Kilcullen News Update

Call Garda promptly if concerned, meeting told ... Traffic management today on Newbridge approach ... Kilcullen Parish Lotto results ... Patrick Lydon film tonight in Kilcullen ... Church painting to benefit from tomorrow's Carols by Candlelight ... Two 2026 Calendar options to send to friends ...

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

'Call Garda promptly if concerned' - meeting

Sgt Tom O'Donoghue and Kilcullen Garda Station.

The importance of timely communication with the Guards if anyone notices something unusual was emphasised at Monday's Safety Meeting in Kilcullen Parish Centre, writes Brian Byrne. Not making a prompt call can reduce the likelihood of a matter being successfully followed up.

"In a community, you have to be looking out for each other," Sgt Tom O'Donoghue said. "People have contacted me two or three days later about something they saw, saying they didn't want to bother me at the time. But then it's gone; it's too late at that stage to have the chance of intercepting anybody who's doing something."

He also encouraged people to report home or business alarms that are triggered, and that those with alarms have an arrangement with a neighbour to call if they're away from home. "We're very happy to check these things out; we do it regularly," he said and added that it is particularly important for people living out in the country to have somebody to ring.

Those at the meeting were also encouraged to report any concerns about neighbours who might be at risk. "If we know, we can do a quick visit and give them some advice that might be of benefit."

Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer said that people often notice things that are concerning, or hear something in conversation that might be a welfare issue, and it is essential to let the Guards or the Council know, so that they can be followed up. Gda Jim Lacey, who has been nominated for the role of Community Garda for the area, confirmed the welfare aspect of the work. "If somebody knows of someone who might need some help, by all means call us and we will follow it up."

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Parish Lotto Draw results

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen and Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on 2 December 2025 were 12, 13, 21 and 22. There was no Jackpot winner, and next week's main prize will again be €20,000. The value of the follow-up Draw stands at €19,400.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Josh Keogh (Promoter Ger Kelly), Kevin Kennedy (Wednesday Bridge Club) and Mary Dillon (The Parish).

The winners of the Promoters Draw were Vanessa Clarke and Miriam McDonnell, and the winner of the Draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Sharon Drennan.

The Parish thanks all who support the Lotto.

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Newbridge water works to disrupt traffic

Traffic management will be in place today on the Athgarvan Road approach to Newbridge to deal with repair works to water mains.

The works are scheduled to take place from 10am to 4pm. They may cause supply disruptions to Athgarvan Heights, Walshestown Park, Walshestown Abbey, Kilbelin Park, Kilbelin Abbey, Liffey Hall, Belin Woods, Millfield, Curragh Grange, Beechmount, Riverside Grove, Walshestown, Newbridge and surrounding areas.

For those affected by the outage, allow 3 to 4 hours after the scheduled completion time for supply to return to normal.

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Kilcullen Christmas Lights Night

Kilcullen Gospel Choir entertained in the Market Square when Santa came to town to switch on the Christmas Lights.

Kilcullen News Update

Jim Lacey proposed as new Community Garda ... Phone pouches issued to CPC students ... Calverstown teenager is World No 1 Junior Eventer ... Christmas evening at Woodbine Books ... Film tomorrow night about Camphill Ireland hero ... Carols by Candlelight on Thursday ... Christmas Market on Saturday ...

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

Gda Jim Lacey to be new Community Garda

Sgt Tom O'Donoghue, Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, and Gda Jim Lacey.

Garda Jim Lacey from Kilcullen has been proposed as the new Community Garda for the area, following the recent retirement of Jon Brien, writes Brian Byrne. Although the move is not yet official, it was announced at last night's Home Safety meeting in Kilcullen Parish Centre.

Sergeant Tom O'Donoghue said there's a big gap left with Jon Brien's retirement. He outlined the role of a Community Guard as dealing directly with community groups and schools on issues relevant to those areas. 

Gda Lacey currently works out of Kilcullen with responsibility for the Ballymore area. He will continue with that in addition to the community role. He noted the importance of interacting with young people, particularly through the Garda TY Programme, and of the welfare dimension in liaising with older or vulnerable people. On that last, he emphasised that if anyone knows of somebody who might need a garda to come and talk to them about their concerns, to let him know.

The meeting also discussed practical crime prevention and security during the darker winter evenings, the boundaries of the area served by Kilcullen Garda Station, and the importance of community members being vigilant and staying in touch with each other and the gardai about concerns.

(The Diary will detail more from the meeting in subsequent posts.)

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Phone pouches issued to CPC students

Students in CPC have been issued Yondr phone pouches so their phones cannot be accessed while at school, writes Brian Byrne. It's a system increasingly used at concerts and in other settings to prevent illicit recordings. 

Phones must be placed in the pouches on entry to the school. The pouches have a magnetic lock, similar to the anti-theft systems used in stores. These can only be opened at special unlocking bases by tapping to release the lock when leaving the phone-free area.

The pouches have been provided to schools following a €9 million government allocation in Budget 2025. The idea is to have a uniform method for handling phone access in schools, as an alternative to requiring them to be kept in lockers, which students have access to throughout the school day. 

