Old Kilcullen website officially launched

Michael O'Connell speaking about his research for the website.

People who live in the Old Kilcullen area are in an 'extraordinary place', County Kildare Heritage Officer Dara Wyer told many of them on Sunday, writes Brian Byrne. He was speaking at the annual Picnic on the Green, during which he participated in the official launch of a web resource about the heritage of Old Kilcullen.

KCC Heritage Officer Dara Wyer.

"The townland is between probably the most important prehistoric site in Leinster, Dún Ailinne, and one of the province's most important ecclesiastical sites as well," he said. "We often don't know enough about what's around us, and one of my jobs is to help increase that awareness. I'm delighted to see this resource online." He commended the initiative as showing the background to Old Kilcullen in a way that's understandable to all.

Earlier, retired doctor and local historian Michael O'Connell had spoken about how he had researched the information for the oldkilcullenheritage.ie portal, which includes commentary on the monastic site's early years, the Norman influence, the Eustace years, the 1798 Rebellion, and its possible inclusion on the traditional St Brigid’s Way.

The website, produced with support from Kildare County Council’s Heritage Department in association with the Old Kilcullen Area Community Association, was developed from an idea by area resident Dr Brendan O’Shea and Kilcullen-born Dr O’Connell, who has also extensively researched many other local places of historic significance, including New Abbey. 

The resource is designed for easy mobile phone access, so visitors to Old Kilcullen can, by scanning a QR code, quickly gain a sense of Old Kilcullen’s place through more than 1,300 years.

Cllr Ivan Keatley, beside Michael O'Connell's model of the Old Kilcullen monastic site.

Closing the proceedings, Cllr Ivan Keatley said the website was extremely useful for visitors to Old Kilcullen, and he was glad to hear that it can be added to with other information. "This can be a living resource," he said, suggesting it might include the geophysical surveys which had been carried out in recent years, and the biodiversity plan developed by the Old Kilcullen Area Community Association.

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Exhibition of sketchbook club work

An upcoming exhibition at Woodbine Books, themed ‘Renewal’, will showcase creative works from its Sketchbook Club, writes Brian Byrne.  The exhibition, on 17 September from 6pm to 8pm, will feature pieces from the work done between February and July, along with the sketchbooks themselves. 

The club, funded by the Books at One Community Prize Fund, provides a monthly creative space for local people of all ages, from first-time sketchbookers to professional artists. Sessions are free, led by Lyn Worrall, and Woodbine Books also provides refreshments. 

The club will begin a new session on 5 October, welcoming new members to join on the first Monday of each month. For more information, visit the Facebook page @timetodrawevents or drop in to Woodbine Books to sign up.

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Pond Workshop in Kilcullen tonight

A workshop on the importance of ponds for biodiversity and habitats is taking place tonight at Kilcullen Town Hall, from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. 

Led by wildlife consultant Rob Gandola, the session will explore various types of ponds. 

Interested participants can book a place via this link or by emailing rgmckeever@riverbasin.ie. Or just turn up.

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Scouts interest registration night

The 9th Kildare Kilcullen Scout Troop is hosting a Registration Night tomorrow, 19 August, at their Den in Kilcullen Community Centre from 7pm. The event is an opportunity for new families to express their interest in joining the troop, with both youth and adults welcome to join the waiting list. 

Families already on the waiting list are encouraged to attend to register and learn more about becoming part of the group.

The troop is also seeking adult volunteers and Scouters to support various activities. Adults who join as Scouters will have their children given priority on the waiting list.

For more information, contact the troop at kilcullenscouts@gmail.com. 

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Kildare Business Awards 2026 applications open

Applications are now open for the Kildare Business Awards 2026, sponsored by Eirgrid, writes Brian Byrne. The awards, organised by County Kildare Chamber, celebrate the best in business across the county, from start-ups and emerging businesses to SMEs, large indigenous companies, and multinationals. 

Independent judges will select the finalists, with winners announced on 13 November at The Killashee Hotel. Ruth Murphy, President of County Kildare Chamber, expressed gratitude for Eirgrid’s continued support, highlighting their investment in critical infrastructure projects like the Kildare-Meath Grid Upgrade and Kildare-Dublin Grid Reinforcement. 

Applications are available online at www.kildarebusinessawards.ie, with a deadline of 2 October at 2pm.

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Busy day for CPC work

There was traffic light management from the Garda Station to the Conroy Park entrance throughout the day as the contractor's entrance for the building work at CPC was opened, writes Brian Byrne. The early stages of the project will include the delivery and erection of temporary classroom accommodation.

The concurrent background buzz of a wood-chipper machine signified work going on to deal with trees which must be removed on health and safety grounds because of tree ill health, and also to facilitate the construction of the new school and outbuildings.

A site hoarding will soon be fully installed, and the site boundary will be monitored 24/7 for everyone's safety. The school reminds everyone, especially children, that construction sites are not safe places to enter at any time.

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Another great Picnic on the Green

In spite of a few drizzly attempts at rain — that wet stuff we're not used to anymore — yesterday's Picnic on the Green at Old Kilcullen went off in great style.

For the younger folk, Sinead's face painting created walking works of art, and Reuben Evans entertained with magic and the kind of secret chat that only little ones understand. Martin Murphy and colleagues tried unsuccessfully to be Packie Bonnars against the determined onslaught of boys and girls on the penalty shootouts. There were burgers and strawberries (separately), and music as usual from John Kelly and Terry McNally. The oldkilcullenheritage.ie website about the ancient monastic site was officially launched by Kildare Heritage Officer Dara Wyer.

The picnic was inaugurated in 2019 and, apart from the pandemic year of 2020, has been a much-anticipated fixture on the Kilcullen calendar of annual events.

Some of the pictures are shown here. All photos can be seen at this link. 

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Cnoc ha Greine Family Day details

Cnoc na Greine is hosting a Family Day on Sunday, 23 August, from 1:30pm to 4pm at the Middle Green Area. 

The event promises fun for everyone, featuring Reuben the Entertainer Show, Pamper Me Beautiful with face painting, arm painting, and glitter face art, as well as fun food options like pizza slices, hotdogs, and lemonade. 

Kelly’s Ice Cream, popcorn, and candy floss will also be available. Budding footballers can enjoy the football goals, and music will be provided by DJ Maurice. 

All residents are welcome.

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24th Mac & Norman Rally well supported

There was a good spectator support for the 24th Mac and Norman Rally that went through Kilcullen in the early afternoon, writes Brian Byrne. Though we don't have figures yet, it did seem that the event had at least as many participants as before. 

Afterwards the rain held off back at Mac Sully's yard where the usual charity auction was held and the drivers enjoyed refreshments and music.

A selection of the vehicles is shown. All the Diary's pictures from the day can be accessed here.

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