Categories
TSAA News

Ballymore Eustace proposed new Sewage Treatment Plant

Following the Part 8 approval of the Ballymore Eustace proposed new sewage treatment plant by Kildare County Council on Monday 30th June 2008 a meeting was arranged between the following parties, Kildare County Council, Consultants Nicholas O’Dwyer and the Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers’ Association.

The meeting took place at the site of the existing sewage treatment plant at The Strand, Ballymore Eustace on Tuesday 8th July 2008 at 11. 00a.m.
Present for Kildare County Council Water Services were Alan Dunney and Clodagh Lyons. Nicholas O’Dwyer Consultants were represented by Terry O’Flannagan.
The Association was represented by Gary Bolger, Myles Byrne and Tommy Deegan.

The new sewage treatment plant will be located on the Coughlanstown Road at the far end of the KTK Landfill Site at its border with Campbell’s and Mulryan’s. A new pumping station will be constructed at the existing sewage plant site at The Strand. There will be no changes to the present sewerage system in the village of Ballymore Eustace.

A new large manhole will be constructed at the Liffey Bridge entrance to pick up the present sewage and surface water systems and from this point onwards a new system will be constructed. The old inlet pipe and manholes will be dug up and replaced by a new pipe. This will do away with the present situation where raw sewage overflows into the Liffey from the present inlet pipe manhole.

The existing roadway/entrance to the sewage plant will be moved nearer to the river side of the site i.e. the new roadway/entrance to pumping station will be built over the position of the old inlet pipline. This is to facilitate the new bungalow being built on the Strand. The new gateway entrance at the Bridge will be as per Larry Glancy’s bungalow plans. Kildare County Council will erect a new stud type railing along entrance roadway at Riverside Walk and may have to build a retaining wall alongside roadway entrance.

The new Pumping Station will be constructed on the present sewage plant site. However, the area of the present site will be reduced considerably. The area not being used will be handed over to the community for incorporation into Riverside Walk/Linear Park. Old fencing around the present plant will be removed and overgrown hedge on right hand side (viewed with back to Bridge) will be trimmed and the site landscaped as per consultant landscaper’s advice. New fencing will be erected. The Association requested that all services be laid underground.

The new Pumping Station will consist of a large combined underground foul sewage /stormwater tank with one overflow to the Liffey. Normally there will be no overflow whatsoever from Pumping Station to the Liffey. However, in the event of a severe storm (five year storm) the plant will overflow to the Liffey. We were assured the quality of the overflow, should it happen, will be better than the existing discharge as there will be a screening process in place. The Pumping Station will be fitted with a duty pump and an assist pump and these will be in operation at all times to pump sewage to the new Sewage Treatment Plant at the Kimmeens. The will also be a stand-by pump fitted, i.e. three pumps in total. A stand-by generator will be fitted and in the event of an electricity failure this will cut in automatically.

The only overground structures at the Pumping Station will be a staff building with kitchen and wash and toilet facilities. There will also be a permanent gantry to lift the pumps for maintenance.

Following discussions it was agreed to ask the landscape consultant to recommend a surface dressing for the Riverside Walk pathway, which would be in keeping with its location. A request that Kildare County Council grade the land alongside the pathway so that the grass could be cut using a lawnmower rather than a strimmer was considered to be too expensive.

The rising main from the Pumping Station will be laid using an underground boring machine which will eliminate the need for a continuous trench to be opened. The pipes will be welded together, probably in 100 metre sections and then pulled underground. Trenches or manholes will have to be opened to connect the pipes.

The old surface water block drain at the end of Reilly’s Lane will be piped into the River. The Kildare County Council officials agreed to look at the possibility of constructing a disabled anglers facility at the end of Reilly’s Lane but no commitment was given.

The rising main will then go into Doran’s Park and cross to the Coughlanstown Road through the Dublin City Council pipeline wayleave and from there up the road to the Sewage Treatment Plant site at the Kimmeens.

The outfall from the Sewage Treatment Plant will be laid alongside the rising main and will come back down the road and discharge into the Liffey at Kane’s Ford. The new plant is designed for a Population Equivalent (P.E.) of 2000 with a proposed effluent quality of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 25 mg/l; Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 35mg/l: and Total Phosphorous (total P) 2mg/l. This compares with the present plant which has a BOD, 189 mg/l; TSS, 174 mg/l: and total P, 8 mg/l. Phosphorous removal will be carried out by dosing Ferric Chloride and not Aluminium Sulphate. When the Sewage Treatment Plant reaches its full capacity, solids removal will be necessary about once per month but not a often as this in the meantime. The solids/sludge will be transported to Osberstown Sewage Treatment Plant for further treatment, such as drying, and will then be converted into pellets for fertilizer use.

The Association was devestated to learn by letter dated 26th February 2009 from the Director of Services, Water Services, Kildare County Council that due to the present economic crises the need for the proposed new Sewage Treatment Plant for Ballymore Eustace was being reviewed by the Department of the Environment and the following letter has been forwarded to the Minister for the Environment

“Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers’ Association

Broadleas, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare.

