Musical Melodies at Dunlavin Arts Festival

Midsummer Musical Melodies at St Nicholas Church, Dunlavin, will be presented as part of Dunlavin Arts Festival on Saturday next, 20 June 2026, at 8pm, featuring soprano Niamh Murray, pianist Ronan Murray, Gormanstown Choir and the Dara Quartet.

The programme spans classical, traditional, musical theatre and popular favourites. Highlights from the first half include Benjamin Cooke’s Hark! The Lark, Mozart’s Luci Care, the Irish air Siúl a Rún, and quartet performances of Gershwin’s Summertime and Lullaby, alongside Piazzolla’s Libertango. Solo selections for Niamh Murray include The Sunshine of Your Smile, songs from Showboat, My Dearest Dear and The Holy City.

After the interval, Gormanstown Choir will perform a lively mix including Sloop John B, Hit the Road Jack, Proud Mary and Thank You for the Music. The Dara Quartet will play A Million Dreams and This Is Me, while the final solo set includes Funiculi, Funicula, The Miller’s Daughter, I’ll Walk Beside You, Bizet’s Seguidilla and a selection from My Fair Lady.

Rachel Creighton leads both the Dara Quartet and Gormanstown Choir, with Fran Prendergast as accompanist. Barney O’Sullivan is the master of ceremonies.

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Applications for Credit Union educational bursary

Applications are open for the Chris Kelly Educational Bursary for 2026, continuing a long-running initiative that honours one of Kildare Credit Union’s founding members.

Open to CU members attending third-level education for the first time in 2026, including mature students, the bursary offers the successful applicant €1,000 per year for up to three years to support the cost of further education. An application can be made here.

The bursary, which has been running since 2005, will be awarded by draw from all eligible applicants. Applications can be submitted using either the downloadable application form or the online application form.

The closing date for completed applications is Wednesday, 30 September 2026.

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Garda advice for holidays home security

An Garda Síochána is urging people heading away on summer holidays to take a few simple precautions to protect their homes, vehicles and belongings.

The advice includes locking all doors and windows, setting house alarms, using timer switches on lights, and keeping keys out of sight. People are also reminded not to share holiday plans or real-time updates on social media and to disable location tagging on photos and apps.

Motorists are advised to remove valuables from vehicles, ensure cars are locked, consider travel insurance, and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Gardaí said a few minutes of preparation can help provide peace of mind. Anyone needing crime prevention advice or wishing to report suspicious activity should contact their local Garda station.

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Moat show on life of John Devoy

A new stage production exploring the life of exiled Fenian John Devoy is coming to the Moat Theatre in Naas. From The Plains is a two-act show that blends storytelling, song, comedy, and action to tell the remarkable story of Devoy, who was born in Co Kildare in 1842 and became one of the most influential figures in Irish nationalism.

Written by musician and actor Eoghan Burke, the production on Saturday 4 July starts at 8pm and follows Devoy’s life from his early years in Kildare and his rebel activities through to his exile in America and his involvement in major moments in Irish history, including An Gorta Mór and the Easter Rising.

The show offers audiences an insight into the life and legacy of the man once described by Pádraig Pearse as “the greatest Fenian of them all”.

Booking is available through moattheatre.com.

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Meeting on Himalayan Balsam Control

A community meeting about the River Liffey Himalayan Balsam Control Project will take place in Kilcullen Town Hall on Monday, 22 June, from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, writes Brian Byrne. Now in its sixth year, the project has made significant progress tackling Himalayan Balsam at the upstream extent of the infestation in Ballymore Eustace village and surrounding areas. 

The next phase of the work will focus on supporting new control efforts further downstream during 2026.

The plant is a particular issue along the Liffey in Kilcullen. Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting to learn more about the invasive species, hear about the progress made so far, and find out how they can get involved in the continuing effort to protect the River Liffey corridor.

The meeting is open to anyone interested in local environmental action and community-led conservation.

Further information on the plant here. 

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Ballyshannon Action AGM date

Image: Ballyshannon Action.

Ballyshannon Action Group will hold its AGM on Thursday, 23 July at 8pm in Ballyshannon Hall. The meeting agenda includes the minutes of the previous AGM, the treasurer’s report, the chairperson’s statement, and motions to the committee.

The group’s officers are Jim Burke (Chairperson), Anna Sage (Treasurer), Shauna O’Rourke (Secretary), and Joanna Costello (PRO). Committee members are Jim Crawford, Joan Dowling, Clare Keon, Marcas McSeoin, Graham Sage, James Delaney, and Sarah Burke.

The AGM will give members an opportunity to review the group’s work and discuss matters for the year ahead.

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Song Sung Blue in cinema Tuesday night

Song Sung Blue is the final film of the Kilcullen Bridge Cinema Spring/Summer season, showing tomorrow, Tuesday 16th. It is an entertaining crowd-pleaser, based on the true story of two down-on-their-luck musicians—Mike (Hugh Jackman) and Claire (Kate Hudson) — who start a Neil Diamond tribute act called Lightning & Thunder.

The duo begin a romantic relationship and achieves unexpected success as a cover band. But health challenges and accidents unexpectedly disrupt their musical journey. Together, Mike and Claire are determined to follow their dream and get Lightning & Thunder back on stage— even though the odds seem stacked against them.

Song Sung Blue is a charming underdog story that’s warm, sweet, heartbreaking, and one that earned Kate Hudson a well-deserved Oscar nomination. A perfect film for a June summer evening.

Come early for a complimentary glass of wine. Doors open 7.30. Film 8pm.

All tickets €7 are available in Woodbine Books, Kilcullen, and on Eventbrite.

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Summer Flowers collection thank you

KCA members and directors were delighted with the response to the annual Street Collection for Kilcullen's Summer Flowers, writes Noel Clare.  People gave generously, and just as importantly, the messages of support for all the effort were also greatly appreciated. 

Thanks to all who donated and to everyone who helped with the collection. 

Anyone who missed the street collection can still donate online at: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/flowers

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Lions June Whist

This month's Kilcullen Lions Whist Drive is this Thursday, 18 June.

As usual, the venue is Scoil Bhride, with play starting at 8pm.

All whist players welcome.

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Ballymore's Scoil Mhuire wins Halverstown Cup

It was the third time lucky for Scoil Mhuire, Ballymore Eustace, writes Des Drumm of Halverstown CC. After two years in a row of being runners-up, they finally won the Halverstown Cup. The cup, organised by Halverstown Cricket Club, is played for by primary schools in Kildare on Halverstown’s pitch, beautifully set on the banks of the Liffey on the Harristown estate in Brannockstown. This year, there was a record entry of 13 teams, but it was the level of determination shown by Scoil Mhuire that saw them through in an exciting final against a Two Mile House team that never gave up. 

Scoil Mhuire won the toss and put Two Mile House into bat. Two Mile House were steady and, importantly, kept wickets intact and after 4 overs were 21-0. However, enter bowlers Charlie and Ciara, who over the next 24 balls took 3 wickets to put Two Mile House on the back foot. Then Dan and Eoin came in to bat and scored 50 runs in their 4 overs with some devastating hitting. Two Mile House would finish on a very respectable 141-8, giving them a Net Score of 101, allowing for deductions for wickets lost, the scoring method in younger children’s cricket. 

Scoil Mhuire coach and principal, Peter Roche, had his team in a huddle before they went out to bat, and Tori and James then took them to 25-0 after four overs. Jerome then showed the same skill with the bat as he had done with the ball, scoring four boundaries and demonstrating his potential for a big cricket future. Eoin was the best bowler for Two Mile House, restricting Scoil Mhuire to just nine runs from his two overs and taking a wicket. Rua, wicketkeeper, also deserves special mention: his reflexes were excellent, and he took a brilliant stumping. 

In the end, it was captain Phoebe who saw Scoil Mhuire home to a 33-run victory. A pitch invasion followed the final ball, and the party could begin for Scoil Mhuire and Ballymore Eustace. Although obviously disappointed, the Two Mile House players could be proud of how they played. 

Cricket Leinster President Brian Kellegher presented the cup, alongside Halverstown CC Chairman Des Drumm. Brian thanked both teams for the exciting game. He also thanked Naomi from Cricket Leinster, who umpired and scored. There were three cheers for Stuart Conroy, Halverstown Secretary, for his huge work in organisation and coaching. Also recognised were Paolo Rosa, Jim Hodgson, and Cecil Johnston, who also coach in the schools. Thanks also to Kildare Sports Partnership, represented by Fiach Andrews, without whose support this tournament would not be possible. 

In its third year, the Halverstown Cup goes from strength to strength. Towns such as Naas, Newbridge, Kildare, Athy, and Clane are all represented. Many of the children go on to join cricket clubs like Halverstown and North Kildare, which both have thriving youth sections, and if parents want them to join, please do contact these clubs.

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