Met Éireann is warning of heavy rain, which is expected to cause flooding and dangerous driving conditions in many areas up to Monday evening.

Radar maps show some of the rainfall will impact on South Kildare and its borders with Carlow and Laois.

A status yellow rainfall warning is in place for Connacht, Kilkenny, Clare, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary, and will also remain in effect until Monday evening.

A 48-hour status orange rainfall warning is in effect for Cork and Waterford.

Forecasters said:

"In the 48-hour period from Saturday evening to Monday evening, a spell of heavy rain through Saturday night and Sunday followed by a second spell of heavy rain later on Sunday night and Monday will give large rainfall amounts.

"Rainfall amounts will be highest along the south coast and in mountainous areas."

Meanwhile, there is a yellow wind warning in place tonight for Donegal, Galway, Mayo and Kerry, and Met Éireann is warning that winds will be strongest in coastal areas.

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'Dangerous, irresponsible behaviour' by motorists stopping to take photos for social media almost led to crashes on the busy M7 motorway near Monasterevin as emergency crews responded to a big truck fire on the road, it has been claimed.

The Laois County Fire and Rescue Service and Kildare Fire Service responded to the truck blaze with Gardaí around 7pm on Saturday.

The service said the extensive scale of the blaze forced the closure of the busy road.

However, the Laois service said the behaviour of some drivers who came upon the scene between Junctions 14 and 15 could have made the situation a lot worse.

At least one motorist stopped directly parallel to take a photograph at the height of the blaze.

The picture soon ended up on facebook and other media.

A Laois Fire Service spokesperson confirmed what happened to the Leinster Express.

"Several near-misses occurred during the fire with cars slowing and stopping in the far carriageway of the motorway to take pictures. (It was) very dangerous irresponsible behaviour.

"If one of the cars stopping to take pictures had ended up in a pile-up in the other carriageway it would have been a very serious situation.

"Six or seven cars stopped in the opposite carriageway when we were there. Numerous cars behind them had to take evasive action," said a spokesperson.

The Laois Fire Service called on motorists to be more aware of road safety in such situations.

Plastic sheeting burning foam was used to extinguish the fire which broke out between 6.30pm and 7pm on

Saturday.

Firefighters extinguished the fire before working on an extensive clean-up of the scene.

Gardaí, the National Ambulance Service and the Motorway Assistance unit of Transport Infrastructure Ireland also attended.

All Photos by Laois Fire & Rescue Service.

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Last night's presentation at the Moat Theatre, Naas saw two very diverse one act plays staged - to say, they couldn't have been more unalike would be the understatement of the year!

Skullduggery by Gerard O'Shea

Skullduggery written by Moat Club member, Gerard O’Shea and directed by Lianne O'Shea, presented an OTT dramatisation of two hardy Dubs, Rolo and Zoo, neither too brain challenged, who head to Ennis, to deliver a 'nefarious delivery'. Not dissimilar to the style of Young Offenders or Derry Girls, actors Aidan Cooney and Aaron O'Connor threw themselves into the role of the daft Jackeens, whose mission in life seemed to revolve around "rockin', ridin', drinkin' and getting high".

Work, ambition or a path for life wasn't in their vernacular, it was literally the next pint, the next smoke or joint, culminating in a 'shift'.

With a stop-off near Blackchurch, then into the Silken Thomas, then Portlaoise and Limerick before finally reaching Ennis, it was highly entertaining; at times, the pair seemed almost innocent in their ignorance and lack of any social graces. Like all good yarns, it took a dark, sad twist and the appealing goofiness of the pair was shattered.

There were some hilarious exchanges between the two on stage, and when they delved into 30 second shots of female characters, I giggled as if I was at my first pantomime in the Gaiety!

The audience was happy out, all feeling cheery during the interval and all in admiration of the competent delivery of the first one act play, from acting, dialogue, stage design and production. 10/10 from me anyways!

Nine by Jane Shepherd

The menacing background music - and it did seem menacing, of Middle Eastern origin and some excellent stage props signalled the start of 'Nine', a play of a completely different nature, also dealing with the complex relationship of two women, in this case, captives in the most heinous circumstances, played by Libby Trappe and Amanda Ryan . Again, we have no idea of where and by whom the women are being held. But suffice to say, the dramatic music, with the sinister presence of two crucifixes in the background made me think of Brian Keenan and John McCarthy during their incarceration.

There was no blood on stage, and save for a dispute between the two women on stage, no visible violence.

But this production turned me cold (literally); the threat of violence was ever present - and when the clever 'thump' of a panicked heartbeat mixed with the introduction of the menacing music and snaking smoke, I honestly believed the temperature in the Moat was deliberately turned down to make us experience 'cold fear'.

Dan Horan swears not - well, the props worked, we were all terrified for the women and could only wish they would be passed over by the invisible but ever present captors.

I doubt there was a single person in the audience who could say they 'liked' this play, it was powerful, shocking and hell to watch.

The love-hate balance of power between the two women was brilliantly presented by Trappe and Ryan, the dialogue clever and cruel.  Directed by Conor O’Connell, a former recipient of an All-Ireland Drama Best Actor, this was his first time in the role of director.

It was a horrible play but flawlessly produced and not for the feint-hearted. 10/10 for delivering a hellish production.....

So, that's a 100% recommendation from this journalist - albeit if you're a sensitive soul, you'd be better off skipping Nine, it is seriously terrifying, chillingly so...

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Leixlip 3-9

Sallins 0-13

Minor Football League Division 2 Final

Ciaran Silke was the Leixlip hero as he scored three goals in helping his side to victory over Sallins in the Division 2 Minor Football League Final.

It was a tightly fought game all the way through but Leixlip’s goals gave them the edge and as a result they ran out thoroughly deserved winners.

Silke was on fire for Leixlip but as well as him both Ben Travers and Darragh Melville scored heavily as their more fluent attack proved too hot to handle for Sallins.

In similar fashion to the Division 1 Final this contest was a repeat of the under 17 decider at the back end of 2018 and like that day it proved to be a cracking game where Sallins opened the scoring via a Lee Baldwin point.

Leixlip replied with a score from the impressive Darragh Melville but Sallins then put on a bit of spurt to go three points clear with efforts from Baldwin, James Dalton and Darragh Mangan all hitting the target.

Leixlip then got the opening goal of the game in the 9^th minute where a flowing move saw Melville give an incisive pass to Ciaran Silke and the midfielder made no mistake in firing a shot past Ryan Herbert in the Sallins goal.

Daniel Caulfield kicked a pair from great points from play on the back of Leixlip scores from Ben Travers and Sean Englishby that had the teams deadlocked at 0-6 to 1-3.

Both sides also had goal chances that went abegging with Sallins having a couple of efforts well blocked while Leixlip were out of luck when a Melville attempt was stopped near the line before a scramble resulted that ended with Sallins keeper Ryan Herbert gathering the ball.

Leixlip were improving the longer the half went on and Melville kicked two points from play before he was brought down for a penalty in the 25^th minute which Silke buried for his second three pointer of the game.

Sallins did narrow the lead before half time though when a forceful run from Darragh Mangan resulted in him finding the target as Leixlip went into the interval with a 2-5 to 0-7 advantage.

Baldwin and Conor Higgins exchanged points at the beginning of the second half before Leixlip put the game beyond all doubt with a quickfire 1-1.

Melville kicked his fourth point from play in the 37^th minute and just three minutes later goal number three arrived and Silke was at it again after a free from Conor Murnaghan rebounded off the bar and Silke was the quickest to it and he fired a shot to the net.

Baldwin and Murnaghan then swapped points as Leixlip maintained a 3-8 to 0-9 lead but they went out of the game in the last quarter as Sallins rallied.

Baldwin kicked a pair of frees before midfielder Darragh Mangan kicked a point when going for goal which got Sallins within seven points after Ben Travers kicked a fine point near the sideline for Leixlip.

That was Leixlip’s last score and although Cian Grimes and Mangan added on points it was a goal Sallins needed and they couldn’t find it as Leixlip ran out 3-9 to 0-13 winners.

Leixlip: Jack Doyle; Rory Noonan, Jack Quinn, Darragh Keating, Daithi Martin, Sean Englishby 0-1, Darragh McCarthy, Jack Casey, Ciaran Silke 3-0, Eanna Ginnety, Conor Murnaghan 0-1, Conor Higgins 0-1, Ben Travers 0-2, Darragh Melville 0-4, Adam Price.

Subs used: Joe Ledwidge for Ginnety 22 mins, Neil Ryan for Melville 54 mins, Rory Flynn for McCarthy 62 mins.

Sallins: Ryan Herbert; Sean Conway, Aaron Carney, Eoghan Daly, Eoin McConnon, Luke Kelly, Darren Keane, Daniel Caulfield 0-2, Darragh Mangan 0-3 (0-1f), Daniel Kane, Adam Kane, Diarmuid Mangan, Cian Grimes 0-1, Lee Baldwin 0-6 (0-5fs), James Dalton 0-1.

Subs used: Adam Kelly for D.Kane h-t, Sean Cullinane for Daly 40 mins.

Ref: Niall Colgan

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

Last weekend, Tracey O’Dwyer launched her local election campaign for the Kilcullen/Newbridge Area. A packed attendance at O'Connell's where Maria Walsh, FG candidate for the European Elections was special guest, joined by Deputy Martin Heydon, FG members and local councillors, community leaders, etc.

"I'd like to introduce myself to Kildare Now Readers" said Tracey.

“I’m Tracey O Dwyer; l am married to Brian Buckley from Newbridge and we have a son, Lochlainn aged 7 years. As a young, self-employed mother, living and raising my family outside Kilcullen, I am deeply committed to my local area and following my fight to secure the future of Brannockstown NS, I truly believe in the power of local representation.

“If elected, I will work with the residents and community groups in Kilcullen, Two Mile House, Caragh, Athgarvan, Newbridge and Brannockstown to:

• Fight for a fair proportion of our Local Property Tax Funds to be spent in our area;
• Work to Improve our road infrastructure particularly addressing congestion in our towns;
• Link with my Fine Gael colleagues in Government through Deputy Martin Heydon to secure maximum state funding for the district;
• Increase investment in our rural roads improving safety & speed concerns at key crossings and schools;
• Help to better secure our local rural and urban communities from crime and anti social behaviour through Community CCTV systems;
• Promote the economic development of the area so more of our residents have quality employment opportunities here in Kildare.

Mark Walsh Marjorie Moore and Fionnuala Dukes with FG European candidate, Maria Walsh.

Tracey with mum in law, Betty Buckley, husband Brian and son Lochlainn Buckley

Tracey Harney, Dida McDonald and Patricia Fusco

Mary Sherry and Margaret Kenningtton

Maria Walsh, Tracey with Frank Mitchell and Deputy Martin Heydon

FG candidate for the European Elections speaking at the launch with Tracey in the background

Anna Mae and John Brady, with Paul Aspell

Ursula Nolan wishing Tracey well

Tracey O'Dwyer with Maria Walsh, FG candidate for the European Elections, with Tracey's husband Brian and son Lochlainn Buckley

“I will do my utmost to represent the people living in the Kilcullen/Newbridge Municiipal area if I secure your vote and trust on May 24. Thank you for taking the time to read this” – Tracey.

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BoyleSports were forced to cut their odds of 9/2 into 2/1 that April would record its hottest temperature of all time after some optimistic weather enthusiasts took a punt that the mercury would surpass the previous April record of 25.8°C.

It’s also a hot 2/1 shot that Ireland’s record temperature of 33.3°C is broken this year following earlier reports from NASA that confirmed 2018 as the fourth hottest year on record.

There had also been previous bets on a white Easter in Ireland this year, however the 5/1 chances that Dublin Airport would see snowfall on Easter Sunday have been eased out to 10/1.

Lawrence Lyons, Spokesperson for BoyleSports commented: “Those banking on a snow at Easter are seeing their chances melt away if the recent forecasts are anything to go by and it’s looking like they shouldn’t have put all their eggs in the one basket. Now the tables have turned and we’re seeing some interest in record temperatures being recorded instead at 2/1 and we’ll wait to see if they are a shade on the optimistic side.”

Never mind Easter, what is the weather for Punchestown Festival to be, that's the key question?

Is it thermals or sunhats we need, wellies or sandals!

Feature image: We Fashion Trend

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LGFA Lidl Leinster Minor Championship

Group  A,  Round 3

Kildare 2.12  Meath 1.08
Congrats to Kildare Ladies Minor Team and management - a great result today, 7 point victory over Meath!!!

