Athy

Major Irish Documentary "The Pipe" to screen at Athy Film Club

2011-01-07T01:22:00.000Z

Major Irish Documentary "The Pipe" to screen at Athy Film Club

Risteard O'Domhnaill’s documentary “The Pipe” which featured on Prime Time this week is to be screened at Athy College on Sat Jan 22^nd. The emotionally charged documentary shows evocative scenes from the Corrib gasline saga which ripped a Mayo community apart. The screening on 22^nd will include a Question and Answer session with the director about the filming of this emotive moment in Irish history.

Tickets are limited and available to members at €5 and to others at €10 and seating is limited

Water Supply Telephone Number

2010-12-31T14:15:00.000Z

A telephone service for households/ businesses affected by the current water restrictions to supply/ pressure will operate this Saturday, 1st January from 9am to 5pm - Telephone: 059- 8634534

The Town Council is monitoring the water supply situation on an ongoing basis and will provide regular updates on its website http://www.athytowncouncil.ie/ and KFM radio.

To update details of water supply/ pressure/ leaks from your area, please use the Customer Care Comment Card

http://www.kildare.ie/AthyTownCouncil/CommentCard/

Out of hours emergency number 1890 500333

Water restrictions to be lifted

2010-12-30T19:45:00.001Z

Water restrictions to be lifted

Kildare County Council will lift water restrictions across the county for New Year’s Eve. The move comes in recognition of the day’s importance as a festive occasion for the community and the recent difficulties experienced by businesses in the hospitality sector.

However, the council is still asking people to conserve water as far as possible, so that recent gains in this area are not lost. Reservoir levels in the county have risen slightly over the last 24 hours, but water demand is still seven million litres a day above production capacity.

The council has been reducing water pressure at night in order to boost the conservation effort. Tonight’s reductions will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will last until 12:00 noon tomorrow so that reservoir levels can be increased. Water may not fully return to some outlying areas until early afternoon tomorrow. Reductions will recommence at 6:00 p.m. on New Year’s Day and will last until 10:00 the following morning. They will take place on a daily basis from then on until reservoirs are fully charged and demand returns to normal.

Water Tanker Schedule Thur 30th

2010-12-30T14:46:00.001Z

A water tanker service is being provided as follows:

Thursday, 30th December (PM)

- Ballyroe 3pm to 5pm

- Coneyboro (Carlow Road) 5pm to 7.30pm

Friday, 31st December (AM)

- Coneyboro (Carlow Road) 9am to 11am

Stand-pipe arrangements (water from mains access points) remain in place as follows:

- Emily Square (corner of Osborne's Solicitors);

- Coney Drive, Coneyboro, Carlow Road;

- Fortbarrington Road (outside No. 73 Pairc Bhride) The public can access water at these locations today Thursday/ Friday from 8.30am to 8pm.

NB: As a precautionary measure water from these taps/ tanker should be boiled before using for drinking or cooking purposes. Please bring your own clean water container as the Town Council is not supplying containers.

Athy Water Supply Tue 28th

2010-12-28T13:20:00.001Z

Regrettably, water pressure and supply issues continue at a number of areas today Tuesday and are likely to continue tomorrow Wednesday.

A restriction to the regional water supply is now in place (affecting the Dublin and Kildare Road areas) and continues this evening until further notice. Water supply will be turned off each evening from 7.30pm to the following morning at 8am. Other areas in the town may also experience reduced pressure/ supply, as a result of this restriction.

The Town Council has made the following arrangements for water tanker/ stand pipes (at various locations) and will update these periodically on its website.

WATER TANKER SCHEDULE

A water tanker service is being provided as follows:

Tuesday, 28th December (PM)

- Ashville estate, Dublin Road 5.00pm to 6.00pm

- Coneyboro, Carlow Road 6.00pm to 8.00pm

WATER MAINS ACCESS POINTS

Water supply points (with taps) from mains supply have been set up at a number of locations throughout the town (subject to water pressure).

Currently the following 3 points are in operation:

- Emily Square (corner of Osborne's Solicitors);

- Coney Burrows, Coneyboro, Carlow Road;

- Fortbarrington Road (outside No. 73 Pairc Bhride)

The public can access water at these locations today Tuesday to 8pm and Wednesday from 8.30am to 8pm.

Athy Town Council still continues to appeal to householders and businesses to conserve water. We also appeal to consumers to reduce their water consumption and in particular, people are asked not to leave taps running.

The Council is monitoring the water supply situation on an ongoing basis and will provide regular updates on its website http://www.athytowncouncil.ie/ and KFM radio.

