KildareNet News is the INDEPENDENT internet news service for and about Kildare, located on the County Kildare Community Network. KNN has no affiliations to any network, authority, group, party or other organisation. The service is operated by TELLING TALES LTD under the editorial direction of BRIAN BYRNE and TRISH WHELAN. Site best viewed with NETSCAPE browser and with the VERDANA font. All content © Telling Tales Ltd. Phone 045 481090 or 086 8267104; Fax 045 481091; Email tellingtales@yahoo.com SCROLL for CURRENT stories. EARLIER stories and ARCHIVES KNN Special FEATURES Visit our flagship sponsor For audios get free REALPLAYER KNN-KildareNet News was awarded three shamrocks by Doras 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

Housing list equivalent to 'small town' of homeless - councillor KILDARE GENERAL, 24 September 1999: by Brian Byrne. If the population equivalent of a small town was made homeless it would not be accepted in a caring society ... but that’s just what the net effect of the size of the housing list in County Kildare is, according to Leixlip-based councillor Catherine Murphy. She was commenting on a report which will be discussed at next Monday’s meeting of Kildare County Council which she says shows the ‘crisis’ facing the county’s local authorities in this regard. “I estimate that between 4,500-5,000 people are affected, and even if we were immediately allocated money to build the 1,600 new houses needed it would take some considerable time to deal with the situation,” she says. Kildare County Council built over 300 houses in the last three years, and a further 70 were built by the Voluntary Housing sector. The report says that there were 2,072 applicants on the list prior to the end of March this year, but that the figure has been revised to 1,548 because people were ‘cancelled’ from the list for ‘not replying to questionnaires’. However, council officials say that up to 40% of non-repliers will subsequently contact the authority to say they are still in need of a house. Cllr Murphy says the figures given do not include the needs for the urban districts of Naas or Athy, and if they are included she believes her own figure is more accurate. In addition, she notes that long-term unemployed people waiting for houses can be ‘chopped’ from eligibility if they earn more than £250 on any of the ‘return to work’ schemes. “This puts them in the classic poverty trap,” she says. Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here. And read Brian Byrne's review of the new Rover 75. Check out the weather here

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Yellow lines no good without traffic enforcement - commissioners NEWBRIDGE, 24 September 1999: by Brian Byrne. Yellow lines on their own are not sufficient to deter illegal parking, Newbridge Town Commission was told at its recent monthly meeting. “if you put them down, people will only park on them,” Cmmr Colm Feeney said in response to chairman John O’Neill’s request that double yellow lines be painted on the road leading to the car park in the centre of the town. “We would be better off asking the gardai to put down traffic cones,” he said. Cmmr O’Neill had made the suggestion in a general comment on the need to ‘revamp’ traffic arrangements such as yellow lines and box junctions. “Car parking in Newbridge is a particularly bad situation,” he said. Meanwhile, councillors also requested that filter lights be installed on three sets of traffic lights on Main Street, to facilitate southbound traffic wanting to turn right. The current situation, particularly at the Charlotte St junction (above), was described as very dangerous, with motorists having to dash across against oncoming northbound traffic when lights changed.

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Caragh Road 'traffic gauntlet' to be relieved soon NAAS, 24 September 1999: by Trish Whelan. Relief is at hand for the long suffering residents of Caragh Court who have been seeking safe pedestrian access to the town for almost 20 years. At present pedestrians ‘run a gauntlet’ of traffic on the preserved Poolpluck Bridge, over the canal, described as a deathtrap. Town engineer Tom Cuddy said this week that footpaths are to be provided on the right hand side of the road from the town to the bridge and from the bridge to the Caragh Court estate. This he said was seen as the ‘fairly straightforward’ part of the project which also includes plans for a pedestrian bridge beside the existing road bridge. Mr Cuddy said the bridge issue is presently being discussed with Dúchas, the national heritage authority and, in principle, there seems to be no problems from that authority in relation to a pedestrian bridge. However, detailed designs must first be prepared by Naas Urban District Council. The council hopes the new footpaths will be ‘substantially completed’ during the next month, as prices are expected within the next week or so.

