad, along with the final rounds of the 2011 British F1 Sidecar Championship.

Kennedy & Neill have been racing successfully on the BSB package for a number of years now and have both returned to Mondello Park for Adelaide Masters events during 2011. On this occasion Kennedy will be on-board the JMF Yamaha on which he beat Cameron Donald in the Adelaide Masters final back in August, rather than his usual Supersport machine. Neill will return for his second visit with the GR Motorsport Aprilia which he campaigns in the British Superstock championship, hoping to improve on the close second place to Mark Pollock which he achieved last time out.

The event is expected to attract a number of other Irish stars who also compete on The British Superbike Package, including recently crowned British Superstock 600 champ, Keith Farmer, who leads the Adelaide Masters Supersport series. More names are expected to be confirmed early next week following the penultimate round of the British Superbike Championship at Silverstone.

The British F1 Sidecar series returns to Mondello Park following a long break having previously visited these shores as part of the British Superbike support package in 2004. The Eastern Airways backed series is contested by some of the biggest names in world sidecar racing including former World and British champions, Tim Reeves and Ben Birchall. A grid of more than twenty overseas outfits is expected along with the addition of a number of Irish competitors.

The Adelaide Masters Finale will consist of three races for each class with the first taking place on Saturday and the remaining two on Sunday. The feature races will be run between 14:00 and 17:00 on Sunday afternoon and this part of the day will include the final championship encounter for the Superbike and Supersport series including the 'Bridgestone Cup' decider, the conclusion of the British Sidecar Championship and the double prize money Adelaide Masters Final.

Further information on the event including the timetable and Adelaide Masters line-up will be released early next week and all of the championship information can be found on www.mondellopark.ie/adelaidemasters.

Healthcare People is the premium recruitment agency for the Healthcare industry. We source highly qualified, experienced staff for positions in the areas of residential care, day services and outreach support. We offer real opportunities

WE ARE CURRENTLY RECRUITING & ARE HOLDING A RECRUITMENT EVENT IN THE MAUDLINS HOTEL, DUBLIN ROAD, NAAS ON TUESDAY 27 SEPTEMBER FROM 10AM TIL 3PM

Akeed Mofeed heads entries for Juddmonte Beresford Stakes

Akeed Mofeed will aim to confirm his status as one of Ireland’s top 2 year olds when he lines up for the Juddmonte Beresford Stakes at the Curragh this Sunday.

The John Oxx trained colt is one of seven runners declared to run in the Group 2 feature. Trainer Aidan O’Brien will attempt to win the race for the 11 th time and will be represented by Athens and David Livingston. Other notable entries include the Dermot Weld trained pair of Furner’s Green and Blue White Fire, while Jim Bolger has Parish Hall and Whip Rule.

Coral Wave moves up a grade following her impressive all the way success in the Listed Flame Of Tara EBF Stakes at this venue just over a week ago when she lines up in the Group Three C L Weld Park Stakes. The Paddy Prendergast juvenile is one of 10 fillies to stand their ground in the seven furlong race which has also attracted Madhmoonah, Angel Bright, Lady Wingshot, Princess Sinead and Kinetica trained in Britain by Sir Mark Prescott

A packed program of family entertainment during the afternoon will provide the Pony Club with the opportunity to highlight their various activities with presentations supported by TRI Equestrian to their winning teams, including Horse Trials, Hunter Trials, Mounted Games, Minimus, Tetrathlon, Show Jumping and Dressage taking place during the afternoon. The winning Irish Pony Club National Musical Ride team from County Laois will perform on the track between races, while the team from the Island Branch will also perform .

 Admission €15 Under 16s free. The first of seven races at the Curragh on Sunday commences at 2.10 pm

The Irish Peatland Conserv ation Council in a ssociation with Willow Wonder will be celebrating the second annual Kildare Culture Night on Friday 23rd September at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre.   Avail of the free guided tours of the Peatland museum at 5pm  & 6pm. The Peatland museum takes  in all aspects of Irish peatlands from their  formation, archeological import nce, plants & animals and traditional cutting  techniques. Visitors will also get an opportunity to make harvest  knots  using rushes during  their  visit.   Beth Murphy the well known Co . Kildare willow weaver will provid e a willow basket weaving demonstration from 5 .30-6.30pm. At 7pm Beth will be holding a c reative willow workshop which is open to people of all ages.

