The best Interpretation of Theme Droichead Nua IFDC Pres. Teresa Harison  Winner of The Shop Award O Rourkes Bar Pres. Emily McTigue Winners Joan and Brenden O Rourke “Absolutely fabulous, it went unbelievable!” said the Chair of the committee Carl Murphy. The Newbridge parade overall winners, the Kildare Filipino Community“There were prizes for the best floats, best shop windows, and best groups,” he said, and all the groups came dressed in their best attire. “Everyone enjoyed it, and it’s great to be able to put on such an event that everybody came to – at least three-quarters of the town as you put it!” said Carl. “The eight on the committee are absolutely marvellous to work with. “It’s not easy putting on something like this, but we’ve got a good group, and it has definitely punched out. “We are very into safety, and had 1,550 barriers in town – over a mile of barriers, and we’ll have to get more next year! Most entertaining group Kildare Chinese Cultural association presented by cllr Noel Heavey “I remember doing this when I was younger, and going to Newbridge Garda Station with a van and bringing 15 or 20 barriers, and then bringing them back later. “Now you have a professional firm with 40 trucks and forklifts who arrive the night before and drop them throughout the town in bales of 40, and then the men from the company handing them out. Best Sporting Group Sarfields Presentation by Michael Donohue “They had great help from John Murray and his 30 Kildare Volunteers who were stationed at all the starting points – Tesco and Woodies for the walking groups, the heavy stuff at the back of Finlay’s. “It’s tough, but as one man said to me they other day; ‘you’re getting better every time’. Newbridge Organising Committe Conor McCabe, Michael Donohoe, Myles Wickam, Morgan McCabe, Teresa Harrison Carl Murphy Chairman and Emily McTigue“We want to get more floats, but don’t know how we’re going to beat 70! “But we can’t get marching bands for love nor money, because they all go to Dublin." Kildare Nationalist Newsletter delivered directly to your inbox The Baile Uí Loideáin development in Sixmilebridge The two new social housing developments were officially opened today Erika SassoneThu 21 Nov 2024 at 13:38Two new social housing developments in County Clare with a total approved budget of €11.2 million were officially opened on Wednesday by the Cathaoirleach of County Clare The developments in Scarriff and Sixmilebridge provide 33 new homes through direct build schemes and are funded by the Department of Housing is made up of 18 social housing units and has been provided through a direct build scheme by Clare County Council This development had an approved budget of over €6.2 million This project was completed this month by the Clare County Council appointed contractor Coolsivna Construction Ltd The design team for Droichead Nua was Hassett Leyden Flynn & Associates Tom McNamara & Partners and Don O’Malley & Partners provides a further 15 social housing units for the county through a second direct build scheme by the local authority This development had an approved budget of almost €5 million The appointed contractor for this project was Jada Construction Ltd and it was also completed this month The design team for his project was EML architects Ltd Clare County Council explained the new homes comprise of a mix of one three-bedroom dwellings designed and provide a high-quality living environment for their residents The units feature a high-specification finish with an emphasis on energy efficiency The developments are being delivered as part of Housing for All Officially opening both housing developments Cllr O’Callaghan said: “Today marks a significant milestone for County Clare in particular the communities of Sixmilebridge and Scarriff as we officially open these social housing developments These new homes are a foundation for stability and growth ensuring that families and individuals can thrive in our community.” Gaelic FootballLive | David Clifford inspires Kerry to Munster final win over Clare: As it happened Kerry take on Clare in the Munster Senior Football Championship final at Fitzgerald Stadium in … 1) 0ms,border-color 250ms cubic-bezier(0.4 1) 0ms;transition:background-color 250ms cubic-bezier(0.4 1) 0ms;color:#1976d2;padding:0px;min-width:0;}.css-1sgza6o:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;background-color:rgba(25 0.04);}@media (hover: none){.css-1sgza6o:hover{background-color:transparent;}}.css-1sgza6o.Mui-disabled{color:rgba(0 1) 0ms;color:#1976d2;padding:0px;min-width:0;}.css-w5p45x::-moz-focus-inner{border-style:none;}.css-w5p45x.Mui-disabled{pointer-events:none;cursor:default;}@media print{.css-w5p45x{-webkit-print-color-adjust:exact;color-adjust:exact;}}.css-w5p45x:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;background-color:rgba(25 0.04);}@media (hover: none){.css-w5p45x:hover{background-color:transparent;}}.css-w5p45x.Mui-disabled{color:rgba(0 0.26);}PrintShareSaveThe death has occurred of in the wonderful care of the staff at St Brigid's Hospice Cian will be very sadly missed by his loving wife & best friend Eva his parents Dec & Brede his brother Cillian extended family & a wide circle of friends & work colleagues May his kind and gentle soul Rest in Peace Newbridge from 3pm on Sunday (9th March) concluding with Rosary at 6pm Removal by Glennons Funeral Directors on Monday morning to arrive at St donations can be made through the online link below Cian's Funeral Mass will be live-streamed and can be viewed on the webstream link below Glennons Funeral Directors accept no responsibility for any live webcam interruptions or issues. For all enquiries, please contact Glennons Funeral Directors on 045 860110. Funeral Service.css-h76uj{display:inherit;margin-right:-4px;margin-left:8px;}Date Published: If you would like to make a donation to the chosen charity please click on the button below. Rip.ie, The Irish Times Building, 24-28 Tara Street, Dublin 2, Ireland Santuary Runners Michael Darragh MacAuley Newbridge AC and Fit for Life NFRC Photos: Jimmy Fullam Mr McAuley is now chief executive officer of not-for-profit Sanctuary Runners, which is a community organisation which operates 40 groups across Ireland. The organisation brings together cross-community groups to engage in various activities including running and jogging. Michael Darragh MacAuley, Fergal Harrington and Pat FlynnHis was just one of numerous community, social, cultural and sports groups which attended Newbridge Town Hall on