'Naas will lose out to Newbridge' - Chamber of Commerce Niall Browne, Mary Bhogal (President) and Jackie O'Connor, the Naas Chamber of Commerce & Industry delegation which made a recent presentation to Naas UDC. NAAS, 8 September 2000: 8.30am by Brian Byrne. If Naas doesn't get its parking problems sorted out, retail business will lose out to Newbridge 'within a year'. That's the view of the town's Chamber of Commerce & Industry, which bluntly told Naas UDC that people are already 'getting so fed up that they're shopping in Newbridge'. "They see Newbridge improving tenfold every year, with lots of new shops," Chamber secretary Jackie O'Connor said. "They've got to the stage where they couldn't be bothered shopping in Naas." She added that there had been a reversal in trends in recent years, with people coming from as far as Carlow and Kilkenny to shop in Naas, where there was particularly a very high quality level of boutiques. "But we have to upgrade our facilities, or we're going to lose them too," she said. "With the proposed new developments in Newbridge, which include a multi-storey car park, they're going to have a huge advantage, and they'll take a lot of shoppers out of Naas if we don't get things right, now." Responding to a query from Cllr Timmy Conway (right) as to whether a Park and Ride system from the outskirts of the town would help, Ms O'Connor said it probably wouldn't. "Most of the shoppers are women with children, and that kind of system doesn't work with buggies and bags of groceries," she said. "Unless you provide parking for them, they go elsewhere." Cllr Mary Glennon (left) said that customers of stores in Dublin city centre managed their buggies and shopping on public transport, and suggested that the Chamber needed to 'put its thinking cap on in a different way'. "People simply can't expect to park in front of shops in the street anymore," she said. "That way of life is gone. Now we have to change our attitudes about cars, and buying and selling." Chamber member Niall Browne highlighted one particular aspect of the traffic problem in Naas when he said he regularly drove from his home in Athgarvan to his business on the other side of Naas via Wyeth in Newbridge and the Naas Bypass. "It is seven miles longer, but 20 minutes quicker than going through the town," he said. Naas traffic - a major problem for shoppers.

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

Please buy Gertrude! A loving owner is needed quickly for Gertrude, a beautiful and loyal Suzuki Cultus (Swift) who is just eight years old and has a mere 35,000 miles under her immaculate bonnet. Owner emigrating, and simply can't afford to bring her along. Only caring buyers need apply. NCT not due until December 2001, and it wouldn't matter anyway, as Gertrude has been so carefully minded that she'd pass any test with flying colours. Price £2,500 ONO. Contact Patricia O'Neill at 045 866073 or 087 4145869.

Council action plan on homelessness COUNTY HALL, 8 September 2000: by Trish Whelan. Kildare County Council is looking for homeless people ... and homes to take them in. It’s all part of the preparation of an Action Plan for dealing with homelessness in the county. This area in Newbridge has been regularly used for shelter by people who sleep rough in the town. They’ve asked for homeless people to contact them, or anybody who knows of homeless people in their area to do the same. In addition, the council is compiling a list of available hostel, B&B or other emergency accommodation in Kildare. The definition of homelessness, according to the council, includes persons living in temporary unsecure accommodation, persons living in emergency bed and breakfast accommodation and hostels/health board accommodation because they have nowhere available to them, persons sleeping rough, and victims of family violence. Anyone who can provide the required information should contact the council (045 - 873830) not later than Friday 22nd September, 2000.

GARDA PATROL Marking your property is one of the best ways of making sure that it is quickly returned to you if recovered by the gardai.

Motoring News, Views and Reviews here

Ford PumaTake one standard, unsuspecting Puma. Feed it steroids, beef up its engine, muck around with its suspension and add massive low-profile tyres. Then let it out on a public road with special 'Ford Racing' decals. Whoops ...!

Wastewater plant tender call CASTLEDERMOT, 8 September 2000: by Brian Byrne. Kildare County Council has called for tenders for the design and construction of a wastewater treatment plant at Castledermot. The works to be constructed consist of a wastewater treatment plant for a population equivalent of 2,400. All mechanical, electrical, civil and building works will be included in the contract including demolition of the existing works and construction of a new trunk sewer from the existing works to the new site. Tender documents may be obtained from Nicholas O’Dwyer Ltd, Consulting Engineers, Carrick House, Dundrum Centre, Dublin 14, and completed tenders must be submitted not later than noon on Tuesday 31st October 2000. Corporate Magazine Publishing - Business Writing - Journalism & Broadcasting Training - Internet Marketing Consultants - Web Site Design - Book Writing Telling Tales Ltd, PO Box 106, Naas, Co Kildare. Phone 045 481090, 086 8267104; Fax 045 481091; Email tellingtales@yahoo.com

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

****Earlier News from this week available here**** Around and About the County... LEIXLIP: The dust generated by the street sweeping machine in dry weather was raised by Cllr Catherine Murphy (right) at a recent meeting of Leixlip Area councillors. Cllr Murphy said there was clearly a problem with the machines, and it was decided that the person who chose them would attend the next meetiong of the committee. ,“This issue will feature as part of the 2001 Estimates debate because clearly there is still a serious problem in this area,” Cllr Murphy says. GENERAL: Kildare County Council is to be asked to sell home composting bins through a wide range of outlets, such as the area office in Maynooth, and the Town Commissioner's office in Leixlip. At present the bins are only sold from Council HQ in Naas, so this measure should see them being more widely available. GENERAL: Kildare County Council is to be asked to to adopt a “name and shame” policy for Litter Act offences. This was agreed at a recent meeting of Leixlip Area councillors and will be presented to the next Council meeting as a recommendation. NAAS: Naas UDC is holding a special meeting on Tuesday night to meet delegations from a number of community groups. They include Lakelands Residents Association, Cleevaun Residents Association, Naas Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and the Nas na Riogh Housing Association Ltd.  KILCULLEN ESSO AND XL STOP 'N' SHOP Open 7am-10pm for Fuel, Groceries, Toiletries, Flowers, Newspapers, Deli Food, Fresh Coffee and more. To Advertise on KNN, call 086 8267104, fax 045 481091, or email tellingtales@yahoo.com Advertising rates here ****Earlier News from this week available here****

Kildare has many authors of both fiction and non-fiction. We have a special page available to promote their work, which you can access here.

Residential project for Naas elderly is outlined NAAS, 7 September 2000: 8.30am by Brian Byrne. A £3.5 million project to provide 18 residential units for elderly people in Naas will be a reality by 2002 if the recently-formed Nas na Riogh Housing Association has its way. The concept has been nurtured for some time by Margharita Solon (right), chairperson of the organisation, and a premises (above) which can be acquired from the Sisters of Mercy off the Sallins Road has been fixed on by the promoters for the project. Funding for the units will come primarily from available state grants, to the tune of £2.5m. The promoters will shortly begin a fundraising campaign for the balance, targeting organisations such as the National Lottery and a number of individuals who will be 'tapped' on the shoulder for help. The facility, to be based in a building already being used for a number of parish and community activities and which adjoins the nuns' graveyard (below), will be geared to providing self-contained homes for elderly people who are healthy, fit and mobile. The premises under consideration will require considerable refurbishment and repair, and the association has also been offered a site beside the building for the provision of individual units. The complex will have a full-time caretaker to deal with the needs of the residents. At a recent presentation to Naas UDC, Margharita Solon and association treasurer Sean Bagnall made a strong case against some concerns from members that the chosen premises might not be suitable. Cllr Mary Glennon noted that the building had already been assessed as a possible nursing home for elderly people by the Mercy Order, but the conclusion had been that it would be 'totally impractical' and involve 'great costs'. "Do you have an alternative site?" she asked. Ms Solon said 'no', because the centrality of the premises and adjoining site made the effort to bring it up to requirements worthwhile. In response to a query from Cllr Timmy Conway as to what funding might be required from the council, she said that the project would be mostly self-financing from rents and other funds. "It there's going to be any call on the council for help towards running costs, it will be minimal," she said. Town clerk Declan Kirrane observed that there would be 'contradictory usage' of traffic facilities in the area of the site, and suggested that the planners and the county's chief fire officer be consulted before any planning application was submitted. Ms Solon said they were 'very aware' of the requirements. Sean Bagnall noted that it seemed from the questions around the council table that a nursing home was proposed. "This is not the case," he said. "The people here will be healthy and mobile." In response to a suggestion that the building be knocked down and a purpose-built facility be provided, Mr Bagnall said there was a preservation order on the premises. "But if you can help in that way ...?" Ms Solon told the councillors. Cllr Charlie Byrne was unequivocal in his support for the project, saying he had visited a similar project two years ago and had come away 'very excited' at how the people living there were enjoying themselves. Three-quarters of the residents of the proposed facility would be selected from the Naas UDC housing list. Their rents would be subsidised by relevant agencies, and the balance of the residents would pay market rents. The meeting was told that the Naas Lions Club was positive towards helping the project.

