A lucky Limerick couple who scooped €1 million on last Saturday’s Lotto Plus 1 draw have pledged to use to money to help secure their children’s future.

And the ecstatic parents described the excitement as the numbers were called out one by one during the live broadcast of the draw on RTE One.

The couple – who claimed their winnings in National Lottery HQ today – purchased the winning Quick Pick ticket at the Centra Store on St Mary’s Road, Newcastle West, Co Limerick.

The delighted mother said: “I was in the kitchen on Saturday evening when I heard roaring in the sitting room. My partner was watching the Lotto draw on TV and was absolutely fixated on the screen with his Lotto ticket firmly grasped in his hand. He had seen our numbers coming up but we don’t have pause on our TV so we didn’t celebrate until we double checked the numbers on teletext.”

She said: “At the moment, it’s still hard for us to grasp what €1 million means to our family, it’s an incredible amount of money. We are determined to make the most of it and to give our children the very best life that we can. The first thing we will do is ring-fence a good chunk of the money for their college education. We won’t be frivolous with the money and once we pay off our mortgage and other loan we’ll celebrate the win properly with our family.”

The delighted family are the latest big Lotto winners from Limerick in what has been a lucky couple of months for the Treaty County. Last December a €2.7 million Lotto jackpot was won in Askeaton while there was also a Lotto Plus 2 top prize win of €250,000 in Dooradoyle.

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New data published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reveal that Ireland is the most carbon-intensive beef producer in Europe, and ranks as Europe’s third highest on emissions from its dairy sector.

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Tomorrow night  cameras are on the  The Midlands Prison in Portlaoise with a brand new series Inside Ireland's Biggest Prison airing.

In this documentary series the television crew gain  unprecedented access inside the country’s largest prison, The Midland’s Prison in Portlaoise. Cameras follow both prisoners and prison staff as they go about daily life inside the prison walls.

In episode two, the focus is on drugs as we explore the connection between drugs and crime. Prison Governor Ethel Gavin describes the numerous problems posed by drugs within the prison.

Cameras reveal what efforts are being made to keep drugs out and the creative ways in which drugs are smuggled in. We meet Doctor Rasool, the prison GP, and hear about the connection between the use of benzodiazepines and crime and he tells us how he deals with the issue of prescription drug addiction in prison.

Viewers  are introduced to Thomas ‘Tomo’ Kearney, a prisoner who has battled addiction his whole life. ‘Tomo’ is serving a sentence for burglary and has spent his whole adult life in and out of prison for petty crimes fuelled by his crippling drug addiction.  The cameras follow ‘Tomo’ as he prepares to leave prison and is determined not to return this time. Can he stay clean and will he cope with life on the outside?

Also in this episode, viewers meet the Operation Support Group (OSG) who work in the search area to keep drugs and other contraband out of the prison. They  will watch the lengths to which they have to go to search visitors and prisoners’ family members, many of whom will do whatever it takes to smuggle in whatever they can. The documentary  also meet Liam Hunter, the prison’s addiction counsellor and hear about the work that he does trying to get prisoners clean and supporting them to stay clean.

Inside Ireland’s Biggest Prison: True Lives continues on Virgin Media One tomorrow night, Wednesday 13^th February at 9pm

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Tomorrow the President of the IFA will be lobbying all TDs and Senators  in Dublin on what is being labelled a beef crisis.

IFA President Joe Healy  says the crisis is due to multiple factors including poor prices, rising costs and reduced direct payments. This has been compounded by the weakness of sterling and the major uncertainty around Brexit.

Mr Healy said compared to this time last year, cattle prices are down by 20/25 cents per kg or €100/head. Cattle finishers with young bulls are facing price cuts of 40c/kg+ and finding it almost impossible to sell their stock.

The IFA President said urgent action is required now by the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed and the government to ensure the following:

• A comprehensive package of market supports and direct aid for farmers from the EU Commission
• EU state aid limitations on members states must be set-aside
• Strong support for the live export trade to double numbers in 2019 and ensure that no further restrictions are imposed on the trade
• Increased funding for suckler cows
• Continue to resist a damaging Mercosur trade deal
• Insist on an increase in the CAP budget, and
• Challenge the meat factories to immediately increase prices and prioritise the young bull kill.

IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods said R3 grade young bulls in Ireland are reported at €3.71/kg for w/e Jan 19^th.

Mr Woods said: “Compared to young bull prices across the main EU markets we are way behind with the Italian price at €4.55/kg inclusive vat, the German price at €4.05/kg, French bulls at €4.02/kg and the Spanish price at €3.98/kg."

He said: “These figures indicate that Irish young bull producers are being short changed by up to 30c/kg compared to our European counterparts."

Mr  Woods said he met with senior EU Commission officials from DG Agri in Brussels last week and put forward a strong case for a Brexit aid package for Irish beef. In addition, he said IFA also met with senior officials in the Department of Agriculture on EU supports.

He said IFA has requested that for every 5c/kg change on the price, Minister Creed needs to secure €20 per head additional direct payment compensation.

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By Kim O'Leary

This lovely, modern family in Athgarvan is sure to impress potential buyers looking for a large home in a quiet and peaceful area to raise a family with a lovely sunroom as well as large gardens for an asking price of €395,000.

Kelly Hudson Properties are delighted to bring to the market “42 The Old Mill Race”, Athgarvan, Co Kildare, a detached property which extends to c.1,800 sq.ft offering light and spacious living accommodation whilst situated in a highly respectable cul-de-sac with an onsite creche and local shops and the famed Athgarvan Inn pub within walking distance.

Inside the property consists of 4 large bedrooms and 3 bathrooms (including master en suite), entrance hallway, sitting room, spacious kitchen/dining room, utility room, and a spacious and bright sunroom which makes the best of the Irish sunshine all year round.

The sitting room is large and leads onto the sunroom

The bright sunroom receives excellent natural light all year round and leads onto the back garden

Outside the property is approached via a cobble lock driveway with ample parking for several cars and the front of the property overlooks a green lawn which would be perfect for a game of football.

Meanwhile, to the rear of the property there is a large back garden in lawn with a patio area. There are also two side entrances for easy access to the property and its lovely gardens.

This property is in excellent condition and it is situated in a very central location within the tranquil Athgarvan village with the local amenities including the famous Athgarvan Inn pub, local shop, Athgarvan GAA, primary school, and it is also just a few minutes walk from the Curragh Plains and a 2 mile journey to the bustling town of Newbridge. Old Mill Race also has its own creche on site.

Early viewing of this fabulous property is strictly by appointment only, and for more information contact Kelly Hudson Properties on 086 806 1800 and check out 22 images at www.daft.ie

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Pictured at Croke Park at the awards ceremony yesterday are Irish Life Health ambassadors: Thomas Barr, Mary-Kate Slattery, Prof. Niall Moyna and Dr. Sarah Kelly

By Kim O'Leary

St Mary's College (Colaiste Naomh Mhuire) in Naas, Co. Kildare, is the overall winner of ‘Ireland’s Fittest School’ in the Irish Life Health Schools’ Fitness Challenge, and has also been named ‘Ireland’s Fittest Girls’ School’ in an awards ceremony held in Dublin yesterday.

Now in its eighth year, over 200,000 students have participated in the Irish Life Health Schools’ Fitness Challenge making it the largest national multi-year surveillance study on the fitness of secondary school children in Ireland.

Irish Life Health Schools’ Fitness Challenge focuses on preventive and proactive healthcare. It shows that small steps through a six-week fitness programme can make real, impactful changes through increasing fitness levels by an average of 10%.

Results released yesterday from the Irish Life Health Schools’ Fitness Challenge 2018, reveal that participation in the fitness challenge drops by over 80% after third-year and the fitness levels among girls decreases dramatically from first to sixth year.

The Irish Life Health Schools’ Fitness Challenge demonstrates that a six-week fitness programme improves children’s fitness levels by an average of 10%.

Prof. Niall Moyna, who oversees the programme, in the Centre for Preventive Medicine at Dublin City University said, “The past seven years of data have enabled us to analyse the trends and of biggest concern is the tremendously large participation drop off after third year.”

The 2018 data shows that nearly nine-thousand 13-year-olds participated in the Schools’ Fitness Challenge compared to a meagre thirteen-hundred 17-year olds.