9th March 2009

Mr. John Gormley,
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government,
Dail Eireann,
Dublin 2,

Re: Proposed New Sewage Treatment Plant at Ballymore Eustace

Dear Minister,

Since it was founded in 1974 the above Association has been asking Kildare County Council to upgrade the overloaded, antiquated and disgraceful Sewage Treatment Plant at The Strand, Ballymore Eustace to prevent it polluting the River Liffey.
In the mid 1980’s Kildare County Council informed us that Ballymore Eustace would be connected to the Upper Liffey Regional Sewage Treatment Plant at Osberstown, Co. Kildare. This never materialized and then the Council informed us that they would construct a separate Sewage Treatment Plant in Ballymore Eustace but this never materialized either.

In 1998 Kildare County Council gave Planning Permission to a Private Developer to construct a new Sewage Treatment Plant on the site of the County Council Plant but when An Bord Pleanala refused planning permission for the proposed huge development that the Private Developer wished to construct in Ballymore Eustace, the Developer, naturally, did not construct a new Sewage Treatment Plant in Ballymore Eustace. By this time raw sewage was overflowing into the Liffey from the Council’s glorified septic tank.

Raw sewage continues to overflow into the Liffey at Ballymore Eustace on a regular basis but still no upgrading of the Sewage Treatment Plant materialised even though downstream of Ballymore Eustace at Leixlip, a large drinking water supply is taken for parts of Dublin City.

The Association continued to make representations to Kildare County Council and to the EPA but still nothing has been done to prevent the pollution of the Liffey at Ballymore Eustace.

In 2006 Kildare County Council passed a Part 8 motion to construct a new Sewage Treatment Plant at Susheen, downstream of Ballymore Eustace village and the Association was delighted that at last something was being done that would prevent raw sewage entering and polluting the Liffey. However, our delight was short lived as the proposed site was deemed unsuitable by the Health Service Executive.
A new Part 8 was passed by Kildare County Council on 30th June 2008 and again the Association was delighted that a new site for the Sewage Treatment Plant had been found at Kimmeens, Ballymore Eustace and we were sure that everything was going full stream ahead when we saw all the test boreholes and surveys being carried out. We were devastated to learn in a reply dated 26th February 2009 from the Director of Services, Water Services, Kildare County Council that the Department of the Environment is now assessing the need for a new Sewage Treatment Plant in Ballymore Eustace. For over thirty years there has been need for a new Sewage Treatment Plant in Ballymore Eustace unless we are to be left to wallow in our own excrement and continue sending sewage polluted water down to Leixlip.

In March 2004, planning permission was granted for 11 houses in Ballymore Eustace but a condition attached stated the houses could not be occupied until the Sewage Treatment Plan was upgraded. Needless to say, we don’t have these houses.
In March 2005, planning permission was granted for a Nursing Home in Ballymore Eustace but again the Nursing Home could not be occupied until the Sewage Treatment Plant was upgraded. We do not have a Nursing Home.

In 2006 An Bord Pleanala refused planning permission for 12 houses and some commercial development in Ballymore Eustace. The only reason for refusal was that there was no proper Sewage Treatment Plant in Ballymore Eustace and the Liffey was already polluted by the existing overloaded plant.

An Bord Pleanala have refused planning permission for three other proposed developments in Ballymore Eustace citing the lack of a proper Sewage Treatment Plant as one of the reasons for each refusal.

The lack of a proper Sewage Treatment Plant has curtailed all development in Ballymore Eustace in recent years and this was borne out by the 2006 Census that showed a reduction in the population of the village.

The latest planning permission granted in the village was for four houses on the 20th March 2008 but again they cannot be occupied until a new Sewage Treatment Plant is constructed.

The above Association respectfully begs you to give Kildare County Council the go ahead for the construction of the New Sewage Treatment Plant at the Kimmeens, Ballymore Eustace and finally bring an end to pollution of the Liffey by raw sewage and allow the village to develop rather than stagnate and die.
Yours sincerely,

______________________________
Thomas Deegan
Honorary Treasurer”

It was hoped the have the Sewage Treatment Plant in operation in the first quarter of 2010.

The Association learned from Kildare County Council on 12th May 2009 that the Department of the Environment now want the local Developers to fund 60% of the cost of the proposed new sewage treatment plant. On hearing this the Association wrote to Jack Wall T.D. on the 12th May requesting him to ask a Parliamentary Question regarding the status of the proposed new sewage plant in Ballymore Eustace.

The following is the question submitted by Jack Wall dated 14th May 2009.

“To ask the Minister for Environment Heritage and Local Government the up to date position in relation to the provision of a new sewerage treatment plant (Details supplied). The views of the Minister in relation to the attached submission that expresses major concern in relation to the delays in regard to the need for the provision of a new plant and if the Minister will make a statement on the matter.

Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers Association, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare.

For written reply.

Jack Wall.”

The Minister replied as follows dated 20th May 2009

“Reply

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Gormley):

The Ballymore Eustace Wastewater Treatment Plant was included for funding in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 under the Services Land Initiative.

Last month, my Department, following a review of the Serviced Land Initiative in light of developments in the economy at large, and in the housing market in particular during 2008, and having regard to the oversupply of housing in some areas, informed all local authorities that the Initiative was being discontinued. All existing scheme approvals under the Initiative, for which contracts had not being signed or letters of intent had not issued, were withdrawn.