At Trim GAA

U/16 Leinster Championship Rd.3

Dublin 6.16

Kildare 1.3

Saturday, 13 April

Ladies U14B Leinster Final

Kildare 2-14 Westmeath 1-06  (Photos and report later).

Venue: Hawkfield Centre of Excellence, Newbridge.

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Moorefield 1-17

Johnstownbridge 2-8

Senior Football League Division 1

Moorefield maintained their 100% start to the Senior football league with victory over Johnstownbridge on Saturday Evening.

The win sees the back to back County Champions continue apace at the top of Division 1 and after a slightly tetchy first period they soon took control in the second half with Eanna O’Connor kicking ten points throughout.

Moorefield lined up without the injured James Murray and Adam Tyrrell but they still had more than enough firepower in their tank to see the game out.

As good as Moorefield were Johnstownbridge weren’t without stars with Sam Doran having a fine game as he notched 2-2 with both goals coming in the first half but they young forward was playing a lone furrow up top.

Moorefield had the aid of a very strong breeze in the first half and they opened the scoring with an Eanna O’Connor free which was soon cancelled out by an effort from Kelvin McNally.

Moorefield then took command with four points in a row as a trio of frees from Eanna O’Connor were added to by a lovely score from Mark McDermott.

Johnstownbridge did get a lifeline halfway through the half when Daniel Flynn brilliantly caught a long ball upfield and after beating a few men he was then fouled in the square by Liam Healy and Sam Doran clinically slotted the penalty passed Tom Kinsella.

The goal didn’t unduly affect the home side though as O’Connor and Ciaran Kelly knocked over points before they themselves hit the net in the 27^th minute when  a brilliant pass from Ryan Moore went directly into the hands of O’Connor and he offloaded to Jason Phillips who supplied the finish.

O’Connor got Moorefield to 1-10 before the break but their North Kildare opponents retaliated when Doran worked himself into room for his second goal and when Kelvin McNally kicked his second free there was only five points separating the sides at the break as the Moores held a 1-10 to 2-2 lead.

Brian Flanagan’s Johnstownbridge side would have been pretty confident heading into the second period and it opened up with McDermott and Jimmy Farrell exchanging scores.

McDermott was a real threat for Moorefield all game and he kicked his third point in the 37^th minute to give his team a six point lead and from there they turned on the turbo jets with four more points before Johnstown responded.

Midfielders Ryan Moore and Aaron Masterson both kicked excellent points from distance while Phillips and O’Connor also scored as Moorefield cruised into a 1-16 to 2-3 advantage.

Johnstownbridge eventually steadied the ship with a Daniel Flynn point but it was quickly cancelled out by another free from O’Connor.

That O’Connor effort in the 50^th minute was Moorefield’s last score and Johnstownbridge finished well with a pair of Doran scores from play added to by a free from Kelvin McNally and a 45 from Luke Flynn but all that did was put a bit of respectability on the scoreboard as Moorefield took the six point victory.

Moorefield: Tom Kinsella; Anthony Durney, Liam Healy, Mark Dempsey, Kevin Murnaghan, Sean Healy, Adam Sweeney, Aaron Masterson 0-1, Ryan Moore 0-1, Cian O’Connor, Ciaran Kelly 0-1, Mark McDermott 0-3, Eanna O’Connor 0-10 (0-7fs, 0-2 45s), Jason Phillips 1-1, Adam Meehan.

Subs used: Sean Dempsey for Meehan h-t, Ian Lonergan for McDermott 47 mins, Evan Kavanagh for Moore 50 mins, Ronan Sweeney for Phillips 55 mins, Evan O’Brien for Kelly 55 mins, Ian Dunne for A.Sweeney 60 mins.

Johnstownbridge: Padraig Hurley; James O’Connor, Joey Higgins, Mark Newman, Aidan Higgins, Seamus McNally, Shane Flanagan, Luke Flynn 0-1 (0-1 45), Daniel Flynn 0-1, Johnny Doyle, Sam Doran 2-2, Glen Doran, Jimmy Farrell 0-1, Kelvin McNally 0-3 (0-2fs), Eoin O’Donoghue.

Subs used: Jack Morrin for Doyle 40 mins, Ashley Langan for Flanagan 50 mins.

Ref: Liam Herbert

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A pensioner passed away in hospital yesterday following a collision last week.

Gardaí at Dundrum Garda Station are renewing their appeal for witnesses following a fatal collision in Balinteer on Monday, April 8, last.

At approximately 7.45pm a female pedestrian,Tressa McKernan(75), sustained serious injuries  when she was struck by a motorcycle on Ballinteer Avenue, Dublin 16.

It’s understood she had just alighted from a bus and was attempting to cross the road when the collision occurred.

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Kildare 2-14, Westmeath 1-06

By Leinster PRO,  Aisling Clery 

Photos Aisling Clery

A 0-06 Player of the Match performance from Edwina Birchall helped Kildare to an U14 B Championship title in Manguard Plus Hawkfield on Saturday afternoon. Kildare led from the start, however, Westmeath pressured them all the way with the result still in the mix in the final ten minutes.

Despite playing against the wind in the opening half, it was Kildare that set the pace with Maya Doyle, Orlaith O’Mahoney and a Birchall brace pushing them into a four point lead. A superb Emma Tumelty point was added to by Claire Gaffney and the gap was down to two. Both sides were moving the ball well but it was the Lillies that had more possession and Captain Ellie Kendrick was instrumental in linking play and setting up scores.

Birchall split the posts for the third time and this was followed up a minute later by a fine Síofra Galvin score so Lillies led by four with a quarter of the game gone. Westmeath received a blow midway through the half as their forward was sinbinned. This did not seem to stop the side in maroon however as a minute later Lisa Seery was unlucky to miss a goal as her effort flashed wide of the goal.

Down the other end, Kildare did not make the same mistake and Niamh Farrelly hit the net thanks to a timely pass from Síofra Galvin. Indeed, Westmeath had their goalkeeper, Ellie Temple and the uprights to thank for keeping them in contention as Kildare upped the pressure – Grace Murtagh’s effort rebounding off the crossbar. Westmeath upped the ante before the break and Tumelty converted a brace of pointed frees with Kildare keeper, Claudia Keenan called into action making an excellent save to ensure the Lillies led by four at the break; 1-06 to 0-05.

The second half opened as the first with Kildare hitting four unanswered scores, Mayah Doyle, Síofra Galvin and Birchall all on the scoresheet. Westmeath were given a lifeline when Therese Murray found the net on 38 minutes. It was an encouraging score for Westmeath, and they added a Lisa Seery point to the board. However, Kildare were not to be denied and they finished the stronger. Birchall split the posts for her fifth score of the afternoon before substitute Allanah Prizeman hit the net for Kildare’s second goal of the contest, sealing the win. Kendrick, Birchall and substitute Abi Whelan all raised white flags as Kildare ran out comfortable winners, 2-14 to 1-06.

Congratulations to both teams on a fine display of football and to Edwina Birchall on a most well deserved ‘Player of the Match’ accolade. Both sides were now get set for the new look All Ireland U14 competition which starts shortly.

Kildare scores: Edwin Birchall 0-06 (1F), Síofra Galvin 0-03, Niamh Farrelly 1-00, Allanah Prizeman 1-00, Maya Doyle 0-02, Orlaith O’Mahoney 0-01, Ellie Kendrick 0-01, Abi Whelan 0-01.

Westmeath scores: Emma Tumelty 0-04 (2Fs), Therese Murray 1-00, Claire Gaffney 0-01, Lisa Seery 0-01.

Kildare: Claudia Keenan, Zara Hurley, Eimear Glancy, Saoirse O Gorman, Erin Healy, Katy Halpin, Olivia Monaghan, Orlaith O’Mahoney, Mayah Doyle, Edwina Birchall, Ellie Kendrick(C), Síofra Galvin, Erin Brereton Foley, Niamh Farrelly, Grace Murtagh,

Subs: Sorsha Filgate, Zara Beatty, Allanah Prizeman, Leah Mcgovern, Sarah McGovern, Maeve Maguire, Abi Whelan, Caoimhe Ni Bhuirchall, Mya Pardy, Eimear Touhy, Sarah Whelan, Chloe Wiltshire, Anna Price.

Kildare Subs used: Maeve McGuire for Erin Healy, Allanah Prizeman for Erin Brereton Foley, Sarah McGovern for Saoirse O Gorman, Zara Beatty for Eimear Glancy, Abi Whelan for Grace Murtagh

Westmeath: Ellie Temple, Henrietta Kiernan, Kelly Burke (C), Niamh McKenna, Neve Sweeney, Tori Coyne, Alanna Coogan, Claire Gaffney, Tegan Foley, Emer Fogarty, Aine Ditullio, Emma Tumelty, Therese Murray, Lisa Seery, Caoimhe McCormack.