Kildare has many authors of both fiction and non-fiction. We have a special page available to promote their work, which you can access here. Ireland's only COMPLETE motoring magazine on sale now at all good newsagents. 'Simply the Best'

Please buy Gertrude! A loving owner is needed quickly for Gertrude, a beautiful and loyal Suzuki Cultus (Swift) who is just eight years old and has a mere 35,000 miles under her immaculate bonnet. Owner emigrating, and simply can't afford to bring her along. Only caring buyers need apply. NCT not due until December 2001, and it wouldn't matter anyway, as Gertrude has been so carefully minded that she'd pass any test with flying colours. Price £2,500 ONO. Contact Patricia O'Neill at 045 866073 or 087 4145869.

KILCULLEN ESSO AND XL STOP 'N' SHOP Open 7am-10pm for Fuel, Groceries, Toiletries, Flowers, Newspapers, Deli Food, Fresh Coffee and more.

Travelling on the far side of the world Aerial view of Auckland AUCKLAND, NZ, 7 September 2000: SPECIAL FEATURE by Trish Whelan. Although New Zealand is many times the size of Ireland it has a population of only 3.5m people which is somewhat surprising. It means vast tracts of the country are taken up by mountains (mostly of the volcanic kind), forests and farms. But perhaps the best memory, apart from visiting family, is the friendliness of New Zealand people, many of whom have visited Ireland. Everywhere the scenery is quite breathtaking with backdrops of mountains, hills and pine forests - timber is one of the main industries here, as well as sheep rearing. Just now, though, many farmers are diversifying into deer, dairy farming and vineyards. Maori tribesmen - originally came from Hawaii. Being in the earthquake belt, most of the beautiful older houses are built of wood on wooden foundations to withstand the 4-5 earthquakes every year which measure about 5 on the Richter scale. Most newer houses are built in brick with tiled roofs. Besides the skyscrapers in Auckland, many of the older buildings are solid structures of outstanding architectural beauty, such as the Ferry terminal in the harbour. Right now it’s the start of spring and there are daffodils, polyanthus and poppies out in full bloom. Camelia trees, with huge red or pink blooms, line many roads through towns, sometimes growing to over 30 feet high. Almost every front garden has a big tree to provide welcome shade in summer ... a special permit is needed to chop one down! In fact, lush vegetation including fern trees, extends well up the sides of mountains, due to the thermal heating underground! It’s a country where sports are heavily promoted with playing pitches, and parks in every neighbourhood - and I’ve never seen so many top class playgrounds. Here almost every primary school has its own swimming pool. In fact New Zealand is fast becoming the adventure centre of the world. Getting $2.45 to IR£1 afforded some great shopping sprees. Renting a car, (almost all rentals here are automatics) came down to £20 stg a day and petrol is way below what we pay back home. And who could forget the enormous steaks we tucked into at half the cost we’d normally pay. Another surprise, there is NO LITTER anywhere and every public loo is spotless and comes with a multiple flush choice to conserve water! As to activities, well, we’ve been knee-deep in snow up the slopes of Whakapapa (Mt Ruapehu - a volcano) NZ’s largest ski area; experienced the joys of a Polynesian Spa in Rotorua’s hot springs where the water was 35 degrees; sat in thermal pools up to 60 degrees F at the famous Hot Water Beach; visited the Mediterranean climate island of Waiheki as well as ‘The Hidden Valley’ of Orakei Korako Geyserland where bubbling hot springs, gushing geysers are all on view. Also experienced a simulated earthquake at Rotorua Museum of Art and History - and saw the famous Pohutu Geyser exploding up to 30 metres high, an awesome display of mother nature’s power and a tourist attraction since the early 1900s, as well as learning about Maori culture and seeing the Hongi, the pressing of noses between two people which symbolises the sharing of two life forces ... an expression of friendship and unity. I tried this with the sharks in the world famous Kelly Tarlton’s underwater world in Auckland - through thick glass of course! No visit to New Zealand would be complete without actually seeing a Kiwi bird, the country’s national emblem and many towns actually have a Kiwi house to view these nocturnal creatures. And that’s just a sample of an action-packed two weeks down under! One of the most beautiful places on earth must surely be the Bay of Islands, with over 150 islands in turquoise/blue seas. Here our apartment was just 20 feet from the waterfront in the picturesque colonial town of Russell, where Captain James Cook ‘dropped in’ back in 1769. The nearby museum has a 5:1 scale model of his ship, The Endeavour, as well as many early settler’s relics. The oldest surviving church in NZ, Christ Church, was built here in 1835 and the pub ‘The Duke of Marlborough’ was granted the first liquor licence in New Zealand in 1849. Had to try it out, of course. Cheers!

