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NAAS COURT HOTELfor 28 July. Full details here COLM MCEVOY AUCTIONEERS, Fairgreen St, Naas. 045 897711. |
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P J Sheridan is elected as new Kildare County Council chairman
The Kildare County Orchestra played yesterday at County Hall prior to the opening of the new council's inaugural meeting. Members were introduced (below) to Kildare county manager Niall Bradley.
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COUNTY HALL, 26 June 1999: Clane Fianna Fail councillor P J Sheridan has been elected as the 55th Cathaoirleach (chairman) of Kildare County Council. He served for the past year as Leas-Cathaoirleach and has been on the boards of CERT and the Kildare LEADER company KELT. He has also been a member of the County Enterprise Board and chairman of the Kildare Strategic Policy Committee on local and rural development.
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Lots of fishing in the next few daysATHGARVAN, 26 June 1999: Teams from Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England will take part in a fly-fishing international on the River Liffey during next week when the North Kildare Trout and Salmon Anglers’ Association hosts the International River Championships on the stretch between Athgarvan Bridge to St Patrick’s Well at Barrettstown. This means that this particular stretch of water will be closed to all other fishing from Sunday 27 June to the following Wednesday evening. The prestigious event will be one of the many high points for the home association’s 500 members. It was founded in 1933 with just 30 members. Fishermen meet at the Royal Canal Boat House car park and the draw will take place at 9.30am. Presentations will take place in St Mary’s GAA, Green Lane. |
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KNN is a completely INDEPENDENT professional news service for County Kildare, with no affiliations to any network, authority, group, party or other organisation. The service is operated by Telling Tales Ltd, Naas, Co Kildare, under the editorial direction of Brian Byrne and Trish Whelan. It is our policy to report accurately and fairly on any subject, and we offer right of reply to anyone who has differing opinions to those expressed in any story. Any such opinions published on KNN are not necessarily the views of KNN's proprietors or any network on which we are hosted or to which we may be linked. Email us at KNN , or phone 045 481090; fax 481091. |
Athy AFC celebrates anniversaryATHY, 26 June 1999: Athy Town AFC celebrated its 50th anniversary with a dinner dance and awards night in the Cush Inn, Kildangan. Guests of honour included Michael Casey, chairman of the Kildare and District League, and Pat Molloy, secretary of KDSL. Michael Casey made a special presentation on behalf of KDL to club secretary Irene Berry Tynan to honour the town’s long service to football and presented the ROI Cup to Darren Byrne, the captain of the successful second team. Athy Town chairman Joe Tynan gave a brief history of the club and paid tribute to founding members. Award winners included Christy Dunne, Joe Tynan, Stephen Bolger and Brian Hickey. |
VEC staff picket county HQ in staffing levels frustration
NAAS, 25 June 1999: by Trish Whelan. Staff from County Kildare Vocational Education Committee headquarters in Naas placed a picket today outside St Patrick’s Post Primary School in Naas, where their offices are based. They said they has ‘simply no alternative’ in their efforts to deal with a situation which has been ongoing since 1996.
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Councillor Sean O Fearghail, (pictured on left as Mary Dillon gives the details of the staff's plight to KNN's Trish Whelan) who is a member of County Kildare VEC, said he was ‘terribly disappointed that the situation has gone this far with the Department not moving to meet the very reasonable demands of Kildare staff. “We’re only looking for parity with our neighbours in Wicklow,” he said. “It is a strange situation that I would actually like to picket with them, but that would in effect be picketing against myself. What I suppose we really should be doing is have all of our committee and the staff picketing the Department.”
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Naas promotes itself strongly for tourism accommodation
NAAS, 25 June 1999: by Trish Whelan. Naas Tourism Working Group strongly put forward the case of Naas and its hinterland as a base for tourism in the capital and the general Leinster area at a special meeting in the headquarters of Dublin Tourism yesterday.
