County Kildare News

A team of three students from NUI Maynooth have won the Irish Microsoft Imagine Cup Software Design competition.  The ‘docTek’ team also won the Connected Health Challenge with their project concerning a cloud-based doctor-patient system. DokTek will be travelling to Sydney, Australia in July, where they will represent Ireland at the world finals.

The three students, Marie Farrell, Donal O’Sullivan and Cosmin Siclovan, along with their mentor David Kerr, from the computer science department at NUI Maynooth, were victorious in the national final ahead of 600 other competitors.  The winning students come from a variety of programmes within the Computer Science Department.

The Microsoft Imagine Cup invites eligible students to use Microsoft tools and technology to solve the many challenges faced in the world today. The Software Design Competition encourages students to create applications and solutions that can be applied to real-life problems.  Participating students are challenged to develop, test, and build their ideas into applications that can help solve some of the world’s toughest problems, such as poverty, hunger, gender inequality, environmental sustainability, and access to education and healthcare.

The Maynooth team won the Irish round of the competition for their cloud-based application for use in a medical setting.   The application focuses on a doctor-patient synchronisation system, which features a personalised symptomatic journal and reminders for the patient along with client management features for medical practitioners.

Congratulating the students on their success, Prof Adam Winstanley of the Department of Computer Science at Maynooth, said of DokTek’s design “We’re extremely proud of the creative solution from our students, which clearly demonstrates the potential of cloud-based innovative design.

We’re delighted that a team from Maynooth has won the Irish Cup for the second time.  We’re now focusing on preparing them for the World Final in Sydney this summer, where we will support them every step of the way.”

NORTH KILDARE CHAMBER LAUNCH STRATEGIC PLAN

The Taoiseach, Mr. Enda Kenny T.D. was formally presented with North Kildare Chamber’s Strategic Plan 2012-2015 at a reception at Punchestown Racecourse in Naas yesterday (Thursday 26th April).  The event was hosted by the President of North Kildare Chamber, Ms. Eilis Quinlan and was attended by over 200 guests representing business, tourism, education and the arts in County Kildare.

The Taoiseach was also presented with a white ‘Kildare’ and ‘North Kildare Chamber’ emblazoned jersey which represented the chamber’s vision that everyone needs to ‘put on the county jersey’ for their own local economy.   The Taoiseach couldn’t be persuaded to don the ‘Lily White’ garment but instead, holding the jersey aloft he cheerfully quipped, “They are not the Mayo colours!” before congratulating the chamber on such an ambitious and clear strategy.  He said that the plan clearly identifies key areas including marketing, tourism and promotion, business and IT, lifestyle and culture, optimizing distinctive capabilities, services to business and education and research and encouraged all in attendance to embrace the strategy and work together to protect jobs and support local businesses. He went on to say that this plan will need the support and commitment of everyone in Kildare and encouraged the crowd to ‘put on their own county jersey’ to make the North Kildare Chamber vision a reality. 

The chamber’s plan is a culmination of months of work and collaboration between a wide range of organisations including governmental agencies and public bodies and representatives of the wider business community and the private sector. It is now the very first non governmental led county strategic plan to combine submissions and objectives of all of the major local agencies and county stakeholders into one strategic document.
 
The mix of guests represented every stratum of the county including the equine industry, business, education, tourism and the arts.  Well known faces at the launch included media personality Eddie Hobbs who acted as Master of Ceremonies, rugby star, Bernard Jackman, former Ms. Ireland, Ros Purcell, TV3’s, Sinead Desmond and trainer, Jim Bolger. Business people in attendance included Gerry O’Hagan of Bord na Mona, Paula Murray NUIM, Eileen O’Riordain from Pfizer, Maria McGovern of Kildare Village, John Osborne CEO of The Irish National Stud and Michael Davern, of The K Club.  

The aim of the plan was to deliver a small number of clear and measureable projects and it is complete with a schedule and time table where the chamber has clearly outlined when various objectives need to be achieved and various projects completed. The six key areas which the Taoiseach outlined his speech will be coordinated by various steering groups and these groups will then be headed up by an industry expert to ensure the timely delivery of each of the objectives outlined. Ultimately, the chamber hopes this plan will build on the strengths and opportunities they have identified in the county in order to build a better future for everyone who lives and works in Kildare.

One of the initiatives being addressed is the development of a comprehensive Kildare web-portal to become a single resource for businesses, communities and individuals who are interested in leveraging the resources that are already available in the county. This project has already commenced in conjunction with Kildare County Council and the Kildare Leader Partnership.   The chamber has also begun working with local authorities in leading the development of Public Wi-Fi solutions in urban areas and is currently developing a number of incubations hubs for new businesses alongside various government agencies.

Speaking at the launch of the plan, Eilis Quinlan, President of North Kildare Chamber said the plan represented all of the business interests in the county including multinationals, SME’s and sole traders while acknowledging the support and involvement of larger organisations including Bord na Mona, Pfizer and others. She went on to say, “ A challenge for Kildare, and indeed Ireland, is that we have a myriad of organisations, often doing outstanding work, but on occasion diluting their effectiveness and impact and hence the wastage of resources. “All of our projects have a single common characteristic- collaboration”.  She particularly noted the importance of supporting the SME sector and said, “We recognise that the SME sector of our community is a vital one. This sector is the backbone of every community, and it is also the biggest job creating sector. Historically SME’s have led the way out of previous recessions, and with a little well placed help, they can do it again!”

Allan Shine, Director of Membership Services at North Kildare Chamber commented, “We are delighted to have launched this plan, we have set out clear objectives and have no doubt we will achieve them over the next three years.  North Kildare Chamber is one of the fastest growing chambers in the country and we are looking forward to working with all of the stakeholders in the county to help grow and support businesses.”

CELEBRATING CREATIVITY AS WE AGE

www.bealtaine.com

The Bealtaine Festival 2012 will be offering a great selection of cinematic experiences across the country during May.

The Bealtaine Film Tour will be screening An American in Paris, My House in Umbria, and Last Chance Harvey in venues around Ireland throughout the month of May.  The tour is presented by access>CINEMA and the Irish Film Institute, with support from Seven Seas Active 55, and will be launched at the IFI on May 2nd at 11am. 

The three films selected for the Bealtaine Film Tour this year are diverse in genre and were deliberately selected to appeal to the wide tastes of older audiences. 

My House In Umbria, based on the novella by William Trevor, takes place after a tragic train accident.  Four survivors find solace in the villa of an English writer, Mrs Delahunty (Maggie Smith).  As they struggle to come to terms with the disaster, an inspector tries to figure out exactly what happened. 

Last Chance Harvey, a romantic drama starring Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson, focuses on two lonely people who tentatively forge a relationship over the course of three days. 

An American in Paris, directed by Vincente Minnelli and winner of six Academy Awards, is perhaps the greatest dance musical of all time, starring Gene Kelly as a young artist who finds love on Paris’ Left Bank to a glorious Gershwin score.