GARDA PATROL Marking your property is one of the best ways of making sure that it is quickly returned to you if recovered by the gardai.

Corporate Magazine Publishing - Business Writing - Journalism & Broadcasting Training - Internet Marketing Consultants - Web Site Design - Book Writing Telling Tales Ltd, PO Box 106, Naas, Co Kildare. Phone 045 481090, 086 8267104; Fax 045 481091; Email tellingtales@yahoo.com

Councils 'should get VAT share' NAAS, 7 September 2000: by Brian Byrne. Local councils should get a share of the VAT take from their area, in addition to the percentage of Road Tax monies which have been given in recent years. According to Naas UDC member Timmy Conway, this would provide an income to local authorities which would be directly related to the business carried out in each council area. He suggested that perhaps 3% of the VAT returns would be a big help to the authorities. His suggestion came up during a discussion by the UDC on the proposed new local authority legislation. Cllr Pat McCarthy said the proposals were flawed in that they didn't give back to local authorities the power to raise their own rates. To Advertise on KNN, call 086 8267104, fax 045 481091, or email tellingtales@yahoo.com Advertising rates here

Travellers asked to 'respect settled dead' NEWBRIDGE, 6 September 2000: 5.30am by Brian Byrne. Travellers who have illegally parked since yesterday at Newbridge Graveyard are being called on to 'respect the dead of the settled people' in the same way that they are renowned for respecting their own. The plea came this afternoon from Cmmr Pat Black of Newbridge, who said those who broke into the car park area directly opposite the graveyard were acting in an 'insensitive' manner towards those who would be visiting graves or attending funerals at the facility. "We always hear how the travellers have such deep respect for their own dead in their culture," he told KNN. "And that can be clearly seen where they erect very large memorials on their family graves. But what has happened here is totally contradictory to that perception." Cmmr Black also called on the members of the County Kildare Travellers Consultative Committee, headed by Cllr Emmet Stagg, to 'use their influence' to bring a quick end to this latest traveller incursion. "It's really disgraceful, but not alone that, it is very sad," he said. Meanwhile, Cmmr Black has also asked Newbridge-based Deputy Sean Power to arrange an immediate meeting with the minister for the environment, Noel Dempsey TD, to urge him to settle this type of situation 'once and for all'. "It is really gone beyond sufference by law-abiding people to see the kind of lawlessness being perpetrated in their midst at costs of tens of thousands of pounds of public money," he said. "I firmly believe that if the state and its agencies don't get this under control soon, there will be ugly scenes and perhaps tragedies. It is a powder-keg at the moment, and the fuse is lit."

Please buy Gertrude! A loving owner is needed quickly for Gertrude, a beautiful and loyal Suzuki Cultus (Swift) who is just eight years old and has a mere 35,000 miles under her immaculate bonnet. Owner emigrating, and simply can't afford to bring her along. Only caring buyers need apply. NCT not due until December 2001, and it wouldn't matter anyway, as Gertrude has been so carefully minded that she'd pass any test with flying colours. Price £2,500 ONO. Contact Patricia O'Neill at 045 866073 or 087 4145869.

£20,000 cost of ousting travellers NAAS, 6 September 2000: 8.30am by Brian Byrne. The eventual legal and security costs in ridding the Caragh Road of the most recent travellers problem is likely to reach £20,000, according to Naas town clerk Declan Kirrane (right). And that doesn't count the clean-up costs, which are not yet quantified. But the town clerk is confident that there will be no further incursions on the UDC site which has been left in an almost indescribable state after up to 80 traveller families illegally parked there during the last six weeks. "We're looking at the best way of securing the property in the future, and we'll also put up signs notifying any potential intruders that there's a court injunction on the field, which should allow us seek attachment orders immediately if anyone disregards them." However, with security cover being discontinued from today because of cost considerations, fears are being expressed that those who have been described as 'marauders' will simply ignore passive security measures, let alone signs. And those fears threaten further the work on the nearby Naas Sports Group project (below) which has been closed down for the duration of the traveller 'invasion'. "There's a complete air of unease about the place at the moment," John Ryan, MD of Rydell Construction told KNN. "We can't put in workers until we're sure the area is secure, and our suppliers are refusing to deliver on site for the same reason." Mr Ryan said that he had communicated these concerns to the UDC, but had been told the council 'couldn't afford' to maintain the permanent security presence any longer. "I even contacted a number of security firms myself, and when they heard it was for protection against travellers, they lost interest," he said. The first security company employed by the UDC in the early days of the situation withdrew its employees in less than a week after intimidation. And Mr Ryan detailed to KNN how his own workers and he himself had been intimidated by the incursors, even to members of the travelling community arriving at his own home. "It was a case of them letting me know they knew where I lived," he said. "Up to then, we hadn't seen travellers in the area for years." Mr Ryan said he hadn't been directly approached for 'go away money', but that was clearly going to be the next step. Meantime, from being three weeks ahead of schedule, the Sports Complex project is now more than six weeks behind, still far from roofed despite excellent building weather. And construction workers who had to leave the job are now employed elsewhere, making it doubly difficult for the contractor to catch up. In another aftermath of the problem, Naas UDC was yesterday taking steps to have the property cleaned up, a situation made more difficult by the presence of large amounts of asbestos piping and guttering (see story below) left by the travellers. "We've had a price for the work from one specialist contractor, and we're awaiting another," Declan Kirrane said last night. It is understood that these contractors specialise in clearing up after similar incursions, and have worked in Celbridge and Leixlip in recent months.