Saturday 21 September as part of the showcase held between 1pm and 3pm. Keith O'Brien of Life Credit Union Some of the groups which attended were Newbridge Pickleball, Foróige, Newbridge Kildare Lions Club, St Conleth’s Community Games, County Kildare Twinning, KWWSPCA animal rescue and Newbridge Athletic Club. Orla O’Neill, who helped to organise the showcase explained that the event provided the “opportunity for long-standing and new residents to speak with representatives from the groups, to find out about their activities, where and when they happen”. Alan Bell Senior and Junior Peter Morin Ms O’Neill continued: “The event provided the opportunity for conversation, networking and making connections while people also had the opportunity to ask about volunteering opportunities in the groups. “The showcase helped to acknowledge and celebrate the diversity in the town with a huge number of new people moving into the area and sharing resources. Ella and Caroline Morrissey of Droichead Nua IFDC "We hope to also create a community directory which will detail information about schools, the health system etc and break into those networks.” Ms O’Neill believes the event should be held again next year. Newbridge Community Development, in partnership with Newbridge For All hosted the event. Mary Groarke and Angela Lane of Newbridge Knitters https://www.leinsterleader.ie/section/1240/advertise-with-us All the latest breaking local news from Kildare and Leinster County Keep up to date with the latest sports news Read the latest crime and court news from Kildare and the surrounding areas Read all the latest Irish news and updates from around Ireland Find whats happening in and around Kildare and Leinster Enjoy our award winning photos and picture galleries taken in Kildare and Leinster Read about the latest properties available in Kildare and Leinster Enjoy our latest and up to date motoring review and news in Kildare and Leinster Kildare and Leinster Met Eireann Weather Forecast Recent death notices and obituaries from Kildare and Leinster Latest environmental and climate change news in County Kildare Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter Support our mission and join our community now you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism The Droichead Nua dancers in Bad Lippspringe in Germany For over 70 years now Droichead Nua Irish Figure dancing class has been keeping the tradition of Irish figure dancing alive by teaching it to the young people of Newbridge and the surrounding areas on a voluntary basis It is one of six classes who go under the Kildare Irish Figure Dancing Council Newbridge has been the longest running class after been set up by Jack Farrell Joe Cardiff and Joe O’Brien to name but a few a member of Droichead Nua IFDC for over 35 years; Sharon Connolly originally a member of Brownstown class and Cill Dara class Caroline pointed out the group would be lost without committee members “With approximately 100 members from the age of five up to those in their 20s for over 70 years people have got so much joy and have made so many friends in this class,” said Caroline It is kept affordable so that no child is excluded due to financial restraints and all money that comes in to the class goes straight back into the running of the class paying for uniforms or parties and trips for our dancers,” she added “We have always felt that the Irish figure dancing was forgotten about when it comes to funding and recognition but this definitely changed this January for Droichead Nua IFDC.” From getting the invite from Newbridge twinning back in January to join them on this years twinning trip to Bad Lippspringe as ambassadors for Newbridge Thirty one dancers signed up along with parents and some siblings making a total of 82 people a race night which Tom Dempsey sponsored and hosted stand at the June Fest family day and a class feis “We were blown away with the support we received from everyone We got a grant from Sean Power and the Newbridge twinning So many local businesses got behind us and supported us in some way or another donation of our lovely black t-shirts which were donated by Traditional Craft from all that we were able to subsidise the cost of the trip for all our members we still had to concentrate on our normal competitions which only finished up in June,” said Caroline The dancers worked hard to get the exhibitions right and all their hard work paid off with them receiving standing ovations and calls for encore The group gave special thanks to St Conleth's Community College and Tom Behan for accommodating practices The excitement was building as August 9 got closer exhibition dances at a nursing home and in the forest an environmental event loosening the algae from the rocks in a lake and the competition games between the Irish and the Germans which the Irish team won These were just some of the events enjoyed some saying it was the best holiday they ever had I am so thrilled and proud to have been involved in making it happen,” explained Caroline “I always say the reason I am involved in this class for so long and the reason I do what I do is I get so much joy looking at the friendships that form through Irish figure dancing especially with the very shy young dancers and new friendships were been formed again on this trip it was with the adults too that formed new friendships.” She also heaped praise on the German twinning committee and the Newbridge Bad Lippspringe committee for making the trip so special " + $(".testo_articolo").html().replace(//g please subscribe and support local journalism Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles To continue reading this article for FREE,please kindly register and/or log in Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news Outside Naas courthouse are: Susanna Cawley Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie https://www.kildarenow.com/section/1005/contact-us All the latest breaking local news from Kildare and county Catch up on all the latest business news in Kildare and Leinster Pictured at the launch is Peter O’Neill Ruby Maher from Droichead Nua Irish Figure Dancing and Reverend Isobel Jackson Church of Ireland Reverend, Isobel Jackson said, “We are delighted that The Curragh continues to so generously host this annual Newbridge Parishes Raceday. As a newcomer to Newbridge, I am delighted to be involved in the day which will celebrate diversity and inclusion, embracing the different cultures within our community.” For further information contact the Curragh Racecourse: info@curragh.ie  Photo courtesy of An Garda Síochána Kildare House of Hearing's experienced audiologist Matt Allen the development would be constructed ‘within the townlands of Droichead Nua (Newbridge) and Old Connell Newbridge.’ FILE PHOTOGRAPH / PIXABAY A residential development consisting of 126 dwellings, along with a crèche, has been proposed for Newbridge Ballymore Naas Developments Limited is seeking planning permission from Kildare County Council to construct the development 'within the townlands of Droichead Nua (Newbridge) and Old Connell the company is seeking permission  for phase 1 of a 2 phase residential development for some 126 dwellings on a wider site are of circa 4 hectares the proposed development will provide all roads services [foul & attenuation] and landscaping for both the Phase 1 and Phase 2 sites The date received is listed as May 10 last while the submission-by and due dates are listed as June 13 and July 4 According to the business information website vision-net.ie, Ballymore Naas Developments Ltd was established back in October of 2014 The company has an address registered at One Royal Canal House Three housing charities associated with the Ceann Comhairle went into “engagement” with their regulator after a Sunday Independent investigation found governance issues at one of them Cill Dara and Cill Urnaí were named on a list of 18 bodies in “regulatory engagement” with the Housing Agency in 2020 The three organisations were required to submit “engagement regulatory returns” to the Housing Agency which was responsible for operating a voluntary regulation code for housing charities according to a record released under the Freedom of Information Act The Housing Agency does not comment on individual cases its website says housing charities may be required to enter a “process of engagement” with the regulator “where significant areas of risk are identified” in relation to the “governance financial viability and/or performance management” An investigation by the Sunday Independent in 2019 revealed apparent lapses of corporate governance in Droichead Nua Housing Association The housing association didn’t keep a register of members as required by company law and didn’t notify the company’s members of annual general meetings At the time the board of Droichead Nua acknowledged the “inadvertent error in our procedures” The Ceann Comhairle was a longstanding director of several housing charities in his Kildare constituency He has retired as director of Droichead Nua and Cill Dara housing associations and is still listed as a director of Cill Urnai Attempts to contact the housing associations were unsuccessful Voluntary and co-operative housing associations are independent not-for-profit organisations that receive state funding to acquire or build social homes in their communities They are central to the Government’s social housing policy and receive millions in state funds Housing associations that agreed to voluntary regulation were required to sign up to a code of governance Those associations that failed to meet those standards entered into a process of “engagement” with the Housing Agency The Sunday Independent has repeatedly sought access to the regulation reports under the Freedom of Information Act but was refused The Information Commissioner initially ruled the records should be released to this newspaper and published in the public interest The Housing Agency went to the High Court to block access to the records on the grounds of their commercial sensitivity and confidentiality the Information Commissioner did a U-turn and ruled that it was not in the public interest to release the records The Housing Agency’s regulatory role has been taken over by the Approved Housing Body Regulatory Authority which operates a system of mandatory regulation It was set up last year but its powers to assess monitor and investigate charities came into effect this month The Housing Agency said: “Where significant areas of risk are identified in relation to an AHB’s governance financial viability and/or performance management that organisation may be required to enter into a process of Engagement with the Regulation Office.” Join the Irish Independent WhatsApp channel (Photo by Aishling Conway Photography for The Curragh Racecourse) a very popular and fun family day in the racing calendar takes place at The Curragh on Sunday 21st April Almost €600,000 has been raised for projects benefiting the local community since the race day was launched nearly 40 years ago This year’s race day will celebrate diversity and inclusion embracing the different cultures within our community with a variety of fundraising activities taking place and funds distributed directly to community-based projects in the parish.  A variety of free family entertainment will be hosted throughout the afternoon with the Moyglare Kids Zone area packed with free activities for children and performances from local stage schools including Kildare Irish Figure Dancing N C Performing Art,  Leinster Academy of Dance Leah Moran Stage School and Stage Academy Stage School Exhibition games by children from various local sports clubs including Newbridge Athletic Club Newbridge Town FC and Newbridge United FC will also take place between races on the racetrack.  The Lester Piggott Gladness Stakes) is the feature race of an eight-race card while there are races supported by Keadeen Hotel PG Duffy & Sons Citroen and The Treacy Group Gates open at 12noon with the first race at 1.50pm.  Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.curragh.ie Tickets are now on sale for a fund-raising raffle to support worthy projects in the Parish are on sale after masses this week and from the Parish Centre in Newbridge while they will also be available to purchase on the race day 2nd:€400 Whitewater Shopping Centre Voucher 4th: Beauty hamper from Bergen’s Pharmacy 5th: Beauty Products from McGreal’s Pharmacy 6th: Beauty Products from Life Pharmacy Some of the Droichead Nua Irish Figure Dancers pictured at their Christmas Party in 2016 There are not many voluntary clubs or organisations that notch up 70 years in existence but Droichead Nua Irish dancers have smashed that barrier the community group is holding a 70th Anniversary Ceili at Ryston in Newbridge next Saturday “We will also have an exhibition on the night of old photos so if anyone has any that they want included they can contact me,” said Caroline Morrissey She is also working on a book documenting the history of the group which was founded by Joe Cardiff “The group is run on a totally voluntary basis and is not for profit Any money that is paid in goes back to the classes,” she added There are currently around 100 dancers aged from four or five up to the age of 30 involved in the Droichead Nua Irish Figure Dancing Classes The classes take place at St Conleth’s Community College The anniversary Ceili kicks off at 7pm and music will be provided by the Brian Boru Ceili Band Further information is available on the Droichead Nua Irish Figure Dancing on Facebook Dance for Brigid is a new unique show dedicated to St Brigid and is being run in association with the Kildare County Council and the Brigid 1500 festivities and grants Kildare Irish Figure Dancers explain; “it will be a first of its kind packed with traditional and specially created dances designed especially for this show and as a tribute to St Brigid” The dancers will be joined by some special guests on Sunday and they also have a couple of their own dancers performing musical acts too “We are proud to have the St Brigid’s cross as our logo and extra proud to be from Kildare the county where there is so much history and connection to St Brigid,” says Caroline Morrissey from the Kildare Irish Figure Dancers “It is an honour to represent Kildare around this country and abroad We are on our first overseas trip to Disneyland Paris in August this year where the dancers will put on an exhibition on the stage and proudly represent their country and Kildare Irish figure dancing.” The group is an extension of Kildare Irish Figure Dancing Council which is in existence for 75 years It is a new amalgamation of all the figure dancing classes in Kildare It was set up in November 2022 by long time member Caroline Morrissey Caroline has been a member of Droichead Nua Irish figure dancing class for over 40 years now She was getting concerned about the falling numbers of dancers in all the classes and is passionate about keeping this tradition alive She says she wanted to give the dancers another element of dancing and provide opportunities and experiences that would keep their interest and give them something fun to look forward to These dancers will normally compete against each other throughout the year but come together on Sunday mornings in Newbridge to work together to create and learn new dances and prepare for future exhibitions and events Caroline was joined with other dance teachers and Hannah Cusack from Droichead Nua class These teachers also share Caroline’s passion for the tradition of Irish Figure dancing Both Hannah and Zoe still dance with the group and are fantastic role models to all the younger members and all keeping to their own little groups and classes We did some warm up exercises with them as we do at all our classes and put some music on and asked them to do their 1,2,3’,” says Caroline “All the teachers looked at each other immediately with big smiles on our faces and said “Wow we have had lots of experiences and have lots more planned for the rest of the year The dancers are all mixing really well together now in the class and outside It is wonderful and heart warming to see all the new friendships grow among everyone involved both dancers and teachers and even parents “Everyone is working really hard on getting this show ready in between our regular feis competitions Like all of the Irish figure dancing classes affiliated with KIFDC fun and affordable approach to keeping this tradition alive and available to the young people of Kildare and giving them the opportunities to spread their love for Irish figure dancing “We have had a big fundraising drive on since the start up and are blown away with the support from people We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped and supported us to date A special mention to the parents who have all been very supportive and helpful with everything we ask.” Caroline says the group would love to have a full house at the show which will take place on Sunday Doors will open at 5pm and the show will start at 6pm with an estimated finishing time of 8:30pm There will be a raffle on the night with some great prizes up for grabs Tickets are now on sale they cost €10 each if anyone would like to purchase tickets ,please contact Caroline or any other Kildare Irish figure dancer for information The group can also be contacted via email at Kildareirishfiguredancers@gmail.com or you can message or whatsapp Caroline on 086 6067947 Pic: "Team Caroline's Cracker's" A charity dancing class will take place in the town of Newbridge later this week in aid of the Irish Cancer Society The class will be run by the Droichead Nua Irish Figure Dancing Class (IFDC) the group said: "We are thrilled to be able to hold our Summer class charity feis "We are really looking forward to seeing the display of dancing from all our wonderful dancers LATEST: Six month closure for road in Kildare town WATCH: Kildare's Nathan Collins scores solo wondergoal for Ireland The IFDC continued: "We will have a raffle on the night we will have candle bags for sale for the Relay for life at €5 each "We will also have tickets on sale for the big raffle "If you or someone you know have been thinking you might like to join our class in September why not come along and get a feel for what we are about We take children from primary school right up to 30 years." June 17 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at St Conleth's Community College A German Junckers Ju-188 warplane — one of the most common Nazi warplanes of the period It was a New Year’s gift as unwelcome as it was unexpected as the people of Newbridge slept under the thin security blanket of Irish neutrality a stray Nazi plane droned overhead and unleashed a torrent of bombs to the west of the town High explosive projectiles plunged earthwards scouring craters in the ground on the edge of the Curragh racecourse and in the pastures of Ballymany Stud Separately a slew of incendiary bombs lit up the night sky as they fell to the south of the town on to the fields of the Cox farm at Walshestown setting a valuable stock of hay and straw on fire The New Year’s present from Hitler’s air force could have been a lot worse There was no injury to man or animal in the Newbridge area Had the bombs fallen a mile to the east — just a minute’s flying time away — the town could have been all but annihilated The tragedy of the North Strand bombing in Dublin the following April when German bombs killed 30 people (including the young Browne family from Edenderry) showed the devastation which high explosives could bring to urban streetscapes As it was there was tragedy in a neighbouring county that night errant German bombers had dropped their deathly payloads at random over the countryside One stick of bombs straddled a farmhouse on the slopes of the Blackstairs mountains in Co Carlow Three female members of the Shannon family were killed instantly Although the de Valera government had imposed strict wartime censorship carried complete details of the Newbridge incident The paper’s Curragh correspondent reported that: “ …about 6.45 on Thursday morning an unidentified aeroplane approached from a north-easterly direction and dropped incendiary bombs at Walshestown and one and a half miles from the Curragh Camp.” was quoted as saying that the falling incendiaries resembled ‘shooting stars’ Witnesses said that the plane approached from ‘the Naas direction’ and some said they heard small explosions followed immediately by flashes The private fire brigade from the Irish Ropes factory in Newbridge and the town’s Air Raid Precautions volunteers responded to the incident The Army fire brigade from the Curragh was summoned to the Cox farm and succeeded in confining the conflagration to the haggard but about 200 tons of hay and straw were destroyed the military at the Camp did not go on alert otherwise and even if they had there was little they could do — so poor was the Army’s wartime inventory that that the camp and its thousands of troops were not protected by anti-aircraft guns The incendiaries — of a type which had started terrible fires in the London Blitz — scattered all over Walshestown Others fell adjacent to the home of Mr Patrick Sheridan Of potentially more serious consequence were the eight high explosive bombs which dropped in the Ballymany area Three fell on the Curragh lands between the racecourse and Ballymany Cross kicking up big craters at least 40 feet wide Five more fell on the paddocks of the Aga Khan’s Stud at Ballymany where incendiaries also impacted Gardaí from Newbridge and members of the Local Security Force combed the district during the Thursday looking for any further traces of bomb impact The damage was confined to the severing of a water pipeline at Ballymany Stud and the gouging of deep craters in its paddocks and the adjacent Curragh plain But the searchers made a startling discovery They found that one of the bombs had not detonated and it had embedded itself six feet deep in the Ballymany soil just yards from the house occupied by Mr James Hayde the national press sought reports from the site and in the Irish Independent of the Friday morning a column headed ‘Droichead Nua — Fire Bombs dropped’ by an Irish Independent special representative reported that ‘A cordon was thrown around the unexploded bomb and military experts began digging it out in order to render it ineffective’ The skill and bravery of the Irish Army bomb disposal officers was impressive — approaching a bomb laden with 250kg of explosive and with sophisticated German triggering mechanisms that they would not have encountered before but in the process made a discovery which would have international ramifications in the tense relationships between neutral Ireland and the warring parties — the bomb casing carried inscriptions which were in the German language Although there had been a handful of bombing incidents over Ireland since the war had begun in 1939 — including the destruction of a creamery in the village of Campile near New Ross which killed three women workers — there had been no objective proof of the source of the bombs The Government of Eamon de Valera was highly reluctant to make allegations as to whether the bombs were British or German — although the likelihood was the latter — until forensic proof was found Now there was literally a cast-iron guarantee of attribution — the markings on the unexploded bomb at Ballymany were clearly German the head of the Department of External Affairs Joseph P Walshe (who had taught for three years at Clongowes Wood Jesuit school) had telegrammed the Irish representative in Berlin telling him that an aircraft had dropped bombs with ‘German markings’ at the Curragh He ordered Warnock to make a ‘vigorous protest in regard to the Curragh bombing’ and point out how such incidents had a detrimental effect on relations between Ireland and Germany intelligence reports compiled from Irish coast-watchers and observers inland had built up a picture of hostile air activity over the Irish sea and Walsh interpreted where the Curragh aircraft had fitted into this picture the evidence from the Curragh bombs that the weapons were of German origin was bolstered by similar markings found from bombs dropped the same day in Co Meath reporting that ‘the evidence found at Duleek coupled with the fact that these bombings coincided with a German raid on Merseyside… makes it only too clear that German planes are responsible’ His sensitivity about not upsetting the Germans was put aside as Walshe ordered Warnock to make a strong protest to the Reich government: ‘You must make an energetic protest at once at continued violation of our air-space...’ And he headed off predictable German counter-propaganda by making it clear that ‘any idea that the German bombs were dropped by British planes is untenable’ the Germans were not taking the accusation without challenge and Herr Hempel — later in January Herr Hempel the German Minister in Dublin — told Walshe that his government were not convinced that the bombs were theirs He wanted permission to bring a munitions expert over from Germany to examine the fragments But Walshe was concerned that this was a German attempt to get a messenger over who would make contact with the IRA He countered by suggesting to Hempel that some of the German airmen interned in the Curragh Camp — coincidently within a mile of the Ballymany bombing — might be able to examine the projectile and determine its origin Hempel argued back that the interned airmen would not have the technical skills necessary to verify the origin of the bomb Their exchange seemed to be going nowhere until the Jesuit-trained Walshe came up with a proposition that would suit all parties — the Germans would admit publicly that it was one of their bombs but it had worked itself loose from the airplane in flight and had not been dropped deliberately Although the Ballymany bombing was minor in terms of its material impact it marked a step-change