KildareNet News week ending 29 April 2000

Bealtaine officially opens with fire and fun spectacular

NEWBRIDGE, 29 April 2000: by Brian Byrne. The Newbridge Bealtaine festival opened officially last night without speeches or formalities. Which is how it should have been, for the festival is above all for people by the people, with the help of a lot of parents dressing their kids up, and contributions by a lot of street singers, clowns and musicians who simply love to do what they do.

This was not a night for words, so KNN will also let the pictures do the talking.

Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here. And read Brian Byrne's review of the new Rover 75.

Kildare has many authors of both fiction and non-fiction. We have a special page available to promote their work, which you can access here. Please support those of your county people who travel the long and often lonely road of the pen and typewriter to tell you stories.

PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING

Noreen McCabe, MNAPCP

Anxiety, depression, loss, phobias, childhood trauma, eating disorders, relationships, personal growth, coaching for work-related stress. Strictly confidential.

Moorefield Clinic, Newbridge. Phone (045) 432111 or call Noreen at (045) 431936; mobile 086 2496823; email dmccabe@tinet.ie

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Motoring News, Views and Reviews here

Car of the Week

Xsara Coupe HDi

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the weekly roundup of Irish views and stories presented by Brian Byrne and Trish Whelan and broadcast from Vancouver on the Celtic Voices programme carried by Canada's largest independent radio network. You can stream it at 56k, or download to listen to later. Changed every Sunday.

Canal set-back area 'should be development-free'

NAAS, 28 April 2000: by Trish Whelan. A request that the controversial 90m set-back along the canal in Naas as provided in the 1999 Naas Development Plan be declared a Special Amenity Area and that no development be allowed take place within this zone, was agreed by a majority of councillors at a recent meeting of Naas UDC - with two abstentions.

Above: a brochure produced by a local developer in the run-up to the Naas UDC Development Plan 1999

The existing 90m reservation has a green belt amenity zoning which allows for certain limited types of development within the zone. Cllr Pat McCarthy said he had been ‘horrified’ to discover that development could take place within the 90m. “It is an area very dear to the hearts of people of Naas and a very valuable area. This is the one chance we have,” he said.

Town clerk Declan Kirrane said the preparation of the ground work for a special amenity order is ‘more extensive than the preparation for a motorway scheme!’ “It would take a huge amount of research and studies and you would have to have all the documentation and surveys to substantiate the order for a public enquiry,” he said. He was unsure if Kildare County Council had the resources to do the work.

He added that there is no compensation for landowners in respect of their lands being declared an amenity area. Cllr Mary Glennon said ‘every bit of building in the 90m takes away from this very special amenity in Naas which a lot of towns would give their eye teeth to have’. Cllr Timmy Conway said he would like to see the canal protected while Cllr Charlie Byrne said he was ‘shocked’ to be told this news by officials. “I would have loved to get that information when the Development Plan was on the table,” he told them.

“A special amenity area was never mentioned at the time,” replied Mr Kirrane.

“It was accepted by word of mouth,” Charlie Byrne retorted.

“That’s not true. The 90m was included in the zoning matrix in the amended Development Plan. It was plain to see. The developments allowed were spelt out,” said Declan Kirrane.

“It was the spirit of the Development Plan to have an amenity area there,” Cllr Anthony Egan put in.

The motion is to be examined by the Planning Department to see if it meets criteria for designation as an area of special amenity.

Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here. And read Brian Byrne's review of the new Rover 75.

Kildare has many authors of both fiction and non-fiction. We have a special page available to promote their work, which you can access here. Please support those of your county people who travel the long and often lonely road of the pen and typewriter to tell you stories.

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Minister 'must give money' - Murphy

COUNTY HALL & LEIXLIP, 28 April 2000: by Bill Trapman. Cllr Catherine Murphy has welcomed support she received at the most recent Kildare County Council meeting in which she sought a special budget allocation for ‘Housing Estate Road Maintenance’ and ‘Parks Department’. But she said that this support must be translated into action by the minister for the environment in the form of more money for Kildare

Cllr Murphy was informed at an earlier meeting that the lowest priority for road maintenance related to housing estate roads despite the fact that the bulk of the Road Tax collected by the Council was from people who live in housing estates in the county. “This, together with the lack of any parks Department in Kildare, ignores the fact that the county is now primarily urban and requires an appropriate response,” she says.