On Sunday 25th of September the Bog of Allen Nature Centre will once again be opening its doors for free to celebrate its final open day of  Féile and Dúlra 2011 from 2-5pm.  There will be something for all the family.  At 2pm children's nature activities will include pond dipping and a froggy search in the wildlife gardens of the centre.  At 2.45pm IPCC Conservation Officer, Michael Kenny will present a detailed talk on IPCC Sphagnum moss cultivate trials on Lodge Bog South West.  At 3.30pm IPCC will lead a guided bog walk to Lodge Bog South West to visit the Sphagnum moss trial site.  Light refreshments will be available on the day and you are welcome to bring a picnic.  Those intending to go on the bog walk should bring strong footwear and outdoor clothing.  All welcome to attend.  For further information contact 045-860133.

Culture Night is supported by Kildare County Council and biodiversity funding from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government through their Notice Campaign distributed  by the Irish Environmental Network

IPCC's 2011 open days have been supported by Kildare County Council under their Festival Grant scheme 2011.

The National Ploughing Championships is Ireland's Farming Festival and possibly Europe’s largest Outdoor Exhibition and Agricultural Trade Show.

In 2010 it attracted 1,000 exhibitors and 180,000 visitors.

It is the showcase of Irish Agriculture and Rural Industry & every aspect of rural life is on display including Business, Craft, Education, Food, Home & Garden, Sports and Leisure, Tourism, Fashion, and much more...

For more information visit www.npa.ie

Killashee House Hotel, Naas 6th October 8am – 2pm

North Kildare Chamber are delighted to announce their Inaugural Conference “Inspiring  Business in Kildare Showcase” – Inspire, Unite, Inform in association with County Kildare Enterprise Board.  Allan Shine, CEO said “ We are delighted to launch our conference with Key Note Speaker, Sean Gallagher.  We have 7 excellent speakers who will be of great interest to Kildare businesses. It is the ideal opportunity for businesses to attend  this conference and hear from key speakers on how Kildare and local businesses can thrive in the years ahead”. 

Sean Gallagher said “ This Kildare Showcase is a great initiative from North Kildare Chamber and I am looking forward to meeting with Kildare businesses on the day. By bringing businesses together and having an excellent array of speakers, this is a real positive for the business community in Kildare”

Allan Shine finished by saying “ The Chamber hope that this showcase will Inspire businesses in Kildare and with the speakers on show, we hope that all businesses can bring something back to their company which will both be informative and beneficial.  Speakers for the conference are Sean Gallagher, Eilis Quinlan, Brian Lucey, Len Regan, Tony Mulreid, Gerard Tannam and Dermot McConkey

NOTES

“Inspiring Business in Kildare Showcase” is on the 6th October in The Killashee House Hotel, Naas.  Bookings are being taken by the Chamber online www.northkildarechamber.ie and by phone 045 894074.  For all details, please contact the Chamber office in Naas on 045 894074.  Tickets are priced at €45 for Chamber Members and €75 Non Members.  Press Tickets are limited, please contact the Chamber Office

Photo Attached ( Launch of the North Kildare Chamber Conference) – L to R   Tony Mulreid, Core Communications, Allan Shine, North Kildare Chamber, Sean Gallagher, Key Note Speaker, Syl Cotter, DNA IT Solutions and Len Regan, Kildare.TV

A trio of trad’s finest musicians with three distinct regional styles join forces for this unique tour. Singer and button accordian player Breanndán O Beaghlaoich, legendary fiddler Tommy Peoples and virtuoso harpist Laoise Kelly - a clash of the titans going head-to-head with every tune promising to be something of an adventure While staying very much within the tradition, each will be pushing their boundaries to the limit.
 
Breanndán O Beaghlaoich represents the Dingle Peninsula with his fiery button accordian playing and heartfelt singing, echoing the stormy beauty of the West Kerry Coastline. With three highly-acclaimed solo albums to his name, Ó Beaghlaoich is also held in high esteem for his work with the groups Boys of the Lough and Beginish and his collaborations with the Chieftains and fiddler Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh. As a singer he's a gentle giant, on the accordion, a force of nature.

Legendary fiddler Tommy Peoples is internationally recognised as having a huge influence on Irish traditional music, both as a player and composer. Winner of the first ever TG4 Traditional Musician of the Year Award, Peoples brings the rabble-rousing Donegal fiddle style to the party. After recording classic albums with the Bothy Band, Matt Molloy and Paul Brady in the 1970s, Peoples’ compositions and solo performances have inspired a generation of fiddle players.