However, local authorities were also informed that where they are of the opinion that the continuation of a scheme is necessary for the proper development of an area, it is open to the relevant authority to make a case to the Department by 29 May 2009 for the scheme to progress. My Department will consider any case that Kildare County Council may make within the specified time limit in respect of this project.”

Jack Wall agreed to contact the Water Services Senior Engineer, Kildare County Council about this reply.

The Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers’ Association sent a letter to the Minister dated 26th May 2009 with enclosed photographic evidence of the raw sewage (see example below) in the Liffey and the disgraceful discharge from the Sewage Plant and a copy was sent to Michael O’Leary and Jack Wall T.D.

RAW SEWAGE2500.BMP

Jack Wall responded by letter dated 27th May 2009 with an accompanying letter he had sent to Minister Gormley and another to Michael O’Leary, Water Services Senior Engineer, Kildare County Council.

Categories
General News

Ballymore Eustace Residents 1911 (Census)

Residents of Ballymore Eustace Village (only) 2011

House 1911                 Type of              No in     Rooms      Windows    2011
No.     Occupier           Building              Family   Occupied   in Front

1     Kate Winder        Private dwelling       4         3               2
2     Patrick Golden     Private dwelling       1         2               2
3     Jane Finlan           Private dwelling       2         3               3
4     Henry Donnelly    Private dwelling        3        4               4
5     Sarah Doyle         Private dwelling        1        2               2
6     Joseph McBride   Private dwelling       4         4               3
7     Rose Anne Byrne Private dwelling        3        3               3
8     Catherina Halpin   Lodging House      10        5               5
9     Michael Fitzsimons Private dwelling      1        2               2
10   James Doyle         Cloth Shop              8        7               6
11   Courthouse
12   Sarah Burke         Private dwelling        3      10               5
13   Mary Anne Kelly  Private dwelling        1        2               2
14   Peter McLoughlin Private dwelling        6        2               2
15   Martin Hayden     Private dwelling      10        5               3
16   Daniel Murphy     Public House            7        9               5
17   Charlie O’Neill     Private dwelling        7        6               9
18   Kate Hines          Private dwelling         2        6              6
19   Post office,Shop
20   Mary Anne Pollard Private dwelling      1        2              2
21   William Kelly       Private dwelling         5        4              4
22   James Smyth        Private dwelling        6         3              5
23   James Shannon    Private dwelling         6        3              3
24   John J Byrne        Public House             7      12            10
25   Dispensary
26   Richard Hines     Private dwelling           3       7              5
27   Mary Purcell       Public House              2      10              5
28   Thomas Driver    Public House              4        8              6
29   Thomas Devoy   Private dwelling           2        3              2
30   Eliza Byrne         Lodging House            9        4              4
31   Anne Doran       Public House                6        7             5
32   Patrick Winder   Private dwelling            3     &nb
sp;  1             1
33   Margaret Loughlin Private dwelling         5        3             3
34   Thomas Fisher    Private dwelling            4        1             1
35   John Madden     Private dwelling            6         1            1
36   Margaret Hackett Shop                          2        3             1
37   Mary Norton     Private dwelling             1        5             4
38   George Gammall Shop                            9        8             6
39   Rev. F. Byrne    Private dwelling             2        8             8
40   Patrick Tracey   Private dwelling             8        1             2
41   Sarah O’Neill     Private dwelling             5        5             5
42   Mary C MacGuire Private dwelling         2        5             4
43   Butcher Shop
44   John Comerford Shop                            4        4             4
45   Gregory Doyle   Shop                            4        4             2
46   Thomas Deegan Private dwelling            9        3             1
47   Edw’d Stephenson Shop                        4        9             5
48   Dr. W.S. Dodd Private dwelling             4      12             5
49   Marie Homan    Private dwelling             4       5              5
50   Anne Devoy      Private dwelling             3       2              2
House 1911             Type of                    No in    Rooms      Windows
No.     Occupier       Building                   Family   Occupied   in Front