Westmeath Subs: Saoirse Kenna, Sarah Conlon, Caoimhe Kilmurray, Millie Hagan, Rachel McKenna, Erin Hagan, Grace McGlynn, Ella Corcoran, Ellie O Sullivan, Caoimhe O’Donoghue, Ellen Foran, Kate Whyte, Emily Moore, Alysha Brown, Marie McKeogh.

Westmeath subs used: Caoimhe Kilmurray for Eimear Fogarty, Mille Hagan for Aine Ditullio, Sarah Conlon for Niamh Mckenna.

Referee Kevin Phelan (Laois)

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The death has occurred of Annie BARRY (née Crowe)
Henry Road, Newbridge, Kildare

BARRY (née Crowe) Annie (Henry Road, Newbridge, Co. Kildare) - 14th April 2019 (peacefully) at Naas Hospital surrounded by her loving famiy. Annie, wife of the late John; sadly missed by her son John and daughter Marie, daughter-in-law Pauline, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters Phyllis and Eileen, brothers Sean and Tom, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

May Annie Rest in Peace

Reposing at Anderson & Leahy's Funeral Home, Newbridge, from 4 o'clock on Monday with Rosary at 8 o'clock. Removal on Tuesday morning at 10.30 o'clock to arrive at St. Conleth's Parish Church for Mass at 11 o'clock. Burial afterwards in St. Conleth's Cemetery, Newbridge.

Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to Friends of Naas Hospital. Donations box in the Church.

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Newbridge College make history in winning their first All Ireland Senior Schools Swim medal yesterday, Sunday 14 April in the All Ireland Senior Schools Relay Finals in the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin.

The girls U14 Team qualified through the Leinster Senior Schools competition by previously winning the 200m Medley Relay event and 2^nd in the 200m Freestyle event. The National Finals saw them swim against the best schools from the other three provinces in the National Finals.

The team made up of 1^st and 2^nd year girls took home Bronze in the National Senior Schools Finals in the 200m Medley Relay losing out to the winners from Northern Ireland – Glenlola Collegiate from Bangor. Three of the girls Alyson Mahon, Kallie Walsh (both 1^st Years) and Beibhinn Howard (2^nd Year) all swim with the Curragh Swim Team and Roisin Duffy (1^st Year) swims with the Tallaght Swim Team.

Commenting on the day, Mr Pat O’Brien, Principal of Newbridge College “This is a fantastic achievement for our students. Making history in winning our 1^st Schools Swimming All Ireland medal is a fantastic achievement for the school. They have trained so hard over the last number of months following on from their Leinster 1^st and 2^nd placings at the end of 2018. We are so proud of them.”

Feature photograph taken at the National Aquatic Centre are:

l-r: Mr Pat O’Brien (Principal), Beibhinn Howard, Kallie Walsh, Alyson Mahon and Roisin Duffy. 

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Today will be cold and blustery in Co Kildare.

Heavy rain will hit the county.

Highest afternoon temperatures will be seven to nine degrees.

Winds will be strong and gusty in the morning.

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A Co Kildare researcher has been awarded  almost €1million from the Irish Research Council for world-class frontier research.

Professor Patricia Palmer of NUI Maynooth’s Department of English is receiving funding for the MACMORRIS project which sets out to recover the vibrancy and complexity of Ireland’s transformative years between Henry VIII’s assumption of the kingship of Ireland in 1541 and the Flight of the Earls in 1607.

The poets, patrons and political activists of this period will be digitally mapped for the first time under Professor  Palmer’s project, which is set to receive funding of just under €1 million (€992,750).

An investment of €11.8 million in frontier research was announced by Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh T.D. and Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development John Halligan T.D. at Government Buildings on Thursday (11.04.19). .

The researchers receiving funding are at an advanced stage in their careers and will be supported to conduct ground-breaking, world-class research across a wide range of disciplines.  Their research areas range from new approaches to breast cancer treatment, to the development of 3-D printed batteries, to digitally mapping the full range of cultural activity, across languages and ethnic groups, in early modern Ireland.  Each awardee will receive a maximum of €1 million in funding, over a period of four years.

Commenting on the investment, Peter Brown, Director of the Irish Research Council, said: “Patricia Palmer is one of 12 researchers who will receive funding under the Advanced Laureate Awards Programme are all exceptional in their fields and have been selected following a rigorous and independent international peer-review process."

Mr Brown said:“A total of 140 applications were received under this funding call. In addition to the 12 funded awards, a further 48 proposals were deemed to be excellent and fundable by the international panels of experts. This illustrates the high quality of researchers and the calibre of proposals being generated in frontier research in Ireland. The Council is committed to establishing regular calls under the Laureate awards to ensure that leading-edge, world-class research does not go unfunded.”

The Irish Research Council opened the first call under the Laureate Awards Programme in 2017, resulting in 36 awards with an associated investment of €18 million.

Patricia Palmer Department of English Lecturer

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This morning Co Kildare commuters are meeting long delays on the M50

Emergency services are at the scene of the crash on the M1 southbound at J6 Balbriggan, with the right lane blocked. There’s very heavy traffic on approach, with the queue from J7 Julianstown.

Gardaí are en route to another crash in Swords, at the roundabout on the Malahide Rd (R106) outside Pavilions SC.

Traffic is slow on the M50 northbound passing J13 Sandyford, where emergency services are dealing with a crash just after here in the auxiliary lane. Further along it's busy from J9 Red Cow to J7 Lucan.

The M50 southbound then is busy from J5 Finglas to J7, and again from J11 Tallaght to J12 Firhouse.

M50 traffic is busiest southbound from J5 Finglas to J7 Lucan, again at J9 Red Cow and again J11 Tallaght. Northbound, it's slow from J12 Firhouse to J11 and again passing J7.

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A North Kildare TD is calling for greater investment in cycling safety with 38 cyclists hospitalised in this county in 2017.

Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North, Frank O’Rourke is calling  for greater investment in cycling safety as it emerged that 38 cyclists were hospitalised in 2017.

A total of 729 cyclists were hospitalised nationally for a range of injuries including head, spine and pelvis injuries.

Commenting on the matter Deputy O’Rourke said:“The number of hospitalisations of Kildare cyclists is quite high. In comparison, there were 22 hospitalised in Meath, 19 in Westmeath and six in Laois. We need to take steps to protect cyclists and make our roads safer for them."

He said: “Whether people are cycling for sport, pleasure or commuting for work or to college, they need to do so on roads that are not covered with potholes and uneven surfaces. While I acknowledge that not every road lends itself to having a dedicated cycle path, they should exist wherever possible."

He said:“Work on the 144km of the Royal Canal Greenway from Dublin, through Kildare, Meath and Westmeath is underway and I hope that have a dedicated cycleway will help to reduce these figures”, concluded Deputy O’Rourke.

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A three day blood drive is continuing in Naas today with those eligible to donate blood urged to attend.

The blood drive is taking place in Scoil Bhride, Old Town, Sallins Road, Naas, with donations accepted between 3pm and 5pm, then 7pm and 9pm today.

Tomorrow blood will be accepted between the hours of 3pm and 5pm, then 7pm and 9pm.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service is providing the blood drive and those wishing to attend must be over 18 years of age.

Photo I.D. such as a passport or driver’s licence must also be presented when visiting the clinic and for more information on donating blood visit www.giveblood.ie

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Two women have been arrested in connection to an investigation into human trafficking, money laundering and prostitution, in Mullingar.

In a Garda operation yesterday  morning, two premises were searched in the Mullingar area.

Two females, aged 42 and 29,  were arrested in connection with this investigation and are currently detained at Mullingar Garda Station under the provisions of Section 50- Criminal Justice Act 2007.

Investigations are continuing.

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A beloved Husky dog is missing from the Curragh area since Friday and his worried Co Kildare owners are appealing for anyone who may have information on his location to get in contact.

'Taz' is described as a white male Husky dog and he is wearing a black/brown collar. He is missing since 1pm last Friday April 12 and he was last seen in the Athgarvan area at 9.30pm on Friday night last.

Taz is from the Curragh and it is believed he may be in the surrounding areas.

Anyone with information is asked to please contact his owners on 0873307781 or 0872494108.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.