Celebrate 100 years of Kildare Libraries

Kildare Library Services is celebrating 100 years of existence this Saturday, 4 July, with events in its Naas Library flagship and across the network. 

The day will also be marked in Kilcullen Community Library with tea, coffee, and cake.

All are welcome.

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Mixed ending to June in Halverstown

Acting captain of Halverstown 2, Tanzeel, with Jeff Doyle, match sponsor for last weekend. 

Perhaps it was the match sponsorship of long-time supporters of the club, the Doyle family of Blanchardstown, or the decision to reduce the game to 35 overs per side because of rain lurking on the horizon, writes Des Drumm of Halverstown Cricket Club. Or perhaps Clondalkin 3 thought bottom of the table, winless Halverstown 2 (H2) might be an easy touch, but the Kildare team finally got the win to take them off the bottom of Division 16C. 

Clondalkin must have quickly regretted putting H2 in to bat with Avaneesh Rao and Mushin Bukhari, both scoring 50s in a partnership of 108. Clondalkin had an early partnership that might have turned the tide, but 16-year-old Shamikh Khan tore into the batting attack with abandon, taking 4 wickets and helping to seal that long-awaited win by 24 runs.

Meanwhile, high-flying Halverstown 1 (H1), who had won their first five games in Division 12, were brought down to earth by Athlone 2. A hefty 96-run defeat was the outcome, despite some powerful batting by Paolo Rosa, Chris Hamilton, and Vishnu, as well as some fine bowling by Kevin Threadgold and Atul. Athlone's batting strength right down the order was the difference, finally.

We are at peak cricket season, and this coming weekend sees both H1 and H2 in action on Sunday: the former away to Rush 3 in the league, the latter at home to Terenure 4 in a T20 Minor Cup game. The Oaks, the social team of Halverstown, are away to local rivals North Kildare on Friday, whilst the Under 15 boys play Leinster B on Saturday in the league, and the joint (with North Kildare) U-15 girls team is away to North County on Sunday.

In other news, Pradyu Pamidigantam did the team proud by his performances with both bat and ball while playing for South Leinster U-13s in the District Cup against Dublin City.

Anyone interested in sponsoring a match for Halverstown, please do contact Stuart Conroy, Hon. Secretary.

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'No budget' for paint amnesty this year

Kildare County Council says there is currently no budget provision for a countywide paint amnesty this year, but the last event it ran in September 2024 cost €38,000, writes Brian Byrne. At that event, the council collected 37.3 tonnes of waste paint. 

The amnesty was delivered in partnership with the Regional Waste Management Planning Office and received contributory funding under the Anti-Dumping Initiative from the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.

The council says that if funding becomes available for a future paint collection event, it would support the recycling centre in Athy, with the issue possibly to be considered again in the 2027 revenue budget.

The matter was raised at the June full meeting of the council by Cllrs Mark Leigh, Kevin Duffy, and Rob Power, who asked that the council establish a countywide paint amnesty and enter into a formal agreement with the paint recycling scheme at the Circular Economy Centre in Athy to support the recycling of water-based waste paint into reusable paint.

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John Devoy show on Saturday

A new two-act show about the life of exiled Fenian John Devoy will be staged at the Moat Theatre, Naas, at 8pm on Saturday, 4 July, with tickets priced at €15.

From The Plains – The Story of John Devoy, written by musician and actor Eoghan Burke, blends storytelling, song, comedy and action to trace Devoy’s life from his childhood in Co Kildare to his role in major moments in Irish history, including An Gorta Mòr and the Easter Rising.

The production explores Devoy’s rebel days, his capture, and his later years campaigning from exile in America. Devoy, born in Greenhills, Kill, was described by Padraig Pearse as “The Greatest Fenian Of Them All.”

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Monday deadline for forestry scholarship

Coillte has reminded students interested in a career in forestry that applications for its Forestry Scholarship Programme close on Monday next, July 6.

The programme offers up to €20,000 in support over the course of a forestry degree, along with paid summer placements and possible future job opportunities with Coillte. It is open to students beginning full-time undergraduate forestry courses at UCD or SETU from September 2026.

Mark Carlin, Managing Director of Coillte Forest, said the scholarship aims to support the next generation of forestry professionals at a time when the sector is becoming increasingly important to climate action, biodiversity and rural development.

Applications can be made through coillte.ie/careers.

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Parish Lotto Draw results

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on 30th June 2026 were 6, 12, 14 and 18. 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 €7,200.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws are Sadie & Louise Byrne (Promoter May Coyne), Eugene Hall (Miriam McDonnell) and Trish Byrne (Trish Byrne).

The winners of the Promoters Draw were Kay Dixon and Vivian Clarke, and the winner of the draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Ronan Murray.

The Parish thanks all who support the Lotto.

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Kilcullen-based life coach launches new service

Claire Anne Droney has launched Awaken Within, a new life coaching service based in Kilcullen. The service is designed for people who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected and want support with healing, growth, self-discovery, and personal change. 

Claire Anne says her approach is gentle, supportive, and structured, with coaching available across areas including career, relationships, finance, health, spirituality, and family challenges.

Services include online consultations, wellness coffee walks, and structured goals and mentoring. A free 15-minute online consultation is also available for those interested in seeing whether the service is the right fit.

Awaken Within can be found at awakenwithinwellness.com, with updates shared on Instagram and TikTok. Bookings are available through Booksy. 

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Summer Art Camp in Dunlavin

A Summer Art Camp will be held at Imaal Hall in Dunlavin from 13 to 17 July 2026, offering children aged 6 and up, including teens, a chance to explore a range of creative activities.

Running Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm, the camp will include painting, drawing, clay work, printmaking, jewellery making, and badge making. The camp provides a safe environment led by a fully qualified art teacher.

The cost is €135, with a sibling rate of €120. Places are limited, and interested families can contact Patricia on 089 4401974 for more information.

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Council says it is adequately prepared for heatwave response

Kildare County Council says it is adequately prepared to deal with heatwave events as part of its emergency planning, writes Brian Byrne, while warning that prolonged hot weather can put pressure on health services, water supplies, transport networks and vulnerable people. The matter had been raised on the agenda at yesterday's full June meeting by Cllrs Pádraig McEvoy, Angela Feeney, Tim Durkan and Brendan Wyse.

In a report to the councillors, the council said it will respond to extreme temperatures under the Framework for Major Emergency Management and the Met Éireann Weather Warning System.

The authority said its Severe Weather Assessment Team monitors yellow, orange and red heat warnings, and can meet when warnings escalate, or local impacts become too severe.

It said the team can recommend activating the Severe Weather Plan and escalating matters to the Chief Executive and Crisis Management Team if needed.

The report also outlined actions including road monitoring, fire service support, liaison with Uisce Éireann, help for vulnerable tenants and displaced people, and the use of community support centres.

The council said it is satisfied with its emergency planning, risk assessment and governance arrangements, but accepted there is scope for more training, scenario planning and review of resources and capacity.

It added that the Severe Weather Plan is being reviewed for prolonged periods of extreme high temperatures.

The report noted that the HSE is the lead agency for public health impacts.

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Residents Association issues dog control reminder

The Cnoc na Greine Residents Association has circulated a reminder to residents about key dog control regulations aimed at keeping communities safe, clean, and enjoyable for everyone, writes Brian Byrne. The leaflet is a summary of information provided by Kildare County Council to homes throughout Kilcullen in recent weeks.

The Association says the estate is still having issues with dog waste not being picked up on paths, front gardens, and green areas.

The notice highlights the rules that apply to restricted breeds and other responsibilities of dog owners, including licensing, microchipping, control in public places, and the need to clean up after dogs.

Owners of certain breeds and types of dog, including American Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Rottweilers, and others listed under the Control of Dogs Regulations, must ensure their dogs are muzzled and kept on a strong lead no longer than two metres in public places. The dog must also be handled by a person over 16 who is capable of controlling it. Failure to comply can result in an on-the-spot fine of up to €300.

The council also reminded residents that every dog must have a licence. A one-year licence costs €20, while a lifetime licence costs €140. Licences can be purchased at local post offices or online at licences.ie. Not licensing a dog can lead to a fine of up to €150 per dog.

Microchipping is also a legal requirement, with owners facing a fine of up to €200 if their dog is not microchipped and registered on an official database. Microchipping greatly improves the chances of reuniting lost dogs with their owners.

Dog owners are also being urged to keep their pets under “effective control,” which generally means on a lead in public spaces, and to prevent nuisance behaviour such as excessive barking. Persistent barking can be reported to the District Court using Form No. 5 after first raising the issue with the dog owner.

The summary further warns against dog fouling in public places, describing it as a health hazard that can spread infections such as toxocariasis. Owners are urged to “bag it and bin it” and dispose of waste properly.

It also notes new restrictions on XL Bully-type dogs, under an effective ban since 1 October 2024 on importing, breeding, selling, or rehoming them unless exempt.

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Applications open for KCC education bursaries

Kildare County Council has opened applications for its 2026 education bursary schemes, with a deadline of 5pm on Friday, 18 September 2026.

The bursaries are designed for students from County Kildare who face significant barriers to third-level education. Available schemes include the William G Carroll Bursary (Community), the Kildare Education Bursary for People with Disabilities, and the Kildare County Council Memorial Bursary for DEIS School Students.

Applicants must live in County Kildare and provide supporting documents, including proof of income or disability-related evidence where relevant, an academic reference, a second referee, statements outlining their course choice and barriers, exam results, and bank or credit union details. Successful applicants will also need to show proof of registration before payment is issued.

Full details here. 

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