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Strong lobby for Devoy Barracks to be a community facility
NAAS, 20 February 1999: by Trish Whelan and Brian Byrne. A number of community-based organisations have sent a clear message to Naas UDC councillors that part of Devoy Barracks should be turned over for community use. Fiona Bracken, a volunteer with two local youth groups, lobbied councillors (see picture of her with Cllr Seamie Moore) as they arrived at Naas Town Hall for their February meeting amid fears they would give in to defence minister Michael Smith's demand that the existing zoning be changed to allow the property be sold for development. The council has repeatedly stated that they had no intention of changing the zoning from educational and were adamant the land would not be sold off. However, it now appears likely that some councillors are considering a dramatic U-turn in order to avail of up to £1m on offer from the proceeds of any sale. Town manager Terry O Niadh has told councillors that 'a portion' of this money could be used for community purposes.
Tim Bourke of the No Name Club, formally launched last November in Kildare County Council offices, says that Devoy Barracks would be an ideal base for the homeless club which caters for 15-18 year olds, providing them with an alternative to the 'pub culture.' He said it would be 'a crying shame' if such a facility is lost to the community and stressed that the Club would be happy to share a facility with other community based groups. The NNC is a voluntary youth organisation run by an adult committee of around 20 adults. At present there are 24 hosts/hostesses and affiliated membership now stands at 250. The young people run the club for themselves with the guidance of the adult committee and hosts/hostesses undergo a leadership/personal development course throughout the year. However there is no direct funding from any organisation and they depend solely on what they generate from a locally-run disco. Rent costs are also a problem as the NNC lacks resources to buy a premises or to rent long-term. Plans for this year include entry in National Variety Competitions, a float in the Naas Easter Parade on April 4, discos for the youth of Naas and surrounding areas and to sponsor a mixed 5-a-side indoor soccer tournament through Naas secondary schools.
Marguerite Solon of Kingsfurze in Naas is prepared to match pound-for-pound the highest bid made on Devoy Barracks so as to keep it for the local community. "I'm looking for Devoy Barracks for the people of Naas and the surrounding area, not just for the old, not just the young, but to turn it into a living community. I'm thinking of all the people in middle age who will be in the 70's and 80's in twenty years time. Now is the time to be doing something about it. If we become incapacitated and our families are unable to cope ... where are we going to go? Modern society is also separating old and young and the secret to the whole thing is integration where all can learn from each other and we can grow together. I'm a nurse. I love the elderly. They have so much to offer and young people can learn so much from them. My children could be learning arts and crafts from elderly people who have such skills. But many are left sitting in a chair. We're all going to grow old someday. We must identify the need NOW for a place for older folks to go every day, where they can socialise ... be looked after ... and pass on invaluable skills to younger people." She has vowed that whatever the highest offer is, she will meet it with fundraising. "I haven't got the money now but if they give me the figure, I'll do it, because where there's a will, there's a way. Devoy Barracks has got to go to the local community ... it should not be about profit making ... it should be about people."
Naas Youth Group has urged the town's UDC to provide accommodation for their Drop In Centre, currently based in the Parish Centre in Sallins Road but facing imminent loss of this facility. The centre opens between 8-10pm on Fridays, offering a secure and supervised social environment for some 60 members from the town's young teenage population. Leaflets handed to UDC members coming for their monthly meeting asked for accommodation to be made available from within the Devoy Barracks complex. Leadership for the Drop In Centre is provided by 4th and 5th year students in the town, and activities include pool tournaments, table quizzes, videos, bingo, a shop and a monthly disco. The facility is supported by Naas Credit Union, First Active Building Society, AIB, and several other local businesses. The Parish Centre premises will not be available from some time in 1999, due to the intention of the Order of Mercy to develop the building as their Regional Headquarters.
UDC councillor Evelyn Bracken has offered support to local clubs and groups seeking a base in Devoy Barracks. "Money isn't the most important thing," she said at a recent UDC meeting during the recent discussion on the £1m offer to the council from the sale of Devoy Barracks.
RealAudio: Marguerite Solon talks about the use of Devoy Barracks.
John says: Growth equals Good
Dear KNN editor,
Reading your pages over the past few months I am amused by some of the comments about rezoning and house-building. In the UK there is a phrase N.I.M.B.Y. [not in my back yard], used to describe the person who believes in development but always in another location. As I remember it, Ballymore Eustace was a dying village some 30 years ago as was most of the areas now due for rezoning. The greatest growth was emigration, fuelled mainly by lack of opportunity or employment.
