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Thousands object to Naas draft plan

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Thousands object to Naas draft plan

NAAS, 3 April 1999: by Trish Whelan. Up to 3,000 people have formally objected to aspects of the Naas draft town development plan following campaigns against ‘excessive’ rezonings from the Sallins Road Action Group and from the Naas Planning Alliance. The SRAG formally handed in more than 1,000 to town clerk Declan Kirrane (pictured left) before the deadline on Friday last - over 906 of these have sought oral hearings, mostly against the proposed Oldtown development.

KNN understands that there are over 1,000 more objections following the recent NPA day of protest at Naas Town Hall, and some 700 individual objections have also been lodged as well as a number resulting from a leaflet circulated by the Canal Preservation Group. This volume of objections is expected to cause a major headache for the UDC with councillors obliged to consider each individual submission.

Declan Kirrance said a number of councillors had received phone calls in support of the draft town plan and what it was trying to achieve. He said a lot of people had sent in letters but ‘how many have actually read the plan, I don’t know’. He added that it is the Council’s decision to have the plan finalised before it goes out of office and he said that this can be done.

SRAG chairperson Mary McCarthy (pictured left in front of the draft plan maps) said if the council listened to oral hearings, ‘it doesn’t mean they will take much heed of them’.

LOOKING FOR PROPERTY IN LEINSTER?

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Phone +353 (0)45 521714; Fax +353 (0)45 520186 Email mmcwey@tinet.ie

THINKING OF RETURNING TO IRELAND?

ARTHUR E MACMAHON, solicitors in Naas, can represent you in all your legal, conveyancing, and commercial needs with professionalism and confidentiality. Email us or phone +353 (0)45 897936; fax +353 (0)45 897615

CHAPMANS OF KILDARE

Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here.

by Liam Cahill

The seminal account of the Limerick Soviet

Available here

NAAS BAPTIST BIBLE CENTRE

Everyone is invited to study God's Word, the Bible, with us, Sunday evenings 6.30, 45 Jigginstown Park. We are presently studying the life of Christ. Contact Rev Roger Parrow 045 894771. (Advt.)

Carton Avenue to be restored

MAYNOOTH, 3 April 1999: by Brian Byrne. Maynooth Action Strategy has identified the restoration of the historic Carton Avenue as a key element in re-establishing the town’s character. The Avenue is a linear park about a kilometre in length fringed by mature lime trees which extends from the Main Street of the town eastwards. Its original purpose was to link the town with Carton Estate. Today it provides a haven of tranquility in this rapidly growing town and is likely to become increasingly important as a community recreational asset in the years ahead.

Under the auspices of Maynooth Action Strategy, KELT, the European Leader Company, is now helping to finance the development of a restoration plan. Tom Moore, a member of the Strategy Taskforce, has welcomed the KELT support. “The avenue is part of Maynooth’s history, the rows of lime trees were shown on John Rocque’s map of the area in 1757,” he says, and stressed that the restoration will be considered in the wider context. "Kildare County Council have already allocated money for the area outside the gates as part of the current streetscape upgrade. We have also had discussions with representatives of the Presentation Girls Primary School’s management board in relation to facilities for school bus turning and pupil pickup. We have proposed a number of options which are being considered by the board. It is important that we work with the County Council and all interested bodies to make sure the restoration proposals recognise and address the various issues."

Restoring Carton Avenue will be one of the projects identified in ‘The First Steps’ a six year growth strategy document prepared by Maynooth Action Strategy which will be distributed throughout the town later this month.

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PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING

Noreen McCabe, MNAPCP

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

Moorefield Clinic, Newbridge. Phone (045) 432111 or call Noreen at (045) 439136; mobile 086 2496823; email dmccabe@tinet.ie

Fitzpatricks of Kildare info?

Dear Editor,

I would like to know something of the remainder of the Fitzpatrick clan still living in the area. My father was John and my mother was Catherine McGuiness. Both came from Kildare sometime around 1910.

Mary Ostberg (nee Fitzpatrick)

 

County roads 'can't take traffic volumes'

COUNTY HALL, 2 April 1999: by Trish Whelan. County roads in Kildare were not designed to cater for the volume of traffic and the increase in vehicular weight according to county enginner Jimmy Lynch who has recommended that the £1.6m for the local roads discretionary maintenance grant is spent entirely on the maintenance of county roads. However he said the amount falls far short of what is actually needed to bring the county roads to a satisfactory condition.

