Lights, Castle, Santa

This year White Castle lights up and hosts and extravaganza of elves and dancers and most importantly Santa at 6pm. All are welcome

On Second Thoughts

In the search to try to alleviate the traffic difficulties of the town Athy Town Council are reversing one of the changes recently introduced. The flow of traffic on Chapel Lane (beside Madden’s Pharmacy) will now go in the opposite direction ( towards the main street) and this should take place during the next week. Watch for the Change over.

MADE OF ATHY

Athy Town Council sub committee on Culture invite you to the launch of MADE OF ATHY. The CD Anthology of Athy in song and verse. This Thursday 29th November The Carlton Abbey Hotel 7.30 pm This is an absolutely unique opportunity to be present at the launch of what will be a landmark production by several well known artists. Come along and enjoy.

Christmas Market at Castlefarm Shop

Thursday 29th November 3pm-8pm
Enjoy complimentary mulled wine, mince pies and music while you browse the best of local arts and crafts including Candles, Pottery, Handmade Cards, Wood turning, Children’s toys & local Food Hampers

On the Buses

South Kildare Community Transport (SKCT) are to expand their rural transport services over the next three years.

Since its inception five years ago, SKCT have delivered almost 100,000 passenger journeys. Where no transport services previously exsisted, SKCT have been transporting people in the South Kildare region answering travel needs which vary from Health appointments to shopping, education, employment and a variety of other local amenities like sports centres access and other social outlets. One growing demand the service has experienced is the provision of key connection services to other transport providers such as Iarnod Eireann services in Athy and Kildare, Private Bus operators and Bus Eireann connections in Castledermot to Carlow IT, Waterford and Dublin.

They have a broad ranging age group 26 – 65 years, making regular journeys on our two current routes. These routes service areas such as Athy, Ballyroe, Kilkea, Castledermot, Moone, Timolin, Ballytore, Narraghmore, Kilmead, Booleigh, Nurney, Tullywest, Bishopsland in Kildare and Newbridge.
See the timetable at http://www.skct.ie/

Protect Your Rights

The New Draft Register of Electors is available on line at http://cervcdb.kildarecoco.ie/ereg/. If you are not on the register you CANNOT vote and it is important that you protect this basic right. Check if you are registered and don’t panic if you are not but make sure to have your name included for future elections

On the Right Track

Commuters can note the new timetable on the Irishrail site spotted by a commuter with a computer today. Irish rails new arrival is a new 17:35 Heuston- Carlow train stopping in Athy 18:29. This is as close to official as I can get at the moment but is good news for rail users. If every new timetable brought a new train we would be “on the right track. Printed timetables are now on their website: http://www.irishrail.ie/your_journey/printed_timetables2008.asp

Coneyboro Residents Organise

Tomorrow night 20th sees the next meeting of the Coneyboro Residents Association. Keeping an estate well and developing a community depends on supports from residents. Members of this new estate have a great opportunity to get involved and get to know their neighbours.

Carlton Abbey 8 pm See the agenda http://www.freewebs.com/coneyboro/agendaformeeting.htm

Athylive Live

Not just a blog but now the website www.athylive.com . The website is just being put together and wants to be the location of what information people want about the town. The website includes a community diary and calendar of events which will gladly add any suggested activities or events. Please feel free to suggest material or web links which have not been included. The website will be officially launched later.

Sandwich Bar

A sign of the developing town is the arrival of an outlet of O’Brien’s Sandwich Bar in Leinster Street. O’Brien’s is one of the many new premises attracted to the town by the growth in population.

Civic Reception for Stephen

Athy Town Council was delighted to host a civic reception for Stephen Roche tonight. Cathaoirleach paid tribute to the young athlete and welcomed the Roche family and friends to the Council chamber. Stephen thanked his family, his coaches and his community for their support.

Wet Wet Wet

Progress is on target for the construction of the new swimming pool. An information meeting today confirmed that the project should be completed next September. Most of the underground work has been completed and we should see roofing commence in the new year. Time to start taking those swimming lessons for the grand opening!

Lights, Camera AGHHHHHHH!

Horrible, scary and filmed in the environs of Athy. A recently made horror film was sited in Castlemitchell. If you look closely at the trailer/pics you might recognise some local aspiring actors ….horrible, scary….. Seriously have a look at the promo on http://www.seerthemovie.com/

It’s a matter of Pride

Congratulations to the town of Athy on achieving second place in their category in the national Pride of Place competition. Adjudicators visited St Dominic’s Park, the Community Development Project, St. Michael’s Boxing Club and Athy Travellers Support Group. Special thanks to Athy Tidy Towns Committee and Arthur Lynch who gave a presentation to the adjudicators.

Burning the Porridge

Congratulations to Liam Dunne, Bray, Athy on his performance on “Highly Recommended” on RTE tonight. Liam has converted his heat source from oil to black oats which cost half the price and have a lesser carbon footprint. Apart from success on the programme hopefully Liam has helped in developing a renewable and cheaper energy source. More power to you, Liam.

What a load of rubbish

Athy has the advantage of one of the only Civic Amenity Centres in the county where you can bring the old fridge, cardboard, tv, plastic bottles, paint for FREE. While there are charges for some items the centre is a real resource for a town It is located on the Dublin road beside King Oil and you just drive in! Find out what is recyclable and free at http://kildare.ie/countycouncil/Environment/AthyCivicAmenity

Joe Taylor launches MacKenna’s Book

Athy Heritage was packed to capacity for the launch of John MacKenna’s book of short stories “The River Field” by Joe Taylor tonight. Both Joe and John read a short extract from the book each and it promises to be a great read. An excellent Christmas read or gift for anybody. Available at all “good” book stores.

Alarming News

Over 65s can avail of a special grant towards purchasing personal alarms which can summon help at the touch of a button. The user does not have to be ill or incapacitated but might feel more secure with such a device. Details can be got from Maura 087 996 2771

Music to our ears

Good news for Athy is that a new CD featuring artists from Athy is under production and will be launched at the end of the month. The CD has a wide range of well known performers and is the first of its kind. A must for any resident who wants a flavour of what Athy’s music culture is about. Watch this space.

Roadside Car Sales Outlawed

Roadside selling of cars is to be outlawed in Athy. A motion to the town council proposing this has received the full support of the new Road Safety Officer who will contact roadside sellers of cars through the advertised number and pursue the matter with the owners

Road Changes

From tomorrow (Mon) new traffic changes take place on three sections of road mentioned before http://athylive.blogspot.com/2007/10/one-way-streets.html Take care over the first few days as parking and traffic regulations will be strictly enforced. This should improve the flow of traffic particularly at school times.

Decentralisation

Moves are afoot for the commencement of the decentralisation of a section of the revenue service to Athy. It is expected that the end of month will see 75 Revenue workers decentralised to Athy.

Shopping Spree

Another large retail development is proposed for Athy. Hot on the heels of last weeks planning application by Michael Raggett another multi million euro retail/accommodation development is proposed for the banks of the Barrow. On the site of the Abbey (behind courthouse) a major retail outlet is to be located pending planning permission. Athy certainly seems to be the place to locate.

A Driving Ambition

Congratulations to Jenny Ryan on a superb performance in Brands Hatch last weekend. Jenny is the 2007 Mini Challenge Champion & Club Class Champion and has had a distinguished racing career. Going from strength to strength Jenny is Ireland’s Top Female Racing Driver. Well done, Jenny