Another cricket award for Stu Conroy

Stuart Conroy congratulating Maggie Farrell on her "fifer" (a five-wicket haul) in Halverstown U-15s girls' win v Balbriggan.

Stuart Conroy of Halverstown Cricket Club was awarded Coach of the Month for May by Cricket Ireland. As part of its Grassroots Cricket Hero programme, Stuart was nominated by parents of Halverstown youth players and now joins the Cricket Ireland 2026 Coach Honours Roll. 

He was recognised for his unwavering commitment to coaching young players and supporting grassroots cricket through running the Smash It and It's Wicket programmes every summer for younger players. Stuart was recognised previously by Cricket Ireland when he was honoured in 2025 with the award of Activator of the Year. 

Halverstown Chairman, Des Drumm, noted that Stuart's work at the youth level has been absolutely prodigious. "He has put together a dedicated team of coaches and has broadened the youth programme not just to five under-age club teams but to 13 primary schools in County Kildare who compete for the Halverstown Cup every year. His recognition nationally for the second time is very well deserved and a matter of great pride and satisfaction for the club and for cricket in Kildare." 

The parents of any younger aspiring cricketers are welcome to contact Stuart at 086 1613353.

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John Devoy show on Saturday

A reminder that a new two-act show about the life of exiled Fenian John Devoy will be staged at the Moat Theatre, Naas, at 8pm TONIGHT, Saturday, 4 July, with tickets priced at €15.

From The Plains – The Story of John Devoy, written by musician and actor Eoghan Burke, blends storytelling, song, comedy and action to trace Devoy’s life from his childhood in Co Kildare to his role in major moments in Irish history, including An Gorta Mòr and the Easter Rising.

The production explores Devoy’s rebel days, his capture, and his later years campaigning from exile in America. Devoy, born in Greenhills, Kill, was described by Padraig Pearse as “The Greatest Fenian Of Them All.”

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New art centre opening in September

Crookett House Art Centre is set to open in September 2026 with its first exhibition, Monument, by Ricardo Baptista-Fernandes. Opening on 4 September, the exhibit will comprise a series of paintings in this exhibition were inspired by a stack of bales on top of a hill in the Irish countryside.

Located in the countryside at Crooket, Maganey, Co Kildare, the new centre will provide a live, work and exhibition space for established and emerging artists from Ireland and abroad.

The centre aims to add a new cultural and community dimension to the area, while offering another reason for visitors to come to the region.

Further information and newsletter sign-up are available at www.crooketthouse.com.

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Heritage specialists sought for expanded schools programme

The Heritage Council is calling on heritage practitioners to register their interest in its expanded Heritage in Schools programme, which is being extended to post-primary level for the first time.

Applications remain open until 12pm on 13 July for up to 100 heritage specialists nationwide. The programme is open to individuals working in areas including archaeology, history, Gaeilge, folklore, ecology, biodiversity, geology, traditional music, crafts, building skills and conservation.

Successful applicants will deliver curriculum-linked workshops in schools, on school grounds or in local heritage settings. From 2027, post-primary schools will be able to book full-day, half-day or shorter visits through the Heritage in Schools directory.

The programme, co-funded and monitored by the Heritage Council, aims to connect students with local and national heritage while supporting teaching across subjects including history, geography, Gaeilge, English, art, science, CSPE, enterprise and music.

Heritage in Schools has operated at the primary level since 2000. Last year, it delivered more than 3,000 visits to over 1,000 schools, reaching approximately 172,000 pupils.

Full details here. 

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Looking Back: Opening of Kilcullen's new Library in 1978

With the County Kildare Library Service celebrating its 100th anniversary tomorrow, Saturday, it is of local interest to see these pictures from the opening of Kilcullen Library, published in the Leinster Leader of 25 November 1978.

Above are J G 'Gerry' Ward, Kildare County Manager; Dick Robinson, Vice Chairman, County Library Committee; Seamus O'Conchubhair, County Librarian, and Very Reverend P Kehoe, Parish Priest of Kilcullen.

On the right is Julie O'Donoghue, then Library Assistant at the Kilcullen branch.

The photos are courtesy of the Local Studies department of the library service via Kilcullen Librarian Ita Casey. Ita will be hosting complimentary refreshments for visitors to Kilcullen Community Library tomorrow morning.

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Woodbine gets new funding from Books at One Community Fund

Woodbine Books has been chosen as a recipient in the 2026 Books at One Community Prize Fund. It's the second year the Kilcullen shop has been awarded funding.

Last year's prize fund award enabled the bookshop to run a programme of community events, including Open Mic nights, a monthly board game night, a monthly sketchbook club and Club Gaeilge meetings, as well as other one-off events.

Dawn Behan says this year's prize fund will be used for something completely different. "We don't want to reveal too much yet as we are still in the planning stages," she says. "But it will allow us to provide community events and a bookselling service to a much wider local area."

She thanked the Books at One Community Fund for again believing in the Woodbine vision and providing the support to make this a reality.

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Local Enhancement Programme awards

A total of €18,396 has been allocated to Kilcullen groups under the Local Enhancement Programme, writes Brian Byrne. The LEP has been around under various names since 2018, providing capital support for many small community groups and organisations.

The programme is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

The local allocations for 2026 are Kilcullen Scouts €1,554, Ballyshannon Community Hall €9,754, Camphill Communities of Ireland €2,317, and Kilcullen Community Action €4,771.

The funds have been welcomed by Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon TD, who said local groups and clubs across the country are vital to Irish community life, and these grants will go a long way in supporting them in their work.

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Library Service celebrations

Naas Library and Cultural Centre will host a day of celebration this Saturday, 4 July, to mark 100 years of Kildare Library Service, writes Brian Byrne. The programme begins at 10am with children’s activities and continues throughout the day with exhibitions, local history talks, and cultural events for all ages.

A highlight will be the 2pm launch of The Story of Us: Census 1926, an exhibition presented in partnership with the National Archives. It explores life in Ireland in 1926 and will remain on display until Tuesday, 28 July.

All are welcome to attend the celebrations. Kilcullen Community Library will celebrate the centenary of the library service with complimentary refreshments on Saturday morning.

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The passing of Willie O'Connor, (Victoria, Australia)

The death has occurred of Willie O'Connor, Victoria, Australia, and late of Blackhall, Calverstown, and Dunlavin, on 1 July 2026. 

Predeceased by his parents, Jack and Mamie, his brothers Thomas and Patrick, and his sister Monica, Willie's passing is deeply regretted by his loving wife Kitty, sons Ian and Neil, daughter Karen, daughter-in-law Martina, Neil's partner Sharelle, grandchildren Madbh, Erin, and Dara, brothers Sean and Martin, sisters Marie and Josie, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, relatives, and friends.

Willie's funeral will take place in Australia.

Rest in peace.

Appleton Property: Kilbelin Abbey, Newbridge

Appleton Property is commencing viewings on this exceptional A2-rated detached luxury 4-bedroomed home in Kilbelin Abbey in Newbridge this weekend. 

Built in 2021, this spacious home has an Air to Water heating system, two ensuite bedrooms, all integrated appliances in a contemporary kitchen, professionally landscaped front and rear gardens, and a cul-de-sac location with a large green area to the front and side. 

The property also has a convertible attic space, high-end fit-out, and is wall-to-wall with quality fixtures, fittings, and features. Viewing is by appointment only and commences on Saturday. 

Contact Austin Egan at Appleton Property on 045 482759, 087 1311133 or info@appleton.ie. Full details on this Daft link 

Thinking of Selling? For best results, contact Austin Egan at Appleton Property Kilcullen for a free valuation.

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Celebrate 100 years of Kildare Libraries

Kildare Library Services is celebrating 100 years of existence this Saturday, 4 July, with events in its Naas Library flagship and across the network. 

The day will also be marked in Kilcullen Community Library with tea, coffee, and cake.

All are welcome.

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Mixed ending to June in Halverstown

Acting captain of Halverstown 2, Tanzeel, with Jeff Doyle, match sponsor for last weekend. 

Perhaps it was the match sponsorship of long-time supporters of the club, the Doyle family of Blanchardstown, or the decision to reduce the game to 35 overs per side because of rain lurking on the horizon, writes Des Drumm of Halverstown Cricket Club. Or perhaps Clondalkin 3 thought bottom of the table, winless Halverstown 2 (H2) might be an easy touch, but the Kildare team finally got the win to take them off the bottom of Division 16C. 

Clondalkin must have quickly regretted putting H2 in to bat with Avaneesh Rao and Mushin Bukhari, both scoring 50s in a partnership of 108. Clondalkin had an early partnership that might have turned the tide, but 16-year-old Shamikh Khan tore into the batting attack with abandon, taking 4 wickets and helping to seal that long-awaited win by 24 runs.

Meanwhile, high-flying Halverstown 1 (H1), who had won their first five games in Division 12, were brought down to earth by Athlone 2. A hefty 96-run defeat was the outcome, despite some powerful batting by Paolo Rosa, Chris Hamilton, and Vishnu, as well as some fine bowling by Kevin Threadgold and Atul. Athlone's batting strength right down the order was the difference, finally.

We are at peak cricket season, and this coming weekend sees both H1 and H2 in action on Sunday: the former away to Rush 3 in the league, the latter at home to Terenure 4 in a T20 Minor Cup game. The Oaks, the social team of Halverstown, are away to local rivals North Kildare on Friday, whilst the Under 15 boys play Leinster B on Saturday in the league, and the joint (with North Kildare) U-15 girls team is away to North County on Sunday.

In other news, Pradyu Pamidigantam did the team proud by his performances with both bat and ball while playing for South Leinster U-13s in the District Cup against Dublin City.

Anyone interested in sponsoring a match for Halverstown, please do contact Stuart Conroy, Hon. Secretary.

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