Many words about Kilcullen in new book KILCULLEN, 6 September 2000: by Brian Byrne. A quarter of a million words about Kilcullen seems rather a lot. But it’s only a selection from the total output of the village’s community magazine, The Bridge, over the last 30 years. And that selection is to be published next month as the magazine’s own Millennium celebration - Thirty Years of The Bridge. The compilation represents a major treasure throve of news, history and social development around Kilcullen from as far back as neolithic times and coming up all the way to this month’s coverage of Kilcullen’s fourth-ever representative in the Olympic Games, horsewoman Susan Shortt. The publication, a 399-page fully-bound book, will be launched on 20 October in Kilcullen’s Town Hall Heritage Centre. It is published jointly by The Bridge and Kilcullen Heritage Group. It has edited by a group of local people, headed by current Bridge editor Noel Clare. “Most important among the many articles written are undoubtedly the “Baile seo Ghainne Series,” Noel Clare says. “The majority of these articles were researched and written by local school principal, now retired, Brian Keyes, and Sean Landers, with occasional input from other writers. They uncovered and put in circulation a vast amount of information on important historical sites such as Old Kilcullen, Newabbey, Castlemartin and Knockaulin. Some of the best of these articles were written in the 1970s and are now themselves, like the sources from which they were taken, hard to find.” The idea of gathering all the Baile seo Ghainne articles together into a new publication was to safeguard this information for future generations and get it back into the public domain. Then KELT agreed to support the venture financially, and it seemed a good idea to include more material. “After all, The Bridge has not just recorded ancient history, but throughout its 30 years it has also recorded history in the making. Major events, whether of a sporting, culture or social nature, are featured in each monthly issue. Each person profiled tells another chapter of the community’s history - often stretching back many years.”

Call for funding of new car park LEIXLIP, 6 August 2000: by Bill Trapman. Leixlip Area councillors have agreed a motion calling for provision in Kildare County Council’s estimates of funding for a new car park for Leixlip. The motion was proposed by Cllr Paul Kelly (right), and may well involve the council in taking out a loan, or alternatively providing funding over a period of time. The money would be for both land acquisition and construction work. Cllr Kelly has also asked the county finance officer to consider proposals in the draft estimates for additional traffic calming in urban areas, and a separate Environmental Services/Cleaning department – possibly in conjunction with a new Parks Department – to ensure 7-day street cleaning in Maynooth, Leixlip and Celbridge, as well as cleaning and maintenance of Council owned parks. Meanwhile, again at the request of Cllr Kelly, county engineer Jimmy Lynch is to reexamine the issue of ‘no parking’ signs in Leixlip town centre and see if any of them can be removed. “I pointed out that there were far too many signs in the Town Centre area,” Cllr Kelly said, “many of them unnecessary, such as ‘no parking’ signs pointing in the direction of double yellow lines. I also requested that the signs be erected on poles to match the existing street furniture – as was done in Maynooth.”

Motoring News, Views and Reviews here

Car of the Week Citroen Picasso

Problems for Naas projects as engineer leaves NAAS, 6 September 2000: by Brian Byrne. The imminent and unanticipated departure of Naas UDC's town engineer could cause major difficulties for the completion of approved projects in the town. Tom Cuddy is leaving in two weeks' time to take up a position in the private sector, and Cllr Timmy Conway (right) was told this week that this made it difficult for a time-scale to be provided for the completion of various projects which have been approved by the council members. "I'm talking about big items, like the Millennium project of the Abbey Graveyard refurbishment," Cllr Conway said. "We've approved money for many things, and we're told that the money is there, but most haven't yet been done." Town clerk Declan Kirrane then dropped the bombshell that Tom Cuddy was leaving. "I don't know when I'm going to be in a position to say when many of these projects can be completed," he said.

UDC faces asbestos disposal problem after travellers NAAS, 5 September 2000: 5.00pm by Brian Byrne. Naas UDC has been left with a dangerous asbestos disposal headache following the departure of the last of the travellers who have been illegally camped on its land for the past six weeks. Piles of broken asbestos pipe and guttering now litter the field where it is planned to build social and affordable housing, and is causing further difficulties for workmen on the Naas Sports Group project, which was equally stopped for the past month and a half. "I can't ask workmen to come in here while that's around, nor will I ask them to touch it," John Ryan, MD of Rydell Construction told KNN today. "That stuff has to be properly disposed of by specialist contractors." The asbestos materials are believed to have been taken from buildings in the Kildare area by the travellers, who promise householders they'll dispose of them properly in return for contracts to install replacement metal guttering and pipes. Instead, after spending an estimated £10,000 in legal action to move the travellers, the UDC is stuck with the carcinogenic asbestos, which must be disposed of under strict EPA guidelines. The material also represents a serious problem to the Naas Sports Group, whose existing grounds beside the UDC land is also contaminated with the asbestos, as well as other rubbish left by the travellers, the last of whom left last night, as the UDC sought attachment orders against them. The incursors numbered over 80 caravans at the height of the invasion, and intimidated both the builders on the sports complex project and the security people employed by Naas UDC to try and stop further incursions. One security company pulled its people out after less than a week, citing threats to its employees. A major health problem has also emerged from another direction, with the sighting of large numbers of rats in the hedges around the scene of the trouble, attracted by the refuse scattered around (below). "They're as big as cats," one person who has spent a lot of time on the site told KNN.

Residents fear children in danger from ESB lines NAAS, 5 September 2000: 8.30am by Brian Byrne. Residents of estates around Monread Park in Naas are very concerned about overhead power lines that cross the area, saying they’re afraid to let their children fly kites in the park. The issue came up at a recent meeting of residents about the future management of the park, which is currently under construction by the South Dublin County Council Parks Department, under contract from Naas UDC. The high voltage line is underground until it enters the park near the new leisure complex, and then is overhead right across the park. According to Cllr Pat McCarthy, the ESB are asking for ‘a small fortune’ to put the line underground. A number of residents criticised the park planners for not having the line put underground from the beginning, saying that when the park is complete and it is decided to go ahead with the undergrounding, the place will have to be dug up again. A further meeting of residents on the Monread Park development was scheduled for this evening in the Monread Lodge, but as we go to press with this story, that’s not confirmed.

Kildare company's media manager becomes internet publisher LEIXLIP, 5 August 2000: by Bill Trapman. Love them or hate them, GAA pundits 'An Fear Rua' and 'An Maor' are set to get tongues wagging and fingers clicking through a new Internet publishing venture, anfearrua.com. The new website, dedicated to GAA 'news and views', is the brainchild of Liam Cahill, Media Relations Manager of Intel in Leixlip and former RTE journalist. The site is a portal for intelligent, witty and sometimes controversial views on every aspect of hurling and football. It is fronted by two colourful characters, 'An Fear Rua' (right - a 'seanacha' type character with an unruly mop of red hair) and 'An Maor' (an animated steward) - and also includes on-line shopping, interactive polls and a discussion board. Liam Cahill said the project is not only the culmination of a passionate interest, but also an entrepreneurial venture into Internet Publishing. "I believe there is a gap in the market for an Internet product of this nature. anfearrua.com provides an exciting comment and opinion portal for the world-wide GAA community. "The site's commercial potential lies in fans and advertisers buying into the An Fear Rua brand. The long term opportunity is that a similar product could also be developed for other sports like rugby or soccer as well as for politics or business." he said. The site first came on-line in April on a pilot basis and since then has recorded an increase in traffic of 300% with 22,000 page hits during August and well over 4,000 unique visitors - and approximately 10 - 15% of traffic comes from overseas. The site is very user friendly with excellent graphics. It will also include free e-mail accounts, an exchange of GAA memorabilia, scores of links to other GAA sites world-wide, a virtual GAA pub crawl and will be is updated daily. anfearrua.com is all about the community of readers who participate in the site. Much as An Fear Rua hurls a fast ball, readers have the liberty to hurl it straight back. Liam Cahill worked with RTE from 1979 to 1991 - first as an Industrial Reporter, then as Economics Correspondent and later as a Political Correspondent. In the area of Public Affairs, he worked as Programme Manager to David Andrews TD as Minister for Defence and the Marine and previously was employed as Head of Group Public Affairs and Communications with AIB Group. He has had an interest and involvement in the GAA going back over many years, having played hurling in his native Waterford. He is currently a committee member of Kilmessan Hurling Club in County Meath as well as being Chairman of the Intel Ireland GAA Club.

Motoring News, Views and Reviews here

Car of the Week Citroen Picasso

Kilcock driver pipped at Mondello MONDELLO PARK, 5 September 2000: by Linda Keen. Firhouse teenager, Eoin Murray, drove faultlessly to set pole position in both the Yokohama Italian Saloon and Uno Cup Championship races on Sunday at Mondello Park, the A&D Motor Factors-supported 17-year old taking an outstanding victory in the former event although he was sidelined after leading the Uno counter. On Murray's demise, Dunboyne's Bob Copeland took up the running in the Uno event to win from championship leader, Quentin Smith (Terenure) and thus take his fourth back-to-back victory. Murray took pole position in the Italian Saloons by just .05s from three times winner, Erik Holstein (Kilcock), recipient of the July Dunlop Driver of the Month award. Murray got a superb start to lead initially from David Maguire (Walkinstown) and Holstein, the leading Irish show jumper pushing his Reynolds-backed Punto into second on the second lap of 12. The leading pair pulled away from Clive Pratt (Carlow), Maguire, Joey Freeburn (Armagh), Nigel Pratt and championship leader, Gordon Kellett (Dublin), and Michelle Graham (Naas), the order swopping as Freeburn took Maguire for fourth. Murray drove a mature and confident race to run out the winner from Holstein, these two finishing seven seconds clear of Clive Pratt, Freeburn, Maguire, Nigel Pratt, Kellett and Graham. Murray started the Uno race from pole position too and might have made it a double had his drive shaft not broken on the sixth lap. Copeland gratefully accepted the lead from Smith, with McArdle, Brian Hade, Simon Knott and Brendan Travers chasing behind. The field became relatively spaced out as the laps ran out, Copeland taking his fourth straight win from Smith, McArdle and Hade, Knott finishing some distance adrift in fifth ahead of McFarland and Kellett. Although provisionally it appears that Kellett has won the Yokohama Italian Saloon Championship with one round in hand, Quentin Smith has to take just two more points to be assured of the Uno Cup title in the final counter at the Leinster Trophy Motor Races on September 16/17. Rounds 11 (YISC) & 10 (Yokohama Uno Cup) - Mondello Park, September 16/17. Fiat Motorsport Club press information sponsored by Talk-To-Me Mobile Phones

Massive increase in KNN readership NAAS, 4 September 2000: 7.30pm by Brian Byrne. KNN’s readership keeps powering ahead as local internet use increases. Ireland’s only daily-updated professional internet local news service registered 22,209 page requests in the month of August, traditionally a quiet month for news. This was a 38% increase on the previous month, and a 90% increase in readership since January of this year. An estimated 84% of last month’s requests came from within the county, while the balance of interest from Kildare people abroad represented viewers in the US, the UK, Germany, Australia, Canada, Qatar, the Netherlands, Belgium, New Zealand, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, France, Finland, Denmark, Japan, Austria and Norway. The average visitor session length is almost 11 minutes, and a significant number of visitors each month use the KNN archives to look back at what has happened in the county since the service was set up in November of 1998. Last month, the most active day of the week was Tuesday, while Saturday was the least active day. Although there is a fairly even spread of access throughout the working day and evenings, the busiest time on average was mid-mornings. In addition to the text pages viewed, there were more than 100,000 hits on KNN’s image files during August, and our audio files were accessed 2,316 times. KildareNet is produced by Telling Tales Ltd, whose proprietors are Trish Whelan and Brian Byrne, Kildare journalists with a strong background in print and broadcast journalism at local, national, and international level.

