A taste of 'Ghosts of Tomorrow'

We recently reported on former Kilcullen man Paul Durney's new CD, 'Ghosts of Tomorrow'. well, here's a taster of it from the man himself, who is known in the music circles of his current home in Germany as Seoirse Mhor.

Enjoy.

Murphy Surveys Cycle for Crumlin today

The Murphy Surveys Charity Cycle for Crumlin gets under way this morning at 10am, writes Brian Byrne.

Though online registration has closed, it will still be possible to register this morning at 9.30am.

Since the event's inaugural run in 2013, it has raised over €30,000 for CMRF Crumlin.

Is your garden entered for Kilcullen in Bloom?

Time is running out for entry in the new Front Garden Competition being run in association with Kilcullen Tidy Towns, writes Brian Byrne.

Entries must be in before 24 July for the Competition, which has prizes from Markus Landscaping & Gardening, Brennans Hardware, and The Garden Shop in Kilcullen.

There is also a Best Container/Hanging Baskets element to the Competition for those who do not have front gardens.

Nominations, by garen owners or their friends, can be submitted by emailing kilcullencommunityaction@gmail.com, with the relevant name and address.

The Competitions are part of the Kilcullen in Bloom 2017 programme run by Kilcullen Tidy Towns.

Latest choices from Woodbine Books

Our book of the week is The Essex Serpent (Sarah Perry)

London, 1893. When Cora Seaborne's controlling husband dies, she steps into her new life as a widow with as much relief as sadness. Along with her son Francis - a curious, obsessive boy - she leaves town for Essex, in the hope that fresh air and open space will provide refuge. On arrival, rumours reach them that the mythical Essex Serpent, once said to roam the marshes claiming lives, has returned to the coastal parish of Aldwinter. Cora, a keen amateur naturalist with no patience for superstition, is enthralled, convinced that what the local people think is a magical beast may be a yet-undiscovered species. As she sets out on its trail, she is introduced to William Ransome, Aldwinter's vicar, who is also deeply suspicious of the rumours, but thinks they are a distraction from true faith. As he tries to calm his parishioners, Will and Cora strike up an intense relationship, and although they agree on absolutely nothing, they find themselves at once drawn together and torn apart, affecting each other in ways that surprise them both. The Essex Serpent is a celebration of love, and the many different shapes it can take.

Something different: I Found my Tribe (Ruth Fitzmaurice)

Ruth’s tribe are her lively children and her filmmaker husband, Simon, who has Motor Neurone Disease and can only communicate with his eyes. Ruth’s other ‘tribe’ are the friends who gather at the cove in Greystones, Co Wicklow, and regularly throw themselves into the freezing cold water, just for kicks.

‘The Tragic Wives’ Swimming Club’, as they jokingly call themselves, meet to cope with the extreme challenges life puts in their way, not to mention the monster waves rolling over the horizon. Swimming is just one of the daily coping strategies as Ruth fights to preserve the strong but now silent connection with her husband. As she tells the story of their marriage, via diagnosis to their current precarious situation, Ruth also charts her passion for sea swimming – culminating in a midnight swim under the full moon on her wedding anniversary.

An invocation to all of us to love as hard as we can, and live even harder, I Found My Tribe is an urgent and uplifting letter to a husband, family, friends, the natural world and the brightness of life.

Blessing of the graves tonight, Sunday

The annual Cemetery Masses will take place this weekend.

The first will be the mass at Old Kilcullen, at 7.30pm this evening, Friday, followed by a blessing of the graves.

On Sunday, there will be mass in Gormanstown Church at 9.30am, followed by blessing of the graves. Blessing of the graves in St Brigid's Cemetery will be at 3pm, and at 4pm mass will be celebrated in New Abbey Cemetery, followed by blessing of the graves.

Cake Sale for Community Games GAA girls

Kilcullen Community Games Girls U14 GAA team will be hosting a cake sale tomorrow, Saturday 22 July, to raise funds for entry and travel to events.

It will be held in Kilcullen GAA Clubhouse from 11.30am to 1pm.

All support will be appreciated, as will all items brought to the sale.

The passing of Eddie O'Neill

The staff of Cross and Passion College extend their deepest sympathy to the family of their esteemed colleague and friend Mr Eddie O'Neill who died suddenly last night.

Eddie, who taught woodwork at CPC, died at his residence in Ballymurphy, Tullow, Co Carlow. He is the beloved husband of Monica and much loved father of Eamonn, Elva, Oran, Emmet, Oisín and Darragh.

His passing is deeply regretted by his loving family, mother Moira, father Billy, sisters Deirdre and Siobhain, brothers Wayne, Billy and Garry, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, work colleagues, students and friends.

Eddie is reposing at his home with removal on Saturday morning at 10.30 to The Church of The Most Holy Rosary, Tullow for Mass at 11. This will be followed by cremation at Newlands Cross Crematorium at 2pm.

May he rest in peace.

Garda alert on Ford Galaxy

The Kildare Garda Division has re-issued an alert about a green Ford Galaxy with a 01 C registration (pictured), asking for reports of any new recent sightings.

The alert says the vehicle was first of interest last month when its occupants were believed to be involved in the thefts of machinery, power washers and similar equipment.

It apparently has now appeared in the area again, and people are urged to keep a look out and report sightings to 045 884300.

CPR and Wake-a-Thon fundraisers by KiYC

A demonstration of CPR life-saving techniques will be held in KiYC youth club on Friday 21 July, to raise funds for re-filling the club's First Aid kit, writes Brian Byrne.

It will be given by Trish Sully of the St John's Ambulance and will run from 7-9pm. All are welcome, and there's a €3 fee.

The club members will also be hosting a Wake-a-Thon on Friday 28 July, from 9pm until 9am on the Saturday morning. The €10 per person taking part will be donated to KWSPCA and Aware.