"The neglect is very evident with parks such as Pound Park and Carton Walk in Maynooth covered in the same litter as it was a year ago, with large tracts of open space in the Council’s charge being maintained by the Tidy Town’s Committee. Housing estate roads in excess of 25 years old in some cases have seen virtually no maintenance over that time, with increasing traffic levels are starting to disintegrate. These basic needs cannot continue to be ignored."

Cllr Murphy says the minister for the environment won’t continue ‘to get away with’ calling the introduction of County Development Boards, of Strategic Policy Committees or directly Elected Mayors, as local government reform. “The public want to see practical action on issues that have a direct effect on their lives. They are acutely aware there is plenty of money in the economy to deal with basic issues. It is time to stop studying the problem and get on with taking action on the solutions.”

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Moorefield Clinic, Newbridge. Phone (045) 432111 or call Noreen at (045) 431936; mobile 086 2496823; email dmccabe@tinet.ie

Plan to be drawn for Pairc na nOg

NAAS, 28 April 2000: by Trish Whelan. The Parks Department of South Dublin County Council have been asked to prepare an overall plan for the rehabilitation of Pairc na nOg in Naas, the scene of a recent traveller incursion.

Local Cllr Anthony Egan (left) had asked Naas UDC to immediately clean up and sow grass in the former childrens’ playground and to stud rail it. An official report read out at a recent UDC meeting said it is already the agreed policy of the Council to rehabilitate Pairc na nOg, ‘in consultation with the residents of the area.’ However a portion of the land is owned by the ESB who want to hand it over to Naas UDC and this will have to be done before any works can be undertaken.

In addition, work could not proceed until the builders’ compound used with the Remedial Works Scheme is relocated to another site. This is currently being investigated.

In the meantime, SDCC Parks Department will prepare an overall plan for the site.

Motoring News, Views and Reviews here

Car of the Week

Xsara Coupe HDi

Bealtaine official opening tonight

NEWBRIDGE, 28 April 2000: by Brian Byrne. The Bealtaine Festival in Newbridge will be officially opened this evening at 7.30pm, an event which will be followed by a number of street and other events including Feet on the Street Spectacular, singers, dancers, street entertainers and a Macnas Pageant. The Main Street will be closed between 7.30-10.30pm, and no parking will be allowed on the street during this time.

Music in the pubs this evening includes Traditional, Rock and Pop, with late night sessions in the Liffey Bar, The Keg, Eyre Powell Hotel, O’Rourke’s, Swifts, Curragh Inn, Rose Earley’s and Coffeys.

There’s also a Comedy Night Late with Brendan Burke in the Eyre Powell Hotel from 8pm.

Tomorrow’s early morning event is an historical walk on the Curragh, beginning at Lumville House at 9.15am, while a Holistic Workshop will run all day at the Parish Centre, featuring a wide range of alternative therapies.

PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING

Noreen McCabe, MNAPCP

Anxiety, depression, loss, phobias, childhood trauma, eating disorders, relationships, personal growth, coaching for work-related stress. Strictly confidential.

Moorefield Clinic, Newbridge. Phone (045) 432111 or call Noreen at (045) 431936; mobile 086 2496823; email dmccabe@tinet.ie

Notes ... Notes ... Notes ...

CELBRIDGE: Remedial works on footpaths, kerbs and roads in both the Grove Estate and Crodaun Forest Estate will begin soon, according to the development control officer in Kildare County Council. The works will be carried out by a private contractor on behalf of the council, which has already agreed to take in charge the Grove, and will begin the process for Crodaun Forest in the autumn.

LEIXLIP: More sophisticated equipment to try and identify the source of very high sulphur dioxide levels in Leixlip is to be installed in the area, following consultations between the Eastern Health Board, the EPA and Dublin Corporation.

NEWBRIDGE: The 'Hot Mikado' presentation currently under way as part of Newbridge's Bealtaine Festival is playing to packed houses in the College Theatre in Newbridge and will continue until April 29. Pictured in a scene from it (above) are Conal Boyce as Koko, Eadaoin Ponisi as Katisha, Con Cumins as the Mikado, and Kieran Kilduff (Pic: Adrian Melia).

CELBRIDGE: A number of events in Celbridge on Sunday next are geared to raise money for the People in Need Telethon, beginning with a Wedding of the Year starting at 2pm at Castletown Gates and parading through the town led by a pipe band. A ‘reception’ will be held afterwards in the Mill. There will be a fancy dress competition for children lining the route of the parade, which will be judged by Celbridge Lady Mayor Kathleen Walsh and others. A disco, Muppet Show and band will provide other entertainment.

NAAS: Anyone wanting to join a group from Naas in Medjugorje from May 9-16 should contact Fr Ruairi at tel 897260.

NEWBRIDGE Newbridge town centre clean-up is planned for this Saturday as part of the National Spring Clean 2000 sponsored by An Taisce, Coca Cola, Wrigley and the Department of the Environment and Local Government. Anyone wishing to take part is asked to meet at St Conleth's Parish Church Car Park at 4pm, and the event is planned to finish at the Tesco Car Park at 5pm.

NAAS: The Blood Transfusion Service Board will visit the Vocational School, Newbridge Road, Naas on Wed/Thurs/Fri April 26-28 inclusive. Times are on Wed and Thurs from 2.30 - 4.45pm and from 7.00-9.30pm each day. Times for Friday, 28th April are from 10.30am - 12.30pm and from 2.30 - 4.45pm. Local organiser Willie Callaghan is asking for people to turn up to give blood to help save lives.

NEWBRIDGE: Newbridge Musical Society presents The Hot Mikado (right) in Dominican College, Newbridge from April 24-29. The show will start at 8pm each night. Matinee performance on Monday 24 at 8pm. Tickets available from The Kiosk, tel. 431685. Phone bookings: Aine at tel 876234. Tickets cost £7 for adults and £4 for OAPs/students/unwaged. Tuesday 25 and 26 only, matinee tickets, £3. Director is Tony Finnegan; musical director, Siobhán Keogh, Choreographer, Julianne McNamara.

CELBRIDGE: New speed limits for the approach roads to Celbridge town are to be extended, following an agreement reached at the recent meeting of the Celbridge Area councillors. They include the extension of the existing 30mph speed limit on the Dublin Road to beyond Boylan’s Garage, and on the Clane Road to beyond the turn-off for Killenlea.

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Scouts seek support for den renovation

NAAS, 27 April 2000: by Trish Whelan. Naas Scouts are seeking £45,000 from Naas UDC to help renovate their existing Den on the Blessington Road in time for the new scouting season in September. The overall work is expected to be in the region of £90,000. (A group of the scouts are pictured above cleaning up the Workhouse Graveyard beside St Mary's last week.)

A deputation from the Naas unit of Jo Coy, Joan Kehoe Clarke and Liam Quirke put their case to last week’s meeting of the Council. In their submission they said the 80-year-old Den, once the British Legion Hall, is no longer adequate by today’s standards and is the only publicly used building in Naas which has never been upgraded.

Unit leader Jo Coy said scouting has been an integral part of youth development in Naas for 60 years. She said the Naas Scout Unit is ‘the largest in Leinster and the fastest growing unit in the country’ catering for 300 scouts ranging from 6-19 years of age. There is also a waiting list of over 100.

She said worsening conditions to the building some years ago had motivated a fundraising campaign to carry out improvements. “We approached the UDC in 1997 and they offered us a site in Monread Districk Park but because of insurance difficulties, we had to turn it down,” she said. It had then been decided to renovate the existing Den.