Equally influential is virtuoso harpist Laoise Kelly who is regarded as the most significant harper of her generation. Introduced to the harp at an early age, Kelly has breathed new life into the national instrument with her reinterpretation of the O'Carolan canon. Her reinterpretation of the O'Carolan canon is just a part of her breathtaking repertoire, and her tune playing is truly magnificent. Though Kelly has toured the world, collaborating with everyone from Seamus Heaney and Kate Bush to The Chieftains, Sharon Shannon and Dónal Lunny, don’t be surprised to hear her Mayo roots to the fore as she gets those feet a-tapping!

With this combined tour-de-force of traditional musicians, creative sparks are guaranteed to fly! This amazing evening of music is in Riverbank for one night only, Sunday September 25th, 8pm.  Tickets are €15/€13. All bookings can be made at www.riverbank.ie or by phoning 045 448327.

Irish Motorsports' biggest trophy is once again up for grabs this weekend with the arrival of the annual Leinster Trophy races to Mondello Park. This two day event includes races for all of Ireland’s motor racing championships culminating in the 'Leinster Trophy' race which will be contested by a full grid of Formula Vee racers.

This will be the third season in which Formula Vee, Ireland’s longest running and most popular racing series, will have contested the Leinster Trophy. The 'Vee's' will have two races on Saturday and these will decide the destination of the 2011 title. Once they have completed their points battle, all eyes will turn towards the non-championship 'Leinster Trophy' feature race on Sunday afternoon. A number of drivers who have not competed throughout the season are expected to bolster the Sunday grid, attracted by the chance to add their name to the trophies' roll of honour, which includes such names as Ayrton Senna and Mika Hakkinen.

The supporting races will include Formula Libre and The Irish Touring Car Championship (ITCC) two of the country's most popular series. Formula Libre is populated by a wide variety of fast and noisy single seater racers from International championships such as Formula 3000, Formula 3 and Formula Renault. Its races will be two of the most eagerly awaited events of the weekend. Also a big hit with supporters is the close and unpredictable racing that is the ITCC. The spectacular saloon series has brought a whole new fan base to Irish racing and will not disappoint them over the course of its two races.

Along with the Formula Vee double header, Saturday's timetable includes two races for Historic Cars, a two for a combined grid of Formula Sheane and Global Lights. The Irish Time-Attack championship will also have its final 2011 championship round as part of the Saturday programme. Formula Libre and ITCC will race on Sunday along with two more Historic events, Stryker Sports Cars, Ginetta Junior's and a mixed grid of GT's and Fiats.

Admission for each day of the event will be just €10.00 for adults with under sixteen's admitted free of charge. All admission includes a complimentary event programme and free Grandstand seating. For further information and an event timetable see www.mondellopark.ie.

TanOrganic entrepreneur to top Dragon’s Den International Success League

The most successful ever Irish Dragons’ Den investment is now set to be the biggest worldwide Dragons’ success story, with the launch this week of the latest unique new Irish beauty brand, OilArganic.

In March 2010, Kildare beauty therapist Noelle O’Connor launched TanOrganic, her own 100% natural tanning lotion, on RTE’s Dragon’s Den programme, securing the backing of media mogul Gavin Duffy.  Three months later, TanOrganic had notched up €1m in sales, and, in its first year, the innovative natural tanning product secured distribution in Kuwait, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and across Europe, including the prestigious Urban Retreat Spa at Harrods in London.

With the launch this week of OilArganic, O’Connor’s unique multi-purpose dry oil spray, the Kildare beauty entrepreneur is poised to break the company’s €5m turnover target within the next 12 months.  O’Connor’s lucrative beauty business, Beauty Results Limited, now has production and distribution premises in both Kildare and in Cork and employs ten people.

This latest Irish business development, and the worldwide market, will see Beauty Results Limited become the world's most successful investment in a Dragons’ Den enterprise, toppling Levi Roots’ spicy Reggae Reggae Sauce, which was backed by U.K dragons Peter Jones and Richard Farleigh, and went on to be stocked by Sainsbury’s and also by a number of Irish supermarkets.

€200,000 Research Investment

OilArganic is a cleverly formulated dry oil spray with an all-over hydrating and moisturising effect, drying instantly, and leaving skin silky smooth. 

A unique cocktail of eight plant oils, with a rose fragrance, OilArganic is a multi-purpose formula, acting on skin, hair and nails, as well as improving stretch marks and scars.