Many international studies suggest that secondary school students perform better academically and socially when they are denied access to their phones during classes.

The Budget provision was controversial, with teachers' unions saying the money could have been better spent on other educational needs.

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Catriona is retiring from 50-year Naas business

When artist Cian Mekitarian provided some seasonal art to Catriona's shop window in Naas this week, he included Santa taking a good look at his list, writes Brian Byrne. On that list was a very special present for shop owner Catriona Byrne — the gift of time to herself.

Because Catriona — full disclosure: she's my much-loved cousin — is retiring from a business she and her mother, Carmel, operated on Main Street in Naas for 50 years. Originally Miss Mod, then Mod Fashions, it eventually became Catriona's.

"I was so proud to take on a business that my late mother Carmel started up back in 1975," she says in a post this evening announcing her retirement. "Thank you to each and every person who has walked through the doors over the years, and to all of the wonderful ladies who have worked alongside me." 

Catriona also expressed a huge thank-you to the community of Naas for supporting her as an independent retailer for so many years, adding that it has been a privilege to have known them.

Her post has already brought scores of comments from friends and customers wishing her well in the next stage of her life.

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Calverstown rider is world No 1 in Junior Eventing

Image: Horse Sport Ireland.

Young Calverstown eventing rider Ben Connors is the World No 1 in the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Eventing Juniors World Rankings (U18s), writes Brian Byrne. His 123 points reflect a season that included four top 10 finishes at the Concours Complet International (CCI) 3 level and a 10th-place individual finish at the FEI Eventing European Championships for Young Riders in Strzegom, Poland, where he also helped Ireland win team silver.

Ben is the youngest of four riding siblings — his older sisters, Alex, Zara and Shannon, have all represented Ireland in eventing, and all four have won medals at the European underage level.

His parents, Michelle Nelson and Kieran Connors, say Ben worked incredibly hard for this and that they are very proud of what he and his horses have achieved. "He spent the summer working with Irish Olympian Susie Berry in the UK, and he is very thankful for the time she invested in him. To see a young Irish rider from Co Kildare leading the world junior rankings is very special."

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, a family friend, has congratulated Ben on a 'spectacular achievement'.

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Kilcullen News Update

Home safety meeting tonight in Kilcullen ... Fundraising for KCA mural project ... KWWSPCA Calendar launched ... Documentary about Camphill Ireland founder ... Photography Club launches 2026 Calendar ... Santa switches on Christmas Lights ... The passing of Philomena O'Neill ...

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

Christmas reflections in Woodbine

Shane Sullivan and John MacKenna will perform at Woodbine Books on Sunday, 14 December, offering an evening of song, music, stories, and poems for the Christmas season.

A Moonlit Christmas will start at 8pm. Tickets at €15 are on sale in the bookshop or on Eventbrite at this link. 

All welcome.

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Joan Healy Christmas Concert

Singer-songwriter Joan Healy will be performing a Christmas Concert in McAuley Place in Naas on Thursday, 11 December, writes Brian Byrne. The evening will feature festive tunes, musical theatre numbers, and some of her original songs. 

There will also be a support trad band, Tripping to the Well. Tickets are €20 at the door, or can be booked on Eventbrite. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30 start. 

Joan first began performing in public, as a busker outside the Whitewater Shopping Centre in Newbridge, during the pandemic. Now, alongside her career as a primary teacher, she arranges and promotes her own venue gigs.

From busking, she moved on to Open Mic nights in Dublin, getting spots at festivals, and performing in spaces like the Moat in Naas, the Brady Sessions in Terenure, and regularly at the Tuesday singer-songwriter nights in Darkey Kelly's in Dublin's Fishamble Street. She has also supported in gigs by Mundy and Megan O'Neill. 

Renowned Newbridge-based Colm Cahill has produced some of Joan's recordings, which are available on Spotify and YouTube. 

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Home safety meeting

A Safety Meeting with Kilcullen Gardai will be held in Kilcullen Parish Centre TONIGHT, Monday, 1 December. It will also be the opportunity to meet Kilcullen's new Community Garda.

Home safety and online fraud will be among the items discussed.

All are welcome to the event, which runs from 6pm to 7pm.

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The passing of Philomena O'Neill, née Somers

The death has occurred in Melbourne of Philomena O'Neill, née Somers, formerly of Kilcullen, on Monday, 17 November 2025, in her 76th year.

Athy-born Philomena was raised in Kilcullen by foster parents. She studied nursing in St Michael's Hospital, Dun Laoghaire, before emigrating to Australia in 1971, where she met and married Eddie O'Neill. In addition to raising their family of four, she worked as a nurse and Palliative Care specialist.

Loved and loving wife of Eddie, loved Mother and Mother-in-law of Kathy and Brad, Chris and Alana, Sarah and Kevin, Emma and Stu. Loving and proud Granny of Brianna, Denim, Abbie, Aidan, Callum, Rachel, Jordon, and Penelope. Beloved Sister of Francis (Somers) and Beloved Auntie of Margaret (Somers O’Brien), along with Tommy, Kate, Cillian and Lorcan (O’Brien).

Her loss will be sorely felt by so many in Australia and here in Ireland.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis