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| The new Cathaoirleach of Carlow UDC is Labour councillor
Jim Townsend, who was elected unopposed at the Councils AGM. The former Senator has twice served as Chairman of Carlow County Council. Cllr. Michael Abbey (FG) was elected leas- Cathaoirleach, unopposed. Cllr. Nicholas Carpenter (FF) told the meeting he disagreed with the Chairperson changing each year. He said that following elections, the political parties should agree that one Chairman should serve for the entire duration of the administration. Cllr. Carpenter added that the Chairmans position was a perfect “springboard” to a Dail seat, and this should be considered by the major parties. |
| Graiguecullen Park is set to be transformed into a
Millennium Park for the families of Graiguecullen and Carlow inside the next year. Plans for the redevelopment of the park include the provision of a specially designed playground, extensive planting of trees and shrubs, and the provision of seating throughout. The current entrance at Sleatty Road will remain, but a new entrance will be created with the erection of a Millennium Bridge over the River Barrow from Coxes Lane. The Bridge is currently being designed by Thompsons, the firm responsible for Dublin's Millennium Bridge. The company is being assisted with the design by Carlow Institute of Technology. The design of the playground area is to begin soon, with formal plans expected before Carlow UDC in September. Following Council approval work will commence, with an expected completion date of next summer. Supplementary funding for the playground is to be provided through a fundraising drive to be undertaken by Carlow Rotary Club and local parents. The total cost of the playground will be in the region of £100,000. Town Clerk Joe Watters sees the park become "a passive park where families will be comfortable and enjoy their surroundings." "There will be plenty of green space but we will not facilitate playing pitches," he warned. "The Millennium Park will be a major amenity for visitors and the families of Graiguecullen and Carlow," he added. Security will also be provided, and although these measures have yet to be clarified, it is believed that the park will be locked at night. |
| Seven protected buildings in County Carlow have received
grants in order to ensure their conservation. £10,000 will be provided for work on the Old Methodist Church in Tullow. The money will be used to repair plaster to the walls and ceiling, waterproofing walls, repairing windows and providing a rainwater disposal system. Stewart Lodge in Leighlinbridge receives £10,000 to allow for repairs to the roof and rainwater system, and for work on some of the buildings original features. Mill Park House, Kilbride gets £4,600 for repairs to outbuildings in the courtyard and to make some structures waterproof. £6,500 will be spent on conservation works at St. Mary’s Church, Bagenalstown, and £4,500 will be spent on roof repairs and flashing to the clock tower at Castletown Castle. The Cottage, Tullow, will receive £5,000, and £5,400 goes to Huntington Castle. |
| Bagenalstown Town Commissioners have agreed to set up a
website for the town at a cost of £350. A special steering committee is to be set up comprising of Cathaiorleach Margaret Cushen and Cmmr. Patrick Roche, with an invitation to members of the public to become involved. The website will be designed by David Spiller, but content will be provided by the steering committee, which will report to the Town Commission at various stages. It is expected that advertising will be sought for the site when it is up and running with 50% of the proceeds from this going towards the steering committee to be used for improvement works in Bagenalstown. Meanwhile all nine commissioners have agreed to help produce a brochure outlining the attractions of the town to potential investors and tourists. The brochure will include details of the skills of the towns workforce and will, when completed also be available on the new website. |
| Members of the public will be allowed access to Carlow
Castle after some improvement works are carried out later this year. Heritage Minister Sile De Valera has confirmed that a programme of works will include providing public access, substantial landscaping, and the erection of interpretative panels outlining the castle's history. The works are due to start in mid summer and will e completed by the end of the year. Work had been delayed due to problems concerning ownership of some land surrounding the castle, but according to the Minister these difficulties have now been resolved. The Minister added that the works would considerably enhance the "monument" and would be a major attraction to Carlow town. |
| Doras Directory has awarded Carlow On-Line two shamrocks.
In its review is says that the site "provides basic news and information on Carlow and its environs. Also on offer are extensive local entertainment and leisure listings, as well as birthday greetings, horoscopes and breaking sports news." It adds that "this site serves its basic purpose well, but would benefit from more comprehensive coverage of its key areas - news and entertainment. The site is relatively easy to navigate, but the colour scheme is a little strong." |
| John Sweeney Park in Carlow town is set to be brightened up
with a sea of colour as graffiti-covered walls are replaced with an attractive mural. Children in the area are being invited to join in the project, which will commence on Saturday June 10 and continue on the following two Saturdays from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. The mural painting will concentrate on a back alley in the estate. The project will be launched on Tuesday June 6th at 4.30 pm and all residents of the area are invited to attend. The mural painting is part of Carlow UDC's Estate Management programme, which is implemented by Housing Liaison Officer Brian Conway. A similar project took place in Fr. Byrne Park in Graiguecullen, earlier this year. "We expect a big turnout for the mural painting. All the art materials will be provided by the Council and as well as it being an enjoyable experience for the children it will help foster a community spirit," he said. |
| Carlow Urban Council is set to agree to the
pedestrianisation of Lower Tullow Street, the creation of a one-way system at the Courthouse, and parking restrictions on a number of streets. Councillors will adopt a town traffic management plan next month, which will come into force over the next five years. Proposals have passed through the public participation stage, during which there were a number of submissions from members of the public and the business community. Business interests in the Brown Street/College Street/Court Place area expressed concerns at the loss of on-street parking spaces, and access to the town for heavy goods vehicles. Traders on Dublin Street raised concerns about the loss of parking space and fears that the area might take on a "deserted" look. Another trader expressed concern at the proposal to erect barriers to prevent heavy goods vehicles driving along Dublin Street and Burrin Street, as he drives a high roofed light commercial vehicle in connection with his trade. Addressing the points raised the UDC says that the loss of car parking spaces in some areas will be offset by the creation of others at nearby locations. Heavy goods vehicles will be permitted into the town centre for business access. The designs of barriers has yet to be decided, and fears of a "deserted" look to Dublin Street will be addressed by the introduction of bollards and planters. The proposals currently before the Council look set to be accepted in full with a small number of minor amendments. Some UDC members have expressed dissatisfaction with Maryborough Street being made one-way. Another concern is the route funerals would have to take if the plan is adopted in its present form. Some members are calling for no action on Lower Tullow Street until the multi-storey car park in opened, while there is also concern about school buses being prevented from travelling along Dublin Street to Carlow IT. The proposals if adopted will see Lower Tullow Street will become "pedestrian only" between the hours of 10.30 am and 6.00 pm on business days. Current traffic regulations will continue outside these hours. A multi-storey car park with a minimum of 350 spaces will be provided off Dublin Street. A one-way system will operate around Carlow Courthouse, northbound on the Athy Road, eastbound on Greenbank Road, and southbound along the Old Dublin Road/Court Place. College Street will become one-way northbound, with a reduction in the number of parking spaces and major footpath improvements. Brown Street will operate one-way eastbound from its junction with Dublin Street to its junction with College Street. Dublin Street will continue as a two-way street system, but parking will be banned except for the provision of loading bays and one fuel stop. Heavy goods vehicles will be restricted on Dublin Street and Burrin Street. Graiguecullen will see the introduction of a one-way system with Bridge Street becoming westbound only, Chapel Street becoming northbound only, eastbound only on Ninety Eight Street and southbound only on Maryborough Street. Improvements are to be made to the traffic light junctions at Granby Row, Shamrock Square and Thompson's Corner. Traffic calming measures are proposed for Castle Hill, Kennedy Street and Kennedy Avenue with environmental and footpath improvements, and increased car parking space. |
| Donal O'Kelly's award winning play "Catalpa" will take to
the stage of the Seven Oaks Hotel on Wednesday May 31st. Based on the true story of the daring rescue of six Fenian prisoners in 1875, the adventure story is told by Donal O'Kelly, who plays a myriad of characters. He is accompanied on stage by musician Trevor Knight, co-founder of eighties group Auto Da Fe. Catalpa is the story of a whaling ship hired for a whaling expedition in the North Atlantic, but instead it heads for Australia to free prisoners from the Fremantle penal colony. The play is being brought to Carlow by the Town Hall Arts Centre Working Group, and follows on from the huge success of "Alone It Stands" staged at Carlow Rugby Club in association with Dolmen Music Theatre. Tickets for Catalpa are available at Rainbow Records, Tullow Street, Carlow, or at the Seven Oaks Hotel. Tickets cost £7 with £5 concessions for OAP's, students, and the unwaged. |
| Carlow's local authorities have signalled their intention
to grant planning permission for over 800 houses on the outskirts of Carlow town. Developer John McLoughlin has been notified of a decision to grant planning permission for 385 houses from Carlow County Council and 425 houses from Carlow UDC. The granting of planning permission for the 810 house development will follow on June 7th in the event of no objections being lodged with An Bord Pleanala. In the biggest housing development application ever to come before the local authorities in Carlow, dozens of conditions have been imposed on the planning permissions. One of the conditions protects existing residents of the area by insisting that "boundary treatment be agreed in writing" in advance of building work commencing. Both local authorities have imposed a development levy of £2,000 on each house - totalling £1,620,000. The charges relating to sewerage treatment, road improvements, amenity and water services. A further £125,000 is being charges for the provision of a new roundabout at the junction of O'Brien Road and Brownshill Road, and a further £70,000 is being charges for surface water improvement at Askea. In addition Carlow UDC is charging £20,000 for footpath improvements. The houses will be built on land enclosed by the Hacketstown Road, Brownshill Road and Tullow Road, and the development will exit onto the Hacketstown Road, with a number of exits on the Tullow Road, and onto the O'Brien Road via a new roundabout. |
| Carlow parents have been advised to have their children
vaccinated after a significant increase in the number of cases of measles. All areas of the South East have reported outbreaks of the disease in recent days and already eight children have been hospitalised. The South Eastern Health Board said it had been made aware of eighteen cases last week and three suspected cases were reported in the Carlow area, although two of these were ruled out. The third is was being investigated. The cases in the South East follow on from a measles outbreak in Dublin, in which over 700 children were affected. Measles can be a serious illness and is highly infectious. The disease starts with a fever, a cough and red eyes, followed by a red rash on the body. It can be complicated by ear infections, pneumonia and inflammation of the brain. The Health Board advises parents to ensure children between the ages of fifteen months and four years have an MMR vaccine. It says this is the only way to protect your child from the disease. It says the vaccine is safe and effective and is available free of charge from your own general practitioner. Children usually receive their first dose of MMR at 15 months of age and get a booster shot when they enter primary school. |
| The 40th anniversary of Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal was
celebrated last Friday with a visit by Education Minister Michael Woods, who unveiled a granite cross, and by the burial of a time capsule by students of the school. The Presentation School Band provided the entertainment as the Minister arrived and even though the day turned wet and windy, the enthusiasm of pupils, staff and parents was not dampened. The Minister paid tribute to the work of the Presentation Sisters in Carlow and their dedication and commitment. He spoke of the many achievements of the school over the years, including the success of the school band, the computer club and the recently constructed Millennium garden. Sr. Anna Hyland, School Principal, said there was a great link between past on present on the day, with so man of the sisters who had worked at the school over the past forty years, in attendance. The granite cross, unveiled by the Minister came from the original Presentation Convent in Tullow Street. The cross was relocated to the grounds of the school. A time capsule dating from 1899 and recovered during the demolition of part of the original Presentation Convent, was buried in the grounds of the school. It contains items from each student in the school and will be dug up in fifty years time. Twelve medals discovered in the capsule when it was first found are now mounted and displayed in the hall of Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal. |
| Over forty people from Bagenalstown will travel to France
next weekend for the historic signing of its town twinning charter with Pont Pean in Brittany. For over three years residents of both towns have been on exchange visits and several students from Bagenalstown have visited Pont Pean as part of the initiative. Last year a delegation from Pont Pean, including officials of the Town Council visited Bagenalstown for the first signing of the Charter. During their stay with host families, members of the group toured the area and made many new friends. This weekend is the exchange visit to France and the second signing of the Charter, which permanently unites the two towns. The Bagenalstown group will be led by Town Twinning Chairman Paddy Kiely and Secretary Margaret Cushen. The group will arrive in France on Friday and stay until Tuesday. Over the weekend they will visit Rennes, a short distance from Pont Pean, and will be taken on a number of tours. Social events are planned for each evening of the visit. On Sunday the official twinning ceremony will take place where the Twinning Charter will be signed by the Mayor of Pont Pean and Bagenalstown Twinning Chairman Paddy Kiely. |
| Borris based county councillor Mary White has been selected
to run in the next general election in the Carlow/Kilkenny constituency. Cllr. White has been a member of the Green Party for the past ten years. She is its National Spokesperson on the Environment for three years and last year became Carlow's first Green Party councillor, topping the poll in the Borris area. Mary White contested the 1997 General Election and secured 3,116 first preference votes. She says she is confident of becoming the first woman T.D. for Carlow/Kilkenny. The Green Party councillor was selected at a convention in the Mount Leinster Arms in Bagenalstown. Proceedings were overseen by Cllr. Heidi Bedell of Fingal County Council, who is a member of the Green Party's Election Task Force. |
| Eircom's telephone customers in Carlow will no longer be
able to pay their telephone bills at the Telecentre on Kennedy Avenue. The company has decided not to accept payments across the counter at any of its centres from the end of June, but the service will be discontinued in Carlow from next month, according to literature mailed to telephone customers. A spokesperson for Eircom said the decision came after a review of its retail business, which showed that the cost of providing the service was prohibitive. The spokesperson pointed out that the Telecentre's were sales driven and taking customers payments was time consuming. Eircom says it is advising all its customers of the changes and it points out that customers will continue to have several ways of which to pay their bills, including making payments at banks and post offices. |
| The beauty of County Carlow and its wealth of musical
talent will be brought to the fore with the release of a CD and video later this year. The brainchild of Thos Hennessey, the project has received grant aid from Carlow County Council and Carlow UDC and has received huge support from various musical groups and individuals, who are giving their services free. The CD will feature eleven songs - ranging from "Danny Boy" and "She Moved Through The Fair" to "Aon Focal Eile." Several talents have already agreed to take part including Regina Hanley, Richie Kavanagh, Cayna, Carlow Young Artists Choir, Carlow Choral Society, and Paul Hennessey. Executive Producer Thos Hennessey said that there was still room for a number of others to take part, particularly someone who could play piano. Auditions to fill the final few places will take place on Sunday April 2nd. Those wishing to audition must be able to perform to a very high standard. Further details from Thos on 0503-40252. In conjunction with the CD, a video is to be made featuring the performers involved in the CD and the video is to be shot at a number of scenic locations around Carlow town and county. According to Thos the CD and video will have a distinct "Riverdance" feel to it, and both products will sell Carlow not just as a haven for musical talent, but also as a top tourist attraction. The video is to be shot around the county during the month of May and it will be directed by well-known local filmmaker Gary McHugh. It is expected that Altamont Gardens, Clashganny, Carlow Town's Liberty Tree, and the River Barrow will be a few of the locations to feature in the production. |
| Gardai are advising motorists to ensure their cars are
secure when parked after a number of car thefts in recent weeks. Two cars were taken from Burrin Manor recently, and later found abandoned close by. A set of alloy wheels had been removed from one of the vehicles. Gardai are advising car owners to ensure their vehicles are locked and no valuables are left on view. They say that if cars are not parked in garages or driveways, if possible they should be parked in well lit areas. |
| The mothers of newly born babies in Carlow can expect help
and support from a new initiative, launched today. The Carlow First Steps Project is a pilot programme being developed jointly by the South Eastern Health Board, Askea Parish Centre and local development group, CANDO. Ten mothers have now qualified as volunteer visitors and over the coming weeks they will offer help and support to the mothers of newly born babies on a home visit basis. Outlining the benefits of the scheme, Minister Mary Hanafin said that with many young couples living away from their own families, the traditional family support was not easily available. She said many new mothers panicked at the slightest cough or rise in temperature, and this new scheme would see these mothers getting excellent advice from more experienced parents. Area public health nurses are already telling mothers about the First Steps Project, and the volunteer visitors are expected to begin visits soon. They will offer new mothers support in all aspects of child rearing. The aim of the project is to offer help to mothers who may never have held a baby until they hold their own. The pilot programme will run for one year and may then be extended throughout the south east. |
| Singing sensation Ritchie Kavanagh will be hanging up his
microphone and putting on his walking shoes on Friday when he leads Carlow's Saint Patricks Day Parade. The "Aon Focal Eile" star has been appointed Millennium Grand Marshall, and he will lead the parade, which will have a definite "green theme", from the Tesco Car Park at 3.00 pm. There is a strong emphasis on community involvement in this years parade and everyone is invited to take part. The reviewing stand will be located at Shamrock Square and there are prizes for the best floats in several categories which include primary and secondary schools, commercial, community and best individual. Floats are asked to assemble at Tesco Car Park at 2.00 pm. Tullow's St. Patrick's Day Parade will begin at 2.00 pm led by Piper, Paddy Coady from Rathvilly. Floats are asked to assemble at Fair Green at 1.30. In Bagenalstown, the parade will start from outside McGrath Hall at 3.00 pm and the reviewing stand will be located at Market Square. Floats are asked to enter Station Road from the Vocational School side. The parade will be led by St. Patrick and there is a prize of £50.00 for whoever can identify him. Ballon's parade will assemble at the Land League Gates at 3.00 pm and move off shortly afterwards, passing a reviewing stand in the village, turning at Ballykealy Lane and returning to the village. Over forty floats are expected to take part. Graiguenamanagh's parade starts in Tinnahinch at 12.00 noon, crossing the bridge and along Main Street. The reviewing stand will be located outside the Markethouse in the town square. |
| All things Irish are being celebrated in Carlow this week
