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Ballymore women will 'lie in front of bulldozers'

BALLYMORE, 13 February 1999: by Brian Byrne. A trio of Ballymore women vowed nationally to put their bodies literally on the line last evening when they said they would 'lie down in front of bulldozers' to prevent the despoilation of their village. Rose Donoghue, Gaile Kinsella and Maria O'Neill were appearing on the 'Late Late Show' to highlight the extent of local feeling against the recent granting by Kildare County Council of permission to build more than 400 houses in the village. Show presenter and producer Gay Byrne emphasised (and appeared to strongly empathise with) the fact that this was a problem being faced by communities all over the country.

Making a strong case against the decision, the trio noted that anyone coming to live in an extended Ballymore would have to endure 'a lot of hardship' because no infrastructural arrangements for schools, roads, and churches for an extrended population would be in place until long after the development was completed. Rose Donoghue made it clear that the people they represented were not 'anti-development', but were in favour of 'controlled development'.

The support of many local representatives for their stance was acknowledged by the women, and they agreed with Kildare North TD Emmet Stagg, who phoned in to the programme, that legislation which had devolved such planning decisions to county managers should be repealed. Members of the Ballymore planning lobby ABCD have demonstrated outside Kildare County Hall at several recent planning meetings of the council.

RealAudio: John White of ABCD talks to Brian Byrne.

 

Naas traveller caravans situation 'slammed'

NAAS, 13 February 1999: by Trish Whelan. A strong attack on the handling of traveller caravan arrivals at Dublin road has been made by Naas UDC councillor Charlie Byrne. A sudden increase in the number of caravans outside Donnelly Mirrors in Naas - from three or four to more than a dozen in the last week, many towed by new vehicles bearing Limerick registration plates - has prompted Cllr Byrne to say it is 'an absolute disgrace.' The travellers are using a pit dug in the grass verge to hold rubbish and litter.

"The ordinary person would be moved on immediately" Cllr Byrne said. "These people are operating businesses from these caravans and getting work in the town. If it was someone who started a business in the town, the council would be demanding rates, water charges and levies from them. It's a ridiculous situation the way it is being handled." Such encampments have long been a problem on Dublin Road, but most of the verge area where they were previously set up has been 'mounded' by the UDC to make it impossible ... the section outside Donnelly Mirrors was not so treated.

 

Naas man most senior Turf Club steward

NAAS, 13 February 1999: Naas-based Peter Matthews has been appointed the Turf Club's senior stewards secretary. He takes over from the outgoing Richard Teevan as the most senior full-time steward on Irish racetracks. He has been with the Turf Club since 1982 and a racing official since 1989 and is now the youngest person ever to hold the position.

The senior steward advises the various part-time stewards panels throughout the country about the interpretation of racing's rules. Peter Matthews is a son of the classic-winning rider Peader Matthews from Kildare, a former flat jockey. He worked with the Hong Kong Jockey Club in 1995.

 

Kingsfurze AGM highlights speed ... and success

NAAS, 13 February 1999: by Trish Whelan. Complaints of cars speeding through Kingsfurze Estate in Naas have resulted in a unanimous call for ramps in two locations in the estate. The matter was raised at the Kingsfurze Residents Association AGM in Lawlor's Hotel.

Meanwhile, following the estate's win (best large and best overall estate) in the 1998 Naas Tidy Towns competition, Pat Madden complimented the outgoing committee including John Murphy (chairman), Gretta Meagher (secretary) and Alfie Burns (treasurer) while Michael Mattimoe said a vote of congratulations was due to all. The maintenance committee (spearheaded by Marguerite Solon) came in for much praise along with all those who had assisted, including three young students - Sadhbh O'Sullivan, Toni Bryan and Kate Solon - who had been 'worth their weight in gold'. Certificates had also been awarded to young people who had contributed to the maintenance of the estate the previous year. Also complimented were Ray Whelan and Joe Keogh (golf outing), and Paul Doyle and Dessie Connolly of the Sports Club. It was stated that the sports committee had decided to invite grandchildren and cousins of former residents for the sports day, which was one of the most successful in recent years.

Some problems outlined at the meeting included the stones area at the roundabout, which was raised by Nora Connolly. Former resident Jim Clarke is the new President of the association. New chairman is Donie Conway, vice chair is Pat Madden, Gretta Meagher remains as secretary, with Madeline O'Mahony as assistant secretary, while Alfie Burns is treasurer. Also on the committee are Jane McCoy, Joan Colfer, Michael Mattimoe, Nora Connolly and Liz Donoghue; Denis O'Sullivan and Pauric Doyle, sports committee. Outgoing chairman John Murphy said he would not be standing for re-election as he is making a return to the stage after 31 years 'retirement', in the part of 'The Bird' in a production of John B Keane's 'The Field' in March.

 

Wall condemns 'minority' renegade builders

KILDARE SOUTH, 12 February 1999: by Brian Byrne. Several housing estates in South Kildare are in a 'dangerous condition' because of the failure of a 'minority' of developers who have failed to finish their work properly. So Deputy Jack Wall said in the Dail after being told by the Minister of the Environment and Local Government, Noel Dempsey TD, that enforcement of planning control will be contained in a major bill to be published by mid-year, which is aimed at reforming and consolidating the planning acts.

The minister was responding to a question from Deputy Wall on what consultation he had had with local authorities regarding 'constant problems' with developers not finishing housing estates. "It is a scandal that people, after investing in a new house, are left in unsightly estates, unfinished and in a dangerous state," Deputy Wall said.

 

Naas water supply to be cut by 10%

NAAS, 12 February 1999: by Brian Byrne. Naas Urban District Council has been informed that the water supply to the town is to be cut by roughly 10%, with immediate effect. Dublin Corporation is trimming the current supply from Poulaphuca Reservoir of 5.5 million gallons a day to 5 million gallons. The cut is said to be necessary because of Dublin's water needs, and will last for at least several months. Pressure in the Naas system has already been reduced by a significant factor in recent months, leading to complaints from several areas that pressure-sensitive appliances no longer work properly.

Naas UDC member Teresa Scanlon was told at a recent meeting of the council that residents of areas like Lakelands may well have to consider using different types of shower units because those originally installed are no longer suitable for the lower pressure being experienced. Meanwhile, at this week's planning meeting of Kildare County Council, county manager Niall Bradley said he didn't believe the projected development in the draft county development plan would be achieved within the life of the plan, because of the limitations of services development. "And I'm thinking particularly of water availability being a critically constraining factor," he said.

 

Donadea park status to be upgraded

COUNTY HALL, 12 February 1999: by Brian Byrne. The possibility of Donadea Forest Park being sold for development if the state forest authority Coillte was privatised was made more distant at the final planning meeting of Kildare County Council this week. The matter was raised by Kilcock councillor Liam Doyle, who asked if there was some way that the draft county development plan could guarantee the status of the park. County planner Philip Jones suggested that the forest be included in the list of 'areas of high amenity' which would mean that any other form of development could not be proposed. Following a request from Cllr Paddy Power, the planner agreed to clarify the current status Donadea as a 'park'.

 

KCC roads policy in Leixlip criticised

LEIXLIP, 12 February 1999: Residents of the Rockingham estate in Leixlip are concerned that they have received no commitment from Kildare County Council in regard to road upgrading and traffic safety measures in the area, despite repeated correspondence going back more than a year. Former chairman of the Rockingham Residents Association Barry Lenihan says the developers of Rockingham and Louisa Valley housing estates have paid substantial contributions towards specific road improvements on the stretch from Intel to Ryevale Lawns/Green Lane.

"Most of our correspondence has been ignored. I would particularly emphasise the point that KCC is statutarily required within a period of seven years to carry out such works for which a specific development contribution has been levied on foot of the granting of planning permission. This requirement applies equally to residential areas as well as to 'outside the country's flagship high-tech industry'. In fact it is a source of resentment by the local community and of embarrassment to Intel that there is a perception that KCC gives preferential treatment to the likes of Intel over the needs of ordinary residents of County Kildare."