If every household cuts back on their water usage by 10% this will have a significant effect on water availability and enable us to return to normal service sooner. www.taptips.ie

To update details from your area, please use the Customer Care Submission Card

http://kildare.ie/athytowncouncil/commentcard/

SEVERE WEATHER WARNING

2010-12-15T15:37:00.001Z

SEVERE WEATHER WARNING

A return to very cold and wintry weather across the country from Thursday into next week, with wintry showers. Snow returning, mainly affecting Ulster, west Connacht and southwest Munster during Thursday afternoon into Friday. 3 to 10 cm snow here (more over higher ground). Snow showers becoming more widespread across the country later Friday into Friday night, with further accumulations. Scattered wintry showers to follow over the weekend, with yet more snow in places.

Afternoon temperatures just -2 to +3 degrees.

Night time temperatures -5 to -10 degrees.

Widespread frost, ice and freezing fog too.

Extremely cold and wintry into next week too.

Valid now.

Travelling on the M9 tomorrow?

2010-12-09T20:36:00.000Z

The M9 motorway will be subject to long delays from 8 a.m. on Friday 10th December as ice and snow clearing operations take place. Work will be in progress simultaneously on the sections between Junctions 2 and 3 and Junctions 3 and 4. The northbound and southbound carriageways will be affected at various times during the course of the day. Work will be completed as early as possible but its duration will depend on road conditions. Motorists are advised to take extra care on the motorway and to allow additional time for their journeys.

Water Shortage 6th Dec

2010-12-07T15:30:00.000Z

Due to the current adverse weather conditions difficulties with water pressure/supply are being experienced.

The Town Council has arranged for a water tanker to be present in the Coneyboro estate and old Coneyboro from 6.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. this evening.

Athy Town Council appeals to householders and businesses to conserve water, following restrictions placed on the regional supply.

The Council is monitoring the water supply situation on an ongoing basis and will provide regular updates on its website http://www.athytowncouncil.ie/.

All users are requested to conserve water where possible.

Water Shortage

2010-12-06T17:05:00.000Z

Due to the current adverse weather conditions difficulties with water pressure/supply are being experienced.

The Town Council has arranged for a water tanker to be present in the Coneyboro estate (at first roundabout) from 6.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. this evening.

Athy Town Council appeals to householders and businesses to conserve water, following restrictions placed on the regional supply.

The Council is monitoring the water supply situation on an ongoing basis and will provide regular updates on its website www.athytowncouncil.ie.

All users are requested to conserve water where possible

Severe Weather warning

2010-12-05T12:43:00.000Z

Severe Weather warning
Severe Weather warning
Issued at 11:20 Sunday, 5 Dec 2010

Freezing fog persisting in parts today, becoming widespread tonight and for a time Monday.
Hazardous with icy conditions and a severe frost throughout. Wintry showers gradually spreading Southwards tomorrow (fresh snow in places), freezing on contact, increasing severity of icy conditions (mainly across Northern half of country)

Fresh snow accumulations of 3 to 10 cm, on Monday , Ulster, North Connacht and North Leinster most at risk, with more over higher ground here. Generally 0 to 5 cm elsewhere, falling later in the day.

Valid 1100 5/12/10 till 2400 6/12/10
Update at 1200 to follow tomorrow.

Days of our Lives

2010-08-30T22:11:00.000+01:00

Came across an absolutely marvellous book of photos compiled by Joe Dooley called “Days of Our Lives Volume 1”. For anyone with an interest in local community especially anybody who is familiar with the Kilberry and Rheban football club area this is a gem! The book is a collection of photos and snapshots of a community which reflects Irish society. A wonderful present and a particularly meaningful present for anybody abroad. Copies are available from Joe Dooley 087 6259225 at €30 each.

Attention Leaving Cert Students

2010-08-03T17:56:00.001+01:00

Co. Kildare V.E.C. Adult Education Guidance Service are holding a

Student Grant Application Clinic

Basic Education Centre,

Nelson Street, Athy

Thursday, August 19^th

10.00 am to 3.00 pm

Staff of the Adult Education Guidance Service will be available to assist and advise you with your grant applications.

Application forms may be downloaded from www.studentfinance.ie

Contact the Adult Education Guidance Service on 045 448512 or at kildareadultguidance@eircom.net in advance to get a list of documents required to complete your application.

Flower Power

2010-07-25T12:52:00.000+01:00

Flower Power

It’s Bloom-time for Athy

The committee of ShopAthy is delighted to announce the immediate launch of its latest endeavour, the Flower Project 2010 which involves the installation of flower boxes throughout the main public thoroughfares of Athy.

This year five hundred separate containers of plants and flowers will be installed in the town. This represents over three times the quantity that was provided during a similar project last year.

The Flower Project 2009 in conjunction with the shop front painting project were two of the most successful activities undertaken by the committee of ShopAthy last year in improving Athy’s appearance for both visitors and residents alike.

Jo Coyle, PRO of ShopAthy advises that “the roll out of flower boxes for commercial premises throughout Athy will commence within the coming fortnight. The committee of ShopAthy delayed the installation of the Flower Project this year in order that the optimum presentation of the flowers and plants would occur during the lead up to the European Ploughing Championships in late September. It is hoped that the lifespan for the planters will then extend through to early December to coincide with our Christmas Chocolate Festival.

The plant selection will be adapted to reflect the autumn and winter seasons. In addition individual planters will be designed to coordinate with the shopfront colours over which they are placed” she concluded.

The Geraldine Garden Centre have won the contract for the provision of this year’s displays and just as importantly its proprietor, Ger Dempsey will be responsible for their watering and maintenance. The ShopAthy Flower Project 2010 is grant aided by both the County Kildare Leader Partnership and Athy Town Promoters.

Photo Credit: Robert Redmond - Athy

Contact: Jo Coyle – ShopAthy PRO,

T: (059) 863 8603

M: 086 818 2802

E: jocoylefg@gmail.com

###

Blossom Art Exhibition

2010-05-24T00:15:00.001+01:00

You are cordially invited

To the

Opening of the

Blossom Art Exhibition

By Brid Brophy

Monday 24^th May at 12.30p.m.

Athy Heritage Centre & Museum

The Town Hall

Emily Square

Athy

Co. Kildare

Music and Refreshments

Exhibition running from 24^th May to 5^th June 2010

Blossom Art Exhibition

2010-05-24T00:15:00.000+01:00

You are cordially invited

To the

Opening of the

Blossom Art Exhibition

By Brid Brophy

Monday 24^th May at 12.30p.m.

Athy Heritage Centre & Museum

The Town Hall

Emily Square

Athy

Co. Kildare

Music and Refreshments

Exhibition running from 24^th May to 5^th June 2010

Sweeter Than Ever Now

2010-05-17T23:21:00.001+01:00

MICK HANLY AT ATHY COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRE
FRI MAY 21st - 8 PM - ADMISSION 15 euro

Mick Hanly is one of this country's foremost singer/ siongwriters. His songs have been covered by artists such as Mary Black, Mary Coughlan, Maura O Connell and Hal Ketchum - who had a No 2 in the US with Mick's song Past The Point of Rescue. But MIck is also a singer of note and his own albums - dating back to hid time with Moving Hearts and Rusty Old Halo - are collections of wonderfully written and wonderfully told stories..
He comes to Athy Community Arts Centre on Fri next, May 21st for one night only.
Tickets are already going fast and at 15 euro you won't get better value anywhere

Sweeter Than Ever Now

2010-05-17T23:21:00.000+01:00

WE WANT YOUR OPINION!

2010-05-05T22:07:00.001+01:00

County Kildare Leader Partnership is a local development company that has responsibility for rural development and social inclusion programmes in County Kildare. We are developing a 2010 – 2013 social inclusion action plan for County Kildare and we are coming to your area to hear your opinions and ideas

So come along and don’t miss this chance to tell us what you think your community needs. ALL ARE WELCOME

WHAT: Public Meeting

WHERE: Athy College, Monasterevin Road

WHEN: Thursday 13^th May

TIME: 7:30 pm

Athy's May Day Festival

2010-04-29T23:39:00.000+01:00

This is the first May Day festival in living memory in the welcoming
and historic town of Athy, Co. Kildare. It is taking place at a time
of great uncertainty within our country and where a biased media whips
up anti-trade union sentiment almost on a daily basis.
Our inaugural May Day festival in Athy is a celebration of labour. It
links the origins of Irish Trade unionism to its historic forerunners
of land based agitators such as the ‘Ribbon Men’ and the ‘Knights of
the Plough’. The festival is a multi-cultural event and will feature a
colourful display of Trade Union Banners and Posters over the last
century. There will be a series of papers presented tracing the
development of agrarian labour organisations and discussions on two
major rural labour disputes in south Kildare in 1922/23 and 1947.
The day will culminate in a music and multi-media performance by Will
Kaufman, the famous Woody Guthrie biographer.

The event is being sponsored by the Athy and Kildare/Leixlip Branches
of SIPTU. All events during the day are free; there is a small fee for
the evening performance by Will Kaufman. Tickets are available from
SIPTU for €5. Contact No. 045 432318 (office Hours Monday to Friday)
or Adrian Kane on 0876784736.

Saturday MAY DAY 2010.

Display of Trade Union Banners Posters from…..11am-6pm
Papers and Discussion….. 2.00pm-5.30pm
The Woody Guthrie Story, Tales and Ballads from the Dustbowl….8.30pm

2.00- 2.10pm….Opening of Festivities by the Mayor of Athy.
2.10-2.20pm…. An Introduction to May Day by SIPTU’s Kildare
Organiser Adrian Kane.

2.20-3.00pm….. ‘The Whitefeet’, a story of a radical movement of
miners and farm labourers in the 1820s and 1830s in the midlands by
Terry Dunne a graduate of NUI Galway and native of Athy.
3.00-3.40pm….. The ‘Knights of the Plough’, early farm labourers’
organisations in South Kildare by local historian Frank Taaffe.
3.40-4.00pm …… Tea/Coffee Break

4.00-4.40pm ….. ‘Not Organisable; The Autonomous Worker and The Farm
Labourers’ Strike of 1922/23’ by Doctor Noel Kavanagh, Philosophy
Lecturer Carlow.
4.40-5.10pm …..The Kilkea lock out of 1947, the struggle for the
shorter working week by John McKenna, local novelist and playwright.

8.30pm…. Will Kaufman, The Woody Guthrie Story, ‘Tales and Ballads
from the Dust Bowl’, an evening of song and celebration of Woody
Guthrie’s life.

Please note that all events will take place in Athy Community Arts Centre-- the Methodist Hall,
Woodstock Street, Athy Co. Kildare on Saturday the 1st of May 2010.

Tickets available from SIPTU contact 045 432318 office hours Monday to
Friday or Adrian Kane 0876784736.

Going for a song

2010-04-21T23:29:00.001+01:00

Athy musical and Dramatic Society are proud to present a musical evening called 'Going for a Song' in the Carlton Abbey Hotel on the 29th of April. Featuring the Athy Musical and Dramatic Society Members, it is being directed by former member and musician Shane Sullivan.

'Going for a Song' will focus on acoustic music with a six-piece band and will contain songs from 'The seegar sessions' and 'Oh brother where art thou' (such as 'Fly away' and 'You are my Sunshine') as well as choral favourites 'Lean on Me', 'Hallelujah' and 'Will the circle be Unbroken'; traditional Irish music and American favourites.

There is a chorus of 30 people who will perform as a group and also as soloists and in duets. Tickets are €10 for Adults and €8 for students and O.A.P's. Tickets are available in The Gem and Winkles and all funds raised will go toward our future musical production which will be staged in the coming months..

Your support is always greatly appreciated and we hope to see you on the night

K Leisure Receives Quality Disability Access Award

2010-04-21T00:36:00.000+01:00

Good news was delivered to the staff and management of K Leisure Naas & Athy this week when they were informed that both of their sites have been awarded the Excellence Ireland Quality Association (EIQA) ABLE Business Excellence Award.

K Leisure received the award for two areas of excellence, The ABLE Customer – The ABLE Customer allows a company to demonstrate that their organisation provides a quality customer experience, which builds and develops ongoing relationships with customers. Incorporating an inclusive communications approach shows all of the K Leisure customers that the company is developing a long-term accessible service.

The ABLE Environment – The Built Environment allows a company to demonstrate that they have made provision for universal access and circulation throughout their premises so that all users, both customer and staff, may move around in safety and with ease.

The ABLE Business Excellence Award is acknowledged as being the Q Mark for accessibility. The award is nationally recognised and exceeds the standard required of current legislation for accessibility.

The ABLE Award distinguishes the facilities at K Leisure Naas & Athy from all other leisure facilities, demonstrating that the company supports the highest standards available.

Having the ABLE award visible on the K Leisure premises tells the customer that we are ABLE to facilitate them with greater support than ever before, thus broadening the customer base.

The ABLE Award has been jointly created by Ireland’s leading experts in the areas of quality and disability; EIQA and Rehab.

Receiving the ABLE Business Excellence Award is an acknowledgement of the commitment to providing services to the customers of K Leisure who has a disability or difficulty accessing leisure facilities.