as the annual Festival of Irish gets into full swing. Seachtain na Gaeilge runs until St. Patrick's Day and during the week everyone is being encouraged to use whatever bit of Irish they have. During the week several events have been planned including poetry readings, music, lectures and sporting events. On Wednesday the final of the boys and girls schools Gaelic Football Championships take place. On Wednesday night local poet Deirdre Brennan will direct a night of poetry "as gaeilge" at St. Patricks College at 7.30. Meanwhile on Wednesday the Old Carlow Society have a lecture at Oak Park House. The title is "Oak Park House Estate and its Residents." It will be given by Pat Comerford, former manager of the Research Centre. A midweek Ceili takes place at the Workmans Club on Wednesday night, and on Thursday morning at 10.30 there's a morning of storytime "as gaeilge" for tiny tots and toddlers at Carlow County Library. St. Patricks day begins with Mass in Irish and the blessing of shamrock at Carlow Cathedral at 11.00 am. The Carlow parade begins at 3.00 pm at Tesco Car Park. From 4.30 - 6.00 pm there's an Afternoon Ceili at the Seven Oaks Hotel, and later that night the Glenside Ceili Band will provide the entertainment with dancing from 9.00 to 1.00 am. |
| The arrival of three caravans in Bagenalstown over the past
weeks is causing concern to residents of the town and a health hazard may have been created, according to Town Commissioners. It has been claimed that local gardens are being used as toilets, "urine bags" have been found in the area, litter is a problem, and the law is being flouted by the caravans being parked outside McGrath Park in a "no parking zone." Cmmr. Paddy Kiely claimed that gardens were being used as toilets and several "urine bags" had been discovered by local people walking in the area. He said children playing in the area were open to contracting disease. Cmmr. Kiely said that while he believed everyone had a right to a roof over their heads, he believed the rights of local residents were being infringed, with fires being lit, and amenities being abused. He accused the Council of cleaning up the area after it had been littered, while at the same time refusing to grant waivers to pensioners who could not afford to pay high refuse collection charges. Cmmr. Claire Dunne said she had people calling at her door asking if anything was going to be done. Cmmr. Magaret Cushen said that if a health hazard was being created action must be taken immediately. Cmmr. Tom Dermody said children were to pass by the caravans to play hurling and football in the pitch. Cllr. Arthur McDonald said he understood the caravans had been towed to their present location as none of the owners appeared to have transport. He said the owners should be prosecuted for parking in a clearly marked "no parking zone." He said if no action was taken in this case it would appear that breaking the law was acceptable. Acting County Manager Jim Kearney said the situation was a complicated one. He said the Council could not secure a Court Order unless it had somewhere to relocate the caravans to, and the Bestfield Halting Site, which had recently been taken over by the Council on the outskirts of Carlow was presently being refurbished. He said the Council had nowhere to relocate the caravans, but he would contact the Councils Environmental Department to investigate the litter and health aspects of the situation. Cllr. McDonald acknowledged the co-operation of the Councils Environmental Patrol Officer. He said he had been closely monitoring the situation. |
| An ambitious £1 million building project at St. Catherines
Community Services Centre, in Carlow town, has been launched by Minister of State Mary Hanafin. The proposed development will consist of an upgrading of the existing facilities and an extension, and will include a number of counselling rooms, a large conference room, and a kitchen/dining area. The new extension will the Centre double its present floor space. A lack of space has prevented the Centre from expanding its services, and the proposed extension will allow it to improve its current range of services and deliver additional services for the people of Carlow town and county. Minister Hanafin said she was very impressed with the Centre and the facilities available. She said she had noticed how space was at a premium and how when one group moved out another moved in immediately. The Minister may well have been standing in the footsteps of her grandmother Christina French, when she gave her speech in the classroom of the former school. Her grandmother was born in Carlow 97 years ago and may well have been taught in the classroom in which the Minister stood. Minister Hanafin praised the work of the volunteers who gave their services freely, and she said the present development plan was based on an existing success story. She said she hoped businesses in Carlow would support the building project. Over the coming weeks the Project Committee will be appealing for donations and organising fundraising events. Donations can be forwarded to The Administrator, St. Catherines Community Services Centre, St. Joseph's Road, Carlow. St. Catherine's Community Services Centre has been serving the people of Carlow since 1975, and helping to lower the barriers to participation by the provision of education, support and personal skills development. A desire to create greater co-operation between voluntary organisations in the Carlow area prompted the setting up of St. Catherine's Community Services Council in 1974. A year later the former Primary School at St. Joseph's Road was made available and this premises has served as the centre since then. Today the centre employs a staff of six and over one hundred and fifty volunteers provide a range of services for all age groups in Carlow town and surrounding areas. Services provided at the centre range from community and parent and toddler groups to after-school youth programmes and family support. Also provided is citizens information, free legal aid, summer programmes for children, marriage and relationship counselling, and meals on wheels. Adult Education Courses are run at the centre throughout the year. These include personal development, cookery and home management, basic computers, and parenting, to name but a few. Several groups operate from the centre including Alcoholics Anonymous, Carlow Mens Group, the National Council for the Blind, and Carlow Active Retirement. As well as needing funding for its planned extension, St. Catherine's is always in need of volunteers for the services it provides, and second hand clothing for its Bargain Point Thrift Shop at Barrack Street. The centre opens from 9.30 - 1.00 pm and from 2.00 - 5.30, and can be contacted on 0503-31354. |
| College, Carlow, On Saturday May 20th between 11.00 am and
5.00 pm. The selector will be Dublin gallery owner and curator Antionette Murphy. Each participant may submit up to two works - paintings, sculpture, or photographic. Sculptures must be small in scale and easily carried. All works must be properly assembled, clearly labelled and ready to hang. Entries must be accompanied by an official entry form, available at the Eigse Arts Office. The Eigse Visual Arts Committee is also mounting an exhibition open to all artists living in the Carlow area. Entries are limited to one piece of work per participant. The exhibitions will run at St. Patrick's College from Saturday June 10th to Sunday June 18th from 11.30 to 8.00 pm daily. The Eigse Railings Exhibition will take place in Carlow Shopping Centre on Saturday June 18th. Exhibitors will be allocated a six foot area and the entry fee is £5.00. Details on all the events and entry forms are available from the Eigse Festival Support Office, Bridewell Lane, Carlow. Telephone 40491. |
| A traffic management plan for Carlow town has taken a step
closer with urban councillors discussing public submissions at a meeting behind closed doors last week. One of the submissions came from Cllr. Rody Kelly who opposed plans to make Dublin Street one-way. He also proposed that College Street become one way in the opposite direction proposed in the original plan. These changes have now been adopted The pedestrianisation of Tullow Street is still on the agenda, and plans are also on the table for a multi-story car park in the vicinity of the Royal Hotel. The changes to the original plan will now go back on public display for further public response. |
| The outgoing President of County Carlow Chamber of Commerce
made a strong case for the proposed industrial park for Carlow, and the upgrade of the N9 through the town, at the Chambers AGM last week. Jim McEntee told those present that Carlow was doomed unless the industrial park and the infrastructure to support it became a reality. He said with a declining industrial base and fewer people being employed in those industries, the only way forward was with the development of new Carlow based industry. Mr. McEntee pointed out that of the 1,000 graduates from Carlow Institute of Technology last year, only 7% found employment in Carlow. He said 52% of these were now employed in Dublin. The outgoing President said he had witnessed the decline in the number of people employed in Carlows major industries over the past ten years, and it had not got to the stage where Carlow I.T. was the third largest employer in the area. He said the Chamber of Commerce was a professional organisation and and he hoped to see it become the leading light in the development of Carlow town and county. |
| The new President of County Carlow Chamber of Commerce is
Nicholas Carpenter, a councillor on Carlow UDC. Mr. Carpenter, who has been a member of the Chambers Executive for a number of years, was elected unopposed at the AGM. He succeeds Jim McEntee who stepped down after leading the business organisation for the past two years. |
| A number of non-national roads throughout Carlow town and
county are to be improved following the allocation of road grants to local authorities. Carlow County Council receives almost £2 million for maintenance and improvements works. Specific roads to benefit are the Tullow/Castledermot Road at Killamaster/Straboe, phase one of the Tullow Inner Relief Road, and Forestry Roads at Bilboa. Meanwhile Carlow UDC receives £137,000, of which £66,000 will be used for footpath and carriageway restoration. |
| A Baltinglass man appeared at a special sitting of
Baltinglass District Court at the weekend in connection with the alleged robbery and imprisonment of woman on Friday night. The alleged incident occurred on Friday night in Carlow town. The man, 35-year-old Larry Murphy, with an address at Woodfield, Baltinglass was remanded to appear at Blessington Court on Wednesday. |
| Carlow town is set to benefit from a new £25 million
shopping complex on the former cattle mart site on Barrack Street. The anchor tenant will be Tesco, which will relocate from its present premises, and increase its employees from ninety-six to one hundred and fifty. A large drapery store is also planned for the complex, as well as up to eighteen smaller retail units. Six hundred car parking spaces will cater for shoppers. Two entrances to the shopping centre will be provided - one on the Staplestown Road, where a new roundabout will be located, and the other at the existing entrance on Barrack Street. The junctions at Shamrock Square and Hanover will be upgraded to cater for cars entering and exiting the centre on Barrack Street. The developer of the complex, Gerard O'Hare, is expected to apply for planning permission shortly. The planning process is expected to take from nine months to a year. Its expected that construction work would take up to twelve months. |
| Bagenalstown has now got its own Coat of Arms.
The Cathaoirleach of Bagenalstown Town Commission, Cmmr. Margaret Cushen, was presented with the document by the Deputy Chief Herald, Fergus Gillespie at a short ceremony on Thursday. The Coat of Arms has been developed over the past year, during which Town Commissioners put forward their ideas on what should be included in it. The final product impressed everyone. Across the top and bottom of the colourful crest, in Irish and English, are the words "The Irrepressible Number", which refers to the number nine, representing the nine local authority members who make up the Town Commission. The top section of the Coat of Arms shows thorn branches, which represents Muinebheag - "thicket of thorns". The bottom section is gold and ermine, which comes from the Coat of Arms of the Bagenals. Through the centre is a wavy blue line, which represents the River Barrow. Town Clerk Sean O'Shea said he was very impressed with the Coat of Arms and its motto. Mr. Fergus Gillespie said it was his pleasure to grant the Coat of Arms to Bagenalstown and he hoped it would still be used in one hundred years time. Cmmr. Cushen said it was a magnificent work of art and it was appropriate that the Town Commission, which had been in existence for 150 years should enter the new Millennium with its own Coat of Arms, which would feature on notepaper and town twinning signs. The Coat of Arms for Bagenalstown was one of twenty-five produced by the Chief Heralds Office last year. It expects to design and grant up to forty this year. |
| Residents of a number of Bagenalstown housing estates may
protest outside the offices of Carlow County Council following the lack of action on pedestrian safety along the Royal Oak Road, which has already claimed two lives. The County Council insists speeding motorists are a matter for the Gardai to deal with, but it is in the process of carrying out a traffic study to see if traffic volumes warrant speed ramps or pedestrian crossings. Cmmr. Tom Dermody said discussions were going on for months but nothing was happening. He said he would be asking residents of the area to organise a protest outside the offices of Carlow County Council. Cmmr. Derek Mahon said no one appeared to be listening to the people of town commissioners. Cllr. Arthur McDonald said he was receiving the same answer to the question of improved safety on the road since 1985. He said the answer for years was that traffic volumes did not warrant a pedestrian crossing. He said he expected the same answer from the current study. Cllr. McDonald said that traffic studies were conducted at quiet times of the year. He said they should be carried out between September and Christmas, when traffic volumes were at their highest. Cmmr. Paddy Kiely said there was no need for surveys to be carried out. All Council officials needed to do was attend Town Commission meetings to hear the feelings of the people of the town. He said the bulk of townspeople lived in estates around the Royal Oak Road and every day they encountered dangers from speeding cars, with no safe place to cross the road. Cllr. Denis Foley said the road was a death trap. He said students from the four schools in the area and pedestrians took their lives in their hands trying to cross the road. He said the area was even more dangerous at night with poor public lighting, and he claimed the road surface had never been fully reinstated following sewerage works two years ago. Cllr. Foley said one or two pedestrian crossings were essential for the safety of the 600 students who used the road. He said reports were not needed, but what was needed was just "a bit of common sense." Cmmr. John Clarke said the matter was being raised every month for the past two years and no improvements had taken place. He proposed that flashing beacons be provided on the road advising motorists to slow down. He said there were 400 houses on one side of the road and beacons had worked in other areas of the country. Acting County Manager Jim Kearney said the Council was carrying out a study, and when that was complete it would be presented to town commissioners. He said certain traffic levels were needed to justify a crossing. He said it was up to the Gardai to enforce speed limits. He said that if people drove too fast it was not the fault of the Council. Mr. Kearney added that one of the arguments against pedestrian crossing was that if they were only used for short periods of time, or just over the forty school weeks of the year, a more suitable solution might be a school warden on duty on the road. |
| A new campaign to heighten environmental awareness has been
launched in Carlow. "The Environment, It's Easy to make a Difference" is the theme of the campaign focuses on raising awareness in simple steps, including recycling empty bottles and cans, disposing of Christmas trees after Christmas, and the use of electricity instead of batteries. The campaign will highlight choices individuals and businesses can make to help bring about a cleaner environment. County Council official Bernie O'Brien said that generally people want to help the environment but need direction on how to do so without major lifestyle changes. "Our aim is to show how easy it is to do a few simple things to improve the environment. These could be things like using re-usable shopping bags, taking bottles to a bottle bank, or having a shower instead of a bath," she said. A number of recycling facilities are already available in County Carlow. Recycling banks for glass and textiles are located in Carlow town at Superquinn Car Park and the UDC Car Park. Glass recycling banks are located in Bagenalstown in the County Council yard and at Haroldstown Transfer Station. Another recycling bank for glass and textiles is located at the Car Park in Barrack Street, Tullow, and a bank for glass, textiles, paper and cans is located at Powerstown Landfill Site. The County Council plans to increase the number of recycling locations in the county over the next year. |
| A campaign is underway to have the Dublin/Waterford route
through Carlow designated as the main transport corridor between the two cities. Essential to the future development of Carlow is this designation, as well as an Eastern by-pass of the town, and the establishment of a major industrial and technology park. Launching the campaign, the Chief Executive Officer of County Carlow Chamber of Commerce Gerard Dunne said such a designation would help ensure Carlow became a major industrial centre and with extra industry would come additional jobs and people, and a brighter future for retailers and townspeople alike. He said the Chamber of Commerce had three aims - the designation of the route through Carlow as a transport corridor, the completion of an Eastern bypass of the town, and the creation of and industrial and technology park, which would span up to seventy acres. The Chamber of Commerce is seeking the support of all Carlow people in the campaign and has written to all public representatives in the area, as well as seeking a meeting with the Minister for the Environment early next year. A Government decision on the route is expected in the coming months as funding for the route must be used by 2006 and construction work would take four years. "The National Development Plan states that in the case of the N9, the road type and route must be further evaluated, so a firm decision on the route has not yet been taken. We want the road through Carlow declared the main Waterford./Dublin route. We are taking a pro-active approach to this and we want the support of everyone to ensure Carlow is not left behind," Mr. Dunne said. He added that the only way Carlow could progress was with an Eastern bypass. He said the Chamber was fully supportive of the efforts of the County Council and the NRA in this, and with a bypass large parcels of land would be opened up, which in turn would attract more industry to the region. "We are fully supportive of plans for an industrial and technology park close to the proposed bypass. We need this facility to secure the industrial future of Carlow and to try and create employment for the graduates of Carlow Institute of Technology, of which 48% move to Dublin to find work. A site has been identified and we are confident that this proposal will become a reality," Mr. Dunne said. |
| Carlow patients are set to reap the benefits of a new Cat
Scan Unit which will be installed at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny next year, thanks to the generosity of people in the area. Meanwhile the tender for a new 45 bed acute psychiatric unit has been approved by Health minister Brian Cowen. Over £200,000 has been raised between counties Carlow and Kilkenny, and the South Eastern Health Board has agreed to provide a further £250,000 for the unit, which, according to CEO John Cooney, will be up and running by late summer next year. He paid tribute to the fundraisers and everyone who had contributed to the fund. He said the installation of the machine would mean that patients from the area would not have to make the journey to Dublin for treatment. Mr. Cooney made the announcement on the day Carlow councillor Michael Meaney ended his term as Chairman of the Board. Its new Chairman is Dungarvan based member and former T.D. and Minister Jackie Fahey. Construction of the new £4.7 million acute psychiatric unit will begin next year and it is expected to open in late 2002. The unit will be one of the most modern in the country and will provide a comprehensive assessment, diagnostic and treatment service for acute and sub-acute admissions. |
| No less than thirty two projects throughout County Carlow
have been allocated Millennium events awards funding. The biggest winners were awarded £4,000 each. They were the Borris Belfry Restoration Millennium Project for bell restoration, Carlow Eigse Millennium Festival, Carlow Young Artists Choir for Millennium Melodies, Carlow Choral Society for "Elijah 2000", Carlow Millennium Committee for a Millennium Capsule, Leighlinbridge Improvement Group for a Millennium Garden, Myshall/Drumphea Millennium Committee for the Millennium Park Amenity Project, and Rathvilly Community Council for a Millennium Walk Amenity Project. Ardattin Tidy Village gets £3,500 for a Millennium Candle, Ballon/Rathoe Development Association gets £3,500 for a Millennium Clock for the village centre, Carrigduff Development gets £500 for a Millennium Green, and Keep Clonegal Tidy Committee receives £3,300 for "Millennium Playhouse." Carlow Feile an Fomhair gets £500 towards "Feile 2000", Carlow Friends of the Elderly get £2,000 towards a Millennium Garden of peace, hope and tranquillity, County Carlow Wheelchair Association receives £2,000 for Millennium Awards for People with Disability in County Carlow, and Carlow Writers Group gets £1,500 for "Stories of the Millennium." Bagenalstown is to receive funding for several projects. Muinebheag Millennium Committee receives £200 for a Millennium Ecumenical Service, £2,000 for a Millennium River Music Festival, and £1,500 for a Millennium Street Puppet Theatre. Tullow also receives funding for a number of projects. Tullow Community Development Initiative receives £2,500 for a Millennium Walk, Tullow Tops of the Town receives £1,000 for "Carlow Millennium Tops", Tullow Variety Group gets £1,200 for "Millennium Memories, and Tullow Day Care Centre gets £600 for Millennium Day Care. Grants have also been approved for Hacketstown Community Development, which gets £1,000 for a Millennium Walk, Leighlin Parish Pastoral Council which gets £1,500 for a Millennium Memorial, and Dunleckney Group of Parishes which receives £600 for floodlighting St. Mary's Church. Myshall National School Parent Teacher Association receives £300 for a Millennium Mural, Myshall ICA receives £200 for a Millennium Rural Show, Myshall/Drumphea Senior Citizens Committee gets £300 for Senior Citizens Millennium Memories. Royal Oak Development receives £3,500 for an amenity project. and St. Mullins Amenity and Recreational Tourism gets £1,000 towards Millennium Lights. |
|
A search was underway in woodlands and fields at the weekend for a visitor from outer space. But the searchers were not looking for an alien, but a ball of stone or iron, which hurtled into the Carlow countryside from outer space. The night sky over County Carlow lit up with a massive fireball on Sunday November 28 at 10.10 pm. Witnesses said the fireball had a long tail and shone brightly as it zoomed across the sky, before coming to land, somewhere in the county, with a loud bang. The fireball was seen from many parts of the country, but the loud bang it made on impact was only heard in Carlow. The last meteorite was recovered in 1835 in Dundrum after being discovered by two farmers. It is now displayed in Trinity College. Tony Ryan of Astronomy Ireland says the meteor almost certainly landed in County Carlow and hundreds of calls have already been made to his office. A search was organised and due to take place over the weekend. Tony said the meteorite could be as small as a golf ball or as large as a fridge. "It could look like a lump of iron or rock. If it was stone it would be heavier than a normal rock, and would have been black on the outside and grey inside. Its surface would look burnt and it may have left a small crater in the land. It would also be slightly magnetic, but it would not be dangerous," he said. He said the meteorite would have been travelling at 100,000 miles per hour before decreasing to 17 miles per hour on entering the earths atmosphere. He said it would then have feel freely for five minutes in darkness before landing in its resting place in Carlow. Astronomy Ireland has already received over 300 phone calls regarding the incident. It has a website which contains a form it asks anyone who has seen the fireball's trail across the sky to complete. The office can also be contacted at 01-4598883. |
| Parking charges in Carlow town will rise next year but no
decision on the exact increase has yet been taken, even though the UDC in its estimates predicts an increase of £38,000 from parking discs and fines. The present disc parking scheme is expected to be replaced with a "pay and display." The number of car parking spaces will be increased with the construction of a multi-story car park next to the Town Hall, which suggests that free car parking may also be on the way out. An additional traffic warden is also to be employed to ensure traffic is adequately monitored. |
| Carlow's Christmas lights will be switched on next Saturday
following the annual Christmas parade. The parade will assemble at the Town Hall at 3.30 pm and will begin at 3.45. The route will be Centaur Street, right into Dublin Street, left at the Post Office into Kennedy Avenue, and right onto Potato Market. The parade will stop at the Liberty Tree where the Presentation School Band will play a selection of Christmas tunes. It will then proceed into Tullow Street where the switching on ceremony will take place outside the County Carlow Chamber of Commerce offices. A selection of Christmas characters will participate in the parade and a special appearance will be made by Santa. |
| A new "pay as you pee" system is set to come into force in
Carlow town next year, with the demolition of the towns last free conventional public convenience and its replacement with a "superloo." Carlow UDC has approved the lease of a new wheelchair accessible "superloo" to replace the present one at Potato Market. This in turn will be transferred to the Town Hall Car Park to replace the present toilet building, which will be demolished. Over the years the town has seen the phasing out of toilet buildings with the toilets in Graiguecullen Park being closed, and later the toilets at Potato Market demolished to make way for a "superloo." Part of the problem has been vandalism and graffiti, and the high cost of maintenance. The high annual costs of the "superloo's" are offset by the charge for using the facility and the savings made on maintenance. The annual cost of the new wheelchair accessible model is expected to be £20,000 a year, including maintenance by the company which supplies it. The Urban Council says that the new automatic public convenience "is a further endeavour by it to ensure that Carlow town presents an accessible environment for disabled persons." |
| The business community in Carlow faces a demand for almost
£2 million towards the running of the town next year, after members of Carlow UDC struck a rate of £47.28 in the pound at their annual Estimates Meeting. The new rate is an increase of 5% on last year and will account for over half of the total amount needed to run the town next year. Commercial rates will raise £1,877,076 of the £3,681,226 necessary. Government grants account for £95,000, the equalisation fund will bring in £759,399, contributions from other local authorities will account for £31,500 and other income is likely to total £918,251. The new rate for metered water is £1.85 per 1,000 gallons, which will see income from this area rise from £160,000 in 1999 to £170,000 next year. |
| A Bagenalstown councillor returned from a day looking after
the interests of his constituents to find his house had been ransacked and robbed. Cllr. Denis Foley told Carlow's Own that he was furious his house at Royal Oak Road, Bagenalstown was the target of vandals and thieves, while he was out serving the people of Bagenalstown by attending a V.E.C. meeting, a pre-estimates meeting of Carlow County Council and a meeting of CANDO. "I am disgusted that after looking after the interests of townspeople at these important meetings, I come home at 10.00 pm and find my house has been ransacked and I've been robbed. On top of knowing that you have had intruders in your home, you have to go to the trouble of having repairs carried out and items replaced," he said. Gardai are investigating the robbery which took place sometime on Tuesday November 9. A patio door had been damaged and a window had been smashed before being forced for the culprits to gain entry. Some furniture had been damaged and a box containing some cash and other valuables were taken. An empty box was recovered some time later. Another box containing a collection of foreign banknotes and coins was also taken, as well as a quantity of jewellery. Cllr. Foley appealed to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact Bagenalstown Gardai on 0503-21212. |
| Gardai have appealed for witnesses to a traffic accident in
which an elderly man was fatally injured. Michael O'Connor (88), Royal Oak Road, Bagenalstown, died last Wednesday morning at Ardkeen Hospital in Waterford after being knocked down on Royal Oak Road, Bagenalstown, on Friday October 29. The accident occurred at 7.15 pm as Mr. O'Connor was crossing the road in the vicinity of Wards Shop. Gardai have interviewed the driver of the vehicle which struck him, and have appealed to anyone who may have witnessed the accident to contact them on 0503-21212. |
| Traffic will be banned from Lower Tullow Street and Dublin
Street will become one-way if members of Carlow Urban Council adopts a traffic management plan being proposed for the town. If approved, the plan will see Tullow Street become pedestrianised between 10.30 am and 6.00 pm, with paving laid along the roadway to make it more pedestrian-friendly. Dublin Street will become one-way, with traffic prevented from travelling towards the Post Office from the Courthouse. College Street, which presently has traffic restricted up to 6.00 pm, will become one way in the opposite direction, with traffic prevented from driving onto the street from Court Place. The Courthouse will become a "natural roundabout", with the removal of the present roundabout at Court Place, and traffic being directed around Green Bank Road and Court Place. This move had been seggested up to two years ago in the form of a notice of motion by Cllr. Walter Lacey. The one-way system which operated in Graiguecullen during construction work earlier this year is also planned as a permanent feature. There will be no right turn onto Marlborough Street. Traffic from Killeshin will be diverted onto Ninety Eight Street or Morrins Lane, and traffic from Portlaoise will be diverted down Ninety Eight Street and onto Graiguecullen Bridge. The draft plan has been drawn up by consultants engaged by Carlow Urban Council. It will be displayed publicly over a period in which submissions can be made. Those submissions will then be considered before the final plan is put before the towns nine urban councillors for approval. The entire process is expected to take until early Spring. |
| Carlow County Council has elected the four new Chairmen of
its Strategic Policy Committees. Taking the helm of the four committees are Cllrs. William Paton, Michael Deering, M.J. Nolan, and Declan Alcock. The first SPC's were put in place last year, but strong criticism was levelled at the amount of money allocated in expenses to the various Chairmen who were elected in October 1998. Although only one meeting of each committee took place between October and the local elections of last June, an allowance of £333 per month was paid to each of the Chairmen. An allowance of £4,000 each would have been paid if the SPC's had existed for a full year. The guidelines for the setting up of SPC's suggest that each of the newly elected Chairman serve for a minimum of two years, but as yet the annual allowance for each Chairman has not been set. Last year £4,000 was suggested as the maximum allowance. Members of Carlow County Council agreed to the maximum payout. |
| A recommendation on the route of the Carlow by-pass will
not come before Carlow County Council until January or February at the earliest, according to County Engineer Dermot O'Riordan. It had been expected that the optimum route would have been decided by December. The much talked about Route 18 and recently introduced Route 18a (which takes a similar line to Route 18) have uncovered a series of problems. The County Engineer would not be drawn on the nature of the problems, only to say that they were "constructional." He told councillors that a meeting would be arranged behind closed doors to brief newly elected councillors and any other councillors who wanted to attend. He said representatives of the National Roads Authority's Design Office in Tramore would give a presentation on the various routes being proposed. Replying to a number of queries he said that under Irish law, compensation could only be claimed by people directly affected by whatever route was chosen. He said any submissions received in relation to any of the routes had to be fully investigated, and he said he had not heard any rumours of Tinryland GAA Club seeking to purchase land to relocate. He said such a move would be premature. A meeting to discuss how the proposed rutes will affect people in the Tinryland/Benekerry area is to take place on Monday 15 November. The meeting is being organised by the Benekerry/Tinryland By-pass Action Committee and takes place in Tinryland GAA Club starting at 8.00 pm. |
| Businesses in Bagenalstown face a rate increase of almost
5% after Bagenalstown Town Commission struck a rate of £1.41 in the pound at its adjourned annual estimates meeting. It will cost £17,204 to run the town next year, but only £365 profit will be made from the Commissions housing programme, which presently is responsible for just three houses in the town. Businesses will be asked to pay £16,839. The estimates were approved at a second meeting on Friday night. The first meeting had ended in uproar with two commissioners walking out. The estimates were passed as they were originally presented to members. Rents on the Commissions houses will rise by 50 pence per week each which will see about £80 extra coming in for the year. Meanwhile the cost of running a Town Commission is increasing. Almost £9,000 will be spent between conference fee's, commissioners allowances and "other expenses." An increase in commissioners fees for conferences will see an extra £400 going out in conference fees, bringing next years expenditure on conferences to £1,650. A further £1,050 has been adopted for "other expenses", which is expected to include next years Town Twinning expenses. Commissioners allowances for next year amount to £6,100. The estimates were proposed by Cllr. Arthur McDonald (FF), who said it was the duty of Fianna Fail as the leading party to support them. He said there were "good and fair." The motion was seconded by Cmmr. Derek Mahon (FF) and supported by the the four other Fianna Fail commissioners - Margaret Cushen, Claire Dunne, Tom Dermody and Paddy Kiely. An earlier motion, which called for no rent increase and a reduction in conference fee's by the amount which would have been lost in rent was defeated. That motion was proposed by Cllr. Denis Foley (FG), seconded by Cmmr. Patrick Roche (FG), and supported by Cmmr. John Clarke (Lab). |
| Rachael Lacey, Bullock Park, Carlow, is the winner of this
years Carlow Lions Club Youth Award. The eighteen-year-old is a member of the Presentation School Band, Head Girl in her school, and has recently won an award from An Gaisce. Rachael was presented with the Joe MacDermott Perpetual Trophy and a gift voucher last week, in recognition of her work within the community. She now goes forward to the South East Regional Final later this month and may also qualify for the National Finals. Other finalists for the Carlow award were Deidre Kearney from Browneshill Road, a student at Presentation College, and Kevin O'Briain, Beechwood Park, a student at Gaelcholaiste Ceatharlach. |
| Two meetings essential to the future development of
Bagenalstown were scheduled for the same time last Thursday night. While town commissioners were debating the towns annual estimates, a public meeting was taking place to discuss town renewal plans. The clashing starting times presented Town Commission Cathaoirlach Margaet Cushen with a dilemma. At the outset of the Town Commission meeting, she explained that the public meeting was taking place, and asked if commissioners wanted to adjourn the estimates in order to attend, or whether they wished to debate the estimates quickly, with a view to reaching a conclusion. "Are we being treated with contempt?" asked Cmmr. Patrick Roche. "We are being left out of things which are important to this town. It is short-sighted that this important public meeting coincided with the estimates meeting. I was never as disappointed as I am tonight. Council officials know how we feel about the development of the town. It's a waste of time being elected by the people of the town if this is how we are treated." Cmmr. Denis Foley said the two meetings should not have clashed. Cmmr. John Clarke said he had not been invited so he would not attend. He asked Cmmr. Cushen if she had been invited. She said she had not. Cmmr. Derek Mahon said he had known of an officer of a residents association who had received an invitation. Cmmr. Foley proposed that the estimates meeting went ahead. Later several commissioners attended the public meeting, which was almost over when they arrived. |
| Carlow Castle is not suitable for restoration according to
the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Sile De Valera. The reason given is that over two thirds of its original structure is no longer in existence. But a programme of works is to be carried out to make the site safe and accessible to the public. Work will include landscaping, the provision of interpretative panels and the provision of footpaths. Responding to a Dail question from Deputy John McGuinness, the Minister said that the Heritage Service had examined Carlow Castle, and reported that while the existing fabric was generally sound, minor works needed to be undertaken to prevent further deterioration of the building. Drawings of proposed landscaping works are to be displayed at the offices of Carlow County Council shortly and work will start next year, according to the Minister. |
| A Bagenalstown commissioner has called on Carlow County
Council to take immediate steps to slow down traffic in the town. Cmmr. Paddy Kiely told Carlow's Own that he is fed up with the lack of progress on slowing speeding motorists in housing estates along the Royal Oak Road. "Almost every day, people are telling me about near misses, where children are lucky to escape being injured by speedsters. It's like Mondello Park most of the time," he said. Repeated calls to Carlow County Council have fallen on deaf ears, according to Cmmr. Kiely. He wants speed ramps installed immediately, signposts to advise motorists, and the speeding motorists to take heed of the signposts. "The worst areas for speeding are Conway Park, Fr. Cummins Park, and Hurleys Lane. I have been calling for this problem to be sorted out for years, but no-one seems to be listening," he said. Cmmr. Kiely said is being approached on a regular basis by residents who complain of the speedsters. They fear for the safety of their children who walk to school along the road and who play in the area. |
| Dog lovers in Tullow have appealed to uncaring dog-nappers
to return their family pets. Several expensive breeds have vanished over recent weeks, and some dog owners are heartbroken at the loss of their pets. Even though rewards have been offered for help in tracing some of the animals, none have been returned. One dog owner said her valuable Pomeranian had vanished without a trace. The orange fox-like animal was last seen last Friday week. Gardai have been notified. |
| Carlow Gardai are investigating a stabbing incident in the
Graiguecullen area in the early hours of Sunday morning. A local youth sustained injuries which were described as not life-threatening, and was taken to St. Lukes Hospital, Kilkenny, for treatment. |
| Town commissioners in Bagenalstown have threatened to walk
out of next months meeting unless work has started on upgrading footpaths in the town. A heated debate erupted at last Thursdays meeting with commissioners venting their anger at the lack of action on footpaths even though £37,000 has been set aside for the work since last years estimates meeting. Cmmr. Paddy Kiely said he was walking out of the meeting, but was urged by Cmmr. John Clarke to stay util he heard what area engineer Tom Browne had to say on the matter. Meanwhile Cllr. Arthur McDonald suggested that the Commission invite townspeople to join them in protest outside next months meeting of Carlow County Council. Mr. Browne assured members that work would start on the approved footpaths on November 2, beginning along Kilree Street. Members agreed that unless the work started on the given date, there would be a walkout at next months meeting of the Town Commission. |
| Rathvilly's proud record of tidy towns successes continued
this year with the village yet again scooping the South East Regional Award, as well as the top award for County Carlow. The three times National Tidy Towns winner scored an amazing 247 points in this years contest, beating off stiff opposition for the Regional Award from Kilkenny (245), Lismore, County Waterford (240), Ballymurn, County Wexford (222), and Emly, Co. Tipperary (219). The Chairman of Rathvilly Community Council, Noel Kennedy, said he was delighted with this years result, which was down just one point from last year. He said the village was now set to become a triple winner next year. "We are planning to be the first national, regional and county winner for the Millennium year. This is out 13th County Award and our fourth consecutive Regional Award," he said. Commenting on the success of the village in the competition, he said that the late Fr. Nicholas Cullen P.P., was instrumental in the early days of the contest in the 1960's. "He was the driving force behind Tidy Towns and good planning at the start has made our job much easier. It was just a matter of improving on the groundwork which had already been done." In other areas of County Carlow, Leighlinbridge was highly commended with 246 points, just one point behind the County Winner, and Ardattin scored 244 and was commended. Elsewhere some towns and villages throughout the county had scores to be proud of. Although not mentioned in the top three, some had points higher than the winners of some County Awards, as listed above. Clonegal came fourth in the county with 235, followed by Carlow town 232, Bagenalstown 230, Myshall 220, Clonmore 214, Tullow 212, Borris 203, Ballon 202, St. Mullins 186, Hacketstown 178, Kildavin 177, Old Leighlin 176, Royal Oak 175, and Tinryland 153. |
| Objections to planning decisions by local authorities will
cost the objectors £20 under the new Local Government Planning and Development Bill, due to come into force next April. The regulation has been described as a measure to stop people objecting by Cllr. Michael Abbey. He said it was a deterrent tax on people who wanted to express their opinions. Carlow Urban councillors were briefed on the regulations at last weeks meeting. Also included in the new legislation is a stipulation whereby An Bord Pleanala will no longer consider third party appeals in cases where objections have not been made in the first place to the planning authority. The time period for the consideration of applications is being reduced from two calender months to eight weeks, and where additional information is sought the time limit from when the information is received until a decision is made is being reduced from two months to four weeks. The new Bill will see increased fines for unauthorised developments and will oblige local authorities to follow up complaints, as well as obliging them to take over unfinished estates. |
| Gardai are investigating a spate of burglaries in Carlow
town. Three of the incidents occurred on last Wednesday night/Thursday morning. A stone was thrown through the glass panel of the front door of a travel agents. The door was then forced and a small amount of cash taken. Shortly afterwards a butchers next door was broken into. A cement block was thrown through the front window. Nothing was taken. Later a hairdressing salon was entered after a paving slab was thrown through the window of a front door. Again nothing was taken. Another break-in occurred at a private house on Green Road on Thursday night. French doors were forced to gain entry. Cash and jewellery were taken. Gardai have appealed for witnesses and can be contacted on 0503-31505. |
|
The new Chief Executive Officer of County Carlow Vocational Education Committee is Tullow man Larry Kavanagh. Mr. Kavanagh previously served as Principal at Hacketstown Vocational School, and takes over from John O'Keeffe, who served as acting CEO of the VEC for the past eleven years. A special retirement function took place for Mr. O'Keeffe at Carlow Rugby Club last week. The Chairman of County Carlow VEC, Bagenalstown councillor Denis Foley paid tribute to Mr. O'Keeffe, and he said he looked forward to working with Mr. Kavanagh. |
| The search is on to find County Carlow's People of the Year.
In all nine awards will be presented at a gala fundtion in November. As well as an overall award, there will be a Hall of Fame Award, and individual awards in seven different categories. The closing date for nominations is September 30th, and as one of the organisers said "you can only have a winner from the nominations received." So everyone is urged to think about those in the community who don't usually get the recognition they receive for the work they do, and put their name forward as well as the reasons they should be a winner. One of the sponsors is Carlow District Credit Union, and nomination forms can be picked up at their offices on Burrin Street, in Carlow town. |
| A second gateway between the south-east and midlands will
open on Monday, when the first motorists will be allowed cross the newly-constructed Bill Duggan Bridge in Carlow town. The bridge and its associated roads network will divert traffic travelling between Rosslare and the midlands, around Carlow town and over the River Barrow. For years up to 16,000 vehicles a day travelled over Graiguecullen Bridge in Carlow town centre, causing traffic chaos and long delays at peak periods. In times when the River Barrow flooded, the bridge was closed and motorists faced detours of several miles. Carlow County Council decided last year to name the bridge after a former President of Carlow Rowing Club, following representations from club members. Bill Duggan died in 1991 after spending a lifetime promoting the River Barrow through his involvement in rowing and his participation in the Inland Waterways Association. The Carlow solicitor was President of the Irish Amateur Rowing Union 1964-1969 and President of the Inland Waterways Association 1960-1991. The Bill Duggan Bridge is to be opened by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government Noel Dempsey T.D. at noon on Monday. |
| The death occurred last Thursday of the President of Carlow
GAA while on holiday in the north west. William O'Connor was born in Clonmel, County Tipperary in 1916, and began his long association with the GAA when he joined Clonmel Shamrocks. He moved to Bagenalstown, County Carlow, in 1938, and joined St. Andrews GAA Club. He was club secretary until 1950, when he took over as secretary of Carlow County Board, a position he held for 23 years. He retired in 1973 and in the mid 1980's became County Chairman of Carlow GAA. He moved to Dublin in 1987, and served as President of Carlow GAA since the mid 1990's. |
| A Carlow gardener has grown what he believes is a record
sized courgette. Michael Murphy from Old Leighlin believes that one of his courgettes, which has been growing in a tunnel for the past five weeks, may weigh up to seven pounds. "I don`t know its exact weight as it is still growing, and I don`t want to pull it just yet,' he said. Michael has grown the marrow from seed and admits he has never seen one grow so large before. The normal size would be about one pound weight. "I am now hoping that maybe some restaurant or hotel would purchase it, and donate the money to some deserving charity," he added. |
| Thousands of schoolchildren are playing video games that
are unsuitable for them according to Deputy Sean Fleming. He says that unlike video films, there are no age classifications on the games and many of them contain excessive violence. All video films contain a classification which deems the film suitable for 12 years olds, fifteen year olds or whatever, but video games do not. He explains that the video games can be purchased for forty or fifty pounds, or rented for about £2 a night. He says many parents are unaware of the violence contained in the games, sometimes played by seven and eight year olds. Deputy Fleming said one of the games was about joy riding - you first rob a car and then get extra points for everyone you kill while driving it. Each level of the game features a more powerful car. He says games like these need to contain warnings that they are unsuitable for kids. There is legislation for the policing of these video games in the Video Recording Act of 1989, but according to the T.D. it is not being enforced. He has called on the Justice Minister to provide extra funds to the Censors Office to enforce the law. He added that some of the games are designed to be addictive and aim to get children hooked on them at an early age. |
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Deputy John Browne has accused the Minister for Sport and the Minister for Finance of favouritism in the recent allocation of National Lottery grants for sports organisations. Five groups in Carlow received a total of £95,000 but some counties were welcoming grants totalling several million. Deputy Browne claims that one quarter of the funding under the grants scheme ended up in the counties of the two Ministers, and he accused them of self-serving favouritism. “We now understand why the Government had to wait until after the elections to announce the grants. Fianna Fail will suffer badly in the constituencies where sports projects were refused funds or got inadequate allocations. He added that Fine Gael would be contacting applicants for Lottery grants in every county with a view to rasing the matter in the Dail, when it resumes next month. |
| Well done to Jim Doyle of Super Valu, Carlow, who presents
the town with a work of art on Friday. Much interest has been expressed over the past few weeks, in the latest work by artist Patrick Randall, outside the supermarket on Tullow Street. It was commissioned by Mr. Doyle after he purchased another work by Patrick Randall. The two men met for the first time when Mr. Randall asked permission to sculpt a statue at the entrance to Super Valu, with the intention of donating the funds raised to the refugees from Kosovo. Mr. Doyle agreed, and when the statue, which depicts a mother protecting her two children, was finished he bought it at auction for £500. The latest sculpture by Patrick, depicts an old woman burning leaves, and was inspired by a painting by Carlow artist Frank O'Meara. Dozens of passersby have stopped to admire the work and to chat its creator. Jim Doyle says he is very happy with the finished piece and he hopes it will enhance the streetscape and become a landmark in its own right. The statue will be unveiled by UDC Chairman Declan Alcock at 12.30 on Friday. Carlow UDC has agreed to donate an inscribed brass plate which will be placed at the base of the statue. |
| Almost £1 million has been allocated to the Institute of
Technology in Carlow for research and development. The funding comes from the Higher Education Authority and is part of an overall £162 million package announced for eleven higher education institutes in the country. Twenty- three applications had been received. The new research and development programme in Carlow will be carried out by the Biotechnology and Environmental Science Department, and will involve collaboration with other national and international institutions. The areas to be explored under the programme include the treatment of toxic pollutants in soil and water, and the environmental impact of current agricultural practices. The allocation was welcomed by IT Carlow Director John Gallagher, who said the funding was recognition of the Institutes high quality research programmes and it would help further develop these programmes. The £1 million research allocation coincides with a £14 million expansion currently taking place at the campus. It includes a state-of-the-art learning resource centre, which will be opened later this year. |
| A dead horse, recovered from the River Barrow in Carlow
town at the weekend, is believed to have been the target of cruel thugs. The brown and white coloured animal had its legs tied, and had only been in the water a short time, before being removed by workers from Carlow County Council. Its believed the animal was chased into the water, from where it was unable to escape, and drowned. Gardai say they are investigating reports of animal cruelty. |
| A new book outlining the history of the Deerpark and
Rossmore mines was launched at the weekend. "In the shadow of the mine" is written by Seamus Walsh and his late father Joe, and contains personal accounts of working in the mines, the history of the mine, and many rare photographs, dating back decades. Up to 600 miners from throughout counties Carlow, Kilkenny and Laois worked there at one point. "My father died in 1994, and he had been writing the book now and again, whenever the mood struck him. After his death I carried on from there, and now finally it is finished and I am happy with the result," said Seamus. "I worked in the Deerpark mine myself, and conditions were brutal. I walked to the mine at 7.30 am, and when you got to the entrance, you had to walk another three miles undergound before you got to where you were working. nd when I say walking, you were crouched down, because there was not room to stand," he recalled. |
| County Council workers in Bagenalstown have voted to take
industrial action over the lack of toilet and canteen facilities. Staff have agreed to a one-day work stoppage unless action is taken immediately by Carlow County Council. The workers are members of SIPTU, and branch official Denis Hynes said the Council was being given one last opportunity to rectify the situation. "We have met the Council several times, and each time they agreed to make the impovements, but they haven't happened. There used to be canteen and toilet facilities in Bagenalstown, but the canteen was closed and the toilet broken,' he explained. Workers must use the public toilet in the town or the facilities of businesses when they answer the call of nature. Mr. Hynes said that at the last meeting with Council officials, they agreed to install a portaloo and refurbish a building as a canteen. But he added that unless this happened inside the coming weeks, a one-day work stoppage was inevitable. |
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Almost £100,000 has been provided for five sports clubs in County Carlow from national lottery funds. £42,000 goes to Carlow Rowing Club, while £30,000 goes to St. Patricks Boys Soccer Club in Graiguecullen. Mount Leinster Rangers GFC gets £10,000, Ardattin Community and Development Association gets a similar amount and £3,000 goes to Carlow Boxing Club. The funding has been welcomed by Cllr. M.J. Nolan who said it was an acknowlegement by the Government of the tremendous work being done by the various clubs and sporting organisations in the county. Progressive Democrat councillor Walter Lacey said he was delighted that five clubs had benefitted but he was critical of the level of support the county received as a whole. He caompared the £95,000 allocation to Kildare which received £1.7 million, Donegal which got £1.6 million, and Kerry which got £500,000. "There are at least six clubs in County Kildare who individually received more than Carlows total allocation. We got 0.6% of the total income, and I am sure Carlows contribution to the Lotto is well above this. These allocations should not reflect who sits around the Cabinet table," he said. The level of financial support was also criticised by Fine Gael Deputy Billy Timmons, who said Carlow had not received a fair share of the funding. He said other counties had received a higher level of grant and he was disappointed. He was critical of Minister Jim McDaid, who announced the funding. He said the Minister had spoken at Committee level of an equal share of the funding for all counties, and this had not transpired. |
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Fine Gael councillor Denis Foley has been elected the new Chairman of County Carlow Vocational Education Committee. He takes over from fellow Bagenalstown man John McNally who held the post for the past twenty years, and recently retired from politics after twenty-eight years as a county councillor. |
| Gardai expect to bring charges against one man in
connection with the vicious assault on a pensioner in the Killeshin Road area of Carlow two weeks ago. Last week Gardai detained and questioned four men in their twenties, all with Carlow connections, after early morning raids on their homes. A file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions and charges are expected to follow. Gardai are not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack, in which the victim sustained a broken elbow, and cuts and bruises. |
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As the countdown continues to the opening of the new bridge over the River Barrow concerns have been raised about the advent of the sugar beet campaign and the affects it may have on traffic using the new gateway to the west. Carlow County Council is set to impose "clearway" regulations on all roads in the vicinity of the bridge, which would leave it illegal for any type of vehicle to park along the road. The announcement caused much debate at the June meeting of the authority. Cllr. John Pender said that traditionally lorries have parked along the road. Deputy John Browne said there was no point having a bypass if it was clogged with parked vehicles. He asked why the Sugar Factory had not provided parking space for the vehicles. Cllr. M.J. Nolan asked if the proposals were a way to force the company to provide parking. He said if there were breakdowns at the factory there would be serious back-ups of traffic. Cllr. P.J. Kavanagh said the sugar company would not allow parking on the premises, while Cllr. Fred Hunter asked if any discussions had taken place with the company. County Engineer Dermot O'Riordan he had advised the company of the proposals and it was not unreasonable to expect a company to provide parking for its suppliers. He said the clearway regulations would not apply in the evenings or on Sundays, so they would not interfere with major GAA games at Dr. Cullen Park. Cllr. Joe MacDonald explained that the usual intake could be up to fifty lorries an hour and even a short three hour breakdown at the factory could see lorries backed up as far as Oaklawns. He said he did not believe the sugar factory had enough parking space to accommodate so may vehicles. |
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Carlow County Council pre-empted getting approval to close off a right of way on the outskirts of Carlow town, and closed a road several weeks before the closing date for objections. Cllr. M.J. Nolan said a right of way at Frederick Avenue was closed off by agents of the Council who erected steel bars across it, even though it ad publicly advertised that it would accept submissions until July 16. He said he understood residents of the area wanted the right of way closed, and while he had no problem with this, the Council was obliged to observe the law. County Engineer Dermot O'Riordan admitted the Councils agents had been "premature". He said the Council had intended that the road would remain open until submissions had been dealt with. He said the Council already had the agreement of residents to close the road, but there was also a third party objection. He said the Council had now made arrangements to re-open the road to traffic. |
| Forty-three community groups in County Carlow are to
benefit from this years Environmental Grants Scheme. Carlow County Council has provided a fund of £9,500 for this years scheme, which attracted forty-nine applications. Some of the applications were for sums of several thousand pounds. County Manager Tom Dowling said groups who had applied for large sums could not benefit from the current scheme which had a very limited budget, and he hoped funding for these larger schemes might be approved when the Council considered its estimates for next year. The grants will go towards various projects including repair of stone walls, landscaping, grass cutting, tree planting and railings painting. The successful groups this year were; Clonmore Development Association £200 Kernanstown Development Group £300 Slaney View Community Development Tullow £200 Cranevane Well and Barragh Church Restoration Group £250 Old Graves Group Carlow £150 Holy Family GNS Askea £200 Clonegal NS £150 St. Brigids Crescent Bagenalstown £350 Fr. Cummins Park Residents £350 Maple Lawn Residents £250 Talbot Terrace/Greenhills Residents £200 Carlow Vocational School £250 Bishop Foley School £200 Pairc Mhuire Residents Bagenalstown £350 Holy Angels £150 Ballinkillen Community Group £250 Borris Handball Club £200 Valley View Residents Clonegal £200 Ardattin Tidy Towns Group £250 Hacketstown £200 Clonmore Development Group £150 Old Leighlin Tidy Towns £200 Templepeter Graveyard Restoration £250 Leighlinbridge Improvement Group £500 Borris Tidy Towns Committee £300 St. Mullins £200 Ballon Enterprise Centre £300 Kildavin Development Association £300 Ballyellen £250 Tinryland Development £150 Hacketstown NS £250 Tinryland NS £150 Tinnahinch £250 Benekerry NS £120 Hillbrook Estate Residents £100 Rathanna Community Group £250 Drummond Residents Association £140 Presentation College Askea £100 Monacurragh Residents Association £150 Carrigduff £150 Conway Park Bagenalstown £200 Ballymurphy £250 Ardattin Development Association £150 |
| A meeting is due to take place on Thursday night between
Bagenalstown Town Commission and a deputation from the newly formed St. Bridgets Crescent Residents Association, with a view to discussing the future maintenance of "The Plots." A letter to the Town Commission stated that the Association was prepared to maintain the area, provided it was initially cleaned up by the local authority, and the right of way issue was clarified. The new Residents Association has a six person steering committee and a full committee of twenty. Its Chairman is Derek Mahon. Cmmr. Patrick Roche said he believed that the long term solution would be the division of the green area between the residents, as there was never ging to be room for a local authority development on the site. Members agreed to meet representatives of the Association on this Thursday night, and to discuss the matter of the right of way separately. |
| Summer is finally here. At least that's what you think when
you see lifeguards back on patrol at County Carlows most popular bathing areas. And they were back at the weekend. This season three lifeguards are employed by Carlow County Council at Bagenalstown, Leighlinbridge and Clashganny, Borris. Two of the lifeguards took up duty on Saturday, the third will start at Leighlinbridge this weekend. 'The Council this year has provided an unprecedented level of financing for water safety measures throughout the county. Members of the public are beginning to identify the River Barrow as a major resource in terms of amenity and economic growth in the future,' said Dan McDonnell, Water Safety Officer for the county. Knockbeg College, just over the Carlow boundary with Co. Laois, has for decades proven a very popular swimming area for Carlovians, and this summer it may prove just as popular. But it is outside the jurisdiction of Carlow County Council. 'I've spoken to my counterpart in County Laois about a number of aspects of this bathing area. It is a safe bathing area but there are a number of attractions including a tree, which overhangs the river, and children tend to jump off this. There is also a diving board structure. I keep an unofficial watch on the area and bring my concerns to my colleague in Laois,' Dan said. Lifeguards are on duty for the next eight weeks, seven days a week, from 2.30 to 5.30, and from 6.30 to 8.30. They patrol usually a 100 metre area and their duties include rescues and treating any injuries sustained on the river bank. Mr. McDonnell commends the work carried out by the County Carlow Water Safety Committee, under Chairman T.V. Stafford, which conducts classes throughout the county in local swimming pools. He also prises the work of the National Safety Council which produces leaflets on water safety. |