Mr Lenihan also points out that his organisation wrote in July of 1998 to county manager Niall Bradley asking for a change to the 'climbing lane' as highlighted this week by Cllr Catherine Murphy. "I suggested changing this inner lane from being a 'slow lane' into a 'left turning lane only'. Whilst this solution will not address all of Councillor Murphy's concerns, together with the enforcement of the 30 mph speed limit, it is an immediate and practical response which at nominal cost (a pot of paint) would reduce significantly the danger along this stretch of road."

Pat says hello from Ontario Dear KNN editor, I would like to say hello to all my relations, namely McGarrs, Raffertys, Cullys, Keoghs, Dalys and Kilduffs in the Naas area. If anyone receives this message I'd love to hear from you. Lots of luck. Joe McGarr, Hamilton, Ontario. Email josephmcgarr@yahoo.com

Willie Callaghan to run in county council elections

NAAS, 12 February 1999: Naas UDC councillor Willie Callaghan has been selected by Fianna Fail to run for the County Council elections in the Naas area, along with Liam Kelly of Kill. The Callaghan name goes back a long time in Kildare politics - his late father Bill was first elected to the UDC in 1950 and also served for 18 years on Kildare County Council. Willie has been serving on Naas UDC since 1988 and was Cathaoirleach for 1994/1995. He has been a member of numerous committees of the council and has also given service to many other organisation in the town, including the GAA, the Community Festival, Rose Week and Irish Heart Foundation. He has been a member of Fianna Fail for 20 years.

 

'Tallaght' fear spurs new pan-Naas planning lobby

NAAS, 11 February 1999: by Brian Byrne and Trish Whelan. "I don't want Naas to become another Tallaght.' That remark from Paddy Bracken of Patrician Avenue in Naas reflected the undercurrent at a meeting last night which sowed the seeds of the first pan-Naas planning lobby. A core of over 30 people representing residents associations and other organisations from the county town expect to blossom to a public meeting of up to 2,000 people inside the next month, to show the depth of popular disquiet over recent rezoning decisions by councillors both at urban and mid-county level. The meeting was instigated by a group of Two-Mile-House residents incensed at the recent support by councillors of a submission to the draft county development plan proposing over 240 acres of land at Killashee for industrial use. The group picketed County Hall yesterday during the final planning meeting of the council on the plan, and were supported by the Sallins Road Action Group and ABCD from Ballymore.

Last night's meeting was also addressed by Aidan Kane (pictured) of the Kildare Planning Alliance, as well as representatives from Ballymore and Blessington. A committee was elected to undertake the organisation of the proposed public meeting, which will include presentations about the difficulties already being experienced by a Naas 'bursting at the seams'. "There's a legend being promulgated that Naas is a great place to live," commented one speaker at last night's event. "But it doesn't mention our shortage of schools, our streets choked with traffic, and an infrastructure that can't even cope with the current situation. The legend is only for the benefit of developers." The only public representative at the meeting, Charlie Byrne of Naas UDC, said there were now plans for more industrial parks around Naas 'than there were football pitches', and the whole business was only to help developers make more money. "Once green space and agricultural land is gone to development, you can never get it back," he warned, and noted that many of the councillors who recently voted in favour of development at Killashee had never walked that land, or even knew what it looked like.

"The purpose of the meeting was to make contact between different strands of Naas people and establish a network," said Bosco Cowley, the Two-Mile-House organiser. "We hope the public meeting will show the strength of 'people power' in Naas." Aidan Kane warned the attendance that they had 'a battle on their hands' and that the time for action was limited. Other speakers reminded that the Naas Draft Development Plan was currently on display in the Town Hall and people should acquaint themselves with its objectives and ramifications. There was general praise for county planner Philip Jones and other local authority officials who had consistently advised against many recent development proposals which had nevertheless been supported by councillors. Those selected as a committee for the as yet unnamed new organisation are Bosco Cowley, Two-Mile-House; Mary McCarthy, Sallins Road; Mary Cahill, Kilcullen Road; John Walsh, Woodlands; Jackie Bracken, canal area; and Denis Cronin, Carraig Oscar.