Noelle O’Connor invested €100,000 researching and developing her exclusive TanOrganic formula in the U.S in 2009, with a similar investment this year in the development of the latest OilArganic product, a nourishing blend of plant oils, principally Argan oil.  Boasting unique skin protection, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, sun-protection and moisturising properties, the multi-purpose beauty product will retail at €24.99 for a 100ml spray bottle.

All natural beauty products, TanOrganic’s main ingredient is pure organic aloe vera juice, and it also contains vitamins A, C and E, and hyaluronic acid, the skin’s own natural moisturising agent.  The innovative organic tanning lotion has sold more than 100,000 units in Ireland alone, in salons and pharmacists countrywide, and TanOrganic also sells online at €34.99 for a 240ml bottle, www.tanorganic.com.  Building on the product’s popularity, a new 100ml TanOrganic lotion, suitable for carrying in handbags, was launched this year also and is available at €19.99.

TanOrganic achieved the highest unit sales of any beauty product across the entire Aer Lingus inflight shopping service so far this year, which has resulted in talks this month for both TanOrganic and OilArganic to be listed with 160 airlines and 54 duty free shops worldwide.

Winner of ‘Best Self-Tan’ in the 2011 Help My Style Awards, TanOrganic was also voted Best Tan and Best Value Tan in a summer 2011 poll in The Irish Times.  Rated against Dove, Saint Tropez, Garnier, and Ambre Solaire, TanOrganic was the only tan in the poll awarded 5 stars, with a panel verdict of ‘home-grown and excellent'.  Readers of mummypages.ie also voted TanOrganic ‘best tan’ in a recent poll.

Ethical Accreditation

TanOrganic is accredited by the Vegan Society, The Ethical Company Organisation, on account of its 100% natural ingredients and the fact that it is free from parabens, artificial colours and preservatives, harsh chemicals and no animal based products.  The product is also in the process of being certified by Ecocert, Organic Trust, The Soil Association and others, all of which are some of the largest certifying organisations in the world.  TanOrganic is manufactured in a facility certified by USDA Organic and is part of the National Organic Programme.

Both OilArganic and TanOrganic use natural packaging, as well as natural ingredients.  The glass packaging is 100% recyclable and biodegradable, and is deliberately chosen over plastic packaging, which can cause a chemical reaction with a product.  Information on the bottles is screen printed, instead of using unnecessary paper labels.

Noelle O’Connor is a trained beauty therapist, who established her company Beauty Results Limited in 2010.  As well as creating TanOrganic and OilArganic, Noelle also runs a distribution business for beauty brands, and has an online beauty consultancy for industry professionals. A valued member of North Kildare Chamber,  business ambitions include developing a complete range of high quality, highly effective natural beauty products, and extending her market worldwide.  A mum of two young boys, Noelle lives in The Curragh in County Kildare.

North Kildare Chamber today call for immediate action to take place in regard to businesses continued high cost base.

Allan Shine, CEO of North Kildare Chamber said “whilst the inflation figures today show a decrease from 2.7% in July to 2.2% in August, businesses continue to be hit with increased costs. Continued increases in Gas, Electricity and Transport costs is having an impact with our members. An urgent review of the business cost base is now required.  Our members need to plan for the forthcoming years and we continue our call for a 3 year Government Plan .

Reform is urgently needed to enable flexibility and in turn support the business case for employment.  A 3 year plan will insure clarity and increase consumer confidence.  The Chamber constantly urge our members to forecast and plan their business going forward, now we urge our Government to produce a plan which details a roadmap for business over the next 3 years”, Shine concluded.  North Kildare Chamber continues to grow and support business in Kildare, we now need our Government to support business

The return of the National Ploughing Championships to Athy will be marked by a colourful town parade of all participating counties on Monday evening, 19th September at 7pm.

The Churchtown Pipe Band will lead this year's parade, which will commence from the GAA grounds (on the Dublin Road) and proceed through the town along Leinster Street, Duke Street and turning off William Street onto Woodstock Street. The local organisers, Athy Town Promoters, welcome the whole community to come out and join in the festive athmosphere as the town welcomes thousands of visitors for the 80th anniversary of the championships.