Prof. Moyna continued, “The sudden drop in participation after third year is extremely alarming. We are seeing a direct link between the drop in participation and the increasing number of children aged from 16 – 18 years not meeting the minimum level of fitness required for optimal health. This is a major national issue, and the big question is why are schools and parents letting this happen? Instead of managing health implications as they arise, we should be trying to prevent them. In addition to be the leading cause of death in Ireland, cardiovascular disease is also associated with increased risk for dementia and parents just don’t seem to get the connection between childhood fitness and long-term health.”

Commenting on the link between exercise and academic performance, Prof. Moyna said, “It continues to baffle me that people don’t seem to understand the importance fitness has for children’s long-term brain health and short-term wellbeing and academic performance. There are several international studies which show that exercise helps reduce stress levels, increases concentration levels and positively impacts on academic performance. Findings from a 2014 study that tracked over 80,000 students found that children who significantly improved their fitness over a 5-year period enhanced their academic performance compared to children whose fitness levels did not change2. I think continuous surveillance of cardiorespiratory fitness should be mandatory in secondary school.”

Liz Rowen, Head of Marketing at Irish Life Health said, “The Irish Life Health Schools’ Fitness Challenge is core to our values of early health intervention and encouraging people to live a long and healthy life. It has been proven that health behaviours adopted in your teenage years reflects directly on how fit and healthy you are later in life which is why we are so passionate about this programme. We are proud to be working with DCU for the 8^th year to help encourage children to incorporate fitness into their everyday routines.”

Irish Olympian and Irish Life Health Ambassador, Thomas Barr said, “The Irish Life Health School’s Fitness Challenge is something all schools across the country should be taking part in. The benefits children can gain from just a six-week programme are astonishing. I’ve always been a big advocate for encouraging children to partake in regular fitness as I know first-hand the benefits it has on my own physical and mental health. There is nothing that clears my head better than a walk or fitness session.”

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ABOVE: David Wardell, Irish National Stud and Gardens; liaising with Canadian travel professionals at the Calgary workshop, during the Canadian sales blitz.

Tourism Ireland’s 2019 sales blitz to Canada took place recently. A delegation of 14 Irish tourism enterprises – including the Irish National Stud and Gardens – took part in the targeted mission to Vancouver, Calgary, Hamilton and Toronto – to grow our share of this important tourism market.

The sales mission involved the Irish National Stud and Gardens and other companies from Ireland meeting, and doing business with, leading tour operators and travel agents in each city. Key messages included ease of access from Canada to Ireland, with more airline seats this summer than ever before, as well as the huge range of things to see and do here for Canadian holidaymakers.

Travel agents and tour operators continue to be an important booking channel for Canadian holidaymakers – so a key element of Tourism Ireland’s activity involves working closely with the travel trade, both online and offline.

2017 was the best year ever for Irish tourism from Canada – with CSO figures indicating growth of +8.2% over 2017. Tourism Ireland is determined to ensure that success continues.

Dana Welch, Tourism Ireland’s Manager Canada, said: “Our sales blitz to Vancouver, Calgary, Hamilton and Toronto provided an excellent platform to kick-start our promotional effort for 2019 and to spread the word about the many great things to see and do right around Kildare and Ireland. It’s a really good platform for our tourism partners from Ireland to inform and influence the travel professionals they meet about what Ireland has to offer and, importantly, to encourage them to include the destination in their future brochures and programmes.”

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Photos: Ben Kelly 

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Scientists have arrived in the Antarctic to search for the wreck of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s lost ship, the Endurance.

The team have broke through ten feet of pack ice pack-ice to reach the vessel’s last known position in the Weddell Sea.

They will deploy underwater robots to search the ocean floor.

Shackleton, from Kilkea, near Castledermot and his 28 crew had to abandon Endurance in 1915 when it was crushed by sea-ice and sank in nine thousand feet of water.

Their escape across the frozen floes on foot and by three lifeboats would take three months.

The wooden polar yacht Endeavour is perhaps the most sought-after of all undiscovered wrecks.

But the British-led expedition has given itself just five days to find the sunken remains.

Operating from the South African ice-breaker, the SA Agulhas II (above) - the team’s plan is to put down an autonomous underwater vehicle to map the seafloor for anomalies over a 45 hour period.

There will be no attempt to retrieve artefacts should the Endurance be found. The intention only is to make a 3D model of the wreck site and take photos.

Shackleton’s skipper, Frank Worsely, was a very skilled navigator and used a sextant and chronometer to calculate the precise co-ordinates of the Endurance sinking - 68°39’30.0” South and 52°26’30.0” West.

The ship is almost certainly within a few nautical miles of this point - and there is every chance it is in reasonable condition.

The organisms that normally consume sunken wooden vessels do not thrive in the cold waters of the Antarctic.

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A volunteer raised over €3,000 for BUMBLEance which looks after the transport of very sick and terminally ill children in an ambulance kitted out with everything to make the trip as stress free as possible for them.

Conor Headd contacted KildareNow via Facebook to tell us about his fundraising efforts.

Conor said: "So I set myself a challenge for the month on November to raise as much money as I could for a great charity called BUMBLEance.

"BUMBLEance is a non-profit charity that helps make the transport of very sick or terminally ill children and their families to and from hospital appointments as stress free as possible.

"I was blown away by the services they provide for these kids which includes an ambulance kitted out with games, wifi, t.v and much more so the children can relax as they go through this very difficult time.

"They are the world's first ambulance service specifically designed and tailored for children. It now has 8 BUMBLEance's working in Ireland.

"The challenge included a 20mile (32km) assault bike cycle on the 1st of November and the 2nd day a 10km row.

"I continued this for the full month on November so 15 days of each.

"It's my first charity event and I just want to help raise money to give these kids the childhood they deserve or at least make it as happy and as stress free as I could. In total I raised €3,595.73 for the charity with the help of Naas's local gym Unit 3 Health and Fitness.

"This is where I work and it is where I went each day to complete my challenge. I received my donations from friends, family members, clients from Unit 3 and local businesses including Unit 3 itself, TPFAcademy gym, EMS Copiers and Boston Access."

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Annie Morris from the Kildare Yarn Bombers is looking for volunteers for JuneFest in Newbridge this year.

Annie contacted KildareNow via Facebook and said:

"We are encouraging anyone who is interested in getting involved with the yarn bomb this June to start knitting now!

"The event takes place once again in the Linear Park as part of JuneFest.

"Over 1,000 people have been involved to date.

"Katie Everton - a parent from a Scoil Mhuire, has made the Tayto bag from yarns.

"Our theme this year is LOVE and she loves Taytos!

Find more information on Kildare Yarn Bombers on Facebook.

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Local Fianna Fail TD, Frank O’Rourke, has received a commitment from Bus Eireann that it will work to improve the 115 Bus Service to Kilcock.

He said: "In recent years, I have worked hard to improve the timetable of Bus Route 115 servicing Kilcock Commuters which has been successful. However, the reliability of the service needs to be improved.”

“I arranged for Kilcock Public Transport users to meet with Bus Eireann today in Leinster House so that the company could hear at first hand the difficulties that Kilcock Bus commuters are experiencing.”

“Bus Eireann gave us a commitment that it will work hard to improve the reliability of the services and also gave a commitment to the Kilcock Bus users that the company would keep in contact with the group to monitor the performance of the service.”

“I continue to fight for a better public transport services for North Kildare. Bringing your car into Dublin is now becoming very challenging and we need to encourage more people to use public transport. However, we need a reliable, affordable and frequent service to attract additional public transport users.”

“I was delighted that Bus Eireann gave us a commitment that it will focus on bringing increased reliability to the 115 service,” concluded Deputy O’Rourke.

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It's still heavy on the M4 eastbound from J7 Maynooth past J6 Celbridge following an earlier collision this morning.

It is understood that the cash is still on the M4 in the right lane before Celbridge and Gardaí are en-route.

Also slow moving traffic from the J2 Liffey Valley through to the M50 this morning. Meanwhile, motorists are reporting heavy traffic due to the closure of a section of the Ballymore Eustace Road out of Naas with alternative routes in operation northbound and southbound.

#KILDARE Crash on the M4 eastbound. More here: https://t.co/ipFDM8svNY

— AA Roadwatch (@aaroadwatch) February 13, 2019

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Known as Ardoileán in Irish, High Island 3km off the coast of Connemara is home to ancient Irish ruins, a fascinating array of birds and two freshwater lakes.

It has now been put up for sale with an asking price of €1,250,000.