He recommended that KCC's investment should be on class 1 and class 2 county roads and said 'until they are up to a reasonable standard, class 3 county roads can only be improved through the local improvement scheme or the community involvement scheme'. There are 400 kilometres of regional roads in the county. Cllr J J Power (pictured) suggested that Area Committees should decide how best the money should be distributed.

Of the total funding for Kildare County Council Roadworks Scheme for this year of £24.5m, some £14,191,000 will come from the National Road Authority national road allocations; £8,055,000 from the Department of the Environment non-national road grant allocations; and £2,295,999 from County Council estimates. The overall increase in allocation is 20.7%.

KNN has been awarded three shamrocks by the Telecom Internet Doras directory, the world's most comprehensive directory of Irish related sites, in recognition of our being 'strong in content and style' and demonstrating 'innovation in terms of technology or concept'.

THINKING OF RETURNING TO IRELAND?

ARTHUR E MACMAHON, solicitors in Naas, can represent you in all your legal, conveyancing, and commercial needs with professionalism and confidentiality. Email us or phone +353 (0)45 897936; fax +353 (0)45 897615

 

 

Water grant of £592,000 welcomed

KILDARE SOUTH, 2 April 1999: by Brian Byrne. Kildare County Council is to receive £592,250 under the Rural Water Programme block grant allocations for 1999, according to environment minister Noel Dempsey TD. This follows an increase from £21m to £28m in the capital provision for group water schemes and the small public water and sewerage schemes costing less than £250,000, and the allocation covers expenditure on, the provision of new group schemes and upgrading work on deficient schemes, the upgrading and taking in charge of group schemes by local authorities, and the provision of small public water and sewerage schemes in smaller towns and villages.

Welcoming the allocation, Kildare South TD Sean Power (pictured) said it would mean that schemes at Kilshanroe and Rathcoffey, where, work is already underway, can continue, and that work on a number of schemes under the Small Schemes Programme can proceed.

LOOKING FOR PROPERTY IN LEINSTER?

MICHAEL MCWEY & ASSOCIATES, Auctioneers & Valuers in Kildare town can locate private, commercial and industrial property to suit every requirement

Phone +353 (0)45 521714; Fax +353 (0)45 520186 Email mmcwey@tinet.ie

CHAPMANS OF KILDARE

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PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING

Noreen McCabe, MNAPCP

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

Moorefield Clinic, Newbridge. Phone (045) 432111 or call Noreen at (045) 439136; mobile 086 2496823; email dmccabe@tinet.ie

 VIOLET'S FLOWERS

Do you need to send flowers home for that special remembrance? Station Road, Kildare - Registered Teleflorist - Phone 045 522210

Naas Easter Parade

Come and enjoy a great day out on Sunday 4th April. Starting on the Blessington Road at 2.45pm, the parade will provide entertainment for all ages. Lots of cash prizes for the winning entries kindly sponsored by J F Dunne Insurances. Guest of honour Glenn Ryan. Entries please be at the assembly point no later than 2pm.

Lakelands call for traffic lights, roundabout

NAAS, 2 April 1999: by Trish Whelan. Attempting to exit Lakelands Estate at peak traffic times has become a major problem for motorists, according to the chairperson of Lakelands Residents Association, John Ryan, who says the provision of traffic lights or a roundabout at the estate entrance is 'a must.' He has also labelled the estate's internal roads 'a disgrace' and says the roads issue must be properly addressed. "However, it is a toss-up as to whether it is the responsibility of the builder or Naas UDC, as it seems we get one playing off the other," he claimed.

On exiting the estate, he said motorists then have to deal with the junction onto the Ballymore Road which is now being used by motorists to avoid the town via Hazelmere, and he called for a roundabout or traffic light to be installed. Welcoming the new linear park between Sunday's Well, Ballycane, and Lakelands Estate, he hoped it would be well maintained, would not suffer abuse, nor become a haven for lager louts and that trees planted would be allowed grow.

