Kilcullen News Update

Orange wind warning for Kildare ... Don't buy e-scooters for children for Christmas ... Patrick Hyland New Year Day Concert ... Childcare positions at KCCEC ... AFC underage girls get awards ... Nativities exhibition this weekend ... Run, Run, Rudolph on Saturday, Sunday ...

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

Kildare wind warning upgraded to Orange

Met Éireann has upgraded its wind warning for Kildare and neighbouring counties to ORANGE, writes Brian Byrne. The warning is in place from 11am until 7pm today.

Storm Bram is expected to bring very strong to gale force southerly winds with severe gusts.

Impacts can include difficult travel conditions, debris and loose objects displaced, and power outages.

Advice: travel only if necessary.

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Don't buy e-scooters for children this Christmas

The Road Safety Authority is urging family members and friends to refrain from purchasing e-scooters, quad bikes, or scrambler bikes for children due to the substantial safety risks associated with these vehicles, writes Brian Byrne. E-scooters are now the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries among children admitted to CHI at Temple Street.

A media campaign, developed in collaboration with CHI at Temple Street Hospital, Ireland’s national neurosurgical centre, uses the voices of imaginary children who have suffered injuries after falling from these vehicles. 

The message is clear: before buying a powered vehicle for a child, pause and consider if it is legal, safe, and suitable. 

This initiative follows a separate RSA–CHI advertising campaign launched in November that warned parents not to buy e-scooters for children under 16.

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New Year Day Patrick Hyland concert

A perfect way to start 2026 musically would be Patrick Hyland's New Year’s Day Gala Concert on 1 January 2026 at 2.30pm, at the Moat Theatre, Naas, writes Brian Byrne. A pair of tickets might also be a perfect Christmas gift for those in your life who love music.

Eadestown tenor Patrick is very familiar to Kilcullen people, having performed in Carols by Candlelight in 2023 and 2024.

His upcoming concert also features Emma Ní Bhriain (Mezzo Soprano), Rachel Du (Violin), and Máire Carroll (Piano). The programme will include opera classics, musical hits, favourite melodies, and much more. 

Tickets €33 plus €1.50 booking fee, available at moattheatre.com or by phoning the Box Office 045 883030.

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Shamrocks raffle results

Results from the South Kildare Shamrocks Christmas Raffle. 

(1) Sorcha McCoy. 

(2) Audrey Burdis. 

(3) Ciaran Killaly. 

(4) Lucy Maher. 

(5) Paula Meehan. 

(6) Declan Mallon. 

(7) Alan Mooney. 

(8) Gillian O Riordan. 

(9) Colin Vickers. 

(10) Elaine Hunt. 

(11) Antoinette Buckley. 

(12) Anna McHugh. 

Congratulations to all of the winners, and many thanks to everyone who supported the raffle and our sponsors. Very much appreciated.

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Childcare positions at KCCEC

The Kilcullen Community Childcare and Education Centre has vacancies for two Lead Early Years & School Aged childcare practitioners.

The successful applicants will be responsible for assisting in developing, coordinating, and directing a range of activities in a busy pre-school and after-school programme.

Reporting to the KCCEC Manager, the duties and responsibilities include collaborating with the Manager and the KCCEC Team to implement and maintain services and programmes.

A minimum FETAC level 7 in Childcare, and a minimum of 1 year of work experience in a busy childcare environment is essential.

The positions are full-time, 40 hours a week.

The full description of the positions and the application process can be viewed at this link. 

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Presentations to Kilcullen AFC underage girls

Presentations were made last Friday to Kilcullen AFC's first underage girls soccer team to win a trophy, and the club's first underage girls soccer team to compete. 

The awards were handed over by former club player Della Cowper Gray, who was called up for the Shamrock Rovers Women's U19 team for several recent international games, including Sweden, Bulgaria, Poland, Portugal and the USA. 

Della is a 6th-year student at CPC.

The awards were:

U14 Players' Player of the Year - Molly Furlong

U14 Manager's Player of the Year - Emily Browne

U14 Manager's Player of the Year - Lauren Barrett

U14 Girls Most Improved Player - Bailey Conn

Players' Player or the Season - Kara Fleet

Most dedicated to the squad - Meabh Devanny and Arabella Beatty

Most improved Player of the Season - Millie Bradley

Most Improved - Milly Mathews

Coaches' Award - Isabel Connolly

Players' Player - Ella Louise Donnelly

Player of The Year - Amelia Reddy

Milly Mathews, Amelia Reddy, Della Cowper-Gray and Isabel Connolly.

Meabh Devanny, Millie Bradley, Della Cowper-Gray, Arabella Beatty, and Cara Fleet.

Bailey Conn, Molly Furlong, Della Cowper-Gray, Emily Browne, and Lauren Barrett.

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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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