Taking the greater Naas area of Kill, Kilcullen, Ballymore, Newbridge, the prospected growth over the next 20 years would be an increase in population of 50,000 which would then lead to its own dynamic to sustain the growth. With the land available in various locations, notably Devoy Barracks, the local councillors have a unique opportunity to make land available for starter homes at affordable prices. I wish them all joy and fun in their deliberations and hope they come up to scratch.
As a frequent visitor since emigrating some 27 years ago I am always happy to see my old home town visibly improving and getting more prosperous on each visit and yet retaining its friendly neighbourly character.
KCC to spend over £100m on services this year
COUNTY HALL, 19 February 1999: Kildare County Council will provide social and structural services worth over £100 million during 1999. The investment programme for these services was highlighted by County Council chairman Jim Reilly at the signing of the rate books in Naas yesterday. They include water and sewerage development valued at over £33 million and including the improvement and extension of sewerage works at Osberstown, Leixlip, Kilcullen and Prosperous, and the provision of a new reservoir at Monasterevin; commencement of 300 houses over the next two years at a cost of £18 million; road restoration and construction projects valued at £23 million; the construction of a new arts centre and library headquarters in Newbridge; completion of the new public lighting system for the entire county; direct assistance towards community facilities; and action on litter and extended street cleaning.
Councillor Reilly stressed the importance of the Council's contribution to the social and economic life of County Kildare. He pointed out that the infrastructural development to be carried out during 1999 would lay the foundation for growth and employment, as well as providing necessary services for local communities. "This is a growing county which is reaping the benefits of local and national success based on hard work," he said. "The County Council is very glad to be able to play a part in ensuring that success, and to pave the way for more of it."
His sentiments were echoed by county manager Niall Bradley who pointed to the importance of teamwork between government agencies, the County Council and local communities in the provision of services and infrastructure for the future. "This kind of co-operation and joint effort produces benefits for everybody, and helps to ensure that we are ready as a community for further success," he said.
First split in new Naas Planning Alliance
NAAS, 18 February 1999: by Brian Byrne. Division in the new Naas Planning Alliance has already taken place just a week after it was set up at a meeting of various residents' associations in the town. Bosco Cawley, who had called the meeting as a result of the potential effects on residents of the Two-Mile-House area from the decision by Kildare councillors to the inclusion of a 244-acre rezoning at Piper's Hill, has resigned fom the committee and the new alliance. "It seemed to me that while we were all heading in the same direction, some wanted to 'go by bus' while the others preferred to 'travel by car'," he told KNN. "The Two-Mile-House campaign will now be continuing independently."
Meanwhile the Naas Planning Alliance is holding a public information meeting at Naas CBS Secondary School on Tuesday next. The alliance says the people of Naas and neighbouring villages are very concerned on the impacts on their daily lives of the extensive rezoning of land proposed in both the Naas UDC and Kildare County Development Plan. The public meeting will be at 8pm in the school's gymnasium.
Dukes unhappy with 'restricted nature' of urban renewal designations
KILDARE GENERAL, 18 February 1999: Kildare South TD and Fine Gael spokesman on the environment Alan Dukes has expressed his disappointment at the 'very late announcement' of the new Urban Renewal Scheme designations, and has criticised the 'extremely restricted nature' of the tax incentives, which apply to residential development only.
"The Government announcement gives no clear indication of where Section 23/29 reliefs for investor/lessor will apply, but simply states that they will be applied very selectively and only where necessary to meet Integrated Area Plan objectives. I am pleased, of course, that both Kildare Town and Athy have been included in the designation. It remains to be seen how effective the scheme will be: it will clearly be far less effective than we had originally hoped."
Naas garda off for tour in Sarajevo
NAAS, 18 February 1999: by Trish Whelan. A Naas garda is off to join the UN police task force to Sarajevo for a one-year stint. Having completed an intensive week-long course for the assignment, Garda Michael Higgins (Monread) is one of 15 Gardai to fly out this week to the war-torn area. By a coincidence, he first joined the force 21 years ago. "I walked in the gates on January 11th 1978 and went on the UN course exactly 21 years later ... to the day."