in Ireland’s relationship with at least one of the belligerent parties The ‘fog of war’ would no longer be accepted as an excuse for denying responsibility for any further bombs that would fall on Irish territory Pictured are student Ben Cahill (Cross and Passion) Ben Smyth (Clongowes) 32 students from Kildare were among a total of 626 first-year students from Ireland and overseas who received prestigious Entrance Exhibition Awards for the 2023/4 academic year from Trinity College Dublin [15 March 2023] The awards go to students accepted into the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme who achieve the highest points among Trinity entrants from their secondary school above a minimum of 500 CAO points (or equivalent) Many former awardees have gone on to make a significant contribution to the economic Past Exhibitioners include Taoiseach Leo Varadkar The students come from 445 different schools and from all 32 counties on the island of Ireland as well as 28 countries overseas The awards were delivered at three ceremonies at Trinity to which the students and their school principals were invited Provost of Trinity Dr Linda Doyle said: “The Entrance Exhibition Awards are our way of recognising these fantastic students and acknowledging the huge effort they put into their Leaving Certificate exams I am really honoured that they have chosen Trinity College Dublin for this next step of their education "This year’s award recipients are now in the First Year of their studies and I hope they are finding their studies enjoyable and rewarding and enjoying the huge variety of clubs and societies in Trinity.  “Our Entrance Exhibition Awards programme includes a special event for school principals and I want to really acknowledge the amazing work of principals teachers and school staff who are so dedicated in making sure that students achieve their full potential.”  Students who achieve the highest points among Trinity entrants from their secondary school with at least 500 points in the Leaving Certificate (or its equivalent EU/EEA second-level final examinations) are eligible for an Entrance Exhibition Award This includes bonus points for Mathematics When more than one student from a school gets the same high points The Entrance Exhibition Awards were awarded to 408 students from Leinster (257 from Dublin) Awards also went to students from the following countries: Austria (2) Awardees (listed below) received a certificate and a €150 book token Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl has hit back at claims that tenants of a local housing association The Kildare South TD Fianna Fáil admitted that while some “errors” of corporate governance were made at Droichead Nua Housing Association he said that it was clear from the terms of the scheme at the time of formation the homes could not be purchased as a purchase scheme was not provided for in law.He has also spoken separately about the conviction of his former parliamentary assistant who was convicted earlier this year of the theft of €200,000 from the Cill Urnaí Housing Association of which Deputy Ó Fearghaíl was also a director In relation to the Droichead Nua Housing Association claims Deputy Ó Fearghaíl said; “Rent is paid based on income and it was clear from the terms of the scheme at the time of formation the homes could not be purchased as a purchase scheme was not provided for in law,” he said “I told people at the time that if you can get a house any other way be it through the council or a bank loan where you can buy your own house then do it.“The point about these houses was that they cannot be purchased People in Local Authority houses can purchase their houses but people in Housing Association homes cannot.“I have since lobbied for the introduction of a Tenant Purchase Scheme and one was introduced in 2009 but it is only applicable to the houses built after 2009 and very little were built after that due to the bottom falling out of the economy around then.” This position is disputed by long-standing Fen Grove tenant and member of the Droichead Nua Housing Association Shirley Eustace who claimed that Deputy Ó Fearghaíl told tenants that they could purchase their homes after five years She helped set up Droichead Nua voluntary housing association in 1993 as a not-for-profit body that provided homes for low-income families on their housing lists.“Seán Ó Fearghaíl said the option would be there to buy back our houses after five years,” she said.“Now he is saying that he never said that I am also listed as a member which means I should have been contacted about all AGMs but the last one I attended was in 2001.” Last week the Newbridge-based Housing Association made national headlines when it was reported that it had failed to keep a register of members as required by company law and did not notify the company’s members of annual general meetings Deputy Ó Fearghaíl said that seven members became directors at the formation of the scheme and served for several years as such but when they resigned rightly or wrongly that they had also resigned as members He said that all members signed up to a Memorandum of Articles and Association which he claimed clearly stated the rules of the housing association.“We were about the business of building houses — was there an error — yes — are we willing to fix it — yes There was never any impact in respect of the construction of those houses,” he said.Meanwhile Ms Eustace also said that last March tenants were informed by letter of a proposal to merge Droichead Nua with a larger housing association Cill Dara Housing Association — of which Deputy Ó Fearghaíl is also director.“We decided as a group that we wanted to stay on our own,” Shirley said “We only have a small amount left on our loan €350,000 in total for the 18 houses to pay back to the Department of the Environment We do not want to be merged with anyone as we also have a considerable sinking fund (maintenance) at Fen Grove I have requested a copy of the Articles of Association and of all the AGMs that I should have been notified of and as our next step as tenants is to arrange a meeting this week to discuss our next strategy.” The average rent paid weekly for the 18 houses at Fen Grove amounts to €75.78 with the lowest at €32 a week and the highest Local independent councillor Fiona McLoughlin Healy has since called on KCC for tighter regulations around the running of Housing Associations.The council in response said that it is the responsibility of the Interim Housing Regulator to regulate the operation of Approved Housing Bodies Deputy Ó Fearghaíl also sits on the board of five other voluntary housing associations in Kildare including Cill Dara Housing Association was recently convicted of theft of €200,000 Deputy Ó Fearghaíl said the reason he is involved with so many housing associations was his due to his involvement at their formation stage He added that he was alerted to the fraud of his former colleague and friend Mr Dalton by the bank He said an irregularity was spotted which he immediately began investigating.