Parish Lotto Draw results

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on 15 October 2024 were 21, 22, 25 and 26. There was no Jackpot winner and next week's main prize will again be €20,000. The value of the follow-up draw stands at €7,800.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Gillian Lawlor (Promoter Kilcullen Credit Union), Ann Bird (Vanessa Clarke), and C McMahon and G Hillery (Ger Hillery).

The winners of the Promoters Draw were Vivian Clarke and The Parish, and the winner of the Draw for those in the Parish Centre on the nigh was Francesca Broughall.

The Parish thanks all who support the Lotto.

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Kilcullen in Dublin cost of business protest

Kilcullen publicans and restaurateurs Eddie Cross and Brian Fallon are pictured today in Dublin protesting at the rising costs to business, writes Brian Byrne. They were among hundreds of protestors in Dublin today who took their case about rising costs directly to Government Buildings. 

In addition to hospitality, the rally included representatives of  tourism, retail, childcare and other small business owners and workers

Posters carried by those in the hospitality industry said 270,000 livelihoods in the area are under threat. Paul Lenehan, president of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, highlighted what he called the 'lack of meaningful government action' to address the 'out of control' cost of doing business.

The RAI lobbied for the VAT rate on the sector to be reduced to 9pc in the recent budget. It didn't happen, and the organisation has warned of closures as a result.

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Local young film-makers score in international competition

Three short films made by young people in the Talented Kids Performing Arts School have won Audience Choice Awards in the September edition of the Lift-Off First-Time Filmmaker Sessions, writes Brian Byrne. Two of the films were made by Kilcullen students, the third by the school's Clondalkin group.

The school operates in Kilcullen from the Community Centre and the films selected by Audience Choice are Moon Town and Bad Day. The Clondalkin winner is  Coercion.

Moon Town follows the struggles to handle everyday tasks by a star in the sky who wakes up in a teenager's body on Earth. Bad Day is themed on the issue of bullying in school where the victim takes retribution into his own hands. Coercion is about a young girl's dilemma when her boyfriend is pressuring her to take their relationship further than her own boundaries.

In the September edition, hundreds of films were platformed online by Lift-Off, and there were 15 Audience Choice winners. In addition to the Irish selection, they included films from Switzerland, Germany, Turkey, New Zealand, Sweden, United Kingdom (3), Belgium, Tunisia, the United States, and Spain.

A judging panel for Lift-Off will evaluate all the winners for the year for nomination to a final at the famous Pinewood Studios.

READ: Short films from Kilcullen Talented Kids in international competition

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Peggy Walker Bursary deadline

A reminder that the closing date for applications  for the Peggy Walker Childcare Bursary is 30 October 2024, writes Brian Byrne. The funding is available to someone doing a recognised Early Years course with NFQ Level 5 and upwards.

Named in honour of the late Peggy Walker, founder of the original Naomh Bhride playgroup in 1974, the bursary has a value of €2,000 and applications are open to local students, school leavers and adult learners who have a proven place on any qualifying early years course. 

Applicants must live within 15km of Kilcullen Community Childcare & Education Centre, and need to have confirmation of a place on their course.

The funding could be used to support tuition fees, accommodation, transport or acquisition of computer equipment.

Application forms and further information available by emailing bursary@kccec.ie.

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The witches are here ...

Witches image: KCA.

It's officially Halloween when the witches arrive. Casting their spells as usual in front of the former bank building across from Market Square.

A KCA initiative.

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November Remembrance Mass

The November Remembrance Mass for those who died in the last year will take place in the Parish Church in Kilcullen on Friday 1 November at 7.30pm, writes Mary Dillon of the Parish Funeral Team. At this mass we pray especially for the loved ones we lost since we met last November. 

The remembrance service is in two parts. For those whose funerals took place in Kilcullen Parish we will call their names and a family member will put their names on the remembrance tree and light a candle in their honour.

We also remember those from the parish whose funerals took place elsewhere over the past year. Their names will be called out and a single large candle will be lit by Fr Gary in their memory

We celebrate their memory, their contribution to our lives, our parish, and the happy times we had together. 

After mass anyone in attendance who wishes to place a loved one’s name on the remembrance tree will get the opportunity to do so. This facility will also be available to anyone visiting the church during the month of November. 

Nessa and Mary from the Parish Funeral Team will be in contact with families to ensure they have the details of the mass and what it entails for them on the night. 

This is a special event in our parish and all are most welcome to attend. 

A lovely part of the evening is when we gather in the Parish Centre for a cup of tea and a chat. Everyone is very welcome. 

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October Whist

The Kilcullen Lions Whist will resume on Thursday next, 17 October.

As usual the venue will Scoil Bhride, playing from 8pm.

All Whist players welcome.

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Kilcullen man in Irish World Champion Pitch & Putt team

The Irish team have won the Pitch and Putt World Cup in El Vendrell, Catalonia, writes Brian Byrne. The team included St Bridget's Pitch & Putt Club member Ian Dillon.

Ian is a resident of Brannockstown and was lead player in the Irish team for the event, held every four years.

Fourteen countries participated in the competition with the final taking place today.

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Good day for Narraghmore Pink Run

The annual Narraghmore Pink Run today raised €3,500, with some 250 entrants registered, writes Brian Byrne. The runners, walkers and family strollers were out in force to raise funds for Breast Cancer Ireland.

It was a perfect day for the event, fresh and dry, and participants later went back to The Old Hardware for tea and scones, which the local Foroige Club members and the volunteer staff at the cafe had spent the morning preparing.

Some photos here give a flavour of the morning, and all the Diary's pics from today can be seen here. 

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€30,000 from Mac & Norman Rally for cancer support

Photo courtesy Mac & Norman Rally.

A cheque for €30,000 was handed over to a representative of the Irish Cancer Society last evening by the Mac & Norman Rally organisers, writes Brian Byrne. The funds were the result of the event held in August that celebrated 22 years of the rally.

The latest cheque brings to more than €610,000 the amount raised since the initiative was begun by the Sully and Egar families of Cannycourt. The funds all go towards advice, services, research and support for for cancer patients and their families. The cheque was accepted last night by Brid, a night nurse with the ICS, who told those present what such donations mean in real terms for those families where cancer strikes.

Last night's presentation was made in The Fox Bar in Dunlavin, with music by Sister Act.

The photos from the 2024 Rally can be seen here. 

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Run, Run Rudolph! 2024, save the date

A view from the start of the 2022 event.

The Kilcullen GAA family Christmas fundraiser Run, Run, Rudolph! will take place this year on Sunday 8 December, writes Brian Byrne. The event includes 5K and 10K routes for walkers and runners, and also a Family route that includes the new 1.2km Walkway around the club perimeter.

Following the success of the run over the last two years, in excess of 500 entrants are again expected for 2024. Entries can now be made online at this Popup Races link until midnight on Friday 6 December,  and there will also be some late registration opportunities on the Saturday evening and the Sunday morning up to 10am.

The event will start at 11am to the sound of Chuck Berry’s Run Rudolph Run. Both the 5 & 10 K components will be chip-timed. Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd male and female entrants in each catgory will take place at the finish line area after the race, where Christmas goodies will be also be on offer to all participants. 

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