Shopfront improvements grant open for 2026

Kildare County Council’s Shop Front Improvement Grant is again open for application for 2026. The grant supports independent businesses in enhancing their shopfronts and commercial facades. 

This helps create more welcoming, accessible, and vibrant towns and villages.

The grant offers up to €5,000 (ex VAT) or 50 per cent of eligible costs. Applications must be submitted by 29 May 2026, and work must commence only after approval.

Details and application here. 

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Clocking up klicks with Kilcullen GAA

With more than 80 active walkers registered for the Ireland Lights Up and Healthy Clubs Steps Challenge, Kilcullen GAA is currently in 29th place in Leinster with over 4,000km clocked up, writes Maurice O'Brien of Kilcullen GAA. That's the equivalent of walking once around Ireland.

We are targeting reaching the top 25 in Leinster and the top three in County Kildare.

Join the movement: download the MyLife app and start tracking kilometres. We do walks every Friday night at the Community Walkway until 13 February, from 7pm.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Big interest in hurling skills

The future of hurling in Kilcullen seems very bright if the attendance at the opening night of the Indoor Skills Challenge 2026 last evening is anything to go by, writes Martin Sheridan of the South Kildare Shamrocks.

It was great to see so many boys and girls turning out on a Friday evening to try the skills of hurling. 

Thanks for all the help from mentors and parents. Much appreciated. See you all next week.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Table quiz for mural art project

A table quiz to raise funds for the Kilcullen Heritage Wall will be held at Fallons on Friday, 13 March, writes Brian Byrne. More details will be available closer to the event; in the meantime, save the date. 

The KCA initiative will be a striking feature at the Newbridge Road entrance to town, complementing several other artworks around the town, many of which are KCA-sponsored. The artistic team that won the commission tender, All Out Design, has developed a theme that incorporates local history, heritage, nature, and the environment. 

It is hoped to have the piece in place in the spring. Fundraising is also underway on an iDonate page. 

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

School pupils help keep Kilcullen clean

With the help of the Scoil Bhride Green School Committee and Kilcullen Tidy Town, a Litter Pick with pupils from 3rd to 6th Class took place on Thursday morning, writes Martin Sheridan. 

The schoolchildren's input and enthusiastic civic spirit are very much appreciated.

This will be a monthly event, and it would be great if people encouraged the pupils when they see them out and about.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Threads of Connection still on view

A tapestry of quilt squares, which has been on display in Kilcullen Heritage Centre for First Fortnight 2026, represents the thoughts and talents of a wide range of people, writes Brian Byrne. Threads of Connection is a project organised by Dúlra Cill Dara, evoking favourite memories, seasonal inspiration, childhood, and nature.

There are 48 squares in the piece, each unique and the result of a variety of craft skills and experimentation by children, students, adults, and family groups. They were produced over a series of workshops held in the Heritage Centre and Kilcullen Library in recent months.

Beyond its visual impact, the quilt is available online, with commentary from the squares' creators on what their piece means to them and how its elements evoke memories and emotions. The commentaries are available in both written and audio formats and can be accessed via a QR code.

For example, Lynn's square reminded her of forest camping with kids and no one else around — birdsong, a river passing, rustling leaves, crunchy underfoot, a smoking campfire, and boiling coffee. Julie's thoughts when making hers were of trees, the Liffey, birds, wildness and freedom, youth and beauty, lazy days, sunshine, fields and hedges, ditches, water, ponds, Dan Brennan's wood, the big tree, and Ray Nolan's orchard. For Mairéad and her children, Ava and Shaylin, their work was about remembering the power of nature, "to ground us, to inspire us, to sustain us, to offer protection, beauty, comfort, entertainment, power and security."

Kate Maher of Dúlra, who organised the project, says it was about people coming together through making, using textiles and natural materials, and through shared conversation to explore connection, place, and personal stories. "Techniques explored included natural dyeing, block printing, botanical impressions, hand stitching, appliqué and fabric collage. Some participants arrived with years of experience, others picked up a needle for the first time. The emphasis throughout was on process rather than perfection — taking time, experimenting, and learning together."

The project was supported by Kildare County Council Arts Service through the First Fortnight Award. The exhibition finishes tomorrow, Saturday 17th. But if you can't make it, it's worth spending time with it virtually, through the QR code. Photos below courtesy of Dúlra Cill Dara.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Don't forget GAA Lights Up

The Kilcullen GAA Lights Up Challenge is resuming again tomorrow evening at 7pm, and the club is appealing for an increased effort to get Kilcullen inside the top 25 in Leinster, writes Brian Byrne. The walk-off is at 7pm from the clubhouse, around the community walkway.

