Congratulations on the double
Two birthday celebrations taking place in Fallons this evening, Madge Clarke is 88 and Noel Clare is 60. Pic by Ronan Murphy.
Friday, July 31, 2015
James wins silver in Newcastle games
Our local organ transplant athlete James Nolan won a silver medal today at the British Transplant Games in Newcastle, writes Brian Byrne.
Saying he is 'chuffed' about the achievement, he noted that it was the first 18 holes he had played in nearly a year and the first since he had got a new hip.
"Graham Wylie's Close House in Newcastle was an amazing venue and we were incredibly well looked after," he told the Diary today. "It was also a nice way to celebrate the week of the 28th anniversary of my transplant — all thanks to my sister Catherine."
Work begins on GAA pitch lights
Contractor Albert Keenan installed the first four bases for match standard floodlighting on the main pitch.
The work programme includes drainage of the training pitch. All the work should be completed in two months.
More pictures on the club's Facebook page.
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Candles of Hope available
They can be bought at €5 each from Sabina Reddy by phoning 087 6807139; Sue Archbold (087 2660670) or Teresa Meaney (087 7922799) both in Conroy Park; Jennifer Shortt, Carnalway; Pat Kelly, Bishop Rogan Park; or Esther Reddy, White Hall.
This is a very moving ceremony at nightfall on the Saturday during the Relay for Life at the Curragh Racecourse. Any survivors who would like to start the Relay at 3pm on the Saturday are very much invited. Please contact any of the above to take part or help with the local team.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Councillors reject public consultation motion
The motion put down by Cllr Fiona McLoughlin Healy had asked that such a review specifically look at how the Council informs people affected by decisions and planning, but it was defeated 14-8 by her fellow councillors.
Cllr McLoughlin Healy said people significantly and sometimes detrimentally affected by Council decisions complain that they were not informed and were unaware that those decisions were being taken.
"It is not sufficient to argue that the public must be aware of public consultation notices in local newspapers at all times to ensure that they are not affected by planning decisions," she added. "There is a responsibility on the Council to ensure that where constituents are significantly affected by a planning decision, especially financially, that reasonable attempts are taken to inform them."
Obviously most of her 21 other Council colleagues who voted — there are actually 40 councillors on the Council — are happy with the status quo. As for the other 18, no opinion?
Cllr McLoughlin Healy was selected last week to run for Fine Gael in Kildare South in the next General Election, along with the incumbent TD, Deputy Martin Heydon.
The Diary based a recent Viewpoint piece on Cllr McLoughlin Healy's motion.
Concerns expressed on 'unregulated' senior care
Seniors who use unregulated care assistance may be leaving themselves open to compensation and tax liabilities, according to Kilcullen based Home Instead Senior Care Kildare-Laois, writes Brian Byrne.
"Seniors are availing of care that is not monitored, or may be employing carers directly," says the company's MD Amanda Bohan. "This leaves them vulnerable as employers but not necessarily fulfilling employer obligations like insurance, health and safety regulations, and tax requirements."
Linda Gallagher of First Ireland insurance brokers says that in the senior care sector most claims relate to injuries caused either to the carer or the senior themselves by their moving and handling. "If the carer is not employed by a professional, insured senior care specialist company, and sustains an injury, they will be advised to sue the homeowner or whoever engaged their services," she says. "In addition, the seniors themselves will have no recourse to anybody in the event of them sustaining an injury.”
Amanda Bohan says the home care market in Ireland is currently 'completely unregulated' and if individual carers and companies providing home care services are not following good practice, this can cause undue stress and worry to the senior and their family.
Home Instead has experienced a 25 percent increase in enquiries for care in recent times.
Family Fun Day in planning
The organisers of the Castlemartin Lodge Family Fun Day are looking for volunteers in the estate to help out on the day.
The event is being held on 30 August, and anyone willing to lend a hand can contact any member of the committee.
Like last year the day will include a raffle and a cake sale and the organisers would be grateful to anyone willing to donate to either.
Parish Lotto Draw
The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on Tuesday 28 July 2015 were 4, 24, 27 and 28. There was no Jackpot winner, and next week's main prize will be €13,800.
