A date for family play

A date for some fun — National Playday this year is Saturday 14 September and Kildare County Council is getting in on the act.

The theme is 'Back to Basics', and the Council will be organising fun and free events for all the family, between 12 noon and 5pm.

Full details will be posted closer to the event.


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Market Square car park 'for public use'

Market Square overground car park

The overground car park at the Market Square apartments complex is open for public use according to the original planning permission, writes Brian Byrne.

This has been confirmed by Kildare County Council, following a query from Cllr Fiona McLoughlin Healy, who has passed on the information to Kilcullen Community Action.

It follows a discussion at the recent KCA meeting on the Market Square redevelopment proposal and parking, where the councillor noted that there seemed to be a confusion between departments about the status of the building's parking areas.

In the clarification from the Council, the overground car park 'is privately owned but it was a condition of the planning permission granted for the apartment development that they be available for public use'. The Council says the underground parking spaces 'are for the use of residents', and there was no condition attached that they be made available for public use.

At the KCA meeting, Cllr McLoughlin Healy said delays in providing a plan for viewing in the public consultation were to make sure that any issues in the draft plan prepared by consultants were dealt with. Following the public consultation, a final plan incorporating any relevant amendments will be presented to councillors.

In relation to parking arrangements, which have been a contentious issue amongst some businesses in the area, the councillor said 'there are solutions'. "But you can't provide them until you bring people along with you and listen to their concerns," she said. She also noted that going underground to park was 'not an easy sell', especially to women motorists.

Parking in the market square.

In the discussion, the matter of people working in the area leaving their cars in the market square currently came up. Antoinette Buckley asked 'why can't they use the underground car park?'

There was also a suggestion that in any plan, the Loading Bay be restricted to certain times for loading, and the rest of the time be a recognised parking area, 'as it is mostly used for that anyway'.

Market Square Loading Bay.

The meeting heard that attempts had been made to discuss the status of the building's car parks with the current owners, 'but they don't respond'.

On the overall proposed redevelopment of the square plan, Cllr McLoughlin Healy said there was a possibility of another public meeting, possibly in September. Noel Clare said it would be essential that consultant James Hennessy be there.

Meantime, Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer says the Council has committed to answering a range of questions on the Market Square by the end of August/early September. She says she has asked the Market Square Redevelopment Committee if it might be an option for everyone to come together when she has all the information and discuss it together collectively.

She also says 'small but positive steps in the right direction' are being made in relation to a range of other issues in Kilcullen, including the taking in charge of estates, the installation of additional pedestrian crossings, bus shelters, a full review of traffic and speed management in the town and resurfacing the playground.


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Traffic count and parking possibilities survey under way

Traffic counts and a survey of parking spaces in the area of Market Square and the Main Street sections nearby are currently taking place, writes Brian Byrne.

The work is being carried out on behalf of Kildare County Council with potential street parking spaces being chalked out.

Traffic is being counted at three locations — between Brennans and Berney Bros, at the Heritage Centre, and on the access road to Riverside Manor just off Market Square.

An intriguing aspect is that spaces have been marked even on sections where there are double yellow lines. And across entrance gateways.

Over 70 spaces have been so marked today, though not all would be feasible parking options.

No doubt all will eventually be clear ...


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Work on footpath in train

Work continuing today by Kildare County Council to adapt the kerb at the disabled parking bay outside Eurospar, to make it more wheelchair accessible.

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Kilcullen footpaths, speed issues raised with Council

A number of footpath and related issues were the subject of a meeting last week between representatives of KCA and the Area Engineer, writes Brian Byrne.

Pat Mangan and Antoinette Buckley met with Kildare County Council's David Reel in Kilcullen to discuss upgrading the roadside path at Moanbane Park-Bishop Rogan, providing new paths on the Sunnyhill Road and New Abbey Road, and repairing the wall over The Valley on the New Abbey Road.

Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin also attended the meeting, supporting Antoinette Buckley as the Fianna Fail candidate for this area in the coming local elections.

Council workers have subsequently begun clearing the Moanbane Park pathway.

The group also monitored traffic in the Thompson's Cross area, and the Area Engineer said reducing the speed limit to 60km/h would help the situation.


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Getting closer to a Community Garden

The prospect of a Community Garden has moved closer, with agreement in principle from the owner of a proposed site, writes Brian Byrne.

The recent meeting of Kilcullen Community Action heard that a proposal to build the garden on part of Kilcullen Community Library property had met with a positive response from Kildare County Council officials.

Martin Sheridan said that a plan would have to be prepared to put the idea officially to the Council, but the initial response had been it would be 'a great idea ... that would brighten up' the area'.

The concept is for a garden of edible produce, and contacts with the Bridge Camphill Community had gained promises of support in growing seedlings in their polytunnels.

The meeting heard that Tobias Pedersen would provide a design.

Olive Sheridan proposed there could be an area put aside for growing wild-flowers, and Ann Cashman suggested there would also be a water harvesting system installed.

After some discussion it was agreed that KCA would try to source old railway sleepers and topsoil for the project, which is envisaged to have raised beds so they will be more accessible.

Ray Kelly noted that the garden would have to be wheelchair accessible also.


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Information sessions on Heritage Ireland 2030 input

Drop-in information sessions on making a submission to the Government's Heritage Ireland 2030 plan will be held in Athy Library on 5 February and in Newbridge Library on 12 February, writes Brian Byrne.

The sessions are organised by the Heritage Office of Kildare County Council and will run from 4.30pm to 8pm.

Heritage Office staff will be on hand to assist communities and individuals in making submissions on the plan, which will address built, natural and archaeological heritage.

If anyone has a specific issue they'd like to clarify, or if they're not sure how to write their submission, the Heritage Office is available to help in any way it can. "We can’t guarantee we will have all the answers but if we work together we can make sure the final plan is as strong as it can be for communities and for our shared heritage," a spokesperson says.

For groups involved in the management and protection of heritage at grassroots, this is a direct opportunity to make their views known to central Government. It is also a chance to convey the importance of heritage to local communities across Ireland, and generate a large volume of submissions on the plan.

Submissions can be made in three ways. An online survey is available here.  The Department can also be emailed at heritageireland2030@chg.gov.ie. And submission may be made by post to Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Custom House Dublin 1, D01 W6XO. The closing date for submissions is 28 February 2019

The brochure on the initiative, prepared by the Department is available here.

If anyone is wondering about the importance of local involvement in preserving heritage, this piece by Nessa Dunlea, noted on the Diary in 2005, is worth a read. 



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Wildlife-friendly saplings planted

Pics: Kilcullen Community Action.

Native saplings which are wildlife-friendly have been planted in parts of the Valley Park and nearby locations, writes Brian Byrne.

The saplings were provided by Kildare County Council and planted by Kilcullen Community Action. The species included hazel, bird cherry, and guelder rose and others.

Hazel is a native species with many uses and an ancient history. Hazel nuts are one of the foods associated with the very earliest human settlements in Ireland of Mesolithic man, who also used hazel as the strong flexible timber for his huts.

Bird cherry is a small growing native tree, with almond-scented flowers, which are an early source of nectar and pollen for bees. In Autumn it produces small, dark, bitter cherries which are a favourite of all kinds of birds. Like Wild Cherry, the Spring flowers provide an early source of nectar and pollen for bees.

Guelder rose is a hedgerow plant and has beautiful white lace-cap flowers in the Spring which are excellent for pollinators, followed by clusters of translucent red berries in early Autumn which birds love. (Pic courtesy Jan Mehlich via Creative Commons.)

Information and some illustrations courtesy of the Tree Council of Ireland and Wikipedia.

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Council cold advisory to motorists

Pic: Skitterphoto. 

Kildare County Council has issued an advisory to motorists in relation to the current and expected cold weather, writes Brian Byrne.

The advisory, issued through the Council's Alert Service, says it is essential that motorists have full clear vision from inside their vehicle while driving.

Motorists should clear all their windows, mirrors and windscreen fully in order that they have clear vision on their journey. Please also ensure that lights are also cleared of any ice or heavy frost.

Another tip, where appropriate, motorists can start their vehicle in the late-afternoon for a few minutes and defrost windscreens before any heavier frost sets in later that evening, saving time when leaving work. This should only be done in situations of early heavy frost!

(Note: Motorists using that last advice should always stay with their car while defrosting.)



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Pollinator workshop planned

Pic: Cindy Gustafson.

An advice evening on the importance of pollination will be held in Keadeen Hotel on 28 March, beginning at 7.30pm, writes Brian Byrne.

The event is aimed at informing Tidy Towns groups in Kilcullen, Newbridge and Naas about pollination, an essential process in nature to keep plant species in existence.

Organised by Wild Kildare and Kildare County Council, the All Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020 will be discussed by the plan's project officer Juanita Browne. She will offer suggestions on how individuals and community groups can get involved.

There has been a huge decline in insect populations in recent decades, including important pollinators like bees, hoverflies, moths and butterflies.

Pollinating agents also include birds, bats, water, wind ... and even plants themselves when self-pollination occurs within a closed flower.

Bees are particularly important pollinators, and the collapse of bee colonies which has happened in many parts of the world is a growing cause for concern amongst agriculturalists and environmentalists.

Pic: Sim Klipp.

Butterflies are also important pollinators, and the number of different varieties of butterfly in an area is an indicator of biodiversity of local plant life. They have also been in decline in many areas, especially through deforestation.

It is believed that pollinator decline may be caused by habitat destruction, pesticide, parasitism and diseases, and climate change. Some particularly destructive land use changes are also suspected agents.

A report on a Kilcullen-based plan to provide beehives in the community is the main story on the Kilcullen Page of the Kildare Nationalist tomorrow.


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Councillors appointed to twinning group

Councillors Rob Power and Billy Hillis were proposed and agreed as the Kildare County Council representatives on the Kilcullen Twinning Group, at yesterday's meeting of the Naas Municipal District, writes Brian Byrne.

This follows a presentation by the group last month to the councillors and officials of the MD, to further plans to twin with Saint Contest in Normandy.

Members of the Twinning Group visited Saint Contest, near the city of Caen, in September to explore possibilities.

A public meeting is being planned in Kilcullen for the end of the month, at which details of what is involved in the idea will be given, and a formal committee will be established.

Meanwhile, it is understood that a group from Saint Contest may come to Kilcullen in March, possibly around St Patrick's Day ... though this is yet to be confirmed.

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Councillors to be appointed to Twinning Committee

Members of the Twinning Group with officials in Saint Contest.

Two councillors will be appointed to the Kilcullen Twinning Committee at the next meeting of the Naas Municipal District, writes Brian Byrne.

This follows a presentation by the Committee to the councillors and officials of the MD last month.

Members of the Twinning Group visited Saint Contest, near the city of Caen in Normandy, in September to explore the possibilities of Kilcullen twinning with the town.

All twinnings between towns and villages in County Kildare must be organised through the Council.

The next meeting of the Naas MD will be held at 3.30pm on Tuesday, 15 January 2019 in the council chamber, Áras Chill Dara, Naas.

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Christmas Trees Recycling

As the Christmas trees start to look a bit too much, most of them will be coming down this weekend.

Locally, they can be recycled, from Saturday 5 January to Saturday 19 January 2019, at Naas, Fairgreen; and Newbridge, Council Nursery, Naas Road.

For queries, please contact KCC Environment Department - 045 980588.

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Recent planning applications

Riverside Demesne.

A number of recent planning applications in Kilcullen are in the process of consideration by Kildare County Council, writes Brian Byrne.

Alchemy Homes Limited have applied for an Extension of Duration of Planning Ref. 08/1679 — the construction of a 110-unit residential development, comprising two two-storey four-bed detached houses; 30 apartments and 26 duplex apartments, in five separate three-storey blocks; and 22 three-bed townhouses. The development address is at Riverside Demesne, Kilcullen, and the file number is 181475.

The Bridge Community entrance.

Camphill Communities of Ireland have applied for permission to construct a part single-storey and part two-storey development of three self-contained one-bedroom living units for relatively independent and mobile people with an intellectual disability, one self-contained two-bedroom living unit for a mobile person with an intellectual disability that requires an aspect of live-in support through a personal assistant, one three-bedroom living unit for a couple or a family to serve as part of a co-housing strategy that serves to provide a 'drop in service' for informal support for the tenants of the other four units, together with a shared communal facility/space for Camphill Communities of Ireland. The development address is The Bridge Community, Main Street, Kilcullen, and the file number is 181521. Submissions should be lodged by 29 January 2019.

Previous development at CPC site.

Le Cheile Trust, c/o the Board of Management of Cross & Passion College Kilcullen, are seeking permission to construct a new temporary single-storey prefabricated building containing a Technology Room and Technology Preparation Room, a Science Laboratory and Preparation Room, an entrance lobby, toilet accommodation and all associated accommodation, with new single storey canopies to new walkways between the existing school buildings and the new prefabricated building. The works will also involve the provision of four additional car parking spaces adjacent to the existing school staff car park and the opening up of a temporary construction site entrance, for the duration of the construction works, on the R448 Athy-Carlow Public Road. The development address is Cross & Passion College, Kilcullen and the file number is 181537. Submissions should be in by 30 January 2019.

(All pics above courtesy Google Maps.)

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