DUNNSTOWN BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE GRANTED PLANNING PERMISSION

A TMHSN meeting in 2023.

Planning permission for a battery energy storage system (BESS) at Dunnstown has been granted by An Coimisiún Pleanála, writes Brian Byrne. The project was previously rejected by Kildare County Council in 2021, a decision overturned on appeal by An Bord Pleanála in September 2022, and that decision subsequently quashed by order of the High Court in March 2024.

The case was reactivated and lodged again on 16 April 2024, and the latest permission was granted last week, on 15 September. The applicant is Strategic Power Projects Limited. A proposed substation related to the project is currently the subject of a strategic infrastructure development pre-application consultation with ACP.

A campaign against the original proposal, Two Mile House Says No, included residents, community groups, and agriculture and equine business interests in the area. They have major concerns on environmental and biodiversity grounds, and risks of fire and explosion. 

The group put together an extensively researched opposition to the plan that included details of over 50 instances of fire incidents in such installations around the world. They also showed the unsuitability of the project's design and location in the event of a battery fire incident requiring access by emergency services and possible evacuation of the local community. The inadequacy of the county's current fire service resources in dealing with such an incident was also noted.

KCC had refused permission on the basis that the proposed development was premature pending the outcome of a related application for a 220kV sub-station which had not yet been determined, that fire safety aspects of the proposed development had not been adequately addressed, and that there had been inadequate details for dealing with waste-water as well as lack of information in relation to noise and vibration.

On that second reason, the ABP Inspector had overturned the fire safety concerns of KCC on the basis that they were 'matters of technical detail better left to the certification system managed under the Building Control Act' and did not give rise to reasons for refusal of planning permission in this case.

There were 170 submissions from locals to the original application to KCC, including a 500-signature petition attached to the TMHSN submission.

The relodged submission proposed changes to the original project, including using Lithium Iron Phosphate rather than Lithium Ion batteries to store energy at the site. The battery storage area was also reduced by circa 50 per cent due to the use of smaller battery containers. The applicant claimed that using LFP battery technology overcomes third-party fire and safety concerns expressed in a report previously lodged with the board.

The campaign argued that the proposed changes were 'substantial and material' and should not be part of an appeal, as opposed to the submission of a totally new application to Kildare County Council. But the case was reactivated anyway.

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PADRE PIO HEALING MASS

A special Healing Mass on the feast day of St Padre Pio, tomorrow, Wednesday 23 September, will be celebrated in Kilcullen Parish Church.

The mass begins at 7pm and there will be a special individual blessing with a first-class relic of the saint.

Padre Pio was an Italian Capuchin Franciscan priest and mystic, known for bearing the stigmata — the wounds of Christ.

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LOCAL MAN SEARCHING OUT PIPE ORGANS

Organs in Kilcullen, Carnalway, and Yellow Bog.

A Kilcullen resident is currently undertaking a journey through Ireland in search of traditional pipe organs hidden away in quiet corners of church spaces. Patrick Byrne — a pen name for privacy reasons — plans that his project will someday become a book, or books, detailing the organs in Catholic and Church of Ireland churches on the whole island of Ireland. 

To date, over three hundred churches have been visited, filmed, photographed and shared online.

There are three pipe organs in Kilcullen and the surrounding area: The Church of the Sacred Heart & St Brigid has a large pipe organ, played mostly on Saturday evenings. St John's Church of Ireland, Yellow Bog, has a smaller Telford & Telford pipe organ, played mostly every second Sunday. And Saint Patrick's Church of Ireland, Carnalway, has a Telford & Telford single-keyboard pipe organ, played most Sundays. Everyone is welcome to go and listen. 

Many other historic pipe organs are to be seen and heard throughout the county and the nation, including a magnificent three-keyboard pipe organ in Kildare Cathedral. 

A YouTube channel, Irish Church Pipe Organs – Thy Are What Thy Are (youtube.com/@patrickbyrne2044) brings the viewer on a visual journey to many examples of this craftsmanship — type 'Irish Church Pipe Organs' into a browser search bar. A website, Irish Pipe Organ Register (ipor.ie), is a developing record of all pipe organs found in Ireland.

Information or comments welcome. Email antoniopappano12@gmail.com, referencing Irish Pipe Organs.

