LOTS OF INFORMATION AT COMMUNITY EXHIBITION

Dick Dunphy and Esther Reddy of Kilcullen Drama Group.

There was a comprehensive range of information available through the morning at the Know Your Community Exhibition in the Community Centre, writes Brian Byrne. Whether the questions were on crime prevention, supports for living alone, rights and grants, and much more, there were several stands there to get the answers.

Community groups included Kilcullen's Drama crew, the Canoe Club, KCA, The Old Hardware (lovely scones and cakes and bread there!), Foroige Kildare, the new but already thriving Moone-Timolin Women's Circle, and the arts were represented by local artist Mary McGrath and the Leinster Platemaking Studio.

The busy Kildare Volunteer Centre was also represented, with a database of hundreds of opportunities for volunteering in the county, KARE was there, and several organisations which help the older cohort included Alone, Age-Friendly Ireland, and Active Retirement.

We'll roll out individual stories from many of these later, but in the meantime, the event remains open until the mid-afternoon. Worth a visit.

Maria Kavanagh, Deirdre Horan and Ann-Marie Potter of KARE.

Sinead Pullen and Louise McGough of The Old Hardware.

Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer with the Exhibition organisers from the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme.

Cormac Fagan and Darren Devlin Roberts.

Aileen Costello of Foroige.

Sandra Shiels of Citizens Advice.

Stephen Byrne of the KWETB Adult Education Guidance service.

Community Gardai Jim Lacey (Kilcullen) and Sarah O'Sullivan (Naas)

Eva Barrett of the Griese Youth Theatre.

Susie Doyle of Age-Friendly Ireland.

Amanda Dempsey and Michelle Casey of the Kildare Volunteer Centre.

Jo Howard and Mary McGrath of the Leinster Platemaking Studio.

Tara Phibbs, Deirdre Dunne, and Eithne Pufong, at the Alone stand.

Lisa Lawler, Ruth Scally, Sharon Byrne, and Anna Nolan of the Moone-Timolin Women's Circle.

Pat Clarke and Noel Clare of KCA.

Sabina Reddy of Kilcullen Canoe Club.

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APPEAL TO PARENTS: 'SUPERVISE YOUR TEENAGERS'

Image: KCA.

The possibility of installing CCTV cameras in The Valley is being explored following new instances of extensive damage to facilities in the community-owned park, writes Brian Byrne. Gardaí have also been informed and are investigating.

The picnic area on the top path has been closed off until further notice, following a second bout of serious vandalism of the seats and table area.

In addition, a picnic table located at the riverbank was thrown into the Liffey and had to be recovered by Kilcullen Community Action CE workers yesterday. A bin is missing, and a lifebuoy and its rope also disappeared during the last month. KCA, who voluntarily maintain the park, say further damage has been done over recent weeks in other areas. 

The ongoing vandalism and anti-social behaviour was discussed at a recent KCA meeting, where 'great anger and disappointment' was expressed. "It's not just the expense, but the great amount of voluntary effort that is put into maintaining the area," one member of the group told the Diary.

A KCA post notes that the damage has coincided with large groups of young teenagers gathering in The Valley at night. The organisation has appealed to parents to play a greater role in the supervision of their children, and asks that any observed instances of anti-social behaviour be reported directly to the Gardaí. 

The anger of many in the wider Kilcullen community is also evident, with the situation roundly condemned as 'disgraceful carry-on’. "Nothing better to do, but ruin it for everybody else," is one of many similar comments on social media about the latest incidents. 

In March of this year, a full refurbishment of the picnic area was carried out by KCA workers and volunteers. Just weeks later, the table, first installed in 2020 and made of recycled plastic, was set on fire, and had to be sent away for repair.

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COMMUNITY GROUPS AND SERVICES FOR KILCULLEN EXHIBITION

A reminder that the Know Your Community Exhibition is being held at Kilcullen Community Centre TODAY, Friday, 9 October, writes Brian Byrne. The event is hosted by Kildare Leader Partnership and runs from 11am-2pm.

Those taking part include Tap Retail Kilcullen, The Old Hardware, Narraghmore; Small Jobs Kildare; Dúlra Cill Dara Forest School; Blueway Art Studio; Lullymore Heritage; Kildare Community Gardai; Kilcullen Drama Group; KARE; Age Friendly Kildare; Moone Timolin Women’s Circle; GROW Mental Health; Citizen’s Information; Volunteer Kildare; Leinster Print; SEAI; Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP); Kildare Leader; Age Action; and the Griese Youth Theatre. 

This event offers a valuable opportunity for the community to engage with these organisations. 

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EXTENSIVE DAMAGE IN THE VALLEY

Due to extensive damage caused over the past week or two, the picnic area in The Valley has been closed off and is not available for use until further notice.  

Further damage has also been done in other areas of the valley over the same period. The picnic table thrown into the river was recovered by the KCA CE team.  

One of the bins missing from the area has not been found.

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NARRAGHMORE PINK RUN 2026

A reminder that the Narraghmore Pink Run, supporting Breast Cancer Ireland, will take place on Sunday, 18 October, at 11am. Participants can choose between a 5km or 10km walk/run starting from The Old Hardware. 

Registration is available on the day, with a €5 donation for individuals and €20 for families. Funds raised will aid in breast cancer research.

For more information and to donate, visit this link. 

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DANCING AT LUGHNASA FOR KILCULLEN IN FEBRUARY

Image: Kilcullen Drama Group.

Dancing at Lughnasa has been announced as the next play to be presented by Kilcullen Drama Group, writes Brian Byrne. The play was revealed at last evening's Open Casting call, which was very well attended in the Town Hall.

The group has thanked those who came for last night's readings, describing it as a brilliant turnout of both existing and new members. "Our Director has some tough decisions to make following the incredible display of talent."

The play, written by Brian Friel, is set in Donegal in the summer of 1936 and is loosely based on the lives of Friel's mother and aunts who lived in Glenties.

Written in 1990, the play has a string of awards to its credit, including the 1991 Olivier Award for Best Play of the Year and the 1992 Tony Award for Best Play.

It was last performed by the Kilcullen group in 2011.   The new production will be in February of 2027.

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EIR SWITCHING OFF ITS 3G NETWORK

Eir will begin retiring its 3G network in Kildare on 14 October, as part of a nationwide effort to enhance 4G and 5G services. The switch-off is happening in phases across all counties. 

Most customers, who already use 4G and 5G, will not be affected. However, a small number of 3G-only users have been contacted with instructions to upgrade, such as updating device settings or obtaining a free SIM card. Calls and texts will remain unaffected, and customers can seek assistance at eir.ie/3Gswitchoff/ or in stores. 

This move aligns with an industry trend towards faster technologies.

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PICNIC TABLE VANDALISM

You have to feel sorry for the people who so lack a sense of their community that they try to destroy facilities provided by that community through the Tidy Towns efforts.

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BRANNOXTOWN CNS CHANGE OF OPEN EVENING DATE

Brannoxtown CNS is hosting an Open Evening for prospective Junior Infants on Monday, 19 October, from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. PLEASE NOTE: This is a change of date from the original notice.

The event will showcase the school’s unique qualities, including its caring and child-centred approach, breakfast club, after-school care, and emphasis on teamwork, ambition, and active, playful learning with high expectations. 

Brannoxtown CNS is a multi-denominational school located in Kildare and Wicklow, supported by the Bord Oideachais agus Oiliúna. For more information, visit brannoxtowncns.ie.

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MASS FOR LYNDA NOLAN

A Mass to celebrate the life of the late Lynda Nolan will be said on Saturday next, at 11am, in Kilcullen Parish Church. 

Formerly of The Hermitage, Kilcullen, Lynda passed away on 19 August, after a brief illness. She was laid to rest in Esker Lawn Cemetery, Lucan.

AFC FUN RUN

A reminder that Kilcullen AFC is hosting a Fun Run on this coming Sunday, 11 October 2026, starting at 11am from the clubhouse in Kilcullen. 

Participants can choose between a 5K or 10K race. The first 200 registrants for the 5K will receive a bespoke pin, while the first 70 registrants for the 10K will receive a bespoke medal. 

Registration is currently open. 

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HAVE YOU SEEN FIGARO?

This is Figaro, who has been missing for two days from his home at Killinane, near Halverstown School. Contact Andreea Si Andrei on Facebook. 

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