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Footpath for Confey Bridge LEIXLIP, 24 September 1999: by Brian Byrne. A footpath to be installed at Cope Bridge, Confey, over the next two months will ease the safety situation for hundreds of children and adults who use the bridge every day. The position has been a source of concern for a long time, and particularly since a one-way system was put in place involving the bridge. Welcoming the move, Cllr Paul Kelly appealed to motorists to take greater care at the bridge now that it will be physically as well as legally one way. “While this path should have been installed when the traffic lights were put in, and indeed long before that, I welcome it now - I suppose it’s a case of "better late then never," he said.

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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. 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, or phone 045 481090; fax 481091.

Ireland and the Big Gamble RATHANGAN, 24 September 1999: Dear Editor, Some time ago I read where a young mother went with her last fiver to buy some cigarettes, but on an impulse bought a lottery ticket and won more than £200,000. Bully for her! But what about all the mothers and fathers who went with their last fiver to buy a loaf or a bottle of milk and ended up with lottery tickets instead? Gaming machines are the pits but who are the Irish to condemn them? Jimmy O'Loughlin.

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Poker machine addiction causes hardship, heartache ... and fear KILDARE GENERAL, 23 September 1999: by Brian Byrne & Trish Whelan. Addiction to poker machines in County Kildare has split marriages, alienated children and caused depression and fear as well as severe financial loss to people affected. In a shock interview with KNN, victims have told of being afraid to do their shopping because they can't pass amusement arcades, of spending dole cheques in an hour, and of being threatened by money-lenders they resort to for money to feed the machines. "I nearly lost everything, including my house," says Rachael (names in this article have been changed to protect confidentiality), a mother of teenage children who have in their own way borne the brunt of the problem. Another mother, Rebecca, told how her dole money would 'be gone in a hour' and if it wasn't for friends she and her children would have starved. Rachael looked seriously for help after she blew her £200 fund for her children's Christmas gifts last year. "I wanted to make more money to get the kids more than I could afford. Instead, what I had was gone in an hour. I said: 'That's it'." Though it wasn't, really. She says it's like alcoholism and that she'll 'never be cured'. "The temptation is always there. It's like a big magnet and it's calling me in ... I've fallen back a few times. Even one day I went in to help a friend to try and get her out, and ended up losing all the money I had on me. Now I try and get my messages down town done before the place opens at lunchtime ... or I send somebody down to do them for me." It is illegal for payouts to be made on winning hands on poker machines, and all such machines have signs saying: 'For Amusement Only'. In the past, gardai in Newbridge have warned operators who paid out winnings that they would be prosecuted if they didn't remove them. But it is a difficult matter to police. "We can only act where there there is a specific complaint made," says Sergeant Con O'Sullivan of Newbridge Garda Station, headquarters of one of the two Garda divisions which cover County Kildare. KNN has been told of a number of operators in County Kildare where payouts are allegedly made on poker machines, using a system of players building up credits for winning hands. These are merely allegations, but it is hard to believe that so many people pour £1 coins into such machines for hours on end without some expectation of return. FULL STORY 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 A Great Tradition of Hospitality Killarney Parknasilla Rosslare Galway Shannon Dublin

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Promised Naas school no longer on track ... or on site? NAAS, 22 September 1999: by Trish Whelan & Brian Byrne. The promised new school for the Sallins Road, which was a key component in the rezoning of the Oldtown Estate in the 1999 Naas Town Development Plan, may not now be built in its original location. And it looks increasingly unlikely that it will meet the promised opening deadline of September 2000. KNN learned earlier this week that there is strong pressure to move the school site to the Monread Park area, amidst speculation that the former DeBurgh land has now been sold on to a new developer, who doesn’t want the school on the land. The provision of the school site was an important element in the community benefit aspect of the property’s rezoning application by Lehmex International, and the site was officially handed over to parish priest Fr Moling Lennon earlier this year by Lehmex principal Gerry Conlan, in the presence of solicitors Tony Osbourne and Dermot Fullam. Other developments proposed for the property at the time included a hotel, a nursing home and a cinema complex, as well as a new site for Naas GAA. According to Naas town clerk Declan Kirrane, no application for planning for the school has been received by the council and, while outline planning permission for the hotel was given last year, no further progress has been made on this matter. A meeting of parents in Ballycane School last week was informed that the school ‘is not going ahead’ as planned. KNN understands that there have been meetings on the situation with several local councillors, one of whom told us two weeks ago that ‘there were concerns about safety for children crossing the busy Sallins Road’ and it ‘would be much better to have the school somewhere like Monread Park’. The reaction of Monread residents to a reduction in their parkland is not likely to be positive. The matter may also have serious ramifications for the validity of the often-controversial Naas Development Plan, as the school site was such an important ‘lever’ to swing council votes for the rezoning. A number of the new councillors, voted in strongly on public opposition to the plan, have vowed to ‘bring it down’ by whatever means present themselves, and this latest problem may well give them further ammunition in their attempts to do so.

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Town commission beefs up Christmas lights support offer NEWBRIDGE, 22 September 1999: by Brian Byrne. Newbridge Town Commission is increasing its offered support for the town’s Christmas lightsd by 50% this year in an effort to change the mind of the Chamber of Commerce, who say they will not pay for the lights this year. The commission has in recent years paid £2,000, but this year is offering £3,000. But there’s still a strong possibility that there will be no Christmas lights this year - the chamber has told the commission that, as its annual total budget is just £25,000, the estimated cost of £18,200 for this year’s lights ‘will not be part of current plans’. In a letter to the commission, the chamber said it had supported the lights for the last seven years, to a cumulative cost of £53,596, and that it had been the organisation’s ‘single most expensive project’ since 1992. The news was greeted with some dismay by the commission, which held a special meeting about the matter last week after chairman John O’Neill said that he ‘didn’t want further discussion’ during the monthly general meeting. Part of the problem is that the chamber has consistently had difficulty in collecting a share of the costs from all of its members. An alternative is that the commission would levy extra rates on Newbridge businesses to cover the lights, possibly under an ‘amenity’ or ‘environmental’ category, and in this way all of the businesses would be forced to contribute. But the chamber has already indicated that any increase in rates will be strongly resisted.

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Business must think e-commerce: Intel's Andy Grove DUBLIN & LEIXLIP, 22 September 1999: by Brian Byrne. The economics of e-commerce are offering businesses new avenues to improve cash flow, through both internal efficiencies and greater market reach, Intel Corporation Chairman Andrew S Grove said on the first day of a four-country European tour. Intel’s European headquarters is located in Leixlip, Co Kildare. Speaking to the Irish Information Society, Dr Grove said that for buyers, the pricing of goods and services becomes as efficient as stock markets. "And for sellers, new efficiencies in all business processes are bringing cost savings that accrue directly and completely to companies' bottom lines,” he said, giving as an example the case of of a German-based seller of garden implements who has increased inventory turns and improved its one-to-one marketing to customers by creating an extranet link with its 6,000 dealers. He noted that many companies are beginning to use e-business to extend their reach to do more business with each customer and acquire new customers. Managers are implementing e-business procedures and exploiting the data obtained from close electronic feedback loops with customers to gain competitive advantage. "The end-goal is to build e-business with your customers," Dr Grove said. "If you do not, you can be sure your competitors will."

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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. 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, or phone 045 481090; fax 481091.

Looking for news of Naas relatives NAAS & AUSTRALIA, 22 September 1999: Dear Editor, I saw your pages and would love to hear from any of my deceased Grandmothers family. Her maiden name was Anna May Higgins and she came from Abbey Bridge Naas. If this rings any bells withanyone I can be contacted on the above. Thank you, Thomas Percy, Warrnambool, Australia http://www.standard.net.au

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Bridge millennium project up against strong funding competition NEWBRIDGE, 21 September 1999: by Brian Byrne. The official Millennium project for Newbridge is competing with some 1,400 others for funding from the National Millennium Committee. And with only £2m available from the committee, the £75,000 estimated cost of restoring the town’s bridge to its former balustraded glory may not be as certain a project as was previously believed by its promoters. The decision on which projects will be supported from the committee’s resources will be made in mid-October, but the revelation of the relatively small amount in the overall fund has angered some members of Newbridge Town Commission. Given that up to two years’ work has been put into developing and selecting the town’s official Millennium project, Cmmr Ray O’Brien (left), the commission should have been made aware of the small figure. “We could have been on a local funding drive to get support for the project,” he said, at the same time giving credit to Kildare County Council’s Engineering Department and everybody else involved in preparing the submission for the project. However, both town manager Terry O Niadh and Cmmr Fiona O’Loughlin cautioned that a letter from project managers ADM was in fact ‘positive’, while Cmmr Pat Black said ‘we could talk ourselves out of this application if we’re not careful’. “Reading between the lines, we have a chance to get this project through,” he said. Town clerk Charlie Talbot shared the optimism, saying that ‘a good case has been put forward’ for the project. Meanwhile, possibly as insurance, Cmmr Spike Nolan suggested that the commission ask Kildare-based finance minister Charlie McCreevy to help out, and ask him what he could provide for the project. Which is a true politically democratic thought.

KILCULLEN ESSO AND XL STOP 'N' SHOP Open 7am-10pm for Fuel, Groceries, Toiletries, Flowers, Newspapers, Deli Food, Fresh Coffee and more.   Specialist travel operators to Cheltenham, Aintree, and other major international racing venues. Phone 01 2958901; Fax 01 2958902; Email leoptour@indigo.ie

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Wrecking a piece of history ... and creating a new one KILCULLEN, 21 September 1999: by Brian Byrne. The wreckers were in last night at Kilcullen’s Town Hall Theatre, pulling down part of the building preparatory to a major expansion of the facility. The building dates back to 1933 and nearly bankrupted the parish when it was built because of a compensation claim from a person injured in it. The new development will include an expanded stage, better facilities, a new foyer/exhibition area and a heritage centre. It is being built completely from private donations raised locally. The premises was widely regarded as one of the best cinemas in the county during the fifties, but later went derelict. It was restored as a theatre a decade ago and has been the base for Kilcullen’s very popular Drama Group, nationally known for its particular presentations of John B Keane plays during the seventies. Pictured at ending of, and the making of, a piece of Kilcullen history are group members Vivian Clarke and Pat Dunlea. Below, the theatre as it was before the wreckers moved in ...

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Children's lives at risk over lollipop delay - councillor LEIXLIP, 21 September 1999: by Brian Byrne. Kildare County Council has been asked to allocate one of its council workers to do school warden duty at Scoil San Carlos in Confey Leixlip, pending the appointment of a full-time replacement for the retired warden. The council has advertised for a new warden, but filling the vacancy could take up to a month and in the meantime children at the school are faced with crossing one of the busiest roads in the town without the aid of a ‘lollipop’ person - a road where traffic has increased recently due to construction work on new apartments at the River Forest Hotel. Cllr Paul Kelly says ‘lives are at risk’ and wants the council to have one of its workers do temporary lollipop duty. "I would normally be the first to criticise the council for taking one of our scarce workers from their normal duties to fill in for an hour or so each afternoon. However I know that they are making every effort to fill the vacancy, so a short-term measure like this would be justified. Where the safety of young children is concerned, everything else takes second place."

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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

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Course for retail management KILDARE GENERAL, 21 September 1999: by Brian Byrne. Kildare County Enterprise Board will be running a Retail Management Development Programme from 19 October as one of its courses aimed at owners and managers in small business enterprises. The course, according to organiser Dolores McCarthy, should help people in the retail sector to better equip themselves to exploit emerging opportunities and ‘avoid some of the threats’. The course will include workshops, interactive seminars, one-to-one consultancy and a telephone helpline. The cost is subsidised by the KCEB.

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Naas estate residents aghast at 'butchery' of mature trees NAAS, 20 September 1999: by Trish Whelan & Brian Byrne. The ‘butchery and mutilation’ of a number of trees in Lakelands in Naas has roused the ire of residents against both Naas UDC and the developer of the estate over the lopping of the cherry limbs and trunks without consulting with the residents. The estate is over 20 years old and the trees had reached maturity according to some of people whose visual amenity has been affected. Now they intend to protect their remaining trees, among them those outside the home of retired councillor Teresa Scanlon (above left). The situation began in mid-August when builder John O’Connell began repairing footpaths on the instruction of Eddie Hubbert, who has been retained by the UDC to supervise work on estates prior to their taking-in-charge by the council. According to council officials, the paths had been damaged by the roots of the trees. But residents were horrified when the first trees were unceremoniously cut in half without warning. “I was in Maynooth when I got a call from my daughter to say the tree outside my house was gone,” says Doreen Ryan (above right), whose husband John is a former chairman of the Lakelands Residents Association. “I was shocked when I got home and found that four had been chopped in half ... and the others in our road would have been similarly treated if there hadn’t been neighbours at home who saw what was happening.” Since then there has been a catalogue of complaints about what has been happening in the estate, with kerb edging to gardens being removed in the path replacement, rubble and open holes left over weekends, and the piling of a seven-foot high ‘mountain’ of old footpath concrete left for children to play on (below) at the risk of serious injury. “They left the estate in a terrible condition as they went about their work,” says Teresa Scanlon, who took the drastic step of blocking the footpath outside her home with her car in order to ensure that the rowan trees outside her house are not ‘attacked’. “Four trees, including the one outside my house, are earmarked for destruction ... but they’re not going to be destroyed as long as I can help it.” Residents believe there was no necessity to destroy any of the trees, as cherry trees are mature at 20-25 years and no further damage is likely. And the way they were dealt with absolutely puzzles Doreen Ryan. “We have since been told by the council that the builder was supposed to have a tree surgeon in attendance, but this didn’t happen. And if the trees did have to be removed, why were they cut in half the way they were ... and anyway, the council says that any trees to be removed would be replaced with semi-mature ones, and this should surely be done at the same time?” Residents are also concerned at the danger posed by the lopped trees, and already some children have run into them while playing. There have been a number of meetings about the matter, and recently the Lakelands people were assured by town clerk Declan Kirrane (see letter above) that a tree surgeon would be in attendance for any future tree work. “But the workmen came down my road after that and knew nothing about any tree surgeon,” says Teresa Scanlon. “There’s a communications problem here, at the very least.” Meanwhile, workmen, spare those trees ...

BARGE TOURS A unique way to enjoy an afternoon or evening. Sundays & Bank Holidays every hour from 2 pm. Grand Canal Hotel & Barge Tours, Robertstown, Naas, Co Kildare. Phone/Fax: 045-870005 or E-mail   Specialist travel operators to Cheltenham, Aintree, and other major international racing venues. Phone 01 2958901; Fax 01 2958902; Email leoptour@indigo.ie  KILCULLEN ESSO AND XL STOP 'N' SHOP Open 7am-10pm for Fuel, Groceries, Toiletries, Flowers, Newspapers, Deli Food, Fresh Coffee and more.   Specialist travel operators to Cheltenham, Aintree, and other major international racing venues. Phone 01 2958901; Fax 01 2958902; Email leoptour@indigo.ie

KNN is a completely INDEPENDENT professional news service for County Kildare, with no affiliations to any network, authority, group, party or other organisation. 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, or phone 045 481090; fax 481091.

Call for prosecutions for 'gaming' machines in Newbridge NEWBRIDGE, 20 September 1999: by Brian Byrne. Gardai are to be asked to prosecute operators of machines allegedly used for gaming in Newbridge. The issue came up during the monthly meeting of the town’s commission when Cmmr Spike Nolan (right) said that ‘nobody seemed to realise the hardship’ caused by the use of poker machines in Newbridge. “There are people at their wits’ end,” he said. “They are losing all their money, going into depression, and even becoming suicidal.” He proposed that the commission ask the gardai to give a warning to operators of the machines and then prosecute those who ignored the caution. He was supported by Cmmr Pat Black (below), who said that young people are among those affected and that it was a ‘pressure which they could do without’. In 1985, Newbridge Town Commission succeeded in a local court action to get a recision of the Gaming & Lotteries Act in relation to Newbridge, giving legal backing to the town authority’s attempt to bar gaming machines from the town. One of the biggest operators of amusement poker machines in Newbridge is colloquially known as ‘The Club’ in Charlotte St. By virtue of an appeal to An Bord Pleanala, it overturned a refusal of planning permission by Kildare County Council for its application for ‘amusement machines’. Under current legislation, such machines are not allowed to pay out money, but build up play credits to people who get winning ‘hands’. It has been estimated that such machines can each turn over between £60-£600 per hour, depending on their configuration. ED's NOTE: KNN will detail in coming days the hardship which people suffer because of their addiction to poker machines in Newbridge.

BARGE TOURS A unique way to enjoy an afternoon or evening. Sundays & Bank Holidays every hour from 2 pm. Grand Canal Hotel & Barge Tours, Robertstown, Naas, Co Kildare. Phone/Fax: 045-870005 or E-mail   Specialist travel operators to Cheltenham, Aintree, and other major international racing venues. Phone 01 2958901; Fax 01 2958902; Email leoptour@indigo.ie

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

Bond Bridge proposals for consideration MAYNOOTH, 20 September 1999: by Brian Byrne. Kildare County Council engineers are to put two alternative proposals for the building of the new Bond Bridge at Maynooth to the local Area Meeting of councillors on October 1. The project is expected to go to to the tender stage before Christmas. Meanwhile, a landowner on the site of the proposed Meadowbrook Link Road to the bridge has told the council that he is willing to sell land required for the road, and Cllr John McGinley has now requested the council to make both projects into one. “Giving the overall project to the one contractor would mean that the Meadowbrook Link could be in place before work starts on the bridge, and thus minimise disruption,” he says. “Construction on the Meadowbrook Link could be completed within a couple of months as it is a trouble-free run.”

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

Pipers to play for President NARRAGHMORE, 20 September 1999: by Brian Byrne. The Lord Edward’s Own Narraghmore Pipe Band have been invited to play at Arus an Uachtarain for President Mary McAleese, and this is just one of a number of proposals which have been made to the band since they became World Champions recently. They will also appear on RTE's Cursai Ealaine on Thursday 30 September at 7.30pm. At the recent AGM of the band, Ginger Kenny was elected president, Ned Byrne and Paddy Long as vice-presidents and Tony Donovan as chairman. The band recently commenced piping classes for beginners. Further information from Susan Feery at 045 521190.

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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. 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, or phone 045 481090; fax 481091.

