Another All-Ireland title for Nolan Butchers

Nolan Butchers were on a winning streak again last weekend when they claimed yet another All-Ireland title for their homemade Black Pudding at the Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland annual Craft Butcher Competitions. 

Over the past seven years, Nolan’s has secured the All-Ireland title for their traditional pork sausages as well as their black and white puddings. James and Emma Nolan accepted the award at the Gala event held at the Keadeen Hotel on behalf of the Nolan Butchers team. 

James credited Fred Mitchell, who has worked at Nolan’s for over 35 years and makes the sausages and puddings fresh daily. His products have earned numerous national and international awards across various competitions. Fred is also a well-known member of Kilcullen AFC. 

Nolan Butchers of Kilcullen was established in 1886 and previously won the award for the best Butcher Shop in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland in 2015, presented at the House of Lords in London.

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Kilcullen cinema Brigid season

A special Brigid-themed film season has been chosen for Kilcullen Bridge Cinema through February. The cinema is operated by Kilcullen Lions, who normally screen one or two films a month through which audiences can experience lives, cultures and perspectives different from their own.

Supported by Kildare County Council, the February initiative will host a selection of films that embody Saint Brigid's values and celebrate her legacy. It starts on Sunday afternoon, February 1st, with a much-loved family film, The Wild Robot. This will be followed on Tuesday evening, February 3rd, by a special screening of Four Mothers, a heartwarming Irish film set in Dublin that explores themes of ageing, caregiving, and loneliness. 

On Tuesday, February 10th, preceded by a reception and official opening of the season, the presentation is The Kitchen Brigade, a French comedy about a disgruntled sous-chef who leaves her job at a high-end restaurant and ends up running the cafeteria at a local migrant shelter. It cleverly blends upbeat entertainment with social issues, examining the plight of young immigrants and the challenges they face. 

Souleymane’s Story is an award-winning film showing on Tuesday, February 17th. Souleymane is an asylum seeker living day-by-day in Paris, constantly chasing beds in homeless centres and earning a tiny income by renting someone else’s food delivery account. It is a raw, compassionate and quietly devastating portrayal of one man forced to live precariously on the fringes of society. 

Senior citizens are invited to a free cinema evening on Saturday, February 21st, with the delightful 2024 film Thelma. Duped by a phone scammer, Thelma is inspired by action hero Tom Cruise to reclaim her money on her own Mission Impossible. It's a feel-good film about resilience.

The season concludes on Tuesday, February 24th, with The Voice of Hind Rajab. A docudrama built around the 2024 audio recording of a call between Hind Rajab — a young girl seemingly alone in a damaged car in Gaza after a firefight — and the dispatchers at a Red Crescent emergency response centre, it's a powerful account of a heartbreaking story from the Gaza War. 

On February 9th, students from Cross and Passion College Kilcullen will attend a special screening of Souleymane’s Story, and on Thursday, February 12th, students from the 6th classes in Scoil Bhride will watch Ocean, a film with David Attenborough which exposes the realities and challenges facing our ocean, from destructive fishing techniques to mass coral reef bleaching. 

Kilcullen Bridge Cinema was established in 2023 by Kilcullen Lions, in association with Access Cinema, to revive a tradition in the Town Hall after 47 years of cinematic 'darkness'. Prior to that, films had been shown in the hall since the 1930s, and Kilcullen Town Hall Cinema was the best known of its kind in Leinster through the 1950s and 1960s.

All film tickets are on sale in Woodbine Books, Kilcullen, and on Eventbrite.

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St Brigid's craft workshop

A reminder that a free St Brigid crafts workshop will take place at Kilcullen Community Library TONIGHT, Thursday, 29 January, at 6.30pm. Learn how to make St Brigid’s crosses and Bridóg dolls.

This workshop is suitable for all ages and open to everyone. Artist Sheena Malone will provide all the materials. Librarian Julie O'Donoghue says our new non-Irish neighbours are especially welcome.

For more information, please contact the library.

(Image: Brigid's Cross photo by Culnacreann, Bridóg doll made by Andrea Givan.)

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Maintain Hope street collection

Maintain Hope founder Gerry O'Donoghue with third level graduates Safia and Sandra, whose education was supported by the charity.

Maintain Hope will be holding their annual street collection this weekend, on Friday 30th, and Saturday 31st, writes Gerry O'Donoghue.

A Garda Collection Permit has been issued, and we are grateful to Nolans Butchers and Eurospar for allowing us to collect outside their premises.

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It's time again for the Brats Bhríde

Mary and Julie have distributed Brats in previous years.

In readiness for Brigid's Eve, 31st January, Mary Orford and Julie O'Donoghue will, again, breathe life into an old tradition tomorrow, Thursday 29th, from 10am. They will distribute pieces of cloth to be used as "Brat Bhríde". 

