Acting workshop in Kilcullen

An acting workshop will be held by Kilcullen Drama Group on Sunday 13 July. It's open to everybody over 16.

The workshop will run from 11.30am, in the Town Hall theatre.

A great opportunity for both experienced actors and those interested in taking to the boards.

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Dun Ailinne Open Day 2025 today

A reminder that the annual Open Day at the Dun Ailinne excavations will be TODAY, Sunday, 6 July, from 1pm-4pm, writes Brian Byrne. Dr Susan Johnston will give site tours at 1.30pm and 3pm.

A fee of €5 will be charged, which will be donated to charity. The event is by kind permission of the Thompson family, as the site is part of their working farm.

Dr Johnston, who is based at the Department of Anthropology at George Washington University, has been investigating the site since 2006. With colleague Dr Suzanne Garrett, she has led teams of American archaeology students on summer digs on Dun Ailinne since 2016, in association with the Black Friary Archaeological School in Co Meath. The students gain practical field experience on the site as well gaining an introduction to archaeology of Europe.

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New song by Elle León Gallagher a tribute to Jeremy Burke

A new song by Kilcullen-born singer-songwriter Elle León Gallagher is a tribute to her friend from childhood, Jeremy Burke, who died unexpectedly in 2023, writes Brian Byrne. Music & Memories was released on Spotify and other major music platforms this week. 

The song is a timeline of close friendship and inspiration — Elle has many times related how Jeremy's singing and songwriting were what encouraged her to get into the music that now underpins her own life path.

The lyrics trace memories from a nine-year-old girl writing a Guns N' Roses rhyme on a Valentine card ("You could have laughed straight in my face, but you didn't") through a storyboard of reconnections until the last time Elle saw Jeremy as he was about to do a set at Dublin music venue Fibber Magees ("If I'd known, I'd have stayed out longer, to catch up properly"). It's solid rock storytelling, with just the right level of sentiment that only comes from an appreciation of friendship moments even in a too-short lifetime ("You live on through music and memories.")

The production by Elle herself and fellow Barcelonian Guille Harrison makes the most of a deceptively simple narrative, providing several instrumental bridges that allow for reflection. Overall, it's four minutes of very replayable music.

When news of Jeremy Burke's passing came through in January 2023, Elle wrote a Twitter post saying "I really and truly wouldn't have got into music the way I did if it wasn't for him and I wish I could have told him."

She just did.

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DP: The Orchard, Crookstown, Kilcullen, Co Kildare

Welcome to The Orchard. Every so often a special property comes for sale and this is one of those occasions. Dowling Property is delighted to present to the market this very special property for sale that will certainly create a stir! This country home is in need of complete renovation and is located in the village of Crookstown, just south of Kilcullen and c.3-minute drive to the M9/M7. 

This handsome, double-fronted home has been vacant for many years and will no doubt be eligible for the Vacant Home/Derelict grant for its lucky new owners (NB: successful purchasers need to make their own enquiries on this grant). Standing on an enchanting c.0.6 acres site with a mature orchard, stone walls and charming, cut stone out-buildings, which would make for a gorgeous studio or home office. Although in need of complete renovation, what we have an offer here is a rare occasion for the lucky new owner to create their dream home. With its wonderful site, first-class location and presumed grants available, we must advise on early viewings to avoid disappointment. One not to be missed!

AMV €260,000; dowlingproperty.ie; Call DP Kildare office on 045 482189

After a very busy sales season, Dowling Property is now gearing up for our autumn selling season. If you are thinking of selling, then we would love to hear from you. With our two Dublin offices on the north and south side of the Dublin city and our Kildare office, we can assure you of maximum exposure for your property. We’d be delighted to answer any questions you have and arrange a call out.

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HSE sale threat to Teach na nDaoine council plan

Teach na nDaoine, Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer disappointed at sale plan.

A plan for Kildare County Council to acquire the Teach na nDaoine project building to use as a social facility for older people may be stymied by the HSE putting it up for sale on the open market, writes Brian Byrne. This is despite the fact that in April it appeared that agreement had been reached with the council on a transfer of the property. 

The building was handed back to the HSE late last year by the voluntary committee who had refurbished and extended the original Dispensary premises at a cost of €164,407, because they didn't have the expertise to manage the facility for their purpose as a seniors centre.