Setting out on Australian driveabout SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 17 September 1999: SPECIAL FEATURE SERIES by Susan Cunningham. Australia is covered in kangaroos. Just covered. Wallabies, kangaroos and koalas everywhere. Actually, not really. I've been here close on a year now and apart from a trip to the Zoo I have yet to spot my first real life Australian Skippy. What this country is truly covered in is Backpackers. Australia is, it seems, a port of call for those in their mid-twenties from England to Israel and from Chile to Canada. Australia is very hospitable to the traveller it must be one of the easier countries in the world to travel through.Their are hostels scattered everywhere camping ground fully equipped with Bar-be and showers. Their hospitality, it seems, sometimes stems from the fact that this country is so far away from everywhere that Australians are just glad to see someone from the outside world. The entire challenge of being a traveller here lies in the huge distance between each destination. Superimposed on a map of Europe Oz stretches from Madrid to Moscow. So to conquer such a distance we decided to buy a car. Straight forward enough you would think. However as backpackers our budget is limited so going to a garage or finding something in The Sydney Morning Herald was not an option. Instead we made a trip to The Backpackers Car Market in the red (or dead) light district of Kings Cross in Sydney. Yes, an entire market full of some the oldest cars in Australia . These cars are better travelled than Michael Palin. They've done the road from Sydney to Cairns so many times they could get you there themselves. After much deliberation and bargaining, speaking to mechanics looking under bonnets it was decided to make a purchase. Between a group of four we bought a 1983 Ford Falcon station wagon. A beast of a car that is to be our home for the next three months or so. It is not environmentally friendly, not economical on gas, and now and again you get the feeling that too many people before you have made this car their home. Somehow that's the point. Backpacking is not for everybody. To be honest, none of us know if it's for us. Still, spirits are good, car is all go, and we are off. ED'S NOTE: Susan Cunningham is from Newbridge and will be reporting regularly to KNN on her travels across the Land of Oz.

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Shortlines ... NAAS: The Naas Unit fo the Order of Malta is actively seeking new members. As well as Naas town, the Naas Unit encompasses Punchestown and the Curragh race courses as well as Mondello Park and many other events in the area. Further details from (087) 2727376. BALLYMORE: Ballymore Eustace is preparing to celebrate the Millenium by publishing a Chronicle of life in the village as it approaches the year 2000. It will be similar in style to the Parish Chronicles of the '50s and ’70s. Contributions from all villagers living abroad who have photos or other memories of Ballymore from the past are welcome. Send them to Tim Ryan at Barrack Street, Ballymore Eustace, Co Kildare or contact bmoreustace@eircom.net NAAS: Rehearsals for Naas Musical Society’s fifth annual production, The Merry Widow, started last Monday in The Town House Hotel. To help with costs the Society intend holding two fundraising events - a car boot sale on Sept 19 and a Golf Classic in Killeen Golf Club on Sept 24. Those interested in sponsoring can contact the Socity president Dave Smyth at 879754. NEWBRIDGE: A special dedicated Garda Drugs Squad unit based in Newbridge has found 84 people in possession of drugs since it was set up last May. Twenty of these were detained for possession with intent to supply and some £12,000 in drugs value and cash has been seized. Next week is Addiction Awareness Week and a booklet on drugs awareness will be launched by the Naas Youth Parliament. MAYNOOTH: Kildare has a horse population of more than 63,000 according to a study carried out by a researcher in the Department of Geography at National University of Ireland Maynooth. The document is the Census Atlas of Agriculture in the Republic of Ireland and was produced by Seamus Lafferty. NAAS: Naas Local History Group is in the middle of a photographic odyssey at the moment in a project which aims to collect 500 photographs of all aspects of life around the county town. The result will be called the Nas na Riogh Dá Míle Collection. ATHY AND NAAS: Swimming pools in Athy and Naas are among a number of pools around the country earmarked for major refurbishment as part of a £45m rescue package announced by Tourism Minister Jim McDaid to upgrade local authority pools in need of refurbishment. The Naas pool was constructed in 1971 and the Athy pool in 1977.

Specialist travel operators to Cheltenham, Aintree, and other major international racing venues. Phone 01 2958901; Fax 01 2958902; Email leoptour@indigo.ie A Great Tradition of Hospitality Killarney Parknasilla Rosslare Galway Shannon Dublin

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	by Liam Cahill The seminal account of the Limerick Soviet Available here
				PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING Noreen McCabe, MNAPCP Anxiety, depression, loss, phobias, childhood trauma, eating disorders, relationships, personal growth, coaching for work-related stress. Strictly confidential. Moorefield Clinic, Newbridge. Phone (045) 432111 or call Noreen at (045) 431936; mobile 086 2496823; email dmccabe@tinet.ie
		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.)

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.

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

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