“I then saw significant anomalies and immediately confronted him the following morning,” he said.“He admitted his wrongdoing and submitted his letter of resignation When I discovered the scale of the problem the Director of Corporate Enforcement and the Local Authority.” SEE ALSO:Rain forecast for Kildare Singer Johnny Peters entertains the crowd on the viewing stand at the Newbridge St Patrick's Day Parade the people of Newbridge got to finally let themselves get lost in a tidal wave of celebration which was felt all throughout the town this St Patrick's Day A large number of organisations and clubs were in attendance at the annual parade which kicked off at 12 midday and was watched a huge crowd Some of those taking part included: Sarsfields and Moorefields GAA clubs the Stage Academy of Newbridge and members of the Defence Forces and the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel VIDEOS: Newbridge hosts army tanks, fire engines, martial artists and much more for St Patrick's Day Parade Several special guests and local dignitaries also attended the event former local school principals Pat O’ Leary and John O’ Donovan and author and Arts Council member Pauline Clooney Local musician Johnny Peters entertaining the crowd Newbridge’s own Johnny Peters also sang a few tunes to entertain the crowd at around 1.30pm and also took time out of his performance to thank former Newbridge Parish News and Views newsletter editor Breda Reid 14-year-old Alex Hughes also delivered a signature of Irish music with a rousing pipe performance Teresa Harrison acted as the Grand Marshall of the Parade while Brenda Donohoe was the Master of Ceremonies said: "We take part in the parade every year and it’s nice to be able to come out again The Kildare Filipino Community's contribution to Newbridge's St Patrick's Day parade Aina Dugenio Conway of the Kildare Filipino Community also expressed her excitement ahead the parade telling the Leader: "We are super excited for the parade; it’s so important to feel part of the community A member of An Garda Síochana at the parade added that he was 'glad to see the community back on the street again.' The citizens of Ukraine in County Kildare were also held in a particularly high regard this year with many groups wearing various yellow and blue garments in addition to different vehicles flying the Ukrainian flag One participant with the Ploughing Association explained the importance of standing in solidarity with Ukraine: “The Irish people understand what they’re going through but this year it’s a bit more serious (for this reason).. we have to show them that we care about them.” who is also the chairperson of Kildare Integration Network where she thanked the Newbridge community for their generosity said: "It was fantastic and great to see live parades back Young musician Alex Hughes with his grandparents With representation from all across the town and the numerous different cultures that reside within it patriotic pride was felt throughout Newbridge town The story of an English WWI veteran who became an industrialist founded a thriving Newbridge factory which employed thousands of locals over six decades; and pulled out all the stops to keep this country’s rope and twine industry afloat during ‘The Emergency’ Tintawn and Binder Twine is written by John Rigby-Jones founder of the Irish Ropes factory which became world-famous during the 1950s and 1960s for its Curragh Tintawn carpets.Englishman John is also the nephew of Michael Rigby-Jones who died tragically young in the Staines Air Crash of 1972 This claimed the lives of 12 leading Irish industrialists who were on their way to Brussels for talks about Ireland joining the EU “There are a few people still around who remember working at the Ropes in Eric’s time He was instrumental in founding Ryston Sports and Social Club,” said John originally for the Irish Ropes factory workers Although none of his grandchildren ever met Eric — Michael’s eldest daughter Gillian was born four months after his death — “his widow our grandmother was a determined woman and she kept his flame alive.” The front cover of Tintawn and Binder Twine John’s interest in writing his grandfather’s history was sparked upon inheriting a bundle of family letters photographs and cuttings upon his own father The trove included some 250 letters that Eric had written home from World War I — which was the basis of John’s 2017 book Best Love To All which covered Eric’s experiences in that conflict His research for this book has taken him from family records to the British National Archives… and even to discover redacted documents in the UK’s Ministry of Defence concerning the Irish Ropes founder and the Second World War Eric Rigby-Jones was born in Cheshire in 1897 into a family steeped in rope-making tradition They had moved at the turn of the 19th century from North Wales The family started a rope-making endeavour around 1870 Eric joined the army straight out of school taking part in the battles of Arras and Ypres He was mentioned in dispatches for gallantry and was awarded the Military Cross and Bar by the late King George V at Buckingham Palace He was made a director in the family business on his 21st birthday — while still serving in the army — and that appointment set him on a path that would last the rest of his life faced an increasingly difficult time in the twenties but the family built up a valuable business selling rope and twine into Ireland.“I’m not quite sure how they did it,” said John “but when the Free State came into existence in 1922 increasingly they were at a risk of losing it because they thought that tariffs were going to be introduced that made it impossible for foreign importers to sell in Ireland.” Eric and his father started to look at the possibility of building a factory in Ireland and from 1930 onwards he was in this country most of the time Irish Ropes was founded in Newbridge in 1933 with the close cooperation and involvement of the Irish government — which took a substantial financial share in the venture — and in particular then Minister for Industry and Commerce Sean Lemass.