It Says in The Bridge: July-August 2026

This is the Bridge before our summer break; the next one will be in September, writes Brian Byrne. This gives a little time to mull over the concerning issues of invasive species, the stuff of the lead story, as detailed by local resident scientist Dr Jan-Robert Baars. It's quite fascinating, and maybe a little scary. 

There's nothing scary about the centre-spread recording the very successful Family Fun Day in the Valley last month, unless you were a little one worried about the Punch and Judy characters, who were the centrepiece visitors again this year. As noted, the weather tried to grinch the event, but people still turned out in their hundreds... and hopefully will again next year. The date has already been set by organisers Kilcullen Community Action. There's also a colourful recording of the barbecue and fun evening enjoyed by the 9th Kilcullen Scout Troop, marking their end of year with family and friends.

The Bridge's Bit of Business this issue is the launch of the Eileen Tan brand of fragrances, by the local entrepreneur of the same name, who will be bringing it to national and even global attention as one of four Kildare businesses to feature in the 2027 Showcase in the RDS.

There is, as always, lots of heritage elements. A report on Kilcullen-born Frank Conroy marks the 90th anniversary of his death in the Spanish Civil War, with some interesting local background revealed. Eugene Brennan reflects on the Moone High Cross, which he visited for the seventh time in a decade while on one of his frequent cycle trips. He suggests that the protective perspex canopy built over it could be copied in other places where built heritage is subject to the ravages of Irish weathering. In the same heritage vein, Daithí de Róiste highlights the Bog of Allen Nature Centre as a great day out for all the family. Noel Clare and Co took a trip to Vicarstown and the Barrow Line, in recent years having lost its pubs, but now revitalised by the opening of the Vicarstown Bridge Cafe.

KCA News reports on a new scarecrow in the Library Garden, courtesy of the local Kare clients, as well as the generous success of the street collection towards the cost of this year's Kilcullen in Bloom. The KWWSPCA slot suggests that there seem to be fewer unwanted kittens, and it has also been a successful rehoming year so far for the cats and dogs taken into its temporary care. There's also a piece about a plaque remembering Fergal Sloan put up in the Heritage Centre by the first responders, an article on the doings of Newbridge Rotary Club, and a promotion for a new choir for the town, Valley Voices.

In other regular spaces, Mary Orford reminds us of the often make-do aspects of the toys used by children in Kilcullen in the 1930s, courtesy of her favourite set of local copybooks from the collection of folklore compiled by schoolchildren in Ireland in those years. Julie Felsbergs finds a spiritual angle following a recent redundancy in her HR field, and how she has been navigating a strange, for her, new world. In his piece, Fr Gary reflects on the promises of God to look after the community of faith in a challenging time of declining numbers of clergy. Sean Landers looks at the life and work of a local poet in the 19th century, Marie La Touche of Harristown, and John Duffey takes us back to the bloody story of Pike Bridge, where some 400 people on both sides are believed to have died in a 1798 battle.

The schools pages include the annual Scoil Bhride walk to the site of the Old Kilcullen 1798 battle, and some successful sports campaigns in the same school. St Joseph's NS records the fun of end-of-year sports and tours. Other sports news is related by Kilcullen GAA, Kilcullen Bowls Club, and the Pitch & Putt Club.

More than a hundred photographs. At least fourteen thousand words. Advertisements for everything from finance, flatpack help, fix-it services, flowers, funeral directors, and favourite places. It's yet another Bridge, the mirror of our community. Happy summer to all.

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Upgrades to Dun Áilinne Interpretive Park

A new sign explaining the monument and the artist, the late Noel Scullion, and a second seat are included elements in upgrades to the Dun Áilinne Interpretive Park, writes Brian Byrne. The work will be completed next month.

The July meeting of Kilcullen Community Action also heard that new edging and gravel will be part of the upgrade, while the second seat will be dedicated to the late Liam O'Flynn, marking his musical contribution to the project. The first seat, recently installed, is dedicated to Noel Scullion.

In addition, explanation panels about the Royal Sites of Ireland in the Heritage Centre will be installed, replacing the existing hanging ones, which have faded.

The work is being funded by a grant aiding Irish projects currently under consideration for submission for UNESCO World Heritage status.

Dun Áilinne, one of the Royal Sites, is on a private working farm with no public access, which prompted the establishment of the Interpretive Park at Nicholastown by KCA in 2008. It is hoped to make the Heritage Centre a further information hub for the site.

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Phone found

This phone was found today in New Abbey. It will be left at Kilcullen Garda Station for retrieval by the owner.

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Domestic Violence Register law welcomed

Senator O'Loughlin with the Taoiseach and Jennifer Poole's Family in the Office of the Taoiseach.

A Kildare-based senator has welcomed the passing of landmark legislation to create a Domestic Violence Register, saying it will save lives amid a recent rise in femicide. Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O’Loughlin hailed the Dáil’s approval of the Domestic Violence (Judgments) Register Bill 2026, known as Jennie’s Law, which she first introduced in the Seanad. The bill will now go to President Catherine Connolly to be signed into law.

The law is named in memory of 24-year-old Jennifer Poole, who was murdered by her former partner in Dublin in 2021. It will allow those convicted of serious domestic violence offences against current or former partners to be included on a dedicated public register, maintained by the Courts Service. Publication of judgments will depend on judicial discretion and the consent of victims or survivors.

Senator O’Loughlin said Jennie’s Law marks “a significant step forward” in protecting women from domestic violence by giving people access to information that can help keep them safe. 

She also paid tribute to Jennifer Poole’s family, especially her brother Jason Poole, whose campaign for change was instrumental in advancing the legislation. 

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Coillte highlights local forest destinations

Coillte is urging Kildare residents to rediscover the forests on their doorstep this summer through its new “Start at Your Local Coillte Forest” initiative, writes Brian Byrne. The campaign highlights local forest destinations such as Donadea Forest Park, Moore Abbey and Mullaghreelan Wood, which offer scenic walks, family activities, cycling routes and accessible trails. 

Coillte, Ireland’s largest provider of outdoor recreation, manages more than 260 recreation sites, 12 forest parks and 3,000km of waymarked trails nationwide, welcoming an estimated 20 million visits each year.

Outdoor content creator Nollaig Butler and broadcaster-psychotherapist Daniella Moyles are backing the initiative, encouraging families to swap long journeys for nearby adventures and to use time in nature to support their wellbeing. 

Coillte plans to expand its recreation network to 500 sites and further develop world-class forest destinations in partnership with Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development.

More information is available at Coillte.ie.

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New mural in August

Gable 'canvas' ready for art.

The new mural planned for the gable end of a recently refurbished property facing the Newbridge Road will be painted in August, the recent meeting of Kilcullen Community Action was told.

Sponsored by KCA and costing almost €9,000, the artwork will be located on the gable end of the development of a formerly derelict building, which has been refurbished by Fitzpatrick Heavey Homes. They finished the double gable to be ready for the artwork. The piece, commissioned by tender from All Out Design, will incorporate local history, heritage, nature, and the environment and will include motifs of Kilcullen bridge, a horse, a stylised waving hand of welcome, the Liffey, swans, badgers, and wildflowers.

Several fundraising initiatives have been undertaken for the project, including a St Patrick's Day sponsored swim by patrons of The Spout Bar. A table quiz, coffee promotion, and an iDonate page have also brought in funds.

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Mac and Norman Vintage Rally next month

The 24th Mac and Norman Vintage Rally will take place on 16 August, starting as usual from Peter Sully’s yard (W91 W351). Participants will set off at 1pm, with the rally expected to run through Kilcullen at around 1:10pm.

To date, participants and supporters from the local community and surrounding counties have raised a remarkable €643,019 through this event, with all proceeds going to the Irish Cancer Society. The rally has become a summer highlight fixture in the local calendar, bringing people together in support of cancer patients and their families.

A total of 336 vehicles took part in the 2025 event, including 176 tractors, 68 trucks, 73 cars, and 19 motorcycles, while the post-rally auction also attracted significant support. 

Everyone on the route is invited to turn out on the day to support the participants, enjoy the spectacle, and continue a tradition approaching its quarter-century.

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Kilcullen in Bloom 2026

Some views of the Kilcullen in Bloom flowers installed for summer 2026 throughout the town, by the volunteers and community workers of Kilcullen Community Action. A Rough & Ready Production by Brian Byrne for Kilcullen Diary. Music: After Sunset by Alex Jones.

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Hillside art space upgrade

KCA CE crew Ilona Brede, Joe Winder and Wayne Aspell, working on the Hillside space.

A major upgrade to the Hillside 'fish and canoe' street art area is currently in progress, and will include information about the Kilcullen Canoe Club, writes Brian Byrne. The wall art has been refreshed by the original artist, Kieran Behan, and Ray Kelly, and a new decorated canoe will be a centrepiece.

The July meeting of Kilcullen Community Action heard that the replacement canoe was supplied by Sabina Reddy and has been decorated by artist Cian Mekitarian, whose work can also be found in other locations in Kilcullen, including the Valley Park, residential estates, and the public realm. 

Project leader Antoinette Buckley said local businessman Jonathan Keogh has had supports made for the canoe, which will be elevated from the ground, unlike the previous one, which rested on stones.

"We also have new stones and two new planters for the area," Antoinette told the meeting. After some discussion, it was decided to leave the existing metal planters in place until the flowering season is over, and possibly use them in another part of the town. 

The prospect of continuing the canoe-river visual theme at an edge-of-town location was also mooted.

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Kilcullen scientist leading Ebola vaccine effort

A Kilcullen-born scientist is at the forefront of a race to develop a vaccine against the strain of Ebola virus that is devastating communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, writes Brian Byrne. Professor Teresa Lambe is the lead investigator in the team working on the vaccine at the University of Oxford.

Preparations are being made for a human trial of the vaccine, using 50 healthy adult volunteers in the UK. The vaccine uses the same viral vector as the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, which Prof Lambe helped to develop during the pandemic, and which is estimated to have saved 6 million lives.

The current Ebola outbreak is estimated to have infected more than 2,000 people and killed 700 since the outbreak was declared in May.

Teresa is the daughter of Mary and Tony Lambe of Nicholastown. She works at The Jennings Institute at Oxford University and is a former student of CPC Kilcullen. A Tess Lambe Bursary has been established at the school, applicable to female students in Leaving Certificate classes who are studying any STEM subject at third level. 

Tess Lambe speaking to CPC students in 2024.

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