Michael is captain of the Naas 3rd XI hockey team and says he will miss that a lot because the team are into the third round of the Minor Cup. "I played my final match against Three Rock Rovers which we won 6-0. I'm the goalkeeper and was delighted to keep a clean sheet!" His good wishes go to to his replacement, Ronan Cruise, and also to the new captain, Dermot Hassey. However, when in Sarajevo, Michael can keep in touch with wife, Pauline, by email, having won a multimedia PC at Naas RFC Raceday '99 on Saturday week when the horse he had drawn, Noel's Dancer, romped home in the Kill Handicap Steeplechase.
Mick is son of former Det Sgt Joe Higgins who retired from Naas Garda Station in 1986 and who was later security officer for the Turf Club, and Mrs Lolo Higgins.
Drop behind shops in Leixlip a cause for concern
LEIXLIP, 18 February 1999: A 30-foot drop to the rear of shop premises at Captain's Hill in Leixlip has been described as 'a dangerous place ... especially for children' by Cllr Catherine Murphy. The situation is presently the subject of ongoing discussions between the Council and the developer of a nearby estate. Many local councillors have raised the matter with officials of Kildare County Council in the hope of finding a quick resolution, amid fears that a child may come to grief when playing in the area.
"It's months since I raised the matter with the Kildare County Council and there is supposed to be contact between the Council and the developer. Given the risk involved, I'm completely frustrated at the lack of action," Cllr Murphy says.
Naas UDC offered £1 million 'sweetener' to rezone Devoy Barracks for housing
NAAS, 17 February 1999: Exclusive by Trish Whelan & Brian Byrne. More than £1 million could be made available to Naas UDC if it agrees with a demand from minister for defence Michael Smith to rezone Devoy Barracks for residential purposes. And, as it became clear last night that many council members were considering abandoning their oft-stated commitment that the property would 'never be zoned as other than educational', the money was described as an 'election sweetener' because it was suggested 'a portion' could be given to various community and social groups in the town. It is also known that both Kildare County Council and Naas UDC are considering moving their offices to an 8-acre portion of a rezoned Devoy site, among other things freeing the Town Hall 'for community purposes'.
A planned meeting on the matter for last evening, which was to have been held 'in committee' so news media could not report on it, was adjourned following heated arguments as to whether this was in the best interest of the public. Councillors Sean English and Teresa Scanlon were opposed to holding any further discussion 'behind closed doors', despite advice from town manager Terry O Niadh that open debate would let the minister know their negotiating strategy in advance. A delegation from the UDC met with the minister last Wednesday, and are due back with a reply by next Wednesday.
The options open to the council were discussed at a closed briefing meeting of members last Friday. They include a transfer of 25 acres zoned for 'social housing' in the proposed Millennium Park at Osberstown to Devoy Barracks, in return for 25 acres of land designated there for social housing to become available for community/educational purposes. If Devoy was rezoned for housing, it has been valued to at least £4.5 million, and Terry O Niadh indicated to the Friday meeting that 15% of this money 'could be available to Naas UDC' to assist various projects in the town. Cllr Timmy Conway (pictured left) said the ultimate figure could be in excess £1 million, and that the UDC has a 'unique opportunity to achieve a number of objectives' if a 'significant contribution' was received from the minister through the sale of Devoy Barracks. Cllr Mary French Coughlan supported the concept of locating a site for a possible educational outreach facility in the Millennium Park and said Devoy Barracks is 'suitable for housing'. Reservations on the whole deal were expressed by Cllr Teresa Scanlon, who said the council would be taking 'a short-term view' and that £1 million is very little in the context of the overall value of the site.
At last night's discussion, Cllr Evelyn Bracken said 'money isn't everything' in the situation. "Having space for local groups and organisations who have nowhere to go is more important." Cllr Willie Callaghan made the point that many buildings in Devoy Barracks are in 'an appalling state', and anyway that the minister owned the land. He said that there are 'at least two people' willing to buy the land 'and leave it for 15 years as a derelict site' if necessary. Cllr Seamie Moore (pictured left) suggested that the 'state is in a position to protect its interests' and that the minister could have the land rezoned at Cabinet level. Terry O Niadh said that such a directive, 'in accordance with Government policy', was possible, although no such instruction has ever been issued by a minister. Cllr Moore said that 'what is at stake is very sizeable'. "If the minister sells the property to a developer, there's nothing in it for us."
Calling Behans, Waters and Nevins
Dear KNN editor,
Hello All and Greetings from Australia. I have been reading your web pages as my husband and I will be visiting your part of the world next year to do some family research. My husband's maternal family came from the Naas - Newbridge area. Their family names were "Waters", and "Behan" [Beaghn, Beehan etc.] and I think "Nevin" may also be a connection as that is my husband's christian name that has come down through the family.
