CLLR REJECTS RESPONSE TO HER SKATE PARK AND GREENWAY PROPOSAL

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Kilcullen-based Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer has rejected an official response at today's monthly meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge MD, writes Brian Byrne, which dismissed her request to have an urban design framework to include a skate park and greenway on the council-owned land to the rear of Kilcullen GAA and Kilcullen Business Park.

The report to her motion said it would not be considered 'a feasible project' as the lands concerned are zoned Industry & Warehousing and not under consideration for recreational and amenity development because they back onto private housing and the Kilcullen GAA complex. 

Responding that she 'completely rejected' the report, the councillor said there is a fantastic opportunity to 'deliver something truly special' for Kilcullen if the Parks and Planning departments in Kildare County Council work together.

"It is already an objective in the Kilcullen Settlement Plan to both provide connecting cycleways to Old Kilcullen and the Round Tower and to develop the old road through Kilcullen Business Park into a pedestrian greenway," she noted. "With further housing planned for the Athy side of Kilcullen, it is essential that we put sustainable infrastructure in place now so residents and children can safely walk or cycle to local schools and sports facilities."

Cllr O'Dwyer added that if the council worked to develop an urban design framework for this location it would take into consideration the opportunity to create a dedicated cycle and pedestrian route linking local sporting amenities, schools, and future residential developments, and also realise the potential to connect into the Old Kilcullen Heritage Trail via a safe pedestrian/cycling design over the motorway bridge. 

"This would also allow for consideration of the inclusion of a skate park facility in Kilcullen," she added, noting that having secured €100,000 in funding for a skate park in Kilcullen over two years ago, she was 'deeply disappointed over the lack of progress' on the project. 

She confirmed she will be taking the matter up directly offline with the Parks Department to push for action and find a workable solution.

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ROAD SAFETY WEATHER ALERT – STORM AUSTEN

Main image: Erik Mclean via Pexels.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is advising caution on Thursday and Friday due to Met Eireann’s Orange and Yellow Weather warnings for Storm Austen. Heavy rain and strong winds, particularly in the south and southeast, are expected to cause travel disruptions and flooding.

Orange Rain Warnings are in effect for Cork, Kerry, and Waterford from 10pm Thursday to 5am Friday, and for Dublin, Wexford, and Wicklow from 2am to 8am Friday. These conditions may lead to public transport delays and difficult travel.

A Yellow Rain and Wind Warning covers Ireland from 7pm Thursday to 10am Friday, with potential localised flooding and impacts on outdoor events.

Drivers are urged to slow down, maintain greater braking distances, avoid flooded roads, and follow traffic signs. Dipped headlights should be used for visibility. Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists should wear high visibility clothing and be cautious of strong winds.

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REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE THEME OF UPCOMING ART EXHIBITION

Riverbank Arts Centre, in collaboration with Kildare County Council Arts Service, will present during November and December Illustrated Parts Breakdown, a solo exhibition by Ben Morrison, recipient of the Emerging Visual Artist Bursary Award 2025. 

The exhibition, running from 30 October to 22 December, features Morrison’s interdisciplinary work combining machine parts and fieldstone, exploring themes of repair and maintenance. The McKenna Gallery will be transformed into a site of ongoing labour, showcasing sculpture, moving image, and performance. 

Morrison will also host Dig – A Performance Lecture on 16 December. 

Admission is free, with guided tours available for school groups.

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KWWSPCA AUTUMN FAIR AT WEEKEND

The KWWSPCA’s Autumn Fair and PopUp Shop is being held at Newbridge Town Hall this coming Saturday, 24, and Sunday, 25 October, from 11am to 4pm each day. Entry is free, with ample parking at the back of the Town Hall. 

The event will feature a variety of donated items, including women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing, books, bric-a-brac, household items, jewellery, pet products, cakes, and bakes. The Teddy Adoption stall will also be available. 

Artist Lisa will offer Pet Pawtraits on Saturday, and a Lego Hogwarts Castle will be raffled during the weekend. Light refreshments will be served.

The event is sponsored by Life Credit Union.

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FIRST RESPONDERS COMMUNITY PROJECT

Kilcullen Community First Responders are asking all community groups, businesses, and residents associations to contact them by email, in relation to a community project the responders are developing.

The project aims to identify all AED locations, improve access to them, and provide more where needed, with a view to having full awareness of a network of the devices across the community, and people who know how to use them in an emergency.

The responders group wants to keep local organisations up to date and involve them in this project too.

The email address is kilcullenfirstresponders@gmail.com

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PARISH LOTTO DRAW RESULTS

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on 20th October 2026 were 9, 13, 24 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 €10,400.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws are Kay Tyrell (Promoter Nancy Fitzpatrick), Helen & Sean Lee (Vanessa Clarke) and Kitty Cross (The Parish Office).

The winners of the Promoters Draw were Berney’s Chemist and The Parish Office, and the winner of the draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Mick Dunne.

The Parish thanks all who support the Lotto.

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PLEA TO KEEP FIREWORKS AWAY FROM ALL WEATHER PITCH

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Fireworks damaging the All Weather Pitch could require the facility to be closed, the Community Centre management has warned. In addition to meaning the loss of a much-used amenity, it could also affect employment.

“A firework landed on the surface last night and left a burn mark,” centre manager Enda O'Neill told the Diary. “Such burns can't be patched, and if there are more we will be forced to close the pitch.”

He says the pitch is used by many different groups within the community and beyond and closure would mean disruption for many. He has appealed for those using fireworks to keep them away from the All Weather Pitch.

The original pitch was installed in 2002 and replaced in 2018 to a full-size G5 pitch. It is currently fully certified until 2028. 

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CPC HALLOWEEN DRESS-UP DAY

If you see a lot of weirdly dressed Cross and Passion College students wandering Kilcullen on Friday next, 23 October, it's because the college is hosting a Halloween Dress-Up Day. 

Students are encouraged to wear their funniest, scariest, or most creative costumes, with prizes for the best individual and group outfits. Those not keen on dressing up can wear bright rainbow colours to support LGBTQ+ inclusion, diversity, and equality. 

There's a €2 donation from the students, with all proceeds benefiting the Children’s Health Foundation, and Shout Out which supports LGBTQ+ young people.

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SCARY FUN TONIGHT AT KILCULLEN BRIDGE CINEMA

A reminder that, just in time for getting into the Halloween spirit, Kilcullen Bridge Cinema is showing an atmospheric folk horror film TONIGHT, Tuesday 20 October. Hokum is an Irish ghost story with a sense of fun. 

Directed by Damian McCarthy and starring Adam Scott, Peter Coonan, David Wilmot and Florence Ordesh, Hokum tells the story of successful American author Ohm Bauman. He travels to a creaky hotel in Ireland to scatter his parents’ ashes. Rude and dismissive towards the locals and staff, Ohm is nonetheless fascinated by the stories about the hotel’s supposedly haunted honeymoon suite. When one staff member mysteriously disappears, Ohm investigates and uncovers the hotel’s many dark secrets. But he also draws the attention of some very sinister and dangerous forces.

It is a delightfully eerie story, both blackly comic and genuinely creepy. Severance star Adam Scott leads the cast, giving what has been described as his best work to date. Hokum promises an evening of scares, chills, wicked jokes and supernatural gloom.

Tickets €7 on sale in Woodbine Books, Kilcullen, and on Eventbrite.

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BARRY DEAY MEMORIAL 5K WALK/RUN

A reminder that the Barry Deay Memorial 5K Walk/Run will take place on Monday, 26 October 2026, at 12pm at Crookstown Millview Athletic Club, Inchaquire, Narraghmore. 

Keeping Barry’s spirit alive, donations can be made on the day or via Revolut, with proceeds going to CRY Ireland and Crookstown Millview Athletic Club. 

For more information, follow @barrydeaymemorial.

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LESLEY'S 'CHASING AEROPLANES' IN ULSTER EXHIBITION

Kilcullen ceramic artist Lesley Kelly’s work, Chasing Aeroplanes, has been accepted for the Royal Ulster Academy Annual Exhibition, running from today, 19 October 2026, to January 2027 at the Royal Ulster Museum, Belfast.

The exhibition, one of Northern Ireland’s most prominent art shows, attracts up to 100,000 visitors. Lesley's piece explores a yearning for approval from external societal pressures, in earthenware clay and glaze, combining traditional craft methods with contemporary design. 

Her process involves creating paper models, shaping clay ribbons, and applying unique glaze scripts, culminating in a meticulously crafted and fired artwork. 

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No1 FITNESS FREE OPEN WEEK

No1 Fitness Kilcullen is hosting a free training open week from 19-24 October 2026, offering classes for people aged 16 and above of all fitness levels. 

Participants can enjoy over 23 group classes, including functional training, No1Rox strength & conditioning, turbo cycling, yoga, tabata, mobility, and core sessions. 

To book a class, contact via DM or email at info@no1fitnesskilcullen.com. The gym is located at Unit 5, Kilcullen Industrial Estate, Naas Road, R56 WC95. For more information, call Beata at 087 9754415 or Mariusz at 087 2895896.

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