Other problems in the area include the question of litter bins and Mr Ryan said that 'a litter bin which is not covered is not a litter bin'. He said the sponsored bins around the town and the lakes area are too small and are not emptied often enough. He also criticized the amount of plastic along the sides of approach roads to the town. "There's almost an inevitability about it all. We seem to have lost the battle," he said.

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Major upgrade for Kill centre following decision on 2003 Special Olympics

KILL, 1 April 1999: by Brian Byrne. A major upgrading of the Kill Equestrian Centre is to be undertaken following the location's choice this week as the host site for the equestrian segment of the Special Olympics World Games in Ireland in 2003. The Flannelly family, which owns the centre, plans to submit an application to Kildare County Council for permission to undertake a comprehensive upgrading of the facility. This upgrading will further enhance the facilities at the Centre through the provision of additional stabling, arenas, outbuildings, car parking, a new apartment development on the site of the Centre and a host of other additional facilities.

The selection of Kill as the location for this part of the Games follows intense competition from a number of other leading equestrian centres. The organising and selection committees from Special Olympics visited Kill International Equestrian Centre on a number of occasions during the course of the past year when assessing where to host the event.

The 2003 Games will be the largest sporting and cultural event ever staged in this country. Special Olympics World Summer Games are also the largest sporting event in the world in each year that it is held. 7,000 athletes from more than 150 countries will take part in competitions in 19 sports over ten days. The event will also be attended by a further 30,000 family members and supporters.

The benefit to the local economy in Kill and the rest of county Kildare is expected to run into several millions of pounds over the course of the Games. It is estimated that the total value to the Irish economy could be well in excess of £20m. Kill International Equestrian Centre is already a very valuable source of ongoing tourism revenue for the local community in Co Kildare through the large influx of visitors who come to stay in the area during the many leading equestrian competitions which take place at the facility on an annual basis.

Commenting on the announcement, Fintan Flannelly stated that he and his family were very proud to have their Centre chosen as the preferred site for one of the most prestigious events in the sporting world. "This represents a very significant achievement not only for ourselves but also for Kill and the rest of County Kildare," he said. "We are delighted that the county is going to be able to benefit to such an extent and we intend to do everything we can to ensure that the local community reaps the rewards it deserves for this achievement."

by Liam Cahill

The seminal account of the Limerick Soviet

Available here

NAAS BAPTIST BIBLE CENTRE

Everyone is invited to study God's Word, the Bible, with us, Sunday evenings 6.30, 45 Jigginstown Park. We are presently studying the life of Christ. Contact Rev Roger Parrow 045 894771. (Advt.)

 KILCULLEN ESSO AND XL STOP 'N' SHOP

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

CHAPMANS OF KILDARE

Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here.

 

 

Welcome for Naas Fire Station tender authorisation

NAAS, 1 April 1999: by Brian Byrne. The decision by the minister for the environment to authorise the invitation of tenders for the new Naas Fire Station on the Newbridge Road has been welcomed by Naas UDC member Willie Callaghan. The £500,000 project involves the provision of a two-bay fire station incorporating a drill and training tower, and will take the place of the existing premises at Fair Green, which the fire service moved into over 30 years ago on a 'temporary' basis.

"The provision of this modern facility for the Fire Service in Naas indicates the Kildare County Council's continued commitment to the development of their fire service for the benefit of the people of Kildare and Naas and surrounding areas," commented Willie Callaghan, who brought the current minister, Noel Dempsey TD, to see the current inadequate facilities. "This is great news for the firemen, and I congratulate minister Dempsey and finance minister Charlie McCreevy, for their part in bringing this to fruition."

 

Specialist travel operators to Cheltenham, Aintree, and other major international racing venues. Phone 01 2958901; Fax 01 2958902; Email leoptour@indigo.ie

 

 

Six-week traffic restrictions

KILDARE, 1 April 1999: by Brian Byrne. The traffic restrictions at Kyle Bridge outside Kildare following last weekend's tragic accident there will remain in place for about six weeks, while repairs are being carried out. Kildare County Council has advised southbound motorists to avoid the route entirely if they can, or use the diversion via Kildangan to Monasterevin. If they use the diversion, the council asks that motorists take extreme care on the minor roads.