I am a member of our local genealogy group, Central Queensland Family History Association Inc., which has approximately 200 members doing family research and we also have a large Irish Group for members with speciific Irish research. The enthusiasm shown by our members makes for a very active group. Last October we hosted a visit by Irish researcher Dr Brian Trainor which was very interesting. He was able to point many of us in the right direction which is a big help when we are so far away. I would be very interested to know if my husband still has family in the area.
Thank you for the opportunity to let you know about our Irish Family History Group. We dream of discovering a magic carpet that will transport us all to your beautiful country. [Mrs] Chris Richards 217 Kerrigan Street Nth Rockhampton Queensland AUSTRALIA 4701.
Material contravention vote for Kill retail village project is carried
COUNTY HALL, 16 February 1999: by Trish Whelan & Brian Byrne. What was described several times during the debate on its merits as 'the most important decision which the members are likely to make' last evening resulted in Kildare County Council voting 19-6 in agreement on a material contravention to the 1985 county development plan to allow for the £20 million Kill Tourist Outlet Village at Goffs. The planning permission is subject to agreement on conditions regarding the application, which has been before the council for almost two years. The decision was this morning strongly welcomed by acting chairman of Kildare Failte Tom Malone, who said they had been 'working towards something like this for a long time'.
During an extended discussion at yesterday's special meeting of the council, Cllr Tony Lawlor (pictured) said the project would 'improve the image of Kill - putting it on the map for reasons other than the superdump.' He said he was asking for support on behalf of the people of Kill and Johnstown and that almost the entire population of Kill was behind the venture. Cllr Catherine Murphy formally seconded the proposal, saying while she acknowledged the concerns of local traders, the project 'was bigger than Naas.' Strong opposition came from Cllrs Paddy Power, Mary French Coughlan, Cllr PJ Sheridan and Timmy Conway who expressed fears that the venture would have a major impact on local traders.
Cllr Michael McWey strongly criticised a recent unsigned circular from the Naas Retail Committee and Chamber of Commerce, saying some of the details were 'sensational' and one 'was certainly offensive.' Cllr Jimmy O'Loughlin said the project would pose a 'challenge and an opportunity' to local traders in attracting visitors to Naas but believed further examination would be needed by the technical staff on infrastructure. Cllr Sean Reilly (pictured left) said members had a duty to ensure commitments given by the promoters, Irish International Tourist Outlets Ltd, were kept - a point shared by Cllr Sean O'Fearghail. Cllr Colm Purcell felt it would bring people from North Kildare to the area. "It's an opportunity for all of Kildare ... and we should seize it," he said. Cllr Liam Doyle said he believed the benefits it would bring to tourism in the county 'had to be taken into account and that traders would see the benefits within years'. Cllr Mary French Coughlan proposed rejection of the proposal.
County planner Philip Jones said the key point was that the proposal was not a shopping centre in planning terms, but what is described as 'the fourth wave' of leisure-type shopping developments. County engineer Jimmy Lynch recommended refusal on the grounds that the development was 'premature', pending road improvements and interchanges planned by Kildare County Council in the area. He expressed a fear that an increase of 10% in traffic on the dual carriageway 'could lead to 30% more accidents on the road'. He said the accident rate on the stretch between the lights at Johnstown and Kill is three times greater than the national average ... because of the developments in and around the area.
Responding to a proposal by Cllr Paddy Power (pictured left) that they defer a decision, county manager Niall Bradley said this would not be an option as he had 'exhausted all possibilities and it would be unfair on the applicants'. He advised members to 'bite the bullet' and make a decision. He pointed out that the two main issues were retail and traffic and informed that, in the event of an appeal to An Bord Pleanala, 'we will be there strongly putting forward our case'. Councillors who voted against the proposal were Timmy Conway, Mary French Coughlan, John O'Neill, Paddy Power, PJ Sheridan and, by his absence at the time of the vote, Francis Brown.
IITO project director John Holmes (pictured left) afterwards told KNN that it had 'been a long haul' but that they were very pleased with the result. "The size of those in favour reflects the views of both councillors and a majority of local people," he said, but expressed surprise that the county engineer had not referred to the independent research commissioned by the council on the roads issue, which had been strongly in favour of the application. He said he hoped that those against the proposal would 'reconsider their position' and meet with the company so all 'could move forward together'.