 

Councillors vote in favour of rezoning policy in draft county plan

COUNTY HALL, 11 February 1999: by Brian Byrne. Kildare County Council yesterday voted 14-1 in favour of a zoning policy in the draft county development plan which could see a total Kildare population of over 190,000 by the year 2006. The plan sees Naas achieving a population of 22,000 (14,074 in the 1996 census), Newbridge 19,522 (13,363), Leixlip 15,718 (13,451), and Celbridge 16,400 (12,289).

Kilcullen is targeted to be the largest 'secondary growth centre' growing from 1,604 to 3,791; with Kill expanding from 1,711 to 3,319; Prosperous from 814 to 2,213 and Ballymore from 719 to over 3,000 over the same period. A proposal by Cllr Senan Griffin to increase the maximum rezoning in Maynooth from 120 acres to 150 acres was carried by 12 votes to three. In addition, a proposal from the previous meeting that Ballymore's Special Village Status be removed was reversed by a unanimous decision of the council.

The meeting heard profuse congratulations from councillors on the work put into the plan by the officials of the council. But there were several reservations expressed as to whether target figures for towns and settlements in the plan might mean a cut-off on development in certain towns if the numbers were reached before the plan had gone through its life. County planner Philip Jones urged that councillors establish overall rezoning policy for the towns and settlements as advised and said the councillors could decide in the implementation of the individual town plans 'how they would slice the cake'. "What you are deciding at this meeting is the size of the cake," he said.

 

Department asked for help in Millennium project funding

NEWBRIDGE, 11 February 1999: by Brian Byrne. Newbridge Town Commission has asked the Department of the Environment to fund a Millennium project for the town to the tune of £135,000. The project is an amalgam of several elements - the restructuring of the bridge over the Liffey so that it would have balustrades instead of the mass concrete walls currently in place, at a cost of £55,000; the conservation of a cemetary and church ruin on the site of a mediaeval Augustinian monastery on the riverside park at a cost of £40,000; the provision of a public sculpture in the park at a cost of £50,000; and the commission of a history of the town in conjunction with a series of local theme studies at a cost of £15,000.

The commissioners say the cost of the proposals will be funded locally to the value of £25,000, but hope that the department will fund the balance. The submission was prepared by a sub-committee of the commission headed by Cmmr Fiona O'Loughlin.

 

Kill people decide to 'speak with one voice'

KILL, 10 February 1999: by Brian Byrne. Residents of Kill and Johnstown have decided to reconstitute the local Community Council. Following a public meeting last evening in Kill GAA Hall an ad hoc committee of representatives from local clubs and organisations is to meet again in two weeks' time and elect an executive. General elections for representatives are not planned for the immediate future. The previous Community Council folded in 1985.

"We feel the area needs a united voice to speak on its behalf," said Anthony Lawlor, resident and local councillor. "There are a lot of issues coming up - the retail outlet village, the development plan, the motorway, and the infrastructure for the area itself."

Representatives from Irish International Retail Outlets Ltd, the promoters of the proposed retail outlet village beside Goffs, later addressed the 150-plus attendance. Pictured above (left) are two members of the original council - Jim Davis and Danny Molloy, and, (right), Joe Smith and Angela Brown of Johnstown, with Harry Corbally of Kill.

 

Stronger security measures to be taken against travellers' halt situation

NEWBRIDGE, 10 February 1999: Kildare County Council is to take stronger measures to secure an area which has been a contentious illegal travellers halting site in Newbridge for some considerable time. Town manager Terry 0 Niadh told last night's meeting of the Town Commission that legal processes are now in train and the council will in future be using methods to keep travellers out of the area near Dara Park, Highfield and Lakeside 'which have proved to work elsewhere'. He was responding to complaints that travellers have turned the area into a 'Wild West' by riding horses through the estates and leaving the area in a 'disgusting situation' from discarded dirty nappies.

Cmmr John O'Neill said he would not be in favour of council workers being asked to clean up the mess. Cmmr Murty Aspell said there must be a better way of dealing with illegal halting than a succession of expensive legal actions. Cmmr Joe Kearns said the council should not be the target of their criticism - that it was 'the law that was wrong' and they should be lobbying the minister for justice, John O'Donoghue. "I don't see any sign of his much-vaunted 'zero tolerance' here," he said.

 

Multiple births club parents have first night out

NAAS & SALLINS, 10 February 1999: by Trish Whelan. A night out in Naas last night was something pretty special for a number of parents for multiple reasons, because they were all parents of at least twins and were all members of the newly formed Naas and Sallins Multiple Births Club, formed by Helen Dillon of Arconagh (pictured .... with twins Ciaran and Evan aged two), and a friend from Sallins. The aim is to offer much needed support to these parents and parents-to-be.

"It's quite a shock to discover you're having twins or triplets (or quads!) especially when you have children already and need all the support you can get" says Helen. The group is affiliated to the Irish Multiple Births Association which is promoting the setting up of such support groups around the country. The group plans to hold regular social evenings with outings in the summer. While the response has been good so far, with ten families involved, other families with multiple births from the surrounding areas would be welcomed. Contact KNN for further details.

 

Naas science student offered trip of a lifetime

NAAS, 10 February 1999: by Trish Whelan. A Naas science student has been accepted on the expedition of a lifetime, to help in research aimed at saving the rainforests in Indonesia. But Valerie McCarthy from Lakelands needs local sponsorship to help her on her way.

Valerie, in her second year at TCD, hopes to spend six weeks in Sulawesi in Indonesia this summer as part of an Operation Wallacea expedition to help biologists map, survey and research the rainforests and coral reefs of the area ... but first she has to come up with £3,000. She is the only student from County Kildare taking part in the trip. "This is an opportunity for me to make a tangible contribution to conservation and sustainable development in an area rich in biodiversity but poor in material resources. It's something I've always wanted to do."

The Sulawesi region has one of the world's most important wildlife communities. It is separated from the Asian and Australian continents by deep ocean trenches and forms a unique biogeographic zone with distinct flora and fauna. The research there is supported by renowned anthropologist Sir David Attenborough who says Sulawesi's wildlife is now more vulnerable than at any time during its isolation and 'today's search for facts about its creatures is needed to produce plans to protect these animals in rapidly developing Indonesia'.

"The simple reality is, that instead of marvelling at the beauty and wonderment of the natural world, we are slowly but surely beating it out of existence," says Valerie.

 

Rugby Club race day a major success

NAAS, 9 February 1999: by Trish Whelan. More than 1,400 supporters attended the Naas RFC Raceday 99 special fundraising event at Naas Races on what turned out to be a wet and windy day. Club president Gerry McGrath said the level of support for the event, held in a specially-erected marquee, had been 'tremendous' and was very much appreciated by the club.

The money raised will be utilised to develop rugby, both on and off the field, as part of the club's plan to develop and grow the club over the coming years. It was also a history-making day for Naas as the event was the biggest-ever corporate race day of its kind at Naas Race Course. Master of Ceremonies was Ronan Collins from RTE with colleague Colm Murray providing many tips for the punters.

There were many local winners in the special race draws on the day. These included Frank O'Connor (family holiday in the Algarve); Seamus Rohan (weekend for two in Barcelona); Naas RFC member Mark Campbell (£1,000 worth of jewellery); Garda Michael Higgins (Multimedia PC); Noel McCarthy (stereo camcorder); Fiona Shirran (one-week holiday for two to Cheltenham 99); Noel Flanagan (French family holiday); Billy Halden (trip to Paris).

Pictured above are Fiona Shirran flanked by Siobhan Gannon and Trea Morris, all from QK Cold Stores, Naas, celebrating Fiona's win of a trip to Cheltenham 99.