The parapet of the bridge was demolished when an articulated lorry ran through it and plunged down onto the railway track below.

by Liam Cahill

The seminal account of the Limerick Soviet

Available here

 

 

John goes North to the Pole

MONASTEREVIN, 31 March 1999: by Brian Byrne. A Monasterevin businessman is setting out on Easter weekend for the adventure journey of a lifetime - John Cullen of West End knitwear is planning to ski to the North Pole.

"It's just something I've always wanted to do," says John, who is an outdoor activities buff who has already ski-toured in Canada (and nearly died doing it when he fell 700 feet and broke his neck). "This trip came out of an advertisement I answered a couple of years ago on an internet Climbing & Hiking magazine. Well known polar explorer Geoff Sommers OBE was looking for people to accompany him on such a trip."

The trip now looks like being a reality (subject as we go to press of visas arriving on time) and means a flight to Moscow on Easter Sunday, with immediate transfer to Katanga and thence to the Russian naval base of Norlinsk on the Arctic Circle. "From there we fly by Anatov aircraft to a Russian ice station, and after that it's a ski journey to the Pole."

John and Geoff will be accompanied by six Russian explorers and if all goes well the journey will take about 10 days. Though in a straight line the distance involved is only 80-100 miles, because of the possible drift characteristics of the ice 'pan', that could conceivably stretch to 500 miles if ice 'walls' pushed up by shifting pans have to be got around. Temperatures could be as low as minus 50 degrees and there are dangers of falling into holes in the ice where it is possible to freeze to death before one has time to drown.

"We also have to worry about polar bears, who can often track parties like ours for days on end," John says. "Then there's the giant walrus, who is in fact much more fearsome but not as plentiful. We'll be armed, of course." Once the Pole is reached, the travellers will be brought back to base by helicopter.

"It's not your normal tourist destination," he grins.

LOOKING FOR PROPERTY IN LEINSTER?

MICHAEL MCWEY & ASSOCIATES, Auctioneers & Valuers in Kildare town can locate private, commercial and industrial property to suit every requirement

Phone +353 (0)45 521714; Fax +353 (0)45 520186 Email mmcwey@tinet.ie

THINKING OF RETURNING TO IRELAND?

ARTHUR E MACMAHON, solicitors in Naas, can represent you in all your legal, conveyancing, and commercial needs with professionalism and confidentiality. Email us or phone +353 (0)45 897936; fax +353 (0)45 897615

CHAPMANS OF KILDARE

Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here.

 

 

Council 'considering' request for public meeting on draft plan

NAAS, 31 March 1999: by Trish Whelan. Naas UDC is to consider the idea of hosting a public meeting on the Naas Draft Development Plan as called for by the Naas Planning Alliance. UDC cathaoirleach Cllr Paddy Behan said it is 'extremely important' the alliance, and the people of Naas, become involved in the plan.

However the slowness of the council in providing general information to the public was highlighted by Cllr Timmy Conway with Cllr Seamie Moore (pictured) saying it was the council's own fault as 'we just don't seem to have a way of communicating with the public'. He said a group like the Naas Planning Alliance 'keeps them on their toes'.

Cllr Teresa Scanlon warned that the 'tide had turned' and that, like it or not, people were taking an interest in planning matters and this should be applauded. On the need for affordable housing, Cllr Mary French Coughlan said a big 'silent majority' living in Naas and outside the county who will eventually take up jobs in Naas will need to be house.

Cllr Sean English congratulated the Alliance 'on their responsible and balanced presentation.' A ring road around Naas was vital, according to Cllr Evelyn Bracken, because of the tremendous pressure on the Naas dual carriageway. She said she had voted for the draft plan so people could live and work in Naas, and so avoid the trek to Dublin.

 

The most delicious of gifts from our finest Irish chocolates range are selling around the world from here.

 

 

County plan extension sought

COUNTY HALL, 31 MARCH 1999: by Trish Whelan. Kildare County Council is to ask the minister for the environment to allow an extension of time for the review of the County Development Plan from 26 March to 31 May. The plan is due to come off display at the end of April. County manager Niall Bradley suggested the extra time could be used to look at town plans and zonings.

The move follows the council's acknowledgement of the discovery by the Kildare Planning Alliance that there were mistakes in some of the figures given in the recently-published plan.

KNN has been awarded three shamrocks by the Telecom Internet Doras directory, the world's most comprehensive directory of Irish related sites, in recognition of our being 'strong in content and style' and demonstrating 'innovation in terms of technology or concept'.

 

 

Specialist travel operators to Cheltenham, Aintree, and other major international racing venues. Phone 01 2958901; Fax 01 2958902; Email leoptour@indigo.ie

 

 

Call for road and paths restoration

KILCULLEN, 31 March 1999: by Trish Whelan. Restoration work on roads and foothpaths in Kilcullen should be completed to the highest possible level and the work presently in progress should be completed as quickly as possible, according to local councillor Senator John Dardis. Speaking at Kildare County Council he praised the local community for their efforts in providing cobblelock footpaths in the Main Street over the last two years and asked that it be restored to its former condition.

In response, county engineer Jimmy Lynch said work restoration has yet to take place. This, he said, will be completed in two stages ... an initial road restoration and final restoration work at a later stage.

 VIOLET'S FLOWERS

Do you need to send flowers home for that special remembrance? Station Road, Kildare - Registered Teleflorist - Phone 045 522210

NAAS BAPTIST BIBLE CENTRE

Everyone is invited to study God's Word, the Bible, with us, Sunday evenings 6.30, 45 Jigginstown Park. We are presently studying the life of Christ. Contact Rev Roger Parrow 045 894771. (Advt.)

 

 

Thanks from Omagh to the people of Kildare

KILDARE GENERAL, 31 March 1999: On behalf of the bereaved, injured and the wider Omagh community, the Chief Executive of Omagh District Council has written to Kildare County Council and Naas UDC to formally acknowledge and sincerely thank them for their books of condolence on behalf of the people of both areas to the people of Omagh, Buncrana and Spain following the Omagh bomb atrocity.

John P McKinney said the response to the Omagh Bomb 'has been overwhelming with Books of Condolence and messages of sympathy pouring in from all over the world'. He said these have been and will continue to be a source of great comfort and support toa ll those whose lives have been touched by the terrible events of August 15 last year, especially the bereaved.

The Books of Condolence will be on display at a public exhibition entitled 'Rays of Hope, Petals of Light' containing art forms created from floral tributes left after the bomb. The exhibition will be held at the town's public librfary and will run until April 9.

 

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First sod turned in Library/Arts project

NEWBRIDGE, 30 March 1999: by Trish Whelan & Brian Byrne. The first sod for the new County Arts Centre and County Library Headquarters development was turned yesterday at a ceremony in Newbridge by the Cathoirleach of Kildare County Council, Jim Reilly. The £1.8 million building is the council's Millennium Project and will become the focus for workshops, residencies, exhibitions, concerts and community-led arts projects as well as the coordination of the county's library network's activities.

"The new Arts Centre will be available to all the people of the county," Cllr Reilly said before the ceremony. "It will help them to foster the development of artistic talent within their own individual communities. It is an ideal complement to, and a logical extension of, library activity as it has been traditionally understood." Before digging in with a council shovel, Cllr Reilly commended the Patrician School Pipe and Drum Band who had played for the assembled guests. "I walked behind them just last week in the St Patrick's Day Parade in New York and was very proud to see such a great group of young people representing Newbridge and Kildare," he said.

Assistant county librarian Michael Kavanagh recalled the beginnings of the Library service, set up in 1927 by a grant of £2,000 from the Carnegie Trust. The present 60-year-old Library Headquarters building will remain in the new complex as the location for the county's Local Studies collection and the Genealogy and Archives Centre.

The Arts Centre project has been aided by the Government, the EU, Newbridge Town Commission, KELT, ASK and business people and communities throughout Kildare. It will be managed by an independent company, Strategic Arts Management Ltd, which represents Kildare County Council and the arts communities of the county.

 

THINKING OF RETURNING TO IRELAND?

ARTHUR E MACMAHON, solicitors in Naas, can represent you in all your legal, conveyancing, and commercial needs with professionalism and confidentiality. Email us or phone +353 (0)45 897936; fax +353 (0)45 897615

CHAPMANS OF KILDARE

Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here.