Bealtaine screenings in Kildare:

Maynooth Film For All and the Riverbank Arts Centre will both be taking part in the Bealtaine film tour. The dates and times are as follows:

• Maynooth Film For All, My House in Umbria, May 1st @ 11am
• Maynooth Film For All, An American in Paris, May 22nd @ 11am
• Maynooth Film Club, NUI, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
• Riverbank Arts Centre, My House in Umbria, May 24th @ 11am
• Riverbank Arts Centre, Main Street, Newbridge, Co. Kildare

TIMES, DATES AND PLACES

For details of your nearest screening see www.bealtaine.com or look out for local listings.

For more details on screenings at access>CINEMA venues:
access>CINEMA Tel: + 353 (1) 679 4420 www.accesscinema.ie

For more information on Bealtaine:

Web:   www.bealtaine.com
E-mail:  Bealtaine@ageandopportunity.ie
Telephone:  +353 (1) 805 7709
Post:  Bealtaine at Age & Opportunity, Marino Institute of Education, Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9

The Bealtaine Newspaper, giving an overview and details of all festival activities is available to pick up for free from Centra stores nationwide. Also check out Bealtaine on Facebook and Twitter – and ‘Mary’s Bealtaine blog’ on www.bealtaine.com.

Age & Opportunity wishes to acknowledge the support of the HSE and The Arts Council of Ireland.

Taiga (7) and Sakura Shimazu Murray (4) were pictured with Ella Wallace (4) to launch The Japanese Experience Weekend taking place at The Irish National Stud Visitor Attraction over the 5-6th May.  

The weekend will combine a variety of Japanese themed workshops including cookery, Sushi making and Ikebana (Japanese Flower Arranging). 

There will also be lots of free activities for children to enjoy including Japanese Calligraphy, face painting, balloon art and a giant bouncy castle. 

Workshops cost from €15 per person and the ticket price includes entrance into the visitor attraction. 

To book a ticket or for more information call (045) 521617, email reservations@instourism.net  or log on to www.irishnationalstud.ie

Despite poor weather over much of the country a record crowd, for a non International event at Mondello Park, turned up to witness the opening round of the 2012 Adelaide Masters Motorcycle Racing Series sponsored by Motorcycle Insurance specialists Adelaide Insurance. Despite mixed weather at the County Kildare venue the large attendance was treated to a thrilling days racing as well as a spectacular Motorcycle Stunt Riding competition.

Racing got under way on Saturday afternoon with Kildare's Richie Ryan in the Supersport class and Waterford's Brian McCormack in Superbike taking dominant wins. The action was much closer however on Sunday morning for the second Supersport race of the weekend with Ryan just edging out McCormack for win. In Superbike McCormack had a much harder race to defeat Tralee's Emmet O'Grady and BJ Toal from Omagh who finished nose to tail to complete the podium.

Having raced in dry conditions in the first two races the feature races of the weekend took place in mixed conditions. The Supersport feature was again a battle between Ryan and McCormack until Ryan dropped his bike on the damp track leaving McCormack to take his first Adelaide Masters Supersport win. Corkman Declan Swanton finished a close second and was well ahead of newcomer, Lisburn's Carl Phillips. The Cup class for less experienced riders saw two wins for Luke Johnston from Antrim and with the third victory going to Mullingar rider James Kelly.

The feature race for Superbikes saw McCormack take his third win of the weekend, in drying conditions, but only after a long battle with Athlone's Cody Nally who fell out of second place on the penultimate lap. Fermanagh man Lee Johnston on his first ride on the JMF Millsport Ducati picked up his best result of the weekend with second place ahead of Toal. The Cup battle went the way of Tipperary's Evan Delaney in all three races.

Having won four races over the weekend, McCormack started as favourite for the Adelaide Masters Final where the top Superbike and Supersport riders went head-to-head. There was a downpour just before the start of the race, but even with the rain stopped, the riders faced a very wet track that would dry out over the course of the race, making tyre and set-up choice very difficult. McCormack was the first to fall foul of the conditions as he dropped his Honda on the exit of Ford Corner. A battle ensued from there on between O'Grady, Damien Byrne, Toal and Johnston. One by one the pressure of the race told on the leading group as O'Grady and Toal joined McCormack in falling off leaving Damien Byrne to win from a fast closing Johnston when the shortened race was red flagged due to the number of bikes that had fallen.

Byrne was delighted with his first ever Adelaide Masters Grand Final win, saying “Everyone was pushing hard. I could see Emmett and BJ sliding their bikes around and I had a few moments myself. It was really difficult out there and I was delighted to stay on and take the win.”

The first ever round of the Stunt Ireland Championship also took place at Mondello Park over the weekend with eighteen of Europe and Ireland’s top stunt riders attempting to qualify for the ten rider final on Sunday. Following a hard fought contest it was UK visitor Lee Bowers who took the win in front of a large audience.

The next round of the Adelaide Masters Series takes place on June 23th & 24th and this event will also include the second round of the Stunt Championship.

The Better Business Show is taking place in Naas on Tuesday, 8th May 2012.  The event will be held in the Osprey Hotel with registration from 6pm and the event running from 6.30-8.30pm.

In presenting the Better Business Show, the Small Firms Association (SFA) is partnered by a collection of Ireland’s market leading companies.  They are AIB, eircom, Electric Ireland and Zurich.

The Better Business Show will provide, free of charge, advice and assistance to Ireland’s small businesses across a range of critical business issues, such as assessing the economic outlook, accessing and managing finance, using technology to drive productivity and performance, enhancing employee and customer relationships, saving money through energy efficiency and managing insurances.  It is also a fantastic opportunity to meet fellow owner managers, network and hopefully do business right on your doorstep.  

Registration can be made by locall 1890 546 546 or on line at www.betterbusiness.ie

The entry list for the 2012 Adelaide Masters Series is a strong one as competitors get ready for the second year of the championship. With continued backing from Motorcycle Insurance specialists 'Adelaide Insurance', Ireland's biggest short circuit motorcycle race series looks set for a fantastic year.

While missing some of the overseas competitors that have graced the series over the past few years, this seasons line-up has more strength in depth and a larger number of riders committed to doing the entire series.
 
The line-up is headed by one of Ireland’s top teams who will be the first to run Ducati machinery in the championship. JMF Milsport will provide former British Junior Superstock champion Lee Johnston with a brand new Ducati Panigale for his début in the series and he should be a definite title contender.

Joining Johnston in returning to home shores to race will be ex TAS Superbike rider BJ Toal who will go up against British championship regular Cody Nally and a couple of riders who have decided to concentrate on Irish racing this season instead of the BSB Supersport races, Jonny Buckley and Emmett O'Grady. The local riders aiming to topple these series newcomers will be led by Brian McCormack and 2011 runner-up Damien Byrne with another former British championship runner David Haire also aiming to build on last seasons strong results.

A number of road race regulars will also join in the battle over the weekend as Alan Bonner, Ronan Pentony, Emlyn Hughes and Andrew Courtney have added their names to the list. Also in the mix will be a couple of dark horses such as Jonathan Ralph, who returned from a long lay off to dominate the Pre '97 class last season and now moves back up into the Superbike arena. The Cup class for Clubman grade riders should also see a strong battle with former champion Martin K Murphy returning after a year's lay-off to try and regain his crown.

The weekend’s action gets under way on Saturday with qualifying and the first of three championship races. Sunday's programme will see each class race twice more, with the main part of the day for spectators concentrated around the third race for both Superbike and Supersport, and the Grand Final, where the fastest riders from both classes will race together for the days biggest prize money.

 
TG4 will screen a preview of the Punchestown Irish National Hunt Racing Festival on Saturday 21st April at 9.30pm. The preview features visits to the stables of Willie Mullins (Hurricane Fly and Quevega) and Robbie Hennessy (Rubi Light) and will examine Davy Russell’s quest to win a first ever jockey’s title as the National Hunt season reaches a climax at the festival. The magazine style preview will also have a feature on the history of Punchestown and take a look at the latest fashion looks ahead of the festival.
 
“The Punchestown Festival is one of the highlights of the Irish sporting and social calendar and TG4 are delighted to provide racing fans with a look ahead to one of the biggest racing occasions of the year. This follows on from our very successful Cheltenham festival preview which attracted almost 100,000 viewers” said Rónán O’Coisdealbha, Head of Sport, TG4.
 
The magazine style preview is presented by Denis Kirwan and the betting view is provided by Leon Blanche from Boylesports. The preview programme is produced by Touchline Media, who regularly produce racing festival preview programmes for Irish television stations.
 
The programme will also be repeated on Sunday 22nd April at 11am.

Travel Routes
 
All traffic attending will use the following routes.
 
1. Traffic from the M1, N2, N3 and N4 will travel via the M50 to the N7 (Dublin / Limerick Road). Traffic will travel from the N7 (Exit 9) into Naas and onto the Blessington Road via the R410 and onto Punchestown Racecourse.
 
2. Traffic travelling from South Dublin can travel via the N11, N81 (Tallaght / Blessington Rd) through Blessington (R410), or continue on the N81 southbound to Ballymore Eustace (R411) and the follow direction signage to Punchestown Racecourse.
 
3. Traffic from the South East (N9, N78, N80, M9) can travel via the Carlow or Athy routes through Kilcullen and onto the Naas Rd. At Mylerstown Cross (Naas to Kilcullen Rd) traffic will turn right and onto Punchestown Racecourse.
 
4. Traffic from the South / South West can travel via the N8, N7, M7 turning off at Newbridge exit (Exit 11) to Kilcullen and onto the Naas Rd. At Mylerstown Cross (Naas to Kilcullen Rd) traffic will turn right and onto Punchestown Racecourse.

5. Traffic travelling from South East can travel via the N81 (Tullow / Blessington Rd) through Ballymore Eustace (R411) and the follow direction signage to Punchestown Racecourse.
 
All routes will be clearly sign posted using appropriate directional signage and approved VMS Signage. Priority junctions will be manned by Garda personnel.

All traffic entering the racecourse will do so via the following routes;

• Traffic from the R410 (Blessington Road) will turn at Beggars End Cross and proceed to Beggars End (Dublin side) Gate where they will turn left and access appointed car parks.
  
• Traffic from the R411 (Ballymore Eustace Road) will turn at Watch House Cross and proceed to the Main Gate where they will turn right and access appointed car parks.
  
• All horse boxes and horse transporters will be directed to the Main Gate where they will access the event site.
  
• All Taxis will be directed to the Main Gate where they will access the event site.
  
• All Buses will be directed to the Beggars End (Dublin side) Gate where they will access the event site.

 
A one-way traffic system will only operate through the peak periods immediately prior and after the event. This one way system will operate under the direct control of An Garda Siochana Naas. All traffic from both the Watch House Cross and the Beggars End Cross sides will drive in two lanes, under Garda control, to the respective gates where they will enter the event site. The one way system will remain in force until peak traffic flows enter the event site.

A similar reverse operation will be put in place each evening on completion of racing. All traffic seeking ENTRY to the course from Watch House Cross and Beggars End Cross will be stopped. All vehicles exiting the racecourse will drive in two lanes from the event site to Watch House Cross and Beggars End Cross.
 
Parking Arrangements
 
Car and Bus Parking will be provided on site and is free of any charge. All Parking Areas will be designated and Sign Posted to aid all patrons entry and exit to / from the venue.
 

Parking / Towing Vehicles
 
No parking of vehicles will be permitted on any of the approach routes to racecourse on the days of the event. Parking restrictions will be in place on roads leading to the concert site. Vehicles found breaching the restrictions will be towed away and towing charges will be incurred in such cases.

Taxi Drop Off
 
All taxis dropping off will be directed to the Main Gate and from there onto the Horse Box Ave (runs parallel with Main Ave) where they can drop off fares at the pre designated area (Sign Posted) and then exit the area via the Ballymore Eustace gate. Taxis will not be left any further into the event site unless they are dropping disabled persons.
 
Coach Drop Off
 
All Coaches dropping off will be directed to the Beggars End Gate and from there they can drop off fares at the pre designated area (Sign Posted) and then exit the area via the Ballymore Eustace gate. Coaches will not be left any further into the event site unless directed to do so.
 
Taxi / Car Pick Up
 
All taxis and coaches picking up must be on site at least 45 minutes prior to the last race.
 
It should be noted that such access will be permitted only up to the introduction of the one way traffic system.
 

Coaches / Buses
 
A one-way traffic system will operate throughout the event for all buses and minibuses only. All such vehicles will arrive at Punchestown via the Blessington Road / Beggars End route (R410) and will exit via the Ballymore Road / Watch House Cross route (R411). They will be permitted to enter the site via the Beggars End Gate and exit via the Main Gate or Ballymore Eustace Rd Gate.
 

Emergency Route
 
The Craddockstown Road, Naas has been designated as the event Emergency Route and will be manned at all times for the duration of the event. This route will be used by emergency vehicles and residents only. No other vehicles including taxis, buses etc will be allowed access this route.

All affected residents will be issued with resident car passes.
  

Public Transport Services
 
A regular return bus feeder service will be available from Dublin City Centre to Punchestown Racecourse.
 
A regular return train feeder service will be available from Sallins Train Station to Punchestown Racecourse.
 
A regular return bus feeder service will be available from nominated Hotels to Punchestown Racecourse.
 
A regular return airport feeder service will be available from Dublin Airport to Punchestown Racecourse.
 
Complete Transport Service arrangements are available on www.punchestown.com

Shuttle Bus Services (To / From Naas Town)
 
A shuttle bus service will be put in place by Punchestown Racecourse to deal with persons returning to / from Naas. This shuttle service will operate each day on a regular basis. The buses will be clearly identifiable and will be Subject to a Charge.

At the end of racing each day a designated collection point is assigned to deal with all shuttles. Pedestrians are advised to make full use of the service to reduce the risk to themselves and other motorists at the event.
 

Garda Control Room
 
An Garda Siochana will have a Garda Control Room on site in Punchestown who will alert media in the event of any traffic alternations / disruptions during the course of the event.

The Garda Control Room Phone Number at Naas Garda Station is 045- 884300
 

Entry forms available this weekend

Kildare County Show committee are pleased to announce that the 2012 show will be taking place on Sunday the 17th of June. We are very excited about this years show, which we hope will be bigger and better than ever.


If you would like to get involved with the Kildare County Show please email info@kildarecountyshow.ie or call 087 7436028.


All entry forms will be available at www.kildarecountyshow.ie from Saturday the 21st of April.

Mondello Park and Sheane Cars were delighted by the performance of the 2012 'Become A Racing Driver' competition winner Timmy Swail at Mondello Park on Sunday as he put in an incredible début performance.

Driving in his first ever Motor Race Swail finished fifth, right on the tail of former Formula Sheane champion and multiple race winner Anton Savage. In addition Swail set a best lap time which was just 0.8 of a second off the best lap of the race winner, Brian Hearty, one of the country's most experienced and successful racers.

Having only had six days between his competition victory and the first qualifying session of his career, Swail arrived at Mondello Park on Saturday having never driven a full championship specification Formula Sheane car. The 24 year old from Wicklow only passed his race licence course on Friday and was thrown straight in to the deep end on Saturday afternoon to attempt to qualify for Sunday's race.

Qualification proved no obstacle for the novice as his performance meant that he would start sixth of the fifteen runners for Sunday's race. An excellent start on Sunday saw him running fifth for much of the race matching the lap times of the drivers around him. Towards the end he moved up to fourth due to the retirement of the second placed car but was then passed by Savage putting him back to fifth again. Having dropped behind the experienced racer, Swail used this as an opportunity to learn from the expert and by following Savage's lines improved his best lap by half a second.

After the race an overjoyed Swail expressed his delight at the result saying, “I came here hoping for top ten. I can't believe that things have gone this well. It's fantastic to be almost on the pace so quickly. When you take Hearty's times away, as he was head and shoulders above everyone else today, I'm only a couple of tenths away from the next fastest guys. I'd like to thank David Sheane for giving me such a great car and everyone at Mondello Park who have helped me to make such an amazing start. I can't wait for the rest of the season now”.

Swail's prize for winning the 2012 Become A Racing Driver competition will see him compete for the remainder of the season in Formula Sheane, free of charge and the next outing for the newcomer will be round 2 at Kirkistown, County Down, on May 26th.

The search for the next 'Become A Racing Driver' champion will begin very soon and details of the competition can be found on the Mondello Park web site.

Entries are invited from all primary and secondary schools students in County Kildare to enter the  annual Cecil Day Lewis Literary Awards competition.

The competition  consists of students entering under various sections  :-  Short Story, Poetry and One Act Play.  The competition, organised by Athy Heritage Centre-Museum, celebrates the connection between the celebrated poet and the South Kildare area.  C.D Lewis was Professor of Poetry at Oxford from 1951-1956.  A talented and humorous man, he wrote in An Italian Visit, parodies on poets ranging from Hardy to Dylan Thomas.  His autobiography was published in 1960 and in 1966, he was awarded Poet Laureate.
 
Trophies, Book tokens and Certificates are given to 1st ,2nd & 3rd in each category. We also give out  Highly Commended certificates.
 
Due to school Easter holidays closing date for entry has been extended to Monday 30th April 2012

This years award ceremony will take place 31st May 2012.
 
Entry forms can be downloaded from the website www.athyheritagecentre-museum.ie or contact :

 Athy Heritage Centre-Museum, Emily Square, Athy, Co. Kildare. Phone 059 8633075

Profile of Cecil Day-Lewis

Cecil Day-Lewis, born in 1904 was the son of a Church of Ireland Minister, then living in Ballinturbbert House, Athy, Co. Kildare.  He was educated in Sherborne School and then Wadham College, Oxford.

He was a schoolmaster until 1935 and during that time his restless intellect led him into writing detective fiction.   He wrote under the pen name Nicholas Blake, introducing the detective Nigel Strangeways in A Question of Proof, which was followed by twenty popular and successful stories.

Given the political and social turmoil between the wars years, like many intellectuals of his day, he leaned more and more towards Marxism, joining the Communist party in 1936.  He edited the Socialist Symposium The Mind in Chains, which took place in 1937.

His frequent broadcasts were a joy to him and he enjoyed giving recitals and lectures in schools and colleges.  He sat on committees, judged awards and his enthusiasm embraced children’s stories for radio and he wrote a number of children’s’ books including the popular Poetry for You.

His pride in accomplishment and his craft in the writing of poetry and prose make him an excellent example for aspiring writers and we are proud that these awards were  established  for poetry, short story and the one-act play.  It is good to know that his talents survive in his sons Sean and Daniel and his daughter Tamasin, who spend considerable time in Ireland.

 
EXCELEBRATION is the star turn at the Curragh next Sunday, 22nd April when the son of Exceed And Excel makes his Irish debut in the Group 3 Big Bad Bob Gladness Stakes. Formerly trained by Marco Botti in Newmarket and now in the care of Aidan O’Brien, he was rated one of the top milers in the world last season and twice finished runner-up to the outstanding Frankel.
 
Winner of last season’s German 2000 Guineas, Excelebration was also successful in the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury where he earned rave reviews for his complete demolition of his rivals. He is reported to be in good shape ahead of Sunday’s race when he will face a maximum of eight rivals including stable companions Empowering and Windsor Palace. There are also two likely overseas challengers here in the David Nicholls-trained Beacon Lodge and Charlie Hills’s Red Jazz.
 
Aidan O’Brien is also well represented in the Listed Anne Brewster Memorial Loughbrown Stakes and is responsible for five of the 13 remaining in the seven furlong contest. Nephrite, unbeaten in his two races as a juvenile, appears to be best of the Ballydoyle quintet, while David Wachman’s Experience and the Jim Bolger-trained Caonach are two other horses to look out for.
 
Chrysanthemum created a very favourable impression when landing a Group 3 contest at this venue last month on her seasonal debut and the David Wachman-trained filly bids for a quick follow up in the Listed Run Kildare13th May Alleged Stakes. She is one of 11 horses remaining in the 10 furlong contest which has also attracted Midnight Soprano and the Dermot Weld-trained pair of Unaccompanied and Zaminast.
 
Infanta Branca produced a fine debut effort when taking second place behind Liberating in a Cork maiden recently and the Aidan O’Brien-trained juvenile will be fancied to go one better in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. There are also a couple of decent handicaps on Sunday’s programme, in particular the Irish Field Handicap which has attracted an entry of 25 horses.
 
The first of eight races at the Curragh on Sunday commences at 2.20pm and the ground is currently Good.
 
For further information please contact Paul Hensey, General Manager, Curragh Racecourse and Training Ground. Ph; 045 441205 Mob; 087 2750610

North Kildare Chamber are delighted to announce the official launch of the Strategic Plan for Kildare 2012 to 2015, "our vision for success". 

The Launch takes place in the North Kildare Chamber Pavilion in Punchestown Racecourse on Thursday 26th of April at 2.30pm with guest speaker An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD. 

Eilis Quinlan, Chamber President said today " After several months of hard work with all the key stakeholders in Kildare, I am really delighted that we are now launching our plan.  This plan is visionary, practical and it focuses on delivering a number of clear and measurable projects which will enhance our County.  A huge range of businesses in Kildare have been involved in creating the plan and we are all committed to completing and implementing it. These include Bord na Mona, Carton House, Kildare Village, Hewlett Packard and Pfizer, side by side with many smaller and local entities." 

Eilis concluded by stating that "The Chamber and the committee involved with the plan are  thrilled with the quality and quantity of businesses who took part and got involved. This is both exciting and very satisfying and it shows that the County is very much alive, and coming together with one common goal - if we work together we will achieve!!" 

The Irish National Stud Visitor Attraction in Tully, Kildare town will run a Japanese themed weekend over the 5th and 6th of May (May Bank Holiday Weekend).  ‘The Japanese Experience Weekend’ will incorporate many of the colours and flavours of Japan and will feature a range of great activities for all the family. As the weekend also coincides with Japan’s ‘Children’s Day’ (5th of May) there will be lots of free activities for children to enjoy including Japanese Calligraphy, face painting and games. 

A variety of hands on workshops and demonstrations will also run over the weekend including Ikebana (Japanese Flower Arranging), Sushi making and hands on Japanese food cookery classes.  The workshops cost from €15 per person and the ticket price also includes entrance into The Irish National Stud, The Horse Museum, The Japanese Gardens and St. Fiachra’s Gardens.  Japanese snacks will be available for visitors to purchase including the traditional snack, Takoyaki which is a popular Japanese dumpling filled with tempura, pickled ginger, green onion and octopus

This is a wonderful time to visit the stud and gardens, the new foals are out in the paddocks with the mares and the gardens become shrouded in a sea of pink as the Cherry Blossom trees come into bloom.

For more details on the Japanese Experience Weekend, to book a workshop or to find out more about The Irish National Stud Visitor Attraction call (045)  521617, email: reservations@instourism.net or log on to www.irishnationalstud.ie Twitter: @IrishNatStud

 An Taisce’s National Spring Clean campaign is still going strong in County Kildare and this week will see the campaign hit the halfway mark.  Hundreds of clean up events have already taken place in Kildare and there are still plenty more to come! The National Spring Clean campaign is Ireland’s largest anti-litter initiative organised by An Taisce and funded by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.

Dun na Riogh Residents Association in Naas are hosting a clean up on Sunday 22nd April and plenty of local school groups will host events throughout the week.

All volunteers registering for the National Spring Clean campaign are issued with a FREE clean up kit which contains information, posters, colour coded refuse sacks for segregation of waste materials, protective gloves and tabards to keep participants clean.  An Taisce will also liaise with local authorities to ensure that all materials collected will be picked up without charge.  Those who wish to take part should go to the National Spring Clean website at www.nationalspringclean.org

The National Spring Clean campaign is sponsored by Coca-Cola Bottlers Ireland and the Wrigley Company. It is also supported by Repak who supply colour coded refuse sacks for recycling the materials collected and Local Authorities who co-ordinate activity in their communities.

Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalspringclean and join the conversation on Twitter using the tag #NationalSpringClean for updates, news and more about this year’s campaign.

To register for National Spring Clean call 01 4002220 or online at www.nationalspringclean.org.

The first Motorcycle Track Day Training day of 2012 is now completely full and some spaces on the next event have already been taken up by riders who have missed out on places. If you are looking to avail of the expert instruction available on these highly popular days, now is the time to get booked in for May 5th as no further dates for training are currently available.

Track Day training has two aims. The first is to allow provisional licence holders a way of getting on track, while the second is to give novice track riders a grounding in what to expect at a track day, how to prepare for your day and how to get the most from yourself and your motorcycle when you get there.
 
Motorcycle Track Day Training is an invaluable way to get started on track. The course consists of classroom sessions, slow speed manoeuvres and an afternoon of track riding with plenty of one-to-one tuition. Provisional licence holders who successfully complete the course will be provided with a licence to take part in further Mondello Park track days which would normally require a full licence.

To make the training day more accessible the normal requirement of full or two piece zip-together leathers is not enforced, which saves riders having to invest in track gear prior to deciding whether track riding is for them or not.

Mondello Park Track Day Training Courses are run by Bike2Bike rider training and consist of:

TRACK DAY TRAINING
Sunday May 5th - Full Day €100

To secure your space email info@mondellopark.ie or call 045-860200.

For further information on Motorcycle Track Day Training click HERE.

This coming weekend will see one of the busiest ever opening car races of the season at Mondello Park with sufficient races scheduled to expand the programme to a day and a half. The Irish Motor Racing Club will be in charge of an event which will span Saturday and Sunday, with Saturday Afternoon set aside for qualifying and Sunday's timetable filled up entirely with racing.

The levels of competitor participation look set to rise in 2012 with more classes reporting increased grid sizes and a greater number of championships looking for spaces on the Mondello Park schedule. The effect of this is the expansion of what should have been a single day season opener into one and a half day's racing.

Saturday afternoon will now see all classes complete their qualifying sessions for Sunday's race day, which will have a very busy programme of sixteen races.

The event will have a varied mixture of Single Seater, Saloon and Sportscar races ranging from the superfast Formula Libre cars to the Ginetta Junior Ireland Championship for fourteen to sixteen year old's. All of the classes will race twice apart from the Formula Sheane and Formula Vee championships which will both have a single race.

Along with the 'Sheanes' and 'Vees' the programme will be made up of the best of Irish Saloon racing with the Irish Touring Car Championship, Fiat Abarth Racing and Historic Cars all on the programme. Sportscar racing fans will have the Global Lights, Legends, Strykers and Ginetta Junior's to look forward to while every race fans favourite, the spectacular Formula Libre single seaters will round out the action.

Admission to the event is free on Saturday with Sunday's race day admission set at just €10 for adults with under 16's admitted free. All admission includes a complimentary event programme.

Irish Peatland Conservation Council require a gardening assistant for maintenance and development of the gardens at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre, Lullymore, Rathangan for 1-3 days per week.

The work will include weeding, planting fruit and vegetables in a potager, maintaining ponds, planting new flower beds for insects, composting, maintaining educational features in the gardens.

Skills and qualities required for this position: Some knowledge of growing plants or maintaining a garden desirable.
 
Screening details required for the position will include: Informal Interviews; References; Application Form
Details.
 
Are you interested in this opportunity? Please contact Kildare Volunteer Centre on 045 449156 or by email to michelle@volunteerkildare.ie

Setantabet.com  are to sponsor the Setantabet.com Handicap Hurdle on Saturday 28th April, the final day of the 2012 Punchestown Festival.

The €80,000 Grade B contest over two miles four furlongs has attracted no less than 76 entries including Cheltenham festival winners Alderwood and Salut Flo. There are 13 horses entered that are trained in Britain.

Mickey O'Rourke of Setantabet.com commented: “We are very excited be involved with Ireland’s premier racing festival and this race in particular. It’s our first foray into race sponsorship and we couldn’t think of better place to start. Punchestown offers so much to race goers and we look forward to being there on the day. We will also offer a special on this race which will be on www.setantabet.com all that week.”

Commenting on the sponsorship, Dick O’Sullivan, Manager of Punchestown said “We are very lucky to have such great quality of sponsor here at Punchestown and Setantabet.com will only add to that. The final day at the festival has become the second largest day for attendance. The racing is really competitive and the Setantabet.com Handicap Hurdle looks like it could be a real cracker with two Cheltenham festival winners featuring. We would like to welcome the Setantabet.com team and really look forward to working with them ”

The 2011 running of the Setantabet.com Handicap Hurdle was won by the Shark Hanlon trained Truckers Delight who was steered home by Connor O’Farrell, now based with David Pipe in Britain. The 11/1 winner who carried nine stone twelve was a stone better off than second placed Barker from the Willie Mullins team who also started at 11/1. Better again were the prices for the third and fourth placed horses St. Devote and Ainama who both started at 16/1 proof indeed that the Setantabet.com Handicap Hurdle is indeed wide open contest.

Setantabet.com is the online betting arm of the Setanta Sports television group. The site was launched in March 2010 using the popular openbet software. Setantabet specialises in offering punters the best odds on the sports it broadcasts which includes The Premier League, The FA Cup, The UEFA Champions League and many others. The Setanta Sports Television group was formed in 1993 and broadcasts in over twenty five different countries around the globe.

The Setanatbet.com Handicap Hurdle will be run on Saturday April 28th at 5.35pm. For further information on all five days of the Punchestown festival please visit www.punchestown.com or follow us on facebook and on Twitter @punchestownrace

Murphy Surveys Ltd has created over 45 new positions over the last 2 months with the awarding of major contracts from the Office of Public Works.

Murphy Surveys Ltd, an Irish professional services company based in Kilcullen, Co Kildare has been awarded a number of major contracts from the Office of Public Works in relation to a Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme (CFRAM), creating over 45 full time jobs.

The CFRAM projects are on-going as part of the Governments Flood Risk Assessment being carried out by the Office of Public Works. The study will identify and examine in detail the causes of flooding throughout different catchment areas and produce an integrated plan of specific measures to address the significant flood risk factors. It is intended that the CFRAM Studies should meet the requirements of the EU Directive on the assessment and management flood risks (2007/60/EC).

The CFRAM project requires Murphy Surveys to carry out detailed surveying of rivers, weirs, river banks, structures, etc. related to or nearby the catchment areas. This information will in turn provide essential information enabling solutions to be found for flood levels and risk assessments to be carried out.

Niall Murphy, Director said “We are delighted to have been selected to carry out these projects which have been part of our growth plans over the last few years. To be able to create substantial employment, in an industry that is seen from the outside to be in serious decline is hugely rewarding.

Our company has retained its excellent workforce over the past number of years all of whom have played a huge part in undertaking projects of this size. We are delighted to be winning contracts in Ireland against our European competitors in a time where there is a lot of negative publicity regarding the Irish tender process”.

Enterprise Ireland has played a major role in supporting Murphy Surveys to this point and has helped the company in attaining its development potential. Their mentoring of the company has enabled Murphy Surveys to gain a stronger position in the market. Niall Coulston of Enterprise Ireland said

“Murphy Surveys Ltd is an excellent example of a company rebounding strongly from the challenges faced in the Irish market through export led growth. Supported by a committed and focussed workforce the company present a strong value proposition in a niche market and can compete aggressively at an international level.”

For the last number of years Murphy Surveys have been working on developing their business to achieve a strong position in global markets in order to prosper their business. One of the areas that has been developed includes an efficient workflow system to carry out such large projects, with major emphasis on safety, efficiency and quality.

Niall Murphy said “Our growth strategy is aimed clearly on greater penetration of the Irish & UK markets and we see huge opportunities for on-going growth in our sector and look forward to continuing to drive the future of the industry.”

Launch by Mayor of Kildare, Councillor Michael Nolan - Tuesday 17th April -5.00pm

The Mayor of Kildare will launch the Integrated Services Programme Research and Action Plan for Kilcock Town on Tuesday at 5pm in Scoil Choca Naofa, Kilcock.

An initiative of Kildare County Development, the Integrated Services Programme (ISP) is a town development initiative designed to convert the policies and representation of the County Development Board into an evidence based action plan.  Established initially in 2010 in Kildare Town, the ISP expanded into Kilcock in 2011 and will today launch the first phase of the two year programme in terms of social, economic, cultural & recreational services.

This ISP action plan for Kilcock is based on the evidence gained through extensive consultation with a broad range of stakeholders across the statutory, business and community / voluntary sectors including open forums and online surveys with residents of Kilcock combined with reviews of relevant agency and organisational strategic plans and planning documentation.

The vision of the plan is to support Kilcock through collaborative working to become a sustainable and socially cohesive community which meets the health, employment, education, safety, infrastructural, recreation and cultural needs of all residents.

Research and planning was carried out by Burtenshaw Kenny Associates between September and December 2011 and covered each of the following areas:

• Health services
• Community facilities
• Infrastructure and transport
• Enterprise and employment
• Education and training
• Safety
• Social cohesion
• Culture, heritage and tourism

At the heart of the ISP in Kilcock is the Project Implementation Team (PIT) which examines how cohesion between community, business, statutory and non-statutory agencies can be applied to the town.  Membership of the PIT includes senior representatives from community, business, statutory and non-statutory agencies. PIT Membership:

• Ray Dully Kilcock Community Network (Chair)
• John Ryan Kilcock Community Network
• Tara Lane Kilcock Business Association
• Inspector Paul Dolan An Garda Siochana
• Mary Keane County Kildare LEADER Partnership
• Jonathan Deane Kildare County Council
• Siobhan McCauley VEC
• Siobhan Murphy HSE
• Lisa Baggott South West Regional Drugs Task Force
• John Costello FÁS

The report reflects a broad range of actions under the headings Health Services, Community Facilities, Enterprise & employment etc, with priority going to;

• Health Services
• Community Facilities
• Enterprise & Employment Actions

Announcing a new initiative in the promotion of Naas town as it joins forces with Punchestown Racecourse to celebrate the 2012 Irish National Hunt Festival.
 
From the 24th April almost 100,000 people will descend on Punchestown and the surrounding areas to attend the highlight of the Irish sporting calendar. This joint initiative represents an enormous opportunity to reinforce the attractiveness of Naas town as a post race day venue and also as a long term tourist destination.

It will act as a reminder that Naas Town offers the complete tourist experience.
 