At the moment, the club is in 31st place, and the top Kilcullen walkers at this time are 1: Tomasz Gil 141.9km  2: Margaret Heffernan 120.2km 3: Arthur Kadima 108km 4: Amy Caulwell 104.8km 5: Alister Rhodes 94.8km. Club Vice Chair, Pat Phibbs, is currently in 9th with 84.6km clocked up. 

The warm-up alone is worth taking part. Download the MyLife app and start tracking kilometres and join the movement.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

New call on Market Square car park

Kildare County Council is being asked to engage with the owners of the surface-level car park attached to the Market Square apartments, with a view to having it open for public parking, writes Brian Byrne. The apartments property is owned by Comer Group Ireland, which bought it from the family of the late Pat Dunlea.

Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer’s motion to the next meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge MD refers to the original planning conditions for the development, which stipulated that the surface car park should be open for public parking.

The issue was previously raised during discussions about the proposed pedestrianisation of the square. At the time, it was acknowledged that the planning condition had not been enforced, and too much time had passed to do so. Cllr O’Dwyer believes there is currently space for a dialogue between the council and the car park owners on the matter.

The parking issue has been live since the redevelopment of Market Square was first proposed in 2017 and subsequently approved through a Part 8 process in 2022. A key part of the plan is the pedestrianisation of the square, but that €1.4 million project is on hold indefinitely due to insufficient funding. The proposed loss of 14 car parking spaces in the existing square, as well as a reduction in on-street spaces in the downtown Kilcullen area, remain major points of contention.

In 2020, the council said it was 'actively pursuing' alternative parking solutions in the vicinity of Market Square, and a 'number of definite options' were being pursued. A proposal for additional public parking in Fallons car park, at the time hailed as a 'breakthrough' and for which planning permission was granted in 2021, has not been pursued by the Council. 

In June 2022, Kildare County Council said it was committed to exploring and developing alternative parking options within reasonable walking distance of Market Square and Main Street, but in April 2024, the council said it has 'no current plans to purchase land' in Kilcullen for a public car park, and that the need for additional car parking will be considered "in the context of the shift towards increased access to retail by public transport, cycling, and walking." 

Throughout the process, many local businesses have expressed their concerns about the parking plans, or lack of them. 

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

A murder is planned in Kilcullen

Kilcullen Drama Group is planning a murder mystery evening for Saturday, 28 February, heavily inspired by The Traitors, writes Brian Byrne. This experimental show will be one-night-only, with tickets going on sale soon. 

The fully improvised performance will feature many members of the group who have not previously appeared on stage, as they usually work backstage. The twist is that neither cast nor audience will know who the 'murderer' is until the final reveal. 

Meanwhile, the group is also rehearsing its next production, The Walworth Farce, written by Enda Walsh and directed by Eilis Phillips. A darkly funny and profoundly moving play, it explores themes of family, memory, and the stories we tell ourselves to endure. It will run from 14-18 April inclusive, and tickets will be available in the coming weeks.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Walk-Run upcoming for Maintain Hope families

A Walk-Run event in Kilcullen on 1 March will raise funds to support families in Kenya through Maintain Hope. Everyone is welcome — regardless of age or fitness level, and all finishers will receive a medal. 

"The funds we raise will go directly to support children in Ngong, Kenya," says the charity's founder, Gerry O'Donoghue. "It's fitting that this event is a run, since Maintain Hope volunteers often meet Kenyan Olympic athletes training in the Ngong Hills — a wonderful reminder of the strength and dedication that unites us all!"

Maintain Hope thanks Kilcullen GAA and JustRuns Events for their support in organising this event.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

South Kildare Shamrocks hurling challenge 2026

The 2026 SKS Hurling Skills Challenge begins tomorrow, Friday, 16 January 2025, and continues every Friday evening for seven weeks. Hurleys and helmets are provided. 

Sessions run from 7.30pm to 8.30pm at Scoil Bhride, Kilcullen. Open to all, including new and experienced hurlers, boys and girls up to 12 years old. 

Cost is €25 per child (family discounts available). Book in advance via Eventbrite or Revolut to 08 60265139.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Community Grants information evening

Kildare County Council will organise a Community Grants Information evening next Wednesday, 21 January, in Áras Chill Dara, Naas, with an option to join online. The event begins at 7pm and is hosted by the Community Grants section.

The event will outline who can apply, the types of projects eligible for funding, the assessment criteria, and guidance on preparing a strong application. 

Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions about the schemes, including the Community Grant, Festival Grant, Residents’ Association Grant for both local authority and private estates, and the Local Enhancement Programme.

Register here to attend the session in Naas, and here to stream the session online.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy