Kilcullen News Update

Good news on CPC upgrade ... Buzz at Kilcullen Christmas Fair ... Nominations sought for Kildare Local Community Safety Partnership ... Narraghmore Drama Group for Kilcullen ... Ballymore Eustace Art Group exhibition ... Shamrocks end of season celebration ... The passing of Jim Talbot ...

Reporting since 2005 from a Village Grown Bigger. Produced by Brian Byrne for Kilcullen Diary.

Narraghmore Drama Group to play Kilcullen

Narraghmore Drama Group are back on the boards in the new year with their latest production, Widow's Paradise, playing in Kilcullen Town Hall on 9 and 10 January.

Written by Sam Cree, the play is directed by Maryclare McMahon. It is set in the 1960s, with five women travelling to stay in a caravan on the Ards Peninsula, some trying to escape their male partners and others hoping to find one.

Guaranteed to be a great night, tickets at €15 are on sale in The Old Hardware, Narraghmore, from Wednesday.

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Ballymore art group charity exhibition

There will be something to suit everyone's taste in the upcoming Charity Art Exhibition by the Ballymore Eustace Art Group. The event opens next Thursday night at The Ballymore Inn.

Commission from all sales, plus all proceeds from the raffle on the night, will go to the St John's Church Ballymore Restoration Fund.

The exhibition will be officially opened at 8pm. 

The two pieces above are by Jackie Reddy and Gail Kinsella.

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Shamrocks celebrate end of season

Pic: South Kildare Shamrocks.

South Kildare Shamrocks had their end-of-season celebration and Christmas Raffle in Kilcullen GAA Clubhouse yesterday afternoon, writes Martin Sheridan. 

A great turnout of Shamrocks players from all age groups attended. Thanks also to the many parents and supporters who came. 

All of our Christmas Raffle prizes were sponsored. A huge Thank You from all involved with the Shamrocks to all of our sponsors. Much appreciated.

Wishing everyone a healthy and peaceful Christmas.  Santa might send us on some more hurlers for 2026.

Raffle results to follow. Looking forward to 2026.

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Nominations sought for Community Safety Partnership

The Kildare Public Participation Network (PPN) is seeking nominations for a Local Residents Representative for the Kildare-Newbridge MD on the Kildare Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP). Nominations for a Youth Representative aged 18-25 are also sought. 

The LCSP is an initiative under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. It brings together community members, public bodies, and local organisations to work collaboratively on improving safety and wellbeing across Kildare.

It replaces the former Joint Policing Committees and offers a more inclusive, community-led approach to local safety.

For full details, visit www.kildareppn.ie/LCSP

The closing date for nominations is 5pm, Tuesday, 9 December 2025.

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The passing of Jim Talbot

The death has occurred of Jim Talbot, Mountain View, Calverstown, Kilcullen, peacefully on 6 December 2025, at home in the company of his loving family.

Predeceased by his dear mother, Annie, his father, Tom, and sister, Anne, he will be sadly missed by his devoted wife, Margaret, his daughter Karen, sons Robert and Kevin, grandchildren Robert, Conor, Juliette, Cillian, Sophie, Reuben and Teagan, daughter-in-law Joanne and son-in-law Simon, his brothers Robert and Peter, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, relatives and friends.

Jim will be reposing at his home (R56 F625) on Monday, 8 December from 5pm to 8pm. House private at all other times. His funeral will arrive at the Church of the Sacred Heart and St Brigid, Kilcullen, at 12 noon on Tuesday, 9 December, which can be viewed on this link. This will be followed by burial in St Brigid's Cemetery, Kilcullen.

Donations, if desired, in lieu of flowers, to the Irish Cancer Society or St Brigid’s Hospice, The Curragh, who provided great care and support in Jim’s final days. A donation box for this purpose will be in the house and the church.

Rest in peace.

Support KWWSPCA with 2026 Calendar

The Kildare and West WIcklow SPCA is reminding supporters that their 2026 Doggy Calendar is now on sale in several outlets around the county, writes Brian Byrne. The primary sponsor of the publication is the Cottage Veterinary Clinic Newbridge, at whose premises the calendar is available.

Other outlets for the €10 calendar include Noah's Ark, the KWWSPCA Charity Shop in Newbridge, as well as from Nolan's Butchers and Berney's Pharmacy in Kilcullen. 

They can be also purchased online, adding €5 postage and packing for one or two calendars. Go to https://kwwspca.ie/ and click on the Donate button at the top right. Please add a reference 'Calendars' and include your name and address. The calendars will be posted to you.  For between three and five calendars, the postage will be €10.

The pictures of rescue dogs used in the calendar were taken by members of Kilcullen Photography Club. 

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Is this your dog?

A young, friendly dog was found roaming in the Ballyshannon area on Friday, 5th December. Please get in touch with 086 8382694.

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Buzz at Christmas Fair despite showers

The weather outside may have been frightful, but that hasn't stopped the hardy stall-holders at the Kilcullen Christmas Fair on the Community Centre campus, writes Brian Byrne. And with the rain having eased, there's quite a buzz going on.

Santa's Grotto is a big hit with the youngsters, and the hard-working Kilcullen Gospel Choir — they seem to be everywhere at this time of year — have been singing their hearts out for those browsing the stands.

It's good, and it's open until four, so slip along if you haven't been there already.

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Progress on CPC extension plan

Minister Martin Heydon, Nina Carberry MEP, Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, and Joe Leonard, Principal of CPC.

The Department of Education has issued a letter of intent to progress the upgrade to Cross and Passion College, Kilcullen, writes Brian Byrne. Which means the contract has been issued to the successful contractor. The next step is to get contracts signed and break ground, according to local TD and Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon. A similar letter has been issued for the extension to the Patrician College, Newbridge.

The minister commended the leadership teams of both schools, led by Mr Joe Leonard in CPC and Mr Pat Maloney in Patrician Secondary School, as well as the Boards of Management, staff, parents and pupils, whose work and efforts to date have brought these projects to this stage. 

The minister also said that delays in projects such as these will be addressed by the Government’s new Infrastructure Action Plan. In a statement, he said unnecessary delays can no longer hold up such projects. The minister says the plan includes 30 time-bound actions to cut red tape, reduce regulations, and remove barriers.

"These reforms mark a turning point in cutting delays, streamlining planning approvals and ensuring that the infrastructure projects Kildare needs don’t stay on paper," he says in a statement. “With the growth of our population and economy, we need this plan. Families in Kildare need homes, commuters need better transport, and businesses need certainty. This plan will deliver on all three.”

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Dowling Property: 50 Bishop Rogan Park

Attention First-Time Buyers! Dowling Property is delighted to present to the market this 3-bedroom, mid-terraced home for sale. Although in need of upgrading and modernising, this smashing property is keenly priced and is located in one of Kilcullen's most popular estates. 

No. 50 is vacant, "chain-free," and ready to go, boasting a healthy C2 energy rating. It features oil heating and open fire, three generously sized bedrooms and a sunny west-facing rear garden with a block-built shed. 

Bishop Rogan Park is located just off the Naas Road and has all amenities located on your doorstep. There is excellent access to the M9/M7, and a bus stop is within walking distance. This blank-canvas opportunity will be of interest to a wide range of buyers, so early viewings are advised!

AMV: €225,000

www.dowlingproperty.ie. Kildare Office 045 482189.

After a very busy 2025, with DP achieving record prices, we would love to hear from you if you are thinking of selling in 2026. Call us on 045482189 to arrange a free sales appraisal. 

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Kilcullen GAA Autumn Special Winners

Kilcullen GAA would like to thank everyone who supported our November Special Lotto promotion; it got a great response. Congratulations to all the winners & thanks to our Local Sponsors.

We wish all who signed up for the Lotto in this period and our regular subscribers the best of Luck in all upcoming draws. 

1st - Nolan's Weekend Christmas Hamper: Ger Comerford.

2nd - €50 Little Brew Cafe Voucher: Jenny Byrne.

3rd - €50 Fallons Kilcullen Voucher: Charlene Grice.

4th - Britvic drinks worth €50: Frances Clare.

5th - €30 5aDay Voucher: Aaron Masterson. 

6th - €20 5aDay Voucher: Mary Bond.

If you don’t already have an online ticket, click on this link to play.

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Still time for Shamrocks Christmas Draw tickets

Only one sleep left until the South Kildare Shamrocks Christmas Draw, which will take place at their end-of-year celebrations on Sunday at 4pm in Kilcullen GAA. 

There are four fantastic hampers, four vouchers, wine, Newbridge Silver wine glasses, and a Stanley flash with a food jar. 

There's still time to get tickets, which will also be available to purchase on Sunday. 

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