National Museum expansion at Collins Barracks

The public spaces at the National Museum of Ireland's Collins Barracks location in Dublin feature an expanded exhibition called Changing Ireland Galleries, which includes several objects from County Kildare, writes Brian Byrne. These include Can’t lose Cant, created by writers, artists, and children from the Mincéirí/Traveller Community in the county, and the Full and Plenty cookery book by Maura Laverty from Rathangan (1960 edition). 

It is the largest expansion of the public galleries at this location in twenty years, with exhibits that will be regularly changed and rotated. The new galleries represent a complete refurbishment of a section of Collins Barracks that had remained untouched since the Defence Forces left nearly thirty years ago. The initiative displays hundreds of political, social, and cultural objects from the Museum’s collections of the 20th and 21st centuries — extraordinary and everyday artefacts from the past 150 years. Visitors are encouraged to reflect on these objects and consider the question “Cad Is Ann Éire Dar Leat?” – “What Is Ireland to You?” 

New artistic commissions, including poetry by Paula Meehan, are integrated across 426 square metres of interconnected rooms, providing an additional dimension for visitors. 

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence, Simon Harris, TD, officially opened the new galleries recently. Admission is free.

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Writers Open Mic Night tonight

David Murray reading at last year's event.

The Kilcullen Creative Writers Group is hosting what's now an annual Open Mic Night TONIGHT, Wednesday, 22 October, as part of Irish Book Week, writes Brian Byrne.

The event in Woodbine Books begins at 7.30pm. All performers and spectators are welcome.

Last year's Open Mic Night was a full-house event with no less than 16 contributions from fiction, poetry, memoirs, and music. So we'd suggest you get there early.

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Fashion pop-up shop in Newbridge for KWWSPCA

The Kildare and West Wicklow SPCA Autumn Fair and Fashion PopUp Shop is taking place this weekend, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October, in Newbridge Town Hall. Entry to the event is free, and it is open from 11am to 4pm daily.

As well as a large range of ladies fashion items for sale at very reasonable prices, some of which are new and some with designer labels, there will be fashion items for men and children, as well as books, antique and vintage china, pet products, bric a brac, jewellery, cakes and bakes, a 'Teddy Adoption' stall and a Christmas table.  

Tea and coffee will be available, as well as light refreshments. On Sunday, our talented artist will also be doing her pet 'pawtraits', so bring a photo of your pet and she will be able to do a portrait for you while you are shopping. 

For more information, please call 087 6803295.

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Voting under way for Kilcullen Community Awards 2025

A reminder that voting for the Kilcullen Community Awards 2025 is now open, writes Brian Byrne. There are seven categories in this year's event, organised by KCA, which will be held on Thursday, 8 November, in the Town Hall.

They are Best Landscape and Green Space, Best Wildlife Friendly Estate, Best Biodiversity Impact, Business of the Year, Excellence in Sports, Youth Award, Best Community Arts Project, and a Special Award.

Nominations can be made online at this link or by emailing kilcullencommunityaction@gmail.com. In each category, voters should explain why they think the nominees deserve the award.

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Threads of Connection quilt workshops

A community quilt art project will continue with four workshops in the Library and in Kilcullen Heritage Centre over the coming weekend. There have already been two workshops in the Threads of Connection series, all standalone and free to attend. 

Participants are each producing a quilt square using nature-based techniques, including natural dyeing and block printing, stitching, plant impressions, and fabric collage. The squares will reflect the maker’s memories, inspirations, and connections with nature. Once completed, the squares will be sewn into a large community quilt for public display during First Fortnight 2026 – Ireland’s annual arts and mental health festival. The quilt will mirror Kilcullen’s community spirit and creativity, stitched together through shared experience and care.

Threads of Connection is delivered by Dúlra Cill Dara and is funded by Kildare County Council Arts Service under the First Fortnight Award 2025.

The times and locations of this weekend's workshops are:

Fri 24 Oct | 10:00 – 11:45 – Kilcullen Town Hall & Heritage Centre

Sat 25 Oct | 10:15 – 12:00 – Kilcullen Library

Mon 27 Oct | 15:00 – 16:45 – Kilcullen Town Hall

Tue 28 Oct | 15:00 – 16:45 – Kilcullen Library

Booking is free but essential: www.dulracilldara.ie

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Parish Lotto Draw results

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen and Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on 21 October 2025 were 12, 15, 16 and 20. There was no Jackpot winner, and next week's main prize will again be €20,000. The value of the follow-up draw stands at €18,200.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Tom Copeland (Promoter Vivian Clarke), Edward O'Mara (Wednesday Bridge Club) and Siobhan Tuite (Siobhan Tuite).

The winners of the Promoters Draw were Breda McCormack and Wednesday Bridge Club, and the Draw winner for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Vivienne Clifford.

The Parish thanks all who support the Lotto.

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Halloween stories at Halverstown School tonight

There's a Halloween Story Time event in St Joseph's NS Halverstown this evening, from 6-7pm. Potential Junior Infants for 2026 are especially invited.

In addition to the stories, there will be face-painting, sweet treats, and lots of fun games.

The Afterschool Club is also open for the event.

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Kilcullen News Update

Twinning meeting on Thursday ... Celebration in Spout for Darts Gold Medal ... AI marketing course for crafts and creatives ... Narraghmore candle-making course ... Home Repairs course from Leader ... Closing date for CPC 2026 enrolments ... Playground closed for maintenance ...

