Councillor will continue to work for M9 exit ramp to Newbridge

M9 J11/1 doesn't bring traffic to Newbridge or M7 south.

Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer says she will continue to work towards getting official consideration for a new exit ramp off the M9 motorway, to better serve traffic coming from the south-east to access Newbridge and the M7 south, writes Brian Byrne. Her comment follows a less-than-optimistic response to a motion at the recent Kildare-Newbridge MD meeting requesting the council to seek an assessment for the facility by Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

The lack of the suggested link means that cars and commercial vehicles coming from the south-east on the M9 have to come through Kilcullen or along the Sunnyhill Road to access Newbridge and the M7 south, with consequences for traffic congestion and road safety. 

The officials' report on her motion noted that Newbridge already has two M7 motorway interchanges (J10 and J12), giving access from both directions. While the Kildare County Development Plan proposes studying improved traffic movements at the M7/M9 interchange (J11/1), this junction does not appear in current national plans or funding lists up to 2030, and the feasibility study for it is not funded.

Cllr O'Dwyer says that other councillors at the meeting voiced their support for her motion, but unfortunately, there was nobody from the Roads Department at the meeting to discuss it.

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Yoga classes in Community Centre

Louise Howard will begin her next block of embodied yoga and meditation classes on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, in the Carter Room at the Community Centre.

These classes are designed for beginners and are held on Wednesday evenings, with sessions at 6pm and 7.30pm. Currently, there are available spaces in the 7.30pm class.

Each class lasts an hour and costs €15, or participants can opt for a block of six classes for €80.

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Want to start your own business?

Kildare Local Enterprise Office (LEO) is launching a new online Start Your Own Business course designed to support aspiring entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into viable businesses. The six-part programme begins on Monday 17th August and runs on Monday and Wednesday evenings, 6–9pm, with all sessions delivered online. 

Participants will be guided through core topics such as legal requirements for start-ups, finance and basic bookkeeping, pricing, marketing and promotion, sales and negotiation, market research, and business planning.

Led by an experienced trainer, the course combines practical and theoretical learning to help attendees assess and refine their business ideas, understand financial planning, choose the right legal structure, develop effective marketing strategies, and prepare a comprehensive business plan.

Prospective entrepreneurs can book now at this link or contact localenterprise@kildarecoco.ie for more information.

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Camphill Open Day in Kilcullen

Camphill The Bridge in Kilcullen will host a community Open Day on Thursday, 2 July 2026, from 12pm to 4pm. 

The event will feature BBQ meal deals, a bake sale and craft stall, live entertainment, face painting, bingo and children’s games. 

The afternoon will celebrate the work of Camphill The Bridge while bringing together families, staff, supporters and local residents. 

Entry is free, and funds raised will go towards developing further opportunities, activities and experiences for the people supported by the service.

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Coonan: Detached Home on 1.8 Acres, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare

Coonan Property is delighted to present a wonderful opportunity to the market. Rathglasson is a detached bungalow with an exceptional site just 9.7km from the thriving town of Naas and 3.5km to Kilcullen. This is a marvellous family home resting on a large plot with skilful use of orientation to maximise the sun and take in as much natural light as possible.

The tarmacadam driveway sweeps around to reveal this home, passing mature planting that gives it a real sense of privacy. The house itself is a lovely three-bed property that spans over 1,625 sq. ft and rests on an elevated site. It has been lovingly maintained with high-quality features throughout. The three bedrooms are large and bright, and this home is endearing and offers very generous living quarters for the whole family. Outside, there is a beautiful, mature garden surrounded by trees and hedging for maximum privacy, and the bonus for any equine lovers is the 1.3-acre paddock complete with stables.

Location offers the best of both worlds. The town of Kilcullen is only 3.5km away. It is also only a short drive from the heart of Naas, yet the surroundings are extremely quiet and peaceful. Everything needed can be found within a few minutes by car, and the local area is frequently serviced by a well-run community bus service. This home is a haven for those who wish to really thrive in a countryside setting, with solar panels, a polytunnel, space to keep animals, and stunning countryside views. It’s a must-see for anyone wanting to experience real peace in the countryside yet have access to great amenities not too far away.

Rathglasson is a delight that will elevate your senses and your life. The entire lot is for sale with an asking price of €645,000. For further information, please contact Jill Wright of Coonan Property at (045) 832020 or email: jillw@coonan.com.

Full details on Daft.ie.  

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Prosperous Heritage Group to mark Frank Conroy 90th anniversary

A reminder that the Prosperous Heritage Group will mark the 90th anniversary of the death of Kilcullen native Frank Conroy with a special public commemoration at the Kilcullen Heritage Centre tomorrow, Saturday, 20 June, at 3pm.

Conroy was born in Kilcullen in 1914 and later joined the International Brigades to defend the Democratic Spanish Republic during the Spanish Civil War. He was killed at Córdoba, Spain, in 1936, becoming one of the Irish volunteers who gave their lives in the fight against fascism.

In a significant and symbolic moment, the Prosperous Heritage Group will publicly unfurl the International Brigade’s red, yellow and purple banner for the first time at the commemoration.

The main speaker at the event will be Kildare historian James Durney, who will be joined by Harry Owens, historian of the Spanish Civil War. The event will be chaired by Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh, Sinn Féin TD for Kildare South.

Music on the day will be provided by young local traditional Irish musicians, with organisers also hinting that a special guest may join them on stage.

Admission is free, and all are welcome.

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Kilcullen Bridge Club open for new members

Kilcullen Bridge Club is a long-established friendly bridge club, and we meet on Wednesday evenings in Kilcullen Parish Centre, writes Kathy Monks. We are looking for new members, and both experienced and novice players are very welcome. 

Check us out on our website, or simply Google Kilcullen Bridge Club, and you will be brought to our web page.  Contact the club secretary, Kathy Monks, at 086 8979619 for further information, or simply come along at 7.15pm on Wednesday evening for a 7.30 start. 

The competition finishes by 10.30pm. 

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Broadband plan implementation almost complete in Kildare

The National Broadband Plan, one of the largest infrastructural investments in rural Ireland, is nearing completion in Kildare, with 14,657 high-speed fibre broadband connections now available at homes, farms, and businesses across the county. Just 197 premises remain to be connected in the coming months. 

Initiated in 2020, the project is nearing completion within budget and on schedule. Kildare South TD and Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon, has welcomed the progress, highlighting the plan’s role in enabling remote work, online education, technological access for farmers, and global business reach. 

He expressed his satisfaction with the delivery of this significant investment, saying it is the modern-day equivalent of the rural electrification scheme begun in 1946, and he emphasised the necessity for future-proof connectivity across the country.

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Water works in Kilcullen

Uisce Éireann has announced valve installation works in Hillcrest, Kilcullen, on 26 June, as part of the National Leakage Reduction Programme. 

The works are scheduled from 9am to 5pm and may disrupt the water supply in Kilcullen, Hillcrest, and nearby areas. 

Residents are advised to allow 3-4 hours after the estimated restoration time for full supply recovery.

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Movement on Hillcrest TIC

Forward movement on the long-running taking-in-charge process for Hillcrest estate in Kilcullen has been welcomed by Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, writes Brian Byrne. This follows a question she raised at yesterday’s Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting.

Officials said Hillcrest is part of the council's legacy portfolio of estates being progressed towards taking in charge, and that it hopes investigative works can be carried out later this year, subject to available resources. It was confirmed that engagement with Uisce Éireann will begin in relation to the estate’s foul and water network.

Cllr O’Dwyer said the update was a positive step and that she looks forward to seeing the matter move closer to completion.

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Talk and demonstration on invasive species control

Kilcullen will host an Aquatic Invasive Species Exhibition and Talk next week, on 24 and 25 June, as part of Invasive Species Week, writes Brian Byrne, with a live demonstration on controlling Himalayan balsam also planned each evening.

The exhibition and talk will run from 6pm to 7.30pm at Kilcullen Town Hall, followed by the outdoor demonstration from 7.30pm to 8.30pm at the River Liffey.

The events will feature Dr Jan-Robert Baars of University College Dublin’s School of Biology and Environmental Science and Ethan Bannon, a research assistant and junior ecologist with an MSc in Wildlife Conservation and Management from UCD.

Attendance is limited to 25 people per session. Booking available on Eventbrite here. 

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Registrations open for Little Stars Ballyshannon

Registrations are now open for the Little Stars Preschool and After-School Programme at Ballyshannon National School ahead of its September opening.

A limited number of places remain available in both the preschool and after-school service. Children enrolled in the preschool may also avail of the after-school programme if needed.

Parents or guardians seeking enrolment information or a registration form can contact littlestarsballyshannon@gmail.com. Early registration is advised as spaces are limited.

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