HALLOWEEN VIEWS IN TOWN

A few Halloween views on a short night walk through the town. Is it our imagination, or is there less Halloween going on in the windows this year?

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FIRST RESPONDERS TABLE QUIZ TONIGHT

A reminder that tonight’s Table Quiz for First Responders in Kilcullen will begin at The Hideout at 7:30pm. The event features prizes donated by the National Ambulance Service, Fallons Pub, Eye Candy, Nolans Butchers, Kalbarri Cookery School, and many others. 

All funds raised will support the purchase of new AEDs for new responders, another AED for Kilcullen, and new AED storage boxes. 

Tables of four €40. A night of fun, laughter, and great prizes and a great cause.

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WORLD STROKE DAY

Today, 29 October, marks World Stroke Day, highlighting the importance of recognising stroke symptoms and acting swiftly. A stroke is a medical emergency where time is critical; delayed treatment can lead to brain damage. 

Learn the FAST signs: Face drooping, Arms weakness, Slurred speech, and Time to call 999 immediately. 

Spreading awareness and acting quickly can save lives.

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FLY KITES FOR CHILDREN OF GAZA

Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) groups from Kildare, Laois, and Carlow are hosting a family-friendly "Kites Not Frights" solidarity event this Halloween, designed to show solidarity with the children and people of Gaza while raising funds for humanitarian aid. 

The gathering will take place on Saturday, 31 October, at 11:30am on The Curragh, opposite Donnelly's Hollow. 

Participants are invited to bring kites to fly in a display of hope and unity for the children of Gaza. All proceeds from the event will go to Children Not Numbers, a charity providing critical medical support to children in Gaza. Those unable to attend are encouraged to support the cause online via the official website or QR codes available on local IPSC social media pages.

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HALLOWEEN EVENT IN LIBRARY GARDEN

A reminder that a Halloween event is being organised by KCA and Kilcullen Library at the Library Community Garden TOMORROW, Thursday, 29 October, running from 6-8pm. 

The evening promises spooktacular sights and sounds, including a scavenger picture hunt for children with prizes for winners. 

All welcome.

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KILCULLEN GETTING A COMMUNITY CAR

Ali O'Brien, Operations Manager of Dunlea's Kia, with Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, who has negotiated the initiative.

Kilcullen will be getting its own community car early next month, courtesy of Dunlea’s Kia and the Kildare Leader Partnership, writes Brian Byrne. The availability of the car will make a significant difference to the lives of many in the community who need transport to medical and other appointments in places and at times when public transport isn't a viable option. 

The initiative has been welcomed by Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, who has been working to arrange the facility for a considerable time. It will be the second such community car in County Kildare — the first has been available to residents of the Kildare town area since January 2025. The concept was piloted in 2019 by Fingal County Council, who provided a car in Skerries. 

Use of the Kilcullen car, a Kia Sportage, will be managed by the call centre in Kildare town that's currently operating the car based there. Kildare Leader will fund the operating expenses. A number of volunteer drivers will be recruited to provide a full-time service with the Kilcullen car. 

Dunlea’s Kia, who will be opening a brand-new premises beside the Link Park in December, say their sponsorship of the car gives them the opportunity to support the town where the business has been located for many years. “This way we can provide help to vulnerable people in this community,” says Ali O'Brien, Operations Manager at Dunlea’s. “We're delighted to have the opportunity.”

Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer says it is a project she has been passionate about after identifying a growing hardship among older residents in the Kilcullen area. “Due to limited public transport schedules, long travel times, and the high cost of taxis for people living on a fixed income, many were struggling to attend medical appointments, in some cases missing them entirely,” she says. “It's a real stressor for people, with those of a certain age not being able to drive themselves, and not wanting to bother family who have their own daily pressures.”

The process as already developed by Kildare Leader is straightforward. Those requiring the service can book the car in advance through a dedicated phone number. They will then be collected at their home and returned after their appointment. 

A launch of the service will take place during early November, with full booking details and the phone numbers being circulated in advance of that. 

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PARISH LOTTO DRAW RESULTS

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on 27th October 2026 were 2, 3, 25 and 28. 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 €10,600.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws are William Nowlan (Promoter PJ Lydon), Jim Hyland (Promoter Vivian Clarke) and Kevin Keogh (Promoter Eileen Doyle).

The winners of the Promoters Draw were The Parish and Adrienne Byrne, 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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BILLY DOWLING RETIRES

With family, friends, and Spout colleagues last night.

Billy Dowling has retired from a career behind the bar which he began 58 years ago, writes Brian Byrne. The occasion was marked in The Spout Bar last evening in a quiet celebration with family, friends, customers and Spout colleagues.

After leaving school at the age of 14, Billy began working for Joe McTernan. When he had completed serving his time, he took a job at the Ambassador Hotel in Kill. In the later 1970s he came back to Kilcullen, working part-time in both O'Connells and Berneys bars before taking on a long stint at Newbridge Rugby Club. It's the nature of the bar business that staff move around, and over his career Billy has also worked in Ballymore. 

He made his first connection with The Spout in 1999 with the late Fergal Sloan, for a decade. After another break in Ballymore, he rejoined the bar in 2018, two years after it had been taken over by Tommy Dignam and Marian Courtney — both of whom were there last night to wish him well in his retirement. "He'll be a huge loss to the pub," Tommy told the Diary. "But at 72, you can understand."

Billy says he has no plans for what he might do in his retirement. "They're making a book on me going back to work in a bar within four weeks," he says with a grin. But after he has spent nearly six decades behind many bars, and he says he has been thinking about finishing for some time, that might not be the best bet in town.

Billy with family last night.

Flashback to June 1992 when Billy's father, also Billy, retired in The Hideout after 54 years working for the Byrne family.

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