Joan Kehoe Clarke, chairperson of the finance committee, said £90,000 was needed for the overall work, of which £46,000 has already been raised through draws and £6,000 from the National Lottery, leaving a balance of around £45,000.

The deputation suggested the UDC give a ‘letter of comfort’ to allow them approach lending institutions for the money to complete the work. Liam Quirke, chairperson of the building committee, explained the contractor had moved on to the site. “But whether the Den is ready for September, depends on the response from the UDC.”

He said the main work will involve extending the floor area, providing toilets and a new kitchen. The facelift will also include painting work, an alarm system and the fencing of the area with a new gate ‘to avoid problems over people congregating around the gate’.

“Access to the Den on the Roselawn end will be fenced off and there will be only one entrance at the pedestrian crossing,” Mr Quirke said, adding that a footpath from the Den to nearby Roselawn estate would help allay safety concerns. The deputation was asked to make a formal application to the Council for the £45,000 it needs.

Meanwhile, Naas Scouts have accepted an offer to twin with the 4th Durban Scouts in South Africa and a group of Venture Scouts may travel there in the autumn. They are expected to start fundraising in the near future to fund the trip.

Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here. And read Brian Byrne's review of the new Rover 75.

Kildare has many authors of both fiction and non-fiction. We have a special page available to promote their work, which you can access here. Please support those of your county people who travel the long and often lonely road of the pen and typewriter to tell you stories.

KILCULLEN ESSO AND XL STOP 'N' SHOP

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Railway bridges 'a danger to children'

NEWBRIDGE, 27 April 2000: by Trish Whelan. Walls and cappings on many railway bridges in the county are in urgent need of repair according to Newbridge Cllr John O’Neill who wants Kildare County Council to meet with representatives of Iarnrod Eireann to see what can be done to rectify the situation. He said some bridges are a danger to small children and to motorists, especially when housing estates are built close to the railway. He also believed some bridges should be widened to cope with increased traffic.

County engineer Jimmy Lynch agreed and said he will be contacting Iarnrod Eireann on the matter. He also agreed that some bridges need to be widened in view of additional traffic and said this would be a matter for the local authority to investigate.

Cllr O’Neill said bridges to be looked at in the Newbridge area include Mooney’s Bridge, Wilson’s Bridge and Station Bridge.

PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING

Noreen McCabe, MNAPCP

Anxiety, depression, loss, phobias, childhood trauma, eating disorders, relationships, personal growth, coaching for work-related stress. Strictly confidential.

Moorefield Clinic, Newbridge. Phone (045) 432111 or call Noreen at (045) 431936; mobile 086 2496823; email dmccabe@tinet.ie

Council to provide creche facilities for staff

COUNTY HALL, 27 April 2000: by Trish Whelan. Kildare County Council is to provide creche facilities when it moves to new offices in Naas in approximately two years time.

Cllr Geraldine Conway had asked for a creche to be included in proposals for new office accommodation when the Council moves to new offices in the former Devoy Barracks on the Newbridge Road and said it is important that Kildare County Council provides leadership and forward thinking to the community in the provision of these services.

She also sought to have such a facility provided in any future planning applications for factories in the county.
The motion was seconded by Cllr Paul Kelly and met with the unanimous approval of members at a recent meeting of the authority.

Motoring News, Views and Reviews here

Car of the Week

Xsara Coupe HDi

'Hot Mikado' steams ahead in triumph

NEWBRIDGE, 27 April 2000: by Brian Byrne. The 'Hot Mikado' presentation currently under way as part of Newbridge's Bealtaine Festival is playing to packed houses in the College Theatre in Newbridge and will continue until April 29. Pictured in a scene from it (above) are Conal Boyce as Koko, Eadaoin Ponisi as Katisha, Con Cumins as the Mikado, and Kieran Kilduff (Pic: Adrian Melia).

The Festival continues until May 1 with a wide variety of artistic and entertainment events, including a special Youth Festival in tandem with the main one.