Reporting since 2005 from a Village Grown Bigger. Produced by Brian Byrne for Kilcullen Diary.

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Celebration for Jack's world darts gold medal

A celebration is being held on Friday evening in The Spout Bar to mark the gold medal won by Jack Courtney in the World Cup Darts in Seoul, South Korea. The event starts at 6pm.

Jack and his team-mate Aidan O'Hara (above) took the top honours in the youth pairs category at the competition last month. Aidan also won silver in the youth singles.

The Irish national darts team came home from the event with two gold and one silver medal, following the winning of the Ladies Team final by the four women in the squad.

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Marketing with AI workshop day with Google and LEO Kildare

Cera Ward (Managing Director, Central Europe, Large Customers Sales at Google Ireland), Ann Marie Sweeney (Kildare LEO), Magdelena Seymour (Pure Oskar), Kieran Comerford (Carlow LEO).

If you run a craft or creative business and want to optimise your marketing in the AI digital world, an event at the Google Foundry in Dublin on 13 November might be ideal for you, writes Brian Byrne. The event is hosted by Google in partnership with Craftwork4All and the Local Enterprise Offices of Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Waterford, Wexford, and Wicklow. 

The day will feature advice from a Google expert on how AI can benefit craft and creative entrepreneurs, along with a demonstration of an AI tool that helps creators produce professional-quality promotional videos. The ethics of AI and practical tips on maximising the technology will also be covered. 

The day will culminate in a panel discussion led by tech innovator and AI ethics advocate Naomh McElhatton, with a diverse group of Irish entrepreneurs who have successfully integrated digital thinking into their creative ventures. Among them is Kildare’s Magdalena Seymour of Pure Oskar, whose ethical skincare brand combines sustainability with handmade quality. 

Other participants include Kim Whyte of Irish stationery company Pawpear, Kay Lyng of K Kajoux Jewels, Niav Riley of Market Square Studios — a ceramics and homewares creative hub — and Kieran Comerford, Chairperson of the Network of Local Enterprise Offices. 

Places are limited. Booking can be made at LEO Kildare. 

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Candle making and flower arranging for Seniors

A candle-making and flower arranging session for seniors is being held at The Old Hardware in Narraghmore on Thursday morning, 23 October.

It's a free workshop, supported by the County Kildare Leader Partnership, and will run from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

The session will run in conjunction with the cafe's regular Seniors Morning.

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Home Repairs course with Kildare Leader

Photo by Ksenia Chernaya via Pexels.

A Home Repairs training programme is being offered by the County Kildare Leader Partnership in November, writes Brian Byrne. It's a free course, offered by the City & Guilds-approved  Bicycle Engineering Academy.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn basic DIY skills, including plumbing, plastering and plasterboard repairs, basic electrical, and an introduction to tiling.

The course is a blended one, with one week of online self-guided learning and a week of in-house practical training (in Athy and Clane).

Contact Kildare Leader for details and registration. 

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Dowling Property: Thoran Road, Ballitore.

As Per the Instructions Of The Executors. Probate Has Been Granted.

Dowling Property is delighted to present to the market this charming 3-bedroom, semi-detached bungalow for sale. Situated on the edge of Ballitore Village, with all amenities just a short walk from your door. The well-laid-out accommodation includes a sitting room, an extended kitchen, three generously sized bedrooms, and a modernised bathroom. Decorated neatly throughout, it features oil heating and an open fire. 

This wonderful home sits on a mature approximately 0.23-acre site and is perfectly positioned, set back from the road with rolling countryside views at the front. The grounds are mature, private, and well-maintained over the years, offering endless opportunities for gardening enthusiasts. 

All amenities are within walking distance in Ballitore Village, including a convenience store, pub, post office, creche, and primary school in Crookstown. Ballitore benefits from excellent road networks with direct access to M9/M7, just about a 3-minute drive away. The new Crookstown primary school is approximately 1.5 km away, along with a variety of shops including Spar, a pharmacy, butchers, and more. 

We recommend early viewings of this chain-free, move-in-ready property. An opportunity not to be missed!

AMV €269,000. dowlingproperty.ie. Kilcullen Office 045 482189.

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Playground closing for maintenance

The Kilcullen Community Playground will be closed for three days, starting tomorrow.

The closure is required for essential maintenance. 

Apologies for any inconvenience.

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Closing date for CPC 2026/2027 admissions

The closing date for enrolment applications for Cross and Passion College for the 2026/2027 school year ends on Wednesday next, 22 October.

The 1st Year Application Form is available at this link. 

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Public meeting to plan 2026 twinning visit to France

A reminder that a Kilcullen Twinning public meeting will be held in the Town Hall on this coming Thursday, 23 October, to which everybody interested in becoming involved are welcome, writes Brian Byrne. Part of the evening will be devoted to planning a visit to Kilcullen’s twin town in Normandy, Saint-Contest, in 2026. The meeting will begin at 7pm.

A visit by a Saint-Contest group to Kilcullen in February (above) was a great success, with the French enjoying local hospitality, visiting schools and businesses, and exploring the ancient heritages of Old Kilcullen and Kildare Town.

It was the second delegation from Saint Contest since the inaugural one over the St Patrick's weekend in 2019. The pandemic delayed a return Kilcullen trip until 2023 (below). 

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