51   Thomas Kerry   Private welling               2       2              2
52   James Freeman  Private dwelling             4       2              2
53                            Private dwelling
54   James Deegan   Private dwelling              3       2              2
55   Eliza Keogh       Private dwelling             3       2              2
56   William Hughes  Private dwelling             1       2              2
57   George Whittle  Private dwelling              1       2              2
58   John Dolan        Private dwelling              8       2              2
59   Margaret Broughal Private dwelling         6        2             3
60   Bridget Whelan Private dwelling              4       2              2
61   Julia Connolly   Private dwelling               3       2              2<
br />62   Matt Travers    Private dwelling               4       2              2
63   John Devoy      Private dwelling               4       2              2
64   Patrick Devoy  Private dwelling               2       2              2
65   Kate Deegan    Private dwelling               1       2              2
66   Patrick Toole   Shop                               5       6              5
67   Edward Mary   Private dwelling               2       2              2
68   Joseph Devoy   Private dwelling               6       3              2
69   Paper Shop
70   Shop
71   Michael Berkly Public House                   5       4              8
72   George Farrell  Shop                               3       6              7
73   George McGuire Private dwelling            5        3              2
74   Mary A Molyneux Private dwelling          2       2              2
75   Winifred Gorman Private dwelling            4       2              2
76   John Purcell       Lodging House               5       5              3
77   George Allen     Private dwelling              3        3              3
78   Mary Quinn       Private dwelling              3       2               1
79   Mary McGarry  Private dwelling              2        1              1
80   Bridget Curley   Private dwelling              4       2               1
81   Ellen Devoy      Private dwelling               5       2              2
82   Eliza Walsh       Private dwelling              3        2              2
83   Annie Pender    Private dwelling              8        2              2
84   John Barrett      Shop                              2        2              2
85   William Hennessy Private dwelling         11        5              6
86   Margaret Devoy Private dwelling             6        3              2
87   R. C. Church
88   Arthur Corrigan Private dwelling              1        8              4
89   Unoccupied       Private dwelling
90   James Devoy     Private dwelling              8        3              3
91   Patrick Whittle   Private dwelling              2        3              2
92   Michael Dwyer   Private dwelling             7        4              3
93   Mary Anne Byrne Private dwelling           2        3              3
94   Anne Cox           Private dwelling             1    &n
bsp;   4              4
95   Michael Gregory Private dwelling             4        3              3
96   Mary Jordan     Shop                               6        8              5
97   Kate F Reid      Private dwelling               2        8              7
98   Frank Whittle    Private dwelling               8        2              2
99   Rev F McCarthy Private dwelling             3      14              7
100 Michael Hayden Private dwelling              2        2              2
House  1911            Type of                       No in    Rooms       Windows
No.     Occupier       Building                      Family   Occupied   in Front

101 Patrick Synnot   Private dwelling              2        6               9
102 John King          Private dwelling              2        4               4
103 Patrick Kerry    Private dwelling               3       2                2
104 John Hayden     Private dwelling               5       2                2
105 Margaret Carroll Private dwelling             4        3               2
106 Bridget Nolan    Private dwelling              2        3               2
107 John Geoghegan Lodging House              9        6               2
108 James Kelly       Private dwelling              6        2               2
109 Bridget Dwyer   Private dwelling              1        2               2
110 Kate McDonald Private dwelling             1         1               1
111 Margaret Byrne  Private dwelling             2         3               4
112 Thomas Malone  Private dwelling            1         2               2
113 Patrick Doran    Private dwelling             2         6               5
114 Patrick Doyle     Private dwelling             2         3               2
115 Thomas Arthury Private dwelling           15         4               3
116 Unoccupied       Private dwelling
117 Robert Doran    Private dwelling             4         2               2
118 James McGrath Private dwelling             1         1               2
119 Sergt. Mc Guirk R.I.C. Barrack             1         6               6
120 Protestant Church
121 Band Room
122 Market House
123 Woollen Mill
124 Unoccupied      Private dwelling
125 Unoccupied      Private dwelling
126 Unoccupied      Private dwelling
127 Unoccupied      Private dwelling
128 Unoccupied      Private dwelling
129 Unoccupied      Private dwelling
130 Unoccupied      Private dwelling

 

Categories
General News

Flooding at Riverwalk & Scoil Mhuire 2009 & 2011

Following heavy rain on Saturday/Sunday 28/29th November 2009 flooding and damage occured to the Riverwalk and Scoil Mhuire. The following photographs taken after the worst of the flooding gives some indication of what happened.

BILD0232A.JPG

.BILD0233A.JPGBILD0235A.JPG

 

Categories
General News

Flooding at Riverwalk & Scoil Mhuire 2009 & 2011

Following heavy rain on Saturday/Sunday 28/29th November 2009 flooding and damage occured to the Riverwalk and Scoil Mhuire. The following photographs taken after the worst of the flooding gives some indication of what happened.

BILD0232A.JPG

.BILD0233A.JPGBILD0235A.JPG

 

