Darkness into Light
Darkness Into Light will take place for the first time in Athy on May 7th this year.
Truly an inspirational and inclusive event, under the umbrella of Pieta House, to remember the many loved ones lost to suicide.
Celebrate Life. Join us this year – online registrations will open in early March on dil.pieta.ie for what promises to be another morning to remember in over 100 venues across Ireland and internationally.
The Southern Distributor Road is our Number One priority and to ensure the delivery of same. For over 40 years, this issue has been on KCC’s planning table, with route proposals debated back and forth.
Along with Cllr Miley, I will be supporting Route C which will ensure the continuation of existing clubs Athy GFC, Athy Town AFC and Athy RFC which provide valuable sporting amenities. At the same time, the new road will provide a viable route for the much needed, and long awaited, distributor road for Athy. The economic benefit of this to Athy will be enormous from a social and economic point of view, along with job creation.
Official Opening of new Playground and Skate Park
It was an honour and my pleasure as Mayor of Kildare last year, to perform the official opening of the new playground and Skate Park at the People’s Park. These facilities provide a wonderful amenity to young children and youth in the area, and were funded by Kildare County Council, former Athy Town Council and Department of Children & Youth Affairs.
As Mayor of Kildare, Cllr Fiona O’Loughlin officially opens the new playground and Skate Park in Athy, joined by Kildare County Council Officials, Deputies Sean O’Fearghail and Martin Heydon and members of KCC.
Photos: Tony Keane
Flooding
At a meeting of Athy Municipal District earlier this month, it was announced that KCC had applied for funding under the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM). This would entail flood alleviation works for Athy Town at a cost of €9m, making this the largest such scheme in the county, with flood defences from Shrowlands to Ardreigh. We must ensure that the appalling flooding scenes at Rathstewart, Joseph’s Terrace, and the Court House are not repeated.
St Michael’s Cemetery
Funding was approved for works at St Michael’s Cemetery during 2016, with improvement to roads and footpaths in the cemetery to be carried out. This will facilitate an extension to the burial ground.
Emily Square
KCC have planned the much needed regeneration of Emily Square, a focal point of the town. It is vital this is delivered and that the Square will continue to be an integral part of Athy Town.
The Dominican Church
The purchase and lands of the Dominican Church offers great potential to Athy. In addition to the proposed library, arts centre and theatre space, I will work with Cllr Miley and KCC to ensure that all water sport organisations are facilitated on the River Barrow with supported facilities. The property will also include sheltered housing and a riverside park at cost of €8m.
A new Garda Youth Diversion Programme (GYDP) in Athy will help to prevent and reduce crime among youths. This is one of seven projects announced.