The winners of the €50 open draws were Clare Fox (Promoter Adrienne Byrne), Sean Moran (Kay Dixon) and John Lambe (Anne Brennan).
The winners of the Promoters draw were Vivian Clarke and Nessa Dunlea and the winner of the draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Sean O'Toole.
The Parish thanks all those who support the Lotto.
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Faster text alerts on the way
This will replace the current system where suspicious activity is reported to the gardai, and then the alert is sent out by the holder of the scheme's phone once clearance is received.
It's part of the ongoing development of the schemes, announced by the Division's new Superintendent, Declan McCarthy, at a meeting for Text Alert committee members last evening.
Superintendent McCarthy also said he aims to have community policing 'up and running' under his leadership.
The meeting heard that burglaries in the district are up 34 percent, a crime made easier because of the motorway system.
"It is important we work together as a community in assisting the Gardai," says Sabina Reddy of the Kilcullen Garda District Text Alert Scheme. "Please encourage friends and family to join text alert. Forms can be got from Kilcullen Gardai, Kilcullen Credit Union and Calverstown grocery store."
She also says that the local committee are actively sorting Text Alert signs which will be erected shortly.
Say 'hi' to Hope
He sent a picture to the Diary of himself with Hope, the baby girl who was left at the gates of the orphanage earlier this year and for whose needs the recent 'Acoustic Picnic' concert proceeds were designated.
"She is doing well, but will need constant care over the next few months," Gerry told the Diary, adding that all is well in Kenya as it recovers from 'Obamamania'. "His visit had a huge impact here."
Gerry expresses his thanks, once again, to all who have supported, and are supporting the activities of the charity.
The Volunteer Programme for 2015 is fully subscribed but Maintain Hope are taking expressions of interest in MH 2016.
INTO Members who volunteer with Maintain Hope can apply for a grant towards the placement fee from the INTO Solidarity Fund. Contact Georgina Glackin, gglackin@into.ie at Head Office.
Monday, July 27, 2015
Council to consider easement of commercial rates
A rebate on commercial rates is to be considered by Kildare County Council, following the referral of a motion from Cllr Sorcha O'Neill to the Economic Special Policy Committee.
The motion, which called on the local authority to consider and budget to ease the commercial rates burden to businesses for 2016 was 'well received' by the Council, Cllr O'Neill says.
"Our towns are dying, and we need to do more to support local business," she said. "I am optimistic that we can deliver some relief to the SME sector in Kildare."
Murphy Surveys Cycle for Crumlin a great success
Murphy Surveys charity cycle for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin was a great success and we are thrilled so many people came out to support us on 25th July in Kilcullen, writes Caitriona Hanly.
The over-all target is to raise €15,000 and we are well on our way, having reached close to €7,000 on the day. Suppliers, clients, family and friends have been a great support and we are confident we will reach the target by the end of August. This charity has touched the lives of so many here at Murphy Surveys and we are delighted to fundraise for such a worthy cause.
Over 120 cyclists including staff, friends, and members of local cycling clubs joined us on the day. Liam Walker and the members of Kilcullen Cycling Club helped marshall the event and kept everyone safe.
Kildare Rose Ailish Brennan (pictured above with Diarmuid Murphy, Ray Murphy and Niall Murphy) also took part in the cycle. Local businesses including Energie Fitness, Naas; Burkes Pharmacy, Kilcullen; The Westgrove Hotel, Clane; Cross’s Centra, Kilcullen; and Fallon’s Restaurant, Kilcullen, all provided the raffle prizes.
Five students from IBHT were there to provide post cycle massages – which was a great relief to many, especially the amateur cyclists!
We also want to thank Scats Bouncing Castles and Marquees Nationwide for helping us make it a family friendly event.
You can still donate to our charity page at http://www.cmrf.org/sponsor/38219 or contact Caitriona on 045 484040.
More pictures here.
River festival call for steward volunteers
The volunteers can be rostered to work for a short period, and the organising committee hopes that some group might offer their members for the occasion.
In the meantime, preparations are going well for the event on 23 August, the sixth time it has been held. In addition to the familiar format of food and trading stalls, river events including the Lions Club Duck Race and the Raft Race, there will be a Soap Box Derby down the hill from Hillcrest.
