Four Mothers film tonight

A drinks reception at Kilcullen Heritage Centre this evening will precede the first evening film of the Brigid season, presented by Kilcullen Bridge Cinema. The film is Four Mothers, an Irish film set in Dublin. 

The story follows Edward, an Irish novelist whose career has stalled due to the demands of caring for his ailing mother, Alma. He finds solace in a group of friends in similar situations — until those friends spontaneously decide to escape to a Pride festival in the Canaries, leaving Edward alone to care for all their mothers at once. 

It is a touching film that explores themes of ageing, caregiving, loneliness, and sexual identity. Tickets are available at Woodbine Books, Kilcullen, and on Eventbrite.

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Sharing the craft of St Brigid crosses

When Sheena Malone was growing up, St Brigid crosses were part of her life at this time of year, writes Brian Byrne. Now she shares them everywhere. 

"I grew up in the Bog of Allen, so there were reeds all around," says the Allenwood artist who led the St Brigid craft workshop at Kilcullen Library last week. "I've been making the crosses since I was in primary school." But during the pandemic lockdown, this particular craft from her school days grew more important. On walks in the bog, she collected loads of reeds and began making crosses and bridogs (little reed dolls) in significant numbers. "I asked people if they wanted them, free of charge, and then I ended up sending them all over the world to my Facebook friends." 

Realising that people responded positively to the pieces, she decided to run workshops teaching others how to make their own, and has been doing so for the past couple of years from Allenwood. The event at Kilcullen Library last week drew a full house, with interest from people of all ages, including many children. 

With art qualifications from UCD and Stockholm University, Sheena spends much of her time in Berlin, where she has worked on several arts-based projects and serves as a language editor for Konstfack, Sweden's largest university. Since 2021, she has also been the County Kildare Coordinator for the annual Culture Night programme. Her own art, which includes textile pieces dyed with medicinal plants gathered in and around the Bog of Allen, has been exhibited at various venues across Kildare, in Berlin, and at Electric Picnic. In 2024, her film The All-Ireland Turf Footing Finals won the Best Short Documentary category at Junefest, Newbridge. 

Last October, Sheena embarked on an artist-in-residency project with 4th- and 5th-class pupils at Scoil an Linbh Íosa in Prosperous, creating shadow theatre films based on local folklore and myths, including one about St Brigid's Cloak. These can be watched on YouTube at this link. 

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CPC students meet Irish Ambassador to Luxembourg

The Irish Ambassador to Luxembourg, Jean McDonald, hosted a group of very impressive young women and their teachers from Cross and Passion College, Kilcullen, at her residence for coffee and a chat this morning to hear all about their visit to Luxembourg and participation in a Model UN Conference. 

The ambassador said it was inspiring to hear such thoughtful and engaged contributions, adding that the 'future is in good hands'. 

"What a brilliant way to kick start our celebrations of Lá Fhéile Bríde," she posted on the embassy's Facebook page. "Go raibh maith agaibh and come back and see us again soon."

The students — Amy, Cadhla, Michalina, Ruth, Dara Belle, and Emma — are representing CPC and Ireland at an Erasmus+ Model United Nations Conference, which has brought together over 50 students from nine countries (Germany, Spain, France, Finland, Ireland, Poland, Slovakia, Belgium, and Luxembourg) to debate major global challenges. 

The event's debates explore the theme “A World in Transition” — a powerful and timely focus that emphasises why young people’s voices matter in shaping the future.

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ESB warns of flood risk along the Liffey

High water in 2016.

The ESB has warned that it may need to release extra water from the Poulaphuca Reservoir, with a consequent risk of flooding in some downstream areas, writes Brian Byrne. Levels in the reservoir have increased by almost two metres in recent days.

In a statement yesterday, ESB said that large volumes of rainfall over recent weeks, which have entered the reservoir, have been contained by the dam at Poulaphuca; otherwise, this water would have significantly increased water levels along the river, over and above what has already been experienced.  

However, since reservoir storage capacity is limited and based on current forecasts, some of these additional inflows may need to be released in the coming days. This could increase the risk of flooding along the River Liffey, particularly in the Clane and Newbridge areas. 

Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams are monitoring the situation closely, ensuring resources are in place, that crews are on standby, preparing the necessary interventions, and will issue further communications. People with concerns about flooding should contact their local authorities for further information. 

The last time there were warnings of very high levels in the Liffey was in 2016. At that time, the council closed off pedestrian access from the market square to the riverbank.

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Sprint to the finish for Ireland Lights Up

As of last Friday night, the Kilcullen GAA-Ireland Lights Up participants have collectively walked the equivalent of three times around Ireland, writes Maurice O'Brien. With 11,881.6 km totted up, it's now a sprint to the finish.

We had our biggest crowd yet out on Friday, Erin Rovers from Offaly has passed us out. We need new sign-jups urgently; it's not too late.

We need to get the equivalent of four times around Ireland and pass them out.

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