 

Plea for car park exit to be made safe

LEIXLIP, 9 February 1999: Motorists attempting to exit the car park at the Church of Our Lady of the Nativity in Leixlip must keep their wits about them to exit in safety. That's according to Cllr Catherine Murphy who wants the Road Safety Officer of Kildare County Council to investigate the safety issue and come back with a solution. She also fears for the safety of pedestrians trying to cross the busy road.

Nearby Scoil Uí Dhálaigh are also concerned and have contacted Kildare County Council on the issue as the car park is used by parents of children in the school during weekdays. "Problems are not only due to lack of visibility of oncoming traffic, but are compounded by the fact that there are two lanes coming up the hill from the town side. This is an extremely busy road and trying to exit the car park, heading towards Leixlip's Main Street is very difficult and dangerous, especially with a truck or bus in the slow lane and faster hidden traffic overtaking - totally out of sight to the traffic exiting the car park. Sooner or later an accident will occur at this location and we feel bound to bring this matter to your attention."

The school appreciates that solving the problem will not be easy but are appealing to have the matter examined by the Council and a solution found ... as quickly as possible.

Geordan presented with his cap in Naas NAAS, 9 February 1999: Naas man Geordan Murphy (Jigginstown) was presented with his Irish international cap at the Naas RFC Raceday 99 held at Naas Races. The cap was in recognition of his having being selected on the Irish Under/21 rugby team which beat France by 24-9 points with Geordan scoring 14 of the Irish points. The presentation was made by Naas RFC president Gerry McGrath. The full back, who now plays with Leicester Tigers in the UK, cut his rugby teeth with Newbridge College and Naas Rugby Club. He had also played on the Irish U/19s World Cup team, beaten in the final by Argentina on their home turf. Geordan has now played 20 senior matches with Leicester Tigers and was recently presented with an award for this achievement. He is son of Col(Retd) George and Mrs Cecily Murphy.

Dick says hello from Nova Scotia Dear KNN editor, Just saw your site a few days ago and must say what a great site it is for any ex-pats from Kildare living overseas. Coming from Kill, it was great to see them winning the Tidy towns once again and I must say that, after leaving the village some 25 years ago, it's always great to come home and see the village looking so well. It really is a lovely place and credit must go to all those people who have worked so hard to make it so ... people like Peter Foley, Andy Birchall, Margaret Birchell, Kathleen Brady and Liam Kelly, a few old names that might remember me from years gone by. Also great to see other names from afar like Martin Allen and Jim Lawlor who have visited your site and with whom I have been in touch. Keep up the good work - Dick Meagher and family in Nova Scotia, Canada.

'Spend the money on road that you've already collected' - councillor to KCC

LEIXLIP, 8 February 1999: A North Kildare councillor wants Kildare County Council to spend money it has already collected to improve the condition of the road in Leixlip between Intel and Louisa Bridge. Cllr Catherine Murphy says she has received confirmation that more than £650,000 was collected in levies from companies in the area - £510,000 of the amount from Intel alone - for road improvement, public lighting and footpaths ... yet the condition of the stretch of road resembles the 'pothole epidemic' which rural Ireland suffered from a few years ago.

"The money has been given, and I'm looking for this thing to be accelerated," she told KNN at the weekend. "Quite apart from the dangers and discomfort the current position poses for residents in the area, it simply isn't good enough to have outside the country's flagship high-tech industry."

 

Knitwear company's home market boost MONASTEREVIN, 8 February 1999: A Monasterevin knitwear company which has a strong penetration of leading export markets now says that home market sales are showing a significant increase. Tyna International Ltd produces the Glenbarra range of heavy and lightweight garments for men and ladies. According to the company's Mandy Daunt, the growing demand for easy care means that the 100% merino wool machine-washable trend is very strong this season. "We do the home market and France, Germany, Japan, the UK and Scandinavian countries, and 60% of our production is for the export market .... but the Irish market is increasing all the time." The company, which employs 30, is developing into a younger, trendier market and exhibited at the recent Enterprise Ireland Showcase in the RDS. "We have been doing this show for years and this would be our main selling show for the year," says Mandy Daunt.

KCC planning meeting to be picketed by residents

TWO-MILE-HOUSE, 7 February 1999: Residents of Two-Mile-House intend to picket next Wednesday's resumed planning meeting of Kildare County Council following the agreement by councillors that a 244-acre site at Kilashee should be rezoned for industrial use in the Draft County Development Plan.

County planner Philip Jones advised against the rezoning, noting there was a large number of planning applicaions in with the council regardng the site. He advised that it would be better to rezone later by material contravention on the ground that they could then tie the infrastructural requirements for developments there and elsewhere to specific planning applications by possible subsequent purchasers of the land.

The rezoning now means that Kildare councillors have voted in favour of rezoning over 500 acres for industry in the county over the past two weeks, most of it in the Naas area. The Two-Mile-House residents have been seeking advice on the position from the Kildare Alliance for Better Planning and from the Sallins Road Action Group in Naas.

 

Youth Orchestra fundraising going well

DUNLAVIN, 7 February 1999: The fundraising campaign for the Dunlavin Youth Orchestra is going well. The group needs to raise and spend £4,700 before the end of March so it can receive a grant for that amount from the Wicklow Rural Partnership.

A number of businesses and individuals have already donated money, including L M Ericsson in Clonskea and accountant Frank Masterson of Athy. Pledges of support have also been received from John Foy of Dunlavin. Liam Quinn of Baltinglass, and the Swiss Irish Business Association. The Cross and Passion College in Kilcullen is olso organising a Civics Day to raise funds. Anyone else wishing to help can contact Dorly O'Sullivan at Newtown House, Grangebeg, Dunlavin, or Mary Nolan at 045 865654.

 

Martin springs a surprise! NAAS, 7 February 1999. Martin Allen of Boston, Mass, USA, gave his mother Maidie a big surprise recently when he arrived on her doorstep at Pacelli Road in Naas. Not because he was there - he had told her he was coming and to 'put the kettle on' - but because her other son Colm (US) and daughter Marie (UK) were standing there with him! Martin had arranged the reunion as a late birthday present for their mum. However more was planned, with a surprise party in her honour in Dun na Ri, Kingscourt, County Cavan, where she was born. "It was a great night," said Maidie. "All the extended family was there." After a brief spell living in Cleevaun in Naas, Martin, his wife Anne (nee Casey from Prosperous) and their two children, moved to Boston in 1986. With them they also took their advertising business 'for bigger and better things.' Full details of Martin and his family's current doings are in our Wild Geese section.

Bolton Hill road 'dangerous'

MOONE, 7 February 1999: A stretch of road known as The Lackagh which joins the N9 at Moone is causing much local concern according to local Cllr Rainsford Hendy who said that following the realignment of the Bolton Hill road, the stretch is now 'even steeper than before'. An additional concern is that the road freezes over when heavy frost occurs, due to the numerous springs on the road and many local drivers have complained of losing control of their cars in these circumstances.

Cllr Hendy has asked Kildare County Council and the National Roads Authority to investigate the problem before a serious accident occurs. He also points out that the sum of £2m has been allocated for the realignment of the Moone/Ballitore/Timolin road and wants the county engineer to investigate the realignment of this stretch in conjunction with this new procedure.

 

Scouts want help for their Den Dear KNN editor, Thank you for the wonderful coverage you gave us on the recent visit of the Chief Scout of Ireland to Naas. As you are aware we are actively seeking funds to renovate our "Den" formally the British Legion Hall. To this end I would be happy if you would mention to "The Wild Geese" and your readers our need. A four-month non-stop draw commencing February is now under way. Tickets for same cost £40. Alternatively any subscription however small would be most welcome. Unit Leader: Jo Coy 16 Lakeside Park Naas; Treasurer: Anthony Mc Allister 9 St Gabriels Place Naas. Email mcalliag@meritorauto.com Thank you also for mentioning my brother John in despatches. He has had a lot of visits to his site following your publicity. Regards, Anthony Mc Allister.

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.

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