Movement on Hillcrest TIC

Forward movement on the long-running taking-in-charge process for Hillcrest estate in Kilcullen has been welcomed by Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, writes Brian Byrne. This follows a question she raised at yesterday’s Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting.

Officials said Hillcrest is part of the council's legacy portfolio of estates being progressed towards taking in charge, and that it hopes investigative works can be carried out later this year, subject to available resources. It was confirmed that engagement with Uisce Éireann will begin in relation to the estate’s foul and water network.

Cllr O’Dwyer said the update was a positive step and that she looks forward to seeing the matter move closer to completion.

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Talk and demonstration on invasive species control

Kilcullen will host an Aquatic Invasive Species Exhibition and Talk next week, on 24 and 25 June, as part of Invasive Species Week, writes Brian Byrne, with a live demonstration on controlling Himalayan balsam also planned each evening.

The exhibition and talk will run from 6pm to 7.30pm at Kilcullen Town Hall, followed by the outdoor demonstration from 7.30pm to 8.30pm at the River Liffey.

The events will feature Dr Jan-Robert Baars of University College Dublin’s School of Biology and Environmental Science and Ethan Bannon, a research assistant and junior ecologist with an MSc in Wildlife Conservation and Management from UCD.

Attendance is limited to 25 people per session. Booking available on Eventbrite here. 

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Registrations open for Little Stars Ballyshannon

Registrations are now open for the Little Stars Preschool and After-School Programme at Ballyshannon National School ahead of its September opening.

A limited number of places remain available in both the preschool and after-school service. Children enrolled in the preschool may also avail of the after-school programme if needed.

Parents or guardians seeking enrolment information or a registration form can contact littlestarsballyshannon@gmail.com. Early registration is advised as spaces are limited.

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Appleton Property: New to Market at Carnalway, Kilcullen

Appleton Property will commence viewings at The Old School House, Carnalway, this weekend. An exceptional opportunity to acquire a unique period-style residence in a highly sought-after area. 

This charming property comprises c. 1635 sq ft of internal living space on a site of c. 0.25 ha (c. 0.61 acres). Located at Carnalway, between Kilcullen and Naas in the rolling countryside, this area is peppered with substantial country homes and is a highly sought-after location. 

The property is entirely vacant at present and presents the new owner with the opportunity to refurbish and reorient the interior to their own liking. This property has been rewired and has new triple-glazed windows throughout. Water is on mains, and there is also a well on site. There is an on-site sewage disposal system. There are two entrances, one of which has a new pillared entrance with conduits running to the gate for future automated electric gates. 

This property is suitable for many potential uses, both as a residence and/or a commercial property, a medical centre or other professional services provision. Grant assistance available subject to criteria. Full details on https://www.daft.ie/16595956

Appleton only view by appointment. To book a time slot, please contact Austin Egan at Appleton Property on 087 1311133, 045 482759, or info@appleton.ie

Thinking of selling? For best results, contact Appleton Property on the numbers above to arrange a free-of-charge valuation of your home.

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Last call for players for GAA Dunleas 7-a-side

Kilcullen GAA is making a final call for players for its Dunleas of Kilcullen 7-a-side summer spectacular, with 122 players already registered.

The club says the event could make history, as officials cannot recall another occasion when so many Kilcullen players were togged out at the same time and in the same location. A memorable turnout is anticipated — and one mega team photo.

Anyone interested in taking part is asked to send their name to Pat Phibbs by 9pm this Friday, the 19th. The tournament is open to registered Kilcullen GAA members only. 

Players must be aged 16 or over, while younger eligible participants must have been involved with the Minor men, U17 ladies, or reserve men’s and ladies’ teams.

It's all about fun, safety, and club spirit with 10 teams of mixed-ability competing for final placings, Finals during the Summer BBQ on 15 August.

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Dowling Property: Kylton Lodge, Gilltown, Kilcullen

Dowling Property is delighted to present to the market for the very first time, one of the finest and most elegant homes to be offered for sale in recent times. Standing on a magical c. 1.5-acre site, this impressive 5-bedroom, detached home is located in one of County Kildare's most sought-after areas, Gilltown. 

Approached via an impressive stone-gated entrance which leads to a truly enchanting private, mature and gloriously landscaped

site with towering oak trees flanking the entrance. The well-kept lawn areas sweep down to your very own private stream, which takes centre stage in the magnificent gardens. 