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New chairman pledges 'utmost'
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NAAS, 25 June 1999: by Trish Whelan. Newly elected chairman of Naas UDC, Cllr Seamie Moore (Ind), has pledged to do his utmost for the council and the town for the next twelve months. After his election this week as the first citizen of Naas, he thanked members who had voted for him, saying his election was a special occasion for both himself and his family.
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KNN's full election coverage is here. KNN's candidates details are here. |
Racing industry graduates ride outKILDARE TOWN, 25 June 1999: Twenty-seven young trainees, including six young women, graduated last week from the Racing Apprentice Centre of Education (RACE) which is based in Kildare town. All had undergone a ten-month course which included stable management, skills, grooming, riding, computers, maths and physical education. While not all will become professional jockeys, many will enjoy careers as head lads, travelling head lads or yard foremen. |
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Tom Dowling's KNN Weekly Racing Commentary
'Work together' plea at Athy UDCATHY, 25 June 1999: At the first meeting of Athy UDC after the local elections, incoming chairman Frank English said councillors should work together ‘as a cohesive unit to bring progress to the town’. He said Athy must not miss out on the Celtic Tiger and it was up to members to see that the town gets its fair share.
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Massive objections cause working overtime at KCCKILCOCK & COUNTY HALL, 25 June 1999: Over 3,200 letters of objection against the proposed incinerator in Kilcock have now been lodged with Kildare County Council, with more arriving every day. This has placed a huge burden on the Planning Department of Kildare County Council which has staff working overtime to cope with the extra work. |
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Naas Court Hotel goes on the market |
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| NAAS, 24 June 1999: by Trish Whelan. Following the recent sale of The Paddocks Bar in Naas for almost £2.8m, yet another prestigious licensed premises in the town is set to go under the auctioneer’s hammer. Naas Court Hotel was developed from the old Garda Station by Michael and Sheila Leonard ten years ago and became a premier class hotel, with restaurant and night club. The sale is being handled by Colm McEvoy IAVI and the auction is scheduled for 28 July. Michael says they want to concentrate on the restaurant side of the business, setting up a number of similar operations to their very successful Fig Tree Restaurant on the Dublin Road in Naas. KNN understands they intend to open one of the new restaurants in Dublin. He says the imposing three-storey granite building, originally a Royal Irish Constabulary station, has an identical twin in India dating from British colonial times. “I believe the plans got mixed up and they built the one designed for Naas also in India. I’d love to know the details, if this is true, but I’ll hardly travel to India just to find out.” Other pubs in Naas which have changed hands in the last year include Grace’s, The Forge, The Manor Inn, Lawlors Hotel and Finan’s. |
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| Pictured (top) is the imposing front of the former RIC station; the interior lounge which was once a yard; and (below left) staff members Patricia O'Neill, Eileen McAuliffe and Christina Hill. | ||||
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Naas could be 'at a loss' over dropping of experienced delegateNAAS, 24 June 1999: by Trish Whelan. A long serving Naas Urban District Council representative on the board of a key local authority national organisation says she is at a loss to know why she was not re-elected to the position at this week’s annual meeting of the Council. Mrs Maureen Gillece PC had served 13 years as a delegate to the Irish Bodies Mutual Insurance Ltd, several of them as a director on the Board. She lost her position to PD councillor Timmy Conway in one of the votes which ensured that the so-called 'Gang of Five' garnered the important positions of the council. Mrs Gillece said last evening she ‘feels very let down by those who had voted against her, but particularly by those who had promised support'. Mrs Gillece said it had been a privilege to represent Naas over the years but feels the town itself may well be at a greater loss than she following her removal by the vote. She noted that she had never claimed a penny in expenses down through the years, 'unlike others who benefit from the system by drawing expenses for every meeting they attend.' Her most recent attendance was at the AGM on May 27, again at her own expense. “Among my achievements was the arranging of a very substantial loan for the refurbishment of the Town Hall.” |
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Shops and car park will change Ropes site dramatically |
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| NEWBRIDGE, 24 June 1999: A multi-story car park will be one feature of a major retail and commercial development planned for the former Irish Ropes site at Cutlery Road in Newbridge. There will also be a large anchor retail supermarket tenant, as yet not chosen. The development is being carried out by Ballymore Homes Ltd. In the meantime, there has been a call from members of Newbridge Chamber of Commerce for Kildare County Council to build a multi-story car park in the current car park at the back of the Town Hall.
