Kilcock News – 9th April 2010

(Many thanks to the Liffey Champion, Leinster Leader and their reporters for providing us with these local stories)

80-foot section of new Kilcock sewage pipes will have to be relaid

By Henry Bauress (Leinster Leader, 07 April 2010)

A section of sewage pipe in Kilcock – 80 metres long – was found not to have been laid in accordance with the drawings and will have to be relaid, Clane area councillors have been told.

The members were told that work on this would begin right after Easter and take three weeks with a further week for reinstatement.Director of Services, Joe Boland, told the meeting on 23 March that they were meeting shortly with consultants and the area engineer over the reinstatement.

In a report to members, Mr. Boland thanked them and the public for their “forebearance” during the period work has been carried out. “There is an end in sight,” he said. Mr. Boland said the work was essential to the orderly future development of Kilcock. He explained that some work was done by tunnelling and other work by an open-cut method. The latter method had disadvantages because of the local water tables.

Tunnelling had its advantages but there were risks, he said, before going on to explain that an 80-metre sewage pipe was not laid in accordance with the drawings and would have to be relaid using the open-cut method, a move he described as “regrettable.” Cllr. Padraig McEvoy produced photograph of broken surface and what he described as “fairly extensive road damage throughout the town.”

A lot of work was substandard. “I’m surprised at the level of road failure in Kilcock,” he said. “I realise the frost is an issue but in other towns and counties the roads seem more resilient. Are we doing everything in our grasp to get this right,” he asked. Cllr. Liam Doyle said the people of Kilcock are “very patient.” He said it was unfortunate the new road plan did not work and had to be done by open-cut.

Cllr. Doyle said he believed the Courtown Road and Church Street are finished but posed the question about the finality of the work. “The last thing we need is for them to be dug up again soon. Are there any plans for work there by telecom or gas companies.” Mr. Boland said they would liaise with the area engineer who has been in touch with service providers. “There will be a co-ordinated approach,” he said.

Kilcock St. Patrick’s Day Prize Presentation

By Carrie Bermingham (Liffey Champion, Page 14)

The Kilcock St. Patrick’s day committee prize presentation took place in Kilcock GAA last Sunday week (27^th March). Staring at 9.30pm approximately 70 people attended the3  ceremony for the prizes based on the successful Kilcock St. Patrick’s Day Parade theme of ‘Our Kilcock’.

Brendan Macken gave the introduction speech before the ceremony began and the awards were presented by Tom O’Doherty, treasurer of the St. Patrick’s Day committee. Callaghy’s pharmacy managed to secure the best shop window prize. They accepted the Glór na Gael cup for their impressive window display with pride.

Accepting the cup for the best non-motorised float was Liam Farrell from the Kilcock Scouts. And the Camogie cup was accepted by Alic3 Kennedy. The Kilcock Celtic was presented to James Cotter. Spirits were high when the prize for best school float was presented to Schoil Uí Riada. The principal Seamus Ó Muirithe proudly accepted it on behalf of the school and students.

Tommy Simms delighted everyone when he dressed up as a Leprechaun for the day. And best individual prize was handed over to hi’m without hesitation. The best fun float of the day turned out to be NAMA Gold, and it was accepted by Seán Barron. The best non-commercial float was won by Scoil Chóca Naofa.

The Musgrave Cup was awarded to Lyons & Burton for the best commercial float and it was accepted by Karen Keenan. But it was the local Girl Guide group of young brigins and cygnets who took home the David Powderley award for best overall float. Accepted by Terry Faber the girls were ecstatic that their hard work had been recognised.

After the presentation the band ‘Johnny Go Easy’ entertained the crowd for the night and finger food was served.

Trevor Geoghegan for Kilcock solo exhibition

By Carrie Bermingham

The Trevor Geoghegan Solo Exhibition, ‘Renewal, New Beginnings’, is opening in Kilcock Art Gallery on Sunday, 18^th April with a reception from 3pm to 5pm.

The exhibition will consist of landscape paintings and still life paintings, with a light and colourful palette. Oil paintings will be on display; such as ‘Still life-with Silver-Bowl, Fruit & Gold Leaf’.

The Art Gallery is situated on School Street and is open Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 4pm. It also opens Saturday from 2pm to 4.30pm.

Therese Brady is a local aspiring writer and writes mainly about food, fiction – novels and short stories, restaurant, movie and book reviews and I have my own website www.theresebrady.com and blog called Writer’s Cramp. This is where I keep my creative juices flowing during those down moments of writer’s block. I’ve completed one novel and am currently working on the second. Find me on Facebook and Twitter.