New pedestrian crossing planned for Kilcullen

A new pedestrian crossing in Kilcullen is planned following the allocation of €10,500 of LPT funds by Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer at the May meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District, writes Brian Byrne.

The money will go towards the installation of the crossing in the vicinity of Kilcullen Family Practice and the upgrading of the existing disabled parking bays to ensure they are fit for purpose, particularly for wheelchair users.

Cllr O'Dwyer told the Diary that a pedestrian crossing at the suggested location will improve accessibility to shops and services on both sides of Main Street for all pedestrians and for those with disabilities. "It is also where many people cross through the traffic anyhow, and a proper crossing will make it safer for everyone." 

She noted that the current poor state and grading of the footpath from the traffic lights to the Credit Union make it especially difficult for elderly people and anyone in wheelchairs to go to the lights to make the crossing.

That area of Main Street has businesses and services on either side which many people need to access sequentially, with medical, pharmacy, hairdressing, butcher, post office, florist, cake shop, and cafe all reasons for multiple crossings of the street.

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Inaugural meeting brings Kilcullen businesses together

Supporting each other in promoting the businesses of the town was a key takeaway from the inaugural meeting of the Kilcullen Business Group, held last evening in Fallons, writes Brian Byrne.

The well-attended meeting evolved from a WhatsApp group set up in the last year to share information relevant to local small businesses, such as grant opportunities and workshops.

Those present represented retail and service businesses in Kilcullen, and among the issues discussed were the need to promote Kilcullen so as to increase footfall for all businesses, enhance security against fraud and theft, and establish specific linkages with other town organisations and external business associations. 

Representatives from Kilcullen Community Action and the local Garda also attended and took part in the discussions, as did Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer. Specific issues highlighted included parking and traffic, age-friendly access, and progress on infrastructure improvements. 

It was agreed that a number of speakers should be invited to address the group, from organisations such as Into Kildare, Kildare Chamber, and the Kildare Local Enterprise Office. It is hoped to have the first of these before the end of June. The Group will also have a representative attend Kilcullen Community Action meetings.

A key aim is to have all businesses in Kilcullen included in the Group. The WhatsApp administration number is 085 7131647, or contact Dawn Behan of Woodbine Books or Nichola Kennedy at Kilcullen Opticians.

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County Tidy Towns grants allocated

A grant of €2,955 has been agreed by Kildare County Council to the Kilcullen Tidy Towns 2024 project operated by Kilcullen Community Action, writes Brian Byrne.

The figure is a share from a total of €46,213 allocated across ten Tidy Towns Groups in the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District.

Newbridge Tidy Towns Group received the highest grant, of €12,728, followed by Kildare Town (€11,000), and Monasterevin (€10,213).

Last year Kilcullen was awarded 356 out of a possible 550 marks in the Supervalu Tidy Towns Competition 2023, an increase of 18 marks on the town's 222 results, which also helped win a county bronze medal for the community.

The annual street collection for KCA's Kilcullen in Bloom is taking place this Friday and Saturday at the usual locations.

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Clinic on grants for local business owners

A reminder that a clinic for business owners in Kilcullen, to advise on a range of grants available to them, will be held in Kilcullen Town Hall on Wednesday 22 May, writes Brian Byrne.

The advice will be given by representatives from Kildare Local Enterprise Office, and will be specifically on Shop Front Grants for which grants are available up to €5,000), Window Display Grants (up to €1,000)) and Website Grants (up to €2,000).

The event, organised by Kilcullen Community Action as part of the implementation of the Kilcullen Design Statement, will run from 11am to 1pm. All business owners welcome.

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LauraLynn fundraiser yoga

A fundraising yoga event will be held at Kalbarri Cookery School on Saturday 25 May in aid of LauraLynn.

The Early Riser Community Yoga begins at 7.45am, and donations may be made online or with cash on the day.

The event is organised by Warrior Wellness Coaching & Yoga, and booking can be made at their website warriorwellness.ie.

Kalbarri will be open for tea and coffee afterwards.

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Cllrs give Kilcullen €18,500 boost at final MD meeting

Cllrs Power, McLoughlin Healy and Heavey, boost to Kilcullen.

Kilcullen GAA's Field of Dreams project got a €11,500 boost today from councillors at the final meeting of the current Kildare County Council Kildare-Newbridge MD, writes Brian Byrne.

Cllr Rob Power proposed granting the project €5,000 from his LPT allocation, a figure that was then matched by Cllr Fiona McLoughlin Healy, and then Cllr Noel Heavey provided €1,500 he still had left to allocate.

In addition, Rob Power allocated €5,000 to Kilcullen Community Centre, and €2,000 to Halverstown Cricket Club. "Two great projects lacking funding that were highlighted to me on recent canvasses in the town," he told the Diary.  

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Nutrition, biodiversity and sustainability to feature at Teddy Bears Picnic

The Teddy Bears Picnic organised by Kilcullen Community Action for Saturday afternoon in the Library Community Garden will include a number of elements designed to encourage good nutrition and sustainability practices, writes Brian Byrne.

Organiser Martin Sheridan told last night's KCA meeting that there will be tables of raw vegetables, herbs and fruits for tasting, and also a demonstration of a compost bin and how it works. A bug hotel is also going to be installed in the Library Garden on the day, "to show people how it's actually done," Martin said.

The Suas Knitting Club will be decorating the Library area with knitted teddy bears for the event, which is designed to allow for families interaction. "We're getting vibes that a lot of people are coming," Martin said, responding in the negative to a query as to whether there would be music. "We're aiming for simplicity, where people can chat away and children can run around the place. That worked very well last year."

The Library will be open, providing tea and coffee and toilet facilities for the event, which starts at 2pm. Families are asked to bring their own picnics.

The KCA AGM had been held earlier in the evening, and we'll be reporting on that later.

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Don't miss 'Oppenheimer' in Kilcullen

A reminder that Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan’s biopic on the life of physicist J Robert Oppenheimer, is showing this evening, Wednesday May 15th, at Kilcullen Bridge Cinema, writes Teresa Nurse. 

One of the most successful films of 2023 and the biggest winner at this year’s Academy Awards it is a cinematic spectacle with epic visuals and award winning cinematography. 

If you haven’t seen this remarkable film, now is your chance catch it on the big screen. And if you if you have seen it, now is your chance to see it again, and unravel some its complexities. Cillian Murphy stars alongside acting greats Robert Downey Jr, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon and Florence Pugh.

It is three hours of great cinema. Doors will open at 7pm and the film will start at the earlier time of 7.30pm. All tickets are €7 and are on sale in Woodbine Books and on Eventbrite.

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Parish Lotto Draw results

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on 14 May 2024 were 5, 7, 15 and 28. There was no Jackpot winner and next week's main prize will again be €20,000. The follow-up Draw stands at €3,400.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Claire Berry (Promoter The Parish Office), Breda & Stephen McCormack (Breda McCormack) and Miriam McDonnell (Miriam McDonnell).

The winners of the Promoters Draw were Berney's Chemist and PJ Lydon, and the winner of the Draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Ger Hegarty-Kelly.

The Parish thanks all who support the Lotto.

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Drama Group to hold readings

Timeline of Kilcullen Drama productions can be seen in Town Hall.

Readings for the next production by Kicullen Drama Group will be held on Wednesday 22 May in the Town Hall, writes Brian Byrne. They start at 7pm and everybody interested in taking part will be very welcome.

The group's most recent production, A Skull in Connemara, was two weeks ago and received standing ovations.

Kilcullen Drama Group was established in 1930, and the first 15 of their productions were performed in a building called the Carlow Stables, located on what is today Nicholastown Green. In excess of 150 plays have been staged by the group.

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Traffic headache on New Abbey Road

A logs truck breakdown on the New Abbey Road last evening caused some traffic disruption.
(Pic: C Travers.)
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KCA AGM tonight: all welcome

KCA AGM 2023.

A reminder that the 2024 AGM of KCA is being held this evening, Tuesday 14 May, in Kilcullen Heritage Centre, writes Brian Byrne. Everyone in the community is welcome and encouraged to attend the meeting, which starts at 8pm.

Kilcullen Community Action was founded on 9 May 2001. Since then the group has facilitated and initiated many improvements in the town, particularly to the landscape and environment: from the Dun Ailinne Interpretive Park, to the Valley Riverside Park and Fairy Trail, the Library Garden, the Convent Garden, and the obvious improvements on all approach roads are just some of these. 

Christmas Lights and and the Kilcullen in Bloom summer flowers also add enormously to the feel-good factor around the town, and the annual involvement in the Supervalu Tidy Towns is also managed by the group.

KCA has also provided a platform to give voice to the community on many issues over the years, hosting public meetings on several occasions.

If you have ideas, or want to help, come along tonight and see what it's all about.

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Kilcullen Business Group meeting

Diary collage of just some of Kilcullen business people and places.

A meeting of the Kilcullen Business Group will take place at 7.30pm on this Wednesday 15 May in The Snug in Fallons.

The purpose of the group is to encourage local businesses and organisations to share knowledge and expertise and to work together to make the town a better place to do business.

It is open to anyone with a business in the town so please spread the word to anyone who might be interested in joining.

The Kilcullen Business Group has developed from a Business Update WhatsApp group established locally during the past year as a method of getting the word around about any initiatives and services available to help local enterprises. 

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Calling all Senior Citizens!

Kilcullen Lions Club invite you to a Tea Party & Social (includes Drinks, Sandwiches, Cakes & Dancing!) on Friday 24th May 2024 in Kilcullen Parish Centre at 7.30pm.

Please phone 087 9746000, 087 6320040, 087 2315033 if you would like to attend.

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23rd Autumn Shackleton School videos now live

For those who attended the Shackleton Autumn School in 2023, (and for those who were unable to attend), the videos of the event are now available to view, writes Brian Byrne.

They can be accessed on the Shackleton Museum's YouTube channel here.

The 23rd meeting of the School took place last October. The videos include contributions at the event from the Hooks and Crooks, Dr Mike Robinson, Doug Cochran, Caitlin Brandon, Synnøve Marie Kvam Strømsvag, Micheal Rosove and Nick Cox.

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The passing of Sadie O'Leary (née Morrin)

The Diary has learned of the death of Sadie O'Leary (née Morrin), Rialto, Dublin, and late of Calverstown, Kilcullen, on 12 May 2024, peacefully in her 95th year, in the loving care of the staff at Marymount Care Centre, Lucan.

Beloved wife of the late Patrick and mother-in-law of the late Mary, Sadie's passing is deeply regretted by her loving children Bernadette, Declan and Noel, daughter-in-law Rachel, grandchildren Aisling, Sarah, Emma and Jenny, extended family and friends.

She will be reposing at Marymount Care Centre (K78 FD29) on Tuesday from 5.30-7.30pm. Removal on Wednesday morning to arrive at St Mary and St Laurence's Church, Crookstown for 11.30am funeral mass, followed by burial in Crookstown Cemetery. 

Rest in Peace.