Contributors include three one-act plays over lunch-time in the Blue Room at the VTOS in George's Street brom 1-2pm Also today there is a 'Dance Jam' in the Holy Family Secondary School from 2pm, while Jack L Unplugged is the featured artist in the Red Hot Music Club at the Red House from 8pm.

KNN will highlight upcoming events each morning during the festival.

PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING

Noreen McCabe, MNAPCP

Anxiety, depression, loss, phobias, childhood trauma, eating disorders, relationships, personal growth, coaching for work-related stress. Strictly confidential.

Moorefield Clinic, Newbridge. Phone (045) 432111 or call Noreen at (045) 431936; mobile 086 2496823; email dmccabe@tinet.ie

Need Newbridge taxi area

NEWBRIDGE, 26 April 2000: by Brian Byrne. A call for that Newbridge be declared a taximeter area has been made in an attempt to provide a better transport service to residents and at the same time clear up a relatively uncontrolled situation.

According to Cllr Sean O Fearghaill (audio here), there has been an overconcentration of hackney licence holders in Newbridge, not all of whom stay in the business for an appreciable period of time, and this has led to a poor quality of service to consumers in the town.

"The difficulty is that under the current situation, the council can only deal with hackney licences on a county-wide basis," he told KNN this week. "Because of that, we can make no specific provisions for Newbridge. The answer is to make it a taxi area, provide a taxi rank, and issue taxi licences.

Cllr O Fearghaill says there are around 80 hackney licences issued in the Newbridge area at the moment, but if it was a properly controlled taxi area, around 35 taxi licences should suffice. "The need is to provide a quality service that is also reliable, which cannot be done if people are dropping in and out of service all the time."

Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here. And read Brian Byrne's review of the new Rover 75.

Kildare has many authors of both fiction and non-fiction. We have a special page available to promote their work, which you can access here. Please support those of your county people who travel the long and often lonely road of the pen and typewriter to tell you stories.

Developments will have to wheel-wash

CELBRIDGE, 26 April 2000: by Brian Byrne. All substantial housing or other developments in County Kildare will now be required to have wheel-washing facilities as part of their planning permission. This was agreed at the recent meeting of the council following discussion on a motion by Cllr Geraldine Conway of Celbridge, who said that recent developments in her area had left public roads in a 'dirty and dangerous' condition.

"The passing of this motion is vital in planning for development and growth, but simultaneously reducing its impact on the residing members of the community," she said afterwards. "Growth and development in any community is welcome and necessary, but this same growth has to be planned and all measures taken to reduce its impact on the community."

Motoring News, Views and Reviews here

Car of the Week

Xsara Coupe HDi

Bealtaine Festival under way

NEWBRIDGE, 26 April 2000: by Brian Byrne. Newbridge's Bealtaine Festival is now underway and will continue until Monday May 1 with a wide variety of artistic and entertainment events, including a special Youth Festival in tandem with the main one.

Contributors include dance workshops in the Holy Family Secondary School running until tomorrow for two hours from 10am, an evening of dance works in the same venue by Cathy Kennedy, Andrea Buckley and Liz Roche at 8pm this evening, and three one-act plays over lunch-time in the Blue Room at the VTOS in George's Street brom 1-2pm.

KNN will highlight upcoming events each morning during the festival.

PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING

Noreen McCabe, MNAPCP

Anxiety, depression, loss, phobias, childhood trauma, eating disorders, relationships, personal growth, coaching for work-related stress. Strictly confidential.

Moorefield Clinic, Newbridge. Phone (045) 432111 or call Noreen at (045) 431936; mobile 086 2496823; email dmccabe@tinet.ie

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Open 7am-10pm for Fuel, Groceries, Toiletries, Flowers, Newspapers, Deli Food, Fresh Coffee and more.

To object to Sallins Road housing application

NAAS, 26 April 2000: by Trish Whelan. The Sallins Road Action Group in Naas is to officially object to an application by Quando Ltd for 310 residential units at Oldtown estate (above). The objection will be on the basis of inadequate water supply, inadequate sewerage provision, increased traffic congestion and dangerous access to the site.

Mary McCarthy, chairperson of SRAG, says the present water supply in the town is under immense strain - both quality and supply. “The showers are either freezing or scalding due to lack of pressure, and using a washing machine - other than at weekends - takes a lot longer than it used to,” she claims.

SRAG also claim that the Osberstown sewege treatment plant is not adequate to cater for the present needs of the greater Naas area and ask what will the impact be when the demand increases as new residential estates and industries come on stream.

They also claim the extra 310 houses planned for Oldtown will add at least 610 extra cars onto the busy road. “It would make better planning to consider using the new road network for the proposed Millennium Park in the adjoining site as an entrance/exit for the 310 new houses, instead of the proposed entrance at a bend at the entrance to The Park estate.”

Mary McCarthy says the protection and safety of all road users must be of paramount concern. They also claim the environmental impact study with the application is ‘a study of the entire de Burgh estate of c. 170 acres and does not reflect correctly the impact on the 80 acres approximately rezoned for development’.

The group also says that the application as lodged seems to make no provision for access to the proposed site for the relocation of the GAA.

Thousands watch spectacular Naas parade

NAAS, 25 April 2000: by Trish Whelan. Several thousand people turned out to watch the Naas Easter Parade on Sunday in weather that cheated the gloom of the forecasters and helped to make it a really excellent family day out.

Over 50 organisations and businesses took part in the event, which was organised as usual by Cllr Willie Callaghan. In awards for floats and presentations, Naas UDC was the Overall Winner. The following prizes were given in other categories: Business section - 1: Superquinn; 2: Naas Academy of Music; 3: O'Sullivan Carpets; 4: Joe Mallon Motors; 5: Hayde's Deli. Industry - 1: Green Isle Foods; 2: Punchestown Racecourse. Clubs - 1: Naas AFC Soccer Club; 2: Bealtaine; 3: Naas Scouts; 4: Naas Musical Society; Vintage - 1: Sean O'Gorman's Steam Engine, 2: Paul Sourke.

Among the special presentations were a display by the 45-strong Dillingen Band from the Bavarian town with which Naas is twinned, and an Exeter-based Gospel Choir which has been performing in a number of churches in the area. The Patrician Primary Pipe Band from Naas, who have played in the St Patrick’s Day Parade in New York, were also featured in the Naas event. The Naas GAA Hurling Juvenile and Camogie club paraded with over 100 members, while Naas Athletic Club, formed in 1924, will host the 75th running of the Millbrook Cup in Punchestown next Sunday.

In a speech prior to the start of the parade, Naas UDC chairman Cllr Seamie Moore called on local businesses to give more support to the parade. “It’s just one day in the year in the life of Naas,” he said. “Please join in next year and put up bunting to add to the occasion.” The primary sponsor for the parade was John F Dunne, and the crowds were treated to a Beat on the Street with live bands performing after the parade.

The KNN camera was out and about for the event, and full coverage is available here. (There are almost 50 images, so please be patient while they download.)

Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here. And read Brian Byrne's review of the new Rover 75.

Kildare has many authors of both fiction and non-fiction. We have a special page available to promote their work, which you can access here. Please support those of your county people who travel the long and often lonely road of the pen and typewriter to tell you stories.

Concern over delay in council houses construction

LEIXLIP, 25 April 2000: by Bill Trapman. A delay in commencing proposed 66 new local authority houses in Leixlip has been strongly criticised by local representative Cllr Catherine Murphy. The house starts were decided last Autumn but a recent report issued to Cllr Murphy in response to a motion tabled on the issue states that ‘contracts could be signed towards the end of the year and construction following immediately’. The report also says that a material contravention will have to be sought in relation to unzoned land on the proposed site.

Cllr Murphy believes a new urgency needs to be attached to this issue. “I get a lot of queries about this and there is some confusion - people think they have already started,” she said last evening. “Progress on this is painfully slow in view of the housing crisis. The Council currently has in excess of 1,800 families on the waiting list, all now living in either overcrowded/unfit or overpriced accommodation. Delays in the building programme contribute towards the misery encountered and are very costly with the average three bedroom house costing in excess of £7000 per year to rent.”