The more than 80-acre island, which boasts two freshwater lakes, measures at 1.2 km by .4 km, and is just 3km from Claddaghduff in Co Galway.

Ruins of a 7th-century monastery believed to be founded by St Féchín of Fore are still on the island.

The ruins, including a completely intact beehive stone hut, are now a national monument and are maintained by the Irish Office of Public Works.

The island also features the remains of a water mill, which researcher Colin Rynne believes is the earliest known example of an Irish monastic mill.

Part of an 18th-century copper mine is still visible, and one of the stone huts erected by miners is still largely intact today.

Bird lovers will find an array of species to admire on the island, and the site is a Special Protection Area under the EU Bird Directive of special conservation interest for the Barnacle Goose, Fulmar and Arctic Tern.

From 1969 to 1998, Irish poet Richard Murphy owned High Island, which inspired many of his works.

In his personal memoirs, Murphy said: “I got excited at the thought of buying this inaccessible holy island, restoring the beehive cells and oratory of its derelict hermitage and preserving the place from destruction.”

Currently, there is a more modern building near to the southern landing of the island that features rain-water collection areas, a galvanized roof, and a septic tank.

Planning permission would have to be acquired by the owners to pursue further building.

See more Information and Photos here: 

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The death has occurred of Teddy Whiteley
Station Road, Newbridge, Kildare

The death has occurred of Charlie (Cha) Broughall
Ballygreany, Kildare Town, Kildare

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Largely dry today but with mostly cloudy skies and only occasional sunny interludes for Co Kildare.

Feeling mild despite a strong southerly breeze with highest temperatures of 11 to 13 degrees. Staying largely dry overnight with variable cloud cover and just a few mist or drizzle patches, mainly on hills.

Minimum temperatures of 7 to 9 degrees in fresh southerly winds

Another mostly dry day on Thursday with a mix of cloud and hazy sunshine. Very mild with maximum temperatures of 12 to 14 degrees in fresh southerly breezes.

Thursday night: Dry overnight with clear spells and just a few mist or fog patches. Minimum temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees in fresh southerly winds.

Friday: Patchy rain will edge in across parts of the southwest, west and northwest on Friday but it will be dry elsewhere with sunny spells. Very mild for February with highest temperatures of 12 to 15 degrees in moderate to fresh southerly winds. Patchy outbreaks of rain across the west and north of the country overnight but largely dry elsewhere. Minimum temperatures of 7 to 9 degrees in moderate southwest winds.

Saturday: Rather cloudy across Munster, Connacht and west Ulster on Saturday with occasional rain or drizzle. Mostly dry elsewhere with a mix of cloud and hazy sunny spells. Maximum temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees in moderate southerly breezes. Persistent rain developing across the western half of the country overnight but it is expected to hold dry further east. Lows of 7 to 9 degrees in strong southeasterly winds.

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Pictured is Lena Gavin, manager of the Newsround store in the Dunnes Shopping centre, Tullamore, Co. Offaly where the winning €500,000 EuroMillion Plus ticket was sold from the draw last night

There is great excitement in Tullamore, Offaly’s largest town, this morning after a local shop sold a winning ticket worth €500,000 on last night’s EuroMillions Plus draw on Tuesday, February 12.

In addition, two other Irish EuroMillions players, from Dublin and Cork, won a cool €239,221 each after matching five numbers and a lucky star – both falling one number short of hitting the mega €151,629,098 jackpot!

The winning ticket was sold at the Newsround shop in the Dunnes Shopping Centre in Tullamore, Co. Offaly and it is the fourth EuroMillions Plus to be won in Ireland so far in 2019.

The winning EuroMillions Plus numbers were: 2, 18, 32, 36 and 46.

Speaking on selling this golden ticket, store owner, Ian Kelly commented: “There is some great excitement in Tullamore this morning and the staff at the shop have been spreading the good news to our customers, encouraging them all to check their tickets. I’m delighted that we sold this winning EuroMillions prize to one of our customers and hope it brings a lot of happiness to them. Best of luck to whoever it is!”

Meanwhile, two Irish EuroMillions players went agonisingly close to winning the €151 million jackpot, falling one number short after both matched five numbers and one lucky star. The players from Dublin and Cork two will both scoop a cool €239,221 each.