Categories
TSAA News

Feeder Streams Trout Habitat Enhancement 2010 &2011

FEEDER STREAMS TROUT HABITAT ENHANCEMENT 2010,2011

Following on from the recommendations which were issued by the Central and Eastern Regional Fisheries Boards when they carried out a fish stock survey of our water in 2005 (cost €16,500 sponsored by Kelt and the TSAA) the Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers’ Association (TSAA) in conjunction with the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board (ERFB) conducted a Liffey Habitat Enhancement Scheme for salmon on the main channel of the Liffey in 2007 at a cost of €14000 which was sponsored by Dublin City Council and Kildare County Council. This work is detailed in another section of our website.  In 2009 the Association decided to concentrate on Trout Habitat Enhancement work on our feeder streams of the Liffey and in the first instance the feeder streams flowing through the Factory (Old Woollen Mill) land as these streams are at the head of our Fishery.
In 2009 the TSAA used the professional expertise of the ERFB to draw up a work schedule and this was presented to Kildare County Council with our application for funding under the KTK Inert Landfill Funding Scheme.  In 2010 the Association received €5,500 from this fund to carry out the work.
Permission was acquired from the owners of the Factory land and the initial clearing of scrub to allow access by man and machinery to the Tail Race commenced on the 17th August 2010. On the 9th September 2010 the Tail Race was electrofished by Fergal Caffrey and Maurice Carolan of the ERFB to establish a trout population baseline for future comparisons and a number of trout fry were counted, measured and returned to water.
On the 13th September 2010 a mini-digger and dumper arrived on site and the serious work began of removing fallen trees and all sorts of debris from the stream. Six bags of mainly drink cans were removed from the stream area and these were left at the Liffey Bridge for collection by Kildare County Council staff.  Gravel and small boulders obtained from KTK were drawn from the Kimmeens and distributed into the stream. A couple of delays occurred due to a track coming off the mini digger twice but the work with the machines continued until 21st September when the machines were returned to the hire company Haven Hire.
Some of the heavier timber near the stream was cut by chainsaw to allow more light into the stream area and brambles were also cut.  The heavy growth at the mouth of the stream was thinned out and silt removed by Des, Myles and Tommy of the TSAA.
Water cress was removed from the upper portion of two streams from the 23rd September 2010 until the final big push on Saturday 2nd October 2010 when a crew from the TSAA (Des, Gary, Dave, Niall, Barry and Tommy) finished the work of removing some reeds that were blocking the flow of the streams and clearing the streams of all lodged debris which resulted from the clear out. Meanwhile Joe and Myles carried out repairs to Fr. Charles holy well.
A fish pass was constructed the following week by the ERFB to allow trout reach the upper section of one of the streams and grass seeds were spread on the ground that was disturbed by the enhancement work.

BILD0321a.JPG

Three of the six sacks of litter collected from site (not inside factory buildings)

BILD0325a.JPG

Mini digger working on stream

BILD0322a.JPG

Adding spawninggravel to stream

 

Categories
TSAA News

Feeder Streams Trout Habitat Enhancement 2010 &2011

FEEDER STREAMS TROUT HABITAT ENHANCEMENT 2010,2011

Following on from the recommendations which were issued by the Central and Eastern Regional Fisheries Boards when they carried out a fish stock survey of our water in 2005 (cost €16,500 sponsored by Kelt and the TSAA) the Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers’ Association (TSAA) in conjunction with the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board (ERFB) conducted a Liffey Habitat Enhancement Scheme for salmon on the main channel of the Liffey in 2007 at a cost of €14000 which was sponsored by Dublin City Council and Kildare County Council. This work is detailed in another section of our website.  In 2009 the Association decided to concentrate on Trout Habitat Enhancement work on our feeder streams of the Liffey and in the first instance the feeder streams flowing through the Factory (Old Woollen Mill) land as these streams are at the head of our Fishery.
In 2009 the TSAA used the professional expertise of the ERFB to draw up a work schedule and this was presented to Kildare County Council with our application for funding under the KTK Inert Landfill Funding Scheme.  In 2010 the Association received €5,500 from this fund to carry out the work.
Permission was acquired from the owners of the Factory land and the initial clearing of scrub to allow access by man and machinery to the Tail Race commenced on the 17th August 2010. On the 9th September 2010 the Tail Race was electrofished by Fergal Caffrey and Maurice Carolan of the ERFB to establish a trout population baseline for future comparisons and a number of trout fry were counted, measured and returned to water.
On the 13th September 2010 a mini-digger and dumper arrived on site and the serious work began of removing fallen trees and all sorts of debris from the stream. Six bags of mainly drink cans were removed from the stream area and these were left at the Liffey Bridge for collection by Kildare County Council staff.  Gravel and small boulders obtained from KTK were drawn from the Kimmeens and distributed into the stream. A couple of delays occurred due to a track coming off the mini digger twice but the work with the machines continued until 21st September when the machines were returned to the hire company Haven Hire.
Some of the heavier timber near the stream was cut by chainsaw to allow more light into the stream area and brambles were also cut.  The heavy growth at the mouth of the stream was thinned out and silt removed by Des, Myles and Tommy of the TSAA.
Water cress was removed from the upper portion of two streams from the 23rd September 2010 until the final big push on Saturday 2nd October 2010 when a crew from the TSAA (Des, Gary, Dave, Niall, Barry and Tommy) finished the work of removing some reeds that were blocking the flow of the streams and clearing the streams of all lodged debris which resulted from the clear out. Meanwhile Joe and Myles carried out repairs to Fr. Charles holy well.
A fish pass was constructed the following week by the ERFB to allow trout reach the upper section of one of the streams and grass seeds were spread on the ground that was disturbed by the enhancement work.

BILD0321a.JPG

Three of the six sacks of litter collected from site (not inside factory buildings)

BILD0325a.JPG

Mini digger working on stream

BILD0322a.JPG

Adding spawninggravel to stream

 

Categories
General News

Ballymore Eustace Film Location

TITANIC: BLOOD AND STEEL.  Russborough House November 2011             Kevin Zegers, Chris Noth & Neve Campbell on the set of the new TV series “Titanic: Blood and Steel” at Russborough House, Ballymore Eustace.  The series will chronicle the building of the Titanic, beginning the early 1900s in Belfast and depicting how the ship was handmade in a city on the edge of revolution. Noth will portray financier J.P. Morgan while Campbell will play a journalist covering the ship’s first voyage to New York City. Zegers will be a metallurgist who discovers some serious flaws in the quality of the metal being used to build the ship.

