Maynooth news

Robot soccer demonstration

NUI Maynooth will this week provide a public display of Ireland’s Robot Soccer team, “RoboEireann”, which was runner up at the recent 2012 German Open, the annual European Robot Soccer competition.

Students and staff from the Department of Electronic Engineering and Department of Computer Science at NUI Maynooth have developed “RoboEireann”. The RoboCup competition is an international research initiative aimed at advancing the state of the art in intelligent autonomous robotics.

Discussing the public event, Rudi Villing, team coach and lecturer in the NUI Maynooth Electronic Engineering Department said: “The event is free to attend and anybody who has an interest in robotics, engineering or even just soccer might find it interesting.

“While the game is not played at the speed of human soccer, there is a huge amount of work and expertise designed into each move the robots make.

“Like standard soccer, we have referees, fouls, sendings off and penalties – so each game can be very eventful. If you can’t make it to the European Championships in Poland this year, I’d encourage anybody with an interest to come along to our event.”

Please email electronic.engineering@eeng.nuim.ie Video footage of the “RoboEireann” team in action is available to view at http://youtu.be/5Ut0nBh4piY

Same Old Moon

An Nuadha Players Community Theatre will be staging “The Same Old Moon”, a play by Geraldine Aron, in Maynooth Castle from June 15-17 (inclusive) at 7.30pm each evening. Admission is free of charge.

Maynooth Musical Society

The Society’s AGM will be at 8pm in the Creative Arts Centre, Coates Lane on Friday June 22.

A Night at the Castle

Maynooth Local History Group and Maynooth Community Council have organised a night of entertainment in Maynooth Castle from 7pm this evening, Tuesday June 12.

Admission is free and you can enjoy Irish Dancing with the Rita Doyle and Catherine Maher Dancers and music provided by St Mary’s Brass and Reed Band.

There will also be an art exhibition featuring the work of the Maynooth Castle Keep Art Group and members of the University of the Third Age will be displaying some of their Craftwork.

Summer Bridge

Maynooth Bridge Club meets on Tuesday nights in ACOL House Maynooth. The club is open all year round. Guests are welcome with members during the season (September to end of May). During the summer, the club is open to visitors.

Refreshments (tea or coffee) are available.

New energy at Tidy Towns

There has been a good response to a recent appeal for new volunteers to give some of their time to the work of the Tidy Towns.

This means that there will not now be a threat to participation in this year National Tidy Towns Competition.

Volunteers meet at the Square at 7.30pm on Wednesday nights and on Saturday mornings at 10am. Sunday morning clean-ups start at 7.45am at the Garda Station.

Judges from the National Tidy Towns Competition can make their visit at any time between June 1 and August 31, so it is important that no effort be spared to keep Maynooth looking its best. If you would like to lend a hand, please make contact at 087-3153189.

Join the choir

The Ladychapel Choir would welcome new members, both male and especially female. If you are interested in joining, please contact Rachel (086 8236433) or any member of the choir or come along to the practise which is held every Wednesday night in Ladychapel church at 8pm.

Artistic hub

The Creative Arts Centre is located Coates Lane in the heart of Maynooth Village. It aims to provide an intimate space for artists, musicians, theatre makers, comedians and audiences to share.

Through the space’s versatility and openness it aims to create an artistic and cultural hub for Maynooth and the surrounding area.

As this is a community project, if you have ideas for events, groups, clubs, classes or anything you’d like to organize, or you think they should be doing, feel free to make contact at cacmaynooth@gmail.com For future events, check out the website at www.creativearts.ie

Flower and Garden demonstration

The Maynooth Flower and Garden Club will hold its next meeting on June 19 at 8pm in the Glenroyal Hotel. The demonstrator on this occasion will be Bernadette Scanlon. All are welcome, but there is a E5 charge for non-members. Tea and coffee will be served.

Family Week at the library

Maynooth Library is planning a series of special items for its Family Week from June 18 – 23.

On Monday June 18 from 11am until noon, Uncle Dan from the Twitters will visit the Library to sing Children’s Folk Songs.

On Tuesday June 19, the Library will host Theatre Rua the Clown and Puppet show which will be Playing to Reach the Stars at 11am.

On Thursday, the wonderful Niall de Burca will entertain with a storytelling session from 6.30pm - 7.30pm.

On Friday June 22, Brewery of Eggshells On The Road will feature more storytelling and songs at 3pm.

On Saturday morning, June 23 from 11am-12.30pm, the week will come to a close with puppets again! Beyond the Seven Seas is the theme for puppets and interactive storytelling with Alex Rosiak.

Call into the Library or contact the branch staff at 01 6285530 for details and to book your place.

Anyone for tennis?

North Kildare Tennis Club is always looking for new members at both senior and junior level. For adults there are Club Mornings on Thursdays from 10am.

Club Evenings on Tuesdays from 8pm. Special summer events include American Tournaments, Club Evenings and a Ladies Championship. The courts are in the North Kildare Club at the Maws, between Maynooth and Kilcock.

For further information, contact Una Holton on 0872850374. For junior section activities please contact Anne Goodwin at 087-8201456.

Guides

The Girl Guides meet every Tuesday evening in Maynooth. Contact Jackie at 085-1413787 for further details or check the website at www.irishgirlguides.ie.

Blessing of the graves

The Annual Mass and Blessing of Graves at Laraghbryan Cemetery will take place on Sunday June 24 at 3pm.

Fun Cycle

As part of Bike Week, which runs from 16-24 June, there will be a Family Cycle on June 24. It will start out from the car-park opposite the Church at 2.30pm and head off for a relaxed spin to Clonfert Farm near Kilcock.