The reported change of mind by the HSE has been greeted with disappointment by Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer, who has worked since last year to have the council take over the property. Her case included the fact that a significant number of Kilcullen seniors are transported each week to Newbridge Day Care Centre. “I understand that the council will get first refusal when it goes for sale, but at market price,” she says of the latest move. “We just don’t have the money for that.”

In initial discussions, the HSE had previously tried to sell the building to the council, but following the discovery that KCC actually owns the land under the building, an agreed transfer of the property to the authority was reported in April to be 'going through solicitors'. Councillors had in the meantime agreed to provide €180,000 over three years to bring the building up to standard for an older persons centre.

The apparent about-turn will also cause significant dismay across the Kilcullen community, which has supported many fundraising events for the project, first mooted in 2015. It got underway in 2017 after the local committee agreed a lease of the building with the HSE.

At first, it was intended only to refurbish the original building, but the project was expanded to include a modern extension to the side and rear of the former Dispensary. 

Of the €164,407 spent on it, 71 percent was provided by grants. The balance came from local fundraising and donations. People with construction skills also contributed time and expertise to the project. If there is a sale, a question will certainly arise over the reimbursement of the money spent by the community, particularly the more than €116,000 in grants.

The completed building now includes a lounge, a dining room, a meeting room, an activity area, a kitchen, and two cloakrooms. The rooms have been furnished, and the property is an inviting environment designed to serve the community’s senior residents, if the facility can be operated as such. 

The HSE's property management department has been asked for a statement on the reported sale plan.

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Gospel Choir raised €5,813 for Irish Cancer Society

The Kilcullen Gospel Choir has raised a total of €5,813.60 for Relay for Life Kildare 2025, in support of the Irish Cancer Society, writes Brian Byrne. The funds raised will be utilised to provide essential services to County Kildare.

Among the ICS services provided by the national Relay for Life fundraiser were more than 26,000 free drives for cancer patients to and from their treatments. Over 16,000 free counselling sessions were provided, along with more than 6,000 nights of nursing care. Some 176 families were able to avail of the ICS Children's Fund to help with the cost of a cancer diagnosis.

The society extends its sincere gratitude for the unwavering support of communities around the country.

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Kilcullen News Update

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Dr Francke retires from Kilcullen Family Practice

The Kilcullen Family Practice has established a new Facebook page so the community can stay in touch with what is happening in and around the practice, writes Brian Byrne. 

And the first post is a farewell to Dr Suzanna Francke, who is retiring after 23 years as an integral part of the team at KFP.

All the patients she has looked after over those decades will join her colleagues in wishing her a happy and healthy retirement.

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Biggest Brick Show cancelled

The Kildare and West Wicklow SPCA are reminding people that the Biggest Brick Show, which had originally been scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, is not taking place, writes Brian Byrne. The fundraiser was cancelled some weeks ago due to technical reasons, and all who had bought tickets are being refunded.

However, there are a number of other fundraising events planned for later in the year. These include the Mondello Park Carole Nash Historic Festival on the weekend of 16/17 August, the Wag & Bone Dog Show at Punchestown on 14 September, a Dog Walk at Kerdiffstown Park, Naas, and the Autumn Fair and Pop-Up Shop in Newbridge Town Hall, both in October. 

There are also events in November and December, and full details of all these will be published closer to the time.

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Water supply disruption

A heads-up that there may be water supply disruptions in the Branncockstown area on Thursday 10 July has been issued by Uisce Éireann, writes Brian Byrne. This is due to works to install a valve.

The works are scheduled to take place from 10am until 3pm and when completed it may take up to four hours for full return of supply.

Traffic management will be in place for the duration of the works. 

The works will affect a wide area including Greatconnell, Rosetown and Corbally. 

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Barrettstown Big Picnic reminder

A reminder that the Barrettstown Big Picnic fundraiser is happening on 20 July, with a wide range of fun activities planned, writes Brian Byrne. These include archery, giant games, face-painting, canoeing, dancing, mini-golf and more. 

Fossett’s Circus will also be on site with adult tickets €16 and children’s tickets €12. There’s a €50 family ticket deal. 

The event runs from 11.15am until 4.20pm, with circus shows at 11.15, 1.15 and 3.15.

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