“Eric’s children grew up without seeing much of him,” said John “He was away from his family basically from 1930 to 1937 when he moved his family over to Ireland.” Eric sons Peter and Michael and daughter Ann subsequently lived at Morristownbiller House in Newbridge Irish Ropes was founded in the riding school of the old British Military Barracks Eric’s obituary in the Leinster Leader in July 1952 noted that “the floor was of mud and it is on record that there was not one whole pane of glass in the windows Mr Rigby-Jones set to work to build up his industry then the machines were installed and a small staff was engaged and production began.” “He was clearly encouraged by the government who had his commission in the British Army was encouraged by a Republican government to set up in a former deserted British cavalry barracks That seems extraordinary to me,” said John There is no doubt that Eric had been directed to a specific location to set up his factory Newbridge had suffered huge poverty and unemployment with the loss of the British military barracks on the Curragh and in the town Other new local industries set up around this time imported British knowledge and skill including Newbridge Cutlery — now Newbridge Silverware — which drew steelworkers from Sheffield; and the Irish Last Works which closed in the 1960s but was set up with shoemakers from Northampton the company was supplying nearly all of Ireland’s rope and twine the fibrous plant used before the introduction of polypropylene plastic to manufacture these products John said: “Sisal came from the British colonies of Kenya and Tanzania in East Africa the threat to shipping in the beginning made it difficult to get hold of any sisal but Eric managed to stockpile absolutely masses He stockpiled two years worth of sisal to make sure that the farmers didn’t run out of twine But then he suffered a major fire which threatened to destroy all of his reserve stocks in the autumn of 1940 And the following year the British got fed up with Irish neutrality and introduced the trade embargo and basically said ‘we’re not supplying you with any more sisal’.” “He had to look at what else he could do to get the fibre to make twine and he tried to buy it from elsewhere and that was impossible; he tried to make it thinner and use other materials and eventually he resorted to growing flax He got a thousand farmers in County Carlow to grow flax for him to make twine The British had committed to buying the entire Irish flax crop and in 1942 the Irish government decided to play hardball They threatened to cut off the flax supply unless they could access sisal “And the British immediately turned around and said we’ll give you your full allocation of sisal instead’ “One Irish civil servant said that Ireland was probably the only country in the world in 1943 to get its full allocation of sisal but I think that all of these things took their toll on my grandfather and I think there were several times in the war he felt like giving up.” prompted him to try to be of use to the British government during the war he did turn up one day a couple of weeks after the German invasion of France at the War Office in London and volunteered his services,” said John “He subsequently had regular meetings with the British representatives in Dublin he was keeping the British government informed on what feeling was like in Ireland was as much under threat of invasion as Britain.” Eric’s daughter Ann gave John a visitor’s book from when the family lived in Newbridge — which led to the discovery of an interesting episode from the WWII era “That showed that Eric and his wife entertained two of the British RAF pilots who were interned at the Curragh camp for the duration of the war He entertained two of them at his house — one in the same month that the pilot escaped.” and learned from an account of his adventure that it was unlikely the Rigby-Jones family were involved “It was quite a relief to find out that my grandparents almost certainly weren’t involved in the escape!” passed away tragically young from cancer in 1952 “He’d been badly injured in the first World War,” said John “In 1918 he won the Military Cross and Bar in the space of six weeks The second time he was badly gassed and buried alive twice in the same day The founder did not live to see Irish Ropes reach its real heyday in the 1950s and 1960s which had started in 1937 but really exploded in popularity after the war The company reportedly employed over 1,000 people by the end of the 60s Eric’s younger son and successor — Peter became an architect and lived in England — became a leading entrepreneur and something of a jetsetter opening offices around the world including on Fifth Avenue in New York Michael’s untimely and tragic death in 1972 marked the start of a couple of troubled decades for the company A changing industrial landscape was coupled with the decline in demand for sisal products and a glut of carpets on the worldwide market and was ultimately taken over by Barlo and its industries subsequently sold off during the 90s The Whitewater Shopping Centre now stands on what were its factories and warehouses Eric Rigby-Jones’ obituary noted that “in his dealings with his workers They recognised him as one who had their welfare and security sincerely at heart… his widely-mourned passing will be a major loss to Droichead Nua and to Irish Ropes Ltd.” The Covid-19 restrictions have scuppered an official launch at Ryston of the Tintawn and Binder twine which is currently at the printers and is due to be available mid-May including Farrell & Nephew in Newbridge and John hopes to hold a Newbridge event before the end of the year “I just hope that people find the story interesting that they think ‘I never knew that about Irish Ropes’,” he said was educated at Sherborne School and read classics at Oriel College After qualifying as a chartered accountant he spent 35 years in the private healthcare industry before retiring at 60 in 2015 he has spent much of his time researching his family’s history and in particular the life of his grandfather about Eric’s experiences as a young officer on the Western Front was published by Helion & Company in 2017 Here are some pictures from Tony Keane who popped along to capture all the magic.  Read also: See more Kildare stories Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.