The Athy Town Promoters Group is comprised of representatives of Athy Chamber, Shop Athy, Athy Tidy Towns, Athy Age Action, Athy Heritage Centre-Museum, Athy Town Council and the BRAND Project. The parade is being organised with the grateful assistance of the National Ploughing Association, Kildare County Show Committee, Athy Civil Defence, Athy Gardai, Narraghmore Vintage Club, Michael O'Brien and friends.

For further information, contact the Athy Heritage Centre Museum (Emily Square) - Tel.: 059 8633075.

 
Mondello Park is pleased to announce the latest addition to its increasing portfolio of commercial partners with the arrival of Ford as the title sponsor of the circuit's Turn 1. The tight hairpin which begins a Lap of Mondello will now be known as Ford corner and announced as such by commentators at the circuit and on Radio and TV.

Ford is the latest in an impressive line-up of companies who have joined as circuit partners during 2011, including Adelaide Insurance Services, Bridgestone Tyres, Relentless Energy Drink, Irish Ferries and Safety Direct.

Ford has been working with Mondello Park for a number of years now. The manufacturers activities at the circuit have included the regular running of their annual "Directors Challenge", vehicle launches and training, and fleet demonstration days for prospective fleet purchasers.

2011 has been a very successful year for Mondello Park in terms of sponsor partnerships and with many more deals in the offing the circuit is looking forward to working with all of its supporters during 2011 and on into the future.

6 runners to line up in The Irish Field St Leger this Saturday

This year’s Ascot Gold Cup winner Fame and Glory heads the six runners for The Irish Field St Leger taking place at the Curragh tomorrow. The British trained trio of Duncan, Red Cadeaux and Jukebox Jury are all set to make the journey across the Irish Sea.  Other Irish trained contenders are The Irish Field St Leger Trial Stakes winner Fictional Account and Waydownsouth

The “Super Saturday” program also features the Goffs National Stakes and this Group 1 contest has attracted nine runners including leading Irish trained 2 year olds Dragon Pulse, Power and Tough as Nails, while they will be face stiff opposition from the impressive British challenger Talwar, who has won three of his four career starts for trainer Jeremy Noseda.

Twenty Seven of Ireland’s top riders compete in the ultra competitive Curragh Amateur Derby, while Born to Sea, a close relative of world champion Sea The Stars makes his eagerly awaited debut in The Irish Field Blenheim Stakes.

Saturday’s top class programme features a major Australian theme to promote The Irish Field St Leger as Europe’s premier trial race for the Emirates Melbourne Cup. The iconic Melbourne Cup will be brought over from Australia to be displayed on the day, while Vintage Crop and Bruce Davis, Australian Ambassador to Ireland, will be guests of honour, a special Australian wine promotion featuring the world famous Wakefield Wines will take place, while there will be free entry for Australian citizens and the chance for one lucky race goer to win a trip of a lifetime to the Melbourne Cup.   Members of the Irish Australian Rules Football team who recently won the Men’s and Women’s Australian Rules Football Leagues International Cups will also be in attendance. 

Irish tennis star Conor Niland will be one of the judges for the Bollinger Best Hat competition in association with the Heritage Golf & Spa Resort.

Banimpire and Bible Belt clash in Sunday’s www.thetote.com Blandford Stakes while last year’s winner Eleanora Duse will attempt to win the Group 2 contest for the second successive year for British based trainer Sir Michael Stoute.

The Roger Charlton trained Cityscape is one of eight runners in the Woodies DIY Supporting Irish Autism Solonaway Stakes also taking place on Sunday, while Princess Sinead, Lady Wingshot and Yellow Rosebud are among the eight fillies lining up for the Flame of Tara Stakes.

The Charles O’Brien trained Bewitched features among the 10 runners for the Group 3 thetote.com Renaissance Stakes where opposition includes Arctic, Empowering, Rose Bonheur and the British trained Definightly.

Sunday’s card, which has have a family race day theme, also includes the listed Flame Of Tara Stake with Lady Wingshot, Princess Sinead and Yellow Rosebud among the eight fillies in the line up.

Admission Tickets available at the turnstiles  Sat: €20, Under 25s and Seniors €10;  Sun: €15, Under 25s & Seniors €8, Children free on both days

Banimpire and Bible Belt to clash in Blandford Stakes at Curragh this Sunday, Sept 11

The Jim Bolger-trained Banimpire, already the winner of six stakes races this season, heads the sixteen entries for the Group 2 thetote.com Blandford Stakes, highlight of Sunday’s card at the Curragh starting at 2.10pm.