Both sites in Naas and Athy underwent a rigorous application and audit process which assessed all areas of the built environment and the services provided for customers with disabilities. Each of the audits involved personnel from the EIQA. The facilities at Naas and Athy are built to the highest possible standards for all users of leisure facilities with particular attention being paid to users with special needs. Both facilities have been open for just over a year and continue to attract a wide variety of user, from the serious gym person to a family coming for a swim.

K Leisure in Naas and Athy currently attracts in excess of 1,500 users per day to the facilities with a wide range of programmes available for all age groups and needs – both sites have state of the art gyms which can be accessed by all users as the gym equipment is specially designed to cater for persons with disabilities, to the ordinary user the gym equipment is looks and feels fantastic but can be adapted at the touch of switch to allow access to someone in a wheelchair. In addition all the changing facilities are full inclusive and permit access to toilet, shower and changing facilities that cater for all needs. The 25 metre swimming pool permits access to all with a pool hoist available during all opening hours which assists persons with access issues. The facilities have over 50 classes per week on the fitness class timetable. All of the staff have been specially trained to facilitate the needs of all the population and have undergone specific disability access training. Information is available in a variety of formats, braille and large print for visually impaired.

Both facilities are available on a pay as you go option or full membership option. The staff and management of the facilities are proud to accept the awards in the knowledge that the facilities are fully accessible for all users.

If your Car Test is due

2010-04-18T22:17:00.001+01:00

NCT National Car Test - New Test Items

Following public consultation in 2009 the Road Safety Authority proposed a number of new test items be added to the National Car Test in early 2010. The new test items will improve the safety of vehicles on our roads, both for the vehicle owners and for other road users. The new items will be part of the NCT tests from 1st April 2010.

for your information i am listing the newly adopted additions to the

NCT:

1. Clarity of windscreen and front side windows Excessively tinted windscreens or front side windows present a significant safety hazard for drivers and their occupants. The glass in the windscreen and front side windows will be required to have a light transmission level of not less than 65% in order to pass the test.

2. Rear fog lamp

Rear fog lamps enhance the visibility of a car in foggy conditions by indicating the vehicles position and direction of travel to other road users. The rear fog lamp, where fitted, will be checked to ensure that when in use it provides a red light which is clearly visible.

3. Reverse lamp

The reverse lamp of a vehicle provides illumination to the rear when backing up, and warns nearby drivers and pedestrians of a vehicles backward motion. The reverse lamp, where fitted, will be checked to ensure that when in use it provides a white light which is clearly visible.

4. Tyres

Car Tyres are the only point of contact between a vehicle and the road.

The standards to which Tyres are designed and built, is critical to ensuring adequate grip is maintained with the road surface. An "E" or

*e* mark indicates that the tyre is certified to comply with international regulations. A vehicle will fail if an *E* or *e* mark is not visible.

5. Indicator warning of faulty systems for Airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems and Electronic Braking Systems (EBS) / Anti-Lock Brake system (ABS).

Today*s cars are fitted with a number of warning lamps on a dashboard that let the driver know if certain critical safety, performance and environmental features are not working properly. They are important safety features and it is in the interest of the driver and road safety that all safety systems in the vehicle are in full working order.

Vehicles will be checked to ensure that, where fitted, the malfunction indicators for Airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems and Electronic Braking Systems (EBS) / Anti-Lock Brake system (ABS) are in correct working order. The vehicle will fail if a malfunction indicator is not working or indicates a defect in the system.

6. Rear registration plate lamp

Rear registration plate lamps provide essential illumination to the registration plate of a vehicle once parking lights are activated. If it is not in proper working order a *Fail Advisory* will result i.e.

it is strongly recommended that the fault be repaired but a failed test will not result because of this fault alone;

7. Vehicle exhaust noise

The nuisance caused by excessive noise from vehicle exhausts is regularly the subject of comments and complaints. Examination of a cars exhaust silencer, and its effectiveness at reducing noise is part of the current NCT. It is proposed to implement a noise check of vehicles that the vehicle inspector deems to be excessively noisy. The vehicle will be required to have a level of noise no greater than 99db in order to pass the test.

Parlez Vous?

2010-04-14T23:50:00.000+01:00

We are looking for an Athy student over 21 having good french language basis who could train french students (around 15) during 1 week in June (flight,accomodation paid) + 1 week wages.

Can u help?

athylive@gmail.com

Wider Options Art Exhibition

2010-04-12T21:32:00.002+01:00

On Fri evening next Athy College will host its annual

Wider Options Art Exhibition at 7pm in Athy College. Cheese and Wine reception. Special Guest: Derek Mooney