Graiguenamanagh

SAVE THE BARROW

The Save the Barrow Line group are holding a public meeting in the Abbey Hall Graignamanagh at 5 p.m. on Sunday, January 21, to tell people about the next stage in our canmpaign to save the grassy towpath.

The meeting will respond to the Further Information which Waterways Ireland have supplied about their proposal for a hard surface Blueway down the grassy Barrow Towpath and will let people know how to put in further submissions or objections to Carlow County council before the new deadline of February 6 the meeting will help people who want to sign and post a letter on the spotd which will be delivered to Carlow County Council offices the next day.

Those, who have already sent in an objection or submission can send in another without charge if they bring with them their receipt from the council for their original submission.

Their original submission will still have to taken into account by the council when it makes its decision but a second submission from them will make it clear how strongly they feel about this proposal. Those, who haven’t already sent in an objection can do so now along with a fee of €20.

Having read the further information, the Save the Barrow Line group feels that it doesn’t answer any of our main objections which are:

1. Removing the grassy surface of the towpath is actually removing its unique selling point to tourists as part of Ireland’s green, unspoilt landscape.

2. The Barrow towpath is a candidate Special Area of Conservation and as such is protected under the EU Habitats Directive. Many environmental experts such as Eanna Ni Lamhna and Mary White, have indicated that they are against the proposal.

3. The proposed Blueway will be too narrow to accommodate two way cycling and walkers and a range of other users and may create conflict between them. The hard surface will need constant expensive maintenance because the river floods almost every year.

4. The Waterways Ireland proposal does not have the support of the local community. The Save the Barrow Line petition to save the grassy sod surface has approximately 5000 signatures. In addition, when Waterways Ireland submitted their Blueway planning application to three local authorities earlier this year it was met with unprecedented levels of objection. Of the 440+ submissions received by Carlow County Council, less than three per cent wrote in support of the application.

LOTTO

The numbers drawn were 1, 18, 21 and 23. This week’s lotto jackpot stands at €5,450, Consolation winners of €30 each were Paddy Corbertt, Eddie Doyle Sheough, Jim Barcoe, Aoife Jackson, Pat Doyle, Coolroe. Tickets are on sale in local business, and from committee members.

DUISKE VARIETY SHOW

The students teachers and parents present the Duiske College Variety Show in the Abbey Hall, Graiguenamanagh on Thursday, January 18, and Friday, January 19, at 8 p.m.

SPLIT THE POT

The results of Tuesday, January 2: First Prize – Anne O’Neill –€450, second prize – Ryan Hair – €75, third Prize-Kyra Doyle – €50.

The results of Monday, January 8: First Prize Pat Cahill – €275, second prize Peter Prendergast – €75, third prize – John Conran – €50.

DEREK RYAN

Derek Ryan entertainer and Songwriter of the year returns to his native county with The’ Fire Concert’ Tour 2018 for two nights only when he will take to the stage with his All Star Band and special Guests at the George Bernard Shaw Theatre, Carlow on Thursday, January 18, and Friday, January 19. Early Booking is advised, Box office no is 059 9172400.