County Kildare News

A taste of country came to The Curragh Racecourse at the GAIN Irish St. Leger which took place on Sunday (15th September). The day which featured both the Group 1 GAIN Irish St. Leger and the Group 1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes, also had a country music theme and included country music star Mike Denver in concert and a massive Line Dance record attempt, which saw over 500 people taking part to create a new Irish record.

The feature race, the GAIN Irish St. Leger, gave Dermot Weld success as Voleuse De Coeurs was ridden to victory by Chris Hayes. Toormore, trained by Richard Hannon with jockey Richard Hughes on board was triumphant in the Group 1 GOFFS Vincent O’Brien National Stakes.

Meanwhile, off the track ladies were putting their best foot forward to see if they could win the title of the GAIN/Alltech Most Stylish Lady. In the end Marie Smith from Naas was declared the winner and received a prize of a spectacular VIP trip to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy, France next summer. The prize includes a VIP package for two, including flights and three night’s accommodation along with tickets to the games. Marie was chosen by the fashion judges, star of stage and screen, Rebecca Storm, TV3’s Aisling O’Loughlin, Louise Hogan of the Irish Independent, Farmer’s Journal fashion writer, Emer Lynch, Mary Delaney, GAIN Horse Feeds Sales Manager and Clare Fahey, Alltech Global Equine and Pet Marketing Manager.

Marie stole the show and was wearing a coat from Ms. Daisy Blue, hat and bag which she picked up at an antique fair and shoes from Dune. Speaking of her win, Marie said “I’m so delighted to win today, I didn’t expect it. It’s a fantastic prize and I look forward to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games next summer.

Judge Mary Delaney, GAIN Horse Feeds Sales Manager presented Marie with her prize and said, “I was so impressed with the fashion today especially considering the weather we had. Marie was a standout winner, she was dressed for the day and for the weather but still managed to look so elegant”.

A massive Line Dance record attempt was also performed on the day in a bid to create an Irish record. The dance took place on the racetrack in front of the grandstand and saw over 500 people dancing along to an upbeat version of Shania Twain’s ‘From This Moment’. The song was picked to link with the Newbridge Grassroots Festival as Shania Twain’s grandmother, Eileen Pearse was from Newbridge. Participants embraced the country and western theme and came dressed for the part with many cowboy hats and boots on show. The country music theme continued with Mike Denver performing live in concert at the Kildare track.

GAIN Irish St. Leger Weekend was an important part of the Newbridge Grassroots Festival and the St. Brigid of Kildare “Gathering Festival”, while the weekend also celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Racing Academy and Centre for Education attracting hundreds of graduates from their world famous jockey’s course.

This is basic training for volunteers working with young people, giving an overview of current trends in drug use and current service provision for young people.

Training will also outline best practice in drugs, education & policy, and practical drug education activities to be utilised in a drug awareness programme with young people.

Date: Saturday 21st of September
Time: Registration starts at 9.30am.  Training from 10am-4.30pm
Venue: Kilcock ( address & directions will be sent to all participants prior to training)

If you would like to attend this training please fill in the booking form and return by email or post.

Training is open to all volunteers (must be 18) working with young people in the SWRDTF Area and is free of charge.

If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to meeting you on the day.

Mobile:  Debbie Garry   086 0264352
          
Email: debbie.garry@foroige.ie

North Star Swimming Club - a voluntary swimming club for people with disabilities. Church Gate Collection on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th September in Our Lady's Nativity Church, Leixlip before and after all masses.

We also have a Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday 23rd November in St Mary's GAA, Green Lane, Leixlip from 12-6pm. Fun for all the family. Trader tables are 25euro and to be booked with Valerie at northstarswimmingclub@gmail.com in advance.

The North Star Swimming Club celebrated its 20th year in operation last year but now, due to financial constraints, are facing the high possibility of having to fold.

The Club is run on a totally voluntary basis, mainly by volunteers and familiy members of swimmers. A high proportion of costs are covered by fundraisers.

Please support this good cause.

