Discussion on Kilcullen bike rack

Image: Google.

The placement of a proposed bicycle parking rack in Kilcullen was discussed at the recent Annual General Meeting of Kilcullen Community Action, writes Brian Byrne. The meeting heard that the council has already procured a rack, but arrangements regarding its installation are yet to be finalised. 

Councillor Tracey O'Dwyer said that the location being considered is near the traffic lights, but with the council's current priorities focused on central Kilcullen, she isn't sure if the bike rack will be installed this year. "It's also about money. But they do want to do it."

She noted that the location is also near the bus stop and facilitates passive surveillance of the area.

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Riverbank documentary season

Riverbank Arts Centre has announced a documentary season for May and June 2026, featuring five screenings over six weeks, with guest appearances and post-screening discussions.

The season opens on Wednesday, 20 May, with How to Build a Library, followed by a panel discussion on themes raised in the film. Speakers include Kildare County Librarian Gillian Allen, Kenyan anthropologist and academic Dr Fernando Ongolly, and IADT post-doctoral film researcher Dr Judith Pernin, who will chair the event.

Further screenings include Myrid Carten’s directorial debut A Want in Her on 27 May; Charlie Shackleton’s Zodiac Killer Project on 3 June; Born That Way, an award-winning Irish documentary on disability inclusion pioneer Patrick Lydon, on 10 June; and The Song Cycle on 24 June. 

Director Éamon Little and Gladys Lydon will take part in a short Q&A following Born That Way, while The Song Cycle director Nick Kelly will attend that screening.

The documentary season is presented in association with Access Ireland and Europa Cinemas.

Tickets are €7 early bird, €9 on the door, and €5 for students. Bookings can be made through the Box Office, by telephone on 045 448327, or online at riverbank.ie, where a €1.50 booking fee applies per ticket.

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Celebrating 30 Years of Transition Year

Cross and Passion College is celebrating a major milestone next week — 30 years of Transition Year, writes Brian Byrne. Thirty years of memories. Thirty years of growth. Thirty years of making futures. 

The event is on Wednesday, 6 May 2026, from 6.30pm to 7.30pm in the School Assembly Hall, and will mark three decades of a programme that has played a central role in the lives of students, families, and the wider community.

Since its introduction at CPC, Transition Year has given generations of students the opportunity to discover talents, build confidence, and develop into well-rounded young adults. From work experience placements and student portfolios to memorable school musicals, the programme has become a key part of school life in CPC.

The celebration will bring together past pupils, parents, and people from the community to reflect on the school’s long-standing belief that education is about developing the whole person.

Sponsors helping to mark the occasion include KFM Radio, Punctual Print, Blessington, and Higgins Hire in Kildare Town.

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County Kildare gears up for Bike Week 2026

County Kildare is set to host a variety of events as part of National Bike Week 2026, which runs from 9 to 17 May.

Local highlights include a bike confidence and repair event at Harbour Field, Maynooth, on 9 May, the Kildare Inclusivity Festival at The Curragh Racecourse on 10 May, and an On Your Bike! Craft Workshop at Maynooth Community Library on 14 May.

Later in the week, there will be inclusive and family-friendly cycling along the Barrow Blueway, with events in Athy including the Barrow Blueway Inclusive Initiative on 15 May, two 50km leisure cycles on 16 May, and the Athy Triathlon Club Family Blueway Cycle on 17 May.

The Kildare events aim to encourage people of all ages and abilities to get active, build cycling confidence, and enjoy local amenities.

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Nominations sought for Community seat on Climate Action committee

Image: Kildare PPN.

Kildare Public Participation Network is seeking nominations for the Community and Voluntary seat on Kildare County Council’s Climate Action Strategic Policy Committee (SPC), with applications closing on Monday, 11 May at 5pm.

The SPC helps develop, monitor and respond to council policy on climate action. The successful nominee will represent community and voluntary interests, attend committee meetings, report back after each meeting, and work with the PPN Advisory Group to raise issues and policy proposals.

The role involvement includes induction training, four daytime SPC meetings per year, advisory group meetings as needed, and quarterly evening meetings with the Representative Network.

The position offers local community groups an opportunity to have a direct voice in shaping climate policy in County Kildare.

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Public invited to help shape future regional strategy

The Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly is conducting a public consultation as part of the early review of its Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES), which will guide how the region develops in the years ahead.

The strategy will influence where people live, work, study and visit, while supporting sustainable social, environmental and economic development across urban and rural areas. It also helps implement the National Planning Framework and wider government policy.

To support the consultation, the Assembly has published a Strategic Issues Paper outlining key challenges and questions for respondents. Submissions are invited from communities, stakeholders and members of the public until 5pm on 22 May 2026. Responses can be made online through the Assembly’s consultation page or by post to its Ballymun office: RSES Review, Eastern & Midland Regional Assembly, 3rd Floor North, Ballymun Civic Centre, Main Street, Ballymun, Dublin, D09 C8P5. 

The consultation opened on 26 March 2026.

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Dowling Property: Whitethorn, Athgarvan

Welcome to No. 43. Dowling Property is honoured to present this elegant four-bedroom, semi-detached residence for sale. Situated within the small and highly desirable development of "Whitethorn," constructed by Garyaron Homes to the most exacting standards, this exemplary A3 energy-efficient dwelling is maintained in excellent condition throughout and is ready for new owners to "walk in and hang up their hat."

The accommodation is bright and spacious, and spans three floors and approximately 160 square metres. It comprises an entrance hallway, guest WC, sitting room, kitchen-dining room, utility room, and an extended family room. The first floor features three double bedrooms, one with an en-suite, and a family bathroom. The second floor hosts the master bedroom suite, complete with an en-suite and a walk-in wardrobe. The highlight of the property is the recently extended family room adjacent to the kitchen. Heating is gas, supplemented by solar panels, thereby enhancing its A3 energy efficiency credentials.

The private rear garden includes a substantial garage space to the side, which would be ideal for campervan parking and a block-built shed. 

The location is simply first-class with easy access to Kilcullen, Newbridge, and the M7/M9 motorways. A range of amenities, including a convenience store, gift shop, and pub-restaurant, are situated nearby. Newbridge, approximately 5 kilometres away, offers a broad selection of shops along with a number of schools. Athgarvan also has a primary school and creche.

We highly recommend early viewing of this gorgeous home, as it truly is a gem!

AMV €499,950. dowlingproperty.ie. Kildare Office 045 482189.

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Kilcullen First Responders seek new volunteers

Kilcullen Community First Responders is inviting new members to join its voluntary group supporting the community in emergencies. 

While awaiting the arrival of National Ambulance Service personnel, group members respond to incidents that involve chest pain, cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, choking, and stroke. Full training and ongoing support will be provided to volunteers.

Anyone interested in gaining life-saving skills and helping neighbours in need can learn more about the service and consider joining the team. More information by emailing kilcullenfirstresponders@gmail.com.

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Kaleidoscope family ticket a Steiner raffle prize

Kildare Steiner School is offering a family pass to the Kaleidoscope music festival as one of the top prizes in its Spring Family Festival raffle. The school's Spring Festival is on Sunday, 10 May, at Martinstown House.

The prize allows the winning family to attend the popular music and arts festival at Russborough from 3–5 July 2026. It's just one of many prizes in the raffle, which has a total value of more than €2,000. Among them are glamping experiences, artwork, memberships, massages, vouchers, book tokens, and more. The prizes range in value from €12.50 to €650. 

Tickets can be bought at this iDonate link. 

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Busy summer for County Kildare Chamber

County Kildare Chamber is set for a busy summer period, with a packed programme of events for both members and non-members, aimed at supporting networking, learning, and business development.

The schedule includes the weekly Wednesday Morning Networking sessions at the Chamber office, featuring guest speakers on topics such as succession planning, innovation, and marketing. 

Among the headline events are a Lunch & Learn in Lawlor’s of Naas on 7 May with AI Ireland founder Mark Kelly, a member-only Business After Hours at Weston Airport on 21 May, the Annual Golf Classic at The K Club, and a further Business After Hours event at Kildare Business Innovation Campus on 9 September.

The events are designed to give businesses opportunities to connect, share insights, and explore new ideas over the coming months. For further information, please contact michael@countykildarechamber.ie or visit countykildarechamber.ie/.

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Parish Lotto Draw results

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on 28th April 2026 were 8, 23, 25 and 29. 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 €5,400.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws are Colm Egan (Promoter Vanessa Clarke), Anna Brennan (Toby Phelan) and Anna Jennings (New Abbey Bridge Club).

The winners of the Promoters Draw were Vivian Clarke and The Parish Office, and the winner of the draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Liam McDonnell.

The Parish thanks all who support the Lotto.

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ELMS Montessori to Host Open Day

ELMS Early Learning Montessori School will hold an Open Day on Saturday, 9 May at 10.30am in its premises at Kilcullen Community Centre.

The event will give parents and guardians an opportunity to meet the team, explore the classrooms, and learn more about the school’s Montessori approach in a child-centred environment. Information will also be available on free ECCE places offered by the school.

The open day is aimed at families interested in early years education and those considering Montessori for their children.