The 12-part series will air in 2012, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s maiden voyage to NYC. It has yet to receive U.S. distribution rights. The mini-series has an estimated budget of $28,000,000

Filming in Phil Murphy’s Pub 11th October 2011

RTE Nationwide team filming in Ballymore Eustace Village 30 September and 3rd October 2011

Filmed in Parish of Ballymore Eustace and surrounding areas

Meteor Mobile Phones Ad. November 2010. Scene at Ballymore Eustace GAA Football Ground with Ballymore footballers and spectators in background as Meteor user phones friend in London while watching football match.

Vodafone Ad. 2009 Street scene at Weavers Row, Ballymore Eustace featuring postman and door colours. 

BAYWATCH IRISH STYLE (2007) Scene at Mick Murphy’s Pub, Ballymore Eustace

Budweiser TV Ad.

LASSIE (2005)  Scene at the River Liffey, The Bridge, Ballymore Eustace
Released 1st September 2006

Director    Charles Sturridge

Writers Eric Knight (novel) & Charles Sturridge
Cast

Samantha Morton as Sarah Carraclough Jonathan Mason as Joe Carraclough
Peter O’Toole TheDuke Gabrielle Lloyd Miss Branson
Hester Odgers Cilla Paul Meade Policeman
Gerry O’Brien Watson Susie Lambe Martha (as Susie Lamb)
Steve Pemberton Hynes Jemma Redgrave Daisy
Eamonn Hunt Alf Patterson Terence Orr Butler
John Lynch Sam Carraclough Alec Heggie Truck Driver
Jim Roche Miner

MALICE AFORETHOUGHT (2005) (TV) Scene at Factory Gate, Ballymore Eustace
Released 3rd April 2005

Director    David Blair

Writers Anthony Berkeley (novel) & Andrew Payne (screenplay)
Cast

Ronnie Masterson

as

Miss Janet Wapworthy

Joseph Beattie

as

Denny Bourne

Phyllis Ryan

Miss Adele Peav

Orla O’Rourke

Gwynfryd Rattery

Fiona O’Shaughnessy

Florence

Richard Armitage

William Chatford

Barbara Flynn

Julia Bickleigh

Niall Buggy

Rev. Hessary Torr

Ben Miller

Dr. Edmund Bickleigh

Ger Ryan

Constance Torr

Megan Dodds

Madeleine Cranmere

Gemma Reeves

Beryl

Peter Vaughan

Widdicombe

Lucy Brown

Ivy Ridgeway

Kate O’Toole

Mrs Ridgeway

 

KING ARTHUR (2004) Scenes at Mountcashel, Ballymore Eustace
Released 7th July 2004

Director   Antoine Furua

Writer David Franzoni
Cast

Clive Owen

as

Arthur

Stephen Dillane

as

Merlin

Ioan Gruffudd

Lancelot

Stellan Skarsgard

Cerdic

Mads Mikkelsen

Tristan

Til Schweiger

Cynric

Joel Edgerton

Gawain

Sean Gilder

Jols

Hugh Dancy

Galahad

Pat Kinevane

Horton

Ray Winstone

Bors

Ivano Marescotti

Bishop Germanius

Ray Stevenson

Dagonet

Ken Stott

Marius Honorius

Keira Knightley

Guinevere

Categories
TSAA News

Heritage Week 2011

On Saturday 27 August 2011, the Ballymore Eustace Trout and Salmon Anglers’ Association will be hosting a day of wildlife discovery in the River Liffey at the River Walk in Ballymore. Billy Flynn Ecologist, Flynn Furney Environmental Consultants will show how to identify the many fascinating creatures that are part of our river’s wildlife.  He will also be looking at and identyfying the wildflowers and plants that can be found right in the middle of one of Kildare’s prettiest villages.  The day is part of national Heritage Week and is kindly supported by Kildare County Council.  

Categories
General News

Repairs to Liffey Bridge, Ballymore Eustace

Repair work to vandalised stonework on Liffey Bridge, Ballymore Eustace

Vandalised June 2009, Repaired January 2011

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Kildare County Council traffic control in operation

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Damaged section of old stone wall cleaned up and ready for repair work.

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Getting Ready

 

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Stonemason selecting the right stone

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Repair to Liffey Bridge wall (roadside) completed

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Categories
General News

The Judgement of Ballymore and Other Poems

The Judgement of Ballymore
(From The Parish Chronicle 2000)

Lack of space prevents inclusion of the complete version of The Judgement of Ballymore. It is a mini epic poem, suggestive of Goethe’s ‘Damnation of Faust’. I was baffled by the popularity of ‘The Judgement’ until I learned that the author was the Sergeant of the R.I.C., aided and abetted by Dick Hynes who suggested the names of the various ‘characters’ worthy of damnation.
No greater honour could be conferred on an Irishman than to be branded as a felon by the R.I.C. The Royal Irish Constabulary were England’s eyes and ears for the suppressionof natural aspirations. The complete version, words and music, may be had from Tom Nugent, Bishophill.
As a postscript to the epic, I have composed a couple of doggeral verses. Perhaps some local poet will improve on my feeble attempt. (Chronicle author’s note)

