THE PASSING OF MARIA DOWLING

The death has occurred of Maria Dowling (née Dowling), Hillcrest, Kilcullen, on 25 September 2026, peacefully in the wonderful care of the nurses and staff of Curragh Lawns Nursing Home. 

Predeceased by her beloved husband Pat, Maria is sadly missed by her sons Patrick and Emmet, daughter Elaine, daughters-in-law Carol and Jennifer, son-in-law Noel, grandchildren Bronagh, Odhran, Emily, Niall, Rona, Lily, Patrick and David, extended family, relatives and friends.

Removal from her home on Tuesday morning at 10.15am to arrive at the Church of the Sacred Heart and St Brigid, Kilcullen, for 11am Mass, which can be viewed on this link. 

Burial afterwards in St Brigid’s Cemetery, Kilcullen.

House Private please.

May Maria rest in peace.

LOOKING BACK ON CULTURE NIGHT 2026

 

A lookback at the Culture Night 2026 presentation in Kilcullen Town Hall Theatre organised by the Drama Group, with Kilcullen Gospel Choir, Angel's Gymnastics and Dance Theatre, Roxy & Bianca, Irish dancing from the Landers and O'Dwyer schools, Dick Dunphy, Paddy Martin, Sean Corrigan, Mary Orford, Maurice O'Mahony, Pat Kelly and Canice Keane, Nessa Dunlea, Sabina Reddy, Brian Byrne, Esther Reddy, and the Lámh Choir from Camphill, directed by Lorraine Nolan. 

MCs for the evening were Letitia Hanratty and Ray Kelly, and the show was officially opened by Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, Leas-Cathaoirleach of Kildare County Council.

A Rough & Ready Production by Brian Byrne for Kilcullen Diary.

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CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL PUBLIC LIBRARIES DAY

Kilcullen Community Library will celebrate National Public Libraries Day TODAY, 26 September, with tea, coffee, and biscuits available. 

The event takes place through Saturday morning.

Everybody welcome.

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KWWSPCA MASSIVE BOOK SALE

A reminder that the Kildare and West Wicklow Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (KWWSPCA) is holding its next Massive Book Sale in Kilcullen Town Hall, the final day TODAY, Saturday, from 11am to 4pm. 

Patrons can browse a wide selection of books, with most adult titles priced at just €1 each and children’s books available for only 50 cents apiece.

All proceeds go towards supporting the animals in the care of the KWWSPCA.

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WOODBINE BOOKS CELEBRATING TEN YEARS

Just a few of the many events recorded at Woodbine over the decade.

Dawn Behan and all the team at Woodbine Books are celebrating the 10th anniversary today of the opening of their shop, writes Brian Byrne. Make sure to drop by and congratulate them on a decade of providing Kilcullen with not just a bookshop, but a hub of writing, crafts, games and social enjoyment.

Book clubs, book launches, readings, theatrical presentations, open mic evenings for writers and musicians, all have been part of Kilcullen life over the last ten years thanks to the constant efforts at Woodbine to be more than just a shop. Most especially, though, Woodbine Books is a place where a smile is guaranteed when you walk through the door on even the most dismal of days. 

In the last two years, grant awards from the Books at One Community Fund have allowed Woodbine to expand the social engagement aspect of an enterprise that should be cherished by all in the community. Among these are the monthly Sketchbook Club sessions where people can travel their own artistic roads in a non-competitive space. Involvement in children's reading and writing is another passion for all in the shop.

Support for local authors and craftspeople has been a key part of the Woodbine crew's activity, along with partnering for local drama and film club ticket sales.

The bookshop was the Irish Region winner in the Independent Bookshop of the Year competition in the British Book Awards 2018. 

The impact of Woodbine Books on Kilcullen over the decade has been so much more than we can tally here in a few short words. So, all we'll finish with is, Happy Tenth!

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STEINER SCHOOL CERAMIC CLASSES

Kildare Steiner School offers Monday and Tuesday afternoon ceramic classes from 3:30pm to 5pm at the Le Ceile building Library, Rathargid, Gormanstown. 

These open workshops allow participants to follow projects or pursue personal ideas, creating items such as seasonal gifts, kitchen utensils, and jewellery. Participants will learn clay shaping, decorating, and glazing techniques, with the option to use a potter’s wheel. 

Classes can be attended once or multiple times, costing €30, which includes guidance, materials, and firing. 

Sign up with Grazyna at 085 7071143.

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TODAY IS WORLD LUNG DAY

On World Lung Day, today, the various organisations that support those with respiratory difficulties are calling for a phased introduction of free Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (MART) inhalers, starting with children aged 12 to 17.

Representatives of these groups met with members of the Oireachtas yesterday, ahead of Budget Day, to push for further investment in lung health.

The event was organised by the Asthma Society of Ireland as a collaborative initiative, giving each participating organisation a platform to speak to the issues facing its own patient community. Together, the organisations highlighted the gaps in access to timely diagnosis, standardised and evidence-based care and specialist services. They also called for sustained investment in respiratory research and disease registries, alongside action to address preventable risks to lung health, including air pollution, climate change and smoking. 

Participating organisations included the Asthma Society of Ireland, the Irish Thoracic Society, the Cystic Fibrosis Registry of Ireland, COPD Support Ireland, Alpha-1 Foundation Ireland, the Climate and Health Alliance, the Tobacco Free Generation Alliance, Pulmonary Hypertension Ireland, and representatives from the Paediatric Severe Asthma Registry.

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TOWN BUS SERVICE PLANNED FOR NEWBRIDGE

A new Town Bus service is being planned for Newbridge by the National Transport Authority (NTA). A public consultation process will take place during October, which will include in-person public information sessions with NTA personnel.

The initiative, which is part of a national Town Bus Programme, has been welcomed by local Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, who says the nature of the town means that people living on the large edge estates can be several miles from the centre and the railway station, and need cars to get to the station.

"There is a serious lack of connectivity within the town itself," she says. "The small travel distances of just a few miles are congesting our roads and streets. It makes absolute sense to have a commuter bus to link the train station, our places of education and work and our shopping and health facilities."

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LIGHTS AND LINING COMPLETED

More work completed on the public realm downtown. 

The new pedestrian lights have been activated, and the lining of the spaces in the car park completed.

The last includes the first accessible parking space on the other side of the bridge.

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PILGRIMAGE TO MALTA

Illustration of St Paul's Island in 1881.

A pilgrimage to Malta is being led by Fr Gary on 28 February 2027. The cost for the 5 nights is €1,185 pps, including flights, transfers, accommodation and meals.

The trip will follow in the footsteps of St Paul, who is said to have been shipwrecked on Malta around 60 AD while being brought to Rome as a prisoner. Having healed the sick father of the chief official on the island, he spent three months there preaching and establishing Christianity on the island.

The key sites associated with the saint are Paul’s Grotto and the Catacombs in Rabat, the Church of St Paul’s Shipwreck in Valletta, and St Paul’s Island.

Further information and booking from Marian Shrines at 01 8788159 or visit marian.ie.

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RUGBY CLUB QUIZ NIGHT

Newbridge Rugby Club is hosting a Quiz Night on Friday, 23 October 2026, at 7:30pm at the NRFC Clubhouse. The event will raise funds for the U16 Girls Rugby Tour to Italy in 2027. 

Tickets are €40 for a table of four, with a bar open on the night and raffle prizes available. 

Prebooking is encouraged by contacting Afton at 085 1644451 or Welmie at 085 8003775.

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