For further details, contact ELMS Montessori on 087 6343037 or visit www.elmsmontessori.ie.

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Kildare County Council April meeting notes

Kildare County Council is undertaking a major enhancement of local walking and cycling infrastructure in 2026, backed by €9.5 million for active travel initiatives, writes Brian Byrne. Funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA), the investment will support new schemes in Leixlip (Green Lane and Captain’s Hill), Maynooth (Celbridge Road), and Monasterevin.

Details were presented at yesterday’s full Council meeting in a report responding to a motion from Councillors Pádraig McEvoy, Pat Balfe, Aoife Breslin, Angela Feeney, Anne Breen, Mark Leigh, Noel Heavey, David Trost, Noel Connolly, and Ger Dunne. The motion highlighted the need to reduce the county’s economic vulnerability to fossil-fuel price volatility while supporting local town centres.

Councillors heard that this latest funding follows the recent completion of projects in Naas and Maynooth, along with major developments such as the Grand Canal Greenway and Barrow Blueway. A bus shelter project due to begin in May will also improve facilities in villages, including Athgarvan, Broadford, and Castledermot. Officials said more than €20 million has been allocated to active travel measures during the current council term.

A motion proposing a “One-Stop Shop” pilot scheme for council services to simplify people’s access was resisted by the executive, which cited a projected cost of €400,000 and budget constraints. The motion, from Councillors Nuala Killeen, Paula Mulroe, and Claire O’Rourke, said people often face unnecessary difficulties because of fragmented systems and multiple contact points.

Officials said demand for in-person services is falling as more people use online platforms. They noted that the Athy customer service point had closed because of low demand, while external housing clinics had limited participation. The report said the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is under review to improve query routing, response quality, and data analytics. New software and staff training for the main telephone switchboard are also planned to improve call routing and overall performance.

In other matters, a proposal from Councillor Rupert Heather to extend public alcohol bye-laws to 0.0% alcohol products, aimed at protecting minors from “shared branding,” was discussed. The Council said it currently lacks the legal authority to enforce such a ban, as existing legislation does not cover non-alcoholic beverages.

Finally, officials said a request by Councillor Tom McDonnell to establish a dedicated Irish Language Unit was unnecessary, citing the effectiveness of existing measures and the high cost of creating a new department.

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Traffic warden issuing fines in Kilcullen

Enforcement of parking regulations at the new layout in downtown Kilcullen must be through a combination of traffic warden and Garda traffic policing, the recent Kilcullen Community Action AGM heard, writes Brian Byrne. The matter arose during a discussion about motorists who had parked on the recently completed footpaths. 

Eoin Houlihan suggested to the meeting that extra bollards could be installed near the pedestrian access points to discourage motorists from using them to get onto the footpath. 

Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer told the meeting that the council’s traffic warden was visiting the town every week and is issuing fines. “I know, because I’m getting the calls about them,” she said, adding that, while expensive, if extra bollards are needed, they will be provided. It was noted that footpath parking incidents were mainly happening in the evenings, when there was no traffic warden around. 

Dangerous and bad parking at pinch points on Main Street was also discussed. Antoinette Buckley reported one recent occasion when cars were parked so badly that a truck had great difficulty in getting through. 

The need for a pedestrian crossing at Nicholastown was also raised by Eoin Houlihan, who described the situation there as 'lethal', with lots of children needing to cross the road to the GAA campus. Cllr O'Dwyer said a request for a crossing had been considered by the council, along with town gates traffic calming. The council had confirmed it was warranted. "There is a commitment to do it, but it's down to funding."

READ: Tidy Towns gold medal a defining milestone - KCA AGM 

READ: KCA financial position is good 

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2025/2026 Nature Hero Awards deadline

Schools across the Republic of Ireland have until 29 May to enter the 2025/2026 Nature Hero Awards, Ireland’s standalone outdoor learning awards, writes Brian Byrne. The awards cover many topics from biodiversity actions, conservation and ecological literacy to responsible citizenship as well as physical and mental wellbeing.

Coordinated by Biodiversity in Schools in partnership with Glenveagh, the annual awards recognise biodiversity action and outdoor learning projects by students at pre-school, primary and secondary level. 

Participating schools can compete for a share of a €10,000 prize fund to improve their gardens, while achievement is also recognised through Bronze Badger, Silver Stag and Golden Eagle awards.

The winners will be announced in September.

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Kildare CU supports Halverstown CC

Members of Halverstown Cricket Club visited Kildare Credit Union to collect their cheque as part of the Credit Union's Community Outreach Programme 2026. 

Kildare Credit Union has branches in Kilcullen, Narraghmore, and Kildare.

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