Brigid Aspell in last of 'Vanishing Ireland'

We've always known that Brigid (Granny) Aspell is famous, but now Kilcullen's sprightly centenarian has gone national and probably further, writes Brian Byrne.

She's one of the people featured in the latest volume of the magnificent series of large format books, 'Vanishing Ireland', produced by Tullow writer Turtle Bunbury and photographer James Fennell.

For the past 12 years, the pair have criss-crossed their
native Ireland innumerable times, interviewing and
photographing over 300 people aged between 70 and 108
about the old ways of life.

The latest, and final book of the best-selling series was published in October and is likely to end up under a large number of Christmas trees over the festive season, in Ireland and abroad. It was short-listed for the Best Irish Published Book of the Year 2013 award.

Meantime, Brigid has been enjoying her year, in which she reached the young (in her case) age of 103 last February.

The book is available on Amazon, but you can also read the story about Brigid on Turtle Bunbury's website.

Reception for Silicon Valley CPC students

Members of Team Adapt (Godwyn Jalanga was unavoidably absent) pictured at a reception in Cross & Passion College for them on Tuesday evening, with Noel Clare, deputy principal CPC; Glenda Groome, TY coordinator CPC; Joe O'Connor, Kilcullen Lions; Darragh Fitzgerald (back centre), president Kilcullen Lions; Terri O'Sullivan, Sixth Year head, CPC; and Clodagh Kavanagh, Kilcullen Lions.

In early October Robyn Kenny, Aaron McLoughlin Sutherland, Wayne Donoghue, Bevan Murray, Godwyn Jalanga, and Caoimhe O'Fearghaill attended the Intel Global Challenge hosted by the University of California at Berkley's Entrepreneurship Faculty.

The team won the trip to Silicon Valley in the Intel Ideation national competition earlier this year. CPC principal Catherine Moynihan said at the reception that they had made their school and their parents proud with their achievement, which, she said, had been 'the essence of teamwork in action'.

The next Intel Ideation Camp in CPC takes place on January 9/10, with new teams from Transition Year squaring up to try and repeat what is very much a hard act to follow. The competition in Ireland is organised by the country's Lions Clubs.

There will be a full report on the reception in next Tuesday's Kildare Nationalist.

Carols in Brannockstown

The annual Carols by Candlelight service in Brannockstown Baptist Church takes place this year on Friday 20 December, writes Brian Byrne.

It is always a beautiful event in one of the most intimately atmospheric churches in the area. The evening begins at 7pm, and everybody is welcome to come along.

Come early, it's very popular.

Martin is new chair of Credit Union

Martin Burke is the new chairperson of Kilcullen Credit Union, writes Brian Byrne. This follows last night's AGM when Philomena Griffin stepped down from the position having served since 2009.

Jim Barker is the vice-chair, and Elaine Whyte continues as secretary.

The audited accounts for the year ending 30 September 2013 show the organisation to be in a healthy state, and a dividend of 0.75% is to be paid to members.

Further details from the AGM will be posted later.

Parish Lotto Draw

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto on Tuesday 10th December 2013 were 7, 10, 30 and 31. There was no Jackpot winner and next week's main prize will be €4,400.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Sinead Carroll (Promoter Miriam McDonnell), Darren Doyle (P J Lydon), and Fiona Dempsey (Ethna Dempsey).

The winners of the Promoters Draws were Mary Coyne and Ger's Fruit & Veg. Vivienne Clifford won the Draw for those present on the night.

More Christmas gift shopping in Kilcullen

Continuing with our rolling feature on keeping your Christmas shopping local, check in below for another update.

Read more »

Billy's thanks for support

Billy Redmond, his son Kevin and Kevin's wife Kay would like to thank all those who supported their Christmas Fare event last weekend in the Kilcullen Heritage Centre.

Billy says there was a strong footfall through the event, in aid of the Jack and Jill Foundation.

"It was a lot less labour intensive than the Bazaar for the Wheelchair Association," he told the Diary. He also expressed appreciation for the good wishes he has received during the treatment for his illness, which he says is progressing well.

Nichola continues 'Bright Eyes' screening

Bright Eyes children's vision screening is still available at Nichola Kennedy Optometrist, due to local demand. This follows on from the recent national initiative by EyeZone optometrists, when a special week was designated for the service.

The screening offers a comprehensive set of tests to evaluate children's vision and eye health and is important for early detection of vision defects in young children.

Children's eye tests need to be carried out in a different way to adults', because they may not be able to answer the kind of questions an adult can. For the tests, they can sit on their parent's lap if they're more comfortable. Eye drops may also be used.

During the screening, six main points are covered. A computerised test will be carried out where feedback from the child will be unnecessary. The vision each eye individually and binocular will be checked, and there will be a blur test to measure how the child copes with this. The session will also measure the child’s ability to interpret 3D images, assess eye movements and tracking, and record pupil reflexes and examine the back to establish the eyes are healthy.

Contact Nichola Kennedy Optometrist to make an appointment. Main St, Kilcullen, phone 045-484643.

Credit Union AGM tonight

Just a reminder that the AGM of Kilcullen Credit Union will take place tonight, Tuesday 10 December, at 8pm in Kilcullen Parish Centre.

There are six vacancies on the Board of Directors, one vacancy for Supervisors and one vacancy for Auditor. Nomination forms for these positions are available in the Credit Union offices.

The Credit Union was founded in 1971. It has total assets of almost €8.8m, and loans to members amount to over €2.3m.