OFFICIAL OPENING OF JFK HALL IN 1963

LEINSTER LEADER, SATURDAY, 21st DECEMBER, 1963: Committee members and voluntary workers who helped in the building of Kilcullen's new boxing club premises pictured after the recent blessing and official opening of the Hall. 

Very Rev J L Furlong, PP, is in front centre between Mr Pat Lynch (left) and Mr Joe McGowan. At left centre back are Col and Mrs Loren A Ayers, Ballymore-Eustace. 

Col Ayers officially named the new Hall the J F Kennedy Memorial Hall when he unveiled a picture of the late President of the United States. (Photo: MP Fleming. Clipping courtesy Joe Murray.)

Footnote from your Editor: Col Ayers was an American Army officer who, during the rapid US forces advance into France after getting off the WW2 Normandy D-Day beachheads, devised what became known as the 'Red Ball Express' to get supplies and gasoline to the forward lines. They used 5,958 trucks, and a one-way system on the narrow French roads. 

Ayers was at the time chief of MTB (Motor Transport Brigade), in charge of gathering and training drivers and obtaining equipment. The name “Red Ball” borrowed from a railroad term indicating a freight train that was to be given the right-of-way.

Col Ayers died in 1994, at the age of 86, at his home in California.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

INNOVATION EVENT FOR LOCAL TECH IDEAS

An Idea Ignition event on September 24 at the MERITS Innovation Thinkspace, Naas, will showcase early-stage tech ideas and prototypes from the region’s brightest minds, writes Brian Byrne. The free event will run from 6pm to 8pm.

Hosted by Local Enterprise Office Kildare, there will be live demos, networking opportunities with founders and funders, and creative discussions. Bring your tablet/laptop, pitch-deck, and promotional materials. 

Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or investor, this is a chance to gain insights and share knowledge with the MERITS community in a celebration of innovation!

Booking at this link. 

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

RED HOT MUSIC CLUB RETURNS THIS MONTH

The Red Hot Music Club will return to Kilcullen on 24 September, continuing its tradition of showcasing top Irish folk musicians. Known for its unique atmosphere, the club will also be returning to Fallon’s, a venue integral to its charm. 

The autumn lineup will be announced soon, with the club’s philosophy of “quality music in a quality venue, played for a quality audience” to the fore. 

For updates and tickets, visit the club's Facebook page. 

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

LITTER FINES INCREASE FROM TODAY

Litter collected by Kilcullen Lions in April.

An increase in litter fines from €150 to €250, effective today, 1 September, aims to deter littering and promote cleaner communities. Minister of State Alan Dillon has emphasised the importance of consequences for littering, noting the financial burden it places on communities and taxpayers and said the fines increase is part of the ‘polluter pays’ principle. 

He also highlighted the ‘Bin it or bring it home’ campaign, which encourages responsible waste disposal. The initiative, supported by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, seeks to combine enforcement with education. Minister Dillon says stronger fines, investment, and awareness will enhance litter management, support circular economy goals, and improve quality of life, tourism, biodiversity, and community pride in Ireland. 

Meantime, the National Litter Pollution Monitoring System reports ongoing improvements in litter levels nationwide.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

COMMUNITY SAFETY MEETING

A Kilcullen Garda District Community Alert Meeting on Wednesday, 2 September, at 7:30 pm in Kilcullen GAA Hall will address community safety, crime prevention, and support for vulnerable residents. 

Topics include the introduction of the new Cairde App by Muintir na Tire, replacing the old Kilcullen Text Alert system. There will also be crime prevention discussions with local Gardaí and elected representatives. 

To propose local issues for the agenda, contact Elaine at 086 0751401.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

HOUSE KEY AND CARDS FOUND

A house key with assorted cards attached was found today on the New Abbey Road. They are now with Kilcullen Gardai. 

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

ROCKIN' IT OUT AT THE ANVIL

Mark Smyth, Yvonne Ennis, Arlene Bailey, Pat Kelly, Lorraine Nolan, Canice Keane, John Kelly, and sound engineer Gordon Turner.

It was Kilcullen's own electric picnic, without the mud or the long queues to get in, writes Brian Byrne. The front garden at No. 1 Bishop Rogan Park had been transformed into a grand stage and covered audience area for the inaugural Anvil at Rest concert. 

There was overflow seating for those who preferred to enjoy things from the distance across the road. Messages came in through the afternoon from many Kilcullen people around the world watching on the live stream — Wickford in Essex, Connecticut and California, USA, Perth in Australia, were just a sample of the places from which the global Kilcullen diaspora were tuning in to support the concert in aid of Aware.

From the moment Martha Kelly hammered the final countdown note on a 99-year-old anvil, it was pretty well non-stop for more than two hours. After a brief introduction from Arlene Bailey about the work of Aware itself, Pat and John Kelly, and Pat's daughter Yvonne Ennis, took their turns to get the music well under way. Canice Keane, Kilkenny-born troubadour living in Kilcullen for the last two decades, added several rockin' contributions through the afternoon. A literary interlude from Mark Smyth was a short story that painted vivid word pictures from a different time in Derry. Arlene Bailey brought her own Nashville experience to Bishop Rogan Park in wonderful country style, and Lorraine Nolan, no stranger to Kilcullen, gave her all in a performance worthy of the Riverdance stage on which she has been lead vocalist.

All in all, and not least thanks to the sound system provided and managed by Gordon Turner, it was an afternoon of musical delight. And even if there was the occasional shower, well, that's why people brought umbrellas, and their enjoyment wasn't in any way diminished.

Another great Kilcullen event, for a great cause: if you missed it, either at the 'Park' or online, an edited version will be available on the net over the next ten days, and there's ongoing opportunity for further donations.

Some of the Diary's photos are posted here — all can be found at this link. 

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

TODAY'S THE DAY: ANVIL AT REST CONCERT

Image: Emma Keane.

Anvil at Rest 2026 takes place TODAY, Sunday, 30 August, at Bishop Rogan Park. The free community concert will run from 3pm to 5pm, streaming live and bringing together live music, local performers, and a shared mission to support mental health.

Hosted in aid of Aware, the national charity supporting people affected by depression and bipolar disorder, the event invites contributions to the fundraising campaign, either at the concert or online via Aware’s official site. 

The performers will include Arlene Bailey, Lorraine Nolan, Canice Keane, Pat Kelly, Gordon Turner, Emma Kayaalp, Yvonne Ennis, and John and Joe Kelly.

Visitors are encouraged to bring their families and friends to enjoy a vibrant display of local talent. Anvil at Rest 2026 promises to be an uplifting event where music and community meet to forge hope.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

IRISH FARMERS JOURNAL, APRIL 25 1970: BIG MAGGIE WIN

Members of Kilcullen Drama Group cheer Loreto Ginnity (best actress) for the name part in J B Keane's Big Maggie and Paddy Melia, producer, after the group had won the Premier Award and the Whelehan Trophy at the All-Ireland Rural Drama Festival at Loughrea. With them in the picture is Mr T P Whelehan, who presented the trophy. (Clipping courtesy Joe Murray.)

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy