Sketchbook Club at Woodbine Books

A Kilcullen Sketchbook Club will be inaugurated on 16 February at 6pm at Woodbine Books. The initiative is funded by the Books at One Community Prize Fund.  

Initiated by the organisers of the previous Drop-in & Draw events in the Heritage centre, the monthly meetups are open to all and provide a great opportunity to draw, chat, and exchange ideas. The cost is a sketchbook available for purchase on the first night.

This is a collaborative, encouraging, and open space for all creatively inclined people. For more information, send a direct message here. 

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Mary Berney celebrates 80th

Mary and her three sisters, Ann Meehan, Breda Maguire and Helen Sheehan.

Mary Berney would like to thank all the friends and family who shared in the recent celebration of her 80th birthday. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable day. 

The celebration was extra special for Mary, as her youngest daughter, Laura, and her grandsons, Finn and Rory, were home from Australia for a visit.

Laura (Berney) Gray and sons, Finn and Rory Gray.

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CPC students' table quiz for Cara Projects

A reminder that three students from CPC are running a table quiz TONIGHT, Friday 6 February, in aid of Cara Projects, an Irish-founded NGO that works in Kenya on child protection.

The event kicks off at 7pm, and tickets are €10 per person, available at the door. There are great prizes to be won, and all support is very welcome. Complimentary food is kindly provided by Fallons.

Cara Projects, a registered charity in both Ireland and Kenya (CHY18652), operates the Cara Girls Rescue Centre, promoting healthcare, education, gender equality, economic empowerment, and sustainable development. It is a non-denominational and non-political organisation. 

The organisation's main aim is to support disadvantaged mothers and children, enabling them to contribute to the development of their own communities and the country as a whole.

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Inch by inch, the river rises

Water levels at the bridge, yesterday and today.

The river is running about one inch higher than it was this time yesterday, bringing it to about 10 inches higher than it was on Sunday, writes Brian Byrne. It's unlikely to rise high enough to cause flooding downtown, as the flow is controlled by the dam at Poulaphuca, built in 1940, and the one at Golden Falls, Ballymore. That latter, as Eugene Brennan from Kilcullen Science & Engineering has explained, is a "compensatory lake" to buffer the flow.

There is local lore that floods were fairly regular in the town square area prior to 1940, with particular references to 1896, 1903, and 1918. Our local heritage historian, Mary Orford, has referenced 'The Schools Collection' item from Kilcullen Convent School, information from 'Mr Ffrench, Mrs Kearney, Mr O'Neill, and Betty Byrne'. 

The nature of the river prior to the building of the Poulaphuca Dam was uncontrolled, and heavy rains in the West Wicklow mountains would likely swell the flow to damaging levels, especially as the meander section between Ballymore and here would get constricted into the valley on which Kilcullen was established and grew. 

We have had floods since the dam was built. In 1993, the Liffey burst its banks here, and the Bank of Ireland was among the buildings affected, particularly its basement. There was also flooding in the lower town area in August 2008 during a severe rainstorm, with the most affected businesses being Fallons and the White Horse Inn. In that event, the problem wasn't the river, but blocked drains, and the flooding subsided after the Fire Service cleared them. In 2009, following an ESB warning to all communities along the Liffey, there was some excess water through the Mill Stream, but no major damage. 

Water creep at the pathway under the bridge, yesterday and today.

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Brigid events 'bringing people together'

At the opening evening of the Brigid Film Season on Tuesday night, Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer spoke about the many events taking place in Kilcullen to celebrate Brigid, writes Teresa Nurse. She remarked on the power of these events in bringing people together. 

The cinema evening was very successful. There was a lot of fun and laughter at the film, and the audience really enjoyed Four Mothers.

The next film in the Brigid Film Season 2026 is The Kitchen Brigade, showing on Tuesday, 10 February at 8pm. This film is a guaranteed crowd pleaser: French, funny, and with a valuable social message.

It tells the story of a disgruntled sous-chef who leaves her job at a high-end restaurant and ends up running the cafeteria at a local migrant shelter. It is a warm film that cleverly blends upbeat entertainment with social issues, examining the plight of young immigrants and the challenges they face. 

Tickets are €7 and on sale in Woodbine Books, Kilcullen, and on Eventbrite.

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River level has risen more

The Liffey in Kilcullen is running about nine inches higher today than it was on Sunday, writes Brian Byrne. This is in line with ESB's warnings that they would be releasing more of the rainwater that has been accumulating in Poulaphuca Reservoir. 

The Mill Stream is also now flowing much stronger and has spread out along the lower land just before it reaches the Liffey.

With more rain forecast for tonight and tomorrow, which will further increase pressure at Poulaphuca, we can expect levels to rise a bit more.

Kildare is now under a Yellow Rain Warning from 3am tomorrow morning, while Wicklow is under an Orange warning.

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CPR class for children

Kilcullen Community Responders are proposing a day to teach children in the community life-saving skills. The event will be for children aged 8-9 and upwards.

The initiative is in response to interest shown in a flyer posted on the group's Facebook page about basic CPR and how to call for help in an emergency. 

If any family is keen to have their children attend this event, please email kilcullenfirstresponders@gmail.com or message the group on its Facebook page.

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Roadshow for retailers

Kildare County Council and the Local Enterprise Office Kildare are organising a free roadshow on support, grants, training, advice, and one-to-one guidance.

The event is part of the organisers' ongoing commitment to supporting retailers and revitalising town centres and streetscapes. 

The presentations in this area are on 10 February at the Athy Food, Drinks & Skills Innovation Hub and on 3 March at the Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge.

They are all-day events. Contact LEO Kildare for information and registration.

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