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INVITATION TO CONTRIBUTE TO CALENDAR 2027

Club members at the launch of the 2026 Calendar last winter.

Kilcullen Photography Club is inviting non-members to submit photos for the 2027 Calendar. It’s the 9th such publication by the club, which uses the proceeds for club development and donations to local organisations and charities. 

There's a maximum of two entries per person and the photos must be taken in Kilcullen. 

Email them to kilcullenphotoclub@gmail.com. The closing date is 18 October.

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DATE FOR PIETA'S TEA & TALK MORNING

Lauren McCarthy, Head of Campaigns & Community Fundraising at Pieta, Laura Hallinan, Pieta Supporter, and Fiona Collins, Head of Marketing at Lyons. Pic: Marc O'Sullivan.

The Pieta Tea & Talk Morning in association with Lyons Tea will be held on World Mental Health Day, 10 October, to support Pieta’s free suicide and self-harm prevention services. 

Now in its second year, the initiative encourages families, friends, and community groups to gather over tea, raising funds to aid those experiencing suicidal thoughts, self-harm, or bereavement by suicide. 

Supporting this year’s campaign is Laura Hallinan, who lost her brother Conor by suicide in 2016, and sought support through Pieta’s suicide bereavement services. Pieta provides free services for people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts, engaging in self-harm, or who have been bereaved by suicide. 

Pieta also offers support and guidance for family members, friends, colleagues and anyone concerned about someone who may be at risk.

Specially marked Tea & Talk packs are available nationwide, with 20c from each sale donated to Pieta. Register to host an event at teaandtalk.ie.

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CPC CLOTHING FUNDRAISER ON SATURDAY

The CPC regular Bag2School fundraiser is approaching as the new state-of-the-art school extension is under construction. Organised by the CPC Parents Association, the event will take place next Saturday, 26 September, from 10am to 3pm at the back steps/bike shelter. 

Some new items are now on the collection list. Accepted items include clean soft toys and teddies, adult and children’s clothes, paired shoes, hats, handbags, rucksack bags, school bags, scarves, jewellery, belts, ties, socks, and bras. Items NOT accepted are bedding, duvets, pillows, mobile phones, tablets, offcuts, and crested uniforms. 

All donations are gratefully received, with funds supporting the school and a portion going to Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice.

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SUNDAY SOCIAL FOR KILCULLEN SENIORS

Generic image.

Kilcullen Lions Club members are hosting a Sunday Social for Kilcullen Seniors on Sunday 11 October 2026 in The Parish Centre at 3pm. 

If you are interested in attending, please phone Frances 087 9746000; Annette 087 6320040; Siobhan 087 6166324 or Terri 087 2315033 BEFORE Wednesday 30 September.

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DOWLING PROPERTY: CHAPEL MANOR, DUNLAVIN

Welcome to No. 17 Chapel Manor. Dowling Property is delighted to offer this exceptional, A2-rated, 3-bedroom semi-detached home for sale. In superb condition throughout, this modern residence is situated on a corner plot, featuring a spacious rear garden, side entrance, and front garden.

The bright and airy layout includes an entrance hallway, cloakroom, guest WC, sitting room, kitchen/dining room, and utility. Upstairs, there are three double bedrooms, including a master en-suite and a family bathroom. Spanning approximately 113 sq mt, this energy-efficient home includes an impressive array of features, such as air-to-water heating. The dual-aspect sitting room overlooks a well-maintained green at the front. The extensive fitted kitchen comes with integrated appliances and a central island. The attic is floored and shelved, providing ample storage.

The exterior gardens, both front and rear, are large, private, and beautifully landscaped. There is off-street parking for two cars on a cobblestone driveway at the front. The location is outstanding, with all amenities within walking distance: Centra, Chemist, Doyle’s Butchers, churches, primary and secondary schools, and pubs. Dunlavin, nestled at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains, offers a variety of leisure activities. Excellent city access is available nearby via the N81 and M9/M7.

AMV: €425,000. dowlingproperty.ie. Kildare Office 045 482189

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KILCULLEN MILITARY MEMORIES PROJECT LAUNCHED

There was a large and appreciative gathering yesterday afternoon in Kilcullen Town Hall for the launch of a set of recordings made of the memories of 15 local retired members of the Defence Forces, writes Brian Byrne. The event also launched a website, dilisgobrath.ie, where these and future recordings can be heard.

The oral history project was initiated by Enda O'Neill, Mary Orford, and Julie O'Donoghue and carried out with sponsorship support from Kildare County Council, Winroy Interiors, Woodbine Books, Colin Clarke Paving & Craft, and Under The Apple Tree wedding videographers.

Presentations were made to each of the 15 participants in the project, comprising a commemorative medal, a transcript of their own interviews, and a USB stick with the edited recordings.

Those who took part represented all three branches of the Defence Forces — Army, Naval Service, and Air Corps. They were Joe Mallon, Billy Redmond, Des Travers, Miriam McDonnell, Barry Clarke, John Langan, Martin Burke, Bill Hallidan, Sean Lee, Ger Fogarty, Fiona Smith, Ray Aulsberry, Lorcan Dunne, Enda O'Neill and Andrew O'Neill.

Welcoming the guests, who included former Chief of Staff, Lieut Gen (Retd) Noel Bergin, and the Leas-Cathaoirleach of Kildare County Council, Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, Dawn Behan of Woodbine Books noted that everyone in the Kilcullen area has had some kind of association with the Defence Forces through the Training Centre at the Curragh, and the plains environs. "The defence forces are part of our everyday lives," she said. "But our experiences only offer us a glimpse of what it must be like to serve, and the intense bond that this creates between fellow soldiers. This project gives us a deeper insight into what it was and is like to be part of the defence forces." She added that because the person responsible for coordinating and curating the project, Enda O'Neill, is himself a retired soldier, it meant that contributors knew that they could trust Enda with their stories, that he would respect and understand their experiences because he has also lived them. "The result is that the interviews contain an honesty and a depth that could not have been possible had they been conducted by a civilian."

The guest speaker, Catherine Callaghan TD, recalled her own enlistment in the Air Corps at the age of 17, the only girl with 29 boys at the time. "I fell on my feet when I joined, because those boys, as they were then, and they are now obviously men, are among the best humans I have ever been fortunate enough to meet." She added that they still get together as a group every couple of years, and represent the incredible and unique bond of those who have served. As the only ex-member of the Defence Forces in the current Dáil, she said she takes really personally a duty to ensure that when they are being spoken about in public, it is by somebody who understands what it is and what it has been to serve. "By someone who understands and can accurately verbalise the professionalism, the integrity, the goodness, the camaraderie of every single serving member of the Defence Forces." She congratulated all involved in the project.

Cllr Pat Balfe, also a former member of the Defence Forces, congratulated Enda O'Neill for the initiative, saying that official histories will detail locations, command, and the activities of a battalion. "But they won't necessarily tell you about the characters, the friendships, the slagging, the difficult days. The people who looked after you when things weren't going particularly well, or the person who quietly influenced you and perhaps changed the direction of your career without ever realising it. And that's why this oral history is so important and why this project matters."

Following the presentations, Enda O'Neill thanked everyone who had helped with the project. He noted that between the 15 contributors, there had been 365 years of service and 63 missions abroad. "These numbers are remarkable, but this archive is not about the numbers — it's about the people. Behind every year of service there is a person. Behind every deployment there is a story, and behind every person in uniform there is a family — a mother, a father, a husband, a wife, children, and in some cases grandchildren. Military service does not affect only the person wearing the uniform; it affects everyone around them. The loved ones who waited at home, who missed them, the loved ones who worried about them, the loved ones who held families together, carried the weight and responsibilities of life without the support of their partner." He said that behind every uniform there were family members who served in their own way.

He noted that the archive being compiled — it is a continuing project — is a 'library of memories'. Memories of joining, training, friendships made, memories of friends lost. Memories of operations, overseas deployments, difficult days, and memories of laughter. "Some may bring back memories that have been buried for years, but every one of them is valuable, because without the person telling the story, we lose more than the event — we lose the experience. That is what Dílis Go Bráth is trying to preserve: not just what happened, but what it was like, what it meant, what was given, what was sacrificed, and what is remembered."

Following the official part of the afternoon, refreshments were available in the Heritage Centre, where many more of those memories and experiences were recalled once more.

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