Fallons win RAI Gastro regional

Fallons Bar and Restaurant has won the Best Gastro section at the Restaurant Association of Ireland (RAI) Leinster awards, writes Brian Byrne. The Brown Bear in Two Mile House won the Best Restaurant category.

The Leinster Regional Final, in association with LIFE Magazine, took place in The Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Golden Lane, Dublin, and named the top restaurants in the 11 counties for 2014, as well as the shortlisted Dublin restaurants.

Over 300 restaurant owners and staff celebrated their hard work and achievements at the Awards, which saw many well-known restaurateurs of Leinster turn out to see if they had won one of the awards.

Meanwhile, Brian Fallon recently represented Kildare at the 4th All Ireland Chowder Cook Off in Kinsale. He's pictured above with Martin Shanahan of Fishy Fishy Restaurant in Kinsale.

'Keep looking, asking' for local candidate

The theme that Kilcullen will need its own councillor in the new Naas Municipal District was again raised by Orla O'Neill in the latest of her 'Election Watch' series in The Bridge Magazine, writes Brian Byrne.

Outlining the reasons why 'Kilcullen needs a voice', she underpins her argument with how it was difficult to get a copy of the upcoming Draft Kilcullen Local Area Plan in advance of a Kildare County Council meeting which voted to publish it in May.

She notes that there had been no response to the 'Election Watch' series from councillors or candidate councillors (though there is one in this issue from FF candidate Rob Power, which she wouldn't have known about in advance), and feels that getting one from local TD Martin Heydon (FG) was 'bizarre' and proved her point that someone from the town needs to stand for the Council.

"There are lots of articulate, passionate people involved in community and sporting activities who know the issues of the town," she concludes. "We need to keep looking and asking."

(Nominations close on Saturday 3 May at 12 noon. The special Election 2014 blog for the Naas Municipal Area to which Kilcullen has been moved is here.)

Alan loses three stone, hoping for Punchestown ride

Alan Jordan of Narraghmore is testament to what some determination and a good cause can do, writes Brian Byrne.

Since last November he has lost three stone, and next week will be assessed to see if he can get a licence to ride in the annual Punchestown Charity Race inaugurated by local kidney transplant man James Nolan.

This is the 25th anniversary of the inaugural race, and the 10th year since Diageo took over the sponsorship. More than €1.2m has been raised over the quarter century, in aid of support for dialysis and people waiting for organ transplants.

Alan got something of a shock when he looked at the scales last November and thought it was telling him the time instead of his weight. Now he's running duathlons. The whole story is here.

Badminton update

There are five matches to report on this week, writes Enda O'Neill, PRO of Kilcullen Badminton Club. Our first match was played on Wednesday 9 April with KBC Mix 4 meeting their 'cousins' St Laurence’s in the Grade 6, South West Knock out Cup in Carlow. Oliver and his team managed a great win beating Laurence’s 5-2 in a close game. This is another piece of silverware to add to a packed KBC trophy cabinet, well done to proud captain Olivier and of course his team of Denise, Tara, Nicole, Eimear Kasi, David and son Colin.

Thursday 10 April saw Men 3 play Eire Friends in their Dublin and District quarter finals in Baldoyle Badminton club. Vincent and the lads got off to a great start winning the first set. They then lost the second and third games which meant they had to win the fourth to force a count back. Unfortunately it was not to be and the lads lost the fourth game, losing the match 3-1. Hard luck to Vincent, Colin, Kasi and Fintan.

Also in Baldoyle Thursday night was Men 1 in their quarter final playoff against Mullingar of West Meath. Dave and the lads went out 3-1 winners and progress to the Semi final. Best of luck to Dave and his team.

Sunday 13 April Mix 3 played in Whitehall Road against Shelbourne of Wexford in the semi final of the Inter County Cup. Alas it wasn’t to be mix 3's day and Enda and his team lost 5-0 to a class Shelbourne side. All is not lost, however, as Mix 3 still has the South West Cup Final to contest Tuesday next in Athy against Abbeyleix. Good luck to mix 3 in their final and there might be a trophy for the team yet!!! (at least Liverpool are on top of the League John!!). Thanks to all who made the journey up to support the team.

Finally Mix 1 also had the Inter County Cup Final also in Whitehall Road against rivals Old Bawn. This was a fantastic match with Old Bawn just edging KBC out 5-3 in matches. Hard luck to Lynsey and her team and thanks to the supporters for shouting them on in their final.

Pictured are back row Kasi, Olivier (C), Colin, David, and (Front) Meave, Nicole, Tara, and Denise.

The passing of Sadie Lambe

The Diary has learned of the death of Sadie Lambe, nee Coogan, of Avondale Drive and late of Athgarvan, Newbridge.

She is reposing at her residence, and removal will take place on Thursday morning at 10.30am, for 11 o'clock prayers in Kilcullen Parish Church. Her funeral will take place immediately afterwards to St Brigid's Cemetery.

House private, please. May she rest in peace.

Further information from PJ Willis, Funeral Director.

James Lawless, candidate in a hurry

Meeting James Lawless for the first time is a concentrated experience, writes Brian Byrne. He speaks quickly, and you get the sense of a man in a hurry to get places, and to get things said and done. But he listens too.

He's been doing a lot of that since he was first appointed a Fianna Fáil Local Area Representative two years ago. That's a title without power, but the Sallins man originally from north Wexford has been making the most of it to set himself up for this local political challenge. READ MORE