COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

June 2021 No. 395

Council and the community are deprived EDITORIAL of any right to make their views heard on planning matters which adversely affect The Spring Clean-up each year is very them. This situation has come about well supported around Clane and in all the through the creation of the situation where- surrounding areas extending through Pros- by developers can apply directly to ABP, perous to Coil Dubh and beyond; to Bo- which is given the power to overlook the denstown, Sallins and on to Naas; to Straf- views of Kildare County Council and the fan and on to Celbridge; to Rathcoffey, to local community. Betaghstown, to Kilmurry, to Donadea, On page 4 you will see a special Staplestown, Ballagh, etc. In Clane alone a press release from the Community Council skip is usually filled. This year it amounted which outlines the situation which the resi- to several times that. Over the course of a dents of Clane find themselves in and the year the roadsides, including deep ditches steps which must be taken to achieve a fair fill up from dumping and items thrown hearing of the matter. In a series of deci- from passing traffic. This year, despite the sions on Strategic Housing Developments pandemic, the number of volunteers com- (“SHD”), An Bord Pleanála has granted ing forward has been amazing and the 841 extra residential units on top of previ- amount of very positive comment on social ous permissions and existing housing de- media has been unbelievable. The volun- velopment ongoing since about 2016. In teers have included men, women and chil- the first few weeks of the campaign to dren of all ages and their efforts have been raise the potential legal costs of €40,000 greatly appreciated. the group have already raised over When planning no longer means planning €22,000! It takes a community to make a town, -a If you wanted a reason to keep up town that is worth living in. Does it com- the enthusiasm for the effort one has only ply with regional requirements? Does it to consider that a successful review of the comply with county requirements? Does it Clane Plan of 1996, led to its declaration have the proper facilities which make life worth living for its residents? A purely as illegal and provided a precedent for a commuter driven town without any popu- similar finding for the Kill Plan. Proper lation limits and without public transport planning cannot be abandoned for Clane. provisions such as a railway will lead to traffic congestion, air pollution, road safety and myriads of other problems. Has it got the ongoing capacity to keep up the provi- sion of locally available school places. leisure facilities, etc. etc.? Web site: www.clanecommunity.ie An Bórd Pleanála was originally EDITOR’S DEADLINE established to deal with situations where the terms of proper planning were not re- The deadline for receipt of material for the ceiving due recognition and were being September issue of Le Chéile is pushed aside. It took over powers from Monday 22nd August government ministers which were being applied politically. Clane Community To 142 Loughbollard please. Council and concerned residents are now Tel. 045-868474. finding themselves in the situation where they have to seek a Judicial Review in the E-mail: [email protected] High Court of a situation where the County

2 By John Ennis

‘tWas in the charming month of May, For sweeter face or purer grace All nature smiled serene. I strolled along thru You ’ d search Kildare in vain. Sylvan shade, an ideal verdant scene. And her beauty captivated me In all Kildare no spot so fair, this fact I will On the shady road to Clane. maintain, As that nymph’s abode, the shady from Bodenstown to Clane. Enamoured I saluted her: “Conas tá tú, a chalain óig?” The balmy air was redolent, (Her pouting lips were tempting me Of springtime's choicest flowers. To add a “Tabhair liom póg”) The primrose vied with buttercup, Adorn- She sweetly said “Tá mé go maith ing mossy bowers; The hawthorn offered incense, Agus conas tá tú féin? To the sweetly sung refrain, I’ve lost my way, kind sir. Is this Of the myriad feathered singers, The shady road to Clane?” On the shady road to Clane. With gentle reassurance The stately trees about me had I directed her along Put on their richest green, Their teeming foliaged cascades And as she flitted onward Let the azure peep between; She resumed her honeyed song; Bright vistas of the Liffey The blackbird ceased its piping Flowing onward to the main, Illumed And the linnet its refrain the sombre beauty' And the thrushes paused to listen Of the shady road to Clane. On the shady road to Clane. Enchanted by this lovely scene I slowly strolled along, I watched her lovely form until Then from my deep abstraction She vanished from my view; I was stirred by honeyed song; 'Twas the "Coulin" in sweet Gaelic, Dejected, I retraced my steps And tradition's purest strain, Not knowing what to do. By a cailin who approached me For peace of mind and happiness On the shady road to Clane. I never can regain Till I find the maid that stole my heart With charming native modesty, On the shady road to Clane. She stopped in sweet surprise,

As crimson flush suffused her cheeks She stood with downcast eyes 3

Clane Community Council Nominations Open in October Nominate someone—yourself perhaps

Clane Community Council is the umbrella organization for: Tidy Towns - Clane and Rathcoffey Community Games Clane Heritage-Friary and Abbey Cemetery Committee

Put a name forward: make Clane an even better place to live. Nomination forms in the Post Office commencing October.

Established 1973: Help to keep it Going Strong! Keep it there for the 50 Year Celebration.

4 Clane Community Council Nominations Open in October yourself perhaps—for 2021/23

Clane Community Council is the umbrella organization for: Clane and Rathcoffey Community Games-Abbey Community Centre- Friary and Abbey Cemetery Committee-Clane Watch.

Put a name forward: make Clane an even better place to live. Nomination forms in the Post Office commencing October.

Established 1973: Help to keep it Going Strong! Keep it there for the 50 Year Celebration.

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THE SHADY ROAD TO CLANE and killed by a street car Sep. 13, 1930 at 65th and South Halsted streets, near his The ballad was first published in the residence. Ennis was buried next to his Newsletter in November 1976.The News- second wife at Mount Olivet Cemetery, letter was the original Clane community magazine, which commenced in January Chicago. 1974. Eoghan Corry, a past pupil of Scoil The mature beech trees on both Mhuire, came forward with the infor- sides of the Sallins road passing Blackhall mation that he found it in a Leinster Lead- Stud create a great impression on road er of 1905. The Leinster Leader was quot- users in all seasons. This is enhanced fur- ing the Gaelic American. The paper re- ther by the beech hedging and the neat ferred to the author as John Ennis, former- ly of Clane. Frances Gill, formerly of But- grass verges by the roadside. The hedge terstream and a teacher in Rathcoffey, told clipping and lawn maintenance as well as us that John Ennis was a grand-uncle of the litter control are a credit to the man- Ned and Bill Ennis, formerly of Hogans agement and staff of the Stud and is high- Wood. The late Hermann Geissel in his ly appreciated locally. In recent years book “The Shady Road to Clane” states Clane Tidy Towns have extended the that a local who could sing the ballad was hedging from the Blackhall Junction back never met but that Michael Kelleher re- ported that one old man in Limerick could to the Liffey Bridge and it is now begin- sing it and likewise Joe Lyons knew an old ning to take off nicely. man in Mayo who was familiar with it. A Google search on: John Ennis Uilleann - https:// livesofthepipers.com comes up with the following information plus a photograph of Ennis: John Ennis was active in Chicago from the 1890s, and in New York City in the 1920s. He was a staunch Irish nation- alist and strove to revive and sustain Irish or Gaelic culture. For most of his working life he was a Chicago policeman. Ennis was an amateur piper. He had a scholarly and literary bent and was a writer of poet- ry, and verse. He is credited with having Press Release—Sustainable Clane written thirty four published tunes. Judicial Review One source says that Ennis was born at Prosperous, County Kildare; a Concerned residents and Clane Community death certificate says born in Dublin. En- Council are preparing an urgent legal chal- nis emigrated to the United States about lenge in the High Court to save Clane from 1865. He was in Chicago by 1867 Ennis what they believe to be massive over- married a Miss Lee, his first wife, in 1875; development. they had two children. His wife died in In a series of decisions on Strategic Housing 1886. Developments (“SHD”), An Bord Pleanála By September 1930 he had returned to has granted 841 extra residential units on Chicago from New York. He was struck 6 top of previous permissions and existing sure on other local services. Some com- housing development ongoing since about ments by donors to the group’s page on the 2016. SHD planning decisions bypass the iFundraise website reflect the public frustra- local planning authority and, in submissions tion with unsustainable rates of develop- direct to An Bord Pleanála, Kildare County ment and related strains. Council and local councillors opposed the The group seeks to raise €40,000 for over-development of the town. With no legal costs. Already, over 230 households planning appeals process available, the only have donated over €22,000 in the first few- option is to seek a judicial review. weeks of the campaign. These planning decisions place Clane on a trajectory for around a 50% population Further information is available on growth, some of which significantly exceeds https:// the Clane Local Area Plan provisions. The www.ifundraise.ie/6288_sustainableclane.h updated County Development Plan only tml provides for 145 extra units in Clane from ______2020 - 2023. Le Chéile comes out 10 months of the People in Clane and surrounding year and takes a break in July and Au- areas already experience shortages in gust. Our next issue will be in Septem- school places, after-school activity waiting lists, limited capacity in public transport, ber. chronic traffic congestion and general pres- ______

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CLANE COMMUNITY COUNCIL Established 1973

IINVITATION TO NOMINATE •In 1992 Clane Local Development was set MEMBERS FOR 2021-2023. up after a successful application for funds. Nomination Papers will be available at Clane •The Green by the footpath up the B’nagap- P.O. in Nov. Please nominate someone. How pa Road was developed in the 90s removing old hedges and fallen walls. about yourself? It is important to keep up the • Extensive trees were planted in 80s/90s. voluntary community input of the past 48 yrs. • In 1995 CCC, on subscribing £18,000, re– Some of our achievements:- ceived £96,000 to develop footpaths and • Community Games commenced in 1974. parking in the Main Street. • Clane’s first Public Library in 1974. • In1999 the Fr. John Sullivan Monument • Church ruin (roofless since 1883) acquired (designed by Anthony Linden) was built. in 1974 & demolition of Tower averted. • In 2006 the Garden of Remembrance was • Piped TV first organized in1975. developed in the Abbey Grounds. •Stream Park (Playground) purchased ‘75 • In 2013 the Abbey Tower was flood lit and a plaque was unveiled on the Green to mark •Abbey Community Centre built 1983-85. the 40 Anniversary of CCC. •In 2008 the Abbey Cemetery Committee erected signage to mark the Friary’s 750 • Le Chéile community magazine started in years. Other works include new gates, a can- January 1974. Now on clanecommunity.ie opy to protect the altar, repairs to bound walls & ruins conservation with • Village Green walled &Triangle built ‘75. barrier removal. •Tidy Towns won Bronze Medals in • Tidy Towns commenced in 1975. ‘14/’15 /’16 /’17/’18 and ’19. • Heritage Signs were erected in 2015. • Piped TV first organized in 1975 • In 2016 the old Fair Green outside the Abbey was restored.

•Abbey Community Centre built 1983-85. •The 2 year Funding Scheme was extended a • In ‘16 /’17: works to stage &Abbey interior further 2 years to build the Evergreen Centre, to stone wall the banks of the Stream and to In the past two years extensive works were pave and wall the Park. carried out on extending the Christmas •Purchase of old stables, which had been on the lights, improving the Village Green & Trian- near side of the Stream, brought the total pur- gle. . . chase price for the Stream Park to £10,000. •In 1992 the old Sewage Plant at the Bridge was acquired. (It was blasted and cleared to create KEEP THE GOOD WORK GOING! the Riverside Park &Walk in1996.)

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