The application had been strenuously opposed by Naas traders and Naas Chamber of Commerce and representatives of local traders were present throughout the proceedings. Traders spokesman Tommy O'Driscoll later told KNN they were 'devastated' over the result, and would be appealing to An Bord Pleanala on points raised by the county engineer's safety report, and he described the decision as 'incredible' in the light of that report.
West Kildare people want road funds released
WEST KILDARE, 16 February 1999: by Trish Whelan. Over 200 people attended a recent meeting held in Edenderry to demand that the Minister for the Environment and Local Government provide the £4.2m urgently needed, and long ago requested, for the upgrading of the Enfield to Edenderry road. A joint submission by Kildare and Offaly county councils in early 1997, accompanied by a detailed design which was approved by both council engineers, was submitted to the department with a request that immediate funding - or part of this amount - be provided as a matter of urgency in order to protect and enhance the future growth and survival of the north west Kildare and north Offaly areas, particularly Carbury and Edenderry.
The mood of the recent meeting was that public representatives and officials were mandated by those present to seek an immediate meeting with the Minister or his senior officials, to outline the urgency of the case and to report back to a future public meeting to take place in Edenderry in two weeks' time.
Major improvements planned for Sports Centre
NEWBRIDGE, 16 February 1999: Kildare County Council is to start on a programme of major improvements at Newbridge Sports Centre next month. The Sports Centre's main hall will be fitted with a new international-standard sprung floor similar to that already in use in the National Basketball Arena. The hall will then be suitable for high-class local and regional competitions in basketball, badminton, hockey, volleyball, indoor soccer and indoor tennis, as well as concerts. The multi-use room in the Centre will be developed into a top-class, fully-equipped aerobics studio catering for up to forty people at a time. The studio will be able to cater for national standard aerobics tuition to a wider range of customers, and to deliver full programmes in aerobics, step and circuit training.
The balcony in the centre is being renovated to incorporate a state-of-the-art multi-purpose fitness studio operating under the "Millennium Fitness" name. The centre will cater for all ages and abilities over eighteen years. Professionally qualified staff at the centre can design a personalised fitness programme for each customer. The studio includes a range of equipment designed to improve cardio-vascular fitness and to provide the enjoyment of a total body workout, to assist people attain their individual fitness goals. The centre will be closed from 1 March to allow refurbishment and the installation of new facilities, but the existing aerobics programme will not be affected by the closure and all aerobics classes will continue in the centre as normal during the month of March.
There will be an official re-opening on 3 April with activities for all the family, including sports taster sessions in the main hall. Staff will be on hand to give guided tours of the improved complex including the Millennium Fitness Studio, and visitors will have an opportunity to try out a variety of equipment and training sessions. The full range of the centre's services will resume on Monday 5 April. The Centre will be staffed for enquiries throughout the closure period. KCC chairman Cllr Jim Reilly said that he was very pleased to see the Sports Centre being improved. "As a member of the Eastern Health Board for the past thirteen years, I have developed a special appreciation of the importance of exercise and sport as a foundation for good health," he said.
Councillor hits out at 'quacks of hypocrisy'
NAAS, 15 February 1999: A Naas UDC councillor has hit out hard at what she terms as 'pure hypocrisy' over the stance of some county councillors on the plight of Ballymore, where planning permission for over 400 houses was given last month. Teresa Scanlon says nobody could not sympathise with the plight of the people of Ballymore on the Late Late Show last Friday (see story below) as they 'helplessly wait for their village to be swamped in housing developments' with no infrastructure in place to support it.
"The land was rezoned 20 years ago by councillors who will now claim they did not know what they were doing," Mrs Scanlon says. "But certain councillors who are now supporting the peoples' objections in Ballymore are the same councillors that have been responsible for the over-development in Naas and are now currently promoting more housing development in the town. These are the very ones who admitted that five years ago they had rezoned too much land in Naas. They are the same councillors that are now voting to increase the population of Naas from an estimated 16,000 to 22,000 people.
"The fate of Ballymore is now out of the hands of councillors - it was zoned away 20 years ago. But what are the same councillors that are seen to be supporting the people of Ballymore Eustace doing to the people of Johnstown, Naas, Kill, etc etc? Yes, you guessed it - zoning for more housing developments and to hell with infrastructure. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck there is a good chance it is a duck. It all quacks like hypocrisy to me."
Residents want end to 'rat run'
MAYNOOTH, 15 February 1999: by Trish Whelan. Beaufield Area Residents Association say they are determined to ensure that Beaufield Road does not turn into a 'rat run' for motorists. The association says it is 'dissatisfied' with a decision by Kildare County Council that the conversion of Beaufield Road to a cul-de-sac will only happen when work on the proposed Meadowbrook Link Road and improvements of Bond Bridge and its approaches, has been completed ... and this will not be for some time yet.
"It would be more appropriate for any final decision on closure of one end of Beaufield Road to be made at that time," acting county secretary Seamus Stokes said in a letter to the association. The residents have now sought the assistance of Cllr Catherine Murphy to have KCC confirm its decision that Beaufield Road will be turned into a cul-de-sac. "It's the only situation we will accept" they say.
Kildare qualifiers for All-Ireland Cross Country
THE CURRAGH, 15 February 1999: by Brian Byrne and Trish Whelan. Students from several schools in County Kildare took part in the 1999 Leinster Schools Cross Country Championships which were held on the Curragh last week. A number qualified for the All-Ireland which will be held on March 6. They included Jane Ann Healy of St Marys in Naas and Lucy Burns of Holy Faith, Newbridge, both of whom qualified as individuals in the Senior Girls category; and the Holy Family Team of Emer Finnerty, M Murphy, M Coffey, D Healy, Karen McDonnell and Lynn McDonnell.
Peter McGarry of Newbridge College, Clive Stokes of Naas CBS and Daragh Staunton of Scoil Dara, Kilcock, qualified in the Intermediate Boys, while Mark Kinnealy of Salesian College Celbridge made it to the All-Ireland in Senior Boys.
Pictured at the event, which was sponsored by Nestle and was helped enormously by the cooperation of the Defence Forces, are (above) Robbie McGonal, James Hanway, Ciaran McFadden, and Owen Mallon, all from Salesian College, Celbridge; and (below) Niamh Reilly who took part in the Intermediate Girls' 3000 metres, from Staplestown and representing St Farnan's School, Prosperous; and Arlene O'Mallery and Jane Cahill, Scoil Dara, Kilcock.
Straight furrows ploughed at Naas
JIGGINSTOWN, NAAS, 14 February 1999: by Brian Byrne. Some 40 tractors (and a brace of horses) turned out for the annual Kildare Ploughing Association's county championships which were held at Naas yesterday, courtesy of Tony Doherty of Rathcoffey who made land at Jigginstown available for the event. A dry and very pleasant day made up for smaller-than-usual numbers, due to bad weather-postponed competing challenges being held on the same day. The competitors were as usual treated to a meal afterwards, this year at Toughers Restaurant between Newbridge and Naas where the prizes were presented.
Willy Gray of Rathangan received a special presentation (pictured here with National Ploughing Association and Kildare Ploughing Association chairman Jimmy Grainger) for his winning of the Under-28 section in the National Ploughing Championships last year. Of the numerous prizewinners at yesterday's event, John Treacy of Carlow - who has represented Ireland in a number of World Championship events - took the Senior Championships, while Dominic Dunne was presented with the Kildare Championship award in the Confined Class. The Under-28 was won by Willy Gray of Rathangan (see above), while the Under-21 prize was taken by Edward Kelly of Newbridge. In the Reversible Senior event, Godfrey Worrell of Kildangan took the honours, while his son Dermot won the Under-28 trophy. Godfrey was also awarded the prize in the Horse category. The three-furrow standard prize was taken by Johnny Breen of Athy, while Peter Duffy of Rathcoffey took the Vintage Trailer award.
The Vintage Mounted prize was won by Peter O'Connell of Clane, and the Vintage Single Furrow award went to Noel Cummins (pictured left) of Maynooth whose post-WW2 International Cub 9hp mini-tractor was a unique machine in the vintage category. Noel spent a number of long days in the last couple of weeks trying to get a newly-found (in Ballymore) old single plough into shape for the contest. Pictured below are Godfrey Worrell with his Irish cobs Bob and Sally, Peter Duffy checking the furrow from his 1954 Lanz Bulldog; John Treacy, senior champion, receiving his award from county president Denis Dunne; event organisers James Walsh and Paddy O'Grady, both of Newbridge, admiring the principal trophy with Mrs Teresa Grainger; Dominic Dunne, Kildare Champion.
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