The Judgement of Ballymore

One evening by a little brook in romantic Ardenode,
Beneath an old oak tree I sat, in tired and dreamy mood.
I soon fell into slumber deep and had a vivid dream,
A vision I shall ne’er forget down by the babbling stream.
It’s imprinted in my memory fast, for I dreamt it oe’r and oe’r,
That St. Peter stood on Mount Cashel Hill to judge all Ballymore.
Sitting on the judgement throne with an angel by his side,
He gazed upon the multitude that covered acres wide.
St. Peter said “I have come to judge, in accordance with my promise,”
And the angel’s trumpet sounded forth, “Come forward Driver Thomas.”
And then a big and brawny man, unwashed, unkempt, uncouth,
Came up to hear the escapades of his wild and sinful youth,
The list was long and varied and St. Peter’s brow grew dark,
And darker, sterner still, it grew as he made this remark.
“The sentence it’s a hard one but the only one that suits,
So take yourself to Hell out’f this and put laces in your boots.”
Then down below poor Thomas goes to the unrelenting flames
And the angel’s trumpet sounds again- come forward Carney James.
Then a thick and low set man came up, in slow and faltering style
And stood before St. Peter’s throne with a broad and comic smile,
But that smile soon turned to fear and dread, his tan skin turned pale,
His fingers worked convulsively, and his knees began to quail.
St. Peter said “your sins are black and very wicked too,
Your good deeds have been very goood but very very few,
So down you go to the pits below to the darkest deepest tunnel.”
And the angel’s trumpet sounds again- come forward Thomas Fennan.
Tom Fennan came with faltering step, with slow and slouching gait
And stood before St. Peter’s throne to hear his sins and fate.
St Peter asks, “What have you done to earn Heaven’s reward?”
“I can’t remember anything, but pardon me O Lord.”
St Peter said, “Your face shows signs of many a parting glass,
Many an old rum yarn too, and many a winsome lass,
Of precious evening squandered in wild company at the Fall
And many a hard fought game of cards and many a midnight brawl.
To Purgatory for one hundred years for your black sins to atone”
Poor Fennan heard his sentence with a most unearthy groan
And as he left for the fiery pits the crowd sang Auld Lang Syne,
And the angel’s trumpet sounds again, “Come forward now George Brien.”
With an ashplant in his left and a caubeen in his right
George Brien came from the multitude into the judgement light.
And there he stood with a pious look upon his pious face
And in a few well chosen words began to state his case.
“I always took a pint or two and sometimes a little half one,
And if a neighbour joined me he was welcome too to have one.
I never injured anyone though I always took a sup
But don’t send Bill Kane to Purgatory till he sends me back my pup.”
“You’ll want no pups in Purgatory, for there you’ll surely go.”
And the angel’s trumpet sounds again,
“Come forward Michael Keogh.”
St. Peter looked at Michael with a hard and stern frown.
Mike’s features turned and twisted like the antics of a clown.
“I won’t waste words condemning you, you’re simply steeped in sin.
I’ll wire the devil to see if he will take you in.”
Then the angel’s trumpet sounds again, another long reveille
Sounding clear on the evening air, calling up ‘Trips Kelly’.
Trips looked a little frightened but still he bore up well,
Stepping smartly to the front, making the left foot tell.
He looked up at St. Peter with a most bewildered stare,
And in a hoarse and trembling voice he answered “I am here.”
“I’m sending you,” St. Peter said, “where you’ll not have peace or joy.”
And the angel’s trumpet sounded clear, “Come forward Bill Conroy.”
Bill answered quickly to his name and promply took his place
Looking round for inspiration with a grimace on his face.
“Ther’s not a sin on the calendar but it’s here before your name
Which clearly shows that religion has never been your aim.
The corporal works of mercy you never even tried,
But skinned your neighbours while they lived, and shaved them when they died.
Holy works of any kind you have always tried to shirk,
So now you bear the consequences, stand over on the left.”
Then a silence fell on the multitude, not a sound, not a sigh, but hark!
Hear what the trumpet is sounding, “Come up here quick, Jack Clarke.”
As Jack hurried up to stand his trial, the hat from his head he tore,
And looked around suspiciously, like an ox at the slaughter-house door.
He scratched his poll in perplexity and dolefully shook his head,
And St. Peter opened his book again and this is what he read,
“Many the sinful hour you spent on the famous flowery lawn
And attended many a cock-fight too, at the early streaks of dawn.
In business deals you’ve been straight enough, you never did anything shady,
But you’ve broken the ribs of many a man and the heart of many a lady.
To Purgatory for twenty years for you unremitted sins,
And when those twenty years are up a better life begins,
You can come with me to my Heavenly home with all your sins unladed.”
And the angel’s trumpet sounds again, “Come forward Martin Hayden.”
“You’ve been a man,” St. Peter said, “of hard and honest labour,
But you’ve had a cruel and bitter tongue that never spared a neighbour.
The malice of that bitter tongue has travelled far and wide
And in all your conversations many reputations died,
Tainted with an atmosphere where foul suspicicion floats
So Heaven is now debarred from you, stand over with the goats.”
Then sounds of awe ran through the crowd like the sound of a swelling sea,
And the angel’s trumpet sounds again, “Come forward Pat Magee.”
The recording angel took his book and read Pat’s offences out,
And the dark look on St. Peter’s face left very little doubt.
That Pat’s journey was a downward one to the fiery pits below.
“Stand over to the left,” he said “with that hardened sinner Keogh.”
Then cries of mercy rent the air from a sympathetic crowd,
And prayers were offered earnestly in accents clear and loud,
But the angel called for silence by raising up his wing ,
And sounds his trumpet loudly for George Allen and John King.
Allen was first to answer and his crutch he slowly wields,
John King came pounding after, quite close on Allen’s heels.
“This leg of mine,” George Allen says, “has kept me well in bounds,
And in this world of care and strife I’ve had my ups and downs.
I always took a pint or two but nevered squandered much,
My sole support since early life was this old worn crutch.”
John King chimes in, “As you’re talking George why dont you speak for two,
As far as legs and crutches go, I’m in the same boat as you.”
“Wait until your turn comes,” said George, “and please let me alone,
I’ve enough to do with you misdeeds to think of half my own.”

L’ENVOI
Before the dreamer woke from sleep, one final blast was sounded.
St. Peter’s words rang loud and clear, the Sergeant was dumbfounded,
” For Thomas and Tom and Trips and Jack, there are rooms reserved in our mansion,
But the R.I.C. must ment their ways, or pay one hell of a ransom.”

The ghost of that Sergent haunts Mount Cashel, pleading for mercy from the men he condemned.
Mick Shannon once heard his skeleton rattle and breathed a prayer that his penance might end.

If anyone has the complete version, words and music, we would be delighted to hear from you.

 

Finn McCool   The Winner at Punchestown, (Author unknown)

(Party piece of Kevin Burke, Captain of the successful 1953 Ballymore Eustace Senior GAA Football Team)

‘Twas Martin McDonagh who bought him, from a man at the Fair in Naas

And never an uglier object, was seen in a farmer’s place.

He was long and lanky and bony, with a head like a tinker’s mule

Yet he had such a style of stepping, that we called him Finn McCool.

 

But never a word said Martin, for he was the knowing one,

He foddered his colt all winter, and he cantered him here and yon.

A feather would knocked me over, when I heard one day in the town

That Finn McCool had been entered, for the Races at Punchestown.

 

Taking a drop to brace me up, I started into Maynooth,

There was twenty there before me, all anxious to know the truth.

And there sat deluded Martin, joking and playing the fool,

Telling stories about this and that, but nothing of Finn McCool.

 

Tipping a wink for myself to stay, he soon got rid of the lot,

And the missus came calling him to “come while the tay is hot.”

A cup was there for myself of course, and a plate of pancakes brown,

But what cared I for pancakes, when my thoughts were on Punchestown.

 

Martin went on to tell me, the pedigree of both grand sires of Finn

He was a bay descendant of all his famous kin

“The horse has his point” says Martin, “though his runs like a circus clown

But he stands to make me or break me at the Races of Punchestown.”

 

O Lord, it’s a terrible feeling, when every shilling you own,

Is bet on an ordinary animal that’s skin where he isn’t bone.

I couldn’t sleep a wink at night and the wife says “Felim O’Toole,

It’s below in the Carlow Asylum, you’ll finish with Finn McCool.

 

The day of the Races came, and Martin, meself and the horse

And Davy Lacy to ride him, were early upon the course.

“How much against Finn McCool” says I, and the bookie says with a grin

“Arrah 50 to 1 and the fun you’ll have, watching another one win.”

 

The horses came from the paddock, went down and got into a line

And burst like shots from a rifle, when the starter gave the sign

And lagging along behind them, came Finn McCool at a pace

That would shame any dacent donkey, for sale at the Fair in Naas.

 

“Go on ye devil ” I yelled at him, “go on and lift your feet

For all the horses that ever were born, I’ll shoot you this day if you’re beat.”

And Martin himself was yelling, and cursing him dead and blind

And the crowd were roaring and shouting “look at the one behind”

 

He heard us, by all the Gods above, for he shot like a frightened deer

When Davy Lacy the jockey digged him, from tail to ear.

Rearing and snorting and kicking, he clattered past horse by horse

You’d think the end of the world had come, with the roaring on the course.

 

With his big feet trashing like paddle wheels and his tail like a dory mast

He leapt over the wall and the double ditch till first in the field was past.

“He’s winning” I heard someone saying, the crowd all going wild

And Martin McDermott beside me, was crying like a child.

 

“Winning, of course he’s winning” says I and “there take that from O’Toole”

As I threw my hat in the bookies face that had laughed at Finn McCool.

“Faith Finn doesn’t know when to stop” says Kelly the vet from Clane

For having near jumped the judges box, Finn made for the hill again.

 

We followed him into the paddock, where the horses were weighing in

The devil the hair was turned, on the hide of the warrior Finn

As cool as his mighty name sake, who had never known defeat

He seemed to be winking “that Fenian lad is a mighty hard thing to beat”

 

The bookies paid us our money and the crowning joy of the race

Was counting my bag of money from the lad I hit in the face.

“Be careful” says I “me bucko, whenever your money is down

A lesson from Finn McCool you have, the winner at Punchestown”