Pipped in the Darley Irish Oaks in July, Banimpire last raced when finishing fifth to Blue Bunting in the Yorkshire Oaks.

Leading the opposition to Jim Bolger’s filly will be the progressive, Jessica Harrington-trained Bible Belt, winner of the recent Dance Design Stakes (Group 3) while Aidan O’Brien’s Wonder Of Wonders, third in both the Darley Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks, is also among the entries, together with a strong British trained team including Eleanora Duse, Beatrice Aurore and Sea of Heartbreak.

Entries for the Group 3 Woodies DIY Supporting Autism Solonaway Stakes over a mile include the Aidan O’Brien-trained Zoffany, unplaced in the Prix Maurice de Gheest last time but a creditable second in Group 1 company earlier, to Frankel in the St.James’s Palace Stakes and to Mutual Trust in the Prix Jean Prat.  Cityscape is set to represent British based trainer Roger Charlton.

Bewitched, which was having her first run since June when eighth to Dream Ahead in the Betfred Sprint Cup (Group 1) at Haydock Park last week, features among the entries for the Group 3 thetote.com, Renaissance Stakes. A strong British trained challenger includes Bajan Tryst, Definightly and Monsieur Chevalier.

Sunday’s card, which will have a family race day theme, also includes the listed Flame Of Tara Stakes, the target for Dermot Weld’s Yellow Rosebud, a debut winner at Leopardstown before chasing home Maybe in the Group 2 Keeneland Debutante Stakes last time.

Saturday’s top class programme features The Irish Field St Leger and Goffs National Stakes. To coincide with day there will be a major Australian theme to promote The Irish Field St Leger as Europe’s premier trial race for the Emirates Melbourne Cup with  the chance for one lucky racegoer to win a trip of a lifetime to “the race that stops a nation”.  The iconic Melbourne Cup will be brought over from Australia to be displayed on the day, while Vintage Crop and Bruce Davis, Australian Ambassador to Ireland, will be guests of honour, a special  Australian wine promotion featuring the world famous Wakefield Wines will take place, while there will be free entry for Australian citizens Members of the Irish Australian Rules football team who recently won the World Aussi Rules Championship will be in attendance.  Irish tennis star Conor Niland will be one of the judges for the Bollinger Best Hat competition in association with the Heritage Golf & Spa Resort.

Admission Sat: €20, Under 25s and Seniors €10;  Sun: €15, Under 25s & Seniors €8, Children free on both days

North Kildare Chamber Monthly Workshop 14th September
     
5 Key Skills of Effective Selling

Venue: The Westgrove Hotel, Clane
Time: 6- 8pm

A Workshop by Bernie Tracey, Beacon Coaching Consultancy

Companies look at economic uncertainty in two ways:

1. An opportunity to get rid of weak competitors
2. Cut costs, keep the head down and Hope they get through it unscathed.

WE must now look at our market opportunities and in seeking opportunities; we have to get better at selling.

WHY?
Nothing happens in business until a sale takes place!

This workshop, Free for Chamber members, will explore

• How changing market situations can present challenges and opportunities which develop without warning
• How long term survival means a refocus of attention on consultative selling as a way of doing business
• What are the 5 KEY Skills of effective Selling?
• Learn 3 Top Tips to close the sale

Book in today
045 894074 or  info@northkildarechamber.ie

FREE for Chamber members, €20 non member

The number of overseas competitors signed up for the Prodrift Series Finale at Mondello Jap-Fest on September 11th continues to grow with Team Falken UK drivers, Paul Cheshire and Matt Carter, the latest to announce their participation. The Irish Time-Attack championship round at the same event also has an impressive entry list, with twenty six cars set to make up a record field.

Team Falken will join Team Need for Speed drivers Fredric Aasbo and Darren McNamara, Driftworks' Phil Morrison, Japspeed's Steve Biagioni and two Irish drivers currently competing abroad, James Dean and Nigel Colfer, to bring the overseas contingent to eight. These star names will be joined by a huge field of local competitors for what will be the biggest Irish Drifting event for many years.

While Mondello Jap-Fest is a single day event the Prodrift season finale will take place over two days. Saturday will be taken up mainly by qualifying for the Amateur and Pro-Am drivers looking to make it through to Sunday's main event. The seeded professional drivers will also have the opportunity to get in some practice on Saturday afternoon before their competitive action starts on Sunday morning.

The event kicks-off with Time-Attack practice at 09:00 and Sunday’s Drifting gets underway at the later than usual time of 10:45. The late start is designed to allow spectators more time to take up their favourite vantage point before Prodrift take to the track. As the centrepiece of Jap-Fest the Prodrift top sixteen run-off, where the results will be decided, will be the final action on Sunday afternoon and the climax of a full day of track activity.

The Irish Time-Attack championship will make up a large portion of the remainder of the day with three practice and qualifying sessions before the all important single lap final. In the final drivers will have one chance to get it right with a single flying for each competitor in this session being the only one to count towards the result. A record entry of twenty six cars has been secured with almost half of these being made up by the extremely quick cars from the 'Pro' class and the new, anything goes, 'Open' class.

Rounding out the track action will be the Drag Sprint competition and two Track Time sessions for high performance road cars. The competitive side of the event will also continue off-track with a record number of cars vying for the car of the show title in the Show 'N' Shine contest.

Tickets for Mondello Jap-Fest are currently on sale with a free grandstand seat worth €5 being offered to anyone booking in advance. Bookings can be made by contacting Mondello Park or through the Mondello Park web site at mondellopark.ie/japfest, where the full timetable can also be found.
 

In celebration of the Craft Council of Ireland's designated Year of Craft 2011, Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, is delighted to showcase the contemporary works of three craftmakers - Michele Hannan, Eva Kelly and Dara O Neill.

Featuring works of glass, ceramic sculpture and textiles, a shared passion for the environment led these three artists to collaborate for this show entitled A Sense of Place. The opening reception of the exhibition will take place on Saturday September 10th at 3pm; all are welcome to attend. On Friday September 23rd, Culture Night is another perfect opportunity to come and view the exhibition and meet the artists who will be in attendance from 7pm to speak about the work. The exhibition will be open daily from Monday to Saturday and will run until Saturday September 24th.

Kilcullen based artist Eva Kelly’s fused glass wall pieces are a further development of her ‘Rockpool’ series of plates. Inspired by the rock formations around the west coast of Ireland Eva translates her ideas into three dimentional sculptures using fusing, slumping and multiple firings. She adds various metals and glass oxides to give her work greater depth and colour.

Michele Hannan's studio is based in Palmerstown. Her ceramic sculptures and flowing vessels draw their inspiration from the simple forms found in nature and the abstracted rhythmical patterns created by the sea. Michele's work is decorated combining glass and volcanic glazes.

Dara O’Neill is a textile artist in Co Meath. Her paintings on silk reflect the changing light in nature. Her work exudes a sense of calmness with her choice of colours.

Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate Year of Craft 2011. Opening reception Saturday 10th September, 3pm. All welcome, admission free. A Sense of Place runs from September 10th to 24th. Gallery opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am-5.30pm and Saturday 10am-1pm. Visit www.riverbank.ie or call 045 448327 for more details.

Zumba Fitness classes begin in Naas Town Hall on Wednesday 14th September

Time: 7.30pm - 8.30pm (Book early)

Instructor: Grainne Dempsey, a fitness professional for 16 years and is now bringing Zumba to this popular venue.

With just over a week to go to Mondello Jap-Fest, the biggest Modified Car Show of the Year, the 2011 Prodrift Finale has been boosted further with two more top names added to the September 10th & 11th entry list.

The first of the big name additions is three times Prodrift champion James Deane. Deane, who has been competing internationally this season, returns to home soil for the third time this year with the ‘Low Brain Drifters’ PS13. The former champion will go head to head with previously announced star entrants, Fredric Aasbo, Darren ‘Dmac’ McNamara and Phil Morrison. Speaking on the announcement of his participation Deane said, ”I am delighted to have the chance to drive back in Ireland again. I am really excited about Mondello and running the track in an S-body, I will be pushing hard and it’s great to have the chance to battle with so many good drivers. It’s bringing back some great memories from the 2008 Prodrift European Championship.”

The star studded list will also now include Japspeed UK’s Steve ‘Baggsy’ Biagioni who will join Japspeed’s regular Prodrift driver Shane O’Sullivan for the season finale. ‘It’s an absolute honour to be invited to such a high-level drift series such as Prodrift,’ explains Team Japspeed’s manager Paul McCallum. ‘Shane has shown great skill throughout the series improving greatly, and with Steve’s Impreza now performing the way it should, it will be great to see how the guys perform against the rest of the Prodrift grid.’

Drifting will be the centrepiece of Mondello Jap-Fest with the weekend being billed as the biggest Irish Drift event since the European Series visit in 2008. Additional star entries are still being negotiated and more will be announced over the coming days, so watch this space.

The Supporting cast at Jap-Fest will include Time-Attack, and this event too is building into the biggest of the year, with a number of new and returning drivers boosting the entry to record levels with twenty three confirmed and still more promised. The event will also include drag sprint and show and shine competitions, as well as all of Ireland’s most popular Japanese car clubs and web sites alongside an extensive trade area.

For further information and news of our advance ticket booking offers see www.mondellopark.ie/japfest or call Mondello Park on 045-860200.

Castlefarm in Co. Kildare is inviting customers to get their hands dirty and help out on the farm during National Organic Week. Fun and educational farm activities include helping to feed the pigs and egg collecting. There will also be a farm walk where customers can visit the bees, cows and vegetable patch. Customers will be invited to help harvest fresh vegetables and participate in a cookery demonstration for inspiration about how to cook and serve what is in season.

According to Jenny Young, “Bringing people onto our farm to help feed our pigs and collect their own eggs and vegetables really gives them an insight and an appetite for seasonal, Irish produce. Children in particular, get excited about eating food that they have seen growing and helped collect”.

Castlefarms Organic week celebrations take place on Saturday 17th Sept and all events are free of charge. Visitors should remember that this is a real farm and old clothes and wellingtons are recommended.

Diary for Saturday 17th Sept

11am - Help feed the organic pigs

2.30pm - Egg collecting.

3pm - Farm walk culminating in vegetable harvesting and a cookery demonstration in the farm shop.

Castlefarm shop will be open from10.am – 6pm on Saturday 17th September. There will be a 10% discount on all organic produce. There will also be free food tastings on the day.

For further information contact Jenny Young on jenny@castlefarmshop.ie or call 087-6785269. 

There is more information about National Organic Week at www.bordbia.ie

Directions to Castlefarm can be found at www.castlefarmshop.ie.

WW 1 Convention  Fri 9th   Sat 10th & Sun 11th September
Featuring Trenches, Battle Scenes, Living History Displays…
 
  
Athy Heritage Centre-Museum is community based relying primarily on grants and local sponsorship for it operational costs.

We  have over the years gained extensive experience in assisting and promoting heritage and culture on a local and international level.

This is yet another new initiative we are undertaking  to encourage cultural tourism.
Due to the phenomenal interest in World War 1 the Athy Heritage Centre-Museum is hosting a World War 1 Convention.

It will be a 3 day event however; the Interactive Battlefield plus workshops will be open to the public, schools and groups until 7th October 2011.
 
The Convention itself will provide a thought provoking angle on WW1. The event is design to give both the visitors and locals a greater understanding of the Great War and its effect on Co. Kildare and highlights its historical association with Athy.

Consisting of an interactive battle field inside the Heritage Centre-Museum, workshops, outdoor displays of living history to include a field hospital, exhibitions, a drama and a lecture which will take place in the local hotel followed by refreshments, all of which will encourage public interaction at local level and give the visitor a unique experience.

WW 1 Convention

In  the  Athy Heritage Centre-Museum, Emily Square and  Green Area

Fri 9th    Sat 10th &  Sun 11th September 2011

(Note: The Interactive Battlefield plus workshops will be open to the public until 7th October 2011)

  Drama   March Away My Brothers’ by Brendan MacQuaile: Irish Soldiers and Their Music in the Great War
on Fri 9th at 9.pm in Athy Community Arts Theatre
  Lecturer Kevin Myers ‘Athy and The Great War’ @ 6 pm on Sat 10 th Sept .in the Carlton Abbey Hotel.           
  Living History - Full line up outdoor featuring Lord Edwards Own and many other Irish Re-enactors
  Displays, Workshops- Recruitment Office.
  Military Historian on site to help you trace your ancestors.
 
Interactive Battlefield Scene in Athy Heritage Centre-Museum from Sat 10th Sept to Fri 7th October  2011

       Walk through Trenches.
       Head Quarters
        Battle scenes to include full scale crashed replicas of DR1 Triplane and   Mark 1 British Tank.
       Exhibits -Uniforms, Medals, Trench Art & Military Memorabilia
         

Inquiries/Bookings:
Ph: 059 8633075 or call into  Athy Heritage Centre-Museum                    
 www.athyheritagecentre-museum.ie. Email: athyheritage@eircom.net
Group bookings taken