The most delicious of gifts from our finest Irish chocolates range are selling around the world from here.

 

 

Kildare waste to go to Kill landfill facility

COUNTY HALL, 30 March 1999: by Brian Byrne. Kildare County Council has no option but to have a significant portion of its waste baled and disposed of in the South Dublin County Council landfill facility at Arthurstown in Kill. So the members were told yesterday by county engineer Jimmy Lynch in a presentation on the progress of the county's waste management strategy. And he told them that this would inevitably lead to an increase in costs of waste disposal, which would be passed on to the public in some form.

Mr Lynch said the council had asked all other adjoining local authorities if Kildare could temporarily use their facilities, given the fact that the county landfill at Silliott Hill would be full by the end of this year at current rates of use, but they were 'not in a position to help'. However, he said, South Dublin County Council had 'no difficulty' in providing capacity.

Responding to a query from Cllr Tony Lawlor as to how long Kildare might use the facility, and would it impact on how the council would look at a request for an extension of the Arthurstown usage when it ran out of its planning permission in six year's time, Mr Lynch said about three-and-a-half years would see Kildare with its own facilities again ... but did not wish to speculate on a planning application which had not yet been made.

Cllr John Dardis noted the irony of Dublin County Council taking its water from Kildare 'for nothing' and giving the county back its waste. "Now we're going to see them take our waste and charge us for baling and disposing of it in our own county."

Meanwhile, the draft of a Waste Management Plan will be available from consultants in April. It will include a recycling initiative designed to remove 25% of household waste and the disposal of the balance through waste processing and composting and the provision of a new landfill disposal site.

Mr Lynch rejected a suggestion from Cllr J J Power that the recycling target should be doubled, saying that the national target was 25% and no recycling initiative anywhere else in the world had succeeded in taking out more than 31% of general waste.

Ireland's only COMPLETE motoring magazine on sale now at all good newsagents.

'Simply the Best'

 

LOOKING FOR PROPERTY IN LEINSTER?

MICHAEL MCWEY & ASSOCIATES, Auctioneers & Valuers in Kildare town can locate private, commercial and industrial property to suit every requirement

Phone +353 (0)45 521714; Fax +353 (0)45 520186 Email mmcwey@tinet.ie

 

Specialist travel operators to Cheltenham, Aintree, and other major international racing venues. Phone 01 2958901; Fax 01 2958902; Email leoptour@indigo.ie

 

 

Rathangan renewal funds are safe

RATHANGAN, 30 March 1999: byTrish Whelan. Rathangan is to benefit from a Village Renewal Scheme with the agreement of the Department of the Environment to carry forward funds allocated last year but not spent within the specified period of the scheme. This previously led to fears that Rathangan would lose out on that money.

Work on the scheme will be completed during the year at a cost of c. £150,000 of which £100,000 will come from EU Structural Funds, £35,000 from Kildare County Council and £15,000 through local contributions.

Local councillor Jimmy O'Loughlin told KNN the local contribution will be met by fundraising activities by various organisations in the village and by a direct contribution from businesses set to benefit from the Urban Renewal Scheme. He said 'a most attractive scheme has been put in place by Kildare County Council which envisages a change of location of the junction at the Square and this development will further enhance Rathangan's reputation as one of the most attractive and picturesque villages in County Kildare'.

 

FORGOTTEN REVOLUTION

by Liam Cahill

The seminal account of the Limerick Soviet

Available here

 

 Any organisation that wants to reach consumers will need to look at ways to promote their products/services via the Internet. And it doesn't have to be complicated. Find out why.

 VIOLET'S FLOWERS

Do you need to send flowers home for that special remembrance? Station Road, Kildare - Registered Teleflorist - Phone 045 522210

ONE OF THE KILDARE WILD GEESE?

Are you involved with any Irish organisations or groups abroad? Let us know where you are and what you're at by emailing KNN. And find out about your fellow wild geese.

Surprise wedding anniversary for Naas couple

ONTARIO & NAAS, 30 March 1999:

Dear Editor,

Sighle & Noel Holohan celebrated their 25th Anniversary in December '98, at a surprise party given by their children Colm and Aoife, at the Irish Canadian Club in Hamilton, Ontario. A great evening was had by all ...