| A naked lady adorns the wall of the ladies public toilet in
Bagenalstown acording to Cllr. Denis Foley. He claims distasteful grafitti is also on the walls, much to the annoyance of visitors. He told the Town Commission he had witnessed the art first hand, while a lady kept guard at the door. Area Engineer Tom Browne said he would take a close look at the matter. |
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The new Chairman of Carlow County Council is Fine Gael councillor Michael Deering, who was elected following a pact between Fine Gael, Labour and Progressive Democrat councillor Walter Lacey. The combination of the three parties gave it a majority of one over the Councils nine Fianna Fail councillors, and Mary White of the Green Party who voted with Fianna Fail, who had proposed John Pender for the Chair and Rody Kelly for the vice-Chair. Cllr. Lacey was elected vice-Chairman, much to the annoyance of Fianna Fail councillors who called for a rotation of the Chair between the major parties. Cllr. M.J. Nolan (FF) said the actions of the members of the Fine Gael/Labour/Progressive Democrat grouping would be described as sectarianism in Northern Ireland. He said the actions in the chamber could be compared to what was going on in the North for the past fifty years. Deputy John Browne (FG) said he was appalled at the comments of Cllr. Nolan. He pointed out that in Bagenalstown Town Commission, the Chair had rotated until Fianna Fail had a majority and then the practice stopped. Cllr. Lacey said he regretted the tone of the debate and he pointed out that he had worked well on Carlow UDC with four Fianna Fail councillors, and he could have been accused of the same thing there. Newly elected Chairman Cllr. Michael Deering said the people had democratically elected the new Council, and the councillors had now democratically elected its new Chairman and vice-Chairman. He said everyone should accept that after an election there would be winners and losers. |
| The latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show
that the numbers returning to work are continuing to rise. The Lve Register figures for May 1999, show that in County Carlow 2,802 people are on the register compared to 3,239 in May 1998. Carlow town has 1,639 on the register, compared to 1,842 a year ago. Tullow has 535, down from 631, and Bagenalstown has 628, down from 766 in May 1998. |
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The new Chairman of the Friends of Calcutta is Bagenalstown curate Fr. Kevin Walsh. He says the priorities of the group are to continue to support the schools which have been set up in Calcutta, and to continue to support some twenty other projects in the area. He has been to Calcutta several times, and has experienced the problems facing its people first hand. "If you can imagine a city the size of Dublin with twenty million people and a very high rate of poverty. That's what its like there and the basic need is education. We need to educate people so that they can improve their own standard of living and their lifestyle," he said. The Friends of Calcutta opened its first school in Calcutta over a year ago. It now has over 150 children in two schools with six teachers. The children get meals in the schools and a health programme is built around the school system. Fr. Walsh is originally from Kilcock, Co. Kildare. He was in Calcutta for six months in 1996, where he met Michael Hopkins from Bagenalstown, a founder member of the Friends of Calcutta. By coincidence, Fr. Walsh found himself some years later living in Michaels home town. Several fundraising events are planned for this year including a parachute jump and a concert in Mother Redcaps, Dublin, on Saturday July 3. |
| The annual report of the IDA for 1998 has just been
published and in it the South East region s looking extremely healthy from an industrial point of view. The agency says that 1,173 new jobs were created in IDA supported companies last year, up on 1997 in which the figure stood at 935, but still not reaching the record set in 1996, when 1,459 jobs were created. The total employment in IDA supported companies in 1998 stands at 9,802, down slightly on the previous year, where the figure stood at 9,878, but up on three previous years. Nationally the biggest growth area is international services, where the sector has grown by over 31%, followed by pharmaceuticals/healthcare up 8%, and electronics/engineering up almost 4%. There has been a drop in the numbers employed in the textile/clothing/footwear sector, down almost 9% and the miscellaneous industry sector, which is down over 2%. |
| Local Election Results
Where the votes went on June 11th - those who got elected, the first preference votes for all the candidates, and the state of the parties. Carlow County Council (21 seats) F.F. 9 (-), F.G. 7 (-), Lab. 3 (-1), P.D. 1 (-), Green 1 (+1) Carlow No. 1 Area (3) Quota 570 Electorate 4,869 Invalid 44 Valid Poll 2,278 Jimmy Murnane (FF) 519 ELECTED Declan Alcock (FG) 380 ELECTED Joe MacDonald (FF) 451 ELECTED Des Hurley (Lab) 345 Jim Gibbons (PD) 340 Colette Fennelly(FG) 243 Carlow No. 2 Area (5) Quota 600 Electorate 8,791 Invalid 65 Valid Poll 3,594 John Browne (FG) 625 ELECTED Michael Abbey (FG) 601 ELECTED M.J. Nolan (FF) 514 ELECTED Walter Lacey (PD) 453 ELECTED Rody Kelly (FF) 387 ELECTED Tony O'Sullivan (Lab) 343 Nicholas Carpenter (FF) 327 Jennifer Murnane-O'Connor (FF) 220 Conor Dowling (Non-party) 124 Borris Area (3) Quota 663 Electorate 4,591 Invalid 34 Valid Poll 2,648 Mary White (Green) 582 ELECTED Michael Meaney (Lab) 549 ELECTED Dolores Barron (FF) 450 ELECTED Michael Doyle (FG) 515 Siobhan Minchin (FF) 349 Bridie Lawlor (Non-party) 203 Muinebeag Area (5) Quota 735 Electorate 8,148 Invalid 77 Valid Poll 4,406 Jim Townsend (Lab) 671 ELECTED Enda Nolan (FF) 586 ELECTED Denis Foley (FG) 550 ELECTED Arthur McDonald (FF) 481 ELECTED Mary McDonald (FG) 397 ELECTED John Clarke (Lab) 443 Martin Nevin (Non-party) 352 Eddie Cullen (FF) 329 John Hughes (FG) 237 Paddy Kiely (FF) 174 John McNally (Non-party) 102 Liz Dunne (Lab) 84 Tullow Area (5) Quota 775 Electorate 8,611 Invalid 72 Valid Poll 4,649 William Patton (Lab) 842 ELECTED Fred Hunter (FG) 676 ELECTED Michael Deering (FG) 619 ELECTED John Pender (FF) 651 ELECTED P.J. Kavanagh (FF) 461 ELECTED Noel Kennedy (FF) 498 Pat O'Toole (FG) 396 Michael Murphy (FG) 262 Billy Nolan (Non-party) 168 Danny Kelly (Green) 76 Carlow U.D.C. (9 seats) Quota 485 Electorate 11,355 Invalid 81 Valid Poll 4,845 F.F. 3 (-1), F.G. 3 (+1), Lab 2 (-), P.D. 1 (-) Michael Abbey (FG) 556 ELECTED Jimmy Murnane (FF) 498 ELECTED Rody Kelly (FF) 419 ELECTED Declan Alcock (FG) 416 ELECTED Walter Lacey (PD) 382 ELECTED Jim Townsend (Lab) 398 ELECTED Des Hurley (Lab) 362 ELECTED Fergal Browne (FG) 390 ELECTED Nicholas Carpenter (FF) 329 ELECTED Joe MacDonald (FF) 302 Lorraine Hynes (FF) 202 Jim Gibbons (PD) 185 Jennifer Murnane-O'Connor (FF) 132 Maggie Cullen (Green) 104 Conor Dowling (Non-party) 91 Paul O'Flaherty (Non-party) 53 Muinebeag Town Commission (9) Quota 137 Electorate 2,017 Invalid 23 Valid Poll 1,361 F.F. 6 (+1), F.G.2 (-), Lab 1 (-1) John Clarke (Lab) 183 ELECTED Arthur McDonald (FF) 172 ELECTED Thomas Dermody (FF) 145 ELECTED Denis Foley (FG) 133 ELECTED Margaret Cushen (FF) 132 ELECTED Patrick Roche (FG) 69 ELECTED Paddy Kiely (FF) 94 ELECTED Derek Mahon (FF) 95 ELECTED Claire Dunne (FF) 71 ELECTED Enda Nolan (FF) 69 Noel Aughney (FG) 62 Stephen Bambrick (FG) 57 Liam Barry (Lab) 39 William Dillon (Non-party) 20 John McNally (Non-party) 20 |
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Bagenalstown Town Commissioners have been campaigning for a water supply in the local graveyard since 1985, and still relative of the deceased must bring water with them when visiting for flowers and cleaning headstones. Area Engineer Tom Browne said he felt the only practical solution would be the sinking of a pump, but County Secretary Jim Kearney said that if water was provided it must be clean and drinkable to comply with EU standards. Cmmr. John Clarke said the Council should examine the possibility of grant assistance, and he said that if the Council could not solve the problem, he could not see the point having a Council. Cmmr. Paddy Kiely said whoever was elected to represent the Bagenalstown Area on the new County Council should ensure funding was provided in next years estimates. |
| A new thirst quencher arrived in several pubs in Carlow
town at the weekend after being officially launched by Carlow Brewing Company last week. O'Hara's Celtic Stout comes hot on the heels of Curim and Molings, and hopes to edge into a highly competitive market with stout already representing 50% of the total beer consumed in Ireland. Carlow Brewing Company has gone from strength to strength since first opening its doors last August, and its premises at Station Road, has already made its mark on the tourist trail, with tours of the microbrewery now forming part of many itineraries. |
| One hundred new High Technology course places will be
offered at Carlow Institute of Technology with the announcement of a capital allocation of £3 million by the Minister for Education. The money will be used to develop facilities and to fill the gap in the workplace for skilled personnel, according to Senator Jim Gibbons, who welcomed the announcement. |
| Margaret Doyle dropped a line to remind everyone not to
forget the 6th Annual Barn Dance which will take place in Borris on the Sunday night 6th June at Borris Agri. Music by Lightning Strikes. Food and Late Bar. |
| The campaign for the promotion of Irish in Carlow town has
received another boost with the announcment of funding to the tune of £20,000 from Bord na Gaeilge. The funding will go towards Ceatharlach 2,000, a millennium project to promote bilingualism in Carlow. The project will see the introduction of a new Higher Course in Irish Studies for Adults at St. Patricks College. It begins in October and is already approved by the National Council for Education Awards. The Cathaoirleach of Ceatharlach le Gaeilge, Bride de Roiste said she was thrilled with the funding. “Such a significent investment is due recognition for what has been achieved here to date as well as being a major incentive to us all to aim for even greater heights,” she said. |
| A campaign to secure a dog warden and dog pound for County
Carlow kicked off at the weekend with the launch of a petition by the local branch of the ISPCA. The Society says that on average there are 8,000 dogs throughout the county, and if the £10 licence fees were collected from each of the dog owners, there would be sufficient funding to run a proper service in Carlow. Presently the service is operated from a dog pound in Dungarvan, Co. Kilkenny. One dog warden serves both counties Carlow and Kilkenny, visiting Carlow town for an hour on Mondays, and available by telephone at other times. The service is part financed by both Carlow and Kilkenny County Councils, but the majority of funding comes from donations. Last year the dog pound dealth with over nine hundred stray animals, almost half came from County Carlow. Last year Carlow County Council expected to collect £4,000 from dog licence fees. It collected £4,500, which accounted for a mere 900 licenced dogs. It expects the same number of dogs to be licensed this year according to the book of estimates it adopted last October. In the meantime dog licences have doubled in price. They now cost £10. The commission paid to the Post Office has also increased - from £1.10 per licence to £1.20. New regulations introduced recently require all dogs to wear collar identification, and where dog owners are claiming a stray dog as their own, they must produce current dog licence. Under the regulations Dog Wardens now have the power to enter a premises where he or she believes a guard dog is being kept. Under earlier regulations he or she could only enter if they believed more than five dogs were being kept. There is provision for the greater use of on the spot fines for breaches of the regulations. |
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Eight candidates are going forward for the European Parliament elections in Leinster. The four outgoing MEP's - Liam Hyland (FF), Jim Fitzsimons (FF), Alan Gillis (FG) and Nuala Ahern (Green) are all seeking re-election. Joining them on the ballot papers are Avril Doyle (FG), Sean Butler (Labour), Desmond Garrett (Natural Law Party) and Arthur Morgan (Sinn Fein). The European Parliament elections take place on June 11, the same day as the local elections. |
| A pilot out of hours doctors-on-call scheme to be
introduced in County Carlow in the coming weeks, will provide patients with round the clock care while at the same time tackling the problem of over-tired doctors. The Chairman of the CareDoc scheme is Dr. Sean McGuire. He attended this months meeting of Carlow County Council to explain how the scheme would work and to respond to earlier criticisms of the plans. The scheme will see three groups of eight doctors working together. Five doctors in Carlow town have decided to continue with their present rota which they feel serves their patients well, and while they will not be joining the CareDoc scheme, they support it and may join at a later stage. "Tired doctors are dangerous. They make simple mistakes. We're trying to get rid of the situation of tired doctors in the surgery after weekends on call. At present there are three-doctor rota's and at weekends you might have to ring two answering machines before getting the mobile number of the doctor on call. The new scheme will do away with that," Dr. McGuire said. CareDoc will have a central base at St. Dympna's Hospital in Carlow town. One central telephone number (0503-34999) will deal with all out of hours calls. The calls will be answered by a nurse, who will be able to give medical advice or advise patients to go to a local surgery, or send a doctor on a house call. The doctors will be transported by full time drivers who will take the doctors to the homes of patients or to local surgeries where they can meet the patients. The vehicles will be fully fitted with the latest medical and telecommunications equipment. In the case of the doctors on call being unable to handle the out of hours workload, the nurse will be able to contact other doctors to help out. The scheme will be the first of its kind in Ireland and will be constantly reviewed. Dr. McGuire was the founder of the first major doctors co- operative in the U.K. which was made up of sixty doctors, ten years ago. He said there was no doubt that the service would be more efficient for patients with the introduction of the scheme in June. Cllr. Michael Meaney, who had expressed reservations about the scheme at an earlier meeting of the Council, said he was still not convinced. He said he understood two doctors would be on duty until midnight, and then just one doctor between midnight and 8.00 am. Dr. McGuire said that while only one doctor and driver would be on duty in the early hours, the nurse would be able to contact extra doctors if the need arose. |
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Well done to Carlow Tourism on the production of its most elegent, colourful, and informative brochure "Carlow- at the centre of a great holiday". The 24 page publication is packed with information on the county - where to go, what to do when you get here, where to stay, and how to get around. The photographs are supurb and its great to see the Browneshill Dolmen being captured in a new light - that of a full moon. The brochure suggests a walking tour of Carlow town, and historis notes of the various locations are included. The route is the Courthouse, St. Patricks College, Carlow Cathedral, The Liberty Tree, St. Mary's Church, Carlow Castle, Graiguecullen Bridge, St. Clare's Church, The Haymarket and Cigar Divan. Almost every town and village in the county gets mentioned alongside photographs of the various locations. And there are features on waterways and golfing, cycling, local attractions and a number of suggested drives. The brochure is certainly going to put the county on the tourism map this summer. |
| Carlow Chamber of Commerce has come out in support of an
Eastern bypass of Carlow town. At a recent executive meeting, members unanimously agreed to support the plan. The meeting agreed to send a letter of support to the County Manager. Chief Executive Officer Gerard Dunne said that historically bypasses had enabled other towns to develop at all levels, and the Chamber was delighted to support the County Council in promoting the N9 as the major route to Waterford. |
| Inconsiderate drivers are causing problems for the disabled
in County Carlow, according to the P.R.O. of the Carlow branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association. John Hughes says that disabled parking spaces in Carlow, Tullow and Bagenalstown are being used by everyone, depriving the disabled of a place to park their vehicles. He said that on-the-spot fines and clamping should be enforced to solve the problem. He said members of the Association were unhappy with the new arrangements at Kennedy Avenue car park in Carlow town, where the new disabled spaces were no longer on the outside. He said this caused problems for people trying to get out of cars. Mr. Hughes also appealed to supermarkets which have car parks, which are outside the control of the local authority, to ensure that their disabled spaces were reserved for the disabled. He also urged businesses to remember the disabled when designing shop entrances and access to their premises. |
| Vandals broke into St. Lazerians Special School in Carlow
town twice last week. As reported in last weeks "Carlow's Own", the school was broken into on Sunday April 25. On that occasion some damage was caused, taps were rturned on and a sink was blocked, resulting in flooding. The water damage saw the school closed on Monday. Then again on Thursday night last, vandals struck again. Taps were turned on again, causing even more water damage. Any information to Carlow Gardai. Gardai are also investigating criminal damage at a house at College Green last Wednesday night. A patio door was smashed. |
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Carlows Housing Officer Michael Delahunty has rejected suggestions that rents for limited accommodation dwellings have been doubled, while tenants are living in substandard houses. Cllr. John McNally said that there were up to thirty houses in Bagenalstown, which were up to twenty years old, and tenants had been asked for a substantial increase in rents. He said some older people were "crucified" with very little heating, and when they used open fires or electric fires, they had huge fuel bills as well as rent to pay. He called for a "freeze" on rents until refurbishments were carried out. Cllr. John Pender claimed that distraught elderly people and old age pensioners were facing increases in rents of fifty per cent. He said in one case the rent increased by one hundred per cent. Mr. Delahunty said rent increases were being phased in, and there was no question of rents doubling. Cllr. Pender challenged this saying that one tenant could not close the door of the house, but yet the rent had doubled. |
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A precedent may have been set by a recent planning decision of Carlow County Council which prevented a new house being built on the site of an old house just off a national primary road. The developer was refused planning permission on the grounds that it was a contravention of the County Development Plan. It breached a regulation which, in the interpretation of planners, prevented a "new access onto a national primary road." It looks as though permission may finally be granted, with a recent notice from the Council seeking a material contravention of the development plan, which would mean the green light, provided there are no objections. But Deputy John Browne maintains the original decision may lead to similar applications being turned down. He said he could not see the sense in refusing permission as the same entrance, which had been used for up to one hundred years, would not be changed. He said the old house was in a bad state of repair, and under the planning system, the occupant would have every right to live there and drive onto or off the national primary road. But he would not be allowed build a new house, which would give him some comfort, on the same site, using the same entrance. It would be a traffic hazard, according to the Council. The issue appeared to be side stepped at this months Council meeting, with a question mark being put over whether or not the house had been occupied recently. |
| Representatives of South East Tourism gave a presentation
to members of Carlow County Council at the April meeting of the authority, but they faced criticism from several councillors, who were unhappy with the countys performance in the tourism stakes. Regional Tourism Manager Joe Palmer said there were now 310 approved beds in Carlow, and the most recent figures showed that Carlow Tourism Office had 10,000 callers in a year, made 250 bookings and had secured 1,000 bed nights. He said visitors had spent £10 million in the county in 1997, and 60% of the visitors at a regional level, had come from Britain. Tourism Officer for Carlow/Kilkenny Pat Nolan predicted that Altamont Gardens would become a major tourism resource in the county, after being taken into State care with the recent death of its owner Mrs. North. He said Old Leighlin Cathedral was another huge asset to the county. He added that Leighlinbridge may be Irelands representative in the Entente Florale, International Flower Festival, and he said the Barrow Awards Scheme would again take place this year. Cllr. John Pender said there were two rivers in County Carlow and while the River Barrow received plenty of publicity, there was little about the River Slaney, which attracted anglers from all over the world. He said the river was now developing as "an open sewer" due to the high level of litter and rubbish in it. Cllr. Jimmy Murnane said he was very disappointed Carlow Castle was not mentioned. He said he was also saddened that when a close relative of Walt Disney flew into Carlow by helicopter on two occasions, there was no one from any of the local authorities to meet him. He said Mr. Disney was interested in making some type of contribution to a childrens park in Carlow. Cllr. Arthur McDonald said the Barrow Track was not fully accessible in the Bagenalstown area and the Office of Public Works was refusing to do anything about the situation. Cllr. Enda Nolan said he was very disappointed that Kilkenny was being pushed constantly by South East Tourism and Carlow received very little exposure. He said 1997 figures showed Carlow had 43,000 visitors while Kilkenny had 208,000. He said the spend on promotion now needed to be for Carlow and greater effort was needed. Cllr. Michael Deering said there was no mention of Rathvilly, which had won the national Tidy Towns Competition on three occasions. Cllr. Pat O'Toole said there was a problem with at least one tourism outlet in Carlow where VAT refund documentation was not available. He said an American visitor was very disappointed at the situation. Deputy John Browne said the Brownshill Dolmen should be more colourfully photographed. He said it was an "European Champion" and as such should be given the same respect as other champions. Cllr. John McNally said Carlow had seen huge improvements over the past ten years and great credit was due to South East Tourism. |
| Sunday was an historic day for the people of Bagenalstown,
with the signing of a charter which officially twins the town with Pont Pean in France. A group of thirty-seven residents of the French town were in Bagenalstown for the ceremony, and during their four-day stay they took in several tours of the area and attended special night time functions in the town. The French Party was led by the Mayor of Pont Pean, Mons. Louis Gauffeny, who was accompanied by town Council members, twinning committee members and residents of Pont Pean. The visitors stayed with host families in the Bagenalstown area, and toured several areas of historic interest, as well as Carlow Brewing Company and Kilkenny Design Workshop. A special tour of Bagenalstown took place on Sunday, and the French were also treated to a hurling match at McGrath Park. On Friday a special welcoming dinner took place in the Presentation De La Salle College, sponsored by Bank of Ireland. Presentations were made to the Town Twinning Committee chairpersons from both towns. Saturday night was sponsored by the Vintners, and the venue was The Railway House where a Pike was presented to the French Mayor by local Pikemen. The Mayor proved himself a talented entertainer, and took to the stage like a fish to water, with several renditions of a song titled "Scooby Do." Sunday nights farewell function took place in the Mount Leinster Arms, and the French party departed yesterday (Monday). Earlier a presentation of a sliotar, jersey and hurley was made to the Mayor by Erins Own Hurling Club, at a match at McGrath Park. The official twinning ceremony took place in Fairgreen Park, which was looking beautiful for the occasion (Well done to Bagenalstown Improvement Group). Entertainment was provided by Rathanna Marching Band and members of the Sadie McGrath Schools of Dancing. The ceremony was attended by the members of the Fire Service, Civil Defence, FCA, O.N.E., and Pikemen. The Chairman of Bagenalstown Town Commission Cllr. Arthur McDonald explained that following an initial approach from the Pont Pean Twinning Committee, Bagenalstown Town Commissioners set up a twinning committee to establish links with the French town. He said what followed was an initial exchange of a few key personnel, several meetings and much correspondence, and now at last, the official twinning of the two towns. Gifts were exchanged between the Mayor and Cllr. McDonald, with a beautiful picture of Bagenalstown being presented to the Mayor from the people of Bagenalstown. The twinning charter was signed on behalf of the people of Bagenalstown by Cllr. McDonald, Cmmr. Paddy Kiely and the Chief of the Kinsella Clan, Eddie Kinsella. The signing of the twinning Charter was summed up aptly by Cmmr. Paddy Kiely, Chairman of the Bagenalstown Twinning Committee, who said; "The twinning of the two towns is like a marriage. There is a fairly long courtship before the knot is finally tied. Pont Pean and Bagenalstown have had their courtship, and the weekend has finally arrived to tie the knot." The Mayor of Pont Pean, Mons. Gauffney said the town twinning road would be a long one, but the initial steps, which were the most important ones, had already been taken. "We will probably begin with cultural and sporting events which are the easiest areas for exchange. We must however also pay attention to other areas : in the economic domain, cooperation in tourism, educational exchanges and training periods in local enterprises, in order to develop bilingualism and professional qualifications.We will speak about this later since the primary aim of the founders of our twinning is to create a current of friendship and empathy between our two communities. The quality and the warmth of your welcome leads me to believe that this will be easy to achieve. No doubt we shall remember this for a long time but in particular at the signing of the Charter in the year 2000 at Pont-Péan. I would like to add that we have been greatly touched by the effort made by the traders and the population of Muinebheag in decorating the shops and houses in our honor. We admire and greatly appreciate your energy and the attention that you have paid to us. The President of the Pont Pean Twinning Committee, Mme. Armelle Desrez, has been one of the guiding lights behind the twinning, and she was thrilled with the reception the group received in Bagenalstown, and she looked forward to the return visit in France next year. The twinning charter is written in Irish, English and French, and it commits the two towns to "developing social, economic, cultural, touristic, and sporting links" between the two communities. Already several exchanges have taken place between residents of both towns and these exchanges will continue. Next years signing of the Charter in France is expected to take place in April, when its thought a large group of people from Bagenalstown will travel to Pont Pean. |
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Altamount Estate on the outskirts of Tullow is set to become the jewel in Carlow's tourism crown, and one of the top attractions in the South East. The estate is now in the ownership of the State following the recent death of its owner Mrs. North. The gardens are expected to reopen in June but Altamount House will not open this year. Parks Supervisor with the Heritage Service, Paddy Friel, says work is progressing well in the gardens at present. Car parking and access is being improved, and additional horticultural staff have been drafted in. "We had been negotiating on the takeover of Altamount by the State when Mrs. North passed away, and we have had to take it over much earlier than anticipated. The gardens will reopen in June if building work goes according to plan. We are making the house safe and secure but it will not open this year," Paddy Friel said. Altamount Gardens will feature in several tourism brochures next year, guaranteeing a huge increase in tourism numbers not just to the estate, but to County Carlow. The estate is expected to feature in the publications of South East Tourism and those of the Heritage Service. |
| Tullow is in for a major facelift over the coming months
with an upgrading of footpaths in the town and new public lights. Local councillor Pat O'Toole said he was delighted that councillors from the area agreed to the programme at an area meeting of Carlow County Council. The first phase of the footpath programme includes new footpaths at Mill Street, Chapel Lanes, John Street, Dublin Road, Fr. Murphy Terrace and Carlow Road. The footpath on the Shillelagh Road will also be upgraded as part of the scheme. Over fifty new public lights are to be provided in the town. Areas to benefit are Pairc Mhuire, Dublin Road, Barrack Street, Ballymurphy Road, The Mullawn, Carlow Road, St. Austins Terrace, Snowball Alley, Thomas Traynor Road, Bunclody Road, Shillelagh Road, Tullow Hill, the entrance to Hillbrook Estate and the new Peace Park. Tenders are being sought for the work according to Cllr. O'Toole, and further works will be carried out when phase one is completed. Other towns and villages in the county are also to benefit from the footpath and public lighting programmes. |
| The number of Council workers in the Bagenalstown area has
dropped from thirty-five to just five over the years, Cmmr. Denis Foley claimed at this months meeting of the Town Commission. Now members are calling on Carlow County Council to appoint extra workers as a matter of urgency. And they've vowed to take the matter to the Minister for the Environment if they don't get satisfaction. Cmmr. John Clarke said the Council seemed to be "sitting back", at a time when people were crying out for work, and when the work needed to be done in the town. He said that only for the efforts of groups like Bagenalstown Improvement Group, nothing would be done. Cllr. John McNally said councillors from all over the county had been asking for more workers at County Council meetings for the past ten years, but with no success. Cmmr. Patrick Roche pointed out that community employment schemes now seemed to be being cut back, which would mean little manpower for the community, and still the County Council had no plans for extra staff. Chairman Cllr. Arthur McDonald said there were no signs of cutbacks in towns like Carlow and Kilkenny. He claimed the Council was trying to "kill off" smaller towns like Bagenalstown. Cmmr. Paddy Kiely said there were more workers employed by the Council in times of recession. He said there were plenty of jobs in the Council for administrative staff, but no work for outdoor staff. He claimed there were ten administrative staff members to every one outdoor worker. Cllr. Enda Nolan said the Council never had as much money as at present, but it was being directed in the wrong areas. |
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Final preparations are being made for the arrival of thirty- seven French visitors to Bagenalstown next week. The group is due to arrive from Bagenalstowns twin town of Pont Pean on Thursday evening, when a meal will be laid on at the Manor House. The visitors are being accommodated locally by host families, and will be met by them, some for the first time, later that evening. The group will include the Mayor of Pont Pean and his wife, the Deputy Mayor, the President of the Town Twinning Committee, and members of the Town Twinning Committee and Town Council. Four interpreters will help out with language difficulties during the visit. A full and varied programme has been planned, with several tours and social functions. On Friday the group will visit Dunleckney Manor, Carlow Brewing Company, and Browneshill Dolmen. Lunch will be at Mount Wolseley Golf and Country Club, and there will also be a visit to Rathwood House and Garden Centre, and Adelaide Church in Myshall. A welcoming dinner will be held in the Presentation De La Salle College, with musical entertainment provided by the DIT Conservatory of Music Piano Trio. The group formed last October and won first prize in the DIT Chamber Music Competition, as well as winning several accolades at Feis Ceoil in the RDS. The group features local girl Micheline Kinsella, Emma MacNaughton and her sister Clare. A singing and dancing group from Mac's Bar will also perform. On Saturday the group will visit Kilkenny Design Workshop, Rothe House, and Kilkenny Castle. After lunch there will be a visit to Inistioge, St. Mullins and Borris. The Vintners Association are sponsoring an evening dinner at the Railway House in Bagenalstown. Sunday morning is free for the guests to spend time with their host families. On Sunday afternoon there is a walking tour of Bagenalstown, with local historian Eddie Kinsella, who will act as host for the various tours. The group have also been invited By Erins Own Hurling Club to visit McGrath Park to watch a game of hurling. The team will present the guests with a Club jersey, a hurley and a sliotar. The signing of the twinning charter will take place at 5.30 in Fairgreen Park, weather permitting. The event will be held in McGrath Hall if the weather is bad. A colour party from the FCA and members of the Gardai will attend, and music will be provided by Rathanna Pipe Band. A farewell dinner is to take place in the Presentation De La Salle College, where Garda personnel will make a presentation to the Mayor of Pont Pean. Entertainment will be provided by local members of Comhaltas and David Dwyer, Dermot Shaughnessy and Jim Drea. The Bagenalstown Twinning Committee is encouraging everyone to make the visitors feel welcome and traders are asked to decorate their windows with the colours of the French Flag - blue, white and red, display a French Flag, or put a "Bienvenue" (Welcome) sign in their window. |
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Carlow town is promises a feast of music, dance, arts and crafts, with the arrival of Eigse 1999 on June 10. Details of this years Carlow Arts Festival were unveiled by County Manager Tom Dowling at a reception at Carlow Shopping Centre last week. Entertainment on the night was provided by members of Carlow Choral Society. The two Chairman of Carlow local authorities Cllr. Jim Townsend (County Council) and Cllr. Nicholas Carpenter (UDC) paid tribute to the achievements of the Eigse Committees over the years, and the economic and tourism benefits the town enjoyed as a result of their work. Cllr. Townsend paid tribute to three of the founder members of the festival - Brid De Roiste, Fr. Kevin O'Neill and Deirdre Brennan. Mr. Dowling said he was well aware of the Carlow Arts Festival long before he arrived in Carlow, as it was the envy of several groups where he had last worked, in County Clare. He said both local authorities were well aware of the importance of the festival to Carlow and this had been acknowledged by the fact that Carlow County Council had agreed to appoint an Arts Officer and Carlow UDC had agreed a refurbishment of the Town Hall theatre. He said both authorities would continue to play an active role in promoting and developing the arts, and both would pursue a "state-of-the-art" arts centre for Carlow. The Chairman of this years Eigse Committee, Alfie Cox said the festival was now one of the leading arts festivals in Europe, and this was solely down to the "people of vision" who organised the first festival 21 years ago. He called on everyone in Carlow to support the festival and to invite their relatives abroad to come home for the events. The Eigse Carlow Arts Festival takes place from Thursday June 10 to Sunday June 20. |
| Business is being lost in Tullow due to the ongoing problem
of dumping in the River Slaney. Tourism will be severely hit if the crimes continue, and already several fishermen have vowed not to return to the area. Labour Party election candidate William Paton is highly critical of the polluters and claims bags of domestic rubbish can be seen floating down the river, from the bridge in the town. "An appalling site greets anyone who cares to look downstream from the bridge. Black bags full of waste and white bags line the river as far as the eye can see. I've had calls from local anglers and bed and breakfast establishments, who have had complaints from visiting fishermen. They say they have found rubbish all the way down river from Tullow to Aghade," he said. Mr. Patton has written to Carlow County Council demanding that the polluters be identified and prosecuted, and the river cleaned up immediately. |
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Carlow County Councils housing construction programme is still two years behind schedule and its housing waiting list is fast approaching the 500 mark. The present boom in the construction industry appears to be making it difficult to attract builders for the local authority contracts. Sixteen of the 36 houses approved for construction in 1997 are still not finished, although six at Tinryland are due to be completed this month. Three houses at Nurney are expected to be finished next month. In Palatine three are expected to be finished in May with the remaining two due for completion in October. A rural dwelling at Killedmond has just recently been approved by the Department of the Environment. The 1998 construction programme is working out a little better with just 12 houses remaining. Work on one house in Bagenalstown is due to start next month. Tenders are being examined for four rural dwellings - two at Williamstown and one each at Heath and Kilbranish. A rural dwelling at Killedmond is at contract stage, tenders are being sought for another house at Tankardstown, tender documents are being prepared for four houses at Molaise Estate in Old Leighlin and one house is to be purchased by the Council. The 1999 housing construction programme will see 48 houses being provided. Three houses will be purchased. The remaining 45 are at design stage. 16 of the houses will be built in the Carlow Rural Area, Tullow will get 12, Bagenalstown 8, Hacketstown 6, and three rural dwellings will also be provided. Council officials have admitted that it is difficult to attract tenders for the work, and when tenders do arrive they tend to be on the high side. A recent meeting heard of tenders of over £70,000 for three bedroomed homes, which some councillors claimed could have been built for under £40,000. County Manager Tom Dowling urged all builders to consider tendering for Council contracts. |
| Personalised car number plates are out according to the
Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy. Deputy John McGuinness raised the question of personalised plates in the Dail. He said the specialised plates for all vehicles could help boost the coffers of local authorities if the monies collected for them were passed on to the relevant county councils. Responding Minister McCreevy said vehicle registration tax would continue to go to the Central Exchequer and not local authorities. He said there were no plans to introduce such plates. He added that under existing legislation every motor vehicle is assigned a unique number in a specified format, which ensures a transparent and consistant system of registration. He said he was advised by the Department of the Environment that there were no plans to include such proposals as part of the legislation for the reform of local Government. |
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Schools which have been collecting cans for recycling were rewarded last week when Carlow County Council presented prizes to those who collected the most. Last year thirteen schools in the county collected 357,000 drink cans (which weighed eleven tonnes). Six schools received special prizes and certificates last week. The overall winner of the competition was Killeshin National School, with St. Marys National School in Bagenalstown in second place, followed by Queen of the Universe National School, Bagenalstown and Leighlinbridge National School. In a separate section for the school which had collected the highest average number of cans per pupil, the winner was Sacred Heart National School, Borris, with Rathmore National School, Tullow in second place. The Chairman of Carlow County Council and representatives of Recycling Can-paign Ireland and South East Recycling were in attendance. |
| Hacketstown is preparing for one of its biggest Easter
parades in years. Already several pipe bands have agreed to take part including the Tallaght Youth Festival Band, Rathanna Marching Band, and Imbher Mor Marching Band from Arklow. Its expected that up to seven bands will participate. Organisers say that there will be a large number of floats from businesses and organisations from throughout the county, and some from further afield. And the usual cup of tea will be available in the Community Centre after the parade. Local artistes will provide the entertainment along Main Street between two o'clock and when the parade sarts at three. The reviewing stand will also be on Main Street. The parade route will be from Hillview Terrace to Marion Terrace, Moffat Street, Penny Hill, and onto Main Street. A huge crowd is expected on Sunday for what should be a wonderful day out. |
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The stage is set in Tullow for this years "Tops" Competition. This is the second year of the Carlow Contest, since the National Tops competition was scrapped due to a lak of sponsorship. Four shows will take part this year, and the venue, as always, is Murphy Memorial Hall in Tullow. The show dates are Sunday April 18, Wednesday April 21 and Friday April 23. On April 18 Crablane, Coolkenno, take on Tullow. And on April 21 Hacketstown v. St. Mullins. The finals is to be held on April 23. Well done to the organisers, who took t upon themselve to carry the Tops flag, when the national competition fell by the wayside. |
| Two Carlow companies are leading the way in reducing energy
costs. Braun Ireland and Irish Sugar are members of the annual self audit and statement of energy accounts scheme, which aims to reduce energy costs and benefit the environment. The scheme is a voluntary initiative in which member companies commit themselves to regular audits of their energy consumption, annual energy saving targets, and the publication of annual statements on their achievements. In 1997 Braun Ireland was a regional winner in the ESB's ETA Awards, which recognise companies who have made outstanding energy savings generally, but particularly through the more effective use of electricity. Braun's efforts resulted in a 25% reduction in its annual energy costs. |
| The Hacketstown based third world agency Self Help is
organising a Trek to Malawi, due to take place in October. It will be led by RTE's John Creedon. The twelve day fundraiser involved trekking through game reserves and national parks, and visits to Self Help projects in the Chiradzulu and Linthipe regions. The trek has two objectives - to raise funds for Self Help and to raise awareness of the work being carried out by the agency. Further details of the trek to the "warm heart of Africa" are available from Hilary McDonagh at 0508-71175. |
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Plans are progressing for the arrival of dozens of French visitors to Bagenalstown next month. The occasion is the official twinning of Bagenalstown with Pont Pean in France. A hardworking committee in Bagenalstown, under the chairmanship of Paddy Kiely and secretary Margaret Cushen, has been busy making plans. The French visitors will stay with host families in Bagenalstown. They will arrive on Thursday April 15 and stay until the following Sunday. A busy schedule is being planned, with several social functions due to take place in the town. The organising committee got a financial boost earlier this month, with the announcement that Carlow County Council is to provide £2,000 towards the twinning process. The money came following a notice of motion from Cllrs. John McNally, Enda Nolan and Arthur McDonald. It was supported by all. |
| A new twice weekly paediatric clinic has started in Carlow.
It replaces a once a month service. The South Eastern Health Board says the service will be available on Thursdays and Fridays in the clinic area of the District Hospital. The clinics will be run by Consultant Paediatricians with the support of a public health nurse. Referrals will continue to be made through local GP's or consultants based at St. Lukes Hospital in Kilkenny. Clinics start at 10.00 am and patients will be offered individual appointment times, which will reduce the amount of time spent waiting in the clinic. Health Board Chairman Cllr. Michael Meaney said he was very happy with the announcement. He said the development was part of the Carlow Plan and its implementation would be good news for parents and children who sometimes had to travel several miles for treatment. |
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Bagenalstown was hot and colourful and St. Patrick was dressed in green and travelled by horse and trap. Todays St. Patricks Day Parade in Bagenalstown was a huge success. The hottest day of the year so far saw record crowds turn out to enjoy the warm day and the colourful entertainment provided by some forty floats. Organisers said they were delighted with the turnout. The parade was led by a horse and trap, courtesy of Johnny Rice from Corries Museum. St. Patrick was a passenger. Two bands were in attendance - Rathanna Marching Band and Kilkenny City and District Pipe Band. Some of the groups who took part were the Parent and Toddlers Group, Bagenalstown Athletic Club, Bagenalstown O.N.E. and F.C.A., Carlow County Fire Service, the Civil Defence, and dancers from the Sadie O'Mara School. Chairman of the Parade Committee Tony McGrath said it was a great success, and the traders of the town had shown great support for the event. He said the participation of groups had been fantastic and he praised everyone who took part. |
| A dispute at St. Luke's General Hospital in Kilkenny was
resolved on Friday after nurses accepted proposals put forward by the South Eastern Health Board. The dispute over staffing levels was resolved after the Health Board undertook to create an additional ten nursing posts, and to arrange an independent review of staffing levels at the hospital. Nurses had demanded that staffing levels be increased by forty-eight. |
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Rathvilly residents will extend their celebration of the feast of Saint Patrick to next weekend, when a group of thirty take the Irish festivities to France. A trip has been organised by Rathvilly Community Council under Chairman Noel Kennedy, to its twin twon of Fourchambault. The group leaves Rathvilly on Thursday and on Saturday they will take part in Fourchambaults first St. Patricks Day Parade, albeit a few days late. Mr. Kennedy said everyone was looking forward to the trip and the parade, which seemed certain to feature a "few Pikemen." Later this year, in July a group of some fifty students from Rathvilly will visit Fourchambault on a student exchange. |
| Carlow is this week mourning the death of a young couple
who were killed when their car collided with a lorry and another vehicle on the Carlow/Castledermot Road early on Friday morning. Brian O'Halloran and his wife Orla, from Mile Avenue, Burton Hall, were travelling to work when the accident occured at Barnhill. Both were in their late twenties. |
| A pilot doctors co-operative scheme is to be launched in
County Carlow over the coming months, which should see doctors being available to patients around the clock. The South Eastern Health Board, which is funding the scheme along with the Department of Health, says the scheme will proide a comprehensive and easily accessible out of hours service. Twenty-six doctors from Carlow town and surrounding areas are taking part, but five doctors in Carlow town, who already have a rota, have decided not to take part. A fully equipped base wil be provided in Carlow town and GP centres will be provided in other areas. Doctors taking part will have access to a wide range of equipment, including defribrillators, nebulisers and resuscitation kits. The service, which is called CAREDOC (CARlow Emergency Doctors On Call), is to be launched in the summer. Health Board Chairman Cllr. Michael Meaney said he had reservations about the scheme. He said that there was already a three doctor rota system in operation in the Borris area, and still people felt the service was inadequate. He said he could not see how one doctor based in Carlow town and two "mobile" doctors could cover the entire county. He said the scheme would only add to the number of people turning up at Accident and Emergency Units in hospitals. Meanwhile Vice-Chairman Cllr. Jimmy Murnane said he felt it was an excellent plan and he was delighted that Carlow had been chosen for the pilot scheme. |
| The South Eastern Health Board has made its final offer to
nurses who have taken industrial action at St. Lukes Hospital in Kilkenny, Health Board chief John Cooney told yesterdays meeting of the Board. Nurses are demanding forty-eight additional staff to help them cope with what they claim is an increasing workload, but Mr. Cooney said the cost of such appointments could rise to almost two million pounds, which had not been budgeted for, and which was not available. He said the Board had offered ten additional nurses, even though it did not have funding for the posts, and had also offered an independent review of staffing at the hospital. "No matter what pressure is applied, no further concessions can be given unless we are directed by the Minister for Health and extra money is provided. We have gone as far as we can in meeting the requests of the nurses," he said. Mr. Cooney added that if industrial action continued elective admissions at the hospital would cease, and an emergency service could only be guaranteed if the nurses union agreed. |
| Bagenalstown Town Commissioners have decided to go ahead
and spend £3,500 on a coat of arms for the town. Commissioners felt that while they could have a logo designed for about £500, it would only have a lifespan of up to ten years, while a proper coat of arms, while much more expensive, would last generations and would be registered as the official crest of the town. Earlier this year a decision on spending the money was put on hold, until schools in the area were contacted to see if they could come up with an appropriate design. Town Commissioners have studied several designs and have now invited an artist from the Chief Heralds office to attend next months meeting to discuss the project. Students of Bagenalstown Vocational School, under the direction of Art Teacher Michelle Moran have submitted dozens of sketches to the Town Commission. Town Commissioners were very impressed as they viewed the designs at this months meeting, where they paid tribute to the efforts of the students and their teacher. |
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Jobs may be put at risk if any of three of the proposed bypass routes for Carlow town are taken, the March meeting of Carlow County Council was told. Councillors heard of the concerns of residents from Bennekerry and Tinryland, when a deputation from the area made a presentation. But while residents say they are not against a bypass, they strongly oppose the selection of option 18, which they say will divide their community. Mr. Philip Morrissey of Dan Morrissey Concrete Products said option eighteen would cut through Clonmelsh Quarry, and put the jobs of 150 workers on the line. He said the quarry was a valuable national resource and to divide it would be preposterous and outrageous. He said he was never approached by designers of planners, and while local roads were presently closed when explosives were being used at the quarry, he could not see this happening with a major road like a bypass. Mr. Morrissey added that he also had concerns about two other proposed routes - options 15 and sixteen, which he said would cut through a gravel pit the company owned at Powerstown, and which could jeopardise the jobs of 35 people employed there. The Chairman of the Tinryland/Benekerry Bypass Action Committee, P.J. Hickson, said 4,000 people would be directly affected by option 18, if it was adopted. It would consist of twelve miles of new roadway and run within 16 metres of Bennekerry School. It transpired at the meeting that regardless of the views of councillors or Council officials, the last word and the final decision will lie with the National Roads Authority. A recommendation on the optimum route will go before the Council late this year, but regardless of whether it is approved by members or not, the National Roads Authority have the power to take over the entire project, and decide what is best for Carlow, even if the people of Carlow know better. |
| Householders in County Carlow will face a 25% hike in
refuse collection charges, following a decision by Carlow County Council to increase dumping charges for wheelie bin collectors at its landfill site. Householders presently pay ninety-six pounds for a private wheelie bin service. The yearly charge was increased from seventy-two pounds last year, and is set to increase of one hundred and twenty pounds inside the next month. Since the refuse collection service was privatised some years ago, the Council has seen costs at Powerstown Landfill Site rise considerably. These costs have been passed on to the service operators, and in turn, to householders. Mr. Ray Whelan who runs a wheelie bin service for almost five thousand customers says he has no choice but to pass the costs on to his customers. He said that when costs increased last year, almost six hundred wheelie bins were returned. He expects a similar reaction this time. Carlow County Council will raise its charges from twenty- four pounds to thirty pounds a ton from May. This puts its charges well above other counties. Kilkenny County Council charges twenty five pounds a ton, while in Kildare the cost is £26. Wexford and Waterford charge £20, but in Waterford the charge goes up to £25 from July. January 1998 saw the first signals of increasing costs for operators at Powerstown Landfill Site, when the Council enforced the 'polluter must pay' principle, and doubled the charge of six pounds per ton. Last year that charge rose sharply to twenty four pounds. The Council says it must recoup the costs incurred in running what it regards as one of the top five landfill sites in the country. County Manager Tom Dowling, responding to the suggestion that indiscriminate dumping would be the result of increased costs, said illegal dumping would not be tolerated. He said litter wardens were shortly to be appointed for the county, and prosecutions would be taken against offenders. |
| The Marriage Introduction Bureau at Knock, Co. Mayo
continues to report great interest in the service it provides. Last year it handles 181 applications from men and 141 from women. The applicants were aged from 20 to over 60, and while the majority were single, 20 were widowed. Five applications came from County Carlow, three from males, two from females. Outside of Dublin most of the male applications (26) came from County Galway, while the majority of female applications (11) came from County Mayo. The Bureau has had huge success sice starting out in 1968. It has had over 28,000 enquiries and has brought about over 12,000 couples meeting.This has resulted in 721 weddings, 21 of them last year. People from all walks of life avail of the service. Most male applicants are farmers (65 last year) and technicians (34). 21 tradesmen applied, 14 factory employees and 11 drivers. Most female applicants secretaries (26) teachers (23), nurses (18) and housekeepers (18). The Marriage Introduction Bureau can be contacted at 01- 4565065. |
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A new Consultant General Surgeon has taken up duty at Waterford Regional Hospital. Mr. Martin O'Donoghue was born in Carlow and is a native of Tullow. He is the first Vascular Surgeon to be appointed in the South East. Mr. O'Donoghue's most recent appointment was Lecturer in Surgery at the Adelaide and Meath Hospital in Tallaght. He is married with three children. |
| A survey carried out among students at Carlow Institute of
Technology reveals some interesting statistics about student life. It shows 60% of students receive a grant, 70% receive financial support from their families, and 63% had to pay a registration fee at the start of the year. Students were asked how much of a deposit they paid on their accommodation and the amount of rent they paid. Accommodation deposits ranged from £100 or less (26%) to £150 or over (17%). 28% said they paid between £100 and £150. Rents varied from nothing to over £40 a week. 13% live rent free, 24% pay between £10 and £20, 45% pay between £20 and £30 and 2% pay over £30 a week. However most students do find money for drink and social activities. 45% said they spent between £20 and £30 a week on alcohol. £24% said they spent between £10 and £20, while 18% said they spent £10 a week on social activities. |
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There is an urgent need to review the regulations governing school transport according to Deputy John McGuinness. He points out that under the present regulations 52-seater buses can carry up to 78 students and he says this is an area which needs urgent attention. Responding to his query in the Dail, Education Minister Michael Martin, said the carrying capacity of school buses was regulated by the Department of the Environment. The licensed capacity of school buses is based on a ration of three pupil to every two adult seats, with no upper age limit. If one was to sit back and think about these regulations, one could see how safety issues could arise. Picture seventy eight well built students, with their schoolbags, trying to sit on fifty two seats. The Minister says however that "there is a commitment to develop a stategy for safety on school transport in the near future." |
