Tess Lambe presents the 2024 Bursary in her name

Hannah Lee Parnell receiving her Bursary from Tess Lambe, with CPC Principal Joe Leonard.

The Tess Lambe Bursary for 2024 was awarded today to former student CPC student Hannah Lee Parnell, who is studying Biological, Biomedical and Biomolecular Science at UCD, writes Brian Byrne. It was presented by the person for whom it is named, past CPC and UCD student Professor Teresa Lambe, whose family still live in Nicholastown and who co-designed the Oxford AstraZeneca covid vaccine programme. Tess is the Calleva Head of Vaccine Immunology at the University of Oxford.

The occasion, in the CPC Assembly Hall with senior students present along with the college Principal Joe Leonard, was also to honour Professor Lambe herself for her services and contributions to science and to public health and as a distinguished alumnus of Cross & Passion College. 

She was introduced by Biology teacher Eleanor Higgins, who said it was 'an incredible opportunity' for those present to hear from  "someone who has gone from these halls and made a world-changing impact from which we all benefit." The impactful visitor was presented with a piece of ceramic art created by the college's art teacher Lesley Kelly. Another piece was presented to the school.

The Bursary is sponsored by the Board of Management along with the local community and the sisters of the Cross & Passion, in association with Tess, and is applicable to female students Leaving Certificate classes who are studying any STEM subject at third level. It has previously been awarded to Edwina Birchall in 2023, and to three students in 2021, Halo Domican, Iona Lee Parnell and Saoirse Fletcher.

In a question and answer session with the assembled students today, Tess Lambe urged them to 'follow their curiosity' in their lives after second level, and gave an example of how she had done that even while still in CPC. "I think Noel Clare will attest to the fact that when he was my science teacher here I was the one who kept putting my hand up in class. To the point that he started to dodge the questions and say I'd learn the answers in university."

Among the guests at the event was another local alumnus who has done well, Minister of State Martin Heydon, and Sr Maire from the Cross & Passion Sisters.

In concluding remarks, Principal Leonard said they were celebrating a "remarkable scientist, a dedicated researcher, and a proud daughter of Kilcullen." 

All the Diary's pictures from the occasion can be seen here.

Tess Lambe is in Kilcullen for this evening's Community Awards. We'll have further reports from both events in due course.

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Information session on Seniors Alert

An information session about the Seniors Alert Scheme will be held at The Old Hardware in Narraghmore next Thursday 14 November at 11.30am.

All are welcome along to learn how the scheme works and how to apply. 

Application forms will be available on the day and they can be submitted in The Old Hardware for processing.

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Fundraiser for Syrian refugees

The Gormanstown Chapel Choir and friends will hold a further fundraiser for the next AHR Medical Mission for Syrian refugees on Friday 22 November, at 7.30pm in St Brigid's Cathedral in Kildare, writes Dr Brendan O'Shea.

The event will include background information on the experience of Syrian people who are refugees in northern Jordan, and the scope and nature of the work being done by Atlantic Humanitarian Relief.

The concert will be a blend of classical and easy listening and will include works by Faure and Byrd from Gormanstown Chapel Choir as well as a range of pieces performed live by guests including Arthur Greene (formerly Organ Scholar at Trinity College and Christchurch), and the Dara String Quartet and the Consonance Clarinet Quartet. 

It's a family friendly event with a raffle at intermission. To purchase tickets at €20, or to make a direct donation, just search ‘Music for Medicine’ on Eventbrite.

A number of local volunteers have participated in previous missions, but they had to pull out of the one scheduled for early October because of the dramatically escalating conflict in the region. 

Funds and supplies gathered for the October 2024 Mission will be used on the May 2025 Mission, when hopefully conditions will be safer. The Gormanstown Chapel Choir previously held a very well-supported fundraiser in Gormanstown Church in August. 

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The Coffee Hatch is hiring

The Coffee Hatch is looking for part-time staff to work between 15-25 hours per week, writes Community Centre Manager Enda O'Neill.

We are seeking a motivated and a reliable part-time barista to join our team. The role is ideal for someone who thrives in a customer based and a relaxed team environment.

Prior experience is preferred but not required and the candidate should have strong communication and interpersonal skills and have the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Working weekends is desirable but we offer flexible working hours.

If interested email your CV to enda@kilcullencommunitycentre.com

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Parish Lotto Draw results

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw on 5 November 2024 were 18, 21, 22 and 28. 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 €8,400.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Joan Nordlouren (Promoter Wednesday Bridge Club), Noel Bergin (Valerie McTernan) and Stephen McCormack (Breda McCormack).

The winners of the Promoters Draw were The Parish and Anne Brennan and the winner of the Draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Vivian Clarke.

The Parish thanks all who support the Lotto.

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Significant interest in Kilcullen Settlement Plan

A steady stream of people visited this afternoon's public consultation on the Kilcullen Settlement Plan proposed for integration into the Kildare County Development Plan 2023-2029, writes Brian Byrne. The event was organised by Kildare County Council in Kilcullen Heritage Centre, and among the new objectives in the KSP are a greenway routed alongside Pinkeen Stream and the construction of an eastern side bypass road around the town.

The KSP will replace the previous standalone Kilcullen Local Area Plan 2014-2020 and includes an updated set of aspirational objectives. The commentary says the plan involves 'limited' changes compared to the old LAP. The written statement is accompanied by a screening of habitats, a Strategic Environmental Assessment, a Flood Risk Assessment of the town riverside area, and a Surface Water Management Strategy. One map at the event displayed objectives of the KSP, others were related to zoning, green infrastructure, mobility, flood risk, and heritage.

A number of the listed objectives were not in the old LAP, or have been reworded in more specific language. Key takeaways include the promotion of active travel, reductions in on-street parking, additional or improved pedestrian and cycling facilities with permeability between existing and new developments, and improvements to the quality of Kilcullen Main Street.

New to this plan is a proposal to provide a 'greenway' route from the Athy Road at the Business Park, along by Pinkeen Stream and back to the riverside area near the bridge at the Camphill property. There's also a commitment to examine the feasibility of a route needed for a relief road to the east of the town and, crucially, to seek the construction of this road, which would require a new crossing of the River Liffey.

In addition to officials from KCC, public representatives present included Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer and Cllr Chris Pender.

The Diary will provide a number of posts with more detail of the KSP over the coming two weeks. The various sections are available to view in Kilcullen Community Library or online here. 

Submissions or observations can be made up to 4pm on Wednesday 20 November.

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Kilcullen Settlement Plan, public consultation event

A reminder that a public information event will take place THIS AFTERNOON & EVENING, Tuesday 5 November 2024, at Kilcullen Town Hall, in reference to the Kilcullen Settlement Plan, writes Brian Byrne. The event, which will run from 4pm–7pm, will offer anybody in the community an opportunity to discuss the plan and the reasons behind what is termed Proposed Variation No 1 of the Kildare County Development Plan 2023-2029.

This variation will provide a Settlement Plan for Kilcullen to replace the Kilcullen Local Area Plan 2014–2020 (LAP), to include a written statement and mapped objectives to provide a coherent planning policy framework for Kilcullen to guide the future planning and sustainable development of the town.

The proposed variation may be viewed between 22 October 2024 and Wednesday 20 November 2024, online here or at the Planning Office, Kildare County Council, Áras Chill Dara, Naas, during opening times of 9.30am-4pm, Monday to Friday; or Kilcullen Branch Community Library, New Abbey Road, Kilcullen, during normal library opening hours.

Submissions may be made via online OR hard copy up to 4pm on 20 November 2024.

EDITOR NOTE: For anyone who is interested in Kilcullen's future development, this meeting is well worth attending.

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Kilcullen Gospel Choir anniversary concert

A reminder that there are still some tickets available for the 10th anniversary concert by Kilcullen Gospel Choir, on Sunday 10 November.

The tickets at €20 can be booked on Eventbrite and the concert begins at 8pm sharp.

A concert on the previous Friday night booked out quickly.

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First Responders group for Calverstown

A First Responder group is being established in Calverstown and they have set up an iDonate page to raise funds for necessary equipment, writes Brian Byrne.

The gear needed includes a defibrillator and accessories, training equipment, and uniform clothing including hi-viz jackets.

The group coordinator is Corey Delahunt, who is leading the appeal for support from the Calverstown and area community.

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Bus timetable Dunlavin-Kilcullen-Newbridge

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Mary Walker retires from Fallons

Just a week after completing her 20th marathon, Mary Walker has retired from Fallons, writes Brian Byrne. A constant smiling face in the restaurant for the last 18 years, she was part of the premises even before Brian Fallon bought it.

"I worked first in the Curragh Golf Club, then here in Kilcullen with Paul Mullen for 12 years," she told the Diary last night as the busy Sunday trade wound down. "Then I worked in Lemongrass with Paul and Brian Fallon for 10 years, and finally back here for 18. It's time to hang up the aprons and have my time for myself."

Mary is pictured above with customers and staff colleagues last night, and with some of her Fallons colleagues below.

We wish her well on behalf of all the customers with whom she has shared her infectious smile and unfailing good humour down the decades. 

 

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