In Naas, two multi-story car parks are proposed, both to be built by private enterprise in car parks currently owned by Naas UDC. Before this happens, parking in Naas will become a paying business for the UDC with the introduction of paid-for parking. |
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Disappointment and shock at destruction of play facilities
NAAS, 23 June 1999: by Brian Byrne. The swings in the play area of Kingsfurze in Naas have been cut down despite the efforts of one resident in the estate to ascertain ways of bringing the playground up to new safety standards required since the beginning of the year. The decision to cut down the equipment has shocked John A Kavanagh, who in recent weeks has visited playgrounds in other parts of the country, had the playground surveyed for safety at his own expense, and elicited support from Naas UDC members. "I feel the play area has fallen victim to a propaganda campaign against the facility which has been waged since I took up the cause," says Mr Kavanagh. "Rumours such as insurance conditions of 6-foot fences and 24-hour security were propagated, while one resident suggested that the area would become the focus of itinerants or litter and cider parties. In all the years the playground has been there, I have never seen litter or the other problems. I have also not seen any written evidence to back up claims that committee members would be individually liable in the event of an accident."
Mr Kavanagh also says that there have been proposals that houses should be put on the site, a suggestion he says is a symptom of a 'disease' which would see concrete and profit put before amenities. But he says he intends to continue with his campaign to have full play facilities in the area. "With so much to play for, I am disappointed the committee should take this decision without waiting for the result of the current investigations. But it shows how successful rumour campaigns can be. It may be that the result of the safety report that the swings and frame would have had to go, but I would have liked to have the opportunity to confirm this before last week's action. "My current thinking after advice from the consultants is to strive to have the surface under the slide improved, and to have two swings. One for toddlers the other for older children. Also I notice that some of the older residents of the estate, when bringing their grandchildren (and other children they mind) to the area, need a place to sit. Currently one gentleman has to watch the grandchildren at a distance because the nearest bench is 70-100 yards from the play area. I would suggest that a bench or two are put into the area where the play facilities are located."
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KNN is a completely INDEPENDENT professional news service for County Kildare, with no affiliations to any network, authority, group, party or other organisation. The service is operated by Telling Tales Ltd, Naas, Co Kildare, under the editorial direction of Brian Byrne and Trish Whelan. It is our policy to report accurately and fairly on any subject, and we offer right of reply to anyone who has differing opinions to those expressed in any story. Any such opinions published on KNN are not necessarily the views of KNN's proprietors or any network on which we are hosted or to which we may be linked. Email us at KNN , or phone 045 481090; fax 481091. |
Meeting planned on new dump project at KilcullenKILCULLEN, 23 June 1999: by Brian Byrne. An information meeting on a new dump at Kilcullen will be held in Berney's Pub next Tuesday. The meeting has been organised by the developer of the dump, Kevin Keenan, to clarify what the project will entail. KNN understands that Mr Keenan recently got a licence from the Environmental Protection Agency to operate such a facility for dry fill waste. The conditions include a requirement that all waste which is suitable for shredding must be shredded, and there will also be an EPA monitoring presence on the site. It is also understood that Mr Keenan has received financing for the project from National Toll Roads Ltd. The nearby Kildare County Council dump at Silliot Hill has been the subject of considerable controversy in recent years, and it is due to close when it fills at the end of next year. It is believed that the terms of Mr Keenan's licence preclude his facility's use for domestic refuse. |
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KNN's full election coverage is here. KNN's candidates details are here. |
Barretstown fundraising season gets off to a champagne startBALLYMORE EUSTACE, 23 June 1999: by Brian Byrne. The fundraising party season at Barretstown Gang Camp in Ballymore Eustace begins on June 26 with the 'White Magic' evening at which 400 people will celebrate with a champagne reception in the estate's walled garden, followed by dinner and dancing and Ford Dining Hall. Tickets for the £50-a-head event are available at 01 662 5652. Other upcoming events include a bucket collection at the Dun Laoghaire annual Fourth of July festival. The Barretstown Gang Camp was established by actor Paul Newman and benefits seriously ill children from across Europe through an international summer programme. In other times of the year it runs programmes to support children with special needs and their families, as well as running courses and seminars for health professionals. volunteers and policy makers who serve these children. |
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Positions 'carve-up' heats first meeting of new Naas UDC
"If this carving of the cake among sectional interests within the council is a foretaste of the way in which issues will be voted on over the next five years, the message to the excluded minority could not be more clear," Cllr Glennon said in a statement issued afterwards. "If those councillors in the pact intend to continue as they have started out, what hope have those in the minority of getting a fair vote on the issues they pursue?"
"Five years ago you topped the poll and weren't considered for the position of chairman and you walked out of the council in disgust. I think it's most undemocratic that the first three to gain seats in this election have been excluded completely and haven't been consulted in any way." He said he was not going to walk out because he had been elected by the people to express their views and he would continue to do so. Cllr Charlie Byrne (FF) said he wished to stress that he had not been part of any voting pact. He had earlier been nominated for the vice-chair by Mary Glennon. * The five: Cllrs Seamie Moore (I), Willie Callaghan (FF), Timmy Conway (PD), Evelyn Bracken (I), Pat O'Reilly (FG). NOTE: In the recent election, the four other councillors received collectively more first preference votes than did the five. |
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NAAS, 22 June 1999: by Trish Whelan. A pre-meeting agreement of key positions in Naas Urban District Council by what was labelled 'The Gang of Five' was described as 'a poor look-out for the democratic process' by the poll topper in the recent elections, Naas Planning Alliance's Mary Glennon(right), when the UDC held its first annual meeting last night. Another incoming councillor, Pat McCarthy (Labour), condemned the meeting as a 'charade'. The matter led to a very heated event, at which the chairman and nominees and delegates to various committees were elected. Most of the positions went to people who had supported the recent and controversial Naas Town Development Plan, while one new FG councillor and a former FF one who lost his seat in the election got the others.
Cllr Moore said he accepted her 'wonderful achievement'. "But it's local government at work and we cannot change that." NPA Cllr Anthony Egan said the system should be changed. "If we're not going to be able to represent the people, it's been a wasted exercise." Cllr Pat McCarthy (left) expressed his 'utter disgust' at what was taking place. "We're acting out a charade in this council chamber," he said. "Five members got together in the last week and decided who was going to get all the positions." He said he was particularly surprised at the new chairman being involved in the situation.
 Listen to a weekly roundup of Irish views and stories presented by Brian Byrne and Trish Whelan which is broadcast from Vancouver on the Celtic Voices programme carried by Canada's largest independent radio network, Fairchild. You can stream it or download to listen to later. Changed every Sunday. |
Town Commission positions filled in atmosphere of good humour
Other appointments were as follows: Spike Nolan (FG) and Fiona O'Loughlin (FF) as delegates to the Association of Municipal Authorities, with John O'Neill as sub; Seamie Finn (I) and Pat Black to the Tidy Towns Association; Fiona O'Loughlin (FF) to the Bealtaine Festival Committee; Ray O'Brien (FF) to the Twinning Committee; Fiona O'Loughlin and Pat Black to the Tourism Committee; and Brian Maginn to County Kildare Failte. All members were appointed to the commission's Millennium Committee and to the St Patrick's Day Committee. There were a number of congratulatory speeches from 'old guard' commissioners welcoming the newcomers to their ranks. In return, Pat Black said while he was proud to have been elected as a Fianna Fail member, he didn't look on the commission as being a political body. "It is made up of a group of people who have the good of Newbridge at heart," he said. Welcoming the new commission, Kildare County Manager Niall Bradley said that Newbridge and the rest of the county was experiencing a time of very rapid growth. He said that all the local authorities in Kildare would have to work together to ensure that this was done in a sustainable way, and one where the people of Kildare would as far as possible be able to live in their own places. "With the work you do, many communities benefit," he added. "At the end of the day it is not about structures, but about people ... and if people have difficulty in accessing public services, that has to be addressed too. There are great challenges ahead, but great opportunities too." |
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NEWBRIDGE, 22 June 1999: by Brian Byrne. Veteran Newbridge Town Commissioner John O'Neill (FF) was elected without opposition to the chair of the commission last night, in an AGM that was without even one ripple of discontent. New FF commissioner Pat Black was elected to the vice-chair position without a vote, following the withdrawal by fellow-newcomer Brian Maginn (FG) of his nomination made by two independent commissioners, Murty Aspell and Seamie Finn.
Drinking parties still a problem in Newbridge Barracks building
NEWBRIDGE, 21 June 1999: by Brian Byrne. Young people holding drinking parties in the remaining unrefurbished part of the Barracks in Newbridge are posing a problem for Kildare County Council. It seems that they've been breaking through the plywood sheets used by the council to secure E-Block, and the post-10pm unwelcome events are almost a nightly occurrence. When the issue was raised at this month's meeting of Newbridge Town Commission by retiring Cmmr Joe Kearns, town clerk Charlie Talbot said he was 'surprised' to hear there was still a problem. He said the council would look into securing the premises better. To a suggestion that the council demolish the block immediately, Mr Talbot said that would be part of the building contract, which wouldn't be placed until later in the year.
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Eddie Gallager to be subject of new production company's documentary
"The documentary will cover Gallagher's complete life, from his terrorism days through to today, where he's a successful businessman in County Donegal," says Mary, who has just returned from filming a series in Medjugore for RTE's 'Nationwide' programme. "And I intend with Stud Productions to break down the barriers to rurally-based TV production ... at the moment the business is completely controlled by Dublin." A longer-term ambition is to do the story of a man who has always fascinated her - Colonel Muammar Ghadaffi of Libya. "We have a very strong local connectuion with him, because 300 Irish horses are exported every year to Libya. I want to do the story of Ghadaffi the man, the horseman, poet and autjor. And I believe he now wants to open his country to international tourism opportunity, so we in Kildare could do something about that." Later this week, Mary Fanning will be presenting 'The Shergar Story' in Kildare as one in the series of Hayden lectures during the Kildare Derby Festival. |
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KILDARE, 21 June 1999: by Brian Byrne. Kildare-based TV producer Mary Fanning is setting up her own independent production company with the aid of a grant from Kildare Leader company KELT. The company, Stud Productions, will initially do a documentary on the life of Eddie Gallagher, former terrorist, best known locally for the siege of Monasterevin where he held Tiede Herrema hostage.
Monasterevin students win Ultimate Florida School TripMONASTEREVIN, 21 June 1999: by Trish Whelan. The students of St John's National School in Monasterevin have won a holiday to Walt Disney World Resort Florida. They will be joining the Sunday World newpaper and 2FM's Gerry Ryan Show on the trip, jetting to Florida as winners of the Ultimate Florida School Trip. The school was picked following a contest with five finalists live on Gerry's show. School principal Jean Conroy said the children and the local community are 'absolutely thrilled' with the win. She explained both the younger and older pupils got together to write a song to the tune of one of their favourite pop songs. "They haven't done much homework since we got the great news, but we'll forgive them for that!" The youngsters, and the adults who will accompany them, fly out to Florida on America's Independence Day, July 4. |
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