Having provided the most closely fought and competitive racing of any series this year, the Patch Tyre Equipment backed Patch Fiesta Championship completes its first ever season on the Mondello Park International Track this weekend. The series will be one of the highlights of two days of racing at the end of season 'Leinster Trophy' Races.

The ten round series will finish with a double header, with drivers racing on both days of the two day event. It will be the first time that the cars have raced on the Mondello Park International Circuit and this could play into the hands of the more experienced drivers in the fight for the inaugural Fiesta championship.

There is a pair of titles up for grabs, with three drivers still capable of lifting the overall championship and seven drivers in with a shout of being top Rookie. The main series could be completed following Saturday's first race, if current championship leader John Denning can score four more points than his closest rival, Sean Lillis and also finish ahead of Barry Hallion. The Rookie Cup which Lillis also leads, will however go down to the last race unless Lillis wins the class on Saturday.

So far this season competitor interest in the Fiestas has grown at each event, with many drivers coming into the series from other championships or returning to racing following a lay-off. The final Mondello event of the season could have had its strongest grid yet, with a number of former champions from other series looking to get involved, but with the event regulations requiring them to start from the pit-lane so as not to interfere with the championship battles, they have all decided their début will have to wait.

This weekend sees the end of the championship season, but is not necessarily the last race of the year for the Fiestas. A fantastic opportunity to extend the season has been presented to the series with an invitation to race at Brands Hatch as part of the British Formula Ford Festival on October 26th & 27th. The Patch Fiesta Championship has been offered two races at this famous race meeting, one on Saturday and one on Sunday and transport and accommodation deals are currently being put in place.

Many of the championship contenders, along with those drivers who could not take part this weekend, have expressed an interest in travelling so the Brands Hatch trip should be a fantastic climax to the first year of the Patch Fiesta Championship.

For further information on the Patch Fiesta Championship see www.patchfiestaseries.ie

Would you like to be better able to cope with life’s challenges in these difficult times and learn skills to deal better with worry or feeling down? Then this is for you.

Six classes that teach you all you need to know to deal with stress and panic

WHERE? Scoil Dara,Church Street, Kilcock

WHEN? Every Thursday from 19th September until 31st October

WHAT TIME? 7.00 – 9.00 PM

INTERESTED?

Text the word ‘Stress’ followed by ‘Kilcock’ and the number of people who wish to attend to 51444 (eg Stress Kilcock 3)

Or simply just turn up on the day.

Anyone can come along. Family and friends are all welcome too.

The course was devised by Dr. Jim White, a psychologist in Scotland. Courses have been delivered, very successfully, throughout Ireland. The course provides information and suggestions about managing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, panic and poor sleep. The course is delivered by lecture to a group and hand-outs and relaxation CDs are given out free. People do not talk about their individual circumstances and there is no writing in the class. This course can help enhance everyone’s’ mental health. Everyone is welcome.

The six sessions include:

1. What is stress?

2. Controlling your body: progressive relaxation, breathing retraining and exercise

3. Controlling your thoughts: Building the foundation, the Big 5 Challenges and Dividing stress up

4. Controlling your actions: face your fear, problem solving, safety behaviours

5. Controlling your panic and hyperventilation

6. Controlling your sleep: Controlling the future and Well-being

This programme is funded by Kilcloon & Districts Credit Union, Turas Le Cheile, SWRDTF, KCC, Mental Health Ireland Celbridge Branch, Breaking Through. This is the first of its kind in Kilcock. All are welcome!

Yoga for Kids with specialised Yoga teacher Vanessa Redford

Begins 26th September 2013

3.30pm 5-7yrs 4.30pm 8-11yrs @ The Parish Centre, Kildare Town.

Classes work towards developing children’s

•    co-ordination ,
•    concentration levels,
•    self-confidence,
•    strength and flexibility.

Contact Vanessa Redford

087 7857546 or info@kildareyoga.com

Web: www.kildareyoga.com
 

Pregnancy Yoga classes with specialised Yoga teacher Vanessa Redford

Beginning 18th September 2013

7pm - 8pm @ Fairgreen Holistic Centre, South Main Street, Naas

50 Euros for 4wks or 14E per class.

• Open up important areas of the body in preparation for labour
• Develop breathing techniques and learn useful postures to adopt during labour
• Let go of tension and stress by enhancing deep levels of relaxation.

