Do 'Tourist Route' signs mean anything today?

A question as to whether the South Kildare Tourist Route signs on the approach roads to Kilcullen are still relevant was raised at the April open meeting of Kilcullen Community Action, writes Brian Byrne.

The matter arose when the meeting heard that signs with an image of the bronze medal won by Kilcullen in the Supervalu Tidy Towns 2023 competition have been offered to the town by Kildare County Council. Noel Clare said the signs would be erected by the Council if the offer was accepted, probably at the approach roads.

He said KCA can suggest locations, but the town engineer will have the final say. He asked members to have a think about possible locations before the next meeting.

A suggestion on the evening was that the signs could possibly replace the old South Kildare Tourist Trail ones, which were described as shabby, and the question was asked if such a Tourist Trail is still in existence?

The matter will be discussed again at the May open meeting.

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Parish Lotto Draw results

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on 23 April 2024 were 23, 24, 26 and 30. There was no Jackpot winner and next week's main prize will again be €20,000. The Followup Draw stands at €2,800.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Elaine Steed (Promoter Vanessa Clarke), John Farrell (The Parish Office) and Betty Miley (Wednesday Bridge Club).

The winners of the Promoters Draw were Vivian Clarke and John Archbold and the winner of the Draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Mick Dunne.

The Parish thanks all who support the Lotto.

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KCA Plant Swap on Saturday

A Plant Swap morning is being organised by Kilcullen Community Action for next Saturday 27 April.

Everybody is invited to bring any surplus plants or seeds they have to in front of the former bank building and swap them for something they don't have.

The event runs from 10am to 12 noon. All welcome.

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Table Quiz for home rebuild

A Table Quiz to raise funds towards the rebuild of a local family's home destroyed by fire will be held in Cross and Passion College on Thursday 9 May.

The event kicks off at 7.30pm and participation is €10 per person in teams of four. There will be a raffle and coffee shop on the night, with all proceeds going to the rebuild fund.

Tickets are available in Woodbine Books and in Kilcullen Parish Centre.

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Teams sought for Lions Golf Classic

A Golf Classic being organised by Kilcullen Lions Club will raise funds towards the energy upgrading and upkeep of the Club's sheltered housing in Kilcullen, writes Brian Byrne.

The Club is looking for teams to participate in the event, slotted for Friday 17 May, at the Royal Curragh Golf Club. Tee off times are 11am to 1pm, and 2pm to 4pm. The entry cost is €200 per team with a meal included.

Sponsorship of a tee box costs €50 or €100. Enquires: Jim at 086 0692544 or Matt at 087 2571003.

The St Brigid's Grove sheltered housing unit comprises four homes provided by the Kilcullen Lions Club in 2001, with the aid of a £212,000 grant from the Department of the Environment & Local Government under the Voluntary Housing Scheme. The project was also coordinated with the help of Kildare County Council and the Eastern Health Board. 

St Brigid's Grove following opening in 2001.

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Naas artists' Environmental Exhibition

An Environmental Exhibition by Naas Art Group will be on show at the new Town Hall Library in Naas from 1 May, writes Brian Byrne.

The event will run until 11 May and will include inter alia themes of biodiversity, endangered species, damages to waterway and sustainability.

The exhibition is supported by a community grant from Kildare County Council. Opening hours will be 10am-5pm with late opening  to 8pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

All welcome.

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A death in Bardon's Hotel, 1930

When Sarah Jane Allen was found dead in Bardon's Hotel on the morning of 7 August 1930, it was subsequently ascertained that the 79-year-old Irish-American guest had suffered heart failure, writes Brian Byrne. Her daughter in New York, Margaret Allen, was notified by telegram and about a week afterwards her mother's effects were handed over to her by Kilcullen Civic Guards. 

According an American Consular Service record, Sarah Jane Allen, neé McKenney, was subsequently interred in New Abbey Cemetery in Kilcullen. Unfortunately, because the Council records for New Abbey are not available before 1938, there's no graveyard registration available to help locate the grave, and it's not known if there's a headstone or other marker.

Kristine Kelley, from Seattle in Washington State, is seeking further information about her great great grandmother Sarah Jane. "According to my grandmother, Sarah Jane travelled to Kilcullen on some kind of family business," Kristine told the Diary. "But I can find no record of family in the area." She is seeking any local information about the circumstances of Sarah Jane's death, which in turn may lead her to discover more about her extended family in Ireland.

So if any local resident in Kilcullen has family lore about a relative who died unexpectedly in Bardon's nearly 96 years ago, or about a grave in New Abbey with her name, maybe they could let the Diary know? We plan a walk through the older graves in New Abbey during the week, but if that can be short-circuited through some family knowledge, it would be helpful.

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Property: Fontstown Lodge, Fontstown

Fontstown Lodge, Fontstown, Co Kildare 

Dowling Property is delighted to present to the market, this very impressive, 3-bedroom, detached property for sale. Located in this highly sought-after location, just a short distance south of Kilcullen, this fine home stands on a large c.0.87 acre site in the heartland of Kildare's countryside. Approached via a stone walled entrance with driveway leading to the main house, which is perfectly positioned on the site and enjoys extensive road frontage. 

The house is presented in good decorative order throughout and extends to c.93 sq mt and consists of three double bedrooms and an open plan kitchen/living room, with all rooms enjoying countryside views. This very fine home carries a healthy C3 energy rating due to its solar roof panels. 

The land and outbuildings are the real highlight with a large detached workshop which extends to c.74 sq mt, and would be ideal for a number of uses including a classic car enthusiastic. There is also a detached wooden chalet/log cabin which is tailor-made for a home office. With its superb location, site layout and versatility, we must now invite you to view this "Chain Free Property". A Real Gem!

AMV €350,000. www.dowlingproperty.ie. Kilcullen Office 045 482189.

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The passing of Danny Delaney

The Diary has learned of the death of Danny Delaney, 23 Caistor Close, Calcot, Reading, Berkshire, England and formerly of 1972 St Brigid's Avenue, Kilcullen, on 22 March 2024.

Beloved husband of Rosemary and dearly beloved father of Emma and Holly and adored grandfather to Noah, dear brother of Bobby, Ann, Joseph, James and Joan. He will be sadly missed by his sons in law, nephews, nieces, relatives, friends and neighbours.

Danny's funeral Mass will take place on Monday 29 April, at 12 noon at the English Martyrs Church, Liebenrood Road, Reading. The Mass may be viewed on this link.

Rest in Peace. 

Phone 087 4707652 for this week's A Skull in Connemara

A reminder to local fans of Kilcullen Drama Group that tickets for their production of A Skull in Connemara are available by phoning 087 4707652, writes Brian Byrne. The group are presenting Martin McDonagh's dark comedy in the Town Hall Theatre from Monday 22 April to Friday 26 April. The play is said by some to be the author's funniest. 

The story is set in the overcrowded Leenane cemetery, where the local gravedigger's job includes exhumation of remains after seven years and pulverising them to dust with a hammer so as to make room for more burials. Which is all right until he opens the grave of a friend's wife and finds the bones are missing. Historical rumours that the woman had been murdered are resurrected ... 

The cast comprises Maurice O'Mahony, Siobhan Murphy, Alan Clarke and Josh  Kelly. It is directed by Eilis Phillips. The Friday will be the Gala Night, in aid of Kilcullen Gospel Choir's fundraising for Relay for Life. Wine reception as usual from 7.30pm. The play begins at 8pm sharp each night.

Nobody ever leaves a Kilcullen Drama Group play without having really enjoyed their night. PHONE 087 4707652 NOW!

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Lions April Whist results

Results of the April Lions Club Whist are as follows: 

Top score: J. Tutty

Top lady: C. Tutty

Top gent: L. Heffernan

1st half lady: D. O’Connell

2nd half lady: M. Clarke

1st half gent: B. Tutty

2nd half gent: P. Bardon

Best quarter: M. Davis

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Biodiversity Action Plan for Ballyshannon

A reminder that a Community Biodiversity Action Plan for Ballyshannon will be discussed on Wednesday 24 April in Ballyshannon Hall, writes Brian Byrne.

The talk, beginning at 1pm, will be given by ecologist Dr Catherine O'Connell, who will detail some of her findings from the area. All welcome.

This follows the awarding of a grant of €5,500 from Community Foundation Ireland towards the cost of developing such a plan.

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