This wonderful home extends to c.415 sq mt and carries an extremely efficient B energy rating. It is presented in excellent condition throughout, and the accommodation, which is bright and spacious and well laid out, consists of an entrance hallway, lounge, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility, sitting room, guest WC, boot room and games room/gym. Upstairs are five double bedrooms (all en-suite) and a family bathroom. The highlight is the show-stopping, professional kitchen, which is complete with a centre island and enjoys wonderful views of the landscaped gardens. 

The location is simply superb with Kilcullen town just c. 2 km away. All amenities are located within walking distance of Kilcullen town, including leisure facilities, shops, and schools (Scoil Bhride primary school and the Cross & Passion College secondary school), an award-winning playground, a sports complex, public transport systems and all major road networks, including the M7/M9 motorway.

The area is steeped in bloodstock with the world-famous "Gilltown Stud" a very close neighbour. Kylton Lodge is an incredible property in a first-class location, and it must be viewed to be appreciated, so early viewings are advised. A true gem!

AMV €850,000. www.dowlingproperty.ie. Call Kildare Office 045 482189.

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Dunlavin Arts Festival this weekend

Dunlavin will come alive this weekend, writes Brian Byrne, as the Dunlavin Arts Festival brings music, storytelling, exhibitions, film, workshops and community celebration to venues across the town.

The festival opens with a Thursday prelude featuring the Lámh ‘Finding Your Voice’ Choir with Baltinglass Sings, followed by an evening of words and music at St Nicholas Church. From Friday, the programme expands across Dunlavin with exhibitions opening in multiple locations, an official festival launch at the Old School House Gallery, and a line dancing social night at Imaal Hall.

Saturday offers one of the busiest programmes of the weekend, with an inclusive community warm-up, storytelling and creative workshops, puppet shows, live drumming, brass music and experimental cinema. Highlights include illustrator PJ Lynch’s Drawing Gulliver!, biologist Éanna Ní Lamhna’s midsummer nature talk, and a local history discussion on the 1921 Milltown Murder. The day culminates in the return of the Cailleachs and Vizzards parade and céilí, reviving a distinctive West Wicklow tradition of masked performance.

Music is also central to the festival, with Midsummer Musical Melodies on Saturday evening featuring soprano Niamh Murray, Ronan Byrne, the Gormanstown Choir and the Dara String Quartet.

On Sunday, festivalgoers can begin before dawn with Ancestral Dawning, a first-light gathering at Tornant Moate combining voice performance, landscape and juggling. The day continues with exhibitions, craft fair stalls, plein air painting, seed bomb workshops, drumming and the Maypole ritual in the Midsummer Garden.

Throughout the weekend, audiences can explore exhibitions by local and visiting artists, including the Wicklow Hills Arts Collective, Cruthú Art Collective, Redline Art Group and others, alongside special installations and community art projects. With much of the programme rooted in place, heritage and participation, this year’s Dunlavin Arts Festival promises a vibrant midsummer celebration of creativity in West Wicklow.

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Two Mile House ICA is celebrating 75th

Members of the Two Mile House ICA Guild recently had an outing to the Shackleton Experience in Athy. 

Pictured here before having a meal at The Brown Bear in Two Mile House afterwards are: (front) Valerie McTernan, Angela Tynan, Mary Tyrell (Treasurer), Mary Faherty, Ina King, Pat Conroy, and Joan Shirran; and (back) Ann Fitzsimons, Mary Cummins, Catherine Conlan, Paula Harte, Mary Gleeson, Helen Kennedy, Susan Kelly, Noeleen Shaw, Brenda Domican (Secretary), Vivienne Byrne, Therese Lawlor, and Catherine Loughnane.

The Guild is currently celebrating its 75th year.

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Parish Lotto Draw results

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on 16th June 2026 were 5, 9, 22 and 24. There was no Jackpot winner, and next week's main prize will again be €20,000. The value of the follow-up draws is €20,000 and €6,800. 

The winners of the €50 Open Draws are Frank & Anne Bathe (Promoter Vivian Clarke), Dolores McCarton (Parish Office) and Josephine Kelly (John Archbold). 

The winners of the Promoters Draw were The Parish and Vivienne Clifford, and the winner of the draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Miriam McDonnell.The Parish thanks all who support the Lotto.

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Busy Kildare-Newbridge MD agenda

Image: S&S Interiors.

Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District councillors will meet tomorrow, Wednesday, 17 June, with transport, road safety, local infrastructure and community facilities set to dominate the agenda, writes Brian Byrne. A large share of the meeting will focus on transport and mobility issues across the district. 

Motions call for extra public lighting at The Mill Lane in Roseberry, a review of disability parking locations in Newbridge, an assessment of an M9 motorway exit before Kilcullen to better serve Newbridge, and a request to Irish Rail to examine reopening Kildangan Train Station. Councillors will also debate traffic calming, resurfacing and road safety measures in areas including Maddenstown, Kildare Town, Standhouse Lawns, Mountprospect, Rathangan and Baronstown East.

Parks and community amenities will also feature, with proposals concerning Rathangan Playground, Abbotts Wood in Kildangan, and the future of Lakeside Park in Newbridge. Members are due to seek updates on housing and regeneration matters, including the Rickardstown site and the new Newbridge Library project.

Other items include water supply issues in Hillsborough, use of the official Irish name ‘An Droichead Nua’, plans for Moore Abbey in Monasterevin, taking in charge of Hillcrest Estate in Kilcullen, action on dog fouling in Newbridge, and possible future use of Liffey Lodge as a youth centre.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10am in the Council Chamber at Áras Chill Dara, Devoy Park, Naas.

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Musical Melodies at Dunlavin Arts Festival

Midsummer Musical Melodies at St Nicholas Church, Dunlavin, will be presented as part of Dunlavin Arts Festival on Saturday next, 20 June 2026, at 8pm, featuring soprano Niamh Murray, pianist Ronan Murray, Gormanstown Choir and the Dara Quartet.

The programme spans classical, traditional, musical theatre and popular favourites. Highlights from the first half include Benjamin Cooke’s Hark! The Lark, Mozart’s Luci Care, the Irish air Siúl a Rún, and quartet performances of Gershwin’s Summertime and Lullaby, alongside Piazzolla’s Libertango. Solo selections for Niamh Murray include The Sunshine of Your Smile, songs from Showboat, My Dearest Dear and The Holy City.

After the interval, Gormanstown Choir will perform a lively mix including Sloop John B, Hit the Road Jack, Proud Mary and Thank You for the Music. The Dara Quartet will play A Million Dreams and This Is Me, while the final solo set includes Funiculi, Funicula, The Miller’s Daughter, I’ll Walk Beside You, Bizet’s Seguidilla and a selection from My Fair Lady.

Rachel Creighton leads both the Dara Quartet and Gormanstown Choir, with Fran Prendergast as accompanist. Barney O’Sullivan is the master of ceremonies.

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Applications for Credit Union educational bursary

Applications are open for the Chris Kelly Educational Bursary for 2026, continuing a long-running initiative that honours one of Kildare Credit Union’s founding members.

Open to KCU members attending third-level education for the first time in 2026, including mature students, the bursary offers the successful applicant €1,000 per year for up to three years to support the cost of further education. An application can be made here.

The bursary, which has been running since 2005, will be awarded by draw from all eligible applicants. Applications can be submitted using either the downloadable application form or the online application form.

The closing date for completed applications is Wednesday, 30 September 2026.

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Garda advice for holidays home security

An Garda Síochána is urging people heading away on summer holidays to take a few simple precautions to protect their homes, vehicles and belongings.

The advice includes locking all doors and windows, setting house alarms, using timer switches on lights, and keeping keys out of sight. People are also reminded not to share holiday plans or real-time updates on social media and to disable location tagging on photos and apps.

Motorists are advised to remove valuables from vehicles, ensure cars are locked, consider travel insurance, and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Gardaí said a few minutes of preparation can help provide peace of mind. Anyone needing crime prevention advice or wishing to report suspicious activity should contact their local Garda station.

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Moat show on life of John Devoy

A new stage production exploring the life of exiled Fenian John Devoy is coming to the Moat Theatre in Naas. From The Plains is a two-act show that blends storytelling, song, comedy, and action to tell the remarkable story of Devoy, who was born in Co Kildare in 1842 and became one of the most influential figures in Irish nationalism.

Written by musician and actor Eoghan Burke, the production on Saturday 4 July starts at 8pm and follows Devoy’s life from his early years in Kildare and his rebel activities through to his exile in America and his involvement in major moments in Irish history, including An Gorta Mór and the Easter Rising.

The show offers audiences an insight into the life and legacy of the man once described by Pádraig Pearse as “the greatest Fenian of them all”.

Booking is available through moattheatre.com.

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