Local bands are lined up to provide non-stop entertainment until 6pm, and there will be an extra emphasis on family-friendly attractions, including a Pets Competition.
Businesses and clubs have been circulated with a request to provide candidates for the Festival Queen, who will be selected at the Festival Launch Reception on 14 August in Fallons.
We'll keep you posted on the Diary as more information develops.
Viewpoint: Should we go back to the Big Tree?
They cut down the Big Tree in Kilcullen in the early 70s, writes Brian Byrne. 'They' being Kildare County Council. Without a by your leave, without any kind of what today would be called public consultation. Without even putting up a notice on the tree to say what they planned.
Which was an irony. Because the Big Tree, located where is now the entrance to Conroy Park estate, had for probably hundreds of years been the village notice board.
The contractor who cut it down in an early morning operation found that out to his cost. In the subsequent 'slicing' of the massive trunk, he broke chains regularly on his saw from the hundreds of nails it encountered. They were buried through it, covered by years of successive new rings of bark. I acquired some of that timber to fuel my home fire over later years, and found many of them too.
We can surmise the range of things the notices and posters might have announced. 'Wanted' notices for those required to answer for their crimes were probably among them. Indeed, some local people recall the Big Tree being known also as the 'hanging tree', so some serious miscreants whose doings were posted might have ended up swinging beside their own posters.
Of course, there would have been lots of other news on the tree. Con acre to let, items for sale, auctions, official notices of forthcoming courts, possibly some casual work opportunities, maybe even timetables relating to the coaches which used to change their horses at the stables up where Nicholastown Green is now.
This was all before internet social media, before TV, before radio, before telephones, and even before when newspapers became available for many to buy. But people at least had a central point in the village where they knew they could find essential information.
Today we have the plethora of electronic and print information sources which literally bombard us with news, notices, advertisements, gossip, entertainment, argument, sport, and much more on a 24/7 basis. It also lets anybody and everybody contribute to the remorselessly endless stream. Life has become like a radio discussion where everyone is talking at once and nobody can, or wants to, hear anybody else.
An unintended consequence is that important stuff can get lost in the noise, if not the cacophony. Well, let's be blunt. It does get lost.
I'm prompted to all this by a motion that's to be discussed in Kildare County Council today, put forward by Cllr Fiona McLoughlin Healy (who has a Kilcullen connection in being married to Bernard Healy). Stripped of motionese, she's saying that lots of people don't know stuff that Kildare County Council is doing. Especially when it's something that requires public consultation.
The thing is, local authorities still, to a large extent, depend on fulfilling their statutory obligations of notices to the public simply by placing an advertisement in the local papers. Sometimes they will also take out radio advertisements. And they may nowadays put a press release in the news section of their websites, and might also put a link to that information on their social media accounts. For key matters, such as development plans, these notices will direct those interested to view them either in the Council offices or your local library.
Which is all very well, and indeed it has to be said the embracing of modern digital media by Kildare County Council has in some ways been a leader to other local authorities around the country.
But all that depends on readership at newspaper level, or 'likes' or 'followers' on social media. And if we look at these, how successfully our own local authority actually gets engagement from the people it serves might need some evaluation. Which is part of what Cllr McLoughlin Healy's motion is all about.
Local newspaper penetration has declined dramatically over the last decade, especially in counties around Dublin to where city families have migrated in great numbers and who don't have, and generally don't develop, an allegiance to a local paper. So-called 'free sheets' typically don't get the same level of attention and scrutiny that a paid-for paper will garner.
Local radio has arguably a much greater 'reach' to the population of, in our case, County Kildare. But radio by its nature is 'written on the wind' and unless expensively repetitive advertising is used, a local authority's public consultation message is not likely to be effective.
Those traditional media will also pick up on some of those matters and do news or features on them. This is probably where more attention is gathered. But page- and air-space is limited, and only 'sexy' — bluntly, controversial — stories will be prioritised.
Facebook and Twitter are the 'sexy' communications media at the moment, but they're very noisy with 'me' chatter, and even if 'liking' or 'following', it isn't clear if a relatively dull announcement about a public consultation will catch the attention of any of those ostensibly connected with the Council. It certainly won't get to anybody who hasn't connected.
As a point of context, if we take it that there's a population of some 210,000 in County Kildare, the Council's Facebook account has a mere 1,715 'likes', and its Twitter followers are rather, but not greatly, better at over 3,000. Neither penetration levels look useful.
So, back to my Big Tree, should our local authority be looking at that heritage for keeping in touch with the people it serves?
I've been in the communications business for most of four decades. In that time I've written, photographed, broadcast and published on a variety of print, radio, TV and internet platforms. And still do. I've been a local, national and international journalist, done PR — hated it — and communications training. But one of the things I still do most every day is walk down the street of Kilcullen and look at the notices in the windows.
That's where I get much of my information and heads-ups for the Diary, and for my 'Down and around in Kilcullen' page in The Kildare Nationalist.
That's where the core of local communication is. And, I believe, that's where Kildare County Council should be looking at, in the various communities it serves.
Everybody in those communities goes to their local shops, their Post Offices (if they still have them), or at least walk the streets of their village or town. And they always look at posters and notices in the windows they pass. So there's a case to be made that the Council should also put their important notices directly in the communities that are particularly affected.
We don't have the Big Tree in Kilcullen any more. As I said, the same Council cut it down. And, as it happened, caused my first published piece, an angry one on the back page of The Bridge, entitled 'The Big Tree is Dead'. I haven't stopped writing since.
But Kildare County Council could be a leader in the country, even in this digital age that I am very much a part of, by establishing a protocol that physical notices be published directly in the communities which they affect. In those shop windows, Post Offices, or — better — even in dedicated noticeboard facilities on the street.
It goes against the whole trend towards digitising everything in our lives. But it might actually be better communication to all of us.
And I might even forgive them for felling the Big Tree ...
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Cake Sale starts Teach Na nDaoine fundraising
The organisers of the initiative are expecting to have the keys of the old Dispensary in a couple of days, following agreement on a lease with the HSE.
Chairman of the project committee Albert Keenan said that once they are in the premises, they'll be able to set out a programme of work needed to get the facility up and running quickly. Adding that the resources to be available in the Teach Na nDaoine are still to be firmed up, he said the plan is to have it opened during every weekday.
Pictured above are committee members Steve Kinneavy, Jacinta Sully, Albert Keenan and Noel Clare.
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Big cycling support for Murphy Surveys charity ride
Held in association with the Kilcullen Cycling Club, organiser Liam Walker said in advance of the set off that they were hoping for up to a hundred riders, so that ambition was more than achieved.
The 50km cycle took the participants around the Blessington Lakes and back to Kilcullen around lunchtime.
More pictures here.
David Agnew and friends at the Moat tomorrow
With guests Maria Fitzgerald and Desmond Earley, it promises to be another highly professional, entertaining and relaxed presentation.
Tickets available on the door. Well worth a visit.
Pat dances his 90th
Friday, July 24, 2015
Calverstown's Susie is top child actor
Calverstown child actor Susie Power (11) has won the World Champion Actor title in the Junior Age grade of the World Championship of Performing Arts in Hollywood, writes Brian Byrne.
Part of a 14-strong Irish team aged 10-19 years, Susie used the stage name Susie Power for the event, competing against hundreds of other hopefuls in her category to make the finals against just two other contenders in the Long Beach Performing Arts Centre.
Susie has been acting under the guidance of Maureen V Ward's Talented Kids agency for many years, and her portfolio of parts includes acting in short films such as Sophie at the Races (2014), Beirt Le Cheile (2013), the feature film Dark Touch (2013) and the Little Crackers (2012) TV series. She also played the part of Eleanor Daly in Fair City in 2008.
A film in which she most recently acted, A Date for Mad Mary, is currently in post production.
Bridge Camphill gets funding for new homes
The Community has also received further funding of €172,168 for the acquisition of two home units from Kildare County Council.
The funds are part of a €4.3m allocation to Approved Housing Bodies in County Kildare for housing units specifically focussed on vulnerable individuals such as the elderly and and those with intellectual and physical disabilities.
The funds have been welcomed by Deputy Martin Heydon, who says the newly acquired homes will be ready for people with housing needs this year while the newly constructed homes will be completed by 2017.
"The investment will directly benefit these individuals and their families and will greatly help to reduce the pressure on Kildare County Council," he said. "The Camphill Community provide great facilities in Kilcullen and other locations in Kildare and this funding will now allow them to further develop those facilities in Kilcullen and other areas which is testament to their hard work."
Other organisations aided by the Kildare funding include the Circle Voluntary Housing Association (€800,000), Clanmil Housing Association (€712,882), Focus Ireland Housing Association (€566,730), the Peter McVerry Trust (€1,125,625) and the Tuath Housing Association (€306,450).
This announcement comes on the back of the announcement by the Government in May of increased funding for local authorities to undertake adaptations to houses to support people with a disability and the elderly. "The construction and upgrading of these housing units will also help create local employment, the benefits of which will be felt by businesses in our community," Deputy Heydon concluded.
SVP car raffle
The St Vincent De Paul East Region Car Raffle is now up and running with the winner of a Skoda Fabia car to be announced on 1 September.
Tickets are available in the Vincent's Shop at €5 for one or three for €10.
The Raffle is in association with Annesley Williams Skoda.
Ladies pop-up shop in the pub
A sale of ladies designer clothes and accessories will be held in McTernans Bar in Kilcullen tomorrow, Saturday.
The clearance event will include clothing, bags, scarves and more at what the organisers say will be 'very low' prices.
The sale will run between 2pm-7pm and there will be a complimentary glass of wine for shoppers.
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Heydon, McLoughlin Healy, to contest Kildare South
Deputy Martin Heydon and Cllr Fiona McLoughlin Healy will be contesting the next General Election in Kildare South on behalf of Fine Gael, writes Brian Byrne.
Deputy Heydon was one of four candidates who contested the selection convention in Hotel Keadeen on Tuesday night, including Cllr McLoughlin Healy, Cllr Mark Stafford and Ian Hennessy. The meeting was chaired by Deputy John Paul Phelan from Carlow/Kilkenny.
Deputy Heydon was proposed on the night by former party leader Alan Dukes and seconded by Athy member and local business woman Jo Coyle after being nominated by members from all Fine Gael branches in Kildare South. A Directive from Fine Gael HQ read out on the night stipulated that two candidates be selected, one of which was to be female.
Martin Heydon has many local connections, including being a past pupil of CPC. Fiona McLoughlin Healy is married to Kilcullen man Bernard Healy and was elected to Kildare County Council at the last local elections.
Teach na nDaoine fundraiser
A popup Cake Sale will be held this Saturday 25 July to raise funds towards work to be done on the new Teach na nDaoine social centre, writes Brian Byrne.
The sale will be located in the vacant retail unit between the Vincent's Shop and Easy Living, and will start at 9am. It will end at 3pm or whenever stock runs out.
Tea, coffee, and chat will be available to visitors throughout the day, and all donations of cakes and buns will be greatly appreciated. Talk to Jacinta Sully or Liz Moloney about that.
Negotiations on a lease with the HSE to use the old Dispensary building for the project have recently been successfully concluded. Work needs to be done to make it suitable for the new purpose, as well as providing furniture and fittings.
Cemetery masses this weekend
Just a reminder that the annual cemetery blessings and masses are being celebrated this weekend, writes Brian Byrne.
The Old Kilcullen mass will take place tomorrow (Friday) evening at 7.30pm, while the Kilcullen & Gormanstown events will be on Sunday.
Blessing of the graves at Gormanstown Church will take place immediately after 9.30am mass on Sunday, and in the afternoon, prayers will be said in St Brigid's Cemetery at 5.30pm. This will be followed by a celebration of the mass in New Abbey Cemetery at 6.15pm.
New Over 35s Astro Soccer League planned
There's a call for teams for a new Over 35s League of 7-a-side Astro Soccer that's planned to get going over the coming weeks.
This follows the conclusion of a similar League series earlier this week which was very successful, with some 32 players turning out on Tuesday nights.
In other age grades, around 80 lads have been participating in Monday night tournaments.
The League is run by Alan who also operates Skills Academy and Soccer camps for youngsters in Kilcullen all throughout the year.
Call Alan on 087 3276271 if you're interested in getting a team together, or even if you're an individual interested in getting on a team.
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