Family members included her uncle Niall O'Bracken, brother Niall, with his wife Sima and their children Zoe, Liam and Kieran, sisters Niamh Bracken and Maire Bracken with her husband Barry Roche and their children Ciara and Dearbhail, Trasa Bracken with her husband Dave Murphy and their children Eoghan and Ronan.

Fellow members of the Irish Canadian Club, The Emeralds Soccer Team, for whom Noel has kept goal for the past five years, and numerous other friends helped in the celebration, not to mention Jim and Gaye McHugh from Naas, who also live in the Hamilton area.
To celebrate their anniversary the couple took a holiday in Cuba, after Christmas. This picture was taken under the Che Guevara memorial in Santa Clara. It was a welcome break from the cold Canadian winter.

Noel, Sighle, Colm and Aoife would like to wish the Brackens in Naas and Dublin, the Holohans in Naas and London and their family and friends a very "HAPPY EASTER"

Keep up the good work KNN - we in Ontario enjoy the news, views and comments from home and abroad.


sighlenoel@mailcity.com

KNN has been awarded three shamrocks by the Telecom Internet Doras directory, the world's most comprehensive directory of Irish related sites, in recognition of our being 'strong in content and style' and demonstrating 'innovation in terms of technology or concept'.

Naas officer evacuated from Kosovo

NAAS, 29 March 1999: by Trish Whelan. A Naas army officer is one of a team of EU monitors who had to be evacuated from Kosovo last week as fighting escalated there following the NATO bombing campaign. Commandant Dick Heaslip from the Paddocks joined the OSCE mission on December 8th. It is a civilian mission and the members are unarmed, but they are now seen by the Serbs in the 'war' situation as part of a foreign military force.

"There was some trouble with riots and they had to move out," his wife, Christine, told KNN. "Since his secondment to the OSCE mission he has been promoted to Brigadier General."

Dick has been in the army for 37 years and has served in Cyprus, Syria and Israel, and he also spent a year in Yugoslavia. "I never worry when he's overseas," Christine says. "He has been away so many times, you get used to it as just being part of the job."

According to reports from the region, the mission is not expected to be able to return to Kosovo in the immediate future.

 

CHAPMANS OF KILDARE

Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here.

THINKING OF RETURNING TO IRELAND?

ARTHUR E MACMAHON, solicitors in Naas, can represent you in all your legal, conveyancing, and commercial needs with professionalism and confidentiality. Email us or phone +353 (0)45 897936; fax +353 (0)45 897615

 

 

Seminal history of Limerick Soviet is reissued

LEIXLIP, 29 March 1999: by Brian Byrne. The media relations manager of Intel Ireland, Liam Cahill, has reissued a limited edition of his book on the Limerick Soviet of 1919, Forgotten Revolution. The book traces the development and progress of what was the first such soviet in either Britain and Ireland, when the workers of Limerick took over the city, produced newspapers, issued their own currency, and were considered such a major threat by Britain that the city was eventually placed under strict military control.

Liam Cahill is a former political correspondent with RTE, where he previously also held the positions of industrial and economics correspondents. He has worked in government as spokesman for Ireland's presidency of the European Union and was programme manager for the minister for defence and the marine in the mid-90s. He is also a former head of group public affairs and communications with Allied Irish Banks.

Further details of Forgotten Revolution are available here, and the book, signed by the author, may be purchased across the internet.

 

LOOKING FOR PROPERTY IN LEINSTER?

MICHAEL MCWEY & ASSOCIATES, Auctioneers & Valuers in Kildare town can locate private, commercial and industrial property to suit every requirement

Phone +353 (0)45 521714; Fax +353 (0)45 520186 Email mmcwey@tinet.ie

 

 

Welcome for school leavers initiative

NEWBRIDGE, 29 March 1999: Fianna Fail Deputy for Kildare South Sean Power has welcomed the initiative of the minister for education to deal with the problem of early school leaving. Speaking in Newbridge, Deputy Power noted the findings that in some schools in very disadvantaged areas, the percentage dropping out before the Leaving Certificate is as high as 60%.