The 66 houses will be located at the rear of 44 houses recently allocated. "As a Councillor I have got to know a lot of the people who were recently allocated a house. I know for most of them it is seen as a new beginning. It is essential that the housing programme is delivered as speedily as possible without compromising quality. I want a review to be undertaken on how time can be saved in the process."

Motoring News, Views and Reviews here

Car of the Week

Xsara Coupe HDi

Head of NYC Kildare Association home on visit

NAAS, 25 April 2000: SPECIAL FEATURE by Trish Whelan. The Kildare Association is alive and well in New York under the chairmanship of Naas-born Christy Burke. On a recent visit home he spoke to Trish Whelan of his life and times in the Big Apple.

The exciting sprawl of New York may have been his home for more than 40 years, but Christy Burke who was born in The Barracks in St Patrick’s Terrace in Naas has never forgotten his home town. Back recently for the confirmation of his godchild, Richard Thomas O’Sullivan of Jigginstown he recalled many of the memories that linked him across the Atlantic over all that time.

“When I left first I flew from Shannon and it took around 14 hours to get to New York,” he remembers. “We stopped in Gander for our dinner, and had breakfast in Boston. In those days we flew lower, too, and the captain would point out ships below coming and going from Europe to America. When we eventually flew in over Manhatten Island it was dark and all we saw were the lights of the streets and in the tall buildings.”

Christy paid £80 for his one-way ticket which was a lot of money at the time. “I’d started saving from when I went to work. It was more of an adventure than sadness leaving as I was off to see things I’d never seen before.”

More here.

PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING

Noreen McCabe, MNAPCP

Anxiety, depression, loss, phobias, childhood trauma, eating disorders, relationships, personal growth, coaching for work-related stress. Strictly confidential.

Moorefield Clinic, Newbridge. Phone (045) 432111 or call Noreen at (045) 431936; mobile 086 2496823; email dmccabe@tinet.ie

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Caragh residents 'selfish & smug'?

NAAS, 25 April 2000:

Dear Editor,

I read with great interest, your article on the Caragh Court etc. residents and their objections to the UDC Caragh Road development. I also read the other article previously printed regarding their specific objections to this development.

I think these views are very selfish and smug! One of the objections were against the "Ordinariness" of the houses. I think these people should sit back and realise that they haven't got exclusive rights to the Caragh Road! It's well for them to be able to enjoy the luxury of their own homes, without sparing a thought for those less fortunate. Not everyone on the waiting list, is there because they are too lazy to work for a mortgage, some people are there because they have no other choice, and this list will get bigger as house prices keep spiralling! Some people , me included have been on the waiting list for over 6 years and are desperate for this scheme to get under way.

I do agree that safety on the Caragh road must be paramount, but this scheme has been planned for over four years and the UDC haven't rushed in with their eyes closed, while I wouldn't always be a big fan of the UDC I do believe a lot of planning has gone into this development and I have followed the progress every step of the way for the past 4 years, so I do feel I am qualified to speak on the matter.

I believe that the Caragh Court residents etc. if they could get their way they would never approve of ANY development going up there. A few years ago there was absolute consternation when there was plans for a halting site! Now a housing development, which would ensure that a halting site never went there, there is still discontent, bearing in mind the UDC have no land left in Naas, housing would seem to me to be the better of two evils (If this is what the residents see it as).

Please do not delay these houses any longer, they already have been held up for three years and people desperately need them.

Name and address with editor

PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING

Noreen McCabe, MNAPCP

Anxiety, depression, loss, phobias, childhood trauma, eating disorders, relationships, personal growth, coaching for work-related stress. Strictly confidential.

Moorefield Clinic, Newbridge. Phone (045) 432111 or call Noreen at (045) 431936; mobile 086 2496823; email dmccabe@tinet.ie

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