Gala Night of play had amazing turnout

Those attending last evening's Gala Night of A Skull in Connemara were told they were an 'amazing turnout for an amazing play', writes Brian Byrne. Esther Reddy, on behalf of the Kilcullen Gospel Choir thanked them for supporting the choir's fundraising for the summer Kildare Relay for Life event to be held at the Curragh Racecourse on 6 July.

Last night's proceeds from the Kilcullen Drama Group's presentation of the Martin McDonagh play had been designated for the choir's Relay for Life effort, and Esther described that event as a 'weekend of celebration of those who are fighting cancer, and those loved ones we have lost to cancer'. "Relay for Life is held all around the country and all around the world, and it's not so much about fundraising on the day as it is for families getting together," she said."But in the middle of all that there is the very serious 24-hour circular walk by relays of people, to mark the fact that while cancer doesn't give up, we won't give up until we have beaten cancer."

She reminded her audience that memorial candle bags can be bought from the Gospel Choir in advance of the July event which will be lit in commemoration of individuals during the Relay for Life.

Speaking about the play which they were about to see, she asked for applause for all those backstage who were supporting the four actors on stage. She paid tribute to the director, Eilis Phillips, who 'kept so many balls in the air' during the course of getting the production to stage. "She could be bellowing you out of it, or she could be calming you down — whatever is needed, Eilis will do it." Among too many people involved to mention, she singled out Letitia Hanratty for producing an extraordinary set 'designed to the last centimetre'.

At the end of the show, which was also the end of the week-long run, Eilis Phillips thanked everyone who had supported the group, and the group themselves for the work which they had put in during the months of rehearsal. A presentation was made to actor Maurice O'Mahony, to mark his 'amazing' contributions to the group's productions down the years. 

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Enhanced bus service will link Dunlavin and Kilcullen with Newbridge

A new TFI Local Link Kildare South Dublin bus service from Dunlavin and Kilcullen to Newbridge will commence on Tuesday 7 May 2024, writes Brian Byrne.

Route 892, formerly route 129, will now extend to Dunlavin and will operate eight daily return services between Kilcullen and Newbridge, with four daily return services extending to Dunlavin, Monday to Saturday. There will be seven Sunday daily return services between Kilcullen and Newbridge, with three daily return services extending to Dunlavin.

"We have been working on this service for over a year and I’m delighted today with confirmation that the new seven day service will commence after the bank holiday weekend," says Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer. "This is a new service and I would encourage users to give me their feedback so that after the service settles in we can look at possible tweaks that might need to be made. Please try out the new service, give it a chance to settle and pass in your feedback." 

The route will offer enhanced connectivity to villages and areas such as Dunlavin, Brannockstown, Kilcullen, Athgarvan, Newbridge Town Centre, Newbridge Train Station, Rosconnell, College Farm, & Newbridge College.

"I would like to sincerely thank Local Link, the staff in NTA who I have “hounded” over the past year and to Minister Martin Heydon for his support throughout this project," Cllr O'Dwyer added. "We will continue to work for and support rural communities in any way we can."

For route and timetable information visit locallinkkildaresouthdublin.ie or call 045 980281.

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Stellar performances in 'Skull in Connemara'

After a week's run, the Kilcullen Drama Group's presentation of Martin McDonagh's A Skull in Connemara finishes this evening with the Gala Night, writes Brian Byrne.

Sold out, the night is in aid of the Relay for Life team organised by Kilcullen Gospel Choir. (Some walk-in tickets may be available if there are cancellations, but there's no guarantee. You can also try phoning 087 4707652 during the day.)

The Diary is hoping to be there tonight and see the full show, but in the meantime here are a few scenes from the second act.

Stellar performances from Maurice O'Mahony, Siobhan Murphy, Alan Clarke and Josh Kelly have won standing ovations from the audiences to date. The play is directed by Eilis Phillips.

More photos here.

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The passing of Celine Garvey

The Diary has learned of the death of Celine Garvey of Naas, and Kilcullen, peacefully on 23 April 2024, after losing her battle with cancer, in the company of her loving family while in the care of the wonderful staff at Naas General Hospital.

Predeceased by her father Noel, Celine will be very sadly missed by all, by her loving daughter Elanor, mother Josie, brothers Robert (and partner Emilie), Mark (and wife Claire), sister Linda (and partner Karl), her nephews and nieces, all the extended family and her very wide circle of friends.

Celine will be reposing at The George Mullins Funeral Home, Kilcullen Road, Naas (Eircode W91 CD0K) on Friday from 5pm to 7pm.

Her funeral will be on on Saturday with Requiem Mass at 10am in Church of Our Lady and St David, Naas.

A full service to celebrate Celine’s life will take place at The Temple, Newlands Cross Crematorium at 12:30pm (Eircode D24 EP83).

Family flowers only, please.

May her gentle soul rest in peace.

Full moon over Gilltown

A nice full moon shot taken at Gilltown on Tuesday night by Herbert Sheehan.

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Naas Lions Spring Concert

An evening of music and song in Naas on Saturday 16 May will bring together the wonderful talents of soprano Celine Byrne, tenor Paul Linehan and the Baldonnel Singers choir.

The venue for the Naas Lions Club Spring Concert will be Our Lady & St David's Church on the Sallins Road, with the show beginning at 8pm sharp.

The music will include light opera, songs from the musicals, and traditional Irish favourites.

Tickets at €25 may be booked at Eventbrite here. 

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