The Government's target is to raise the overall 'retention' rate throughout second level schools from 82% to 90% within the next few years," he said. "Additional resources will be given to targeted schools to help them keep their students in schools longer. Those who quit before sitting their Leaving will be legally obliged to participate in some form of education or training., and employers who take on these early school leavers will have to ensure that they are pursuing such courses."

 

 THE LEINSTER PRINTMAKING STUDIO

THE OLD CONVENT, CLANE

Artists' resource, Training, Gallery sales. Phone Margaret Becker 045 868168 or 087 2310114

The most delicious of gifts from our finest Irish chocolates range are selling around the world from here.

 

 

Lakes area 'could have playground'

NAAS, 29 March 1999: by Trish Whelan. The lakes area of the town has been suggested as an ideal location for a proposed kiddies playground at a cost of £55,000. A previous playground had to be closed some years ago due to insurance problems.

£10,000 has been included in the estimates for playground equipment and the development is to be funded over a number of years. The equipment, including solid climbing frames, will comply with EU standards and seats will be placed near the play area to allow parents sit and watch the children at play. It's hoped to have the project ready before the summer holidays.

"It was felt the playground should go in an area in public management and which was used widely by all people in the town and not confined to a particular housing estate, and the advice was that playground equipment should not be put into Monread District Park at the moment," town clerk Declan Kirrane explained. He said there will be an area around the play ground that would be defined as a safety zone and 'if everyone keeps an eye on it, we should be able to maintain it in a good state of repair'.

However Cllr Paddy Behan said he had 'considerable' reservations as to how successful it would be in an open area without supervision, while Cllr Charlie Byrne believed the far end of the lakes area to be more suitable for the venture with easier car parking. He pointed out that car parking is already an issue along the Ballymore Road as more and more people enjoy walking in the lakes area. "And they're very welcome," he added. He said local residents should be advised of what is planned. Cllr Willie Callaghan said a low wall or chain link fence could be provided to stop cars from parking on the grass and 'Kildare County Council could provide a car park.'

UDC officials are to examine the situation and report back to the Council.

 KILCULLEN ESSO AND XL STOP 'N' SHOP

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

 

NEWS OR VIEWS?

Something happening in your community that's bothering you? Or do you simply want to share the news from your village or town in County Kildare? You can, by emailing us at KNN

 

For Ireland's best motoring news and reviews, visit MotorWeb

COMMUNITY NOTICES

NAAS GOLF SOCIETY - Next society outing to Killeen Golf Club takes place on Saturday, April 3. Tee time: 11.30-1.45pm. Time sheet in Lily's Bar.

LEARN TO DANCE - Take to the floor every Friday evening in the CBS Secondary School Naas. Salsa 7pm; Jive and Rock and Roll 8pm; Ballroom 9pm. Further details from Kieran & Breda Kelly at 866083.

ASSESSMENT TESTS - For incoming First Year students for September 1999 will be held at St. Patrick's Post Primary School on Wednesday March 31 from 1-3pm.

MUSICAL EVENING - The Millicent Singers, under the leadership of Michael Weedle, will present a Musical Evening in the Camphill Community, Dunshane House on Friday March 26 at 8pm. Guest artist is well-known cellist Vincent Hunt. Adm. is £7. Tickets available from Marron Pharmacy in Clane and from choir members.

KILDARE SUICIDE BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP - KSBSG is a team of people who have been specifically trained to help those who have been bereaved by suicide or by tragic sudden death. It is a non-denominational service. A rota of trained facilitators are available to conduct group or one-to-one sessions at the Parish Centre in Ballycane (tel. 895629) every Thursday evening from 8pm. Alternatively, an appointment may be made in confidence by contacting tel. 086-8554852.

UDC SKIPS IN 1999 - Naas Urban District Council will provide skips to Housing Estates to assist with their estate maintenance/management during this year. Applications will be considered on a first come first served basis and should be made by Residents Associations in writing to the Town Clerk's Office, Naas UDC, Town Hall, Naas. There will be a limit of one skip per estate at present but an extension of the scheme may be announced later.

YOU COULD BE GETTING YOUR MESSAGE ACROSS HERE TO A SOPHISTICATED (AND RAPIDLY GROWING) KILDARE AUDIENCE AT HOME AND ABROAD

Email us at KNN for full details, or phone 045 481090

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