The traditional Irish practice of leaving out a Brat on a tree or shrub on the night of the 31st January was said to bring the protection of Brigid to the house. 

Julie and Mary will be on Main Street outside Nolan's and Eurospar from 10am until our stock of material runs out. ("When they're gone, they're gone", as the ad says.)

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Spring relaunch of KWWSPCA Noah's Ark

Zoologist Desmond Morris will be the special guest at the Spring relaunch of Noah's Ark in Newbridge on Saturday next, 31 January, at 4pm, writes Brian Byrne. The shop on Cutlery Road is a key fundraiser for the Kildare and West Wicklow SPCA and has undergone a major facelift.

The shop is a treasure trove of clothes and accessories, household goods, gifts, and books, and following a recent clearing-out sale, a wide range of new stock will be available for the relaunch.

The refurbishment includes a new frontage with better access and a fully revamped interior.

All welcome, including dogs.

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Parish Lotto Draw results

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on 27th January 2026 were 9, 12, 18 and 20. There was no Jackpot winner, and next week's main prize will again be €20,000. The value of the follow-up draws is €20,000 and €2,800.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws are Lorna Walsh (Promoter Adrienne Byrne), Noreen Tyrrell (The Parish) and Sinead Farrell (Ger Hillery). The winners of the Promoters Draw were Vivian Clarke and John Archbald, and the winner of the draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Francesca Broughall. 

The Parish thanks all who support the Lotto.

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The passing of Seanie Kinsella

The death has occurred of Seanie Kinsella, Cherrytree House, Ballyshannon, Kilcullen, peacefully on 26 January 2026, at Suncroft Lodge Nursing Home, in the company of his loving family. 

Predeceased by his sons Simon and John, and his granddaughter Shantell, Seanie will be sadly missed by his loving wife Sheila, daughters Suzanne and Julie, son Trevor, son in law Des, daughter in law Niamh, grandchildren Simon, Micheala, Tadgh, Dean, Calum and Ross, Simon's partner Chanise, great grandchildren Kyle and Leah, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends.

Seanie will be reposing at his family home (R56 KD45) on Wednesday (28 January) from 3pm, concluding with prayers at 7pm. 

Removal by Glennons Funeral Directors will be on Thursday morning, arriving at St Brigid's Church, The Curragh, for the requiem mass at 11am. Burial afterwards in St Brigid's cemetery, Nurney.

Rest in peace.

First aid training at Camphill

Images: CCOI.

Participants in the My Dream Job programme at the Camphill Communities of Ireland recently enjoyed a highly successful First Aid Training day in Kilcullen. The training was provided by Curragh First Aid Training Ireland, and the session was professional, informative, and engaging. 

The practical, hands-on approach helped participants develop vital life-saving skills and boost their confidence throughout the day. 

The My Dream Job programme aims to support people in gaining training, education, and employment opportunities, and fostering confidence and independence.

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Yellow wind warning for Kildare

A power outage in Calverstown this morning affected 10 customers, according to ESB Networks. Service was restored at 10.08. A planned service interruption is affecting 61 customers in Brannocktown, with an estimated return of service of 5pm.

Storm Chandra - a yellow wind warning will be in effect for Kildare from 5am to 11pm today, Tuesday, 27th. Possible impacts of the storm include fallen trees and loose debris, as well as hazardous travel conditions. 

Members of the public are advised to monitor Met Éireann forecasts over the next 24 hours as conditions may change rapidly.  Further information is also available via the Met Éireann App, social media platforms (Met Éireann), and other news outlets. 

Kildare County Council will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.

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First Responder volunteers wanted in Calverstown

The Kilcullen First Responder Unit is hoping to set up a dedicated Community First Responder group in the Calverstown area. It's an opportunity for people in the locality to learn life-saving skills and give back to their community.

All it takes is giving some time to training and, afterwards, being willing to go on a roster for callouts in an emergency.

Kilcullen CFR is prepared to support the formation of such a group. Anyone interested can email kilcullenfirstresponders@gmail.com, and they will be in touch.

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Don't Re-Turn dog poo: Kilcullen GAA

Kilcullen GAA would like to remind people that the cans and plastic bottle recycle bins at the clubhouse are for that purpose only, and should not be used for the disposal of other materials.

"The club really appreciates the donations for Re-Turn, and the funds raised have been of great help," a spokesperson for the initiative told the Diary. "But we have a constant issue with finding other stuff in the bins, including dog poo bags, used coffee cups, and half-eaten food."

The club has a general waste bin beside the Re-Turn bins, which can be used for the other materials.

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No Shamrock Skills Challenge this weekend

The Shamrocks Skills Challenge will not take place this Friday evening, the 30th. The programme will resume on Friday evening, 6 February.

 

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