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County Carlow is set to twin with the Banbridge District, close to Belfast, and a formal twinning is likely to take place in the next few months. A representative team of Carlow Soccer League is to travel to Banbridge in May and other exchanges are currently being looked at. Already representatives of Carlow County Council, the Chamber of Commerce, Carlow Tourism, Carlow Soccer League and Carlow Rugby Club have visited and met with members of the Banbridge Twinning Association. THe Eigse Arts Festival and Banbrisge Arts Festival have had close links over the years, and crafts people, councillors and Council officials have regularly exchanged visits. The Banbridge District is about the same size as County Carlow. Banbridge town is 25 miles from Belfast and has a population of 46,000. |
| Carlow Chamber of Commerce has become the first Chamber in
the country to represent an entire county. At its AGM last week it voted to change its title to the County Carlow Chamber of Commerce Industry and Tourism. Mr. Jim McEntee was re-elected president. Mr. McEntee said the biggest problem facing Carlow was the lack of a seat at the Governments cabinet table when funding was being allocated. He said Carlow had to be content with the crumbs. He gave the example of a recent application for funding of £240,000 for the development of the Dolmen and a stone trail throughout the county. He said £40,000 had been granted - enough to clean up the path to the Dolmen and repair potholes in the car park. He said that highlighted the difference between having a seat at the cabinet table and collecting the crumbs. Reviewing the past year Mr. McEntee said the tenancy of the advance factory was one of the highlights, but the Chamber was already trying to secure a second factory, although the lack of an industrial landbank was a major problem. He paid tribute to Mr. Paul White, who had served on the executive for the past five year, and had indicated that he would not be available for this year. He also congratulated Eire Og on its achievements on the football field. Guest speaker was County Manager Tom Dowling, who made a blistering attack on litter louts. He said litter louts would be brought to court and prosecuted and their names publicised. He said litter was a blight on the country and Litter Wardens would be appointed in Carlow town and county. Mr. Dowling pointed to the need for a central tourist attraction in the county and he stresses that the workforce, quality of housing and environment, were positive aspects when Carlow came to seek new investments in the area. He said the Carlow Bypass was essential for the town, and inner relief roads were vital. He added that landbanks for housing and industry were also essential and he said that it would be a priority of the Council to secure streetscape improvement status for Tullow and Bagenalstown. |
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Twenty-four jobs are to go at a family bakery in Carlow town. P.J. Crotty and Sons has announced that it is to reduce its workforce from forty to 16 following a decision to close its wholesale product business which supplies bread and confectionery throughout the county. The Crotty family has been in the baking business for over 150 years and has retained a workforce of forty for the past twenty-five years. A spokesman for the company said the decision to close its wholesale business came as a direct result of competitive market pressures which has seen the small retailers it supplies loose out to large supermarkets and shopping centres. While Crotty’s is to close its wholesale business it is to continue running its own retail outlet in on Tullow Street, Carlow, which is to be developed, and which is hoped will sustain the remaining sixteen jobs. Crotty’s is the last local supplier of confectionery and bread to close in Carlow town. Eight other similar bakeries have closed over the past forty years. Over the years Crotty’s Bakery has received numerous national and international awards, including the All Ireland Confectionery title in 1994 and 1995. |
| Thirty travelling families are residing on roadsides,
public car parks and the gardens of houses throughout County Carlow, without basic services, according to a County Council report. Five families are in substandard local authority housing, three are in a serviced halting site and forty-six families are residing in what is described as good quality housing. 75% of travellers seeking accommodation reside in the Carlow area, while the rest reside in the Tullow area. The Council is in the process of setting up a Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee, which will advise and develop an accommodation programme, and will provide liaison between travellers and members and officials of the Council. Five councillors have been appointed to the twelve member Committee - Cllrs. Jimmy Murnane, Des Hurley and Declan Alcock from the Carlow area, and Cllrs. John Pender and Michael Deering from the Tullow area. Three Council officials, two traveller nominees and two traveller representative nominees, will make up the remainder of the Committee. |
| Bagenalstown town commissioners have used up their
allocation to local and voluntary groups in the town for this year, but in future requests must be made in writing to the authority. The St. Patricks Day Parade Committee wrote to a recent meeting inviting commissioners to take part in reviewing the parade, which starts at 3.00 pm on March 17. Following the request Cmmr. John Clarke proposed that the commission donate £25 towards the running of the event. This was seconded by Cmmr. Paddy Kiely. Chairman Cllr. Arthur McDonald said he would prefer groups to write to the Town Clerk if they were seeking funding from the commission. Cmmr. Margaret Cushen said she felt there was nothing wrong with organisations being asked to write, in so their request could be discussed at meetings. Town Clerk Sean O'Shea said there was just £50 in the estimates for donations and he had a request from St. Vincent De Paul for £30. Cmmr. Denis Foley proposed allocating the money to the charity, and Cllr. Enda Nolan seconded this. |
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Carlow County Council has refused planning permission for a thirty metre high mobile telecommunicationa mast at Leighlinbridge. The application from Esat Digifone was refused on the grounds that it would impair the visual amenity of the area. |
| Carlow town will continue on the crest of a development
wave, following the announcement that it is to be granted Urban Reneal designation. As a result special tax incentives will be available for developments in certain areas of the town. There was disappointment in Tullow and Bagenalstown, however, as the two towns had submitted a joint application for a similar status, and were unsuccessful. Progressive Democrat Senator Jim Gibbons said that while the news was good for Carlow town, there was a need for other towns in the county to be recognised too. He said towns like Bagenalstown, Tullow and Borris would benefit hugely from inclusion in future schemes and he would be taking the matter up with Urban Renewal Minister Bobby Molloy. |
| Students at Carlow Institute of Technology have threatened
to take to the streets of the town tomorrow (Wednesday) unless a dispute over classroom accommodation is settled. College authorities have closed a building on campus after they were advised by Carlow County Council that no fire safety certificate existed for it. The building had been in use for just one week. Students affected by the closure have been transferred to the college sports hall, disrupting the sports and recreational programme, according to the Students Union. Students Union President DJ Moore said the college authorities had agreed to move industrial design students from the sports hall, but this would result in other students being moved around the building. "We must get the accommodation problems sorted for once and for all. We also want a full public apology from the College. It is unacceptable that classes could be allowed take place in a building, which did not have a fire certificate, and which according to the Council was a risk to life," he added. He said students were left in an impossible situation, and they had no choice but to take their concerns to the streets of Carlow town. A walkout by students is scheduled to take place tomorrow, with a rally planned to take place in Carlow town centre. |
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Fire Station training towers throughout County Carlow may be the next target of mobile telephone companies for the erection of masts, according to Cllr. Enda Nolan. He said that already at least one local authority in the country had been approached with a view to being paid to allow a mast be erected on a fire station tower. He said that in such a case questions could be raised with the telecommunications company applying for planning permission to the same authority it was renting space off. He said that while he was unsure if local authorities in County Carlow had been approached, it was an area that should be looked carefully at. |
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Bagenalstown town commissioners have used up their allocation to local and voluntary groups in the town for this year, but in future requests must be made in writing to the authority. The St. Patricks Day Parade Committee wrote to a recent meeting inviting commissioners to take part in reviewing the parade, which starts at 3.00 pm on March 17. Following the request Cmmr. John Clarke proposed that the commission donate £25 towards the running of the event. This was seconded by Cmmr. Paddy Kiely. Chairman Cllr. Arthur McDonald said he would prefer groups to write to the Town Clerk if they were seeking funding from the commission. Cmmr. Margaret Cushen said she felt there was nothing wrong with organisations being asked to write, in so their request could be discussed at meetings. Town Clerk Sean O'Shea said there was just £50 in the estimates for donations and he had a request from St. Vincent De Paul for £30. Cmmr. Denis Foley proposed allocating the money to the charity, and Cllr. Enda Nolan seconded this. |
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The South Eastern Health Board is to appoint a Quality Co- ordinator to oversee the development of the ambulance service in the region. Carlow Health Board member Jimmy Murnane said that while there had been much improvement in the service, there were still times when ambulances were scarce in Carlow. He said the appointment of a co-ordinator was a welcome move. Health Board Programme Manager Tom Beegan said the Board was continuously monitoring the service and would continue to replace its ambulances with new ones as funding allowed. |
| Tullow is finally going to get a local forum to discuss
local authority matters relating to the area. Carlow County Council has agreed to re-convene area committee meetings. The meetings will take place in all four electoral areas - Carlow, Tullow, Bagenalstown and Borris. Tullow councillors have been most vocal in their calls for the meetings, as matters relating to the town could only be debated at full County Council meetings. County Manager Tom Dowling said he was in favour of local meetings as they could help solve some local matters and could help make full Council meetings run more smoothly. It has been agreed that controversial planning matters in the four electoral areas will be discussed at the area meetings, but members of the press are to be banned from attending - in the short term at least. While most councillors are in favour of press coverage of the meetings, with the option to go "in committee" to discuss delicate matters, the Councils own Standing Orders prevent such a move. But party whips and Council officials are to meet to try and change the Standing Orders to allow press coverage. The County Manager said the area meetings must be opened to the press if local issues are to be discussed. The area meetings will take place in Carlow on February 22, Tullow on February 25 and Bagenalstown on February 23. No date was set for the Borris meeting as no member from the Borris area was present when the dates were being set. |
| The Bennekerry/Tinryland Bypass Action Committee has
received a report from Town Planners O'Neill and Associates on the proposed "Route 18" which would see a bypass of Carlow town divide the community. The Committee believes "Route 18" is the preferred route for the bypass, although Carlow County Council insists no decision has yet been made. The report claims option 18 would have a negative affect on two schools, recreational areas, heritage, traffic safety, the existing road network, housing and visual amenity. It says existing roads in the areas would become shortcuts to the new bypass, and would intersect several archaeological sites and game sanctuaries. It would sever the lands of some thirty farmers, and several houses would have to be demolished to accommodate the route according to the consultants. The Committee is urging all local residents to make their concerns known to the National Roads Authority and the Council. Plans for all five routes will be displayed at the Council Headquarters from today (Tuesday) to Thursday from 10.30 to 1.00 pm, and from 2.15 to 4.30pm. They will also be available on Thursday from 5.00 to 7.00pm. |
| A member of Bagenalstown Town Commission told this months
meeting that he was almost left stranded in Carlow town, because he could not find a taxi driver who would agree to take him home. Cmmr. Patrick Roche said he had been to a function in Carlow recently and when it finished he approached two taxi drivers and asked to be taken to Bagenalstown with two others. He said both drivers refused, saying no taxi would leave Carlow town because it was too foggy. Cmmr. Roche got another taxi to take his party to the Kilkenny Road and en route asked to be taken all the way to Bagenalstown. The driver agreed. The fare was £15. Cmmr. Roche said he felt it was the duty of any taxi driver to accept whatever fare-paying passenger came along as they operated under a passenger service vehicle licence. Chairman Cllr. Arthur McDonald said there was a similar situation in Kilkenny, where people from Bagenalstown could not get a taxi home, because they were too busy carrying people in and around the city. He said people had to ring a taxi in Bagenalstown, and then wait until that axi travelled to Kilkenny to get a lift home. A spokesman for a Carlow town taxi firm said that most taxi drivers had regular customers and were booked for various journeys. He said that while he had no problem transporting people to wherever they wanted to go, if he had a previous booking, that client would come first. Another taxi driver said that while there were fifteen taxi cabs in Carlow town, almost every telephone box had lists of hackney firms who could be contacted. He said that while taxi drivers were very busy at weekends, there were often weeknights when a row of taxi cabs would be lined up with no passengers. Carlow UDC issues taxi licences. Town Clerk Joe Watters said that PSV Licence holders could refuse to take passengers if they felt their safety might be in danger. He said this was a question of judgement on the part of the driver, and such decisions would be acceptable. |
| Details of the 1999 programme of non national roads grants
for County Carlow have been announced. £130,000 has been provided for the improvement of the Tullow/Castledermot Road and £250,000 has been allocated for phase one of the Tullow Inner Relief Road. The County Council receives a total of £2.23 million pounds this year for the maintenance and improvement works included the two projects already mentioned. Carlow UDC gets a total of £114,000. Included is £43,000 for footpath restoration. |
| Long serving Bagenalstown Labour councillor John McNally
has announced his resignation from the Party. His decision came after the recent merger of Labour with Democratic Left and the announcement of the new partys "front bench." He said he had been unhappy with the move but he would continue to serve the people of Bagenalstown and County Carlow as an independent councillor. Cllr. McNally has served on Carlow County Council since 1971 and has been a member of Bagenalstown Town Commission since 1974. He is presently the Chairman of the South East Regional Authority. |
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Traders in Carlow town can expect a Spring bonanza thanks to the efforts of Carlow Car Club and the Seven Oaks Hotel in attracting the Carlow Stages Rally. For several years the Rally Headquarters has been based in Kilkenny, but this year the venue is the Seven Oaks Hotel. The event is believed to be worth about £750,000 to the local economy. 130 entries have come from throughout the 32 counties for the rally, which takes place on Sunday May 9. There will be three stages of about ten miles each. They will be centered around Old Leighlin, Royal Oak and Goresbridge. Accommodation will be at a premium throughout County Carlow for the weekend, with drivers being backed up by rally crews and supporters, and then there's the huge following for the sport, which brings enthusiasts from all over the country. Clerk of the Course will be Stephen Murphy from Garryhill, who was the overall winner of the event in 1995 and 1996. 1997/98 National Rally Champion John Gilleece, co-driven by Michael Gibson will lead the Rally. Local drivers taking part include Martin and Patsy Murray, Myshall, Cullen Brothers, Carlow, Watchorn Brothers, Old Leighlin, Jerry and Diarmuid O'Toole, Tullow, Eamon and Sarah Dowling, Tullow, John Nolan and Don Manley, Tullow, Paddy Brennan and Luke Hade, Tullow, Jason Dooley, Carlow, Seamus Doyle, Carlow and Adrian McGrath, Nurney. |
| Almost a year and a half after a public enquiry Tullow is
still waiting for an official halting site, and still contending with a car park, which cannot be used by motorists. The Department of the Environment has failed to reach a decision on a compulsory purchase order, even though the document is sitting on someones desk since October 1997. The proposed site at Ardristan, if approved, would accommodate the traveller families currently living in the towns car park and transient members of the community. Local residents and motorists, and public representatives from the area are most unhappy with the lack of progress on the matter. Cllr. Pat O`Toole said there was now a situation in the car park, where work had started on a new road, and caravans were taking up the remainder of the parking space. He said it was a disgrace and some space needed to be designated for parking. Cllr. Michael Deering said it was over twenty years since himself and Cllr. O'Toole convinced the County Manager that the car park was needed in Tullow, but over the past few years it had been taken over by travellers. He added that a high number of cars were already registered in the Tullow area this year, but they now had nowhere to park in the town. Cllr. Fred Hunter claimed the Council was facilitating those now living in the car park. He said it could now be described as an "official halting site" and he added that such a situation would not be tolerated in any other town in the county. Acting County Manager Jim Kearney said if the Council were to take a case to the courts, it would be asked what halting site it could move the travellers to, and until a decision came from the Department of the Environment, there was nothing that could be done. |