Contact Vanessa Redford

087 7857546 or info@kildareyoga.com

Web: www.kildareyoga.com

THE Group Two Lanwades Stud Blandford Stakes tops the bill on the opening afternoon of the GAIN Irish St Leger Weekend at the Curragh on Saturday 14th September and the 10 furlong contest has attracted a strong entry of 20 horses. Champion trainer Aidan O’Brien is strongly represented here with six entries and most notable among them is Venus De Milo.
 
A most progressive filly, Venus De Milo is stepping back in trip here following her four lengths second to Saturday’s Irish Champion Stakes heroine The Fugue in the 12 furlongs Group One Darley Yorkshire Oaks at York last month. O’Brien, who also has Beach Of Falesa, Exotic, Just Pretending, Magical Dream and Say left in the race, has yet to finalise plans for the weekend.
 
“We will definitely have two or three runners in the race,” commented the Ballydoyle trainer. “Venus De Milo is also engaged in a French Group One race at the weekend and we will make a decision about where she goes later in the week. All six horses are in tremendous form and Venus De Milo has really thrived since her York race.”
 
La Collina, who bounced back to her very best when landing the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday, is also among the entries along with Belle De Crecy, Alive Alive Oh and Pearl Of Africa. In addition there are four British trained challengers in Shirocco Star, Hot Snap, Purr Along and Rock Choir.
 
Regular visitor Hitchens heads the list of seven British-trained horses for the Group Three Newbridge Grassroots Festival Renaissance Stakes for which there are 25 entries in total. Cape Of Approval, Russian Soul, Cristoforo Colombo, George Vancouver, Maarek, Balmont Mast, Rawaaq and Viztoria are to the forefront of the home defence.

The competitors in the Irish Formula Sheane Championship will this Sunday (September 15) compete for the most impressive and prestigious trophy they have ever raced for, as they are handed the opportunity to headline Mondello Park's biggest car race event of the year, the Leinster Trophy meeting.

The Leinster Motor Club event will feature two days of competition on the Mondello Park International Circuit, with most of the Irish Motor Racing championships set to be decided. The highlight however will be the non-championship Leinster Trophy race on Sunday afternoon, which will be contested by the regular Mick's Garage Formula Sheane championship contenders, plus a few guest drivers, attracted by the chance to add their name to the famous Trophy’s role of honour.

Before contesting the Leinster Trophy Race the Formula Sheane drivers will have their final championship round to focus on. This will take place on Saturday and they will be joined in completing their championship season by the Ginetta Junior series which will have its final double header of the year.

Other classes will also race on Saturday with the programme made up of races for Formula Libre, the Patch Fiesta Championship, Formula Vee, OPH GT's the Yokohama Irish Touring Car Championship and last but not least the resurgent Irish Formula Ford Championship. All of these classes will also race on Sunday, where they will be joined by races for combined grids of Strykers, Global Lights and Legends and the HRCA Historic championship.

On a very busy weekend programme a total of twenty four races will be contested. Fourteen of these will take place on Sunday. Mondello.TV will once again be broadcasting, on both days, and although The final TV schedule is yet to be announced, it will include most of Sunday's races and will be broadcast in HD for the first time.

A provisional timetable is available on the Mondello Park web site, www.mondellopark.ie, but this may change closer to the event, once the final entry levels for each class are known. Admission for either day of the event is just €10 with under sixteens admitted free of charge and all admission including a complimentary event programme.

The GAIN Irish St. Leger, which will take place at The Curragh Racecourse on Sunday, 15th September includes an exciting fashion competition for fashionistas everywhere.   The prize up for grabs for the most stylish lady on the day is a spectacular VIP trip to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian GamesTM 2014 in Normandy, France next summer. The fashion judges will include star of stage and screen, Rebecca Storm, Louise Hogan of the Irish Independent, Farmer’s Journal fashion writer, Emer Lynch, Mary Delaney, GAIN Horse Feeds Sales Manager and Clare Fahey, Alltech Global Equine and Pet Marketing Manager.

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 which is held every four years is the single largest equestrian event in the world.  Like the Olympics, the location rotates to different parts of the world and next year the event will be staged in Normandy, France. The prize for the most stylish lady is a VIP package for two people, which will include flights, three nights’ accommodation and tickets to the games. The French city of Caen will welcome 1,000 competitors and 1,000 horses from over 60 countries to take part in these world championships of eight equestrian disciplines. It promises to be a magnificent event and Alltech is set to host a music and film festival during the fortnight of festivities.
Siobhan Talbot, Designate Group Managing Director of Glanbia, the parent company of GAIN Feeds, will officially present the lucky winner with her prize.

In addition to world class racing, featuring both the Group 1 GAIN Irish St Leger and Group 1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes, there will be an exciting Irish country music theme with a live concert by singing sensation Mike Denver after the last race.

The race day will also feature an attempt to create an Irish record on the race day for the most people to take part in a Line Dance which will be performed on the racetrack in front of the grandstand. Participants are being encouraged to embrace the initiative by dressing country style. There is no age limit to take part and people do not have to have any line dancing experience at all.  However, participants must register in advance at www.curragh.ie and the registration closes on Friday, 13th September. So far over 300 people have registered and organisers hope to have at least 500 people line out and dance to an upbeat version of Shania Twain’s record breaking song ‘From This Moment’.  The song has been chosen to link in with the Newbridge Grassroots Festival which takes place over the same weekend as Shania Twain’s grandmother, Eileen Pearse was from Newbridge.

The GAIN Irish St Leger weekend will be an important part of the Newbridge Grassroots Festival and the St. Brigid of Kildare ‘Gathering’ Festival.  Rebecca Storm will star in ‘The Cloak’, a spectacular production of St. Brigid’s life which will be shown in the cathedral in Kildare town as part of the Kildare Gathering Festival from 26th –28th September.

Evan Arkwright, Commercial Manager of The Curragh Racecourse said, “The GAIN Irish St. Leger is set to be a fun and varied day, we hope people will really enjoy the premier racing, fabulous fashion and great entertainment by Mike Denver and we would encourage people to join us and help us set a new Irish record with our line dance.” Sharon Kelly a line dancing teacher with the Liffey Liners and one of the main organisers of the Line Dance record attempt said, “We have been getting a marvellous response to this, it’s really, really easy to do the dance steps so just register on line and be part of the day!”

There is also racing on Saturday 14th September featuring the Group 2 Lanwades Stud Blandford Stakes and the Tipperary Crystal Amateur Riders Derby while the race day will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE) with hundreds of their graduates expected to attend the day. For more information call (045) 441205 or log on to www.curragh.ie

We are hosting a celebration on Saturday the 21st of September for all athletes from Kildare who took part in the 2003 Special Olympic Games.

As part of National Play Day we want to celebrate the athletes for participating in the Games.

If you are or know someone who took part, please get in touch with Carolann on 045 448316.

A fantastic Line-up has been announced for the last round of the Irish Drift Championship (IDC) which takes place this weekend at the Monster Energy Jap-Fest at Mondello Park. The fifth and final round of the 2013 series will run over two days on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th of September, with the Semi-Pro event on Saturday and the main event on Sunday.

The Irish Drift Championship will be the centre piece of Sunday's Jap-Fest modified car show, which this year is backed by Monster Energy for the first time. Also on the bill will be the final round of the Irish Time-Attack Championship and stunts featuring the legendary Terry Grant and the Stunt Ireland motorcycle stunt team, which will in keeping with the event include Motorcycle Drifting for the first time.

The top spot on the IDC entry list has to go to James Deane with his NKC Falken Mazda RX7. Deane has dominated the first season of the IDC and has already been crowned the 2013 Irish Champion. Sunday's event will be a no pressure event for the champion who will be out to really entertain the crowds.

Deane's competition will be tougher than normal with the addition of a number of overseas competitors to the line-up. Ireland's most successful International drift star, Darren McNamara makes his traditional return home for Jap-Fest and he will pilot his very popular, Rotary powered AE 86 Toyota. Japspeed will also make their customary Jap-Fest appearance with Shane Lynch joining Shane O'Sullivan in a pair of S15 Sylvias.

Three British Championship regulars will also make an appearance headed by James Fuller with his Nissan 180 SX. Fuller will be joined by two drivers whose cars will add some variety to the field. Saudi Arabian Drift Champion Abdulhadi Al-Qahtani will drive a fabulous Ford Mustang while Stephen Evans will add a little Retro style with his Toyota Starlet.

The presence of the International Stars will not phase the strong local contingent which will include 2013 British Championship points scorers, Martin Ffrench, Brian Egan and the WKD team made up of Wesley Keating and Barry Leonard. The current Championship top ten will all be present at Mondello as will eleventh placed Jack Shanahan who despite competing as a Semi -Pro driver has twice made the top sixteen run-off's in the Pro class.

While Drifting will be the centrepiece of the track action Jap-Fest will also include the final round of the Irish Time-Attack Series which will run on the National Track in the reverse direction. In between Drifting and Time-Attack sessions spectators will be entertained by stunt action from Terry Grant and Stunt Ireland Off track there will be plenty to see and do in the car display and trade areas, including the Monster Energy Theatre, which will showcase some of Monster Energy's extreme sports activities in a free film show taking place in the Mondello Park Pit Complex.

Tickets for Jap-Fest are still available for advance purchase through the Mondello Park web site www.mondellopark.ie where purchasers will receive a free Grandstand seat worth €5 with each ticket.

Admission on the day of the event will be €20 for adults, €5 for 12 -16 year old's with under 12's admitted free. Unsold Grandstand seating, if any, will also be available for purchase on the day.

Slimming World meet every Thursday at 5:30 & 7:30 in Round Towers Club House, Kildare Town.

Slimming World has an amazing flexible eating plan called Food Optimising which guarantees no hunger or deprivation ever again.

You will be filling up while Slimming down, with an unlimited list of free foods to choose from.

Slimming World is for all ages & genders. Joining fee 18 Euros.

For more info contact Donna 087 7621562

Adult Art Classes for beginners and improvers.

10 weeks course begins Monday 23rd September 2013

Oils, Acrylic, Watercolour or Drawing. Beginners and improvers welcome.

Monday 11am to 1pm or Monday 2pm to 4pm.

Venue: Hillhouse, Tipper Road, Naas.

Contact: Paul - 086 8214478 or email info@hillhouseart.com

Web: www.hillhouseart.com

Norma Ní Chonchúir, principal of the new Gaelscoil in Kildare town, welcomed her first pupils to the new Gaelscoil in Kildare town on Thursday August 29th.

Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha is one of three new Gaelscoileanna under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta which were opened on the day. The school is to be temporarily based in the former vocational school building in Kildare town and is to move to a permanent building at a new educational campus at Magee Barracks.

In March 2012, the demand for Irish medium education in Kildare town was recognised by the Department of Education and it was announced that a Gaelscoil under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta would be opened. Preparations for the opening of the school have been underway since.

Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha is a multidenominational Gaelscoil. The new school will start out with Junior Infants only this year but it is expected that it will grow rapidly. 

“The opening of this school shows the demand for Irish medium education which is multidenominational and multicultural,” said Caoimhín Ó hEaghra, General Secretary of An Foras Pátrúnachta.

“An Foras Pátrúnachta is delighted to be able to cater for these parents and children and to provide them with an excellent school and excellent education. Schools under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta ensure the growth and development of the language not only amongst pupils and the school community but amongst the entire community in the area.”

Norma Ní Chonchúir, principal of Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha, is extremely proud of what the school community in Kildare town has achieved to date.

 “The parents have given me great support,” said Ní Chonchúir. “They have decided on a lovely uniform and have designed the school crest. I am really looking forward to the year ahead.

“It is a great honour for me to be the principal of Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha. There is a great demand for education through Irish in the Kildare town area and it is brilliant that this new school is opening to cater for that demand.”