An intensive marketing campaign, created in co–operation with County Kildare Fáilte, is being implemented and will include signage, advertising, parade ring interviews and announcements. The extended partnership with County Kildare Fáilte reinforces the current “Into Kildare – It’s All Here” campaign, which is now getting significant recognition both nationally and internationally
 
Councillor Willie Callaghan, Mayor of Naas, welcomed the announcement by saying "The town council is proud to support the Punchestown Racing Festival which is one of the most prestigious racing festivals in the country, and attracts visitors to Naas from home and abroad. Naas looks forward to strengthening its partnership with Punchestown which aligns our local town with an exciting and internationally recognised event. Naas welcomes all local, national, and international racing fans and their families to Naas for the festival. "
 
Earlier this year Punchestown published a report detailing the economic contribution of the 2011 Festival. The key findings included an amazing spend of €24.8 million outside the racecourse on accommodation, food, drink and entertainment. Perhaps one of the most interesting figures was the phenomenal €7 million that is spent on fashion for the festival. In addition 20% of those in attendance are overseas visitors who require accommodation and entertainment for the duration of their visit. Average visits are two or three days and nights. These statistics are very encouraging for the restaurant, pub, hotel, salon and boutique businesses of Naas.

Naas business man Liam Queally said “The Punchestown festival attracts huge crowds both nationally and internationally and offers Naas a unique opportunity to showcase what the town has to offer. During festival week just under 100,000 people are in the Naas area to enjoy themselves so it is an ideal time to get involved and create what should be a mutually beneficial event. We are proud to sponsor at the festival as it is a major event that attracts attention both at home and abroad. This initiative makes real sense for the business community of Naas”.

Liam Holton, Punchestown Marketing Director commenting on the initiative said “Naas town is the ideal partner for the Punchestown festival given the high standard of goods and services available. Whether it is style and fashion in preparation for the races or a great meal and entertainment after racing Naas has it all. The festival attracts huge numbers from all around Ireland and further afield so it makes sense that we work together to make their racing experience a memorable one and promote the town of Naas and all that it has to offer.”

The Punchestown festival takes place from Tuesday 24th to Saturday 28th April 2012. Admission available from just €20 with all inclusive group packages starting at €19pp. Visit www.punchestown.com for further information

Easter may well be over but nevertheless here at Riverbank Arts Centre it continues to be a season “choc” full of fantastic events! We have a great line-up of events over the coming weeks that include everything from a classic Charles Dickens tale to marvellous musical gems and all lady comedy singing sensations!
 
A must see for this coming Thursday 12th April is an adaptation of one of Charles Dickens greatest novels, Great Expectations. This stage piece tells a story of love and loss, of guilt and shame, of fear and courage and has some of the most vivid and memorable characters in all of English literature.
 
And don't forget our Early Bird Ticket offer! Purchase tickets for this show and selected others before Friday 13th April to avail of a price of €10 per ticket. There are a limited number of tickets available so be sure to book soon. Details of our early bird shows can be found in our brochure or on our website www.riverbank.ie.
 
Award-winning Frances Black takes to the stage on Saturday 14th April. An exceptional Irish talent, she values the importance of connecting with her audience so this is sure to be a memorable experience for audiences as they enjoy a wonderful collection of hit songs.
 
Local group Droichead Nua present The Good Father on Thursday April 19th, a warm, tender and funny love story about two people from different social backgrounds who find themselves attempting a relationship in a difficult situation.
 
What's more we have The Nualas and their brand new show Older, Wiser, Heftier which takes place on Saturday 21st April. Their new material has already got rave reviews so it is not to be missed.
 
In addition to all these magnificent events we have two excellent cinematic features in the Oscar-winning The Artist and Shame starring Michael Fassbender.

Wicklow's Tim Swail looks set to be the new star of Formula Sheane racing having dominated the final of the 2012 'Become A Racing Driver' competition at Mondello Park, to win the Motorsport opportunity of a lifetime. 24 year old Swail beat off eight other drivers to lift the prize and now has just one week to prepare for his Motor Racing Début at Mondello Park next Saturday and Sunday (April 14th & 15th).

Swail won the €15,000 prize following a day of assessment at the Mondello Park Motor Racing School and will now race, free of charge, for a full season in Formula Sheane, courtesy of Mondello Park, Sheane Cars and Murray Motorsport. On his way to winning the prize drive, the twenty four year old underwent assessment in a Mazda 3 race car and a Formula Sheane single seater, in addition to a media skills interview,. Tim was up against stiff competition from eight other heat winners, including two of last years beaten finalists.

On his way to first prize, Swail set a new lap record for the competition. The winners record time eclipsed that set by 2011 winner Sean Hynes who was present on the day to hand over his Formula Sheane drive to Swail.

Speaking shortly after the results announcement Swail said, “It still hasn't sunk in. I'm ecstatic, it's hard to put into words but this is a dream come true. My family has a long held interest in motorsport and I always wanted to race, but without this win it probably never would have happened. I have less than one week to prepare so next weekend I will just want to go out, get some experience and stay out of the way of the faster drivers. By the end of the year I aim to be finishing in the top four or five in the races and would hope to make at least the top six in the championship. I would like to thank everyone involved for giving me this opportunity and I hope I can take up where Sean Hynes left off last year.”

Mondello Park chief Instructor Ken Elliott summed up Swail's performance, saying, “Tim is a very impressive driver and fully deserved to win the competition. He set a new lap record and really impressed all of the instructors and judges. I would expect Tim to be challenging for podium places by the middle of the season.”

Tim Swail is the second driver to win Mondello Park's “Become A Racing Driver Competition” and will receive a prize package which includes use of a Formula Sheane car for the 2012 season and transport and preparation of that car by the Sheane Cars factory. Mondello Park will cover all entry, testing and coaching fees while Murray Motorsport will provide the winner with a full set of race-wear to keep.

The search for the next 'Become A Racing Driver' champion will begin very soon and details of the competition can be found on the Mondello Park web site.

Be a Farmer for a day or a week.

Book now to ensure a place in our summer camp held on 9th – 12th July 10.00am – 3.00pm

 Guaranteed FUN FUN FUN and lots of activities:

• Scarecrow building
• Egg Collecting
• Tractor Rides
• Bread Making
• Felting / Finger knitting
• Feeding the animals
• And just enjoying what nature and the countryside has to offer.

Daily €30

Mon-Thurs - €100

Call Jackie 086-2661720 for more details

The IrishPeatland Conservation Council are calling on Minister Jimmy Deenihan of theDepartment of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to get tough on those responsible for illegally cutting turf from raised bog SACs this season.

“It is a shamefuldisgrace that following on from all the work that has been done to reach anaccord to ensure that all turf cutters with a stake in the 53 raised bogsearmarked for conservation have a supply of fuel, that people still feel theneed to go out and destroy the natural heritage of Ireland and to celebratethis behaviour using social media sites” says Dr Catherine O’Connell, ChiefExecutive of the IPCC.

Over the past 12months much progress has been made by all stakeholders through respresentationon the Peatlands Council, the Peat Forum, the publication of the Quirke Report,the public consultation on the development of a national peatland strategy forIreland, the free annual delivery of 15,000 tonnes of turf  to each family who have turbary rightsin one of the 53 raised bog SACs and lastly the provision of financialcompensation.

There’s more tothe bog than turf and there is strong lobby of support for the Save the BogsCampaign which has been running in Ireland for 30 years this year. Bogs providea wide variety of services to people including a source of water, a naturalcarbon storing bank, a refuge for endangered plants and animals, a method ofcontrolling flooding and an amenity for people. “Those who continue to destroyour natural heritage and take for granted what has been given for free do notrepresent the Irish Peatland Conservation Council or its supporters” says DrCatherine O’Connell, Chief Executive of the IPCC. “Therefore we are urgingMinister Deenihan to take further steps to control illegal turf cuttingactivity on the sites that need to be conserved for future generations toenjoy” she added.

Every year IPCCwelcome thousands of visitors to the Bog of Allen Nature Centre in Lullymore,Co. Kildare. People do not realise the enjoyment that visitors get to the Bogof Allen region and the positive financial spinoffs it has for everyone. Theywill stop coming if we do not stand up and protect our natural heritage.

 
The second entry stage for four of the five Irish Classic races closed yesterday showing a healthy increase compared to 2011.
 
Amongst the eight additional entries for The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, which will be run on Saturday evening 30th June, are the John Oxx trained Call To Battle, together with the Godolphin owned pair of impressive maiden winner Swedish Sailor and Group 1 winner Mandaean (formerly trained in France by Andre Fabre), while Sir Henry Cecil has made a further five entries including the highly thought of Wrotham Health.
 
Camelot, Born To Sea, Akeed Mofeed, Daddy Long Legs and Parish Hall are just some of the impressive list of Irish trained entries from the initial entry stage for the €1.2 million contest
 
The John Oxx trained Akeed Wafi, an impressive winner at Gowran Park last September, is one of nine additional entries for the Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas taking place on Saturday 26th May. The Godolphin owned Group 1 winner Mandaean, French trained Group 3 winner Abtaal trained by Jean Claude Rouget, together with Continuum trained by Sir Henry Cecil and the Richard Hannon trained Bronterre are other notable entries.
 
The former Jessica Harrington trained Dragon Pulse now with French based trainer Mikel Delzangles, Camelot, Power, Top Offer and Nephite were all entered at the first entry stage
 
The Etihad Airways Irish 1000 Guineas taking place the following day on 27th May has attracted a further seven entries. These include Naas Maiden winner Bulbul, together with the Godophin owned pair of Shadwell Fillies Mile winner Lyric of Light and Discourse. Group one winners La Colina, Lightning Pearl and Maybe were amongst the initial entries for the Group 1 Classic.
 
The Patrick Prendergast trained Coral Wave is amongst fourteen second entries for the Darley Irish Oaks taking place on Sunday 22nd July. This represents a significant increase from the 2011 figure. Other notable entries include the John Oxx trained Shebella, the Godolphin owned Lyric of Light and five fillies trained by Sir Henry Cecil
 
Plateur and So You Think, third and fourth in the Dubai World Cup, look set to renew rivalry in the Tattersalls Gold Cup according to their respective trainers. The Group 1 contest takes place as one of the highlights of the Abu Dhabi Irish Guineas Festival, while another highlight of the festival, His Highness The President of the UAE Cup, the only race run in Ireland for pure bred Arabian horses, has been promoted to Listed race status and is likely to attract some top class runners from all over Europe. The Emirates Equestrian Federation is hopeful that the race will be further upgraded in 2013. It is hoped that an Irish trained horse will compete in the race in the near future.

County Kildare Orchestra and the Army No. 1 Band invites you to an evening of Music from the Movies!

County Kildare Orchestra, conducted by Ite O'Donovan is teaming up with the Army No. 1 Band (Capt. Declan Whitson) to bring you to the Movies!

For one night only, we invite you to enjoy an evening of movie favourites, including music from James Bond and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Your mission: Attend and enjoy our musical offering at St. Brigid's Church, Curragh Camp, on Saturday 28 April at 8.15. Tickets are E12 from 086 89 55 787. Proceeds to the Army Benevolent Fund and Kildare ISPCA.

More information from www.countykildareorchestra.com and from the Orchestra's facebook page: http://tinyurl.com/btehjc4

We are grateful for the support of Very Revd. Msgr. John Mc.Donald, PP, and Kildare County Council Arts Service and the Arts Council.

Book your tickets now- before you have to walk the plank!

Maynooth Post Primary has won the Gael Linn All –Ireland Irish Debating competition, “Comórtas an Phiarsaigh” which sees students debating completely through Irish. The finals were held on Thursday 29th March, in the Heritage Hotel in Portlaoise and three Transition Year students, Éirinn Ní Chearúil (Captain), Deirdre Ní Chearúil and Niamh Ní Mhuirí were victorious on behalf of their school.

This win came at the end of a challenging year of debating in various different rounds. The three other schools competing in the final were Coláiste Íde agus Iosef from Abbeyfeale, Limerick, Meánscoil Loreto from Clonmel in Tipperary and Pobalscoil Ghort Inse Guaire in Gort Co. Galway. The motion being debated was that Ireland still deserves the title “Island of Saints and Scholars” (Tá an teideal “Oilean na Naomh agus na nOllamh” tuillte go fóill ag Éirinn) and this was hotly debated on all sides. The judges complimented the idealism, understanding, and awareness of all these young people who showed a great grasp of the history of the title, a sense of political awareness and a critical understanding of moral values which the judges found refreshing in the light of recent scandals and commissions!

This win brings to four the number of All-Ireland Gael Linn titles (three Senior and one Junior) in debating for Maynooth Post Primary in the last five years.  The school’s deputy principal, Íde Ní Uallachain, who coached the team in their preparations throughout the year, said that debating was a wonderful opportunity for young people to develop their skills at public speaking, and that they would carry this skill with them, confidently, throughout their lives. “Táim iontach bródúil astu – d’oibrigh siad go dian agus chreid siad ann” a dúirt sí. 

The school principal, Mr. Johnny Nevin, said that this was a wonderful achievement for these girls and for the school, especially as the school is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. “This win really emphasises the standard of Irish teaching at all levels and the emphasis that Maynooth Post Primary puts on the language.  We offer our students lots of opportunities to participate in a wide variety of extra-curricular activities, including ‘díospóireacht’. We are extremely proud of the team, it’s a great win and a wonderful accolade for our school.”

Daniel Hobbs (17) from Maynooth Post Primary in Maynooth, Co Kildare was recognised as the best individual student at the 2012 BT Young Scientist Bootcamp and has won a summer placement at a prestigious university.  The bootcamp which was held at Nova UCD last week was run to encourage and foster future young scientists. 

Daniel had previously come third in the senior individual chemical, physical and mathematical sciences category of the BT Young Scientist competition with his project entitled ‘Crystal Whiskers, their piezoelectric properties’.

The students themselves were selected from January's BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition for having demonstrated an understanding of commercially viable opportunities, business acumen and innovative flair.

Shay Walsh, Managing Director Business at BT Ireland, said that the bootcamp aimed to bridge the gap between the classroom and the boardroom, with the purpose of embedding an ethos of entrepreneurship and innovation in talented second-level students who are inspired by science and engineering.