Residents will put car park views direct to UDC NAAS, 4 September 2000: 8.30am by Brian Byrne. Lakelands Residents Association will be forcefully presenting their opinions on proposed car parking plans directly to Naas UDC tomorrow night (Tuesday) when they will be the first delegation at a special meeting of the council. The residents are very opposed to plans to turn the Swimming Pool Field and the Fair Green (below) into public car parks while the UDC’s two car parks in the centre of town are being developed by private businesspeople. The proposals are strongly supported, on the other hand, by UDC chairman Pat O’Reilly and town clerk Declan Kirrane. The suddenly-called special meeting, aimed at clearing the decks of delegations before the post-holiday business of the council gets under way this month, means that a meeting of the residents on the car park issue scheduled for tomorrow night has been postponed. Last week, the residents said the plans for the new car parks ‘make a con job’ of the 1999 Naas Development Plan, quoting two sections in the plan which make specific provision for protection of the area, committing the UDC to ‘continue landscaping and the development of amenities on open spaces such as the Fair Green and the lakes’ and to ‘preserve the views of the lakes from the Fair Green’. The two areas would be deemed quite suitable from a location point of view to the council, which faces potentially catastrophic parking problems when development commences on the two existing car parks. But increasing opposition from residents, history interests and amenity groups promise that any councillor supporting the proposals will get a rough ride indeed. And those opposed to the plan are determined to go to take very tough measures to ensure the preservation of their Naas’s green spaces.

Looking at The City of Sails AUCKLAND, NZ, 4 August 2000: by Trish Whelan. Auckland city has a population of 1.25m, is built on five cities, each with its own local authority. It has a mix of cultures reflecting many other Pacific cities, including Hong Kong, Sydney and Singapore. It is called the City of Sails because of its large number of marinas ... one in seven of its inhabitants own a boat of some sort. At weekends the vast harbour area is awash with sails. New Zealand successfully defended the America's Cup in 2000 and an entire new village in the shape of a gigantic white ship was built in the harbour. The harbour is reminiscent of San Franscisco, Sydney, Hong Kong and Capetown, according to the Lonely Planet guidebook. Auckland also has the largest concentration of Polynesians in the world, and more recently has attracted immigrants from Asia. The city buildings consist of old and new, the new being skyscrapers, including the famous Sky City Tower, the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere. It is part of a complex which includes a 24-hour casino, revolving restaurant, cafes and bars. It measures 328 metres and a very fast lift takes you to the observation deck in 40 seconds. Some of the floor is made up of thick glass, as strong as the concrete floor, a notice assures. Many of the older buildings, almost all of which are made of timber, are roofed with galvanised iron. The city suburbs don't have housing estates, as in Ireland, but are built in straight-street grids as in the US. It's an amazing country, and this is just a taste. I'll write more on KNN over the coming weeks.

Motoring News, Views and Reviews here

Car of the Week Citroen Picasso

New LEADER funding workshops KILDARE GENERAL, 4 August 2000: by Brian Byrne. A series of workshops around the county aimed at assessing interest in LEADER PLUS and National LEADER Programmes 2000-2006 are being held by the Kildare Leader company KELT, beginning next Monday. The two programmes are worth more than £57m nationally, and further funding from the State under the National Development Plan will also make available to organisations like KELT a further £59m. The workshops are aimed at allowing local community groups and individuals to make an input into the preparation of KELT’s submission for funding under the programmes. Since its foundation in 1995, KELT has approved £2.4m in funding under LEADER II in Kildare, involving 248 projects initiated by community groups and individuals around the county. “We’ve made a significant contribution to the economic and social development of the county over a short period of time,” says Justin Larkin, KELT’s programme manager. “The purpose of these upcoming workshops is to inform people about the latest initiatives.” The workshop schedule is Monday 11 September, Glenroyal Hotel, Maynooth; Tuesday 12 September, The Hamlet, Johnstownbridge; Wednesday 13 September, Parish Centre, Newbridge; Monday 18 September, The Resource Centre in St Raphael’s, Celbridge; Tuesday 19 September, Allenwood Enterprise Park; and Wednesday 20 September, Athy GAA Centre.

GP service funding welcomed KILDARE GENERAL, 4 August 2000: by Brian Byrne. Kildare Deputy Sean Power has welcomed the allocation of £640,000 from the SWA Health Board for the setting up and running of an Emergency out of hours co-operative in the Kildare area. Deputy Power said this money is a major acknowledgement of the importance of the Kildare GP co-operative, which will provide emergency cover for thousands of patients in the Kildare area. “The grant will go to appointing a Manager for the scheme, setting up a state of the art call centre, which will meet the modern IT requirements and establishing a number of call centers in Kildare over the next few months,” he said. “The main centre will be located in the grounds of Naas Hospital. Drivers will also be recruited and nurse practitioner support will be provided with the allocation, and emergencies will be treated quicker and by experienced GPs."

KNN-KildareNet News is produced by

PO BOX 106, NAAS, CO KILDARE, IRELAND.

All material on these pages © Telling Tales Ltd. Links must be notified to tellingtales@yahoo.com