MAYNOOTH NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY MAYNOOTH COMMUNITY COUNCIL LIMITED This publication is supported by FAS Community Employment which is co-funded by the European Social Fund Clare Faulkner Brady’s Clockhouse Barperson of The Year Clare Faulkner of Bradys overcame strong opposition to become Maynooth’s barperson of the year. Claire is from Inishowen in Donegal and is studying in NUI Maynooth. She has been working in Brady’s for over 12 months, where she has become very popular with her workmates and customers. Proof of her charisma and personality is that in less than a week she collected sponsorship of over 800. Runners up who also did magnificently were Dawn Byrne of the Glenroyal ( Paul Rafferty of Caulfields(550). Also in the field were Jacqui Kinsella (Leinster Arms) and Trevor Naughton (Straffan Court Hotel) who also contributed greatly. The Community Council would like to thank the contestants and also the sponsors who contributed generously to the event. Issue No. 296 Aug 2002 Price 2.00 Features GOOD NEWS THE MAYNOOTH BOOKSHOP HAS MOVED TO NEW PREMISES ON MAIN STREET, MAYNOOTH PHONE 6286702 FAX 6286702 Maynooth Book Shop John Byrne has moved from his premises on the Square to a new and spacious premises at 68 Main street (Across from the Library ) The new shop gives him more scope to display his vast array of books. The new shop front takes the bare look off that part of the street. John and his ever helpful staff will still look after the customer as always and we wish him luck in his new premises. Contents Editorial We would like to welcome the erection of the Community Council Notes pages 4 & 6 street signs in the town by Kildare County Letters to The Editor page 8 Council. A committee researched the old Early Irish Society page 10 names of the streets and back lanes. Where Special Olympics page 11 there were different traditions both names were included. There will be ongoing debate Festival Art Competition page 13 as to the historicity of some of them, for Table Quiz page 14 instance the inclusion of Leinster Street Dorin’s Recipes page 15 & 16 along with the more commonly used main Crossword page 17 Street. The Community Council sponsored August in The Garden page 18 the competition for the town crest that is Children’s Corner page 19 included on the signs. Maynoothe Hillwalking Club page 20 & 23 Tesco made a detailed presentation to the Community Council regarding their intended Colouring Competition page 22 development on the Old Dublin Road. Maynooth Citizens Information page 26 Coupled with the Dulcedo Development on Planning Permissions page 27 the Kavanagh’s Manor Mill site this will turn Maynooth Community Games page 28 & 29 Maynooth into a prime retail centre. The Maynooth Swimming Club page 31 proposal includes two very large retail units, Backstage page 33 seven smaller units and a petrol station. It was promised that it would include intensive General Tips page 34 landscaping and pedestrian walks and cycle Murder of The Month page 35 racks. Waste Management page 37 Dulcedo Development also gave the Council Amnesty International page 39 a written, revised report. This means the Poets Corner page 40 reduction of the height of some buildings by Maynooth Labour News pages 43 & 44 one or 2 floors. Maynooth F.C. page 45 But there is still some serious concerns regarding the increase in traffic. The town is Editorial page 46 already impassable at times and serious Festival page 47 consideration will need to be given to proper traffic management. It is of the greatest urgency that Bond Bridge, the Meadowbrook Link Road and the Blacklion Road Link are completed as quickly as possible. Otherwise, these developments will cause gridlock during the peak hours. We look forward to a positive outcome from Kildare County Council’s meeting on the 29th July. Copy Date for Edition This year’s scaled down festival went well 12 August at 5 p.m. and most events were well attended. There is a full report elsewhere in this publication Please note you can now E-mail along with a comprehensive list of all your notes to us at sponsors. [email protected] Page 3 Community Council Notes Maynooth Community Council working on the plans and could involve further planning. Mr. Barry said plans are still with Kildare News County Council and that they expect a decision in October. The July meeting of Maynooth Community Council Des Matthews asked the question as to what would be took place on the 8th July in the Glenroyal Hotel. going into the new extension at Tesco. Mr. Sullivan said it would include clothing etc. He said they need more room already. It was also noted that 70 - 90 new Tesco Ireland proposed New Development jobs would be created in Tesco, with a further possible Plan 200 jobs in the retail units. Tom McMullon hoped that Tesco would look on A presentation was made to the Community Council M.C.C. with generousity in the future as we are a on the proposed new development at Tesco’s. voluntary run group. Mr. Michael Sullivan, Development Manager, Tesco Cllr. Senan Griffin felt that Tesco were not sympathetic Ireland and Mr. Finbarr Barry, Planning Consultant to local needs and hoped that they would evaluate gave the presentation. Mr. Sullivan said that there their outlook on supporting local groups. Mr. Sullivan would be seven new retail units on the same design said they have a plan to employ long term as already there and two large units at the rear. Mr. unemployed. He said they always support charities. Sullivan said the landscaping will be done on a They usually support some of the main charities. He courtyard theme, with large and small areas. He said said they would rather do this than support other the front avenue will be lined with lime trees and smaller ones. beech trees, also the petrol station at the front of the They do the collecting on an ongoing basis. Ann new development will be encircled with well planted Burns felt that the public may not be aware of this and trees. that employees of Tesco do a lot of this collecting. At this stage Mr. Sullivan threw it open to the floor for Séan Cushen on behalf of the Tidy Town Committee discussion. stated the grass along Tesco’s should be cut, Mr. Sean Cushen raised the question about what way the Sullivan said this would be done immediately. walkways or paths would be finished, it was said that Cllr. Senan Griffin said the Community Council should all pathways would be paved all the way round. visit K.C.C. proposing that Maynooth be made a Hugh Gallagher wondered about the overall primary retail in North Kildare. architectural design and was informed that it will be in At this point Hugh Gallagher thanked Mr. Sullivan and keeping with what is there already. Mr. Barry for their fine Presentation on behalf of the The answer to Padraic O Murchú’s query about council. access for pedestrians he was told that there would be dedicated pedestrian walks and cycle racks. Kavanagh - Manor Mill Site. Hugh Gallagher asked could a cinema go into one of the units. Mr. Sullivan said if a cinema developer Dulcedo Developments presented Maynooth came forward with a viable idea that they, Tesco Community Council with their revised proposed Ireland, won’t discourage anybody putting up a document for the Manor Mill Site. These changes cinema. come under the heading as follows: Tom McMullon said there is a large population now in Reduction in Residential Element of the Maynooth and a cinema is needed. Development. Cllr. John McGinley wondered what would bring a Relationship of the development to the castle. development like Tesco to Maynooth. Mr. Sullivan Impact of the development on traffic. said that their people had looked at all this and feel that Maynooth is very suitable for this development. “Reduction in Residential” Pedestrian and public access by the canal was raised. A discussion took place on the proposed changes. Mr. Sullivan said he didn’t see that a connection to the The reduction in the over all height of the development canal from the new development was possible. It was was welcomed. This meant that Block D would be generally felt that access along the canal to Tesco reduced by almost 1 full floor, Block G by 1 full floor would be a great asset for the public. and Block H by 2 floors. Cllr. Senan Griffin said lighting will have to be put in This is a significant reduction. The total residential along the canal for safety reasons and to prevent it accommodation has been reduced by 10% (23 from becoming an anti-social area. apartments 21,089sq feet). The floor to ceiling heights Patraig O Murchú asked why they felt a petrol station in the entire residential development has been was needed. Mr. Sullivan said it is good planning, it reduced to 2.5m which minimizes the overall height of will keep people from going through the town and the development. people can shop and use the petrol station at the same time. “Relationship to the Castle” The question of increased traffic was raised by Ann As a result of the residential reduction, the proposed Burns. Mr. Barry said they have a traffic consultant development to the Castle has been further enhanced MISSING CAT FELIX REWARD REWARD OFFERED OFFERED Missing since 5th July 02 from 58 Laurence Avenue If you see him please ring 6285230, 087 - 9249510, Seen in Rockfield/ Parklands Area CELBRIDGE ABBEY AMENITIES PH 01-6275062 12 MILES FROM DUBLIN - GARDENS MODEL RAILWAY GULLIVERS SNACK BAR GARDA BAND IN PICNIC AREA - THEME WALKS ABBEY GULLIVERS RESTAURANT GROUNDS CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND ON GARDEN CENTRE SUN 4TH AUG WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE FREE CAR PARKING WITH A GREAT DEAL MORE Community Council Notes “Plans on Traffic” Pollution in The Canal Consultations have concentrated in designing a system to alleviate the existing traffic congestion and In the last 12 months or so the condition of the canal to provide additional capacity to the network, which has deteriorated drastically.