These winning tickets were sold at Dunnes Stores (Grocery Kiosk) in Cornelscourt Shopping Centre, Foxrock, Dublin 18 and the other was bought at O’Riordan’s Filling Station, Lower Bluepool in Kanturk, Co. Cork.

A National Lottery spokesperson advised today: “If you are one of these three lucky ticket holders, be sure to keep the ticket safe, sign the back of the ticket and contact our prize claims team on 01 836 4444 and we will make arrangements for you to come to the National Lottery to get your prize”.

There was no winner of last night’s incredible €151,629,098 EuroMillions jackpot, which now rolls to a mind blowing €165 million (est) for next Friday’s draw (15th February). Play in-store, online or using the National Lottery App on your smartphone for your chance to win.

Nearly 30 cent in every €1 spent on National Lottery games go back to Good Causes in the areas of sport, youth, health, welfare, education, arts and heritage. In total more than €5.4 Billion has been raised for Good Causes since the National Lottery was established 31 years ago. In 2018 alone, the National Lottery raised over €227 million for such good causes.

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Kildare GAA have revealed the fixture list ahead of the start of the Senior Football and Hurling League's next month.

The Football Competition will begin on the 23rd of March with games running over consecutive weeks until the beginning of the Championship at the start of May.

Division 1 looks as competitive s ever with a few cracking ties on the opening weekend with county Champions Moorefield encountering a familiar face when they meet Carbury who are now managed by former player Philip Wolfe.

Elsewhere the 2018 League Champions Athy will travel to Sarsfields with Naas and Celbridge also an appealing tie on paper.

Division 1 is the most heavily populated with 12 teams while the other three tiers of the league have 10 teams each.

On the Hurling side of things eight teams take their place in Division 1 and the games will commence on Saturday the 16th of March with Ardclough and Celbridge renewing aquatiances from last year's county final in the opening game with Naas v Eire OG Chorrachoill, Clane v Coill Dubh and the local derby of Leixlip and Confey the other games on show.

Unlike the Football there will be scattered intervals throughout the League as there aren't as many teams involved.

A full list of the fixtures can be viewed on the Kildare GAA website.

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ABOVE: Organising Committee members Sharon Fidgeon, Jackie Lavin, Sheila Zebedee and Attracta Mongey with Pat Doyle of Peter McVerry Trust and Nicky Conlan of Conlans BMW.

This morning a record €57,885.26 was presented by - Conlans BMW - Kildare, Conlans BMW - Limerick and BMW Ireland to the Peter McVerry Trust raised by the Kildare fundraising event for the homeless at the Killashee House Hotel.

Jackie Lavin and Pat Doyle, CEO of the Peter McVerry Trust

Congratulations Everyone! Fantastic Job! Fantastic Team!

Thank you to the hard-working Committee for all their efforts: Attracta Mongey, Jackie Lavin, Anna McMahon, Margaret Beere, Sharon Fidgeon, Caroline O'Flynn, Aileen Moran, Sheila Zebedee, Linda Blanchfield.

Thank you to all the sponsors and prize partners for their kind contributions and support:

Mongey Communications, Palmerstown House Estate, AIL Group, Punchestown Racecourse, Harvey's Point, Leopardstown Racecourse, VitHit, Joe Mallon Motors Renault, Rachel Allen, Shinawil Ireland and Kildare Post, KildareNow.

Thank you to Paddy Casey Music for your wonderful music yet again!

Please share this post to continue to spread the word about the Peter McVerry Trust. Thank you Everyone.

The hard working committee and Nicky Conlan, Head of Business of BMW at Conlans Naas present the cheque of €57,885.26 to Pat Doyle, CEO of Peter McVerry Trust.

L-R: Sharon Fidgeon, Jackie Lavin, Sheila Zebedee, Attracta Mongey, Pat Doyle, Nicky Conlan — with Jackie Lavin, Sheila Zebedee,Attracta Mongey and Nicky Conlan.

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By Kim O'Leary

There are more patients on trolleys at Naas General Hospital today than at any other hospital in the Eastern Region, with 36 patients on trolleys.

According to figures released by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) there are 36 patients without beds in the Kildare facility, which is an increase from 30 yesterday.

Nationwide there are 501 patients without beds being treated on trolleys at hospitals across the country.

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